Cecil Papers: May 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: May 1592', in Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 4, 1590-1594, (London, 1892) pp. 193-204. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-cecil-papers/vol4/pp193-204 [accessed 27 April 2024]

May 1592

Clerk of the Liveries.
1592, May 2. Account of the profits of Mr. William Cooke's office of clerk of the liveries, made by Cooke's son's deputy to Cooke's executors, as appointed by his will. May 2, 1592.
1 p.
The Testament of Sir John Perrot, Knt.
1592, May 3. The true and last testament of me Sir John Perrott, knight, made in the said day and year, in the name and fear of God, touching my religion and loyalty to the Queen's Majesty and my country, upon my salvation or damnation, as of other things as near as my memory will serve me; To be seen of all the true professors of the Gospel.
I do forgive all men and desire to be forgiven of all men, leaving all revengings for the great wrongs I have sustained to God's justice and judgment.
I do hereby in the fear of the Lord of Heaven and upon my salvation or damnation truly testify to all true professors of the gospel that I have not heard any mass since the beginning of the queen's most happy reign, but have ever since the beginning of king Edward the Vlth's reign abhorred the pope's idol of the mass, it being a most wicked illusion to deceive men invented by popes, who in conscience are that antichrist which scripture doth so much speak against, which idolatrous traditions of the mass is contrary to that most, holy and reverend sacrament of the Supper of the Lord, instituted by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ at his last supper, to be received of the faithful in both kinds. By receiving of which holy sacrament, as he ordained the same, we receive the same to our salvation as a most certain sign or badge that we confess Christ to be the Saviour of mankind, and that by his death only man is restored to the favor of God which we had lost by the fall of Adam, by which redemption we are made heirs of heaven with and by Christ.
And now I make my complaint to God and all good men that I have been most falsely accused through the malice and envy of some wicked and evil disposed persons, scholars of Marchevil [Macchiavelli], that I have been a traitor to my Queen and country. But I do deny the merit and benefit of the blood shedding of my Saviour Jesus Christ (which I would not do to get the whole world) if ever I do know that I have committed any treason against my queen or country, or that I was in any confederacy with the king of Spain, or with any of his ministers, directly or indirectly, in any point of treason, or ever received letter or message from him, or sent him any these thirty five years last past, or ever was in any confederacy with the Duke of Parma, the Viscount Baltinglas, Sir William Standley, or with Sir Bryan O'Rorke, for any point of treason against my queen or country, or wrote letter or sent to them or any of them for any point of treason, or ever heard from the Duke of Parma or Viscount Baltinglas in all my life. But the letters which were had from Dennis O'Roughan directed to the Spanish king and Sir William Standley are forged and devised by Sir Dennis O'Roughan and his partners. And I do take the God of Heaven to witness that I never had any conference with Sir Dennys for his employments to Spain to Sir William Standley or to Sir Bryan O'Rorke, neither was he employed therein, as he most falsely alleged : neither did I use or trust Sir Dennis but as a spy, as I did others in Ireland, to understand the dispositions of the people of Ireland, for the furtherance only of her Majesty's service : neither did I ever give or deliver him any money that was mine own, but the money he had was special money, or diet money, as by Sir Henry Wallop's accounts will appear, except he might have some part of the alms' money I gave to the prisoners : neither did I ever cause him to have meat from my table, nor appointed him wine when he listed out of my cellar. All which before writton is true as the Lord shall save my soul.
I do further declare, upon my salvation or damnation, that though I did employ Jasper Thunder as a spy to Portugal, as I did others, yet I did never send by him message to the Duke of Medina, the Marquis Scale Orensa or to any other Spaniard or “Portingall,” but he was used to do his best to bring home certain Irishmen; and, if he played any false part, that was without my privity. And the intelligence I had from him I did impart the same, and he told me he had delivered other intelligence, to Mr Secretary Walsingham.
