Cecil Papers: January 1578

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: January 1578', in Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 2, 1572-1582, (London, 1888) pp. 171-172. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-cecil-papers/vol2/pp171-172 [accessed 19 April 2024]

January 1578

496. Thomas Gower to the Queen.
1577/8, Jan. 3. Henry the Eighth gave him the office of Marshal of the town of Berwick, in joint patent with Sir John Woodrington, in consideration of service which he ought to have enjoyed, but it pleased the Queen otherwise to dispose of it; he had also a grant from King Edward of 40l. annuity for life. Prays that, in consideration of relinquishing the place and surrendering the annuity, the Queen will grant him a lease in reversion to the value of three score pounds for 31 years without fine.—3 January 1577.
[Note signed by Sir Francis Walsingham, signifying the Queen's contentment to make the grant.]
½ p.
497. Peter Osborne to Lord Burghley.
1577/8, Jan. 13. Thanks him for procuring for his son the reversion of his office which will be the stay of his house, his wife, and his children after him.
Ever since Ellis slandered the Court of Wards with so huge a sum in concealed wards has earnestly sought to seise the said Court of all “Morts” concealed thence since the 5th year of her Majesty's reign who held any land in chief or by knight-service; and to provide that henceforth the Court shall have possession of all such morts as hereafter shall fall if only the Feodaries of the Court will be true and honest.—Ivy Lane, 13 Jan. 1577.
1 p.
498. Wm. Vaughan of Tretowre to Lord Burghley.
1577/8, Jan. 28. Entreats his Lordship's aid in a suit he has brought against Sir Thomas Gresham touching the Lordship of Cantercelye which he claims as heir male of Sir Thomas Vaughan, son and heir of old Sir Roger Vaughan.
Encloses notes of the Vaughan pedigree and reminds his Lordship that as a descendant of Roger Vaughan he is his Lordship's poor kinsman.—Tretowre, 28 Jan.
6 pp.
499. Antony Bourne to Lord Burghley.
1577/8, January 28. Explains the reports he has passed of Burghley, naming those who have stirred him thereto. Upon the departure of Mrs. Packenham from her husband, hearing the fact generally determined to be his, he repaired to town to answer the charge before being sent for, yet not daring to affy him wholly in himself used the advice of his friends Sir James Mervin, Mr. Thos Powell, his brother-in-law, Wm Whitnay, the Queen's Receiver for co. Stafford, and Thos Vaughan. Sir James reported Lord Burghley as saying : “The fact is odious both before God and man, & he shall be therefor punished accordingly; it shall cost him 6,000l. fine to her Highness, and 3,000l. to the party for amends, and when I have pulled his feathers let him fly whither he can.” Confesses he has frailly yielded himself to the surcharge of blind affection, for which offence, if the loss of 4,000l. at the least already wasted for the love of her, with whom, since he had her, he never enjoyed one merry day, seem not punishment sufficient, he begs that his further plague, loss, and punishment may be the clear redemption of her who only hath offended in answering an unfortunate liking, which would to God had never had beginning!—From the Tower, 28 January.
Countersigned :—“Perused by me, Owyn Hopton,”
Endorsed by Burghley :—“28 Janu. 1577. Antony Borns lettre out of the Tower brought by Lord Compton.”
3 pp.