James I: Volume 18, January-February, 1606

Calendar of State Papers Domestic: James I, 1603-1610. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1857.

'James I: Volume 18, January-February, 1606', in Calendar of State Papers Domestic: James I, 1603-1610, (London, 1857) pp. 277-294. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/domestic/jas1/1603-10/pp277-294 [accessed 20 April 2024]

January-February, 1606.



Jan. 2.	Grant to Edward Lord Bruce of the Grange of Dodderston, co. York, with other lands of the [late] Earl of Lenox. [Ind. Wt. Bk., p. 49.]
Jan. 2.	1. Testimony of Mich. Humfrey and Walter Mogg relative to the arrest of Henry Carey the younger, in the house of Walter Elsley; popish relics found.
Jan. 3.	2. Examination of Wm. Durnford of Hamworth, Dorsetshire, servant to Henry Carey, sen. Meeting of priests and masses at his master's house. With note from Thomas Visct. Bindon [to the Council] that Hen. Carey, sen., has granted lands to Thos. Loader, alias Thos. Suttell, a seminary priest, whom he has placed in the service of the Earl of Northumberland, or his brother, where he now is.
Jan. 3.	3. Lord Treasurer Dorset to Sir Thos. Lake. Instructions to draw a Privy Seal, of which the form is prefixed, for 15,935£. 14s., for payment to divers shopkeepers of debts contracted by the Queen.
Jan. 3.	4. Anne Lady Markham to Salisbury. Hopes soon to see Gerard the priest, and will keep him in view till she can let Salisbury know where he is. Had the watch at Harrowden been kept two days longer, he would have been starved out. Is obliged to act very cautiously, lest her party should suspect her of betraying them. Richard, the butler, is in the Gatehouse, but in prisons, money will help to send letters to friends.
Jan. 4. Durham.	5. Examination of Eleanor, wife of Thos. Jackson, of Bishop- Auckland. Confesses that on Nov. 5, she said she was glad of Parliament's meeting, as it would either end or mend them, meaning recusants, who, she thought, would either be hanged and freed from sorrow, or have liberty of conscience; denies similar charges drawn from the examinations of John Pattison and Wm. Sonkey.
Jan. 4. Stirling.	6. John Earl of Mar to Salisbury. Has no greater care than the welfare of the King, his children, and councillors. All things quiet in Scotland.
Jan. 7. Exeter.	7. Mayor of Exeter to the Same. Information of an embargo laid on English ships and goods in Spain, about the time of the horrible intended treason. Incloses, 7. I. Examination of Edward Bayley, shipmaster, in relation thereto. Jan. 6.
Jan. 8. Edinburgh.	8. Earl of Dunfermline to the Same. Though the Powder Treason was not openly supported abroad, the conspirators had intelligence with persons dependent on foreign princes. The Earl of Dunbar diligent at the Council. The Earl of Mar expected when it meets at Linlithgow, for the censure of some troublesome ministers, against whom the King has conceived greater offence than they are worthy of. The town is free from plague, &c.
Jan. 8. Florence.	9. Tobie Matthew to Dud. Carleton. Presumes the sickness of Lord Norris prevented Carleton from being in England time enough to be suspected of implication in the Powder Plot, on account of his connection with Northumberland. His own travels in Italy; names of Englishmen there.
Jan. 8.	Anonymous to --. The Earl of Salisbury is as violent as ever against Catholics; some of the best sort should request the mediation of the Spanish Ambassador; if that fail they must "ferire" or "perire." His son might get a place in Salisbury's service, "and soe have an open way to doe what they list." "If Hector weare gone the Troians would be quietter." Signed, "You know me." Indorsed, "Copy of a writing found in the street, at one Lees' dore, over against St. Clement's church, the 8th of Jan. 1605." [G. Plot Bk., No. 162.]
Jan. 8 ?	10. D. B. [Rich. or David Barrett] to [Mr. Roberts]. Expects to be discharged. The Bishop checks the keeper for base usage of him, which had compelled him to write to a Privy Councillor. Conspiracy detected of five persons who have sworn to kill the King and Salisbury. Lassells, of the Bed Chamber, committed. Words between the Earls of Devonshire and Salisbury. [See Feb. 12.]
Jan. 8 ? Gatehouse.	11. Rich. Barrett to Thos. Ward. As to the delivery of the preceding letter to Mr. Roberts.
Jan. 8.	12. Confession of John Talbot. Came to his cousin Talbot at Pepper-hill, 7th Nov.; told him of Winter's rising, and that his brother Talbot was ordered by the Sheriff to be in readiness to serve the King.
Jan. 9.	13. Examination of Sir Ever. Digby. Took the oath from Catesby, but was excused by him from taking the sacrament upon it.
Jan. 9.	Examination of Guy Faukes. Sir Edw. Baynham was sent by Catesby to the Pope, to complain of the persecutions of Catholics, and was to be ready in Rome to negotiate for help, if the Plot succeeded. [G. Plot Bk., No. 163.]
Jan. 9.	Examination of Thos. Winter. Manner of taking the oath of secresy; Gerard, alias Lee, the priest, gave them the sacrament afterwards, but knew not of the Plot. [Ibid., No. 164.]
Jan. 9. Gloucester.	14. Recorder and others of Gloucester to the Vice-Chancellor, &c., of Oxford. Will further the projects of Jas. Jessopp, for making the Thames navigable from Burcott to Oxford, and from thence to Crockley-in-the-Edge, Gloucestershire.
Jan. 10.	Voluntary declaration of Hen. Morgan, late of Norbrook, co. Warwick. Has seen Greenway at Winter's and Grant's; he was with the conspirators on Nov. 6, attired in "coloured sattin done with gould lace," but left them. [G. Plot Bk., No. 165.] Annexed is, I. Note by Amb. Rokewood of seeing Catesby and Percy converse at Winter's house with a gentleman, who then rode away. [Ibid.]
Jan. 11.	15 Sir Rob. Mansell and Sir John Trevor to [Lord Admiral Nottingham]. Recommend Capt. Chris. Newport for the reversion of the office of one of the principal masters of the navy.