I do also deny my God of Heaven, if ever I spake to John Garland any such traitorous words as were read at my arraignment, as matter said to be part of the said Garland's examination, for as Garland was but a foolish light fellow, so did I never esteem of him or use him but for carrying of packets when I had no other convenient messenger, or to look to my horseboys or such base matters. I take the Lord of Lords to witness that I have always thought her Majesty to be the lawful and undubitate legitimate queen of these her imperial kingdoms of England, France and Ireland; and I do deny my God, if I would not have adventured my life against any man living that would have said the contrary : Neither did I ever send the said Garland to O'Rorke to stir him to commit any unlawful act : neither did I ever trust or favor O'Rorke but in show only to keep him in quiet, as I did then likewise with the Northern lords for the keeping of the realm in peace according to the warrant which I had received “here hence.”
I do, likewise, testify upon my faith that the lord chancellor of Ireland and Philip Williams do falsely bely me in their declarations touching any material point that concerneth her Majesty which they alleged I should speak of her Highness, and what is spoken therein by them is of malice, they both being known to be men that will speak much untruth : the one was mine enemy and the other was to spy upon me. And I take God to witness that I never had purpose for to favor Dor Creaugh, or ever saw him to my knowledge, or ever heard from him, but was desirous to take him; neither did I ever write warrant to Richard Harding with any purpose of favor to Creaugh; but, if he had the warrant he spake of, it was at the white knight's suit for his good, and not for Creaugh; neither did I ever favor friars, or such kind of vermin, but I have suppressed more monasteries and friars while I governed that land of Ireland than was done by the governors before in thirty years : neither did I ever favour papist for papistry's sake, but I did justice to them upon complaint, as I did to others, according to commandment which I received from her Majesty. And I take God the Lord of Heaven to witness that I never received rhyme at the hands of Captn Woodhouse, written against her Majesty, as he most falsely allegeth, but upon words which he delivered took order for the rhymer's forthcoming, which was done by the advice of some of her highness' council; and I have given money to rhymers' to set forth her Majesty's most worthy praise, as by Mr Treasurer of the Wars' accounts will appear.
And whereas I was charged by one I know not to have an agent in Lubeck, or such other like place beyond the seas, which was to deal between the Duke of Parma and me, and named to be Nicholas Collman; I do deny my God if ever any person dealt between the duke and me for any cause; but I had about eight years past one Nicholas, a barber, who being sick departed from me, but I never heard from him, nor know not what became of him since he departed from me, nor know where he dwelleth, if he be living; neither did I ever know any of the Jesuits or seminary priests, or ever heard of their names, before one of the witnesses named them at the time of my arraignment; and these two witnesses are sure knights of the posts hired against me; against whom with all the other false witnesses procured to depose falsely to my overthrow, I cry out to God that he revenge my cause upon them and their procurers.
Touching my dread sovereign Queen, whom the Lord of Heaven bless and defend from all evil, and send her Highness many happy years, with continual victory over all her enemies ! And whereas I have been of late suspected of my fidelity to her Highness, I take the high God to witness that I do deliver this upon my salvation or damnation, that I have ever served her Highness with a most loyal heart, and have always since I saw her Majesty first honoured and most dutifully loved her Highness, and Was the better when I saw her, or could do her highness any acceptable service, and would ever since her Majesty's most happy reign have died in her service against all men that would have sought to have offended her Highness or any part of her dominions. But alas and woe is me! that such false witnesses should be procured against me in the time that the gospel is preached : any my most blessed Queen believe this my most voluntary confession to be true : neither have I, upon my salvation or damnation, committed any the treasons whereof I was found guilty at Westminster the 27th April or thereabouts. But I cannot deny it being let, by practice to do the service I could have done for your Highness, or upon some sharp matter received I have far otherwise than did become me written some fond and eager words, for the which I sorrow in heart and soul. Therefore upon the knees of my heart, I ask your Highness' forgiveness, which is all the means I can now make. But that ever I intended any disloyal act against her Highness or her countries, I deny my Lord God if ever I purposed the same. The Lord of Lords shroud her Highness under his merciful wings and bless my sweet country from all harm, and caute her Highness to know her true subjects from the false, and that her enemies may wound themselves with the weapons that they shall lift up against her royall person. And so God receive and have mercy upon my soul as I do truly and unfeignedly speak and write this for my part. So be it good Lord!
