Elizabeth: August 1586, 11-20

Calendar of State Papers Foreign: Elizabeth, Volume 21, Part 2, June 1586-March 1587. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1927.

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'Elizabeth: August 1586, 11-20', in Calendar of State Papers Foreign: Elizabeth, Volume 21, Part 2, June 1586-March 1587, ed. Sophie Crawford Lomas, Allen B Hinds( London, 1927), British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/foreign/vol21/no2/pp126-137 [accessed 11 December 2024].

'Elizabeth: August 1586, 11-20', in Calendar of State Papers Foreign: Elizabeth, Volume 21, Part 2, June 1586-March 1587. Edited by Sophie Crawford Lomas, Allen B Hinds( London, 1927), British History Online, accessed December 11, 2024, https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/foreign/vol21/no2/pp126-137.

"Elizabeth: August 1586, 11-20". Calendar of State Papers Foreign: Elizabeth, Volume 21, Part 2, June 1586-March 1587. Ed. Sophie Crawford Lomas, Allen B Hinds(London, 1927), , British History Online. Web. 11 December 2024. https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/foreign/vol21/no2/pp126-137.

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August 1586, 11-20

Aug. 11. DR. B. CLARKE to BURGHLEY.
By yours of July 21 I find the slackness of our messengers here, and would they were well punished when they come into England. I sent a letter to your lordship of July 22 in young Mr. Hatton's packet ; I hope it came to your hands. Since then no matters of importance have fallen out, save that on Mr. Wilkes' coming "we have given ourselves earnestly to make her Majesty a particular demonstration of our charges ; our means to support the same, and of the proof and goodness of our money ; and before we come to the bottom hereof, I find that we are a great deal more likely to borrow anew than to pay the old. "We are now going toward the field, with great companies and many wants....I pray God our wants suffer us to keep it one month. In the meantime, Bercke is greatly distressed by the enemy, I fear we shall come too late to succour it. Sir John Norrice is commanded to draw that way as fast as may be. A quarrel is here fallen between the Norrices and the Count Hohenlo ; ....where the fault lieth I cannot judge, for that this moist Low Country has brought me an ague.....This only I can say, ex antecedentibus, that much envy followeth their virtue, so that they live here doubtfully and serve in some discomfort, which in my poor opinion is great pity, considering their former services here, and the honour they have done our country".... My course here is so unmeet for one who has ever professed learning that I shall be as much bound to you for my revocation as for the greatest good that ever I can receive.Utrecht, 11 August. Add. Endd. 1 pp. [Ibid. 83.]
Aug. 11. SIR THOS. SHERLEY to WALSINGHAM.
"There is all haste made that may be to the succour of Berke, but I doubt we shall not set forwards with our whole company before Monday night..... "This day my lord hath taken into his protection five or six of those that were expelled out of Utrecht. I perceive now that they were not prosecuted for matter of religion only but upon other points, though indeed they be great papists. "Mr. Wilkes was sent hither to very good purpose, for great need there is of all good means....to keep the people constant unto us."Utrecht, 11 August. Holo. Add. Endd. 1 p. [Holland IX. 84.]
Aug. 11/21. Commission for SIR JOHN NORREYS.
Commission from the Earl of Leicester to Sir John Norreys, colonel-general of the English Infantry to conduct and command the troops, horse and foot, going to the succour of Berck, and to do any service he can against the enemy on his way thither, but not to adventure the troops except on good occasion. And if he finds no occasion to do so, then to wait at the said place until the Earl marches thither with the rest of the troops or sends him other orders. Giving him authority to command all Admirals, Captains, officers, mariners and others in service on the ships of war on the Rhine to go wherever he finds the service of the country shall require, and ordering all such Admirals, Captains &c. to obey him, and all Magistrates and officers to give him free passage by their towns and assist him as he shall have need. Utrecht, 21 August, 1586. Endd. "Commission. Sir John Norrys to lead the avantgarde." Fr. 1 p. [Ibid. 85 (1).]