Jan. 13.	16. Lord Admiral Nottingham to Sir Rob. Mansell, Sir Hen. Palmer, Sir John Trevor, and Sir Peter Buck, principal officers of the navy. Grants to Capt. Chris. Newport the reversion solicited, after the placing of John King.
Jan. 13.	Examination of Thos. Bates, servant of Rob. Catesby. Was sent from Mr. Grant's of Norbrook to Coughton, Thos. Throgmorton's house, hired by Sir Ever. Digby, with a letter to Father Farmer, alias Walley [Garnet]; he shewed the letter to Greenway, who returned with Bates to Winter's house, and had an interview with Catesby; thinks Greenway is at Mr. Abington's, in Worcestershire. [G. Plot Bk., No. 166.]
Jan. 13.	Copy of the above. [Ibid., No. 167.]
Jan. 13. Carlisle.	17. Sir Wilfrid Lawson to Salisbury. The Grahams still returning, but hardly any arrested. Gaol deliveries at Carlisle and Newcastle. Thanks for being reinstated in Cockermouth Castle.
Jan. 14. Carlisle.	18. Chris. Pickering and Cuth. Curwen to Lords Salisbury and Wotton. They have summoned the tenants of the Earl of Cumberland, who promise to pay certain corn rents, notwithstanding that they have paid the same to the Grahams, who have broken out as open outlaws, and are the sole hindrance to the peace of the county.
Jan. 15.	Grant to Norman Lisle of the office of musician to the Duke of York, for life. [Grant Bk., p. 13.]
Jan 15. Whitehall.	19. Earl of Salisbury to Lady Markham. Though loath to prosecute the Jesuits, yet finding they have been principals in the conspiracy, accepts her offer to apprehend Gerard the priest, and sends her a blank warrant for his capture. Her fidelity may advantage her husband. Gerard, Walley, and Greenway are the guilty priests.
Jan. 15. Westminster.	Proclamation for the apprehension and discovery of John Gerard, Henry Garnet, and Oswald Tesmond. Printed. [Proc. Bk., p. 120.]
[Jan. 15]	20. Description of the person, &c., of John Gerard, the Jesuit.
[Jan. 15.]	21. Same of Greenwell, alias Tesmond.
Jan. 15.	22. Earl of Salisbury to Sir Thos. Lake. The dispute between the Spanish Ambassador and M. Noel de Caron, the Dutch Ambassador, about the ship taken in the Narrow Seas, can only be settled by the ordinary course of justice. Caron jealous of Spanish influence. All prizes taken are compelled to be restored, if they come into the Narrow Seas, which is hard upon the Hollanders who can scarcely avoid those seas in returning home.
Jan. 16.	23. Roger Duckett to [Mr. Lanfrank ?]. Has not seen Mr. Fountayne, and has no news of the bills of exchange.
Jan. 17.	Examination of Rob. Winter, of Huddington, Worcestershire. Past associations with the conspirators; on Nov. 7th Father Hammond, though knowing their share in the Plot, confessed and absolved them all, and gave them the sacrament; when he and Stephen Littleton fled, they sent twice to Father Hall for help. [G. Plot Bk., No. 168.]
Jan. 17.	Examination of the Same. Was told of the Plot by Catesby at Oxford a year ago, and took the oath of secresy; Catesby said he would save such of the Catholic nobility as he could, and would proclaim the Princess Elizabeth Queen. [Ibid., No. 169.]
Jan. 17.	Examination of Thos. Winter. Went to Rome in Christmas, 1599; had the Plot succeeded, Hugh Owen would have instructed Sir Edward Baynham to inform the Pope, and get help from him; admission of Rob. Winter into the Plot; taking the sacrament at Huddington. [Ibid., No. 170.]
Jan. 17.	Note by Amb. Rokewood that Catesby and Thos. Winter told him that they had acquainted Rob. Winter with the Plot. [Ibid., No. 171.]
Jan. 17.	Examination of Stephen Littleton, of Holbeach, co. Stafford. His share in the insurrection. Greenway was sent for to Huddington; escaped with Rob. Winter, from Holbeach, and since then, they have lain hid in barns and poor men's houses in Worcestershire. Went with Thos. Winter to Mr. Talbot's, but did not hear what passed. Winter said that Mr. Talbot was grieved with their proceeding. Took the sacrament at Huddington, but will rather die than reveal what passed between him and Hammond the priest. [G. Plot Bk., No. 172.]
Jan. 17.	24. Examination of Sir Everard Digby. Catesby told him that the Papists' throats would be cut.
Jan. 17.	25. Examination of John Grant. He and Rob. Winter were sworn into the Plot a year ago, at Oxford. Rob. Winter said it was a dangerous matter, but for his oath's sake, he would not reveal it.
Jan. 18.	Examination of Rich. Cudberd, mariner, of Scarborough, and cook in a ship called "the Gift of God." Interview at the English college in Seville, in October last, with Father Westmoreland, who told him he would find England in a different state at his return, from that in which he left it. [G. Plot Bk., No. 173.]
Jan. 18.	26. Notes of the elections of Sir Wm. Waad, as member of Parliament for Portpigham, Cornwall, and of Mr. Wright, for Queenborough.
Jan. 18. Warwick.	27. Will. Combe to Salisbury. Sends a libel or commination, found fixed on his gate.
Jan. 19. Durham.	28. Wm. James, Dean of Durham, to the Same. Has committed "a base huswyfe, a recusant," for speeches before the Gunpowder Plot. Begs that recusants' conveyances of their lands about the time of the Plot, may be annulled by Parliament. Death of Archbishop Hutton.
Jan. 19. Charlton, Worcestershire.	Fras. Dingley to the Same. Encloses information which Alex. Gower, servant to Rob. Winter, forgot to name in his examination before Sir Hen. Bromley. [G. Plot Bk., No. 174.]
Jan. 20.	Declaration of Guy Faukes. Talked with Catesby about noblemen being absent from the meeting of Parliament; he said Lord Mordaunt would not be there, because he did not like to absent himself from the sermons, as the King did not know he was a Catholic; and that Lord Stourton would not come to town till the Friday after the opening. [Ibid., No. 175.]
