Naval and military affairs

Naval And Military Affairs.

I. 18. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Lord Mayor and Aldermen, referring to a former order of the twelfth year of Her Majesty's reign, directing the City to have in readiness a certain number of men properly armed, to be sent to the succour of Kent or Essex if any attempt should be made by the enemy to land there, and requesting that a view be at once taken in the different Wards and Divisions where the men are appointed to be levied. In case any of them had died or departed out of the said Wards, &c., their places should be immediately supplied with other able and serviceable men, properly armed, and the whole should be mustered by the 1st of March next.
The last of January, 1579.

I. 19. Letter from Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Mayor, complaining of the neglect of the training of Shott (fn. 1) in the City of London, according to former letters sent to the Lord Mayor and Aldermen, in the nineteenth year of Her Majesty's reign, and directing that the same be proceeded with until further orders.
14th June, 1580.

I. 20. Letter from the Lord Mayor to Sir Francis Walsingham in reply, stating, with reference to former orders for the training of 3,000 Shitt, that they had been carried into execution, but that in the following summer, the plague increasing in London, Sir Thomas Ramsey, then Mayor, received orders restraining the same. No further directions had been received until recently, when the Council required 3,000 men to be in readiness, 2,000 shott, (fn. 2) and 1,000 pikes, (fn. 3) for the defence of the realm, in which no mention was made of the renewing of the former order.
15th June, 1580.

I. 21. Letter from Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Mayor, in reference to Her Majesty's commission for the mustering (fn. 4) of 2,000 shott and 1,000 pikemen, and stating that the commission had been sent to Mr. Powle, the warrant having been signed some time since and sent to the Lord Chancellor. As to the training of the other 2,000 shott, formerly appointed, and stayed on account of the plague, that cause having been removed, the men should now be trained according to Her Majesty's commission and instruction, given in the ninth year of her reign.
16th June, 1580.

I. 22. Letter from the Lord of Council to the Lord Mayor upon the same subject.
Dated from Monsuch, 19th June, 1580.

I. 44. Letter from the Lord Mayor to Lord Wentworth, (fn. 5) informing him that the Court of Aldermen, in obedience to the order of the Council for renewing the training of 3,000 shott, and the mustering of 1,000 pikes, had appointed Mile End Fields as the most convenient place for the muster, and had ordered marks to be set up to practice at, and requesting his consent thereto.
25th June 1580.

I. 46. Letter from the Lord Mayor to the Lord Chancellor, Sir Thomas Bromley, Knight, reciting former letters and instructions received for the mustering and training of 2,000 shott and 1,000 pikes, in which it had been promised that Her Majesty's commission for the same should be forwarded to them, which being delayed, they had been directed to apply to Mr. Powle. In order to prevent further delay, precepts had been sent to all the companies for raising the number of men required, since which they had received, directly contrary to the former instructions, a commission for the mustering of the whole City, from the age of sixteen to forty, with horsemen and archers, whereof, by express mention, the Lords of the Star Chamber had discharged them. Whereas Mr. Powle should have sent a commission as to a shire, and not as to a town corporate within any shire, he had picked out a precedent of some such corporate town within a shire, and made the commission, and annexed instructions accordingly. The Lord Mayor therefore besought his Lordship to cause the said commission to be reformed, expounded, and special instructions to be sent, and in the mean time asked his advice as to whether the training of the 3,000 men should be proceeded with. He further requested to be informed of the Council's pleasure concerning the mustering of the Ward of Bridge Without, which is that part of Southwark that by Charter is within the City's oversight, rule, and governance.
26th June, 1580.

I. 48. Letter from the Lord Mayor to Sir Francis Walsingham, Knight, Principal Secretary, upon the same subject, stating that the Lord Chancellor had expressed his opinion that the City should be relieved, and a new commission issued, signed by six of the Lords of the Council. In the mean time the mustering and training of the 2,000 shott and 1,000 pikes should be proceeded with.
27th June, 1580.

I. 97. Letter from Robert Levesey, a Justice of the Peace in Surrey, to the Lord Mayor, calling his attention to some of the Articles annexed to the Queen's Commission, addressed to the nobility and others, for general musters to be taken in the County of Surrey, and stating that sundry Freemen of London, inhabiting and dwelling within that Country, were not only chargeable within the City to find men and armour, but some were also eligible to serve in the County. The Companies of the City had the power to call upon their members living in the County and its neighbourhood to proceed to the muster of the Citizens. In his opinion it would be more reasonable if all men were chargeable in the place where their dwelling was situated.
16th April, 1580.

I. 106. Letter from the Queen, under signet, to the Lord Mayor and Aldermen, directing them to levy immediately, in the City and Liberties, 300 soldiers, furnished with calyvers (not meaning the trained shott of the City) for service in Ireland, to be ready by the 20th inst., to be sent by sea or otherwise, as should be appointed by the Privy Council. Order would be taken for their coat and conduct-money, (fn. 6) and directions given under what Captains they were to serve.
Nonsuch, 7th July, 1580.

I. 107. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Lord Mayor and Aldermen, reciting the above Order, and directing that 100 men be appointed to serve in such of H.M. ships as were ready to be sent to Ireland, and the other 200 committed to the leading of Edward Deny (fn. 7) and Walter Rowley, (fn. 8) Esqs., 100 to each, who, for that purpose, had been directed to repair to the City to view and take charge of the men, and conduct them according to the direction of Lord Grey, (fn. 9) who had been appointed Lord Deputy of Ireland.
Oatlands, 15th July, 1580.

I. 108. Letter from the Lord Mayor to the Lords of the Council, complaining of the allowance paid by the Lord Treasurer to the soldiers mustered for service in Ireland—viz., to 200 men for their coats, 4s. each, and a halfpenny a mile travelling expenses to Gillingham, whereas the coats had cost 8s. each, and the soldiers, would have to go further than the place above named. He requests that the Lord Treasuer might be directed to grant a further allowance for expenses, &c.
21st July, 1580.

