|
| April ? |
82. Note by Henry Earl of Huntingdon, that in the calendar of
names sent from Council, that of Richard Peacock is taken for
Rich. Constable, when no such man was certified, as the words in
the certificate from Scarborough are "The said Richard and Wm.
Constable," which Richard has relation to Richard Peacock in the
line next before mentioned; so that either the same was mistaken
by the person that wrote the calendar, or there was a fault in the
copy of the certificate sent to their Lordships. [½ page.] |
| April ? |
83. Interrogatories for the examination of Robert Scarborough
of Yarmouth, touching his piracy against Scotchmen and others;
viz.: Who was the owner of the ship of Rochester in which he
was master, and who provided victuals, munition, and furniture,
and sent him to sea? Whether he and one Thompson did not
take out of a ship of Preston Pans, coming from London, in April
1577, cloth, velvet, &c. mentioned, as also from David Hamilton
coming from Holland to Yarmouth, the proceeds of a cargo sold in
Flanders, amounting to 240l., and his anchors, sails, &c.; value, 471l.?
Whether they did not plunder a Dysart ship of soap, pewter vessels,
hemp, and dollars, value 240l; and a Kirkcaldy ship of hemp,
kettles, bed covering, &c., value 80l. [1½ pages.] |
April 8.
York. |
84. Examination of Robert Scarborough before Henry Earl of
Huntingdon, Lord President of the North. Was not master of any
ship belonging to Rochester, but of one belonging to one Thompson,
dwelling beside the castle near Rochester, who furnished her with
victuals, munition, and seven men, besides examinate. A fly-boat,
once Phippson's of Rochester, was set forth by Mr. Andrewes, the
Queen's presser, whereof one Hodges was master, in which were
40 men, and a pinnace went with him. Twelve months since,
Thompson bought broad cloths, hats, &c. of Phippson, between
Coquet island and Newcastle, and sold 14 or 15 firkins of soap at
Bridlington to Consett, one of Lord Clinton's men, who said he
was deputy for the Lord Admiral. |
|
Thompson also bought pewter of Clarke and Phippson, with two
cables, but no anchors or sails. Was never at Robin Hood's bay, nor
took or bought anything there, but Phippson gave Thompson
certain bunches of hemp and bed covers. [2¼ pages, copy, certified
by the Earl of Huntingdon.] |
| April 11. |
Certificate by the Commissioners for piracy, of ships fitted as
pirates, pirates' goods received, and victuals supplied to them in
Cornwall, with valuations of the property of some of the offenders.
Also note that the fines already assessed amount to 97l. [Dom.
Eliz., Vol. CXXXV., pp. 161–181.] |
April 11.
The Court. |
85. Robert Earl of Leicester to Wm. Davison, ambassador in the
Low Countries. The bearer, Henry Cavendish, son and heir to the
Countess of Shrewsbury, and my very dear friend, desiring to serve
in those wars of the Low Countries, comes over with the offer of
500 Englishmen and more; most of them are of his own country in
the North, where he dwells, who are desirous to be under his
leading. I have written to the Prince of Orange in his favour, referring the Prince to the Marquis of Haverie, who knows him and will
report of him. Pray have special care of him, and befriend him to
the States and Prince. You know him to be of a very good and
ancient house, and how he is allied, both by his own marriage and
his mother's. He is of great living and of very good credit in his
country, and though young and not trained, nor much experienced
in wars, yet to be esteemed for his earnest desire to serve, and to
learn skill; and by his credit with his country, he is able to
carry many with him. Those he brings are not of the worst
sort, and some he has trained on purpose as expert soldiers, who, by
their skill, are able to supply anything wanting in himself. I shall
think myself beholden for any pleasure you shall do him. Pray
have a care that the leading of his men is not given to any other.
[1 page.] |
April 12.
