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Sept. 3.
Sion. |
15. Lord Henry Percy to his brother-[in-law James, Earl of
Carlisle, at Venice]. I believe it will be news, and I have cause
to imagine it will not be unpleasing for your Lordship to hear that
the desirer and plotter of your ruin and destruction [the Duke of
Buckingham] is possessed with a death not unfit for him, because
correspondent to his life, which was granted by all men to be
dishonourable and odious. To particularise his death I think were
somewhat impertinent, because not so advantageous to your Lordship
as troublesome. Therefore I will only specify some generalities that
may give you some light of the whole business. The time was on
Saturday morning at ten o'clock, being the 22nd of August. Place,
at Portsmouth, in his lodging. The man, a lieutenant, whose name
is "Felthon." Instrument, a knife; wounded into the left pap and
so to the heart. The manner of this action; as the Duke was
talking with Colonel Friar [Sir Thomas Fryer] this "Felthon" being
behind watched his opportunity, so that just at their salutation he,
reaching over Friar's shoulder, gave him his mortal blow, so that
after it he spake only two words and one oath, which was, "God's
wounds, you rogue," [and then] took the knife out and fell; so
this was the end of the great usurper. The man was taken because
he never sought to escape. Now the reason that moved him to
this execution is inquired after, and as he confesseth causa prima,
was reading of the Remonstrance; but I believe there was some
private discontent mingled with it, as the missing of his captain's
place and some other petty disgraces, which did goad him on to
this enterprise, for so it doth appear by circumstances. Now the
act is finished really that hath been long desired, we listen how
the King and Queen are moved with it, as for all the rest we are
satisfied. For the King it is reported that he doth not apprehend
it so sensibly as was expected, and is commended to carry it very
discreetly, though he were sad and troubled, either really or in
show, but I think both, because at the first he might take it very
tenderly and sensibly, but I believe his secundœ cogitationes were
more judicial and resolute. The Queen, in obedience, must parallel
herself in lamentation, and certainly it is rather out of discretion
than out of a true sensation of his death. I need not tell you that
she is glad of it for you must imagine as much. His corpse came
into London (on Sunday night the last of August) in great pomp,
in the which the King's commandment was fulfilled. The next
thing that we inquire after is what alterations and innovations this
will produce, whether we shall have another favourite, or who is
likely to be or who pretends. It is thought that Holland doth
pretend most, though he hath no great reason. Then whether the
King hath an inclination to [super]intend his business himself or
to rely upon one or two particular men who shall despatch all, or
else leave it wholly to his Council, which if he doth, many had
need to be turned out, because they will have no use of ciphers.
But now the King is resolved to employ himself most, and by that,
to satisfy the people that the Duke was but his instrument, to
execute his commands, by the which he will show how wrongfully
he was taxed. We consider next how his places shall be disposed
of; then, first for the Admiralty, the King will have it to be
executed by Commission, and the Commissioners are the [Lords]
Treasurer, Steward, Dorset and Savage, the revenue of which
shall be employed for the paying of the Duke's debts. For the
Mastership of the Horse, it is not as yet disposed of, nor like to be,
though there will not want pretenders, and Holland is the chiefest,
but my Lord Goring said that the Marquis of Hamilton shall have
the refusal. Roper's office the King hath bestowed upon the
Duchess [of Buckingham] either for life or during pleasure, and I
believe she will find it an excellent cordial, because the gold will
be most predominant. The Chancellorship of Cambridge hath been
aimed at by many, as Suffolk, Berkshire, Salisbury, Montgomery,
Bishop of Lincoln, and others, but the King has written for
Holland. The Bishop of Lincoln, who had the bailiwick of Westminster in his gift, hath bestowed it upon my Lord of Holland.
It is thought the [Lord] Treasurer will have the greatest power
with the King, then consequently the Popish faction will be much
exalted (for he will bring in [the Earls of] Arundel, Bristol, and
Sir Francis Cottington his great friend) without they have great
resistance. Therefore all we, your friends and servants, think the
time long until your Lordship is arrived, both for your own happiness, and the prosperity both of Church and State, which were never
known to suffer by your counsel. There happened a strange and
execrable accident the first of this month to [Fulke Greville] Lord
Brooke, who received two stabs with a knife from one of his
chamber tousing his points, and it is believed to be mortal,
the occasion no man certainly knows, but we imagine it to be
discontent; the actor presently did butcher himself with the same
knife, so that we fear this [practice] will shortly come into fashion.