I. 109. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Lord Mayor and Aldermen, stating that Her Majesty had lately received information of the landing of certain foreign forces in Ireland (fn. 10) to assist her rebellious subjects there, and directing the levy of 500 able men, to be furnished with harquebusses, swords, and daggers, 200 to be in readiness by the 3rd of next month, the other 200 by the 8th, and to be prepared to march at an hour's warning.
26th September, 1580.

I. 110. Letter from the Queen, under signet, to the Lord Mayor and Aldermen, directin the levy of men as above stated.
Richmond, 26th September, 1580.

I. III. Letter from Sir Francis Walsingham to Mr. John Hawkins, (fn. 11) Treasurer of the Navy, directing him to deliver to the Companies of the City 100 pieces, with powder-flasks, and touchboxes, (fn. 12) and murryon, (fn. 13) which Captain Warde (fn. 14) had received of them at the sending out of the last 300 men, and delivered, as he certified, into H.M. storehouse, the soldiers being otherwise furnished out of H.M. ships.
28th September, 1580.

I. 112. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Lord, Mayor, reciting Letter (No. 109) and Warrant (No.110), and directing that 200 of the said Shot (men), be delivered, with their coats and furniture, to George Acres, Gent., who had been appointed to take charge of them, and to repair with all speed to Chester; and the other 300 to the charge of Sir Thomas Manners, (fn. 15) Knight, The Council request the Lord Mayor to aid Mr. Acres in providing a surgeon, two drummers, and two fifers, to accompany his force.
October, 1580.

There is a note to this letter, that orders had been given to the Lord Treasurer, to pay to the City the sum disbursed by them for coats and conduct-money, for the whole number of 500.

I. 113. Letter from the Lords, of the Council to the Lord Mayor, informing him that the Officers of the Navy had reported that Mariners who had been appointed to serve in Her Highness's ships, withdrew themselves by stealth, and took service with the merchants for some foreign voyages, to the hindrance of H.M. service, and directing him to issue a proclamation within the City and Liberties, in Her Majesty's name, prohibiting any merchant, owner, or others, from taking such mariners without a licence from the Admiral, and warning those who forsook the service of the punishment provided by the law.
30th September, 1580.

I. 114. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Lord Mayor, informing him that Sir Thomas Manners, Thomas North, brother to Lord North, (fn. 16) Brian Fitzwilliams, (fn. 17) Captains Barnes, Crewse, Hard, York, and Tenner, had been appointed to proceed to the seaside, to take charge, as captains, of such bands of footmen as had been levied in sundry shires of the realm for service in Ireland. Being in want of surgeons and drummers, they had been instructed to repair to the City, and the Council requested the Lord Mayor to assist them in obtaining the number required.
4th October, 1580.

I. 145. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Lord Mayor, directing that the 300 trained soldiers to be provided by the City, and delivered to Sir Thomas Manner, should be now otherwise bestowed, viz., 200 to be delivered to Thomas North, Esq., brother of Lord North, and 100 to William Scopham, to be by them conducted to Chester, and further requesting the Lord Mayor to assist the officers above named to procure surgeons, drummers, and other necessaries needful within the City.
8th October, 1580.

I. 146. Letter from Sir Francis Walsingham to the Lord Mayor, to the like effect.
8th October, 1580.

I. 147. Letter from the Lords of the council to the Lord Mayor, informing him that William Russell, (fn. 18) Esq., son of the Earl of Bedford, and Brain Fitzwilliams, Esq., had been appointed to the command of certain light horsemen, directed to repair upon Her Majesty's service to Ireland, and that Edward Barkley, Esq., had been appointed to the charge of certain footmen, and requesting the Lord Mayor to assist them in providing trumpeters, smiths, and surgeons.
10th October, 1580.

I. 161. Letter from the Earl of Lincoln to the Lord Mayor, stating that Her Majesty, being desirous of knowing what number of Ship Masters, Marines, and Seamen, were living within her realm, had commanded search to be made in all ports, havens, and other places. As many Masters, Mariners, and Seamen belonging to the Port of London had houses, and dwelt within the Liberties of the City, it had been thought good that orders should be given to every Alderman of the City to make search, by himself or his deputy, in his ward, and put in writing the names and parishes where they dwelt, and forward the same to the Serjeant of the Admiralty.
15th December, 1580.

I. 344. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Sheriffs and the Justices of the Peace of the County of Middlesex, informing them that sundry counties of the realm had made suit to the Council, to be relieved of the charge of maintaining such soldiers as were by Her Majesty's order appointed yearly to be trained. The Council had cause to hope that by this time all the shires in the realm were well and sufficiently provided with convenient furniture, and able and skilful men, to be ready, upon accident, to serve Her Majesty and their country, and had, therefore, been the more ready to accede to this request. To the intent that it might not seem to be a peculiar favour, showed only to those shires which desired to be eased of that yearly charge, but common to all, even as the burden and charge had been, they had thought it convenient to signify to the Justices that they might from henceforth forbear the training of the soldiers allotted to them, until otherwise directed, taking, nevertheless, good and substantial order that, upon any occasion of service, the number of the trained men should be in readiness, and their furniture well kept.
20th May, 1582.

I. 583. Letter from the Lord Mayor to the Lord Treasurer, acknowledging the letters of Her Majesty and the Council, touching the furnishing of certain soldiers, and levying of money for the same use, and stating that order had been taken accordingly. A number of persons, strangers and others, inhabiting within the Liberties and exempt places of the City, had utterly refused to contribute to the collection. He therefore requested that letters might be directed to him from the Council, expressly mentioning that the collection should be made, as well upon the inhabitants of the said Liberties as other places of the City, and so prevent any further opposition.
28th January, 1590.

