Cecil Papers: May 1589

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

This free content was digitised by double rekeying. All rights reserved.

'Cecil Papers: May 1589', in Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 3, 1583-1589, (London, 1889) pp. 409-414. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-cecil-papers/vol3/pp409-414 [accessed 19 April 2024]

May 1589

862. James Colvile, Laird of Ester Wemyss.
1589, May 2. Warrant to the officers at the necessary ports to allow James Colvile, Laird of Ester Wemyss in Scotland, or his assigns, to export 1,000 cloths or kerseys, wrought, or unwrought, beyond seas, custom free. “Given under our signet at our Palace of Westminster.” 2 May, 31 Elizabeth.
Sign Manual.
1 p.
863. Sir Robert Constable to Sir Francis Walsingham.
1589, May 3. Has received his letters, together with a proportion for a supply of munition and other necessaries for Ireland; and sends here underwritten such wants as may be supplied out of the office of the Ordnance. The rest was always to be supplied by warrant from the Lords, viz. : Powder of both sorts, shovels and spades, felling axes, lanterns, and hand baskets, all these of store. Lead is accustomed to be provided at West Chester for saving of carriage, for ready money. Other necessaries, viz., fireworks, trays of wood, nails of all sorts, soap, sieves, elm and walnut tree planks, are to be provided likewise for ready money. Morrions of both sorts, oil for armours, are under the charge of Sir Henry Lee, Master of the Armoury.—The Minories, 3 May, 1589.
1 p.
864. James Melville to Archibald Douglas.
1589, May 3. Writes in recommendation of William Kemp, seeking service in England. His Majesty is prosperously returned from the North, bringing in his company the Earl of Huntly in manner of triumph, the rest all shattered and fled, their houses ruined and their estates disposed of; nor has the said Earl yet got presence nor speech of his Majesty, who is highly offended, as well at his rebellion and papistical practices and proceedings, as for that now last at his entry and coming in, he reposed not his surety only upon his Majesty, but upon the handiwork of Lords Hamilton, Treasurer, and Mar. This night his Majesty cometh back to Perth, passing to Lothian with diligence to pursue the Earl Both well, who lieth in Dalkeith with 3 or 4 hundred horse, undoing any other harm (sic), and in dealing secretly with the Ambassador of England to be a suitor for him.—From Halhill, 3 May 1589.
1 p.
865. Thomas Fowler to Archibald Douglas.
1589, May 5. The King hath been at Strathbogie with his army, and we have brought the Earl Huntly prisoner through the country triumphantly. He was conveyed every day two hours afore the King with a strong guard of horsemen, and the next news you will hear will he that the Earl Bothwell, your good friend, will be in hand. I am sorry for him, for I found him a very noble friend to me for good words and entertainment, but he hath entered in action in these rebellions further than any of the rest. The King is extremely discontent at him, above all others but Huntly. The Master of Gray's coming home is much misliked of many, and yourself thought to be the cause thereof, to serve your own turn. But he shall come in how welcome soever, the King loves him not.
If you will write plainly of my wife's condition, and what mind she ia in, I shall take it most kindly, &c.—This 5th of May 1589.
pp.
866. [John Graham], of Halyards, to Archibald Douglas.
1589, May 6. Has received his most courteous letter, and understands thereby his great good will. As for the bank silver (?) he wrote of before at length, he remits further, only writes at this time that he may pray his lordship to consider that the pleading off that execution cost him a thousand pounds. Remits the furthering of his cause to his good will, praying he may have the principal, though he should lose the interest. Asks him to advance John Hutchinson 1,000 marks, which he promises to refund.—Dumbarton, this 6th of May 1589.
P.S.—My warding in this castle proceeded from my chief's coming to my house, but I am to be relieved within three days to their disadvantage that caused ward me.
pp.
867. The Pacification of Ireland.
1589, May 10. Commission from the Lord Deputy and Council to the Archbishop of Armagh, the Bishop of Meath, Sir Robert Dillon, Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, and Sir Thomas Le Strange, or any three of them. Upon credible advertisements of the entering into rebellion of some of the Bourkes of Clan William, Sir Morogh ne Doe, O'Flaherty, and other septs in Connaught, we addressed our Commission unto you (joined with others) of the 5 April 1589, not only to understand the causes of their rebellion, and what their complaints and griefs were, but also to deal with them for pacification. Which not being fully accomplished, for sundry reasons declared by you at the Council Board, we think it meet eftsoons to return you back into that Province, fully authorising any three of you to deal in all things according to the tenor of your former commission and instructions of the 5th April 1589. Also, for the better accomplishment of this service, we require you to repair to the said Province with all speed possible, and to parley and treat for the service of her Majesty with the said Bourkes, Sir Morogh ne Doe, Sir Brien O'Rourke, or any others that now, or during your being : there, shall enter into action of rebellion in that Province. And if you find them willing to pacification, and conformable to such directions as you shall