London. |
86. Henry Killigrew to William Davison. Thanks for your letters
and books. Mr. Randall has come home, and received your letters
for Scottish news. The new councillors are ready to fall by the ears
already. The Earl of Atholl is made Chancellor; the Master of Mar
has had Edinburgh castle delivered to him for the King's use, which
the Earl of Mar and his friends much dislike. We know not who
shall come hither from the King, but on the 8th instant there will
be a convention at Edinburgh, and thence he shall be sent, and the
King will be there about that time. The Hamiltons are now in
danger of their lives, or to leave their country. The Earl of Morton
meddles with nothing, and has gone to Lochleven, and is a glad
man to be rid of his regency; he had his faults, yet some of the
Lords are sorry they have done as they have against him. The
chief drawers on and practisers of this change were the Laird of
Drumwassell, captain of Dumbarton, and Archibald Douglas, two of
no great calling nor fame. The King continues in his learning, but
in his growth not so comely as was looked for. King Charles'
daughter of France, who was named to be a good wife for him, is
dead, and the Cardinal of Guise to keep her company. |
|
I daily look for Mr. Travers, and if he comes in time, will send
him over with your servant now here. It is wished here, both by
honest Scotchmen and others, that my Lord Seaton might receive
his deserts there, or at least continue in safe keeping until the sequel
of this change in Scotland may be more discovered; I know you
will do what you may. There is one Moffatt who haunts your
company, a dangerous double man, and a secret friend to Don
John; so you must be wary of him, if you see cause. |
|
The Marquis has taken his leave at Court, and departs hence on
the 15th inst. Mr. Cavendish, Lady Shrewsbury's son, goes over,
with 500 tall men; he is worthy to be made of there. There are 12
tall ships in Brittany already armed, ready to sail under Monsieur De
la Roche, but where to is uncertain. My wife thanks yours for her
present of thread, which she cannot yet deserve, and for Bon many
thanks; she is yet very tame and pleasant, and will not bite. If
you could spare Mitchell, I shall be glad, as I want him to be
examined as a witness on my behalf. [2½ pages.] |
April 14.
The Court, Greenwich. |
87. Sir F. Knollys, Sir James Crofts, and Sir Fras. Walsingham,
to Mr. Sackford and Mr. Dale, masters of Requests. The bearer,
Rich. Stubbs, Her Majesty's old servant in her confectionery, has
had a matter in suit in your Court against Alex. Crosier more than
a year, and it being now at issue to be tried, Crosier is felling the
trees and making spoil of the houses. We desire you, considering
the premises, and that he is in daily attendance here in Her
Majesty's service, to take speedy order for the ending of his suit
this term, and that no spoil be made or trees felled until the matter
is ended, and that for spoils already done Crosier may put in
sureties to answer. |
|
P.S. [in Knolly's hand].—If this letter is true, I desire you to
expedite the ending of matters, that Stubbs-may speedily enjoy his
own. [¾ page.] |
April 14.
Alnwick. |
88. Sir John Forster, Sir Robert Constable, Wm. Hilton, Robert
Barker, and Thos. Layton, Commissioners for piracy in Northumberland, to the Council. We received your letter with a schedule of
the names of such as had to do with the pirates arriving on these
parts, and have duly considered every man's estate without respect of
person; almost all are poor fishermen; notwithstanding, according
to every man's living, we have made several assessments. [½ page.]
Enclosing, |
|
88. I. List of 155 persons dealing with pirates in Northumberland, and the amount assessed upon or received from
each, in sums varying from 3s. 4d. to 2l. 13s. 4d. each;
total, 147l. 1s. 10d. [2 pages.] 14 April 1578. |
| April 17. |
Certificate by the Commissioners for piracy, of goods bought from
or sold to pirates in co. Gloucester. [Dom. Eliz., Vol. CXXXV.,
pp. 305–307.] |
April 22.
The Court, Greenwich. |
89. Sir Fras. Walsingham to Mr. Sackford and Dr. Dale, masters
of Requests. There is a controversy for a prebend's room in
Rochester, depending in the Common Pleas, between Walter Haite
and John Wollward. Wollward, in a bill of complaint in the
Court of Requests against Haite, alledged that Haite blotted out the
name of Wm. Haite and put in the name of Walter, whereupon an
injunction was granted against Walter to stay the force of the
common law, by force whereof he was not only debarred of a nisi
prius brought down into the country last term for trial of the
right, but greatly damnified, and is like further to be, until he is
dismissed from your Court. I certify therefore that the name of
William Haite was blotted out by Her Majesty's order, and Walter
put in, at the suit of Mrs. Knollys, and beg of you to show your
favour herein, that law and right may take place. [2/3 page.] |
April 24.
Greenwich. |
90. Warrant to John Fortescue, master of the Wardrobe, to
deliver to Abraham Avelyn, appointed Child of the Leash, on resignation of John Streate, sen., the livery and apparel that would be
yearly due to Streate, by virtue of a warrant dormant in the office
of the Great Wardrobe, viz.: 1 coat of red, embroidered on the breast
and back with the Queen's letters; one coat of motley; 2 doublets of
camlet, and 2 of fustain; 18 ells of holland for 6 shirts with draught
work; 4 yards of broad woollen cloth for a gown, furred with Irish
lamb; 6 pairs of hose; 8 pairs of shoes; 4 bonnets; 2 hats; 10 brace
of collars; 8 chains of the best making, and 6 leashes. Also paying
for the making and furring of the same. [1 page, copy.] |
April 30.
