<B LEYCESTE>

[^CORRESPONDENCE OF ROBERT DUDLEY, EARL OF LEYCESTER, DURING HIS
GOVERNMENT OF THE LOW COUNTRIES, IN THE YEARS 1585 AND 1586. ED.
BY BRUCE, JOHN. CAMDEN FIRST SERIES 27. 1844.^]

<Q LEY 1585 FWALSINGHAM>
<A FRANCIS WALSYNGHAM>
<P 4>
[} [\LETTER I. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF
LEYCESTER. 26TH SEPTEMBER, 1585.\] }]
   My verry good lord, her majestie sent me woorde by M=r= Da
[^EDITOR HAS NOT IDENTIFIED THE ABBREVIATED NAME^] that I shoold
speak unto your lordship that her plesure is you forbeare to
proceed in your preparatyons untyll you speake with her. How
this commethe abowt I know not. The matter is to be kept
secreat. Thes chaynges here may woorke somme sooche chaynges in
the Lowe Contrye as may prove irreparable. God give her majestye
an othur mynde and resolution then in proceadyng otherwyse yt
wyll woorke bothe hers and best
<P 5>
affected subiects ruine. And so I most humbly take my leave. At
the courte, the 26. September, 1585.
   Your lordships to command,
   Fra: Walsyngham.

<Q LEY 1585 RDUDLEY>
<A ROBERT DUDLEY>
<P 5>
[} [\LETTER II. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY
WALSYNGHAM. 27TH SEPTEMBER, 1585.\] }]
   Sir,
   I have this night, at j a clok, received your letter, which
doth signyfie that her majesties pleasure ys, I shuld stey my
preperations untyll I doe speake with her. I wyll lett you knowe
how farr I have gonne, and than I shall obey hir majesties
comandment, being knowen from you, for stey of the rest, and to
undoe of that ys donn, as hir wyll shalbe.
   First; uppon hir first order geven, both from hir self and
also confirmyd further by your letters by hir majesties
comandment, I dyspached, betwene Thursday night and yesternight
iiij a cloke, above ij=c= lettres to my servaunts, and sondry my
frends, to prepare themselves, according to the order I had my
self, with all the spede the could possible, to serve hir
majestie, under me, in the Low Countreys. I am sure ther be a c
of these alredy delyvered, and the rest wylbe before I can
revoke them; having apointed the xviij. and xx. of the next
month for ther repayr hether with
<P 6>
all ther furnyture. I have since, and before I cam my self to
the Tower, taken upp both armours and stele saddelles, as many
as must cost me a good pece of money. I have sett in hand sondry
furnytures also for my self. I have taken upp ij or iij vessells
to carry away presently certen provissions, as bear and other
necessaryes, which must be ther before me.
   And, lastly, that I am most sorry for, the states that were
at court cam hether to me this morning by ix a cloke, and spent
ij owres with me, touching my dyspach, in so much as they werr
reddy to knele to me for to make what hast for my none aryvall
on the other syde that I could possibly, yea by all perswasions
pressing me that I wold not stey tyll my full preparations werr
made, and my companyes, but to be knowen once to be aryved at
Mydelborow, or Flushing, with such as may sonest be reddy, for
by that meanes I shuld be the cause of stey of greter matters
than wold be wyshed thorow longer delay, for, they sayd, yt was
very long alredy. They offerd me with all, that many things
shuld be ther made reddy to receave me, even so sone as yf I
went within vj days I shuld be prepared for. I did, hereuppon,
tell them what streyt comandment I had received from hir
majestie to hast me over, and what good wyll they shuld now fynd
in me to performe the same. We agreed that I shuld send som
servant of myne to have ther lettres over to se all things made
ther reddy for me, yf I shuld followe within 14 or 15 days; I
dyd so, and sent D. Doyly, whome ye know, who hath ther lettres,
and, except my messenger find him, he ys gonn this morning tyde
before iij a cloke; yet have I, uppon the sight of your lettre,
sent one to seke him and to stey him. This farr alredy have I
proceded. I told the states, also, that I steyd hereabout tyll I
shuld prepare for my owne speedyer dyspach.
   Whereuppon this sudden change doth groe, M=r= secretary, I
<P 7>
can not imagin, nether wyll I meddell withall, but must obey her
majesties pleasure yf she have determyned any alteration, which
I desyer to hear from you, for yf I com to the court yt must
more easyly breake out, as yt wyll notwithstanding, and I can
but greve at the myserable estate of the pore aflycted; as for
my owne, hit must be as the potters vessell, &c.
   For that I know this forenoon some of the estates wyll com
ageyn to me about this cause, I wylbe absent somwhear tyll after
none, by which tyme I wyll hope to receive further dyrectyon
from you, which God grant to be best for her majesties own
servyce and hir realme, by whose wysdom and government we are
all lyke ether to stand or faule. Thus in much hast, praing you
to excuse the imperfectyon of yt, being scrybled in my bed this
Monday morning almost ij a clok.
   Your assured frend,
   R. Leycester.
[\ADDRESSED.\] To the right honourable M=r= secretary
Walsingham, hast, hast, hast.

<Q LEY 1585 RDUDLEY>
<A ROBERT DUDLEY>
<P 7>
[} [\LETTER III. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY
WALSYNGHAM. 27TH SEPTEMBER, 1585.\] }]
This ys one of the strangest dealings in the world. I find yf
<P 8>
any lytle stey be longer, the alteration on the other syde wylbe
past remedy. They ar so importunatt uppon me as I was feyn to
promys them to be reddy my self to goe within xv days. I have
don as I have wrytten, both in dyspach of my lettres and taking
upp of the other necessaryes, which comes to no smale som, and
now, was I in my money matters, and have my frends abrode for
yt! What must be thought of such an alteration! For my parte, I
am wery of lyfe and all. I pray you let me hear with spede. I
will goe this morning to Wansted, to se som horses I have ther,
where I wyll tary tyll iij a clok, and than retorn hether ageyn,
and, yf the matter alter, I can have no hart to com at court, or
look uppon any man, for yt wylbe thought some myslyking in me
doth stey the matter. Send Philip to me, and God kepe you, and,
yf you can possible, lern out the cause of this change.
   Your assured,
   R. L.

<Q LEY 1585 FWALSINGHAM>
<A FRANCIS WALSYNGHAM>
<P 8>
[} [\LETTER IV. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF
LEYCESTER. 27TH SEPTEMBER, 1585.\] }]
   My verry good lord, I wyll not fayle to acquaynt her majestye
with the great compforte your lordship tooke thorrough her
<P 9>
grateowse dealyng towardes you, at sooche time as she dyd
delyver her plesure unto you towching the imployment of you in
the Lowe Contryes.
   My lords have semed to be verry wyllyng to further any thinge
your lordship shall require for the advauncement of the servyce.
But yf your lordships requests shall mynister matter of charge,
thowghe yt be for publycke servyce, the impedyment wyll be
fownde in her majestye, with whom I have had verry sharpe
conflyctes abowt the Scottyshe causes, and all for charges.
   I wyll excuse your lordships absence in respecte of the
necessytye of your being at London for the better expedytyon of
your preparatyons. Sir Amyas Paulet proceaded forther in the
preparatyons at Chartley then I lookd for. I wyll doe what I can
to staye the intended remove thither, but I feare neyther ser
Wat. Ashetons howse, nor Gyffordes, wyll be founde so apt. I
wyll cause a sayll to be made of the felling of the quenes
woodes, and of the used of hir stuffe.
   I fynde by the comyssyoners that they desyre greatly your
presence on the other syde the seae, for that they dowbt, in
respect of the present confusyon of governement, and the
practyces in hand to drawe them to gyve eare to the prince of
Parma, ther may faule owt somme dayngerowse alteratyon in thos
contryes.
   I knowe your lordship wyll make what speed you may, and yf
your good wyll myght have taken place, the daynger they feare by
delaye had ben avoyded.
   I wyll doe my best indevor to see your lordship somme tyme to
morrowe, or next daye, at your howse in London, and so, in the
<P 10>
meane tyme, I most humbly take my leave. At the courte the
xxvij=th= of September, 1585.
   Your lordships to command,
   Fra: Walsyngham.
I woold be glad to undarstande whether your lordship hathe had
sir Thomas Cicell in remembraunce. 
[\ADDRESSED.\] To the right honorable my very good lord the
earle of Leycester.

<Q LEY 1585 RDUDLEY>
<A ROBERT DUDLEY>
<P 10>
[} [\LETTER V. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY
WALSYNGHAM.\] }]
   Sir, I doe not meane to make any request that shall encreace
any neu chardge, albeyt hir majesty, I trust, shalbe well
provided to have hir own chardges saved in the end. You know
what my sutes ar lyke to be, only to se me go accompanyd with
such suffycyent
<P 11>
persones as shalbe requysytt in so weighty a servyce as this ys.
And herein, good Mr. secretary, stand fast to me in dede; for I
wyll seke nothing, by my jorney, in this world, but to doe
servyce to hir majestie and this realme, and nothing I am in
sure hope wyll hinder yt but letting me from such able persons
as I shall desyer. I gave my nephew Philip this morning som
notes to conferr with you about.
   I hope, sir, I may have that I made you acquantyd with v or
vj c of my owne tenauntes, whom I wyll make as good reconing of
a[{s{] of 1000 of any that ar yet gonn over, and no way to
encreace hir majesties chardges, and whan I shall speak with
you, which I much desier, I wyll further satysfye you.
   Sir, my lord of Hunsdon hath sent his comandment, uppon his
sonn Hobbyes informacion, for a bayly of Hersam, who had a book
concerning ther own lybertyes and myne also, delyvered them by a
stuard of myne only for a tyme to pleasure them, and now they
have retornyd the booke ageyn to my offycer, and my lord, he
sends, wyll comytt him for yt, but I trust that justyce wyll not
be, for I must rather inform hir majesty; and this being the
truth of the cause, I pray you, sir, help to kepe the pore man
from prison, as I know yf you send to my lord that the party
hath opened the cause to you, I know he wyll forbear him. I am
<P 12>
loth to have squares with him now. God kepe you, and so I rest
your assured,
   R. Leycester.
[\ADDRESSED.\] To my honorable good frend Mr. secretary
Walsingham.

<Q LEY 1585 RDUDLEY>
<A ROBERT DUDLEY>
<P 21>
[} [\LETTER XI. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO LORD BURGHLEY. 5TH
DECEMBER 1585.\] }]
   My very good lord, I am sorry I could not take my leave of
you before my departure, but I hard, which I am sorry for, that
<P 22>
your lordships paines encreaced after my going from the court,
and dyd lett your intended coming to London; but, seing that
oportunyty taken away, I have thought yt my parte to byd your
lordship fare well by these fewe lynes, whearin I shall wyshe
your lordship perfect health, and many yeres to serve hir
majesty, comending you for the same to the mightye protectyon of
the Lord.
   My good lord, I may not, having this occasion, be unmyndfull
of these thinges also, which I did think at my leave taking to
have remembred to your lordship, albeyt I know the care you
always have of hir majesties good servyces. Your lordship can
not but remember the cause for which hit hath pleased hir
majesty to send me into the Low Countreyes. Hit was not only by
your lordship, but by the hole nombre of councellors agreed
uppon, how mete and necessary hit was for hir highnes to yeld
ayd and assistance for the relyfe of those aflicted countreys,
her neghbours and most auncyent frendes: hit hath grown synce to
nerer termes and resolucyons, aswell by hir majesties own wordes
of comfort to them, as by contractes sett down betwen hir and
them, by hir majesties comyssioners apointed for the purpose. I
trust, my good lord, now that I have taken this voyage uppon me
to serve hir majestie as she hath commanded, your lordship will
be myndfull of me, poore man, but of the cause comytted now to
my delinge chifely.
   Albeyt I have no mystrust but in so great absence, and such a
servyce, I might greatly relye uppon your partyculer good wyll
and regard of my self, but in this case I desier no respect nor
regard of me, but of the cause, which I besech you, my lord, I
may at this farewell recomend to your wysdome and great care.
Hit cannott be but whatsoever lack shall happen to me in this
servyce, but the want must turn to hir majestie; and, as ther
can
<P 23>
no good, or honor, fall to this actyon, but yt must be wholy to
the prayse and honour of hir majestie, so whatsoever disgrace or
dyshonor shall happen (growing for lacke of our good
maintenaunce) but yt wyll redownde to hir majestie also. Hir
majestie, I se, my Lord, often tymes doth fall into myslyke of
this cause, and sondrye opinions yt may brede in hir with all,
but I trust in the Lord, seing hir highnes hath thus farr
resolvyd and groen also to this farr executyon as she hath, and
that myne and other mennes pore lyves and substances ar
adventured for hir sake, and by hir comaundement, that she wyll
fortefie and mainteyn hir owen actyon to the full performance of
that she hath agreed on. Than shall ther be no dowbt, but
assured hope, of all good success, to the glorye of God and
perpetuall honour to hir majestie.
   My good lord, you may conceave my meaning without more wordes
used to you, and the rather for that I desiered Mr. secretary to
imparte a lettre to yow I wrote to him. I besech your lordship
have this cause even to your hart, as yt doth appear yow have
donn by consentynge to the adventure of your eldeth sonne in
this servyce; for this I must say to you, yf hir majesty fayle
with such suplye and maintenance as shalbe fytt, all she hath
donn hetherto wylbe utterly lost and cast away, and wee hir pore
subiectes no better than abiectes. And, good my Lord, for my
last, have me only thus farr in your care, that in these thinges
which hir Majesty and yow all have agreed and confirmed for me
to doe, that I be not made a metamorphocys, that I shall not
know what to doe.
   And so the Lord have you in his keping, preserve hir majestie
for ever, and send me good spede in this servyce. In som hast
this 5th of December, on my way to the sey syde;
   by your lordships assured frend,
   R. Leycester.
   My lord, no man feleth comfort but they that have cause of
<P 24>
grefe, and no men have so much nede of relyfe and comfort as
those that goe in these dowbtfull servyces. I pray you, my lord,
help us to be kept in comfort, for we wyll hazard our lyves for
yt. 
[\ADDRESSED.\] To the right honourable my very good lord, the
lord Burley, lord treasurer of England.

<Q LEY 1585 WCECIL>
<A WILLIAM CECIL>
<P 24>
[} [\LETTER XII. LORD BURGHLEY TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 6TH
DECEMBER 1585.\] }]
My very good lord, I have receaved your courtess [^MS BURNT^]
letter, wherein your lordship doth commend to me your honorable
ca [^MS BURNT^] that your state and service now in hand doth
require, whereof truly, my lord, I do assure yow, no less a
portion of my care and travell for many respects to the
furtherance of your own honor than if I war a most neare kynsman
in bloode; and for the avancement of the action, if I should not
with all the powers of my hart contynually both wish and work
avancement therunto, I war to be an accursed person in the sight
of God; consideryng the endes of this action tend to the glory
of God, to the savety of the queens person, to the preservation
of this realme in a perpetuall quietnes, wherin for my
particular interest, both for my self and
<P 25>
my posterite, I have as much interest as any of my degree. And
this I pray yow, my lord, mak a perfect accompt of me and for my
doyngs. I referr the report to Mr. secretary, who hath this
afternoone hard me, in most ernest sort, dell with hir majesty
to favor and maynteane you and your action, as the only meanes
at this tyme to bryng hir to savety.
   From my couch in my chamber, not yet hable to rise from it.
God send your lordship a spedy good passadg. This vi. of
December, 1585.
   Your lordships assured as any,
   W. Burghley.
 
