Addenda, Queen Elizabeth - Volume 31: May 1589

Calendar of State Papers Domestic: Elizabeth, Addenda 1580-1625. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1872.

This premium content was digitised by double rekeying. All rights reserved.

'Addenda, Queen Elizabeth - Volume 31: May 1589', in Calendar of State Papers Domestic: Elizabeth, Addenda 1580-1625, (London, 1872) pp. 267-270. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/domestic/edw-eliz/addenda/1580-1625/pp267-270 [accessed 25 March 2024]

Image
Image
Image
Image

May 1589

April 21.
May 1.
Antwerp.
18. B.[Thos. Barnes to Phelippes]. A service has been propounded to me by Fathers Holt and Owen, which will be grateful to the best sort of Catholics here, and a commodity to myself, when an alteration happens in England, as is probable shortly; that is to return to London or about Court, advertising of matters demanded, and executing what Card. Allen, Owen, and Holt think necessary. At first I seemed unwilling, but finding that matters of moment would be committed to my charge, I told Father Holt I would undertake the service, though I knew there were others more sufficient. He said he wished me to accept it for old acquaintance, because it was important, and he feared an Englishman who had lately gone over and come again, whom you know I have cause to fear. C. Paget brought news from France that the Master of Gray and his man made special inquiry where I was, as they had letters of importance to send me, which Paget interpreted to be from Mr. Secretary, but that matter is salved by friendship. To frame a more colourable answer, I would I had known of any such letter sent when I was with you.
There is a friar called Arthur with you in London, of whom you make great account; take heed of him, for he corresponds with a Portuguese in Antwerp. Send me instructions; this is an opportunity to enter on a great matter. I want money according to your promise; address it to St. Clares St., Antwerp. [1 page. The passages in italics are in cipher, deciphered by Phelippes.]
April 23./May 3. 19. [T. Phelippes? to Barnes]. I have received yours of the 1st, but not of the 23rd ult. If letters miscarry, it should be provided for. E. allows you to accept that overture, and has sent you 20l. for your expenses hither. Come by Middleburgh, and bring the things? you have ready, as I cannot send expressly for them. If you cannot come soon, send them to E. who will see them conveyed to us; write that they are for the Queen's service, and require him to send them to D. at London. If it be not safe to address an Englishman, direct to him in Dutch, as John Whytsand. Have ample instructions for your addresses in Court or elsewhere for intelligence. I will put them in mind for supply of maintenance. I repose so on your discretion that I will not trouble you more. [Draft by T. Phelippes, much corrected.]
May 6.
The Court.
20. The Council to Mr. Rugby and Mr. Herbert, Masters of Requests. Half a year since, we recommended to you the cause of one Cross, a poor aged minister, who had long importuned us concerning a cause between him and Edmond Hall, of London. Understanding that you had done nothing, we commanded one of our clerks to remind you to hear it, whereby the party might surcease to be troublesome to us; nevertheless he still daily follows us with great importunity. We think that in reason you ought to have such care of those causes of poor supplicants addressed from us to you as to examine and end them, or advertise us of your proceedings, that we may know how to answer the parties. [1 page.]
May 14. 21. Note of the distribution, between the officers and men, of 24l. 6s. appointed for a weekly imprest to a company of 150 men. [1¼ pages, noted by Burghley.]
May ? 22. Notes [by Lord Burghley] upon the payment of a band of 150 men, by lendings or otherwise, and the differences accruing from sundry modes of payment. [¾ page.]
May 29.
Alnwick.
23. Sir John Forster to Sec. Walsingham. You have been informed that I continue an extreme dealing towards Sir Cuthbert Collingwood, and desire to be satisfied therein. I protest that I never used any persecution to him or his, but have been as equal towards him as to any friend I have, especially for your cause. I marvel what cause he has to complain, considering I never did him any harm, and have never seen him since my coming from London, nor had to do with any matter touching him or his, wherein I have not been upright. If you will have trial hereof, I shall either discharge myself, or never have credit. These informations will prove as false as others that he made before, and if you will direct your letters to any friend he has in Northumberland, I shall either prove his informations false, or else you will think of me as I deserve; and until such time, I beseech you to trust me as well as him.
P.S.—If you will write to Sir Thos. Gray, whose sister your servant, Thomas Collingwood, has married, I shall either discharge myself or take discredit. [1 page.]
May 31./June 10.
St. Malo.
