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CALENDAR OF THE CECIL MANUSCRIPTS
PRESERVED AT HATFIELD HOUSE,
HERTFORDSHIRE.

PART VII.

A.D. 1597.

SIR FRANCIS VERE to the EARL OF ESSEX.

[1596-7, Jan. 1].-I have delivered your letters to his Excellency the Count Hollock and Mons. de Barneveldt, who thought themselves greatly bound unto you, and with large protestations made speech of their desire to do you service. The Count Hollock is now gone into Germany under colour of visiting certain princes, and so to return in three months, but it is thought that, if he be fairly offered, he will try his future in the wars against the Turk. The Count Ludovyck was gone to his father, to whom I will send your letter by the first; his return is expected very shortly for that he is to go into France with the succours the States granted unto the King at the Duke of Bouillon's being here. Now to let your honour understand how the State is busied. I find them very far engaged in reforming the discipline of their men of war and in giving them a better allowance than they have had hitherto; their horsemen be armed after the French manner so that we all conceive hope to see fair troops and to be in some good action this summer. On the other side the Cardinal reinforceth himself all he may, making new levies in Italy of 3,000 men and in Germany of some good number, so that in all he maketh account to put an army into the field of 25 or 26,000 men, which he holdeth sufficient to answer if need be the forces of France and the Low Countries. Howbeit it is given out by the French that even now he offereth peace unto their King. Mons. de Busen wall hath received advertisements that a gentleman should be sent presently into England from the King to invite her Majesty to a conference how their forces and those of these parts may be best united and employed to the good of the common course; the King offering himself to be at Dieppe and there to treat if her Majesty be pleased to send, whither these men are also summoned. It is hoped, if the proposition be liked, that your honour will be there, the rather for that the King desireth it exceedingly. This motion seemed very strange to me who thought at my coming out of England that the enterprise of Callis was in a manner agreed on. But upon some speech had with Mons. Busenvall I do find that they are not over forward in that matter; he told me that in France many great ones would oppose themselves; and besides, if that point were granted, to be doubted whether it were fit to assail a place, so weak provided, likely to hold out long, to consume and waste a flourishing army, during which siege the enemy might harm us soundly in another quarter. This much I perceived, O 94110.

A

that they had rather we should begin with any other parts of Flanders. I made the siege of Callis necessary by all the arguments I could and left him somewhat better satisfied of it, and my purpose is to deal with Mons. Barneveldt to strengthen him that way, which will not a little advance the matter. In that I am persuaded no action can be of more honour and profit to the crown of England or of more advantage to the common cause, I have and will endeavour all I may to make it be liked here, and do most humbly desire your honour to stick firmly to it, for that I know there is no other but yourself that can bring it to pass, no man having credit to bring so many and so good stuff of the nation, without which no good in that enterprise can be effected. Herein if it will please your honour to give me any directious, I will employ myself to the uttermost, as in every other of your commandments.-The Hague, this first January 1596.

Holograph. 2 Pp. (37. 30.)

P. TOURNER to ARCHIBALD DOUGLAS.

1596-7, Jan. 1.—Has no refuge but unto Douglas, without whom he is lost as no countryman of his will do anything for him. Beseeches him to consider his misery and danger to his life. If by Douglas's means he be discharged and employed in service, he will shew himself a changed man.-From Marshalsea, this first day of January 1596. Holograph. Part of Seal. 1 p. (37. 32.)

JOHN DANYELL to SIR ROBERT CECIL.

1596-7, Jan. 1.-Beseeching his resolute answer touching George Freman's offer for ransoming Thomas Geffrey, whose rausom being 4007. his offer is a good help, which will be lost if present order be not taken.

Mr. Grafton, an English gentleman who married his cousin german, delivered to Cecil yesterday a petition to the Queen. Prays that, in regard of his losses, as witnessed by the testimonial of the mayor and others of Galway, and of his inability to continue a suitor here, he may have Cecil's aid in furthering his despatch. It will be no small credit to Danyell among his kinsmen and cousins if Grafton taste of his honour's speedy furtherance therein.

There is a young gentleman come out of Ireland of late, a very fit instrument for the service of Gruyne or any other part of Spain. He shall put her Majesty to small charges till his return, at which time he is to receive reward according to his deserts. Is well assured he will accomplish any service commanded, speedily and faithfully.-This first of January 1596.

Holograph. 1 p. (37.33.)

