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The Master and Seniors of St. John's [College, Cambridge] to Henry Fades, servant to Lord Burghley. |
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1593, July 6. |
These are to certify you that the preaching of the four yearly sermons, which are to be preached in your parish church of Cheshunt for the lady Burghley, is and hath been committed, ever since the last sermon preached there by one sent from our college, to Mr. Neile, your Vicar, and that he is to receive the stipend allotted for the said sermons, during his abode Vicar there.—St. John's, July 6, 1593. |
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Signed :—William Whitaker, Henry Alney, Simon Robson, Roger Morrell, John Bois. |
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1 p.
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William White and Stephen Smythe. |
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1593, July 9. |
Petition to the Queen for leases in reversion of the premises of which they are tenants.— Endorsed :—9 July 1593. |
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Note by J. Herbert that the Queen grants the petition :—Court at Oatlandes, 27 July, 1593. |
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1 p.
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Sir J[ohn] Fortescue to Archibald Douglas. |
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1593, July 10. |
According to your desire signified by Thexston my servant, I acquainted her Majesty with your letters and articles, which her Highness took in very good part, and read before her audience on Monday delivered to Sir Robert Melvyn (Melville). This day [she] conferred with me at large touching the contents of the same, and is very desirous you should send her that which you received under their own subscription, viz., the copy written by my lords' own hand which is mentioned to be enclosed in your letter; the principal whereof, subscribed with their own hands if you desire, is promised to be sent unto you with power to add and diminish as her Majesty shall best like. In this matter her Majesty taketh good impression of your good intention and service, whereof she will not be unmindful; and upon receipt of that copy you shall have her present direction of farther proceeding. In the meantime I was not unmindful of your estate and suit, and for the present could obtain no farther but that her Majesty willed me to send you from her 100l. for your present relief, which my servant shall cause to be paid unto you, praying you to send the said copy to her Majesty by Thexston, with such farther instruction and advice as you think most meet her Majesty be informed of.—At Oatlands, 10 July, 1593. |
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2/3 p.
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Henry Billingsley and Richard Carmarden to Lord Burghley. |
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1593, July 11. |
We have, by conference as well with very honest merchants that trade in all. sorts of sugars and are no refiners, as also with very honest men that are refiners of sugars, set down from their mouths sundry reasons to prove the unfitness for her Majesty to grant the suit made for a new office to be erected for the survey of the refining, or sale of refined sugars, which we send to your lordship herein with our opinions, and partly in our own knowledge we can assure your lordship to be very true. Also for your lordship's servant, Thomas Plompton, we did yesterday see placed according to your lordship's pleasure with the waiters' consents, as yielding to your lordship's pleasure therein, but yet meaning, as they told us, to be humble petitioners to your lordship for your favour to have further consideration of such reasons as they mean to send your lordship; which, as also the examination of their last year's book with their warrants, may be referred to some more convenient time, if it so like your lordship, when the sickness shall be assuaged; and in the mean time Mr. Plompton may prepare his answer ready against their reasons.—London, 11th July, 1593. |
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Signed. Seal broken. 1 p.
