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Feb. 21.
B. M. Harl. 353. 152 b. |
347. Proceedings of Privy Council. |
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Westminster, 21 Feb. 1558.—Present: the Earls of Bedford
and Pembroke; the Lord Admiral; Mr. Comptroller, Mr.
Vice-Chamberlain, Mr Secretary; Mr. Cave, Mr. Mason, Mr.
Sackeville. |
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A letter to the Earl of Northumberland to cause the
disorder attempted against such as had the conveyance of the
Queen's treasure to Berwick at Felton to be uprightly and
substantially examined and the offenders punished, to the
terror of others, having such consideration in the matter as
Mr. Ingleby's man, that is said to have wounded the party
that is slain, may have the equity and benefit of the law, if
the matter shall fall out against the other parties. |
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A letter to Richard Whalley, Esquire, to go forward in the
bargain made with Sir Richard Lee for 1,000 tons of timber,
to be delivered at Hull at 10s. the ton, to be sent to Berwick,
and not to make sale of anv wood he shall fell, but to keep
the same for the Queen's use at the said price. |
Feb. 21.
R. O. 27 V. 83. |
348. Another copy of the above.
Modern transcript. |
Feb. 21.
R. O. 27 VI. 31. |
349. Another copy of the preceding. |
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Modern transcript. |
Feb. 24.
R. O. |
350. Earl of Northumberland to the Queen. |
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On the 17th inst., his brother and Sir James Croft had a
meeting with Sarlabos, a Frenchmen and the Secretary of
Scotland, who, among other communications tending towards
a motion for peace, declared the Queen Dowager's good mind
towards peace; that in order to avoid anything to stir displeasure an abstinence should be begun; and that some one
should be sent from Scotland to the Queen on the Dowager's
behalf. Hereupon, the writer upon his authority as Warden,
promised a safe conduct; but this not appearing satisfactory,
a new meeting was appointed to be held on the 23rd inst.
between him, his brother, and Sir James Croft on the one
party, and the Earl Bothwell, Sarlabos, and the Secretary on
the other, when the latter would come with full commission
from the Dowager. The appointment was kept on both sides,
and after sundry debatements they agreed to send a gentleman
to the Queen to be a mean for peace. |
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When they discussed the question of an abstinence, those
for Scotland required it might be for three months, under
which time the treaty of a peace could not be ended; their
commission was expressly for three months, for that they
had to obtain the assent of the Scottish Queen and the
Dauphin, who are in France. The Earl would agree only
to two months, but said that the abstinence could be renewed
from time to time, with which they were satisfied, and said
they would persuade the Dowager to accept it for two
months, commencing from the same day that the gentleman
shall enter into England. It was agreed between him and
the Earl Bothwell that all incursions on either side shall
cease till the 15th March. The Commissioners promised
within eight days to reply whether the Dowager agreed or
no. If her answer was in the affirmative, two gentlemen
would meet with his brother and Sir James Croft for the
penning of an abstinence to be signed by the writer and the
Lieutenant of Scotland, as soon as the gentleman shall enter
into England, which, immediately the abstinence is agreed
upon, will be with all diligence. |
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Desires to know the Queen's pleasure if the Dowager do not
consent to an abstinence under three months, and requests that
she will command Lord Dacre to take the same abstinence in
the West Marches as he shall do within his charge, for so is the
desire of the Scotch Commissioners, as he has already advertised his Lordship.—Berwick, 24th Feb. 1558. |
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P.S.—The Queen's letter, dated 16th inst., might have been
here on the 20th, but did not arrive until the 23rd; he was
forced, therefore, to put off the meeting two days longer.
Signed. |
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Orig. Add., with armorial seal. Endd. Pp. 4. |
Feb. 24.
R. O. |
351. The Earl of Northumberland to the Queen. |
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Asks permission to repair to her presence to inform her of
the state of his charge, and also to have audience of her Privy
Council, that upon their resolution things here may be in better
stay. The abstinence is now to be treated of and like to
come to some effect.—Berwick, 24th Feb. 1558. Signed. |
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Orig. Add., with armorial seal. Endd. Pp. 2. |
Feb. 24.
R. O. |
352. Sir James Croft to Sir Thomas Parry and Cecil. |
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After the writing of the letters which the Earl of Northumberland now sends to the Queen has thought good to let
them both know that as far as he can conjecture, the Scotch
Commissioners are very desirous of peace, and he could very
well have consented, if the whole doing had been in his hands,
that the abstinence should have been for three months,
as the Scotch have to treat through the Dowager of Scotland
and ministers of France, and they through the authority of
the wardenry, and it creates no greater inconvenience in the
abstinence for three months than for two, for till June or
rather July neither of the realms is able to keep any power in
the field. |
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As far as he can learn as to the manner in which they
will begin their treaty for peace, on the Dowager's behalf
a gentleman will be appointed to treat of peace between
the French King and the Queen, and also the Scottish Queen.
