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All About History Books
The Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke. Baker was a secular clerk from Swinbroke, now Swinbrook, an Oxfordshire village two miles east of Burford. His Chronicle describes the events of the period 1303-1356: Gaveston, Bannockburn, Boroughbridge, the murder of King Edward II, the Scottish Wars, Sluys, Crécy, the Black Death, Winchelsea and Poitiers. To quote Herbert Bruce 'it possesses a vigorous and characteristic style, and its value for particular events between 1303 and 1356 has been recognised by its editor and by subsequent writers'. The book provides remarkable detail about the events it describes. Baker's text has been augmented with hundreds of notes, including extracts from other contemporary chronicles, such as the Annales Londonienses, Annales Paulini, Murimuth, Lanercost, Avesbury, Guisborough and Froissart to enrich the reader's understanding. The translation takes as its source the 'Chronicon Galfridi le Baker de Swynebroke' published in 1889, edited by Edward Maunde Thompson. Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback.
Calendars is in Books.
1474 Anne Beauchamp declared Legally Dead
1501 Arrival of Catherine of Aragon
1545 Battle of the Solent and the Sinking of the Mary Rose
A summary. Most commonly used for dates but calendars can apply to anything. For example. the Parliamentary Rolls were, over time, translated, edited and summarised into Calendars organised by type and reign.
9th February 1567. 470. Plan of the Kirk of Field. Coloured drawing or plan of the Kirk of Field and surrounding neighbourhood, showing the position of the bodies of Darnley and his servant nearly naked etc.
Sheet 20 inches by 15. Very curious—showing the explosion, hurry of the people, details etc., in compartments.
11th February 1567. Add. MSS. 33, 531, fol.37. 471. Depositions on the King's murder.
In presence of the Earls of Huntly, Cassillis, Caithness, Sutherland, Bishops of Galloway, Ros, Comptroller, Justice clerk etc.
Barbara Mertine, sworn etc., depones that before the "crak rais," she passed to the window of her house in the "Freir wynd, fomentis " the Master of Maxwell's lodging, and heard 13 men come forth at the "Freir [yett]" and pass to the Cowgait and up the Freir wynd. Then the "crak rais" and 11 men came forth, 2 of whom had "cleir thingis" on them, and passed down the passage that "cummis fra the Freirs" and so to the town. She cried on them as they passed, called them traitors, and said they had been at some "evill turn."
May Crokat, spouse of John Stirling, servant to the bishop of Sa[ntandros], dwelling under the Master of Maxwell's lodging, depones she was lying in her house betwixt "hir twa twynnis " when the "crak [rais]" ... * thought it was the house above, "and come rynnand to [the door in her]* sark allane," and even as she come furth ... * there came out at the "Freir yett" 11 men, and she "clekit" one by his ... * which was of silk, and asked where the crak was? But they made no answer, and 4 went up the. wynd, and other 7 down to the Cowgate port etc.
John Petcarne, "chirurgeane," dwelling in said wynd ...* "archiers of the gard," depones: that he neither heard nor knew any¬ thing till about "four houris" . [till a servant?].* "of Senyeour Frances quha is a little lene fallow," came and cried on the deponent to come to his maister, which he did and remained with him till about "sex houris."
1 p. In the handxcriting of Alexander Hay. Damaged at right side
Note *. Torn off.
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October 1569. 1194. The Queen of Scots' attendants.
Premierement: M. de Leviston, a gentleman and page; Madame de Leviston, a woman and man; Mlle de Cetton, a woman and man; Mlle [sic] de Leviston, wife to John of Levynston ; Mlle de Brusse, daughter to the Laird of Arthe; Courcelles, a French woman; Ellas Bog; Cristine Hog, wife to Sebastian; Gin Canatte, a maid; M. de Betton, "maitre dhostel"; M. de Craffort, "escuier tranchant"; M. du Castel, medecin; Le Contreolleur Gyott.
"Valletz de chambre": Bastien Pages; Balthazard Hully, " valett de gardero "; Guillebert Courlles, secretary ; Guillaume Douglas ; Ange Marie, "Itallion " ; Jaques Lader.
"Huissier de chambre": Archebel Betton. "Tailleur": Jacques de Senlis. "Portchaise": Florenc Brossier." Officiers de panneterie et eschansoundrie: Guillaume le seigneur "sommellier de panneterie"; Guyon Lasselan, aide; Didier Chiffard "sommellier de schan"; Gilles le Roidde, aide.
"Officiers de cuisine": EstienneHavet, "escuier"; MartinHuet, "maitre guetix"; Pierre Medart, "potaiger"; Jehan du Bois, "pastieur"; ung porteur; ung galloppin; ung huissier de cuisine.
"Serviteurs: Ung homme a Madamoiselle de Leviston ; ung homme an Mre dhostel; ung homme au medecin."
Note 1. Jane Kennedy.
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4th May 1571. Shrewsbury to Burghley.
With much ado, I have brought this Queen to lessen her people as near thirty persons as I can, and not without weeping tears. She has willed me to tolerate nine persons below the thirty, till she may hear from the Bishop of Rosse again, and has promised me, that unless he obtains the Queen's favour, they shall not tarry either. I have agreed to give them the "ovarsyght" for a time. I have herewith sent the names of her people, as well of those that go away, as the rest that remain here, saving that the bishop of Galloway has willed me that his eldest son may tarry here. He is leavened in hope of entering into credit with this Queen, whom Beton, her Master of the Household, and the rest of the Papists about her, do not like, as the bishop says. I perceive he has written to your lordship therein. Signed: by Shrewesbury. ⅔ p. Holograph. Addressed. Indorsed (by Burghley's clerk).
Inclosure with the same:
My Lady Levingstoun, dame of honour to the Queen's majesty; Mrs. Setoun, "that bowskis1 the Quene"; Mrs. Levingstoun, Mrs. Bruce, gentlewomen of the chamber; Mrs. Courcelles, Mrs. Kennedy, maids of the chamber.
My Lord Levingstoun; Mr. Betoun, Mr of the Household; Mr. Levingstoun, "gentilman servand"; Mr. Castell, "Phesitian"; Mr. Raulet, Secretary.
Bastiane Pages, groom of the chamber; Balthazar Huilly, Mr of the Wardrobe; James Lawder, groom and musician in the chamber; Gilbert Curll, groom of the chamber; William Dowglas, groom of the chamber.
Archibald Betoun, usher of the chamber; Thomas Archibald, "huissier, who goes afore the Quenis meit, and servis the Mr of the houshald"; Jacques de Senlis, groom of the wardrobe and tailor; William Blak, "who serves in absence of Florent, the tapissier."
Dedier Chifflard, "somlier"; Gwyon Loyselon, "pantlare"; Andrew Mackeson, "help to the somlier and pantlare and to serve Secretaire Raullet"; Estienne Havet, master cook; Martin Huet, foreman in the kitchen; Pierre Medart, "potagier "; "Johne" du Boys, "pastlare."
