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23. Petition of John Meere. Exhibited a bill of complaint in
the Star Chamber, showing that being bailiff in the liberty of Sherborne, co. Dorset, and having the execution and return of writs in
two hundreds, Sir Walter Raleigh and others violently rescued their
friends, taken prisoners upon writs of capias utlagat., put the
petitioner in the stocks for executing them, and prevented his
fulfilling the office of which he has been quietly possessed 10 years.
Has served process on Sir Walter, but he does not answer. Requests
that he may answer, the rather that petitioner, last assizes at Sherborne, where Sir Walter dwells, by trial on ejection, recovered the
bailiwick from which he had been put out by many frays and fights
in fairs and markets, to the disturbance of the service, trouble of the
Lord Lieutenant and justices, and wrong of the people. [¾ pages,
soiled.] |
|
Grant of letters of denization to Peter Vanlore, of Utrecht, and
Jacoba Vanlore, of Ixea, in Flanders, his wife, with leave to travel
to and fro beyond seas; they doing homage, paying scot and lot
as natives, and obeying the laws. [Latin, Warrant Book, No. I.,
pp. 46–47.] |
|
Grant to Francis Savage, B.D., of a prebend's stall in the cathedral
church of Worcester; subsequently altered for a prebend's stall to
Wm. Norris, M.A. and D.D., in the cathedral of Norwich. [Latin,
Warrant Book, No. I., p. 47.] |
|
Grant to Thos. Brockett of the office of clerk of the peace for the
county of Hertford. [Latin, Warrant Book, No. I., p. 48.] |
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24. Grant by Martin [Heton] Bishop of Ely to Thomas Edmondes, clerk of the Council, of the office of bailiff of Ely Rents.
Holborn, with the custody of Ely House, in which certain rooms are
allowed him for habitation, with a fee of 3l. 0s. 10d.; William Trumbull to be the bishop's attorney in delivering the same. [5 sheets.] |
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25. Draft of the above. [6 sheets. Damaged.] |
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26. Warrant to advance 20,000l. on loan to Thos. Brigham
and Humfrey Wemmes, patentees for the pre-emption of tin, on
their delivery of tin worth more than that, they having already
disbursed 60,000l., and being unable to disburse more. They will
add 1,000l. to their former rent of 2,000l., and lend the tinners
10,000l. yearly. [Parchment, ⅓ sheet; signed by Lord Buckhurst.] |
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27. The Queen to the Mercers' Company, London. Wm. Leveson
has been a suitor to you for a lease of the Golden Key in Cheapside,
belonging to the company. We recommend him for the grant, on
reasonable rent and conditions, and the rather because of his dutiful
conduct in the late tumult in the city. [½ page.] |
|
28. —— to Sec. Cecil ? As you intend to treat with Mr.
Horsman for Kensington parsonage, you might make a favour of
it. Tell him you want my manor of St. Giles and tenement in the
Strand, and would offer me Kensington, which lies enclosed in my
inheritance, in exchange, repaying him in money on reasonable terms.
Suggested objections, and answers to them. [1 page.] |
|
29. John Lovelace to his uncle Launcelot Lovelace. The unfortunate man has never good success. Having been so troublesome
