|
Oct. 1.
Preston. |
83. Sir Rich. Houghton to Sec. Cecil. Yesterday I apprehended
Robt. Middleton, a seminary priest, in the way to the Field, Lancashire. He was well horsed and appointed with his pistol, and
there was another man with him who escaped. Upon search, I
found a Popish service book, and 40s. upon him, which I have
suffered him to keep for his maintenance in prison, and sent him to
Lancaster Castle common gaol, until the assizes, unless Council give
other directions. He seems a very mean scholar. [2/3 page.] Encloses, |
|
83. I. Examination of Robt. Middleton, before Sir Rich. Houghton, and Thos. Hesketh, attorney of the Court of Wards
and Liveries. Is 31 years old, and the son of Thos.
Middleton of York, where he was born and educated.
Attended church until he was 18 years old, after which he
refused, as being against his conscience. For six or seven
years after, continued in London, and at Kingston-uponHull with Alderman Richardson, a merchant there.
Wishing to go to one of the seminaries at Douay or Rome,
took shipping at Hull for Calais, thence went to Douay,
and continued there for three years. During that time,
Dr. Barrett, since deceased, was governor; will not tell
what Englishmen lived at that time in the college, being
resolved only to answer what concerns himself. |
|
While there, with many others, was either sent for by
the Pope, or directed by his superior to come to Rome;
promised before his departure from Douay, to be a priest.
Lived in the college at Rome a year, and was then directed by his superior to take the order of priesthood,
which he did in Rome, had his letters of orders
from a bishop living there, and had his priesthood by
authority of the Bishop of Rome. Before he came to
England, was brought to the presence of the Pope, and
received his ordinary viaticum and benediction; travelled
in company of divers others whom he refuses to name. |
|
Took shipping at Flushing for England, in a Dutch
ship, and was set on shore in a boat, on the south part
of England; will not name the place, nor declare how
he travelled into Lancashire, with whom he has resided,
or who was with him when apprehended. Has said mass,
christened children, married people, reconciled persons
to the church, &c.; such as he has reconciled he instructs
to be Catholics. Will not answer whether he used any
persuasion that if the Pope should invade England, for
alteration of religion, those that are reconciled to the
Roman Catholic church should take part with the Queen,
for he doubts it. Takes the Queen to be the lawful sovereign in temporal causes, and will pray that she may be
made a Catholic, but will not answer whether she ought
to be Queen of England notwithstanding the Pope's excommunication, nor any more questions. [1½ pages.]
Sept. 30, 1600. |
Oct. 4.
Isle of Wight. |
84. Sir Rich. Leveson to Sec. Cecil. I enclose an abstract of our
journey, and have appointed Capt. Roberts, the bearer, to inform you
of every particular. How careful I have been to make a voyage
for Her Majesty, all my company can witness; how precisely I have
followed my instructions, I leave others to report; and how much
I have inwardly desired to perform some service to yourself, God
and my conscience know. Nothing ever grieved me so much as to
return without means to manifest the respect I bear you. |
|
P.S.—I have victualled and sent the Whelp to the main, and
have yet good hope of her. These ships could be carried to Chatham
with half the number of our mariners, and if the west country sailors
be discharged here, 300l. would be saved in their pay, conduct, and
victuals. [1 page.] |
| Oct. 4. |
85. Earl of Essex to the Queen. By your warrant I present
these lines, begging neither matter of profit nor restitution to office,
but allowance to prostrate myself at your feet. Could this happiness be attained by industry, or by parting with all I enjoy in this
world, you should see there were nothing which I would not do or
suffer for it. My last to you bewrayed itself to be forced, and not to
come willingly from me; the other which I wrote since to Sir John
Stanhope has, I hope, made you see that I let fall all suits which
you are not pleased to grant, and enjoin myself never to speak in
that style which you do not like to hear. If I may be but a mute
in your presence, they that have most favours of fortune shall never
be envied by me. [Copy by Reynoldes, ½ page.] |
Oct. 4.
