Addenda, Queen Elizabeth - Volume 33: September 1597

Calendar of State Papers Domestic: Elizabeth, Addenda 1580-1625. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1872.

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'Addenda, Queen Elizabeth - Volume 33: September 1597', in Calendar of State Papers Domestic: Elizabeth, Addenda 1580-1625, (London, 1872) pp. 384-387. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/domestic/edw-eliz/addenda/1580-1625/pp384-387 [accessed 27 March 2024]

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September 1597

Sept. 6.
Guernsey.
89. Sir Thomas Leighton to Sec. Cecil. The wind having held at north since shipping my letters, they could not pass, and the time has brought another note of intelligence, which, although it imparts little more than contained in the other, yet I send as a confirmation. [½ page.]
Sept. 13.
Oxford.
90. Dudley Carleton to John Chamberlain, at Dr. Gilbert's, St. Peter's Hill. I thought before this my brother would have taken his journey into Hertfordshire, but his businesses have and will detain him until Wednesday week. I send you the epigrams, which I often told you of. The author is Bastard, who has the name of a very good lively wit, but it does not lie this way; for in these epigrams, he botches up his verse with variations, and his conceits so run upon his poverty that his wit is rather to be pitied than commended. [1 page.]
1597.
Sept. 27.
91. The Queen to the Officers of Exchequer. By patent of 16 May, 31 Eliz., we granted to Lord Hunsdon, then our Chamberlain, licence to transport to any foreign parts 20,000 woollen cloths, paying only English customs, viz., 6s. 8d. upon every short cloth. This licence he transferred upon composition to John Robinson, citizen of London, and from him to Robt. Lee, alderman of the said city, Robert How, merchant, Wm. Phillips, and Wm. Sander, a part being reserved to Robinson. He, by virtue thereof, transported in the time limited by the licence, 14,546 long cloths, and 2 yards, which make in short cloths 19,394 cloths and 18 yards; but the rest could not be transported within the time, by reason of other licences granted by us within that time, at the request of some foreign princes; so that there yet remains to be transported 5,453 long cloths and 30 yards, for which they request further time, the time limited by the grant being expired. As they have paid to Lord Hunsdon, upon confidence of our patent, the whole composition agreed upon for 20,000 cloths, our Council, to whom their suit was referred, have found it meet for us to extend our favour to them. We therefore require you to limit, by letters to our officers of the port of London, such further term of years for the transport of the remnant of the cloths as you think meet.
It appearing upon examination that 2,679l. 17s. 3¼ d. is due to us for arrearages of the customs reserved by our said licence, and the assignees thereof having paid to our use to Thomas Phellippes, late collector of Customs for cloth within the port of London, 742l. 1s. 8d., which is charged upon his account in our great Pipe Roll, and besought us to be discharged thereof, intending to pay 1,937l, 16s. 6d., the remainder; we require you to give them discharge for the 742l. 1s. 8d., and on payment of the larger sum, to release them absolutely. [3¼ pages, draft, much corrected, partly by Burghley.]
1597 ? Grant to J.T., in reversion after W.P. [Wm. Partridge], of the office of surveyor of ordnance in the Tower and elsewhere in England and Ireland; fee, 2s. a day. [Warrant Book I., Eliz., pp. 136, 137, Latin.]
92. Note that Roydon manor, co. Essex, belonged to Christ's College, Cambridge, and was given in exchange to Henry VIII. for other lands assured to the college, 22 Henry VIII., which exchange was confirmed by Act of Parliament; the annual value being 82l. The manor of Temple Roydon, and the parsonage impropriate there, belonged to the late priory of St. John of Jerusalem; annual value, 35l. The demesne lands of both manors, and the parsonage were granted to Rich Swift, Frances his wife, and John Crompton, by patent, 26 July 1587; rent 58l. 4s. 0¼ d. The quit-rents and royalties, held by a lease granted to John Swift, will terminate in a year, and Rich. Swift, one of the lessees, has lately died. [1page.]