Copy of the above commission. Endd. Fr. 1 p. [Ibid. 85 (2).]
Aug. 12. LORD NORTH to BURGHLEY.
"I am forced to retract my late advertisement touching the loss of 'Newce'....Mr. Hearle can inform your lordship of the very truth. The town was lost without assault. The Prince had slain there but two hundred, and three hundred hurt which be dead since.....Clout was hanged and burnt." Sir Thomas Cecil has gone as commander of the cavalry and Sir John Norreys colonel of the footmen, with 2500 foot and 500 horse, as a 'vauntguard,' my lord following this day with all his forces to succour Berck. There are 1200 English ; viz : Col. Morgan and Captains Hamde, Pawlet, Lambart, William Thomas, Latham, Indge. Shawe's company is there and himself going if it is possible to get in, and Schink there also. "The Lord God send it to hold out fifteen days, for in the relief of this town standeth our credit. The late Diet holden in Germany by the King of Denmark, Duke of Saxe, the two Electors, Palsgrave and Brandenburg have decreed that there shall be no levies made in Germany, either for the French King or for the King of Spain. They will presently arm 12,000 men, whereof 6000 shall be employed to thrust out the Jesuits and seminaries ; the other 6000 shall come to further the service in these parts..... Mr. Hearle has carried himself well and wisely and can well, handle any matter committed to him.Utrecht, 12 August. Holograph. Add. Endd. 1 p. [Holland IX. 86.]
Aug. 12. RICHARD CAVENDISH to BURGHLEY.
The cause of my negligence in writing has been my "lothness" to speak of things unpleasant ; for "so standeth the state of things here, by reason of the former disgraces received from home, as these men which they call States can no way now be drawn to desist from that overthwart course which thereupon they entered into against his lordship, neither can there now any means be found to suppress this their barbarous insolency." unless her Majesty take the supreme government into her own hands, otherwise these men will "too soon seek for such alteration as both their own country and ours may too late lament. I hear that they are in consultation to send to her to excuse their dealings. "Besides this, we are here grown into picks amongst our selves, by reason of some intemperance in Mr. Edward Norrys' behaviour towards my lord Marshal here ; whereupon the Grave of Hollock taking occasion, did rashly and unadvisedly strike him in the face and a little hurt him, which disgrace his brother, Sir John Norrys, taketh also in so ill part as I fear, if they both go now into the field together, things will not well fall out, notwithstanding their oaths and protestations to his lordship..... [Concerning the Protestant diet and levy of reiters, to the same effect as in Lord North's letter, above.] "This is done upon view of the papist dealings in Augusta, who have there thrown out all the protestants, as well Lutherans as other..... The young Duke of Saxony hath set Pevcerus at liberty, and thrown the Ubiquitaries out of "Wytenberge."Utrecht, 12 August, 1586. Postscript.We are now going into the field to raise the siege of Berck. Sir Thomas Cecil either today or tomorrow marches forward with Sir John Norryce with the "fore ward," having the government of all the horse. My lord himself and the rest follow with all speed. Add. Endd. 1 p. [Ibid. 87.]
Aug. 13. THOMAS DIGGES to BURGHLEY.
I enclose a copy of Articles which I have exhibited to his Excellency, "besides" your Lordship's instructions to me, soliciting a plain account of her Majesty's treasure. "But such is the tumultuous business of this time, in tossing bands from place to place," that there is no time for musters or accounts, nor leisure left my Lord to determine upon my articles, without which nothing can be done. He marvelled much that no auditor was sent to examine and make up these diffuse reckonings. Unless her Majesty send one speedily, it will be long before any perfect account can be made. I also send you a brief of the captains and companies marching towards "Bergh" under Mr. Norris ; his Excellency meaning to take all the forces that can be spared out of the garrisons to relieve this remote town, "which unfortunately causeth us to omit the spoil of rich Flanders, that otherwise had been at our devotion. "The States acknowledging their disability to pay our soldiers, desire earnestly her Majesty would take the sovereignty ; the people wish the same, in hope that way to find some ease of taxations &c."Utrecht, 13 August, 1586. Signed. Add. Endd. 1 p. Seal of arms. [Holland IX. 88.]