and chargeable to you, I am ashamed to crave any more good turns,
but necessity has no law. One of my debtors has threatened to
arrest me for 20s., so that I have been obliged to pawn my sword,
dagger, and cloak to satisfy him. Pray lend me 30s. to redeem
them, and to alleviate my present necessities. My brother will
repay it. I will then go to Sir Thomas Gates, who is to obtain me
preferment. [2 pages.] |
| Cambridge. |
30. William Peachy to Sec. Cecil? Thanks for former favours.
I entreat assistance from the patron who placed me here, or I shall
be unable to remain, on account of poverty. [4 pages. Three letters,
in Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, all of similar tenor, with laudatory
verses in Hebrew, addressed to his patron.] |
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31. [R. Williams] to Lord Cobham. The cloth for your liveries
is ready to be brought into your house, whenever you please to
have it seen and chosen, and you may take as many pieces as suffice,
and at such rates as you deem meet to allow. The three several
sorts are 8s., 9s., and 9s. 6d. per yard; the lowest for the grooms
of the stable and such like persons, the second for your yeoman, and
the best for your gentlemen and those that attend nearest your
person. [10 lines.] |
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32. Estimate of the value of the reprisals made by the Refusal and
her consorts, viz., 18,625l. 2s. 2d. value of goods landed from three
ships, besides the worth of the ships. With note [by Cecil] "In the
Kintail of Lisbon there is 128l." [1¾ pages.] |
|
33. Inventory delivered by Sir William Courtney of the goods
claimed by Friar Martine as belonging to the French Queen, and
brought from Spain or Portugal; part were delivered to Mahiet
Bacheler, master of the ship, and the rest both captains declare
on oath that they have seen nothing of. [1 sheet.] |
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34. Note of the rates of pay allowed in the accounts of Sir
George Carew, master of ordnance, to gunners, shipwrights, carpenters, and other artisans in the voyage of Cadiz, in 1596, according to rates specified in a letter prefixed, from Sir Rob. Constable
and John Powell to Sir Thos. Sherley, dated 8 Sept. 1591; with
extraordinary charges allowed to the said Sir Thomas, by debenture
of 25 Nov. 1596. [2½ pages.] |
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Endorsed are notes of later imprests to ordnance artificers, at
Lough Foyle 1598 and in Munster in 1602; also notes of warrants,
&c. for similar payments in 1625–1626. |
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35. "Marine orders," that no mariners serve in foreign men-ofwar, as they become pirates and leave their country; that no
violence be permitted in the ports, and no unnecessary hanging
about them; that all merchant ships be allowed to leave before
men-of-war; and that if men-of-war chase each other into a port, the
first comer go out a tide before the other. [2/3 page, by Cecil.] |
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36. Book of tables relating to the size and number of the ships, and
expenses of the navy; 42 ships, beside ketches, hoys, and lighters;
calculations of wages, tonnage, size, ordnance, &c. [11 pages,
5 blank leaves, parchment back.] |
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37. List of the Queen's ships, with their tonnage and number of
mariners. |
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[Probably a draft for the first table in the preceding book.
2 pages.] |
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38. "A note of ships to set forth unto the Narrow Seas," being
a list of 15 ships [by Cecil; ½ page.] |
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39. Remembrance for Thos. Beale, concerning the merchants
trading to Rouen, Caen, and Dieppe. Our merchants trading to
France remember that great privileges were granted to the English
nation, under the great seal of France. They were long kept
by Glover, a merchant in Rouen, and by him transferred to
the late Thos. Buckner; but by reason of the troubles, they are
hardly to be found. Many impositions have been laid on us
lately by the French King, and the governors of towns, and
though we have withstood them, and proved them contrary to
treaty, we get no remedy. We used only to pay four deniers
tournois a cwt. on exports and imports, but since the civil wars
in France, the tax on imports has been raised. Details of the
sums now paid. Of late there has been raised a crown a ton on all
ships trading thither. The governor of Caen in 1592 procured
leave to take up 50,000 crowns at 10 per cent., for fortifying the
town, to be paid by a tax among themselves, and they urge English
men to pay the same, to pay taxes on wine and draperies, and also
to pay the menue aid, which the burgesses do not pay. All these are
contrary to the privileges of English merchants, as is also the droit
d'aubaine, exacted on the death of a merchant or factor in those
parts. Also as the French King grants letters of marque to his
subjects who have been wronged by Englishmen, the goods of Her
Majesty's subjects are seized and sold, so that they are daily in fear
of the said letters. [2 pages.] |
|
40. Declaration of the imposts raised upon English merchants
trading to Rouen, since 1572. The tax on kerseys was first raised
for payment of the fortifications, only for three years, but it has
been continued ever since. Also there are taxes specified upon
kerseys, lead, tin, wax, and herrings, and a crown a ton upon all
goods coming into the country, and there are divers other imposts. |
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Also account of imposts on goods transported from France to England since 1572, on canvas, buckram, paper, thread, inkhorns, prunes,
pots, teazles, millstones, silks, wood, and wines; the value of these
latter goods being two-thirds more than of the former. [2 pages.] |
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41. Note of the current prices of commodities, sugar, pepper, &c.
