Cecil Papers: February 1592

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

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'Cecil Papers: February 1592', in Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 4, 1590-1594, (London, 1892) pp. 178-183. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-cecil-papers/vol4/pp178-183 [accessed 23 April 2024]

February 1592

Count Edzard of East Friesland.
1591/2, Feb. 1. Warrant addressed to Lord Burghley authorising the export, free of duty, of 500 tuns of beer by one Grenesmith for the provision of Count Edzard of East Frizeland.—Given under the signet at the Palace of Westminster, 1 February 34 Eliz.
Sign manual. Signet. 1 p.
M. de Saldaigne to Edward Reynolds.
1591/2, Feb. 6/16. J'ayreceudeuxlettres de vous au contenu desquelles js desire satisfaire entierement, Aussy tost que je seray de retour en I'armee je vous envoyeray le discours que feu Monsieur de vitel me bailla; lequel, combien qu'il soit remply de toutes bonnes et apparentes raisons, sy est ee qu'il n'a este trouve bon le faire imprimer par deca a cause de la division qui est entre nous au faiet de la religion, qui n'est point aujourdhuy ce que nons avons a combatire ains la pure rebellion, eomme vous scauvez. Juger par votre prudence. Louant neantmoings si grandement votre sainte intention que je ne tairay jamais aux bons endroicts, je vous envoye quarante discours, imprimez soubz le nom d'un gentihomme portugais, que le dit feu Sieur de Vitel me bailla il y a quelque temps pour faire imprimer a Caen. Ce sera pour vous et pour vos amis.—Dieppe, 16 February 1592.
Addressed :—“Monsieur Edouard Reynoldes, Secretaire de Monseigneur le Conte d'Essex.”
Holograph. 1 p.
Edmund Palmer to Lord Burghley.
1591/2, Feb. 8/18. My last unto your honour was of the 30th of last and 8th of this present, sent by way of Plymouth by one Mr. W Dackes of London, merchant, whereunto I do refer me. This goeth in a barque of one Mr. Alexander Isones of Bridge water. So the copy goeth as aforesaid; the effect as follows. This night late, I have had avizo of a most certainty that the 20 sails of ships mentioned in my former of the 30th of the last to be in Ferroll are now come thence, and five thereof are arrived in Santander in the harbour called Sardynali, of whom is general one Anthony de Arquyolla from San Sebastians. These 20 ships do stay to have the three galleons there with them to the passage by San Sebastians, and the other three in Bilbao must likewise thither, who will not be ready till the middle or end of March.
The general before of the Armada, Don Alonzo de Masan, is out of office; he is thought not to be a man for that charge. The king's galleons that are in Lisbon, order given that they shall go for Ferroll, and with them seven galleys.
The seven fly boats is departed from Santander for Brittany with horses; and from Bilbao 5 days past other barques of thirty tons a piece, with horses for Nantes in Brittany.
This army by sea is thought of most certainty to be for the river of Bordeaux or the island of Bey by Rochelle, and the soldiers making in Castille to go in them; and those in Arragon to go into France by land.—St. Jean de Luz, 18 February 1592. Stila franzia.
Holograph. Seal. 1 p.
R. Douglas to Archibald Douglas.
[1591/2,] Feb. 9. Since the journey my lord Bothwell made in the Abbey, by reason cf the great friendship and blood interceding betwixt the laird of Spot, Mr. Thomas Cranstoun and me, who should have been special executors of that enterprise, and also my brother Mr. Bichard who is touched to have been upon the party, at least, upon the fore knowledge, I have altogether “dishantit” [dishaunted] the Court and have meddled with nothing, neither mind to meddle further nor my own calling of the Session forces me; which makes me to abstain for the present from writing anything concerning our troubled estate. Only some few particulars I will touch, wherein I will crave your counsel and assistance. And first you shall wit that the King being in Denmark, as you heard, I purchased licence (at the earnest request of John Lowe our friend) at the King of Denmark and Governor's hands to “bould” a ship of great “birthe” in Norway, which is against the law of the country. I purchased letters of recommendation from our king, after his return, to the Governor of Norway, and also of the most special of them that came home with her Majesty. “Wherethrough” the said John found such favour, that he enterprised a greater work nor he well foresaw how to end, since he has completed the timber work and brought her into this country. But thereby has so “depauperit” himself that he is not able to furnish her forth, wherefore I am forced to seek help to be disburdened of so great a block. The ship is 240 tons.
