Addenda, Queen Elizabeth - Volume 30: April 1587

Calendar of State Papers Domestic: Elizabeth, Addenda 1580-1625. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1872.

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'Addenda, Queen Elizabeth - Volume 30: April 1587', in Calendar of State Papers Domestic: Elizabeth, Addenda 1580-1625, (London, 1872) pp. 205-208. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/domestic/edw-eliz/addenda/1580-1625/pp205-208 [accessed 27 March 2024]

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April 1587

April 8. 16. Pedigree of the Clement family, and memorandum that Ric. Robinson enfeoffed Thos. Harropp, parson, of Stoke Talmage, John Walleys, Rich. Alnot, and John Clegg of all his lands and tenements in Cleron and Gelder. [2/3 pages.]
April 20. 17. Account of moneys paid to Sir John Norris, John Allen, Thos. Wilkes, Sir Thos. Sherley, Lord Burgh, and Sir Wm. Russell, for the service in the Low Countries; total, 192,154l. 12s. 6d. [1 page, noted by Burghley.]
Endorsed, "Paid, 6 May, to Meredith, Sir Thos. Sherley's deputy, 30,000l.; to the Merchant Adventurers, 2,000l."
April 22.
Eslington.
18. Sir Cuthbert Collingwood to Sec. Walsingham. I remind you of my suit for Harbottle [castle], granted me by Her Majesty through your means. My Lord Lieutenant can report the truth of my information, given him last March, of the disorders in that ruinous country, and confirmed by the gentry of the Borders. [½ page.]
April 25.
Morpeth.
19. Sir John Forster to Sec. Walsingham. Hearing that at an ordinary court to be held at Morpeth on the 24th instant, for and in the name of Lord William Howard and Lady Elizabeth his wife, there was likelihood of the peace being broken, through the great assemblage of people on his part, and also on that of Francis Dacre for hindering the same, I thought it better to be present. I found his lordship's officers holding a court, but most of the meanest sort of the inhabitants of Morpeth, who owed suit and service to him, refused to appear, affirming that if there were any court to be held there for Dacre, they would appear.
As Dacre was in town, and had brought certain learned in the law with him, to hold a court for and in the name of Fras. Dacre, Edw. Grey, constable of Morpeth castle, by his lordship's appointment, stayed his proceedings, lest harm might ensue; and with his servants, used all lawful means to prevent the unlawful assembling, and appointed certain men within his charge to stay the repair of such inhabitants as had refused to appear at the court, and offered to go to the house were Dacre was, leat he might execute his determination in holding a court, which would have been very prejudicial to the title of Lord William and Lady Elizabeth to the castle and lordship of Morpeth.
I intimate thus much, that means may be taken to avoid further inconveniences between the parties. [1½ pages.]
April 25.
York.
20. Henry Earl of Huntingdon to the Lord Treasurer. I received your and Sec. Walsingham's letter, on the order taken for the controversy between the Earl of Arundel and his brother on the one part, and Francis Dacre. If some good course is not taken in time, to try the matters at common law, it is doubted that disorders will rise between them, and murders be committed. You know the nature of the people, and how affectionately they deal in such matters, without regard to law. I remind you, that the mischief which is feared may be prevented. Lord Wm. Howard and Fras. Dacre both desire a speedy trial at common law, which may easily be brought to pass, as you know, both parties agreeing thereto.
P.S.—I enclose a letter from the Lord Warden. [1½ pages.] Enclosing,
20. i. Sir John Forster to the Earl of Huntingdon. To the same effect as that to Walsingham, No. 19, supra.
Morpeth, 25 April 1587.
April 30? 21. "Advertisements touching Sir Fras. Drake's proceedings at Cadiz, sent out of France:"—
Wednesday, 19/29 April 1587, 5 p.m., the English army was discovered coming right to Cadiz, where Don Pedro de Acugna was, with seven galleons. He sent one to discover who they were, but being fired on, it withdrew; he gave the alarm; the town flew to arms; the women were ordered to the fortress, and in the confusion, 27 were smothered in the press at entering. The avenues most dangerous for the enemy's landing were guarded, and a dispatch sent to the Duke of Medina Sidonia at St. Lucar, and to the neighbouring places for help.
