Cecil Papers: April 1593 | British History Online

Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 4, 1590-1594. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1892.

Citation:

'Cecil Papers: April 1593', in Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 4, 1590-1594, ed. R A Roberts( London, 1892), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-cecil-papers/vol4/pp299-308 [accessed 16 November 2024].

April 1593



	Dr. Julius Cæsar to Sir Robert Cecil.
1593, April 7.	The Lords of the Privy Council ordered that certain spices and drugs taken by Captain Thynne and Captain Grenfild out of the Mercurius and the Cressant (Crescent), should be delivered to Michael Leman to the use of the proprietaries, upon sufficient bond to be given before me by the said Leman, to reanswer the same goods or the value thereof to the takers, if within a year it should be proved that the goods did at the time of the taking appertain to any of the subjects of the Spanish King; hereupon I. have taken bond, and have given Leman warrant out of this Court for the delivery of the goods. But Mr. Grible, unto whom, by order from your honour, the custody of the goods was delivered, being then Mayor of Dartmouth, refuseth to deliver them till he shall receive order from you, who committed the custody of the goods unto him. It may therefore please you to write unto Grible for the delivery of the said goods unto Leman.—From the Arches, 7 April 1593.
1593, April 7.	½ p.
	Richard Carmarden to Lord Burghley.
1593, April 10.	I have seen your lordship's order set down by Mr. Middleton for the disposing of the 5,148l., being the net rest of the three prizes, which I think very reasonable and convenient for the satisfying of all parties, in regard of their great complaints of their loss by the voyage.—London, the 10th April 1593.
1593, April 10.	Holograph. Seal. ½ p.
	William Cecil to his uncle Sir Robert Cecil.
1593, April 11.	Vouschafe with your accustomed discreet speeches to persuade his lordship [Burghley] to bo content to procure me her Majesty's favour, which if happily I obtain not, I rest destitute of all good means, but in fear that the medicine I shall receive will be too strong for my disease.—From the Fleet, 11 April 1593.
1593, April 11.	1 p.
	The Privy Council to Lord Burghley.
1593, April 14.	There have been found wandering about the cities of London and Westminster in this late Parliament time divers soldiers and mariners, hurt and maimed in her Majesty's services, to the number of 100 or thereabouts, of whom many by their hurts being unable to labour for their livings and unfit to serve again, a present contribution of money hath been made by the Lords and Commons of this Parliament towards their relief, by way of allowance weekly for a certain time until an Act of Parliament now in this session established may be put in execution for their further maintenance. Of this number some are born within the counties of your lordship's lieutenancy, whither we have thought good to address them, there to be relieved for the time to come upon such collections as shall be made by authority of the said Act; and for the present have delivered unto them for their conduct to the place of their birth, money after the rate of 1 d. the mile, and to the most lame 2d. the mile, for so many miles as the principal towns of the counties are thought to be distant from London; and after their arrival there have ordered that they shall receive weekly every man 2s., which for the number contained in the schedule enclosed doth amount unto 12l. These sums we have thought meet to cause to be delivered to you, to the end you may cause the same to be sent unto the counties and there distributed by one of your deputy lieutenants in each county as followeth; to every soldier or mariner upon the next Saturday after he shall first come to demand the same, 2s., and so every Saturday for the week following, for the number of weeks before specified. And because it may happen that some of these poor men, especially such as are maimed in their legs, shall for their better ease desire to abide in their birthplaces or other places of convenience, and shall not be able to travel weekly to the deputy lieutenant to demand their allowance, you may do well in this case to give order that some trusty person or persons residing in or near the towns or villages where they shall continue, may receive and pay the same unto them. They are all enjoined to depart immediately from hence, having received their conduct money and passport for their safe repair to their several countries, and are made acquainted what relief shall be given them at their arrival there; where if they shall not come within reasonable time, cause certificate to be sent us, and reserve the money to be employed for the relief of others as we shall further ordain.—From the Court at St. James', 14 April, 1593.
	Endorsed :—“A schedule of the soldiers to be paid in the counties of Essex and Hartford.”
	Seal. 1½ pp.
	Sir Henry Lee to Sir Robert Cecil.
