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638. Richard Douglas to Archibald Douglas. |
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1587/8, Feb. 2. |
In my last, bearing date January 24, I wrote to you that the Earl of Huntly, with some others of that faction, were looked for to be in this town in a day or two, and that, for maintaining of Jesuits and declared Papists, together for resetting the laird of Gicht after the slaughter of one Keith, kinsman to the Earl Marshal, he was to have been committed to ward to the terror of the rest of that faction.
But since they, for score of this purpose, and also minding to have effectuated some greater enterprise that has been this great while in dressing, convened themselves in great number (what by the assistance of them in the North, what by the Lord Laud and others affectionate to him in the West, as also by the Lord Herries, Hunsdon, his ally, and the rest of the Lord Maxwell's faction in that country), with settled purpose to have come to Court at unawares, seized on his Majesty's person, and altered the state of this country as well in religion as in policy, were not their purposes disclosed and prevented by his Majesty, and the care of the nobility presently about him. Their purpose was known to his Majesty, and yet, suppose it be prevented, I think there lacks no good will (for executing thereof) to have removed from the affairs and handling of matters in this state, not only the Chancellor and Treasurer, but all the rest of the noblemen who are addicted to our religion, to have by public authority erected papistry and the mass, and compelled his Majesty to have been contented to have received a force of strangers in this country for troubling of the state of England. Their forces are dissolved, and every one retired whence he came. Their pretence is that they come to accompany the Earl of Huntly for presenting his friend and kinsman the laird of Gicht to justice, to see that by force of his adversary's faction he received no wrong. His Majesty is minded to withstand their purposes with all his heart, and in time to cause the authors of such troubles to understand that he mislikes factions, unquiet spirits that cannot live in ease, nor be contented to live as subjects. The Earl of Huntly, because, as he promised to the King, he has not delivered Gicht and his uncle to justice, dare not come to the Court, neither will the King, for no persuasion that can be made to him, admit him to his presence. The Earl excuses himself that it lay not in his power, and that his friends and dependants would not suffer him to give up his near kinsman and servant, but has promised between [now] and March either to deliver him, or else to banish him that part of the country. His Majesty, suppose he admits not his excuse, yet is content that he retire himself hence, the rather to discover him from the rest of the noblemen of his faction, than for any liking he has of him, that he may the better punish the Lord Herries, who in his back going has taken and spoiled the Provost of Lincluden's houses and all Dumlerwick's lands, [besides] a number of other manifest hardships committed by his people upon the poor countrymen. His Majesty means to go thither upon him in person, and thereafter take order with the rest as he may piece meal. This is the state of this country for this present, not so far unquiet but it lies in his Majesty's hands easily to pacify all things, and seeing he is so well minded to maintain and establish the religion, and to keep strangers who would annoy the State of England out of this country, I think it should be a great motive to move the Queen and her Council with speed to take some good and solid course for satisfying of his Majesty and entering with him in perfect friendship, or else it is to be feared lest he, perceiving the little regard or affection they bear towards him, settle his own estate, and suffer such things as are intended to fall upon them, which, if he had any assurance of their good will, he might easily prevent. The Lord Hamilton, under colour of assisting Huntly in delivery of Gicht, was also brought upon this matter, but seeing some other thing intended retired. He has written a long letter to his Majesty in his own defence, wherein he accuses the Chancellor as his great enemy, desiring the King to give no credit to reports made of him by the Chancellor, as one who is altogether vowed to the destruction of him and his friends, and therefore prays his Majesty to bear with him
in case he seek by all means to remove the man from his Highness' service. This letter has troubled our Court not a little, but the Earl of Angus has gone this day to Lord Hamilton to take up this matter, and to persuade him to be contented with such as it should please the King to choose to be his servants. For the King is highly offended that my Lord Hamilton should presume to remove any of his officers. You know my lord is of a gentle and placable inclination, hastily moved and as easily mitigated. |
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You are advertised how the Commissioners agreed upon Border matters, and that there is no let in us for doing of justice and making redress for the spoils committed. His Majesty bears a great good will to have quietness kept on his part. He thinks very long for your letters, as not having heard from you since the beginning of summer, either of his own affairs or of the state of France, whereof we hear uncertainly.—From Edinburgh, this 2nd of February. |
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2 pp.
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Annexed :
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Fragment of a letter from the same to the same to like general purport, dated 2 February 1587. |
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1½ pp.
