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580. F. Wroth to Lord Burghley. |
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1587, Sept. 5. |
By my last I certified you of the departure of the Spanish navy, which then to all men's judgment was thought to be appointed for the wafting of the Indies fleet, but now it is said that, the King being assured that Sir Francis should go no more to sea, he changed his former determination by causing his navy to go for the coast of England, and to disbark with opportunity his soldiers in Ireland. This is here holden so assured that the Spaniards report that for a certainty there are already disbarked 15,000 in Ireland, and that the Duke of Parma hath commission to send by sea as great aid to them as may be. Your Lordship better knoweth the truth thereof than we, but whether they be disbarked or no, it is here holden for a great oversight that her Majesty did not suddenly after the arrival of Sir Francis send him again to the sea with great forces, for if that Sir Francis had not intercepted the Indies fleet (the taking of the which lad been of more value than the getting of half Flanders), yet he should thereby have kept the King of Spain in such suspense, that he should have had no leisure to molest you at home. |
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I have been informed from very good part that the King of Scots hath secretly had an ambassador with the King of Spain, and it is commonly reported that he is entered into the Spanish League. But I do not doubt but that her Majesty, knowing of what importance his friendship is now, hath also (by giving him fair promises and getting his councillors' good will through the intercession of angels) prevented the Spaniards' accustomed practices. It is thought that the Bishop of Glasgow shall be made Cardinal. We hear for certainty that Maximilian, youngest brother to the Emperor, is elected King of Poland, the which if it be true, I must needs say that the Poles are deprived of all judgment and affection towards their country, considering that by this election they do not only adjoin no commodity to their kingdom, but also put themselves into a most great and probable peril of their utter ruin. The Count Colloredo of Friull was a levying 300 horse for to accompany Maximilian into his new kingdom, but this Senate hath forbidden him to conduct any forces out of this dominion. |
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Monsieur de Chastillon was come 10 days passed as far as Chambéry in Savoy, two little days' journey from Geneva. He conducted with him 4,000 Gascon harquebusiers and 500 horsemen. He goeth to join himself with the King of Navarre's Dutch reiters, which gather themselves about Strasburg. |
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There are arrived at Genoa 2,000 Spaniards, newly come out of Spain. It is thought that they shall go for Flanders; likewise 2,000 footmen of the Pope's dominion, and 800 horsemen of the Estate of Milan begin to march towards Savoy, but yet it is uncertain whether they are appointed for the Duke of Guise or no. There hath been of late an English ship taken in the Straits by certain Ragusians; she came from Alexandria, and was ladened with spices to the value of 40,000 crowns. I doubt not but the Ragusians which are in England will be able to reimburse this damage to our poor merchants. From Venice, this 5 of September 1587. |
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1½ pp.
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581. John Powell to the Queen. |
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1587, Sept. 5. |
Offers to expose frauds in the Ordnance Office, and begs the Queen to grant him a hearing before the Lord Chancellor, Lord Treasurer, Lord Admiral, and Earl of Warwick, which last named he accuses of great oppressions, [and] one Painter of false recording the office books.—5 September 1587. |
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¾ p.
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582. Roger Mowsdall and Henry Pawle to the Queen. |
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1587, Sept. 7. |
Petition for a lease in reversion of 40l. for their services as Yeomen of the Chamber. |
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Signed by Lord Chancellor Hatton. |
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Endorsed :—7 September 1587. |
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[Note by Sir J. Herbert that the Queen grants the petition.] |
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1 p.
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583. J. Wolley to Lord Burghley. |
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1587, Sept. 10. |
I wrote not yesterday to you, because it was thought, as her Majesty told me, that you meant to be here the same night. And so her Highnes told me even now that you would be here tomorrow night, which makes me write but shortly now, reserving the rest until your coming hither. I have acquainted her Majesty with the contents of both your letters; for the first, her Highness took kindly and in very thankful part your carefulness of her well-doing, and your express sending of purpose to be informed of the same, willing me to give you her princely thanks for it. For the second letter, concerning your advice for the aid of the King of Navarre and pay of the Reiters, her Majesty agreeth withal in a certain measure (as I wrote before to you) but resteth only in this scruple, that there is no great personage to be their general, unto whom her money might so be committed as the service might be sure to be performed, forasmuch as Casimir is not there himself, nor any other person of note, whom she may assuredly trust. When your Lordship conceiveth all these difficulties overcome, which I hope will be out of hand, because Mr. Acres being here from my Lord of Leicester, and my Lord of Derby's being here to go beyond the seas, and the present estate of her Highness's affairs, require your presence.—At the Court, 10 September 1587. |
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584. Henry Witherington to Lord Hunsdon. |
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1587, Sept. 11. |
Advertisements out of Scotland. “All offers of justice but outward show. The peace will not continue long, for the King hath delivered it out in speeches to the most of his noblemen, specially to those daily about him, e.g., Huntly, Bothwell. and Crawford, that he cannot be in conscience settled nor quiet in mind until he have revenged the death of his mother. Some practice, which the King is very forward in, for surprising Berwick; engines and scaling ladders in making at Leith. The chief man about De Courcelles is sent with letters to the French King from the King of Scots.—Berwick, this 11th of September 1587.” |
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1½ pp.
