|
| July 1. |
70. [Thos. Phelippes] to Thos. Barnes. Suggests a letter to be
written by him as follows: "The ships that were going towards
the islands are likely to be detained, for in a tempest on 28 June,
two of the Queen's ships received such damage as will cost 1,000l.
to repair. The enemy in the Low Countries having run themselves
out of breath, there is no more vaunt of their doings. It was
reported out of Brittany that Sir John Norris had received a blow,
and his brother was slain, but later letters state that they have not
fought, but skirmished divers times, and had the better; that the
others dare not fight them, and that the lieutenant of D[uke]
Mercoeur was taken prisoner. There are 6,000 Spaniards expected,
so they want more help from home; 600 [troops] went over there
last week, and Morlaix is freed from siege, by means of this approach
of D. Mercoeur; unless they have more men, they cannot besiege any
more towns. |
|
" The Earl of Essex is now to go to France, although the Queen
was long unwilling, and his friends here have advised him to the
contrary, wishing him rather to seek a domestical greatness like to
his father-in-law, which is plotted; but the Earl is impatient of
the slow process he must needs have, during the life and greatness
of the Chancellor and Treasurer. The latter seems inclined to
him, and both of them to the Puritans at home, and the King
of Scots abroad; but such old and sour wine is not good drink.
The Earl has 4,000 foot and 300 horse with him. |
|
" Hears from Scotland that Earl Bothwell has escaped from
prison, and that disturbance is expected to ensue, as the Earl is
vindictive, violent, and impatient, and the Chancellor [of Scotland]
ill– behaved; thinks not that he has been suffered to escape with
the privity of the King and Chancellor, as some suspect. Sir H.
Umpton goes with great bravery to France. The Earl [of Essex]
must be over with[in] one month." |
| July 1. |
71. Note of money to be advanced on privy seals for the service
in Brittany and Normandy; with a note by Lord Burghley to
Mr. Petre, to make an order upon the several privy seals mentioned,
for payment thereof to Sir Thos. Sherley. |
July 1/11.
Havre de Grace. |
72. Manuel d' Andrada to Dr. Ruy Lopez, the Queen's physician,
London. Wishes to perform services to Her Majesty conformable
to his obligations to her. The King (of Portugal) wished nothing to
be done till their resolutions were taken, but on April 4, his ministers
gave the writer hopes of going to see his wife. In this case, could
greatly serve the Queen and kingdom. Could then give much in
formation about the Court of Spain. Wants a safe-conduct for this
kingdom, to be sent quickly and secretly to Calais, to come and go
without impediment, and also a passport for embarking without
being questioned or known. Came from Biscay to Gravelines, and
thinks a personal interview with the Queen or her most trusty counsellors
important. Refers to his letters from St. Malo, of 11 and 28
June. Got on to a rock, but was miraculously saved, with all his
papers, which he sent by Theodora Semis, and reached Havre.
Renews his professions of service. Is promised a guard of soldiers
by M. Villiers to Amiens, on account of the numerous highwaymen
on that road. [Portuguese. 2½ pages.] |
July 2.
Boston. |
73. Thos. Bennett and three other Customs' officers of Boston,
to Lord Burghley. According to his Lordship's warrant, granted
for the good of the port, have permitted M. Vanderlure, merchant,
to export 60 quarters of wheat and 60 of malt to Middleburg,
although the warrant did not extend to wheat yet considering the
favourable wording of it, and the plentifulness of wheat in those
parts, allowed him to ship it away; have taken double customs,
as the Statute directs where a special licence is granted, and so hope
there will be less cause of offence. |
| July 2. |
74. Receipt by Capt. Gregory Rigg of 35l., imprest, from
Sir John Gilbert and Walter Pepperel, Mayor of Plymouth, for
victualling, at 8d. a day, for seven days,. 150 men committed to
his charge, to be transported to Brittany; also similar receipt by
Thos. Latham, dated 3 July, for 11l. 13s. 4d., for 40 men, after the
same rate and for the same purpose. |
| July 3. |
75. Particulars by Henry Colthurst, Oliver and Nicholas Stile, and
Simon Lawrence, of certain adventures made by them with their
ships and merchandise. In 1574 they, with Rich. Glascock, adventured
the whole lading of the Marigold to Leghorn, Marseilles, and Civita
Vecchia, but the business was so ill handled by the factor that
most part of the goods were spent by him, and the adventurers
so discouraged that they gave it over for a season. In March
1589, they adventured their ship Eagle to Zante and Scio, and
gained a good round sum. In Oct. 1590, they sent the Dolphin to
the Straits, mostly on their own adventure, but she was fired and
sunk by the Spanish galleys, and they lost 2,000l.; also in March
1591, they sent the Eagle, which is at present at Venice, and will go
to Zante and Candia to lade, in which they have also an adventure
in merchandise, tin, lead, and kersies. These adventures were
entered in the Custom House, the same as their others, in the name
of Hen. Colthurst &Co., for brevity, and they are ready to testify
to the truth hereof upon oath. |
| July 3. |
76. Thos. Page to [Lord Burghley]. Can show the crucibles and
quicksilver in a box, delivered to one of his Lordship's attendants
by a constable; it will answer for itself that it is raw mercury, and
every shop affords the like; thought to have practised a conclusion
at Prague, whence he brought it for the red powder, but the
informer is mistaken; wishes he had a little quantity where
with to present Her Majesty; his Lordship should most willingly
have had the honour of presenting it and the writer. Hears that
Mr. Dyar's men have come, those that departed from Prague the
same day as Sir Edward, before the writer arrived. |
| July 3/13. |
77. [Charles Paget to Thos. Barnes]. Believes Lord Cobham has
intercepted their letters; has written four since 12 May, English
style, but nothing that he cares about being seen; wishes he could
learn how many have been intercepted. Is heartily sorry for
H. [W. Paget's] sickness, and hopes youth and good order may overcome it; had it himself when of his years, and recovered, but was
very circumspect for two or three years in diet. Does not like his
