Cecil Papers: July 1586 | British History Online

Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 3, 1583-1589. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1889.

Citation:

'Cecil Papers: July 1586', in Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 3, 1583-1589( London, 1889), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-cecil-papers/vol3/pp148-155 [accessed 16 November 2024].

July 1586



	292. The Queen of Scots to Thomas Morgan.
1586, July 2.	Referring to conveyance of letters by Pietro and others. Remains in continual grief for the money owing to Charles Paget and others. Writes presently to Mendoza to reimburse the money. Thanks him for advertisement of the Bishop of Nazareth, who comes to supply the room of the Pope's Nuncio. Has written to Dr. Lewes to deal with the Pope for her causes.—Chartley, July 2.
1586, July 2.	Copy. p. [Murdin, pp. 519–520. In extenso.]
	293. Thomas Randolph to Archibald Douglas.
1586, July 3.	Ex malo principio magna familiar it as conjlata est. Beginnings here have been very hard. I hope now that the end will be the better. We will do as we may and take what we can get. But, so long as your lands in Tividale and Liddesdale have so many thieves, so their servants and tenants, we never look to have the borders in quiet, and whensoever you intend to put at them, upon warning, you shall have as good assistance as we can make you. The complaints that we have against you are so many, that, seek redress from what time ye will, all the thieves in Scotland are not able to satisfy the losses of England. But, what need I to babble or prate with you of this matter? You shall hear enough of them at your coming to London : how many of our men have been murdered and slain, how many maimed and hurt, how many spoiled and burnt; besides the goods and insight that they have carried away. Woe is me for the gentle Mr. Archibald! How pitifully you will be “coursed” and canvassed when you come there, and for nothing more than that the Carrs are not delivered, according to promise, by the King's self. If they be sent hither before my Lord of Rutland's departure, upon our lives and credits they shall be safely conveyed to Carlisle, and there safely kept as her Majesty hath promised. Whereof, at this time, Mr. Secretary Walsingham hath written unto you his mind. The delays breed suspicion. Where suspicion is, true love taketh no place. I have to blame you, and earnestly to reprove you, that did undertake to do so much as to procure the speedy delivery of Sir Cuthbert Collinwood; for whom I humbly crave favour at your King's hands, and from you a speedy answer. So far to discredit a gentleman of service, a knight, a servant in heart and will to your Sovereign, to satisfy the will of a number of such as the Bornes are, I leave it to your wisdom to consider. And so, good sir, I do bid you heartily farewell.—Berwick, 3 July 1586.
1586, July 3.	Seal. 1¼ pp.
	294. R. Douglas to his uncle Archibald Douglas.
[1586], July 4/14.	Informs him of “his Excellency's” (the Earl of Leicester's) arrival at Flushing, from whence he went to Middleburgh, accompanied by Count Morris, the Admiral of England, the Admiral of Zealand, the Governor of Flushing, and such other noblemen and gentlemen as came in his company. He was received with shot of cannon and all kind of small shot, “fyres of joye, and dyverse other ingynes of fyre worke.”
	During his abode in the town, he was every day abroad, “quhylis ane part, quylis anuther.” Upon the “Thriday” after, he went to Bergen op Zoom to see the English garrison there, and the fortification of the town, and on the morrow “tymuslei” he marched towards Flenberg, which belongs to the enemy, accompanied by 600 men of the garrison of Bergen, and viewed the town.
	His lordship has had the assurance of the treasonable doings of Captain Pattowne, who has sold the town of Gueldres to the enemy, but, praise be to God, there is no other man in the treason but himself, his, brother, and their companions.
	The States are in deliberation what to do first, but what is concluded cannot yet tell, for it is not divulged.
	Since his Excellency's coming into this country, has been continually resident with him, and very well used by words and countenance, with promises of further, so soon as he shall speak with the “Count of Hollake,” for which he begs his lordship in his first letters to this country to give him thanks.—Middelburgh, 14 July, “stllo novo.”
	2 pp.
	295. The Master of Gray to Archibald Douglas.
1586, July 5.	Has received his two letters, together with the one enclosed direct from the Ambassador.
	His Majesty took it very well, but believes the same to have been written after Mr. Myll's parting, and before his return, and thinks now my lord shall be better satisfied.
	Prays him to abide well by his instructions, for his own honour and the King's welfare and contentment, and for the hurt of such as press to hurt him. His credit, he thanks God, continues as his lordship left it, and he hopes now will daily increase.—Falkland, 5 July 1586.
	1 p.
	296. Juan Battista.
1586, July 6.	Memorial addressed to Juan Battista relating to the delivery of certain merchandise.—Dated at Lisbon, 6 July 1586.
1586, July 6.	French.1½ pp.
