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Thomas Spicer, Mayor of Exeter, to Carew Reynoldes. |
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1594, Sept. 1. |
As to a bond for the appearance of Gilbert Smith before the lords of the privy council within twenty days.—1 Sept. 1594. |
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Addressed :—“To the worshipful Carwe Rainoldes, Esq., give this at Bickton.” |
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½ p.
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William Brocas to Sir Robert Cecil. |
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1594, Sept. 1. |
On the subject of the tenancy of his house which he wishes to retain.—1 September, 1594. |
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Holograph. 1 p.
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Sir George Carey to Sir Robert Cecil. |
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1594, Sept. 1. |
I am made believe that in your love and kindness to me you have made stay of letters of complaint against me from the Estates to he Majesty, for certain goods pretended to appertain to men of the Low countries lade in a ship of Rusco taken by a ship of mine at the sea. Mons. Plocheron and Mychelott have been with me here about the matter. We agreed to refer the arbitrating of the cause to
two doctors of each side, to be ended when I come up at Michaelmas, and the goods should be preserved entire as they are. Since which time they have proceeded in a course of law, to which I have fully submitted myself; and therefore no cause by me given for them to proceed by course of complaint, when they have been offered whatsoever they can approve shall, in right or law, be due to them. My yielding to their claim in this cause may prejudice her Majesty in many thousands of pounds depending upon the same point in law; and yet, not to shew myself opinionated in my own right, for satisfaction of the Estates, who may be abused by information, and myself by wrong unjustly complained of, offer their agent in my behalf, that I will submit the cause and myself either to the trial of law or to the consent of the Council Table, and put in sufficient security for damages for the least wrong that my Fleming shall be able to approve against me; for so small cause of complaint shall the Estates have against me, that I dare make Monsr. Caron, their agent, judge thereof. |
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Loth I should be to come up before Michaelmas; but if they shall be so impudent by complaint to force me thereunto, you shall find I will shew good evidence to satisfy her Majesty and to shame them; and so I beseech you, if occasion thereof shall be offered, to answer to her Majesty in my behalf.—Carisbrooke Castle, 1 Septr., 1594. |
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Holograph. 2 pp.
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Henry Gawdy to the Lord Admiral and Sir Robert Cecil. |
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1594, Sept. 2. |
You have been unduly and amiss informed. It is true Holdiche did very lewdly take away Mr. Hare's hawks when in my service, but it was in the time of my great and dangerous sickness. As soon as I knew it, I not only discharged him at once, but presently acquainted Mr. Hare with all I knew of the matter. Having heretofore had letters to the same purpose from Mr. D. Morley, I did what I could therein. I know not what Holdiche will do now, not having seen him for a long time, and cannot learn where he is.—2 Sept., 1594. |
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Signed. Seal. 1 p.
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Thomas Towlson to Sir Robert Cecil. |
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[1594, Sept. 2.] |
Upon Friday the 16 August last, about 6 in the evening, one Derrick, a brewer's son, of London; one Rider, servant to my lord chamberlain; Robert Barber, servant to Sir John Fortescue's son, and Harry Lees of the parish of Mims near Barnet, came galloping through East Barnet into Enfield Chace, with a leash of greyhounds, and Richard Quishen, servant to Mr. Austen, the keeper, in their company, with his face hidden in his cloak. The which, some of us perceiving, as we came from mowing, laid down our scythes and went into the chace to see what they did. They went to a place called Halfpenny Green, from thence to the sand pits and back again to Millers oak, where they did course and one of the dogs was taken up almost at the lodge. Richard Quishen seeing us standing together, coming to us, did light from his horse and drawing his sword did strike at Redhead : the which I perceiving did step in, with another in my company, and sought to part them, but the rest of the hunters coming in overlaid us with weapons and blows, to the great hazard of our lives : whereas our intent was only to see what they did without meaning to meddle any way with them. I beseech your honour to be good to me, a poor labouring man, with a wife and great charge of small children which
are relieved only by the labour of my hands, and also because of my harmless meaning and dealing in the matter wherein I am wrongfully accused. |
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Endorsed :—“2 Sept. 1594.” |
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Undated. Copy. 1 p.