<Q LEY 1585 RDUDLEY>
<A ROBERT DUDLEY>
<P 25>
[} [\LETTER XIII. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY
WALSYNGHAM. 15TH DECEMBER 1585.\] }]
   Sir, I have not the contract which passed betwene hir majesty
and the states, which you promysed me I shuld have, and of
necessyty I must nedes have yt sent to me, and, yf yt may be,
the
<P 26>
very oryginall ys best, whearatt ther handes be; you may cause
the coppye to be exemplyfied yf ye lyst.
   I have also perused the rates for the armye, which you sent
me by Lloyd my secretarye, wherein you sett down my rate as
generall without my ordynary company, as a gard, phisytyon,
chaplen, clerkes, drom, fyfe, and such lyke, as other
lyvetenauntes had, and as you dyd delyver me before, at the
beginning; for all other great offycers, as marshall and such
lyke, you told me yt must be alowed by this countrey chardges;
which I meane to deale accordingly, &c.
   You sett doun all Mr. Kyllegrew and Mr. D. Clerk lx=s= a pece
(\per dyem\) , which ys more than the governors of Flushing and
Bryall have, and, as I remember, you told me that their
allowance shuld be xl=s= a pece. I pray you lett me be answered
of these iij matters with as much spede as may be.
   My laste is, to hear from you as ofte as may be, and to take
ordre for your ordynary passenger on that syde, and to lett me
hear how hir majesty acceptes of my doinges and wrytinges.
   The longer the winde doth holde our shipps the more occasion
I shall howerly have to wryte. The greatest of all ys, first, to
pray you to gett hir majestys favor that I may have vj=c=. or a
1000 of your Iresh idell men, such as be not only in her
majestyes pay but very mete to be out of that countrey. The
cause of my desier to have them ys, for that they be hard, and
wyll abyde more pains than our men, tyll they have byn well
trayned with hardnes as they have byn. My desier only ys, that
hir majesty wryte a letter to my lord deputye to gyve such leave
to come as he shall not imploye ther, and to further the beror
that ys sent thether in all reasonable sort for his conveying
and transportacion of them, without any chardge to hir majesty.
Herein ye shall [\do\] hir majesty very great servyce, for I
assure you ther be many dedd of
<P 27>
our souldyeres, and the enymye hath contynevall intellygence
from us, only they think I have brought a mervelous suply, by
the nomber of vesselles that cam over with me, and the rest that
went into Holland, thinking my company ther and her ys not under
iiij=m= at least. Ther be tyckettes also sent from London hether
which no dowbtes past to the enymye quykly, and wyll doe no
hurt, setting done the names of such as com with me, wherein
there ys ij=c=. names of my none gentlemen sett down, and they,
hearing I have so many gentlemen in my company, imagyn they are
not without servauntes, and so owr nomber must be great; which
opinion hath doon no harm, but yet yt wyll not long hold, and
therfore, I pray you Mr. secretary, ether gett me this suply or
elles 6 or 700 at the least out of England, to fill up our
bandes, elsewyse you wyll be sorry to hear of the want and
dyshonor that ys lyke to follow.
   Ther ys an other matter which I wold gladly be asuered of; I
wrote yt in an other lettre, touching the allowance of the
souldyer, at what rate he shalbe payd, whether after viij=d= the
day stirling, or after Flemysh money, which maketh much adoe
here.
   For our selues here, also, I trust you wyll remember, you
ther may hereafter have cause to fele that we doe, and shall
doe; therefore doe as you wold be done unto.
   Ther ys a pore matter of my none I left with you, Mr.
secretary, which ys, a byll for ij leases, an ordinary matter,
and I wyll pay for them; but my chefe care ys, there ys a
statute of forfeture uppon yt of iij.=m= li., or ij=m=. li. at
least, yf yt be not gotten before Crystmas day and delyvered to
the party. I dyd once tell you of yt, as also comandyd Tho.
Dudley to inform you therof; I pray you, sir, doe me the favor
to dyspach yt, or yf hir majesty think you styll to partyall
toward me, I pray you desier and beseche certeyn to do yt; yt
standeth me so much uppon me as I tell you.
   I wrote somwhat of sir Aldagond to you in putting his case;
but this ys certeyn, I have the coppy of his very letters sent
hether to
<P 28>
practyce the peace not ij days before I cam, and this day one
hath told me, that loves him well, that he hates our countreymen
unrecouerably. I am sorry for yt. So the Lord kepe you this
Wenysday the xv. of December.
   Your loving frend,
   R. Leycester.
   I pray you, sir, lett me know whether I shall have sir
Wylliam Pellam, or no; for I hear he sayth he dowbteth now whan.

<Q LEY 1585 RDUDLEY>
<A ROBERT DUDLEY>
<P 28> 
[} [\LETTER XIV. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO LORD BURGHLEY. 17TH
DECEMBER 1585.\] }]
My very good lord, the love and affection that I finde in this
people of Middelbourch to my souveraigne, and the good will and
desier they shewe to do me honour for her majesties sake, do the
rather persuad me to recommend unto your good lordship a cause
of certain merchantes of this towne, towchinge a ship of
Vlussingue that was loaden with oyles and cottens, and bond for
New Haven, but mett by the way, in their course, by three
Englishe shippes, and by them taken, and carried into England.
This was donn within these fifteene dayes; but because the
marchantes have one their that doth follow and solicite the
cause, and will wayte upon your lordship to impart the
particulars hereof unto you, I will not troble you therwithall.
I hartely praye your good lordship to
<P 29>
shewe them your good favour for the releasing of their shippe,
and recovering of their goods, and the rather at my earnest
request unto your lordship, for which you shall allwaies find me
very thankefull in all I maye. I am now here amongst them, where
I wold be very glad to requite their good wille, and to
contynewe their affection, by accomplishing their reasonable
requestes, and therfore once againe I am bold to put your
lordship in mynd of my request. Thus leaving your good lordship
to God, who send you as well and as good health as to my self, I
end. At Middelbourgh, this xvij=th= of December 1585.
   Your lordships ever assured frend,
   R. Leycester.
[\ADDRESSED.\] To the right honorable my very good lord, the
lord Burghley, lord high treasurer of England.

<Q LEY 1585 RDUDLEY>
<A ROBERT DUDLEY>
<P 29>
[} [\LETTER XV. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY
WALSYNGHAM. 26TH DECEMBER 1585.\] }]
Mr. secretary, albeyt I wrote lately to you from Dordrick,
having
<P 30>
thes convenyent messengeres, who doth meane to goe presently
into Englande, I wold [\not\] lett them pass without letting you
know where I am, and how greatly hir majesty ys in all places
reverenced and honored, of all sortes of people, from hiest to
the lowest, assuring themselves alredy, now they have hir
majestyes good countenance, to beatt all the Spanyards out of
their countrey ageyn. Never was ther people I think in that
jollyty that these be. I could be content to loose a lymme that
hir majesty dyd se these contreys and towens as I have; she wold
than think a hole subsedye well spent, but only to have the good
assurance and commandment of a few of these townes. I think ther
be not the lyke places agayn for England to be founde. I am now
going to the Hage, whear I shall have matter to wryte to hir
majesty shortly. In the meane tyme I meane not to trowble hir
majesty with any lettre, having written from Dort also unto hir.
   Thys sute I am to recomend unto you most ernestly. Ther ys a
gentleman, one Jacob Muys Van Holy, who ys one of the ablest men
in all these partes to serve hir majesty, both for his credytt
and wysedome. He hath a sonne prisoner with the enymye, and very
yll used. He besought me, yf ther were any Spanyard taken among
our seamen, as he heareth ther ys, he wold be a proude man to
have him, or any, to redeme his sonne, for they wyll not sett
him at any ransom, for the hate to his father; who in dede hath,
by his credytt, donn notable service in this cause, and no man
better able at this day to serve her majesty. I assure you, in
my opinion, hit were a good tern to bestow Seburo uppon him, and
yt ys my sute; I know it shall doe more good with all than xx=m=
crowns in money. He ys chefe bayly of Dordryght, where they have
ij=m= and iiij=c= able soldyers
<P 31>
of the very townes men as ever I saw in any place, and the
kindest people; beside there ys belonging above ij=m= maryners
to this town alone. I assure you yf such a parte might com to
him uppon the sudden, with a letter of thankes to the hole towne
besides, for ther honorable usage of me, hir majesties
lyvetenant here, you shall wynn her more frends withall thorow
all this countrey than a c Spanyardes be worth.
   I must besech hir majesty, also, that ther may be partyculer
letters wrytten of thankes to those towns who have so honorably
and chargeably receaved me in hir majesty's name, as Dordryght,
Rotradame, and this towne Delf, which ar all iij notable fair
towns, and all trafyquers with England. Flushing and Mydelborow
had letters, which makes me the bolder to craye these. The worst
of these towns presented me with xv=c= shott and armed men, at
the least, and dyd conduct me from town to town with vj and
vij=c= shott.
   This town ys an other London almost for bewty and fairnes,
and have used me most honorably, as these berors can tell you;
with the greatest shewes that ever I sawe. The mett me along the
ryver as I cam, v=c= shott ij myles of; at my landing ther was
not so few as xv=c= shott more, standing in a row from my
landing tyll I cam to my lodging, which was nere a long myle; by
the way, in the great merkett place, they had sett a squadron,
at the leaste of viij=c= or a 1000 pikes, all armyd, which was a
mervellous fayr sight, and tall able personages as ever I saw.
Ther was such a noyse, both here, at Rotradame, and Dordryght,
in crying, "God save queen Elisabeth," as yf she had ben in
Chepesyde, with the most harty countenances that ever I sawe;
and therfore, whatsoever hath byn sayd to hir majesty, I beleave
she never bestowed hir favor uppon
<P 32>
more thankfull people than these countryes of Holland; for the
states dare not but be queen Elyzabethes, for, by the lyving
God, yf ther shuld fall but the least unkindness, thorow ther
default, the people wold kyll them, for these towns woll take no
dyrectyon but from the queen of England, I assure you; and yf
hir majesty had not taken them at this nede, but forsaken them,
she had lost them for ever and ever, and now hath she them, yf
she wyll kepe them, as the cyttysens of London, in all love and
affectyon.
   All our horses, that have byn uppon the water at London and
here above xxvj days, ar as well aryved as yf they had never byn
travelled, and not so fayr when they wer shipt as they be now.
   Lastly, sir, I besech send me a pursevant; he that I
apointed, and desyered to goe, made sute a day before I cam away
to tarry at [{home,{] with xx excuses, his name ys Segar. I prey
you, sir, lett some one, and an able boddy, be apointed with
spede. Yf you call for clarencius he wyll name some fytt man to
you. I have great nede of such a one. Yf he have French, or
Duch, or Latyn, yt shall suffyce.
   I perceave not only these people here dowbtyd of hir majesty
dealing thus with the king of Spayn, but the princes of Germany
also, of whome one yesterday hath told me, that they know alredy
of my coming, and so mervell at yt as he thinkes her majesty
shall fynd them in an other tune than ever she found them yet;
shortly I shall hear more, and, uppon this, yf the matter of
Segaro werr satysfyed touching Cassamere, she wold shortly
dyrect them all. I speak yt not for any respect for my self (God
ys judge), but you wyll not beleave what a reputacion this
dealing in the Low Countreys hath alredy gotten hir.
   I have most cause to complayn, that was sent out as I was,
and yet stand, without help, or assistance, of such persons as I
hoped for. I hear nothing of Sir William Pellam, nor Mr.
Kylligrew,
<P 33>
and, for my parte, yf I lak them one weke longer, I had as leave
the taryed styll, for now am I at the worst, even at the first;
for now wyll all the busynes be: yt were to much pytty to lose
so great good thinges for lack of some help at the first. Yf yt
were not for Mr. Davison I shold be very farr to seke, God
knows.
   I find no great stuffe in my lytle colleage, nothing that I
looked for. Yt ys a pytty you have no more of his profession
able men to serve. This man hath good wyll, and a pretty
skollers wytt; but he ys to lytle for these bygg felloues, as
heavy as hir majesty thinks them to be. I wold she had but one
or ij such as the worst of half skore here be.
   I find Ruddykyrke a very grave, wyse, honest man; now, in the
fayth, he confesseth, he was almost out of belefe of hir
majesties goodnes. Walke dealeth most honestly and painfully.
Paule Buys I find greatly envyed and myslyked; but he must nedes
be had, albyt all devyces ar used to putt him out from being a
councellor.
   Now a few wordes for St. Aldegonde. I wyll besech hir majesty
to stay hir judgement tyll I wryte nest. Yf the man be as he now
semeth, hit were petty to loose him, for he is in dede
mervelously frended. Hir majesty wyll think, I know, I am easily
pacyfied, or ledd, in such a matter, but I trust so to deall as
she shall gyve me thankes. He hath made my nephew and Mr.
Davison deall with me; he hath sent his sonn, also, to me, to
gyve him to me, but I forbare, tyll I had good advyce in dede,
to send one to him, which was Gilpyn, and doe looke every oure
to
<P 34>
hear from him agayn. Once yf he doe offer servyce yt ys sure
inough, for he ys esteemed that way above all the men in this
countrey, for his word yf he gyve yt. His most enymyes here
procure me to wynne him, for sure just matter for his lyfe ther
ys none. He wold fayn come into Englond; so farr he ys com
alredy, and doth extoll hir majesty for this work of hirs to
heaven, and confesseth, tyll now, an angell could not make him
beleave yt. Well, I hope you shall hear that wyll not myslyke
you hearin. Fare you well, this Sonday morning, at Delph.
   Your assured,
   R. Leycester.
   I never herd out of Englond yet synce I cam away.
[\ADDRESSED.\] To my honourable good frend sir Francis
Walsingham, knight, her majesties principall secretarie.