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William Goldsmyth to Sir Robert Cecil. |
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1593, July 11. |
The treacherous speech of Phillip Woodward, priest, an ordinary attendant [on] the Cardinal Allen at Rome, nine years servant to Mr. William Cornwallis. After four days of my abode there and protestation to him that I was not any way sent as a spy but came of my own free will, he, repeating our old familiarity at grammar school and persuading himself of my truth unto them, demanded of me what news in England and what extremity was established against the Catholics; and if the Queen and Council were not at their wits' ends now France and Scotland leave them; and why they will not have the succession known; which I could not answer. Whereupon he proceeded, “No, no, England is gone, we know of their secret proceedings; they expect a new Queen and another Cecil,” meaning the Lady Arbell[a] and Sir Robert Cecil. Likewise, if there was no speech of the Earl of Huntingdon's title. Further, he asked me if the Lord Strange were much at Court and in what grace with the Queen; with this interrogation, There is not any words of his interest ? To the which for my knowledge justly I answered, no; yet not leaving me with the fearful questions asked, if the ancient nobility and gentry were not weary, and disdained to be holden under as they have been by the Lord Keeper, Sir N. Bacon, the Lord Chancellor, the Lord Treasurer and others, with evil speech; and that Lord Strange, though he were of no religion, should find friends to decide a nearer estate than all these titles. He required if it were not a joyful report wherewith the King of Spain rejected Sir Wm. Stanley, which was, he liked the treason but not the traitor, and would not permit him in his presence; which Woodward assured me it was much better with Stanley then so, for he had secret audience and reward from the King's own person, with his commendation to the Pope. That Sir Thomas Cornwallis and his sons were happy in that they suck honey from spiders. Woodward has a brother in Spain, a priest, and another in Douai. He told me that two jesuits should do more than the whole army of Spain. He asked me if the Queen's slow giving and the Lord Treasurer's covetousness caused not
a thin Court, and if there were any killing of the Queen since Mr. Secretary's death. |
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Robert Markham, late of Gray's Inn, second son to Thomas Markham, was in the College at Rome in June, 1593, whom I heard earnestly pray, in the presence of many, that he might see his father, mother and brother hanged, drawn and quartered. He abused her Majesty's Council and especially the Lord Treasurer and Sir Robert Cecil, with deadly threatenings. Markham brought to Rome above 200 marks and gave it to the Rector of the College. Both he and Woodward said they hoped ere long to see revenge for the Catholic blood shed in England, to the utter confusion of my Lord Treasurer. Garrard, a priest in the College, told me, notwithstanding all the extremities, the Jesuits and seminaries find English Catholics very liberal, so that some of them have brought to Rome 140l., and that they have their passage for the most part by Hollanders to and from Emden. The Cardinal demanded in what sort I had lived and if I were not acquainted with many gentlemen discontented. I answered, I knew many. He used me in great kindness and would have had me stayed in Rome; he seemed not well pleased with my sudden desire to come to Sir William Stanley. He told me I must be sworn by Sir William to be true subject and faithful in service to the King of Spain, and that to my uttermost I should seek the subversion and overthrow of those obstinate heretics in England. To which I said I would, whereby I might have liberty to come amongst their wicked, traitorous devotions. Thus, having revealed all to my remembrance, I end. Wherein I have offended the Almighty God and my sovereign Prince, I must humbly with tears crave pardon.—11 July, 1593. |
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2 pp.
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Anthony Poulett to Lord Burghley. |
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1593, July 16. |
Since the arrival of the two companies appointed for this isle, I have not had opportunity to write to you, wherein I crave pardon. They are composed of good and sufficient men, but very raw soldiers, so as the Captains have been forced to take great pains in training of them and teaching them the duties of soldiers and the right use of their arms, which could not be done without consuming of some powder, match and lead, whereof I have been forced to furnish them out of Her Majesty's store, being none other mean to get these munitions here, and therefore do humbly crave your lordship's order whether Her Majesty will be pleased to allow of this charge, or whether it shall be deducted upon the soldiers' weekly lendings, on account and reckoning, that thereupon some course may be taken in season. |
