Cecil Papers: November 1595, 1-15

Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 5, 1594-1595. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1894.

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'Cecil Papers: November 1595, 1-15', in Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 5, 1594-1595, ed. R A Roberts( London, 1894), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-cecil-papers/vol5/pp437-458 [accessed 17 November 2024].

'Cecil Papers: November 1595, 1-15', in Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 5, 1594-1595. Edited by R A Roberts( London, 1894), British History Online, accessed November 17, 2024, https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-cecil-papers/vol5/pp437-458.

"Cecil Papers: November 1595, 1-15". Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 5, 1594-1595. Ed. R A Roberts(London, 1894), , British History Online. Web. 17 November 2024. https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-cecil-papers/vol5/pp437-458.

November 1595, 1–15

[John Coldwell,] Bishop of Salisbury, to Sir Robert Cecil.
1595, Nov. 1. Sithence the writing of my former letter I have in some sort effected the same which before I did seek but could not obtain, namely, the surrender of Jewell Hooper's patent, who only now is in the right possession. The chief consideration vesteth upon promision for some supply towards his maintenance, in respect that he forgoeth the benefit of his patent, which will easily be performed by deputing his brother, Henry Hooper, who now doth exercise the place, with such reasonable conditions as you shall understand by this bearer. His knowledge is such concerning that office, and his pains, together with his faithfulness towards me and my courses in all these troubles with our citizens, as it can neither stand with my credit nor the good of this see to have any other in the place than him. And thus much I am bold to write at this time, desiring answer by this bearer; according to the which Mr. Henry Hooper shall be sent with my patent drawn for the office unto your Honour.—From my house in Sarum, this first day of November, 1595.
Holograph. Seal. 1 p. (35. 101.)
J. Guicciardin to the Earl of Essex.
1595, Nov. 1/11. It is now almost a month since I wrote unto you, and then but briefly, to advertise you only of the receipt of such letters as were come to my hands from you since my arrival here. I have been almost ever since absent from Florence, the chief cause of my silence; though at my return I find no innovation at all, and therefore this is rather not to suffer my devotion to your lordship to remain altogether unentertained by letters than for any matter of worth which these parts afford us, being altogether in peace and quietness, and become, as it were, idle spectators of others' actions abroad; and now especially attentive after French affairs and the effects of the King's rebenediction, which hitherto seem not to answer the general expectation and hope, Cambray being already lost and Marseilles standing in some doubtful terms, practised, as it is thought, by the Cardinal of Austria, whose lingering still about Genoa and Milan is supposed to be especially to that effect, howsoever publicly it is voiced his stay to be about the levying of forces for the Low Countries, whither his journey is intended, together with the Prince of Orange, who not long since passed this way towards Rome, sent thither by the Cardinal ex officio to the Pope, and is sent by the King of Spain, as it is said, into the Low Countries, to make some overture of agreement with the States of that country. To that effect he is to propound unto them (as I heard here from a very good place), amongst other large conditions, liberty of conscience; the King's intent being to seek all means possible to unburden himself of the wars of that country, to attend more freely to the “donage” of France and England; to which end there seemeth already to be great preparation abroad. I would very gladly understand what letters of mine are come to your hands, for I have been lately certified out of England of some letters long since delivered to one there to be sent unto me, which I have not yet received; and therefore do remain in some jealousy of the safe delivery of some of mine, sent to you enclosed in the same party's packet. The surest way, when it shall please you to write to me, will be to send them enclosed in Mr. Stoaves the mercer's packet to his brother here, by whom I received the duplicate of your first letter.—From Florence, 11 November, new style, 1595.
Holograph. Seal. 2 pp. (36. 3.)
Thomas, Lord Burgh to the Earl of Essex.
1595, Nov. 2. Acknowledges with compliments his letter of October 25.
I am now in the way to Amsterdam with the Earl of Rutland : of whom, methinks, there may justly be hoped much honour : his disposition good : and the course he is entering into apt to supply to nature. I owe him thus much, being his kinsman. And it is necessary for me to prove change of air, in so great a decay of my body as you would not believe. I have trusted Captain Torner with the Queen's town during these four days' journey, in which space I will return.
In Haghe I note the ambassador's diligence smothered and choked with the heavy and unwilling answers of the States. I suppose her Majesty shall never gain by persuasion, and by violence it were unreasonable and unsafe to seek; and on the other side, to fall off were preundicial to the dignity of a prince whose counsels and resolutions ought to be constant. Wherefore, since words are bootless and of arms can little good, and to be affronted with refusal is contemptible, I conceive in these necessities this only use remaineth to be made, that the Queen suffer her princely nature to be moved with commiseration of their estate which they will crave at her feet to be respected till in some measure they have overgrown their adversities. Thus may also, as I take it, this benefit arise, that by giving way to their humble requests, they may be tied to the acknowledging of an especial grace, when the burden and clog, whereof they have impression by the demand, will make of more value the respite and ease given them in favour. The French and they entertain the Ledger and two other here with several charges; money, men and corn, asked and granted. The Queen will be more impatient, peradventure, of “denay” [? denial], but she never had more reason to be advised how she importunes. Conditions as largely offered from Spain; the Prince of Orange coming on; a marriage in train between him and the daughter of Cleave; these things may in our state be neglected, but better were it to foresee the issue. One thing is certain, they will not rely their hold on one anchor, and I take it, surer for us to temporise with them than to “desperate” them. Little thinks my Lord Admiral they can arm 300 good ships.—2 November.
Holograph. Endorsed.—“1595.” 1 p. (204. 25.)
“Frater Jacobus Carolus” to the Queen.
1595, Nov. 2/12. Complimentary letter. Sends a confessional psalmody composed by the late King,—Paris, 12 November, 1595.
Latin. Holograph. 3 pp. (36. 7.)
William Constable to the Earl of Essex.
1595, Nov. 3. “Most Honourable, your favourable letter to my Colonel hath partly pardoned my long stay.” Here is little news “but that my lord of Rutland is well come forward of his journey to this place and hath been honourably entreated by his Excellency.” Of other occurrents you will have better knowledge than I. “Capt. Bagnoll, our serjeant major, is in great danger by a hurt he received into the belly by Capt. Yaxley, falling out by the foolish report of speaches by Swan, the particularities not worth the repeating.”—Leydonn, 3 Nov.
Endorsed :—1595.
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Ri[chard] Vaughan to Dr. Webster.
1595, Nov. 4. Now is the time to procure him favour with Webster's honorable friend and patron, Sir Robert Cecil, who hath hitherto afforded him all good favours.
The certificate of the election to her royal Majesty is returned and delivered into Cecil's hands. His suit is that her Majesty, having granted unto him already the archdeaconry of Anglesea in commendam, and also being moved by the Lord Treasurer to retain the benefice of Stanford Rivers for two years, or one at the least (a request very reasonable considering that he is in first fruits to her Majesty for the said benefice), it would please Cecil to join with the Lord Treasurer and Lord Keeper in moving the Queen again to grant him a dispensation to retain the same in commendam.—1595, Nov. 4.
P.S.—For the archd[eaconry] of Middlesex, it is now Webster's and not his, and God send him joy of it. Does not mean to delay the time to receive the next fruits, but in hope by his mean to find favour is well content to relinquish all.
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The Mayor and Aldermen of Hull to Sir Robert Cecil.
