Cecil Papers: July 1591 | British History Online

Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 4, 1590-1594. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1892.

'Cecil Papers: July 1591', in Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 4, 1590-1594, (London, 1892) pp. 123-131. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-cecil-papers/vol4/pp123-131 [accessed 20 April 2024]

July 1591



	Bailiffs of Yarmouth to Lord Burghley.
1591, July 2.	On receipt of the letter from the Council of the 17th June importing that choice had been made of their town, among other ports of the realm, for setting forth one ship to the Azores for intercepting the Indian fleet, they have laboured a conference with the members and neighbouring towns of this port. Though all for the most part willing, yet being all poor they do stand so much upon their inability as that out of them all not above 50l. can be drawn, as appears by the several offers and consents under the hands of their chief men sent up by this bearer. The charge of such a ship for that service cannot be less than 1,000l. which will be too burdensome for the port of Yarmouth to undergo, as the members of the port offer so little. They have thought good, therefore, to solicit Burghley that, by his honorable discretion, some good means of their relief may be vouchsafed; being very loth, notwithstanding their great and intolerable losses so diversely sustained and their present greatly indebted estate, to appear any way unwilling, and yet more loth to take upon them that which they are not able loyally to perform and finish with credit.—Yarmouth, 2 July 1591.
	Signed :—Ralph Wolhous, John Harris, bailiffs.
	Seal. 1 p.
	Henry Nisbet to John Nisbet, Servitor of “My Lord of Douglas at London.”
1591, July 5.	The bearer, Eillene Trumbill, being spouse to a Scotchman named John Mowett, who was in service with John Bartene, skipper, who remains at London (which John Mowett is dead in the said John Bartene's service and has in his hands his hire and wages and clothes, with his “kist”). And for receiving hereof this poor woman is come herself to “ressait” the same from the said James Bartene. I request you for my sake to speak the said James in her favour.—Edinburgh, 5 July 1591.
1591, July 5.	Signed. 1 p.
	Accounts of the late Lieutenant of the Ordnance.
1591, July 7.	A brief declaration of the account of William Pelham, Esquire, son and heir and executor of Sir William Pelham, knight, late lieutenant of the ordnance, for three hundred and twenty-eight days ended the 24 November, 30 Elizabeth.
	Note at foot.—“7 July 1591. Ex' per Jo. Conyers, auditor”
	1 p.
1591, July 7.	The like Account, similarly noted, for one whole year, ended the last day of December in the 29th year of the queen's reign.
1591, July 7.	1 p.
	[Captain] Fournis to [The Governor of Dieppe].
1591, July. 7/17	Mons^r, Je n'ay voullu perdre cette occasion de vous faire ce mot pour me ramentevoir tousjours es vos bonnes graces, aussi pour vous faire part des nouvelles de pardeca. C'est que Monsieur Dumaine est pour ce jourdhuy d'accord avec le Roi, et quant an connetable de Castille qui demande si le connetable de France est gentilhomme, croyes qu'ii n'a pas le loisir bien souvent de faire allumer ses flambeaux, car il est si souvent battu qu'il n'en a le loisir, de facon que leur armée se dissipe fort; et croyes que nous en viendrons bientost a bout. II restoit encore le chevallier Breton pour Francois que le connetable de Castille a faict tuer par son neveu. Voilla ce que je vous puis mander, sinon que je vous supplie tres humblement me .tenir tousjours. Le Roy s'est pense accorde avec la France .... moyennant cent cinquant mille escus, toutefois cela n'est encore fait; si cela ne se fait, il se resout d'y faire la guerre encore que les .suites en eussient fait quelque difficulté.—De St. Jean de Luz, 17 July.
1591, July. 7/17	Copy. 1 p.
	Military Operations in the Low Countries.
1591, July 11.	Narrative endorsed—“The copie of my letter to y^r L. of y^e 11 of July 1591. I.”
