Cecil Papers: June 1591 | British History Online

Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 4, 1590-1594. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1892.

Citation:

'Cecil Papers: June 1591', in Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 4, 1590-1594, ed. R A Roberts( London, 1892), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-cecil-papers/vol4/pp115-123 [accessed 16 November 2024].

June 1591



	Sir Robert Cecil to Lord Burghley.
1591, June 2.	I have now made conclusion, according to your commandment, with both parties in several kinds, which was the desire of Snowden, who is best furnished and best disposed to be farthest employed either here or abroad. The other this night doth leave him and will, as any occasions serves, both write and come. Snowden, if he may by his companion hear that there is no knowledge or suspicion of their apprehension, offereth to do both here awhile and abroad after (especially in Spain if he shall go over) some good and acceptable services as you shall think good to direct him. In the mean time, he will go to such Jesuits or seminaries as be restrained or at liberty, and as a catholic insinuate into their purposes and advertise, in which course he will spend some time Until from Amsterdam you can hear concerning his papers, which he affecteth greatly to recover, lest by their being carried back into Spain or Portugal he should utterly be maimed to do service in those places which he thinketh you will hold most profitable for him to be used in.
	He desired leave, if need were, to lie one night or two more where he is. Their monies are changed into English and therein their portions not much one above the others, for 8l. or thereabouts is the stock between them. For the charges where they have remained they do offer nothing, nor it is not demanded, for I think they are but poor. Their last conclusion is that if it be heard that there hath been of them any apprehension, to salve that they will straight return and become prisoners to disguise their doings. This is all that yet is concluded. If your pleasure be to have them any longer detained, I may take order before tomorrow night, till which time Snowden will be as now he is.
	“From my house this 2 of June 1591. Your lo : most humble and obedient soonn, Bo : Cecill.”
	Holograph. 1½ pp.
	Henry IV., King of France, to the Queen.
[1591,] June 3/13.	Thinking that in the account of his affairs by De Beau there are particulars which she would rather hear from one of her own servants, he has instructed Grimston to accompany him, and begs the Queen to excuse the liberty.—Andaly, 13 June.
[1591,] June 3/13.	French. 1 p.
	Earl of Essex to Sir Henry Unton.
[1591 ?] June 8.	I do “ketch hold” of this occasion to salute you as one that is discontented with the injury that absence doth me to sever me from my friend. Things here do remain in the same state they did. They who are most in appetite are not yet satisfied, whereof there is great discontentment. If it stand at this stay a while longer they will despair, for their chief hour glass hath little sand left in it and doth run out still. I wish to you as to myself, and to myself nothing more but that I were able to shew my love more.—Nonsuch, 8 June.
[1591 ?] June 8.	Holograph. ½ p.
	W. Fouler to Archibald Douglas.
1591, June 11.	By the courtesy of Mr. John Killysgrewe, Captain of the castle of Arvenik (?) my letters may come to your hands. He takes and did take great pains to see all things should have been put to a good order for our profit. But having before received great loss by those under the Lord Admiral for doing of justice to those that has been in like trouble as we be in, to his great grief has seen how we have been handled. I pray you to give him great thanks by your letters for his good counsel and help. The man of war has let the Scotch ship depart yesterday. I think she shall come to London, there to seek your help. This day have they taken all our sails from the yards. Help the merchant of London that her Majesty's commands may be to the Vice-Admiral, upon whose determination they think to meddle, that we may be relieved, that the ship may come to London.—Off Falmouth, 11 June 1591.
1591, June 11.	Signed. Seal. 1 p.
	Dennis Rowghane, priest, to the Queen.
1591, June 13.	Has already proved to the Council, specially to the lord Chancellor and the lord high Treasurer of England, Sir John Perrott, and his supposed son, the pretended counterfeit king O'Rosvercke, Sir Thomas Williams, Sir Nicholas White, Richard Meredith, not forgetting Sir Thomas Johnes and Sir John Ogane, traitors, for that he has nominated to the Council in his first book of articles of treason sent out of Ireland against Sir John Perrott, that Sir John Ogane and Sir Thomas Johnes were the only men to bring Sir John Perrott's wicked purposes to pass, as to receive the king of Spain's navy and power into Milford Haven in Wales to overthrow her highness. Accounts that he has proved Sir John Ogane and Sir Thomas Johnes traitors, having named the witnesses and the treason, and set the same down in writing under his hand to the Council; not-withstanding he cannot have them brought to their arraignment or trial. Prays a warrant to the Council that this shall be done forthwith, and that he may have the benefit of the law against others, in which case he can prove more traitors.—Gatehouse, above a whole year without justice. 1591, June 13.
