James I: October 1603

James I: October 1603

143. List of the Army serving in Ireland. [Oct. 1.] S.P., Ireland, vol. 215, 96 A.

A list of the King's Majesty's army, horse and foot, as it stood the 1st of October 1603, serving in Ireland.

144. Warrant for paying the Countess of Kildare in English currency. [Oct. 4.] Add. Papers, Ireland.

Warrant confirming or renewing a warrant of the late Queen, whereby the Countess of Kildare, wife of the Earl of Cobham, was exempted from the burden of converting the exchange upon Irish unto English currency, and ordering that for each 100l. of Irish money paid in by her or her assigns before the feast of St. Michael last past, there shall be paid to her 100l. of current money of England.

Given under our signet at Westminster the 4th of October, the first year of our reign of England.

Not add. or sealed. Endd.: "Countess of Kildare. 4 October 1603."

145. M. Lynche, Mayor of Galloway, to Cecil. [Oct. 8.] S.P., Ireland, vol. 215, 97.

Begs him to accept in good part this present solicitation of his well-wishers, presuming the rather therein through the favourable acceptance of their good Lord and patron, Cecil's late father, who greatly affected the furtherance of their commonweal in his time. They (the Mayor, Bailiffs, and Corporation of Galway) having present occasion to solicit with His Majesty of the amendment of their commonweal and confirmation of their estates and liberties, have thought good by the bearer hereof, Valentine Blake, whom in that behalf they have appointed, to entreat him to grant his lawful favour in performance thereof, for which they are most bounden servants unto his Honour, beseeching God to bless, preserve, and favour him for the same. And so, committing the rest of their griefs to be declared by their agent, and humbly craving Cecil to accept thereof in good worth, and pardon them for their importune solicitation and boldness, they humbly take their leave.—Galway, 8 Oct. 1603.

P. 1. Signed. Sealed. Add: "To the honorable the Lord Cecill, &c."

146. "Ireland, the Moneys there." [Oct. 11.] S.P., Ireland, vol. 215, 98.

By the Lord Deputy and Council, George Carey.

The King, upon such true advertisement as he hath received, as well from the Lord Lieutenant of this kingdom as from them (the Lord Deputy and Council of the same) of the extreme dearth of all things in this realm, with many other inconveniences occasioned only through the alteration of the standard of the monies in the same, according to his natural inclination to advance the good of his subjects, and the care he hath taken ever since he came to this Crown to see the same redressed, hath had many consultations with his Council for that purpose. And for as much as it hath appeared very hard, without a silver coin, to remove those great inconveniences which the baser coin hath brought forth, His Majesty (for the greater ease and commodity of his army and good subjects of this realm) hath thought meet not only to establish a new standard of nine ounces fine silver (being the ancient standard of this kingdom), but also to reduce the base mixed monies of three ounces fine to their value in silver, and for the use of the poorer sort to allow the monies of mere copper, as pence and halfpence, to have still their course amongst his subjects, with such caution as hereafter shall be expressed. All which he by his letters dated at Woodstock, the 17th day of September last, in the first year of his reign in England, France, and Ireland, and of Scotland the 37th, hath authorized them (the Lord Deputy and Council) to establish. They therefore, in his name, do hereby proclaim and publish his express will and pleasure to be, that from the 11th day of this October 1603, each piece of the new standard of nine ounces fine, bearing the name of a shilling, shall go current and be taken of all persons in this kingdom for 12 pence sterling, and all other pieces of that new standard of silver rateably, according to their proportion to the said 12 pence. And for that there may be a due proportion between the base mixed monies now current here and the said new standard of silver, his will and pleasure is, and so they (the Lord Deputy and Council) hereby in his name proclaim and establish, that from the day aforesaid the said mixed monies be called down to a third part, the piece of 12 pence to be current for four pence of this new standard, and all other pieces of the said mixed coin after the same rate; and so to run current (and to be taken by all His Majesty's subjects in this kingdom,) notwithstanding the finer monies now established. And for such monies as are of mere copper (as pence and halfpence), his will and pleasure likewise is, and so they (the Lord Deputy and Council) do in his name proclaim and establish, that the said pieces of coin being pence and halfpence, being of mere copper, shall still have course and be current, at the same rate they are now, amongst his people in this kingdom for the use of the poorer sort; with this caution and proviso, that no man is hereby bound to take or receive of the said copper pence or halfpence, in any payment, above 50s. in the 100l., and after that rate in greater or lesser sums, viz., the fortieth part of any payment. And for that all men have hereby a means to utter the monies of mere copper being pence and halfpence, which are kept current chiefly for the relief and sustentation of the lives of the poor, who are not able otherwise to help themselves than by the charitable devotion of others; they therefore charge and command all such as sell victuals or other commodities fit for their relief, to receive of the said poor the said pence and halfpence, so it exceed not 4d. at a time. They further charge and command all manner of people within this kingdom to observe all this His Majesties will and commandment, upon pain of 40 days imprisonment, without bail or enlargement, and such other fine and punishment as, for their demerits in breaking the same or any part of the same, shall by them (the Lord Deputy and Council) be thought fit to be inflicted as upon those that impugn His Majesty's royal prerogative. And for as much as this his princely care of the welfare of his subjects deserveth on their part all dutiful obedience and thankfulness, this they can no way better express than by rating their commodities at such reasonable prices, as upon this alteration of the standard and reducing the mixed monies to their true value is now expected, which they doubt not will be by the wellminded subjects willingly performed; and for others that shall show themselves obstinate either in disobeying any part of this His Majesties proclamation, or in holding such commodities as they have to sell at unreasonable prices, they hereby straightly command all mayors, sheriffs, justices of peace, and all other His Majesty's public officers, within their several jurisdictions and limits, to have a special care that this His Majesty's proclamation be in all points observed and kept, and within their said limits to use their best diligence in setting of reasonable prices, as well upon all manner of victuals as all other commodities, and to apprehend all such as shall either impugn the same, or shall keep their commodities, victuals, or wares at higher rates than they shall be reasonable be prized at; and the party or parties so apprehended, to be committed to the gaol till their pleasure shall therein be further known.—Given at His Majesty's Castle at Dublin, this 11th day of October 1603.

