ARTES
1817
SCIENTIA
VERITAS
LIBRARY
OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
RE PLURIOUS UNUNT
TUEBOR
SI-QUÆRIS-PENINSULAM·AMⱭENAM.
CIRCUMSPICE
MIHIN
ཝཱ ཝཱ ཨཱཛྫན བྷིཀྑཱུ སུབྷཱནཾ པཏྟཏྟཏྟཱ ཙྩ བྷིས

NON
CIRCULATING
DA
391
G65
THE
COURT OF
KING JAMES THE FIRST.
LONDON:
PRINTED BY SAMUEL BENTLEY,
Bangor House, Shoe Lane.

S.P. Harding de
W. Greatcatch sc.
KING JAMES THE FIRST.
From the Original in the possession of
C. Bryant. Edg
London, Published by Richard Bentley, 1839.
THE
COURT OF
KING JAMES THE
THE FIRST
Y
DR. GODFREY GOODMA
=
BISHOP OF GLOUCESTER;
TO WHICH ARE ADDED,
LETTERS ILLUSTRATIVE OF THE PERSONAL HISTORY
OF THE MOST DISTINGUISHED CHARACTERS IN
THE COURT OF THAT MONARCH AND HIS PREDECESSORS.
NOW FIRST PUBLISHED FROM THE ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPTS.
BY JOHN S. BREWER, M.A.
OF QUEEN'S COLLEGE, OXFORD
IN TWO VOLUM
VOL. II.
LONDON
RICHARD BENTLEY, NEW BURLING
Publisher in Ordinary to Her Majesty.
1839.
EET,
CONTENTS
OF
THE SECOND VOLUME.
1587.
The Earl of Essex to Sir Edw. Dyer (Gives an account
of his quarrel with Queen Elizabeth for her favours to Raleigh,
and ill-treatment of the Earl's sister. July 21, 1587)
1596.
Page 1
Anonymous to Sir Thomas Kitson (Account of the action.
against Cadiz. July 23, 1596)
. 5
1601.
Conspiracy of the Earl of Essex ·
Secretary Cecil)
(Extract of a letter from
. 11
Nottingham to Montjoy — (Essex's behaviour after his trial.
31st May)
14
The Lady Riche to the Lord Nottingham-(Clearing herself
of her brother's treasons)
18
(Account of Queen
Thomas Tooke to Mr. John Hubberd
Elizabeth's progress to Basing, and her entertainment at the
house of Lord and Lady Paulet. Sept. 19, 1601).
1601-1603.
20
Lord Montjoy to Queen Elizabeth—(On his setting out for Ire-
land)
The Queen to Lord Montjoy
Lord Montjoy to Queen Elizabeth
Lord Montjoy to Queen Elizabeth
VOL. II.
23
28
ib.
29
b
172964
vi
CONTENTS.
Lord Montjoy to Queen Elizabeth-(Nov. 1, 1601). Page 32
Lord Montjoy to Queen Elizabeth
Lord Montjoy to Queen Elizabeth—(Jan. 1601-2)
Lord Montjoy to Queen Elizabeth
33
34
37
Nottingham and Cecil to Montjoy-(Of the Queen's disposition.
towards the rebels. Oct. 6, 1601)
39
Tyrone to Lord Montjoy-(Professing an absolute submission.
Dec. 22, 1602)
41
The Queen to Lord Montjoy-(In answer to Tyrone's submis-
sion. Feb. 16, 1602)
43
Cecil to Montjoy-(How he is to manage the Queen. Feb.
18, 1602)
The Queen to Lord Montjoy-(Feb. 17, 1602)
45
49
Tyrone to the Right Honourable the Lord Deputy of Ireland
-(March 29, 1603)
53
1603.
[Death of Queen Elizabeth.]
Simon Theloal to the Right Worship.ul Mr. Doctor Dun, Dean
of the Arches, at Bremen in Germany-(March 26, 1603)
55
[History of the bye plot, or, as it is called, Raleigh's plot; and
the execution of the conspirators.]
William Watson to the Lords of the Privy Council-(Giving an
account of the plots of the Jesuit, and how he was betrayed by
them)
59
Robert Hobart to Sir John Hobart-(Execution of Watson and
Clarke. Dec. 5, 1603)
87
Robert Hobart to Sir John Hobart-(Execution of Brooke and
Markham. Dec. 13, 1603)
89
T. Cornwalleys to Sir J. Hobart-(Execution of Brooke and
Markham.-Exorcising at Court)
•
91
Sir Walter Raleigh to his wife-(After he had hurt himself in
the Tower, takes his leave of her, and justifies suicide in his own
case)
. 93
CONTENTS.
vii
1605.
[Anecdotes of Henry IV. of France.]
Sir George Carew to the Earl of Salisbury
1605)
(June 2,
Page 97
Sir George Carew to Lord Carew, his kinsman-(June 30,
1605)
100
Arabella Stuart to Prince Henry-(Oct. 18, 1605). 103, 104
Arabella Stuart to * * * *
[The Gunpowder Plot.]
105
Sir Edward Hobart to Sir Thomas Edmonds, Ambassador at
the Court of Brussels-(Nov. 19, 1605)
106
Lord Montague to the Earl of Dorset-(Defending himself from
the imputation of being concerned in the Gunpowder Plot. Nov.
8, 1605)
118
120
Lord Montague to the Earl of Dorset-(Nov. 12, 1605).
Lord Montague to the Earl of Dorset (Nov. 13, 1605). 122
Mr. Pory to Sir
Countess of Essex.
Jones. Jan. 1606)
1606-1614.
[Miscellaneous News.]
Robert Cotton-(Marriage of the Earl and
Account of a mask by Ben Jonson and Inigo
124
1609-10.
Lady Compton to William Lord Compton, her husband-
(Written upon occasion of his coming into possession of a large
fortune)
127
Mr. John Sandford to Sir Thomas Edmonds-(Amusing de-
scription of Spain. March 6, 1610)
132
136
Mr. Lorkin to Sir Thomas Puckering, Bart.-(Description of
the arrival of the King of Denmark. July 29, 1614)
Mr. Pory to Sir Robert Cotton-(Entertainment of the King of
Denmark)
1615.
138
[Overbury, and the examination of those concerned in his death.]
Sir Thomas Overbury to the Earl of Salisbury-(Sept 11) 143
The Queen to the Earl of Salisbury
145
viii
CONTENTS.
Mr. John Castle to Mr. James Milles, at Southampton-(Exe-
cution of Mrs. Turner.-Trial of Sir J. Elwys-His Execution.-
Franklin's Indictment. Nov. 28, 1615)
Page 145
Sir John Throckmorton to Mr. William Trumbull, Resident
for King James at Brussels-(Execution of Sir J. Elwys.-Indict-
ment of Sir Thomas Monson.-The Countess of Somerset). 153
Sir John Throckmorton to Mr. Trumbull, from Flushing, send-
ing him an extract of a letter from England-(Sir Thomas Mon-
son's arraignment)
156
1614-1619.
[Miscellaneous News.]
The Archbishop of Canterbury to the Bishop of London-(De-
sires him to assist in raising a loan for the King, upon the Parlia-
ment refusing it. June, 1614)
•
157
Archbishop Abbot to Sir George Villiers, afterwards Duke of
Buckingham-(Upon his rise at Court. Dec. 10, 1615) 160
Chief Justice Coke to Viscount Villiers-(Being out of favour
he desires to be present at the Prince's creation. Nov. 4, 1616)
161
Sir L. Cranfield to Viscount Villiers-(The abuses in the King's
revenues. Sept. 3, 1618)
164
Mr. Lorkin to Sir Thomas Puckering, Bart.-(Various news of
the day.—A Frenchman makes an attempt on the King's life.—
Account of a duel between Sir H. Rich and Sir Edward Villiers.-
Stukeley's complaint to King James, and the King's characteristic
reply. Jan. 5, 1618-9)
168
Thomas Wallis to Dr. Ward, at the Synod of Dort―(Stukeley
arraigned for clipping coin.-The burning of Whitehall. Jan. 23,
1618)
•
174
Mr. Lorkin to Sir Thomas Puckering, Bart.-(Feb. 16, 1618-9)
176
The Countess of Buckingham to her Son the Marquis—(Ex-
horting him to study the book which the King had dedicated to
him. Feb. 24, 1618)
183
Richard Trym to Sir Rob. Crane-(Miscellaneous news. Feb.
26, 1618)
185
CONTENTS.
ix
Gerard Herbert to Dr. Ward-(Of the sickness of the Queen.-
Burning of Whitehall.-Stukeley's imprisonment. June 21, 1619)
Page 186
1620.
[Miscellaneous News.]
The Earl of Rutland to the Marquis of Buckingham-(On his
running away with the Earl's daughter)
189
The Marquis to the Earl-(Upon the same subject)
191
Robert Woodward to Secretary Windebank (Miscellaneous
news. June 13, 1620)
193
Doctor, afterwards Bishop, Hall to Dr. Ward, at Dort-(News
of the day. March 30)
194
Lady Lake to the Countess of Exeter-(Nov. 9, 1620) . 196
Mr. Mead to Sir Martin Stuteville-(Conspiracy against the
King's life. Feb. 17, 1620-1)
198
L. Cranfield to the Duke of Buckingham-(State of the revenue.
July 28, 1621) .
202
207
L. Cranfield to the Duke of Buckingham-(State of the revenue.
Oct. 12, 1621)
Prince Charles to the Duke-(Upon the House of Commons
proving refractory. Nov. 3, 1621)
209
L. Cranfield to the Marquis of Buckingham-(Upon the same
subject and the state of the revenue. Dec. 4, 1621)
210
Extract of a letter from Lake, Bishop of Bath and Wells, to Dr.
Ward (Account of Archbishop Spalato's return to Rome.
June 9, 1622)
218
Lord Bacon to King James-(Upon his release from imprison-
His Instauratio Magna and other writings) — March 20,
ment.
1621
—
220
Lord Bacon to Buckingham-(On the same occasion) - March
20, 1621
222
Lord Bacon to Buckingham-(Expresses his anxiety to be taken
into favour and to return to public life)—April 18, 1623
223
Secretary Naunton to the Marquis of Buckingham-(Upon his
disgrace. 1622)
225
Secretary Naunton to King James-(Upon his disgrace. 1622)
Lady Mary Jacob to Buckingham-(April 28, 1621)
227
229
X
CONTENTS.
Sir J. Wentworth to the Duke of Buckingham-(Desires to be
excused from coming forward to justify his accusation of the Earl
of Oxford and others)
Page 231
Gondomar to King James-(Moves the Spanish match. Sept.
19, 1622)
234
Gondomar to Buckingham-(On the same subject. Sept. 10,
1622)
238
Naunton to Buckingham-(Thanking him for interfering in his
behalf. Sept. 4, 1622)
241
Heath to Buckingham-(Upon altering the coinage. August
31, 1622)
244
247
The Marquis of Hamilton to the Marquis of Buckingham
Mr. Mead to Sir M. Stuteville-(Sir E. Porter's accident in his
embassy to the Queen of Bohemia. Anecdote of James I.
Oct. 19, 1622)
[The Spanish match.]
249
F. Cottington to Secretary Calvert-(Readiness of the Spanish
Court to proceed with the match. July 7, 1622)
252
The Prince and the Duke to King James-(Giving account of
their journey)
253
King James to the Prince and the Duke-(Of the trouble he has
had in selecting the Prince's servants who were to follow him, and
some grants made to the Duke)
255
The King to the Prince and the Duke-(Is resolved to bid fare-
well to peace in Christendom, if things mend not. March 11)
The Marchioness of Buckingham to her son
parture into Spain. March 14, 1622)
Copy of his Majesty's letter to the King of Spain
The Prince's answer to the Pope's Nuncio
Balthasar Gerbier to the Duke of Buckingham
257
(After his de-
258
259
260
ib.
Toby Matthews to the Duke of Buckingham — (Of the cabals
raised against the Duke during his absence in Spain. March 29,
1623
267
Toby Matthews to the Duke of Buckingham (Of the same
subject. March 29, 1623)
270
Secretary Conwey to the Duke of Buckingham-(April 2, 1623)
273
1
CONTENTS.
xi
The Marchioness of Buckingham to her son, at the Court of
Spain (April 6, 1623)
Page 276
The Duchess of Buckingham to her Husband-(Desires his re-
turn. Gives an account of her little daughter Moll. July 16)
277
}
The Duchess of Buckingham to her Husband
Secretary Conwey to the Duke of Buckingham-(April 12,
1623)
283
286
Conwey to Buckingham-(The King's kindness to little Mary
Villiers. May 3, 1623)
290
291
295
Conwey to Buckingham-(June 15, 1623)
King James to the Infanta-(Aug. 30, 1623)
Prince Charles and the Duke to King James-(March 21, 1623)
296
Extract of a letter from King James to Prince Charles and the
Duke-(Copied from the original by Archbishop Sancroft. April
7, 1623)
King James to Prince Charles and the Duke-for the Prentis-
(May 11)
The King to the Prince-(May 11)
297
298
ib.
299
King James to Prince Charles and the Duke-(July 31)
Ed. Clarke to the Duke of Buckingham-(Proceedings at Court.
Aug. 1).
300
R. Turpyn to the Duke-(Of the cabals at court during the
Duke's absence. Aug. 1, 1623
302
Toby Matthews to the Duchess of Buckingham-(Letter of com-
fort. Aug. 8, 1623)
303
Secretary Conwey to the Duke of Buckingham-(The King's
affection for the Duke is as strong as ever. Aug. 11, 1623) 306
The Duchess of Buckingham to her Husband-(Aug. 12) 309
James Waddsworth to the Duke of Buckingham-(Reports of
his conduct in Spain. Nov. 11, 1623)
314
1624-1626.
The Earl of Bristol to the Bishop of Lincoln-(Miscellaneous
News. July 8, 1623)
320
Bedell to Ward-(Examination of Cranfield Earl of Middlesex.
April 16, 1624)
325
xii
CONTENTS.
Gerbier to Buckingham-(Giving him an account of his nego-
ciation for different works of art abroad. Nov. 17, 1624) Page 326
Conwey to Buckingham-(Proceedings against Middlesex and
Bristol. June 14, 1624)
346
Villiers Holman to the Cardinal Richelieu (July 21, 1624)
348
356
Gerbier to the Duke of Buckingham-(Dec. 2, 1624)
Duke of Buckingham to King James-(Upon certain sums to
be given for honors at court)
361
Conwey to the Duke of Buckingham-(Arrival and reception of
the French Embassador Villeaux Clercs. Dec. 4, 1624) 363
Sir Walter Aston to the Duke-(Dispute between Olivares and
Gondomar. Dec. 24, 1624)
368
Gerbier to the Duke of Buckingham-(Feb. 8, 1624-1625) 369
Sir R. Heath and Sir T. Coventry to the Duke of Buckingham-
(Proceedings against Lady Purbeck the Duke's sister-in-law, and
Sir Robert Howard. Feb. 24, 1624)
King James to * * *
*
-(1625)
Chevreuse to the Duke of Buckingham
376
379
380
King James to the Duke of Buckingham-(Invitation to hunt
at Harrison's Heath, &c.)
382
Gerbier to the Duke of Buckingham
383
Gerbier to the Duke of Buckingham
388
Earl of Bristol to Sir Kenelm Digby-(Of his dispute with the
Duke of Buckingham. Feb. 6, 1625)
397
The Earl of Bristol to Lord Conwey-(March 4, 1625).
399
Buckingham to Bristol-(March 21, 1625)
402
* * * * to Mr. Mead-(Disastrous event of a duel—and other
accidents of the time. March 4, 1824-5)
404
Andrew Byng to * * * *—(Proceedings against Bristol in the
House of Lords. May 9, 1625)
L
407
THE COURT OF
KING JAMES.
1587.
THE EARL OF ESSEX'S LETTER TO MR. EDW. DIER.*
[Gives an account of his quarrel with Queen Elizabeth for her
favours to Raleigh, and ill-treatment of the Earl's sister.]
MR. DIER,
I HAVE been this morning at Winchester House
to seek you; and I would have given a thousand
pounds to have had one hour's speech with you,
so much I would hearken to your counsel, and so
greatly do I esteem your friendship. Things are
fallen out very strangely against me since my last
being with you. Yesternight the Queen came
to North-hall, where my Lady of Warwick
would needs have my sister to be; which though
I knew not at the first, yet, to prevent the worst,
I made my aunt Leighton signify so much unto
the Queen before her coming from Theobald's,
* Afterwards Sir Edward Dyer: he was employed by the
Queen as her agent in the Low Countries, in 1583.
Elizabeth, c. 46.
VOL. II.
B
Birch's
2
THE COURT OF
that at her coming to North-hall this matter
might not seem strange unto her. She seemed
to be well pleased and well
and promised to use her well.
contented with it,
Yesternight, after
she was come, and knew my sister was in the
house, she commanded my Lady of Warwick
that my sister should keep her chamber: where-
upon, being greatly troubled in myself, I watched
when the Queen had supped, to have some speech
with her; which I had at large, yet still she giv-
ing occasion thereof. Her excuse was, first, she
knew not of my sister's coming, and besides, the
jealousy that the world would conceive that all
her kindness to my sister was done for love of
myself. Such bad excuses gave me a theme large
enough, both for answer of them, and to tell her
what the true causes were why she would offer
this disgrace both to me and to my sister; which
was only to please that knave Raleigh, for whose
sake I saw she would both grieve me and my
love, and disgrace me in the eye of the world.
From thence she came to speak of Raleigh, and it
seemed she could not well endure anything to be
spoken against him; and taking hold of one word,
disdain, she said there was no such cause why I
should disdain him. This speech troubled me
so much, that, as near as I could, I did describe
unto her what he had been, and what he was;
and then I did let her see whether I had cause to
disdain his competition of love, or whether I
KING JAMES.
3
could have comfort to give myself over to the
service of a mistress that was in awe of such a
man. I spoke, what of grief and choler, as much
against him as I could; and I think, he, standing
at the door,* might very well hear the worst that
I spoke of himself. In the end, I saw she was
resolved to defend him and to cross me. From
thence she came to speak bitterly against my
mother; which because I could not endure to see
me and my house disgraced, (the only matter
which both her choler and the practice of my
enemies had to work upon,) I told her, for mine
sister she should not any longer disquiet her; I
would, though it were almost midnight, send her
away that night; and for myself, I had no joy to
be in any place, but loth to be near about her,
when I knew my affection so much thrown down,
and such a wretch as Raleigh highly esteemed of
her. To this she made no answer, but turned her
away to my Lady of Warwick. So at that late
hour I sent my man away with my sister, and
after I came hither myself. This strange alter-
*As captain of the guard.
+ The Countess of Warwick seems to have been a zealous
friend to the Earl. When he fell under the displeasure of the
Queen, which was the occasion of his ruin, she promised him
to take a lodging at Greenwich, that when the Queen went
abroad in good humour, of which the countess would give him
notice, he should have an opportunity of presenting himself, and
obtaining the restoration of the Queen's favour. Birch's Bacon
Papers, ii. 462. Unfortunately, the Earl had not patience.
enough to wait for the opportunity.
B 2
4
THE COURT OF
ation is by Raleigh's means: and the Queen, that
hath tried all other ways, now will see whether
she can by these hard courses drive me to be
friends with Raleigh, which rather shall drive me
to many
other extremities. If you come hither
by twelve of the clock, I would fain speak with
you. My resolution will let me take no longer
time. I will be this night at Marget, and if I
can I will ship myself for Flushing. I will see
Sluse lost or relieved, which cannot be yet, but
is now ready to be done. If I return, I will be
welcomed home; if not,
ter than a disquiet life. This course may seem
strange, but the extreme unkind dealing with me
drives me to it. My friends will make the best
of it, mine enemies cannot say it is unhonest;
the danger is mine, and I am content to abide the
worst. Whatsoever becomes of me, God grant
her to be ever most happy; and so in haste I
commit you to God.
una bella morte is bet-
Your's assured,
This 21st of July [1587].*
R. ESSEX.
If you show my letter to any body, let it be
to my mother, and Mr. Secretarie.+
* The date of this letter is inferred from the mention of the
siege of Sluys, which we learn from Camden was in this year
beleaguered by the Prince of Parma. Essex did really execute
his purpose of stealing from court; but the Queen sent Sir Ro-
bert Cary after him, to persuade him by all possible means to
return. Cary's Mem. p. 8.
+ Tan. MSS. part in lxxvi. 46; part in lxxvii. 384. Corrected
by Abp. Sancroft.
KING JAMES.
5
10
SIR,
1596.
ANONYMOUS TO SIR THOMAS KITSON.
[Account of the Action against Cadiz.*]
ALBEIT I am well assured that you cannot
want many good advertisements of this late news,
whereof sundry have prevented the ordinary pace
of this common courier; yet because such con-
firmation of this most prosperous and triumphant
success is not yet come, and is to be wished, and
is hourly looked for, I will be bold to impart what
I have heard, how late soever the same do come
unto you.
The news that are now here thus
common, were first brought into Britain by a bark
of Ruoco, and thence advertised hither. Second-
ly, by a small pinnace, a man of war, who had
been on the coast of Spain and taken a small
prize, and brought it into Porchmouth. Thirdly,
by an Englishman, who had been prisoner in
Spain, and escaped away in a ship of Denmark;
* In 1596, Queen Elizabeth, hearing that the King of Spain
was preparing to invade this country, resolved to prevent him.
For which purpose she despatched a fleet of one hundred and
fifty sail, with two-and-twenty Dutch ships, and seven thousand
soldiers, under the command of Lord Howard, and the cele-
brated Essex, against Cadiz, which they captured on the 21st
of June, burning the Spanish fleet which lay there. The par-
ticulars of this action are narrated in Birch's Bacon Papers, i.
465. This action at Cadiz is referred to in several parts of his
Memoirs by Bishop Goodman. See also Camden's Elizabeth,
p. 516, and Tytler's Life of Raleigh, p. 166.
+ C. Roca?
6
THE COURT OF
who, being landed in the West Country, is come
hither to London, and this day by chance I spake
with this man upon the Change. But, fourthly
and lastly, which carrieth yet most credit, this
news is brought by certain Flemish merchants,
who are very lately come from St. Lucars, and
making some stay in the West Country; Sir
Francis Godolphin have taken their examinations,
and Sir Henry Palliners, and sent them to the
Court, whereof many copies are every where pub-
lished. That which giveth greatest hope and bear-
eth likelihood of truth is this, that all these four
several advertisements happening (as we heard it)
in three several days, do all in substance concur,
which is of the overthrow of ninety sail of Spain;
whereof forty freighted with Spanish commodi-
ties and bound for the West Indies, twenty-two
or twenty-four great ships of war loaden with
victual and ordnance only, and three great ships
loaden with biscuit, to be carried to Lysborne
and the Spanish fleet in other places. Two of
these, viz. the Admiral and Vice-admiral, being
called St. Philip and St. Paul, burned themselves
in the harbour at Cades; the Philip was said to be
of fifteen hundred tons. The rest were almost all
gallies, which were all sunk and taken, saving
two or three. It is reported that the gallies main-
tained fight long, and took fresh men from the
shore instead of them that were slain three several
times, and the latter time they were quite over-
KING JAMES.
7
thrown. These things were done the 20th and
the 21st of June. On the 20th, Cades was entered,
as it is said, by the Dutch first, who in their fury
spared neither age nor sex, but put all to the
sword: there was found in the Philip, after the
fire was quenched, forty-two great pieces of ord-
nance. The Duke of Medina Sydonia, who was
general of their fleet in anno 1588, came to the
rescue of Cades from St. Lucars, with four hundred
horse and three thousand foot, but was discomfited,
and two great commanders of his slain; himself
escaped. This duke is holden in Spain to be a
man of incomparable wisdom and wonderful
valour, as Seignor Anthony de Peres,* the Span-
iard that was here, reported; but against the Eng-
lish he hath had but mean fortune. There were
twenty-eight [eighteen?] ships coming from Se-
vile, which upon the alarm at Cades retired up the
river, being (as they say) pursued by some of our
smallest ships, and such gallies as they took it is
holden that St. Mary Port and St. Lucars also are
both burnt. I pray God send us once some cer-
tainty from my Lord of Essex himself, for it is
a full month since these things were done, and
yet no word is come from the fleet. The reason
hereof is verily supposed to be this, that my
lord will not send till he have been at Civile,
which our wisest courtiers do verily think, and I
:
* A great friend to the Earl of Essex. He is frequently men-
tioned in the Bacon Papers.
8
THE COURT OF
*
hear them confirm their conjectures with oaths,
that they will undoubtedly take Civile also. The
news of taking Cades and overthrowing the Span-
ish fleet, was on Tuesday last confirmed by letters
from the French King to the Queen's Majesty,
who hath received the very latest advertisement
that we have here; but none that was present
hath yet made report thereof, either in England
or France. I have sent you here enclosed the
copy of a letter which was sent from my Lord of
Essex to the Council here, a little before his go-
ing from Plymouth. I beseech you keep it very
private, and return it safe enclosed in a sheet of
paper when your worship may conveniently. It
may be you have seen it before; but I am sure
there are very few copies thereof, and I came by
this by great chance. I have sent your worship
some collections touching the present state of
Ireland, which were lately sent over to the Coun-
cil here. For all the good service of the Dutch
in Hulst, the town is now in distress and in great
danger to be lost, the siege is now so strong. I
hear that there shall presently go from hence to
the relief thereof, for that it is a town of very
*This letter of the Earl of Essex is found in the volume,
next to this letter here printed, and contains a postscript which
is not generally printed with the letter.
"I beseech your Lordship's pardon my using of another hand
for this transcript, for I have been forced to go from ship to ship
to make our loiterers go out of harbour; and have made my
head unable to write so long a letter."
It is generally printed among Lord Bacon's Letters.
1
KING JAMES.
9
great importance. The Council here are much
busied about this [supply], and the matters of
Ireland; Sir Richard Bingham is drawn into
some question there by means of General Norris,
who is not his friend, and accused of great mat-
ters, and removed from his charge in Connaught;
but it is thought he will both acquit himself ho-
nestly and recover his place very shortly.
The Borderers in Scotland have lately made a
road into our borders and carried away one Cap-
tain Musgrave, a gentleman of good living and
worthy, notwithstanding all the pursuit that has
been made to recover him. There were yester-
day two of the Greames before the Council
here, who were accused as accessory to the con-
veying away of a prisoner out of Carlisle Castle,
whereof you have heard, which the Lord Buck-
clugle of Scotland took; but they have cleared
themselves. The Earl of Northumberland is come
to the Court, and hath made his excuse for going
into France; so as the burden will now lie upon
my lord for the performance of that service, for
so it is agreed both by the Queen and Council.
The greatest part of this negotiation will be, to
take the King's oath to certain articles already
agreed upon betwixt her Majesty and him; and
the Duke of Bullein* cometh hither to take the
* Added in the margin, "The Duke of Bullein is looked for
here about a month hence.”
The Duke de Bouillon and M. de Harley Sancy were sent
over into England by Henry IV. of France, to negotiate with
10
THE COURT OF
Queen's oath. On Tuesday last, 20 July, old Sir
Francis Knowles, Treasurer of the Household,
departed this life. On Wednesday the 21st, Mr.
Bashe of Essex, the son and heir of Gascoinges
Bashe, that married Mr. Carys's daughter, of the
Privy Chamber, was drowned, shooting London
Bridge at low water. Yesterday, being Thurs-
day, betwixt eleven and twelve of the o'clock at
night, my Lord Chamberlain* departed this life;
a nobleman to whom my poor self was more par-
ticularly bounden for many honourable good
usages than to any in court.
My lord and lady are not yet returned, but
to-morrow I do undoubtedly look for their coming.
Thus, having patched up a rude tedious letter,
after mine accustomed manner, I humbly take
my leave, beseeching you to present my most
humble duty and service to that worthy knight
Sir Thomas Cornewaleys, of whom I do of my
faith assure you [I] continually here in London hear
more honourable commendation for many notable
things in this time than of any of his coat in Eng-
land; so as I heartily pray the Almighty that
the Queen. The principal articles of this treaty consisted in
stipulations for mutual assistance in event of either kingdom
being invaded. It was also agreed, that neither of the two
crowns should make peace without the consent of the other.
The Queen swore to this treaty at Greenwich, on the 29th of
August. A very amusing account of the ceremony is still pre-
served in the Tanner MSS. in the Bodleian.
Henry Brook, Lord Cobham.
KING JAMES.
11
he will prolong his days upon earth, to the com-
fort of all those that are dear unto him in parti-
cular, and for the relief of the poor commons
about him in general. Mine humble duty to my
singular good lady I desire your worship may be
remembered.
This Friday, 23rd of July 1596.
Your worship's in all duty to command,
To the Right Worshipful Sir Thomas Kitson, Knt.
at Hengrave.+
****
1601.
CONSPIRACY OF THE EARL OF ESSEX. ‡
IN Winwood's papers the reader will find the
celebrated letter of Cecil to Winwood, 7th March
+ Tan. Orig. Hol. cxlvi. 77.
↑ The conduct of the Earl of Essex at his death was marked
with the same inconsistency which characterized most of his ac-
tions during his life. His accusation of his sister, who had
been a most earnest suitor for his life and liberty whilst he was
under the Queen's displeasure, is of a piece with his betrayal,
on their accusation, of his accomplices. The apologists of the
Earl are at a loss to account for his conduct on this occasion;
and difficult indeed would be the task, if we are to form our
estimate of his character from their descriptions.
In his confession he charged several of the conspirators with
designs of destroying their country; specifying Sir Christopher
Blount, and his own secretaries, Cuffe and Temple. After his
condemnation he desired to speak with the former, and told him
that he had been one of the chiefest instigators to these disloyal
§ Vol. i. p. 299.
12
THE COURT OF
1600, giving an account of the trial and conduct
of the Earl of Essex. Probably a circular letter
of a similar nature was sent round to all our em-
bassadors, to make use of as a kind of official do-
cument; since I find another letter of Cecil's to
Sir George Carew, President of Munster, almost
verbally the same, except at the beginning and
the ending, and differing in such expressions as
were of necessity to be changed in a letter written
at a later date, as this is.
*
The latter part of this letter is here presented
to the reader.
"It remaineth now that I let you know what
is like to become of the poor young Earl of South-
ampton, who merely for the love of the Earl hath
been drawn into this action; who, in respect that
most of the conspiracies were at Drury-house,
where he was always chief, and where Sir Charles
Davers lay, those that would deal for him (of
courses. To this charge Cuffe made no other reply than by
complaining of his lordship's inconstancy, and betrayal of those
who had devoted themselves to his service. The Earl then pro-
ceeded to say, that several persons had been privy to his designs,
especially Lord Montjoy and Sir Henry Neville; the latter of
whom (who on his return from France was imprisoned on this
very account) complained that the Earl, in his confession, had
acted towards him both unequally and uncharitably. Birch's
Bacon Papers, ii. 479. These facts from independent and im-
partial sources add weight to the testimony of Nottingham,
which otherwise should be received with caution, since it is not
improbable that he and Essex were not on favourable terms.
See Camd. 535.
* Tan. lxxvi. 74. In Saucroft's hand, and copied, in all pro-
bability, by him from the original.
KING JAMES.
13
which number I protest to God I am one as far
as I dare) are much disadvantaged of arguments
to save him. And yet, when I consider how
penitent he is, and how merciful the Queen is,
and that never in thought or deed, but in this
conspiracy, he offended; as I cannot write in de-
spair, so I dare not flatter myself with hope.
"For the rest of the noblemen that are in the
Tower, as Rutland, Sands, Cromwell, Monteagle,
excepting Sands and Cromwell, I presume the
other two shall have mercy; but Sands and Crom-
well are appointed to be tried to-morrow by the
peers at Westminster-Hall. For Sir Charles Da-
vers, nothing hath more alienated the hearts of
men to deal for him than this, that above all
others, till he saw all their own hands, he was
most obstinate in impudent denials.* Sir Henry
* He persisted in his denials till he had seen the confession
of the other conspirators under their own hands. Upon this he
made a full and complete acknowledgment of the plot. This
confession has been printed by Birch in the Bacon Papers, ii.
470, and is of the utmost importance for the secret history of
the proceedings of the Earl and his friends. If the paper was
ever perused by the Queen, no wonder that Montjoy felt the
uneasiness which he shows in his letters and less wonderful
is it that the Queen was implacable towards Essex, whom she
would thus see employed in intriguing for the succession of
James, or attempting to raise a party in Wales, to satisfy his
own private ambition; this latter course Montjoy prudently
declined.
:
From the same paper it appears that Davers had been obliged
to Cecil; for he says, "I owed a respect to Mr. Secretary,
unto whom I was much beholden; and therefore would not be
engaged in anything against his person."
14
THE COURT OF
Nevil, that was embassador in France, is likewise
in displeasure, for having been acquainted with
all the circumstances of this plot by Cuff and
Davers, and not revealed it; which in a gentle-
man of his wisdom hath been no small crime,
nor to me no small grief, having married mine
own cousin-german. Three or four days since,
here arrived the Earl of Marr with the Lord of
Kinloss, embassadors from the King of Scotland:
their errands are generally holden to be to deal
plainly and sincerely with the Queen about the
foreign employments wherewith the King hath
been scandalized abroad; likewise about Sir Wm.
Evers and other prisoners here. He hath not yet
had audience, because his carriages are not yet
arrived.*
"Your affectionate friend to command,
"RO. CECYLL."
NOTTINGHAM TO MONTJOY.
[Essex's behaviour after his trial.]
MY VERY GOOD LORD,
I HAVE received your letter of the 16th of May,
and must acknowledge myself much beholden
unto you, that it pleaseth you to protest the trust
which you repose in me; which I will never fail
you of
Sir Olyver St. Jon hath showed me the journal
* A different cause is supposed in Cecil s letter to Winwood.
Winw. i. 302.
KING JAMES.
15
of the sundry services that hath been done upon
the rebels* since your lordship's government. And
by that I see how you have not only taken from
them their goods and chattels, but also cut off
their lives and burnt their towns; and so ruinated
a number of them, as, if the feathers of the arch-
traitor be so plucked, and his members so dis-
jointed but a little more, he will not be able to
show his face but in the bushes, where he can but
creep. So as your lordship may think yourself
a most happy man to bring that poor ruinated
country into frame again, great service to her
Majesty, and infinite pleasure to yourself.
And whereas your lordship doth write to me
that I should be a means unto her Majesty that
yourself might be the reporter to her of the state
of that realm, it is a question with me and maketh
a great doubt, bearing the place I do, whether in
my duty to her, considering how all things doth
prosper under you, to press to her your now com-
ing thence; the other in my love to you, which
I protest in respect of yourself, and the desire
you have, I should be most glad to see you here
with us your companions at the feast, and yet
ever with that respect to the service of the state
there, that by your absence too long that might
not be neglected. But all this power lyeth in
her Majesty, whose pleasure in it your lordship
may understand. And now, but by passage, I
think her Majesty could be most glad to see and
* He means in Ireland.
16
THE COURT OF
look upon your black eyes here, so she were
sure you would not look with too much respect
of other black eyes. But for that, if the Admiral
were but thirty years old, I think he would not
differ in opinions from the Lord Montioy.
I am sure your lordship hath had the relation
at large of the late Earl of Essex' proceedings,
who forgot God, his loyalty to his sovereign,
above all measure of a reasonable man. Yet he
died like a Christian, and God hath his soul. Yet
will I acquaint your lordship with some particu-
lars. The day after his arraignment he humbly
desired that her Majesty would send some of her
council to him, and that I might be one of them.
So the next day, being Friday, Mr. Secretary*
and myself was sent unto him. And thus he did
begin with us:-I do humbly thank her Majesty
that it hath pleased her to send you two unto me,
and you are both most heartily welcome; and
above all things I am most bound unto her Ma-
jesty that it pleased her to let me have this little
man, Mr. Ashton, my minister with me for my
soul. For, said he, this man in a few hours hath
made me know my sins unto her Majesty, and
to my God. And [I] must confess to you, that
I am the greatest, the most vilest, and most un-
thankfullest traitor that ever was born in this
kind. And therefore, if it shall please you, I will
deliver now the truth, though yesterday at the
bar, like a most sinful wretch, with countenance
* Cecil.
KING JAMES.
17
and words I maintained all falsehood. Then he
began to lay open the practice for the suppressing
of her Majesty and the court; who were at the
counsels at Drewry House, the Earl of Southamp-
ton's lodging; that these were they appointed by
the Earl to consider how it should be put in exe-
cution, the Earl of Southampton, Sir Charles
Danvers, Sir Fa. Gorg, Sir Jo. Davis, Sir
Nevill and Coffe; Sir Christopher Blunt he ever
kept with him; he spared none of these to let us
know how continually they laboured him about it.
And now, said he, I must accuse one who is most
nearest to me, my sister, who did continually
urge me on with telling me how all my friends
and followers thought me a coward, and that I
had lost all my valour; and then thus, that she
must be looked to, for she had a proud spirit;
and spared not to say something of her affection to
you. Would your lordship have thought this
weakness and this unnaturalness in this man? This
moved her Majesty to think fit that she should
be committed, and appointed me to that pleasing
office. I did obey her as it became me, and sent
her to Mr. He. Lakford's house, where she re-
mained till she was examined by myself and her
secretary. She used herself with that modesty
and wisdom, as, the report being made unto her
Majesty, she was presently set at liberty, and sent
unto my lord her husband's.
I cannot forbear, after all this unpleasant dis-
VOL. II.
C
18
THE COURT OF
course, but a little to make you afraid with sending
you this enclosed, when you consider what a youth
I am. Yet this you shall be assured, that I am
faithful to my friend; and my Lord Montjoy
shall so ever find me
Most readiest to be commanded by him,
NOTTINGHAM,
There hath been executed the Earl of Essex,
Sir Charles Danvers, Sir Crystofer Blunt, Sir
Gilly Meryke, and Cofe; and I trust they shall
be all. For the Earl of Southampton, though
he be condemned, yet I hope well for his life;
for Mr. Secretary and myself use all our wits and
power for it. I hope no more of the noblemen
shall be attainted. Good my lord, when you have
read this letter, consume it; for so will I with yours.
This last of May.*
*
To the Right Hon. and my very good Lord, the
Lord Montjoy, Lord Deputy of Ireland; with a
letter from the Lady Penelope Rich.
A LETTER OF THE LADY RICHE TO THE LORD
+ CLEARING HERSELF OF HER BROTHER'S
TREASONS.
WORTHY LORD,
I MUST humbly intreat you to pardon my im-
portuning you with these lines, since the obliga-
Orig. Hol. Tan. lxxvi. 38.
+ The blank should be filled with the name of Nottingham,
as appears by the last letter. This lady loved Montjoy, with
whom she afterwards lived, and by whom she had several children.
KING JAMES.
19
tions your favours have laid upon me are so great
as they even burthen my soul with thankfullness;
and desire to let your lordship know, that as my
mind hath been long since dedicated to honour
you, so hath your late kindnesses vouchsafed me
so much comfort, as the bond is more infinite than
I can any way discharge, but only with the true
and inviolable love of an obedient friend, which
I will rather die than fail of, so long as I have
breath. For my deserts towards him that is
gone,
it is known that I have been more like a slave
than a sister; which proceeded out of my exceed-
ing love, rather than his authority. What I have
lost or suffered, besides her Majesty's displeasure,*
I will not mention: yet so strangely have I been
wronged, as may well be an argument to make
one despise the world, finding the smoak of envy
where affection should be clearest. But God par-
don such humors, and deal with me as I was free
from the love or knowledge of these unruly coun-
sells. And, lastly, I beseech your lordship to
hold me in your precious favour, since you are
the person that, above all others, I have reason
to honour and respect, both in regard of your
own vertues and your noble kindnesses towards
me, who can present you with no merit but my
vowes to be endlessly your lordship's most faith-
full to do you service.
PENELOPE RICHE.†
* See Birch's Bacon Papers, ii. p. 441.
+ Tan. cxiv. 174. Orig. Hol.
C 2
20
THE COURT OF
Your lordship's noble disposition forceth me
to deliver my grief unto you, hearing a report
that some of these malicious tongues have sought
to wrong a worthy friend of yours.* I know the
most of them did hate him for his zealous follow-
ing the service of her Majesty, and beseech you
to pardon my presuming thus much, though I
hope his enemies can have no power to harm
him.
1601.
TO MY VERY ASSURED GOOD FRIEND, MR. JOHN
HUBBERD.
[Account of Queen Elizabeth's progress to Basing, and her en-
tertainment at the house of Lord and Lady Paulet.]
SIR,
Ir
It is your pleasure I should acquaint you with
the estate of our house, and how matters are car-
ried with us at Basinge; demands sorting neither
with my coat, nor fitting with my occupation to
answer. If to be satisfied in our domestic affairs
had been your only desire, I would, knowing
your sound affection to the honor and owners
thereof, have borrowed so much of good manners
to have been a blab in our household business.
But to deal with the court of a prince, or deliver
ought of the occurrences thereof, Basing being
now the royal seat of our Queen, is much unbe-
seeming the clerk of a kitchen; yet, under bene-
* Montjoy.
KING JAMES.
21
dicite, I will make a brief confession of both.
Her Majesty, with Scarborough warning, divert-
ing her course intended to my Lord of Hertford's,
directly to Basinge, on Saturday night, this 5th
of September, thereinto entered, where all things
for so great entertainment but elbow room and
good will were wanting; which considered, my
lady's counsel stood firm for her remove to Hack-
wood, and thereof had fully resolved. But Sir
William Cornwallis, to whom the entertainment
of a prince hath been but a pastime, with his
violent persuasions prevailed for her continuance
at Basing; undertaking himself to manage the ac-
tion, which he performed with more honor and
less charge than was expected; yet with more
charge than the constitution of Basing may well
bear. On Saturday the 12th, Mons. de Biron,
accompanied with divers lords and gentlemen,
French, repaired from The Vine, where they were
nobly lodged, unto Basing; from whence, after a
small time of audience given, they departed. On
Sunday, Countie Aberque* (?), and divers nobles
of France, by means of the council, dined with
my lord and lady+ that night for mere good
will and love of the fair ladies. They invited
themselves to supper, where there was that
night great revellings; and so likewise on Monday
night, and Tuesday's dinner, when we were of
them delivered. Many were the importunities
* Or Merque.
† Lord and Lady Paulett.
22
THE COURT OF
4
and devices for my lady to entertain them all
with a dinner on Monday, but her good fortune
and the favor of her friends found means to avoid
it; so that the same day after her Majesty, with
the said French lords, had spent the forenoon in
the slaughter of some 20 deer in the great park,
feasted them at her own charge in my lord's great
chamber, erst the wardrobe in the Armory Court,
but by Sir William transformed to a fair pre-
sence; on Friday, 18, her Majesty, upon the
instant of her departure, with abundance of grace,
in Basinghall, made 11 knights; namely, Mr. Ed.
Cicill first, Mr. Hamden Paulett, Mr. Tickh-
borne, Mr. Palmer, Mr. Carey Rawley, Mr. Lud-
lowe, Mr. Yooton, Mr. Kingsmell, Mr. Hunger-
ford, Mr. Beynton, Mr. Stoner. And the Sunday,
dining with Mr. Whit at Southwarmborrow, to
make up a full dozen, her Majesty strengthened,
or rather overlaid (if a prince's favor may be
a burthen) his weak shoulders with the same
order, and swore his wife one of her women.
This for the court, of whom we are now cleared.
Now for our house, the state whereof being subject
to a continual motion, being carried about with
so many motives, seems at this time to bring on
us a new alteration. Mr. Steward, as far as I
can gather, excepts with great dislikes against
many proceedings; being already in a manner
deprived of all power, and overpowered by others:
and I doubt of his continuance, such is his
KING JAMES.
23
discontentment. If fair leisure would permit,
your person, no doubt, would do good; for if
this disease be not now cured, or at the best
stirred, it will prove ever hereafter incurable.
Other news here is none, but the woeful and
most pitiful burning of Basingstoke, on Wednes-
day, the 16 of this instant, where is consumed
with fire 14 fine houses, besides barns and sta-
bles. Thus, with my duty, &c. Yours truly,
THOMAS TOoke.*
Basing, the 19 of Sept. 1601.
1601-1603.
LORD MONTJOY TO QUEEN ELIZABETH,
ON HIS SETTING OUT FOR IRELAND.†
SACRED MAJESTY,
If in this employment I should only expose my
life and what sustains it to assured hazard, I
* Orig. Hol. Tan. lxxvi. p. 224.
historians in a
They are in-
yet known of
+ The following letters relate to a period in the reign of
Queen Elizabeth, generally passed over by our
very summary, not to say, careless manner.
teresting, also, as being the only autographs as
one who was as distinguished by the grace and beauty of his
person, as by the qualities of his mind,—the gallant Charles
Blunt, Earl of Montjoy.
This lord had the ability and happiness to terminate the
Irish war, which broke the heart of Norris, was the ruin of
Essex, and caused greater uneasiness to Queen Elizabeth than
any other occurrence during her reign. The concurrent state-
ment of Naunton and Camden, that the rebellion of Tyrone
sunk deep into the heart of Elizabeth, and produced that set-
24
THE COURT OF
should take no other counsel but your will, and
think them vile respects in comparison of the
precious opportunity to serve you. But, the first
face of this journey threatening unto me the certain
loss of your favour, pardon me if I look fearfully
thereon. It is natural unto reasonable instru-
ments, before they work, to know and to look
upon the end, and with discretion to think and
find out the means unto it; which if they cannot,
both nature and wisdom do shun impossibilities.
If I will conclude to myself herein, by example,
I shall behold all that have gone before me, with-
out exception, for many ages to have been thun-
derstricken with the indignation of the prince,
tled melancholy which hastened her death, has hardly met
with sufficient attention. Tyrone was pardoned, but with a
very ill grace, as will be seen by the following correspondence.
Had Elizabeth indeed lived longer, she would probably have
found the means of inflicting upon him the full force of her
severest resentment.
The following remarks of Naunton, in the Preface to his Frag-
menta Regalia, are so much in accordance with the spirit of
these letters, that I think fit to submit them to the reader:
"This also," he observes, "I present as a known observation,
that she was (though very capable of council) absolute enough
in her own resolutions, which was ever apparent even to her last,
in that her aversation to grant Tyrone the least drop of her mercy,
though earnestly and frequently advised; yea, wrought only by the
whole council of state, with very many pressing reasons, and, as
the state of her kingdom then stood (I may speak it with assur-
ance), necessitated arguments.
The Irish action we may
call a malady and a consumption of her times, for it accom-
panied her to her end, and it was of so profuse and vast an ex-
pense, that it drew near a distemperature of state and of passion in
****
KING JAMES.
25
which doth not only wound deadly, but leaves
where it strikes the black marks of infamy; the
which not to fear is not valour, but im-
piety. If by reason (since your end is to reduce
your kingdom to a peaceable obedience) I must
consider whether in respect of their state and
affections, or of the power and countenance that
you will give to your action, or, lastly, of the in-
terpretation I am likely to receive of my pro-
ceedings, I may hope for any better than this
worst that hath happened to my forerunners.
The hearts of your unnatural subjects there, which
have already declared themselves above their lives,
herself; for, toward her last, she grew somewhat hard to please,
her arms being accustomed to prosperity, and the Irish perse-
cution. not answering her expectation and wonted success for a
good while; it was an unthrifty and inauspicious war, which
did much disturb and mislead her judgment; and the more, for
that it was a precedent which was taken out of her own pattern;
for as the Queen (by way of diversion) had, at the coming to
the crown, supported the revolted states of Holland, so did the
King of Spain turn the trick on herself, towards her going out,
by cherishing the Irish rebellion."
According to the same authority, the yearly establishment of
horse and foot was about 20,000. The charge of the war
alone cost £300,000 per annum, which was not the moiety
of her other disbursements.
All these letters of Lord Montjoy are in his own hand. It is
stated in Morison's Itinerary, that, when the Earl of Essex fell
into trouble, the Lord Montjoy, for fear of having his papers
seized, took them out of his secretary's hands, and wrote the
draughts of all his letters with his own hand.
He frequently requests to be recalled; the sincerity of this
request may, however, reasonably be doubted.
26
THE COURT OF
affect, by shaking off your royal and equal govern-
ment, to enjoy their old licentious liberty; and
by reason of the multitude and quality of their
offences despair of your mercies: they were never
in greater hope to effect the one, becoming proud
by success and strong in power, nor more despe-
rate of the other, by reason of the diffidence they
have in the disability of your instruments safely to
derive your mercy unto them. The same desire
of this kind of liberty hath infected even those
indigenæ in whom you build to have most in-
terest. The greatest of whom, and of greatest
appearance to be yours, the Earl of Ormond, is
suspected to have strict intelligence with the
enemy, for the present preservation of his coun-
try and for his future interest; and is known
ambitiously to desire the place you employ me
in. The rest, when they despair to be defended,
will suddenly fall, as now they do cleave to the
enemy. Wherefore what assistance, nay, what
opposition, I may look from them, I humbly
submit to your Majesty's judgment. For your
power, the reputation and effect whereof is the
only mean to govern them that have now no other
bonds but their own fear and your constraint :
when I shall succeed our head,* greatest in your
favor, and greater by his place and offices, (the
arguments thereof,) and of greatest reputation
among your subjects and realms for his service
to you, enabled with a strong army and large
* Probably Essex.
KING JAMES.
27
commission; with only means to govern them
by laws that have their swords already drawn,
or to negociate a peace with less power over
their lives, or less authority to derive unto them
your mercy with assurance, what shall I hope
for, but that which could not be effected by far
greater means will not be by far less? And,
lastly, for the interpretation of my proceedings,
which may turn both good and ill success to
my ruin; what shall I look for when I know
this employment of me is by a private man that
never knew what it was to divide public and
honorable ends from his own, propounded and
labored to you (without any respect to your
public service,) the more eagerly, by my ruins
to rise to his long expected fortune. Wherein,
by reason of the experience I have heard your
Majesty holds him to have in that country, he is
like to become my judge, and is already so
proud of this plot that he cannot keep himself
from bragging of it. But since I dare not pre-
sume to trouble you with all my reasons, these
being but only lights of them, I humbly desire
your Majesty, before you resolve herein, that
as it only belongs unto you to be the supreme,
you will make yourself only my judge herein,
and let whomsoever you will appoint be my
actors, for with you I may not, with you I
cannot contest, and had rather prove a dumb,
though never so unfortunate a creature.*
Orig. Hol. Tan. lxxvi. 18.
28
THE COURT OF
慕
​THE QUEEN TO LORD MONTJOY.
O WHAT malincoly humour hath exhaled up
to your brayne, from a full-fraughted hart, that
should breede such doubte bred upon no cause
geven by vs at all, never having pronounced
any syllable whereon such a work should be
framed. There is no louder tromp that may
sound out your praise, your hazard, your care,
your luck, then we haue blasted in all our
court and elsewhere in deed. Well, I will at-
tribute it to God's good Providence for you,
that (leste all these glories might elevate you
to much) he hath suffred (though not made)
such a scruple, to keepe you vnder his rod,
who best knowes that wee all have more neede
of bittes then spurres. Thus, valeant ista amara! ad
Tartaros eat melancholia!
Your Souueraine,
E. R.
Endorsed "A copy of her Majesty's lettre, lest you can not reade
it." Then, in Lord Montjoy's own hand, "Receaved at Ac-
off January, in a packet from Mr. Secre-
braken (?) the
tary" [Cecil].*
LORD MONTJOY TO QUEEN ELIZABETH.
SACRED MAJESTY,
Ir darkness be the mother of fearful appre-
hensions, excuse me that so long have wanted
those beams of yours, that only give light and
* Tan. lxxvi. 17. The words in italics are cautious Mr. Se-
cretary's.
KING JAMES.
29
lightness to my heart, which cannot but be
troubled in so tempestuous a sea, having lost
the sight of my only star.
But since, by your
divine letters I feel the influence, though I see
not the heavenly substance, my mind shall sing
in the midst of all dangers: for I cannot be so
weary, but your voice will make me go cheer-
fully forwards; nor so sick, but I shall be sound
if you bid me be whole. Yet shall I never bid
farewell to all bitterness till I kiss your sweet
hands, who have only power to lift up or depress
my mind, which I have fixed against all other
fortunes and armed against all other powers.
And, most dear Sovereign, I cannot acknow-
ledge in myself any such swelling thoughts as
were fit for Providence to correct; but rather
think that fortune will take this little from
your otherwise accomplished happiness, that you
shall esteem him least that loveth you most,
and want the fruits of a matchless faith by not
esteeming me, as I am, and ever will be, your
[MONTJOY].*
truest servant.
of
Endorsed in the same hand-" From Trim, the
January, in a packet sent to Mr. Treasurer for Mr. Secretary."
S. M.
LORD MONTJOY TO QUEEN ELIZABETH.
OUR end is faithfully to serve and please you
by working the safety and honur of your coun-
* Orig. Hol. Tan. lxxvi. 42.
30
THE COURT OF
try; our means, by the most reasonable counsels
and uttermost endeavors to labor the advance-
ment of your royal estate and the empairing of
your enemies' abilities. The success is without
us, and only in the power of God: yet to those
that judge by success, and look thorough passion,
all counsels are measured by their events, and
their actors valued with the gain or loss thereof;
which maketh us, your humble vassals, happy
to serve so understanding a prince, that vouch-
safeth so graciously to accept our faithful desires
and travails, though hitherto void of all effect;
and doth encourage us to advise hereafter with
all consideration, and to execute without all fear,
since you ask no other account of us but that
which is in our powers to give you of our cir-
cumspection, adventure, faith, and diligence.
Hitherto your army, as it hath been commanded
by a worthy head, so the whole body, of how
contrary complexion soever the parts be com-
posed, hath conspired with great unity to
strengthen itself, the better to serve you, where-
in, as yet, there hath been no distemper, neither
now any appearance of disease to grow; only
the weak and corrupt parts thereof, that had no
other ends but their private gain, cut off by
their own feeble resolutions. And since all our
crosses, being of so much terror and so little
harm, seem to be rather the warnings of a lov-
ing father than the punishments of a determined
KING JAMES.
31
enemy, we have great reason to hope that God
hath done it to purge us of them, and to reserve
us to do you the greater service. Your chief
and avowed end, which is to affront the army
of Spain, and thereby to secure for this time
your own dominions, I doubt not but by God's
power shall be done, and your happiness we
shall accomplish; whereby the honor, if not the
charge, of your preparations will be saved. What-
soever else you have commanded, I am confi-
dent that your constant felicity, and our infinite
desires to serve you, will make certain and easy,
how uncertain or difficult soever they be. For
myself, your humble and truest vassal, as there
is no proportion between infinite and finite, so
do I esteem even the least of your favors to be
infinitely above my deservings, and as much
above the most I can receive from any ease;
and there shall be no rest in my heart till I
have obtained this end, which I have pro-
pounded to myself as my chiefest good in this
world, to deserve better of you, both by my
faith and effects thereof, than any other; and
that your royal Majesty may think, as in my
own heart I think, myself to be
Your Majesty's truest servant,
[MONTJOY].†
* The Spaniards landed in Ireland, Sept. 23, 1601.
+ Orig. Hol. Tan. lxxvi. 261.
32
THE COURT OF
LORD MONTJOY TO QUEEN ELIZABETH.
Sacred and MOST DEAR SOVEREIGN,
My desire is to present unto you the thankful-
ness and affections of my heart with the continual
relation of some service performed for you; but,
when I have performed anything, it seemeth to
me too little to be remembered, when I think of
my obligation to your infinite worthiness and pre-
cious favor unto me. But though in the infancy
of our work we speak like children of small things,
yet I hope every day will make our style more
strong, until we shall plainly pronounce unto you
the confusion of your two enemies, Ambition and
Rebellion, in Spain and Ireland. Against both
which in them and in all others, and against any
mortal power that shall lift itself up against you,
if I shall not ever show myself a faithful, indus-
trious, and sharp instrument, let me receive shame
in this world, and my soul no rest in any; the
first of all mortal plagues I hate, the other above
all I desire. And, dear Sovereign, let not others'
weakness, malice, or practice stain me in your fair
eyes with any spot of disloyalty; for I have ever
studied and strived to prevent invasion, to break
rebellion, to calm all swelling humors of your
subjects, though rather by healing them than by
lancing them. And lastly, ever since my charge
of this your army, I have endeavored to rectify
KING JAMES.
33
all turbulent and wandering spirits from the true
scope of their duty to concur with me in this one
point; next under God, to have no other hope
but in you, nor to hold any dependency but on
you. I do know that God will never so forsake
me as to suffer me to be any other's than yours:
and therefore I do boldly vow, what I do confi-
dently mean, that I will be the last man that shall
abandon you, and never but with my life will I
leave you; and I will ever strive to be the first
that shall wet his sword in the blood of any man
that shall be your enemy. The eternal God pre-
serve your Majesty, confound your enemies, and
prosper your armies; and send me the happiness
to do you the service your own royal heart doth
desire, and after to be so blessed as to kiss your
fair hands in your gracious favor.
Your Majesty's truest servant,
From your Majesty's Camp before
Kinsale, the 1st of Nov. 1601.
[MONTJOY].*
LORD MONTJOY TO QUEEN ELIZABETH.+
SACRED MAJESTY,
IT hath pleased God to preserve your army
hitherto through many extremities of danger and
enduring, by a continued line of good success unto
the greatest victory that ever your forces obtained
* Tan. lxxvi. 266.
+
ઃઃ
By Sir H. Davey;" note in Lord Montjoy's hand.
VOL. II.
D
34
THE COURT OF
in this kingdom.* Unto God you do owe much,
and all that you owe to any; but more, and infi-
nitely more do I, that by him was used as the weak
instrument in so great a work, for so dear a mis-
tress, with so happy event. Yet, when with my
own affection I look upon your favors to me, I
think nothing is done till all be done; and even as
your own royal heart doth most desire it should
be done. The which I was confident to perform
when I had some reason to despair; and continue
in the same hope, because I did not trust to the
strength of the ground I stand upon, but have
lifted up my eyes to those hills unde venit auxilium
mihi. In the mean time, most royal Sovereign,
vouchsafe that I may name you my dearest mis-
tress; and at the least, if you will not do so, yet to
give me leave to esteem myself, as I believe I am,
Your truest servant,
M.†
LORD MONTJOY TO QUEEN ELIZABETH.
SACRED MAJESTY,
ALTHOUGH it be no example to me, that hold no
proportion with your infinite worthiness, to con-
ceive what you would and were able to do by
your royal presence against any the most power-
ful or politic army that the greatest monarch
could erect,-who am but the weak and unworthy
minister of your powers; yet if I had thought or
had not assuredly believed the contrary, that any
* The victory over Tyrone, at Kinsale, 24 Dec. 1601.
+ Orig. Hol. Tan. lxxvi. 269.
KING JAMES.
35
thing which I did or consented unto should have
given cause to your foes to triumph in your
weakness, I would rather have sacrificed my life
and all our bloods unto your honor: but until I
may have or may obtain your Majesty's leisure to
hear a more complete demonstration of what I do
now only affirm, I beseech your Majesty to be-
lieve that never any prince, since the greatness of
Spain, hath gotten more honor against them than
you have done by this last action; never any
prince in so little time expelled so many of that
nation, being settled in a country where they had
so great a party; never any army did more im-
prove itself for the honor of their mistress; (that,
for an instance of the rest, we did rout beside
four thousand natural Spaniards with two thou-
sand English, and overthrow above six thousand
rebels and invaders with less than twelve hundred
of your subjects ;) never articles, the present
estate of both your kingdoms considered, were
more honorable and profitable, and I think hardly
any precedent of so great a pledge as the King
of Spain grants to be given for the perform-
ance enough ;* and lastly, no prince can say that
five thousand Spaniards being possessed of four as
good havens as are in Christendom, after they had
been well beaten and many of them killed, were
glad to depart with the passport of one of their
* This letter has undergone so much correction, that it is not
easy to determine the writer's meaning.
D 2
36
THE COURT OF
poorest ministers. This, most dear Sovereign, do
not I write with any swelling justification of
myself, but in the interest of your honor, the
which I will never live to violate, nor suffer it in
the least degree to be profaned. If any impious
tongue do task my proceedings, as they are mine
I will only patiently bless it, that, by making me
suffer for your sake, doth increase the merit which
is dearest unto me; for I that have suffered for
your sake a torment above all others so many
years, a grieved and despised love, the ingratitude
of my friends, the malice of my enemies, the
labors of a most dangerous war, and all the trials
that can be required to make good the truest pro-
fession of my affection, am even glad that, to ac-
complish my suffering for your sake, even the
merit of all this is taken from me. But since the
desert of others is not mine, and therefore unjust
for me to conceal it, from whom you should
chiefly know it, I most humbly desire your
Majesty not to deprive your army from the com-
fort of their labors, which is your gracious accept-
ance; and, above the rest, your President of
Mounster,* unto whom I owe the testimony of the
most sufficient instrument you have in this king-
dom, both for his valor and judgment. But for
me, what belongs unto me, most dear and royal
lady, but the conscience of being your truest
servant,
[Beginning of January 1601-2.]
* Sir George Carew.
M.†
† Orig. Hol. Tan. lxxvi. 270.
KING JAMES.
37
LORD MONTJOY TO QUEEN ELIZABETH.
PARDON me, sacred and dear Sovereign, if I be
more jealous than I should of your favour, since
the truest love is the fullest of fear, and self-
lovers are most confident in their own merit.
And since all I can do for so entire a mistress is
too little, I do justly punish myself with the grief
that I can perform no more; and it is only the
mercy proper to your sweet and royal nature that
doth approve and comfort me in what I have
done. I am glad that I was ill,* since you vouch-
safe to be glad of my recovery. I did love my
health and life only to do you service, and I will
hate my own heart when I find it fallen to you
or negligent of your commandments; all which I
will sincerely endeavour to fulfil, and not presume
to trouble your Majesty now with what I mean to
do, but when I have done anything not unwor-
thy of so excellent a direction.† Only this I hum-
bly do affirm, if Spain had not joined with Ireland,
the estate of this kingdom had been by this time
to your contentment. If Spain do no more assist
them, it will be suddenly as you would have it.
If you be forced here to make the war with both
Spain and Ireland, I can promise nothing but
the uttermost use of your poor servant's life;
* He fell sick in April 1602.
+ Directrix.
38
THE COURT OF
though I hope, with the favor of God, and the
help of your royal hand, to beat them both.
Dear lady, since all the world are slaves as well
to your fortune as to your beauty,* I have only
chosen to profess my love in the unsuspected
language of faithful labors, dangers, and suffer-
* It must be remembered that Elizabeth was now in her
70th year; and for the proofs of the sincerity of this compli-
ment the reader should refer to vol. i. p. 164. The delicate flat-
tery of Raleigh, and the incessant compliments paid by other
courtiers to the Queen, upon the score of her beauty, are generally
known. But an instance occurs in a letter of Sir Henry Unton
to the Queen, written six years previous to this of Lord Mont-
joy's, which outstrips all the rest. After relating an account
of his interviews with Henry IV. of France, and his introduc-
tion to the King's favourite, Madame de Monceaux, whom he
takes especial care to disparage, and to insinuate that she was
"altered very much for the worse in her complexion and favor,
yet very grossly painted," he observes that, after she had with-
drawn, the King asked him what he thought of his mistress.
"I answered," writes Sir Henry, "sparingly in her praise; and
told him that, if without offence I might speak it, that I had
the picture of a far more excellent mistress, and yet did her
picture come far short of her perfection of beauty. As you
love me,' said he, show it me, if you have it about you.' I
made some difficulties, yet, upon his importunity, offered it
unto his view very secretly, holding it still in my hand. He
beheld it with passion and admiration, saying that I had reason
'e me rends, protesting that he never had seen the like; so with
great reverence he kissed it twice or thrice, I retaining it still in
my hand. In the end, with some kind of contention, he took it
from me, vowing that I might take my leave of it, for he would not
forgo it for any treasure; and that, to possess the favor of the
lovely picture, he would forsake all the world, and hold himself
most happy with many other most passionate words. Then he
did blame me (by whom, he said, he had written many passionate
;
•
KING JAMES.
39
ings; and will only open my mouth to pray for
your eternal happiness; and write no more, but
that I know myself to be
Your truest servant,
From your Camp at Monahan.t
M.*
NOTTINGHAM AND CECIL TO MONTJOY.
[Of the Queen's disposition towards the rebels.]
OUR VERY GOOD LORD,
UPON the arrival of these Spanish forces, her
Majesty, like a provident prince, beginneth to
consider into what length of a war she is like to
fall, which is not the thing that so much troubleth
her for her own interest, as it doth in regard of
the great grief in which she is when she be-
holdeth how much blood is like to be shed of her
so dear and loving subjects. In which considera-
tion she hath commanded us privately to let you
know, as one in whose judgment and fidelity
she will repose more than ever she did in any
letters, and to whom he had, with such earnestness, recom-
mended his affection, making me his Messiah) in not return-
ing him any reciproke favor from your Majesty; and did com-
plain of your Highness' neglect and disdain of him, which was
not the least cause of his discomfort. Whereupon I replied as
fit an answer as I could, and as I found his humour more or
less apt of apprehension. But I found that the dumb picture
did draw on more speech and affection from him than all my
best arguments and eloquence."-Murdin, 718.
* Orig. Hol. Tan. Ixxvi. 272.
+ The Deputy's camp was at Monaghan, July 19, 1602.
40
THE COURT OF
governor of that kingdom, that if the two traitors,
Tyrone and O'Donnell, despairing that this army,
which is landed, shall be able to prevail, or misliking
that they have planted themselves in Munster, so
far from them as not to be able to give them other
assistance than by way of diversion, whereof it
shall likewise appear unto them that they shall
find no great fruits, seeing the northern prosecu-
tion shall still be in some measure continued,
shall either of themselves be stirred in weariness.
of misery, or under hand can be wrought by such
as they may find to speak only for their own
good, and offer such submission and a course of
proceeding as may show their resolution to quit
this foreign party, with offer of obedience upon
any such terms as you shall think may be toler-
able for the Queen to receive, and may break
absolutely confidence between this foreign enemy
and them; in this case, though heretofore her
Majesty would have stood upon more precise
terms with them, yet now her Majesty is con-
tented, for the good of her people, to commit
to
you the order and rule of their case, and to see
what they will be brought unto. And therein,
as we do know that whatsoever you shall think
meet to advise her unto, she will never be un-
willing to follow, so we are commanded to let
you know, that if you shall be forced to conclude
with them for effecting of any so important ser-
vice by them, or any other person in like case,
J
KING JAMES.
41
In
which will not admit a delay to send hither for
directions, her Majesty will in no sort disavow
your act, but ratify and confirm the same.
this case you may use the advice of the Lord
President,* if you please, and suffer what minis-
ters you think fittest to deal with them. But
her Majesty, not knowing the success, is not dis-
posed to open to any other in that kingdom that
she is yet acquainted with your dealing. And
thus, for this time, we commit your lordship to
God's favorable protection.
Your lordship's very loving friends,
NOTINGHAM,
Ro. CECYLL.†
From the Court at Richmond, this 6th of Oct. 1601.
To the Right Honorable our very good lord, the
Lord Montjoy, Lord Deputy of Ireland.
Endorsed by the hand of Montjoy's secretary-" Received 1st
November, by the post of Bristow. From Mr. Secretary
Cecyll."
TYRONE TO LORD MONTJOY.
[Professing an absolute submission.]
RIGHT HONORABLE AND MY VERY GOOD Lord,
I AM given to understand that you have re-
jected my last letter of submission sent to you,
and therefore have caused the same to be sent
to me again, because you did perceive I did
* Of Munster, see p. 36.
Orig. Tan. lxxvi. 263.
The Irish traitor referred to in the previous letter. See a
further notice of him in the Memoirs, p. 93.
42
THE COURT OF
not make therein an absolute submission. I am
sorry your lordship did mistake my meaning,
for that which I did write did proceed from a
penitent heart for the offences by me committed,
and from an earnest desire to obtain her Majesty's
mercy; and to that end I do now again make
bold to send to your lordship bearing her Ma-
jesty's place, whose merciful nature I know,
though I am not worthy to crave her mercy;
and therefore, without standing upon any terms
or conditions, I do hereby both simply and ab-
solutely submit myself to her Majesty's mercy,
and will be ready to perform either such con-
ditions as were offered me by the Lord of Or-
mond, or any other her Majesty shall think fit,
so as I may recover her Majesty's favor; for
the obtaining whereof I humbly pray your lord-
ship to be a mean, as before I did write, that I
be not driven into utter despair, and forced
either to fly or seek to any other prince. And,
in so doing, I will become a new man, and will
pray for her Majesty's prosperity, and will truly
serve her the rest of my life. So I humbly
take leave, the 22d of December 1602.
Your lordship's, if you please,
HUGH TYRONE.*
Endorsed in a different hand from Lord Montjoy's, but pro-
bably by his secretary," Copie of Tyrone's lettre to the
Lord Deputy."
* Tan. lxxvi. 277.
KING JAMES.
43
BY THE QUEEN.
[In answer to Tyrone's submission.]
ELIZABETH R.
RIGHT trusty and well-beloved, we greet you
well. We have seen the submission made by
Tyrone which you have sent us, and perceive
the course which you have taken thereupon,
which hath been to give no such credit to his
words, either in deed or appearance, as upon
those fair pretexts to give over any other good
means of his prosecution; which if you should
have done upon this overture, the same effect
might follow which hath done before, when in
the instant of his submission he hath been
deepest in practice; in which respects we ac-
knowledge that you have proceeded very dis-
cretely. And now to speak of the course he
holdeth. We conceive the world hath seen
sufficiently how dear the conservation of that
kingdom and people hath been unto us, and
how precious we have been of our honor, that
have of late rejected so many of those offers
of his, only because we were sorry to make a
precedent of facility to show grace or favor to
him that hath been the author of so much
misery to our loving subjects. Nevertheless,
because it seemeth that this is a general con-
ceipt that this reduction may prove profitable
to the state by sparing the effusion of Christian
44
THE COURT OF
blood, (the preventing whereof Christian piety
teacheth us,) and because the manner of the sub-
mission maketh the best amends that penitency
can yield to offences against sovereignty, (if
amends there can be after so horrible treasons,) we
are content to lay aside any thing that may [be]
herein contrary [to] our own private affections,
and will consider that clemency hath as eminent a
place in supreme authority as justice and seve-
rity. And, therefore, to the intent that either
the effect may fall out which is expected by his
submission, or the ingrafted falsehood and cor-
ruption of his nature may declare itself, we are
content, and so we give you authority hereby,
to assign him a day with all expedition to make
his personal repair to you; where we require
you to be careful to preserve our dignity
in all circumstances, assuring him, that seeing
he referreth all absolutely to our grace and
mercy, where we would never have yielded that
if he had kept his former courses of presumption
to indent with us beforehand, we are now con-
tented that you do let him know he shall have
his life, and receive, upon his coming in, such
other conditions as shall be honorable and rea-
sonable for us to grant him. And thus much
for that which he shall need to know before his
coming in; which if he do accept without
any other particular promise procured from
you beforehand, then could we like it very well
KING JAMES.
45
that you should make stay of him in safe cus-
tody until you hear our further pleasure; whose
meaning is, not to break our word in the point
of his life, for which it is only given, but only
to suspend his liberty till we see whether any
conditions which shall leave him free again to
return as he came, can make us in better state
than we are now, when we shall have nothing to
trust to but the ordinary assurances which can
be had from traitors. And these our letters
shall be your sufficient warrant and discharge in
this behalf.
Given under our signet at our Manor of Rich-
mond, the xvi. of February 1602, in the five
and fortieth year of our reign.
To our right trusty and well-beloved the Lord Montioye,
our Deputy of our realm of Ireland.
Signed by the Queen, with the seal appended. Endorsed
by Lord Montjoy-" From her Majesty; receaved the 2nd off
Marche 1602." *
CECIL TO MONTJOY.
[How he is to manage the Queen.]
MY GOOD LORD,
You may still see how glad we would be to
believe words when they make for our desires
in the world (be we of private or public quali-
ties); where, on the other side, in things not liked,
* Tan. lxxvi. 280. Orig.
46
THE COURT OF
oaths and vows are often excepted against by
us, out of the just reasons which we see of con-
stant prejudice when our desires make us not
too credulous. In this case standeth it with our
dear Sovereign, who being almost in conflict with
herself how to terrify future traitors, when so hor-
rible a traitor is received, especially upon any
condition, he pretending to ask none, doth ponere
rumores ante salutem; seeing only how she descends
(a little in one point only), but sees not what by
it she riseth up otherwise, especially if (upon
these points) God do her the favor to stay the
rebellion. From hence, therefore, cometh this
her Majesty's postscript by me, (for so I may term
it, because it succeedeth the perclose of the let-
ters,) the effect whereof followeth, but so carried
as it taketh nothing from your former power
given in her own letter, though it recommends
to you (if it might be without overthrow of
greater considerations,) the accomplishing thereof.