[Jan. 20.]	29. Directions [written by Levinus Munck] to Sir Hen. Bromley, Sheriff of Worcestershire, for searching Henlip House, Worcestershire; to pull down the wainscoat, bore the ground, drill the boards and chimney corners, examine the attics and roof, &c., in search of concealed hiding-places.
Jan. 20.	Lease, in reversion to Dr. John Hammond, of the site of the manor of Chartley Beomond, co. Surrey, and others. [Ind. Wt. Bk., p. 49.]
Jan. 21. Medianburg.	30. Certificate by Christopher Ayala, Captain of a Spanish ship, that he was "good prize."
Jan. 21.	Rob. Winter to the Lords Commissioners [for the Plot]. His remonstrances with Catesby against the Plot. Purport of their conversations. Catesby bribed the Littletons to join the meeting at Dunchurch. Details of the insurrection. He refused to write to his father-in-law Talbot, to persuade him to join them, because he knew he would not. Wrote to Mr. Smallpeece, but did not send the letter. (See Nov. 6, No. 19.) After they left Holbeach, they sent to Father Hall for help, which was delayed. Was absolved, and took the sacrament at Huddington. [G. Plot Bk., No. 176.]
Jan. 21.	Voluntary declaration of Amb. Rokewood. Confessed he told Hammond, Nov. 7th, in confession, that he was sorry he had not revealed the Plot, it seeming so bloody. Hammond absolved him, without remark. [Ibid., No. 177.]
Jan. 21.	Declaration of Hen. Morgan. In his confession to Hammond, Nov. 7th, said he knew not the conspirators' intent, but joined them for the cause of religion. Hammond told him that whatever he did in the Catholic cause was right, and absolved him. [Ibid, No. 178.]
Jan. 21. Edinburgh.	31. Earl of Dunfermline to Salisbury. The Council have met at Linlithgow, and the refractory ministers were arraigned and convicted of treason, by Assize men, chosen beforehand. Hopes his Majesty will not often exact such services, for Puritanism is so predominant, that more discontent will be caused than good done.
Jan. 21. Enfield.	32. Edw. Reynoldes to O. Reynoldes. Concerning the amount to be offered to Mr. Kerry, for purchase of his office.
Jan. 22 ?	33. Same to the Same. Has received his letters, advertising him that he has tendered his offer to Mr. Kerry. Private business.
Jan. 22.	34. Lord Treasurer Dorset to Sir Thos. Lake. To draw a bill for a pension of 200£. per ann., which he and the Earl of Devonshire consider should be given to Rich. Tirrel, of Kiltefany, Cavan, for good service done and to be done in Ireland, on condition of his release of 527£. arrears, due on a former annuity.
Jan. 23.	35. John Gerard, Jesuit, to the Duke of Lenox. Protests his ignorance of the conspiracy. Begs the Duke to influence the King to grant him a speedy trial, that his innocence may be fully established. Appeals to the dying testimony of the other conspirators, and to Sir E. Digby, who knows that he knew nothing of the Plot two days beforehand. Incloses, 35. I. Same to Salisbury. To the same purport as the above, and requesting an audience. Jan. 23. 35. II. Same to Sir Everard Digby. Implores him to exculpate him from any knowledge of the conspiracy. Protests his ignorance "without any equivocation, and the words thereof so understood by me as they seem to others." Relates a conversation between them on Nov. 2nd, which he begs Digby to confirm. Has always disapproved violent courses. Jan. 23.
Jan. ?	36. Mary Lady Digby to Salisbury. Thanks him for procuring the letter from the Council, ordering the Sheriff of Buckinghamshire to restore part of her property. Implores his intercession for the life of her husband.
Jan. 23.	37. Same to the Same. Is in distress because the Sheriff of Buckinghamshire refuses to obey the letter and restore her furniture, &c., in spite of her bond to deliver it when demanded, and also detains her husband's money. Entreats mercy for her husband.
Jan. 23.	38. Sir Henry Bromley, Sheriff of Worcestershire, to the Same. His measures for searching Henlip House. Difficulties of the search. Mr. Abington and all the household deny any knowledge of the priests. Had given up hopes of finding any one, when two men crept from a secret place, and surrendered through hunger and cold. Thinks they are Owen and Hall. [They were Owen and Chambers.]
Jan. 24.	Examination of Geo. Vavasour. Denies certain speeches about his affection for Thos. Strange, and about the rebellions of Protestants, which Thos. Audley, John Pett, John Jefferys, and John Johnson, confronted with him, declared they heard him utter. [G. Plot Bk., No. 179.]
Jan. 24.	39. Informations of Rob. Hasselgrave and Rob. Ballmer, sailors, taken before Chief Justice Popham, relative to certain discourses of an Englishman, at the English College of Seville, on alterations in England, and an expected revival of Popery.
Jan. 25. Newcastle.	40. Commissioners for the Borders to the Council. Executions at the gaol delivery, at Carlisle and Newcastle. The Grahams are in hopes of a general pardon; steps taken by Sir Hen. Leigh and Sir Wm. Cranston, to arrest them. Beg that Sir Wilfrid Lawson may be excused attendance at Parliament.
Jan. 25. Newcastle.	41. Sir Wm. Selby and Sir Wilfrid Lawson to Salisbury. Same subjects as the preceding. Six of those executed at Newcastle were followers of Thos. Percy. Neglect of the Provost Marshalls in not apprehending the Grahams.
Jan. 25.	42. Minutes by John Locherson of a conversation, which he overheard in the Tower, between Rob. Winter and Guy Faukes, on the probabilities relating to their trial and execution; that Lord Monteagle was said to have begged for some of them, &c.; their regret at their failure in the Plot, and that no apology was published in its justification.
Jan. 25.	43. Copy of the above.
Jan. 26.	Examination of Guy Faukes on the above conversation. [G. Plot Bk., No. 180.]
