Cecil Papers: November 1572

Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 2, 1572-1582. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1888.

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'Cecil Papers: November 1572', in Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 2, 1572-1582, (London, 1888) pp. 27-29. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-cecil-papers/vol2/pp27-29 [accessed 19 April 2024]

November 1572

81. The Earl of Leicester to Lord Burghley.
1572, Nov. 1. Had informed the Queen of Burghley's despatch to Lord Shrewsbury, which her Majesty hoped would be a warning to him. Details the Queen's precise words in the matter of the trial of Sir Harry Percy. The Queen had desired to know by whose orders he had “the liberty of the Tower, and walked upon the Hill at his pleasure.” Finds she looks to have Sir Harry secretly dealt withal, and the more for that it toucheth not his life.”—Windsor, Saturday afternoon.
Holograph. 2½ pp. [Murdin, pp. 228, 229. In extenso.]
82. The Earl of Leicester to Lord Burghley.
1572, Nov. 4. Received Burghley's letters yesternight about six, and could not then deal with her Majesty, as she was at her wonted repose. As soon as time served, told her the effect of Killigrew's letters, of the certain death of the Regent, and the danger of the King's person to be surprised. Told her Majesty, that as matters would not suffer any delay, he thought it convenient in all speed to send Lord Hunsdon or some nobleman down to the Borders, to encourage the Queen's friends there, and aid them with men and money. She seemed to take the matter earnestly, and desired to have Burghley's advice. Thinks Lord Hunsdon the best to send, one reason being, that there has been some unkindness between Lord Morton and him, and others of that side, and therefore they will have less comfort and more doubt by him alone. Wishes Burghley were here till these matters were fully despatched. Sees her Majesty begins to startle at Burghley's letter, and said, that now she might see how convenient it is for a prince, yea the wisest, to trust faithful, known counsellors, and if she had believed such, none of these troubles had been possible in her time.—4 November.
P.S.—The Frenchman shall have audience this afternoon, by the Queen's order, which is much against the writer's mind, for upon comparing the letters he brought, they find great difference.
Endorsed :—“The Earl of Leicester to my Lord from the Court.”
4 pp. [Murdin, pp. 230–232. In extenso.]
83. The Earl of Leicester to Lord Burghley.
1572, Nov. 4. Received Burghley's letter this afternoon about two, but yet in time, he trusts, to stay the repair of Maisonfleur. As his Lordship knows, nothing went more against his stomach than this fellow's access to her Majesty's person.—4 November.
P.S.—The Queen does not remove till Tuesday to Hampton Court. Encloses letters to shew “the difference between the postscript that Maisonfleur brought to be the Duke's own hand, and the letter joined therewith, which is taken as his own hand.”
1 p.
84. John Lacy.
1572, Nov. 4. Receipt given by John Lacy of London, cloth-worker, to the Lord Admiral [Clinton] for £100, in part payment of a recognizance of £400 for the payment of £209 19s. 8d.—4 Nov. 1572.
½ p.
85. The Earl of Leicester to Lord Burghley.
1572, Nov. 9. Wrote yesterday of Her Majesty's pleasure touching Sir Harry Percy. Had dealt with the Queen again in the matter, but she would not alter her determination, and would have his trial proceed as before appointed. Sees no likelihood of any good order in the other matters of greater weight. Since the matters first begun, had not seen the Queen further off from that they looked for.—Sunday afternoon.
Endorsed by Burghley :—9 November 1572.
1 p. [Murdin, p. 230. In extenso.]
86. Richard Dudley.
1572, Nov. 21. Petition of Richard Dudley for a parcel of the late Monastery or rectory of Calder and other parcels within the Forest of Inglewood, co. Cumberland.
Endorsed :—Her Majesty referreth this suppliant's suit to the Right Hon. Lord Treasurer, 21 Nov. 1572.—Thomas Wilson. Noted by Burghley :—Make a particular hereof.—W. Burghley.
1 p.
87. Losses of Nicolas Worsley.
1572, Nov. Touching 12 horses, valued at £10 apiece, and eight mares, valued at £14 each, taken by the governor and officers of the bailiff of Flushing, without any recompence, between Aug. 27 and Nov. 3, 1572.
1 p.
88. Occurrents in France.
1572, Nov. It is here confirmed by common voice that there are in Poictou, Guienne, Gascoyne, Bierne, and Languedoc above 200 towns of importance which stand in their defence, namely, Rochelle, Lestoure, Villeneufve, Montauban, Castres, with others.
The King is advertised that those places which hold out are able to set in the field 20,000 men well furnished, that in Rochelle, besides the inhabitants (which of themselves are of better courage than ordinary citizens, by reason of the sea whereunto they are accustomed), there are in the city 2,000 footmen and 600 horse.
The Baron de la Garde sent two galleys to view and sound the haven of Rochelle, whereof one was taken, and therein the King's chiefest engineer; the other escaped narrowly.
Mons. de Fontaine is returned from Sansare [Sancerre] without anything performed, they being resolved to stand to the uttermost.
It is bruited that towards the spring there shall be levied four armies, one to besiege Rochelle, whereof the Duke of Anjou shall have charge, the second to force Sansare, with the Duke of Alençon as lieutenant, the third in Languedoc, under Marshal Damvile, the fourth in Gascony under the Marquis de Villars, Admiral of France, to pursue all such as shall stand anywise in their defence.
Mons. Biron, Strossy and the Count Lude lie at Niort, approaching no nearer Rochelle for want of soldiers and munition.
The Cardinal Ursino, Legate from the Pope, arrived here the 23rd of November, who, though he was immediately despatched after the common accident here in France, yet divers judge his coming to be not so much in that respect as for other causes that may further import the state of all such as profess the Gospel. His entry here was not such as men looked for, considering the King had done so acceptable a thing to the Pope, which causeth men to divine thereof diversely.
Endorsed by Burghley :—Nov. 1572.
1 p.