Dorset hath neither pleased the Queen nor her Court this journey,
so that I believe they will make him weary of his employment
shortly. My Lord, I am but a young rhetorician and a younger
statist, therefore, if you should expect to find policy refined where
it was never sifted, you would deceive yourself and wrong me, for
then your expectations and my intentions would be different, so
that I humbly request that your Lordship will expect nothing
here from me but the expressions of a true and entire heart, which
aims at nothing but the prosperity, happiness, and honour of your
Lordship. Your wife, my sister, fell sick of the [small]-pox on
Tuesday was seven-night; she hath them very full, and they came
forth very well, so that there is no danger except from her
unruliness. She lies at Holmby [Holdenby, co. Northants]. When
the Queen parted from her, the Queen was extremely troubled both
with tears and discontent, which hath possessed all her friends.
Postscript.—I will only say this now or never. [2 pp.] |
Sept. 3.
Court at Farnham. |
16. Sir Robert Aiton to James, Earl of Carlisle, Ambassador
Extraordinary in Italy. Wishes for his speedy return. The
general news, which is the assassination of the Duke of Buckingham,
includes all. The state of things as yet is so raw that no discourse
can express it to your Lordship. Your absence and the sickness of
your lady do infinitely perplex your friends, and none more than
that incomparable princess our Queen and mistress. I need not
assure you of her care of you at this time, I hope she hath done it
by her own hand, but what lies in me you may be confidant of.
The King seems not to be wishing to bestow in haste any of the
Duke's charges. I hope you may come in time to the dividing of
them, and howsoever the Earl of Holland would fain have the
world to think that he shall be the Duke's heir, that you may
have your share both in the Duke's preferments and the King's
favour. Haste, good my Lord, and make all your friends happy in
your speedy return. [Seal with arms. 2 pp.] |
Sept. 16.
London. |
17. George, Lord Goring, to the Earl of Carlisle, Ambassador
Extraordinary at Venice. Let not Captain John Wood's impertinent haste make you believe that the least neglect could be in me
to your service, who was employed in a sad journey to my dear
mistress [your wife] then at the danger of death. This comes by
the packet of the Venetian ambassador, hazarded to all winds and
passages, therefore no more than of necessity I must, till my
way be more secure. Your lady, my mistress, is recovered
miraculously, and not a whit marked with that venomous beast [the
small-pox]; this week she intends to be at London, and the next
with the Countess of Berkshire to air herself there awhile before
returning to her sacred mistress to whom she is so infinitely bound
and with whom she daily grows in height of favour as with all
others to whom she is so well known. This blessed Queen is your
Lordship's really, and after such a manner hath she expressed her
trust and value of you to the King as deserves your acknowledgment for the same in a high degree. She tells me the King hath
written for you, and she therefore expects you with all possible
speed, as all the rest of your good friends do. Here is yet a calm
in our affairs at home, no place of consequence disposed of nor
resolution therein save only for the Admiralty which shall be
governed by Commission, and the revenue thereof so added to the
Crown, as I believe it will hardly be severed again, for 30,000l. or
40,000l. per annum is more than a song to part withal. The
Mastership of the Horse it is thought shall help to horse the Lady
Marquess, but as yet the Lord Marquis [Hamilton] is not heard of.
As you love yourself, honour and substance or both, hasten home
with all diligence, and let no foreign consideration detain you an
hour. Our fleet set sail from Portsmouth on Sunday the 7th
instant, and on Tuesday the other part thereof, which was at
Plymouth met therewith, and away they sailed together without
any stay at all, it consisted of above 140 sail excellently provided.
