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Sir Robert Crosse to Lord Cecil. |
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1603, July 1. |
The causes of my late neglecting to attend
you as before I did, one was the entreaty of an old acquaintance
though no great friend, to ride with him when he went toward
the King, which was Sir Walter Ralegh. Another was a month's
sickness, and when I was recovered of that, I was entreated by
his wife to ride another idle journey to my charge to meet the
Queen, where she received but idle graces.—From my lodging
at Ewbridge, this first of July.
Holograph. Seal. 1 p. (100. 146.) |
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Sir Thomas Fane to the Same. |
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1603, July 1. |
Having received your packet this morning
and being advertised that Sir Lewis Lewkenor stayed at Canterbury, expecting the arrival of the Spanish ambassador, I sent
your letters directed unto him thither and also your packet
directed to the postmaster of the city of London. But finding
him not there I held it not inconvenient to return either of them
unto you by post. And concerning the packet directed to the
King's ambassador with the French King I have taken order
with Captain Windebank to carry the same to Calais to-morrow,
and so with all speed to post unto Paris; of whose care and
diligence in expediting that service I have good opinion, knowing
him to have been often employed in the like by Mr. Secretary
Walsingham.—Dover Castle, the first of July, 1603. |
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PS.—Here arrived this day about eleven of the clock in the
forenoon an ambassador from the Duke of Lorraine, and is this
afternoon gone for Canterbury.
Signed. ¾ p. (100. 147.) |
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Mrs. Hickes to Lord Cecil. |
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1603, July 1. |
I would have been glad to have heard from
my Lord Chamberlain for the main sum, because I have occasion
to use it for a payment shortly. You told me at my last being
with you at the Court you would speak with him. In the meantime may it please you to give order to Mr. Haughton or Mr.
Percival to discharge the consideration. Mr. Billett desired
me to speak with my Lord Chamberlain touching the money
due to my lady Susan, which is for half a year the second of last
month. Having no other assurance for the main sum but an
assignment from those in whose name the manor of Hadnam
passed, he saith that he ought to have the letters patents of the
grant from the Queen made over to him; without the which
the rest is no assurance. As I shall hear from you herein so I
will return him answer. My apricots begin somewhat to draw
to ripening colour; as soon as they be worth the sending they
shall be sent you.—1 July, 1603.
Unsigned. Endorsed: "Mrs. Hickes to my Lord." Seal.
⅓ p. (100. 149.) |
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Thomas Honiman to Henry Lock. |
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1603, July 1. |
Being for some few days to withdraw myself
out of the city, by reason of the sickness, before I go to the
Court, understanding of your going thither I have thought
good [to write] touching our former speech concerning Mr.
Dove's office, whom it hath pleased God to call to His mercy.
I doubt not Lord Cecil can and will extend his favour to a motion
I would make for the said office this day fallen into his Majesty's
or the Lord Treasurer's hands. If it be to pass by the Lord
Treasurer's gift (and for consideration) I would stretch myself
as far as an honest man could or should; but if his Majesty
or his Honour by him might respect me I would be truly and
sensibly thankful in such measure as should be required or
accepted; I pray you let him know as soon as may be of the
death of Mr. Dove towards the custom, and my desire to be
employed to serve his Majesty that way.—London, this first
of July, 1603.
Holograph. Seal. 2/3 p. (100. 150.) |
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Fulke Grevyll to Lord Cecil. |
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1603, July 2. |
I must presume to give you account of my
own business since Sir David Fowles and I were last before you.
Be pleased to hear this bearer in few words for it is much easier
to you than to read them in an evil hand. I hear daily of your
noble works for your friends, but hear nothing from yourself.
When your time comes I shall be glad.—From Deptford, this
2 of July. |
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PS.—If out of your old favour and freedom you would give
me a watchword whether the ships preparing shall go out, or
whether you only mean to pay the King of Spain rumour for
rumour, you should save me a great deal of labour and the
King no small charge, and both without noise.
Holograph. Seal, broken. 1 p. (100. 151.) |
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Lord Cobham to the Same. |
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1603, July 2. |
I have herewith sent you certain letters which
were brought up unto me this afternoon, being stayed at Lydd,
a town of the Ports, by the Commissioners of Passage there,
for that the same coming in a Coperto directed to the King, was
broken open. The letters as they are directed are some to his
Majesty, to the Duke of Lennox, and some others to divers other
persons about his Majesty, which seem to have been untouched.
All which I leave to your discretion to dispose of. I have likewise sent the commissioners' letter that signifieth the cause of
their stay. The party that brought over those letters I have
appointed to attend you tomorrow.—Blackfriars, 2 July, 1603. |
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PS.—Mons. Bourbon the Lorraine ambassador, as I understand is landed, and this night at London as I hear. |
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Signed. Endorsement, signed by Cobham: "London the
3 of July at five in the morning. Henry Cobham, Haste post,
post haste post, haste post with diligence." Seal. ½ p.
(100. 152.) |
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The Enclosure.—The Commissioners for restraint of passage
at Lydd to Lord Cobham. This first of July one Thomas
Gregory, a gentleman born as he saith at Stockwith in Lincolnshire, coming out of France arrived at Lydd, who brought with
him five letters, one directed to the King, one to the Duke of
Lennox, one to the Lord Fyves, one to Sir Andrew Melvin
knt., and the other to Mr. Charles Paget. As the packet in
which it seemed the letters had been made up, sealed with three
several seals and directed to the King, had been broken up
before it came into our hands, we tendered him the oath of
supremacy, which he took orderly. Notwithstanding for that
the letters seem to be of great importance we have sent him
to you with the letters, to take such order with him as you
shall think fit.—Lydd, first of July, 1603.
Signed: William Glover, bailiff of Lydd, and four others.
½ p. (100. 148.) |
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Sir William FitzWilliam to Lord Cecil. |
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1603, July 2. |
My father being become bound to her late
Majesty in ten several obligations of 350l. the piece for the
payment of 2,964l. 11s., into which debt he grew during his
service in Ireland between the first and the thirteenth year of
her Majesty's reign, all which debt being discharged partly by
himself in his lifetime and since by myself, as by the several
acquittances and four of the obligations cancelled remaining
with me may appear; I have made a petition to his Majesty
and sent the same to Sir Roger Wilbram, craving remission of
the penalty of the other six obligations remaining uncancelled;
whereunto I trust his Majesty will yield, for that none of his
predecessors did ever use to take the forfeiture of any bonds
made unto them, but only the principal. This, I am driven to
do in this sudden for that my brother by his importunity and
untrue surmises, myself being absent, obtained the first day
of this term an order against me, albeit I had pleaded to the
charge against me and nothing replied unto my plea: and by
the same order a process had gone down into Northamptonshire
to have taken my goods out of my house there and sold them
publicly, pretending the same to be done for satisfaction of the
penalty of the said bonds, had not the Lord Treasurer of Scotland
upon the opening of the matter to him by my letter and finding
the justness of my cause granted his warrant to stay the writ
at the seal. Wherein my Lord Henry Howard showed himself
most favourable unto me by his assistance. To this unlooked
for extremity I was of a sudden driven, whereof I presume to
make known to you, craving your favour therein.—London,
the second of July, 1603.
Holograph. Seal. 1½ pp. (100. 153.) |
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Lord Cobham to the Same. |
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1603, July 2. |
I have this morning received advertisement
that there is now at Calais one Mons. Bourbone ready to come
over hither as Ambassador from the Duke of Lorrayne to his
Majesty. He has in his train about 35 persons, and yesterday
one of his gentlemen came over to Dover to make provision of
posthorses. Blackfriars, 2 July 1603. |
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PS.—From henceforward all advertisements shall immediately come to you, for on Monday I take my journey.
Holograph. Signed. ½ p. (187. 85.) |
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Francis Bacon to the Same. |
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1603, July 3. |
I let you know I shall not be able to pay the
money within the time by your lordship undertaken, which
was a fortnight. Money I find so hard to come by at this time,
as I thought to have become a suitor to you to free me with
your credit from urgent debts with taking up 300l. more till I
can put away some land. This request I hope I may forbear.
I shall be able with selling the skirts of my living in Hertfordshire to preserve the body, and to leave myself, being clearly
out of debt and having some money in my purse, 300l. land per
annum with a fair house and the ground well timbered. I
desire to meddle as little as I can in the King's causes, to follow
my private practice and to marry with some convenient advancement: for as for any ambition, mine is quenched. I shall now
only put it upon my pen, whereby I shall be able to obtain
memory and merit of the times succeeding. For this almost
prostituted title of knighthood I could now without charge
by your means be content to have it; both because of this
late disgrace, and because I have three new knights in my
mess in Gray's Inn commons, and because I have found out
an alderman's daughter, a handsome maiden, to my liking.
So, if you will find the time, I will come to the Court from
Gorhambury upon any warning.—Gray's Inn, July 3, 1603.