Enclosing.
1. "Certain matters....to be speedily determined by his Excellency for settlement of good order and avoiding of further confusion." 2. List of "Bands rising the 13th of August under....Sir John Norris, Colonel General." viz :
In the Queen's pay :
Horse. Sir Thos. Cecil, Sir John Norris, Capt. Butler, Capt. Dormer, 270. Foot. Sir John Norris ; Captains Pryce, Wotton, Burrough, Wilson, 680.
In the States' pay :
Horse. The Prince of Epinoy ; M. Villiers, Elderborn ; Captains Oversteyn, Greenevelt, Yargx, Balen, 480. Foot. Sir John Tracie ; Captains Giles Tracie, Stratford, Greene, Sampson, Young late Barrowe, Clarck, Dennys, Geo. Farmer, Ric. Farmer, Ward, Martyn, 1820. 2 pp. [Ibid. 88a.]
Aug. 14. SIR PHILIP SIDNEY to the LORDS OF THE COUNCIL.
"I send this gentleman Mr. Burnam humbly to give your lordships to understand the weak store of all sort of necessary munition that both this town and the castle of Ramekins have. "These States I have tried to the uttermost, but partly with the opinion it more toucheth her Majesty because it is her pawn, but principally because they have ever present occasion to employ both all they have and indeed much more upon the places nearest to the enemy, we in this town and as I think 'Breel' shall still demand and still go without. Therefore I cannot but most humbly say it before your lordships, by the grace of God my trust is in him that my life shall discharge me of blame ; but I [know] not all that be here can perform the service we owe to her Majesty without such merely necessary things. "I will neither speak of the consequence of the place nor of any quantity ; your lordships can better judge. I do only protest to your honours that I think it very likely we shall have occasion to use it, and till then it may be kept by some officer appointed by her Majesty, never one grain of it to be used for no service, till it be for the last point of extremity. There is nothing will keep these people in better order than that they see we are strong. I beseech your lordships to consider it, according to the weight of the cause.....Flushing, 14 August, 1586. Holograph. Add. Endd. 1 p. [Holland IX. 89.]
Aug. 14. SIR PHILIP SIDNEY to WALSINGHAM.
"I most humbly beseech you to favour Captain White my servant, and as honest a servant as ever I had. To Burnam and him I have told my mind in all things. I often craved the Treasurer might be commanded to pay this place. I assure you Sir, this night we were at a fair plunge to have lost all for want of it ; we are now four months behind, a thing unsupportable in this place. To complain of my lord of Lester you know I may not, but this is the case. If once the soldiers fall to a thorough mutiny, this town is lost in all likelihood. I did never think our nation had been so apt to go to the enemy as I find them. If this place might possibly have some peculiar care of it, it should well deserve it, for in fine, this island, if once her Majesty would make herself sure of it, is well worth all the charge her Majesty hath ever been at in this cause, and all the King of Spain's force should never be able to recover it, though all the rest were lost. And without it, should be never able to invade England. "I have already gotten in a Dutch company at my commandment, and into Camphere, so as with no great matter I could make her Majesty sure of this Isle if this town were well provided both with men and munition....."Flushing, 14 August, 1586. Holograph. Add. Endd. 1 p. Seal of arms. [Ibid. 90.]
Aug. 14. THE SAME to the SAME.
"I humbly pray you to confer with Burnham how I am left in this town ; a thing I ever foresaw would be, but could not remedy it but from thence, where I have often solicited it. I beseech you, Sir, labour for me or rather for her Majesty in it. She need be discouraged with nothing while she keeps these principal sea places ; nay I think it were hard to say whether it were not better for us to embrace no more ; but we do still make camps, and straight again mar them for want of means, and so lose our money to no purpose, where if we would gall him now in Friesland now in Flanders, he should have no leisure to lie before towns as he doth. "I humbly beseech you to favour Burnham....that his suit may be obtained if it be possible. He is one I love exceeding well."Flushing, 14 August. Holograph. Add. Endd. 1 p. [Ibid. 91.]