London. |
91. John Stubbs to William Davison. I recommend you William
Woodhouse, who, being desirous to become martial, has been
directed to that country, where he may learn both what belongs to a
soldier and a Christian, and while he shall learn to be valiant, and
not to fear men, he may yet learn to fear God; so they have sent
him thither, where he may live or die in a good cause. His father
was of good service, and his mother is now married to a godly
gentleman, who will not forget any help you shall show him. He is
young, and has the imperfections of youth and therefore need of
godly address, but as Mr. Travers knows him well, I need write
no more. The Lord knit us faster in our faith and love, and hope
of everlasting life. [1 page.] |
| April. |
92. Account of allowances made to Rich. Holland, Rich. Nash,
and other merchants of Carmarthen, for the loss of their goods
arrested by the Portuguese at Lisbon; total, 1,185l. [1 page,
copy, by Roger Parker.] |
| April ? |
93. Names and order of precedence of Knights of the Garter,
being 6 sovereign princes, and 16 peers. [½ page.] |
| April? |
Certificate by the Commissioners for piracy of pirate vessels
sent out, and of goods brought from or supplied to pirates in co.
Dorset. [Dom. Eliz., Vol. CXXXV., pp. 219–247.] |
| [April.] |
94. Petition of John Appleby, John Guppy, and Thos. Bond, three
poor watchmen of the parish of St. Brides', Fleet Street, to the
Lord Mayor and aldermen of London. Were called forth on Thursday night to aid the sheriffs in quieting the broil in Fleet Street;
were all wounded, and are likely to be cripples for ever; beg relief
for themselves and their families. [½ page. On 27 April 1578, the
Lord Chief Justice and Master of the Rolls were directed to take
order for repressing frays in the city—"even in the face of their
owne lodgings in Fleete Strete."—Council Register.] |
| April? |
95. Deposition of William Pillen. Was one of the merchants
who freighted the bark Felix from the port of Chester to Lisbon,
which arrived there 6 April, and continued until 28 May. While
there, a great ship of 800 tons also arrived, wherein was Stuckley
and about 700 soldiers, as Stuckley himself gave out. Saw them,
and thinks there were as many; they were mustered before the
King of Portugal, and well liked by him, there being 80 who
were very expert soldiers. Stuckley was called by no other name
than Marquis, and he brought with him one Irish bishop and
three or four priests. For a fortnight after his arrival, he kept on
board, and there entertained resorters, but afterwards a house was
prepared for him in Lisbon, where he kept house. When he first
came to the King of Portugal, he humbled himself to have kissed the
King's hand, but he would not suffer it, and embraced him and
received some letters which he brought from the Pope. |
|
Ten years since, deponent was in Vigo when Stuckley set forth for
Terra Florida, and took certain French ships with linen cloth, and
then he first knew him. When deponent heard that Stuckley was
on board at Lisbon, he and other English merchants went aboard
to him, and asked him whether he knew or had heard of a brother
of deponent's who was in Rome; he said he was with Sir Francis
Englefield, and had gone with him to Louvaine. Afterwards
deponent supped with Stuckley and a knight of Spain, whom he
termed Don John, and who called Stuckley his Excellency, as also
with one Cleburne, a Lancashire man, who, as he affirmed, had six
ducats a month. Stuckley rode about there with a page before and
behind him, in the degree of a Marquis; the vessel that he and his
company came in was old and worn, and was broken up there.
Stuckley told deponent that the King of Spain proffered him great
titles of honour, and he refused them; but that the title which the
Pope gave him of Marquis of Leinster and Baron or Earl of Washford
he could not refuse; that although they said in England he was going
to Ireland, he was not appointed for it; that he knew Ireland as
well as the best, but there was nothing to be got but hunger and lice.
"They say (said he) that I am a traitor to Her Majesty; 'tis they
are traitors that say so. I will ever accept her as my Queen. It is
true there is in England my cruel enemy, Cecil the Treasurer, whom
I care not for. I have had 1,000 ducats of the Pope, and I have
1,000 a month, and am to serve the King of Portugal in Africa
against the Moors." |
|
Saw the King of Portugal's fleet of above 20 ships; the Duke
of Burgundy and Don Edward, with others of estate in Portugal,
were appointed to go with it. About six of the Moorish princes,
who had fled from the Moors, came to join with the King of
Portugal. Saw no likelihood of Stuckley invading Ireland, as he
had neither power nor shipping, except the King prepared the whole
navy for him; saw no cause why he should or should not, but all his
preparations were only against the Moors, as was given out. There
was another ship of London at Lisbon at the same time, which has
since returned, the master of which knows the contents hereof to be
true. [2¼ pages.] |
