James I: Volume 17, December, 1605

Calendar of State Papers Domestic: James I, 1603-1610. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1857.

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'James I: Volume 17, December, 1605', in Calendar of State Papers Domestic: James I, 1603-1610, (London, 1857) pp. 265-277. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/domestic/jas1/1603-10/pp265-277 [accessed 24 April 2024]

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December, 1605.

Dec. 1.
Bridewell.
1. Silvester Norris, priest, to Salisbury. Never heard of the conspiracy; only knew a few of the conspirators slightly; denies some particulars of his first confession before Sir Toby Chauncey. As to the question whether he would obey the Pope against the King, he would do what he thinks God would have him do. Offers to obtain from the Pope orders for the loyalty of English Catholics, and hostages for their good conduct. Asks pity for his extreme sufferings from cold and darkness.
Dec. 1.
London.
2. [Earl of Salisbury] to the [Earl of Dumfermline], Lord Chancellor of Scotland. Thanks for the good opinion of the Scottish Council, on his conduct in the Powder Plot. Would rather die than be slack in searching the dregs of it to the bottom. Catesby had warned the Lords Montague, Mordaunt, and Stourton. The Earl of Northumberland is suspected of having received a general caution from Percy, but not of any knowledge of the real Plot. No foreign Prince is concerned in it. The King's wisdom, constancy, and even temper, in dealing with it.
Dec. ? 3. Earl of Northumberland to Salisbury. Recommends the bearer, Dudley Carleton, formerly his Secretary. Would be sorry were he to be involved in his own misfortunes. Marked, "Not sent."
Dec. 2.
Bailiff's House at Westminster.
4. Dud. Carleton to the Same. Begs that he and the Council will acquit him of suspicion of bearing a part in the barbarous villainy. Has been in restraint nine days.
Dec. 2.
Seaton.
5. Earl of Dunfermline to the Same. The discovery of the late horrible conspiracy and the present unity of the kingdom induce him to send for further directions. The bearer, Alex. Hay, will acquaint his Lordship with the state of affairs in Scotland.
Dec. 2.
Bothal.
6. Sir Hen. Wodrington to the Same. Has examined Rob. Davison, Percy's servant, but can gain no further information from him. Rushforth is set at liberty. Annexed is,
6. I. Note by Robt. Davison of recusants released out of several prisons.
Dec. 2.
Calais.
7. Examination of Wm. Wyles, by Sir George Carew. David Alleyn, lately come from England, told him that he was one of 200 men, who were to have risen, had the Plot taken effect.
Dec. 2.
Calais.
8. Examination of David Alleyn. Regrets having betrayed himself by talking in his drink; was an embroiderer for 2 years in Sir John Fortescue's house.
Dec. 2. Examination of Sir Everard Digby. Confesses that Catesby revealed the Plot to him in October; Darcy, Brook, Fisher, and Brown frequented his house; refuses to say whether they are priests; assembly at Dunchurch, Holbeach, &c.; none of the people joined; Catesby had promised that the Popish Lords should be saved. [G. Plot Bk., No. 135.]
Dec. 2. Examination of Rich. Hollis, alias Hobbes, under-cook to Sir Everard Digby. Led his master's trunk-horse to Dunchurch; particulars of the insurrection. [G. Plot Bk., No. 138.]
Dec. 2. 9. Examination of Amb. Rokewood, confronted with Keyes. Catesby told him of the Plot; they wished to save Lords Rutland, Mordaunt, and Montague; meant to have proclaimed the Princess Elizabeth; account of those hurt at Holbeach House.
Dec. 2. [Second] examination of the same. Loved Catesby as his own soul; was told the Plot by him; believed it right, and did not reveal it in confession; Catesby told him, Nov. 4, that the cellar was all right, and he thought the secret was not discovered; particulars of their flight from London; assembly at Dunchurch; Sir Rob. Digby with them; was hurt at Holbeach House. [G. Plot Bk., No. 136.]
Dec. ? 10. Sir Everard Digby to Lord Salisbury. Will undertake to secure the Pope's promise not to excommunicate the King, if he will deal mildly with Catholics. If violent measures are taken, predicts massacres, rebellions, &c. Had not priests hindered, attempts would have been made sooner to ease Catholics.