1595, Nov. 4. Offering him the high stewardship of the town, void by the death of Sir Thomas Heneage, to whom, by his letters, Cecil so courteously asks them to choose a successor.—Kingston-upon-Hull, 4 Nov. 1595. Signed by John Ryster, mayor, Wm. Gee, William Smyth, Leonard Wyllan, Luke Thurseros, William Braye, William Richardson, Anthony Cole, and John Chapman.
1 p. (172. 89.)
William Waad to Sir Robert Cecil.
1595, Nov. 5. James FitzGarret, that was delivered out of prison by Mr. Flower and me with your honour's privity, has been with me of late, and doth offer his service in Ireland with as earnest protestations as any man may use. He is, as he saith, of kin to O'Rourke, to whom he would repair and get some followers, and assureth himself to cut him off. He telleth me of divers that have been sent from Sir William Stanley out of the Low Countries to the rebel of Tyrone, that are very good soldiers and have charge under him, whereof one, called Hugh Buy, is general of the foot under the Earl; he served sixteen years in the Low Countries, and was in great favour with the Count Fuentes and the D. of Pastrana. Richard Burke is also with him. He was a soldier under Captain Thomas Woodhouse. John FitzGarret, bastard son to the earl of Kildare, hath been fourteen years in the service of the K. of Spain in the Low Countries and otherwhere, and hath charge under the Earl of the troops of light horse and 300 foot. Edward Toby, brought up as a boy under Sir William Stanley, and one Bartholomew Owen, brought up likewise as a page under Sir William Stanley, these, with divers others, are sent by the north seas, and first go to Denmark and so to Scotland, and thence to the rebel to be conductors under him.
This James FitzGarret is well known to Sir William Russell, having served in the Low Countries, as he saith, fourteen or fifteen years, and being taken by the enemy was only three months with them. His desire is that the Lord Deputy may only be privy to his offers, and that he may be despatched from hence, by his longer imprisonment being in want; that in the mean season he may have something given to relieve him, for he hath nothing but that which Mr. Flower and I have given him, and that you will resolve what course to hold with him.—From my house in Wood Street, the 5th of 9ber, 1595.
Holograph. Seal. 2 pp. (35. 104.)
Sir Robert Sydney to [the Earl of Essex].
1595, Nov. 6. I have received your letter of 25 October, for which I give very humble thanks, and were it not you to whom nothing that is good is hard, I should wonder how among so many businesses you could find time to write so at large unto me. My letter you speak of to my lord Treasurer, I hope, cannot give him any just cause of offence, but truly my lord hitherunto, in our matters here, hath seemed still to sleep, which made me write the earnestlier that I might somewhat awake him, which, it seems, I have, by his saying that for his own discharge he will move the Queen about this town. I beseech your lordship to continue to have me in your protection if there be any course taken to make her Majesty offended with me. I will send unto the Queen herself within a day or two some short remembrances about this town here, which I had done ere this but that I went to the Haghe with my lord of Rutland, whence I returned yesterday, and at my coming found here your letter unto me. I send many letters which my Lord of Rutland sent unto me for you. I hope he will do exceedingly well, and the more if he follow your instructions which he did me the honour to shew me. Of his own matters I am sure he writes at large, therefore I shall not need to trouble you with them.
I found in Holland La Tulerie ready to come away, having effected nothing about his negociation. Foukerolles, I think, has come away by this time; I think great part of his business was to procure the stay for some time of the troops which were sent last into France. The King, it should seem, hopes to carry La Fere by famine, and lest that Fuentes should offer to relieve it, desires to hold himself as strong as he may. Buzenvall told me also that within a few days he will go to the King; the occasions that he told me were, that, upon the coming down of the Cardinal with his glorious offers of peace and of the princes of Germany to the like effect, the King, his master, is desirous to know the true constitution of these countries, and how far he may trust upon them, that accordingly he may resolve himself for the next year, and therefore sends for him as one that should know the state of all things here. If he carry away secret instructions from these men, it is more than I know or indeed than I do greatly imagine; yet, because others are of contrary opinion, I will affirm nothing. But of one opinion I am, that nothing doth so much hurt the course which all we which are enemies to the King of Spain should hold than causeless diffidences, which until they be taken away, there can nothing be soundly proceeded in. And, therefore, in all these things, if I were worthy to advise you, I would say that as it is good to hear all, so is it ill to let any such thing too much prevail. Buzenvall will come through this town; it may be I shall learn somewhat of him. Foukerolles told me that the King will send a solemn embassy to the Queen, having sent Lomeney but as a prologue to the play, to receive her Majesty's final resolution. I will learn, if I can, of him as he passeth by here, upon what ground he spake it. For accordingly your lordship may advise the Queen either to send as you speak of in your letter or to stay their coming. For mine own opinion I know it will be some touch of resolution that the Queen should now, as it were, seek the French king, having so bravely refused him, but, my lord, she must not put rumores ante salutem, and if an error have been committed, not to think herself bound to make it good. For questionless the good of the State of England, and generally of all them that confess Religion, is by all means to keep the King of France in affection and in ability a balance against the greatness of Spain. But one point of that must be that, things standing as they do, the Queen may seem to do it with her most honour, and that must be being again entreated and persuaded, which I think there be ways to bring about if the Queen be not too hasty. The like also I do hold in her courses towards these people, wherein I am every day glad that she doth fall somewhat from her vehemency. For truly, if she had come either to have protested against them, or to have called away her forces, it had opened a gap to a confusion in this State, and consequently to her own hurt. I have written to your lordship at large touching the matters of these countries in this other letter, wherein I have added nothing but of public matters according to your directions, because if you think it fit you may shew it, or if you do not shew it there is no harm done. For I do not persuade myself there is any extraordinary matter in it, and write I do at large to your lordship because I would witness my affection. And now to come to the thanks which I owe you for the favours which by your letter I find you still continue towards me. I would there were anything in me that might be either profitable to the State or might warrant your recommendation of me, but such as I am I have of long given myself unto you, and my other wants I will seek to supply with truth and industry. You cannot do her Majesty better service nor win to yourself more honour than if you can bring her to call sufficient men about her. The world sees many wants in the Court, and if there should have been a meeting with the French councillors, your lordship set aside, for my lord Treasurer's age will not suffer him to take long journeys, I wonder whom she would have named to have held foot against these broken heads in the affairs of the world. You will have much ado to effect this, because some will be violently dealt for if once the Queen resolve to take any whom you shall not have cause to like of For myself, though I do not want my desires, and could be glad the world should think I were not unreckoned of, yet shall they never be so desordinat that you shall be cumbered with them. If you can with your care do anything for me, you shall do it for one that will bring an unremovable affection to the good of the Queen's service, and a constantness in loving and honouring you. But for me hinder not the public course. I shall be exceeding glad if I see any worthy man preferred, and shall think myself thereby benefited, since I neither can nor will live in other state than now, and your lordship cannot lose me, for you have a stronger hand over me than of many else. For though I were no way tied unto you for your own particular favours, as long as you have these ends you now have, you cannot separate me from following your course.—At Flushing, the 6 of Nov. '95.
Holograph. Without address. 4 pp. (35. 105.) [Murdin, in extenso. pp. 697–700.]
Sir Robert Sydney to the Earl of Essex.
