Cecil Papers: Miscellaneous 1604 | British History Online

Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 23, Addenda, 1562-1605. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1973.

Citation:

'Cecil Papers: Miscellaneous 1604', in Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 23, Addenda, 1562-1605, ed. G Dyfnallt Owen( London, 1973), British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-cecil-papers/vol23/pp188-197 [accessed 17 September 2024].

Miscellaneous 1604



	Lord Sourdeac to the Earls of Dorset and Nottingham and Viscount Cranborne.
1604.	He is the Governor of Brest, and Lieutenant-General of Brittany. In the time of the late Queen Elizabeth he sustained great losses at sea through the actions of Captain Crofte and Toby Glanfield, and obtained a commission from the Lord Admiral of England to arrest them and confiscate their goods. He seized their ship, but this was employed in the Queen's service in Ireland and there lost, whereby he remained uncompensated for his losses. Later the King of France sent over the Count of Beaumont, now French Ambassador in London, and the Sieur de Boissize, and they, together with the Lord Admiral, Lord Cranborne, Sir Julius Caesar and other commissioners agreed that £900 due by the late Queen to the offenders should be paid to petitioner as compensation. But the Queen died before the award could be effected. By order from the King of France, the Count of Beaumont has moved King James to intervene, who has referred the matter to Cranborne. Petitioner requests that, since the affair has already lasted six years, some definite measure should be taken for his satisfaction.—1604. ½ p. (P. 1345.) See P. 729 infra.
	William de la Motte to Viscount Cranborne.
[1604].	He is an agent for Lord Sourdeac, Lieutenant of the French King in Brittany. Upon the presentation of the latter's suit to the King of England for £900 towards the indemnification of losses suffered by him at the hands of Captain Crofts and Captain Glanfield, the King referred it to the Privy Council. The Council conferred with the French Ambassador and agreed that the sum of £600 should be paid by the King. Petitioner expresses his gratitude for this favour, and requests a warrant for the payment of the money to him on behalf of Sourdeac.— Undated. ½ p. (P. 729.) [See Cal. S.P. Dom., 1603–10, p. 184.]
	Lady Bridget Norris to the Privy Council.
[1604].	She is the widow of Sir Thomas Norris. In answer to her petition to the Lord Treasurer concerning the discharge of her deceased husband's accounts, she was told that these were to be examined and determined in Ireland. But the Auditor in Ireland has informed her that there is no authority to give such a discharge there since her husband's warrants were issued in Sir Henry Wallop's time. Upon a second petition to the Lord Treasurer, she was given to understand that commissioners would be appointed to deal with the accounts. Petitioner is apprehensive lest her lands be taken over before the commissioners have begun their inquiry, and asks that the Barons and officers of the Exchequer in Ireland be forbidden to resort to such seizure until she receive a discharge from the commissioners. Petitioner adds that neither the Auditors in England nor in Ireland find her indebted to the King except for the rent for her own property during the rebellion, which the King has remitted.—Undated. Endorsed: "1604". ½ p. (P. 1847.) [See H.M.C. Salisbury MSS, Vol. XVI, pp. 257.]
	John Norden to Viscount Cranborne.
1604.	Cranborne is disinclined to allow him to obtain relief from the King in the form of a direct charge, and therefore petitioner requests his approval that he may submit a suit for the office of surveyor of the Duchy of Cornwall, since an auditor has recently been appointed for the Duchy. The office was formerly granted by the King to Richard Sayre, at the instance of Lord Kinloss, but Sayre died before he could occupy it, and it is now free to be regranted by the King. The King and the officials of the land revenues stand to profit much if the duties of the office are efficiently performed.—1604. ½ p. (P. 1373.) [See H.M.C. Salisbury MSS, Vol. XVI, pp. 237 and 451.]
	Thomas Campion to Viscount Cranborne.
1604.	He is of Llandinam, Montgomeryshire, and has something to reveal which will redound to the King's benefit, and result in the maintenance of 2000 poor people forever, and in the enrichment of that region where petitioner lives. He requests permission to put the information in writing so that Cranborne may decide whether it merits his support or deserves to be suppressed.—1604. 1 p. (P. 1348.)