think meet for the honour and service of her Majesty, and the good and quiet of the country (as we are credibly informed they will [be]); then upon their oaths We absolutely authorise you to protect such of them, for such times as you think meet, and to conclude a peace with them, or the chiefest of them (if you may) : advertising us from time to time of your particular doings in this behalf. And, further, it shall be lawful for you to take to your assistance Robert Fowle, Provost Marshal of that Province, with his horsemen, and Robert French, of Galway, merchant, to be employed in such service about yourself, or otherwise, as you shall direct, as also to use such fit messengers for the better accomplishment of this service as you shall think needful. And if any that you shall so appoint for this service refuse to be employed as you command, we authorise you to correct and punish them as you in discretion shall think good.—Given at Drogheda, 10 May 1589.
Underwritten :—“Copia examinata, per Nath. Dillon.”
Endorsed :—“A copie of the Commission directed to certain of the Council as Commissioners for the pacificacion in Connaught. For the Lord Treasurer.”
2 pp.
868. Sir William Herbert to Lord Burghley.
1589, May 11. Encloses the articles answered. I am desirous her Majesty should conceive no worse of me than there is cause. What complaints have been made against me you have heard, together with my answers : what I have to complain of I desire may likewise be heard, the rather that I hear Sir Edward Dennye is upon his return to Ireland.—“From my lodging,” 11 May 1589.
1 p.
869. Gomer van Awsterwyke, Musician to the Queen, to the Queen.
1589, May 13. For increase in the value of his lease in reversion, in consideration of his having kept the children of Alfonso Ferabosco.—13 May 1589.
[Note by Lord Burghley that the Queen's grant is to be shewed forth.]
1 p.
870. Doctor Christopher Parkins to Sir Francis Walsingham.
1589, May 16. Only received this month his letter of October. Has undertaken at the request of the citizens of Elbyng to hand certain letters to the King of Poland. Has been well received as coming from the Queen of England. The Pontifical Legate having written to the King of Spanish victories, men's minds were in fearful suspense till his true relation made them ridiculous. As for his return, his religion may be a hindrance; the laws as to it he cannot approve, though be admires the political institutions and would enjoy them, but will not be a judge or disturber of the laws of religion. Cordially abhors the Roman Spanish factions. Is engaged in business in behalf of the Queen's subjects, and betakes himself to the court of Poland with a view to confer with the King and nobles who are favourable to him.
Latin.
2 pp.
871. George Beverley to Archibald Douglas.
1589, May 19. I do so much rejoice in the honorable amity continued between the realms of England and Scotland, as I have cause to honour your lordship as a special means for the same. I would gladly have attended to have seen you at my first coming into these parts but that I was by earnest occasion returned towards Shropshire. And being lately returned, I am bold to send you some cheeses of small value, presuming always of your favourable acceptation. I take my leave, this 19th of May 1589.
¼ p.
872. The Master of Gray to the Queen.
1589, May 20. Asks for a letter of credit which her Majesty promised to write for him to the King of Scotland, and which he forgot to remind the Queen of yesterday. The sooner he has his despatches, the better will go her Majesty's affairs in Scotland.—London, May 20, 1589.
French. 1¼ pp.
873. J. Maitland to [Archibald Douglas].
1589, May 23. Has been in this town since his last, where is very little intelligence. Will visit him as soon as his sickness will allow him to travel. Requests him to obtain a passport before he enters England.—From Dieppe, 23 May 1589.
1 p.
874. Sir Francis Knollys to Lord Burghley.
1589, May 24. I do take it necessary to make your Lordship privy of all my doings that may concern her Majesty's safety, and therefore I do send you hereinclosed the copy of my late letter written to that grave learned man, Mr. Doctor Hammond. For I do know that, if any good shall be done for the preservation of her Majesty's safety against the dangerous deprivation of her Majesty's supreme government, privily sought by the undermining ambition and covetousness of some of our Bishops, I do know, (I say), that if any good shall be done herein, it must be done by your Lordship's good mediation, through your wise, and modest government. And, as I do verily think that the grave learned man aforesaid is sufficiently able to inform your Lordship of all the dangerous consequences that may ensue to her Majesty's safety by the loose bridle given to the ambitions and covetousness of our Bishops, so I am thoroughly persuaded that, when your Lordship shall be fully resolved of the injurious claim of our Bishops, pointed to the dangerous prejudice of her Majesty's supreme government, that thereupon your Lordship will take such order in time so well to inform her Majesty, that thereby the loose bridle given to our Bishops shall be so restrained, that they may be driven to give her Majesty her due right in her supreme government, and to revoke their injurious printed and professed claim of their superiority over their inferior brethren to be directly from God's own ordinance, and so not directly from Her Majesty's grant; whereby, to maintain this their claim, our said Bishops do exclude from the ministry all that refuse to subscribe to the observation, and to the allowance, not of the doctrine only, but also of the ceremonies of the Popish Church, contained in the book of Common Prayer. But our Bishops refuse none that will devour three or four benefices, or that be so ignorant that they will subscribe to all things. And this is the uniformity that our ambitious Bishops do make only account of.—The 24th of May 1589.
