Text

I commend me very humbly unto yow / and wher yow have begun to deale in a course of Sir Thomas Greshams ther, although I know his owne friendshipp / and thankfulness will mene as much as yow can do for hym, yet can I not forbeare but both to prayse yow and thank yow, praying you to procede by all good meanes that you come to bring his sute to a good end / and so thy^[n]ky^[n]g shortly to wryte now unto yowe, at this tyme for lack of Lesure / doe end.

From Grenwich the xiii^th of Februari 1565

Your Assured,

Loovyng friend,

W. Cecyll

Dorse

[In John Strype's hand]

a paquett of old matters of all sorts

address

To my verie loving friend,

Mr. William Phayre, the queens

Ma[jes]ties agent in the

Court of Spaine

receipt

From Sir William Sicill

The 13^th of februarye and hear

The 20^th of marche, madrite [Madrid]

Text

This evening after I receved your LetterFootnote ¹ I had a letter brought me dyrected from Douer, by which I only am advertised from the MaiorFootnote ² of his receipte of the letters which were sent yesterdaye both from my LLs [Lords]Footnote ³ and from my selfe,Footnote ⁴ and from the Ambassador.Footnote ⁵ and within a litle tyme afterwardes my l[ord] Cobham sent me certen l[ette]rs dyrected to him from his Livetenant of Douer.Footnote ⁶ To make a Comment of those letters for myne owne ease I leave it to yow and to gather what you thincke fitt thereof to advertise her ma[jes]tie for that they conteyn variety of intelligence, and in some part a lewde act of him that brought the Ladyes l[etter]rs that were dyrected to Diep out of their waye.Footnote ⁷ And yett it semeth that at the tyme of the writing of her letters to the Governor of Diep she was in some feare of the ennemye, And for that purpose dyrected hir messenger, both to the ffr[ench] King and to Monsieur Esparnon his brother.Footnote ⁸ But what was conteyned in these letters I cannot gather. By the letters of the Mayor of Dover you may parceave, that it is likely that the Quene's ma[jes]ties good will wilbe notified to the lady, and to the govarnor of the towne also. And it may be they both wilbe the bolder to Crave some provisions of munitions, and powder, whereof if the Armye be departed they shall have no nede.Footnote ⁹ And yett we shall have more nede to kepe the same. The greate hast that the LLS [Lords of the Privy Council] made yesterday in the morning shewed a greate difference betwixt their humors and myne

[p. 2] ffor thowghe they were quicke as Marshall men are most commonly, and I slowe (as men in yeares are) yett I used no delaye for the purpose to understand the cause of the perrill. And so to provide remedy this I fynd by your letter, that hir ma[jes]tie misliked not my slownes whareby I am the better confirmed in my opynion.Footnote ¹⁰

I wrote to daye to you, that the augmentation of the shipping might staye awhile untill we might see howe the wether would blowe over. ffor if the Officers of the Admiraltie have commandment to prepare the shipping, it will cost hir Majesty one monethes charge by presting rigging and victualling without a sennight service.Footnote ¹¹ The matter yow write of concerning the answar to be made by Locke is very picquantFootnote ¹² for difficulties on both sides. Wherein the Rule of Christian Philosophie consisteth in difference betwixt Utile, and Honestum. And yett utile incertum, and yett Honestum certum. But if Honestum were reciproche it were to be preferred to with more Constancye. In private mens causes Cretisare cum Cretensi is allowable.Footnote ¹³ Thus yow see how I beginne to wander before I dare affirme any thinge. If my hand were free from payne I would not commytt thus muche to any other man's hand.Footnote ¹⁴ And yett yow may impart my woordes to hir Majesty, without offence.

I pray yow require Mr. Woolley to send me my l[ord] Scropes l[ette]rs, and knowe of him what answer I may make to Sir Thomas Wilsone who doth only attend here to knowe hir ma[jes]ties pleasure, being verie unwilling to enter into the charge, except there were a Governour in the towne to beare the Brunte of the charge which the late Marshall did and with which charge, Sir Robert Constable was beggard.Footnote ¹⁵ ffor the sute of Mr. Nowell in my next I will gett meanes to advartise yow.Footnote ¹⁶

[In Burghley's hand]

I have sondry offers to ease me of my torment in my head, which the offerors conceave to come of the quicksilver, and therfor to gyve me the tyncture of Gold, my nightly paynes ar so grevous as I am redy to receave any offer, and yet with feare for offendynge of hir Ma[jes]tie, if I shold therby empayre [page torn*] helth, contrary to hir carefull advise, and yet [page torn**] will not be hasty therein, but will preserve, [page torn***] the advise of hir ma[jes]tie may have sone secret [page torn] from God hir head, and my director to ser[page torn****] for hym. Yow se that my hand now parrets my hart withowt excuse.

From my house in Westminster the 21 of May 1593 though I want fete to go to the hall, yet I forbeare not to be occupyed ther, with payne to ease others.

Your lov[ing] father,

W. Burghley

*Possibly ‘my’.

** Possibly ‘I’.

***Possibly blank.

****Possibly completes the word ‘serve’.

Dorse

addressed in Burghley's hand:

To my son Sir Rob[er]t Cecill, Knight at the Court

endorsed in the hand of Cecil's filing clerk, Simon Willis:

21 Maii 1593

The lo[rd] Thre[sure]r to my M[aste]r

Text

The beror hereof nameth hymself Mouett, sent from bullen with l[ette]res to hir Ma[jes]ty. The Fr[ench] amb[assador] req[ui]reth me to adress hym to yow, so as hir Ma[jes]ty may receave his l[ette]res and message.Footnote ¹⁷

By l[ette]res to the ambass[ador] maketh only mention of powder, argent & other munitions: but without limitation.Footnote ¹⁸

This satyrd[ay] at noon in the Court of wards.Footnote ¹⁹

Your lo[ving] father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my Lovinge sonne, Sir Robart Cecill knight, on hir ma[jes]ties privy Connsell

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

26 Maii 1593, the Lo[rd] Thre[sure]r to my M[aste]r

Text

I have receaved from my l[ord] Keper, the form of a proclamacion in paper for the Adiournment of part of the next terme, which I have perused,Footnote ²⁰ and doe send yt heareinclosed to yowe to be ingrossed in parchement by one of the Clerkes of the Signett, which when it shall be so written I praie yowe to offer yt to hir ma[jes]tie to signe, for that as my L[ord] Keper writeth to mee hir ma[jes]ties pleasure is to have yt done.Footnote ²¹

Ffrom my hose in the Strand this xxvi^th of May, 1593.

[Paragraphs added by Burghley in his own hand after the section above was dictated and signed]

It req[ui]reth spede, that knolledg may be gyven now at the end of this tearme.

I fynd my self so decayeng in strength as I fynd it ^more nedefull for me to be occupyed, about my last will and other establishementes for my chyldren.Footnote ²²

[Maynard's hand]

Your lovinge father

[Signed]

W. Burghley

Dorse

not addressed

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

The Lo[rd] Thre[surer] to my M[aste]r

Text

I have receaved your l[ette]re of this 28.Footnote ²³ hereupon though I am weak, and uncertyn how I shall be hable to come to the Court, yet I am in mynd to come to morrow to the Court with opinion that after on or twoo dayes hir Ma[jes]ty will licenss me to retorn, to seke my amendment, or to tak my Jornay to follow universam viam carnis,Footnote ²⁴ and to this latter Jornay I am most disposed, with perswasion that if sowles have sence of earthly thynges, I shall be in God's sight an intercessor for the prosperite of his chyrch here, and for hir Ma[jes]ty, as his Governor thereof to his Glory. Yow must allow me to be in this humor, for I fynd no other tast of any other thyng.

If I shall be hable by Coche or lytter (for I provyde both) I will be with yow to morrow.

[Added beside the signature]

Untill this dynnar tyme I have had nother kyn, nor Inward frend to use my sete or sit with me but multitudes of sutors that only come for ther own causes.

Your loving father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

address in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my Lovinge sonne, Sir Robart Cecill, knight, one of hir ma[jes]ties privy Connsell

endorsed by Simon Willis:

Maie 1593, The Lo[rd] Thre]sure]r to my M[aste]r

a fragment of the endorsement of the next letter, cut out of the volume, remains:

27 Maie 1593

Text

Good Mr. Henry BrookFootnote ²⁵ I knowe not howe presently to answer yow to your contentment for I fynd that Mr. BronkerFootnote ²⁶ had made the lyk sute afor yow, to which I gave no full assent because the party was not dead. besyde this in dede I ment this for your sistarFootnote ²⁷ who wisshed of on granted to hir which within these x dayes I promised here the next which is this. And I do not use to makes Grantes of any whylest the ancestor lyveth.

From Wadstoc, the 22 of 7^bre.

Your assured loving frend,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my vearie lovinge frend, Mr. Henry Brook, Esq.

endorsed by Simon Willis:

27 Sept[ember] 1592

The Lo[rd] Threasurer's l[ette]re

to Mr. hy: Brooke

Text

I can not but contynew my care for Irland, and therfor though orders ar sent for procedyng with the 2 rebells Tyron and odonnell,Footnote ²⁸ yet ther is no order for answer to the demandes of monny to pay the army ther, which is very chargeable, and if the submissions of the rebells shall be perfected, it war reason to deminish the army, which can not be doone, without a paye to be made, and monny also to contynew them which shall remayn.Footnote ²⁹ I pray yow inform hir Ma[jes]ty hereof, for my discharg, for that the Depute and the Tresorer wryte hereof, to me only, and not to the rest of the Connsell, and so they expect answer from me, as by 2 l[ette]res which I send yow may appear on from the Depute and the Tresorer dated the 8 of last month which I have underlyned.Footnote ³⁰ the other from the Tresorer of the same date, which yow may besech hir Ma[jes]ty to heare redd because he concludeth with a demand of a larg some wherof hir Ma[jes]ty may please to have consideration, for the sonar the monny maybe sent the sonar may hir chardg deminish, which the Tresorer reporteth to be viii M l [£8,000] the month and yet ther is but half Novemb[er] payd and yet i M ii C l [£1,200] borrowed and i M ix C [£1,900] dew for Bowes so as to make a paye for November and to pay the dett, is required vii M i C [£7,100] and now also monny must be sent, for December which will be at an end before the monny can come thyther.Footnote ³¹

I do send yow a note of all the monnyes sent in the yer 1594 and of monnyes sent in 2 months of this present yere non beying sent in Sept[ember], Octob[er] nor November which hir Ma[jes]ty may also se, and therby be moved to resolv hir plesur.Footnote ³²

[In the margin on the right side of the page]

I pray yow gyve my most humble thanks to hir Ma[jes]ty for hir offer sendyng to know of my head and neck which on Satyrday, semed to be made of lead and yesterday soemwhat lighter as of Iron. I hope to have then only in weight boan and flesh.

[Added in a paragraph to the right of above addition in the margin]

I have not without some payne written this therfor, yt is not legible for hir Majesty.

p[rim]o Dec[ember 1595,

Your loving father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed by Burghley:

To my loving sonn Sir Robart Cecill

endorsed by Sir Robert Cecil:

Last first of December 1593

my l[ord] to me

Text

I do send herewith letters directed to the Connsell from the L[ord] depute and Connsell of Irland, which I was bold to oppen and read as yow may se by my apostills in the margynes.Footnote ³³ twoo or 3 matters therin ar to be answered by my LLs [Lords] uppon ther reportes to hir Ma[jes]ty wherunto I do forebeare to shew my opinion, because the matters may require debat and oppositions, so as my opinion may varye at the fyrst and yet may alter uppon a second advise.

It had bene well doone that the Depute, had caused the [Marshall] uppon his Journal of his procedynges and Marchynges to have sent a small tryck by description in paper.Footnote ³⁴

I send also a letter from the Erle of Northum[berland] in answer of ours to hym. he hath not bene sick at all, but troobled with a cold and is now retourned to petworth.Footnote ³⁵

3 December 1593

Your lov[ing] father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my lovinge sonne, Robert Cecill, knight

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

The Lo[rd] Thre[sure]r to my M[aste]r

Text

I have received letters this daie from Mr. Yonge,Footnote ³⁶ that havinge emploied an Irishman into the Lowe Contries for the doinge of summ service uppon Sir William Stanleie, whoe failing of his purpose thearein, delt with certaine Irishmen of his Regiment,Footnote ³⁷ to warne him, and to retorne hither into the Realme: whearein he prevailed so farre with them that at this present theare are commen over from thence to the number of xi. And for that I thowght the sending of them over into theire contrie might rather doe hurt than good, in that I conceived that theie weare but Base persons, I wroate to Mr. Yonge to examin them as to the places of theire birthe, and of the meanes theie had to live being in theire contrye: which examinacions with his letter I send heareinclosed to yowe to be imparted to my lls [Lords] of the Connsell that theire lls [Lords] maie (if so it shall please them,) grawnt them pasportes to retorne with their letters to the L[ord] deputy in their favour: and if hir ma[jes]tie would be pleased to geve them somethinge to carry themm home, being as yt semeth in pooreCase it might [a long sentence crossed out, illegible] ^{be kepe them from disorder}.

So farre you well, ffrom the Strand this third of December 1593.

[Burghley's postscript]

I wish no men to retorn, without certen knolledg, how they can lyve at home, wher ther ar allredy to manny lose men as yow may se in on part of the letters from Irland [page ripped].Footnote ³⁸

[In Maynard's hand, meaning that the paragraph above was added after signing]

your lov[ing] father,

[Signed]

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my Lovinge Sonne

Sir Robart Cecill knight, one of hir ma[jes]ties privie Connsell

endorsed by Sir Robert Cecil:

Two that came ^with Le Grenier who bro:

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

3 decemb[er] 1593

The L[ord] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

Text

I dare not wrtye to yow of my wowyng mentioned ^{sent for} untill I here how hir Ma[jes]ty, alloweth of my absence to follow it. Butt in the meane tyme yow may assure hir Ma[jes]ty, that I fynd no great hope of any spedy success. I fynd the lady some what strange to gyve care to my request, for that she useth not to gyve audience, in clowdy and fowle wether, and herof is here to great plenty, and yet betwixt showres I do attend and follow hir trayne.

Thus much metaphorically I trust without offence to hir Ma[jes]ty. Now literally I do send yow the l[ette]res from Mr. bowes, which I have red, and of ye decre of ye Convention, as yow may se by my notes whereunto if hir Ma[jes]ty will have me make answer I shall so do.Footnote ³⁹

I send yow also herwth a l[ette]re from Mr. warburton whom hir Ma[jes]ty allowed by hir warrant to exercise the office of vicechamberlain in Chester / by it yow shall se how necessary it is for execution of Justyce to all that have sutes from any superior Courtes in yt [that] Conte Palatyn, that there be a chamberlain, and therfor as hir Ma[jes]ty shall allow the now Erle to occupy yt [that] office, so may hir Ma[jes]ty do well to pass it to hym of hir meare gratuite, wthout any appearance of this necessite. If hir Ma[jes]ty assent therto may yow well to procure a bill from Mr. attorney.Footnote ⁴⁰

I look befor I slepe to heare from yow, how far hir Ma[jes]ty do allow of my simple opinion for ye Irland cawses.

7 10^bre at Theb[alds]

Your lovyng father, W. Burghley.

Dorse

address

To my verie loving sonne, Sir Robert Cecill, knight, of hir Ma[jes[ty's Privy Consell

endorsed in Sir Robert Cecil's hand:

from my l[ord] to me

Text

Right honorable my very good L[ord]. Your L[ordshi]p's speciall furtherance of me in the call of serjeantes besides other honorable favours which your L[ord] hath done me,Footnote ⁴¹ doth bynd me to carye in most thankfull remembrance your L[ordshi]p's great goodnes towardes me most humblie desiring yur good L[ord] to accomt me to be one that do beare most thankfull goodwill & love and will be ever desirous to do you the best dutie and service I can to you and yours.

I wold have attended your L[ord] for this purpose according to my dutie but percyying it is your L[ord]ship's desire not to be troubled at this tyme with London sub[jects] in respect whereof I beseech your l[ord] to allow my boldness to write.

And wher upon the death of the late Erle of derbye,Footnote ⁴² chamberlain of the Countie Palatyne of Chester, it pleased her ma[jes]tie (chiefly by your L[ordshi]p's favourable commendaconn) to direct her ma[jes]tie's warrant to me under the privye signett to exercise the place as vicechamberlen Footnote ⁴³ till further order were taken which I do accordingly, may yt please your L[ord] to be advertised that all writts which are awarded from these superior courtes in that cuntry are directed Camararis Footnote ⁴⁴ and he doth make a writte under that Seale to the sheriff and the sheriff maketh his returne to him and the Chamberlen doth returne them into these courtes in his owne name so that unles there be a chamberlen no persons with causes out of these courtes can be duly returned, for ther can not be a deputie chamberlen unless ther be a chamberlen. therfor it is a matter of necessity that her Ma[jes]ty appoint a chamberlen before the next terme at which tyme they are to be returned into these courtes in the chamberlen's name, and ther is no direccionn of any writtes vicecameransis nor no precedent in that sort. In the meane tyme I may award them to the sheriff but can not returne them in my name. as for hearing & ordering of causes in equity (as ther are divers severall matters ther) this warrant is sufficient but not for things that are to be done in ordinary course of law.

I thought it my dutie to notifie your L[ord] of the state of this cause desiring your L[ord's] honorable considaracion. Thus having troubled your L[ord] I pray god preserve your L[ord] in good health with much honour. ffrom lycolns Inn vth of december 1593. (Your L[ordshi]p's most bounden,

Peter Warburton.

Dorse

addressed in Peter Warburton's hand:

To the Right honorable my very good L[ord], Wm. L[ord] Burly, L[ord] Tresorer of England

endorsed in another of the Cecil's secretaries’ hands, possibly Richard Percival:Footnote ⁴⁵

v^th December 1593

Mr. Warburton, Counsellor at Lawe to my L[ord]

Reasons why it is necessary that a Chamberlane of Chester should be made before the next terme

Text

I send to yow hereinclosed a letter written unto me by the ffr[ench] Ambassador, and Brought to me by one BelottFootnote ⁴⁷ who hath made his residence at Caen, for some good tyme where he hath served verie faithfullie and painfully in hir ma[jes]ty's service. This letter as yow shall parceave is written in favour of one Monsieur de St. Marie, a gentleman verie well affected to the Cause of relligion, and devoted to hir Ma[jes]tie That he may have lycence to buy and transport a pece of Ordanaunce, called a Culvaryn of 4000 waight.Footnote ⁴⁸ I understand that my L[ord] of Essex should be acquainted with the request, and that the VidamFootnote ⁴⁹ hath written in his favour. I pray yow therfore speak with my L[ord] of Essex herein and geve the request your best furtherance with hir Ma[jes]tie at your best opportunitie wherein Bellott will atend your answer at Theobalds. the 7 of December 1593.

Your loving father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed Michael Hickes:

To my Verie Lovinge Soone Sir Robert Cecill knight of hir Ma[jes]ties privy Consell

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

The Lo[rd] Thre[sure]r to my M[aste]r

In the behalf of one Mr. Bellott

Resident in Caen.

Text

The Bearer hereof hath browght letters to my LLs [Lords] of the Connsell, the like whereof have been directed tto my self fromm Sir John Wogan owt of Wales, with the Examinacionns of two lewde persons fugitives,Footnote ⁵⁰ whoe might have been delt withall in the Contie, withowt the trowble of my lls [Lords] of the Connsell, but seeing the messenger is cumm upp, yowe maie receave the letters ^{or having acquainted my lls [Lords] hearewith} and to retaine him with such awnsweare as yt shall please my lls [Lords] to geve. Soe farre yowe well ffrom my howse at Theobaldes this eight ix of Deember 1593.

[Burghley]

I send also a warrant for his charges being a long foote Jornay and if he sent awey spedely yow may put in the blank of the warrant, or otherwise 1 iii s iiii d.

Hytherto beyng v of the clock towrd even, I have not hard from you, concerning ethr Irland or brytan causes.

For the boglish, I think if uppon the last direction Sir Jhon norrice shall be come awey, yet my opinion Contynueth for retyring the forces to the Isles, for which lyk comission wuld be gyven to Sir Jhon Norryce

electu-Footnote ⁵¹

[In Maynard's hand]

Your lovinge father

[signed]

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my lovinge sonne Sir Robert Cecill knyght one of hir Ma[jes]ties privy Connsell

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

9 decemb[er] 1593

The L[ord] Treas[urer] to my Master

Text

I have receved your letter written this daye late at nyght and because with it and other writinges which yow sent me, there are many poyntes to be answared. ffor ease of my hand I doe use my Secretarie. And do answere the partes of your letter as they lye inorder. I like well of the Conference yow had with SwynnertonFootnote ⁵² and CarmarthenFootnote ⁵³ and have perused the articles of agrement, which seeing they both do Allowe, I am gladd therof and in that yow have acquainted hir ma[jes]tie therewith ^yow have donne well. But yett as you may fynd by my note in the margent to the 2 article. I dowbt of BillingsliesFootnote ⁵⁴ [Alderman] consent therto or that otherwise hir ma[jes]tie may be a loser. for the explanation of one poynt in Swynnerton's patent I like well yow send for Mr. SollicitorFootnote ⁵⁵ and informe him of the Clause to be changed by the Quene's warrant, but for the perfetting thereof I thinke it mete that he speake both with Carmarthen and Swynnerton. The 2 poynt of your letter concerneth my former allegorical letter written to yow ⁱⁿ which I perceive her ma[jes]tie discouered the literall sence thereof befoer the mydst of it seene. I must confesse that my Cunninge therein was not sufficient to the hide sence from her ma[jes]tie, although I thinke never a ladye ^{besides her} nor Decipherer in the Courte would ha[v]e dissolved the figure to have found the sence as hir ma[jes]tie hath done. And where hir ma[jes]tie alloweth of me, that I made my self merrye in verie truth I did it rather to make hir some sport (my self therein not altered no otherwise then hir ma[jes]tie's lute is in hir own hand, that maketh others merry, and contynueth it self as was.) ffor the matters of Ireland I parceave hir ma[jes]tie yesternight ment to heare them this day. And for the questions what somme of money might be reasonablie required I think 5 or 6000 l varie nedefull so as Sir Henry Wallopp be moved to procure payment of the overplus of the Quene's ordinarie Revennue ^due there above al ordinarye ffees for officers of the Realm payd.Footnote ⁵⁶

[Margin, in Cecil's hand]

Brittany

[Text continued]

Now to the greatest matter of all theise, concerning the letters from Sir John Norreis written the last of OctoberFootnote ⁵⁷ which I retorne unto yow dated at Pontrieux and so do I also

[p. 2] now send yow another of his dated the next daye ffollowing at PempoleFootnote ^{58 [Burghley] which cam to me wih yours}, And for the matter conteyned in his former letter and the disposition in hir ma[jes]tie for the safetie of hir Troupes uppon hir opynion of the reach of the Truce.Footnote ⁵⁹ I am in doubt what to advise to give unto hir Majesty by reason of the diversitie of the dyrections which have bene sent to John Norreis. The last whereof as yow may remember was wherewith hir ma[jes]tie was acquainted.Footnote ⁶⁰ That considering hir ma[jes]tie was advertised both from the king and from the States of Brittanie,Footnote ⁶¹ the Duke's Deputie should come from the States to treate with hir ma[jes]tie for the Contynuacion of hir fforces and Satisfaction for hir charges paste and to come. and that Sir John Norreis desyred privately to come over he was lycenced by hir ma[jes]tie to informe him selfe well of the legations of the deputies and so to come over to give hir ma[jes]tie better information ^{[Burghley] and to leave the troops in Juersy} And this was the last dyrection made unto hym to my knowledge. Which might be allowed to contynewe, if there were not nowe matter advertised by Sir John Norreis by this his last letter, wherein he declareth his opynion that notwithstanding the Truce accepted by the Duke Mercury by letters written from the MareschallFootnote ⁶² unto him he is advised to stand uppon his gard, arguing thereby a doubt whither the Truce would be performed or not. he also writing some reasons which move him to doubt of the performance of the truce for that the Spaniardes have ^lately dislodged from place to place to come to St. Bryene [‘ryene’ is added above the line in Burghley's hand] and there to Joyn with both the Lorraynners and the FfrenchFootnote ⁶³ which place is but a good dayes march from Pempole. Besides this, he writeth that the Ffrench, which he had procured to lye nere unto him, for his assistance, ar by the Mareschall revoked and disparsed to their garrisons so as it semeth playnlie that whither the truce hold or breake he shalbe in danger by the enemye, in so muche also as I note that he doubteth that when shipping shall come to revoke him and his Troupes whither he shalbe albe to embarke the enemye comminge^so [in Burghley's hand] nere unto him