<Q LEY 1585 FWALSINGHAM>
<A FRANCIS WALSYNGHAM>
<P 34>
[} [\LETTER XVI. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF
LEYCESTER. DECEMBER, 1585.\] }]
   My verie good lord, your letters sent by Mr. Henrie Astell
and your servante Underhill, I have receaved, by the which I am
verie
<P 35>
gladd to understand that your lordship hath ben so honourably
used in those places where you nowe are, and that they stand so
greatlie devoted towardes her majestie as by all owtward shewe
dothe manyfestly appeare, which ought to move her majestie to
like the better of the actyon, and to countenance the same in
such sorte as maie both encourage your lordship and increase the
love and goodwill towardes her, of those well affected people.
But, as farre as I can learne by such of my frendes as are
acquainted with our court proceadinges, it wourketh not that
good effect that were to be wished, so unpleasant are all
thinges that mynister matter of charges. I praie God frame an
other minde in her majestie, as well for her owne honour and
safetie, as for the encouragement of such as are emploied in
publicke service.
   I am verie gladd that the promised contribution by the states
carrieth likelyhood of perfourmance, which stoppeth the mouthes
and practises of those that sought to wourke an other conceipt
in her majestie, by bearinge her in hand that she was abused,
and that the burthen of the charges would light uppon her, or at
least that she should in the ende be forced, in respecte of
charges, to geve over the cause. I would to God their meanes
might have ben found such as some parte of her owne charges
might have ben diminished, whereby she might have ben the rather
encouraged to have put on a resolution to have proceded
constantlie in the maintenance of the cause.
   As your lordship heareth out of Germanie that this enterprise
of her majesties hath greatlie encreased her reputation in those
partes, so do we here the like out of Italie, and I thincke
that, if they might stand assured that her majestie would
throughlie prosecute the cause, they might be drawne in some
sorte both to yeald supporte and to kyndell some fyer ther; so
necessarie do they find it that the king of Spaynes greatnes
should be abated in respect of their owne perryll.
   I perceave by your lordships letters that if you had not come
<P 36>
at that tyme you did, there would have fallen out some
dangerouse alteration in that countrie, and therefore all honest
and well affected subiectes here have cause to thancke God that
you arrived there so seasonablie as you did; for, houesoever we
mislike of the enterprise here, all England should have smarted
if the same had not ben taken in hand.
   If the princes of Germanie could be drawne to congratulate
your lordships repayre into those partes, as your lordship is
put in hope they will doe, it will greatlie countenance the
cause.
   Touchinge your lordships request to have Sebur gewen in
exchange for the bayliffe of Dortrechtes sonne, I will doe my
uttermost endevor to bringe the same to effecte, wherein I hope
there wilbe found no great difficulty, for that his releasement,
beinge a man of no great capacitie thoughe otherwise
malliciouslie affected, can wourke no great preiudice to this
estate.
   This daye, I understood by Mr. vice-chamberlaine, who came to
vissitt me, that her majesties mislikes towardes St. Aldegonde
contynuethe, and that she taketh offence that he was not
restrained of his libertie by your lordships order. I did
acquainte him with the letter he wrote unto your lordship, which
carryinge a true picture of an afflicted mynde, cannot but move
an honest harte, weyinge the rare partes the gentleman is endued
withall, but to pittie his distressed estate, and to procure him
releif and comforte, which Mr. vice-chamberlaine hath promised
on his parte to perfourme. I thought good to send St. Aldegondes
letter unto the lord threasurer, who heretofor hathe carryed a
harde conceipt of the gentleman, hopinge that the viewe of his
letter will breed in his lordship some remorse towards him. I
have also praied his lordship, if he see cause, to acquainte her
majestie with the said letter.
   Sorie I am that your lordship should have that iust cause you
<P 37>
have to complaine of lacke of assistance. There falleth out
daylie, as I am informed, newe discoverie of abuses touchinge
the office of the ordenance, as that there should be a hundred
brasse peeces missinge, which doth so much agravatt her
majesties displeasure against sir William Pelham, in that he did
neglect, with that care that appertained, to oversea the
inferiour officers, as she can hardely endure anie man to deale
for him. Yett, notwithstandinge, my lord threasurer hathe of
late sent the gentleman woordd, that he is nowe in some hoape
that her majestie wilbe content to extend some grace towardes
him, whereby he maie be sent unto your lordship, who canne never
come to late, in respecte of the contynuall use your lordship
shall have of his advice and assistance, so longe as you shalbe
emploied in those countries in a martyall coorse.
   Touchinge a coppye of the originall contracte that your
lordship writeth of, I am assured the same was delyvered either
to Mr. Atye, or to Mr. Fludde; in the meane tyme, until the same
maie be found, your lordship maie use a coppie I delyvered to
Mr. Killegrewe, who hathe been long at the seae syde for a
wynde.
   The allowance gewen to doctour Clarcke and Mr. Killegrewe is
mistaken by the writer, for that it ought to be onlie 40 (^s.^)
(\per diem\) . And, as touchinge your lordships allowance as
generall, it is true that the enterteinement due to all such
necessarie attendantes all other generalls have had, was
omitted. Your lordship therefore shall do well to write a joynte
letter to the lord threasurer and to me, to move the rest of the
counsell to geive warrant to the threasurer for the paiement
thereof.
   The letters of thanckes your lordship desireth unto the
townes of Dortrecth, Rotterdam, and Delft, I will not faile to
procure: as also that ther maie be provided a passage boate for
the transportation of letters.

<Q LEY 1585 WCECIL>
<A WILLIAM CECIL>
<P 38>
[} [\LETTER XVII. LORD BURGHLEY TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 26TH
DECEMBER, 1585.\] }]
   My very good lord, sence the retorn of Mr. Gorge from your
lordship, who cam the next daye after his shippyng, we have not
hard from your lordship, nether I thynk hath your lordship hard
from hence; the lack of both hath bene in default of passages.
And now, as soone as any shippyng cold be made redy, which,
though I wryte these letters this Mo[\nday\] being the 26. yet,
untill Wednesday, the officers of the admyralte say, the
shippyng cannot be redy, and if it than shall be, I d[{oubt{] of
nothyng but want of wynd to bryng over to your lordship a gret
nombre of your good frendes and servantes, and amongst them my
son, who hath bene hable and redy these x dayes, if he cold have
gotten shippyng, which he cold not get untill your shippes
retorned.
   By Mr. Gorge and others I receaved two letters from you, the
on of the xj=th= the other of the xiij=th=, both wrytten at
Midelburg. By the former, your lordship signefyeth your saff
arryvall, and the perswasion that your coming hath wrought in
that nation of hir majesty's mynd to help them, wherof they war
in doubt afor. By the second, your lordship wryteth in what
state Sluse and
<P 39>
Ostend ar, and how much yow fynd above your formar opynion the
importance of those ij places ar for the service ageynst the
enemy, and therfor your lordship hath entred into consideration
how to releve ther wantes; wherin, in my opynion, I think your
lordship hath no on thyng, now at your first coming, mor
nedefull for avoyding of that danger, which, if it shuld happen,
will not be remedyed without gret charges and hazard. For I have
allweise thought, that ther was nothyng more nedefull for the
kyng of Spayn than to have mo and better places on Flanders syde
than he yet hath for shippyng, as well to send ayde of men,
mony, and victells, from Spayne, or from France by frendshipp,
as to kepe shippes of warr to offend all passengers betwixt
England and Zelland or Holland; as, by experience, the
possessyng of Dunkyrk haven hath served, with a few beggarly
vessells, to have done gret dammage by sea, presyng of men,
shippes, merchandise, and victells; and suerly, my lord, if
Sluse shuld be lost, the Spanyards might incress ther strength
by sea with shippyng hable to overmach both Flussyngars and a
good nombre of our shippes, for if the haven shuld be thers,
they might kepe as well j=c= sayle as x., and what cost will a
kyng of Spayn spare, to be a master on the sea, wher he now is
commanded? But I am to long herin, although I might wryte much
more; but I know and perceave by your lordships own wrytyng, yow
look depely into this matter, which in dede can not be to
spedely looked unto, that both these places he victelled,
manned, and ther weaknes also spedely strengthened, and, in my
opinion, the states ought, at this tyme, more largly to
contribut to this chardg than to a doosen of other towns in any
part of Holland, and therfor, good my lord, as you have begon to
take care hereof, so procure the states to yeld monny
plentifully, to pay a sufficient nombre there whylest the
imperfections of the places may be reenforced, and than the
<P 40>
nombers may be the fewar afterward. I wold to God that your
lordship cold procure such a releff, as ether of those ij towns
might have but j=c= horsmen, who, joyning togither, might ether
spoyle the country, or might cause the ennemy bryng a great
force to that frontyer, wherby ther own nombres shuld also
dammag ther own towns, as Bruges, Newport, &c. by reason of ther
lack of victells.
   Mr. Wylford wrote a letter to Partridg of Kent, to help send
hym some victells, and therwith he sent a letter of your
lordship to the commissioners of Kent, and so I have procured
letters from the counsell to the commissioners, to authorise on
Mr. Avyer to send it over, with bond to have it saffly sent,
wherof Mr. Brown your lordships servant is by me made prive.
   Your said servant also required my warrant for sendyng of
ce[{rtain{] victell uppon your lordships letters wrytten to hym,
and I was v[{ery{] willyng so to have doone of myn own
authorite, but I am otherwise directed by a warrant signed by
hir majesty afor your lordship departed, wherof, it is sayd,
that your lordship was prive; but it bredeth, in [\my\] opinion,
some hyndrance with the circumstances; for, first, it is by the
warrant apoynted, that your lordship must, first, by your
letters to me, signefy what quantite yow require, and than ther
must be an other letter procured from four of the counsell to
me, also, for allowance therof, and than am I authorised to gyve
warrant to the portes, but yet with condition that bondes must
be put into the chequer for the retorn of trew certificat from
that syde. With all these circumstances I am circumscribed more
than in former tymes hath bene thought necessary, but I fynd no
lack in that I am so directed, but sometyme ther will be
required more spede than this manner doth prescribe. Of this Mr.
Brown is now prive, and yet I have ventured to gyve hym warrant,
havyng also gotten a letter from the counsell, for such a
proportion as he required, which was, for j=m= quarters of
<P 41>
wheat, as much malt, j=c= ton of beare, xl bulloks, vj oxen,
j=c= shepe, vj barrells of tallow candells, a hoy with wood and
cole. And he sayth, he will wryte to your lordship to have yow
hereafter to signefy your mynd in particular wrytyng to me, for
such thynges as yow shall have nede, wherin I wish your lordship
caused accompt to be made of the charges of our prises, with
charges of transportation, with the lyk kyndes there to be had,
for I here report that manny thynges ar to be had ther with
easyer prices, and, of those thynges, I doot not but your
lordship will forbeare to require any provision from hence,
which will also be good for our country, wher, by collor of
these provisions, prises will ryse without reason.
   I heare also, my lord, that there is gret gayne made of our
coyn, both of gold and silvar ther, to the loss of our
countrymen uttryng the same for that country monnyes, and the
gayn sought by merchants both of that country and of England, by
choppyng and changyng therof under the trew vallew; for, in
truth, our monny, both gold and silver, is worth in eschange
above xxxiiij=s=. the pownd, and yet the marchant holdeth the
eschange but at xxxiij=s=. iiij=d=, and therfor, my lord, yow
may do a good dede to cause some honnest skillfull men to make a
trew assaye of the monnyes of that countrye, and rate both our
gold and silver at the same price, and to cause our people to be
well instructed at what prices they ought to utter our monnyes
for the monnyes of those con[{tryes{] . In this matter, I thynk
a servant of alderman Martyns, that went over with the tresorer,
can inform your lordship, or any of your counsell ther, what
order war to be taken.
   And I wish, also, that your lordship wold deale with the
counsell of the states for reformation of ther myntes, which,
being many in nombre, serve only by fraude to gayne to them that
ar the officers of the myntes, and to the decept of the people.
   Your lordship, also, is to be advertised, which I do by hir
majesties direction, that she understandeth very certenly, that
the king of Spayn maketh all the provision that he can possible,
to mak a
<P 42>
mighty navy for a great army to come by sea, to annoy hir
majesty, and, for the furniture therof, beside his own shippes
and gallyes, both of Spayne and Itally, in Millan, Naples, and
Sicilly, he is promised ayd of men and gallyes from the pope and
the dukes of Savoy and Florence, and, some report, from the
Venetians, but therof I dout, so as, in conclusion, it is here
found most necessary that hir majesty shall also make
preparation of all the strength that she can mak by sea, and,
for that purpooss, it is here resolved, that hir own shippes
shall be removed to Portesmouth in March next, and a gret nombre
of hir subjectes shippes shall also be made redy to come, ether
to Portesmouth, or to Plymmouth, or to other places in our west
partes, as, by further intelligence of the king of Spayns
preparations, shall be requeset. And for this purpooss hir
majesty thynketh it most nedefull that your lordship shuld
presently procure some persons of understandyng, such as here is
named, Mr. Nicholas Gorge, to repayre to the portes of Holland
and Zelland, ether with the pryvety of the states or without it,
as your lordship shall thynk best, and to attayn to a certen
knolledg of the nombre of shippes provisable for warre, as to be
about ij=c= tons or vij or viij=xx=, and of ther furnitur, and
what nombre of marrynors ar also in every port, and whyther any
nombre of marrynors might be had to be hyred, to help to supply
our lack that may happen in the queen's navy, wherof we have
cause to dowt, because of the gret nombre absent with Sir
Francis Drak, and abrod with our merchantes shippes being
adventurers, and after that your lordship shall have
understandyng hereof, than hir majesty wold have your lordship
to impart to the states, or to ther counsell, how and in what
sort hir majesty looketh to be this sommer, and that very tymly
in the
<P 43>
spryng, assayled by a gret army of the king of Spayns, and how
nedefull it is, that all meanes possible be used to have a navy
hable to withstand the same, and specially to impeach the
comming of this Spanish navy towardes those Low Countryes, for
which purpoos, as hir majesty will spare no chardg to arm hir
own navy to the seas, and hir subjectes also, which must prove
an unknowen chardg, so wold she have your lordship to exhort
them, accordyng to the necessite of this tyme, to put in order
spedely as gret a navy as maye be by them fully furnished, to be
redy to come to the narrow seas by the end of March, or the midd
of Aprill, if by the king of Spaynes hasty preparations hir
majesty shall be therto so spedely provoked. And though, by an
article of the treaty, they ar bound hereunto in a certain
quantite, as by the article wherof I send your lordship a copy,
(I know not whyther you have the same,) yet the tyme requiring
all help possible, to match with so puissant army as the king
prepareth, your lordship may with reason soll[{icit{] them to a
farder proportion, if it may be. And hir majesty is desyrous to
be advertised hereof with such spede as your lordship may
procure.
   Thus, my lord, consideryng Mr. Aty maketh hast to depart, and
I am as yet not so hable to wryte as I have bene, I pray your
lordship that I may mak an end, with my assurance to your
lordship that, in any thyng that in my power lyeth to plesure
you and furder your service, I will be as redy as any frend that
is here behynd yow. And to conclud, I hartely thank your
lordship for the trust you have committed to me joyntly with my
lord chancellor for your office of the forrest, but we must have
some directions from your lordship what to do, or els we shall
not know what to doo.
   I nede not wryte to yow of our common news here, because so
<P 44>
many come over at this tyme fully fornished with such matters.
From Grenwich, the 26th of December, 1585.
   Your lordships to be commanded,
   W. Burghley.
[\ADDRESSED.\] To the right honorable my very good lord the erle
of Lecester, lord [{lieutenant of{] the queens majestys forces
[{in the{] Low Countres of Holland, Zelland, &c. and of hir
majesty's prive counsell in England.

<Q LEY 1585 WCECIL>
<A WILLIAM CECIL>
<P 44>
[} [\LETTER XVIII. LORD BURGHLEY TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 27TH
DECEMBER, 1585.\] }]
   My very good lord, whan I wrote my letters on Sonday, which I
do send by Mr. Aty, I wrote the same in hast, as I am forced by
multitude of causes to do allweis, but the rather because Mr.
Aty told me, that he wold come for them as yesterday, and
depart, which, fyndyng hym not to come, as I thynk by some
necessary lett, and havyng my sonn here redy to pass towardes
his shippyng, I have thought good to wryte a few thynges by hym.
   First, I am so assured, and my sonn also, of your lordships
honorable good will towardes hym, more than in common sort, as I
forbeare to wryte any more, but, breffly, to recommend hym to
your protection, and to wish [\him\] Godes grace to do as well
as I am sure your lordship will wish hym.
<P 45>
   My lord, now Mr. secretary being absent, I am occasioned to
deale with hir majesty in manny thynges, and suerly I am gretly
discoraged with lack of hir resolutions. For Mr. Pelham, I have
delt ernestly with hir majesty to dismiss hym with hir favor to
come thyther to your lordship, but hir majesty refuseth ether to
pardon hym, wherof he hath most nede, or to stall his dett,
which he also requireth, yea to take as much of his land as
resonably may satisfy his dett, so as he may, with the rest,
live and pay his other dettes, but hir majesty peremptorely
commandeth me to chardg hym to depart, and to hope uppon hir
favor at his retorne. Herwith he is so discontented as he
offreth rather to go to the Tower: in this hard terme his cause
resteth. Hir majesty sayth, he nede be at no chardg ther, for he
shall bot as a privat man attend on your lordship. I saye, I
thynk your lordship meaneth to mak hym marshall. She sayth, that
therin she will not deale, for she will charg hym with no
service, but only to attend on yow. In these termes is this
poore gentleman; and yet I will continew, with all importunite I
can, to obteyne hir majestys more favorable opinion of hym,
because I know how nedefull his service is to your lordship.
   Good my lord, serche the intention of the works in Antwerp by
the carpynters that work uppon shipps, in secret sort. I feare
ther is ment to mak some multitude of fatt botes to bryng people
into the flatt seas, to attempt Tergooss and Zyrecksea. Uppon
the purposs of the ennemy your lordship is to provyde some
conterwork to withstand such enterprises. I have hard that ther
ar manny papistes in Tergooss.
   And thus, the tyde callyng my sonn awey, maketh me and my
letter in hast. At Grenwych, 27 December, 1585.
   Your lordships at command,
   W. Burghley.