Jan. 26.	44. Examination of Rob. Winter on the same conversation and on other points. Father Walley was at his house twice last summer. Has not written to Andrew Windsor for a year, but saw him in November at Mr. Talbot's and Mr. Abington's.
Jan. 26 Newcastle.	45. Sir Henry Leigh to Salisbury. Causes why the Grahams were not apprehended; the chief obstacle was their being received in Scotland. Is a suitor for the escheats of the fugitives.
Jan. 27.	Grant to Edmd. Beck and Henry Ashley, of the office of Constable of the Castle of Bridgenorth, co. Salop, for life. [Grant Bk., p. 13.]
Jan. 27. Gloucester.	46. Mayor, &c. of Gloucester to Salisbury. Have apprehended a man calling himself Valentine Palmer, but whom they suspect to be Gerard, alias Brooke, the Jesuit, and who confesses that he once served Percy.
[Jan. 28.]	47. Bill for assurance of lands, tenements, and other hereditaments surrendered, forfeited, or escheated to the Crown.
Jan. 29. Paris.	48. Fras. Windebank to his father, Sir Thos. Windebank. Is leaving Paris to avoid the profligate English. No talk in that town but of the war with the Huguenots. The French King has raised 40,000 men, and will besiege the Duke of Bouillon in Sedan.
Jan. ? Paris.	49. Same to Salisbury. His previous essay in French being well received by his Lordship, sends him a second attempt. General satisfaction in France at his worthy reply to the impostors who would have involved the whole estate in ruin, and are much irritated against his Lordship.
Jan. 29.	50. The King to the Lord Chancellor. To enforce the payment of such fees and duties as are appointed by Letters Patent to be paid to certain officers and servants, by parties receiving the honour of knighthood.
Jan. 30. Worcester.	51. Confession of Anth. Sherlock, a Priest. His conversion to Rome and return to England; specifies the residences of the nobility and gentry, where he has been received and performed mass.
Jan. 30. Holt Castle.	52. Sir Hen. Bromley to Salisbury. Has taken Garnet and Hall, and conveyed them to his own house, to restore their strength for their journey to London. Particulars of other prisoners taken in "this wearisome action." A priest sent to Worcester and examined by Mr. Attorney Fleet, whose services he commends. Incloses, 52. I. John Fleet to the Same. Has committed to gaol the priest, and John Green, in whose house he said mass. Mr. Abington's abuse of him, and his own good services detailed. Worcester, 30 Jan.
Jan. 30 ?	53. Notes of evidences by Sir Hen. Bromley, that before Jan. 26, Garnet and Hall were at Mr. Abington's house, with his knowledge, and were well acquainted with the conspirators.
Jan. 31.	54. Substance of Sir Edw. Poole's motion in Parliament, concerning thanks to Lord Monteagle; precautions against recusants, &c.
Jan. 31.	55. Thos. Wilson to Salisbury. Matters in progress in Parliament. Sir Edw. Poole's speech relative to Lord Monteagle, the thanksgiving, and precautions against recusants.
Jan. 31.	56. Fras. Windebank to Sir Thos. Windebank. Proposes to spend some months in Germany, in order to acquire that language, and then to pass the winter in Italy.
Jan. ?	57. Sir Geo. Waldegrave to Salisbury. Suggests various restrictions to be laid on Aliens and Recusants.
[Feb. 1.] [Westminster.]	Commission to the Lord Mayor of London, the Lord Chancellor, and others, for the maintenance of artillery. [Grant Book, p. 17.]
Feb. 3.	Grant, in reversion, to Sir Rob. Wroth, of the office of Keeper of Woodford Walk, co. Essex, for life. [Ind. Wt. Bk., p. 45.]
Feb. 3.	Grant, in reversion, to the same, of the office of Forester of Linton Walk, Waltham Forest, for life. [Ibid., p. 45.]
Feb. 3.	Grant, in fee-farm, to Sir John Norris, of lands and tenements, in Berkshire, and other counties. [Ibid., p. 50.]
Feb. 3.	58. Deposition of Wm. Johnson, relative to his knowledge of - Procter, supposed to be lunatic. [See 5 Feb.]
Feb. 4. Ely House, Holborn.	59. Martin Heton, Bishop of Ely, to Salisbury. Geo. Smith, one of the three condemned popish priests at Wisbeach, has become a convert; he is an excellent musician, particularly on the organs.
[Feb. 4.]	60. Petition of Sir Geo. Selby and Hen. Chapman, members for Newcastle-on-Tyne, to Salisbury. Their objections against a Bill in the Upper House, relative to the lading of coals at Newcastle. Incloses, 60. I. Recital of the Bill in the House of Lords, above alluded to. 60. II. Answer to the suppositions whereupon the above intended Act is grounded. [The Bill was thrown out in the Lords.]
Feb. ?	61. Thomas Phelippes to Salisbury. Is grieved at having fallen under suspicion. Sir Thomas Fowler has executed the warrant for searching his house and papers, in a vexatious manner.
Feb. ?	62. Copy of the above.
Feb. 4. Gatehouse.	63. Same to the Same. Is innocent of the Plot. Only kept up his correspondence abroad to serve the Government. Deciphered letters between Gifford and Paget. Freeman, alias [Henry] Spiller, told him of the Plot about 8th Nov., and condemned it. Wishes to serve the State, or else to lead a retired life, if he can settle his reckoning with the King.
Feb. 4.	Examination of Edward Lord Stourton. Intercourse with the conspirators. Reasons for not coming up to the opening of Parliament. [G. Plot Bk., No. 181.]
Feb. 4.	Examination of Henry Lord Mordaunt. Intercourse with the conspirators. Rob. Keyes' wife taught his children. Wrote to Lord Compton for leave of absence from Parliament because he was seeking evidence about his assart lands. [Ibid., No. 182.]
Feb. 5. Wickham.	64. Sir Hen. Bromley to Salisbury. Is bringing up the prisoners, but Garnet's weakness compels them to travel slowly. Incloses, 64. I. List of the prisoners, viz.: Abington, Garnet, Hall, Owen, Chambers, and two servants.
