|
May 25. |
1. The Council to [Algernon, Earl of Northumberland] Lord
Admiral. By an order of the Board of the 8th instant, upon the
petition of Sir David Cunningham and a certificate of Sir Henry
Martin [see Vol. ccccxx, Nos. 5 & 92], we directed that the lading
of salt in two ships arrested in London, and two others of like
lading arrested at Yarmouth, should be sold by Sir David, and the
money thereby arising be disposed of by him as he shall think fit.
As it appears that Patrick Wood was indebted in great sums to
Sir David, and he the only administrator, we require you to give
order that Sir David may sell all the said salt, and dispose of the
money as he shall think fit. [Draft. 1 p.] |
May 25. |
2. The same to [Thomas, Earl of Arundel and Surrey], Lord General
[of the Army]. By order from his Majesty, a certain number
of the trained soldiers in the several counties of Wales were to be
exercised and put in readiness to repair to such place as you should
direct. As the deputy lieutenants of co. Anglesea have, by their
petition to the Board, made suit that they may be spared from that
service, in regard that if the trained band, containing in effect all
the men of that island fit to bear arms, and consequently being the
only safety of that county, should in any proportion be drawn
out and lessened, they would be exposed more than any other
part to invasion and spoil, in respect there are divers open ports
and places in that county where pirates and ill-affected men may
land; for which reason the said county, as appears by several precedents and orders from the Board entered in the Council book, in
the reign of Queen Elizabeth and since, has been exempted, copies
whereof we enclose. Which having considered, and finding it to
be very considerable, we hereby pray you to forbear sending for
any of the trained band out of the said county for this time, if
possibly they may be spared. [Draft. 1 p.] |
May 25. |
3. The same to the same. Similar letter that he would forbear
sending for any of the trained band out of co. Pembroke. [Draft.
1 p.] |
May 25. |
4. Minute of the appearance before the Council of William Hack,
John Stiles, Christopher Bird, Richard Alfield, Thomas Amis, and
Francis Barker for himself and Edward Bud, co. Northampton,
sent for by the Board for non-payment of conduct-money to the
soldiers sent into the North. [¼ p.] |
May 25. |
5. Similar minute of the appearance of W. Meers and Richard
Cliffe, beaver-makers, arrested by virtue of his Majesty's grant to the
Beaver Makers Company, dated the 22nd November last. They are to
remain in custody till they shall be discharged by the Lords.
[¼ p.] |
May 25. |
6. Minute of a warrant to Thomas Waterworth, messenger, to
bring up Mr. Lacy, [Miller ?] miller, of Purfleet Mills, before the
Board. [Erroneously dated "1638." ½ p.] |
May 25. Before Leith. |
7. Henry de Vic to Sec. Windebank. Having been prevented
by departure of the messenger, we sent to Berwick. We have done
nothing yet but make diversions, without any act of hostility, by
reason of his Majesty's unpreparedness. The rebels of Scotland
are grown desperate, and both speak, and, I am afraid, will do too.
To which purpose, seeing that the way his Majesty takes will
certainly ruin them, they intend, with all the forces they are able
to make, to give a day for it; and if his Majesty avoids to fight,
to enter England, and make an invasion of it. They are gone from
these parts towards the frontier, and are now with most of their
men at Dunbar, whereof his Excellency having notice has sent the
greater part of his fleet and forces towards that port to make a diversion at least of some of their forces in favour of his Majesty.
You are beholding to his Excellency for his often kind remembrance
of you. [Endorsed by Sec. Windebank, "Mr. De Vic from aboard
the Rainbow, near Leith. Received, 4 June." 1 p.] |
May 25. Colcombe. |
8. Sir John Pole, sheriff of Devon, to Nicholas. According to
your letter, I have sent you a list of the particular assessments of
the ministers in this county. Concerning the assessments of the
county in general, it is a work long since performed by me,
and for the collecting and levying of the ship-money, I have used
my best and speediest endeavours. There is already paid into the
Treasurer of the Navy about 2,000l. I keep no money in hand, but
so fast as I receive it return the same through the merchants of
Exeter, and so shall continue levying and paying to the utmost of
my power, with as much expedition as may be. The assessments
of Exeter and other corporations in this county have been likewise
long ago made; and because the levying of those sums more immediately belongs to them, I do not well know how far they have
proceeded, but I hope you will expect that account from them. I
desire that you will procure me direction how to proceed in the
event of anyone dying or leaving the place of his abode before the
levying of the sum assessed. [¾ p.] |
8. i. Certificate of the particular sums assessed upon the clergy
within the county of Devon, under writ of 1638, towards
the raising of 2,669l. ship-money, besides 481l. laid
on Exeter and other corporations in that county. "The
ministers of some few parishes are not rated. Whether the
parishioners have spared them out of affection or with
respect to their disabilities I do not well know, but
the proportions chargeable upon these ministers they
have charged upon themselves." [12½ pp.] |
[May 25 ?] |
9. Return made by Lewis Harris, late under-sheriff of co. Oxford,
of the names of persons in arrears of ship-money [probably upon
writs issued in 1636], specifying the sums due from each. The
corporations of Banbury and Barford are returned as behind; the
former 10l., and the latter 6l. [5 strips of parchment.] |
May 25. |
10. Similar return for co. Oxford upon writs issued in 1637;
total 632l. 5s. 5½d. Under Water Eaton, Lord Lovelace appears as
12l. in arrear. The corporations in arrears were: Henley, 1l. 4s. 4d.;
Burford, 18l.; Chipping Norton, 6l. 11s.; and Banbury, 29l. 1s. 6d.
[6 pp.] |
May 25. |
11. Account by Sir William Russell and Henry Vane of shipmoney received by writs of 1638; total 26,337l. 16s. 1d. By an
under-written memorandum, 195l. 8s. 4d. of the 1637 arrearages
had been paid since the 18th inst. [1 p.] |
May 25. |
12. Account of ship-money for 1638 levied and remaining in
the sheriffs' hands; viz., 2,680l., making the total levied and paid
29,017l., which is 3,243l. more than was expressed on the 18th inst.,
besides 195l. paid of the 1637 arrears. [1 p.] |
May 25. |
13. Bond of Martin Wigston, of Daventry, co. Northampton,
ironmonger, and Richard Wigston, of St. Andrew's, Holborn, Middlesex, baker, in 500l., conditioned that Martin Wigston shall
neither directly nor indirectly sell tobacco in Daventry or elsewhere.
[¾ p.] |
May 25. |
14. Statement of the accounts of Sir Allen Apsley, deceased, for
the period embraced between 1 June and 20 August 1629, specifying
the sums received by him upon sale of Galtres Forest and other
Crown lands and the purposes to which the money was applied
[see Vol. ccccxx., No. 94], including diet and other charges for
prisoners in the Tower, marine victuals for the King's ships, &c.
The former, entered as tallies, amounted to 43,887l. 9s. 2d.; and the
latter, as orders, to 41,887l. 9s. 2d. [22/3 pp.] |
May 25. |
15. Abstract of the preceding paper, headed "Sir Robert Pye's
Certificate," in which, however, the orders are made to amount to
43,887l. 9s. 2d. [1 p.] |
May 26. Whitehall. |
16. Order of Council. The Board was this day informed that
one of his Majesty's pinnaces has lately made stay of the
frigate St. John, of Dunkirk, and driven or carried her into Newhaven, Sussex. As the Lords are informed that the said frigate is
employed for carrying letters from Flanders to Spain for the King
of Spain's service, it was ordered that the Lord High Admiral
should be hereby prayed to give order for release of the frigate, and
to cause her to be permitted to proceed on her voyage for Spain
without further stay. [Draft. ¾ p.] |
May 26. Whitehall. |
17. Similar order. The Lords, calling to mind his Majesty's
commands delivered to the Board a little before his departure, to
consider of a good course for referring of the frequent and undue
practice of assigning debts to receivers and other accountants to his
Majesty, whereby his Majesty's subjects are many ways very much
wronged, it was ordered, that the Attorney-General should be
hereby required to speak, as well to the judges of both benches
as to the barons of the Exchequer, forthwith to meet and advise
thereof, and to propose against Wednesday in Whitsun week what
they shall conceive considerable touching that business, and to
present the same in writing that day to the Lords, who have
appointed to meet in Council at Whitehall purposely for that
business. [Draft. ¾ p.] |
May 26. Whitehall. |
18. The like. By the proclamation dated at York the 9th April
last, [see this present volume of Calendar, p. 30], it is declared, that,
amongst divers other commissions and grants which are thereby
made void, as granted upon untrue surmises, a commission for compounding with offenders touching tobacco is revoked, under colour
whereof and by a wilful misunderstanding of the said proclamation,
we are informed that his Majesty's commission, granted to Lord
Goring and others, to grant licenses for retailing tobacco is by some
conceived to be called in, and thereupon the commissioners for
that business are dis-esteemed, tobacco is sold without license in
divers parts, and such persons who have licenses forbear to pay
their rents. Wherefore we hereby declare, that the commission
which by the proclamation is revoked and determined, is no other
than that granted to Sir Henry Spiller, Sir Abraham Dawes,
Mr. Whitaker, and others, enabling them, with the license of a
Baron of the Exchequer, to compound with such persons as, since
the 9th April 1625 until the date of the said commission, had
offended in defrauding his Majesty of his customs and other duties
due upon tobacco imported, or in planting tobacco in England or
Ireland, or in importing tobacco of the growth of other parts, or in
greater quantities, or in unlading the same at other ports than were
limited, or in buying or selling the same contrary to proclamations
before that time published in that behalf. And that the commission
to Lord Goring and others for licensing retailers of tobacco is not
impeached by this proclamation, but is still in force and so to
continue ; whereof to take away all doubts we have thought good
to make this declaration and explanation, to the end that all whomsoever it may concern may take notice thereof and accordingly
perform their duties. [Copy. 1¼ p.] |
May 26. Whitehall. |
19. Order of Council. The inhabitants of co. Denbigh, by their
petition to the Board, did represent that in all levies of men made for
his Majesty's and his predecessors' service the said county has not
at any time exceeded the number furnished by cos. Carnarvon
and Montgomery, but has been less in proportion, yet notwithstanding, for the late supply of forces sent for this present
expedition into the north, the proportion of men required from
co. Denbigh has exceeded that of both the other counties, which in
obedience to his Majesty's and the Lords' commands they provided
and sent away, although it were a charge much beyond that which
they have used, or, in truth, can bear for the time to come. The
Lords did declare, that upon all occasions of levying men to be sent
out of that county for the future that the county of Denbigh shall
be rated and proportioned equally with the counties aforesaid,
agreeable to the precedents of what they were charged in May,
August, and November 1600 ; and it was ordered that this declaration should be entered in the Council book to remain upon record.
[Draft. ¾ p.] |
May 26. |
20. Copy of the same. [1¼ p.] |
May 26. Whitehall. |
21. The Council to Thomas, Earl of Arundel, Lord General of the
Army in the North. That he would forbear sending for any of the
trained band out of co. Carnarvon, as they were required for
the assistance of Anglesea. [See this present Vol., May 25, No. 2.
