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Jan. 2.
Berwick. |
1. John Crane to Lord Cecil. You being the only nobleman
from whom I have received favour, as I hold the place of Government until His Majesty appoint another, I remind you of things
necessary for this town, set down in Her late Majesty's establishment. |
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First. His Majesty makes some dissolution of the former numbers
here, and yet, as I would not have it accounted a dissolution, I continue a watch and ward of 20 soldiers. His Majesty commanded that
such as remain in whole pay should do duties appointed by the commander of the garrison, in guarding his ordnance and munition here. |
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Second, There is a watch tower, overlooking both the town, fields,
and seas, in which is an alarm bell, kept by two poor footmen at 4d.
a day each, to make known to the town what troops of horse they
see coming to the town, or what number of ships by sea, that the
place be not taken on the sudden. |
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Thirdly, It was the order of Her Majesty's establishment that
variances between soldiers for debts, broils, &c., should be decided
by the military commander, and those between a soldier and a
townsman by the governor and mayor. |
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In the last copy of an establishment set down by the Lord Treasurer, the four constables of the horsebands, being over the number
of 80 horsemen, are left out, nevertheless they were ancient servitors
and men of good worth, commanders of 20 horsemen apiece, and
appointed by Her late Majesty to train them, as the captains did
their soldiers, and therefore by the Commissioners set down, as other
officers of the town, to have whole pay; wherein they doubt not
of your favourable consideration. [12/3 pages.] |
| Jan. 4. |
2. Note by Sir Rog. Wilbraham, that His Majesty being informed,
by him, that Wm. Barnes, Gentlemen of the Chapel, and Petty
Canon in Windsor, is dead, has directed a letter recommending Anth.
Harrison, also Gentleman of the Chapel, for the place. [¼ page.] |
| Jan. 4. |
3. The King to the Mayor of Coventry. Dr. Wilkes, our chaplain,
has told us of his suit to you for the reversion of a lease of Cowdon
Farm, of which he is your tenant, and which was granted to you by
Henry VIII.; his suit is reasonable; wherefore we require you to
grant him a new lease at the old rent, without fine. [½ page, draft.] |
| Jan. 19. |
4. Sir John Stanhope to Sir Thomas Lake, or any other clerk of
the Signet. Rich. Hampton has got His Majesty's bill assigned for
the office of moletaker on surrender of Wm. Thornback; you ask
from what time any fee has been received for the place, I certify
that there has not been any from me since Lady Day last. [¼ page.] |
| Jan. 24. |
5. The King to [Mrs. Jane Shelley]. We lately, upon your
suit, delivered you your jointure lands, being our inheritance, which
the late Queen refused to do, and we dispensed with your oath,
which the law in that case required. But you use our said grant
contrary to our meaning, to the undoing of our servant, Wm. Bird,
Gentleman of our Chapel. He took leases of your farm and woods of
Stondon Place, co. Essex (now parcel of your jointure) from the late
Queen, for three of his children's lives, paid fines and bestowed great
charges on the houses and barns, paid his rent ever since the death
of your husband, and deserved well of you. Yet notwithstanding,
since the said grant, you go about to thrust him out of his possession.
to his present undoing, having no other house, and to the great
danger of his children's future estate. For staying of which your
hard course, neither your own conscience, nor our benignity towards
you, nor the decree of our Exchequer Chamber yet in force, nor the
letters of our Privy Council, nor any reasonable composition offered
you by our said servant, move you. |
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Being a woman of great living and no charge, and having many
better houses than his, we marvel that in those lands which you so
lately received from us, and which are our inheritance, you offer so
hard measure to our servant; whereupon we require you to permit
him to enjoy the said farm and woods, and give no cause hereafter of
complaint. [¾ page, draft. See Calendar James I.,27Oct. 1608.] |
| Jan. |
6. Lists of 100 grants, annuities, letters, pensions, warrants, &c.
passed during the month, and account of fees received in the Signet
Office for them; total. 58l. 10s. [2 ½ pages.] |
| Jan. ? |
7. Notes for the Middle shires:—The Commission is to be
amended in two points. One is to have the power invested in one
person for apprehension, examination, and commitment; the other
to extend it to the co. Palatine of Durham. A warrant for the
commissioners' allowance. Abatement of the soldiers in Ferne Island
and Carlisle Castle. Distribution of the horses for convenience of
the service, &c. |
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Things to be referred to Mr. Attorney. To explain the word
"irreclaimable." To speak with my Lord of Durham touching his
liberties in Northumberland, whereunto the Commissioners' jurisdiction should extend. To consider of the letters patent of Holy
and Ferne Islands, Carlisle Castle, and the citadel there, and whether
the King may not convert the pay there to what use he pleases,
notwithstanding the patents. [1page. Partly by Lord Cecil.] |
| Jan. ? |
8. E. Reynoldes to Owen Reynoldes. Private affairs; disposal of
rents, and collecting of debts. I should be glad to hear from Sir
Thos. Smith, what good might be done by his means. You might
hear of many things in Court, and Mr. Packer has promised to
hearken out somewhat fit for me. |
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We have a fresh alarm here, that my Lady [Countess of Essex] is
deceased. If any such thing be, it will puzzle me about my rent,
and I shall be exceeding sorry for the loss of her. Let me hear the
certainty, as also how Mr. Fowkes, Lady Skinner, and the rest are;
Mr. Pepper said they were visited with the sickness. |
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P.S.—When God shall ease the sickness, I will take a house in
London, if I can find one to my liking that has not been visited.
[1 page.] |