God save the King.

Signed: Adam Dublin, Thomas Midensis, Edmund Pelham, Geoff. Fenton, Rich. Cook. Pp. 4.

147. Sir Francis Stafford to Cecil. [Oct. 12.] S. P., Ireland, vol. 215, 99.

Beseeches him not to interpret the neglect of his writing into forgetfulness of his duty. His Lordship's occasions hath of late been such that he (Stafford) thought it better to forbear writing than to trouble him with a discourse of small importance; but, hoping that he is now somewhat eased and disburdened of many of his former troubles, he (Stafford) presumes to tender to him his most honourable duty and service. His continual favours have been far greater than he (Stafford) would ever by his deserts have attained unto. That benefit and good fortune which hath happened to him hath proceeded from Cecil's honourable means and countenance. Protests to God that his dependancy is wholly open to Cecil, with this assurance, that with all faith and duty during his life it shall be performed and manifested by his humble and most reverent regards, with his continual prayers for the preservation of his health, and increase of his honour. Commits him to the protection of the Almighty, and himself to the happiness of his (Cecil's) continual favour and countenance.—Dublin, 12 October 1603.

P. 1. Signed. Sealed. Add.: "To the Rt honorable Sir Robt. Cecyll, &c."

148. Memoranda. [Oct. 12.] S. P., Ireland, vol. 215, 99 I.

"Mountjoy.—Agents in England for liberty of conscience."

"The 12 of October 1603 the new standard was decried at Dublin. About Michaelmas, an. 1603, the plague began in Ireland.

"An. 1603. The last of March Tyrone came to T.

"The 4th of April he came to Dublin with the L. Deputy Mountjoy.

"The 5th of April the King of Scotts was at the high cross of Dublin proclaimed King.

"The 9th of April the Lord Mountjoy was chosen L. Justice, and the L. Chancellor, Lord Keeper; and Tyrone, before them upon his knees, made his submission.

"Waterford, Wexford, Cork, Kilkenny, Lymerick, and Dublin, the 17th of April, the Lord Keeper in the pulpit, by the direction of the King that all officers in England and Ireland should hold their force, places, and offices, termed him L. Deputy and one of the chief of the Council in England, and then he himself was Lo. Chancelor.

