Biography of Robert Kerr 1st Earl Ancram 1578-1654

Letters of the Court of James I 1613. 8th July 1613. London. Reverend Thomas Lorkin to Thomas Puckering 1st Baronet (age 21).

Painters and poets may lie by privilege; but such as undertake to make relation of things that pass, should tell naught but truth. Pardon me, therefore, if I must now revoke what in my last letters I writ for certain, touching the swearing of Sir David Murray and Sir Robert Carr (age 35) in his highness's bedchamber. I received it very confidently from Sir John Harrington's (age 73) mouth. But I have found since, by my inquiry, that they only procured the king's warrant, which met with afterwards that opposition from the lords, as it rests yet doubtful whether and when it shall take effect. The prince's household is not yet settled; yesterday the council sat about it, and the opinion was that the king would then sign the book.

My Lord Stanhope's (age 64)¹ son (age 20) is lately fallen lunatic; and the little hope that is conceived of his recovery makes divers of your friends think that it was your hard fortune to be no more forward in embracing those offers which were formerly made you out of that house.

You have heard long since, I suppose, of the great difference between my Lord of Essex (age 22) and his lady (age 23), who hath most earnestly sued for a divorce, pretending the only cause to be of her husband's insufficiency; who confesseth it towards her, though he esteems himself well enough provided for any other. It was expected that a nullity of marriage should have been pronounced by my Lord of Canterbury (age 50) at the end of last term, but the sentence is deferred to the term following; which, if it be given in favour of her, it is generally believed that a match shall be concluded between my Lord of Rochester (age 26) and her: thereby to reconcile him and the house of Howard together, who are now far enough asunder.

The news of the great entertainment at the Palatine's I court is but newly arrived here. It consists chiefly in matter of good cheer, after the fashion of the country. They talk of I know not how many hundred tables which should be every day prepared; but you will easily proportion them out yourself, when you shall hear of the number of mouths, which were no fewer, every meal, than 6000. The same messenger brings tidings that her grace is with child, and that there wants not the concurrence of all sach tokens and probabilities as are usually observed in women in that state and condition.

The Duke of Lennox (age 38)² arrived in Paris on Saturday last, as we are informed here, having made that the way of his return home from Heidelberg. He pretends the occasion of his stay there to be, the seeking to obtain the command of the company of horse which our Prince Charles had, when he was but Duke of York. But, though made an absolute refusal of it before his coming, he having employed himself in that business by commission from our king, the true cause of his stay is thought to be a treaty of marriage between Prince Charles and Madame Christine, which, having been long time negociated by Sir Thomas Edraondes, is thought shall receive its final conclusion from him.

Sir Thomas Waller (deceased), governor of Dover Castle, is lately dead. His place is already disposed of; but I cannot say certainly how. Sir Thomas Somerset (age 34)³ inquires very kindly after you, and you shall do well to omit no good means of entertaining his good opinion still.

Note 1. John, created an English baron by the title of Lord Stanhope of Harrington, May 4, 1605. He died March 9, 1621, leaving issue one daughter only. [Note. He left issue Charles Stanhope 2nd Baron Stanhope, Elizabeth Stanhope Lady Talmash and Catherine Stanhope Countess Leinster]

Note 2. Lodovick Stuart. He was high chamberlain and admiral of Scotland, and in 1601 was Bent by James ambassador to the court of France. In October, 1613, he was created Baron Setrington and Earl of Richmond. He filled the offices of master of the hoasehold, first gentleman of the bedchamber, was invested with the garter, and appointed commissioner to the parliament; and, in 1623, was further advanced to the dignities of the Earl of Newcastle and Duke of Richmond. Though twice married, the Duke of Lennox died without issue, in February. 1624.

Note 3. Third son of Edward, Earl of Worcester (age 63). He was afterwards created Viscount Somerset of Cassel (Cashel) in Ireland.

Letters of the Court of James I 1613. 15th July 1613. London. Reverend Thomas Lorkin to Thomas Puckering 1st Baronet (age 21).

Since my last letters, the king hath signed the book for the prince's household, and *** first entry thereupon on Friday last. The same day were sworn unto him all such officers as have been thought fit to be about him for the present. In the bed-chamber - Sir Robert Carey (age 30), Sir James Fullerton (age 50), Robert Carr of Ancram (age 35), were sworn gentlemen, whereof the last came in by my Lord of Rochester's (age 26) means. Sir David Murray was not only rejected, but taxed openly at the council-table, for having suggested none of the best counsels to the late prince deceased. Into the same place were sworn, as grooms, Mr. Kirk, Mr. Gray (who was formerly his highness's page), and Pitcairne, who, till then, supplied the office of carver. This man is likewise one of my Lord of Rochester's creatures. In the privy-chamber were sworn gentlemen-ushers, Sir William Irwin and Mr. Heydon, to the prejudice of Sir Robert Darcy, who is left out for a wrangler, notwithstanding his continual attendance since his last master's death ***. In quality of gentlemen were sworn into the same place, Sir Arthur Mainwaring (age 33), Sir Edward Vemey (age 23), Sir Edward Lewis, Mr. Clare, and Mr. Dallington. The grooms are taken out of the gentlemen-waiters to the prince, while he was Duke of York, without the addition of any, unless it be Trotter, who is either already come in, or like to obtain the like condition very soon. Mr. Young and Mr. Alexander are sworn gentlemen-ushers of the presence. For carvers, cup-bearers, and sewers, I have not yet learned certainly who they be; but I hear there is little alteration. Ramsay is the first equerry, and Sir Thomas Howard (age 28) master of the horse. The great officers rest still in expectation. Sir David Foulis, it seems, promiseth himself the best assurance; for he executes his place still, though more by permission and sufferance than any commission he hath received to that purpose. D. Ramsay and **** have been great suitors, but with as bad success as may be.

The court is at Theobalds, where his majesty (age 47) hath been much afflicted with a flux and griping of the belly. He is much amended; and, if the occasion of this sickness alter, not his purpose, begins his progress in [Wiltshire], and so to Salisbury, Wiltshire, next Saturday. The queen (age 38), likewise, returns to the Bath, Somerset [Map] the Saturday following.

The chief subject of our French news is the compounding of the quarrel between the Dukes of Savoy (age 51) and Mantua; whereof to write aught to you, who live so near them, were to send owls to Athens.

There hath lately fallen out a great difference between the Duke de Rohan and Monsieur de Plessis (both men of principal mark of them of the Religion, though in a several kind); but what is the cause of their quarrel I yet know not. The chief church there is not a little troubled at it, insomuch that the deputies-general have sent Monsieur Durand, one of the ministers of Paris, down into those parts, to clear the matter, and to mediate a friendly peace between both. The Duke of Lennox (age 38) hath received there a very honourable entertainment. He was expected in the condition of ambassador; but on his arrival took no other quality than of a private person, which gives many occasion to think, that his first commission was countermanded upon the Duke of Savoy's late ambassage hither. These are but conjectures.

I wish your return into these quarters as soon as the season of the year will permit you; it was your purpose when I left you, and I trust you still keep that resolution. The knowledge of that state is chiefly necessary, and the use of that language. I am sure you understand these things better than myself, and therefore dare not [presume] to advise you. Only my desire is the more earnestly led hereunto by an opinion I have of being able to do you there some pleasing service, and of putting into your hands the commodity of advantaging yourself [into] his highnesses favour, than either your friends or money are like to do in haste. I have heard that you have formerly had some inward acquaintance with Sir Robert Carr of Ancram. It will not be unworthy your entertaining still.