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Thomas D'Arques to Sir Robert Cecil. |
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[1594, Sept. 2.] |
Had for answer to his last that he would be set a liberty on giving pledges that he would never return to England Banishment is hateful and difficult to bear; but, if it must be so, he will accept it with the patience of Aristides and the regret of Demosthenes, fearing that he will not meet elsewhere such good friends as here pleasant enemies. Will conform to Cecil's wishes and deem himself happy in satisfying him. The regret of leaving the land where he was brought up, will be no less poignant than if he were leaving the land of his birth. |
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As for pledges, has no friends who will be bound for him. During nearly nine weeks in which he has been in prison, has had no visitor. If a passport and a little money for his journey be given him, will leave the kingdom for ever, unless compelled by stress of weather or fortune of war to return. |
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Beseeches that his name may not be dishonoured among his own countrymen. Is young and has only his good name to rely on in the future. Also begs that he may have licence to walk sometimes in the common garden of that house to which some of the prisoners resort, having been ill of fever during the past eight days. While ill, he invoked the muses whom he has always honoured. The enclosed verses which, among other writings, then escaped his pen, he presents to Cecil. |
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Endorsed :—2 Sept., 1594. |
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Undated. Holograph. French. 2 pp.
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The ode referred to. French. 1 p.
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Sir Horatio Palavicino to Sir Robert Cecil. |
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1594, Sept. 2. |
Has written to him twice and begs to be remembered when he has leisure. |
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For a letter of commendation from the Queen to the Senate of Genoa, at the instance of a Gencese captain in Antwerp, he wrote to Mr. Wolley, because it is a thing that goes in Latin; but it is not yet despatched. Begs Cecil's intervention. Has written to Cecil's father for a passport for a principal gentlemen, his cousin. Is grieved at these occasions, which must happen until the world knows how little remains to him of favour and grace. Desires to know what the Lord Admiral says of the inconveniences of having despatched the pinnace so late.—badburham, 2 September, 1594. |
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Italian. Holograph. Sealed. 1 p.
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Lewis Lewknor to Sir Robert Cecil. |
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1594, Sept. 3. |
This bearer, his brother, newly arrived in these parts from Bohemia, is one that ever desireth humbly to rest at Cecil's service and commandment, and the rather because it pleased the latter to deal so honestly with him in his absence by delivering a letter of his to the writer. |
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Doubts not his behaviour there hath been such as becomes a good subject, but he will give a reckoning of himself. By reason of some indisposition of body cannot conveniently accompany him though very desirous to do so. Beseeches Cecil to deliver unto the bearer a poor treatise in written hand which Lewknor once delivered to him at Hampton Court. An honorable personage hath desired to see it and there is no other copy.—Egham, 2 Sept. 1594. |
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Holograph. Seal. 1 p.
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Gilbert, Earl of Shrewsbury to Sir Robert Cecil. |
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1594, Sept. 4. |
I have forborne of long to write unto you only in expectation of the return of those bad fellows of Glossopdale with such letters as I heard were written unto me long since. In which matter, as at my haste being at court I was bold to use your favourable good means to her Majesty (which with all thankfulness I acknowledge you afforded me in most friendly and effectual manner), and as at that time you also promised me the good continuance thereof hereafter, as occasion should offer, so I do at this time earnestly intreat the same. And now, omitting all circumstances or compliments, my requests unto you are these, that you will peruse all such letters as I have received lately from the lord keeper and Sir John Fortescue, with the copy of my answer now sent unto them, whereby you may particularly understand the whole course of that business, and then that you will import it to my most honourable good lord your father, unto whom I do forbear to write it only to avoid his lordship's trouble; but I beseech you intreat from me his wonted good favour, by taking some such occasion as he shall find meet to deal with her Majesty on my behalf. Yourself I earnestly beseech to take knowledge of my whole proceedings therein to her Majesty; and to deliver to her your opinion thereof, and whether you find those base clowns (even in the course of truth and justice and in respect of their dangerous example) worthily to have deserved severe punishment, or myself to be thus charged with undutifulness to her Majesty; and to explain to her highness the offer which I now make to those clowns, being forty years of the old rent to every of them who will not otherwise be drawn to compound with me, which proceedeth only out of the exceeding great desire I have to satisfy her highness fully, and out of no other respect whatsoever, I protest.—Sheffield Lodge, 4 Sept. 1594. |
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Holograph. Seal. 1 p.