Holograph. 1 p. (100. 155.)
[Printed in extenso by Birch, Letters, &c. of Francis Bacon,
pp. 23—25.] |
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Barnard Hide to Lord Cecil. |
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1603, July 3. |
About a month since a motion was made by
one Mr. George Hanger unto Mr. Jones and myself (in the time
of our intermission from your business in the Custom house)
to join with him in the victualling causes for his Majesty's
forces in Ireland in case Mr. Jolles and Mr. Cockaine shall be
dismissed from the same; unto which motion Mr. Hanger having
then obtained some promise of our willingness, doth still insist
upon us to go forward therein. But we perceive you are
appointed by his Majesty one of the special commissioners for
those causes, wherein though we would do his Majesty our best
service without seeking to prejudice or supplant any, yet will
we in no sort proceed further therein without your good liking,
and that you think it a matter fit for us to undergo.—From
London, 3 July, 1603.
Signed. 1 p. (100. 156.) |
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Mayor and Aldermen of Bristol to the Privy Council. |
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1603, July 4. |
One John Woodwarde, of this city, did yesterday deliver unto me, the mayor of Bristol, this writing annexed
to the examination which we have taken of Thomas Woodwarde,
who affirms that he received the same of Roger Robinson, to
be delivered to John Symons, a schoolmaster in this city. We
have made diligent search for the persons named in this writing,
but cannot by any means have intelligence of any of them, and
we have also examined John Symons, who confesseth that he
hath been of late acquainted with the said Robinson (they both
being persons which refuse to receive the communion of the
Church of England), but Symons utterly denies that he knows
anything touching the same writing or what Robinson meant
to send it unto him. Robinson is at this present time in London,
and, as we are informed, is to be found at the sign of the "Three
Caps" in Bredstreete, or at the house of John Ireland, salter,
in the same street, or at the house of William Dale, grocer, in
Woodstreete. We have committed Symons to safe custody
until we shall receive your Honour's further pleasure herein. |
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Furthermore divers evil-disposed persons being of late
confederate and assembled together and embarked in a small
boat or pinnace have not only taken a French merchant barque
in the river of Seaverne near Cardiff, of 26 tons burthen, laden
with wines for this port, but do continue in the same river to
rob and spoil such as pass to and from this port, which may
tend to the great damage of the king's subjects, especially
against the time of the fair here, to be holden at St. James's
tide next. Wherefore we beseech you to give such order for
the setting forth of a sufficient barque with men and munition
as shall be thought meet for the apprehending of the pirates.
Also that the Justices of the Peace, Vice-admirals, and other
the King's officers may within their several limits adjoining
the river of Seaverne take special care that no such pirates be
in any way there harboured, victualled and relieved, but that
such as come on land or those which shall so relieve them may
be apprehended, imprisoned, and duly punished.—At Bristol,
4 July, 1603. |
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Signed, Raphe Hart, mayor: Wyllyam Hickes: Fraunces
Knight: Wyllyam Perphey: Wm. Vawer: John Welle:
Wyllm. Yat: Willm. Ellys: Joh. Whitston, [all aldermen.]
1 p. (101. 1.) |
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The Enclosures:
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1. Thomas Woodward, son of John Woodward of Bristol,
fletcher, aged 18, saith that coming from London towards
Bristol and baiting at an inn in Newbury on Saturday
last he met there one Roger Robinson, an apprentice to
Anne Dyas, widow, dwelling on the bridge in Bristol.
Robinson did then and there tear a leaf out of a little book
he had there, in which leaf was something written, and
wrapt it up and gave it to examinate requesting him to
deliver it to one John Symons, a schoolmaster, dwelling
by St. Peter's Plompe in Bristol, which examinate promised
to perform, not knowing what was written in it, neither
did he read or look unto it until he came to his father's
house, and then he read it to his mother who showed it
to his father who brought it forthwith to Mr. Mayor of
Bristol. Robinson departed at Newbury towards London
on Saturday last, about 12 of the clock.
Signed by the Mayor and Aldermen of Bristol.
1 p. (100. 158.) |
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2. God save King James for I fear his death is at hand.
It is necessary that one William Isefe the connger (?) were
examined, for I know if he and that base slave Francis
North and Nape do live the whole realm will repent it,
for the noblemen will never be friends, and King James
must not think to be crowned King of England. And
whereas they report that North is a simple man they are
all deceived, for he is so subtle that I will lay my life, put
all the wisest men in England together and let them talk
with him, and they shall not find out the sly subtlety of
this villain. I was 10 weeks and did converse with him,
to my cost; and till I made him glory in his own person
I could not find his subtle sly villainy, and finding his
humour I did my best and will do as much for him and his
consorts as poor Judith did for Holofernes, for the children
of Israel and you shall know I am the party that lay down
the sins of the Holy Ghost. M.M. |
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Endorsed: This note Roger Robinson did deliver me
at Newbury on Saturday last, 2 July, 1603. Thomas
Woodward.
Small piece of paper. (100. 157.)
(3.) Copy of 2. (100. 159.) |
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Sir William FitzWilliam to Lord Cecil. |
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1603, July 4. |
Your last letter showeth your care in saving
from wreck as well my reputation as state. Of which preposterous course undertaken and maintained against me that
worthy Mr. Attorney General, to whom I am extraordinarily
beholden, hath no liking, and gave me advice accordingly,
both what to do and how my petition should be framed, which
his own man thereupon preferred, and my day of weal or woe
being to-morrow sennight I humbly lay the cause at your
lordship's feet, to be thought on as your own compassion
shall move you. I have intreated the Master of the Requests
by this my servant to attend you thereabouts with speed.—
Sunday, 4 July, 1603.
Holograph. Seal. 1 p. (101. 2.) |
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Lord Cobham to the Same. |
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1603, July 4. |
The bearer Edward Kelke, town clerk of Sandwich, is appointed by the Ports to solicit their claim to the Lord
Steward for the services they are to perform at the Coronation.
As, in respect of the King and Queen, the number of the barons
of the Ports elected for this service is to be doubled, and their
apparel extraordinary and chargeable, convenient summons
should be given them. It seems the Clerk of the Crown has no
precedent of the writ of summons in that kind: begs Cecil to
write to the Lord Keeper to have search made in the Rolls for
one. Understands there is to be a warrant signed by the King
expressing the particular services for the Coronation. Those
of the Ports should be remembered with the rest. The bearer
will show the particular services to be done by the Ports.—Blackfriars, 4 July 1603.
Signed. 1 p. (187. 86.) |
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Sir John Fortescue to Lord Cecil. |
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1603, July 5. |
Although your entertainment at Salden was
such as I may be ashamed thereof, yet your courtesy emboldens
me to trouble you in perfecting my suit, which it hath pleased
you to move his Majesty in my behalf. For this purpose I
have sent the warrant for the lease to be cancelled upon the
assigning the fee farm, which my servant Richard Tomlyns
will deliver unto you. I would have myself attended, but the
Lords have appointed me to wait upon them at Whitehall for
the coronation business. I pray you as it may light in your
way to excuse the faulty and bad entertainment of their Majesties
at Salden, which should have been much better, if I could have
gotten provisions according to my desire.—At my poor house
at Westminster Abbey, 5 July, 1603.
Holograph. ½ p. (101. 3.) |
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Mayor of Dartmouth to the Privy Council. |
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1603, July 6. |
There are in these western parts sundry illdisposed persons, who since the time of his Majesty's reign,
having gotten into some fisher boats with muskets and short
swords, getting their victuals partly from the land by stealth,
have taken and do continually take, rob and pillage such small
shipping, both French and English, as travel to and from this
port, so that very few or none do escape their hands, to the great
damage of trade and tradesmen.—Dartmouth, 6 July, 1603.
Signed:—Walter Frauncis, Maior. |
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Postal endorsements:—"Hast Hast hast post hast. Given
at Dartmouth the vijth of Julye at 5 of the clocke in the morneing. Asperton the vijth of July at ighte a cloke in the morning.
Exeter past xii in the afternone. Thorsday. Crewkern 6
night, Thursdaye. Shafsburye Fryday 9 of the clocke in the
morning. Salisburie at one of the clock afternoone the 9th (sic)
of Julie being Fridaie. At Andever at vij of ye cloke in ye
afternone Basyngestocke at a leaven in the nyghte the eyghte
of Julleye. Harfart Borg at vij in the morning beeing Satardaie."
Seal. ½ p. (101. 4.) |
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Richard, Bishop of London, to Lord Cecil. |
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1603, July 6. |
I had the letters enclosed amongst Dr. Cecyll's
papers. My meaning was to keep them till I met with Mr.