In which, as I could not avoid obedience to de-
liver it unto you, being with that reservation
as not to overthrow the main; so, my lord, I know
you would satisfy her in it too, if you could,
and I hope, both for your own discharges and
mine, will take notice of your own desire to have
done all you could in this nature, and of your re-
ception of my letter, which form will satisfy
them, because she is not presently crossed, and
so her passion, by little and little, towards him
KING JAMES.
47
spending, will give way when she sees by ex-
perience what will be returned in these things,
which now she still insists upon to be moved
as not impossible (if it be tried), at least not in-
convenient to impose, if it can be gotten (straight
opposing their opinions which deny now that the
effect will prove so,) with the words of his own
submission, of which all too know he will look to
be explained per civilem interpretationem. Shortly,
therefore, her Majesty desires you should seek
by all the best means you can to promise him
pardon; but by no name of Tyrone hereafter,
for that name she saith is ominous and odious,
and rather she would have him named Baron of
Dongannon, or (if need must be) some other
earl's name, but not Earl of Tyrone. Secondly,
sir, she would be glad it might not be found
that he should have that country so large as he
either claimeth or made it, but to see how honoris
gratia you can pare it. Lastly, that where he
makes many artificial plashes in pairs, to hinder
passages, thereby to live less accessible, she would
have him enjoined to alter them. Now, sir,
know, I pray you hereby, that this is her own,
and neither our propositions nor conceipt; but
rather suffered pro tempore than we would lose
the former warrant, by contesting too long
against that which will die as soon as she is
satisfied from you that we have obeyed her, and
that you find the impossibility of these things
48
THE COURT OF
which she would be glad of, but so as not to
prevent the rest; and, therefore, now I have done
all and said all, I know in these last I have said
nothing, and yet in obeying I have done much.
And so hoping, by your next despatch, you will
write that which is fit to be shewed her Majesty,
and that which is fit for me to know (a parte),
in which kinds all honest servants must strain a
little when they will serve princes, I end.
Your lordship's affectionate friend to command.
18th of February, 1602.
You see that though I know what your answer
will be for these things, yet that I adventure to
write my conceipt, how you should satisfy, by
writing that you would have done it if it would
not have hurt the whole. I would not do this
to two men living, and under my hand to no man,
if otherwise it should be. If, therefore, you will,
for accidents unlooked for, return this my letter,
I will thank you; your warrants for that which
you must do, or can do, remaining under her
own hand.
Endorsed in Lord Montjoy's hand-" From Mr. Secretarye;
receaved the 2nd off Marche 1602." Not in Cecil's hand, but
in the same as that of Queen Elizabeth's letter, p. 28.*
* Tan. lxxvi. 277.
KING JAMES.
49
ELIZABETH R.
Right trusty and right well-beloved, we greet
you well. Forasmuch as we (in our former let-
ter) have made you see that we do not retain so
deep an impression of the heinous offences com-
mitted by Tyrone (for which he hath made him-
self unworthy to live), but that we can be content
to yield him a life to save so many of our subjects:
and although we would take it for an acceptable
service, if he might be taken in so, by the words
of his late submission, as we might have him in
our power without violating of public faith; yet
rather than we would, for our own satisfaction,
let go any such opportunity as his personal sub-
mission, (whereof universality of opinions concur
that good use might be made,) we can be content,
if he shall come in upon such humble terms as
are formally contained in his submission, that you
shall not only receive him as is expressed in the
other letter; but forasmuch as it may be, when
the time comes to perform what he hath promised,
he may particularly stand upon assurance of
liberty also, as well as life, before he will come to
you, we are then contented that you do in that
case give him your word for his coming and going
safe, though you should in other things not agree.
And for your better judgment and knowledge
how in such case we mean to dispose, we do give
you warrant hereby to pass him our pardon upon
these conditions.
VOL. II.
$
E
50
THE COURT OF
First, our pleasure is, upon no consideration to
give him our pardon except he do come person-
ally where you shall assign him to receive it.
Secondly, that, in the point of religion, he
presume not to indent; seeing it savors but of
presumption, when he knows so little fear of
prosecution.
Thirdly, he shall publicly abjure all manner of
dependency upon Spain and other potentates, and
shall promise to you to reveal all he knows of our
enemy's purposes, and refuse the name of Oneill.
Fourthly, he shall not presume to treat for any
but himself and his own natural followers of
Tyrone; but shall leave all others, (over whom he
unjustly usurps, either as vriaths, or as dependents,
and over whom he can challenge no superiority
but as a chosen head of rebellion,) and absolutely, to
make their own suits for themselves.
He shall yield to such places for garrisons, and
such portions of lands and composition besides [?]
to be reserved as you shall think fit for our ser-
vice; with this condition, to banish all strangers
from him, and call home all his followers that do
maintain the rebellion in any other province, to-
gether with such a subjection to sheriffs, and exe-
cution of justice, as you shall think fit for our
service and the present time.
And, as heretofore, he offered to send over his
eldest son, if you can get it, to be disposed at our
pleasure, either in Ireland or in England. All
KING JAMES.
51
which being done, we leave the rest of your pro-
ceedings to your own best judgment, so to dis-
pose of him in one kind or other as shall be fittest
for our service. This being our end in the writ-
ing of both these letters: first, to let you see what
we wish to be done, if it may be, in the first kind,
as is contained in our other letter; next, to let it
appear to you and the world, that seeing there is
so general a conceipt that good may happen there-
by, that we will not leave any course untried
which can be expected of any prince to take in
commiseration of her distressed and loving sub-
jects of both her realms, whose conservation she
preferreth before any other worldly thing. Last-
ly, because we do consider that his being nearer
with you for some time (if it could be procured)
would be a good security from those practices,
which may be doubted he may fall into when he
returneth, (seeing how common it is to them to
neglect either faith or pledges when the breach
of any conditions may serve their turn,) we do
only recommend unto you, that, the longer he
doth remain under your wing, it were the better:
but because we do confess that we remain assured
of your affection to use all things to the best for
us, and see that you have extraordinary foresight
and judgment in the government of that realm,
we do attribute so much to you in the handling
of this matter, as we leave it and the rest of the
particular conditions (mentioned in the former
E 2
52
THE COURT OF
letter, or in this,) to your discretion, who may see
cause to vary in some circumstances, which are
not worthy the sending us to know our pleasure
in, but to be altered as you shall see cause. Only
in these two letters we show you two things in
the first, of [the] 16th of February, our desire
appears to have him stayed if he would come in
without asking more than yet he doth; and in
this other, our resolution (rather than he should
not come in at all) to give you authority to se-
cure him both of life and liberty, and coming in
upon those terms, both to maintain your word
really, (as it is given in our behalf, and which
shall never be violated,) and, rather than to send
him back unpardoned to be a head still of rebel-
lion, to afford him these above-mentioned, or other
reasonable conditions, considering the long work
you find it to extirpate him, and the difficulty
our estate findeth to maintain that action which
must finish it. For the rest, concerning some en-
largement of your authority, in case you see occa-
sion to encrease [the council] at any time [by] some
members; we minded not to tye you to such strict-
ness in petty things, having committed so much
trust to you in greater: and therefore we have
given order to our council to direct our letters to the
treasurer for the same, and hereby do give you au-
thority to do it, and to use the advice of as many or
as few of the council in this as you shall think fit
to do in this service; requiring you, above all
KING JAMES.
53
things, to drive him to some issue presently,
because contrariety of successes there, or change
of accidents in other parts, may turn very much
to our disadvantage. For which we are still apt
to believe that he lieth in advantage, and will spin
out all things further than were requisite, with
delays and shifts, if you do not abridge him.
Given at our manor of Richmond, this 17 of Feb. 1602, and
of our reign the 45.*
To our right trusty and well-beloved Lord Montjoye,
our Deputy, [of our] Realm of Ireland.
Endorsed in Lord Montjoy's hand-" From her Majestye;
receaved the 2d off Marche 1602. For the taking in of
Tyrone."
[The words in italics are corrections, whether or not by the
same hand I am uncertain; they rather appear to be in the
Deputy's hand. After this letter follows an abstract, in Lord
Montjoy's hand, of the conditions he was required by the Queen
to offer and receive from Tyrone.]
TYRONE TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE THe lord
DEPUTY OF IRELAND.†
I
RIGHT HONORABLE, my duty remembered.
have ofttimes heretofore, both by my messages
and letters, been an humble suitor unto your
lordship to be a mean to her Majesty to receive
me into her gracious favor, and to grant unto
me her Highness' pardon, which, above all earthly
*Tan. lxxvi. 285; Orig. signed and sealed.
+ Orig. Tan. lxxvi. p. 291.
54
THE COURT OF
things, I do desire, even upon my knees; acknow-
ledging mine offences to be such as I am unwor-
thy to be pardoned, but yet still remembering
that her Majesty's mercy exceeds my ill doings.
To this end I sent after your lordship as far as
Galway, in December last, my humble submission,
which proceeded from a penitent heart; and ever
since that time I have lived in hope of mercy :
and, seeing my answers yet delayed, and that I
can receive no manner of comfort, notwithstand-
ing I have since that time continued no messages
to your lordship, I thought good once again to
write to your lordship; and do hereby beseech
you, of your nobility and honor, to take com-
passion upon me, that I be not cast into an utter
despair to forsake my native country, but may
feel her Majesty's grace; in hope that I may here-
after, by my service, redeem some part of mine
offences. And, to the end your lordship may
perceive how earnest a desire I bear to become a
subject, I do entreat your lordship either to al-
low myself to come to speak with your lordship
upon your word in some such place as I may be in
safety, or to send me some honest gentleman of my
acquaintance (as your lordship shall think fit) with
whom I may confer, and to whom I may deliver
my mind, which is wholly bent to do anything that
is fitting for a good subject; so as I may find her
Majesty's grace and recover her favour, which
by my evil courses I have justly lost. And so,
KING JAMES.
55
beseeching your lordship to send me some com-
fortable answer, I take my leave. From Glancou-
keine,* the 29th of March 1603.
Your honor's to command,
HUGHE TIRONE.
Endorsed in the hand of Montjoy's secretary-" 29 March
1603, stylo novo; rec. 23 March, stylo veteri; & 1602, com-
putatione Anglorum."
1603.
[Death of Queen Elizabeth.]+
TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL MR. DOCTOR DUN,
DEANE OF THE ARCHES, AT BREAMET IN GERMANY.
SIR,
My humble duty unto you remembered. By
reason of a restraint of late for sending over of
* Gleanchaoin in Co. Clare.
+ The following account of the death of the Queen is, in
all probability, as authentic as any we possess. It is preserved
in the MS. diary of a writer who lived upon terms of intimacy
with Dr. Parry, one of the Queen's chaplains, afterwards succes-
sively Bishop of Gloucester and Worcester.
"23 March 1603. I dined with Dr. Parry in the privy-
chamber, and understood by him, the Bishop of Chiches-
ter, the Dean of Canterbury, the Dean of Windsor, &c.
that her Majesty had been, by fits, troubled with melancholy.
some three or four months, but for this fortnight extreme op-
pressed with it; insomuch that she refused to eat any thing,
to receive any physic, or admit any rest in bed till within these
two or three days. She hath been in a manner speechless for
two days; very pensive and silent since Shrovetide; sitting
sometimes with her eye fixed upon one object many hours to-
↑ Bremen.
56
THE COURT OF
letters, (the sickness of our late Queen being the
cause,) I durst not write unto you, nor have
sithence the ix. of this instant March, which
letters I hope you have received.
Her Majesty God took to his mercy, the 23rd
of this present, in the night time, at Richmond;
and King James was proclaimed the next morn-
ing, being the 24th, as may appear by the pro-
clamation, which here inclosed I send you, with-
out any controversy: yet many men in the city
gether; yet she always had her perfect senses and memory : and
yesterday signified, by the lifting up of her hand and eyes to
heaven (a sign which Dr. Parry entreated of her), that she be-
lieved that faith which she hath caused to be professed, and
looked faithfully to be saved by Christ's merits and mercy only,
and no other means. She took great delight in hearing prayers;
would often, at the name of Jesus, lift up her hands and eyes
to heaven. She would not hear the Archbishop speak of hope
of her longer life; but when he prayed, or spoke of heaven and
those joys, she would hug his hand. It seems she might have
lived if she would have used means; but she would not be per-
suaded, and princes must not be forced. Her physicians said
she had a body of a firm and perfect constitution, likely to have
lived many years. A royal majesty is not privilege against
death.
"24. This morning, about 3 at clock, her Majesty departed
this life, mildly, like a lamb; easily, like a ripe apple from the
tree; cum levi quadam febre: absque gemitu. Dr. Parry told
me that he was present, and sent his prayers before her soul.
And I doubt not but she is amongst the royal saints in heaven
in eternal joys.
"About 10 at clock, the council and divers noblemen, having
been awhile in consultation, proclaimed James VI, King of
Scotland, the King of England, France, and Ireland; beginning
at Whitehall gates, where Sir Robert Cecil read the proclama-
KING JAMES.
57
in arms, and more affrayed than hurt. It was
known, a se'night before her decease, that there was
no hope of recovery to be expected; insomuch that
many men, both noble and others, have made very
great provision of armor, munition, and victuals;
so that meal was sold in London, the 23rd of
March, at viii s. the bushel, and the 25th of the
same, at 4s. 4d. And now there is very great
hope of a peaceable coming in of our King, con-
trary to the expectation of many. It is thought
tion, which he carried in his hand, and after read again in Cheap-
side many noblemen, lords spiritual and temporal, knights, five
trumpets, many heralds. The gates at Ludgate and portcullis
were shut and down, by the Lord Mayor's command, who was
there present with the aldermen, &c. And until he had a token
beside promise,—the Lord Treasurer's George,—that they would
proclaim the King of Scots King of England, he would not open
them. * *
"The proclamation was heard with great expectation and si-
lent joy; no great shouting. I think the sorrow for her Majes-
ty's departure was so deep in many hearts, they could not so
suddenly show any great joy, though it could not be less than
exceeding great for the succession of so worthy a King; and at
night they showed it by bonfires and ringing. No tumult, no
contradiction, no disorder in the city; every man went about his
business as readily, as peaceably, as securely, as though there
had been no change, nor any news ever heard of competitors.
"The people is full of expectation, and great with hope of his
worthiness, of our nations' future greatness; every one promises.
himself a share in some famous action to be hereafter performed
for his prince and country. They assure themselves of the con-
tinuance of our church government and doctrine. Their talk is
of the advancement of the nobility, of the subsidies and fifteenths
taxed in the Queen's times; how much indebted she died to the
commons, notwithstanding all those charges laid upon them."
58
THE COURT OF
that his Majesty will be here afore Easter next.
The Lord Evers' brother, Mr. Moris, Mr. Secre-
tary Herbert's man, and myself, went to Sir
Robert Cecill the 25th of March, to understand
his pleasure about your coming home; and his
answer was, that he would think upon it. And
the same day, in the afternoon, Mr. Morris and I
went to the Lord Treasurer, who, together with
the rest of the nobility, had (as it seemed) con-
ferred in the morning concerning you and the
rest of the commissioners, and his answer was,
that they would write unto you; signifying fur-
ther (as far as we could gather by his words) that
they had no determination to send for you home
until they first understoood the King's pleasure
therein. *** All things are very quiet here
at this time, and the common people so well
satisfied and so joyful as ever they were, hoping
of a flourishing common wealth. The Earl of
Northumberland beginneth to flourish already.
The Countess of Notingham died of late. ***
Your worship's always most bounden,
London, this 26th of March 1603.
SIMON THELOAL.*
* Orig. Tan. lxxv. 79.
KING JAMES.
59
1603.
[History of the bye plot, or, as it is called, Raleigh's plot; and
the execution of the conspirators.]
WILLIAM WATSON* TO THE LORDS OF THE PRIVY
COUNCIL.
RIGHT HONORABLE AND MY MOST RESPECTED LORDS,
Although unknown to you all by sight, unless
my ever honorable friend, Sir George Home,
Treasurer of Scotland, yet too, too well known by
name to you, and all the world, through means of
a late proclamation come out against me most
wrongfully, as God and his angels, yea, and even
my greatest enemies, that falsely have suggested
this against me, shall witness: I have hereupon
(being apprehended upon suspicion by the bearer,
Mr. Henry Vaughan, Esq. and Justice of Peace
and Quorum,) made choice of your honours before
all others in this my presumption to address the
ensuing discovery unto, with the accusation of
the guilty and clearing of the innocent; as also
a letter to be delivered by you unto his Majesty:
nothing doubting but that, out of your own
* "The letter of Watson (the Quodlibetarian), written with
his own hand, directed to the Right Honorable the E. E. of
-without any names added; without date too; but endorsed
10 Aug. 1603, when perhaps it was received."-Note in Arch-
bishop Sancroft's hand.-Watson was one of the persons sup-
posed to be implicated in the plot. How far will best appear by
his own letter. See also Goodman's Memoirs, p. 64.
60
THE COURT OF
honorable dispositions, and for that special loyalty
I ever conceited to be in you all, and every of you,
to his Majesty, you will procure a speedy dispatch
for me, either to be employed in his Majesty's
service here, or elsewhere; or if for mine unwor-
thiness I be rejected, that at least for my loyalty,
and known poor good-will to have always used
all possible diligence (agreeing to my posse)
on his Majesty's behalf, you will vouchsafe me
that honorable favor as to procure a present ex-
tent of the King's most ample and gracious par-
don towards me thus far, as that I may spend the
residue of my wretched days in exile and banish-
ment out from my native country for evermore.
Which though mine own conscience assures me
that I never deserved so sharp a censure, yet,
finding iniquity to have prevailed so far, as that
even his Majesty's known enemies can conspire
his death, and utter extirpation of his royal
issue, and without all fear or blushing (like the
devil himself) lay their treasons and treacheries
to my charge, and thereupon procure either my
death or a worse matter (which is torture, famine,
and pining imprisonment); notwithstanding that,
I dare speak a great word, and am known to
many thousands to speak true, that there never
any was, or is, more loyal to his Majesty than I
am, and have been; never any that hazarded
their lives more willingly, nor farther, for his
sake; as being imprisoned, having all I had taken
KING JAMES.
61
from me, and hardly escaping with my life out
of prison in Queen Elizabeth's days, only upon
a like calumny to this, which they then informed
some great persons in authority of, as that I
went about to bring in the Lord Dacre out of
Scotland with 30,000 men to invade this land.
Neither was there any that spoke or writ more
resolutely and boldly on his Majesty's behalf than
I did that time; as the first and only one of my
coat and profession that broke the ice against
Parsons' book of succession, and against all the
rest of the Jesuits, and Spanish faction, concern-
ing the Lady Infanta's title to the crown of Eng-
land, and in conclusion broke their necks thereby;
by prosecuting his Majesty's cause and title so
eagerly (where I durst), that the former settled
conceit of the Spanish title was generally ex-
ploded by all, unless where Jesuits and the faction
lay. Many, not only Catholics, but even also
those noted and known to be Protestants, reported
some to be Puritans, yet did take notice of my
poor endeavours on his Majesty's behalf therein,
as one whom they acknowledged, in their opinion,
had deserved more at my sovereign's hands than
ever I expect or can desire. But to the pur-
pose: although I wish for either violent or civil
death (which is banishment), rather than to die
of famine and pining imprisonment by the Jesuits'
and others of mine enemies' procurement; yet, not
doubting of justice, (and withal hoping of extra-
62
THE COURT OF
ordinary favor [and mercy] at his Majesty's hands
by your honors' procurement,) I will set down
here in brief the original cause of this slandering
and appeaching of me and others with treason,
&c. and who the traitors are indeed, and what
witnesses I have of it, and what I have done my-
self, and how far gone therein: reserving the rest
to his Majesty's sacred wisdom, and your honor-
able censure, to judge of all aright.
After my last being with his Majesty in Scot-
land, reporting to my Lord Dacre, and some
other of his honorable friends, then at Dumfries,
what a gracious and comfortable answer I had re-
ceived at his hands on the behalf of all Catholics
known to be his loyal subjects; I returned thence
presently into England, longing much to drive
all doubtful conceits and dangerous attempts,
tending to disloyalty, out of all English, but es-
pecially all Catholic hearts. And, first of all,
meeting with one of my company in the north,
being asked what hope there was of the King
concerning Catholics, I answered, very good;
and that his Majesty did bid me tell my friends,
the Catholics in England, that himself was neither
heretick, as Parsons and other Jesuits had blazed
him to be; neither would he afflict [them] as they
had been: and therefore wished them by me not
to be afraid, &c. Then he replied, and asked what
assurance Catholics could have of any favor,
unless the King would be Catholic. For, as to
KING JAMES.
63
my report, I had been always suspected to be
too forward on the King's behalf, and rather in
policy to draw all Catholics to hope well, and to
have a good conceit that the King would be
either presently Catholic, or at least proclaim
liberty of conscience: by which temporising it
was doubted by some that I had deceived many.
But, howsoever, the time serving now for it, and
it standing upon Catholics, either before the
coronation, or not at all, to procure to them-
selves quiet and redemption from their bond-
age and suppression in Queen Elizabeth's days;
adding farther, that undoubtedly the Jesuits and
archpriest,* with his Jesuitical assistants, would
upon the sudden, and at time least looked for,
so soon as ever they were prepared for it, send out
excommunications against all that should take
part against the Spaniard and his associates, &c.
And, therefore, he asked me what he should do
in that case; and if it were not best for him to
go and warn all the Catholics and schismatics in
those two shires beforehand to be in a readiness
to resist, and not to accept any such excommunica-
tion when it came; nor of such, or such, as were
like enough in his judgment to work underhand
with persuading to acceptance of it, &c. To this
I answered, that he should do well to move them
so; and, withal, upon such an occasion to exhort
and prepare them beforehand to join all together
* Dr. Blackwell.
64
THE COURT OF
under some Catholic head, or captain of note, on
the King's behalf, making religion and loyalty
all one intent and action. And much talk we
had to this effect, but this is the brief; where-
with I left him well satisfied: but not so as by
reason of the general jealousy the Jesuits had
caused to be had of me, yea, even among some
otherwise of my dear friends. I was constrained
both with that party and divers others, (as here-
after shall appear,) sometimes to affirm by insinua-
tion on the King's behalf, as well in respect of
religion as of the common wealth, more than ever
his Majesty delivered unto me; and sometimes
again to make show of advancements to come
unto them, and otherwhile to yield unto their
humours in one thing, to draw them on to ano-
ther thing to my wish and desire; imitating
herein the Jesuits' policies in like cases on the
Spaniard's behalf.
After this I departed towards the south; where,
on the way, at Doncaster, I met with a gentle-
man, an earnest prosecutor of his Majesty's cause
at all times, who, very glad of my return to hear
some news out of Scotland, told me, amongst
other things, that a letter was newly intercepted,
directed from one Pool, as he named himself, to the
Archduke's court; the contents whereof was,
that 40,000 men were ready to rise in arms for
restoring of religion, and bringing his grace aid
to make a conquest of the land. What became
KING JAMES.
65
of this letter, I know not; or whether the dis-
covery of the Jesuits' intendments, or that other
which happened, of a prepared commotion in
Worcester and Staffordshire,
Staffordshire, (the discovery
whereof was sent unto me into Scotland, to
have exhibited unto his Majesty, and as also
sundry other letters came, which I received not,
because come thence before,) or a third commo-
tion prepared in Wales, and discovered also, and
thereby infringed, or what other cause was of the
Jesuits' demur, I know not: but, within two days
after, I understood how sundry of them had been
tampering with Catholics in those quarters, to
dissuade them from acceptance of the King's
Majesty; that they ought all rather to die than
to admit of any hereticks (as they continually
term his Majesty) to the crown; and that they
might not, under pain of excommunication, ac-
cept of
of any but a Catholic for their sove-
reign. This was hot for a while; but presently,
after these discoveries, finding Catholics fear-
ful and cold in acting their treacherous de-
signments, they begin to turn cat in the band,*
and to cast about another way, as hereafter shall
appear.
Amongst those Jesuits thus suddenly hot and
cold, one (who calleth himself Darcy), having of
long time, together with Gerard, another Jesuit,
been often tampering underhand, and by mes-
* Cat in the pan?
VOL. II.
F
1
66
THE COURT OF
sages, with a worshipful knight to have won him
to their * to have stood for the Lady In-
fanta, promising great and many noble advance-
ments unto him if he would, on the Spaniards'
behalf. All which discourses, from time to time,
in Queen Elizabeth's days, the said knight relat-
ing unto me at large; and withal how that he
had discovered himself so far in dislike of their
unnatural projects, and asserting of our new
sovereign's title, as he feared it would work his
utter overthrow, by reason that he perceived
even then how that her Majesty, and his former
honorable friends about her, estranged their grace
and favors from him, and, withal, began to call
his name in question; which he knew could not
be, but by some false-hearted Jesuit's suggestions
and means. To this I answered, that he had done
very well to open himself so far in opposition
unto them; knowing, as he did, their vile and
treacherous minds to be such as they will betray
their own father and dearest friend they have in
the world for their own advantage, and propter
bonum publicum societatis, which they count a pub-
lic or common good; though a whole common-
wealth, yea, and the whole Catholic church be
overthrown thereby. But now the only way was
for him to insinuate himself by all means possible
unto them, as by way of an umpire to make
* Sic though, from something written over, the word should
apparently be way or bent.
KING JAMES.
67
atonement between them and us; and so should
he get within them per force, to lead them and
their faction where he would when time should
come to do our new sovereign service. Which
time happening presently after, although he first,
and another afterward, and lastly myself in my
return out of Scotland, talked with, some one,
some another Jesuit, and three of us at several
times with the aforesaid Darcy, to whom I
alleged divers reasons, acknowledged by him to
be good and sound, why there should be an atone-
ment between us; but in conclusion nothing
was agreed upon, because they had such treason-
able practices in hand, as they knew we would
never join in with them; and so the conferences
between some of ours, and Gerard, Holtby, and
Darcy, the Jesuits, ended only in a breach.
Some fortnight after, (which was at Easter last,)
coming up to London, I there fell in talk with
an honorable gentleman and my very friend, that
came to welcome me home out of Scotland, and
to know what news; because (as he said) he had
sent unto me by three sundry persons, a lord, a
knight, and an esquire, none of which could hear
of me. Notwithstanding that he had received a
most gracious letter from his Majesty, whereby
he understood I had been in presence: I told him
I had; and using the like speech as I had done
to all others of his gracious speech unto me, how
wise, merciful, and just a prince we had, void of
F 2
68
THE COURT OF
?
all vices or other moral faults, unless such as pro-
ceed of too flexible and sweet a princely nature;
which could be no fault in a prince, save only
where evil counsellors were about him, who doubt-
less might endanger him by too much lenity to
some, by too great severity to others, and by too
extraordinary partiality to others again, at the
counsel's persuasion. But in few I told him how
Sir George Home, Lord Treasurer of Scotland,
told me, at my coming away, how his Majesty
liked well of my message and speech, and bid me
come again when any occasion should be offered.
"That was well," quoth this noble gentleman, "and
I think you shall have occasion very shortly to do
his Majesty service; if, in the meantime, you
have any acquaintance yourself, or know of any
such friend of yours, that is thoroughly acquainted
with a sergeant at law who can tell you matters
worth the knowing and revealing in time of
need. For since Queen Elizabeth's death, and
the proclaiming of our sovereign King James,
there hath been a meeting of sundry noblemen,
that have had private conference, and, as I take it,
already subscribed to the setting up of another
prince, with the utter extirpation of our lawful
King and rightful heir, together with all his royal
issue. The party that told me this (whom you,
quoth he, do also know,) doth not remember the
noblemen's names, and dares not ask the sergeant
again of them, lest he suspect he have some mean-
"
KING JAMES.
69
ing to call him in question for it; and therefore
must it be very warily handled." But afterward,
understanding by report of some that the sergeant
was suspected to be Jesuited, I could not devise
the means to come in with him myself, nor any
other whom I might trust in so weighty an
affair.
Shortly after his Majesty came to London, and
in tract of time discontents began so to discover
themselves, as none could tell whom to trust, or
who was pleased: it were too tedious and imper-
tinent to the matter to recite all that I have heard
of discontented minds since his Majesty's com-
ing to the Charter-house to the present hour.
Amongst others, this concerns myself. One sent
me word how, that if I would join with him, and
withal make him of my council in my proceedings,
for those matters which he was to inform me of,
he would pawn his life for it that he could and
would discover such treasons of two honorable
persons of the privy council to Queen Elizabeth,
and two of the greatest enemies I had in the
world, and all for King James's sake, as I would
admire how ever such great men should so eagerly
seek my destruction; and that, since the time I
first began to defend the King's title in writing
against the Jesuits and Spanish faction, I walked
in a mist, as all the rest of the secular priests ap-
pellants did, who were traduced by those noble-
men whom we took to have stood wholly for us
70
THE COURT OF
against the Jesuits and Spanish faction; whereas,
indeed, it was quite contrary, as he said; adding
further, that there was now of late a book pub-
lished for the French title to the crown of Eng-
land, and fathered upon the appellant priests,
which, as I take it, he said himself had seen:
wishing me to live very warily, for there were
no few watchful eyes over me.
And for his part,
he confessed he had heretofore betrayed me, and
brought my life in danger for my faithful heart
unto his Majesty; but he was so urged unto it as
he had endangered his own if I had not been then
taken. But afterwards, hearing how contrary to
all expectation I had cleared myself, and God
had wonderfully delivered me, he then was
heartily sorry for accusing and betraying me so
unjustly; and of mere remorse of conscience,
knowing my innocency, he had since refused
£2000 or £3000, or I know not how much, as he
saith, because he would not seek my blood, as was
motioned that he should. To this effect he sent
me word, offering himself to approve all this, with
much more, before his Majesty. About the same
time another told me, how that his Majesty was
heartily conceited of me, and that I was suspected
to stand for the French. And a very friend of
mine, ever most deeply affected to his Majesty,
came to me in the streets, and asked me in what
terms I stood with his Majesty. I answered, "Very
good, for ought I know; that I rested in mine
KING JAMES.
71
own conceit most certain and assured of it, be-
cause of his princely gratitude, even to the mean-
est (as I am), and by reason of my innocency
towards him." Whereunto the gentleman replied,
that it was very true, and that he did not think
his Majesty could or would forget me; he himself,
though an earnest Protestant, yet offering to avow
it on my behalf, that none was ever more faithful
and loyal to defend his rightful title than I was,
&c. The like said a very worshipful knight of
mine acquaintance, and divers others to the same
effect, which made me muse what the matter was,
and how I should be traduced; but made no
great matter of it, because I thought it to be but
some Jesuitical rumour for some vile intendment
against me, as after it proved: they making this
a color of my intended villanous mind, as they
most falsely have informed against me, that out
of a malcontented mind, and seeing myself re-
jected, and not advanced as I expected, I there-
upon fell into desperate courses and traitorous
attempts against his Majesty's person. But God,
who hath ever hitherto protected and defended
me, even from innumerable and some seeming
inevitable dangers, à juventute meá, hath provided
this good means for my purgation to his Majesty
before your honors, which otherwise I should
have despaired of; knowing too well what great
enemies I have in court, the least whereof is too,
too heavy for me, poor worm! to bear, if but in
72
THE COURT OF
the breath or blast of your mouth against me.
And therefore thus it followeth.
In Easter term, amongst others that came up
to London, one was the gentleman who suspected
how the Jesuits had traduced him in Queen Eliza-
beth's days, and who, after divers conferences by
him and others with Gerard and Darcy, was at
length half persuaded they meant bona fide to
join really in any action for restoring of religion by
any lawful means; but, contrary to his expecta-
tion, they most fraudulently went about to en-
trap him, and writ a letter back unto him quite
contrary to their former speech. A most treache-
rous letter it was; and as he told me, when he
showed the letter unto me, there was not a word
in it consonant to his speech and Davies with
Gerard's had together. Which when I heard,
and, withal, had thoroughly considered of the
contents of that letter, I told him he had undone
himself, and all his acquaintance and friends:
for the issue could be none other but this, that
the Jesuits having some treasonable practice in
hand, which they would not impart unto him,
they would take advantage against him and his
by this letter, in such sort, that if their treasons
came to effect before discovery, then down should
go all the appellant priests, and those that sided
with them on their sovereign's behalf; again,
if it were discovered, they would then cast it
upon his back, and upon all the secular priests,
KING JAMES.
73
but upon mine in chief, as now they have. But
to proceed.
About the same time that this letter was showed
unto me, one came and told me how the Jesuits
had sent down from London into the country
great store of powder and shot, securely conveyed
to their friends; wishing them not to stir, but to
keep themselves quiet until they heard from them.
The same party, also, who showed me the letter,
told me he had advantage enough against them,
(and they none at all against him, whatsoever
my conceipt were of that letter,) as well by their
former plots, whereof he had testimony in writ-
ing, and whic.. were yet suspected to be in ham-
mering, as also by their then present proceedings;
for that notwithstanding their show in that letter,
that butter would not melt in their mouth, yet
was he privy to it how at the same time Gerard
was in buying of a great horse for the wars, and
had, with help of his friends, under pretence of
teaching a young lord to ride, bought up all the
great horses he could throughout the country.
So as it is manifest that they intend some sudden
exploit yet, before Midsummer, or so shortly after
as they can be provided, if not before discovered
and prevented. The presumption hereof, and
suspicion of some treason to be intended by them,
was augmented as well by reports that went of a
sermon or speech which the president of Douay,
one Doctor Worthington, made in some reviling
74
THE COURT OF
terms against his Majesty, with extolling the
name and title of another competitor to the
crown, whom if God did bless, and awhile
preserve, he made no doubt but should prevail;
as also for that a certain Jesuited person, being
in company with honorable lords, whereof some
or all seemed much discontented with the present
course of things and times, the party, whispering
one of them in the ear, said, "My lord, be not dis-
mayed, for you shall see, ere it be long, that the
Catholics will redress these and other wrongs sus-
tained." And again, about the same time, there was
such posting up and down of Gerard, Oldcorn, Dar-
cy, Blunt, and other Jesuits and Jesuited persons, as
made it apparent that some great matter was in
hammering and working amongst them, though
kept so close as by no means I could find it out;
that they had gathered a great mass of money to-
gether, amounting to a million of pounds, as one,
or of crowns, as another reported, to levy an
army undoubtedly therewith, when time should
serve for it. This huge sum, as no man can
imagine it possible to be raised out of all the
Catholic stores in England, so was that part and
portion which they got, collected very suspiciously
but yet cunningly. For, first, it was not motioned
by any but of the Spanish faction that I could
ever hear of, nor to any but such as they thought
affected that way. Secondly, a caveat was given
that certain persons, whereof myself was one,
KING JAMES.
75
(who yet knew more than many of their own
knew thereof,) should in no wise be made privy
to it. Thirdly, this collection went very halting;
for in some it was made under pretence of send-
ing over a great many youths, none of which
must pass under £60, or £50 a piece, and others
not under hundreds or thousands, as they or their
friends were possibly able, by selling their lands,
goods, or otherwise, to afford it. In other places,
and to others, their pretence was to procure liberty
of conscience by gift of this huge mass of money
to certain Scotch lords very near about his Majes-
ty; and sometimes they would pretend other
necessities, either for themselves or Catholic pri-
soners or colleges beyond the seas. Yea, to some
they pretended one thing now, and, having gotten
the parties' benevolence for that, would come
upon them again for another matter. So as no
doubt the mass of money is great which they
have collected by these means, but not amounting
to near a million. I heard shortly after how it
was, or should be made up by Count Vanburgh,*
who then, as I take it, was embassador here from
the Archduke for that purpose, as was suspected.
And in truth in my poor judgment it was most
manifest; for that about the same time an offer
was made by a lord of the land to another, his
honorable friend, to procure £1000 sterling of
yearly pension to be given him to stand for the
Vandenberg or Eremberg.
76
THE COURT OF
Spanish faction with all the power (which he
knew to be great) that he was able to make;
affirming further, that another great person, and
competitor to the crown, should receive £10,000
of yearly pension from Spain for that purpose, to
be at their disposing.
These things thus growing to a head, I began
then to look about me and to devise some means
for to do God, my prince, and country some
piece of extraordinary service, though not by my
worthless self, yet by the many and great ac-
quaintance I had every where: and, first of all, I
devised how I might come to inform his Majesty
truly and exactly of all these things; but found
so many obstacles and impossibilities therein as I
despaired of it, as well by reason of many enemies
I had, which would discover, apprehend, or keep me
from the King's presence, as also for that I un-
derstood of the difficulty which even great per-
sons had to come in presence. Then I purposed
to impart all I knew to some lord of his Majesty's
honorable privy council, or other noble near about
and deeply affected to his Majesty; but the gene-
ral discontents between the Scots and English on
the one side, and the suspicion I imagined they
might justly have of me on the other side, lest
I should have come to entrap them by some
words or action, made me quite give over that
intendment, and resolved at last to write to Mr.
Edward Ashfield, as I did, desiring him (being
KING JAMES.
77
now at liberty out of the Tower) to come and
speak with me; intending to have informed him
of such matters as might have brought me to the
King's presence by his means, to have discovered
all. My letter he received, sent me word he would
come to me; but to this hour I never saw him.
Thus doubtful what to do, and the dangers
daily encreasing and hasting forward, so as I
greatly feared they would not be prevented
without God's wonderful providence, at last I
called to mind two stratagems not unfitting for
me to imitate in another kind than the first prac-
tisers did. One was an example which I heard
a Scots gentleman used, to win himself credit and
advancement at his Majesty's hands; and that was,
to confer with divers of his acquaintance and
friends, every one apart and in secret by himself;
to desire him to be in a readiness to do his sove-
reign service when he should give him notice,
which was by wearing some color or token known
to himself alone, and such as he could win into
the like, with oath taken and promise made not
to reveal it to any one. By which pretty device
of his, on the sudden, after Queen Elizabeth's
death, he showing his colors, a great many of his
association did the like, and in the end many
thousands, not knowing what it meant, but
imagining these to have been the King's colors
indeed, or worn for his sake; whereas the in-
tent of the first inventor was, that if any rebellion
78
THE COURT OF
or resistance had been against his Majesty at the
Queen's death, or otherwise, he would upon the
sudden have made as great a party as the most
should, on his liege's behalf.
The other strata-
gem was, and is an ordinary [subtle] device of
the Jesuits, yea, and of all politicians that are of
wit and action; and that is, to work in open show
all by contraries to their intention: as, (to go no
further,) in the case proposed and now in hand,
they had diversities of pretences to [outward]
show in the collection of this great treasure now
in readiness, dispersed amongst their consorts and
confederates. Again, they gave out to some that
such and such honorable and great persons were
quite now alienated and gone from them, (which
would they were,) but the contrary is too true, and
the policy therein more dangerous. Again, to some
they use most disgraceful and suspicious speeches
of the King, to exasperate men's minds against
his Majesty. To others they make large promises
of great rewards and honorable advancements;
and to others a marvellous applause of his Majesty,
with such a liking, good conceit, and hope, nay,
rather assurance, that he will be Catholic, or at
least grant liberty of conscience, as a simple man,
unacquainted with dissimulation and hypocrisy,
would think it impossible that ever they should
attempt or intend any thing against his Majesty,
or that one word of this my discovery in the pre-
mises should be true. But I thank God I have
KING JAMES.
79
witnesses, and can and will, at time and in place
convenient, name to his Majesty, or your honors
at his appointment, yea, bring in, by his or your
authority and protection under him, all and every
author of every particular practice and conspiracy
here set down, as they were from time to time
delivered unto me. Marry, this last device of ex-
tolling the King's Majesty, singing of Placebo, is
not amongst their own assured, when none of
ours, they think, can come to discovery, as those
places are where the treasure is kept for levying
of forces, and the powder and shot, with other
armour and artillery, is in a readiness. But this
smooth speech of toleration, &c. is where some of
the faction is in house or near to some of our com-
pany, whose loyal hearts they know to be such to his
Majesty as [it is] in vain and dangerous for them
to speak otherwise. And therefore one Holland,
a Jesuit, understanding that a noble lady, seduced
by him to be an enemy to the appellant priests, and
wholly for the Spanish faction, had discovered
herself so far (I verily think, of a good and reli-
gious true meaning heart in her, though not con-
formable to their atheal zeal and policy,) as great
likelihood there was (in his guilty conceit) of
some danger to them, or at least some hindrance,
if not discovery of their projects and platforms;
he therefore fared like a madman in dislike of
her for it, &c. And thus much for stratagems.
Now for my imitating of them.
80
THE COURT OF
In devising how to imitate these two stratage-
mical examples on his Majesty's behalf, and for
the good of our country, yea, and withal (I must
confess) for a dear desire I had of restoring religion
again in our country, or at least of procuring
liberty of conscience, which I made no doubt of
but would have been granted upon the sequel of
this special service intended by Catholics at my
procurement on his Majesty's behalf, amongst
many hopes there were two I did much presume
upon; and those were two Catholic gentlemen of
good worth and great alliance and friends, and
both standing for the priests against the Spanish
faction: the one I never saw myself, but knew
how to have him wrought upon [if] need were; the
other I know as one who, spite of the greatest in
that shire, and before any authority, commission,
or direction came down into the county, pro-
claimed King James presently, at what time as
another great knight and his confederates were
about to proclaim another sovereign over us:
these two Catholic gentlemen being, the one
deeply affected to a northern, the other to a
southern earl, both which I understood, by other
of my friends, were no less honorable in their ac-
tions than affected of all men, and most loyal to
his Majesty from the beginning, as it pleased his
Highness to acknowledge unto me upon some
speech of them at my last being in Scotland.
Hereupon I made no doubt, but when time should
KING JAMES.
81
come, these two [Catholic] gentlemen could and
would by my instructions inform the said two
honorable lords so thoroughly of all matters as
the Jesuitical faction should have a cold fall for a
conquest of this land. Yet, thinking it not fit for
the present to impart any matter of moment unto
them, I proceeded in this manner in imitating the
former stratagems.
First, hearing of divers upbraiding speeches
against me, proceeding from the Jesuits' malice, as
though there was Watson's king! There was he
that was said to be so well affected to Catholics as
that he would grant toleration! &c. I answered,
that it was true, and that I made no doubt
of it but his Majesty would be drawn unto it, if
our cause were once thoroughly known unto him;
which could not, as I thought, ever be but by
public means. The public means (quoth I) must
be this, for all Catholics out of every shire to repair
up to London about midsummer, for I understood
the Jesuitical or Spanish treason would break out
about that time; and to bring with them, of
schismatics and others, so many as they could
make of their friends, or win to give their voice
for toleration of religion on the Catholics' behalf;
and that all these repairing up together as they
might without suspicion, some to the term,
others to see our sovereigns, King and Queen,
and Prince and Princess, others to expect the
coronation, and some under one pretence, some
VOL. II.
G
82
THE COURT OF
under another, they should present themselves
before his Majesty and honorable council, all with
one voice crying out for justice in toleration of
the Catholic religion there to be granted by his
Majesty, and ratified and confirmed by his prero-
gative royal before all his noble peers presently,
in apt place. Otherwise they were not to expect
it, by reason of sinister suggestions that would
still in private be whispered into his princely ears
against us, and also for that particular faults
would be made general offences hereafter, as it
was in Queen Elizabeth's days. And besides, this
public grant would be so notified and known to
all the world, that no civil magistrate could ever
after except against it, nor seem to be ignorant
of it.
Adding, withal, that there were so many
noble and honorable persons (as some were tried
that were even Protestants and Puritans, who,
notwithstanding, thought well of toleration, and
promised to give their voice, &c.) that would like
well of the motion, as when it should be asked in
presence, What say you, my lord? and What say
you? (and so from one to another of the chiefs.)
Will you deign us your voice to his Majesty for
toleration of our religion? there were so few that
would not like of it, either in piety, or at least in
policy, as the willing impugners of so good a mo-
tion should even of fear and shame be put to
silence, when especially it should be known to
tend to the common good of all, the securing of
KING JAMES.
83
his Majesty's person and royal issue still to reign
prosperously over us, and the great profit, quiet,
and content which it would bring to the whole
commonwealth of and within his Majesty's
imperial dominions. Yea, to make this certain,
the Catholics should all in that place prostrate
themselves at their sovereign's feet, desiring no-
thing but justice at his hands; that if they had
deserved to be used as his children, (as a prince is
pater patriæ in respect of all his subjects,) then
not to suffer them to live as aliens, strangers,
bastards, bond-slaves, or men unworthy of his
gracious favors, common to all other sects or
professions. If any would accuse them, or give
a reason why they ought not to have such favor,
that it might not be suggested in detracting man-
ner and in hucker-mucker behind their backs;
but there in presence to have the case pleaded, and
the convicted put to silence ever after. Nay,
further, to take a solemn oath of allegiance, with
offer of hostages for continuance of their loyalty;
and discovery, with delivery of all, or any one
Catholic that should practise or conspire any man-
ner of way against the premises.
This proffer being well liked of by all men at
first that ever heard of it, and divers having pro-
mised, yea, and some upon their oaths granted, to
further it to their power; thus far, to wit, to do
their endeavor by all lawful means for restoring
of the Catholic faith in our country, for preserva-
G 2
84
THE COURT OF
tion of his Majesty's life in safety, and for con-
servation of the laws of our land against all who-
soever, and not to impart this their intent to any
until time should come for it, none taking nor
imagining how to take exceptions against the pre-
mises; yet the matter being heard of amongst
the Jesuits, they presently conceiving of it (as
true it was) that it would be an utter overthrow
to all their plots and treacheries, as a discovery
perforce of their treasons and conspiracies, a
mean to cause all Catholics to cashier and reject
them, and a violent expulsion of them all out
of this land, they hereupon began to stamp and
stare like madmen, and to devise all means possi-
ble either to hinder it, or else to bring us all into
question about it. They sent down post-haste
into the country, for all Catholics to beware of
such and such priests as were about a most dan-
gerous conspiracy. They reported that I was set
on by the Lord Cecil of Essendon and the Bishop
of London,* and I know not whom, to betray all
Catholics, and bring them within compass of trea-
son. They affirmed there could be no good mean-
ing in it, by reason that Catholics, Protestants,
Puritans, and all discontented persons of any
profession were in it. In few, the devil himself
could not have invented more manifest, false,
and spiteful lies than the Spanish and Jesuit fac-
tion did blaze abroad against us; and in conclusion,
* Dr. Bancroft.
KING JAMES.
85
finding, notwithstanding all this, themselves so
strait-laced as they neither could wrest themselves
out of danger and prevent discovery, nor yet
effect what they traitorously intended, which
was the death of our sovereign and all his royal
issue, as then it bolted out (no doubt as God
would have it) by a speech of one nobleman un-
to another to this effect, saying, there is no way
of redress save only one, and that is to take away
the King and his cubs, (for these were his words
as they were to me delivered,) not leaving one on
life. The party that spoke these words was the
same that a little before that time had promised
the procurement of the £1000 on the Spaniards'
behalf to this his friend; whom the Jesuits under-
standing of to be acquainted with me, your
honors may judge what a fear they were in, and
whether it were not high time for them to stir,
to cry whoreson first, in bringing all in question
who either were suspected to be acquainted with
that gentleman or me, or else that had blabbed
those conspiracies to bring them to our hearing.
Hereupon, Darcy, Gerard, and others, informing
what they could against the aforesaid gentleman
that had the dangerous letter sent unto him, and
they and others augmenting one lie with another
against me to the Arch-priest, and Walley, the
Jesuits' provincial, these two presently sent for
John Gage, whom they instructed what to say,
and deliver up to some of the privy council, or
other lords against us; causing him withal to come
86
THE COURT OF
to one Barnaby a priest, who, whether of fear lest
Gage had come [of purpose] to entrap him, or
else that he believed the thing reported by him
to be true indeed, or what else did move him to
so unjust an accusation of the innocent, I know
not; but by his own confession he is the man,
together with Gage, who hath accused me and
others most falsely and ignorantly, not knowing
any thing of the original cause and ground of
these matters, nor how the Jesuits had set
them on for clearing of themselves by laying
their own treasons and conspiracies to others'
charge. Which when I heard of, and that I was
so proclaimed, I sought to have got into some
private place for a time, until I had set down all
this at large, and found out a convenient messen-
ger to address it by unto his Majesty: but being
prevented of that my intendment by my appre-
hension, I now, as his Majesty's prisoner, do send
it unto your honors, either to deliver or impart
unto his Highness so much as it shall please him
to hear of, or in your wisdoms shall be judged
meet to trouble his princely ears withal. As for
the names of the parties that are unnamed, 1
have concealed them until I open them myself
in your presence, I hope without offence to your
honors and for just cause. Thus committing
all to your honorable considerations, and my
poor self, your prisoner, to be employed for
performance of what I here have promised, or
KING JAMES.
87
else banished for ever the land, or, lastly, kept
by some of you, I humbly take my leave.
At all your honors' service,
Your honors' ever,
WILLIAM WATSON.*
ROBERT HOBART TO SIR JOHN HOBART.
[Execution of Watson and Clarke.]
GOOD BROTHer,
SINCE your departure from London, there hath
chanced small occurrents, worthy the repetition,
that hath come to my hearing. From Winches-
ter I hear that, upon Tuesday last, the lords of
the council departed from thence to the court,
as the Lord Chancellor, Treasurer, &c. which had
commission to execute all, or so many of the pri-
soners condemned as they in their discretions
thought good; but they, in discretion, thought
fit to reprieve them all till they had made par-
ticular relation of every particular man and his
actions unto the King, and that he should deter-
mine thereof according to his pleasure. But
the furious impatience of the Lord Chief
Justice was such as, the same night the
lords went, he, by a writ of the crown-office,
executed two of them, viz. Watson and Clarke,
the next morning, lest a reprieve should have
* Tan. MSS. lxxv. 88. In Sancroft's hand, "Ex. Orig. P. O."
+ Sir Edward Coke.
88
THE COURT OF
come for them. Watson made short work, and
had quick despatch, for he only asked the Jesuits'
forgiveness,* and prayed them to forgive him,
and to pray for him both alive and dead; and so
was quickly despatched. But Clarke would have
abused, and the truth
told tales how they were
of things, how they were misled, and how the
people were blinded with coloured shows, but
could not be suffered; but was most miserably
tortured, to the great discontent of the people,
who now think that matters were not so heinous
as were made show of. On Friday, at night,
the Lord Admiral, and some other lords, came
back again to Winchester, whereupon there was
an execution expected on Saturday morning, but
was not so; for the clerk of the crown's man
stayeth the return of the Lord Chancellor to
make the writ, either to remove or execute the
rest of the prisoners. The sheriffs are pricked,
but they must put in better assurance to answer
the King than they have done. There is a Po-
land embassador come with presents and gratu-
lations to the King; he hath a company of
followers, the lustiest, tallest men that ever I
saw of any nation. There is an embassador
coming from Savoy; Sir John Hollis and a
Scotch knight were sent to receive them at
* The same thing is stated, in substance, by Hicks in his
letter to the Earl of Shrewsbury, in which he has given a de-
tailed and interesting account of the trial of the several con-
spirators. See Lodge's Illust. iii. 218.
KING JAMES.
89
Harwich, but I see them not yet come to Lon-
don. Geneva are gathered for in parish churches,
for their piercest are not able to maintain their
garrisons of soldiers. Grave Morris beginneth
to grow wearisome to the states, for that this
summer he hath spent a great deal and done
nothing; heretofore when he got them some-
thing towards the charges, though but a third
or fourth part, yet it was something. The Prince
cometh shortly to Oatlands; the Queen is ex-
pected on Thursday at Hampton Court, and the
King about Thursday come se'nnight. The
plague somewhat slaketh, but still *** scat-
tereth.
All the business at the end of this term was
despatched in Mr. Hickman's name
Lady Billensby is dead.
* * *
Your loving brother,
*. My
ROBERT HOBART.‡
From Clifford's Inn, London,
This 5th of December 1603.
To Sir John Hobart, Kt.
ROBERT HOBART TO SIR JOHN HOBART.
[Execution of Brooke and Markham.]
GOOD BROTHer,
* * IF you could be well spared from
Hayles, I wish you were here again, about a
se'nnight or fortnight hence after the court be
+ So in the original.
↑ Orig. Hol. Tan. lxxv. 113.
90
THE COURT OF
come, which is expected to be at Hampton Court
some time this week; for the coming thereof
doth quicken London and revive it very much,
for there is cause. For it is expected that there
will be as great a multitude and concourse of
people in it before Easter as ever was. There
is already laid in 200 tun of wine into White-
hall; there is order given already for trimming
up of the Parliament House and Westminster
Hall; wherefore we in London expect, at least,
the solemnity of the King's coronation, and a
parliament immediately after the term. There is
at the Court in London, besides the French and
Spanish Liegers, two embassadors from Venice,
one lieger and one special messenger, one from
the Duke of Florence, one from the Duke of
Savoy, one from the King of Poleland; and the
Constable of Spain is expected about February.
[There]fore now all men expect a peace at
least, if not a marry[age. I think I writ
you word that Mr. George Brooke [would] be
headed; * but since, upon Friday last, the two
lords and Sir Griffin Markham were brought to
the place of execution to be headed; but, when
every one was severally ready to be executed,
they were all reprieved and carried back again.
Yesterday, being Monday, it was expected Sir
Walter Rawley should be executed; but whether
it was done, or not, I hear not yet the certainty.
* The letter is much torn and decayed in this place, which I
have endeavoured carefully to restore.
}
KING JAMES.
91
There is a speech Sir Benjamin Tichborne shall
be lieutenant of the Tower.
There died the last week, of the plague, but 55.
Thirty parishes infected, but 'tis doubted this
week will be more. There is a captain hath
slain a Scotch knight, called Douglas, in fight
upon Hounslow Heath. For my own particu-
lar affairs, I can certify you no more than I did
the last week. *
Your poor brother,
ROBERT HOBART.*
From the office in Fleet Street, London,
this 13th of December 1603.
To Sir John Hobart, Kt.
T. CORNWALLEYS TO SIR J. HOBART.
[Execution of Brooke and Markham.-Exorcising at Court.]
CosIN,
My keeper (according to your desire) attended
the coming of your man, and went with him to
Wetherden, where he killed such a fat doe as
my keeper saith he hath never seen a fatter: it
will be a present well beseeming a Lord Mayor.
I thank you for your news, in requital whereof
I send you such as I received yesterday from a
friend of mine; viz. that on Friday last, the
Lord Gray, Lord Cobham, and Sir Griffin Mark-
ham, were severally brought to the scaffold; all
of them prepared themselves for death.
**
Orig. Hol. Tan. lxxv. 115. Much injured
The
92
THE COURT OF
Lord Gray protested to die a Protestant, Sir
Griffin Markham a Catholic; the Lord Cobham
professed nothing.* After this done, they laid
their heads on the block, when his Majesty's
pardon was pronounced unto them all. Sir Wal-
ter Raleigh was not brought forth, but still ex-
pecteth the King's mercy; which perhaps at length
will come, according to the proverb, in space
cometh grace.
What my son hath done with
those good fellows that were in his purse, you
shall understand by his letter here inclosed; which,
after you have read, I pray return again.
The last week were taken two priests at court,
which should have been banished, but were stayed
by occasion of a gentleman of the court, possessed
by a spirit, whose friends desired these priests to
exorcise him: they answered they would, if they
might have an altar and mass, and such other
rites as belong to that action, all which were
granted them. Some of the council desired to
be present, which they granted, so be it they would
behave themselves without contempt or irreve-
rence. The issue of this is expected, which we all
pray for, that it may be with good success; for it
*The following lines were written upon their behaviour on
this occasion:-
Fortiter occubuit Grayus, quasi vivere spernens;
Cobhamius timidè sed tamen ut decuit ;
In medio tacitè vadit Markhamius, ut qui
Vivere nec spernit pertimuitque mori.
From Yelverton's MS. All Souls' Coll. Oxf. f. 59, b.
KING JAMES.
93
may work much good in God's church, and in
particular to yourself. And so, with my hearty
commendations to your good father and mother,
and yourself, I end.
Your loving kinsman,
T. CORNEWALEYS.*
To my very loving Cosin, Sir John Hobart, Kt.,
At Hales Hall, in Norfolk.
SIR WALTER RAWLEIGH TO HIS WIFE,
AFTER HE HAD HURT HIMSELF IN THE TOWER.†
RECEIVE from thy unfortunate husband these
his last lines, these the last words that ever thou
shalt receive from him. That I can live to think
never to see thee and my child more, I cannot.
I have desired God and disputed with my rea-
son, but nature and compassion hath the vic-
tory. That I can live to think how you are both
left a spoil to my enemies, and that my name
shall be a dishonor to my child, I cannot, I can-
not endure the memory thereof: unfortunate
woman, unfortunate child, comfort yourselves,
trust God, and be contented with your poor
estate; I would have bettered it if I had enjoyed
a few years.
Thou art a young woman, and
forbear not to marry again: it is now nothing to
* Orig. Tan. lxxv. 12.
This letter at once determines the much vexed question,
whether or not Sir Walter did attempt to stab himself in the
Tower. See Tytler's Raleigh, p. 438.
94
THE COURT OF
me; thou art no more mine, nor I thine. To wit-
ness that thou didst love me once, take care that
thou marry not to please sense, but to avoid pover-
ty, and to preserve thy child. That thou didst
also love me living, witness it to others; to my
poor daughter, to whom I have given nothing;
for his sake, who will be cruel to himself to pre-
serve thee. Be charitable to her, and teach thy
son to love her for his father's sake. For myself,
I am left of all men, that have done good to many.
All my good turns forgotten, all my errors re-
vived and expounded to all extremity of ill; all
my services, hazards, and expenses for my coun-
try, plantings, discoveries, fights, councils, and
whatsoever else, malice hath now covered over.
I am now made an enemy and traitor by the
word of an unworthy man; he hath proclaimed
me to be a partaker of his vain imaginations, not-
withstanding the whole course of my life hath
approved the contrary, as my death shall approve
it. Woe, woe, woe be unto him by whose false-
hood we are lost! he hath separated us asunder;
he hath slain my honor, my fortune; he hath
robbed thee of thy husband, thy child of his
father, and me of you both. Oh, God! thou
dost know my wrongs: know then, thou my wife
and child; know then thou, my Lord and King,
that I ever thought them too honest to betray,
and too good to conspire against. But my wife,
forgive thou all as I do; live humble, for thou
hast but a time also. God forgive my Lord
KING JAMES.
95
Harry,* for he was my heavy enemy. And for
my Lord Cecill, I thought he would never for-
sake me in extremity; I would not have done it
him, God knows. But do not thou know it, for
he must be master of thy child, and may have
compassion of him. Be not dismayed that I
died in despair of God's mercies; strive not to
dispute it; but assure thyself that God hath not
left me, nor Satan tempted me. Hope and des-
pair live not together; I know it is forbidden to
destroy ourselves, but I trust it is forbidden in
this sort, that we destroy not ourselves despairing
of God's mercy.
The mercy of God is immeasurable, the cogi-
tations of men comprehend it not. In the Lord
I have ever trusted, and I know that my Re-
deemer liveth: far is it from me to be tempted
with Satan; I am only tempted with sorrow,
whose sharp teeth devour my heart. O God,
that art goodness itself, thou canst not be but
good to me! Oh, God, that art mercy itself, thou
canst not be but merciful to me!
For my state is conveyed to feoffees, to your
cousin Brett and others; I have but a bare estate
for a short life. My plate is at gage in Lombard
Street: my debts are many. To Peter Vanlore,
some £600. To Antrobus as much, but Cumpson
is to pay £300 of it. To Michael Hext,* £100.
To George Carew, £100. To Nicholas San-
ders, £100. To John Fitz-James, £100. To Mr.
* Cobham.
96
THE COURT OF
Waddom, £100.
for horses, £70.
£20.
To a poor man, one Hawker,
To a poor man, called Hunt,
Take first care of those for God's sake.
To a brewer at Weymouth, and a baker for my
Lord Cecill's ship and mine, I think some £80;
John Renolds knoweth it. And let that poor
man have his true part of my return from Vir-
ginia; and let the poor men's wages be paid with
the goods, for the Lord's sake. Oh, what will
my poor servants think at their return, when
they hear I am accused to be Spanish, who sent
them, to my great charge, to plant and discover
upon his territory! Oh, intolerable infamy! Oh,
God! I cannot resist these thoughts; I cannot
live to think how I am derided, to think of the
expectation of my enemies, the scorns I shall re-
ceive, the cruel words of lawyers, the infamous
taunts and despites, to be made a wonder and a
spectacle! Oh, death! hasten thee unto me, that
thou mayest destroy the memory of these, and
lay me up in dark forgetfulness. Oh, death!
destroy my memory, which is my tormentor; my
thoughts and my life cannot dwell in one body.
But do thou forget me, poor wife, that thou
mayest live to bring up thy poor child. I re-
commend unto you my poor brother, A. Gilbert.
The lease of Sanding is his, and none of mine;
let him have it for God's cause; he knows what
is due to me upon it. And be good to Kemis, for
he is a perfect honest man, and hath much wrong
* Hickes.- See Lodge's Illust. iii. 218.
KING JAMES.
97
for my sake. For the rest, I commend me to
them, and them to God. And the Lord knows
my sorrow to part from thee and my poor child;
but part I must by enemies and injuries, part
with shame and triumph of my detractors; and
therefore be contented with this work of God,
and forget me in all things but thine own honor,
and the love of mine. I bless my poor child,
and let him know his father was no traitor.
Be bold of my innocence, for God, to whom I
offer life and soul, knows it. And whosoever
thou choose again after me, let him be but thy
politique husband; but let my son be thy be-
loved, for he is part of me, and I live in him,
and the difference is but in the number, and
not in the kind. And the Lord for ever keep
thee and them, and give thee comfort in both
worlds! *
1605.
[Anecdotes of Henry IV. of France.]
SIR GEORGE CAREW TO THE EARL OF SALISBURY.
MY VERY GOOD Lord,
From Paris, June 2nd, 1605.
SINCE my last unto your lordship, there happen-
ed here a great and sudden accident, which was
* Contemporary copy, transcribed from Serg. Yelverton's col-
lection in All-Souls. Marked MS. 16, 18, fol. 100, b.
VOL. II.
H
98
THE COURT OF
like to have made a great alteration in this estate;
but, God be thanked, all is now well again! It
was that the King and Queen here were very near
drowning; and it came to pass on Friday last, the
30th of May, being an exceeding wet day, on this
sort. The King and Queen had been at St. Ger-
main to see the Dauphin and the rest of their chil-
dren, and in the evening took their coach, with six
horses, to return to Paris again. The King at that
time was troubled with the toothach; and, there-
fore, contrary to his wont, sate then in the hinder
part of the coach: at other times he used to sit in
the boot. There were besides with them in the
coach the Duke of Vendôme, his late son by the
Duchess of Beaufort, the Duke Montpensier,
and the Princess of Conti. Between St. Germains
and Paris there are divers ferries, or bacs, as they
call them here. The rest they passed well; but
at the last, which is hard by the house of Madrid,
when two of the horses were gotten in the ferry-
boat, the two hindermost, in the descent of the
bank, being wet and slipping, fell into the water,
which is deep, the length of a pike, close to the
shore, and drew up the coach on one side after
them, that being nethermost on which the Queen
sate. There is joined to the side of the great
ferry-boat a little flat-bottomed boat for men to
pass over in, which the King was wont ever to
pass, but the wetness of the weather and his tooth-
ach then kept him in the coach. That little boat
was the means of saving all their lives; for the
KING JAMES.
99
coach falling upon that, was thereby supported,
which otherwise had slid and sunk clean down.
The King perceiving the overturning of the coach,
called to have the harness cut, took little Ven-
dôme in his hands, and cast him to those standing
in the ferry-boat; Montpensier being in the boat
that turned uppermost, got out and helped him-
self with the top of the coach. The King, seeking
to get out from the hinder part within, was hit
back by the side bar of the boot of the coach then
turning, and was much wet, but soon recovered
and had out by gentlemen that put themselves
into the water to help. There were not many
present; L'Isle, Chastaigneray, and Ursi are
named for the chiefest. The Queen was in the
lower side of the coach a great while under
water, the bed of the coach falling that way, and
the Princess of Conti likewise, and being wedged
in with her short farthingale, or transequeue, made
it the more difficult for her to get out. The King
caught at her gown at first, and held it still, bring-
ing in his hand a piece of it out that he rent off;
then returned into the water himself and lament-
ed much the Queen, thinking she must have
perished, giving order for grappling for her and
for the Princess of Conti, which the rest in that
haste and confusion thought not on.
At length
they were both gotten out, the Queen's gown and
hair and all that came next to hand being laid
hold on, so that all her head-tire she lost, and
100
THE COURT OF
amongst that some of her hair and jewels of value,
and came to Paris in a man's hat. The Princess
of Conti, sister to the Duke of Guise, a very
courteous, fair, and good lady, much affectionate
to the King, my Sovereign, using all good offices
to all appertaining to his Majesty, as soon as she
came to have help, got in a manner as much hair
as the Queen lost; for the first thing that she laid
hold on was his beard, that came to help her, and
that she held so fast as hath made the places of
his face, where it grew, bare. Being all gotten
out, they passed the ferry presently, and first went
on foot to heat and stir themselves, then got into
another coach, the King making all the speed he
could to be the first man that should bring the
news of his well doing to this town of Paris.
That night he supped abroad, recounting his ad-
venture to the Princes, that came to see him, and
telling of the time of his falling into the water,
said, "Aussi bien estoit l'heure de boire." The next
day Te Deum was sung in many places of Paris
for his deliverance.*
SIR GEORGE CAREW TO LORD CAREW,
HIS KINSMAN.†
30th of June 1605.
TOUCHING Women, the King is vehemently
bent for entertaining the Marquise of Verneuil
* Birch, 4160.
+ Vice-Chamberlain to the Queen.
Henry IV. of France.
KING JAMES.
101
again. The Queen, of all women, fears her, as
one that hath had very handsome children by the
King, pretendeth a contract of marriage with him
before the Queen's, and in way of discourse is
only capable and sufficient above any woman in
France, as the King himself professeth d'entretenir
son esprit; to which kind of delight with women
he now most bendeth himself, being not any more
in case a far la prouezze d'Hercole. To divert him
from this Marquise, the Queen hath been con-
tented that he should entertain the Countess of
Moritt.* She hath given way and furtherance to
the matter of La Haye; but upon speech with her
two things have distasted the King; the first a
demand of thirty thousand or fifty thousand of
crowns by her; to which the King answered, Beau-
mont vous a instruit en cecy; the other, that she
began to play the preacher with him, and per-
suaded him to content himself with his Queen.
The King answered that she was son pain cotidien,
but he must have besides somewhat for collation.
She persisting in her former two terms, the King
told her she was une sotte, and that he would see her
no more. The Queen hath also sought to bring in
the Marquise's own sister in competence of love
with her; but the King cannot be wrought to any
of these people. Therefore the Queen falls into
great passions and weepings if she hear that either
the King goes to the Marquise, or that she comes
* Moret la Haye.
102
THE COURT OF
to Paris: and the Princess of Conti is the Queen's
chief councillor therein. The King thereupon is
at them both with bitter chidings sometimes; and
at other he employs his most inward councillors to
satisfy the Queen herein. Rosny hath been ever
in opposition with the Marquise; and therefore
he is brusquement against her. Sillery and Ville-
roy deal with the Queen in more persuasive terms,
telling her that at first she was afraid of Queen
Margaret's coming to the court, but that she find-
eth now that it proveth for her greatness and for
her assurance and for the good of the Dauphin.
So likewise it were more for her assurance to have
the Marquise here publicly as a concubine, than
to have her hold the secret pretensions of a wife
by living apart; which pretensions receive strength
by the fears which the Queen showeth of them;
the only way to destroy them were to show a
contempt of them. These reasons, though they
be true, yet is not she capable of, but leads such
a life about these matters as troubleth both ex-
tremely, and this bruit de message I take to have
been some cause of putting off Sir William Go-
dolphin's audience the longer, the King being in
these terms with the Queen and the Princess of
Conti at his arrival, and therefore himself to Fon-
tainebleau à passer son ennuy. Since I hear the
King hath written a kind letter to the Marquise,
wherein he telleth her he can be no more without
her company than the body without the soul.
KING JAMES.
103
4th July. The Queen, upon the doubt of the
King's return to the Marquise, grew into such
sharp terms as that she protested rather than she
would endure such indignities, she would return to
Florence again, and received as quick an answer,
that for to bring her thither she should have the
easiest coaches and litters of all France provided
for her.*
LETTERS OF ARABELLA STUART TO PRINCE HENRY.
18th Oct. 1605.
SIR,
My intention to attend your Highness to-mor-
row (God willing) cannot stay me from acknow-
ledging by these few lines how infinitely I am
bound to your Highness for that your gracious
disposition towards me, which faileth not to show
itself upon every occasion, whether accidental or
begged by me, as this late high favour and grace
it hath pleased your Highness to do my kinsman
at my humble suit. I trust to-morrow to let
your Highness understand such motives of that
my presumption as shall make it excusable. For
your Highness shall perceive, I both understand
with what extraordinary respects suits are to be
presented to your Highness, and, withal, that
your goodness doth so temper your greatness as
it encourageth both me and many others to hope
that we may taste the fruits of the one by
*Birch, 4160.
104
THE COURT OF
means of the other. The Almighty make your
Highness every way such as I, Mr. Newton, and
Sir David Murray (the only intercessors I have
used in my suits, or will in any I shall present
to your Highness) wish you! and then shall you
be even such as you are, and your growth in
virtue and grace with God and men shall be
the only alteration we will pray for. And so in
all humility I cease.--From London, the 18th of
October 1605.
Your Highness'
Most humble and dutiful,
ARBELLA STUART.*
To the Prince.
'
MAY IT PLEASE YOUR HIGHNESS,
I HAVE received your Highness' letter, wherein
I am let to understand that the Queen's Majesty
is pleased to command Cutting my servant for the
King of Denmark, concerning the which your
Highness requireth my answer to her Majesty,
the which I have accordingly returned by this
bearer, referring him to her Majesty's good plea-
sure and disposition. And although I may have
some cause to be sorry to have lost the content-
ment of a good lute, yet must I confess that I
am right glad to have found any occasion where-
* MS. Harl. 6986, fol. 71. This letter has been already
printed by Birch, in his Life of Prince Henry, p. 60. But I
have taken the liberty of introducing it here as a favourable
specimen of Arabella's correspondence.
KING JAMES.
105
by to express to her Majesty and your Highness
the humble respect which I owe you, and the
readiness of my disposition to be conformed to
your good pleasures; wherein I have placed a
great part of the satisfaction which my heart can
receive. I have, according to your Highness'
direction, signified unto my uncle and aunt of
Shrewsbury your Highness' gracious vouchsafing
to remember them, who, with all duty, present
their most humble thanks, and say they will ever
pray for your Highness' most happy prosperity;
and yet my uncle saith he carrieth the same
spleen in his heart towards your Highness that
he hath ever done. And so praying to the Al-
mighty for your Highness' felicity, I humbly
cease. From Sheffield, the 15th of March 1607.
Your Highness'
Most humble and dutiful,
To the Prince his Highness.
ARBELLA STUART.†
ARABELLA SEYMOUR (STUART) TO *
*
[Soliciting the person she writes to, to use his interest with
Lord Northampton to intercede for her with the King, after her
marriage with the Earl of Hertford.]
SIR,
THOUGH YOU be almost a stranger to me, but
you
only by sight, yet the good opinion I generally
+ MS. Harl. 6986, fol. 78.
106
THE COURT OF
hear to be held of your worth, together with the
great interest you have in my Lord of North-
ampton's favor, makes me thus far presume of
your willingness to do a poor afflicted gentle-
woman that good office (if in no other respect,
yet because I am a Christian) as to further me
with your best endeavours to his Lordship, that
it will please him to help me out of this great
distress and misery, and regain me his Majesty's
favor, which is my chiefest desire. Wherein his
Lordship may do a deed acceptable to God and
honorable to himself, and I shall be infinitely
bound to his Lordship, and beholden to you, who
now, till I receive some comfort from his Majesty,
rest the most sorrowful creature living,
[1611 ?]
ARBELLA SEYMOUR.†
[The Gunpowder Plot.]
SIR EDWARD HOBART TO SIR THOMAS EDMONDS,
AMBASSADOR AT THE COURT OF BRUSSELS.‡
* FOR Our Occurrences here.
