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| Jan. 1. |
1. Suggestions for redress of the inconveniences arising from the
impress of mariners, that a proclamation or order from Council be
issued to the county magistrates, as follows:— |
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1. That in all the maritime counties the constables and churchwardens, or substantial freeholders chosen for the purpose shall
yearly examine and register the names, ages, and qualities of all
mariners, fishers, &c. |
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2. That all householders who follow the sea be set down, with
their children and servants, that parents and masters may give
account for their families. |
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3. That the said officers deliver yearly copies of their registers
to the justices of peace of hundreds, and mayors or bailiffs of
towns, who shall send books of the mariners in their several precincts to the vice-admiral of each county, who shall gather the
rolls into a general book and then send them to the lord admiral,
to be kept in the Navy office. |
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4. That no seafaring man, on pain of imprisonment, send his
sons or servants further than the coast, without notice to the
register keeper. |
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5. That the vice-admirals inform themselves of the state of
their seafaring men, their times of going forth and returning, &c.,
and advertize the lord admiral and navy officers. |
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6. That when the latter or the Privy Council send letters for
the impress of mariners, the magistrates command the parish
officers to bring before them the seafaring men in their several
liberties. |
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7. That they take note of those on board other ships, and
summon all seafaring men, whether inhabitants or strangers, to
accompany them at the time and place appointed. [Draft, much
corrected, 3¾ pages.] |
| Jan. 1. |
2. Copy of the above. [2½ pages.] |
| [Jan. 1.] |
3. Later copy of the above. [5¼ pages.] |
Jan. 2.
London. |
4. E. Reynoldes to John Rawlins, Wakering, Essex. My advice is
to live in retirement rather than seek a city life, where the late
unhappy accident (the Earl of Essex's death) has dispersed all our
former friends; also to cultivate business habits, and perform well
the business handed to you by your brother. I have resolved to
live a monastic life myself. [1½ pages.] |
Jan. 4.
Deptford. |
5. Demands of Rich. Hall, smith, of Ratcliffe, for new working
sundry of Her Majesty's old anchors, sent from Chatham to be
repaired. He will take them all at 13s. a cwt., and deliver them at
at 50s., 43s., 33s. 4d. and 28s. the cwt., according to their weight,
from 26 cwt. to 2 cwt. [½ page.] |
Jan. 5.
London. |
6. Dud. Carleton to John Chamberlain. Private affairs. Since
my last we have had a tide of good tidings. There is great
differing in the relation of the defeat in Ireland. I give you what
I heard from Capt. Dutton, who was present, and deserved well. |
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The enemy, being 6,000 strong,—amongst whom were 300 Spaniards
of those which came last to Castle[-haven], —intended to assail our
camp on the night of the 22nd, either to make way for relief into the
town of Kinsale, or for the Spaniards to abandon it and come safely
out,' and then, with their whole force, to set upon the Deputy's camp.
They began their march at 8 p.m., being six miles from our camp,
but by O'Donell's subtleness in guiding the army through the unknown passage, and the time spent in disciplining the straggling
and unruly Irish, it was light day when they were discovered within
a mile of Lord Thomond's quarter, where they purposed their
attempt. |
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The Lord Deputy had his camp in arms eight days before, waiting
their coming, but then looked for them the least. Upon the alarm,
he sent down Lord Clanricarde, Sir H. Danvers, Capt. Dutton, and
three more gentlemen to beat in their sentinels, and view their
order; who finding them at a stand, and in dispute whether to
return or go on, it was resolved to send out 1,500 foot and 700
horse, to hold them in skirmish till the rest of our army was ready
or wait upon their retreat. Sir H. Pore commanded our foot, and
the marshal, Sir R. Wingfield, our horse, who finding them in fast
retreat, sent some light horse, with foot enough to stay them with a
loose skirmish. The enemy seeing our men come up, put themselves in battle on a place flanked on one side with a bog, and on
the other with a hill. Tyrone with his North kerns had the vanguard, Capt. Tyrell with the Spaniards and some Irish the battle,
O'Donnell the rearguard. Meantime Sir R. Wingfield, Lord Clanricarde, Sir H. Danvers, and Capt. Williams came up, in all 250
horse; they finding themselves so far engaged by reason of a
strait they had passed, which was taken by the enemy, that they
could not get off without much loss, thought it best, by charging
the enemy's horse, to try a fortune. At the first charge, the horse
fled, and in the rout, broke and carried away in disorder part of the
vanguard; our men, seeing this, left the pursuit of the horse, and
charged the broken foot, who, casting away their arms, subjected
themselves to execution, and were all slain save 60, who escaped
with Tyrone. O'Donnell with the rear guard escaped without loss,
save of arms, which they threw away. In running, 30 Spaniards
were outrun and left to the mercy of our men; they were all slain
or taken; amongst whom was Alonso del Campo, taken by Capt.
