Addenda, Queen Elizabeth - Volume 24: April 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: April 1575', in Calendar of State Papers Domestic: Elizabeth, Addenda, 1566-79, (London, 1871) pp. 481-483. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/domestic/edw-eliz/addenda/1566-79/pp481-483 [accessed 27 March 2024]

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April 1575

April 8.
Calais.
13. Egremont Radcliffe to Lord Burghley. As I signified by my last of 24 March, I have been certified by Dr. Wilson, as from you, that my Lord my brother, at your earnest request, after a year's trial of my constancy, consents to my return home; and that meantime he would maintain me in some place abroad, where Her Majesty and Council should like, and where I might learn martial feats. Whereupon, according to Mr. Wilson's appointment, I am come to Calais, and attend Her Majesty's and your pleasure. Pray consider my estate, and how my only confidence, next God, is in you. What I have done to recover Her Majesty's and my brother's favour you know, which if I should not now obtain, I were utterly undone. I have received a letter from Mr. Wilson to-day, different from that he showed me from you, for he writes that my Lord my brother would not once look on my letter of submission, and that until he is persuaded, Her Majesty will not grant me mercy; I know not what to do, for I cannot live without relief. Pray tell me what I may be assured of. The bearer, Mr. Brune, can certify my case, by whom let me know your pleasure. [1½ pages.]
April 9.
Antwerp.
14. Thos. Copley to Lord Burghley. I told Mr. Hopkins your answer to his suit, and he has written to you thereon. Pray keep me no longer between hope and fear; uncertainty hinders me more than denial, for I might then seek other means to support the intolerable charge of my many children. The sooner I am received to grace the sooner my service will be of use, and you will do a good deed. What honour can grow by rejecting my offer of loyalty and service? God may take my cause into his own hands, and your rejecting me will be thought merciless. Others I hear seek to deface me, but God helps those who cannot help themselves, and abases those who condemn others. I will perform all I proffer, if I may have my own restored, which cannot in conscience or law be detained from me. Let me know soon what will be the end of my suit. [2 pages.]
April 13.
Antwerp.
15. Edw. Woodshaw to Lord Burghley. Since may last to Dr. Wilson, which I hope he has participated to you, I am requested by M. de Tyrlonge, master of the artillery, to levy 900 pioneers in Flanders, and Count de Reulx offered me a band of Walloons, under his son-in-law, Count de Fokenberg; if I can I will refuse their offers, because I promised Dr. Wilson to be at your command, but I want your answer, as I cannot maintain myself; I shall be forced to serve again unless I may serve the Queen. Great preparations are made for wars; 40 ancients of Walloons and 5,000 pioneers are to be raised, and on 6 May the camp marches towards Holland. The bruit is the Prince has got Sparren Dam (sic). I will write more at length to Dr. Wilson. [1 page.]
April 13.
Antwerp.
16. Edw. Woodshaw to Dr. Wilson. Similar to the above. Pray persuade the Lord Treasurer to send over Sir Wm. Drury, a martial gentleman and a prompt and expert soldier, to talk with M. de la Motte about our opposite town; then I hope you will find your travail well employed. I wrote you about Westmoreland and M. de Lyck's answer concerning Rob. Gardiner. Copley is my enemy, but I care not, and Thos. Moffat is a villain, as I will show you; Capt. Price, Digby, and Thickins are here in good wages. I will tell you how they proceed.
Unless I hear from you by next post, I must take wages and follow the camp. If forced to this, I will write camp news. Mr. Rogers has gone to Holland, and we have no news of him. Your gelding is here; I wish he were mine, at a reasonable price. Send your answer to Jas. Harvey. [2 pages.]
April 18.
Malines.
17. John Heywood to Lord Burghley. I hear what an earnest suitor your wife is for me in my old age, when my friends are dead, my living detained from me, and the chief of it, a lease in Romney marsh, bought utterly from me, and not one penny paid for 2½ years. God reward you and my Lady for ordering my son to send me the arrears. Beggers should not be choosers, yet I would crave to enjoy the rest of my poor living here quietly, by a patent for life, which cannot be long, as I am now 78; I will live as a poor, honest, quiet old men, and spend my time in prayer and looking to my last end. Pray appoint and Exchequer officer to help my daughter therein, that I may have my arrears, since I was proclaimed, speedily sent me, and the rest of my living, except the lease that is bought from me; and let the patent be to myself and my assigns, that I may boldly take order for my maintenance, lest it come not till I am dead, which is a day after the fair.
Dated "From Malines, where I have been spoiled by Spaniards and German soldiers of a good part of the little I had." [1 page.]
April 18. 18. Report by Thomas Ruck, of Cranbrook, Kent, merchant, addressed, to the Lord Treasurer. Being at Dieppe, in company of other English merchants, and Mr. Crewes, a gentleman of Cornwall, I inquired of John Atkinson who Crewes was; was told that he was a Papist, and very conversant with the Jacobin friars in Rouen, and had great secrets committed to him touching perilous attempts against Her Majesty and the realm, which I think it my duty to reveal.
That a certain Scottish Lord had lately come to the French Court, who had been in England, in merchant's apparel three months, and had travelled in the north parts, especially in Northumberland and Cumberland, with certain gentlemen who have promised to assist him with 2,000 men or more.
That if the French King concluded peace with his subjects, the enterprise should then go forward with expedition.
That the Bishop of Ross has a large sum of money coming from the Bishop of Rome, and orders to gather a larger sum of the spirituality and religious houses in France, to further this enterprise.
Crewes declared to Atkinson that he was going immediately to Rouen and Paris, to understand more of the matter, and would return to England if I would stay 10 days, which I promised to do, but Crewes did not come.
He requested to have a gelding passed into France, when I promised to do all I could.
The French King had 30 men-of-war in the Narrow Seas, all well appointed, four whereof are taken to Rochelle. [1page.]
April ? 19. Articles of complaint exhibited to Council by Wm. Noble of Oxford, against certain unruly persons of the University, as well those whose names are in the bill exhibited in the Star Chamber as others:—
1. A riot last Midsummer, by an attempt to break open the gates of the Cross inn by University men, who assembled nearly 1,000 armed.
2. John Bust, M.A., of Christchurch, and 40 or 50 others breaking into the house of Edm. Bennet. one of Similar instances of misdemeanor by Rich. Barret, one of the proctors, Hen. Snow, M.A., of Christchurch, Chris. Toldervery, M.A., and others, in breaking into the houses and attacking the persons of the inhabitants, so that after dark no one can carry a winepot in his hand in the street but it is taken away, or a lantern, but it is smitten out of his hand. Also complaint that Thos. Hickson and others liberated a goldsmith, committed by the bailiffs of the city for selling counterfeit coin. [1 sheet.]
April ? 20. Articles of complaint exhibited to Council by Wm. Noble, bailiff of Oxford, against Roger Tailer, Tho. Williams, Nich. Tod, and Roger Hewett, late mayor of Oxford, for violation of their duty in the commission of peace, letting offenders go unpunished, keeping back the recognizances of prisoners who fail to appear when bound, not enforcing the laws against gaming, &c., nor the Acts for the poor, and for maintenance of artillery; also non-punishment for perjury of a jury who refused to convict of a robbery men who themselves confessed the fact. [1 sheet, damaged .]