Cecil Papers: December 1590

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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Citation:

'Cecil Papers: December 1590', 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/pp76-87 [accessed 8 December 2024].

'Cecil Papers: December 1590', 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/pp76-87.

"Cecil Papers: December 1590". 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/pp76-87.

December 1590

“Hotman” to [Archibald] Douglas.
1590, Dec. 11–12/21–22. Excuse of illness pleaded and willingness to do service affirmed. Is at Dieppe awaiting the arrival of Mons. le Mareschal de Biron who brings his army to besiege Caudebec. It is fifteen days since they have had news of the King. The Deputies of Paris still await him at Compiegne. About 400 Italian horses have come for the King's service conducted by some private gentlemen of Florence. The young Baron de Boudeville returning from Italy has made part of the journey with them. Still no Pope chosen. The greater part of Italy desires a good issue to the King's affairs.—Dieppe, 21 December, 1590.
[P.S.] Since writing news has come that the King went from Corbie to Compiegne and from there to St. Dam's. Mons. de Captot is here.—22 December.
Holograph, Seal. French. 1 p.
Michael Moodye to Sir Thomas Heneage (Vice-Chamberlain).
1590, Dec. 18. Is much disgraced by the false reports of a lewd and bad fellow, notwithstanding divers good services which he has done to her Majesty at his being in France, “as in adventuring my life in pulling down her Majesty's picture from a pair of gallows where it was hanged up, and by my means the varlet that did it made known to her Majesty's ambassador.” Desires employment in France or Spain.—18 December, 1590.
Signed. ½ p.
The Queen to Sir Edward Norris.
1590, December. We have found great cause to allow our choice of you for government of that town, by reason of the good and notable services done by you since your entry into that charge upon the enemy both wisely and fortunately, and specially of your late forcing of the bands bf the enemy lately brought to Oldeburgh by the Count Mansfeld to depart from thence in the night; as by your last letters of the 13th hereof, written to our Treasurer of England, appeareth. And where you have moved sundry things by those your last and other letters requisite to be answered, we have upon relation thereof to us by our Council assented to these things following : we mean to take order that you shall have the more bands sent thither out of our auxiliary companies to strengthen that town, and that you shall have allowance made to you for your entertainment due to you as Governor there, and to supply your lack with powder and munition; for all which things we have presently written to the States General, and that in such earnest manner to be required of them by our Councillor Bodeley as we hope the same shall be performed without any such delay as heretofore hath been used in like cases. And yet finding that the delay of supplying you with some powder may greatly hinder your service there, either for defence or offence, we have ordered that—lasts of powder shall be sent to you of our own store, though we are not to be charged to supply any such thing for that town, being not taken into our charge, as the towns of Flushing and Brill are. But nevertheless our meaning is that you shall, out of the contribution money which we are content you shall agree to take of the countries there, see the value thereof restored to us, to renew the same quantity in our store, as by letters from our Treasurer you shall be directed. And for the matter of contribution by the country which the States have required you to consent unto and which the country doth offer, like as the same was not convenient to be accepted this last summer in the absence of the Duke of Parma with the forces of that country, so now, upon return thereof, we can be content that you should assent thereto with such condition as yourself doth give advice, not to extend further than to the next harvest, nor to a part of the country there called by you Fernanbarght; and out of that composition we think it right that both your own entertainment be monthly paid, and recompence made to us for the powder that shall be sent from hence, and that the remainder be employed for the fortifying of the town as well against the sea as against the enemy, and that also out of that money the town be furnished with powder and all other necessary munitions. Of all which matters we have directed Thomas Bodeley to solicit the States with such earnest manner as we hope to have no denial thereof.
Draft by Burghley.
Endorsed :—“December, 1590.”
2 pp.
Sir Walter Raleigh to Sir Robert Cecil.
1590. I beseech you to signify her Majesty's pleasure to my L. Deputy of Ireland, because his L. is ready to depart, concerning this gentleman on whom her Majesty hath bestowed poorest pay.
Endorsed :—“1590. Sir Walter Raleigh to my Mr.”
Signed. Seal. Undated. ¼ p.
Lord Bothwell to the Ambassador of Scotland.