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William Lane to Sir Robert Cecil. |
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1594, Sept. 5. |
Understood by this bearer that Mr. Wattes had promised a “muscat” unto Cecil. This cat was not to be found at this messenger's coming to Plymouth although the mayor and he continued many days searching for it. For that the cat was taken in the Indias by him, and he believed it to be Cecil's pleasure for him to do what he could to find it, has detained this messenger, William Hamblet, in order to more threaten and fear them that he suspected to have any knowledge where it was sold by his purser. After days spent in searching, has found the cat (which the mayor could not do); and, the same day that he is assured that the cat is aboard the Centaur, despatches this messenger, and is himself ready to set sail to London where he will wait on Cecil.—Aboard the Centaur, 5 Sept. 1594. |
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Holograph. Seal. 1 p.
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Captain W. Dawtrey to Sir Robert Cecil. |
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1594, Sept. 6. |
With regard to her Majesty's most gracious promise, in consideration of my long service, of some present relief out of forfeitures of the Exchequer, and also a good pension in Ireland. Her Majesty's gift I have received out of the Exchequer by your favour and means, which was 140l. The order for the pension is yet to be sued out. I beg to have the said pension here in the Exchequer, which, in payment, shall be all one unto her Majesty's coffers, and my service, nevertheless, as ready to be used when it shall please her highness or your honours to command it.—6 Sept. 1594. |
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Holograph. Part of seal. 1 p.
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Sir Roger Williams to [Lord Burghley]. |
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1594, Sept. 6. |
I arrived here on Saturday, 6 of this month, and do depart to-morrow for Rouen and will be the next day, with God's grace, in Paris; but I must stay there one day, as well to know where to find the king, as to learn their message, and to find the best and surest ways to pass. Where it was told her Majesty that the posts are laid through France, especially to Lyons, by the counsel of my good friends here and mine own experience there goes with me to Rouen twelve curates. For both in this way and the most others in this country the passages are dangerous by reason of the enemy's great cruelties and lying in ambush in the ways and passages, and also a number of Ramasses pikemen that robs and spoils daily. I will make all haste with reason that may be. If I were taken foolishly, my friends would be sorry and my ill willers would laugh at my disgrace. I do find here that Cambrai is not yet battered, but that all things is ready and the engines greatly fortified, as well with divers forts as with large ditch trenches. In all the coming into his camp they make great convoys daily to bring all the forage and commodities they can to furnish themselves, and spoil or burn the rest in such sort that it is impossible for our army to lodge any time before theirs towards France, nor in a manner to live thereby, unless we should lodge betwixt them and their own towns of Artoys and Henego. Nothing will be attempted to purpose till the king comes. It is told me the “Liones” lent him an hundred thousand crowns, with the which he levied five thousand Swiss and put in order three thousand of his own (?), with some four thousand French foot. |
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Here is commandment come for all manner of nobles out of the garrisons, besides the bands of admirals, to come to Amiens the 23 of this month after their account. Likewise the like commandment is given unto other provinces where the king will be in person with all he can make. Here is a speech amongst the best sort that duke Epernon shall be governor in Gascony, as M. de Martimion is, and that Martimion shall have Rouen with the government of Normandy, under the duke Montpensier, or the government of Brittany apart. It may be, for Martimion is but under the young prince in Gascony, and the Marshal Doumont dead with the shot in his arm in Brittany. The enemy looks for Mondragon and his troops with the forces that were levied by the Spanish to back the emperor against the Turks. M. De la Shute commands by Provigeon in Rouen. M. Peres is at Paris. Here passed yesterday a gentleman from the king to the States. He said the king finds great fault in the States for selling the enemy great quantities of victuals, and that the States promised to help the
king all they could if he would declare open war with the Spaniards. It is thought Cambrai will prove a long fight : if it does, it is to be feared rather than suffer it to be lost the king will be brought to a composition.—Dieppe, 6 September. |
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Holograph. 4 pp.
