|
| May 1. |
1. The names of such persons as have shipped clothes to Stoad,
not being appointed, in the ships of the Merchants Adventurers. |
| May 1. |
2. Testimony of Thomas Edolphe, Mayor of Rye, of the contentious dealing of Robert Gladdish, against Mr. Henry Pye,
minister of Peasmarsh, and several others of his honest parishioners;
the said Mr. Pye being a very quiet person, zealous in religion, and
not hiding the talent that God hath given him. |
| May 1. |
3. Estimate of the account for victualling the fleet under Sir
Fr. Drake, between the 4th of December and the 5th of May
1588. |
May 3.
Temple Bar. |
4. Wm. Herlle to Lord Burghley. Has been of late at death's
door, escaping the going in very narrowly. Requests him to press
his suit with Her Majesty and procure his speedy departure, before
he should be imprisoned for debt. Relies upon the Queen's former
gracious assurances. |
| May 3. |
5. Testimony of Mr. John Colepeper on the behalf of Mr. Pye,
touching the controversy with Robert Gladdish, who wishing to
set up an alehouse in Peasmarsh was opposed therein by many of
the inhabitants. |
May 4.
Kinerton. |
6. Tho. Everall to Wm. Baldwyn. Private affairs. Request
directions as to a heriot due by a lease granted to Margt. Colynge.
Has heard that Mr. Dan. Rogers will be in Shropshire shortly. |
| May 5. |
7. Note of the money remaining from the coinage of Her
Majesty's bullion, received from Mr. Alderman Martyn. |
| May 8. |
8. Orders taken at Blandford for the better execution of the
Council's instructions for the defence of the county of Dorset, lately
agreed upon between Sir John Norreys, Capt. Nich. Dawtrey, and
the deputy lieutenants of the county. The principal captains to
act according to the answer and advice of Sir J. Norreys to the
Council's instructions. |
May 9.
Cambridge. |
9. Lord North to the Council. The county of Cambridge very
badly furnished with armour and munition, and many of the
trained bands dead or removed, but he would see all the defects
supplied. Intends to appoint some other gentleman as captain in
place of Mr. Hutton. Desires to be supplied with instructions by
Capt. Cheston. |
| May 9. |
10. Names of the ships to serve in the Narrow Seas under the
charge of Lord Henry Seymour, with those from the Cinque Ports
and other places, and 36 from Holland and Zealand; the whole
number of ships and pinnaces 72. |
| May 10. |
11. Resolutions taken about the employment of the fleets under
the Lord Admiral and Sir F. Drake. A reserve of victuals in case
of necessity. |
May 11/21.
On the galleon
Sante Martin,
at Bellen. |
12. Rules and ordinances prescribed for the conduct and government of the King of Spain's army at sea; made by their General
Don Alonso Peres de Gusman, Duke of Medina Sidonia, Earl
of Niebla, and Marques of Cacaca in Africa, Lord of the city of
St. Lucars, Captain General of the Occean Sea and of the coast of
Andolozia, and of this royal army and host of His Majesty, and
Knight of the famous Order of the Golden Fleece. Signed by the
Duke de Medina Sidonia. Spanish. |
| May 11. |
13. English translation of the above. |
| May 11. |
14. Estimate by Lord Howard, John Hawkyns, and Jas. Quarles
to balance the times of payment of wages and victualling of the whole
Navy. |
| May 12. |
15. Warrant to Robt. Petre and the Four Tellers of the Exchequer
to pay certain sums to John Hawkyns, Treasurer of the Admiralty
for the wages of 2,990 men serving in Her Majesty's ships in the
Narrow Seas. |
| May 12. |
16. Note of the charge of one month's wages and victuals for the
fleet serving under the Lord Admiral. |
May 12.
Plymouth. |
17. Vice-Adm. Tho. Fenner and Capt. Robert Crosse to Sir
Fr. Drake. Capt. Powlewheele had arrived and the rest of the
ships in company. Six French ships and one flyboat brought in by
Capt. Powlewheele, who had returned with them, thinking true
information might be gained from them of the Spanish fleet. All
the ships are wonderfully well manned with mariners. General
management of the fleet. |
May 15.
Deptford. |
18. Robert Nele to Walsyngham. Her Majesty had been too
much engaged with the King of Portugal and the Council to consider the important causes he had to explain to her, but she had
referred them to his honor. He would be ready to attend on him
at Barn Elms. Sends copy of a speech to be pronounced in Her
Majesty's presence. |
May 16.