Dec. 2. Examination of Mich. Pelborough, smith, servant of Amb. Rokewood. Brought horses for his master to Mr. Grant's house, near Warwick; particulars of the insurrection; he escaped from Holbeach house, and told the Justices at Stourbridge of the rising. [G. Plot Bk., No. 139.]
Dec. 2. Examination of Sir Wm. Lower, as to the company who dined with the Earl of Northumberland on Nov. 4th, and as to a conversation that took place, about the Parliament and certain Articles of the Union [between England and Scotland], which Percy had in writing. [Ibid., No. 137.]
Dec. 2. Examination of Thos. Edgin, servant to John Winter. Particulars of the insurrection; he left them at Holbeach, and surrendered himself to the Justices at Huddington. [Ibid., No. 140.]
Dec. 3. Examination of Sir Rich. Wenman. Contents of Mrs. Vaux's letter to his wife; disliked their intercourse, because Mrs. Vaux tried to pervert his wife; Lady Fermor had written for a copy of Mrs. Vaux's letter, but it was lost. [Ibid., No. 141.]
Dec. 3. Examination of John Flower, servant to Amb. Rokewood. Brought 300£. and horses to his master at Mr. Grant's; particulars of the insurrection; fled from them at Holbeach. [Ibid., No. 142.]
Dec. 4. Examination of Stephen Kirke, servant to Amb. Rokewood. Helped to convey money and horses for his master, to Mr. Grant's, &c. [Ibid., No. 144.]
Dec. 4 ? 11. Notes by Levinus Munck from the examinations of Thos. Maunder and Wm. Snow, &c., concerning John Talbot, of Grafton; with marginal annotations [by Sir Edw. Coke.]
Dec. 4.
Whitehall.
Examination of John Talbot. His previous intercourse with the conspirators; on Nov. 8th, Thos. Winter came to his house, but he begged him to go away, as there was a stir in Worcestershire, and an order issued to apprehend his brother, who was fled. Indorsed [by Coke] with references to examinations of [Thos.] Winter, Dec. 5th, Sir E. Digby, Nov. 29th, and Thos. Bates, Dec. 4th. [G. Plot Bk., No. 143.]
Dec. 4. Examination of Thos. Bates, servant to Robt. Catesby. His master sent him to hire a place near the Parliament House, and, on his suspecting mischief, revealed the Plot to him; he told it in confession to Greenway the priest, who said it was a good cause, bade him be secret, and absolved him; left them at Holbeach, because, when some of the powder exploded, John Wright wanted to set fire to the rest, and blow them all up together; they sent from Holbeach to induce John Talbot to join them; heard them say they should have 25,000£. out of Spain. [Ibid., No. 145.]
Dec. 5.
Tower.
Examination of Thos. Winter. Went to Mr. Talbot, Nov. 8th but was sent away; spoke with Leonard Smallpeece, who told him that Mr. Talbot said the rising was a foolish attempt; never named the Plot to Huddleston; particulars of the Plot. [Ibid., No. 146.]
[Dec. 5.] Instructions [by Chief Justice Popham] for Sir Rich. Wenman, to send up the letters written to his wife by Mrs. Vaux and Lady Fermor, with a true account, from those who saw Mrs. Vaux's letter, of its contents. [Ibid., No. 228.]
Dec. 5.
Tamepark.
Sir Rich. Wenman to Lord Chief Justice Popham. Has followed his directions. [Ibid., No. 147.] Incloses,
I. Examination of Agnes Lady Wenman. She kept Mrs. Vaux's letter at first, to shew it to her husband, because she was angry with her mother-in-law, Lady Tasburgh, for opening it, but has lost or burnt it since; her mother [Lady Fermor] wrote to ask her to send it, or a copy of it, to Mrs. Vaux, who had heard that she was called in question for it, but she could not; it was chiefly about Lord Vaux's marriage with Lady Suffolk's daughter, and about the disgrace of the Catholics; adding, "Notwithstanding pray, for Tottenham may turne French." [Ibid., No. 229.]
II. Examination of Margaret Payn, Lady Wenman's maid. Remembers Mrs. Vaux's letter, and the sentence about Tottenham turning French, but nothing about fasting for any purpose that was in hand. [Ibid., No. 230.]
