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Sept. 15.
Cawood. |
86. Thomas Earl of Sussex to Sir Wm. Cecil. My Lord of
Northumberland and Lady, my Lord of Westmoreland, Lord and
Lady Talbot, Ladies Herbert and Wharton, and all the principal
gentlemen and their wives of this country were here with me a
hunting all last week; after divers matches of shooting made
amongst us, it happened that this bearer, my servant, Anthony
Hanmer, in shooting a match, when the Lords and I were in a field
adjoining about other matches at bowls, struck his own man who
gave him aim, in the head with a prickshaft, in presence of a
great number of gentlemen and others, whereof he is now dead.
The shaft was well shot towards the mark, and his man that gave
aim, desirous to see his master win, would not avoid when he was
willed by crying to from both the marks, but wilfully abode at the
mark, and died by his wilfulness. The mischance greatly troubled
the company, and the poor gentleman, knowing the extremity of the
law, is much dismayed. Pray be a means to the Queen to obtain
his pardon, with such a clause of restitution as shall be most beneficial for him. [¾ page.] |
Sept. 22.
Cawood. |
87. Thomas Earl of Sussex to the Council. According to the effect
of my letters of August to my Lord Scrope, Sir Thos. Gargrave, Sir
Geo. Bowes, the Dean of Durham, Mr. Bellingham, and Mr. Eynns,
on the 21st repaired to Carlisle, to meet the justices of assize, and
proceed, by virtue of the commission for oyer and terminer, against
such as, for their offences in the tumult at the Forest of Westward, should be found to be within the compass of felony; and
by virtue of the commission for hearing causes, to proceed against
such as should be found faulty of the riot. In both commissions,
the justices of assize and the persons above written are Commissioners. They proceeded in such sort as detailed in the enclosed. |
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Four persons indicted and arraigned have confessed the felony,
and submitted themselves to Her Majesty's mercy, and judgment
has been deferred, for reasons mentioned in the enclosed. Five others
were also indicted, but there was not sufficient proof. Many have
been long detained in prison, and nearly 300 have confessed the riot,
and stand bound to pay such fines, and to abide such punishment
as I and the Council appoint, wherein we shall proceed as soon
as we can conveniently assemble the number requisite. |
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The cause has been severely followed; the people be repentant
and very fearful, and the example has been made very great. I
have promised the Commissioners to be a suitor to you to obtain
mercy for the four found guilty, and the 36 indicted; consider
this, that ministers here may be bolder to strain matters to the uttermost justice for continuing of obedience, when upon their motion,
mercy is used in causes to them thought fit. I enclose a copy of the
indictment, with a roll of the names of four found guilty, and of the
other 36 indicted; John Browne, for his notorious abusing of Her
Majesty's name and authority, should be left out of the pardon.
[1 page.] Enclosing, |
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87. I. Detailed report of the proceedings of the Commissioners
of oyer and terminer, at Carlisle, 21–25 Aug. 1569, touching tumult made in the unlawful assembly of people in
Westward forest, Cumberland, 24 June 1569. [6¼ pages.] |
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87. II. List of 40 prisoners of Dalston, Thursby, and Wigton,
tried at the assizes, of whom 4 confessed and submitted,
12, after long imprisonment, were bailed till next gaol
delivery, and 24 were not imprisoned at the time of the
arraignment, but the day after; divers submitted and
were committed to ward, but afterwards bailed. [1 page.] |
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87. III. Indictment of the said prisoners, for offence against the
Statute of 1 Mary, condemning to death for felony 40
or more persons who meet tumultuously to overthrow
enclosures, &c., if they do not retire on the sheriff's proclamation. [1 sheet, Latin.] |
Sept. 29.
Cawood. |
88. Thomas Earl of Sussex to the Council. This morning I received
letters from the Earls of Shrewsbury and Huntingdon and Viscount
Hereford; as I have heard nothing from Her Majesty or your Lordships since my brother was here, and as the letters are somewhat
obscure, I send you copies of them and of my answer. [½ page.]