<Q LEY 1585 RDUDLEY>
<A ROBERT DUDLEY>
<P 46>
[} [\LETTER XIX. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY
WALSYNGHAM. 31ST DECEMBER, 1585.\] }]
   Mr. Secretary, I cam hether to the Hay, uppon Monday last,
whear I was very honorably receaved, all the states being
assembled together for that purpose, to make as much shew as
they could devyse of their good wylles to hir majesty, as in
many orations, pagentes, and such lyke, was expressyd, besyde
the people with great joye cryed, "God save the quene, God save
the quene," in every place of the stretes as I passed.
   The next day all the hole states generall cam to me, and ther
openly ageyn ther chauncelor Leonius (some call him Longonius)
made a longe oratyon in thankes and prayses to the quenes
majesty for hir great clemency, bounty, and goodnes, shewyd to
these pore aflycted countreys; attrybuting all their good and
happines, under God, to hir majesty only. As sone as he had donn
than cam comyssioners from partyculer provinces, as from
Utrycht, Geldars, and Fresland, besides sondry spetyall towens,
as Ansterdam, Leydon, Auchuson, and others, all which must nedes
use ther gratulacion, with oratyons, as the other dede, and much
to the same effect all with thankes and prayse to hir majesty.
<P 47>
   At all this cerymony-doing was ther a French secretary, sent
hether v or vj [\days\] before with lettres from the king. He
sayd yt was about merchantes matters, but in dede contrary, only
to have impeched, yf he could, this bynding themselves to hir
majesty as they doe. But the states gave him no audyence all the
while, alleaging they were occupied about the servyce of the
quene of Englond, which they wold dyspach before all princes in
the world. This fellow, being present at all this solemne
dealing with me, tooke yt in such snuffe as he cam prowdly to
the states, and offred his letters, saing: "Now I trust you have
donn all your sacrafyces to the quene of Englond, and may yeld
me some leysure to rede my masters letters." They so shooke him
upp, and with such termes, naming hir majesty in skorn, as they
tooke yt, as they hurld him his letters, and bidd him content
himself, they wold first dischardge all the least dewtyes
whatsoever to hir majesty before they wold hear him. So they
have every day synce sett about the contract with hir majesty,
spetyally how to gyve me answere for hir full satysfaction
touching ther abyllytye to maynteyn ther warrs, whearin I hear
credybly hir majesty shalbe well satysfied, and further then any
of us looked for. And both roundlye and frankley they goe to
worke, that ye shall se they wyll doe indede more than ever they
promysed, considering her majestes denyall [\of\] the
souerauntye and name of protector. For they meane, and must doe
yt, for the hole people wyll have yt, that hir majesty shall
have in hir handes the hole bestowing aswell of ther money and
contrybucions as of ther men of warr; and the desire no longer
hir good favour to them than they shall deall in all sincerytye
with hir. Wherein yt apperes that all the comyssioners have
wonderfully sett fourth her majesty to them all here, and Paull
Buys hath donn his parte thorowly, so hath Walk also. And all
thinges alredy [{are carried on{] with the most unyversall
obedyence of hir majestys name that ever I sawe. And
<P 48>
flatly yt apperes now, they wyll no other authorytye but under
hir majesty, nor that their treasure nor lyves shalbe at the
dysposing of any but hir majesty, which, yf you saw that we se
here, ye would wonder at [\what\] these people doe, and ar able
to doe, and yf God had not moved hir majesty to send when she
dyd, the prince of Parma had byn by this tyme in the best and
greatest tounes they have; but ye shall hear others in this and
not me.
   And as I wrote before how hir majestyes dealinges here ar
alredy blowen into Germany, so this day the elector brought me
letters agayn newly com there, whereby they wryte most honorably
of hir majesty, and the duke of Sax geues much better eye than
he did, synce his wyfes death, and lyke to marry ageyn with the
hows of Hanalt, a great protestant and a great howse. He hath
sent to speak with Seiguro, and very lyke to joyn with the other
princes, who ar agreed, not only to send a messenger to the
French king, but to lett him know, that they will com to the ayd
of the king of Navare, who ys most iniuriously delt withall by
the practyce of the pope and king of Spayn. The ellector vowede
to me that they have donn more in these causes within this xx
dayes, synce they understood of her majesties resolucyon agaynst
the king of Spayn, aswell by Sir Francis Drakes going into the
Indyes as her sending into these countreys, than they have don
this x yeres, or wold have don this twelmonths yet. God send hir
majesty to think of his mercyfull dealinges accordingly. The
king of Denmark also hath joyned and encouraged greatly these
princes. Hit ys told me by the elector that dyvers of them meane
to send hether to me, to congratulate hir majestyes gracious
doings toward this countrey.
   I have no other nues tyll these states have fully ended ther
consultacions, which wylbe to morrow, as I hear, and wholy,
without contradyctyon, to be at the devotyon and dispocyon of
hir
<P 49>
majesty absolutly. Of this ye shall hear as sone as I shall know
ther further answere. Two of our men of warr of Flushing hath
taken ij Dunkirk men; one sonk and drouned all the souldyers and
maryners. Thus fare ye well, sir, this last of December.
   Your assured frend,
   R. Leycester.
   Hit ys sayd that the princes ar resolvyd to entreate
Cassymere to be generall, and shall have xxv=m= men levyed by
the princes to goe with him into France.

<Q LEY 1586 RDUDLEY>
<A ROBERT DUDLEY>
<P 49>
[} [\LETTER XX. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY
WALSYNGHAM. 3RD JANUARY 1585-6.\] }]
   Good Mr. secretarie. I had forgotten in my former letters to
send unto you theis letters which I therein mencioned, which I
presently send unto you herinclosed; and so committ you to the
blessed tuicion of the Almightie. From Leyden, this iij. of
Januarie, 1585.
   Your assured loving frend,
   R. Leycester.
[^POSTCRIPT AUTOGRAPH^]
   I leave yt to your self whether you think yt good hir majesty
se St. Aldagondys letter or no. I cam hether to Leydon whilst
the states ar fynyshing all thinges ageinst my retorn, which
wylbe to morrow: this ys a goodly town and very strong, and most
loving people. Cassimers letter ys not here.
[\ADDRESSED.\] To the right honourable my very good frend, sir
Francis Walsingham, knight, principall secretary to her majesty.

<Q LEY 1586 WCECIL>
<A WILLIAM CECIL>
<P 50>
[} [\LETTER XXI. LORD BURGHLEY TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 12TH
JANUARY 1585-6.\] }]
   My very good lord, though ther ar manny difficulties both for
your lordship ther, and for us here, to concurr to the
furderaunce of this noble necessary service under your chardg,
yet ther is no on thyng that more annoyeth the expedition than
the advers wyndes, that somtyme kepeth us from understandyng of
your procedynges, not many dayes but manny wekes; but, that most
greveth us, the contrariete also of the wyndes stayeth us from
sendyng to your lordship, not only of letters but of men, horse,
victells, and monny. Amongst which evill accidentes my son,
Thomas Cecill, feleth at this tyme the burden and greff therof,
as he shuld have bene less damnefyed with an agew of on or two
monthes. As soone as he had recovered his evill fate he went
towardes the sea syde, the secound day after Christmas daye,
shipped about lx horses and ij=c= foote men, besyde lx other
servantes and followers, about the tyme your lordships
secretary, Mr. Aty, went also as I thynk with some monny of your
lordships. Henry Killigrew, also,
<P 51>
and William Knolls and sir Thomas Parrot went anon after. All
these have lyne at Margat in Kent ever sence, to this 12. of
January, for any thyng that I can heir to the contrary, savyng
they have bene on to the seas three or four sondry tymes, and
put back, ether with chang of wyndes or lack of wyndes, and, at
this present, we have had these five or six dayes constant
esterly wyndes with frostes, so as I feare a longer contynuance
of the impedimentes, but hereof ther is no remedy. Whan God
shall please to send them passadg, your lordship shall of ther
own report here more particularetyes of ther incommodytes.
   My son feleth very gret charges herby, for, as he wryteth
hyther, victellis ar dearer wher he lyeth than at London, and,
as he thynketh, at the Brill. He kepeth at his chardg, with his
horses, his band of footemen being ij hundredth, and with his
howshold servantes, and dyvers gentillmen that accompany hym,
above iij=c= mouthes. If your lordship be not good lord to hym
for allowance, ether for wages or for charges of this
transportation, or rather, I may saye, of this retardation by
occasion of the lack of wyndes, he shall mak a shipwrack of his
jornaye; but I wryte not this to move your lordship to do more
than I knowe you will of your self consider what is mete, and
what you may doo.
   Now, my lord, I will leave this long preface, and come to
some matters in my former letters. Whan Mr. Aty went from hence
I wrote, that hir majesty was desyroos to have your lordship to
deale with the states to put ther navy in order to joyne with
hirs, which shall be at Portesmouth in March next. Hir majesty
also wold that your lordship shuld procure knolledg of the state
of ther shippes mete for warr in every of the portes, and what
nombre of marryners might be spared from thence, if the navy of
England shuld have nede therof, which we dowte of, because of a
gret nombre gon with Sir Francis Drake, from whom, sence he
departed from the cost of Spayn, we never hard word, nether do
we
<P 52>
look to here afor March. In lik sort, to your lordship to have
inquisition made in Antwerp to what purpooss the vessells war
made by a nombre of shipwryghtes that lately cam out of Itally,
from Janua. These thynges I do repete to your lordship, not
knowyng how my formar letters may come to your handes.
   Now the rest that shall follow ar of thynges not mentioned
before. The queens majesty hath yelded to procure a some of
monny to be on hir part redy at Frankforth, towardes the levy of
an army that, we hope, don Cassymyr will conduct into France,
for the releff of the king of Navarr and Christes flock ther
persequuted; hereof monsieur de Grytry, that cam from Germanny
afor your lordship departed, will inform your lordship.
   In Scotland, to outward apparance, all thynges procede well.
The kyng hath kept a parlement at Lythquoo, wher the lords that
war bannished ar restored to ther states, and ar by the kyng
cleared of the crymes imputed. He hath sent a gentleman of his
chamber, named Kyth, therof to advertise her majesty, and to
offer all frendship that he can to his power yeld to hir
majesty; he desyreth to have the leag that was begon to be
fynished. Arrayn, now called but James Stuard, lyveth on the
west seas, hoveryng ther, from whom the kyng requireth his
jewells, which he, at his fleyng away, took out of Edenburgh
castell, but he will not delyver them without a pardon to come
back, which is denyed, but with condition that he will appeare
to justyce, which he as yet declyneth. Mr. Randolf is to go to
the Scottish kyng, and so the treaty, as I thynk, shall go
forward. Tyme must trye these thynges, for we fynd that the
French kyng hath sent, by sea, a baron of France, the son in law
of Pynartes, a man of gret lyvyng but of lytle understandyng,
and therfor he hath a shrewd instrument with hym, called
Courselles, whom your lordship did, I
<P 53>
thynke, know here with Malvesyn, a notable servitor to the
Scottish quene and the house of Guise, and, addyng to this, that
we understand how Lyddyngton, the secretary in Scotland, and
Robert Melvyn, who both remayn in good creditt with the kyng, ar
devoted to the kinges mother and to France, we may dout of the
eventes.
   Sence the puttyng of our shippes in order ageynst March, it
was ment to have sent this next month ten shippes of warr,
wherof five of hir majesty's and five marchantes, to have lyne
uppon the cost of Spayn, to have impeached the coming togither
from sondry portes of ther victells and shippyng, and also to
have discovered the truth of the reportes of the gret
preparations of a Spanish navy and army, accompted for iij=c=
sayle of shippes and gallyes and nere to iij=xx= thousand men,
by meanes of the helps out of Itally, from the pope, the duke of
Florence, duke of Savoye, from Naples and Sicilly; but, lately,
advertisement is come out of Itally, that ther is no such
preparation made there, nether of men nor shippes, but whyther
we be duly advertised I am yet in dout. Nevertheless, I did
never thynk it lykly that any such nombres, ether of men or
shippes, cold be sett forth by the king of Spayn as was
reported, specially for want of victells for such a nomber; but
hir majesty, uppon this advertisementes, stayeth the sending
forth of the sayd ten shippes, but yet both they, and all the
rest of the navy, contynew ther equippage to be in Portesmouth
afor the end of March.
   Now, my lord, I will resort to a speciall matter, whereof hir
majesty hath sent me chardg to wryte sence I began this letter.
A gentleman of the duk of Bullyon, whom your lordship knoweth,
named de Sevilly, cam two dayes past to hir majesty from the
duk, to inform hir of a gret preparation of grayn and other
victell provyded in Louvayn and Champayny, for to be sent down
by the ryver of Maze to the Lowe Countreys, for the prince
<P 54>
of Parma's army, which mass of victell is to come by the dukes
castell of Sedan, under his bridg; and though he have good will
to stay it, yet he dar not so doo, for feare of offence to be
intended ageynst hym, but if he cold devise how to by it of the
owners, with collor to serve both for his own provisions to
store his own castells and houses, and to distribut amongst his
neighbours that do want, he sayth he wold aventur the staye with
that collor, and though the vallew may be, as it is thought,
above j=c= thousand crowns, yet his desyre is to borrow but
forty, or thirty, or, I thynk, twenty thousand crowns, towardes
that purpos. And herin hir majesty hath gret lykyng to have this
stayd, as a matter of very gret moment, as your lordship hath
gret cause so to thynk by the want of victells presently in
Flaunders and Br[\abant\] , but hir Majesty, fyndyng hir charges
otherwise so great, she doth not yeld to this loone, but hath
thought of some other meanes, as hereafter followeth.
   First, she wold have your lordship to impart this matter, as
you shall thynk mete, to the states ther, in secret sort, for
which purpos the gentillman Sevilly offreth to come to your
lordship, as he sayth he also ment to have doone, as sent from
the duk his master, and hir majesty thynketh this intention to
stay this provision of such a moment to weaken the adversaryes
forces, as, in very truth, a power of men ageynst them hyred
with j=c= thowsand crowns cold not so much annoy the
adversaryes, and, if the states might yeld to the loone of the
some of xxx thousand crowns to this purpooss, hir majesty wold
thynk very well of them, the consideration wherof hir majesty
hath willed me, in hir name, to be left to your lordship.
   And besyde this meane, as if it shold not take place, hir
majesty hath also commanded me to instruct our ambassador in
France to understand the duke of Bullions mynd, whyther he shall
not lyk that the French kyng be moved from hir majesty, very
ernestly, ether to impeach this great convoye, consideryng the
great derth of victells in France, or consideryng how hir
majesty
<P 55>
hath bene hertofore animated to enter into this action, to save
the Low Countreys from the conquest of the Spanyardes, and to
impeach the king of Spayns gretnes; and, therfor, to move hym,
in honor, to prohibitt the frequent convoy of victells out of
France, or els that he will not mislyk if the duke of Bullion
can stey this convoye. And in these two sortes, hir majesty hath
thought to devise meanes to stay this convoy, but whyther the
same will be stayd I do dout, and yet, truly, I know not how the
adversary might receave a greter blow, without drawyng of any
weapon.
   Wher your lordship hath had gret desyre to have had sir
William Pellham, and also my lord Graye, your lordship shall
understand that I have done my uttermost for Mr. Pellham, but
hir majestes offence appeareth such towardes hym as she wold in
no wise yeld ether to acquit hym of his dett, or to stall it as
he desyred, and so he, alledgyng his dishabillite to passe for
want of furnytur, though he confessed to me, and some others,
that he had receaved v=cl= of your lordship towardes his
furnytur, which he had layd out, and so was indetted to your
lordship; but his gretest impedyment was, that he did ow to
other persons about v=Ml= which he cold not pay, as he had a
desyre, by sellyng of some landes, but that no man wold by of
hym whylest he was in hir majesties dett; and in this sort his
stey remayned xv or xvj dayes, notwithstandyng that I never
cessed, I thynk, any iij whole dayes together, without movyng
and intreatyng of hir majesty to shew hym favor, in remittyng
part and stallyng the rest, but I cold not obteyn my request,
and yet she willed that he shuld be commanded to depart; whereto
he answered, that, as a privat soldier, he wold go, so
commanded, but to tak any chardg, he was so unhable, as he
offred hymself to be ether a prisoner or a banished man. In this
sorte the poore gentillman being afflicted, he fell sodaynly and
daungeriosely sick, whereof I informed hir majesty, and thereby
to have pitte of hym. Wheruppon hir majesty yelded only to have
his dett stalled, without remission of any part, addyng that he
shuld not go over to your lordship, but
<P 56>
that the lord Gray shuld come to yow, whose case I also reported
for his dett to hir majesty, but therunto she hath yelded to
remytt hym a part, and to stall the some that he borrowed whan
he went into Ireland, which was ij=Ml=. Hereof I have even this
daye wrytten to Mr. secretary, to advertise my lord Graye.
   My lord, all this letter I have bene forced to wryte in my
bed, which I have kept these two dayes, not, as your lordship
hath knowen, for payne of my gout, but in dede havyng seven
dayes past rubbed of a good deale of skyn uppon my shyn, I did
neglect the healyng of it whan I shuld, and so am I now forced
to kepe my bed without any hose, or without any salve, hopyng
within two dayes more to have it whole; and, therefore, I pray
your lordship to accept my scriblyng in a rude sort in good
part, and, doutyng of passadg, I mynd to dooble this letter, and
to send it by some others. From the court at Grenwych, 12.
January, 1585.
   Your lordships most assured,
   W. Burghley.
   After I had wrytten this letter thus farr, I have hard of the
takyng of a hoye of Holland, wherin are taken ten or twelve
horses of my sons. God send better luck for his own passadg.
   My lord, we heare dayly that the Hollanders carry vyctells to
Calliss under pretence of cockettes to come to England. I assure
your lordship ther can be no more care taken than is to stey
carryadg out of England.
   W. Burghley.

