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June 1.
Berwick. |
69. Thomas Earl of Sussex to Sir Wm. Cecil. I have forborne
hitherto to be a suitor to Her Majesty for any rebel, but have
yielded to become a suitor for the life of John Gower, and that he
may compound for his lands. The causes are, first, that he is a
young man, and has not been a malicious offender or privy to
the conspiracy; second, that he is son to Serjeant Wray's sister,
whom I think Her Majesty favours, and I would gladly further;
third, that Cottrell my secretary shall marry with the mother, who
reposes her whole trust in me for saving her son's life; and lastly,
that I do not require Her Majesty's mercy absolutely, whereby
life and lands should be pardoned, but that she will accept a
fine for redeeming the lands. Pray open this to her, and let me
know her pleasure therein. [1 page.] |
June 2.
Guernsey. |
70. Thomas Leighton to Sir Wm. Cecil. Being several times
driven back by contrary winds, I only arrived on Whitsunday at
Guernsey, where the Queen has put me in trust. The fortifications
of the castle are in bad order, there is neither bulwark nor platform
sufficiently flanked. Some may say it is not subject to battery, being
on a rock surrounded by the sea; but there are divers platforms
near the town whence the base court may be annoyed, especially
one against the entry, where the gates are weak and open onto the
churchyard, where 20 cannons might be planted, and the walls are
so weak that a large breach would be made. The ancient building
is but stone and clay without mortar, and at every low tide, men
may come 100 abreast dry shod, from the town to the castle. |
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The Queen must either remove the gate or make before it a
ravelin which would defend it and the curtain of the base court, and
the bulwark before the gate. |
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Mr. Chamberlain's platform lacks 60 feet of wall to join the
curtain, and is so ill-built that unless buttressed it will fall. There
are some materials which should be used at once. The keep will
fall unless taken down. There is no proper cellarage nor place of
stowage for provisions or gunpowder, but one rotten gate to the
three wards, and none to the base court. |
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I have received the ordnance, &c. by inventory from John Chamberlain, but many pieces are unserviceable through canker. It
were better to hestow some cost on fortifying the place than to
wish afterwards that it were done, for an enemy will attempt a
weak place. On 23rd May I mustered the people, 800 in all, but
scare 300 able to serve, and ill furnished; 200 soldiers could overcome
the country. I fear I shall not persuade them to levy a sum to
furnish 300 calivers. |
|
There are far too many Normans and strangers in the isle; I send
you a list of their names. The castle greatly wants ordnance, having
but one brass piece and several broken. I wish two French demiculverins in merchants' hands might be had for the castle, and two
pretty field pieces sent them instead, because these pieces if left in
the island may annoy the castle. [3½ pages.] |
June 6.
Hampton Court. |
Proclamation against pirates. Many persons have been apprehended and executed upon the proclamation of August last for
chasing pirates out of the Narrow Seas, so that none remain; yet
by the fraud or avarice of the officers of petty ports, goods are
secretly brought in which have been taken by ships of war of other
countries, from merchant vessels in the Narrow Seas. The Queen
therefore orders strict observance of the said proclamation, with
addition that if any officer know of any one buying or possessing
goods brought otherwise than by merchant vessels, and do not
apprehend the delinquents, he shall be deprived of his place, and
made prisoner without bail, if the place be held from Her Majesty;
but if from the corporation, the liberties of the corporation shall be
seized into Her Majesty's hands and annihilated; all informers
shall be liberally rewarded. [Dom. Addenda, Vol. XIV., No. 84.
¾ page. French translation from the proclamation printed at
St. Paul's Churchyard by Rich. Le Juge and John Cahul.] |
| June 7. |
71. Bond of Hugh Hollinshed of Thane, co. Oxford, to pay a
certain sum to Rob. Naunton before next St. James's day, on penalty
of a statute staple. Signed, Fras. Alford, Hugh Hollinshed, James
Dyer. [Latin, parchment, imperfect.] |
June 10.
York. |
72. Sir Thos. Gargrave to Sir Wm. Cecil. Thanks for your
goodness towards the suffragan of Nottingham; I trust you will
think the bishopric well bestowed, for the man is zealous, liberal,
hospitable, and of sound doctrines; I have caused him to send one
to prosecute what is there to be done. |
|
As my Lord Lieutenant required me to see that all men here
were horsed and weaponed, and every town furnished with armour
and shot, I would be glad to know where men may have armour,
shot, and weapons for their money. Her Majesty's letter declared
that she had taken order to have some from beyond seas, but it is
not known here where the same is to be had; if part might be
brought to Hull and York, there would be money ready to pay for
them, or for so much as would serve the country. [1 page.] |
June 11.
Guernsey. |
73. The Queen to Lord Hunsdon. Though we have not written
you for long, we do not forget your notable service against the
traitor Dacre, nor your continual service jointly with the Earl of
Sussex. We are glad of success where you two are joined that are of
blood to us. You must not judge us by outward show, for you know
that when you were at Court, we did not use such countenance to
you as nature moved us; but though we do not demonstrate love in
words and letters, we shall in deeds. [1 page. Draft by Sir
Wm. Cecil.] |
June 13.