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I have received the parcels of munitions sent for this Castle, and do thank you for them, having obtained them wholly by your lordship's honourable favour, as also the sum of money Her Majesty hath been content to give out of her coffers towards the fortification of this piece under my charge, which I trust through Mr. Paul Ivy his good advice shall be employed to very good purpose, and therein he and I travail daily, and had I received direction somewhat sooner in the spring, I could have made better provision of lime and stone than now I can, which hath somewhat hindered the work hitherto. |
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The chiefest news of these parts, and what we most hearken after, is what the Spanish fleet doth. I was advertised within these two days that the fleet is composed of thirty “flebotes” and five galleys, which are come as far as Conquet, and the poor Bretons “alongst” the coast do so much apprehend their descent, as already they have hid their
goods, and themselves are ready to abandon their houses upon the first alarm. It is thought this fleet will come to take Plainpole, which is but twelve leagues from this Isle. If they come so near it is not unlike these isles shall be unvisited, which maketh us stand firmly upon our guard. |
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Those of St. Malo are in some discord amongst themselves. There are four of the chiefest burgesses of the town put out of late, being suspected to hold the part of the Duke of Mercœur, whom they will not hear of in any case. Some are of opinion that the Spanish fleet shall come to the river of Dinan, purposely to annoy those of the town of St, Malo. If this faction might be well entertained, the King may be the sooner master of that town. The Duke of Mercœur is very strong in the field, and hath much wasted the country about Rennes, and taken the Governor of Vitrie prisoner.—Jersey, the 16th of June, 1593. |
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Signed. |
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P.S. (Holograph.)—I had forgotten to let your Lordship know that one of our English soldiers was so outraged and bruised by a very bad fellow of this Isle, as the poor man lived but not above nine days after, whereupon action is intended against the offender, who deserveth no favour in so vile and notorious an act. Which I wrote the sooner, because I hear he intendeth to be a suitor for a pardon from Her Majesty, and hath used much corruption in practising witnesses through unlawful proffers. All the honest of this Isle desire greatly to see exemplary punishment done upon this evil member. |
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2 pp.
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Sir Henry Cocke to Mr. Barnard Dewhurst. |
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1593, July 17 |
Asks that stay be made of the felling of the trees in the Little Lye. His Lordship [? Burghley] and he will no doubt come to an agreement as to those pieces lying in that field and others also, lying near him.—Broxbourne, 17 July, 1593. |
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½ p.
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M. Chasteaumartin to Lord Burghley. |
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1593, July 18/28. |
Je vous ai adverti de l'état de l'armée navale du passage et que le dessein du roi d'Espagne était de l'envoier en la riviere de Bordeaux au secours de Lussan, et pour se saisir des endroits que les chefs de la dite armée recognoistront être les plus propres pour fortifier, afin que le dit roi d'Espagne puisse, comine il pretend, avoir moyen plus assure de se rendre ie maître en la dite rivière, qui est son but. Il a difere d'envoier la dite armée à cause de quelques navires marchans qui étaient dans la rivière et de ceux des Etats qui sont à la Rochelle, qu'il craint; mais il l'envoiera dans le mois d'Aoust, qu'il espère que la dite rivière sera deporveue de navires, et que ceux des Etats se seront retires. Cependant Sybuir est allé en Brettagne avec unze navires de la dite armée, qui ont porte de la chaus, des poudres et cinquante mil écus en argent, et doivent retourner au passage soudain que ce qu'ils portent sera déchargé. Il doit amener de mariniers de Brettagne pour les grands gallions qui en ont manque. Il est arrive au passage quantité de poudres et d'autres sortes de munitions et grand nombre d'artillerie, qui a été charge à la Cologne et Saint Andel pour servir aux dits gallions. Il est parti de Saint Andel six pataches, d'environ vingt tonneaux la pataches. qui nagent dix avirons pour bande et portent deux cents hommes de guerre, et sont arrives devant Blaye, où les dits hommes sont deseendus, qui ont