I am to deliver a truth before the Lord of Heaven that whereas some slanderous persons have said that I should give to my Lord Treasurer or to Sir Robert Cecil or to some other to their use great sums of money or money's worth, I speak and write it upon my salvation or damnation, that I did never give, or did promise, them or either of them penny or penny's worth, or to any other to their use, for any favor or help they should do me in my troubles, neither had I need of their help, my cause being good as it was. But I do owe my Lord Treasurer more for my diet than I do know I do owe any man living. God bless him and his! which is all the payment I can make him therefor.
The Lord bless the Earl of Essex and keep him in her Majesty's favor. I send to my son and daughter with their two little children God's blessing and mine, and pray them to serve God and their prince faithfully : And God have mercy upon my soul and forgive me my sins as I have been faithful and true to my sovereign queen Elizabeth. And do pray for as many as will live and die in God's cause against all mem Amen. Amen.
Farewell world with all thy vanity and soon may I come to Heaven where is all unspeakable glory !—3 May 1592.
Endorsed :—“Sir John Perrott's last testament, written in the Tower, upon which he received the sacrament in the presence of Sir Michael Blunt, and shortly after he died.”
Copy. 3 pp.
The King of France to the Earl of Essex.
[1592,] May 5/15. Lenvye que nos annemys ont eu deschapper plustot que de combatre, les a fet hasarder à passer la ryvyere de Seyne sur des bateaus, avec beaucoup de peyne et dyfyculte, qui nest pas aussy sans perte de reputasyon, mes ce nest asses sy je nay moyan dampescher quils ne ce remetent, sur ce que je ne puys sans layde de la Reyne, madame ma bonne soeur, à laquelle sur cete ocasyon, jescrys ancores meyntenant pour le nouveau cecours dont je lay suplyee, donnant charge au Sieur de Beauvoyr, mon ambassadeur, luy represanter les resons quy me meuvent à luy fere cete nouvelle depesche, lesquelles yl vous fera aussy antandere afin dy ayder de vos bons ofyces accoustumes, comme je vous prye les y vouloyr amployer selon la fyance que j'ay de notre amytye.—Ce 15 May à l'Yvetot.
Holograph. 1 p.
Corn for Transport to France.
1592, May 7. Whereas we are informed that in the Counties of Sussex and Kent there is so great plenty of grain, specially of wheat, as the owners thereof have no means to utter the same but to their great loss, and to the discomfort of them to continue their usual tillage, the prices being so mean as many former years the like hath not been : and therefore the only remedy seemeth to be to transport the same to foreign places where the prices are greater; and therewith we considering how the French King having of long time continued his army in the parts of Normandy near to the seaside whereby there is great scarcity and dearth, which we think for many causes and, namely, for relief of our subjects serving there, convenient to be remedied; we are well pleased that such as have such great quantity of wheat or rye in our said Counties of Sussex or Kent or in the next parts of Hampshire adjoining to Sussex as without transportation they cannot without their loss vend their said grain, shall and may be permitted to lade the same in any English bottom at our ports of Dover, Sandwich, Rye, Chichester, Myching or Portsmouth, and from thence, after the ancient customs and duties answered to us, to carry and transport the same to Dieppe or Caen, or to such other port in Normandy as is or shall be fully obedient to the French king, or otherwise not. Wherefore, not-withstanding that we did of late prohibit the carrying of any grain cut of our realm without answering to us an augmentation of the former usual customs, yet at this time and upon these former considerations, we will and, by virtue hereof, do authorize you to licence as is abovesaid such quantity of grain as may be spared, with the advice of our Lieutenants of the said Counties of Kent, Sussex and Hampshire, so as the same exceed not in the whole the quantity of six thousand quarters, to be laden and transported from the ports above named, with condition to give good bonds and assurances that the same shall not be transported to any other ports in France than shall be in the French King's possession, and that also they shall not make the prices thereof greater than may reasonably answer them their charges with reasonable profit, and not to exact unreasonable gain of the buyers in France being the good subjects of our good brother the French King. For moderation whereof vou shall confer with our said Lieutenants and some others in those countries having no interest in common buying or selling or corn. Furthermore, if it shall appear that there may be spared out of those parts any reasonable quantity of “beare” and oats for the said King's army, you shall also permit such quantity as may be so spared, not exceeding one thousand tons, to be in like manner and with the former conditions transported paying to us our ancient customs and duties. And, if it shall appear that by any such transportation the prices thereof shall increase to the burthen of our subjects, you shall make stay hereof. And these shall be sufficient warrant to you for the execution of the premises, and the same not to continue any longer then during the time that the French King's army shall continue in Normandy.—Greenwich, 7th May, 1592.