1595, Nov. 6. Since the writing of my last Foukerrolles hath been with me, and is now gone to ship himself. He hath a grant of the States for the troops that be in France to stay there all January, and February too, perhaps, if there be occasion. It may be, he tells me, that your lordship shall see him in England. For the King told him before he came hither that he would send him to make the way in England for another ambassador to know, as I wrote to you in my last, the Queen's final resolution. He shall address himself to you to know the Queen's pleasure whom she would have sent unto her. For accordingly the Queen will appoint. The King, it seems, will have the appearance of justice of his side. For he will not enter into a peace till he may say he is abandoned of all his allies. Another thing Foukerrolles told me also, that the States here do promise to assist the King as far as they shall be able, and that may stand with Her Majesty's liking. Your lordship therefore may see that the Queen shall have both the envy and the hurt, if she do not look to it.—In haste, 6 Nov. '95.
Signed. 1 p. (20. 73.) [Murdin, p. 699–700, in extenso.]
William Stallenge to Sir Robert Cecil.
1595, Nov 7. The 5 hereof received his letter of the 3, and presently sent the enclosure to Mr. George Carey by special messenger, H.M. post (as he saith) not being bound to travel further to the Westward. Encloses Mr. Carey's answer, with other letters apparently on the same business.
In these three there arrived 30 hulks and fly boats which, as he understands, left St. Tuvall's in Portugal, with other forty sail, about fifteen days past, all laden with salt. Their news is that at Lisbon there were thirty-eight great armades, mostly Italians and Biscays, with two galliasses, then unprepared for service, but expected to be ready by next Spring. They report nothing of H.M. Fleet gone to the southward, nor did they hear of them in Portugal.—Plymouth, 7 November, 1595.
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Sir Robert Sydney to the Earl of Essex.
1595, Nov. 8. Informing him he is newly come out of a fit of an ague, but writes of it to none but to his lordship. If it hold him any long time, he will beseech him to procure his leave, though it be but for a month or two.—At Flushing, the 8 November, 1595.
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Roger Houghton to Sir Robert Cecil.
1595, Nov. 8. Sending word that Mr. Welles has received of Lord Shrewsbury 300l. in money and certain plate at 5s. the ounce, amounting in the whole to 700l.
The plate being old and out of fashion, fears there will be a loss of two or three pounds in the sale. Cornwall would buy it, but asks time for the payment of the money.—From your honour's house in Strand, this 8th of November, 1595.
Endorsed :—“Your honour's steward, Ro. Houghton.”
Holograph. Seal broken. ½ p. (35. 109.)
Alexander King to Sir Robert Cecil.
1595, Nov. 8. Sending statement of all lands come to the possession of the Queen by the attainders of Leonard Dacre and the Earl of Arundell, within his office; and of what castles there are in Cumberland that sometime were the Dacre's, and who now hath the custom of them.—8 November, 1595.
Underwritten :—“The castles, and who hath the keeping of them, are these :—
Kirkeoswould House or Castle. Mr. John Dalston.
Rowcliff Castle. Mr. Henry Leigh.
Naworth House or Castle. Launcelot Carleton.
Askerton Tower or Castle. Thomas Carleton.
Graystock Castle. William Hatton.”
Endorsed :—“Mr. Audytor King to my Master.”
3 pp. (35. 110.)
Sir Francis Vere to the Earl of Essex.
1595, Nov. 10. The advice that M. de Caron gave the States of her Majesty's letting fall of her demand was very welcome to them; and they forthwith failed not to signify so much to the Provinces, for the comforting and settling of them. M. de Melroy, who was sent hither lately to tamper about a peace, having been divers times warned to withdraw himself, was now at last threatened, and so is departed. The enemy flatter themselves very much with the hope of peace, as appeareth by a letter intercepted and sent his Excellency by M. d' Higieres, written by the Marquis of Havray to the Cardinal of Austriche. And yet we cannot discover where that hope should spring, unless it were from the jarring betwixt her Majesty and these men. No exploits of either side as yet, but some a-forging, whereof you may hear ere long. The States have given me commission for the command of their men of war in the quarters of Zutphen, whither I am going to spend this winter.—Hague, 10 November, 1595.
Holograph. 1⅓ pp. (36. 1.)
Florence McCarthy to Sir Robert Cecil.
1595, Nov. 10. Understanding by my lady of Warwick, whom I entreated to move her Majesty for me therein, that her Highness is pleased to write to the Lord Deputy in my behalf, I have sent you herein a note of what I would have mentioned therein. And where I told you of one Henry O'Mullrian, who being my mother's kinsman, went into Spain with her brother James FitzMorice, and continued there in good credit a pensioner to the King these 20 years, being also a very near kinsman of Cornelius O'Mullrian, the bishop of Killaloe, who is in great authority there and with whom Henry doth still keep company, whereby he cannot choose but know very much of their purposes there, neither do I think but that the assurance wherein I can put him of her Majesty's favour to come into his country, and that her Highness will deal graciously and liberally with him, whereby he may live there in good sort, will procure him to learn anything he may. Unto whom if you think good to send, there is one Feelde, a young man of my country, who was lately one of the college erected there for Irishmen, and can speak that language well, being come from thence by sickness, and another called Aulon O'Brien who hath been a familiar friend of Henry's and can speak that language; of which two I will send either to you hither to be sent, and will myself write to the said Henry as you will direct. Or if you think fit for the better speed thereof, because the spring of the year is so near, to signify your pleasure to Sir Thomas Norris by me, Sir Thomas and I will send him away and direct him to ship himself for England speedily at his coming back, and to deliver you what letters and advertisements he brings. As for O'Donnell, I told you what credit I have with him, which I believe was as great at our last being together as any man could have, whereof you may write to the Lord President, Sir John Norris; and if he perceive me to be able, either by writing or speaking unto him, to benefit her Majesty, I will, without regard of any pains or danger, strain myself to perform with all faithfulness any service that he will wish me, and endeavour to bring O'Donnell to any reasonable conformity that my Lord President will desire. One of the chiefest reasons that induces me to entreat her Majesty's letters to the Lord Deputy and Lord President jointly is certain faithful followers of mine, who while I was restrained served still in the north, whereby they have great knowledge of all that country; with which companies I mean to employ myself altogether in her Majesty's service there, because I am sure to learn more and do better service with them than any that are in her Majesty's service there can do. With which letter I beseech you to be a mean that I may be speedily despatched, as also to consider of these matters I have set down, and direct me what you think best to be done.—10 November, 1595.
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Sir Walter Ralegh to Sir Robert Cecil.
1595, Nov. 10. From this desolate place I have little matter, from myself less hope, and therefore I think the shorter the discourse the better welcome. I received from Lyme, a port town in this shire, by a small bark lately arrived, that there are lately many French ships “imbarged” in Spain, and of good burden and very serviceable, notwithstanding that the same went by passport and assurance from Spain, and all the mariners likewise imprested : and that there are a fleet either gone or going, of sixty sail, as they say for Ireland. It seemeth assuredly that the preparations are great and do daily increase. If your honours conceive thereof aright, or look into the mischief, we shall do the better; but I fear, by your favours, there is somewhat more in the enemy's intent than is supposed. We that have much ado to get bread to eat have the less to care for, unless much lost labour and love awake us, that are also thankless busied in things either beyond our capacities or cares. What becomes of Guiana I much desire to hear, whether it pass for a history or a fable. I hear Mr. Dudley and others are sending thither; if it be so, farewell all good from thence, for although myself like a cockscomb did rather prefer the future in respect of others, and rather sought to win the kings to her Majesty's service than to sack them, I know what others will do when those kings shall come simply into their hands. If it may please you to acquaint my Lord Admiral therewith, let it then succeed as it will. If my lord will have a fine pinnace sent to the coast of Spain to view what is done, I think for a matter of 40l. or 50l. I can get one that shall do service. For conclusion I will only say this much, take good heed lest you be not too slow; expedition in a little is better than much too late, but your ministers of despatch are not plentiful, neither is it every man's occupation.—From Sherborn, the 10th of November.