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Thomas Spicer, Mayor of Exeter, to Sir Robert Cecil. |
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1594, Sept. 7. |
By order of Richard Sparewe of the county of Devon, Esquire, has taken bond for the appearance of Gilbert Smythe of Exeter, merchant, before the Council, but knows not for what cause nor by what authority. The man has been dwelling there these twenty-five years or thereabouts, and is very well thought of and always reputed a good subject to her majesty.—Exon, 7 Sept. |
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Holograph. ½ p.
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Ed. English to Henry Maynard, at the Court. |
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1594, Sept. 7. |
I have been a long suitor for 136l. 19s. 2d. due upon good Irish bills, the last that ever I mean to deal in of that nature. Mr. Skynner at his going from here did promise me he would move his lordship for me therein to have payment now amongst such as are suitors for the like; since which time I do not hear yet whether he remembered me therein or not. I beseech you to move his good lordship for me therein.—Westminster, 7 September, 1594. |
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Holograph. ½ p.
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Letter from Breda. |
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1594, September 7/17. |
Aiant les soldats de ceste garnison aujourdhui apporte à Mons. le Gouverneur plusieurs pacquets des lettres lesquelles ils ont trouves chez le poste ordinaire venant d'Augsburg vers la court de Bruxelles, je les ay (estant en langaiges Italienne, Espagnole et Allemande) par requisition de Mousr le Gouverneur, vises, pour ce que merite l'envoier à son Exce. Et, combine je ne doubte V. S. en sera participant par les pacquets de la contenu d'icelles, toutesfois n'ay sceu faillir sommairement en faire part a V. S. des principaulx points que j'ay retenu. |
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Premierement ung conseiller d'estat de sa Majeste Imeriale par sa lettre escript à l'archidue Erneste de Ratisbone qu'a lui desplaict que son altesse a jamais se laisse induire de venire par deca, d'aultant qu'il l'avoit assez predict à son altesse en quell estat les affaires de ce pays se comporterent, et que devant son department il debuoit croire le conseil des veilx et non des jeusnes qu'il ont amenes par deca. Plusieurs aultres lettres escript à Vienne, Ratisbone et aultres villes, chantent qu'en la diete due dit Ratisbone ont este denommes le duc de Nevers, administrateur de Saxen , et le palatin Van der Nyerubendorch, avec les evesques de mayence et Salsburch, pour venire par dela de la part de l'Empire esmouvoir chez Messieurs les Estats Generaux une ferme paix, et que de tout ce qu'ils traicteront avec messieurs susdits cela a icelles serat seurement maintenue soubz obligation de ceulx de l'Empire, sans que le roi d'Espagne, de ce que passera en ce traicte, pourra aulcunement contredire. La ville de Raab (comme en mes precedentes ay faict mention) est assige de plus de lxxx. mille hommes soubz la charge de Sinany Bassa, dans laquelle commande Don John de Medices, lesquelles jusques en ce temps la s'a valeureusement comportez,
comme plus amplement entendrez par les pacquets. Huit mille Tartares et trios mille janissaires estoient passes le Danube, pensant surprendre le camp Imerial, mais la cavallerie Allemande, les ayant appercheuz les ont tellement charge qu'a grand peine cent Turqs se sont sauvez, et comme de jour à aultre le camp Imerial s'augmente, tant d'Allemagne que d'Italie, ils esperent de faire bonne et prompte resistence aus dits Turcqs. L'archiduc Maximilien est en Croatie ou qu'il a prins deux forts d'importance. Estant arrive le secretaire Obesternach à Vienne pour mener sa femme et aultres à Bruxelles, plusieurs se plaignent à leurs maris qu'ils ne sont mandez, par ou qu'on peult considerer que l'archiduc pretend en ce pays establir ferme demeurance. |
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Les lettres de Venize escriptes le 15 d'Aougst chantent qu'ayant l'admiral du Grand Tureq demande aux Ragusiens deux portz pour iverner, deux cens galleres, aussi estant à l'opposite de la dite ville une petite isle montaigneuse de pouvoir faire un fort, la republicq Ragusiane s'est fermement confederee et aliee avec les Venetiens, lesquelles par ensemble ont publiez la guerre au Tureq, ayant desja saisi tous les marchans Turcques et par mer hostilement traictez les ungs et les aultres. Les Venetiens ont desja armez cent galleres et dix grandes galleaces sans ce que les Ragusiens arment; les contes Martinengo et Fiscarini et aultres premier nobles de Venize levent forze gendarmerie; ceulx de la republicque Ventiane ont envoyez quatre commissaires au quartier de Frioli et Bergamo, frontieres du Duche de Milano et territoire du Roy Catholique, pour visiter les villes et fortz qu'il font aus dit frontieres pour la defense qu'ils ont de l'armee que le Roy predict a leve. Les Anglois viennent par la mer Adiraticq en Venise, vendant leur predes et pigleries faict a la mer Meditarranen sur les gens du Roy, ce que bonnement ceux de la republicque n'ont voulu consentir. |
