|
|
939. R. D[ouglas] to “V. S. P.” |
|
1589, Now 2. |
“Monsieur, de mes dernières par M. Constable et de son rapport vous entendez assez l'estat de ce pays icy, et que Sa Majesté estoit résolue de partir pour aller en Norvège, ce que, devant que je fusse de retour de conduire Mons. de Buzanval, il fit à notre grand regret, et de tous les gens de bien par deça. Incontinent après son département, on publia de lettres patentes, par lesquelles toute puissance fust octroyée durant l'absence de Sa Majesté à son conseil, qui se doit tenir en ceste ville. Le due de Lennox est ordonné président, et a autorité d'assembler le conseil, et avec luy aussy le comte de Bothvel, qui se doibt tenir aussy avec luy jusques au retour du roy. Milord Hamiltonne a la charge de toutes les frontières vers Angleterre, et est constitué Lieutenant de ces quartières, avec puissance quasi absolue, sans rendre conte à ce conseil, et si besoing est, qu'il s'aille là en personne. II peut prendre les deniers du roy pour son voyage, et les treasoriers ont commandement de luy en fournir. Voylà en quel estat est demeuré ce pauvre pays, où tout est encore fort paisible, et quasi plus qu'il estoit auparavant, mais je craigne fort que ceste bonesse hors de saison ne nous menasse d'une horrible tempeste bien prochaine. Toutesfois j'espère que ceux qui auparavant furent la cause de noz troubles, pour ce monstrer en un tel besoing bons subjetts, et pour encourir Ja bonne grace de Sa Majesté à son retour, se metteront en debvoir de garder l'estat paisible durant son absence, principalement le comte de Bothvel, qui est de la meilleure voulonté du monde. Si Sa Majesté ne revient de cest hyver, ce que nous craignons tous, et d'icy, à huict jours, nous sçaurons la certainté, et, si je me puisse dépesher de mes parens, je viendray passer l'hyver avec vous, où je me souhaitte de tout mon cœur. Si je vienne, je vous meneray une meilleure hacquenée que celle que je vous vien d'envoyer par Mons. de Moulins, qui est à chemin il y a trois jours. Touchant ce que vous m'avez enchargé de faire envers Diane pour l'insulaire, je vous ay respondu en ma dernière. Touchant le Sieur d'Outremer, je me pense qu'en toutes voz lettres m'avez jamais touché une seule parole pour tirer une lettre pour luy, ce qui m'eust esté créanse de faire sur ce ses derniers jours, qu'elle n'escrivât à personne. A son retour, que je souhaitte et prie Dieu fort affectueusement estre bien tost, il ne sera pas difficile Jéshabiller ceste faute. Excusez envers tous voz amiz ce voyage désespéré, pour lequel je ne irouve aucune excuse, si non l'amour, qui peut tout envers tout esprit gentil semblable au vostre. Elle sera de bonne mise, encor que non envers les trop sévères Catons de par delà. Le fascheux triomfera, mais j'espère que non pas longtemps. Faitez mes excuses au gentilhomme que je ne luy escris pas à ceste fois, car le porteur attend desià ceste lettre. C'estoit mal advisé à vous de laisser sçavoir au disgracié que je vous avois escrytt. Il m'a bien, très-bien, causé de cela, m'imputant que je l'a oublié. Je vous suplie m'entretenir es bonnes graces du gentilhomme, l'amazone, et les autres que, encor que n'ay rien à leur dire de la part de
Diane, je ne lairray leur demeurer serviteur. Faitez mes, recommandations à Monsieur de Buzanval, Constable, et tous nos autres amys, à Madeinoyselle de Moulins et sa fille, et, comme vous ditez, à la belle Jaël, mais sur toutes à vostre compagnon, et sur ce il me faut acbever celle-cy pour l'importunité du messager, priant le Tout Puissant, Monsieur, vous donner tel beur et contentement que pourrez souhaiter, et que vous désire, Vostre très-affectionné amy et serviteur, R.D. Edimbourg, ce 2 de novembre, 1589.” |
|
[Postscript.] “Je vous mercie pour les livres du poète que je vien reçevoir de vostre part. Donnez luy ceste autre lettre et me recommandez à luy.” |
|
Addressed :—“A Monsieur |
|
“Monsieur de V. S. P.” |
|
Seals and mauve silk. |
|
2 pp.