Charles Pagett, and then to deliver them to him to be opened
in my presence and read, so as if any matter of importance should
be in them, to detain them and acquaint the State, as the occasion
should require. Since I was with you I met with Mr. Paget,
and we opening the letters, and finding them in cyphers, he was
content I should send them to you, telling me that they came
from the party of whom he has given you some instructions,
and tomorrow he will attend upon you.—Eaton, 6 July 1603.
Holograph. Signed: Ric. London. 1 p. (187. 87.) |
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Sir John Fortescue to Lord Cecil. |
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1603, July 7. |
Upon the receipt of your lordship's letters
and message from his Majesty by Mr. Percyvall, I confess I
was much perplexed, not knowing how to satisfy his Majesty's
request, and to retain my own credit, which now only in me
more than any man that served my late mistress is deeply
touched. I omit all that is passed, that I should yield the
habitation of the house of the Duchy to Sir George Hume, which
by all Chancellors, my predecessors, hath been enjoyed, and in
which the records of the office are kept. It will be a great
touch to my poor reputation, but to accept the dwelling in the
Wardrobe whereof I have been 45 years master, and now to
become an underservant, what a baseness of mind might be
imputed to me, I leave to your lordship to judge. In that
house of the Wardrobe is kept the store remaining of provisions,
the amendment of all stuff, lining of hangings, and ordinary
repair of arras, and continual repair of all artificers appertaining
to the service of that office. That house, not only by use of
time out of mind, but also by especial words in the charters
expressed, is so tied to the office as neither Lord Treasurer of
England nor any other besides the Master may be lodged
therein. And therefore I most humbly desire his Majesty not
to urge me to a matter so inconvenient both to his service and
to me, adding to all the offences and disagreements which may
arise from the co-mixtion of Sir George Hume's servants and
mine, I being in these my old years desirous to retire myself
to quietness, since it hath pleased his Majesty to draw me from
the course of service in which I was experienced. And this
in all humbleness, I pray his Majesty may be acquainted with
mine answer, who am right sorry to deny any his desire, if
in any sort without my discredit and overthrow I might yield
to the same.—From my poor lodging at Westminster, 7 July,
1603.
Holograph. Seal. 1 p. (101. 6.) |
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Richard, Bishop of London, to the Same. |
|
1603, July 7. |
I should have acquainted his Majesty with
one matter more, wherewith I had forgotten to acquaint your
lordship. Clarke, the priest, wrote this letter enclosed
to me with another to his Highness. I told Mr. Bluet that it
was a saucy part of Clarcke to make me his carrier, and that I
would not deliver it except I had first seen it, because it
might contain such matters in it as I would not prefer to
his Highness. Notwithstanding I presumed both to keep
it and to open it, that if anything were material in it for
his Majesty's service, it might be taken hold of, if nothing but
in his own behalf, it might be suppressed. Now this Clarke
is one of the priests whom the archpresbiter named to be a
plotter and a chief instrument for the surprising of his Highness's person, and you may see in his letter to his Majesty what
he saith, so as I think it very meet that he may have a protection
to come to your lordship, or to whom you shall appoint (1)
to reveal the parties against whom he opposed himself before,
(2) that the secret of the supposed plot against his Majesty may
be better known.—At Fulham, 7 July, 1603.
Holograph. 1 p. (101. 7.) |
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Earl of Nottingham, Lord Admiral, to Lord Cecil. |
|
1603, July 7. |
Upon a letter written from myself and the rest
of the commissioners unto my Lord Cobham touching the
summoning of the Combarons of the Cinque Ports to do their
service at the coronation, I received this enclosed from him in
answer thereof, which I make bold to send to your lordship,
to the end that if it please you to send unto Sir Roger Wilbram
for a copy of the ancient writ of summons used in these cases
heretofore, which is not to be had but out of the Tower (for I
have already sent to my Lord Keeper about it), I will upon the
sending thereof unto me take order for the dispatch of the writ
out of the Chancery. For the allowance of their petition of
claim I shall not need to insist upon, in regard it hath heretofore never been denied them.—Whitehall, 7 July, 1603.
Holograph. 1 p. (101. 8.) |
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Pe[ter] Manwood to the Same. |
|
1603, July 7. |
The last night came unto me one John Powell
of Feversham, deputy-searcher of Whitstable (a poor fisher
town, within 4 miles of Canterbury), and showed me the King's
proclamation, which at that time was not come to my hands
from my under-sheriff, for the apprehending of Anthony Copley,
a most wicked traitor, and withal that he did hear one passed
over sea from that place in a poor fisher-boat on Saturday last,
landed out of a London wherry. Whereupon I sent for the
parties that carried him over, took their examination, the same
Powell being present, which enclosed I send unto your lordship,
praying your further direction therein. But how to do good in
seeking after this traitor, without some manner of description
of his stature, years, or hair, is very hard.—St. Stephen's, 7 July,
1603. |
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Postal endorsements: "St. Stephens the 7th of July, 1603, att
3 of the clock in ye afternoone. Seattingborne past 6 at night.
Rochester at 9 at night. Dartford paste v in the morninge.
Re. at London past 9 in the morning. Staines at 12 of the
clooke at nonnc."
Holograph. Seal. ½ p. (101. 9.) |
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The Enclosure:
|
|
Christopher Hallydaye and Richard Greene, fishermen,
partners in a small boat of Whitstable, of 5 tons burthen
called the Curtall say:—The second of July, being Saturday,
in the morning very early, there came unto them a gentleman (which came down from London to Whitstable in a
pair of oars, and bound, as he said, to Margate), and meeting of the shore side with Richard Green demanded a boat
to carry him to Callis, who thereupon did agree with him
to the sum of 50s. to carry him to Callis. He landed at
Callis on Sunday last and, being examined by the officers
there, said he was bound for the French Court, but afterwards those officers directed him towards Dunkirk. He
was shipped at Whitstable without the knowledge of the
deputy searcher or any other the king's officers at land,
any yeoman or person of account there. The said passenger
was a man of middle stature well set, aged about 50 years,
having his hair and beard gray, his head being bald on the
top, and his beard broad bushed and somewhat gray,
his complexion somewhat brown; his apparel was a plain
fustian doublet, sad colour, with silver buttons, a pair of
round hose of broadcloth, of sad colour, and a long cloak,
and a pair of yellowish stockings, a plain dagger at his
back, and a broad "curtelax" by his side.—7 July, 1603. |
|
PS.—There landed at that time with him a Dutchman
and his daughter (aged about 10 years) being bound after
the fleet, which the States went over in, which the Dutchman seemed desirous to overtake, to have sent his daughter
into Holland, for fear of the infection in London, but seeing
no means to overtake the fleet, went back with the same
wherry towards London.
Signed:—Pe. Manwood. 1 p. (101. 5.) |
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Sir Edward Norreys to Lord Cecil. |
|
1603, July 7. |
As I hope to live under your Honour's protection, so do I not determine anyhow but from yourself. I can
well stay your leisure, and when you think anything fit for me,
you may well do it, so that I will forbear to trouble my Lord
Chamberlain.
Holograph. Endorsed: "1603, July 7, Seal." 1 p. (101. 10.) |
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Sir John Peyton, Lieutenant of the Tower, to Lord Cecil. |
|
1603, July 7. |
I am very unwilling to be anyways troublesome unto your lordship in my private occasions, but I am
sufficiently persuaded of your good affection to join your furtherance in anything that may add grace and advancement to my
present fortunes, intended and promised by his Majesty. In
the which I humbly desire that my merits to the state and
in particular good affection to yourself may in your judgment
solicit for me. You well know that this my place of service is only
composed of trouble, danger, charge, and vexation. It pleased
his Majesty, before his going from Grenwygche to give me leave
of absence from my charge, the which all other commanders
of the Tower (before Sir Owen Hopton's time) had, except in
special times of danger. May his Majesty therefore be pleased
to make his warrant for that purpose, whereby the warders
and other the inhabitants within the Tower liberties will be more
obedient unto such person as shall be deputed in my place,
which, if it so stand with his Majesty's pleasure, may be Sir
Anthony Deering, or such one of the officers of the Ordnance
as for the time then being shall reside in the Tower. I have
prescribed such orders as are convenient to be observed for
preventing the infection from the Tower and liberties, and I will
leave perfect instructions in all things concerning my charge,
so as the receiving of the keys at the usual times (being only
matter of form) is in all that is to be done.—Towre, 7 July, 1603
Holograph. Seal. 1 p. (101. 11.) |
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Lord Cobham to the Lord High Steward, and the rest of the
Commissioners for the services of the Coronation. |
|
1603, July 7. |
Acknowledges their letters of the 7th inst.,
for summons to go to the Combarons of the Cinque Ports for
their services at the Coronation appointed for the 25th inst.