[½ page.] |
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42. Arguments to prove "that Her Majesty's letters patents
dated the 7th day of September 1559, for the sole making of saltpetre and gunpowder throughout Her Majesty's dominions, as the
same are made, are maintainable not only in policy for the preservation of the State, but also in equity, and by the common laws of
the land," viz.: 1, that the use of saltpetre and gunpowder is
necessary; 2, that they should be made in the country; 3, that
their sole making belongs to the Crown, and should not be exercised without the Queen's grant; with objections thereto, and their
answers; 4, statement of the benefits of granting the sole making
of saltpetre and gunpowder. Conclusion that the patent therefore
is not a monopoly, but useful in policy, equity, and by common law;
therefore that the proclamation of 28 Nov. 1601 does not impeach it,
but only prohibits its abuse, and that all who call it in question should
be punished. With note that the patent was drawn by Att. Gen.
Coke; this discourse approved by Sol. Gen. Fleming, Fras. Bacon,
and by councillors And. Blundon, John Dodderidge, John Walter, and
John Hele. [Copy made in the time of James I. 4 sheets.] |
|
43. Memorial by Mr. Dyer of imperfections in a warrant to
Sir Edw. Stafford, of authority to inquire into concealed lands;
viz.:— |
|
1. Being made to the present Treasurer and Chancellor of the
Exchequer, their death voids the grant. |
|
2. Abbey and monastery lands are granted by intention and
not in express words, which may cause quarrels. |
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3. The arrears are left out, whereas if granted, each man would
seek his discharge by making a composition, which would lead to
great good. |
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4. There wants an authority to the Lord Chancellor for passing
advowsons, &c. in his office. |
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5. Pensions are granted him on condition of his paying the
Queen as much as they are worth, but this has proved rather to
his hindrance than his profit, for where it has come to trial, and
has been "pension, rent, or annuity," his warrant would not carry
it, and the Queen has lost the benefit. |
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6. It would be a great benefit to the Queen if she would accept
the fourth part of all found out by him. |
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7. Lands granted by abbots, priors, &c., on terms of lives long
since expired, are still held with no other title, paying the Queen
only 10 groats if they are at 10l. a year. A like fourth of the
rent should be reserved on these. |
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8. If the Queen would grant Mr. Dyer a fee farm of concealed
lands in large terms, instead of a 60 years' lease, it would avoid
complaints; the present holder to have the preferment at far
more reasonable rate than any stranger. |
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9. Much labour has been lost because the persons sent down on
the commission for concealed lands have been unskilful, and cases
have had to be adjourned for want of proofs. |
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The course which Mr. Dyer proposes to take to avoid these
troubles is,— |
|
1. To send particulars to the auditors of the Exchequer, to
examine whether the lands are in charge or not. |
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2. Having a mind to learning, he will meddle with no lands
belonging to colleges, hospitals, and halls, in both the Universities, as has been lately done, but will rather relieve them, by
confirming the grants if in danger. |
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3. He will relieve cathedrals, where much of their land is in
danger, by not suffering any part to be taken from them, and
assuring it to them on reasonable composition. |
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By which dealing the Queen will be well served, the subjects
quieted, and all satisfied to be discharged of the arrears, and assured
of their titles, on a reasonable rent to Her Majesty. [2¾ pages,
damaged.] |
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44. Instructions to be given to the posts concerning the conveyance of letters on Her Majesty's service; specifying that no letters be
sent post except on the Queen's service; directing how they shall be
marked, what officers of State shall have their letters sent by post,
and to what posts those intended for foreign parts and Ireland shall
be forwarded. [Draft, 3 pages.] |
|
45. Note of the charge of land carriage for Her Majesty's service
in Hampshire, including the Queen's removes, carriage of timber,
&c. for one year, from 1 Aug. 1602, to 1 Aug. 1603 [sic]; total,
2,405l. [½ page.] |
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46. Request by the masters and workers of the Mint to Sec.
