Cecil Papers: May 1598, 1-15

Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 8, 1598. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1899.

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'Cecil Papers: May 1598, 1-15', in Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 8, 1598, (London, 1899) pp. 153-168. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-cecil-papers/vol8/pp153-168 [accessed 26 April 2024]

May 1598, 1–15

Sir John Fortescue, Chancellor of the Exchequer, to Sir Robert Cecil.
1598, May 1. If I had sooner understood of your return, I would have myself congratulated your safe arrival. I send you the seal of the Duchy and the key herein enclosed. What hath passed in your absence the docket by the clerk kept and by me subscribed will declare.—This 1st of May, 1598.
Holograph.
¼ p. (60. 106.)
John Wood to Sir Robert Cecil.
1598, May 1. I thought good to signify to your Honour of our safe arrival at Portsmouth this first of May, with all the rest of the gentlemen saving such as went for Humflett with Mr. Herbert, by reason of a storm that put away the Lyons Whelpe. The horses are all landed well, and as for such things as were left here in the custody of one Young, sometime servant to Dr. Lopus, I will see it safely brought with the rest. Captain Nicholas desires your favour to my Lord Admiral for his despatch. He very carefully attended on us.—Portsmouth, this first of May, 1598.
Holograph. Seal.
½ p. (60. 107.)
Treaty of Vervins.
1598, May 2. In treating for peace between Henry IV., King of France and Navarre, and Philip II., King of Spain, the deputies of the former remonstrated that they had always declared and still declared that they could not pass to the conclusion of the treaty unless the Queen of England, the ally of the most Christian King, were admitted as a party to it. The deputies of the latter answered that since the commencement of the conference they had declared they were ready and content to receive the deputies of the said Queen to treat, and that they had stayed long enough in this place to give these the option of coming there, if they had desired. It is agreed that, if within six months the deputies of the Queen come with sufficient power and declare that they wish to treat of peace, they shall be received. For this purpose the deputies of Spain shall be in this place of Vervins, or such other place as shall be agreed on by consent of the parties. And at the express instance of the deputies of France, it is agreed there shall be a cessation of hostilities between the King of Spain and the Queen of England for two months from the date of these presents, such cessation to take effect only from the day when the Queen shall have made known to Cardinal Albert, Archduke of Austria, her acceptance of the truce, or the King of France, in her name, shall have made such declaration.
Compared with the original the 21 May, by me.—De Neufville.
French. Copy.
1 p. (50. 68.)
Hans Dirckson to Pyter.
1598, May 2/12. Mr. Pyter, all wares are at the same price as I wrote in my last letter. We have certain news that peace is concluded between France and Spain, which I believe, for there is order come from the Cardinal to several companies of foot, that lie here to recruit, to return to their regiments. But though no new forces be raised, the Cardinal is able to bring to the field 24,000 foot and 3,000 good horse. Here is no doubt but England, Holland and Scotland will likewise come to some agreement, especially as all preparations are stayed.—Liege, 12 May, '98.
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1 p. (61. 12.)
Robert Dewhurst.
1598, May 2. Verses in Greek, Latin, Italian, and French, addressed to Sir Robert Cecil by Robert Dewhurst of Cambridge.
1 p. (140. 84.)
John Killigrew to Sir Robert Cecil.
1598, May 4. My miserable imprisonment hath made me think every hour a day and every month a year till your return, hoping now for some comfort whatsoever it shall be. What my comfortless wife hath written unto me, I have sent by this bearer. All the good that ever we received, saving by my father, came only from your Honour's father, and, in causes that are good, God favours the innocent, and gives means that the child favours that his father did.
All that I desire is that I might have the liberty of the prison, and leave to confer with some of my creditors, that I might make known unto them how they may be paid. The world is possessed that I spent all I have, but there is £1,000 yearly left which may go to my creditors. If I may not have the liberty of the house, may I confer with Sergeant Heale and Sergeant Harris and such other of my creditors as I am indebted unto? The Lord knows my innocency, only I have confessed and I still do, that I have bought and sold with men of war that were allowed in the service of her Majesty, set out and maintained at sea by great persons. If this offence be more heinous in me than all other that did dwell or had charge in the like place which I had, I am the more unhappy.