Draft. 1 p.] |
May 26. Whitehall. |
22. The Council to the Officers of the Ordnance. We require you
to issue out of the Tower 100 partisans for his Majesty's guard, and
50 other such weapons as shall be thought most proper for the guard
of the Ordnance, and to cause them to be sent to his Majesty in the
north. [Draft. ¾ p] |
May 26. |
23. The same to the Justices of Peace for co. Lincoln. That divers
men of mean condition, being encouraged by others, do wilfully and
unduly impeach Sir John Monson in the possession of his lands
decreed to him by the Commissioners of Sewers, lying in the level on
both sides of the River Ancholme, in co. Lincoln, by putting cattle
into the said level, and by open opposition and menaces, as well as
by throwing down the banks and fences in the night-time, which
if not prevented may beget riots and disorders, and in these times
prove of very dangerous consequence. We require you, upon information given, to send forth your warrants for the apprehending
of all persons so offending, as also of such as have or shall hereafter
offend by throwing open, breaking, or otherwise meddling with the
sluice or works upon the River Ancholme ; and upon conviction, if
poor men, to commit them to gaol until they shall give bond for
their future good behaviour ; but if of better condition and quality,
then to bind them over to answer their fault, of which you may not
fail. [Draft. 1 p.] |
May 26. Whitehall. |
24. The same to Sir William Russell and Henry Vane. John
Crane, Victualler of the Navy, is to be paid upon several estimates
for victuals delivered to his Majesty's ships now at sea, and for a
present supply to be forthwith sent them, the sum of 16,594l. 6s. 4d.,
of which sum he has yet received warrant but for 8,000l. We therefore pray you forth with to pay Mr. Crane upon those estimates the
remains of the said sum, being 8,594l. 6s. 4d., out of such moneys as
you have or shall receive from the country for the business of
shipping. [Draft. 1 p.] |
May 26. |
25. Minute of a pass for Searles Proude and William Hart to go
into the Low Countries with two servants. [¼ p.] |
May 26. |
26. William Earl of Exeter, Lord Lieutenant of co. Northampton,
to Nicholas. You inform me that Wm. Hack, Richard Alfield, John
Stiles, Christopher Bird, Thomas Amis, Francis Barker, and
Edward Bud, who were sent for by warrant for refusing to pay
conduct-money, do acknowledge their fault and promise conformity
for the future [see May 25, No. 4.] I am satisfied therewith, and
desire that they may be discharged from further attendance upon the
Board. [1 p.] |
May 26. |
27. Minute for entry in the Council register, of the discharge from
further attendance of the persons mentioned in the foregoing letter.
[⅓ p] |
May 26. From the "Rainbow," under sail towards the Isle of May. |
28. Henry de Vic to Sec. Windebank. Your letter of the 17th inst.
met us about an hour since, in the middle way between Leith Road
and the Isle of May, where his Excellency had sent, two days since,
two thirds of his forces to give the alarm to those of Dunbar, where
the rebels had a rendezvous, thereby to preclude them, by reason of
their being obliged to leave some numbers to attend our motions,
from falling with so great power upon the King before he be ready
for them. His Excellency had gone with them then, had not he
been stayed by a letter and messenger that came from the shore to
him from some of the rebels, with whom, notwithstanding that the
said letter and a kind of remonstrance that came with it were
conceived in terms full of arrogancy, we thought fit, with a due
resentment thereof, to entertain them with hope of accommodation,
and when they should come to him in a fitting way, to enter into
treaty with them. This his Excellency did to get more time for his
Majesty to put himself in a readiness ; and the bearer of his answer
to the said letter undertook to be back with him as yesterday
morning, which having not done nor all that day, his Excellency
thought good to follow the troops he had sent before, and with
them to draw nearer Dunbar to make a greater diversion of the
rebels' forces; but being on the way, we received order from his
Majesty for sending two of our regiments to him to strengthen him
against the designs of the rebels, who, we hear, are coming against
him with very great forces. The two regiments will amount to
3,000 men, besides officers, under the command of Sir Thomas
Morton and Sir Simon Harcourt, whom as soon as we can join,
which will be within an hour, we will send away for the Holy
Island, where, if the wind continues, we hope they may arrive this
same evening. We have left Sir Nicholas Byron with his regiment
of 1,500 good men and well commanded at Inchkeith, where they
are well quartered, with some 10 or 12 ships, whereof three are the
King's, to attend them, and I believe we shall return to them as soon
as we have sent the others away. They say that the rebels are at
the bound-rod [boundary rod] with 30,000 commanded by Lesley
and 50 pieces of ordnance, which we cannot but marvel at, considering how well they have left these parts provided, we having seen,
about four days since, upon the going away of part of our fleet,
eleven companies of foot with some horse, to go out of a poor place
called Brunt Hellen [Burntisland], besides those that remained in it,
whereof we saw one company. They report their intention is to
force his Majesty to a battle and to invade England, for which,
besides others, there is this great appearance, that it is indifferent to
them to perish that way as by that his Majesty takes, and they had
rather hazard their lives and fortunes in this sort, wherein there is
some hope of escaping with both and bettering the latter, than, by
standing on a bare defensive, expose themselves to a certain ruin
which would inevitably follow, when the people wearied with the
prejudices of war would fall away from them. So that in my
opinion that is their intention, and that Lesley will begin as soon as
he can to engage the people in a hostile way, that so they may be
past accommodation and desist from their purpose of presenting yet
a petition to his Majesty when they are ready to give him battle.
I am very glad to hear that you are so quiet in the southern parts,
which I pray God to continue, and as it is advisable to be ready in
all events to second his Majesty, it were very needful to think upon
and enter into the way of having another army, which if you shall
do and his Majesty keep himself from a blow, I hope God will bring
the rebels under his feet. I cannot but advertise you that the impudence and insolence of Lesley are come to such a height as it is
incredible. I will instance only this, that he sits at table with the
best of the nobility of Scotland at the upper end covered, and they
all bare-headed. That in the letters or acts that are subscribed by
them, whereof his Excellency has received one directed to himself,
he signs before them all. He boasts he will make my Lord of Holland to rise without his periwig; that the King's army is not able
to stand against him ; and the like stuff, which I know you can no
more hear than I write without indignation. I am in extreme
haste, but yet cannot end without acknowledging to you his Excellency's kindness to me, and, which I should have said first, his extreme
affection and care of his Majesty's service, whereof he would gladly
have given a greater testimony before the departure from him of
these two regiments if his Majesty's commands, grounded upon his
unreadiness and the hope he had that things were not yet past
accommodation, had not tied his Excellency's hands.—P.S. I leave
to your judgment the fitness of having the people made acquainted
with the rebels' intentions for invading England, and the cruelties
they exercise upon their own people, by which may be judged
how they would carry themselves towards others. The Gazette
is an admirable way, and the French make a wondrous good use
of it in giving what impressions they think good to their subjects;
and now that I speak of the French, it puts me in mind to
acquaint you that we hear by some ships that there are 15 sail
of French on their way for Scotland. [4 pp.] |
May 26. |
29. Mr. Bogan to Sec. Windebank. Lamb, a Scotchman dwelling
in Rood Lane near Fenchurch, declared this day that he had
received advice by a ship which came from Sweden about 10 days
past, that at Flushing there were ready and preparing about 20 or 30
ships fitting for war, which were to be manned by some discontented
Scots and Hollanders; and that it was reported that as soon as
any probable act of war might be declared betwixt us and the Scots,
that then the said ships would put to sea with the Scots' colours and
fall upon our English ships and goods at sea, if they met them, and
to this purpose Sir Christopher Clitherow, governor of the Eastland Company, was advertised by Lamb to the end that our ships
going for the East Country might be cautious in their proceedings;
and Lamb said seriously that he believed the report to be certain.
Meeting with Lamb at Whitehall this day, I gave him notice of
your desire to speak with him about that business, whereby to be
more particularly informed, and he promised performance, but failed.
[Unsigned. ¾ p.] |
May 27. |
30. The Council to the Mayor and others of Hastings. The shipmoney charged upon your town by writ issued in 1638 not yet
being all paid to the Treasurer of the Navy, we require you to cause
the same to be forthwith levied and paid in by the beginning of
next term, or that you attend the Board the Sunday following, to
answer your neglect therein. [Draft. 1 p. From the endorsement
it would appear that similar letters were this day sent to Rye,
Pevensey, Seaford, and Shoreham.] |
May 27. |
31. The same to the Mayor of Rochester. Similar letter for his
immediate payment of ship-money charged by writ issued in 1638,
or in default, to attend the Board on the 9th June. [Draft. 1 p.] |
May 27. |
32. The same to the late Mayor of Sandwich and late Deputy
of Beaksbourne. Similar letter, requiring the immediate payment
of arrears of ship-money charged by writ of 1637. The former
town being behind 17l. 10s., and the latter 25l. [Draft. 1 p.] |
May 27. |
33. Minute of a pass for Thomas King, gent., to go into the Low
Countries, taking with him his wife and three servants. [⅓ p.] |
May 27. |
34. Certificate of Peter Heywood, justice of peace for Middlesex,
that Edmund Wild, son and heir of Sir Edmund Wild, of Kempsey,
co. Worcester, deceased, had this day taken the Oath of Allegiance
before him. [⅓ p.] |
[May 27 ?] |
35. Petition of George Plowright, constable of Burton Latimer,
co. Northampton, and prisoner in the Gatehouse, to the Council.
Petitioner was committed the 18th inst., and upon Sunday last an
order from the Lords [see 22nd inst., No. 109,] was showed him,
requiring him to pay to Sir Rowland St. John, Mr. Mulsoe, and
Mr. Bacon, their charges which were not specified in the order, but
appeared, by a note subscribed by Bacon, to amount to 13l. 3s. 4d.
Prays to be released from prison; also that, having been impoverished
by four years expenses in prosecuting a suit in the Star Chamber,
touching ship-money, against Bacon and others, upon command of
his Majesty and the Lords, and being put to great charge by
pressing him for a soldier, that the Lords would mitigate these
charges and allow him time for payment. [½ p.] |
May 27. Lincoln. |
36. Thomas Grantham, Sheriff of co. Lincoln, to Nicholas. According to my last instructions from the Board to pay in every
fortnight such ship-money as I should receive to the Treasurer of
the Navy, I have sent him 50l., which is all that remained in my
hands, and shall endeavour what in me lies to further that business ;
but, truly, money is so scarce in our country, by reason of trainings
and carrying away of our men and money, that we shall find some
difficulty in raising, every fortnight, a sum fit to be sent up ; but I
shall do the best I can to obey the Lords' commands; yet my suit
is, you would speak to the Lords to excuse my sending every fortnight, for it is an excessive charge and trouble to me; and I shall
strive by what means I can to gather in the ship-money with all
speed possible. [Seal with arms. 1 p.] |
May 27. Westover. |
37. John Ashburnham to Nicholas. Mr. Long is this day come
to us, and we are busy in treaty [for purchasing the property].
I find they will not now undertake to sell Lady Beauchamp's estate,
which Goddard has purchased to his own use. This circumstance
makes me desire to consider better of it before I conclude for
Capt. Nicholas's estate alone, wherein I confess I am not well
satisfied, for in regard his debts appear to be more by 1,000l. than
the purchase money, his condition will be as desperate when he has
sold the farm as now it is, and so, perhaps, may thrust himself into
this northern action, and there be lost. Your brother, being accidentally here, does not like to have the one estate without the other;
therefore, I pray send me your directions fully. I hear Dr. Potter
earnestly expects his money, and I as much my bond, which, as soon
as you can have, I pray dispatch, not forgetting to solicit his Lordship for the rest. I fear Mr. Strode will not seal the release before
his coming out of town. I am sorry that Hall has fallen ill.
[¾ p.] |
May 27. |
38. Statement signed by Peter Johnson, victualer in East Smithfield, among the butchers, Robert Griffin, at the Golden Bell, Grub
Street, glover, and John Hames, of East Smithfield, glover. The
16th inst. there was an agreement to be made between Mr. Arnold
and Mr. Stephens, at the house of Christopher Bawcock [in Thames
Street], victualer; and Bawcock, coming into the room, fell into
discourse co[ncerning prohibited] meat. Griffin said that there was
a law that no meat should be dressed to sell upon Fridays and
Saturdays. Bawcock inquired who made those laws; and upon
Griffin answering, the King and Council, he said they were made
but by ill-conditioned men, and if the King made those laws, why
did he not as well make laws that no meat should be dressed on
Sundays, as well as other days of the week, for he dressed meat on
all days in the week ? Griffin said that he would not say so much
for all the wealth that he ever saw, Bawcock replying that one may
say anything now, for the King was at York; and these words he
said before them and Edward Arnold. [Damaged by damp. 1 p.]