Aug. 14. SIR ROBERT SIDNEY to WALSINGHAM.
I have desired Mr. Burnham to let you know the state of the Castle of Ramekins, and to beseech you to have favourable care of the place. "His Excellency, as far as I can find by my brother, refers it wholly unto your honours, as a matter that concerns not him nor the States." I am sure my brother hath written of it and so leave discourse of it to his letters, "of whom I have the charge of the place," and to Mr. Burnham's relation. Flushing, 14 August, 1586. Holograph. Add. Endd. 1 p. [Holland IX. 92.]
Aug. 14. Two small cuttings from the covering sheet of a letter :viz : the address, in Sir Philip Sidney's hand, to "the right honourable my singular good [lord] the lord Treasurer," and the endorsement by Maynard, Burghley's clerk. [Ibid. 93.]
Aug. 15. Conference with M. RINGOULT.
"Declaring at large the disorders of the government, and the authority of the States General, he described in particular that if their abuses were made known in the handling of their demaynes of the sovereignty, which he durst not open unless his Excellency had more authority, there would be found sufficient to discharge all the fees of the officers of justice and other charges laid upon the same, and a good portion of revenue besides, to be employed in the maintenance of the common cause." Notes in the margin give the points discussed : viz. Churchland confiscations ; Verpundigen and revenue from horned beasts ; Assemblies of the States, [both provincial and general, wherein the charges of them and their people are defrayed] ; Old debts ; preferring of men to offices ; the Council of State, who depend upon the States General ; Count Maurice, who has the inheritance of the county of Holland, granted to his father and his heirs ; the granting of licences to transport victuals and other merchandise, whereby "there groweth more profit and less offence to the people than by the ordinary convoys ; the horsemen and footmen under their pay ; sovereignty, by the taking of which all these abuses may be reformed ; the ordering of the States in every town ; the Vroctschap, i.e. those of the common and public Council thereof, chosen by the Magistrate ; Church goods ; the Treasury ; Debts. 800,000 florins owing by the States for the charges of the wars ; margin "the payment of these debts to be stayed" ; Alienations. There were alienations of church goods, which in the time of Charles V. and Maximilian his son were made void ; as may now be done by their examples. Wine. There come every year into the Low Countries 50,000 foders of wine, each containing 6 ames and each ame yielding 22 florins ; which as now rented, yields but 160,000 florins every six months. Endd. "15 August, 1586. Sundry notes of special observation. M. Ringoult. These to be well perused and considered of." 3 pp. [Ibid. 94.] Another copy of the same. Endd. as the preceding. [Holland IX. 94 bis.]
Aug. 16. DR. BART. CLERK to BURGHLEY.