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639. Lord Scroope to Lord Hunsdon. |
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1587/8, Feb. 2. |
Your lordships letter of the 30th of the last month I have received, whereby it seemeth that the greatest difficulties in redress are for matters concerning mine office, and consist principally in these two points, wherein you require mine opinion and letter to Mr. Lowther how he shall answer the same. The first, touching redress of sundry attempts committed by Scotchmen within Scotland, for which though done by Scotchmen, yet because certain Englishmen were in their company they bill those Englishmen, alleging that the complainant (as the truth is) may bill whom he will. Whereunto I do answer, that, albeit I think it overhard and a rare example, yet I will be contented to make redress for all such goods as can be proved to have fyled my marsh at those times of attempts in Scotland; which I take also to be the true meaning of the treaties, and hath been so judged by the censure of some of good judgment and experience in Border causes, whose opinions on that behalf I have extant to be seen. The second, concerning redress of matters done by deputy or others, with warrant from the Queen or Lords of the Council, or without the same : I do heartily thank your lordship, for that I perceive you intend and doubt not to bring the Commissioners to forbear to call for redress of any matter so done with such warrant. And as for the others so done or commanded by me without warrant, wherein they look to be satisfied, I shall be contented to make satisfaction for all attempts that have so been done by any within mine office for the space of these two years last past, so as I may have redress for the attempts done by them in the same time. Provided that redress and delivery therein begin at the last, and so proceed to the first that hath been committed within this said time. And these being first redressed, I shall be contented that we proceed to mutual redress for all former attempts which have been done these 12 or 14 years past. Notwithstanding that your lordship and others shall not think these sufficient for answer, then I will be contented that for all matters done contrary to the treaty and without warrant, I shall
make redress according to the treaties, so as I may have the like at their hands. Provided always that all attempts committed within these two years may be first redressed without exception and in manner and form as aforesaid, as I shall make redress for any within mine office that have offended in that time contrary to the Treaties without exception, where I had not warrant for the same as aforesaid. Thus, &c., second February, 1587. |
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Endorsed :—“Coppie of the Lord Scroope's letter to the Lord Chamberlain touching the answering of the bills in his wardenry.” |
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Copy. 1 p.
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640. Sir William FitzWilliam to Lord Burghley. |
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1587/8, Feb. 3. |
I most humbly pray your Lordship's pardon for this boldness. I was yesterday at the Court to have waited on your Lordship, where I would have stayed but for some evil state of my body, to have been suitor for a poor widow, a cousin of mine, Anne Leacke, grand child of one Francis Francis, sometime of Belses, and cousin german to my father by my grandfather FitzWilliam's sister. My humble suit is that it would please you to stand her good lord for a debt of 533l. 19s. money of England, making Irish 711l. 18s. 8d., as may appear by two warrants and a docket signed by the late Auditor Thomas Genison, and is the only substance left by her husband to pay his debts and to keep her and her little souls with, which his debt paid will grow for their maintenance to a poor sum. He was a victualler in Ireland, in which service he was counted both honest, painful and careful, and bestowed all he could borrow and his own. I little looked to have found so near a kinswoman in Ireland, but so God by his providence hath disposed, as we many poor beggars of his race be dispersed in many parts of this kingdom of England and Ireland.—At my house in London, the 3rd of February 1587. |
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1 p.
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641. [? “G. S.”] to Archibald Douglas. |
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1587/8, Feb. 6. |
Having remained this night in Berwick, I thought good to visit your Lordship with these few lines, to render you most hearty thanks for the great courtesy and thankful dealing I received of your Lordship at my being in London; in the which I esteem myself more bounden to you than to any man living. It shall be bestowed on no ungrate nor unthankful person. I have written my Lord Secretary rendering him thanks for his courtesy. I will pray you to deal for me that I may have some money with diligence to buy houses, &c. I hope to let my Lord Secretary understand of the conspiracy the Master of Gray has hitherto kept close, whereof you shall be assured if any such thing be.—From Berwick, this 6th day of February 1587. |
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Signed :—“876 H.” ¾ p.
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642. J. Hudson to Archibald Douglas. |
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1587/8, Feb. 10. |
Has heard of great alterations and stir lately in Scotland, which must, he thinks, carry some clanger to his Majesty's estate. Begs to be resolved by his honour's letters how it is, and by what means and grounds it proceeds.—York, 10 February 1587. |
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1 p.
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643. Arthur Gregory to Archibald Douglas. |
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1587/8, Feb. 17. |
Forwards letters received late yesterday. If his Lordship will command any other service, the same shall be diligently accomplished.—This 17th of February 1587. |
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¼ p.
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644. John Luiffe [Love] to John Thomson. |
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1587/8, Feb. 19. |
Has heard of their lying in Yarmouth Roads, and that they lay there with a northerly wind ten or twelve days, when they might have been half over to the coast of Spain. Sends fresh instructions as to his ship. The plague has been very extreme here in Leith. Is in readiness to pass westward into France.—Off Leith, 19 February 1587. |
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Addressed :—To his servant John Thomson, clerk of the Christopher in Leith, now presently in London, or where it shall happen now to be, this be delivered in hand. |
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1 p.
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645a. John Luiffe [Love] to Archibald Douglas. |
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1587/8, Feb. 20. |
Your sister, my bedfellow, with our bairns and family are in good health. There has been a very contagious time of pest in this town of Leith this 15 weeks bygone. I was deceived by the skipper of my ship and my own son, which has put me behind two thousand marks and more. You shall receive from this bearer, Alexander Douglas, half a barrel of salmon, and a barrel of “Iles” herring, out of a “Wilson” ship in Prestonpans. This country appears to be very unquiet.—Off Leith, 20 February 1587. |
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1 p.
