Cecil Papers: 1616 | British History Online

Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 22, 1612-1668. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1971.

Citation:

'Cecil Papers: 1616', in Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 22, 1612-1668, ed. G Dyfnallt Owen( London, 1971), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-cecil-papers/vol22/pp31-41 [accessed 17 November 2024].

1616



	Sale of Pearls.
1616, March 14.	Authorisation to the effect that, "I, the right honorable William, Earle of Salisburye, have appointed and authorised and by these presents doe appointe and authorise William Webb, my servaunt, to bargaine, sell or otherwise (as to him shall seeme best to dispose of) one hundred and ffowre orient pearles beinge of the proper goods of me the said Earle. This ffowreteenth daie of Marche 1616." Signed. ½ p. (Legal 47/26.)
	Christopher Abdey to the King.
[? 1616, March or earlier].	Before glasses were made in England, strangers imposed a great price upon them. After a glass house was set up here, whereby the price was much abated, certain Frenchmen came over, who in every country, pretending to make green glasses for the poorer sort, wasted many goodly woods. Asks for patent for 21 years to maintain one glass house in London, which shall not spend by the fourth part as much wood as one of these greenglass houses do. Offers 400¹ a year to the King, and 600¹ a year for Sir Jerome Bowes, to whom he understands the King is pleased to give some yearly consideration. The waste of wood will be suppressed, the people contented, and the King honoured in maintaining a glass house royal only for the use of physicians and other chemical professors.—Undated. ½ p. (P. 631.)
	[See Cal. S.P. Dom., 1611/18, p. 355.] Sir Jerome Bowes was dead by 27 March, 1616. (Ibid., pp. 357, 425.)
	The Privy Council to the Earl of Salisbury, Lieutenant of co. Herts.
1616, April 30.	Ordering a general view of the forces of that county, with detailed instructions as to the supply of all defects, training of the trained bands, supply of munition, etc.—Whitehall, 30 April, 1616. Contemporary copy. 1½ pp. (196. 63.)
	Robert Redmayne.
1616, May 13.	Writ of prohibition to Robert Redmayne on the complaint of George Tilney of the parish of Trowse in the city of Norwich, yeoman. The parish of Lakenham in the county of Norfolk is an ancient parish. From time immemorial it has been the custom of tithing that every owner or occupier of a meadow within the parish with a crop of grass or grain "in any year should cut or reap the same and collect it into cocks of equal size and render every tenth cock to the vicar of the parish church or his deputy for the time being in lieu of all tithes due from the same, as well of hay as of grain, to wit, 'rowinges' or 'aster feede'.
	The said George Tilney in the years 1612–14 possessed 6 acres of meadow in Lakenham, and according to custom in each year rendered his tenth cock to the vicar of the parish church. Notwithstanding, Henry Townley, clerk, vicar of the said parish, has sued the said George Tilney in court Christian for non-payment of tithes." Stay of further proceedings.—Dated at Westminster, 13th May, in the fourteenth year of the King's reign. Parchment. 1 m. (221. 3.)
	[Nicholas Brulart (fn. 1) ] to Louis XIII.
[? 1616, May].	He willingly resigns his charge and leaves it without grief, and need not have been sent for by a captain of the guard and 20 archers. He has ever esteemed this honour a heavy burden rather than a dignity, which he accepted for the good of the King's service, and it would have been a shame for him to refuse to die with the stern in his hand, being able to hinder or at least delay the shipwreck that threatens them. He has foreseen this accident, as he followed the integrity and virtues of Mon. de Villiory and the President Jannin, so he had to expect like fortunes to theirs. He loves better to be a companion to their disgraces, than to be employed in the management of the estate with them that there remain, since he might have taken an ill dye by the company of such people. He does not envy their increase of authority, for he has not used to give account of his actions every morning by stealth, neither will he be prescribed what he ought to do. This is more honourable to him than to have betrayed the King in sealing a discharge to an accountant for 8000¹, in the great poverty of the Treasury, and that to further the good of a man who blushes not; besides this to demand the Duchy of Alençon, which is the portion of the King's sons, and to pretend to the office of Constable which the last King wished to suppress after the death of the last Lord Montmorency. The King's duty is to follow the counsel of those who have, by the choice of the late King, entered into the managing of the estate, as being more able to give it than certain new comers drawn out of the dregs of businesses and the people. The exchange made from the former to the latter is the trick of wolves with the sheep when they take their dogs from them. The King is to remember that he is past 15 years old, (fn. 2) and kings are of age at 14. As to the pliableness of the present Court, the sale of offices of the Crown, and the effects of "this alteration". There remains nothing of the old Court but the walls, and even of them the use has been changed; they were wont to serve for the safeguard of princes, but now they serve for their prison, for it is not without some end that when the King goes abroad he has a company of light horse to attend, chosen by a suspected hand. This is the King's guard after the fashion of the Bastille. He (the writer) is hissed and scoffed at, and his discourse: so was Cassandra used when she foretold the destruction of Troy. Those that usurp power over the King are of a country where everybody would reign; thus it is that there is not a city on the other side of the Alps that has not her republic or her petty king; and the most bloody tragedies ever seen in France have come from that side, the last upon an occasion of a little book which the writer published touching constancy and comfort in public calamities. He does not grieve for his removal, but would with more contentment have employed his service in the King's councils of state than in his parliaments, where the matters are of less importance. He will ever bring all that he is able to the good of the King's service. If any near the King lament his absence, he would say to them, weep for yourselves, children of Jerusalem, that for want of courage suffer the King to be betrayed, and not for him that has no other fault than that he is an honest man.—Undated. Headed: "The Lord Chancellor's letter to the young King of France." Contemporary copy. 3 pp. (98. 96.)