fait une sortie avec ceux de Lussan et ont tue deux cents cinquante hommes de Mons. le Marechal qui a été contraint de lever le siege par faute d'hommes. Les dites pataclies courent la rivière et la tiennent fort sujette, sans que les galliottes du dit Sieur Marechal le puissent empecher. Vous pouvez juger par la ce qui pourra être lorsque toute l'armée y sera, qui sera dans ce mois d'Aoust prochain. La dite armee sera de vingt navires et les dites six pataclies sans autre chose. Les Espagnols font etat qu'il y aura deux mille hommes de guerre dessus, et que avec la javeur des Ligueurs ils se pourront fortifier, et etablir aux endroits qu'ilsy aviseront être les plus propres pour leur dessein. Il n'y a pas grand apparence que Mons. le Marechal y puisse remedier s'il n'a de forces etrangères, d'autant qu'il n'a pas de navires; aussi que ceux de ces quartiers ne s'echaufirent point trop pour y apporter aucun remede. Il semble qu'ils appelent leur malheur; je ne sais à quoi attribuer cela sinon a un jugement de Dieu qui en disposera à sa volonté. Le voiage du fils du roi d'Espagne pour Lisbonne est retarde jusques au mois de Septembre a cause des chaleurs : le pere fera le voiage aussi s'il se trouve bien. |
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Il a été pris un Espagnol en Alcayon qui était sus une pinnace de guerre, ayant descendu à terre avec quelques autres de ses compagnons. Il a été examiné et a dit que lorsqu'il fut pris et embarqué sus la dite pinnace, il n'y avait que trois jours qu'il était arrivé en Espagne, venant des Indes occidentals avec une flotte de trente navires, laquelle fut prisé par dix-huit navires Anglais, et lui mis à terre aux Azores, ce mois d'Avril dernier. Si cela est veritable, vous en aurez deja de nouvelles. Il ne se fait pour le present chose aucune des dites flottes, sauf qu'il est arrivé à Lisbonne deux zaures vuides venant des Indes, et se dit que l'argent du roi qu'elles portaient a été decharge à la Terciere de peur que les Anglais le prinsent. Il n'y a eu que fort peu de bie cette année en toute l'Espagne à cause de la secheresse. |
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Le voiage du Cardinal et du Prince d'Orange en Flandres n'est point encore resolu et attendent le cours que prendront les choses et de voir le succes du traité de la treve en France. Si'ils font le voiage ce sera par la voie de Nice, et s'iront embarquer à Barcellonne. Je vous ai par cidevant ecrit sus un Ecossais qui était venu a Saint Jean de Luz et portait des depeches du roi d'Espagne, lesquels étaient seulement une permission de pouvoir (en faveur du roi d'Ecosse) porter en Espagne certain nombre de marchandises d'Angleterre. — De Bayonne, ce 28 Juiilet, 1593. |
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Much injured. 2 pp.
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Sir Richard Bingham to Sir Robert Cecil. |
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1593, July 18. |
Having largely acquainted your father with the state of things here I forbear repetition thereof, not doubting but my said letters will come to your view. However my enemies may slander me and give out their scandals against me and the course I hold in this unhappy and unthankful government, I assure myself they shall never be able to make just proof of anything unbeseeming me and the place I hold, for my doings shall always be justifiable and well becoming an honest man. |
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I was a suitor long ago to my lord your father for some estate to myself in the Abbey of Boile, a waste thing, and the only place to be planted with a town and a garrison in all these parts, bordering upon the frontiers of O'Rourke's country, and the only strait to keep out the traitor Maguire and these Ulster rebels from invading county Roscommon;
and besides it is the only passage and usual way over the mountain into county Sligo, which mountain is still haunted with a most rebellious sept called the Clandermonds, and by reason that the Boile is waste the said rebels hath free passage to and fro in all those parts, and keepeth waste whole countries on both sides of the mountain. Whereas, if it were inhabited and a town with a fort or castle planted there for a small garrison to reside in, Roscommon were wholly assured from any incursion of Maguire or any of the rest, and the next counties so much strengthened as in one year I would not doubt to see that desolation of so much scope of ground as well peopled with English as is about Athlone. And there is no question in it, unless any will suggest maliciously, but the inhabiting of the Boile will be the only stay of the three counties of Roscommon, Sligo and Leitrim; and that myself always foreseeing, did (in respect of her Majesty's service of the Province) seek to have in grant from her Majesty either in fee farm or for some reasonable term of years, purposing, if I could have obtained it, to have built a castle there and entrenched a town for defence of the inhabitants and garrison; but the Lord Deputies, crossing me in that as they did in all things else, informed your father how the Boile was a place most necessary to be kept for such always as should be Governors of Connaught, pretending a profit thereby towards his housekeeping in corn and I know not what. By which means I could not obtain it, and so the countries next adjoining have lain waste and many a subject hath felt the smart; though in truth no indifferent man could have spoken against it seeing my desire was to good purpose, and the thing I sought no fitter for him that should be Governor here than any other waste place; and no man will build upon a waste ground without some estate in it. So, as reserving the abbey still to the government, it will lie waste and it be for ever. |