On
Wednesday, the 30th of October, the Earl of Cum-
berland§ died; and it is said that the body of the
council is no whit weakened thereby. His wife
and he were reconciled before his death, who is left
+ MS. Cott. Vesp. F. iii. fol. 35.
From a copy by Birch in the Sloane Collection.
§ George Clifford.
KING JAMES.
107
a lady able to pleasure the communion of saints,
having a jointure of £1200 a year, confirmed in
39 Eliz. by parliament. Upon his opening, there
was as much filthy matter in his liver as filled a
great charger. My Lord of Salisbury is one of his
executors. His daughter shall have £15,000, and
be married to my Lord of Walden.
The last of October died the old Lady Chandos ;
and it is confidently said that my Lord is to marry
my Lord Chamberlain's eldest daughter. The
same day the King arrived at Whitehall.
Upon the 1st of November, Monsieur de Beau-
mont departed towards France, having left behind
him a reasonable distaste here, but had a very ex-
traordinary present given him from the King, and
Queen likewise, and so had his wife. I understand
that the Count de Crumaille, who is to succeed
him, will not be here these six weeks; so as for
this parliament we are like to be without a French
ambassador.
Here were certain books lately brought out of
France, and great search made after them to call
them all in. And how true I know not, but I am
let to understand that our ambassador then moved
the French King for the suppressing of the whole
press, and received but a very slight answer.
continueth a history of some eight years since,
containing some quires of paper, and written by
one Dampmartin: you may easily recover one by
the French ambassador there.
It
108
THE COURT OF
There is another book, written in Spanish, much
in disgrace of the admiral and carriage of our
countrymen there. Before my coming hither, I
hear that Madame de Hoboguen was with the
Queen at Hampton Court, where she did excel-
lently carry herself to her great commendation.
I have not yet seen her, but will do with the first
opportunity. I am and will do her all the honor
and service I can, purposing when my wife shall
be come to the town and settled, solemnly to in-
vite her. But to tell your Lordship truly, she
lieth so far off at Stepney, as, this winter weather,
it is great toil to go to her. A man must be fain
to spend a whole day for a compliment, which I
should hardly do during the parliament, were it
not that my obligation is so great to my father,
Monsieur le President, as will leave nothing un-
performed. Much marvelling, for many respects,
they do not winter within the City.
It is said here, that the chaplain which Sir
Charles Cornwallis carried over with him into
Spain is turned friar: likewise, that a priest of
Taxis is converted here; and assuredly given out
that Sir Edmund Bainham is turned Capuchin.
Several parliament men are dead since the last
session, as Sir Arthur Atye, Sir Edward Stafford,
Sir Richard Levison, Sir George Harvey, Sir
Philip Keightley, old Leife of Hastings, Sir Ed-
ward Lewkenor, Sir Thomas Heskett, attorney of
the Wards, (in whose room Serjeant Hobart is
KING JAMES.
109
placed,) young Sir Henry Beaumont, &c.; wherein
your Lordship may note that it hath leightened
most upon fat men. For lords, I find, none dead
but the Lord Windsor.
Here hath been lately kept certain marshal-
courts by the commissioners, wherein were chiefly
handled, as I understand, the matter of the Earl
of Kildare, for the Barony of Ophaley. As also
the Viscount Montague calleth in question Sir
Edward Monteagle, for bearing of his coat of arms,
and quartering of Mountherme, driving it to the
point of proving no gentleman. But one thing
seemed very strange unto me, which the lords.
have likewise called before them, that there is one
Musgrave, one of the Knights of the Bath, and
hath married my Lord Wharton's daughter, who
hath caused to be made a great number of glass
windows to be set up in his house containing
sundry arms, where he placed for the first coat the
arms of England, the second the arms of Scotland,
the third of Edward the Confessor, and the fourth
his own. I verily believe he will prove another
Basset.
In the beginning of this Michaelmas term, Jus-
tice Gaudy was made Chief Justice of the Com-
mon Pleas.
We hear that the King of Spain hath been
lately in Navarre, under colour of coming to be
crowned; but when he came to Pampeluna, he
flayed the governor of the town quick, and put
110
THE COURT OF
to death two hundred inhabitants for practising
with France.
On the 5th of November we began our Parlia-
ment, when the King should have come in person,
but he refrained through a practice but that morn-
ing discovered. The plot was to have blown up
the King at such time as he should have been set
in his royal throne, accompanied with his children,
nobility, and commoners, and assisted with all the
bishops, judges, and doctors; at one instant and
blast to have ruined the whole state and kingdom
of England; and for the effecting of this there
was placed under the parliament-house, where the
King should sit, some thirty barrels of powder,
with good store of wood, faggots, pieces, and bars
of iron. How this came forth is sundry ways de-
livered. Some say, by a letter sent to the Lord
Monteagle, wherein he was warned not to come
to the parliament the first day; for that the time
was so wicked as God would take some vengeance,
which would be in as short time performed as
that letter could be burned, which he was prayed
to do. Such as are apt to interpret all things to
the worst, will not believe other but that Mon-
teagle might in policy cause this letter to be sent,
fearing the discovery of the letter; the rather,
that one Thomas Ward, a principal man about
him, is suspected to be accessary to the treason ;
others otherwise. But howsoever certain it is,
that upon a search lately made on Monday night
KING JAMES.
111
away.
in the vault under the parliament chamber before
spoken of, one Johnson was found, with one of
those close lanterns, preparing the train against
the next morrow, who being after brought into
the galleries of the court, and there demanded if
he were not sorry for his so foul and heinous a
treason, answered, that he was sorry for nothing,
but that the act was not performed. Being re-
plied unto him, that no doubt there had been a
number in that place of his own religion, how, in
conscience, he could do them hurt, he answered,
a few might well perish to have the rest taken
Others telling him that he should die
a worse death than he that killed the Prince of
Orange, he answered, that he should bear it as
well, and oftentimes repeated that he should have
merited pardon if he had performed it. Some say
that he was servant to one Thomas Percy; others
that he is a Jesuit, and had a shirt of hair next his
skin. But he was carried to the Tower on Tues-
day following, whither the lords were to examine
him. This Thomas Percy had been a servant of
the Earl of Northumberland's, and put in great
trust by him concerning his northern business,
and lately made by him a pensioner.
He pre-
sently fled, and proclamations were made pre-
sently for his apprehension,
Early on the Monday morning, the Earl of Wor-
cester was sent to Essex House to signify the
matter to my Lord of Northumberland, whom he
112
THE COURT OF
found asleep in his bed, and hath done since his
best endeavour for his apprehension. This Percy
my Lord of Northumberland confessed had £4000
of his in his hands. I will judge the best; but if
this Earl should be found hereafter any ways
privy thereto, it cannot be but that Beaumont's
hand was in the pie.† *
When Johnson was brought to the King's pre-
sence, the King asked him how he could conspire
so hideous a treason against his children, and so
many innocent souls, which never offended him?
He answered that it was true; but a dangerous
disease required a desperate remedy. He told
some of the Scots that his intent was to have blown
them back again into Scotland.
We say that Sir Anthony Shirley hath been
with the Emperor, and is at this time employed
by him into Spain; and there is further news,
that his brother, Robert Shirley, hath been the
chief instrument for the Persian to overthrow
fourscore thousand Turks.
Since Johnson's being in the Tower he begin-
neth to speak English; and yet he was never upon
the rack, but only by his arms upright.
On Thursday, the 7th of November, the Earl
of Northumberland was committed to the custody
of the Archbishop, who, as I doubt not but you
already know, is made one of the privy council.
Some insurrection hath been in Warwickshire,
+ Goodman's Memoirs, p. 102.
KING JAMES.
113
and begun the very same day that the plot should
have been executed, some Popish and light heads
thinking to do wonders. The chief of name, which
I hear of, are such as were swaggerers in Essex's
action; as Catesby, and some say Tresham, the
two Wrights, and one of the Winters, and such
like. Percy himself was met at Dunstable, it
should seem, going towards them. If the practice
had taken effect, the King of Spain's embassador
and the Archduke's had been blown up; for their
coaches were ready at the door to have attended
on the King. Some say that Northumberland re-
ceived the same letter that Monteagle did, and con-
cealed it. The Viscount Montacute is committed
to Sir Thomas Bennet's house, alderman of London.
Captain Whitelock is committed to the Tower of
London. Sir Walter Raleigh is much suspected
to be privy to this action; for Whitelocke had
had private conference late with him. The pri-
soner's right name is held not to be Johnson, but
Faux. He hath further confessed, that there be
many gentlemen, which at this time serve the
Archduke, that have been made privy, that they
should be prepared for that day for an insurrec-
tion; and that he verily thinketh they will come
shortly over by degrees.
Many rumours were here concerning Monsieur
Beaumont. Some give out that he is not passed
the seas at my writing of this. But I am credibly
let to understand, that he did mightily importune
VOL. II.
I
114
THE COURT OF
to pass over, and did take shipping the same Tues-
day morning, notwithstanding an adverse wind,
and that he gave to the captain which carried him
a ring worth some five and twenty crowns, which
he took in great dudgeon. I hear that that Ger-
man, which so braved him heretofore in his own
house, followed him to Canterbury, and there,
à la desrobée, affianced himself to his gentlewoman,
la Hay, about whom the stir was.
Your lordship must interpret of my letter
favorably, as written at sundry times; which I do
for your better information, though it hang as it
were by points. It is much here observed that
the French King would have no embassador here
against that day.
Such as have been curious to search out whether
ever the like act hath been attempted, can find
none come so near unto this, as a practice about
nine years since, to blow up the Consistory at
Rome by one of the house of Este.
I pray your lordship let me understand from
you
how Sir Henry Carey is handled, and how his affairs
go. I think they were too forward when we were
there to advance their titles above others. * *
I understand that Tyrwhit, which married my
Lady Bridget, and also Sir Everard Digby, are
gone to the rebels, who have left Warwickshire
and are gone into Worcestershire; but of the
flying hand and little strength; not daring to come
into any good town.
KING JAMES.
115
All the King's servants are to take the oath of
supremacy.
On Friday, the 8th of November, the King
sent forth a proclamation, that whosoever could
apprehend Thomas Percy,* and bring him alive,
if he were an offender in this treason in whatso-
ever degree, he should not only have pardon of
his life, lands, and goods, but also a reward of
£1000 value at the least; and if he be no offender,
he shall have that or a greater reward.
Majesty set forth a proclamation before that,
wherein he freed his neighbor kings and princes
from any suspicion he had of their privity; for
that all the ministers of foreign princes which are
now here, made earnest suit to be present in the
His
* The apprehension of Percy was of considerable importance,
particularly for substantiating the guilt or innocence of such
noblemen who were supposed to be privy to the plot. All posi-
tive proof against the Earl of Northumberland seems to have
failed by Percy's death. Much curious information, illustrative
of this letter and of the proceedings against the Popish lords,
will be found in a letter of Sir R. Cecil to Sir T. Edmonds, in
Birch's Hist. View, p. 242. In a subsequent letter, dated 25th
July, 1611, Cecil states some curious particulars respecting the
confession of a servant of the Earl's, who had asserted that the
Earl was privy to the plot; upon which Northumberland was
subjected to another examination, in which he confessed that,
after he was committed to the Tower in 1605, he wrote to his
brother, Sir Alan Percy, "to take it upon him, that by his
means Percy was admitted a gentleman-pensioner to his Majesty,
and suffered to escape the oath." He also admitted that he was
acquainted with the hiring of the house where the mine was
made. Ibid. 247.
I 2
116
THE COURT OF
place that day. It is said that the rebels came but
two hours too late to have seized upon the per-
son of my Lady Elizabeth's grace.
On the 9th of November the King came to the
Parliament House, the Queen, his wife, the em-
bassador of the Infanta, and the King of Spain pre-
sent. There was solemnly delivered up by the
Lord Chancellor that part of the instrument of
the Union, which was to be offered to the con-
sideration of the next session of parliament, the
House of Commons being likewise present. The
King used some speech touching that matter, and
largely delivered in some points touching the late
horrible treason, and in the end prorogued the par-
liament until the 21st of January. Among many
other aspects one was, that in the mean time many
examinations might be thoroughly taken, for that
all the offenders in this treason should be tried by
the next session of parliament. His Majesty in
his speech observed one principal point, that most
of all his best fortunes had happened unto him
upon the Tuesday; and particularly he repeated
his deliverance from Gowry, and this, in which
he noted precisely that both fell upon the 5th day
of the month; and therefore concluded that he
made choice that the next sitting of parliament
begin upon a Tuesday.
I must confess to your lordship that I was
not myself present, nor have not been since
the session began, out of my house, neither
KING JAMES.
117
had I been at that day's work. But I hope
my father, Richardot, will not hold me in sus-
picion.
Tyrwhyt is come to London, Tresham showeth
himself, and Ward walketh up and down. John-
son's name now is turned into Guy Vaux, alias
Faux. Upon the 10th of November, fresh news
came that the traitors were overthrown by the
Sheriff of Worcestershire, that Catesby is slain,
Percy taken, but sore hurt, at Lyttelton's house,
in Worcestershire, which they say the sheriff put
fire to. I understand the sheriff's name is Welch ;
so much was signified the same day upon a solemn
and general thanksgiving by Barlow, Bishop of
Rochester, as I heard.
I understand that the French church here at
London appointed the same day for a general
thanksgiving, and proclaimed a fast for the Thurs-
day ensuing. On Friday, the 15th of November,
the Lord Montacute, and Lord Mordaunt, and
Tresham were sent to the Tower. It is thought
the Lord Mordaunt will be found very capital;
for that one Keye, the keeper of his house at
Surrey, was one of the principal plotters of the
treason. One thing is very worthy of note, that
as these men would have wrought by powder, so
by their own powder, which was casually set on
fire at Lyttelton's house, they were much dis-
tressed; otherwise it is thought that the sheriff
had not so easily come by them. Percy is dead,
118
THE COURT OF
who it is thought [of] some particular men could
have said more than any other.*
Upon the death of the Earl of Cumberland,
Grafton and the parks were bestowed upon the
Duke of Lennox. * * * The Compotation
house, whereunto all this crew resorted during
their practice, was the Hart's Horn, in Carter
Lane. *
November 19th [1605].
LORD MONTAGUE TO THE EARL OF DORSET.+
[Defending himself from the imputation of being concerned in
the Gunpowder Plot.]
MY GOOD LORD,
I DO daily find more and more how much I
am bound to love you; and having, since yester-
day, most justly conceived a new affection in that
degree, though (God knows) it was not small be-
fore, I am enforced in these few lines, with tears
of heart and eyes, for my better ease, to bemoan
myself unto your lordship, assuring you, in the
word of no dissembler, that to my knowledge I
never knew what grief was till now, which as it
proceedeth not from any guilt, (the which God
and my soul knows to be far from me,) so doth
it as little proceed out of any tediousness of im-
prisonment, or were it death itself, wherein I
could hope (by God's grace) to command myself
+ See p. 113, 117.
* See the Memoirs, p. 106, 107.
KING JAMES.
119
as a man ought to do. But they be the depend-
ences and consequences of this restraint by im-
putation of that wherein I am most innocent, as
also in other respects that do torment me more
than I can express. Wherefore I do most hum-
bly beseech your lordship, even for the most
bitter passion of our Lord Jesus, to give me ad-
vice how, without violation of that which I am
and hope ever to be in the integrity of faith, I
may work unto myself, by letter or otherwise,
the good grace of his Majesty, and the favor of
my lords of his council. That which I would
crave, were but that I might be with your lord-
ship in what manner soever, whereunto if your
lordship might be pleased upon mine humble
suit to incline, though it cannot be but your
trouble; yet shall it not be (I hope) your discom-
fort, and I am sure it shall not be the least deed of
charity you may do. But if that cannot be, yet
I would your lordship might but send for me to
speak of things, which with you I could do confi-
dently. And if neither the one nor the other may
be so soon as I could wish, yet I would I might
hear from your lordship in such time as to your
lordship may seem convenient. This I write not
from any mislike of mine usage, either from the
knight* or his lady, both giving me abundant
satisfaction in what I can wish. And even thus,
I humbly commend my desires, and all that may
concern me, unto your lordship's good favor and
* Sir Thomas Bennet, see p. 113
120
THE COURT OF
patronage. From Sir Thomas Bennett's house,
this 8th of November, 1605.
Your lordship's most loving son-in-law,
ANTONY Mountague.
To the Right Honorable my very good Lord, and
Father-in-law, the Earl of Dorset, Lord Trea-
surer of England, be these delivered.
LORD MONTAGUE TO THE EARL OF DORSET.
MY GOOD LORD,
WHEREAS your lordship doth demand of me,
upon my duty and allegiance to his majesty, to de-
clare whether I had any warning of this horrible in-
tended treason against his Majesty, either directly
or indirectly, whereby I might be moved to forbear
coming unto the parliament, I do most unfeign-
edly protest upon the same allegiance to his Ma-
jesty, and by the faith I owe unto God, that I
had not at all; only this I did lately call to mind,
that upon the Tuesday before All Saints' Day, in
the Savoy, I met Mr. Robert Catesby, with whom
I had some few words of compliment, and among
the rest in these words, or the like: "The parlia-
ment, I think, brings your lordship up now?"
Whereunto I answered to this effect, and in these
words as nigh as I can remember, "No, surely, but
it will, on Monday next, unless my lord treasurer
do obtain me his Majesty's licence to be absent,
which I am in some hope of." Then he said to this
effect, “I think your lordship takes no great plea-
KING JAMES.
121
sure there," whereunto I assented. And so after a
word or two of my walks (as I remember) and of
maintaining them, which (to my knowledge) he
never saw, I parted from him. The like words
also I had with others, that were no ways like to
be interested in this wicked work, whose names
I cannot remember, they being so many as seemed
to wonder at my going at that time; and by all
likelihood, some of them should seem to be of
mine uncles and aunts that be about the town,
and some others. And whereas your lordship
doth also command me, in his Majesty's name, to
explain my meaning of that which I wrote in my
last letter unto your lordship, that I would your
lordship might but send for me to speak of
things, which with you I could do confidently,
I protest unto your lordship, it was not for any
thing which I can say in this matter, but partly
to satisfy you concerning certain words, which I
conceived my Lord of Salisbury to have spoken,
that I was head of the Catholics, and so taken;
and partly also in regard of such objections as
your lordship might make against me, either in
the behalf of these or other the like words; or
else concerning my future courses, if by his Ma-
jesty's gracious favor I might be freed from this
present restraint. God is my witness that this
was my meaning in general, rather to talk with
your lordship confidently of whatsoever the pre-
sent time should minister occasion to speak of,
A
122
THE COURT OF
than of any other thing in particular. Thus
humbly referring this matter and myself unto
your lordship's good favor, I take my leave of your
lordship. From Sir Thomas Bennett's house,
this 12th of Nov. 1605.
Your lordship's most loving son-in-law,
ANTONY MOUNTAGUE.
LORD MONTAGUE TO THE EARL OF DORSET.
MY GOOD LORD,
WHEREAS, in my letter written yesternight
unto your lordship, I advertised you of certain
speeches had with Mr. Robert Catesby, on Tues-
day before All Saints' Day, I must crave pardon
of your lordship for mistaking the day, for it
must needs have been the Tuesday fortnight be-
fore All Saints' Day, which was the 15th of
October; for then I was at the Savoy, and dined
with mine aunt of Southampton, having formerly
met him by chance in the way; and on the next
Tuesday before, I was not at the Savoy at all.
But by this mean I did mistake the time, for that
on both these Tuesdays I was in London, and
did on either of them take my journey out of
London, and had such speeches with him, upon a
day wherein I was to ride out of London. The
words were to my remembrance such as I set
down in my former letter, saving that the precise
day of Monday for my return could not be pre-
fixed by reason of the distance of time, and that
KING JAMES.
123
I was in hope to have known his Majesty's plea-
sure sooner by your lordship's means, whereby if
I had been to come up at all, I would not have
deferred my coming until the last day. But that
very day of Monday, I did name unto somebody
upon the Tuesday before All Saints, and that (as
I remember) unto my cousin, George Shute the
younger, who, coming unto me from his father
for certain evidences, enquired diligently of my
return, presuming thereupon as necessary upon
occasion of the parliament. Whereupon I told
him certainly of Monday, unless your lordship
should get his Majesty's leave for absence; so
much also unto my lady. My grandmother
Mountague,* with whom I dined that day, I said
upon the unwillingness I saw in her to my going
down, because of the speedy return, which she
thought, and persuaded me would be too painful
for me.
I thought not of thus much, I assure
your lordship, until this morning that I was
ready to rise; and being up, sent immediately for
my letter, thinking to have now written it, but
it was gone. Yesternight, as I was going to bed,
one of my folks told me, that he heard in the
house that the miserable fellow, that should have
been the bloody executioner of this woful
tragedy, was called Guy Faux; surely, if so
* Widow of Anthony Brown, the first Viscount, a fine old
nobleman, much distinguished for his patriotism in the reign.
of Queen Elizabeth.
124
THE COURT OF
were his name, he should seem to have been my
servant once, (though sorry I am to think it,) for
such a one I had even for some four months,
about the time of my marriage, but was dis-
missed from me by my lord, upon some dislike
he had of him; and discontinued for a year,
till some six months after my lord's death, at
what time he coming to one Spencer, that was,
as it were, my steward and his kinsman, the same
Spencer entreated me, that for that instant (being
some few days) he might wait at my table, which
he did, and departed; and for that time I never
had to do with him, nor scarcely thought of him.
Thus craving pardon of your lordship for the
error of my former, and the rudeness of this pre- ·
sent letter, I humbly take my leave of your lord-
ship. From Sir Thomas Bennett's house, this
13th of November, 1605.
Your lordship's most loving son-in-law,
ANTONY MOUNTAGUE.
1606-1614.
[Miscellaneous News.]
MR. PORY TO SIR ROBERT COTTON.
[Marriage of the Earl and Countess of Essex. Account of a
mask by Ben Jonson and Inigo Jones.]
SIR,
January, 1606.
EVER since your departure I have been very
unfit to learn any thing, because my hearing
* ==
KING JAMES.
125
(which Aristotle calls sensus eruditissimus) hath,
by an accidental cold, been almost taken from
me, which makes me very unsociable and to keep
within doors; yet not in such a retired fashion,
but that I have seen both the mask on Sunday
and the barriers on Monday night.
The bridegroom* carried himself as gravely
and gracefully as if he were of his father's age.
He had greater gifts given him than my Lord of
Montgomery had, his plate being valued at £3000,
his jewels, money, and other gifts, at £1000 more.
But to return to the mask. Both Inigo, Ben,†
and the actors, men and women, did their parts
with great commentation. The conceit, or soul
of the mask, was Hymen bringing in a bride, and
Juno, Pronuba's priest, a bridegroom, proclaim-
ing that those two should be sacrificed to nuptial
union. And here the poet made an apostrophe
to the union of the kingdoms. But before the
sacrifice could be performed, Ben Jonson turned
the globe of the earth, standing behind the altar,
and within the concave sat the eight men-maskers,
representing the four humours and the four affec-
tions, who leaped forth and disturbed the sacri-
Robert, Earl of Essex, married, at the age of fourteen, to
Frances, daughter of Thomas, Earl of Suffolk, she being only
thirteen. The marriage took place in January 1606. The
troubles afterwards occasioned by it are very well known.-See
Goodman, p. 221.
† Jonson. This mask is printed among his works.
126
THE COURT OF
fice to union. But amidst their fury, Reason,
that sat above them all, crowned with burning
tapers, came down and silenced them. These
eight, together with Reason, their moderator,
mounted above their heads, sat somewhat like the
ladies in the scallop-shell, the last year. About
the globe of earth, hovered a middle region of
clouds, in the centre of which stood a grand con-
cert of musicians, and upon the canton, or horns,
sat the ladies, four at one corner and four at ano-
ther, who descended upon the stage, downright
perpendicular fashion, like a bucket into a well,
but came gently slipping down. These eight,
after the sacrifice was ended, represented the
eight nuptial powers of Juno pronuba, who came
down to confirm the union. The men were clad
in crimson, and the women in white; they had
every one a white plume of the richest herns'
feathers, and were so rich in jewels upon their
heads, as was most glorious. I think they hired
and borrowed all the principal jewels and ropes
of pearl, both in court and city. The Spanish
embassador seemed but poor to the meanest of
them. They danced all variety of dances, both
severally and promiscue; and then the women
took in men, as, namely, the prince, who danced
with as great perfection and as settled a majesty,
as could be devised. The Spanish embassador,
the Archduke's embassador, the Duke, &c. and
the men, gleaned out of the Queen, the bride,
and the greatest of the ladies.
KING JAMES.
127
The second night the barriers were as well per-
formed by fifteen against fifteen, the Duke of
Lenox being chieftain on the one side, and my
Lord of Sussex on the other.
But to leave these sports, and fall to more
serious matters. On Friday last, the old Vene-
tian lieger, Molino, presented to the King and
Prince a new lieger, Justiniano. I say to the
Prince, because they delivered a letter from the
Signory to him as well as to the King. They
came to the court in thirteen coaches; they were
apparalled in black gowns, lined with the richest
fur of all others, black fox. ***
***
Tui semper, &c. &c. *
J. PORY.†
1609-10.
LADY COMPTON ‡ TO WILLIAM LORD COMPTON,
HER HUSBAND.
[Written upon occasion of his coming into possession of a large
fortune.]
MY SWEET LIFE,
Now I have declared to you my mind for the
settling of your state, I supposed that that were
† Cotton MS. Julius C. iii. f. 35.
↑ Elizabeth, daughter and heiress of Sir John Spencer, who was
Lord Mayor of London, in 1594; died in March, 1609-10, worth
£300,000; some said £800,000, which vast accession of property
threw Lord Compton at first into a state of distraction.—Win-
128
THE COURT OF
best for me to bethink or consider with myself what
allowance were meetest for me. For considering
what care I ever had of your estate, and how re-
spectfully I dealt with those, which both by the
laws of God, of nature, and civil polity, wit, reli-
wood, iii. 136; where the following remarks occur in a letter from
Beaulieu to Trumbull, dated March, 1609 :-" On Tuesday, the
funerals of Sir John Spencer were made, where some thousands
did assist in mourning cloaks or gowns, amongst which there were
320 poor men, who had every one a basket given them, stored
with the particular provisions set down in this note inclosed ;*
but to expound to you the mystical meaning of such an antic
furniture, I am not so skilful an Edipus, except it doth design
the Horn of Abundance, which my Lord Compton hath found
in that succession. But that poor lord is not like, if God doth
not help him, to carry it away for nothing, or to grow very rich
thereby, being in great danger to lose his wits for the same;
whereof being at the first news, either through the vehement
apprehension of joy for such a plentiful succession, or of care-
fulness how to take it up and dispose it, somewhat distracted,
and afterwards reasonably well restored, he is now of late fallen
again (but more deeply) into the same frenzy, so that there
seemeth to be little hope of his recovery. And what shall these
thousands and millions avail him if he come to lose, if not his soul,
at least his wits and reason. It is a fair and ample subject for
a divine to discourse of riches, and a notable example to the
world not to woo or trust so much in them. It is given out
abroad that he hath suppressed a will of the deceased's, where-
by he did bequeath some £20,000 to his poor kindred, and as
much in pios usus; for the which the people do exclaim that
this affliction is justly inflicted upon him by the hand of God.”
* A black gown, four pounds of beef, two loaves of bread,
a little bottle of wine, a candlestick, a pound of candles, two
saucers, two spoons, a black pudding, a pair of gloves, a dozen
of points, two red herrings, six sprats, and two eggs.
KING JAMES.
129
gion, government, and honesty, you, my dear,
are bound to, I pray and beseech you to grant to
me, your most kind and loving wife, the sum of
£1600 per ann. quarterly to be paid.
Also I would, besides that allowance for my
apparel, have £600, added yearly (quarterly to be
paid) for the performance of charitable works,
and these things I would not, neither will be ac-
countable for.
Also I will have three horses for my own sad-
dle, that none shall dare to lend or borrow; none
lend but I, none borrow but you.
Also I would have two gentlewomen, lest one
should be sick or have some other lett. Also be-
lieve that it is an undecent thing for a gentle-
woman to stand mumping alone, when God hath
blessed their lord and lady with a great estate.
Also when I ride a hunting, or a hawking, or
travel from one house to another, I will have
them attending. So for either of those said wo-
men, I must and will have for either of them a
horse.
Also I will have six or eight gentlemen; and
I will have my two coaches, one lined with vel-
vet, to myself, with four very fair horses; and a
coach for my women, lined with sweet cloth, one
laced with gold, the other with scarlet, and lined
with watched lace and silver, with four good horses.
Also I will have two coachmen, one for my
own coach, the other for my women.
VOL. II.
K
130
THE COURT OF
Also at any time when I travel, I will be allow-
ed not only carroches and spare horses for me and
my women, but I will have such carriages as shall
be fitting for all, orderly, not posturing my things
with my women's, nor theirs with chamber-maids,
nor theirs with wash-maids.
Also for laundresses, when I travel, I will have
them sent away before with the carriages to see
all safe; and the chamber-maids I will have go
before with the grooms, that the chambers may
be ready, sweet and clean.
Also, for that it is undecent to crowd up my-
self with my gentleman-usher in my coach, I will
have him to have a convenient horse, to attend
me either in city or country. And I must have
two footmen. And my desire is, that you defray
all the charges for me.
And for myself, besides my yearly allowance,
I would have twenty gowns of apparel, six of
them excellent good ones, eight of them for the
country, and six other of them very excellent
good ones.
Also I would have to put in my purse, £2000
and £200; and so you to pay my debts.
Also I would have £6000 to buy me jewels,
and £4000 to buy me a pearl chain.
Now, seeing I have been and am so reasonable
unto you, I pray you to find my children apparel
and their schooling, and all my servants, men and
women, their wages.
KING JAMES.
131
1
Also I will have all my houses furnished, and
all my lodging chambers to be suited with all
such furniture as is fit; as beds, stools, chairs,
suitable cushions, carpets, silver warming pans,
cupboards of plate, fair hangings, and such like.
So for my drawing chamber in all houses, I will
have them delicately furnished, both with hang-
ings, couch, canopy, glass, carpet, chair, cushions,
and all things thereunto belonging.
Also my desire is, that you would pay your
debts, build Ashby House, and purchase lands;
and lend no money, as you love God, to the Lord
Chamberlain, which would have all, perhaps
your life, from you. Remember his son, my
Lord Walden,† what entertainment he gave me
when you were at the Tilt-yard. If you were
dead, he said he would be a husband, a father, a
brother, and said he would marry me. I protest
I grieve to see the poor man have so
and honesty to use his friend so vilely.
fed me with untruths concerning the Charter-
house; but that to the least he wished me much
harm: you know him, God keep you and me
from him, and any such as he is.
little wit
Also he
So now that I have declared to you what I
would have, and what that is that I would not
have, I pray, when you be an earl, to allow me
* Thomas Howard, Earl of Suffolk, made Lord Treasurer in
1603. Of his extravagant habits, see these memoirs, i. p. 290.
↑ Succeeded his father in the earldom, in 1626.
K 2
132
THE COURT OF
£1000 more than now desired, and double at-
tendance.
Your loving wife,
ELIZA COMPTON.
MR. JOHN SANFORD TO SIR THOMAS EDMONDS.*
[Amusing description of Spain.]
London, 6th March 1610.
RIGHT HONORABLE, MY VERY GOOD LORD,
THE time of our departure for Spain drawing
near, which is assigned about the 20th of March,
and myself upon the point of taking my leave of
those to whom for love or respect I owe this duty,
I thought it fit to begin from your lordship, in
whose honorable favors I have found the greatest
place of my poor fortunes. It was my grief to
be transplanted out of your lordship's house, but
that there was cause, and little aid, I think, to
have exchanged Brussels for Madrid. But as in-
colatus meus in terra mera est peregrinatio, so God
out of his love towards me hath always crossed
me in that which I most desired, and taken me
from that wherein I most delighted, that this
often change should put me in mind of my own
change.
My opinion of Spain, as also my affection to-
wards it, is the same that ever it hath been. I
* Birch, 4176, f. 32.
KING JAMES.
133
hear Catholics lately come from thence to speak
much good of the country. But when I read
Clenard's epistle of his journey thither, I am apt
to believe the contrary; who having been a pub-
lic reader at Louvain, as he posted through Bis-
cay, having broken a little drinking glass, he was
fain to drink water, like Diogenes, in his hand,
because all the village was not able to lend him
another. Near Valladolid he could hardly get
a faggot of vine branches to warm him in sharp
weather. His supper at night was indeed, as he
saith, cœna dubia, not as the Latins meant it-a
plentiful supper, which made the guests in doubt
where to feed; but quod incertum erat an cogere-
tur jejunare. His olla was a little poor deal of
bacon, which he was fain to buy unciatim—by
ounces. His stomach roaring for want of vic-
tuals, he was forced to betake himself to roast
onions, as to his sacra anchora. His inn could
not afford him either bed or straw, but having
hired three black Moors, whom he prettily calleth
Dentonem, Nigrinum, Carbonem, he slept by hang-
ing on their shoulders, or by being stayed up
by them; whilst his muleteer foris delectabatur
in strato gramineo. This narration I first read at
Brussels with delight, but being now to make
trial of it, I apprehend it with fear and horror, the
rather for their sakes amongst us, who having
been used to much tenderness will find it strange,
after a tedious and dangerous passage by sea, tu
134
THE COURT OF
be entertained in this kingdom of Cabul, a land
of mountains and deserts. I held it, as it was
indeed, a pleasant journey when mounted en
croupe, and trod better provinces under my
horse's hoof than Spain hath any, and lay every
night in a beautiful walled town, plentifully and
daintily feed. Now I am told for certain, that
my Spanish jennet may be a Biscayan mule,
which will fling as if with her heels she would
hit him that rideth on her back, which will ease
me from one of my pains, that whereas I should
be in fear of climbing those wearisome cliffs and
mountains, now I shall only be in care where to
fall soft. Our cities poor hamlets, whose mud-
wall houses, (as our Philpot was wont to say,)
like young whelps, see not till nine days after
they be made, their windows being scored and
cut out. Our ventas and hostelries without vic-
tuals or lodgings, which made Clenard to cry out
upon them—“O Lusitani, tollite falsa vocabula.
Vocatur diversorium, ubi nec comedendi nec dormi-
endi datur facultas."
My good lord, whilst I make myself as merry
as I can with this my journey into Spain, I have
an inkling of irresolution of leaving the ocean
to our household, and of Sir John Digby's and
my lady's passing through France and indeed
there is great reason for it; for in her safety and
her young son's, is shipped the greatest stay of
our present fortunes; the estate which Sir John
KING JAMES.
135
doth now enjoy by her being set at £1200 by the
year; her son also being a tender child, and the
last of his name in England, who, if he should
fail, his fair estate would clear be dissipated. I
might add also his eldest brother, Sir Richard
Digby's heir, that is to be Baron of La Faile, in
Ireland, besides his father's inheritance here in
England. These considerations make us turn
sail to coast by France, which puts me in some
hope of seeing your lordship once again.
For news, I know your lordship hath certain
advertisements from others. Only thus much is
evident to mine own faculty. My Lord of Lon-
don* is lately become Archbishop of Canterbury,
and it is thought that Dr. King shall succeed
him.
There is a flying speech here of the death of
my Lord of York.† Upon the remove of the
Bishop of Gloucester to Worcester, Dr. Tasker
(who is now printing an answer to Becanus, as
the Bishop of Ely is against Bellarmine) had
thought to have succeeded, and had a grant of
it from the King; but Dr. Tomson, Dean of
Windsor, hath carried it from him. Dr. Bucke-
ridge is Lord elect of Rochester.
*
*
Your Lordship's ever to serve,
*
JOHN SANFord.
* Dr. George Abbot.
+ Toby Matthews.
‡ Dr. Henry Parry.
136
THE COURT OF
MR. LORKIN TO SIR THOMAS PUCKERING, BART.
[Description of the arrival of the King of Denmark.]
SIR,
July 29, 1614.
MR. WHITWICK, at his departure hence, com-
mended the care of your businesses to me, who
having this week received and perused your letters
to him, to see if I might help aught to the satis-
fying of the contents thereof, I understand thereby
the great danger, both which you have incurred
and avoided. I bless God and congratulate you
on so happy and miraculous a deliverance; the
circumstances whereof most worthily lead you to
a serious contemplation of the Divine Provi-
dence.
* * *
Since my last letters there hath nothing occurred
here worth the writing; only I shall be able to
relate unto you somewhat more fully the manner
of the King of Denmark's coming, together with
all the conceits and opinions of men touching the
cause thereof. As touching the first it was in this
sort. When he left home, he pretended an inter-
view to be had between himself, the Dukes of
Saxe, Brunswick, and Hulst, at a certain town
situate upon the confines of Germany, whither he
must necessarily use the benefit of the sea for the
transporting of himself. Having, therefore, the
better to color his design, commanded all his
train to go before and to attend his arrival at such
a place, he with three of his council, and half a
KING JAMES.
137
dozen other gentlemen, with as many trumpeters
and as many of his guards, embarked themselves
in pretence for Germany, but with an intention for
England. None of them that were embarked with
him were privy to his purpose save the three of
his council and the three masters of the ships,
which were the number of the ships that came
along with him. He landed here at Yarmouth,
and thence took post-horses here to London, where
dining at an ordinary inn, near Aldgate, he hired a
hackney coach, and presently addressed his course
to the Queen's court, and entered the presence
before any person had the least thought of him.
There Cardel, the dancer, gave the first occasion
of discovering him, by saying that that gentleman
was the likest the King of Denmark that ever he
saw any in his life, which a Frenchman, one of
his Majesty's servants, hearing, and viewing his
countenance well, whom he had seen the last time
of his being here, grew confident that it was he;
and presently ran to carry the news thereof to the
Queen, who sat then at dinner, privately, in her
gallery at Somerset House. The Queen at first
scorned him for his labour, so vain it appeared,
and thought it some fantastic capricio of a French
brain. But the King, following close after, and
begging silence with the beckoning of his hands
as he entered, came behind her and embraced her
ere she was aware, and saluting her with a kiss,
taught her the verity of that which before she be-
138
THE COURT OF
་
lieved to be a falsehood. Presently she took off
the best jewel she wore about her, and gave it the
Frenchman for his tidings, despatched a post to
his Majesty, who was then well onward on his
progress, and then intended the care of his enter-
tainment.
The stealth of the journey, and other circum-
stances of his arrival, gave subject of fear at the
first that it was for some great distress at home,
which point being since cleared, it is as strongly
conceited that it is for some notable design abroad,
and specially with relation to Germany. But
some of the wiser sort think that it is to accom-
modate some particular differences here; whereof
I think fit to give you only this touch, which I
wish may rest likewise with yourself.
His entertainment here hath been hunting,
bear-baiting, running at the ring, and fencing.
Upon Monday next our King conveys him to
Rochester, and so back to Gravesend, when he
takes shipping the day following with intent of
returning speedily.
SIR,
MR. PORY TO SIR ROBERT COTTON.
[Entertainment of the King of Denmark.]*
ON Sunday, the King, Queen, and Prince, lying
the night before in the Bishop's palace at Roches-
ter, had a Latin sermon in the cathedral church,
* From Birch's Collection.
KING JAMES.
139
preached by Dr. Parry, who delivered a good
matter with so good a grace, as their Majesties
were very well pleased to hear him. His text
was, Fac judicium et videbis faciem Domini. The
sermon ended, they had their barges at Rochester
Bridge, and so ran for the space of two miles along
the galleys, ships, and pinnaces, viewing them as
they lay, till they came against Upnor Castle.
There they mounted the "Elizabeth James," in
which their dinner was provided. This ship was
joined by a bridge founded upon masts and railed
on each side, being 200 feet long, to the Bear,
which was fitted in all points for the entertainment
of the Danish Lords and others. Between both
these royal ships lay a hulk, which served for a
kitchen to both. In the Elizabeth the great cham-
ber, being part of the upper deck abaft the main
mast, contained a long table for my Lord Cham-
berlain and other of our English Lords. The
same deck, before the main mast, had a table for
the ladies. From whence, up a pair of stairs, there
was a passage unto the orlop, where was a fair
tent set up, lined and hanged, the inside with
silks and cloth of gold; at the upper end whereof,
under a rich cloth of state, sate the two Kings, the
Queen, and Prince, at dinner.
Some time after they had dined they took
coach at Upnor Castle on the shore, towards
Gravesend, and having gone some three quarters
of a mile they made a stand upon a Windmill-hill,
140
THE COURT OF
whence they might perfectly view all the whole
navy. Then began the galleys next the bridge to
discharge, and after them all the pinnaces and
ships, in order as they lay, to the number of 1008
great shot. This thunder made such music in the
King of Denmark's ears, as he told the King if he
had spent half his kingdom in a banquet, he could
not have contented him so well; and further, that
in requital he gave himself and his heart to do the
King, as long as he lived, all friendly offices both
in word and deed. Whereto the King answered,
that never any man was to him so welcome as the
King of Denmark, nor ever should any till he
came again.
Yesterday, being Monday morning, between
seven and eight of the clock, the King of Den-
mark returned to his fleet, lying at Gravesend, to
make all things ready against the King and Queen
should come aboard. About eleven they ascended
the Admiral of Denmark, and not above fifty per-
sons were admitted aboard. At every health,
there were from the ships of Denmark and the
forts some three or fourscore great shot discharged,
and of these thundering volleys there were between
forty and fifty. You would have thought that
Jupiter had been invited. About four of the
clock, afternoon, the King of Denmark presented
to the King a beautiful and well-contrived fire-
work; it stood upon a lighter, being in form of a
square conduit or cubic, with four pillars answer-
KING JAMES.
141
ing the four corners. Upon the top of this cube
stood a lion with a chain in his hand, which
fettered eight capital Vices that sat underneath
upon the angles and sides of this cube or ara.
This firework was appropriated to the month of
July, the lion representing him in the Zodiac, as
by these verses, written about him in golden let-
ters, you may well perceive:-
Ecce Leo, summi genuinus Solis alumnus,
Injiciens noxiis ferrea vincla malis,
Te docet injectis Vitium compescere frænis
Scilicet inde viri mens generosa liquet.
To the Vices in particular were ascribed these
epigrams :-
Iracundia.
Ora tument, oculique rubent, præcordia fervent.
Hei mihi! dum præceps in mea damna feror.
Desidia.
Pectus iners, semperque sequax ignobilis otî,
Utibilem nulli me facit esse bono.
Luxuria.
Fama, valetudo, res et mens conscia recti,
Ut pereant, *
prava Libido facit.
Fallacia.
Ut frontem mihi larva tegit, sic subdola mentem
Lingua, fides verbis ne sit habenda meis.
Invidia.
Cor mihi fortunis aliorum marcet opimis,
Exercetque animum debita pœna meum.
Superbia.
Haud ipsa mihi nota satis sum, meque et mea magni
Cum stolidis faciam, cætera despicio.
* Blank in MS.
142
THE COURT OF
Injustitia.
Quid leges, quid jura vetent, nil curo; nec æquum
Quid siet; arbitrii lex mihi sola placet.
Gula.
Pinguis aqualiculus mihi turget, mentis acumen
Hebet, paupertas dum mea tecta petat.
This firework very methodically, one after
another, continued burning and cracking for the
space of three quarters of an hour; which being
consumed, the kings, with tears in their eyes, and
most ardent demonstrations of their mutual affec-
tions, took their leaves.
The gifts that the King hath bestowed upon
the King of Denmark, were a sword and hanger
valued at £17,000; item, a cup of £5000; item,
to the King of Denmark's council, plate to the
value of £2000; item, to his gentlemen, two
chains of gold to the same value; and to the in-
ferior Danes, £1000 in money.
The King of Denmark in his gifts hath not
been inferior, for he hath given in court 30,000
dollars; viz. to the household beneath the stairs,
15,000 dollars; to the officers above the stairs,
20,000; and to the equerry or stabler, 5000 dollars.
Besides, to every one of the King's and Queen's
bedchambers he hath given jewels of great value.
On the Queen he hath bestowed his picture,
richly set with jewels; and on the Prince, his
Vice-Admiral, and best fighting ship, being with
all her furnitures not less worth than £25,000,
and a rapier and hanger valued at 20,000 marks.
KING JAMES.
143
Besides all which, he hath bestowed liberally
on the navy, &c. To attend his Majesty on his
way homeward, Sir Robert Mansell is appointed
with the Vanguard and the Moon.
Your most humbly devoted,
Jo. PORY.
*
1615.
[Overbury, and the examination of those concerned in his death.]
SIR THOMAS OVERBURY TO THE EARL OF
SALISBURY.+
MY HONORABLE LORD,
As your lordship was a judge of mine inno-
cence before, so would I now crave that favor,
that your lordship would vouchsafe to be a witness
* This year was first certainly revealed and brought to a
public trial the merciless and inhuman murder of Sir Thomas
Overbury, Knight, son and heir-apparent of Thomas Overbury,
Esquire, one of the ancient Benchers of the Middle Temple,
poisoned at least two years before in the Tower of London. It
came first to light by a strange accident of Sir Ralph Winwood,
Knight, one of the Secretaries of State, his dining with Sir Jervis
Elvis, Lieutenant of the said Tower, at a great man's (the Earl
of Salisbury's) table, not far from Whitehall. For that great
man commending the same Sir Jervis to Sir Ralph Winwood,
as a person, in respect of his many good qualities, very worthy
of his acquaintance, Sir Ralph answered him, that he should
willingly embrace his acquaintance, but that he could first wish
he had cleared himself of a foul suspicion the world generally
+ Birch, 4168.
144
THE COURT of
of the submission both of myself and cause to the
Queen's mercy: which I desire you rather, be-
cause as I understand her Majesty is not fully
satisfied of the integrity of my intent that way:
and to that purpose, if your lordship will grant
me access and audience, I shall hold it as a great
favor, and ever rest,
Your lordship's to be commanded,
T. OVERBURY.*
London, 11th of September.
conceived of him, touching the death of Sir Thomas Overbury.
As soon as Sir Jervis heard that, being very ambitious of the
Secretary's friendship, he took occasion to enter into private
conference with him, and therein to excuse himself to have been
enforced to connive at the said murther. With much abhorring
of it, he confessed the whole circumstances of the execution of it
in general, and the instruments to have been set on work by
Robert, Earl of Somerset, and his wife. Sir Ralph Winwood
having gained the true discovery of this bloody practice from
one of the actors, beyond his expectation, parts from the Lieu-
tenant of the Tower in a very familiar and friendly manner, as
if he had received good satisfaction by the excuse he had framed
for himself; but soon afterwards acquainted the King's Majesty
with it. When the Earl afterwards learned, about the beginning
of his troubles, that Sir Ralph Winwood had been the discoverer
of his bloody sin, he upbraided him with ingratitude, that having
been advanced by his only means to the Secretary's place, he
would now become the instrument of his ruin. But Sir Ralph
answered him, that for his Secretary's place he might thank
seven thousand pounds (if I mistake not the sum a little) which
he gave him and as for the business in question, he could
neither with the safety of his life nor conscience have concealed
it; or words to that effect.-D'Ewes, MS. Journal.
:
* Of Overbury's restoration to favour, a notice occurs in a
letter from Sir T. Somerset to Edmondes, 8 Nov. 1611.
KING JAMES.
145
THE QUEEN TO THE EARL OF SALISBURY.
MY LORD,
THE King hath told me that he will advise with
you and some other four or five of the council of
that fellow.* I can say no more, either to make
you understand the matter or my mind, than I
said the other day. Only I recommend to your
care how public the matter is now both in court
and city, and how far I have reason in that re-
spect. I refer the rest to this bearer, and myself
to your love.
ANNA R.†
MR. JOHN CASTLE TO MR. JAMES MILLES,
AT SOUTHAMPTON.‡
[Execution of Mrs. Turner.-Trial of Sir J. Elwys.-His Exe-
cution.-Franklin's Indictment.]
MY DEAR FRIEND,
You must not find it strange that my letters
come so slowly after yours; mine own private
occasions, and the desire to give you a summary
of two or three acts of this tragedy at one view,
have been the means to make me thus tardy.
* Meaning Overbury.
+ Reference has been already made, in Bishop Goodman's
narrative, to the hostility which Queen Anne entertained towards
Overbury. These letters show in a striking way that her hos-
tility had assumed the character of deep aversion and disgust.
Cotton MSS. Titus, B. vii.
VOL. II.
L
146
THE COURT OF
Since I saw you, I saw Mrs. Turner* die. If
detestation of painted pride, lust, malice, powder-
ed hair, yellow bands, and the rest of the ward-
robe of court vanities; if deep sighs, tears, con-
fessions, ejaculations of the soul, admonitions of
all sorts of people to make God and an unspotted
conscience always our friends; if the protestation
of faith and hope to be washed by the same Savior
* A most pleasing description of Mrs. Turner is given in a
poem, called Overbury's Vision, printed about the date of her
execution.
It seemed that she had been some gentle dame,
For on each part of her fair body's frame
Nature such delicacy did bestow,
That fairer object of it doth not show;
Her crystal eye beneath an ivory brow,
Did show what she at first had been; but now
The roses on her lovely cheeks were dead;
The earth's pale colour had all overspread
Her sometime lively look; and cruel death,
Coming untimely with his wintry breath,
Blasted the fruit which, cherry-like in show,
Upon her dainty lips did whilom grow.
O how the cruel cord did misbecome
Her comely neck! and yet by law's just doom
Had been her death. Those locks, like golden thread,
That used in youth to enshrine her globe-like head,
Hung careless down; and that delightful limb,
Her snow-white nimble hand, that used to trim
These tresses up, now spitefully did tear
And rend the same; nor did she now forbear
To beat that breast of more than lily white,
Which sometime was the bed of sweet delight.
From those two springs where joy did whilom dwell,
Grief's pearly drops upon her pale cheek fell.
Somers' Tracts, ii. 331.
:
KING JAMES.
147
and by the like mercies that Mary Magdalene was,
be signs and demonstrations of a blessed penitent,
then I will tell you that this poor broken woman
went a cruce ad gloriam, and now enjoys the pre-
sence of her and our Redeemer. Her body being
taken down by her brother, one Norton, servant
to the Prince, was in a coach conveyed to St.
Martin's of the Fields, where in the evening of the
same day she had an honest and a decent burial.
Since her death, I was present at the trial of the
lieutenant, who entered into his answer with so
great art to move affections, and laid his ground-
work with so much show of soundness and
confidence, binding himself by protestation to
God that he would not in the course of his de-
fence speak a lie to save his life, that all men that
had brought thither indifferent ears, hath wished.
him innocent, and expected the conclusion should
have been as they wished. But, after long waste
of speech, it fared with him as the old Romans
observed sometimes to happen to those among
them that acted veterem comœdiam, that did in actu
ultimo deficere. For an examination of Franklin,
taken that very morning, being produced, wherein
he confessed the being at the Countess of Essex's
chamber with her and Turner, about the preparing
of divers poisons, and a letter from the lieutenant
being brought to her at that instant, which she
could not, for the badness of the hand, well read, he
was commanded, as better acquainted with his cha-
L 2
148
THE COURT OF
racter, to read the same unto her, which he did;
and thereof he well remembered one chief passage,
which was, that this scab is like the fox, for the
more he is cursed, the more he thrives. This pas-
sage being urged, he was stricken as with a thun-
derbolt, having nothing to reply further, either in
denial or interpretation. Whereupon there follow-
ed the sentence of his death, which he underwent
the 20th of this present at Tower Hill, being the
place whereon he had obtained, by his suit to my
Lord Chief Justice and the rest of the Commis-
sioners, to suffer, to the end he might avoid the
ignominy of the common gibbet.
He came from Newgate, whither, according
to the custom of prisoners to be executed, he
was first delivered by the sheriff, and on foot
passed along the high streets to Tower Hill,
having on one hand Dr. Felton, and on the
other Dr. Whiting, who, as his spiritual guides
and pilots, ceased not continually to strengthen
him in this tempest, assuring him that he was
now within kenning of that port, where all tran-
quillity and blessedness attended him. Being
come to the place, and having ascended the ladder,
he began a well ordered speech, acknowledging the
justice and roundness that had been used towards
him in the proceedings, and the gracious favor
he had received to be allowed that place to finish
his life upon, whence viewing the stage where
he acted his sin, he might the more deeply
KING JAMES.
149
imprint the occasions to beget repentance. That
if any of his friends had been ill satisfied at the
confidence and protestation used in the day of
his trial, they would be pleased to excuse him,
as being encouraged thereunto out of a per-
suasion of his innocence; for he had usually in
his prayers besought of God pardon of other sins,
but not of this touching Overbury's death, never
thinking the concealing of a sin to have been a sin.
But, since his condemnation, those holy men
(meaning the Doctors, his confessors,) had made
him see this fearful error and the ugly face of
his sin, which was great and bloody; for that
when it was in his power to have hindered the
proceedings of the poisoners, he suffered them
to go on to the murthering of an honest gentle-
man, and one that had commended himself to
his trust, whereby he became guilty, though no
actor, not only of his blood, but was in some
sort as a cause, sine qua non, of their blood that
were dead for the fact before him, and of the
effusion of theirs to follow, which were many. He
added, that worldly respects had been the beget-
ters of this sin in him, and that he had notes and
instructions from time to time from the Earl of
Northampton and Sir Thomas Monson for the
usage of his prisoner, of whom, as of all other
persons and circumstances belonging to that sub-
ject, he had the Sunday before given a full and
true confession to my Lord Chief Justice. That
150
THE COURT OF
he had taken the seals of the precious body and
blood of Christ upon it, as a sign of the truth of
his confession; and would now with his own
blood, though the same was most base and im-
pure, and unworthy to have mention after the
other, witness that he had delivered all the truth
that was within his knowledge. He passed from
hence to recite the infinite mercies of God, that
had not taken him away by any sudden judg-
ment, either by water, by shooting the bridge, or
by walking in the streets, or by an ordinary visit-
ation in his bed; by either of which if he had
died, he thought he had departed in a fearful
estate, not having been possessed of the know-
ledge nor of the contrition due for such a heinous
sin. He professed his true and unfeigned sorrow
for it, with assured hope that he was bound up
in the bundle of the living; and that the blessed
angels were now about him, to carry his soul
within a few minutes unto those eternal man-
sions, where he should see his Saviour face to
face. Then he made a most fervent and devout
prayer. After he exhorted all that saw him to
take heed of looseness of life and hypocrisy, tell-
ing them that his youth had been riotous and
wasteful, repeating two judgments wherein he
saw God had found him in this very business;
the one for having wished, upon a time when
he had lost much by gaming, that God would
give him grace to forbear it, and that if he
KING JAMES.
151
ever played again hanging might be his end.
"Which," said he, "is now come upon me; for,
allured by company, it was not long after that
I broke this vow and wish. The next was his
excessive pride in the faculty of his pen, where-
in Northampton and others of able judgments
had given him much commendation, as having
more ableness than other men. And now he
found that his own hand-writing proved a snare
to take his life; for he said, he thought, on
his conscience, if it had not been for that letter
mentioned in Franklin's confession, he had not
now lost his life; protesting that he could not
yet bring to mind why he writ any such letter
to the countess. He told the people that he
knew what infamy such a kind of death had,
which he was then presently to undergo; but
the manner of it presented itself to his conside-
ration as a physical potion come to the hand of
the patient, which do swallow it down, not fasten-
ing upon the color or bitterness, but upon the
end to which it delivers him. And so, having
covered his face, he made another prayer; and
opening his face a little again, he bade them all
farewell, and to pray at that instant for him.
Then covering himself again, calling upon the
name of God, with more than manly courage,
with the touch of the executioner he went down
from the ladder.
Thus have you a mangled relation of some
152
THE COURT OF
of the observable passages in these two acts,
which you must take in good part, being scrib-
bled in great haste.
The next that follows upon the stage is Frank-
lyn, who was yesterday arraigned at Westminster,
and sentenced to die at Tyburn. On Thursday
next, Sir Thomas Monson comes to the bar; the
bill of his indictment was found by the grand
inquest to be billa vera on Thursday last. It is
generally said that the Lord of Somerset shall
come to his trial on the 5th of December. He still
seems not to be shaken with these storms, mak-
ing great protestations to the lieutenant present
what he will do when he shall return to his wonted
station and brightness. If this constancy and
carelessness be of innocency, I should admire him
as a man that hath his mind of an admirable
building; but if it proceed from insensibleness,
I will pity him as more wretched than those
that have been found nocent: nihil miserius est
homine non seipsum miserante. I have sent you
two letters of the countess, urged at Turner's ar-
raignment; you will see by them how abusively
her lust wronged those great judgments that
spake for her separation from that noble Essex,
upon whom they practised magiam maleficam, to
restrain him, impotens esset ad coeundum. If Cor-
nelius Agrippa were again to compile his book
De Veneficiis, I doubt not but he might have
from her magicians such arcana to increase and
recommend it, that the Bohemian ladies would
KING JAMES.
153
more value him than to suffer him, as they did,
to die like a poor beggarly knave. These flashes
of poetry inclosed, when you shall have tran-
scribed, I pray return them to me, and let it be
with the first. Sir William Monson hath been
lately sent for to appear here, but cannot be
found. Sir Robert Cotton, the antiquary, hath
withdrawn himself, et in angulis latet. Jewels of
the Lord of Somerset, to the value of £60,000,
were lately surprised, that had been committed
to Cotton's trust.
The Earl of Northampton's name was much
used at the arraignment of the lieutenant; his
letters to Somerset were read, touching the mar-
riage of his lordship with that virtuous lady his
kinswoman. It would turn chaste blood into
water to hear the unclean and unchaste phrases
that were contained in them. But olebat Gor-
gonius hircum.
Vale ex anima, et ama tuissimum,
28th November 1615.
J. CASTLE.
SIR JOHN THROCKMORTON TO MR. WILLIAM
TRUMBULL,
RESIDENT FOR KING JAMES AT BRUSSELS.
[Execution of Sir J. Elwys.-Indictment of Sir Thomas Mon-
son. The Countess of Somerset.]
SIR,
I HAVE received yours, written at your landing
at Dunkirk, and I doubt not by that you have
154
THE COURT OF
heard that Gervase Helwyse was hanged upon
Tower Hill, accusing there openly the Earl of
Northampton and Sir Thomas Monson for draw-
ing him to this villany, which brought him to
that shameful end. He confessed that he died
justly for the fact, and commended the justice of
the King and State. He hath impeached many,
as he said, for the clearing of his conscience: some
are in the Tower, some in the city, some in the
country. Believe me, sir, the Lords Commis-
sioners are perplexed, as not yet seeing the brim
or bottom of this business.
Upon Thursday last Sir Thomas Monson was
indicted as accessary to the death of Overbury,
and upon Thursday next he shall be arraigned
at Guildhall of London. There are other per-
sons detected to have a finger in this poisoning
business; three executed already; then the Earl
and his lady, Monson, Franklin, Savory, Horne,
Margaret, Stephen, and Monson's man.
The Earl seems little to care for this aspersion,
and shows no manner of change in his counte-
nance, which is strange, seeing that by mani-
fest proofs it is otherwise, which was delivered
in public courts; but he knoweth not what is said
or done abroad, being a close prisoner.
I hear the Lieutenant of the Tower hath now
commission to acquaint him with the arraign-
ments and executions past, and with the disco-
very of his casket, wherein strange letters appear
KING JAMES.
155
touching this business in hand, and others also,
as is supposed.
The Lady Somerset's furthest reckoning is
three weeks before Christmas at least, which is
now at hand. She is very pensive and silent,
and much grieved. It is thought she is come
to the knowledge of the proceedings abroad by
some of her servants that attend her.
We hope, upon the King's return, that my
Lord of Pembroke shall be Lord Chamberlain.
We hear, that in February next the purpose
of calling a parliament doth hold.
It is said that the Lord Deputy of Ireland
makes means to leave that government, and that
he shall come over.
By passengers which yesterday arrived here
from London, I understand that on Monday
last Franklin was executed, and that yesterday
Sir Thomas Monson was to be arraigned, and
will undoubtedly pass the same passage which
his other wicked companions have gone before
him. There is an eye cast upon some others,
the best of his own tribe also. You may easily
guess whom I mean. The next who will play
their part in this tragedy, will be the Earl and his
lady, and then undoubtedly we shall be able to
see into the bottom of this and their other wicked
practices.*
* From the MSS. of Sir R. Winwood. Transcribed by Dr. Birch.
156
THE COURT OF
SIR JOHN THROCKMORTON TO MR. TRUMBULL,
FROM FLUSHING, SENDING HIM AN EXTRACT OF A LETTER
FROM ENGLAND.
[Sir Thomas Monson's arraignment.]
ON Monday last Sir Thomas Monson was com-
mitted to the Tower, for business of a higher
nature than the death of Sir Thomas Overbury.
My Lord Chief Justice said, that God had dis-
covered a practice for which the whole state was
bound to give God great thanks, which should
be discovered in due time. It is thought that
upon Tuesday next Sir Thomas Monson will be
called again, and then we shall understand what
this great business is. Sir Thomas, when he
came this first time to his arraignment, desired
that my Lord Treasurer might not be far off
from the place; whereof when my Lord Trea-
surer had knowledge given him, which was done
by my Lord Chief Justice, he wrote a letter to
my said Lord Chief Justice, by which he said
he could not tell why Sir Thomas Monson re-
quired his presence; for he could neither accuse
him, nor would he excuse him, but he hoped he
would acquit himself to be an honest man.
Again, when Sir Thomas Monson's indictment
was read unto him at the bar, he said he did
put himself upon his country, but therewithall
used such protestations and obtestations of his
innocency, as made all the hearers wonderfully
KING JAMES.
157
amazed. Whereupon my Lord Chief Justice,* ob-
serving that the people were something staggered
thereat, said, turning himself to Sir Thomas Mon-
son, "It appeareth to be true now, what I have
long since heard of you, Sir Thomas, which is,
that you are indeed a very atheist, for here you
shame my Christianity, the proofs being so plain
which are to be produced against you." The
Queen's attorney told him, that if he did not prove
him to be as guilty of the death of Sir Thomas
Overbury as Weston was, who was hanged already,
he would never be seen to speak at any bar more.
But my Lord Chief Justice broke off all other
matters, saying, as before, "We have greater
things against you, Sir Thomas, than this; and
therefore I will adjourn the business till another
time, and send you to the Tower." The which
being done, the court broke up for that time.t
1614-1619.
[Miscellaneous News.]
THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY TO THE
BISHOP OF LONDON.
[Desires him to assist in raising a loan for the King, upon the
Parliament refusing it.]
MY VERY GOOD LORD,
June 1614.
I DOUBT not but you have heard what was the
* Lord Chief Justice Coke; this is quite in keeping with his
character.
↑ From the Sloane collection.
158
THE COURT OF
issue of this late parliament, and how, by the
harsh courses of some men, his Majesty received
no kind of satisfaction in that great cause where-
fore he called them, that is to say, for the sup-
plying of his necessities. This event producing a
great damp on all sides, it pleased God to put
into the mind of my lords the Bishops, after the
expiring of the convocation, to think upon some
course how they might, in some measure, testify
their duty unto their sovereign by some free will
offering.
The matter whereupon they resolved was, that
every bishop should voluntarily send unto the
King the best piece of plate which he had; and if
his Majesty should be pleased to accept of this,
then we promised to move the civilians, and
others of the abler sort of the clergy, according
to their proportion to do the like. In brief, his
Majesty graciously accepted it, conceiving that
it would produce that effect whereat we princi-
pally aimed, that this our example would bring
on the lords and others of the temporalty to do
the like. And, verily, God blessed our intend-
ments, for his Highness immediately making it
known in the court, the lords of the council and
the rest of the nobility presently took it up, and
not only themselves do perform the same, but
sent forthwith to the Judges, to the Lord Mayor
and Aldermen, together with other persons of
special note, so that I trust the harvest will be
KING JAMES.
159
great throughout the better sort of the whole
kingdom. We of the bishops that were here
presently sent in our gifts, myself leading the
way; and some of our company, not having
any piece of plate sufficient to express their zeal
to this service, sent in some one of smaller worth,
but filled with gold, so that it made a present of
reasonable value. The desire of us all is, that
your lordship will bear a part in this work, and
that you will move the clergy in your diocese
to send in such a voluntary gratification, where-
unto those which were here in convocation al-
ready prepared, out of this ground, that if the
parliament had obtained the expected success,
they might well have conceived that they should
have granted no less than three or four subsidies.
Our meaning in this is, that no poor man should
be grated on, but that it should come freely
from the purses of those who are of ability, and
shall part with that which is of ornament and
luxury, rather than of necessity; and where
men are unwilling to part with their plate, they
may send in some convenient sum of money
as a redemption for the same. I pray your lord-
ship, with all diligence and dexterity, to set your-
self to this work, wherein I trust all good men
will concur with alacrity; for it is a shame unto
our whole nation that so good and gracious a
King should be driven to necessity, when we,
his people, do live in plenty. And I know it
160
THE COURT OF
was a singular comfort unto his Majesty, that,
when some have been unrespective of him, there
were not wanting others which remembered their
duty, and that so opportunely. So ceasing to be
any way further troublesome unto your lordship,
with my hearty commendations,
I rest your so very loving brother,
Lambeth, the . . . of June 1614.
G. CANT.*
I entreat your lordship to send me word what
you do herein, and, when you shall convey it up,
to send me a note of all the parties, and of the
proportion of their gifts, that I may make up a
book of all that is bestowed throughout the whole
kingdom.t
To the Right Reverend Father in God, my good
Lord and Brother, the Lord Bishop of Nor-
wich, give these.
ARCHBISHOP ABBOT TO SIR GEORGE VILLIERS,
AFTERWARDS DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
MY GEORGE,
[Upon his rise at Court.]
YOUR letter came to me divers days after the
writing of it; but, upon the first sight, I saw
the gentleman had run into that error where-
into some other besides himself have lately fallen ;
and that is, to think that any layman might be
capable of the mastership of Mr. Sutton's Hos-
* Dr. George Abbot. + Tan. lxxiv. p. 51. In Tanner's hand.
KING JAMES.
161
pital. I asked him gently, whether he did use
to preach every Sunday or not. He told me no.
But, said I, that place requireth such a one. He
was hardly at first persuaded thereunto, till I was
forced to intreat him to believe me. At last he
saw his error, and there an end. And now, my
George, because out of your kind affection to-
wards me, you style me your father, I will from
this day forward repute and esteem you for my
son, and so hereafter know yourself to be. And
in token thereof I do now give you my blessing
again, and charge you, as my son, daily to serve
God; to be diligent and pleasing to your master,
and to be wary that, at no man's instance, you
press him with many suits, because they are not
your friends who urge those things upon you,
but have private ends of their own, which are not
fit for you. So, praying God to bless you, I rest
Your very loving father,
Lambeth, Dec. 10, 1615.
G. CANT.*
To my very loving son, Sir George Viller, Knight,
and Gentleman of his Majesty's Bed-chamber.
CHIEF JUSTICE COKE TO VISCOUNT VILLIERS.
[Being out of favour he desires to be present at the Prince's
creation.]
RIGHT HONORABLE MY SINGULAR GOOD LORD,
WHERE in my last letters I gave your lordship
humble thanks, that, by your honorable means,
* Tanner, lxxiv. p. 80. Orig.
VOL. II.
M
162
THE COURT OF
his Majesty had vouchsafed to have me heard, I
take God to witness my meaning was to hear me,
(according to my humble petition exhibited to
his Majesty by Sir Walter Aston,) to answer to
such suggestions as should be made against me.
And by Sir Walter Aston I received this royal
answer, that his Majesty would still be a just
King, and would have me heard before any pro-
ceedings were had against me, which have been
no small comfort to my heavy heart. For the
matter of his Majesty's service, I humbly desire
either to attend myself on his Majesty to impart
the same, or that I may deliver the particulars
thereof to your lordship (I having already touch-
ed the general,) that you may acquaint his Ma-
jesty therewith.
His Majesty's commandment, delivered to me
by my Lord Chancellor before this last term,
was, that I should not sit in the King's Bench
before his Majesty had considered of the excep-
tions to my book of reports; where, amongst
500 cases and more, published in an eleven several
volumes, five single questions were made to five
particular points in certain cases: whereunto,
within four days, I have given particular answers
in writing, and showed my reasons.
But my
Lord Chancellor, when he received mine answers,
said, that he was not to dispute with me. So as
I, hearing neither reason nor authority against me,
but a bare question propounded to me, and of
KING JAMES.
163
some things that have been published seven years
past, I could not receive any satisfaction from
them, that was not admitted to have any con-
ference with them. And I, knowing the since-
rity of his Majesty's justice, (for the which he is
the most renowned King in the Christian world,)
did ever persuade myself that they which had
informed against me should not be my judges,
and therefore his Majesty was pleased to vouch-
safe the hearing of it himself.
And seeing I was commanded, in his Majesty's
name, not to sit in the King's Bench until his
Majesty had considered of the exceptions to my
reports; and Mr. Attorney added, that in all
other things I must exercise and execute my
office, I thought it good to acquaint your lord-
ship therewith, to the end you may be pleased to
make what use thereof you in your wisdom shall
think fit; assuring your lordship, that never any
one book was written of any human learning,
that was not in some part or other subject to
exception.
A commandment hath been given to the
judges in general to attend this day at the most
noble and hopeful Prince's creation; and albeit
I am restrained only from sitting in the King's
Bench, and in all other things at liberty; and
though it should be a comfort of comforts to me
to see my gracious great master and this joyful
creation, yet, fearing to offend his Majesty in any
M 2
164
THE COURT OF
thing, I will not presume to do that which I most
desire before I know (as in all other things I will)
his Majesty's pleasure therein. And shall ever
remain,
At your lordship's command and service,
EDWARD COKE.*
4th November 1616.
To the Right Hon. his singular good Lord, the Lord
Viscount Villiers, Master of his Majesty's horse.
SIR L. CRANFEILD TO VISCOUNT VILLIERS.
[The abuses in the King's revenues.]
RIGHT HONORABLE MY MOST HONORED LORD,
THIS morning the Commissioners for the Navy
wrote a postscript in Sir Thomas Smythe's letter
to Mr. Secretary Nanton, about Sir Walter Ra-
leigh's ship, which we estimated at seven or eight
thousand pounds, being the value, as we have laid
grounds, to build and rig his Majesty's ships here-
after. But according as his Highness hath hi-
therto paid, it might well be estimated at double
that sum; and therefore your lordship may be
pleased to move his Majesty to reserve it for
himself, (for a better cannot be built,) and to
satisfy Sir William St. John by some other suit.
We spend our time wholly about the navy,
and now take comfort in our work, finding it
* Orig. Hol. Tan. lxxiv. 83.
KING JAMES.
165
falls out far beyond our hopes, for the service
of his Majesty and his kingdoms; and do rest
in assurances, by the continuance of your lord-
ship's favor towards us, (to the King,) to effect that
work which hath been so often attempted in
vain, both in his Majesty's time and the late
Queen's.
I will not trouble your lordship with the abuses
which we every day discover, being such as you
will hardly believe; as that when ships were
to be brought up to Woollich or Debtford to
be repaired, it had been better for his Majesty
to have given them away at Chatham, and £300
or £400 in money, to any that would have taken
them. The like for the trees felled out of his
Majesty's woods, which have cost more for car-
riage than his Highness might have bought the
timber, and had it laid free in his yard. We
have at this instant an offer made us to serve
his Majesty with timber, and to lay it, free of
all charge, where we will appoint, for the same
price his Majesty hath formerly paid for carriage;
but we will make no such ill match for his High-
ness, and then your lordship may imagine how
the King hath been dealt with. I humbly pray
your lordship to inform his Majesty how we pro-
ceed, which will be most pleasing, as I hope.
We have taken an exact survey of his Majes-
ty's navy, as well of the hulls as of the rigging,
(which we find in no commendable estate,) and
166
THE COURT OF
yet hath stood his Majesty in an excessive charge,
not less (for aught we can yet perceive) than near
fifty thousand pounds yearly.
We have divided the ships that are repairable
from those that are wholly decayed and fit for
fire-wood, of which sort there are one fourth
part of his Majesty's navy.
For those ships that are fit to be repaired we
have set down every defect very particularly,
with the charge they will stand his Majesty in
to make them ready for service upon all occasions.
We have set down the true causes of the de-
cay of his Majesty's navy, and of the excessive
charge, with the remedy for both. The last part
I know will please the King.
We have laid a foundation to bring the King's
navy into as glorious an estate, both for strength
and honor, as ever it was, by repairing two ships
yearly, and building two ships new yearly, till the
navy be complete; and do hope it shall not
stand the King in (and had almost written) above
the half the money it doth now, which your
lordship will say were a stranger piece of service.