|
|
940. “X” [R. Douglas] to Mons. Constable. |
|
1589, Nov. 2. |
The day after I parted from you his Majesty embarked, so it was impossible for me to speak with him, or to learn of himself that which I promised to learn; but I understand of one who was privy to all was done, that his Majesty believed you had received that I told you, and that the one of those which was given to him with whom you came, was ordained for you, but the carrier was to blame that did not according to his direction. His Highness shall learn thereof so soon as he returns, and I will see amends made you for the wrong you have received, but assure yourself the fault was not in him, who I dare warrant you honours you as much as any ever came to him from that country, as your virtues and good parts deserve. I am busy here with one of your books which I received yesternight from Mr. Human. I see very perfectly therein the draughts of the spirit of my Sconsolato (?), which I honour.—2 November 1589. |
|
Signed :—“Your auin, X.” Addressed :—A Monsieur Constable à Londres. Two Seals. |
|
1 p.
|
|
941. Thomas Fowler to Lord Burghley. |
|
1589, Nov. 8. |
I am enforced to keep myself as a prisoner in this castle by the extreme spiteful dealing of the ambassador against me with the Lord Both well, who is accounted here the man of worst life that lives, a tyrant where he may overcome, and nobody against his equal, as appears by the Lord Hume, whom he shows to fear exceedingly, and divers others. But at this time the Chancellor thought to give the fox the geese to keep, which all this country wonders at, for he rules the Duke as he list, and yet the Council overrules them both. They were greatly afraid of the Lord Hamilton, whom by a gentle letter they desired to come to confer with them. He (past all men's expectation) came in on Tuesday last, and yielded himself to anything that was the King's pleasure; but in three days he grew miscontent with the Earl Both well, and this day, being Friday, is gone out of town. Yet by Mr. John Colvin's counsel, whom he much followeth, it is thought he will be quiet. The first day he sat in Council he advised that the Queen's Majesty should be written unto, to desire her good dealing and assistance in the King's absence, and all the Council agreed thereto, so that it is appointed to be done. But the Earl Huntly plays his part in the north, for whosoever was against him in his rebellion and with
the King, that dwells in those parts, he sets on them with fire and sword. The Earl of Murray escaped him hardly of late, but sundry gentlemen of account he hath taken by force, and some making resistance, hath set fire of their, houses and forced them to yield. It is thought by the most that the King will not return before the spring, and the Papists wish it and would have it so. There is a notable man of that sect here in this house prisoner, a great counsellor and guider in the last rebellion, called Mr. Walter Lindsay, half-brother to the Earl of Crawford, and I gather of him that the last company of rebels desires no more than that the King would tarry away till Easter, in whose absence they think without let to perform their former pretences, and to have their fore-promised aid from the Prince of Parma. This is a great Papist, and was the man that in the last rebellion time sent the Chancellor a challenge to prove him a traitor in sundry points, which makes him only remain prisoner. Divers of the councillors hereabout be well affected to quietness, and the Wardens of the Borders so addicted, doubting her Majesty's forces to be employed this way in the King's absence rather than before. Roger Dalton will be at London shortly, and if Victor return shortly, he thinks to bring new matter from Ernestus, Ricardo, and Rialta. If not, he will tarry there till he hear farther of his coming. The best is, Victor regards not their offers much, and the instruments are worst rewarded of all that ever came here of that nation, which discourages somewhat their proceedings. I am very evil cumbered by the enmity of the Earl Both well, who by the ambassador's solicitation hath threatened to despatch me of my life, that I dare not go out of this castle till the King return. But the captain is a noble gentleman, and I understand, by him and friends that come to me, all the state of the country as, [if] I were abroad yet. If your Lordship receive any letters from the inconstant Earl, I beseech that I may be commended to him as your Lordship's servant or poor friend, which he will be glad to obey. The letter that I wrote to the said ambassador out of the north touching the Earl (which now he hath showed him), would God your Lordship saw it, for it is only for her Majesty's service, the Earl then being the principal professed enemy to her Majesty and realm of all this country; and little better yet but to serve some turn. Thus I am bold with your Lordship, the rather because I would live to do some service to her Majesty, which I cannot do to go abroad for this Earl Both well, who in opinion of all men is a common oppressor of all honest men, that will not give him and feed him with their goods; a wilful murderer of sundry gentlemen in a cowardly sort, for a small displeasure conceived. He hates England and the English, but such as profess themselves malcontent. He hath persuaded the King that the Lord Dacres, for so he calls him, can bring 2,000 men to the King's service; and the said Dacres complains exceedingly of your Lordship.—Edinburgh Castle, this 8th of November 1589. |
|
Two Seals. |
|
3 pp.