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585. Lord Buckhurst. |
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1587, Sept. 15. |
Most gracious Sovereign, although the burden of my sorrows so heavily oppressing my poor heart, in respect of my
restraint from your Majesty's presence, hath oft times moved me, by some mean of suit to your Highness, to have sought release thereof long ere this; yet have I hitherto, to my exceeding grief, even willingly forborne to attempt the same, being informed that my Lord of Leicester hath advertised that he meant to charge me with matters of no small moment concerning your Majesty. And therefore did resolve with myself first to answer all accusations that should be brought against me, and then to humble myself a suitor, and not before. Now therefore his Lordship, after so long a time of delay, having sent over his objections against me, and understanding that your Highness hath most graciously vouchsafed to read mine answers to the same, whereby it is made manifest unto you that this my 10 weeks' banishment from your royal presence hath not had his foundation from any fail of duty to your Highness (whom God doth know that I do honour, love, and reverence even in the highest degree of all loyal faith and duty) but only for particular mislikes and mistakings of his Lordship against me; and those also set down altogether in generalities and uncertainties and utterly without proof at all; being matters merely misinformed unto his Lordship; I trust it may seem abundantly sufficient, or rather more than overmuch, yea, though I had offended (as men may easily err), that for the cause and quarrels of a private man, and but a subject as myself. I should be thus long time disgraced and deprived from your princely face and presence : the desired sight whereof, I protest to God, is even the chiefest joy and comfort that this world can give me. So as in this sort to be so long time banished from the same must surely have brought even an utter wrack and ruin to mine afflicted mind, had not the consolation of a guiltless conscience greatly comforted me; having withal a settled and resolute heart, and such as in all humility both of love and fear, and that even with dread and trembling to displease, doth stand in awe of God and of your Majesty, but not of any subject whatsoever; most humbly beseeching your Majesty not to suffer this disgrace any longer to oppress my grieved mind, who have with all fidelity, care and duty, sought to farther your best service without particular regard to any; and that I may behold that rare and royal face, the only sight whereof hath power to raise up and recomfort my woeful heart, which hath so long time mourned and languished for the lack thereof. And so, expecting this grace and comfort from your Majesty, I beseech the Almighty God to bless and preserve your Highness with as long and prosperous a resign as ever prince in earth did yet enjoy.—From my poor house at London, this 15th day of September 1587. |
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Endorsed :—A petition to her Majesty to be restored to favour from Lord Buckhurst. |
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Unsigned. 1¼ pp.
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586. Thomas Cordell to Lord Burghley. |
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1587, Sept. 18. |
Being deputed by the Merchants Adventurers, with Sir F. Drake, the sole and only dealer with her Majesty and your honourable Lordship, for the obtaining of our portions in those goods brought home by him, and having full authority without account to appear thankful, I have thought it my duty, in regard of your most honourable favours to us in this suit extended, by these letters not only to acknowledge the same, but herewith (when by your furtherance we shall be made able in receipt of our portions) to promise and assure to
pay or deliver to your use, where and when you shall command, the full sum of 1,000l.—London, 18 September 1587. |
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Endorsed in Burghley's handwriting :—“Thomas Cordall, the merchant that cam from Spayn.” |
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½ p.