24. M. Fontaines, Governor of St. Malo, to Sir Thomas Leighton, Governor of Guernsey. As a quantity of arquebuses and muskets are necessary for the preservation of this place, I have charged Jas. Beauvoir, of Guernsey, to buy them in London, and bring them over. I beg you to allow them to pass your island without interruption. [1 page, French.]
May 31. 25. Report of B[arnes]. Was forced, for fear of offence, to come hither, though he could have done better service there. Has brought instructions from Owen, Holt, Lord Paget, Charles Paget, and Morgan, and has several alphabets, and directions for conveyance of letters. The service is laid on him with the privity of Cosmo, the Duke's secretary, whose passport he has, and wishes to repass as speedily as he may. The Duke imputes last year's ill success to the want of intelligence in England. Lord Paget made things difficult and doubtful, while others promised assured conquest, and thus won great reputation of the Duke.
There is little money stirring for the English, unless they can get ready payment of pensions by service.
The English hope the King of Spain will be able to weary us out with expense, having led him to think the effecting what he pretended concerns him in honour, while they laugh in their sleeve at having embarked him in their quarrel. Lord Paget dreams we should yield to a peace, with reasonable conditions for the Catholics at home and abroad, and wishes it in conscience, to avoid the misery ensuing on conquest.
They have little intelligence, or such as makes them condemn the enterprise of Sir John Norris and Sir Fras. Drake; they have none but by Twing at Calais, and another at St. Omer. They can trust none in England, as all platforms fell to the ground on the death of the Queen of Scots. Their next design will be built on other ground than religion; and they harp much on Lady Arabella, despairing of the King of Scots, whom Father Holt calls the cunningest young man ever bred.
Col. Simple was blamed for ordering his man to pass through England.
The last ambassador to England was met on his return at Enchuysen by a Scot, who brought him a secret commission to treat with the Duke of Parma. He spoke discontentedly of his usage here, complaining of our acting, &c.
The Duke [of Parma] was at the Spa, discontent, and in disgrace, because the Duke of Medina imputed the ill success of the fleet to him, as he did to Medina. The Dukes of Pestrana and Prince of Ascoli are at Antwerp, and have a grudge against Parma. The soldiers in field and garrison are 28,000, but the Duke has no money for them. The Marquis de Burgo, with some troops, is going to assist the leaguers in France, and more are to be levied at the King of Spain's charge. The Duke has 120 ships, and they are preparing 300 small boats, seemingly for surprise of some town.
He (Barnes) was asked to win for money the keeper of some castle on the coast of Flanders (sic), especially Vane of Dover castle. [1¾ pages, copy.]
May 31. 26. Draft of the above [by Phelippes]. [2 pages.]
May. 27. Instructions by Charles Paget to B[arnes]. To learn why the King of Scots was not established heir apparent to the Crown, according to promises, and how he takes the non-performance. What conceit Queen and Council have of his marriage with Denmark; who of the Council favour him, and on whom he relies for settling the Crown. How the late division amongst Council, about the Protestants and Puritans, is compounded. What party Arabella and her favourers adhere to, and how they mean to bestow her in marriage, seeing Leicester's intention to match his bastard with her is by his death made frustrate. How the realm endures the continual oppressions laid upon them by subsidies, loans, and setting forth of soldiers; and what principal men seem most to repine at it. Whether they would be content to hearken to a peace, on some tolerable conditions for Catholics at home and abroad. If you find this, send an answer by letters if you can, but I fear this, by reason of the often search of the posts and interruption of letters; therefore you had best hire a boat to convey you secretly to these parts.
Certify what ports and havens in the realm are fitted to land in; which are most negligently kept; what number of soldiers, horse, and foot they have for defence; who are the generals and captains; and what store of armour, munition, &c.
Advertise what ships are now at sea, and how appointed, and victualled; their number of soldiers and mariners, &c., and what success you hear Drake has. [½ page; the italics are in cipher deciphered.]
[May.] 28. Petition of Peter Newall to John Wolley, [Latin] Secretary of State, to hear himself the cause between him and David Lloyd, a retail draper, relative to a licence for shipping calf skins obtained for relief of Chester merchants, hearing from Mr. Waad, clerk of the Council, that the cause is referred to the Master of the Rolls and Mr. Solicitor, who are influenced in Lloyd's favour. Lloyd, usurping the name of a merchant, and assisted by his father-in-law, Mr. Bavand, an ironmonger, vintner, mercer, and retailer of many commodities, has exhibited a complaint, coloured as a city's cause, against petitioner, inferring slander against petitioner concerning the licence, and has also laid a plot to work the confusion of the merchants, and of all traffic to and from that city. [½ page.]