Privy Signet. Sign manual. 1 p.
— to Mons. du Euen Guyman, à Morlaix.
1592, May 8/18. Je croy que, par les lettres de mon bon frere Olliver Frovel, aures esté amplement instruict et in formé de mon entier comportement de par deca, et aussi de la commodité et bun rencontre qui se presente pour moi d'aller à Toulon en la compazine de quelques Jfesuistes francois qui sont en ceste ville, lesquels sy achemynent sur la fin du mois de Juin pour le plus tard, et m'ont promis, tant en chemin que au dit lieu, beaucoup de faveur et ayde en mes estudes. Vous assurant aussi de mon coste y faire tel devoir, moyennant la grace de Dieu, que vous et tons nos bons parents et amis aurez occasion de vous en con tenter. Nous csperons partir en la compagnie de Monsieur de Montpesat, fils de la soeur de rnonseigneur le due de Maine, qui est ici pour affaires de guerre, et entenda que le roi la expedye et qu'il s'en va demain. Je suis maintenant en la compagnie de Messieurs 'de Lannoste, lesquels font des miracles par deça aussi bien que par dela. Je les ay si bien assistez en ce pays ici en leurs affaires qu'ils disent qu'ils me sont à jamais redevables.
J'eusse escript à Messieurs mes oncles de Egadion et Jan Call vet n'eust este que la bonne commodité qu'avons maintenant trouvé et sans y pencher pour le departement d'ung porkeur, nous totalement empeshe de ce faire, comme luy-même vous en pourra tesmoigner. Messieurs de Lannoste vous baisent humblement les mains, aussi a Mademoiselle ma socur, à laquelle ils disent estre tres redevables par vertu de son mari.
J'osère ici presenter mes ties humbles recommendations à Madame de Guerrand, à Monsieur de Leserhot et Mademoiselle sa compagne, laquelle r.essemble en face et en corps à notre Infante d'Espagne; je dis en cecy la pure verite et en' fait sy aise que je ne le puis passer sous silence—Alcala de Henares, 18 May 1592.
Unsigned. Damaged. 1 p.
Commission of Recusancy.
1592, May 10. Warrant for a Commission to enquire of the possessions of William Smithe, William Mannocke and William Roper, of London, grocers, convicted recusants.
Endorsed :—“A counterpart warrant for a recusant.”
Draft. 1 p.
Subsidies.
1592. May 14. Note of money paid into the Exchequer on account of subsidies, tenths and fifteenths to the 14th of May 1592.
Total 88,896l. 10s. 1d. ob.
½ p.
Raph Westropp to the Queen.
1592, May 15. For a lease in reversion of the parsonage of Hudmanbie, Yorks, of which he is tenant, for his costly and dangerous services as serjeant at arms under the Lord President of the North.
Endorsed :—15 May 1592.
Note by J. Herbert that the Queen grants the petition.
1 p.
Ordnance for the Low Countries.
1592, May 18. Warrant authorizing the Count Maurice of Nassau and the States General of Holland and Zeeland to buy in this realm two hundred pieces of ordnance and to transport the same into the Countries of Holland and Zeeland for the use of their towns and navy, paying for the same the usual customs and duties.—From Greenwich, May 18, 1592.
Sign Manual. Privy Signet. 1 p.
Pedro de Sadaro to Jaques le Goarant, Landerneau.
[1592], May 21/31. Letter relating solely to mercantile matters and business transactions between the parties, and enclosing a statement of account.—Bilbao, 31 May.
Spanish. Holograph. Seal. 2 pp.