	Thomas Shotbolt to Christopher Keighley.
[Before June, 1616].	"I understand that my Lord hath sent for me to attend his Lordship at Theoballs. I praye lett me intreate yow to goe theather to make my excuse, for I am not now able to goe abowght the howse withowt helpe, but I hope within thes feawe dayes I shalle be better able. I praye goe to know his Lordshipps pleasure. I have sent yow a horse."— Undated.
	P.S. "Ffor the busines with Mr Salter and the rest yow know how I have expected Mr Dackombes (fn. 3) cumming home with owt whome nothing in that busines can be doone." Holograph. 1 p. (General 103/8.)
	Thomas Shotbolt to Christopher Keighley.
[? Before June, 1616].	Conveys to him directions from the Earl of Salisbury concerning a certain property. "My Lord will, God willing, be at London all this Cristmas, who is purposed to cum up with the Kinge, and my Lady will be at London on Thursedaye or Fridaye next as I here. She will cum up with my Lord Treasurer. I praye so sone as yow can lett us meete abowght the soeing of Quixwood, that we maye give my Lord sum satisfaction what we have done in it, now at his cuming to Theoballs where he hath commaunded me to attend him."—Undated. Holograph. Seal. 1 p. (General 103/4.)
	The Earl of Suffolk to the Earl of Salisbury.
[1616, before June 9].	"I preseume you wyll byd the Kyng by hys deputy to christen your sweet boy. (fn. 4) The day must be ether this Twesday come forthnight or the Thursday after which ys the match day of your footman. You may make choyse of ether of thos dayes. Send me back word by this messenger which you resolve of. I wyll come to you the night before. You must wryte a letter to my Lady of Hartford to byd her, and send a gentleman of your owne with yt, and you must desyer her to be present in her owne person because with the Kyng and myselfe your other gosoop to wayt on the Kyng, no deputy can be alowed of. Let your man that shall cary the letter come by me. She ys but twenty myles of the towne. Let your man come on Thursday and I wyll helpe to instruct hym."—Undated. Holograph. Seal. 1 p. (200. 43.)
	The Countess of Hertford to the Earl of Salisbury.
[1616] June 9.	Sends her warmest congratulations on the arrival of a "sweet wellcom Cranburn."; and wishes him every virtue and happiness. "Your man receved my lords ansur before ever I had occation to show him your letter, and in respect of that I have sent it you back againe, for my lord told me his resolution without asking. Therefore I must pray your Lordship to beleve that if I were mistris of my self, or breathed in a fortune like other wimen, I would have undertaken this gorney most willingly with a great deall of content to have held my sweet cosen and the Eaire of your hous in my armes." Elvetham, the 9 of June. Holograph. Seal on green silk. 1 p. (200. 98.)
	Laurence Biggen.
1616, June 15.	Privy Seal appointing Laurence Biggen in place of Robert Leigh as one of the keepers of the game in certain places along the River Lea, co. Middlesex.—Greenwich, 15 June, 14 Jac. Contemporary copy. 1½ pp. (213. 57.)
	Cranborne Chase.