Dutton. There were slain in all of the enemy 1,000, and of ours
only two men and 25 horse. There were brought into our camp
10 colours and 2,000 arms. |
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The town was summoned upon the defeat, but no show was made
of yielding; yet it is said it will not hold out ten days. The
Deputy has sent through the realm promises of reward to such as
shall bring in any of these defeated rebels. Tyrone is gone towards
north, and Tyrell with him; O'Donell fled that night to Beer.
There remain 400 Spaniards at Castles Baltamore and Beer
Haven, to secure those places for the landing of the Duke of Parma,
who is expected with 9,000 Spaniards and Italians, to come as
viceroy for the King of Spain. |
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The treaty between the Archduke and Sir F. Vere for the rendering of Ostend was only to beguile the Archduke, and gain time for
the coming of succours. Hostages were given, and there was a
two days' truce, and often messages on both sides; Te Deums were
sung at Brussels, &c., but meantime the succour came in, and so the
bargain was broken. Some will have it that the treaty was meant,
and that if the men, by entering when they did, had not taken away
all probable pretext, the town, for money and other large conditions,
had surrendered. The Dutch, whom the affair concerns most, like it
not; however we at Court extol Sir F. Vere for beating the cautious
Spaniard at his own weapon. |
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Yesterday seven-night, at 6 p.m., the enemy assaulted the town
by escalade, thinking that we wanted men to defend so large a
circuit, and that so small an addition as 400, which was the most
that entered, could help but little. We conjectured their purpose,
and were well provided for them. They came on in four places,
and gave the alarm first on the east side, to divert our men from
the west, where they intended the main assault. On the south
side, where they assaulted our works, without the town, they prevailed, and slew two Dutch captains and 60 soldiers. On the west
side, principally on the Sandy hill in the old town,—which was
flanked with cannon and murdering pieces from Helmont, and
which Sir F. Vere guarded,—they gave two desperate attempts,
which they maintained at push of the pike two hours, but were
repulsed. Sir H. Vere was hurt in the leg, and Capt. Fairfax shot
in the head, but like to escape. The Archduke lost 100 of his best
men, with one Italian colonel. The English will be drawn from
thence out of hand, to be relieved in garrison in Holland; and it is
referred to Sir F. Vere whether he will continue there, or leave the
command to some other. There are 60 Dutch companies on the
way thither, conducted by Treasurer Dublett. |
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The Archduke Ferdinand has raised the siege of Canicy with great
shame, and lost part of his cannon, many men, and all his tents and
baggage. Don Loys de Velasco is newly come out of Spain into the
Low Countries. The French Ambassador, on his way hither, has fallen
sick at Canterbury; Mons. de Messe comes not at all. The commision for merchant and sea causes is given to Boysisy and Beaumont. The Princess Conty is lately dead. Prince Jenville is
banished France; said to be for counterfeiting the King's mistress's
hand in a love letter to himself, which he showed to Madame Villars,
to whom he has long made love, as a means to value himself the
more in her favour. |
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My Lord of Northumberland is reconciled with his lady, for which
he was a while in disgrace in higher place. Sir Edw. Norris has
been lately used with great favour by Her Majesty; Mr. Secretary
and he are closed, but his nephew still stands out, and will not be
ruled. Sir H. Danvers, who brought the Queen the Irish news for
a new year's gift, is not yet admitted to her presence nor like to be.
Your countryman Masham with Mallery are like to come to arraignment for refusing to pay their fines, and taxing the Lord Treasurer. |
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There are this day brought before the Council certain bold fellows
that lay high matters to the Lords' charge; as Arthur Hale, who
accuses the Lord Keeper; one Atkinson, who accuses the Lord
Treasurer, and two others, Mr. Secretary; they were heard in great
secrecy, and sent to the Gatehouse; their cause will thrive ill when
their adverse party is juge et partie; the Lord Chief Justice and
Attorney Coke have the hearing of the matter. Ned, my Lord of
Canterbury's fool, morari inter homines desiit. [3¾ pages.] |
| [Jan. 5.] |
7. "Mr. Attorney's bill concerning four articles that concern the
Lords of the Council in general," to prove Wm. Elston, Gilbert
Wilkinson, Ant. Atkinson, and Mich. Cawley, guilty of publishing
the said four articles, and of plotting to accuse the Council of their
contents, viz.,— |
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1. That whereas the Queen had provided 100,000l. for service
in Ireland, and its defence against foreign invasion, the treasure
was withdrawn by the Lords of Council, and shared amongst
themselves. |
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2. That they were disloyal, and endeavoured to betray Ireland
to the enemy, and that Elston could lay open the whole plot. |
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3. That the Queen's state was so weak, that if she yielded not
to the Council's will, they would ("which is fearful for the heart
of man to think,") cut her off. |
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4. That the late coming of the Spaniards into Ireland, was
with consent of some of the Council. [9 pages.] Also, |
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"Mr. Attorney's bill containing five articles that concern the Lord
Treasurer and other Her Majesty's officers in particular," viz., |
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1. That the 80 customs' offices in the outports, value 16,000l.