Saturday night. |
86. Geo. Kendall to Thos. Honyman. After I parted with you in
Paul's, I met with Geo. Weeks newly come from the enemy, a man
of that quality that I could pawn my life, with his aid, soon to
surprise both Jaques and Colonel Stanley, if he will take employment, and break that regiment of English. He says he has made
his peace with Mr. Secretary; he is the fittest man in the world
to work that exploit. If you will deal with him, I will learn what
I can of him, but I am not too hasty in these affairs. He lodges at
the Ram's Head in Fenchurch Street. Remember our artillery to
Mr. Waad. |
|
P.S.—1. Weeks is an old soldier of and has been steward these
11 years to Sir Wm. Stanley, who would do more for him than all
the rest. 2. He is beloved by the English, as he is exceedingly
bountiful, resolute, and fortunate. 3. He has commanded a whole
garrison there, and many times the place of honour in the regiment.
4. He is resolute and will be loyal in what he undertakes. |
|
5. Jaques ever envied the Colonel's love to him, and not being able
to break it, upon my coming away, with 25 of the English, would
needs force that a cause to cast him, but he did not know it,
neither dared I well trust him then, and yet I asked him, under
colour of revenge to Jaques, to have brought away the Colonel's
colours, Lieut.-Colonel Jaques and Capts. Thomas and Bostock's, but
then I felt him cold, and dared stay no longer least I should be discovered; this I informed Mr. Waad on my examination, but he did
not regard it. Since Jaques for wronging this man is cast and disgraced, I dare assure you, if he returns, he will have the most that
may be done for him by the Colonel. [1 page.] |
| Oct. 6. |
87. Commission to Lord Treasurer Buckhurst, Lord Admiral
Nottingham, Sec. Cecil, and Sir John Fortescue to sell such of Her
Majesty's plate and jewels as are unserviceable, from decay, imperfection, or being out of fashion, reserving the silver and gold for
coinage, to be received by the warden of the Mint, from the master
of the jewel house in the Tower, and Sir Thos. Knyvett, keeper
of Whitehall palace. Also, in order to know the true estate of Her
Majesty's jewels, to call before them Catherine Countess of Nottingham, lady of the privy chamber, Mary Ratcliffe, gentlewoman
of the privy chamber, and all lords, ladies, and others the Queen's
servants, who have any of her jewels in custody, and take account
thereof with their defects, that her servants be not hereafter
unduly charged concerning them; and convert into money such as
they think not meet for the use of her person, making particular
schedules thereof, and having them put to sale, making inventories
and indentures with the several persons in whose custody they
remain. Also to allow reasonable sums for the expenses of all
engaged in the said survey and inventory, &c. [Draft, 3½ sheets.] |
| Oct. 9. |
88. The Queen to the Warden and fellows of All Souls' College
[Oxford]. We recommend Jenkin Vaughan, scholar and chorister
there, for election to a fellow's place, without which he will be
unable to continue his studies. [¾ page. 2 drafts, slightly differing.] |
Oct. 10.
London. |
89. John Chamberlain to Dud. Carleton, Rycott. Private affairs.
The town is very empty. There is little foreign news, except a
report of a great blow received by the French King in Savoy, of
which there are no particulars. The fable that Sebastian King of
Portugal is living is still believed, and it is said the King of Spain
has done much execution in Portugal. The carracks are come rich
from the East Indies, and the Queen's ships that lay for them at the
Islands are poor enough. Our merchants are going to send four
good ships and two pinnaces to seek traffic in the East Indies.