	297. Sir Francis Walsingham to Archibald Douglas.
1586, July 6.	Thanks for his Inst letter. “This scrupulous and nyce manner of proceeding of the Commissioners on your side giveth some few occasion, that are not best affected to thamitye, to utter speeches greatly to the disadvantage of the said amity and thintended league.” Hopes, however, that, the King standing so constantly affected in the cause as he writes, all difficulties are ere this overcome.—Greenwich, 6 July 1586.
1586, July 6.	1 p.
	298. The Commissioners at Berwick [the Earl of Rutland, W. Eyre, and Thomas Randolph] to Sir Francis Walsingham.
1586, July 7.	Have now finished the league, leaving out the ninth article. The King hath shewed himself very forward, and most willing to do what he thought should most content her Majesty. These Border matters will ask more than two months in treating. A Lieutenant the Scots hold the fittest course for governing, for he may correct both Wardens and wardenry. “If we had not known, Mr. Secretary, that yourself had been both an eye and ear witness in seeing and hearing the poor creatures and the piteous complaints of their' hereing [harrying],' as they term [it] themselves, by the Scots, we would be more large, though not more earnest, that redress may be speedily thought of, and the poor country righted as it shall please her Majesty.” Send a note of certain articles which the opposite Commissioners delivered to be added to the league, which they told them they could not. They also said, as of themselves, and not as Commissioners, that there were diverse matters in these articles which could not pass but by Parliament, especially that of naturalizing.—Berwick, 7 July 1586.
	P.S.—For the stay of the Borders, it has been thought good to draw a proclamation, which the Wardens of both realms have, and are to proclaim at every market-cross within each of their wardenries : the copy whereof is sent herewith.
	2 pp.
	299. Thomas Morgan to the Queen of Scots.
1586, July 10/20.	Commends the gentleman by wrhom these are conveyed, Mr. Christopher Blunt, to her Majesty's favour. Is fully assured of his good affection to her Majesty's service, notwithstanding that he followeth Leicester in this cruel time in England. The said Blunt is a gentleman of a good house, and discreet and valiant withal. Has recommended him to Mons. de l'Aubespine, who succeeds Mons. Mauvissière, and has caused others to do the like, wherefore he wishes her Majesty to accept his service, whereof he hopes she will have contentment, and Blunt honour, in fine. Her Majesty will do well to send Blunt an alphabet, and to thank him for his good affection towards her, whereof she has been well informed.
	Understands by one Robert Poley that Blunt is likely to be sent into Scotland with presents for her Majesty's son. Has given him necessary instructions on her Majesty's behalf, and doubts not but that he will perform the same, if he goes, whereto his religion and honesty will be an impediment, when Leicester shall remember that Blunt is a Catholic, like some others who (for fear of the time, and not for love to Leicester) are glad to serve him, to their great charge, without all profit, for his custom is rather to spoil than to help such kind of men.
	Copy. 1¼ pp.
	300. The Master of Gray to Archibald Douglas.
1586, July 14.	I intended, hearing of my lord ambassador's coming, to have returned, but my wife is very evil at ease, and “pertit” with her child. I pray you to have me excused at my lord Huntly's (?) But pray his lordship to take the pains to come this way. I shall not treat him as a stranger, nor as the Queen of England's ambassador, but as my honourable friend Mr. Randolph.—Dunfermline, 14 July 1586.
	P.S.—Excuse me if I come not myself to meet my ford, for sundry respects, both my wife's disease, and the business I have to recover the nionle (?).
	Holograph. 1p.
	301. Francois de Civitte to Lord Burghley.
1586, July 15.	Begs his assistance on behalf of a young Frenchman, certain velvet and taffetas belonging to whom has been confiscated by the Exchequer.—London, 15 July 1586.
1586, July 15.	French. 2 pp.
	302. Henry, Earl of Southampton, to Lord Burghley.
1586, July 22.	Holograph Latin essay on the subject :—“Omnes ad studium virtutis incitantur spe premii”.
	Endorsed :—22 July 1586.
	Signed.
	1 p.
	303. John Fitz and John Hale to Lord Burghley.
1586, July 22.	This present day, at three of the clock in the afternoon, one Mr. Richard Hawkins, a gentleman of Sir Francis Drake, came from the Mount (where he landed, being driven from his General by tempest) to Exeter, and, being utterly wearied, and unable to travel further, till he had taken some rest, having passed those miles in 14 hours, he desired them to signify to his lordship, to be by him imparted to her Majesty, that he will repair to her Grace with as much speed as for life he may, and declare to her such news of his General's doings, as shall be most acceptable to her Highness end joyful to the land, beseeching her in the meantime not to credit such as will perchance anticipate his tidings with untruth. This she may take for truth, that Sir Francis hath over-run and spoiled St Domingo, St. Jacomo, Carthagena, and St. John's in Florida, with much more which he deferreth to utter till his coming.—Exeter, 22 July 1586.