Every day now we attend news of the success. The Venetian
ambassador here doth earnestly and affectionately solicit a peace
between these two crowns of England and France, and on Sunday
last he had no unpleasing answer from His Majesty here, but the
success thereof must refer to that of the fleet before Rochelle. Our
[Lord] Treasurer [Richard Lord Weston] is the most potent man
in this State, and the more likely to hold so because he is both
honest and able, nor is he the worse for being our friend. But to
the old burden of my song, again, I say, come unto me, make haste
and do not stay. My Lord of Holland, I will witness with him,
did write to you, carefully and friendly, but Captain John [Wood,
the messenger sent to you] used him like the rest and out-rode his
servant, whom he posted away with all diligence after him. Let
old friends meet and close again, and if omissions have been, let us
imitate our maker and forgive, 'tis good physic and lasting. It is
now 11 o'clock, and the ambassador sends for my letter, wherefore
I have done, and must omit much of importance, because I have
neither time nor confidence that this will safely fall into your
hands. Let [my son] George attend you home and leave off his
further journey up into Italy, for now the case is altered much
since that was my purpose. [Two seals with arms. 2 pp.] |
| Sept. 18. |
The King to Sir Allen Apsley, &c. Commission for the sale of
prize goods. The date of this was altered, see 11th October 1628.
[Copy. Domestic, Elizabeth, 1590, Vol. CCXXXVII., Admiralty
Collections, fol. 70b.] |
| Sept. 20. |
The King to Sir Henry Marten. Commission to exercise the
place of judicature for Admiralty causes. [Copy. Domestic,
Elizabeth, 1590, Vol. CCXXXVII., Admiralty Collections, fol. 70.] |
| Sept. 20. |
Commission to grant letters of marque against Spain. Copy of
Vol. CXVII., No. 39. [Copy. Domestic, Elizabeth, 1590, Vol.
CCXXXVII., Admiralty Collections, fol. 68.] |
Sept. 22.
Jersey. |
18. Sir Philip Carteret to Lord Conway. Details the bad
behaviour of the soldiers in general, and refers him to the bearer,
Mr. Yonger (a lieutenant). Complains of having no proper means
of punishing them. Expense to himself for the surgeon's bill.
Wants the soldiers' pay. Finds the people stubborn. What
allowance he made to the inhabitants for the soldiers billeted on
them. The choice of a jurat falling on his brother and Philip
Maret he thinks they may both be spared from that office. [Seal,
with device. 3 pp.] |
Sept. 28.
Hampton Court. |
19. William, Earl of Pembroke, to James, Earl of Carlisle. We
have as yet heard no news from Rochelle; if that prospers, I doubt
not but all our affairs will turn to good. We are now all busy at
this place about settling the clock, as our old master [James I.]
was wont to term it, and I can assure you our young master
governs like a will[ing] and steady prince. Your wife is now well
at Penshurst; the small-pox hath but kissed her face. Postscript.—I pray leave your "trittle trattle trollilollies and come to
us." [Seal, with crest and coronet. 1 p.] |
Sept. 29.
Hampton Court. |
20. Sir Robert Aiton to [James, Earl of Carlisle]. Urges him to
hasten his return home. You are here generally wished for as the
man upon whose counsel the King hath both most reason and most
inclination to rely on. All things are in suspense, and it seems
that he will have need of one to prompt him, and to take him off
of these impressions which have been given him by the man that is
gone [Duke of Buckingham]. The Lord Treasurer [Weston] is the
man who hath most sway in business as yet, and as I hear he is your
very good friend. My Lord Marquis [Hamilton] is sent for, and
if he will cohabit with his wife shall have the Mastership of the
Horse as is thought. There is a Commission for the examining
and directing of the affairs of the Admiralty, and some are
appointed to treat with Rosencrantz [the Danish Ambassador] who
is come hither again from the King of Denmark. It is not yet
resolved whether the Parliament shall sit or be put off till March.
We have received no news from Rochelle, though it be now 20 days
since the fleet went forth. Your lady has recovered both her
health and beauty beyond expectation, and will be ready to wait
at Court on your return. She is still the only woman in the
Queen's affection, and I am persuaded that you are the man about
the King that her Majesty doth wish best to. I doubt not you
have heard of Lord Brooke's [Fulke Greville] misfortune some
months ago in being treacherously stabbed by his own man in two
places, and though the wounds be not mortal he hath much ado to
recover his health. William Murray is also sick of the small-pox, but
is now out of danger. I send you some verses which I wrote upon
the Duke [of Buckingham's] death; they are here generally well
taken, but I had rather have your approbation than a whole
Court's besides. I doubt not but before this bearer goes away
there will be news from Rochelle, and also some determination for
the Parliament, but he calls upon me, and I cannot let him go
empty. [2 pp.] Enclosed, |
20. i. Verses in Latin on the death of the Duke of Buckingham,
headed: "De cœde Ducis Buckingamii execrando parricidio
interempti." They consist of 34 hexameter and pentameter
lines, commencing,—
"Dum Marte amissos reparaturus Marte trinmphos
Magnaque stat ductu classis itura tuo;
Fit tibi pro lauro merces Dux magne cupressus
Classis et officium Cymba Charontis obit." |
|
[1 p.] |
Sept. 29.
