Letters of the Court of James I 1613 Reverend Thomas Lorkin to Sir Thomas Puckering Baronet 12 Aug 1613. 12 Aug 1613. London. Reverend Thomas Lorkin to Thomas Puckering 1st Baronet (age 21).

First, touching the business which you so particularly commended unto me at our last being together at Florence, Italy, I have had hitherto very small opportunity of dealing farther in it than pressing Mr. Newton (age 33) for his advice and furtherance. For in this general absence of the court, when king, queen, and prince are all in several progresses, little or no means hath been yet offered. Sir Robert Cary (age 53)¹, as your brother telleth me, is the fittest man to be dealt with in that kind, to whom I shall most willingly likewise address myself, as having best means to him. Only I attend some further directions from Mr. Newton (age 33) both for the nature of the place I should sue for, and how I should govern myself in my offers for the accomplishment of it.

For news, that which is of chiefest moment is this. There hath lately happened in the Palatine's court a strange quarrel between the English and Scots, and that in this manner and upon this occasion. Sir Andrew Keigh, a Scotsman, that is in some office about the Palatine, happening one day to contest with my Lady Harrington (age 59)² upon some point in her grace's presence, [he proceeded] to that insolency at the length, as he gave her the lie; and not content therewith (to verify that of the orator, "qui vere cundiæ fines semel transierit, eum benè et gnavitèr oportet esse impudentem," [Note. she who truly has once crossed the bounds of grace must be shameless]) fell to debase my lord (age 73) likewise with very base and opprobrious speeches. Mr. Bushell, who, as I understand, was the only man of all my lord's followers that was then present, finding Keigh not long after in a fit place for that purpose, offered him the combat in defence of his lord's (age 73) and lady's (age 59) honour; and as both were ready to draw, another Scotsman, who was in Keigh's company, interposed himself, and suffered not them to proceed then any farther. Being thus parted, my Lord Harrington (age 73) sent for Mr. Bushell to his chamber (whether to wish him to be quiet, or for what other occasion I know not). In the mean time, this Keigh [at the] head of four or five Scotsmen more, himself being provided, besides his sword, with a square bastinado and a dagger, the rest with the [sword] only, lies in wait to set apon Mr. Bashell at his return: [who, as he was] coming from my lord, and not dreaming of any such enterprise, and going to put his foot in his stirrup to mount up upon his horse, (for my lord's [lodging and his] were far asunder), lo! Keigh steps forth, striking him, [and with the] bastinado fells him: yet presently he recovered himself, and, offering to rise, received a second blow upon the head, and was felled a second time. Notwithstanding all this, he recovered himself again, and drew out his sword in his own defence, being all idone; when all the rest laid about him with their swords, and, being five to one, wounded him very grievously, as having run him through the body, and into divers parts no less than twelve times. During this conflict, Mr. Gray, another of my lord's gentlemen, coming forth, received a thrust in the hand, but not without leaving some of the marks likewise upon them. After that came her grace's coachman, and took part with Mr. Gray (for Mr. Bushell was now left for dead) and hurt two or three of the Scots; who, not daring to abide to fight any longer, partly for fear of others that might come in, and partly for that they supposed their chief enemy either dead or not likely to live, presently quitted the place, and betook themselves to flight. But there was suddenly way made after them, and they all brought back again. Sir Andrew Keigh was confined to his chamber under a sure guard, the rest committed to the ordinary prison; and a messenger presently despatched over into England to understand his majesty's pleasure touching this subject; who has scarcely as yet received the news thereof. Mr. Bushell nevertheless is yet living, and not without hope of recovery. My Lord (age 73) and Lady Harrington (age 59) purpose to return for England this month, and to bring him along with them, (which they may well do by water) if they find him any way able to endure it.

Upon their arrival. Sir John Harrington (age 21)³ purposeth to go and take possession of his government in Guernsey [Map], which he hath lately obtained by an exchange which he hath made between it and a reversion of an office formerly granted him of being master in the King's Bench.

My Lord of Essex's (age 22) cause hath had no hearings of late, and is remitted over to the 18th day of this next new month. Two new commissioners are adjoined to the former, viz., the Bishops of Winchester (age 66)⁴ and Rochester (age 51)⁵ that their voice in favour of the nullity may be able to counterpoise the contrary opposition of Canterbury and London.

The Lord Chief Justice Fleming (deceased) is lately dead, and Hobart and Montagu suitors for the place.