1616, June 16.	Copy of the King's letter directed to the Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas. Refers to the suit between the Earl of Salisbury and the inhabitants of Cranborne Chase concerning the limits of the Chase; and that since the Court of Common Pleas issued an order that the inhabitants should enjoy their possessions, the latter have not only killed deer but threaten with violence any keeper who trespasses on land claimed by them. Their proceedings are condemned as rash and precipitate, and prejudicial to a case in which validity of title is being judged, as well as being a wrongful interpretation of the Court's order which only enjoined that each party should preserve its claims until the case had been judicially decided. Therefore an order should be issued forthwith to the inhabitants not to spoil the game nor offer violence to the keepers, but allow them to supervise the walks as they were accustomed to do before the suit began.—16th June in the fourteenth year of the King's reign.
	Endorsed: "16 June, 1616. Coppie of his Ma^ts lre to the Lord Cheife Justice of the Common Pleas for the Earle of Salisbury." 1¼ pp. (Legal 47/24.)
	King's Visit to Hatfield.
1616, June.	List of provisions "against the King's coming to Hatfield." Inter alia £31:7:0 was spent on wines, £32:17:6 on poultry and birds, and £33:17:0 on "Cheapside fishe and shellfishe and fresh water fishe from Cambridge." The whole expenses came to £243. 1½ pp. (Deeds. Box U/99.)
	The Earl of Salisbury to Lord Knollys, Master of the Court of Wards.
1616, July 3.	As to bonds given by Roger Houghton and others, his father's late servants, to the Court of Wards. Note by Lord Knollys: 3 July, 1616. 1 p. (P. 1841.)
	Awdeley Ladd alias Baker to the Commissioners for letting the King's lands.
[1616, before July 13].	Tenant of the site of the manor of Terrington, Norfolk. Particulars as to the descent of the manor. Prays for reversion to his two children, at moderate fine, in view of the great charges incurred in repairing seabanks and otherwise.—Undated. 1 p. (P. 1616.) [See Cal. S.P. Dom., 1611–18, p. 382.]
	John Seyward to Christopher Keighley.
1616, August 7.	Matters arising within the manor of Teignton, with particular reference to encroachments, diverting of water from the Lord's mill and other misdemeanours. Deplores the lack of a pound, the old one having been pulled down by a refractory tenant, who detains the timber for his own use. "For want thereof the officers of the saide mannor have no lawfull place to put the distresses in, either for rents, amerceaments or other lawfull cause." Requests a warrant for rebuilding of the pound, which would enable him to deal more strictly with offenders on the manor. Combyntinhed in Devon, the 7th of August, 1616. Holograph. Seal. 1 p. (General 78/33.)
	Paul Delahay to Christopher Keighley.
1616, September 16.	Complains of the behaviour of his "badd son", John Delahay, who has taken money from him and others, ostensibly to pay rents due to the Earl of Salisbury, and who offered him violence on one occasion. Suspects that correspondence between him and Keighley has been intercepted by John Delahay, and proposes that in future any letters to him should be sent through John Clerk, the Town Clerk of Hereford. Now his son is demanding further money towards the costs of a suit for non-payment of rent brought against him by Salisbury. "Withall in respectt that my sonne hath tymber from your Lords woods of Penbidell to macke upp his owne miles, he suffereth the woods there to be spoyled by colliars, turnars and potters of severall trades; out and from the porche of this howse I daylie see the spoyls made there; which woods my father in lawe William Cicill still preserved to serve this howse, and would rather bye then tacke any therhence." He warns Keighley that if, "your Lorde tacke not order to staye the spoyle of woods ther, within these fewe yeres ther wilbe no woode left to mayntayne this howse, wherein your Lords anncestors for above 530 yeres hath hadd theyre abood or dwelling". Is prepared to surrender the house and land to the Earl of Salisbury in exchange for a reasonable annuity. Alterenes, the 16 daye of September, 1616. Holograph. 1 p. (General 78/16c.)
	John Norden to Christopher Keighley.
1616, September 25.	"I have receyved your letter together with a letter inclosed of Sir John Dackombs the contentes whereof I am not unwillinge to performe, but that as I am a Christianman I can not yet finde the copie of the plott you desire. If I coulde, be yow assured I would as gladlie take paynes to renewe it as for anie noble man that lives, and that without urging of that my ever worthie to be remembred Lord deceased. I will seek to find it if possible I can; if not, I know noe course to renew it but by a new perambulation which will be too too tedious for me to doe in the time required."—Hendon, 25 Sept. 1616. Holograph. ½ p. (General 78/22.)
	Walter Myers and others.