"The Sunday following, by virtue of a new patent out of England, the Lo. Justice is been (sic) Lo. Deputy, and solemnly sworn. Immediately he goeth to the west, to pacify the rebel cities. Letters came from the King that he shall be Lo. Lieutenant, and Sr George Cary Lo. Deputy; he was sworn Lieutenant the 26th of May, and went to England the 2 of June.

A dearth time in May in victuals. And the merchants for their wares for every shilling silver took 3 or 4.

These notes were found on the back of the manuscript, viz.: "The Lord Chancelor and Sir George Cary were made Lo. Justices the 24th of September, anno 1599."

"Oct. 12th 1603."

Pp. 2. Not signed or sealed.

149. Sir George Carey to Cecil. [Oct. 14.] S.P., Ireland, vol. 215, 100.

On the 6th of this present, received Cecil's letters of the 23rd of the last, and therewith His Majesty's warrant for the decrying of the old standard and publishing of the new. Within three days after the treasure arrived here, and, after consultation had, a proclamation was drawn accordingly, and published the 12th of this present, a copy whereof I send. Hopes this will bring some ease of the miseries which they have long tasted of. The army is reduced to 8,000 foot and 1,000 horse, according to the establishment and His Majesty's list, signed under his hand. Touching the passing and establishing of these monies, though it be with a loss of a fourth part of their entertainments, there shall be the best care and diligence therein used that may be. The matter of the exchange was cut off two months since. Though he seldom receives any letters from Cecil, yet in the public, as in private despatches (which he confesses are very troublesome) he finds Cecil's honourable favour towards him, which he is bound to acknowledge whilst he lives. For the matter touching Mr. Hopper and Mr. John Bingely, protests, on his faith, the patent was under seal before he knew of or received the King's letter; and yet, if Mr. Hopper has been at any charge in obtaining His Majesty's letter, John Bingely shall pay it. Humbly thanks Cecil that his doings therein are not offensive unto him. Concerning the state of this kingdom forbears to trouble Cecil at this time, because this bearer, Mr. Marshall, can satisfy him at the full. He is one that doth both honour and love Cecil very much, and this makes him (Carey) value him a great deal the more. Humbly desires Cecil to make him (Marshall) known to His Majesty, and his good and worthy services, wherein he hath showed himself a very worthy servitor, well deserving His Majesty's favour. One thing more; he would deliver his opinion touching the new coin of 9d. that must pass current for 12d. Supposes, though there be a fourth part loss in every servitor's entertainment, yet no dislike will grow thereby, if there might be some course held to take clean away all these mixed copper monies, whereof the people have an opinion that there is no silver at all in it, and which is current no where, and in utter contempt with the common people. Wherefore he thinks if the King would be pleased at Christmas next to decry the shilling of these mixed monies to 2d., and after that rate to take it all into his own hands, (wherein he will be a great gainer and content both army and subject very well,) no distastefulness will arise, though the 9d. of pure silver go current for 12d., because the same is also current in England according to the new value, and so the traffic in both realms continue in some good measure, which is the chief matter that contents all, though it be with some less.—Dublin, 14 October 1603.

Hol. Pp. 2. Sealed. Add.: "To the Rt honorable the Lo. Cecyll, &c." Encloses,

150. Copy of Proclamation concerning the new standard monies, printed by order of the Lord Deputy. (Duplicate of No. 146.) [Oct. 6.] S.P., Ireland, vol. 215, 100 I.

151. Earl of Ormond to Cecil. [Oct. 15.] S.P., Ireland, vol. 215, 101.

Received a letter from Cecil, wherein was enclosed the King's most gracious letter directed unto him (Ormond), for which, as he must think himself most bounden to the King for his princely favour shown to him and his in despatching of those causes, which he so long was an humble suitor for, so he acknowledges himself much beholden to Cecil for his friendly and careful soliciting thereof; and he will be ready to requite this with his true love and goodwill in anything wherein occasion may serve to show the same. Understands that Patrick Crosby, before his going thither, made search in the Rolls and in the Auditor's office for some small parcels which the late Sovereign and her sister Queen Mary did pass unto him (Ormond) and the heirs male of his own body, in consideration of his services. Crosby now (as Ormond hears) purposing to put some man a work to beg a reversion of them, he thought fit to acquaint his Lordship; praying him to stop Crosby's malicious proceedings therein. Would think his fortune very hard if such a base fellow should obtain the reversion of anything in his hands. So, leaving this to Cecil's honourable and friendly consideration, he commits him to the guiding of God.— Kilkenny, 15 October 1603.

