Cecil Papers: January 1594

Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 4, 1590-1594. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1892.

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'Cecil Papers: January 1594', in Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 4, 1590-1594, ed. R A Roberts( London, 1892), British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-cecil-papers/vol4/pp464-471 [accessed 8 December 2024].

'Cecil Papers: January 1594', in Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 4, 1590-1594. Edited by R A Roberts( London, 1892), British History Online, accessed December 8, 2024, https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-cecil-papers/vol4/pp464-471.

"Cecil Papers: January 1594". Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 4, 1590-1594. Ed. R A Roberts(London, 1892), , British History Online. Web. 8 December 2024. https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-cecil-papers/vol4/pp464-471.

January 1594

Captain Robert Daccombe to Lord Burghley.
1593/4, Jan. 8. Upon the 7th of this month, received secret advertisements by two several men, accustomed to bring a contribution to the States' Commissary here resident, that the enemy doth continue his preparations for this town, which he hath lying in Gaunte, Bridges, Ipere, and other places. More they do assure me, that they doth not know how shortly it will be, but in their judgment they will sit down before us on the sudden; Which if it should happen in this time of our distress, we were no ways able to make resistance against two such mighty enemies as the sea and the Spanish forces. I write in the absence of our Governor.—Ostend, 8 January, 1593.
P.S.—I have received letters from the States of Zeeland and the Lieutenant Governor of Flushing, who hath sent hither 150 men. The commander of them is lieutenant to Sir Thomas Shurley. The copy of the States' letter I have sent you.
1 p.
The Earl of Derby to Sir Robert Cecil.
1593/4, Jan. 8. Enclosing a copy of his letter to Lord Burghley, and praying him to further the effecting of his desire. That the thing is of no great worth, he may conceive by the Chancellor passing of it to so mean a man as Aston. Nevertheless he much affects it, and more in regard it belonged to his house, and for his pleasure's sake than for expectation of benefit.—“Lathom, my house, this 8th of January, 1593.”
Signed.
Encloses :
The Earl of Derby to Lord Burghley.
1593/4, 8 Jan. Desiring his lordship to be a suitor to Her Majesty for the office of Bowbearership of the Forest of Bolland, now held for life by Sir Richard Shirburne, a servant to his father and grandfather. The office, which was a long time held by his ancestors, is the more desired by him, as he has sundry lordships and lands adjoining to each quarter of the forest, and therefore better able to preserve the same, and for that also he takes great pleasure in deer. Albeit he is informed the Chancellor of the Duchy has given the same in reversion to one Aston, a servant of his, it is far from his meaning to desire it to the prejudice of the Chancellor's authority, or without the payment of a full consideration to Aston, a man mean enough for such a charge, and who, he is well assured, prefers a composition in money before the exercising of that place, whereof he expecteth small yearly profit to arise.—“Lathom, my house, this 8th of January 1593.”
Copy. 2/3 p.
Levies.
1593/4, Jan. 18. Warrant for levying 50 men in each of the counties of Hertford and Essex respectively, to be furnished with armour and weapons convenient, forty five to be pikes with corselettes and other furniture thereto belonging, and five to be muskets, to be also provided of coats in manner as hath been accustomed; and to be held in readiness for supply of the forces serving in Normandy for the aid of the French king.—Hampton Court, 18 January, 1593.
Privy Signet. Sign Manual. 1 p.
The examination of Griffin Jones.
1593, Jan. 18. Griffin Hiley alias Jones, late soldier under the Lord Willoughby in the Low Countries, as appeareth by his passport, sayeth that he was born in Denbighshire, and that he is the son of John ap Rice ap Hilley in the parish of Espetty in the county of Denbigh. He is about 28 years of age, he went to school at Denbigh till he was fifteen years old, then he came home to his father and stayed with him till he went over into the Low Country with the Earl of Leicester, and then he came over again with the Lord Willoughby, and stayed about two years with his father. And then he came again to London, and went with the Lord Willoughby's steward into the Low Countries, and when he came to “Swoll besides Govor Castle,” Sir Francis Vere told him all his company was to go into Brittany, and therefore he could not entertain him, and thereupon he gave him counsel to go back into England, But he saith he was loth to do so, but was desirous to travel, and thereupon he went to Embden in Friesland, and from thence intended to go into Sweden, and hearing of the bad entertainment there for soldiers, then he went to Wittemburg, a university in Germany, and from thence to Leipsic in Saxony, and from thence he went to Prague in Bohemia, and there he stayed six weeks. From thence he went to Vienna in Austria, from thence he went to Presburg in Low Hungary, and from thence he went to Gratz in Styria, from thence he went into Carinthia, from thence to Venice, and stayed there a sevennight, and from thence he came to Rome and stayed there almost a month, and spake with the Cardinal Allen, and was recommended by him to the College of Seminaries for eight days. After that he was entertained by the Bishop of Cassano, who gave him letters to Sir William Stanley and 21l. English for reward. From thence he came to Milan, where he met with an English doctor called Doctor Robarts, and from thence he came to . . . . . and stayed there seven days, from thence he came to Lorraine, to Nancy, from thence he came to Luxembourg, and from thence to Brussels, where he stayed seven days, and there he met with Sir Henry Stanley, and then he [came] to Douai, from thence to St. Omer, from thence to Calais, and from thence to Dover, where he arrived the 18 of January 1593, and took the oath of Supremacy in the presence of the Commissioners, and thereunto hath put his hand.
