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April 1. The Dreadnaught. |
1. Capt. Thos. Fenner to Walsyngham. Assembly of the whole
fleet at Plymouth under Sir Fr. Drake, well victualled. The
general does all he can to hasten the service, and sticketh at no
charge to further the same, and layeth out great store of money to
soldiers and mariners, to stir up their minds. Names of all the ships
now in Plymouth Sound, in number twenty-three. |
April 2. On board the Elizabeth Bonaventure. |
2. Sir Fr. Drake to Walsyngham. They had been joined by some
other ships of the London fleet. There never was in any fleet more
likelihood of a loving agreement. The captains appointed to serve
with him are discreet, honest, and most sufficient gentlemen. Some
men have deserted within the last two days. Desires his good
opinion through all reports, not only of himself, but of all joined
with him in this action. Hopes the enemy will have cause to say
that God doth fight for Her Majesty as well abroad as at home. |
April 2. |
3. Hugh Offley to same. Has received his letter to him and
Mr. John Bodleigh. Desires further time to consider with the
clothiers of a good place for the venting of their goods. Names of
merchants to be consulted. |
April 5. Wrest. |
4. Henry Earl of Kent to the Council. Proceedings in his commission of lieutenancy for Bedfordshire. Names of the gentlemen
chosen as officers for the field. The Justices of Peace desire to be
excused from the finding of petronels. The county is not able to
furnish the 1,000 men required, but offer to furnish 400 footmen
and 60 horse. |
April 6. Bath. |
5. Earl of Leicester to Walsyngham. In favour of Count Culenbourge. Great decay of trade, and distress in the country. Bristol,
Hampton, and other of the best towns are fast falling to decay.
Measures must be taken for the revival of trade. Great credit
is due to the clothiers, who keep many of the poor on work, to their
own loss. |
April 6. Greenwich. |
6. Charles Lord Howard to Burghley. The charges of the Navy
grow very great. Desires payment of 2,000l. to Mr. Hawkyns.
Has given order for a great quantity of cordage and canves. |
April 6. |
7. Memorial of things resolved on in Council touching depredations committed against French and English merchants. Directions
to the Judge of the Admiralty in causes of piracy and detention.
Letters to be written to Sir Ric. Greynvile. |
April 6. |
8, 9. Survey of the Dikes about the works and fortifications now
in hand on the north side of the town of Portsmouth. [In duplicate.] |
April 6. |
10. Richard Charnock, Sheriff of Bedfordshire, to the Council.
Sends certificates of the Justices for the stay of the dearth of grain.
Incloses, |
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10. i. Certificate by Ralph Astry, Richard Conquest, and Chr.
Hoddesdon, of rates and orders for provision of grain
and relief of the poor within the three Hundreds of
Manshed, Flett, and Redbornestoke. 15th February. |
April 6. Bath. |
11. Earl of Leicester to Lord Burghley. The Earl of Warwick
and Sir Wm. Pelham have received benefit from the waters of Bath.
Leicester himself cannot yet say any good of it; he is always worse
the day he goes into the bath. Great decay of the towns and
distress of the people from want of work. |
April 7. London. |
12. Sir Tho. Pullyson, John Bodleigh, and Hugh Offley to Walsyngham. Their opinions concerning some meet place for vent of
the northern and western cloths in the parts beyond seas. Recommend Guernsey and Jersey for that purpose. |
April 7. Portsmouth. |
13. Earl of Sussex to Burghley. Report on the progress of the
works at Portsmouth. 400l. sent to Mr. Cotton out of the new
warrant. Report, by a Frenchman arrived from Rouen and Newhaven, that the King of Spain was making a huge army for England,
but they were not yet ready. Desires that the artificers may be sent
to complete the works at Portsmouth. |
April 8. Portsmouth. |
14. Same to Walsyngham. Desires to purchase the two leases of
the farm and lands called Morralls. Requests that the artificers of
the Tower may be sent down to Portsmouth. Spanish preparations.