	Zachary Bethel, Richard Lazonby and Christopher Hammond to the King.
1604 [May 29, 1605].	Since it is the King's pleasure to gratify his "faithfull servants with the benefit of Recusants", they request, as a reward for their services, the benefit of three recusants apiece, "such as we shall finde not to be disposed of already".—1604. Endorsed: "1605. This petition delievered the xxixth of May at Eltam by Richarde Lazonbie to his Ma^tie and granted." ⅓ p. (P. 1347.)
	Richard Franklin to Viscount Cranborne.
[1604].	Petitioner's father, William Franklin, before he died made a deed of gift of all his goods to George Franklin in trust to pay his debts and divide the residue between petitioner and the other children. George Franklin, however, detains goods worth £100 and more in his hands from petitioner, who is the sole survivor of the children, and who, besides having a family of his own, suffers from blindness and is hard of hearing. He begs Cranborne to assist him to obtain justice in this matter, "the rather because your honors mother did very dearly love the mother of your suppliant and placed your suppliant in Westminster scole, and afterward with Sir Nicholas Ogle of Bullingbroke, in whose service your suppliant lost his hearinge".— Undated. Endorsed! "1604. The humble [petition] of Richard Ffranklyn, sonne of Eme Denham, daughter to Mrs Alice Ffitzwilliam, daughter to Mr Richard Ffitzwilliam, brother to Sir William Ffitzwilliam." ¾ p. (P. 1346.)
	Merchants of London to Viscount Cranborne.
1604.	They are merchants trading with France, and refer to the letters from the Privy Council to the English Ambassador in Paris that he should discuss with the French King the question of the release of their cloth detained by his orders. The French King has replied that he has pardoned them three times for exporting bad cloth to France, but that they still persist in doing so, and that he is determined not to allow his subjects to be further deceived by them. Petitioners claim that all the cloth sent from London is wet before it is exported, and conforms to the Statutes and laws of England. They request that King James write to the French King for the release of their cloth, particularly as they have heard that little attention was paid by him to the letters from the Privy Council.—1604. ½ p. (P. 1343)
	Matthew Lister.
[1604].	"Whereas the bearer hereof Mathewe Lister, master of arts and fellow of Oriell Colledge in Oxford, (fn. 1) hath desyred us to signiffie our knowledge and good opinions of him by our letters testimoniall in his behalf; may it please you to understand that during the space of these twelve yeares he hath lived amongest us, all which tyme he hath shewed him self in conversation verie honest and cyvill, in his studies diligent and paynefull and well worthie of his degrees and place, in religion verie forward, zealous and sound, as by frequentinge of sermons and other divine exercises both publicke and privat, wee maye judge and doe fullie perswade ourselves thereof."—Undated.
	Signed: Anthony Blencowe; Cadwallader Owens; Richard Pigott; Richard Wharton; Abel Gower; William Wilmot; William Whetcomb; John Charletts; Richard Harrys; Richard Parkinson; John Daye; John Tolson; Thomas Pollexfen. Endorsed: "Lrae. test. coll. Oriel. pro M^ro Lister." 1 p. (98. 145.)
	Mary Moore to —.
[? 1604].	She is the widow of John Moore, late Alderman of London, (fn. 2) and is submitting this petition on behalf of herself and her daughter Mary Tresham. They are both foreigners and natives of Spain, and came with John Moore to England about 16 years ago. During all this time they have resided in London and have never been troubled about their religion. Recently, however, they have been threatened with an indictment for recusancy at the next sessions in London. Since they are foreigners and have no friends, they ask to be protected from such malicious threats.—Undated. ½ p. (P. 1133a.)
	Attached.
