Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 15, 1603. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1930.
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'Cecil Papers: September 1603', in Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 15, 1603, ed. M S Giuseppi (London, 1930), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-cecil-papers/vol15/pp243-253 [accessed 3 April 2025].
'Cecil Papers: September 1603', in Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 15, 1603. Edited by M S Giuseppi (London, 1930), British History Online, accessed April 3, 2025, https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-cecil-papers/vol15/pp243-253.
"Cecil Papers: September 1603". Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 15, 1603. Ed. M S Giuseppi (London, 1930), British History Online. Web. 3 April 2025. https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-cecil-papers/vol15/pp243-253.
September 1603
[Lord Cecil] to [Sir James Elphinstone], Secretary of State for Scotland. | |||
1603, Sept. 2. |
I thought to forbear your trouble, till I might
hear of your arrival, for the better knowledge whither to address
my letters, yet according to the promise I made you, I rather
choose to write that all things are as you left them, than to leave
you uncertain thereof by my silence, lest it might make you
doubtful of the constancy of our sovereign's health, and the
quiet of his estate. You shall therefore understand that his
Majesty being willing to take his sport while the season lasteth,
hath kept her Majesty at Basing with her company, and passeth
his own time at my Lord of Pembroke's at Wilton, further
westward, from whence he comes to Woodstock, within 7 miles
of Oxford, where her Majesty will meet him, and there receive
the Spanish ambassador, who cometh with a very great train
and carryeth himself in all things conform a la gravedado
Espanola. He is very inquisitive after the manner of Rhoney's
[Rosny's] entertainment, lest he should digest any usage inferior
to his, in which respect we have been curious to observe such
ceremonies, in as great equality as can be, for as much as is
past. As the Lord Sidney was sent to Canterbury, so was now
the Lord Danvers, and as the Earl of Southampton was appointed to bring Rosny to the Court, so is the Earl of Devonshire
to Taxis. What his negotiation will be more than congratulatory, is yet unknown, but I conceive he will proceed as
Aremberg did at first, who pretended no necessity of treaty where
there hath been no breach of amity, for else he would think it
were a diminution of his master's greatness to be the first sender
where there were no friendship. But now to leave these formalities, which I am fain to borrow for lack of other matter, in
the main point to you that know our master's disposition, I
need not tell you which way things are like to go, but rather to
wish all other princes of his mind, and then should we and he
be happy. The King hath sent to the Low Countries to know
their mind whether they will join with him in treaty or no,
to the intent they may perceive that his treaty apart from them
groweth not from change of affection but the alteration of
causes, leaving them notwithstanding to their own election
to take such way as they think most agreeable, of which he hath
not stuck to send the Archduke word, never meaning to disclaim
from their amity, though he draw not upon him a war only for
their quarrels. To this they have made in a manner an answer
of direct protestation to be ruined by any treaty, concluding
that they saw no other effect possible to follow of acknowledging
their government but an imminent peril to religion and the
repose of Christendom, the one being exposed to the malice of the
Pope, the other laid open to the ambition of Spain, who having
a commanding power over the Archduke, if once he came to be
acknowledged, would quickly have the Low Countries in his
possession; desiring to have further delay to propound it to
the several States. Of which dilatory answer you can easily
judge, for there is small distinction between their delay and
a refusal. Concerning our conspiracy, since your departure,
the priest Clerck hath been taken and divers others, though of
no great quality, whom he confesseth to have promised to have
brought their swords to further their enterprise. The infection
is so great and universal as we cannot yet tell where to assign
any place for their trial, which is like to be an occasion to defer
any arraignment for 2 or 3 months. In the meantime there is
appointed an assembly of all the judges at Maidenhead against
Tuesday next, where the manner of their process shall be
considered of. The States are now before Bolduc with a great
army, not without hope to carry the town, which if they do, it
will be a great reputation to their cause, especially at this time.