Annexed, |
38. i. Affidavit of Peter Johnson, Robert Griffin, and John
Hames, to the same effect. 27 May 1639. [Damaged by
damp. ½ p.] |
May 27. |
39. Information of Thomas Lenton, of Southwark, chandler,
taken before Sir John Lenthall. On Thursday night last, there
being a great tumult in the Marshalsea, made by the prisoners there,
who had pulled down the high pales about the prison, and made a
great fire with the timber thereof, to the great endangering of the
prison and the whole street besides, and to the great terror of the
inhabitants; thereupon, the constables and watch being called, came
to the prison, and endeavoured to suppress the uproar; but the
prisoners, with stones, brickbats, firebrands, and other such weapons
as they could get, fell upon the constables and the watch, beat them,
and took all their weapons from them, and, as he is informed, very
dangerously wounded the constables. The prisoners threw fire and
firebrands upon the houses, threatening to set all on fire, and when
they had gotten all the aforesaid weapons, they broke open the
house of Mr. Hall, the under-marshal, and went in and took away
three muskets, spits, and other iron weapons, and so came forth by
the back way into the street side, and set upon the watch, and had
they not been suppressed by strength, informant believes there had
been a great deal of mischief done. Mr. Hall was in great danger of
his life, and divers of the watchmen were very sorely hurt. This is
affirmed for truth by divers inhabitants "here now present." [1 p.] |
39. i. Deposition of Francis Marshall, one of the prisoners. The
beginning of the uproar was, that there was an order
made by the general consent of the prisoners, that none of
them should make water against certain places, for avoiding annoyances to the people; and that all might take
notice thereof, written papers were set up. John Baylie,
a prisoner, did, on Thursday last, make water against
one of the aforesaid places, whereunto Cross, a prisoner,
took exception, to which Wells, another prisoner, replied
with an indecent threat. Mr. Hall perceiving the commotion willed the prisoners of the common side to keep
within their own yard, and not to come to the master's
side to abuse the gentlemen, whereupon the prisoners
fell out with Hall. Wells struck him, and the beforenamed prisoners threatened to be the death of him;
whereupon they all proceeded in the mischief as mentioned in the former information. Deponent further
stated that Thomas Sampson, John Wells, William Dodshall, William Andrews, Robert Burgis, and Nicholas
Carter were the beginners and chief actors of the aforesaid mischief. [1 p.] |
May 27. |
40. Bond of Thomas Saunders, late constable of Taunton and
Taunton Dean, Somerset, in 100l., conditioned that he shall, by the
12th June next, pay to Sir William Portman, late high sheriff of
Somerset, the 25l. and such other ship-money as he has collected,
and likewise give Sir William an account of the names of all such
persons as are behind, and how much remains due from each. [1 p.] |
May 27. |
41. Bond of John Heyward, William Butt, William Hitchcock,
and Christopher Morris, of Newington Butts, Surrey, in 400l., conditioned that they shall attend the Commissioners for Tobacco from
time to time from this date, till the differences in question between
them and Thomas Brewer be settled. [1 p.] |
May 28. Inner Star Chamber. |
42. Minutes by Nicholas of business transacted by the Council
this day. Petition of tailors of Cambridge:—Letter to the ViceChancellor, that if what is there alleged be true, the Lords hold it
very unfit to be permitted. Owen's petition:—The Lords continue
their reference to Sir Thomas Milward; and if he finds there be not
such an even way held for the levy and account of that money as he
thinks fit, then the Lords pray him to propound another to the
Recorder; and in the meantime the Lords will not vary from their
former directions. Plowright's petition:—He is to pay the messenger's fees according to former order, but the same are to be moderated; and then, upon bond that he will make his acknowledgment
according to the Lords' order, is to be discharged. Warning to
Mr. Warde, the minister, to be with me. Mollineux :—The sheriffs of
Middlesex and London are desired to certify how the said mercer
came to be set at liberty. Earl of Carlisle's petition:—The officers
of Ordnance are to be required to permit the petitioners to have such
proportion of gunpowder as shall be required for the use of the
plantation at 18d. the lb., being the ordinary price paid by his
Majesty's subjects. [2 pp.] |
May 28. Inner Star Chamber. |
43. Other similar minutes. Letter to the justices of assize to
cause William Pennel to be indicted at the next assizes for the
executions and extortions mentioned in the papers enclosed, and
exemplarily punished for the same according to law. Letter to the
lord lieutenant of co. Hants to spare Edward Pitts's horse, in regard
he has contributed towards the present employment. Letter to the
Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, upon good security taken, to
cause the Scotch ship Comfort, of Queensferry, to be brought
to London to unload, and when she comes there to submit to the
arrest. [¾ p.] |
May 28. |
44. Order of Council. Sir Ferdinando Georges, by an order of the
Board of the 20th March last, was required to pay 244l., to be
distributed to divers poor people as wages. Sir Ferdinando having,
by his petition, acquainted the Lords that he was now ready to
make payment thereof, it was ordered that Sir Ferdinando should
pay the same to Sir William Becher, who has formerly been acquainted with that business; and he is prayed to see the money
paid respectively to the said poor people, expressed in a register
kept by Mr. Eyres, proportionably, according to the several sums
owing to them for wages; and it was further ordered, that if
there should be any overplus, the same should be restored to Sir
Ferdinando. [Draft. ¾ p.] |
May 28. Inner Star Chamber. |
45. Similar order. The Lords having this day heard the petition
of Sir Edward Baynton, late sheriff of Wilts, presented to the Board
on behalf of Christopher Merriweather, high constable of the hundred
of Melksham, and calling to mind that by a former order of the
Board, made upon the complaint of Walter Long and a certificate
from the Bishop of Salisbury and Sir Neville Poole, late sheriff of
that county, to whom the Board referred the examination of
that complaint; Merriweather stands committed prisoner to the
Fleet till he shall have satisfied Long, 93l. 16s., for his charges
expended by occasion of Merriweather's undue and unequal assessing
him for the shipping business, which order the Lords seeing no cause
to alter, it was therefore now ordered that Merriweather shall remain
prisoner until he shall have performed the said order. [Draft. ¾ p.] |
May 28. |
46. Certified copy of the same. [1 p.] |
May 28. Inner Star Chamber. |
47. Order of Council. Whereas the matters in difference between
the free burgesses of Colchester on the one side, and the mayor,
aldermen, &c. of that town on the other, was, by the Lords,
referred to the examination of the Lord Chief Justice of the King's
Bench, where, upon hearing both parties for the point of matter
of common, called Kingswood Heath, his lordship thought fit that
the mayor and others should lease the said heath, as they used
to do; but for matter of mis-employment of the town stock, or
trespass upon the half year's commons by buildings, enclosures, encroachments, or interruptions, it was, by consent of both parties,
agreed that Mr. Grimston, recorder of that town, should hear the
same, and make an end between them if he could, or to direct an
action for trial thereof, or otherwise, before the term to certify what
wrongs the same are and by whom they are committed; all which
being reported to the Board, the Lords, by an order of the 8th February last, confirmed; but, forasmuch as Mr. Grimston, by reason of
the shortness of time, was not able to finish and determine his
award, a further day was desired, by consent of both parties, which
the Lords granted till the beginning of Michaelmas term next; and
if Mr. Grimston cannot settle the differences between them by that
time, then the Lords appoint to hear the same the third sitting day
of that term at the Inner Star Chamber, at which time and place
both parties are required to give their attendance. [Attested copy.
1 p.] |
May 28. Inner Star Chamber. |
48. Similar order. By the certificate of Sir Thomas Milward,
chief justice of Chester, it appears that there is due to Edward
Hawkins, gent., from John Davenport, of Davenport, for his wife's
portion, the sum of 500l., which, by a conveyance made divers years
since, was to be paid by Davenport by 100 marks per annum.
Upon hearing the parties and their counsel, we have thought it just,
and do accordingly order, that Davenport shall forthwith pay to
Hawkins, out of the 200l. already due upon the said conveyance of
100 marks per annum, 151l. 10s. 6d. As for the sum of 48l. 9s. 6d.,
claimed by Davenport, it was ordered that Hawkins should deny
that there is any such debt due from him to Davenport, and that
Davenport shall likewise give bond to Hawkins for the payment of
48l. 9s. 6d., together with costs, to Hawkins, in case Davenport
shall fail, within six months after such denial, to prove the same to
be owing. And whereas the said 500l. was the portion of Hawkins's
deceased wife; we therefore order that Davenport shall give security
for payment of the remaining 300l., as it shall grow due, to the
three children of Mr. Hawkins by the sister of Mr. Davenport, viz.,
100l. apiece on their coming of age; the interest, at the rate of 8 per
cent., meanwhile being paid to Hawkins for their maintenance,
[Draft. 1½ p.] |
May 28. |
49. Copy of the preceding order, with some clauses omitted.
[2 pp.] |
May 28. |
50. Order of Council. That the Earl of Bridgewater, Lord President of Wales, be prayed to order the matter in dispute between
Edward Thelwall and Rice Williams, of London, the latter, as
Thelwall alleges, having received 34l. 3s., which was deposited in
the hands of Thomas Wynn, one of his Majesty's auditors, and rated
upon part of co. Denbigh for supply of defective arms. [Draft. ⅓ p.] |
May 28. Inner Star Chamber. |
51. Similar order. George Carter, vintner, and Thomas Houghton, haberdasher and vintner, of London, having submitted to the
Board, were ordered to take off such proportion of wines as are
allotted to them by the Company of Vintners, otherwise their
taverns to be suppressed and shut up, according to the Lords' order
of the 17th inst. [Draft. ¾ p.] |
May 28. |
52. The like. Henry Gray, servant to James Meall, merchant and
owner of the Jeannette, of Dieppe, did, by his petition, represent
that the said ship and goods now stayed at Dover properly belong
to French subjects, and not to any in Scotland, and therefore prayed
that the Jeannette might be permitted to go on in its intended voyage
to Dantzic. The Lords pray the Earl of Suffolk, Lord Warden of
the Cinque Ports, to inform himself what course is held by the Lord
High Admiral for ships stayed in like kind in ports without the
jurisdiction of the Cinque Ports, and thereupon to give such order
therein as is used to be done by the Lord High Admiral in the
like cases. [Draft. 1 p.] |
May 28. |
53. The like. Whereas the examination of the difference between
W. Sands and Robert Mellishe, of Askeham, co. Nottingham, about
throwing down hedges and enclosures, and cutting down and stubbing up trees, were referred to Sir Francis Thornhaugh, Sir Hardolph Wasteneys, and W. Moseley, they having taken the examination
of witnesses and returned a certificate to the Board of their proceedings and the commission into the Chancery. The Lords did
appoint to hear that business at their first sitting in Council the
next term, in the Inner Star Chamber, at two o'clock in the afternoon, at which time and place both parties are hereby required to
give their attendance. [Draft. ¾ p.] |
May [28 ?] |
Muster roll for the East Division of co. Northampton, containing
the names of all the untrained men of able bodies within the
division fit for his Majesty's service in the wars, together with
their places of abode and callings or trades. The following is a
summary:—Nassaburgh hundred, 158; Corby hundred, 183; Polebrook hundred, 58; Willybrook hundred, 83; Navisford hundred,
41; Higham Ferrers hundred, 101; Huxloe hundred, 176; Orlingbury hundred, 178; Hamfordshoe hundred, 40; Rothwell hundred,
114. [This list was made out in 1638, but was not sent in till May
1639, as appears by the endorsement. See Case E., No. 13.
6 membranes of parchment.] |
May 28. Inner Star Chamber. |
54. Order of Council. We are informed from Sir Francis Thornhaugh, late sheriff of co. Nottingham, that Ambrose Wade, one of
the chief constables of the hundred of Broxtow, has in his hands
39l. 16s., part of 250l. 6s. 5d. charged upon that hundred for shipmoney by writs issued in 1637, and that the town of Newark is in
arrear 11l., being part of 80l. charged on that town for the said
service in the same year. We therefore require, as well the mayor
of Newark as Ambrose Wade, within eight days after sight, to pay
to Sir Francis Thornhaugh the several sums payable by them
respectively, or else, within eight days after, to attend the board at
our sitting. [Draft. 1 p.] |
May 28. |
55. The Council to the Mayor of Exeter. It appears by oath of
William Fish, messenger, that John Barnes, vintner, did not only in
a most refractory way refuse to pay his Majesty's duty of 40s. per
tun upon wine to the deputy farmers there, but his wife, being
present, did not forbear, with ill language, to slight the authority of
the Lord Treasurer and Lord Cottington, and, with uncivil and
unseemly words, to abuse Alderman Abell and others, for which
miscarriage of hers and her husband's refractoriness we hold them
both worthy of punishment, and therefore require you to commit
the said Barnes to gaol, there to remain until he shall acknowledge
his fault and conform himself to the payment of the said duty.
