|
| Mar. 4. |
70. Alex. King, auditor, to Lord Burghley. At the time of the
survey of Dacre's lands in 26 Eliz., Her Highness' pleasure was
notified to all her tenants of the said lands in Cumberland, that, as
they had now become her tenants, they should continue so, and be
freed from all exactions, services, and duties to any other person,
other than such as by the customs they were bound to do upon the
Borders, at command of the Lord Warden; and that using themselves well and orderly, they would find her favour. It was then
declared to them how good it would be for them that those lands
had come to Her Majesty's hands, so as to be rid of all controversies
of late years; and it was to great purpose that this Her Majesty's
pleasure was so signified to them, for thereby many who before
were addicted to the Dacres,—yea, even to the name of a Dacre,—were brought home to the place where they ought to be and continue. |
|
There is nothing they crave so much as to have officers appointed over them who will defend them from spoil and harrying, which, if granted them, the following benefits are likely to
ensue:—1. A singular love and duty towards Her Majesty, for her
care over them. 2. A cause to encourage them to perform this
service more willingly, whenever they shall be commanded. 3. A
means to make them, in a short time, able to provide horse, armour,
&c. meet for service, much better than they now have. Having such
officers appointed as will see them kept in due obedience, and such
as ought to keep able geldings fit for service furnished as they
ought, they will soon be able of themselves so to strengthen the
Borders as Her Majesty shall not need hereafter to be at any
extraordinary charge in those parts. |
|
I presume to set down these things, because of some hard speeches
lately given in Burgh Barony and elsewhere, by some of the worse
sort of Her Majesty's tenants, that they are now in a worse case than
ever, and that Her Majesty makes little better account of them than
as of thieves dwelling upon the Borders, and therefore suffers them
to be harried and spoiled. If this be true, some course should be
taken for their relief, that they may find that it is far better for
them to be her tenants than a subject's lest they should have cause
to say, as some have already said, that they lived far more safely
when they were Dacre's tenants. Unless the tenants within the
baronies of Burgh and Gillesland be preserved from spoil and harrying, they will neither be able to maintain horse and do service upon
the Borders, nor to pay their rent. The following officers should be
commanded to be resident upon their offices, and charged to perform
their duties: Thomas Musgrave, captain of Bewcastle; Thos. Carleton, land serjeant of the barony of Gillesland; John Dalston, marshal
steward of Burgh barony; John Synowes, steward of the lordship of
the Holme Cultram; and they should be bound in sufficient sureties
for their residency, and to keep the tenants in due obedience; to
defend them from spoil and theft, and to see that such as are to
serve with horses be furnished, and every tenant ready to serve at
all times. |
|
As the captain of Berwick has better than 300l. a year by Her
Majesty's grant and allowances, whereby he is well able to attend
his charge, and to keep good geldings, so if the land serjeant for
Gillesland and marshal steward for Burgh Barony might be allowed
some reasonable fee out of Dacre's lands, they might keep each
of them — good geldings. These means would make the Borders
so quiet and strong that, without further help, they could defend
themselves. |
|
I write thus because Her Majesty's tenants look to me,—being her
officer for the said county, and having delivered her pleasure and
great favour towards them,—to regard them, and inform you of their
distressed estates. Knowing that by their well-doing, Her Majesty
will be the better served, loved, and paid her rents, I am the more
bold to deliver thus much. [1½ pages.] Annexing, |
|
70. i. Note, by Auditor King, of manors, lands, and tenements
formerly belonging to Lord Dacre, situated in cos. Westmoreland, Cumberland, and Shropshire, and within the
circuit of Alex. King, auditor, which have reverted to
Her Majesty by the attainders of Leonard Dacre and the
Earl of Arundel; with particulars of their value. Total,
1,298l. 1s. 2¾d. [1½ pages.] |
|
70. ii. Note, by Auditor King, of castles and houses of defence
adjoining Scotland, and within the West Borders, viz.:— |
|
Bewcastle, three miles from Scotland, and next the
Middle Marches, a place of great defence. |
|
Askerton Tower, two miles south and by west from
Bewcastle, and six from Scotland. |
|
Rowcliff Castle, two miles from Scotland, and three
from Carlisle. |
|
Carlisle Castle, three miles south from Rowcliff, and
six from Scotland, a place of great respect. |
|
Citadel, a fortress for defence of Carlisle, a quarter
of a mile south from the castle. |
|
Drumburgh, neither castle nor tower, but a house of
strength, six miles west and by north from Carlisle
Castle, and two from Scotland, a very fit place for
defence of that part of the Border. |
|
Bowness House or Tower, belonging to the Parsonage,
two miles west and by north from Drumburgh, adjoining a sea creek which divides the English and
Scottish Borders, a place of small receipt, yet very
necessary for that part of the Border. |
Woulstre Castle, seven miles west by south from
Bowness Tower, a quarter of a mile from the sea creek
which divides the said Border, and about four hours'
boating over the creek to Scotland. [1 page.]
7 March 1593. |
| March 24. |
71. Thomas Lord Scrope to Lord Burghley. Being suddenly
amazed at my late being with the [Queen], I could not answer every
part of her advice, and so have set down my reply to certain points
I omitted. It grieved me that one of my blood had ever lighted
into her heavy indignation, but [my] grief was quickly razed by
her acceptance of myself. I hope that they which acknowledge her
vi[rtues] and have tasted of her grace will endeavour to deface by
dutiful be[haviour] the memory of former faults; but for myself, I
desire ever to be [cen]sured by my own endeavours, and not by the
faults of other men. |
|
The pe[rsons] whom Her Majesty commanded me to use in matters
of advice shall be [accep]table, as she has recommended them; [her]
service is the scope of all my pains, and no partialities of others
shall estrange my love from those that declare their zeal and duty
towards her. No man ever undertook a charge with greater desire
to deserve her gracious opinion. |
|
I need not use many words in craving your recommendation,
because without it, I had [not] had the place which many sued for,
but pray help me with such allowance [for my] journey down, the
removing of my stuff, and charges of first planting there, as have
been granted to other wardens. My chief desire is that, as you
were a constant friend to my father in the same place, so you may
continue alike to me. [1 page, damaged.] |
| March ? |
72. "An Act for the rating of spinners' and weavers' wages,
and to reform the falsities of regrators of woollen yarn." Doubts
having arisen as to whether the assessing and rating of spinners'
and weavers' wages be within the meaning of the Statute 5 Eliz.,
entitled an Act touching divers orders for artificers, labourers,
servants of husbandry, and apprentices; Be it enacted that from
henceforth, all such shall be within the meaning of the said Act.
[½ page, draft.] |
| March. |
73. Alex. King, auditor, to Lord Burghley. You directed that
I should make a book of the names of Her Majesty's tenants, in cos.
Cumberland and Westmoreland, and the rents they paid, that it
might appear how many are within the West Marches, to serve with
horse for defence of the Borders; but for want of particular surveys
of divers manors within my office, and the alteration of tenants
where any particular survey is extant, I can neither set down a true
note of every tenant's name, nor who they be that are to do service. Letters should be directed to persons accustomed to take the
musters of the said tenants;—who best know who are to serve both
with horse and nags,—to deliver perfect books as required, by a
certain day. Rich. Bell, sometime secretary to the late Lord Scrope,
could do it. [½ page.] |