I. 592. Letter from the Lord Mayor to the Lord Treasurer, stating that, upon the charge given by Her Majesty for the furnishing of certain soldiers, and levying of money, certain Committees had been appointed by the Court of Aldermen to view the armour, and to assess every man rateably, according to his ability, not exempting Her Majesty's servants living in the City, and enjoying its liberties and benefits. The Committees had brought in the names of divers men who refused to make any allowance, among them appeared Mr. Morgan, Her Majesty's Apothecary, and Mr. Bestow, her Turner, men of known wealth. He therefore requested that charge might be made to the said parties to pay the sums assessed upon them, or that proceeding should be taken against them according to the custom of the City. Upon visiting the several bounds, according to order, the controversy between the City and the Tower had been again revived. He therefore requested that a Commission of indifferent men should be appointed under the Great Seal, to hear and determine the controversy.
3rd June, 1592.

I. 594. Letter from the Committees appointed by the Common Council to the Lord Mayor, stating that they had received the answer of the Lord High Admiral to the articles set down, and desired to be agreed to by the Common Council, touching certain necessary points to be observed on their behalf. (fn. 19) Finding some difference between his Lordship's answer and the said Articles, in some material points, the Committee had thought it right to note the same, and to remind the Lord Mayor of what had passed at the general assembly, viz.:—That they willingly yielded to furnish six ships and one pinnace, for this present service, upon condition that the Articles might likewise be accepted and ratified by Her Majesty, under which conditions, and not otherwise, the Common Council had agreed to lay this burden and service upon the Committee, to see the said ships furnished with all speed. They had, therefore, thought it their duty to inform his Lordship of the facts, and to request him to reassemble the Common Council, that they might give such further directions as to them should appear meet, or to appoint certain of the Aldermen to confer with the Lord High Treasurer and the Lord Admiral about the Articles as they then stood, which the Committee trusted would be agreed to without any material alterations, otherwise they thought they had not sufficient warrant from the Common Council to deal further therein.
17th June, 1592.

I. 595. Letter from the Court of Aldermen to the Lords of the Council, stating that they had received Her Majesty's pleasure touching the levy of money for furnishing of soldiers and other necessary uses for her service, in which the privileged and exempt places within the City had been charged to contribute; this they had refused to do, to the great dissatisfaction of the rest of the Citizens. The Court requested the Council to again signify to them, in some more earnest manner, that all such charges and contributions of money for the public service should be levied rateably upon the inhabitants within the said privileged and exempt places, as well as without, as also upon all strangers and foreigners not charged for the like service in any other place. The privileged places had been made sanctuaries for all who were unwilling to serve, and who resorted there to protect themselves when any press of soldiers was made, whereby the City had been driven to take those less fitted for service. The Court of Aldermen, therefore, requested that order might be given to subject such privileged places to such levies as the rest of the City.
6th July, 1591.

I. 596. Letter from the Lord Mayor to the Lord Treasurer, concerning the Fleet to be set forth by the City, which would be ready to go to sea in four days, with the exception of one ship, and requesting him and the Lord Admiral to signify their pleasure whether they should be despatched as they were got ready, or remain until the whole Fleet, could set out together. As it appeared necessary that such Mariners as had been pressed should be at once on shipboard, the men being already in receipt of their allowance of victuals and pay, he requested that a Proclamation might be made in London and Ratcliff, according to former custom.
8th July, 1592.

I. 597. Copy of Proclamation commanding all Mariners and Soldiers already pressed and hereafter to be pressed to proceed on the voyage, under the command of Lord Thomas Howard, in the ships and pinnace provided by the City, to be on board daily between the hours of seven in the morning and six at night, doing such services as the captains of the ships should appoint.

I. 600. Letter from the Lord Mayor to the Lord Treasurer, informing him that the Committees appointed for the furnishing of the City's ships would go down to Gravesend that day to see that the whole number of mariners were on shipboard, and all other things necessary were in good order, and requesting him to sign the enclosed letter, or some other to the like effect. Also reminding him of the certificate sent from the Master of the Trinity House touching the new mills (fn. 20) to be erected near London Bridge, and beseeching him to obtain Her Majesty's leave to proceed with the building before the removal of the Court from London.
26th July, 1592.

I. 604. Letter from the Lord Mayor to the Lord Treasurer and Lord Admiral, stating that he had received certain letters from the Committees who had the charge and oversight of furnishing such ships for London as were to depart for service on the coast of Spain, whereby it appeared that there were wanting at least 200 mariners who had taken prest money for that service. He had issued a proclamation in the City and suburbs, for the supply of the number required.
27th July, 1592.

I. 608. Letter from the Lord Mayor to the Lord Treasurer, stating that letters had been received from the captains of the fleet, lately sent forth by the City, from which it appeared that they had taken four fleeboats, (fn. 21) with sixty-eight serviceable horses on board, which, by reason of their haste in the present voyage, they had delivered over to Sir Henry Palmer, (fn. 22) to await the directions of the Council. He therefore requested that some speedy directions might be given to Sir Henry Palmer as to their disposal.
17th August, 1592.

I. 618. Letter from the Committees appointed by the Common Council to the Lord Treasurer and Lord Admiral, touching the provisions and husbandings of the Fleet set forth by the City, under the command of Lord Thomas Howard, and stating that, the service having been performed long since, the City would have been right glad to have laid off the burden of any further dealing in the survey and partition of the purchase now brought home. The City had had a conference with the Commissioners appointed by Her Majesty, who were of opinion that neither in equity nor in the words of the articles signed ought the ships which departed home from under the government of Lord Thomas Howard, before the coming of the West India Fleet, to be reckoned within this consortment, or to have any share or partition in this purchase.
20th December, 1592.