[Draft. 1 p.] |
May [28]. Whitehall. |
56. The same to [John Cosin, S.T.P.,] Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge University. We send you enclosed a petition presented to
the Board by the Wardens and Company of Tailors of Cambridge,
complaining of Everard Fathers, who, contrary to his Majesty's
letters patents and former orders of this board, in a refractory and
turbulent way continues to use the trade of a tailor, not having
served his apprenticeship, and for a colour of so doing has obtained to
be admitted Dr. Beales's privileged man, under whom he is of late
protected. We require you to examine the truth of the allegations,
which if proved, we then hold the abuse not to be permitted, and
require you to take a speedy course to compel Fathers to yield
obedience, and that henceforth there be no such privileges given to
any foreigners to the prejudice of the Company of Tailors. [Signed
by Edward Lord Newburgh only. 1 p.] |
May 28. |
57. Minute of a warrant to the Warden of the Fleet, to receive
Matthew Sutton, George Plunket, Robert Plunket, and Edward
Dowdall. [½ p.] |
May 28. |
58. Minute of the appearance of George Miller, miller, of Purfleet
Mills, Essex, before the Council this day. [3 lines.] |
May 28. |
Minute of a warrant to commit George Miller to the Fleet.
[Written on the same paper as the preceding. 4 lines.] |
May 28. |
59. Minute of a warrant to Thomas Waterworth, messenger, [to
apprehend] George Carter, Miles Clarke, Mary Philips, and Anthony
Sharp, vintners of London. [¼ p.] |
May 28. |
60. Minute that Broom Whorwood, of Sandwell, co. Stafford, sent
for by the Lords for default at musters, having satisfied the Lords
in that particular, was discharged from further attendance. [¼ p.] |
May 28. |
61. Pass for Edmund Wild, son and heir of Sir Edmund Wild, of
Kempsey, co. Worcester, to go into France with three servants.
[½ p.] |
May 28. Berwick. |
62. Edward Norgate to [Sec. Windebank]. I know well that to
enjoin silence and secrecy to a secretary, without which word his
name or office cannot be written, is as frivolous and impertinent as
to whisper a proclamation; yet, because I write to no man but
yourself of this business, and have no meaning to divulge the narrow
extent and ill condition of our army, our discomposed and unready
officers, and every man's sentence and censure thereupon, whereof
they talk as freely as if they were at Bantam, or had no ears. I
think you will not think it amiss to use some caution in relating
what I write, and not to own me, who could wish that our royal
master, so great a King as to command 100,000 trained soldiers at
his call, might have appeared surrounded with a proportionable and
considerable army, gallantly appointed and provided for, to the
terror of all rebels and comfort of all his subjects, rather than thus
to expose his royal person to that hazard, as Lord Bristol told me he
was afraid to think on; for it is told us by these people that, had
the Covenanters meant foul play, they could have taken this town
in two hours, or might have broken into this kingdom where they
list; but, thank God, the King has now made good the barricado
between the nations, and this town is now more strong than ever.
Since our coming hither, some few of the Covenanters are come in
and submitted to the Lord Governor, but few and of small quality.
Details the arrest of James Partridge, connected with the army, and
likewise the hardships endured by him at the hands of an English
trooper, who supposed him to be a Covenanter. This night I took
up my lodging upon the rushes in a good hard floor; I cannot hope
for straw, it is too precious; here is nothing cheap but fish. The
King lodges in his pavilion, but the town is so full of soldiers and
troopers, who possess all houses, that the King's household servants
are nothings. The King's tent cannot be set up this night, so he
has now entered the town, and lodges here; but to-morrow he takes
the field, and intends to lodge there constantly, the rather because he
means to quit this place to the soldier, there appearing at sea 19 sail of
the Marquis's fleet, who bring us 3,000 men to re-enforce the army
and garrison. They stand off four or five miles hence, but intend to
come in with the next tide. [Margin, afterwards added:] "They
are now landed in Holy Island, eight miles hence, and in view, and
are marched to the new rendezvous, 3,000 in all." Colonel Goring
has gone with 600 horse into Scotland, and will publish the late
proclamation in all places. General Lesley has approached as near as
Eyton, five miles off, with 15,000 men, as the Scots brag, but they
say with only 5,000, so, at least, my Lord General has intelligence,
and he is an honester man, and more to be believed than a million of
such Hungarians. The new camp is fortifying with all speed. The
King intends to secure all that part towards Norham Castle, which
is done with singular judgment. One thing I must not conceal,
which I care not if all Europe knew: that no nation in the world
can show greater courage and bravery of spirit than our soldiers do,
even the meanest of them, in hope of fight, which they extremely
desire; upon the first intimation of the Scots' approach, and
their dislodging and new camp upon the face of the enemy, they
cast up their caps with caprioles, shouts, and signs of joy, and
marched by four in the morning to their new station with fury.
The King went at the head of the horse troops, and has wearied two
horses, riding all day from place to place to view our quarters,
and came not in hither till five this evening. My love to my
brother Warwick and Sir Abraham Williams, with other good
friends. [4 pp.] |
May 28. Berwick. |
63. Sir John Borough to Sec. Windebank. I have for these ten
days had several fits of a fever, and am at this instant in the midst
of one, yet held it my duty to write by this post, that you might
not think it strange to see so many packets sent, without giving
you notice of the occurrences at Berwick, where his Majesty arrived
yesterday about five o'clock, having that morning seen his whole army
in battalia at Goswick, from whence his Majesty marched to a place
called the Bricks [Birks], upon the English side of the Tweed, where
the whole army is now encamped, being about 8,000 foot, which
are to be increased by 5,000 more that come out of Yorkshire and
the bishopric of Durham, besides 2,000 sent by sea from the Marquis
of Hamilton. The Earl of Holland, with seven troops of horse, is
quartered near the Tweed, four miles up the river from the army.
The Scots do not advance, nor have they any considerable forces
near the borders. Dunbar and Haddington are the nearest places
where any numbers lie; but what those are is not commonly known.
We talk here as if they offer to treat of submission, and that Sir
John Home, brother, as I take it, to the Earl of Home, has had two
several meetings with my Lord of Holland, but all this and much
more I know you have received from better hands. To-morrow
his Majesty goes from this town to the army at the Bricks
[Birks], and intends to lie in his pavilion. As touching Council
business the Lords have done nothing these ten days, save only
in matters of war, of which I hope Mr. Walker, the Lord General's
secretary, gives you a full and constant account, he being called to
attend at those meetings, and I know it is his Majesty's pleasure
that you should be punctually advertised of what passes. I cannot
write more, by reason of my feverish hand. [Seal with arms.
2 pp.] |
May 28. London. |
64. Deputy Lieutenants of Kent to Algernon Earl of Northumberland. By a letter from the Council we were commanded to
cause 12 men to be sent weekly, out of the foot companies adjacent,
to Gravesend, to watch in the block-house there, which command
we forbear to execute, or to present our answer to that letter, because
soon after we received it we heard that the Lords were sending us
new directions concerning that service. But they being not yet
come to our hands, that we may not appear careless of any service
recommended to us, we offer this to your consideration, as to whom
we conceive the captain of that block-house to be subordinate, that
we cannot find, that since the year [15]88 the country has been
charged with any such attendance in that block-house, though there
have been within that time many embargoes and stays of ships, for
which cause this addition of watching, as we conceive, was now
required; that in the other castles in that county such additional
watchmen as were now found necessary for the present occasion are,
as we are informed, paid by the Receiver of Kent; and we hope that,
in regard of the great charge that county has lately undergone in
sending 1,000 men to the Northern expedition, the same course
may be held with this block-house. But if the Lords, notwithstanding these considerations, shall still think fit to lay a charge
upon us, and so great a charge as the attendance of 12 men, which
is double the number of the ordinary watchmen of that block-house,
we humbly offer to your consideration whether it may not be fit that
that charge, conducing to the general safety, may be borne by the
whole county, for if it lie upon two or three companies adjoining,
whether they perform the service in person or hire men in their
rooms, it will be very heavy upon them; but we submit to what
commands the Lords think fit to lay upon us. [Seal with arms.
1 p.] |
May 28. Newcastle. |
65. Extract of a letter from some person not named. During our stay
at Newcastle there came to Court one Sir Thomas Wilford, of Kent,
of free speech and courtesy, and vented what came next to hand. He
came into the King's presence, and told him, in the hearing of divers
of his servants, and myself among the rest, that he was come out of
Kent, and withal how many men and horses he had brought him, and
said, "I pray God send us well to do in this business, but," said he,
"I like not the beginning." The King asked why? He replied,
"Because you go the wrong way to work." The King smiled, and
asked him which was the right way. He answered, "If you think to
make a war with your own purse you deceive yourself; the only way
to prosper is to go back and call a Parliament, and so should you have
money enough, and do your business handsomely." The King replied,
"There were fools in the last Parliament." "True," said Sir Thomas,
"but there were wise men too, and if you had let them alone the
wise men would have been too hard for the fools. For there was
myself for Dover, and shall be again whensoever you call a Parliament, except your Majesty or the Earl of Suffolk hinder, which I
think your Majesty will not do." The Duke of Lennox stepped up
and said, "How can you have a Parliament, the King being absent?"
"No matter," said Sir Thomas, for the King let him be where he list,
"we shall do our business well enough without him." At last Sir
Thomas turned to the King and said, "Your wife's father, Henry IV.
[of France], is indebted to my father 16,000l. for service in the
French wars, when the Crown stood tottering on his head." The
King answered, "I will never pay a penny of that debt whilst I live."
"I believe it," said Sir Thomas, "for you have no money; nor come
I now to demand it." He concluded his discourse by craving pardon
for burning his colours. The King demanded why he did so; he
answered he had trained 1,000 men for his Majesty's service, and
taught them their lessons so well that 60 of them were worthy to
be generals and commanders of armies; but when he saw that the
Deputy Lieutenant had sent the King a company of rogues, not
good enough to be hanged, he could do no less than sacrifice his
colours for anger, to see the King so served. The King said he
was sorry to hear that. Sir Thomas answered he had no reason
to be sorry, "for," said he, "the colours cost you nothing; I paid for
them myself." [1 p.] |
May 28. |
66. Certificate of Sir Gregory Fenner, justice of peace for Middlesex, that Thomas Leigh, son of Sir Francis Leigh, of Wickham,
Kent, had this day taken the oath of allegiance before him.
[½ p.] |
May [28.] |
67. Plan of the King's encampment at Brickell [Birkhill], near
Berwick-on-Tweed. [1 p.] Annexed, |
67. i. Key to the above. [2½ pp.] |
May 29. Whitehall. |
68. The Council to the Vice-President and Council of York. A
petition has been presented to the board by John Grymesdych,
showing that the petitioner having sold to Sir Arthur Ingram, the
elder, lands of inheritance and leases in Yorkshire of the yearly
value of 428l., for which Sir Arthur was to pay the petitioner 4,000l.
upon sealing the writings, and 1,500l. afterwards in three several
payments at intervals of six months, making in all 5,500l., as by his
covenant appears; and Sir Arthur having had the quiet possession
and profit of the estate ever since Lady Day was two years, does
notwithstanding detain from the petitioner 600l. of the said 5,500l.,
without any security or consideration, to the great prejudice of the
petitioner, who besought the board to afford him relief according to
justice. Forasmuch as this concerns lands in that county where
you, being resident, cannot but be best informed of the state of
the business, if it be as in the petition is laid down, we, conceiving the petitioner's case to deserve a favourable hearing, have
thought good hereby to recommend the same to you, praying you,
as soon as Sir Arthur Ingram shall come to York, to call both
parties before you, and then to hear and examine the truth of
Grymesdych's complaint, and to cause Sir Arthur to pay to him all
such moneys as you shall find due to Grymesdych, and to give
to the board an account of your proceedings herein. [Draft.