	Endorsed :—Sir Dennis Roghan to the Q. Majesty.
	Holograph. 2 pp.
	Conduct Money.
1591, June 15.	Difference between Her Majesty's allowance and the Lord Mayor's demand in the conduct money for 400 men levied in the city of London.
	The Queen's allowances per diem were : captain, 6s.; the lieutenant, 3s.; the ensign, 1s. 6d.; two servants, 2s.; two “dromes,” 2s.; and one surgeon, 12d., for 150 men.
	Endorsed :—“Read it,” and the Lord Mayor's figures altered within apparently by the same hand.
	1 p.
	Ferdinando Gorges to the Earl of Essex (“Lord General of the Army “).
[1591,] June 15.	Expresses his unfeigned and dutiful service and recommends the beaver, whose grief is not a little to be left behind.—Plymouth, 15 June.
[1591,] June 15.	Signed. 1 p.
	Edmund Magawran, Primate of Armagh, to Capt. Oliver Eustace Yrlandes, Brussels.
1591, June 18/28.	Letter in Irish. From Madrid, 28 June 1591.
1591, June 18/28.	1 p.
	Translation of the above.
1591. June 18/28.	“Commendations to Captain Eustace, and tell him that I am very thankful for such business as he hath written to me, and albeit much hindrances have happened to him and to many others of our country by means of Englishmen, yet I hope in God, it will not be long before they be free from the said nation. And notwithstanding that the Catholic King his captains be slow in their affairs, I am certain that the men who are proposed to be sent to comfort the same poor Island, which is in distress a long time, will not be slow. I ought not to write much to you touching those causes, for I know that a Spaniard shall be chief governor of them. The Irish regiment is written for, and whether they come or not, come you in any wise in all haste. The good Bishop of Ross is dead at Lysborne. The Bishop of Limerick, Edmond Eustace, Morish McShane, Thomas McShane, and John Lacy and his kinsmen hath them commended unto you and to the other Irishmen that are there. No more, but stay not for any business and come to overtake us.”—Madryle, 28 June 1591.
	Endorsed :—“Copy of a letter to Mody, intercepted. I.”
	½ p.
	Edmond McGavran, Primate of Armagh, to Captain Eustace
1591, June 18/28.	I think myself much beholden unto you touching those matters you have written to me of late, and yet notwithstanding that “he “and a great many more of our country have been wronged by those nations of Saxons, I hope in God it will not be long ere we be discharged or delivered from the cruelty of those kind of people. And although the Clergy, upon further consideration, have let the Catholic King about these business, I doubt not but the people or soldiers that was disposed to succour that poor Island, continued of long time in thraldom, will be ready ere long. And therefore it behoves me not to write at large to you concerning this cause, in respect a Spaniard is the chief governor of the whole army. The Irish regiment was written for, and whether they come or not, I pray you make as much naste as you can to be here with all speed. [Ends in the same manner as the preceding, with the news of the death of the Bishop of Ross, etc.]—Madrill, 28 June 1591.
	Endorsed :—“A letter from the Primate of Armagh, sent from Modye, which was intercepted.”
	1 p.
	Paul Lumbard to Thomas White.
1591, June 18/28.	My good master, the Bishop of Ross, is dead. I have written many letters to Mr. Daniel to learn of his estate, whereby I might certify his wife and friends thereof. Certify me how he is, and if he be able to keep me, that I may come thither, for I know he will not see me perish.—Maddrile, 28 June 1591.
	Addressed;—“To my loving cousin, Thomas White, student at Lovaiu.”
	Endorsed :—“Intercepted and sent by Modye. I.”
	Holograph. ½ p.
	Military.
1591, June 21.	Statement of money laid out by the Lord Mayor and citizens of the City of London for 137 coats for 135 soldiers and 2 drummers, delivered to the charge of Capt. Edward Symrnes for her Majesty's service in “Brittagne,” at 4s. a piece. 27l. 8s.