Present notice shall be given to the Ports accordingly. The
ancient course for this summons has been by King's writ out
of Chancery to the Lord Warden, who by warrant out of Dover
Castle gave knowledge to the Ports. He has written to Lord
Cecil requesting a writ of summons in the usual form. There
are certain persons now in town ready to attend the Commissioners, with petition on behalf of the Ports for allowance
of their claim of their services, as accustomed.—Blackfriars,
7 July, 1603.
Signed. 1 p. (187. 88.) |
|
Jo. Spilman to Lord Cecil. |
|
1603, July 8. |
I have received a letter from an ambassador
that is now upon coming to the King's Majesty from the Duke
of Wirtenberke in Germany, and I think will be here within
these 5 days. His company is about 30 persons. By reason of
my employment in her late Majesty's time to the Duke, this
ambassador now visiteth unto me, and among other things
entreateth me this bearer, his man, to deliver a letter to your
lordship. Further in my knowledge, the duke hath heretofore
much relied on your Honour and so still doth.—8 July, 1603.
Signed. Seal. ½ p. (101. 14.) |
|
Sir Arthur Capell to Lord Cecil. |
|
1603, July 8. |
Though I know very well that your lordship is
a great commander of deer, and that this book that I now send
unto you is a thing that for yourself you have little need of,
yet I, that have not at this time any better thing to send unto
you, lest by my long absence, I may be forgotten, beseech you
give me leave by this small token to make known unto you
that I do still always remember my duty and love to you.
—Haddham, 8 July, 1603.
Holograph. Seal. ½ p. (101. 15.) |
|
E[lizabeth], Lady Southampton, to the Earl of Southampton. |
|
1603, July 8. |
My dear Lord, and only love of my life, I
beseech you love me ever, and be pleased to know that my
Lady Riche will needs have me send you word how importunate
my Lord Riche is with her to come to London, fearing he shall
lose most of his land, which my Lord Chamberlain hopes to
recover, but he thinks if she were near London, she would make
means to have the suit not proceed till her brother's coming
home, which else he fears will go on to his loss before that time.
Therefore go to him needs she must. She is, she tells me, very
loth to leave me here alone, and most desirous, I thank her, to
have me with her in Essex till your return unto me, and tells
me she hath written both to you and her brother that it may
be so. For myself I protest unto you that your wills in this
or in anything else shall be most pleasing to me and my mind
is alike to all places in this ill time to me of your absence from
me, being at quiet in no place. I pray you resolve what you
will have me do, and send me word of it, if you will have me go
with her. She desires that you will write a letter to my Lord
Riche that I may do so, and she hath sent to her brother to do
the like, for she says she knows his humour so well as he will not
be pleased unless that course be taken. She will be gone before
Bartolmy day, therefore before that time let me, I pray you,
know your pleasure what I shall do, which no earthly power
shall make me disobey, and what you dislike in this letter, I
beseech you lay not to my charge, for I protest unto you I was
most unwilling to give you cause of trouble with thinking of
any such matter for me, in your absence, but that she infinitely
desired me to do it. And this last protesting unto you again
that where you like best I should be, that place shall be most
pleasing to me, and all others to be in most hateful, I end never
ending to pray to God to keep you ever from all dangers
perfectly well and soon to bring you to me, who will endlessly
be your faithful and obedient wife.—Chartly, 8 July. |
|
PS. All the news I can send you which I think will make you
merry is that I read in a letter from London, that Sir John
Falstaf is by his Mrs. Dame Pintpot made father of a goodly
miller's thumb, a boy that's all head and very little body, but
this is a secret.
Holograph. Endorsed:—"1603." Seal. 1 p. (101. 16.) |
|
M. Beaumont to "Monsieur" Cecil. |
|
1603, July 8. |
He has asked M. Lievin to write to Cecil on
a matter in no way important: which he begs Cecil to consider
and remedy with his accustomed prudence. M. Lievin will
deliver the particulars.—Londres, 8 Juillet.
Holograph. French. Endorsed: "French Ambassador, 1603."
½ p. (187. 89.) |
|
Robert Lee, Mayor of London, to the Privy Council. |
|
1603, July 9. |
I received your lordships' letter concerning
a seditious writing sent by one Roger Robinson to one Simons
of Bristol, and have accordingly made diligent enquiry for him,
and find that he departed out of London yesterday, being Friday,
8 July, between 3 and 4 o'clock in the afternoon, and as I am
informed he purposed to go towards Bristol, having bought
divers merchandises here in London, and sent the same down
thither.—London, 9 July, 1603.
Signed. Seal. ½ p. (101. 17.) |
|
Sir William Cornwallis to Lord Cecil. |
|
1603, July 9. |
I pray you give me leave to put you in remembrance of your promise to remember me. I hear there will be
someone appointed for that journey and service, which makes
me move your memory for me, desiring you most earnestly,
that as ever I may believe you will do anything for your poor
friend, you will do that which cannot be hard to do, if it please
you to answer for my sufficiency. I dare presume the King
will [answer] for my honesty and loyalty. If you did not favour
me, pity me so much as to send me into 3 years quiet, who I
protest have never had 3 weeks thereof since I was a man.
Neither believe I desire to see Venice nor to be residing there,
upon remnant of any wanton humours, or service unto Venus,
but principally to do some acceptable service to my prince and
country, and in my absence to restore and recover my estate
which is shrunk and shaken with so many years' service to a
prince utterly without reward. By your help I had a suit
signed to the late Queen, but to this hour it was never worth
the wax, and I doubt time will not work much out of it.
My Lord, you gave me your hand and your word and I do
requiescere in that. If you were not I would say to the Court,
as a philosopher did to a city he had long dwelt in, o amici,
nullus amicus.—9 July, 1603.
Holograph. Seal. 1 p. (101. 18.) |
|
John Whitgift, Archbishop of Canterbury, to Lord
Cecil. |
|
1603, July 9. |
It is here reported that his Majesty, by the
instigation of some of his ministers, not knowing the state of
this Church, nor of the Universities, hath written letters to the
Universities that they shall hereafter grant no leases of their
impropriations but to the curates or vicars thereof, which will
breed so many and great inconveniences, that in time it will not
only overthrow them or at least greatly decay them, but also
learning itself and a learned ministry. I have written to his
Majesty as much in effect, and have entreated him to make stay
of any such proceeding, till he may be better informed. You are
Chancellor of one of the said Universities, and are in that respect
bound to protect them. I heartily pray you to be a means to
his Majesty to the same effect, and to join with me in this suit.—
From Croydon, 9 July, 1603.
Signed. ½ p. (101. 20.) |
|
Sir Henry Lyndley to the Same. |
|
1603, July 9. |
My Lord, I fear some bad ones have done some
bad offices to your lordship against me, for I waited 4 hours
at your chamber door, and could not speak with you, and when
you did speak to me, it was sharp, which much grieved me.
I humbly pray to know wherein I have offended, or if your
lordship conceiteth evil of me by any information wherein
I am not able to satisfy you to the full, then I desire no good,
but all evil. My suit I know cannot offend you, for I offer to
his Majesty things fit for him, and unfit that any other should
have. They are of honour and state, and lie near to the castle
of Ludlow, and I will take less by much than their worth to
free me from the debts of my late Lord. I beseech you that
I may entreat his Majesty, that you may be one to whom it
may be referred, for that was the cause of my coming to your
lordship.—9 July, 1603.
Holograph. 1 p. (101. 21.) |
|
Fr[ancis], Lord Norreys, to the Same. |
|
[1603], July 9. |
The general heap of differences between me
and my uncle had not been carried out of the ordinary course
of law but for this respect. I was advised by Mr. Attorney
General to entail the reversion of that land my grandfather
gave my uncle upon the Queen, thereby to hinder him from otherwise disposing of it than his father limiteth, which is a customary
and lawful course. Now my uncle, finding himself more
restrained than he would have been, strove and complained to
the Queen to be released of this entail, whereupon she referred
the hearing of that matter to my Lord Keeper and your lordship.
Upon the hearing of it, you both were pleased, out of your
favour to us both, to hear other questions that were between
us, but concluded us only of some provisionally, that the other
matter between us might be ended in the same course of compromise and by yourselves, which some 4 months since received
hearing before you, and I doubt not but your conscience is
sufficiently informed of the poverty and infencible pretence of
my uncle who nourisheth a litigious disposition in himself
against more than myself, even to the making of him ridiculous
to all that see and know his courses in that kind. But I leave
pre-occupation to him and refer myself to the course you
prescribe in your letter or howsoever, Sir Walter Cope being a
man I like exceedingly to commit myself unto in any cause.
