Elizabeth I: volume 133, January 1588

January 1588

Vol. CXXXIII. 1588. January—February.

Jan. 2.

1. Petition of Capt. Thomas Woodhouse to Lord Burghley, that he may have his pension from the day of his discharge, in like sort as others have. He is not able to ride a mile or go about his own grounds without 8 or 10 armed followers. p. 1.

Jan. 4. Chester.

2. Thomas Lynyall to G. Beverley. John Vincent to be helped out of prison. The passage delayed eight weeks. Money. Mr. Henry Denny. p. 2.

Jan. 4. Dungannon.

3. Hugh, Earl of Tyrone, to the Lord Deputy.—I have received your Lordship's letters of commandment of the 29th of December last, signifying (as your Honour was informed) that sithens the departure of the commissioners from Dundalk I went into M'Mahon's country with a great number of men and continued there two days, by which means your Lordship was given to understand that I enforced him to "comprymitt" [compromit] the matters in debate betwixt us to certain persons appointed by ourselves, and withal your Lordship commandeth me not only to desist from dealing either with M'Mahon, Turlough O'Neill, or Maguire, but also that I should not give any assistance to O'Donnell without your Honour's warrant, and that I receive no horsemen from the said M'Mahon, and lastly that I should come to Dublin forthwith. It may, therefore, please your Lordship to be advertised that I dealt not with M'Mahon as was declared to your Honour, neither went I any farther than the borders of both our inhabitance as ourselves did appoint, with which I made the commissioners acquainted, and took not so much as a sheaf of oats from him, so as now we are thoroughly agreed, without that, that I demand any horsemen of him, but am able of myself to defend my inhabitance if your Honour would permit me, and am not desirous to deal with those people whom your Lordship hath named, if they would desist from working my annoyance. As for O'Donnell he is almost driven out of his country, and the same made waste by Hugh M'Edegany having the aid of the said Turlough's people and soldiers, who give forth that they have warrant for the same; but whether they have or not, O'Donnell (as he signifieth unto me) findeth their speeches to be true in action in this behalf. Otherwise, if it might stand with your Lordship's liking, I would not suffer him to sustain any wrong by such as now continually annoy him. As for my going to Dublin at this instant it is so that my inhabitance is continually annoyed by the said Turlough's people and his sons, as in my former letters I have declared to your Lordship, insomuch that I am now constrained to make a fortress, six miles beneath Dungannon, and to encamp myself there, and, albeit, this time of year is unfit for that purpose, and that every man (at this season) beginneth to manure their land, yet I must of necessity make up the same fortress, or lose the little that is left me. Furthermore, I most humbly beseech your Honour to take such order, as my men may have redress of the harms they have sustained by the said people, and that my country may remain in safety henceforward, and then I will attend your Lordship's pleasure, otherwise I hope it is not your Honour's meaning that I shall be restrained to seek my redress against such as daily do prey and spoil me (they themselves being at liberty and not answerable to law), and withal I humbly beseech your Lordship not to send for me to Dublin upon every information of my back friends, who, though they are incensed against me, yet perhaps will so smooth the matter to your Honour as may lead you to conceive that they deal simply without bearing any bad intention towards me, and this request I desire the rather, for that since my coming from England I have been at Dublin thrice, twice at Dundalk, and once at Drogheda, to my great charges, wherein I am not able to continue, and again where I cannot defend my country being here, much less may I defend the same being at Dublin, whereof I beseech your Lordship to consider and to dispense with me for the causes herein mentioned. I am greatly abused by Hugh M'Edegany in that he hath given very bad speeches both of my father and myself, in the audience of the whole country, which I do take very grievously, the rather for that he maketh his vaunt that he uttered so much of me before your Lordship. David Powes hath said at Dundalk in presence of some of my own men, and others of that town, who will witness the same, that I will climb so high as I will break my neck, and that I did betray his company in M'Mahon's country. These are not the speech I deserved of him, for I did him good when he durst not trust but a few in Ireland, and this I have thought good to show your Lordship how I am used, and do refer the redress thereof to your Honour. Copy. pp. 2.

Jan. 4.

4. Petition of John Rawson to Lord Burghley, for 20 marks of land in fee farm or 20 nobles in fee simple, in consideration of service done with a ship of his own. His sickness. p. 1.

Jan. 5.

5. Names of certain Commissioners for Ireland. p. 1.

Jan. 6. Enniscorthy.