Mr. Bruce, gentleman servant to my Lord Levingstoun; Nicol Fisher, servant to my Lady Levingstoun; "Johne" Dumfreis, servant to Mr. Setoun. "
Permitted of my Lordes benivolence."
Christen Hog, Bastian's wife; Eles Bog, the Mr cook's wife; Christen Grame, my Lady Levingstoun's gentlewoman; Janet Lyndsaye, Mrs. Setoun's gentlewoman; Janet Spittell.
Robert Hamiltoun, to bear fire and water in the Queen's kitchen; Francois, to serve Mr. Castell, the Physician; Robert Liddell, "the Quene's lacquey"; Gilbert Bonnar, horsekeeper.
At the castell of Shefeild the iijth daye of May 1571."
Thes ar to departe. The Laird of Gartly and his servant, George Levingstoun, Sandy Bog, Sandy the Mr cook's boy-gone into Scotland.
Mr. Niniane Winzet, Scottish secretary ("is a preste whyche I suspected at his furst cummynge, and tolde this quene off it. I think if you examen him offe his heddar cummynge hur enime the cardynall was preve therunto.")12
Angel Marie, perfumer; Guillaume Le Seigneur, "pantlare"; Giles Le Royde, help to the "somlier"; "Johne" Bog, "fruictier"; James Simpson. These go away by the Queen's command, and require their passport. John Levingstoun, my Lady Levingstoun's "lacquey "; "Tibault," MIr. Levingstoun's boy; Thomas Shery, Mr. Levingstoun's servant; " Daid," Bastian's boy; James Lawder's son.
The rest of my Lord Levingstoun's servandes to the nombre of iiij goes in Scotland with my Lord of Gallowaye. If there are any other persons in the castle or town, the Queen's majesty is not "acknowen of thame."
3 pp. Written by one of Mary's secretaries. Copy of the same in French. 3 pp.
Note 1. Dresses.
Noet 2. The words in brackets are in Shrewsbury's hands.
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8th September 1571. 930. Queen of Scots' People at Sheffield Castle.
The number of the Scottes quenes people at Sheffield Castle the viijte daye of September anno 1571. Devidid as hereafter appearithe." These remain still to attend upon her: Mr. Beatone, master of her household; Mr. Rolette, secretary for French; Gilbert Curie, secretary for Scottish tongue; the master cook; Peroe "the poredge maker "; Diddye the "summler"; Florence of her chamber; Balthasar [Hully] of her wardrobe; Castile, "phisicion"; Bastian Page.
These gentlewomen remain still to attend upon her: " Mestres" Seatone; Mres. Curselle; Mres. Kennette; the master Cook's wife; Bastian's [Pages] wife; "Mestres " Ceton's woman.
These persons remain in Sheffield town safely guarded from conference, until the Queen's majesty's further pleasure be known:Mr. Jo. Gordone; Archibald Beatone; William Doglas; Jaques de Sandlys, the Queen's tailor; John Dunfryce; Thomas Archebalde; Gilbert "Horsekepar"; Mr. Thomas Levingstone; Andrew Bruse; Andrew Makeson. Signed: G. Shrewesbury.
These remain in the Castle still, and go not farther until the Queen's majesty's further pleasure be known: the Lord Levingstone and Francis Clarke, his man; "Jockye," his man; the Lady Levingstone; Marie Bruse; Christian Greyme. Scots despatched towards Scotland with passports: "Mestres" Levingstone, wife to John Levingstone; Jennette Spittle; Andrew Lowre; Robert Lyddelle; Wm. Blacke. Frenchmen despatched towards France with passports:-Francis Du Boyes; Martin Huette and his wife; John Du Boyes, "pastier"; Guyon Oyslour. Signed: G. Shrewesbury. 1½ pp. Indorsed by Burghley: "... from ye Erle of Shrewsbury, ye names of yee Sc. Q. servantes.
28th November 1580. 627. Shrewsbury To Burghley.
Received his letter of the 23rd instant on the 27th, at night, whereby he gives him understanding, as from the Queen of England, that one Marten, his attendant, is a busier dealer some way than is fit, and,considering his charge,that he should take order forremoving of him with speed; which was not long in doing. This much he must say of the gentleman, that he has showed great care of his duty to the Queen of England, and also professed great love and took great pains about him when he has been troubled with the gout; at whose hands he has been eased most when he had grief, which has not been this half year. Yet when he had it last, perceiving some love entering betwixt him and Jane Kenyte, the Scottish Queen's woman, he called him before him and told him the peril thereof, and he swore to him on a book he would have no further dealing with her therein; yet he never trusted him so well but he had good spial over him of his dealings in his house, and so was contented to give him leave to be all this summer from him, and at his return again, before he would grant him to continue in his house, he called him and her face to face to know what assurance of goodwill was betwixt them. They vowed there was no assurance betwixt them and openly acquitted each other, and since, for anything he knows or by spial can learn, he has performed it for his part. Because it was a matter of so small moment he thought it not good to have any further ado therein, and if he had not preceived he had given over his folly he should not have tarried with him, so his trust is her majesty will think of him, whatsoever his enemies give out, for he knows he is envied for doing his true service to her majesty. Cares neither for secret enemy at home nor for any enemy elsewhere, and his doings shall be such in her majesty's service that he wishes daily she might behold the same, and surely no earthly thing can give him that comfort as to be in her presence to acknowledge his duty. Desires him to utter to her that his only trust and comfort is in her. Sheffield. Signed: G. Shrewesbury. 1 pp. Holograph, also address. Indorsed.
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8th February 1586. 266. Earl of Kent, Robert Beale, Sir Amyas Powlet and Sir Drew Drury to [the Council].
...
Then she demaunded to speake with her priest, which was denyed unto her, the rather for that shee came with a superstityous payre of beades and a crucifix. Shee then desired to have her women to helpe her, and uppon her earnest request, and sayinge that when other gentlewomen were executed shee had redd in cronycles that they had women allowed unto them, yt was permytted that shee should have twoe named by her selfe, which were Mistris Curle and Kennedie.
8th October 1589. 234. William Asheby To Burghley.
The rumours geven out, right honourable, of the princes arrivall, and those assured in England for certein, causes me now to writ to your lordship, having [no] newse thereof, that the Earl of Lincolne m[ay] dispose of his journey hitherwardes there...1 The wind has continued south and south-west since the princess's first embarking, which are flat contrary, and have been so strong as no vessel could come to bring news. The King lyeth at Cragmillar, hard by Edenbrowghe, retyred, and as a kind lover spends the t[yme] in sighing till he heare of the retorne of [Coronell] Steward, whom he sent to the sea the [28] of the last moneth, to the cost of Norway to seek out the fleet; whose retorne is dai[ly] expected and wished for, that his heighnes might understand some good newse of [his] love and joye. This long uncertainty brings fear of some disaster, that is increased by two ominous chances, as they are here interpreted. The [one] upon her embarking a great pe[ce in the] amiralles ship brake in shoting and killed tow o[r thre] of the gonners. Th'other chance hapened h[ere] in the Firth: a boote passing from Bru[nt] Island in Fiffe the 8 of Sept. towardes [Lythe], in the midwaie being under saile, and the tempest growing verie great caried th[em] with such force upon a ship under saile as the boote presentlie suncke, and almost a[ll the] passengers drowned; emongest whom was [Madam] Kenedie, who was with the late Quene in Eng[land], and divers gentlewomen and marcha[nts] of Edenbrowghe, to the nomber of fourtie that per[ished], with plate and hangings brought hither f[or] the mariage. which was all lost.