The
Bonadventure. |
19. Lord Henry Seymour to same. Sends news such as they
came to him. Advertisements brought by a French merchant
from Cadiz, with certain intelligence that the Spanish navy at
Lisbon amounted to 300 sail, half of them victuallers, the other
half ships of war, and that they were greatly infected with sickness,
and in great fear if they hear but the name of Drake. Preparations
making by the Great Turk. |
| May 18 ? |
20. Extracts of three letters written by Antone de Taso from
Lisbon, on the probable success of the Spanish armada. Prays to
God to give him the house of some rich merchant in England. Fears
the English will not fight as the force of the King is so great.
22,000 rations of meat are given out daily. All things are embarked
and wait only for a wind. |
| May 19. |
21. Relation of the galleons, ships, and vessels set forth by the
King of Spain out of Lisbon 1588, May 19:—Of galleons and great
ships from the burthen of 700 tons to 1,000 tons, 65. The number
of rowers in the four galleases and four galleys, 2,088 men. Mariners
and other officers, 8,605 men. Specification of various ranks and
offices. Sum of the whole number that goeth in the army of all
sorts 31,266. Bread, 110,000 quintals; wine, 670 pipes. |
| May 19? |
22. Summary of the whole state of the Spanish naval forces,
prepared by the King of Spain in the port of Lisbon, whereof is
Chief and Captain General the Duke de Medina Sidonia: describing
the number of ships, their force and tonnage, the amount of munitions
of war, the numbers of soldiers, mariners, and galley slaves, the
number of friars, quantities of provisions, the names of the chiefs of
the expedition, of the ministers and officers of justice, and of the
quartermasters of the whole army. French. |
| May 19? |
23. Report on the state of the Spanish preparations, of the number
of ships, their equipment, force, stores, &c. Design of the armament
to co-operate with the Duke of Parma for the invasion of England.
Force prepared by England in conjunction with Holland and Zealand
to resist it. French. |
May 20.
Kirtling. |
24. Lord North to Walsyngham. Thanks for his favor to Capt.
Cheston. Many of the Justices refuse to furnish petronels, using
for their defence some nice and curious reasons, which might have
been forborne in this time of special service. Has searched the house
where Pallant's wife lay, but missed him. Will furnish at his own
charges 30 lancers and 20 petronels, beside 20 petronels of his
followers and 60 shot. Incloses, |
|
24. i. Lord North's letter to the Justices of Cambridgeshire,
requiring them to furnish petronels. May 1st. |
|
24. ii. Lord North to the Council. Complaining that many of the
Justices of best ability refuse to furnish petronels. Desires that some order may be taken with them. Names
of those who neither showed petronels nor sent answers.
Kirtling, May 1st, 1588. |
| May 20. |
25, 26. Relation of the strenght of the Spanish armada, which
departed from Lisbon the 30th of May, 1588, Stilonovo, containing
166 great ships, 27,128 soldiers and mariners, 180 friars, and
1,493 pieces of artillery, and the names of the commanders. [In
duplicate.] |
May 22.
The Rainbow. |
27. Lord H. Seymour to Lord Burghley. Has parted company
from the Lord Admiral, who is going to Plymouth, and Seymour to
Blackness [Blancness]. Monsr. Domale sent to offer him a supply
of victuals, munition, or any thing he might be in need of. He
heard from him that the Duke of Guise and the French King were
now great friends. Requests order may be taken for re-victualling
the Navy, as victuals and days wear away apace. |
May 23.
Plymouth. |
28. Lord Adm. Howard, Lord High Admiral, to same. He
parted with Lord H. Seymour in the Downs on Tuesday, and was
joined by Sir Fr. Drake at Plymouth with 60 ships well appointed.
Intends to sail, and to lie on and off between England and the coast
of Spain, to watch the coming of the Spanish forces. |
| May 24. |
29. Examinations of James Winche, Christopher Twytt, John
Newman, and Wm. Tenche, on interrogatories on the part of John
Blagrave, relative to the forcible expulsion of Blagrave out of a
certain plot of ground. |
| May 25. |
30. The examinations of certain prisoners in the Tower, before
Sir Owyn Hopton and Richard Young; viz., Edward Dixon, Wm.
Bennett, an old priest, Jacob Vandermaest, Humfrey Fullwood,
Anthony Tutchener, Andrew Van Metico a Dutchman, suspected to
be sent over to kill the Queen, and Jerome Paine. |
May 26.