education; prays to God daily to send him his grace. There was
never but two succours paid since his departure; notwithstanding
hopes to have 200 florins ready for him within 10 days, but cannot
devise how to send them, and dares not have any concern with
merchants, the danger being so great; therefore thinks Barnes must
fain start over and bring the gelding, which will be employed to
their good. Has written such letters to Tournay as he thought the
fittest for the purpose, provided always that he hear of him at the
Golden Ape, and in what place he is. There is only one Englishman
in the Cathedral and principal church there, called Bownd,
whom he must shun. The places named are too common for passengers,
but he is to send word of his coming, and hire some
lodgings. He is to beware he is not discovered in St. Omer and
Lisle, and is to counterfeit his name, and to let the boy bring a good
lute. [The words in italics are in cipher deciphered.] |
| July 3. |
78. [J. Snowden] to Cecil. There lacks the history of the Indies,
by Josephus Acosta, which was brought to know the descriptions of
places, the commodities, where their chief treasures were got, and
how transported. Hopes he has detained it; it is a rare book, and
as it treats of such a necessary argument, and is written by one
who has travelled the country many years, it is worth reviewing,
especially as their case now stands. Ribadivera's Book of Tribulation
tends to comfort his countrymen for the loss of their Armada,
and to encourage them to a second adventure. F. Parsons's drift, in
his book of the New Martyrs of England and Seminary of Valladolid,
is to persuade people that the King has the hearts of more
than a third part of the realm, and that they are ready to assist
him, and have no hope but in Spain. Has noted all the places
tending to this and sends some translations of them. Finds nothing
in the rest of the books but learning and divinity, but Cecil may
find something else to his purpose, as disloyal and virulent speeches
about the Queen and Council. In one of the letters, under the term
the Baker and the Bakehouse, was contained the pretence of the
Lord Strange, and in the other, certain names and houses in
London where he would find letters. Wonders at these being
missing, as all the rest in the same cover appear. |
|
The best way of informing the King of Spain of the false hopes
he receives of the state of things here will be by the Duke of Savoy,
who should have it from Morgan and those he favours in Flanders;
they will easily be brought to perform any such office, and when not
in their own name, it may be done with greater facility. Will undertake
to set it down in such order that it shall take effect. [1½ pages.] |
| July 5. |
79. Memorandum as to how the charge for the victualling and
wages of six ships named, at sea under Lord Thos. Howard, has
been and is to be divided between Her Majesty, Lord Thomas,
Sir W. Raleigh, and the Earl of Cumberland; also similar notes
[by Lord Burghley] about other ships, some in the Narrow Seas,
under the command of officers named. [1½ pages.] |
| July 5. |
80. Objections against the Tripoli merchants, addressed to Lord
[Burghley]. It has pleased Her Majesty to grant patents for uniting
the Tripoli Company and the traders of Venice, so as to establish a
society for continuing the trade into Turkey, and all the Venetian
dominions, and it is well known that Italy and Turkey will have
a greater trade than all parts in Christendom, in amity with Her
Majesty; if examination is had of such as are traders, and desire to
reserve those parts to themselves, the abuse will appear. Although
many names of knights, esquires, aldermen, and others have been
presented to his Lordship, yet it will be found that there is only
one alderman, some five others of no great wealth, with some six
or eight young men, who trade, and will not perform what is expected.
How could so small a number pay the present to the Turk
or the ambassador's charges, if some die ? |
|
Considering the number of merchants in the realm, that all
men are barred from trading with Spain, and that only 14 traders
enjoy Turkey and the Venetian dominions, it may be asked what is
to become of the rest of the merchants; and as these 14 persons will
train few men up, so as to draw the trade to themselves and their
children, it will decrease shipping, &c. These six traders have mostly
ships of their own, and rather than employ any of which they are not
part owners, they forbear trading, and they have of late not sent
more than two or three ships at a time through the Straits, although
they know how needful it is to be stronger provided in these dangerous
days; and they are chiefly men who have never crossed
the seas, nor attained the language nor credit to perform any service
to Her Majesty there. Yet the malicious minds of three of the
traders, viz., Alderman Spencer, Bayning, and Hamden, are not
ashamed to oppose Parvish, who has traded to Venice in person
for 14 years, keeps a house in those parts, and has now one ship in
Turkey, and part of another in Venice. They presented Parvish
to be accepted into their charter, but now would spurn him out, by
reason of a bargain he has concluded with the State of Venice; and
finding his credit such that five principal Italian merchants have
entered into a bond for performance thereof, they repine, where they
ought to prefer that an Englishman perform the same rather than
a Fleming, or any other stranger, as thereby credit grows to our country. |
|
The traders are divided into three factions; Alderman Spencer,
Bayning, and Hamden would have no man admitted; Mr. Staper
and some others would accept four persons; and Mr. Cordell
and his company, wish all that desire it to come in, upon some
reasonable allowance. The opponents suppose that, in respect of
the charge, they only must be employed, and so may attain their
charter as they desire. If they will not accept any other merchants,
asks his Lordship to exclude those six leaders, for whom
80 able merchants of substance will be found to perform the tradé,
and go strongly at sea; to defend all against the King of Spain;
maintain mariners by imprest of their shipping; duly perform the
present to the Turks; answer the ambassador's charge, and deal as
liberally for his yearly maintenance as his Lordship shall set down. |
July 5.