<Q LEY 1586 RDUDLEY>
<A ROBERT DUDLEY>
<P 57>
[} [\LETTER XXII. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO LORD BURGHLEY. 14TH
JANUARY, 1585-6.\] }]
   Mr. secretarie, I know yow think long to hear of some certein
proceeding here, which, for my parte, I doe as greatly hasten,
assuring yow, that, since I came to the Hage, I have not ceassed
calling upon the states for their resolution, which they will in
no wise make other then that I must be absolute governour, both
of warre and peace, over all their provinces.
   As upon new yeers day in the morning they came all to me, and
brought with them a heralt and trumpettes, meaning as soone as
they had delyvered their speech, which D. Leoninus had to make
for them, which was to offer to me, with many good woordes for
her majesties sake, the absolute governement of the whole
provinces, and to proclaime the same immediatly. I was skarce
readie, when one brought me woord of their being all in my great
chamber, desyring to speake with me. Not knowing or thinking it
had ben for any such matter, I made haste to goe to them, and so
did, having the best of my company there with me. As soone as I
came to them, by and by Leoninus began an oration to me, and,
even as he began, one told me in mine eare, that they were
<P 58>
come to offer this matter, and had brought heralt and all, &c. I
was so bold presently to interrupt the chauncelour, telling him,
that I heard he had some matter rather to deale more privately
in, than so openly, and therfore prayed him and the rest, to
come in with me to my chamber, where they should have a more
convenient place. He turned abowt and said, "Yow hear my lord
desyers us to withdraw with him into his chamber," and so they
all went with me into my bedchamber, and I called such of the
best of my companie as I thought meetest for v or vj, wherof Mr.
Davison and Mr. Dr. Clerk were ij.
   And there the chauncelour began again, and proceeded with his
matter, which was, indeed, after a long discourse of her
majesties goodnes, of the love of the country to her, of the
trust they had in her above all the world, of the necessity they
had for safetie of their state and countreys, albeit her
majestie would not take the soveraigntie upon her, which they
yet desyred might be, to choose some person of honour and
creditt to be their governour. And as there was no prince in the
world whom they ought obedience and duety unto, but to her
majestie, so seing the creditt and trust it pleased her to putt
me in here alredie, and the favour, creditt, and I cannot tell
what, so many good woordes they used of me, they tooke knowledge
of that I had long had at her majesties handes, with manie yeers
contynuaunce in her service, as appeered, they said, both now by
her own commendation by lettres, as also to their commissioners
in England, that had reported the same of her own mouthe: they
did not know any person whom they could desyre so much to take
this office in hand as my self, and, therfore, with one whole
consent they did there beseech me, even for the love her
majestie bare them, and for the help of so afflicted a countrey,
that was ever a faithfull frend to the crowne of England, that I
would take the place and name of absolute governour, and
generall of all their forces and souldiers, with their whole
revenues, taxes, composicions, and all manner of benefittes that
they have, or may have, to be putt freely and absolutely into my
<P 59>
handes, disposicion and order, with so ample woords and termes
as here were too long to recite, seing I will shortly send you
the whole by Mr. Davison.
   As soone as he had ended I aunswered by Mr. Davison, whom I
required to delyver it in French, as they all speak only French,
that, as this was a matter unlooked for, being further then had
past in the contract with her most excellent majestie
heretofore, so was I presently very farre unprovided to give
them aunswer to this matter, albeit, in her majesties behaulf,
greatly to thank them for their ernest goodwills and great
affeccion borne to her majestie; and very true it was they did
all acknowledge, that her highnes had shewed herself a most
loving princesse and neighbour to them, as did well appeer to
their embassadors in England, that what she did was only for the
good will she bare to this afflicted countrey, and for no
private respect or commoditie to her self. I did also give them
most hartie thankes for myself, that did conceive so well of me,
being but a straunger to them, that they would hazard so great a
matter upon me, as all their state, both well and ill dooing,
should depend therupon. But as her majesties gracious favour
towardes me ledd them to this conceite of my abilitie, farre
more then was in me to deale in any such cause, so I prayed them
not to take it in ill parte, that I desyred at their handes, to
proceed with them in thoes cawses which I had to doe in her
majesties behaulf with them, and give me time, or els some of
them to come unto me, to hear what I had to delyver unto them
touching the contract alredy past betwixt her majestie and them,
wherin I thought they should finde I had more alredy layed upon
me, than so weake shoulders were able to bear, and well to goe
thorow withall. That her majestie had sent me only to serve
them, and so I promised I would, both faithfully and honestly,
even as her majestie had commaunded and willed me to doe. So
they returned, after Mr. Davison had made this aunswer for me,
not leaving, at their departure, to insist upon their former
request very ernestly.
   The next morning they appointed v or vj to come to me, which
<P 60>
were of the chief of them, and, leaving the former matter, as
not to speak of it at all, I delt with them upon certain pointes
and questions, such as her majestie had willed me principally to
remember; as, first, to know what their forces were, who were
their chief governours, and had charge of townes and fortes,
what meanes they had to contynue and mainteyne their forces, how
their people and garrisons were paied, what debtes they were in
to their souldiers. Theis, and sundry other, which are sett
downe for her majestie, ye shall receive: leying before them
what a mighty enemy they had against them, it behooved them to
shew good force and good means to withstand such an enemy. To
theis thinges, and all other questions, I think their wilbe good
satisfaction given to her majestie, to cawse her think their
state not so hard as hath ben doubted, nor for her majestie to
repent her cost or charge adventured for them. I doe assure
myself it will proove the best expences that ever shee bestowed
in her life, and the best repayed againe to her coffers, if God
overthrow not the world.
   I did never see greater probability in my life of assured
good successe, and protest unto you, I like the matter xx tymes
better then I did in England, and so I beleeve any man here of
judgement doth the like. And yet is it nowe at the verie woorst,
as well for the decaie of our men, as for the season of this
time, which is such as we cannot, till the wether break, send by
water or land almost to any place. I could not hear owt of
Zeland but by long seas, all the ryvers be ycie and frozen, but
not to bear any horse or cariage.
   Th'enemy hath attempted sundry places, but repulsed at all,
and I dare presume thus much for her majesties name only, that
if her comfort had not come, yow had heard of many a revolt er
this daie, and the poor garrison-men, the straungers chiefly,
suffer presently the greatest miserie in the world for all
thinges, and yet send good comfort daily hither to me, that for
the queen of Englandes sake they will suffer more yet. The queen
of England
<P 61>
they would serve as their mistris, and under me as her minister
here, with a better will then ever they served under the prince
of Orange; yet they loved him well, but they never hoped of the
libertie of this countrey till now.
   It is assured me the states are verie well able to perfourme
their charge, and with great ease. The count Hollock [\is\]
surely a wise, gallant gentleman, and a right souldier, and
verie well esteemed with many of the capteins and souldiers; he
hath only one fault, which is, drinking, but good hope that he
will amend it. Some make me believe I shalbe able to doe much
with him, and I meane to doe my best, for I see no man that
knowes all theis countreys, and the people of all sortes, like
him, and this fault overthrowes all. Here is another little
fellow, as litle as may be, but one of the gravest and wisest
young men that ever I spake withall; it is the count Guilialme
of Nassau, he governes Frizeland; I would every province had
such another. He had noe lettre from her majestie yet, nor his
father, but that makes not so great matter as for this young
gentleman. Her majestie may doe well also to contynue some
kindenes from time to tyme with this howse of Nassau, especially
to shew to take care for the count Maurice, who hath ben greatly
laboured to have harkened to a composition, I can tell you, and
I see him much discontented with the states for certein. He hath
a sullen, deep witt, and shrewd counsellours of his fathers
abowt him, now that they see the hope of Holland and Zeland
taken awaie, which was the marke was wholy by the father shotte
at, and almost hitt, as I am sure you have heard. The young
gentleman is yet to be wonne only to her majestie, I perceive,
of his owne inclination. The howse is merveilous poor, and litle
regarded
<P 62>
by the states hitherto, and if they gett any thing it is like to
be by her majestie, which I wishe should be altogether, and she
maie easily doe for him to wynne him sure; I will undertake it.
   Well, now I will returne a litle backe again, to tell you
what followed since my former conference with the states. They
went to their fellowes and told them what had passed; they
aunswered me again, and brought me an act sett downe in writing
by them all, that I should be pryvie to all their state, as well
for their forces as their means, and that I should see very
flatly that they abused not her majestie, neither with the offer
of sovereigntie, nor yet with the state of their abilitie to
mainteine their cawse, but better then ever they told her of,
and referred to me what I thought of the strength and force of
theis countreys. "Well, now we will say, and make your lordship
know," say they, "the people bearing the love wee see they doe
to her majestie, if she had taken the sovereignty over us, she
should have had monethly 300,000 florens, certeinly payed to her
purse, which is 30,000=li= sterling, every moneth, beside the
customes of merchauntes, and Flaunders if it might be recovered,
which did yeeld as much and more alone; and her majestie should
doe more good, and defend th'enemy farr easilyer, with 100,000
than we shall with 200,000, for the obedience and reverence to
her majestie would be as great as in England, and that we doe is
even with feare and force among them, which bringeth such
confusion as there is no remedie, but either your lordship must
take the whole governement upon you, at our humble suite, and at
the request of all the rest, or els all wilbe yet lost;"
confessing that confusion of officers hath undoon their
governement, and not to be recovered but by som one to take it
that is so backt as I should be by the countenaunce of her
majestie, whom the people only trust and love, for unto no other
will they committ that which they will to her majestie, or one
of hirs; and so doe they flatly conclude the matter upon me.
   All the lords here have ben in like sort with me, and all the
captens, and governors, and magistrates of townes, pressing me
<P 63>
most earnestly, if I love her majestie, if I love the good of
England, and theis countryes, to take it, and that forthwith,
bycawse the souldiers be unpayed, and no man will contribute any
longer but to her majesties minister, and to him all places doe
promis, and have sent their procuratours, as they told me
alredy, to bind themselves and all their townes for the payment
of ij=c= m. florens monethly, beside the admiraltie to be
discharged by their customes, as it is alredy. They will also
make their oath to me, and all officers, to returne presently to
paie all sommes to me. Thus it standeth presently, as either all
must be hazarded and lost, or els I must take it, which, as
farre as I can see, and all here with me, as the case enforceth
it, must needes be best for her majesties service everie waie.
   The reasons Mr. Davison shall delyver you, who hath seen how
I have proceeded, and upon what necessitie either this waie must
be taken, or els all overthrowne. It is doon for the best, and
if so her majestie accept of it, all wilbe to the best. I have
had none other scope herein, nor shall have, but her majesties
service above all worldly respectes, and well knowne to the
wisest here with me, how desperatly both the lords and capteins
were and are bent, if I should not take this upon me, to have
left and given over the whole service of theis states, which had
made an easie conquest for th'enemie, but a most dangerous for
her majestie. Thus referring the full declaration of our doinges
here to Mr. Davison, who shall shortly be with you, doe take my
leave, and commytt you to the Lords protectyon. At Leyden, this
xiiij. of January.
   Your assured frend,
   R. Leycester.

<Q LEY 1586 RDUDLEY>
<A ROBERT DUDLEY>
<P 64>
[} [\LETTER XXIII. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY
WALSYNGHAM. 15TH JANUARY 1585-6.\] }]
   Mr. secretary, as you shall shortly hear of our hole
procedinges by Mr. Davyson, so must I entreat you most ernestly,
even as the well doing of my poore servyce here may be tendred,
but spetyally for the honor and servyce of hir majestie, that
you wyll be meanes that ther may be a good quantytye of money
sent over, as ther ys behind of the hole some her majestie dyd
sett done, as I take yt, above lxx=m=li. So you wyll procure, as
much as in [\you\] may lye, that the most parte may be sent
over. Hit shalbe the worst, and the most, she shalbe charged
with, but, at the beginning, xx=m=li. shall stand in more stead
than xl=m=li. iiij monthys hence, and I am well perswaded, as
you shall se at Mr. Davysons coming, that they here have good
meanes to maynteyn ther warrs, and when we make reconing at home
of a defencyble warr, hit must be so defencyble, as we must be
able to have always vj or vij=m= men, horse and footemen, to
frunt the enymye, who, all this hard wether, hath gon from place
to place with iiij=m= footemen and xv=c= horse, and at this day
he kepes the fyld, and hath putt in danger iij or iiij townes of
great importance, as Brabee, Wenloe, Vianna, and Bomeley, as
also now he ys come uppon Zeland syde, and wyll doe what he can
to Lylle and Lyskinshook, whear ther hath byn much decay of
soldyers, but ther ys doing all that ys possible for defence,
for otherwyse we ar no way able to resist them, which they know,
<P 65>
and doth make them presume the more at this tyme. But the states
have agreed, and doe find ther ys no remedy, but we must erect a
camp to brydell this lyberty of the enymye, or ells he wyll kepe
a warr this xx yere, and make us all wery, and, this way being
taken, I warrant ye we wyll shortly wery him as well, and yet
never hazard any battell, which he wyll be as loth to come to as
we.
   I am in hope of an enterpryse to tak place shortly which ye
wylbe gladd to hear of. God send yt to fall out as I looke for,
and that ye may provyde us spedyly with a good some of money,
being all one to hir majestye, and I wyll undertake she shall
com to no furder chardge whatsoever. I wyll help to ease hir,
before the end, of a good parte of this, yf she doe but contynew
hir favour and good countenaunce to this cause only, as I trust
she wyll, or elles she knoweth not the lacke she wyll fynd of
the frendshipp of these countreys. As, uppon my honour and truth
to you, they were almost utterly gonn yf I had not aryved when I
dyd.
   Thus, referring ye for the rest to Mr. Davyson at his coming,
I wyll take my leave, protestyng my hole care and endeavour his
to doe hir majestie acceptable servyce, or elles God not to lett
me lyve, yf otherwyse yt shuld be. In much hast this xv. of
Januery,
   Your assured frend,
   R. Leycester.
[\ADDRESSED.\] To my very honorable good frend sir Francis
Walsingham knight, principall secretarye to her majesty.

