Cecil Papers: February 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: February 1586', in Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 3, 1583-1589, (London, 1889) pp. 131-133. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-cecil-papers/vol3/pp131-133 [accessed 15 April 2024]

February 1586

242. Bond for Sir Horatio Palavicino.
1585/6, Feb. 5. Sir H. Palavicino undertakes to procure 50,000 French crowns, or the value in English money amounting to 15,468l. 15s., to be in readiness, either in High Almayne at some of the towns of Nuremberg, Frankfort or Strasburg, or else at Westminster, according to his instructions given him by the Queen signed by her own hand.
Draft, with Burghley's interlineations.
Endorsed : “1585, February 5.”
pp.
243. Thomas Lakey to Archibald Douglas.
1585/6, Feb. 10. Would be glad to hear how he speeds with my Lord Treasurer. Knows that if he might have free disposition of a certain lease, he might make 2,000l. by it. Sends a cipher as requested.—Richmond, 10 February 1585.
1 p.
244.—to Archibald Douglas.
1585/6, Feb. 11. I have taken occasion to write to you these few lines [to tell you] something fallen lately forth. This day Mr. John Colvine being at the . . . . in the Abbey Court, the King calls on him . . . . those speeches . . . . many great offences but none greater than that . . . . Secretary Walsingham not to trust William Keith, which was a matter which tended . . . . . discredit both me and him at his first arrival. This Mr. John denied very strongly, and craved another allegement,—that William Keith had spoken to the King. But the King denied that, and assured him of the contrary. But Mr. John being very inquisitive, the King answered that before God he knew not who was reporter of it, but he knew there was speeches betwixt Mr. Archibald Douglas and him, and it might be that Mr. Archibald was the reporter and affirm it, and cared not affirm it. But Mr. John craved leave to go to London for trial of it. The King answered modestly, “Nay.” But he would permit him to write to Mr. Secretary that he had challenged him with such matter, but gave him no author. This was all that passed betwixt the King and Mr. John. But this day, being going to the sands to my pastime, Mr. John Colville came to me, and said he had a very heavy complaint to make to me of you, alleging that you should have written to the King's Majesty; that you had sent a letter of his written to Mr. Secretary wishing him not to trust Mr. Keith; and this he said the King very surely bad shown to him, and prayed me not to reveal the same to no man. But I suspected the matter, in respect I knew the King not to like of him, and for fear on the other side that it should have impaired your credit in that realm, I went to the King and inquired the matter of him, who reported it just as I have written in the beginning of my letter, and denied that ever he gave you “determitlie” for reporter. But I showed him that Mr. John had declared to me that his Majesty had permitted him to write to Mr. Secretary for trial of the matter, the which he granted was true, but that Mr. John had made promise not to write anything but that his Majesty should see before it was sent. The which Mr. John confessed to . . . . himself, well knowing that he may write one thing and show another to the King. I desired leave of the King to write to Mr. Secretary the very truth, the which I have done at his Majesty's command, and without (?) Mr. John wrote any thing further than is contained in my letter written to Mr. Secretary. It is not of truth all this I did to the end your credit should not be increased, but I marvel greatly that he should either have written or spoken to my lord, or spoken to any man, and not have made me acquainted with it. But, to tell you true, I believe James Hudson was the advertiser of it, and I am assured of it, but you shall do well to “misknow” the matter, but only to make your own part there, and Mr. John will not fail to blame you. So, in the end, it will turn to his own disadvantage, but I thought good to write to Mr. Secretary, having leave of the King, to this end he should not believe Mr. John's evil report. You shall do well to get a “syt” [sight] of the letter which I have written to Mr. Secretary. As for occurrences there is few, saving that miscontentment increases daily, and the estate is not thought in that security, but an alteration is daily expected, men being so negligent in their . . . . Stewart is here at Court these ten days, and was never better entertained in his time, and so is all the rest of that sort since the home coming of the Lord Claud. It is thought the French Ambassador and that course to be better liked, and the said lord has been at him twice or thrice, but his elder brother holds good the English course. I pray you travel so far as in “you lies to advance my desire” touching my voyage of Flanders, as you would wish my surety and your own advancement and mine. Both the causes I have written so oft, I remit them to your memory. Travail in it with the Queen and with Mr. Secretary and my Lord Treasurer, and spare not . . . . to my Lord of Leicester. At your coming into Scotland send me word what I may cause convey you where it shall happen me to be for the time, and therefore, God willing, ye shall have . . . . of the King. Thus after humble service commended unto the Queen's Majesty and all friends, I commit you to God's protection.—of Court, this 11 of February 1585.
[This paper has been trashed with galls and is difficult to decipher in parts.] No signature.
2 pp.
246. Lord Burghley and the Earl of Leicester
1585[/6], Feb. 1–15. Memoranda in Lord Burghley's hand, headed by him, “Extract out of letters written to me by the Earl of Leicester, containing matters requisite to be answered, after her Majesty's pleasure may be known.”
Amongst these memoranda are the following :—
Feb. 1. Her Majesty may have ships and marines to be hired upon reasonable warning.
That Mr. Davison may return.
That her Majesty may have the profit that now is made of the gold transported, being “rooss” [rose] nobles.
That a good quantity of money may be sent over to be carried by Mr. Davison.
That her Majesty shall not be charged with one penny more than by her contract with the States she ought to be.
The States begin their payment of 20,000l. the month, now in February, over and besides all former debts, and also charges of the seas.
Feb. 2. An offer to answer her Majesty yearly 40,000l., by coinage of rose nobles in Holland, where now she hath xxxs for the rose noble. Note, the meaning is that her Majesty hath xxxs for coinage of every pound weight, which is xxxvjl “in current,” that is, for every pound in tail, xd where before she had but ijd by the pound tail, and vjs for the pound weight.
Feb. 3. The Count of Embden affected to the King of Spain.
Feb. 12. Abuse of merchants bringing armour out of Holland : corslets bought for 18s., steel, sold in London for 28s. or 30s. : a lance armour, of pistol proof, bought [for] 33s., sold for 3l. or 4l.
Feb. 15. That her Majesty will be pleased to restore Sir Robert Jermyn, Sir John Higham, and Robert Ashfeld, to be justices of the peace.
That our merchants may have their trade to Holland, both with their cloths and wools, and that those countries will leave working of all Spanish or French wools.
That it is certain that the Count of Embden is become Spanish.
pp.
248. Harwich, &c.
1585–6, Feb.—. A Report on the best manner of fortifying the town of Harwich, and on the state of the Island of East Mersey.
3 pp. [Murdin, pp. 540–542. In extenso.]
249. James VI. of Scotland to the Lord Justice, Justice Clerk, or their Deputies.
1585/6, Feb. —. Requiring them to release Thomas Roger and his bail from appearing before them 17 February inst., and to desist from all proceedings against them.
This — day of — 1585.
Endorsed :—“The King to Mr Douglas, 1585.”
½ p.