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Now, seeing upon the late incursions of Magweire, all the Mungheine (which is the best country in this province) upwards to the very town of Roscommon is laid waste, and no place downwards to lay a garrison in, and being much desired by the distressed subjects to plant at the Boile, by which means no enemy can come in to annoy them, I am an humble suitor for your honourable means to your father for the said abbey, that it will please him to procure her Majesty's letters to the Lord Deputy and the rest to pass the same unto me, if not in fee farm, tor some reasonable years, as 60 or 50, that I may presently build upon it and inhabit that which hath been waste this hundred years. I seek it but for the yearly rent as it hath been surveyed and as hitherunto hath been paid for it; and for your goodness I shall always rest bound and many a poor subject shall have cause to pray for you; and I will willingly give 200l. to be bestowed upon any of your friends or servants at your appointment. Hereafter it may prove a good thing and profitable to them which shall live after me, but I am sure I shall never see that, which it will cost me in building if her Majesty bestow it upon me; and I never had one foot of land by any grant, notwithstanding all the lands I have been the means to intitule her Majesty unto in this remote country.—From Athlone, 18 July 1593. |
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Seal. 3 pp.
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Sir Henry Cocke to Sir Robert Cecil. |
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1593, July 18. |
By ancient order in Parliament all knights for the shires within this realm have been authorised to appoint collectors for the fifteenths then granted, according to such living and values as
therein is appointed : amongst which (for the last Parliament) your honour and myself were chosen knights for this county of Hertford. I herewith send you the names of such gentlemen as I think able to discharge the same, referring the choice of any of them to your wise consideration; which when you have named, I will take bond of him with sufficient sureties, as heretofore.—From Broxborne, 18 July,. 1593. |
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½ p.
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Sir Thomas Leighton to the Lords of the Council. |
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1593, July 19. |
This night, last post, T received the enclosed letter from the Governor of Jersey, by the which it appeareth, that there are arrived at Conquest, in Brittany, thirty ships and five galleys of the King of Spain. If it may seem to your wisdom to send some of Her Majesty's ships to lie about these isles, I do think they would do very good service.—At Guernsey Castle this 19th of July 1593. |
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Holograph. Addressed :—“With all speed possible.” |
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1 p.
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Enclosure :— |
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Anthony PoUlett to Sir Thomas Leighton. |
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1593, July 13. There arrived here this morning a boat from Brehac, wherein was one of this isle, who reported that being on Wednesday last at Lantriguet, there came certain news that thirty sail of ships and five galleys were come as far as Conquest, with an intent to range along the coast, whereupon all the burgesses of Lantriguet immediately hid such goods as they had, and have almost abandoned the place. Whereof I thought good to give you present advertisement, for if they come so near, we may happen hear of them,— Jersey, in haste, this 13th of July 1593. |
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Holograph. Seal. 1 p.
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Norwood Park. |
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1593, July 20. |
Whereas Sir Henry Barkley, knight, was sent for by their lordships, upon complaint exhibited by Thomas Crompton, Robert Wright and Gelly Meyrick, Esquires, in behalf of the Earl of Essex, for hindering by indirect means the sale they went to make in the park of Norwood of the timber granted the Earl by her Majesty; their lordships misliking Sir Henry's proceedings, for that his servants had (in a sort) threatened such as meant to have bought by saying Sir Henry would not suffer them to carry any from thence, have ordered that Sir Henry shall yield the respect he ought to the said commissioners in all causes that concern the Earl, being warranted by her Majesty's grant; and therefore Sir Henry is commanded from henceforth to give no manner of interruption, directly or indirectly, to the foresaid gentlemen, his lordship's commissioners, or any by them appointed to enter the said ground to view or buy any of the said trees or to do any other lawful act. In the mean season he is also enjoined not to cut or carry any timber out of the said ground without licence or agreement with the said Earl, nor to kill the game until by law it shall be decided whether he may do the same or not.—At the Court at Oatlands, 20 July 1593. |
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Copy. 1 p.