Signed :—“By me, Gritfin Jones.”
pp.
Benjamin Beard to [Anthony Ashley?].
1593/4, Jan. 18. Begging him to send Oliver to him, and he will give him such direction as he shall hardly fail to miss of two Jesuits, now in town. He could the last night, if he had any body whom he might have trusted, put him in the very “poule” of them.—“This Friday morning early, being the 18 day of January 1593.”
Signed. Endorsed :—“21 January 1593.”
½ p.
“4 [symbol]” M. Moody,] to Mr. Thomas More.
1593/4, Jan. 18/28. The cause that I have not written to you lately hath been that I expected Poly's return hither every day. For the present the news is, our new governor will be at Brussels on Sunday next, January 30th. Great matter is expected upon his coming, both for France and these parts. The Pope hath pronounced his judgement in Consistory upon the K. of France that he is not taxable to the Crown of France. We think our new governor to go thither to set up another King. I have written so much of the great preparations of men, of the great provisions for more for these parts, as it were superfluous to trouble you farther with that, but, believe me, since the beginning of the wars of these countries, the army was never so great as it will be within these 3 months, and so great as we here do not see how they will be employed except it be for England, which doth breed great joy to those that would see the ruin of their country. There is landed in Brittany 5000 Spaniards of late. I think you will hear of them about the Isle of Wight shortly. Besides, there are arrived in Gascony, near Bordeaux, 50 sail of ships out of Spain with 10,000 men which are to go for Scotland. Here is great hope from thence and from Denmark. The Duke of Pastrana is coming in to these parts. There cometh with him 3000 Spaniards and 1000 horse out of Italy. I do assure you the expectation for England was never so great as at this present. Within one month we shall be able to discover more. I have endeavoured myself to do her Majesty all the service I can devise, and I fear me it is not well taken, because I see no better consideration had of me to uphold my poor estate. But I beseech you let me be better respected, called home or left to shift for myself, for my wants are so great as I neither can nor will endure them longer than that I may hear from you, and be assured to be better treated. Desire her Majesty, I pray you, not to be carried away with a hard conceit of me, and let her see what these devices of Walton and Hopkins and others will prove unto, and compare the advertisements I have given to those from others.—28 Jan. 1594.
Signed :—“4 [symbol]” Names in italics in cipher.
Endorsed :—“Moody.”
1 p.
Thomas, Lord Buckhurst to Sir Robert Cecil.
1593/4, Jan;20. In favour of the bearer, Mr. Boyar, to be made Clerk of the Parliament in the stead of Mr. Mason, now Clerk.—20 January, 1593.
Seal. 1 p.
The Earl of Derby to Sir Robert Cecil.
1593/4, Jan. 22. Commending to him Mr. Tatton, his servant, and praying him to be a mean to his father in his behalf for obtaining the wardship of a gentleman's son, one Brereton of Hanford, his neighbour, which by possibility may fall, but as yet is not. The mother of the child is much willing he should prevail.—Rocksavage, this 22 of January, 1593.
Signed. ½ p.
Sir Horatio Palavicino to Sir Robert Cecil.
