Cecil Papers: 1662

Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 22, 1612-1668. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1971.

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'Cecil Papers: 1662', in Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 22, 1612-1668, (London, 1971) pp. 441-446. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-cecil-papers/vol22/pp441-446 [accessed 19 March 2024]

1662

Five papers:
(1) 1661–62, February 4. "Theise are to certifye unto all persons whome it may concerne that I, Marmaduke Holtby, am readye upn my corporall oath to depose and doe hereby absolutely denie that I ever said unto the Lady Clapham that the Lord Roos told me, although he lay not with his wife in the night, he did in the day: and I doe alsoe denie that the Lord Roos ever told me soe: witness my hand the 4th day of Ffebruary, 1661."
Signed: Marmaduke Holtby. Witnessed by: Castleton; Sackvill Crow; Anthony Marshall; Edward Paine; John Crouch.
1661–62, February 1. "I Ffrancis Jepson, Clarke, doe say and hereby certifie and affirme that the Lord Roos never told me, that if his wife the Lady Roos had come three weekes sooner, or stayed three weekes longer, that he would have owned the childe, neither did I tell Mr Oliver any such thinge: and this I doe attest under my hand by the word of a minister, the ffirst day of Ffebruary, 1661."
Witnessed by: Gilbert Chantler and Thomas Grant, Justices of the Peace; William Perkins, senior; William Perkins, junior; Henry Wright; William Hawkins.
At the bottom: "The intent of theise certificates are to make the truth appeare, contrary to what was on the behalf of Lady Roos soe strongly affirmed for truth by Lord Dorchester to the Kinge and Lords upon the hearinge the 27th of January at Worcester Howse, upon which affirmation Lord Dorchester engaged his honour and merritts of his cause."
Endorsed: "Certificates that the Lord Roos never said certain things of his wife." 1 p. (200. 120a.)
(2) 1661–62, February 12. "I delivered by his Maties comand to the right Hon.ble the Earle of Ruttland and his Lady the message followeinge:
That his Matie upon consideration of what was aleaged at the late heareinge of the business in difference between my Lord Roos and his Lady, doth not finde ground whereon to make judgement to condemne the Lady, but as wishinge well to soe Hon.ble ffamilyes his Maties advice is that since there is noe likelyhood of a reconciliation betweene them, that some friendes on both sides might agre upon some such settlement as that whilest they live asunder a competent and hon.ble aloweance might be made to the Lady, and his Matie further wishes that the childe might be placed in the handes of some third person to be agreed on both sides, to prevent the apprehentions of either parties, and if his Maties advice shall not take place with those whoe are herein concerned, then his Matie leaves them to take their course by law."
Signed: Edward Nicholas.
At the bottom: "This is a true coppie from Nottingham of a paper which the Lord Dorchester sent to his steward Mr Bingham, to git it read in all churches he could have interest in, if five shillinges would prevaile.
But this followeinge my Lord and Lady Ruttland affirmeth was all that they received from his Matie by Sir Edward Nicholas, Ffebruary the 12, 1661:
The Kinge sais that upon heareinge of the business betweene the Lord Roos and his wife, the examination not beinge upon oath, he canot give judgement against the Lady, but since he sees there is (sic) no hopes of a reconciliation, out of his well wishes to both the ffamilyes, thinkes fit to propound the giveinge the Lady an aloweance, and that her childe be put into a third hand, and if this be not liked of, leaves the parties to the law."
Copy. Endorsed: "1661. Lady Rosse." 1 p. (200. 120b.)
(3) Proposals from the Marquis of Dorchester.
"That the childe may bee delivered up to his daughter or els committed to the care of some person on whom she may relye; that she may have an allowance fitting to maintaine her selfe, child and family according to her birth; and the fortune hee gave with her or els the portion to be repaid, and she to relinquish her joyneture."—Undated.
Copy. Unsigned. 1 p. (200. 120c.)
(4) Lord Roos's answer to Lord Dorchester's proposals.
"Although the child be not of my begetting, so long as the law reputs it mine, I must and shall keepe it. Upon notice that it was the Kings pleasur, I yeealded that Lord Dorchester should send for his daughter to speake with her, which having done let him send her back to me if he will not keepe her himselfe; for allowance I will give non but what the law determines."— Undated.
Copy. Unsigned. 1 p. (200. 120d.)
(5) The Earl of Rutland to [—].