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The Privy Council to Lord Burghley. |
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1593, July 23. |
Whereas her Majesty did direct your lordship to levy 150 able men in that county [of Essex], although it is meant they should be but 135, besides 5 coats for two drums, two sergeants and one surgeon, and her Majesty shall be charged to the captain with the pay of the rest, choice is now made of the bearer, Captain John Davies, to view the soldiers and see that the men are able and their armour and weapons good and serviceable. You shall, therefore, see the men delivered to the said captain by an indented roll, interchangeably subscribed by the justices charged to deliver them and the said captain that shall receive them, and send us one of the rolls to be recorded according to law in her Majesty's Exchequer, and he is to see them conducted to Harwich to be there by the 13th August next, being the place appointed for embarking. For allowance towards their coats, 4s. shall be paid for every coat by Sir Thomas Sherley; and after there shall be allowed by her Majesty for every soldier in name of conduct from the place where they shall be assembled and shall begin to march to their shipping, 8d. the day.—From the Court at Oatlands, 23 July 1593. |
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Endorsed :—“For the appointing of Mr. Davies to be captain of the 150 men to be sent into Normandy.” |
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Injured. 1 p.
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John Kaye. |
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1593, July 27. |
Petition to the Queen and the Lord Treasurer. For lease in reversion of his manor of Stanmer Magna, Middlesex, in view of his father's services as one of the Clerks of the Green Cloth,—Undated. |
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Encloses copy of record of the Court of Augmentations relating thereto. |
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Note by J. Herbert that the Queen grants the petition. — Otelands, 27 July, 1593. |
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5 pp.
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George Margitts and John Straker to Sir Robert Cecil. |
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1593, July 28. |
Referring to some “cause” which is not clearly indicated.—Seething Lane, 28 July, 1593. |
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Signed. Seal. 1 p.
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The Privy Council to Lord Burghley. |
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1593, July 30. |
Whereas your lordship had commandment from her Majesty to levy in Hertford and Essex certain number of soldiers; and afterwards by letters from us was required to deliver the soldiers unto the captains appointed by us to receive them, you shall now understand that, upon new advertisement out of France of the state there, her Majesty hath thought good to stay the said men for a season, and not to charge the country any further with them. We therefore require you to forbear to make delivery of the foresaid men, and to let the captains understand this direction from hence; the men nevertheless to be in readiness upon any new warning, and the armour and furniture provided by the country be kept to be used as occasion hereafter may serve.— Prom the Court at Oatlands, 30 July, 1593. |
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Seal. 1 p.
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Emanuel d'Andrada to Lord Burghley. |
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1593, July 31/Aug 10. |
Has just learnt that an Albanese captain embarked for Dover with his lieutenant and six men, and that he is going to Spain. He is a person of great understanding in the arts of war and bears a passport from the lord admiral. Does not believe licence will be given him to embark in that kingdom, but sends this advertisement that he may do her Majesty service.—Calais, 10 August, 1593. |
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Spanish. ½ p.
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Henry Noel to Sir Robert Cecil. |
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[1593, July.] |
The graces in giving add value to the giver and the gift, as that gift is agreeable which in season supplieth a necessity. That bounty is admired, which, with a present gift, offers an after hope, like to the Indian tree which beareth ripe fruit and young blossoms. A princely hand hath performed the one, the other by a gracious disposition is encouraged; they be two deep roots in my heart, fastened as within a firm ground. You see in these, the reasons for which I should be thankful, the measure of my thanks I may tell but I cannot manifest. For as every penny to the poor is not a true charity, so every thanks with the tongue is not a heart's gratuity, for often even shame breaks that silence, which unthankf ulness would keep. Of such enforcement is the singular goodness of Her Majesty towards me, for were it that my heart were barren, yet needs must my tongue be plentiful in her praise, but so fruitful is my heart in the disposition of thankfulness, as if my tongue had the faculty of many others, yet should my heart remain unsatisfied, for when to my utmost I have said, thought and done, I am yet unthankful. To you I am also much bound; for default of other means, I beseech you accept my humble acknowledgment and desire to do you service. |
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Endorsed : — “July, 1593.” |
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Signed. 1 p.