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Les lettres de Genoa du 25 d'Aougst chantent que Andrea Doria estoit arrive de Barcelona avec trente galeres et aultres navires, conduisant 9,000 fantasins Espagnols et un million d'or pour les employer a la guerre. |
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Les lettres de Florene chantent que le duc d'Espernon avoit deffaict bon nombre de la cavallerie de Mons. de Dighuerre. |
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Voila Monsieur, ce que me semble de l'importance des dits pacquets. |
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Headed :—“Copie d'une lettre escripte de Breda le 17 de Septembre, '94.” |
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3 pp.
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Plot against the Queen's Life. |
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1594, Sept. 9. |
A paper entitled, “A Breviate of the accusations against any the King of Spain's Ministers, or any English fugitive refuged into the same King's territories, upon the point of practising conspiracy and assassination against her Sacred Majesty's life, collected out of the confessions of Edmund Yorke, Richard Williams, etc.” |
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It sets out under the several names of Stephen Ivarra, Father William Stanley, Father Holt, Thomas Throgmorton, Owen, Dr. Gifford, Charles Pagett, Dr. Worthington, Tipping, Ensign Edward Garrett, Moody, and “a Walloon and a Burgundian,” points of evidence against each of them, extracted from the confessions of Edmund Yorke, (12 Aug., 20 Aug., 21 Aug., and 24 Aug. 1594), and Richard Williams (27 Aug.) [For these confessions see Calendar of State Papers, Eliz. 1591–94 under date.] |
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In connexion with Ivarra is the note :—“This is all against Stephen Ivarra or any other Spaniard. But note that the manner of the proceeding
of the English fugitives in this cause was not by separate and auricular whispering with those whom they mean to employ, but by set consultation, wherein divers met at once; which kind of action they would never use except they knew their actions would be avowed or at least allowed by the King's ministers there. |
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“Memo.: It appeareth by former examinations that J. Walpoole, when he came out of Spain about the last Spring, was immediately before presented to the King, with knowledge that he came for England, by F. Persons. To which Walpoole the King said Dios os encamina! And after, when he passed by Flanders, he received certain crowns of Stephen Ivarra. Nevertheless, he confesseth no employment against Her Majesty's life, but yet saith he was instructed by Persons to be subordinate and obedient to Father Garnett (a jesuit not yet taken) who might haply commit to him some matter of State.” |
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With regard to the presence of Pagett and Worthington at the conference held to move Williams and Yorke to kill the Queen, this note occurs :—“Not that these two last are not mentioned to have used any particular speeches in the matter, and Yorke being asked whether he were assured they were present because it was somewhat strange so many should meet, specially being of several factions, did not much insist upon his memory as to them.” |
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With respect to Moody, “Note that he is thought to be an employed man from this side, but it is all one crime in them that employ him on the other side with a wicked intent.” |
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Under the heading of the “Wallon and Burgundian” occurs the following :—“Memo.: It is affirmed they have now resolved to follow the matter hard, and if they cannot prevail by Englishmen, then to rely upon strangers.” |
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Endorsed :—“1594, a breviate for my Lord Treasurer, Sept. 9.” |
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5 pp.