Dec. 6. 12. Examination of Thos. Strange, alias Anderton, priest. Refuses to answer many questions; prevaricates till confronted with other witnesses; left Mrs. Vaux's house, Nov. 6th; denies saying that the dispensation for the marriage of the King's parents had been sought in vain at Rome, or that he made a book on the baseness and defects of the English.
Dec. 6.
Serjeants' Inn.
13. Examination of Hen. Huddleston, alias Hurleston. Particulars of his journey to and from London; was overtaken by Catesby, John Wright, and Percy; met Gerard alias Brooke, Singleton alias Clifton, and Strange alias Anderton, Jesuits, at Mrs. Vaux's house; Darcy, Pierce alias Fisher, and Greenway, priests, were there sometimes; Mrs. Vaux told them of the troubles in London, and said she heard of them from Sir George Fermor; on Nov. 7th, he, with Strange, Singleton, and Batley, left Mrs. Vaux's, and were taken at Kenilworth.
Dec. 7 ? 14. Dorothy Huddleston to Salisbury. Begs favour for her husband, a prisoner in the Marshalsea, and to be allowed access to him.
Dec. 7.
Rushall.
15. Sir Edw. Leigh to the Council. Sends up Timothy Hayes for their examination, rather than send him to Stafford Assizes. Incloses,
15. I. Deposition signed by the Mayor of Walsall and others, of the speeches of Timothy Hayes, on the authority of the Pope, as Supreme Head of the Church, to depose the King. Dec. 5.
15. II. Examination of Timothy Hayes, scholar in Douay, on his proceedings in England, his utterance of the speech aforesaid, &c. Dec. 5.
Dec. 7.
Brigham.
16. -- [name erased], a clergyman, to Vaughan, Bishop of London. Congratulations on his accession to the see of London. Percy's restless and absent demeanour, when lately in the North. Account of his death. Great countenance given by the Earl of Northumberland to Sir Wilfrid Lawson; he was made Knight of the Shire, but after Percy being with them, excused himself from attending Parliament. Conduct of other auditors, &c., influenced by Percy.
Dec. 7.
Easton-neston.
Sir George Fermor to Lord Chief Justice Popham. Has answered his interrogatories. Lady Fermor wrote to Lady Wenman for Mrs. Vaux's letter, but could not get it. [G. Plot Bk., No. 148.] Incloses,
I. Interrogatories by Popham, with Fermor's replies. Lord Vaux sent for him on Nov. 6 ; Mrs. Vaux wished him to attend her son to London, but altered her mind, on account of hearing of the broils; young Mr. Huddleston was there, but left the next morning; knew nothing of the treason intended, till his son Robert came to Mrs. Vaux's, and told him; Mrs. Vaux seemed not to have heard of it before. [Ibid., Nos. 149 and 150.]
Dec. 7. 17. Re-grant and assignment by Tho. Hodges of Weston-sub-Edge, to Robert Hyron of Westington, of the moiety of lands in Aston- sub-Edge, formerly demised by Nich. Porter to Thos. Reade, of Chipping Campden, and Rob. Hyron.
Dec. 7. Grant to Edw. Roberts of the office of Captain of the Block House' West Tilbury, co. Essex. [Grant Bk., p. 14.]
Dec. 8.
Tower.
18. Sir Wm. Waad to Salisbury. Faukes's mother still alive and married to Foster, an obstinate recusant. The two Wrights, Faukes, and Tesmond the Jesuit, were schoolfellows. Grant wishes to sell a fine horse, to supply the wants of his wife and children.
Dec. 8. 19. Warrant to pay -- thousand pounds per ann. to Sir Jas. Hay, appointed Gentleman of the Robes, for apparel, &c., for the King's person.
Dec. 9. Grant to George Earl of Dunbar of all duties on logwood, blockwood, &c. [Grant Bk., p. 18.]
Dec. 9.
Durham.
20. Wm. James, Dean of Durham, to Salisbury. Seditious state of the recusants; the number excommunicated by the Bishop. As preparations to the late hellish tragedy, many recusants, within the last two years, have assigned their lands and leases. Their proceedings, &c.
Dec. 9. Examination of George Vavasour, of the Inner Temple. Confesses that two books, taken by Sir Edw. Coke, were from his room; one was a copy, made by him from the other, for Fras. Tresham, of George Blackwell, the archpriest's, treatise against lying and dissimulation; he knows not who wrote the other book. [G. Plot Bk., No. 151.]