1593/4, Jan. 22./Feb. 1. Aspettai il Signor Bodley, et fui seco doi giorni, nelli quali viddi il capitolo della sua instruttione intorno la mia causa, che mi parve esser bene assai, ma a lui, non bene informato delle circonstanze, et che piglia le parole in significatione stretta et precisa, non viene il capitolo ad esser del tutto chiaro et libero; atteso che, havendo Io posto in scritto, a sua richiesta, in qual modo egli possa dirlo et proporlo al' Statti, ha temuto di usar quelle parole che son nottate nel scritto che le mettera il Giustiniano. Onde e di bisogno di ajutare la sua timidita con una littera dell' illmo Signor suo Padre, overo con una di V. S. Ilima, accio che ei si possa lasciar intendere che S. Mta vuole essere primieramente discarricata del obligo e debito verso di me, che sorre interesse, et che non dispende dal contratto, et possa etiandio far oppera che gli Statti risolvano di carricarsene et di darne a me oblighi particolari delle loro città, li quali come fussero in man mia, potrebbe all' hora S. Mta tener quasi per certo di restar discarricata di questo conto. Et cio a parer mio potrà riuscire prontamente, se V. S. Illma si contentera di scrivere, in nome di S. Mta nella predetta forma, al Signor Bodley, et se farà che etiandio scriva il Signor Carrone. Cosi in tal modo si sara avanzato un buon punto per servitio di S. Mta senza pregiuditio o ritardamento delli conti del contratto, sopra i quali Io credo che gli Stati manderano imbasceria a S. Mta per dimostrar da un late la loro buona voluntà, et dall' altro l'importanza grande di non esser sturbati dalle uttilissime imprete, che nelli prossimi stati si offeriscon loro, che in vero sono tali che è ben, verisimile muoverano molto S. Mta; et la conclusione spero sarà infine sodisfatoria all' animo reale di lei, et al stato di queste provintie. Signor la speranza, ch' io ho nella predetta lettera di V. S. Illma al Signor Bodley, et nelli offitii del Signor Carron, mi libera dal pensiero ch' havemo di far presentar la supplica a S. Mta, come in tal caso non piu necessaria; ma altrimente la necessità é tale che mi converra venire supplicare et solicitare, per cio mi sono voluntieré condotto qui per saper tanto piu tosto la risolutione de V. S. Illma a cui bascio affettuosamente le mani.—De Medelborgo, al primo del Febraro, 1594.
Holograph. Seal. 1 p.
Levies.
1593/4, Jan. 23. Warrant to Lord Burghley authorising him to cause to be levied one hundred able and sufficient men within the County of Hertford, as part of 1,500 men to be sent, at the cost of the States of the United Provinces of the Low Countries, to Flushing or other convenient post, for service there under the government of Sir Francis Vere, Knight. The men are to be delivered by deed indented to the person authorised to receive them, and be distributed into companies under English captains, by whom they shall be conducted to London. They are not to be taken out of the trained bands of the county, but of such other fit and able persons as may best be spared.—Hampton Court, the 23 January, 36 Eliz.
Addressed to Lord Burghley as Lieutenant of Hertfordshire.
Privy Signet. Sign Manual.
Antony Ashley to Lord Burghley.
1593/4, Jan. 23. Has absented himself from him by occasion of some businesses of consequence, if they fall out according to expectation, as may be perceived by this schedule enclosed. His travail hitherto therein taketh small effect, fearing to scare the crows before they be flush. For his better performance it were not amiss he were authorised to make secret service in all places when time serveth, for he doubts not of some resistance or “impugnance at the upshot, being matter capital.”—Holborn, the 23 January, 1593.
Signed. Seal. ⅓ p.
The Privy Council to Lord Burghley, Lord Lieutenant of Herts.
1593/4, Jan. 25. Pray him to deliver the 100 men lately authorised to be levied in the county of Hertford, without putting the county to charge for armour, weapon or conduct money, to the bearer sent by Sir Francis Vere to receive and conduct them to London, there to be embarked for the Low Countries; and to cause a roll indented to be made of their names, to be interchangeably subscribed by the justices delivering them and the captain receiving them.—From the Court at Hampton Court, 25 January, 1593.
Seal. 1 p.
Sir Thomas Sherley to Sir Robert Cecil.
1593/4, Jan. 25. Sir John Borrough intending to make suit to the Queen for obtaining an old debt due in the year ended October, 1587, for his service in the Low Countries, telleth me you would be informed therein from me. The Earl of Leicester made warrant unto me to pay Sir John and his company for the year begun Oct. 11, 1586, and ending Oct. 12, 1587, of which I paid him by weekly imprests and otherwise as much as I was appointed, and by a privy seal he had a further sum paid him; notwithstanding, there remains unpaid of the Earl of Leicester's warrant the sum appearing in an attestation under my hand, whereunto I must refer myself. There is no help for him but by special warrant of privy seal to be paid out of the Exchequer, as my receipts are only to defray present growing affairs. The Queen hath in the very like relieved divers; I do heartily wish the like to Sir John.—At London, 25 January, 1593.
1 p.
The Officers of the Port of Chester to Lord Burghley.
1593/4, Jan. 28. The merchants of this City are aggrieved at the imposts of 10s. of every ton of wine towards the furnishing of wines for Her Majesty's provision of household, and 5s. of every ton for wastage. Shortly before the receipt of the letters directing them to collect the same, the merchants had brought in two ships of wine to the quantity of one hundred tons, the one a French barque and the other a Scottishman. They are aggrieved in respect they pay prise of wines to her Majesty's farmer, who, they pretend, dealeth hardly with them, and will have his full prise of four tons in wine, without composition or allowance, and also in respect that before this time never the like demaud hath been made of any other wines for Her Majesty's provision within the County Palatine and Earldom of Chester. Last year the merchants were discharged from payment of wastage, and they pretend there is no wastage due on strangers' bottoms. They have taken sufficient pawn of plate for satisfaction of the same several duties.—From Chester, the 28 January, 1593.