Holograph. 2/3 p. (36. 4.)
John Doulande to Sir Robert Cecil.
1595, Nov. 10. “Right honourable, as I have been most bound unto your honour, so I most humbly desire your honour to pardon my boldness and make my choice of your honour to let you understand my bounden duty and desire of God's preservation of my most dear Sovereign Queen and country, whom I beseech God ever to bless and to confound all their enemies what and whomsoever. Fifteen years since I was in France, servant to Sir Henry Cobham, who was ambassador for the Queen's Majesty, and lay in Paris, where I fell acquainted with one Smith, a priest, and one Morgan, sometimes of Her Majesty's chapel, one Verstigan who brake out of England, being apprehended, and one Moris, a Welshman, that was our porter, who is at Rome. These men thrust many idle toys into my head of religion, saying that the Papists' was the truth and ours in England all false; and, I, being but young, their fair words over reached me and I believed with them. Within 2 years after I came into England, where I saw men of that faction condemned and executed, which I thought was great injustice, taking religion for the only cause, and when my best friends would persuade me I would not believe them. Then in time passing one Mr. Johnson died, and I became an humble suitor for his place (thinking myself most worthiest) wherein I found many good and honourable friends that spake for me, but I saw that I was like to go without it, and that any might have preferment but I. Whereby I began to sound the cause and guessed that my religion was my hindrance; whereupon, my mind being troubled, I desired to get beyond the seas, which I durst not attempt without licence from some of the Privy Council, for fear of being taken, and so have extreme punishment. And according as I desired there came a letter to me out of Germany from the Duke of Brunswick. Whereupon I spake to your honour and to my lord of Essex, who willingly gave me both your hands (for which I would be glad if there were any service in me that your honours could command). When I came to the Duke of Brunswick he used me kindly and gave me a rich chain of gold, 23l. in money, with velvet and satin and gold lace to make me apparell, with promise that if I would serve him he would give me as much as any prince in the world. From thence I went to the Lantgrave of Hessen, who gave me the greatest welcome that might be for one of my quality, who sent a ring into England to my wife, valued at 20l. sterling, and gave me a great standing cup with a cover gilt, full of dollars, with many great offers for my service. From thence I had great desire to see Italy and came to Venice and from thence to Florence, where I played before the Duke and got great favours; and one evening I was walking upon the piazzo in Florence, a gentleman told me that he espied an English priest, and that his name was Skidmore, and son and heir to Sir John Skidmore of the Court. So, I being intended to go to Rome to study with a famous musician named Luca Marenzio, stepped to this Mr. Skidmore, the priest, and asked him if he were an Englishman, and he told me yea, and whose son he was. And I telling him my name, he was very glad to see me. So I told him I would go to Rome and desired his help for my safety; for, said I, if they should mistake me there my fortune were hard, for I have been thrust off of all good fortunes, because I am a Catholic, at home; for I heard that her Majesty, being spoke to for me, said I was a man to serve any prince in the world, but I was an obstinate papist. Whereunto he answered, 'Mr. Dowlande, if it be not so, make her words true.' So, in further talk, we spake of priests, and I told him that I did not think it true that any priests (as we said in England) would kill the Queen, or one go about to touch her finger, and, said I, 'Whatsoever my religion be, I will neither meddle nor make with anything there done, so that they do not anything against the Queen.' Whereunto he answered that I spake as a good subject to her Majesty. But, said he, in Rome you shall hear Englishmen, your own countrymen, speak most hardly of her and wholly seek to overthrow her and all England; and those be the Jesuits, said he, who are of the Spanish faction. Moreover, said he, we have many jars with them; and withal wished to God the Queen were a Catholic. And, said he, to defend my country against the Spaniards I would come into England and bear a pike on my shoulders. Among our talk, he told me that he had order to attach divers English gentlemen, and that he had been three years England [sic]. So I brought him to his lodging door, where he told me that there was 9 priests come from Rome to go for England. He came but the day before to Florence; and, I think, they came all together. He told me that he would stay there in the town and study in an abbey called Sancta Maria Novella, and that he must keep in for a month, and that he would write letters of me to Rome, which I should receive very shortly. But I heard not of him in a month after. And then there came two friars to my lodgings, the one was an Englishman named Balye, a Yorkshireman. The next day after my speech with Skidmore, I dined with my lord Gray and divers other gentlemen, whom I told of my speech with Skidmor, giving them warning. Whereupon my lord Gray went to Siena and the rest dispersed themselves. Moreover I told my lord Gray, howsoever I was for religion, if I did perceive anything in Rome that either touched Her Majesty or the State of England, I would give notice of it though it were the loss of my life. Which he liked well, and bade me keep that secret. This Friar Baylie, before named, delivered me a letter which I have here sent unto your honour, which letter I brake open before Mr. Josias Bodly, and showed what was written in it to him, and divers other. After this, this Friar Bayly told me he had received letters from Rome to hasten me forward, and told me that my discontentment was known at Rome, and that I should have a large pension of the Pope, and that his Holiness and all the Cardinals would make wonderful much of me. Thereupon I told him of my wife and children, how to get them to me. Whereunto he told me that I should have acquaintance with such as should bring them over, if she had any willingness, or else they would lose their lives; for there came those into England for such purposes; for, quoth he, Mr. Skidmore brought out of England, at his last being there, xvij persons, both men and women, for which the Bishop weeps, when he sees him, for joy. After my departure I called to mind our conference, and got me by myself and wept heartily to see my fortune so hard that I should become servant to the greatest enemy of my prince, country, wife, children and friends, for want. And to make me like themselves, God knoweth I never loved treason nor treachery, nor never knew of any, nor never heard any mass in England, which I find is great abuse of the people, for, on my soul, I understand it not. Wherefore I have reformed myself to live according to her Majesty's laws, as I was born under her Highness, and that, most humbly, I do crave pardon, protesting if there were any ability in me I would be most ready to make amends. At Bolona I met with ij men, the one named Pierce, an Irishman, the other named Dracot. They are gone, both, to Rome. In Venice I heard an Italian say that he marvelled that King Philip had never a good friend in England, that with his dagger would despatch the Queen's Majesty; 'but,' said he, 'God suffers her in the end to give her the greater overthrow.' Right honourable, this have I written that her Majesty may know the villany of these most wicked priests and Jesuits and to beware of them. I thank God I have both forsaken them and their religion, which tendeth to nothing but destruction. Thus I beseech God, night and day, to bless and defend the Queen's Majesty, and to confound all her enemies, and to preserve your honour and all the rest of her Majesty's most honourable Privy Council I think that Skidmore and the other priests are all in England; for he staid not at Florence, as he said he would to me, and Friar Baylie told me that he was gone into France to study the law. At Venice and all along as I come into Germany say [sic] that the King of Spain is making great preparation to come for England this next summer, where, if it pleased your honour to advise me, by my poor wife, I would most willingly lose my life against them. Most humbly beseeching your honour to pardon my ill writing, and worse inditing, and to think that I desire to serve my country and hope to hear of your good opinion of me.”—Nurnberge, 10 Nov. 1595.