Benwood, an adventurer that has been out four years, and taken
more than two millions' worth in the South Seas, when on his way
home, was in such want that they were fain to eat one another, and
at last put into Porto Rico, where they were taken, and their wealth
lost. |
|
There is no news from the Low Countries, but that we are trying
to keep the treaty of peace on foot. A great ambassador from
Muscovy is soon to have audience; the Court came to Richmond
yesterday. The Earl of Essex is here, and at Barn Elms; his
friends make great means for him to run [at the ring] on the Queen's
day [Nov. 17], and hope soon to see him in favour; I do not expect
it, for his licence for sweet wines, expired at Michaelmas, is not
renewed. The Earl of Southampton and Lord Grey are come unhurt
from the Low Countries, though report said they had fought and
spoiled each other. I hear that Sir Robt. Mansfeld and Sir John
Haydon, two Norfolk knights, have slain each other at tilt with their
rapiers; one had six wounds and the other four. Sir John Stanhope
is expected to be Chancellor of the Duchy. Sir W. Raleigh has
been to Jersey to take possession of his new government. His
lodgings at Durham House have been nearly burnt. Part of the
south battlements of Paul's lately fell down. Five or six soldiers
have been hanged for desertion. Sir Ant. Sherley, with his Persian
embassage, is gone to Germany, to the Emperor and Princes, to
solicit a league against the Turks. [1¾ pages. Printed in
Chamberlain's Letters, pp. 88–90.] |
| Oct. 10. |
90. Indenture tripartite between Jas. Randolphe, of St. Bride's,
London, of the first part, Thomas Finch, of Faversham, co. Kent, of
the second part, and John Dryeland, of Moulsey, co. Surrey, of the
third part. That none of them will sell or assign his part in the
moiety of the lands, &c. of the manor of Willope, alias Wilhope,
near Romney marsh, co. Kent, sold to them jointly by Raignold
Knatchbull, late of Saltwood, co. Kent, by indenture dated 1 Oct.
1600, without the assent of the others; and the said Jas. Randolphe
and John Dryeland constitute the said Finch their attorney and
deputy, to demise and lease the premises and dispose of them at
pleasure, and receive the rents, &c., Finch agreeing to render to them
all proper accounts. [Parchment, signed, no seals.] |
| Oct. 11. |
91. Estimate of the quantity and value of the cloth, &c. contained
in 13 chests or packs received out of some ships of Lubec, which were
stayed and brought into Portsmouth by the Lion's Whelp, without
the wrappers. Total value, 941l. 2s. [12/3 pages.] |
| Oct. 13. |
92. The Queen to the Warden and fellows of All Souls' College,
Oxford. We request the fellowship in that college, void by death
of Rich. Clutterbuck, for Wm. Guise, B.A. [½ page.] |
Oct. 13.
Englefield. |
93. Dudley Carleton to John Chamberlain, Dr. Gilbert's, London.
Your letter arrived with others freighted with a variety of good
matter, but they all sung one song, no news. I perceive it is the
time of the year, and no other alarm, which has retired you to your
old garrison; by your pleasure in the remembrance of your summer's
service, you could have been content to forage longer abroad. Your
journeys were so uncertain that I knew not where to find you, or I
had met you likeliest at Knebworth or Farley, where I am sure of
welcome if in your company. |
|
Sir Edw. Norris went this vacation to Court, where he had not
been since his marriage, well attended with martial followers; his
business was to present himself a married man to the Queen, and to
make his reconcilement with Mr. Secretary; after he had cleared an
old score of quarrels and unkindnesses with the one, and was not
only besprinkled, but had his face washed with Court holy water
by the other, he speedily returned to his climacterical talk, and in
the way homeward, marred all again by his visitation of my Lord of
Essex, with many caresses and kind greetings. |
|
My brother tells me I am much beholden to Mr. Bodley for many
good words he gave of me to my Lord of Essex; I will lay it up in
store until I can show so kind a favour was not ill bestowed. |
|
Our next encounter was with Mr. Norris and his two great champions, Attorney Cooke and Recorder Crooke, at Henley, which was
champ de battaille, but they refused the combat because our party
came better provided than they looked for, and put it off until
10 Oct.; I think the end will be a peaceable agreement. In our
way from Witham hither, we met a company of mad wenches,
whereof Mrs. Mary Wroughton and young Stafford were ringleaders,
who travelled from house to house, and to some places where they
were little known, attended with a concert of musicians, as if they
had undertaken the like adventure as Kemp did from London to
Norwich. They were at this house, and missed us but half an
hour. |
|
In my way from Court to the country, passing through Windsor,
I found unlooked for Sir Sprintado on horseback, with a bendbow
in his hand like Little John, hunting a buck in little Lister's Park,
with Lady Unton, Lady Hatton, and the said Mrs. Wroughton. Sir
Sprintado enquired particulars concerning you, and desired me to
breed an acquaintance, which you must not refuse, since it is so
kindly offered. Sir Thos. Knowles means to go in company of the
Merchant Adventurers you write of, and yesterday sent hither an
express messenger to draw Sir Edw. Norris into his adventure, but
withal requested to borrow his house in London, so as I perceive
he means not to take the first wind. [2 pages.] |
Oct. 15.