1593, April 16.	Having received from Mr. Ashley, the Clerk of the Council, his lordship's letters to Justice Layton, Justice of the Assizes in Merionethshire, he returns them, beseeching him to send them to the Justice by messenger, which would carry more force and bring the speedier answer.—From Quaryngeton, the 16th of April 1593.
1593, April 16.	Holograph. 1 p.
	Richard Carmarden to Lord Burghley.
1593, April 17.	We were by commandment from her Majesty, appointed to certify our opinions of the offer made by Garraway, which is but 1,534l. advanced above the price of 2s. 2d. the lb. set down in our first estimate to her Majesty; whereby appeareth that if we had not underrated the pepper in weight as a commodity fittest for her Majesty, it would by this offer have yielded but 68,000l. And for that at our being last in her Majesty's presence with your lordship and the rest of my lords in commission, I then shewed her Highness of this offer of 80,000l. now again offered, her Majesty then had no liking to it; whereupon her pleasure was to command a restraint for two years for the better advancing of the price, which I then said if it were her pleasure to continue for the time, we doubted not to make 10,000l. more for her Majesty in the whole : we are all three of that opinion still, and ready freely of our own parts to employ our care and travails to perform the same, if so her Majesty and your lordship command. The reason that moveth us to be of that opinion is for that now pepper is generally sold here for 3s. the lb., which price cannot fall, the restraint continuing, but may be brought in time to yield 3s. 4d. the lb. Above which price I think her Majesty nor your lordship would not think meet to raise it. —London, 17 April, 1593.
1593, April 17.	Holograph. Seal, broken. 1 p.
	Richard Carmarden to Lord Burghley.
1593, April 18.	Understanding by Mr. Middleton yesternight that Her Majesty and your lordship took best liking of the last offer made for the pepper, being fourscore thousand pounds and four thousand marks for the whole remainder by the lump, we have thereupon dealt with so many of the partners in that match, as are now in town, who have signified their good likings and acceptance of that bargain, if it so pleases her Majesty to conclude the same. Only this one thing more they crave, that if any for Her Highness' provision take any part of the same, that Mr. Cofferer shall pay for the same as they sell to others, or else that it may be defaulted out of their debt.—London, 18th April 1593.
1593, April 18.	Holograph. 1 p.
	[The Queen to Mr. Barton.]
1593, April 22.	Upon sight of your letters written of late to our Vice Chamberlain, of 28^th of February last, we perceive amongst other advertisements that of late the Grand Seignior hath entered into an hostile offence against the Emperor of Almaigne, and determined to make open war against him, upon the pretence that the accustomed tribute hath not been paid in due time; and yet it appeareth by your writing that the Emperor refuseth not to pay it but offereth it with this condition, that the Grand Seignior would restore certain forts and castles taken by him this last year in some of the frontiers of the Emperor's dominions. But considering how pleasing it is to Almighty God, and how agreeable it is for us, being a Christian Princess, to wish conservation of peace and avoiding of all manner of wars, and specially of such as being made between such great potentates, lords of countries and peoples, must needs tend to the effusion of blood and depopulation and devastations of countries and towns, and that the success of all wars are in the determination of Almighty God, we have a great desire to use all means in our power possible to stay this intended war; and though our advices may come somewhat late, yet if it might be as in like former times hath been used, a surseance or truce might be made on both parts for some time, within which there might be, by treaty betwixt ambassadors indifferently upon their frontiers, redress made of all injuries whereupon the occasions of the wars have had their beginnings, and so both countries might remain in state as they were afore the late troubles this year past, and the tribute duly paid according to former contracts betwixt these two great Princes and their progenitors. For this purpose we have written our letters to the Grand Seignior, now sent to you with the copies thereof, which, being well considered by you, we would have you procure audience with speed and deliver the same, and therewith to persuade the Grand Seignior that we do not presume to deal in this cause upon any motion made unto us on the Emperor's part, but as a prince in respect of our duty to Almighty Gcd, the Maker of all creatures and specially of mankind, to honour Him, that the effusion of blood might be spared on both parts. And upon that ground you shall, as we have written also, let him know that we have sent expressly our letters with our like advice to the Emperor of Almaigne, from whom, as soon as our messenger can understand his disposition herein, you shall have further knowledge of our pleasure to impart to the Grand Seignior. And you shall not forget also to let him understand that although at all times our care have been exceeding great to stop any course soever that may tend to the effusion of blood, yet now have we more cause than ever to have sensible feeling of this important matter, for that in divers parts of Christendom, as well amongst our friends as others, especially in Germany, there have been divers malicious and lying pamphlets published, wherein the only and chief imputation of this his intended invasion of Christendom is thrown upon us, as though we had been the principal workers or kindlers of this flame which is like to consume so many multitudes on both sides; from thought whereof our own conscience hath always kept itself free and unspotted as hath appeared by our actions. In which respect we would have you with great earnestness to prosecute our desire according to your discretion and means to effect the same. And so minding with expedition to send this letter, we forbear to write of any other matter at this time, and yet we require you to send us as speedily as you can answer of this your negotiation, which you shall do well for surety to send by two ways.