My miserable unhappiness may be a spectacle to all her Majesty's servants and all gentlefolk. I have been close prisoner this three months, not knowing certainly my offence, my living taken from me, my woods, and my necessary places about my house of pleasure and profit utterly ruinated. These be my comforts, this is my reward for 30 years' service in the Court. Happy had my wife been and her children, if, when the Spaniards were at my house, they had the spoil of it. Then had their miserable days been ended.
Signed.
1 p. (60. 110.)
The Enclosure :—
Mrs. Killigrew to her husband.—I reseved your letters by Mr. Rosewarden, wherein I find your wante of mony. Sorry I am but helpe you I cannot. Panes [pawns] I have not. I have sent to your tenentes accordinge to your directions, but non will come nire me, nether doe knowe by what meanes to get you mony. I have passed all that ever I have or can macke shefte for. Good Mr. Killigrewe, waye with reason how paurleye you lefte me. But yet never the lese I have tacken order by this berer that you shall reseave tenn pounde. My extremytes are many, but I will youse the beste meanes I maye to send you som mony. I have written to you of all your busnes by Trelogus, and now, as for my comynge, I am not able because of my greatenes with child, therefore I must contente myselfe with my misfortunes. From Arwenycke the xviii of Aprell. Dorothy Kylygreue.
I hope at Mr. Secretary's coming hom I shall see you hear.
½ p. (60. 111.)
Richard Capelin to Edward Reynolds.
1598, May 4. Send me the account now received from my aunt, with notes of the parcels to be left out, and I will forthwith new write the same. The money due by my first bond, I will provide for you very shortly; in regard to the other, I hope you will show me such favour as you may, my wines remaining unsold.
Concerning the £4 odd money which my aunt demands upon the remainder of her last account, when you write to her, do not mention any sum paid to me for clearing that account, but, for the remainder, take order she shall be paid. She was content to bestow the same on my brother Augustin when he made the account, so I thought she would not have made such question thereof. If she will have it, I will answer it to you or her. When my brother came out of Sussex in his necessity, I furnished him with money and necessaries, and passed my bond unto Bushopp for his debt. For my goodwill I hope you will not wish my hindrance, although yourself have been too much hindered by his means.
Touching my sister and her children, what my aunt hath written to you, I know not, but, in my opinion, it is best that you write her to this effect : That she will maintain them with meat, drink, apparel and such necessaries as they shall want, and so to keep them with her, extending some more kindness towards them than heretofore, as in nature she is bound, then you are content she shall continue the receiving the impost as before, otherwise you are minded to dispose thereof.—London this 4th of May, 1598.
Holograph. Seal.
1½ pp. (60. 112.)
Sir Edward Norreys to the Earl of Essex.
1598, May 4. This day I have received certain intercepted letters from Brussels, wherein I find some things likely to be true, which I have here set down, word by word, as they were written from one of the Council to the magistrate of Ypres. “Le paix se trayne â la longue. M. Richardot at escript icy sewlement du bon espoir et doibt on envoies derecheff en espagne. Le Prince est corone roy. L' Infante se prepare. La Pape ofre aux Francoys Avignon en echange de Calais, jusques à la reduction d'Hollande et Zelande qui toullent fort les cartes avec les Anglois. Cependant nous avouns icy Iyvres imprimes du ces d' armes pour tout ce moys de May avec ceulx d'Artois, et cependant le Courier returnera d'Espagne.” I will lay all the wait I can to understand the return of that post, and what he brings, and thereof advertize your Honour.—From Ostend this 4 May, 1598.
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2 pp. (177. 13.)
Garrett de Malynes to Sir Robert Cecil.
1598, May 4. I thank God for your safe return. In your absence I have made my lord your father acquainted with the matters in controversy between Sir Horatio Palavicino and myself, dilated already to 5 several suits in law, with likelihood of daily increase of others, remembering herein both my duty to you and the favour of my lord towards the said Sir Horatio. I humbly pray that unless through your authority matters in controversy between us for such great sums of money as Sir Horatio seeketh to deprive me of, can be qualified and brought to a speedier end, I may, with your good liking, appeal unto her most excellent Majesty and prosecute matters in the Star-chamber. These 5 weeks he hath sent no answer unto his Lordship. The term is begun, and I continually feel the smart of the untrue allegations of John Honger against me, wherein, in the beginning, relying too much upon the truth of the cause, I was too secure. I will now be more vigilant. The cause of Sir Horatio's malice against me is that he layeth to my charge the suspension of that annuity which he did receive out of the Exchequer, which, God knoweth, he doeth most unjustly, although I hope that time will prove it to be a matter done most justly.—This 4th of May, 1598.