Feb. 5.	Lease to Francis, Earl of Cumberland, of lands, co. Cumberland, parcel of the Duchy of Lancaster. [Ind. Wt. Bk., p. 42.]
Feb. 5.	65. Examination of Tho. East, waterman, on the sayings of - Procter. [See 3 Jan.]
Feb. 5. Durham.	66. Dean James to Salisbury. Arrest and examinations of John Sicklemore, alias Ward, a priest; curious specimens of his equivocation. Salisbury's Exposure of Equivocations is greedily read. Wm. Tailbois, Percy's man, indicted for murder of Roger Smith. Incloses, 66. I. Note of the examination of Rob. Hawkesworth relative to Sicklemore, and his equivocations. Feb. 5. Durham.
Feb. 6. Edinburgh.	67. Earl of Mar to Salisbury. Regrets his illness. Hopes the Scotch Parliament will be over by St. George's day. Recommends Sir Henry Carmichael. Thinks Sir Edward More shoots at him (Mar), in a bill which he has brought into Parliament for satisfaction of all leases granted in her late Majesty's time. Begs that the affair may be settled by Common Law.
Feb. 7. Friday.	68. Order of the Court of Exchequer for the officers of the Navy, viz., Sir Hen. Palmer, Comptroller, Sir John Trevor, Surveyor, and Sir Peter Bucke, Clerk; Sir John Linewray, Surveyor, and Sir Stephen Ridlesden, Clerk of the Ordnance; Sir Amyas Preston, Keeper of the Store, and Sir Robt. Johnson, Clerk of the Deliveries; Sir David Coningham, Surveyor of the Works, Simon Basill, Comptroller, Cornelius Cure, Master Mason, and Wm. Portington, Master Carpenter, to take the oaths for passing the accounts of their respective offices; with the form of the oaths to be taken, on entering any of the said offices.
Feb. 7.	Grant to Edw. Sheppard of the Office of Sealer in Chancery, for life. [Ind. Wt. Bk., p. 46.]
Feb. 7.	Grant, in reversion, to Rob. Thornton, of the office of mollifying the wax in Chancery, for life. [Ibid., p. 46.]
Feb. 7. Durham.	69. Dean James to Salisbury. Sends a "damnable lybell, in manner of a letter from our Saviour Jesus, but indeed from the devill and his impes." Incloses, 69. I. Libel against the King for yielding to his Council in persecuting Catholics, received by Cuthbert Hawdon from John Potter. Feb. 3. 69. II. Examinations of Chris. Wright, John Philpott, Cuthbert Hawdon, Gilbert Spence, and Thos. and George Wilson, relative to the above libel. Feb. 3.
Feb.	70, 71. Two copies of the above libel.
Feb. 8. Durham.	72. Dean James to Salisbury. Urges his claims to the Bishoprick of Durham, in case of a vacancy.
Feb. 9.	Grant to Philip, Earl of Montgomery, of the site of Montgomery Castle. [Ind. Wt. Bk., p. 42.]
Feb. 9.	Grant to Fr. Beaumont of the office of Bailiff of Waltham and Blenfield, co. Norfolk, for life. [Ibid., p. 45.]
Feb. 9. Padstow, Cornwall.	73. Nich. Prydeaux to the Council. Charges against John Penrose, recusant, of Mawgan, Cornwall, servant to John Arundel, of Lanherne. Incloses, 73. I. Examinations of Richow, wife of Mich. Penvose, and John Bennet, relative to seditious words uttered by John Penvose, last Michaelmas, that the King would not long be King; with John Penvose's answer to the same. Jan. 30.
Feb. 10.	74. Examination of Harry Bond as to disrespectful words which he heard spoken against the Earl of Salisbury.
Feb. 10 ?	75. Remonstrance against the Statute 34 Hen. VIII.c. 26 [repealed 21 Jac. I. c. 10], whereby the King is empowered to make laws for Wales by Letters Patent. [See Jour. Commons, Vol. i., p. 265.]
[Feb. 10.]	76. Sir Fras. Bacon to Salisbury. Sends the draft of a preamble for the Subsidy.
Feb. 10.	77. Thos. Erskine, Lord Dirleton, to the Same. The King desires Salisbury to influence the Lower House to pay a subsidy, rather than yearly payments, as giving more relief for his debts.
Feb. 10.	78. Dud. Carleton to Same. Desires to be restored to his attendance in Parliament.
Feb. 10.	79. Same to Levinus [Munck]. To deliver the above to the Earl of Salisbury. His absence from Parliament, whilst the laws against recusants are passing, causes him to be reflected upon.
Feb. 10. Chester.	80. Mayor, &c. of Chester to Salisbury. Thanks for his procuring the King's license for them to have free election of a Recorder. Solicit repayment of monies, advanced for sending a messenger to Ireland.
Feb. 11.	Grant to Sir James Hay of the reversion of Amwell, co. Herts. [Ind. Wt. Bk., p. 42.]
Feb. 11. Westminster.	The King to the Company of Fishmongers. For Gilbert Penven, Yeoman of the Guard, to have a new lease of two tenements in London. [Seemingly misdated. See p. 84, supra. Warrt. Bk. I., p. 103.]
Feb. 12.	81. Answers of D. Barrett, prisoner in the Gatehouse, to interrogatories, relating to his letter to Mr. Roberts, to the conspiracy against Salisbury, and to a reported quarrel between the Earls of Salisbury and Devonshire. [See Jan. 8.]
Feb. 12. Coventry.	82. Mayor of Coventry, Lord Harrington, and others, to the Council. Send up, by their directions, [James] Stanley, with all his papers, beads, crucifixes, &c.
[Feb. 12.]	83. Memoranda on a Bill for assurance to Lord Rich, of Rochford manor, Essex, and other lands purchased of Hen. Carey, late Lord Hunsdon. Sir John Cutts has a secondary claim on the lands. The title concerns the King, in reference to his manor of Fulbourn, co. Cambridge. Many considerations are involved, because the case depends on the statutes concerning the attainder of Anne Boleyn and legitimacy of Queen Elizabeth.