	Endorsed :—“Mr. Barton, 22 April 1593.”
	Draft. 2 pp.
	Sir Robert Cecil [and Sir John Wolley] to Edward Wynter.
1593, April 22.	Her Majesty having been informed of the difference between Mr. Richard Drake, one of her Querries, and yourself, concerning the payment of that composition for your liberty for which he earnestly travailed and chargeably adventured a long while, being a thing to which your ministers voluntarily accorded in your absence, and which yourself since confirmed, did give us commandment to call you before us to hear why you should now be grieved with your own act and bargain, being throughly acquainted before what it was, and having had advisement since how to proceed in it; wherein, although we should have let you know by speaking with you ourselves that her Majesty cannot but mislike that you scornfully speak of a gentleman of long continuance in her service, of good merit and one of whose honesty she hath had good trial, being one unlike to bear it at your hands if he heard it, yet have we forborne, notwithstanding many reports and good testimonies offered to be brought of your speeches even in Court tending to his disgrace, either now to divert you from your business or any way to prejudice your credit by revocation; hoping that according to good discretion you will carry yourself so as there may be no causes of hard censure of you in her Majesty's Court for quarrels and contentions, which are to be avoided and not picked by any man, and especially by you, if you desire to be held in the number of her good servants. For the matter, we have looked into it. Mr. Drake doth confess that you must pay 2,500l., of which (his charge considered and venture of four years' time) we think him worthy. And for the sura by Don Pedro [Valdez ?], we think you ought no way to meddle in it, as a matter not grievous to you what an enemy parts with to a gentleman that hath friended you and is your fellow in Court. For other unkindnesses you conceive upon presumptions, we find the gentleman willing, if you deserve it, to satisfy you with sincere proofs both of Sir Francis Drake and Sir Edward Stafford, which are to over-weigh any Spanish reports; and therefore in this course you shall but wade further to your discredit, which we would not have you do for the respect we have as your good friends of your well doing. And thus, forbearing any further to molest you with sending for you, we bid you farewell, expecting your answer.—From the Court at Whitehall, 22 April 1593.
	Signed, “Ro. Cecil,” but endorsed, “M. of a letter to Mr. Wynter from my master and Sir Jo. Wolley.”
	1¼ pp.
	“Copy of a Letter translated out of Dutch to Persons.”
1593, April [25],	I have written a letter of the 31st of Ma one Gwardinski to Rome, for I did understand that you the letter was packed with Jacob Litig letter to come the and because I know not, if you have received it . . . that I have your books by me packed in secret, there sh . . . . until further relation of you. I have at B. Shues comfort, if they will proceed against you, without rai you will use yourself herein wisely.
	I have received the 12th of April, your letter of the . . therein understanding how you are hindered to con you have received my writing, thereby you may until this cometh to you also.
	That you say you trouble me too much with your tings, feign not or say not so, for I would be con did use me, in much more, than in the same, thereof assure yourself.