Signed.
1 p. (177. 14.)
Ha. Vivian TO Richard Percival.
1598, May 4. Details his proceedings in the matter of the commission for Nicholls-Trelowaren.—4 May, 1598.
1 p. (22. 85.)
Robert Gilynne to Sir Robert Cecil.
In Rouen the 15th of May stilo novo.
1598, May 5/15 I cannot recompense your Honour's courtesy as well for entreating the King of France in Nantes as also his chief Secretary for writing the King's letters to the governor of Newhaven [Nieuport] to restore my ship and goods. I received the letter two days after you left Nantes, and then made all diligence to Newhaven, but the governor still refuses to deliver my ship, and inferreth that he will not do so for a hundred of the King's letters, until he has recompense for a Newhaven ship that was robbed at sea by a Walloon, who serves, as your Honour advised me, the Lord Admiral of England. I hear one is gone from Newhaven to sue for redress for this capture, for whose suit I would ask your furtherance. Meantime I will again repair to the king's justice.
Holograph. Seal.
1 p. (61. 21.)
Henry IV., King of France, to the Earl of Essex.
1598, May 5/15. Commending to the favour of the Queen Captain Phlos who has served him well at the sieges of Rouen and Croson.—Rennes, 15 May, 1598.
Signed. French.
½ p. (147. 135.)
Lord Willoughby to Sir Robert Cecil.
1598, May 6. Having this opportune messenger, my old friend Mr. Lock, a forwarder to my desires to embrace the opinion of your favour found long ago and renewed by your kind remembering me in the Parliament before your journey, I am bold to present you this signal of my true disposition to honour you, which I may justly say I never severed from you, but more properly yield you now than at another time, considering how thwartly things stood with-me, till now I thank God he hath of late brought me to a desired calm. I beseech you to commend me to your most honourable father. This gentleman shall tell you the rest if you please to give him hearing.—Berwick, the 6 of May.
Endorsed :—“1598.” Signed.
¾ p. (60. 113.)
Henry Nevill to Sir Robert Cecil.
1598, May 6. I have received by a messenger commandment to attend upon your Honour, but I beseech you, as one that hath had sometimes feeling of the like grief, to respite me for a time, my wife being at this instant in great extremity (as her Majesty's physicians who were with her this morning can inform you), and ready to attend the pleasure of God for her last hour I know not how soon. If your pleasure be to command my attendance about the employment whereunto I was lately named, I beseech you to understand and consider my poor estate at this time. I have sold my land in Sussex and some other places, in effect the chief substance of all I have, to bestow it in Berkshire upon some land that was Sir Henry Unton's, for which I am entered into recognizances of above 12,000 pound to be discharged within three months. How impossible it is for me to accomplish this if I should be employed, I do know, and not accomplishing it, I foresee the overthrow of my poor estate.—Lothbury, the 6 of May, 1598.
Signed.
1 p. (60. 114.)
Sir Henry Lee to Sir Robert Cecil.
1598, May 6. Congratulating him on his safe return from France, and on being free from that “inconstant and scambling nation.”—Quaryngton, 6 May.
Holograph.
1 p. (61. 1.)
Sir Anthony Ashley to Sir Robert Cecil.
1598, May 6. Now that your Honour is disburdened of your importunate negociations, I pray your ear to what has passed touching the diamond and my poor self. Upon sundry examinations, at last it falleth out that Terrell, one of the parties pretending interest therein, never laid out one penny, but that most part of the £600 was disbursed by B. Gilbart and the rest by Stow, who hath played his accustomed sorry part, petitioning the Queen and stating that you and Mr. Chancellor had promised them £2,200, besides all charges of cutting and interest; and, moreover, claimed the great piece they had indirectly caused to be cut away, as the result of their art, for otherwise it would have been wasted in powder. Still, upon satisfaction of their demands, they would be contented to bestow on Her Majesty the stolen piece of free gift. The Queen, being herewith justly indignant, commanded them to the Marshalsea; but, upon submission, has released them and given them out of compassion some hundreds of pounds above the £1200, which itself was more than could reasonably be demanded.
For myself, I have in your absence very gracious thanks and promises from the Queen by the means of my singular good Lord Cobham, assuring me that I shall not fail to obtain my restitution immediately on your return, without whose applause it was not thought meet to dispose of anything concerning that place. I hope of the continuance of your favour herein, according to the promises given to the Earl of Shrewsbury and others, albeit one Mr. Mole has spoken in a way to make me jealous. But my innocency and your well known regard for your word makes me confident.