Hampton Court. |
21. George, Lord Goring, to James, Earl of Carlisle. With much
ado we have now despatched your servant Charles, and herein the
Earl of Holland has co-operated in a high degree, and, indeed, is so
in all that concerns you, much to my comfort, for so should old
friends live. The Queen, my sacred mistress, is beyond measure
yours, and daily gives such testimony thereof, as you will best find
the effects at your return. She commanded me to tell you how
constantly kind our blessed King and master is to you, and to
confirm the same hath here sent you a petit mot under her own
sweet hand; but no more of this till meeting, lest the sense thereof
in such a glowing heart as yours is and in so hot a climate [as
Italy] may calenture your constitution; let it suffice you are an
honest man, or else it were impossible so much good could befall
you. As you love your country, honour, and friends, make haste
home for it concerns all; you have leave, therefore stay not. As
for your going to Rome I know you [are] too wise a man considering
whom you represent and at what time. Cave, cave! The day
appointed for the Parliament is not yet [fixed], but my mind gives
me it will be adjourned within three days till January. Here is
no news of our fleet, but hourly it is expected. The Marquis
de Trois Chateaux of Lorraine is now returning with this bearer,
who is your most affectionate servant, and sings your dues
throughout. Trust me, my Lord, he hath served you here like a
true friend and discreet man, for which I will ever be his faithful
slave. We are here in a dead calm, and so I believe [it] shall hold
for a time; not a place as yet disposed of, nor any the least change
in counsel, but to my singular comfort I begin to see fair hopes
that our blessed master will guide his own people himself his own
way, which when they shall once find him busied in he will find
no hard work to attain, and that in such a perfection as all
the world shall ring thereof. He that will undertake to write
dogmatically of other nearer passages is no friend of mine; a little
time more may do that which this day cannot. Peace is infinitely
desired on all parts, which I believe you find with you better than
we here, Savoy excepted, whose iron must ever be kept hot. Your
lady is now at Penshurst very well, and in no danger of an
imprinted face [by the small-pox]. Her own letters will further
show you that she is yours cap-a-pie. The Queen sends day and
night to her, and longs most impatiently for her return to Court.
My hope is to see you so soon that I will now only conclude with
my thanks for your favour to my [son] George. Postscript.—The
Lord Treasurer told me just now he would write to you, and vowed
himself to be your most affectionate friend. Ten days since I wrote
to you by the packet of the Venetian ambassador. [Seal with arms.
2 pp.] |
Sept. 29.
Hampton Court. |
22. Sir Francis Nethersole to James, Earl of Carlisle. This
bearer will deliver to you so many letters from those who give me
information either concerning your private or the public affairs
that it were folly in me to trouble you with particulars of either
kind. I need only say, in a general way, that every day which
passes since the great change [by the assassination of Buckingham],
of which I hope I gave you the first certainty, confirms me in the
opinion I then conveyed of the need of your speedy return hither
as much for His Majesty's good as your own. I shall expect your
return with impatience. [Seal with crest broken. 1p.] |
Sept. 30.
From the Fleet. |
23. John Clotworthy to John Leech. Prays him to disburse
100l. to his brother [James Franck] upon their joint security.
Subjoined, |
|
23. i. Receipts by James Franck for two sums, one of 20l. and
the other of 70l., received of John Leech. Authorisation
by John Clotworthy for the advance of 100l. more to his
brother, James Franck. [= 2pp.] |
| [Sept.] |
24. Henry Gybb to Mr. Wyld [William Weld], Secretary to
Lord Conway. These are to entreat you to move Lord Conway
to procure His Majesty's letters to the Bishop of Durham
in behalf of Anthony Maxton, a very sufficient man and late
Chaplain to the King when he was Duke of York, for a prebend's
place in Durham, which shall first fall, they all being in the Bishop's
gift. [Seal, broken. ½p.] |