The King, somewhat passionate with these chances, long delay and contrary winds, flieth to God, and commands public fast and prayer. Yesterday the wind changed to the s..; if it hold two or three days, there is hope of Colonel Stewart's return with news of the princess. You shall be advertised within four days [of] his arrival if the posts do th[eir] d[uty]. Edinburgh.
Signed: W. Asheby. 21 pp. Holograph, also address. Indorsed by Burghley.
Notte 1. decayed.
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VOL. VIII. 1559. Undated Papers.
1559. 24. Account of the deficiency in the jewels lately in charge of the Lady Jane (age 20) Countess de Feria, on their delivery into the custody of Lady Knollys (age 35), Mrs. Norris (age 38), and Mrs. Blanch Parry.
1559. 25. Account of the overplus of jewels, delivered to the Queen by the Lady Jane (age 20) Countess de Feria, she being not charged with the1 same by her book of account.
28th June 1596. Westminster. Grant to Cornelius Cure, of the office of master mason in the Tower, and the Queen's other castles, manors, and residences, void by death of Edward Young; fee, 1 2d. a day, and a yearly livery from the great wardrobe. Interlined with a reversionary grant to Edward Johnson. [Latin, 3 sheets.]
21st May 1594. My house. 16. Henry Earl of Northumberland to Vice-chamberlain Sir Thos. Heneage, at Court. I received the enclosed from my Lieutenant of Tynemouth castle this day, and would have given Her Majesty notice of it myself, but ray course of physic prevents. The matter appears to me of small moment, yet not being acquainted with courses of that kind, I would not suffer it to remain unadvertised, lest other constructions might be gathered than I am willing should be. Pray let it be known if necessary; and if not, advertise me according to your best judgment. [1 page.] Enclosing,
16. I. Thos. Power to Henry Earl of Northumberland. I have taken, within your charge of Tynemouth, a I)utchm.an and a Frenchman, the former being goldsmith and the latter footman to the Queen of Scots, who have stolen and run away from her, with goldsmiths' work, and some nechchains, and bracelets of ragged pearl, &c., as mentioned in the enclosed note, under the goldsTuiths' own hand. Lord Bothwell being then in this country, and living at Newcastle, and having intelligence of it out of Scotland, secretly laid in wait for them; and when they came to North Shields, for a passage either to Benmark, France, or Flanders, he seized them, rifled them of the jewels, and sent them, away with two of his m,en, and would have horsed them, for Scotland, but the town having notice of his intent, the bailiff sent me word, and would not suffer him to take any men away out of that liberty, without their goodwill. Whereupon I went down and met my Lord by the xvay, when he dealt ivith me to have the men delivered to him, as it would be a way to procure him the King^s favour again; but I told him, I could not avow the delivering of any men out of the realm, without the knowledge of some of the Privy Council, or some other great officer.
I demanded the jewels, but he said he had sent them to Scotland, and would be answerable for them, to which I replied that he had done me the more wrong, and I would advertise it. Since then I learned that he Iwd the jewels with him, and I have got most of them into my hands, but he detains the rest. I want to know the Council's pleasure as to disposing of the jewels and men, who are in the castle at some charge. Lord BothweU intends going into Scotland in five days. [1 page.]
Newcastle, 26 May 1594.
16. II. List, by Jacob Kroger of Lunenburg, of the jeivels belonging to the Queen of Scots, brought away from Scotland: one chain of pearl, valued at 60 crowns; two bracelets of pearl and gold; a gold and diamond brooch; four diamond rings and one gold; one blade bone heart, set in gold, with a pearl hanging therefrom; tivo double pearl rings for a gown, and some large and small shells and aigletts of gold, for setting forth the body of a gown; total value, 805 crowns, 2/3 page.
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22nd May 1594, Newcastle. 17. Lionel Maddison (age 57), Mayor of Newcastle, to Sir Robt. Cecil (age 30). The persons who robbed the Scottish Queen [Anne of Denmark Queen Consort Scotland England and Ireland (age 19)] of her jewels, have been apprehended by the Captain of Tynemouth castle, whom I have dealt with in your name, to stay them and such of the jewels as have come to his hands, until Her Majesty's pleasure is further known, which he has promised. ½ page.
29th May 1594. Newcastle. 18. Lionel Maddison (age 57), Mayor of Newcastle, to Sir Robt. Cecil (age 30). Earl Bothwell (age 31) was lately in Newcastle, but he did not take jewels from those thieves there that robbed the Scottish Queen, as your letter pretends; the manner of taking those jewels and staying the thieves I liave formerly made known to you. According to Her Highness' pleasure, I have inquired who lodged the Earl here, and find that at his last being in this town, he was lodged in the house of John Carr, a common inn; Carr being in prison at York, I have committed his wife to prison till Her Majesty's pleasure is known.
I find that the Earl has heretofore lodged at Wm. Selby's house, but did not lodge there at his last coming. The Earl left on the 14th inst., and I cannot learn that he has lodged in any other houses in this town, save these two. 2/3 page.
Feb. 11. [1608] London. 26. John Chamberlain to Dud. Carleton. Domestic affairs. Tobie Matthew ordered to depart the realm. Harry Constable (age 46) and Rich. Carey committed to prison. A marriage and masque at Court, and presents to the bride [Lady Eliz. Ratcliffe]. The King gave them a pension of £600 a year, and wished the bridegroom [Visct. Haddington (age 28)] as much happiness as he himself had, the day he delivered him from the Gowrie conspiracy. Progress of the treaty of peace between Flanders and Holland. The Pope has commanded Sir Rob. Dudley (age 33) to forsake his mistress (age 24), &c.
All About History Books
The Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke. Baker was a secular clerk from Swinbroke, now Swinbrook, an Oxfordshire village two miles east of Burford. His Chronicle describes the events of the period 1303-1356: Gaveston, Bannockburn, Boroughbridge, the murder of King Edward II, the Scottish Wars, Sluys, Crécy, the Black Death, Winchelsea and Poitiers. To quote Herbert Bruce 'it possesses a vigorous and characteristic style, and its value for particular events between 1303 and 1356 has been recognised by its editor and by subsequent writers'. The book provides remarkable detail about the events it describes. Baker's text has been augmented with hundreds of notes, including extracts from other contemporary chronicles, such as the Annales Londonienses, Annales Paulini, Murimuth, Lanercost, Avesbury, Guisborough and Froissart to enrich the reader's understanding. The translation takes as its source the 'Chronicon Galfridi le Baker de Swynebroke' published in 1889, edited by Edward Maunde Thompson. Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback.