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587 R. Douglas to Archibald Douglas. |
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1587, Sept. 22. |
I perceive his Majesty is not minded to follow either of the two ways you laid out to him. For neither will he be content to write to the Queen, and begin a private dealing betwixt themselves, nor yet abstain and cut off all dealing for a space. But his will is, that you continue as of wont to advertise him of all matters that may concern his state. In the meantime he will abstain from all things that may anywise offend or irritate that country, whose goodwill he prefers to all other matters whatsoever, and keep himself to the fore to behold what time and good occasion may work in his favour there. He is as well minded towards you as ever, notwithstanding all practices of your enemies to the contrary, and will keep friendship with that country whatsoever may be done. Others are very busy abroad, both in France and Spain, to cause great offers to be made to him from thence which partly he is offended with, partly he laughs at their folly, as he terms it. Monsieur Du Bartas is not yet departed, but awaiting a fair wind at Dumbarton, and with him goes William Melvill, to report back to his Majesty the answer of such matters as you know he has in charge. |
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The state of this country and all matters whatsoever, both domestic and foreign, rests only upon the Chancellor's shoulders. I cannot understand that these counsellors of that country have so great cause to blame him as they give it out, for, for my part, I cannot believe but if he counselled his Majesty that it were expedient to[o] for him to break up with England, but he should prevail, so great a sway doth his authority in the country and credit with his Prince carry at this time. But I am surely persuaded he is of a contrary opinion, which appears, as well in that his familiarity with the Papists decreases daily, as also in that he has shaken off Fentrie's alliance, and is in hands now with young Cesford for his . . . . He continues still in his wonted passions against you and me for your cause, howbeit the Justice Clerk gives me assurance of reconciliation. I caused the Justice Clerk to be very earnest with his Majesty for writing to my lord of Leicester, which he says might be easily obtained, were not a number of evil disposed persons about him, who watch that no such thing should be done. But he assured me that, at his Highness' coming to the Convention the 4th of next month, he shall move him to write, or else take a commission to write himself in his Majesty's name, and it shall be sent to you. As for the other letter, which should have come with Captain Davidson, as I told you myself, I had his Majesty's promise thereof, but, during my absence, by them that envied his advancement for your cause the letters were stopped, and another obtained for Mr. William Murray, &c. I shewed the Earl Bothwell, your assured good friend, that part of your letter that concerned him. He desired me to assure you in his name that while he lived he would acknowledge and honour you as his father, whereof he hoped at your return to your country to give you sufficient proof. The Chancellor and he agree not so well as lately they did, and that by reason that he and the Justice Clerk have lately taken the feu of Orkney of the King over my Lord Robert's head, and pay therefor the old rental. His lordship desired me earnestly to request you that,
if it were possible to recover any of the gear which appertained to the Queen, our Sovereign's mother, you would get some of it for him, and he would give the uttermost price therefor. |
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The Master of Gray's pardon has passed the seals, and been sent to him, yet I understand that he is not minded shortly to return. Roger Ashton dare not hazard as yet to come to you, notwithstanding the passing of his suit. He is so a feared that his absence will give his enemies occasion to calumniate him. The Provost of Lincluden has written to you for the delivery of the bells, and set down the reasons wherefore you may deal for them, notwithstanding Lord Scrope's answer. He desired you to send him half a dozen rings of sundry colours, &c. Where you desire to know what I have done with the Prior of Blantyre, surely nothing as yet, and therefore I pray you let me have the 100l. I wrote to you for. |
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I shall send you the falconer very shortly with as many hawks as I may get, and one also for Mr. Fowler. I must also request you to write to Mr. William Scott what you hope to do for him shortly. Since coming to Court I have been at great charges, all taken on credit, for neither Mr. D. McGill nor Robert Scott would shew me any courtesy. You will not forget Mr. Samuel Cockburn, who has incurred the Chancellor's indignation for your cause. And last I must needs put you in remembrance of Edward Johnstone; without your help the poor man is utterly undone.—From Falkland, this 22nd of September 1587. |
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2 pp.