Signed :—Gilbert Gerrarde, Customer : Alexr. Cotes, Controller : Peter Middelton, pro Supervisor.
1 p.
Lord Grey of Wilton.
1593/4, Jan. 28. Schedule of lands late of Arthur, Lord Grey of Wilton, and descended to Thomas, Lord Grey his son.
pp.
John Crane to Sir Robert Cecil.
1593/4, Jan. 29. Suing for the post of Controller of the Works at Berwick, and shewing that the person who “seweth” to be controller cannot enjoy it, for that the order of Her Highness' establishment prohibits that any Captain of that town shall have double pay, or have any office or doing in the works, unless it be to take a piece of work by task or “greate,” so as if he have that place he ought to leave his captainship. Besides, not only Mr. Carey, who wrote for Captain Boyer, but also the said Boyer, have written that they do not seek any further for it, and that Carey writes for his [Crane's] timely despatch.—29 January, 1593.
Signed. Seal (a crane). l½ pp.
Enclosed :
Berwick.
1576, June 20. In the Queen's establishments for Berwick and other holds and forts for and “anempst” Scotland, dated 20 June, Anno 18 Eliz., is contained the following :
The Controller of the Cheques and musters, himself per annum, 40l. : one clerk, per annum, 13l. 6s. 8d. and two household servants, at 106s. 8d. the piece.—64l.
The Controller of the Works hath not any certain standing fee or allowance, but according to the quantity of the works to be done every year : if the works exceed 200l. in one year and under 500l. then he is allowed one clerk at 12d. per diem. 18l. 5s. If to 500l. and under 1,500l., the Controller for himself per annum 20l. and two clerks, the one of the store house for provisions and the other to engross the pay books of the works, at 6d. the piece per diem. 18l. 5s. In all, 38l. 5s. If the work exceed in one year 1500l. then the Controller for himself at 40l per annum, and two clerks at 12d. the piece per diem, in all, per annum, 76l. 10s.
½ p.
Venice.
1593/4, Jan. 30. Warrant to Lord Burghley directing him to authorise the officers of the ports to permit the purchase of 4000 quarters of wheat by Signor Giovani Basadona, agent on behalf of the City of Venice, or if he is not able to provide that quantity of wheat, to supply the same with rye or beans, and to export the same on payment of the old custom only.—Hampton Court, the 30th January, 36 Eliz.
Privy Signet. Sign Manual.
Alderman Billingsley and Richard Carmarden to Lord Burghley.
1593/4, Jan. 31. Have examined the cause at variance between Godfray the waiter and Hawes, his deputy, and find that Godfray, whom his lordship appointed, did appoint Hawes on condition he should pay him 100l. in ready money and 30l. per annum out of the Queen's fees. But upon his lordship's letter that the Queen would allow no deputies, or of no fees to such as served by deputies, a new composition was made whereby Hawes was to serve without any fee, but only for the incident profits of the place, leaving the 44l. allowed by Ker Majesty to Godfray, which last order between them both seem very willing to hold. If his lordship like not of it, then is Godfray willing to repay the money he had of Hawes, and to serve himself, but it seems to them Hawes would rather continue without fee, than to be dismissed, in respect he is a poor old man and has no ways otherwise to employ that money to his maintenance. He is a man very sufficient and has carried himself very orderly and honestly, and if it please him to continue him, he shall therein do a charitable deed.—London, the last of January, l593.
Signed. Seal. 1 p.
N. “Fitzh.” to his Godfather, Nicholas Longford.
1593/4, Jan. 31/Feb. 10. Excusing his long silence which now he breaks because he thinks he has better assurance, than heretofore, of safe delivery. Good Godfather, assure yourself I am ever to you, wheresoever you be, as a most dutiful son and kinsman ought to be, honouring you as a father, loving you as a cousin, and daily remembering you as a most faithful and bound friend ought to do. It is so long and many years since I heard now out of England as I remember not the time I have once had so much as commendations from thence, or any relation of any friend I have there. Quietness, I doubt me, in these hard times you enjoy not so great as I would wish, but your cause of suffering being such as it is, I fear not but your inward comforts which shall be everlasting do countervail your exterior disgraces which can dure and molest you but a while. And I here, a poor exiled man, though I suffer as one living of other men's charity, having nought of my own, yet by God's goodness I sustain net such want but that I have greater cause to thank God it is no worse with me than to lament the little I have, considering the little I am able to deserve.—R[ome?], 10 Feb. 1594.
Holograph. l½ pp.