As for the summons executed against yourself, it is deferred, for a better “buting” is fallen in his hands that was purchaser of this summons, to wit, the lordship of Spot, after which he and his father gaped so long. I am desired by my lord of Menmure to write to you touching the copper mines and what effect is to follow upon that dealing. He would be glad to know how you contracted touching the mines at your being in Scotland with Mr. David McGill and Eustachius, as also what is owing by Mr. David.—Edinburgh, 9 February.
[P.S.]—The 7th of this month the Earl of Huntly, under the pretence of a blank commission given to him by the King for apprehending some that were guilty of the enterprise of the Abbey, went from Edinburgh to Dunybrisill, where he was advertised that the Earl of Murray was, and, accompanied with a number of his special friends, enclosed the said Earl in the place of Dunbarsills, and after they had laid fire to the house where he was, after long sustaining the fire, in end came forth, and was most cruelly slain together with the sheriff (?) of Murray; which, together with other proceeding, has engendered so universal a miscontentment that there cannot miss a great alteration in our estate.
To Mr. Robert Rutkin, merchant in St. Mary Axe, for John Johnson, merchant at London.
1591/2, Feb. 10/20. The writer gives news as to the election of the new Pope. Of French matters thinks they are better certified than himself. Of the King's hurt we hear, and of some little loss on either side, and of his retiring to the Castle of Arkes to be cured. The Count of Mansfield, Lieutenant Governor here, “effectueth” little, and granteth no liberances but only for one month apiece, except it be by decree of the Duke of Parma, by whom he is directed until himself doth return, which I think will be when he hath raised the siege of Rouen. Merchants here have letters that the King of Spain hath received eleven millions from his West Indies. Sir William Stanley is here and his regiment still in Flanders, which they say shall be increased with Walloons. The Cardinal, as I think, cometh not down so soon as it was thought. [Concludes with some orders for things to be sent him.]—And', 20 Feb. '92.
Signed. Seal. 1 p.
Johan Gerds, Servant to the Duke of Pomerania, to Lord Burghley.
1591/2, Feb. 13. Applying on behalf of the Duke of Pomerania for leave to export certain cloth free of Customs' duty.—London, 13 Feb. 1591.
Endorsed :—“He allegeth that the last licence granted to the said Duke for transportation of clothes was in respect of certain corn taken from his subjects. That if it please not her Majesty to grant now the 400 clothes which the Duke writes for, yet, for that he hath bought 86 clothes presuming of the said grant, that he may transport them without custom, being for his own provision, as he will bring testimonial letters. And that he may have her Majesty's answer to the Duke's letters.”
Latin. Signed. Seal. 1 p.
Henry Billingsley [Alderman], H. Isham, and John Smith to Lord Burghley.
1591/2, Feb. 19. According to your lordship's order, we have examined this petition and de find, by conference with the Tripoli merchants, our mariners are (as is inserted in the petition) free of impost at Venice; but, notwithstanding the said freedom, the charge is, as the said merchants allege, as great unto the said mariners as the impost, by reason of the great distance of the way from the islands (where they lade their currants) to Venice; by reason whereof the Venetian merchants strangers lading at Venice may bring their currants 30l. in the 100 better cheap than our merchants. And at the islands where our merchants lade their currants they are not allowed (as they say) any thing in their impost. Besides, the Tripoli merchants do think that the mariners of this argosy, though they pretend to have 60 tons, have not of their own above 10 tons. And indeed, if they should be freed of the impost, we think under your lordship's correction, 10 or 15 tons were sufficient.—Custom House, 19 February, 1591.
Signed. 1 p.
Francis Dacre to Mrs. Anderton and Eliz. Dacre, his sisters.
[1591/2,] Feb. 19. Asking them to work some means by some honourable friends to deal with Sir Robert Cecil. Lord Buckhurst, the Lord Chief Justice of England (who was once his father's great friend) or some other lord of the Privy Council, to take pity upon him, and procure her Majesty's protection and relief whereby he may live.—This 19th of February.
1 p.
William Cornwallis to Sir Robert Cecil.