Pedro de Sadaro to Francisco Querantret, Landerneau.
[1592], May 22./June 1st. A similar letter to the foregoing containing nothing of general interest.—Bilbao, 1 June.
Spanish. Holograph. Seal. 2½ pp.
Nun : de Cigerondo to Giulkrmo Tutor, Landernao.
1592, May 22./June 1. letter of advice relative to mercantile transactions.—Bilbao, 1 June 1592.
Spanish. 1 p.
Nun : de Cigerondo to Jaques Legoarant, en Landernao.
1592, May 22./June 1. Advices touching matters of business and accounts.—Bilbao. June 1, 1592.
Spanish, 1 p.
Vincent Cores to his Uncle, le Sieur François Aprival.
1592, May 23./June 2. Je ne pas voullu laisser passer cette comodité sans vous faire savoir de nies novelles, lesquelles sont bonnes. La merchandise na pas a present grande requête a cause de la cherté du ble que a este, mais a present est ravalle, et il y a nombre de vaisseaux negoce par deca du ble; le froment vault 25 reals, le seigle 14 reals, Forge 12 reals. Je enfin vande roes fardeoux a terme de deux mois de terme a 66 reals la barre a cause que ils estont moulles et laves, que me porte grand domaige, mais j'espére en Dieu que le tout viendra a bien. II y a sept navires pour le roi d'Espaigne en ce contre pour garder la coste. Monsieur le comte de Ceson (Soissons) a este en la ville de Paon au pays de Biart Laon. II a promis mariage et est marie a madame la princesse de Navarre, seule soeur du roi de Navarre, et estoit fort accompagne, et Ion diet par deca que elle a promis espouzes a l'Eglise Romaine et se est retourne a la courte.—Bilbao, 2nd June 1592.
Endorsed :—“French King's sister married the count in a papist church.”
Holograph. 2 pp.
Sir Robert Cecil to Sir Thomas Heneage, Vice Chamberlain and Chancellor op the Duchy of Lancaster.
1592, May 23. There are no letters from the King's camp but from the Marishal Byron's, who is with all the infantry, both French and English, before Neuchatel, which is thought to be rendered by this time to the King.
The Duke of Parma is gone over the river at Paris and now hath gotten the river of Marne between the King and him, so as now the King must come back again to Rouen, although there be no hope of the town, and in the interim the Duke will be ready to return. Of him whom you call my friend, which he must be if he do not wrong me, I do hear that the matters, as his enemies say, will prove clear against him, but till his coming no censure can be given of his fortune. I look for him every day. In the meantime, we hear wonders what is found of his matter, and what proceeding shall be taken against him, but from the Queen I do not hear as yet anything, in whom I take it the stroke will lie, for of others' breath he is careless.
For Sir Hy. Parker I have at my Lady Warwick's suit done all I can, by my troth, but Sir Francis Veare and divers others are such suitors in the like nature as I do not see how his desire can be fulfilled; but my Lord saith he will do for him what he may.
I do send you by this bearer such letters as were yesternight brought my Lord from the Mayor of Sandwich and the commissioners who having commandment to search for any suspicious fardells or books, did take upon a Fleming divers books of sedition and divers letters to catholicks; they opened them, and amongst the rest, because there were many of these books included in a bundle directed to one Eutkyn, they opened it and the letters, and having sent them we find that they of Moore belong to you, and amongst them we have one to Whyte which belongs to my Lord. I have therefore sent them unto you by my Lord's commandment, and withall my Lord doth desire to know who that Eutkyn is, and whether you can tell where Pooly is, that my Lord might speak with him. For that which Moody hath written and sent now, it was only doubt, that the others were not come to your hand and my Lord's. And thus for this time do I take my leave, desiring you to send me word of Pooly, and to recommend both my Bess and self to my Lady and her daughter, with Sir Moyle Fynch.—From the Court, 23rd May 1592.
Holograph. 2 pp.
Lord Burghley and the Lord Admiral to Sir Walter Kaleigh.