	A letter in the name of the King to the effect that John Moore, former Customer of the Port of London, died indebted to the amount of £24,000, of which £18,000 was paid off by the sale of his goods. Certain tenements in the city of London and fen lands in Norfolk are available for the discharge of the remaining £6000. But this property is in the hands of Thomas Moore, brother and heir of John Moore, who in order to avoid the payment of the said debts sold it to William Beswick, who has commenced suits against the widow of John Moore. Since she is a foreigner and has no friends, and has been reduced to poverty as a result of her husband's debts to the Crown, the King declares that at the request of the Spanish Ambassador he has taken her into his protection. The letter is a command that Thomas Moore and Beswick are to be dealt with so that the sale of the property for the discharge of the remaining £6000 debt may proceed unhindered, and that the widow of John Moore be neither molested or troubled by law suits.—Undated and unsigned. ½ p. (P. 1133b.) [See H.M.C. Salisbury MSS, Vol. XVI, p. 449.]
	Thomas Alabaster and John Dorington to the Conde de Villa Mediana.
[1604].	Having laden their ship with commodities for Spain, they were requested by two merchants of Viana in Portugal to allow them and their goods a passage home in the ship, to which they consented. The ship is now detained in the Downs by contrary winds, but there are a number of Dutch warships there which threaten to seize the Portuguese merchants and their goods. Petitioners state that the latter came to England purely on commercial business under the King's protection. They have paid all customs duties for their commodities, both imports and exports, and have only embarked on an English ship for their greater security. Petitioners opine that it is most regrettable that they should be taken prisoner and ruined in this manner. They have consulted Sir Noel Caron on the matter, but he has declared that it is entirely lawful for the men of Holland and Zeeland to seize the merchants and confiscate their possessions. Petitioners appeal to the Conde to procure a safe conduct from the King, and if necessary a royal ship—one of those already in the Downs—to escort the vessel and protect the Portuguese merchants until they are out of danger.—Undated. Endorsed: "1604. Petition of Mr Alabaster to the Spanish Embassador." 1 p. (P. 831.)
	Gregory Isham, Susan Sturtyvam and Zacheus Isham to —.
[1604].	They have been granted the custody of Rowland Lee, a lunatic, husband of their sister who died recently (fn. 3) leaving eight children. In the meantime, Alderman Lee, brother of the said Rowland, had persuaded the latter to sell all his estate to him, and has already taken away goods to the value of £500. He intends to seize upon the lunatic's entire estate for himself without any consideration for the orphaned children. They request letters to Alderman Anderson and Robert Chamberlain, Rowland Lee's neighbours, ordering them to preserve the estate; and letters likewise to Alderman Lee commanding him to restore such goods as he has taken away, and to refrain from meddling any further in the matter.—Undated. 1 p. (P. 800.)
	The Inhabitants of Hertfordshire to the King.
[1604].	They complain that James Rolfe, who exercises ecclesiastical authority within the shire as officer and commissary, after purchasing these offices for large sums of money and an annual rent, is guilty of many abuses. They refer inter alia to: the citation of people before his courts without presentments; the extortion of excessive fees for probate of wills and grants of administration; the granting of separations in marriages without just cause; the compounding and commuting of penances for incontinency; the suppression of presentments for absence from church, breaches of the Sabbath; and other misdemeanours. They have collected some 160 particulars as evidence of these corrupt practices. They also condemn Rolfe as a person of lascivious habits and unseemly conversation. Petitioners ask that the charges be investigated by certain knights and gentlemen of the shire or others nominated by the King, and that upon verification of the same, Rolfe be severely censured.—Undated.
	Endorsed: "1604. Petition to the King. Against a comissarye by one Jeams Rolffe. That there was collected 160 particulars subscribed by the parties greeved." 1 p. (P. 720.)
	Edmund Neville to the King.
[1604].	King Richard II in his Parliament held at Westminster in the 21st year of his reign created Ralph, Lord Neville of Raby, Earl of Westmorland, the title to be retained by his heirs for ever. Petitioner is the cousin and next male heir, and asks that the title and dignity of Earl of Westmorland be confirmed to him, inasmuch as the King has restored all those of quality who lost their titles in the time of the late Queen Elizabeth, as did Charles Neville, late Earl of Westmorland, attainted. Alternatively, he asks that his lawful claim to the title be heard by the House of Lords in Parliament.—Undated. ½ p. (P. 654.) [See H.M.C. Salisbury MSS, Vol. XVI, p. 450, and Cal. S.P. Dom., 1603–10, p. 275.]