Guernsey. |
74. Thos. Leighton, captain of Guernsey, to Sir Wm. Cecil. I
sent a man to Brittany to learn the truth about the ships preparing for Scotland. St. Malo sets forth six ships and one pinnace,
and two other places six ships more. All will be ready, with men
and munition, by 6 July, to sail for Dumbarton. The conductor is
Lord Hume, who stays secretly near Brussels, and has it given
out that he is already gone to Scotland. |
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The ships will pass by the west of Ireland, not Wales, and should
be laid wait for there, and cannot escape. They dare not take the
Narrow Seas, for fear of the adventurers of the Isle of Wight, and
they think the Queen's navy will lay in wait for them off Cornwall.
They will not come in sight of England. Two or three of the
Queen's ships, and two small pinnaces might do it. I will lay watch
by trusty ministers, and tell you the day they set forward. |
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One of these has just returned, and tells me that six ships are
preparing from St. Malo, and six from Roscow near Morlaix. They
pretend to be going on letters of marque of the King [of Spain]
against the English. They hope for peace, and then they say the
King will have war with England by way of Scotland. |
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The news from Brittany is that the Admiral has won Lyons. I
have moved the people of this island to furnish themselves better,
and send you a note of what they will do. They of St. Peter's port
have offered to furnish 70 muskets, calivers, and morions, and 30
corslets; the other parishes plead poverty, but will do somewhat. |
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The jurats and merchants of the town request licence to make a
pier to save their ships in winter, which is very needful; for many
ships are cast away when it blows east. The place where they had
begun it might annoy the castle, but another place a mile off, at
Glatney, would do well. [2½ pages.] Annexing, |
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74. i. Account of the number of calivers, muskets, morions, and
corslets furnished by each parish of Guernsey; total,
muskets and calivers, 2,004; corslets, 20; morions, 120.
[French. 4 pages, and two blank leaves.] 10/20 June 1570. |
June 17.
York. |
75. Sir Thos. Gargrave to Sir Wm. Cecil. I enclose a note of the
fines assessed here, and of the payments and remains, with the like
for the 1,000l. I received of Mr. Skinner; also a note of a warrant
which, if Mr. Sheriff likes it, I would have for my discharge, as well
for the sums paid for coat and conduct money, as for the remains in
my hands. |
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There are many poor men that cannot get money to pay their
fines, but will do so as soon as they can, which will be after harvest;
many of the great fines are to be paid at days to come, as may
appear by their bonds remaining with the attorney-general. |
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Here is a great bruit raised of the fall of money. I have searched
for the beginners and occasion, but only understand that it was
uttered in the fairs northward from hence. A month ago, I wrote to
the justices of peace to stay such rumours, and see the offenders
punished; some of them travail to find out the spreaders. It may
chance to further the payment of the loan money. |
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If there be any mass of armour, calivers, and arquebuses brought
from beyond seas, the people here should be directed whither to
repair for the same, and I should know where it is. |
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I fear that divers think it not good to lend Her Majesty their
money, but much against their conscience. The rebels had an opinion
that Her Majesty was not the lawful Queen, and that for matters
of religion, the Bishop of Rome had authority to do much. I
fear without strict laws the priests will not keep quiet; yet in
King Henry VIII.'s days, the proudest of them wrote against the
Pope, but now he is much favoured. [1 page.] Enclosing, |
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75. i. Account [by Sir Thos. Gargrave] of the receipt and expenditure of 4,800l., fines assessed in the North parts,
of which 3,362l. has been received by him, and also of
1,000l. from Mr. Skidmore; balance in hand, 673l., for
which he wants a warrant to pay it to Valentine Browne.
[1 page.] |
|
75. ii. Suggested warrant authorising him to pay any balance
remaining in his hands to Valentine Browne, treasurer
of Berwick. [1 page. Draft by Gargrave.] |
June 21.