Feb. ?	84. Memoranda for regulating the manufacture of the New Drapery, and preventing deceits therein, by Act of Parliament.
Feb. 12 ?	85. Bill proposed to be laid before Parliament, for the true making of baize and says, stuffs and fustians, commonly called the New Drapery. None to exercise it that have not been apprenticed seven years.
Feb. 12.	Lease to Hen. Fisher of Skelsmergh Park, Westmoreland, for 40 years. [Ind. Wt. Bk., p. 45.]
Feb. 13.	Grant to Muriell Littleton of the third of all manors, co. Warwick and others, lately in the possession of Rich. Smith, deceased, and Sir Chas. Danvers, attainted. [Ibid., p. 45.]
Feb. 13. Whitehall.	86. Interrogatories to be put to Garnet, alias Walley, alias Darcy, alias Farmer, and to Edw. Hall, alias Oldcorne, Jesuits. Their intercourse with the conspirators; foreign negotiations; the book of equivocation; doctrines of Rome about obedience to a heretic king; lawfulness of the late treason, &c.
Feb. 13. [Whitehall.]	87. Examination of Hen. Garnet upon some of these interrogatories. Has been 20 years Superior of the Jesuits in England; was appealed to, on Nov. 6th, for help by the conspirators, but refused it, because they acted foolishly and wickedly; denies all knowledge of the Plot; never was at White Webbs, &c.; corrected the Book of Equivocation, but would not have it printed; its doctrines are those of divines, but have not been approved at Rome.
Feb. 13. [Tower.]	Examination of Edw. Hall. Came to Mr. Abington's house Jan. 20th; Humphrey Littleton came to him from Stephen Littleton and Rob. Winter, to beg him to help them to a place of safety, but he thought it was a scheme to intrap him, and declined. [G. Plot Bk., No. 183.]
Feb. 13.	Examination of Jas. Stanley, scrivener, of Cornhill, London. Catesby hired a house in Mr. Churchill's name, at Erith, where there were frequent secret meetings held. Valentine Wilkinson and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Compton, and Mr. and Mrs. Gwyn frequent it. [Ibid., No. 184.]
Feb. 14.	88. Indenture between Nich. Porter of Aston, co. Glouc., and Ferdinando Poulton, of Borton, co. Bucks, that on payment by Porter of 100£. in Sept. 1607, he be released from a bond for 200£. due to Poulton; with memorandum indorsed that the money is to be for the use of the children of Porter.
Feb. 14. Boswell House.	89. Sir Edw. Phelips, Speaker of the House of Commons, to Salisbury. Beseeches that the House be not taxed with the "undiscreet behaviour of an unconsiderate fyerbrand" [Mr. Hare]; one whose warrant was only to make known to the Upper House the abuses and corruptions of Purveyors, &c. [See Feb. 25.]
Feb. 14.	90. [Thos. Wilson] to the Same. Sam. Wrott and his brother, who hold the manor of Bungay priory, of which Salisbury has the reversion, offer to relinquish it to him, on condition of his giving the younger Wrott a place worth 120£. per ann.
Feb. 14.	Grant of the reward of 5s. per ton, for the building of five new ships, by Tho. Cooke and two others of London, Chris. Wright of Ipswich, and Joel Gaskyn of Hull. [Docquet.]
Feb. 14. Westminster.	Letter to the Lord Chancellor, that in all Commissions, &c. the Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge be named and placed before the Mayor of that town. [Docquet.]
Feb. 14. Westminster.	Letter to Lord Darcy, appointing him proxy for the King, for the christening of the Earl of Derby's son. [Docquet.]
Feb. 14.	91. Earl of Salisbury to Dean James. Thanks for the examination of John Sicklemore. Reflections on the increasing power of the Jesuits. [See Feb. 5.]
Feb. 15.	92. Same to the Commissioners of the Borders. Desires to be informed of the state of those counties, and the facts relating to the Grahams, there being some discrepancy in their former accounts.
Feb. 15. Dover.	93. Sir Thos. Fane to the Earls of Nottingham and Salisbury. The Venetian Ambassador [Signor Nicolo Molino], setting sail for Calais, had a man in his train, resembling the second priest described in the Proclamation. He utterly refused to leave him behind to be examined, but gave the authorities a note for their discharge.
Feb. 16. Serjeants' Inn.	94. Lord Chief Justice Popham to Salisbury. Particulars of nine persons taken in Essex, when trying to cross over the sea. Amongst them are Sadler and his wife, of the Strand, who pretend to be pensioners of Spain, and Mr. Thimelby's son of Lincolnshire. Presumptions against Lowe, a priest, protected by the Spanish Ambassador.
Feb. 16. [Gatehouse.]	95. Thos. Phelippes to the Same. His only faults were his seeking some recompense, of which he lost hope by Count Villa Mediana's going over, and his own delay in making disclosures till he had things fully ripe. Begs he may not be prejudiced by Barnes's error nor by Gifford's disgrace, and that his brother may have free access to him.
Feb. 16.	Grant to Sir Edwd. Harrington of the office of Ranger of Lyfield forest, for life. [Ind. Wt. Bk., p. 45.]
Feb. 16. Paris.	96. Fras. Windebank to Sir Thos. Windebank. Has not heard from him for a long time; has received favours from the Ambassador, Mr. [Sir George] Carew, and his lady.
Feb. 17. St. Omer.	97. Giles Schondonck to Father Baldwin. Has seen [Dr.] Cecill's book, and is surprised that whilst condemning the Gunpowder Plot, it approves the designs of those 5 who are said to have sworn to kill Cecil [Earl of Salisbury]; the tale is improbable, for the 5 persons accused are either ill or oppressed with sorrow. Regrets that Garnet and Vincent are taken. No Jesuits implicated in the examinations.
Feb. 18.	98. The King to the Archbp. of Canterbury and Bishop of London. To require Paul Bayning to allow a maintenance suitable to a lady, to Susan his wife, separated from him at his own wish; he promised to do so, but fails to perform.