The vicarage of Tichfield is vacant, and in Burghley's gift, by the
minority of the Earl of Southampton. |
April 8. |
15. John Popham, Att. General, to Walsyngham. Has dealt with
Mr. Webbe touching the venting of cloths, and opening a trade to
Muscovy. The trade to Turkey to be encouraged. The action for
Ireland is so discouraged, that if he does not take a journey westward
he fears it will be much quailed. |
April 8. |
16. Certificate of Nathaniel Bacon, High Sheriff of Norfolk,
touching the proceedings of the Justices for relief of the scarcity
of grain. General abstract of the returns from the several hundreds
and market towns, with the prices of grain. |
April 9. |
17. The Council to Sir Fr. Drake. Causes of setting out the
fleet under his command. Information that the preparations of the
King of Spain were not so great. Overtures from King Philip for
settling the differences between the two kingdoms; and therefore
Her Majesty desires Drake to confine his operations to the capture
of ships on the open sea, and to forbear entering any of the ports or
havens of Spain, or to do any act of hostility on land. |
April 10. Colt's Hall. |
18. George Colt, Sheriff of Suffolk, to the Council. Transmits
certificates from the Justices of Peace for stay of the dearth of
corn. Incloses, |
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18. i.Certificate made by Arthur Hopton, Bassingborne Gawdy, and Tho. Colby, of the grain remaining in the
Hundreds of Wangford, Mutford, and Lothingland, in
Suffolk. 18 Feb. |
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18. ii. Certificate of corn in the Hundreds of Hoxne and Hartismere, with the prices of the same; signed by Sir Nicholas
Bacon, Bassyngborne Gawdy, and John Thruston.
21 Feb. |
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18. iii. Certificate by the Justices of Peace within the franchise
of Bury of the prices of grain during the month past in
the several market towns. 27 March. |
April 10 ? |
19. The Council of the Marches of Wales to Lord Chanc. Bromley.
Detail of the case of William Mathew, a justice of peace, accused
of murder, who had refused to appear on alleged ill health, but who
had immediately gone off to London to avoid the due course of
justice, and had insinuated partiality against the Lord President.
Inclosing, |
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19. i. Information by the Queen's Attorney of the Court of
Wales against William Mathew and others, accused
of the murder of Roger Phillips at Cardiff fair.
March 10? |
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19. ii. Wm. Mathew to the Lord President and Council. Excuses himself, on account of ill health, from personally
appearing to answer the information of the Queen's
Attorney. Cardiff, March 11. |
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19. iii. Deposition of William John; that Wm. Mathew was not
able to appear before the Court without peril and danger
of his life. March 17. |
April 16. |
20. Elizabeth Lady Cobham to Burghley. Offers her services
and friendship. Her Majesty continues discontented, and settleth
herself to wear mourning garments. Desires his speedy return to
the Court. |
April 12. |
21. Lord Burghley to Sir Fr. Walsyngham. Sends him a packet
of papers received from the Earl of Leicester, amongst them a
memorial from Mr. Wylkes to the States General, complaining of
the offences committed by them against the Earl's authority. The
Earl's return is both generally desired and thought necessary.
Imagines the Queen has some further intention, to Burghley's misliking, and requests him to let him know the worst. Desires to