1¼ p.] |
May. 29. |
69. The Council to the Sheriff of co. Oxford. We have herein
sent you the petition of divers gentlemen and of the high-constables
of the hundred of Pirton, complaining of an overrate set upon the
said hundred by you for the shipping business for this year, which
petition we conceive to be very just and reasonable, if what is
therein alleged be true. Howsoever, if you intended the effecting
of that service with expedition and equality, you could not, as we
conceive, have refused to show these gentlemen how you have rated
the several hundreds of that county, whereby they might have
shown you wherein they were overrated. This manner of your
proceeding in a public service of this nature and importance, joined
with the consideration that hitherto you have not paid in any part
of the ship-money, gives us just cause to doubt your affection to this
business, and that you go about to make new rates on purpose to
discontent all men and to frustrate the service. We therefore give
you timely notice of the interpretation here put upon your proceedings, and require you to take speedy order for settling the rates
of the hundred according to justice and equality, and agreeably to
the instructions you formerly received from this board. If you
shall not by good effects speedily let us see how you proceed in this
business, you must expect to be called to a strict account for your
past remissness in this service. [Draft. 1¾ p.] |
May 29. |
70. The same to the Officers of the Ordnance. We enclose a
certificate of Hannibal Bonython of the great defects, as he alleges,
of all sorts of ammunition necessary for St. Mawes Castle, Cornwall,
which, together with a certificate of the remains there and the
issues from your office for that place, left with you by Bonython
about a year since, we pray you to compare together, and having
considered what is necessary to be sent thither for present supply of
the said castle, to return a particular estimate thereof under your
hands to the board, whereupon we will give further directions
therein. [Draft. 1 p.] |
May 29. |
71. The same to Thomas Parsons, constable of the hundred of
Calne, John Heath, constable of the hundred of Chippenham, Edward
Webb and John Hibberd, constables of the hundred of Malmsbury,
James Hunton, constable of the liberty of Knowell, and Edward
Amor, constable of the hundred of Kinwardston. Complaint having
been made to the board by Sir Neville Poole, late sheriff of Wilts,
that you have, by virtue of the writs issued in 1636, collected good
sums of money, but will not pay the same to him, nor make return
of the names of the parties yet in arrear, these are to require you
to perform the same immediately, and to certify the sums due from
each, or else that you fail not within eight days after sight hereof
to attend the board to answer your contempt. [Draft. 1 p.] |
May 29. |
72. Minute of the appearance before the Council this day of John
Swayne, William Crook, William Pinkney, and Nicholas Flower,
constables. [2 lines.] |
May 29. |
73. Minute that Sir Henry Campion, being sent for by warrant
for default at musters in co. Bedford, tendered his appearance this
day, but is to remain in the messenger's custody until discharged.
[¼ p.] |
May 29. |
74. Pass for Andrew Lord Gray to repair to his charge under
the French King, taking with him two servants. [¼ p.] |
May 29. Dublin Castle. |
75. Thomas Viscount Wentworth, the Lord Deputy of Ireland,
to the Council. Albeit I have understood how much (I cannot say
with how much charity to myself, the whilst, in the relators,) has
been reported to you in my contrary touching some huge pretended
neglects of the duties belonging to my lieutenancy in the North of
England, through my own absence there, yet I hope, notwithstanding all those misrepresentations and complaints against me in
that behalf, (by persons, out of their own causeless malignity,
resolved and accustomed to impose upon and speak ill of all my
actions and services, even at all adventure, whether there be cause
for it or no), that as well upon Sir Jacob Astley's view of the trained
bands in Yorkshire, at his first coming into those parts, as also from
his Majesty's own observation at his late being there at York,
you have no doubt heard, before this time, that there was no ground
at all for any such grievous complaints against me, nor that I was
the person, above other lieutenants that deserved such blame, as
those my "unfriends" would have it believed of me. And this
indeed was the reason, that you might truly first understand by
other hands than my own how that service has been discharged,
that the enclosed muster rolls have been kept here by me so long
unsent to you, of whose great honour and justice in your protection
against all mis-reports and detractions myself in particular must to
the world acknowledge, that I have ever as lately by your goodness
received very large experience. [1 p.] |
May 29. |
76. Certificate of Thomas Earl of Cleveland, that Henry Hazlefoot has promised conformity for the future in finding such arms as
he shall be enjoined. [Endorsed, "Mr. Hazlefoot to be discharged
on this note." ½ p.] |
May 29. Berwick. |
77. Sec. Coke to Sec. Windebank. In answer to your letter of
the 24th inst., the certificate for the shipping moneys has been
showed to his Majesty. And concerning the oath desired by the
Scottish nation in Ireland, his Majesty holds fit that it be also
tendered to those of that nation here, and that the Act of state there
made upon this occasion be also recorded in the Council book with
you, and to that end I send herewith a copy both of the Act and
oath as it was entered and taken there. Concerning the Privy Seal
for 18,000l., I hope the Lord Treasurer and Lord Admiral are
satisfied and have received it, being signed and sent away the last
week, as I have also written to the Lord Treasurer. The Bishop of
Ely's petition is returned to the Lord Treasurer and his Majesty's
answer and direction therewith. If I be not mistaken, I mentioned
in a former letter to you what letters were written by the Covenanters to the Earls of Pembroke, Holland, and Newcastle, which
are in the Lords' hands, but of the petition enclosed in them to be
recommended to his Majesty I send herewith a copy [see Vol. ccccxx,
No. 151]. That sent to the Lord Marquis is in the King's hands.
They keep yet fair quarter with us, though upon a meeting betwixt
some of the Earl of Holland's troop and some of them there was
one hurt on each side. They who are near us have permitted his
Majesty's last proclamation, whereof I send herewith a copy
[see Vol. ccccxx., No. 167], to be published amongst them, and
have received it with humility and joy. And at Edinburgh,
whither the Earl of Holland sent it by a trumpet, it was accepted
by the Covenanters, who, according to the tenor thereof, promised
to forbear to send troops within 10 miles of the English border, so
as yet we lie secure from them, and see cause to hope they will
accommodate by degrees. His Majesty this night lodged in the
town, but proposes presently to remove to his tent in the camp,
which is pitched from hence up the river at the distance of three
miles [from Berwick]. The strength of the rebels is not valued
here, though in other places extolled to a great proportion. The
reports are so various that they neither deserve to be credited nor
written. [1½ p.] |
May 28 & 29. Berwick. |
78. Edward Norgate to Sec. Windebank. You asked me a
question at Newcastle, but I must answer you at Berwick, your
letters coming as I was taking horse. At Newcastle there was
great debate about the King's going forward or staying there till
the army was in readiness. My Lord of Bristol was very earnest
for his stay there, producing a Scot who offered to be hanged if he
did not see ten or fifteen thousand Scots upon their march hitherward, and how unsafe it was to venture the King's person among
an untaught and inexperienced army, unentrenched, and perhaps
as ill fed as taught, was easy to imagine. However, the King went
on Ascension Day to Morpeth, 12 miles, and thence to Alnwick, 14,
where he lay that night, with intention to be at Berwick the next,
which was 12 miles to Belford and as far hither. The next day I
followed, intending that night to lodge at Alnwick, whence I supposed
the King gone the morning that I set out from Newcastle, but
riding through Morpeth I was stayed by my Lord of Bristol, whom
I found walking in the street. He wished me to go no further, for
the King made a halt at Alnwick, and would, contrary to his first
purpose, stay there all that day and the next, upon some alarm that
was in the camp, whereof he received information from the Lord
General, so that persons of great quality lay in their coaches,
carts, &c., the town being little and the company great. So at
Morpeth I stayed, but the next day went on to Alnwick, whence
the King was that morning gone to the army at Goswick, for the
alarm was false. The next morning passing through Belfort (nothing
like the name either in strength or beauty), it being the most miserable, beggarly, sodden town or town of sods that ever was made
in an afternoon of loam and sticks; there I stumbled on Mr. Murray,
one of the cupbearers to his Majesty, who had taken up the every
and only room in the only alehouse; thither he kindly invites me
to a place as good as a death's head or memento for mortality,
the top, sole, and sides being all earth, and four beds no bigger
than so many large coffins; indeed it was for beauty and convenience
like a covered sawpit. Our hostess was a moving uncleanly skeleton.
I asked him who had condemned him thither. He said durum
telum necessitas, that he with fourscore other gentlemen of quality,
a horse troop, being billeted the night before at a little village three
miles further, coming to the place after a long and weary march,
found no other accommodation than a dark and rainy night, in all
the town not one loaf of bread nor quart of beer, not a lock of hay
nor peck of oats, and little shelter for horse or man; only a few
hens they roasted and ate without bread, but not without water.
Their horses had nothing. He told me I should find the army in
little better condition, the foot companies having stood in water
up to the ankles, by reason of the rain; that in 48 hours they had
no bread, nor other lodging but on the wet ground, the camp being
low, near the sea-side, nor any shelter but the fair heavens. After
dinner I rode to the army, where I think there was not above
7,000 foot, the horse elsewhere disposed into villages, about 3,000.
[Margin, "1,000 horse in all here."] There I found the cause of
the late want was for lack of carriages to bring bread to the army,
but now they were better accommodated, yet lay sub Dio. The King
was in his tent, about which some of the Lords had pitched theirs.
I think none who love him, but must wish the army ten times
doubled, and those ten fifteen times better accommodated, especially
seeing this town as ill provided as the other, and the hourly reports
of the Scots advancing 10,000 in one place and 15,000 in another
to second their fellows. Yet we are told they come with a petition;
but it seems they mean to dictate the reference themselves, wherein
I believe Sir Edward Powell will have little to do. To this town I
came last night, where Sir John Borrowes [Borough] and I could
hardly get a loaf of bread for supper; a black cake we got, scarce
edible; I went to Mr. Secretary's to beg one, and had it given me
with much difficulty, Mr. May protesting that his master was glad
to send to my Lord Governor for bread for him and his the day
before, and that he got but two small halfpenny loaves. This day
our host fetching us some for dinner had it snatched from him by
one of the soldiers, who much complain. The people here say that
if some speedy order be not taken they shall want bread for their
families, the soldiers devouring what can be got, and the Scots, by
whom it seems this town was formerly supplied with victual of all
kinds, and that in a plentiful manner and cheap, being now debarred, they fear extremely the want of provisions, the country
on the Northumberland side being very barren, but plentiful beyond
the bound rod [boundary rod] towards Scotland. Yet I verily
believe the fear is more than the danger, nor is it likely that a
town having the sea to [be]friend [it] can be distrest for want of
necessaries; the first being the worst I hope, wherein the inexperience of officers, rather than want of honesty, in this new business
of the war, so long discontinued, may justly bear the blame. I
marvelled to find the camp so naked and indefensible, without trench
or rampart, but I suppose the reason was the King's instant intended
remove, for this morning the army marched away by four [o'clock]
towards a commanding ground three miles on the left hand of
Berwick towards Carlisle; the place is called Longridge; the King
in person riding and viewing the place and giving direction for
ordering the camp, for they say about this place the Scots have
formerly and may when they please enter this kingdom and pass
the Tweed. Ramsey, a trumpeter, has been sent by the Earl of
Holland into Scotland, and returned yesterday with a letter to my
Lord; he says he was brought to Lesley, and by him used very
courteously, but upon his coming near any town was taken and
blinded, so that he can say little, because he saw little. My Lord
Governor has a nimble Scottish boy whom he usually sent thither
upon discoveries, but the other day the boy was taken at Dunbar,
stript and searched for letters, but not suffered to go further, was
sent home. P.S.—Remember my service to Clement Kennersley,
and tell him if it had not been for you I would have written to
him ere this, but to-morrow I intend to have a bout with him. |
Since I closed up this tedious epistle, meeting with some complaints of ill, and ill-affected people, who tax our officers (perhaps
aiming at the principal) with improvidence, ignorance, or carelessness, in not making timely provisions of bread and oats for the army,
with such other necessary utensilia as may not be missed. That
you may be able to meet with these reports, if any should be so idle
as to send them so far, nothing being impossible, let me tell you that
John Gibbons, my old friend at Wallingford House, has this day
showed me so many garners so filled with very good bread, cheese,
and butter, with such mountains of rye, miscellane, and excellent
oats, as was to me incredible but that I saw it. Besides the great
store at Newcastle ready to supply this, and every day coming,
Mr. Pinckney, the commissary for victuals, a very honest gent, tells
me that there were 57 cartloads of good bread ready to have been
brought to the army on the late want, but no carts could be got to
bring it, so the fault was not his, but the country's, who have not
yet learned their lesson. I told you of a proclamation signed by
the King at Newcastle, but left in my hands by his Majesty's
command not to publish it till the time appointed, which was the
day of his leaving that town, it being now printed here and published in Scotland, they say by Colonel Goring, who is gone thither
with 600 horse, or sent by my Lord of Holland with a trumpet.