Dec. 9. 21. Copy of the above.
Dec. 9. 22. Examination of Lewis Tresham. His father, Sir Thos. Tresham, used to lodge in the Inner Temple, and Wm. Vavasour kept his keys in his absence; went into Spain with the Earl of Nottingham, and spent some time there.
Dec. 9. 23. Examination of Wm. Tresham. Confirms the above; served in the Low Countries, under John Blunt; thinks the other book is in the handwriting of Wm. Vavasour, who formerly served his father, and now serves his brother in the Tower.
Dec. 10. Examination of Fras. Tresham. Gave Blackwell's book to Geo. Vavasour to copy for him; has forgotten how he got the book, and does not know who wrote or interlined it; never shewed it, nor gave away any copy of it. [G. Plot Bk., No. 152.]
Dec. 10. 24. Examination of Dorothy, wife of John Bullock of the Lowe, [Shropshire]. Knew nothing of the christening of Botfield, her brother-in-law's child, because they were not good friends; her husband was ill when he went to London, and therefore she said she feared she should see him no more.
Dec. 10. 25. Examination of Fras. Rowe, servant to John Bullock. Passing through Stotterton, he saw Botfield's child returning from christening; no one went to London with his master, but William, an old servant.
Dec. 10.
Ludlow.
26. Examination of Thos. Horwell, of North Cleobury, co. Salop, relative to the birth and christening of Botfield's child.
Dec. 10. 27. Petition of Edm. Lassells to the Council. Has concealed nothing which he spoke to Lady Shrewsbury or to Lord Roxburghe. Had no ill intention against the Earl of Salisbury. Begs that his friends who have signed bonds for him may be protected from his creditors.
Dec. 10 ? 28. Edw. Reynoldes to Owen Reynoldes. Will not give a penny more of ready money [for the place] than he has offered, but will give 100£. per ann. of the proceeds thereof for two years, if they amount to 250£. a year. Private business.
Dec. 10. 29. Warrant for a grant to Lewis Duke of Lenox, of Exchequer lands, value 900£. per ann., on consideration of his surrender of certain lands in Scotland. If there be not lands to that amount left out of the entail, the Commissioners for Sale of Lands are to make up the deficit in money.
Dec. 10. 30. Examination of Amb. Rokewood. Catesby had told him of the Plot, but Percy did not know that he was acquainted with it till Nov. 5th; when informed of it, he said, "Upon my soul, I thought no man had been acquainted with it but such as I had known;" and told him [Rokewood] to shift for himself.
Dec. 10. 31. Examination of Sir Everard Digby. Catesby told him that, though the Plot was discovered, Salisbury and the King were slain "by another practise." Denies saying, that "though this did not hit, another would."
Dec. 11. Examination of Jas. Garvey, servant to Sir Everard Digby. Attended his lady to Mr. Throgmorton's on Nov. 6; she sent him to Rob. Winter's, with horses; left the conspirators at Holbeach House; in August, his mistress went on pilgrimage to St. Winifred's well, with Lady Digby, Mrs. Vaux, Darcy, Fisher, Thos. Digby, and others. [G. Plot Bk., No. 153.]
Dec. 12. 32. Examination of Thos. Strange, Jesuit. Acknowledges an intercepted letter, written by him two years ago; declines to tell from whom he had the information contained in it, about the Spanish Ambassador, soldiers, &c., or what it was he wished to be informed of, by writing in orange or lemon juice; never saw any work on equivocation, but knows that the Catholics hold it lawful.
Dec. 12. Examination of Geo. Vavasour. Received the book to copy, from Fras. Tresham, at Hogsdon, near London, his father's house; copied it at Cole's house near St. Dunstan's Church, where he lodged with Lewis Tresham, who was expelled from the Temple. [G. Plot Bk., No. 154.]
Dec. 13. Examination of the Same. The copy of a work "De Officio Principis Christiani" was transcribed by him 10 or 11 years past, from a printed copy in the chamber of Nicolas Morrice, schoolmaster to Sir Thos. Tresham. [Ibid., No. 155.]