I. 620. Letter from the Lord Mayor to the Lord Admiral, stating that, upon receipt of the instructions from the Lords of the Council for the taking up of one hundred able men within the City and suburbs, for furnishing and completing the garrisons at Ostend, precepts were issued to the Officers of the Wards, to take up and commit to prison all manner of loose men, being sound and healthful of body, to be delivered over to such sergeants and officers of war as should be assigned. Four night walkers were taken upon London Bridge, and committed to the Poultry Compter. Mr. Sergeant Smallwood complained that the said number of 100 men could not be furnished, and requested that the compters and prisons might be surveyed, and that he might have such able men as were not in prison for debt. Thereupon the said sergeant, assisted by the authorities, made such survey, and took such men as were fit for service, among them those taken on the bridge, undertaking that, if they proved themselves to be any honest men's servants, he would surrender them. The Lord Mayor trusted that the steps taken would be approved.
31st December, 1592.

I. 638. Letter from the Queen to the Lord Mayor, informing him of the necessity of sending armed men to assist the forces already in Normandy, (fn. 23) and directing him to cause the number of 350 soldiers, well armed and weaponed with pikes and muskets, whereof three parts should be pikes and the others musketeers, to be chosen out of the trained bands within the City and Liberties, and to be committed to the charge of captains, to be sent by the Privy Council, 150 men to each captain, to be shipped with all speed to Dieppe, in Normandy. The coat and conduct money, and the charges for transportation would be answered by Sir Thomas Sherley, (fn. 24) Knight, treasurer of the forces serving in Normandy.
Westminster, 19th February, 1592.

II. 2. Warrant from the Queen to the Lord Mayor, for raising 300 men within the City and liberties, to be sent under the care and charge of Sir Francis Vere, (fn. 25) Knight, to assist the States of the United Provinces of the Low Countries.
23rd January, 1593.

II. 3. Warrant from Her Majesty to the Lord Mayor, for raising and arming 450 trained soldiers to assist the forces of the King of France in recapturing the haven of Brest from the King of Spain.
16th July, 1594.

II. 4. Letter from the Lords of the Council with reference to the raising of 300 men mentioned in the Queen's warrant.
26th January, 1593.

II. 5. Letter from the Earl of Essex to the Lord Mayor, requesting him to expedite the raising of the forces mentioned in the Queen's warrant, to be under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Francis Veer [Vere] and Captain Yaxley. (fn. 26)
3rd January, 1593.

II. 26. A note of the ships, tons, and mariners to be set forth by the City:—

For these men the City to bear the charge.
18th July, 1594.

II. 27. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Lord Mayor, with reference to the raising and furnishing 450 men, with corsletts, (fn. 27) and not with curates, (fn. 28) and authorizing them, if any fled out of the City to avoid the service, to cause them to return.
20th July, 1594.

II. 30. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Lord Mayor, informing him that it was Her Majesty's pleasure that the City should furnish 350 soldiers, instead of 450, and that one third part should be furnished with pikes, another part musketts, and the third part callyvers, (fn. 29) and that they should embark from London under the charge of Sir John Norris (fn. 30) on the 1st of August.
28th July, 1594.

II. 35. Letter from Lord Burghley to the Lord Mayor, requesting him to cause a list to be made of the ships, with their tonnage, and the number of soldiers and mariners on board, which accompanied Her Majesty's fleet for service in Brittaine.
21st October, 1594.

II. 37. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Lord Mayor, requesting him to satisfy the owners of ships lately employed for the service of Brest.
30th December, 1594.

II. 42. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Lord Mayor, requesting him to see that the captains, masters, owners, and mariners of the ships furnished by the City for the relief of Brest were satisfied.
24th December, 1594.

II. 52. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Lord Mayor and Aldermen, directing them to pay immediately to Rowland Cotemore, for setting forth the ships for the late service at Brest, the sum of 200l., in order that he might be in readiness to serve Her Majesty in the Susan Bonadventure, in the intended voyage at sea under Sir Francis Drake (fn. 31) and Sir John Hawkins.
5th April, 1595.

II. 56. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Lord Mayor, intimating that directions had been given to the lieutenants of the maritime and inland counties to have in readiness a special number of men, well armed, to protect the havens and places of descent on the coasts, and directing the City to provide 3,000 men, to be sent to the lieutenants of the counties of Kent and Essex, if the enemy should attempt to land their forces in those counties, and that the forces to be raised should be put into bands, to be led by some principal gentlemen of the City,—with every 1,000 footmen, 100 pioneers, furnished with instruments to intrench and fortify; also a good supply of powder, lead, matches, provisions, and carts with small nags to carry their arms, &c., and a reasonable aid of horsemen, with lances, staves, or petrinalls, (fn. 32) and that these should be furnished with all diligence, as Her Majesty had been credibly advertised that the King of Spain, moved with the shame and disgrace done to him in his own kingdom by Her Majesty's army in the enterprise at Cales (Calais), had resolved to take some speedy revenge, and had made great preparation of shipping and forces at Lisbon and other parts of Spain for that purpose.
Richmond, 31st October, 1596.

II. 57. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Lord Mayor, informing him that Her Majesty had been advertised that some of the ships of the King of Spain had put to sea, and directing him to send immediately three of the best ships belonging to the City on the river Thames to Tilbury Hope, to ride some good distance therefrom, and give intelligence of any attempt that the enemy might happen to make.
31st October, 1596.

Postscript.— "It is thought meet that one of the said ships shall remain between the two Blockhouses at Gravesend, and to stay all such shipping as they shall suspect."