One Ralph Heever, that had procured in the prime of my disgrace the inheritance of my father-in-law's land of £8 or £900 a year from my poor wife, is dead; and I am thereby in hope to rewin that loss with advantage, in which case you shall find me a thankful honest man. All matters objected against me by a baggage informer touching Walpole, &c., I have answered to the satisfaction of Lord Cobham and the Lord Keeper.—6th May, 1598.
Signed.
1½ pp. (61. 3.)
[John Udale] to the Earl of Essex.
1598, May 7. The 6th of this month I received this enclosed, by which you may judge of the process, together with D's advice for the handling the Earl. Therewith you know whom it seems of necessity must be advised, though not acquainted with the ground. D is passed on, it seemeth, to the far end with the other, whose return I expect within the time limited, and then with all haste to repair unto your Lordship. Hoping for your answer to my last of the last of April.—Carlisle, this 7th of May.
P.S. For the more expedition I am forced to send it by this pass, for that the other is far removed and inconvenient.
Unsigned. Seal.
½ p. (177. 16.)
The Enclosure :—
J. D. to—. Notwithstanding the Earl with whom I dealt certified me that he could not pass by England, yet I am surely informed that on the 27 of April he passed from Edinburgh to Berwick and is gone that way. I hear of some that he has left his mind to be signified to me, but as yet the same is not come to me. My opinion is that the gentleman shall send advertisement to his master of his passage, and at his coming to London it would please him to offer him all general courtesies and favour, in respect the report of his noble behaviour in service of religion and good affection to her Matie is come to him by divers from our country. And yet it shall not be meet to enter in any particular matter with him, for I have learned he is not for our action, he has so many councillors. It is expedient to have him a friend, for the other with whom I mind particularly and effectually to deal, is his kinsman and within his bounds, and I know he will be the more willing, knowing the Earl's affection to that estate. I think it convenient also by fair delays he be detained at London, and in the mean time, with the help of the Lord, I shall see the other gentleman, and with all diligence I shall return within the time prefixed. As for news, our ambassador Mr. Edward Bruce is expected one of these four days, and the report is that he returns well satisfied. The Duke of Lennox' going to England is yet uncertain. There is appearance of some alterations at our Court. The days past divers banquets were made to the Duke of Holcistre. All which things I remit to meeting, which, God willing, shall be with all diligence.—The 4 of May '98.—I delivered your letter to the Lord's brother in law. Dum. Show Lancelot that I have somewhat entered in his matter, as he shall know at meeting.
¾ p. (177. 15.)
Gabriel Harvey to Sir Robert Cecil.
1598, May 8. May it please you, amongst so many honourable welcomes at your return after your honourable embassage, to accept the duty of an affectionate mind, and to vouchsafe the reading of a few officious lines written rather with my heart than with my head. You cannot be ignorant, how special favour it pleased as well my lord your father as my lady your mother to vouchsafe me many years since, and I must never forget, how much I was beholden to you for some good words uttered of me in the Low Countries at the time of that weighty treaty with the Prince of Parma. In which respects I am the bolder to petition you in a suit wherein I earnestly solicited your parents some twelve years since, not without pregnant hope of speeding either by election or their favour, had not the Queen's mandate over ruled the case. Dr. Preston, the master of that Hall, is either now dead or past hope of recovery. I should think myself at the last someway happy, if by the only means of my good Lord Treasurer and your good Honour, I might procure the gracious favour that preferred Mr. Preston to that mastership : first, by the letter of your predecessor, Mr. Secretary Walsingham, for the stay of the election till her Majesty's pleasure were known, and then by her mandate for the election of Mr. Preston, which course made him master of that college, where otherwise he could no way have purchased one voice; and I then might have gotten it by pluralities. Now, having some years discontinued my place there, and but two of the company left that were fellows then, I know not how far I might prevail with them, the more in respect of some new doctors sojourning there since, much my juniors in seniority and never fellows of the college, whereas I was fellow there for fifteen years after I had been fellow eight years in Pembroke Hall. I can say for myself that I have spent so great part of my age either in reading the best authors extant, as well in Law as in other