1592, May 23. We have received your letter dated at Plymouth the 18th of this month, which after we had perused we informed her Majesty thereof, who read the same herself; and finding your doubt with what peril the shipping should winter in the Indies, and on the other side some more hope conceived by you in forbearing that voyage and rather to attend this summer time, the likelihood both of the treasure to be brought from the Havanna this summer time and also to do some exploit upon the carricks that bring the fleet from the East Indies, and which, as Davides affirmeth, are to come between the last of July and the 10th of August, she alloweth of this change, and so would have you to direct the course of her ships and yours under Sir Martin Frobisher. Wherein we will not prescribe any special course, but to remit the same to the judgment of Sir Martin Frobisher where shall be best lying about the islands for the Havanna fleet, and about the Canaries for the East Indian treasure or that of Brazil, of all which we most heartily wish the best may be intercepted, which will we hope countervail the charges. And so we end hastily because we desire to hasten your servant away.
P.S.—I the Treasurer am secretly informed, but with what truth I know not, that one Duffeld having charge under Sir John Borough, is a man much miscontenled, and hath given his promise to Crippes that serveth the king of Spain to do some special service to the Spaniard jointly with Crippes as soon as he shall return from this voyage. You may do well secretely to advertise Sir John Borough hereof to have good regard how to trust him, and to foresee that at his return he be forthcoming to enquire hereof and not in the mean time to escape.
Endorsed :—“M. of a letter written to Sir Walter Raleigh by the Lord Treasurer and the Lord Admiral.”
Corrected draft in Burghley's handwriting. 1 p.
Sir Robert Southwell to Sir Robert Cecil.
1592, May 24. There is a couple he would be glad to pleasure, in respect of some special causes, that are of late indicted for recusancy, William and John Smith, sometime grocers in London, who, being father and son and one living with and by the other, are in effect but one. They are men of no reckoning nor of worth to bestow, in regard whereof he has the rather undertaken to write. Begs that Cecil will obtain their release from the Lord Treasurer and get him to sign the enclosed warrant for the taking out of the usual Commission.—West minster, 24 May, 1592.
Holograph. Seal. 1 p.
Francis Tennant to Archibald Douglas.
1592, May 25. It was my bounden duty to give your lordship thanks of the good will that has been offered by your lordship unto me, not being deserved on my part as yet; but, when time and opportunity will serve, I will do my endeavour to render your lordship such service by me and mine to the uttermost of our powers. As indeed, my lord, not flattering your lordship by this my letter, I have spoken and am to speak of your lordship's favourable good will professed to the King's Majesty's subjects in these parts, where your lordship remains to the great honour of his Majesty and his country, or else little or nothing would be accounted of the nation. And all these counterfeit ambassadors that has been from time to time at her Majesty, I would fain demand what honour they have done to his Majesty, or else what they have done to the poor merchants. My lord, many of the call market say that they have sought their own commodity, disgracing their master the King in many matters, which I am sorry to write, if I list. Now, my lord, leaving this with pardon, your lordship shall understand that I send one letter unto Berwick to one John Gylstone to be sent unto your lordship, which I doubt not but it will come in your hands : there is some particular heads that touches my affairs greatly in my last letter unto you, praying you to call to remembrance the same, and desiring your good lordship to consider the danger that I stand in by the delivering of the letter of marque to Captain Patrick Turnorne, as I doubt not but you will see all matters put to a good end. And as, my lord, touching my own particular matters which I left in writing at my departing to be delivered unto you, I doubt not but you will obtain the same at their hands who have liberty to grant. For indeed I have deserved that humble request and further, if the verity were known; but I have no doubt but your lordship has made information of that former proceeding to the parties who have authority to grant. But I refer that matter and othe. matters unto your good lordship to call to remembrance what it shall please you. As for news in this country, there is apparent great troubles and that of the unnatural murder committed by Huntly and his faction against that good man the Earl of Murray. It is supposed and cried out by the servants of God that there is the principal of this land that has been foreseen in that horrible murder and that profane man the Chancellor, and that by reason the malefactor was apprehended and let at liberty, to the great dishonour of