<Q LEY 1586 WCECIL>
<A WILLIAM CECIL>
<P 66>
[} [\XXIV. LORD BURGHLEY TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 17TH JANUARY,
1585-6.\] }]
   My very good lord, as matters do rise so I am bold to wryte
unto yow, and yet I se so many misaventures in savety of
arryvall of lettres, as I se it necessary to repete thynges in
second lettres, wherewith your lordship may be troobled by
readyng, but I had rather, so woole your lordship, than leave it
undoone.
   In my former lettres I have shewed yow that hir majesty wold
have your lordship to cause inquisition to be made of the nombre
and power of the shippes of warr in Holland and Zelland, and
with what nombre they wold be content, uppon ther charges, to
serve this yere with hir majesties navy agaynst the king of
Spaynes power, which hath bene reported greater than I can
beleev, but hir majesty is resolved to have hir navy redy at
Portesmouth before the end of March. Hir majesty, also, wold
gladly have your lordship discover to what purpooss the Itallien
carpyntors do work, as it is sayd, very secretly in chirches, in
Antwerp, about shippes or gallyes.
   Of late Ortell, that remayneth here agent for the states,
propounded certain questions uppon the trade to be used by the
shippars of Holland and Zelland; the articles I do send herewith
to your lordship, with an answer by us here gyven, under your
lordships advise, uppon conference with the states. We fynd
here, that, under collor of any trade with merchants to any part
of Pycardy, the enemy is succored. Nevertheless, as your
lordship
<P 67>
shall ther fynd the states conformable, we here will prescribe
that same order to be kept. Truly, my lord, it is most necessary
that all kind of victells, or matters for shippyng, be utterly
forbydden.
   We have advertisementes from Lyshborn by sondry come from
thence, that all English men ar at liberty ther, and that the
preparation is as yett not grett, only all manner of great
hulkes ar stayd. And so I end from any farther trooblyng of your
lordship. 17. January, at Grenwych.
   Your lordships most assuredly,
   W. Burghley.
[\ADDRESSED.\] To the right honorable my very good lord, the
erle of Lecester, lieutenant generall for all hir majesties
forces in the Low Contreys.

<Q LEY 1586 RDUDLEY>
<A ROBERT DUDLEY>
<P 67>
[} [\LETTER XXV. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY
WALSYNGHAM. 22ND JANUARY, 1585-6.\] }]
<P 68>
   Mr. secretary, I can wryte nothing to ye touching the state
of the tresure or tresorer. I wyll not blame him yet, nor excuse
him, but I dowbt he hath a conning under-tresorer. This vj wekes
can I gett no reckoning, nor the awdytor any bookes from them,
tyl this last weke. Our money goeth very low, and I beleive ye
will not be best pleased with the former expences, and yet am I
forst to dysburs much of this money for relyfe of the souldyers
not payd, and, as I wrote of late to you, so doe I now also to
my lord tresorer by Mr. Davyson, to besech ye both, yf ye wyll
have any hope of good of our servyce here, to gett us a good
pece, or rather the hole somme, of that ys behind of hir
majestys allowance. Yf hit be not well ordered and husbanded,
lett the blame light hevyly uppon me.
   My thinkes I hear your answere alredy, that no man knoweth
better than I the dyffycultye to gett money from hir majesty,
and so I must satysfye myself. But, as I confes yt ys hard to
procure great sommes from hir majesty, so must I lett you know,
and more now than whan I was partaker of those dyffycultyes ther
with you, that yf hir majesty doe not deall now gratyously and
princely with these people, and consider how infynyttly hit doth
import her highness to bring these causes to a good end, whan yt
ys in such forwardnes as they be, and that yt ys only the
expence of a lytle money, and no more than she hath alreddy
contractyd and agreed with them for, and for which she hath such
a pawen as she may assure hirself, by them alone, to have all
hir charges ageyn, yf the worst fall owt that can be. And here I
say to ye Mr. secretary, and I speak yt in the presence of God,
I am veryly perswaded, yf hir majesty had not donn this she hath
donn, these hole countreys had byn gonn by this day; and, se the
good providence of God! yf I had not come when I dyd, the wynd
<P 69>
turned the next daye, and hath so contyneued ever synce, that,
this being the xlij day since my aryvall, I never hard word from
Englonde; I trust, therfore, whan yt comes yt shalbe good. But,
if I had steyd tyll this day, all hope had byn gone of hir
majesty, and all the practyces of the enymye had byn sett
afoote, for I founde them very well onward at my aryvall; yet, I
testyfye a truth, as sone as hir majestys favour hether was sene
and known, I thinke from the beginning of these trowbles the
people were never hotter ageinst the enemye than at this day,
nor better devotyd to hir; in so much as she may now dyspose of
all, and dyrect all, that otherwyse had lost all, both countryes
and credytt, yea, with a mortall hate for ever to our natyon;
and yf the case be thus for hir majesty, for Gods sake lett hir
comfort all here, and lett hir be sure the enymye was never so
dowbtfull, nor so perplexed, as he ys at this day; for he stoode
in great hope, before my coming, to have had certen places
delyvered unto him of great importance, and I think hit was so
promysed to him in dede, but as sone as the souldyers hard of
hir majesty taking the cause in hand, and that I was com, they
setled themselves wholy this way, and so doe contyneue, and have
resisted the enymyes attemptes most faythfully; yet have they
not byn payd a long while, nether wold have trusted the states
but for hir majesty, takyng my word only that they shalbe payd;
and so they shalbe forthwith, I have wroght so for them. Nether
wold they wyllingly trust the states touching hir majesty, but
that I must have the absolute government, and the recept of
their reveneues, or elles they wold not be pacyfyed, nor trust
to their paymentes more; which suerly hath byn yll handled, for
they have meanes and meanes ageyn to meyntayn all these charges,
but their careless imploying of yt hath hindred all; but this
requyres a hole wekes informacion of Mr. Davison, who hath donn
hir majesty notable servyce here, and doe pray ye, and as ever
ye tender the success of this servyce, retorn him hither, with
the more credytt the better, for without him I confes myself
quyte maymed. His
<P 70>
credytt ys mervelous great here that ever I sawe of any stranger
in any countrey, in my lyfe, and he lyves lyke a gentleman and
chargeably every way. And my nephew Sydney, I assure ye, ys
notably estemed, and I think within a few months shalbe able to
doe hir majesty here other manner of servyce than may well be
looked for.
   The prince of Parma, uppon my aryvall, and hearing of the
dysposicion of these countreys wholy bent to shew their good
trust of hir majesty, by comytting all chardge and confydence to
me, being hir servaunt and subiect, he assembled the counsell,
the presydent &c. ther opened the matter, shewing the great
dyffycultyes happened unto them unlooked for, for yt was a
matter assured them that the queen of England wold never attempt
any thing, ether here or elleswhere, but he saw now yt was
otherwyse, and that she had sent Drake to the Indyes, and the
erll of Leycester into the Lowe Countreys, alleaging all he
could do. The president answered him: "Now sir," quod he, "ye
may se what yt was for the king our master to forsake the
councell was geven him, and the offer the people made of these
countreys to have had a peace, and whether yt had byn better to
[\have\] accepted that, or elles to consume his treasure and
people in vayn; for yt was never other lyke whan all such meanes
as the queen of England made accompt of was taken away, as the
prince of Orange that was at hir devotyon, and Monsieur who was
in stryct league with hir, but she wold rather defend and kepe
these countreys hir frendes, then suffer our master to enioye
them, being afreyd of his greatnes to be so nere hir as these
countreys shuld be, except there were better love betwene them
than ther ys. But refusing that peace his people offred him to
have had religyon fre, was the cause of all these warrs, and
losse now of thes countreys, which than he had byn sure of, yea,
and, after a while, to be sure also to have putt down the
herytykes and protestantes, as he might have used the matter;
but now," saythe [\he\] , "yt ys to late for councell, the queen
of Englond ys not so easy to be removyd, being received as she
ys
<P 71>
among them, nether doe I ever looke now for so good an end
ageyn."
   Synce that, ther cam within these ij daies one from Antwerp,
beside here ar sondry letters from thence of yt, (which ys donn
of purpose to bring this people in dowbt of hir majestys dealing
for them,) that there was a howse in Antwerp, the Englysh howse,
preparing for me; that she made but a shew of warr, her
intentyon ys only to make a peace, and that I had instructyons
to prepare the myndes of the states to conformetye, and to be
reconcyled to the king. I assure ye a pestylent practyce yt ys,
and no one thing under heaven so lykely to cutt my throte, but
yt doth agre well with a tale that was wrytten also from
Bruxelles to the cont de Hollock here. That the prince of Parma,
hearing of my aryvall, chaft very much, and semed greatly to be
deceaved that hir majesty wold send as she hath donn, "but,"
sayth he, "ther ys no remedye but one; we must gyve out brutes
that the queen of England hath offerd talk of peace, which wyll
brede presently jelosye in the states heads, and some devyces we
must have to make devyssion among them, to breake this
resolucyon to lett the government be at the queen of Englands
dyspocytion." This letter cam to him, which he shewyd me, above
iij wekes agoe, and, as the cont sayd, from a very credyble
place; so that he presumeth styll of the umore of Englond. But
God defend hir majesty shuld loose the honor, credytt, and
saftye, she ys in so good way to obteyn, and lett me have
shamfull death and utter reproch, yf hir majesty goe princely
and couragiously forward, yf ever she receive the lyke porcyon
of all these as she shall doe by this actyon here. And I assure
you yf ye saw these places, with the dysposicion of the people,
as I doe, ye wold think, even for hir majestys own safty sake,
but for her own tyme only, beside the respect of Englond, that
more money than yet she hath leyd out to be most happely spent
yf ther were no gage or hope to have yt payd ageyn.
<P 72>
Lett me retorn, therfore, once ageyn, to pray ye, and entreat
ye, to stand ernestly for the spedye sending away of money; and
to send yt by dryblettes causeth yt to be consumed to lytle
purpose, and no honour or credytt, nor yet relyfe in dede of the
soldyer. Touching this I have wrytten in a scedule enclosed,
which I pray ye break after ye have redd yt.
   And touching the opinion of a defensyve warr, I know ye wyll
now chang yt, for ther ys no wey to overthrow this state but
that. Experience doth teach yt, for the enymye goeth where he
wyll, he makyth skours now in every place; as, ferst, in
Flanders, about Ostend and Sluce, he hath made so many, as no
man can sturr out to anoye the enymye any way, nether can they
be taken with all the garasons ther. He hath byn synce about
Grave, a place of great importanee for us, not farr from Bolduke
in Brabant; he hath attemptyd yt iiij or v tymes this frost, but
myshing of yt, he hath buylt iij or iiij forts about yt, that no
vyttell can com to yt. He hath donn the lyke at Venlou, and ys
presently in doing ther, and hath ther iij=m= men and a 1000
hors; all the garasons we have ther ys not able to deale with
him. So from this place he wyll to some other, but yf he follow
these ij so strongly as he may doe, I se no way we ar able to
mach him yet in the fild to relyve them, and, lett him alone, he
wyll surely have them. Therfore ther ys no remedye for us but to
make a camp, which wylbe, with those we have alredy, without any
great chardg donn, whereby we may be masters of the fild, for he
dares not draw his garasons fourth of his great towens, so shall
we relyve the places thus beseged, and recover the skonces and
fortes he hath buylt to anoye us. Besides he doth spoyll all
countreys that ar most frutefull and help us most, by his
contynewall incursions which is a great matter I se here, to
loose the servyce of the bours, and yt ys also a dyscouraging
warr to this people that ar dayly charged with taxes and
contrybucions, to se an endles warr,
<P 73>
as they caule yt when yt ys altogether defensyve, and so yt ys
in dede; and we ar sure the enymy ys more ferfull to adventure
than we ar, for yf we loose, we have styll strong townes able to
defend, yf he loose, he hath no townes to hold him, for all he
hath ys alredy by the force of his garasons.
   I have sent to ye, sir, also, for leave that sondry gentlemen
may have leave to take upp som men in Englond, without any peny
charge ether to hir majesty or the countrey, and our enymyes ar
the bolder for that they know the decaye of our soldyers. I wold
be gladde, also, to have leave for v=c= of my none servantes
more, not in Wales alone, but of my other tenantes, where I
shall think mete; for I tooke but iiii=c= of the v=c= hir
majesty dyd graunt, and I wyll not gyve those iiii=c= for the
best v=c= & l. that I se or can hear of here, nether shall ther
any man have charge, by my good wyll, but such as shall have
good cause to care for his men. I think xv=c= wyll skant well
furnyshe all the bandes decayd here, and I wold ernestly desier
ij=m= more, such as wyll wyllingly com. Ye have people to many,
and ye nede not fear any attempt to Englond in assaling yt by
force, as long as hir majesty hath these countreys, I warant ye;
therfore help us yf ye wyll styll be quyett. And yf I may be
able to wander a while with ij=m= horse, and 4 or 5000 footemen,
about Easter ye shall hear, without any meting withall, all
those skonces shalbe caught, our own places putt in good sewrty,
and the enymye as well spoyled. And I pray ye, for these things,
beleave us pore men that serve, and have best cause to know what
course in reason ys best.
   When Mr. Davyson comes he shall tell ye at lardge of some
partyculer thinges ye wold have lytle beleved, but I know them
to be most true. That Vyliers ys a most vyle trayterous knave,
and doth abuse a young nobleman here extremely, the conte Morys;
for all his religion he ys a more ernest perswader secretly to
have him yeld to a reconcylliacion than St. Allagonde was, and
hath an instrument about the young gentleman, one that pleasyth
his affectyons, that ys a very dangerous man. The young man
<P 74>
hath a solem, slye wytt; but, in troth, yf any be to be dowbtyd
toward the king of Spain, yt ys he and his counsellers, for they
have byn altogether so farr French, and so farr in myslyke with
Englond, as they cannot almost hide yt, and this umore ys styll
kindled by this prest, and some say yet St. Allegonde, but I doe
not beleve yt, for that he hath geven his word for yt to me. The
other shall not tarry ten dayes nether in Holland nor Zeland; he
ys greatly hated here of all sortes. And yt shall goe hard but I
wyll wynn the young conte, and gett the knave about him removed,
whose name ys Mallorey, one the prince himself dowbtyd of before
his deth.
   Old Medykyrk was farr gonn ageinst hir majesty, and our
natyon also, and so farr dowbtyd, as now, at the nomynacion of
councellors, I named him for one, thinking he had good credytt
among the states, and I found them all ageinst him, and made
request to me to leave him out, which I mervelled at, and doe
plainly chardge him with his yll mynd to hir majesty. Paule
Buys, I lern, certenly was putt from his offyce in Holland only
for standing agenst the French, and preferring Englond alweys,
and indede he passeth them all for skyll and judgement.
   The cont Hollock deserveth great countenaunce at hir majestys
handes, for he ys a plaine gentleman, and one that always delt
flatly with the prince for the French, even tyll his death; and
was also so reddy and had best power to delyver both Flushing
and the Bryll into hir majestys handes, and yt ys most true that
he was greatly pressed to stand agenst yt, and the yong count
was not wyllyng to have yt rendred, only by Vyllyers meanes, and
the cont Hollock perceving told the cont Morrys, in a great
rage, that yf he tooke any other course than the queen of
Englond, and swear by no beggers he would drouen his prest in
the haven before his face, and turne himself and his
mother-in-law out of there howse there, and thereuppon went with
Mr. Davyson to the delyvery of yt. This man must be cheryshed;
he ys sound and faythfull, and hath indede all the chife holdes
in his handes, and at his comandment. Ye shall doe well to
procure him a letter of
<P 75>
thankes, taking knoledge in generall of his good wyll to hir
majesty. He ys a right Almayn in manner and fashion, fre of his
purse and of his drynk, yet doe I wysh him hir majestyes
pencyoner before any prince in Germany, for he loves hir, and
able to serve hir, and doth desyer to be knowen hir servant. He
hath byn sought and labored by his nerest kinsfolkes and best
frendes in Germany, to have left the states, and to have the
king of Spaines pencyon, and very great reward, but he wold not.
A cheyn of ij=c= li. wold be well bestowd uppon him in the meane
tyme; and uppon his further desart, which I think wylbe shortly,
I trust hir majesty wyll accept of his offer to be hir servaunt
during his lyfe, being in dede a very noble soldyer. He hath
some matters a-brewing which he hopeth well of; for my parte I
have an other, brought to me by Mr. Davyson, which yf yt fall
out as I verylye looke for yt, that wylbe worth 'God a mercye!'
and nerer home, and of exceding great consequence for hir
majesty and this cause, and or xx days ye shall hear of yt, I
trust in God.
   Ther ys another matter and I must trowble you withall, and
full fayn I wold have yt redressed; hit ys my lord North. Hir
majesty hath comaunded him hether in my company; he doth
certenly doe me all the honor he can devyse, and he hath not the
best boddy for such a place, spetyally he having no chardge, nor
any allowance in the world, and surely his expences cannott be
lytle, albeyt his grefe must be more to have no countenance at
all but his own estate, and a man of his yeres and long servyce.
He doth take yt hir majesty doth place him for some respect of
myne, which wyll gender an inward grudge to me at length. I am
not the cause of yt. He ys a wyse gentleman, and for any nede I
se I shall have of Mr. Bartholomew Clerk, I assure ye I had farr
rather have my lord Northes councell and assistance; and for
lawe here ys one, the other lytle Clerk, who ys much beyond
Bartholomew
<P 76>
in all lerninges of lawe, as hath well appered here alredy. Yf
at Mr. Davysons coming ye can, ether with honour and allowance
kepe my lord here, or elles in some good sort by hir majesty
cauled for home, rather than to attend here without any charge
or countenaunce, I wold gladly wysh yt. That in the mean tyme yt
wyll lyke ye to wryte to my lord how carefull and myndfull I
have byn of him, shall doe me a great pleassur. And thus having
bin long, as I cannott others chuse having so much to imparte to
you, I wyll byd ye farewell, longing styll to hear from ye. At
the Hage, this xxij. of January.
   Your assured frend,
   R. Leycester.
   Bycause I se how the wynd kepes back all hearing from ye,
being xlij days synce I hard from England, sir, Grant Herns hath
a man that doth bring dayly fishe from this cost, and when no
shipp goeth out he wyll shift ageinst the wynd, and he comes
very safely. I pray ye bear with the faultes of my letter, hit
ys so long I cannott peruse yt.
   I am afrayd ye will compare me shortly to Wylliam Herll.
[\ADDRESSED.\] To Mr. secretary Walsingham.