faculties, or in writing some discourses of private use or public importance. I had ever an earnest and curious care of sound knowledge, as I hope should soon appear if I were settled in a place of competent maintenance. Some men would have used more plausible insinuations to my good Lord Treasurer, that have not written half so much in honour of his weighty and rare virtues, as I can impart at your leisure for the perusal of such exercises. But I sought but his honour and fame; as I did in sundry royal cantos (nigh as much in quantity as Ariosto) in celebration of her Majesty's most glorious government, some of them devised many years past at the instance of the excellent knight and my inestimable dear friend, Sir Philip Sidney, some since the renowned victory in '88. Which, nevertheless, I intended not to publish in the lifetime of the Queen, had not some late provoking occasions enforced me. Now if my good Lord Treasurer or yourself shall not disallow of them, it imports me to bestow a little time in the transcripting and reforming of them, and to publish them, with other tracts and discourses, some in Latin, some in English, some in verse, but much more in prose; some on Humanity, History, Policy, Law, and the soul of Law, Reason; some on Mathematics, Cosmography, the Art of Painting, the Art of War, the true Chymique without imposture (which I learned of Sir Thomas Smith not to contemn), and other effectual practicable knowledge. I speak it not anyway to boast. For I can in one year publish more than any Englishman hath hitherto done. But thereof more at fitting opportunity. Now concerning my present petition, if I might obtain a stay of that election and then the Queen's mandate on my behalf, surely I should hold myself to be the most bounden unto your Honour of any scholar in England.—Walden, 8 May.
Holograph.
1½ pp. (61. 5.)
Navy.
1598, May 9. Estimate for the charge for 5 pinnaces with 180 men to be employed for the Queen's service on the North coast of Ireland for 4 months.
The pinnaces were The Popinjay, The Spie, The Sonne, The Marlion and The Lynnet, carrying in all 180 men. The estimate is £672 0s. 0d. for wages, £728 0s. 0d. for victuals—in all £1,400 0s. 0d.
Signed, Nottingham, W. Borough, B. Hanson, Roger Langford.
(61. 7.)
Troops AT Middelburg.
1598, May 10. Warrant under the sign manual to Richard Babington and Robert Bromley, merchants, to transport £3,000 in specie to Middleburgh for the payment of the troops there, they not being able to provide that sum by way of exchange.—Greenwich, the tenth day of May, 40 Eliz.
Seal.
1 p. (61. 9.)
H. Maynard to [Sir Robert Cecil].
1598, May 10. It may please your Honour, I do not see but that my Lord receiveth good by this place, for although the weather be sharp, yet is he abroad most part of the day and hath received no hurt thereby. His stomach is the worst, which as yet serveth him not well, but yet better than at London. For this short writing I pray to be excused for that my Lord findeth business for me preparing to go into Ireland with the treasure.
Holograph. Endorsed by Cecil's Secretary. Address wanting.
½ p. (61. 10.)
Francesco Arbelayo to Thomas Honyman.
1598, May 10/20. I have an answer from Seville about the Bachelor Diego Lopez Marino. The money he left there has been seized by the King. Diaz de Abrego writes coolly about it, but has written to Mr. John 'Mon' to ask him to act with you in getting the ransom reduced as much as may be. In that case friends might raise the money in Seville. I have been for a time a prisoner in France myself, and naturally feel for all in that case.—20 May, 1598.
Spanish. Holograph.
Addressed :—'Tomas Unimam en Londres.'
1 p. (61. 29.)
William Blackaller.
1598, May 11. Misdemeanours charged against William Blackaller of Totnes before the Lords of the Privy Council by the Mayor and Corporation of Totnes.
1st. About three years ago at a meeting in the common hall, the said Blackaller spake to the Mayor as under : “You will never cease until you have done even as the Lord Mayor of London and the Aldermen have done, which have broken their charter and offered unto the Queen £10,000 to renew the same and the Queen will have £20,000.”
2nd. In '88 and '96, the town, with Dartmouth and certain creek parishes, was ordered to furnish a ship of war; and it was agreed to tax each townsman according to his assessment in the subsidy book. Blackaller, though his portion was slender, yet of his natural disposition to hinder the Queen's service and to oppose all good order of government, not only refused to pay, but tried to persuade others not to pay, and took money from some to free them from this payment; whereby great disturbance and disobedience grew in the town, and Sir George Cary had to be requested to repress those contentious persons.
3rd. The said Blackaller is a common stirrer up of men to impugn the government of the town, and cross the mayor and his brethren in their proceedings.