St. Omer. |
31. Robert Griffites to Roger Awmond at Douay. Intends to be
with him on Wednesday or Thursday, with money and other
necessaries. |
May 27.
The Vanguard. |
32. Sir Wm. Wynter to Lord Burghley. Has been ashore at
Dover, and viewed the works there. They are very great, and little
remains to be done. The fleet in the Narrow Seas could be more
conveniently victualled from Dover than from London or Chatham. |
| May 27. |
33. Declaration of Giles Napper. Came out of Spain and arrived
at Portsmouth on the 27th of May. His service as a slave among
the Turks, and capture by the Spaniards. The Spanish fleet at
Lisbon to sail on 16th of May. Sickness in the fleet. III feeling
between the Portuguese and the Spaniards. The King of Spain
commended Sir F. Drake very much as a valiant man of war. Much
reliance placed upon the Dunkirk fleet. |
May 28.
The Rainbow. |
34. Lord H. Seymour to Walsyngham. With a note of the ships
and hoys furnished by the coast towns. Requests to be supplied
with victuals for six weeks at least. Incloses, |
|
34. i. Certificate of the ships, hoys, &c., set forth by several port
towns, their tonnage, numbers of men, names of captains,
and for how long they are victualled. |
May 28.
Plymouth. |
35. Lord Adm. Howard to Lord Burghley. That the ships with
provisions had not been sent as Mr. Quarles promised. They have
but 18 days victuals on board. The sheriffs of Devonshire sent
him word that the Spanish fleet was ready to come out with the
first wind. Would sail to meet them as soon as the wind would
permit. Go out he will, though he should starve; the fault lies
not with him. Beseeches him to hasten the provisions, for if the
wind hold as it is but for six days the Spaniards will be knocking at
our doors. |
May 28.
Plymouth. |
36. Same to same. He has stayed the rice in the Mary of
Hamborough, for Her Majesty's service. All is in readiness to sail,
but they have scarcely three weeks' victuals left. With the gallantest
company of captains, soldiers, and mariners ever seen in England, it
were pity they should lack meat. Hopes to have the happiness to
meet the enemy at sea. |
May 29.
Rye. |
37. The Mayor and Jurats of Rye to Lord H. Seymour. Information that there were two pinnaces of Gravelines or Dunkirk
off the French coast, which intercepted Her Majesty's packets
between Rye and Dieppe, and had taken one boat with passengers
and the mail packet. |
| May 30. |
38. Certificate upon survey taken of the county of Southampton
by Captain Nich. Dawtrey. Touching all the forces as well trained
as in troops or untrained, according to such instructions as the said
captain had formerly received from the Lords of the Council; the
sum total of the whole being 9,088 men. With a brief declaration
of the state of the shire; many of the men being very rawly
furnished, some whereof lacketh a head-piece, some a sword, some
one thing or other that is evil unfit or unbeseeming about him. |
| May 30. |
39. Report by Sir John Norreys of his proceeding in making a
survey of the sea coasts and of the forces of the county of Southampton, in pursuance of instructions from the Privy Council; and
how far the several points in those instructions have already been
answered and provided for by the Lords Lieutenants of the county.
The whole number of the forces of the shire furnished and unfurnished being 11,966 men, whereof 3,000 armed are assigned for
defence of the Isle of Wight. |
| May 31. |
40. Account of provisions bought for Her Majesty's use, and
brought into the Office of the Ordnance, within the Tower, between
the first of April and the last of May next ensuing. Among other
charges—to Wm. Reynolds, fletcher, for 1,000 musket arrows, sent
to Sir Francis Drake. |
| May. |
41. List of such shires as have certified their proceedings in the
musters of the able men, and of those which have not certified. |
| May? |
42. Abstract of the certificates of the numbers of able men,
trained and untrained, in various counties, in pursuance of the
letters from the Council in April 1588. |
| May. |
43. The Queen to the Bishop and to the Dean and Chapter of
Chester. Requiring them to make to her a lease of the parsonage
of Cottingham, and to deliver the same to Sir Edward Hastings. |
| May. |
44. Notes in Burghley's hand of the expenses of Her Majesty's
fleet, by the month. |
| May? |
45. Estimate of the charges for victuals and wages for any
number of men, from 10 to 1,000, by the day and by the month. |
| May? |
46. List of counties that desire to be furnished with armour and
weapons, for their money. |
| [May] |
47. Reasons to prove that the Spaniards should rather land in
the Isle of Wight than in any other place in England. Its ease of
approach from either Spain, Flanders, or France. |