London. |
94. John Chamberlain to Dud. Carleton at Englefield. I have little
news. The Russian ambassador went yesterday to Court, and was
royally received; I do not know what passed. The Barbarians
[ambassadors from Barbary] are going home; our merchants and
mariners will not take them to Turkey, thinking it scandalous to be
too familiar with infidels; yet it is an honour for remote nations to
meet and admire the glory of the Queen of Sheba. Mr. Edmondes
has brought letters from the Low Countries; I do not yet know
how goes the peace. The King of Spain is sickly, and unlikely to
have children, and the Archduke is going to Spain. The Duke of
Savoy's two eldest sons are being brought up there. |
|
It is said that France and Spain are falling out; I think they
will not come to blows, especially as the Pope is earnest to compound this difference of Savoy; and the Patriarch of the friars,
who patched up the peace at Vervins, keeps passing between them.
M. Le Grand, with 50 gentlemen of mark, and 50 ladies, was sent to
fetch the French King's bride, who is supposed to be now in France.
Sir Harry Neville is gone, and some greater man is soon likely to be
sent to congratulate these nuptials. Mons. de Rohan, a great man
in Brittany and heir to the kingdom of Navarre, if the King and his
sister die without issue, is here from the Low Countries, on his way
home. Sir Noel Caron is also returned thence, having been sent
by the Queen, either concerning this peace, or to pacify some dissensions among the States. They make shifts to get money there, by
an imposition by poll of a gulden a head, and other means. The
enemy's galleys are increased to eight, and the States have built a
galeasse, a great slug to lie like a bulwark in the channel before
Sluys. |
|
The Earl of Essex is much in town, fed with hope, but the licence
for sweet wines lies at anchor aloof. Lord North is once more
shaking hands with the world. Sir Arthur Gorges' daughter, the
great heiress (for whom he should have had 8,000l. of the Earl of
Pembroke, or some say, 10,000l. of Lord Thomas) is dead, and the
land returns to Viscount Bindon. I hear that the Norfolk knights
are not dead, though they had double the number of wounds reported. It is written from Ireland that the Lord Deputy has
taken the fort of the Moyrie, and is not yet returned from the
North. The Lord President of York is here, with leave to stay all
the winter. Private news. [1¾ pages. Printed in Chamberlain's
Letters, pp. 90–93.] |
| Oct. 16. |
95. Note of bills for purchase of Crown lands, signed by Her Majesty
between February and 16 Oct. 1600, with the names of the purchasers, the yearly value, and the amounts paid. [1¼ pages.] |
| Oct. 18. |
96. Earl of Essex to the Queen. If I should as often present you
with my humble lines as my oppressed spirit could disburden itself,
I should be presumptuous and importunate. If I should as seldom
write as you give me encouragement, I should be dumb, and desperate, and I hope your inseparable justice in both kinds pleads for
me. When you say, "why is Essex silent ?" you answer yourself,
"his infinitely affectionate heart is overawed with duty." When
you say, "how dare he write now ?" you likewise answer, "his
reverent fear is overcome with passion." By passion, I say, tyrannous
to me, but reverent to you. Out of that passion my soul cries for
grace, for access, and for an end of this exile. If you grant this
suit, you are most gracious, whatsoever else you deny. If this cannot
be obtained, I must doubt whether that the means to preserve life
and the grant of liberty have been favour or punishment; for till I
may appear in your presence, and kiss your fair correcting hand,
time itself is a perpetual night, and the whole world but a sepulchre.
[¾ page, holograph.] |
| Oct. 19. |
97. The Queen to [the fellows of — College]. The election of the
master of that house has too long depended doubtful, breeding great
inconvenience to the government of the college. The difficulties that
have caused the delay are grounded upon the strictness of some points
of your statutes, which we understand could not be cleared, neither
would we that the same in such material points should be infringed.
