Addenda, Queen Elizabeth - Volume 24: February 1575

Calendar of State Papers Domestic: Elizabeth, Addenda, 1566-79. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1871.

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'Addenda, Queen Elizabeth - Volume 24: February 1575', in Calendar of State Papers Domestic: Elizabeth, Addenda, 1566-79, (London, 1871) pp. 477-478. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/domestic/edw-eliz/addenda/1566-79/pp477-478 [accessed 27 March 2024]

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February 1575

Feb. 16.
Bruges.
4. Egremont Ratcliffe to Lord Burghley. My extreme misery must excuse my boldness in writing to you. Pray let me know Her Majesty's resolution about my pardon. It is a year since I left the entertainment I had of the King of Spain, because I would openly sue for Her Majesty's favour, and make satisfaction for my offence. My very enemies will bear witness what injuries I have suffered in Spain, for defending the Queen against Stuckley and others, and what a number malice me because I seek my pardon. pardon my frequent letters sent by Dr. Wilson and Avery Phillipps, but I have been so long without entertainment that I have spent all I had, and got so indebted that I must take where I have refused, and am loath to do, if I might choose. I trust in you, and beg your answer. [1¾ pages.]
Feb. 17.
Antwerp.
5. Edw. Woodshaw to the Earl of Westmoreland. I have been lately moved by a devilish man [Moffatt] to be an instrument to your utter undoing, and conjured to keep it secret. I warn you not to trust evil men. If you will write me by the bearer, I will come to you, and give you such knowledge that, if you will be secret, you may entrap the layer of the traps, get 1,000l., and rejoice your friends and shame your enemies. I will tell you more when we meet. I defy all the gold and silver in the world, and would lose all rather than I would seek your death, and be such an enemy to the King and the Catholic cause. I have ever helped my poor countrymen.
With note that he said that my Lord Ambassador wished him to repair to Moffatt, to whom he had delivered a letter from the Earl of Leicester, whereby he should understand more of the matter, which his Lordship said he neither knew nor would know. [1 page, copy.]
Feb. 19.
Guildhall,
London.
6. Inquisition post mortem, before Jas. Hawes, mayor, and the escheator of London, on Thos. Shottesham, proving that he was seized of a messuage or tenement in St. Mary's Hill, London, now occupied by Rudolph Hutchinson; that beyond this, he was not worth more than 5l. a year; and that Joanna, wife of Thos. Elliott, pewterer of London, now 34 years of age, is his daughter and nearest heir. [4 sheets, much damaged, Latin.]
Feb. 27. 7. Edw. Woodshaw to Lord Burghley. I trust you have received my letters from Sir Thos. Gresham, with one from the Earl of Westmoreland to me. I went to Louvaine to the Earl, who was very friendly; after much talk, it was concluded that when I heard from you or my Lord of Leicester, or had news by Moffatt, who has gone to dwell at Bruges, I should repair again to him, and he would act as I counselled him; but he feared you and Lord Leicester would send no money. I told him Moffatt said you would, but I had had no reply from you, and it was rare for noblemen and councillors to write to a simple gentleman, unless known before. He said Moffatt reported that I had heard from you; I said it was a lie, and he believed me rather than Moffatt, against whom he spoke ill, though recommended by his dearest friends out of England. He showed me a letter in which Copley praised Moffatt, and dispraised me for consenting to such a treason; so I perceive Copley is still the same man. I shall meddle no further till I hear from you. I wish you knew my faithful heart.
As to my journey to Spain, if you do not like me to carry letters from the Queen to the King for the voyage against the Turks, I beg money for my voyage. I doubt not, by the letters I shall carry hence, to get the money owing me, a pension, and a charge of Walloons, or entertainment for 300 English, on pretence to entertain all Catholics that come hither for conscience; we shall remain in garrison at St. Omer, thus preventing every man that comes hither from running to Spain for a pension. Young Hen. Carew has returned hither, having got 20 crowns a month pension, through a letter I got him from Count de Reulx. I know the Queen will well recompense my services. I much desire to live in my country. [3 pages.]
[Feb.] 8. "An Act concerning good hospitality among the clergy," and for reformation of enormities on their behalf to be redressed.
Ample revenues were granted the clergy that they might show hospitality, but many, being now married, neglect it, keep fewer servants, and reserve their incomes for their children. For redress whereof, all bishops, deans, masters of colleges, &c., are to retain as many servants, &c., as were held 30 Hen. VIII. As the wives of ministers should give themselves to prayer, alms deeds, and ministering to the poor, they are to be allowed no government of their households, except of children and maid-servants. Officers are to be kept to see to needful repairs. No land or mansion house is to be let on lease, but only by the year; and all leases since the last of Queen Mary shall be made void.
Religion is now restored, idolatry banished, and a form of common prayer appointed, which, as well as a catechism, and the correction of ecclesiastical laws was prepared, during 16 years, by bishops, with aid of secretaries and writers, whom they rewarded with keeperships of chaces, registrarships, &c., which offices are little regarded; their offices are therefore to be restored to their wanted privileges. If the owners have lost their patents, copies thereof made from the register books are to be of force. [11½ pages, 2 blank leaves. Draft.]