WILLIAM STALLENGE to SIR ROBERT CECIL.

1596–7, Jan. 13.-Since he certified Cecil on the 9th hereof of the arrival of Captain Croftes, they have unladen the ship and received from her the parcels of goods mentioned in the enclosed note. These are laid up in store houses, and order has been given for the safe keeping of the ship and furniture until Cecil's pleasure be further known. The doing of this has detained Captain Croftes longer than otherwise he would have stayed there. There were brought in the said ship nineteen Spaniards, of which Captain Croftes carrieth two with him. The rest are allowed 6d, each man per diem: the charges of these, as also of the rest that were brought from Captain Harper and Captain Legate, is to be borne upon the goods, and therefore they request commandment what shall be done with them. Leaves Captain Croftes' good services to Cecil's consideration. By his means the certain state of the country of Biskie is known, which by any of the rest they could not understand. Has paid him on account of his charges and employment 137. 6s. 8d.Plymouth, the xiiith of Januarie 1596.

Holograph. p. (173. 11.)

SIR HORATIO PALAVICINO to SIR ROBERT CECIL, Secretary.

1596-7, Jan. 14.-Last night I had letters from my friend who by my order sends from time to time into Flanders to see what the enemy are doing. He writes that the Spanish soldiers were leaving West Flanders and marching towards Brabant, and that the Cardinal is massing men at Tornaut to enter Holland if a frost come. In Dunkirk eight ships are arming to issue out and rob. There is great working upon the fortress of Calais, where an English bark recently arrived with materials. The Cardinal was expecting money from Biscay to come by sea to Calais, and there were ships ready at Laredo for it; but it seems strange that the King should risk sending it that way, unless the resolution he has taken not to treat constrains him to take that way rather than that of Italy which is too long. The Adelantado was still at Madrid and would soon go to Lisbon to prepare anew the armada of the Groyne and follow out his enterprise. I wish that, besides Teobast, you had one or two others in Galitia, because it is important to know the designs of that armada. From my house, 14 Jan. 1596.

Italian. Holograph. 1 p. (173. 12.)

SIR HORATIO PALAVICINO to SIR ROBERT CECIL.

1596-7, Jan. 15.-Is glad the pain in his arm is better. Now he knows the Queen's pleasure, will write at once to his friend at Roan to attempt some settlement with that Court for the payment to the Queen of the pay of the 2,000 foot and the 20,000l. lent. If it succeeds will be glad to have served her Majesty, far from thinking to compensate himself her Majesty forgets that when in Germany he had 30,000l. of hers of which he rendered true account. Asks for a note of the amount of the pay of the 2,000 foot and their officers. Spoke to-day with M. Caron who is ready to assist him; but a letter from the Queen is necessary, which he now asks Cecil to procure.-From my house,

15 Jan. 1596.

Italian. Holograph. 1p. (37. 71.)

THE CHEST.

1596-7, Jan. 15.-A list of names, with sums varying from 61. to 2867. opposite them, endorsed, "The true state of the chest as the same was found by auditor Neale, auditor Sutten, and others, thereto appointed, the xvth day of January 1596," viz. :—

Bills taken in April and May 1596.-Anth. Morler "per a reaste " 417.,* the same 247., the same 1677., Hastings Belgrave 267., John Pasfield 437., Wm. Elkinton "per a reaste" 201., Thos. Grymes 367, Baldwin Dirhame 917., Ant. Key 951., Fernando Clutterbooke 1761., Parnell Towerson 391.

Bills taken in August and September 1596.-Rog. Oldfielde 451, Rob. Carr 431., Thos. Ofleye 1127., Roland Odell 417., Ric. Stapers 971., Wm. Greenwell 371., Ric. Corken 381., Ant. Skinner 231.