1590. Requesting him to assist the suit of the King for William Sutherane, Englishman of Westo within the Bishopric of Durham, for the obtaining of a pardon for the slaughter of Richard Heavyside of Jara.—From Edinburgh, the—day of—1590.
Signed :—“Your L. loving son, Bothwell.” Addressed :—“To his good Lord and father, the Lord Ambassador of Scotland.” 1 p.
Ships detained at Blaye.
1590. Copy of the Report of Dr. Caesar and Mr. Wade as to the circumstances of the detention at Blaye by Mons. Luzan of two ships, of which the owners were William Beversham and John James, against whom “the merchants” had made allegations, here examined into and declared to be incorrect.
Undated. Not signed. 3¼ pp.
Interrogatories concerning the Bishop of Ross.
1590. To be answered by John Lislye, Scottishman.
What number of Englishmen do you know to be in Rouen, of what quality and calling, how they be maintained for their living ?
How many he knoweth to be in Newhaven, with their qualities ?
How many he knoweth to be in Hoo ? How many in Paris ? Their names and manner of living ?
Whether he knoweth one John Wells there detained prisoner, how he was taken and by whom; where he is kept prisoner, and what ransom s set upon him ?
To whom was the Bishop of Ross his ransom paid, how much he paid thereof himself and how much he borrowed ?
What entertainment he had to live by in the Cardinal of Bourbon's time ?
Whether doth he exercise the jurisdiction of suffragan and to what places doth it extend; what number of servants doth he keep, and what Englishmen be in his house; what number of men of war be kept in Rouen, and who hath the commandment of them as generals and captains ?
From whence do the victuals come to that town both by sea and land ?
Endorsed :—“1590.”
pp.
Spanish Expedition to France.
1590. Note of troops ordered for the Spanish Expedition to France.
Total of troops with the Duke of Parma; Cavalry, 930, and 5 companies in France, and 9100 infantry; besides 6 companies the Duke of Parma has ordered to hold themselves in readiness. With Count Charles de Mansfelt, for the country; 500 horse and 5000 foot.
Also note of the names of the Duke of Parma's field officers.
Endorsed :—“1590. Les troupes du D. de Parma commandée pour le voiage de France.”
French. 2½ pp.
Divinity.
1590. Discourse upon the offices of the Law of Moses in relation to the Gospel of Christ.
1⅓ pp.
Michell Leeman, of London, Merchant Stranger.
1590. Petition to the Lord High Admiral. Prays for payment for 540l. 19s. worth of rice, consigned to him, and taken in May 1588 out of the “Mary” then lying in the port of Plymouth, by order from Sir Francis Drake, for provisioning her Majesty's ships.
Endorsed :—“1590.”
End. by Lord Howard, directing petitioner to go to Mr. Dorell, who had the victualling of the ships under Mr. Quarelus. Mr. Dorell is to answer him for it, or else advertise the Lord Treasurer and the Lord Admiral the reason why he does not.
½ p.
John Kowden and Henry Lane, Keepers of the Queen's forests of Windsor.
1590. Petition to the Lord Treasurer. For warrant to the Auditor respecting a lease in reversion granted them by the Queen.
Endorsed :—“1590.”
Enclosure. Testimony of the grant, in the form of a warrant signed by Lord Admiral Howard and Lord Chamberlain Hunsdon : with note by J. Herbert that the Queen grants the lease.
pp.
Elizabeth Hill to the Queen.
1590. Daughter of Anne Boleyn, daughter of Sir Edward Boleyn. On account of the loss of her husband's house and goods by fire, prays for the forfeitures of the following recusants, Walter Whitall, Edward Berche, Richard Fitzharberd, Isabel Blount and Agnes Knowles, and Thomas Collyer, a fugitive priest. Endorsed :—“1590.”
Note by J. Herbert that the Queen, on the recommendation of the Earl of Essex and ladies of the Court allied to petitioner, grants the petition, the grant not to exceed 200l.
1 p.
Anne Bland to Lord Bdrghley.
1590. Widow of John Bland, purveyor of victuals for Ireland. Asks for the settlement of her husband's accounts and claims for his services.—Endorsed “1590.”