But that which shall crown this work I will
acquaint your lordship with at my coming to
court, being a conceipt of my own how to keep
the navy in that good order and at that charge
we shall settle it, for without that, all the rest
will not be much worth, and shall also let your
honor see there is now a means for his Majesty
KING JAMES.
167
to do it, which none of his predecessors had. So
that I hope your lordship will be pleased to be
of my opinion, that God reserved this great work
for his Majesty's time, and hath raised your lord-
ship to be the honorable mean and instrument
to his Highness in it.
For the propositions I made concerning the
Hollander, I will bring them with me in writing
upon Sunday next, (at which time I will wait
upon your lordship,) and I will then give his
Majesty an account of the examination made by
Mr. Secretary Locke, (by his Highness' appoint-
ment,) of him that cozened his Majesty in the
first trial made about the alum, which we find
foul (for I was this day present at his examina-
tion). I will then give his Highness an account
of all other his commands; and therefore will
be no further troublesome to your lordship, but
humbly take leave and ever rest,
Your lordship's faithfullest servant and lover,
LIONELL CRANFEILDE,*
September 3d, 1618.
To the Right Honorable and singular good Lord,
My Lord the Marquis of Buckingham.
* Orig. Hol. Tan. Ixxiv. 170. On all subjects connected
with the different departments of finance, Lord Cranfeild's cor-
respondence furnishes great information. Very many of his
letters are preserved in the Bodleian Library and in the British
Museum; and it is somewhat remarkable that they should
have attracted so little attention.
168
THE COURT OF
MR. LORKIN TO SIR THOMAS PUCKERING, BART.*
[Various news of the day.-A Frenchman makes an attempt on
the King's life.-Account of a duel between Sir H. Rich and
Sir Edward Villiers.-Stuckley's complaint to King James,
and the King's characteristic reply.]
SIR,
I SIGNIFIED in some of my former letters, the
Duke de Rohan was expected here embassador,
but acquainted you not with the particular circum-
stances, because I could not build any sure ground
upon the author of my intelligence, who yet,
even at first, delivered me what I understand to
be certain now, that Mr. Wake, in his passage from
Turin to England, took Paris in his way, where
being arrived, and public notice taken of him
as a minister of state for the King of England,
two persons of quality came to visit him, per-
suading him to go and kiss the French King's
hand. He excused it by telling them that he
was not ignorant of the disgusts that had hap-
pened between the two kings, and that he thought
it not safe for him to adventure upon such an
act without warrant from his master. They in-
treated him that he would not depart the town
till he heard from them, which he promised.
The day following the Duke of Rohan came
unto him, and sought to prevail with him in that
wherein the two former were refused; but his
answer was still suitable to that before. He con-
* From a copy by Dr. Birch in the Sloane collection.
KING JAM ES.
169
cluded his visit, as did the other, that he would
not leave the city till he understood further.
The next morning came a messenger to him from
the King, with this errand, that he desired him
to commend him to the King, his brother, and
tell him, that ere long he would send the Duke
of Rohan in an extraordinary embassage to him
to give him satisfaction, and if that would not
suffice, he would come himself. And the Secre-
tary of State is there committed under pretence
of having proceeded in some of these late busi-
nesses without commission from his master.
There hath been lately presented to his Majes-
ty a book of no small contentment, which was
printed at Toledo cum privilegio, and written
by commandment of the King of Spain, wherein
the Pope's encroachments upon princes is largely
opposed, and the temporalities of Kings against
all the Pope's usurpation notably defended.
A certain Frenchman having heretofore pre-
sented something to his Majesty in writing, and
being rewarded according to the quality of his
desert, though not to his content, used some
threatening speeches, as that it had been better
for his Majesty to have rewarded him more
liberally, for which insolency of his he was
banished. This man these holidays had placed
himself behind a door, where the King was to
pass from the guard-chamber to the chapel; and
being descried by Dr. Bowles, one of his Majesty's
170
THE COURT OF
chaplains, who knew him, and what had formerly
passed upon him, was, upon his discovery, pre-
sently apprehended. Being searched, there was
found in his pocket a long knife and thirty twen-
ty-shilling pieces. This, with his former poverty,
made the jealousy the greater. He was com-
mitted close prisoner, and upon the aforesaid pre-
sumption, men apprehend a treacherous intent.
The voice holds strong for Sir Henry Cary's
being made Master of the Wards, who shall
withal receive an addition of honor, and be made
a baron. But that rumour of Sir Edward Villiers
succeeding him grows faint; some think upon
a hope himself hath of compassing yet his former
design of being Deputy of Ireland; others say
upon the earnest suit that Sir Henry Cary makes
to hold both places, which the King inclines to
grant, out of a secret intention (as is thought)
of restoring the disposition of that place to Sir
Henry Wotton, who is to come home from Ve-
nice, and is to be here this next spring. This
I conceive to be not improbable.
My Lord Digby's employment into Spain is
like to be deferred till towards August, when he
is to go in quality of embassador extraordinary.
Sir Walter Aston shall be dispatched away as
lieger this spring, whereof I long since gave you
notice; but then it was only in deliberation, now
it grows to execution.
I think I advertised you the last week of the
KING JAMES.
171
match that is likely to be concluded between the
Marquis of Hamilton for his son, and my Lady
Bedford for her niece, Mrs. Chichester. The
Countess, they say, is content to pass over pre-
sently all the land of my Lord Harrington unto
him, reserving only to herself a state for life.
Sir Thomas Lake's business it is thought will
receive more favorable issue than was imagined.
The Marquis* was, within these few days, at his
house to visit him, whereupon men form and
build conjectures.
My Lord Scrope's patent is now drawing for
the presidentship of York. He is to make up
the sum already tendered to my Lord Sheffield,
£4500, and £1500 is to be given elsewhere by
way of gratuity. My Lord Sheffield, at the re-
signing up of his interest, had this further testi-
mony of the King's favor, that at his request
his Majesty was content to knight every one of
the council at York, before not knighted, which
were divers, and there became a further profit
to his lordship.
There hath been lately a great quarrel here at
court, betwixt Sir Harry Rich † and Sir Edward
Villiers, upon this ground and in this manner.
* The Marquis of Buckingham.
+ Made Knight of the Bath at the creation of Henry Prince
of Wales, afterwards advanced to the titles of Lord Kensington
and Earl of Holland. He was beheaded, March 9, 1649.
Brother to the Marquis of Buckingham.
172
THE COURT OF
Sir Henry Rich discerning a change in the Mar-
quis's behaviour towards him, conceived presently
some ill offices to have been done by some, and
addressed himself to Sir Edward Villiers by way
of friendship, that if he were privy to any such
matter, he might know his accuser and come
unto his purgation; and pressing the point very
far, Sir Edward asked him what he would say if
he brought him the man to his face to justify what
had been reported to my lord; the other replied,
he would esteem it a special favor and courtesy.
66
To-morrow," replied Sir Edward, "I will so
order it, that you shall here speak with him,"
being then at court. Sir Henry Rich returned
answer, "that would be no fit place, and would
more willingly meet him somewhere else." In
fine, Sir Edward Villiers told him, himself was
the man. "I hope," said the other, "you will
do me reason." Thus a challenge was made and
accepted, and two seconds appointed; Mr.
Charles Rich for his brother, and Sir Epsley*
to the contrary. To the field they went, or
rather went onwards to the field, for they had
not appointed any set place, but rode out all to-
gether, and could not agree upon the choice.
The report is, that Sir Henry Rich instanced in
divers, but they pleased not; and having found
one at length to both their humors, a new dif-
ference arose between the seconds for Mr.
Rich was fresh come out of France, and would
* Sir Allen Epsley?
KING JAMES.
173
needs observe the French custom of fighting
with the other second. Epsley told him, he had
no quarrel against him, and could not resolve to
fight. So whilst these things were disputing,
Maxwell,* who was sent after them, comes in and
brings them all back; and I do not hear whether
the controversy be determined. I need not give
caveat to reserve the particular relation of this
quarrel to yourself; your wisdom will judge it
fitting.
I shall conclude with my Lord Admiral's† en-
tertainment of Stuckeley, who, being Vice Admi-
ral of the western ports, and pretending to come
and give an account to his lordship of his office,
came and placed himself in the dining chamber,
there expecting till his lordship passed; who
taking no notice of him, he stepped to him, ac-
quainting him with the occasion of his coming.
66
What," said my lord, "thou base fellow, thou
who art reputed the scorn and contempt of men,
how darest thou offer thyself into my presence?
Were it not in my own house, I would cudgel
thee with my staff, for presuming to be so saucy."
Stuckeley made his complaint unto the King,
whose answer was, "What wouldest thou have
me do? Wouldest thou have me hang him?
Of my soul, if I should hang all that speak ill of
thee, all the trees of the country would not suf-
* Usher of the Black Rod.
+ Charles Howard, Earl of Nottingham.
174
THE COURT OF
fice, so great is the number." This I have at the
third hand, Sir Oliver Cromwell being the original
reporter. But this likewise I commend to your
secresy, because I know not to what censure the
divulging even of such things as these may be
subject. And thus, with the tender of my ever
bounden duty, I most humbly kiss your hands,
and rest
Your most humbly devoted servant,
THOMAS LORKIN.
My Lady Grantham mends, God be thanked.
London, Jan. 5, 1618-9.
THOMAS WALLIS TO DR. WARD,
AT THE SYNOD OF DORT.
[Stukeley arraigned for clipping coin. The burning of
Whitehall.]
The treaty yet holdeth with the
states, and it's hoped they shall be dismissed
with content to themselves and us. There hath
been long speech (and good probabilities) of my
Lord Chief Justice Mountague his being Lord
Treasurer ; but now they say (how truly time
will show) that the Earl of Pembroke shall carry
it, and that the patent is now in drawing, and
that the Viscount Doncaster shall be Lord Cham-
berlain. You have heard of Sir Lionel Cranfeild's
being Master of the Wards, and Sir Robert Field-
KING, JAMES.
175
ing to succeed him in the Mastership of the
Wardrobes. I give but a touch of these things,
because you cannot want better intelligence of
them by others. But it was reported yesterday
for certain, that Sir Lewis Stukeley should this
first day of the term be arraigned at the King's
Bench bar for clipping of gold, though I hear
no more of it; but he is in prison, and must come
to it. Sir Walter Raleigh's blood crieth for ven-
geance, both against him and Manwairing, the
Frenchman, his other accuser, who is fled for
being Stukeley's consort in clipping. The Vice
Chancellor of Cambridge is sick, and not like to
escape, but it's like Dr. Gosling shall be his suc-
cessor; but he and the fellows hath of late been
branded with popery, thereby to debar him, in-
somuch as Dr. Binge is a suitor for the master-
ship, and likewise Dr. Goad's friends for him,
who are both uncapable by statute; but I hear
for certain that the fellows of Pembroke Hall
stand close for Dr. Goad, objecting arminianism
and other matters against the sub-almoner, whom
my Lord Elect of Wintont standeth for all he
can.
*
You have heard of the dismal accident at
Whitehall, the burning of the banqueting house,
and, which is far greater loss, all the records in
the Signet Office, and signatures from the be-
ginning of the reign of Henry VIII. till now,
together with all the books and acts of the coun-
+ Bishop Andrews.
176
THE COURT OF
cil, are consumed with fire. And I heard it this
day reported, that the city hath offered his Ma-
jesty to rebuild it, and that his Majesty in lieu
thereof will give unto the city the liberties of
the White and Black Friars, and Great St. Bar-
tholomews. You hear also of my Lord of Suffolk
and his Countess, that they are to appear in the
Star Chamber on Wednesday next, (which is the
first Star Chamber day,) whereupon it is expected
that they shall be censured for matters of high
consequence. Also, it is certainly reported, that
his Majesty will be in person at Star Chamber
three or four days this term, upon occasion of
the Countess of Exeter's case and Sir Thomas
Lake's; and it is thought also for the censuring
of Peter Vanlore, Cuffeete (?) and other foreigners
in the court for transportation of our monies.
*
*
Your worship's assuredly at command,
Jan. 23, 1618.
THOMAS WELLES.*
To the Right Worshipful Mr. Dr. Ward, Master of
Sidney College in Cambridge, Archdeacon of
Taunton, and one of his Majesty's chaplains and
agent at the Synod at Dort.
MR. LORKIN TO SIR THOMAS PUCKERING, BART.
Feb. 16, 1618-9.
SIR,
SINCE my last letter an express courier hath
arrived here from our agent at Madrid, that brings
* Orig. Hol. Tan. lxxiv. 237.
KING JAMES.
177
none of the most pleasing news, I conceive; for
that my Lord Digby in charactering the letters,
which were written in ciphers, was observed to
be extraordinarily sad and melancholy. But
these things, whatsoever they be, are as yet a hid
mystery. That which was not covered under
cyphers imported, as I hear, a declaration from
Mr. Cottington, in the King of Spain's name,
that these preparations of his have no manner
of reference to our quarters, with protestation
only for Algiers. His Majesty, I hear, applaud-
ing that design of his, replies, that he will put
his navy in a readiness likewise, to assist and
second so brave an enterprise; and to-morrow
my Lord Admiral goes to Chatham, &c. to view
the navy and to give order accordingly. My
Lord Sheffield† is appointed to be Vice-admiral
of the fleet, if the matter come over to execu-
tion. And some say my Lord of Southampton
shall command our land forces. His Majesty
hath written to the knights of the shire and
justices of peace in these quarters; the one
to provide that the
*
soldiers be dili-
*
gently trained, all others mustered, and
likewise, and to have special care that men and
munition be in a readiness; the other to give
order that the beacons be diligently watched, with
fire ever ready at hand to give the alarm, which
+ Edmund Sheffield, afterwards created Earl of Mulgrave.
VOL. II.
N
178
THE COURT OF
may serve as a commentary to the former flourish,
that all shows be for aid and assistance.
Upon Saturday last, likewise, his Majesty gave
strait command in the Star-chamber, that none
might be suffered to be of the commission for the
peace whose wife was a recusant, and that a heed-
ful eye should be had to the andamento of all the
Papists in the land.
That which makes the jealousy the stronger is,
the choice the King of Spain hath made of so
many English commanders: the Earl of Argyle,
who was every day expected at Madrid when the
courier parted; Neville, who pretends to be Earl
of Westmoreland; Tyrone's son; and Sir Robert
Dudley, who is now in the Archduke's court.
Though, if it be fit for me to deliver my foolish
fancy, I cannot but think the Venetian hath far
more reason to apprehend than we; upon these
motives. First, for that there is great preparation
of galleys and galleons, which are not so proper
for our seas; secondly, because the rendezvous
is appointed at Barcelona, where the King of
Spain may fittest embark his land forces, and set
them ashore at Genoa, and afterwards make
forward for the Gulf; and, thirdly and lastly,
because by this means the Spaniard shall be able
d'une pierre faire deux coups,-avenge himself upon
the Venetian for maintaining the Savoyard
against him, and be ready to succour the de-
clining state of the House of Austria, with
KING JAMES.
179
others of the Popish faction in Germany, whither
haply his first intention led him. Yet it is wis-
dom, when every man has his sword drawn, not
to keep it in his sheath. Diffidence is the mo-
ther of prudence.
The great cause is now censured, differently
according to the tripartite nature thereof, but
all against Sir Thomas Lake. For in the first
cause, Sir Thomas Lake, the father, was plaintiff;
and Luke Hutton, defendant. Here Sir Thomas
Lake is fined £200 to the King; damage to the
defendant, £50 more. In the second cause, the
Lady of Exeter is plaintiff; Sir Thomas Lake,
the lady his wife, the Lady Roos,* Sir Arthur
Lake, Sarah Swarton, are defendants. The two
former fined at £5000 apiece; the third, at 10,000
marks; the fifth, at £500. Sir Arthur was re-
puted generally in the conscience of the court
guilty, but for want of direct proof not censured.
Sir Thomas Lake further condemned in damages
to the Countess, £3000. In the third cause,
young Sir Thomas Lake, plaintiff; the Countess
of Exeter, Elizabeth Gresham, her chamber-maid,
George Williams, defendants. The plaintiff here
fined to the King at 500 marks; to the Countess,
£1000; to Gresham, £100; to Williams, £200;
the total sum of all being £22,331 6s. 8d. To
this was added a further censure of imprisonment
in the Tower, upon their own charges, to Sir
* She was the daughter of Sir Thomas Lake.
N 2
180
THE COURT OF
L
Thomas Lake, his lady, and the Lady Roos,
during the King's pleasure; and a public recog-
nition of their offence, for a reparation of honor
to the Countess in the most ample manner his
Majesty should devise. Sarah Swarton judged
to the Fleet; from thence to be whipped to West-
minster, and after from the same place to Cheap-
side; there to be branded with F.A., signifying
false accusation, one letter on either cheek; to
return back again to the Fleet, there to remain
till they be weary of her; and then to be sent to
Bridewell, there to spend and end her days. To
this censure the court jointly concurred; the Lord
Digby only excepted, who extenuated Sir Thomas
Lake's offence, and mitigated his fine. And to
make the justice of the court more clear in favor
of the Countess, the King, after the censure pro-
nounced, delivered in the open court how, when
he first took examination thereof from the Lady
Roos, he asked her whether she would depose
upon her oath what she had affirmed; who pre-
tended, yes. But when his Majesty commanded
the Bible to be brought, and tendered it, she
started back and refused to take it; whereupon
his Majesty dismissed her and sent for her father,
bade him be advised what he did, and how far he
listened to his daughter's speeches, for that she
refused to make good her accusations upon her
oath. Sir Thomas went home, dealt with his
daughter in private, writes a letter with his own
KING JAMES.
181
hand to the King, importing that his daughter
was resolved to take her oath, sent his daugh-
ter with the letter; but when his Majesty, press-
ing it upon her conscience, tendered her her oath,
she started back as before, and refused a second
time,—an evident argument of a guilty conscience.
The old serpent, her mother, had beguiled her :
she was Eve, who, being beguiled, seduced her
father Adam, and with what fruit the world was
now witness. This was his Majesty's comparison.
Each man's particular speech I leave to other
relations. The Bishop of London's,† Secretary
Naunton's, and Sir Fulke Greville's, carried away
the prize from the rest. Sir Edward Coke voted
first, and what censure he set down the others
followed.
* *
Manoury, the French apothecary who joined
with Stukeley in the accusation of Sir Walter
Raleigh, is taken at Plymouth for clipping of
gold, as was his companion.
His ex-
amination was sent up hither to the King, where-
in he * * * (as I hear from Sir Robert
Winde, cup-bearer, I think, to his Majesty, who
saith he read the examination,) that his accusa-
tion against Raleigh was false, and that he was
won thereto by the practice and importunity
of Stukeley, and now acknowledges this his pre-
sent miserable condition to be a judgment of God
upon him for that.
+ Dr. John King.
182
THE COURT OF
From Sir Thomas Grantham I hear, that, to
induce my Lady Hatton to settle the better of
her land upon Sir John Villiers, there is offer
made to make her a countess, and by her pro-
curement the Lord Denbigh a privy coun-
sellor.
I shall conclude my letter with an accident that
happened to the Venetian Embassador at Madrid
upon Shrove-Tuesday last, after their account.
You know the liberty, or rather licentiousness, of
that time in those parts. The Embassador was
newly arrived, and had not yet had audience, when
one of his people, in imitation of what he saw others
do, cast some filth upon a Spaniard; who, not
brooking the jest, drew, and so did the other like-
wise; and their drawing occasioned divers others
to do the same likewise, so as four or five were
slain upon the place, Spaniards and Venetians.
The officers, observing a time when the Vene-
tian Embassador was abroad, brake open his
house, seized upon all the servants of his they
found, committed them to prison; and in these
terms the courier left them.
And here it will be time to leave troubling
you: most humbly therefore kissing your hand,
I rest
Your, &c. &c.
THO. LORKIN.*
* Birch, 4176.
KING JAMES.
183
THE COUNTESS OF BUCKINGHAM* TO HER SON
THE MARQUIS.
[Exhorting him to study the book which the King had dedi-
cated to him.]
MY DEAR AND LOVING SON,
THIS holy time of Lent gives me occasion of
preparation against Easter, and of meditating
* The best comment upon this letter is the character of the
lady herself, drawn by Bishop Hacket, who knew her well.
Perhaps it is somewhat severe, as it was written upon occasion
of her turning Papist. "She was mother to the great favorite;
but in religion became a step-mother. She doted upon him
extremely, as the glory of her womb; yet by turning her coat
so wantonly, when the eyes of all the kingdom were upon her
family, she could not have wrought him a worse turn, if she
had studied a mischief against him. Many marvelled what
rumbled in her conscience at that time; for, from a maid to an
old madam, she had not every one's good word for practice of
piety. And she suffered censure to the last, that she left the
company of Sir Thomas Compton her husband. It hath been
so with many others. But why should a libertine, that cares
not to live after the way of the Gospel, pretend to seek satisfac-
tion more than ordinary about the true doctrine of the Gospel?
They that have beams in their own eyes, unsanctified manners
beyond the most, why should they cavil at moats in the
eye
of
the reformed religion? Arthur Wilson complains that the
Countess of Buckingham was the cynosura that all the Papists
steered by; I believe that it was above her ability to bear
the weight of that metaphor. The common jealousy was, that
the Duke would be ring-streaked with spots of Popery by re-
sorting to his mother's trough."-Life of Archbishop Williams,
i. p. 171.
184
THE COURT OF
upon his Majesty's last work, wherein you have
the honor of dedication, the most gracious and
most worthy favor that ever servant received
from his master. Now, in reading of it, I find
myself much touched in that you are no scholar,
I having had the care left me by the unfortunate
loss of your dear father. But when I consider
the greatness of God's mercy towards widows
and orphans, I am astonished; having so many
examples both of prophets and other holy men
that comfort weak women that mean well to their
children, both in raising them to life when they
were dead, and sending food, being ready to
famish. I must apply these blessings to you,
my beloved son, and your mother, that, having
had a desire to breed you well, may find how God
accepts desires for deeds done, and may see and
behold with reverence the marvellous goodness
of our great God, who hath sent us a prophet,-
nay, more than a prophet, -a King, to repair
the wants in me, and to raise you to life that
were half-dead; for he that is ignorant in mat-
ters of salvation is more than half-dead. I pray
God give as great a blessing to these our master's
labors, as our Saviour had in choosing unlearned
men to be his apostles; and, no doubt, if you study
those lessons and meditations with all your heart,
you shall be his disciple, who hath taken so much
pains in repairing both our wants, that we may
pray and serve him truly on earth, and have the
KING JAMES.
185
joy of seeing him in heaven: which everlasting
happiness God make us worthy to enjoy!
Your most loving affectionate mother,
February 24, 1618.
BUCKINGHAM.*
SIR,
RICHARD TRYM TO SIR ROB. CRANE.
[Miscellaneous News.]
I DOUBT not but you have heard fully of the
at[tainder] of the Lady of Exeter, and how the
accusers are con[demned] for fines and damages
at £22,000, besides charges of their suits. Sarah
Swarton, her punishment is yet forborne, though
she were brought to the court. She hath been
divers times examined: at the first she was stiff;
but at last, as it is said, she confessed the plot,
charging the two ladies with it. It is said that
she and Kath. Maynard have confessed other
foul matter; so that it seems the business is not
yet ended. Sir Thomas, his wife and daughter,
are still close prisoners, severally, in the Tower.
There is talk here that the Red-shanks of Ar-
gyle's country, who is at Brussels, are passed
over into the north of Ireland ;† and that Tyrone's
son, Dongannon, who is a colonel over 1200 brave
Irish, is ready in the Low Countries; so that
† See p. 178.
* Orig. Hol. Tan. lxxiv. 243.
186
THE COURT OF
it
may
be doubted there is trouble intended also
that way. In France there are stirrings; the old
Duke of Epernon, with 800 horse, carried the
Queen-mother from Bloys, whither she was con-
fined, to Engoleme in Poictow. The Duke of
Guise arms strongly; it is thought he is con-
federate with Epernon. There are few nobles
at the court there. The marriage between the
King's sister and the Duke of Savoy's son is con-
cluded. My Lord of Doncaster, about the mid-
dest of March, goes embassador for Bohemia
about those businesses. With these news I end
in haste; remembering my last service to you
and my lady, as being obliged to be always,
Yours to do you service,
RICHARD TRYM.†
St. Bartholomew's, 26 Feb. 1618.
To the Right Worshipful Sir Rob. Crane, Kt. at Chilton.
GERARD HERBERT TO DR. WARD.
[Of the sickness of the Queen. Burning of Whitehall.
Stukely's imprisonment.]
I HAVE not, sir, any occurrents here
to advertise you, other than that the King and
Prince since Christmas have been at Newmarket,
at Candlemas to return. The Queen, God be
thanked! is upon a very good way of recovery,
as her doctors well hope: her doctors are May-
+ Orig. Hol. Tan. lxxiv. 245.
KING JAMES.
187
arde,* Atkins, and Turner, which Sir Walter
Raweley, ere his death, recommended to her as
being the chief, knowing his secrets and medica-
ments of physics. She yet is at Hampton Court,
but hoped she will be here at Shrove-tide. I
know you, being Master of Sidney College, do
wish a happy increase to that name; therefore
write you that much joy is at Baynard's Castle
by my Lord Lyle's having a son, a brave boy,
the Sunday morning after Twelfth-day. Only
yesterday grief is, in that it is perceived my Lady
Lyle is sick with the small-pox; till then very
happily brought abed and well, but God will
undoubtedly recover her to health. That sick-
ness is here very common amongst great ladies
as inferior ones; my Lady Haddington dying
thereof, who died wonderful religious and most
well prepared for heaven.
I doubt not but you heard of the great mischance
by fire at Whitehall ten days past, which burnt all
the Banqueting-house, and was feared the whole
house of Whitehall would also have been consum-
ed; but that my Lord Chamberlain and his bro-
ther being present, whose industry, pains, and
great providence, all the time, through the abund-
* Mayerne ?
+ She died, however, about this time of a dropsy, at Hamp-
ton Court. See also p. 195.
↑ Robert Sydney, afterwards Earl of Leicester. The son
here mentioned was probably the celebrated Algernon Sydney.
188
THE COURT OF
ance of water brought and pulling down of some
places, God be thanked! prevented any more hurt.
The fire arising by the neglect and heedlessness of
two men that were appointed to sweep the room;
and, having candles, firing some of the oily clothes
of the devices of the mask, (which the King had
commanded should all remain to be again at
Shrove-tide,) that fire inflaming suddenly about
and to the roof, which the two men not able to
quench [it], and fearing to be known that they
did it, shut the doors, parting away without
speaking thereof, till at last perceived by others,
when too late and irrecoverable. The two, since
confessing the truth, are put to prison. The King
hath given order the mask at Shrove-tide shall
be in the great hall. The maskers were the
Prince, the Marquis Buckingham, the Earl Mon-
gomerie, the Captain of the guards, and a brother
of his, Sir Thomas Howarde, one Meynarde,
Abercromye, Mootie (?), and some others, to
twelve. Sir Lewes Steukeley this fourteen days
hath been in the Gate-house for clipping gold,
and it is thought generally shall die; men say
[it] to be a judgment of God for Sir Walter
Rawley's blood.
I have not known any mean to thank
you for
the good welcome I received at Dort, than thus
with tediousness to show my love, for which I
desire to be excused. Amidst your weightier
affairs, I pray you please to have my service re-
KING JAMES.
189
membered to Mr. Dr. Davenett and Mr. Belle-
quanco,† and to tell him Sir William Anstruther
took his remembrance very kindly, and is very
glad of his health, being one whom Sir William
much respects. Even so, with my best wishes,
I always rest
***
Your most assured affectionate friend,
London, 21 Junii Vet. 1619.
GERARDE HERBERT.
To my much respected friend Mr. Dr. Ward &c. at Dort.
1620.
[Miscellaneous News.]
THE EARL OF RUTLAND TO THE MARQUIS OF
BUCKINGHAM,
[On his running away with the Earl's daughter.§]
MY LORD,
I CONFESS I took no great council in this busi-
ness, for nature taught me that I was to advise
my daughter to avoid the occasion of ill, as con-
fidently as I assure myself she is of ill; and, for
your offers, I confess I had noble offers from you,
+ Dr. Davenant, afterwards Bishop of Salisbury, and Dr.
Balcanqual, who was hunted down by the Puritans in the great
rebellion. They were employed as English agents at the Synod
‡ Orig. Hol. Tan. lxxiv. 288.
The Marquis of Buckingham married Katharine Manners,
the Earl of Rutland's only child, 16th May 1620.
of Dort.
1
190
THE COURT OF
and I expect real performance, which I hope in
the end will bring comfort to us both. I deny
not, had I seen any spark of affection in a daugh-
ter towards me, but that those words your lord-
ship used might have moved me (and I cannot
think but she had some counsel); but when I
valued the one with the other, say that your lord-
ship's affection might have altered, I was resolved
this was the better course for my daughter's
honor, which although she deserves not so great
a care from a father whom she so little esteems,
yet I must preserve her honor if it were with
hazard of my life. And for calling our honors in
question, pardon me, my lord, that cannot be any
fault of mine; for you would have me think
that a contract, which if you will make it so,
be it as secret as you will, this matter is at an
end; therefore the fault is only your lordship's
if the world talk of us both.
which your lordship desires to know, is, that I
may by some course be assured she is yours, and
then you shall find me tractable to deal like a
loving father; although she is not worthy in re-
spect of her neglect to me, yet it being once
done, her love and due respects to your lordship
shall make me forget that which I confess I now
am too sensible of; and I hope your lordship
will not guess nor imagine of me other than as
of one that, if it be not your fault, you have as
great an interest in as in any man, and she shall
The issue I require,
KING JAMES.
191
not make her yours sooner than I will receive
her again. To conclude, my lord, this is my
resolution: if my conscience may not be fully
satisfied she is yours, take your own courses; I
must take mine, and I hope I shall arm myself
with patience, and not with rage. Your lordship
shall ever find I will be as careful of your honor
as I must be tender of mine own; and this is my
resolution. Wishing to your lordship as much
happiness with my daughter as your heart can
desire, so I rest
MY LORD,
Your lordship's servant,
F. RUTLAND.*
THE MARQUIS TO THE EARL,
UPON THE SAME SUBJECT.
YOUR mistaking in your fashion of dealing with
a free and honest heart, together with your fro-
ward carriage towards your own daughter, en-
forced me the other day to post to Hampton
Court, and there cast myself at his Majesty's
feet, confessing freely unto him all that ever hath
passed in privacy between your lordship and me
concerning your daughter's marriage, lest other-
wise, by this your public miscarriage of the busi-
ness, it might by other means to my disadvantage
'a come to his knowledge. And now that I
have obtained my master's pardon for this my
* Orig. Hol. Tan. lxv. 290.
192
THE COURT of
first fault, by concealing and going further in
any thing than his Majesty was acquainted with,
I can delay no longer of declaring unto you how
unkindly I take your harsh usage of me and your
own daughter, which hath wrought this effect
in me; that, since you esteem so little of my
friendship and her honor, I must now, contrary
to my former resolution, leave off the pursuit of
that alliance any more, putting it in your free
choice to bestow her elsewhere to your best com-
fort; for, whose fortune it shall ever be to have
her, I will constantly profess that she never re-
ceived any blemish in her honor but that which
came by your own tongue. It is true, I never
thought before to have seen the time that I
should need to come within the compass of the
law by stealing of a wife against the consent of
the parents; considering of the favor that it
pleaseth his Majesty, though undeservedly, to
bestow upon me. So, leaving this to you and
your wife's censure, I rest
Your lordship's servant,
G. BUCKINGHAM.*
* Harl. 1581, p. 134. Wilson, whose testimony is suspi-
cious in everything which concerns Buckingham, both from
his narrow puritanical bigotry and zealous partisanship of the
Earl of Essex, gives the following account of this affair.
"The Earl of Rutland, of a noble family, had but one daugh-
ter to be the mistress of his great fortune; and he [Buckingham]
tempts her, carries her to his lodgings in Whitehall, keeps her
there for some time, and then returns her back again to her
KING JAMES.
193
ROB. WOODWARD TO SECRETARY WINDEBANKE.
[Miscellaneous news.]
MR. ATTORNEY,* whose office is to bring others
into the Star Chamber, is now to be brought him-
self, to the wonder and astonishment of the world.
My Lord of Suffolk is in very hard case, and
would have been in far worse, if, as your great
tenant here told me the other day, things which
of late have been discovered had been known
before, which he sayeth are many degrees fouler
and greater than those which were censured.
He could have then been but undone, and so he
is now; but perhaps he hath escaped cheaper
in reputation. There is one Mr. Aldred (some-
times secretary to the Lord Evers) committed
for writing to my Lord Buckingham a dehorta-
tive letter against the match with Spain, which
they say is more sufficiently than discreetly
father. The stout old Earl sent him this threatening message;
that he was too much of a gentleman to suffer such an indignity, and if
he did not marry his daughter to repair her honor, no greatness should
protect him from his justice. Buckingham, that perhaps made it
his design to get the father's good will this way, (being the
greatest match in the kingdom,) had no reason to mislike the
union; therefore he quickly salved the wound, before it grew to
a quarrel; and if this marriage stopped the current of his sins,
he had the less to answer for."—James 1. p. 149.
More than one error has accidentally, or intentionally, crept
into this writer's history, who, notwithstanding his Puritanism,
had a sweet tooth for Court gossip and scandal.
* Sir Henry Yelverton.
VOL. II.
0
194
THE COURT OF
penned. And yet I cannot see with what judg-
ment it can be written, when he shewed to have
none in the writing. I am now both weary and
sleepy; but it is because my matter is all spent,
and not my affection, sir, to do you further service,
which still increaseth with doing.
Your true lover and servant,
ROBERT WOODWARD.*
Pray, sir, commend me affectionately to good
Mistress Windebanke.
Gardner's Lane, the 13th June 1620.
To my very worthy and most respect friend,
Mr. Francis Windebanke, at Haine's Hill.
DOCTOR, AFTERWARDS BISHOP, HALL TO DR. WARD,
AT DORT.
[News of the day.]
GOOD MR. DR. WARD,
How much am I beholden to you, that amongst
all that throng of business you could find time
to send me so full and so welcome a letter. I
am glad yet to hear that you look towards an
end of those affairs which are now tedious, but
had like to have been infinite. We heard news
of differences betwixt you; belike the end is
peace. I shall long for your return, that I may
be sated with a full relation. I was gone a day's
journey towards Worcester, when my weak body
* Tan. lxiii. 290. Orig. Hol.
KING JAMES.
195
turned me back, as not yet abiding any motion.
The last week was not without much fear and
grief here for his Majesty's dangerous unhealth:
our God be praised the worst is passed over, and
his recovery proceeds with happy expedition; yet
is he still at Royston, and will be for more days
than I think he would.
The rumors of the Spanish fleet* had so possess-
ed our people, that the beacons on Sussex side
were (as I hear) on a fire, upon a view of some
number of Hollanders. Dover was wiser, and
stayed the false alarum.
My Lord of Warwick is dead.+ My Lord of
Doncaster will shortly see you in his way to
Germany, whither he goes embassador. Dr. Dun‡
goes his chaplain.
The Queen's solemn funeral is appointed April
29th; all our court is turned black.
Mr. Jeffry is so well approved here, that here
he settles with my lord.
That which you write of £12 received after
my departure needs your further comment. That
there should be a proportionable deduction for
those public rooms is good reason; whereof yet I
had (you know) too little use.
Remember my service to my Lord B. and to
Sir John Berck, with my true love to all the
* See
See p. 177.
+ Robert Rich, the second Earl.
↑ The celebrated Dr. Donne.
has alluded to this journey.
His biographer, Isaac Walton,
02
196
THE COURT OF
rest of your worthy colleagues, to whom I wish
a speedy, and safe, and successful return.
With all this curious tendaure and length of
time, I can hardly yet recollect myself, so deep-
rooted was my Hollandish distemper. Let me
charge you also to remember me in all kind
respects to our worthy president, to the assessors
and scribes, to Mr. Dr. Mart Gregor, to Mr.
Simon Schott of Middleburgh, to Mr. Dan.
Heinsius.
My prayers shall be for a comfortable and hap-
py dismission of your so reverend and famous
an assembly. Farewell. From
Your loving brother and colleague,
Waltham, March 30, sty. vet.
JOSEPH HALL.*
To my Right Worshipful and dear friend, Mr. Dr. Ward,
one of the English Divines at Dort.
LADY LAKE TO THE COUNTESS OF EXETER.†
MADAM,
Now after all this business in which you have
had too much glory, cast your eyes upon the
* Tan. lxxiv. p. 154. Orig. Hol.
+ This letter was written on occasion of the trial mentioned
in the Memoirs, p. 192. See also the previous letters, p. 179,
&c. One can hardly resist the impression of Lady Lake's be-
ing innocent; and that the fall of Sir Thomas and his family
was, as Goodman states, owing to political more than to any
other reasons.
KING JAMES.
197
134th psalm; there you shall find what God is-
no place nor thought hid from him; he can look
where men's judgments cannot look to, and his
records must remain upon the file for ever. His
lawyers will not receive bribes, nor be corrupted;
these exhibits cannot be stolen in boxes. To
conclude for this time, I wish my submission
could make you an innocent woman, and wish
you as white as a swan; but it must be your
own submission unto God, and many prayers,
and tears, and afflictions, which seeing you have
not outwardly, examine your heart, and think on
times past, and remember what I have written
you heretofore. The same I do now again,, for
I yet nothing doubt, but that although the Lord
Roos was sent away and is dead, yet truth lives,
and God's glory will appear in his good time.
And if you flatter yourself other, it will fail
you; and this business will never have end till
you and I meet in the presence of the King's
majesty, which hath been often my humble suit,
although I cannot yet obtain it; yet I hope, ere
you and I part this world, I shall. If not, I
will have that testimony as shall make all the
world to see that I die God's servant. To whose
justice I commend myself.
9th November 1620.
To the Countess of Exeter.
MARY LAKE.*
* Harl. 4762. p. 36. Orig. Hol.
198
THE COURT OF
SIR,
MR. MEAD TO SIR MARTIN STUTEVILLE.
[Conspiracy against the King's life.]
Christ's College, Cambridge,
Feb. 17, 1620-1.
I WROTE in my last that the States' Em-
bassadors required public audience according as
their commission was. I hear since, that it was
to the body of the kingdom assembled in par-
liament, where they have delivered their mes-
sage, &c.
They say also, that the King sent for the
lower house to Whitehall and made another
speech unto them.
The act of parliament against the Papists,
the execution whereof was referred, as you heard,
to the committees to advise of, was, as I hear,
made 13th Eliz.: that no Papist, during parlia-
ment time, should come within ten miles of the
city. I am told, moreover, that it was agreed
that the subsidies and grievances should pass to-
gether. And that there should already pass two
subsidies and a fifteenth, upon two conditions,
which his Majesty hearing of, should say, he was
sure one of the conditions would be against the
Papists; but let them do with them as they
would.
One Worseley, a mad fellow, a Catholic, who
some six years since would have stabbed my Lord
of Canterbury in his gallery, and had done it,
KING JAMES.
199
had not his secretary come in by chance, and was
some years in prison for it, and afterwards ba-
nished, but now of late come home again,-this
fellow, on Candlemas Day at night, sent a letter
from the Blue Boar within Aldgate to Sir John
Lentrope's lodgings in Holborn; the pretence,
because in his examination being asked what
friends he had, he had named Sir John Lentrope,
which Sir John took very ill, it being nothing
so, but only he was somewhat of kindred to Ga.
Lentrope, his cousin's wife. Within this letter
were enclosed two others, in one whereof was a
most bitter invective against the Archbishop;
in the other, a horrible treason against the King,
not fit to be related. Sir John went presently
to the Earl of Southampton and shewed it him;
and his eldest son coming home upon Tuesday,
by chance, understood that this Worsley was
then in his cousin Lentrope's, the Catholic's house,
and went presently with his brother, who told
me this, and apprehended him.
Dr. Usher,* whom you hear should preach
before the lower house, is an Irishman, whom
the King hath but [just] made Bishop,† a wonder-
ful antiquary, a great scholar, and a man esteemed
of great integrity and devotion. I am told that
he was appointed by the parliament to preach,
and, some say, his text given him, or theme inti-
*The celebrated Archbishop Usher.
+ Of Meath in Ireland.
"
200
THE COURT OF
mated, by them. Howsoever, he preached not
then, but both his preaching and the communion
were, by order from the King, put off till the
Sunday after, (to-morrow,) and the place to be
Westminster. In the mean time it was on foot
for the Dean of Westminster, Dr. Williams,
to preach, and not Usher; but with much ado,
they say, Usher still continues, and is expected
to-morrow, though the Dean was so discontent,
that he denied, as some say, to permit the com-
munion in Westminster; but I suppose he will be
otherwise advised. Methinks, if Usher preaches,
when I consider all circumstances, it should pro-
duce some novelty.
I am told that there was, not long since, (I
suppose about New Year's tide,) a play before his
Majesty, wherein there was a Puritan brought
up, having long ass's ears, who should speak
after this manner: "Is it now a time to give
gifts and to make merry? &c. This should be a
time of fasting and prayer, when the Church of
God is in so great affliction in Bohemia and Ger-
many, and other places, and not of masking and
music," &c. I will not believe this was enter-
tained with applause, and yet I am told so.
It is strange to hear how contrarily men of
the same affections and desires are carried since
the beginning of the parliament. Some full of
hope and some as big with fear, even concerning
* Afterwards Archbishop of York.
KING JAMES.
201
the same matters. But God will dispose of all
things as it seems good to him.
I was told yesterday, that the Bishop of Dur-
ham had been quoted in some men's speeches in
the Lower House, by the name of that irreverent
Bishop.*
I suppose you have heard that Sir Thomas
Beaumont, one of the Knights for Leicestershire,
is put out of the House, and some others also.
I know not whether for some default in this
election, or some other cause. But there is great
question about Sir Henry Cary, chosen for Hert-
fordshire, whom the King hath since made a
Viscount in Scotland; viz. Viscount Falkland.
Whereupon is controverted, whether he should
be of the Upper House or Lower House, or nei-
*Dr. Neile. An excellent man, though much hated by the
Lower House and the Puritan party, which chiefly composed it,
because of his adherence to what they called Arminian tenets.
A very pleasing anecdote is mentioned of him when Archbishop
of York, in a MS. in the Harleian collection, No. 1581, f. 181.
It occurs in a letter of J. Pory to Sir Thomas Puckering, dated
Sept. 20, 1632. "One writ to me from Cambridge two things
in commendation of the present Bishop of York. First, that
being by his coachman hurried apace through a town where
were many poor people, as if he had meant to save his master's
purse harmless, he called him knave for his labor, and made
him stand still till such time as he had, with his own hand,
distributed to them all. Secondly, that being advertised by
some of his officers how he might levy a tenth upon his clergy,
as well as his late predecessor had done, he answered, he would
in no case attempt any such matter, for he was come to benefit,
and not to charge his clergy."
202
THE COURT OF
ther. Some say, they shall choose again in Hert-
fordshire; and others, that the House will bind
him to continue amongst the Commons, as he
was elected, which it seems he is unwilling unto.
*
*
*
Yours to command,
*
JOSEPH MEAD.
L. CRANFEILD+ TO THE Duke of BUCKINGHAM.
[State of the Revenue.]
RIGHT NOBLE AND MY MOST HONORED LORD,
ACCORDING to his Majesty's command, I have
spoken with the Lord Dockwraye. I will not
trouble your lordship with our discourse; but we
have concluded that for the present he shall have
only £2000 (to make up the eight which he hath
already received) ten, and that shall serve the
+ Cranfeild's correspondence is by no means scanty, but yet
is of too official a nature to please the general reader. I could
not, however, wholly omit the letters of one who makes so
great a figure in the memoirs of Bishop Goodman, and who was
certainly one of the best ministers about the Court. It was his
fate to offend both the Court and the Puritans,-to please, in
fact, neither parties; and if he was called the Indians' black
Deity by King James in derision, he was called by the Puritans
the Devil's treasurer in sober earnest.
Wilson gives an account of a sermon preached before the
King, not long before the date of this letter, in which the
KING JAMES.
203
present turn with content. After our conclu-
sion we both attended the Lord Treasurer, whom
we acquainted with what we had resolved;
whereupon his lordship promised present pay-
ment of that sum, so that business is for this
instant settled. But I pray your lordship to
give me leave to remember you, that this is but
a reprieve, no full discharge; for at Michael-
mas next there will be two whole years unpaid,
which is 40,000 pounds. So that my humble
advice is, your lordship will be pleased to move
the King to resolve what his Highness will
do about that kingdom. Upon my life, it will
be no hard matter to discharge that arrear, to
ease his Majesty of the £20,000 annual charge
wherewith his estate is now charged, and to set-
tle that kingdom in much more security than
it is at present. For the doing of which I will
be prepared to make an overture to your lord-
preacher took for his text these words:" And the devil tak-
ing Jesus to the top of a mountain, showed him all the
kingdoms of the world," &c. From this he took occasion to
show that the devil was a great monarch, with many officers
under him. When he came to describe the devil's treasurer,
his exactions and gripings, he fixed his eyes full upon Cran-
feild, and, pointing at him with his hand, said with an emphasis,
That man—that man that makes himself rich and his master poor,
he is a fit treasurer for the devil. Poor Cranfeild sat with his
hat pulled down over his eyes, afraid to look up lest he should
find all men's eyes fixed upon him; whilst the King, who sat
just over him, enjoyed his confusion, "smiling at the quaint
satire so handsomely colored over."-Wilson, p. 152.
204
THE COURT OF
ship to offer to his Majesty against his return
from the progress.
Yesterday the council met, and I took the
opportunity to set that on foot which the King
and the Prince, in the presence of your lordship,
resolved, which was the sending of some prin-
cipal and select commissioners into Ireland. I
moved it upon this occasion. Sir Francis Blun-
dell was then to have received directions for the
release of covenants broken by some undertakers
about the planting of one-fourth part Irish, whereas
they should have planted English, upon an offer
of doubling the rent. I must confess I liked
not the motion, it being, as I conceive, a step to
overthrow the King's glorious work of settling
that kingdom. For the motive to induce his
Majesty to show that grace, it was the doubling
the rent, which was contemptible not only in
regard of the sum, for his Majesty in all his
plantations there hath been pleased never to re-
gard profit, but the safety and welfare of his
people; the rent reserved not deserving that
name, it being so small, that it is rather an ac-
knowledgment than a rent.
I should make my letter too long if I should
write your lordship what passed at the board
upon this subject; I shall humbly acquaint your
lordship therewith when I have the happiness
to see you next. In the meantime, your lord-
ship may be pleased to understand the Lords
KING JAMES.
205
thought fit to forbear to do any thing about Sir
F. Blundell's motion, and to move his Majesty,
when they next attend his Highness, to send
over into Ireland commissioners of understanding
and value, the best could be chosen in this king-
dom, which is a good preparation to that the
King intends, and will be much better the Lords
should propose it to the King, than if his Majesty
had moved it to them. What the commissioners
shall do will be fit to be resolved on at his Ma-
jesty's return. In the meantime I will prepare
for your lordship what I conceive fit for the
furthering of that service.
The King's rent of £15,500 per annum for
tobacco is in danger to be lost, or at best to de-
cline much; and all the money spent about the
plantations of Virginia and Burmothas will be
lost if there be not some present course taken
to restrain the planting of tobacco here in Eng-
land. I have met divers time with the Lord
Treasurer about it, who desires it may rather be
the act of the whole board than his; and there-
fore your lordship may be pleased to move the
King to give present order the council may meet,
and resolve what is fit to be done, it being now
no time to lose or impair so great a revenue.
Four of his Majesty's ships are daily expected.
At their arrival, if there be not money prepared
ready to discharge the men, it will stand his Ma-
jesty in above £200 every day charge, beside the
206
THE COURT OF
dishonor and further inconvenience that may fol-
low. Your lordship, being Lord Admiral, will
suffer much in it. Wherefore you may be pleas-
ed to give present order by command from his
Majesty, who is first to be moved, my Lord
Treasurer to provide that money be ready for
the discharge of the men presently upon their
arrival. The sum will be about thirteen thou-
sand pounds.
I have herewith sent your lordship my grant
for the manor of Cranfeild, to get his Majesty's
signature, which I humbly pray your lordship
to despatch for me. I hope his Majesty, by your
noble mediation, bestows it upon me to more
willingness than I beg it, which I protest before
God is not for the value, but the name, and that
it may remain to my house as a mark of his Ma-
jesty's favor and goodness towards me.
Your good sister the Lady Fielding, whom
the good air of Chelsea has much comforted,
remembers her love and service to your lordship;
the like doth my wife and her mother, who praye
for you and the long continuance of your pros-
perity, as they have good cause. As for myself,
my debt is so great to your lordship, that what-
soever I have shall be ever at your command.
And I will always rest
Your lordship's
Faithfullest servant and kinsman,
LIONELL CRanfeilde.
KING JAMES.
207
For Sir Richard Buckler's (?) son and grand-
child there is nothing as yet done, nor shall be
until I first acquaint your lordship and receive
your command.*
Chelsey, the 28th of July 1621.
L. CRANFEILD TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
[State of the Revenue.]
RIGHT NOBLE AND MY MOST HONORED LORD,
THIS bearer, Sir William Russell, hath lately
done his Majesty good service by lending money
towards the discharge of the ships that come
from Argier, whereof I pray your lordship to
take notice and to thank him.
The more I look into the King's estate the
greater cause I have to be troubled, considering
the work I have to do, which is not to reform
one particular, as in the household, navy, ward-
robe, &c.; but every particular, as well of his Ma-
jesty's receipts as payments, hath been carried
with so much disadvantage to the King, as until
your lordship see it you will not believe any men
should be so careless and unfaithful.
I have heard his Majesty is now granting a
pension. I pray your lordship to consider how
impossible it is for me to do service if any such
* Orig. Hol. Tan. lxxiii. p. 56.
208
THE COURT OF
thing be done, and withal whether it were not
unjust to stop pensions already granted, and at
the same instant to grant new, and what a life
I should have with those whose pensions are
stayed, for whom I have now a good answer;
viz. the King must and shall be first served. I
pray your lordship not only to stay the granting
any new, but to move his Majesty not to suffer
any old to be exchanged or altered from one life
to another; and then, I dare assure your lord-
ship, within these few months they will not be
worth two years' purchase.
I shall not desire to live if I do not the work;
and therefore, good my lord, be constant your-
self, and be the happy means to hold the King so.
It is my gratitude to his Majesty and your lord-
ship that hath engaged me; otherwise there is no-
thing upon this earth could have tempted me to
have quit the happy estate I was in within these
fourteen days, to enter into a business so full of
continual vexation and trouble.
I have called some men to account who have
not accounted these seven years. I doubt some
will make their addresses to his Majesty or your
lordship; I pray let their answer be, his Majesty
hath referred the trust of ordering his estate to
me.
I shall shortly call for an account out of the
Isle of Wight. I think out of moneys owing by
some rich lords to pay some of his Majesty's poor
KING JAMES.
209
servants. I will spare no person, nor forbear any
course that is just and honorable to make our
great and gracious master to subsist of his own.
The pains and envy shall be mine, the honor and
thanks your lordship's. Wherefore be constant
to him that loves and honors you, and will ever
rest
Your lordship's
Faithful servant and kinsman,
Chelsey, 12 Oct. 1621.
LIONELL CRANFEILD.*
To my much honored Lord the Lord Marquis of
Buckingham, Lord High Admiral of England.
PRINCE CHARLES TO THE DUKE.
[Upon the House of Commons proving refractory.]
STINIE,
THE lower house this day has been a little un-
ruly, but I hope it will turn to the best, for be-
fore they rose they began to be ashamed of it;
yet I could wish that the King would send down
a commission here, (that if need were,) such sedi-
tious fellows might be made an example to others
by Monday next, and till then I would let them
alone; it will be seen whether they mean to do
good or to persist in their follies, so that the King
needs to be patient but a little while. I have
* Orig. Hol. Tan. lxxiii. p. 66.
VOL. II.
P
210
THE COURT OF
spoken with so many of the council as the King
trusts most, and they [are] all of this mind; only
the sending of authority to set seditious fellows
fast is of my adding. I defy thee in being more
mine than I am
Thy constant loving friend,
CHARLES P.*
Friday, 3d November 1621.
L. CRANFEILD TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.
[Upon the same subject and the state of the Revenue.]
MOST NOBLE LORD,
MR. CHANCELLOR being sent down to the King
by the House of Commons, hath saved me the
pains of writing the proceedings in Parliament
in that house, with my opinion; he being best
able to inform you of all the passages there, and
how that which hath lately been handled in that
house, viz. concerning the Prince's marriage, and
war and peace, was occasioned, and thereupon the
petition (which is his errand) framed. I have
likewise delivered him my opinion, unto whose
report I refer myself, submitting all to your bet-
ter judgment.
For the proceedings in the upper house, they are
very respective and fair. Some few attempts have
*
Orig. Hol. Tan. lxxiii, 68.
KING JAMES.
211
been made about privilege and papers taken from
Selden, thereby, as I conceive, to have called in
question the Earl of Southampton's restraint.
But those affected to those courses are so few,
and the house in general so well affected to the
King and his service, as I make no doubt but his
Majesty will receive no discontentment in our
house, but all satisfaction; which God grant!
That which I am principally to take care of,
is to get money, to see nothing passeth to the
prejudice of his Majesty's revenue and estate,
nor to impeach his power royal, wherein I will
not fail in my duty, whatsoever I shall in power.
I have agreed with the farmers of tobacco for
this year for £8000, and have told them to bring
in but threescore thousand weight; and have
left the Virginia and Bowrmoothes free to bring
in without restraint, and his Majesty to have the
benefit of the impost. This is £2000 more than
could be gotten by the Lords at Hampton Court.
Besides, by restraining them to 60,000 weight,
the kingdom will be empty of Spanish tobacco
at Michaelmas next, by which means I hope to
double the revenue I have let it for this year.
Besides, the great clamor in parliament of £120,000
per annum spent in Spanish tobacco, is now satis-
fied, because this 60,000 weight will cost but
seven thousand pounds; and the Virginia and
Bowrmoothes Company have no cause to com-
plain, there being no restraint, but they left to
free trade.
P 2
212
THE COURT OF
I made this known to both the houses the first
day of the parliament; and withal added, that
his Majesty, for the general good of the king-
dom, to preserve the treasure, and for the enlarge-
ment of the trade of Virginia, &c. had, even in
this time of his extreme necessity, been pleased
to lose seven thousand five hundred pounds per
annum in that farm of tobacco.
I have likewise made a bargain for the great
farm and silk farm, if his Majesty shall be pleased
to approve it. The term I have agreed for is
seven years, with a proviso, if his Majesty shall
think fit at the end of three years to give them
notice of his pleasure and a year's warning, they
are to quit it; and they have the like freedom.
This I did take care of, because all trades at pre-
sent being sick, occasioned by the general wars
in Christendom, I conceive it cannot be worse,
but hope of much better; which if it shall please
God to send, then his Majesty hath the advan-
tage, after three or four years, to increase his
revenue upon this farm. The price I have agreed
for is one hundred and threescore thousand
pounds per annum, which is an improvement
of four thousand pounds per annum more than
ever was given, and more than the Lords could
get at Hampton Court; which is better than
letting it for ten thousand pounds less, as the
King was made believe he must have done.
I have driven the bargain so hard for the King,
KING JAMES.
213
but I assure myself I have lost the two thousand
pounds which my predecessors, the Lord Trea-
surers, had yearly given them at new year's
tide. If I had, instead of improving it £4000
per annum, abated £10,000 per annum, (as was
intended,) it would have been a good new year's
gift to the Treasurer, but your lordship may
perceive with what great loss and disadvantage
to the King.
The farmers pretend his Majesty was content-
ed to give them a covenant, (in case there should
be a great plague, they should then be but ac-
countants;) but I would not yield to it, because
it was new; besides, it being a matter of grace,
I have left it to the King's pleasure, (as all things
of that nature should be,) that, if his Highness
be pleased to do it, he may have the thanks.
The Hollanders are arrived after their long de-
lay. It will advance that service much to choose
good commissioners, and the advancing that ser-
vice will put life into trade. The merchants
have been with me, desiring me to further their
desire, which is, to have the same commissioners
[as] were last. I pray your lordship I may know
the King's pleasure, and see the names of those
his Majesty intends to make before he signify
his pleasure. It shall not be prejudicial, but ad-
vance his Majesty's service, for it will be good
for the King that his Treasurer have power and
credit in the city.
214
THE COURT OF
I have paid the Duke of Howlsten* his three
thousand pounds in full, according to the King's
command, which I am not to dispute, but obey;
yet I could have wished it forborne in this time
of extreme necessity, and it might have been
done with his Majesty's honor, considering his
foreign occasions not unknown to the Duke of
Holsten himself.
I have paid the posts three thousand pounds
in part; to the forts and castles, six thousand
pounds in part; to his Majesty's foreign em-
bassadors and agents, six thousand pounds in
part, not reckoning my Lord Digby (for him I
must take care beside); to the Warden, &c.
of the Tower, and his Majesty's guard, to clear
them, about three thousand pounds; to gun-
founders, to poor shipwrights, to gunners, to
armorers, for munition, and to other mechanics,
about five thousand pounds; to all his Majes-
ty's servants, their ordinary wages and pensions;
and all this with his Majesty's own, without bor-
rowing, anticipating, or paying interest; which
may seem strange, considering the state his Ma-
jesty was in at Hampton Court, and that damnable
overture made to pawn his jewels for his remove.
When I have the honor to see your lordship,
I will then let you know how I have done all
this, which I pray believe hath been by honor-
able and just ways; and so much I beseech your
* Holstein.
KING JAMES.
215
lordship on my behalf to assure the King. And
withal, if God bless me, and his Majesty, the
Prince, and your lordship continue constant, and
will back me, I will perfect the work, and the
King shall live with honor upon his own, in
despite of all the world. As for myself, although
I have been all my life an active man, yet I
never knew care and pains indeed till now. I
protest to your lordship, myself and Sir Robert
Pye was upon Sunday until one of the clock
at midnight conjuring about the King's estate;
I having no time in the day by reason of
my continual attendance in parliament, and to
answer pressing, unreasonable, and importunate
suitors. And yet, to recreate myself, I have
lately seen two plays at Whitehall.
I have taken order for the payment of the thirty
thousand pounds, in Amsterdam, to Sir Dudly
Carleton, for the use of the Prince Palatine; and
in such specie, that whereas heretofore the army
had for ten thousand pounds sterling but one
hundred thousand florins, they shall now have for
ten thousand pounds sterling two hundred thou-
sand florins, which is double as much.
I have the rather written now to your lord-
ship thus largely and particularly of his Majesty's
affairs, to give him some content, for I fear the
petition from the House of Commons will give
him little.
Now I have given your lordship an account
216
THE COURT OF
about his Majesty's affairs, and what my care
hath been about them, I pray your lordship to
believe I have not been idle to perfect that
which concerns my Lord Fielding* and his lady;
and although I have not gone so swift as their
desires, it hath not been out of a desire to delay
that which I know you have so great a desire
to have despatched, nor for want of affection to
them, but so to order and settle it as may
stand with your lordship's and my duty to the
King, and with our honors and our safeties, if
hereafter it should be called in question, and
yet with that benefit and security to my Lord
Fielding as if it had been done at Michaelmas.
The warrant I have sent you herewith for his
Majesty to sign, which I pray be a mean his
Majesty may read all over in presence of Mr.
Parker and my Lord of Holderness; and now,
Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer is there, sig-
nify to him that he hath read it, and is pleased
it should be so. For I being now trusted with
his Majesty's estate in this great place, and this
in one part concerning myself, and in another
part my Lord Fielding, who is so near your
lordship and me by marriage, and I having offend-
ed so many for the King's service, it behoves
me not only not to give a ground, but not so
much as a color of a ground, for those I have
made my enemies to work upon, that may any
*William Fielding, Lord Fielding, afterwards Earl of Denbigh.
KING JAMES.
217
way charge me in point of faithfulness or duty
to his Majesty; for I am resolved to pursue
the course I have begun, which is not to make
a fortune myself, but humbly leave it to the
King to make me one, which is a new way of
thriving at court. The reasons [wherefore] I
have made the six thousand pounds to be paid me
by my Lord Fielding, for money paid formerly
by his Majesty's directions, are these:-
First, because in this time of want the King
shall not suffer by an opinion of giving, and it is
true upon the ground, for I paid six thousand
pounds to Sir Henry Mildmay by the King's
knowledge and order, as your lordship knows.
Secondly, because my Lord Fielding's grant shall
commence at Michaelmas last, and his account
carried from that time. Lastly, his Majesty shall
be at no further charge for this year than if I
had kept the wardrobe; and yet my Lord Field-
ing will have full as much as the King or your
lordship intends him. By this the King and
your lordship may see how things were carried
in this office in former times, what service I have
done to reduce it, what I have parted with, and
how faithfully I have dealt with the King from
time to time to acquaint him with my gains,
which I might have concealed and kept. But I
am better satisfied with this course.
For the three thousand pounds mentioned as
paid to my Lord of Doncaster, I paid so much to
my lord in part of a privy seal, and he received all
218
THE COURT OF
his money with interest out of the exchequer;
and in all the grants formerly made me about
the saving in the wardrobe, this three thousand
pounds is mentioned as part. And in regard there
is in this warrant six thousand pounds mentioned
to be given me for money disbursed by his Ma-
jesty's order, lest it might be conceived that three
thousand pounds was part, I thought it fit to ex-
plain it to avoid question, it being no charge to
his Majesty, nor loss to my Lord of Doncaster,
he being to repay me that which he received
twice, and which his Majesty had given me. For
your own private I forgot not, but am in for-
wardness. And so I rest
Your lordship's
Faithfullest servant and kinsman,
Chelsey, 4th December 1621.
LIONELL CRANFEILDE.*
EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM LAKE, BISHOP OF
BATH AND WELLS, TO DR. WARD.
[Account of Archbishop Spalato's return to Rome.]
GOOD MR. ARCHDEACON,
I GLADLY hear of yours and for yours at any
time, as one whom I remember in my prayers as
a worthy ornament of this church and instrument
* Orig. Hol. Tan. lxxiii. p. 73.
KING JAMES.
219
of God's glory. I have received information of
the Archbishop of Spalato's success, answerable to
the success which wise men, that know the deal-
ing of the Court of Rome, looked for. But he,
though otherwise not ignorant of them, would
not suspect, so confident was he of the Pope's
good will to him, upon letters received, and
Gundamar's artificial persuasions. They have
provided that we shall have no advantage of his
writing, because they have got him to be his
own corrector; but what plunges of melan-
choly the private consideration of his retracta-
tion, I am persuaded against his conscience, may
put him to, time will show. Either his conscience
is seared, or he will be uncomfortably sensible of
so foul a fact; and his writings being not bare
assertions, but strengthened with good proofs,
will not easily be avoided-no, though he
should retract sentence after sentence, except
he can also answer his own reasons in many
material points, though there be in his books
many things I did never like; and his late
writings deal more tenderly with the Church
of Rome, that he might have place for recon-
ciliation, which he did premeditate.
Wells,
This 9th June [1622.]+
+ See the Memoirs, p. 352.
*
*
220
THE COURT OF
LORD BACON TO KING JAMES.
[Upon his release from imprisonment.-His Instauratio Magna
and other writings.]
MAY IT PLEASE YOUR SACRED MAJESTY,
I ACKNOWLEDGE myself in all humbleness infi-
nitely bounden to your Majesty's grace and good-
ness, for that, at the intercession of my noble and
constant friend my Lord Marquis, your Majesty
hath been pleased to grant me that which the
civilians say is res inestimabilis,-my liberty; so
that now, whenever God calleth me, I shall not
die a prisoner. Nay, further, your Majesty hath
vouchsafed to cast a second and iterate aspect of
your eye of compassion upon me, in referring the
consideration of my broken estate to my good
lord the Lord Treasurer; which as it is a sin-
gular bounty in your Majesty, so I have yet so
much left of a late commissioner of your treasure,
as I would be sorry to sue for any thing that
might seem immodest.
These your Majesty's great benefits in casting
your bread upon the waters, (as the Scripture
saith,) because my thanks cannot any ways be suf-
ficient to attain, I have raised your progenitor of
famous memory, (and now I hope of more famous
memory than before,) King Henry the Seventh,
to give your Majesty thanks for me. Which
work, most humbly kissing your Majesty's hands,
I do present. And because in the beginning of
my trouble, when in the midst of the tempest
KING JAMES.
221
I had a kenning of the harbour, which I hope
now by your Majesty's favor I am entering into,
I made tender to your Majesty of two works,
an History of England, and a Digest of your
Laws, as I have (by a figure of pars pro toto)
performed the one, so I have herewith sent your
Majesty, by way of an epistle, a new offer of the
other. But my desire is further, if it stand with
your Majesty's good pleasure, since now my study
is my exchange, and my pen my factor for the
use of my talent, that your Majesty (who is
a great master in these things) would be pleased
to appoint me some task to write, and that I
shall take for an oracle.
And because my Instauration (which I esteem
my great work, and do still go on with in si-
lence,) was dedicated to your Majesty, and this
History of King Henry the Seventh to your lively
and excellent image the Prince, if now your
Majesty will be pleased to give me a theme to
dedicate to my Lord of Buckingham, whom I
have so much reason to honor, I should with
more alacrity embrace your Majesty's direction
than mine own choice. Your Majesty will par-
don me for troubling you thus long. God ever-
more preserve and prosper you.
Your Majesty's poor beadsman most devoted,
Gorhamb. 20th March 1621.
F. ST. ALBAN.*
(Inscribed) To the King's most excellent Majesty.
* This and the two following letters are from the Tan. MSS.
lxxiv. p. 906 et seq.
222
THE COURT OF
LORD BACON TO BUCKINGHAM.
[On the same occasion.]
MY VERY GOOD Lord,
THESE many and real favors which I have
lately received from your good lordship in procur-
ing my liberty, and a reference of the considera-
tions of my release, are such as I now find, that, in
building upon your lordship's noble nature and
friendship, I have built upon the rock where
neither winds or rains can cause overthrow.
I humbly pray your lordship to accept from me
such thanks as ought to come from him whom
you have much comforted in fortune, and much
more comforted in shewing your love and affec-
tion to him. Of which also I have heard by my
Lord of Faulkland, Sir Edward Sackville, Mr.
Matthew, and otherwise.
I have written, as my duty was, to his Majes-
ty, thanks touching the same, by the letter I
here put into your noble hands.
I have made also in that letter an offer to his
Majesty of my service for bringing into better
order and frame the laws of England. The de-
clarations whereof I have left with Sir Edward
Sackville, because it were no good manners to
cloy his Majesty, at this time of triumph and
recreation, with a business of this nature.
So as
your lordship may be pleased to call for it to Sir
KING JAMES.
223
Edward Sackville, when you think the time
seasonable.
I am bold likewise to present your lordship
with a book of my History of King Henry the
Seventh. And now that in summer was twelve-
month I dedicated a book to his Majesty, and
this last summer this book to the Prince, your
lordship's turn is next, and this summer that
comes, (if I live to it,) I shall be yours. I have
desired his Majesty to appoint me the task,
otherwise I shall use mine own choice for
this, as the best retribution I can make to your
lordship. God prosper you the next.
Your lordship's
Most obliged friend and faithful servant,
Gorhamb. this 20th of March 1621.
F. ST. ALBAN.
(Inscribed) To the Right Honorable his very good
Lordship, the Lord Marquis of Buckingham, High
Admiral of England.
LORD BACON TO BUCKINGHAM.
[Expresses his anxiety to be taken into favor and to return to
public life.]
EXCELLENT LORD,
THOUGH I have troubled your lordship with
many letters, oftener than I think I should, (save
that affection keepeth no account,) yet upon
the repair of Mr. Matthew, a gentleman so much
your lordship's servant, and to me another my-
self, as your lordship best knoweth, you would
224
THE COURT OF
not have thought me a man alive, except I had
put a letter into his hand, and withal, by so
faithful and approved a mean, commended my
fortunes afresh unto your lordship.
My lord, to speak my heart to your lordship,
I never felt my misfortunes so much as now;
not for that part which may concern myself,
who profit, I thank God for it, both in patience
and in settling mine own courses; but when I
look abroad and see the times so stirring, and so
much dissimulation, falsehood, baseness, and en-
vy in the world, and so many idle clocks going
in men's heads, then it grieveth me much that
I am not sometimes at your lordship's elbow,
that I might give you some of the fruits of the
careful advice, modest liberty, and true in-
formation of a friend that loveth your lordship
as I do. For though your lordship's fortunes
be above the thunders and storms of inferior
regions, yet, nevertheless, to hear the wind, and
not to feel it, will make one sleep the better.
My good lord, somewhat I have, and much
have I read, so that few things which concern
states or greatness leave new cases unto me;
and therefore I hope I may be no unprofita-
ble servant to your lordship. I remember the
King was wont to make a character of me, far
above my worth, that I was not made for small
matters; and your lordship would sometimes
bring me from his Majesty that Latin sentence,
KING JAMES.
225
De minimis non curat lex; and it hath so fallen
out, that since my retiring times have been ful-
ler of great matters than before; wherein, per-
haps, if I had continued near his Majesty, he
might have found more
my gift lay that way.
imagination of mine.
not aspire to use my talent in the King's great
affairs, yet for that which may concern your lord-
ship and your fortune, no man living shall give you
a better [proof] of faith, industry, affection, than
I shall. I must conclude with that which gave
me occasion of this letter, which was Mr. Matthew's
employment to your lordship in these parts;
whereas I am verily persuaded your lordship
shall find him a wise and able gentleman, and
one that will lend his knowledge of the world
(which is great) to serve his Majesty and the
Prince, and in especial your lordship. So I rest
Your lordship's
use of my services if
But that is but a faint
True it is, that as I do
Most obliged and faithful servant,
Gray's Inn,
This 18th of April 1623.
F. ST. ALBAN.
SECRETARY NAUNTON TO THE MARQUIS OF
BUCKINGHAM.
[Upon his disgrace.]
IT MAY PLEASE YOUR LORDSHIP,
I HAVE here presumed to implore your lordship's
noble favor for the timely presenting of this inclos-
VOL. II.
Q
226
THE COURT OF
ed to his Majesty,* and your own seconding of
their contents, which no man can do so well, and I
yet believe no man will so willingly as your lord-
ship, notwithstanding all the artifices that have
been devised and practised to avert your lordship's
favor from me, as well as his sacred Majesty's,
which design of theirs I can justly challenge it
to have proceeded of bitter malice to me, and of
not much more love to your own person.
I am now fallen into the times of trial to try
my true friends, (whereof this world hath so
few,) and mine own heart, whether it can trust
where it hath been and is true, whether it can
[be] patient and brook checks from those royal
hands which heretofore it hath kissed with un-
speakable comforts. My sweet lord, I most
humbly thank you for your care of me, intimated
by Mr. Packer touching the parliament house;
in which, though I have not yet refused to
serve, because I should so have made myself
uncapable to answer the obligation I have to
do his Majesty service there when he shall be
pleased to accept thereof, yet do I not hold my-
self bound to admit of their choice that elected
me, being now none of that body, till I shall
receive assurance of his Majesty's gracious ap-
probation. I have entreated some of my friends
to oppose that motion, if any such should be
made, for my calling thither, and am resolved
they shall send me to what prison they will, yea,
* See the following letter.
KING JAMES.
227
and pull me in pieces too, before I will be fetched
out of my house with my own consent, till my
sovereign dear master shall enlarge me, who hath
confined me thither; for whose blessed estate,
honor, and prosperity God best knows [that] I
am infinitely more careful than for any thing that
can befal my resolved self in this life.
Your lordship's most devoted
And obliged humble servant to death,
[1622.]
ROBERT NAUNTON.*
SECRETARY NAUNTON TO KING JAMES.
[Upon his disgrace.]
MY MOST DREAD AND MOST DEAR SOVEREIGN LORD AND MAster,
As, upon the first signification of your Majes-
ty's grievous displeasure, I began with all duti-
ful humility to implore your Majesty's gracious
interpretation of my unhappy errors by my let-
ters then written to my Lord Admiral, (which
I make no doubt but his lordship hath commu-
nicated them to your Majesty,) so I must still,
while I have a being, most humbly research and
seek the same by making appeal, from the mis-
constructioned glosses of them that love me not
for my devotedness to your Majesty's true ser-
vice, to that high altar of your Majesty's own
purest understanding and admired wisdom, and
that of your no less renowned sweetness of na-
ture, clemency, and bonté.
