Biography of Robert Carey 1st Earl Monmouth 1560-1639

Letters of the Court of James I 1613. 12th August 1613. London. Reverend Thomas Lorkin to Thomas Puckering 1st Baronet [aged 21].

First, touching the business which you so particularly commended unto me at our last being together at Florence, Tuscany, I have had hitherto very small opportunity of dealing farther in it than pressing Mr. Newton [aged 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 [aged 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 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 [aged 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 [aged 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 and lady's 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 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 and Lady Harrington 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 [aged 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 [aged 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 [aged 66]⁴ and Rochester [aged 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 [aged 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 [his father] Henry Cary Lord Hunsdon, and grandson of [his grandfather] William Cary, Esq., who married [his grandmother] Mary Boleyn, sister to Queen Anne Boleyn. Sir Robert Cary was created by King James I [aged 47], Lord Gary of Lepingdon, in Yorkshire, and by King Charles I [aged 12], Earl of Monmooth.

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

Note 3. Son of Lord Harrington. He died in February, 1613-14.

Note 4. Dr. Bilson.

Note 5. Dr. John Buckridge.

Note 6. Queen of France.