I beseech you to pardon me for so often craving to be dismissed this service. You know I was of the same mind when last in London, "desiring then to be revoked, though with some disgrace." And though in obedience to my sovereign I returned to this perilous place "(whereof I was discharged and wherein I was most injuriously disgraced), yet....the place being more sufficiently to be furnished by many others than by me" and I already greatly hindered in my "particular" and daily more interested in my chiefest living (as my solicitor Hasselrigge can show you) I hope her Majesty will not suffer my humble service here to breed my shipwreck at home, especially as not meaning to crave leases or fee farms, but, "having leave to repair my poor shaken estate, will be as ready at all times to serve her Highness of mine own purse as I have been now ready to take intolerable pains at her Majesty's charge.... "In the mean time, I beseech your honour to have in mind a ground of our law, viz :Officium suum nemini debet esse damnosum" and if it were no more than the loss of four terms in my poor offices, you know it is a good subsidy to me. This bearer, Mr. Dr. Doylee, an honest man and of good understanding, will tell you of the occurences here, so as I beseech your leave to be brief, and would rather recount all things in England freely than here write fearfully. "We are now going to the field....but our wants are so many as I fear we shall hardly hold out a month, and if God send us not good speed nor pay at the month's end ; when many a bloody hand hath his sword drawn and necessity stingeth forward." I leave to your lordship's wisdom what good plight we are in that serve here.... The pique increases between Holland and Utrecht, for banishing some such as to Holland are gracious and respected. They grow to reprisals and arrests, and unless great discretion be used, "I think we should have shortly the wars of Jerusalem within, while the enemy were before the gates."Utrecht, 16 August, 1586. Postscript. Before closing this up, conferring touching our estate with our Receiver-General, de Bye [Buys] a very honest man, he protested "that neither of our ordinary monthly payment nor of extraordinary we have one penny here to receive for these four months coming, all being already taken up by anticipation and engaged." Though I be a Dutch Counsellor, yet being an Englishman, I advertise you of this, that you may know what help we need ; but pray you as yet not to take knowledge of it. What particulars I can get I will impart to Mr. Wilkes, who seems to run here "a diligent and honest course, without pleasing of humours." I beseech you to pardon my boldness and to comfort me with my coming home, wherein I shall be bound to you for ever. Add. Endd. 1 pp. [Ibid. 95.]
Aug. 16. SIR JOHN NORREYS to BURGHLEY.
"Upon the arrival of Mr. Wylkes, the Earl of Leicester, after many repetitions of his conceived jealousy of me, concluded that his Lordship would use me very honourably and have a care of my reputation ; this having proceeded, as I do judge, of some recommendation of me from her Majesty. "This notwithstanding, there is no man of discretion that doth not see that in all actions I am crossed and sought to be disgraced ; suffered to be braved by the worst and simplest in the company, only to draw me into quarrels. These things I am fain to endure lest the hindrance of the service should be laid to my charge ; a thing greatly sought for ; but I will not refuse the trial of any of account that is not directly professed of the faction. I was appointed by my Lord himself to lead the Avantgarde towards an intended relief for the town besieged, but with what envy and confusion everybody seeth. There were appointed for the voyage 800 horse, whereof there are not arrived 200 ; our artillery, pioneers and boats to pass the river not come ; by which means the enemy must be long before advertised of our approach, and so prevent our designs.....Our horse are so decayed that if it be not my own company, there is not one full cornet in the field ; and because mine is in better case than the rest (although I lost 37 horse in the last ill-governed journey of Venlo), my soldiers are enticed and hired away from me,....." In a letter to her Majesty, I have touched on the disagreement and jealousies in the country, but could not enter into any particularity, as we are upon our march. Thus much I may tell your lordship, "that observing the answers returned from England, the wisest do judge that divers things that are not, be advertised her Majesty, and those things that be are concealed ; whereto I doubt not but her Majesty's ambassador will now procure remedy. "The dishonourable violence offered my brother in the Count Holloc his house I will refer to the report of this bearer ; which matter is so coldly proceeded in as I fear the dispair of his orderly repairing of his honour will drive him to a more dangerous course ; and in truth it is used as if we were the basest in the company. I must recommend him to your lordship's favourable opinion, for now he is put from his entertainment, as our preacher also, by the misreported exclamation of the taking of the two dead pays ; the conclusion whereof in the end will prove no other but that two of my Lord's men must have the same pays."......The camp at Arnhem, 16 August, 1586. Holograph. Add. Endd. 2 pp. [Holland IX. 96.]
Aug. 18. R. HUDDILSTON to BURGHLEY.