[p. 3] and yet if shipping shall come he offreth to adventure though it cost him deare. and therefore requireth to be no longer delayed with irresolutions, wherewith I am sure he will come with a mynd to charge me with the lack of resolutions and varietie of dyrections, whereof I am sure hir ma[jes]tie will discourage me, and the various accidentes that have happened by the ffr[ench] Kinge's breach of his promises, and reiterations of better observations though not hitherto performed, will iustifye hir ma[jes]ties actions to satisfye Sir John Norries or any other reasonable man. Theise doubtful poyntes hav I gathered out of the letter which yow sent me which make me doubtfull what advise to give, for bringing awaye the Troupes as yow do write to me of hir ma[jes]tie's disposition. And to encrease theies doubtes of myne moving me to enclyne to hir majestie's disposition by his latter letter, which hir Majesty hath not yett seene, I see the intention of the sending of the deputies hither from the States, is as I at the first did coniecture to borrowe money of hir ma[jes]tie which in a paraphrasis, is to Carrye aware money and to leave writinges under seales whereof hir Majesty hath greate plentye, so as the comminge of theise Deputies may be better looked for then wellcome.Footnote ⁶⁴ And therefore fynding the care which hir Majesty hath for hir people (which is varie princely) and knowing as I thinke my L[ord] Admyrall will confesse how desparate a matter it is to provide a number of hoyes in this wynter tyme, and how longe it wilbe, being too be provided in the Threasurie and how unable they shalbe this wynter tyme to brooke the seas in so long a voiage and yett to shew my disposition how to have the people saved I thinke wilth my Lord Admyrall'sFootnote ⁶⁵ advise to allowe the same, if 3 or 4 Barkes might be had from South[hamp]ton and Poole for the Coast and be sent to the Yles of Jersey and Gurnsey, which with the help of some smale vesselles belonging to those Ylandes, might safely bring and spede conveniently

[p. 4] all the Quene's people from Pempole to the Ylandes or to some of them the way being short, and so the people might be there in safetie, and at no greater charge to hir ma[jes]tie then they be in Brittanie. And this for the tyme which ^{[Burghley] may} serve to two endes. The one to have the people brought away with more safetie ^{[Burghley] hereafter} as shipping may be provided hearafter, and so also Sir John Norreis maye with more safetie repaire to hir ma[jes]tie. [In Burghley's hand in the margin] ther ar ii or iii at Southampton that lately and fortunately took the kinge of Spayne's ship of warre. The other may well serve hir ma[jes]tie in honor in not revoking her fforces into England, untill the Deputies might com hither and to be hard what they can saye for the contynuing of hir ma[jes]ties fforces thereof. And for the Contentations of them of Brittanie, Sir John Norries may be dyrected and ^that at the time when he shalbe ready to come awaye to the Ilandes ^{[Burghley] he may have} advertise both the Mareschall and others of the States there, that the cause why he removeth his Troupes from thence to the Ylandes is for that the place where his Troupes are, is not fortified, and that he understandeth [Burghley] yt [clerk] both the Spaniard, Lorayne and French are approaching to St. Briece and that the Mareschall hath Revoked the ffrench, which laye nere unto hym to their garrisons, so that he fyndeth him selfe in smale danger, for him self and the Quene's peoples ^{[Burghley] for which purpose} he hath thought ^{[Burghley] now} to retyre him self, in some of hir ma[jes]tie's Yles, lying nere to the coast of Brittanie, there to be in some more suertie, untill hir ma[jes]tie may have hard what the deputies of the States have to treat with hir for mayntenance of hir charges, if she shall agree to Contynew hir former promise of greater forces there. By this hir ma[jes]tie may maintayne honour in hir late offer ^{[Burghley] to} to suffer ^{[Burghley] revok} them untill the coming of the deputies, ffor hereby hir generall doth but retyre them for their suretie where they may be readye hereafter to serve without Cashing of them by sending then home into England. Thus you see I am somewhat long in delivering of my doubtfull opynions, wherein none of the Counsel

[p. 5] can better iudge for their bringing away then my L[ord] Admyrall. And if his L[ordshi]p will make choice of some discrete man by the help of his vice Admyrall in Hampshire and to gett such 3 or 4 nymble Barkes there and ^{[Burghley] that may be} the Samsone I am sure if they may be sufred by hir ma[jes]tie's assent to carye each of them but xxtie tonne of beare to be solde at Pempole or in the Ylandes to which places they do use many tymes to steale some smale quantitie without lycence.

In the 2 letter which I send to yow from Sir John Norreis there is a clause in Ciphre, which I cannot deciphire here readely for lack of my Alphabete which is with my bookes at the Courte which I ghesse be to ^{[Burghley] no} other purpose, but to have the Duke Mounpensier the Governor there in favour of the Protestantes of that countrie.Footnote ⁶⁶ But if my stuff be come from Windsore, yow shall fynd a bigg paper Booke in folio entituled Mattars of France, in which by looking into the table yow shall fynd the Alphabet of Sir John Norreis.Footnote ⁶⁷ Thus have I at lenght [sic] enough as I thinke answered your whole letter, and the rest of the thinges sent with it.

[Burghley]

I perceave hir Ma[jes]ty looketh for me by the end of the next weke whereuppon yow may saye merely to hir Ma[jes]ty, that am so disposed if God permit me whyther I spede in my vowyng or no for if I do spede, then I may not fayle, but if I spede not by all that wekes pursute, I will trooble my self no more at follwyng here in the conntrey, but will lyve in hope to fynd hir at the Court where I know she will come[,] to serve hir Majesty all the Christmas hollydayes.

God gyve yow grace. From my howss at Theobalds the 7 of Decembre 1593.

Your loving father,

W. Burghley

[Postscript]

If hir Majesty mislyk my opinion for the ease of hir Ma[jes]ty, I am no opinionaster but an opyner.

Dorse

addressed in Burghley's hand:

for my son Sir Robert Cecill

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

The L[ord] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

Text

I doe send yowe Mr. Guilpin'sFootnote ⁶⁸ letter and thearewith certaine letters that he maketh mention of to be intercepted: whereof one is written by Holt the JesuitFootnote ⁶⁹ to Cardinall Allen,Footnote ⁷⁰ which doth spetially conveie summ his privatt busines, and in sum part his Advertisements of the execucion of Richard Hesketh.Footnote ⁷¹ An other longe letter is written from Rich[ard] Hopkins to the Cardinall, conteininge a longe colloquie betwene him and Moodye,Footnote ⁷² concerninge the letters that weare writtenn hither into Ingland by the said Hopkins to move a tolleracion in Religion by the meanes of the Cardinall: And for that it appeareth their former letter tooke noe effect, which weare sent to Mr. Heneage and so browght to mee. Modye predenteth that he hath an other corse in hand, and looketh to heare owt of Ingland, howe to renewe the former treatie: but what meanes Moody meaneth, or shall use I knowe not, nor by whome, but it semeth he busieth himself muche, and heareby the States have entred into suspicion, that his treatie showld be done with her ma[jes]ties provitie heare, which Guilpin hath vearie honestlie disavowed.Footnote ⁷³ The third l[ette]re is to one BainesFootnote ⁷⁴ that serveth the Cardinall, conteining noe matter of weight otherwise than commonn Advertisements.

Hir ma[jes]tie willed I showld consider whoe weare fitt deputies under the erle of Derbie in Lancashire, and wheare Sir Rich[ard] Sherbourne and Mr. Holland weare his deputies before, I thinke goode to forbeare Sir Rich[ard] Sherbourne, and in his place to appoint Mr. Richard Ashton of Midleton that was sherif the last yeare, a vearye sufficient gentleman and well disposed in Religion and soe is Mr. Holland.Footnote ⁷⁵ In Cheshire I think theie that before weare named to be the fittest, being Sir John Savadge, and Sir Hugh Cholmeleie:Footnote ⁷⁶ If her ma[jes]tie like heareof, yowe maie doe well to write to my L[ord] Keper to cawse the commision to be made accordinglye.

[Cecil notes beside the final sentence of the last paragraph in the right margin, but concerning the following paragraph]

For my l[ord] ChamberlaynFootnote ⁷⁷ to reade.

Wheareas my L[ord] Chamberlaine hath of late written unto mee to further Mr. CraneFootnote ⁷⁸ to the office of the Comptroller and MusterM[aste]r at Barwick I have thowght good to require yow to knowe my llords opinionn whither he cowld not allowe that Crane might have the office of the clerke of the checke and musters, with the usuall fee which [is] by the yeare and a clarke at 13 7s 8d,1 and 2 servantes at 43s 3d. which in the whole cometh to lxiiii^l and yet one Bowier,Footnote ⁷⁹ whoe is a skilful man in worke ther as his L[ord] knoweth, might be the Comptroller of the Workes, to the which theare belongeth no profitt, but accordinge to the quantitie and charge of the workes, and so to have allowance as the charges of the workes doth amownt: If his L[ordship] showlde allowe of this then theare might be a cople preferred that is Crane, whoe doth well deserve, and so might Bowier also have somme intertainment, whoe is more skilfull in workes that Crane is thowght to be:

But if his l[ord] shall not like of this devision, than yowe maie tell my L[ord] that I would have yowe to move the Q[ueen] to make the grawnt to Crane of the whole office. And so I praie yowe lett hir ma[jes]tie understand howe necessarie it is to have the office supplied forthwith by reason of the monethlie paiments, and howe fitt the man is havinge alwaies been browght up in the office under Mr. Errington,Footnote ⁸⁰ & others that have gonn before him. I doe send yowe a paper conteininge the allowance to both thes offices, the better to informe yowe howe to speake thereof with my L[ord] Chamberlaine.

[Burghley's holograph paragraph]

I am not in Tune to wryt my self beyng forced with very Iaynturs to kepe my couch, 23 Jan[uary] 1593.

In ***** folly I se no poynt of treson intede to the Q[ueen] but a redynes to mak some gayn to the hurt of

[two words carefully scratched out, but two words, probably a proper name, and starting with an “R”. As for whose folly: the name ***** begins with “l” and has a p halfway through—possibly “lopez”?]

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my lovinge sonne Sir Robert Cecill knight one of hir ma[jes]ties privie connsell

endorsed by Simon Willis:

23 Jan[uary] 1593

The lo[rd] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

[Cecil also wrote on the dorse]

Crane

Text

I have receaved your letter, whearebie it semeth that hir ma[jes]tie would knowe mine opinionn towching Mr. DanyellFootnote ⁸¹ to be made sarient, whose staie at the prickinge of the rest grewe uppon an informacionn to hir ma[jes]tie that a letter showld be written to him, by tht lewde fellow Hackett:Footnote ⁸² whearewith I have charged Mr. Daniell, and he pretesteth deepelie that he never knewe, sawe, or ever hard from him: and so farre condemning his wickedness, as that he was one of his Judges uppon his triall and arrainement: which his speache I doe varelie beleve, for that I understand and knowe him to be, a vearie honest learned and discreate man, and mine opinion of him. I praie yowe to lett hir ma[jes]tie understand, of whose gratious favour to be hearin shewed to him, I doe not dowbt but he will be worthie of. Soe fare yowe well. ffrom my house in the Strand thiss xxviii^th of January 1593.

[Burghley]

I am greatly comforted to perceave hir Majesty'y graciouss allowance of myn opinion in the Scottish case, which I do themore firmly hold, because it is warrantid by hir former.Footnote ⁸³

[Maynard's hand]

Your Loving Father

[Burghley]

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my loving sonne Sir Robert Cecill knight, one of her Majesty's Privye Counsell

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

28 Jan.[uary] 1593

L[ord] Treasurere to my M[aste]r his opinion of Mr. Danyell to be Serjeant

[Cecil has also entered vertical list in his own hand in the dorse, which is, characteristically, in abbreviations]

Erscot

Coop. M.S.w[ith] ye q[ueen]

fling

Daniell

Text

I am not in so good healthe as to write with mine owne hande, yet I cannot forbeare to impart unto divers thinges as follweth. Ffirst I praie yowe move hir Majestie from mee to grawnt hir warraunt for sum portion of monie to be sent into Ireland, wheare theare was want at Christmas last, as Sir Henry Wallop can well report, and doth nowe presse mee ernestlie to remember hir ma[jes]tie to send somm treasure thither wehare hir Armie hath had noe monie of longe time, for that the last portion of monie that was sent was at mich[ael]mas, which was £7000 wherof a great part had been borrowed there at Dublin, before it came thither and yowe maie informe hir ma[jes]tie that wheare hir yearelie charges by hir Armie cometh neare hand to £28 or £29,000 sent, so as theare is continuallie a past £20,000 sent, so as theare is continuallie a debt remaining in that land. the sooner hir ma[jes]tie shall grawnt this warrant whiche cannot be lesse than sevenn of eight thowsand pound the better it shall be for hir service there.Footnote ⁸⁴

I would have yowe informe my l[ord] Admirall that Mr. QuarlesFootnote ⁸⁵ did demaund a prest of monie for victuells to serve upponn the seas for 8000 men, which came to £16,800 wheare as at the first an Estimat was made for 12000 men, which his L[ord] knoweth was with his likinge reduced to 8000 and after this, yt was thowght good by advise of the officers to make a preparacion to serve for a lesse nomber, which being rated by the officers onelie in fowre thinges, in wheate, malt, oxenn and caske theie thowght it meete to have imprested to him, £4666, which yf his L[ord] shall finde neadefull to be taken in hand I desire his L[ord] would move hir ma[jes]tie to grawnte warrant for that, or somuch as shall please hir.Footnote ⁸⁶ I doe find that the grawnt of this small quantitie for the Venetians being nozed in the Contries hath raised the price of wheate greatlie.Footnote ⁸⁷ I doe hearewith send to his L[ord] a letter from Sir Thomas LeightonFootnote ⁸⁸ , which I thinke concerneth the same matter that yowe tolde me TrowghtonFootnote ⁸⁹ had written unto him, of which cawse I knowe not. What maie prove to be the event, but for the monie and the Apparell, ^both which Sir John Norris did expect before he would cumm from Pempole. I am certainlie advartized that the Apparell is alreadie come to him to Pempolle. and for the monie it was readie in the Charles the 18 of Januarye and whether by contrary winde or by negligence of him that had the charge, it came to Portesmouthe of late time, from wheare as I understand by Sir Thomas Sherley,Footnote ⁹⁰ the Capteine named FranklinFootnote ⁹¹ refused to depart, thowgh

[p. 2] he had goode winde untill as he said he would have further awnsweare from my L[ord] Admirall, as I thinke Sir Thomas Sherley made it knowen to his L[ord] and I was bold in his L[ord's] absence to command the captaine by my letters to depart withowt anie further delaie.

Besides this, becawse I understand that Trowghton's victuells would shortlie be spent, I gave order to Sir John Hawkins to send him one monethes victuells more, which I knowe Sir John Hawkins hath alreadye directed to be done, and yet it maie be dowbted that Trowghton finding Sir John Norris to use delaie for his comming awaie, will be also himself come to the coast of England befor the victuells cann cumm unto him which I knowe not howe to remedie.

Theare is also a further proporcion of victuells sent to the Islandes for maintenance of the soldieurs when theie shall come thither, but when all is done that can be, I dowbt it will be founde that Sir John Norris hath noe disposition to cumm owt of Bretaigne. Of all these thinges I praie yowe make my L[ord] Admirall acquainted, and returne me awnsweare from him

[Burghley's hand]

Even now I receaved your l[ette]re wherin yow report hir Ma[jes]ties care for my helth for the which I most humbly thank hir, hopyng that her good wishyngs shall help to retorn me to strength for hir service which I esteme the service of God, whose place she holdeth in erth. that was spoken of my answer that befor dynnar I was no man, and after dynnar half a man was thus far misreported for I sayd befor dynnar I was but on quarter of a man and after dynar half a man and now for some incress to better, by drynkyng of a draught of redd wyne and sugar sence your goyng from me, I make accompt to be iii quarters of a man hole and one quarter syck. thus I am pleased in a phansy to express me estat, wherewith yow may acquaint hir Ma[jes]ty, whan she hath no other matter to hasten to.

I thank hir Ma[jes]ty for hir offer to me of my L[ord] Admyrall's lodgyng but I never had audacite to require other lodgyng than was allowed me. and yet I presume my L[ord] Admyrall, will withowt offence yeld therto.

God send her Ma[jes]ty a well disposed carnyvall,Footnote ⁹² or a Carerate to be rid of all cares.

Your loving father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my lovinge sonne

Sir Robart Cecill knight

one of hir ma[jes]ties privie

Consell

endorsed in Sir Robert Cecil's hand:

x Feb. 1593

my lord to me

[Fragment of a seal attached]

Text

I made yowe acquainted this afternoon with a forme of somme letters to be directed for a privie serche,Footnote ⁹³ as my L[ord] Admirall and yowe hath informed me to be the Quene's minde: otherwise I know nothinge of the purpose, but like yt well to have it done. I have thearefore cawsed fowre letters to be written to fowre severall places and have my self subscribed the same, which I would have yowe to impart to my L[ord] of Essex, my L[ord] Admirall, and others theare in secrett sort, and have left in everye letter towardes the ends a blanke for the daie which would be in mine opinion, either Saturdaie, or sondaie next, as my lls [Lords] shall like yt: and then the daie would be putt in a small Billet included in the letter, not to be known to the Serchers, but to the principall Commanders, beyen the time of the Execucionn. And so I remitt the matter to be ordered as my lls [Lords] shall thinke fitt. Ffrom Hampton Cort this xiii^th of March 1593.

With my blessyng to Will CecillFootnote ⁹⁴

Your loving father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in the clerk's hand:

To my lovinge sonne Sir Robart Cecill knight

one of hir ma[jes]ties privye Connsell

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

13 Mar[ch] 1593

Lo[rd] Thre[ausre]r to my M[aste]r

[Also on the dorse]

hast hast hast

Text

I marvell that I heare not from yow concerning the letters to be sent into Irland, whyther also I have in redynes some from myself.Footnote ⁹⁵

Now will ^yow thynk also long to heare of my forspoken pilgrimage to the bath, but I am yet in deliberation non in Judicially. my continuance in payne withowt remission moveth me to harken to all meanes of remedy or ease. I have been occupyed both with litigious cawses in the chequer and the wardes all this daye, and have found meanes to ease the just greves of Complaynants. I have had also now this evening by report, the sondry opinions of phisicions concerning the bathes, but therin are reasons of dissuasion then of provocations, and that which is worst than none any direct advise, for my care. Only exercise of body and Idlenes of mynd is prescribed. for these ii I have non to furder me but hir Ma[jes]ty.Footnote ⁹⁶ if I might have a receipt thereof from hir Ma[jes]ty's Cabynett I would mak poost, to be hable to be hir Majesty's portar at Thebaldes, uppon hir second Jornay. Thus much yow may blab to hir Ma[jes]ty if she ask of me. I wryt almost in the dark.

25 April 1594

Your loving father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed Holograph:

To my son Sr Robart Cecill at [the] Court

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

25 Apr[il] 1594

L[ord] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

Text

As I was comming in my Coche from Grenewych, certen letters war brought to me directed from Mr. Bowes,Footnote ⁹⁷ the readyng wherof occupyed me until I cam to Lambeth feldes neare paris Garden,Footnote ⁹⁸ which I folded up into a pece of paper lackyng wax sufficient which I thynk also will occupy yow redyng as they did me. but how hir Ma[jes]ty will Judg therof, and how she will procede, I know not. certenly I see that without some monny the kyng will contynew his delayes.Footnote ⁹⁹ I am not hable to warrant any Connsell, and yet some what must be aventured ether with monny or without monny.

I send yow a bill to be signed for retorning reduction of the xi^C [1,100] men from flushyng, for that I see ther is no sufficient warrant, as ther is for them that shall come from pempole.Footnote ¹⁰⁰

If the Scottish causes shall not hynder me, I mynd only to se Thebaldes on Wednesday at night and retorn on Thursday at night to the Court to London.

[In the margin]

I pray yow cause the bill to be ready wrytten becawse ther was left out iii^xx pr. [£60] to Sir Thomas BaskervilleFootnote ¹⁰¹ for his charges in conduction. v Maie 1594.

Your lov[ing] father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my loving sonne Sir Robert Cecil knight

one of her Majesty's Privy Counsell

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

5 May 1594

Lo[rd] Threasurer to my M[aste]r

[Seal: partial, cracked]

Text

I do retorn to yow the draught of your letter to Mr. bowes havyng no lesur nor yet cawse to alter the sence but in the report of the wordes of the Q[ueen's] letter, by them remembred.Footnote ¹⁰² I have taken order with Sir Thomas Shyrley to stay all expeditors savyng to have monny and apparel redy to depart to pempol, wherof they shal have nede, whyther they shall go to brest or retorn.Footnote ¹⁰³

Yow may do well to wryt to Sir Tho[mas] baskervile not to still the men, otherwise than to have them in redynes specially they of ostend, until he shall be further advertised.Footnote ¹⁰⁴

I meane to come thyther to morrow at night

Your loving father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my lovinge sonne

Sir Robart Cecill knight

one of hir ma[jes]ties privy connsell

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

14 Maii 1594

Lo[rd] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

[Faint mark of seal]

Text

If hir Ma[jes]ty shall ask of my mynd for mr. fletewood,Footnote ¹⁰⁵ I thynk hym so Sir Christopher EdmundesFootnote ¹⁰⁶ may have satisfaction, to be very mete for the office.Footnote ¹⁰⁷

Your lov[ing] father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed Maynard:

To my lovinge sonne Sir Robart Cecill knight one of her ma[jes]ties privye Connsell

endorsed Willis:

Maii 1594

L[ord] Threas[urer] to my M[aste]r

Mr. Ffleetwood, Sir Christopher Edmundes

[Seal fragment, some wax remaining]

Text

Yow shall understand that Mr. vichamb[erlain] cam to me yesterday and did declare hir Ma[jes]ty's disposition, to have one named to be an asistant to the lyeutenant of the tower, namyng Sir Dru. Drury,Footnote ¹⁰⁸ whom I thought fitt for his trustynes, but I thought he would require interteynment for hym self and a nombre of servaunts, besyde that he is often syck. but in my opinion I sayd Sir G[eorge] Care[w],Footnote ¹⁰⁹ the Lieut[enant] of the ordonnance might be meter, becawse he hath an office and an ordinary lodgyng in the towr. Whereon Mr. vichamberlayn, (as allowyng the same), prayed me to signefy thus much to yow, to be shewed to hir Ma[jes]ty, submittyng my self to hir Ma[jes]ty's Judgement.

