Letters. 25 Apr 1544. Catherine, Countess of Westmoreland (age 45) to Earl of Shrewsbury (age 44).

After my most hearty recommendations unto your good lordship, this shall be to advertise the same that my servant, Ninian Meuvill, the bringer hereof, who is a gentleman, and is very desirous to serve the king's majesty on the borders fore anenst Scotland. Wherefore, my lord, I pray you that you would, at this mine instance and desire, admit him to be a eaptain upon the said borders. Trusting that he will so use himself therein or in any other business that it shall please your lordship to put him unto, if it be belonging a gentleman to do, that you shall be contented therewith, or else I would be right loath to write thus in his favour. And Almighty God preserve your good lordship.

From Brandspath [Map], the 25th day of April.

To the Right Honourable and my very good lord, the King's Majesty's Lieutenant, be this given.

[Talbot Papers, Volume B. Folio. 18. College of Arms. Original.]

The Countess of Westmoreland (age 45) was the second daughter of Edward, Duke of Backingham, and given in marriage to Ralph, Earl of Westmoreland (age 46), to compensate him for his disappointment, when her elder sister Elizabeth (age 47), to whom he had been previously plighted, was given in marriage to Thomas, Earl Surrey (age 71), afterwards 4th Duke of Norfolk. She had a large family of seven sons and nine daughters. She died on Tuesday, May 14th, 1555, and was buried the following Friday at St. Leonard's, Shoreditch.^a

The residence of the countess at Colbrandspath exposed her to occasional perils, in the often disturbed state of the northern counties. Thomas Tempest, writing on one occasion to the Duke of Norfolk, detailing some disturbances that had arisen on account of the absence of the Bishop of Durham and Earl of Westmoreland, adds, — "My lady of Westmoreland, with such counsel as she taketh to her, stayeth the country here for a time; I assure your lordship, she rather playeth the part of a knight than of a lady, as your lordship shall well perceive at your coming hither."^b

The Earl of Shrewsbury, to whom the present letter is addressed, was appointed lieutenant of the North in the year 1544.

Note a. Harleian MS. 897, fol. 80.

Note b. Miscellaneous Letters, 1st series, vol. iv. fol. 15. State Paper Office.