|
|
942. Henry Billingsley to [Lord Burghley]. |
|
1589, Nov. 9. |
The office of one Hamersley is to attend upon the discharging of all goods brought in belonging only unto the merchants of the Stillyard, as the other 16 waiters attend upon the discharging of all goods brought in by all other merchants : and he is called the pricker or waiter of the Stillyard. His fee for his office allowed by her Majesty is only 4l. per year, neither is any increase of his fee appointed as yet, as
there is of the other 16 waiters; although, if it might stand with her Majesty's good pleasure and your good liking, it were not inconvenient somewhat to increase his fee (especially if the trade of the Stillyard merchants should increase), to encourage him to serve the more diligently.—London, 9 November, 1589. |
|
Seal. |
|
1 p.
|
|
943. The Privy Council to Mr. John Thomson, Auditor for Bedfordshire. |
|
1589, Nov. 13. |
Require him to send fair written in parchment a particular or yearly valuation of the parcel underwritten, certifying all things necessary to be considered in the sale thereof, according to the meaning of their general warrant to him directed.—13 November, 1589. |
|
Underwritten :—“A chantry in the parish of St. Cuthbert in the town of Bedford, per ann., 51s. 6d.” |
|
1 p.
|
|
944. William Selby to Archibald Douglas. |
|
1589, Nov. 13. |
In letters of late sent me from Mr. Fowler, I perceive Mr. Secretary hath been offended with me for the matters that fell out last summer betwixt my father and Sir Cuthbert Collingwood, being, as it should seem, sinisterly informed; and that your lordship made the truth known to his honour, to the end he might be the better persuaded of my part, which took such effect as he remaineth well satisfied. Will show his gratitude by his service. We are content to forbear Sir Cuthbert for Mr. Secretary's sake, which maketh him very insolent, for his servants of late had like to have murdered my brother at Newcastle, which we are content to tolerate, lest revenge might procure his disfavour, in whose good liking we desire most earnestly to be preserved.—Berwick, 13 November. |
|
Endorsed :—1589. |
|
1 p.
|
|
945. Henry Billingsley to Lord Burghley. |
|
1589, Nov. 30. |
Two days past I received a letter from your lordship, the first part whereof I cannot so well satisfy as I would, for that by reason of many obstacles we cannot as yet perfect the accounts, but hope very shortly to accomplish the same. In the meantime, I here enclosed send you a note what ready money we find by the foot of the accounts to remain this day. Touching the latter part of your letter, wherein you require to be certified from me somewhat touching the quality and value of the merchandises brought in by the ships now lately arrived from Stode, I have, for the satisfying of your lordship's request, so far as the shortness of the time would suffer, caused to be collected the sum of the principal commodities, whereof the custom chiefly ariseth. To gather the sum of every other particular commodity would ask a much longer time, but I hope this will for this present satisfy your lordship. The custom and subsidy, as well of the commodities particularly set down as of the other not set down, which I have received and given credit for this week, amounteth to about 4,400l., within a little (for neither myself nor my clerks have any leisure as yet to make any perfect total sum). The said custom and subsidy no doubt would have risen much better if the ships might have stayed 10 or 14 days longer. The custom and subsidy before this week from Michaelmas amounteth to about 4,300l.,
which maketh the whole about 8,700l.—London, the last of November, 1589. |
|
Seal. |
|
1 p.