This proclamation is by the Scots accepted and obeyed, which is
that to give satisfaction to both nations concerning the intended
invasion of the Scots, and the just cause and suspicion we have of
such attempts on their part. The King declares that if the Scots
in hostile manner come within 10 miles of the English border, it
shall be interpreted as an invasion. This day it is most certainly
reported that Lesley has sent a most insolent message to my Lord of
Holland, by a gentleman who came with six horse[men]; their errand
was that if the King would withdraw his army and send home his
navy, then they would parley. If not, let him come on and do his
worst. To make this good, I heard one Capt. Burley, who is come
into this harbour with one of the King's pinnaces, protest that he
came from before Edinburgh yesterday; that in the way he chased
a Scotch ship and ran her ashore about 12 miles hence; that in the
rescue there instantly came forth about 1,000 men well armed and
100 horse; that he saw about 10 colours flying, which all were in
readiness in less than a quarter of an hour, and that in a rage they
came within pistol shot of his ship; so that had he leave he could
have slain 500 of them with a broadside. He landed or made show
to land in several places to try them, and in all found the like
readiness and forces, and thinks that between this and Edinburgh
there cannot be so few as 30,000 or 40,000 well-armed men. This
the captain spake aloud in the presence [of the King] this afternoon,
vowing to make it good with his life. I fear my letters are as full
of faults, nonsense, and impertinences, not having leisure to read what
I write, as these country oats are of dust and straws. I pray sift it
for me, and let the haste and good meaning excuse the rudeness and
ill writing. [6 pp.] |
May 29. |
79. Extract of a letter from Capt. Fletcher to the Lord Admiral
[Algernon Earl of Northumberland], touching the falling down of
one side of the powder-room of [the block-house at Gravesend] which
now lies open to the weather, insomuch that the writer is forced to
have the powder removed to the house, where it is not very secure
from diminishing, but obnoxious to fire with all the care possible, so
that he thinks it his duty to acquaint his honour herewith, and
would solicit further, if he were able to stir out of doors. [½ p.] |
May 29. |
Order of the [Commissioners for Recusancy ?]. According to a
letter of Sec. Windebank, signifying his Majesty's pleasure therein,
it is ordered that the estreating of the convictions upon the indictments of recusancy against Sir John Symonds, Elizabeth Good,
widow, William Cape, and Mrs. Forman, widow, shall be stayed until
his Majesty's further pleasure. [Copy. See Vol. cclxv., No. 84.
¼ p.] |
May 29. |
80. Examination of Edward Thursby, of Pattiswick, Essex, taken
this day. He was at London about a month since, about some
occasions of his own, and there heard some news concerning the
Scottish business, viz., that divers of our men were gone into the
North to provide for defence against the Scots, and that some verses
were made which came to Lord Holland's hands (libels as he heard),
wherein the Scots desired some of the Bishops, and that thereupon
the King sent for Archbishop Laud. When examinant came home
he told this to some of his neighbours that came to visit his wife who
lies in, but denies that he ever said that the archbishop was gone
out of the way, but simply that he heard that his Grace was to go
to the King about the 14th inst. He remembers not from whom
he heard this news, but that it was spoken about the town. He
has now called to mind that Rowland Keely, a tailor, dwelling
about Shere Lane, told it to him. Keely also told him that Archbishop Laud was gone out of the way, but he knew not whether he
were gone to the King or not. [1½ p.] |
May 29. |
81. Bill in Chancery of Hercules Stourton, of Little Langford, co.
Wilts, gent., against Richard Harvey, brother and executor of Jeremy
Harvey, deceased, to compel the said Richard to discover all bonds
and writings in his possession relative to the money owing by
Jeremy Harvey to Stourton, as also what personal estate of Jeremy's
came into the said Richard's hands, to the end that, in case any of
the estate be left, Stourton may recover satisfaction out of the same.
[Copy. Damaged by damp. 23 pp.] |
May 30. |
82. The Council to the Judges of Assize for Salop. We enclose
two petitions, the one presented by Viscount Kilmorey, William
Pierpoint, Sir John Corbet, and others of Salop, with an annexed
certificate of the sheriff, the other by the inhabitants of the hundreds
of Clun and Purslow, with other papers concerning the rates of the
allotments of the said hundreds. And we pray you at the next
assizes to call all the parties interested before you, and having heard
the particulars to compose their differences and settle the rates of
the said allotments, according to equality and indifference, or else to
return a certificate to the board how you find the same, with your
opinions what you conceive fit to be done therein. We further pray
you to take especial care at the assizes so to expedite the equalling
of the rates in question, as that the business of shipping and other
public services may not by any further disputes be retarded, and of
your proceedings therein to give us a particular account. [Draft.
1 p.] |
May 30. |
83. Minute of a pass for Thomas Leigh, gent., son of Sir Francis
Leigh, of Wickham, Kent, to go into France, taking with him one
servant. [½ p.] |
May 30. |
84. John Nicholas to his son Edward Nicholas. I thank you for
your letter sent by my son Davy, bringing the good news of your
brother's preferment, for which he has great cause to thank God and
you, for I know you are the means thereof. He is now come to you
to be directed how to show himself thankful unto his Grace, and to
see the business perfected, wherein I doubt not he shall have your
best assistance. Your sister Kate has not had any touch of her
ague since I wrote last, but I fear she has an infirm body. The
bishop's brother (Dr. Davenant's father, who married my cousin
Groves' sister,) is very sick and not likely to recover. Your mother
is ill by fits, and I am tired and full of pain in my limbs. I thank
you for the news you weekly send me; it is a great comfort to me
to hear from you, and of the health of yourself, wife, and children.
My brother Orange and his wife and children have been all dangerously sick, but are upon recovery. My wife is willing to go to
Foxcott to them this summer, if she be able, though she make two
or three days' journey of it, but I fear she will not be able, not having
been on horseback a long time. [Seal with arms. 1 p.] |
May 30. |
85. List of the names of such merchant strangers as are of ability
to contribute to the loan. They are 37 in number. [1 p.] |
May 30. |
86. Petition of Edward Fenner, brother of John Fenner, once
prisoner in the Gatehouse, to Archbishop Laud. About a year since,
your Grace wished petitioner to acquaint you with the proceedings
of his business in a suit procured by petitioner's brother. It is
therefore his duty to declare to you that upon the 2nd inst. he had
a hearing before the Master of the Rolls, and was sentenced to pay
a great sum of money which was paid 14 years since, as appears by
certain witnesses, the same being never demanded until within these
two last years, and then by the procurement and during the imprisonment of John Fenner, brother of the petitioner, whose counsel
think it severe in respect of the statute 21 Jac. for limitation of
actions, as also in respect of the legacies already paid, amounting to
101l., and the petitioner, being executor to his father, has received in
all manner of goods only to the bare value of 113l. Underwritten, |
86. i. Reference to Sir Charles Cæsar, Master of the Rolls, to
consider the above, "for if the suggestions therein be true,
it may seem hard to some men that the petitioner should
be further charged than the estate of the testator extends,
and to reject the deposition of one witness living where
another witness is dead, and his testimony appearing by
two others still living. And all this practised, as is said,
by his brother, an Anabaptist, who has broken prison out
of the Gatehouse and is fled beyond sea." W. Cant.
Lambeth, May 30, 1639. [1 p.] |
86. ii. Sir Charles Cæsar, Master of the Rolls, to Archbishop
Laud. I find the suggestions in this petition untrue,
and, as you directed, have conferred with the Dean of the
Arches, who will satisfy you that this cause was proper
for the Chancery, being a matter of trust and debt, and no
legacy; also that I am tender of your courts and their
ecclesiastical jurisdiction, whereof in one cause he himself
can witness he lately had experience. June 8th, 1639.
[¼ p.] |
May 30. |
87. Bond of William Crook and William Pinckney, constables of
the hundred of Swanborough, Wilts, in 200l., conditioned for the
payment of all ship-money collected by them to Sir Edward Baynton,
late sheriff of Wilts, between this and the middle of next term.
[¾ p.] |
May 30. |
88. Bond of John Swayne, constable of the hundred of Amesbury,
Wilts, in 200l., conditioned for the payment of ship-money to
Sir Edward Baynton as above. [¾ p.] |
May 30. |
89. Similar bond of Nicholas Flower, late constable of the hundred
of Whorwelsdown, Wilts, in 100l. [¾ p.] |
May 30. |
90. The like of William Meers, Richard Cliff, and Stephen Shott,
of London, feltmakers, in 300l., conditioned for their attendance at
the Council Board four days after notice left at their several houses
in the parish of St. Bride's. [1 p.] |
May [30]. |
91. Edward Nicholas to [John Ashburnham]. I have received
yours of the 27th inst. [see that date, No. 37], by which I perceive
Mr. Goddard will not part with Lady Beauchamp's estate, and
therefore I pray desist from any further treaty with my cousin
Nicholas. I will not on any terms buy his interest upon the other
[estate], neither would I by any means buy Lady Beauchamp's
estate of Goddard. I am fully content with the estate I have already
in the farm of Alscough, and I protest before God I would not treat
for my cousin Nicholas's estate, but to do him a courtesy. And
when, as he says, he will sell it to me for 4,000l., whereas he will
have 300l. more of any other man, I shall thank him if he will take
any man's money rather than mine. I am heartily sorry for the
trouble you have taken in this business, and beseech you to give
over any urther treaty for it; for since I perceive my cousin
Nicholas can have chapmen that will give more for his interest than
I can think it worth, I would not, for gaining twice as much,
prejudice him. If you can hear of any purchase, where I may lay
out my money upon land, I had rather do so than run the hazard to
have all my estate to depend on my children's lives. [Draft. ¾ p.] |
May 31. |
92. Henry Earl of Manchester, Lord Privy Seal, and Francis Lord
Cottington to the King. According to your reference upon the
petition of John Worfield, Auditor of the Imprest, against Jane
Tyndall, Thomas Fabian, and Thomas Geeres, gent. [see Mar. 26,
1639, p. 608], we have heard and considered of the matters in
difference between the said parties, and find that Jane Tyndall,
being committee of the wardship of Jane Cockaine, paid for the
said wardship but 200l., yet afterwards contracted with Worfield to
have of him 1,300l. for the wardship of Cockaine, for satisfaction of
which 1,300l. Worfield entered into two obligations, dated 20th May
1634, the one to Fabian for payment of 500l. on demand, and the
other to Fabian and Geeres for payment of 800l. within one month
after demand, both which obligations were entered into by Worfield
for the use of Jane Tyndall. It appears that the petitioner has paid
Jane Tyndall and Thomas Fabian to and for the use of Jane
Tyndall, and into the court of Wards and Liveries by order of that
court, for the arrearages of rents incurred during the minority of
Jane Cockaine, his Majesty's late ward, which Jane Tyndall ought
to have paid, several sums amounting to 854l. 12s. 9d. Petitioner
alleges that he has paid Jane Tyndall in full of the said two bonds
before mentioned the further sum of 467l. 13s. 6d., so as both the
sums above mentioned amount to 1,322l. 6s. 3d., which is more than
both the bonds come to. But the thing principally questioned
betwixt them is about the payment of this 467l. 13s. 6d., touching
which we find that Fabian, by his acquittance of the 18th December
1634, has discharged the petitioner of 352l. 4s. 6d. And Amphillis
Tyndall, daughter of Jane Tyndall, about the beginning of July
1636, by direction of Jane Tyndall, did deliver to William Downs
five acquittances concerning several sums of money formerly paid
to Jane Tyndall by John Worfield, which acquittances Downs, on
behalf of the said Jane, calculated to amount to upwards of 400l.,
and she then gave allowance of the same and acknowledged it to be
paid as part payment of the two bonds of 1,300l. Jane Tyndall,
having the said notes delivered to her by her acquittance dated the
10th June 1636, discharged the petitioner of the 467l. 13s. 6d. But
it being affirmed by Jane Tyndall that she neither with her own
hand subscribed nor delivered the said acquittance, this was made
appear to us that, by the direction of Jane Tyndall, Amphillis
Tyndall, by the help of Elizabeth Wrenwright, subscribed the name
of Jane Tyndall to the acquittance, and that afterwards by Jane
Tyndall's direction Amphillis delivered the note of discharge for
467l. 13s. 6d. to the petitioner. And so upon the whole matter we
are of opinion that there is nothing due to Jane Tyndall from the
petitioner upon the said bonds, and that Jane Tyndall, Fabian, and
Geeres ought to deliver to the petitioner the several bonds of 800l.
and 500l. to be cancelled. Nor do we find any other consideration
why the petitioner entered into the two several bonds amounting to
1,300l. but for the wardship of Jane Cockaine, whereas the wardship was granted to Jane Tyndall in trust for the benefit of the
ward, and for the said wardship there was paid by Jane Tyndall
only 200l. [Copy. 2¾ pp.] |
May 31. |
93. The Council to Robert Terry, of Guildford. Require him to
pay to Nicholas Stoughton, late sheriff of Surrey, 22l. ship-money
assessed on him by virtue of writs issued in 1637, or else to
attend the board within four days to answer his neglect. [Draft.