Furthermore, that all advantage may be offered to my uncle,
if it please you to make him this offer, to abbreviate your own
pains, if he will suffer all other things to remain between us as
they were at the first, whereas his land was entailed upon the
Queen, which was the cause matters went not to Westminster
Hall, that shall remain as he would have it, only for all the rest
let us follow the ordinary course of the law.—From Ricotte,
9 July. |
|
PS.—At the last hearing before your lordship, the matter
was reduced to this, whether my uncle, Sir John Norreys, made
a will of the land in controversy or not, by which pretended
will my uncle Ed: claims. Whereupon your Honours ordered
that witnesses should be examined in that point, which since
by my Lord Keeper's commission hath been done, and the
depositions published by his warrant, so that there rests only
that your lordships peruse the depositions, which I have entreated Mr. Lenton, one of my counsel, to attend you and to
know your pleasures, whether you will subscribe your resolutions, or to bring me your purposes, whereas if the cause be
entered into anew and by such as are strangers to it, I fear they
would intricate and confound that which your wisdoms have
brought to end.
Holograph. Endorsed:—"1603." 3 pp. (101. 22.) |
|
John Arundell, of Lanheron, to Lord Cecil. |
|
1603, July 9. |
I lately wrote unto your Honour concerning
a petition, which I exhibited unto the King, for the dwelling
in the West parts, at my own houses in Dorsetshire and Cornwall,
in respect of the sickness, the straightness of my house here,
and the great hindrance in being so far from my own livings.
The consideration of which petition is referred to your honourable Council by his Majesty. I do therefore pray your wonted
favour in furthering my suit. The intention of my petition is
only to dwell at my house in Dorsetshire lately fallen into my
hands by the death of my lady my mother, having no purpose
to dwell in Cornwall, but only to have sometime repair thither,
to look into my own estate, wherein I have sustained great loss,
for that I could not heretofore do it.—Highgate, 9 July, 1603.
Holograph. Seal. 1 p. (101. 24.) |
|
Penelope, Lady Rich, to the Earl of Southampton. |
|
1603, July 9. |
The exceeding kindness I receive from your
son in hearing often from you gives me infinite contentment.
Lord Riche so importunes me daily to return to my own house
as I cannot stay here longer than Bartelmentide, which I do
against his will, and the cause of his earnest desire to have me
come up is his being so persecuted for his land, as he is in fear
to lose the greatest part he hath this next term. Wherefore
I beseech you to speak with my brother, since I am loth to leave
my lady here alone, and if you resolve she shall go with me into
Essex, which I very much desire, then you were best to write
to me that you would have her go with me. |
|
I have written that I will come so soon as I know what my
brother and yourself determine for my lady. I am sorry for
Sir Harry Davers's hurt, though I hope it is so littled as it will
not mar his good face.—Chartly, 9 July.
Holograph. Endorsed:—"1603." Seal. 1 p. (101. 25) |
|
Sir Thomas Gerrard to Lord Cecil. |
|
1603, July 9. |
Pardon my over-boldness, wherein my
reputation is engaged, concerning the wardship betwixt Sir
Hugh Beeston and myself. The gentleman died far in debt
[and] left many children. His living too by year, whereof his
wife for her jointure is to have 200 of it, now that in regard I
assured the gentleman and his friends, being my neighbours,
that I should have it, relying wholly upon your lordship's
promise it will be greatly to my discredit. Whatsoever you
shall set down I will perform to Sir Hugh, and were it not
for these reasons, I protest I would utterly quit myself of it,
having been so many ways bound to your lordship.
Holograph. Endorsed:—"1603," and in a later hand "July
9." Seal. 1 p. (101. 26). |
|
Sir Edward Coke to the Same. |
|
1603, July 9. |
Mr. Grevill held the offices in the Principality
of Wales by the Queen's grant for his life; and Mr. Fowls
obtained a grant for his life. Seeing Mr. Grevill has compounded
for the estate of Mr. Fowls, it were good and very safe to take
a new grant to Mr. Grevill for his life, and to take a grant in
reversion to Sir Rich. Verney for his life. By this means no
man shall pry into any forfeiture, but Mr. Grevill's friend's
future interest shall protect his present estate. Accordingly I
have ventured to draw a book, because I know you affect the
gentleman, and I would be glad to protect him as much as I
could from suits in law. If you shall give it furtherance, I pray
you afford me your warrant.
Holograph. Endorsed: "Mr. Attorney General." 1 p.
(187. 90.) |
|
Lord Cobham to Lord Cecil. |
|
1603, July 10. |
I received even now letters from Dover,
from the Commissioners of Passage, by one Capt. Colville, that
brought over with him from Calais one Robert Tunsted, a gentleman that sometimes served the late Queen, his Majesty's mother,
whom for that he refused to take the oath of supremacy at
Dover they directed unto me, with his examination taken there,
which together with the party, I have sent unto your lordship
by this bearer, Capt. Colville.
PS.—I have likewise sent the Commissioners' letter to me.
Holograph. Endorsed:—"1603." and in a later hand "July
10." ½ p. (101. 29.) |
|
The Enclosures:— |
|
(1) Here arrived this day from Calais one Robert Tunstede, a gentleman of Derbyshire, who served the late Queen
of Scotland, and for that he is a Romish Catholic and refuseth the oath of supremacy, by the advice of Sir Thomas
Fane he is brought over to your lordship by a Capt.
Colville, a Scotchman that dwelleth in Calais, a man very
well known. Dover, 10 July, 1603.
Signed:—Richard Sissalie, mayor: G. Fenner. Seal.
½ p. (101. 27.) |
|
(2) The examination of Robert Tunsted taken before
Mr. Richard Siselie, mayor, and Mr. George Fenner, commissioner, 10 July, 1603. |
|
Robert Tunsted, gent., born at St. Anne of Buckston
in Derbyshire, served the late Queen of Scots some five
years and about 20 years past was sent over by the Queen
into France, where he hath remained for the most part
ever since and hath had his maintenance by a pension
allowed him by the aforesaid Queen. His coming into this
land is to offer his services and duty to his Majesty.
Acknowledgeth himself a Catholic and is not willing to
take the oath of supremacy but desireth that it may be
respited until he come to his Majesty.
Signed. ½ p. (101. 28.) |
|
Sir Vincent Skinner to Lord Cecil. |
|
1603, July 10. |
Upon overture made to me yesterday, of a
seminary priest to be in Westminster, by the keeper of the Gatehouse, while I was directing a warrant for his apprehension, by
good hap this gentleman, Mr. Sanderson, being in Westminster,
by means of a servant of his, who knew the priest, he was stayed
and brought before me. Upon search I could find nothing but
some papers in his pocket which he had torn into very small
pieces. Where he lodged the night before I could by no means
get out of him. Whereupon I committed him to the Gatehouse,
and spent all yesterday to find out his lodging. Being directed
to a place where a young gentlewoman lay, his kinswoman,
(and of whose apparel there was some part in a pack which a
porter carried, who was stayed and the pack searched) the house
is found out where the woman lodged. In search of which house,
albeit I cannot find the priest had lodged there, yet have we
found such a sort of lodgings provided for persons of evil affection
to the state, with such conveyances by doors out of one chamber
to another, with passages into leads for escaping, as I think
there be not the like to be found: in a part of which house,
being parcel of Ely House rents, there was also found divers
great chests and coffers, full of printed books of that seminary
faction, which will require some time to peruse and sort, of each
whereof I will send you some. Supposing that some of the chests
might be likely to come from beyond the seas, there was found
by further search the press itself, with all things appertaining
to printing, with letters ready set upon the press and paper for
proceeding in their business. I also made search for all letters
and papers, whereof there was good store, which after I have
perused and shall find any matter of moment, I will sort and send
to you.—Westminster, 10 July, 1603.
Holograph. 1 p. (187. 91.) |
|
Sir Edward Stanhope to the Same. |
|
1603, July 11. |
Gout hath held me prisoner now almost these
10 weeks at Gray's Inn, and at my house in Essex. Being but
this last week recovered, able but to go with two staves, I
received yesterday letters from my Lord, your brother, to
repair to York to supply his place as vice-president for the next
sitting, beginning this day sennight, which I will endeavour,
though I could ill have gone at this time. This morning I
received letters from the mayor and his brethren of Doncaster,
letting me know that certain of the tenants of Rosington (a
manor which the corporation hath by charter), who time out of
mind have taken their farms by leases for years, from time to
time, as the terms have expired, at arbitrary fines, are coming
up with petition to his Highness that they may be made tenantright at fines certain to them and their heirs. It is so foolish
a suit, as scant worth answering; yet lest his Highness should
apprehend it as a thing formerly due to them, I am, in the
mayor's behalf, an humble suitor to your lordship, in respect
you vouchsafe to be their High Steward, if their petition seem
not ridiculous, that it may be referred to the Council at York,
to see what colour they have to make this complaint, rather
than to any gentleman of the country of their nomination, who
(many of them) favour not the corporation.—Chigwell, 11
July, 1603.
