Cecil Papers: May 1586

Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 3, 1583-1589. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1889.

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'Cecil Papers: May 1586', in Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 3, 1583-1589, (London, 1889) pp. 141-143. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-cecil-papers/vol3/pp141-143 [accessed 24 March 2024]

May 1586

271. Gerald Paris to Thomas Ray (a Scotchman, at Lisbon).
1586, May 3. Is glad to hear of his safe arrival, and hopes his affairs will be despatched with equthe Earl of Lochleven through the al success. Since his departure they have lost the good Señor Nuno Alvarez Pereira,—God rest his soul!
His Majesty has conferred all his offices on his son, from whom he hopes to receive equal favour.—Madrid, 3 May 1586.
French. 1 p.
272. Sir Philip Sidney to the Master of Gray.
1586, May 17. Expresses the assuredness of his constant affection. My lord is exceedingly desirous to have his presence here, but, by reason there is not yet so full an established authority as there should be, knows not whether he should wish the coming of so dear a friend or no. This gentleman, “the Conservator of your nation in Camphire,” understands the nature of things here as well as themselves, and can make (the Master of Gray) know what the estate is, both in effect and what it might be, if the Government were more soundly grounded.—The Camp before Nimeguen, 17 May 1586.
1 p. [Murdin, p. 557. In extenso.]
273. Charles Paget to the Queen of Scots.
1586, May 19/29. Is going to the Spa for remedy of the stone, and has taken order that Morgan shall have all his letters, and shall decipher them. The King of France has given orders that Morgan's friends may have access to him. The Duke of Guise did what he could to procure Morgan's liberty. There has come hither out of England a priest, called Ballard, one that is very discreet, and well acquainted with the best Catholics in England, and with some in Scotland. Writer took him to the Spanish ambassador, where he declared how many of the principal noblemen and knights in the north parts, in Lancashire, the West country, and other shires, were willing to take arms. Plans for a rising. Sends a letter from Lord Paget, and another from Sir Francis Englefield. Lord Paget had but cold entertainment at Rome. Hopes he may speed better in Spain. The King of France seeks cunningly to ruin the Duke of Guise, howbeit, in outward show, he giveth a fair countenance.
The King of Spain prepareth greatly to the sea, and principally to meet with Drake, who was in St. Domingo, and hath taken great treasure. Has told the Spanish ambassador that, if the King of Spain do not apply himself this year to do somewhat against the Queen of England, it will be too late.—Paris, 29 May.
P.S.— “Good fellow Curie, I pray you tell the Queen that the fair Prayer Book, which shall be sent unto her by the French ambassador, is sent to her Majesty from me.”
Copy. [Murdin, pp. 516–519. In extenso.]
274. The Queen of Scots to Thomas Morgan.
1586, May 20. Last April, almost all at once, she received eight of his letters, dated 7 Dec., 1584; 15 Jan., 20 Feb., 9 April, 20 and 28 July, 1585; and 28 Jan., 1586. Owing to the changes abroad since these despatches were written, can found no certain judgment, nor knows not what course to take in her affairs before she hears more amply, as this conveyor (whose name shall be Pietro) hath promised. Has heard nothing from Lord Lumley, Blount, nor Poley. Will send two brevets for prebends in her next.—Chartley, 20 May 1586.
[P.S. by Secretary (?)]—Monsieur Nau having seen his letter of 28 Jan., has done everything to further his wishes; and, if Fontenay had not already disposed his prebend in St. Quentin, it would have been put at Morgan's disposition.
As this letter was ready to be despatched, her Majesty received his letters, dated 31 March, 8 and 9 April, and one touching Babington of 6 July, the length of some preventing their immediate decipher.
Sends herewith marked letters for various persons.
Copy. [Murdin, pp. 515–516. In extenso.]
275. The Queen of Scots to Sir Francis Englefield.
1586, May 20. Acknowledging the receipt of his letters, dated 15 Dec. 1584 and 12 Jan. 1585, which came to her no sooner than last month. “Most straitly have I been kept this long time in this captivity, more miserable than ever, through the disdain and negligence of those that were daily and often foretold the inconveniences now happened both to them and me.” Is as sharply handled as ever since the change of her first guard. Poor Morgan is the chief and almost only finder out and director of all the intercourse or intelligence she has had these many years past.—Chartley, 20 May.
Copy. 1p. [Murdin, p. 514. In extenso.]
276. Government of Ulster.
1586, May 22. Order in Council confirming the Commissions granted formerly by the Lord Deputy to T. O'Neill, Hugh Earl of Tyrone, and Sir Nicholas Bagenal, authorising them to continue to govern their respective countries in Ulster as recited in their said Commissions, notwithstanding the Queen has willed the forces there to be withdrawn.—Dublin Castle, 22 May 1586.
Copy. 1 p.
277. The Earl of Shrewsbury to Lord Burgiiley.
1586, May 23. Perceives by the reading of her Majesty's letter that it is thought that the variance betwixt him and his wife and her younger sons doth greatly trouble and disgust his old years, and that the Queen doth desire his quietness, for which he renders her Majesty most humble and hearty thanks. Details his position with regard to the lands claimed by the Cavendishes under the pretended deed. Hopes that neither her Majesty nor Burghley will press him to any further payment than that doth belong to them [the Cavendishes], Finds Mr. Secretary so much devoted to his [the writer's] wife that he thinks he is fitter to be a witness for her than a judge in these causes. It was never ordered that suits commenced by him should cease against her sons and servants. Indeed, he was left at liberty to sue Henry Beresford upon the Statute of Scandalus (sic) Magnatum for these words which he had published : That writer had levied 20,000 men against her Majesty, and had committed foul treasons. Which detestable and most horrible speeches and injuries wrought unto him by his wife, her sons, and servants, he hopes all reasonable men will think most odious. It were too much injustice to let him (Beresford) pass without punishment, either corporal or pecuniary. “But, what deserveth my good wife, that can labour so earnestly to her Majesty for such a companion, to free him of both, doth she not show herself, may not the world see, that she rather wisheth the overthrow of me and my house, than that her Master Beresford should be punished according to his deserts?”—Sheffield, 23 May 1586.
Endorsed by Burghley :—Earl of Salop. Answer for his wife's causes.
2 pp.