[1616], September.	Breviat of Sir Francis Bacon, his Majesty's Attorney-General, and his "information of intrusion" against Walter Myers and others for 19 cottages built upon Pickering, Nash and Samshore, Redrith, Surrey. Michaelmas term, 14 Jac. 7 sheets. Damaged. Annotations in Bacon's hand. (211. 6 to 8.)
	The Earl of Pembroke to the Earl of Salisbury.
[? 1616,] October 19.	"As I promised your Lordship so when my officers came up I told them I would not meddle in it, and therfore forbadd them that my name should in any sort be used in it. My solicitor is now in towne, who is Sir John Dackams kinsman, and I know will not deny to have receaved that comandment from me, and I am sure will honestly obay it. For the Roles, if there be any such, which I protest I yet know not, at my comming up on Wensday next I will give order for them, or in any thing els wherin I may doe your Lordship service. Huntington, this 19th of October. Holograph. Endorsed: "My Lord Chamberlain to me." 1 p. (200. 170.)
	John Seyward to Christopher Keighley.
1616, October 26.	"About three monethes since I wrote unto you of the accidents and proceedings in his lordshipps mannors and courts of Teington Bishopp and Radwaye, wherein I signified the death of one Nicholas Comyng of Lewton and that iii¹ v^s was paide for the heriott due upon his death unto the handes of Thomas Paddon of Cockeven and, as he affirmeth, retorned up with other mony by Mr Hugh Morrell of Exon." As to the encroachments mentioned by him in his letter, "the most part of the offenders therin have submitted themselves as by the Court role you shall perceve". Repeats his request for authorization to rebuild the manor pound and for a warrant to take timber for that purpose, "for through want thereof the mannor is without government". The Reeve, Thomas Lowe, has been uncooperative and offensive. When ordered to seize the property of a tenant who owed money for tithes, "the saide Reve hath scorned the commande; he hath likewise refused and scorned to paye to Thomas Paddon the rentts due at Michelmas". Moreover, "the saide Thomas Lowe, Reve, there in open Court the 23th of this moneth affirmed that he knewe not what warrant you (Mr Keighley) had to make any warrant to Thomas Paddon to receve any rentts or any other monyes for my lord, and doubted how he should be discharged of that mony which he had formerly paide". Desires direction how to deal with the situation.— Combyntinhed the xxvith of October, 1616. Holograph. Fragment of seal. 1 p. (General 78/35.)
	William Mower, William Fletcher and John Bromley to Sir Edward Coke (fn. 5), Lord Chief Justice.
[Before November, 1616].	Unfinished. Refers to the loss of a silver bowl belonging to Christopher Parke of the White Hart in the Strand.—Undated. ½ p. (P. 1747.)
	Sir Henry Montague.
[1616, November 18].	The Lord Chancellor Ellesmere's speech to Sir Henry Montague when he was sworn Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench, (fn. 6) with the new Lord Chief Justice's answer. —Undated. 10 pp. In 17th century hand. (242. 18.)
	Robert Redmayne.
1616, November 27.	The King to Robert Redmayne, Doctor of Law, chief official of the Consistory Court of Norwich, concerning the complaint of John Wentworth, esquire, preferred in the King's Court.
	For the space of 3 years he has been seised of two marshes with their appurtenances called Hoggmarsh and Horsemarsh, 100 acres in extent, late parcel of the possessions of the late Priory of St. John the Evangelist of Leighes, co. Essex, lying in the parish of Belton, co. Suffolk.
	The tenants of the same have from time immemorial paid to the rector of the parish church of Belton 32^s per annum on the first day of August called Lammas Day in full discharge of all tithes whatsoever in respect of the said property. By statute of 4 November in the second year of the reign of King Edward the sixth, it was enacted that no person should be compelled to pay tithes for any manors, lands or hereditaments which by law of the realm were not liable or had been discharged by composition. Nevertheless, one Jernegan Jenny, clerk, rector of the church of Belton, though cognisant of the foregoing, has sued the said John in court Christian on a plea, the hearing whereof rightly pertains to the King's Court, for payment of divers tithes. And although the said John on the first day of August, as aforesaid, was ready to pay to the said Jernegan 32^s, according to the former agreement, and although the premises were set out before the official in court Christian, he refuses to consider the same and has given judgment in favour of the said Jernegan. Wherefore in consideration of the complaint of John Wentworth all further proceedings in the said Court are stayed.—Dated at Westminster, 27 November, in the fourteenth year of the King's reign. 1 m. (221. 1.)
	John Wentworth.