6. Sir H. Wallop to Burghley. In favour of the bearer Charles Huet, clerk to Mr. T. Jenyson, the late auditor, to have his accustomed allowance for the execution of the office. p. 1.

Jan. 8. Dublin.

7. Sir G. Bowrchier to Walsyngham. For some good recompense for the land taken from him by Sir Edw. Phyton. pp. 1 ½

Jan. 8. Dublin.

8. Sir G. Bowrchier to Burghley. The lands he had in custodiam passed to Sir Ed. Phyton. That he and other captains may have 1588.their pay in Ireland. The horsemen allowed to undertakers in Munster, rather a benefit to men's purses than a finding of men for service. pp. 1½.

Jan. 8. Bristol.

9. The Lord Roche [Maurice de Rupe et Fermoy] to Sir Francis Walsyngham. I do send your Honour hereinclosed the Lord Deputy's letters (as I promised to send) concerning his denial of giving me licence to repair unto the court, whereby your Honour may judge whether he hath showed me that favour which may be easily without any prejudice extended to any other, and I not any way culpable for my departure, considering how hardly this twelvemonth and better he hath stayed me from that journey, and in the meantime hath licensed divers others of the nobility of the realm to pass thither, and of the inferior sort a great many, which hath occasioned me to adventure the danger thereof, if any there were, as there was none at all. I certified unto his Lordship of the privy departure (which I understood) of the Countess of Desmond, for whom I was bound in 100 pounds ster. with others that she should not depart without licence, whose answer thereupon shall appear unto your Honour by the said letters.

I fear to be troubled for the departure of the said Countess of Desmond for the sum of 100 pounds aforesaid. I do therefore beseech your Honour, considering that by the said letters I certified thereof to the Lord Deputy, your Honour would upon some convenient time write your favourable letters, to the end that I may be discharged therein. p. 1. Incloses,

9. I. Lord Deputy Perrot to the Lord Roche, in answer to his of March 28 complaining of the hard dealing of the Vice-President of Munster. Cannot yet license him to go to England. Clancar is gone over and the Lord Barry doth the like. Dublin, April 4. p. 1.

9. II. Lord Deputy Perrot to the Lord Roche. Answer to his desire for license to go into England. The Countess of Desmond is not like to go into England. Dublin, Aug. 27. p. 1/2.

Jan. 9. Castle Jordan.

10. Henry Duke to the Lord Deputy. These are to certify your Lordship that presently I have received from the Brenny of certain that the Earl of Tyrone's brother Cormock and Turlough M'Henry, of the Fews, with Art M'Baron's sons and Henry M'Shane and his brethren, have been in camp these seven days past with 300 horsemen, 300 Scots, 400 galloglas, 400 kerne, and 140 shot, and have made a "keayshe" over a great river that is betwixt them and the Brenny of purpose to prey the Brenny, if the O'Reillys will not be sworne to be at the Earl's commandment. On Sunday night last they camped at Dounamayne in Ferny, and are in the Brenny ere this, if waters have not letted them. They have taken up a month's victuals. It is most true that Sir Ross M'Mahon and his brother, and all his best followers, are sworn to be at the Earl's commandment. And the Earl hath given to Sir Ross and his brother, and to Rorie M'Gilpatrick, three horsemen's apparels. The Earl's men do openly say that whatsoever they shall do in your Lordship's time that the next Deputy will forgive them. The Earl is building of a fort on a strait that is below the mountain of Slew Gallin, and left his forces to prey the Brenny, as his own men do openly avouch. Presently, upon Sir Ross's return from the Earl, he preyed his next neighbours of Maguire's country, called Donogh Maguire's sons, and O'Donnel's men did the like upon their next neighbours of Maguire's country, of purpose to compel Maguire to be at the Earl's commandment, as is openly reported. Philip O'Reilly's men, with the freeholders and gentlemen of his barony, did rescue from my men such kine as they took for a distress for the Earl of Kildare's money, and that by special commandment from Philip (as they say), Philip's men do commonly report that your Honour will enlarge him. I assure your Lordship if he were at this instant at liberty that her Majesty should command no more in the Brenny, nor in all those parts of the north, than she did in Shane O'Neill's time. Two gentlemen of the Reillys on Wednesday last, going to speak with my men at Cloneis, were met by Rorie M'Hugh Oge of Dartry, who set upon them, from whom they hardly escaped with their lives. Your Honour would scarce believe the sudden alteration of those parts, and it is like to grow worse ere it be long. My good Lord, whosoever will believe that the Irishry will be dutiful and obedient, although they swear it never so much, except there be a present force of men to command them, will be greatly deceived. Copy. pp. 1½

Jan. 14. Dublin.

