Lorraine." Addressed to "Mon Cousin, Mons le Conte Raingrave, Chlr. de lordre du Roy."

WILLIAM COTHE to SIR WILLIAM SEINTLOE, Knt., Captin to the Gard for the Quenes Majesties person at the Court.

1563, July 14th, Newhaven (to wit, Havre de Grace, Normandy."Right Worshipfull Sir. The next morning after the departure of Mr. Fissher our Knight porter the bartrey beganne at our grene (?) bulwark alias called St. Adresse bulwarke in ii places crosst, whiche as yet hath done small hurt to that place, but they have beaten downe our steple on the which stoode iii fayre DemiColveryns to skowre the topp of the hills, but now dispaced, and so are all most all the peces on the same bullwarke. They entrenche along the beache to beate downe our castell, whiche standith at the entering in of the haven, and so to kepe our haven from us, which they shuld never have done yf we had had men, truly we have not left within our town and fort ii. thowsand able men, all our old bandes be consumed, we have skant men enoughe to bury our dead carkases, theire dyeth viixx and odd every day. I assure you by the report of such as have travayled, there was never the lyke mysery in any towne, my pen is skarce able to towche, as it is in dede God graunt for his great mercyes sake we may be compforted in tyme, which we are allmoste in despayre of. Who wold have thought that we shuld have bene beseiged vii or viii weekes, without relief, knowing that the plague hath and doth dayly so myserably devoure us. Yf it be lost, the quene shall lose not only great honour, but suche a company withall as I am out of hope to se again brought up in my tyme. The French say they will have it before they part, and it is not treble the company we have here, that is able to defend it, and how we shall come to ayde I know not yf they take our haven from us. As for my part I thinke never to se Englond agayne, unlesse God so will miraculously delyver us, in whom is all our trust. Dick Saunders is killed, so is our waterbayly, whose braynes was streken out going in the stretes, the master of the ordenannce is hurt of the face and foote, Head his hurt in the thighe, so is Capten Sawle, and Wekes with many others. Thus with my humble commendations to my very good Lady, for this tyme I commyt you unto God, who preserve you from the most myserable New Haven."

Below his signature to this gloomy letter William Cothe adds "Warres was proclaimed in Fraunce senight agoe agaynst Englond."

MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS to the COUNT RHEINGRave.

1563, September 21st, Sterlin.-"Mon Cousin, combien que les nouvelles que mavez escriptes du camp devant le Havre ayent este quelque peu tardifues Daultant que du coste Dangleterre Javois entendu le restitution du Hauvre et de la paix que le Roy Monsieur mon beau frere a faict avecques la Royne Dangleterre Madame ma bonne Sœur. Si est que je ne lairray de vous remercyer bien affectueusement de la souvenance quavez eue de moy mescripvant de vos nouvelles et de la prosperite des affaires de la coronne de France Dequoy Je si ayse que nouvelles qui me pourroyent advenir qui me faict vous pryer de continuer en ceste bonne volonte vous assurant de ne me scauries fere plus grand plaisir que Je seroys ayse de recognoistre en ce que me voudrez employer et daussi bon cueur. Si pour fin

de la presente Je me recommande a votre bonne grace, priant Dieu vous donner Mon cousin en bien bonne sante longue et heureuse vye. Escript a Sterlin ce xxime jour de Septembre 1563.

"Votre bonne amie

"MARIE R."

Letter of secretarial penmanship, with autograph subscription aud signature.

The Honourable GILBERT TALBOT to HIS FATHER, GEORGE, THE SIXTH EARL OF SHREWSBURY.