Cecil, to enjoy their office in as ample a manner as their predecessors; to have an allowance beyond the 20d. the pound agreed upon
for making Irish money, on account of the waste and charge through
inexperience of the melters and other labourers; to be countenanced,—especially Alderman Sir Rich. Martin, on account of his long experience
in the service of the Mint,—by the removal of obstinate workmen,
when he will make the moneys more perfect than before, at no
increase of charge. For the doing of this he tenders a pattern, both
in Irish and in sterling money, and then clippers and counterfeiters
will be more easily prevented and discovered. [1 page.] |
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47. Action in the case of Darcy versus Allen, on the patent for
playing cards; containing an abstract of the patent, and questions
arising therefrom:—The first relates to the prerogative royal; arguments as to the power of the Crown to grant such patents; arguments against monopolies; objections against the validity of the
patent; precedents and answers to objections, &c. [24 pages.] |
|
48. Statement of the legal proceedings in the case of Edw. Darcy.
against Thos. Allen, of London, reciting proceedings from the grant
of the former patent to Ralph Bowes, 13 June 1588, and that to
Darcy 11 Aug. 1598, to 1602, when Allen transgressed the latter by
selling playing cards without Darcy's licence; containing the arguments at length of the defendant's counsel against the Solicitor
General in the case. [14 pages.] |
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Endorsed [by Cecil] "A collection of the arguments against
monopolies." |
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49. Appeal in the Court of Arches against a decision of Dr. Hen.
Hickman, vicar of Thomas Bishop of Peterborough, in a case between—Burde and—Burde and Wm. Judkyn, relative to the will of
Agnes, wife of the said William, deceased. [Parchment. 1 sheet,
Latin, damaged.] |
|
50. "The case of Kettleby," headed "The plaintiff's answer to the
defendant's objections, with the depositions that proves them in the
margin;" the case referring to the payment of money, fulfilment of
a covenant, a lease, stock of cattle, &c. [1 sheet, damaged.] |
|
51. "A note of the Countess of Warwick's debtes due to Her Majesty, with some reasons on her behalf, to be presented to Her Majesty's
gracious consideration." First, for the Ordnance, in which office the
late Earl served 32 years, 2,005l. included in her general pardon.
For butlerage, Northall farm, Ruthin, and 200 marks for the late Earl's
subsidies, 5,275l. 13s. 10d.½. Particulars of the same:—From several
of these she thinks she could be released on plea, and also show her
title to the woods dearly compassed by the late Earls of Warwick
and Leicester, but she prefers to refer herself wholly to the Queen's
pleasure, and not to proceed further in law. [1 page.] |
|
52. Estimate of the yearly value of certain manors, lands, &c. in
Devonshire and Cornwall, of Edward Earl of Bedford, granted by
Henry VIII. to John Lord Russell, afterwards Earl of Bedford;
total, 92l. 4s. 8d. With notes [by Att. Gen. Coke] of payments to
be made thereon; that my Lord knows not the fine, but that there
is 200l. a year issuing out of all. [1 page.] |
|
53. Account of the public services performed by Captain Bingham
during the reigns of Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth; viz., services
in the war in Flanders, and afterwards as captain of a bark at sea;
then in England against rebels; then in Holland and Germany;
and for the Prince of Orange with Sir Wm. Winter, under whom he
went to expel the Spaniards from Ireland. 38 items. [Endorsed by
Cecil. 2 pages.] |
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54. Information against Robert de la Barre, for trading with the
Queen's enemies, by entering goods in the custom house at London
from Lisbon, in the name of Vincent de la Barre, dwelling in Middleburg; showing the falsity of the pretext that he did it considering
there was no war with Spain; and of his representation to Dr. Cæsar
that such entries are no prejudice to the State; proving how they
are injurious, and blaming Dr. Cæsar and Mr. Carmarden for what
they allege therein. The writer, who was allowed hopes of half the
Queen's forfeitures on the said goods, wants a recommendation to
the Attorney General to stay proceedings till the matter be examined.