	21 June, 33 Eliz.
	¼ p.
	Mayor and Aldermen of Bristol to the Lords of the Council.
1591, June 23.	Have received their lordships' letter of the 17th instant, requiring them to do their endeavour for the setting forth of one ship and a pinnace to attend her Majesty's ships at the islands of the Azores before the 20 August, so as the ship be not under 100 tons but rather above. They have taken a view of such shipping as are now in this port and find that there are not any ships answerable to the tenour of their lordships' letter, save such as are stayed by the lord Admiral's commandment; but there are there three or four ships of about 70 or 80 tons ready to go forth for reprisal, and yet these are unwilling to attend in this service but rather to go forth at their liberty. If these be not stayed by their honours' directions, the service required cannot by any means be accomplished, for that the said shipping have taken up such mariners in the counties of Somerset and Gloucester as are now at home. Moreover, also at this instant there is come hither one Thomas Mauley with a commission from their lordships to press 80 mariners in this city and the county of Somerset. They pray further directions.—Bristol, 23 June 1591.
	Signed :—William Hopkins, Mayor. John Browne, Alderman. Philip Langley, Alderman. Thomas Aldworth, Alderman. Thomas Colston, Alderman. Richard Cole, Alderman. William Hiekes, Alderman. John Barnes, Alderman.
	Seal, ½ p.
	John Flamancke, Mayor of Padstow, to the Lords of the Council.
1591, June 25.	In reply to letter of 17 June. The service therein required the port of Padstow can by no means perform, having no ship or barque exceeding 23 tons.—Padstow, 25 June, 1591.
1591, June 25.	Signed. Seal. 1 p.
	Mayors of Barnstaple and Bideford to the Lord Treasurer, Lord High Admiral, and Lord Chamberlain.
1591, June 25.	In reply to letter of 17th June for the furnishing of a ship of 100 tons burthen, or more, to be employed in H.M. service at the Azores. Within this harbour are but three ships of that burthen, viz., the Prudence, the Gift of God, and the Roger bona venter, all which were built the last year, whereof two are at the Newfoundland; the third (being the Prudence) with two other serviceable ships of this harbour (of a lesser burthen), are at the sea with commissions of reprisal, who, we verily think, are before this time with one of Her Majesty's fleets. The bigger ship departed but a month since, and goeth victualled for six months, and one of the other two ships went of purpose to serve under the Earl of Cumberland. The residue of our shipping remaining are of small burthen, nothing serviceable. Also here are few mariners left at this time, because there are a great number forth in the said reprisal men, another company at the Newfoundland, and divers were pressed here hence by the Earl of Cumberland, Lord Thomas Howard and Sir Richard Grenville at their last being at Ply mouth.—Barn staple, 25 June 1591.
	Signed :—Roger Beaxle, Mayor of Barnstaple : George Stawford, Mayor of Bide ford.
	1 p.
	Mayor and Aldermen of Southampton to the Lords of the Council.
1591, June 26.	Immediately on receipt of their lordships' letter of the 17th instant signifying her Majesty's pleasure that this town should prepare, furnish, man and set forth one ship of the burthen of 100 tons, or rather more, to serve with her highness' ships for intercepting the India fleet of the king of Spain, to be victualled for four months (the prosperous success of which intended enterprise and godly service we daily pray and with our hearts desire of Almighty God), we did, according to our duty and the abundance of our zeal to do her Majesty faithful service, assemble to consider as well of the charge as how the same might be levied amongst so poor and insufficient a number of inhabitants any way able to contribute towards the same. Finding the charge to amount unto 500l., or thereabouts, we see it not possible how the same (no, not the third part thereof) can be levied, in respect of the disability and poverty of the town, which ever since the embargo in Spain, being about eighteen years, hath grown from time to time so to decay as within the half of that time there hath been almost no trade or traffic within this town, whereby not only those amongst us that were of any reasonable estate of wealth or stock to exercise trade of merchandize are so low drawn and impoverished as they have been constrained in effect to give up and forsake their traffic, but even the handicraftsmen, which by the common trades to this town were in some competent sort maintained, are wonderfully decayed, and so the town dispeopled of many her Majesty's natural subjects that were of any ability within the same; in whose places some few strangers of far countries are come to inhabit and they (God knoweth) very poor, living with the labour of their hands. Moreover, here are a great number of very poor people, her majesty's natural subjects, which daily resort unto this town, and live in very poor and lamentable sort, some six or seven undertenants of them under one roof, having no substance wherewith to relieve them and theirs, and so are dispersed in most parts of the town, to the great charge and no small overburdening the inhabitants thereof being of any credit or ability; the other sort of people, our neighbours, innholders, taverners and table keepers, having also been lately charged with the dieting of six hundred soldiers and upwards, lately sent through this town (by direction from your lordships) unto France, for aid of the French king, which were victualled after a very small rate and proportion, by the week, during the time of their abode here, to the great hindrance of our said neighbours in respect of the dearness of victuals.