	William Hawes to the Privy Council.
[? c. 1604 or after].	He requests the Council to appoint two of their number or others to hear a case in which he is involved, and which concerns an export licence for which he compounded with Gilbert Lee.—Undated. ½ p. (P. 637.) [See Cal. S.P. Dom., 1603–10, p. 65.]
	Edward Dutton to the Privy Council.
[1604].	He is the Mayor of Chester, and submits this petition on behalf of that city. An order was made in the time of the late Queen Elizabeth by the Privy Council concerning the jurisdiction of the Court of Exchequer in Chester and the liberties and franchises of the city. It was registered in the Privy Council Book on April 9, 1574. Petitioner asks that the Council send a directive to the Chamberlain and officers of the Court of Exchequer at Chester that the stipulations of that order be inviolably maintained, respected and observed. He promises a strict compliance with the same on the part of the city.—Undated. ½ p. (P. 2006.) [See H.M.C. Salisbury MSS, Vol. XVI, p. 432.]
	The Deputies of Guernsey to Viscount Cranborne.
[1604].	The state of decay into which the island has fallen is a matter that requires an investigation and a remedy. Petitioners recall the solicitude shown by Lord Burghley for Guernsey, and presuming on Cranborne's own deep concern with the King's service, they enclose a statement [missing] on the affairs of the island.—Undated. Endorsed: "1604." ½ p. (P. 2007.)
	Certain Inhabitants of Shrewsbury to Viscount Cranborne.
[1604].	They have received privy seals for loans to the King. But inasmuch as Shrewsbury has been for a long time visited by the plague, and petitioners have not only disbursed much money for the relief of the sick and needy, but have suffered losses by the death of artisans and tradespeople who owed them money, they are financially embarrassed at the moment. Sir Francis Newport, the collector of the loan, has already notified Cranborne and other members of the Privy Council of the situation, and the Lord Chancellor is aware of their plight. They ask to be discharged from the privy seals.—Undated. Endorsed: "1604." ½ p. (P. 2038.) [See H.M.C. Salisbury MSS, Vol. XVI, p. 459.]
	Eleazar Merchant and John Bonamy to Viscount Cranborne.
[1604].	They submit this petition on behalf of the inhabitants of Guernsey. Lord Kinloss and Sir John Herbert were appointed to hear the differences between the people of the island, but the Governor, Bailiff and Jurats opine that commissioners should be sent to investigate the dispute. Petitioners ask that Cranborne select men who are known to him for their integrity, to establish the truth of the grievances. They also request that the imputations levelled against them personally by Sir Thomas Leighton be challenged and disproved by petitioners themselves.—Undated. Endorsed: "1604." 1 p. (P. 2067.) [See H.M.C. Salisbury MSS, Vol. XVI, p. 445.]
	Lord Danvers and Sir John Gilbert.
[1604].	Particulars of Lord Danvers's suits and that of Sir John Gilbert's. They concern the farm of certain fines, amercements, issues and recognizances, and it is declared that the value of Danvers's suits amounts to four times as much as that of Gilbert's.—Undated. ¾ p. (P. 2190.) [See H.M.C. Salisbury MSS, Vol. XVI, p. 428.]
	Charles Egerton to Viscount Cranborne.
[1604].	He served the late Queen Elizabeth as a soldier in Ireland for 43 years. He has disbursed, by official order, much of his own money in repairing the castle of Carrickfergus and adjacent buildings, in paying spies and couriers, in shipping and other transport. These expenses amount to £121, and he has received no allowance for them. In 1601, Cecil and the Privy Council directed the Lord Deputy to defray his expenses and those of two servants during his official period of absence, but this was disallowed by Burchinshaw, the Comptroller of the Musters. He has also suffered from the fall in the value of Irish money. He puts his total losses at £641, and since he has neither post nor salary, he requests a pension for life or some other reward for his lengthy services and expenses.—Undated. Endorsed: "1604. Cap. Charles Egerton." ½ p. (P. 478.)
	Hendricke de Witt to the King.