this nation. My lord, it consists not in the slaughter of that noble man all this matter, but there is one Lyg joined hand in hand with Huntly to the overthrow of his kirk in Scotland, with his confederates and some of them that have subscribed to our true kirk once, as first Huntly, the Chancellor, the earls of Arran, Montrose, Crawfurd, the Lord Maxwell, and in remembrance by the by his lordship has agreed with the Johnstons, I dare not say yet the Lord Hamilton and Claude Hamilton have shaken hands altogether with the other wicked and ungodly persons to maintain that “urious” traitor Huntly. My lord, it is of verity that Huntly has daily mass in Strabogey; it is reported that the Earl of “Arle” has mass in like manner. We will not believe but you shall be persuaded that our Scotch Spaniards that I have named has been “wattane” on with the English Spaniards of the overthrow of that noble king, the King of France. It has pleased the good God to give him his last victory with many other victories against Paima : for indeed,'my lord, if that noble king, as God forbid ! had gotten any overthrow, Huntly and his damnable band had been aloft and mass through all the parts of the north and other places. I pray God that they have not others, which I am sorry within my heart not to nominate. Your good lord may consider this great danger which the church of God stands in in this country, which it were a good work of you to make information to her Majesty and her honourable council in time, unless both the countries repent and that their ungodly and high pretences be prevented in time. As for the Earl Bothwell, I hear nothing of him but good; he is come into great repentance and has confessed to some of his friends that the Chancellor has deceived him by his great false dealing, seeing that Bothwell was to be in amity with the Queen's Majesty of England, and the Chancellor seeing this, and others of his faction, made attempt to disgrace the Earl Bothwell; but the Lord sent the Earl Bothwell repentance, for it was a great loss of him, for I understand that he should have been slain in Caithness by his own friends. This we hear, but it was prevented. So, my lord, you see what danger our nation stands in. The Lord open the King's heart that he may not join with these damnable persons that is manifest papists.—Edinburgh, 25 May, 1592.
Holograph. Portions of Seal. 3 pp.
Arms for the Forces in Brittany.
1592, May 26. Warrant to Sir George Carew, knt., Lieutenant of the Ordnance, for delivery to Sir Henry Norris, appointed to return into Brittany by the way of Caen and so to view the state of the forces there, of three hundred pikes, one hundred muskets, two hundred calyvers, with all necessary furniture and ten barrels of powder for the said forces.—Greenwich, May 26, 1592.
Privy Signet. Sign Manual. 1 p.
The Queen to Mons. de Hallot.
[1592, May 27] Mons. de Hallot. We are sorry to have no better argument whereof to write to you at this time considering our. former good liking of you as one with whom for sundry respects we have been desirous to deal familiarly : but at this time we are to treat with you of a matter displeasant to us, and so also we are well assured not pleasing to you. We do hear and have seen by the copy of a letter written to you from Mons. Montmarty, governor of Vitry, that there hath been an encounter, or rather a battle as it is written, betwixt the two Princes of Condé and Dombes on the King's part, and the duke Mercury on the part of the King's rebels and Spaniards, wherein Mercury hath had the victory and the two Princes forced to retire. And for that we had a number of our people, being good soldiers and conducted by valiant captains, with the said two Princes, and not as yet understanding truly in what estate they are, presuming that they would not refuse to fight for their lives, and therefore doubtful of their success, seeing it is reported that Mercury hath had the victory, we do, therefore, for the royal care we have of our subjects and to understand their estate and to provide for all things needful for their safety, send this gentleman, Sir H. Norris, chyvaller, brother to Sir John Norris, the general of our said forces in Brittany, to understand their estate and to use all good means for the safety of so many as have not perished, having sent with him both money and arms for their relief; and, therefore, seeing his journey must be by Caen where you have government, we do earnestly require you to give him not only your good advice but your assistance as shall be in your own power, and your recommendation to the two princes and other governors and captains for the King, that our subjects may attain some surety, and also have their arms and money surely conducted to them, or else they to be conducted to such place where the same may be surely delivered to them : and, as we shall hear of their estate and in what sort the King shall determine to recover this loss, we shall further resolve what shall be by us thought of meet for us to do.
Draft in Burghley' s handwriting. 2 pp.
Lord C. Howard to —.