know her intention as to the Chancellorship. |
April 12. |
22. Capt. Hubberde to Walsyngham (?) News by a ship lately
come from Spain, that a hundred sail of ships were ready to start
for England or Ireland. |
April 14. |
23. Loys Ramon (or Raymond), a French refugee, to Walsyngham.
Desires him to present his petition to the Council, and to favor his
suit for the execution of justice. French. Incloses, |
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23. i. Petition of Lewis Raymond to the Council, praying that
the controversy between him and Nicasius De Glas, for
a matter of debt, may be committed to two men of their
own nation. |
April 15. |
24. Details of the manner of proceeding in Commission of Oyer
and Terminer in Wales, with the fruits and commodities it
carrieth. |
April 16. |
25. Report on the case between René Tardiff, merchant stranger,
and John Saunders, one of Her Majesty's waiters, as to the seizure
and payment of customs on certain new devised silk called "plushes." |
April 16. |
26, 27. State of the whole case between John Saunders, plaintiff,
on the information in the Exchequer, and René Tardiff. Drawn
out of the whole course of the proceedings by William Daniell. [Two
copies.] |
April 16. |
28. Examination of Mary Cocker, wife of Robert Cocker, of
Braughing, co. Hertford, taken before Tho. Sadleir and Tho. Leventhorp, justices of the peace, touching a vision or ghost that appeared
to her in the night season, and warned her to tell the Queen that
there was a jewel in making for her which if she received would
be her destruction. |
April 16. |
29. Petition of William Roch and John Pettye to the Council.
That Evangelist Constantyne, of meer obstinacy, refused to pay the
200l. as ordered by their Lordships. They desire, therefore, that
certain ordnance belonging to him at Ilfordcoome may be sold for
the payment of the same. |
April 16. |
30. Petition of Alice Smalwood to the Council, against the Bishop
of Chester and others. Desires their Lordships' letters to Mr. Brook
and the Bishop, that they shall not proceed against her at common
law, as she might be put out of possession. |
April 16. Carnarvon. |
31. William Gruffythe to Archbishop Whytgift. Informs him
of the secret meeting of priests at a hidden place in the county of
Carnarvon; in a cave by the seaside about three fathoms deep, the
haunt of Recusants, Seminaries, and Jesuits. |
April 20 ? |
32. Arthur Massinger to Walsyngham (?). Particulars of the case
of William Mathew, who declined appearing before the court of the
Marches of Wales, to answer a charge of murder, on the plea of
sickness, and had procured a person to make a statement on oath to
that effect. Refers to the letter of the Council of Wales to the late
Lord Chancellor. |
April 20. Basing. |
33. Marquis of Winchester to the Council. The Deputy Lieutenants for Dorsetshire have required a supply of ordnance and
munition for the better strengthening of the defences of the seacoast. Incloses, |
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33. i. Deputy Lieutenants of Dorset to the Lord Lieutenant.
Observations on the defenceless state of the coasts, and
facilities for the landing of an enemy. Places meet to be
fortified. The chief strength of the county consists of
archers and bowmen, of whom they have requested
Mr. Howard to inure and train two or three hundred of
them. Basing, April 10. |
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33. ii. Note of munition and ordnance required to fortify the
most exposed landing places on the coast of Dorset and
Portland Road. |
April 20. |
34. Account of the quantities of provisions provided by Mr. Baeshe
for victualling the Navy. |
April 20. |
35. Estimate or declaration of Edw. Baeshe touching the employment of the warrant of 12,512l. 11s. 8d., for the victualling of Her
Majesty's ships. |
April 22. |
36. Examination of Edw. Campion, taken the 22nd of April.
Confesses that he was born at Ludlow; was brought up at Jesus
College, Oxford, and is now a Catholic priest. Denies the Queen's
supremacy. |
April 22. |
37, 38. Brief abstract of the charges of the works of fortification
at Portsmouth, for the month ending April 22, 1587. [In duplicate.] |
[April 22.] |
39. Necessaries appertaining for fireworks, and now wanting in
Portsmouth. |
April 23. Caresbrook Castle. |
40. Sir George Carey to the Council. His proceedings in the
musters and survey of the trained bands of the county of Southampton, appointed for defence of the Isle of Wight. Suggestions
as to the mode of appointing the captains of the trained bands.