Holograph. Endorsed with Scudamore's letter to Nicholas Fitzherbert. 3 pp. (172. 91.)
J. de Cardenal to Sir Robert Cecil.
1596, Nov. 10/20. Some in England, I hear, do diversely make very hard constructions of my departure thence, wherewith I would be sorry you should any whit be disquieted, for I neither have done nor by the grace of God shall do anything, either publicly or privately, that may give you just cause to call the granting of your passport in question, or to touch my poor credit. But having now spent the best of my time faithfully and painfully in her Majesty's service, and finding myself neither regarded nor rewarded, no, not anything so much as divers others of as mean desert, I have taken a resolution to go hide my head in some other place where I might best cover my disgrace and make that little I have stretch to the use of my poor wearied life; for to live in England in want and without credit, and to see every one go before me that was wont to come after me, was more than I could in nature bear. Which reasons of my departure being most true, and no living creature being able to charge me with truth that I have deserved otherwise than very well of her Majesty and the State, I see not but that by God's law—and man's law—it is free for me, a freeman born and no way bound by any special charge to her Majesty's service, to seek mine adventures where they may most advantageously meet me; and therefore do much wonder that men will so wonder at my actions without sufficient ground or certain knowledge of the cause of them. I hear my fellow Lake doth specially take his pleasure of me otherwise than becometh him, a man of so mean birth and virtue as he doth not scant deserve to have his slanders taken knowledge of; of whom I will say no more but that if I carried the mind he doth I should perhaps be in better state than I am, having great cause to wail my hard fortune, whose lot it must be in my later years, after so long time spent in service, not only to live in want (which I persuade myself her Majesty would think did appertain to her honour to help if she were acquainted withal), but also to be made table talk by such base persons as Lake is.—At Stoade, 20 November, 1596.
Endorsed :—“Mr. Cardinal to my master.”
Holograph. Two seals. 1 p. (36. 16.)
The Master and Fellows of Queen's College, Cambridge, to Sir Robert Cecil.
1595, Nov. 10. They are required to return answer to the Queen's letters requiring them to confer a lease for 40 years, being sixteen years almost in the old lease to come, of the manor of St. Nicholas Court, in the Isle of Tennet, upon William Jhones, her servant. For as much as his suit is against the laws of the land prescribed Colleges and Cathedral Churches to use in letting of leases, and is prejudicial to them and their posterity and to the good estate of their House, and both reproachful and slanderous both now and hereafter unto them, “and without example in other Houses of the like done in that order,” it may please him to be a means that they be not urged thereunto.—10 November, 1595.
Signed :—Umphry Tyndall, Clemens Smith, Henrie Godlie, Rand. Davenport, William Couell, William Robinson, John Rhode Knight, Walter House, Beauprè Bell, Clemens French, Robert Pearson, Henrie Parker, Nathaniell Fletcher.
(136. 36.)
— to —
1595, Nov. 10/20. Spain. “Good cousin, I thank you for your kind remembrance, for your good news of the bible, and good hope conceived of our countrymen, whose good disposition we understand of by Father Rector, especially of Sir Griff. Marcham, whose virtue, he saith, doth well resemble his brother's in the College. In requittal of the rest of your news I can write nothing but what I think you have heard, that in the holy army of his Catholic Majesty the virtuous Sir William Stanley is constituted Colonel of 1,000 horse, Mr. Dacres and Mr. Inglefield both captains and have the leading of 200 musketeers each of them, th' other English all employed according to their reputation. It is certainly thought that this Christmas both Mr. Dacres and Mr. Inglefield shall be knighted. Sir William Stanley shall be of the Order of St. James. He is greatly favoured of his Majesty for the good service he hath done this summer, as well for the great care he hath had in overseeing and directing the shipwrights to the fashion and mould of the ships, as also for the correspondence he hath in Ireland with the Earl his son of Tyrone; for in the father he hath not much affiance, though, for anything we understand, he keepeth yet an head against the enemy. We had letters of late from Scotland. Colonel Simpell, who, as I wrote you before, was sent to the King from his Majesty with letters and jewels to the Queen, he writeth there is great hope of the King himself, but the greatest part of the nobility in the north of Scotland he is assured of. Here is come out of France one Mr. Kafurt, a gentleman of the King's, come from Rome from Mr. Perona about the treaty of peace, which, how it will fall out, as yet is doubtful. Here is of late come to the Court Father Persons, greatly in favour of his Majesty. We are persuaded he shall be made cardinal and legate for England, though they say that Doctor Griffin stands for it and is much favoured of his Holiness. Whereof I pray you give us advertisements what you hear; for we are all here affected to Father Persons. He shewed me letters out of England certifying the death of Father Sowthwell, Father Walpoole, the imprisonment of Father Gerret, Father Bertlet, and Father Creswell. But God, of his goodness, I trust, will one day visit and redeem his people out of that most horrible tyranny, to the furtherance whereof shall be appointed 3 certain days of fasting and prayer throughout all the Christian Catholic Churches of Europe for the good success of the holy army for the reformation of true Catholic religion. But that shall be at the beginning of March, at what time they think this army shall go forward. What the certain place and course of them will be is yet uncertain : some think the forces shall be divided, as Don Pedro di Baldes and Sir William Stanley, with a great number, to invade Ireland, then Don Pedro Sarminces, with another troop, to receive the Count Fuentes and his troops and so to come in by the North of Scotland and Ireland. They think they will make a stay in Brittany and Nuehaven. But, howsoever, I assure you was never a greater army by sea nor better provided : there is at least 150 great ships of war and as many more barks of carriage. They make account to land 20,000 men, whereof are 2,000 horse, which by a new device they have found means to transport with ease.
“You hear that in Count Fuentes his place is the Cardinal Archduke sent general into the Low Countries; but some rather think it is for a league, but specially about the matter of France; for here they have no small hope of Calais and Boulogne now that Cambray is gotten.—Madrill 20 Nov. '95. You know the hand and heart.”
P.S.—Send the enclosed packet to Father Gasper in Naples with speed; we expect he shall be rector of the College.”
ii. News, headed “Rome,” to the effect that the Duke of Ferrara's base son will join the King of Spain's banner in the “enterprises now in hand.”
Endorsed :—“Sent from Venice by Dr. Hawkins, Jan. 1595.”
Holograph. 2 pp. (172. 97.)
Sir John Forster to Lord Burghley.
1595, Nov. 11. I have sundry times written unto you concerning the pretended title and entail made to the daughters of Thomas, late Earl of Northumberland, which by his attainder did come into her Majesty's hands; and now of late a commission hath been procured by means of certain lewd and seditious persons of purpose to defraud the Queen of the inheritance thereof, if their proceedings be not stayed by your means as heretofore. One of the chief practisers thereof is well known to be a man very seditious and of evil name and fame, called Robert Holme, [who] for other evil dealings is now brought in question in her Majesty's Starchamber for forgery; and many other of the witnesses examined for the same purpose are accounted of small credit and to be informers rather for their own private gain than upon any good or just cause.