	The 1st of this month when the Count with all his troops was come before Steenwick, there came intelligence from all quarters that the enemy wa3 entered the Beturve fast by Nieumegen. There came also many letters from the General States, the Provinces of Gueldres and Utrecht, the Count of Cullembourg, the Ammand of Tiel, and others, requiring very earnestly that (the enterprise of Steenwick and all other purposes set apart) the camp should come forward to the assistance of those places, which the enemy might otherwise very mightily “endom mage.” Upon this intelligence and the instance of the country, it was presently resolved that they would not stay at Steenwick, and so much the rather for that the Count and the army were nothing yet engaged, neither by summoning the town nor planting their artillery nor by quartering the companies, nor by any other motion that might make their departure prejudicial to their honour. Howbeit for the better preservation of those places that were taken about Groningsen, it was deemed expedient that Count William with his troops of Friesland, which were to the number of 2,000, should remain still in Frise, and that Count Maurice with the rest, making at the least by all conjecture 1,000 foot and 1,300 horse, should march towards Arnham. Upon which resolution all our forces, as well of horsemen as footmen, arrived yesterday here, where we hope to be reinforced, from out of the garrisons of these quarters, with 2,000 men more. The furnishing of those forts that were taken about Groeningsen, amounting by tale to 32 in all, did greatly diminish the strength of our army. Nevertheless, for aught that we can learn by prisoners, spies, and other means, the enemy for footmen is weaker than we are, but his horsemen it is thought are 2,000 at the least. Moreover, we do find that the Duke himself in person with all his forces, two regiments of footmen and four “cornets” of horse excepted, which are left beside Nieumegen for the custody of their baggage, are already in the Beturve. He hath also made his approaches and planted eight pieces or battery before Criossenbourg, which is that fort which we built the last summer on this side the Wael, before the town of Nieumegen. Albeit we have sent abroad very many to learn his designs and the state of his army, yet we find their informations to differ so much that we can build upon nothing, but that they are in some misery for want of victuals, wherein all do accord. They are served of their victuals from Collen, Bois le Due, Brave, and from the land of Cleve by the way of Emmerick. from whence they bring it all by land to certain places by Nieumegen and thence transport it to the enemy's camp. They have passed all their troops, both horse and foot, with 2 great pontoons, of which either is thought sufficient for 300 men at a passage. This strange adventure of the Duke in coming over the river, doth wonderfully astonish the people of this country, who are all of one opinion that he hath put himself in so much danger as he cannot any way go back without notable loss. To effecting whereof here are two ways proposed : the one by sending over our forces to Nieumegen side, thereby to cut off his victuals and to stop his return; the other by passing the Rhine here at Arnham, and by marching in the Beturve directly towards him, with such good cautions for the order of their march, for the making of trenches, and for using other martial means, as they will either have in choice to fight if they list, or being forced thereunto, to do it without the hazard of the body of their army. But howsoever, we hope it is a way to relieve that fort in some sort which is presently besieged, and before the enemy shall recover the other side, to cut off some part of the “arriere garde “of his army. Howbeit the fort, though within it be all things requisite and 800 men in garrison, yet we doubt it will be taken or surrendered in the end, as we also make account, when the Duke is gone to recover it again. Of the foresaid two ways, they are wholly as yet inclined to put the latter in execution, for which their bridge for the Rhine is already provided, and will be happily placed some time today, so as all the soldiers may pass over towards night.—Arnham, July 11, 1591.
	[P.S.] We do not yet understand that the enemy hath begun his battery, but those within the fort do shoot continually and have either slain or very dangerously hurt Count Octavio, brother to Count Mansfeld, and divers other captains.
	Unsigned. 3 pp.
	Robert Brooke, grocer and sheriff of London, to [? Lord Cobham].
1591, July 14.	Prays that his name may be put in the book to be one to trade into the Levant Seas.—14 July 1591.
1591, July 14.	½ p.
	Lord Burghley to Archibald Douglas.
1591, July 16.	Whereas I have received many letters heretofore from you for my furtherance to her Majesty in your suit, and did look to hear still from you till the same should take some good effect to your contentment; to prevent you, therefore, therein, and to save you that labour, I have taken opportunity to move her Majesty, and withal have gotten her to sign your bill which I send you hereinclosed, being very glad that at the length it has taken so good an end.—From the Court, 16 July 1591.