Notes thereon, and note by J. Herbert that the Queen grants a lease in reversion.
1 p.
Thomas Horsman to the Queen.
1590. For an extension of lease of the parsonage of Chertesey, Surrey, and the site of the manor of Chathrope, Lincoln, of which he is tenant, for his services as ordinary sewer of the Queen's chambers.—Endorsed :—“1590.”
Note by W. Aubrey that the Queen grants the petition.
½ pp.
Musters.
[1590?] Warrant from the Queen to the Lord Admiral and Lord Buckhurst, as Lieutenants of co. Sussex, to cause 500 men to be mustered, furnished and armed with all speed in that county for service beyond seas; and to order their deputy lieutenants to advertise them and the Council when the number is in readiness, that order may be given to provide them shipping and victualling on the seas, and during the time of their service, “which we mind shall not be out of our realm above some few months.”
Draft, undated and unsigned.
Noted by Burghley :—“To the L. Admiral and L. Buckhurst, mutatis mutandis, 300”; and endorsed—“Sussex, 500.”
1 p.
Similar warrant to the Lord Treasurer [Burghley] for 1000 men from Essex.
Noted by Burghley;—“L. Treasurer as to the L. Cobham, 450.” Draft, undated and unsigned. Injured.
1 p.
Captain Jorian Bornstra.
[1590.] Paper setting out the several passports and the service of Captain Jorian Bornstra. States that he went to Paris whence he brought such writings from the Spanish ambassador (Mendoza) that the Lords of the Council did so like of that they resolved that he should return thither, and to that effect he obtained a passport from the Earl of Leicester dated 4 Feb, 1587, He also had a very large passport from Burghley, mentioning his performed service, dated 1 May, 1590. “Which service this aforesaid Captain hath discharged him faithfully and truly, albeit they might have benefited himself by the enemy at the least the sum of 20,000 ducats, by the ransom of the two richest citizens of the Brill, as the Captain is ready to shew and prove under the hand and seal of Don Bernardin de Mendoza, Ambassador for the King of Spain; by which letters it shall also appear that this Captain, next under God, hath been the instrument and safe guard of her Majesty's royal person, and many thousand of her loving subjects, in revealing the horrible treason by Andreas van Metticoven, now prisoner in the Tower of London, as the same shall likewise appear by the traitor his own handwriting.”
pp.
Sir Thomas Vavasour to Sir Robert Cecil.
[About 1590.] On behalf of the younger Lady Hey, own sister to my wife, who giving herself and the fortunes of many her children unto Sir Christopher is by his misdemeanour deprived of means to breathe; and is daily threatened by the sheriff (notwithstanding she is so great that she daily expecteth her delivery) to be turned out of doors. Will you direct the Sheriff, if the security be good which she tendereth for the safety of her goods, she may hold them at least till her delivery.
Holograph. Seal. Undated. 1 p.
Sib Anthony Sherley to the Earl of Essex.
[1590.] You are so kind and honourable in everything I could not doubt of your grief for this poor creature's case; which how lamentable it was the physicians can report, and myself which have not slept nor eaten these three days and nights. This afternoon she was given over to God's mercy by all her physicians, which made me so desperate that I presently ran afoot two miles, and back again, to a woman which hath most miraculously brought her to so good terms that the doctors and myself are amazed with it. As soon as I came to her she told me her case and the despair held of her and that her disease was nothing concerning physic; and that I should not mistrust her hereafter, she assured me I should not be in the house where she was one whole hour but that I should hear her call for drink and broth and everything she needed; and though I returned in no great belief, yet I told all the doctors of it, who credited it just as I did : when suddenly, as it were awaking from an extreme fit, she called for drink, broth and preserved cherries, and excused her former passions as forced violently upon her. I know your wonder will accompany ours, and hope you will impute no irreligiousness to me for seeking this means, since I hope God Himself will excuse it by my very good intent.
1 p.
[Captain Baker] to the Queen.
[1590.] Petition to have his son joined with himself in the patent for the office of Clerk and Keeper of the Stores in the Admiralty; in which office he has served King Henry VIII., Edward VI., Queen Mary and now her Majesty 50 years, for 9 years without fee or diet, &c. Refers to the Lord Admiral and Sir Francis Drake as to the behaviour of his son, who has served as captain in all their actions. Leaves in her Majesty's coffers, in regard of this grant, his fee and diet for the said 9 years, amounting to 699l.