a year, and 60 in London, value 15,000l. are only granted by
Lord Treas. Buckhurst to those who will buy them from him,
and if they complain, they are hardly used, and that thereby the
Queen loses 90,000l. yearly in customs. |
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2. That he restrains compassing from port to port without his
licence, for which he charges 3l. on every 100 quarters of malt,
and 4l. of wheat. |
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3. That in the farming of imposts great deceit is used, so that
her Majesty loses 4,000l. a year in Gascony wines, 10,000l. in
tin, and 6,000l. in currants. |
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4. That there was great deceit in the last sale of crown lands,
some sold at 30 years' purchase which were worth 60. |
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5. That Her Majesty is cheated at least a third part in all other
things farmed out, in soldiers' victuals and armour, and in navy
provisions. Also that she loses 30,000l. yearly by concealed
forfeitures, fines, and penalties. |
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Endorsed, "Mr. Sec. Cecil; business in the Star Chamber
betwixt the Lord Buckhurst and Atkinson." [10 pages.] |
| Jan. 7. |
8. Thos. Phelippes to Sec. Cecil. Though the enclosed has
grown stale with long carriage, I send it that you may see my hope
of working on the point you last spoke of. They feed themselves
here with reports of the last action, different from the truth and our
advertisements. Please send a copy of any current relation of particulars. Levinus has a passport to be signed. What is written of
the Duke of Lenox grew of a motion to have that negotiation
represented by Lord Sanquair, a great intelligencer for the Jesuits,
and no friend to his own King. [1 page.] |
| Jan. 7. |
9. Examination of Wm. Fullwood, salter of Bread Street, before
Lord Treasurer Buckhurst and Recorder Jno. Croke. Was on the
Queen's side and in front of the fight in Gracious St. on 8 Feb.
last. Was commanded by the constable to attend Lord Burghley
with a halbert, in making a proclamation, when the Earl of Essex
and his troop began to shoot off their pistols against Lord Burghley
and his party, and likewise came with swords and rapiers drawn,
so that there was a hot fight, Lord Burghley was forced to retire, and many on the Queen's side were hurt. Saw on the Earl's
side a tall man in his doublet and hose, with his sword drawn, and
a wrought coif or cap upon his head; cannot tell his name. [2
pages. In Buckhurst's hand.] |
| Jan. 8. |
10. Like examination of William Millar, clothworker. Was in
Gracious Street on 8 Feb., when the Earl of Essex came out of the
house of the late Sheriff Smythe in Fenchurch Street; after the
fight between the Earl and Lord Burghley, saw Wm. Masham
standing in the Earl's troop; he came away in his doublet and
house, with his rapier in his hand, and his man following after him,
towards Fenchurch Street. [1 page.] |
Jan. 10.
Knebworth. |
11. John Chamberlain to [Dud. Carleton]. Thanks for news. I
had heard of something done, but wanted particulars. The only
Christmas novelty was a nest of young ravens. Mr. Lytton and a
maid or two perceived the earthquake on Christmas eve, but no one
else in the house felt it. [1 page. Printed in Chamberlain's
Letters, pp. 121–2.] |
Jan. 12.
Cambridge. |
12. Dr. John Jegon to Sec. Cecil. Thanks for the greatest
favour ever done me, the restitution of my good name blemished by
a bad man, Thos. Crayford, who, by your wisdom, is so well reformed
that he has publicly asked my forgiveness, and promised better
behaviour. [½ page.] |
| Jan. 14. |
13. Declaration of Silvan Skory. Being requested in Michaelmas
Term 1601, by Thos. Woodhouse, to question Valentine Browne
what speeches passed at Croke's ordinary on 8 Feb., Browne confessed that he heard Woodhouse say he did not believe the bruits
spread by the Earl of Essex in London, that he should have been
murdered by Lord Cobham and Sir Walter Raleigh, but believed
the Earl's coming in that manner rather touched the Queen and
State, and that he, being her servant, would go to Court to see how
his mistress did. Browne asked him to stay till dinner was done,
and they would go with him. Some man present said there were
great difficulties about getting into the Court, by reason of the
straight keeping thereof. |
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I signified this at the time to Woodhouse, who conferred with
Browne, and then Woodhouse came to me, and said that Browne
had satisfied him like an honest gentleman. [1½ pages.] |
Jan. 16/26.