1591, July 16.	Signed. Seal. ½ p.
	Governorship of the Island of Jersey.
1591, July 16.	Sir Anthony Powlett by his writing dated 20 February, 32 Elizabeth, granted unto her Majesty a yearly rent of 300l. charged upon divers manors of his in cos. Devon, Somerset and Dorset, during such time as he should enjoy the office of Governor or Captain of the Isle of Jersey, and all profits heretofore granted with such office to Sir Hugh and Sir Amias Powlett, deceased, if Sir Anthony and Henry Seymour, Esq., otherwise called Lord Henry Seymour, should so long jointly live, with a covenant, nomine pœnæ, for the forfeiture of 20l. in case the same rent should be unpaid 40 days. Her Majesty granted the said Lord Henry Seymour as well the yearly rent of 300l. to be received from the Receivers or Tellers of the Exchequer, as also the sum to be forfeited nomine pœnæ; to hold the same during such term only as her Highness, her heirs or successors should enjoy the same rent and forfeiture by force of the said grant; the same to be payable to Lord Henry Seymour out of the Receipt, together with all the arrearages of the same rent, and also all sums then already paid into the Receipt by force of the said grant : with a commandment to the Lord Treasurer, &c. to make payment thereof, for which that her Majesty's grant, by letters patent dated 16 July in the 33rd year of her reign, should be sufficient warrant and discharge.
1591, July 16.	1 p.
	Sir Anthony Sherley to the Earl of Essex.
[1591,] July 16.	Although not thought worthy to wait upon Essex this journey, yet he hopes that he will not refuse the service of this gentleman, Capt. Sellinger [S^t Leger], who “something to pleasure me, but induced chiefly by your lordship's journey, hath resigned the company he held here to me, which I hold by my lord General's favour with this last regiment that came unto us.”—Camp by Lanballer, 16th July.
[1591,] July 16.	Holograph. 1 p.
	— to William Holt.
1591, July 22./Aug. 1.	Good father. If I had not been so long absent about mine ordinary merchandise at Antwerp in selling our general liberansa of three months' pay and such like, you should not have thus long expected answer to yours of the 4 and 18 of July, which I found here at my return, and now by this first opportunity do answer thereunto. First, concerning friendship towards Mr. Skinner; you might well assure yourself that, considering the place from whence he cometh, or rather the person from whom he is commended and of whom (as I suppose) still partly dependeth, that he should want nothing which I might do for him; and long since, I delivered unto him 120fl. 12s. which he said he had left in father Rector his custody at Douai, and have written unto Mr. Bailye to take it as part of that which Mr. President oweth him, offering myself, moreover, at all assays, if hereafter he should stand in need, to assist him, either by lending him money or by any other service which possibly I may do for him; and when he shall prove me, he shall, God willing, find that I spake it not by way of compliment. As for my goodly harangue in the captain's behalf which, you say, needed not; I then, considering the desperate terms whereupon they stood, consuming themselves to the very “boones “without any answer, thought it more than needful. But, seeing they have now their answer and such discharge as they demanded, I intermeddle no more in the matter, but pray that it may be for their contentment, for God's honour and the service of his Majesty. I sold at Antwerp our general liberansa of three months for 47 the hundred, which is more than either before or since could have been gotten for it, and all men hath been very well pleased therewith. I also at the same time in recompence of our double leap month received a double succour for May and June together, God reward our founders ! and although most part of us would rather have had paid the month of February and March, yet in truth I much more desire the payment of these latter for good Mrs. Allen's sake, who hath her share in these and not in the other; so as at this present I have received for her in succours a whole month's pay, vizt. 60 philippes, and am in very good hope to receive hers and her brother's particular liberansa of 3 months left out of the general very shortly, for at my return here I have found Mr. Thomas Hesketh's letter to myself, with one of his grace's there inclosed to the pagador general in behalf of his brother and sister, the effect thereof will show the disposition of the pagador, and what we may hope hereafter by recommendations of friends. Mrs. Allen and Mr. President both hath written unto me to bring them money in specie, and I have promised to do, so by the first convoy. The delivering of this letter doth only detain me, for the pagador is daily looked for here at Brussels; and yesterday (they said) his convoy was embarked to come, but upon advertisement of Señor Cosmo that 300 of the enemy did lie in wait for him he changed his resolution and remaineth still at Antwerp; from where if he come not within two or three days, 1 will (God willing) visit him with his grace's letters and the liberansa together, and most glad I should be to receive it and carry the money with me to Namur, thereby to make myself the more welcome : where, if, by good hap, I might meet you with Mr. President, no doubt, by God's grace, we should be most merry together. But if you come not, yet I hope we shall be merry together, though not so much, and inter pocula we shall drink to your health à mode de Liege.
