Cecil Papers: January 1586

Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 3, 1583-1589. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1889.

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'Cecil Papers: January 1586', in Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 3, 1583-1589, (London, 1889) pp. 128-131. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-cecil-papers/vol3/pp128-131 [accessed 24 March 2024]

January 1586

232. Bond of the Queen of Scots.
1585/6, Jan. 5. The Queen of Scots, “Douairière de France,” having heard of the association formed against any attempts on the life of her good sister the Queen of England, promises and declares, according to the said association, by her word as a queen and on her faith and honour, to account both now and for ever as her mortal enemies all those who by advice, procurement, consent, or any other act whatsoever, shall attempt or execute anything to the prejudice of the life of the said Queen.—Winkfield, 5 January 1585.
French. 1 p. [Murdin, p. 548. In extenso.]
233. Robert Carvyle to Archibald Douglas.
1585/6, Jan. 10. Sends letters, and asks if others sent have been received, &c. Lord Hume was married yesterday to the young Lord of Lochleven's wife.—Berwick, 10 January 1585.
½ p.
234. Sir Fulke Greville to Archibald Douglas.
[1586] Jan. 12. Thanks him for his courtesies, and desires that the love between them may grow and multiply. By reason of his weakness and sloth together, it will be sometime before he finds it good for him to wait, and, when he comes, the new writers in navigation philosophy (state) that there are so many mines of adamants under the North Pole, that, if he should accompany his lordship as he loves him, he is afraid he would judge it were that stone that drew his iron. But will measure his thoughts and fashions by the ell of truth, et ruat mundus.
Is a stranger to the Master of Gray, but in honour of his memory who while he lived bare an honourable witness of his worth, namely, that prince of gentlemen Sir Philip Sidney, hopes it will be no trespass to present to him his love and honour.—Broxbourne, 12 January.
1 p. [Lodge, ii. p. 337. In extenso.]
235. Thomas Morgan to the Queen of Scots.
1585/6, Jan. 15. Hears of her removing to the castle of Tutbury to the guard of Lord St. John, but has not yet heard of the latter's deportment towards her. Beseeches her to be of good comfort, and by the power of God all will fall out to the best.
It was told him that Leicester said that the book written against him tended all to her Majesty's honour, and to his own ruin, and that therefore he would provide thereafter, meaning in all conjecture to extend his whole force to do her Majesty harm, which he hopes in God will not lie in his power.
They are here informed that an Englishman is newly arrived, by the practice of Leicester, to kill Charles Arundel and others.
Was not able to relieve Charles Arundel's necessity as the case required, and therefore arranged with Charles Paget to lend for the furniture of the said Arundel one thousand crowns, which were delivered unto him by himself, but as the goods of her Majesty.
They are informed of extreme laws made in England this Parliament against seminary priests, of which number the Dolman mentioned in his former letters is none, but was made priest before the said seminary was established. He is a grave man, and one that hath great acquaintance and credit amongst the Catholics of that realm, besides the particular familiarity that he hath with some nigh in blood to the said Lord St. John. For the better service of God and of her Majesty the said Dolman is persuaded to return into England, as he is sure Paget has written to her Majesty at large, and when Dolman is upon his departure she shall hear more. Doctor Lewes, whose service her Majesty may boldly demand, is advanced to a place of honour in Rome, which bringeth him great occasions to deal with his Holiness and with all the Cardinals.—Written the 15th of January.
pp. [Murdin, pp. 456–457. In extenso.]
236. The Constable of Dundee to the “Lord Persone of Glasgow.” [Archibald Douglas.]
1585/6, Jan. 16. Desires to hear of his welfare in London, and begs him to assist the bearer by expediting his affairs.—Dundee, 16 January 1585.
1 p.
237. Export of Biscuit-Bread.
1585/6, Jan. 16. Warrant under the Privy Signet for the exportation to Portugal of 100 tons of biscuit-bread.—Greenwich, 16 January 1585.
1 p.
238. Thomas Morgan to the Queen of Scots.
1585/6, Jan. 18/28. His plans for carrying on communication. If he be released from captivity, would make a voyage to Rome for devotion's sake, and would address himself to the King of Spain for some support. “She of England” offered 10,000l. for his life, as Mauvissière reported, out of her own mouth Craves letters to Mendoza and to Tassis, with whom she has also an alphabet, commending his case to the King of Spain. Understands by Dr. Lewes that this Pope is better inclined towards her than was his predecessor. Desires her to write to M. de Guise on writer's behalf; the Duchess of Feria, the Earl of Westmoreland, the Bishop of Ross, Lord Paget, Sir Francis Englefield, Lady Hungerford, Dr. Lewes, Charles Paget, Du Ruisseau, De Chaulnes, Hotroan, Dolu, Fontenay, Thomas Throgmorton, Richard Guilford, Dr. Wendon, and William Tresham, have had friendly respect of him in his captivity. Asks for two prebends in St. Quentin for two friends of his. William Cecil is become a Catholic; he is the heir of Burghley's house. It is apparent that the King of France labours to break the Catholic League, and to shake the credit of M. de Guise. His Majesty doth not so much fear the Huguenots as he doth envy and mistrust the house of Lorraine. “She of England” and other unhappy instruments labour to continue an evil impression against the said royal family. As the holy League was addressed to pull down heresy and the favourers of the same, whereof in these parts the King of Navarre is the principal, so the said King and all the house of Bourbon (the old Cardinal only excepted) and their adherents, whereof many are Catholics, strengthen themselves to deface the Catholic League; bearing the world in hand that this League hath no other meaning but to seek the subversion of the House of Bourbon, that the House of Lorraine might more peaceably come to possess this crown. In this great division in this country the King will be forced at last to join himself to the House of Lorraine, and to favour the Catholic League, or he will ruin both himself and the country. If the Queen has no secret means to write to these parts, tells her she may, by the supposed name which is appointed to him, Berison, recommend him by that surname in open letters to the Duke de Guise and her ambassador.
Leicester is entered with all magnificence into Holland and Zealand. Mauvissière did what he could in England to disgrace his successor there, and was forced by M. De la Charte to write to the Queen of England, to repair what he had reported to the dishonour of M. Chasteauneuf and his wife. The French ambassador has many letters in copies for her. Recommends Robert Foley for her service; he has been placed by Charles Blunt to be Sir Philip Sidney's man—28 January.
To Curle : It breaks his heart to see so many reverend personages banished out of England. “She of England” hath banished within this twelve months a hundred priests or thereabouts, whereof some of them have lived many years close prisoners in England, and some of them be grown lame and impotent.
Copy. [Murdin, pp. 470–481. In extenso.]
239. Gilbert Towle to Mr. Cave (Sir Francis Walsingham's servant).
1585/6, Jan. 24. Begs him to deliver the letter sent by the bearer to his master Sir Francis Walsingham, and promises him, in requital of this service, either a Scot's saddle or a halberd, whichever he shall choose.—Berwick, 24 January 1585.
1 p.
240. Captain John Barrington.
1585/6, Jan. 24. Warrant under the Privy Signet for the payment to Captain John Barrington, in recompense of his good service in Ireland, of a pension of four shillings per diem.—Greenwich, 24 January 1585.
1 p.
241. Receipt by Sir Amyas Paulet.
1585/6, Jan. 24. Received of William Agarde, Esquire, by order from Sir Ralph Sadler, signified by his letters to the said Wm. Agarde, to the use of the Scottish Queen, the sum of Six hundred Pounds.— 24 January, 28 Elizabeth.
Signed. ¼ p.