II. 58. Letter from the Lord Mayor to the Lords of the Council, in answer to the two preceeding letters, praying their Lordships to reconsider their demands; alleging that in the year 1588 the City furnished only 1,000 men out of the 10,000 ordered to be sent by them to Tilbury, and expressing the dissatisfaction of the citizens at the evil success of their adventure in the last voyage, whereof they saw no fruit at all, nor any part of the principal itself of 19,000l. spent by them in the late successful expedition to Calais.
3rd November, 1596.

II. 61. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Lord Mayor and Aldermen, directing them, the City of London being the chiefest city of the whole realm, and in wealth far exceeding many of the rest, to raise 10,000 men, as they did in 1588, 3,000 well armed, &c., to be sent, if required, to assist the forces of Kent and Essex in the defence of the coast.
8th November, 1596.

II. 80. Letter from the Lord Mayor to the Lords of the Council, agreeing to submit the complaint of the owners of ships furnished by the City, for certain charges for pay and victuals, to the Arbitrators appointed to determine the question between the City and the Contractors.
1st January, 1594.

II. 101. Letter from the Lord Mayor to the Lords of the Council, soliciting them to send some of Her Majesty's ships to the northward against certain Dunkerkers (fn. 33) who haunted the seas, to the great hindrance of trade.
19th July, 1595.

II. 118. Letter from the Lord Mayor to the Lord High Admiral, informing his Lordship that he had lately been given to understand by an honest merchant who came from Hamburgh, of fourteen sail of Hamburgh ships bound for Spain, laden with corn, powder, great brazen ordnance, and cable rope, intended to furnish so great and captial an enemy to Her Majesty and this realm, and expressing a wish that they might be intercepted.
3rd November, 1595.

II. 140. Reasons exhibited to the Lord Mayor and his brethren the Aldermen by the Committee for Land and Sea Service, which the Commons of this City desire to be intimated to the Lords of the Privy Council, to induce rebatement of the number of ships and trained soldiers required in this present service, equal to that of the year 1588.
(Circa 1596.)

II. 145. Letter from the Lord Mayor to the Lord High Admiral, informing him of the steps taken by the Committee appointed by the City for impressing ships into Her Majesty's service, and requesting a letter of commission, with full authority for the taking up of twelve ships and two pinnaces at Her Majesty's price.
7th February, 1595.

II. 155. Letter from the Lord Mayor to the Lord Treasurer, requesting him to issure a warrant to the Justices of the Peace, and other officers of the county of Kent, to assist those appointed by the City for recovering the armour, valued at 1,000 marks, empawned, sold, or otherwise made away with by the soldiers and officers in that county.
21st April, 1596.

II. 173. Letter from the Lord Mayor to the Lords of the Council, for permission to appoint a competent number of discreet Freemen to be instructed how to use themselves and their weapons in warlike manner, and so to be able to lead the rest for the defence of the City.
April, 1600.

II. 185. Warrant from the Queen (Elizabeth) to the Lord Mayor for levying 500 men out of the Trained Bands of the City, to be armed and provisioned at the expense of Her Majesty, for service in Ireland, on account of the invasion of that kingdom by the Spaniards. (fn. 34)
6th January, 1601.

II. 186. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Lord Mayor, upon the same subject, directing their embarkation from the Port of Bristol.
7th January, 1601.

II. 204. The Petition of the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Commons, to the Lords of the Council, concerning the late command of Her Majesty to levy 1,000 men within the City, and to furnish 3,500l., after the rate of 3l. 10s. per man, and beseeching them to use their honourable mediation with Her Majesty for the abatement of the number of men and the amount of money.
(Circa 1601.)

II. 207. Same as No. 173.

II. 21 I. Petition from the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty to the Queen (Elizabeth), beseeching her acceptance of two Galleys to assist in the defence of the realm.
(Circa 1601)

II. 221. Letter from the Lord Mayor to the Principal Officers of Her Majesty's Navy, informing them that the Galleys lately built by the City, for the service of the State, were almost furnished, but requesting that anything wanting might be supplied out of the Tower. The City would pay for the same upon a certificate being made.
10th September, 1602.

II. 228. Letter from the Lord Mayor to the Lords of the Council, as to the fitting out of two ships and a pinnesse, to be employed against the Dunkirkers in the narrow seas, and the refusal of the Merchants to contribute towards the same.
(Circa 1602)

II. 350. Letter from the Lord Mayor to Sir William Waad, Knight, (fn. 35) Lieutenant of the Tower of London, as to the relief of Robert Middleton, a poor soldier.
1st September, 1609.

II. 359. Letter from Sir William Waad to the Lord Mayor, the Justices of the Peace, and Treasurer for Maimed Soldiers in the City, bringing to their notice the case of Robert Middleton, and praying that he might be relieved.
26th August, 1609.

VI. 70. Order of the Privy Council, reciting that the Recorder and divers Aldermen and Commoners of the City of London had that day informed them that the City had assented to the setting forth of the twenty ships required for the King's service, and had also presented divers Petitions to the Council on behalf of the City. 'Whereupon the Council had ordered: First,—That persons appointed by the City should have power given them by the Commissioners of the Navy for the pressing of ships and mariners, and other persons necessary for manning the same. Secondly,—That they should be furnished by Mr. Evelyn with powder, for which they should pay to the Officers of the Ordnance, from whom also the powder was to be received, part of the powder at the rate of 8½d. per pound, and the rest at 10d. per pound. Thirdly,—The City should nominate all the officers except the captains, whose nomination appertained to the Lord High Admiral. Fourthly,—If the service should be ended before the victuals were spent, the City should have "Letters of Marte" granted them against all the King's enemies, and might, in the mean time, use the ships for their own benefit against all the King's enemies, paying no other duties than if "Letters of Marque" had been formerly granted to them. Lastly,—In the assessment for this service, all the inhabitants of the City and Liberties, except noblemen, though not free of the City, should be contributory, according to their estates within the City and Liberties only, and not in other counties, for which they would be liable in such counties.
(Circa 1624.)