Greenwich. |
81. Lord Burghley and J. Fortescue to Rich. Young, Thos.
Phelippes, and John Robinson, officers of the Custom House, London.
Great quantities of cloths, kersies, &c., are weekly conveyed from
London overland to divers ports, and thence exported, and small
customs paid. Her Majesty, greatly misliking such abuses, as an
hindrance to her revenues, has directed the writers to frame orders
for remedy thereof. Direct them to see that, before any person
carries cloth or other wares from London to be exported, he delivers
to them a true entry of the same, in the owner's name, with the
place to which they are to be carried. They are to appoint persons
to take accounts of such goods, and certify them weekly, with
power, if any doubts arise, to open the goods. They are also to
charge the searcher in London that no cloth nor kersey is to pass
by water, without a just entry thereof, and a warrant granted. As
such goods are secretly conveyed away in waggons and carts,
without paying duties, they are to stay all those having them,
until the owners thereof put in bonds to bring a certificate within
one month, and pay the duties; thenceforth no undressed cloths are
to be transported without being entered, unless passed by special
licence. All persons found unwilling or negligent in this service are
to be stayed, together with their goods, and brought before the
writers, to answer their contempt. [Copy. 1½ pages.] |
July 6/16.
Dieppe. |
82. Eman. d'Andrada to Dr. Ruy Lopez, physician to the Queen
of England, London. Seeing the great and unmerited clemency
used by the Queen towards him, will not be ungrateful, but travail
to do all the service he may. With this zeal, propounded to the
King, Don Antonio, many things touching her service, and was not
admitted at first, so the resolution was not presently given, but
the King's principal ministers entertained him, until 4 April, with
hope that very shortly he would come to a resolution; meanwhile
had licence to go to see his wife and children. Asks him to signify
to Her Majesty his coming from the Court of Spain to Dieppe, and his
wish to speak with her personally. Wants her safe-conduct, so that
himself and servants may come and go freely, and not be constrained
to show any instructions; the safe-conduct should be sent to
Estevan Nunez at Calais; it is of great importance that his coming
should be kept secret. Will also want a passport, so that whenever
he lands, the justices may let him pass freely; shall come disguised,
as it greatly concerns Her Highness's service. |
|
Not having the wind good to depart from St. Malo, where he
first arrived, writes this before his departure for Gravelines,
and sends it by way of Jersey; it greatly imports that he speaks
with the Queen first; if he cannot, must go directly to the Prince
of Parma; but would come first for England, and to his (Lopez's)
house, and would ship directly from thence privately; otherwise
is bound to follow his instructions. Begs that none may know
of his coming, but the Queen and those of her Council in whom
she has most confidence. This is a copy of his two other letters
sent from St. Malo's; sends this to Newhaven by his servant,
who is accompanying an English gentlewoman, and who is instructed
to ask Lopez by word of mouth, whether Rodrigo Marques
has arrived, whose coming must also be kept secret, as it is needful
for Her Majesty's service. [Portuguese. 2½ pages.] |
| July 6/16. |
83. Translation of the above. Endorsed, 2 Aug. 1591, and [by
Lord Burghley], " Andrada to Dr. Lopez, by the Wyder of Seville." |
| July 6. |
84. Receipt by Capt. John Latham of 6l. 13s. 4d. for victualling
his company of 50 men, 45 of whom are named, for four days, at
8d. a day each. [1½ pages.] |
July 6.
Ordnance Office. |
85. Sir Robt. Constable to Sir Thos. Sherley. Delivered to the
Lord Treasurer a book of the debts due by Her Majesty for provisions
had from his office. All those sent to France his Lordship
directs to be paid for by Sir Thomas, and the poor men's necessities
being very great, has sent an account, and Ant. Painter, a clerk of
the office, to receive the money. Has included the particulars of Sir
Thomas's disbursement of 3l. 5s. for the gunners, at his departure for
France. Annexing, |
|
85. i. Account for provisions employed about the demi-cannon
shipped at the Tower wharf for France; total, 38l. 7s. 9½ d.;
also for money impressed to the gunners for iron crows,
spades, and pickaxes, &c., at their going into France;
total, 65s. |
| July 7. |
86. Certificate that the whole charge sustained at Chatham,
Deptford, Woolwich, and Portsmouth, for the last month, amounts
to 747l. 1s. 3d. [Copy.] |
| July 7. |
87. J. Snowden to Cecil. The point he wished him to enlarge
upon was, as to how the Duke of Savoy, and through him the King
[of Spain], might be informed, by Morgan and his accomplices,
of the false informations given in Spain of the state of our country.
Thinks it necessary to take Flanders on his way to Spain; doubts
not to find the faction greedy for any man or matter that may
annihilate their adversaries' greatness with the King, and show
that his informers, for their own purposes, are making him believe
that chalk is cheese. As to Morgan and his accomplices, the Duke
of Savoy, having taken them under his protection, can easily procure
contrary relations to those hitherto believed in Spain to be given.