Enclosing :
Sir Francis Knollys to Doctor Hammond.
To the end that you may understand mine advice gratis, the time that my Lord Treasurer shall send to confer with you before the term, I do think it best for you, upon your conference, to persuade my Lord Treasurer that first, it will please him to make her Majesty privy of the state of the controversy between the claim of the bishops' superiority over their inferior clergy; that they do not claim it directly from her Majesty's grant, but they claim it as appertaining to their persons by God's own ordinance, as soon as her Majesty hath made them Bishops. And that my Lord Treasurer will inform her Majesty, also, how greatly this claim is prejudicial to her Majesty's supreme government. And that hereupon he may persuade her Majesty to use his lordship for a mean to cause the said Bishops, or, at the least, the bishop of Canterbury, to set down in writing their proof of this said claimed superiority of theirs to be God's own ordinance, and so consequently not to be the direct grant from her Majesty by virtue of her supreme government. Upon the which setting down of their claim aforesaid, it may please my Lord Treasurer to persuade her Majesty that she will be content that my Lord Treasurer may cause you to answer in writing to the assertion of their pretended proof of their superiority aforesaid, whereby the said Bishops may be driven either to revoke their injurious claim against her Majesty's supreme government, and to acknowledge that they have no superiority but only and directly from her Majesty's grant, or else her Majesty by your answer to their pretended claim may plainly see how injuriously against her Majesty's supreme government the said Bishops do seek by secret means to defraud her Majesty of her supreme government, given her directly and plainly from God, as well over the clergy as over the laity.—At Westminster, the 22 of May 1589.
P.S.—Hereby also may appear the ground of the pretended uniformity to grow by subscription to the Archbishop's articles, namely, that ambitions and covetousness, with the excluding of her Majesty's government underhand from the clergy, was the ground thereof—22 May 1589.
2 pp.
875. The Privy Council to Lord Burghley.
1589, May 26. Whereas the Queen hath had occasion of late to use the aid and goodwill of her loving subjects by way of loan, borrowing of such as are known to be of ability, some reasonable sums for a small season, which hath been for the most part very willingly performed in all the realm, by such to whom her Highness's privy seals have been directed : as there are divers persons of good honour, ability, and wealth that have profitable offices in the Exchequer and Court of Wards and Liveries, both under your lordship, it is not thought meet, in respect of the gain and credit they do reap in those places, and in the wealth they be of, they should be dispensed with in this general employment of the goodwills of her Majesty's subjects, to the great discontentment of others that have been charged in this loan, being inferior to divers of them in wealth and calling. Therefore, to avoid all discontentment and envy, we are to pray you to inform yourself of those that have office and belong to the said Courts under you, being of calling and wealth, and to send us a list of their names and offices, that we may, according to their abilities, cause privy seals to be delivered unto them for lending her Majesty such sums of money as they may well spare. Nothing doubting, but you will deal with them herein to shew that forwardness that other her Majesty's subjects do very willingly perform, in doing whereof they shall seem the rather to deserve those places of credit and profit, we wish your lordship right heartily well to fare.—From the Court at Whitehall, 26 May, 1589.
Seal.
1 p.
876. Sir John Norris to Captain George.
1589, May 27. The King findeth himself aggrieved that you do take upon you to give the word, since he hath appointed a Governor. And in truth it is not reason, but the Governor should have that pre-eminence, and therefore from henceforward fail not to let him have that honour. Send me word in what state your men are, how many whole and how many sick, and what news you have in that country.—From Cascale, this 27th of May 1589.
½ p.
877. Alexander Bonus to Sir Francis Walsingham.
1589, May 30/Apr. 9. Offers, if released from prison, to expiate his offences against the laws, to convert mercury into pure gold; to make 5 oz. of perfect gold at the cost of an angel; to convert silver into perfect gold at small expense, and all in a very short space of time. Begs Walsingham to send for him, that he may at greater length and by word of mouth narrate his discoveries, and that he may not be sent to others.—“Domi Jaune,” 9 April 1589.
Latin.
1 p.
878. John Wilson to the Queen.
1589, May. For lease in reversion of the manor of Booking in West Mersey, Essex, to the use of the present tenant, Thomas Cumbre, for his services as groom of the slaughter-house.
Endorsed :—May 1589.
[Note by Dr. V. Dale that the Queen grants the petition.]
Encloses :
John Wilson to the Lord Treasurer.
For warrant to the Auditor for a particular.
2 pp.