4th June 1614. 61. Will of Sir Nathaniel Bacon (age 68), knt., of Stiffkey, co. Norfolk, noted as published, but not read, 4 June 1614, in presence of Charles le Gros and seven others named. I desire to be buried in Stiffkey church [Map], where my former wife was interred, and where I wish my present wife to be, under or near the tomb I have caused to be provided, which the workmen have now in hand. Being indebted to my son-in-law, Owen Smyth, in regard of my receipts of the profits of his lands during his minority, if I should die without directing how such debt should be answered, I might be subject to just rebuke; so, that my wife and daughters may be the better assured, I devise my lands as follows: -.
I give to my executors all my lands in Stiff key, Langham, Morston, and other towns adjoining, from my death until the Michaelmas twelve month after, they paying to my daughter Lady Ann Townshend (age 41), £350 a year, with remainder to her and her heirs, provided that Roger Townshead (age 18), my grandchild, be not put from her. For default of such issue, the remainder to my second daughter Baroness Knyvet (age 39) and her heirs; remainder to my third daughter Lady Winifred Gawdy (age 36) and her heirs; remainder to my own heirs. The 100 marks a year paid by me to my daughter Townshend is to be continued with the £350 a year, and time is to be allowed to my executors to dispose of the cattle and other stock for payment thereof. My daughter Knyvet and my daughter Gawdy, with her husband (age 37), are to perfect the entail of the aforesaid manors and lands to my daughter Townshend, by giving up such right as is by law cast upon them. I give to my wife (age 44) for life the manor of Hemesby, with the impropriations, &c.; remainder to my heirs male, and for default thereof, to my daughter Lady Elizabeth Knyvet and her heirs, with further remainders in a conveyance already made by me.
I give my manor of Stanford, with my lease of the impropriation, to my daughters Ladies Knyvet and Winifred Gawdy, for their better maintenance during the life of my wife, - they yielding 201. a year of the profits of the manor to Nathaniel Knyvet, my grandchild; 101. a year to Martin Man, and £5 a year to William Sanders for life; - and after my wife's death, when Hemesby manor comes to my daughter Knyvet, then to my daughter Lady Gawdy and Sir Robert Gawdy, and her heirs, with the remainders mentioned in the conveyance aforesaid. The aforesaid annuities, with £5 more which I purpose to give to other servants, to be paid by my said two daughters out of Stanford manor, during the life of my wife; and after her death, one half by my daughter Knyvet, out of Hemesby manor. I give my manor of Eccles, with all the lands occupied therewith, to my wife for life, in augmentation of her jointure; remainder to my own heirs.
To my grandchild Roger Townshend and his heirs, my house in Norwich, which I am to have after my sister Mansfield's (age 79) death, with the copyhold woods, meadow, &c.
To my wife for life the manor of Irmingland, with reversion to my daughter Knyvet for life, remainder to my grandson Thomas Knyvet, on condition that my said daughter pays, within two years after my wife's death, 2,000^. to my daughters Townshend and Gawdy; if not paid, the reversion of the said manor to go to my heirs. I know my house and lands in Irmingland, &c. are assured to my wife if she survives me, yet I direct as I have done, hoping that she will be either moved or compelled to make good my will, as it was never intended that the house and land should go otherwise than to my wife, and after her death to her eldest son, for satisfying such money as I was to pay him, for the profits of his lands received by me, and I trusted my wife with that and more, to give her eldest son content if he had outlived me.
Besides, I have given my wife £400 a year more than I assured her before marriage, to content her and not to deprive me in disposing of the inheritance. I have also conveyed to her son Owen Smyth, 100 naarks a yeajc in Eccles, which is to come to him if I do not otherwise dispose of it, although he has unkindly provoked me, and they wronged him who advised him thereto, but I hope that God may turn the heart of my wife not to wrong me. I desire the husbands of my daughters to make good these assurances; if they are contentious, a quarrel may be picked, but I hope that God will bless them with better spirits, and that they will be contented seeing the portion they have had in my lifetime, and will receive by my death is great to every one of them, though not in a like greatness; God will bless them best who most desire peace.
The lease of my manor of Mithwould is to be sold for payment of debts. I give to Mr. Percival, minister of Stiffkey £5, with the right of enjoying his pasture close at 20s. a year, so long as he resides in Stiff key. To the poor of StifFkey £10, to be distributed by my executors at their discretion. To my daughter. Lady Townshend, the piece of plate called the heirloom, to go with Stiffkey House, according to my father's gift, if I have no son. To my godson Nathaniel Bacon (age 20), son of my brother Edward (age 65), £10 To my wife the coach which my son Owen Smyth gave her, and two of my best coach horses at her choice; also the bedstead, with the furniture of tester, curtains, covering and chair, in my best chamber, but not the hangings; and two pillow beers given to me and hereby my mother Hopton.
I appoint my three daughters executors, and my brother Edward supervisor, or failing him, Mr. Jermy and Gwyn, lawyers. My wife's great pearl chain, which cost me £200, is to be sold for payment of debts, as also the border of diamonds and rubies; if she will give for the pearl and border what they cost me, she is to have them. I give the jewel of diamonds which was my first wife's to my present one for life, with remainder to my daughter Townshend. I give to all my three daughters the jewel of unicorn's horn, according to their mother's direction, that each one may challenge the use thereof when needs require, and my wife may have the use thereof when she needs, but my daughter Townshend is to have the custody thereof for life.
To my supervisor a ring, valued at 20 marks, upon which the following is to be engraved: "Vindicta Domino." To Mr. Gwyn and Mr. Jermy 40s. each. To John Norsforth, for diligent service in my sickness, 10s. a year for life, payable out of Stanford manor during my wife's life, and afterwards out of Stanford and Hemesby; a like annuity to old John Harrison. To my son-in-law. Sir Robert Gawdy, one of my best geldings. To Barnaby Banyard, 20s. a year, payable out of Stanford and Henesby. I desire that my brother and supervisor see my evidences sorted and distributed between my wife and daughters, as appertains; and where two have interest, the originals to remain with that person to whom the present interest and possession is due. I advise my executors to retain the services of Martin Man for a time, as he knows my debts and estates.
To the poor of Langham 40s.; the poor of Morston 40s.; and to the poor of Wells, Blakeney, Wiveton, Warham, and Cley, 20s.; to be distributed by my executors within a year.
I leave my funeral solemnities to the discretion of my executors, &c., but the charge is to be small, and my debts considered.
To Ann Townshend, Elizabeth Knyvet and Dorothy Gawdy a piece of gilt plate each, value £10, with the following sentence engraved upon it, "Vindicta Domino," as a gift in remembrance of their grandfather. The household to be retained together for one month after my decease, at the charge of my executors. To each of my servants who have served two years, half a year's wages. To my wife and three daughters all my English printed and written books; the French law books to my grandson Roger Townshend, and the Latin to my grandson Henry Gawdy; but no books to be given to my grandson Thomas Knyvet, as he is like to be stored otherwise.