1575, January 12th, Godrydche Castle.--" My duty moste humbly rendered, Right Honorable my syngular good Lord and father, I have caused this bearer, your Lordship's sergiaunte of Farhyngfylde, to brynge your Lordship all such mony as he saithe he could possible gather of the exsuetts (?) of Farhyngfylde. He complaineth that there are many, who are not in all the worlde worthe so much mony as the [y] are amersed. Howbeit I have had nothynge to doe therwith, but only to calle upon him, and the reste of the baylifes here, to gather all that is due to your Lordship, and to carry [it] to you. And for that there reckenynges are intermyngled with Wygfalls receytes heretofore, I have thoughte good to sende him unto your Lordship, who will be at Sheffeld (God wyllinge) within a day or ii after this bearer, wherby he may perfyte all his sondry accomptes with your Lordship, which withoute his owne displayinge wolde very hardly be understode. And I can now best spare him for that the Furnesse is not yet blowinge, which after it be once sett a worke will require muche more tendynge, and L hope aboute his returne we shalbe in a redines to sett her in hande. I pray your Lordship lycence him to returne therfore, as shortely as may be. I will sende your Lordship by him Marshalls accomptes of the xxxli. he is accomptable for of your Lordship, which yet I have [? not]] thorowly examined. When Wygfalle cometh to your Lordship, he will be better able to certifye your Lordship of the estate of the workes then I can doe by wrytynge. The iron goeth but slowly away, for that I will not cum so lowe as the contrey thynketh to brynge me unto, and I am moste assured by forbering hastie salle for a wyle to brynge them to xili xs. the Tun. May it please your Lordship, I have bargained with ii fellowes of Herforthe, who will brynge sureties suffycient that shall be bounde in xxli. that they shall make a perfyte plumpe (sic) in the well, which shall be repayred and helde perfyte of their charges durynge their lyves, and for their workmanshipp hereof I must gyve them xxtie nobles and fynde them leade to doe it, which wilbe a marvalouse great ease consyderinge the paynfulles and troble it is now to drawe it by buckett. I know of nothynge worthy to advertise your Lordship, but I woulde be gladd to have your Lordship's direction, and yonr pleasure for me and my wyfe if the parlament dothe houlde, which is here thoughte to doe, the tyme drawyng necre, beyinge the begynninge of the nexte monethe, the viiith of Februarye, for I can never thynke to doe well in anythynge, wherein I shall lacke your Lordship's direction, trustynge in God I shall never be so unhappye. Thus my wyfe and I doe mosie humbly desyre your Lordship's daly blessinge with our daly prayers for your Lordship's longe continuance in all good and most perfyte heaithe. At Godrydche your Lordship's castell this xiith of Jan., 1575.-Your Lordship's most humble and obedyent children.— Gilbert Talbott, Mary Talbott."

a 88428.

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Succeeding to the Earldom at his father's death, Gilbert Talbot became 7th Earl of Shrewsbury.

HENRI III. OF FRANCE to Mons. DE FLASSANA.

1578, June 6, Chantilly.-." en retournant par de la le Baron de Aoca Je luy ay donner charge vous faire entendre comme Je y ay naquieres depesche mon procureur general Piostain avecques mon intention de ce que Je desire et veulx qui soict faict pour le bien de mon service et le repos universel de mes bons subjects de mon pays de Provence, donc m'assurant quil sacquitera tresfidellemen. Je ne vous en feray redicte (?) par la presente. Vous pryant tant seulemen en Continuance le mesme cour (?) de votre affection et fidell . . . . execution de mes commandes ... Vous teniez main que Je soys obey ung chacun comme il appartien, Et que si quelq'un estoyt si temeraire d'y vouloir donner empeschement, il soyt chastie comme perturbateur du repos publicq, Et vous me ferez service tres agreable comme plus particullierement vous dira ledit Baron de Aoca. Pryant dieu quil vous ayt Mons de Flassana en sa sancte et digne garde."

Letter of secretarial penmanship, with autograph signature; addressed "A Mons" de Flassana, Chev de mon Ordre."

LORD BURLEIGH to Mr. ROBERT PETRE, Auditor of Her Majesty's Recepte.