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George Margitts to Sir Robert Cecil. |
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1594, Sept. 9. |
The cause of Recognizances which you relinquished hath since by one Captain Lee received such hope of effecting as that he fully assured himself thereof, having always had the furtherance and favourable report of Lord Buckhurst unto the said Lee's friends as to Lord Essex, the Lord Admiral and others, that the same was a most reasonable, requisite and necessary suit, and that the granting thereof would be very beneficial to all her Majesty's well meaning subjects. Yet Sir John Fortescure who is to give his report hereof together with Lord Buckhurst unto the Queen, is altogether against the same, as the said Lee telleth me, and will not by any means give his consent therein to make report that it is a thing fit for her highness to give, notwithstanding that all objections which he can make therein are fully answered by learned counsel. Wherefore Lord Buckhurst hath advised him, as he saith, to procure her Majesty by some friend that two others of the council may be joined with them, to the end that these four, or any two of them, may deliver their opinions to her Majesty, and then doubteth not of effecting every thing according to his desire. And to that end in his behalf have presumed to move your honour that if it will please you to be a means for him herein unto the Queen that lord Essex and the lord Admiral may be so appointed, he will then very willingly for the same depart with 100l. a year thereout so long as the patent continueth, or 500l. within six months after the same is under seal, to be disposed according to your honour's pleasure; the which I thought good to acquaint your honour with. |
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The thing is thought to be worth 1,000 marks a year and better, therefore it may please your honour to deal herein as above, or otherways dispose it according to your pleasure, for that, if Lee is put from it, I gather there is an intent by others to prosecute the same for themselves or some of their friends. |
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Lastly, I beseech that I may not seem offensive in putting you once more in mind of the cause of Venice gold and silver, which methinks under correction, in regard of Sir John Fortescure's faithful promise unto your honour when the Court was at Hackney, might have long ago been effected if it would have pleased you but to have vouchsafed the least of your honorable endeavours.—Stratforde Bowe, 9 September, 1594. |
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Holograph. 1 p.
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Sir Walter Raleigh to Sir Robert Cecil. |
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[1594, Sept. 10.] |
Although Eaton's ship be gone, yet the letter will do no harm, for I may be friended of him in some things I want. Your own I have returned and I can say no more but what good shall happen in England or in India or elsewhere, so God favour me as I take it and confess it to be of your most honorable friendship's towards me, and how I wish for such respect I may be bound you know, and which I will acknowledge and perform to the end of my life. With my humble duties to my mistress, I leave. |
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P. S. I had a post this morning from Sherborne. The plague is in the town very hot. “My Bess is run one way, sent his son another way, and I am in great trouble therewith.” |
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Holograph. Undated. Part of seal. 1 p.
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Sir Horatio Palavicino to Sir Robert Cecil. |
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1594, Sept. 12. |
Is requested to beg the lord Admiral to grant a passport to Federico Spinola, a Genoese gentleman, his cousin, who wishes to take passage with 12 servants from Middleburgh into Spain on private affairs. Although he will have the passport of Count Maurice to come from Antwerp into Zealand to embark, he wishes that of the lord Admiral, in case he should meet with English ships on the voyage. Begs his favour with the Lord Admiral.—Badburham, 12 September, 1594. |
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Italian. Holograph. 1 p.
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Sir Horatio Palavicino to Sir Robert Cecil. |
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1594, Sept. 12. |
Thanks Cecil for writing and reminding him of the reputation he has in the Court; for nothing can be dearer to a man than to know his own position. Will come to London as soon as he can, certainly before Michaelmas. Meanwhile perhaps Mr. Bodley will return, with the personage who is expected from the States, and if there is occasion to negociate, and the Queen will listen to him, he will prove himself a good servant. Suggests that though the passport to Federico Spinola could not be granted, it might be supplemented with clauses providing against the passage of others than Spinola's own household and of contraband goods. Begs that Cecil will get it expedited in this form and that, the Lord Admiral not offended, Cecil's father may also sign it. It is certain that Spinola arrived 1 July, new style, in Seville, and it is no wonder the Earl of Cumberland's ships did not
meet him for they kept the course of the East Indies rather than of the West. It is not to be expected that he will write the particulars of his voyage; because he is in Spain and it would no longer be of any use but what I wrote before is probable as it was founded on his own words—Badburham, 12 September, 1594. |
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Italian. Holograph. 2 pp.