Signed. 1 p. (101. 30.) |
|
Fulk Greville to Lord Cecil. |
|
[1603], July 12. |
I make no doubt of your favour but am sorry
to find still both by your speeches and letters that things are
more envious and uneasy to you than I wish them. In this
business it is true your Honour never heard word of reversion,
and if I be guilty of any other end in it than the quiet which I
know both in love and honour you will help to afford me, let
me lose my credit with you ever. The proposition came
peremptorily for my counsel in presence of Mr. Attorney, your
lordship's dear and honest friend. The manner and reason for
my discharge, either be pleased to ask of him or understand
of this bearer and, if your lordship and the rest in your wisdoms
approve it not, submit all doubts to be expounded and
determined by you. If you shall find it reasonable and will
vouchsafe to persuade or urge Sir David Fowles in it, then I see
the time is noble and the work, with your helps, even at the second
hand, will not be heavy for him that works with a most liberal
and worthy king, to give himself and me satisfaction.—From
Horrolds Park, not well, this 12 of July.
Holograph. Seal. 1 p. (97. 52.) |
|
Sir Thomas Fane to the Same. |
|
1603, July 12. |
Capt. Windebancke, this bearer (who carried
your lordship's packet unto his Majesty's ambassador with the
French King) may best make known the cause of his long stay
at Paris. His arrival was here at Dover this 12th about one
in the forenoon.—Dover Castle, 12 July, 1603. |
|
PS.—There is at Calais an ambassador from the Duke of
Wittenberk unto his Majesty, who purposeth to arrive here tomorrow.
Holograph. ½ p. (101. 32.) |
|
Sir Henry Clare to the Same. |
|
1603, July 12. |
How I have spent my time in her late
Majesty's service is not altogether unknown to your lordship.
If I may be of no use here I would be glad to be remembered
in the establishment of Ireland, where your favour may procure
me a company and command, when the army shall be reduced
to a smaller number, in causing one company the more to be
cast, and given unto me. The remains of my pay for my service
in Ireland lieth there in that coin ("quoyne"), and I can get
no one penny exchanged because I am discharged. I would
therefore be glad, either there to be employed (being of the
ancient list standing in those wars) or not to lose that for which
I have so long served. Thus doth my love make me presume
to lay myself open before you, not daring to come to Court as
yet myself, because I have lieu in London, but going now to
my dwelling in Norfolk, I leave my hopes in your hands.—12
July, 1603.
Holograph. ½ p. (101. 52.) |
|
The Bishop of London to Lord Cecil. |
|
1603, July 13. |
I perceive by a note in your last letter to the
Lords that there is a conceit that Watson is with me or in prison.
But so it is that I did not see him since the last of January,
that the date of her Majesty's proclamation was expired. He
was prisoner at large as was convenient for the service at that
time, and as it hath fallen out, he hath taken his liberty accordingly, and abused it.—At the Tower, 13 July, 1603.
Holograph. Seal. ½ p. (101. 33.) |
|
Nicholas Kendall to the Same. |
|
1603, July 13. |
I have been acquainted with Watson (as mine
examination doth witness), my thoughts being as free from
treason or treachery as I could wish myself undone rather than
the least hair of my sovereign's head should perish. I hope
your Honour will censure charitably of mine examination, my
years and ignorance, for my fault hath been error, ignorantia,
not malitia. Though I am unknown unto you, I have
lost many of my uncertain friends in defending your honourable
ends from calumny and slander. I humbly crave your
favour, as well for my speedy enlargement, as also that
I might satisfy my friends by whose means I live. Those
means being taken away I must infallibly starve. If my
conscience had been guilty, I could have fled when I heard of
the proclamation for taking of Copley. I never was called
before a magistrate nor in any prison until now, and for death
I hope I have least deserved, my thoughts being so loyal that
I dare presume to entreat you to procure my enlargement on
sureties and that I might speak with your lordship.—From
the Gatehouse, 13 July.
Holograph. Endorsed:—"1603." Seal. 1½ pp. (101. 34–5) |
|
Bishop of London and Commissioners to the Same. |
|
1603, July 13. |
We shall be able to-morrow to satisfy your
lordship of as great and detestable treasons as ever were
intended or imagined. In the mean season because we do find
Sir Griffin Markham a principal dealer, we cannot forbear to
wish and humbly to advise that present order be taken he may
be as safely kept as possibly may be. We find still more and
more cause that speedy order should be taken for the apprehension of Watson by all means that can be devised, for
Markham's offence is in the highest degree that can be imagined.
It may please you to give order that our letters may be conveyed
unto you by post.—From the Tower of London, 13 July, 1603.
Signed:—Ric. London: John Peyton: Jo. Croke: W.
Waad: Tho. Flemyng.
Seals. 1 p. (101. 37.) |
|
Bishop of London and Commissioners to Lord Cecil. |
|
1603, July 13. |
We still do travail in those matters committed
unto us, and do hope ere it be long to send you some fruit of
our labours. For the mean season, because we do find that
William Watson, the priest, is the chief contriver, deviser and
setter on of this mysterious plot, we are bold to deliver unto
your lordship our conceit for his apprehension. Seeing his
Majesty hath used already the means of public proclamation
for apprehension of others, which hath brought forth good
effect, if the like way were taken for this caitiff, perhaps it
would prove the speedy means to have him brought forth,
which we leave unto your grave consideration only intimating
thus much of our opinion, for we find for the present he is a
man alive to both sides and if he hath breath he will either seek
to be reconciled, or to go forth of the realm, and all the projects
and designs proceed from and are to be had of him.—From the
Tower of London, 13 July, 1603.
Signed as above. 1 p. (101. 38.) |
|
Sir Henry Seckford to the Same. |
|
1603, July 13. |
Testifies to service done to her late Majesty
by the bearer, Mr. Robert Berry, and of her princely care and
intention to reward him. For better testimony of his service,
the Lord Treasurer and Mr. Attorney General by their letters
written in his behalf, ready to be showed, may appear. Besides
her Majesty pleased to give the last year unto him the receivership of the fines in the Marches of Wales. Whereupon Cecil
required Seckford to intreat him to give over that suit, which
he did, that the Lord President might dispose thereof.—13
July, 1603.
Signed. Seal. 1 p. (101. 39.) |
|
Sir Edward Norreys to the Same. |
|
1603, July 13. |
I perceive that to attend any longer for the
end of this matter of Notley is more troublesome unto me, than
the course which I have proposed to myself to live in doth take
comfort in. I beseech your lordship not to mislike that I seek
to have an end by the ordinary course of law, for having waited
these two days to speak with your Honour, I am now ready
to depart home.—From my lodging, 13 July.
Holograph. Endorsed:—"1603." Seal. 1 p. (101. 40.) |
|
Lord Zouche to Lord Cecil. |
|
1603, July 13. |
I am driven to trouble you by the means of
an idle companion which married a kinswoman of mine and a
far more lewd companion, the brother to his deceased wife,
also my kinsman, now, as it seemeth by his letters, remaining
with him. I beseech you to consider how lewdly they both
desire that either I should run into danger, or bear the name to
prosecute mine own blood, whereunto I am not very squeamish
if this course, taken as I think, were not sufficient. For upon
the receipt of his letter, which I send you, I sent him a letter
in answer, a copy whereof I send you. He was one who served
in the Low Countries in the time of the Earl of Leicester's being
there, and when Roland Yorke went to the enemy, this man,
Richard Zouche went also, and so in my opinion worthy of
condign punishment, whereunto I had rather help him than he
should escape, though I rather wish, if it may be, that he should
be prosecuted by some other than by me. I might further
excuse myself in that I have heard that he hath been since that
time in prison and let go and also now of late made known to
be come over, yet have I not heard of any wait laid for him.
For myself, I think I shall dispatch my business here by Friday
in the afternoon and then I purpose to return by Haringworth
and Northampton to London, but I think it will be Tuesday or
Wednesday next before I come, unless I receive other directions.
—Grimsthrop, 13 July, 1603.
Holograph. 1½ pp. (101. 41.) |
|
The Enclosures:— |
|
(1) John Elmes to Lord Zouche. Notwithstanding
letters and messages before times signified of my griefs
to your Honour, but how truly certified, I know not, for
want of return, yet now understanding your Honour to
be so near, I could not hold my duty from you, although
my person may not approach for divers causes, as I suppose.
Besides my disability of body aged I have grievous enemies
where your Honour have to do, and even now utterly
unhorsed. I have now with me, unlooked for yet naturally
welcome, my brother Richard Zouche, how well liking to
others his better friends, I know not. Loth I were to
offend so dear a friend, and therein crave your honourable
opinion. I am most ignorant of his friends and mine also,
neither do I know any man's griefs or wants but mine own.
For my own part I want but a book to make merry (not
myself) but my friends.—Stamford, 12 July, 1603. |
|
PS. What I was promised or had of my Lord
Willoughby's is all taken from me, although he is much
pleasured by me. I would your Honour saw the wrongs
offered me and my tenants under colour of my Lord
Willoughby in Swinsted Fields. Mine own friends might
remedy it, if they would but peruse that is mine; but as
God will.