[1 page.] |
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Endorsed "Note of Mr. Honeyman's concerning De la Barre's
cause." |
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55. Statement signed by Gervase Bishop of Worcester, and Lord
Chief Justice Popham, that the accusations now brought by Jeffery
Granow against Maverick, a learned preacher, are similar to those
brought forward in 1586, and several times since; referred to
justices of peace of Devonshire, the late bishop and mayor of Exeter,
and the Lords of the Council, and pronounced to be groundless and
vexatious, Gronow being a man of evil life and conversation. [1½
pages.] |
|
56. "A report of Felton's carriage in the service touching recusants," by Mr. Spiller. He has been in the service five years, and has
only increased the revenue 1,000l. a year, while he has received
in wages, gifts, or loans 3,400l. Since last Trinity term, he has
received 500l. to follow the service, but he has not benefited Her
Majesty one penny, nor rewarded others who have travelled in the
service at their own charge. Since Michaelmas term, he has had 50l.
imprest and 45l. lent him by Spiller, yet not one penny has been
returned or service done by him, but the greater part consumed in
his inordinate expenses. Last Trinity term he took commissions
out of the Court of Exchequer for 13 counties, all which remain
unexecuted, and he has done the same half-yearly heretofore, to tie
the whole service upon himself, and not to give way to any other,
whereas the Commissioners do good service without Felton's assistance, and upon little allowance other than for their diet. |
|
The second cause why the revenue is no greater is that at his entry
into the service, he promised himself and others allowance from Her
Majesty after the rate of 3s. 4d. for every 20s. he should return, by
which conceit he caused such high and over values to be returned, that
recusants' lands by him found in 40 Eliz. are not yet leased. Finding
Her Majesty's pleasure was not then to make him such allowance,
though by way of reward he continually had great sums of money, he
brought down the value of recusants' lands which before he had improved, thereby to make private benefit by leases to himself and his
friends. Their lower value procured leases to such as fed him with
money; when bigger values were offered by good tenants, Felton
opposed them, and labours to hold the lands at the under value.
Felton has not discretion to follow the service, is no scholar, can
hardly write his own name, and such as he makes choice of to be
dealers under him are censured from the service, which is the third
cause the revenue is no greater. As leases are to be approved by
him, he out of malice, unless he is rewarded, stays them as much as
possible, which is the fourth cause the revenue is no greater. |
|
When Felton hears of any good service done by the general
commissions which Spiller makes for the Queen's benefit, he deals
with the Commissioners' clerks, or such as took pains therein, to
report the service to be his, and promises them good rewards; he
gives the account to the Lord Treasurer, but not a penny to the
parties. He has of late delivered to the Lord Treasurer a note of
service done by him in several counties, to the value of 900l. a year,
for which he had reward, though some of the parties whose lands he
informed to be found were not indicted, neither to this day are any
such values returned as was most falsely suggested. |
|
If the general commissions might go forth into all counties as heretofore, and Felton might not take them from the seal and keep them
in his chamber by dozens; and if the Commissioners for leases will
grant the leases on good security for rent, without Felton's approbation; and if the Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer may also have
order to write process from the inquisitions returned for the halfyear's rent, Spiller will undertake that within one year the revenue
shall be raised to 1,000l. more at least, and the same to continue;
being as much in the first year as Felton's service amounts to in
five, for which he has received above 3,000l., and remains in Her
Majesty's debt 700l., and in the subjects' debt 4,000l. Her Majesty
shall not be at any charge for his service, but when she shall find
the due performance thereof, and without dishonour to the State
or oppression to the subject, he will leave the same to her consideration. [2 pages.] |
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57. "A politic consultation held by Dr. Bagshaw, Father Holt,
Father Stokes, Father Atkinson, Father John Hall, and others,
prisoners in England;" how they might obtain liberty of body, and