SIR GRIFFIN MARKHAM to THE LORD CHAMBERLAIN,
SIR ROBERT CECIL and SIR JOHN FORTESCUE.

[1596-7], Jan. 2.--Has been now almost a month in the Fleet and in that time, as they know, accidents have happened to make him endeavour to hasten his release, as the death of the Lord Mayor (wherein he might have assisted his brother at least to back the malicious reports of those by whose means he is much worse off than the world expected or his father promised); also his father is sick, and if he should die the world would accuse him as faulty considering the discomfort his father has had by his absence.

Protests that he has concealed nothing from their lordships that he can remember, and therefore prays them to assist him in obtaining the Queen's mercy and regaining her good opinion.-From the Fleet, this 2 of January.

Endorsed:-"1596."

Seals. 1 p. (37. 37.)

OFFICERS of the Port of IPSWICH to LORD BURGHLEY.

1596-7, Jan. 3.-Have received his letter touching delivery of 49 barrels of red herrings, the goods of one Stephen Shevan, a merchant stranger of Dieppe, seized by their searcher; notwithstanding there was neither entry made or custom paid, they have at his lordship's command caused the goods to be delivered to one John Ladd of Yarmouth, factor to the merchant, to the great discontent and discouragement of the searcher.

They have taken sufficient bond for the value of the goods if recovered, the trouble and charge of which suit will be so heavy unto the searcher as the moiety will not answer his expenses, for his adversaries in these cases regard not what they expend to prevail in their unjust proceedings. His service for the stay of the butter and cheese in November last, which he delivered to the cheesemongers of London, also upon Burghley's letter, was 6007.; and his charge in landing the goods and keeping them from perishing while in sequestration, journeys to London, charges in the Exchequer and otherwise, stood him in 307. of his own goods, to his great impoverishment. Also in August last, by Burghley's command, he delivered to the servant of Elizabeth Folyer 2 pockets of wool, worth 50%., laden in the bottom of a woodhoy to be put on board a ship lying in the port. They are, therefore, humbly to entreat his lordship to protect the said searcher in all his just and honest services, wherein he has ready willingness every way to obey his commandment. They are also entreated by the merchants of Ipswich to pray that they may be free from paying custom for corn brought into their port for this year, London having obtained the like, as they affirin. These merchants have sustained great losses, one ship cast away, and the corn in another greatly perished by taking salt water; but upon consent hereto they promise to sell their corn at a lower rate than now the market doth afford, which would be a great relief to the poor and a general content to the people who in this time of dearth are very apt to take mislike.-Ipswich, the third of January 1596.

Signed:-Edmond Jenney, collector; He. Goldingham, controller; A. Worlich, surveyor.

Seal broken. 1 p. (37. 38.)

THOS. FANE to THE LORDS OF THE COUNCIL.

1596-7, Jan. 3.-Whereas their Lordships wrote on the 27 December last touching six ships of the East countries laden with corn which they had caused to be stayed in Dover Harbour, that the lading of one should be sold to the use of the inhabitants of Dover for their ready money, and the other five conducted to the port of Waterford or Dublin in Ireland; before the date of their letter the five ships were gone from Dover, putting out of the harbour in a very dark and tempestuous night, and only one was with difficulty detained, which being laden with other commodities besides corn, the corn was unshipped and stayed by the mayor; who hath undertaken to agree for the same with

the merchants at prices reasonable for the use of the inhabitants.Dover Castle, this third of January 1596.

Endorsed:-"Lieutenant of Dover Castle."

1 p. (37. 39.)

SIR HORATIO PALAVICINO to SIR ROBERT CECIL.

1596-7, Jan. 3.—Spiring has returned and reports that there is no preparation for the armada of Spain, which has never been expected in Calais or Dunkirk. It was indeed said that it had arrived in Ireland or Scotland, but since the news of the shipwreck it is much less talked about. The Spaniards are in garrison, as was understood; only, some forces are collecting in Brabant for the war of the country, and from Zealand I have letters that an attack was feared upon Zillo or Liftenzook, The Cardinal's Court is occupied in continual councils, and colonels have been sent to levy soldiers. A Scotchman of quality had arrived from Spain and was immediately despatched back thither. In Brussels there are many English, and apparently busy enough. To confirm these news I send you Spiring himself.

