|
| Sept. ? |
36. Petition of Denis le Roux, of Guernsey, to Council. I had
a lease for life from Sir Thomas Leighton, captain of Guernsey, on
payment of a fine, of certain lands and rents specified in that island,
belonging to him in right of his office, rent 17l.; but two years ago,
the ministers of the isle took my rent grain and tithes, pretending
they belonged to the said lands, and sued me for arrears. The
bailiff and jurats would not hear my answer, and I had to petition
the captain, who refused to suffer me to enjoy the same. I appealed
again to the bailiff and jurats, who would not receive my proofs,
so that I am like to lose my right. As Sir T. Leighton is in London,
pray call him before you to examine the premises. [2/3 page. Parchment.] |
Sept. 2.
Gosfield, Essex. |
37. Dr. John Hamond to Sec. Walsingham. I have considered
the case of Denis Roux, and forward my report. When in Guernsey,
we examined the complaints, and reported on the facts without giving
an opinion, not being commissioned thereto; but we kept notes,
and thought that thought Roux was a troublesome person, he was
hardly dealt with in this case; though they are unskilful in
drawing leases, we think that, taking a lease with the same words
by which similar leases had passed, he should enjoy as much as others
had possessed. [1 page.] Annexing, |
|
37. i. Dr. Hamond's report of the case of Denis Roux of
Guernsey. He was convented before the procurer of
Guernsey, for withholding rents due to Her Majesty for
the fee Riveaux; the question was whether they belonged
to that fee or the fee Suart, but the bailiff and jurats,
taking advantage of his submission, gave sentence against
him. We who went over examined the case, and referred
it to the Lord Chief Justice and others, who decided that,
as it rested on matter of fact and there might be further
proof, the sentence should stand unless reversed by appeal.
Roux, having in vain requested revocation of the sentence, now appeals. He cannot receive any remedy about
this non-reversal, because they could not reverse a
sentence whereby a right is grown to another, but Sir
Thos. Leighton might have the first sentence re-heard
before your delegates; the Queen would not be prejudiced,
as Roux's estate is only for the life of Sir T. Leighton.
[1¼ pages.] |
| Sept. ? |
38. Petition of Denis Roux, of Guernsey, to Council. Nine years
since, was in partnership with Nicholas Saumarez, jurat of Guernsey,
who having 700l. of petitioner's in his hands, would never account
for it, because he is a justice and jurat in the island, as Sir Thos.
Leighton can testify. Was obliged to get part of his money of
debtors, but is kept from 400l. Was also wronged by Saumarez
tearing a bill belonging to two strangers, which petitioner had paid for
him in his absence, and could get no redress from the bailiff and
justices. Was equally wronged by them in reference to the rents of
certain lands, and they have broken open and searched his house.
Requests that such as are in the city may be summoned before their
honours, and ordered to give him speedy redress. [2/3 page.] |
| Sept. ? |
39. Petition of Denis Roux, of Guernsey, to Council. On 19 Feb.
1578, the bailiffs and jurats of the island passed an erroneous
sentence against petitioner, and imprisoned him 31 days in the castle
for appealing against it, refusing the bail of his sureties for 500l.
each, and threatened him with imprisonment for life unless he
desisted from his appeal. Lost 200l. in shipping, and other business,
during his imprisonment, and fearing the worst, was forced to desist
from his appeal and yield. Requests them to summon before them
Nich. Carey and Hen. Beauvoir, two of the said justices now in
London, to answer to the premises. [½ page.] |
| Sept. ? |
40. Answer of Nicholas Martin, Nicholas Carey, and Henry
Beauvoir, in the name of the bailiffs and jurats of Guernsey, to the
first bill of complaint exhibited to Council by Denis le Roux, late of
Guernsey, and now of Southampton. |
|
He complains that—having taken a farm from Sir Thos. Leighton
during his life, of certain feaiges, and a mill,—the receiver, procurer,
&c. have taken 9 qrs. of wheat as rent, besides tithes, and that he
offered to prove before the bailiff and jurats that the rent wheat and
tithes were part of the feaiges, but was not allowed. This is true,
but the receiver and procurer answered that they ought not to stand
to proofs, for Denis had signed a bill of submission to the captain,
whereby the matter was remitted from that Court. |
|
Answer to the second bill of complaint:— |
|
He complains that the bailiff and jurats, 19 Feb. 1578, passed an
erroneous sentence, and imprisoned him in the castle for appealing to
Queen and Council. They reply that they cannot remember things
so long since, but that all proceedings are registered in the Court roll,
to which they refer. They remember that he impleaded a widow for
a sum for house room, which she offered to prove she did not owe,
but he brought a submission of a poor man, the widow's attorney, to
pay the sum. The widow denied its being made with her consent,
and thereupon was allowed to bring her proofs, on which Denis
appealed to Queen and Council, and not desisting from his appeal,
was sent to prison. They have pronounced no erroneous sentence
against him, nor acted maliciously. Request that Council will
maintain the state of justice in the island. [2 pages.] |
| Sept. ? |
41. Petition of the orators for the inhabitants of Guernsey to the
Lord Treasurer. Repaired to Council for redress, and their Honours
have reformed part of their complaints, and reserved certain cases
to his consideration, being the principal grievances. Ask whether
they may attend him, or must come again from Guernsey when
appointed. [½ page.] Annexing, |
|
41. i. Articles deferred by the Council for the isle of Guernsey:— |
|
For imprisonment of the inhabitants without order
of justice. |
|
For exporting corn, and leaving the castle and isle
unfurnished. |
|
For use of wood, beer, &c. for the inhabitants by their
patents. |
|
For embarking the inhabitants against pirates. |
|
For levying mariners and pilots to pilot vessels. |
|
For the porters' fees of the castle, to be used according
to the Book of Extent. |
|
For increasing customs of wares growing in the
island. |
|
For increase of anchorage customs upon strangers. |
|
For deliverance of the presbytery to the parishioners
of St. Peter's port. |
|
For the camparts and rents bought by the inhabitants
of the Queen's Commissioners. [2/3 page.] |
| [Sept. ?] |
42. Similar petition of the inhabitants of Guernsey to the Lord
Treasurer. [⅓ page.] |
Sept. 4.