|
|
946. The Earl of Essex to De la Noue. |
|
[1589], Nov. 30/Dec. 30. |
I have heard a rumour current here that you have arrived at Calais, and that, if the enemy comes to attack that place, you will be there with troops to defend it. If this news is true, I pray you let me hear it from yourself, and advertise me by the ordinary courrier, who runs between Calais and Dover, what the enemy is doing, and what you think of these designs. For I should be very happy to see some opportunity by which we could together win honour and serve the common weal. I am idle here, and have nothing to do but to hearken for such opportunities.—“Ce 10eme de Decembre, nouveau stile.” |
|
French. |
|
1 p.
|
|
947. Thomas, Lord Burgh, to Lord Burghley. |
|
1589, Nov. |
Not long since he received two letters from the Privy Council; one commanding him to send always such companies to the States' service (being demanded by them) as were supernumerary there; the other willing him to proceed in some orders lately established for the weekly distribution of victuals and money for the payment of the garrison. Touching the weakening of the place by the extraordinary companies at the States' appointment, from common reason he held that there ought to be greater diligence in him that received an assurance how to keep it, than trust that he who gave it (to be at liberty again) would not recover it out of his hands. In smaller matters he noted this rule; and as in causes of state and countries were greater dependences, so must they hold in greater account that pledge whereby others were answerable in conditions to them. Not four days past, coming to Brill, he invited to him a principal man of that state, and desirous to recover what matter he could, recounted how grateful he [the visitor] was to her Majesty, in his endeavours shown in the time of the Earl of Leicester, and his continued gratitude. In this he was so to his liking tasted, as, for her Majesty's favour, he promised to omit no duty, and so proceeded to discourse of the dispositions in those parts. The man was Mening, Chief Pensioner of Dort. Did not think fit to impart his words to others, lest the correspondence which might be held with him were (with his harm) transferred from her Majesty's profit. He began thus. He embraced her Majesty's service with a true heart to her, joined with his country's good, and vowed that he esteemed no Prince so fitly to be called to their relief as her Majesty, and reputed (which he said he had maintained in their assemblies) none good for their estate, who gave other counsel. Nevertheless there were [those] who defended other parties; some alleging that Holland and Zealand, by the benefit of their places so strongly seated, needed no further succour than themselves; others, hoping after the good success of the King of France, were persuaded that his succours would be more to their avail. Neither of those he supposed without danger, both to the contract with her Majesty, and to the prosperity of their common cause, unless the safe custody of the two cautionary towns contained them in good office. And they had this generally for a rule amongst them, that,
if time offered them any advantage to be masters of their towns again, in the worst event, being in their hands, they should be of force to make a new favourable appointment, where the old was infringed, or entertain other “embrasements” by greater commodity. To conclude, he believed that they were resolved if any cross, (which God in His mercy withhold), should befall England, not to escape the first opportunity to quit themselves from their obligation. Therefore he advised Lord Burgh to be circumspect in his charge, and not wanting in things fit for the defence of such a place. Much more he said, which it would be fitter to utter than to describe. But this Lord Burgh gathered, that it was her Majesty's surest course to rest upon her own good provisions. And as there were many, wages “defecting” (whereof he had given advertisement), so he besought Lord Burghley, out of his wisdom, to further the means of supply; so should her Majesty retain that people, if not willingly honest, yet (having no way open to other practices) in honest terms. The discourse of Mening might seem a straying one, but he trusted Lord Burghley knew he would not make use of forged devices, nor forget his lordship's person and place. |
|
Touching the orders about the companies, he wrote to the Privy Council, but had not received their further pleasures. It was a matter much discontenting those burgesses, for the distribution of the corn (whereof they had written to the Privy Council), and inconvenient in other degrees, which he would defer speaking of, until he might wait upon Lord Burghley, which he hoped might be soon, according to his suit, drawn from the necessity of his business and his want of health. In that obscure place he had no other comfort, but that he served her Majesty, nor encouragement in his time spent there (his unworthiness “being an opposition for others against” him, which he had [carried], and would patiently carry, contending nevertheless for more sufficiency), but that Lord Burghley (without his desert) had favoured him by honourable demonstrations.—Brill, November. |
|
Endorsed :—“No[vember] 1589. Lord Browgh to my Lord.” |
|
Seal. |
|
2 pp.
|
