Border Papers volume 2: February 1602

Calendar of Border Papers: Volume 2, 1595-1603. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1896.

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'Border Papers volume 2: February 1602', in Calendar of Border Papers: Volume 2, 1595-1603, (London, 1896) pp. 780-783. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-border-papers/vol2/pp780-783 [accessed 26 March 2024]

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In this section

1441. Sir John Carey to Cecil. [Feb. 1.]

Signifying that he has been informed that one Master Loptone of Kewbicke, an English gentleman, has had many secret meetings with the King and been kindly entertained by him—the better to cloak which and avoid suspicion, he has insinuated himself and goes about Mr George Nicolson. His man "Gregore Cottes" often passes by stealth through Tyvedale, keeping much on the Borders by unlawful courses. He has thought of intercepting him, but has forborne, in case he might be appointed by Cecil for the Queen's service, and begs his instructions, as Cottes is shortly to take one of his secret journeys. Berwick. Signed: Jhon Carey.

1 p. Holograph. Addressed. Indorsed by Cecil's clerk ". . . concerning Mr Lepton's man."

1442. Sir John Carey to the Privy Council. [Feb. 8.]

As directed by your letter of 22d January, I yesterday, Saturday, sent Mr Richard Musgrave, my deputy warden, and 100 horse to Alnwick, to receive from Mr Henry Woodrington, deputy warden of the Middle March, 4 of the Scottish pledges sent by the Council at York, who were this day, Sunday, delivered to my officer and brought hither, where they shall remain in "Haddockes Hole" as you command. Desiring your pleasure, whether if they can procure sufficient gentlemen of Northumberland bound for them as true prisoners here, I may release them out of this "lothsome prison of Haddockes Hole (yea or no)?" the rather as neither they nor their friends have in any way offended any person in this March. Unless we keep them for other men's faults, I know not why we should keep them, having no manner of complaint. For those who have done murders, &c. (the Bornes, Yonges, and Pringles) are still at York, which, in my simple opinion, had been fitter to send here, than these men. Berwick. Signed: Jhon Carey.

1 p. Addressed. Indorsed. Wax signet: swan, &c.

1443. Sir John Carey to Cecil. [Feb. 8.]

[In similar terms to the preceding. The prisoners were delivered by Mark Errington on behalf of the deputy warden]. I am a humble suitor in behalf of "a great boye that I have hear, my sune Herrey Carey whoe loses his tyme to muche hear": that you would move her Majesty for a licence for him to travel into France, to fit himself better for her service, and for a man of mine attending him. Berwick. Signed: Jhon Carey.

pp. Holograph. Addressed. Indorsed. Wax signet: swan, &c.

1444. Passport for James Colville, &c. [Feb. 12.]

Licensing the bearers "James Collvill, lord of Easter Wemys, accompanied with Gaptaine James Collvill, William Collvill, Peir la Villaine, Thomas Beige, and Allester Roye," to pass through London to France, travelling on their own horses, viz., 2 grey ambling nags, of 15 hands; 2 bay ambling nags, of 15 hands; 1 little grey ambling nag, of 10 hands; 1 grey ambling mare, of 15 hands; and 1 grey ambling nag, of 16 hands. Berwick, Signed: Jhon Carey.

1 p. Addressed as before. Indorsed: "Lord Wemes his pasport," &c. No seal.

1445. Sir John Carey to Cecil. [Feb. 19.]

Mr David Fowles and Mr Roger Ashton, passing through this way to Scotland, conferred with the 4 pledges in "Haddoxe Hole," and found two of them very sick and like to die. They also thought it a very lothsome prison, and desired I would show the prisoners some favour, which I said I could not do against my instructions: whereon they entreated me to send the enclosed letter without delay. In my last I moved for a licence for my son Henry to travel, which if not done, I humbly beg you to remember, for he loses much time here. Berwick. Signed: Jhon Carey.

¾ p. Addressed. Indorsed. Wax signet: swan, &c.

1446. Sir John Carey to Cecil. [Feb. 24. 1601–2.]

The opposite warden and I appointed two days of truce—the first on the Wednesday 17th instant, where my deputy warden met them at Carham the first town on our Border, where they fyled 23 bills and got satisfaction for most of them: my deputy staying "a pretty while" and proclaiming that any Scottish man unsatisfied, should come in for justice. Next day Thursday 18th, my deputy and people went to Readinge in Scotland, where we had 37 bills fyled, and had justice for most of them: the rest to be satisfied next truce day. If your honor ask Lord Scrope and my brother Sir Robert, I believe they will say they never heard of the like.