Holograph. 1 p. (101. 31.) |
|
(2) Lord Zouche to [John] Elmes. I understand not
what you mean by your want of return, if of answer to
letters, I remember not any of long time to me written,
if of messages, I know not whether I have received two or
one, to which I thought it not fit to give answer. Having
business with my cousin Hall, your nephew, I think it not
fit for you to come or me to entertain you, if you come.
For any enemy you have I know none worse than yourself.
Whenever I may do you good or you me, there be many
places fit for such meetings. Concerning your brother
Zouche, whereof you write, I hold it fit for you to set
such watch over him as he escape not till his Highness's
pleasure be known, for though I think him no dangerous
traitor, yet I am assured that you know he is an offender,
and I hold you a lewd fellow to acquaint me with any such
lewd person of my name, since there be officers sufficient
to make stay of such a mate, without making me the
executioner, though if those which do evil should want,
I hold it more shame to have such a one of my name than
to cut him short. As a Councillor of State I command
you so to make stay of him as he may be forthcoming
before the King and his Council upon warrant given after
notice to them of his being with you. For further help
to you I send you a warrant whereby you may
pray in aid of other magistrates, wherein I require
you not to fail, if on your peril you undertake not
to see him forthcoming from time to time, till the King's
Majesty or his Council may be made acquainted therewith,
which cause only stayed me from present sending for him,
because if there be now nothing to be prosecuted against
him I delight not to draw his name in question more than
is fit for me and you both, as good subjects not respecting
our nearest friends. For your venison and other affairs
I had better consider of them when this is brought to an
end, which I hope will be with speed determined upon
my coming to town, which at the farthest shall be next
week.—Grimsthrop, 13 July, 1603.
Copy in Lord Zouche's handwriting. 1 p. (101. 36.) |
|
Sir Henry Maynard to Lord Cecil. |
|
1603, July 13. |
Give me leave to present you with a few
apricots and cherries of my poor garden, being the first with
me that this year hath ripened. I hope to have shortly more
store of apricots to send to you to Theobalds.—From my poor
house, 13 July, 1603.
Holograph. ½ p. (101. 56.) |
|
Sir Andrew Noell to the Same. |
|
1603, July 13. |
The loss of his wife has withdrawn him from
Court, whereby he has not performed the duty he owes Cecil,
for whom he expresses his affection. He would be glad that the
bearer, his son, should be in the Court under Cecil's patronage,
and wholly at his disposition. It has unluckily fallen out that
the hawk he gave Cecil is dead, which he will supply with the
best that comes to his hands.—13 July, 1603.
Holograph. 1 p. (187. 92.) |
|
Mary, Lady Cheek, to the Same. |
|
1603, July 14. |
I am at this time bold to send to your lordship in the behalf of my son Cotton, whom I would be glad might
have some gracing among many other to be a knight, and do
assure myself it will be an easy matter for you to bring to pass,
having that favour at his Majesty's hands that the world gives
out.—14 July, 1603.
Holograph. Seal. ½ p. (101. 42.) |
|
Bishop of London and Commissioners to the Same. |
|
1603, July 14. |
We are exceeding sorry that such wicked
conspiracies and treasons should be ever thought of against
so gracious a prince, and so are we heartily glad that the same
have been brought to light without any torture or threatening.
The declarations and discovery now sent unto your lordship
of his own hand is so ample and full as we omit to send the
former examinations and collections taken by us, being many
and sundry, serving only as approaches that made way to this
main work. We have as yet apprehended only Kendall, a
younger gentleman, whom we have examined, but hitherto
cannot get much from him. Out of this declaration of Copley
we have collected notes to give him occasion to explain and
enlarge those things that are not perspicuous and that we think
fit to be known.—From the Tower of London, 14 July, 1603.
Signed:—Ric. London: John Peyton: Jo. Croke: W. Waad:
Tho. Flemyng.
Seal. 1½ pp. (101. 44.) |
|
John Corbett to Lord Cecil. |
|
1603, July 14. |
By encouragement from my Lady of Warwick
I did of late make my attendance upon your lordship at London,
but finding you continually plied with great personages, and,
as it seemed, full of weighty affairs, I thought fit not to give
you trouble till some better opportunity. The infection of the
city hath ever since kept me from thence, and until the court
come nearer, I presume hereby to put your lordship in remembrance of me, as of one friendless and hopeless in the course
which these fourteen years I have followed, first under Sir
Henry Unton, all the time of his foreign employment, afterwards
drawn forward by the persuasions of Sir Thomas Wilkes. The
loss of these, and suchlike misfortunes, makes me now retired,
known to no man of action, and in despair to have any use of
this long spent time, if your lordship shall not happily take
knowledge of me.—From Totnam, 14 July, 1603.
Holograph. ½ p. (101. 45.) |
|
Sir Ed. Trafford and Ra. Asheton to the Same. |
|
1603, July 14. |
Upon a scandalous report bruited in this
country and coming to our ears that your lordship should
upon some disgrace conceived by his Majesty [have] been committed to the Tower, we as secretly as we could examined the
reporters, and finding the same to have passed through three
or four several hands, who upon their examinations have
confessed the same, we proceeded so far as it came at the first
from one John Presland of Whitchurch in Shropshire, a blind
man, and of whom he had the same it seemeth he doth not
know.—Trafford, 14 July, 1603. |
|
PS. The first reporter to us was Christopher Stananought,
gent., who had the same of John Urmston, gent., who had it of
Henry Byram, son of Peter Byram, gent., who did hear it of
Henry Byram of Byram, esquire, who did hear the same of
one of his men, who did hear it of Willfray Bunnibye of Whitchurch, who did hear it of a blind man, John Presland his
neighbour.
Signed:—1 p. (101. 46.) |
|
Edward Bruce, Lord of Kinloss, to the Same. |
|
[1603], July 14. |
I have received from Serjeant Howghton
the letters sent him by the mayor of Norwich, the one in Dutch,
the other in English, relation of an advertisement of a treason
plotted against Grave Morise, which now is come to be
discovered, and that of those which be taken some have
confessed that there are certain others come over into England
to practise against his Majesty. The Serjeant has delivered
his letters in my hands to be sent unto his Majesty. I have
therefore thought it most necessary to send them to your
lordship to be considered by you and imparted to him so
far as you think fit. I beseech you to guard and secure his
person carefully till the coronation be accomplished and the
roots of Coply's conspiracy be laid open.—London, 14 July.
Holograph. Seal. ½ p. (101. 47.) |
|
The Enclosures:— |
|
(1) We have been informed by one Abraham Verkine,
a Dutchman, dwelling in Norwich, of a letter sent by one
Isaac Verkine to Jacomyne Byggotts, a Dutchwoman.
The substance in English is that Grave Norrys [Mauricè]
was almost betrayed, but, God be thanked, it is revealed,
and that four of the conspirators were taken at the Hage,
and they have confessed that there are certain others
come into England to betray the king, but I hope they
shall be there taken. Which letters in Dutch, as they
came from beyond the seas we send hereinclosed to the end
if you think it fit you acquaint the Right Honourable the
Chief Justice and the Privy Council, that we be not blamed
or found fault with the concealing thereof.—Norwich,
8 July, 1603. |
|
PS.—We send you herein enclosed the copy of the
examination taken touching the tinker's wife, whereof we
made mention in our former letters, which came not to
your hands, whose name is Bridget Glaven, wife of
Charles Glaven.
Signed:—Tho. Lani, mayor: Frauncis Rugge: Ry.
Ferrour: Roger Welde.
½ p. (101. 13.) |
|
(2) Dutch letter above referred to.
1 p. (101. 12.) |
|
Ralph Dobinson to Lord Cecil. |
|
1603, July 14. |
It hath pleased God to visit the city and
liberty of Westminster with the plague of pestilence, and
because it is dispersed in several places, and that the time of
the King's Coronation approacheth, I thought it my duty to
inform your lordship of the several places where the infection
is, as also of the number buried. At St. Margaret's 15 of the
plague this week, which are out of Petty Fraunce, Tuttle Street,
Longditch, Theeving Lane, the Long Wolstable, and Sea Alley,
of other diseases 5. The number of infected houses there are
20. At St. Martin's in the Fields there hath been buried this
week of all diseases—, whereof of the plague 10, and it is in
many houses, as well in the High Street as in by places there.
Near St. Clement's Church and the fields the people are very
unruly, and the townsmen constrained to watch their houses
and force them into their houses, which are infected, and the
bills that are set upon their doors are still pulled off, whereby such
houses are not known, but to very few. Except a proclamation
be granted, wherein some sharp punishment may be imposed
corporally upon such as shall go abroad after their houses are
infected or shall deface the mark and papers set upon their
doors for that purpose, it is to be feared that this infection
will much spread itself. Also we find that many persons of
good ability, who are chargeable (in respect of such houses
they hold here) to contribute towards the relieving of these
poor infected people, refuse to pay any reasonable taxation.