Thus, Sir, you have such occurrences as can from hence be
advertised. Corrected Draft. Endorsed: "2 Sept., 1603." 3 pp. (101. 134.) |
||
Lord Zouche to Lord Cecil. | |||
[1603], Sept. 6. | I have received your lordship's favours in furthering my dispatch, since you held it no favour to work me a private life, my poor estate, with the indisposition of my body, requiring rather the same. If any good opportunity serve, may I be released with the good favour of his Majesty, and in the meantime be excused that I did not take my further leave, preparing my journey towards the place whither I am commanded. At this time I desire to know whether there be any term determined of, and the time and place the like of the parliament, for that I would be glad so to order things in the Marches, as with my service there I may be spared. When I was at Court you caused me to write concerning the apprehension of Watson and Harris. The one you had before my coming away; the other I hear you have as by these enclosed may seem, whereby you may see what proceeding hath been held therein.— From the Bath, 6 Sept. | ||
PS.—Upon Monday I purpose to set forward for Shrewsbury,
where the Council are. Holograph. Endorsed: "1603." 1¼ pp. (101. 136.) |
|||
Sir Lewis Lewkenor to the Same. | |||
1603, Sept. 6. |
After many slow and tedious journeys we
brought the Spanish Ambassador into this town on Friday,
2 September. My Lo. Davers met with him at Canterbury,
and attended on him hither, doing by the way many great and
noble courtesies to him, and the gentlemen of his train, to their
great satisfaction. My Lord of Devonshire met him at Henley,
and came with him to this town, being by the way attended on
by the sheriff and sundry gentlemen of this county. He took
my Lord of Devonshire's coming unto him for an exceeding
honour, being a man, as since he has many times told me, whose
name and actions he had heard very honourable report of in
Spain, and was the only nobleman that above all the rest he
chiefly desired to see. Upon his entry into Oxford he was
visited by the Vice Chancellor, and sundry doctors of the
University, at his lodging, welcomed with a short oration in
Latin, and presented with certain gloves embroidered with gold.
The Vice-Chancellor has since sent to him sundry presents,
and been very careful to give him and his people all contentment
possible. He is lodged in Christ's Church, which he has already
trimmed with his hangings and furniture. In 2 of his rooms he
has hanged up clothes of estate, equal every way, both in
breadth and length, to those of the King which are usual in our
Court. He is very glad of the King's coming so soon to Woodstock, and longs much to know the time of his audience, which
he hopes shall be on Sunday next. I know not how the success
will fall out, but I assure myself that his determinations are not
to depart out of this kingdom in haste. In regard of having
some of his gentlemen and servants lodged about him, he requires
to have some 14 beds, whereof 4 for his principal officers to be
furnished with curtains and other furniture out of the town,
which I gave direction to the harbingers to do, paying well for
them, although there were some difficulty in the execution
thereof, yet having brought them hither so well pleased, I was
loath that in so trifling a matter they should receive any discontentment, hoping that your lordships will allow of my
endeavour therein, in regard that the Vice-Chancellor and
magistrates of this town made very great doubt thereof. His
plate and furniture, and such other things, are very honourable
and sumptuous, but the rest of his expenses and liberalities
hitherto, in my opinion, are very mean, and no way answerable
to that which was expected and bruited by his forerunners.
He has, in private conferences with me, many times offered
occasion to speak of your lordship, with many sifting and
inquisitive speeches, which I have ever answered in such sort
as the truth of my duty and affection towards you requires, as
hereafter you shall more particularly understand. There came
to him yesterday a great packet out of Spain by the way of
Brussels, after the receipt of which he was very merry and well
disposed. He has desired me very much, in regard that he was
here alone, to stay with him in this town, which also I was
enjoined to do by my Lord of Devonshire, and therein do wholly
depend upon your further direction. Withal I thought it fit
to advertise you that at his coming hither, and since, there has
been repair made to him by some gentlemen known to be
recusants, of which some awaited his landing at Dover and
followed him in his slow journeys the most part of the way;
and since his coming to this town, sundry of his company have
been to visit the seminary priests here detained prisoners; the
consideration whereof I refer to you.—Oxford, 6 Sept., 1603. Holograph. 2 pp. (187. 111.) |
||
The Earl of Shrewsbury to Lord Cecil. | |||