According to our directions from home, we are making up our full pay with our footbands till the 12th of April, and most of the companies in these parts are cleared till that time. And today we have received warrants for dispatch of all the rest in her Majesty's pay at Bergen and Ostend. Our horsebands are not yet perfectly listed or mustered, nor can be, considering the service in hand ; and so are still upon imprests, "whereof they have waived some large proportion." [Concerning his accounts, receipt of moneys &c.]. "Our foot bands are imprested towards the 12th of June, some more, some less, as it hath pleased his lordship to appoint." Of our actions and occurences here, Mr. Dr. Doyley has more time than I to write. The governor of Brill and Sir John Norreys cheerfully departed on the 14th as vanward towards the relief of Berk. I suppose we shall follow without further delay. "Our dispatches in every action are so slow as we cannot boast of speed in anything. His lordship "hath used me with courtesy far greater than I looked for, as a man whom he said he never suspected of any disloyal part of service towards her Majesty, but was rather careful for me, lest through careless or crafty substitutes her Majesty's service might be disappointed, and myself receive hindrance." He protested with a great oath that he was not acquainted with any proceeding by Barker and Hunt against me, and never wrote against me either to Queen or counsellor, more than that to Mr. Secretary he wished mine account might be exactly considered of, as Auditor Hunt informed him that I had at least 8000l. of her Majesty's in my hands at my last going over. By his vehemency it surely seemed he was desirous I should believe him.Utrecht, 18 August, 1586. Add. Endd. 1 pp. Seal of arms. [Holland IX. 97.]
Aug. 20. THOMAS WILKES to the PRIVY COUNCIL.
Though I trust to be shortly in England to render an account of my proceedings in this negotiation, yet I thought it well to advertise you "concerning the matters of the forces of these countries under the pay of the States. There is a survey and muster in hand to discern their just numbers, wherein I perceive will be found much abuse, for the companies of strangers allowed at 150 heads for each company will be found for the most part not to contain above 60 or 80 ; whereby the treasure of these countries is consumed. Touching the monies of England current in these provinces, which by my Instructions were to be reduced to their certain value, before my arrival my Lord of Leicester and the Council of State, at the instance of the States General, had caused essays to be made of all coins current here, and "valued every kind at their just purity in metal, after the weight of their mark troy, containing 8 ounces, wherewith they had also tried our angel, and made the same afoot for the rest of our gold, and the shilling for the rest of the kinds of silver ; and thereby had rated our angel at five florins just ; which before was current for five florins and four stivers, and in some towns here at five florins and five stivers ; which five florins, after 10 stivers to the shilling make justly 10s. English." To make sure that their valuation was just, I had the weights containing the mark troy Flemish examined by our English weight of 8 oz. troy, "and found a difference of one pennyweight and 20 grains wherein our 8 ounces exceeded theirs in pois, amounting to 5s. 6d. sterling in value in every eight ounces of gold, so as her Majesty and the realm should have lost in every eight ounces weight of gold 44s." The officers of their mint affirmed that our English weight was not true, and that theirs was agreeable with the standard they have used for three hundred years ; but in the end they yielded to our English 'pois,' and so the value of the angel was brought up to five florins one stiver and a half ; with a like valuation of the rose noble &c. They had refused to admit any of our sovereigns for current, on the ground that those coined in the time of Henry VIII were unequal in value ; alleging that there was no just standard of their fineness and purity and therefore they likewise refused those coined by K. Edward the 6th and her Majesty ; but as it seemed to me not reasonable that they would give place only to those kindsthe angel and rose nobleon which, by new coining them into other kinds as they have done hitherto, they make great profit and no less prejudice to her Majesty and the realm, I dealt with the Council of State that the rest might be made current in the like sort, according to their just value, which they have accorded ; nevertheless, if I find by the essay of those coins that their "fineness," according to the valuations here, will not yield their worth as they are current in England, then shall I make stay of them, and not suffer them to be made current here under 10s. sterling. "The certainty of the revenue and aids," I must defer till mine own coming, as it would take too long to enter into it now. Until my coming, the States concealed the truth of many things, but now say they will anatomise the whole to her Majesty, that she may thereupon yield them such further assistance as shall be needful for their defence ; and truly I think "their State is but weak, and weaker by much in respect of the confusion of their government. They have given a government to my Lord of