Will get the Bishop of Cassano, D. Luys [Lewis ?], to make like information
to the Pope's Nuncio in Madrid, and by Lord Hungerford
to the Duchess of Feria, and she, by her son, to the King, they all
being of the contrary faction. In Flanders the same can be done by
Don Bern. de Mendoza, who does not much like Parsons, as appears
in Gifford's confession. Knows Cecil's agent at Cadiz, and shall
inform through him of what he does; as these informations are to be
made by persons in authority in Spain, hopes they may take effect. |
|
As to services to be performed in Spain, will have to hazard his
life in them, and would rather yield himself here to whatever Her
Majesty imposes than venture, except on condition that he shall
communicate with none that give intelligence abroad, but one
particular man, who must suppose that he labours the release of
Mr. Harvey and Englishmen in prison there; and that his advice
be communicated to none but his Lordship and Cecil. Hopes
his Lordship will commit the whole business to Cecil; could thus
proceed with less danger of being discovered. Should take with
him to Flanders that part of Parsons's book on the Valladolid seminary, stating that there are 30,000 Catholics in prison in England,
when there are not 200; and that three-fifths of the people are
Catholics, when the contrary is the truth. Supposes the John Garret
named in the letter concerning Lord Strange is a son of Sir Thos.
Garret, but there are two or three priests of that name in England.
Southwell and Garret are Jesuits; hopes to get wind of them in
Flanders. |
|
The things necessary for his despatch are: a passport that no
man molest him, as going on Her Majesty's service; a cipher
from Cecil; the names and addresses of the parties who are to
receive his letters in England; also letters to the agents, and the
name he is to use in writing to them at St. Jean de Luz; the name
of the agent in Cadiz; if he had access to D. Juan de Villacreses, a
prisoner in England, to whom he brought a letter from his wife,
which is amongst his papers with his Lordship, it would be a great
cover to his going in and out at St. Jean de Luz, and his writing to
England. Asks Cecil to remember Mr. Harvey, for whose delivery
he will do his utmost, and also to set down the principal and
necessary points he would from time to time be advised upon.
Marked [by Cecil], "Th. Bostock, elder, younger." [2½ pages.] |
| July 7 ? |
88. John Snowden to Sir Robert Cecil. Returns his instructions,
having been pleased with their perusal. A. Totes's advices will be
about Catholics, free, in prison, or newly taken, and priests sought for
and marked; news of France, Flanders, &c. Asks a passport in his
own name; the searcher may easily be dealt with to be secret, and
some inconvenience will be avoided. Will return the other passport. |
| July 10. |
89. Abstract of Lord Burghley's orders to the port of London, in
January 1586. That those who shipped beer were to enter into a
bond with the collector of customs, in double the value of the casks,
to bring into the same port, within six months afterwards, 200
clapboards for every six tuns of beer, and the collector to certify the
same monthly to the general surveyor, so that such boards might
be had by him for ready money. All shipmasters and mariners were
to put their beer into casks made of new clapboard, and be bound to
bring in the same quantity of boards, and no person was to be
permitted to carry out any casks, clapboard, or hoops, without special
licence; upon information given to the customs' officers of any
abuses therein, they were to see the same reformed, or give notice
to his Lordship, who would do so. In fulfilment of these orders,
Robert Dow, the collector, took the bonds from the persons to bring
in the clapboard, but when they did so, neither the general surveyor
nor his deputy would buy any; and since the orders, Her Majesty's
officers have had little need to buy any clapboard, so that now there
is more in store than formerly, though as license beer is stayed by
proclamation, no bonds have been taken for a long time. |
|
As such bonds were taken at London, the masters of Dutch ships
and others took in their beer at Sandwich, Ipswich, Dover, and other
places, and passed without bonds; but notwithstanding that, and the
store of clapboard brought in, the collector has above 100 bonds forfeited
for not bringing in any clapboard, many whereof are by poor
shippers, who commonly have their beer aboard before they come to
enter, and who cannot get any security; the collector has therefore
either been fain to take their own bonds, or stay them until their
beer was sour. Divers other persons bound for such shippers stand
in danger, because there is no clapboard to be had in Zealand nor
westward, and because they could not sell it when brought. Mr.
Fanshaw has called upon the collector to bring such forfeited bonds
into the Exchequer, whereby the poor shippers will be served with
process, and driven to trouble his Lordship. Suggests that the
forfeited bonds be delivered up to the parties, with a warning to
take better heed how they again fall into such danger; otherwise if
any hear that their neighbours are troubled, they may absent themselves from bringing victuals to London, and from fetching beer
thence, to the loss of all the beer licences. |
| July 13. |
90. Notes for a letter to be written to authorize Sir Thos. Sherley
to pay the officers and bands to be sent to France under the Earl of
Essex, as was done for those with Sir John Norris in Brittany. As
the entertainment of 40s. a day is to be paid to Sir Roger Williams
as marshal, if the same sum paid to him as lieutenant to Sir John
Norris is to be discontinued, a letter should be sent to Sir Thos.
Sherley to discontinue it, and another to Sir Roger Williams, to
signify the same. Also a letter to Sir Roger, to forbear making
warrants or commands to the Treasurer for any payments of money,
after the Earl of Essex's arrival in France. [By Maynard, Lord
Burghley's clerk.] |
July 13.