1586, July 22.	1 p.
	304. James VI. of Scotland to Archibald Douglas.
1586, July 23.	As he has a placat to buy horses in England, the King requests him to deliver the same to his servant the Laird of [ . . . itswell], to be used by him for the buying of horses according to the King's direction.—Falkland, 23 July 1586.
1586, July 23.	¼ p.
	305. George Thornton.
1585, July 24.	Warrant under the Privy Signet for the increasing of one George Thornton's pension from 4s. Irish to 8s. Irish per diem.—Richmond, 24 July, 28 Elizabeth.
1585, July 24.	1 p.
	306. Pensions.
1586, July 24.	Warrant under the Privy Signet for the grant of pensions of 2s. per diem to Roger Goodrich; 2s. 6d. per diem to Thomas Bridges; and 1s. 8d. per diem to Mathew Benyon.—Richmond, 24 July, 28 Elizabeth.
1586, July 24.	1 p.
	307. The Earl of Shrewsbury to Lord Burghley.
1586, July 27.	With regard to the terms he was driven to accept in the matter of his wife, has set them down as he remembers, and desires Burghley to call to his remembrance, her Majesty's motion, and how far the writer yielded in the matter, for he would be loth to swerve or be charged any further than he has yielded.—Chelsea, 27 July 1586.
	P.S.—I was contented, at her Majesty's motion, to send her down to Winckfield, and so to Chatsworth, and take a probation of her obedience for half a year, which your lordship moved, and the Queen a whole year; and if I found her forgetful of her duty, then I to leave her and her living, assigned to her according to her Majesty's order, to herself and to her own government.
	Also, that I should use her honourably, and bear her charges down, but neither bed with her nor board with her.
	I would not agree to take her, without I might have her living to defray her charges, which was thought fit by her Majesty and your Lordship.
	Further, I was not contented that her children should come at her, which her Majesty disliked not; saving she desired that Charles Candishe [Cavendish] might repair to me, which request I denied her Majesty.
	Lastly, it was always thought reasonable both by the Queen, the Lord Chancellor, the Earl of Leicester, and your lordship, that if I would take and receive her at any time, J should hare her and her living, and to that effect books are drawn, and in that point were agreed upon.
	1 p.
	308. The Queen of Scots to Charles Paget.
1586, July 27.	Is well pleased with his remonstrance to commit unto few the managing of her affairs, and accordingly henceforth will not entertain ordinary intelligence with others than she shall depute, to wit, her ambassador, Paget, and Morgan for France; for Spain, the Lord Paget, and Sir Francis Englefield, her ordinary agent; for Rome, Dr. Lewes; for the Low Countries, Liggons; for Scotland, Lord Claud Hamilton; and Courcelles, that was with Mauvissière, for conducting her packets on this side. If Morgan be constrained to leave France, her intention is to appoint him at Rome.
	Upon Ballard's return, the principal Catholics, who had despatched him over sea, had imparted to her their intentions. Has made a very ample despatch in reply. If ever the Pope and the King of Spain have had intention to provide for this State, the occasion is now offered very advantageous. There resteth then only to pursue so hotly as can be, both in Rome and Spain, their grant of the support requisite, as well of horsemen and footmen, as of armour, ammunition, and money. Has written to the said Catholics that, before they have sufficient promise and assurance of the Pope and King of Spain, nothing is to be stirred on this side. Perceives well that, before the recovery of Cuba and Domingo and the arrival of the “flota” from the Indies, it will be difficult to obtain forces from the King of Spain. Would be glad to know how to proceed in the matter with Lord Claud [Hamilton].—Chartley, 27 July.
	Copy. [Murdin, pp. 531–532. In extenso.]
	309. The Archbishop of Canterbury to Lord Burghley.
1586, July 28.	Has had speech with her Majesty respecting the Deanery of Worcester. It seems that she is much inclined to one Mr. Willis, Master of St. John's College in Oxford, for whom my Lord of Leicester was a suitor before his departure, and now Mr. Secretary doth earnestly solicit the matter for him. The same Willis is commended to her Majesty for his learning and wisdom. He signified to her Highness that he knew the man by sight, but had no experience of his wisdom or learning, and doubted very much of the latter, and named to her Dr. Bond, Dr. Bancroft, and Dr. Lillie.
	She, however, took some exception to each of these, and wished him to inform himself respecting Mr. Willis, and io make report thereof. Has inquired of him accordingly, and understands that he is unlearned, that his wisdom consists especially in matters of husbandry, and that his wife, her sister and daughter, who all remain with him, are women of evil report.
	“God forbyd that such a man shold be placed there. From that fowntaine are spronge almost all the evle bishops and denes now living in England, and yet where is greater zeal pretended.” Is bold to write thus plainly to his lordship, hoping that he will continue his care in helping to place fit men in such rooms of the church. Prays him to burn or tear this letter.—Lambeth, 28 July 1586.