Feb. 18. Enfield.	99. Edw. Reynoldes to O. Reynoldes. Will not proceed to any composition with Mr. Kerry, who is sick.
[Feb. 18.]	100. Arguments in favour of a bill for draining fens in the Isle of Ely, by which the undertakers claim only one-eighth of the lands drained.
Feb. ?	101. French Contractors for draining the Fens, to the Commissioners for the Fens. Have their reasons for being unable to go beyond their former offers for the contract. Suggest that though certain Englishmen have offered more, they will probably leave the work unfinished, not having requisite experience or perseverance. Urge an immediate acceptance of their offer. French.
Feb. ?	102. Petition of the inhabitants of Towns in the West of Cambridgeshire, against their grounds being comprised in the project for draining the fens, as they need not the help of foreign undertakers.
Feb. ?	103. Detailed account of the banks, rivers, drains, and outfalls in the Fen country; of the danger threatening Wisbeach, by a rise in the bed of the river, and the means of obviating it.
Feb. ?	104. Statement addressed to [the Commissioners of Sewers ?] by a native of the Fen countries, of the reasons of their present bad condition, with articles of a contract proffered by himself, for their effectual draining.
Feb. ?	105. Memorandum of demands by John Sparks, the Countess of Derby's man, concerning wines and figs taken by Sir Rich. Houghton.
Feb. 18.	106. Earl of Dorset to Salisbury. Has been deceived as to the office of Bailiff Itinerant, and therefore revokes his letter, so that Mr. Sparks, my Lord of Derby's officer, gets his fee. Sparks has tried to "make a pique" between him and Derby.
Feb. 20. Hampton Court.	107. Sir Thos. Lake to the Same. The King has seen a letter from the Minister of the French Church, about the obstinate ministers in Scotland. Petition of two poor Scotchmen, concerning wrong done to them at sea by the Hollanders. M. Caron to be informed of it. The King is heavy and out of temper.
Feb. 20.	108. Account of money laid out by Thos. Britton, in apprehending John Mydleton, priest, at Dover.
Feb. 20. [Tower.]	109. Examination of Thos. Strange, Jesuit. Was not at Mrs. Vaux's about the 5th of November; has not seen Gerard, the Jesuit, lately; has said he hoped the King was not excommunicated, as it would give foreign princes a pretence to attack him; Garnet is his superior; never wrote to Davies before his coming from St. Omer, nor inquired after "stirring spirits," to whom to reveal "the main project;" knew of no oath of secresy.
Feb. 20. [Tower.]	Examination of Edw. Oldcorne. This is his true name, but he is sometimes called Hall, Vincent, or Parker. [G. Plot Bk., No. 185.]
Feb. 21.	Lease, in reversion, to Sir Thos. Gorges, of the manor of Stoke, co. Somerset, and others. [Ind. Wt. Bk., p. 42.]
Feb. 22.	110. Sir Fras. Stoner to Salisbury. Recommends a general survey of the King's woods, and offers to rent them at 10,000£. a year above the present revenue.
Feb. 23.	Examination of Geo. Chambers. Was at Mr. Abington's on Nov. 2nd; stayed there some days, and thence went about amongst Catholics in the neighbourhood, whom he refuses to name; is not a priest, but refuses to say whether he is a lay Jesuit. [G. Plot Bk., No. 186.]
Feb. 23. [Tower.]	111. Report [by John Locherson,] of a conversation overheard in the Tower between Garnet and Hall. Greenway escaped; Garnet hopes to get over to Father Parsons; Mrs. Anne [Vaux] in town, and can let them hear from their friends; Garnet bribes his keeper, and advises Hall to do the same; Garnet will be compelled to confess the meetings at White Webbs, but will deny that he was there lately, or that the servants there know him, lest they seize the servants and torture them to confess; will explain the prayers he wrote for Catholics at Parliament time, by their fear of severe laws; Sir Wm. Waad's hatred of Jesuits; hopes they will not ask him about the letters which Lord Montague [Monteagle ? See p. 297] sent by Sir Edw. Baynham; is persuaded he shall wind himself out of this matter.
Feb. 23 ?	Hen. Garnet to --. Wishes a pair of spectacles to be repaired. Has confessed being at Coughton with Greenway, when Bates came to ask help, but said that he refused it, and urged them to desist; will be compelled to confess White Webbs; asks where Mr. Anne [Vaux] is. (fn. 1) [G. Plot Bk., No. 241.]
Feb. 24.	Examination of Edw. Oldcorne, alias Hall. Went with Garnet, Jan. 19th, to Mr. Abington's; an old servant, whose name he refuses to give, put them into their hiding-place. [Ibid., No. 137.]
Feb. 24. Enfield.	112. Edw. Reynoldes to O. Reynoldes. Requests to be informed concerning Mr. Kerry. Is ill, and wishes for some of cousin Baggs's tobacco. Will be guided by Sir Thos. Smith.
Feb. 24. Carlisle.	113. Sir Hen. Leigh to Salisbury. The Grahams quiet. Defends a poor woman harshly treated by Sir Wm. Hutton; thinks there is some mistake in the complaints against her. Incloses, 113. I. Sir Wm. Hutton to Sir Hen. Leigh. Complaint of the Grahams and other cottagers of the Readbank, against "Jock Rychies'" wife, who threatens them for not paying their rents to her; with their petition to be discharged of the rent promised to the Earl of Salisbury, or else protected in quiet possession. Penrith, Jan. 21.
Feb. 24.	Grant, in reversion, to Fras. Jephson and John Brook, of the stewardship of the lands of Charles Duke of Suffolk, in cos. Suffolk and Norfolk, for life. [Ind. Wt. Bk., p. 42.]
Feb. 24 ?	114. Edward Lord Wotton to Salisbury. Has leave of absence from the Court for a fortnight. Will return before the Conference.
[Feb. 25.] Tuesday. Boswell House.	115. Sir Edward Phelips, Speaker, to the Same. The House displeased with the proceeding concerning Hare. Their heat on the Bill [against Purveyors.] One of the seedmen of sedition [Nich. Spray] asks leave of absence, and another [Sir Edw. Hext] is going away soon.