Dec. 12 ? 33. Points to be noted in the book of equivocation, suspected to be written by Gerard the Jesuit. The title was altered by Garnet, from "A Treatise of Equivocation" to "A Treatise against Lying and Fraudulent Dissimulation," &c.
Dec. 12 ? 34. Copy of the above.
Dec. 13.
Westminster.
35. Warrant to pay to the Governor and Company of Merchants now incorporated, trading to the Levant Seas, 5,322£. for a present to the Grand Seignior.
Dec. ? 36. Names of the ports open to the old Levant Company, within the Seigniory of Venice, and of those promised to be open to the new Company. Indorsed [by Salisbury], "Rich. Gore and his brother."
Dec. 13. 37. Dud. Carleton to Salisbury. Beseeches him to procure the just favour of their Lordships, that his innocency may appear by his liberty.
Dec. 13. 38. Same to Sir Thos. Windebank. Being removed from his custody to be a prisoner on parole, feels more a prisoner than ever, fearing to offend; begs his influence with Salisbury to procure his freedom.
Dec. 13. 39. Earl of Northumberland to the Commissioners for the Plot. Has remembered, in reference to the question as to what passed at his table on Nov. 4th, that Percy asked what news of the Parliament, and shewed him the Articles of the Union; probably wishing to find out if he had heard anything of Lord Monteagle's letter, but not daring to ask.
Dec. 13. Examination of Agnes Lady Wenman. Has sought in vain for Mrs. Vaux's letter; saw Mrs. Vaux at Mr. Simon's house in August, and complained of Lady Tasburgh's opening the letter; cannot remember that she promised to keep it. [G. Plot Bk., No. 156.]
Dec. 14.
Fleet Prison.
40. Reply by Edm. Lassells to the questions of John Corbett, Clerk of the Council Told Lord Roxburghe that he heard the Papists would submit to any conditions, to secure the King's favour, but did not tell him that he heard it at the Earl of Salisbury's; went into the Low Countries in August last, to see the army, wishing to have a commission; lived when there with Sir Edw. Cecil.
Dec. 14.
Beauchamps Court.
41. Sir Fulk Greville, sen., to Salisbury. Hopes to be able to send him a traitor's horse, taken in his town.
Dec. 14. Grant to the Mayor, &c. of Chester, of all prize wines and butlerages in the County Palatine of Chester. [Ind. Wt. Bk., p. 44.]
Dec. 14.
London.
42. Certificate by the Commissioners for sale of the Carrack goods, as to their disposal of 451 pieces of calico to Wm. Massam, of London, who shipped them for Spain.
Dec. 16.
Westminster.
43. The King to the Master, &c. of -- College. Recommends John Fish, student there, to the next vacant fellowship.
Dec. 16.
Westminster.
44. The King to Sir Wm. Roper of Eltham. Is informed that the lands of Ralph Brokesby, settled on Sir William for the benefit of Brokesby's children, have not been so appropriated. Requires him to attend to the interests of the children. [See 1604, May 10.]
Dec. 16. 45. Copy of the above.
Dec. 16.
Westminster.
46. Grant to John Banckes of the office of keeper of the rabbit warren and game at Wilbraham Bushes, between Newmarket and Shelford.
Dec. 16.
Gatehouse, Westminster.
47. Phil. Bennet to Salisbury. Has been in prison three years, for a small debt. Can reveal conversations with many Popish prisoners. One said 300,000 papists in England would pay the King 40s. a year each, for toleration. A stationer in London, a pretended protestant, scatters popish books.
Dec. 17.
Without Cripplegate.
48. Dud. Carleton to John Corbett. Is ill from his confinement; begs him to speak a good word to Lord Salisbury in his favour.
Dec. ? Matters objected against Henry Carey and his son. They live near the sea, and have midnight meetings of priests and recusants at their house. On Nov. 5, the elder Carey rode about amongst recusants in Hampshire, and many of them went with him to London. They had changed silver into gold, and had bought armour; they blamed puritans, not papists, for the intended treasons. [G. Plot Bk., No. 232.]
Dec. 18. Examination of Hen. Carey. Knew Percy some time ago, but not lately; knew none of the other conspirators; came to London Nov. 6, on private law business; bought armour to go down to Warwickshire with the Earl of Devonshire; has not said he expected better times; refuses to say whether he would take part with the Pope against the King; after much urging, says he would not kill the King at the Pope's command, but refuses to subscribe this. [Ibid., No. 157.]