4th. He useth opprobrious and slanderous speeches to those magistrates who have been mayors, calling them bald pate knaves, marchwilliam knaves, proud knaves, and so forth.
5th. Desiring to draw the worser sort to his faction, in October he said openly at a town meeting that if they would give him ten pounds and ninety more when the thing was done, he would show them how he would free the town from paying any more subsidies.
6th. He is a poor and needy man and very contentious, so that we know not what mischief may come from him and his complices; and therefore pray order for reforming their misdemeanours.
2 pp. (61. 13.)
Helena, Countess of Northampton to Mrs. Lucy Hyde.
1598, May 11. Good Mrs. Hide, albeit I have since my coming hither writ thrice already to you, yet having so convenient a messenger I could not forget you, entreating you to remember me very heartily to all my good friends there, amongst the which I pray you forget not my Lord Cobham, and commend my best salutations to Mr. Secretary, of whose safe return I am exceeding glad.—From the Bathe, 11 May, 1598.
Holograph.
Addressed :—“Mrs. Lucy Hyde, one of Her Majesty's Bedchamber.”
1 p. (61. 14.)
Lord North to Sir Robert Cecil.
1598, May 12. Here is a note of such matters as are proved against Barnes, steward of her Majesty's manor of Soham in the county of Cambridge. The commission is returned to the court, which I caused to be kept back until your return, and now it will be laboured to be kept from publication. If these causes do appear in your judgment worthy his displacing, then I pray you, good Mr. Secretary, dispose the office of me, and, howsoever it shall go, command publication of the commission and trial to be made in court.—This 12 May, 1598.
Holograph.
½ p. (60. 109.)
The Enclosure :—
A brief of the causes proved against Mr. Barnes.—No estreats of any court have been delivered to the bailiff since the 26th year of Iver Majesty's reign. No fines on admission have been paid for 12 years past. In the estreats delivered, certain amercements and pains concerning Mr. Barnes were crossed out. He has caused his servants to break the orders established by the tenants for mowing and digging on the commons. He has refused to admit copy tenants. He bought of one tenant lands which the tenant held for life only, with remainder to his son and heirs, and after the tenant's death, would not admit the son until he compounded with him. He enclosed certain ways in Soham and 20 acres of her Majesty's land, upon which he has built. He has with threats made tenants forbear to do their duties. He persuaded the tenants to disregard a decree of the Duchy Court and made hard speeches against the bailiff. He has a manor of his own in Soham. Six “combes” of wheat were stolen out of his granary, and he took £10 from the thief to conceal the felony.
Endorsed by North.
1½ pp. (60. 108.)
Humphrey Plessington to Sir Robert Cecil.
1598, May 12. I am a suitor to my Lord for the wardships of Gratwicke Heriet of Sussex to the use of the mother; but hearing that you have written to my Lord for them, I am sure that he will let you have them, and beseech you to be as good to me as you have been to the rest of my fellows.—12 May, 1598.
Holograph.
1 p. (61. 15.)
The Dowager Countess of Derby to Sir Robert Cecil.
1598, May 12. Recommends the enclosed petition.
Endorsed :—May 12, 1598.
1 p.
The Enclosure.—Edward Barnes to Sir Robert Cecil. Is steward of the Queen's manor of Soham, Cambs. Details various unjust proceedings taken against him by John Thornton, steward of the manor, and prays Cecil to have an honourable care of him and to hear the cause himself.—Undated.
1 p. (2470.)
Philip Symonson, Mayor of Rochester, to Sir Robert Cecil.
1598, May 13. Thomas Mychell, the bearer of this, whom you have sent for, at the time of Monsieur Caron's passing through this town was not at home himself, upon my knowledge, but the misdemeanour that was offered was done by his servant.—Rochester, 13 May, 1598.
Holograph.
½ p. (61. 16.)
Edward, Lord Zouche to Sir Robert Cecil.
1598, May 13. For these two days past, I have had such pain in my head, that by the advice of physicians I have taken physic and am to-morrow to do the like, and then to enter on a diet. If it shall please the Queen to pardon me to-morrow and a day or two further, I shall acknowledge her favour; otherwise I will do her commands; and meantime most thankfully take hold of your favour.—Hackney, May 13, 1598.
Holograph.
1 p. (61. 17.)
Sir George Carew to Sir Robert Cecil.