VI. 71. A Private Letter from Sir Robert Heath, AttorneyGeneral, to the Lord Mayor, stating that he was present in the Council Chamber during the debate as to the twenty ships required of the City for the defence of the coast and kingdom. Though from his duty he could not discover the Council's secrets, yet, from his love to the City, he ventured, as a friend, to let them know that, if the service were neglected, such resolution had been taken by His Majesty and the Council as they would all be sorry for. The defence of the kingdom was not a matter to be disputed upon, nor the manner of it governed by ordinary rules of private cases. He had received instructions, out of apprehension of their backwardness, which he trusted might never be put in execution. The Lord Mayor might make such use of the letter among his private friends as he thought fit, so that the writer was not prejudiced.
(Circa 1624–5.)

VI. 72. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen, reciting that they had received by some of the Aldermen, a denial, in the name of the City, to their late letter for the setting forth of shipping for the defence of the kingdom, and the excuses made they could not truly impute to anything but want of duty. They therefore, in His Majesty's name and by his command, required them to see the directions of their letter perforemed, upon their allegiance, and as they would answer the contrary at their peril.
Whitehall, 8th August, 1626.

VI. 75. Letter from the King to the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen, stating that, having by the advice of his Council thought fit once again to assail the enemy on his own coasts, by setting forth a strong and well furnished fleet, he found it necessary to have in readiness a like sufficient fleet for guarding the coasts and repelling any attempts which might be made from Flanders or Spain; being informed that upon similar occasions the City of London had formerly set out and completely furnished twenty ships, His Majesty, expecting like readiness, authorized and expressly required them to prepare, with all speed, the same number of twenty ships, similarly furnished. That no delay might occur to frustrate his design, the Lord High Admiral was commanded to give them authority to take such ships (to the number above mentioned) as should be fittest for the purpose, and to press as many mariners and others as should be needful. As he aimed at nothing but the public safety of the State and religion, in which the City of London had as great an interest as any other member of his dominions, he did not doubt of their ready obedience and full performance of their duty to God, their King, and country.
Westminster, 1st September, 2 Charles I. (1626).

VI. 93. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Lord Mayor, reciting that, by a Certificate from the Commissioners of the Navy and those of the Trinity House, assisted by persons appointed by the Lord Mayor, according to their letters of the 7th inst., they found that, for the guarding and securing of the River Thames, it was considered that, besides the defence thereof by land, ten Newcastle ships, of 200 tons burden and upwards, ought to be provided, to be furnished with twelve demi-culverins, or sakers, (fn. 36) at least, and manned by thirty men apiece, part of them at the mouth of the river below Leigh, and part at Tilbury Hope. As it appeared that upon former similar cause of danger, four galleys were provided, and the City of London had borne the charge of furnishing and maintaining two of them, the Council thought it just that the same course should be now adopted by an equal division of the charges between the King and the City of London. They therefore required the Lord Mayor to take order that five of the ten ships should be, with all convenient expedition, furnished and maintained by the City in the same manner as the other five should be at His Majesty's charge.
Whitehall, 23rd January, 1625.

VI. 95. Letter from the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen, in reply (to Letter No. 93), stating that, having taken their requirements into their serious consideration, they begged the Council to think of the existing state of the City, after many hindrances, the particulars

of which were well known, and after the late heavy affliction God had laid upon it, (fn. 37) and to free it from so heavy a burden, which its revenues were not able to bear. They did not, moreover, conceive the service such as concerned them otherwise than the whole kingdom, the defence of which was a regal work. The Council had instanced the two galleys built in Queen Elizabeth's time, but they were ordered by Act of Common Council, in the time of an open invasion, and continued but a while, the City, also, being then in a far better estate than now by a third part at least; yet so much exclamation followed, that they doubted whether an Act of Common Council for what was now required could be obtained.
(Circa 1625.)

VI. 96. Letter from the King, under signet, to the Lord Mayor, stating that he had cause to depress the disorders with which the City and parts about it were threatened by mariners and seamen, who, in tumultuous manner, had come through the City to the Court, to demand money, notwithstanding that they were well in clothes and had victuals, and had his Royal word, by his principal officers, that they should be paid. Nevertheless, they mutinously persisted to capitulate with him, which gave him just cause to think they intended some other or further mischief. He therefore required the Lord Mayor to assemble two, three, or four companies of the Trained Bands, and place them at the gates, and other convenient places, to stop any mariners or seafaring men, or others who sought to pass in a tumultuous manner into the suburbs, or towards the Court, and if he heard of any assemblies of such persons in an inordinate manner in the City or suburbs, to sends some discreet person there, with force to disperse or apprehend them, and if they resisted or offered force, to endeavour, by shot or other weapons, to depress them. This letter should be his authority and discharge for any action or accident that might happen.
Westminster, 2nd February, 2 Charles I. (1626).

VI. 97. Copy of a Proclamation for the suppressing and dispersing of seamen, mariners, and other loose persons gathered together in tumultuous manner, in and about the City of London.
Dated Westminster, 2nd February, 2 Charles I. (1626).