Leicester with the word Absolute, but with so many restrictions that his authority is limited almost to nothing, and is in truth but their servant for the politic government, having reserved to themselves, besides the sovereignty, the disposing of all the contributions (saving the monthly allowance) the church goods, confiscations, choice of officers and many other things....and are not accountable therefor either to my Lord or to the people"; and in order to remain so, they impugn his Court of Finances, alleging that he has not authority to erect any such court, or to establish officers without their licence. These things may receive redress by her Majesty, but not otherwise. I find no murmuring in the people against any kind of excise laid upon them, so that they may be defended against the Spaniard, and I see in them "a great love towards her Majesty, and are generally of opinion that she is their sovereign." Just before my arrival order was taken "for the utterance and venting of the country commodities by transporting them to places with limitations as by the placard thereof published may appear unto your honours, so as the incommodities grown by the former restraint are now in reasonable sort avoided." As to establishing the trade of the Merchants Adventurers in some place in Holland, I find those of the best judgment among them unwilling to change the place of their resort, as they are in hope to have their trade settled at Embden, thinking they shall not have so good sale for their cloths in Holland as they have at Embden, the passage of the Rhein being shut up by the taking of Nuys and other towns upon it by the enemy. "But if the trade might be brought either to Dordrecht or to Amsterdam (where they are offered as large privileges as they can desire), it would be a great benefit to these countries..... The doubt had of Count Edzard is not as was conceived by your honours. He is willing to retain the traffic of our nation, but is afraid of the Spaniard, and has "little hope to be defended from hence if he should combine himself with these countries." But he knows the tyrannical government of the Spaniard, and if he were disposed to join him they of Embden will never consent, "who stand upon their guards, and have, upon some conceit of the Earl's imbecility in that behalf, refused of late to accept garrisons, which he required to have placed in the town." I do not see that the people here seek any new defence, though some doubt may be had that those men who are called the States and have had the managing of the government sithence their revolt from Spain, and thereby enriched themselves infinitely, will be unwilling that the troubles here should take any speedy end. The people conceive so, and in many towns in Holland and Utrecht have sought to remove them from their authority, and confer it upon my Lord of Leicester. The supposed practice with Denmark "is by the restraint of Paul Buys utterly quailed," but my Lord is sending Mr. Robert Sydney to the king, who under pretext of dealing for the 2000 horse, will sound him for the rest. Lord Willoughby can hardly be spared by my Lord, being now marching in person to the relief of Berck, wherein are the Colonels Schenk and Morgan, with 1500 men ; and the loss whereof would greatly amaze the people here, and work some dangerous alteration. The enemy has lain about it these fifteen days, and hath planted artillery with purpose to batter it, but his powder and bullet coming down the river from Neuss in a hoy "is drowned by a leak," and there is good hope that the sight of our army may make him dislodge. I have not as yet delivered her Majesty's letter to Count Hohenlo, who has never come to my lord since my arrival. I am told that Paul Buys has persuaded him to mislike of my Lord's government, and that he has made show to resign his office of Lieutenant, but has not done so. "I do not find that either the States or people have any great affection to him. The man is doubtless valiant, but (as they say) rash, bloody, unfortunate and subject to many dangerous imperfections. They would willingly be rid of him if they might without danger." I mean to follow my lord into the field in a few days, where I think to find the Count and will deliver her Majesty's letters and message to him. Count Maurice very dutifully accepted her Majesty's letters and message, and is like to continue in good terms and affection towards her. "He is loved and respected here of the people for the merits of his late father, and is like to succeed him in wisdom and sufficiency." I do not think he will be led away to seek advancement but by her Majesty. "St. Aldegonde, contrary to the opinion conceived of him by her Majesty, is noted here of all men to be a good patriot and worthy to be employed in the services here in respect of his ability and wisdom. Howbeit, I perceive that, to take away the offence that may be ministered to her Majesty, they are contented to forbear the use of his services." For other matters committed to me, I refer you to my report on my return, which I hope will be within twenty days. I pray that by your means "her Majesty may be continued my gracious lady, and let understand how far I have proceeded in these her services."Utrecht, 20 August, 1586. Rough Draft, much corrected. Unsigned, but in Wilkes' handwriting. 7 closely written pp. [Holland IX. 98.]