of professing openly the Catholic religion. Dr. Bagshaw advised
that if Father Parsons approved, he would write against the
Jesuits as being factious among Catholics, as the Puritans are
among Protestants, calling both sectaries; this would highly please
the Bishops. This proposal was sent to Rome; at first it seemed
harsh to Parsons, and the discreetest of the college opposed it as a
scandal to the Society; but Parsons told them that it was an excellent plot, and would gain liberty to the Catholics, by which they
would know their strength and increase it; that the favour of bishops
and priests would win many over, and that they might write against
us (Jesuits) whether we would or not, publish the book against us,
and procure our hurt when any of us went to England; and that
scandal could not be worse in England than it was. So a messenger
was sent to the Jesuits at Douay, and thence to England with
Father Parsons' approval. I could never understand why the book
was not published, and the consequence of acting this counterfeit
discord is mere abusing to the Church and the world. [1½ pages,
in the same hand as the following.] |
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58. Confession by—of the devices of the Jesuits to discredit the
secular priests in England. Envying them because of a book called
Quodlibet, lately published in England, they discredit them with
Queen and Council covertly, one of them pretending to be moved by
conscience to reveal something to their prejudice, viz., that though
seemingly at variance with the Jesuits, they were really combined;
that the Quodlibet was arranged between them, and some of the
seculars were active in publishing it, and worse affected to Queen
and country than any Jesuit, some vowing to stab her, others consenting thereto, and believing that I was to be the actor; I therefore
came to France, the exordium of the plot being the feigned stratagem
of firing of the navy. |
|
The sequel is to be a discovery of the composition between the
Jesuits and seculars, accusing Dr. Bagshaw of vowing to stab Her
Majesty, and saying that Dr. Bishop had consented, and that I was
adjured to the practice by two Jesuits, named Roberts and Allen;
that I have failed by confessing the truth, rather through God's
providence by his discreet minister the lord ambassador than by
my own intention, though I have since felt remorse for my offence;
that I crave pardon of God and man; that I had 6l. 6s. 8d. for my
expenses, and was to meet Roberts and Allen at Cologne after, and
have 20l. more, and be sent to Rome and made a Jesuit. [1¾ pages.] |
|
59. Extracts from a Latin book printed at Paris in 1602, and seized
by the Inquisition, the author of which agrees in opinion with the
setters forth of the late English books; being six propositions against
the exercise of papal authority over princes. [½ page. Latin.] |
|
60. Project for restoring the Roman Catholic religion in England on
the death of Queen Elizabeth, intituled "A discourse of the providence
necessary to be had for the setting up the Catholic faith when God
shall call the Queen out of this life." Showing the necessity of
unaminity in the Catholics in choice of a successor, to be nominated
by the Pope; proposing modes of conciliating the English to the
faith by confirming church lands to their present owners, abolishing
the Court of Wards, restoring freedom of speech in Parliament,
reforming the Law Courts, &c. also proposing that on the Queen's
death, possession be taken of the Navy and the Tower. The Earl
of Westmoreland should prevent the coming of the King of Scots,
who cannot be made a Catholic, unless the Earl die previously of
melancholy. [31 pages.] |
|
61. List of 167 ministers and preachers in the several colleges of the
University of Cambridge, unbeneficed, 37 being bachelors in divinity
and 110 masters of arts. [2 sheets.] |
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Endorsed with note that "there are in the University at least
half as many more, being Masters of Arts, fit and ready to enter into
orders. |
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62. Extracts [by Dud. Carleton] from the French and Spanish laws,
from 1543 to 1601, touching apparel, forbidding to any but persons
of the highest rank the wearing of cloth of gold and silver, &c.
[3 pages.] |
|
63. Notes on origin of the name Brittany, from a company of
Britains who took refuge there; and of Albion, from Albion son of
Neptune, &c. [6 lines.] |
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Map of Essex, containing 20 towns, 414 villages, 19 hundreds, 7
rivers, 28 bridges, and 46 parks. [Engraved. Case G., Eliz., No. 20.] |