	I shall greet you from Brother Shueses, and John . . I make your writing not manifest or openly kno . . should have many commendations more of your p . . . . tance. M^r Rettor doth ask me often, what you . . me, and where you are, and how it is with you, but he . . . nothing of me from you, than such things as are for conclusion is Mr. Odescalco arrived in Milan, th . . . and hath written to the Governor of the five Canton . . . . should send them some body of our side, then would he t to handle in the matter, but he doth not w manner, therefore I would not ride myself to him, Belinger likewise, for no doubt he had not full would rather dispute, than to contract or offer us a small sum, which would not be possible for us Exitus acta probabit. I will with God's help . . . . how it shall be ended, if they will help us now will we take the rest, at such time, as we sh otherwise, Pater Robert, (I write this with grief eyes) if this contribution, which the Duke of Savo . . . wherein the Holy Father, the Pope, and the Catholic K tended, from whom the money should come, being th Savoy not able to pay it. We doubt it will con . . . . . for he of Navarre declared by his Ambassador at Solothern, that he hath sent to His Holiness, and desires mercy, and promised to be of the Catholic belief, and to submit himself to his Holiness, and desires thereupon to obtain of His Holiness the contribution. But if it may not be obtained, then will the Dukes and the nobility, which are with him, choose a Patriarch, and then desire likewise a contribution for to clear France, and turn the wars into Italy. The Spaniards do hinder this all and would set their feet in France, which the Frenchmen mislike, and because the principal gentlemen and Catholic are yet by him of Navarre, and do proceed earnestly in these quarters or cantons; which hath moved them so far, that he of Navarre shall sooner obtain the contribution or help, than they of the Holy League. And if they do not content us now, many captains of our two regiments will depart, that is for certain, specially them of Lucerne will so, to serve the other part, that is promised to us, except they help us now out of our need, then shall we return again to His Holiness, and move others to come to us from the said Navarre. This is, pater Robert, the only way. It were good that His Holiness truly were advised, that it might be moderated at the side of the League. For if Navarre should be furthered by the reason abovesaid, then should the war be cast into Italy, for certainly the Frenchmen will agree in peace, as soon as the contribution followeth. It is certain that the Lutherish towns have promised help to send in Piedmont to Desdigueres, for Colonel Gailathe doth bring a great sum of money for this contribution . . of April'93.
	Signed. —Rudolf
	P.S.—I pray you declare this news to my friend Jacob Lutte, for he serveth you and me much with the letters, and is true and secret.
	Endorsed :—“25 April 1593.”
	2¼ pp. Much damaged.
	Richard Carmarden to Lord Burghley.
1593, April 25.	Has deferred his answer to his lordship's letter, to the end to answer him advisedly, after due consideration had of the matter, which after conference had with the party, he finds his meaning different from his information by his lordship's letter. He sought not the erection of a new office, with imposition of any new charge upon the merchants, but the execution of sufficient authority of a place daily executed, not by the appointed persons, but by a man not sworn to her Majesty, a very unfit thing to be tolerated that he should have the handling and registering of all the warrants that pass the Custom House of London, under the hands and seals of all Her Majesty's sworn officers there, and a matter so much misliked, both prejudicial to Her Majesty and dangerous to the officers, that if the office of Surveyor should fall unto himself by Mr. Colshill's decease, he had pretended never to have taken the oath until he had first procured his lordship's favour for reformation thereof. Therefore in placing such a one with some reasonable fee and the ordinary incident profits of the place, he shall but do that to his high office appertains, but save Her Majesty 2,000l. yearly, besides a good security to her officers there sitting for such warrants as pass from them, which is the keeping of the waiter's books of all warrants and bills of store inwards, now not kept according to Her Majesty's Book of Orders by any of the sworn officers appointed thereunto, but by a man unsworn, greatly to her loss.—London, the 25th April 1593.
1593, April 25.	Holograph. Seal. 1 p.
	Lord Cobham to his son-in-law, Sir Robert Cecil.
1593, April 26.	I send by this bearer a letter from the Mayor of Dover and one of the commissioners for restraint of passing there, whereby you may perceive that they have sent up one Richard Ireland who lately arrived at Dover from beyond the seas; by whose examination, which I have also herewith sent you, it doth appear that since his being out of England he hath been at Douai and other dangerous places and enemies to this state. And for that he hath been a dealer in the matter of the late Sir John Perrot, I thought good to send.him unto you, to be referred to some one heretofore acquainted in that cause, who thereby may the better judge of the condition of the man. This bearer, Edward Bates, who brought him up hath informed me that Charles Mansfield is not come out of France, but is retired with his forces to the frontiers of Flanders, and there remains.