Bills taken in October 1596.-John Alsop 1667., Thos. Talbot 921., John Heaton 394., Thos. Lowe 1797., Thos. Smythe 491., Ric Morcocke 1567., Wm. Higgs 2861., Wm. Walmesleye 2317., Thos. Hayes 2271, Hen. Rowe 881., the same 70., Robt. Taylor 1437., Giles Howland 877., Hen. Billingsley 1127., Edw. Quarles 1267., John Leake 391., Jas. Traves 521., Wm. Rogers 737., the same 757., John Wilkes 85l., Geo. Huxley 1367., Thos. Bennett 357., Edm. Wolverstone 137., Robt. Towersone 147., Wm. Stone 1637., Thos. Garrawaye 177., Robt. Brooke 1447., Leonard Hallydaye 717., Ric. Bowdler, two bills, 1127., Wm. Bowser 1297., Thos. Bennett 1927., Martin Billingsley 1537., Robt. Harryson 257., Thos Wrighte 267., Andrew Forsland 371., Thos. Franclyn 240., Wm. Massame 707., Cuthb. Martyne 75l., Fras. Smaleman 737., Ant. Key 687., Ric. Ven 2127., Wm. Poynter 357., Wm. Freeman, two bills, 1677., Fernando Clutterbooke 1517., John Barefoote, 561., Barth. Barnes 1647., Nich. Wheler 77., Giles Perslowe 381., Ric. Shepharde 501., Wm. Poynter 731., Leonard Hallydaye 317., Wm. Hallydaye 1601., Fernando Clutterbooke 1317., Ralph Ashley 107., Andrew Banninge 327., John Bonner 187., Hugh Morrall 387., John Quarles 2747., John Barefoote 221., Hen. Andersone 177., Ric. Wyche 521., Timothy Glover 67., Thos. Hayes 137., Robt. Mydnall 257., Thos. Dobson, unsubscribed, 177.

Total of bills, 7,1897. 19s. 1d. Money in chest, 4317. 2s. 5d. 1 p. (37. 72.)

SIR GRIFFIN MARKHAM to SIR ROBERT CECIL, Principal Secretary.

1596-7, Jan. 15.-Has been here almost six weeks. Hoped not to have staid long after Mr. Gorge was gone; but he has been a fortnight at liberty and Markham has still no comfort but Cecil's promise not to forget him. From the Fleet, 15 Jan.

Signed:-Gri, Markhame.

Endorsed:-1596. 1 p. (37, 73.)

ARTHUR GREGORY to SIR ROBERT CECIL, Principal Secretary. 1596-7, Jan. 16.-After long attending Mr. Attorney's opportunity. for the perusing of his warrant for the Queen's grant, obtained by Cecil's means, Mr. Attorney said he was commanded "not to pass any concealments; among which he interpreted my suit to be in nature, though in

* Shillings and pence are here, for brevity, omitted.

deed it concerneth traitors and is in another kind." Begs him to satisfy Mr. Attorney or else move the Queen for the proceeding of the matter, for "I have in myself to do her Majesty especial service in such sort as all our ingeners [engineers] never dreamed of the like." Desires him to accept a present of a "portable counting house," with presses for papers, and a coach like the one he intends for Cecil's father, which "shall pass all other, especially for ease "; and to see to this matter lest "after I have now with expense brought things to ripeness, both her Majesty and myself may lose the benefit, and traitors and felons only carry the profit and prosecute mischief with the means."-My poor house, Sunday morning.

Signed. Endorsed:-16 Jan. 1596. 1 p. (37. 74.)

GEORGE PECKHAM to SIR ROBERT CECIL, Principal Secretary.

1596-7, Jan. 16.—His lands and living have, as Cecil knows, been "extended" this 12 years past in respect of a bond he made to the Queen for 6,500l., parcel of the debt of 26,000l. owed to her Majesty by Thomas Gardener, sometime one of the Tellers of the Exchequer. Has in consequence lived upon the benevolence of friends, but, they growing weary of the burden, he has been in great extremity these last two years; and having been sick ever since Whitsuntide is compelled to sell the apparel off his own back and his wife's, and the bed he lies on, and has kept this Christmas more like Lent. Begs for help.-16 Jan., '96. Signed. 1 p. (37. 75.)