Endorsed :—“Captain Baker, for his son to be joined in patent for keeping the store.”
1 p.
Petition of [Mr. Bodley].
[1590.] Has bought the lease of her Highness' manors of Middleton and Marden in Kent of the heirs and executors of Mr. Randolph, a twelvemonth since, at a very dear rate. The lease contains a special proviso, inserted in all leases of crown lands, as he understands, “si aliquis alius plus dare voluerit, modo sit sine fraude et malo ingenio, quod tuna idem Randolph tantum solvere teneatur.” Sir Ed. Hobby offers 100l. yearly rent more than the 120l. he pays, which if he will say on oath he offers bona fide, the Lord Treasurer answers that Bodley must give as much or forego his lease. Has infinite reasons to allege against it, but if her Highness will increase the years of his lease (now 33) to 60 and leave out the foresaid proviso, he will be content to give 500 marks fine.
Endorsed :—“Mr. Bodley.”
1 p.
“Captain Bortwick's discourse,” concerning Scotland.
[1590.] The godly “mydwaiis” to the union of the Christian Kings, the elect instruments to plant God's word in their realms and to aid the afflicted congregations.
1. Uniformity of religion, that the King [of Scotland], our Sovereign and the Christian King of Denmark equally profess.
2. The natural fraternity at this time betwixt the two nations.
3. The vicinity of the realms, as England to Ireland and Scotland, Orkney and Shetland to Norway and Denmark, &c., almost of necessity everyone should defend other, &c.
4. The commodities of either of the realms, &c.
5. The commodities of the Baltic Sea they need not let pass to any Popish nation, but may have the whole commodities that Flanders; Brabant, Holland, Zeeland has of the east countries which might be transported and make the staple at London, &c.
6. The godly friendship of Christian Princes that are confederate with the King of Denmark, &c., &c.
2 pp.
French News.
[1590.] Extrait d'une lettre escrite de Calais.
Le Roy apres avoir pris Corbeil et Laigny passa par Melun pour ailfêr à Saint Clou, en esperance de s'approcher de Paris par amour ou par force, et ne se vent arrêter aux conferences et pourparlers que font messieurs le Mareschal de Biron et le Legat du Pape à Noisy et de Villeroy et Plessis à une lieue de la, ou Ton dit qu'il y a quelques eschevins de Paris. Ils ont fait commandement à tous ceux qui n'ont moyen de fa ire provisions de vivres de sortir hors la ville. Je pense qu'ils ont attendu bien tard ear Ils sont bloquez detous cosies, d'autant que Messieurs de Longeville et de la Noue estoient devant Meaux, qui parlent . . . . de facon que je croy aujourdhui qu'ils sont autour de Saint Denis. Le Due de Mayenne est à Soissons, qui fait mine de vouloir ralier quelques forces; mais ceux des Pais Bas ne se fieront plus en lui pour ce qu'il les a abandonnez, qui altere fort sa reputation. Il n'y a plus que Ponthoise qui attend pour l'honneur de celui qui y commande la veue du canon. Je crois que Monsr. de Beaumont vous dira des nouvelles de Rouen dont son lacquais revint aussi hier; qui se trouvent fort estonnez encores que Monsieur le Vicomte de Navarre soit dans le viei Palais et à quelques commandments à la viile, les quelz avoient ces jours passés appellés Monsieur de Vilars pour y com mander; mais avant que de Paccepter il a voulu avoir les fortresses; ce que n'a voulu pour le premier accorder le Cure de Morny qui n'a voulu sortir de Ste. Catherine, tellement qu'il s'en est retourné comme il estoit venu et rual content d'eux : lequel Guiroult, Desarpans et La Croix ont suivi, ayant abandonné la place. lis ont avant que de partir donné meilleur ordre que Madame D'Aumalle à transporter leur butin, car il n'est nouvelles qu'il aye esté pris, comme ont fait ceux de Quillebeuf celui de la dite dame, lequel elle avoit fait charger dans une galère pour transporter au Havre, que ceux de Quillebeuf ont abordée et tué quatre vingt soldats avant que d'en pouvoir estre maistres. Messieurs de Pierre Court et la Lande sont partis de Rouen et sont allés du côté de Louvieres. Je ne sais si c'est pour faire leur composition. Il n'y a plus que cela qui tient de Paris à Rouen; car le Chateau Gaillard s'est rendu au meme temps que Vernon. Monsieur le Commandeur de Chastre est revenu de l'armée malade, comme m'a escrit Monsr. le Presbitre qui est parti depuis quelques jours pour aller a Dieppe; auquel j'ecrirai par le premier.