Prison,
Esher. |
91. Don P. Valdez to Christoval Mondragon, of Antwerp castle.
Thanks for favours to Mr. Winter. Hopes their continuance and
the safe delivery of his letters to Winter. Begs him not to be
displeased with Winter for trying to escape, he will not do the like
again. Asks favour for him at his lodgings, and leave for him
to take the air. Shall be treated himself with rigour, by the
gentleman who has him in charge, if any is used towards Winter.
[Translation ?]. |
| July 17. |
92. Thos. Cely to [the Lord Treasurer and Lord Admiral]. Great
preparations are being made for conveying away pilchards, as
Coosinor and Michelet and others have been accustomed to do, and
now cause others to do for them, bargaining with the fishermen, and
giving money beforehand in Devonshire and Cornwall; the like
provision of butter is made out of Somersetshire, all for the enemy;
hopes it may be prevented in time. Coosinor caused many pilchards
to be embarked last year; they were delivered on board the galleys
which are now in the Straits, and do great spoil. Coosinor and Ector
are evil spies. |
|
Hopes that fishermen may be set to work, and that the Queen's
subjects may have for their money before the enemy; that no fish
be suffered to pass but by licence, and that certificates be returned
from the places to which they were licensed to be transported;
also all means provided that they may not be embarked in strange
bottoms. If their honours will have them go to the Queen's
friends, the ships' officers should enter into bonds that the victuals
shall not be delivered to the enemy; and if they should all agree,
there would be some of the mariners who would disclose their
folly. |
|
There was an order that there should be no more sellers erected at
Cawson Bay, so they have erected them in other places on the coast
of Cornwall; there was also an order that pilchards should remain
three tides before the merchants should buy them, that the country
might be served; confesses that two tides is sufficient, for when
they be 10 or 12 tons in a heap, those that lie underneath will heat
and be in danger of losing. There is also another order, that
fumadoes shall not be made, so that the enemy should not be victualled
with them, but the poor fishermen cry out at that order, as the
country will not be able to buy them; but if fumadoes are suffered
to be made, so that they may be transported to the Queen's friends,
under the before-mentioned bonds, it will be a great encouragement
to the poor fishermen. When the country is thoroughly furnished,
they that will transport them should be bound to pay Her Majesty
10s. a ton, which will be worth 200l. a year to her; if she will let
the writer have one year first, will give her 300l. a year for 21 years,
for all fish that shall be transported beyond sea, which will be somewhat towards the wars; pilchards yield 16l. a ton in the Straits to
the merchants. |
|
Understands that Hamburg men have begun to have trade with
Bristol, to buy up the ordnance made in Wales; begs great care of
it; the enemy have had too much of our ordnance within these last
15 years. There are two terrible pirates, Quien and Bacon, lying
off and on Scilly, in the Severn, Milford Haven, and the coast
of Ireland, for whose apprehension there should be a commission.
There was another called Capt. Piers; was offered 40l. by the
Lord Admiral, if he could lay hands upon him; laid wait for him,
but Capt. Piers hearing of it, got aboard with Capt. Trencher, and
was the first man that was slain. St. Ives, which is a fish town,
victuals the country 60 miles round, has a dry harbour and a goodly
bay, of from 8 to 24 fathoms, where 200 sail may ride; and as
it lies in the midst of the enemy, they are every day in doubt for
their town and their boats, 25 of which daily fish, when it is possible
to go to sea. Upon the quay or bulwark, there are ports for six
great pieces of ordnance, and the townsmen and country people
have requested him to be a means to their Lordships to move Her
Majesty that they may have four or five culverins and demi-culverins
placed there. Ordnance will scour all the bay, and now every
vessel may ride there, in spite of the town and country, and never
suffer a boat to pass to sea. There comes down to the same
town press for sailors, and when they are pressed, the country lacks
victuals; begs consideration for the poor fishermen, that they may
continue their fishing without press, or else the country round will
miss their best relief. The country is poor, and there is little flesh
and less butter or cheese. |
| 1591 |
In travelling in these countries, has found out 24 recusants, whose
names he will present to the Commissioners. One of these gentlemen,
Mr. More, a Yorkshireman, makes very fair walks within
the gates, and there is an acre of ground for him and his fellows
to bowl in, which cannot be called a prison; another, Mr. Kemp,
has his farms in the country, and is there most of the year, and is
suspected to be a writer to the enemy; Mrs. Bray has the same
liberty. |
|
If their Lordships command him for any service, shall be ready
to do his duty, but has not received any money towards his
travelling expenses; has a son in Plymouth who gave him a maintenance
of 40l. a year, but he has died and left five children. Disbursed
62l. in bringing up the Spaniards; has been a suitor for it
these three years, and was told by their Lordships that he should
have his money of Lady Walsingham, as she received the ransom of
the Spaniards. Was also a suitor to Her Majesty for it, but she
answered that she would see her Ladyship hanged up before she
would write to her for it. If it were 1,000l. would never ask it
again of Her Majesty; never had such a countenance from her
in all his life as he had then. His Lordship is Lord Treasurer, and
my Lord Admiral was then the general, so could not but do the
service when commanded, and lay down the money, which he partly
borrowed. [3¾ pages.] |
| July 19. |
93. [Thos. Phelippes to Saint Mains ?]. Suggests a letter to be
written by him to G., as follows: Is glad to hear of the Duke of
Parma's going for France; it will be very needful, the Germans
and English coming in as they do. Those here are ready, and will
go over next week. The Queen is going to Portsmouth with the
Earl, but his friends mislike the voyage, and wish he had left it to
some other, in respect of the great charge it is to him to put himself
forward according to his dignity; but he and his now think the cost
well bestowed, conceiving the coming of the Duke worthy his adventure,
and they will hazard their utmost to win honour. Killigrew
is appointed to go with the Earl as a counsellor; Sir Thos.