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Thomas North to Lord Burghley. |
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1594, Sept. 12/22. |
Although in his last letter he wrote he could not be furnished in Venice of so much money as might serve him to proceed on his voyage, yet one Mr. Eleazer Hickman, of his especial regard unto the furtherance of men employed about any business of her Majesty's, has lent him 28l. 5s. Has borrowed this sum by virtue of Burghley's writing, bearing date 25 December 1593, and desires it may be paid on sight of this.—Venice, 22 Sepetember, 1594. |
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Endorsement signed by Burghley :— |
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“10 January 1594[/5].—I do testify hereby under my handwriting that I never gave authority to the said Northe to take up any money and that such authority is counterfeit, which may also appear so to be by a former letter of his written to me from Venice the last of August, 1594.” |
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Holograph. 1 p.
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Richard Webster to Sir Robert Cecil. |
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1594, Sept. 13. |
I have written to my good lord lately, by occasion of letters sent unto me from Mr. D. Vaughan, wherein, as he testifieth his great good will in seeking my preferment, being his old acquaintance and chamberfellow in Cambridge, so he hopeth to find my lord and you good furtherers of his convenient remove, which is my suit at this present. The party is well known to my lord and is of good quality and account with his own lords, viz., my lord keeper, my lord Grace and my lord Buckhurst, who shall join in anything that may procure his preferment. I have been bold to crave my lord's good favour in the Archdeaconry, if he be preferred; if not, in my former suit for the dean of Windsor's prebend in Powle's [St. Paul's] upon his remove, or any other way my lord's wisdom shall think fittest for me. |
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Some means also (as your hnour lovingly advised me) I have used to my lord of Essex, whose favour I doubt not to find. But the effect of all and the hope I have to be remembered lieth upon your honour.—13 September, 1594. |
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Holograph. ½ p.
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Edward Prynne to Sir Robert Cecil. |
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1594, Sept. 13. |
Your honour's many favours exceeding any desert in me, jointly with the great extremities I a brought to by means of a long sickness, have enforced me to beseech your honour's charitable remorse, which was never yet wanting, may highly pleasure me in the recovery of my health, whose sickness increasing, my miseries are many, and my state such as no way is able to yield unto it succour. And therefore [I] do humbly crave your favour.—13 September, 1594. |
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Holograph. Part of seal. 1 p.
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Dr. John Cowell to Henry Brooke |
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1594, Sept. 13. |
Your letters make me think that those I received not long since in the behalf of Mr. Fernando were likewise from you, which I then took to be written from your brother Sir William Brooke. If I then mistook, I humbly crave pardon, assuring you that I used the best eyes I had to read the name underneath and could not otherwise decipher it. Of the rectory (for the which it pleaseth you to commend Mr. Fernando) a very dear friend of mine is possessed, and one that next Mr. Mowtelowe I best loved among mine equals during his abode in our house, to wit Mr. John Smithe, son to Mr. Charles, sometime of her Majesty's wardrobe, and brother to William Smithe, my next chamberfellow after Dr. Fletcher's departure, so that this your request so far troubleth me that I would give more than a poor man may well spare to be honestly rid of the cause. Yourself are the man upon whom I profess myself as much to rely as upon any in the world, and, therefore, I assure you I will not fear to displease him rather than hazard your good favour, if the matter must grow to that point; but, in regard of that constancy you have (I trust) always found in me towards my friends, if it may please you to deal mildly with me in this cause, I shall account it none of the least of your benefits. Yet that you may know and receive a sure argument of my good meaning to this suit and person for your sake, I will give you that light to an easy proceeding therein (if otherwise you may not be contented) as shall be worth thanks. There are yet in Mr. Smithe's lease six years remaining (as I am verily persuaded) from Midsummer last, and three years more must needs pass before we can grant a new to any man but upon surrender of the old : so that possibly as yet we cannot do that good to Mr. Fernando that you would require. And to prove that unto you, it may please you to remember Sir William's case, to whom we could not be brought by any extremity to promise anything until the old lady was departed and we thereby enabled to make a present demise. Since that time, her Majesty for divers, my lord chancellor that was, my lord of Essex fro two at the least, Sir Thomas Heneage for one, and more that I now remember not for divers others, have been earnestly requested for a promise beforehand to lease things when they should be leasable. Upon this we have stood