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A volume consisting wholly of petitions, memorials, statements,
orders, letters, &c. relating to the family disputes and controversies
between the Earl of Shrewsbury on the one part, and the Countess
his wife, and Henry Cavendysshe, William Cavendysshe, and Sir
Charles Cavendysshe, her sons by her former husband, on the other
part. These family disputes extended over a long period of time;
notices of them incidentally occur in previous years, and are inserted
in their proper places in the Calendar. Many papers occur in this
volume to which satisfactory dates could not be assigned: those
with dates take the precedence. On the 8th of December, 1585, an
order was made by Lord Burghley and Sir F. Walsyngham, upon
the petitions of the Countess and her younger sons [see Vol. 185,
No. 11.]; with reference to a former order pronounced by the Queen
in April 1585. |
Jan. 31.
Sheffield. |
1. The Earl of Shrewsbury to Walsyngham. His disputes with
the Countess his wife. Desires some public submission and retractation
of her slanderous speeches to be made by her. He must
bend his mind to trouble, though his years do otherwise move him.
Desires the deliverance of Tho. Baldwin from the Tower. |
| Sept. ? |
2. The humble petition of Sir Charles and William Cavendysshe
to Walsyngham that the Earl of Shrewsbury may cease his actions
against William Cavendysshe and Henry Beresford, according to
the Queen's order; and that the witnesses of the Cavendysshes
may be fully examined upon all points. |
March 5.
Sheffield. |
3. Earl of Shrewsbury to the Queen. Has received her gracious
letter for the staying of his two suits, the one against William
Cavendysshe, his wife's son, the other against Beresford, her man;
which did not preclude him from proceeding against Charles Cavendysshe, nor against Beresford upon the Statute of Scandalis Magnatum. Particulars of the seditious slander published against him
by Beresford. |
| Mar. 18 ? |
4. Depositions by Peter Bysse and Richard Ridler relative to the
injurious words spoken by Henry Beresford against the Earl of
Shrewsbury; given in evidence on trial at the York Assizes. |
March 19.
Rowthorne. |
5. Hercules Claye, servant of the Countess of Shrewsbury, to
Lady Shrewsbury. Reports the proceedings of the suit against
Mr. Basford [Henry Beresford ?] at the York Assizes, which had been
conducted with great partiality. No serjeant could be retained
against the Earl of Shrewsbury. |
| March 25. |
6. Sir Charles Cavendysshe to Walsyngham. The Queen had
sent for him to know how the matter stood between the Earl of
Shrewsbury and them. Sends notes of the case, so that he may
be able to acquaint Her Majesty with the differences existing.
Incloses, |
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6. I. Notes of the case as it stands at present between the Earl
and Countess of Shrewsbury and the Cavendysshes. |
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7. Heads of Her Majesty's order between the Earl of Shrewsbury on the one part and the Countess his wife and Sir Charles and
William Cavendysshe on the other. |
May 12.
Greenwich. |
8. The Queen to the Earl of Shrewsbury. Expresses her earnest
desire that all controversies between him and the Countess and her
younger sons, should cease, and by her mediation be brought to
some good end and accord; his years requiring repose, especially of
the mind. Has consulted with the Lord Chancellor and Earl of
Leicester, and in the presence of the Lord Chancellor, Lord Burghley, and Secretary Walsyngham, and pronounced an order, which
she much desired should be observed. Incloses, |
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8. I. Certain things pronounced by Her Majesty as orders
to be performed by the Earl of Shrewsbury in the causes
of controversy betwixt him and the Countess his wife.
Greenwich, May 8, 1586. |
| May 12. |
9, 10, 11. Three copies of the above letter and order. |
| May 12 ? |
12. Abstract of Her Majesty's order between the Earl of Shrewsbury on the one part and the Countess his wife and Sir Charles
and Wm. Cavendysshe on the other part, concluded by the mediation
of the Lord Chancellor and the Earl of Leicester. |
| May 12 ? |
13. Another copy of the preceding, with marginal notes by Sir
Ch. Cavendysshe. |
| March ? |
14. Objections by the Countess to the Earl of Shrewsbury's
answers, who has not obeyed the Queen's last letter: he displaces
sundry tenants and means to continue the suits. |
June 15.
Chelsey. |
15. Shrewsbury to Walsyngham. Desires him to favor his suit
to Her Majesty against the Countess his wife, that she may be
banished from the Court, now that she hath so openly manifested
her devilish disposition in maintaining and defending her wicked
servant Beresford, in the defamation of his house and name. Is
ashamed to think of his choice of such a creature. Begs Walsyngham
to influence his son Gilbert Talbot to leave that wicked woman's
company. |
June 22.
Serjeants' Inn. |
16. Mr. Justice Clenche to Sir Christopher Hatton. Report of
proceedings before him at the York Assizes against Mr. Beresford on
the statute "De Scandal Magnat" prosecuted by the Earl of
Shrewsbury. |
| June ? |
17. Petition of the Countess of Shrewsbury to the Council.
Denies the charges of the Earl against her that she had ever maintained her servant Beresford against him, and only knew of the
imputation of treason by the evidence of the two brothers Ridlers at
York Assizes. |
| June ? |
18. Note by Sir Ch. Cavendysshe on the force and effect of the
Queen's order, which was intended to produce a united reconcilement
and cohabitation. |
| July 16. |
19. Note of the yearly allowances which the Earl gave to the
Countess of Shrewsbury, when they cohabited together; and of the
losses sustained by her and her sons, by means of the Earl. |
| July ? |
20. Causes showed by the Earl of Shrewsbury why he should not
cohabit with the Countess his wife, she having of her own will
departed from him, and now offereth to come home again. It
appeareth by her words and deeds that she doth deadly hate him
and hath called him knave, fool, and beast to his face, and hath
mocked and mowed at him. |
| July ? |
21. Memorandum by Sir C. Cavendysshe of the principal points
desired:—that the Countess go down in the Earl's company, and
that the lands allotted may wholly revert to the Cavendysshes
again. |
Aug. 7.
Richmond. |
22. Order made by Lord Chancellor Bromley and the Lord
Treasurer, by the Queen's commandment, in the controversy between
the Earl and Countess of Shrewsbury. Which being reported to
Her Majesty, she called the Earl and his wife unto her, and in many
good words showed herself very glad thereof, and the Earl and
Countess in good sort departed together very comfortably. |
| March 29. |
23. Order pronounced by Her Majesty between the Earl of
Shrewsbury and the Countess his wife, in the presence of me the
secretary: signed by Walsyngham. |
| March 29. |
24–29. Six contemporary copies of the above; slightly differing
from each other. |
| April 10. |
30. Certain articles which the Countess of Shrewsbury desires
may be inserted in the late order made by Her Majesty between her
and the Earl of Shrewsbury. |
Oct. 6.
Wingfield. |
31. The Countess of Shrewsbury to Lord Burghley. Thanks for
his letter sent by her son, Wm. Cavendysshe. Complains of the
conduct of her husband, the Earl, who has not been down to her
above three times, and has now withdrawn all his provisions, not
suffering her also to have sufficient fire, contrary to the assurances
made to Her Majesty. |