To Jane Morton a piece of gilt plate, value £5, with the inscription before mentioned, and rings, value 20s. a piece, with the same inscription, to my eldest brother and his wife; my brother Edward Bacon and his wife; my sisters Periam and Mansell; my brother Sir Francis Bacon; my mother and brother Hopton; Sir Henry Gawdy; my nephew Sir Edmund Bacon, and his brother Nathaniel; my brother Sir Thomas Knyvet and his wife; Sir Christopher Heydon; my brother Mansell (age 41); Mr. Bedingfield of Wighton; Mr. Fotherby; Capt. Russell; my cousin Thomas Gurney; Mr. Peapes; Mr. Clarke of Lynn; my son Owen Smyth and Lady Sydney; Sir Charles Cornwallis, and my nephew Grey. My debts to my son Owen Smyth being such, my children, and others, must hold me excused, though I give no greater legacies. 1 give also to my wife all the goods which were hers before I married her, and also all her jewels, except those directed to be sold; the remainder of my effects and stock to be sold, and the proceeds applied in liquidating my debts and legacies; the balance, if any, between my executors.
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15th May 1344. 169. Ides of May. Villeneuve by Avignon. (f. 251.)
To the bishop of St. Asaph. Mandate to absolve John de Warenna (age 57), earl of Surrey and Strathearn, lord of Bromfield and Yal, from the excommunication which he has incurred by intermarrying with Joan (age 48), daughter of Henry (age 85), count of Barre, whose [Joan's] mother's [Eleanor Plantagenet] sister Mary he had carnally known. A penance is to be enjoined, and as to the marriage, canonical action is to be taken.
5th June 1344. 173. 2 Non. June. Avignon. (f. 126d).
Declaration of the validity of the dispensation in regard to the fourth degree of kindred granted to John, earl of Warenne (age 57), and Joan de Barre (age 48) by Clement V. thirty-three years ago, and of all like dispensations; seeing that the said earl, pretending that the said dispensation was invalid, because his wife was related in the third degree to the common stock and he in the fourth, has put away his wife, and contrary opinions have been given by divers doctors touching the same matter.
17th July 1344. 189. 16 Kal. Aug. Avignon. (f. 279d.)
To the archbishop of Canterbury and his official. Inhibition touching the case of John, earl of Warrenne (age 58), and Joan de Barre (age 48), his wife, in regard to which Joan has been molested in the archbishop's court, contrary to the pope's declaration in the matter.
1st August 1344. 522. 2 Kal. Aug. Villeneuve by Avignon. (f. 215d.)
Confirmation, with expemplification, at the request of Richard de Baskervile, knight, and Isabella his wife, of the diocese of Hereford, of the letters issued by Clement VI. 2 Non. June, anno 3, ruling, in the case of John, earl of Warenne (age 58), and Joan de Barro (age 48), that dispensation for the marriage of persons related in the fourth degree of kindred shall hold good if they are related in the fourth and third degrees.
13th September 1344. Ides of Sept. Avignon. (f. 453.). 595.
Decree, at the request of Robert de Bures, Knight, of the diocese of Norwich, giving force to the copy of decree of Clement VI. dated 2 Non. June, anno 3, touching the dispensation granted by Clement V. to John, earl of Warenne (age 58), and Joan de Barro (age 48), they having been married for thirty-three years, a question having arisen as to their being related in the third and fourth degrees of kindred, whereby John repudiated his wife.
1st September 1718. Money warrant for 1,955l. 16s. 5d. to James Craggs, Samuel Edwards and Charles Hodges, Esqrs., in whom the legal interest of the office of Ranger and Keeper of Windsor Great Park is vested; for so much due from 1 Aug. 1714 to 1718 June 24 on the fee, salary or allowance of 500l. per an. payable to them by the privy seal of the late Queen Anne:
Together with: a dormant clause for the payment of said fee in future to them in consideration of said office and of the charge of supplying hay for the deer in said Great Park and paying underkeepers, gate keepers and other subordinate officers there. (Money order dated Sept. 5 for 1,955l. 16s. 5d.) (Letter of direction dated Sept. 18 hereon.) Money Book XXVII, p. 13. Order Book X, p. 162. Disposition Book XXIV, p. 149.
Treasury fiat for royal letters patent to appoint John Huggins, junr., to be Searcher of Plymouth port loco Robert Healey, lately deceased: during pleasure. Out Letters (Customs) XVII, p. 114.
Treasury warrant to the Clerk of the Pipe to prepare a lease to pass the Exchequer seal to William Clayton of a piece of ground in or near St. James's Stable Yard in the parish of St. James's and parcel of the Bailiwick or reputed Bailiwick of St. James's, whereon a small ruinous messuage or tenement is now standing, and also a little passage thereunto adjoining: the said premises abutting east on the Stable Yard, south on the Grooms' lodgings belonging to his Majesty, west on St. James's Park and north on a house and yard in the possession of and belonging to the Right Honble. William Clayton, Esq., and are in length 24 feet east to west and 21 feet north to south: all for 50 years at a rent of 20s. per an.
Prefixing: constat and ratal of the premises by H. Cholmley, Surveyor General of Crown Lands [see infra, Calendar of Treasury Books, Vol. XXXIII], under date 1719 July 15 for what appears to be a different lease]. Warrants not Relating to Money XXV, pp. 135–6.
Royal warrant dated Hampton Court to Charles, Duke of Bolton, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, to place on the present and all future Establishments of Ireland Peter de Cosne for an allowance of Half Pay as a Lieutenant of Foot: he having been late in Brigadier Moryson's Regiment of Foot: same is to commence from 1718 June 24 and not from 24 Feb. 1715 as desired by the said Lord Lieutenant. Out Letters (Ireland) X, p. 219.
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2nd September 1718. Royal sign manual for 1,000l. to Paty Byng, Esq.: without account: as a mark of royal favour in consideration of his service in bringing letters from our Admiral Sir George Byng (age 55) with a particular account of the engagement [1718 Battle of Cape Passaro] with the Spanish Fleet off Cape Passaro the 31st July last. (Money warrant dated Sept. 3 hereon.) (Money order dated Sept. 3 hereon.) (Letter of direction dated Sept. 5 hereon.) King's Warrant Book XXIX, p. 104. Order Book X, p. 157. Disposition Book XXIV, p. 147.
All About History Books
The Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke. Baker was a secular clerk from Swinbroke, now Swinbrook, an Oxfordshire village two miles east of Burford. His Chronicle describes the events of the period 1303-1356: Gaveston, Bannockburn, Boroughbridge, the murder of King Edward II, the Scottish Wars, Sluys, Crécy, the Black Death, Winchelsea and Poitiers. To quote Herbert Bruce 'it possesses a vigorous and characteristic style, and its value for particular events between 1303 and 1356 has been recognised by its editor and by subsequent writers'. The book provides remarkable detail about the events it describes. Baker's text has been augmented with hundreds of notes, including extracts from other contemporary chronicles, such as the Annales Londonienses, Annales Paulini, Murimuth, Lanercost, Avesbury, Guisborough and Froissart to enrich the reader's understanding. The translation takes as its source the 'Chronicon Galfridi le Baker de Swynebroke' published in 1889, edited by Edward Maunde Thompson. Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback.