You shall also understand that some of my unfriends goeth about to get and take over my head certain things which I have been possessed of this many years as tenant to her Majesty. I must therefore be a humble suitor to you that a stay might be made of all things in my possession until next term, at which time, if I do not renew my leases, and seek further assurance if cause require, then you to dispose thereof as to you shall seem meet.—At my house nigh Alnwick, 11 November 1595.
Holograph. Seal. 1 p. (36. 5.)
Sir R. Sydney to the Earl of Essex.
1595, Nov. 12. I “wrate” once unto your Lordship touching a certain fellow at Antwerp, who this long time hath had some dealings with me. I now send your Lordship a copy of his letter to me, which I received two or three days ago, as also a copy of mine unto him, which I had written unto him upon his first letters unto me after my last coming hither. I send you also a copy of my letter to the Lord Treasurer, by which your Lordship will see the course I have taken and desire to take, being (sic) in these kind of things to do nothing without making your Lordship acquainted. The party's name is Segrave, though he call himself FitzJames, and is a regular priest. His own letter I send to my lord Treasurer, having this five year, since I first heard of the matter, ever acquainted him with all. If any good matter be offered unto me, your Lordship shall be sure to be the first shall know it. For you may see what mark is shot at here. I wrote to your Lordship in my last that I had had one fit of an ague; I have had another since, but I hope I shall have no more. For at this time that I am writing it should come unto me. I beseech your Lordship to deal earnestly for my leave for two or three months, or less rather than fail. For I know not how I shall have my health here all this winter, and for such a time I know I may be spared from hence, and despatch some of my business at home, and be here again before Her Majesty's service shall have any need of me. I will also, if I have leave, make a step unto Holland that I may be the better able to give account how all things stand in those provinces. Your Lordship shall do me a great favour, and make a poor woman and her children pray for you. For I assure your Lordship it concerns them very much that I be some part of this winter in England. Sir Ed. Uvedal may be sent back, and to that effect I wrote unto him, and I am sure he will not make any difficulty, but if there should be any hindrance to his coming, here is Captain Brown, for whose sufficiency I will give my word, who hath commanded a company in this town now more than nine year, and speaks both French and Dutch, and knows as well to govern as Sir Edward Uvedal or any other of this country in his place. Beside, here is the Serjeant Major, Captain Gorsey, who is a very honest sufficient man. But I will write hereof to your Lordship in a letter which may be shewn.—The 12 of November 1595.
Endorsed :—“At Flushing.”
Holograph. Seal. 2 pp. (20. 78.)
Encloses :
I. “P. FitzJames [Segrave] to Sir Robert Sydney.
1595, 9 Nov.—Having received yours with the passport, I so greatly marvel at the contents of them, as I know not what to conceive of them. For besides that the letters are of tenor rather to diswarrant and “averte” than to assure and animate me to repair unto you, one clause of them being that you are not to be trusted with any of my quality, the passport also is for going thither, but no motion or clause for any return, as your Lordship may see by it sent therefore here inclosed, with the translation in French on the backside of it, for which I paid Lutens six florins as Frederick demanded. Whereby your lordship seeth that I cannot repair unto you, as wished, to make known unto you things of such special importance as before mentioned. Wherefore, as I pretend nothing but the conservation of the realms with your lordship and posterity, according as most just cause and obligation bindeth me, so therefore I pray your Lordship in such friendly and assured manner in the same to assist and deal with me, as that for my good will I receive no harm or such recompense as should render you culpable before God and the world of most great ingratitude, or not using sufficient means for the security of so special and careful a friend for you. Concerning which, to the point of loving the Queen, I answer that I protest before God I so love her, as that to save her and the realms from the danger they stand in, I would give and bestow my life the second day after such condition. This at least I wish your Lordship to do, that you will sufficiently enquire and consider of the present state of things on all sides, and of the preparations made against the Government, at this present, of England, and of the most assured dangers thereof, and so to provide in time for it, that when you shall know the same to be so, you, with other the like, be not quite extinguished, with your posterity, as one of those enrolled for the purpose, as the special instruments and enemies to the faith, the Church, the quiet of all Christendom, the King of Spain, and to your own realm. And therefore to leave the means whereby your friends may be able to work for and preserve you, and to consider the difference of the means and conditions which may be had, far more great and better at one time than at another. At any which time your Lordship may stand assured of me, with such others by my mean and such care had of your Lordship and yours, as then shall appear, and your Lordship feel, whether I be the man I profess or no, and whether such my care had of you and yours and counsel given have “stand” your Lordship in stead, in such sort as I have so often mentioned. Craving pardon of your Lordship for all importunacies and faults committed therein, beseeching you to impute all such to the great care I have of your Lordship and yours in so great a danger, and that I can procure, being taken in time, that your Lordship may have the perpetual honour and like preferment and recompense due for the conservation of your country, instead of the inevitable danger and utter ruin in which otherwise your Lordship and all posterity, with all such other, do most assured stand, and are to sustain. In which your Lordship may trust and believe me, taking God to witness that therein I fain not, but do care and so deal herein for your Lordship, as if you were my proper brother or father. For proof whereof, I shall be always ready to come unto you, and to advertise of all things, and what and how the remedy is to be used, your Lordship giving me sufficient security for my safe return, as I doubt not your Lordship will. Concerning which present danger, because your Lordship seemeth not to have intelligence, instead of my repair, I will briefly advertise you of such chief things which may be committed unto a letter, as here are, by the wisest and best, for true and assured held and confirmed.
1. That the King of Spain hath provided and come unto him this year from the West and East Indies and Peru 41 millions of treasure.
2. That he had in a readiness 50 galleons and galliasses, with 100 other great ships and hulks, and above 103 of smaller and lighter vessels, and above 60,000 men for manning them.
3. That he hath made such provision of armour, powder, and all sorts of munition of war, as never he or Christian other prince did before.
4. That either he will alter the religion and present government of England or bestow all that he hath in the world.
5. That the King of France is so afraid of the King of Spain's said treasure and preparations, as therefore he will make peace with him by any means whatsoever, and to that end, rather than to omit it, will break with Turk, England, Holland, Zealand and all others; his nobility, cities, and whole subjects, for poverty of their so long wars, so urging also thereunto, as otherwise they may not be able to live and assist him.
6. That the Cardinal of Austria here to be governor, now called the Archduke, arrived in Villa Franca the 11th October, and is expected to be here before the end of this month, with four or five millions of treasure, and with him the Prince of Orange restored to all his living, with 2,000 crowns of pension besides, each month, gone from the place of landing to salute the Pope, and again to overtake the Cardinal before his arrival there.
7. That there will be a peace with France, Holland, and Zealand by Midsummer, so assuredly, if not sooner, as thereupon thousands are wagered and so offered by Princes and several of the best here.
8. That England is most assuredly to be invaded, and the chief instruments of the present government there to be extinguished, as chief enemies to the faith and quiet of all Christendom, with those only beside as will resist and oppose themselves, and all other that will be Catholic to be spared, and also used as the only true friends to the faith and realm.
9. That there shall be such a King put up in England, if the Queen will not be Catholic, as the realm shall choose, being a Catholic, and shall be in league with the Pope, the King of Spain, and all such Catholic Princes as join for extirpation of heresy and planting of Catholic faith throughout all Christendom.
