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Aug. 5.
Antwerp. |
80. John Lee to Lord Burghley. The Earl of Westmorelandsent
his servant the last of July for me to go to him, as he was determined to deliver to me all he knew, and would seek by all dutiful
means Her Majesty's favour, but found his entry very strait, and
would have me come over with his letters. I would have gone to
him had I been fit, but I would not undertake the carriage of
his letters till I knew your pleasure; if you will order me, I will,
as far as my weakness permits, do what is required. |
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The Papists in the Low Countries have defaced Sir H. Gilbert
to the Spanish soldiers, affirming that he has no skill, which animates
them the more who were before doubtful, considering the situation of
the place. Here is great talk that Flushing should have been
betrayed, and divers are doubtful of it as yet; it is thought that
Mons. Seras should be the doer thereof; not withstanding his brother
is brought from Brussels hither a prisoner, and committed to the
castle, who was not long since sent on purpose to Flushing to confer
with him. It is further thought that Mons. De Renes coming to
Bruges was in hope thereof; he remains as yet on the coast. |
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It behoves Sir H. Gilbert and the English soldiers to be circumspect, for I perceive by the Papists here that there are plots laid,
and that Beauvois, captain of Middleburgh, Mons. De Renes, and
Bonsheaw, general of Holland, lie in the wind to entrap them, if
they take any enterprise in hand in Zealand, as they were lately
minded to do. If I had sure conveyance, and thought it would be
well accepted, I would advertise Sir H. Gilbertfrom time to time
of any practice intended against Flushing. Count la Mark has gone
from Brill towards the Prince of Orange; Sir Fras. Englefield
remains here, and is daily accompanied with the Papists here; it is
thought he will shortly take his turn towards the King of Spain.
Fras. Norton beseeches you to remember his poor estate, and daily
shows himself most dutiful. Mr. Bradte, the bearer, to whom I
have been beholden in this my extremity, can declare how dutifully
he is inclined, and can further enlarge upon how all matters stand
here. [2 pages. The italics are in cipher, deciphered.] |
Aug. 9.
Berwick. |
81. Henry Lord Hunsdon to Lord Burghley. I was ready this
morning to deliver the Earl of Northumberland to Sir John Forster,
according to our appointment, but received the Queen's letter to
stay him on my discretion, until I heard from her again. If he went
this night to Alnwick, he would be at York on Tuesday, and so
either the next day or Thursday be executed, and then too late to
stay it, though Her Majesty might be contend to defer it; but if
she continues in her resolution, it shall be presently fulfilled upon
word again from her. The principal cause that I sought to prolong
his execution was to have her understand his brother's doings
towards her, for surely if his brother's affection towards the Scottish Queen, and his other dealings towards Her Majesty be such as
is commonly spoken, Her Majesty shall do herself a worse turn by
setting the one up than by keeping the other alive; besides she
will lose the benefit of his living, and as many as have any gift of
her of anything of his may pick a salad. |
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I asked Her Majesty's leave to make a posting journey to Warwick, as my Lord of Leicester is like to have his white staff there,
and being in sight, it might have procured me that which by
absence I am sure never to get; Her Majesty has answered me
that she could be well content to have me there for six or seven
days, but she doubted that I should tarry so many weeks or longer,
and then the poor Marshal, who has been there so long, and so many
ways troubled, should be fain to bear all the charge and burden, and
then she must be fain to reward him extraordinarily; yet in an interline, she puts it to my discretion to come for a short time. I thought
I had deserved to have my pains and charges as well considered
as his, for his liberty these four years has been as great as mine;
for every groat he has spent, I have spent a pound, and have been
put to more journeys with greater charge, and never asked any
allowances, but the law is ended as a man is friended. |
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Since there is no necessity of my being here, all being quiet, if
Her Majesty will give me leave to occupy by deputy, according
to my patent, I shall be the more able to serve her, and will
allow Mr. Marshal 200l. a year and some commodity towards
his house, which is as much as has ever been allowed, and more
than he will have to spend. If this is not thought reasonable,
as you were the chief means of my having this charge, be a means
to Her Majesty to bestow it upon some other; I neither can
away with this continual toil and charge, nor will be so bound to
the stake if the fee were twice as good, for I lose no small things in
the small living that I have; therefore as if you continue your
good favour towards me, procure either one or the other. The posts
are very negligent in riding, for the packet that I sent to the Court
the first of this month only arrived on the fifth. [2 pages.] |
Aug. 22.
Ashby. |
82. John Dryden to Richard Catesby at Ledgers Ashby. Thanks
for your letters and warrants; I do not know when I shall meet
Mr. Temple, but I have made him privy to our talk at Northampton.
He wants my brother Boyle to help him to a parsonage. [½ page.] |
| Aug. 26 ? |
83. Note of the charges of Sir John Forster for post horses, &c.
in conveying the late Earl of Northumberland from Alnwick [Aug.
18 to 21] to York, and returning with his company [Aug. 23 to 25];
total, 154l. 11s. 4d., of which 66l. 13s. 4d. has been received from
Lord Hunsdon, leaving a balance of 87l. 18s. [1 page. The Earl
was beheaded at York, Aug. 22.] |