3rd September 1718. Money order for 50l. to Daniel Smith, Lieutenant Governor of Nevis, for a quarter due Sept. 2 inst. on his allowance of 200l. per an. for his support and maintenance in that employment and in lieu of all presents from the Assemblies of said island. Order Book X. p. 177.
4th September 1718. Letter of direction for 13,727l. 1s. 6d. to Walter Chetwynd (age 40) on the unsatisfied order in his name as Paymaster of the King's private annuities and bounties: and is to be applied by him to clear the sums due and in arrear on the said annual bounties at or at any time before Lady day 1718. Disposition Book XXIV, p. 146.
Christopher Tilson (in the absence of the Treasury Secretaries) to the Customs Commissioners. My Lords direct that Benjamin Bucknall be permitted to attend as a tidesurveyor and that his suspension be immediately taken off. Out Letters (General) XXII, p. 347.
4th September 1718, 5th September 1718, 13th September 1718, 17th September 1718 and 30th September 1718. Treasury warrant to same to appoint Christo[pher] Keon as Surveyor in London port loco William Pollard, superseded (Sept. 4).
William Mills as a landwaiter in London port loco William Smith, deceased (Sept. 13). In the margin: "this Mills was made a tidesman in the Inferior List, London port, by the name of Miles" [28 June last, supra, p. 377].
Richard Smith, at present one of the tidesman in Barnstaple port, to be a landwaiter in that port loco — Wills, lately deceased (Sept. 17).
Thomas Briggs, John Addison, Michael Westbuch to be boatmen at Deal loco John Hawkes, John Harris, Richard Stewart (Sept. 5).
William Wilson to be a landwaiter in Scarborough port loco Edward Robinson, deceased (Sept. 17).
Richard Smith to be a landwaiter in Barnstaple port loco Joseph Wild, lately deceased (Sept. 17).
Francis Andrews, at present one of the boatmen at Cockbush in Chichester port (who hath not his health in that place and desires to change) and John Weston, at present one of the boatmen at Poole (and who was formerly a sailor and understands a boat) to exchange places. Prefixing report dated Sept. 18 from the Customs Commissioners on the proposed change (Sept. 30). Out Letters (Customs) XVII, pp. 114, 115, 116, 117.
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4th September 1718. Christopher Tilson (in the absence of the Treasury Secretaries) to the Customs Commissioners in Scotland. My Lords have read your memorial of the 28th ult. about allowing fire and candle to the Guards quartered in places for the security of the revenue. My Lords direct you to let them know where the said Guards are quartered, and their number; with an estimate of the probable charge of the fire and candle in each place. Out Letters (North Britain) IV, p. 416.
5th September 1718. Letter of direction for 7,784l. 12s. 8¼d. to Charles Dartiquenave on the unsatisfied order in his name as Paymaster of the Works: and is to be applied to discharge the debt in the Office of Works for 1717 Xmas quarter.
Prefixing: a state of the Debt in the Office of Works for the said quarter:
for works in the Tower of London 204 16 7
for works in Whitehall £944 2s 5d
for works in St. James' £1,693 10s 3d
for works in Westminster £355 11s 2d
for works at Denmark House £275 9s 0¼d
for works in Winchester £53 17s 9d
for works in Newmarket £233 9s 9d
for allowances £718 7s 5d
for works in Hampton Court House [Palace] £1,196 4s 3¼d
for works in Hampton Court Gardens £266 0s 5½d
for works in Kensington House £510 15s 6d
for works in Kensington Gardens £410 10s 3¾d
for works in Windsor Castle £463 14s 9¾d
for works in the Mews at Charing ross £400 11s 6¼d
for works in Savoy Barracks £57 11s 5d
Total. £7,784 12s 8¼d
Disposition Book XXIV, p. 147.
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6th September 1718.Christopher Tilson (in the absence of the Treasury Secretaries) to the Excise Commissioners. The Treasury Lords are pleased to agree that the persons at present possessing the offices hereunder named with respect to the Duties under your management be the officers in their respective stations and qualities for the Duties on hides &c. that have been now lately added to [the Duties under your management or] commission: that is to say the present Cashiers, Comptrollers, Solicitor, Secretary, Register. My Lords therefore desire you to give them such authorities as are usual for their acting in their several stations. Out Letters (General) XXII, p. 349.
Treasury reference to the Customs Commissioners of the petition of Sir Justus Beck shewing that he has imported from Holland on board the London galley, William Ivor master, 504 Norway deals for his private use, but same are seized by Mr. Elmsall as imported contrary to law; and praying a noli prosequi as he was ignorant of the law. Reference Book IX, p. 406.
All About History Books
The Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke. Baker was a secular clerk from Swinbroke, now Swinbrook, an Oxfordshire village two miles east of Burford. His Chronicle describes the events of the period 1303-1356: Gaveston, Bannockburn, Boroughbridge, the murder of King Edward II, the Scottish Wars, Sluys, Crécy, the Black Death, Winchelsea and Poitiers. To quote Herbert Bruce 'it possesses a vigorous and characteristic style, and its value for particular events between 1303 and 1356 has been recognised by its editor and by subsequent writers'. The book provides remarkable detail about the events it describes. Baker's text has been augmented with hundreds of notes, including extracts from other contemporary chronicles, such as the Annales Londonienses, Annales Paulini, Murimuth, Lanercost, Avesbury, Guisborough and Froissart to enrich the reader's understanding. The translation takes as its source the 'Chronicon Galfridi le Baker de Swynebroke' published in 1889, edited by Edward Maunde Thompson. Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback.
7th September 1718. Royal warrant dated Hampton Court to the Attorney or Solicitor General for a great seal for a grant of a salary of 2,000l. a year to Jane, Countess Dowager of Portland (age 46), whom we have thought fit to appoint to be Governess to our dearly beloved grandchildren, the Lady Ann (age 8), the Lady Amelia (age 7) and the Lady Carolina (age 5), daughters of our most dearly beloved son George Augustus, Prince of Wales (age 34): during pleasure: as from March 25 last. King's Warrant Book XXIX, p. 284.
Calendar Of State Paper's, Domestic Series, Of The Reign Of William And Mary, 1693. Public Record Office.
Edited By William John Hardy, F.S.A. Under The Direction Of The Master Of The Rolls, And With The Sanction His Majesty's Secretary of State For The Home Department.
London: Printed For His Majesty's Stationery Office, By Mackie And Co. Ld.