As Lord Roxburgh wrote to me, I met him with my deputy and 4 other gentlemen, at "Readinge boorne" (he with the like) on Saturday following the 20th, more willingly as 3 or 4 great and private bills were unsatisfied, and from their nature, scarcely to be looked for: when he of his own accord said he was most willing to do it if in his power. But he feared it, for most part of his wardenry were about revolting from him, they were so disquieted and discontented at those 4 pledges being brought here, and the rest left at York without hope of relief, all being put in "for on self same cause." I know this much, that the unruly begin to be much busyer than they were wont, and that Lord Roxburgh who was to have gone with the King to the west, is stayed at home to keep his country quiet. Himself is much grieved at the ill-requital for his late forwardness in keeping peace, and told me that rather than suffer these disgraces, he would give up his office. The disgrace is that he being warden, gave himself up, then these men, and now 4 of them are sent down, without his being thought worthy of being acquainted therewith. I would gladly know what I shall do with these 4—being at present bound to keep them in Haddockes Hole? For their friends have made great offers to satisfy the indents in the commissioners' books, to the uttermost, and meantime entreat me for your pleasure that they may be released from "that lothsome pryson" into the town, on sufficient security. I think 3 of them will quickly satisfy bills to relieve themselves. I would not have been thus tedious, but fear, if the unruly "rabble have their head"—very likely if Lord Roxburgh resigns—that great danger will follow. Though he has been a very ill man to this border, it is very needful to keep him in good terms, for assuredly he can do much good and harm. Berwick. Signed: Jhon Carey.

I have sent inclosed his letter to me since we last met.

2 pp. Addressed. Indorsed. Wax signet: swan, &c.

Inclosed in the same:—

(Lord Roxburgh to Carey.)

Representing his own great exertions in executing the conditions as to pledges under the treaty, as his letters of late since Sir Robert Carey's going to London, his conferences with George Nicolson, and his dealings in the late Lord Willoughby's time, will show—all ending in nothing, "bot ane great heip of lyklie heasartis (fn. 1) of the peax, gif this cours now haldin with the pledgis be followit furthe, and not ordourit in tyme"! He cannot cease wondering on what grounds the pledges are so treated—one part brought down, and the other lying at York "in monstrous extremeteis," as reported! for it was intended all should be dealt with alike, and Sir Robert Carey has written to him several times from London, that a general course for them all was to be expected. Ends with a very earnest desire that Sir John will at once intercede that the same course may be taken with all: those at York brought down, and those at Berwick, when the others come, may all taste of the Queen's clemency, and the wardens have power to end that "langsum work." The King has dealt with George Nicolson to mediate in the matter. "At Halydene the xxij of Februar 1602." Signed: Roxburghe.

pp. Closely written. Addressed. Indorsed by Cecil's clerk.

1447. James VI to John Musgrave. [Feb. 24.]

Having come in person to put down the broken men of the border, as he signified before leaving Edinburgh to the English Council, requires Musgrave to meet him at Dumfries on Saturday 27th instant to confer on the best means, bringing with him a note of any complaints against Scotland, the Scottish officer doing the like on the other part. Has ordered his warden the Laird of Johnstoun to "convoy" him. Intreats him to have his forces ready to concur in putting down these "lymeris."

"From Drumfries this xxiiij of Februer 1602." Signed: James R.

¾ p. Addressed: "To . . . Mr Johnne Musgrave, warden deputie owir the West Marche of England," &c. Indorsed by Cecil's clerk: ". . . to the deputy warden of the Middle March." Wafer signet (Scotland.)

1448. George Nicolson to John Musgrave. [Feb. 24.]

That the King had come hither this day to punish his rebellious subjects, and is desirous to meet Musgrave next Saturday. Hopes he has received full directions, as the King's letters and his own "went up" the 6th. Meant to have gone to see him, but will now await his coming.

"At Dumfreis the 24 of Febr. 1602." Signed: George Nicolson.

¾ p. Holograph; also address. Indorsed by Cecil's clerk: "14 Februar 1601. Mr Nicholson to the deputy warden of the Middle Marches." Fragment of wax signet.

1449. Passport For Captain Andrew Grey, &c. [Feb. 28.]

Licence for the bearer "Captaine Andro Grey, a gentillman of Scotland," to travel to France through London, with 3 men and 5 horses, viz., 2 grey ambling nags, and 3 brown bay ambling, each of 15 hands high. Berwick. Signed: Jhon Carey.

¾ p. Addressed as before.

(At foot). "It mae pleas your honor to grant your pasport for Captayn Grae and for his cossinge Jhon Grae": each with a nag and a servant. Signed: Ja. Hudson.

Footnotes

  • 1. Hazards.