Incloses, |
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40. i. Certificate of the Hundreds appointed for the relief of the
Isle of Wight, containing the number of men and their
furniture of arms. |
April 23. Caresbrook Castle. |
41. Same to Sir Fr. Walsyngham. His proceedings in the musters mis-reported by Sir Henry Knevette. His proceedings as to
the trained bands appointed for the defence of the Wight. Has
been unable to obtain an audience of the Marquis of Winchester
The parsonage of Freshwater vacant by the death of Parson Kempe:
the place is fit for Mr. Browne, Mr. Edes, or some good preacher. |
April [23]. |
42. Names of the Sovereigns and Noblemen elected into the Order
of the Garter, from the 12th to the 29th year of the reign of Queen
Elizabeth; with the names of those Knights who acted as the
Sovereign's Lieutenant in each year. |
April 25. The Court. |
43. Sir Fr. Walsyngham to the Lord President of Wales. Signifies Her Majesty's pleasure that he should not trouble Mr. Mathewe
or his friends, on account of actions determined in his predecessor's
time. Incloses, |
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43. i. Substance of Mr. Mathewe's complaint against the Lord
President of Wales. |
April 26. |
44. ii to Walsyngham. Secret advertisements of Papists of the
North. Has brought Mr. Wharton, a kinsman of Lord Wharton, to
London, who is a great practiser in the designs of the Papists. This
man, John Taylour of Newcastle, John Gastell, and others, are the
men that carry on correspondence between the Papists in England
and those beyond seas. All the Papists are of opinion that the
course taken by the Queen against Mr. Davison is to convey herself
in a cloud. |
April 27. St. Stephen's, Canterbury. |
45. Sir Roger Manwood, Lord Chief Baron, to same. The Romish
priest William Chadock states that his fellow stayed at Sittingbourne (calling himself Campion), is beyond sea called Edwards.
Has sent Chadock up to be further examined and tried at Newgate |
April 27. On board the Elizabeth Bonadventure. |
46. Sir Francis Drake to same. Adventures on their voyage
from Plymouth to the Road of Cadiz, where they sunk 33 ships
preparing for England; burnt one of 1,500 tons belonging to the
Marquis of Santa Cruce, and brought away four laden with pro-
visions. Great preparations made by King Philip for the invasion
of England. Intends, by God's help, to intercept their supplies.—P.S. Urges England to be prepared strongly, and most of all by sea.
Stop him now, and stop him ever. |
April 27. Elizabeth Bonadventure. |
47. Drake to Mr. Secretary Wolley. Narrates their success in
Cadiz Road over the Spanish galleys. Intends to intercept the fleet
coming out of the Straits before it joins the King's forces. Great
preparations are making for the invasion of England, but what has
been performed will breed great alterations. Urges him to prepare
for the worst. |
April 26. [Paris.] |
48. 4 [Gilbert Gifford] to Phelippes (?). Has, according to his
wishes, repaired to Paris. Wishes to settle with Mr. Waad for some
mode of correspondence. The "Old Man" is not now to be depended on, nor the English Ambassador. Transactions between
Dr. Gifford, Nau, and Throgmorton. Morgan is labouring with
Cordaillot. Allen, Parsons, Owen, and other, lend all their force
for the King of Spain, and Don Bernadino openly calls him King of
England. Morgan intendeth a seminary in Scotland, &c. [A great
part in cypher.] |
April 27. |
49. Copy and decypher of the above, by Phelippes, or of some
letter of the same date, to some other person, containing other
passages than in the above. |
April ? |
50. Another decypher, by Phelippes, containing many passages of
the above. Has talked much with Morgan, who greatly desires to
continue for the King of Scots that which he had begun for the
the mother. Division between him and Dr. Allen. Morgan intends
to found a seminary in Scotland, whereof Dr. Gifford should be
Principal. Wants an apt correspondent for Rome, &c. |
April 28. |
51. William Mathew to Lord Burghley. Describes the lamentable
state of Wales through the misgovernment of the Lord President
and Council. A temperate, prudent, and learned judge is required,
not a great and mighty lord to terrify. Evil effects of the Commission of Oyer and Terminer. Incloses, |