	I did certify you in my last that I had no leisure to procure Francis Thwayt his “fede” by reason of my hasty departure from here towards Antwerp, nevertheless the day before, which was Sunday, I spake to the officer who promised me to deliver it unto Captain Bernay; and thereupon, I requested Mr. Herbert the evening last before my departure to deliver unto the Captain Bernay a copy of his mandate to procure it subsigned with the Contador for his fede, but at my return now to Brussels fifteen days after I find nothing done, and therefore yesterday by good hap I have procured his mandate, firmed with Contador Carrero his firme, and do send it here inclosed for “fede” of his assentation. Neither more haste nor more diligence could I have used, if he had been my brother a thousand times. “Wraybiters “at this present swarm here like bees, both footmen and horsemen, and great danger in travelling of all sides : since the Just convoy of 50 footmen from here to Namur was broken by 25 horsemen and 30 footmen of the Wraybiters, 1 find no means to send my letters to Mrs. Allen, for still they say they remain upon the way, and no man there is to remove them. Capt. Stanley, the taller, and Lieutenant Petit, who were going towards Spa in the said convoy, made a very hard escape, the one running forward towards Namur and the other returning to Brussels safe, God be thanked! Howbeit good Mrs. Allen writeth to me this day bewailing the death of Capt. Stanley and praying God for his sweet soul, advising ine by his example to come with a good strong convoy. Your note concerning Mr. Charles Townley's mandate. I showed to Capt. Bernay who took upon him to procure it. But he saith he could not find the party which should deliver it him and is now upon his return to Antwerp. I am sorry I relied upon his word but now I will use all possible means I can myself to get it; which, if I cannot do within two or three days, then he must be left out both of our succours of July and August, for they are now upon the point to be finished.
	I have delivered many particular sums of Mr. President his money to Mr. Bay lye, and do pay him at all times such money as he demandeth. I have also presumed of his courtesy to lend unto father Rector of your Society here at Brussels 300 flo. for two months; wherewith I presume he would be very well content, though I intend not to tell him of it until he demandeth of me his account.
	I have no other assurance for the lent liberansas but Mr. Owen his word, and I will be therewith content without urging him any further, if it so please Mr. President, whom I have persuaded by my letters not to demand further assurance for many good respects. Nevertheless, I would have been glad that Capt. Bernay had kept his covenant with me in paying me my part of the liberansa of six months without delay, which he promiseth he will do as soon as the general liberansa of cloth for the regiment shall be sold. Mr. Owen hath procured (as I think), or else one of your fathers, the decree for the Irish scholars at Louvain; but nothing I hear of the decree for the college of Rheims.
	There resteth now nothing unanswered of yours, and yet one thing more I find in yours of the 4th of July worth the noting which is a rare fine super excellent new devised rubric newly coined, worthy to come before the sight of his Altesse. Not made ex tempore as heretofore but by art and with mature deliberation.—Brussels, 1 August 1591.
	Addressed :—Au reverend pêre Guilliame Holt, de la Societye of Jesus, au Campe.”
	Endorsed by Burghley :—“Holt's letters intercepted at Nimeguen and sent hither by Mr. Bodeley.”
	Names noted in the margin by Burghley.