	He also saith that the Count Aranbergh and La Mott have with some forces been near Girthenbergh, but finding Count Maurice so well intrenched and the town so strongly environed, after La Mott's horse was killed under him with a great shot, retired back.—From Blackfriars, this 26th of April, 1593.
	1 p.
	Enclosing :—
	Thomas Elwood, Mayor of Dover, and Jeremy Garrett to Lord Cobham.
	1593, April 23.—Yesterday here arrived one Richard Ireland which seemed to us a man to be suspected, for that we are forewarned by your letters to be vigilant what persons enter here, in respect that the Catholic King hath casshed all his pensioners born in any of her Majesty's dominions; and thereupon we have examined him and sent his examination hereinclosed, trusting you will presently send us order what shall be done with him, for he is moneyless and continueth here at the town's charge. He seemeth to be the more to be misliked for that he hath been at Douai and other places very dangerous to our estate. — Dover, 23 April, 1593.
	[P.S.] Since writing our letter the party hath compounded with Edward Bates to bring him to you, and thereupon ice have delivered him to Bates to be brought to your lordship.
	1 p.
	Edward Dyer to Sir Robert Cecil.
1593, April 28.	A great cold made him unfit for the Court, but it wears away, and he will be shortly able to present himself where he will be ready to do him service.—At my lodging, this 28 of April. 1593;
1593, April 28.	Holograph, 1 p.
	[Hugh Owen] to John Owen.
1593, April 30./May 10.	Commending the bearer, a young gentleman, desiring him to help him in his studies.—From Madrid, the 10th of May of the year'93.
	Addressed :—“Juan Oeno, mi hermano, bachiller en derecho, que Dros guarde muchos años. Douay.”
	Endorsed :—“Hue Owen to his brother John Owen at Doway.”
	Holograph, Unsigned. 1 p.
	M. Chasteaumartin to Lord Burghley.
1593, April 30./May 10.	Encore que par mes depeches du septieme et neufieme du present je vous ai amplementadverti de toutes occurances, j'ai bien voulu vous faire la presente pour vous advertir de ce que j'ai peu apprendre depuis.
	Il arriva hier un homme venant d'Espagne qui M. le Marechal y avoit erivoye par mon addresse il y a un mois et demj. II nous a raporte qu'il avait aprins que a Lisbonne y avait une armee de seze navires, entre lesquels y a six gallions qui ont ete faits en Biscaye et quatre gallions de Portugal, dont Fernan Teles est le general, qui est le même que je vous ai escrit par mes precedentes sus les advertissements que j'avais d'ailleurs. Il dit aussi que a Seville s'estaient armes douze navires qui devient joindre la dite armee de Lisbonne, qui feront en tout vingt et huit navires qui doivent conduire les flottes qui viennent des Indes afin de les asseurer du danger de vos navies de guerre. Il y a aussi a Ferrol trois galeres and douze navires qui ne sont armes ny equipes pour faire voyage et demeureront la pour servir aux affaires qui pourraient survenir au pais. Les trois galeres se doivent rendre au passage pour servir en une armee qui se doit de nouveau construire là, laquelle armee sera composee des quatorze navires qui s'en sont retournes d'ici, et quatre grands gallions des douze qui ont eté faits en Biscaye, et les dites trois galeres, qui seront vingt et une voele en tout, Ils out faute. de mariniers et prendront des soldats aux troppes qui sont en Aragon pour mettre sus la dite armee, qui ne peut être prête de deux mois. Le beaufrere de Lussan a passé en Espagne avec 1'armee qui s'en retourna d'ici, et y arriva il y a huit jours, et s'acheraina incontinent vers le roi d'Espagne pour lui representer les causes qui ont empeche le dit Lussan qu'il ne lui a tenu ce qu'il lui avait promts, aussi. pour traiter de nouveau avec lui afin d'aroener la dite armee qui se fait au passage en cette riviere pour le secours de Blaye. Je ne doute point qu'elle n'y vienne sinon qu'il fût besoin mander des forces en Bretagne, parceque c'est la province de France que le dit roi d'Espagne