Your loving father,

W. Burghley

[Postscript]

He Inswared of hir Ma[jes]ty's care in moovyng to hym that I might have his lodgyng for which I humbly thank hir Majesty

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To m lovinge sonne

Sor Robart Cecill

knight, one of the Q[ueen's]

ma[jes]tie's privie connsell

endorsed in one of Cecil's clerk's hands:

March 1593

[In another Clerk's hand]

my l[ord] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

[Seals cut out]

Text

By your letter and by the Messadg of mr. Loveless, I perceave hir Ma[jes]ty wold have me com to the Court to morrow beyng Satyrday but the tide serveth me at night, for I am not in good helth, on the fornoons and therfor I will prevent the Comanndment, makyng it meritam, and with God's leve I will even thyther at this evening tide, yow may tell Symons so, but not provyde me any thyng but a new layd egg, for I have vowed to fast this day, without superstition.Footnote ¹¹⁰

I send yow such 2 l[ette]res as I receaved from Sir rob[ert] Sydne.Footnote ¹¹¹ the latter of the 16 by which I see that as, than he had not receaved, the letters sent from hence. I send yow also, Otwell Smyth'sFootnote ¹¹² assuryng the rendition of Roan whichi must nedes bryng on St. Mallos.Footnote ¹¹³

29 Ma[rch] 1594

Your Lo[ving] Father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my lovinge sonne

Sir Robart Cecill

knight, one of the Q[ueen's] ma[jes]ties privie Connsell

At the Cort

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

29 Martii 1594

Lo[rd] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

Text

I send you hereinclosed two billes wich I receaved from my L[ord] Keeper to be signed by hir Ma[jes]tie, the contentes whereof yow shall perceave by the dockets there underwritten. I praie yowe procure them to be signed assoone as yow shall have convenient tume. And so fare yow well.Footnote ¹¹⁴ Ffrom my howse in West[minste]r, the last of May 1594

Your loving father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in the hand of the clerk to whom the letter was dictated:

To my lovinge sonne Sir

Robert Cecill knight of her ma[jes]ties most honrable privy Connsell [with a small sign in the margin]

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

ul[ti]mo Maii 1594

lo[rd] Thres[ure]r to mu M[aste]r

[Seal missing]

Text

I do send herinclosed, l[ette]res sent from Mr. EdmundesFootnote ¹¹⁵ of the 21 of August conteaning sondry thynges, wherof I thynk will hav hir Ma[jes]ty will have much mislyking as that dowtfullnes of the D[uke] of Mon[t]pensiers Jornay to brittann with new forces, wherof the kyng by his letter made so firm a promiss, as in truth I made accompt that we would have hard out of britanne, of his arryvall ther. herewith I thynk hir Ma[jes]ty shuld doo well to cause the fr[ench ambassador to be charged for as I thynk he did inform hir Ma[jes]ty, uppon letters from the kyng, of the D[uke] Monpensier's purpose.Footnote ¹¹⁶

The other matter to be mislyked is the messadge under hand from the k[ing] of Spayn to have on sent to bayon to conferr of a peace. Wherto, though the kyng pretendth a mislyk, yet suerly the Catholique ConnsellorsFootnote ¹¹⁷ with the disposition also of the pope will work some furder operation therin. and so both England and all the protestantes in France, shall fele the smart therof.Footnote ¹¹⁸ but I am bold to hope of the favor of the kyng of kynges, that [blob of wax] can abridg the k[ing] of Spaynes liff, and shew some notable avendg upon the fr[ench] kyng for his perfydye towards God and Man.

My hand is so weak as I am unhable to wryt any more. 4 7^bre 1594

Your lov[ing] father

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Burghley's hand:

To my loving sone Sir Robart Cecil knight at the Court. W. Burghley

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

4 Sept[ember] 1594

L[ord] Threas[urer] to my M[aste]r

[Seal missing]

Text

I send to yow such letters as ar directed to hir Ma[jes]ty's Connsell from Irland whch I have not opened,Footnote ¹¹⁹ because it is mete thath they be opened by hir Ma[jes]ty, as upon a Caveat gyven uppon the last sent from thence,Footnote ¹²⁰ I perceaved was best lyking to hir Ma[jes]ty.

by a nombre of Copyes now sent not sealed, I see the uncertan accompt to be made of the Erle of Tyron.Footnote ¹²¹ Ther is both monny and munition gon,Footnote ¹²² whyther the Depute send for men I know not.Footnote ¹²³

I am rather worss than better, but better for heaven than for the world. this Satyrday

Your loving father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed

To my Lovinge Sonne Sir Robert Cecill knyght of her ma[jes]ties honrable privy Connsell

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

28 Sept[ember] 1594

Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

Text

Although I know hir Majesty hath Care of all hir chyrch offices, to have them bestowed, uppon persons worthy the vocations, both as well for vertew and Godly liff, as for lernyng, yet I pray yow shew to hir Ma[jes]ty what my L[ord] of Huntyngdon wryteth for the supply of the Archb[ishopric] of york,Footnote ¹²⁴ wherof the last incumbent was a person of gret sufficiency, & as well approved in the chardg, as any prelat in England. It is lykly many will gape after it, and I wish the choiss war rather in hir Ma[jes]ty's own Judgment, then in the ambitioss desyre of them which seke que sua sunt non que Dei et ecclesie.Footnote ¹²⁵

5 8^{bre v} [5 October] 1594

Your loving Father

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed

To my Lovinge Sonne Sir Robert

Cecill knight of her ma[jes]ties honorable

privy Connsell

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

28 Sept[ember] 1594

Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

Text

Wheare the B. Willowghbies l[ette]res sent to the lls [Lords] of the Consell with the Examinacions oof the complaints against the Erle of Lincolne by his tenantes of Tattersall theare war a writinge entituled a Premonition, which writinge I have sum occasion to see.Footnote ¹²⁶ And therefore I praie yowe, to speake to the Clarke of the Connsell that attendeth theare to seke for yt, and with your next letters to send yt to mee.

Ffrom my howse in the Strand this fift of October 1594

Your lovinge father,

W. Burghley

[On the left side of the foot of this letter Maynard has written]

Sir Robart Cecill

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my lovinge Sonne

Sir Robart Cecill knight

one of the Quenes Ma[jes]ties

privie Connsell

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

5 October 1594

l[ord] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

[Seal missing]

Text

I recevid this morninge this letter and writinges inclosed from my L[ord] Scroope,Footnote ¹²⁷ whearewith I praie yowe at your soonest commodite to acquaint hir Ma[jes]tie, and Theareuppon to understand hir pleasure for the awnsweare to be made theareto, which assone as I shall understand what hir Ma[jes]tie's will shall be, I will accordinglie retorne awnsweare by post to my L[ord] Scroope.Footnote ¹²⁸ Soe fare yow well. ffrom my howse in the Strand this xiii^{th v} of October 1594.

Your Lovinge father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my Lovinge sonne Sir

Robart Cecill knight

One of hir Ma[jes]ties Privy Concill

endorsed

L[ord] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

[Seal cut out]

Text

I se by your l[ette]re how desyrous hir Ma[jes]ty is to have me ther. now I have a mynd to even thyther to Morrow, but yow shall not be known thereof untill I shall come. cause my chamber to be made redy. Herein I shall venture parcass [perchance] my liff, but I remitt all to God, fiat voluntas sua.

13 October 1594

Your lov[ing] father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed Holograph:

To my lov. Sonn Sir Robert Cecill Kt. at the Court

endorsed Holograph:

13 October 1594

L[ord] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

[Seal missing]

Text

Though I did require yow to inform hir Ma[jes]ty, of my great weaknes increased uppon me sence I cam from the Court, so as I found ^{my self} unhable to perform my resolut intention to retorn as this daye, with a mynd if hir Ma[jes]ty shold remove shortly to Rychmond, to aventur to come thyther, yet because Mr. Chancelor now at xi of the clock telleth me that hir Ma[jes]ty sayd she looked for me this night which he sayd he thought I was unhable to do.

I have thought good in this my perplexity, beyng cheffly carryed afor all other releve the ErleFootnote ¹²⁹ with some grant of parkes in such sort, as may be no deminution to hir Ma[jes]ty's revennew, and yet releve hym, in a sort very resonable. I move not these thyngs for the Erle, pro merito in, but pro condeyno for hir Majesty.

[On the lower right of the text]

This Satyrd[ay] 18 or 19.

Your loving father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Burghley's hand:

To my lovyng son Sir

Robert Cecil knight

at the Court

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

19 October 1594

L[ord] Threas[urer] to my M[aste]r

Text

I thank yow for sendyng to me the Copy of hir Ma[jes]ty's letters to the fr[ench] kyng, assuryng my self, that ther cold no such marye come owt of any knuckles but of hirs; that in all graces by natur, by callyng, by long experience, is of such perfection, as none can attayn unto. In this letter, thowgh I knolledg my weaknes of Judg therof, yet I see every sentence full of matter of great vallew a princely kyndnes to a kyng very acceptable, in Congratualyng his escape very comfortable, in advising hym how to preserve his person more carefull than she is for hir self, otherwise than she beareth all to the care of God, in advise further to remove the nursery of his coniured ennemyes, without relenting to contrary Connsells so wisely and religiously, as of all these thoughts I am suer no secretary nor orator cold so lyvely express hir princely mynd.

For hir hope to have me dance, I must have a longer tyme to lern to goo. but I will be redy in mynd to dance with my hart, when I shall behold hyr favorable disposition to do such honor to hyr Mayd, for the old mans sake.Footnote ¹³⁰

I wish hir Majesty wold send som tresur into Irland and that hir Tresuror might se to the orderly expence therof better than his clerkes have doon these 6 yeres.Footnote ¹³¹

The argument of my letter hath tempted my hand to wryt thus much.

Your loving father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my Lovinge sonne

Sir Robart Cecill knight

one of the Quene's Ma[jes]ties

privie Connsell

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

2 Dec[ember] 1594

l[ord] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

[Seal cut out]

Text

I doe send unto yowe a letter which I have receved from Mr. Guilpin owt of the Lowe Contries, with the contentes wherof, yowe maie acquaint her ma[jes]tie.Footnote ¹³² There is also browght to mee this eveninge a letter with thes other writinges of the B[ishop] of Limerick,Footnote ¹³³ which should have been sooner delivered unto mee: & althowgh it semeth by his letter that he hath written of the same matters to her ma[jes]tie, yet shall yowe doe well to acquaint hir with this as yowe find commoditie. ffrom my howse in the Strand the xxiii^rd v of December 1594.

[Postscript]

I received even nowe your letter sygnifienge the Q[ueen's] determinacion to send Mr. Bodeleie into the lowe Contries,Footnote ¹³⁴ and D[r.] Parkins into Poland,Footnote ¹³⁵ both which I doe allowe of.

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my Lovinge Sonne Sir

Robart Cecill knight, one of hir ma[jes]ties privie Connsell

endorsed by Simon Willis:

23 dec[ember] 1594

Lo[rd] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

Text

I doe meane tomorrowe in the morninge to give order that all such monie as shall be aunswered of her ma[jes]ties Customs outwards in the office that Mr. Yonge had, shall be paid in the Customhouse [and] & theare savelie locked upp: and to be paid at the ende of everie weeke into hir Ma[jes]tie's receipt at Westminster.Footnote ¹³⁶ Owt of my bed beinge not hable to signe anie letter this xiiii^th of december at night.

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my lovinge sonne

Sir Robart Cecil knight

one of the Q[ueen's] ma[jes]ties

privie Connsell

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

[Date obscured in the margin]

Lo[rd] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

Text

I doe send hearewith unto yowe an Addition to that former declaracion which yowe have of som further cawses movinge hir Ma[jes]ties ^{dislike that the 1500 men levied for their service, have not been returned} whereof hir ma[jes]tie hath often spoken and I thinke will be agreable to hir minde thearein, which yowe maye acquaint hir majestie withall as yowe shall finde commoditie: meaninge in like manner (as I maie have anie ease of my paine to sett downe sum like reasons to awnsweare the obiections that maie be made by the States that theie are not to make paiment of this monie, untill the ende of the warres),Footnote ¹³⁷ but my paine is such as I cannot further travell thearein at this time. I praie yowe also to acquainte hir ma[jes]tie with the letter inclosed which I received this Eveninge from Mr. Edmondes.Footnote ¹³⁸

I am not hable by reason of the weaknes & paine of my hand to signe this letter.

ffrom my howse in the Strand this xiii^th of December, 1594

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my Lovinge sonne

Sir Rob[er]t Cecill knight

one of the Q[ueen's] ma[jes]ties

privie Connsell

endorsed

14 dec[ember] 1594

Lo[rd] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

[Seal cut out]

Text

I send hearewith unto two packettesFootnote ¹³⁹ of letters browght owt of Ireland: The greater is of elder date, and the lesse of a later. I minde not to write unto yow the perticulers herof, for that theie be vearie manie & therefore to be nowe diligentlie perused. My healthe serveth mee not to enter into anie final consideracion herof, but onelie two thinges are necessarye: Increase of the forces, which I am sorie to see longe delaied from comminge owt of Bretaigne, althowghe I knowe not whome to blame.Footnote ¹⁴⁰ The second is to send monie thither for maintenance of the Garrisons already in that Realme, consideringe it doth appear by the Certificat of the Thres[urer's] Deputie that of treasure sent over last, theare is nothinge remaininge, as by the Accompt of the Thres[urer's] deputie maie appeare.Footnote ¹⁴¹ But thearein noe mention is made of a great some of mony that remained in the handes of the Thres[urer's] deputie this last yeare, for which the thres[urer] had good assurance for repaiment. Ffrom my howse in the Strand this xxvii^th of December 1594

[Maynard]

Your loving father

[Burghley]

W. Burghley

[Burghley's postscript]

I have no hope to amend towardes the world.

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my lovinge sonne

Sir Robert Cecill

one of hir ma[jes]ties privie Connsell

endorsed in Sir Rober Cecil's hand:

28 Decemb[er] 1594

my l[ord] my Fathre to me

[Seal cut out]

Text

I doe send this bearer, the Quene's pusuivant at YorkeFootnote ¹⁴² with the letter from my L[ord] of Huntingdon for the Sendinge upp hither of Gravener, but as yt semeth both by the pursuivant, and by the testimonie of the Maior of Northampton, and a Phisitian theare, which I doe send unto yowe, the said Gravener is fallen soe sicke, as he is unhable to be browght from theare, and yet as the pursuivant saithe he hath left his mann with him to keape him as a close prisoner.Footnote ¹⁴³ Of this yowe maie informe hir ma[jes]tie, for hir further pleasure to be done theare in.

If yowe see Sir Henry Walloppe, I praie yowe will him to comm to mee towchinge monie to be sent into Ireland.Footnote ¹⁴⁴ ffrom my howse in the strand the xiiii^th of Jan[uary] 1594.

Your loving father

[Signed]

W. Burghley

[Burghley's postscript]

My flux in myn eie begynneth to fall to an ebb

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my lovinge sonne

Sir Robart Cecill knight

one of hir ma[jes]ties privy Connsell

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

14 January 1594 l[ord] thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

[Seal cut away]

Text

Though my hand be unhable to fight and my right eie unhable to take a levell, yet thay beth do stoop to return my humble thanks for contynuance of hir favor at this tyme whan I am more fitter for an hospitall, than to be a party for a marriadg.Footnote ¹⁴⁵

I will be a precise kepar of myself from all cold untill fryday on which daye I will ventur to come thyther.

If yow shall here that this nyght I have playd at post and pare, yowe will ghess that I shall recover, for I have lost all I playd for.

Your lov[ing] fath[er],

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my Lovinge Sonne

Sir Robert Cecill

one of hir ma[jes]ties privye Connsell

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

25 January 1594

Lo[rd] Thre[asure]r to my [Maste]r

[Seal cut away]

Text

I know not what resolution hir Ma[jes]ty hath made with Sir Jhon Norryce, for the service in Irland,Footnote ¹⁴⁶ nor for the manner of dischardge of the rest of the nombres beside the ii^M [2,000] to be sent into Irland.

I understand ther ar noo Capt. in bogland than ar to serve with the ii^M [2,000] wherof regard wold be had what shall become of them.

12 febr[uary] 1594

Your lov[ing] father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my lovinge sonne Sir Robart Cecill knight

one of hir ma[jes]ties privie Connsell

At the Cort

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

12 ffeb[ruary] 1594

[List in Henry Maynard's hand, added in crayon, pencil or silverpoint]

6 The Duke [of Lennox]Footnote ¹⁴⁷

2 Ch[ancellor] of Scot[land]

35 [Maitland of Thirlestane,Footnote ¹⁴⁸ Lennox's adversary at the Convention]

B The Kyng [James VI]

[In pencil on the dorse]

80

[Seal cut out]

Text

I would wishe yow to be carefull towching the proceding to be had for the ^nominated Bishopps of WinchesterFootnote ¹⁴⁹ and Durham,Footnote ¹⁵⁰ that before they be perfectted there be sufficient provision made, and assurance to hir ma[jes]tie of such rentes and ameties as aught ^to be assured by them. As namely from the B[ishop] of Winchester of a Rent Charge of CCCC^li [£400] p[er]annum graunted by the late Bishopp deceased out of the manor of Taunton and other mannors. As also, of viii^C and iiii^xx li [£880] yearlie rent essing out of the lordshipp of Allerton and other lordshipps within the Bishoprick of Durham, which the late now Bishop of Durham payd to hir ma[jes]tie. And further of a Cxl li [£140] yearlie rent for the Castle of Norrham, and a ffyshing uppon the ryvar of Twede, which my L[ord] Chamberlaine holdes with Rent was likewise answered to hir ma[jes]tie by his l[ordshi]p.Footnote ¹⁵¹ I pray yow thearfore have a Care too, theise thinges towching hir Ma[jes]tie before any further proceding be had therein. ffrom my house at Westm[inste]r the 14 of febr[uary] 1594.

[Burghley's addition]

I sent for Mr. attorneyFootnote ¹⁵² to have care hereof, who is herin wary how to procede, but I have directed to speak with the L[ord] ch[ief] JustyceFootnote ¹⁵³ and Mr of the roolesFootnote ¹⁵⁴ who war attorneys, and so he will, but he complayneth of want of others, seyng ther is but on sergeant and no sollicitor, alledgyng that ther ar manny weighty cawses of hir Majesty to be ordered.

yow may inform hir Ma[jes]ty hereof, and for a serieant I know non fitter than Mr. yelverton,Footnote ¹⁵⁵ as for any sollicitors I will not presume to name any for some respectes.

Your lov[ing] Father

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Maynard's hand:

To my varie lovinge sonne Sir Robart Cecill knight of hir ma[jes]ties honorable privy counsel.

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

14 ffeb[ruary] 1594

L[ord] Threas[urer] to my M[aste]r

[Cecil's additional note on the dorse]

con. Sir J. Hawkyns sergeant

h. myllFootnote ¹⁵⁶

Text

I see that I am so yoked with others, as my fortun is to be allweis thrust in to the furrow.

I perceave by yow that hir Ma[jes]ty is informed that I did committ on Roger Mill to prison, uppon pretence that he did inform soemthyng as a wytness ageynst Parkynson in the Cause of Davers whereto I answer that I did not of my self committ hym, but he was befor the Connsell at Sommersett houss long before the deth of Long by Daverss and by them all committed for informing of Mr. lane of some evill words to have bene spoken by parkynson at a dynnar abowt xii monthes before, whereof he cold produce no proff, but sayd that he had hard such a report, by on that had served parkynson as a soldior and was putt owt of service uppon displeasure. And parkynson beyng charged herwith utterly denyed the same, so as this Mill was committed for concealyng such speches so long tym, and cold not prove the same.Footnote ¹⁵⁷

This happened long befor the deth of Long by Davers at what tyme parkynson was Generally well lyked of. And yet I did move 1 month past spek to on of the clerkes of the Connsell to move the Connsell to delyver hym as sufficiently punished and so untill now I thouwght he had bene delyvered, as it may be that he remayneth only for fees of the prison.

I pray yow inform hir Ma[jes]ty, that she may see how I am wronged ^herein as in manny other lyk.

I thynk on of the clerkes can inform yow of the tyme and manner of his Concell, by testymony of the Connsell letter

[To the lower left side]

Your lov[ing] fath[er]

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed

To my lovynge son Sir Robart Cecill at the Court

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

26 ffeb[ruary] 1594

L[ord] Threas[urer] to my M[aste]r

[Seal cut out]

Text

I send to yow herewith Mr. bodeleys letter beyng the first receaved sence he departed. by it only appeareth his entrance into the matter of his chardgFootnote ¹⁵⁸ By his next will appear uppon the States answer, what may be expected.Footnote ¹⁵⁹ so as untill then I se no cause of his further instruction.

[Opposite the opening of the preceding paragraph in the margin]

I perceave that Mr. bodeley hath in his proposition well followed his Instruction

[Main text continues]

As for Colonells Stuartes negociation, I way it not much, if he can get for the kyng a pece of monny. I thynk it will Gage hym that waye from harkening to papaticall confederacy, or from other harmfull leage with France, from whence he may have shews of frendshipp without substance.Footnote ¹⁶⁰

I am glad that hir Ma[jes]ty is satifyed with myn answer for Mill's imprisonment.Footnote ¹⁶¹

Yow forgett the matter for the Q[ueen's] assurance of Certen rentes from the 2 BB [Bishops] of wy[nchester] and durham and therewith, the attorney's request to be furder asisted with another serieant and sollicitor.Footnote ¹⁶²

[Opposite the opening of the preceding paragraph in the left margin]

I send yow also a letter from Sir Edm[und] uvedall with a confession of G. Sommersett, a person that hath long strayed.Footnote ¹⁶³

[Main text continues]

How hir Ma[jes]ty will have the L[ord] depute of Irland answered uppon your report of our Conference which because yow wryt, that yow have reported with her Ma[jes]ty's allowance, I have privatly, havyng oportunite to send to hym, by my present letter advertised hym a good part of our opinions without prescribyng to hym any direction untill hir Ma[jes]ty shall direct the same and so inform yow how I have remembered the same.Footnote ¹⁶⁴ I send yow a Copy of my privat letter, which may be affirmed or controlled by a more Generall letter from the Connsell.

Your lov[ing] fath[er],

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Maynard's hand:

To my lovinge sonne Sir Rob[er]t Cecill knight one of hir ma[jes]ties privy connsell.

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

7 ffeb[ruary] 1594

L[ord] Threas[urer] to my M[aste]r

[No seal]

Text

I perceave by your letters, that my L[ord] chamberlain hath made an honorable report to his Ma[jes]ty of my upright and favorable dealyng in the hearyng of the cause, betwixt my L[ord] of derby and the Conntess his sistar,Footnote ¹⁶⁵ wherin he hath done me right as he promised me that he wold and so deserveth my thankes which I pray yow gyve his Lord[ship]. but wher hir Ma[jes]ty hath pronounced hir graciowss sentence of me, as of hir spryt and hath commanded yow, as yow wryt to gyve me a million of thankes, I am most glad of hir favorable censur for which also I most humbly thank hir Ma[jes]ty, as not merityng so much, but for hir Millions of thankes yow may as merrely saye from me, that she may be noted soemwhat over liberall, for to gyve a million of thankes wher she oweth none, but may challendg all that I can do to be as a dett not hable to fre me from bondage to hir, both by God's ordinance, and by hir regalle and princely favors. and to wryt seriously I have doone ^no thyng in this cause but that my conscience did prescribe me. and if the Erle shall thynk otherwise of me, as I dowt he may be thereto ledd yet he shall understand that I gave my child to hym, but not my conscience nor my honor which no blood shall ever gayn of me. and yet I pray yow tell hir Ma[jes]ty, if the Conntess had not such great

[the page ends and the sentence continues as the lower of two marginal comments]

cause of compleynt as was pretended, nother shall have if I may direct the cause, but fyndyng some wondryng of both sydes, I only shewed them ther errors, and directed them to the Q[ueen's] Ma[jes]ty's high wayes, wher law and equite used to walk hand in hand, which I trust they will follow.

[the upper of two marginal comments]

I warned both partyes, that nether his entayle nor the Conntess Dower, shuld draw me from myn office, to se to the right of the wardes.

W. Burghley

[At the right foot]

turn this

[Overleaf]

I fynd no ease of paynes, nor increass of strength and yet I assure yow I expedite more poore sutors, than I thynk any Judg or master of law doth in this term.