The Secretary will probably be appointed to this office, as
at the late meeting he called the writer apart and told him
he thought it should fall to his lot; and asked him in case he
went into England, for his best advice how to effect a peace,
and whether the wars between the French King and the
King of Spain would interfere with a communication between
the French King and the Queen; and that he [Croft] replied
that the league between the Queen and the King of Spain
stood not so straight as that between France and Scotland,
so that the thing might be hearkened to as would tend to the
weal of the realm. "This man hath spoken frankly many ways,
all which were very much, and not easy to put in writing."
Had he been at liberty from the charge that he is bound to,
he could ere this time have posted to the Court, whereby
they might the more fully understand the likelihood of the
success of this treaty. Prays to be advertised if there is anything for him to say to the Secretary to further this treaty
as it would be much better to know certainly the Queen's
mind than to stand upon conjecture. If the Secretary repairs
to the Court he will handle the matter as covertly and as
warily as he can, as he has assured the writer and Mr. Percy.
—Berwick, Feb. 24, 1558. Signed. |
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Orig. Add.: To Sir Thomas Parry, Treasurer of the
household of the Queen, and Sir Wm. Cycile. Endd.
Pp. 4. |
Feb. 24.
R. O. |
353. Munitions for the North. |
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"The victuals and necessaries arrived at Holy Island and
Berwick in this fleet," by ships from Erith, London, Yarmouth, Hunston, Pakefield, Lynn, Rockliff, Hull, Claye,
and Newcastle.—24th Feb. 1558. |
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Pp. 4. |
Feb. 26.
R. O. |
354. Croft to the Privy Council. |
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On the 25th he received their several letters of the 20th
and 21st inst., the one mentioning what order they had taken
with Mr. Abyngton for hastening forward the grain and fish
for this town, the other signifying Richard Asheton's declaration concerning such money as he should deliver to the
Treasurer of Berwick. |
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In reply he writes that upon the 24th inst. 12 sails, laden
with corn and fish and other provisions, arrived at Holy
Island, which he hopes will be sufficient for the present. The
Treasurer has received the money of Asheton, and has paid the
old ordinary garrisons to the 14th inst. In three or four
days they shall be informed how the rest of the treasure has
been employed.—Berwick, 26th Feb. 1558. Signed. |
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Orig. Add. Endd. by Cecil. Pp. 2. |
Feb. 26.
R. O. |
355. William Maitland to Percy and Croftes. |
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Certifies that since his returning to the Court he has
so favourably reported to the Queen, his mistress, their communication at their last meeting, and kindled in her such
expectation of the good success they think the matter moved
among them is able to take if it be hastily followed to, that
she has agreed once again to assay what God will work by
her means in this good purpose, hoping to find the Queen,
their sovereign, so inclined to an honourable reconciliation
as they have made him believe, and to that effect had
resolved to direct him to the said Queen, their sovereign,
with all expedition possible. It shall well appear that for
his matters they shall find nothing but a sincere and true
meaning, which he wishes to God may happily be brought
to pass. |
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Has presently sent them a minute of the writing to be
subscribed, if they find it good, by the Earl of Northumberland "anent the abstinence," whereof he has left the first
day in blank that it may be filled up the same day that he
shall enter in English ground, as they communed at their
last meeting. Intends, God willing, to be with them within
eight days at the farthest, and as soon as he comes in the
Merse will give them warning, to the end they may meet at
the Bownrod, or such other convenient place as they will
appoint, where he will receive from them my Lord of
Northumberland's writing touching the abstinence, and
deliver them the semblable subscribed by my Lord Bothwell,
and fill up the blanks of both "anent the first day." Desires
them to have in readiness against that day of their meeting
a writing of the Earl of Northumberland "anent" the surety
of his passage in double form, that he may have one copy
behind him in Scotland, and that besides the common form of
passports the Earl promised him sure passage upon his
honour, "attour" that he would send to the Court some
special gentleman in company with the gentleman the Queen,
his mistress, could direct. Desires that he may have one of
them two, who has been privy to the beginning of this
matter, which if he obtains he will be in good comfort not
to be frustrate of the fruit of this voyage as he was of the
last he made into that realm.—Edinburgh, 26 Feb. 1558.
Signed. |
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Orig. Hol. Add. Endd. Pp. 2. |
Feb. 26.
R. O. |
356. Another copy of the above. |
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Copy. Add. Endd. Pp. 3. |
Feb. 27.
