Cecil Papers: November 1573

Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 2, 1572-1582. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1888.

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'Cecil Papers: November 1573', in Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 2, 1572-1582, (London, 1888) pp. 61-64. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-cecil-papers/vol2/pp61-64 [accessed 19 March 2024]

November 1573

161. Vallentin de Pardien, Seigneur de la Motte, to Captain Vinbon.
1573, Nov. 5. Is very glad Capt. Vinbon has confided to him a certain matter, concerning which, to lose no time, he has written to M. Dotay, Lieutenant at Gravelines. Does not doubt but that the Captain will succeed in his proposal.—Utrecht, 5 Nov. 1573.
Copy. 1 p.
162. The Duke of Alencon to the Queen.
[1573?], Nov. 9. His first despatch after parting from the King, his brother, was to send one of his valets de chambre to her Majesty as the one princess in the world from whom he expects the most friendship, favour, and support, and to whom he most desires to render service.
Has heard from the bearer of the remembrance in which it has pleased her Majesty to hold him, which has given him the greatest possible pleasure, and for which he can never sufficiently thank her. Having heard no news as to the safe arrival of his said valet de chambre has resolved to send to her Majesty very shortly a well informed gentleman who will instruct her as to all that has taken place in the conferences of the last few days, and as to their present condition.
Is marvellously pleased with the token and sign she has sent him, by means of which they will be able henceforth to communicate with greater freedom.—Chatelherault, 9 November.
French. 1 p.
163. Walter ap Howell.
1573, Nov. 16. Petition of Walter ap Howell to the Queen, for an extension of his lease of the lordships and manors of Lleswery and Llewennocke, Monmouth, granted to him by Edward VI. His service to the Queen's father, brother and sister.
[Note by Thomas Wilson that the Queen grants the petition.—16 November 1573.]
½ p.
164. Edmund Clerke.
1573, Nov. 16. Petition of Edmund Clerke, one of the clerks of the Privy Seal, to the Queen, for lease in reversion of the parsonage of Micheldever and East Stratton, Hants, where he has dwelt above 36 years, in consideration of his services to the Queen's father, brother and sister.—Undated.
[Note by Thomas Wilson that the Queen grants the petition.—16 Novr. 1573.]
¼ p.
165. The Bishop of Ross to the Queen.
1573, Nov. 17. Has understood the Queen's good pleasure, declared by her Council, this 16th inst., that she had refused to agree to their desires in Scotland, who made suit for his surrender into their hands; and that of her royal favour she would license his departure into France, provided she had assurance of his honest and quiet behaviour in time to come. Assures her Majesty that he is wearied with the handling of public and princes' affairs, and is willing to live as a private man, and behave himself quietly, without meddling in affairs of State. Humbly beseeches her Majesty to put an end to this his simple suit of delivery.—“At my Lord Winchester's House in Southwark, the 17th of November, 1573.”
Signed.
pp. [Murdin, pp. 65, 66. In extenso.]
166. Irish Affairs.
1573, Nov. 17. Memorandum, in Lord Burghley's hand, chiefly on Irish affairs.
One uniform order of Common Prayer and of administration of rites and ceremonies, to be observed in the Church of England.
The estate of Ireland to be better considered. The rebellion of the O'Mores and O'Connors to be suppressed by the Earls of Ormond and Kildare. An accord to be made between the Earl of Ormond and Sir Barnaby Fitzpatrick. Cosbie to be sent over into England. Owen McHugh to have a portion of land granted him in Leix. The President of Munster to return, to settle the Earl of Desmond in the country. Reform for the province. A better accord to be made between the Lord Deputy and the Treasurer there, or else one of them to be called away. The Auditor to return over with speed, or else to send a declaration in writing of the sums due there by her Majesty. The Earl of Essex to send over a declaration of his charges. All towns in the realm where strangers do inhabit to have regard that there be no increase of the numbers of such, whereby victuals may grow scant and dear.
2 pp. [Murdin, pp. 267, 268. In extenso.]
167. Sir Thomas Gresham to Lord Burghley.