Dorse

addressed in Burghley's hand:

To my wellbeloved sonn Sir Robart Cecill knight at the Court

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

Ffeb[ruary] 1594

L[ord] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

Text

I thank yow for your letter, which I cannot answere with myn owne hand in any sort. I allowe your discretion in concealing from the Q[ueen] my last nights paines. And though I had yesterdaie a painfull iorney with my hand, & have had this night a continuance therof with some new paine in my foote, whereby I am force to kepe my bed this forenoone, yet yowe shall do well not to be knowne herof to any. If I had come well hither and the wether fayre, I might have tarryed here but two daies. But now I know not how long I shalbe forced to tarry here by this ill Accident, which seeing it was to fall out at this time I am glad I am here without Company to troble me. and so god bless yow with his grace. From my howse at Theobaldes the xxix^th of April 1595.

[To the lower left of the page]

I praie yow speake to Mr. Edward DarcyFootnote ¹⁶⁶ to remember the Q[ueen] for the sealing of certane letters of the wardes and if he not there, require Mr. KilligrewFootnote ¹⁶⁷ or Mr. StannhoppeFootnote ¹⁶⁸ to gett them signed, for there are twise as many to do when they ar done.

I send you a letter of Mr. CaryesFootnote ¹⁶⁹ with a ticket of a progresse intended by the k[ing] of Scottes to come to the sight of Barwick for which purpose he is desirous to know, how he shall behave himself at that time.Footnote ¹⁷⁰ Whereof I praie yow make my L[ord] Chamberlayn privie to the intent he may understand the Q[ueen]s mind, & as for the workes to be done there, I will give order by my next letter to have the same performed.Footnote ¹⁷¹

[Not signed]

Dorse

addressed in Maynard's hand:

To my loving sonne Sir Robert Cecill

Knight, of her Ma[jes]ties privy Counsell

endorsed

29 April 1595:

L[ord] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

Text

I am willingar than hable to come on Monday, and yet Mr. chan[cellor] and I have apoynted a special metyng here that afternoone with the office of the Custom houss, and so must my L[ord] Keper and I with other Judges mete to morrow about diffikult busynes.Footnote ¹⁷² so as I am not Idle in my afternoons, though farr unhable to beare such burdens.

I can not saye that I will come on Monday, but I must saye, I must be carryed there very paynfully, and unmete to be sene to hir Majesty's presence.

I have bene thurghly occupyed this day.

Your lo[ving] father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed

To my lovinge sonne Sir Rob[er]t Cecill knight one of hir ma[jes]ties privy Connsell

endorsed

20 May 1595

Lo[rd] Thre[asurer] to my M[aste]r

‘1595’ and ‘Mr’

[Seal cut out]

Text

I am not yett gott owt of my bedd. what I shall be hable to do tomorrow, I know not. for the manner of retorning of Mr. bodeley, with hir Ma[jes]ties answer of mislykyng both of the States answer and of his coming back uppon ther advise, I can not but very well allow thereof, and I thynk he shall ^{ought to} ply them with so manny reasons, as the tyme serveth for hir Ma[jes]ty, after x yers chardg without ether mony or any suratye of Gratitud from them by waye of presenta[tion] of ther thankfulness,Footnote ¹⁷³ addyng that hir Ma[jes]ty is now also provoked in Irland to enter into a charg not estimable, wherto she hath no hop of any help, but of hyndrance by Spayne and otherwise.

If they shall be content to pay hir Ma[jes]ty's people and grant a good yerly some, towardes the discharg of the dett, hir Ma[jes]ty remayning ther protector and they Contynuyng ther defence agenst the k[ing] of Spayne, I cold be content to se hir Majesty so eased of this growing chardg.Footnote ¹⁷⁴

This I can scrible not without payn.Footnote ¹⁷⁵

Your lov[ing] father,

W. Burghley.

Dorse

addressed in the same hand as Letter No. 45:

To my loving sonne Sir Robert Cecyll knight, one of her ma[jes]ties privie Connsell

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

12 May 1595

L[ord] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

Text

I can not wryt at any length, but do send these included from Sir Ed[ward] Norryce which I pray yow shew to hir Ma[jes]ty and to know hir plesur, for his answer.Footnote ¹⁷⁶ The matter purporteth more dannger than is mete for me to pass over without hir Majesty's Judgment. I thynk Monss. de Caron wold be acquaynted herwith.Footnote ¹⁷⁷

Maii 1595,

Your lov[ing] father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my loving sonne Sir Robert Cecill knight, one of hir ma[jes]tie's privie Connsell

At the Cort

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

6 May 1595

L[ord] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

[Seal missing]

Text

I thynk Mr. Wyndebank will delyver yow a bill to be signed for W[illia]m Spicer and for H[enry] fade, so as H. fade shall receave no fe nor proffitt duryng Spycers estat.Footnote ¹⁷⁸ Yow may doe well for furderance hereof to inform hir Ma[jes]ty that Spycer can not allweise personally attend, for that he is Surveyor of the workes at barwyk, and hath also cause to se to the workes at woodstock. but if notwithstandyng these reasons hir Ma[jes]ty will not have H. fades Joyned nor yet to have a Grant in revertion, I must content my self at hir Ma[jes]ty's plesure, not meaning to be a sutor to hir Ma[jes]ty for any thyng but for her favor, and allowance of my poore service.Footnote ¹⁷⁹

I pray yow procure the dispatch of the warrant for barwyk for the Garrison who have great nede to be helped this deare yere.Footnote ¹⁸⁰

Mr. wyndeb[ank] hath in redynes the letters for 1^m [1000] soldiers to be in redynes.Footnote ¹⁸¹ I send a letter for the matter of plymmouth for which to be signed by the Connsellors ther, I pray yow send to me.Footnote ¹⁸² 23 Ju[ne] 1595.

Your lov[ing] father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my lovinge sonne Sir Robt. Cecill knight, one of her ma[jes]ties privy Connsell, At the Cort

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

23 Junii 1595

L[ord] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

Text

I have red your letter reportyng the Q[ueen's] Ma[jes]ty's favorable compassion for releff of Sir Thomas Wylkes and that hir Ma[jes]ty wold receave knolledg from me of his sutes, which I do send in a paper herincluded, which I pray yow to shew to hir Ma[jes]ty whose favor my request cannot increass.Footnote ¹⁸³ but suerly I thynk if he be not releved by some of these or some equivalent he shall not be hable to serve hir Ma[jes]ty as he very is as hable to do as any of his degre in England. 24 Junii 1595.

Your lovyng father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Simon Willis's hand:

To my lovinge Sonne Sir Robert Cecill knight,

one of hir Majesty's Privy Counsell

endorsed

24 Junii 1595

l[ord]. thre[sure]r to my Mr. Concerning Sir Thomas Wilkes

[In pencil on the dorse]

100

[Seal cut out]

Text

Yow may by the begynning of this included letter of Sir Jhon Norrice[’s] forwardnes, which yow may shew to hir Ma[jes]ty with an Intention how it is met to tak the Erles cheff howss, which they cannot doe, withowt passyng the blackwater, how so ever a contrary opinion afor hir Ma[jes]ty.Footnote ¹⁸⁴

Yow may also se the reasons Iterated, for acceptyng of few Mc Hugh. but his offers have not been secrett, nether will his person, nor his other Companion be easely taken and delyvered.Footnote ¹⁸⁵ I have sent for Sir H[enry] Killygrew and the rest to be with me to morrow at 7 of clock wher I wish Sir Tho[mas] Wilkes might be present & so tell hym.Footnote ¹⁸⁶

I thynk to speak with Sir Francis Drake this night for plymmouth.Footnote ¹⁸⁷

And so I thank yow your to much Care of me in sendyng to know how I do, which I thank God is well, but tyred with london sutors.

Your lov[ing] father,

W. Burghley

[Holograph postscript]

I miss 2 of my brood, a male and a female, but I thynk they are forthcomming redy to return whan they shall be called for.

Dorse

addressed in Burghley's hand:

To my loving son Sir Robart Cecill

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

June 1595, Lo[rd] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

Text

I hae received your letter by this bearer at xii of the clock, whearebie yowe require to understand of mee whither yowe shall move the Quene about the Bill of the Provost Marshall. ffor awnsweare, besides that I wroate unto yowe this daie by CoppinFootnote ¹⁸⁸ concerning that matter I did move hir ma[jes]tie thearein yesterdaie, whome I fownde veary willing to have a provost MarshallFootnote ¹⁸⁹ but very unwilling to make anie allowance to him, without which I told hir the Gentleman would not nor could not well serve, for that the service would be chargeable unto him, becawse of his continuall attendance, and that with summ good Companie to resist the violence of anie disordred person. and hearof yowe maie doe well to acquaint summ of my lls [Lords] to assist yowe in anie newe motion to be made to hir ma[jes]tie.Footnote ¹⁹⁰

Ffrom my howse in the strand this viii^th of Julye 1595

[Burghley]

Your loving Father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my Lovinge Sonne Sir Rob[er]t Cecill, knight,

one of hir Ma[jes]ties Privy Counsell

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

8 July 1595,

L[ord] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

Provost Marshall

Text

I send herewith the last letter I had from Mr. GylpynFootnote ¹⁹¹ and also certen letters from Mr. EdmundesFootnote ¹⁹² all which yow may impart to hir Majesty.

I propose with God's will to be ther to night or in the morning to impart to hir Ma[jes]ty Mr. Bodeley's last answer.Footnote ¹⁹³

11 Jul[y] 1595.

Your lov[ing] father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my lovinge sonne Sir Rob[er]t Cecill, knight, one of hir ma[jes]ties privy Counsell

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

11 July 1595

L[ord] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

Text

[Maynard's hand]

Since my comminge home I have spoken with l[ord] derbey towchinge the writinge that concerneth the C[ap]teine Wainemen, whoe telleth me that he delivered the same to yowe, and therefore it semeth yowe did not remember yt this daie when the same was spoken of ^{[in Burghley's hand] this day} uppon the deliverie of Sir Edward Norris[’] letter to the lls [Lords].Footnote ¹⁹⁴ I praie yowe cawse your man to seek yt owt, and if yowe shall misse yt emongest your papers, yowe maie looke for yt emongest mine of the Lowe Contries, least peradventure yowe might leave them with mee [Burghley] which I do not remembre, but yet I remembre yow told me that Mr. bodly brought such an information ageynst weynman.Footnote ¹⁹⁵

I send to yow herwith a bill for a warrant for monny for Sir Thomas layton, which as my L[ord] admyrall can tell yow is required to be iii^C [£300] and for Jersay ii^C [£200] with monny for iiii tons of lead. I pray yow procure these to be signed, and pass to the signet and prive seal.Footnote ¹⁹⁶

Yow may tell my L[ord] of Essex, that wher hir Ma[jes]ty hath apoynted certen men for Silley only for the sommar tyme I fynd the cap. bevon unwillyng to serve ther except he might have a contynuance for which I have no warrant, but express order to contynew this new chardg, but for the sommar tyme.Footnote ¹⁹⁷

13 Jul[y] 1595

Your lov[ing] father,

W. Burghley

[Added after signing in Burghley's hand]

I had almost lost my tyde to come under the Bridg hytherward.

the letter also for my L[ord] of Pembroke for 100 men willsh[ire] and 200 in Som[erset] wold be remembered.Footnote ¹⁹⁸

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my lovinge sonne Sir Robert Cecill, knight, one of hir Majesty's Privy Counsell

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

13 Julii 1595

L[ord] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

[Seal remaining]

Text

I doe retorne unto yowe, three writinges of D[octor] Parkins conceipt. The one to the k[ing] of Pole, the other to the Brethren Battores of Transilvania, the third to the Chancellor of Poland.Footnote ¹⁹⁹ The first two to be written by hir ma[jes]tie, the third by him self: the which I have perused seriouslie, and cannot in mine opinion ad or deminishe anie thinge, but thinke the same written very well cum drewro.Footnote ²⁰⁰

And therefore, I think if theie weare redie written fitt to be signed by hir ma[jes]tie, the sooner theie be doone, and sent awaye the better.Footnote ²⁰¹ but hearewith must be remembered that theare be our letter written to Mr. Barton, which would be written with somm good Caution, least it might be miscarried and so cumm to the handes of suche as ar readie to detract anie thinge, thowghe never soe well ment by hir Majestie.Footnote ²⁰² soe fare yowe well.

Ffrom my howse at Theobaldes this xxii^th of Julye 1595.

[Burghley]

Your loving father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my lovinge sonne Sir Rob[er]t Cecill knight

one of the Q[ueen's] ma[jes]ties

privie Connsell.

Text

I thank for your often wrytyng. I am glad of the Erles delyvery to his own howss, wherof I do Imagyn he shall stey a good tyme.Footnote ²⁰³ Yow wryt not whyther I be looked for ther, but I meane to be at London on Satyrday, and at the Court on Sunday.

I send yow such letters as presently I receaved from Otwell Smyth, wherein I only mislyke that which he wryteth of desparnon.Footnote ²⁰⁴ And so bless yow. Fom my howse of Theobaldes. 24 Jul[y] 1595.

Your lov[ing] father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed by Burghley:

to my sonn Sir Robart Cecill

knight at the Court

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

24 July 1595

L[ord] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

Text

I am vearie well contented that my dawghter your wief maie have the use of anie part of my howse either the Chamber wheare my Ladie of derbye used to lie in,Footnote ²⁰⁵ or anie other place to hir choise and best likinge. and so I praie yowe to lett hir understand, and that she maie remove thither when and assone as yt shall best like hir. from the Cort, this third of Sept[ember] 1595.

[Burghley adds]

If myne owne bedchamber shall lyk hir she may command it.

[Maynard]

Your loving father,

[Signed]

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my loving sonne Sir

Rob[er]t Cecill knight, one

of hir ma[jes]ties privye Connsell

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

3 Sept[ember] 1595

Lo[rd] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

Text

At your departure yesterdaie I had noe leisure to deliver sondrie thinges unto yowe, which nowe with thes my letters in a heape I send unto yowe.

Ffirst yowe shall receive Mr. Bodelies letter dated the 27^th of the last moneth, the contentes wheareof yowe maie at convenient time, or the letter itself showe to hir Majestie, wherein I see he moveth som scruples and dowbtes howe hir ma[jes]tye maie be satisfied.Footnote ²⁰⁶

I send to yowe also a Copie of a letter written owt of Russia by John Merick Agent for the Englishe Companie there,Footnote ²⁰⁷ wheareby he doth advertise a matter of summ weight delivered to him by Boros Federick principall Connsellor to the Emperor of Muscovia, by which it appeareth howe readie the Popes legatFootnote ²⁰⁸ hath been to slawnder hir ma[jes]tie after the accustomed manner of his master the ffather of Lies. And consideringe the discreate descoverye hereof by the Muscovite, and his not accrediting of the untrwethe, It weare well done that the Agent had hir ma[jes]ties letters both to the Emperor, and to Boros FrederickFootnote ²⁰⁹ declarring to themm the untrewthe of this report, and hir ma[jes]ties disposition to have peace for the Emperor of Almaigne. hir ma[jes]tie dare in honor referre hirself to the Emperor of Almaigne to whome hir ma[jes]tie did send an Ambassador expreslie a yere past,Footnote ²¹⁰ offeringe all the meanes in hir power to reduce the Turk to peace. And of this matter none can better make declaracion, than D[octor] Parkyns whoe in mine opinion weare veary fitt to conceive the two letters to the Emperor of Russia and to Boris Frederick.Footnote ²¹¹

I doe also send unto yowe a letter of Archibald dowglas,Footnote ²¹² whoe also came himself after his letter written in person. by his letter and speeche I finde by him a disposition to doe sum good service for quietnes in Scotland, and perticularlie for the Q[ueen's] ma[jes]tie's satisfaccion. his Negotiation consisteth upponn two partes: The one for the Erle of Angus: the other for the Erle Bothwell.Footnote ²¹³ The grownd of his dealinge proceadeth of a letter from his Nephewe Richard dowglas, which he did shewe mee, and whearof I send yowe a Copie.Footnote ²¹⁴ The purpose is, wheare the Erle reconciled to the Kinge, and to learne of his confederacie with Huntley, Arroll and others, and if hir ma[jes]tie would intercede for him to the kinge he would discover unto hir

[p. 2] ma[jes]tie sondrie thinges preiuciciall to her State. But yt semeth except he maie have the k[ing's] favor wrowght by hir Majestie, he will not discover his knowledge. The second matter concerninge Bothewell is an offer that one James Dowglas called the L[aird] of Spott, an offender which Bothwell offreth to comm into Ingland, and so to passe into France wheare the Erle Bothwell is, and not onelie to disswade Bothwell from conspiringe with the Spaniard, but to discover all his knolledg of anie attempt against the Q[ueen's] ma[jes]ty, or hir Realme.Footnote ²¹⁵ And this he offreth to performe, so as his charges be provided for, for his comming and retorninge. Of thes two matters I would yow would informe hir ma[jes]tie and receive hir pleasure.

I send also unto yowe A request of the Merchantes Adventurers to be recommended to Mr. Bodelie and Gilpin, or to one of them, which request consisteth uppon two partes, both vearye necessarie for to be reformed by the States, as by the readinge thereof yowe will perceive.

And therefor I praie yowe move it to my Lordes theare that theare letters might be written to Mr. Bodeleie and Mr. Gilpin, accordinge to the request of the Marchauntes.

I have since yor departure fownd A plat of Milford haven,Footnote ²¹⁶ and also the opinion of my l[ord] of Pembroke,Footnote ²¹⁷ which was delivered to hir ma[jes]tie uppon hir Messuage sent by yowe unto him, whearein it doth appeare directlye that he misliketh of the fortificacion. whereof I will nowe make no report unto yowe bicawse I perceived yowe had received A copie thereof from his L[ord's] Secretary Mr. Messinger: and yet uppon a second consideracion not knowinge howe the Copie maie agree with the originall I doe send that which I thinke to be the same which was sent by the Erle, for so yowe shall find yt subscribed with his name.

[Burghley adds]

If I shall not recover my helth, at this tyme, wherein the son is departyng, I shall dispayre to contynew this next wyntar a lyve, or owt of misery, for within 40 howres I shall mak my period of lxxiiii y[ear]s, and what so ever shall be more, shall be by the Judgement of King David labor and toyle.

xiii Sept[ember] 1595

Your loving father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my lovinge sonne Sir Rob[er]t Cecill knight

one of hir ma[jes]ties privie Counsell

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

13 Sept[ember] 1595

L[ord] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

[Misdated: see text of No. 59 where Burghley allows that he was one day out in his reckoning around his birthday, 13 September. So the letter is actually 12 September 1595.]

[Seal cut out]

Text

I have recevid this letter inclosed from my L[ord] of Rutland whoe is vearie desirous to have his license to be signed by his ma[jes]tie that he might at his comminge upp to take his leave of hir ma[jes]tie have noe cawse of staie.Footnote ²¹⁸ Yowe shall, thearefore, much content my L[ord] to gett the same to be signed: and as I remember I gave to yoww hearetofore his bill.Footnote ²¹⁹ but if the same should be missinge, yowe maie cawse Mr. Lake to make an other,Footnote ²²⁰ and thearein to inset two gentlemen, the one named Madox who is to attend my L[ord] in his travell, the other Robart Wellbie.Footnote ²²¹

I must nowe acquaint yowe with an Accident that fell owt heare yesterdaie in the afternoone, least the same showld be otherwise reported to my l[ord] of Essex then the trewthe was. Abowt tenne of the clock in the morninge one Capt[ain] Trowghton came hither to ^Waltham whoe is to be appointed to be muster M[aste]r of Rutlandshire, and beinge offred of the Constable and post M[aste]r to have horse, he semed not to care to have anie but rather had a minde to ride in iourney as he said. and towardes the Eveninge havinge loytered in the towne all the daie, an honest man and a trumpett of hir Majestie's that dwelleth at Totnam whose name is ffissher, comminge throwgh the towne with his wief being a sicklie womann, this Trowghton would neades unhorse ffissher and have his horse to ride past, which the other refusinge, and the Constables & post m[aste]r beinge by, and offeringe other horses, which he refused, he drewe his rapier, and hath hurt ffissher in one of his handes. wheare uppon the constables apprehended him and brought him hither to mee, together with ffissher the trompeter that was hurt, which disorder being testefied by all that camme with them, I committed him to the Custodie of the Constable. But for that he said he was my l[ord] of Essex's servant, within half an hower after I released him. Wheareuppon he had a post horse for himself, and an other for his guide. but most lewdely by the waie, towardes ware, he turned of his guide and is riden awaie with the other horse, wheareof a newe Complaint is againe made to me this morninge by the post M[aste]r and Constables. I have at length acquainted yow hearewith, that the trewthe maie be knowen to my L[ord] of Essex, as yow shall see cawse, for that I dowbt not this lewde Companion careth not what he reporteth to excuse his own misdemeanor.Footnote ²²²

[Burghley's hand]

I pray yow inform my Lo[rd] herof, declaryng that dyvers coming through the town, and hearyng hereof report this Trowghton to be of very lewd liff and conditions.

[Maynard's hand, on verso, p. 2 of letter]

By your letter yowe require to have the shedule of the proportion to be sent to yow that yowe might speake with Sir G[eorge] Carroe thearof, which I conceive to be the shedule for the Isle of man.Footnote ²²³ If yt be that, yowe shall finde thes letters and papers I had from him in my Chamber theare at Nonsuch in one of the packettes uppon the shelfe, wheare my other papers are.Footnote ²²⁴ Soe farre yowe well. ffrom my howse at Theobaldes the xiii^th of September, 1595.

[Burghley's hand]

I mistok yesterday to have bene the xiii^th so as this to have bene but 13 and to morrow the 14 my birth daye, ^{the son entryng into to libra}. God send yow to lyve so manny within which tyme manny accidentes shall happen reknown to all astrologers.Footnote ²²⁵

Your loving father,

W. Burghley.

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my Lovinge sonne Sir Robart Cecill knight one

of hir ma[jes]ties privy connsell

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

3 Sept[ember] 1595

L[ord] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

Text

The 2 letters which I send yow from HollandFootnote ²²⁶ do gyve cawse for hir Ma[jes]ty to consent to that which this daye was spoken of with Caron which the sonar it shall be doone, the more comfortable will it be to our frendes.Footnote ²²⁷

I am advertised from Depe that the D[uke] Nevers is dead but balloygne lyved and is used in service to besege la fere. Soyssons is rendred to the Kyng.Footnote ²²⁸

23 Oct[ober] 1595.

On Saturday I hope to se hir Majesty, with a forright head.

Your lov[ing] father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my Lovinge sonne Sir Rob[er]t

Cecill knight one of hir ma[jes]ties

prive Connsell

endorsed in the hand of another of Cecil's clerks:

L[ord] Tre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

[15]95 Octob[er].

Text

I do send to yow this included to be shewed to hir Ma[jes]ty wherof I can mak no comment the next being so barren. I praye yow remember the cawse of feagh Mc Hue who wold ether be stablished a good subjecte, or born with all, untill hir Majesty's forces may be spared to suppress hym.Footnote ²²⁹

The attempt of Tho[mas] Lea,Footnote ²³⁰ in killng of them that brought Walter Reogh and his 3 brothers to ther end wold be sharply reformed, for els the lyk servie will not be performed.Footnote ²³¹

And yet I dowt of my l[ord] deputies intention to reform it, thowgh the service which the Otooles that ar slayn was doone by his L[ord s] procurement.Footnote ²³²

Your lov[ing] father.

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in the hand of another of Burghley's clerks:

To my loving sonne Sir Robert Cecill

no endorsement

Text

This Bearer Sir Edmund Uvedall, being as I thinke unkowen to yowe, is one whoe hath longe served hir Majestie both faithfullie and carefullie in his charge at Fflushing and in other services in the Lowe Contries.Footnote ²³³ And because I would have yowe to take knowledge of him and to give him your good word and speche to hir ma[jes]tie, that he maie have accesse to hir presence to kisse hir handes, I have made him the messinger heareof to yowe.Footnote ²³⁴

Ffrom my howse in the Strand this xv^th of October 1595.

I have been more beholdinge to this gentleman for his often writinge to mee, than to anie other.