¾ p.] |
May 31. Whitehall. |
94. The same to the Justices of Peace for Somerset. We enclose
a petition presented to us by John Ayres, John Watts, Robert
Norton, and Thomas Style against Gervase Brown, of Mells,
Somerset, who being, as is alleged, of a subtle and unquiet spirit,
has by divers injurious ways endeavoured to undo the petitioners.
We pray you to hear and end the difference between the parties
above named, if you can, or otherwise to return certificate to the
board with your opinions thereupon, that such further course may
be taken as shall be fit. [Draft. 1 p.] |
May 31. Whitehall. |
95. The Council to Theophilus Earl of Suffolk, Lord Warden of
the Cinque Ports. Whereas Henry Osborne, of Londonderry, merchant, did in February last lade aboard the Fortune, of Queensferry
in Scotland, for the account of Henry Osborne, alderman, of Londonderry, 20 tons of tallow, beef, and other goods to be transported to
Dover, where Osborne sold these goods to Daniel Skinner, of Dover,
merchant, and caused the same to be delivered to him, for all which,
when he should have received payment, John Jacobs, sergeant of the
Admiralty of the Cinque Ports, in regard petitioner was a Scotchman, seized upon the same. Forasmuch as Sir George Ratcliffe has
undertaken to pay 200l. of the money made of the proceed of the
said goods to Alderman Osborne, whom he knows to be a man very
well affected, we pray you to give order to Jacobs to take off the
arrest of the proceed of the said goods to the value of 200l., and we
require Daniel Skinner to pay the 200l. to Sir George Ratcliffe.
[Draft. 1 p.] |
May 31. |
96. The same to the same. Daniel Bowyer, of London, merchant,
on behalf of himself and copartners, as by his petition is represented, freighted the Scotch ship Comfort, of Queensferry, with
wines at Rochelle, to be landed at London, where Bowyer and his
partners live, but being on her passage hither, the said ship was
staid at Dover and cannot be freed without order from this board.
In regard the wines are subject to loss by lying a ship-board, we
pray you to give order that the stop may be taken off, Bowyer and
his partners first giving bond that the ship when she comes [to
London] shall submit to the arrest and remain here till discharged.
[Draft. 1 p.] |
May 31. Whitehall. |
97. The same to the Sheriffs of London. Complaint was this day
made to us by Alderman Abell and the warden of the Company of
Vintners that Miles Clerk and Anthony Sharp, of London, vintners,
refuse to take their proportion of Spanish wines, parcel of the
medium allotted to them by the company, notwithstanding the
Council's order of the 17th inst. [see that date, No. 49], which has
been showed to them. We consequently require you to see their
taverns suppressed until they conform in all things as the rest of the
Company of Vintners have done. [1 p.] |
May 31. |
98. The same to Nicholas. By our order of the 6th March last
Sir Robert Carr was ordered, amongst other things, to pay to his
lady 700l., whereof 300l. was to be paid within 30 days after Lady
Day last as half a year's payment to be allowed the said lady for
her maintenance, and 400l. to buy her furniture or otherwise as she
should think good. And whereas Lady Carr was upon receipt of
the said 400l. to restore to Sir Robert all such plate, linen, goods,
and household stuff as she has belonging to Sir Robert, which 700l.,
and likewise the plate, &c., were by our order deposited in your
hands. These are, therefore, to require you to deliver to Sir Robert
all such things as you have received from Lady Carr, and likewise
to pay her the said 700l. received from Sir Robert; and if Sir
Robert shall before the end of next term make it appear to us that
there is any more plate, linen, furniture, or goods of his in his lady's
hands, then we will take order for the restitution thereof to him
according to our order of the 6th March. [1 p.] |
May [31]. |
99. Lady Mary Carr to Nicholas. Let Mr. Woodward have 400l.,
and be so just as not to part with any plate to my husband till
I speak with you, unless he directs you to send it all to me.
Friday night. [1 p.] |
May 31. Whitehall. |
100. The Council to Sir William Wiseman, Sheriff of Essex,
Anthony Luther, Edward Palmer, and Edward Eltonhead, Justices
of Peace for Essex. Complaint has been made unto us by Sir
Thomas Barrington, that he having at his great charge for preservation of divers springs and coppice woods within his Majesty's forest
of Hatfield, Essex, after sales made thereof, made great hedges for
preventing the spoil of his said woods, Thomas Garret, John
Barnard, and John White, with some others not yet fully discovered,
some of whom for other offences are bound to appear at the next
sessions of the Iter for that forest, having brought some other
disorderly persons from other parts, have, as is suspected, set the
said hedges on fire and burnt a great part of them and of the
timber trees, and young wood, violently broken open the gates and
broken down the hedges, and threaten to proceed in their outrageous
courses, which is an insolency that not only tends to the great loss
of Sir Thomas, but is of very ill example to the whole county.
Wherefore we require you to call before you the parties named, with
any others whom you shall understand to have had any hand in
these disorders, and either punish them according to law, or else
bind them over to answer the same at the next sessions; and if
any of them shall refuse or be unable to give security, then you are
to commit them to prison. We further require you, and particularly you the sheriff, to take care to prevent any further insolence
in the like kind, and to send to us an account of your proceedings
herein, and what you conceive fit to be done for suppressing the
like tumults for the future. [Draft. ¾ p.] |
May 31. |
101. The same to James Duke of Lennox and Jerome Earl of
Portland, Lords Lieutenants of Hants. Edward Pitt, one of the
tellers of the Exchequer, having already contributed in a good
proportion towards the present employment in the north, it is not
conceived reasonable, although he has provided a horse and armour
for the defence of the county where he lives, that he should upon
this occasion send the said horse or arms from thence. We therefore pray you to give order to your deputy lieutenants that
Mr. Pitt's horse and arms may not be sent out of the county on this
employment. [Draft. ¾ p.] |
May 31. |
102. The same to Thomas Viscount Fairfax. We understand
that the late Viscount Fairfax, your father, did by his last will
commit to the Lord Deputy, his lordship's kinsman, and to Henry
Fairfax, his second son, the education of William Fairfax, his grandchild, your lordship's son and heir, desiring them to take care to
bring him up in the religion professed here in England, and that
the rather to oblige you to deliver up your son according to his said
will, your father gave your son a legacy of 1,200l. upon condition
that, if you should refuse to deliver him accordingly, the said legacy
should go to Henry Fairfax; which part of your father's will we
doubt not but you have duly considered, and that you will readily
obey in pious memory of your father's last commands. Yet we
have thought good, at the instance of the Lord Deputy, now that
we understand your said son is about eight years old, to put you in
mind of your performance thereof, and hereby to pray you either to
deliver him to such person as the Lord Deputy shall appoint to
receive him, or else to bring him hither at your charge, to be
delivered accordingly, and of your performance hereof we shall
expect to receive a speedy account from you. [Draft. 1 p.] |
May 31. |
103. The Council to the Officers of the Ordnance. It is held very
requisite that his Majesty's store of gunpowder should not all be
kept in one place, but though the greater proportion of it be fit to
remain still in his Majesty's magazine in the Tower, as the safest
place and readiest for use upon all occasions, yet that some considerable proportion be distributed in other fitting places; and
whereas we conceive Portsmouth a convenient place for keeping 30
or 40 lasts, Dover Castle 20 lasts, and Pendennis Castle 10 lasts,
when there shall be necessary and safe store-houses fitted for that
purpose, we therefore require you to send able men to view the
store-houses at the places named, and to take order for making of
the same sufficient, which being done, to give notice thereof to the
Lord Treasurer or Lord Admiral, whereupon such further order
shall be given as shall be fit for distributing his Majesty's gunpowder. [Draft. 1¼ p.] |
May 31. |
104. The same to the Justices of Peace for co. Lincoln. We are
informed that the Earl of Lindsey has lately obtained a judgment
for the draining of divers fens in Holland and Kesteven, co. Lincoln,
and has by a decree of sewers his part allotted to him in every
particular fen, and the possession thereof decreed to him, yet some
of the commoners and others do oppose his lordship's possession in
some part of the said fens, and in a riotous and unlawful manner
endeavour to hinder the driving of the cattle out of the same. We
therefore pray you to assist his lordship in retaining peaceable
possession of all the fens so decreed to him, and, if it shall be
at any time required by his agents, that you send forth your
warrants for apprehending all persons who shall in any unlawful
way as aforesaid assemble together with intention to disturb his
lordship, and having apprehended any such, if poor men, then we
require you to commit them to gaol, there to remain until they
shall give bond for their future good behaviour, but if they shall be
persons of better condition, then you are to cause them to be
delivered to a messenger, to be brought before us to answer their
contempt, or otherwise to proceed against them in such other way
at your sessions or the assizes for your county as you shall think
best for the present punishing of such disturbers. [Draft. 1½ p.] |
May 31. Whitehall. |
105. Order of Council. There are divers sums of money in arrear
for the shipping business remaining in the hands of some of the late
sheriffs upon several former years' assessments. We have therefore
ordered that the sheriffs and head officers in whose hands any such
arrears are remaining shall cause the same to be henceforth paid
over to Sir William Russell and Henry Vane, Treasurers of the Navy,
who are hereby authorised to receive the same, and to put the same
to the account of ship-money received upon the writs issued in 1638.
[Draft. 1 p.] |
May 31. |
106. Minute of a Council warrant to Henry Keyme, messenger, for
[the apprehension] of Thomas Hodgkin, Richard Ansell, of Kirkby,
Richard Bones, of Dunsby, Joseph Bet, of Hacconby, Matthew
Brigs, of Surfleet, John Williamson, of Fen Row, Gosberton, Hugh
Leadall, of Kyme, Thomas Chamberlaine and Robert Chamberlaine,
of Morton, co. Lincoln. [¼ p.] |
May 31. |
107. Minute of a Council warrant for the release of George Plowright from the Gatehouse prison. [¼ p.] |
May 31. |
108. Minute of a pass for Robert Pye, son of Sir Robert Pye, and
George Speak to travel into foreign parts for three years. [¼ p.] |
May 31. |
109. Minute that Lady Atkins, widow, having been sent for by
warrant for default of a light horse at the last musters in co. Bedford,
and it appearing by a certificate out of the Court of Wards that the
lands for which she was to find the said horse are her son's, who
is the King's ward, and she but guardian, she was therefore discharged from further attendance. [⅓ p.] |
May 31. |
110. Minute that William Pannet, of Devizes, Wilts, this day
tendered his appearance before the board. [2 lines.] |
May 31. |
111. Certificate of Thomas Lord Wentworth, that the late return
of Edmund Waller to the Council for default at musters in co. Bedford is a mistake, and that the horse should have been showed by
Mrs. Waller, who has the land in jointure; nevertheless he has
given satisfaction to Lord Cleveland and myself for undertaking
for Mrs. Waller for the time to come. Underwritten, |
111. i. "Mr. Woolley, I pray enter this gentleman's discharge,
without paying any fees to me and only 20s. to the
messenger. E[dward] N[icholas]." [1 p.] |
May 31. |
112. The like of Thomas Earl of Cleveland, that Sir Henry
Campion [in Beds] has promised to find arms for the future.