"Haveing receaved the Marquesse of Dorchester demandes in writinge on the behalfe of his daughter the Lady Roos, to which, my sonne beinge out of towne, and since the cheefe matters there of concerne him most, noe other answer for the present can be given but this:
That when Lady Roos shall acknowledge to his Matie, to whom my Lord her father hath appealed for justice, that which shee hath confesst to her husband and he knowes best that the childe is none of his, I dare undertake in his behalfe my Lady or her father may have and dispose of the childe as they please.
And soe when ever his Matie shall be pleased to affoorde his patience for heareing this unhappy matter which hath given him an injurious trouble, the Lady Roos may bee assured of such an allowance as her demeasnure towardes her husband, though perhappes nott simply as shee is the marquesses daughter without the other considerations may in justice or equity demeritt. Which untill my sonne can appeare to avoyde suspition of unnecessary delay on our part, I have held it as a duty to his Maties commands to give and in observance your Lordship fitt to asure you that I am, etc."—Undated.
Copy. Unsigned. (200. 120e.)
Bond.
1661–62, February 21. Agreement between John Keeling and Thomas Tooke, whereby Keeling conveys by sale to the latter a certain close of meadow within the parish of Essenden, co. Herts, which is declared free and acquitted from the jointure and dowry of Alice Keeling, his wife; the said Tooke to enjoy the undisputed possession of the property under penalty of £20.
Endorsed: "Keylings bond for enjoyment of lands in Essenden." Seal. 1 p. (General 127/5.)
The Countess of Rutland to the Earl of Salisbury.
[1662 April]. Thanks him for his letter, "being trewly glad Margret is so agreeable in her deportment, praying the continuance. My lord makes his excuse by the honest berer designing to have brought Lord Montague upe with him. Our busines (by a petition of La. Roos yesterday delivered by Lord Moone) is not to be heard till the 6 of next month, and then at the Lords barr. (fn. 1) But I feare the Parlement will rise before. Weare I able I would make a jorney to Hatfeelde for but one or two howers discourse with your Lordshipe, for all is not golde that glisters." Requests Salisbury to arrange with his receiver to be ready on May Day, "for 15001 will be payed us and so one labour may serve of telling."—Undated.
Holograph. 2 pp. (200. 58.)
The Earl of Northumberland to [the Earl of Salisbury].
1662, May 5. The having taken a little physic this morning before I received your letter made me unable to return you by the same messenger my very hearty acknowledgments for your kind concernment for my son, who has escaped a dangerous sickness; his small pox "are" now perfectly well and his fever has left him; a little time I hope will bring his strength again.
This town is almost as barren of news as Hatfield. Since Colonel Talbot's arrival we heard not one word from Portugal, nor is the occasion of the Queen's stay all this while known, but 'tis believed she is at sea and driven so far to the west by reason of these strong easterly winds as it is impossible for the fleet to reach England. Some speak of the fleet of Spanish and Dutch ships joined together which threaten to block up Lisbon as soon as the English ships come away, but this is only discoursed of by some merchants. The Lords and Ladies are so very weary of their attendance at Portsmouth as they have desired the King's leave to return to London. Your Lordship was expected this day in town in order to the giving your assistance to the bill for divorcing my Lord Roos from his wife, which some are of opinion will meet with a strong opposition in our House. I think my Lord of Dorchester will too much overact his part if he should give Lord Roos any part of his estate to make him amends for the miscarriages of his daughter, and those that look for such a satisfaction from him will, I believe, be disappointed. The Parliament is said to have more mind to an adjournment than to a prorogation, but as yet the certain time for either is not known.— 5 May, 1662.
P.S. My wife is a very humble servant unto your Lordship and my Lady of Salisbury, and I beseech you let me be so represented likewise unto her Ladyship.
Holograph. 2¼ pp. (131. 201.)
The Earl of Northumberland to [the Earl of Salisbury].
1662, May 7. Your Lordship having lately enquired after news of the Queen, I thought it would not be unacceptable to you to be informed of what Mr Montague brought last night from Portugal. He left the Queen at sea about the Bay of Biscay, and came away in a frigate to give the King notice of her approach. The winds were so contrary that he had great difficulty to reach Plymouth. He conceived that when he landed there she might be between 20 or 30 leagues off the Land's End, but would hardly be able to get farther eastward than Scilly or Falmouth. Another messenger is daily expected and till he arrive the place of her landing will not be certainly known. She has been very sick at sea, and therefore may desire to come ashore as soon as she can; but all things being prepared for her at Portsmouth, it is rather wished she would land there.