	Unsigned. 2 pp.
	Pay for Men returning to Ireland.
1591, July 26.	Order for payment to Sir Henry Wallop, knight, treasurer at wars in Ireland, in prest, of the sum of—;to be by him paid over unto divers persons here in England that are commanded to return into Ireland, to each one month's wages.
1591, July 26.	Copy. ½ p.
	Sir Toomas Morgan to the Earl of Essex.
1591, 26 July.	I do think myself greatly bound unto your Honour as well for your favourable acceptance in christening my son, as also for the token which it pleased your Lordship to send him. It pleased your Honour to write that if any gentlemen here were desirous to be partakers of the service in France I would send them unto you. These three, Mr. Wilbram, Ensign to Captain Masterson, Mr. Dutton, and Mr. Masterson, all three of Capt. Masterson's company, upon the knowledge thereof have been very willing to leave their entertainment and present their service unto your Lordship : and of all which I doubt not your Honour will consider of according as they shall deserve. My kinsman, Capt. Matthew Morgan, as desirous as any to be partaker of such success as shall happen to your Lordship in this voyage.—Bruges,. 26 July 1591.
1591, 26 July.	Signed. Seal. 1 p.
	Sir Matthew Morgan to the Earl of Essex.
[1591,] 27 July.	Our journeys hath been so far that scarce opportunity hath been found to write, for cause we have had but little more than to relate of a tedious weary journey, and the taking of four or five forts with the “enseint” of one of them. It was thought we should have besieged Stenwicke, but the Duke's being so near Holland, by being passed into the Beto, made the States both to send and come to hasten this return. We now affront him as near as may be with reason. He yet besiegeth the fort before Nimeguen, we lie on the Beto side over against Arnheim to attend on him. Those of the fort hath “behavened” themselves very well, as the enemy reporteth themselves. At their first setting down they sallied and slew some 80 and the Count Octavio. Then was it battered, but found very difficult to enter, so that they made not full assault, but in discovery of the breach. lost a captain in chief and two or three other captains entretenidos, as they say; but we say they lost four captains and very near 300 men. Now are they trying by sap, and, thought, by mine, but no certainty known, but the fort sallied on the mine or sap, and executed as far as their artillery there hath come forth three or four of the forts. The Captain doth his best, but is doubtful whether they can be relieved if the Duke will lodge still, which we greatly hope of, the situation is so strong. We expect the army of Germany; M. de Rosbous hath be3n here six days. Some assure that they are already 230 horse together and 200 foot, so that our hope is that army will be ready within 20 days to march, which if it can join we shall be able to hold him where he is in despite of the world. His passages are so slender, he passed his army by “pount,” and has not yet found means to make a bridge. Certain troops were sent out, whereof were 700 English, 300 Scots and four companies of horse, which troops Sir Francis Vere commanded. They desired to give notice to the fort that the army durst shew themselves unto the trenches of the camp, which they did and retreated almost home before any troops of the enemy were discovered, but, .as it seems, by special commandment from the Duke, five cornets were sent under the conduct of Pedro Francisco to make full charge and not to fear, who did it with great resolution and unadvised discretion, to the loss of all his companies, he himself commanded Lieutenant Benetick of the cavalry and is captain of the Duke's guard, hut this Francisco, as he saith, is not, but commandeth in the absence of the Marquis of Guasto, whose base brother Don Alonzo Davilo is taken, and his cornet and cornet bearer, the Duke's own cornet, the cornet of the Captain Paradyllia taken and himself slain, the Count Decho Monfredo, Lieutenant to Caraffa, taken, his cornet and bearer. This success has been had since our arrival, besides the news of the Duke's sudden marching back again, which if it so fall out we shall meet with his rear guard; if he stay we hope of better time. His troops lately levied in Germany marcheth and will join if he remove; otherwise the troops with the Viscount Turyn will meet them. The companies of Friese marcheth towards him, which give liberty to the Count William of Nassau to do what he listeth or join with us, “whom” reinforce daily of such small forces as we have. I wrote thus much to the governor of Bruges to be sent to your Honour, hoping it will have speedy passage thence, but finding so convenient a messenger will not spare pen nor bad hand the rather to put your Honour in mind of your promise, if your lordship go for France : I do determine not to stay above one month here, but attend if it please your Honour to give me hope of remembering me. . . . .—From the Camp, this 26 of July.
