Cecil Papers: September 1609 | British History Online

Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 24, Addenda, 1605-1668. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1976.

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Citation:

'Cecil Papers: September 1609', in Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 24, Addenda, 1605-1668, ed. G Dyfnallt Owen (London, 1976), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-cecil-papers/vol24/pp175-177 [accessed 29 April 2025].

September 1609



	John Skelton to the Earl of Salisbury.
[Before September, 1609].	In December, 1602, before the King's entrance into England, about 80 rebellious borderers attacked and robbed twenty of the King's tenants at Nether Hesket in Cumberland, and stole goods to the value of £400. Petitioner and others pursued the gang, and he himself was taken prisoner, his eye knocked out by a sword thrust and carried a prisoner into Scotland. All these and other facts have been communicated to Lord Scrope (fn. 1) and the Bishop of Carlisle. Many of the King's tenants have been ruined as a result of the raid, and petitioner's horse is still in the possession of George Erwyn of the Bonshawe. Since the King's commissioners do not appear to have sufficient authority to exact reparations, petitioner requests that his complaints be laid before the Privy Council, so that some remedy may be provided by legal proceedings against the borderers known to have participated in the raid, or some other form of relief provided.—Undated. ½ p. (P. 1464.)
	David Spence and Thomas Leman to the Earl of Salisbury.
[Before September, 1609].	They complain of the losses they have sustained because of Don Martin de la Serda, a Spaniard, who has seized their goods valued at 3000 ducats. This was proved in England, Ireland and Spain, and the King accordingly recommended to the King of Spain the suit preferred by petitioners, with special directions to Sir Charles Cornwallis to see to the restitution of their goods. Order was given for full repayment of their losses, but after 22 months their agent has returned empty-handed. Petitioners ask that some step be taken to rectify the situation and to prevent their utter ruin.—Undated. 1 p. (P. 989.) [See H.M.C. Salisbury MSS, Vol. XXI, p. 125.]
	Thomas Leman, David Spence and John Angell to the Privy Council.
[Before September, 1609].	In 1603, their ships and goods were seized by the King of Spain's warships under the command of Don Martin de la Serda, when they were off the coast of Ireland. Their losses amounted to 5000 ducats, and the matter had been twice conclusively proved before the Council of Spain. Restitution of the whole amount was promised, but owing to delays nothing has been paid. They ask for letters to the Council of Spain urging payment, since they are no longer able to prosecute their suit.— Undated. ½ p. (P. 1100.)
	Viscount Cranborne to Prince Henry.
[1609] September 9.	"When I durst not presume, out of the knowlege of myne owne unworthines, to expect so much as a gracious message from your Highnes, I was so happie as to be honored with your most gracious letters, a favor so farr beyond my desert as your greatnes is above my humble ffortunes, and which doth make me more proud, more happie then all the caresses this King doth or can afforde me, which I esteeme as nothing in respect of the onely assurance I have you vouchsafe to reserve me some place in your princely memorie. All I behold here is so farr under your most rare perfections as methinks my prospect is still downwards till it shall please God it may happily againe be raysed to the sight of your Highnes. Till when the greatest joye and content I can fynde in this my absence is the constant consent of all, wheresoever the course of my travailes lead me, in your Highnes prayses. Your person is better knowne at home, but the rare perfections both of your minde and bodie (dayly increased by your studies and exercises) doe most gloriously shine abroade. The fame whereof (being infinitly spread by a number of most worthie and noblest gentlemen of this nation, whoe have frequented his Ma^ts Court and had the honor to be eie-witnesses of your vertues) overcomes the envie that is wont to be in so neere bordering neighbors. I doe abstaine from being troublesome to your Highnes in writing ordinary newes, seing I have not the meanes to come by that is worthie your Highnes which I knowe (if there be any) you have from better penns then myne, and I ashamed to present this second time my humblest dutie and service in this old English garment. And yet I dare not venture in a newe French habit, knowing how able your Highnes is to discover errors. Hereafter I hope my better abilitie will give me courage to change my toonge, but never my hart which humbleth itself at your princely feet."—Bourdeaux, 9 of Sept. Endorsed: "Copie of my Lord Cranborns letter to his Highnes from Bourdeaux." 1½ pp. (195. 112.) [See H.M.C. Salisbury MSS, Vol. XXI, p. 107.]
	Robert Bell to Thomas Wilson.
1609, September 26.	Thanks him and his wife for their kindness. Since his return to London he has spoken to Bartholomew the gardener, but cannot persuade him to take up permanent residence at Hatfield. He and his wife are old and are reluctant to leave their present home. "But yf ytt weare to kepe my lords garden at London or nowe and then to spend a monthe or twoe at Hatfelde till my lords garden bee fenished or to helpe my lord with all the best fruts the lowe contryes can aforde, in all this hee humbly sybmyttethe his service unto my lord." They have both conferred with the Earl of Salisbury's gardener in London, and have decided to draw up a plan to submit to his Lordship. "At my retorne from Hatfeilde I founde that the Dragon, a shipp of 600 tones laden with spices out of the Est Indies, and beinge put in to Plemothe distressed with a leake, I have bin ernestly intreated to goe downe thether as well for the preservinge my owne intrest as that of the conpaney becaus the shippe must bee theare discharged. In the meane tyme I desyre to bee still entertayned in your love and fartherance in my lords favor. And what services I have undertaken for his honoor I have geven over to be performed by my brother and Mr Potter in this my absence." Since expenses may have to be met during his absence, he requests the payment of £200 which he has spent on the provision of stone. "From Leadenhall, this 26 of Septemb. 1609."
	Holograph. Endorsed: "Octob. 16, 1609. CC¹ paid to Mr Bell, the merchannt, upon his further accommpt for Caine stone delivered for the worcks at Hatfeild." And on another page: Receipt for £200 received on October 16, 1609, from Roger Houghton, steward to the Earl of Salisbury, by Thomas Preene on behalf of Robert Bell and his partner John Potter, merchants of London. 1½ pp. (Box U/72.)