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588. Lord Buckhdrst to Lord Burghley. |
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1587, Sept. 23. |
I send your lordship herewith a copy of my late letter to her Majesty, which being by my cousin Wolley delivered to her Highness, it pleased her Majesty, after reading thereof, to show herself at the first most graciously bent for mine access unto her presence. But within a while after, falling into a new rehearsal of mislikes, and, that which most of all doth grieve me, making the quarrels of my lord of Leicester now the challengers of her Majesty, she became quite altered from her first intention, and thereby left me unto a new suit and means for mine access unto her presence. Thus rolleth my fortune upon the wheel of sorrows and uncertainties, and my comfort still upon protractions, which is a most strange thing unto me, when I consider what herein I have merited, what heretofore my former service hath deserved, what I have always been and will be to her Majesty, and what withal even her Highness' self hath pleased to be evermore to me, yea, and I am sure, still is in her most gracious heart towards me; and, last of all, both what his lordship is, and what I am myself; and that all this notwithstanding, I should be thus disgraced for a private man's respect. Much better had it been for me that I had never found favour in her royal sight, which now doth but renew grief unto my heart by remembrance of that wonted grace and goodness, which it hath pleased her Majesty heretofore so oft and so benignly to bestow on me, whereby so many of my friends, which now have quite forsaken me, did then esteem me for so happy a man, and I myself did think I stood upon so great a surety. But lo ! what is the faith and fortune of this world, where neither state nor friends are certain, nor Princes' favours may be made freehold : |
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“Sola salus servire Deo, sunt cetera fraudes” |
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Wherefore I beseech your lordship, by whose friendly dealing for me I confess I have received chiefest consolation in this my trouble, that
once more you will please to move her Majesty on my behalf, and that these protractions of mine access to her presence may not thus still strain my heart upon the rack and torment of mine inward sorrows, but that they may have their end, and my poor heart the comfort he so much desireth. |
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I have set down in my letter to my cousin Wolley, now sent unto him, mine answers at large to her Majesty's mislikes, which I trust will easily satisfy. And I would to God your lordship likewise saw them. I was also by him advertised that he hath made himself a mediator to my lord of Leicester for his favour to me, and hath written a letter to his lordship in that behalf, moving him that he would rather remit and forgive than pursue with revenge—a matter that hath grieved me not a little, to think what may be gathered towards me thereby. And, though it seems he meant it with goodwill unto me, yet I would to God it had been neither meant nor written, but I have signified my full mind unto him, which I wish were known to all the world beside. For it shall never be seen that I will suffer willingly mine honour and reputation to be blemished, no, not to die therefor. And if that royal comfort, which I so much desire, shall not wholly rise and proceed even from the sole grace and goodness of my sacred sovereign, surely I will never seek it at a subject's hand. Thus acknowledging myself most especially bound unto your lordship as the only recompense which I have now to offer you, I humbly take my leave.—This 23 of September 1587. |
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Endorsed :—“Lord of Buckhurst to my lord uppon his restraynt.” |
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2 pp.
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589. Sir John Perrot to the Queen. |
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1587, Sept. 23. |
Pardon me in delivering of the passage which I have had now at Trydathe with all the Lords and gentlemen of the north parts of this realm, which I presume to do, because I hear that many things, which have been performed heretofore by me in your Majesty's service, have not been delivered as they were done, or hardly reported to my disadvantage. |
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Finding that the courts, which I devised or set forth heretofore for those parts, were either not allowed of or altered, I thought it my best way (for the time), for the quieting of that province, and avoiding of inconveniency and contention, as also to find the office for the limiting of the land your Majesty granted to Turlagh O'Neale and the Earl of Tyrone, to send for the said Turlagh, the Earl of Tyrone, Sir Hugh O'Donnell, Sir Cocounet [Cuconnaught] McGwyer, Sir Rose McMahon, Sir Hugh McGennys, Sir John O'Relie, Sir Lyehoe (?) O'Hanlon, Turlaghe Braselaghe, Shane McBryan, Neal Oge, Hugh O'Donnell, the Captains of Fewghes, Fernye, and Dartrye, and many other such gentlemen who all appeared before me there, upon my letters, without protection or other assurance, word or pledge, a matter not heretofore used by them, or seen by any, but brought to pass through your Majesty's happy government—where, after I had granted commission to certain of your Majesty's Council and others, to bound the lands granted to Turlagh O'Neale and the Earl of Tyrone, I heard, by bill, answer, replication, and rejoinder, such causes of spoils, killing of men, and other outrages as had grown between them, sithens I discharged the soldiers that were found by them; which were many, especially between the said Turlagh O'Neale, the Earl of Tyrone, and O'Donnell, with all the rest, whereof I ended as many as were ripe to be heard, and appointed Commissioners to deal in the others very shortly,