* Orig Hol. Tan. Ixxiii. 97.
Q 2
228
THE COURT OF
I cannot express the grief my soul hath suf-
fered, to think I should be charged to have
presumed of myself to treat in a matter of so
transcendent a nature and importance with so
base a person, and to have set a price of that
precious jewel which is so far beyond valuation;
and that I should be so injuriously traduced to
your Majesty to be a Puritan, whose irregular
scruples and fond opinions, God and the world
knows, that from my first exercises in schools,
I have heartily opposed. They may as well
pretend any other thing what they will against
me. God turn their hearts, and set them as sin-
cerely to zeal your Majesty's honor and service
as He best knows that my poor true heart hath
done, doth, and shall.
Sir, grief and anguish of spirit permit me now
to write no more to your Majesty in my own
case; against whom I am not complexionated to
lift up the least thought, no, not in mine own
defence, nor to put on any other armour præter
preces et lacrymas, which God above sees, and I
hope will hear, and inspire your Majesty to con-
ceive yet better of me, though all the world
abandon me, that will live and die, your Majestys
most faithful and obedient subject and servant,
ROBERT NAUNTON.*
To his Sacred Majesty. [1622.]
***
Orig. Hol. Tan. liii. 290.-This year Secretary Naunton
was suspended from his secretary's place for treating with the
KING JAMES.
229
LADY MARY JACOB TO BUCKINGHAM.*
MY BEST AND SWEETEST LORD,
By that large letter by which your lordship
hath vouchsafed to give me, your servant, so many
good and weighty instructions, I make myself
believe that you esteem me, and think me good
for something, for otherwise I assure myself your
lordship hath somewhat else to do than to write
to me. Your lordship hath furnished me with
French ambassador about a match between Prince Charles
and the Princess Henrietta, the French King's daughter. His
disgrace is noticed in D'Ewes' MS. Journal, erroneously as
usual. "About the 20th day of this month, (January 1622,)
was Sir Robert Naunton, that had been formerly University-
orator in Cambridge, and was now one of the Secretaries of
State, confined to his house for giving some sharp answers to
the Count of Gondomer, the subtle Spanish Embassador, be-
ing in discourse with him, and afterwards refusing to submit
unto him." p. 54.
* This letter is presented to the reader for no other purpose
than as a specimen of the correspondence of a political intri-
gante of no mean notoriety in her days. She appears to have
been as much an aspirant for the favors of Gondomar as of
Buckingham, if the following characteristic anecdote respecting
her, which has been preserved by Wilson, may be trusted. The
Spaniard lived at Ely House in Holborn, and his passage to
court was ordinarily through Drury Lane, Covent Garden be-
ing then an enclosed field. At that period the principal gentry
lived in Drury Lane and the Strand; and the ladies, who knew
his times, watched to see him pass in his litter, to pay their
230
THE COURT OF
one reason for his Majesty's supply; namely, the
distress and want of his children. Of which
reason, in my poor particular, I am most sensible,
and shall not certainly forget to make use of
that, my lord, especially to my friends, the fa-
thers of the Lower House. And from the other
reason of the Turk, and the misery he may bring
upon them, except his Majesty may make a gene-
ral happy peace, although I am not well acquaint-
ed with the story or country of that mighty
potentate, yet I will be so bold as to draw this
courage from that reason, that I will make some
of them, unless they yield to do their best in
this business, wish themselves in Turkey, rather
than to endure my pressures and importunities;
and so, my noble lord, presenting your lordship a
taste of my forward disposition to do my patron
respects to him from their balconies. "One day," continues
the historian, "passing by the Lady Jacob's house in Drury
Lane, she exposing herself for a salutation, he was not wanting
to her, but she moved nothing but her mouth, gaping wide open
upon him. He wondered at the lady's incivility, but thought
it might haply be a yawning fit took her that time; for trial
whereof the next day he finds her in the same place, and his
courtesies were again accosted with no better expressions than
an extended mouth. Whereupon he sent a gentleman to her,
to let her know that the ladies of England were more gracious
to him than to encounter his respects with such affronts. She
answered, it was true that he had purchased some of their favors
at a dear rate, and she had a mouth to be stopped as well as others.
Gondomar, finding the cause of the emotion of her mouth, sent
her a present as an antidote, which cured her of that distem-
per."-History of Great Britain, p. 146.
KING JAMES.
231
and his great master my best and humblest ser-
vice, (which, since I had the honor to speak with
your lordship, hath been, and while I can possi-
bly stay here shall be, my greatest business and
only employment,) in all humility, with infinite
thanks, both for your lordship's goodness and
good opinion, take my leave and kiss your lord-
ship's hands; and not having my writing hand
so well disposed as that I can command it
much, I will for this time retire into my closet,
and pray that your lordship may evermore have
all your heart's desires, and I ever see your lord-
ship still at the helm, where you are now fixed
again, and the idle murmur that was vanished
to nothing.
-
Your lordship's most humble
And most willing servant,
From my house in Drury Lane,
This 28th of April 1621.
MARY JACOB.*
SIR J. WENTWORTH TO THE DUKE OF BUCK-
INGHAM.
[Desires to be excused from coming forward to justify his ac-
cusation of the Earl of Oxford and others.]
MY NOBLE Lord,
I NEVER had good fortune so much on my side
as to purchase envy, nor I hope shall know so
bad as to beget contempt. More than I ever had
at stake is in your lordship's hands (my reputa-
*Orig. Hol. Harl. 1581, p. 240.
232
THE COURT OF
tion). Sir Jo. Hipsly did tender that to me, from
your lordship, would blast it for ever: to pro-
duce Haly for what he told me of the tears of
the people, and to accuse my Lord of Oxford*
for his unreverent hopes of the King's death;
in drink and discontent it fell from him. First,
it was my folly to entrust things of this nature
to my Ld. Gresly, and hers to Sir Jo. Hipsely,
for which I had ever made myself a stranger
to her, but her reason that things might go on
without me to his Majesty's danger satisfied me:
otherwise I had attended all practices till they
had ripened ready for action; and if I found my
error, that my zeal had misguided me, I would
not have burthened myself to load his Majesty's
breast with unfit cares. But what I have said,
if a fruitless sacrifice of my honor (as you pleased
to call it, when you swore to preserve it as your
own life,) must be delivered up to his Majesty's
service, with my soul and life I will justify all.
* The substance of this letter is explained by a quotation
from Hacket's Life of Bishop Williams, i. 70.
"It was in April the year following, (that is, 1622,) that the
Earl of Oxford was sent to the Tower, betrayed by a false
brother, for rash words which heat of wine cast up at a merry
meeting. His lordship's enemies were great and many, whom
he had provoked." Oxford had been a man of no reputation
in his youth; but being very debauched and riotous, and with-
out means for his extravagance, he maintained himself by sor-
did and unworthy ways. When he grew older, he became, to-
gether with the Earl of Essex and Lord Say, one of the popular
party in the House of Commons. See also Sanderson's Jas.
p. 523.
I.
KING JAMES.
233
But I believe his Majesty's service will extremely
suffer when the lameness of one accuser shall
draw on his Majesty's anger or justice. Time
and patience must disclose these ambiguous
things, if there be more than light and brain-
sick conceptions. For myself, I write this to
your lordship, that in messages I may not be
mistaken. When I consider what religion and
duty calls me to, I shall freely expose myself,
when I weakly forfeit not reputation, and this
way I shall be a companion only for slaves.
Therefore, when I shall be thus commanded,—I
must be free with your lordship,- I forfeit what is
above his Majesty's reward or your friendship:
and I will sooner starve than taste of his bounty
for this act, or be seen where any thing ever
heard* of Sir J. W. His Majesty shall lose as
faithful a subject as any, and you never find so
true a lover and servant to you; for, next to
his Majesty and his, I was, ever since your first
favor, as I am now,
Only your lordship's creature and servant,
J. Wentworth.†
To the Duke of Buckingham.
*So in the MS. Something is wanting.
+ Orig. Hol. Tanner's MSS. Ixxiii. p. 42.
234
THE COURT OF
SIRE,
GONDOMAR TO KING JAMES.
[Moves the Spanish match.]
If your Majesty will say that the Count of
Gondomar is a worthy man, and an humble and
faithful servant of his Majesty the King of Great
Britain, believe it, for it is true; and how wicked
and unworthy should I be if such were not the
case. For neither is the Marquis of Buckingham
so much obliged to your Majesty as he has de-
served, and he well deserves for his good services
the favors which he receives from your Majesty,
besides being an Englishman and a good English-
man; but that a Spaniard has been and should be
counsellor, not only of your Council of State, but
also of the Privy Council, that surpasses not only
all the deserts, but also all the services that I have
SIRE,
Si Vre. Mte voudroit dire que le Comte de Gondomar est un
homme de bien, et un humble et fidele serviteur de la Mte du
Roy de la Grande Bretagne, croyes cela, car il est vray. Et
combien mauuais et meschant serois-ie si cela ne seroit pas
ainsy !
Car ny le Marquis de Buckingham n'est pas tant
obligé à V. Mte d'aultant qu'il a merité, et merite bien auec ses
bonnes seruices les fauueurs qu'il receue de V. Mte et il est
Anglois encore, et un bon Anglois: mais qu'un Espagnol ait
esté et soit conseiller non seulement de Vre. Conseil d'Estat,
mais du Cabinet Interieur, cela surpasse non seulement tous
les merites, mais aussy toutes les services que je vous ay peu
1.

C.P. Harding, del
W. Greath atch,50.
COUNT GONDOMAR.
From the Original Painting at Strawberry Hill.
London, Published by Richard Bentley, 1839.
KING JAMES.
235
been able to render. In fine, Sire, I will say no
more of this affair, but will be cautious and
speak with more gravity, since I represent the
lady who truly deserves to be aspired to and
sought after, because of the happiness and con-
solation which the possession of her will give.
And with all seriousness, I will discover to you
the great desire of the King, my master, not
only for the conclusion of this business, but
also that it should be concluded with all bre-
vity, and that the points touching to religion
give so much satisfaction to the Pope, that he
may not only grant us the dispensation we de-
sire, but that he may be obliged to grant it.
And I assure you, that here we are disposing
and facilitating all in the best possible way, for
Mons. Don Baltazar de Zuniga has undertaken
the negociation of this affair with particular and
rendre. En fin, Sire, je ne veux dire plus touchant ceste
affaire, mais je me veux mesurer, et parler auec plus de grauité,
puis que je represente la Dame, laquelle en verité merite d'estre
pretendue et cherchée, à cause du contentement et consolation
qu'elle en donnera possedée. Et auec toute ma grauité je vous
descubriray de par le Roy mon maistre un desire tresgrand non
seulement de la conclusion de ceste affaire, mais encore qu'elle
soit acheuée auec toute briefueté, et que les choses qu'appar-
tiennent à la religion donnent telle satisfaction au Pape qu'il
puisse non seulement nous octroyer la dispensation que nous
desirons, mais qu'il soit obligé à l'octroyer. Et je vous asseure
que de par icy on va disposant et facilitant tout en la meilleure
façon qu'il sera possible, car Mons' Don Baltazar de Zuniga a
236
THE COURT OF
great affection.
And since it chiefly depends
upon your Majesty and his highness the Prince,
(God preserve him,) one cannot doubt of the
brief conclusion of it; and in case there should
be any cause to doubt, I will declare at once, and
will say with reason, that the fault of it will fall
upon your Majesty and his Highness; for the
rest, I refer to that which my Lord Digby will
write to you, who, in truth, proceeds here with
great care and prudence.
The heats of this year have been extraordi-
narily violent here, and since the 21st of June,
the day that we landed from our vessel in Gali-
cia, even to the present time, I have seen no rain.
But I have always seen plenty of melons and
grapes, which I should have been happy to have
been able to send you.
prins* fort particulièrement et auec une tres grande affection
ceste negociation à sa charge; et puis qu'elle depend princi-
pallement de V. Mte et de son Altesse le Prince, (Dieu le
garde!) on ne peut doubter de la bonne et briefue conclusion
d'icelle; et en cas qu'il ait occasion de doubter aucunement, je
me declaire asteur, et je diray auec raison, que la faulte en
tombera sur V. Mte et son Altesse. En tout le rest je me
remets à ce que my Lord Digby vous escrira, lequel en verité
procede icy auec grand soing et prudence.
Les chaleurs de ceste année ont esté icy extraordinairement
violentes, et depuis le 21 de Juin, le jour que nous sommes
sortis du nauire en Galicia, iusques au present, je n'ay pas veu
de la pluye: mais tousjours j'ay veu aucuns melons et raisins,
lesquels je serois bien aise de vous pouuoir enuoyer.
* Pris.
KING JAMES.
237
The two camels, with the ass, and she-ass
sufficiently large for breeding, I will give to my
Lord Digby, who will send them to your Ma-
jesty to be put in the park at Theobald's. And
I entreat you, since my Lord Digby and Mons.
Walter Ashton are the embassadors of Spain,
and Count of Gondomar of England, that your
Majesty would give to him your commands,
and not to them, in every thing that pertains to
your service and pleasure; for I am sure that
they do not surpass me in the good wish and
desire that I have to render you all service and
obedience. May Almighty God preserve to your
Les deux chameaux et l'asne et l'asnesse grandes à propos
pour la race et generation je les bailletay à my Lord Digby,
qui les enuoyera à V. Mte pour les mettre dans le parc de Theo-
balls.' Et ie vous supplie, puis que my Lord Digby et Mons!
Walter Ashton sont ambassadeurs d'Espagne, et le Comte de
Gondomar celuy d'Angleterre, que V. Mte luy vueille com-
mander, et non pas à eux, tout cela qu'appartiendra à vre.
seruice et contentement. Car je m'asseure qu'ils ne me sur-
passent en la bonne volonté et desir que j'ay de vous rendre
tout seruice et obeissance. Dieu tout puissant vueille garder
* James had a great passion for collecting rare and curious
animals, and the most usual and acceptable presents from
such as wished to pay court to him were of this kind. When
Buckingham went into Spain, he sent him many presents of this
kind; and Sir Henry Ellis, in his collection of Original Letters,
has published a very characteristic postscript, written by the
Duke upon one of these occasions. See also Dalrymple's Me-
morials, i. 71. Some filthy imaginations have given a sinister
interpretation to this letter.
238
THE COURT OF
Majesty as many happy years as we desire and
have need of! From your Majesty's
Very humble and obedient servant.
Madrid, this 19th of September 1622.
In my life I have done nothing unwillingly in
your Majesty's service, except the writing in French.
Signed, Cde de GONDOMAR.
GONDOMAR TO BUCKINGHAM.
MY GOOD LORD,
[On the same subject.]
I MAY say to your Excellency with great sin-
cerity, that I write to you at all times and at all
hours with the willingness and remembrance of
a cordial love and respect which I feel and owe
to your Excellency; and God knows the plea-
V. Mte plusieurs heureuses années comme nous desirons et
auons besoing!
Madrid, ce 10 de Sept. 1622.
De V. Mte
Tres humble et obeissant seruiteur,
En mia bida he hecho ninguna cosa de mala boluntad en serbicio
de V. Mag. sino es escriuir en Françes.
EXMO SOR.
S'e* Cde de GONDOMAR.†
Mi buen Señor, en toute verité je peux dire à V. E. que ie
vous escris tous les jours et toutes les heures auec la volonté et
memoir d'un cordial amour et respect que je port et doy à Vre.
Ex. et Dieu sçait le contentement que i' aurois de nous pour-
* This is a monogram in the original, apparently for the
word Signé.
+ Orig. Tan. lxxiii. 160. The lines in italics are in Gondo-
mar's hand.
KING JAMES.
239
sure it would give me to walk with you in the
open gallery which leads from your Excellency's
chamber to the palace on the Thames, for there
are subjects which are more fit for personal com-
munication than to be entrusted to writing, and
especially in the French language. What I may
say and do say in every language is, that the
King, my master, desires the marriage of his
sister with the Prince of Wales with a steady
and constant resolve; and that on all sides,
the doubts proposed by the Pope should be faci-
litated and satisfied, and that all should be finish-
ed by the post. Indeed, in the short time that
has elapsed since my arrival here, it has been im-
possible to do more, and much has been done.
And thus I trust in God we shall soon see each
other here in this country, and embrace each
other according to the agreement, and together
mener vn peu ensemble en la gallerie ouuerte des la chambre
de V. E. iusques au Palais sur le Tamisis; car il y a des choses.
qui sont plus apropos pour la communication personnelle que
pour les fier par escrit et especiallement en la langue Françoise.
Ce que je peux dire et je dis en tous langages est que le Roy
mon maistre auec une firme et constante resolution desire le
marriage de sa soeur auec le Prince de Wales, et que de ceste
costé la et de ceste cy soient facilitées et satisfaites les doubtes
que le Pape a proposé, et que tout soit acheué par la poste.
Et en ce peu de temps depuis que ie suis arriué icy, il a esté
impossible de fair plus, et beaucoup a esté fait.
Et ainsy
j'espere en Dieu que nous nous verrons bien tost en ces pais
icy, et embrasserons I'vn l'aultre, selon l'accordé et retournerons
240
THE COURT OF
joyfully return to Great Britain. All the rest
I entrust to Mr. Cottington, who is to depart
next week, (if it please God,) and by him Mons.
le Comte de Olivares and Mons. Don Balthazar
de Zuniga will reply to the favor of your letters,
which they have estimated as they should do.
So I will not trouble your Excellency any more
to-day, but will only beg you to kiss the hands
most affectionately on my part, and on the part
of the Countess my wife, of Madame la Com-
tesse, your mother, and Madame la Marquise,
and little Mary Villiers. May God give her
many brothers, and preserve her father as many
happy years as I desire!
From your Excellency's very humble
and very affectionate servant.
Madrid, September 10, 1622.
ensemble et alegrement à la Grande Bretagne.* Tout le rest
je remets à Mons" Cottington qui s'en ira, s'il plaist à Dieu, la
semaine prochaine, et par luy Mons' le Comte de Oliuares et
Mons Don Baltazar de Zuniga responderont à la faueur qu'ilz
ont receue par vos lettres, les quelles ilz ont estimé comme il
est just. Et ainsy je ne veux pas empecher V. E. plus aujour-
dhuy; seulement je vous supplie de baiser les mains tresaf-
fectueusement de ma part et de par la Contesse ma femme à
Madame la Contesse vre. mere, et à Madame la Marquisse, et
à la petite Mary Villiers; Dieu la vueille donner beaucoup des
* Howell refers to Gondomar's earnest desire to negociate
this match, in his amusing letters, p. 116, 119.
KING JAMES.
241
In my room I have the portrait of the Marquis
of Buckingham, iny good lord and true friend, and
all the world says that he has the countenance of
a good fellow,-
Signed,
Cde de GONDOMAR.
NAUNTON TO BUCKINGHAM.
[Thanking him for interfering in his behalf.]
MY BEST LORd,
I MUST begin still with my intirest thank-
fulness to your lordship for your so noble and
kindly acceptance of those hasty lines which I
returned your lordship by my Lord of Carlisle ;
whereof his lordship hath since assured me, to my
great comfort, that I stand upright in your lord-
ship's true construction and understanding. I
was not a little grieved to apprehend by that
troubled style of your own noble heart and hand,
how much you suffered in so apologizing for
yourself and me to Sir E. Conwey; who can not,
freres, et garder son pere tantes et tant heureuses années comme
je desire! Madrid, ce 10 Sept. 1622.
De V. E.
Treshumble et tresaffectioné seruiteur,-
J'ay en ma chambre le pourtraict de el Marqs de Buckingham mi
good lord and true frind, y todo et mundo diçe que il a le uisage de
hombre de bien,-
S'e
Cde de GONDOMAR.*
*Orig. Tan. lxxiii. 162.
In Gondomar's hand.
VOL. II.
R
242
THE COURT OF
in the worthiness of his own mind, but acknow-
ledge your honorable care of him, and withall
admit of my so true allegations so nearly touch-
ing me for the present. Now, that his Majesty
hath been so pleased to relieve your lordship in
this interim, by assuming your promise to Sir
Ed. Conwey upon himself, and making it his
own, I cannot but receive so much the more
contentment, in that I presume your lordship rests
so honorably disengaged, and he so thoroughly
well satisfied thereby. Myself do still remain
under a far more awful and anxious apprehen-
sion of losing my wife and her fruit, (whereof
I see by this danger she still continueth in, not-
withstanding your lordship's so nobly compas-
sionate respiting of me, I should, without it,
have been out of doubt ere now,) than I ought
to be of parting from any place which his Majesty
shall not deem me worthy of. But I find that my
Lord of Carlisle his noble protestations and as-
surances of your lordship's faithful affection, in-
tentions, and promises to us, have wrought better
and more with her, for her support and conten-
tation than any other means I know could have
done; whereunto, next after God, I must owe
my enjoying of her in this good temper she hath
been in ever since, which I must esteem good,
and very good in comparison of what I was to
have expected from her otherwise, if his lord-
ship's so hearty and earnest discourse had not
KING JAMES.
243
taken a deeper impression with her than she
made show of for the present while he was with
her.
I most humbly thank your lordship for your
so seasonable assuring me the reservation of my
lodgings in Whitehall, which I hear many would
fain be tampering with, to strip me at once out
of all the hope and hold I shall have left in their
eyes of any relation to his Majesty's future
service.
I am constrained once more to entreat your
lordship to procure me the payment of my ar-
rears for my diet, which are still behind hand
for ten months; it may please your lordship to
signify his Majesty's gracious pleasure therein
by your letter to Mr. Cofferer. It hath been all
the services that two of my men have done this
long while to attend him and his under clerks;
but they have much ado to get good words and
fair promises from some of them. If I get them
not in whiles the seals are with me, what shall
I hope for after they shall be taken from me,
but that they will make it a desperate debt to
me? though his Majesty hath, by your lordship's
means, most graciously allowed it me and them
for it. If your lordship knew how much wrong-
ed and despised I have found myself in this,
and many other like reckonings, since the decla-
ration of his Majesty's disfavor, you would com-
passionate my so many patiences, as I doubt not
R 2
244
THE COURT OF
but you do, and pardon these necessitated com-
plaints and forced importunities of
Your lordship's most
Devoted and obliged humble servant,
Charin Crosse, 4º 9bris 1622.
ROBERT NAUNTON.
To the Right Honorable my singular good Lord,
the Lord Marquis Buckingham, Lord High
Admiral of England, &c.
HEATH TO BUCKINGHAM.
[Upon altering the coinage.]†
MAY IT PLEASE YOUR LORDSHIP,
I HAVE returned to Mr. Secretary Calvert the
several certificates of the officers of the Mint,
the Spanish merchants and goldsmiths, as I was
commanded by the order of the Lords of his
Majesty's most honorable Privy Council. In
them all I find a concurrence in these things:
That there is a necessity of some present remedy
to be applied to the consumption we are fallen
into for want of money, which is the very life-
blood of trade. That this cannot be done but by
bringing in of money from foreign parts; and by
preserving our own money here, being brought in.
That Spain is the fountain from whose mines
all our silver and the silver of all Europe flows;
+ See the Memoirs, p. 171.
* Orig. Tan. lxxiii. 215.
KING JAMES.
245
that the Spanish coin equalleth and somewhat
exceedeth ours in fineness. That, in true value,
the Spanish rial, holding his weight, equalleth
4s. 8d. of English money commonly current ;
it weigheth not above 4s. 7d. of new money
unworn; it weigheth at least 4s. 9d. of the older
money worn, for the medium is 4s. 8d.
This value would bring in plenty; for, although
the merchant can make more of it in Holland
and some other parts, yet it is with hazard and
giving of credit, and they had rather prefer a
more certain though somewhat a less gain. But
to keep our money yet left, and what shall be
brought in hereafter, cannot probably be done
so well as by the goldsmiths' proposition ex-
pressed in the last words of their answer; which
is, as Queen Elizabeth, out of a necessity of
state, from sixty pieces or shillings, cut a pound
weight of silver into sixty-two pieces; so the
King, out of the like and a greater necessity,
should cut it into sixty-five pieces, which would
raise the ounce of silver from 5s. 2d. to 5s. 4d.,
and make the Spanish rial at the Mint worth
4s. 8d. the coinage paid.
The great objection against this is, that the
King and divers landlords should thus lose a part
of their revenue. Happily it may be true in
some sense; but, being rightly understood, I
think it would not be so. For consider it, I pray
you, amongst ourselves at home, and it will be
246
THE COURT OF
one in substance what the value of the money
hold, so as it answered the ordinary valuation
between man and man. Again, consider it as it
hath relation to our trade with other nations,
and it will much advantage us that it correspond
with their coins, else it will all run where the
descent draweth it. But let it be admitted that
it would diminish every man's revenue, (for so
much,) the proportion would be but from 5s. 2d.
to 5s. 4d. which is one part in thirty-two. Let
every man examine truly his revenue as the case
now standeth with us, and will be every day
worse, if the drain of [our] money be not stop-
ped. Whosoever shall now let his land for an im-
proved rent, must abate a fifth part, and yet shall
hardly have his rent well paid in money for the
other four parts. I am sorry I have thus long
troubled your lordship, but it is only my desire
to do his Majesty the best service I can, and to
give to your lordship the best account I can of
my poor endeavors, which have made me to
make this adventure, for which I humbly crave
your lordship's patience and pardon. God is wit-
ness I have herein no private respect whatsoever.
Your lordship's most bounden and
Most faithfully devoted to serve you,
RO. HEATH.*
31st August 1622.
To the Right Honorable the Lord Marquis Buckingham,
Lord High Admiral of England.
Orig. Hol. Tan. Ixxiii. 145.
KING JAMES.
247
THE MARQUIS OF HAMILTON TO THE MARQUIS
OF BUCKINGHAM.
MY DAER LORD B.
*
I AM glaid to haeir that your litill saruan
James and his father's cuming is aceptabell to
you. I uold not haue thocht of his returning
any whair whyll you uaer thair, bot for faer you
shud be cruded & uexed with oni sair (?) stuf,
and I uold be sorie to ad to your cumbir; uich
if you fynd he uill not do, I shall be glaid he
got your blessing once a day, as the graetest
hapines he can houp for. That litter uich was
sent me to deliuer to the King, I brunt befoir
himself after his Matie had red it & red it again
uith much joy to fynd so good neuis; the rest
that you haue wrytin ar in my Lo. of Anan's
custodie, who is a uerie saif man, and I must
say a zelous seruan of yours. I pray God the
King philosofi nothing to my praiudice upon
the resunis why this paper was brunt; bot my
comfort is, I shall be gilti of nothing may iustly
displaes him; and it is a cordiall to me to be
set a work in any thing may concern you. For
thi Kingis sincer fauour to you, altho I kno
what I can say can ad nothing to your belif, it
is so publikly reall that your freindis haith iust
* His son, afterwards Duke of Hamilton, who made so great
a figure in the reign of Charles I. His memoirs have been
written by Bishop Burnet.
248
THE COURT OF
caus of extrem comfort of it in your abcence.
For my pairt, I am extremly comforted with the
iustice that fame dois, you ar diligent and dex-
trous in puting bisines to a poynt, uich in my
poor opinioun is wysly done; for besydis that
resolutioun is on of the strongest pillers that
holdis up a staet, in your ouin pryuat it is not
saif that thingis shud lingir; for uhat concernis
you and youris at the present is to much lyk a
clok with many uhillis, uhair if bot on pin faill
all is in disorder. To this purpois I remember
the saying of a uys old seman, that if the uether
uaer neuer so fair it uas good to haist to land,
becaus a storm micht cum: do thairfoir thois
thingis sounest may maik you faeris fouest, sence
the studie of preseruatioun is as naturall and
nesisar as that of the eleuation. And beliue, I
beceich you, tho in your good I had not so graet
a pryuat interes, my loue uold maik me do thois
thingis becumis
Your faithfull onalterabil seruan,
HAMILTON.*
* Orig. Hol. Harl. 1581. f. 1.—The Marquis died in 1624.
His son married the Duke of Buckingham's niece, the Earl
of Denbigh's daughter. Wilson, and other of the Common-
wealth writers, in order to blacken Buckingham's character,
have represented him as a great enemy to the Duke. The
very contrary appears from all his correspondence.
I should not have printed this letter here, (which was evi-
dently written at the end of the year 1622 or in 1623,) but
for the statements made in the subsequent letter. Perhaps no
KING JAMES.
249
MR. MEAD TO SIR M. STUTEVILLE.
[Sir E. Porter's accident in his embassy to the Queen of Bohe-
mia.-Anecdote of James I.]
Christ's Coll. Oct. 19, 1622.
SIR Endymion Porter, the messenger into
Spain, hath had such a mischance since he went
as will disenable him for his employment. Most
say that the manner of it was by reason that the
ship he went in was gravelled near to Calais ;
and so, being in danger, to save himself he leaped
out of the ship into the boat, but, falling upon
the side thereof, brake one of his ribs; and his
man leaping after him fell much shorter, and so
was drowned. Others say that, in the tempest,
the ship wherein he was fell foul with another
in company, in such sort that it was in danger,
being the smaller, to be lost. Whereupon, when
the ships were driven together, he, throwing him-
reign in English history presents such a tissue of contradictions
as that of James I.;—that is, if we would attempt to reconcile
the printed accounts with written documents preserved in our
different public depositaries. And what is the reason? The
substratum of all hitherto published histories of James, have
been the libels of Wilson and Weldon, et id genus omne, which
appeared long after this King's decease, at a time when there
was a premium for libelling monarchy: both were posthumous
publications, stolen from their respective possessors, garbled and
altered by the publishers. "Both," as Sanderson expresses it,
“born from the dead, and mere abortions; but, like lions' whelps,
licked over by laborious penmen." Yet their trail is visible even
in the pages of our most respectable historians.
250
THE COURT OF
self with all his might into the greater, fell so
that he brake his shoulder, beside other hurt;
but his man, following, catched only hold upon
the ship-side, where he hung till, the ships fall-
ing together, he was crushed in pieces between
them, and fell dead into the sea. The Roman
augurs would have taken this for an ominous
sign of the success of the business.
Since this news came to court, Mr. Cottington
is employed to Spain, who came but lately from
thence.
To tell you how the Prince, before his father
came down, besought him upon his knees, and
with tears, to take pity upon his poor and dis-
tressed sister,* her husband and children, and to
suffer himself no longer to be abused with treaties;
desiring him, that since himself was old, and unfit
now for actions of war, that he would give him
leave to raise a royal army, and to be the leader
thereof himself; not doubting but to find the
subjects ready; and that his Majesty should
answer, he would hear once more forth of Spain
first; and then, if he had not satisfaction, he
would give him and the state leave to do what
they would: -to tell you, I say, of these and
such like, I shall not need, knowing that they
use to fly about the country, and you may know
the truth as soon as I; for I think the event
* Elizabeth, Queen of Bohemia.
KING JAMES.
251
must make it appear, before it will be credible;
and yet it is affirmed the Prince said so; but I
know not whether to do so.*
It was talked also, that the King the last week
on hunting, both the Marquises being with him,
and not above one or two of the huntsmen or
any thing else near him, should suddenly, stand-
ing still and pausing awhile, tell them that he was
shamefully abused, and they were the causes
thereof; as having made him believe that all
would be well by treaty, till now his son had
lost all his inheritance. "You, my lords," quoth
he, "have much abused me." To which they
replied nothing. This our Cambridge men
brought from Royston on Sunday. I leave you
to judge of the probability, especially seeing that
one of them, the Marquis Hamilton, is no way
guilty in this kind, being known and taken by
all to be of the contrary faction; unless you
would think that the King included them both,
that he might charge Buckingham directly. But
these are all vulgar reports, and therefore sus-
picious either of falsehood or corruption.†
* This is confirmed by the anecdote mentioned in Goodman,
p. 312. But Mead, who was inclined to Puritanism, would of
course doubt it. It was the badge of that tribe to scatter
calumny on the Prince and Buckingham.
+ Sloane MSS. 4176.
252
THE COURT OF
THE SPANISH MATCH.
F. COTTINGTON TO SECRETARY CALVERT.
[Readiness of the Spanish Court to proceed with the match.]
SIR,
By my Lord Digby's own letter, as also by
those which his lordship sends from this King to
his Majesty and to the Prince, you will perceive
what declaration he hath gotten touching this
King's intention for proceeding in the match;
which, in my opinion, is as much as his lordship
could expect in this short time of his being here.
For considering the King is pleased to declare
that he will name commissioners, of which one
Conde chief shall be the Conde of Gondomer,
his coming must necessarily be stayed for; but
long it cannot be, seeing he landed but fifteen
days since, and is commanded to make all haste
hither. Mr. Gage writes from Rome, so doth
the Friar, that a late letter, come thither from
this King, hath put the business in such term as
they were hourly expecting the Friar's despatch;
and I can assure you that here they speak loud
when any danger is mentioned of the Pope's
denial. My Lord Digby hastens the business
bravely, and seems very impatient of any delay
at all. I hope I myself shall be the next messen-
ger, and so this needs be no longer. My servants
[and] my stuff are gone to St. Gehan, there to
KING JAMES.
253
be embarked; and, on the arrival of the Conde of
Gondomer, I shall have leave to be gone. And
thus, with the remembrance of my service, and
hearty prayers for you and yours, I rest.
Your cousin and servant,
Mad. 7th July 1622.
FRA. COTTINGTON.*
Endorsed To Mr. Secretary Calvert.
THE PRINCE AND THE DUKE TO KING JAMES.
[Giving account of their journey.]
DERE DAD AND GOSSOpe,
WEE are sure, before this, you haue longd to
haue some news from your boys; but before this
time wee haue not bine able to send you it, and
wee doe it with this confidence, that you will
be as glad to reede it as wee to right, th... it be
now our best intertainement. And that [wee]
may giue the perfectter account, wee will beg[in]
this where my last ended, which was at . . . First
about fiue or six a clocke on Wensday morn[ing,]
wee w[ent to] say, the first that fell sicke was your
[son,] and he that continued it longest was [my]-
selfe. In six owers wee gott ouer [with as] fare
a passage as euer men had: we all [got] so per-
fectlye well, when wee but saw [land] that wee
resolued to spend the rest of [the] day in rideing
* Orig. Hol. Tan. lxxiii. 130.
254
THE COURT OF
post; and lay at Mont[reuil] three post of a' Bul-
lougne. The next [day] wee lay at Breteur, a
leven post far[ther;] and the next to Paris, being
Friday. [This day,] being Saterday, wee rest at
Paris, though [there] be no greate need of it;
yet I had fore f[alls] by the way without anie
hareme. Your sonnes horses stoumbles as fast as
anie [man's ;] but he is so much more stronger
before then he was,] he houlds them vp by maine
strenkth of ma[nhood &] cries still On, on, on.
This day we [went,] he and I alone, to a peri-
wicke mak[er,] where wee disgised oure selues
so artefic[ially] that wee aduentured to see the
Kinge. [The] means how wee did compas
it w[as this. We] addressed oure selues to the
King's gouerner, Monsieur du Proes, and he
courtiouslie caried us where wee saw him oure
fill. Then wee desierd Monsieur du Proes to
make vs acquainted with his sonne, becaus wee
would torouble the ould man no longer, which
hee did; and then wee saw the Qweene mother
at diner. This euening his sonne hath promised
vs to see the yonge Qweene, with her sister and
little Mounsieur. I ame sure now you fere we
shall be discouerd; but doe not fright your selfe,
for I warrant you the contrarie; and, findeing
this might bee done with saftie, we had a greate
tickling to ad it to the historie of oure aduen-
tures. To[morrow,] which will be Sonday, wee
will be, God willing, vp so erlie, that wee make
KING JAMES.
255
no question but to reach Orleans; and so, euerie
day after, wee meane to be gaineing [su]mthing
till we reach Madride. I haue nothinge more to
say, but to recommend my pour little wife and
daughter to your care, [and] that you will bestow
your blessing upon
Your humble and obedient*
Sone and seruant,*
Your humble slaue and doge,
STEENIE.†
CHARLES.*
KING JAMES TO THE PRINCE AND THE DUKE.
[Of the trouble he has had in selecting the Prince's servants
who were to follow him, and some grants made to the Duke.]
MY SWEETE BOYES,
YESTERDAYE I wrotte an ansowre to yaire
letres by yong Bowie, quhome I sent, because
I knowe he will be quikkelie with you; and my
babie maye ather make use of his seruice thaire,
or, quhen he hath use to make a quikke dispatche,
I knowe none can carie it swifelier then he and
this daye I writte these by Andeuer, quho goes
by lande, because he sayes he is not able to goe
by sea. But the imperfect note that my babie
* These three lines in the Prince's hand.
+ Orig. Hol. Tan. Ixxiii. 229. The margin and other parts
of this letter are gone. The words in brackets I have supplied
by conjecture
256
THE COURT OF
left under his hande of his seruawnts that showlde
follow him, hath putte me to a greate deale of
paine, for ye left some necessarie seruants out,
in the opinion of all youre principall officers;
& quhen as I was forced to adde those, then
euerie man ronne upon me for his freende, so as
I was torne in peecis amongst thaime; but now,
ather this bearer, or Sir Robert Carre, will bring
you the note of your seruants that are to goe.
And now, Steenie, according to my promes, I
tooke a full accounte of your affaires yesterdaye
from Fotherdie. To be shorte, he hath promeised
to loose no tyme, both anent the three forrests
& Sedgmoore, in quhiche last I haue obtained
a sentence in the ende of this last terme; but
he is of that mynde to make money of thaime
all for payment of youre debtis and buyeing of
more londe for you neere Bewlie. I haue laitlie
sygned dyvers quillets of londe for you, in ex-
chainge for quhiche he sayes ye shall ressave
eighteen thowsande powndis in money. He will
reduce the charges of youre table to my allow-
ance till your returne; & he is now gone to
dispatche Kitt's bussienesse with the Lorde The-
sawraire, & to thinke upon a course for paying
the Lorde President of his tenn thowsande
powndis. I haue commawndit him to come
boldlie to me quhenever he hath occasion for
any of youre bussienessis, for I haue taken the
chairge of thame upon me.
I haue no more to
KING JAMES.
257
saye, but that I weare Steenie's picture in a
blew ribbon under my wastcoate, nexte my hairte.
And so God blesse you both, & sende you a
ioyefull & happie returne.
JAMES R.*
From Newmarkett, the last of Februarie.
THE KING TO THE PRINCE AND THE DUKE.
[Is resolved to bid farewell to peace in Christendom, if things
mend not.]
MY SWEETE BOYES,
THIS is now the fyfte letre I haue written unto
you, quhiche I sende by a couple of youre owin
familie, my Steenie, quho are neuer asunder.
The Emperoure hath now spewed the uttermost
of his unquenshable malice against my unfortu-
nate sonne in lawe, by geuing awaye the electo-
rate to that false & unnatural Duc of Bauiere,†
thogh but during the Duic's life, & with a
clawse of reseruation of my grandchildren's &
other kinsmen's hæreditarie tytles, ather by waye
of amicable treattie, or by plea in the Electorall
Courte; but if my babie's credit in Spaine mende
Orig. Hol. Harl. 6987. No. 8.
+ This transfer of the electorate to the "unnatural Duc of
Bauiere," is noticed by Howell. "The old Duke of Bavaria's
uncle," he observes, in a letter to his father, "is chosen Elector
and Arch-sewer of the Romans in his (the Prince Palsgrave's)
place; but, as they say, in an imperfect diet, and with this pro-
viso, that the transferring of this election upon the Bavarian
shall not prejudice the next heir.”—Letters, p. 91.
VOL. II.
S
258
THE COURT OF
not these things, I will bidde fair well to peace
in Christendome, during oure tymes at least. I
haue euen now made choyce of the iewells that
I ame to sende you, quhairof my babie is to pre-
sente some to his mistresse, & some of the best
he is to weare himselfe, & the nexte best he
will lende to my bastarde bratte to weare; but
of this I will wrytte more particulairlie` with
Compton, quho is to carrie thaime. Some also I
will sende of a meaner value, to saue my babie's
chairges in presents that he must giue thaire.
And so God blesse my boyes, & sende you a
happie iourney, (for I hoape ye are by this tyme
at the furthest,) and a ioiefull, happie, & con-
fortable returne to youre deare dade & trew
freende.
From Newmarkett, the 11 of Marche.
JAMES R.*
THE MARCHIONESS OF BUCKINGHAM TO HER
SON.
[After his departure into Spain.]
MY DEARLY BELOVED SON,
You may well imagine how many passions did
strive in my weak heart upon the news of your
departure. You must give me leave as a mother
to grieve sometimes for your absence, and to fear,
out of the apprehension of dangers which might
* Orig. Hol. Tan, Ixxiii. 237.
KING JAMES.
259
happen to you. Yet God, I thank him, hath
given me power to overcome these; especially
by consideration of the joy which I may justly
take whensoever you do service to his Majesty,
and chiefly now in waiting upon our Prince,
whom God preserve! When I truly think of
this, I can well forbear those comforts which I
take in seeing you and hearing from you, and
wish with all my heart that you may not leave
your master till you have brought him back safe
into England, which is the most earnest scope
of my daily, though unworthy, prayers. I have
sent you some verses of the Prince's journey; I
think you will know the father. You see your
best kinsman doth not forget you: and so, pray-
ing our Lord Jesus Christ to send you a happy
journey and a prosperous return, I rest
Your most affectionate
Goodby,
Loving mother till death,
This 14th of March 1622.
M. BUCKINGHAM.
*
To the Right Honorable the Lord Marquis
Buckingham, my dear Son.
The copie of his Majesty's letter to the Kinge of Spayne, sent
by my Lord of Buckingham, as it is retorned in print out
of Spayne.
"I have sent you my son, a prince sworn
King of Scotland; you may do with his person
* Orig. Hol. Harl. 6987. f. 25.
$ 2
€260
THE COURT OF
what you please, the like with myself and my
kingdom; they are all at your service. So God
keep you!"
The Prince's answer to the Pope's Nuncio that brought him the
letter.
"I kiss his Holiness' feet for the favor and
honor he doth me, so much the more esteemed
by how much the less deserved of me hitherto ;
and his Holiness shall see what I do hereafter,
and I think my father will do the like, so that
his Holiness shall not repent him of what he
hath done."*
BALTHASAR GERBIER† TO THE DUKE OF
BUCKINGHAM.
MONSIEUR,
SINCE the much regretted absence of your Ex-
cellency, every one has been as it were over-
whelmed, especially those who have the greatest
interest in you, as your incomparable Penelope,
MONSEIGNEUR,
DEPUIS l'apsence tant regrettée de la presence de vosre Exce
un chasqu'un a esté comme espouvanté, principalement ceux
lesquels pluspres y ont de l'interest, comme vostre incompara-
ble Penelope, laquelle toutefois en céste mer d'ennuys a des-
* Tan. lxxiii. 236.
† He was a kind of factotum to the Duke. A detailed, but
somewhat spiteful, account of him is given by Walpole in his
History of Painting.
KING JAMES.
261
who constantly, in this sea of trouble, has de-
monstrated the greatness of her constancy, com-
forting herself with the hope of seeing her sun
return above this horizon, beautiful and shining
as it set. They, whom good fortune has ranged
under the laws and service of your Excellency-
these, Monsieur, day and night pray to God for
your very happy return, even to my little George,
your slave, who day and night prays for his good
Lord Buckingham. The kindness which your
Excellency shows me, his poor father, places him
under a great obligation, and makes it appear
in my case, that if the presence of your Excel-
lency is to me a Paradise upon earth, your ab-
sence is to me a limbo of misery, if there be one.
The hopes which I have of your Excellency's
happy voyage makes my heart leap with joy,
and gives me an opportunity of saying to Ma-
montré la grandeur de sa constance, ce recomfortant de
l'esperance de reveoir son soleyl retourner desur cést horison,
beau et luisant comme il en est party. Ceux lesquels le bon
heur a rengé sous les lois et servisse de vos. Exc.-ceux là,
Monseigneur, jour et nuict prient Dieu pour vostre bien heureux
retour, jusques à mon petit George vos. esclave, soir et matin
prie pour his good Lord Buckingham. La debonnaireté que
vos. Ex. démonstre vers moy son pouvre pere luy en donne
ample obligation, et faict paroistre envers moy que sy la pre-
sence de vos. Exc. m'est un Paradis en terre, l'apsence m'est
un Limbe de misere s'il y en a un. L'esperance que j'ay du
bien heureux voyage que vos. Exc. faict, me faict tresailler le
cœur de joye, et me donna matiere de dire à Madame, lors
262
THE COURT OF
dame, whenever she is in the extremities of grief,
that whatever occasion she may have of lament-
ing the departure of your Excellency, that
she also has occasion of rejoicing, and should
not regret that your Excellency has under-
taken this journey, considering that by this
valorous action, (in which your Excellency has
hazarded all the happiness of his posterity, by
taking upon his shoulders, like another Atlas,
the charge and conduct of the Prince of this
kingdom;) your Excellency, after a very happy
return, will have acquired his love and eternal
affection, in which, after that of God and the
good King, consists all the happiness of your
Excellency, and will have no occasion hereafter
of fearing the malicious and the envious, whose
malice has no power when God is not with
them.
The King with great affection has sent an ex-
qu'elle estoist en l'extremité de ces larmes, que tout ainssy
qu'elle avoit ocasion de pleurer pour le despart de vos. Exc.
qu'elle avoit aussy ocasion de ce rejouir et ne desirer que vos.
Exc. ne fust party, considerant que par céste action valeureuse,
en laquelle vos. Exc. a adventuré tout le bien de sa posterité,
en prenant sur ces bras comme un Atlas la charge et conduitte
du Prince de cést empire, vos. Exc. appres un bien heuré retour
aura acquis son amour et affection perpetuelle, en quy, appres
Dieu et le bon Roy, consiste tout le bon heur de vos. Exc.;
n'ayant alors ocasion de craindre les malveuillants envieux, car
peu peust leur malice quand Dieu n'est point pour eux.
Le Roy avecques afection manda un homme expres pour le
KING JAMES.
263
press for the little portrait,* a proof that the large
and the real one is ever in his heart. I have
painted on the lid of the box the emblem of
a sun-dial, the hand of which turns continually
towards the pole-star, with these words, Unde-
cumque ad idem; signifying that your Excellency,
though absent and transported to distant lands-
that your heart and your soul, unchangeable,
turn and aspire towards his Majesty continually.
I think that the portrait is esteemed a very good
one—I know, in my conscience, that it is exceed-
ingly like-although I avow that M. Palmer
does not like it; but good gracious! there is no
greater enemy of science than presumption and
ignorance. Madame so greatly deplores your ab-
sence, that she cannot exist without having your
image and shadow before her eyes; consequently
(C
petit portraict, signe que le grand et principal luy est con-
tinuellement en l'ame. J'avois despeint sur le couverceau de la
boitte une embleme d'un candran, dont l'esquille tourne tous-
jours vers l'estoille de la Tramontane, avecques ces mots,
Undecumque ad idem:" signifiant qu'encores que vos. Exc.
estoit apsent transportté en terres loingtaines, que vostre cœur
et vostre ame, comme inmuable, tendoit et aspiroit tousjours
vers sa Majesté. Je croy que le pourtraict a esté trouvé bon,
car je scay en ma consience qu'il resemble extremmement,
encore que j'ay ouy que Monsr Pamer ne le veust pas: mais
passiance! il n'y a plus grand ennemys de la sience que la
presumption et l'ignorance. Madame a tant desploré vos. ap-
sence qu'elle ne pouvoit vivre sens en avoir l'image et l'ombre
* See p. 280.
264
THE COURT OF
I have been obliged to employ all my time in finish-
ing the great picture which I had commenced in
oils, which Madame keeps, as her sweet saint,
always within sight of her bed. I have finished
it; and if it be not injured by the dust, it will
always remain a proof of my skill. Madame
desires me to send to your Excellency a portrait
of herself and your sweet little lady,* but the
time of the departure of the vessels has been so
short that I have been obliged to send that which
was painted three years ago; and for the little
lady, she has been painted in great haste, and
only half finished; the hands which crave a bless-
ing on your Excellency are merely outlined.
However, Madame still wishes me to make a
miniature of your Excellency for her, so that
my time will slip away and not permit me to
devant les yeux; c'est pourquoy il m'a fallu emploier tout mon
temps à finir ce grand que j'avois commencé en huille, lesquel
Madame garde comme son doulx sainct tousjours en la per-
spective de son lict. Je l'ay finy, et s'il ne ce gaste par la
poussiere, il tesmoignera tousjours ce que je savois faire. Ma-
dame a eu desir d'envoyer à vos. Exc. son portraict et celuy de
la petitte doulce Dame, mais le temps du partement des navires
a esté trop court, tellement qu'il a fallu envoyer celuy quy a
esté faict il y a trois ans ; et pour la petitte Dame, elle a esté
faicte fort en haste et amoitié finye, les mains lesquels deman-
dent la benediction à vos. Exc. seulement esbauchées. Main-
tenant Madame veust que je face encore un petit portraict de
vos. Exc. pour elle, tellement que voilla mon temps escoulé et
* Little Lady Mary Villiers.
KING JAMES.
265
defer my journey any longer, for before I reach
Italy it will be extremely cold; and besides, the
sooner I undertake this voyage, the sooner I shall
be enabled to return to serve your Excellency.
I am persuaded it would be better that I should
take my departure in good time; and that your
Excellency will not be dissatisfied that I leave
the completion of this great work until my re-
turn, which will then be all the better for it.
I am advised, before my return from Italy,
to make a pretty piece of the return from Spain
with the Infanta; for instance, a triumph by sea
representing a chariot with the Prince and Prin-
cess, Neptune driving his sea-horses, and your
Excellency as Admiral of the Sea in the front
of the chariot, holding in your hands the reins;
and to paint besides, on the margin of the water,
the nymphs, which shall represent England,
ne permet d'attendre plus longtemps pour mon voyage, car
avant que je soye en Italie il fera extremement chaud; et d'aul-
tant que tant plus tost j'entréprens ce voyage, plus tost je
pouray estre de retour pour rendre servisse à vos. Exc. Je me
suis persuadé qu'il vault mieulx que je m'en aille en temps
comode, et que vos. Exc. ne ce mescontentera que je laisse à
faire ceste grande œuvre à mon retour, laquelle alors n'en sera
que meilleure.
Je me suis advisé qu'avant mon retour d'Italie de faire une
belle piesse du retour d'Espagne avecques l'Infante; assavoir,
une triomphe de mer representant un char avecques le Prince et
la Princesse, Neptune conduisant ces chevaus marins, et vos.
Exc. comme Admiral de la mer dedans le char tenant en main
les rennes des chevaux; et puis despaindre sur le bort du rivage
266
THE COURT OF
which shall come in a dance to receive their
Prince, with many angels flying in the air, some
carrying the arms of Spain, and others things ap-
propriate to this union. I think that this would
be very beautiful, and tend to immortalize this
action of yours, having brought the Princess by
sea, and would be a beautiful present, to be present-
ed on the part of your Excellency to the Prince.
I hope your Excellency will let me know in
Italy your opinion, that I may complete it before
my return.
Yet I feel a thousand regrets at thus setting
out without having seen your face and presence.
My sweet and noble Lord, my hand trembles as
I form this word, adieu, which must conclude
this letter, the length of which (I fear) will give
occasion of my being esteemed temerarious in ven-
les nimphes, lesquelles representeront l'Engleterre, lesquelles
viendront tout en dansant recevoir en pompe leur Prince;
avecques plusieurs anges vollants en l'air, les uns portants les
armes d'Espagne et aultres choses propres à ceste union. Je
croy que cela ceroit fort beau et tendroit à l'immortalité de
vostre action, ayant amené la Princesse par mer, et ceroit un
beau present pour donner de la part de vos. Exc. à Monseig-
neur le Prince.
J'espere que vos. Exc. m'en fera entendre en Italie son opig-
nion, affin que je la fasce avant mon retour.
Cependant j'ay mille regrets de partir ainssy sens reveoir
votre fasce et presence. Mon doux et noble Seigneur, ma
main ne peut que trembler former ce mot d'Adieu, lequel doit
finir la fin de ceste lettre, dont la longeur (je crains) peut don-
ner ocasion d'estre estimé temeraire, osant importuner vostre
KING JAMES.
267
r
turing to trouble your Excellency with such a
long discourse, but having had to give an account
of my proceedings, and to take my congè, &c. &c.
B. GERBIER.
TOBY MATTHEWS TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
[Of the cabals raised against the Duke during his absence in
Spain.]
MY LORD,
I HAVE written to your lordship, this very day,
more at large of some things which I conceive
to import your lordship's service; but I have
humbly prayed my Lady Marquis that she will
be pleased to inclose that letter of mine in a co-
ver of hers. This is chiefly to serve but for a
conveyance to this inclosed, from your most
worthy mother, who hath required me to send
it to your lordship's hands.
I forgot in my other to tell your lordship
that, howsoever his Majesty hath distinctly pro-
fessed that he would grant no suits till your
lordship came home,—and certainly his Majesty's
direct intention was such, as knowing that he
should be most truly informed by you both of
Exc. de sy long discours; mais ayant eu à rendre compte de ce
que j'ay faict, et de prendre mon dernier congé, &c. &c. &c.
BALTHASAR GERBIER.*
A Londres, ce 25 Mars 1623.
* Orig. Hol. Tan. Ixxiii. p. 244.
268
THE COURT OF
persons and things, yet I assure your lordship
that by importunity men are growing to do their
business daily. The King is much disgusted
with it, but knows not how to help it; and I
am told that he said to somebody the other day:
You will never let me alone. I would to God you had,
first, my doublet, and then my shirt; and, when I
were naked, I think you would give me leave to be
quiet.
My lord, I know well enough that it becomes
not me to take these things into my mouth;
neither do I, but only in my true love to your
lordship, and in the assurance I have that both
this letter and my other shall be buried in the
bottom of your lordship's own only, noble, se-
cret, heart. And so I cast myself with entire
affection at your lordship's feet; and, vowing
my daily prayers to God for the Prince's and
your lordship's health and happiness and safe re-
turn, I continue
Your lordship's for ever
Most obliged humble servant,
TOBIE MATTHEWS.*
*He was a Roman Catholic, although son to Toby Matthews,
Archbishop of York, a zealous Protestant and opponent of
Edmond Campion the Jesuit. I find the following anecdote
respecting him in a MS. in the Museum :-
"Lord Fairfax, finding the Archbishop very melancholy, in-
quired the reason of his Grace's pensiveness. My Lord,' said
the Archbishop, 'I have great reason of sorrow with respect to
my sons; one of whom has wit and no grace; another, grace
KING JAMES.
269
My Lord Duke,* I understand, hath gotten
divers things of the King very lately; and in
particular his suit of the coals is passed, which
was stayed so long. My Lord Treasurert also
hath been very careful not to lose his time.
I would be glad your lordship did me the
favor to let me know that my letters are come
safely to your hand.‡
London, this 29th of March 1623.
but no wit; and the third, neither grace nor wit to direct him
aright.' The Lord Fairfax replied, May it please your Grace,
your case is sad, but not singular. I am also sadly disappointed
in my sons.
One I sent into the Netherlands, to train him up a
soldier; and he makes a tolerable country justice, but is a mere
coward at fighting. My next I sent to Cambridge, and he
proves a good lawyer, but is a mere dunce at divinity; and
my youngest I sent to the Inns of Court, and he is good at divi-
nity, but nobody at the law."" The writer of the above anec-
dote observes, that he heard this from the descendants of that
family, "who yet seem to mince the matter because so immedi-
ately related. The Lord Ferdinando Fairfax was the eldest
son; and I have heard our good neighbour, Wm. Atkinson,
who was gunsmith to Thomas Lord Fairfax in the late wars,
say he has heard the old Lord Thomas call aloud to his grand-
son, Tom, Tom, mind thou the battle; thy father's a good
man, but a mere coward; all the good I expect is from thee!'
The Rev. Henry Fairfax, chaplain to Toby Matthews, rector
of Bolton Percy, and grandfather to the present Thomas Lord
Fairfax, was the second; and Charles Fairfax, of Newston,
Esquire, was the youngest."-Birch's MSS. 4460. p. 137.
* I imagine he means the Duke of Richmond.
+ Cranfield.
‡ Orig. Hol. Harl. 1581. f. 78.
270
THE COURT OF
TOBY MATTHEWS TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
MY LORD,
[Of the same subject.]
THE faithful humble love I bear your lord-
ship bids me rather venture to be too officious,
than forgetful of saying anything which I may
conceive to concern you. The very birds may
have brought your lordship word of the liberty
which men of all ranks have taken ever to speak
their pleasures of your lordship, for this journey
of the most excellent Prince. But I have for
certain understood, that this is not all; but that
divers great men are watching very close upon
the King's heart, to see if they can discover any
hair's breadth of departure therein from you; to
the end that by degrees they might take you
out from thence. Now, forasmuch as the King's
affection is most faithful to your lordship, and
his care is greater towards you than you can be
for yourself, I do not think that the best of them
dares once to touch upon so harsh a string in his
princely ear. They who love not your lordship
are setting on meaner people to complain to the
body of the council of divers things as bitter
grievances to the commonwealth, which are said
to have been carried by your greatness. That
of laying a personal imposition upon strangers hath
been already presented, and flowers upon with
KING JAMES.
271
full mouth; and I hear that many more parti-
culars are putting on. And the end of this de-
sign is to make your lordship very odious; and
(that being once soundly done) to go to the King
as soon as they shall find courage enough in their
own hearts, and confidence enough in the truth
and malice of others; and to beseech his Majesty
that justice may be done against you in some
exemplar course.
This I have been told for certain, and I be-
lieve it; and, in general, I have told some great
man of it, whom I know to be your true friend,
to the end that he might give the best diversion
he could to such a business. And now I thought
it my part to let yourself know it from this
servant of yours, and to pray you (if you will
pardon the boldness) to find such means to stop
this kind of proceeding as may become your wis-
dom and greatness.
I hear the King is already calling for you
apace, and desires to have you speedily at home
again; and I know your lordship's nearest friends
dissuade you from coming without the Prince.
I am not worthy to give advice, and it is not
asked; and therefore I must have little to say.
But supposing that there the Prince stand firm
to your lordship in his great favor, and that his
mind will not be estranged from you by absence,
(and how can we suspect that soul of so great a
crime as inconstancy, whom malice itself durst
never touch as yet with any error either in nature
272
THE COURT OF
or against honor?) upon my very soul I conceive
that, if you should return presently, you would
see yourself here as highly and securely great
as ever, and that they that bear you most malice
would be most slavish and fawn upon you most.
But, upon the whole matter, I hold your great-
ness to be safe if you stay with the Prince till
he come; I conceive it also to be safe if you
come home when the King calls; and that you
may most wisely do either the one or the other,
according as you shall be induced by other rea-
sons. Only I beseech your lordship, if you re-
turn not shortly, you will procure from hence
that my lords here may be discouraged from
giving life and heart to impertinent clamours.
And because I am absent, and cannot speak to
your lordship as I would if I were in your ear,
give me leave not to exceed these general words
of humble advice. If you know any man to be
of a false nature, do not trust him, how much
soever he may be obliged; and be pleased to
learn that Spanish proverb, "Guardarse ze vos
enemigo reconciliado, y de viento qui entra por
horrado."
Pardon, I beseech your lordship, this boldness.
I love your lordship with my heart, I am bound
to do it; and let the devil take me if I continue not
Your lordship's
London,
Humble faithful servant ever,
This 29th of March 1623.
TOBIE MATTHEW.
KING JAMES.
273
SECRETARY CONWEY TO THE DUKE OF
BUCKINGHAM.
RIGHT HONOrable,
ON Sunday night Mr. Grimes arrived here at
Theobalds, and found his Majesty in bed. Bless-
ed and gracious King, his heart is ever open to
the inquisition after the Prince and you; and
therefore his eyes waked easily and willingly to
observe Mr. Grimes his discourse of your well-
being and good reception, honor, and love con-
ferred upon you from all parts, with all the ex-
traordinary and lively forms possible. And yet
more cause of joy that this magnificence and
earnest expressions of joy were not so much for
acquittal of singular honor and affection shewed
to them by a long and hazardous journey, as for
the attributes and acknowledgments the court
and people gave to the honor and excellent fashion
of your persons, dispositions, and courtesies to
them.
And to fill full my contentment, while his
Majesty paused in the contemplation of the dis-
course past, Mr. Grimes gave me a letter from
your Excellency, for which favor and content-
ment I have not words to thank you propor-
tionably to my sense of it; neither do I wish so
earnestly for words, as for occasion in your com-
mandments and uses to pay you real duties to
VOL. II.
T
274
THE COURT OF
the last flash of my life. The nobleman out of
Spain is expected, and will not surprise us; his
good entertainment being thought of, and, if his
Majesty will give me leave, I will offer all my
Spanish in thankful acknowledgment to him.
Our bonfires have burnt; and the Lord of Bris-
towe's fine relation of the Prince's reception, with
all the circumstances of it, came not to the King
from Mr. Secretary Calvert until the next day:
the first vayled part of your reception being
added to them is all at the print, and will quickly
be in all parts of the kingdom.
Since the concluding for the depositing of
Frankendale, the embassadors are earnest for the
proceeding into the further treaty of cessation:
of arms in Germany and general peace there.
His Majesty having no arms there, that aims
only at the cassing of Mansfeld's and Bruns-
wicke's troops, and the Emperor hath so severally
and grossly broken with his Majesty, especially
in that of the Electorate, as his Majesty with his
honor cannot find how to treat with the Em-
peror but by the interposition of Spain, and the
whole relying upon that King's word.
His Majesty continues still his profession to
his son-in-law, and all those states interested in
the affairs of the Palatinate, that his Majesty
will, by one way or other, accomplish the resti-
tution of the Palatinate with the Electorate. But
his Highness being in Spain upon the conclusion
KING JAMES.
275
of that happy alliance there, (according to reason,)
all entrances to actions or intendments to it must
be at a stand.
It is therefore expected from his Highness and
you (and the time and place is with you) to ease
and help not only the honor of his Majesty, but
the state of those affairs, which is, by declaration
as well as expectation, cast upon you.
This being without commandment, I confess
it is too high for me; but, when the considera-
tion of my duty carries me, I think nothing too
high to reach at, nor any thing too low to un-
dergo. For the faith of the humble affection,
pardon the error.
By a singular intercessor, the greatest faults
are forgiven to the worst men; so may my duty
presented by you be acceptable to his Highness.
My prayers to God (I hope) shall be received for
him and you. Whether I be unworthy or worthy,
little or great, I am by you, and for you,
Your Excellency's most humble servant,
EDW. CONWEY.
Postscript.-The Lord Brooke hath conferred
this trust upon me (at this time) to present his
humble duty and service to your lordship, with
his vows and prayers for your good success in all
your ways and safe return.*
Theobalds, 2d April 1623.
* Tan. Orig. Ixxiii. 251.
T 2
276
THE COURT OF
THE MARCHIONESS OF BUCKINGHAM TO HER
SON,
AT THE COURT OF SPAIN.
MY DEAREST SON,
THIS letter of yours is most welcome unto me,
wherein I perceive your safe arrival, with the good
hopes you have for the good of all Christendom;
which is no small comfort to me in the midst
of all my sorrows I have had since your going,
partly for fear of any mischance should happen
in your journey, and partly by reason [of] Mr.
Crompton's* late distemper in his brain, into which
he fell upon an overjoying conceipt of the good
he apprehended might follow of your journey,
which moved him to go to the court to get the
King's leave to follow you; but the King per-
ceiving, by his over much talk, that he was not
well in his head, sent him home to me in a piti-
ful case.
Dr. Hunton hath given him physic,
but hath done him little good; his opinion is,
that his excess of tobacco and wine hath hurt his
brain; so that I have sent him to Whittle-wood
Forest, where Mr. Napper hath promised me to
do his best to recover him; and I hope he will
have as good success with him as he hath had
with my sick son, who is now, thanks be to God!
in as good health as ever he was in his life, as
* Her husband.
KING JAMES.
277
they tell me. Nevertheless, I would have him
stay there a year longer, for a more certain con-
firmation of his health, for there was never a
more grievous disease in the world, as myself
can best testify to my great sorrow. I pray,
give the King thanks for the gracious letter he
sent me in the height of my affliction; out of his
love to you, his royal heart pitied me. I would
be loth to be too tedious. I have sent you my
sweet daughter's letter, that you may be par-
taker with me of my joys, as I have made
you of my sorrows. All goeth as well at
home as your heart can imagine. My sweet
Moll, I hope, will have a brother before it be
long. *
*
Your most affectionate
Loving mother till death,
Goodby,
This 6th of April 1623.
M. BUCKINGHAM.†
THE DUCHESS OF BUCKINGHAM TO HER
HUSBAND.
[Desires his return.-Gives an account of her little daughter
DEAR HEART,
Moll.]
WHEN Kilegrey came, I did hope that all things
had been agreed on there, and that it was all in
Daughter-in-law.
+ Harl. 1581. p. 56.
278
THE COURT OF
our good King to dispatch, which I was confident
he would hasten all he could; but when Dick
Grime came, I perceived, by your letter, that you
had not your answer: what that was I know not,
for I thought you were agreed of all. Sir Francis
Cotington tells me, that when he is dispatched
you will come away presently, which puts me in
very good comfort; for, if I could once be so happy
to know the certain time of your coming, I should
be well satisfied. I have sent you some perspec-
tive glasses, the best I could get. I am sorry the
Prince is kept at such a distance that he needs
them to see her; I am afraid it is a sign, if he get
her, it will be long first. Yet we hear that the
Prince, and the Infanta, and the Queen walked a
great while in a garden together. Now Gresley
is dispatched, I hope, by the next that comes after
his arrival there, you will be able to send us some
certainty. My lord, indeed I must crave your
pardon that I did write you no more particulars
of our pretty Moll. I did tell dry-nurse what
you wrote to me, and she says you had one letter
from her; and she has sent you word, by every one
that has gone, that she was well, and what she
could do. But, if you will pardon me this fault,
I will commit the like no more. She is very well,
I thank God; and when she is set to her feet, and
held by her sleeves, she will not go sautly, but
stamp and set one foot afore another very fast,
that I think she will run before she can go. She
KING JAMES.
279
loves dancing extremely, and when the saraband
is played, she will get her thumb and her finger
together, offering to snap; and then when Tom
Duff is sung, then she will shake her apron; and
when she hears the tune of the clapping dance my
Lady Frances Hubert taught the Prince, she will
clap both her hands together, and on her breast,
and she can tell the tunes as well as any of us can;
and, as they change the tunes, she will change her
dancing. I would you were here but to see her,
for you would take much delight in her, now she
is so full of pretty play and tricks; and she has
gotten a trick, that when they dance her she will
cry Hah, hah! and Nicholas will dance with his
legs, and she will imitate him as well as she can.
She will be excellent at a hat, for if one lay her
down she will kick her legs over her head; but,
when she is older, I hope she will be more modest.
Every body says she grows every day more like
you than other. You shall have her picture very
shortly. I am very glad you have the pearls, and
that you like them so well; and am sure they do
not help you to win the ladies' hearts. Yourself is
a jewel that will win the hearts of all the women
in the world; but I am confident it is not in their
power to win your heart from a heart that is,
was, and ever shall be yours till death. Every
body tells me how happy I am in a husband,
and how chaste you are; that you will not look
at a woman, and yet how they woo you. And
280
THE COURT OF
Sir Francis Cotington was yesterday telling of
me how you made a vow not to touch any wo-
man till you saw me; and though I was confi-
dent of it before they told me, yet it is so many
cordials to my heart when they tell me of it.
God make me thankful to him for giving of me
you! Dear love, I did verily hope I should 'a
had a lock of your hair by Killigrew, and I am
sorry I had it not; but seeing you have a conceit
it may prove unlucky, it is well you sent it not,
though I think it but an old wife's tale; for I
do assure myself it would not prove unlucky
between us. But, since you have a belief in it, I
shall begin to think so too; therefore let it alone.
Dear heart, since I cannot have this, I pray, will
you, if you have any idle time, sit to Gerbere
for your picture, that I may have it well done in
little? If once I could have that, I should think
myself very happy. I beseech you grant me this
request; for, since I must be barred of the princi-
pal, I must feed, as new lovers do, on the shadow;
and as would one to one grieve and sorrow, for
I protest that is truly my part. I would I could
tell when I might be relieved out of it. I am
sure, by this, you know certain news about my
being with child. I would I had been so happy;
but, since it is not so, I hope I shall be often :
and I pray do you not trouble yourself at it, and
I care not. I have seen his Majesty lately, but
KING JAMES.
281
.*
have not seen the picture Toby Mathus did;
but I hope the next time I shall. I do imagine
what a rare piece it is, being of his doing. Since
the Prince keeps that Gerbere has done for the
Infanta, I hope nobody shall have the next he
does for me; for I do much desire to see a good
picture of hers, for I hear her infinitely com-
mended she had need prove a good one, that
the Prince may think his journey and delay well
bestowed for her; for I swear he deserves her,
be she never so handsome or good, to undertake
such a journey for her; and she had need make
us poor wives some amends for being the cause
of keeping our husbands from us; but I think
it is not her fault, for I warrant she would fain
have it dispatched too.
Indeed, my lord, I do excuse you to your
friends for not writing, and I wonder they should
take it unkindly, knowing how full of business
you are. My lady† is very well; she is now gone
into the country for ten days, and then she will
return and stay till you return. She is very well,
I assure you. My brother Purbeck, they say, is
very well; but Sir Thomas Compton grows
worse and worse. I am glad the King did write
so peremptorily for you to come away, for I hope
* This picture is mentioned in a letter from Buckingham to
the King, in Hardwicke's Papers, i. p. 423.
+ The Duke's mother.
See the remarkable letter in Hardwicke, i. 421.
282
THE COURT OF
:
now, if they would delay you longer, you will
be put off no longer. I am very much bound
to my lady, that she is pleased to take my usage
of her so kindly. I assure you I was very glad
to see her and I do as much love and honor her,
I think, as you do almost; though I know, if my
own mother were alive, I could not be so good a
daughter as you are a son, yet I should love her
very dearly too; and, if my own mother were
alive, I think I could not love her better than I do
my lady, for I am sure I have been ever much
bound to her. When the King went to Newhall,
it was reported here in town he went to meet you
there; I would they had said truly. For my own
part, I am sure I should 'a been very glad of it,
and so I know would you; but I am sure I have
the most reason. My lord, I have not been yet
at Newhall, but I do intend shortly to go see
how forward things are there. The walk to the
house is done, and the tennis-courts almost done;
but the garden is not done, nor nothing to the
bowling-green; and yet I told Fortherbe, and he
told me, he would set men 'a work presently.
But I warrant you they will all be ready before
you come for Buely. I heard the wall is not
very forward yet, and my lady bade me send you
word that she is gone down to look how things
are there. She says she is about making a little
river to run through the park, it will be about
sixteen feet broad; but she says she wants money.
KING JAMES.
283
Thus, hoping I have obeyed your commands in
sending you word of all things you bade me, I
rest,
Your most dutiful wife till death,
K. BUCKINGHAM.
I humbly thank you for the chain you sent me
by Mr. Killegrew. I am sorry I sent for more
now you have sent so many.*
York House, the 16th of July.
THE DUCHESS OF BUCKINGHAM TO HER
HUSBAND.
MY DEAR LORD,
I HUMBLY thank you that you were pleased to
write so many letters to me, which was so great
a comfort to me as you cannot imagine; for I
protest to God I have had a grievous time of this
our grievous absence, for I am sure it has, been
so to me, and my heart has felt enough, more
than I hope it shall ever do again; and I pray
God release me quickly out of it by your speedy
coming hither again to her that does as dearly
love you as ever woman did man; and if every
body did love you but a quarter so well, you were
the happiest man that ever was born, but that is
impossible. But I protest I think you are the
best beloved that ever favorite was, for all that
* MS. Harl. 6987. fol. 119.
284
THE COURT OF
have true worth in them cannot but love your
sweet disposition: if I were not so near you as
I thank Christ I am, I could say no less if I said
truth, for I think there was never such a man
born as you are; and how much am I bound to
God that I must be that happy woman to enjoy
you from all other women, and the unworthiest
of all to have so great a blessing. Only this I
can say for myself, you could never 'a had one
that could love you better than your poor true
loving Kate doth,-poor now in your absence, but
else the happiest and richest woman in the world.
I thank you for your long letter; I think I must
give Sir Francis Cottington thanks for it too,
because you say he bade you write long letters.