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The Queen to the King of France. |
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[1593, July.] |
Tres cher frere, si ainsy vous puis nommer. Le naturel de tous humains porte imprime ceste impression que, quand devant nos yeulx nous voyons l'horrible spectacle d'un prest à noyer, nous hastons quelque present remede pour obvier tel malheur; et, si la main ne sert, nous y adjoustons quelque meilleur moyen. Ce que me pousse, pour ne me mettre hors du rang de charitables, vous presenter ce gentilhomme par qui vous entendrez bien an long le discours de mes pensees, que si elles ne soient si sages pour vous en instruire, si ne laissent elles tousjours de veiller votre salut et honneur. |
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Et prendez en bonne part que moy qui jamais fus nee pour simuler, vous use de telle sinceñte, que mon ame vous a tousjours vouee. Je me trouve en argument d'où je ne voy l'abyme et tremble à vous voir plonge en un mer où l'ancre (a grand peine) retiendra la ficheure. Et combien que tout bonheur nous advint par la grace divine, si est ce que Dieu nous preste des instruments d'où nous pourchassons ou nostre gloire ou en acquerrons nos ruines. C'est done la mode d'en user qui nous pourtraict nostre fortune : si nous en abusons, voila tout gaste; mais si nous l'accomodons à nostre mieulx, toute bonne issue en adviendra. Je vous ay veu abandoner Poccasion, quand elle se vous presenta publiquement
, voire prez de votre plus grand ville la famine vous representant, la veue de sa decadence, quand il vous pleast la livrer des grands nombres pour plus leur afranchir. Prenez garde de ne faìre plus tels traicts. Si auttres ne se fussent plus souvenuz de vous que vous de vousmesmes, vous n'eussies, à ceste heure, besoign d'aide. Je m'estonne comme c'est que moy, qui sembles si peu estimer que n'en demander un seul advis en ce que plus urgemment vous presse, vous offre mes meilleurs conseils aprez le faict. Je confesse que faictes prudemment pour plustost demander mes forces que mes discours, vous appuyant plus sur les bras de mes subjects, que sur la teste de leur souveraine. Mais combien que mesprisee, je ne failleray nonobstant à vous representer le visage de vostre estat tel qu'il me semble, et selon tels liniements je me figure le corps, et pour n'estre de peu celle bon peintre. Je veulx que la langue de ce porteur vous le tire; et selon telle figure il vous presentera mes conceptions, pour vostre conservation. A qui, si ce fusse assez habile appuy, je me penseroy heureusement nee. Entre toutes vos troupes de docteurs, je prie à Dieu qu'aussy bonne fin vous arrive comme n'en eussiez eu de besoign si en temps eussiez presté l'aureille à un conseil jamais trahissant ains tousjours fidel. Pour ce que le temps presse pour cognoistre vostre resolution à chaque article que ce porteur dira, et sans laquelle je suis a la fin de inon ouvrage, n'usez trop de delais comme desja j'en ay senty ma part, de peur qu'ils ne vous nuisent plus qu'à moy. Tenez moy pour telle qui sents autant de tourment pour vostre mal que pourriez souhaiter, el vous souhaite en havre asseure et libre de mauvais desseins, desquels Dieu par sa saincte main vous garde. Donnez, je vous prie, ferme confiance a ce porteur et ne retardez de voz nouvelles. |
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Votre sœur si ainsi doibs, |
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non bastarde qui jamais veulx. |
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Endorsed;—“July 1593. |
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Minutes of her Majesty's letter to the French king.” |
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Draft, with corrections, 1½ pp.