At your next writinge hither, I pray yowe send mee Sir Walter Raleigh's Journall.Footnote ²³⁵

Your loving father,

W. Burghley

Text

I send to yow, these included from Mr. Bodely, to be shewed to hir Ma[jes]ty.Footnote ²³⁶ herby is to be sene what harm, the french kyng[s] reconcilment with such dishonorable and servill conditions, is lyk to work in the world.Footnote ²³⁷ but I most feare, the intent of the princes of the Empyre, that ar purposed to propownd codicions of peace to a people wearyed of war, will worke a revolt.Footnote ²³⁸ Specially the tyme being now taken, when the Ennemy doth prosper and the States with ther forces, have decayd all this yere.Footnote ²³⁹

The Eventes hereof ar only in God's disposition. 18 8^bre [October] 1595.

Your loving father,

W. Burghley

[Postscript] It is here sayd that Mr. Vicecham[er]lien is half dead.

God Bless his sowleFootnote ²⁴⁰

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my Lovinge Sonne Sir Robert Cecill knight

hir ma[jes]ties privy Connsell

endorsed by Simon Willis:

18 Oct[ober] 1595

L[ord] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

Text

Robert Cecill ther ar sondry matters of hir Ma[jes]ty, that have latly ^bene treated of ther, but I thynk not put in due exection. and of twoo extremities I had rather to be busy, than to neglect.

The matter of Milford Haven hath had some stay uppon the opinion of the Erl of Pemb[roke] comming to hir Ma[jes]ty, which being uncerten may bryng dannger consideryng all comen reportes from spayne mak mention of the Haven.Footnote ²⁴¹

Secondly all the provisions for the ordonnance have ben set down, but no special direction how to have the same provuded specially for powder, saltpeter nor mach. all which ar to be bought beyond seas, Wher I here the prises do arise, and yet I have bene diligent, to thynk of good meanes, but without the allowance of the LLs [Lords] that have to doo therin I dare not propownd my opinion. But than also hir Ma[jes]ty is to disburss a great some of monny, wherin I cannot be so forward as others.Footnote ²⁴²

The matter for a staple of vittelles for the army and navy this next spryng, requireth some conference lest therby prises of vittells might increass, and monny also to be had for the same now at Hallowmas as my L[ord] Admyrall I thynk can best consider therof.Footnote ²⁴³

I am both sorry and sore greved that I can not indur the paynes to come thyther, which maketh me thus bold to will yow to informe hr Majesty hereof.

10 Octob[er] 1595

Your lov[ing] fath[er],

W. Burghley

Text

Thowgh I am not hable to write, yet I am not nor meane not to be careles of hir Majestie's affayres, as I hope shall appear at my retorne, if God shall please to inhable mee thearof, from the which at this part I am thorowgh great torment of paine and other infirmities discowraged. And yet I strained my self to be at this date at the Checqhuer with the l[ord] keper and Justices for nominacion of men to be sheriffes this next yeare, findinge great lack of Martiall men, thowgh other wise hable for wealthe and knowledge: And so retorninge forthwith to my howse I am Laide downe with great paine not being hable to sitt up: and for the present having receive certaine knowledge of great quantitie of powder and other municion intended to be shepped from Hamborowgh ^{which is to passe in 14 sortes of shippes} for the K[ing] of Spaine, and the same to be carried by Longe seas above Scotland and Ireland, not knowinge how to have it intercepted otherwise than by direccion of the K[ing] of Scottes to his llandes of Orcany, wheare the said shippinge must neades passe.Footnote ²⁴⁴ I have intred onto consideracion howe the k[ing] might be stirred upp ernestlye to impeache both this and other the likeFootnote ²⁴⁵ with Municion or graine for the king of Spaine's purpose to sett a foote A title for himself and his dawghter to the present succession to the Crowne of England, which doth appear manifestlye by a seditious BookeFootnote ²⁴⁶ published for the said K[ing] by a Nomber of Englishe Rebells residinge in Spaine, by which booke it is maintained that kingdoms are at the disposition of the people withowt regard of right by Blood and sucession; and to be preferred to that for their greatnes are most hable to Governe Contries. And consequentlie the Awthors of thes Bookes have manifestlie improved anie title that the k[ing] of Scottse might pretend; and in like manner disprovinge all other pretended titles onelie preferring the k[ing] of Spaine wither himself or his eldest dawghter Bretaigne, which Booke hath manie other TirannousFootnote ²⁴⁷ determinacions against all ordinary sucessions of Crownes, and is nowe spetiallye published

[p. 2] to prepare the corruption of mens mindes that are spetially for poperie addicted to the k[ing] of Spaine, against the time of his intnded invasion, Which owt of Spaine is generallie threatened. And uppon thes consideracions: consideringe otherwise the Book is likely to comm to the knowledge of the k[ing] of Scottes, I wishe it weare nowe afore hand, sent to him by order of hir ma[jes]ty hearbie to move him to take hart to him against the k[ing] of Spaines tirannous practizes, and particularlye at this time to require him to geve order to the hand as in the Northe part of his Realme, and namelye the iles of Orkeneis to staye all shippinge that shall comm uppon ther coastes with anie municion or graine to passe from theare Northward abowt Ireland whearein the k[ing] maie eiselie offend the k[ing] of Spaine, and the lak to himself the benefitt of all such shippinge municions and victuells.Footnote ²⁴⁸ This my conceipt I praie yowe impart to hir ma[jes]tie with the more speed to impeache thes Navigations intended for Spaine: The consideracion whearof notwithstanding I leave to hir Majestie's ludgement.Footnote ²⁴⁹ And so beinge desirous more for hir ma[jes]ties service, than for my privat condicion to be restored to somm better strength and ease of my Bodye. I ende from my howse in the Strand this third of October 1595.

Subscribed with my seale for want of a right hand.

[Seal mark: missing, with impression left]

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my Lovinge sonne Sir Robert Cecill knight one of her ma[jes]ties privy Consill

endorsed 3 November 1595

L[ord] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

[A further page, seal removed following the dorse bears Sir Robert Cecil's hand]

My l. about provisions

[No date]

Text

The berors herof, ar. ii of the Senior fellows of St. Jhons Colledg in cambridg, who brought me the l[ette]re included syned by 23 of the company which yow may read, and therby the caws of ther wrytyng ^{to me} as being the Chancellor of ye university may appeare very reasonable and just, which is to suffer and help the Colledg, according to ther statutes to have liberty to mak a free chois of a Master, without being impeached, as the Statutes confirmed by hir Ma[jes]ty do warrant, or any inhibition or pression by any superior power.Footnote ²⁵⁰ This ther manner of Election hath bene allweiss used, and is most convenient for concord, and to avoid factions.Footnote ²⁵¹ my request is that yf ye shall fynd any intention in hir Ma[jes]ty upon any sinister sute, to prefer any on other than the voyces of the Company shall frely choose,Footnote ²⁵² to besech hir Ma[jes]ty, that at my sute being ther Chancellor, and havyng bene wholly brought up ^ther from my age of xiiii yers, and now the only person lyving of the tyme and education, the Statutes of the Colledg to which all that ar electors ar sworn, may not be now broken, as I hope hir Ma[jes]ty will not in hir honor and conscience ^do. I my self have no purposs therin beyng a poore benefactor of the Colledg for the which I have assured landes, to increass the Comens of the scollars, from iid to xiid a weke, and so hath your mother also gyven a benefitt of propertie.Footnote ²⁵³ If hir Ma[jes]ty should be privatly or otherwise moved I pray yow offer hir the letter to be redd from the fellows.

[In the margin]

This fowle wether holdeth me back, from comfort of recovery ffrom my howss. 7 10 br 1595

Your loving father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed

[Date obscured]

L[ord] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

lls [Letters] from the ffellows of

St. Jhon's Colledg in Cambridg

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

To my Varie Lovinge Sonne Sir Robert Cecill Knyght of her Ma[jes]ties privy Counsell

Text

I send yow by this bearer Peter boon, Edmondes letter which yow may receave.Footnote ²⁵⁴ by my titles in the Margyn I have red wishyng that hir Ma[jes]ty wold spedely send hir Ambass[ador] to the Kyng,Footnote ²⁵⁵ to stey hym from violent courses, wherein I hope the Constable may do much good, to temper other furious actors.

Your loving father,

W. Burghley

[Beside the signature on the left side Burghley added]

Of Necessite Edmondes wold be releved.Footnote ²⁵⁶

Dorse

addressed [Date obscured in the margin, but] 7 Dec[ember] 1595

endorsed

L[ord] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

Text

I bethynk with my self of so manny thynges to mete to be considered by hir Ma[jes]ty, and by hir authoritie to hir Connsell for hir affaryes in respect of the noyss from Spayn,Footnote ²⁵⁷ as though I can not without conference with such connsellors as hir Ma[jes]ty shall pleass to name, do or furder such thynges to execution by my self yet I am willyng to come thyther to be neare hir Majesty though I am not hable to mak access to hir person, but of force, without more amendment in strength must presume to kepe my chamber, not as a potentatFootnote ²⁵⁸ but as an Impotant, aged man, nether yet as a bankrupt, but as a respondent to any action or demand. and if by ^your speche with hir Ma[jes]ty, she will not mislyke to have ^so a bold person to lodg in hir howss I will come as I am, in body not half a man, but in mynd passable to the master of the rest of my good Lordes hir Ma[jes[tys Counsellors and my good friends.

God gyve yowe his grace, to ask his grace faythfully to serve hir Ma[jes]ty, and to respect non but for hir and for hir Justyce.

6 10^bre [December]1595.

Your loving fath[er],

W. Burghley

[Burghley adds at the left foot of the letter]

Upon your answer, I will mak no unecesary delay, by God's permission.

Dorse

addressed Holograph:

To my loving son Sir

Robart Cecill knight

of hir Ma[jes]ty's prive Connsell

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

6 Dec[ember] 1595

L[ord] Thre[asure]r to my Maste]r

Text

I am very glad to perceave of hir Ma[jes]ty's favorable permission for my absence, and I thank you for your advise for the manner of my coming. Thynk you would expect my coming this daye, but ther sight would be dymmned with the snow. I retorn Ashton's letter, wherin manny good thynges ar well advertised, and I thynk Mr. Bowes presence necessary ther.Footnote ²⁵⁹

6 10^bre [December] 1595

Your lov[ing] fath[er],

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my verie Loving sonne Sir Robert Cecill knight of

hir ma[jes]ties privy Consell

endorsed in Simon Willis hand:

6 Dec[ember] 1595

L[ord] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

Text

My very good Lord I have perused the I[ette]res which you sent me. Ye first from the Justices with an examination of the party that cam from britayn.Footnote ²⁶⁰ the second a letter from on Mak CadellFootnote ²⁶¹ an Irishman servyng in Britayn to Sir Jhon Norriss.Footnote ²⁶²

And in dede I thynk the party examyned hath sayd truth for I now that when Sir John Norrice was in Briten, this blakFootnote ²⁶³ gaven hym Intelligences, and promised Sir Jhon Norrice at his coming thence so to contynew and I now he hath a brother in Gallywey whom I discovered to be trafficquar with Spanyardes, wheruppon I advertised Sir Rich[ard] byngham.Footnote ²⁶⁴ and now in my opinion Blakes letter to Sir Jhon Norryce, is to small purpose to be yelded to, for he wold have a ship furnished, but how or by what Collur he should have a shipp or what assurance ther is that he wold do service therat to hir Ma[jes]ty I see not, but an Irishman's word.

but for the letter I se no cause until may be sent Sir Jhon Norreyce, who may comment more than I can and so praying yowr L[ordship] to extend the sight of both your eies, to redes this staggeryng letter with a weak hand. Footnote ²⁶⁵

5 Dec[ember] 1595, at your L[ord]’s Commandment

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To the R[ight] honorable my vearie good L[ord] the Erle

of Essex one of the lls [Lords] of his ma[jes]ties prive Connsell

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

5 Dec 1595

L. Threr to the Erle of Essex

Text

By your letter Emongest other thinges yowe write, that by direcions of the lls [Lords] l[ette]res wherof yowe have sent mee the Copie, theare hath bene summ iniurie done to one Mr. Machell, Capteine of the horse in Midlesex, and that the same is done by omission by the Clerkes, which yowe would have remedied by my direcion to them.Footnote ²⁶⁶ But perusinge the Copie of the letter written by Mr. Waad whearunto my hand is not subscribed, I finde not anie thinge in the letter, neither doe I finde, thowgh he weare a Capteine of the horsemen, whie he should be named nowe than other Justices of the peace within Middlesex, wheare theare be divers others that are not named spetiallie by the letter whoe may thinke themselves asmuch iniured as Machell.Footnote ²⁶⁷ and thearefore I doe not knowe what your meaninge is howe to have this remedied, otherwise than to have a newe letter from the Connsell whearein Machell maie be named, if he be thowght so fitt, to be putt in trust, for thowgh he be A Capteine of horsemenn, yet it is not a Consequence to make him as yt were a deputie to a Lieutentante.

[Burghley adds]

As to the rest of your letter I will expect the Q[ueen's] resolutions.

2 10^bre [December] 1595

Your lov[ing] father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my Lovinge sonne Sir

Rob[er]t Cecill knight one

of hir ma[jes]ties privie Connsell

endorsed by Simon Willis:

2 Dec[ember] 1595

L[ord] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r Concerning Mr. Machell

Text

After our hartie Commendacions. Wheareas yt pleased the Queen's ma[jes]tie to grawnt to Sir Thomas Wilkes a lease in reversion of somuch of hir mannors and Landes as shall accommt to the yearelie vallewe of one hundred markes £33. 6s. 8d., wheareof the the one moitie to be of Landes within the Surveie of hir duchie wheareuppon we have seen particulirs which have been vewed by the Attornie of the duchie,Footnote ²⁶⁸ which wee thowght convenient to passe to him, but inasmuch as wee have noe warrant to cawse the booke to be drawen upp, the warrant for the duchie havinge been directed to Mr. Chancellor decesseds we thearefore praye yowe to move hir ma[jes]tie hearein, that if yt be hir good plesure wee maie have hir warrant to proceade in the same book as Mr. Chancellor might have done if he had lived, otherwise the same will cawse a stoppe in the proceadinge with Sir Thomas Wilkes grawnt, whereof he hath little neade. Soe farre yowe well. ffrom Westm[inste]r this second of december 1595.

Your vearie Lovinge frendes,

[Signed]

W. Burghley

T. Buckhurst

J. Fortescue

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To our vearie Loving frend

Sir Rob[er]t Cecill knight

one of hir Majesites privie Counsell

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

2 Decem[ber] 1595

L[ord] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

L[ord] Bouckhurst

Sir Jo[hn] Ffortescue

Warrant for Sir Tho[mas] Wylkes

Text

I have red your letter, wherby I perceave yow have red and shewed my letter of my hand wrytyng to hir Ma[jes]ty who sayeth that she will have a battell with my fyngars and than afor hand I know who ^shall have the victory by the battel, for I have no warrant for my fyngars. but hir Ma[jes]ty is allowed to saye as kyng David sayth in the i C xliiii psalme, as the same was repeated the 30 of the last month: Benedictus Dominus Deus meus, qui docet manus meas ad prœlium et digitos meos ad bellum.Footnote ²⁶⁹ and in his next vers [verse] he addeth that which properly belongeth to hir Ma[jes]ty: refugium meum, susceptor meas, et libertator meus, protector meus, et in ipso speravi, qui subdit populum meum sub me.Footnote ²⁷⁰ and if hir ^Ma[jes]ty's handes or fyngars evar to fight, I durst hir Match hir with king philip and overmatch hym. This yowe see that I can not spare my fyngars, wher my hart is fully contented to utter my opinion of hir estate and vallew.

I am glad that hir Ma[jes]ty is disposed to send some monny into Irland wherof suerly there is great want a matter dangerous to be known to [the] rebells is [whose] yeldyng hath grown only, by sight of hir Ma[jes]ty's forces. I send yow a form for a warrant wherin hir Ma[jes]ty may do well, to allow some good rownd some, or otherwise she must be must be shortly pressed for more. for the dett ther is allredy great and untill the rebells submission be perfected,Footnote ²⁷¹ hir forces may not be deminished.

I wish such as nevill and waynman, war ether in some other prison, or not at liberty in the towre, wher now with a spark of fyre, they may secretly disarm the Q[ueen] of all hir powdre and armor pieces.Footnote ²⁷²

[In the lower left margin]

2 10^bre [December] 1595

Your loving father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my Lovinge sonne

Sir Rob[er]t Cecill knight

one of hir ma[jes]ties privie

Connsell

endorsed in Simon Willis hand:

2 Dec[ember] 1595

L[ord] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

Text

I send unto you my L[ord] of Essex letter and therewith a Copy of such a saveconduct as is required for octavio the venecian at the sute of BassadonnaFootnote ²⁷³ in which form of saveconduct, I have put owt certen wordes, unfitt in my opinion, and so yow may recommend it to hir Ma[jes]ty, if my L[ord] shall allow of my abridgment.

[On left side of the page Burghley has written]

p^o [primo] x^bre [December]

ulet inceruam

[At the right foot of the letter]

Your loving father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my Lovinge sonne

Sir Rob[er]t Cecill knight

one of hir ma[jes]ties privie

Connsell

At the Cort

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

pr[imo] Dec[ember] 1595

Lo[rd] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

Text

I am hartely sorry, that to begyn a new yere I can send yow no better news out of Irland than such as ar for them selves greatly to be mislyked, and for the sequels likely to follow, to brying great Dannger.

And so, I am grieved to Thynk that herby I am provoked to follow with the same, which I will do to morrow as soone as I can. And therfor I leave to yow the perusal and impartyng of these Irish bad letters to hir Ma[[jes]ty and the Connsell, conteaning matters of good consultation with expedition.Footnote ²⁷⁴

2 Janu[ary] 1595

You lov[ing] fath[er],

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my Lovinge sonne Sir Robart Cecill

knight one of hir ma[jes]ties

privie Connsell

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

2 Jan[uary] 1595

L[ord] Thre[asure]r to ma M[aste]r

Text

This fornoone I sent to yow, by the L [ord] deputes present the Irish letters conteaning no good thynges.

and so, I return to yow Sir Jhon Norrices letters wherby I see a manifest disiunction betwixt the L[ord] depute and hym. and in on part I note that Sir Jhon Norrice, was to bold to command the Companyes in the english pale for Wat[er]ford, with out assent of the deputie, for out of Monster he hath no sole authorite.Footnote ²⁷⁵

I feare contynually evil desasters

post meridiem 2 Janu[ary]

Your lov[ing] fath[er],

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed Holograph:

To my sonn Sir Robert Cecill

knight of hir Ma[jes]ty's prive

Connsell

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

2 Jan[uary] 1595

L[ord] Thre[aure]r to my M[aste]r

Text

I pray inform hir Ma[jes]ty, that Mr. Treasor hath bene with my L[ord] Kepar and me, and informed us of sondry misusages of the marchantes of St. Mallos, abowt the ordonnances whereof the informacion is that it was carryed unlawfuly owt of the realm, but the proves thereof he had not redy to shew us. and thowgh the wrytt ^{of error} is lawfully granted, yet to delaye the cause, my L[ord] kepar and I have accorded, that wher we both should be in the chequer chamber.Footnote ²⁷⁶ Both for other wrytts and for that also, on of us shall be absent, and so the wrytt shal be delayed. Whereof the Fr[ench] men will storm, exclaiming already of Iniustyce done them.

26 Janu[ary] 1595

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in the hand of a Cecil clerk, Vincent Skinner's hand:Footnote ²⁷⁷

To my varie Loving sonne Sir RobertCecill knight of hir ma[jes]ties honorable privy

Connsell

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

26 January 1595

L[ord] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

Text

I do send yow Sir Henry Unton's depeche wherein I see a most dangerous course intended, by the most ingratfull k[ing] that lyveth.Footnote ²⁷⁸ I will not comment hereuppon, but I am sure hir Majesty will depely consider of this indignetye, and intend some courss mete herwith in tymeFootnote ²⁷⁹

I thynk our Amb[assador] hath, by his privat letter to hir Ma[jes]ty enlarged his furder opinion.Footnote ²⁸⁰

We had nede to crave and expect the favor and protection of Almighty God, wherof I dowt not for the goodnes of our Cause, though I can not devise the meanes.

26 Januar[y] 1595

Your Lov[ing] father,

bitter with cold

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed

To my loving sonne Sir Robert Cecill

knight, one of hir ma[jes]ties Privie Connsell

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

26 Jan[uary] 1595

L[ord] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

Text

Althowgh I cannot cumm to the Cort as my desire is findinge my infirmite rather to growe uppon mee than to deminishe, yet I can not be careles of such hir ma[jes]ties service as I dowbt is not remembered by others. Yowe shall understand, and so I would have yowe informe hir Ma[jes]tie, that the Commission for the Consell in the North, whereof the late Erle of Huntingdon was president is nowe discontinued, and thowgh hir ma[jes]tie by hir letters the xvii^th of December,Footnote ²⁸¹ authorized the nowe Archb[ishop] of yorke and the rest of Conncell to continue their assemblies, and to heare and detemine cawses of the Subjectes, as hearetofore they used to doe in the absence of the L[ord] Presedent, which theie have done as I understand vearie diligentlie: yet bicawse the late L[ord] Presedent did before his deathe appointe a generall session to be kept the first of marche, wheareof by hir ma[jes]ty's instruccions theare be onelie fowre kept in the yeare, which genearall session cannot be kept, but in the presence of a Lord president or a vicepresident to be named by the President: thearefore this generall session appointed to beginne the first of Marche cannot take place, withowt the authorite of A president or vice president, which is to be performed by hir ma[jes]ties Com[missio]n, and otherwise theie that remaine theare Councellors cannot Juditially proceade: And herof bicawse the time approcheth, And not knowinge what hir ma[jes]tie hath determined hearein, I requier yowe with speed to advertise hir ma[jes]tie accordinge to this my writinge. So as hir ma[jes]tie maie determine hir plesure in convenient time.

Ffrom my howse in the Strand, this xx^th of February 1595.

Your Lovinge father,

[Burghley]

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my lovinge sonne Sir Robart Cecill knight

one of hir ma[jes]ties privie Connsell

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

20 ffeb[ruary] 1595

Text

I send unto yow hearewith two warrantes, one in paper to the office of the Ordonnance for sendinge of municion to Barwick, Carlile and Newcastell accordinge to a Scedule in paper conteining the parcells within the same:Footnote ²⁸² And an other Bill parchemente to be signed by hir ma[jes]tie for a privie seale for severall sommes of monie to be paied for the said townes of Barwick, Calile and Newcastell, which I praie yowe procure to be signed assone as nomination of my l[ord] of Essex.Footnote ²⁸³

[Burghley]

I pray yow lett my Cosyn Sir Jhon Stanhop,Footnote ²⁸⁴ understand that whan Mr. WatsonFootnote ²⁸⁵ of the Chancery lyved and was in helth, uppon knolledg of hir Ma[jes]ty's regard to paynfull service of my servant G[eorge] Coppyns wiff to grant this sayd office in revertion to hir husband, I did abteyn my L[ord] kepars good will therein notwithstanding that he had a determination to have preferred on of his own therto, and sence that tyme understand that my Cosyn Stanhope hath bene a sutor to hir Ma[jes]ty for hym self, which I thynk if he had known of hir Ma[jes]ty's former disposition towardes the Gentlewoman notefyed offen by sondry both ladyes and others of hir chamber he wold not have interrupted this the Gentlewoman's sute.Footnote ²⁸⁶ Whereof I pray yow do inform hym, assuryng hym that the office is not of that vallew, that I thynk he is informed of.

ffrom my howss in Strand 7 feb[ruary] 1595

Your lov[ing] fath[er],

W. Burghley

[Holograph postscript]

I am ashamed to have warned Sir Thomas Wilford to prepare hym self to be the provost Marshall, wherein he loketh for some fee for his mayntenance which will be chargeable, as the Connsell knoweth who gave hym comfort to put hym self in redynes. but I am more ashamed that the same hath bene publyshed by hir Ma[jes]ty's proclamation that such on shold be, and the Cite also warned thereof. if now noon shuld be I pray yowe perceave some of my Lordes to remembre hir Ma[jes]ty hereof.Footnote ²⁸⁷ and so I shall be discharged.