P. 1. Signed. Sealed. Add.: "To the Rt honorable the L. Cecyll."

152. Concerning Payments in Ireland. [Oct. 20.] S.P., Ireland, vol. 215, 102.

Sir Oliver Lambert gave warrant, the 9th April 1603, unto Lambert Rotheram to pay Kenrick Lloid 13l., mixed monies, as it went, being before the decry thereof.

The said Rotheram notwithstanding, did forbear to certify it as monies issued, as appeareth in his accompt ending 30th September 1603. This sum of 13l. was therefore a remain in his hands. And upon the decry of the mixt monies to a third part, the said Rotheram is charged but with the sum of 4l. 6s. 8d. for the said sum of 13l., which is not remaining with the said Rotheram in monies, but in a bill and warrant of imprest of 13l. For which the said Rotheram taketh a new acquittance of the said Lloid after the decry of the monies, and delivereth him the old, and so taketh allowance of 13l. in silver harpes for which he was charged but with 4l. 6s. 8d., and therein gaineth clearly 8l. 13s. 4d. harpes, being the two thirds of the said sum of 13l.; and so proportionable in all other sums issued before the decry and charged after the time of the decry.

Rotheram impresteth to Sir Samwell Bagnoll in the halfyear before the decry 92l., and post dateth the bill after the decry unto the 20th of October 1603, and thereby hath allowance of three for one, as in the former matter.

Now in this the captains, officers, and soldiers to whom the monies was imprest, issued it according to the value they received it, and thereby they lost nothing, and therefore are not defrauded of their due; but being inserted in the accompts of the next half year after, in the time of the decry, His Majesty hath only the loss, viz., in this sum of 92l. he loseth 61l. 13s. 4d., and so likewise in all the overpays of the kingdom made the last of September 1603.

P. 1. Endd.: "Concerning monies in Ireland, 20th October 1603."

153. Account of George Carye, Treasurer of Ireland. [Oct. 20.] S.P., Ireland, vol. 215, 103.

Containing the amount of arrearages, revenues, casualties, &c.—20 October 1603.

P. 1.

154. The King to the Earl of Devonshire, Lord Lieutenant. [Oct. 26.] Docquet Book, Oct. 26.

King's letter to the Lord Lieutenant to cause a pardon to be passed under the great seal to Thomas FitzMorris Gerald, Baron of Lixnawe, for treasons committed by him, and to accept a surrender of all such lands as his father, Patrick, late Baron of Lixnawe, was possessed of, and re-grant the same.

[Printed in full (but dated October 27), by Erck, Calendar, p. 101.]

155. Sir George Carey to Charles Calthorpe, His Majesty's Attorney-General. [Oct. 27.] Carte Papers, vol. 61, p. 121.

His Majesty, by his letters signed by his hand and under his signet, dated at Windsor, 12th July, in the first year of his reign of England, &c., having signified to said Sir George Carey that the incorporation of the cathedral church of the Blessed Trinity, commonly called Christ Church, in His Majesty's city of Dublin, incorporated by King Henry VIII. is in some points of law imperfect, or not so convenient for the government of the said church as is requisite; and that the said cathedral church is fallen into great dilapidations by reason of a mischance in firing of powder of the late Queen [Elizabeth] some few years past; and that part of the lands of the said church have been aliened from the same, upon long leases, not reserving the ancient rents, contrary to the honourable and religious foundation thereof by the said King, who translated the said corporation from a prior and convent to a dean and chapter, to have continuance for ever.

And considering that by the Statute passed in 35th of Queen Elizabeth, all the cathedral churches erected by King Henry VIII. in England are established; therefore His Majesty hath directed letters patent to pass under his great seal of Ireland of a new incorporation of the said church by its ancient name of a dean and chapter, as may be sufficient in the law for its better government and its enjoying its lands, &c., which in former times were granted and enjoyed.

Directs that the Attorney-General shall draw a fiant.— 27 October 1603.

156. The King to the Earl of Devonshire, his Lieutenant of Ireland, and in his absence, to the King's Deputy there. [Oct. 28.] Philad. P., vol. 1, p. 21.