Les Espagnols du Pais Bas se sont saisis de la ville de Courtrai pour cinquante cinq payes qui leur sont dueues, où le Prince d'Ascoly est allé, qui à la fin accorde avec eux à trente payes pour ce qu'il leur a rabattu les prests. Mais ils ont fait un compte sans argent, de façon que les affaires s'y brouillent aucunement. Et tient on par deça que si le Prince de Parme avoit plus de villes asseurées qu'il n'a qu'il leveroit le masque. Le Due de Pastrane qui estoit allé en Hespaigne y revient pour la deffiance que l'on en a. Il n'a laisse de mander toutes les compagnies d'ordonnances, même celles du Conte d'Aremberg et d'autres, qui ont fait response qu'ils n'ont ny chevaux ny armes, et que si leur baillait de l'argent ils sont presté de monter à cheval. Vous aurez sceu des nouvelles d'Allemaigne par le pacquet de Mons. de Sancy. Le Conte Ladron est à Ausbourg qui fait une grande levée d'Ailemans et les veut mener embarquer à Genie sur les galères, comme beaucoup de troupes d'ltaliens et des garnisons Espagnoles du Duché de Milan et autres places fortes. Ils font courir le bruit que c'est pour passer en Irlande; mais Ton s'asseure que c'est pour la Bretaigne, dont Mons. de Mercure à composé et transigé avec le Roy d'Hespagne pour le Duché de Luxembourg qu'il lui bailie en recompense. Mais j'espere qu'il fera comme celui qui vent la peau de Pours avant qu'il soit mort. Le Sieur Alphonse de Corze et nos Huguenots de Dauphiné ont reprins Grenoble, tellement que je ne vois plus rien de ce costé qui ne soit en l'obéissance du Roy. Voilé tout ce que j'ai peu apprendre depuis qui je suis ici digne de vous écrire.
J'oubliois à vous dire que le Sieur Dalincourt commande à Pontboise, et que le dit Sieur de Fouqueroles est venu ici pour quelques munitions dont le Roy desire d'estre secouru. Le cappitaine Rolet a esté à Dieppe querir des poudres que ceux de Rouen et Castillon atten doientau chemin : mais ayant passé entre les deux il est revenu charger Castillon qu'il a battu.
1 p.
Countess of Lennox's lands.
[1590.] In the lands of Jervaux Abbey. Since the death of the Countess of Lennox, Sir Thomas Danby buying the remain[der] of a lease of a great sheep pasture, called Golding Hythe, hath enclosed the best part of the pasture with other grounds of his own adjoining, so that if it continue any long time it will be unknown which is his and which not. Also Danby hath made divers enclosures upon the commons of East Witton, Ellington and Ellingscring, to the great impoverish ment of the tenants which are now in the Queen's hands, being late the lands of the said lady Margaret; and if the same enclosures be suffered to stand, it will not only encourage him to enclose more, but this already will be the overthrow of the title for the soil of 1000 acres of good common which appertains to the said towns. The tenants com plain of the wrongs but dare not contend with him, nor are able to maintain suit. In my lady's time he would not have attempted any such matter. He is a very unfit man to have interest in these lands of Jervaux, for he and his father have always been encroaching on the royalties and liberties of the lordships, and [suffered] great suits in times past for the same.
Settrington.—The tenants of Settrington have long been troubled by the tenants of Norton for the soil of a great part of their common, and now the Earl of Cumberland hath entered suit for another part : and the tenants being already so impoverished with the former suit are not able to bear the charges longer. If it be not seen to, the soil of 600 acres of good common will be lost, that her grace was quietly possessed of at her death.