R. O. |
357. Mundt to Cecil. |
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Wrote on the 14th inst. that the commissaries of this town
were determined to go to Augusta, and he with them on the
18th inst. This journey is now deferred because the Elector
Palatine, Otto Henricus, is dead on 13th inst., with whom he
was 21 Jan., as he wrote to the Queen. His death is much
to be lamented, for his wisdom and experience in all temporal
matters, and chiefly for his rare constancy in religion, for the
maintaining whereof he was moved or abashed with nothing.
His successor is a Duke of Symmern, out of the family of
the Palatine, forty-three years of age, well given to religion,
which he has instituted in his dominions after his father's
death, and all good men have a good hope of him concerning
religion. It is not likely that he will go to the Diet before
he has taken possession and homage of the palatinate. |
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The Diet is not begun as yet, and the succession of these
palatinates is like to prolong the beginning of the Diet longer.
The Emperor will not make his proposition before the coming
of the Electors. It is the Emperor's custom after Midlent
to give himself to confession and communion in a monastery,
and so do likewise the Electors spiritual. It is uncertain
therefore when the Princes will arrive. The new Elector
must come thither to take the regalia and investiture from
the Emperor. Will go thither as soon as the Diet begins. |
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Begs that the Queen would send him one especial letter
of credence directed to this Palatine, to congratulate him
on this dignity, as her father had done when he sent him to
Frederick, who succeeded Ludovico in electoratum. Elector
Palatinus is the chief prince in all high Germany, et
vicarius generalis, vacante imperio. The French King has
ever pretended great amity with Otto Henricus. All things
are still here about concerning men of war.—Argentin, 21 Feb.
1559. |
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Orig. Hol. Add. Endd.: 21 Feb. 1558. Pp. 3. |
Feb. 27.
B. M. Harl. 353. 154. |
358. Proceedings of Privy Council. |
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Westminster, 27 Feb. 1558.—Present: the Lords Great
Seal, the Earls of Bedford and Pembroke; the Lord Admiral;
Mr. Treasurer, Mr. Comptroller, Mr. Vice-Chamberlain, Mr.
Secretary; Mr. Cave, Mr. Peetre, Mr. Mason, Mr. Sackeville. |
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A letter to Sir Thomas Hilton, that whereas the Lords are
informed that he hath stayed a ship of Flushing in Flanders,
being laden with salt, and that he also uses to take such
wares out of the ships as pass by him towards Newcastle as
he thinks meet, he is both willed to forbear to meddle with
any of the ships passing by him, being of the realms in amity
with the Queen, henceforth; and to signify hither with
speed what moved him to stay the said ship of Flushing,
which he is willed to keep in safety, and all the goods found
in the same, to be answered as in equity shall appertain. |
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A letter to Alderman Martin, Thomas Hunt, Thomas Huete,
William Holland, and Edward Castelyn, of London, merchants,
with a supplication enclosed, exhibited unto the Lords of the
Council, containing matter of variance of long depending
between one Adam Wintropp and one John Combes,
Frenchman, by which letter the said Alderman and the
others are authorized to call the parties before them from
time to time, and to hear and determine all matters of controversy between them, and to take such final order in the
same as may both be agreeable to equity and the good quiet
also of the parties hereafter, wherein they be required to
travel and take some pains and to certify thereupon what
they shall have done in the premises. |
Feb. 27.
R. O. 27 V. 87. |
359. Another copy of the above.
Modern transcript. |
Feb. 27.
R. O. 27 VI. 36. |
360. Another copy of the above. |
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Modern transcript. |
Feb. 28.
R. O. |
361. The Queen to the English Commissioners at Cateau
Cambrecis. |
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Having in her instructions of the 19th inst. desired, upon
conclusion of a peace with France, to have also a like peace
made with Scotland, reiterates her purpose therein. |
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1. "We think the peace with Scotland of as great moment
for us as that with France, and rather of greater, so, as to be
plain with you, if either there should not be a peace there fully
concluded betwixt us and Scotland,. . . . we see not but
it were as good to leave the matter in suspense with the
French as to conclude with them, and to have no other
ossurance of the French but a bare comprehension of Scotland.
And therefore the sooner ye decipher the French in this
matter the better it is." |
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2. If the French Commissioners have not commission to do
this, they may send expressly into Scotland, and their courie
shall have passage through England. Or they may deliver
hostages for the conclusion thereof, and in the mean season
agree to a suspension of arms, or at the least, to conclude their treaties with covenants and pacts to forbear the
execution of such marriages and restitutions as by likelihood
are to be performed betwixt the Kings of Spain and France
until the peace be fully accorded betwixt her and Scotland. |
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3. If none of these ways shall like the French, and if the
English Commissioners can persuade those of the King of
Spain to stay with them upon this point, then the matter
shall be referred to the Queen, for her further resolution.