1578, July 17, Haveryng." Mr. Petre. I send to you herewith a privie seale for 7137. 12s. to be prested to the office of the ordenance for munitions. When the officers come for it, you may delyver it and send me an order to be signed for it. If they ask you money for ordinary you may say that you have no order from me, and that truly the Quenes Majesty is offended with those gret expences, and specially consderyng so litle is spent about provision of poudre, and externall provisions."

PHILIP II. OF SPAIN to CATHERINE DE MEDICIS.

1581, March 31, Tomar.-" Treshaute Tresexcellente et Trepuissante Princesse nostre Treschiere et Tresamee Bellemere vos lettres escriptes a Chenonceau le xxxme de Janvier dernier nous sont este rendues par Le S de Chemerault gentilhome de La Chambre et mareschal des Logis de Treshault tres excellent et tres puissant Prince nostre treschier et tresamee beau frere et cousin Le Roy Treschretien Vostre filz, Les accompaignant de Loffice que vous Luy avez encharge de condoulance a loccasion du triste succies dont il a pleu a Dieu nous visiter. Duquel nous tenons pour certain que pour Laffection que vous nous portez vous aurez sentu deplaisir, mais il fault prendre de la main du createur ce que Luy plaist envoyer, Et vous remercions cordialement de cest amiable office. Il nous a aussi dict ce que vous Luy avez encharge nous dire de vostre part, Et nous vous asseurons quil scaura faire bon rapport de ce que Luy avons respondu. Priant dieu, Treshaulte Tresexcellente et Trespuissante Princesse, nostre Treschiere et tresamee bellemere, quil vous ait en sa sancte et digne garde.-Escript a Tomar le deniere de March, 1581."

Letter of secretarial penmanship, with autograph subscription and signature.

FRANÇOIS DUC D'ALENÇON ET D'ANJOU to HENRI III. OF FRANCE.

[1581], November 8, Richemont.-" Monseigneur se sera tous jours amon grand regret lors que il faudra que je n vous in inportune car je ne desire vois (sic) que de vous tesmonger la fection que je avostre treshumble servise il est vray que pour se subget seresqe plus hardi que pour un autre car vostre maieste ma ase montre conbien elle a agreable lefet de mon mariagé avecque laroyne dangleterre se qui dieu mersi est ensi bon termes que sans doubte il est fot esperer le bon succes que de lontans aeste atandu qui est cauze que je vous supplie treshumblemant qui vous pleze man voyer en toute extresme diliganse sinquante mil escus pour subvenir a payer les presans quil faudra que je fase les quelz je trouvere beaucoup plus aproupos a londre que de les fayre choizir a paris ansi que lon ne pouroit pas savoir lenombre qui lan faudra car se la peut sur venir deure a autre se lon les personnes qui setrouveront a mes noses, je vous supplie treshumblemant que personne que seus aqui il faudra que de parties vos commandemans ne le sache car il nest apropos que se la soit diulge iusques a se que laroyne et moy en sanble vous en mandions la nouvelle se que atandant pour davantage ne vous ennuyer de redite et maseurant que aures soin deseque desus coume de chouze qui minporte grandemant a lonneur et reputation je vous bayze les mins et apres maytre treshumblement recoumande a vos bonne grases je prie dieu Monseigneur qui vous doint entier aconplisement de vos dessirs de richemont se se viiie Novambre-Vostre tres humble et tres obeissant Francoys."

Holograph: addressed "Au Roy Monseigneur et frere."

THOMAS EARL OF ORMONDE to JOHN LISTON.