11. Sir John Perrot to Sir Francis Walsyngham. Being commanded by my Lords of the Council to require this bearer, Mr. Lovell, to make his repair before them, I did their Lordships' commandment therein, but he within few days after fell extreme sick, whereby he was like to die; yet now being somewhat recovered, he goeth to attend their lordships' pleasures. And in as much as you wrote your favourable letters unto me in his behalf, the like whereof my Lord of Leycestre did, I have ever since (in all convenient sort) favoured him, and made him sheriff of the county of Kilkenny this last year, who not only in that time, but also in the Lord Grey's and late Lords Justices' times, hath been a most earnest servitor against all thieves, traitors, and murderers, which hath procured him great ill will amongst such as favour the like persons. And especially the Earl of Ormond doth bear a very heavy hand upon him, ever since he took a lease upon one Quemerforde's lands, who hath been a notable traitor, which cause hath been in suit to his great charges these many years, and he could never recover it till now in my time, myself being driven to sit in the Exchequer thereupon; otherwise the Queen's Majesty would never have had the lands. Since which time to this gentleman's great discouragement, loss of time, and expenses, the said Quemerforde [Comerford] hath gotten by warrant from thence estates upon the said lands. And now the Earl of Ormond and all that appertain to him in the county of Kilkenny do (for that cause) by testimonials of their own procurement, and such like matters, seek utterly to deface the said Lovell, and to drive him out of the country, wherein is no Englishman dwelling but himself. And although, perhaps, something may be proved against him, whereof no information came before me, but of late by the Earl of Ormond's means, yet I must compare the sheriffs of Ireland to a purgation, which, though it take many humours away yet doth it leave some small hurtful thing to the body behind it. And we, here, when we can get one to occupy that office, that is not utterly ill, as most the sheriffs are, but doth some good, we make much of him, and this I can certify unto you. Howsoever I have received letters of their good obedience there, that I know it to be one of the most thievish and contemptuous shires in Ireland. And I must say as Justice Butler, that lately died, was wont to say, that there may be hanged 200 every year out of that county, and leave thieves enough for the breed. And so hath it been that they have killed many good sheriffs, justices of peace, and other good men that loved the commonwealth. And seeing you, sir, required me to favour this gentleman, I do recommend him again to your protection in his just causes, of whom if you have not care, I fear he will be killed either there or here, and you must look about you in these dangerous times, for the Irishry have cunning enough to take advantage thereof. Being sorry that you keep the new governor there so long, which must procure in the interim troubles to the disgrace of my service. Beseeching you to help me away, for my body groweth worse and worse, I take leave. pp. 1¼.

Jan. 14. Dublin.

12. G. Fenton to Burghley, in favour of the bearer Charles Huett, of long time Jenyson's Deputy Auditor, and now displaced. p. 1/2.

Jan. 14. Dublin.

13. G. Fenton to Walsyngham. Mr. Charles Huett licensed to repair to England. His wife and children. p. 1/2.

Jan. 14.

14. Petition of Richard Clayton, merchant of London, to Burghley for payment of above 500l. for wares and money delivered to servitors in Ireland. p. 1.

Jan. 15. Dublin.

15. The Lord Chancellor Loftus and the Bishop of Meath to Burghley. Honest and upright course of life of Charles Huett. p. 1.

Jan. 15. Dublin.

16. Archbishop of Dublin to Lord Burghley, in the behalf of the bearer Edward Drinckell, for payment of his pension. p. 1.

Jan. 17. Dublin Castle.

17. Sir John Perrot to the Queen. I have received by Mr. Denny your most gracious letters signifying your Highness's good and princely acceptance of the memorials I sent by him. And as I presumed to deliver the same of dutiful zeal; so have I divers other necessary things answerable to the time, to declare to your Majesty concerning this your Highness's realm. And if any have, in mine absence, said aught to my prejudice, I will disprove them in every material point, upon the loss of my life, that I have not faulted in your Majesty's service.