Templenewsham.—The tenants there are sued at York by the parson of Witchurch for tithe of certain closes of the demesnes and of the town of Hawlton, and the suit having continued three years is like to be given over for lack of ability of the tenants; and the spiritual Court favours the case of tithe. The tenants are sued in eleven several actions very uncharitably.
Nafferton.—One Ferding, a freeholder, hath enclosed certain grounds in the. common fields to the hindrance of a great township; and the enclosure being pulled down by the appointment of Mr. Dolman, Ferding troubles divers of the tenants at York. He also denies to pay sundry rent service due to the said lands of Nafferton.
Signed : T. Fouller.
1 p.
Annexed : Abstract of a lease from the Crown to Christopher Ask with of a messuage in Greenhowe, parcel of the manor of G. in co. York, part of the possessions of Matthew, late Earl of Lennox, and Margaret his wife, from Michaelmas la3t for as long as the premises remain in the hands of the Crown.—22 December, 33 Eliz.
½ p.
George Thorzsby to Sir Robert Cecil.
[1590.] Praying his warrant to the Treasurer at Wars for the Low Countries, for payment of “an arrearage of half his pay as Commissary of Musters for her Majesty's garrison at Brill, for 809 days begun March 26, 1588, and ended June 12, 1590, the sum of 134l. 16s. 8d. sterling, as by these and the accompt herewith plainly doth appear.”
1 p.
Oath.
[? 1590]. [Copy of] oath of faithful military service to the Queen and to the States General.
French. Undated. 1½ pp.
Spain.
[1590?] A long paper headed “Discurso a la Sacra Catolica Real Magd.”
Spanish. 6¼ pp.
Endorsed :—“A discourse in Spanish .to the King of Spain.”
Henry Sekeford.
[1590.] Petition to the Council for payment for supplies furnished by him to the Venetian argosy late brought into Plymouth, for recompence for the attendance of his ship on the argosy, and for damage done last year by the argosy to his ship.—Undated.
Enclosure; Account of the supplies.
2 pp.
Survey.
1590. The survey of Knight's Place, by Cobham, Kent.
2 pp.
Accounts.
1590. Hall's accounts for small personal expenses. 2 papers.
2 pp.
George Collymoor.
1590. The answer of George Collymoor, merchant, to three bills of articles exhibited by the Lord Ambassador of Scotland concerning the ship called the Christopher of Kirkcaldy.
3 pp.
The Swiss Mercenaries.
[1590?] Mémoire pour présenter à Monsigneur le Conte de Saix [Essex]. Il y a environ trente ans que je porte les armes pour la conservation de l'Estat de la Couronne de France, ayant fait en particulier plusieurs bons et fideles services au Roy à present, à la suite duquel j'ay esté jusquesen ca, pour le recouvrement des soldes deues par sa Majesté à moy et à mes compagnons, Colonel et Capitaines du regiment de Glaris, à qui j'avois coramandé comme premier Capitaine et Lieutenant Colonel. Or estant revoqué pour me retirer au pais, j'ai prins mon coné de sa Majesté, laquelle m'auroit donné charge de m'opposer de tout mon pouvoir aux praticques Espagnoles, qui se manieut depuis longtemps pour corrompre l'ancienne alliance avec la Suisse, de laquelle la France en a toujours recue de bons secours et de fidelles services; ce que le Roy d'Espagne tache, à force d'argent, de le tirer à soi, recherchant pour le present avec toute diligence de faire une levée de six mille hommes de guerre, dont sa Majesté en est adverti. Pour mon particulier, je n'en fairai point defaute d'apporter tout ce que je pourrai, mais je m'en doute que les personnes, apres longue patience, ne se vouldront pas toujours contenter de seules paroles sans aucuns effects, et que à faute de peu de moyens il se pourra perdre de grandes commoditée, lesquelles en apres ne se pourront recouvrir ny rachapter ny pour cent ou pour deux cents miile escus. Considerant done la grande consequence du fait que si ie ait Roy pourroit gagner I'amitié des Suisses et Grisons quel tres grand avantage qu'il auroit, non seulement à cause du libre passage de l'Italie, mais aussi pour l'assistance et secours que les Rois de France en avoient accoustumés d'avoir de