1616, November 27.	Writ of prohibition to Robert Redmayne on the complaint of John Wentworth, esquire.
	The said John has been seised for the space of three years of marshland called Eastmarsh in the parish of Whitakre, co. Norfolk, for which he has paid 80^s on Lammas day annually in lieu of all tithes due therefrom. He has been sued by John Moore and John Colbeck, farmers of the rectory of Whitakre in court Christian contrary to law. Stay of all proceedings.— Dated at Westminster, 27 November, in the fourteenth year of the King's reign. 1 m. (221. 2.)
	The Plague in London.
1616, December 12.	Certificate, on printed form, of deaths from the plague in London, 5 to 12 December, 1616. 1 p. (206. 75.)
	The Earl of Salisbury to Sir Francis Ashley.
[1616, December].	"His Ma^tle hath now latelie spoken unto me to come downe into Dorsetsheere aboute this busines conserneinge monies, soe that I intend to be there presentlie after Christenmas. In the meaine tyme I desire to understande from yowe soe speedelie as may be wheather there bee anie place in that sheere that is nowe infected with sicknes or noe, and what townes yowe thinke fittest and moste convenient to appointe for that purpose. I understande by a letter from FitsJames that there is a fellowe hath killed a deare within the Chace in some ground where Mrs Gowen pretends some prevelidge, and gives it out that she will (if he be questioned for it) maintaine and justefie him in the doeinge thereof. And therefore I desire yowe to send for FitsJames and the fellowe and to examine the truth of it, and to take such course with the offendor as yowe thinke fitt."— Undated. Unsigned. In Keighley's hand. Endorsed: "Decem. 1616. Copy of a Ire to Sir Frances Asslye." 1 p. (General 71/18.)
	Farnell versus Keighley.
1616.	Decree of the Court of Wards in the case of Thomas Farnell against Thomas Keighley, Michaelmas term, 1616, respecting lands, etc. in Thurrock Gray, of the manor of Gray's Thurrock, co. Essex. "Copied 31 May, 1717, from a record of the Court of Wards and Liveries remaining in the room appointed for the custody thereof near the House of Peers by me Cha. Grymes." 5 pp. (P. 2262.)
	Sir W[alter] R[alegh] to the Queen.
[? 1616].	Prays for answer to his former letters. Is uncertain what course to follow. Sometimes deliberates to try the King's mercy because he has neither means nor friends: sometimes he is of the opinion to address himself to some Prince, hoping to have his poverty pitied. Looks to find in her Majesty all that friends, country or princes can afford.—Undated. Holograph. 1½ pp. (98. 175.)
	Handicraftsmen of the Dutch and French Congregations in London to the King.
[1616].	In the late Queen's time and in the King's they have been permitted to use their trades, until of late divers of them have been imprisoned by an Act of Common Council of London and otherwise by informers. Upon their late petition the [Privy] Council gave directions to certain aldermen and the Recorder to favour them: yet they are still more and more molested and imprisoned for using their trades privately as mere strangers. They beg for their enlargement, relief and continuance of trade.—Undated. 1 p. (196. 126.) See Cal. S.P. Dom., 1611–18, p. 377. Another petition to the same effect. 1 p. (196. 127.)
	Commissioners to examine accounts.
[1616, or later].	Thomas Lichfeld, by letters patent of 18 December, 13 Jac., was granted the moiety of all moneys growing by the examination of unjust payments or allowances in accounts. Certain persons impeachable for untrue accounts may be willing to agree to composition of the matter by commissioners, in consideration of pardon and discharge. This warrant therefore appoints that "you four, three or two of you" shall be commissioners in that behalf with authority to compound, with the assent of Lichfeld, with any persons in regard to offences under the above patent, Lichfeld to have the moiety of the composition.—Undated. Unaddressed. Unsigned. 1 p. (196. 78.)
	Thomas Currey and others to the Earl of Salisbury.
[? 1616, or after].	Tenants of Cranborne complain of the abuses of Oliver Hill, late bailiff there, and Mr Hooper, farmer.— Undated. 1 p. (P. 1732.)
	Sir William Courtney.
[? 1616].	The claim of Sir William Courtney to certain leases purchased by him from Walter Sydenham as administrator of the estate of Sir George Sydenham.—Undated. 1 p. (P. 2272.)
	Dr George Montaigne (fn. 7) to Mr Temple.
[1616 or before]. December 6.	Recommends Mr Tyndall as able and willing to further the matter. Desires to be commended to Mr Asheton and the rest.—December 6. ½ p. (P. 2254.)