We therefore, that further inconveniences may be prevented, have
interposed herein, and recommend to you our servant and chaplain,
Wm. Smith, as the most capable, meetest, and wholly answerable
to the points required by your statutes, being learned, a graduate,
a D.D., and known to you all as of long standing in that university. We shall not need to stir you further, being assured that you
will, upon receipt hereof, elect him to the mastership without any
delay, difficulty, or excuse, and present him to the Vice-Chancellor,
or in default of him, to the senior fellow, President of the College,
to be confirmed in that place. Your performance hereof, as it
shall be very acceptable to us, so the contrary, or delay used shall
be much unpleasing. [Draft, 1 page.] |
Oct. 19.
The Bell,
Aldersgate
Street. |
98. Hen. Knowles to Sec. Cecil. I enclose a note of directions to
those you send into the country, for there cannot be too great circumspection in the matter, and they must therefore very warily
behave during their abode at Coventry. At my coming to London, I
was appointed by Mrs. Agnes Willmer, who lies in my house, to receive
3l. of her brother, Thomas Willmer, steward to my Lord Mountacute
[Montague], who is now in Sussex, and does not come up before
Allhallowtide, which will be too long to tarry to effect that business
I have undertaken. Pray help me with 30s. or 40s. to despatch my
business here, and to bring me down into the country, for I have
but 3s. left in my purse; for that little money I had when I came
up, I pawned one of my leases, which will be forfeited if I do not
redeem it on my coming home. I told them in the country that I
had money to receive at London, and promised payment on my
return. I had 15l. of Thomas Higginson, of the same town I dwell
in, and the only man for receipt of such people in all Warwickshire,
upon the pawning of some rings, jewels, and other things, to the
value of 24l., which he would bring me back if he could be repaid.
Though you do not trust me with so much now, yet let those you
send carry 15l. or 20l. with them, or the want of it will hinder
my proceeding. I would have those you send see my dwelling
first. If need be, I will make over a deed of gift of all I have unto
them, and deliver possession for security, otherwise I must be forced
to bear people off by making them believe that for fear of robbery,
I sent my money packed up amongst other things by the carrier.
[1 page.] |
Oct. 19.
Englefield. |
99. Dudley Carleton to John Chamberlain, Dr. Gilbert's, London. Though you complain of an ill market, your store is so good
that provisions never fail you, and your plenty is so well sauced
with judicial choice and variety that your letters are ever most
welcome. I saw Mr. Bacchus at his house, and heard part of your
summer's progress. |
|
Our. whole Court, lords and ladies, knights and squires, came very
near him on a hawking journey, where we hawked and caught a
bunting. Our young lady, either with cold taken or jogging of
her coach, sickened very soon after coming home, and we were in
great danger to have lost the young master we hope for. We had
Sir Fras. Knowles and Sir Humfrey Foster here last week at
primeroes and huntings, and my Lady Periam has truanted here in
her husband's absence with my Lady Knowles, and much other
good company. Our old Lord [Norris] draws every day downward,
and yet retains his old stirring spirits, being every morning on
horseback before any man else be on foot. Sir Edw. [Norris] is
making a park about this house, and is building for his wife, purposing to enlarge his house half as much, after a new project. My
brother came hither this morning, and returns to-night. [1 page.] |
Oct. 21.
London. |
100. John Chamberlain to Dud. Carleton, at Englefield. Your
cousin Lytton brings his son William to see the Lord Mayor's
pageant, and these uncouth ambassadors. The Barbarians yesterday took leave at Court, and will soon be gone; the eldest of
them, a priest or prophet, is dead. No foreign news, but of a siege
of Ostend, and two forts built on the water to take away the
haven, and that Graf Maurice says he will visit Flanders once more,
and try to relieve it, but the time of the year and other circumstances make it unlikely. They say Sir Edw. Norris foresaw these
tempests, and provided to keep himself in safe harbour, for the
town is now hardly tenable. Sir Henry Neville is urged to return
to France, but resists, and will not go unless compelled; I think
the Lord Deputy of Ireland will be revoked at his own request,
and that Sir Geo. Carew will succeed him. Some say the Lord
Keeper has married or will marry the Countess Dowager of Derby,
and his son is to marry the second daughter, or the Lady Strange.