1598, May 13. The bearer hereof, my uncle Jaques Wingfeilde's son, upon doubt of some hard measure to have been offered to him in Ireland, hath made his repair hither to seek redress of his wrongs by petition to the Lords. Since his coming some of the Council in Ireland, by procurement of his adversaries, have aggravated some kind of contempt to have been done by him in Ireland. He, protesting to be innocent, hath requested me to be a mean for him to you, that you will vouchsafe him your favour.—At the Minories this 13th of May, 1598.
Signed. Seal.
½ p. (177. 18.)
Catherine Cecil.
1598, May 13. Articles preferred to Robert Cecil by Paul de la Hay against Catherine Cecil, widow of Matthew Cecil. He charges her with playing a lewd part of purpose to raise seed to disinherit Sir Robert : with waste of goods : with harbouring Lloyd a murderer, of purpose to murder him (De la Hay): and with beating and starving Alice, the aged sister of William Cecil.
—Undated.
¾ p. (204. 71.)
Paul De La Hay to Sir Robert Cecil.
1598, May 13. Details abuses offered to William Cecil, deceased, by Valentine Pritchard, brother-in-law to the widow Catherine, wife of Matthew Cecil, deceased. Proceedings with regard to the estate of Alterinnes.—13 May, 1598.
1½ pp. (204. 72.)
Edward, Lord Zouche to Sir Robert Cecil.
1598, May 14. I did mean to attend you on Tuesday without fail, but I hope her Majesty will consider my insufficiency, wherein my life, shame, and dishonour is nothing to me, if it might die with me; but I can only signify the truth, and leave success to God.—Hackney, 14 May, 1598.
Holograph.
½ p. (61. 18.)
John Peyton to Sir John Peyton, Lieutenant of the Tower.
1598, May 14/24. Our departure from Prague we signified in our letters of the 10/20th April, wherein we intimated that the Bohemian Diet was ended, by which was granted to the Emperor 8,000 foot and 2,000 horse, as also the report that Dr. Petz the Italian had effected the Emperor's suit for the establishing his brother Maximilian in Transylvania, the Emperor in counterchange giving the Transylvanian the Duchy of Oppeln in Silesia. This news is not as yet contraried. We enclosed also the particulars of the taking of Raab. From Prague we passed to Vrahslavia at what time began there the Fümrstentag or meeting of that Estate, wherein was demanded by the Emperor 1,500 horse and 3,500 foot. From thence we departed for Warsavia in Massovia, where the King of Poland held his court, the rather for that we heard that the Diet there was not finished, though indeed it was a little before. In it was granted to the King 500,000 florins for Poland, and 250,000 for Lithuania, which in sterling is £140,625. Each Hub of land gives 1 gulden, and the Jews, of what age or sex soever, 1 ducat by the head. The Poles report that the King passeth for Sweden, 18,000 strong, besides voluntaries, but indeed his forces are not like to prove at the most 7,000, whereof 2,500 are 'Haydukes' and almost all the rest Dutch. His chiefest hope is of his favourers in Sweden, and defection of others, to which purpose he sent into Sweden, the day after our coming to Warsaw, Samuel a Lasko, cousin to the Waywode of Seradia. At Warsaw we first heard news of the death of the Duke of Moschovia, and the election of his brother-in-law called Godanaw, the Emperor having at our departure from Prague heard nothing thereof, for that he minded, then, to send a very stately embassy to the last Duke, and for that purpose despatched a messenger to the King of Poland for safe conduct for the Embassador and for this said messenger, who was presently to have passed into Moschovia, and to send the safe conduct to Prague for the Embassador which was to follow. But he, as also another before him, was dismissed with denial, and therefore was to return to Prague the day of our departure from Warsaw. The King was to depart by water for Dantzig 9/19th May, where he appointed the rendezvous. It is thought he will stay 7 or 8 weeks at Marienburg, 4 mile from Dantzig. It was reported that her Majesty had sent certain ships, well provided, in favour of Duke Charles, and that they hovered not far from Dantzig as minding to take the King in his passage. Indeed it was thought that upon the Polish embassage her Majesty would succour the Duke, but a great personage about the King did persuade him to the contrary. The disliked embassage to her Majesty was dissuaded by the Waywode of Seradia and Zamoyski the great chancellor, which jumping caused them to like better one of another. The 12th/22nd of May we came to Cracow, where we shall await a supply of money from Mr. Wrath from Nurnberg. With the remembrance of my mos humble duty to your worship and my dear Lady.—Cracow, May 14/24, '98. Your dutiful and obedient son.