York. |
76. Sir Thos. Gargrave to Sir Wm. Cecil. I herewith send to
my Lords and others of the Council the article subscribed by the
justices of the peace, most of whose hearts and hands I trust
agree; and although I neither wish bloody laws nor death in
matters of conscience, yet by experience I see that in Henry VIII.'s
days sharp laws kept the evil quiet, where now they be both fierce
and stout, whereof evil ensueth. I wish it might be experimented by some law whether they that refuse the service and
sacrament would abide imprisonment, with loss of their livings,
during life. Long sufferance of evil breeds hardness, whereof
ensue troubles and dangers; it is time to stick earnestly to the
Church, and stoutly to resist the malice of the enemy. Cruel
enemies will hardly by gentleness become assured friends, but at the
most will dissemble till the time serves. I beseech the Almighty
to repress their malice, and win their hearts to godliness, and long
to preserve the Queen and realm from their malice and deceits. |
|
P.S.—I am so bold as to send herewith a packet of letters from
Lady Sussex to Sir Hen. Ratcliffe. [1 page.] |
| June 23. |
77. Submission of the Duke of Norfolk.—I, Thomas Duke of
Norfolk, with all reverence submit myself to Your Majesty, acknowledging my offence, and offering to make amends, with a determined
mind never to offend you in the same or any like. I beseech
you to accept me into favour to serve you in any manner you please,
wherein I will show the world how loyal a servant you have in me,
and ready to make recompense for former offence. |
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Where I unhappily gave ear to motions of marriage with the
Queen of Scots, permit me to declare such part of the truth that
makes in part my excuse, as I will willingly confess the rest
wherein I did err. I never consented thereto, but whatever reasons
were propounded to induce me thereto for your surety, I always
referred the matter to your allowance, which, I beseech you to
regard in weighing what was faulty in me. On the other part,
I confess that I erred much in not revealing it to you upon the
first motion, and I crave forgiveness. |
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Perceiving that you do not like of such marriage, I do, by
this writing, signed and sealed by me, bind myself never to
offend you again in the same, and do utterly renounce all that
has passed on my part, with a full intention never to deal in that
cause of marriage of the Queen of Scots, nor in any other cause
belonging to her but as you shall command. Having thus declared
my error and repentance, I hope you will extend your accustomed
favour upon me, draw me out of the danger of your displeasure,
grant me relief for my health, and let me appear to the world as
one of your subjects, not touched with any infidelity, but to be
employed as it shall please you, with my life, lands, and goods; and
so recovering the same again, I shall ever acknowledge myself
born under a most gracious sovereign. [1½ pages. Copy damaged.] |
| [June 26.] |
78. List of 65 residents in co. Berks, distributed into the several
hundreds, including two at New Windsor. [12/3 pages. See Dom.
Eliz., Vol. LXXI., No. 24, in which this paper was probably
enclosed.] |
| June 27. |
79. Att. Gen. Gerard to Sir Wm. Cecil. I enclose you a note of
the offers of compositions I have received; the best way to be taken
in these suits is to refer them to the Lord Lieutenant and commissioners for further trial, otherwise Her Majesty is likely to lose
the fines already offered; after I came from her, she signed one bill
for the pardon of Roger Menuel, who offered 100l. for his fine;
if his pardon passes before it is paid, the fine will be lost. She
also appointed that Hussey should be sent down to Durham for his
trial next assizes, which will be in July. I will send the record, but
for his body, order must be given from her to the lieutenant of the
Tower, and to those who are to convey him. |
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Sir Thos. Gargrave has written to me to know whether he and
other commissioners at York might proceed further in the commission for compositions, as divers poor men yet offer composition
for their pardons; and because the proclamation appointed all to come
before the commissioners within 40 days, they have not received
any since the expiration of that time. Her Majesty seemed to
like well that they should proceed for the poor men that required
pardon, and if she will so have it, order must be given to them. |
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I send a list of those that are condemned and remain in the castle
at York; Her Majesty said she would give order to the Lord
Lieutenant, either for their execution or further examination. |
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P.S.—Hussey has married Robt. Bowes' sister, who is sheriff of
Durham, and has returned the jury of divers gentlemen, for so he
was warned, because there should be an indifferent jury for the
Queen. I forgot to inform Her Majesty hereof, and this may cause
her to stay his trial until next term. I would gladly know; the
matter is very evident against him, by his own confession. [1¾ pages.]
Enclosing, |
|
79. i. List of 13 rebel prisoners, with particulars of their lands'
their doings in the rebellion, the amount of composition
offered by each for his pardon, from 10l. to 300 marks,
and the Att. General's opinion in each case. With note
that the fines offered amount to above 1,000l., and that
each case should be referred to the Lord Lieutenant and
the commissioners. [4 pages.] |
|
79. ii. Folding sheet of the above. |
| June 30. |
80. The Queen to the deputy-lieutenants of Kent, Essex, and
Hampshire. In the absence of the Marquis of Winchester, lord
treasurer, we have committed the government of the country to
you, and perceiving how meet it is for sudden occasions, either from
abroad or at home, that some arquebusiers in that county, especially
towards the seaside, might be ready to be employed, we wish the
same speedily provided for, not meaning to prevent the furniture
and putting in order the rest of our subjects, to serve as occasion
shall be given. |
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We will and require you therefore with speed, upon conference
with such as you shall think meet, to cause a number of our subjects
to meet and be trained to use arquebuses, to be furnished at the
common charge of the county, and committed to the charge of
skilful captains; taking care that thereby neither the captains nor
their companies abuse their licences to use their shooting to the hurt
of the country, either for destruction of warrens, or offence of our
people by travelling by the highways; but that their training be at
times specially appointed, where some of credit may see the same
orderly done. We cannot prescribe the number, yet the greater the
better, and above 500 or 600 for that part of the county near the
sea or the Thames. |
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You will do well to distribute the charges hereof more indifferently, that they which be further from the sea may be the
more burdened, either with aid to this charge, or with provision
of other weapons, and especially with charge of horses. Advertise
us or our Council what you shall devise, and have good regard that
such as collect aid to this service do not make private gain hereby,
as they have done in some parts of our realm. [1¾ pages. Draft
by Sir Wm. Cecil.] |