1573, Nov. 23. Has paid to Acerbo Velutelli 1,791l. 17s. in full payment of one of the Queen's bonds for 3,259l. 9s. Also to Benedict Spinola 2,000l. in part payment of one of the Queen's bonds for 3,169l. 13s. 4d.: thinks it advisable to clear the remaining 1,169l. 13s. 4d., and urges Burghley that it may be paid.—London, 23 Nov. 1573.
¾ p. [Murdin, pp. 268, 269. In extenso.]
168. Edward Dering to the Privy Council.
1573, Nov. 26. In matters of accusation not only words, but also the manner of speaking, must be witness of the truth. Examples of early rulers condemning excellent men on false accusations. Will write the truth of what he knows he has spoken. Against godfathers and godmothers, saving only the name, he said nothing. Remarked against their not keeping the promises they made in the church of God. Utterly denies that he blamed the statute for provision for the poor; also, that he said he could provide for them in two ways, by committing them to the rich to be kept, or out of the extravagance of many. To verify what he states, he has brought the hands of those that were present. Evidence of some of them. Does not believe in a “community of things,” which he considers but “a common confusion.” Argues against the doctrine. Wishes a great many preachers in London, who are unlearned and rash of speech, were admonished by the bishops of their doings; for, while they flatter to get living, they make the pulpit to be contemned. “I hard of late one in the wide churche of Polls [St. Paul's] preache mutche for authoritie of bishops, and what a thinge it weare to have them honourable; and sayde thus, 'I would five or six of the cownsell weare Aarons; I would the Lord Keeper weare a bishop (not that I think justice ill ministered, but I would have the cleargie in honor); I would a bishop were Master of the Rolls; I would all the vj. clarkes of Chauncerie weare priestes; this would make the order in estimation. In times past a good justice of peace durst not offende a parishe or hedge priest; now everie brave man in Kent Streete will controll bishops.'” These words do not edify the conscience of man. Did not put off his cap, and prophecy that Matthew Parker would be the last Archbishop of Canterbury. Seeing his private speeches have been so long narrowly searched, it had been easily known if his open preaching had been more faulty.—1573, Nov. 26.
4 pp.[Murdin, pp. 269–272. In extenso.]
169. Mr. Dering's Defence.
[1573, Nov. 26.] Testimony signed by witnesses in favour of Mr. Dering:—
1. There was no speech by Mr. Dering against the Book of Service or against godfathers and godmothers, but to the allowance of them; and he said, the charge given them, except it was better looked unto, was not well.
2. There was no misliking of the Act of Parliament for the poor, nor any declaration of a better way, neither did any man shew himself offended.
3. The communication of the provision for the poor was in effect as follows:—
By occasion of talk of great multitude of poor, one said, it was pity they were no better provided for, whereunto Mr. Dering said, there were good laws already if they were well executed, and that he durst undertake, if he had authority, to provide for thirty parishes. To which Mr. Chaderton said, “I would you were able to provide for one”; and Mr. Toye named St. Sepulchre's, Mr. Audley named St. Giles', in which parishes it was said the rich were not able to sustain the poor. Then said Mr. Dering, there were other parishes in London that had fewer, and Mr. Hudson said, that in their parish there were not above three or four. Then said Mr. Chaderton, “Whom would you account poor?” He answered, “Not such as were able to have plate at their table.” “Why, Mr. Dering, I trust you do not think it unlawful to have plate?” “No truly,” said Mr. Dering, “for of late I had plate myself, I thank God, and good friends, till I sold it to buy me a house, which I now have sold again and lost but two shillings.” And more he said,—if Mr. Hudson kept account of all that he gave to the poor at his door and abroad, he were better to keep two poor all the year long.
4. Mr. Dering, amongst other communications, asked Mr. Blogge why he did not serve his cure himself, who answered, that he had such business about a book that he had to write or gather for my Lord of Canterbury, that he could not attend it. Mr. Dering, smiling, said these words in effect, “You may do well to be somewhat long of this man's life, for I think after this man there will be no more Archbishops of Canterbury.” He certainly did not put off his cap, or lift up his eyes, or say; “Masters, hearken, I will prophecy, after Matthew Parker I trust there shall be no more Archbishops of Canterbury.”—Undated.
pp.