Dorse

addressed

To my Lovinge sonne Sir Rob[er]t

Cecill knight, one of hir ma[jes]ties privie Connsell

endorsed by Sir Robert Cecil:

My l[ord] to me

Text

I am begynning of a lesson that is to me iii^xx and x [70] y(ea)res old, that is to hold my pen in order to wryte. but being as yet unhable I only retourn yow for answer the book of the Irish army as it was the last quarter.Footnote ²⁸⁸

Your loving father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my lovinge sonne

Sir Rob[er]t Cecil knight

one of hir ma[jes]ties privie Connsell.

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

21 ffeb[ruary] 1595

L[ord] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

Text

I forgott to delyver to yow, these included from Mr. wallop and Just[ice] Gardener.Footnote ²⁸⁹

Yow may shew ther lamentable opinion of Irland by 4 or 5 lynes in the first page of ther letter which I have underlyned.

Other partes of ther letters sheweth disorders, without advise how to reform them because the fete dare not reform the head. and so maye yowe say to me, that nether have a good fete head nor fete, but no body is payned herewith but my poor self alon.Footnote ²⁹⁰

22 feb[ruary] 1595

Your father's weak hand,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my lovinge sonne Sir

Robart Cecill knight

one of her ma[jes]ties

privie Connsel.

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

22 February 1595

L[ord] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r.

Text

I do send unto yowe herewith a drought of a Commission of the northe agreeable to former Commissions. Showing that there is noe presedent made for that Connsell, to which draught have put my hand, for the warranting thereof to be in good forme.Footnote ²⁹¹ So as yowe maie apresentlie cause yt to be ingrossed in parchemente by somm of the Clarkes of the Signet & so to be signed by hir ma[jes]tie to serve as A warrant to the L[ord] kepar to passe the great seale;Footnote ²⁹² executed by the first of Marche: And yet by a clawse which I have added to an instruccion hearewith also sent, it shall suffice to have the same begonne at anie time after the first of Marche. And for that theare is a clawse in this Com[missio]n ordinarie to referre them to the former Instruccions, I have not formed anie number of newe Articles for the Instruccions but have onelie formed 3 Articles to supplie the want of anie newe Instruccions to be nowe sent, which Articles I would yowe showld also cawse to be written in paper to be signed by hir Ma[jes]ty.Footnote ²⁹³ And so I committ the care hearof to your Expedition. ffrom my howse in the Strand this xxii^th of feb[ruary] 1595.

[Burghley]

Your lov[ing] father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my lovinge sonne

Rob[er]t Cecill knight

one of hir ma[jes]ties privie Connsell.

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

23 Feb[ruary] 1595

Lo[rd] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

Text

I wold not have yowe come hyther to me, for by God's leave, I will venture to be ther to morrow by water in the afternoone wher I pray yow to send but 2 horsses for to accompany me with my coche from Mortlack. If this night shall mak me be unhable I will in the morning send yow word. This Monday, 23 feb[ruary] at night.

Your lov[ing] father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my lovinge sonne

Rob[er]t Cecill knight

one of hir ma[jes]ties privie Connsell.

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

23 Feb 1595

L[ord] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

Mortlake, near Richmond Palace, on the Thames

Text

I thank yow for your letters for which I looked untill now at 8 I receaved them. I am sorry to se the uncertenty for resolution consideryng the delaye doth harm, both weyss as well as for loss in contynuance of the matter ^[that?] shuld dissolve as for hyndrance to the expedition, by the staggeryng.Footnote ²⁹⁴ I do hold and will allweiss this courss in such matters as I differ in opinion from hir Majesty as long as I may be allowed to gyve advise. I will not chang my opinion by affurmyng the Contrary for that war to offend God to whom I am sworn first, but as a servant I will obey hir Ma[jes]ty's commanndment, and no wise contrary the same, presuming that she be God's cheff minister hear it shall be God's will to have hir commanndmentes obeyed after that I have performed my dutye as a Counsellor, and shall in my hart wish, hir Commanndmentes to have such good successes, as I am sure she intendeth. Yow se I am in a mixture of divinite and polycye preferring in polecy, hir Majesty afor all others on the erth and in dyvynitie the Kyng of heaven above all betwixt alpha and omega.

This my cogitatons yow may use to your own good besechyng God to bless yow.

This Satyrd[ay] 13 March 1595

Your lov[ing] fath[e]r,

W. Burghley.

Dorse

addressed in another clerk's hand, Hickes or Percival:

To my Loving sonne Sir

Robert Cecyll knight

one of hir ma[jes]ties

privy Connsell.

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

13 March 1595

L[ord] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r.

Text

I have bene here earnestlie moved by this Bearer ffrauncis Goston for my favor in the obtyninge from hir ma[jes]tie of the Revercion of the Receevershipp of Nottingham and derbie because I knowe him of myne own knolledge to be a varie honest man and varie sufficient for the place as also for that he hath served hir ma[jes]tie under Mr. ConnyersFootnote ²⁹⁵ many yares, varie dilligentlie and painfulliie. And becawse he did likewise require my letter to yowe for the preferring of hir Bill to hir ma[jes]tie for the desire I have procure it unto him, as sone as Convenientlie may be to avoid prevenccion.Footnote ²⁹⁶ I pray yow, if so yow dare to make offer of it unto her, to take yor best opportunitye yow can fynd for the effecting of it. ffrom my howse at Westmin[ste]r the 14 of Marche, 1595.

[Burghley]

Your lov[ing] father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in a different clerk's hand, this one larger and rounder and more labourious:

To my vaire Lovinge sonne Sir Robert

Cecill knight one of

hir ma[jes]ties privy Connsell

endorsed in the hand of Simon Willis:

[14 March 1596]

L[ord] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

In favour of Ffrancis Guston

Text

I have receaved your letter with the paper book for the Commission wherin as it semeth hir Ma[jes]ty wold have some caution to restrayn the Generalls from offendyng of such as ar not [in] hir Ma[jes]ty's ennemyes, but ar in amyty both with the k[ing] of spayn and with hir Ma[jes]ty wherin hir Ma[jes]ty's care and wise forsight is highly to be commended.Footnote ²⁹⁷ And therfor though these ii lordes being ConnsellorsFootnote ²⁹⁸ and knowyng what complayntes remain ar satisfyed to Denmark,Footnote ²⁹⁹ and sondry for cites in Germanny.Footnote ³⁰⁰ For some spoyles made, will carefully ^have regard ^for all such offences yet ad maiorum cautelum. I have by enterlyning in certen places, added such special wordes, as in my poore concept will manifestly directly ^then whom iustly to invade and offend, and observyng those wordes, no frende of hir Ma[jes]ty's shall have cause to compleyn, except they shall openly shew ennimyte to hir Ma[jes]ty.

But I leave this my opinion to hir Ma[jes]ty's censure and to the Lls [Lords] allowance.

I am here all this daye bedred, by reason of sorre head and stomach tormented syck night past, and yet in my head and stomack tormented, so as I wryt this with payne of head, hart and hand, and therfor I do desyre of hir Ma[jes]ty pardon, I shall not have satisfyed hir expectations which is the mark I desyre to shoot to.

Out of my bed at 3

Your Lov[ing] Fath[er],

W. Burghley

Dorse

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

26 Mar 1595

L[ord] Thre[surer] to my M[aste]r

Text

I doe send yow hearewith such letters as at this present I received from Sir Henry Unton,Footnote ³⁰¹ and Mr. Edmondes bearer Capteine hart browght hither,Footnote ³⁰² whoe can informe yowe of the weake estate whearin he left the Ambassador.Footnote ³⁰³ ffrom my howse in the Strand this last of Marche, 1596.

Your Lovinge father,

[Burghley]

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my lovinge sonne

Sir Rob[er]t Cecill knight

one of hir ma[jes]ties privie

Connsell

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

Ulm March 1596

Lo[rd] Thre[surer] to my M[aste]r

Text

Sir, My l[ord] hath willed mee to write to yowe himself not beinge well hable withowt paine, of removinge to be sett upp, that he is much trowbled in his minde with the Alarme of Callis, wheareof my L[ord] Admirall wrote to him, and which advertisement he sent yow by his L[ord]’s servant:Footnote ³⁰⁴ And thearefore for the quiett of his minde he praieth yowe, assone as yowe shall understand anie certaintie theareof, to lett him knowe the same: And in case it showld fall owt to be trewe, his opinion is that my L[ord] of Essex and L[ord] Admirall, cannot with more honnor emploie them selves, hir Majestie's forces, then to be the succoringe theareof ^{even theare whole paie to be answered by hir Ma[jes]ty} but this his opinion his L[ord] would have yowe as yet to keape to your selfe.Footnote ³⁰⁵

And so, I most humble take my leave. ffrom my L[ord's] howse in the Strand this last of March 1596.

Most humblie at your honours Co[mmandme[nt],

H[enry] Maynard

[Added to the lower right of the above text, and directly to the right of the signature, and therefore, added after signing]

Nowe towardes eveninge my l[ord]s paine beginne to hold him in his head and neck, as yt did yesterdaie, but I hope with lesse grief.

Dorse

addressed Holograph [Maynard]

To the R[ight] honorable

Sir Rob[er]t Cecill knight

one of hir ma[jes]ties right

honorable privy Connsell

At the Cort

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

Ulm March 1596

Lo[rd] Thre[surer[to my M[aste]r

Text

This alarm of Calliss hath kept me wakyng all night, and hath styrred up in me manny cogitations. first that it war necessary to be informed from the Governor, what he wanteth of men or munition to defend the town[;] how he is hable to receave succors[;] of what nombres the army ar that doth besege it. Wher the battery is planted. How the haven remayneth fre for such succor to come with shypping. if the haven be possessed by the enemy with his shipping. Why may not ayd be sent by shippiyng to a place est from Callies toward Gravelienes or to willoby and if the town may be defended for xiiii days, in this space la fare will be yelded or taken, and ther it may be hoped that the Kyng will levy the sege.Footnote ³⁰⁶ Wharunto he had v or v[i]^M [5,000 or 6,000] Footemen, that may be had in this sort, ii^M [2,000] from London, i^M [1,000] from Essex, ii^M [2,000] from Kent, i^M [1,000] from Sussex or such lyke for England may not endure this town to be Spanish. and the Q[ueen] that also promised hym ayde.Footnote ³⁰⁷ I wish these men war put in order that ether some of them may spedely enter Callis to hold rule. and that powder and musketts was presently, sent to Dover.Footnote ³⁰⁸ but of these thynges I am sure, more will be ther forsene.Footnote ³⁰⁹ I confes I am trobled so herewith as I se not well what I wryt.

[Margin]

Your lo[ving] father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my Lovinge sonne

Sir Robert Cecill knight

one of hir ma[jes]ties

privie Connsell

with speed

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

un[ti]mo March 1596

L[ord] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

Text

I send yow a letter wrytten to me by Sir Geoffrey Fenton which yow may as se cause, shew to hir Ma[jes]ty and procure such answer as shall best please hir, and if she shall still rest uppon stryct poyntes as I have noted she hath doone hir charges and dannger for hir whole realm being now become insupportable, and yet I can not deny but hir royall state moveth hir, to be so precise as she is, but non sunt procendi rumores ante salutem.Footnote ³¹⁰

I understand that my L[ord] Depute hath gyven commandment by his french man, that no letters shall be suffred to pass owt of Irland to me, but by his L[ord's] own warrant. what his L[ord] meaneth herby I know not though I can probably gess, for herein yow ar also included. I wish my Lord had such skill or good Luck in his government as ther neded no advertisement or advise but from hym self.Footnote ³¹¹ I heare ther cometh over with his L[ord's] passport many soldiers out of Ireland, more hable, than such as now ar redy to go over.Footnote ³¹² for so probyFootnote ³¹³ wryteth to me, how mych it is mislyked, to send from hence new men, whan sufficient men come from there, but I will not [text continues on the left margin] deale heron, for my L[ord] depute is privatly advertised that all his family ar sought out by me. I wish they did not deserve to be sought owt.Footnote ³¹⁴

Your lo[ving] father,

W. Burghley.

[Postscript]

I have this last night some ease of me head by a sleep or ii.

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my lovinge sonne Sir

Robart Cecill knight

one of hir ma[jes]ties privie

Cownsell

endorsed by Sir Robert Cecil:

30 Martii, my l[ord] to me

Text

I wryte with payne, and se many difficulties, which I dare not tak uppon me to resolve.

I send yow my L[ord] of Essex letter who semeth very diligent in this cause.Footnote ³¹⁵ by Sir Co[nyers] Clyfford we shall know more certenly.Footnote ³¹⁶ I marvell the Holland shippes will not attempt the boates of Gravelyng.Footnote ³¹⁷

the night tydes must serve for our men to pass the town.

I have drawen a warrant for my L[ord] CobhamFootnote ³¹⁸ and for monny to be delyvered to Sir Thomas flud, which can not be expressly sett down, but by Estimation consideryng the uncertenty of the shippyng, and victells wherof if ther be sufficient in Calliss, the care will be the less, so as every soldier carry with hym self, some bread and chese for a weake or ii weake. [sic].Footnote ³¹⁹

I wish the Capt[ains] had no allowance of dead payes. the nombres wold consist of pykes and shott.Footnote ³²⁰

I can not endure to wrytt any more

Your lo[ving] father,

W. Burghley.

Dorse

addressed Holograph

Robart Cecil knight one of hir ma[jes]ties privie

Connsell

endorsed by Sir Robert Cecil:

From my l[ord] to me

Text

Yow filled my hart so full with your large reportes of hir Ma[jes]ty's allowance of my insufficiencyes as sufficient and of hir superabundant care and desyre of my amendment, as I cannot conteane in the flowyng of my hart, withowt sendyng to yow to be presented to hir Ma[jes]ty, some portion of the comfort of my hart by waye of most humble thankfullnes to hir Ma[jes]ty with a porcion also of my sacifice to Almighty God by my harty prayers, In the contynuance of hir happynes, wherin she exceedeth, all hir equalls in body and Government.

My hart hath forced my weak hand thus farr. 26 maii.

Your lov[ing] father,

W. Burghley.

Dorse

addressed in a clerk's hand:

To my Lovinge sonne Sir

Rob[er]t Cecill knight

one of hir ma[jes]ties privy Connsell.

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

26 March 1596

L[ord] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

Text

Sir,

Wheare I understand that theare remaineth with yowe a Bill for hir ma[jes]ties signature for one Cornelius Cure to be joined in patent with olde Yonge the Master mason, beinge a man throwgh age and sicknes verie unhable to discharge his duetie in that place: I doe thearefore praie yowe to take summ good oportunitie to offer the said Cures bill for hir ma[jes]tie's signature, being a man both honest, and of as good understandinge and skile to discharge that place, as anie other.Footnote ³²¹ And so I commend me vearie hartelie to yowe. ffrom my howss in the Strand xxv^th of Maye 1596.

Your verie Lovinge frend,

[Signed]

W. Burghley

[Postscript dictated to the clerk]

Since the writinge of this letter, I understand the olde man is dead and of this man I dare affirme and so hath spicer and the rest of the officers of the workes testified that he is both honest, expert, and full of invencion and hath seen much work in forrein places. And of annie place this had neade to be supplied being dailie to be used in hir ma[jes]ties workes, especially Seeinge theare is noe Surveior.

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To the R[ight] worshipful my vearie lovinge frend

Mr. William Killigrewe Esquier one of the Gromes

of hir ma[jes]ties privie

Chamber And in his absence to Mr. Darcye Footnote ³²²

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

26 Maii 1596

L[ord] Thre[asure]r to Mr. Wm. Killagrewe

Text

I have perused the warrant yowe sent unto me for plimmowthe, whch I retorne unto yowe, and like the same well, savinge wheare by the same it is expressed that the soldiers showld onelie have such paie as they have in the Lowe Contries, yowe shall understand that wheare the wages of solder commeth to iiis viiid a weeke, theie have but iis vid theareof paid them for lendinges and the rest is aunsweared them in Cloathes and Armes, and theareof ^fore the warrant is to be considered in that point, so as theie maie have theire full paie, and what that same commeth unto, and what offices I thinke fitt to have kept theire, will appeare unto yowe, by this Colleccion of mine heareinclosed.Footnote ³²³ ffrom my howse in the Strand this xxvi^th of Maye 1596.

Your Lovinge father,

[Burghley]

Forced to kepe to my bed to my great payn,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my Lovinge sonne

Sir Robt Cecill one of Her Ma[jes]tys

Privy Consell

Text

This letter which I send yow included came hither by the comon Poste from the l[ord] Scroop to certifie the comminge of certen of the Graimes committed to come as prisoners, contrary to the advise geven to the said l[ord] Scroop bethowgh nowe by his letter thowght necessary to change. This matter would be well considered of and better then my leisure serves me to give advise in. Therfore yow may do well to impart the same both to hir Majestie and to hir Counsell for their dyrection against the comminge of theise prisonners, whose accusations do not yett appeare, but are as I perceave to follow from my l[ord] Scroope after they be committed,Footnote ³²⁴ ffrom my howse at Westm[iniste]r the 30^th of Maye 1596.

[Burghley]

Your lov[ing] father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed

For the right honorable Sir

Robert Cecill one of hir ma[jes]ties Privey Counsell.

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

30 May 1596

L[ord] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

Text

I send unto you here included a letter directed into me for the Archbishop of Yorke, brought by a Purcevante who hath also brought upp with him the 6 Graimes and hath them here in howse taken upp for them, and because theare is nobody als here to take charge of them I pray you move the Quene to knowe hir pleisure what shalbie donne with them and send me woorde forthwith because the Messenger may be retyrned and I no futher trobled with them.Footnote ³²⁵ ffrom my howse at Westm[inste]r the last of Maye 1596.

[Burghley]

I have already wrytten to my L[ord] Scroop, not to com upp, but to send some sufficient person with proves ag[ainst] these Grymes.Footnote ³²⁶

Your lo[ving] father

W. Burghley

[Postscript]

God send me some good howres, for I have no good dayes.

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To the right honourable

Sir Robert Cecil knight

of her Ma[jes]ties privy Connsell.

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

Wmo May 1596

L[ord] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

Text

I Doe send hearinclosed unto yowe A peticion of Nicholas Sanders whoe as it semeh remaineth under arrest at Plimmowthe at the suite of the Maior there, upon some bargaine passed between them for the part of his prize sugers. But inasmuch as Mr. Sanders is by order & dirrecion of the Generalls to follow them in this Action, as doth appeare by theire writinge under their handes and seales, I see noe reason he showld be staied at anie privat persons sute.Footnote ³²⁷ And therefore I praie yowe to acquaint my lls [Lords] of the Connsell that are theare at the Cort with the peticion and to procure theire LLs [Lords] letters to Sir fferdinando Gorges, to treate with the Maior, so as he maie take sum such order as he can betwene them, whearebie Mr. Sanders maie be released to proceade on his voiadge, the staie wheareof I cannot but be vearie chargeable to him.Footnote ³²⁸ Soe fare yowe well. Ffrom my howse at theobaldes this xiii^th of Julie 1596.

Your loving father,

[Signed]

W. Burghley

[Burghley]

I am forced to kep my bed all this day, havying small hope of amedment.

I long to heare some good news of HulstFootnote ³²⁹

[Maynard]

I send yowe a letter signed for Mr. Sandars to ease the messinger from retorning hither for my

hande.

[In Maynard's hand at the left foot of the page]

Mr. Secretary

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my Lovinge Sonne

Sir Robert Cecil, knight

hir ma[jes]ties principall secretarye

endorsed in Cecil's hand:

This L[ette]re comes to me from my L[ord]. I pray yowr L[ordshi]p reade it and that Inclused to which my l[ord] wold be glad of your hand in maiorem authoritatem.

Text

I am right sorry that I can send yow no better stuff out of Irland by these letters and other wrytyngs wherby I se no lykhood of peace ther and therfor Hir Ma[jes]ty must be forced for a present furder chardg, to proceede more rowndly with force than with words.Footnote ³³⁰

I meane though I am still possessed with payne to come thyther to morrow, to attend this and other service for I se a harvest of busyness more redy, than a good harvest of corn.Footnote ³³¹

from my bed almost at x of the clock

16 July 1596

You lov[ing] father,

W. Burghley

[Postscript added after signing]

I have severed the advertisements and wrytyngs accordyng to ther several conditions and tyed with threds.Footnote ³³²

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my Lovinge Sonne

Sir Robart Cecill

knight, hir ma[jes]ties

principall secretarieFootnote ³³³

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

26 July 1596

L[ord] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r ffrom Theobaldes

Text

With your letters nowe received theare is comen letters from the Archb[ishop] of Yorke and the Counsell theare directed to mee wheareof the one concerneth a priest named Dawson, beinge A ronagate into and owt of Ireland, whose Examinations also I have seen:Footnote ³³⁴ And consideringe he sheweth himself obstinat in awnswearinge, it weare convenient that the Counsell would take order to cawse him to be pinched with manacle or summ such like thinge, withowt danger of anie member of his Bodie, and thereby compell him to answeare more directlie. And yet nevertheless to for beare proceadinge against him at ther Asisses, for that he maie afterwardes be further tried by ordinarie commission theare of oyer and terminer.Footnote ³³⁵

The other letter concerneth one Atkinson, whoe if he doe not appeare the xvii^th daie before the Counsell heare, as it is written, he is commaunded. but whither it be uppon bond or noe is not expresse, then is theare anie cause to doubt ^{feare that} he shall proceade at the Assisses the xix^th as he pretended to doe.Footnote ³³⁶ One other letter which yowe have sent me from Mr. Attorneie, concerneth the confession of the great Cossener Williamson, which I meane to keepe with mee untill I cumm to the Cort.Footnote ³³⁷ and soe I will doe these from Yorke, And be bold to make awnsweare to that Connsell by my privat letter.Footnote ³³⁸ But a letter of most importance is that which is written to mee from Mons[ieur] Caron, expressinge the same dangers, wheareof yowe mak mention in your owne letter.Footnote ³³⁹ And the same also confirmed by the letter written by the States of Zeland to the Counsell heare,Footnote ³⁴⁰ which I doe returne unto yowe with mine opinion.Footnote ³⁴¹ that it is most necessarie that hir Ma[jes]tie should have speedie regard thearto be aidinge them with somm further succourse to be sent to Flusshinge, accordinge both to the necessitye of the cawse and for the promise made by Sir Fr[ancis] Veare in hir ma[jes]ties name, which to my remembrance he had warrant so.Footnote ³⁴² And thowgh I finde my selfe nothing amended of my greefe yet uppon this occasion I will with Gods leave, if I shall be hable to lie in my Coache, be theare on Saturdaie night, or Sondaie some time of the daie. From Theobaldes this xv of July 1596.

[Burghley]

Your lov[ing] lame,

paynfull father.

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

For the Q[ueen s] Ma[jes]ties Affayres

To my Lovinge sonne Sir Robarte Cecill

knight hir Majesties principall Secretary

[Signed, on the dorse]

W. Burghley

[Maynard]

hast

post hast

hast

endorsed in Burghley's hand:

at Theob[alds]

15 Julii, 1596

Text

I most humbly thank hir Majesty for impartyng to me the reportes of hir victoryes hopyng to have that knolledg so verefyed by hir own Generals, as hir Ma[jes]ty shall have iust cause to have publyck thanks gyven to that Almighty God that maketh hir so mighty ag[ainst] hir ennemyes and and most humble to acknoledg from whence she hath hir strength and wordly glory.Footnote ³⁴³

28 July 1596

Your lov[ing] father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed

To my lovinge Sonne

Sir Robart Cecill knight

Principall Secretarye

to hir ma[jes]tie.

endorsed in a clerk's hand [Henry Maynard?]

28 July 1596

Lo[rd] Thresorer to my M[aste]r.