VI. 98. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Lord Mayor and Aldermen, stating that the King had, by the advice of his Councils, both of State and of War, determined—firstly, with a new and strong fleet, once again to assail the Spaniard in his own ports; and secondly, to prepare and arm at home, so that he might secure his own coasts, and repel any attempts against him, either from Flanders or Spain. Considering our religion, liberties, lives, and estates, were therein no less interested than His Majesty's safety and honour, he could not doubt that all his loving subjects would show their forwardness and courage in performing no less (or rather more) than had been formerly done. As these great occasions required all the strength and power of the Navy, and also the arming of a considerable number of his subjects' ships, he had, to make the burden more easy, commanded such a distribution to be made among the ports and coast towns, that most help should be required from the places of most power. Therefore, it was appointed that the City should set to sea twenty of the best ships in the river, victualled for three months. If seamen were wanted to supply the requisite number, the Lord Mayor might employ some Watermen among them, and might employ a third part of strong and able-bodied men, fit only to use muskets, for levy of whom a sufficient commission should be issued. When the ships were ready, they were to be hastened to the rendezvous at Portsmouth, at the latest by the 4th of September.
Whitehall, 4th August, 1626.

VI. 101. Letter from the King, under signet, to the Lord Mayor, stating he was informed that divers Companies appointed to be brought to a rendezvous at the Port of London, to be sent for the service of his uncle, the King of Denmark, were defective in number, and could only be supplied by a press, to be made in the City, and requiring him to give directions for levying 100 men accordingly, to be disposed of agreeably to the orders to be sent by the Privy Council.
Westminster, 23rd April, 3 Charles I. (1627).

VI. 102. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen, forwarding the King's commands for the levying of 200 footmen within the City and liberties, and requiring them to make choice of more able men than those formerly sent. As these men were to be levied as recruits or supplies, care should be taken to find young and able-bodied men, well clothed and fit for service, and to send them, under the charge of an able conductor, to the rendezvous at Portsmouth.
Whitehall, 11th May, 1627.

VI. 103. Letter from the King, under signet, to the Lord Mayor, for the levying of 200 footmen within the City and liberties, referred to in the foregoing letter.
Westminster, 11th May, 3 Charles I. (1627).

VI. 104. Letter from the King, under signet, to the Lord Mayor and Aldermen, stating that the many and grievous complaints made to him by the town of Newcastle-on-Tyne, and others inhabiting the northern coasts of the realm, touching the great spoils and outrages committed by the men-of-war of Dunkirk, had moved him to take their case into consideration, and that, being desirous (as much as the present condition of his affairs permitted) to provide remedies for like inconveniences in future, he had, for the public defence of his kingdoms, granted a good part of the revenues of the Crown, accruing by the forfeitures and fines of recusants of all the counties by North Trent, to set out shipping for guarding and defending the coasts aforesaid. As he conceived the proportions allotted for the service would be insufficient, he had given way to a contribution of 6d. per chaldron on coals, to be transported from Newcastle and Sunderland to any other part of his dominions, or to foreign parts, to be levied by free consent, to supply the deficiencies of the revenues aforesaid, and to be employed only for the special service mentioned.
Westminster, 29th May, 3 Charles I. (1627).

VI. 106. Letter from the King, under signet, to the Lord Mayor, stating that, for the safety and defence of the Islands of Guernsey and Jersey, he had thought fit to send there a number of men, to be pressed out of certain counties in the kingdom, and requiring 100 able, young, and serviceable men (the greater part of them to be artificers and tradesmen) to be levied in the City of London, to be disposed of according to orders to be sent from the Privy Council.
Westminister, 26th June, 3 Charles I. (1627).

VI. 107. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Lord Mayor, with reference thereto, directing that the said men should be ready for embarkation at Portsmouth by the 5th August ensuing, and should be sent under the charge of an able man, to be by him delivered to such as the Council should appoint to receive them there.
Whitehall, 30th June, 1627.

VI. 108. Order in Council, directing an allowance to be made to the City of London (to be deducted out of the loans arising in the City), for Coat and Conduct money for 1,000 soldiers pressed there and sent to Plymouth, for the late expedition to Cadiz.

VI. 109. Letter from the King, under signet, to the Lord Mayor, stating that he was informed the present engagement of his forces in the Isle of Retz required an immediate supply of more men, to raise the companies from eighty to one hundred, and, because the haste of the service gave no time to fetch them further off, requiring 100 men to be levied in the City of London and liberties, and the suburbs.
Windsor Castle, 8th August, 3 Charles I. (1627).

VI. 110. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Lord Mayor thereon, requiring him to see that the men chosen were of able bodies and years fit for the service, and well appareled for the season, but none of them to be taken from the Trained Bands. For their arms and coats, the King was pleased, for the lessening of the charge, to forbear the same this time. Special care must be taken that the men were committed to a discreet and able conductor for their march, by fifteen miles a day, to Southampton, to be there at latest by the 20th of the month. The men were to be delivered by indenture, to such captains or officers as should be sent to receive them. For the prevention of abuses formerly practised, by conniving at and sparing from being pressed, and changing and selling after they were pressed, the most able and fit for the service, especial care must be taken in the choice of the conductor, and a special eye kept upon him, and also upon the constables and officers employed in the service. In the event of any persons offending by corruption or otherwise, they should be bound over to answer before the Council, who were resolved to punish with as much severity as a misdemeanour of so high a nature deserved.
Windsor, 10th August, 1627.

VI. III. Letter from the King, under signet, to the Lord Mayor, stating that some speed reinforcements were required that he might pursue and finish the prosperous begining God had already given him in the war, and requiring that 250 able and serviceable men should be levied in the City of London.

Hampton Court, 29th September, 3 Charles I. (1627). Marginal note says—"Men for the Isle of Retz."

VI. 117. Copy of No. 95.

VI. 123. Copy of No. 98.

VI. 124. Copy of No. 102.

VI. 128. Copy of No. 106.

VI. 129. Copy of No. 107.

VI. 131. Order of the Privy Council, directing that the soldiers newly levied in the City, to be sent for His Majesty's service to the King of Denmark, should be forthwith embarked in the ships provided for their transportation, and that during their stay on shipboard here, provision of fresh victuals should be made for them, and a steward on that behalf appointed by Sir Thomas Middleton, and requiring the Lord Treasurer and the Chancellor of the Exchequer to give order to Sir Thomas Middlecton for satisfaction of moneys so disbursed by him out of the loans of the City of London.
Whitehall, 6th April, 1627.