10. That the King of Scots must be either a Catholic or to lose his title to any kingdom.
11. That there are already shipped in Spain 10,000 men with armour, and all provision for 60,000, who are thought to go first for Ireland, and after for England, and that England shall be invaded in three or four several parts at one selftime.
12. That the Lord Treasurer especially, and namely with all his instruments, with all their posterities, are to be utterly pursued and extinguished, as the chief causes of the trouble of all Christendom, and destruction of the realm.
13. That there cometh with the Cardinal, or now Archduke, 1,000 mariners.
14. That things go so prosperously in all parts against the Turks, as in Hungary, Croatia, and Transylvania, that the Prince of Transylvania, having several victories against him, and two great ones of late, and taken from him the City of Lippa, with the Castle, hath written to the Emperor that he hopeth shortly to make him open entry into Constantinople.
This my letter I deferred, expecting daily Frederick, who being not yet come, I send it enclosed in Lutens' letter. At the place your Lordship knoweth, the 9 of November 1595.”
Copy. Endd. by Sydney :—“Copy of Seg. letter to me of the 9 No. '95.”
2¼ pp. (20. 75.)
II. Sir Robert Sydney to Segrave.
1595, 9 Oct.—“Copy of my letter in answer to Segrave.”
1. Sending passport from the States for him and his servant, and promising he shall receive no trouble in coming or going back or in his stay, so as neither of them give occasion to the contrary, but show good proof the intent of their coming is to do Her Majesty service.—Flushing, 8 October 1595. “R.S., here was my name.”
2. “Touching the love you so much profess unto me, I pray you know I know no friends but those that love the Queen my sovereign, and hold all those for enemies that love not her. For the timorousness you touch me for in, that I have made you answer no sooner, truly I fear not what he can do whom you would have all the world be afraid of, much less am I afraid of what you can say unto me, and I am too well known not to be trusted with you or any other man of your quality. But indeed I remember how idle your last dealings were, and therefore make no great haste to give ear unto you.”—9 Oct. '95. “R.S. here again was my name.”
1 p. (20. 40.)
III. Sir Robert Sydney to Lord Burghley.
1595, 12 Nov.—I send herewith unto your Lordship a letter I received a day or two ago from Segrave, at Antwerp, by which your Lordship may now plainly see what the scope of his intent is. I also send copies by which your Lordship may see what hath passed between us. Now it may please your Lordship to move Her Majesty to let me know her pleasure by you, whether she will have me send for him or not. The passport I sent him he sends me back again, because his return was not assured in it, though having my letter he needed make no doubt of it. For there is none in Zealand that would have troubled him, for the passage is but too free between this and that. But he is resolved to provide for his safety, and I doubt not but the cause why he deals so plainly in his letter is, that having made his intent known before hand, I could not, suffering him to come to me, have any just occasion to stay him. Besides, having a direct passport from the States for his coming and going, it might breed some confusion between them and me, if I did anything against it, especially having procured it myself. But his drift is, your Lordship sees, to appryse me with the dangers that the state of England now stands in, and particularly myself as a man hated of the King of Spain, and appointed to destruction, and therefore with great protestations of love and care for me, to offer me means to provide for myself in time, and with all promises of great benefits if I will follow his advice. And I make no question but this which he doth is by direction from far greater persons than himself, to try if that by corrupting of me either through fears or promises, the King of Spain might possess himself of this place, for which I know he would give many hundred thousand crowns, assuring himself to come thereby to a full end of these wars here, and to a high step to prevail with England. But I assuredly trust that Her Majesty believes that it is not in desire or fear or hope to make me false unto her, and that belief will ever confirm with the hazard of my life and fortunes. He would also make your Lordship afraid, but therein he cannot do your Lordship a greater honour than to shew that they which hate the Queen, do for her sake hate you also. I am very proud that he puts me in the company of them whom the King of Spain doth the honour to hate, but this is not the first time that this fellow would have me know as much, and worthy of that honour will I ever be, by desiring his harms, as much as may be, and with keeping a resolution not to wish to overlive the happy state wherein at this time England lives. One thing in my letter to him Segrave mistakes, for it was far from my meaning to say that I was not to be trusted with any man of his quality, as may appear by mine own letter.
It resteth now that it will please your Lordship to know Her Majesty's pleasure what I shall do. For myself I see not what other profit may be than to hear him speak. For so fast he will bind me, I doubt not, that I must either let him return, or be forced by some public justification [to] give reasons of my doings, to which I would not willingly come for such a poor priest as he is, considering that hitherunto I am clear and not in any sort imagined in the matter, and that I cannot be ignorant with what merchandise he will come unto me. Besides, there will be questions to be decided with the States, because they must be made known the reason of the infraction of their passport. I will therefore humbly expect Her Majesty's pleasure from your Lordship. Here are at this time no news, the armies being of all sides in garrison, and the Cardinal not yet come, whose arrival will give great cause of discourse.—At Flushing, 12 November 1595.
Endd :—“Copy of my letter to my lo. Treasurer, P.S.”
1½ pp. (20. 79.)
John [Coldwell,] Bishop of Salisbury, to Sir Robert Cecil.
[1595,] Nov. 12. You may think long to receive my patent for the clerkship of Sarum, but when you shall know the cause of this delay, I hope you will judge it to have been for the best. I received a letter from Sir Thomas Gorge, and within four hours after another from the Earl of Essex, both for the same clerkship and both before the death of Sir Thomas Henneage. If I should have answered that it was promised to you I should have done otherwise than your request was, viz., to conceal it during the life of Sir Tho. Henneage, who, for anything I knew, might have, as before, escaped that danger; if I should have flatly denied them I could not but incur great displeasure; and therefore I certified them (and that truly) that the office was not in my disposition, two patents being out and the one in possession, and therefore not in me to satisfy their requests. And herein I wrote as in heart I thought, which caused me to labour for the surrender from him in possession, that thereby, and not by me, you might have the office, which otherwise in truth I should have been fearful to do. What followeth upon the report that you should have it you may perceive by this letter enclosed, wherein is a notable untruth forged by Ayscott, that under the pretext of his lordship's letters I should deny him the possession of his patent. But now I have sent Mr. Hooper as well to surrender the old patent into your hands as to deliver you a new from me. I beseech you to be good to him in acceptation of your allowance for the profit of the office. This benefit is uncertain and at most not worth above 40l. by year, out of which he must make allowance to the patentee now being till other means may be made for supply. And as I am content to hazard the loss of a great person to shew my readiness to satisfy you, so I beseech you to work a better conceit in him of me, which may be affected by delivering a truth; viz., that till you had a surrender of Jewell Hooper's patent now in possession I refused to grant any from myself. I know not what validity Mr. Ayscott his patent is, but I have heard that no patent in reversion can be good, as his is. I doubt not but you shall hear from him shortly, by reason that bringing me this letter from my lord of Essex, he pressed me much to give him possession of that office; which I denied, commanding this bearer, Mr. Hooper, to keep it, whilst he had it, to your use. I beseech you to afford your honourable help towards me and this church, without which we shall be hardly handled. For I being purposed to renew our commission for the peace, to the end that I would have you to be put into the commission, as Sir Tho. Henneage was, and to be made Custos Rotulorum (which ever hath been at the Bishop's nomination), I am informed that great means is made without my knowledge to the Lord Keeper to have that commission renewed and the Earl of Pembroke assigned Custos Rotulorum; a thing contrary to my liberty and ancient usage, which may breed some trouble amongst us, the citizens being bent to deprive me of mine inheritance.