And To Be Purchased, Either Directly Or Through Any Bookseller, From Eyre and Spottiswoode, East Hardine Sreeet, Fleet Srreet, E.C.; Or Oliver Ann Boyd, Edinburgh; Or E. Ponsonby, 116, Grafton Srreet, Dublin. 1903.
6th June 1474. Westminster Palace [Map]. Exemplification at the request of Richard Duke of Gloucester (age 21), of the tenour of an act (English) in the Parliament summoned at Westminster [Map], 6 October, 12 Edward IV, and continued to 9 May, 14 Edward IV, ordaining that George Duke Clarence (age 24), and Isabel (age 22) his wife and Richard Duke of Gloucester, and Anne (age 17) his wife, daughters and heirs to Richard Nevyle, late Earl of Warwick, and daughters and heirs apparent to Anne Beauchamp (age 47), his wife should possess and enjoy as in the right of the said wives all possessions belonging to the said Countess as though she were naturally dead and that she should be barred and excluded therefrom, that they should make partition of the premises and the same partition should be good in law, that the said Dukes should enjoy for life all the possessions of their wives if they should outlive the latter, that the said George and Isabel should not make any alienation, grant, fine or recovery of any of the premises to the hurt of the said Richard and Anne or the latter to the hurt of the former, that if the said Richard and Anne be divorced and afterwards married this Act should hold good, that if they be divorced and he do his effectual diligence to be married to her and during her life be not wedded to any other woman he should enjoy as much of the premises as should appertain to her during his life, and that notwithstanding the restraint of alienation or recovery above specified the lordship, manor and wappentake of Chesterfield, Derbyshire [Map] and Scarvesdale with the appurtenances and all the lands and tenements in Chesterfield, Derbyshire [Map] and Scarvesdale sometime of Ales, late Countess of Salisbury, might be given to the King and his heirs in exchange for other lands and tenements, which shall however be subject of this Act.
Be it remembered that on Friday, 23 January in the first year of the reign of King Richard the third (age 31) since the conquest, that is, on the first day of parliament, with the lord king sitting on the royal throne in the Painted Chamber [Map] within his palace of Westminster, then being present many lords spiritual and temporal, and the commons of the realm of England, assembled at the aforesaid parliament at the king's command, the venerable father John, Bishop of Lincoln, chancellor of England memorably declared and announced the reasons for summoning the aforesaid parliament, taking as his theme: 'In the body there are many limbs, but not all have the same function'. In which words he gravely and very astutely explained the fealty which subjects of the king and the functions individual members owe to the principal member, asserting that there are three kinds of body, namely the natural, the aggregate and the politic, and going on to suggest that one coin, the tenth, had been lost from the most precious fabric of the body politic of England and that to hunt for it and find it would require the king and all the lords spiritual and temporal to be very assiduous and diligent during this parliament; concluding that after the finding of the tenth coin, which signifies perfection, our body politic of England would endure gloriously and for a long time, healthy, safe and free from all damage or injury; the king, the great men of the realm and the commons eternally cherishing peace outward and inward and the author of that peace. At the end of which declaration and announcement, the aforesaid chancellor in the king's name firmly ordered the commons to assemble on the following day in their common house as usual and elect one of their number as their speaker, and to present the man thus elected to the same lord king. The same chancellor announced moreover that the said lord king, wishing justice to be done more swiftly both to denizens and aliens wishing to complain in the said parliament, had appointed and assigned certain receivers of the petitions to be presented in the same parliament in the following form...
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4th October 1501. Voyage of the Princess of Wales [Catherine of Aragon (age 15)], and arrival in England. 305. The Licentiate Alcares to Queen Isabella (age 50).
The Princess of Wales embarked1 on Monday the 27th of September. At five o'clock in the afteroon the ship weighed anchor, and set sail. The weather was favourable at first, but changed after midnight. Continued their voyage until they were off Ushant [Map], without any great inconvenience. The winds were variable, but the sea was not rough. When they had passed Ushant [Map], however, they were overtaken by a most furious vendabal2, thunderstorms, and immense waves. Had a thunderstorm every four or five hours during the rest of the voyage. "It was impossible not to be frightened."
The following Saturday [2nd October 1501], at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, the Princess entered the harbour of Plymouth [Map], which is the first on the coast of England. "She could not have been received with greater rejoicings, if she had been the Saviour of the world." As soon as she left the boat, she went in procession to the church [Plymouth Monastery [Map]], where, it is to be hoped, God gave her the possession of all these realms for such a period as would be long enough to enable her to enjoy life, and to leave heirs to the throne.—4th of October.
Addressed: "To the very powerful Queen of Spain, our excellent Lady." Spanish. Holograph, pp. 2.
Note 2. "Viento de abajo" (wind from below), that is, according to Castilian phraseology, south wind.
28th February 1587. Paris [Map]. Bernardino De Mendoza (age 47) to the King (age 59). Note. Assumed to be the Spanish King Philip II.
The English ambassador sent the confidant (i.e., Charles Arundel (age 54)) to me this morning to say that as it was so important that your Majesty should be informed instantly of the news he had received last night from England, that he sent to tell me of it, and openly to confess me his anxiety to serve your Majesty. He offered himself entirely through me, in the assurance that your Majesty would not order him to do anything against the interest of his mistress the Queen (age 53), who however, he could plainly see, had not long to live now that she had allowed the execution of the Queen of Scotland (age 44). It happened in this way. The Lord Treasurer (age 66) being absent through illness, the earl of Leicester (age 54), Lord Hunsdon (age 60), Lord Admiral Howard (age 51) and Walsingham (age 55), had represented to the Queen that the Parliament would resolutely refuse to vote any money to maintain the war in Holland, or to fit out a naval force to help Don Antonio, unless she executed the Queen of Scotland. Under this pressure she consented to sign a warrant, as they called it, that the Parliament might see, but which was not to be executed, unless it were proved that the Queen of Scotland conspired again against her life. As Secretary Walsingham was ill this warrant was taken to the Queen for her signature by Davison (age 46), and after she had signed it she ordered him not to give it to anyone unless she gave him personally her authority to do so. Davison, who is a terrible heretic and an enemy of the Queen of Scotland, like the rest of the above-mentioned, delivered the warrant to them. They took a London executioner and sent him with the warrant to the justice of the county where the Queen of Scotland was. The moment the justice received it, on the 8th [NOTE. Appears to be a typo; original says 18th], he entered the Queen of Scotland's chamber with Paulet (age 54) and Lord Grey (age 46), who had charge of her, and there they had her head cut off with a hatchet in the presence of the four persons only. The Queen orders her ambassador to inform this King of it, and assure him, as she will more fully by a special envoy, that the deed was done against her will, and although she had signed the warrant she had no intention of having it carried out. She cannot avoid blaming herself for having trusted anyone but herself in such a matter. The ambassador is begging earnestly for an audience and is keeping the matter secret until he tells the King. In order that no time may be lost in informing your Majesty, I send this special courier in the name of merchants, by way of Bordeaux, whence he will go post to Irun; and as God has so willed that these accursed people, for His ends, should fall into "reprobrium sensum," and against all reason commit such an act as this, it is evidently His design to deliver those two kingdoms into your Majesty's hands. I thanked the ambassador in general terms for his offer, saying that I would give an account thereof to your Majesty. As I have formerly said, it will be most advisable to accept it, and pledge him to give us notice of any machinations here and in England against us. He reports that the fitting out of ships continues but in no greater number than he previously advised, although the rumour is current here that there would be 60 English, besides the Hollanders, but that the crews, etc. were not raised and no time fixed for the departure. The ambassador says he will have full information on the point when a gentleman of his has arrived whom he had sent to England to gain intelligence, as Cecil only writes now to say that the execution of the Queen of Scotland has been against his will, as he, the ambassador knew; and that the King, her son, was in great danger of suffering a similar fate. The execution was known in London on the 20th when the executioner returned, and great bonfires had been lit for joy all over the countryside. They did not even give her time to commend her soul to God. .