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The Queen to the King of France. |
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[1593, July.] |
Ah! que doleurs, oh! quels regrets, oh! que gemissements je sentois en mon ame per le son de telles nouvelles que Morlains m'a compté! Mon Dieu! est il possible que mondain respect aulcun deut effacer le terreur que la crainte divine nous menace ? pouvons nous par raison mesme attendre bonne sequele d'acte si inique ? Celuy qui vous ayt maintes annees conservé par sa main, pouvez vous imaginer qu'il vous permettat aller seul au plus grand besoign ? Ah! c'est dangereux de mal faire pour en faire du bien! Encore j'espere que plus saine inspiration vous adviendra. Cependant, je ne cesseray de vous mettre au premier reng de mes devotions à ce que les mains d'Esau ne gastent la benediction de Jacob. Et ou me promettes toute amitie et fidelité, je confesse l'avoir chetement merité, et ne m'en peuteray pourveu que ne changies du pere; aultrement vous seray je que sœur bastarde, au moins non de par le pere ? car j'aimeray mieulx tousjours le naturel que l'adopt, comme Dieu le mieulx cognoist, qui vous guide au droict chemin du meilleur sentir. Votre tres asseuree sœur si ce soit à lavielle mode; avec la nouvelle je n'ay que faire E.R. |
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Endorsed :—“M. of her majesty's letter to the French king. Julii, 1593.” |
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½ p.
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The Queen to the King of Scotland. |
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[1593, July.] |
My dear brother,—That my many preventions and your often warnings have not served so far forth your turn as my care and your need would have required, I cannot but regret, and you may make a patron whereby such mischiefs may hereafter be crossed afore they creep to ripeness, for at the first they are sooner shunned than after cured. I yield you many thanks for the divers parts of natural kindness that by this gentleman I have understood, and dare assure you that no part thereof shall fall to the ground without his just acquittal. At large I have discoursed of your estate, and have thereof adjoined my advice and counsel even the very like as if my own case it touched, without malice, void of deceit and clear from any faction, but only adhering to your safety; which being preserved, I have obtained the scope of my designs. A long-rooted malady falling to many relapses argues, by reason, that the body is so corrupt that it may be patched but never sound. When great infections light on many it almost poisoneth the whole country; it were better therefore that the greater part were kept solid though some infected perish. Preserve the better sort and let example fear the follower. The paraphrase of this text it may please you hear this gentleman to make; and, after hearing of this lecture, please you I will send you more of my simple doctrine. I would you could behold as in a glass the inside of my inward heart unto you, and there you should view no hate to any, no bloody desire, no revenging mind, but all fraught with thoughts how safely to preserve you from domestic and foreign guiles, and should perceive no drifts for others' reigns or rule, but yours alone, to whom I wish all yours so bound as for no ambition they danger or perturb you, nor for private malice or singular affection they be to band for Scotland's bane. Let no man murmur at your favours employed as best you like. Your servants, let them void first that so place awry their duties. They should dislodge that so would rule. If a king will endure, he shall have indignities enough; but rarely will they venture their loss if they hoped not too boldly. You see how far the trust you reposed in some hath transported me and makes me over lavish in babbling my conceits. I hope the cover of goodwill will acquit me of outre cuidaunce. As for Bothwell, I beseech you weigh well what this bearer can justly tell you of me herein. I suppose his own conscience will never accuse me of any over great partiality that way. He hath seen too much to believe it. If any mine have, more for their particular than my charge, forgotten what they should, they shall receive what they deserve; but yield you me my right or else you should wrong yourself to injure me. |
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The small token you shall receive from me, I desire it may serve to make you remember the time and my many weighty affairs which makes it less than else I would, and I doubt nothing but, when you hear all, you will bear with this. And thus having too long molested your eyes with my scrapings, I bequeath you to the safe protection of the Almighty. |
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Endorsed :—M. of her majesty's letter to the king of Scots. July 1593. |
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2 pp. [Bruce, p. 83.] |