1603, Sept. 7. | I have given my Lady Arbella thanks for your last letter from Basing and do confess mine error in moving you to be a mover for me in any of my petty country suits, whereof if I set you free, perhaps you shall never be more troubled with me. For the Sherwood walks, I protest, they are not worth saying for, therefore if I miss them, I shall find the money in my purse that they would yearly cost me, if I had them, for I have but one already, and it costeth me every year above 100l. Nevertheless I will take you at your word, and beseech you to stop the current of their passage, until I can procure someone to move the King for me. But perhaps some other things there are, that without a little more help from you I will never hope to prevail, being rural matters also. Therein blame me not if I strain you a note or two higher, and yet far enough within your compass for you know I can guess (though I be but a bad musician) to what height your voice can reach when you list to put it forth, but this I will leave until the time serve, and leave you now to your weighty state affairs, wherein shortly (if I be not deceived) you will be put to play your "prise," I mean in the treaty of peace, wherein I shall pray for the best success. To conclude, I have sent a man with an eloquent letter, and good gold in his purse (to no small value) 60 miles hence, for a tassel for you, whereof if he fail, the fault is not mine, but your hap the worse. I will henceforth trouble myself no more with my wife's compliments of salutations unto you, nor return any answer to your fractions in arithmetic, and such trumpery betwixt you and her, but will show her what I shall find in your letters concerning her, and then leave her to answer you with her own pen, if she list.—Scribbled at Sheffield, 7 Sept., 1603. | ||
PS. by Mary, Countess of Shrewsbury: I take him for no good
subject that will not show to be discontent after he hath lost
the greatest stages in "Halumsher," and returns home wet and
weary. Such hath been our fortune ofter than once within
these few days, which I hope is a sufficient excuse for what is
writ too much, or left undone that is due. Your friend will
leave your fractions till you meet, only I must put you in mind
that they that go down the hill will go apace, though they were
but three quarter descended. Holograph. 1 p. (101. 137.) |
|||
Charles Chester to Richard Mellor, steward to Lord Cobham. | |||
1603, Sept. 7. |
As a fugitive, fearing the boldness of my love
will hurt me towards my Lord, I stay in a very good farm at
7s. a week charges, from London 20 miles, meaning to stay
there till after Michaelmas, and then to come humbly to his
Honour's chief house of Cobham (for my annuity), which I hope
shall never in his Honour's lifetime be touched with spot of
disgrace by his indiscretion of disobedience to his King, and till
I see his face and hear him answer his own accusations (which
I hope is nothing) I believe there will be proved nothing, but
loss of time and extraordinary expense, for which God will never
let him want against his enemies. In just causes I know him
to be valiant and stout, and at his trial without respect of any
fear of them all, you shall hear him speak, but I will fear they
will never show him that favour as to come to his trial, which
if they do, it is to his lordship's much more credit than if he
should be freed for favour. God bless him from his false friends,
which hurt him more than his enemies, and if you can deliver
it without danger I will send two fat capons to him, and so I
pray look to my goods I leave with you in trust, and after
Michaelmas I will ease you of the charge in keeping them, which
I doubt not of. It grieveth my soul these troubles should happen
whiles the brave Spanish ambassador came through Kent with
incredible pomp, and I like a dull dog in an ambush lurking for
the liberty of my Lord, which will delight to make me drunk,
which God is my judge I abhor as his lordship doth false
witness in his arraignment, which I think shall never be.—
7 Sept. Holograph. Endorsed: "1603." 1 p. (101. 138.) |
||
The Bishop of Hereford to Lord Cecil. | |||
1603, Sept. 14. |
About 2 months past I sent my letters to
your lordship, enclosed in other letters to one Mr. Butterton in
Southwerk, one of my chaplains, who hath lately certified me
that they miscarried, which measure I have many times found
since I came into these parts. The matter is, that whereas I
delivered to your lordship a lease from the Dean and Chapter
of Windsor of the parsonage of Urchefont in Wiltshire, whereof
one Robert Noice claimeth a lease in reversion, it might pleasure
you not to neglect it, but to make some good use of it, for I
have seen the lease he claimeth, and it is not sealed with the
common and chapter seal, but with a little seal manual of the
cross and garter, which they commonly affix upon the backside
of the chapter seal, and wherewith they sign letters, which
maketh the lease to be of no validity. The thing is of good
value, and the college hath now obtained liberty to demise
for 21 years, and I presume will not deny your lordship that
gratification. I should be very sorry that the recompense of
my labours and charges at Windsor and the pledge of my
thankful mind to yourself should by any vain persons be
frustrated and defeated.—From Whitborue, 14 Sept., 1603. Signed. Seal. 1 p. (101. 139.) |
||
Maurice of Nassau to King James. | |||
1603, Sept. 15. |
The Comte Alphonse de Montidoglia et
Sainte Sophie coming from Germany has sought me in this
camp and declared the knowledge God has given him of the truth
of the Gospel. He desires to seek your Majesty and declare
his service and has begged me for this word of recommendation.—
The camp at Vugt, 15 Sept., 1603. Signed. French. Fragment of Seal. 1 p. (134. 42.) |
||
The Venetian Ambassador. | |||
1603, Sept. 19. |