Dec. 18. Examination of Wm. Tailbois, Percy's servant. Particulars of his attendance on his master; on November 5, Percy told him he was undone; his proceedings since, till his apprehension at Sadberge, by Wm. Killingale and the bailiff of the Bishop of Durham; secret money found upon him. [Ibid., No. 158.]
Dec. 18. Information of Wm. Killingale. Saw Tailbois; remembered him as Percy's servant; he professed entire ignorance of the Plot, &c., and was apprehended. With confirmation of the above by John Addy, of Sadberge, the bishop's bailiff. [Ibid.]
Dec. 20.
Westminster.
49. Warrant to the Earl of Bath, Lieutenant of Devon, to appoint Fra. Lowman Muster Master in that county.
Dec. 20. Grant, in fee-farm, to Jo. Spilman of the manor of Bignows, &c., in Kent. [Ind. Wt. Bk., p. 44.]
Dec. 21. Grant to the Earl of Salisbury of a piece of ground in the Strand, for 21 years after the death of the Queen. [Ibid., p. 44.]
Dec. 21. Lease to Chr. Mainwaring of the manor of Bridgenorth, co. Devon. [Grant Bk., p. 17.]
Dec. 21. Grant to Lewis Duke of Lenox of the offices of Captain and Steward of Grafton, cos. Northampton and Bucks, &c., for life. [Ibid., p. 14.]
Dec. 21. 50. John Corbett to Dud. Carleton. Has made bold to apply privately to Salisbury for Carleton's enlargement, and will procure it, if possible.
Dec. 21.
The Tower.
51. Sir William Waad to the King. Complains of the Lord Mayor, who has chosen this unseasonable time to incroach upon the precincts of the Tower. Mayors have been fined and imprisoned, for less offences. Mutilated.
Dec. 21. 52. Copy of the above, made before the mutilations.
Dec. 21. 53. John Tuttofte to Tho. Phelippes. Explains the cause of a messenger being delayed.
Dec. ? 54. Edw. Reynoldes to Owen Reynoldes. Instructions on his proposed purchase from Mr. Kerry of the surrender of his office [of Clerk of the Privy Seal]. Will give no more than 250£. for it; understands Mr. Kerry asks 500£.
Dec. 22.
Enfield.
55. Same to the Same. Longs to know what Mr. Kerry will do respecting his offer. Desires him to hasten Mrs. Copley's business, &c.
Dec. 23.
[Tower.]
56. Sir Wm. Waad to Salisbury. Fras. Tresham has died; requests directions about the body.
Dec. 23. Examination of Rich. Andrews, priest. Thinks the Pope may absolve subjects from allegiance to a heretic King; equivocation is lawful where the right of the questioner is not acknowledged; condemns the Powder Plot, as detestable and damnable, the Pope having ordered English Catholics to be quiet; has heard of the Book of Equivocation, but not seen it. [G. Plot Bk., No. 159.]
Dec. 23. 57. Copy of the above, subscribed by Andrews on the 23d January 1606, with a proviso that these are merely his private opinions.
Dec. ? 58. Petition of the inhabitants of Windsor forest to the King, against claims made upon them by the Board of Green Cloth, for wheat, &c. contrary to the King's charter freeing them from pur veyance, on account of the losses they sustain by pasturing the deer. With note by the Earl of Nottingham, in favour of the petition.
Dec. 23.
Westminster.
59. Warrant to the Earls of Dorset, Nottingham, and others, to confirm the exemption from purveyance granted by the late Queen to the bailiwicks of Finchampstead, Surrey, Battells, and others near Windsor forest, and to extend it to Old and New Windsor, and adjoining parishes, on condition of the better preservation of the deer.
Dec. 23. 60. Statement of the amount of the Queen's jointure, as lately increased, and of her debts; with a plan for the distribution of her income.