[Note: This hand could be that of Richard Percival, the same clerk who took over the compilation of the Scottish Letter Book, TNA SP 52/52]

Text

After our hartie commendatcions unto yow. According to her ma[jes]ties pleasure signified by your letter, we called before us aswell suche Creditors being about vi on nomber as did impugn the sute of all the rest of the Creditors of Umfrie Abdey for her ma[jes]ties protection unto them as also certein Alderman and other[s] who came before us in name of all the rest of the Creditors being above syxteen in nomber.Footnote ³⁴⁵ and after we had heard both parties we concluded in the end that with the generall consent of them all her ma[jes]tie might at her good pleasure graunt the said protection which the said Alderman and the rest of the Creditors had so humbly and so ernestlie desired, as they affirmed before us that if her ma[jes]tie did not vouchsave at their humble peticens to graunt the same it wold redound to the grete losse and hindraunce of the said Crediters. We did also caus diligent enquirie to be made for such as had exhibited any petitcens to Abdey, we cold not lerne of any suche. but thus much we understand That there hath ben in several peticons exhibited to her ma[jes]tie [page frayed] by sundrie of the Crediters of on Umfrie Abdey for the not graunting of his protection by her ma[jes]tie, which likehood may be thos peticens wherof her ma[jes]tie spake with you. And thus we wishe you hartelie well this xii^th of October 1596.

you verie loving ffrendes,

[Signed]

W. Burghley

T. Buckhurst

[No dorse, no address]

Text

I neither can my self write, nor yet forbeare to expresse the grief to thinke of the dangerous estate of hir ma[jes]ties Armie in Ireland, wheare all the treasure sent in August is expended,Footnote ³⁴⁶ and the Armie consistinge of the nomber of abowt seaven thowsand widening [withdrawing?] paie of her ma[jes]tie, besides a great nomber of others havinge extraordinarie paiments by waie of pentions and such like, the monethlie charges whereof commeth to viii^M v^C ix l sterlinge [£8,509], and heareunto is to be added 1000 newe men nowe latelie transported, whose monethlye paie must cumm to MCxxii l [£1,122] the moneth, for which the treasurer hath never a pennie in Ireland & nowe to this charge doth presentlye followe the charge of 2000 newe men alreadie levied and appointed to be sent thither for whome at their arrival there, there is also noe monie to entertaine them.Footnote ³⁴⁷ What great danger this maie be I doe trembell to utter, consideringe theie will force the Countrie with all manner of oppressions, rather than furnishe. And thearebie the multitude of the Q[ueen s] loiall subiectes in the English pale tempted to Rebell. Thes unpleasant lines I am most sorie to be presented to hir ma[jes]tie, but I cannot endure to bethinke my self of the perill. ffrom my howse in the Strand this last of October, 1596.

[Burghley]

I am homo illiterate

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my Lovinge Sonne

Sir Rob[er]t Cecill

knight, hir ma[jes]ties

principlall secretarye

Ul[ti]mo Oct 1596

Lo[rd] Thr[esore]r to my M[aste]r

Text

For that Mr. Lake war not in the waie to engrosse the warrant for the Ile of Wight, I doe the messure herinclosed send the same to yowe to be written by such of the Clerkes of the Signett as attend theare at the Cort which is all I have at this time to write yowe.Footnote ³⁴⁸

Ffrom my house in the strand this first of November 1596.

[Burghley]

An other such tormenting night will

Shorten my dayes, wherof I desyre some end.

Your lo[ving] father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed by Henry Maynard:

To my Lovinge Sonne

Sir Rob[er]t Cecill

Knight hir ma[jes]ties

Principall secretarye

endorsed by Simon Willis:

L[ord] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

Text

I send to yowe heareinclosed a letter which I received this morninge from the Maior of Dartmouthe directed to my lls [Lords]: of the Counselle with certaine Advertisementes theareinclosed.Footnote ³⁴⁹ I have thearewith acquainted my L[ord] of Essex and yowe maie impart the same there to hir Ma[jes]tie or the Counsell as yowe shall see cawse. ffrom my howse in the Strand this vi^th of November 1596.

[Postscript]

I have received a certaine Advise from my L[ord] Willoughby which I have sent to my L[ord] of Essex.Footnote ³⁵⁰

Yo[ur] Lovinge

father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my Lovinge Sonne Sir Robart Cecill knight, hir Ma[jes]ties principall secretarye

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

6 Nov. 1596

L[ord] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

Text

I send to yowe hearewith such letters as I have this daie received. yowe maie as yowe shall see cawse acquaint hir ma[jes]tie both with Mr. Bowes letterFootnote ³⁵¹ and the L[ord] Scropes, towchinge his request for the paie of the footebandes theare.Footnote ³⁵² Yowe shall also do well to acquaint hir ma[jes]tie with that part of Sir Edward Norris letter, wheareby he advertiseth the sendinge of certaine forces to Callis, which in mine opinion hath good probabilitie in yt.Footnote ³⁵³ So farre you well. ffrom my howse in the Strand, this vii^th of November 1596.

Your Lovinge father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my Lovinge Sonne Sir

Robart Cecil knight, hir ma[jes]ties principall secretary

endorsed in Richard Percival's hand:

7 Nov. 1596

Lo[rd] Thre[surer] to my M[aste]r

Text

Though at your departure, you found me not disposed to mak any censur of the certificates thynkyng the borden to heavy for me alon, yet if yow Fynd hir ma[jes]ty's disposition or expectation from me, yow may shew hir this included, which I began by Candell light, but my head would not answer my desyre.Footnote ³⁵⁴

I have gyven this mark in the margats, for the matters to be executed.

Your loving father,

W. Burghley

[Postscript]

I send yow my L[ord] Willoughbyes opinion much vareyng from the rest.Footnote ³⁵⁵

Dorse

addressed in Michael Hickes’ hand:

To my loving sone Sir Robert Cecyll knight hir ma[jes]ties principall Secretarie.

endorsed in Richard Percival's hand:

9 November 1596

The Lo[rd] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

Text

I was first advertised this evening by my Lo[rd] Chamberlens letter, that hir Ma[jes]ty deffered hir remove unto Wednesday which is the very daye of hir access to the Crown and now by your letter I perceave the lyk beyng right sarry for the cause.Footnote ³⁵⁶ and therfor I pray yow whan tyme may serve yow, lett hir Ma[jes]ty know that I do send to heare of hir Ma[jes]ty's ammendment, for by hir impediments to order hir affayres, all hir realm shall suffer detriment.Footnote ³⁵⁷

I have not bene Idle sence yow went havyng (though not prophaned this sabeth day) made it a full workyng day such is the Importunitie of sutors and now wearyed I end my scriblyng.

14 Nov. at night.

You lov[ing] father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my Lovinge sonne Sir Rob[er]t Cecill knight hir ma[jes]ties principall secretarye

endorsed Possibly in the hand of Richard Percival:

14 Nov. 1596

Lo[rd] Thr[esuro]r to my M[aste]r

Text

I know not, what determination hir Ma[jes]ty hath for any furder proceedyng in the cause for which the deputies of the States cum hyther.Footnote ³⁵⁸

But for your information I have thought good to sett down brefly the State of the cawse, as I do tak it now to rest.

Beyng moved therto becawse by the suspence hereof hir Ma[jes]ty is charged with the contynuance of hir auxiliary, which at the lest is above l^M l [£1,000] yerly. and if the nombres that ar contrary to the Contract, brought into the Cautionary towns, might be paid by the States, hir Ma[jes]ty might therby be eased of a gretar some. but as those ii towns, have drawn in from the auxiliary great nombres, the chardg of the auxiliary now cometh but to xxiiii^M v^C iii^xx iii [£24,563] which is the some of the States pretend to discharg, and so hir Ma[jes]ty for hir cautionary shall still stand charged with xlii^M [£42,000] yerly.Footnote ³⁵⁹

These matters ar not pleasyng, and yet I can not please my self, withowt disburdening my self therof, and so at tyme convenient I pray yow inform hir Ma[jes]ty hereof.

15 Nov[ember] 1596

Your lov[ing] father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my Lovinge sonne Sir Robart Cecill knight hir Ma[jes]ties principall secretarye

endorsed in Richard Percival's hand:

15 Nov 1596

My lo[rd] Thre[suro]r to my M[aste]r

Text

I doe send hearewith unto yowe the letters that yowe left with me of the L[ord] Scroopes, which I doe returne unto yowe,Footnote ³⁶⁰ and thearewith the forme of a submission conceived by mee to be made by the Graimes which I think indiffernt for them to make, and for the L[ord] Scroope to receive from them.Footnote ³⁶¹ ffrom my howse in the Strand this xv^th of November 1596.

Your Lovinge ffather,

W. Burghley

[Left foot of the page in Maynard's hand]

Sir Robert Cecill

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my Lovinge Sonne Sir Robart Cecill knight, hir Ma[jes]ties principall secretarie

endorsed in Richard Percival's hand:

15 Nov 1596

My Lo[rd] Tresorer to my M[aste]r

Text

Neither my hand nor eie sight alloweth me to wryte. I thynk it will be hard to persuade the Citizens to be at a new charge, consideryng the lavy set for Cales, is not yet discharged, althowgh they had my L[ord] of Essex and L[ord] admyrall solemn word for to be answered of the spoyles.Footnote ³⁶²

The Cite also taketh it unkyndly that hir Ma[jes]ty priviledgeth both billingsley and rich[ard] Saltygsto [Salstonstall] to wax rych, and to be disburdened of the Corn charges of the Cite wherby a nombre of Aldermen will gyve over ther clokes.Footnote ³⁶³ I can not but wryte this though I will do my uttermost for hir Ma[jes]ty's service.

W. B.

Dorse

addressed possibly in the hand of Hickes or Clapham:

For Mr. Secretary

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

19 Dec 1596

L[ord] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

Text

This lack of a resolut answer from hir Ma[jes]ty dryveth to the wall. Therfor I pray yow once ageyn move hir Ma[jes]ty for hir people suffre great extremities for want of releff of monny and clothes, as yow may se by Sir Rob[er]t Sydney's letter.Footnote ³⁶⁴

I dowt how to gett Mr. Chancellor to come because he complayneth of his helth.Footnote ³⁶⁵

I way not who shall have the offer.

Your lov[ing] father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Burghley's hand:

To my son Sir Robert Cecill hir Ma[jes]ty's principall Secretary

endorsed in Richard Percival's hand:

Maii 1597

My lo[rd] Tresorer to my M[aste]r

Text

Even nowe Mr. Carmarthen and Becher came unto me, and acquainted mee with the offer of Quarles, mr. Becher's brother in Lawe, for this service which Anton should undertake, which is (as I understand) to give v^C 1 [£500] yearelie more then Anton offreth.Footnote ³⁶⁶ It is likelie that this increase will cawse hir ma[jes]tie to alter her minde: therefore I have thowght good to lett yowe understand the same, that hir ma[jes]ties pleisure thearein maie be knowen. ffrom the Strand the xii^th of Maie 1597.

[To the left of Burghley's signature, added after signing]

I send yow herewith also a letter which this daie I received from Sir Robert Sidney.Footnote ³⁶⁷

[To the right foot of the text]

Your Lovinge father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my Lovinge Sonne

Sir Robart Cecill, knight,

hir ma[jes]ties pricipall secretarie.

endorsed in the hand of Cecil's clerk:

13 May 1597

My lo[rd] Tresorer to my M[aste]r.

[The filing clerk could be Percival by reason of one interesting correction: ‘My’ is scratched over ‘the’ before ‘Lord Tresorer’, which tells that the hand belonged to someone who was regarded as a servant of both Cecils.]

Text

I parceave that hir Ma[jes]ty lyketh augmentations of proffitt by accepting of Quarles offers he thought hatched by Beachor. I will expedit the matter whan the partyes shall come to me.Footnote ³⁶⁸

I pray yow to deliver this pacquet to my L[ord] of Essex, the labor wherof hath wearied my hand and my head but unmete for any matter of weight.Footnote ³⁶⁹

If I can amend, which as yet I fynd no hope of, I will be ther before your next workyng souper but rather as a roge, than a laboror.

25 Maii 1597

Your lov[ing] father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed

To my lovinge sonne Sir Robart Cecill, knight hir Ma[jes]ties principall Secretarie

endorsed probably in Richard Percival's hand:

15 May 1597

Lo[rd] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

Text

I have red Sir An[thony] Mildmays letter which I do retorn with a weak hand as yow may se consideryng the charges past which I shall accompt last on hir M[jes]ties part, and if hir ayde be not contynued, the fr[ench] K[ing] may be reyned and pycardy possessed at hir dooer by an unplacable ennemy beside manny other increass of his strength and therfor the remedy being but a monny matter, and pecuniam in Loco negligere est Lucrum.Footnote ³⁷⁰ I wish hir Ma[jes]ty wold without delay whilest the fr[ench] k[ing s] Irons ar hoth supply hir nombers for 2 or 3 monethes.Footnote ³⁷¹ and so for lack of a strong hand I end. Wishyng yow God's Grace to serve hir Ma[jes]ty, and my blessyng to your Comfort.

all your offspyng ar here mery

from Theob[alds] 4 July 1597.

Your old lovyng father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in two clerk's hands:

For hir Ma[jes]ties affayres.

[In Henry Maynard's hand]

To my verie lovinge sonne, Sir Robert Cecyll knight,

hir ma[jes]ties principall secretarie, at Court.

hast

post hast

hast

[Signed by Burghley]

W. Burghley

endorsed by Cecil's filing clerk, possibly Percival:

4 July 1597

Lo[rd] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r from Theobalds

Text

I doe send yow a letter herewith written to my L[ord] of Essex,Footnote ³⁷² to whom I did not wryte since his departure, nor untyll now, that god hath shewed him favour from heaven with the new moone to send him a prosperous wind. I could not write comfortably neither for myself nor for him. And now I doe write unto him with my weak hand onely to Congratulate with him for this favour of god, I doe exhort him, as a Christian soldier to acknowledge the same beyond all mans power and witt. I have also written unto him that I am sure yow will frequently advertise him of thinges convenient, and so supply my want, remembering a true saying of Tully in these words: Omnibus peregrinantibus gratum sit, minimarum quoque rerum quae domi gerantur, fieri certiores.Footnote ³⁷³ I pray yowby the next safe messenger send this my letter to his Lo[rdship] letting him know that I am here Licensed for a while to be at my howse, where I assure yow, I continue in such paine of my foote, as I am not able to stirre abroad but in my Coach. from my howse at Theobaldes the v^th of July 1597.

[Signed]

Your loving father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed In same clerk's hand, perhaps Clapham:

To my verie Lovinge Sonne, Sir Robert Cecyll knight

hir ma[jes]ties principall Secretary

At Court

endorsed by Cecil's filing clerk, Richard Percival, whose hand completes the entries after September 1596 in Cecil's Scottish Letter Book, TNA SP 52/52:

5 July 1597

L[ord] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

Text

I have with your letter wrytten yesterday receaved the letters to yow o[n] from my Lo[rd] of Essex wrytten on monday^Wednesday 6 sence which tyme I have gladly observed every daye a most favourable wynd to send hym forward, so as God hath lyk a gratiouse father after a fewe dayes frowning to mak his power known, hath changed his countenance into blessyng, whereby may be sayd to the army, viriliter agile, et confortetur vestrum cor vestrum omnes sperantes in Domino.Footnote ³⁷⁴

Your other letter from Sir Anthony Mildmay with the copy of the fr[ench] k[ing]’s letter to hym, can scantly have any good sence whereon to found any present connsell. for I see no lykhood for the fr[ench] kyng to seke peace at this part whan by all advertisement the cardynall as yet hath no monny to wage his men to come to the releff of Amyens,Footnote ³⁷⁵ nor his new levyes as yet come owt of Italy which advises being trew, I se no cause in necessite ether to offer or to harken to peace. But yet it may be that the pope and his legatFootnote ³⁷⁶ and the Cardihar [Cardinal] may tempt hym therto and the K[ing s] discontented state may move hym to forgett his honor. On the other side it may be inspected, that this chantyng of peace, is a song only to allure the Q[ueen s] Ma[jes]ty to yeld hym still aide of more men or monny or both, wherein I can yeld no other opinion, than that hir Ma[jes]ty should yeld no more than good reason may warrant with conversation of hir own estate and so haveng

[p. 2] warrant of a good conscience in that she hath or shall in hir benefittes strayne hir own State, to become unhable to preserve hir self, havyng no hope nor apparence to be ayded by any other, as she hath ayded manny and though it may be feared, that by the fr[ench] kynges peace hir ennemy the Spanyard may become more to be feared, yet in God's goodnes whose cause hir Ma[jes]tty defendeth, she may saye with David saye: Exaltabo te domine quoniam suscepisti me, nec delectasti inimicos meos sup[er] me.Footnote ³⁷⁷ but yowe may saye, my concepts ar spirituall and therby aught all human actions to be governed. Thus to shew my self bold, to arm, in an obscure, subiect, I will end with a very weary hand, untill I shall understand the event of Mr. Mildmaye's forces,Footnote ³⁷⁸ from my howss at Theobalds the rooms wherof I have not sene, more than my bedchamber, my dyning place and my chappell, so lame I am on on legg as Sir Edw[ard] HobyFootnote ³⁷⁹ I think can shew yow, by whom I retorned my most humble thanks to hir Ma[jes]ty motefyeng to hir that when I spent at the Cowrt the substance of my poore wytt, I fynd no meanes here to restor it, [word obscured by margin] forced dayly to fede of an asses milk and so subiect to be dull, as my ass

from Theobalds, 8 July 1597.

Your lov[ing] father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Holograph:

To my son Sir Robert Cecill, knight

pricipall secretary to hir Ma[jes]ty

endorsed by Richard Percival:

8 July 1597

Lo[rd] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

from Theobalds

Text

Your letter wrytten yesternight the 8, I have this 9^th, after my dinner receaved yours conteining sondry thynges, as first hir Ma[jes]ties opinion how to mete with the fr[ench] k[ing]’s enchantyng, but untill our ambass[ador] shall advertise his negotiation with the k[ing] the resolution may be suspended.Footnote ³⁸⁰ Secondly you advertise the retorn of Mr. fulk Grevill with letters from the Erle and his assistant Connsellor as appeareth by the Copy yow sent methough without date of daye or place.Footnote ³⁸¹ But by the Erles letter to my self I se it dated the 6 of this month, but from no place.Footnote ³⁸² and as to ther letter, I see no speciallite of ther request for any quantitie of vittells, although by your leter to me it should seme to be for 1 monthes vitell. but for what nombre, whyther for the army of land men or for them and the men of the navy, I fynd not but I do Imagyn for all – which is worthy consideration, how spedely to provyde it, and in what Contries. Whereof conference wold be had by my L[ord] admyralls with Quarles and dorrel if he be not gon.Footnote ³⁸³ you and borowgh also wold be spoken with all, but I thynk the Erle and Sir Walter Ralegh will explane ther requests in some particularetyes, but herin I troble my self to much fyndyng the uncertentyes of ther requests. Whan I shall have the prive seals for pycardy I shall know what to direct.Footnote ³⁸⁴

I assure yow, I am greatly afflicted with my payne in my foote, not able to sit upon horss back nor to stand up right, but forced to go abrod only in a litle coche.

9 Julii, 1597,

Your loving father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed Holograph:

To my lovinge sonn Sir Robert Cecill, knight

principall secr[etary] to hir Ma[jes]ty

endorsed in Robert Percival's hand:

Lord Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r, from Theobalds

[Letter 119 appears to have been removed from the volume, but enough remains to show the date: 9 July 1597.]

Text

I thank yow for your letter, wherey I perceave how kyndly and frendly my L[ord] Admyrall emparted my manner of service to hir Ma[jes]ties lyking for the which his accustomed favourable opinion of me beyond my wordynes [worthyness], I must remayn a dettor to his lordship for not hable otherwise to acquit my dett but with thankfullnes, and a firm disposition, to do the lyk for hym which I may with better warranty, perform for his Lordsh[ip's] Just desert, that may be for my self.Footnote ³⁸⁵

It is my comfort that hir Ma[jes]ty maketh such a comparison of my symplicite with hir pryncely wordynes [worthyness], to which in very truth, I thynk nether forayn prynce nor brytish subiect can approache.

I have redd the l[ette]re from the Erle and his assistance and do hope he and they do gyve thanks for ther particular hard accidentes.Footnote ³⁸⁶

If I cold styrr, truly I wold not mislyk that hir Ma[jes]ty might see my howss, for consideryng how small tyme I have to live, I wold not spare for the [ye] cost.Footnote ³⁸⁷

I pray yow require Mr. Darcy and Mr. Southwell to procure hir Ma[jes]ty, at some sundry tymes to sign the bills of the warrants.Footnote ³⁸⁸

10 July 1597

Your lov[ing] father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed

To my verie Lovinge

Sonn Sir Robert

Cecill knight principall

Secretary to hir Ma[jes]tie [Clapham]

endorsed [Percival]

10 July 1597

Lord Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r from Theobald

Text

I have with your letters received suche memoriale as yow sent mee concerning a newe monethes victualinge of the navie and Armie whiche I doe retorne unto yowe with a draughte for a Privie seale accordinge to your request.Footnote ³⁸⁹ And so wishe yowe to make expedicion thereof to the intent the provicions may be begonne to be made whearein I doe note a vearie great charge to arise for the transportacions, whereof I mervaile the Erle did not remember to have left from shipping alreadie prepared that he might have spared to have eased part of that burden:Footnote ³⁹⁰ And as I remember yow reported from Mr. Greville's mowthe that theare was such a meaninge in him.Footnote ³⁹¹ I have seen this daie a proclamacion printed for reformacion of Apparells without anie title to the same, which I doe see is agreeable in most partes to the former that hath been hearetofore published: the proclamacion itself would have been dated as well, as the last clawse of the Articles.Footnote ³⁹² I dowbt much, that the length of all this commandments and provicions will be hardlie executed abroade, untill theare be somm good Example in the Cort and in the Citie: the one to be by the l[ord] Chamberlaine, and the whetestores and Grenecloathe:Footnote ³⁹³ the other by the Maior and Aldermen of London in their severall wardes, for which purpose if summ of the Aldermen weare sent for to the and had spetiale charge to proceade to the Execucion theareof, by inquisicion within everie warde it might serve for an Example to the Counties.Footnote ³⁹⁴ I doe include hearein a letter to my ladie Scroope, which I praie yowe to cause to be delivered to hir.Footnote ³⁹⁵ ffrom my house at Theobaldes this xii^th of Julie 1597.

[Burghley]

Your Lovinge father,

W. Burghley

[Postscript in Maynard's hand]

I praie yowe send mee word what daie the Q[ueen] meneth to goe abroade from thence, bicause I would be loath to comm thither when she is absent.Footnote ³⁹⁶

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my Lovinge sonne Sir Robert

Cecill knight hir Ma[jes]ties

principall secretarye At the Cort

endorsed in Robert Percival's hand:

12 July 1597

Lo[rd] Thresorer to my M[aste]r from Theobalds

Text

I have recyved with yow yesterdaies letter the Certificat from one Danet, of the nomber of his shippes that caryed the Captens and the soldiars to the nomber of 5000.Footnote ³⁹⁷ The charge wherof must next be verie great, ffor the nomber of shippes are about [In Burghley's hand] xxxiii. To which nomber in charge are to be added, so many as Caryed the victualls whereof he makes me Cartificat: Besides the nomber of all the shippes of warre Both englishe & strangers whereof I there include them in a certificat sent unto the Quene. And for encrease of theise nombers it semethe there are no smale nomber of voluntary shippes. The knowledge of all which were worth the havinge therby to understand the whole number of shipping at this tyme, whereof I doubt how any knowledg can come unto from Plymouth considering I think the Navie is nearer Spayne the [sic] of England.Footnote ³⁹⁸ I have also receyved the letter from S[i]r R[obert] Sidney dyrected to me, with which thear should be an Irishe woman come into England of whom many things might be understood Concerning the nombers of the Quene's subiectes both Irishe, and englishe that serve Stanley, or otherwise be in the service of the Ennemye.Footnote ³⁹⁹ And where her Ma[jes]tie liketh to have yow to procure them to engage them selves in some exploits,Footnote ⁴⁰⁰ I pray yow in writing thease to Sir R[obert] Sidney to declare unto him: my absence from the Court, so as I could not make answar to his letter my self, which if I had bene present I would have donne.