Feb. 25. Holborn.	116. Wm. Typper to the Same. Counsel's opinion on [Hen. Grey] Duke of Suffolk's case. Is ready to attend Lord Hertford.
Feb. 25.	Grant to Edward Lord Bruce of the parsonage and manor of Langley, Hertford, part of the lands of Wm. Ibgrave, escheated. [Ind. Wt. Bk., p. 45. See March 10.]
Feb. 25.	117. Interlocution between Garnet and Hall, reported by Edw. Forsett and John Locherson. Garnet sees that the Lords wish to justify Lord Monteagle; fears their hearing why he, Garnet, came to Coughton; they have disagreed in their confessions about coming to Mr. Abington's; Garnet charged with composing prayers for the success of the Plot; Jas. Johnson has been on the rack for 3 hours, whereas Faukes confessed after being racked half an hour. [Modern copy of Archbp. Sancroft's transcript, in the Bodleian Library, Oxford.]
Feb. 25.	Examination of Jas. Johnson. Entered Mrs. Perkins', alias Vaux's, service 6 years ago; was engaged by Robert Skinner; found out her true name 3 years ago; the taking and furnishing of White Webbs; Mr. Skinner there with his mistress; describes the visitors there, Mr. Meaze, Mr. Perkins, Mr. Jennings [alias Brookesby], Catesby, the Winters., &c. [G. Plot Bk., No. 188.]
Feb. 26. Tower.	Examination of Jas. Johnson. Having seen Garnet, confesses that he is the person who came to White Webbs under the name of Meaze, and was afterwards called Farmer. [Ibid., No. 189.]
Feb. 26. Tower.	Examination of Edw. Oldcorne, alias Hall. Never saw Chambers till they were taken prisoners together; never met Garnet near Enfield House, and knows no such place as White Webbs; met Garnet Jan. 19, and went with him to Mr. Abington's. [G. Plot Bk., No. 190.]
Feb. 26.	Examination of Thos. Abington, of Henlip. Went to Mr. Talbot's Jan. 19th; knew not that the horse he rode belonged to Hall the Jesuit; it was his sister-in-law's, and bought from Rob. Winter; the apparel found in the chest belongs to himself and his brother Richard; does not know whether Chambers is servant to Hall. [Ibid., No. 191.]
Feb. 26.	Examination of Nicholas Owen. Will not say whence he came to Mr. Abington's on Jan. 19th; does not know Garnet nor Hall; nor whether Chambers, whom he has known some years, is Hall's servant. [Ibid., No. 192.]
Feb. 26.	118. Proceedings of the bailiff of Stratford-on-Avon, as escheator of the borough, against certain conspirators in the Gunpowder Plot, viz.: Summons, dated Feb. 20, from William Wyatt, bailiff, for 24 jurors to meet at Stratford, on Feb. 26.
Feb. 26. Stratford-on- Avon.	119. Names of the jurors who met on that day. [One of these is Julye Shaw, a subscribing witness to Shakespeare's will.]
Feb. 26.	120. Priced inventory of the goods of Amb. Rokewood, Thos. Pearce, and Amb. Fuller then taken.
Feb. 26. Stratford-on- Avon.	121. Inquisition taken on the above goods, seized Nov. 6th, 1605, by William Wyatt, escheator. [Modern transcripts, presented to Mr. Lemon by John Poynder, Esq.]
Feb. 26.	Grant, in reversion, to Jose. Earth, of the office of Overseer of the Ordnance in the Tower and elsewhere, for life. [Ind. Wt. Bk., p. 45.]
Feb. 26.	Grant, in reversion, to Wm. Pinches, of the office of Under Clerk of the Parliament, for life. [Ibid., p. 46.]
Feb. 27. Tower.	Examination of Jas. Johnson. Catesby came to White Webbs 3 or 4 years before, under the name of Roberts; knows not how his mistress supports the house; remembers no other visitors than those he named before. [G. Plot Bk., No. 193.]
Feb. 27.	122. Report by Edw. Forsett and John Locherson, of a conversation overheard in the Tower between Garnet and Hall. They detailed particulars of their examinations, and consulted that they might not contradict each other. Mr. Attorney rallied Garnet about Mrs. Brookesby's child, christened at White Webbs.
Feb. 27.	123. Declaration by Thos. Strange, Jesuit, that he did not meet Father Garnet on St. Bartholomew's day last; with a sentence added by Garnet that Strange did so meet him.
Feb. 28.	124. Stephen Phelippes' information on matters about which his brother [Thomas] wrote to him-viz.: To communicate with Ball on his correspondence with Tho. Phelippes; to warn Freeman, alias Spiller, and Barnes, to keep out of the way. Stephen Phelippes inquired of [Hen.] Spiller, of the Exchequer, about his brother; he said he was far away "out of their fingers."
Feb. 28. Huntercomb.	125. Dud. Carleton to John Chamberlain. He is to acquaint Sir Walter Cope, that he is airing himself on the Chiltern Hills, in order to take away the scent of powder, and consult him on his best means of promotion. Desires to retain Salisbury's favour and esteem.
Feb.	126. Depositions of Ric. Colly, Ant. Walton, and others, relative to two cases of goods, brought, a year before, from St. Sebastian's to Dover, thence to be forwarded to the Archduke; with copies of several letters from Mons. Nicholas de Cepy to -- Bredgate, relative thereto.
Feb. ?	127 Memorandum of remonstrance by the merchants, against the exactions of the officers of his Majesty's Custom Houses.
Feb. ?	128. Petition of Officers of the Customs of the Port of London to the King, for redress against certain merchants who, since the beginning of Parliament, refuse to pay their fees, on the ground that the customs are let to farm. Suggestions for remedy thereof.
Feb. ?	129. Warrant to the Treasurer of the Chamber, and Captain and Officers of the Guard, to deliver to Thos. Cotty, 2s. per diem and yearly livery, the same as to the Yeomen of the Guard, for his services in assisting the Sheriff of Worcestershire to take divers traitors in Staffordshire, and to bring them to the Tower.