Rouen. |
14. Wm. Willaston to Sec. Cecil. Pat. Dones, an Irishman, has
been five years here, where he has married, turned an obstinate
Papist, and become a broker, but is not much employed, being a
suspected enemy to this and our State, and maintained by seminaries
and Irish rebels. He sent many mass books from Newhaven to
Ireland. English Papists, when they come, inquire for him or
Shelton, an English papist here resident. He has often called the
Queen Jezebel, and said he hoped to see her dragged at a horse's
tail. I told Mr. Winwood of this, but he advised letting the
villain alone till he went into England, because he would never
speak in presence of more than one, and the law requires two
witnesses. I wrote to inform when he went to England, and
understand he is now apprehended. I think him the most pestilent
traitor in Her Majesty's dominions. He feared me, and therefore
in my presence only uttered inventions of Her Majesty's proceedings in Ireland, and in honour of Tyrone and the Spaniards. Ant.
Gerard's oath is taken in justice about it. [1 page.] |
Jan. 17.
London. |
15.— to —. I received yours of 27 Dec., and am
glad of your good success in your affairs, and of your safe arrival in
your country. I hope you know what you have to do, and how to
behave. Beware with whom you meddle, and of sifters; you are
creeping through the world, and this may be occasion of your future
promotion, for you have to do with a most gracious and careful
princess. Your long discourse of that last matter pleases me and Her
Majesty well, but she will not be contented that you have two irons
in the fire at once, lest one cool. The Colonel's answers, with a
little more assurance, shall be security enough. Always show him
his matters are now on the irons, and if they go through, his
employment shall be about March, by which time I hope to see you
back again, to deal also in his matters. I shall write him myself
what to look for; persuade him to live a country life till then, and
not to go abroad. [Signature torn off. 2/3 page.] |
Jan. 19.
Blackfriars. |
16. Sir T. Leighton to Sec. Cecil. I send a note of intelligence
from St. Malo, received to-day. [½ page.] Encloses, |
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16. i. News from St. Malo. There are 12 ships preparing at
St. Lucar to go to New Spain for silver. The 70 galleys
which it was said were to surprise Argel, really intended
to surprise Marseilles, but have returned two months
since. Those of Andalusia are at Gibraltar. There was
a rumour that the citadel of Bourg in Brest was surrendered to the Duke of Savoy. 4 Jan. 1602. |
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Also like news. Had the affairs of Ireland been well
ordered, the Spaniards had not set foot there. We hear of
no ships preparing in Spain. The English ceasing to
make preparations, the Spaniards are able in all security
to send troops to Ireland, and to have their Indian fleets
coming as usual. [1 page, French.] 14 Jan. 1602. |
| Jan. 26. |
17. List of 55 recusant fugitives, including 1 colonel, 6 captains,
1 ancient, 1 Jesuit, and 8 priests. [2¾ pages.] |
Jan. 27.
Battell. |
18. Lady Montague to her godson, Dr. Cæsar, Master of Requests.
The bearer, Elliott, has been troubled by John Shepherd, alias
Townsend, in trial of a title to a tenement in Wells, co. Somerset,
and has had sentence against him in the Arches and Bishop's Court
at Wells; now Shepherd sues him in your Court of Requests in
formâ pauperis, so that Elliott can recover no costs against him. I
request your favour for him. |
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P.S.—His adversary has retained your brother as counsel, and
has informed him unjustly in the cause. [¾ page.] |
| Jan. 29. |
19. Levinus de Munck to Thos. Wilson. My master's letter will
fully inform you of all things. I laughed when I read your cholerick letter, to see how impatient you were of my silence, and
such passions are true indexes of your disposition towards me. I
have not yet seen your books, because my fellow Brereton, in my
absence, took charge of them. By my next I will tell you what my
master conceives of them. [¾ page.] |
Jan. 29.
Feb. 8.