Baskerville is his lieutenant of the foot; the Earl's brother leads the
horse, and York, that led the horse in Portugal, is his lieutenant.
It is said the Queen allowed him only 100 lances and 50 argoletiers,
but he has 100 more of his own cost, and his friends have sent him
bountifully, both horse and money. There are great expectations
from him, and if he returns with honour from his voyage, he is like
to be a great man in the State; both soldiers and Puritans wholly
rely upon him. |
|
Nothing has been spoken yet about the defeat of the Prince of
Dombes in Brittany; Peter Browne, the messenger, has arrived,
but fearing to be taken at sea, he had thrown his letters overboard;
he says, that the Prince and Sir John and Lady Norris
lay at Groningen (?), expecting men out of England, 600 of whom
will have arrived; which being come, they will assist the Duke
Mercœur, who lay between them and Morlaix with a great army of
all the force of Brittany, with the Spaniards between whom and
the English there were daily hot skirmishes. A supply of 6,000 men
was daily expected out of Spain. Rouen is expecting a siege, and
has fortified itself very strongly. The Governor of Newhaven
is there in Tavanne's place, and they are well victualled, but the
King [of France] means to try what he can do by force. The
French clergy are meeting at Caen to choose a patriarch, because
the Pope has threatened to excommunicate those that take part
with the King, who has already made those of the religion capable
by edict of offices of all kinds. |
|
The ships to be set forth for the supply of Lord Thos. Howard
are not ready, wanting mariners, who refuse to go upon an
uncertainty by whom they shall be paid, whether by the Queen
or by the merchants. A great number of Spanish letters have
been taken from a ship on the coast of Dieppe, whereby they
have discovered all the King of Spain's doings in France and
England, and Thos. Wilkes is going over to examine the parties. |
|
They are up in Scotland, and Bothwell is proclaimed traitor,
but they make no account of it here, more than that it is some
juggling trick, and so wait to laugh at the issue. |
|
There be three knaves, one called Coppinger, taking upon himself
to be a prophet of mercy sent from God, with an extraordinary calling,
and to point out the dangerous judgments to come upon those who do
not repent and submit themselves to his order; those that hear him
or be elect he seals in the forehead with his ring, and those that
refuse or whom he dislikes he puts over to his fellow, who is the
prophet of vengeance, which he as confidently denounces as if he
were a privy councillor in Heaven; his name is Ardington. The
third, whose name is Hackett, states himself Jesus Christ, King of
the Earth and Christendom, and may execute judgment upon those
that refuse mercy. Last Friday the two prophets came into Cheapside,
stepped up into a cart, and began to put in practice their communication from Heaven, and amongst others, denounced their
judgments against the Lord Chancellor and the Bishop of Canterbury, whom they called traitors to God and the realm; but,
being pulled down, they were shortly after apprehended, and
examined at the Lord Mayor's, before Mr. Wolley, Mr. Fortescue,
and others; the prophets stood stoutly to their commission, and
they could get nothing out of the counterfeit Jesus Christ but
"I am that I am." "That I have said I have said," "Men shall
"bear witness of me," and such like; it is thought he will he
whipped into his wits again, or into a right way of answering, and
their practices be fully discovered. Men talk of it, and resemble
it to that matter of John of Leyden, who took upon himself the
kingdom of the Anabaptists, and think this mad fool plotted some
such kingdom as these prophets might have assembled; others take
them to be mere fanatics, which is very likely, but the enemies to
the Puritans take great advantage against them, as these prophets
have been great followers of that sort of preachers, and have
solicited all those that they knew affected to their sect, with their
books, letters, &c.; viz., the Lord Treasurer, Earl of Essex, Countess
of Warwick (who attends upon the Queen again, solicited by
the preachers to do them good offices), Mr. Davison, who they say
should be the greatest magistrate in England, and others who
pitied their folly, which is like to cost them their lives; though they
be but in the rank of mad men, it is thought the State must be
satisfied, especially on the prophet of vengeance, because he has said
the Queen is not to reign any longer, for rejecting the petitions
of the faithful, and neglecting the cause of God and his Church, for
which she must be punished, though her soul shall be saved; meanwhile she is more troubled with it than it is worth, and the Chancellor
and Bishop, in the eye of some flattering fools, seem to bear
a great burden, for doing their duties to God and the Queen.