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51. i. The manner of proceeding in the Commission of Oyer and
Terminer, with the effects it "worketh." [Similar in
substance to the paper of April 15.] |
April 28. |
52. Certificate of the Justices of Peace, directed to John Fleetwood, now Sheriff of Lancaster, of the order taken for stay of the
dearth of grain in the hundred of Blackburn, Lancaster. |
April 28. |
53. Petition of the Flemish Merchants to the Council. Praying
that sentence may be stayed in the Court of Exchequer in the suit
of Edward Bodye, an informer, against Charles Van Peene, a Flemish
merchant, for bringing pins into England from the Netherlands. |
April 28. Greenwich. |
54. The Council to the Court of Exchequer. Directions to stay
the suit against Charles Van Peene, for importing pins from the
Low Countries. |
April 29. |
55. Certificate by John Cottesforde of the quantities of Gloucester, Wiltshire, and Somersetshire cloths brought to Blackwell Hall
in the week ending 29 April 1587. |
April 30. |
56. Rafe Lane to Burghley. Proofs, by particular demonstration, that the plan presented to Her Majesty for the defence of the
coast, by the erection of sconces or ramparts along the whole line of
coast accessible to an enemy, could be completed in 31 days. |
April 30. On board the Lion, off Cape St. Vincent. |
57. Capt. Wm. Burroughs to Sir Fr. Drake. Disapproves of his
manner of holding a council of war, which was chiefly to declare
his own previous resolution without consulting his officers. Complains of personal neglect, and that he was acting contrary to his
instructions. Danger of making a landing for the surprise of the
Castle of Cape Saker. Strongly protests against making such an
attempt. |
April 30. Off Dunkirk Haven. |
58. Henry Palmer to Walsyngham. Has been informed by Sir
Edw. Stafford that the French King was about to send 600 soldiers
for the defence of Boulogne and Calais. Hopes to intercept the
Dunkirkers on their return. Has sent several ships into the Thames
laden with corn, for the relief of the poor. |
April 30. |
59. Names of many gentlemen, recusants and others, bound by
recognizance to appear or to answer, under various conditions. |
April. |
60. Deposition of Hugh Catlyn (?), of Hammersmith. Protests
that he earnestly embraced the established religion. Knows no
harbourer of Jesuits or seminary priests, but one Sharpe, a singing
man of St. Paul's who received into his house Mr. Martyn of
Suffolk, two gentlemen of Kent named Greene, and Mrs. Snatchpoole. Is acquainted with one Worrall. |
April. |
61. Abstract of the certificates of the money assessed upon the
Recusants; distinguishing the amount charged, the sums received,
and the excuses for non-payment. |
April. Sheldisley. |
62. Francis Walshe to Sir Fr. Walsyngham. Answers to the
complaint of the now Bishop of Hereford [Westfaling] as to possession of the house and demesnes of Whitborne, which the Bishop
pretended Walshe did wrongfully hold from him in the right of
Sylvanus Scorye, his son-in-law, the son of the late Bishop. |
April ? |
63. Suit of Robert Beale, Clerk of the Council, to the Queen.
Solicits a grant of 60l. a year for 30 or 40 years, in consideration of
his poverty and services; or leave to resign and serve in some other
place; for being in debt he is not able to continue in it any longer.
[On the 7th of May 1587 Daniel Rogers was sworn Clerk of the
Council, probably in the place of Beale, in whose hand that minute
of Council is entered.] |
April ? |
64. The names of the captains who have the charge of the 6,000
footmen furnished by the county of York, with the number of men
appointed to every captain. |
April ? |
65. 4 [Gilbert Gifford] to . His arrival in this town
on the 20th April. In his way from Rheims he met with Woolseley.
Has had an ample conference with Morgan, who said he never
would forsake the King of Scots: discourse thereon. Dream of
Pope Sixtus V. that Pope Gregory XIII. had appeared to him and
talked with him a whole hour. Masses to be said for Pope Gregory's
soul, for it seems he was not yet out of Purgatory. Cannot write
anything of importance, as all parties are yet in a gaze about the
late accident in England. |