Dr. Cæsar was in full cry to be Master of the Rolls; now they say
it will be Serjeant Hele. The chancellorship of the Duchy is not
settled; Secretary Herbert and Sir Edw. Stafford are in the same
balance. [1 page. Printed in Chamberlain's Letters, pp. 93–4.] |
Oct. 27.
Nov. 6. St. Sebastian's. |
101. Rich. Holman to Frances Carey. Be not discomforted with
the cross befallen your husband; we must bear the changes of
fortune. My cousin is well, and will soon be at liberty. I am to
exchange him for Fras. Godeye, a Spaniard, in the Bridewell,
London. I am set free to liberate 13 others named, procuring
Spaniards for them, or money for their expenses in prison, and have
licence for an English ship and commodities, as in times of peace.
I have been at St. Sebastian's a month, and should have been in
England but for reasons detailed. I have store of letters for the
Lords of the Council and other great persons. Details of mercantile transactions. |
|
P.S. (from another person).—Two men of Fowey refuse to give
Holman a passage, because he has robbed a Frenchman. [Copy,
1 page.] |
Oct. 28.
Prescot. |
102. Richard Bishop of Chester, and five justices of the peace [of
Lancashire], to the Council. We received your letter of 24 Sept.,
requesting us to take examinations of the outrages committed against
Wm. Bretterghe, our high constable, and John Wrightinton, one of us
in the commission of the peace, and also to select four of the principal
malefactors of best ability, and deliver them over to Her Majesty's
messenger to be brought up, and to take bonds of the rest for their
forthcoming. We also received letters from the Bishop of Chester,
recommending the said business to our especial care. |
|
We now signify that we, Ra. Asheton, John Ireland, and John
Wrightinton bestowed one day at Wigan, and we Robert Hesketh,
Rich. Holland, John Ireland, and John Wrightinton, two days at
Prescot in examinations, by which, as also by view had at Prescot of eight weapons spotted with blood, and found in the chief
rioters' houses, light is given for discovery of the principal actors
therein. Notwithstanding Edw. Norris the younger, and divers
servants to Edw. Norris the elder, at the time of the first outrage,
and others in chief note of the former riots, to the number of 24,
being sent for to be examined, are fled; so full discovery of the actors
and abettors could not be had. The names of the persons absented,
and the examinations, we send. As to the four principals to be
sent up with the messenger, we appointed Ra. Hichmoughe, a principal rioter, to be one, and had him brought from Lancaster Castle
to Wigan, to be delivered to the messenger; but he not being there,
and Hichmoughe not providing sureties for his appearance before
you, we caused him to be carried back to Lancaster Castle, and in
his place assigned Edward Pendleton, a man of good ability, suspected to have been a chief actor in the said outrages; but we
understand that the messenger, upon some considerations unknown,
has left him still in the country, and in his room has taken at his
own choice John Hichemoughe, a man of meaner condition. The
other three by us set forth, are Hugh Hey, Jas. Pilkinton, and Edw.
Hichmoughe, who are in special suspicion of the said outrages. For
the forthcoming of the rest not yet imprisoned, we have taken
recognizance of seven, as many as could be apprehended; the residue, to the number of 14, have fled. |
|
We commend our proceedings herein, as also the poor gentleman
so greatly injured by these barbarous facts, and in them the common
cause of religion and of justice, to your favour, from which only
we may expect reformation of these great outrages of late committed
by Catholics, not without the designments of pestilential seminaries
that lurk amongst them. [1 page.] |
Oct. 28.