The former offers and promises of the King of Spain make it
probable that herein he will act with them. "And for our
satisfaction, beside the matter of Calais, nothing in all this
conclusion with the French may in surety satisfy us, if we
have not peace with Scotland; and so we will that ye shall
plainly inform our said good brother's Commissioners, and
that with speed." |
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4. They shall understand (which they may keep to themselves) that almost a month ago the Scots of the Borders
applied to the Warden there for an abstinence, as preparatory to a peace with England, of which she looks daily
and hourly to hear more. If this be followed with the consent of the French it will much further their proceedings. |
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5. These present instructions are based both upon good
assurance made to her from the King of Spain, that he will
not conclude with the French without her satisfaction, and
also upon some arguments that "our enemy" is not so stiff
but that he will be content to hear of peace. And therefore
in such a reasonable cause, they may do well to persist.
Writes at good length to them, because she would not have
them ignorant of her mind. |
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ii. As regards the second point, that seems to touch the
new custom set in our late sister's time upon cloths, it had
better be omitted from the treaty, or if not, it may pass in
general; "for truth is, the French never had any trade of
buying of any cloths in this realm, whereby the said new
custom might annoy them." |
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iii. Upon Saturday last came hither with Calvalcant one
La Marque, a valet of the French King's chamber, bringing
a letter with credit. However as his credit declared only all
the previous proceedings, and especially the two offers made
of Calais, she referred him to them. As his coming is somewhat strange so his answer is made scant to his contentation. |
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Orig. Draft in Cecil's hol. and endd. by him: 28 Feb.
1558, minute of an instruction sent to the Lord Chamberlain,
the Bishop of Ely, and Dr. Wotton. Pp. 6. |
Feb. 28.
B. M. Calig. E. xii. 5. |
362. Another copy of the above.—Westminster, last Feb. 1 Eliz.
Portions in cipher, undeciphered. Injured by fire. Pp. 3. |
Feb. 28.
B. M. Calig. E. V. 33. |
363. Another copy of the preceding.—Westminster, last Feb.
1 Eliz. |
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Portions in cipher, deciphered. Injured by fire. Endd.
Pp. 8. |
Feb. 28.
R. O. 171 B. |
364. Another copy of the preceding. |
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Modern transcript. |
Feb. ult.
R. O. |
365. Musters in Northumberland. |
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"The true muster and view taken by these Commissioners
ensuing, the last day of Feb. 1558, of all the inhabitants, as
well horsemen as footmen, within the county of Northumberland," viz.,— |
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Tynemouthshire, mustered by Sir Thomas Hilton, 104
horsemen, 54 footmen. |
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Norham and Islandshires, mustered by Sir Henry Percy,
313 horsemen, 283 footmen. |
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Bamburgh Ward, mustered by Sir John Forster and
Thomas Forster, of Edderston, Esquire, 162 horsemen, 384
footmen. |
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Glendale Ward, mustered by Sir Ralph Gray, Richard
Lilburn, Robert Collingwood of Itell, and Richard Carre,
gentlemen, 65 horsemen, 177 footmen. |
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Castle Ward, mustered by Sir John Delaval, John Mitfurthe, of Sighill, Rob. Lawson, of Cramlington, and Thomas
Harbottle, of Horton, gentlemen, 171 horsemen, 273 footmen. |
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Morpeth Ward, mustered by the Lord Ogle's Deputy, Sir
John Wetherington, the Constable of Morpeth, Roger Thornton
and Anthony Fenwick, gentlemen, 480 horsemen, 88 footmen. |
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Glendale Ward, mustered by Francis Slingsbie, Esq., Sir
George Ratclif, Cuthbert Carnaby, Nicolas Errington, and
other gentlemen, 438 horsemen, 1,366 footmen. |
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Coketdale Ward, mustered by Mr. Rokbie, Thomas Collingwood, of Ryle, Rob. Clavering, Thomas Swinborne and Geo.
Fenwick, 197 horsemen, 363 footmen; amounting to 1,830
horsemen, 2,988 footmen. |
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Three sheets of paper, pasted together roll-wise. |
Feb.
R. O. |
366. Fortifications at Berwick. |
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Estimate of the sums of money required "for the
fortifications at Berwick." |
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1,400 artificers and labourers are to be levied in the midland
and southern counties of England, so "as to be there the
first of March," for whose "conducte" tools, &c., 1,135l. 2s. 4d.
is required. The monthly charge is 2,041l. 13s. 4d. |
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Appended are some memoranda respecting the supply of
provisions. With a few marginal additions by Cecil. Pp. 4. |