la dite nation, et que tout cela apporteroit facilement et sans doute untres grand prejudice non seulement à la dite France mais aussi au Pais Bas, et à ce royaume d'Angleterre; à ces causes pour la bien public, de mon propre et particulier mouvement, sans aucune charge de personne, j'ai prins la hardiesse de faire ce voyage pour conferer avec vostre seigneurie, d'autant que Madame la Peine est interessée de la guerre avec le Roy d'Espagne, qu'icelle comme princesse la plus vertueuse, la plus riche et opulente de tous les autres princes de P Europe, peutêtre ne voudrait pas espargner quelque peu de moyens en une telle occasion ou elle pourroit empêcher les mauvaises desseins et perniceuses pratiques de son cnnemie. Secondement que cela ne seroit point jété dans la mer, ains seroit employé à une nation fort bellicqueuse pour entrer en cognois sance et peutêtre avec le temps en plus ample correspondance, où je m'y emploierai avec toute fidélité et loyauté : Remettant toutefois le tout à la discretion, au tres prudent et mieux advisé jugement de sa Majesté, laquelle je supplie très humblement d'excuser cette mienne hardiesse, avec toute asseurance qu'elle procede d'une bonne affection, d'un bon zéle, et d'une entière et saine conscience d'icelluy qui desire à tout jamais faire très humbles services à sa Majesté.
Endorsed :—“The Colonel of the Suisses' Memorials.”
pp.
The Oath Ex officio.
[1590.] Quotations from divers books of law to prove that the ordinary or his commissary, in causes of defamation, usury, incontinency and such like, or in causes of institution, admission, &c., or in any cause other than testamentary or matrimonial, cannot exact the oath ex officio of the party to accuse himself.
1 p.
Foreign Ships detained in England.
[1590 ?] Sworn testimony before the Governors of Antwerp, by certain Genoese merchants in that city, touching certain moneys on board some vessels detained in England.
Copy. Latin. Undated. 2 pp. in bad condition.
George Harrison.
[1590 ?] Petition to Sir Francis Walsingham. His cause has been referred by Walsingham to Mr. Sheriff Offeley, who is very unfit to deal therein, his servants having been the only causers of petitioner's troubles and losses. Petitioner's servant, Thomas Perrette, killed one Sefford who had served the sheriff, who was aided with money by Soomes (who betrayed petitioner) to fetch men from Dunkirk to Rouen to betray the ship, goods and men, as is known to the Lord Treasurer and the Lord Admiral. Soomes had been likewise servant to the sheriff. Prays therefore that his cause may be determined by the Council.—Undated.
½ p.
Suzanne Bugbe, of Northfleet, Kent, widow.
[Before 1591.] Petition to the Council. Has received wrongs and oppressions from sundry persons in Northfleet, by beatings, taking away of her goods, and other injuries, and goes in danger of her life. Prays the Council to direct Sir Thomas Walsingham and Mr. Veare to call these persons before them to answer her charges.—Undated.
1 p.
Thomas Twist to the Queen.
[Before 159] Granitor and riding purveyor Of the Queen's stables.
Petition for a lease in reversion of lands in Amounderness, Lancashire, and of certain tithes, to be granted to the tenant, Thomas Singleton. Undated.
Note by Sir Francis Walsingham that the Queen grants the petition.
1 p.
Robert Coale, otherwise Plome, to the Queen.
[Before 1591.] Petition for a lease in reversion, for his services as cook.—Undated.
Note by Sir Francis Walsingham that the Queen grants the petition.
½ p.
Humfrey Conyngesbte to The Queen.
[Before 1591.] Details transactions as to the manors of Abbots Langley and Breakspeares, Herts, in which the Queen, Sir Richard Lee, his' assign Richard Robson, and John Fortescue who married Robson's widow, were concerned. Prays for a grant of land to Fortescue in recompense for the manor of Breakspeares, according to agreement; also for consideration for his forbearing a sum of money, and for reward for his services in assuring the Queen's title to the manors. Undated.
Note by Sir F. Walsingham that the Queen orders the above grant to Fortescue.
1 p.