	Thus, after we had often assembled, considered and expounded their lordships' letter to the principal and best able of the inhabitants, finding the estate of this town so weak and unable to furnish such a ship, having travailed therein to our uttermost, we have thought it necessary (under your lordships' humble correction), as well in discharge of our duty towards her Majesty, as finding the necessity and poverty of the town so great, with all humility to intreat your lordships to be a means unto her Majesty that it will please her of her princely bounty and clemency to discharge the town of that burden and charge; because, if the same should be laid upon us, it must grow out of the purse of a very few of us so utterly unable to bear the same as that it would tend greatly to our impoverishment. Furthermore, if the town were able to reach to so high and great a contribution (whereof we should be right glad, as well for that her Majesty's service might be furthered and advanced thereby, as that our town were in case of ability thereunto) yet we assure your lordships, upon our poor fidelity and credit, that there is not at this present within our harbour any ship or vessel of that burden required, neither are we able to find so many mariners in these parts as might serve to man such a ship.—Southampton, 26 June 1591.
	Signed. —John Jackson, Mayor. John Knyght. Andrew Studley. John Erington. William Barwycke. John Bollackar. Thomas Holmes. John Caplin. John Exton. Paul Elleyett. Robert Crosse.
	Part of seal. 2 pp.
	The Mayor and Aldermen of Bridgewater to the Lords of the Council.
1591, June 28.	In reply to letter of 17 June for the furnishing of a ship of 100 tons burthen by Bridgewater and Ilfordcombe, to join H.M. fleet at the Azores on the 20th of August. “Our town depending heretofore altogether upon trade, is at this present (by reason of the want thereof) greatly impoverished, so that we are not of ability to do that which we would in regard of H.M. service. And as for shipping, as our harbour, when we were best traded, had never or very seldom yielded any shipping of such burthen, so now among those few thereunto belonging, there is not any above the burthen of 40 or 50 tons at the most, whereupon we sent a messenger to Ilfordecomb with the said letters to know whether they had any ship of burthen fit for this service, by whose answer unto us was proved that they were worse provided than ourselves, whose particular answer unto your Honours at their request we return herewith.”—Bridgewater, 28 June 1591.
	Signed :—George Haberfyld, Mayor; Robert Bocking, Alderman; John Mychell, Alderman; Robert Blake; Wm. Thomas.
	1 p.
	Mator and Aldermen of York to the Lords of the Council.
1591, June 28.	We the Mayor and Aldermen of the city of York have, of late, received a letter from the lord Treasurer, the lord Admiral and lord Hunsdon, three of the privy council, directed to us and the Mayor and burgesses of the town of Hull, to confer together how one ship at the least might be made ready and furnished (so as it be not under a hundred tons but rather above) with men, victuals and ordnance sufficient to serve, and to be victualled for the space of five months for service against the king of Spain. We, according to our bounden duties, have conferred with certain of the Aldermen of Hull appointed for the said town for that purpose, for the speedy providing and furniture of one ship for the service aforesaid. We have offered unto them to bear the one half of the whole charges so far as the said town of Hull shall bear, although the said town be the principal port town in these parts, and furnished with above fifty ships, whireas this city hath but only one ship and a pinnace; and which town of Hull hath the only commodity of that port, this city being thirty miles by land and fifty miles by water distant from the same port, having only a fresh river coming thereunto, not always navigable by reason of the smallness of the water”. Which offer the said Aldermen of Hull have refused to accept, proffering only to bear but a third part of the same charges, meaning to lay the residue on this city, wherein we think they deal very unreasonably with us, the premises considered.—York, 28 June 1591.