The Camp. |
20. — to J.B.? Our affairs, since the parly and assault,
draw at length, as a thing resolved not to be abandoned. The
soldiers of the new supply that entered the town [Ostend] run away
as fast as those that were there before, by seven or eight of a company, of which there have been fewer English of late, only four or
five, because there are not many left in the town, and they not of
those that were pressed in London, and packed up in ships and sent
away against their will, but of the old bands that entered at the
first with Sir Francis Vere. Of these 4,500 there are now not
above 400. |
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After receiving new succours, Sir Fras. Vere sent out some that
were weak, and had been long in town, of which our men sunk
one ship and took two, in which were 90 persons; of those 50
were soldiers, whereof 10 or 12 were English, who are prisoners in
Bruges, and there are like to remain, for the English use not any
ransom. Two or three boats have been sunk since, in one of which
only a mariner and a boy escaped, who got up on the mast, and
there kept until they were succoured from Count Bucquoy's side.
Here are no skirmishers, ours and theirs being kept asunder by dirt
and water; only at a low sea, both sides take arms for defence, but
neither sally nor assault. There was some appearance of mutiny
here not long since, but the authors were taken at the beginning,
and some executed, as well they deserved; for every soldier has
five stivers a day, besides munition and bread, and every month
their whole pay, and all had clothes since coming hither. |
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Don Roderigo Lasso is expected here every day from Spain, with
money to give more abundant pay to the camp. The Duke of
Lenox has returned to Scotland, with such good answers to his
propositions at the Queen's hands that the King of Scots is much
contented, and the Scots assured that the Crown shall be his after
Her Majesty's days; for they say that Her Majesty, though she
would not have the King's title confirmed by Parliament, confessed
to the Duke that she thought it the best (the bragging Scots say
she durst do no other), and would do nothing to prejudice it, and
wrote the King a kind, loving letter with her own hand. |
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All things are quiet in France; the King in his greatness scoffs
at all the world. As to the succession of England, he says that a
bastard of his is as fit for it as a bastard of Normandy; he has
ungratefully forgotten the benefits of his crown and kingdom
obtained only by Her Majesty's help; for requital he not only did
not advertise her of the Spanish preparations for Ireland, whereof
he could not be ignorant, having an ambassador in Spain, but
understanding that the Spaniards were landed in Ireland, openly
cried, "Bon, bon, bon." From Antwerp the merchants acknowledge letters from Spain, of an accord made between the King and
them for a million and a half of crowns; so we fill up our decayed
companies, and levy new of Almains and Liegeois, and so the wars
are like to continue. [1½ pages, copy.] Also, |
Jan. 31.
Feb. 10.
Liege. |
J.B. [alias John Petit] to Mr. Robinson, London [alias Thos.
Phelippes]. Some that served the States have come from Ostend,
and tell strange tales of the number of men lost in it. A little
pamphlet was printed at London, for justifying Sir Fras. Vere
about an anteparly with the Archduke, in which he confesses that
he had not above 2,150 men left of above 8,000 he had last summer. For the loss of the English I am sorry, and wish they had
been better employed to better designs. If I were worthy to
be a counsellor to Her Majesty, I should hardly allow so many
gallant fellows to lose their lives to increase our neighbours, and
diminish our own treasure at home, which was otherwise when
the league stood on foot with Burgundy. I speak like an Englishman, for my father was one, and my mother of Antwerp,
so I bear affection to both parts. [½ page, copy extract. The
originals of both these papers are in the Flanders correspondence.] |
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Endorsed, with an abstract [by Phelippes], and a note [by Thos.
Wilson] that this was found amongst Phelippes' papers, wherein
are many untruths of Scotland and the King. |
| Jan. 31. |
21. Declaration of Stephen Phelippes, that his brother Thomas
and one Barnes were busy writing this day fortnight, but what he
knows not. He was sent a week ago to the port, to see if there
were any letters come to John Carpenter. [⅓ page.] |
| Jan. |
22. Petition of Jane Daniell to the Queen. Although you promised
an order about my husband's lands and parsonages, the sheriffs and
officers have embezzled and undervalued them and our goods, so
that Hackney parsonage and our goods are only made worth 700l.,
and Deresbury manor and Minshull parsonage 60l. a year; although
from the same my husband would have paid 1,200l. in one year,
and 200l. yearly till 3,000l. was paid, and they were worth double
that sum. But the corrupt prosecutors intend to ruin us, and to
enjoy all our living for 40 years, when my husband would have paid
the debt in 10. I entreat a grant of Deresbury and Minshull, and
present relief for myself, husband, and children. [½ page.] |
| Jan. ? |
23. Note by Sir Thomas Leighton of the manors of Purley co.
Berks, and Gasington co. Oxford, the jointure of the late Lady St.
John. If it be the Queen's pleasure to divide them, my request is
to have Gasington. [5 lines.] |