And in as much as it hath pleased your Highness, in respect of my griefs, to appoint my successor for the government of this realm, I do most humbly beseech your Majesty to send him hither with speed, for between change of governors the loose people of this land have often taken advantage to the hinderance of your Majesty's service; which yet I have holden in good quiet although my revocation hath been generally spoken of, long sithens, throughout all this kingdom.

I do likewise beseech your Majesty to license me to take the baths in my way towards your presence, that I may make myself the better able to do your Majesty service, if cause require, upon any the malignant attempters against your royal person, or state; for I confess I were not worthy to live, seeing your Majesty standeth so much my gracious sovereign against those that envy me; if I should wish to be absent when your Majesty hath need of so poor a man's service. p. 1.

Jan. 18. Dublin.

18. Sir Lucas Dillon to Burghley. Charles Huett trained from his childhood in the office of the auditor. p. 1.

Jan. 20. Middle Temple.

19. Mr. G. Gascoygne, barrister-at-law, to Burghley, for payment of 140l. for which he has a bill of the Vice-President of Munster. p. 1.

Jan. 20.

20. Petition of John Morgan the Queen's smith of Ireland for payment of 108l. 5s. 4d. p. 1.

Jan. 22.

21. Petition of Thomas Wakefield to Burghley, for payment of 480l. 12s. 6d. p. 1.

Jan. 22.

22. Remain of Irish warrants partly paid in Petre's hand. p. 1.

Jan. 23.

23. Petition of Roger Pope of Dublin, merchant, to Burghley for payment of 440l. 8s. 6d. p. 1.

Jan. 26. Dublin.

24. Captain Nicholas Merryman to Sir Francis Walsyngham. Sithence my coming over hither I have found but small favour from the Lord Deputy in my causes touching the country pay. His lordship allegeth that to put Her Majesty into a farther charge than already she is at, will procure the country to rebellion, and yet to write his Honour's letters down unto O'Neill and his urraghs, for the obtaining of my pay, I take it will not avail me anything. Commissioners hath been sent down by his Lordship to determine about such causes as are betwixt us, the captains, and the northern lords, and yet no order taken to their utter undoings, amongst whom I myself is most hardly dealt withal, and driven by that means to great impoverishment. My pension taketh effect, but the recourse daily of my creditors and soldiers which served me (unto whom as yet I can make no satisfaction) will force me (unless the Lord Deputy will deal more favourably with me than he doth) to resort unto her Highness again. Wherefore I most humbly crave your Honour (if that require the same) as you have been my only favourer, and furtherer, so you will continue towards me in my honest occasions, wherein I trust to deserve the same and answer your good opinion conceived of me Here though we have no means of employment, yet by general bruit there is looked for after that, which in Spain they have in practice, which some (I hope false prophets) do prophecy to be at hand. p. 1.

Jan. 30.

25. Petition of Christopher Holywood to Burghley, for payment of 203l. 9s. 8d. to Stephen Segar, constable of Dublin Castle. p. 1.

Jan. 30.

26. Petition of John Morgan, master smith, to Burghley, for payment of 108l. 15s. 8d. to enable him to supply the flasks and touchboxes for which he is bound. p. 1.

Jan. 31. Cork.

27. Justice John Meade to Sir F. Walsyngham. Giving you most hearty thanks for the good will and favour which you always show unto my son John Meade, who is envied and maligned by his own countrymen students there for his virtue. If God bestowed any gift on the youth that they want or have not, this is sufficient for the wicked sort to continue in their envy and malice, I have committed him to your Honour to be his defence in his good and just causes so long as he shall serve God, the fountain of all virtue and goodness, and obey his sacred Prince and her Highness's laws. Your Honour shall understand that I have had a lease of some of the attainted lands passed unto me under the great seal for certain years according to Her Majesty's letters in Condon's country, and yet having received letters from your Honour, and the rest of the honourable Lords of the Council that there was a former grant made thereof by letters patents to certain of the undertakers, and that my lease and other leases made of the attainted lands might be an impediment to the undertakers, and to the course taken by Her Majesty and your Honours here for the said lands, I have by the advice of my good lord the Lord Deputy surrendered my lease, and did let one Arthur Hide, gentleman and associate to the undertakers, to have and enter into the same, trusting that your Honours will the rather consider me and my said son for the better inabling of us to serve her Highness.

Jan.

28. An article of Instruction for the Lord Deputy touching the victualling of the garrison. p. 1.

[Jan.]

29. Note by Sir Thomas Williams touching checks in Ireland. p. 1.