In my last letters I acquainted you with the stirs that were at Nismes upon occasion of M. Ferrier, some time their minister. M. le Conestable, who resides in those parts, hath made such a grievous complaint thereof unto the queen (age 11)⁶, as she hath taken a resolution thereupon to translate, by way of punishment, the presidial seat of justice, which is there, to Beaucaire, a neighbour Catholic town, hard by; which, if it once come to be put in execution, is like to occasion far greater stirs in those quarters.

Note 1. Fourth son of Henry Cary Lord Hunsdon, and grandson of William Cary, Esq., who married Mary Boleyn, sister to Queen Anne Boleyn. Sir Robert Cary (age 53) was created by King James I (age 47), Lord Gary of Lepingdon, in Yorkshire, and by King Charles I (age 12), Earl of Monmooth.

Note 2. Anne (age 59), daughter and sole heir of Robert Kelway, Esq, surveyor of the Court of Wards, and wife of Sir John Harrington (age 73), created 21st July, 1603, by King James the First (age 47), Lord Harrington of Exton in Rutland. He had the tuition of the Lady Elizabeth (age 16), whom he attended, in April, 1613, to the Palatinate; and died in the same year.

Note 3. Son (age 21) of Lord Harrington (age 73). He died in February, 1613-14.

Note 4. Dr. Bilson (age 66).

Note 5. Dr. John Buckridge (age 51).

Note 6. Queen of France (age 11).

Letters of the Court of James I 1613 Reverend Thomas Lorkin to Sir Thomas Puckering Baronet 29 Aug 1613. 29 Aug 1613. London. Reverend Thomas Lorkin to Thomas Puckering 1st Baronet (age 21).

Yoa may please to remember how, in some of my former letters, I made mention of my Lord of Essex's (age 22) case, which was to rest in dependance till next term. But the king showed himself so affectionate in it, as the commissioners have been forced (to give his majesty satisfaction) to yield a more speedy hearing of it, which was done (though with little effect) upon last Wednesday. But it is believed generally that unless the commission be changed, the nullities which his majesty desireth will never be pronounced. For the Archbishop of Canterbury (age 50) and the Bishop of London (age 54), together with Dr. Bennet, and Dr. Edwards, who are like to have the greatest sway in deciding this controversy, are directly against it; insomuch as my Lord of Canterbury (age 50), being with his majesty at Windsor for some three or four days before the hearing, fell down upon his knees twice or thrice, to entreat his majesty that he might be dispensed with from being on the commission; which he would esteem a greater favour that all that he had received from him in being raised from a private condition, and in so short a space, to the highest dignity ecclesiastical. At the last hearing, my Lord of Rochester (age 26) stayed here in town, as is supposed, to hear the success, and rode presently past unto the king, [to acquaint] his majesty thereof, and showeth himself so passionate in this business only in favour [of the [his wife] countess (age 23),] with whom a new match would be presently concluded, if the old one were now abolished.

Sir Thomas Overbury (age 32) is like to run a short course, being sick unto death¹. The lieutenant of the Tower, and the physicians that were there about him, have subscribed their hands, that they hold him a man past all recovery.

Mr. Albert Morton (age 29), secretary of Sir Henry Wotton, is to be sent presently ambassador to the Duke of Savoy (age 51), and there [remain], which gives occasion of conjecture here that the old treaty of marriage is now [on foot] again; and that that other of France is like to fall to the ground. But in these [conjectures] haply it would be fit to be more sparing.

I received news lately from a gentleman, that heard it from Sir Ralph Winwood's (age 50) own mouth, that the States are resolved to make war upon the King of Denmark, if either our king will join them, or otherwise be [persuaded] to stand by a neuter. Their quarrel is, for that the King of Denmark hath imposed a grievous tax upon all merchandize that pass the Sound, and he hath in effect blocked up that passage: for it is held that of every three ships that pass, one falls by this means to his share, which is a thing intolerable.

The differences between them of the Religion in France are grown so violent as the deputies'-general have petitioned the queen, in the name of all the provinces, for liberty to hold a general assembly for [consideration] and pacification of them. But they find this request to be nothing pleasing, nor without great difficulty to be ob- tained, out of a jealousy the States hath that they may grow to new complaints and demands, after the example of the last assembly.

There hath been lately a proposition of marriage between the daughter of M. D'Ancre, and M. De Villeroy's grand-child, who is the heir of his house; there having been a former intention of matching her with the young Duke D'Elboeuf, which gives occasion of great jealousy and suspicion to M. De Guise and his faction, fearing by this news that M. De Yilleroy will be disjoined from them.

Note 1. He died on the 15th of September following, from poison, which Rochester and his countess had caused to be administered in his food.