The enemy fired at the ships, and plundered them, then burnt a Genoese ship, laden with very rich merchandise; five of Spain, laden for the Indies, and a great galleon of 700 tons. A bark of the enemy was taken in the port, in which were five or six English, who said that they had come in 13 days from England, intending to sack the town. Don Pedro de Acugna attacked them with his galleys, but was obliged to retire, their artillery carrying further than his.
Seeing the precautions taken, the enemy did not attempt to land, but were satisfied with burning the ships.
On Thursday the galleons made another attack, but were driven back by the superior artillery. The enemy plundered and burnt a Biscayan vessel of wines, and six or seven Turkish vessels, laden with munitions of war. He next wanted to attack the bridge by which help was to come, but seeing it well defended, made no effort. They tried to sail away, but the wind did not serve. The galleons and the fortress fired on them, but their artillery always made the galleys retire. The Duke of Medina now entered, with 3,000 footmen and 300 horsemen, but the wind was favouring them. The enemy retired on Friday morning 20 April/1 May. They took away 2,900 pipes of wine, 10,000 quintals of biscuit, 10,000 loads of corn, and much armour, victuals, and munition, having burnt 19 vessels. Some estimate the damage at 3,000 or 4,000 crowns. It is supposed the army will take the route of the Canary, Madeira, or Terceras islands, and seek the fleet returning from the Indies, which was the first object of Drake's voyage.
Account of Sir Fras. Drake's ships:—
2 large war ships, very well made, of 500 tons.
2 admirals of the same size.
1 large similar ship, of 400 tons.
2 war galleons, well made, of 200 tons.
7 of 150, well armed and with good artillery.
13 fine frigates, of about 50 tons.
27 ships in all; but two Englishmen made prisoners, say they have not more than 4,000 men. [2¾ pages.]
April ?
Court.
22. The Council to —. The Queen, by her late proclamation, has forbidden the sewing of woad, till further consideration how it might be tolerated so as not to be hurtful, as it has hitherto been. It is now found expedient that the sewing be continued with moderation, in places convenient, on payment to Her Majesty of 20s. per acre, in respect of the loss she sustains in her Customs; and a surveyor is to be employed, to see that it is only sewn in convenient places, and on bonds for the said payment; and all who have sewn it since the proclamation are to pay the said sum. You are therefore appointed to the said office, to act according to articles sent herewith. [3 pages.] Enclosing,
22. i. Articles to be observed by A. B., touching the sewing of wood within the realm. That it be not sewn within five miles of any of the Queen's residences, nor of any city, market, or thoroughfare town. Nor where there is not sufficient pasture land. Nor where, upon trial, it is found injurious, by taking away the poor from their accustomed work, or damaging fruitful grounds. No man to sew more than 20 acres yearly, and not more than 40 or 60 to be sewn in one parish; this quantity will set on work 200 poor people wanting means forof the year. All transgressors of the proclamation to be inquired into, &c. Also a register to be kept of all the sewers of woad throughout the realm. [6 pages.]
[April.] 23. Account of disbursements by the Merchant Adventurers for pay, from 12 Nov. 1586 to 16 April 1587; to the soldiers in Flushing, by warrant of the Earl of Leicester, 2,740l. 5s.; and to Henry Beecher, Nicholas Erington, and William and Rich. Browne, for furnishing troops with victuals, &c. at Ramekins, Bergen-op-Zoom, and Ostend, 2,568l. 15s. [¾ page.]
April. 24. Note that the Earl of Leicester mortgaged and forfeited to Campion the brewer, for 2,300l., a lease in Kent worth 6,000l.; to John Arundel, for 1,200l., Aldersbrook manor, and other lands; to Alderman Webb, for 1,500l., and to Mrs. Smith, for 2,000l., lands in co. Warwick; to Mr. Aldersey, and other merchants, for 2,000l., lands worth 7,000l.; that all this money was borrowed for, and was spent in Her Majesty's service in the Low Countries, and that such mortgages will be past redeeming, unless immediate payment is made, which if not done, his lordship will lose above 18,000l.; and that he also owes an infinite sum besides, for his expenses incurred in these services. [1 page.]