VI. 132. Order in Council, directing the Lord Treasurer and the Chancellor of the Exchequer to allow, out of the loan moneys, to the several counties, according to the list appended, for the soldiers pressed for the expedition to Cadiz, (fn. 38) from the place where they were levied, to the rendezvous at Plymouth, to each soldier 8d. per day, including the days of setting forth and arrival, accounting fifteen miles for each day's journey; and to allow 4s. each for their coats, and 4s. per day to each conductor of 150 men, or a lesser number.
Whitehall, the last of February, 1626.

VI. 133. Copy of No. 101.

VI. 134. Copy of No. 103.

VI. 135. Imperfect copy of No. 102.

VI. 137. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Deputy Lieutenants of the County of Surrey, stating that some soldiers, which they had directed to be billeted on the County of Surrey, had been disposed of in Southwark, within the jurisdiction of the City of London, and requiring their removal to some convenient place within the county.
16th January, 1627.

VI. 142. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen, stating that divers of the companies appointed to be brought to a rendezvous at the Port of London, to be sent for the King's service to Denmark, were defective in numbers, which could only be supplied by a press in the City of London, and requiring, in accordance with the King's letter, enclosed, the levy of 100 men (not to be of the Trained Bands), to be forthwith sent to St. Catharine's, to be embarked.
Whitehall, 23rd April, 1627.

VII. 108. Order in Council, forwarding copy of an Ordinance by His Majesty, for the reform of the March (fn. 39) of this our English nation, corrupted by time and negligence of drummers, and for restoring it to the ancient gravity by the establishment of one constant measure, to be hereafter observed and beaten by all English drummers, in order that the said ordinance, being imparted to the colonels, and by them to the captains of the several regiments of the City, might be duly observed in all musters of the Trained Bands.
10th March, 1633.

VIII. 31. Letter from Sir William Waad to the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen, on behalf of Geter Lutterell, a poor aged blind soldier, that some yearly pension might be granted to him out of the collections gathered in the City, according to the statute provided in that behalf.
17th August, 1621.

VIII. 32. Letter from Sir Lionel Cranfield, Lord Manchester, (fn. 40) and others, to the same, for a soldier's pension to Richard Jennings, who was aged and impotent.
12th—, 1621.

VIII. 69. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Lord Mayor, intimating that the forces lately levied being much diminished by runaways, sickness, and death, a further levy of 2,000 men had been ordered, the raising of 1,000 of whom had been assigned to the City; and praying that especial care might be had in the choice of men of able bodies and years fit for their employment, and as many as could be lighted on of those that ran away (but none to be taken from the Trained Bands, which should be kept entire),—with directions for their march to Dover.
19th January, 1624.

VIII. 70. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Lord Mayor, requesting him not only to permit and suffer the raising of volunteers within his jurisdiction, but also to afford to the officers engaged his best advice, assistance, and furtherance, and to give notice thereof to the justices of the peace and others.
25th February, 1624.

VIII. 71. Warrant from the King (Charles I.) to the Lord Mayor, for levying 1,000 men—" part of 10,000, to be raised by our dear father's gracious purpose, according to the advice of both his Houses of Parliament, in contemplation of the distress and necessity of our dear brother and sister." (fn. 41)
1st May, 1625.

VIII. 72. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Lord Mayor, with particular instructions with respect to the levying of the above 1,000 men, and for their payment and conduct to Plymouth, by the 25th instant.
6th May, 1625.

VIII. 74. Order in Council that, as the City could not well levy the whole number of 1,000 men ordered to be raised for the service of the Prince and Princess Palatine, 200 should be raised in the County of Middlesex, and 800 in the City; the 200 raised in Middlesex to be sent to the Lord Mayor, who should take care and have them safely conducted to Plymouth by the 25th inst. 12th May, 1625.

VIII. 78. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Lord Mayor, forwarding a petition from Thomas Tapping, an aged man, for some allowance or pension, as a maimed soldier.
22nd July, 1626.

VIII. 136. Same as No. 108, Vol. VII.

VIII. 164. Order of the Star Chamber, directing the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen to put in execution the Act 2 and 3 Philip and Mary, (fn. 42) for punishment of Watermen upon the River Thames, absenting themselves during the time of pressing for the Navy.
17th April, 1634.

VIII. 178. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen, recommending the Petition of John Mason, a poor aged and maimed soldier, for the restoration of his former pension.
30th October, 1635.

VIII. 216. Letter from the King to the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty of the City, informing them that the late disorder in Scotland—begun upon pretence of religion, but now appearing to have been raised by factious spirits, and fomented by some few ill and traitorously affected particular persons, to work their own ends and shake off all monarchical government—had grown to such a height that great and considerable forces were assembled there, and that he had resolved to repair in person to the northern part of the realm, there to make, with the assistance of his good subjects, resistance against any invasion that might happen. For this purpose he had directed the raising of a considerable army in all the shires to attend him, and had required all the nobility to attend the royal standard at York, on the 1st April next. He requested the City to certify, with in fifteen days, to one of the Secretaries of Stated, what assistance he might expect from them.
4th January, 1638.

VIII. 232. Letter from the King to the same, thanking them for their willing compliance with the present great and urgent occasions of his service.
Dated York, 8th October, 1640.

IX. 86. Letter from the Lord Mayor to the Duke of Albemarle, on the complaints of some of the Vintners, freemen of London, dwelling in Smithfield, within the liberties of the City, as to the great inconvenience they had been put to by reason of soldiers being quartered upon them, contrary to all precedents, and requesting him to give order for their case and exemption for the future.
26th April, 1664.