From Teobast I have the letter herewith, and he writes to me that he would embark for Porto Porto in Portugal and asks for 25 crs., being six months' pay, two months in advance, which I will pay. A friend writes that by letters from Lisbon of 2 Dec., and from Madrid of the 7th, the King had ordered the Adelantado to repair the ships and continue the voyage. There are still forces enough to make up 12,000 foot and 400 horse; and doubtless the armada comes against the Queen our overeign, but if Duke Mercurio has really agreed with the King of France and declared against Spain it may make for Brittany instead of Ireland or England. I have received the decree of Philip about the suspension of payments, which I think my lord your father would like to see. It is written in such characters that it must be copied to be understood. The suspension is general and he has detained the money of private persons which has come from the Indies, to make sure of funds until the next year's fleet [arrives].-From my house, 3 Jan.

1596.

Italian. Holograph. 2 pp. (173. 2.)

THE VIDAME of CHARTRES to the Earl of ESSEX.

1596-7, Jan. 5.-Introducing Monsieur du Loie who comes to England to see the country.

Endorsed:-" Vidame de Chartres, vme Jan. 96."
Holograph. Undated. 1 p. (37. 41.)

SIR ANTHONY ASHLEY to SIR ROBERT CECIL.

1596-7, Jan. 5.-Because I would shew my desire and willing endeavour every way to recover your honourable good opinion if possible, I have sent this my servant purposely herewith unto your honour to let you understand that if you please to undertake to procure the gift and benefit of a lunatic of the age of twenty-two years, I have presently the disposition of such a one, whose living is by common report 1500l. per annum, but I dare assure will be de claro to your purse some thousand pounds per annum during the life of the idiot or lunatic; or if you please not to undertake this matter for yourself, his younger brother (who will give all furtherance to this suit) will put you in good security

to give you 2,000l. to obtain it for him, or in some other body's name to his use. This matter with the party is kept close and from company until I receive your resolution, whereupon I will in haste repair unto you with all particularities. I most humbly beseech you be pleased to take this in good part and at last to remit all hard conceit, protesting that if I knew any ways in the world to regain your good favour I would most carefully attempt the same.-From Okeover in Staffordshire this 5th day of January 1596.

(37. 43.)

THE QUEEN to the KING OF SCOTLAND.

[1596-7, Jan. 5.]—If a rare accident and an ill-welcomed news had not broken my long silence, I had not now used my pen's speech; being too careful of your quiet and mindful of your safety to omit the expressing of both, by letting you know how untimely I take this new begun frenzy that may urge you to take such a course as may bring into opinion the verifying of such slander as you have vowed to me to be far from your thought. In this sort I mean it. Some members of the church, with their companies, have over audaciously emboldened themselves to redress some injurious Acts that they feared might overthrow their profession; which, though I grant no king for the manner ought hear the same, yet at the instant when the new-come banished lords be returned, and they seemed winked at without restraint, and spring growing on when promised succour was attended, together with many letters from Rome and elsewhere sent abroad to tell the names of men authorised from you (as they say, though, I hope, falsely) to assure your conformity, as time may serve you, to establish the dangerous party and fail your own, I wail in unfeigned sort that any just cause should be given you to call in doubt so disguised an act, and hope that you will so try out this cause as that it harm not you though it ruin them. You may of this be sure, that if you make your strength of so sandy a foundation as to call to your aid such aiders as be not of your flock; whereas the one side be foolish, rash, headlong and brainsick, yet such as must defend you for themselves having no sure anchorage if you fail them, and the other who have other props to sustain them, though they lack you, yea, such as, though your private love to their persons may inveigle your eyes not to pierce too deep into their treason, yet it is well known what their many petitions for foreign aid might have intended to your peril and country's wrack. For seidom comes a stronger to a weaker soil that thralls not the possessor, or dangers at least. I trust you think no less, or else they must justify themselves to condemn you, for without your displeasure not feared for such a fact, no answer can shield them from blame. Now to utter you my folly in being busy in another's affair, I suppose you will not mislike, since the source of all is care of your good, with desire that nought be done that may embolden the enemy, decrease your love and endanger your surety. This is, in sum, the fine whereto I tend, and God I beseech to direct your heart in such sort as you please not your worst subjects, but make all know in a measure what is fit for them, and make difference between error and malice. So God bless you with a true thought of your most affectionate sister that meaneth your best.

Another copy

of the above.

Endorsed:-"5 Jan. 1596."

Copy of her Majesty's letter to the King of Scots." 14pp. (133, 142.)

[Printed. Camden Society. Ed. Bruce. p. 120.]

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