The King by a message this day unto the Parliament signified his intention of adjourning or proroguing them speedily, and for that reason desired they would lay aside all private businesses and apply themselves only to those that are of public concernment. This hindered the Lords proceeding this day upon my Lady of Rutland's bill.
Your Lordship I know is so favourable to us as you will not be ill pleased to hear that my son continues very well, and begins to sit up and eat again.—May 7, [16]62.
P.S. I beseech you to give me leave in this corner to offer my very humble service to my Lady of Salisbury.
Holograph. 2 pp. (131. 197.)
The Countess of Rutland to the Earl of Salisbury.
[? 1662] July 2. Thanks him for his innumerable favours. "My daughter, praises to God, continues improving in her health, and with me, in all gratefull acknowledgments, prostrats herselfe to your Lordshipe and my worthey noble lady."—July 2.
P.S. "Your bounties to me inables me to furnish many freinds and feast my selfe."
Holograph. 2 pp. (200. 66.)
The Countess of Rutland to the Earl of Salisbury.
1662, July 29. "Your good sonn is well retorned from Scotland, and hope hath much inlivened his busines by the jorney. My daughter is bettor, but hath some remembrances of her malidie. They both are upon wing to prostrat themselves to your Lordship; yet hope for pardon if I stay them till the end of next weeke."—Belvoire, July 29, 1662.
Holograph. 2 pp. (200. 29.)
The Countess of Rutland to the Earl of Salisbury.
1662, August 19. Thanks him for his letter and great care of Margaret. "Ye docter which she used was heare when I received your favour, and he is confident, following his medecines, she will soone vanquish her fitts. I have written to her, and how much she is bound to your Lordshipe for all affectionat expressions to her, which if she indevour not to merrit, I shall disowne her."— Belvoire, Aug. 19, 1662.
Holograph. Seal. 2 pp. (200. 30.)
The Earl of Essex to the Earl of Salisbury.
1662, August 22. I have lately received instructions from his Majesty to return certificates of the values of all the estates of the peers of this kingdom lying within co. Herts, unto the Commissioners appointed by his Majesty to receive the same; and assuring myself that I cannot give in a truer account of your revenues in this country than such as I shall receive from your Lordship, I desire you would please to send me a valuation of your estate here that I may thereby be enabled to perform his Majesty's commands.—Hadham, August 22, 1662.
Holograph. 1 p. (131. 202.)
The Earl of Northumberland to the Earl of Salisbury.
1662, September 20. "Your Lordship was pleased many yeares since to give me leave to use your name with others for a trustee of some part of my estate. I have now occasion to sell a farme in Sommersettshire, parcell of the estate which is under that trust, and do desire that your Lordship would joyne with me in signeing the deedes which will be presented to you for conveying the lands therein mentioned unto Mr Carey the purchaser."—Petworth, Sept. 20, 1662.
Holograph. Seal. 1 p. (200. 31.)
The Earl of Essex to the Earl of Salisbury.
[1662] October 1. "I have formerly writ to your Lordship and other Lords of this county for valuations of their estates, and having received severall returnes from others, the want of your Lordships hinders me from giving in my certifficate to the Lords Commissioners appointed by his Majesty to sease the Peers of this Kingdome, so as the whole being at a stand till I receive an answer from your Lordship makes me move your Lordship to hasten your returne as soon as possible.
My Lord, I am in so good a forwardnesse with the militia of this county as I intend a generall muster of all the horse about a fortnight hence, and therefore if your Lordship please in the meane time, while I am sending to the Lords Comissioners to receive their resolution what proportions they will appoint each peere to find, to thinke of providing such armes as your Lordship imagines may fall to your share by the rules limited in the Act; the notice that I shall give for their appearance will be the lesse surprising.
I have said this to your Lordship out of my earnest desire to forward his Majestyes service in this country where I am entrusted, and to do it with all imaginable respect to your Lordship by giving you as early a warning as may be for providing your horses and armes."—Hadham, October 1.
P.S. "My wife presents her humble duty to your Lordship."
Holograph. 1½ pp. (200. 125.)

Footnotes

  • 1. See infra, pp. 444–5.