<Q LEY 1586 RDUDLEY>
<A ROBERT DUDLEY>
<P 76>
[} [\LETTER XXVI. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY
WALSYNGHAM. 31ST JANUARY 1585-6.\] }]
<P 77>
   Mr. secretary, Mr. Davyson doth now retorn home, which I
coulde hardly have yelded unto but only to have hir majesty
fully answered and satysfyed touching all our proceedinges here
synce my aryvall, and noe man able to doe yt but himself, praing
ye, good Mr. secretary, yf hir majesty wyll shew me any favour,
that thys may be one, to have Mr. Davyson retorn ageyn to me,
who I assure you ys the most sufficient man to serve hir majesty
that I know of all our nation; for he knoweth all partes of
these countreyes, and all persones of any accompt, with all ther
umores, and hath great credytt among them all here. And the
better servyce shall he be able to doe yf yt may please hir
majesty to gyve him such countenaunce as may encrease his
credytt here, for here hath byn many brutes and reportes of hir
good intentyon toward him, and he wyll deserve any goodnes she
shall bestow uppon him, whatsoever yt be.
<P 78>
   As for sir Wylliam Pellam, I look not for him; I se his
delayes be such. When I departyd thence he promysed me
faythfully that he wold follow me, what end soever he had, and
theruppon he had v=c=li. prest, but I se his joynders and
reioynders doth seke all delay, and spetyally that I saw in his
letter to hir majesty of late wrytten, wherein he asketh ageyn a
new suply of hir majesty, to sett him furth; a matter I know, of
old, what yt wyll doe. Therfore, sir, yf you find this
diffyculty styll, lett me no longer expect his uncerteinty. My
lord Grey for many respectes I wold be gladd of, but I can as
lytle hope of him, and except I might have one of them by the
end of this month, I shall after not much nede any of them, and
therfore I thought good to signyfye thus much unto ye; and the
only cause I wysh for my lord Grey, yf God call me, ther might
be such a one reddy here to command as he ys: but lett me know,
I beseche ye, with spede, what to trust unto.
   Now, sir, to my old sute, and more than tyme that yt were
grantyd, or rather here, which ys, for money; for I told ye,
before my coming, ther was no more payd than wold serve the end
of this month of February next, and you all there made a stryckt
reckoning how farr all your money wold strech, not accompting
the horsmen, nor sondry other charges leid out by all your
warrants to the tresorer before yt cam over, and yf we had the
full of that was delyvered for the armye, without these
paymentes, yet had yt payd no further than the end of February.
And I pray ye remember what I wrote touching the tresorer and
his deputye; I doe send over the audytor to you, who I take to
be an honest man, he wyll tell ye as much as I wrote, for I had
yt of him. But yf yt wyll please hir majesty to send over the
hole some behind for the yere, yf I make yt not strech as farr
as possibly yt may, and to serve the torn for this yere, lett yt
lye uppon me and all that I have to answer yt. But yt shalbe
otherwyse
<P 79>
handled than this was. Ther ys to to much pryvatt gayn soght,
more than ever I wold have beleavyd, and all leyd uppon hir
majesty, for hir proffytt, they say.
   Touching any procedinges here for the matters of this state,
I leave to Mr. Davyson to declare to you. I trust very shortly
to send ye some good nues of some enterprise uppon our enymyes,
who of late, in the frost, went into Freseland, and ther
overthrew iij or iiij=c= of conte Wylliams soldyers, and tooke
sondry boores prisoners. Synce that, Schenk hath mett twyce with
them; at the first, he overthrew a cornett of Italians, and
tooke xl horse and men prisoners; the second tyme, being this
last weke, he overthrew v=c= of the bravest soldyers they had,
and kyld iij=c= in the place, and took a captain and xv
prisoners. I doe not hear of any man that dealeth so lustyly
with the enymye as he doth. I wyll cherysh him accordingly, and
wyll shortly be at Utryck and vyssett those places. Albeyt I
hope ye shall here some nues from me ye look not for or I com
thether.
   I assure ye Wylford ys to busye in advertysinge of that place
at Ostend; hit ys in good case, and yet have I taken order for
to better yt: he ys not to have credytt to all hys wrytinges.
The soldyers ther of late have taken uppon the river vj boates,
loden with corn and other vyttelles coming from Dunkirk and
Calles.
   My lord thesorer wrote to me to know, what nombre of shipps
and maryners here be to be had, yf nede werr. I have wrytten to
my lord, here be many more than hir majesty shall nede to beat
<P 80>
the king of Spain and all his frendes. Uppon small warning ye
shall not want inough to serve hir majesty, I warrant ye. I pray
ye make more of the merchantes of these countrey people ther;
they begyn a lytle to complayn of some hard dealing, but I have
satysfied these for this tyme. Ye wyll find these people are
worthe the cheryshing. So farewell, good Mr. secretary, in much
hast, this last of Januery.
   Your assured frend,
   R. Leycester.
   I will have care to do for captain Veall, your servant.
[\ADDRESSED.\] To my honourable good frende sir Fraunces
Walsingham knight, principall secretarye to the queenes
majestie.

<Q LEY 1586 RDUDLEY>
<A ROBERT DUDLEY>
<P 80>
[} [\LETTER XXVII. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. DAVISON.
FEBRUARY 1585-6.\] }]
Remembrances for Mr. Davison.
   First, how all the states here in every place, from my first
aryvall, receaved me as well for there generall and governour as
for hir majesties, pressing me very ernestly at my coming to the
Hage, to take uppon me the same absolute goverment of all these
provinces unyted; nevertheless I deferred yt by as many meanes
as I could, tyll I was fully informyd by the knoledge and meanes
which Mr. Davison had gotten of ther estate and abyllytye,
<P 81>
whereby beinge fully satysfied, hit was thought best service for
hir majestye any way to accept ther ernest offer.
   The causes which moved me to accept this place werr these. By
hir majesties apointement, I was hir generall of all hir forces
in these countreys, and by a contract, lykewyse generall of
their armye, and ther first counsellor. The confusion that was
amonge the states-generall bredd many dysorders almost uncurable
amonge them, as the discontentation of the captens, governors
and soldyers, in all places becom desperatt for lack of pay, the
yll imploying of ther treasure, whereby all matters most
necessary for the warrs and defence of the countrey was utterly
neglectyd, the unyversall hate and myslyke which both these and
all the people had conceaved ageinst them, being such as, yf hir
majesty had not sent when she dyd, ether they must have chosen
some one governor, to have taken this charge in hande to remedy
there confusions, or elles have reconcyled themselves to the
enyme, for avoyding the further ruyn and hazard of themselves.
And yf they had had any other governor then myself, hit ys most
certen hir majesty could not have these countreys so fully at
her commandment as now she ys lyke to have. Nether might she
convenyently have kept, ether an armye, or any nobleman here, to
be hir generall, but must have byn at the directyon and
dysposytion of that governor. Besides, how the contractes and
agrementes could be so well kept, ether for paymentes or
otherwyse, that ys betwene hir majesty and these countreys, ys
as dowbtful, or rather owt of dowbt. Beside yt had byn by that
meanes also very dangerous that a peace might have byn procured
and concluded with the enymye without hir majesties consent or
prevety, hir people and captens, and towns delyvered for hir
seurty, in great danger to be all lost. The enymye offeryng any
revenge to any hir majesties domynions she might be depryved
also of such helps and succors as these countreys may well asist
hir now withall, the governor being at hir majestie comandment,
with all other services lykewyse, But, the governor being at hir
majesties dysposytyon
<P 82>
and dyrectyon, these wantes aforeseyd ar provyded for and
suplyed; hir people ar to be in all sewrty and to be well
treatyd; hir contractes and agrementes ar always to be well
observyd and kept to hir majesties most advantage. He also,
having the placyng and disposing of these garysons, the
paymentes and other condycyons toward hir majesty ar most lyke
to be better kept. No treaty or peace to be made or delt in but
by hir majesty. No attempt can be made by the enymye ageinst hir
majesties domynyons, but she may dyspose and have all such
succors as shalbe nedefull for hir. The last, and chefe, ys,
that hir majesty having hir one servant, whome she may comaunde,
to be ther governor and comaunder, she ys sure to comande them
as absolutly as he hath his authorytye from them to comand other
under his charge. So for this first parte, these ar reasons that
perswaded the acceptance of this goverment, seing of necessyty
this state dyd require one, and hir majesty having so nerely
placed me therein before, and being so farr interressed in these
countreys as she ys alredy.
   For the secound, which was the reconcylliacion to the enymye,
hit nedeth no argument; he ys sensles that conceaveth not that
yf the king of Spain had these countreys at his comandment, lett
hir majesty have the best peace that ever was or can be made,
and wee shall find, as the world now standeth, that he wyll
force the queen of England and Englond to be at his dysposytion.
What with Spain for the west and what with these countreys for
the est, England shall traffyqe no furder any of these ways than
he shall gyve leave, without every voyage shall aske the charge
of a whole navye to pass withall.

<Q LEY 1586 RDUDLEY>
<A ROBERT DUDLEY>
<P 83>
[} [\LETTER XXVIII. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY
WALSYNGHAM 1ST FEBRUARY 1585-6.\] }]
   Mr. secretorye, amongest my manye letters unto you of other
matters, I have forgotten one. I would gladly have Daniell
Rogers here, for some good services which I thincke he is fitt
for. Yf you fynde that her majestie meane to continue me in
service here, I hartely pray you that Daniell Rogers may be sent
to me. And so, with my right harty commendacions, I bid you
farewell. From the Haghe, the first of February, 1585.
   Your very loving frende,
   R. Leycester.
[\ADDRESSED.\] To my honorable good frende sir Fraunces
Walsingham knight, principall secretory to the quenes majestie.

<Q LEY 1586 RDUDLEY>
<A ROBERT DUDLEY>
<P 86>
[} [\LETTER XXX. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY
WALSYNGHAM. 3RD FEBRUARY 1585-6.\] }]
   Mr. secretory, I have written to my lord treasourour for his
healpe to procure that I may have one thousand pioners out of
Englande, men very necessary for the service here, and not to be
well had in these partes. Whereof one hundred I would have to be
myners, and have written to Sir Walter Rawleighe to healpe
procure them out of his jurisdiction in Cornwall and Devon. For
the other nyne hundred, I hartely pray you to conferre with my
lord treasourour, and to put to your healpe that they may be had
out of dyvers shyres in Englande, here and there, where you
shall thincke they may be best taken. There was abuse in the
levye of those that were sent before, many of them being
househoulders, and maryed men, and of bodye not fit for this
service. I pray you lett there be care had in these, that they
may be single men and of apt bodyes. And I woulde be gladde to
heare from you with speade, whether they be to be had or not,
that I may cause mony to be readye at London for them. And yf
they be to be had, yf the taking of them up may be gone in hande
with in the
<P 87>
meane tyme it shalbe well, for I would have them here abowt the
ende of Aprill, and not before. And so with my right harty
commendacions, I bid you farewell. From the Haghe in Hollande,
the 3d. of February, 1585.
   Your very loving frende,
   R. Leycester.
[^POSTSCRIPT AUTOGRAPH^]
   Yf I may have these pioners, I desier to have them in a
redynes agenst the mydst of May.
   I besech ye lett me hear oftener from you.
   I must lett ye know all our tresure ys gonne, and have leyd
out iij or iiij=m= li. beside my expences, only for the causes
and service here. And how the tresure hath byn payd out lett the
awdytor tell ye, and yet he ys not able to tell ye all, but
before I cam, all was gonn, and many debts owing, and the
soldyers reddy to sterte, yet yt was thought that ther had byn
inough here tyll the end of Decembre, of the first money; nether
cam ther, as I now I find, over with the treasurer above 14,000
li. of the xx=m=., and he had but warant of me for 2,000 or
therabout, whereof xvij=c= li. was for our shipping, yet he
sayth he broght but 14,000 with him.
[\ADDRESSED.\] To my honourable good frende sir Fraunces
Walsingham knight, principall secretorye to the queenes
majestie.

