| Dec, 6–9. |
214. Journal of occurrences [during Fenton's voyage intended towards China and the East Indies, written by John Walker, minister on board the Edward Bonaventure], Taking of a Spanish bark with 21 persons on board, whereof [seven?] were friars and two women with a young child. Hot words between the Vice–Admiral [Luke Warde] and Capt. Parker. The General orders an inventory to be taken of the prize, and a consultation of the Commissioners. “I, myself, was not there, for I was sick, and then began to recover; I had the calenture, and kept my bed 17 days.” Determination to to take the bark and set the Spaniards on shore; the chief father, the old friar, wept bitterly, alleging that they should all be eaten by the Indians; the matter referred for further conference. Information given by the Spaniards of a fleet sent by the King of Spain to intercept their [the English] ships in the River Plate. Walker's opinion that they might neither with charity nor conscience take the bark nor anything from the Spaniards, nor hazard their bodies on shore; concluded to let them have their bark and go on their voyage. Successful endeavours of Walker to heal the differences between the General and Capt. Parker on the one part and the Vice–Admiral on the other; further dissensions between the General and Vice–Admiral; Walker's efforts to make them friends, and “after much ado it was granted, and all concluded friends.” On 9th December the Spanish bark and men belonging to her went their way. [Nine pages and a quarter. Mutilated by fire. Brit. Mus., Otho, VIII., fol. 142. Although a much fuller account than Luke Warde's, printed in Hakluyt, we read there that the chief person on board the Spanish bark was Don Francesco de Torre Vedra, nephew to the Governor of the River Plate, and that Richard Garter, an Englishman, who was on board the prize, had been 24 years out of England. John Walker, the minister, died at sea on 5th February following (see No 202.); he was “heaved overboard and a piece shot for his knell.” Hakluyt, IV., 275.] |
| 1582. |
221. Journal of the Rev. Richard Madox, chaplain on board the Leicester, one of the four ships under the command of Edward Fenton, admiral, set forth on a voyage intended towards China, for the year 1582. Containing an. account of the voyage under Fenton, who sailed 1st May, with a list of those who went in the several vessels, and interspersed with very curious drawings and tables. Portions are in Latin and in cypher. Jan. 14, presented himself to Lord Leicester, “who caused Mr. Green to set me at meat, for his own table was full.” Jan. 15, was before Alderman Barne, master of the Muscovy House, Sir Fras. Drake, and others, who seeing he was recommended by Lord Leicester, commanded what he would ask; referred himself to them, being glad to serve their honourable house; allowed 20l. for his provision, “with great promise of bountiful consideration.” Feb. 12, dined with Mr. Anthony Sherloe (sic) at the principal chamber of Herthal [Hart Hall], and had good cheer; supped with Mr. Thornborowe, of Magdalen's, his wife, daughter of Dr. Bold, of Salisbury, plays well upon the lute and virginals. Feb. 15, resigned his office in the Convocation House to Mr. Beaumont, being recommended by Lord Leicester; had a licence to preach in all the world. Feb. 22, went to the theatre “to see a scurvy play set out all by one virgin, which there proved ‘a fyemarten’ without voice, so that we stayed not the matter.” March 1, went down by water to Blackwall to the Edward Bonaventure, and came home by Ratcliffe. March 3, the Lord of Oxford fought with Mr. Knevett about the quarrel of Bessie Bavisar, and was hurt, and Gerret his man slain, which grieved the Lord Treasurer so much that he was sick. “God send him health, for he is the health of the whole land.” March 8, dined at the Dean of Westminster's table; talked of “that great and bloody meteor which was seen at 9 overnight, from the northwest to the south–west.” Observations of longitude. March 11, dined at Sheriff Marten's in Milk Street, where was Dr. Julius Cæsar, who married his daughter; was told that Lord Leicester had given honourable speeches of him; Sir Fras. Drake, Mr. Fenton, and the rest of their captains, commended as great favourers of scholars, but better acquainted with Cambridge than Oxford men. March 14, dined with Mr. Carlile at his brother Hudson's, who is governor of Antwerp. March 15, Cyprian Lucar took him to Mr. Ashley, a native of Shropshire, who maketh playing cards, he had prepared beads and other devices to venture with Sir Humphrey Gylberte, who is now about another voyage; he told Madox that he thought to see a letter dated at London, 1st May, delivered at China before the following Midsummer, and vouched for a report of the Indians that there was a suitable passage over America between 43 and 46 degrees, through which he said Sir Francis Drake came over from the Moluccas. Supped at Mr. Towerson's in Tower Street, with our general [Edward Fenton], our lieutenant [Wm. Hawkyns], Mr. Carlile, and Mr. Warde; there were also Dr. Taylor, a physician, Mr. Stowe, a minister, Mr. Wauton, and Mr. Spenser. Mr. Towerson had been to Guinea in Queen Mary's days, “he told me how the storks would eat men.” March 19, dined with Mr. Carlile, Mr. General, Mr. Parker, &c. Went to Alderman Barne, where they found Hawkyns and Warde, &c.; set down a proportion of 90 sailors and 30 other men for the galleon [Leicester], 60 sailors and 20 others for the Edward. March 30, Mr. Fenton made a great dinner at the Pope's Head for all the captains and Muscovy merchants, about 30 or more. March 31, Lord Leicester and Sir Fras. Walsyngham came aboard the Edward. April 1, weighed anchor, but a west wind drove them back to moor in the same place. Went to Court; dined in my Lord Chancellor's lodging. Took leave of Lord Leicester. “The Queen came by us in a ba
rge.” April 2, anchored at Blackwall; Captain Warde's mother, Mr. Farrar and his wife, Mr. Hill, Mr. Spenser and his wife, Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Gysly, and Captain Carlile, &c., came aboard. Reached Gravesend on 4th, Harwich on the 7th, Dover 15th, Hampton 19th. Mariners mustered on 23d at Mr. Ughtrede's. April 24, supped at the Dolphin, whither came Sir H. Gylberte, who was offended because Luke Warde's barque had been bought. 25th, dined at Mr. Dee's; slept at Sheriff Ughtrede's. 29th, preached in the galleon. May 1st, a general muster by Alderman Barne, Mr. Towerson, and Mr. Castelyne “our owners;” 200 men the proportion; reasons for taking 30 more. Sailed about 2 o'clock; at Yarmouth the next day. May 6, our general dined in the Elizabeth, “he told me how Frobisher dealt with him 'very headily sure,' and how that Frobisher was not the mariner he was taken to be, as I easily believe.” June 1, account of “a jar begun .... after much ado we were all friends;” about 11 p.m. were athwart the Lizard, sailing west south–west. [See Madox's journals, ante, 21st May, and 6th December, 1582. The ships returned to Plymouth in May 1583. The first part of this journal to the middle of September is in Brit Mus., Cotton, Appendix XLVII., the remainder in Titus, B. VIII., fols. 171–221. Together 146 pages. An account of this voyage by Luke Warde is printed in Hakluyt, IV., 263–277.] |