93. Instructions [by Council] for the Commissioners appointed in Jersey to inquire of such things as the inhabitants petition to be redressed. As the reformation of the things complained of is a matter of moment, carrying an alteration of the ancient laws of the isle, before you enter into your charge, you are to cause notice to be given to the inhabitants of your appointment, and that they are to repair to you, to receive Her Majesty's pleasure. You are to select in every parish a man of discretion to act for the rest, who is to take and report their opinions touching all things requisite for the Commissioners to be informed of. The parties so chosen are to use diligence, that the service be not hindered.
You are to appoint certain days and places for the sitting of the Commission, when the said deputies are to attend, and, after considering things reported by them in the name of their parishes and towns, the Commissioners are to send a certificate thereof to Council.
The articles to be inquired of are:—
1. Whether all lands and revenues of the said isle (four houses only excepted) be, according to the ancient laws and customs of the isle, equally divisible between all the children of the owners?
2. Whether any inhabitant of the isle can, by deed of gift, bargain of sale, legacy, &c. prefer one of his children before the other?
3. Whether any inconvenience grows by such law and custom, and what, and how it may be redressed?
4. Whether the people and Commons of the isle would like it changed?
5. Whether other houses may be conveniently added to the four, to be disposed of in like manner; and if so, what and how much lands and rents may be apportioned to them, to be descendable to the eldest son, and for want of issue male, to the eldest daughter, without partition?
6. Whether for such establishments there may be appointed any fine to Her Majesty, and what sum?
7. Whether for the better provision of armour, powder, &c. for resistance of foreign invasion, with the good liking of the people, any rate may be levied upon every sale of lands and rents made within the isle, and after what rate ?
8. Whether the exaction of usury has grown to any excess, and by what means the same may be redressed?
9. Whether the order set down for appeals is duly observed, as meant by Council; to wit, that none should be made out of the said isle for any cause determinable by the laws and customs there, but only from sentences definitive. [3 pages, draft.]
94. Abstract of the petition of the men of Jersey, with the Attorney and Solicitor General's opinion thereon:—
1. All the lands and revenues of the isle are equally divided between the children of the owners, except such as belong to four houses, whereby the houses of the better sort have no continuance, nor almost any credit, the poorer sort are undone, and the service of God and the Prince neglected. Answer— A commission should be awarded to the lieutenant and some jurats, to consider who of the isle should enjoy this privilege, and which shall be of the better and which of the other; and that the descent for those lands and houses be directed by the four principal houses of that isle; but the tenure to be as it is, and none of those houses to be dismembered; and upon certificate thereof, to have the same reduced to a certainty by patent.
2. That Commissioners may be appointed to establish two houses within the isle, with rent and lands value 100 quarters of wheat of the measure of the isle, descendable to the eldest son, or failing such to the eldest daughter, or to the next heir, without partition. Also six other houses, with grounds and rent value 60 quarters; one house in every parish value 20 quarters; four houses in every parish value 10 quarters; and as many others 5 quarters, as the Commissioners shall think good, at the desire of the inheritors; the party sueing for any such establishment, to pay 8s. a quarter as fine. Answer.— Since it is the suit of the inhabitants, it should be assented to, and some order set down in that behalf, with direction who shall have the receipt thereof, to the use comprised in the petition.
3. That for redress of inconveniences by usury, the statute for usury, with the penalties, may be executed there; the one moiety whereof to be received to Her Majesty's use, and the other to the common stock of the isle. Answer.— It is reasonable to assent to this, being according to the Norman laws, and the usages of the isle.
4. That some penalty be imposed upon such as, contrary to their Lordships' order, appeal out of the isle for any cause determinable by the laws and customs there. Answer.— The party appealing contrary to the order already set down by the Lords to be imprisoned — days by the justices, without bail. [1¼ pages.]