Savoy. |
103. Secretary Cecil to Thos. Windebank. I send you herewith
a draft of a warrant to be signed for Sir Robert Sydney's return,
which is so carried as he may see, that if it were not in regard of his
health, Her Majesty could be content he should stay there, and
forbear to take the benefit of it for a time. When you have got
it signed, send it to me with speed. [½ page.] |
| Oct. 29. |
104. Acquittance by Lod. Bryskett, for 100l., received from Mr.
Levinus Monck, secretary to Sir Rob. Cecil. [¼ page.] |
| Oct. 29. |
105. List of arms offered to be supplied by Mr. Nicholson, merchant, for pike and caliver men, of better sort than used heretofore,
and at as reasonable rates. [¾ page.] |
| Oct. 29. |
106. Sec. Cecil to Secretary Herbert, or Sir John Stanhope. This
day Viscount Rohan and Mons. de Soubize, his brother, have been
with me for their safe-conducts to Scotland, and desire to go after
to-morrow. I find no disposition in them to make long stay out of
France, neither do I think that they would go into Scotland but
that they have promised it, for they have sent word by the Laird of
Wemys that they will be at Edinburgh shortly. Their journey is
not worth the staying, for it were to keep them from that sight
which will make clear the infinite contrariety of magnanimity,
beauty, and delicacy, whereof here they have seen so excellent
characters. To delay them will be discourtesy; pray send away
their safe-conducts, which Mr. Windebank will draw. [¾ page.] |
| Oct. ? |
107. Earl of Essex to the Queen. If I had lost but liberty and
health, and offices that give authority and reputation in the world,
I should pass the remnant of my wearisome life in silence. But
I have lost more than I could heretofore tell how to prize, or any
man hereafter will be worthy to enjoy. I sustain more weight than
the law lays upon him that refuseth to answer law, for that outward weight lies upon the body a short time, and frees the soul
for ever. The sense I have of the inward weight of your indignation is above all bodily pains, and yet suffers me to live; having
heard the voice of your justice, I crave to hear your natural voice of
grace, or else that you will send me into another world It is not
restitution of anything that Thursday took from me, that I long
after, for Domina dedit, domina abstulit, fiet voluntas Dominœ, but
affix the end of the life or the punishment of your humblest vassal.
[1 page. Printed in Devereux's Essex, vol. ii. p. 110.] |
| Oct. ? |
108. Earl of Essex to the Queen. Rather think me dead that
since Tuesday at 4 o'clock I have sent you no acknowledgment of
your goodness, than that my duty and thankfulness could admit
hours or minutes of delay. But a violent fever possesses me every
other day, and leaves me in such pain in my head that neither my
brains will indite nor my eyes assent to any light to direct my hand
in writing; therefore I must be silent, though my heart boils within
me for lack of an interpreter, to deliver my most lowly, zealous,
and matchless thankfulness. [¾ page. Printed in Devereux's
Essex, vol. ii. p. 114.] |
| Oct. ? |
109. The Pope's proposition made in the consistory at Rome,
touching the bringing in of Popery into England. The King of
Spain having freely offered himself for this enterprize, the consistory
wish to discuss the means of seconding him. The troubles of
Christendom having hindered this duty, heresy has so spread that
it is only to be put down by force, or by throwing the State into
combustion. The Queen is very old, and will not consent to the
nomination of a successor, the King of Scots being the legitimate
one, but he may he opposed by other candidates, or by those who
fear his revenge for his mother's death. Thus factions might arise,
and the King of Spain favour the candidate who would renounce
the heresy of the kingdom. But should fear of the King's power
prevent any from accepting his aid, and an attempt be made
to convert the King of Scots, or to turn him from the succession,—transporting his son, who is young, to Rome or into Spain,—then a
diversion would ensue, the King of Spain would try to establish
the Prince under his guardianship, and the Catholic religion would
restore from heresy a people accustomed to follow the religion of
their King. |
|
Should the King of Scots come peaceably to the throne, it is to
be feared that the Catholic religion would be depressed, as it is in
Holland and among the heretics of Germany. Jealousy should be
removed between the Kings of Spain and France, that they may
unite to chase heresy. The Pope wishes the consistory to help the
King of Spain with advice, &c. As force does not seem to succeed,
and there is little hope through Ireland, the sending Catholics into
the kingdom seems the surest way, and they must pray for the salvation of so many thousands of souls. [French, 2¼ pages.] |
| Oct. ? |
110. Copy of the above [by Dud. Carleton] from that in the
consistory at Rome. [2½ pages.] |
| Oct. ? |
111, 112. Two other copies of the above. [2 pages each.] |