[Draft. 2½ pages.] |
| July 19. |
94. Certificate by Sir Gilbert Gerard, Master of the Rolls, Robt.
Wroth, Francis Flower, and John Barne, to Sir Thos. Sherley,
treasurer for the wars in France and the Low Countries, that John
Barne, collector of the loan in Middlesex, has disbursed 9l. 4s. for
coat money for 46 soldiers, and 4l. 10s. for conduct money for 45
soldiers, at 2s. apiece; total, 13l. 14s. [Copy.] |
| July 19 ? |
95. Lord St. John to Mr. Maynard. Asks him to procure a
warrant from the Lord Treasurer to Sir Thos. Sherley, for payment
of 30l. for coat and conduct money of 90 soldiers, levied in Huntingdonshire,
to embark at London for Normandy. The coat
money, at 4s. each soldier, amounts to 18l., and their wages at 8d.
a day to 12l. With note [by Burghley] that it is to be paid by
Sir Thos. Sherley. [Copy.] |
| July 19 ? |
96. Certificate by John Harrington that 135 men were levied in
Warwickshire and delivered to Capt. Thos. Acton 13 July, and
allowed 8d. a day for their six days' marching to London, which
amounted to 27l., and also 4s. a man for coat money, amounting to
27l.; total, 54l. [Copy.] |
July 19.
The Court. |
97. Lord Burghley to [Sir Thos. Sherley]. As 150 of the 200
soldiers levied in Northamptonshire are for Capt. Helmbridge's
band, and the other 50, with 100 of Middlesex for Capt. Power's,
who are to have 3s. apiece for coat money, deducting the dead pays,
asks him to pay Mr. Flower 27l. 8s. for 135 soldiers of Capt.
Helmbridge's band, with two drums, and 9l. 4s. for 46 of Power's
band, and also the like sum for their conduct money, by way of
day's wages. |
| July 20. |
98. Particulars of 2,900 men, levied in 27 places named, to be
sent to Normandy, with the names of their captains, and the places
where they are to embark; viz., London, 1,250; Harwich, 300;
Yarmouth, 150; Hull, 750; Boston, 200; Lynn, 100; Southampton, 150. [1½ pages.] |
| July 20. |
99. Memorandum of the monthly charge of the army sent to
Normandy, according to a full pay; total for two months,
9,021l. 2s. 8d. |
| July 20. |
100. Memorandum of the monthly charge of the army sent to
Normandy according to imprests for the bands; total for two
months, 6,787l. 18s. 8d. |
| July 21. |
101. Memorandum for Mr. Maynard, that the Nonpareil entered
into sea wages and victuals under Sir Edw. Denny, 1 April 1591,
at a charge for four months of 1,566l. 13s. 4d., whereof 1,300l. was
impressed on a privy seal, and so there remains to clear the warrant,
266l. 13s. 4d. [Copy.] |
| July 21. |
102. Account of 17 of the Queen's ships at sea, carrying 2,825
men, with the names of their captains, how they were employed on
July 4, and their several monthly charges; total, 3,535l., exclusive
of wear and tear, sea and ordnance stores, &c. Also note, July
21, of six ships which have sailed from the Thames with Lord Thos.
Howard, with 780 men. Also calculations [by Lord Burghley]
about other ships in the Narrow Seas with Sir H. Palmer, gone to
the Indies, or under the Earl of Cumberland. |
July 21.
London. |
103. Fifty-seven articles directed to [the Admiralty Comrs.] authorizing them to inquire into specified offences committed either on
land or at sea, as being within the jurisdiction of the Admiralty of
England. Signed "Jul. Cæsar." [Printed, 2 sheets.] |
July 23.
Greenwich. |
104. Commission to Lord Chancellor Hatton, Lord Treas. Burghley,
Lord Buckhurst, and John Fortescue, under treasurer of the Exchequer, to take the accounts of the purveyors of the household
and stable, as complaints are made of provisions being taken
up and converted to the profit of the purveyors, and of many
misdemeanours in taking them up, which they are to take care to
redress. |
July 23.
Greenwich. |
Commission to Lord Chancellor Hatton, Lord Treas. Burghley,
Lord Cobham, John Fortescue, and Ralph Rookby, Master of Requests, to take the accounts of Sir Thos. Sherley, the present
treasurer at war in the Low Countries, from 1 Feb. 1587, when he
was appointed, to the present time; and also those of the heirs
and executors of Richard Huddleston, the late treasurer, from his
appointment, 2 August 1585 to 1 Feb. 1587. [Case E. Eliz., No. 3.] |
| July 25. |
105. Account of ammunition, &c. sent to Normandy from
the stores, for the use of the musketeers, value, 676l. 4s.; also of
various things to be provided, value, 162l. 4s. 4d.; total, 838l. 8s. 4d.
Also an account of imprests to 20 captains named, belonging to men
raised in counties mentioned; total, 550l. [2 pages.] |
July. 26.
The Court. |
106. Earl of Essex to Lord [Burghley]. Though he has Her
Majesty's commission, and has authorized divers persons to see to
the execution of things needful for the service in hand, still greatly
needs his Lordship's help, especially for transporting victuals; for
their more easy passage, begs a warrant to such port towns as
Mr. Chamberlain shall nominate. The men may be much distressed
for want of provisions; impediments may happen through varieties
of wind or otherwise, if the transportation be too much restrained;
refers him therein to the Chamberlain himself. |
| July 30. |
107. Account of charges for coat and conduct money for 1,500
men, raised at 11 places named, and sent to the Low Countries, in
lieu of the same number sent from thence to Brittany. Also
similar account for 1,500 men levied at places named for Brittany,
600 of whom were sent to Dieppe, with Sir Roger Williams, and
another account for 600 more sent to Brittany, to supply the beforementioned 600. [3 pages, unfinished.] |
| July ? |
108. Reasons by Sir John Hawkins, why he should receive
present payment for victuals prepared by him for the fleet serving
under his charge at the Isles of Azores, in 1590. Was appointed to
provide the victuals, on promise that if the enterprize was stayed,
he should be repaid the whole charge, which for victualling 1,340
men for six months, at 8d. a man per day, amounted to 7,504l.