I am beholden to him for it, because I am sure
he knew they could never be too long for me,
for it is all the comfort I have now to read often
over your letters. My reason I desired you not
to do it, was for fear of troubling you too much;
but, since you think it none, I am much bound
to you for it, and I beseech you continue it. I
hope you see by this I have not omitted writing
by any that went, for this is the sixteenth letter
at the least I have written to you since you went,
whereof two of them I sent by common posts;
but I hope they will all come safely to your
hands. I thank you for sending me so good
news of our young mistress; I am very glad she
is so delicate a creature, and of so sweet a dis-
i
KING JAMES.
285
position; indeed, my Lady Bristo sent me word
she was a very fine lady, and as good as fine.* I
am very glad of it, and that the Prince likes her
so well, for the King says he is wonderfully taken
with her. It is a wonderful
It is a wonderful good hearing, for
it were a great pity but the Prince should have
one he can love, because I think he will make
a very honest husband, which is the greatest
comfort in this world to have man and wife love
truly. I told the King of the private message
the Infanta sent to the Prince to wear a great
ruff; he laughed heartily at it, and said it was a
very good sign. I am very glad that you send to
hasten the ships; I hope you mean not to stay
long, which I am very glad of. The King told
me to-day that my father should go with the
fleet: if you intend to stay till the Prince's com-
ing, then I humbly thank you for making choice
of
my father; but if you come home before, as
I trust in God you will, then I confess I would
have nobody go in your office but yourself.
Therefore I pray think of it, and you may take
my father with you if you please. I would I
* Howell, who had seen her, gives the following description
of the Infanta's appearance :— "She is a very comely lady,
rather of a Flemish complexion than Spanish; fair-haired, and
carrieth a most pure mixture of red and white in her face. She
is full and big-lipped, which is held a beauty, rather than a
blemish or any excess in the Austrian family, it being a thing
incident to most of that race; she goes now upon sixteen,
and is of a tallness agreeable to those years."
286
THE COURT OF
might go
with you. I can send you no certain
word yet of my being with child, but I am not
out of hope, but we must refer all to God: as soon
as I am quick, I will send you word if I be with
child. I thank God Moll is very well with her
weaning.* Thus, with my daily prayers for our
happy meeting, I take my leave.
Your loving and obedient wife,
K. BUCKINGHAM.
I pray send me word when you come.†
SECRETARY CONWEY TO THE DUKE OF
BUCKINGHAM.‡
RIGHT HONORABLE,
I CONFESS I owe you all that I am, and with
humble affection I would pay you some, but do
I fear as those that take money at interest to pay
debts; so I, by writing, press your patience and
increase my bonds. The Lord Kensington going
before Mr. Grimes, my affection and duty pushed
on my thanks for those infinite favors of yours,
which make my thankfulness boundless and end-
* See a characteristic letter concerning the weaning of Moll,
in Dalrymple, Mem. 179. In this very important affair, and the
welfare of the "poor fool Kate," as he good-humouredly called
her, King Jamie took deep interest. See also Hardwicke, i. 412.
+ MS. Harl. 6987. f. 117.
On the subject of this letter, see p. 232. n.
KING JAMES.
287
less.
I protest I have not a busy
nature but where duty moves it; so as, if that
be a fault, I beseech you reform it with a word :
and, that you may do so, I will give your Ex-
cellency the rest of the account; touching the
Lord St. Albanes, you have my relation already.
And now the Lord and Lady of Exeter sent to me
to give me the story of the love and intended mar-
riage of the Lord of Oxford and the Lady Diana,
and to inquire of me what I knew of his Majes-
ty's intentions of proceeding with him (to which
part I had no commission to answer). They then
counted to me the great obligation they had to
you, and how graciously to them and the Lord,
and how earnest a suitor you had been to his
Majesty for his liberty; of which, upon good
grounds, they said, by your mediation, they had
hope it should be before his Majesty going from
this place; and that the Lady of Mountegomeroy,
by Sir George Goringe, had received full assur-
ance to that purpose, and prayed me, as your
servant, to solicit this will of yours to the King.
And for my better assurance, which I conceived
they observed was a little defective, they prayed
me to go with them to the Lady of Montgomeroy;
which I did, and heard from her the same things.
I then spoke with the Lord of Montgomeroy,
and told him the story, and the motion made to
me; and found truly in him a careful presenting
of his respect to your Excellency before all others.
288
THE COURT OF
I know you can command yours when you will
have them; and yet not to leave your works un-
done, nor to do another's work instead of yours,
nor suffer it to be done by others.
I acquainted his Majesty with the proceedings,
and the motion to me; and withal laid before him,
that since the Lord of Oxford's faults did justly
deserve sentencing in the Star-chamber, and that
his poverty did in some sort take away the ad-
vantage of his sentence, it might be a good argu-
ment with his Grace, the matching him with an
alliance so staid, in and over whom his Majesty
had power by fair pledges; so that withal this
might be provided for, that the world might not
by that be misinformed that the Lord of Oxford
had been put in prison without any just cause
given to his Majesty, but taken by the favorite,
and set at liberty in his absence, to the scandal of
his Majesty's most faithful servant, except there
had been some such way contrived before your
going as might clear all this. By the blessed
King's answer I found that, by a public hearing,
his Majesty was resolved to clear his equity and
your honor; and there I leave the work.
Your Excellency having imparted to me your
resolution to do nobly for Sir Robert Naunton,
and his Majesty having commanded me to write
to the Lord Treasurer, which letter the Lord of
Carlisle carried, I *
* that business (?)
A hole in the MS.
KING JAMES.
289
which hath suffered much dispute; wherein the
Lord Treasurer hath showed himself full of faith-
ful care of his Majesty's profit, and yet with will-
ingness and affection to employ himself to your
Excellency's satisfaction.
The three first propositions being £1000 pen-
sion for life; £500 a year improved land inherit-
ance; £500 a year fee-farm old rents. The old
rents was no way allowed; land improved there
is none presently; a thousand pounds a year pen-
sion is offered and accepted by Sir Robert Naunton,
with two provisions, that it may be for 21 years,
and settled upon sure payment. For the settling
the Lord Treasurer is agreed, but not for 21
years. I have moved the Lord Treasurer, but
cannot remove him; yet the work to be done
now is, to move the King to overrule him, or to
procure Sir Robert Naunton to accept it as it will
be granted him, which I shall endeavor by the
first opportunity.
All the news is the best news. Thanks be to
God! his Majesty is well; only he misseth his com-
pany, but keeps excellent memory of them in all
things. Those that gave the counsel to have
bands of soldiers to guard his Majesty at New-
market, have now discovered that this sufferance
of so many to follow into Spain, will exhaust the
money of this kingdom wholly. By this your
Excellency may find how infinite the wisdoms are
here; I protest beyond my capacity: so as I quit
VOL. II.
U
290
THE COURT OF
that part, and rest only upon faith and duty, by
which I am
Your Excellency's
Most humble servant,
EDW. CONWEY.*
Whitehall, 12th April 1623.
CONWEY TO BUCKINGHAM.
[The King's kindness to little Mary Villiers.]
* THIS day his Majesty came from
Hampton Court. He passed by Sir Robert Killi-
grew's Park, and there saw the designment of a
fine ground, a pretty lodge, a gracious lady, a fair
maid the daughter, and a fine bouquet. He saw
the pools, the deer, and the herondry; which was
his errand. From thence his Majesty came to
Hyde Park, at the entry whereof he found a fair
lady indeed, the fairest Lady Mary in England,
and he made a great deal of love to her, and gave
her his watch, and kept her as long pleased with
him as he could, not without expression to all the
company, that it was a miracle that such an ugly
deformed father should have so sweet a child;
and all the company agreed that it was a hard
thing to find such a father and such a child.† But
* Harl. MSS. 1580. p. 293.
+ The King's fondness for the Duke's children has been
already mentioned in Goodman's Memoirs. It is alluded to,
with somewhat of a sneer, by the historian Wilson. "The
KING JAMES.
291
I will go no further in this fashion until I know
whether your Excellency love journal-writing
or no.
I am so confident that you are my patron, as
I cannot doubt but you know, even as God
knows, that I am
Your Excellency's most humble servant,
Theobalds, 3d of May 1623.
EDW. CONWEY.*
CONWEY TO BUCKINGHAM.
MOST GRACIOUS PATRON,
YOUR Grace's favor cast and continued upon
me, speaks clearly how much I am yours; I con-
tinue my acknowledgment of this truth, which
my life shall make good. What I am in love,
King," says the old puritan, "that never much cared for women,
had his court swarming with the Marquis's kindred, so that
little ones would dance up and down the privy lodgings like
fairies."
In one of his letters to the Duke, the Earl of Rutland, his
father-in-law, thus writes:-"Your wife, your sister, Mr. Por-
ter, and myself were at supper at York House when news came
Dick Greame was come; but we were so impatient to see him,
that some could eat no meat, and when we did see him and
your letter, they were so overjoyed they forgot to eat; nay, my
pretty sweet Moll, as she was undressing, cried nothing but
'Dad! Dad!"-The Earl of Rutland to the Duke of Buck-
ingham. 1st April 1623.-Harl. MSS. 1581. p. 129.
* Harl. 1580. p. 300.
U 2
292
THE COURT OF
faith, and power, I am yours; and in that con-
fidence, knowing myself and known to your
Grace, give you this account. Upon the delivery
of those letters by Sir Francis Cottington, his
Majesty was much troubled at the delay, as you
will find by his letters; his infinite confidence
being turned to the extreme in distrust, and that
distrust figures to him all the evil that malice and
falsehood can execute upon so large a subject of
advantage as is presently in their hands. His
wisdom, his goodness, his kindness, (which are in
his Majesty in as large a measure as humanity
can have,) seem to conspire against his comforts
and inward contentment. Never father loved a
son, never master loved a servant, with more
dear and tender affection than his Majesty loves
his Highness and your Grace. Let it afflict you
as little as is possible; for your persons, for your
absence, he afflicts his blessed heart. God make
me able to perform to his Majesty the offices I
desire, and that my sufferings might give him
ease.
It will concern his Highness and your Grace to
declare your great sense and high estimation of
this, and it is happy his Majesty's satisfaction
and your honors look in this case both one way.
His Majesty desires your speedy return before
all other respects, and your honor's counsel. He
presseth you to admit of no delays. If his Ma-
KING JAMES.
293
jesty ratify the articles propounded, and the King
and Council of Spain will not recede from the
forced and devised delay of the Junto, you must
apparel necessity like virtue, and make choice of
continuing the treaty by according to their time
for the solemnizing of the marriage in all the re-
quisite parts by proxy, as is used in the marriages
of most kings and princes; or by his Highness
espousing of her personally, and presently to come
thence, to give life and being to the performance
and execution of the things contracted, which
will not, cannot, in his Highness' absence be exe-
cuted. There is nothing can be of so evil con-
sequence as admittance of delay. I protest my
heart cannot think that the worst of men, or bet-
ter sort of devils, could practise so base and mon-
strous falsehood and unthankfulness as to stop
his Highness' return. But if such felon hearts
be to be found, or to be suspected by his High-
ness and your Grace, whose wisdoms can best
look in and through their intentions; then, as
when knots cannot be untied by fingers, a sharp
edge must be applied, so, when justice, wisdom,
and courtesy cannot prevail, courage, resolution,
and force must be brought to the proof. And
if the meaning be evil now, nine months' attend-
ance will not mend it; but it will multiply scorn
there, contempt abroad, fear and distraction at
home. And it will be much happier to put
294
THE COURT OF
things to the uttermost trial in this time while
we have got life and hope at home,-friends, in-
terest, and party abroad,—than to be robbed of all
these by delays. I protest to your Grace I do
not well know what zeal hath carried me to say;
but I neither want humbleness, affection, nor
confidence to your person, nor in all your actions
that concern his Majesty, the Prince, or the
honor of the Duke of Buckingham. As I have
truth, I have not leisure to read this over: and
it is not negligence; for, God is my witness, I
would not save my life with a wilful and gross
neglect of
you. I should write to you something
concerning the good (?) Marquis Hambleton,
who for your Grace's sake doth favor me with
some freedom. I should give your Grace account
of Sir Robert Naunton and of Mr. Mewtis, but
I must leave it to Mr. Gresley's coming. I must
not leave untold the good health of your most
excellent virtuous lady, and the fairest and sweet-
est image of you, your sweet daughter. I be-
seech God send you and his Highness joyfully
to return. To his Highness excuse me, and
make me as you please, who am
Your Grace's most humble servant,
Greenwiche,
The 15th of June 1623.
EDW. CONWEY.*
* Harl. 1580. p. 305.
KING JAMES.
295
MADAM,
KING JAMES TO THE INFANTA.
THE renown of your virtues has not only in-
duced my dear son to come from a distance to
see you, in the capacity of a lover, but has also
filled me with an ardent desire of enjoying the
happiness of your presence, and the opportunity
of embracing so excellent a Princess in the qua-
lity of my daughter,-an unparalleled satisfaction
to
Your very affectionate father,
J. R.
MADAME,
La renomée de vos vertus a non seulement attiré, come un
aymant, mon trescher filz de vous venir veoir de loing, mais m'a
aussi rempli d'un ardent desir d'avoir le bonheur de vostre pre-
sence, et jouir de pouvoir embrasser une telle Princesse en qua-
lité de ma fille, consolation nompareille à
Vostre tresaffectionné Père,*
J. R.
Endorsed "Copie de la lettre du Roy à Madame l'In-
fante."
Dated Aug. 30, 1623.
(See the Infanta's answer in Hardwicke's State Papers, i.
p. 450.)
* Tan. lxxiii. 236.
296
THE COURT OF
PRINCE CHARLES AND THE DUKE TO KING JAMES.
DERE DAD AND GOSSOPE,
THIS is to aduertise your Majesty that Mihill
Androse is now dispachd to Rome, with a direc-
tion to send the nerest way to you so sone as anie
resolution is taken: he caries with him allso a
letter from the Conde of Oliuares to the Pope's
nephew, which wee hope, if there be neede, will
much hastin the business. Sir, hetherto wee
haue not receaued a letter from you; but, to oure
greate comfort, wee here that my Lord of An-
deuer, who will be here to-morow, hath some for
us. Wee haue receaued so much comfort at the
verie news of it, that wee must giue you thankes
before the receate of them. Wee haue no more
to trouble you with at this time, onelie wee be-
seech you, in the absence of your tow boys, to
make much of oure best dade, without whose
helth & blessings wee desier not to liue.
Your Majesty's
Humble & obedient sone and seruant,
CHARLES. *
STEENIE.
Your Majesty's humble slaue and doge,
Madrill, the 21 of Mar. 1623.
Be cheerfull, good-man of Balangith, for wee
warrant you all shall goe well, for we less re-
pent our jurnei euerie day then other.†
* The lines in italic signed by Prince Charles.
† Orig. Hol. Tan. Ixxiii. 241.
KING JAMES.
297
EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM KING JAMES TO
PRINCE CHARLES AND THE DUKE.
[Copied from the original by Archbishop Sancroft.]
MY SWEETE BOYES, &c.
THE Spanishe Ambassadoure let a word fall to
Grislie, as if thaire wolde be some quæstion made
that my babie's chaplains showlde not doe thaire
seruice in y King's palace thaire; but he con-
cludit, y that busienesse wolde be soone accom-
modated. Allwayes in cace any suche difficultie
showlde be stukken at, ye may remember thaime,
yt it is an ill præparation for geving ye Infante
free exercice of her religion heere, to refuse it to
my sonne thaire; since thaire religion is as odious
to a nomber heere, as ours is thaire. And if thaye
will not yeelde, then, my sweete babie, showe
youre self not to be ashamed of youre profession;
but goe sometymes to my Ambassadour's howse
& haue youre service thaire, yt God & man
maye see ye are not ashamed of youre religion.
But I hoape in God this shall not neede, &c. &c.
And so God bless you, my sweete boyes; &, after
a happie successe, returne & light in ye armes of
youre deare dade,
From Quhyte hall, ye sevint of Apryle.
JAMES R.*
* Tan. lxxiii. p. 242-6.
298
THE COURT OF
KING JAMES TO PRINCE CHARLES AND THE DUKE.
FOR THE PRENTIS.
MY SWEETE BABIE,
SINCE the ending of my last letres unto you,
I haue ressauid a letre of youres from the Lorde
Keeper, quhiche tells me the first newis of a
parliament (& that in a strainge forme) that
euer I hearde of since youre pairting from me.
By suche intelligence, both ye & my sweete
Steenie Gossepp maye iuge of thaire worthe, that
make thaim unto you; & ye maye reste assured,
that I neuer meant to undertake anie suche bus-
sienesse in youre absence, if it hadde bene pro-
powndit unto me, as in goode faith I neuer
hearde of it. And so, with God's blessing to you
both, I praye God that, after a happie conclu-
sion thaire, ye maye both make a confortable &
happie returne in the armes of youre deare dade,
Greenewiche, the 11 of Maye.
JAMES R.*
THE KING TO THE PRINCE.
MY DEAREST SONNE,
I DOE hearby promeise, in the worde of a King,
that quhat so euer ye, my dearest sonne, shall
promeise thaire in my name, I will punctuallie
& faithfullie performe; & so God blesse you.
Youre louing father,
Greenewiche, the 11 of Maye.
(To the Prince.)
* Orig. Hol. Tan. lxxiii. 258.
JAMES R.
† Orig. Hol. Tan. Ixxiii. 259.
KING JAMES.
299
KING JAMES TO PRINCE CHARLES AND THE DUKE.
MY SWEETE BOYES,
In youre last letre by Clerke, ye keepe me still,
as formerlie ye did, betuixt hoape & dispaire
of the Infantaes comming this yeare. I lyke well
two of the three wayes ye haue ofred thaime for
haistening her comming hoame; but the thrid de,
of sending to the Pope, will delaye all this yeare
& loose the season, especiallie considdering that
the Pope is dead, and God knowis how long thaye
will be of choosing another, & how he will be
affectid quhen he is chosen; & thairfore I praye
you, putte us out of this lingring paine one waye
or other, but if she come not this yeare, the dis-
grace & my chairges will proue infinite. All is
performed & putt in execution heere, to the
Ambassadour's full satisfaction. If ye can bring
her hoame with you, stryue by all means to be
at hoame before Michelmasse, for after it will be
daingerouse being upon the sea; if otherwayes,
I hoape ye will haisten you hoame, for the com-
forte of youre olde deare dade: but yett, after
the contracte, goe as farre as ye can, before youre
pairting, upon the busienessis of the Palatinate
& Hollande, that the worlde maye see ye haue
thoght as well upon the busienessis of Christen-
dome as upon the cod-peece point. I proteste
I knowe not quhat to doe, if she come not this
yeare, for this uerrie refreshing of my fleete with
300
THE COURT OF
victualls hath cost mee eight thowsande pownds,
& thairfore ye hadde neede to haisten the pay-
ment of the dowrie after the contracte; & if
ye come withowt her, lett the mariage at least
be haistened as soone as can be after youre pairt-
ing, to be performed by commission in youre
absence; but I praye God ye maye bring her
with you. And so God blesse you, my sweete
children, & sende you a happie & confortable
returne in the armes of youre deare dade, &
that quikelie.
Bromame, the last of Iulie.
JAMES R.*
ED. CLARKE TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
MY LORD,
[Proceedings at Court.]
WITH the care I shall ever have of whatsoever
shall concern your lordship's service, I acquainted
the King with the particulars you left to me in
trust, which gave him good satisfaction in all
points; only, for so much as concerned the Conde
de Gondemair, I found him somewhat unwilling
to believe it, in respect he had newly received a
letter from him full of all compliment and pro-
testation to the contrary. I saw him very sen-
sible of my Lord B.† his carriage in this business,
and, by what I told him, seemed fully confirmed
* Orig. Hol. Tan. Ixxiii. 281.
+ Bristol.
KING JAMES.
301
in his former opinion; though he want not daily
friends about the King to do him all good offices,
and to magnify whatsoever is done by him or his
creatures. I have been subject to many crusty
interrogatories from some of them, but have given
them little satisfaction. They are many and ma-
licious, and therefore worthy your lordship's cir-
cumspection at least. Simon Dygbie (who doth
nothing without advice), jealous of your lordship,
or unwilling to derive any good or benefit from
your hand, hath lately written to the King, put-
ting him in mind of his services, and desiring it
may plead for him hereafter for a clerkship of
the council against the power and labor of other
men. Grysly the King hath rewarded with a
hundred pounds a year, Killegray with as much,
and Mr. Grymes, as I hear, with a suit valued
at £500 per annum. So that I only, as unfriend-
ed, of all that have been employed, am left to
your lordship's good pleasure; on which (I am
proud to confess) I had rather rely, than basely,
for a fortune, stoop to court such men as my
own conscience tells me do not love you. I shall
content me, though I die a poor man, to have
served you faithfully, and that no hope of pre-
ferment could ever have corrupted
Your lordship's humblest servant,
Salisbury, this first of August.
* Harl. 1580. p. 278.
ED. CLARKE.*
302
THE COURT OF
R. TURPYN TO THE DUKE.
[Of the cabals at court during the Duke's absence.]
MY LORD,
So far as my understanding can do me service,
I daily employ it in observing his Majesty's
looks, words, actions: may my soul never pro-
sper if they appear not to me in the same shape
they have done these seven years! And that
reason which proves the constant affection of a
good wife justifies the King to your lordship,
which is the peculiar respect of your friends in
absence. But (my lord) I ingenuously confess
some of yours have not had so prosperous success
in their affairs as haply by your lordship's pre-
sence they might. My Lady Denbigh received
not the fullness of her expectation from his Ma-
jesty about some monies due to the Wardrobe;
which my Lord Treasurer seemed to sleek with
an excuse to his Majesty's satisfaction, but no-
thing to her redress. Mr. Matus was publicly
and sharply reproved by his Majesty, whetted
by the Lord Holdernes, who peradventure con-
ceives he wounds you through his sides. Sir
Wm. Sellinger likewise thinks your lordship
was obliquely injured in him; the business, I
know, is not unknown to your lordship. There
are some, questionless, gather an almanac out
of these. I think there will shortly be foul
weather, and that the storm will fall upon your
lordship; but I have so well read the King's
KING JAMES.
303
disposition, that I am no more affrighted than
at hail which falls upon the slates when I am
within doors. For as the King would have the
world know that his choice of your lordship was
not an act of chance, but a thing to which his
judgment was accessory, so I well know, to pre-
serve his own judgment, he must preserve his
choice; unless some notorious defection unfasten
the hold on his Majesty, which when you do,
may all miseries light upon
Your
Salisbury, 1st of Aug. 1623.
R. TURPYN.*
TOBIE MATTHEWS TO THE DUCHESS OF
BUCKINGHAM.
[Letter of comfort.]
MAY IT PLEASE YOUR GRACE,
I TAKE the boldness to tell your Grace that I
am one of them who help to make up the con-
cert of sad music for the little health which we
hear you have. But withal, I will presume to
say, that your fault is great if you contribute
anything to the indisposition of your body by the
inordinate grief of your mind. Your Grace
hath had patience at the absence of my Lord
* Orig. Hol. Tan. lxxiii.
p. 284.
304
THE COURT OF
Duke these six months, and you are desired but
to have it for two months more. And since he,
who is dearer to you than yourself, is as well as
it is possible for him to be without you, how can
you find in your heart to make him worse by
your being ill?
Some vulgar tongues may have told your
Grace that the Duke is not much beloved here;
but that which we here know your Grace may
be pleased to believe; which is, that although it
be impossible for any incorrupt great minister
of state to have the love of a whole world, when
a part of that world hath affairs and ends which
are contrary to his; yet my lord hath been so
fortunate this way, as that even his opposites in
the treaty carry a great affection to his person,
and set a fair stamp of value upon his parts; and
this King proceeds nobly towards him, and the
Infanta takes particular gust in him, and the
favorite desires nothing more than to oblige him,
and the Condesa de Olivares, his wife, (who is
one of the worthiest women in the whole world,)
is in a kind of doting upon him; and loving
(as in my conscience I think she doth) the very
name of the Duke, how sensible would your
Grace think that she is of your indisposition,
whom she knows by a thousand testimonies that
he loves better than his eyes. In troth, I came
from her but even now, and I find that between
the blow which your indisposition hath made
KING JAMES.
305
upon you, and the brick-wall of reflection which
the grief of it hath made upon him, the sweet
noble lady is in greater sorrow than you will
easily conceive.
Madam, I beseech you be not guilty of mak-
ing the world sad, now that it is upon the point
of beginning to be in universal joy for the happy
consummation of this great business, which hath
received so much life and heat from the Duke's
hand. Bespeak yourself to be full of comfort,
for you shall have him shortly in your arms;
and in the mean time do not think him ill-be-
stowed where he is, since he triumpheth so
gloriously in the Prince's heart.
And for my
part, I will presume of your Grace pardon of this
presumption, since it was bred in me by an ex-
treme desire that the Duke and you may be
happy many years in one another, and all your
humble servants (whereof I am one) in you both.
And so I beseech Jesus make and keep your
Grace as truly happy as your own heart can wish,
and is cordially desired by
Your Grace's
Most humble and most obliged servant,
Madrid, 8th of August 1623.
TOBIE MATTHEWS.
Madam, I had the honor to be called up at
midnight to translate your Grace's letter to the
Condesa de Olivares into Spanish, to the end
that instantly it might be showed by her to the
VOL. II.
X
306
THE COURT OF
Conde, and by him to the King, and afterward
to the Infanta. And I thought it would not be
displeasing to your Grace to let you know what
particular gust they took in the expressions
which you made of yourself, and how greatly
they were commended by them all.*
SECRETARY CONWEY TO THE DUKE OF
BUCKINGHAM.
[The King's affection for the Duke is as strong as ever.]
His Majesty, some two hours since, having
called for your letters (as he hath done often) to
read, I took the opportunity to show his Ma-
jesty a letter written from the Lord Embassador
Sir Walter Aston unto me, and conveyed by
Mr. Secretary Calvert, because I found the glad
tidings which were brought by Sir John Epsley
shortly and finely confirmed, and a discreet and
princely attribute given to his Highness and to
your wisdom and industry; the perfection and
grace of the whole work being wholly conferred
upon the dignity of the Prince's person and the
worths of your well-guided labors; which, in this
letter, is stretched so far as to relate how those
and your long absence from his Majesty's pre-
sence had cast a gloss of melancholy upon you,
yet testifying that your Grace is so much mas-
ter of yourself, as, through the virtue of an ex-
* Orig. Hol. Tan. lxxiii. p. 287.
KING JAMES.
307
cellent servant, you overcame all difficulties to
do well your master's business. The praises suit-
ing so well with the excellency of the persons,
and in my humble and strong affection I was
satisfied with the good, and, I confess ingenu-
ously, did not observe the evil; but my bless-
ed master, instantly sending for me, hath in his
tender heart and affection examined the words
as narrowly as a passionate lover, and hath trou-
bled himself to think your Grace should be me-
lancholy, that he hath commanded me to choose
a man out that will not spare his neck to over-
take Mr. Clarke; and then commanded me one
of the acceptablest charges that ever I underwent,
to deliver from my gracious King to my gracious
patron this gracious message,-that his Majesty
intreats you and conjures you, by all the things
that are dear to you, and by the dearness of his
love to you, in a time of the prosperity of busi-
ness, not to let melancholy lay hold upon you,
for that were to disseisin, if not to destroy, the
comfort of the whole work. For if you should
now be melancholy, (which God forbid!) it must
be the disease of melancholy, whose symptoms
are causeless doubts and causeless griefs. For
cause of these you can have none. Your wife is
in health, and the best of women; your daughter
is well, and the sweetest of children; and your
King and master constantly loves, esteems, and
holds you dear, as the best of servants; and un-
WorM
x 2
308
THE COURT OF
doubtedly you have friends whose faith looks as
constantly to your honor and observation as well-
touched needle's point to the pole. And, to ful-
fil his Majesty's contentment and yours, his most
wise and noble son inherits his father, or contends
with him in the love of you. And for all these
respects, and for all reasons that can be power-
ful with you, his Majesty once more prays you,
commands you, and conjures you to cast off all
thoughts and forms that are like melancholy, and
to rejoice that you are towards coming home, and
come rejoicing to him.
Now, I beseech your Grace, pardon me that I
have marred the sweetness and grace of the mes-
sage by evil narration, but that is nature's defect
through inequality of powers. I protest truly
to your Grace, I never was more taken, nor my
affection more stirred, than by the sight and hear-
ing of his Majesty, who seemed to take delight
in the discovery of those high and happy bless-
ings in his son, and in your sweetness of disposi-
tion, faith, affection, and serviceable
powers; and
then to see and hear him make all this vain and
waste to him, if you should be melancholy; I do
confess, I was lifted up and melted down as he
changed his voice and his images. Let this suf-
fice, coming from so high a power, to charm
all melancholy. And what proud dust should
I be to dare to say anything in this argument,
but humbly this, according to my duty and
Maou
KING JAMES.
309
sense, no creature shall feel more and participate
largelier of your good and ill than
Your Grace's most humble servant,
Cranborne,
The 11th of August 1623.
EDW. CONWEY.*
THE DUCHESS OF BUCKINGHAM TO HER
HUSBAND.
DEAR HEART,
NEVER woman was so happy as I am, for never
was there so kind a husband as you are; and
God make me thankful to him for you, and I
beseech him make me some way worthy of you.
I protest I could not forbear weeping for joy
when I read your letter, to see how much kind-
ness was in it, and grieving to see how grieved you
were at my sickness. It has been a great grief
to me to think you should be so troubled; and,
but that I hope Sir Francis Cotington will satis-
fy you, I could never be merry till I heard from
you again, for, I protest to God, anything that
I know troubles you, it is ten times a more grief
to me; and I swear to you, when Sir John Ep-
slae told me how much you were troubled, it
went to my heart, and, if I thought you were
still so, I protest I could never be merry. Dear
* Harl. 1580. p. 328.
310
THE COURT OF
heart, do not [be] angry with me for not send-
ing you word of that I knew would trouble you,
and when it proceeded out of nothing but love and
care that I did not do it, which I hope you will
con[si]der; and think it no fault in me for loving
you so well, that I would let you know nothing
to trouble you there. But if I had thought any
body would have written word of my being ill
there, I would then have sent you word of it; but
I was loth to do it till I was well again, which
then I did send you word how ill so ever I was.
I thank God now I am very well again, and I
hope will grow fat against your coming. I thank
God I was not in a consumption, but many fear-
ed I was entering into one; indeed I looked very
ill, and was ill, but I thank God and Doctor More
and Miron I have recovered my looks again, but, if I
tell you truth, I must first thank you for the good
news you sent me by my Lord of Andever, that
your business was concluded, and that you hoped
to come away when Sir Francis Cotingtone came
to you, which was the best cordial to recover me
that could be. The physician's physic could
never have done me good if that had not come
as it did, for merely melancholy was the cause
of my sickness.
sickness. I hope, when once we are to-
gether again, we shall have no more such partings;
for, if ever I should be so unfortunate again, I am
sure it would kill me: then might you have a
finer and a handsomer, but never a lovinger wife
KING JAMES.
311
than your poor Kate is. I protest to God, I can
never express my thankfulness to you, and joy,
for the love and tender care you have showed in
your letter; and though it was a joy to see how
happy I am that no absence can alter your affec-
tion, yet it grieved me infinitely you should be
so discontented; but I hope by this you are
merrier, which for God's sake be, I beseech you,
or else you will kill my heart. If there were
any need of sending, I would send Lapoynt to
you, but I thank God I am well, therefore I need
not; and I am sure this gentleman, Mr. Clarke,
will be with you as soon as any can.
You say,
if your being with me would do me good, let
your soon coming work some good effects in me.
Dear heart, I hope you make no doubt of that
which has been cause of all my illness, for never
creature has felt more grief than I have done
since your going. And where you say it is too
great a punishment for a greater offender than
you hope you are, dear heart, how severe God
had been pleased to have dealt with me, it had
been for my sins and not yours; for truly you
are so good a man, that, but for one sin, you are
not so great an offender, only your loving women
so well. But I hope God has forgiven you, and
I am sure you will not commit the like again.
And God has laid a great affliction on me by
this grievous absence; and I trust God will send
me life, and Moll too, that you shall enjoy us
312
THE COURT OF
both, and I shall live to bring you many more,
for I am sure God will bless us both for your sake,
and I cannot express the infinite affection I bear
you; but, for God's sake, believe me, that there
was never woman loved man as I do you. I have
felt enough for this absence; more than ever I
shall do again, I hope. I should have been very
glad if I might have had your picture; but I
hope now shortly, and God knows that shortly
will be long to me, I shall enjoy the principal: it
is a great comfort to me now I know the certain
day. I hope of your remove out of that wicked
Madrill, and am very glad that you bring the In-
fanta with you, that all journeys may be ended;
for I should have been in a perpetual fear of your
going again if she [is] had stayed behind you.
I hope, by the next, her picture will be done.
My lord, you gave me more thanks for my lady
than I am worthy of: I hope shortly she will be
here again. She is now with Sir Tomam Comp-
ton, who is very sick. My father is with the
ships, and will go suddenly when the wind serves:
he can tell you all how my sickness was.
thank God he is very well; and, I will swear,
loves you better, I think, than he does me. I
have hardly spoken with Sir John Epslae yet,
but I hope this week he will return from the
Court; and then I must have a world of talk of
you, for it does me good when I see anybody
that comes from you, that I may ask questions of
I
KING JAMES.
313
you. We all are now at Hampton Court, and
all very well, I thank God: I hope this air will
do me much good. The reason why I stayed
behind Moll when she came here was, not that I
was so ill I could not travel, but I was then in
a course of physic, that Doctor More was not
willing I should come. Then the shooting of
deer is all our recreation; but, when I think how
often we have been together here a shooting, it
makes me not think of the sport, but of sighing
and crying to think I am so mi[s]erable now as
to be out of hope of being so happy this year;
but I hope the next will make amends for this.
I did desire Sir John Epslae to put the King
in mind of writing earnestly to you to come
away, who said he would, and I do assure myself
the King has done it; and assure yourself I will
not speak of it to any but my sister, who saw
the letter, who will do the like. I hope nobody
shall hear of it there through our means, nor here
neither. I humbly thank you your letters show
you are loath to leave: they are so long I hope
the next letter I receive from you will be more
cheerful. Moll is very well, and is a writing to
you to make you merry; she is bound to you for
your sending her a token. Sir John says he
has one for her from you, but yet she has not
seen it. Mr. Clarke will tell you who she is like:
she is so lively and full of play that she will make
you very good sport when you come home. I
314
THE COURT OF
hope you have received her picture, though you
have sent me no word whether you have or no.
For my niece Porter that I writ to you for, you
need not send me any answer at all. Thus, daily
praying for your health, I rest
Your most loving and
Obedient wife till death,
Hampton Court, the 12th of August.
K. BUCKINGHAM.
My lord, I go this day to London in hope to
see my father, for Doctor More told me yester-
day, when he was here, that he would be in town
to-morrow; for which I hope you will not be
angry. I return again at night.
Dear heart, I most humbly thank you for say-
ing, if I were ill, you would come. I thank God
I am well, but never shall be thoroughly well
till I see you.
*
1
JAMES WADDSWORTH TO THE DUKE OF
BUCKINGHAM.
[Reports of his conduct in Spain.]
MAY IT PLEASE YOUR GRace,
I HAVE not written sooner, both for want of
matter and of such conveyance as you appointed
me; for my Lord Ashton's absence hindered op-
portunity, and since his return nothing hath
Orig. Hol. Tan. lxxiii. 280.
KING JAMES.
315
occurred of moment: rather, we having been every
day of late in expectance both of the Queen's
delivery and of the solemnizing of the Infanta's
espousals, I let go the last correo without any
line, verily supposing to be able to send your
Grace word of them by the next: but now, see-
ing another propio to depart before any further
success, I resolved to let you hear from me as
well as from others, (although I know you shall
have it better from some others, but not from all,)
what is talked and discoursed here of all sorts,
friends and foes, among the vulgar and in the
palace, about the marriage, and concerning your-
self. Wherein I beseech your Grace to read this,
and esteem of me but as a relator or historian re-
counting what is said, not affirming what is true ;
and to the intent that, knowing the worst, you
may provide for the best, and make good use of
those precepts of Plutarch, How to take profit by
our enemies,—if they slander us, then to know bet-
ter how to confute them; if they tell us our
faults truly (though with rancor), yet to amend
ourselves. It is reported against you, that, both
by the way and afterward here, you sometimes
used the Prince unrespectively, carrying too hard
a hand over him, urging or exercising your com-
mission too rigorously, causing him to say and
do some things which otherwise he would not,
and, particularly in the time that his Highness
retired from eating publicly, you sate in his
316
THE COURT OF
chamber at the same table with him, yea, in in-
decent manner, without breeches, only with your
night-gown; and in the public market-place, at
the feasts, stood sometime with your back toward
the Prince, and sometime towards the Infanta;
and other times leaning over to see and look on
the Infanta, before, and further, and more boldly
than the Prince. That you were very immodest
in
many
discourses and answers, speaking bawdily
as attributing your wife's alteration of religion
to lechery.t
That, in the main busi-
ness itself, you proceeded with much passion and
choler, and not with prudence nor discretion;
and, especially, that you were very inconstant in
all that you treated of, to-day saying one thing,
and to-morrow another,-if not contradicting, at
least materially varying from what before had
been agreed, so that they durst not rely nor trust
to any promise you made; and that if the Prince
had not been here himself, upon whose patience,
prudence, and true reality they did and do rely,
the marriage by you had rather been marred
than made; and that so at last they held you
an enemy to it, more than a friend, in as much as
you should be able. That the Prince would have
stayed here this winter but for you, and should
infallibly have been wedded and bedded with the
Infanta by Christmas. And last of all, which is
+ What follows is too indecent either to be written or printed.
KING JAMES.
317
most generally talked of, and construed in very
ill part, that you went away without bidding
farewell, neither the Duchess of Gandio, nor
Condesa de Lemos, nor the Condesa de Olivares,
to whom you had professed so much friendship;
and that your excuse made the matter worse,
saying you went not to them, not so much as
across the palace-court, because you were not
well, when you were there presently well enough
to undertake a journey to the Escurial and so
to Santander. These are the chief points talked
of here, and I think complained of there at home
against you; which I thought good to signify
unto your Grace, the better to be prevented or
amended, for so wise men ought to benefit them-
selves by the enmity of others. Concerning
other occurrents here, the chief are, that the
Cortes or Parliament here, since your departure,
have granted to the King, for payment of his
debts and prosecuting his wars, almost an incre-
dible sum, but it is most certain, viz. sixty
millions; which sixty millions are now a new
grant, and, being added to twelve millions before
granted to the last King, do now make in all
seventy-two millions, which are all to be levied
and paid in twelve years next ensuing; whereof
thirty millions are to proceed out of all victuals,
and two and forty millions out of lands, rents,
encomiendas, dehezas, sheep-courses, pasturages,
etc. Touching the marriage, all here be still in
318
THE COURT OF
most firm hope it will proceed. I am sure the
Infanta proceeds very cheerfully to learn Eng-
lish. We say the new Pope's approbation is
come; I dare say it is granted: and we think
that when the Queen is brought in bed, then
presently shall be the desposorios or espousals;
and so great feasts for both, all in one. The In-
fanta's household is not yet appointed, but shall
be so soon as the espousals are performed; and
already, for the appointing and ordering of her
chapel and ecclesiastical officers, it is referred to
the Bishop of Segovia, to Padre Fray Francisco
de Jesus, whom you know, and to Padre Fray
Juan de los Angeles, who was confessor to Don
Pedro de Zuniga (now Marquis de Flores de
Ahila) when he was embassador in England.
Here was a rumor that the West India galleons
of plate did not come home this autumn till the
next spring; but now we have advice from Seville,
that they are certainly coming and daily expected,
and that in all they bring about fourteen millions;
good news for the Genoese, who commonly get
most for their share. I had almost forgot to tell
your Grace, that amongst many it is laid to your
charge that the Prince had been Catholic if you
had not hindered him. Whereunto I beseech you
give me leave to add a few words for a conclu-
sion, wherein I do most humbly, and upon my
knees, entreat your Grace to have a care, above
all, of your soul, and, omitting all these rumors
KING JAMES.
319
and worldly matters, to inform yourself sincerely
and indifferently about matters of Catholic reli-
gion; for although here, peradventure, it was not
so convenient, yet now there it would not be neg-
lected. Good my lord, I do (and ever have done)
avow and profess myself a loyal subject and yet
a Catholic; and affirm and can prove it, that he
is no good Catholic who is not a loyal subject, and
that the best subjects are true Catholics. We are
deeply slandered in this point, and some points
of Catholic doctrine in this particular much per-
verted. You have there (my lord) your own
mother, whom all men commend for a discreet
woman; you have your father-in-law, the Earl of
Rutland, generally reported to be a wise man.
I beseech your Grace hear them, or confer with
such as they can and will appoint you. I can say
no more; but settle your soul in good estate with
God, and so he will guide all worldly matters the
better for you and to his goodness, with all
humble sincerity, I betake your Grace.
Madrid, 11" Nov. 1623.
JAMES WADESWORTHE.*.
Orig. Hol. Tan. lxxiii. p. 316.
This man was an unprincipled renegade. He was educated
at Emmanuel College in Cambridge, thence went to Seville and
Madrid: having adopted the Roman Catholic persuasion, he was
afterwards educated by the Jesuits at St. Omer's. At riper
years he again changed round to Protestantism, and was con-
cerned in the prosecution against Laud. He was a man of
most infamous character, adapting his religion and his prin-
320
THE COURT OF
1624-1626.
THE EARL OF BRISTOL TO THE BISHOP OF
LINCOLN.
[Miscellaneous News.]
MY VERY GOOD LORD,
I WILL begin this letter with recommending
unto your favor the bearer hereof, my cousin Si-
mon Digbye, who, for his introduction with
your lordship, shall give a very particular account
of all our business here.
Yet I cannot omit but with much joy to let
you know that our worthy young master hath
left this Court with the love and admiration of
all men, for in the whole time of his being here
he hath not done any one action to which they
can take exception; but hath by his constancy,
patience, ability to treat in his own business, and
his freeness from all sort of vice, won all men's
hearts unto him. Whatsoever your lordship may
hear of the discontent in which the English are
gone,
it will consist in some wants, which either
ciples to his interests. "A renegado proselyte turncoat,” (as
Sanderson styles him,)" of any religion and every trade, and
is now living, 1655, a common hackney to the basest catchpole
bailiffs; and to boot, a justice of peace, in his bench-book,
enters him and his wife pimp and bawd in his precinct."
The above letter is an ingenious specimen of stabbing a man
under the mask of friendship, a cool and effectual way of vent-
ing malice in the garb of candor.
KING JAMES.
321
the hardness of the country or omissions of the
officers have caused; as want of coaches, car-
riages, lodgings, and such like: but this Prince
and King are parted like brothers, with the great-
est profession of love and friendship that ever I
heard, as your lordship will see by the copy of
the speeches which passed betwixt them at their
departure, and by their letters since, which this
bearer will give unto your lordship, if you desire
them.
His Highness hath likewise won much honor
by his bounty at his departure; having presented
the King, Queen, and all the Court, as your
lordship will see by the list of his gifts, which
this bearer will likewise give unto your lordship.
As for the main business, I doubt not but all
will be punctually performed according to the
capitulations; and therefore, whatsoever your
lordship may hear, I entreat you to be slow to
believe anything to the contrary.
I have recommended divers things unto the
relation of this bearer, and therefore I shall not
detain your lordship any longer; but only en-
treat you to hold me in your love and good
opinion until I shall deserve the contrary. And
so, wishing unto your lordship all increase of hap-
piness, I rest
Your lordship's humble and faithful servant,
BRISTOL.*
Madrid, the 8th of 7ber 1623, st. vet.
*
Orig. Hol. Harl. 1580. f. 128.
VOL. II.
Y
322
THE COURT OF
Note. The abrupt termination of the Spanish match has been
generally attributed to Buckingham's impatience and ambition;
more than all, to his jealousy of Digby. Buckingham (poor
fellow!) had the misfortune to be a favorite, and in that one
ominous word was supposed to be concentred all the villany
of all the Spencers, and of all others that ever had been, or were
supposed to have been, favorites. Men saw themselves justified
in attributing to his influence all that was untoward or unpo-
pular in the proceedings of the government. (How vastly must
kings or favorites have improved of late years!) Of course,
therefore, the dilatory, and in the event unfortunate, manage-
ment of this Spanish treaty was thrown upon the Duke's
shoulders. We claim our readers' indulgence for a word or two
on this subject.
"I sent
Granting that personal feelings might have weighed with
Buckingham in urging his return, (to which he was most ear-
nestly solicited by all correspondents from England,)—granting
that a speedy return was actually necessary for his self-pre-
servation, and to disperse the designs of his enemy; we have
a clear proof that Buckingham did not suffer these influences
to act until he was positively commanded by James to return,
and had clearly seen, if not the unwillingness of the Spaniard
to proceed in the match, at least the danger which must ine-
vitably follow by the Prince's further sojourn in Spain.
On the 10th of August the King wrote to his son:
you a commandment long ago not to lose time where ye are,
but either to bring quickly home your mistress, which is my
earnest desire; but, if no better may be, rather than to linger
any longer there, to come without her, which for many important
reasons I am now forced to renew and therefore I charge you,
upon my blessing, to come quickly, either with her or without
her. I know your love to her person hath enforced you to de-
lay the putting in execution of my former commandment. I
confess that it is my chiefest worldly joy that ye love her;
but the necessity of my affairs enforceth me to tell you, that you
must prefer the obedience to a father to the love ye carry to a
mistress."-Hardw. i. 447.
In answer to this, the Prince (the Duke being sick of an ague)
writes to his father on the 20th of the same month:
"The
KING JAMES.
323
cause why we have been so long in writing to you is, that we
would try all means possible (before we would send you word)
to see if we could move them to send the Infanta before winter.
They, for form's sake, called the Divines, and they stick to
their old resolution; but we find, by circumstances, that con-
science is not the true, but seeming, cause of the Infanta's stay.
To conclude: we have wrought what we can ; but since we can-
not have her with us that we desired, our next comfort is, that
we hope shortly to kiss your Majesty's hands."-Hardw. i. 448.
In the last letter, written just before they set out, (Sept. 1,)
Buckingham writes in a postscript to the King: "I bring all
things with me you have desired, except the Infanta, which hath
almost broken my heart, because yours, your son's, and the na-
tion's honor is touched by the miss of it; but since it is their fault
here, and not ours, we will bear it the better: and, when I shall
have the happiness to be at your feet, you shall then know the
truth of all, and no more.”—Hardw. i. 451.
The result was, (as every one knows,) that the treaty was
broken off, the Palatinate being an insuperable bar; the Spaniard
refusing to make any concession, and desiring the King to leave
it to their honor to do something in accordance to his wishes
when the match was concluded. To this he would not consent.
Some writers will have it, that the article of the Palatinate
was a mere ruse for getting rid of the match. But throughout
the whole series of papers which it has been my lot to peruse,
(both published and unpublished,) it has always appeared a
real and substantial article. Can it still be doubted, after the
letters which have been printed in this volume? if so, then let
the reader peruse the unpublished correspondence of the Pals-
grave and others, still preserved in the Tanner MS. in the Bodleian.
As to the match having been broken by a quarrel between
the favorites, I believe it not; nor do I believe any serious
quarrel existed between them at this time. Such a rumor had
its origin probably in the vulgar notion, which imagines that,
because two men are politically opposed, in private life they
must needs level their daggers at each other's throats. At least
I have some reason for this doubt; for in a letter, written
in the succeeding spring by the Duke to Sir Walter Aston, the
Y 2
324
THE COURT OF
*
following passage occurs:
"I have sent viols and books for the
King of Spain; I know he will take pleasure in them, because
they be the best in the world: but because, coming from here,
they may be the less pleasing, I have directed them to the
Conde of Olivares, through whose hands they will be the better re-
ceived."-Harl. MS. 1580. p. 24.
Does this give any countenance to the sinister reports of the
times, and to the equally veracious and ridiculous charge, that
Buckingham pointedly offended the Spanish nobility, and the
Condessa of Olivares in particular? (See p. 317.) This lady,
then, must have had a very forgiving temper, for Sir Walter
Aston, in a postscript of one of his letters to the Duke, written
in the autumn of 1623, says to him: "The Condessa of Oli-
vares bids me tell you, that she kisses your Grace's hand, and
doth every day recommend you particularly by name in her
prayers to God."
Buckingham's quarrel with the favorite was probably of a
subsequent date, originating in a direct insult offered to King
James, and more particularly to himself. The Marquis of
Inoiosa, the Spanish embassador in this Court, had endea-
vored, in a secret and disgraceful manner, to prejudice the King
against the Prince and the Duke. Being required, and found
unable, to prove his allegations, he was dismissed from the Eng-
lish Court, and satisfaction was demanded for this scandal;
"but the Conde of Olivares, with a strong and violent hand,
delivered him from any exemplary punishment, which would
certainly have been inflicted upon him had he been left to the
Council of State," (says Sir W. Aston to the Duke,)" and, without
care either of the King his master's honor or engagement, hath
saved the Marquis, and left the envy of it upon his Majesty, if
the King our master will so please to understand it.”—Cab.
p.
9.
The insults which Olivares subsequently offered to Gondo-
mar, Buckingham's personal friend, and a great advocate for
the match, would doubtless widen the breach and make the
renewal of the treaty impossible. But, of course, Olivares'
jealousy of Gondomar would cause him throughout to throw
every obstacle in the way of the successful consummation of
this treaty, if he was not abstractedly unfriendly to it, from
hatred and fear of his rival.
KING JAMES.
325
BEDELL TO WARD.
[Examination of Cranfield Earl of Middlesex.]
* * * SINCE my return here, hath been
nothing done, either in Parliament or our own
House, which I could give you any account of,
any otherwise than by common fame I am sure
you hear; viz. the examination of my Lord
Treasurer his actions, which have been sifted by
the Lower House, who yesterday met with the
Upper at Whitehall, and have rendered him up
as a man convicted of many extortions and cor-
ruptions, and wrongful impositions upon the
King's subjects, and evil advice to the King him-
self. In some it is surely thought he will be de-
prived of his place and honors, if the sentence
go no further. For our House, we have taken
advice of a bill touching prohibitions, which is
passed the Lower House, giving scope to prove
the suggestion before the Judges of Assize in
the country. We have drawn a petition to
the Lords of the Upper House Committees
about the bill, and presented reasons against it
yesterday. We do not think it will pass. There
is another bill in the Lower House on foot, to
enable ministers to take leases. This was yester-
day committed; Mr. Selden had the chair. All
agreed to pass it. But Sir Peter Heyman, (once
my pupil, as you may remember,) with some
others, would have a restriction, that non-resi-
326
THE COURT OF
dents, and such as have many livings, might take
no benefit by it. After the end of the com-
mittee, sundry took him in hand. Myself at
last discovered myself to him, and told him I
commended his zeal to redress abuses, but this
course was not proper for it. Let them restore
the ministry to the common liberty and right of
citizens, and they should have the more justifiable
reason to take in hand the reforming of the abuse,
&c. It is to be heard again by the committees;
he tells me, that assuredly the House will not
pass it without some limitations.
London, 16th of April 1624.†
*
GERBIER TO BUCKINGHAM.
[Giving him an account of his negociation for different works.
of art abroad.]
MY LORD,
SINCE I wrote to you by Sir James Arthur
Long, an affair has been submitted to me, the
importance of which made me resolve not to set
out the day after for Rome without first inform-
ing your Excellency of it; and inasmuch as I
MONSEIGNEUR,
DEPUIS que j'ay escript à vos. Ex. par le Schevallier Jhaemes
Arter Lonij, m'a esté representé un affaire, dont l'importance
m'a faict resoudre de ne partir le lendemain pour R. avant
que la comuniquer à vos. Exc.; et d'aultant que je considerois
+ Orig. Hol. Tan, lxxiii, p. 357.
KING JAMES.
327
considered that a reply from you by letter would
be too late, or might be inconvenient, I resolved
to post with all speed, in order to communicate
this business to your Excellency by word of
mouth, and so in a week to return with a prompt
answer and resolution, whereby my diligence in
my journey would be but little diminished. To
this resolution I joined its execution, and came
with all speed to Boulogne, where I found the
wind so contrary, and the sea so rough, and my
stomach so indisposed, that, my courage and re-
solution failing, I have again recourse to pen
and paper, and resolve to send by those who en-
dure the sea better than I can; hoping that your
Excellency will take the trouble to consider and
read it, and to let me have a prompt reply at
Calais by the first that is coming there.
que la reponsse par lettres de vostre part seroit trop longue
ou peut estre incomode, je m'estois resolu de prendre la poste
en toutte diligence pour comuniquer ceste afaire de bouche à
vos. Ex. et ainssy avecque une promte responsse et resolution
retourner en une semaine, laquelle n'amoindriroit que fort
peu de la diligence que je feray à mon voyage. A céste reso-
lution j'ay adjoutté le fect, et suis veni en toutte diligence
jusques à Boulogne, où j'ay trouvé le vent sy contraire, la
mer sy turbullante, et mon estomac sy mal disposé, que j'ay
failly de courage en ma resolution, aiants repris recours à la
plume et à ce papier lequel je me resous d'envoyer par ceux
quy endurent mieux le mer que moy; esperant que vos. Exc.
prendra la peyne de le considerer et lire, et me faire aveoir
une promte responce à Calais, par le premier quy viendera.
328
THE COURT OF
In order properly to represent this matter to
your Excellency, I must begin by the story of
the pictures, which form one of the objects at
which all this is aimed. I mentioned, in my
former letter by Sir James Arthur Long, the
large and rare paintings in possession of a person
called President Chevallier, who has also some
antique heads in marble and in bronze, the whole
neither to be sold nor to be given away without
some scheme; but I have sworn to myself, as I
did about the Prelate of Venice, that we must
have them or I lack invention, for, as they are
the ornament of a handsome house in France,
they must be jewels at York House. These
paintings and these heads, five thousand pounds
sterling in tapestry, rich with gold and silver
Pour doncques bien remontrer à vos. Ex. céste affaire, il
faut commencer par le recit de tableaux lesquels sont une
des buttes où icelle tend. J'ay faict mention en ma precedente
lettre de S. Jaems Artur Lonij,* des grands et rares tableaux
apartenans à un nommé le President Chevallier, lequel a aussy
quelque testes entiques, de marbre et de bronse, touttes n'estans
ny à vendre ny à donner, sy ce n'est par quelque invention; mais
j'ay juré en moy mesme comme je fis du prelat de Venise,
qu'il les faut aveoir ou bien manquer d'invention, car comme
elles sont l'ornement d'une belle mayson en France, il faut
qu'elles soient des joyeaux de Jorck-hous. Ces tableaux et
ces testes cinq mille livres sterlincx en tapisseries riches d'or,
* Long (?)
KING JAMES.
329
and silk, and made after a pattern by Raphael,
and one hundred and fifty thousand francs in
cash, which make fifteen thousand pounds ster-
ling, are within the centre and circumference of
this business; I fear the long recital of it will
make your Excellency as weary as I am vexed
at the sea, that prevents my seeing your blessed
countenance.
This is the matter. The very day that I had
given my last letter to S. James Arthur Long,
a stranger came to see me, who had heard that I
was in the employ of the Duke of Buckingham,
and who, as I very well remarked, had taken no-
tice of the pictures which I had been looking for;
he addressed me in these words: The marriage
concluded, people were now only anxious for the
arrival of the Duke of Buckingham, whose virtue
d'argent et de soye faittes sur le patron de Raphael, et cent
cinquante mille francx d'argent contant, quy sont quinse mille
livres sterlincx, sont dedens le circuit et centre de ceste affaire,
dont le long recit j'ay peur lassera vos. Exc. aultant comme
je me fasche contre la mer quy m'enpesche de veoir vostre bien
heureux visage.
C'est issy l'affaire. Ce jour mesme que j'avois donné ma
derniere lettre à S. Jaems Artur Lonij m'est venu trouver un
homme incognu lequel ajant ouij dire que j'estois serviteur du
Duc de Buckingham, et à ce que je remarquois fort bien avoit
pris cognoissance des tableaux que j'avois cherché, me dict ces
parolles, que le mariage maintenant conclu, l'on n'attendoit aultre
que la venue du Duc de Buckingham, dont la vertu et la faveur
en un temps sy extraordinaire ne pouroit manquer qu'il n'aquist le
330
THE COURT OF
and popularity, in a time so extraordinary, could
not fail of acquiring for him the power of doing
any good service to whom he would; that if it
were the will and favor of the Duke to show it
to one who cast the anchor of his hopes upon
his arrival, that not only he would present him
with all the pictures which I had seen, but also
50,000 francs' worth of Raphael tapestry, and a
present of 150,000 francs besides.
I answered him in this manner :
That, though a servant of the Duke of Buck-
ingham, my passion did not transport me to say
more of him than all the world to whom he was
known allowed to be his right, that his other vir-
tues had produced this one in him, that nothing
could more incline him to act virtuously than
the love of virtue itself; and that, as he was
devoted to worthy and exalted things, he was an
poureoir de faire quelque bon coup à quelqu'un ; que sy c'estoist la
volonté et la faveur du Duc de le demontrer enters un lequel
jettoit l'encre de son esperance en sa venue, que non seulement il
luy seroit faict present de tout les tableaux que j'avois veu, mais
aussy de cinquante mille frans en tapisseries de Raphael, et un
present de cent cinquante mille francx.
Je luy fis responsse en céste maniere :
Que pour estre serviteur du Duc de Buckingham, la passion
ne me transportoit à dire plus que tout le monde quy le cog-
noist luy donnent ce droict; que les vertus ont faict naistre en
luy ceste vertu, qu'il ne fust jamais plus inclinné à faire du
bien que pour l'amour de la vertu mesme, et que comme il
estoit adonné aus choses dignes et relevées, il estoit ennemy
KING JAMES.
331
enemy of all that is base and low, more especially
avoiding the having his eye or his hand in the di-
rection of lines which are not perpendicular, that
is to say, meddling with any affair unjust or con-
temptible, much less would he be concerned in
any thing that was mercenary.
On this he made answer, that the reputation
that went abroad of your Excellency was no
other, and this was the reason they had rested
their hopes on so good a foundation; that truly,
in deciphering your natural character, he had on a
superficial view a leaning a little towards an un-
favorable opinion; that he must now observe, that
an offence and unjust cause attaches no shame to
him who intercedes for a pardon; and as it is
the virtue and privilege of a judge to use pity as
well as justice, so it was no common glory to him
by whose means a pardon is obtained, and without
des choses basses et villes, evittant sur tout d'aveoir l'oeuil ou la
main tirant aux lignes quy ne sont perpendicullaires, c'est à
dire, de se meller d'une chose injuste ou contemtible, combien
moins mercenaire.
Sur quoy il me fist responsse, que la renommée quy couroit
de vos. Exc. n'estoist aultre, et que c'estoit la cause qu'ils
avoient dressé leurs esperance sur un sy bon fondement; que
vraiement luy aiant, en deschifrant vos. naturel, un peu donné
sur un mal, quy est la fasse de l'afaire, il estoit contraint de
respondre que une offence et cause injuste n'aportte point de
hontte à celuy quy intercedde pour pardon; et comme c'est la
vertu et le pouvoir d'un juge d'user de sa misericordde comme
de sa justice, aussy c'estoist une gloire non comune à celuy quy
332
THE COURT OF
any exception of the crime, so long as it does not
approach to either murder or treason. To describe
then the affair in brief, he said that a certain
clerk of a financier of the King had been guilty
of some forgetfulness in the exercise of the
equity of his charge, who being absent and ex-
iled for fear of being taken prisoner, not only on
account of his own person, but of the reputation
of his master, who was not accused nor known in
the matter, and whose ruin would be great and
deplorable if the said clerk were to be constrained
to come to a day of trial to render his accounts;
for then his little fault would be the cause of the
discovery of the infirmity of his master, and per-
haps, as I think, of others, who, as links of a
chain, depend one upon the other; so that, if it
were possible to obtain the pardon of the ser-
vant, the pot aux roses would not be discovered.
est cause du pardon sens exeption de crime quand elle ne
touche au meurtre ou la trahison. Pour donques le descripre
au plus bref. Il dist qu'un certain comis de finansier du Roy
c'estoist oublié à l'exercisse de l'equitté de sa charge, lequel
estant apsente et exillé de peur d'estre pris prisonnier, non
seulement pour sa personne mais pour le respect de son maistre,
lequel n'estoit pas acusé ny cognu, dont la ruinne ceroit grande
et desplorable sy le dict commis seroit contraint de venir au
jour du jugement rendre conte. Car allors sa petitte faulte
seroit cause de la descouverture de l'infirmité de son maistre,
et peut estre, à ce que je remarque, d'aultres, lesquels comme
agneaus d'une chaine despendent les uns des aultres: que s'il
KING JAMES.
333
They imagine and assure themselves it would
be easy for your Excellency to obtain this par-
don at a time so extraordinary; and promise
to find means and inventions so honorable,
that the affair should succeed to your satis-
faction, and that to the day of judgment there
should be nothing known of it. They make no
difficulty as to the success of this affair, if your
Excellency would but undertake the matter;
and as for the offer which they have made,
with a thousand protestations and vows, they
think that a present has no savor of any thing
mercenary; and since even the gods refuse
not offerings, that great men cannot be sullied
by accepting them. They have only a fortnight
to wait for your determination and favorable
answer; that, if in that time they could have
your answer, they would delay the matter
estoit possible d'aveoir le pardon du serviteur, le pot aux roses
ne seroit point descouvert. Ce qu'ils s'imaginent et s'aseurent
que seroit fassille à vos. Exc. d'acquerir ce pardon en un temps
sy extraordinaire, et ce promettent de trouver des moiens et
inventions sy honnorables que la chose reuciroit à vos. contente-
ment, et qu'au jour de l'eternitté il n'en seroit jamais rien sceu.
Ils ne font difficulté au reusiment de l'affaire, sy vos. Exc. veust
acepter le party, et pour l'offre qu'ils ont faict, avecque mille
protestations et voeux, ils croient que un present ne resent
nullement d'un merssenaire; et puis que les Dieux ne refusent
les offrandes, que les grands ne peuvent estre entaché de visse
les acceptant. Ils n'ont que quinse jours de temps pour at-
334
THE COURT OF
till the time that your Excellency would be
here.
I made them this answer, that I feared to en-
tertain any thoughts of any thing that could
give you offence, much less would I do any such
thing; and that I could not but hesitate to give
them at once an absolute answer; but I would,
however, endeavor to learn your pleasure, hop-
ing that your great goodness will pardon me if
I offend in doing so. I told them that I would
write, and in the meanwhile I would make a
trip to Tours, Orleans, and those quarters, to the
Ambassadors. I said too that I had received
news of my wife, who was very unwell, and so
I was going post to England. They had nothing
to charge me with except their compliments. I
then thought in my mind, that it was my duty,
tendre vos. resolution et favorable grace, que sy en ce temps
ils peuvent aveoir responsse ils trainneront l'afaire, jusques au
temps que vos. Exc. sera issy.
Je leur ay respondu que je craignois de penser auqu'une
chose quy vous pouroit offencer, combien moins le faire ; et que
pour leur rendre une apsolutte resolution d'abort, cela me don-
noit bien du penssement, mais toutesfois que je tenterois de
saveoir vos. plaisir, esperans que sa toutte bonté me pardon-
nera sy je l'offensse en se faisant. Je leur ay dist que j'escri-
verois, et qu'en attendant je ferois un petit voyage à Tours,
Orleans, et ces quartiers là, aux Ambassadeurs. J'ay dict que
j'avois receu nouvelles de ma femme, laquelle estoit fort mallade,
et ainssy m'en allois en poste en Engleterre; ils ne m'ont rien
KING JAMES.
335
my sweet lord and more than father, to inform
your Excellency of this affair; and, in order to
gain time, not spare myself the trouble of go-
ing post to London instead of to Orleans; from
which place, as I proposed, I should have been
able to return in a week, had the sea been
favorable, for I arrived in twenty-four hours at
Boulogne by muddy roads.
I think I remark that the President, who has
the pictures, has an interest in the business, for
he was very complaisant one day when I went
to see him, and said to me laughing, No, no, sir,
they are not to be sold at all; and I replied only
with the word But, without saying any thing
more. And I am well convinced, that the man
who spoke with me looked that way, and I suspect
will not say his name, nor the name of him who
enchargé sinon leurs recommandations. J'ay donques ima-
giné en mon esprit que c'estoit mon deveoir, mon doux Seigneur
et plus que pere, de faire cognoistre céste affaire à vostre.
Exc. et pour gaigner temps de n'espargner la peyne de courir la
poste vers Londres au lieu d'Orleans. Duquel lieu, comme je
m'estois proposé, j'eusse peu estre de retour en une semaine sy
mer me vouloit estre favorable. Car je suis venu en vintequatre
heures à Boulogne, par les chemains fengeux.
la
A ce que je remarque, le President quy a les tableaux a de
l'insterest en céste affaire, car il me fist bonne mine un jour
que je l'alay veoir, et me dist en riant, Non, non, Monsieur, ils
ne sont point à vendre; et j'adjouttoit le mot de Mais, sens
plus rien dire, et j'ay bien veu que cést homme quy parloit à
336
THE COURT OF
employs him, until they know your will; then
they will discover themselves. There are many
things to say that cannot be expressed in writ-
ing, for fear of wearying your patience too much.
If it please your Excellency to speak in this busi-
ness, these pictures will come into our hands with
all the rest. The tapestries are on the road from
Antwerp to Paris; and, for the other sum, they
promise, as I have said, fifteen thousand pounds
sterling. I think, my lord, that coming for a
week out of the journey undertaken will not re-
tard business; for, now the marriage is accom-
plished, friendship has its turn, as your Excel-
lency knows. At Rome there will be more
opportunity and means of having something,
and thither I shall hurry post with all speed as
soon as I receive your Excellency's answer about
moy inclinoit vers ce cotté là, et fort suspects ne veust dire son
nom, ny le nom de cil quil l'envoye, jusques à ce qu'ils ayent
une responsse de vostre volonté, allors il se descouvriront. Il
y a beaucoup de choses à dire que la plume n'est capable
d'esprimer de peur de troubler trop long-temps vos. patience.
S'il plaist à vos. Exc. de prendre la volonté de parler pour
céste affaire, ces tableaux nous tomberont en mains et toutte la
reste. Les tapisseries sont en chemain d'Envers qu'il faict venir
à Paris; et pour l'aultre somme, ils promettent comme j'ay dict
quinse mille livres sterlincx. Je croy, Monseigneur, que venant
une semaine hors du voyage entrepris, que cela ne retardera
rien les affaires, car maintenant le mariage acomply, l'amitié a
ce lieu que vos. Exc. sçait à R. il j'aura encore plus d'affaire et
moien d'aveoir quelque chose, où je m'envolleray en poste en
KING JAMES.
337
this business. If your Excellency undertakes
this affair, I will leave my address at Paris, and
will, as becomes me, advise your Excellency of
every thing. However I will not do as John
Tredescant, who asks pardon at the beginning;
for as your Excellency well replied to him at
Newhall, that, for him who has an evil purpose
to offend, asking pardon first is not enough: but
at the end, on my knees, my lord, I ask pardon, if
my ignorant zeal has made me slip into any fault.
During the time I have been in Paris, I have not
passed one hour without searching after some
rarity; and I should have stayed there but four
days, had it not been, as I thought, very neces-
sary that I should find out all that there is in
Paris; and I never could have thought that they
had so many rare things in France, all which are to
toute dilligence aussy tost que j'auray responsse de vos. Exc.
sur céste affaire. Sy vos. Exc. accepte l'affaire, je laisseray
adresse à Paris, et donneray advis de tout à vos. Exc. comme
il faut. Maintenant je ne feroy comme Jhean Tredescant, lequel
demande pardon au commencement. Car comme vos. Exc.
luy responda bien à Nieniohal que celuy quy a un mauvais
vouloir d'offencer, demander pardon auparavant n'est pas assez.
Mais à la fin à genous, Monseig¹, je vous demande pardon sy
mon ignorant zelle m'a faict glisser en quelque faute; pour le
temps que j'ay esté à Paris, je n'y ay esté une heure sens
chercher apres quelque rareté, et n'y eusse demeuré que quattre
jours, n'estoit que j'ay jugé estre fort nessesaire que je trou-
vasse tout ce qu'il i a en Paris, et n'eusse jamais penssé qu'il
i auroit tent de rare choses en France, lesquelles doivent touts
VOL. II.
Ꮓ
338
THE COURT OF
come into your hands at your happy arrival. I
beg your Excellency yet to read the other sheet,
and you will there see three rare pictures of
Michael Angelo Raphael. It is, my lord, be-
cause since my last I have found at the house of
the Bishop of Paris three of the most rare pic-
tures that can be. The first is a St. Francis,
a good-sized painting, from the hand of the
Cavalier Ballion, as good as Michael Angelo
Carazoago; and the other a picture of our Lady
by Raphael, which is repainted by some devil
who I trust was hanged; but still it is so lovely,
and the drawing is so fine, that it is worth a
thousand crowns. There is another picture of
Michael Angelo Bonnarotta; but that should be
seen kneeling, for it is a Crucifixion, with the
Virgin and St. John,-the most divine thing in
tomber entre vos mains à vostre heureuse arivée. Je supplie
vos. Exc. de lire encore l'autre feuille et vous i voyrez trois
rares tableaux de Michel Angel Rapael. C'est, Monseig", que
depuis ma derniere j'ay trouvé chez l'Evesque de Paris trois
les plus rares tableaux que ce peut. Le premier c'est un St.
François, assez grand tableau, de la main du Cavallier Ballion
aussy bon que Michel Angelo Carazoago,* et l'aultre un tableau
d'une Nostre Dame de Raphael, laquelle a esté repintie par
quelque diable qu'il fust pendu, mais toutesfois encore sy
amiable et le traict sy beau que sela vaut mille escus. Encore
un aultre tableau de Michel Angelo Bonnarotta, mais il faut
veoir cela à jenous, car c'est un Crucifix avecque la Vierge et
* Corasiago.
KING JAMES.
339
the world. I have been such an idolater as to
kiss it three times, for there is nothing that can
be more perfect. It is a miniature. I have a
hundred thousand things to say, but I offend
too much in trespassing so long upon your pa-
tience. I have met with a most beautiful piece
of Tintoret, of a Danae, a naked figure the
most beautiful, that flint as cold as ice might
fall in love with it. I have given twenty
crowns in hand; it costs, with another head of
Titian, sixty pounds sterling. I have given also
twenty crowns in hand for the Gorgon's head;
it costs two hundred crowns.
I have not yet
paid for them, because I was not willing to
draw bills until I knew how much I should
employ at Paris, which I shall know when I
leave. But, my lord, after your Excellency shall
St. Jhean, la plus divine chose du monde. J'ay faict tant de
l'idollattre que je l'ay baisé trois fois, car il n'y a rien quy puisse
passer à la perfection. Il est en petit. J'ay cent mille de choses
à dire, mais j'ofence trop à tenter si longtemps vos. passiance.
J'ay rencontré la plus belle piesse Tintoret d'une Dané, un corps
tout nud, le plus beau, qu'un caliou froit de glasse en devien-
deroit amoureux. J'ay donné vint escus en main; elle couste
avecque une aultre teste de Titian, soisante livres sterlincx.
J'ay donné aussy vint escus en main sur la teste de Jorgon;
couste deux cents escus. Je ne les ay pas encore payé, parce
que je n'ay pas voulu tirer argent sur mes papiers jusques à ce
que je sache combien j'emplieray à Paris, ce que je sauray
quand je partiray. Mais, Monseigneur, appres que vos. Ex.
z 2
340
THE COURT OF
have made a large collection, I beg of you to
attack Mons de Montmorency, for he has the
most beautiful statues that can be spoken of;
that is to say, Two Slaves by Michael Angelo, and
some others. He is so liberal that he will not
refuse them. I beg of you to mention it to
Mons' de Fiat, for perhaps he has some friends
about him. I hope that your Excellency will
carry away fine things from France, particularly
the sweet Lady, of whom the Embassadors com-
mand me to say to your Excellency, that she
esteems herself as happy as if she were to have the
monarch of all kings; and she was so transported
with joy that she would not speak coyly, but
she was forced to confess before all the world,
that since it was true that my lord the Prince
was a prince in all points, so accomplished, and
'
aura amassé beaucoup, je la supplie de donner battaille à
Mons de Momoranssy, car il a les plus belles statues que dire
ce peut; assaveoir, Deux Esclaves de Michel Angelo, et encore
aultres. Il est sy liberal qu'il ne les refusera pas. Je vous
prie toucher en à Mons' de Fiat, car peut estre il a quelques
amis envers luy. J'espere que vos. Ex. renportera de belles
choses de France, principalement la doulce Madame dont les
ambassadeurs me commenderent de faire ce recit à vos. Ex.
que elle se reputoit sy heureuse comme sy elle devoit aveoir le
monarq de tout le rois, et qu'elle estoit sy transportée de joye
qu'elle ne vouloit pas faire la petitte bouche, mais qu'elle estoit
contrainte de le confesser devant tout le monde que puis que
c'estoit la veritté, que Monseig" le Prince estoist un prince sy
accomply, & sy parfaict et adroit en toutte pars, qu'elle avoit
A
KING JAMES.