	2. Upon this instant we receive news that the Duke riseth and do march with all diligence to fight with his last troops, which shall make leave unconcluded. There needeth no great relation of our last journey. We advanced to the trenches, find that some of the army is passed, the rest passing, but as yet do hear nothing from the fort, which sheweth that his trenches are yet guarded, and some huge fortification at his passage. He was braved a great hour and more, but none came forth, so we retreated. Till we hear of our foot do not mind to stir, then if any be unpassed. taking 2 or 3 pieces out of that may force the trenches and that we all expect hourly. I had forgotten to set down the number of the prisoners and horse taken which is herein annexed. . . . .—21 July, from the Camp by Arnheim.
	Signed. 4 pp.
	Encloses :—
	[The list of Prisoners etc.]
	Captains 3. Cornets 3. Cornet bearers 2. Divers Spaniards prisoners and that hath borne office, all to the number of 130. 200 horse at the least.
	Captain Hambridge.
1591, July 28.	Commission of Robert, Earl of Essex, Captain General of the forces employed in aid of the French King, to — Hambridge to be captain of a company of 150 men.—28 July 1591.
1591, July 28.	Signed. ½ p.
	William, Earl of Bath, Lord Lieutenant of Devonshire, to William Peter and Arthur Worthe, Esquires.
1591, July 28.	Commissions appointing them to be captains of the men raised for the Queen's service in certain parishes in Devonshire, as follows;
	William Peter to be captain over 155 men from the parishes of Torbryan, Denbury, Ipplepen, Little Hempston and Broad Hempston.
	Arthur Worthe to be captain over 125 men from Staverton, Woodland, Withicomb and Buckland in the Moor.
	Note at foot.—In like sort all the parishes within the hundreds of Haytor and Coleridge are divided to the sufficient gentry as captains by the like authority from the lord lieutenant.
	On the following page.—Good Sir John, I received letters the last day by your servant from my honorable good friend M^r Secretary Wolley, containing her Majesty's gracious pleasure and express commandment to be that, notwithstanding any order formerly taken, you should now levy your band of two hundred and fifty men out of the hundreds of Haytor and Coleridge; which I have thought good hereby to signify unto you to the end that you might proceed accordingly.—From Tavistock, the 9th July 1590. Your loving friend, William Bathon.
	Copies. 1½ p.
	R. Douglas to Archibald Douglas.
1591, July 29.	Commending to him Mr. William Douglas, son to the good wife of Cothebyres, who intends to travel in that country, or to go to some University to follow forth his studies.—Edinburgh, 29 July 1591.
1591, July 29.	Signed. ½ p.
	Lord Willoughby to the Earl of Essex.
[1591,] July 30.	This faithful gentleman, my follower, desirous to employ himself wholly for your service, needs no other recommendation than that I know his well deserving will merit. If I may play nuntius, or be licensed for a peregrination, or any way come to you whereby I may not be subject to the danger of their ill-constructions who will no way benefit me, but captiously overthrow me and mine in all things, I will attend you certainly.—Belleau, 30 July.
	P.S.—There is another gentleman of mine accompanies this bearer that served with me in the Low Countries and France. I pray you accept his service and duty.
	¾ p.
	The French Ambassador.
1591, July 31/Aug.10	Instructions signed by Henry IV. King; of France for M. De Beau, his special ambassador to England, which he sends in duplicate to the Earl of Essex to forward to M. Beauvoir in case De Reau should not have arrived at Dieppe, otherwise to keep them for his better information.—From the Camp before Noyon, 10 August 1591.
1591, July 31/Aug.10	French. 10½ pp. [The duplicate, with Cecil's marginal notes, dated 4/14 August 1591, is in the Public Record Office : S.P. France, Vol. 99.]