Holograph. 1½ pp. (61. 20.)
The Enclosure :—
1598, May 14/24.—The judgements of men touching the bringing of Transylvania into the house of Austria are diverse, some thinking it preposterous ambition in an unfit time, partly for the odds of the military fortune (to speak without offence) of the two princes; while they which favour the greatness of that house, and set it in balance with the Turk, affirm that thereby the Emperor shall be stronger to resist him, and that this unity is needful, if the rebellious Transylvanians are to avail at all to oppose the Turk. The present prince is not secure from their plots, while the hatred of the most powerful families daily [grows] against him by executions done for his safety. But that it will prove hurtful to the house of Austria is likely, (1) by protracting the war with the Turk; (2) for the want of so valiant and fortunate a leader feared of the Turk; (3) because the Transylvanians will not endure the foreign government, being thought to have yielded only to be rid of their present prince, but to mean to call out of Poland one of the Batkors, so to make their peace with the Turk and have the Poles for their friends. Their dislike of the house of Austria was seen in Ferdinand's time when under King John they gave themselves to the protection of the Turk; (4) the Poles neither like that the Transylvanians should be seated on the skirts of their land, nor that Maximilian, pretending to the crown of Poland, should enjoy Sievenburg, whereby their dangerous neigbour Austria should almost besiege Poland. Moreover, the Queen was the band that held the King and her family in good neighbourhood, and since her death the King has twice denied the Emperor's ambassadors to pass through his country into Moschovia, the Poles being jealous of such amity, the rather that their own peace with the Grand Duke is shortly to expire, to whom they have sent an embassy; and also for that the Muscovite desires to be made a Prince of the Empire in order to become master of Livonia, and to that end sent great embassies to the Emperor in 1592 and 1597. The Turkish Ambassador, by birth a Genovese, and also the Tartarish touching peace and passage of the Tartars through the Poles' dominions, were at Warsaw soon despatched, the last point being denied as being dangerous in the King's absence. Gulielmus a Sancto Clemento, 'legier' for the King of Spain in the Emperor's Court, left for Warsaw from Prague a few days before us, had lain three days 12 miles from Warsaw, though we could hear of none at the Court that had seen him. He went on to Thorn and Dantzic, possibly to secure a contract for selling all the corn, &c., of those parts to the King of Spain, moved before by the messengers of the Cardinal of Austria. To which purpose, after the return of the Polish embassage out of England, the King of Poland was counselled to prohibit the transporting of corn and munition into England for a year. But it was not followed, perhaps because the King would not make himself more enemies in his great troubles. The history of the former embassy, together with that to the States, is penned in Latin by one J. M. who was in the train of the embassage Zedlinsky; it is a virulent libel against her Majesty, entitled 'Mercurius Sarmaticus'; as yet it is only in written copies. We talked with a gentleman of account of it, who promised to speak with the Vaywode of Siradia, that he might deal with the King for its inhibition. In the absence of the King, Zamoysky is made General of all the Polish forces, with 15,000 to secure the confines. The Kings of Denmark and Scotland are reported to have offered help against Sweden.
Endorsed :—“Advertisement from my sons.”
1 p. (61. 19.)
Lord Mountjoy to Sir Robert Cecil.
1598, May 15. I would myself attend you, but this day the Marquis of Winchester expects before the judges a hearing of our controversies; but I beseech you to do me the favour to send me the certainty of what you hear touching my cousin Charles Blount; the love I bear to whom maketh me thus bold.—15 May.
Holograph. Seal.
½ p. (61. 22.)
John Udale to the Earl of Essex.
1598, May 15. If the packet be no better worth, I fear your lordship would wish her Majesty's purse and posts spared. Such as it is I have addressed this bearer withal unto your lordship to approve your own phrase, that an opportunity well taken is the only weapon of advantage. I have been more busy than the bee, yet not so idle as the drone. The papers, if they displease you, burn them. If haply they please, vouchsafe them your pass. Let these enclosed, when you have read them, kneel before her Majesty's most excellent eyes. This other negotiation, I know not what to make of it, it hangs so long in air. But I will see the last man borne in it sure, unless you revoke me, which exceedingly I desire, for princes' affairs must have princes' purses.—Branton, this 15 of May.
Holograph. Seal.
¾ p. (177. 19.)
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