1598, September 4th. The Nace (?Naas).-"John Liston although I have not heard from you since comynge over the Barrow, you shall fynd I have not forgotten you, and for that I meane to bestowe a Company on you in her Majestes paye, you may not fayle but to make your present repayre unto me, wheresoever you shall heare of my beinge to theis partes, bringinge with you one hundreth tall men, well furnyshed. Yf you cannot make up the full number, bring with you as many as you have with all spede. And yf you can alight on any pece of service in your waye, I doubt not but you will performe it to the uttermost. In your travell yt shalbe lawfull for you to take meate and dryncke for one night, and a breakfast in ech place in a competent manner; not usinge of extorcion or other oppression in the countrey. Yf you have not sufficient men already to make up your company, rayse the reste of them, some in the countye of Kilkeny, and other some in the countye of Tipparye (sic), as formerlie I told you. Use all expedicion herein, soe as you maye overtake me in theis partes, whereby you may receave ymprest to furnyshe your selfe and Companye. Yeaven at the Nace

Signed-"Thomas Ormonde" by the Earl's hand, this letter of secretarial penmanship closes with this postscript:-"Your pardon "is out under the brod seale, and to thende your men may come quieter "thorowe the contrey without extorcion or complaint, I wrote to "Robert Hihe at Kilkeny to deliver youe fortie pounds, receving 66 your acquittance for the same. When you receave the money of "him, come away presently."

HENRI IV. OF FRANCE to JAMES VI. OF SCOTLAND.

[ April 10th, La Rochelle." Monsyeur mon frere, ayant connur par une letre que Jay receue de vous que vous avyes desyr de voyr le Sr du Bartas lun de mes servyteurs domestyques Je lay mande pour me venyr trouver afyn daller vers vous pour satysfere a votre volonte et resevoyr vos commandemans lassurant que le servyse quyl vous fera estant pres de votre personne Je le reputeray comme fet a moymesmes et le reconnoyteray son retour. Il vous pourra fare antandre byen partyculyerement lestat des aferes de desa et nommemant des eglyses reformees de ce royaume ayant este presque tousjours presant a ce quy sest passe, dequoy Jestyme que vous recevres contentement pour le notable interest que vous aves avec tous les prynces crestyens a ce quy touche une sy juste cause que celle que nous soustenons et avons commune avec eux laquelle nous oblyge tous a y aporter un bon zele et afectyon crestyenne. Je remetray sur ledyt Sr. du Bartas a vous dyre plusyeurs autres partycularytes de ce quyl sayt et quyl a veu et vous pryeray tresafectueusement et Monsyeur mon frere de vouloyr fere tres certeyn et assur estat de de lentyere amytye et de tout ce quy est au pouvoyr de Vostre byen humble et tresaffectione frere a vous obeyr et servyr."

LORD CRANBORNE to LORD TREASURER, the EARL OF SALISBURY.

[1605,] February 18th, Paris.-"Right Honourable, my very good Lord and father, I must crave pardon of your Lordship of my longe silence the reason whereof hath beene because I hearde there were letters comming from your Lordship which I daily expected. At length heere is one come to Mr. Lister and to Mr. Finet but those by the waye of Rouen (which your Lordship maketh mention of) wee have not received. I have bene lately ill, which your Lordship hath bene advertised by Mr. Lister, but now (I thanke God) I am well. I have bene entreated to be of a carosell, with most of the yonger nobility of this place which we are (one Sonday next) to performe. The common subject of there discours in this court is of the warrs in Cleves, and now lately of some preparations for Italy concerning the Duchy of Milan in favour of the Duc of Savoye. I will informe my selfe of the causes of both and of such like thinges to the end that I may do mye selfe good and give your Lordship contentment. As I was writing this unto your Lordship Monsieur de Ge came in, and told me that the King had received letters whereby he was advertised that the Prince of Condys (being jealous that the Secretary to the French Ambassadeur at Bruxelles did practice with his wife concerning her secret retourne into France) finding him one day in her chamber gave him 2 dangerous stroakes with his sworde and forced [him] to leape out of the window and that since the Prince is [ Spaine. Thus humbly craving your Lordship's blessing I humbly take my leave."

SIR CHARLES CORNWALEYS to JAMES THE FIRST.

1614, June 22nd." Accept I humblie beseech you (most gratious Soveraigne) the true and plaine discoverie of a soule afflicted and greved in all extremitie for your Majesties displeasure occasioned by some conferences concerning your late parliament.