[1604].	He and others are owners of a ship called the Greyhound of Middelburg and Calais. Some three years ago Cornelius Arrents, master of the ship, was captured at sea by Captain Traughton with his cargo of sugar and brought to London, where the cargo was adjudged to be a prize. Petitioner has sued in the Court of Admiralty for the freight and damages, but sentence has been delayed for three years. He asks that the Judge of the Court be ordered to pronounce sentence and see it carried out "whither yt bee with or against your suppliants"— Undated. ½ p. (P. 610.) [See H.M.C. Salisbury MSS, Vol. XIV, p. 198.]
	Correspondence.
[1604].	A list of names from 1591 to 1604. It is probable that they were the principal correspondents of Sir Robert Cecil during these years, of whose letters and communications he kept a record.—Undated. 130 pp. (243. 2.)
	John Crosby and Giles Marston to Viscount Cranborne.
[1604].	They are of the parish of St. Michael's near St. Albans, and have both received a privy seal from the King for the loan of money which they are in no position to make. Not only are they poor, but they are also deeply in debt, as certain J.P.s of Hertfordshire can corroborate. There are others who can well afford to render this service to the King, and they append the names of some of them. Petitioners ask to be discharged from the privy seal.—Undated.
	At bottom: Richard Dolwyn, Thomas Cogdall, senior, of Abbots Langley, William Hawkyns of Hempsteed, Robert Chambers, parson of Gadsden. 1 p. (P. 730.) [See H.M.C. Salisbury MSS, Vol. XVI, p. 434.]
	Survey
1604.	A survey of the lands of Viscount Cranborne situated within the county of Hertford. It consists of copies of deeds and evidences relating to the property. 335 pp. (350.)
	The King to Viscount Cranborne.
[1604].	"My littil beagil, it is now tyme that ye praepare the woodis and parke of Theobaldis for me. Youre pairt thairof will only be to harboure me good staiges, for I know ye mynde to proseyde for no other entertainement for me thaire then as many staigis as I shall kill with my owin hunting. Yett ye have that advantage that I truste so muche to youre nose that quhen I heare you crye it I will hallow to you as freelie as to the deepest mouthid hounde in all the kennell, and since ye have bene so muche used these three monthes past to hunte colde sentis through the drye beaten wayes of London, ye neid not doubte but it will be easie for you to harboure a greate staige amongst the sueit groves about youre house. Only bewaire of drawing too greedilie in the lyame, for ye know how that trykke hath allreddie galled youre nekke. But in earnest I loose all this yeares progress if I beginne not to hunte thaire upon Monedaye come eicht dayes, for the season of the yeare will no more staye upon a King than a poore man, and I doubte if the constable of Castille (fn. 4) hath any powaire in his commission to staye the course of the sunne. Commende me to that other hardill of houndes that have so trewlie borne up the couples with you all this yeare, two of quhome helpit to hunte the spanishe game, but the thirdde lookes lyker one of my wyfes cuntreymen both in culloure and quantitie. I must not also forgette honest Stainhoppe that hath for oure sinnes huntid all this yeare in inferno, that is the lower regions. And so fairwell, and forgette not to drinke my healthe amongst you."—Undated. Holograph. Signed: "James R." Endorsed: "Kinges Lre." 1 p. (134. 130.)
	William Tipper to the King.
[? 1604].	Many manors and lands granted in tail by the King's predecessors have been concealed to the great loss of the Crown. Petitioner proposes, during the next two years, to discover and recover for the King as many as possible of these lands. He asks to be granted £2000 worth of such estates as he can claim successfully for the Crown at his own expense. He is prepared to pay two years' fine over and above their annual rents, and in return requests leases for 99 years. Petitioner also desires that his suit be referred to the Privy Council, and that the Attorney-General be instructed to draw up a commission for him.—Undated. ¾ p. (P. 1879.) [See Cal. S.P. Dom., 1603–10, p. 331.]
	John Lister to [? Viscount Cranborne].
[? 1604].	He requests to be awarded the bailiwick of Snave and Neats Court, co. Kent, parcel of the Queen's jointure.— Undated. ⅓ p. (P. 1040.)