[⅓ p.] |
May 31. |
113. Samuel Hull and four others to Archbishop Laud. This day
James Machison, of Burnham, co. Buckingham, gentleman, without
any provocation did speak these words, viz., "I care not for my
Lord of Canterbury, for he has been the occasion of this strife
between the Scots and us, and I care not if he heard me," which
words we thought ourselves bound to certify you, and which we
shall be ready to justify upon oath. [1 p.] |
May 31. Berwick. |
114. Sec. Coke to Sir Henry Mainwaring. It is his Majesty's
pleasure that you take into your custody aboard your ship the
Scottish persons mentioned, and dispose of them in such sort as his
Majesty shall direct. [There are 21 persons named, and amongst
them Lieut. Col. Milles, Capt. Carr, and Capt. Primrose. From
the marginal notes against these names it would appear that several
were discharged and never went aboard. ¾ p.] |
May 31. |
115. Account of the number and nature of such brass ordnance
with other principal munition as are remaining in store at the Tower
of London. Total of the chief items, 83 pieces of ordnance, 90,175
round-shot, 1,111 hand-grenades. [Endorsed, "Sent to the Master
of the Ordnance, 4th June 1639." 1 p.] |
[May.] |
116. Petition of Henry Hodges, late Sheriff of Somerset, to the
Council. Petitioner stands charged before the Lords with a double
complaint, viz., 1. That during his shrievalty he rated the hundreds
of Bruton and Norton Ferris in the shipping business at 80l.
more than they ought to be charged. 2. With detaining 50l. or 60l.
of ship-money by him collected. For the first, upon petition made
for easing these hundreds, the Lords referred the same to the
Bishop of Bath and Wells and John Malet, late sheriff of Somerset,
who have made a certificate therein, that petitioner should pay 80l.,
for that he had not eased the said hundreds thereof, from which
certificate petitioner appeals to the Lords for the reasons stated.
For the second point wherewith he is charged he utterly disavows
the detaining of any moneys collected either by himself or his
servants concerning the shipping business. The parties who now
pretend they have paid can produce no acquittances. All this
petitioner has made known to Mr. Malet and his under-sheriff, and
is ready to give plenary satisfaction to the Lords on every particular
charge against him, for which purpose he prays to be admitted
personally to free himself of all imputations. [1 p.] |
[May.] |
117. Petition of the same to the same. The Lords have been
informed by William Cox, late under-sheriff of Somerset, that petitioner detained 50l. or 60l. in his hands of the ship-money suggested
to be due from him, part for his own rate, and the residue collected
of other persons, the examination and ordering whereof was referred
to the Bishop of Bath and Wells, who has certified, as petitioner is
informed, that he detains 50l. or thereabouts, which had been
collected by his servants. Petitioner likewise understands that there
are divers other complaints presented against him for unequal taxing
of some parts of the county during his shrievalty. Represents that
the bishop's certificate was grounded upon the bare allegations of
the persons interested and not upon oath, who to discharge themselves would lay the burden upon petitioner. Prays that upon his
paying such moneys as shall be ordered upon the certificate the
Lords would further order a commission to issue out of the Court
of Chancery to the now sheriff of Somerset or others named by the
Lords for the examination of such persons on oath as shall be
necessary for discovering the truth, as well of the first accusation of William Cox as of the subsequent complaints, that thereby
petitioner's integrity and uncorrupt dealing may appear and the
Lords proceed as the cause requires. [1 p.] |
[May.] |
118. Petition of Francis Stonehill and Bernard Paine, of Ivinghoe,
co. Bucks, to the Council. Petitioners were summoned by William
Okeland, patentee of Ivinghoe, before the Commissioners for Tobacco
in Tower Street, London, but being told by divers of credit that
the tobacco patent was one of those called in by his Majesty's
proclamation for suppressing of divers patents [see p. 30], they
neglected to appear before the commissioners, thereby committing
a most unwilling contempt, for which they are sent for by warrant
to appear before the Lords. State that this contempt proceeded
from ignorance in not knowing the true meaning of the proclamation,
that the patentee's witness was a man of ill character, who had
been imprisoned for felony, as also that the said patentee was in
the habit of vexing men by demanding composition for offences
which had never been committed. Pray that the hearing of the
matter may be referred by the Lords to some indifferent men,
whereby the infinite wrongs and oppressions sustained by petitioners
through the cruelty of the patentee may be made known. [1 p.] |
[May.] |
119. Petition of Sir Thomas Lucas to the Council. By Order of
Council of the 19th April [see Vol. ccccxviii., No. 4] the composing
of the differences between petitioner and the undertakers of the
waterworks at Colchester was referred to Harbottle Grimstone, recorder of Colchester, and William Lynn, justices of peace for Essex,
who have returned their certificate, which petitioner prays may be
ratified and confirmed by order of the board. [½ p.] Annexed, |
119. i. The certificate above referred to. [2 pp.] |
May. My lodging in Petty France. |
120. Bishop Montague, of Norwich, to Sec. Windebank. I came
to town upon Thursday night, and even now I received a letter from
Norwich, directed from you, concerning a business against the
Roman Catholics, for questioning their lands, as not only acted but
contrived by myself, which you had, you say, from a very good
hand. How good his hand was I know not, but sure his heart was
not very good, at least to me, to report so falsely and prodigiously
of me, who had neither foot, hand, nor heart in or to the business.
But I wondered at the course, went not to the convention, had
nothing to do in the business, and refused, when I was told that I
was in the commission, to come, my answer being, it was no matter of
conscience, but of secular cognizance, wherein I would not meddle. I
am deeply wronged, but, in my poor opinion, the state much more.
For this I meddle not for myself; I desire restitution, if it may be,
in disreputation of so high indiscretion. You never knew me a
meddler in state business out of my element, nor such a zealot
against Roman Catholics. I shall therefore entreat you to believe
me, affirming in verbo sacerdotis, that I am as much a stranger from
the imputation as he is from honesty, whosoever he was, that forged
such a lewd tale of me. For your letter and direction, though I
am most innocent of the charge, I thank you. [Seal with arms.
1 p.] |
May. |
121. Sir George Wroughton to Nicholas. I beseech you to understand that for my kindness to your uncle Hunton and his son
William I have undergone many sharp and great payments. I had
never engaged myself so deeply had not his father written seriously
to me that he would take care to secure and clear me, which, if he
had lived, I am confident he would fully have performed. His son,
after his decease, took order with Mr. Cusse that he should satisfy
me out of the lease of Odell's, sold to Mr. Audely, but Cusse, in the
end, declined it, which drew on a suit in Chancery that cost me 60l.
Mr. Cusse pretends, by virtue of a conveyance, to be interested in
Bushton as of fee. To avoid my just debt there has been no practice omitted; Mrs. Henshaw was violently solicited to give a release
as her husband's executrix; that failing, I was offered 3s. in the
pound; next, a bill in the Exchequer was preferred against me as
an intruder into Mr. Cusse's possession; lastly, an unjust petition
was presented to the Attorney-General that I had paid but 200l.
for William Hunton, and that I had filed an extent for 1,500l., by
which was pressed not only the loss of my whole money, but it
reflected upon my honesty. I never knew, till very lately, that
you were so much as visible in this business; if I had, my former
acquaintance and the public character of your integrity should have
invited me to have committed the whole arbitration of it into your
hands. It may be to quit jealousy you would have been unwilling,
as it had relation to your kindred; therefore, now, to clear all, if
please you and my cousin Hide to take the scales into your hands
and to weigh things indifferently, according to your own prudences, it
shall fully satisfy me, and upon your contracts I shall be ready to
assign the extents as you shall direct me. [1 p.] |
[May ?] |
122. Edmond Waller to Lady Dorothy Sydney. Complimentary
note acknowledging the receipt of an embroidered handkerchief,
with gold fringe, received from Mistress Vane. [1 p.] |
May. |
123. John Maynard to Nicholas. Answers, on behalf of his
father, Alexander Maynard, the charges brought by the saltpetremen
[see May 4, Vol. ccccxx., No. 44], which he alleges were malicious
and false, and that the saltpetremen were the offenders, as it is
conceived that they may not (1) work in the ground rooms of
noblemen's or gentlemen's houses situated in the body of the house,
under their principal rooms; (2) lay in the wet earth again in
other than pigeon-houses; (3) work up malt-houses; (4) take
ashes provided for husbandry, without consent or satisfaction; (5)
place their tubs within doors. His father is 72 years of age, and
very infirm, and protests that he has been and is more troubled
with the country's complaints of these saltpetremen than he was
with 3,000 or 4,000 soldiers when they returned from Cadiz and
were billetted in the country, at which time he was commissioner in
that business. [1 p.] |
May. |
124. Certificate by the Officers of the Customs at Hull of the
names of 23 volunteers [for the service of the King of Spain]
embarked with Capt. Pavier in the Hope's Content for Ostend.
[1 p.] |
May. |
125. List, endorsed by Nicholas. A note of the [garden] tools
delivered by William to Robert Cutler, my servant, at Thorpe.
[½ p.] |
[May ?] |
126. Articles objected by the Commissioners for Causes Ecclesiastical against Thomas Foxley, clerk, charging him with schismatical preaching, thereby to bring his auditories into dislike with
the present government of the Church of England. That he had
affirmed, declared, and written as if the prelates and principal
governors in church and state were inclining themselves and others
into popery, out of a wicked and mischievous purpose in order to
alienate his auditors from their reverend opinion of the government
of the church by law established. [Further extracts will be found
in the following calendar notice. 16 pp.] |
[May ?] |
127. Extracts from Thomas Foxley's papers for so much as is
questionable in the High Commission, viz.: 1. It is popish scrupulosity
to think it unfit to fast on the Lord's day. 2. No bishop, no king
say you; no bishop, no pope is true. 3. Had there been no majority
of rule in the Church but the parity which our Saviour appointeth,
Math. 20 (a place which all the prelates in the world can never
answer), neither Rome nor the world had ever had a pope; but
when majority of rule was once admitted, "the mystery of iniquity,"
[2 Thes. ii. 7.], began to work. 4. Popish bishops have always taken
the pope's part against their kings, and no marvel, if Protestant
bishops, to recover their greatness, endeavour to bring in popery;
yea, under any pretence, by little and little, to incline their princes
thereunto, that so they might voluntarily become the pope's vassals,
or, by making the greater part of their subjects papists, compel
them thereunto. [2/3 p.] |
May. |
128. This treatise, known in history as the Large Declaration,
undertakes, in the King's name, the defence of the royal policy in
the pacification of Dunse Law, and narrates the proceedings of the
Scottish Covenanters. It is printed in full in Rushworth's Collections [iii., p. 1018-1039], and there are several copies of it preserved
in the Advocates' Library at Edinburgh. It is supposed to have
been originally compiled by Dr. Balcanqual, dean of Durham, but
the present MS., which is in Secretary Windebank's hand, by whom
it has been largely corrected, comprises only the first half of the
treatise, as printed by Rushworth, and entitled "His Majesty's
Declaration concerning his proceedings with his subjects of Scotland
since the pacification in the camp near Berwick." There is a
reference to this portion of the King's Declaration as "Res Gestæ" in
Newport's letter to Windebank of 15th May 1639 [see Vol. ccccxxi.,
No. 16], but this could not have been the copy enclosed, as it is
in Sec. Windebank's own hand. [17¼ pp.] |