1592, May 29. Whereas there is a commission granted under the “brode” seal, and directed to myself and sundry others within the county of Surrey, for enquiry after seminary priests and recusants; and, for that I have known that her Majesty, allowing unto the lady Katherine Cornwallis the liberty of her conscience, hath given commandment by the late secretary, Sir Francis Walsingham, in like case heretofore that she should not be molested nor troubled for that her Highness was resolved of her loyalty; I am in like sort persuaded that her like pleasure is that she shall not be molested or troubled by virtue of this commission. Wherefore these shall be to pray and require, that unless you receive some more particular directions from her Majesty than that contained in the said commission, you forbear to search trouble or molest the said lady or her houses. Your loving friend C. HOWARD.—From the Court at Greenwich, 29 May 1592.
Endorsed :—“The true copy of my lord Admiral's letter, 1592.”
½ p.
William Harvye and others to Lord Burghley.
1592, May 30. For letters to the King of Denmark, to obtain recompeuce for a ship taken by one Monus Hennison, a Dane.
Endorsed :—30 May 1592.
Note by Burghley that Mr. D. Parkins is to draw a letter for the Queen to sign.
½ p.
William Bradshaw and Thomas Child to the Queen.
1592, May. Petition for lease in reversion, for their services as groom of the stable and farrier.
Endorsed :—May 1592.
Note by J. Herbert that the Queen grants the petition.
1 p.
Edward Aglionbie to the Queen.
1592, May. Petition. His torture and imprisonment for three years by the Pope's Inquisition in Kome, because he would not deny the Queen and swear to the Pope's supremacy. Prays for reversion of the parsonage of Torpenny, Cumberland.
Endorsed :—“May 1592.”
Note by Sir John Stanhope to Sir John Fortescue that the Queen's pleasure is that if he finds the parsonage fit to be granted to petitioner, he shall give orders for the same, as she has good opinion of his good desert.
Enclosure :—Notes on the above petition.
1 p.
Notes from Spain.
[1592, May.]
1. Thomas Rokwood of Bristol went in a ship of Flushing called the Angell for St. Lucas, and returned in a fly-boat of Holland and landed at Dover the 1st of May 1592.
2. At his being at St. Lucas he saw fourteen galleons and four pinnaces, whereof four galleons came from Lisbon with the four pinnaces; and the other were made ready at St. Lucas; which did all together set sail at Calais the 9th of April last, and sailed from thence to the Indias 10 the Cape of St. Anthony, where Watts' ships took their prizes the last year.
3. The King hath taken order that these men of war, with the other that went with the last fleet out of Spain for the Indias, shall return together by the last of September to the Islands; and then he meaneth to send more ships at that time from Lisbon to reinforce them for the bringing of the treasure, which cometh in eight frigates, and the rest of the ships belonging to the merchants.
4. There will be ready in July next thirty ships of merchants to go into the Indias.
5. The Adelantado hath made good prizes of divers Flemish ships that came out of Holland and England. As soon as any fleet is discovered on the coast of Spain immediately they make an embargo and suffer none to go out.
6. Jeane Garret, of Waterford, took of the Adelantado 100 vialls of plate to serve in the gallies. He was asked where the English had traffick; he told the Adelantado that they trade at the Islands and St. John de Luce; he answered that he would provide for that.
7. The duke of Medina met with one of our nation at St. Lucas and asked him what news out of England. He answered that he had none. “Then” said he, “I will tell you. Sir Francis Drake is come to the “seas with thirty sails; he is a most fortunate man.”
From Middleborough.
There is a merchant newly come from Spain in few days to Middle-borowe, who hath declared to a friend of mine that came yesterday from thence, that at Bilbao there goeth four friars together from house to house persuading each person to give the King somewhat towards his great charges against the heretics. What each man will give they write it down but do not receive it, but commissioners are appointed for that. This merchant that came from Bilbao gave 12d.
He saith that there came down from Biscay sixty-two captains to levy soldiers to serve by land. He also reporteth that they prepare both gallies and ships for Blewet and the Straits.
Endorsed :—“May 1592. Advices. Lord Cobham.”
1½ p.
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