SIR GRIFFIN MARKHAM to SIR ROBERT CECIL, Principal Secretary.

1596-7, Jan. 16.-Has written to the other Councillors who committed him, but they say it only rests in Cecil. There is no one he would rather be bound to. Has been here six weeks "and the term groweth on," and his affairs are left unsettled.---From the Fleet, 16 Jan. Signed:-Gri. Markhame.

Endorsed:-1596. 1 p. (37. 76.)

SIR ED. NORREYS to the EARL OF ESSEX.

1596-7, Jan. 16.-The season of the year coming on breeds occasion of new matters and men begin to hearken after the wars again.

The troops are marched towards Braband and Hulst, so that every body that way is upon his guard, the whilst there is exceeding great provision of bread and all sorts of munition at St. Omers, some say for Ostend, others to victual a fleet which is looked for to arrive at Calleys.

The Spaniards are likely to mutiny in Calleys. It was once begun but the hanging of three appeased it. Now again the governor hath sent to the Court that unless order be taken for their present pay there will be no remedy. He keeps his house and stirs not abroad until he have answer from the Court. The mutiny of Calleys will be far more dangerous than of other places, for in other places they do commonly make the towns and the country about them to pay them, but at Calleys there is nothing neither within nor without.

At Ipre also the Spaniards are likely to mutiny; all soldiers are generally unpaid and yet the Cardinal maketh great new levies of men. He saith he will never cut his beard nor his head until he have Ostend, but I hope by the Grace of God to see him ruin his army before it and your Lordship to have the honour.

I wrote to the States to send back the three companies of English but they write they will send three Dutch in their places. I refer unto your wisdom to advise what shall be fittest for Her Majesty's service.-Ostend, this xvi Jan. 1596.

P.S.-Here great joy for the likelihood of a truce with France for twelve years.

Holograph. 3 pp. (173. 13.)

FILIPPO CORSINI to SIR ROBERT CECIL.

1596-7, Jan. 18.-Understands Cecil has sent for him. Has just begun to go abroad, after a long sickness, and fears to go by water "for taking of cold" and is too weak to go by land. Engelbert says Cecil would speak about John Baptista Justinianye's matter. "I delivered unto him by exchange for Venice, certain months past, xije ducats, who promised me that I should lose nothing by him so that I would favour and help him to come to an agreement with the rest of his creditors, which I did, as he well knoweth, in Sir Horatio Pallavicino his house." Afterwards we differed about the rate of exchange and agreed to commit the matter, which was delayed by his going to Middelborow, to the arbitration of two Italian merchants, with Alderman Low as "hompire." After the writings and bonds for the compromise were made he refused it, so I sent him word by Francis Rizzo that he wronged me and that I would proceed against him by law.-London, 26 Jan. 1597.

Signed. 1 p. (48. 117.)

SIR FRANCIS VERE to the EARL OF ESSEX.

1596-7, Jan. 17.-"Most honourable, in my last I gave your Lordship to understand that his Excellency was minded to assail th'enemy lying in Tournhowlt, and now I will show unto your Honour the success he had in th'execution thereof. The 12th of this present, Gertrudenbergh being the rendezvous, there arrived from all parts to the number of 5,000 foot and 800 horse. The 13, by break of day, we began to march, drawing with us two demi-cannon and two field pieces, and the same night arrived at Rauell, short of Tournhowlt one league. There by our espial it was told us that th'enemy knew not of our being so near. Most of the night was spent in consultation; in th'end it was resolved to show ourselves on the passage to Herentaulx, being the way of their retreat, with purpose if they left their quarter to be in the head of them, if they abode it to plant the cannon and dislodge them. At the dawn we marched and our vanguard hastened to get the passage of a narrow bridge half way betwixt the quarters; which gotten, and the troop put in order, some horse were sent to go [i]nto the enemy's quarter to learn what they did. Who presently returned word that th'enemy was marched the way to Herrentaulx and that his rearguard was in sight. Hereupon all the horse advanced and our foot followed with the most speed they could, A musket shot from their quarter we found their rearguard standing to countenance some few of their men who were appointed to break a bridge by which they had passed, and by which only we could follow them. I had the leading of the vanguard with 1,600 of my countrymen and 500 Dutch. With some few shot that could soonest arrive th'enemy was beaten from the bridge and the same taken, of which there remained no more than to carry a man abreast. When one hundred musketeers were past we began to follow