tanquan pro aris et focis and never could be bowed to yield any former promise of anything until by our statutes of the realm and college it were actually leasable. The reasons of our constancy you must think in these extremities were strong or else they would never have upheld us against such might. And surely they are great, one grounded upon the Statutes of the Realm which voideth all such promises, the other upon our own Statute whereto we are tied by oath, the third upon the great prejudice such a promise might bring upon us, for that by making our promise three years before we should in that example be drawn afterward to four, six or ten, as indeed we have been tried for fifteen; and this how unreasonable it might mean no man but well perceiveth. Wherefore promise you cannot look for. Every man will rather yield himself to any extremity, except perchance some few exulcerate persons which to grieve their betters and distress the quiet of our house care not to do anything. So that the only thing you can obtain as yet will be to stop the renewing of the old lease until the last three years, that then it may be as free to Mr. Fernando as for any other to be a petitioner for it, and so a letter in time sent, as this now is, may do him more good then twenty now. Whosoever putteth you into any other course than this (I dare be bold to say it) seeketh rather
our vexation than your good. Pardon me, good sir ! for my plain dealing. I would not abuse you to gain the world, and so much the less in this cause for that it hath pleased the right honble. Sir Thomas Cecil to recommend it, of whom not only in respect of his place and many great virtues but also of his alliance with your noble house, I would be most heartily glad to deserve any favour by any service that possibly I can do him.—Cambridge, 13 September 1594. |
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P.S.—Since the writing of the premises, her Majesty's letters have been read publicly unto us and the request is found by the Provost and Seniors so directly against our oath and statute which bindeth us to let parsonages for no more than ten years (as we have heretofore shewed her Majesty and her honorable privy council) that we cannot possibly yield unto it without perjury. The younger company, upon some domestical quarrel between them and the Provost, refused to make any answer at all. So (to be short and to avoid your farther trouble) you must either frame Mr. Fernando to that course which I have before set down unto you or your intention will never be effected. Every man is (for aught I can see) more willing to forsake his place than to yield to any such suit. |
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Holograph. Portions of seal. 2½ p.
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Jo : Stileman to Sir Robert Cecil. |
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(1594, Sept. 13.) |
On the behalf of the keepers and my deputy who by a marshal's man are sent for to appear before the Green Cloth. This bearer, my deputy, can inform your honour further of the matter. I beseech your honour to take some order that they be not further troubled to their charges.—From my poor cottage this Friday morning. |
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Endorsed :—“13 Sept. 1594.” |
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Holograph. Seal. ½ p.
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Dr. Roger Goade to Sir Robert Cecil. |
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1594, Sept. 13. |
According to the caution it pleased you to give me, I have had due regard, purposely forbearing all conference with any of the Society, and leaving the particular matter, when it should be known and published, unto the company's free and dutiful consideration. Assembling the Society, I did publish unto them Her Majesty's letters; when, the more part of the younger company of Fellows not consenting to any full resolution of answer at that present, I found necessary to permit the matter a few days to their further consideration. And upon the second propounding, which shall be shortly, I will do mine endeavour to have such public answer returned as then shall be agreed upon, without any private dealing with any of them for hindrance. If the thing had been void or leasable, as was misinformed, for more than half the years of the last demise are yet unexpired, I would have been very willing to have yielded to Her Majesty, as far as by statute or oath I might, and when hereafter it may be lawfully demised I shall for my part be ready to show my dutiful regard of Her Majesty's recommendation.—King's College, Cambridge, 13 September, 1594. |
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Signed. 1 p.
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Dr. Henry Moutlow to Henry Brooke. |
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1594, Sept. 14. |
The Rectory of Fordingbridge, a lease whereof Her Majesty requireth for Mr. Ferdinando, is yet in compass of our demise, the old lease being as yet not half spent. If the thing were leaseable, though my very near friend and lecture fellow Mr. John Smyth, one of Her Majesty's sworn servants, whose father was recommended to the lease by her Grace, should be greatly prejudiced herein, yet should you perceive what a great interest you have in me to command me to anything which by statute or oath I might.—King's College, Cambridge, 14 September, 1594. |
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Signed. 1 p.
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