Warrant to all mayors, sheriffs, postmasters,
etc., to furnish Mr. Thomas Wilson with such necessaries as he
may require, at the usual prices, when he accompanies John
Charles Sharamelli, going by the King's appointment from
Oxford to Southampton, there to attend his Majesty's pleasure
for audience, and then to depart to Dover, to meet the Venetian
ambassador.—Woodstock, 19 Sept., 1603. Signed:—T. Buckhurst; Suffolke; Ro. Cecyll; J. Stanhope. 1 p. (101. 140.) |
||
Lord Buckhurst to Lord Cecil. | |||
1603, Sept. 19. |
Being this day informed of far greater
allowances for the charge of the privy buckhounds by the King,
than I was informed of by Sir Thomas Teringham, unto whose
declaration giving faith I set my hand, I do pray you to stay
the grant thereof at the signet or privy seal, until I may this day
have conference with Sir Geo. Hume about it, whereby his
Majesty may be truly informed of their allowances.—19 Sept.,
1603. Holograph. ½ p. (101. 141.) |
||
Innocent [Bubalo], Bishop of Camerino, Pope's Nuntio, to King James. | |||
1603, Sept. 19/29. |
Having heard that your Majesty received
and read with your usual kindness the congratulatory letters
I wrote some months past, I am emboldened to make you further
very humble reverence with all the more assurance because I
promise myself greater grace from your singular goodness by
the report which I believe has been made to you by your
Ambassador at this Court of my conduct touching your Majesty's
service, towards which also, I must take this opportunity of
informing you, the Pope, my master, has always had a particular
inclination and the good will to help and benefit your royal
person; and if I were to say by natural sympathy, I should in
no wise be telling a lie, for it has been occasioned by the report
he has had of the learning, worth, virtue and other rare qualities
which make you loved by all endowed by God with the like
qualities. Your Majesty should see clear proof of this in the
fact that his Holiness, though often begged to proceed against
you with ecclesiastical censures, has always refused to do so.
So that, when I was sent to this charge two years or more ago,
he commanded me, as I signified at the time to your Ambassador
here, the late Archbishop of Glasgow, to do you favourable
offices with the King of France. And now especially, since
his Holiness has heard with great pleasure of your coming to
this most flourishing kingdom, he has repeatedly ordered his
Ministers and me, the least and most unworthy of them, to try
by all possible means to prevent you from receiving displeasure,
hindrance or harm of any sort from the Catholics. Some who
have gone to Rome to make a thousand inept proposals for
disturbance have not only been repulsed by his Holiness, as I
know will always be the case, but have even been banished
from Rome. Hence why many of these discontented ones
have afterwards brought many lies to your ears! Moreover,
his Holiness has made good offices with the Most Christian and
Most Catholic Kings and other princes for peace and a good
understanding with you. This good will of the Pope has always
been growing, so that I know he will not cease to strive to make
it more apparent to you and will secure as far as humanly
possible that no harm befalls you from Catholics. He will remove
from these countries all who are turbulent and mutinous and
chastise the disobedient and seditious not only with ecclesiastical but also with temporal pains. He has already ordered
all Catholics to revere and obey you. And know, your Majesty,
that it is false that Catholics being of another religion than
yours ought to oppose you, seeing, that as you have never
been excommunicated and in consequence declared an enemy,
they cannot under our laws and canons band themselves against
you or disobey you. I know there will be an attempt to persuade you that this good will of the Pope and all that it can effect
in your favour with Catholic princes and even with your Catholic
subjects cannot be of any considerable use to you, who are of
yourself so great and powerful. Nevertheless, leaving that
consideration rather to your singular prudence, it cannot be
denied that to assure yourself of the favour of Catholics by the
Pope's means and authority must bring you great peace of mind,
a thing not to be despised, besides that it must be agreeable to
the generosity of your mind and greatness of your heart to return
the like true and sincere love to a Prince who loves you so much
and can assure you that he would willingly give his own blood
for your prosperity and safety. And seeing that there is so
good a disposition in the Pope, it is only necessary for you to
declare yourself and I can assure you that his Holiness by his
own letters (if you are pleased to signify that they will be agreeable) will not only satisfy you of all that I have said but also,
if your Majesty will commission someone to treat with me or
by any other means that you please, I know for certain that you
will be fully contented how much the Pope has laboured for a
true and solid peace throughout Christendom with assurance
for all Christian princes to possess their kingdoms and territories
in peace and prosperity. This, I believe, must be clear to your
Majesty by the examples up to the present in France, Savoy
and other places, where his Holiness has sought to extinguish
the fire which the malice of the seditious has already lighted.