th'enemy and presently fell in skirmish with them that made the retreat; which we did the more boldly for that the ground being inclosures covered our weakness and assured us from any sudden attempt of theirs. My lord governor of Vlyshyng, with 30 or 40 gentlemen and officers a horseback, countenanced those few foot in so good sort that th'enemy proffered not so much as one charge. Thus we followed th'enemy very near three hours with a very small number, the speed of th'enemy and badness of the passage making it impossible for our troops of foot to overtake us. During this time by many messagers we advertised his Excellency that if he would send forward his horse he might have a fair victory, if not th'enemy would be soon in safety. At length he gave a good part of the horse to the Count Hollocke to go before, and with the rest he followed. And now th'enemy having gotten into a heath, both the troops of our horse appeared. Th'enemy kept near the edge of the heath with their horse on the outside and marched in their battalions, not ranged in one front but in length, the first of Almaynes, that in the middle Walloons, and the last was that of the Neapolitans, which made the retreat. Our foot followed them in the skirt of the heath. The Count Hollocke won the flank of them, making towards their horse, and his Excellency followed directly with his troop. Sir Robert Sydney and myself, by reason that we still entertained th'enemy, being nearer than the rest, might perceive that they made great haste to get the entry of a strait at the end of the heath, which gotten they were safe, being now not far from Herentaulx; which was the cause that Sir Robert Sydney hastened to the Count Hollocke to acquaint him therewith and to desire him to charge. Meanwhiles I went also to his Excellency to the same effect; who appointed Edmondes the Scotchman to follow me with three cornet of horse. By that time I was drawn near unto th'enemy Sir Robert Sydney returned and I perceived the Count Hollocke to make towards th'enemy's horse, which fled. He pursued not them far but turned towards the flank of the Almaynes, at which time Sir Robert Sydney and myself charging the Neapolitans, at one instant their vanguard and rearward were assailed and put in rout, and the [mid-ba]ttle kept them company. The Neapolitans keeping together were in a manner all slain on the place. Of the rest there escaped very few, for of 4,000 foot which by their own confession they acknowledge 2,400 were left dead in the field and 600 taken prisoners, amongst which are 16 captains. Their commander, the Count of Warras, killed in the charge, all their ensigns taken to the number of 39. In the following of the chase their horsemen made head and put ours to retreat, but in the end being charged they were put clean out of the field with the loss of a cornet. Their troops were these, the regiments of the Marquis of Trenigo, that of the Count Sulst, of La Barlotte, and Assencourtt, accounted the best on that side except the Spaniards. Their horse were the companies of Don Juan de Cordowa, Don Alonzo de Mondragon de Guzman, Grobendencke and another. The same night we returned to Tournhowlt and the next day, after some few cannon shot, the castle was yielded by composition. From thence the army returned to Gertrudenberghe, whence every troop was sent to his garrison. His Excellency in this action, both for his care in assembling the forces and directing from time to time as also for the great testimony he hath given of his valour, hath much increased his reputation even amongst us that believed exceeding well of him before, aud we are all in a good hope that this favourable encounter will be seconded with some attempt of moment whilst the Cardinal strengtheneth himself again. And as for the enterprise of Callis there was never a fitter time."-Breda, 17 Jan. 1596.