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19th July 1545. Towards evening, through misfortune and carelessness, the ship [Mary Rose] of Vice-Admiral George Garew foundered, and all hands on board, to the number of about 500, were drowned, with the exception of about five and twenty or thirty servants, sailors and the like, who escaped. I made enquiries of one of the survivors, a Fleming, how the ship perished, and he told me that the disaster was caused by their not having closed the lowest row of gun ports on one side of the ship. Having fired the guns on that side, the ship was turning, in order to fire from the other, when the wind caught her sails so strongly as to heel her over, and plunge her open gunports beneath the water, which flooded and sank her. They say, however that they can recover the ship and guns.
19th February 1554. Simon Renard to Prince Philip.
My Lord: Since I last wrote to your Highness French plots have been discovered to show that Courtenay and the Lady Elizabeth, by means of intermediaries called Peter Carew, Wyatt (age 33), Crofts (age 36) and my Lord Thomas (Grey), conspired to throw the Queen of England into the Tower and put her to death, in order to seize the crown for themselves. The King of France had promised help in troops and money, and had already distributed some 10,000 to 12,000 crowns to private individuals. In the meantime 200 or 300 gentlemen, all of them heretics, were meeting together: the Duke of Suffolk (age 37) and his two brothers [Note. Thomas Grey and John Grey (age 30)], Cobham (age 57) and his three sons [Note. William Brooke 10th Baron Cobham (age 26), George Brooke (age 21), Thomas Brooke (age 21)], Pelham, Pickering, Carew and many more, and agreed to put their plans into execution in the spring. However, as God means to protect this good lady, the conspirators were forced to take up arms sooner than they had intended because Courtenay did not keep the secret and letters from the French ambassador, seized and enclosed herewith, were deciphered and revealed part of the plot. Moreover, Courtenay had a servant of his in France, and six weeks ago he and one Valbic (Welby?) were intriguing for the conspirators. To start with, Peter Carew made a violent effort to rouse the people on account of your Highness's marriage with the Queen, but as the people refused to rise, he had to fly to France, where trustworthy accounts tell he had a nocturnal conversation with the King-a sign of their malignity. His adherents were taken prisoners at Coventry (Compierre) where a similar attempt was made; and on the first day of Lent the rebels were defeated as your Highness will see by the copies of letters I wrote from time to time to the Emperor.
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19th February 1554. Simon Renard to Prince Philip. Thus God performed a miracle. At present there is no other occupation than the cutting off of heads and inflicting exemplary punishments Jane of Suffolk (deceased), who made herself Queen, and her husband (deceased), have been executed; Courtenay (age 27) is in the Tower; and this very day we expect the Lady Elizabeth (age 20) to arrive here, who they say has lived loosely like her mother and is now with child.
19th February 1554. So when all these heads are off no one will be left in the realm able to resist the Queen, and throughout the country there is no sign of discontent, for on the contrary the gentry have met together in many places to swear fidelity to your Highness and the Queen and die in defence of the alliance. I thought it my duty to report this at once so that your Highness might consider it in coming to a decision. All your good servants think you might proceed to Flanders and form your household there before coming to England, for without counting the marriage your speedy journey to these parts is necessary in order to assist his Majesty in the press of business that becomes heavier each day. German affairs are especially menacing, there is much in Italy that needs a remedy, and future plans must be formed. In the meantime your Highness may carefully reflect on the English question. The rising caused us to refrain from effecting any marriage per verba de prœsenti or giving any binding obligation until we should see how it was all to end; but I cannot omit to assure you that the Queen, in the midst of great trials, displayed a fortitude incomparably greater than any history relates in analagous circumstances, and overcame her enemies moved by an affection for your Highness that could not possibly be more constant.
His Majesty is fitting out a great fleet, and it is hoped you are doing the same, for the French have been planning to send one to Scotland, and if they did so, leaving their Norman and Breton ports unprotected, they might be attacked in that quarter.
His Majesty is fitting out a great fleet, and it is hoped you are doing the same, for the French have been planning to send one to Scotland, and if they did so, leaving their Norman and Breton ports unprotected, they might be attacked in that quarter.
News have reached me that on January 26th the Marquis of Marignano captured one of the main gates of Siena and a fort guarded by two companies of Frenchmen whom he killed. He hoped to have the whole town in his hands in three days' time, for it was nearly conquered and Peter Strozzi besieged in a small fort.
The death of the Prince of Portugal (deceased), brother (-in-law) to your Highness, has been reported here.
The powers sent by way of France have come, and the Pope has granted a dispensation.
The French, confident in the success of Courtenay's plot, have said no more about mediation.
Spanish translation from a lost French original.
Printed in Documentos Inéditos, Vol. III.
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19th February 1554. Gaspard Schetz to the Queen Dowager.
Madam: Although I believe your Majesty to be informed of occurrences in England, I am unwilling not to send you the news that have reached us this morning in a letter of the 15th instant. It relates that the Queen has caused the rebels to be punished: the Lady Jane (deceased) and her husband (deceased), the Duke of Suffolk's (age 37) son, have been decapitated; the White Rose (age 27) has been sent back to the Tower [Map], where are also the Duke of Suffolk with two of his brothers [Note. Thomas Grey and John Grey (age 30)] and guilty lords to the number of 27. They write that, of the soldiers who abandoned the Duke of Norfolk (age 81) on the field and joined the rebels, 40 have been hanged and 200 more condemned to the same penalty. They say that the said Duke has died in his own country. The Earl of Pembroke (age 53) has been sent down to Kent with 300 light horse to discover who took part in the rebellion and execute justice. This, Madam, is the substance of what I have heard, together with a report that it is being said in England that my Lord our Prince is to come with 8,000 Spanish soldiers, about which the English are not best pleased.
They say the Queen is sending hither an ambassador, the Viscount Fitzwalter (age 47) (Fewaters), who will be able to give your Majesty more trustworthy information.
Antwerp, 19 February, 1554.
Copy. French. Printed by Gachard, Voyages des Souverains des Pays-Bas, Appendix to Vol. IV.