Enclosing, |
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88. I.Thomas Earl of Sussex to the Earls of Shrewsbury and
Huntingdon and Viscount Hereford. I received your
letters directed to me and the Council here, but as we are
much dispersed by sickness and otherwise, and the
greater part meet again on Saturday, and the bearer
intends to remain as long upon other causes, he shall then
receive his answer. The country within this commission
remains in good obedience, and whatsoever Her Majesty
by her warrant shall direct to me shall be obeyed. [⅓page.
Copy, noted by the Earl of Sussex.]
Cawood, 29 Sept. 1569. |
Sept. 29.
Cawood. |
89. Thomas Earl of Sussex to Sir Wm. Cecil. I read your letters
of the 26th with as great grief as I perceive you write them, and
rest appalled and perplexed. When I remember the faithful heart
and dear love that I have known the Duke [of Norfolk] has always
borne Her Majesty, I think it impossible for him to fail in duty
towards her. But when I remember what fear may work in the
heart of him that conceives his sovereign is extremely displeased
with him, and fears imprisonment, I cannot but fear the sequel. |
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When I think to do good by imparting my mind to you, I find
myself so ignorant in the whole of the Duke's doings, that I know
not where to begin. And yet, hoping that he never had or hath
any intent but loyalty, and that some mischievous practisers have
sought to scatter at home some part of the seeds of sedition sown
abroad, I cannot but call to you for help, as to one who I know
would be glad to seek a remedy. This can only be by inducing the
Queen not to forget her former good opinion of the Duke, and by
his reiteration of his loyalty, and submitting to her pleasure in the
case that has bred the evil. I hope the matter is not so far
past but, by good advice, both may take effect. Pray remember
now all the good parts you have known to be in the Duke for
the service of the Queen and the realm; and for both their sakes, and
for the love of them that love and serve her, and wish well to him,
take some hold to satisfy Her Majesty, and put him out of fear,
and avoid that Her Majesty, should mistrust him to be her loyal
subject, or he doubt of her to be his gracious sovereign; and if any
false practices have been used to offend the Queen, endanger him,
or trouble the realm, help to avoid and turn them to a contrary effect. |
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I hope the Duke has done nothing but that this may be with duty
brought to pass; if so, deal in time; if otherwise, I shall curse the time
that ever I saw this office, whereby I was so long absent from him,
and left him to the counsel of others, who have carried him to that
from which my counsel would have stayed him. My affection to
him cannot blind my duty towards the Queen. I have always
loved him above all others, Her Majesty only excepted, and thereby
wish the restitution of her favour and his duty; but if he should
forget his duty,—which God forbid,—I will ever [never ?] slack my
service, and thereof Her Majesty may be most assured. [2 pages.] |
Sept. 29.
Cawood. |
90. Thomas Earl of Sussex to the Council. I received yours with
great grief, and have sent Her Majesty's letters for all the justices of the
peace in the county of York to be before me and the Council at York,
on Saturday next, 1 Oct.; and have also sent copies of your letter
to Lord Hunsdon, Sir John Forster, and Sir Hen. Percy, Her Majesty's
Commissioners, authorising them to execute their contents in Northumberland. I have also sent the same to the Earl of Cumberland,
Lords Scrope and Wharton, and Mr. Bellingham, to be executed
in Westmoreland and Cumberland. When I have met with the
Council, and imparted the contents of your letters to the justices
of peace, we will advertise you of our proceedings. God put into
Her Majesty's heart to continue her favour towards my Lord of
Norfolk, whom she has heretofore dearly loved for his just deserts;
and into his Lordship's heart to continue towards her the loyalty
he has always had, with as great love and desire to honour and
serve her as man could have; and into your Lordships' hearts to
interpose that both may take effect, to the service of Her Majesty,
and comfort of the realm. [¾ page.] |
| Sept. |
91. Survey of the lands and possessions of George Lord Zouch in
co. Devon, taken by John Evelegh, feodary, 8 and 10 Aug. and
14 Sept. [Book of 72 pages, damaged.] |
| Sept. |
Account by Thos. Randolph of his embassy to the Emperor of
Russia, on behalf of the Merchant Adventurers' company, in 1568–9.
[Dom. Eliz., Vol. CXCVI., ff. 108–113. Copy, printed in Hakluyt,
Vol. I., pp. 422–424.] |