Where your honour hath been informed that Sir Francis Walsingham had a patent of this office, it is not so; he never had anything from this church, from the town he had a pension. And Sir Tho. Henneage could get nothing by his patent otherwise than by composition at the assignment of the Lords of the Council, who also set a decree that this Henry Hooper should keep possession to the use of Jewell Hooper till his patent were convinced. But his patent being surrendered I do send unto you a patent from myself, with humble request that you will depute this bearer, Henry Hooper, to exercise the office for you; whereunto I thank you you have honourably assented.—From my house in Sarum, this 12th of November.
Holograph. 2 pp. (36. 6.)
Ottywell Smyth to the Earl of Essex.
1595, Nov. 12. Since he wrote last, the governor of Dieppe has received a letter from the King with many comfortable words, and is gone, with the premier president of Rouen, to the King to persuade his Majesty not to give the governance of Rouen to M. le Grand, or there will be trouble. “Here is come over Monsieur Lomenye, well content, and speaketh very well of her Majesty, that he was used very well, but saith some of the Council did not use him well, and is angry because that my L. Admiral did not permit her Majesty's pinnace to bring him over, the which had brought him to Rye. This doth discourage much them of the Religion. They be afraid the King will take some other course to their undoing; for the young prince of Conde is at Potyers coming to Paris with his mother, and it is to be feared they will cause him to go to mass; and these Cardinals I think do come to give him absclution and to unmarry the King with his wife, for she cometh to Paris, and her baggage the most part is come to Paris. I do hear the Duke de Bollyoune is gone to Sedan and that the King was very sore offended with him.” As the King contents some he discontents others. Has written to Mr. Edmondes that he goes to England at Christmas and unless paid the 200l. he has advanced above the Queen's allowance, he can let him (Edmondes) have no more money. Has received Essex's letters.—Dieppe, 12 Nov., 1595.
P.S.—M. de Fewterelles writes to the governor here that he has obtained of the States in Flanders the continuance of the 2500 men here, and some victuals for Picardy. “There is some dispute betwixt the Marshal de Byrone and the Duke de Mayene about a gentleman of his that challenged to fight with the Marshal : so the Marshal is gone with 3000 foot, ten pieces of ordnance, to besiege the Duke de Mayene in Challone in Bowrgonye.”
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M. de Chastre, Governor of Dieppe, to the Earl of Essex.
1595, Nov. 12/22. Je suis marry que Monsieur de Lomenye ne nous a porte plus de contantement de son voyage. Nous partons demain ansemble pour aller trouver le Roy a La Fere ou il continue ses fors. Monseigneur de Montpensier y va aussy, et Monsieur le Promier Prezidant, et le Cappitaine Bonifasse, qui commande dans le fort Ste. Catherine. Je crois que sa Magesté nous veut faire antendre la rezolution qu' il a prize pour la lieutenense du baliage de Roann. Dieu veulle que se soyt au contantemen de ses bons serviteurs. Je crois que vous seres bien aise de savoyr se qui se rezodra; je vous an donrey avis. Honores moy, Monsieur, de vos bonnes graces et fetes etat de mon servisse.—A Dieppe, xxij. Novembre.
Endorsed :—“22 Novembre, 1595, novo stilo.”
(36. 18.)
Sir R. Sydney to the Earl of Essex.
1595, Nov. 13. I cannot tell what to promise of myself this winter, for as I wrote unto your Lordship in my last, I have had a fit or two of an ague. They have left me now, thank God, but I am little sure how long they will be away. For this ague that I had came unto me without any disorder. Your lordship will say that all this is to put you in mind to procure my leave to come over, and it is true indeed. For otherwise it is little to the state of Christendom, that I should trouble you among all their business with a discourse of my having an ague. If therefore your lordship's greater causes will afford you leisure, I humbly beseech you to be earnest in moving my leave for three months, or less, rather than fail. I have exceeding great occasions to be in England this winter; notwithstanding, if there were any occasion here of Her Majesty's service that did require my stay, I would not forget myself so much towards you, as to desire you to procure my being away. I do not see but that I may well be spared from hence for two or three months.—At Flushing, the 13 of November, '95.
P.S.—Here is a speech among the merchants of the revoking of the Cardinal upon a sudden sickness into which the King of Spain should have fallen : also of the death of Dediguieres.
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Sir Walter Ralegh to Sir Robert Cecil.
1595, Nov. 13. You may perceive by this relation that it is no dream which I have reported of Guiana, and if one image have been brought from thence weighing 47 kintalls, which cannot be so little worth as 100 thousand pound, I know that in Manoa there are store of those. If the relation sent to the Spanish King had been also taken, you should therein have found matter of great admiration. But howsoever this action be respected, I know that the like fortune was never offered to any Christian Prince. I know it will be presently followed both by the Spanish and French, and if it be foreslowed by us I conclude that we are curst of God. In the meantime I humbly beseech you to move her Majesty that none be suffered to foil the enterprise, and that those kings of the borders which are by my labour, peril, and charge won to her Majesty's love and obedience be not by other pilferers lost again. I hope I shall be thought worthy to direct those actions that I have at mine own charge laboured in, and to govern that country which I have discovered and hope to conquer for the Queen without her cost. I am sending away a bark to the country to comfort and assure the people that they despair not nor yield to any composition with other nations.
I know the plot is by this time finished, which if you please to command from Heriott that her Majesty may see it, if it be thought of less importance than it deserveth, her Majesty will shortly bewail her negligence therein, and the enemy by the addition of so much wealth wear us out of all. Sir, I pray esteem it as the affair requireth if you love the Queen's honour, profit, and safety. If I be thought unworthy to be employed, or that because of my disgrace all men fear to adventure with me, if it may not be otherwise, I wish some other of better sufficiency and grace might undertake it, that the Queen lose not that which she shall never find again.
You find that there are, besides gold, both diamond and pearl, and I brought with me, taken up among the sands, a stone which being cut is very rare. I pray do me the favour to command Peter van Lore to deliver you those two which I gave him to prove, which he made little account of, but I will have them cut by Pepler, who is skilful, and dwells here with A. Gilbert. I have sent you one that was cut here which I think is amethist, and hath a strange blush of carnation : but I assure myself that there are not more diamonds in the East Indies than are to be found in Guiana, which you see also verified by the relation of the Spanish letters. I have another cut of another sort, and if it be no diamond yet it is exceeding any diamond in beauty; but I am not in haste to let it go out of my fingers. But these stones bear witness of better, and there is enough for all the world if we have the grace. But we must cast so many doubts, and this dolt and that gull must be satisfied, or else all is nothing. If the Spaniards had been so blockish and slothful we had not feared now their power, who by their gold from thence vex and endanger all the estates of Europe. We must not look to maintain war upon the revenues of England; if we be once driven to the defensive, fear were my part. But as God will so it shall be, who governs the hearts of kings. I rest your assured to be commanded, poor or rich.—Sherborn, this Wednesday morning, an hour after the receipt of your letter, the 13th November.
Holograph. Seal. 1 p. (36. 9.)
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