If it shall please your lordship to have the names of them, the
churchwardens shall make certificate and will be humble
suitors to your lordship for some redress.—14 July, 1603.
Holograph. Seal. 2 pp. (101. 48.) |
|
The Enclosure:
|
|
1603., July 1–7. |
Within the city and liberties of
Westminster. |
|
St. Margaret's in Westminster— |
|
There died of all diseases in this parish |
10 |
|
Whereof of the plague |
3 |
|
Christened |
5 |
|
St. Martin's-in-the-Fields— |
|
Of all diseases |
4 |
|
Of the plague |
0 |
|
Christened |
1 |
|
Savoy, alias St. Mary, Strand— |
|
None died or christened. |
|
St. Clement Danes— |
|
There died of the plague |
2 |
|
Dead of the plague in this liberty |
5 |
|
By me John Dauson, Hyghton Stabell.
1 p. (101. 19.) |
|
Tho. Arundell to Lord Cecil. |
|
[1603, July 14.] |
The fear which he had to be thought to buy
a barony has been the special cause why he has this long absented
himself from Court, it may be he stands on too nice points of
reputation; but the report of such traffic was never more
bruited, and never more sought for, than at present. He
understands by my Lord of Southampton of Cecil's willingness
to favour him in this kind, of which, though he nothing doubted,
considering his father's legacy in bequeathing him to Cecil,
and his own love to him, yet he sends these thanks. He further
requests a favour concerning a fit place in this creation. Though
he knows that to strive for precedency has ever been thought a
womanish ambition, yet doubting lest the ghosts of the Dukes
of Norfolk, from whom he is descended, and of King Edward
the Fourth's Queen, his great grandmother (whom he knows the
King himself would somewhat respect) might chide him for
giving place to such as can hardly prove themselves gentlemen,
he thought fit so far to urge their right as to crave either a
convenient place, or no barony.—Mooreclack, this 14th.
Holograph. Endorsed: "14 July, 1603." 1 p. (187. 93.) |
|
Sir Richard Fenis to Lord Cecil. |
|
1603, July 15. |
As you think my former letter responsible,
in most humble answer of your objections, first in relinquishing
my former right, inferior I hope to no claimers whosoever, as
to my greatest comfort I have often heard your lordship second
your most noble father in public averment of, if his Highness
now afford me grace, his Majesty herein breaks no iota of
promise to my Lords, unto whom also I desire, in hope to obtain
their favours to yield humbly all proceedings. Before the
Coronation the other claimers may by me be induced to submit
themselves hereafter as I now do, preferring loyalty above all
rights. That there are many of far more worth than myself
now left out, I must humbly acknowledge, but I hope no one
of them being ignorant either of the general opinion formerly
had of my manifest right, as also of the late examination and
public approbation thereof given, will so much as seem grieved
with any his Majesty's gracious favour conferred upon me.
Therefore if by the means of any great personage, in respect
of my former right relinquished, this favour now may be obtained, let me in thankfulness to Mr. Levinus satisfy what in
my former letter is expressed, and to my poor power otherways
rest wholly yours by obtaining free passage, and your favourable contentment.—15 July, 1603.
Holograph. Seal. 1 p. (101. 49.) |
|
Sir Thomas Fane to Lord Cobham. |
|
1603, July 15. |
I am informed by Mr. Crayford's eldest son,
that Sir Robert Mansell being at his father's house received
advertisement this day, that the Spanish ambassador is at
Gravelinge, expecting his Majesty's ships to bring him over,
whereupon Sir Robert Mansell, hasting presently aboard,
intendeth with all speed to repair unto him.—Dover Castle,
15 July, 1603. |
|
Postal endorsements: "Dover this xvth of July at 8 at night.
At Canterburye at paste 11 at nighte. At Sytingborne at 3
in the morninge. Rochester at past 5 in the morninge.—Dartford at 8 in the morning."
Signed. Seal. 1 p. (101. 50.) |
|
Sir Thomas Gorges to Lord Cecil. |
|
1603, July 15. |
I have received a charge from you and the
rest of his Majesty's Privy Council, which I will be as careful
in duty to perform as any. I was commanded in your lordship's
names by the knight-marshal before my Lord Graie, that he
should neither write to any man nor speak or send any letter
to any man, but by your lordship's directions, the which hitherto
I have performed. Now I am to let your lordship know that
yesterday about 1 o'clock there came a page of Sir Christopher
Lawrence's to have spoken with my Lord Graie from his master,
but I would not suffer him, but sent him away. Presently after
there came one Capt. Bridges, a follower of my Lord Graie's
to have seen him, but those to whom I gave charge of his lordship would not suffer him, which when my Lord understood
of his being there (by what means I know not) he sent my son
Smyth to intreat me that he might speak with Capt. Bridges
in my hearing, but by no means I would consent to his lordship's
request therein.—From Shine [Sheen], this present Thursday,
15 July.
Holograph. Endorsed: "1603." Seal. ½ p. (101. 51.) |
|
Richard Hooper to Lord Cecil. |
|
1603, July 15. |
Understanding by Sir Henry Brounker of
the honourable care your lordship hath had for the effecting
of my poor suit, which is now brought to an end, it had been my
duty to have presented myself to your lordship with an humble
acknowledgment of this your undeserved favour towards me,
but finding the heavy hand of God upon many in the parish
where I now dwell (albeit myself and family be free), and calling
to mind the just proclamation lately published inhibiting all
such as inhabit in or near London (where the sickness is or
shall be) to repair to the Court, I have forborne personally to
yield your lordship bounden thanks, until some better occasion
offered. I humbly pray you that if any occasion of service shall
be offered, wherein the use of my poor talent may be thought
necessary, it may please you to employ me therein. I beseech
you to give order to Mr. Levyne for the delivery of the king's
letter to him, whom I have intreated to convey the same unto
me, and shall attend for that purpose, and further to subscribe
a letter which Mr. Levine will present to you to be directed to
Sir George Carye, now Lord Deputy of Ireland, for the passing
of letters patent of the said office, as appertaineth, which I
know will be a great furtherance to the speedy dispatch of that
business.—From Hogsdon near London, 15 July, 1603.
Holograph. Seal. 1 p. (101. 53.) |
|
Sir Edward Denny to the Same. |
|
1603, July 15. |
I understood by your servant Flint of a
desire you had to have a sparrow-hawk, and I have made bold
to send you a cast of sparrow-hawks, which this year were bred
in my woods and taken but this day.—15 July, 1603,
Holograph. 1 p. (101. 54.) |
|
The Council to [Sir Thomas Fane]. |
|
1603, July 15. |
As his Majesty finds it necessary, for very
special causes, to make stay of the passages for some little time
at divers ports, and specially at the Cinque Ports, for the
better stay and apprehension of some persons charged with
dangerous practice against his Majesty's person and the State,
we therefore require you to give strait charge to the officers of
every of the Cinque Ports not to permit any person to take his
passage at any of the said Ports for the space of ten days,
notwithstanding any passport or warrant under any of the Council's hands, or under the hand of his Majesty, in respect that
some such warrant may be abused for the passage of some
such person. If it shall happen that one Sir Griffin Markham,
knight, or Watson a priest, shall attempt passage, you shall
give special charge to the officers to make stay of them and
either of them, and commit them to prison. You shall also
order the officers to send us a certificate of any such persons as
shall seek to take passage. We have taken this course of writing
to you rather than to the several officers, for the more expedition,
—Hampton Court, 15 July, 1603.
Signed: Gilbert Shrewsbury, Mar, Tho. Howard, H. Howward, Ro. Cecyll, Mountjoy, E. Wotton. |
|
PS.—You shall cause all persons attempting passage at this
time to be detained till you have certified us and received order
for their discharge. For your knowledge of Markham and
Watson, we enclose a note describing their persons.
Contemporary copy. 1 p. (187. 95.) |
|
The Enclosure:
|
|
A description of the person of William Watson, priest.
He is a man of the lowest sort, about the age of 36, his
hair betwixt a brown and a flaxen. He "looketh a squinte"
and very purblind, so as if he read anything, he puts the
paper near to his eyes. He wears his beard at length of
the same coloured hair as is his head, but [there is] information that now his beard is cut. |
|
Description of Sir Griffin Markham and his brothers.
Sir Griffin Markham hath a large broad face, of a black
complexion, hath a big nose, and one of his hands is maimed
by a hurt in his arm, received by shot of a bullet. He hath
thin and little hair of his beard. |
|
All his brothers are tall of stature and without any
hair on his [sic] face, of exceeding swarthy and bad
complexions and have all very great noses.
1 p. (187. 94.) |