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645b. Henry Shorte to the Queen. |
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1587/8, Feb. 22. |
He and his ancestors have been tenants of the manor of Gillingham, co. Kent, for 100 years, and he has rebuilt the mansion house; but the Queen has granted a lease in reversion to John Heyborne, and he has been thrust from the farm. Prays for a lease in reversion to commence after the end of Heyborne's lease. |
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Endorsed :—22 February 1587. |
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Note by Dr. V. Dale that the Queen refers the fine to the Lord Treasurer, and a book is to be made. Also note by Sir W. Mildmay. |
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1 p.
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646. David Gavin to Archibald Douglas. |
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1587/8, Feb. 26. |
Shewed the King Douglas's letter, wherein it made mention that nothing was got but by his [Douglas's] moyen and request, whereof his Grace was glad.—Edinburgh, 26 February 1587. |
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1 p.
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647. Richard Stoneley. |
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1587/8, Feb. 28. |
1. Lands appointed to be sold, amounting in value to m.m.m.m. vjc xlvjli xiijs ivd, as follows :— |
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Parsonage of East Ham |
vijc lxli
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Pullwer's lands there |
vc li
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Moffett's ” ” |
lli
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Oglefield's marsh ” |
ccxli
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Milburne's house there |
lli
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Shawe's ” ” |
iiijxxli
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New Marsh ” |
cxxli
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Cheries ” |
xlli
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Willmor's in Westham |
lxvili xiijs ivd
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Fryer's house there |
xlli
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Balie's in Leighton |
ccli
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Lands in Lewisham |
ccxlli
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Lands in Lambeth |
cxxli
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Clark's farm in Barking |
vc xlli
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Cell's house there |
iiijxxli
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Lands in Dagenham |
Cli
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The Lea in Writtie |
vcli
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Lands in Blakmoer |
cli
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Chedington in Bucks |
iiijc xli
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Lands in Kingsbury |
cli
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Shenks in Navestale |
clxli
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Stedman's in Berks |
lli
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2. Leases :
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ixcli
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The Saracen's Head in Westminster |
ccli
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Houses in the Long Welstable |
cli
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Houses in Tothill Street |
ccli
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Fuller's in Leighton |
cli
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Somertans |
ccli
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Lands in London |
cli
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3. Annuities;
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ccclxxli
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Henry Wentworth, ar. |
ccli
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Henry Cornwallis |
lxli
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John Day |
xli
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Edward Lord Dudley |
cli
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4. Ready money due at Lady Day : m. vijc xvjli xiijs ivd. |
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5. Other debts put over to the Queen's Majesty, whereof a part are ordered to be paid at days, and the rest called for by process : vm ccclxli xvjd. |
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6. Debts beside not put into the Exchequer : viijc iiijxx xiijli. |
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Sum. Total.—xiijm viijc iiijxx vijli vjs viijd. |
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Petition (to Lord Burghley). |
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Most humbly beseeching your honour to bear with me for this short time, that I may both sell my lands and recover my debts in the Exchequer, and otherwise by order of law. My losses have been great sundry ways, which I am driven to set down many ways, as follows; First, from the time of my service in the Queen's wars to this day, by the death of my clerks in sundry years of the plague, when I durst not come near mine own house, there was filched from me, as by their books may appear that I could never recover, above m.m.li
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Item, I have lost by double toll of the Treasury in all this time above vcli. |
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Item, being overwhelmed with the receipt of such great a urns of money as I have received yearly, some years one hundred thousand some years two hundred thousand, and some years three hundred thousand pounds, and more, as from my books of account may appear in which time I have lost above mli. |
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Item, by sundry falls of the coin, ccli. |
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Item, that was filched out of my chest at Westminster, when your honour measured the footsteps on my telling board, m.m.li. |
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Item, by double charging of myself of sundry sums of money more than I should have done, above vc li. |
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And, to avoid concealing of anything, I have charged myself with above forty thousand pounds more than any auditor can charge me withal, xlm li. |
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The premises considered, I most humbly beseech your honour to be a mean to her Majesty, considering my poor estate and my honest meaning, that I may continue in my place as I have done until the time before mentioned at Michaelmas. And I trust in the mean season to bring all things to such good order as, howsoever others deal with me, I will be found a true man in my dealing to her Majesty with all that I have, and my body to prison if need should so require. |
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4 pp.
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648. Richard Stoneley to Lord Burghley. |
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[1587/8, Feb. 28]. |
Letter of like purport to foregoing, with sundry variations of statement as to his losses, debts, &c. |
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1½ pp.
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649. James VI. of Scotland to Robert Scott. |
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1587/8, Feb. |
Requiring him to deliver to John Carmichael two such horses as will satisfy him, or the price for them.—Holyrood House, this — day of February 1587. |
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¼ p.
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