	2 pp.
	310. Mons. Buzenval to Lord Burghley.
1586, July 29.	Recommending the bearer, the Sire du Perray, who has a matter pending before Burghley, with reference to property stolen from him.—London, 29 July.
	Endorsed :—1586.
	French. 1 p.
	311. George Beverley to Sir John Perrot, Lord Deputy of Ireland.
1586, July 29.	With reference to the particular account required of the charges growing by the victualling of the extraordinary numbers advanced in Perrot's late journeys northwards, states that the ministers of the victuals do not keep any reckoning of particular journeys.—Drogheda, 29 July 1586.
1586, July 29.	½ p.
	312. The Laird of Restalrig to Archibald Douglas.
[1586], July 29.	The Laird of Lincluden has assured him, having it from the Earl of Montrose his chief, who is altogether the Earl of Arran's man, that, for all the fair words the King gives to the English Ambassador, without the Earl of Arran be doer of it, the King never means to keep any such thing to him. The Earl of Arran and Sir John Seton are agreed, of whom he liked very well. Assures him that the Earl of Arran has caused the King to send for my lord Glo . . . . . to France, and that he shall have all his own lands again, for which cause the Earl of Huntly and he are in great favour. Sir William Stewart has been twice at my Lord Maxwell's for agreement with the Earl of Arran, but Lord Maxwell will do nothing. The Earl of Arran is using all the friendship and friends that he can; he is in such fear of the Earl of Bothwell that he knows not what to do, for he is the only man that he stands in awe of, and the Earl Bothwell menaces him very evilly; but the Master of Gray, the Secretary, and all of them, cannot have the voice that the Earl Bothwell may have the King's presence, without he agree with the Earl of Arran, which he will never do.
	The Master of Gray is married. He would have put it off till he had left England, but his wife Mistress Mary was so constant with the King that it behoved him to finish it.
	Hopes in God that, young as the Earl of Bothwell is accounted, he will in a short space of time go well forwards.
	Hopes also that the Lord Hume, his brother, shall marry his sister Mistress Mary Sinclair, and that partly by his own influence, which will he a fair knot of friendship betwixt them, at which the Earl of Arran is marvellously offended, and is minded to cause the King to stop it, but, God willing, it shall be quietly and wisely handled.
	The Earl of Caithness is to marry the Earl of Huntly's sister; the Laird of Ferniehurst has purchased a charge of the King to the Laird of Balcleuche to marry his daughter Janet, but the Earl of Bothwell and my lady both have promised, if my Lord Hume go his way, he shall marry his second sister.
	Begs his lordship to recommend his service to “that able man Secretary Walsingham,” whom he holds in higher regard than all the noblemen in England, and whom his master, the Earl of Bothwell, loves entirely well.—Restalrig, 29 July.
	2 pp.
	313. Thomas Randolph to Archibald Douglas.
1586, July 29.	Sends him certain letters, which he prays him to deliver, together with one letter to himself from Mr. Secretary, signifying the contents of his own letters both to the Master and to Douglas, which were so far contrary to his expectation that, with grief of his heart, he may say he is ashamed, nor does he know any way to remedy it. Leaves it therefore to their wisdom to write what they think good, and will slay in this town for their answer. Will write himself to Mr. Secretary what he judges of these uncertainties, and unto what discredit it bringeth the Master, besides the loss that he shall sustain, if now there be any alteration in a matter of so great importance and so earnestly sought upon him as this hath been.—Berwick, 29 July 1586.
1586, July 29.	1 p.
	314. Robert Bowes to Archibald Douglas.
1586, July 30.	Begs his assistance in obtaining a quantity of good white salt, which he is bound to deliver at Lynn on the 28th of next month.—Monkwearmouth, 30 July 1586.
1586, July 30.	1½ pp.
	315. Agnes Cowty to Sir Francis Walsingham.
1586, July 31.	By a letter directed to her from a friend, Master Patrick Blair, she is advertised that he had found out her ship being sold by Mr. Haliday—Sir Christopher Hatton's man, and now Captain of Corfe Castle in the Isle of Purbeck—to one Mr. Philipps, a gentleman dwelling at Corfe Mulinge [Moulin]. Mr. Philipps sent the ship to Spain, and sold it to a Spaniard. Prays Walsingham's assistance to recover her property.—Edinburgh, the last of July 1586.
1586, July 31.	1 p.
	316. Agnes Cowty to Patrick Blair.
1586, July 31.	Begs for his aid with Sir Francis Walsingham, and also with Mr. Archibald Douglas, to both of whom she has written with regard to the damages sustained by her through the sale of her ship to a Spaniard.—Edinburgh, 31 July 1586.
1586, July 31.	1 p.