All this I think will make you understand the ardent desire I
have for your continual happiness and prosperity and for the
public good. Praying you to excuse the length of this letter,
I end with my very humble reverence.—"Paris, ce 29me
Septembre, 1603." Signed. French. 3½ pp. (101. 142, 143.) |
||
Copy of the same. Italian. 4 pp. (101. 144, 145). |
|||
Abstract of the same in English with the substance of Cardinal Aldobrandini's letter. | |||
That Cecyll the priest hath made a very false information of the cardinal's treating with him, to set up the duke of Parma as king of England. | |||
That the Pope exhorteth all Catholics to obey the king, and
himself makes public prayers in the churches for his Majesty's
preservation. Unsigned. Endorsed: "1605" (sic). 2 pp. (112. 149.) |
|||
George Brooke to [his Wife.] | |||
1603, Sept. 20. |
The restraint is upon suspicion of intercourse
between some prisoners. The meeting upon Wednesday is
about the indictments and choosing of a jury. I think there
will be no trials before the term.—Undated. Holograph. Endorsed: "20 September, 1603, intercepted." ⅓ p. (101. 146.) Copy of the above. ⅓ p. (102. 27d.) |
||
Dr. J[ohn] Chippingdale to Lord Cecil. | |||
1603, Sept. 24. |
It hath pleased God lately to visit my son
with sickness, on whom your Honour bestowed the feodaryship
for this county, wherein albeit he found your lordship's exceeding
favour without defect, yet in single truth it came to him from
Evans, who had it before him, with greater charge by much
than either it was or could have been worth, if my son's days
had been prolonged. Now, if God do take him (which in my
judgment I do verily think) then is both the money lost, and my
state by his death to be charged with a large jointure, to my
great prejudice on both sides, if you stand not my good master
in this suit, which is (if my son fail) to bestow that place on me.—
Leicester Castle, 24 Sept., 1603. Signed. 1 p. (101. 147.) |
||
Capitan Murad Bey to Sir Horatio —. | |||
1603, Sept. 24/Oct. 4. |
Your letter has much pleased us, and both
the Bashaw and we are grateful for your kindness to the Grand
Signior's subjects, in token whereof on the receipt of your letter
I looked among my captives and set free ten whom I found to
be your compatriots. I send them by your ambassador
Federico Classe the bearer of this letter, who will give you
messages which cannot be committed to paper. I have given
him a safe conduct which will protect him anywhere in the
Grand Signior's dominions. We beg you to send us 3 or 4
ships laden with cloth before the end of January, as we are
somewhat short this year, and this assistance would produce
a good impression here. We shall set free any of the subjects
of your Republic who may fall into our hands.—Algiers,
4 October, 1603. Sealed with stamp in ink. Italian. 1 p. (191. 50.) |
||
Muster Roll for Sandown Castle. | |||
1603, Sept. 29. | A roll indented of the captain and soldiers of his Majesty's Castle of Sandown, which are to receive pay from 28 Sept., 1602. until 29 Sept. following, viewed and mustered before Sir Thomas Fane, knight, Lieutenant of Dover Castle, 29 Sept., 1603. | ||
The Captain | Aaron Windebanke, | per diem 20d. | |
The Captain's 4 soldiers | John Cadge | 6d. | |
John Salby | 6d. | ||
Daniel Boorne | 6d. | ||
David Rosse | 6d. | ||
Lieutenant | William Saunders | 8d. | |
Lieutenant's soldier | Thomas Kitt | 6d. | |
Chief porter | Henry Johnson | 8d. | |
Under-porter | Thomas Edwardes | 6d. | |
Cannoneers and soldiers | Nicholas Muzzerd | 6d. | |
Henry Malcome | 6d. | ||
John Brabson | 6d. | ||