[Burghley] I mynd to be at West[minster], on thursday at night or frydaye, and to come to the Court on Satyrday, wherof yow shall not speak there to any.

xiii Jul[y] 1597

Your lov[ing] father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed Holograph:

To my Sonn

Sir Robert Cecill

endorsed by a clerk, probably Richard Percival:

13 July 1597

Lo[rd] Thresorer to my M[aste]r from Theobalds

Text

I doe send hearewith unto yow a letter from my L[ord] Eures to mee together with a Testimoniale of the B[ishop] of durham, in the behalf of this bearer Mr. John Smaythwaite,Footnote ⁴⁰¹ to be preferred to a benefice in Northumberland in hir ma[jes]ties disposicion. And althowgh I doe not use to recommend anie of myself to anie benefices: yet consideringe the testimonie given of him aswell by my L[ord] Eures, and the B[ishop] wheare he maie doe God and hir ma[jes]tie good service: I doe therefore praie yow to move hir ma[jes]tie on the said Smaithwaites behalf, that hir ma[jes]tie be pleased to bestowe the said benefice on him. Soe farre yow well. ffrom my howse at Theobaldes this xxi^th of August 1597.

[Burghley]

Your Loving father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my lovinge sonne Sir Rob[er]t Cecill knight. Hir ma[jes]ties principall secretarie. At the Cort at HaveringeFootnote ⁴⁰²

endorsed [Possibly Richard Percival]

21 August 1597

Lo[rd] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r in favour of Mr. Smaithwaite

Text

I do send hereinclosed 4 letters, 3 of myn own hand wherof 2 to my lady of Derby, that this marked she may have openly, the other on particularly to hir own hand.Footnote ⁴⁰³ The 3 letter is to the Erle of Comberland only for complement and thanks.Footnote ⁴⁰⁴ the 4 is to Sir Edward phytton of thanks both to hym and my lady his wiff.Footnote ⁴⁰⁵ These I had made redy befor your messenger cam. I thank yow for your honest report of my paynes, which in truth by the weaknes of my hand, ar more Grevass to me than the lyk war in fomer tymes.

Sir Edm[und] Cave dyning with me this day reported the accident of yesterdayes skyrmish in the Foyle.Footnote ⁴⁰⁶ I looked to have had the last letters from Irland from whence I look not for such success, as was pretended.Footnote ⁴⁰⁷

The warrant for apparell for Irland wold be sent.Footnote ⁴⁰⁸ I thynk it shall not be nedefull to send any letters into Wales, Wher I thynk the derth groweth not by engrossers.Footnote ⁴⁰⁹

To morrow I shall have all my kynred within v or vi myles Compass with all ther messes pr. [present?].

24 August 1597.

Your lov[ing] father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed Holograph:

To my wellbeloved sonn Sir Robart Cecill knight,

princ[ipal] Secretary

endorsed in the hand of a Cecil clerk [Munck]

24 Aug 1597

Lo[rd] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

Text

I have recyved from yow the l[ord] deputies letter dyrected to your self with the other writinge therewith sent.Footnote ⁴¹⁰ And likewise Sir Arthur Savages letter. All which I do returne unto yow, allowing greatlie the deputies resolut manner of writing, and especially his impacions answer to the Rebell Tyron.Footnote ⁴¹¹ The some yow send me the warrant for Irland, and the other also for Barwick, it shall muche content me, ffor both theise hold the Quene's service in suspence untill by these warrants I may procede.Footnote ⁴¹² And so I end. ffrom my howse at Theobaldes the xxv^th of August 1597.

[Burghley]

Where I had at dynner of old and yong 14 descended of my body.

Your loving father

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in the hand of the clerk to whom the letter was dictated:

To my very lovinge sonne

Sir Robert Cecill knight

Principall Secretarye

to hir Ma[jes]tie

endorsed in the hand of Cecil's filing clerk:

25 Aug 1597

Lo[rd] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r from Theobalds

Text

Since my last writing to yow I am more unable to write then I was, and therfore am forced to use a nother mans hand: And so I pray yow lett hir Ma[jes]tie understand, for my reasonable excuse. By your letter I understand that hir ma[jes]tie would have me, with my presence, to advise how to answere this Danishe Ambassador,Footnote ⁴¹³ for with purpose she would have me Come to London, wheare she hath appointed my L[ord] Keper, my L[ord] of Buckhurst, and Sir John ffarston to Joyne with me, and to consider what were ffitt to be sayd to them in aunswere, and theareof hir ma[jes]tie being first advartised and so hir ma[jes]tie to allow or disallowe as shall please hir, and thereuppon consequently to give [Burghley] them [Clerk] an answere at my howse.Footnote ⁴¹⁴ I have considered of their demandes propounded whearof the principal matter tending to a mediation of peace, requies many Circumstances of waight beyond my habilitye to resolve thearon.Footnote ⁴¹⁵ The other matter being a demand of ffree Traffick I and navygations uppon the Sea, I thynk can not be more reasonably answared, then was answared to the Polishe Ambassador. Although I see by the danishe Ambassadors they tempar ther request with a modification.Footnote ⁴¹⁶ Thus yow see how doubtfull I am in theise 2 great matters. But yett hir ma[jes]tie Joyninge me with other great counsellorrs, It may be by their advise I may have some clearer understanding: Though my body be this very daye at the period of iii^xx xvii [77] yeares, and therfor farre unable to travayle either with my bodye, or with lively spirittes, yete I fynd my self so bound with the superabundant kyndnes of hir ma[jes]tie in dispensing with my dishabilities, as god permitt me I wilbe at Westminster to morrowe in the afternoone readye to attend the LLs [Lords] 13 7^b [September] sol in libra.Footnote ⁴¹⁷

Your old lovyng father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in the hand of the clerk to whom the letter was dictated:

To my varie Loving Sonne Sir Robert Cecill, knighte, Principall Secretary to hir ma[jes]tie

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

13 Sept 1597

Lo[rd] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

Text

I have perused, not withowt offence of mine Eies, all the letters and writinges which yowe sent mee, which I doe retorne unto yowe, and thearewith also a letter from Sir fferdinando Gorges with a Shedule conteining the quantitie of Armor and Municions left with him by the Erle of Essex, whereof he noteth a great decaie, but in whose defawlt I knowe not,Footnote ⁴¹⁸ althowgh it is a generall disorder of all the Capteins.

He maketh also mention of a charge for provicion of victuell for the shippes, whearin Sir John Gilbert shewed: but he sendeth noe perticuler declaracion theareof, nor anie generall estimacion: but yet presseth paiment very urgently wheareunto for want of awnswerare: It maie be he hath written to my L[ord] admirall or to yowe theareof wheareunto I doe referre him for more certain awnswere.Footnote ⁴¹⁹

By the l[ord] deputies letters in Ireland, I see noe towaardlines of anie good ende theare, but a perpetuall charge heare to the Realm in levienge still more men withowt accompt what is becomm of the fomer nombers.Footnote ⁴²⁰ And thowghe yt seameth theire decaie is growen by deaths, yet I knowe not howe the Capteines are excusable for their Armors and weapons which properlie do not die of anie disease, but ought to remaine to the furnishinge of the supplies. And I mervaile my L[ord] deputie requireth so great nombers of men, withowt showinge howe the Quene is discharged of hir paie, for so manie as he desireth to supplie, whereof he maketh noe mention, nether yet what is becomm of theire Armor and weapon: But this my obiections will not I thinke suffice his demandes: but I lament yt, to see the great wastes of people of the Inglishe, and of Armor and municion, and of the Contries charges in Levienge to be soe great as it is.Footnote ⁴²¹ nonetheless it is very convenient that hir ma[jes]tie be acquainted with the request & due consideracion had by hir ma[jes]tie, with advise of hir connsell.Footnote ⁴²²

In Sir Arthur Savage's letters, I see noe disposicion in him for the companies to be discharged:Footnote ⁴²³ but doth rather assent to have the ffrenche kinge to send hitherto hir ma[jes]tie for theire continuacion.Footnote ⁴²⁴

[p. 2] I have perused my L[ord] Scroope's Instruccions,Footnote ⁴²⁵ which are vearie well conceived, so as theie had been committed to a man of reputacion, fitt to have executed them, the partie being not sufficient for Creditt and reputacion in the Contrie, as I feare dishonnor will followe to the theare, and spetiallie nowe when the k[ing] himself shall comm to Dumfries the frontier, when he shall finde noe warden in the Contrie, nor anie man of worthe deputed theareto: but as I feare the k[ing] will take it for a storme to have noe better man to awnsweare him. but howe theis cann be remedied I knowe not, except upponn my Lord Chamberlain's letters, the L[ord] Scroope will either retorne, or make a better choice of a deputie.Footnote ⁴²⁶

I have perused the matters of Wryght and Alabaster, whoe both would be streightlie examined of many things necessarie to be understood, for theire combinations and Companions.Footnote ⁴²⁷ And so beinge wearie with perusing thes writinges, I leave them to be further considered by hir Ma[jes]tie and hir Connsell theare, as the causes doe require. ffrom my howse in the Strand this second of October.

[On the lower left beside the signature]

Your letters beinge written yesternight came not to mee untill after xii of the clock this daie.

[Burghley]

Your Lovinge ffather,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my lovinge sonne Sir Robert Cecill knight:

hir Ma[jes]ties principall Secretarye

At the Cort

endorsed by Cecil's filing clerk, probably Percival:

2 October 1597

Lo[rd] Thr[easurer] to my M[aste]r

Text

Immediatley after your departure hence I revyved a letter from my L[ord] ScropeFootnote ⁴²⁸ with a nother enclosed therein to my La[dy] his wife,Footnote ⁴²⁹ which I pray yow see delivered. And I do send unto yow myne answar to his L[ordshi]p, in a letter unsealed, which when yow have reade and knowe no cause to the contrarye yow may seale and send awaye by Poste.Footnote ⁴³⁰

[Burghley]

p^o [Primo] Oct[ober] horr 4^o [4 o'clock]

Your lov[ing] father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my verie Lovinge Sonne Sir Robert Cecill knighte Principall Secretarye to hir Ma[jes]tie

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

1 Oct[ober] 1597

L[ord] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

Text

My good L[ord]. When your servant came to me with the 2 writinges exhibited for provision of Corne for the Cittie,Footnote ⁴³¹ I was beginninge to write my Conceit thereof, agreable to my message sent yow yesternight by my servant Maynard.Footnote ⁴³² and though now by your servant I understood yow allowed of my opinion and wished to drawe some forme of letters for execucion thereof: I have thought good in writinge at some length to send yow my opinion; but doe forbear to endite any letters thereupon Untyll the rest of the connsell shall determine hereupon. Considering this later opinion is contrary to the resolucion of them all & of my self also before time. But now by newe necessitie I doe alter my former resolucion; And so submit this my opinion sent to your L[ord] to the Censure of the rest of the connsell.Footnote ⁴³³ ffrom my howse in Westm[inste]r the xv^th of October 1597.

[Burghley]

Your l[ord's] most assuredly,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in the hand of the clerk above:

To the Right honorable my verie

good L[ord] Sir Thomas Egerton knight,

L]ord] Keeper of the great seale of England

endorsed by a Cecil clerk:

My lo[rd] Thre[asure]r Lo[rd] Keeper

Text

Untill this afternoone I could not reade the Mandat for that it could not be soone translated, beinge at very great length, and verie terriblie and sharplie written forbidding our marchantes all manner of trade, in anie the partes of the Empire, either with Cloathe wooll, or other Commodities and to be executed by the ende of this moneth which in mine opinion requireth verie good consideracion and thearefore yowe shall doe well to acquaint hir ma[jes]tie thearewith, that she maie be pleased to committ the conservation theareof to som such as best are acquainted and understand ther causes:Footnote ⁴³⁴ and that the sooner for that when nowe in december next the diet is to be held in Germanie, wheare it were very fitt that somm weare sent fom hir ma[jes]tie.Footnote ⁴³⁵ Soe farre yowe well. ffrom the Strand this xii^th of October 1597.

[Burghley]

I am worss sence my physick being now Μονοπους & Μονοχειζ, but not Monoculus.Footnote ⁴³⁶

Your Lovinge father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my lovinge Sonne

Sir Robart Cecill knight

hir ma[jes]ties principal

Secretarie

At the Cort

endorsed in the hand of a clerk:

12th October 1597

Lo[rd] Thresorer to my M[aste]r

Text

I send to yow hearewith three writinges. The one being the Copie of the Polish Ambassador's oration to hir ma[jes]tie,Footnote ⁴³⁷ with an awnsweare da[ted] theareunto.Footnote ⁴³⁸ and the third beinge a Copie of the awnsweare made to Lisman; with all which it weare good that Mr. Carewe weare made acquainted and that he had Copies thearof,Footnote ⁴³⁹ with when theie shall be written owt, I praie yowe to retorne unto mee my Copies againe. ffrom my howse in the Strand this viith of June 1598.

[Burghley]

Your loving father,

W. Burghley

[Added beside the signature in Henry Maynard's hand]

I have made awnsweare to my L[ord] Northe and Mr. Comptroller, which I do send by this bearer.Footnote ⁴⁴⁰

Text

And wheareas by our warrant of privie seale, bearing the date the 27 daie of August last,Footnote ⁴⁴¹ wee directed yowe to make paiment of certaine sommes of monie aswell for the winter as the sommer Apparell for 4000 soldiers serving in our paie in our Realme of Ireland, according to such Rates as yowe our Thres[urer] of England and Chancellor of our Eschequer had contracted with certaine merchants for the same;

[opposite in the left margin is added: ‘And wheareunto wee have though fitt’]

[Main text] Soe nowe havinge thowght fitt to have x bandes more conteining 1000 persons ^{[Maynard's hand] which as yet comminge unsatisfyed} to be Apparreled in such sort as the former bandes weare: our will and pleasure is that yow make paiments from time to time ^{uppon the daies mentioned in our privie seale to the sayd merchants and} both for the sommer and winter Apparrel of thes other 1000 To the foresaid merchantes, of such sommes of monie as the ^same Apparellinge cometh unto, according to the former values that is to saie tfor theire ^winter sommer Apparell the some of ^£2443 16s 8d £627 9s 8d. And for their ^Sommer winter Apparell the somme of ^{£627 9s 8d} £2443 16s 8d – And so to continue ^{the same paimentes uppon the daie mentioned in our former warrant} untill wee shall signifie our pleasure to the contrary: the foresaid somes to be charged uppon the Accompt of our thre[asure]r at wars, to be defaked owt of the paie of the said bands that shall weare the same Apparrell.

[Burghley]

The Grauntyng of this warrant will proffit hir Ma[jes]ty, a third penny.

[Maynard]

If the other warrant for Ireland be not Already past then that maie be added theareto: but if it be signed and past than I praye yowe to procure a newe warrant.Footnote ⁴⁴²

[Signed]

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my lovinge sonne

Sir Robart Cecill knight

hir ma[jes]ties principall

Secretary

with speed

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

1598

France

L[ord] Thres[ure]r to my M[aste]r

Text

I see yow contynue yowr care for me, for which I thank yow. I took wit your howss for that it was to neare the breathyng of westm[inste]r, nor wymbletonFootnote ⁴⁴³ because of the discommodites in passyng the ryv[e]r but cam hyther to my familiar place, although forced to seke a restyng place, but without rest.

As yet I can recover my appetit, only I sipped yest[er]night with iiii or v leaves of an artychock, but this morning I have eaten a small panodo.Footnote ⁴⁴⁴

I send yow my L[ord] Willoghby's letters to be answered with advise of S[ir] R Care[y] for bestowyng of the pledges.Footnote ⁴⁴⁵

And so I will prove all good meanes ether to amend, or to mak a good end. 9 June 1598.

Your best loving father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my lovinge sonne

Sir Robart Cecill

knight hir ma[jes]ties principall secretarye

At the Cort.

endorsed by a clerk, possibly Percival:

9 June 1598

Lo[rd] thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

Text

I perceive by your letter that hir ma[jes]tie misliketh the delaie of sending of the succors of menn into Ireland, & likewise of the delaie of the provicions of victuell for them:Footnote ⁴⁴⁶ wheareunto as to the first, I have thowght it preposterous connsell to send men into Ireland, before the victuell weare readie or at the least sum part theare.Footnote ⁴⁴⁷

As to the second theare hath been noe delaie used by mee for that I have had noe warrant to deliver anie monie:Footnote ⁴⁴⁸ And althowgh I did remember summ dowbtes for the manner of the bargaine, yet if it would please my l[ord] northe to doe mee right, and that my last letter written to him and Mr. comptroller might be shewed to hir ma[jes]tie, I showld thinke my self well discharged: for by that letter I required to be awnsweared nowe my dowbtes weare to be accepted: and upponn awnsweare theareunto, I would assent to anie resolucion theare to be taken. But to this my letter, I never received awnsweare.Footnote ⁴⁴⁹ And in cumming with Jollis before Mr. Chancellor he confessed, considering he must provide the shipping in London. he did not thinke the victuell could be in Ireland with anie suretie under three monethes space.Footnote ⁴⁵⁰ And if now victuell could be shipped thither sooner, the sendinge of menn before it weare theare landed, weare rather to furnishe themm than to containe them. I praie yow deale with my l[ord] North from mee in frendlie manner to have the sight of my letter [page rip] and procure a warrant to be made from hir ma[jes]tie to make such points to Jolles the merchant, as hath been agreed upponn by the Articles: and to lett mee have with the warrant a Copie of the Articles,Footnote ⁴⁵¹ and I shall be readie to cause the monie to be delivered: which is asmuche as I can doe in furtherence of this service.

I praie yowe as yowe find the Quene not satisfied with mee so to praie hir to heare this my letter.

I thinke hull a sure place for the pledges: but as I have had Sir William Bowes sine,Footnote ⁴⁵² It was conditional that they showld not cumm further into England than to York. but if fowlt shall be fownd thearein, theie maie soone be retorned, and kept either at York, or at the Castell at Sherifhutton.Footnote ⁴⁵³ And so I did with as ill a stomack to write of thes matters, as I have to my meate, which is hitherto fitter for fasting than for feasting. And the weather so cold as I am fitter for the fire [than] for a garden. ffrom my howse at Theobaldes this x^th of June 1598.

[Burghley]

Your loving father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my Lovinge sonne

Sir Robert Cecill knight

hir ma[jes]ties principall

secretary

At the Cort

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

x^mo [Decimo] Junii

L[rord] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

Text

I am in sum part certefied by your letter received this morninge, what corse the Quene will have taken for the victualinge, whearein I would be glad to understand what resolucion shall be taken with Jolles and Beverlie for proceding thearein.Footnote ⁴⁵⁴ As for that which was obiected that Beverleie was trusted with monie: he never had monie before hand, but was before hand himself, by sending victuell fromm Chester in Ireland, which commonlie was expedited within xx^tly[tie?] daies, by the shortnes of the passadge betwixt Chester and dublin; wheareas now Jolles provisions must goe from london. but as I shall have warrant to deliver the monie so I will doe: as farre forthe as Mr. Chancellor cann helpe mee to provide so much, wheareof I have written to him in vearie perticuler manner, which I wishe yowe would require to be seen.Footnote ⁴⁵⁵

I like vearie well, that Beverleie would provide butter and cheese at Chester, so as it be at such price, as may serve the soldier after the rate of iiis iid in proporcion accordinge to Jolles offer; for I have calculated the severall prices of the quantitie of butter and cheese, as the same monie be provided as Jolles hath sett it downe. And so expectinge the resolucion that shall be made, and the warrant for the monie, I forebeare to trowble either my self or yowe anie more, beinge heare still oppressed with my former infirmities: and withowt hope of amendment ffrom my howse at Theobaldes this xi^th of June 1598.

[Burghley's postscript, as it is added beside his signature]

I pray yow present my humble thanks for hir Ma[jes]ties frequent messages, for thow I knoledge my dett gretar than I am hable to accompt, but yet I will gage my hart to be thankfull with prayer.

Your lovyng seke father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my lovinge sonne

Sir Robart Cecill knight

hir ma[jes]ties principall secretarye

At the Cort

endorsed in Simon Willis's hand:

xi^mo Junii 1598

L[ord] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

Text

I have perused the paper contayning the names of 13 serieants and 6 other practisers and counsellors of the Lawe out of which hir Ma[jes]ty is to make choice onely of two persons, the one to be a second Justice in the Comon place,Footnote ⁴⁵⁷ & the other to be the third Baron in the Eschequer, both which must be also Justices of Assise in some Circuite. For choise whereof it is most Convenient, & agreable with order that they be chosen out of the seriauntes whereof there are 13, and amongst these both for Learninge and Anncientry I think Seriant Yelverton most eligible and yet I think it as necessary for him to contunie the Q[ueen's] Serieant,Footnote ⁴⁵⁸ as to be a Justice, where there shall he doe the Q[ueen] more service, as hir Seriant, then to be a Second Justice in the Common place. Thus if hir Ma[jes]ty shall so please: she may be well served of a Justice, by Mr. Kingesmyll, who already is a Justice of Assise & well able to knowe the burden of service, being a man unmarryed. As for choice of a Baron I think Seriant Heale able both for Learninge, wealth, & strength of body to continue, being also a personable man, which I wish to be regarded in choice of such officers of publicje calling. But if theare be cause to mislike of this choise, I think Savyl or Williams may supply the place of a Baron, though they bee men of small living.

[Burghley]

I pray yow shew this paper to hir Ma[jes]ty, addyng that if hir Ma[jes]ty should not hir self, mak better choiss, of these 2 officers, than in leaning to my choiss, she may perchance miss the mark she shooteth at.

I can no[t] bost of amendment though hir Ma[jes]ties comfortable wishyngs, fede me with hope.

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my lovinge sonne Sir Robart Cecill knight hir ma[jes]ties principall secretary.

endorsed in the hand of a Cecil clerk, possibly Munck:

21 June 1598

Lo[rd] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

Text

I have receive your letter, which doth nothinge satisfie mee for the sending of the Lincolnshire menn to Plimmouwthe to be theare embarqued, being the remotest part of the Realme from that Conntie: neither is it alike for them of Cornewall to come to Bristell, which maie be donne with ease by sea, wheare the other must marche over all the Land.Footnote ⁴⁵⁹ And thearefore if my lls [Lords] shall not like to alter this corse, theie may then write theire letters into Lincolnshire to send thes men to Plimmowthe, for I am unwillinge in my time, and by my direcions to committ such an Error.Footnote ⁴⁶⁰ ffrom my howse in the Strand this xxi^th of Julie 1598.

Your Lovinge father,

[Signed]

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my lovinge sonne, Sir Robart Cecill, knight

hir ma[jes]ties principall secretarye

endorsed

21 July 1598

Lo[rd] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

Text

Thoughe I knowe yow connt it yowr duty, in nature so contynually, to shew yow carefull of my state of helth, Yet war also unnatural, if I showed not tak comfort therby, and to besek almyghty God to bless yow with supply of such blessynges, as I can not in this infirmyte yeld yow.

Only I pray yow diligently and effectually, let hir Ma[jes]ty understand how hir syngular kyndnes doth overcom my power to accept it. Who though she will not be a mother, yet she sheweth hirself by fedyng me with hir own princely hand, as a ^carefull Nurss and if I may be wayned to fede my self, I shall be more redy to serve hir on the erth. if not I hope to be in heaven, a servitor for hir and Gods church and so I thank yow for yowr partriches.

Serve God by servyng of the Quene for all other service is in dede bondage to the Devil.

10 July 1598

Your languishyng father,

W. Burghley

Dorse

addressed in Henry Maynard's hand:

To my vearie Lovinge

Sonne Sir Robert Cecill

knight principall Secretary

to hir Ma[jes]tie

endorsed

1598 x^{mo [Decimo]} July

Lo[rd] Thre[asure]r to my M[aste]r

[In another hand]

My lords last letter that he wrote with his own hande