Dec. 23. 61. Thos. Barnes to Levinus Munck. Sends the substance of a letter from Thos. Phelippes to [Hugh] Owen as follows: He sends him particulars of the treason. The surrender of Owen earnestly demanded from the Archduke. Northumberland suspected because of Percy s near relationship to him, and of his admitting him to be King's Pensioner, without taking the oath of Supremacy; also because he intended to take medicine, and be absent the first day of Parliament. Lord Mordaunt ill off, for there was a plot for murdering the King at his house, but it was hindered by a Jesuit, because there was "a course in hand" to "cutte up the very roots." Arguments why Owen should not be surrendered. Barnes offers his services to go into Flanders.
Dec. 62. Thos. Phelippes to Hugh Owen. Condition of the conspirators. Lord Mordaunt in danger. Northumberland will get off with a censure, and Montague be saved by his father-in-law. As Tresham died impenitent, his corpse was beheaded, and the head is to be set up at Northampton. The King lenient towards Catholics, but the Deputy of Ireland severe. The Archduke will not deliver Owen up to justice. Sir Wm. Stanley under guard. Paget accuses Baylie of being Owen's right hand. Faukes confessed nothing the first racking, but did so when told "he must come to it againe and againe, from daye to daye, till he should have delivered his whole know- ledge." Jealousies between France and Spain. France will help the Hollanders' next campaign.
Dec. ? 63. Opinion of Adrian Kinschotte, advocate at Brussels, given to Hugh Owen, on the legality of his refusing obedience to the late Queen, and also to James I.; and that as the King has violated his promises to Catholics, they may legally withdraw their allegiance. Quotes authorities for his opinion.
Dec. ? 64. Copy of the above.
Dec. 24.
Court.
65. John Corbet to Dud. Carleton. Will gladly send him word, as soon as the Lords give order for his discharge.
Dec. 25. 66. Account of baize and other woollen manufactures, shipped by foreigners out of London and the out ports, for the past year.
Dec. 25. 67. Account of the whole value of woollen manufactures, excepting baize, shipped for the same period.
Dec. 25. 68. Note of pensioners deceased or resigned at Berwick, and consequent decrease of charges in the new establishment, for the past year.
Dec. 25. 69. Dud. Carleton to Salisbury. Repeats his entreaty to have his liberty restored.
Dec. 26. 70. The Same to Sir Walter Cope. Is referred to him by Lord Salisbury, for answer to his suit for his liberty. Is a solitary prisoner at this merry time.
Dec. 28. Discharge to Hen. Calverley of the debts of Wm. Calverley. [Ind. Wt. Bk., p. 44.]
Dec. 28. Examination of Hen. Carey. Knew nothing of the traitors' proceedings after they left town, but by general report; acknowledges that a brief journal of events shewn him was in his handwriting; heard them from a servant of Thos. Throgmorton, and noted them down, to satisfy his friends on his return home. [G. Plot Bk., No. 160.]
Dec. 30. Examination of Thos. Howsman, servant to Thos. Winter. As sembly at Huddington; he left them at Holbeach. [Ibid., No. 161.]
Dec. 31
Northwich.
71. Justices of Chester to Salisbury. Proceedings in collecting the Mise in the County Palatine of Chester.
72. Offer of Edmund Nevill, of Westmoreland, to the King, for the entailed lands of Nevill and Westmoreland, of which he is heir male. He will pay the present rents, and give the King 50,000£.
73. [Edward Nevill], titular Earl of Westmoreland, to the King. Urges promises made to him before the late Queen's death, and renewed on his Majesty's accession, of restoration to the Earldom of Westmoreland, as heir male of his kinsman Charles Nevill, attainted, and to the inheritance of the entailed lands of Nevill. Pleads a letter from the King himself, addressed to him as Earl of Westmoreland; hopes the opposition of his enemies will not frustrate his just rights.
74. Statement addressed to Salisbury, as Master of the Court of Wards, of proceedings touching the estate of Sam. Sewster, his Majesty's ward, which is wrongfully kept from him by the Earl of Suffolk. Indorsed [by Salisbury] "a lewd information of one Waldegrave."
75. Anonymous to the King. Urges him to abolish Bishops, &c., and to establish the true worship of God.
76. Sir Wm. Cornwallis to Sir Thos. Lake. Not to pass any grant from the King on Sir Thos. Southwell's suit, till he has acquainted the Earls of Salisbury and Northampton.
77. George Lord Carew to the Earl of Salisbury. Sends a list of attainted persons to whom their estates were restored by Henry VII., and of grants of land made by him. The King cannot be called profuse in his giving, since he has not yet given as much as Henry VII., "the most parsimonious prince that ever England had."