341
so perfect, and expert, she had two-fold reason
to love and honor him; adding this parenthesis,
(that if Nature had not been so favorable to him
as to give him a good figure, that nevertheless
it was necessary she should have him for reasons
of state,) but since he was so accomplished, her
happiness was complete. I hope also, my lord,
that your hopes will be accomplished in spite
of the Spanish factions, that may now well go
to the Chateau de Crevecoeur. The picture of
the Secretary of Titian I send by the bearer, to
be delivered at York House to my father-
in-law, who will put it in a frame. It is a
jewel.
I beg, my lord, if it be possible, do me the
favor to let me have an answer to this busi-
ness at Calais; so that, if your Excellency does
not find the business convenient, they may try
double ocasion de l'aimer et de l'honnorer, adjouttant céste.
parantese (que quand bien la Nature ne luy eust esté favorable
de l'aveoir rendu bien faict, que pourtant il le faudroit aveoir
par raison d'estat), mais puis qu'il estoit sy acomply, que sa
felicitté estoit accomplie. J'espere aussy, Monseig", que ce sera
l'acomplie de vostre esperance en despite des factions Espag-
nolles, quy peuvent bien aller à present au Chateau de Creve-
cœur. Le tableau du Secretaire de Titian je l'envoye par ce
porteur pour le faire tenir à Jorck hous à mon beau perre quy
le mettera sur un chassis. Cest un joyau.
Je supplie, Monseigneur, s'il est possible, de me faire la grace
que je puisse aveoir responsse de céste afaire à Calais, affin
que sy vos. Exc. ne trouve céste afaire convenable, l'on es-
342
THE COURT OF
some other way, as I had written about Mons.
Desplan.
Will your Excellency order that the letter you
may please to send me be directed to Calais, at
the post-office, to Balthasar Gerbier. And as
soon as I have the answer, I will start, with-
out losing a day, to Paris.
If it appears to your Excellency that the let-
ters I have for the little man and for Ro. are too
old, it would be proper to have others; but if
they will do, I will say that I have been ill at
Paris.
I will give so good a direction in the memo-
randum that I leave in the hands of the Em-
bassadors, that your Excellency will see where
all the pictures are. But lastly, my lord, do you
beg of Madame that she will be pleased to fur-
nish York House; for this Mons Chevreuse,
prouve quelque aultre chemain, comme j'avois escript de Mons
Desplan.
Vos. Exc. donnera ordre que la lettre qu'il luy plaira m'en-
voyer soit donné à Calais au logis de la poste à Balthasar Ger-
bier. Et sy tost que j'auray responsse, je m'en iray, et ne tar-
deray pas un jour à Paris.
S'il semble à vos. Exc. que les lettres que j'ay pour le petit
homme et pour Ro. soient trop vielles, il en faudroit aveoir des
aultres; ou, sy elles servent assez, je diray que j'ay esté malade
à Paris.
Je donneray sy bon adresse en la mesmoire que je laisse entre
les mains des embassadeurs que vos. Ex. voira où sont tout
les tableaux. Mais sur la fin, Monseig", suppliez à Madame
qu'elle veuille bien garnir Jorck hous Car ce Mons' de Chev-
KING JAMES.
343
and all the folks here, are so fine, and so mag-
nificent, and curious in their houses, that your
Excellency will be much pleased. I beg your
Excellency to see the apartments of this Bishop
of Paris, and you will see in what nice order the
pictures are arranged, and how rich every thing
is. And, for the love of Paul Veronese, be pleas-
ed to dress the walls of the gallery: poor blank
walls, they will die of cold this winter! Your
Excellency will see also here, as at the house
of the Duke of Chevreuse, the best paintings
are before the chimney; and approve what I
have always said, that they always put the prin-
cipal piece over the chimney. For all their bra-
very, there is still magnificence in gold. But
your Excellency will see a great mistake they
make in the construction of their chimneys.
These are all made of wood, which is very im-
reuse, et tout ces jens issy, sont sy braves et sy dorez et sy
curieux en leurs maysons que vos. Exc. se contentera beaucoup.
Je supplie que vos. Exc. voye les chambres de cést Esvecque
de Paris, et icelle voira en quel bel ordre les tableaux sont acom-
modéz & comment tout est riche. Et pour la mor* de Paulo
Veronnese, qu'il plaise à vos. Exc. d'abiller les murailles de la
gallerie : povres murailles blanches, elles moureront de froid
cést hiver! Vostre Exc. voiera issy comme chez le Duc de
Chevreuse les meilleurs tableaux sont devint la cheminée; et
aprouvera ce que j'ay tousjours dict, que l'on mait tousjours la
principalle piesse sur la cheminée. Pour toutte leur braverie,
ils ja de la magnificence assez en or.
grande fautte qu'ils font au parament de leurs cheminées.
Mais vos. Ex. voira une
* i. c. Et pour l'amour (?)
344
THE COURT OF
proper so near the fire: they are also too deep;
all the heat remains within.
Moreover, there are paintings of the French
masters. But we have the pearls of the Italians.
I pray God, my lord, that he will finish the
work of this holy marriage so well advanced,
which promises to be a rampart to sustain your
prosperity; and that in health, long life,
you may enjoy the sight of your blessed plans,
which will make Christendom happy. And
that it will please your Grace, in the midst of
so many millions of your servants, to do me the
favor to allow me to be ranked as one, and
that I may have the freedom to subscribe myself,
Your Excellency's
Very faithful servant until death,
Boulogne, 17th Nov. 1624.
B. GERBIER.
Elles sont touttes de bois, cela est bien mal a propre aupres du
feu; elles sont aussy trop profondes; toutte la challeur demeure
dedens.
Sur touttes i a des tableaux de maistres François. Mais
c'est nous quy avons les perles des Italiens.
Je prie à Dieu, Monseig", qu'il finisse l'hoeuvre de se saint
mariage sy bien avanssé auquel promet un ranpart de soutien
à vos. prosperité, et qu'en santé, longue vie,
youir de
la veue de vos bien heurez dessains, quy rendront la Chrestienté
heureuse. Et qu'il plaise à vostre Grace, au milieu de tant de
milions de vos serviteurs, me faire ce bonheur que je puisse
tenir ranc, et qu'avecque franchise je me puisse nommer
De vos. Excel. le tres fidelle serviteur jusques à la mort,
De Boulogne, ce 17 de Novemb. 1624.
B. GERBIER.
KING JAMES.
345
I had forgotten to say that the financier is not
of the number of these gallants who are in prison.
If the weather here were fine, I might per-
haps cross over to have a prompt answer; but I
hope your Excellency will not forget to write,
for all that.
These people in the affairs that I have written
of, failing on your side, will perhaps try the
Queen mother: this makes it necessary to have
an answer.
I have sent the picture of Titian by the Gen-
tleman servant of Mons" de Fiat.
J'ay oublié de dire que ce financier n'est pas du nombre de
ces gallans lesquels sont en prison.
Sy le temps ce m'estoit au beau, je pourois bien passer pour
aveoir prompte responsse, mais j'espere que vos. Exc. n'oubliera
pas d'escripre pour tout cela.
Ces jens de l'afaire que j'ay escript faillant de vos. cotté
pourront faire essay de la Royne mere, voila pourquoy il
faudroit response.
J'ay envoyé le tableau de Titian par le Gentilhomme servant
de Mons' de Fiat.*
* Orig. Hol. Tan. lxxiii. 392.
346
THE COURT OF
CONWEY TO BUCKINGHAM.
[Proceedings against Middlesex and Bristol.]
GRACIOUS PATron,
FEAR to trouble you, and hope to serve you
here, as duties do suspend my duty of attending
you in this absence, makes it seem long as being
heavy to bear.
Mr. Chancellor* hath acquainted his Highness,
or myself, with all that he hath endeavored con-
cerning the Earl of Middlesex; between whom
and your Grace his faith and affection admits no
comparison. Yet finding that his agency may
be misjudged by such lookers-on as collect by
effects, though, by the sense of his own integrity,
he be confident of your Grace's good construc-
tion, yet he would gladly be drawn off by your
Grace's good pleasure and favor from this trust
and employment, which he undertook with your
Grace's consent.
And humbly I present my opinion, my belief
witnessing that his heart is upright to you, it
were better his sufficiency, good fashion, and
natural earnestness were reserved for the public
or your important service, and not let go to as-
sist and serve their turns whose prosperity they
themselves seek not by you, nor will employ
for you.
* Bishop Williams.
KING JAMES.
347
The Earl of Bristol's interrogatories are pre-
paring; but, besides the slow pace they go, the
King, I hope, hath satisfied your Grace that they
shall attend your presence with your ease and
conveniency. The venom of the Spanish party,
I trust, is past. The list of the colonels and
captains I send you herewith. The fifth regi-
ment hath cost strife and industry, but was
taken [for] the best remedy, but that lord hath
quit it.
As men thrash hens at Shrovetide, I do your
business; and if I displease you not much, I
am bound to your favorable interpretation and
my good fortune, for never strong faith and
affection was more in the dark for want of direc-
tions.
His Majesty hath propounded to himself a
good way, I hope, for his entire satisfaction, with-
out speaking himself with the friar, or present-
ing him; whereof the account shall be given you
when the letter is written to Sir Walter Aston,
and approved by his Majesty, which I will first
show to the Prince.
There now riseth a question between Oxford
and Southampton for precedency. Upon this
distinction Oxford would have given place (if
the regiments had been joined) as to the elder
soldier; but, going divided equally, he will not
give away his birthright.
Upon unkindness between Oxford and Sir
348
THE COURT OF
John Wentworth, he protests against having him
in his regiment, and the rest do so too; these
two points are to be decided by the Prince.
Another exception is alleged against Sir John
Wentworth for his religion.
I hope this morning will put an end to the
business with the East India merchants for the
monies to be disposed to Mr. Oliver for the
Navy.
Gracious Patron, forgive me that I have not
put so soon end to your trouble as I meant; of
your goodness, pass by my defects, and see in
me only that I am
Your Grace's most humble servant,
Greenwich, 14th of June 1624.
EDW. CONWEY.*
VILLIERS HOLMAN TO THE CARDINAL RICHELIEU.
MY LORD,
I FEEL myself obliged to tell you what I learn
from the mouths and from the letters of some
well-informed English, and also by my conjec-
tures, that the difficulties that are on this side
MONSEIGNEUR,
Je me sens obligé de vous dire ce que j'appren par les voix
& par les lettres de quelques Anglois bien sensez, et encores
par ma conjecture, que les difficultez que l'on fait dedeça pour-
* Orig. Tan. lxxiii. 356, 381.
KING JAMES.
349
thrown in the way may either retard or break
up altogether the good design of this marriage;
for they maintain, and it is true, that the Kings
of England have not an authority so absolute
that they can revoke the laws and statutes made
and authorised by the Parliament, who are the
three estates of the realm; which laws they hold
for fundamental. However, the Kings may, in
the execution of these, in some degree relax
the rigour; and thus the present King insisted
at the dismissal of the last meeting of Parlia-
ment. They say besides, that never in any simi-
lar treaty of marriage between Princes of different
religions was more demanded than liberty of the
person, house, and domestics; as, among other
instances, it appears by an article expressly touch-
ing that which was projected between the late
Duke of Anjou and Alençon, and the late Queen
roient ou reculer ou rumpre tout à fait le bon dessein de ce
mariage; car ils soustienent, et est vray, que les Rois d'Angle-
terre n'ont pas une authorité si absolue qu'ils puissent revocquer
les loix & les statuts faits & authorisez par le Parlement, qui
sont les trois estats du royaume, lesqles loix ils tienent pour
fondamentales. Bien peuvent les Rois en l'execution d'icelles
se relascher aucunement de la rigueur, et ainsi la stipulé d'eux
le Roy d' à present au licenciement de ceste derniere assemblée
dude Parlement. Disent en outre que jamais en traitez sem-
blables de mariage entre Princes de differente religion on n'a
demandé autre liberté que pour la persone, maison & domes-
tiques, come entre autres il apprit par article deprés de celuy
qui fut projetté entre feu M. le Duc d'Anjou & d'Alençon et la
350
THE COURT OF
**
Elizabeth of England; and after, by a several and
secret article between M. le Duc de Bar, last
Duke of Lorraine, and the late Madame, sister
of the deceased King; and also by others, which
can be produced if need be. That to demand
more, is not only to seek an impossibility, but
also to impose a law upon a King; and that
in a similar case, any who required more than
what his most Christian Majesty has granted to
his Protestant subjects, would offend him by it,
and his services be dispensed with. That al-
though there were clauses and conditions on
the subject of religion, written as is said by
the King of England, and attached to the dis-
pensation of the Pope last deceased; yet that
the present one (better informed by Padre Mae-
stro, who went express to Rome last year,) had
prudently withdrawn himself from it, seeing
feue Royne Elizabeth d'Angleterre, et depuis par article a part
& secret entre M. le Duc de Bar dernier Duc de Lorraine &
feue Madame sœur du Roy defunt, et encore par autres que
l'on pourra produire si besoin est. Que demander davantage
c'est non seulement vouloir l'impossible, mais aussi imposer loy
à un souverain, et que en cas pareil qui requerroit davantage
que ce que S. M. Tres-Chrestiene a accordé à ses subjets de la
religion l'offenseroit et en seroit esconduit. Que bien qu'il y
ait eu clauses & conditions au fait de la religion conscritez come
on dit par le Roy d'Angleterre & attachées à la dispense du
Pape dernier decedé, toutes fois que celuy d'aujourdhuy, mieux
informé par Padre Maestro qui fut expres à Rome l'an passé,
s'en estoit prudemment departi, voyant que le Prince de Galles
KING JAMES.
351
that the Prince of Wales would by no means
hear of it. Besides, the Parliament of England
has been since held that has revived the ancient
laws against the Recusants, as they call them.
Also that the said Prince was, as it were,
detained in Spain, for whose liberty the King
his father had (
to give or
engage the half of his kingdom. In the third
place, that the said King might promise him-
self the entire restitution of the Palatinate, by
the sole request and authority of the King of
Spain with those who hold its fortresses and
principal places; a thing that he cannot hope of
the King of France, nor of any other Prince in
Christendom. It is also to be considered that
Don Carlos de Coloma, the Embassador Extraor-
dinary of Spain, is still in that court, who, with
that of Brabant, continues his efforts and dili-
n'y vouloit aucunement entendre. Joint que le Parlem¹ d'An-
gleterre a esté tenu depuis que a fait revivre les loix antienes
contre les Recusans, ainsi qu'ils les appellent. D'aileurs que le
dt Prince estoit come detenu en Espagne por la liberté duquel
le Roy son pere eust, s'il crust pere, donner ou engager la
moitié de son royaume. En troisieme lieu que ledt Roy se
pouvoit promettre la restitution entiere du Palatinat par la seule
priere et authorité du Roy d'Espagne vers ceux qui en tienent
les forteresses & places principales, chose qu'il ne peut esperer
du Roy de France ne d'autre Prince en la Christienté. Est
aussi à considerer que Dom Carlos de Coloma, Embassadeur
Extraordre d'Espagne, est encores en ceste Court là, lequel avec
celuy de Brabant y continue ses efforts & diligences à fin, s'il
352
THE COURT OF
gence there, in order, if it be possible, to form
a connexion with the said King, making un-
derhandedly plausible offers for the said restitu-
tion of the Palatinate; and they are expecting
there, for the same purpose, Don Hurtado de
Mendoça, whom the King of Spain sends to
reside there in the place of the said Coloma;
whilst, by their correspondence on this side, they
set in motion the same springs to traverse the
said treaty, relying on the facility of the said
King to be able to reimpress him with that
opinion of the Spanish character, which the Prince
his son and the Duke of Buckingham have not
yet been able entirely to efface. But the worst
for the Catholics would be, if he were to accept the
offer made to him by some of the principal men of
the last Parliament,—that is, to furnish him from
his subjects with as much as France would give
in dowry to Madame the sister of the King,—pro-
est possible, de renouer avec ledt Roy, faisans sous mains des
offres plausibles de ladte restitution du Palatinat, et y attendent
encor au mesme effet Don Hurtado de Mendoça que le Roy
d'Espagne y envoye resider au lieu dudt Coloma, pendant que
par leurs correspondans dedeça ils font jouer les mesmes resorts.
pour traverser lade traité, se promettans de la facilité dudt Roy
de luy pouvoir rimprimer le charactere Espagnol que le Prince
son fils & le Duc de Buckingham ne luy ont encore sçeu bone-
ment effacer. Mais le pis pour les Catholiques seroit s'il ac-
ceptoit les offres que luy ont fait faire aucuns des principaux
du dernier Parlem', qui est de luy fournir par ses subjets autant
que la France voudra donner en dot à Madame sœur du Roy,
KING JAMES.
353
vided that the said Prince marry a Princess of
his own religion, to the end, say they, that he may
liberate himself from these importunities of Rome
and bind himself with the Protestant party in a
more strict and more confidential alliance,-the
whole to the exclusion of the Catholics, and by
this means to avoid all factions and divisions in
their state; besides, that by such a confederation
with Denmark, Sweden, Holland, the Hanseatic
Towns, and other Protestant Princes and States,
their King would imperceptibly find himself the
most powerful prince of his party in Europe, as
well for defence as for any enterprise against
others.
That the recovery of the Palatinate is not so
important to them, nor have they it so much at
heart, as the preservation of their religion and
their state. And that, in any event, the King of
pourvu que led' Prince espouse une Princesse de sa religion,
à fin, disent-ils, de se liberer de ces importunitez de Rome, et
destreindre avec le party Protestant une alliance et plus estroite
et plus confidente, le tout à l'exclusion entiere des Catholiques,
& par ce moyen eviter toutes factions & divisions en leur estat ;
outre que par une telle confederation avec Danemarck, Suede,
Hollande, Villes Anseatiques, et autres Princes & Estats Pro-
testants, leur Roy se trouveroit insensiblement le plus puissant
Prince de son party en l'Europe, tant pour se garantir que pour
entreprendre sur autruy.
Que le recouvrement du Palatinat ne leur est si important,
ni si à cœur, que la conservation de leur religion et de leur es-
tat. Et qu'en tout evenement le Roy de la G. Bretagne a
2 A
VOL. II.
354
THE COURT OF
Great Britain has plenty of lands and countries
whence to give part and appanage to the children
of his daughter, waiting for the said recovery;
for the rest, not recognising any difference be-
tween the French Mass and that of Spain, nor
between the Spanish Jesuit and the French, save
that the last has this advantage, of having but
a three hours' voyage to pass and repass to Eng-
land. So too they hold it a mistake to think
that the Jesuits of England or France wish more
for the marriage with France than with Spain,
as the said Jesuits have sufficiently testified by
their letters and their discourses since the rup-
ture of the treaty with Spain. The same it is
with the Benedictines of England, brought up
and instructed for the most part in the schools
and seminaries of Spain and Flanders; who, to
render odious and fruitless our negociation with
assez de terres & pais pour y doner part & appanage aux enfans
de sa fille, attendant ledt recouvrement: ne recognoissant au
reste aucune difference entre la Meste de France & celle d'Es-
pagne, ni entre le Jesuite Espagnol & le François, sinon que
le dernier a cest avantage de n'avoir que trois heures de trajet
pour passer & repasser en Angleterre. Aussi tiennent-ils pour
erreur de croire que les Jesuites Anglois ou François souhaitent
plus le mariage avec la France qu'avec l'Espagne, come lesdts
Jesuites l'ont asses tesmoigné par leurs lettres & par leurs dis-
cours depuis la rupture du traité avec l'Espagne. Le mesme
est-il des Benedictins Anglois, nourris & instruits pour la plus-
part es escholes & seminaires d'Espagne & de Flandre, lesquils
pour rendre odieuse & infructieuse nostre negociation avec
KING JAMES.
355
England, publish falsely that persecution has
there recommenced against the Catholics: add,
that it can be said with truth, that in England,
Germany, and the Low Countries, whoever is
Catholic by profession is a Jesuit in feeling and
a Spaniard in his inclinations; so that they are
all so many servants and creatures of Spain,
and enemies that France will have in England
and in all that climate. It remains then, my
lord, to consider of the utility or inutility of
this treaty for France in the present state of
Christendom, and of the prodigious progress that
the Spaniards have been making around us for
some years past, and their refusal to execute the
treaty of Madrid and to restore the Valteline to
its primitive state; bearing in mind the displea-
sure that we had at seeing the Prince of Wales
pass into Spain, and the gratification that we
l'Angleterre, publient faussement que la persecution y est re-
commencée contre les Catholiques. Joint qu'il se peut dire
avec verité que soit en Angleterre, Allemagne, ou Pais Bas, qui-
conque est Catholique de profession est Jesuite d'affection et
Espagnol d'inclination; tellement que ce sont autant de servi-
teurs & creatures pour l'Espagnol et d'enemis que la France
aura en Angleterre et en tout ce climat là. Reste donc, Mon-
seigneur, à considerer de l'utilité ou inutilité de ce traité pour la
France en l'estat present de la Chrestienté & du progrez pro-
digieux qu'ont fait les Espagnols autour de nous depuis plus.
d'années et du refus qu'ils font d'executer le traité de Madrid
& remettre la Valteline au premier estat; nous ressouvenans
du desplaisir que nous eusmes de voir passer le Prince de Galles
2 A 2
356
THE COURT OF
have since had at seeing him return without
doing any thing, so that we may not twice stum-
ble at the same stone.
21st July 1624.
GERBIER TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
MY LORD,
BEING arrived at Gravesend, I have seen and
spoken with Mons' de Fiat the Embassador, and
have had a pretty long conversation with him con-
cerning our affairs; I say our, because your Excel-
lency's satisfaction makes me imagine myself a
en Espagne, & du contentement que nous avons eu depuis de le
voir revenir sans rien faire, à fin que ne choppions deux fois à
une mesme pierre.
21 Juillet 1624.
*
Endorsed "Copie de lettre du Sieur de Villiers Holman à
Mrs les Cardin. de Richelieu, Garde des Sceaux, & la Vieuville."
MONSEIGNEUR,
ARIVANT à Gravesande, j'ay veu et parlé à Mons. de Fiat
l'Embassadeur, et ay eu assez long discours avecques luy
touchant nos affaires; je dis nos, parce que le contentement
d'icelle me faict imaginer que j'ay part. Il m'a donné grande
* Tan. lxxiii. 377.
KING JAMES.
357
party. He gave me great hopes, entreating me to
return, unless going on some other business; but
I did not think that a good prescription, for we
must make haste. He wished to manage the
matters by time alone, and the whole must fall
into your hands; that the King of France (when
your Excellency shall be at Paris), and all the
others, will give all that they have of them;
but, as your Excellency knows, this is too far
off, for often one hunts the deer and another
eats the venison. I believe that it will be ne-
cessary, when Mons' de Fiat is at Newmarket, to
tell him not to mention the pieces about which
I spoke to him. From what I have remarked,
I think that he wishes to talk about them to
Mons de la Villoclair; for Mons' de Fiat has
said, that within four or five days he will write
esperance, me conjurant de retourner sy je n'alois pour aultre
affaire; mais je ne trouvois ce remedde là bon, car il se faut
hatter. Il desiroit les manier seul avecque temps, et qu'il
falloit que tout cela tombat entre vos mains; que le Roy de
France, lors que vos. Exc. sera à Paris, et tout les aultres, donne-
ront tout ce qu'ils en ont; mais, comme vos. Exc. sçait, sela
tire trop long, car souvent l'on chasse la venaison, et un aultre
en mange. Je croy qu'il sera nessesaire, lors que Mons' de Fiat
sera à Nieuvomarket, de luy dire qu'il ne parle pas des piesses
que je luy ay parlé; à ce que j'ay remarqué, je croy qu'il en
veust comuniquer à Mons' de la Villoclair, car Mons' de Fiat
m'a dict que pendant quatre ou cinq jours qu'il m'escrivera. Il
358
THE COURT OF
to me. He was very importunate to know the
business about which they had spoken with me,
and who the man was; saying to me, Tell us,
and we will take care that you shall succeed in
the object of your voyage. I would rather that
they did to me what the Spanish devils did to
my father, than that I should be the cause of
sorrow to any person. He said to me, Without
doubt, it is some financier: but I told him I did
not know; that all I knew was, the mere offer
which I had represented to your Excellency, and
which your Excellency took in bad part; and that
your Excellency had replied to me, that you did
not desire any other favor but to purchase with
your own money, without wishing to trespass on
the liberality of a Prince so just.
m'a fort importunné pour sçaveoir quelle estoit l'affaire que l'on
m'avoit parlé, et quelle estoit l'homme, me disant, Dittes, et nous
ferons que vous gaignerez bien vostre voyage. J'aimerois mieu
que l'on me fist ce que les diables d'Espagnols firent à mon
pere, que je serois cause de l'afliction d'auqune personne. Il
me dit, Sens doutte, c'est quelque finansier; mais je luy respondia
que je ne savois, seulement que je ne cognoissois que la simple
offre laquelle j'avois representée à vostre Exc. laquelle vos. Exc.
prist en mauvaise part, et qu'icelle m'avoit respondu, que vous
ne desiriez aultre faveur que d'achepter de vostre argent propre,
sens vouloir tenter sur les faveurs liberalles d'un Prince sy
Juste.*
*He alludes to the appellation given to Louis XIII.-the
Just.
KING JAMES.
359
I shall wait at Paris in pious expectation that
Mons' de Fiat will write, and I will not fail never-
theless to do my best. It is true, according to
Mons' de Fiat, that all seems very likely to fall
into our hands, and that haste would add nothing
save the fear of the man your Excellency knows
of.
Mons' de Fiat tells me he thinks of going to
Rome; it would not be amiss to make a trial of
his assistance; if he only does something for the
present, I shall be like the Catholics, who believe
in a saint when they see a miracle.
I dare not detain your Excellency longer in
perusing this; but will only say, I have made
a model for the somters, which I have given to
M. Olivier that he may send it to your Excel-
lency.
I believe there is velvet enough to be had in
J'attenderay à Paris en bonne devotion sy Mons¹ de Fiat
escrivera, et ne failliray pour tout cela de faire mon mieux; il
est vray, comme dit Mons' de Fiat, que tout cela nous dûst tom-
ber entre les mains, et que le hatter n'y adjouteroit rien sinon
la crainte de cést homme que vos. Exc. sçait.
Mons' de Fiat m'a dict qu'il pense aller à Rome, il ne seroit
pas mauvais de faire essay de son assistance; s'il faict seulement
quelque chose pour le present, je resembleray les Catoliques,
lesquels croient en un sainct, quand ils voient un miracle.
Je n'oserois tenir vos. Exc. plus long-temps en lecture, seule-
ment diray que j'ay faict faire un patron pour les somters, (?)
lequel j'ay donné à Mr Olivier affin qu'il l'envoye à vos. Exc.
Je croy que l'on trouvera du velours assez à Londres, et ay
360
THE COURT OF
London, and I have taken the size of the apart-
ment; it will contain twelve somters, each of
which will have seventeen ells of velvet. I have
found so many things to employ me at York
House that I could hardly get out of it, and
before my departure they commenced paving the
grand chamber. I have also given orders to make
the model for Newhall, and the carpenter will
show it to your Excellency as soon as it is done.
I pray God, my lord, that all that I do may suc-
ceed to your contentment.
The surveyor Inigo Jones has been at York
House to see the house, and he was like one
surprised and abashed. It would only require
me to get the reversion of his place to be an
eye-sore to him, for he is very jealous of it.
He almost threw himself on his knees for your
Secretary of Titian, which I beg your Excellency
mesuré la chambre; elle contiendra douse somters, chaqun d'i-
ceux aura dixsept aulnes de velours. J'ay trouvé tant de soins
et de choses à m'emploier à Jork hous qu'à peynne en pouvois
je sortir, et avant ma despartie l'on a commencé à paver la
grande chambre. J'ay aussy donné ordre pour faire la modelle
pour Nieuwhalle, (?) et le charpentier la montrera à vos. Exc.
sy tost qu'elle sera faitte. Je prie à Dieu, Mons', que tout ce
que je fasse reussise à vos. contentement.
Le surveyor Enigo Jons a esté à Jorck hous pour veoir la
mayson, et estoit comme confus et honteux. Il ne me faudroit
plus que la revertion de sa plasse, pour luy faire aveoir la gra-
velle, car il en est fort jaloux. Il s'est presque mis à genoux
pour vostre Secretaire de Titian, que je suplie à vos. Exc. de
KING JAMES.
361
to examine a little more leisurely. May God
enrich us with others as good, and grant me the
happiness of being the bearer of them; and per-
mit me always to remain in the happy condition
of being allowed to call myself,
My Lord, your Excellency's
Very humble and very faithful servant,
Gravesend, 2nd Dec. 1624.
B. GERBIER.
DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM TO KING JAMES.
[Upon certain sums to be given for honors at court.]
DERE DAD AND GOSSOPE,
WATT STEWARD hath bine withe me this morn-
ing to tell me your Majesty was well inclined
to make Sir Francis Vaine an Erle for hime.* I
answered, that I could hardlie beleeue it, but if
he would be contented that Sir Frances Stward
bien regarder un peu plus à loisir, Dieu nous veuille enrichir
d'aultres aussy bonnes; et me fasse ce bonheur d'en raporter,
et demeurer tousjours sous ce bien heureux estate, que je me
puisse nommer tousjours d'estre,
Monseigneur, de vos. Exc.
Le tres humble et tres fidelle serviteur,
De Gravesande, ce 2 Dec. 1624.
B. GERBIER.
* Sir Fr. Vane made Earl of Westmoreland, Dec. 1624,
362
THE COURT OF
might share with him, I would be a suter to
your Majesty for them in that for the present,
and hereafter, as occation would serue, for som-
thing else; but with this condition, that he would
perswade my Lord Hauton to giue fiue or six
thousand to be another, which monie I tould him
I desired to make use of my self. Upon this he
fell upon another sute he hath had to your Ma-
jesty, of being a groume in your bedchamber, of
which he sayeth he hath had a promis from you.
I answered in this, he must giue me leaue abso-
lutelie to thinke otherwise; whereupon he asked
me if it were trew, whether I would not be con-
tented with it. I tould him playnelie, as I oft-
times haue before, I thought him not fitt for it,
neyther would I promis him anie assistance in it.
My resons I shall giue your Majesty when I
shall haue the hapines to kis your hands. Thus
much I thought fitt in the meane time to acquaint
you with. So I craue your blissing as
Your most humble slaue and doge,
STINIE.
Euen as I was seleing of this, Kate and I re-
seued another present from you, for which wee
giue you our humble thanks. Your presents are
so greate, wee can not eate them so fast as the[y]
come.*
* Orig. Hol. Tan. Ixxiii. 403.
KING JAMES.
363
CONWEY TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
[Arrival and reception of the French Embassador Villeaux
Clercs.]
GRACIOUS PAtron,
WHEN I came yesterday to this town, Mons.
Villeaux Clercs was not then arrived. I met
therefore with the colonels, who, upon the first
remonstrance, saw their own errors; took satisfac-
tion; only gave some few requests, which are
proper enough to be mediated for them accord-
ing to their use and necessity, as far as the wis-
dom of the Lords and former precedents shall
warrant. Their best satisfaction I will endea-
vour, for which the Council meets this after-
noon.
Yesterday, about three o'clock, the embassador
arrived. About five I went to him, and delivered
him his Majesty's welcome to this town, the con-
tentment his Majesty received to hear of his safe
landing, the joy his Majesty had in the cause of
his employment, which was enlarged by the accep-
tation of his person, who, by many singular good
offices in this so near and dear a negociation had
continued a declaration of that successive affec-
tion which had formerly been imparted by his
predecessors and family to the house and person
of his Majesty. Either this did create a lively
apprehension, or he formed and acted exceeding
readily a passionate joy for the honor done him
364
THE COURT OF
by his Majesty, which he acknowledged with as
zealous and affectionate expressions as was possi-
ble, with as humble demonstrations in his person,
and as hearty and humble terms as could be de-
livered. And he is furnished to speak himself,
and inform another, as lively and effectually as
any man I have met with. And, to confirm the
words the more, he gave more respect to my
person than it could be worthy of, even as it
was honored with the employment; but that he
would seem to show and see the spirit of his Ma-
jesty in that particular and timely honor and
favor done to him.
My Lord Chamberlain being not certain to be
found, I desired, by a letter to him, the assign-
ment of an hour and a place where I might
attend him. This morning, at nine o'clock, I
waited on him at Whitehall, where I met him
with my Lord Steward and my Lord Marshal ;
and they then deliberated with Sir Lewis Lew-
kenor* touching the journey of the embassadors,
which, for the greatness of the train and number
of clothes, could not begin before Tuesday; so
as they made account on Thursday the embassa-
dors should be at Cambridge. And, for con-
gruity, they wished that his Majesty would be
pleased to be there on Wednesday; and so the
embassadors come to him, and he not come to
them. Divers household considerations were
* Master of the Ceremonies.
KING JAMES.
365
likewise thought on, as the division of provisions
and the attending ministers. And, as I conceived
by their discourse, they understood the embassa-
dors thought of staying there ten days. I told
them my collection from the embassador was,
that they would make much more haste. I de-
sired, in your Grace's name, my Lord Chamber-
lain's advice what from the King, what from your
particular, might be done of honor to the em-
bassador, and that with best lustre. To this he
said, the place must be Cambridge, Newmarket
being able to bear nothing of grace; that, on the
King's part, the general entertainment would be
as good as is possible; that the King gave them
one meal at his own table; and that his Majesty
must be pleased to send to my Lord of Suffolk
to lend furniture of two lodgings for the embas-
sadors, with drawing-rooms and a dining-room;
and likewise to give order, as most proper to his
authority, for all that can be added by the Uni-
versity. For your particular, he thought it most
convenient for you to present him with horses,
except you would exceed further with any other
kind of present. He thought it might be con-
venient for you to treat them [with] one meal,
which he thought would be more proper and con-
venient for you to do at Cambridge than here.
For the present to be given to the embassador,
my Lord Chamberlain can think of none so fit
as Sir John Eyre's diamond, esteemed at £3000,
366
THE COURT OF
richly worth £2000, at which rate the King may
have it, and is about the value he thinks fit to be
given.
This day I visited the Marquis d'Effiat, and
showed him the confidence your Grace had in
him, by your freedom to counsel with him in
what, or how, honor might be done to Mons. Vil-
leaux Clerc, or what particular you might do to
make out your own† * * * intentions to
honor and serve him. [The Marquis] expressed
much contentment in this inwar[d]
affection; protested that his respect to you, and
confidence in you, deserved it, and should de-
serve it by clear faith to you; but seemed to be
sorry that you asked him his advice in things
already done, (and to show his clearness, he made
a relation of all that had been done,) which al-
though, he said, had been so fully as had satisfied
all that could be expected, yet he observed some
escapes, errors, or neglects, which had been well
excused,-would take up time to relate, and there-
fore I spare them until I wait on you. But he
protested, in all that was noble and excessive, out
of many collections your hand was seen in every
part. And he could not satisfy himself to express
the honor, satisfaction, and contentment Mons.
Villeaux Clercs took for the express honor his
Majesty had done to him by sending of me to
† Torn off.
KING JAMES.
367
perform him the office I did just at his arrival.
Insomuch, as he protested, Villeaux Clercs found
himself so overloaden with the honors done him,
as he desires to discharge the guards and train of
officers as marks of more greatness than he was
capable of. So as, in conclusion, the Marquis
could not devise what to do more, where all, and
more than enough, was done.
But this I did gather from him, that they did
expect a ball, or masquerade, before the King,
or privately with you. That they did expect (to
use his own word) a blue ribbon to bid them
welcome to Cambridge: and, groping as well as
I could at the time and manner of disposing it
there, I collect that they hope to find the King
at Cambridge on Thursday night; on Friday
to have a public audience; the same day, or Sa-
turday, to have a private access to the King; to
have a day with you, and then to fashion and
put in order the work and acts as they must be
done; a day between, and then an audience for
a farewell.
I did forget, in its due place, to tell your Grace
that the Lord Steward, Lord Marshal, and Lord
Chamberlain debated concerning their visiting of
the embassador before audience; and finding no
precedents, unwilling to bring up new fashions,
they concluded in the negative.
I send this by an express, that he may return
with your pleasure if any thing be to be com-
368
THE COURT OF
manded, if it should be nothing else but to
command me not to write so long letters. Your
Grace may be pleased to pardon this, so as not
to think me the less worthy to be
Your Grace's most humble servant,
EDW. CONWEY.*
London, Dec. 4, 1624.
SIR WALTER ASTON TO THE DUKE.
[Dispute between Olivares and Gondomar.]
ON the 16th of this month st. vet. the Conde
of Gondomar, being set in council, had order
notified unto him by the Sec. Don Andres de
Prada to put himself upon the way for England
on the Thursday following. The day after the
Conde had received this command, he wrote a
letter unto Don Fernando Giron, entreating him
that he would move the Conde of Olivares to
excuse him altogether of the journey, for divers
reasons which he expressed in his letter. The
Conde of Olivares seemed to take this extremely
ill, the Conde of Gondomar having before ac-
cepted of the employment; and the storm is at
the height betwixt them, that they speak not to
one another. Don Pedro de Toledo and Don
Fernando Giron have performed to and fro divers
diligences betwixt them, but what will be the
Orig. Tan. Ixxiii. 397.
KING JAMES.
369
issue, I know not: divers of the Conde of Gon-
domar's friends tell me that he desires to excuse
himself of the journey; the Conde of Olivares
having offered him a meaner despatch than he
thought fit for the giving his Majesty satisfac-
tion, and that by this means he hopes to get am-
ple instructions concerning the business of the
Palatinate. Those that are inward with the
Conde of Olivares tell me that no excuse shall
serve the Conde of Gondomar, but it is resolved
he shall go: what the mystery is I dare not-give
my judgment of, only I have thought fit to ad-
vertise your honor what passes at present; as I
shall likewise be careful to let you understand
what follows.† * * *
Madrid, 24 of Xr 1624.
GERBIER TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
*** SOMETIMES when I am contemplating the
treasure of rarities which your Excellency has in
so short a time amassed, I cannot but feel aston-
ishment in the midst of my joy. For out of all
QUAND je contemple auqune fois le tresor de
raretéz que vos. Exc. a amassé en sy peu de temps, je ne me
puis que estonner au milieu de la joye. Car de tout les ama-
† Harl. 1580. p. 60.
2 B
VOL. II.
370
THE COURT OF
the amateurs, and Princes and Kings, there is not
one who has collected in forty years as many
pictures as your Excellency has collected in five.
Let enemies and people ignorant of paintings say
what they will, they cannot deny that pictures
are noble ornaments, a delightful amusement,
and histories that one may read without fatigue,
which neither eat beef, nor drink greedily, nor
feed on oats (as this horse that Mr. Graymes has
given me will do, and for which therefore I take
the liberty of begging your Excellency that I
may have an allowance of oats). Our pictures,
if they were to be sold a century after our death,
would sell for good cash, and for three times
more than they have cost. I wish I could only
live a century, if they were sold, in order to be
able to laugh at those facetious folk who say, It
teurs, Princes et Roys, il n'y en a pas un quy aye amassé en
quarante ans autant que vos. Ex. a amassé de tableaux en
cinq ans. Que les ennemis et ignorants de tableaux disent
ce qu'ils veulent, sy ne pouront ils pas nier que les tableaux
ne soient nobles ornements, recreatifs passes-temps, et his-
toires que l'on list sens pyne, quy ne mengent ny biff ny ne
boivent sec,* ny ne mengent avoynne (comme fera le cheval
que Mons Graymes m'a donné, pour lequel je prens la hardiesse
de supplier à vos. Ex. d'aveoir une livrance d'avoyne). Nos
tableaux, cent ans apres la mort, quand on les vousdroit vendre,
ils vendront tousjours du bon argent, et plus trois fois qu'ils
n'ont cousté. Je vousdrois seulement vivre cent ans pour, sy
l'on vendoist, me pouveoir rire de ces badins quy disent, It is
* Vin sec-sack, canary?
KING JAMES.
371
is monny cast away for bobles and schadows.
I know they will be pictures still, when those
ignorants will be lesser than schadows. So
much for them! But for Mons' Douet, who
like the cat is set to guard the milk, he is a
nice man, only he is a joker: and one picture of
Raphael's is a trifle, a treasure which the kings,
his ancestors, always kept as a holy relic; but
I am not content with that, more must be had;
this is a good beginning for others.
I have been thinking, that if I am at Paris
a fortnight or twelve days, or at soonest before
your Excellency leaves London, it will be time
enough; for then, knowing that your arrival
is near, their minds will be on the watch, and
they will begin to make preparations for re-
ceiving your Excellency, some with blandish-
monny cast away for bobles and schadows. I know they will be pic-
tures still, when those ignorants will be lesser than schadows;
voila pour eux ! Mais, pour Mons' Douet, quy comme le chat
est fait gardien du lait, c'est un brave homme, seulement une
joconde; et un tableau de Raphael c'est peu de chose, un tresor
que les Rois ses ancestres ont tousjours gardé comme sainte
relique, mais je ne suis pas content de cela, il en faut aveoir
davantage, c'est un bon commencement aux aultres.
J'ay consideré que quand je seray à Paris quinse ou douze
jours, ou d'au plus tost avant que v. Exc. partte de Londres
que sera temps assez, car alors eux sachant que vos. venue
sera prochaine, leurs esprits se reveilleront et comenceront à
s'aprester à recevoir v. Exc. les uns par caresses, et autres par
2 B2
372
THE COURT OF
ments, and others with presents. Then, in my
opinion, it will be a fitter time to strike the
iron while it is hot, and to fire the tow, than
if I got there a long while beforehand. The
unstable humour of the French grows weary of
the presence it is accustomed to; but, as I say,
arriving there with the news of your approach-
ing visit, it will be, Oh, here he is returned !
and then we shall see the gentry in ecstasy.
And if it is only required to represent the atti-
tude of Hercules holding a golden chain in his
mouth, I shall play my part well; but we must
proceed softly, and always keep hold of one
end of the chain to draw still more souls out of
Purgatory. I am vexed that I was prevented
from delivering the letter to Mons" Chevreuse,
for I had a great notion it would have worked
presens. Allors je croy en mon opignon que sera le temps plus
propre à battre le fer eschauffé, et mettre le feu aux etoupes,
que sy je me trouvois là long-temps auparavant; d'une acous…
tumée presence l'instabile humeur Françoise s'en lasse, mais,
comme je dits, arivant là avecque les nouvelles de vostre pro-
chain voyage, ce sera, Ho, le voicy revenu! et allors l'on vera
les Mons" aux boutades. Et s'yl ne manque qu'à representer
la posture d'Hercule quy tenoit une chaine d'or en bouche,
je joueray bien mon personnage; mais il faut aller tout belle-
ment, et tenir tousjours l'un bout de la chaine pour tirer encore
aultres ames de Purgatoire. Je suis mary que j'ay esté inte-
ron pu à delivrer la lettre à Mons' de Chevreuse, car j'avois
grande opinion qu'elle eusse fait miracle, ce n'eust esté qu'une
KING JAMES.
373
a miracle; it would only have been abundance
of courtesy, for he knows just as well that your
Excellency has got his picture. I wish I could
meet with somebody going post to Paris, so that
I might write and send news to my mounte-
bank earlier than by the ordinary communi-
cation. For I should like him to detach a
Saint Michael of Raphael's. I have written to
him again to-day, but the ordinary couriers are
so long on the road. I have given him pro-
mises, but this rogue must not be chained up
till he has done some more mischief. I have
written to him also about the horse and several
other things. But I see I am almost at the end
of my paper. To conclude: if your Excellency
will only give me time to mine quietly, I will fill
Newhall with paintings, so that foreigners will
abondance de courtoisie, car aussy bien sait-il que v. Ex.
a son tableau. Je vousdrois pouvoir rencontrer quelq'un quy
allat en poste à Paris pour pouveoir escripre et envoyer nou-
velles à mon charlatan plustost que les messages ordinaires.
Car je vousdrois bien qu'il me detaschat un St. Michel de
Raphael. Je luy ay encore escript aujourdhuy, mais les mes-
sagers ordinaires sont long-temps en chemain. Je luy ay donné
des promesses, mais il ne faut pas que ce laron soit enchainné
avant qu'il aye faict plus de mal. Je luy ay escript aussy du
cheval et de plusieurs aultres choses. Mais, à ce que je vois, je
suis bien tost au bout de mon papier. Pour finir: de pintures, sy
v. Exc. seulement me donne temps de miner tout doucement,
je veux remplir Nieuwhal, que les etrangers i viendront en
374
THE COURT OF
come there in procession; but we must proceed
very quietly. Tuesday the paving the cabinet with
marble begins, which will be the grandest thing
in the kingdom; but it will be at least three
weeks before it is finished. I am very desirous
of your presence; but I should be glad not to
see you for three weeks, for we are whiting the
ceilings, which had not been whitewashed be-
fore, so that we have got scaffolding every-
where. I should like all to be clean before
your arrival, and that all should be done before
I set out for France. I protest I could not
sleep quietly, if I was in France, for thinking
of my house. Madame has not given orders
about the furniture of Persian cloth of gold,
nor for matting the other apartments; that
should be done in time, for new mats for a
prosession; mais il faut aller tout doucement. Ce Mardy on
comence à paver le cabinet de marbre, quy sera la plus noble
chose de ce royaume; mais sera bien trois semaines avant que
soit finy. Je souhaitte fort vos. presence, mais je vousdrois
bien ne vous veoir en trois semains, car nous blanchisons les
voutes quy n'avoyent pas encore esté blanchies, tellement que
nous avons des chaffaux par tout. Je voudrois que tout
fust nett avant vos. arrivée, et que tout fust faict avant que
je m'en aille en France. Je proteste que je ne pouvois dormir
à repos estant en France tousjours pensant en ma mayson.
Madame n'a point donné ordre pour des cheres à la fourniture
de toille d'or de Persse, ny pour matter les aultres chambres;
cela devroit estre faict en temps, car les mattes neuves ont
KING JAMES.
375
month or two have an ill smell. Half of our
Dutch mats are come. Mr. Crow will have the
dress with pearl ornaments made at Boulogne ;
the patterns I send, the larger is not made
to my fancy. My design was for the compart-
ments to be small, and the flowers too; which
might be changed in the working, and be made
as small as one pleased. The one is for the in-
side, the other for the outside. There is the name
of the Prince and of Madame, and the roses and
lilies combined; that is for the inside of the
mantle. This is only a little paper lost, and it is
late too, and it would cost near twelve hundred
pounds sterling. This will be some day for the
wedding of a young Charles. I wish your Ex-
cellency would decide about the water at York
House, for it is time; you must resolve to ex-
pour un mois ou deux une fortte senteur. La moitié de nos
mattes de Hollande sont venues. Mr. Crow fera faire l'abit
de perle à chausse à Boullon; les patrons que j'envoye, le plus
grand n'a pas esté faict à ma fantasie. Mon dessain estoit que
les compartements seroient petits, et aussy les fleurs; ce que
l'on pouvoit changer à l'ouvrage, et le faire aussy petit que
l'on veust. L'un c'est pour le dedens, et l'aultre pour le dehors.
Il y a le nom du Prince et de Madame, et les roses et les lis
cogointes, sela est pour le dedans du manteau. Ce n'est q'un
peu de papier perdu, car aussy bien est il tard, et cousteroit
pres de douse cents livres sterlincx.
Ce sera quelque jour pour
les nopces d'un jeusne Charles.
Je vousdrois que v. Exc.
voulut resoudre pour de l'eau à Jorck hous, car il est temps;
376
THE COURT OF
pend four hundred pounds, and to do the whole
with leaden pipes, not earthen ones, which are
not so safe.
My Lord, with clasped hands, &c.
8th Feb. 1624-1625.
B. GERBIER.
SIR R. HEATH AND SIR T. COVENTRY TO THE
DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
[Proceedings against Lady Purbeck the Duke's sister, and Sir
Robert Howard.]
MOST NOBLE LORD,
WE have, since our last letters to your Grace,
attended the Lord Chief Justice several days for
further examination of the business of your bro-
ther the Lord Purbeck, in which we have gained
some good purpose more than before, to give
satisfaction that the child was not begotten by
the Lord Purbeck; so as the Lord Chief Justice
il faut s'y resoudre de dependre quatre cents livres, et de faire
tout en pipes de plomb, et non en terre, cela n'est pas sy
soeur.
Monseigneur, à mains jointes, &c.
B. GERBIER.*
Ce 8 Feb. 1624-1625.
Orig. Tan. lxxiii.
KING JAMES.
377
and we do hold the purpose laid together to be
strong for that point, and the suspicions to be
violent and strong against Sir Robert Howard,
though we cannot yet gain any express confession
from parties, or testimony of witnesses, that can
directly prove him guilty of the act of adultery
with her. But, all being laid together, we hold
the cause [as] ready and ripe for a proceed-
ing in part, as we can probably expect; (the
Ecclesiastical Court, if your Grace shall so di-
rect;) and as much light gained for a proceed-
ing.
Concerning the point of sorcery, we do not
conceive the proof such that we can conclude
any sorcery to be acted, either by Lambe or
Frodesham, against your Grace or the Lord Pur-
beck; but that the Lady Purbeck did resort
often to Lambe is most manifest, and we verily
think with evil intention to your brother; and
that Sir Robert Howard went often with her
is equally clear, but that his intention was to
have any sorcery used is not so plain; so as we
think the use to be made of this part of the busi-
ness will be rather to aggravate and make odious
the other part of the offence, than to proceed
upon it as a distinct crime of itself. Now, be-
cause nothing yet appears that should cause us
to think the matter to be capital against any fo
the delinquents; and because there remain no
378
THE COURT OF
other to be examined, save only one woman who
cannot yet be found; and because the offenders
are by law bailable, and the Earl of Suffolk hath,
since his message sent at first, written a round
letter to the Lord Chief Justice, pressing the
bailment of his son as being bailable by law; the
Lord Chief Justice hath entered into considera-
tion about bailing of him and some of the rest.
But we have moved him to respite it until we
might advertize your Grace; though, after a full
examination of the cause, and as much brought to
light as either in our own judgments, or by any-
thing we can learn from those that follow the
business, is like to be effected though they should
be long kept close, we see no fruit of holding
them in prison. And when their imprisonment
is but fruitless, their bailment may give the
world satisfaction. And so, praying your Grace's
direction, we rest,
Your Grace's
Most humble and bounden servants,
THOMAS COVENTRYE.
Ro. HEATH.*
Serjeants' Inn, 24th Feb. 1624.
*
Orig. Hol. Tan. lxxiii. 414.
KING JAMES.
379
KING JAMES TO
***
*
My onlie sweete & deare chylde, notwithstand-
ing of your desyring me not to wrytte yester-
daye, yett hadde I written in the euening if at
my comming in out of the parke suche a drow-
zienes hadd not comed upon me as I was forced
to sitte & sleep in my chaire halfe an howre; &
yett I can not contente myselfe withowte send-
ing you this pullet, praying God that I may haue
a ioyefull & confortable meeting with you, &
that we maye mak at this Christenmasse a new
mariage, euer to be kept hearafter; for God so
loue me as I desyre onlie to liue in this worlde
for youre saike, & that I hadde rather liue ba-
nished in anie pairt of the earth with you, then
liue a sorrowefull widdowe's lyfe without you;
& so God blesse you, my sweete chylde & wyfe,
& grawnte that ye maye euer be a conforte to
youre deere daide & husbande.
[1625.]
JAMES R.t
The King had written Maister, which seems to imply that
this letter was written to the Duke.
† Orig. Hol. Tan, lxxii. p. 18.
380
THE COURT OF
CHEVREUSE TO THE Duke of BUCKINGHAM.
SIR,
SINCE his Excellency the Embassador has been
pleased to do me the honor to allow me through
him to tell you what my opinion is on the pre-
sent occasion; after seeing what Bautru brings
you, I shall speak to you the more freely from the
security I have by this means. I will tell you this
again, that it is true they have been greatly dis-
pleased here at the conversations that have pass-
ed, but are now removed by Blainville; and that
you decide to come, you will receive every satis-
faction; and in case that you will not come at pre-
sent, if you will send Mons' le Conte d'Hollande
you will see the proof by him, the proof of what
if
MONSIEUR,
PUIS que Monsieur l'Embassadeur m'a voullu fayre l'honneur
que par luy ie vous dye ce quy est de mon sentymant sur l'oc-
casion presente; appres avoir veu ce que vous porte Botru, je
vous parleray issy plus libremant pour la seurretté que je prens
en cette voye. Je vous diray donc encore qu'il est vray qu'ils
ont issy eu grant displaysir des discours quy se sont passés soit
par
Blainville et dispersé; et que si vous vous resolues à venir,
vous resseures toutte sorte de contentement, et au cas que vous
ne voullies venir presentement, si vous envoyes Mons' le Conte
de Hollande, vous vesres la preuve par luy la preuve de ce que
je vous dis estre tres verittable. Vous aures grant adventage
KING JAMES.
381
I say to be very true. You will have great ad-
vantage in sending a man who depends on you,
and like him, in whom you have full confidence.
Excuse the anxiety I show in this matter, which
arises only from that which I feel, and shall
always feel in your service, and from the interest
I take in satisfying both crowns. I do not speak
of the interest I have in it, because you will
hear all the particulars from his Excellency the
Embassador, to whom I have trusted all on ac-
count of the honor he does me by his friendship.
What I can say besides is, that, taking a good
resolution, there never was a voyage so full of
honor and glory as yours will be, nor more ad-
vantageous to the weal of Christendom. Re-
member to continue the good offices you have
rendered to Mr. de Blainville, and allow me still
d'enuoyer vn homme quy despende de vous, et comme luy, et
en quy vous ayies toutte confianse. Escuses la passion que
i'ay en cette affayre, quy n'est cosée que de celle quy j'ay et ore
tousiours à vre. seruisse, et à l'interest que j'ay de la satisfaction
de l'unne et l'aultre couronne. Je ne vous parle point de l'in-
terest que iy ay par ce que Monsieur l'Embassadeur (en quy
ie me suis confis du tout pour l'honneur quy me fait de me-
mer) vous en fera entondre touttes les particullarités. Tout
ce que je vous puis dire de plus est que prenant vnne bonne
resolution auecque luy, il n'y eut iamais vn voyage si plain.
d'honneur et de gloyre qui sera le vostre, ny plus aduentageus
pour le bien de la Cretienté. Souuenes vous de contynuer à
Mr. de Blainuille les bons offisses que vous luy rendis, et me
382
THE COURT of
to have the honor of your esteem, since I am,
with all my heart,
My Lord,
Your most obedient and very humble servant,
CHEVREUSE.
KING JAMES TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
[Invitation to hunt at Harrison's Heath, &c.]
SWEETE HAIrte,
QUHEN I made little Dicce wrytte my excuse
to thee yesterdaye, for not wrytting my selfe, I
was uerrie sikke of a greate fluxe that morning;
but now I thanke God I ame well, in spyte of
thee; & hauing chainged my purpose in resolu-
ing to staye heere tile Mondaye, so earnist I am
to kill more of Zouchis greate staigues, I sum-
conseruer l'honneur de uoz bonnes grasses, puis que je suis de
tout mon coeur,
Monsieur,
Vre. tres humble & tres obeissant serviteur,
[1625.]
A Mons', Mons' le Duc de Bouginham.
Orig. Hol. Tan. lxxii 34.
CHEUREUSE.*
KING JAMES.
383
mone thee to come heere to morrowe, & lette
Kate & Sue goe to Windsore, & meete me on
Mondaye after noone at Harrieson's Heathe heathe
with thaire bowis. Mi Lorde Percie is comde
owte of France with bettir newis then before;
oure sending to it hat made thaime more reason-
able. Thaye are contentid now with a letre, & no
mention of the holie eaungills in it. Thy letre
did greate goode. How soone my sonne comes
from Gilforde, I will sende thee the paper. I
sende thee an excellent Barbarie melon; in goode
faith, I hadde no mellons since thy pairting till
yesternight. God bless thee and me!
JAMES R.*
GERBIER TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
MY LORD,
I SENT on Sunday last a letter to your Excel-
lency, which should have been at Borlé on Mon-
day evening; and in it there were two letters
from Monsieur Chevreuse, his man waiting here
to have your decision touching Monsieur Bautru,
MONSEIGNEUR,
J'AY envoyé Dimenche passé une lettre à vos. Exc. laquelle
devoit estre à Borlé lundy au seoir, et dens icelle y avoit deux
lettres de Monsieur de Cheureuse, son homme attandant icy
pour aueoir vos. resolution touchant Mons' Beautru, qu'il devoit
* Harl. 6987. No. 105.
384
THE COURT OF
whom he was to go and see after at Calais; but
the said Monsieur Bautru has made more haste
than the courier, for he arrived last night secretly
in London, and is dwelling at the Italian Hotel,
where I have been to see him, and he very impa-
tiently desires and hopes for the happiness of
seeing you. The Duke of Chevreuse had sent
another into Holland, who is also come back
with Monsieur Bautru, who does not wish Mon-
sieur Blainville to see him, unless your Excel-
lency sees fit. I have sounded him a little, and
learned thus much, that the King and the Queen
Mother know and are parties to the subject of
his journey, which was prepared and arranged
for Holland, they thinking your Excellency
would still be there, and having no business but
with you. He related to me, that they say pri-
vately at the French court, that the Embassador
aller querir à Calais; mais le dict Mons Beautru a faict plus de
diligence que le courier, car il est arrivé secrettement hier au
seoir à Londres, et est logé à l'ordinaire Italien où je l'ay esté
veoir, lequel tres impatient desire et aspire à l'heure de vous
veoir. Mons' le Duc de Cheureuse avoit envoyé un aultre en
Hollande, lequel est aussy revenu avecque Mons' Beautru, quy
ne desire que Mons' Blinuille le voye, sy vos. Ex. ne le trouve
bon. Je l'ay un peu sondé, et ay appris jusques à la que le Roy
et la Royne Mere sauent et ont part au subject de son voyage,
quy estoit dressé et ordonné pour Hollande, eux croiant que
vos. Exc. seroit encore là, n'aiant aultre affaire que synon vers
vous: il m'a raconté comme l'on disoit à la court de France en
secret, que l'Embassadeur quy est à la Haye avoyt faict un
KING JAMES.
385
who is at the Hague had made a communication
to your Excellency on the part of the King, that
tended to divert you from undertaking a journey
you had resolved upon, and that your friends
in France had been in great fear; as they would
not, for any thing in the world, that you should
come to a place where you would not be re-
ceived as you merit. I said that if your good
friends had known your resolution they might
have been quite easy, that being in my opinion
the last of your thoughts; and, indeed, that I
believed, even if the King had occasion to send
you thither in person, that you would have in-
fluence to persuade him to send somebody else
who had more inclination.
Monsieur Bautru makes a show of great zeal
in your service, and conjures you to believe the
same of Mons' Fiat. As for the Duke of Chev-
raport à vostre Exc. de la part du Roy quy tendoist à vous
divertir de la resolution prise de faire un voyage, et que vos
amis en France avoyent esté en grande crainte, ne desirant pour
chose du monde que vous viendriez en un lieu où vous ne
seriez receu selon vos merittes. Je luy dis que sy vos bons
amis eussent cognu vostre resolution, ils eussent estez hors de
peyne, car je croy que c'est la moindre pensée que vous
aurrez jamais, et que mesme je croyois sy le Roy avoyt oca-
sion d'y envoyer vos. personne que vous avez ce pouveoir de
persuader d'en envoyer un aultre quy auroist plus d'envie.
Mons Beautru faict une apparence d'un grand zelle à vos.
service, et vous conjure de croire le mesme de Mons de Fiat.
Pour Mons' le Duc de Cheureuse il n'en faut point parler, car
2 C
VOL. II.
386
THE COURT OF
reuse, there is no need to speak of him, for he
loves you from his inmost heart. Mons Bau-
tru pretends greatly to hate, and expressly to
blacken, Blainville and Mons' Villeauxclercs; say-
ing they give currency to a thousand reports,
that even you are no longer on so good terms
with the King. An evident sign, said I, of their
folly and their malevolence. He said that Blain-
ville writes a number of letters, but that he is
laughed at in France.
Your wise foresight will find the true mark
they are aiming at, and will know how to turn
it to your advantage; and, inasmuch as Mons"
Bautru is very anxious to know when he is to
see you, I have been forced to promise to send
another messenger, (if your Excellency delayed
il vous ayme jusques dedens les entrailles. Mons Beautru
faict semblant de fort hayr, et denigre expressemt, Blinuille* et
Mons' la Vill o' Clair, disant qu'il font courir mille raports que
mesme vous n'estes plus sy bien avecque le Roy. Signe evident,
je luy dict, de leur sottice et de leur malice. Il dict que Blin-
ville escript quantitté d'epistres, mais que l'on s'en mocque en
France.
Vostre sage prevoyance trouvera le vray but où ils vousdront
tendre, et en sçaura bien faire son profit; et d'autant que
Mons' Beautru desire fort de sçaveoir quand c'est qu'il vous
vera, il me luy a falu promesse d'expedier encore un aultre
Blainville, Embassador in England.
KING JAMES.
387
longer,) in order to let him know your will;
so I thought it opportune to send back the
bearer, that, if he finds your Excellency at Roy-
ston, you may settle your journey accordingly.
We have heard here that my Lady is not com-
ing till after Christmas, and that my young Lord
remains at Borlé till spring, which will be a
good season for change of food. I had caused
the apartments to be prepared, hoping my young
Lord would have made his entry; but I see
plainly that in pleasure I am always to be among
the last. Nevertheless, I feel assured that no-
body has precedence of him who enjoys your
favor, and that I shall not be less in the good
graces of this sweet hope your first-born son,
poste sy vos. Exc. tarderoit d'avantage, qu'il puisse sçaveoir
vos. volonté, surquoy j'ay jugé n'estre hors de propos de ren-
voyer ce porteur; que s'il trouve vos. Exc. à Rostown,* icelle
puisse gouverner sa journée selon.
Nous avons entendu icy que Madame ne vient point que
appres Crismis, et que le petit Seigneur demeure à Borlé jusques
au printemps, quy sera une sayson bonne pour changer de
nouriture. J'avois faict acommoder les chambres, esperant que
le petit Seigneur y eusse faict son entrée; mais je voy bien que
je seray tousjours des derniers en la jouissance. Toutesfois je
n'asseure que celuy quy est en vos bonnes graces, est comme
à une table ronde; et que je ne seray moindre en celle de céste
* Royston.
2c2
388
THE COURT OF
whom God endow with the talent, the dispo-
sition, and the fortune of his father, by whom
I trust always to be esteemed for my services
and obedience.
My Lord, &c. &c.
B. GERBIER.
Mr. Clarke was still, four days ago, as Mons
Bautru says, at Boulogne, having waited at Do-
ver so long for a passage.
GERBIER TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
MY LORD,
I HAVE been informed that at the court where
you are they have got intelligence of the dia-
douce esperance, vostre fils premier né, que Dieu douit l'es-
prit, le naturel, et la fortune du pere, duquel j'espere je seray
tousjours estimé par mon seruisse et par mon obeissance.
Monseigneur, &c. &c.
B. GERBIER.
Monsieur Clarke estoit encore quatre jours passée, comme
dict Mons Beautru, à Boulogne, aiant attendu à Douvre sy
long-temps pour un passage.*
MONSEIGNEUR,
L'on m'a adverty qu'à la court où vous estes ona eu intel-
ligence des diamants que vos. Exc. faict mettre en des bagues;
*Tan. lxxiii. 420.
KING JAMES.
389
monds your Excellency is causing to be set in
rings, and so they are trying to guess what
can be your reason. The greater part think it
is in order to make presents, which they are all
resolved not to receive. Your Excellency's per-
fect sagacity needs no interpreter for understand-
ing their policy, which is only that somebody
has been such an exceeding busybody as to blow
in the ear of the Duke of Chevreuse that if
your Excellency were to be remarked above
others for liberality, it would be greatly to his
detriment. I note now that it was not without
a reason that the Secretary of the Duke of
Chevreuse, while at Paris, importuned me so
much to have an account of what was given
to his household servants, and also of the other
presents. I have deemed it necessary, my Lord,
to give you intelligence of this affair, which I
sur quoy il se forme des imaginations, assaveoir, quelle en peut
estre l'ocasion. La pluspart juge que c'est pour faire presents,
lesquels ils ont touts resolus de ne point resseveoir. Vos. Exc.
comme tout sage, ne manque point d'interprette à entendre
leur policie, quy n'est aultre que quelque personnage, comme
l'on dict, a esté trop bisiboddy, pour souffler es oreylles du Duc
de Chevreuse que sy vos. Exc. excelloit en une liberalité, que
sela seroit à son grand desadvantage. Je remarque aussy main-
tenant que ce n'est sens cause que le Secretaire du Duc de
Chevreuse, estant à Paris, m'a fort importunné pour aveoir une
liste de ce quy a esté donné tant aux serviteurs de sa mayson
que des aultres presents. J'ay creu estre nessesaire, Monsei-
gneur, de vous donner inteligence de ceste affaire, que je n'ay
390
THE COURT OF
have only learned since leaving the city. My
author is Mons' la Riviere, who is ignorant
that I discover the fact to you. After a long
and full discourse upon this subject, he said
to me: That it is held at court that your
Excellency has some intention of making pre-
sents, and that people are greatly surprised at
it; that nobody will receive them, and even that
everybody will take it as an affront.
If they
have been conspiring together, your prudent
foresight will easily discover without letting it
appear, and will easily fish to the bottom of this
River.
Now, my good Lord, permit me to lay before
you some lines touching myself in particular,
for who knows whether fate will not make this
the last of my importunities.
sceu que depuis aveoir esté sorty de la ville. Mon auteur c'est
Mons' la Riviere, quy ne sçait que je vous descouvre ce faict;
il m'a dict, appres un long et ample discours sur ce subject, ces
parolles: Que l'on tient à la cour que vos. Exc. a quelque in-
tention de faire presents, et que l'on s'estonne fort de cela ; qu'il
n'y a pas un seul quy en recevera, et mesme le tiendront touts
pour un affront. S'ils ont monopollé ensemble, vostre sage
prevoyance dissernera bien sela sens faire semblant, et pesschera
bien aisement jusques au fon de la Rivierre.
Maintenant, mon bon Seigneur, permettez, s'il vous plaist, que
je passe quelque lignes devant vos yeux touchant mon par-
tiqulier, car quy sçait sy le destin ne rendra céste la fin de mes
importunitez.
KING JAMES.
391
If, after taking leave of him whose gracious-
ness is the delight of every one, I could not go
away, and to give colour to an excuse, I said
that I wished to see the Queen, the cause of my
affliction is plain, at quitting thus him whom
in the world I adore with the purest of my poor
intentions. My Lord, I know this very paper
blushes at my language of servility towards a
master but let me be permitted for the last
time to protest that I never did any thing base,
and despite of rogues, calumnies, enmities, and
conspiracies, God avenging my just cause, will
in the end make it appear what sort of person I
have always been; and, touching that word that
escaped me in jest, I appeal to God himself,
who will prepare his arm to maintain my inno-
cence, for witness of the small blame that ought
Sy, appres aveoir pris congé de celuy dont la douceur charme
tout le monde, il ne m'estoist possible de m'en aller, et que pour
coulourir une excuse, je dis que je desireois veoir la Royne, la
cause de mon affliction est evidente, de quitter ainssy celuy que
j'adore au monde du plus pur de mes povres intentions. Mon-
seig', je sçay que ce papier mesme rougit de mon language
de serviteur à seigneur, mais qu'il me soit permis pour la der-
niere fois de protester que je n'ay jamais fait chose lasche,
et qu'en despit des fourbes, inventions, haynes et monopoles,
Dieu, vengeant ma juste cause, fera paroistre à la fin quel j'ay
tousjours esté; et touchant ceste parolle quy m'est eschappée en
riant, c'est à Dieu meme que j'en appelle quy me dressera le
bras à maintenir mon ignocence, et la peu de coulpe que l'on
392
THE COURT OF
to attach to me in this matter, according to the
manner and the intention.
As bees suck honey
from sweet flowers, so do spiders extract a poi-
son from them. All this displeasure would not
have occurred if incendiaries had not contributed
to it, whom I shall not hesitate to name, since
at last the truth must always be spoken. Thanks
be for it to Gabriel March in particular, and crea-
tures like him, who, bursting with jealousy at
seeing your Excellency trust your money and
jewels to me, said in thundering voice, "Whee
must have him down; he was but a painter the
other day." I swear to God that I was never
a painter till I placed myself under your patron-
age, leaving the Prince of Orange; and come
what will, I will never be one: poverty shall
change neither my blood nor my courage.
poura atribuer à mon endroit, selon la maniere de l'intention.
Comme les abeilles sucent des doulces fleurs leur miel, ainssy
les areignés en extraient un venin. Il n'en eust pas reussy toutte
céste aigreur, sy des boutte-feux n'y eussent contribuez, que
je ne feray consience de nommer puis que sur la fin l'on parle
tousjours la verité. Graces en soit à Gabriel March en par-
tiqulier et à ses semblables, creatures quy, crevant de jalousie de
veoir que vostre Exc. me fioit et son argent et ses joyaux, disoit
à bouche fulminante, Whee must have him down; he was but a
painter the other day. Je jure de Dieu vivant que je ne fus
jamais peintre que depuis que je me suis adonné sous vos.
protection, sortant du Prince d'Orange; et en vienne se qu'il
poura, je ne le seray jamais: la povreté ne changera jamais
mon sanc ny mon courage.
KING JAMES.
393
My Lord, they have descended to be so en-
vious as to note that I had a hired carriage.
God knows how much I have suffered in my
leg, which did not allow me to stand, save when
constrained, in order to enjoy your blessed pre-
sence; this carriage has been very convenient to
take me these three days every evening out of
the town to sleep, being of those for whom there
is hardly any place at the board. See here the
extremity and the fruits of passion! My Lord,
I well know that it is not becoming of me to
make a long discourse to you about myself.
I have only one request to make to you: it is,
that when God shall have upheld my cause, (of
which I make no doubt,) and I may be in need
of pardon, that it will then please your Excel-
lency to remember me. And if I have never
done any thing to merit such remembrance, I
Monseigneur, ils se sont touts revoltez jusques à prendre notice
que j'aveois un carosse de louage. Dieu sçait comme j'ay souf-
fert en ma jambe, laquelle ne m'a pas permise d'estre debout,
que par contrainte, pour jouir de vos. heureuse presence; la-
quelle carosse m'a esté bien favorable à me mener ces trois
jours tout les soirs hors de la ville pour coucher, estant de ceux
pour quy il n'y a presque point de plase à l'estable: voila l'ex-
tremité et les fruicts de la pation! Monseig¹, je sçay bien
qu'il ne m'apartient pas, touchant de mon partiqulier, de vous
tenir long discours; j'ay seulement une requeste à vous faire:
c'est q'apres que Dieu aura maintenu ma cause, de laquelle je
ne doutte pas, et que j'aurois besoin d'un pardon, q'alors il
pleust à vos. Exc. de se resouvenir de moy. Et sy je n'ay
394
THE COURT OF
supplicate you to cast your eyes on a proof of
my zealous disposition in your service in a little
example that I will communicate.
Being arrived with the present of horses at
Paris, the Embassadors, principally my Lord
Carlisle, asked me if I had letters for each in
particular, and for the Queens; and if I knew
in what terms your Excellency wrote to them.
I answered that you had acquainted me with
the tenor of the compliments. Their question
arose from the anxiety they had about all that
related to your person; they were very desirous
of knowing how your Excellency subscribed
your letters, whether " obedient servant," or " very
humble servant," and principally to the Queen
of England. I said that, for the Queen of Eng-
land, I thought it was "servant." Whereupon
jamais rien faict qui puisse meriter cést souvenance, je la sup-
plie de jetter les yeux sur une marque de mon ame zellée à vos.
servisse par un petit example que je vous descouvriray.