affectionne le plus, et preferera toujours les affaires d'icelle province a tous les offres que les Ligueurs lui peu vent faire d'ici, mais cy[si] les aifaires n'y appellent la dite armee, sans faute elle viendra ici et ne sera sans apporter une grande confusion en cette province que je y vois bieu preparee. Si vous voudrez faire sembla.nt seulementde vouloir entreprendre sus le Portugal, qui est l'endroit d'Espagne qu'ils craignent le plus, et faire en sorte que le bruit courut que sa Majeste y emploie Ser François Drac, moyennaut qu'il y eût quelque apparence, vous rendriez le roi d'Espagne grandement confus en ses desseins et lui rendriez pour cette annee ses forces inutiles, qui serait un grand remede pour les affaires d'ici, et si e'est le bon plaisir de sa Majesté, je y userai les artifices propres pour y servir. Mais il est besoin de faire quelque demonstration d'y vouloir emploier le dit Sieur Drac, parceque d'un bruit seulement qui a coura en Espagne que sa Majeste 1'emploiait et qu'elle lui avait déjadelivre ses commissions, PEspagne en a été quelques jour en tres grande alarme; dont il; se peut juger ce qui serait lorsque Ton y verrait quelque apparence. Je vous supplie tres humblement de ne point trouver mauvais que je vous en dis, et de croire que je n'en parle que pour 1'avancement qu'il me semble que cela pour rait apporter aux affaires du present.
	Ils esperent fort en Espagne une revolte en Ecosse et disent que un anrbassadeur que sa Majesté y a envoie n'a point eu d'audience. Le roi d'Espagne a bonne envie d'y former un party a sa devotion et d'y aider avec les forces qu'il pourra, s'il y voit tant peu soit-il de fondement. Il n'a pour le present autres forces que celles qu'il emploie a la conduite des flottes des'Indes et cette armee qui se construit au passage, qui ne peut être prete de deux mois et ou il n'y aura que deux mils hommes. Je userai de la diligence possible pour vous tenirtoujours bien adverti de tout ce qui passera.
	Certains navires Ecossais a Saint Sebastien et a Laredo ont été arretés comme aussi out ete de Français qui se sont trouves là. Il y aurait beau moyen de bruler tous les navires qui sont au passage et avec fort peu de frais, sans aucun danger, d'autant qu'il n'y a aucune forteresse. Serait seulement besoin de venir avec deux navires et mener trois ou quatre petites barques enchainees, pleins de bois et artifices qui prinsent promptement feu, et mener les dites barques de nuit a l'emboucbure du port au commencement du montant qui entreraient d'ellesmemes avec la maree, qui les porterait sus les navires qui sont au dit passage^ fort pres lesuns des autres, de sorte que mai aisement en ponrrait il esehapper aucun. Si la commodité se fut trouve ici je Peusse fait faire moimême, mais il n'y a que bien peu de gens de qui l'on se puisse fier.
	Le Marquis de Villars s'est retire de devant Mellau et a été battu par Mons. de la Force. Le roi d'Espagne a envoie en Languedoc vers Mons. de Joyeuse et les villes qui tiennent le parti de la Ligue, afin de faire rompre la trevue, et promet cent mils écus pour aider aux frais de la guerre; mais le dit de Joyeuse ni les dites villes n'y ont voulu entendre. Le siege de Blaye continue; je crains que ce soit une chose longue parcequi l'on n'y va que bien lentement. Je partirai dans deux jours pour Bayonne parceque j'aurai plus de commodité estant là de servir sa Majeste, aussi que les marchans anglais là m'ont escrit qu'ils ont fort de besoin [de] ma presence.—De Bordeaux, ce 10^e May, 1593.
	[P.S.] Depuis avoir escrit la presente j'ai eu advertissement comme 1'armee du passage est partie pour Brettagne ajourdhui mattin 4^e Decembre [sic]. Je vous ecrirai par un navire de Bastable [Barnstaple] qui partira dans trois jours.
	2½ pp.
	William Cecil to Sir Robert Cecil, his uncle.
1593, April.	Acknowledges his remove from a noisome prison to “this place of better health “to be procured by Cecil's favour, which he beseeches him to continue to him.
	Endorsed :—“April, 1593.”
	1 p.