whereby (I hope) your Majesty's northern parts of this realm shall remain a good time in the more quiet. And because it may please your Highness to understand further show of their trust, loyalty, and obedience, T. O'Neale, at this time, in all humble sort, carried your Highness's sword before me, that hath with his own sword heretofore annoyed your Majesty's subjects. He and the Earl of Tyrone, before such Commissioners as I appointed for the limiting the bounds of Tyrone, openly in the Tolsey-house of Trydathe, sitting under the Commissioners, did in all reverend sort (with their caps in their hands) by their learned Counsel, open and plead their causes before them two or three several days. Turlagh O'Neale, the Earl of Tyrone, and O'Donnel, at another time kneeling on their knees before me, sware fidelity to your Majesty, and to live and die with your Highness against any foreign potentate or prince, that they shall keep the peace one towards another, and to stand to such order for all their causes as either I or the Commissioners shall set down, that they should not receive “one and others” people into their countries to breed dissension amongst them, and to be ready at all commandments to your Governors here, the like whereof the rest of the gentlemen would have done, but that I have sworn them thereunto before, when I was at Dungannon last. After which time I called a Council of all the said noblemen and gentlemen, to hear their advices how that country might be kept in continual quiet and obedience—wherein I found them to deliver their minds wisely, dutifully, and faithfully in mine opinion, and in the end departed all from me (I trust) with good contentment, which causeth me to have the more hope in them. Yet I may not (for all that) advise that the sword be pulled from them, until it be brought to pass that they cannot (though they would) step from their duties. All which I have thought good to signify, as well because the service of your Governors before my time should not be darkened, who have been a great means to bring them to this pass, as also that I would not wish the hold taken to be let slip again. |
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I was in purpose to have gone to the Brenny to have settled those parts, and from thence to Munster, but my disease doth so trouble me as I cannot ride, but was forced to return to Dublin, where I expect your favour for my speedy coming thither.—Dublin Castle, 23 September 1587. |
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Signed. 2 pp.
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590. Sir John Perrot to the Queen. |
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1587, Sept. 26. |
Inasmuch as I found Sir Hugh O'Donnell to be one that would promise much for the delivery of his pledges and the yearly rent of beeves set upon that country, and perform little, and that, in respect he was married to a Scottish lady, the sister of Angus McConnell, by whom he had a son, Hugh Roe O'Donnell, who ruled that country very much, and thereby not only nourished Scots in those parts, but also certain of the McSwynes (a strong and disordered kind of people there), who have been ready to send aid to any that were evil disposed in your kingdom, as of late they did to Grange Ne Male, to see if they would make any new stir in Connaught, I devised to send a bark here hence under the charge of one Nicholas Skiper of this city, with certain wines to allure the best of the country aboard, who had such good success as he took and brought hither yesterday in the said bark (without any stir at all) the said Hugh Roe O'Donnell, the eldest son of the galloglasse called McSwyne Fana, the eldest son of the galloglasse called McSwyne Ne Doe, and the best pledge upon the
O'Gallahores, all being the strongest septs of Tyrconnel—whereby now you may have (in those parts) your pleasure anyways performed, and specially touching Sir John O'Dohertye, Hugh O'Donnell, and McSwyne Bona, in whose behalf it pleased you and the Council to write unto me (of late) to shew them favour, because they had served you well, and were therefore beaten down by the said McSwynes and others. The having of Mr. Hugh Roe O'Donnell, in respect he is come of the Scots, and matched in marriage with the greatest in Ulster, will serve you to good purpose. |
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This bearer, Mr. Denny, hath desired licence of me to repair to your Highness to do his humble duty, being a gent very well able to serve your Majesty, and best given, so far as I can perceive, of any the undertakers to set down in Munster. And as I may not for duty's sake hide anything that may prefer your service, so do I wish that the said undertakers generally were commanded presently to set down and inhabit in that province, whereby in this calm time they may grow to some strength; otherwise, if either the “protecties,” which I have here in the castle, should escape, or any other evil disposed person break out, those of the undertakers that do begin to inhabit, through the default of the rest, would receive great prejudice, and your purpose be much hindered. Humbly craving pardon in that I do continually remember your Majesty for my speedy repair thither, to procure help for my diseases formerly written of, if it may please God to yield me the same, which do increase and pain me daily more and more, I shall not be able (shortly) to serve your Highness any way, except your Majesty have some commiseration of me.—Dublin Castle, 26 September 1587. |
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Signed. 1¼ pp.
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591. Court of Wards and Liveries. |
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1587, Sept. 29. |
Accounts of George Goring, Receiver General, for the year ending Michaelmas, 29 Elizabeth, with notes in the margin by Lord Burghley, showing a total receipt of 24,473. 8s. 1½d., and a balance remaining of 5,228l. 3s. 4d.
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3 pp.
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