1591/2, Feb. 21. In explanation of some action of his [only vaguely referred to] which had been misunderstood. “If I meant to have divided myself from unfeigned loving of you, or to have divided you two, I would never have opened my grief by any one line of the letter. And as for telling of him, I was as far from meaning it as from place or time fit, for I never saw him since but in the privy chamber, and therefore I pray let this matter die and my love shall live unto you to bear leaves which is as much as the sunshine of my fortune can bring forth. . . . . . I know well my Lord's troubles, your own, and so many troubling you to speak to him that is enough to distemper the best disposed mind that is.”
Endorsed.—“Feb' 21st, '91. Mr Wm Cornewallis to my Mr.”
Signed. Undated.
John Harpur to Mr. Nicholas Williamson in London.
1591/2, Feb. 22. As you left me I am. Whether you be so I might doubt because of three letters sent I never received answer. I perceive by your man Jo. Bar, that you mean to be at the assizes chiefly in regard to Gr. Holt's cause, and because you are encouraged to shew yourself here for that my good Lord hath had some speech with the Lord Treasurer for the recusancy of you, your wife, and family. I trust I have so used the matter to put you all from indictment for this time, but if you will needs come, bring a discharge under the Lord Treasurer's hands. And yet if you cannot prevail herein for a supersedeas, then come very secretly to me and be not seen until Friday afternoon, our first assize day, that our schedules for recusants in every hundredth' be delivered over to the Grand Jury, and procure my Lord's letter in Gr. Holt's behalf, which I will deliver and deal in as for yourself, with all other prevention for his good that I can devise. I have stayed the Coroner's quest until the assize even. Albeit I much doubt that there will be manifest swearing for his life, which malice of others I humbly pray God to prevent. I have so dealt with other your good friends and mine for your wife as that T trust your enemies do not greatly rejoice.—22nd of February, 1591.
[Postscript.]—There is such intended proceeding against all recusants at the Assizes agreed upon by all the Commissioners this day that I would have you to procure my Lord's letter to Mr. Justice G.
After the address on the back is, “I pray you deliver our letter to my L. and procure his lordship's present answer.”
Endorsed :—“Recusant.”
On the folded part of the back of the letter a note is written from Leo Chambert to Mr. Banberye asking his “Good cousin to pleasure this gent, my assured friend, if you may.”
Signed. 1½ pp.
Statement of Revenue and Expenditure.
1591/2, Feb. 27. Statement of payments into, and from, the Receipt of the Exchequer to the 27th Feb. 1591.
Payments into :—
Money of the subsidies and fifteenths granted 28 and 29 Eliz. 192,126l. 8s. 9d.
Money of the subsidies and fifteenths granted 31 Eliz. 213,531l. 10s. 9d.
Money of the last loan made to her Majesty for one year which is not yet repaid 72,940l.
Payments forth from Christmas Day 1590 to the above date :—
To Sir Thomas Sherley, knt., for the forces in the Low Countries, Brittany and Normandy 200,152l. 3s. 8d. ob.
To Sir Henry Wallop, Treasurer of Ireland 20,291l. 0s. 8d.
To Sir John Hawkins, knt., Treasurer of the Admiralty 40,271l. 2s. 8d. ob.
To James Quarles, Surveyor General, for victualling her Majesty's navy in harbour and at seas 16,222l. 18s. 5d. ob.
To Sir Robert Constable, knt., late lieutenant of the ordnance, and others since his death for the said office 16,392l. 8s. 9d.
To the Londoners in payment of a loan of 15,000l., with interest, and in part payment of 18,000l. for the purchase of the lordship of Denbigh 32,500l.
Sum total of payments 325,829l. 14s. 3d. ob.
Endorsed :—“A brief of all the money paid into the Receipt unto the said day of the subsidies, fifteenths and tenths granted in the 28th, 29th, and 31st years of her Majesty's reign, and of certain great payments made forth of the same Receipt the last year.”
3 p.
John Collier, one of the ordinary pages of the Queen's Chamber.
1591/2, Feb. Petition to the Queen. In consideration of his 59 years' service to the Queen, her father, brother and sister, prays for a lease in reversion of 30l.Endorsed :—Feb. 1591.
Note signed by J. Herbert that the Queen grants a lease in reversion of 20 marks.
1 p.