John White | 6d. | ||
Henry Osborne | 6d. | ||
John Clarke | 6d. | ||
Peter Thomson | 6d. | ||
John Kempe | 6d. | ||
Robert Emberson | 6d. | ||
William Pittocke | 6d. | ||
Total per diem | 11s. | ||
Signed: Tho. Fane. Aaron Windebank. 1 p. (101. 149.) | |||
Hertfordshire. | |||
1603, Sept. 29. | Register of all those that are licensed at the Hertford Sessions to be common drovers of cattle, badgers, loders, kydders, carriers, and transporters of corn and grain and of butter, cheese, fish and other dead victuals within that county: with their recognisances.—Jan. 10, 28 Eliz. [1586] to Mich. 1 Jac. [1603.] 144 pp. (209. 1.) | ||
Edward, Lord Zouche, to Lord Cecil. | |||
1603, Sept. 30. |
The Council here, I doubt nothing but you
know, having heard of my desire to dissolve their quaternity,
and felt the lessening of their grants, take little delight in my
being here, and they have no little comfort in their conceits
that they have such a pillar, whom I have offended so highly.
If you could also know the practice of some of them to draw the
affections of the country from me, and their means, especially
by their having gratified many, and striving to gratify some,
wherein I can little follow their humour, you might easily see
that I take little pleasure to be here, but if I may have you
constant to defend me, then shall I walk in this calling till it
please his Highness to command the contrary.—Shrewsbury,
this last of Sept., 1603. Holograph. Seal. 1 p. (101. 150.) |
||
Juan de Taxis, Count of Villa Medina, [Spanish Ambassador]. to the King. | |||
[1603, Sept. or later.] |
Since my audience of your Majesty
yesterday, I have been informed that an English man-of-war
has cast anchor in the Downs near Dover, and that her captain,
named Cleve, has with him besides 2 Spanish ships, captured
on their way to the Indies four months ago and worth more
than 18,000 crowns, the cargo being of various kinds of merchandise, of which they have exchanged a considerable portion
for hides, silver and gold, and left the remainder on board the
ships as they found it. It is said that they have with them
more than 10,000 hides. They have offered violence to all the
women on board the said ships (among whom is the wife of the
Lieutenant of Havana), a most scandalous proceeding and
contrary to all humanity. Now fearing that your Majesty
will command the restitution of the said merchandise and
valuables, it being plain that they have been wrongfully taken,
they are sending orders for the ships to proceed to Holland or
France, that they and their cargoes may be sold there. I
beseech your Majesty to give order for them to be brought to
London before going thither, and in the event of their having
already departed, to imprison all the parties concerned, particularly the said Captain Cleve and the Master of the ship
named the Henry Raven, and to have the ships and goods stayed
and brought to London that justice may be done, and the goods
apportioned to those to whom they belong (it being notorious
that the said Captain Cleve took with him no merchandise,
but only his ship-of-war) and that they be not allowed to
proceed to France or Holland.—Undated. Holograph. French. Endorsed: "1603." 1½ pp. (103. 67.) |
||
Minute to the [Lord] Norris. | |||
[1603, before October.] |
Concerning the matter between
him and Sir Edward Norris (fn. 1) to be heard by himself and the Lord
Keeper and proposing the appointment of suitable counsel
on either side to prepare the cause and facilitate a compromise,
of whom Sir Walter Cope is to be one.—Undated. Draft. 2½ pp. (197. 75–76.) |