	Signed :—Robert Watter, Mayor. Thomas Harryson, Alderman. Robert Ask wyth. William Robynson. Robert Brooke. Andrew Newall. Henry Maye. Ralph Richardson. James Byrkbye. Thos. Jackson. Thomas Mosley.
	On the back is a list of towns to which apparently similar letters were sent.
	Seal. 1½ pp.
	The Mayor and Aldermen of Kingston-upon-Hull to the Lords of the Council.
1591, June 30.	In reply to letter of 17th June, directed to the Mayor and Aldermen of York and themselves. On the 24th June we sent two of the Aldermen here to York, who there had conference with the said Lord Mayor and Aldermen, and, finding them hardly affected to the body of this poor town, did allege that in respect of the great number of the citizens, their good estate and ability, the small number of inhabitants here and their greatly decayed estate, and that the mariners for the better furnishing of the ships is to be taken here, and therefore not to be contributed to our charge for this service; and besides that being men that are not of ability to provide maintenance for their wives and children, but in their absence are to be relieved by us and the rest of the inhabitants here; and if any of them in this service do die, their said wife and children are to be here found and provided for. And the said Aldermen sent by us offered (the premisses notwithstanding) to defray the fourth part of the charges for the said service, whereof they utterly misliked. And after many speeches had, they yielded to bear one half of the charges, and further they would not yield. Whereupon they whom we sent, knowing how desirous we are that the service might be furnished, offered to furnish one-third of the charge so they would furnish other two-thirds, which (their estate and ours indifferently considered) was thought they would well like of. But they continued in their former resolution, and (seeming not willing anyway to join with us) answered that they would not further be charged than for the one-half. We, therefore, have thought good to advertise your lordships hereof and of our willingness to perform that which we have promised, and that there is no ship here at this present fit for that service, and therefore have sent the bringer hereof, Mr. Wakefielde, one of the Aldermen here, to wait upon you to know your further pleasure.—Kingston-upon-Hull, the last of June, 1591.
	Signed :—William Smyth, Mayor. Wm. Gee. John Smythe. Leonard Wyllan. Luke Thurstwod. Wm. Braye. Stephen Thurstwod.
	1½ pp.
	The Mayor, Aluermen and Sheriffs of Newcastle upon Tine to Lord Burghley.
1591, June 30.	On receipt of his letters of June 24, they assembled and, for performance of the contents, conferred how one ship might be made ready and furnished with men, victuals and ordnance sufficient to conduct the same to the Islands of the Azores; which, for that their shipping is these last three years so decayed by shipwreck and other ways, and such ships as they have of the burden required, not being above six, are in the east country and elsewhere, with the best mariners, nor likely to return in time, they will not be able to perform; and besides, if they had one, the victuals such as their place doth afford, especially the beer, will not continue for that voyage. Nevertheless, in token of their loyalty, they have sent this bearer to advertise Burghley of their willing mind to perform this service, if by any possibility they were able, as also of the causes of their nonability at this present.—Newcastle, 30 June 1591.
	Signed :—Robert Atkynson, Mayor. Mark Shafto. Roger Rowe. William Riddell. H. E. Trytford. H. Chapman. G. Farnabie. Ralph Jenyson.
	Seal. 1 p.
	Export of Cloth.
1591, June.	An order to all “customers, controllers,” &c., relative to the export of 1200 long broad woollen cloths by the factors of the King of Poland, according to the Queen's warrant.
	—June 1591.
	Signed :—“Your loving friend.”
	A draft.
	Henry Townshend to Sir Robert Cecil.
1591, June.	Petition for a concealed wardship.
	Endorsed :—June 1591.
	½ p.
	The Mayor, Burgesses and others of Weymouth and Lyme to the Lords of the Council.
[1591, June.]	Having received their most honorable letters for providing a sufficient ship for her Majesty's present service to the Islands [Azores], they have made choice of a ship called the White Lion, at this present in the river of Thames, very sufficient and fit for the same service. This ship will be ready furnished in ten or twelve days, as this bearer, Roger Page, will advertise their honours.
[1591, June.]	Undated. Unsigned. ½ p.