Warrant to grant a pardon under the great seal and restitution of lands to Thomas Fitz-morris Gerald, Baron of Lixnaw, who had been in rebellion against Queen Elizabeth, but hath since made his repair to His Majesty and obtained his favour. Also to accept a surrender from him, to His Majesty's use, of all such castles, lands, &c. as Patrick, late Baron of Lixnaw, his father, was seised, and to re-grant them by letters patent under the great seal to the said Thomas Fitz-morris Gerald, Baron of Lixnaw, and his heirs, rendering the ancient rents and services.—Wilton, 28 October 1603, in the first year of the reign, &c.

Orig. P. 1. Add. Endd. Inrol.

[Printed in Erck's Calendar, p. 101.]

157. Thomas Watson to Lord Cecil. [Oct. 28.] S.P., Ireland, vol. 215, 104.

His (Watson's) brother, who carried over 20,000l. in silver harpes, landed safe at Dublin the 9th of this instant, and is now returned hither. My Lord Deputy remembereth his humble duty to him [Cecil], and humbly beseecheth the continuance of his favour to him. He is very jealous that his old adversaries in Devonshire, Sir William Courteney and Mr. Seymour, should be made barons before himself has any preferment in this kingdom.

My Lord Deputy is of opinion that it were very good that the base money lately decried in Ireland, the penny and halfpence excepted, should be utterly abolished, which he would undertake should be profitable to His Majesty and undoubtedly very pleasing to the nation. He would have it by proclamation decried again to 2d. ster. in the 12d., and so His Majesty to buy it in with these harpes, which in his (Watson's) seeming would be very profitable; considering there is dispersed in that kingdom 280,000l. of these mixed monies, to the making of which her Majesty, deceased, allowed 3d. in the shilling, which the multitude of the nation do not believe, but do ordinarily sell the same to our goldsmiths for 2d. the shilling, who finding so good a profit therein will in a short time drain it out of the country. He (Watson) objects that much of it may be counterfeited, and so a loss may fall to His Majesty if it be bought for him; but my Lord Deputy answers that little or none hath been counterfeited, and that at his own peril he will make the action profitable to His Majesty, if it please Cecil to procure him licence from hence.

It is necessary, if Cecil thinks it fit, that presently a proclamation be made at London, Chester, and Bristol, to make current the coin of silver harpes in England as well as in Ireland, which he thinks is not yet done, otherwise there can be now no intercourse between the kingdoms, the exchange being dissolved. Some of the servitors have brought over already some small quantities for their expense, which is refused, as they say, for a coin, but accepted as bullion, because His Majesty's pleasure is not known to his subjects in England in the accustomed manner of proclaiming. It was remembered in His Majesty's letter of the 17th of September, from Woodstock, to those in Ireland, to whom it promised acceptance here.

Sends enclosed the certain list of the army, as it stood after the 4,000 were cashed, and one of the proclamations published at Dublin for the decrying of the base monies and establishing the new coin of harpes.

Out of his zeal to my Lord Deputy's service for the expediting of his accompts, he has gotten the auditors hither, where he is declaring his Lordship's third accompt before them, which he prosecutes with great earnestness, because they are not easily in this troublesome mortal time drawn together. He therefore humbly intreats Cecil's pardon if he did not wait upon him, as is fit he should. In this time of the auditors being here, Mr. Sutton, one of the auditors, hath had his house broken open in London, and had his goods, to the value of 500l., carried out of his house in cart loads by thieves, which is usual, by means of the little government and care had in that city, the chief magistrates being absent and slender watches appointed. Thought it his duty to acquaint his Lordship here, that he may give caution to his people to look safely to his house, for that the Stronde is much abandoned of householders and honest people, and much frequented of loose persons who rob by 6 and 10 in a company. And so he takes his leave.—Mitcham, 28 October 1603.

Hol. Pp. 2. Endd. Add.: "A letter to the Rt honourable the Lord Cecill from Thomas Wattson, from Mitcham."

158. Letter to the Mayor, Sheriffs, and Commonalty of Dublin. [Oct. 28.] Docquet Book, Oct. 28.

Letter to the mayor, sheriffs, and commonalty of Dublin and Drogheda, to admit Robert Hamilton into their freedoms and societies.