Je
Estant arivé avecque le present de chevaux à Paris, les am-
bassadeurs, principallement Milord Carleyl, me demenda sy
j'avois lettres pour chasq'un en particulier, et pour les Roynes,
et sy je sçaveois en quel terme vos. Exc. escrivoit à eux.
luy respondis que vous m'aviez acointiez de la teneur des com-
plements. Leur demande procedoit du soin qu'ils avoient
de tout ce quy procedoit de vos. personne; ils estoient fort
desireux de sçaveoir comment vos. Exc. se nommoit au bas
des lettres, ou serviteur obeissant, ou serviteur tres humble,
et principallement à la Royne d'Angleterre. Je luy dis
KING JAMES.
395
he asked me very particularly whether I was
sure of that. In order to know the reason and
grounds of their curiosity, (knowing that you
had written "subject,") I asked if there were any
great difference in those matters, and whether
the pen was not allowed great freedom in com-
pliments. Whereupon my Lord Carlisle told me
that it was a matter of great importance, and
asked me at last if it was not "subject," relating
to me a history (which occurred in England) of
one who to the Queen Anne had subscribed
himself "subject," and the King on that account
thought of having him hanged; and repeating
to me, "For God's sake! Gerbier, if you are not
sure of that, rather burn the letter or do not
deliver it, for," said he, "I would rather lose an
arm." Whereupon I kept my countenance, and
que pour la Royne d'Angleterre, je croy que c'estoit serviteur.
Sur quoy il me demenda fort curieusement sy j'estoits asseuré
de cela. Moy, pour en sçavoir la reson, et le fon de leur
curiosité, (sachant que vous aviez mis subject,) je leur demenday
s'il y avoit grande difference en ces choses là, et sy par com-
pliment l'on ne pouvoit pas laisser couller la plume. Sur quoy
Mons' Carleyl me dict que c'estoit un cas de grande importance,
et me demenda en fin s'il n'y avoit pas subject, me racontant
une histoire, laquelle s'estoist passée en Engleterre, d'un quy
avoist escript subject à la Royne Ane, et que le Roy le pensa
faire pendre pour céste occasion, me repetant, For God-sacke,
Gerbier, sy vous n'estes asseuré de cela, bruslez plustost la lettre
ou ne delivrez pas, car, disoit-il, j'aymerois mieux perdre un
396
THE COURT OF
assured him you had only written "servant;" but
I hastened to my apartment, and all in a trem-
ble broke the seal of your letter, and with a
penknife erased the word "subject," for I thought
it was better to do that than to leave you in
danger. This long recital, my Lord, aims only
at beseeching you to consider my sincere inten-
tion; and that, losing you for a master, I will
never belong to another. My obstinate rival
does me the honor to threaten me at Boulogne.
If he is as valiant as he is ill-natured, he will
have the victory. So the object to which my
long discourse always tends is this, that when by
the fortune of war I have need of pardon, your
Excellency may not forget it. There needed not
this conspiracy, for I had vexation enough at
bras. Sur quoy je fist bonne minne et luy asseuray que vous
n'avez mis que serviteur, mais je m'en allay vistement en ma
chambre et rompy le seau de vos. lettre tout tremblant, et
avecques un canivet je esfassis le mot de subject, car je croiois
qu'il valloit mieux faire cela que de vous laisser en denger.
Ce long recit, Monseig, ne tend qu'à vous prier de jetter les
yeux sur ma sincere intention, et que vous perdant pour tiltre
de maistre, je ne seray jamais à aultre. Mon obstiné corival
me faict cést honneur de me menasser à Boulogne.
S'il est
aussy vaillant qu'il est de mauvaise nature, il aura la victoire.
Ainssy le but de mon long discours tousjours vise que lors que
le sort du vainqueur aura besoin de pardon, que vos. Exc. ne
l'oublie pas. Il ne m'estoist besoin de ce monopole, car j'avois
KING JAMES.
397
having lost le cheval et la joconde, having always
had the fear of failing in something wherein
you were interested. God knows, and
God knows, and my Lord
Carlisle, if I have been wanting in diligence
and importunity; on this proof I hazard the
being, or ceasing to be,
Your Excellency's, &c.
B. GERBIER.
EARL OF BRISTOL TO SIR KENELM DIGBY.
[Of his dispute with the Duke of Buckingham.]
GOOD COUSIN,
THIS bearer, W. Gresly, will be able to tell you
all that I can say of the estate of my unfortunate
business; wherein having done all that I can think
of by way of humiliation, I must now attend with
de la facherie assez d'aveoir perdu le cheval et la joconde,* aiant
tousjours eu céste crainte de faillir sur quelque subject que
vous prendriez du contentement. Dieu sçait, et Mons™ Carleyl,
sy j'ay manqué en diligence et importunité; et je mait en risque
sur céste preuve d'estre, ou de n'estre plus,
De vos. Exc. &c.
B. GERBIER.†
*Probably some proverb; but the allusion is not very intel-
ligible.
+ Orig. Hol. Tan. lxxiii. 422.
398
THE COURT OF
patience God's will and his Majesty's, for, on my
part, I can do no more only defend my innocency
the best I shall be able when I shall be called
to any trial, which I confess, if my humble seek-
ings and submissions may not take place, I should
be glad were as speedy and as public as might
be: but, cousin, I shall continue them, and so
shall my wife at her coming up. And I entreat
you to do the like with my Lord Duke upon
all occasions you can lay hold of. There is fur-
ther one particular wherein I shall entreat your
kindness. I hear my Lord Duke should be in-
formed that I should plot and combine with
some Parliament-men that seemed adverse to his
Grace at Oxford, and that thereupon should of
late be much incensed against me. Herein,
cousin, I shall entreat you to give his Grace
satisfaction in my behalf, which you may do as
truly as ever was in any business; for, I take
God to record, I never would have to do, since
I came into England, with any thing belonging
to Parliament, nor never attempted any thing
to the Duke's prejudice. The particulars W.
Gresly will tell you by word of mouth, being
too long for a letter: but I entreat you to deal
very effectually; for, although my Lord Duke
should ruin me to-morrow, yet, for Abrowth
sake, I should be glad he were satisfied herein.
And so, not having wherewith further to trouble
KING JAMES.
399
you for the present, I remember my love and
service to you, and remain
Your most affectionate cousin to serve you,
6th Feb. 1625.
BRISTOL.*
THE EARL OF BRISTOL TO LORD CONWEY.
MY LORD,
I HAVE received your letter of the 25th of
February, and therein a commandment in his
Majesty's name to make a clear and plain answer
whether I desire to rest in the security I am
now in, and to acknowledge the gracious favour
of his late Majesty, and of his which now is,
who have been pleased not to question my ac-
tions, &c. Hereunto I have labored exactly to
obey, but find that a plain and clear answer can-
not possibly be made until there be a clear un-
derstanding of the thing propounded. So that
I must crave pardon if my answer be not as clear
as I could wish it; for I must freely acknow-
ledge, that I no way understand what is meant
by the security I am now in, whether it be by
the present estate I am in or not; if it be so, I
conceive a man cannot be under a harder con-
dition; for your lordship knows, that by order
* This and the two subsequent letters are taken from the
Harl. MSS. 1581.
400
THE COURT OF
my person is restrained, and you were pleased
lately to send me word that you would not ad-
vise me to make use of the liberty which his
late Majesty had given me of coming to Lon-
don, although it were only to follow my private
affairs, and for the recovery of my decayed
health. I stand likewise prohibited to come to
the Court, or to the King's presence. (I pass by
the being removed from all my places and offi-
ces, and wholly depending upon his Majesty's
royal pleasure.) But being a peer of this realm,
I have not only by commandment been formerly
stayed from the Parliament, but of late, by writ,
[have] been detained, although my honor were
forfeited. And this is truly the condition which
I am now in; but I cannot imagine that this is
the security intended I should rest in, but am
in hope that the security intended is, that I may
for the future enjoy the liberty of a free subject,
and the privileges of a peer of the kingdom;
which being so, I shall with all humility ac-
knowledge his Majesty's grace and favor, and be
ready to serve him with all fidelity, even to the
laying down of my life; not thinking it to stand
with the duty of a subject to press his being
questioned, since, such being the pleasure of his
Sovereign, it were not in the power of any sub-
ject to avoid it. But in case his Majesty shall
be pleased to bring me to any legal trial, I shall
most willingly and dutifully submit myself there-
KING JAMES.
401
unto, and doubt not but my innocency in the end
will be my best mediator for his Majesty's future
favor. And in that case I am a suitor, that my
writ of Parliament as a peer of the realm may be
sent unto me, and that my present repair unto
London may not displease his Majesty.
And as for the pardon of the 21st Reg. Ja-
cobi, which you mention I should renounce, I
know that the justest and most cautious man
living may, through omission or ignorance, offend
the laws, so that, as a subject, I shall not disclaim
any benefit which comes in the general, as it doth
usually to all other subjects of the kingdom.
But as for any crime in particular that may
trench upon my employments in point of loy-
alty, fidelity, or want of affection to the King
or State, I know my innocency to be such, that
I am confident I shall not need that pardon.
I shall conclude with a most humble suit unto
your lordship, that out of your nobleness, and
that friendship that hath been betwixt us, you
will use your best endeavours both with his Ma-
jesty and the Duke, that these unfortunate busi-
nesses may be passed over; by the renewing
whereof I can see little use that can be made,
but the adding to a man's misfortunes, already
sufficiently humbled, for I am ready to do all
that a man of honor and honesty may do; but
rather than to do any thing that may be preju-
dicial to me in that kind, to suffer whatsoever
VOL. II.
2 D
402
THE COURT of
it shall please God to send: and so with the
remembrance of my humble service unto your
lordship, I recommend you to God's holy pro-
tection, and rest
Your lordship's most humble servant,
Sherborne Lodge, the 4th of March, 1625.
BRISTOL.*
MY LORD,
BUCKINGHAM (?) TO BRISTOL.
I RECEIVED a letter from your lordship dated
the 4th of this month, written in answer to a for-
mer which I directed to your lordship by his
Majesty's commandment. This last letter, ac-
cording to my duty, I have showed unto his Ma-
jesty, who hath perused it, and hath commanded
me to write back this unto you again, that he
finds himself nothing satisfied therewith. The
question propounded to your lordship from his
Majesty was plain and clear, whether you did
rather choose to sit still without being questioned
for any errors past, in your negotiations in Spain,
and enjoy the benefit of the late gracious pardon
granted in Parliament whereof you may have the
*This letter has been published, but somewhat incorrectly,
in the Cabala, p. 97. It seemed expedient to reprint it in
this collection, rather than in the shape of a note, that the
reader might better understand the answer and the other letters
connected with it. Conway's answer is also in the Cabala,
p. 378.
1
KING JAMES.
403
benefit, or whether for the clearing of your inno-
cency, whereof yourself and your friends and fol-
lowers are so confident, you will be contented to
wave the advantage of that pardon, and put your-
self into a legal way of examination for the trial
thereof? His Majesty's purpose is not hereby
to prevent you of any favor the law hath given
you: if your assurance be such as your words
and letter import, he conceives it stands not with
that public and resolute profession of your in-
tegrity to decline your trial; his Majesty leaves
the choice to yourself, and requires from you
a direct answer, without circumlocution or bar-
gaining with him for future favors before hand;
that if you have a desire to make use of that
pardon, which cannot be denied to you, nor is
any way desired to be taken from
taken from you, his
Majesty expects that you should at least forbear
to magnify your service, and out of the opinion
of your own innocence cast an aspersion upon
his Majesty's justice in not affording you that
present fulness of liberty and favor, which can-
not be drawn from him but in his own good
time and according to his good pleasure. Thus
much I have in command to write unto your
lordship, and to require your answer, clearly
and plainly, by this messenger sent of purpose
for it.
Whitehall, 21st of March 1625.
2 D 2
404
THE COURT OF
*
*
TO MR. MEAD.
[Disastrous event of a duel—and other accidents of the time.]
ON Saturday came hither the Earl of Bristol,
who it is said shall be reconciled to the Duke.
That day also came Gondomar's secretary with
letters from his master to his Majesty, the Prince,
Duke, &c. It is said the letters import he brings
peace, and the Palatinates in his pockets, and
desires a safe conduct with one of the King's
ships to fetch him from Calais, as also to have
a house appointed for him; and that he writes
merrily to the Duke, that when he comes they
must needs fight, but that the place of their
meeting shall be his Grace's own gallery.
On Saturday likewise was here the highest
spring-tide that in thirty or forty years hath been
remembered, whereby much hurt is done here
in merchandize, and along the river on both
sides in cattle.
Sir Humphrey Tufton* and Mr. Murray, of
the Prince's bed-chamber, brother to his Highness'
late secretary, meeting on the same Saturday in
St. George's Fields to fight, upon a falling out at
a stage play; they, with consent, departed with-
* Of Bobing and the Mote near Maidstone in Kent, Kt. and
Bart.; brother of Nicholas Lord Tufton, afterwards Earl of
Thanet.
KING JAMES.
405
out fighting till some other time, when they might
do it privately, and none to see them. The rea-
son was, that Tufton having first appointed with
seconds, afterwards sent word it should be single.
Yet came Mr. Gibson, another Scotsman, the
King's servant, a skilful cannonier, and who had
in reversion the Master Gunnership of England,
and should have been Mr. Murray's second, into
the field, walking a good way off to observe the
event; and therefore Tufton would not then fight,
lest he might be wronged. So Tufton went thence
one way, and Murray another, unto whom Gib-
son came, reproached him (Murray) for not fight-
ing; said he had shamed his nation, that his
surname should ever hereafter in all men's
mouths be coward-drew secretly his sword and
thrust Murray through both his cheeks. Here-
upon Murray also drew and thrust Gibson into
the belly, who, before he fell, gave Murray two
wounds in the body. Gibson died that night,
and Murray not desiring to live, died also on
Tuesday following at night.
Furthermore, on Saturday came Mr. Mayn-
waring, or Manning, the Prince's servant, unto
Mr. Palmer's at London Bridge, as he often used
to do. After a while he went up into a cham-
ber, made fast the door at the inside, took a
wainscot frame out of the window, stripped him-
self naked, laid aside his rings, leaped into the
Thames, and was drowned; whose body is not
406
THE COURT OF
found. The cause of his desperation is diversly
spoken of.
On Monday, Dr. Prideaux, Vice Chancellor
of Oxford, having at the Earl of Montgomery's
lodgings, near the Cock-pit, bestowed three days
in catechising the young Lord Dormer* and the
Lady Anne Herbert, and the last Sunday ad-
ministered the Lord's supper unto them, then
married them by special licence of the Arch-
bishop's; of which young lord is much good
conceived, though his mother be an absolute
recusant, and his brother like to prove so, if any
thing at all.
On Thursday, between one and two in the
morning, died the Lord Marquis of Hamilton,
not without suspicion of poison, as is said, be-
cause after death his whole body, with neck,
face, and head, swelled exceedingly, and was
strangely spotted. The young lord was then
so dangerously sick at the Countess of Bedford's
at New Park, that he could not come unto his
father before his death.
London, March 4th, 1824-5.
*Robert, afterwards Earl of Caernarvon.
† Anna Sophia, eldest daughter of Philip Earl of Mont-
gomery, afterwards Pembroke.
KING JAMES.
407
ANDREW BYNG TO
[Proceedings against Bristol in the House of Lords.]
On Saturday last, in the morning,
the Earl of Bristol was at the bar before the
Lords of the Upper House. Where Mr. At-
torney-General did charge him with many par-
ticulars of miscarriage of his negotiation in Spain,
and ill offices there done to our now King, then
Prince; and, among others, his attempting to per-
suade the Prince either to embrace the Roman
religion, or at leastwise to make semblance of it.
The Attorney having delivered his charge, the
Earl, before he would answer thereto, besought
the Lords, first, that they would conceive his
case to be their own; secondly, that they would
do him this favor, to know of Mr. Attorney
whether he had uttered all that he had in charge
to accuse him of. Whereto the Lords did con-
descend, and Mr. Attorney did answer forthwith,
that he had no further matter to charge him
with at this present. Thereupon the Earl began
to address himself to his answer, and praised God
that the great noise of High Treason (where-
with some two or three days before in that place
the Duke had charged him, and he likewise, by
recrimination, retorted the like upon the Duke)
was now ended in such petty matters; all which
also he was well assured that he could easily wipe
408
THE COURT OF
same.
off, having the King his late master's direction
and commandment under his hand, for the act-
ing of all those parts (which carried such an
outside of a bad carriage on his part) before they
were done, and his gracious approbation after-
ward of his whole negotiation, and pardon for
any error and defect in the managing of the
But forasmuch as his said papers were
now at Shireborne Castle, he craved favor, that
he might be credited till he did show them, and
have some three or four days' respite to send a
post for them. He added further, that he much
dreaded, before his coming to that bar, that there
would have been laid to his charge some crime
suitable to those terrible reports of high treason
wherewith he had been scandalized ;* as, namely,
that he had gone to mass in Spain; that he had
adored the Pax in the open street;† that he had
received bulls and dispensations from Rome; that
he had gone beyond the limits of his commission;
that he had sent the King's navy to no purpose
into foreign regions, but to expose it to hazard,
ruin, and scorn; mispent the King's money, ad-
vanced every one of his own kindred, without
any desert of theirs, with many other sarcasti-
cal and biting passages to that purpose. The
Lords granted his desires, and allotted him to
bring in his papers of defence until to-morrow
* See Rushworth, i. 259.
+ Rushworth, i. 266.
KING JAMES.
409
or Thursday next. He carried himself in this
appearance on Saturday very temperately and
sadly, but spake lower; whereas, at his first call-
ing thither and confronting of the Duke, he de-
meaned himself in a very passionate manner,
for the which, his then carriage, he did at this
second appearance crave pardon of the Lords.
The House of Commons did yesterday (as I
think, for so it was intended,) send all their load
into the Upper House against the Duke; and,
because they would not have a secular lord of
his place to be unattended with a chaplain suit-
able, they sent the like load of much foul stuff
against the Bishop of Bangor, whereof I blush
to write for Sion's sake, and do heartily pray
they may be false.
Yours at command,
From Mr. Lawes, at St. Austen's Gate in
Paul's Churchyard. May 9, 1625.
A. B.*
Since my writing this afternoon, I repaired
to my Lord Chief Justice, his lodging at Ser-
geant's Inn; but he was not then within. I
have also been certified from a parliament man,
that the House of Commons have divided their
charge against the Duke into two days' work,
to be uttered before the Lords by eight several
persons; four whereof discharged their trusts
yesterday. The parties were these, Sir Dudley
* i. e. Andrew Byng.
410
THE COURT OF KING JAMES.
Digges, Mr. Selden, Mr. Glanville-I have for-
gotten the fourth. The other four (whose names
I have not yet heard of) delivered their errand
this very day. My Lord of Bristol made also
one request more, at his appearance on Saturday
before the Lords, that he might know his accuser.
Whereto Mr. Attorney being required by the
Lords to answer and to discover who was the
accuser, answered, that the King himself was he
who charged Bristol with those particulars which
he had uttered. I pray you commend me to any
of my neighbors of Yarmouth as you see them,
and tell them that Mr. Attorney General did in-
form me from his own mouth last Saturday, that
the King hath commanded to pen a proclamation
forthwith to be published, that letters of marque
shall be granted to any subject in as full and
ample manner as ever they were granted in Queen
Elizabeth's time; they putting in sufficient sure-
ties to the Admiralty, that they will not prove
pirates, but spoil only the common enemy and
continue their loyalty to the King.*
* Orig. Hol. Tan. lxxii. 169.
INDEX.
A.
Abbot, Dr. George, Abp. of Canter-
bury, invites the Abp. of Spalato
to England, i. 339; notice of his
accession to the Archbishopric, ii.
135; his letters to the Bishop of
London, 157; to Sir G. Villiers,
160.
Albert, Archduke, refuses
King
James's book in defence of the
oath of allegiance, i. 263.
Aldred, Mr. committed for writing
against the proposed marriage be-
tween Prince Charles of England
and the Infanta of Spain, ii. 193.
Allegiance, oath of, King James's
book in defence of the, i. 262
refused at the court of Brussels,
263.
Ambassadors, observations on, i. 401.
Anne, Queen of England, (consort
of James I.) her disagreement with
the Earl of Salisbury, i. 37; her
legacies, 168; her letter to the
Earl of Salisbury, ii. 145; her re-
ception of the King of Den-
mark, 137; entertained by him
on board his fleet, 140; his present
to her, 142; her illness, 186; no-
tice of her death, 187 n.; fune-
ral, 195.
Antonio, Don, a competitor for the
crown of Portugal, account of, i.152.
Arundel, Philip Howard Earl of, ac-
cused of treason, i. 140; his trial
and execution, 141 n.
Countess of, her charac-
ter, i. 145 n.
Aston, Sir Robert, account of, i.
16 n.; his character, 18.
Sir Walter, his letter to the
Duke of Buckingham, ii. 368.
B.
Bacon, Sir Francis, afterwards Lord,
account of his chancellorship, i.
283; created Lord Verulam and
Viscount St. Albans, 284 n.; de-
dicates his works to the King, ii.
221; his acknowledgments to the
Duke of Buckingham, 222;
letters to King James I. 220; to
the Marquis of Buckingham, 222,
223.
his
Bacon, Sir Nicholas, anecdote of,
i. 279 n.
Baily, Dr. Lewis, Bp. of Bangor, ac-
cused in the Commons, ii. 409.
Baldwyn, Mr. a Jesuit, suspected of
favouring the gunpowder plot, i. 114.
Balfour, Sir James, his account of
the treaty between the English and
Scotch ministers on the union of
the kingdoms, i. 19 n.; his re-
marks on the Earl of Tyrone's
rebellion in Ireland, 96.
Banger, Mr. Woolphengus, Dutch
apothecary to King James I. re-
marks respecting, i. 410.
Banqueting house at Whitehall, ac-
count of its destruction by fire,
ii. 175. 187.
Bashe, Mr. notice of his being
drowned, ii. 10.
Basinge, Queen Elizabeth enter-
tained there by Lord and Lady
Paulet, ii. 20.
Beaumont, M. de, French ambassa-
dor in England, sets out for France,
ii. 107; rumours respecting, 113.
Bedell, Mr. his letter to Dr. Ward,
ii. 325.
Bellieure, M. de, notice of his oppo-
sition to the execution of the Queen
of Scots, i. 130 n.
Benett, Dr. preferred to the Bishop-
ric of Hereford, i. 14.
Bishoprics, endowment of, in Ireland
and Scotland, i. 91.
Bishops, account of their refusal to
crown Queen Elizabeth, i. 420.
Blunt, Sir Christopher, notice of his
execution, ii. 18.
Bohemia, King of, see Frederick V.
Queen of, see Elizabeth,
Princess.
412
INDEX.
Borderers of Scotland, their incursion
on the English borders, ii. 9.
Bothwell, Earl of, his marriage with
the Queen of Scots, i. 77.
Bouillon, Duke de, negotiates for a
treaty between France and Eng-
land, ii. 2.
Bowles, Dr. John, his account of the
death of the Earl of Salisbury, i.
47 n.
Brill, town of, account of its restora-
tion to the Hollanders, i. 48. 414 n.
415.
Bristol, John Digby first Earl of, his
quarrel with the Duke of Bucking-
ham, i. 373. 403; offers made to
him in Spain, 375; committed for
treason, 403; his address to the
Prince at the Spanish Court, 404 ;
accusations against him, 407; pro-
ceedings against him in the House
of Lords, ii. 407; requests to know
the name of his accuser, 410; his
letter to the Bishop of Lincoln,
320; to Sir Kenelm Digby, 397
to Lord Conwey, 399; Duke of
Buckingham's letter to, 402.
British seas, remarks on the, i. 172.
Brook, Henry, Lord Cobham, notice
of his quarrel with Sir R. Cecil, i.
15.; remarks on his conduct to
Sir Walter Raleigh, 65. 67; mar-
ried to Lady Kildare, 70 n.; re-
marks respecting him, 179; notice
of his death, ii. 10 n.
Mr. George, his trial for
treason, i. 63; found guilty, 64.
Brown, Anthony, first Viscount Mon-
tague, notice of him, ii. 123 n.
Buckhurst, Thomas Sackville first
Lord, remarks on his opinion in
regard to the Queen of Scots, i.
133 n.; see Dorset.
Buckingham, Duke of, see Villiers.
Countess, suspected of
administering a plaster to King
James in his last illness, i. 410 n. ;
Bishop Hacket's character of her,
ii. 183; her letters to her son the
Marquis, ib. 258. 276.
Katherine Manners Du-
chess of, her marriage with the
Duke of Buckingham, ii. 189 n.
192; her letters to her husband,
277.283. 309; letters to her from
Tobie Matthews, 303.
Burwell, Mr. remarks on the con-
struction of his ships, i. 55.
Butler, Dr., physician, anecdotes of
him, i. 107.
Byng, Andrew, his account of the
proceedings in the House of Lords
against the Earl of Bristol, ii. 407.
C.
Cadiz, account of the English expe-
dition to, ii. 5.
Calvert, Mr. Secretary, remarks re-
specting, i. 376; letter to, from
Mr. F. Cottington, ii. 252.
Camden, Mr. his character, i. 126 ;
reference to his remarks respecting
the Queen of Scots, 127.
Canons of Windsor, story respecting,
i. 206.
Canterbury, Abp. of, see Abbot.
Carew, Sir G. his letters to the Earl
of Salisbury, ii. 97; to Lord Ca-
rew, 100; letters to him from Sir
R. Cecil, 12.
George Lord, letter to, from
Sir G. Carew, ii. 100.
Caricatures of King James I. i.
242; the Queen of Bohemia, ib.;
the Prince Palatine, 243.
Carleton, Sir Dudley, invites the Abp.
of Spalato to England, i. 338.
Carr, Sir Robert, Earl of Somerset,
anecdote of, i. 216; account of
his decline and fall, ib. n.; re-
marks on his marriage with the
Countess of Essex, 221; true rea-
son of his fall, 225. 257 n.; dis-
covery of his participation in the
murder of Sir Thomas Overbury,
ii. 144.
Carey, Sir Robert, Earl of Monmouth,
remarks on his conduct on the
death of Queen Elizabeth, i. 5 n. ;
appointed guardian of Prince
Charles, 7 n.
Catesby, Mr. one of the conspirators
in the gunpowder plot, i. 103.
Cecil, Sir Robert, Earl of Salisbury,
notice of his quarrel with Lord
Cobham, i. 15 n.; retains his secre-
taryship on the accession of King
James, 23; presented to him, 28;
the King's testimony in his favour,
31; refutations of the reports
against him, 33; created Earl of
Salisbury, 36; his difference with
the Queen, 37; account of his rise
in the King's favour, 38; cause
INDEX.
413
of his fall, 40; notice of a war-
rant against him, 45; his illness,
46; note respecting his death,
47 n.; account of his influence
with Queen Elizabeth, 96 n.; his
intelligence of the gunpowder
plot, 102. 105; his letters to Sir
George Carew, ii. 12; to Lord
Montjoy, 39. 45; letters to him
from Sir G. Carew, 97; from Sir
T. Overbury, 143; from Queen
Anne, 145.
Cecil, Thomas, first Earl of Exeter,
his opinion of Queen Elizabeth,
i. 4.
William, remarks respecting
him, i. 330 n.
Chancellor, Lord, great power of, in
England, i. 275, 276; characters
of different chancellors, 278.
Chandos, Lady, notice of her death,
ii. 107.
Charles Duke of York, (afterwards
Charles I.) guardianship of, en-
trusted to the Earl of Monmouth,
i. 7 n.; notice of the impediment
in his speech, 8 n.; persuaded to
join in the prosecution against the
Earl of Middlesex, 325; his high
opinion of his wisdom, 327; pro-
posal for his marriage with the
King of Spain's daughter, 360;
supposed to be his own contrivance,
363; his journey into Spain, 369;
reception at that court, 371.; sup-
posed reason for the breach of the
match, 377. 379; shows his con-
tempt for the marriage, 380; re-
marks on his desire for war, 382;
his proposed marriage with the In-
fanta of Spain, ii. 235. 239; in-
tercedes for his sister the Queen
of Bohemia, 250; account of his
journey into Spain, 253; his an-
swer to the Pope's nuncio, 260;
his attachment to the Infanta, 284;
remarks on his conduct in Spain,
320; on the cause of the treaty of
marriage with the Infanta being bro-
ken off, 322; account of the Mar-
quis of Inoiosa's attempts to pre-
judice the King against him, 324;
comments respecting his proposed
marriage, 349. 351; his letter to
the Duke of Buckingham, 209;
to King James, 253. 296; letters
to him from the King, 255. 257.
297, 298, 299.
Cheney, Bishop, observations respect-
ing, i. 125.
Chevallier, President, account of some
paintings in his possession, ii.
328.
Chevreuse, Duke of, his letter to the
Duke of Buckingham, ii. 380.
Church, James the First's opinion
of the authority of the, i. 259. 261.
of Scotland, ambition of the,
i. 261, 262.
Clarendon, Lord, notice of his cha-
racter of Lord Weston, i. 2 n.;
of Sir Henry Montague, 291 n.
Clarke, Mr. a priest, his trial for trea-
son, i. 64; his execution as one of
the conspirators of the Raleigh
plot, ii. 87.
Mr. Edward, his letter to the
Duke of Buckingham, ii. 300.
Clement VIII. Pope, character of,
i. 82 n.; King James's application
to him, ib.
Cobham, Lord, see Brook, Henry.
Cofe, Mr. his execution, ii. 18.
Coinage, remarks on the English, ii.
245.
Coke, Chief Justice, his letters to
Viscount Villiers, ii. 161.
Colman, Morgan, remarks on his
correct housekeeping, i. 318 n.
Commons, House of, refractory con-
duct of, ii. 209.
Como, Cardinal, his intriguing cha-
racter, i. 120 n.
Compton, William Lord, letter to
him from Lady Compton, ii. 127;
remarks on his accession to his
property, 127, 128 n.
Lady Elizabeth, her letter
to her husband, ii. 127.
Condé, Princess of, account of her
escape from drowning, ii. 99, 100.
Confession, observations on the na-
ture of, i. 109; necessity of, 111.
Conwey, Secretary, (afterwards first
Lord Conwey,) his letters to the
Duke of Buckingham, ii. 273. 286.
290, 291. 306. 346. 363; letter to
him from the Earl of Bristol, 399.
Cooke, Sir John, one of the commis-
sioners appointed to superintend
naval affairs, i. 54; account of
him, 308 n.
Cornwalleys, Mr. T. his letter to Sir
John Hobart, ii. 91.
Cottington, Mr. F. his letters to Se-
cretary Calvert, ii. 252.
414
INDEX.
Cotton, Sir Robt. letters to him from
Mr. Pory, ii. 124. 138.
Court of Requests, great improve-
ments in the, i. 293.
Coventry, Sir T. his letter to the
Duke of Buckingham, ii. 370.
Crane, Sir Robt. letter to him from
Mr. R. Trym, ii. 185.
Cranfield, Sir Lionel, (afterwards
Earl of Middlesex,) notice of his
remarks on the abuses in the navy,
i. 53 n.; appointed Lord Treasurer,
293; account of, 296; member of
the Mercers' Company, 298; his
speech to the Lords of the Council,
302; obliges the Earl of North-
ampton, 304; introduced to the
King, made Master of Requests,
306; his reforms, 308; conversation
with the King, 311; created Earl
of Middlesex, 312; anecdotes of his
administration, 313; fills the office
of Treasurer and Master of the
Wards together, 315; opposes
raising the coinage, 316; proposes
the repairing of St. Paul's, 317;
King James's praise of his house-
keeping, 319; his economy in the
King's revenues, 322; remarks on
his fall, 324; his principal ene-
mies, 325; his policy in reference
to the Spanish match, 326; King
Charles's high opinion of him, 327
character of his correspondence, ii.
202; anecdote of him, 203; his
account of the state of the revenue,
ib. 207. 211; account of his ex-
amination, 325; his letters to Vis-
count Villiers, Duke of Bucking-
ham, 164. 202. 207. 210.
Cranmer, Abp. his religious tenets,
i. 259.
Crompton, Mr. his illness, ii. 276.
Cuff, see Cofe.
Cumberland, George Clifford Earl
of, notice of his death, ii. 106;
his will, 107.
;
Davers, Sir Charles, implicated in the
Earl of Essex's conspiracy, ii. 13;
notice of his execution, 18.
Davison, Secretary, his observations
relative to the execution of the
Queen of Scots, i. 132; notice of
his disgrace, ib. n.
Denmark, King of, account of his
arrival in England, ii. 136; his
entertainment by the King and
Queen, 138; entertains the King
and Queen on board his ship,
140; his presents to them, 142.
Derby, Ferdinand Earl of, Camden's
account of his death, i. 143 n.
Henry Stanley Earl of, re-
marks respecting him, i. 140; a
suspected partisan of the Queen of
Scots, 142 n.; observations on his
death, 143 ib. n.
Digby, Sir Kenelm, passage in his
defence before the House of Com-
mons, i. 184 n.; letter to him from
the Earl of Bristol, ii. 397.
Dolman, Abel, character of, i. 84 n.
Dominis, Antonio de, see Spalato.
Donne, Dr. accompanies Lord Don-
caster to Germany, ii. 195.
Dormer, Robert Lord, (afterwards
Earl of Caernarvon,) his marriage
with Lady Anne Herbert, ii. 406.
Dorset, Thomas Sackville Earl of,
letters to him from Lord Monta-
gue, ii. 118. 120.
Douay, establishment of Catholic se-
minaries in, i. 90.
Drake, Sir Francis, remarks on his
death, i. 170.
Dun, Dr. letter to him from Simon
Theloal, ii. 55.
Dunbar, Earl of, see Home.
Duresme, Bishop of, see Tunstal.
Durham, Bishop of, see Neile.
Dyer, Mr. Edw. letter to, from the
Earl of Essex, ii. 1.
D.
Darnley, Henry Lord, account of his
marriage with Mary Queen of Scot-
land, i. 76; of his murder, 77;
his imperious character, ib. n.
Dartford, story of the tailor of, i. 396.
Davenant, Dr. afterwards Bp. remarks
respecting him, ii. 189 n.
E.
Edmonds, Sir Thomas, English am-
bassador at Brussels, his conduct
respecting the King's book, i. 262 ;
letters to, from Sir Edw. Ho-
bart, ii. 106; from Sir John San-
ford, 132.
Egerton, Lord Chancellor, account
of his public life, i. 273; his in-
firmities, 281; death, 282.
INDEX.
415
Elizabeth, Queen of England, opinions
of her, i. 4, 5 n.; remarks respect-
ing, 9 n.; desirous of breaking
off the league between France and
Scotland, 11; her influence in the
government of that kingdom, 12;
her reception of the Duke Prusiano,
17; account of her interview with
the Polish ambassador, 59 n.; of
her changing the religion of the
state, 73; her anger at the mar-
riage between Lord Darnley and
the Queen of Scots, 76; anec-
dote of her, ib. n.; her penu-
riousness, 96; her conversation
with Cecil, 97 n.; effect of the
Irish war on her spirits, 98 n.;
account of a conspiracy against her
life, 120; offended at the Earl of
Essex's marriage, 147 n.; her an-
swer to Dr. Lopez, 151; her pro-
mises to him during his imprison-
ment, 153, 154; her personal
courage, 161; account of her go-
ing to council, 163; her appear-
ance in old age, 164; nobles of
her court, 177; anecdote of her,
198; comparison between the mag-
nificence of her court and that of
King James I. 199; parallel be-
tween her times and those of King
James, 413; account of her pro-
clamation, 418; her conduct to
the bishops, 419; quarrel with
the Earl of Essex, ii. 1; despatches
a fleet to Cadiz, 5 n.; swears to
the treaty with France, 10 n.; ac-
count of her entertainment at
Basinge by Lord and Lady Paulet,
21; anecdote of the flattery of her
courtiers, 38; her disposition to-
wards the Irish rebels, 39; Ty-
rone's submission to, 42; her
conditions respecting his pardon,
50; accounts of her death, 55;
her letters to Lord Montjoy, 28. 43.
49; Lord Montjoy's letters to her,
23. 28, 29. 32, 33, 34. 37.
•
Princess of England and
Queen of Bohemia, daughter of
James I. married to the Prince
Palatine, i. 228; crowned Queen
of Bohemia, 238; compelled to
fly, 240 n.; takes refuge in the
Low Countries, 242; caricatured,
ib.; pension allowed to, by King
James, 243 n.; the Prince of
Wales's intercession for her, ii. 250.
Elvis (or Elwys), Sir Jervis, Lieut.
of the Tower, discloses his know-
ledge of the murderer of Sir T.
Overbury, ii. 144 n.; his trial,
147; execution, 148. 151. 154.
England, uncertain titles of the Kings
of, i. 85; want of small specie in,
171 n.; remarks on the simplicity
of the courts of the early kings of,
189; on the efficiency of the go-
vernment of, 271; power of the
Lord Chancellor in, 275; remarks
on the authority of England, ii.
349.
English courts, simplicity of, in the
reigns of the early kings, i. 189;
aggrandizement of, in that of Hen-
ry VIII. 191; comparison respect-
ing, between the reigns of King
James and Queen Elizabeth, 199.
Epernon, Duke of, carries the Queen
Mother of France from Bloys to
Engolesme, ii. 186.
Erskine, John, seventh Earl of Mar,
account of, i. 10 n.
Sir Thomas, of Gogar, Earl
of Kelly, account of, i. 15 n.;
his marriage with the Viscountess
Kilmarnock, 391.
Essex, Robert Devereux second Earl of
that family, his accusation against
Dr. Lopez, i. 145; conversation
with Dr. Overall, 146; marriage,
147; restored to the Queen's fa-
vour, 149; his intrigues with Lo-
pez, 150; accuses him to the
Queen, 153; remarks respecting
him, 156; his quarrel with Queen
Elizabeth, ii. 1; the Lady War-
wick's friendship for him, 3 n.;
his expedition against Cadiz, 5 n.;
copy of his letter to the Council,
8 n.; account of his conspiracy,
11; remarks on his inconsistent
conduct, ib. n.; account of his
behaviour after his trial, 14. 16;
notice of his execution, 18; his
letter to Mr. Edward Dyer, ii. 1.
Robert Devereux third Earl
of, notice of his marriage, ii. 125.
Frances Countess of, ques-
tion respecting the nullity of her
marriage with the Earl of Essex,
i. 221; notice of her marriage with
Somerset, 223; note respecting her
marriage to the Earl of Essex, ii.
125.
Excommunication, remarks on, i. 261.
416
INDEX.
Exeter, Countess of, prefers a bill of
accusation against Sir Thomas Lake
and his family, i. 193; petitions
the King to burn some letters, 195;
letter to her from Lady Lake, ii. 196.
Evers, Lord, reproved for circulating
reports respecting King James I.
i. 387.
F.
Fairfax, Lord, anecdote of, ii. 268 n.
Faux, Guy, one of the conspirators in
the gunpowder plot, account of his
arrest, ii. 111, 112. 117. 123.
Fielding, William Lord, afterwards
Earl of Denbigh, ii. 216.
Fisher, Bishop, notice of an attempt
to poison him, i. 108.
Fitz-Williams, Sir William, his ty-
ranny over the Irish nobles, i. 138 n.
Fletcher, Dr. attends the Queen of
Scots at her execution, i. 133; no-
tice of his preferments, 134; ac-
count of him, ib. n.
Flushing, town of, account of its resto-
ration to the Hollanders, i. 48. 414.
Fortescue, Sir John, description of
his character, i. 24 n.
France, confusion in the religious
foundations of, i. 89; remarks on
the construction of chimneys in, ii.
343.
Kings of, see Henry III. IV.
Francis II.
Queen of, narrowly escapes
drowning, ii. 98; her jealousy of
the Marquis of Verneuil, 101. 103.
Francis II. King of France, his mar-
riage with the Queen of Scots, i.
74; death, 75.
Frederick V. Prince Elector and
Count Palatine of the Rhine, mar-
ried to Elizabeth, daughter of James
I. of England, i. 228; offered the
crown of Bohemia, 237. 239 n.;
his coronation, 238; defeated by
the Duke of Bavaria, 240; takes
refuge in the Low Countries, 242;
caricatures and play in derision of
him, 243 n.
Fuller, Dr. Thomas, his account of
the candidates for King James's
favour, i. 28 n.
G.
Garnet, H. one of the conspirators in
the gunpowder plot, i. 104. 109. 113.
Gaudy, Justice, made Chief Justice
of the Common Pleas, ii. 109.
Gerbier, Balthasar, account of his ne-
gotiation for different works of art,
ii. 328; his letters to the Duke of
Buckingham, 260. 326. 356. 369.
383.388.
Gibson, Mr. account of his duel with
Mr. Murray, ii. 405.
"God and the King," principles of
the book so called, i, 267.
Gondomar, Count, Spanish ambassa-
dor at the court of King James,
anecdote of him, i. 29; his conver-
sation with the Duke of Lenox re-
lative to the Spanish match, 360;
anecdote respecting him, ii. 229 n. ;
attempts to promote the marriage
between Prince Charles and the
Infanta of Spain, 234. 240 m.;
insulted by the Conde of Olivares,
324; his quarrel with him, 368;
his letters to King James, 234;
to the Marquis of Buckingham,
238.
Grey, Thomas Lord, of Wilton, one
of the conspirators in the Raleigh
plot, pardoned, ii. 92.
Gregory XIII. Pope, his promises of
assistance to Mary Queen of Scots,
i. 79, 80 n.
Gunpowder Plot, remote causes of
the, i. 73. 87. 99; description of
the conspirators, 102; discovery of
the plot, 105, 106. ii. 110; re-
marks on the plot, i. 108; on the
conspirators, 111. 113; reward of-
fered for the apprehension of Percy,
115 ; some of the traitors sent to
the Tower, 117.
H.
Hacket, Bishop, his remarks on the
Duke of Buckingham, i. 225 n.;
his character of the Countess of
Buckingham, ii. 183 n.
Hackwell, Dr. George, remarks on
his opposing the Spanish match, i.
365; account of him, 366 n.
Haddington, Lady, notice of her
death, ii. 187.
Hall, Dr. afterwards Bishop, his let-
ter to Dr. Ward, ii. 194.
Hamilton, James Duke of, notice of
him, ii. 247; of his marriage,
248 n.; his letters to the Duke of
Buckingham, ii. 247.
INDEX.
417
Hamilton, Marquis of, his death, ii.
406.
Heath, Nicholas, Abp. of York, ac-
count of his proclaiming Queen
Elizabeth, i. 418, 419.
Sir Robert, his letters to the
Marquis of Buckingham, ii. 244.
370.
Henry III. King of France, his death,
i. 81 n.
;
IV. of France, cautions King
James against the Catholics, i. 87
his treaty with Queen Elizabeth,
ii. 9 n.; narrowly escapes drown-
ing, 98; anecdotes of him, 100.
II. of England, increased
magnificence of the English court
in his reign, 192.
VIII. magnificence of the
English court in his reign, i. 191.
Prince of Wales, son of James
I. his death, suspicion of his being
poisoned, i. 247; public lamenta-
tions, 248 n.; his character, ib. 250;
anecdotes of him, 251, 252 n.; re-
marks on the proposals for his match
with the Infanta of Spain, 357;
letters to him from Arabella Stuart,
ii. 103, 104.
Herbert, Gerard, his letter to Dr.
Ward, ii. 186.
Lady Anna Sophia, account
of her marriage with Lord Dormer,
ii. 406.
Hewme, Sir George, see Home.
Hobart, Sir Edw. his letter to Sir T.
Edmonds, ii. 106.
Sir John, letters to him from
Robt. Hobart, ii. 87. 89; from T.
Cornwalleys, 91.
Robert, his letters to Sir John
Hobart, ii. 87. 89.
Hoboguer, Madame de, remarks re-
specting her, ii. 109.
Holderness, Earl of, see Ramsay.
Holland, restoration of the towns of
Flushing and Brill to, i. 48. 414.
Holman, Villiers, his letter to the
Cardinal Richelieu, ii. 348.
Home, Sir George (afterwards Earl
of Dunbar), character and account
of, i. 19 n.; his Scotch embassies,
21.
Honour, remarks on the useless punc-
tilios of, i. 62.
Howard, Sir Robert, notice of the
proceedings against him, ii. 377.
Thomas, Earl of Suffolk, his
VOL. II.
remarks on Queen Elizabeth's aver-
sion to appoint her successor, i.
9 n.; appointed treasurer, 289;
removed from office, 290; his cha-
racter, ii. 131 n.
Hubberd (or Hobart), John, letter to
him from Thomas Tooke, ii. 20.
Hudson, James, notice of his em-
bassy to Scotland, i. 12.
Hunsdon, Henry Carey first Lord,
character of, i. 178 n.
I.
Ingram, Sir Arthur, character of, i.
252 n.
Inoiosa, Marquis of, account of his
attempts to prejudice King James
against Prince Charles and the
Duke of Buckingham, ii. 324.
Ireland, endowment of bishoprics in,
by King James I. i. 91; Tyrone's
rebellion in, 93; Spaniards land
in, 31.
J.
Jacob, Lady Mary, her letter to the
Marquis of Buckingham, ii. 229
anecdote of her, ib. n.
James VI. King of Scotland, and James
I. of England, entrusts the care of
his son to the Earl of Monmouth, i.
7 n.; notice of his proclamation in
England, 8, 9 n.; his reception of
Queen Elizabeth's messengers, 13;
remarks on his disposition, 18; on
his treatment of the Scotch nation,
20, 21; favours the Earl of North-
umberland, 26; his opinion of Se-
cretary Cecil, 28; anecdote re-
specting him, 29; his testimony in
favour of Sir Robert Cecil, 31; de-
sires the French King's friendship,
39; his favourites, 40; conduct to
the Earl of Salisbury, 44; his de-
sire for peace, 61; justification of
his conduct in regard to Sir Walter
Raleigh, 68, 69; notice of his ap-
plication to the Pope previous to his
accession to the throne of England,
82; his conduct to the Papists, 87;
endowment of bishoprics in Ireland
and Scotland by him, 91; his con-
duct on Tyrone's rebellion in Ire-
land, 94; accused of ingratitude to
the Earl of Northumberland, 102 n.;
conspiracy of the Papists against
him, 103; informed of it, 105; re-
2 E
418
INDEX.
marks on his conduct to his mother's
partizans and enemies, 135, ib. n.;
136 n.; his respect for his Queen,
167;
conduct after her death,
168; alters the coinage, 171 n.;
his partiality for hunting, 174;
present at the trial of Sir Thomas
Lake, 195; deprives him of the
secretaryship, 196; his opinion of
Lady Lake, 197 n.; comparison
between the magnificence of his
court and that of Queen Elizabeth,
199; his bounty to the Scots, 204;
comments on his treatment of the
Lady Arabella Stuart, 210, 211;
on his theological controversies,
214; confers the honour of knight-
hood on Mr. G. Villiers, 224;
marries his daughter the Princess
Elizabeth to the Prince Palatine,
228; refuses to sanction the con-
duct of his son-in-law, 238 n.;
forbids his subjects to acknowledge
him King of Bohemia, 240; cen-
sured by writers for refusing to join
in the war for the recovery of the
Palatinate, 240, 242 n.; money
spent in embassies during his reign,
244; sends a fleet against the
pirates, 245; death of his son,
247; his sentiments respecting the
authority of the church, 259. 261;
his book in defence of the oath of
allegiance, 262 ; removes Lord Suf-
folk from the Treasury, 290; his
conversation with Sir Lionel Cran-
field, 311; his praise of him, 319;
issues a proclamation against the
Scotch rabble, 321; anecdotes of
him, 327 n. ii. 268; his reception of
the Abp. of Spalato, i. 339; gives him
several preferments, 340; his con-
duct on the Archbishop's departure,
347. 349; restores his trunks, 352;
remarks on the proposed marriages
for his sons, 357; desires the
match between Prince Charles and
the Infanta of Spain, 361; his con-
duct on its proposal, 365; his af-
fection for the Duke of Bucking-
ham, 384, 393; reports respecting
him, 387; his foresight of the con-
sequences of the breach of the
Spanish match, 394; refutation of
the charge against him of cow-
ardice, 395; his illness, 409, 410n.;
notice of his death, 410; rumour
of his being poisoned, 411 n.; pa-
rallel between his times and those
of Queen Elizabeth, 413; account
of his resignation of the towns of
Flushing and Brill, 414 n.; of his
proclamation on the death of Queen
Elizabeth, ii. 57; conspiracy of the
Papists against him, called the
gunpowder plot, 110; offers a re-
ward for the apprehension of Percy,
115; his speech in parliament, 116;
entertains the King of Denmark,
138, 129; entertained by him on
board his ship, 140; his presents
to the King, 142; his life attacked
by a Frenchman, 169; conspiracy
against him, 198; account of the
state of his revenue, 203 n.; pro-
posed marriage between his son and
the Infanta of Spain, 235; his taste
for collecting rare animals, 237 n.;
notice of the contradictory ac-
counts respecting his reign, 249 n. ;
his fondness for the children of
the Duke of Buckingham, 290;
his directions respecting the In-
fanta's journey to England, 299;
his attachment to the Duke of
Buckingham, 306; remarks on
the termination of the treaty of
marriage of his son with the In-
fanta, 322; attempts of the Mar-
quis of Inoiosa to prejudice him
against the Prince and the Duke
of Buckingham, 324; his letters
to Prince Charles and the Duke of
Buckingham, 255. 257. 297, 298,
299. 380; to the King of Spain,
259; to the Infanta, 295;ˆ let-
ters to him from Lord Bacon,
220; from Secretary Naunton, 227;
from the Count Gondomar, 234;
from Prince Charles and the Duke
of Buckingham, 253. 296; from
the Duke of Buckingham, 361.
Jones, Inigo, -account of his mask,
ii. 125; remarks respecting him,
360.
Jonson, Ben, account of his mask, ii.
125.
Joyeuse, Cardinal, his report of the
character of Sixtus Quintus, i. 80 n.
K.
Kelly, Earl of, see Erskine, Sir Thos.
Kildare, Lady, her marriage with
Lord Cobham, i. 70 n.
INDEX.
419
Kilmarnock, Viscountess, her mar-
riage with Lord Kelly, i. 391.
King, Dr. Bishop of London, his
contribution towards repairing St.
Paul's Cathedral, i. 317.
Kitson, Sir T. anonymous letter to
him, ii. 5.
Knighthood, conferred by Queen Eli-
zabeth on eleven persons at Ba-
singe, ii, 22.
L.
Lake, Sir Thomas, account of his rise
at court, i. 175; report respecting
him, 181; cause of his fall, 182;
narrative of his life, 192; the Coun-
tess of Exeter prefers a bill against
him, 193; his trial, 195; deprived
of the secretaryship, 196; his fine
and sentence, ii. 179. 185; politi-
cal reasons suspected to be the
cause of his fall, 196 n.
Lady, the Countess of Exeter's
bill against, i. 193; applications
to the King in her behalf, 197 n. ;
sentenced to imprisonment, ii. 179,
180. 185; her letter to the Coun-
tess of Exeter, 196.
Dr. Bishop of Bath and Wells,
his letter to Dr. Ward, ii. 218.
Laud, Abp. his charitable works, i.
287.
Leicester, Robert Dudley Earl of,
his enmity to the Queen of Scots,
i. 128.
Lennox, Ludovick Stuart, second
Duke of (afterwards Duke of Rich-
mond), account of, i. 11 n.; his
conversation with Count Gondo-
mar relative to the Spanish match,
360.
Lincoln, Bishop of, letter to, from
the Earl of Bristol, ii. 320.
London, proclamation of King James
I. in, ii. 57.
Bishop of, letter to, from the
Abp. of Canterbury, ii. 157.
Lopez, Dr. his intrigues with the Earl
of Essex, i. 150; disparages him
to Don Antonio, 152; arrested for
treason, 153; executed, 155; court
versions of his treason, 156 n.
Lords of the Privy Council, letter to,
from William Watson, ii. 59.
of Scotland, their privileges,
i. 73; change the religion of that
kingdom, 75.
Lorkin, Mr. his remarks on Sir Lionel
Cranfield's reforms in the court of
James I. i. 320 n.; his letters to
Sir T. Puckering, ii. 136. 168. 176.
Lorraine, the Lady Mary of, Regent
of Scotland during the infancy of
Queen Mary, i. 73; her death, 75.
Lyle, Robert Sydney Lord (after-
wards Earl of Leicester), birth of
his son, ii. 187.
M.
Madrid, accident to the Venetian
ambassador's suite in, ii. 182.
Manchester, Sir Henry Mountague
Earl of, appointed Lord Treasurer,
i. 291; account of him, ib. n.;
honours conferred on him, 292;
defends himself from the imputa-
tion of being concerned in the gun-
powder plot, ii. 118. 120. 122; his
letter to the Earl of Dorset, 118.
120.
Manners, Katherine, see Buckinghum,
Duchess of.
Manoury, M. arrested for clipping the
coin, ii. 181.
;
Mansell, Sir R. character of, i. 56.
Mar, Earl of, see Erskine, John.
Markham, Sir Griffin, one of the con-
spirators in the Raleigh plot, par-
doned, ii. 92.
Mary Queen of Scotland conveyed to
France, i. 73; married to Francis
II. 74; returns to Scotland, 75;
her marriage with Lord Darnley,76
her disagreement with him, 77;
married to the Earl of Bothwell
after Darnley's murder, ib.; impri-
soned in England, 78; remarks on
her imprisonment, 127; letters re-
specting her, 129 n.; intrigues to
procure her execution, 131 n.; in-
dignation of her subjects at her
death, 132.
Matthews, Toby, Abp. of York, anec-
dote of, ii. 268.
son of the Abp. his
letters to the Duke of Buckingham,
267. 270; to the Duchess, 303.
Mayerne, Dr. Theod. his opinion of
the illness of the Earl of Salisbury,
i. 46 n.
Maynwaring, Mr. account of his sui-
cide, ii. 405.
Mead, Mr. his letters to Sir Martin
Stuteville, ii. 198; letter to him, 404.
420
INDEX.
Meryke, Sir Gilly, notice of his exe-
cution, ii. 18.
Middlesex, Earl of, see Cranfield.
Monmouth, Earl of, see Cary.
Monson, Sir Thomas, indictment
against him for acceding to the
murder of Sir T. Overbury, ii. 154;
his arraignment, 156.
Montacute [Mountague], Anthony,
Lord, one of the gunpowder plot
conspirators, sent to the Tower, ii.
117.; his letters to Lord Dorset, ex-
culpating himself, ii. 118. 120. 122.
Montague, Lord, see Browne.
Montjoy, Charles Blunt Earl of, re-
marks respecting him, ii. 23 n.
25 n.; his flattery of Queen Eliza-
beth, 38; his letters to her, 23. 28,
29. 32, 33, 34. 37; letters to him
from Sir Robert Cecil, ii. 39.
45; from Lord Nottingham, 14.
39; from Queen Elizabeth, 28. 43.
49;
from Tyrone, 41. 53.
Mordaunt, Henry Lord, one of the
conspirators in the gunpowder plot,
sent to the Tower, ii. 117.
More, Sir Thomas, anecdote of his
chancellorship, i. 277.
Moret, La Haye, the Countess of,
anecdote of, ii. 101.
Mountague, first Viscount, see Brown.
Sir Henry, see Manchester.
Mountain, Dr. preaches Sir Robert
Cecil's funeral sermon, i. 30.
Murray, John, Earl of Annandale,
notice of his influence with King
James, i. 30 n.
Mr. account of his duel with
Mr. Gibson, ii. 405.
Musgrave, Capt. carried away by the
Scottish borderers, ii. 9.
109.
Lord, anecdote of him, ii.
N.
Naunton, Sir Robert, one of the Se-
cretaries of State, account of his
disgrace, ii. 228 n.; his letters to
the Duke of Buckingham, 225,
241; to King James, 227.
Navy, the English, remarks on the
abuses in, during the early part of
the reign of James I. i. 52; com-
missioners appointed to manage the
affairs of, 54.
Neile, Dr. Bishop of Durham, after-
wards Abp. of York, anecdote of
ii. 201.
Neville, Dr. Thomas, Dean of Can-
terbury, his embassy to King James
from the clergy, i. 28, 29 n.
Norfolk, Thomas Howard Duke of,
notice of his execution, i. 139.
Norris, Capt. remarks respecting, i. 55.
Northampton, Henry Howard Earl
of, his remarks respecting Sir John
Fortescue, i. 24; the Earl of North-
umberland, 25; accounts of him,
144. 180.
Northumberland, Henry Percy Earl
of, remarks respecting him, i. 25». ;
favoured by King James, 26; sus-
pected of being privy to the gun-
powder plot, 103 n.; ii. 112; his
examination, 115.
Nottingham, Charles Howard Earl
of, his favour with Queen Elizabeth,
i. 164; remarks on his revenues,
181; anecdote of his treatment of
Admiral Stuckeley, ii. 173; his let-
ters to Lord Montjoy, 14. 39; let-
ters to him from Lady Riche, 18.
0.
Olivares, the Condé of, account of his
quarrel with the Duke of Bucking-
ham, ii. 324: his insults to Gon-
domar, ib.; quarrel with him, 368.
O'Rourke, Mr. account of, i. 137;
his apprehension and execution,
138 n. 139.
Overall, Dr. (afterwards Bishop of
Norwich,) his conversation with the
Earl of Essex, i. 145.
Overbury, Sir Thomas, anecdote of, i.
216; remarks on his imprisonment
in the Tower, 219 ib. n.; allusion
to his murder, 220, 221; execution
of the parties, 146. 151. 158; in-
quiry into his murder, ii. 143; his
letters to the Earl of Salisbury, ih.
'Overbury's Vision," description of
Mrs. Turner in the poem so called,
ii. 146 n.
Oxford, Henry de Vere Earl of, ac-
count of his imprisonment in the
Tower, ii. 232 n.
P.
Pagett, Charles, his letter to the
Queen of Scots, i. 128 n.
Paintings, account of some rare paint-
ings in the possession of the Pre-
sident Chevallier, ii. 328; of the
Bishop of Paris, 338.
INDEX.
421
Palatine, Prince, see Frederick V.
Palmer, Mr. proposes to raise the
coinage, i. 316.
Pampeluna, Governor of, executed for
practising with France, ii. 109.
Papists, hatred of, in England, i. 86;
their plans, 87; their persecution
in the reign of James I. 100; con-
trive the gunpowder plot, 102; act
of parliament respecting them, ii.
198.
Paris, Bishop of, description of some
rare paintings in his possession, ii.
338.
Parry, Dr. William, account of his
treason, i. 119; his trial, 123; ex-
ecuted, 124.
Pasquinades on the poverty of the
Scots, i. 321 n.
Paulett, Lord and Lady, entertain
Queen Elizabeth at Basinge, ii. 20.
Philip II. King of Spain, his opinion
of the Princess Elizabeth (after-
wards the Queen), i. 4; his treat-
ment of her, ib. n.; favours the
English Papists, 88; their depend-
ence upon him, 90.
III. King of Spain, proposal
for the marriage between his daugh-
ter and Prince Henry of England,
i. 357; with Prince Charles, 360;
his reception of him, 371; punishes
the Governor of Pampeluna for
practising with France, ii. 109;
letter to him from King James I.
259.
Pembroke, William Earl of, anecdote
of his generosity, i. 313.
Percy, Thomas, his character, i.
102; one of the conspirators in
the gunpowder plot, 103, ii. 111;
reward for his apprehension, 115;
his death, i. 106, ii. 117.
Perkins, Sir Christopher, account of,
i. 329; remarks on his marriage,
334; his death, 335.
Pickeringe, Sir T. see Puckeringe.
Pius Quintus,Pope, character of, i. 78;
excommunicates Queen Elizabeth,
79.
Poland, King of, sends an ambassador
to England with propositions of
peace, i. 59.
Popes, see Pius Quintus.-Gregory
XIII.-Sixtus Quintus.-Clement
VIII.
Popish priests, see Priests.
Porter, Sir Endymion, account of his
accident on his embassy to Spain,
ii. 249.
Portugal, competitors for the crown
of, i. 152 n.
Pory, Mr. his letters to Sir Robert
Cotton, ii. 124. 138; to Sir T.
Puckering, 201 n.
Priests, popish, many of them tried
and executed for treason, i. 158.
Proclamation for the apprehension of
Thomas Percy, ii. 115.
Puckeringe, or Pickeringe, Sir T. fa-
vours the execution of the Queen
of Scots, i. 132; his appointments,
133; letters to him from Mr. Lor-
kin, ii. 136. 168. 176; from J.
Pory, 201 n.
Purbeck, Lady, notice of the proceed-
ings against her, ii. 377.
R.
Raleigh conspiracy, or bye-plot, ac-
count of, ii. 59; execution of the
conspirators, 88. 91, 92.
Sir Walter, his project on the
union of England and Scotland, i.
21; account of his treason, 63.
65; remarks on his execution, 68,
69; notice of his attempt to stab
himself in the Tower, ii. 93; his
letter to his wife, ib.
Lady, letter to her from Sir
Walter, ii. 93.
Ramsay, John, Earl of Holderness,
account of, i, 22 n.
Randolph, Thomas, his account of
the Queen of Scots' marriage with
Lord Darnley, i. 77 n.
Rawleigh, Sir Walter, see Raleigh.
Revenue, account of the state of, ii.
203. 207. 211.
Rich, Sir Harry (afterwards Lord
Kensington and Earl of Holland),
account of his duel with Sir Edward
Villiers, ii. 171.
Rich, Lady, sister of the Earl of
Essex, out of favour with Queen
Elizabeth, ii. 1. 18; her letters to
Lord Nottingham, ib.
Richelieu, Cardinal, letter to him
from Villiers Holman, ii. 348.
Richmond, Duchess of, her intrigue to
procure the marriage between Lord
Kelly and the Viscountess Kilmar-
nock, i. 391.
Roman Catholic seminaries, see Semi-
naries.
422
INDEX.
Roman Catholics, the English, their
dependence upon Philip II. of
Spain, i. 90.
Roos, Lady, daughter of Sir Thomas
Lake, particulars respecting her, ii.
180.
Roos, Lord, character of, i. 182; his
marriage, 183.
"
Royal and Noble Authors" (Wal-
pole's), impression of one of Eliza-
beth's coins in, i. 164 n.
Rutland, Francis Manners Earl of,
account of the marriage between his
daughter and the Duke of Buck-
ingham, ii. 189. 192 n.; his letter
to the Marquis of Buckingham, 189;
letter to him from the Marquis of
Buckingham, 191.
S.
Sackville, Sir Edward (afterwards
Earl of Dorset), visits the Abp. of
Spalato at Rome, i. 352 n.
Salisbury, Earl of, see Cecil, Sir
Robert.
Sancy, M. Harley de, negotiates for
a treaty between France and Eng-
land, ii. 9 n.
Sandford, Sir John, his letter to Sir T.
Edmonds, ii. 132.
Saxon Kings, simplicity of the, i. 382.
Scotland, governed by Lady Mary of
Lorraine during the infancy of
Queen Mary, i. 73; change of the
religion in, 75; endowment of
bishoprics by King James VI. 91;
revenues of the Crown insufficient
to support the government of, 270.
Scotland, church of, see Church.
Scots, their extravagance in England,
i. 99; pasquinades on their poverty,
321 n.
Seminaries, R. Catholic, establishment
of, by Cardinal Allen, i. 90.
Sixtus Quintus, Pope, his penurious
character, i. 80 n.; anecdote of
him, 81 n.; his death, ib. n.
Somerset, Earl of, see Carr.
Spain, extension of religious know-
ledge in, i. 89; fertility of, 169 ;
base coin in, 170; amusing de-
scription of, ii. 132.
King of, see Philip III.
Queen of, her present to
Prince Charles, i. 371.
Infanta of, her proposed mar-
riage with Prince Charles of Eng-
land, ii. 235. 239; description of
her, 285 m.; King James's direc-
tions respecting her journey to Eng-
land, 299; remarks on the abrupt
termination of her proposed mar-
riage, 322; letter to her from King
James I. 295.
Spalato, Antonio de Dominis, Abp.
of, account of him, i. 336; his ar-
rival and reception in England,
339; mastership of the Savoy and
deanery of Windsor given to him,
340; anecdote of, ib. n.; quarrel
with the canons of Windsor, 341;
corresponds with the Pope and Ca-
tholic ministers, 345, 346; solicits
permission to leave England, 347;
proceeding in consequence, 348;
his examination, 349; ordered to
depart, 350; his trunks detained,
351; solicits the King for their re-
storation, 352; his recantation of
his death, 354;
heresy, ib.;
his
body burnt for heresy, ib.; notice
of his return to Rome, ii. 218.
Spaniards, landing of, in Ireland, ii.
31.
Spencer, Sir John, his death, ii. 127 ;
vast property, ib. n. 128 n.
Stuart, the Lady Arabella, remarks on
her marriage with the Earl of Hert-
ford, i. 209; her provision, 211;
narrative of her life and adventures,
212 n.; her letters to Prince Henry,
105.
ii. 103, 104; to
Stukeley, Admiral Sir Lewis, anec-
dote respecting him, ii. 173;
arraigned for clipping the coin, 175.
Stuteville, Sir Martin, letter to, from
Mr. Mead, ii. 198. 249.
Suffolk, Thomas Howard Earl of, see
Howard.
Swarton, Sarah, accused of perjury,
her sentence, ii. 180. 185.
Sydney, Robert, see Lyle.
T.
Tailor of Dartford, story of, i. 396.
Theloal, Simon, his letter to Dr.
Dun, ii. 55.
Throckmorton, Sir Nicholas, anec-
dote of, i. 44 n.
Sir John, his letters to
Mr. William Trumbull, ii. 153.
156.
Throgmorton, Francis, accused of
treason, i. 116. 119 n.
INDEX.
423
Throgmorton, Judge, account of, i.
116; Queen Mary's favour to, 118.
Tooke, Thomas, his letter to Mr.
John Hubberd, ii. 20.
Treasurer, Lord, characters of the
treasurers of the reign of James I.
i. 289. 291.
Tresham, Mr. one of the conspirators
in the gunpowder plot, i. 104.
Trumbull, Mr. William, letters to
him from Sir J. Throckmorton, ii.
153. 156.
Trym, Richard, his letters to Sir Robt.
Crane, ii. 185.
Tufton, Sir Humphrey, account of,
ii. 404 n.
Tunstal, Cuthbert, Bishop of Du-
resme, supposed to be the godfather
of Queen Elizabeth, i. 419.
Turner, Mrs. executed for participat-
ing in the murder of Sir T. Over-
bury, ii. 146; description of her in
a poem on her death, 146 n.
Tyrone, Hughe Earl of, notice of his
rebellion in Ireland, i. 93; of his
death, 96; professes his submis-
sion to Queen Elizabeth, ii. 41;
her conditions respecting his par-
don, 50; his letters to Lord Mont-
joy, 41. 53.
Turpyn, R. his letter to the Duke of
Buckingham, ii. 302.
U.
Unton, Sir Henry, anecdote of his
flattery of Queen Elizabeth, ii. 38.
Usher, Dr. (afterwards Abp.) his
character, ii. 199.
V.
Vanlore, Sir Peter, anecdote respect-
ing him, i. 204.
Vane, Sir Francis, notice of his being
created Earl of Westmoreland, ii.
361 n.
Vaux, Guy, see Faux.
Verneuil, Marquise of, Henry IV. of
France's attachment to, ii. 101;
the Queen jealous of her, 102, 103.
Villeauxclercs, M. French ambas-
sador, account of his arrival and
reception in England, ii. 363.
Villiers, George, afterwards Duke of
Buckingham, account of his being
knighted, i. 224; his personal ap-
pearance, 225; his character, 226
72.;
his descent, 255; persuaded from
marrying the daughter of Sir Robert
Aston, 256; his persecution of the
Earl of Middlesex, 325; his hatred
of Sir Christopher Perkins, 334;
accompanies Prince Charles into
Spain, 368; ii. 253.; his conduct
there, i. 372; quarrels with the Earl
of Bristol, 373. 403; his opinion
of the cause of the breach of the
Spanish match, 382; the King's
affection for him, 384. 393; his
grief on the death of King James,
409; his marriage with Katharine
Manners, ii. 189, 192 n.; his ac-
count of the journey to Spain with
Prince Charles, 254; the King's
fondness for his children, 290 n.;
the King's attachment to him, 306;
reports respecting his conduct in
Spain, 314, 315; rupture of the
Spanish match attributed to his in-
fluence, 322; account of his quarrel
with the Condé of Olivares, 324;
his letters-to the Earl of Rutland,
191; to King James, 253. 296.
361; to the Earl of Bristol, 402;
letters to him - from the Abp.
of Canterbury, 160; Chief Jus-
tice Coke, 161; Sir. L. Cranfeild,
164. 202. 207. 210; the Countess
his mother, 183. 258. 276; the
Earl of Rutland, 189; Prince
Charles, 209; Lord Bacon, 222,
223; Secretary Naunton, 225.
241; Lady Mary Jacob, 229; Sir
J. Wentworth, 231; the Count
Gondomar, 238; Robert Heath,
244; the Marquis of Hamilton,
247; King James I. 255. 257.297,
298, 299. 382; Balthasar Ger-
bier, 260. 326. 356. 369. 383.
388; Toby Matthews, 267. 270;
Secretary Conwey, 273. 286. 290,
291. 306. 346. 363; the Duchess
his wife, 277. 283. 309; Ed-
ward Clarke, 300; R. Turpyn,
302; Mr. James Waddsworth,
314; Sir Walter Aston, 368; Sir
R. Heath and Sir T. Coventry,
370; the Duke of Chevreuse, 380.
Villiers, Lady Mary, daughter of the
Duke of Buckingham, ii. 264; ac-
count of her, 278; the King's
fondness for her, 290.
Sir Edward, account of his
duel with Sir Henry Rich, ii.
171.
424
INDEX.
W.
Waddsworth, James, his letter to the
Duke of Buckingham, ii. 314; his
character, 318 n.
Wallis, Thomas, his letter to Dr.
Ward, ii. 174.
Ward, Dr. letters to him from Thos.
Wallis, ii. 174; Gerard Herbert,
186; Dr. Hall, 194; Bishop
Lake, 218; Bedell, 325.
Warwick, Robert Rich second Earl
of, his death, ii. 195.
Lady, a zealous friend of
the Earl of Essex, ii. 3 n.
Warwickshire, insurrection in, ii. 112.
Watson, William, a priest, tried for
treason, 64; his account of the
Raleigh conspiracy in his letter to
the Lords of the Privy Council, ii.
59; executed, 88.
Wentworth, Sir J. his letter to the
Duke of Buckingham, ii. 231.
Westmoreland, Earl of, see Vane.
Weston, Lord, notice of Lord Claren-
don's character of him, i. 2 n.
Whitehall, banqueting house at, de-
stroyed by fire, ii. 175. 187.
Williams, Lord (afterwards Abp. of
York), anecdote of him, i. 1 n.;
his character, 285; his charitable
works, 287.
Windebank, Secretary, letter to him
from Mr. Robt. Woodward, ii. 193.
Windsor, canons of, see Canons.
church of, remarks on the
management of, i. 342.
Winter, Christopher, his connexion
with the conspiracy of the gunpow-
der plot, i. 104.
Winter, Thomas, applies to the King
of Spain in behalf of the Catholics,
i. 88; his connexion in the gun-
powder plot, 104.
Winwood, Sir Ralph, remarks re-
specting him, i. Î86, 187 n.; his
discovery of the perpetrators of Sir
Thomas Overbury's murder, 257 n.;
difference between him and Sir
Francis Bacon, 283; anecdote of
his meanness, 401; blamed for ad-
vising the resignation of the towns
of Flushing and Brill, 414 n.; his
discovery of the author of the mur-
der of Sir T. Overbury, ii. 144 n.
Woodward, Robert, his letter to Se-
cretary Windebank, ii. 193.
Worcester, Edward Somerset, Earl of,
character of, i. 201.
Worseley, Mr. a Catholic, his con-
spiracy against the King's life, ii.
198; apprehended, 199.
Wotton, Sir H. his description and
character of Pope Clement VIII.
i. 82 n.
Y.
Yelverton, Mr. favours the Puritans,
i. 343; cause of his disgrace, ib.
York, Archbishops of, see Heath ;
Neile; Matthews.
Younge, Dr. Dean of Winchester,
King James's instructions to him
respecting the Abp. of Spalato, i.
348.
THE END.
LONDON:
PRINTED BY SAMUEL BENTLEY,
Dorset Street, Fleet Street.

2
CIRCULATING
&
NON

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
3 9015 05707 6146
22
B 440867

COURT OF
KING JAMES
THE FIRST