Mortham. |
43. Christopher Rokeby to Lord Burghley. Sir Geo. Bowes'
death is much to be lamented; he was the surest pillar Her Majesty
had in these parts, and I, his friend, and his neighbours think ourselves greatly weakened; but we who are left will stand fast in our
duty to Her Majesty. The Lord President is our head under Her
Majesty, and will be dutifully obeyed, yet some will have it he has an
ill meaning; if he should attempt what many fear, I and my friends
may be a block in his way, as he has been in mine, yet I cannot
think he will take any enterprise in hand, so long as Her Majesty
reigns over us; but I feel greatly afraid if he continue long in this
office, he will grow stronger in this country, which he could never
have done if Sir Geo. Bowes had lived amongst us. If my cousin,
William Bowes, his son, and Mr. Treasurer of Berwick would join
with me and our friends, as his father did, we should be a full party,
but my Lord President gives Wm. Bowes such good countenance
that I fear he will draw him from us; for Mr. Bowes the treasurer is
much feathered of the President's wing, and so is many of the best
calling in Yorkshire, whereby, if not prevented, he will grow too
strong. Yet if we had such an one as the Earl of Northumberland
planted in these parts, it would draw most part from him, and we
should find him a sure pillar to lean to. |
|
I intend waiting upon you in the term to make an end of my suit,
wherein I crave your further help, or my labour can stand me in
no stead, and then I shall not be able to keep countenance in my
country. My suit is a benefit to Her Majesty, if I may thereby be
delivered of my debts, and I trust, with the help of my friends, to
stand her in as good stead as any subject she has in the North.
[¾ page.] |
Sept. 11.
Newcastle-upon-Tyne. |
44. Chris. Dacre to Sec. Walsingham. In execution of Her
Majesty's commission and the Council's direction, concerning the
decayed fortresses, &c. upon the Borders, I repaired to Morpeth, to
meet the Lord Warden of the Middle Marches, and the other Commissioners, on 28 July last; but as we could not then do anything,
I returned. I repaired again to Alnwick, 14 Aug., and thence to
Berwick, and have continued thereabouts ever since, with assistance
of the other Commissioners, in furtherance of the said commission, as
by our certificate will appear. I have drawn a plan with articles,
which, although not cunningly done, may further the better understanding of our certificate of things necessary to be done, if it be
Her Majesty's pleasure to proceed. |
|
P.S.—I must commend the great trouble and diligence of
Mr. Delaval and Mr. Gray, my two fellows of the quorum. Having
now made certificate touching the East and Middle Marches, we of
the quorum shall travel upon the West Borders. In the rating and
estimate of decays, some things are set down of very small value,
but great care was had not to draw any more charge than needful;
yet with what is set down, I dare adventure every decay may be
repaired. [1¾ pages.] Enclosing, |
|
44. i. Plan by Chr. Dacre, of all forts and castles upon the
Borders, from Tynedale, Riddesdale, and the Cheviots to
Berwick and Dunstanborough; with notes of the distances
to Scotland, the state of the country, waste lands, &c.
[4 sheets pasted together.] |
|
44. ii. Explanation by Chr. Dacre of the above plan, with
observations on the necessity for repairing the castles
and forts, making a dike, &c., for the better defence of
such Borders. [3¼ pages.] |
|
44. iii. Certificate by Chr. Dacre of a survey made by him and
others of Bewcastle, Askerton tower, and the castles or
towers of Scalby, Rocliffe, Carlisle, Drumbewgh house,
formerly belonging to Lord Dacre, Bownes, Woulstrie,
Cockermouth, Graystock, Penrith, Kirkoswald, Naworth,
and Tryvermaine; with particulars of their decays, and
the amount required to put each in proper repair. Also
suggestions on the necessity of erecting fortresses on the
Borders, between Bewcastle and Woulstrie castle, and of
enclosing certain waste lands. With note by Henry Lord
Scrope that all things suggested to be done are needful
for defence of this Border, and referring the valuation of
the decays to the surveyor of the same; also a cancelled
total of the charges. [7¾ pages, copy.] |
Sept. 26.
Westminster. |
45. Patent granting to John Pratt, on surrender of Augustine
Sparks, the office of keeper of the pheasants and partridges in the
lordships of Barnet, Hadley, South Minns, and Totteridge, cos.
Herts and Middlesex; fee 4d. a day, and 1l. 6s. 8d. for a yearly
livery coat. [1 sheet. Authenticated copy made in 1599.] |
Sept. 30.
Worcester. |
46. Margerie Partridge to her father-in-law, Rich. Oseley, clerk
of the Privy Signet, in the Court of Requests, London. I beg con
tinuance of your good will. I sent you two letters, but have no
reply. I have never received the 20s. which you sent me by Mr.
Hanse, registrar of Gloucester; he procured me to come to Gloucester,
but is my enemy, not my friend, as he professed, so I returned to
my old friends at Worcester. My brother Vavasour says if I were
dead, he would stir and recover the land in Bristol; as I have a
life right, I will try to recover it, if you will direct me. With note
of receipt by Wm. Addyes, of Clifford's Inn, of 20s. from Mr. Oseley,
for Marg. Warrett, widow. 18 Nov. 1580. [¾ page.] |