Whitehall. 78. The King to Sir Rob. Dormer and Sir Fras. Fortescue. To collect contributions from their neighbours in Buckinghamshire, towards the repairs begun by the gentlemen of Middlesex, of the highways between London and Watford.
79. Draft of the above.
80. The King to Sir John Trevor, Clerk of the Castle and Honour of Windsor. Signifies his grant to Sir Hen. Nevill, of the office of Keeper of the Game at Windsor; with note of his being appointed also Ranger of Fines, alias Twichen Bailiwick, Windsor forest.
81. The Same to the Master of -- College. For a lease of the parsonage of Tylands to be granted to Henry Farr, about to travel with the Earl of Rutland; also a dispensation of absence for 3 years from his fellowship.
82. Grant to Rob. Hales, of the recusancy of Bennett Winchcombe and Edw. Morgan, of Swinnerton, co. Stafford.
83. Grant to Thos. Wish of an annuity of 40£. per ann.
84. The King to the Master of Peter-House, Cambridge. To admit Thos. Soame a Fellow, after the placing of Rob. Derham, already recommended.
85. Statement of the case between Lady Ann Clifford, daughter of George late Earl of Cumberland, and her uncle Francis, the present Earl, as to the Sheriffwick of Westmorland, with petition to the King for a decision before the next assizes, or the county will have no Sheriff.
86. Book of the sums paid by way of loan to the King throughout England and Wales, specifying the names of the contributors, with the sums given by them.
87. Copy of the above for Gloucestershire.
88. Copy of the above for Pembrokeshire, and Radnorshire, with one omission.
89. Notes on the state of Lord Windsor's lands, and the means of discharging the King's claim to one third of their value. Two papers.
90. Petition of Thos. Porter to the Council. Was committed for refusing to take the oath of Allegiance; prays to be now allowed to take it, and to be discharged.
91. Statement of the interest of [William] Helliar, Archdeacon of [Barnstaple, dioc.] Exeter, in a lease of the manor of Staverton, heretofore granted by the Dean and Chapter of St. Peter's, Exeter, to the Duke of Somerset.
92. William Visct. Cranborne to his father, the Earl of Salisbury. Hopes to profit by his private studies and public exercises, &c., at the University.
93. Elizabeth Stanley, Countess of Derby, to Salisbury. Thanks for his favour; hopes his godson [Sir Robt. Stanley] will live to drink his health.
94. Declaration of the prices of wines and grocery now allowed to merchants who supply the Court, as compared with those of the late reign.
95. Petition of -- to the King, to be admitted tenant in fee-farm of the rectory of Suclingham and Chapel of St. Saviour's, Norfolk, the presentation to which is usurped by the descendants of Sir John Shelton.
96. Petition of Andrew Carington to the King, for protection from his creditors for himself and his sons, John and Samuel, having served the late Queen in the wars.
97. Duplicate of the above.
98. Observations [by a Scotchman] on the treaties between Scotland and France; the command of the Scotch Guard in France; reciprocal naturalization of French and Scots; privileges of merchants, &c.
99. Copy of the above.
100. The case of Captain Baynard, who took a prize, by virtue of his commission, which was retaken by Capt. Derickson, Admiral of the Dunkirk fleet. [See May, 1605.]
101. Memorandum of the goods in the ship taken by Captain Baynard, with a note of what has been restored to him. Fr.
102. Abstract of Dr. Thornell's discourse concerning the dangerous policy of the Jesuits. Italian.
103. Treatise on the discipline to be used in marshalling and directing the English navy against foreign invasion; and also a form of orders to be given by an admiral, in conducting a fleet through the Narrow Seas. [By a son of Sir Wm. Gorges.]
104. Petition of Maurice Peeter, Peregrine Coney, and Francis Constable, to Queen Anne, for confirmation of the grant for survey of the deceitful dyeing of silk, formerly bestowed on Margaret Hodges, in recompence for the services of her husband, Christopher Hodges.
105. Note of liberties and privileges granted by former Kings to the town of Coventry, with query as to their present validity.
106. Notes of popish practices against the State, 1558 to 1605, with the laws made against papists. [By Sir Joseph Williamson.]