The Lord Treasurer assigned 3,752l. to be paid him by Mr. Quarles,
for four months' victuals, at 6d. a day each, so that there now
remains due to him 3,752l., for which he desires payment, according
to Her Majesty's promise and order. Has also disbursed in purchases and wages, 2,349l. 1s., which, added to the above, makes a
total of 6,101l. 1s. [1½ pages.] |
| July ? |
109. Declaration of the charge for victualling the Queen's ships,
as well ordinary as extraordinary, in the harbour of Chatham, from
1 April 1590 to 30 April 1591; also those at sea, from 1 April
1590 to 31 May 1591; together with an account of the loss sustained
by the victualler, of 3,172l. 9s. 5d., between the rate allowed and
the cost of the victuals he provided. [19 pages.] |
| July ? |
110. Memorandum of men levied in England and sent abroad;
viz., in April 1591, 1,500 to the Low Countries; 1,500 and 900
to Brittany; 600 to Dieppe; and in June 600 more to Brittany,
divided between Captains Spring, Latham, Rigg, and Symmes.
Also a note of 14 other captains, who served under Sir John Norris,
in July 1591, when he had 2,400 men. |
| July ? |
111. Note of the warrant by Council, for the distribution of
30l. 8s. 6d. being the weekly pay for a band of 150 men, with their
officers. Also various calculations of the daily and monthly cost for
the wages, coat and conduct money, and transportation of officers,
men, and horses mentioned; ordinary charges, 4,510l. 11s. 4d.;
extraordinary, 2,315l. 3s. 4d. [2 pages.] |
| July ? |
112. Account of expenses incurred in levying, victualling, and
transporting troops from England to Brittany and the Low Countries,
as also for their coat and conduct money, and other necessaries;
total, 3,115l. 2s. 8½d. [1¼ pages.] |
| [July.] |
113. Memorandum of a lease granted by the Bishop and the Dean
and Chapter of Durham, 30 July 1582, to the Queen, for 90 years,
of the manor house of Halden, co. York, called Bishop House, with
park, pasture, and meadow grounds, three windmills, the fishing
of the river Ouse, and the pasturing of 600 sheep and 100 head of
beasts, with wood and other commodities; rent, 34l. 8s. The lease
has 81 years to run, and is to be sold for 3,000l. ready money by
John [name erased] of Holden, who has had it assigned to him under
Her Majesty's great seal, He also offers to find a friend to take a
lease for 21 years of the buyer at 300l. a year, or to lend the 3,000l.
for five years at 10l. per cent., upon the security of the lease, and
other advantages. |
| July. |
114. "Weston's intelligences to Francis Bacon."Gives the
addresses of 10 seminaries, priests, and Jesuits, brought over a
month since by a London merchant, who had 60l. for it, and landed
in a creek near Plymouth. Haywood reports that a bull of excommunication against Her Majesty is in Bellamy's hands, he thinks,
but he will try to know more, and get a copy of the catalogue,
which is altered again. He reports that some Italian spies and
intelligencers are coming in, in the guise of tumblers, and that
10 August is fixed for a meeting in the Clink. He offers to
apprehend Barnabas and James Bishop, two of them, who are
young. He wishes to go to his brother, John Haywood, another of
them, and two or three more, for information, and come to London
two days before the meeting. His charge is 20l.; he says if he
should prove false, he should be undone on both sides. |
| July. |
115. [Thos. Phelippes's] instructions for Saint Main. He is to
advertise how he will be employed; if in an action the prevention
of which shall postpone the enemy's designs, he is to get leave to
impart it to some one who may bear the blame of the discovery, so
that he may be reserved for some greater matter; the fittest man to
be chosen, and means and manner to be thought on afterwards. |
|
To learn the true designs of the Jesuits, since the death of the
Queen of Scots and overthrow of the Spanish fleet, for the cause of
religion and for England; in what forwardness their actions are,
what are the impediments; Parsons, Saintfoy, Le Jeune, &c., know
most therein; to set down their judgment of the present state of
England, especially of the Queen, who in former designs was generally shot at; their opinion on the succession; the sending those
men lately out of the Cardinal's house, what their errand is. Also
of their practices in Scotland; of whom they are assured there,
and how things have been compassed and are to be continued. |
|
It is assured that in this disjointed state of France, the King's
party consisting of many Catholics, the service of the Church is
made a colour to persuade many to treason; he is therefore to
discover as much as possible the corruption of that King's Council,
and any plots laid to overthrow him by division or otherwise, and
the King of Spain's designs against France. It is probable, as in
former times, that the King of Spain's designs may vary as
influenced by the general of the Jesuits, and he will do well to
discover it. Some speeches of peace have been made, and it has
been conceived that the King of Spain,—having tried the ill fortune
of his last attempt, being old, and likely to leave his estate entangled
to his young successor,—would be content to settle his differences
with England. He should discover what Spanish instruments are
about the Queen, or her principal councillors; also their opinions in
Sir John Perrot's matter, and what corruptions of a like nature he
can discover in any other in authority, now dissembling and unsuspected. He must consider all he writes, for the days are evil, and
they have less than St. Thomas's faith, and will hardly believe,
though they both see and feel. [Draft.] |