<Q LEY 1586 RDUDLEY>
<A ROBERT DUDLEY>
<P 87>
[} [\LETTER XXXI. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY
WALSYNGHAM. 4TH FEBRUARY 1585-6.\] }]
<P 88>
   Good Mr. secretary, even as ye love the furtherance of this
servyce, send us money with all spede, for, as you shall
understand by Mr. Davyson, all our treasure ys gonn, and ye may
se, by experyence, how dowbtfull the wyndes ar to pass at your
wyll. I pray you also that you wyll obteyn lycence that we may
have men, and the captens I have sent over may be dyspached only
with hir majestys authorytye for the leavy of them.
   Mr. Norrys doth this day departe hence to Utrycht, whether
also I send all my horsmen. Yf we may have money and men from
Englond only to abyde the first brunt this sommer, I trust you
shall hear of great servyce to the honour and quyett of hir
majesty.
   The prince of Parma gyves yt out styll, and hath sent ageyn
to Antwerp, to provyde for hir majesties embassador, ether to
com thether or to Brusselles, only to make shew of yt, to brede
busses in these mens heddes here. The preparacion at Antwerp for
shipping ys not as ye have hard, for certen, nether his forces
to be feared, spetyally yf we may once gett before hand with our
men this spring. Here ys a man that doth offer to cure your
decease uppon loss of his lyffe. Fare ye well; in much hast,
this 4. of February.
   Yours assured,
   R. Leycester.
[\ADDRESSED.\] To my honourable good frende Mr. secretory
Walsingham.

<Q LEY 1586 RDUDLEY>
<A ROBERT DUDLEY>
<P 89>
[} [\LETTER XXXII. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY
WALSYNGHAM. 6TH FEBRUARY, 1585-6.\] }]
   Mr. secretory, this bearer, monsieur Civile, retourneth well
inoughe, I thincke, satisfyed with the dealinges here. Yet do
not the estates thincke good to goe throughe with the matter
offred by him on the duke his master his behaulfe, partly
because they do not take it to be of so great importaunce as the
duke thincketh, and more specially because mony at this present
groweth skant with them, being to satisfye me for my allowaunce
monethly, and to paye their ould debtes, (which I covenanted
they shoulde do before I would take the gouvernment on me,) and
having some other payementes to make; so that, by their former
desordre and confusion in all thinges, a litle money is nowe at
the first more unto them then a great deal wilbe hereafter, when
they have overpassed these paymentes, and thinges shalbe settled
in good ordre. I have a meaning also to do the duke ere longe
some pleasure an other waye, which I hope shalbe well to his
lyking. And so, with my right harty commendacions, I bid you
farewell. From the Haghe, in Hollande, the vjth of February
1585.
   Your very loving frende,
   R. Leycester.
[^POSTSCRIPT AUTOGRAPH^]
   I have partly remembred my lord tresorer of a matter wherein
I have at large wrytten to my lord admyrall, wherein both you
there and we here may be better servyd, and hir majesty farr
less charged. I pray you further yt to my lord admyrall, who I
know wylbe very reddy therto.
<P 90>
   And for those portes here, I can assure you they have doun
great servyce, both in taking and burning of sondry of the
Dunkerkers, as also in reskewing dyvers shipps taken by the
enymye, both Englysh and Flemysh, and ij of the best and
greatest were cast away uppon the Goodwyns lately, with all ther
men and artyllery, save 4 or 5 maryners; iij small barkes on
your side wold ease all, as ther ys also on this side as many
and moe sett out, but ther ys more trust x tymes to ours to kepe
Dunkirk, than these here, for they mete with many frendes whom
they lett slypp.
[\ADDRESSED.\] To my honourable good frende sir Francis
Walsingham knight, principall secretory to the queenes majestie.

<Q LEY 1586 RDUDLEY>
<A ROBERT DUDLEY>
<P 90>
[} [\LETTER XXXIII. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO LORD BURGHLEY. 7TH
FEBRUARY 1585-6.\] }]
   My lord, there are two marchaunts of this countree, the one
of Middlebourge, called Mr. Jehan Cooman, bourgmaster of that
towne, the other, Jehan Berrhee, eschevin and senatour of
Amsterdam, who have a shipp with merchaundise taken coming from
St. Lucars in Spayne, by certeine shipps of warre of England in
October last, under pretence that they were the goods of the
king of Spaynes subjects, because there was found in the shipp a
bill of lading making mention that the goodes appertayned to a
marchaunt of Anwerp, which indeade was done to thintent that the
goodes should not be confiscat in Spayne; for that, since the
<P 91>
taking of Anwerp, all Anwerp-men are free from arrestes in
Spayne, and this manner of lading in other mens names is used
here, and allowed by an order of the estates, to thintent
thereby the goods and monie of this countreemen arrested in
Spayne and Portugall maie be gotten thence, and that those that
are here against the king maie have some kynd of trade thither.
   Theise two marchaunts are verie honest men, of good religion,
devoted to her majestie, and have suffred verie much for theis
countrees service. He in Anwerp, though he dwell in Anwerp, and
be therefore taken as reconcyled to the king of Spayne, yet is
he an honest man accompted, and doth no hurt but great good to
the cause. Theire humble suite to me is, to be meane to your
lordship that the said goodes, being a 100 pypes of oyle and 19
balles of cotton, maie either be delivered to themselves upon
good caution and assuraunce, or at least sequestred till
sentence be geven, doubting greatlie least yf their adversaries,
who are John Bird, Jo. Wattes, and John Stokes, should gett the
possession of them, they would distract them at meane pryces,
and dryve of thise men with long processe; which request seemeth
to me verie reasonable. I doe earnestlie praye your lordship to
cause good consideracion to be had of it, the rather the men
being so well affected. And so, with my right hartie
commendacions, I comitt your lordship to thallmightie. From the
Hage in Holland, the 7th of February 1585.
   Your lordships loving frende,
   R. Leycester.
[\ADDRESSED.\] To the right honourable my very good lord, the
lord Burghley, lord highe treasourour of Englande, knight of
thordre, one of the lords of her majesties privie counsaile, and
master of her highnes wardes and liveryes.

<Q LEY 1586 RDUDLEY>
<A ROBERT DUDLEY>
<P 92>
[} [\LETTER XXXIV. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY
WALSYNGHAM. 7TH FEBRUARY 1585-6.\] }]
   This vij. of February I receive your letter, with a pece of
lead in yt lyke a patern of a booke; I know not what yt meanes,
nether have ye wrytten any word of yt.
   The master of the hoye that lost Sir Thomas Cecylles hors, I
have putt him in prison, and great presumtyons ar ageinst him,
which shalbe tryed to the uttermost, for such felloes have doon
much harme, but no more than your great recourse to Calles now
of your merchauntes doe, which ys so notable as wyll cause all
here to runne at lyberty yf ye hold yt on, for all thinges doth
pass to Calles. I besech ye consider of yt.
<P 93>
   For the duke of Bullyns matter I wrote somwhat to ye of yt,
but ther ys no aparaunce in dede that yt can be trew that so
much vyttell can come to that place. I beleave ther ys some
other matter in yt.
   I am sorry hir majestie wyll not suffer the Ireshe soldyers
to come hether; hir majestie shuld not have byn at a peny charge
for them; ther servyce in Ireland wyll not doe hir that servyce
that ther want here wyll hinder hir in a hier degre.
   I fear the brutes the prince of Parma doth gyve out wyll
prove trew, which ys, that hir majesty lookes rather for a peace
than to goe any further into any warr, and making no questyon at
all, whan he doth se the worst we can doe, but to have what
peace he wyll at hir handes, at all tymes. What hurt yt doth, ye
wyll, I fear, se to sone, for yf [\it\] be once setledd in these
mens heddes, I warant ye they wold provyde for themselves, yf
they had ther forces in ther handes, well inough; yt ys the
thing hir majestie nedeth least desier, and sonest wylbe offred
hir, yf she hold fast a lytle for the warr; otherwyse, farewell
all these countreys, and ye shall never have peace but a
shamfull one. And yf that shalbe thought mete, yf I bring not an
offer, and a seking to hir for peace, or half the rest of hir
money be spent, lett me loose hir favour and my credytt with hir
majestie. But to make shew of your parte to desier a peace, and
procede not in manyfest actyon of warr first, and with that
ernest shew indede which apperteynes to so weighty a cause, look
for no peace for England, whosoever elles can have yt: and be
not deceaved, for I know yt, and doe fear the sequell of yt.
   The enymye doth as asuredly know what conferences have byn
about sir Jo. Smyth's imbassage, and how ernest hir majesty ys
for peace, how hardly she hath spoken ageinst the councellors of
this enterprise of the Low Countreys, as any ye that ar at home;
and by devyces ys brought hether, to corrupt men of best
<P 94>
credytt. But finding by my preparatyon to the contrary, and my
sending for men into England, doth hold them all here back from
any thought yet that waye, wherein someway I know I endanger
myself at the enymyes handes, for his practyces to my none hurt,
for he ys perswaded that I am a great hinderar to peace, and
much of this here donn leyd uppon me. Beside, he hath
intelligences partyculer out of Englond of me, whereby yt may
the rather provoke him to seke my ryddance. But I am resolvyd of
the protectyon of the Almighty ageinst all devylls and his
enymyes, and that he wyll defend all that constantly trust in
him. I have no interest, God doth know, in desier of warr; but
the state of our prince and countrey requyring that ys done to
be for there safty, I think this lyfe well imployd for there
servyce, and xx tymes shall I be more wylling to be imployed in
an honorable and good peace for them, which may be, I think, yf
hir majesty take the way and follow yt.
   Some flyng tale hath byn told me here, that hir majesty shuld
myslyke with the name of "excellencye." Suerly I know the great
encreace hit hath geven me, but that I had the same at all
straungeres handes that ever cam into England, synce I was made
by hir majesty an erll, and abrode where she hath sent me. Yf I
had delighted, or wold have received tytles, I refused a tytle
hyer than excellency, as Mr. Davyson, yf you ask him, wyll tell
ye; and that I my none self refused most ernestly that, and, yf
I might have donn yt, this also, but I have had this both
wrytten and spoken to me whan I used but the place of hir
majesties master of hir horse, and both then and now asmuch to
hir majesties honor as any advauncement to me, as one that
desyreth no name but my none name, longer than I may serve hir
majesty to hir honour and good lyking.
   I have sent the audytor over with the accomptes here, and, yf
hir majesty wyll looke for my good servyce, there must be hast
of
<P 95>
money hether, for here ys none left, and we have now above
viij=c= horse to pay.
   So, in som hast, I comytt ye to God; at the Hage, this vij.
of February.
   Your assured frend,
   R. Leycester.
[\ADDRESSED.\] To Mr. secretary Walsingham.

<Q LEY 1586 RDUDLEY>
<A ROBERT DUDLEY>
<P 95>
[} [\LETTER XXXV. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO THE LORD TREASURER,
THE LORD CHAMBERLAIN, THE VICE CHAMBERLAIN, AND MR. SECRETARY
WALSYNGHAM. 8TH FEBRUARY 1585-6.\] }]
   My very good lords, I have to my great discomfourt receyved
from you her majesties great mislyke of my acceptaunce of this
<P 96>
gouvernment, and that she will by no meanes avowe, but rather
disavowe wholy, that which is done therein. I was somewayes a
very unfortunat man, I must confesse, that founde scant of her
majesties wonted favour towardes me before my going to take so
great and weightye a charge as this in hande, not being ignorant
of the infinite hazardes that I must put my own poore estate
unto, bothe lyfe and all. Neverthelesse, the Lord God doth
knowe, unto whose mercye I do appeale, the very aboundaunce of
my faithfull harty love, borne even to the preservation of her
sacred person, and the care of her prosperous raigne over our
poore endaungered countrye, was only cause thereof. But, my
lords, thus muche hope had I allwayes notwithstanding, in the
great goodnes of her majestie, that in so weightye a cause as
this is, her majestie would, before she had condemned me so
farre, have hearde what reasons have moved me to do this I have
done, above her commission or commaundement. And I doubt not but
her majestie and you all shall well fynde, that I have
adventured more to do her majestie acceptable service thereby,
then to do my selfe eyther honour or good. And as your lordships
have had good experience heretofore of the uncertaintyes of
these passages; so was I here xliij dayes before I did once
heare worde out of Englande.
   And, for this matter, to satisfye eyther her majestie or your
lordships as it ought to do, must stand upon sondry reasons
which necessitye brought fourthe at this tyme to cause me to
accept of this gouvernment, which I had delivered to Mr. Davison
to declare bothe to her and to your lordships, I do moste humbly
beseche your good lordships to examine all those reasons but
indifferently. Yf they seame to your wisdomes other then suche
as might well move a true and a faythfull carefull man to her
majestie to do as I have done, I do desire for my mistaking
offense to beare the burden of it, which can be no greater then
that which her majestie hathe allreadye decreed, to disavowe me
with all displeasure and disgrace; a matter of as great reproche
and griefe as ever can
<P 97>
happen to any man. And according to her will, which I perceyve
is ment by her majestie, I wilbe readye (seeing it is not
otherwise to be presently used) to obey her pleasure, yf it were
presently to give it, without any more adoe, over agayne to
them. But respecting what hinderaunce it may be to her majesties
service at this tyme, and to the whole cause, I trust I shall
not offende your lordships, nor her majestie, to give this
simple advise, that it may pleas her to send somme nobleman with
all speade whome it shall lyke her to supply my place, according
to her first meaning, and to revoke me, which I will humbly
obey, and take it as a matter from God, who can and will correct
the wayes of synners, protesting in his presence, and by the
beliefe I have in Chryste, that I have done nothing in this
matter, but, to my iudgement, of suche consequence for her
majesties service, besides the furderaunce of the cause here,
as, yf lyfe, lande and goodes had lyne upon it, I must have
adventured it as for an acceptable service. And yet when I sett
my foote on lande I no more imagined of any suche matter to be
offred me, or more then was by her majesty and the estates
contracted, then I thought to be king of Spayne; nor till I came
to this town xij dayes after: and yet was there some were
affinitye with this by that contracted betwene her and the
estates.
   I have no cause to have played the foole thus farre for
myselfe; first, to have her majesties displeasure, which no
kyngedome in the worlde culd make me willingly to deserve; next,
to undoe myselfe in my later dayes; to consume all that should
have kept me all my lyfe, in one haulfe-yeare. And so muche
gayne have I heare by it as I have lyved and spent only of my
own since I came, without ever having pennye or groate from
them, neyther shall gett so muche by them all here, yf I had
served them this xij monethes, as I have spent since I sawe her
majestie and your lordships laste. But I must thancke God of
all, and am most hartely grieved at her majesties heavy
displeasure. I neyther desire to lyve, nor to see my country,
with it. For yf I have not done her majesty good service at this
tyme, I shall never hope to do her
<P 98>
any, but will withdrawe me into some out-corner of the worlde,
where I will languishe out the rest of my fewe, to many, dayes,
prayng ever for her majesties longe and prosperous lyfe, and
with this only comforte to lyve an exile, that this disgrace
hathe happened for no other cause but for my mere regarde of her
majesties estate, being driven to this choyse, eyther to put
myselfe into her handes for doing that which was moste probably
best for her service, or elles loose her that advantage which,
at that present lett slippe, was not possibly to be gotten for
her agayne.
   I doubt not but ere this Mr. Davison hathe presented to her
majestie my own letter, and acquaynted all your lordships with
suche reasons as have moved me to deale as I have done, who was
dispatched hence fower dayes before I receyved your lordships
letters, leaving me in opinion yf her majestie had not thus
conceaved of it as she nowe dothe, that I would have thought my
service had deserved more thanckes. I shall nowe attend her
majesties furder pleasure, not daring wryte to herselfe being
thus offended, but will humbly desire your lordships good
constructions of my doinges to hir highnes, yf you shall fynde
the consideration worthie, with your honourable and frendly
meanes in my behaulfe, being a man absent, but moste faythfull
and loyall to my moste dread soveraigne mistres, and so wilbe to
my lyves ende, and to my power humbly thanckefull to your
lordships all, for the good favour you shall shewe herein
towardes me. And so will pray unto God to keape you all in his
feare with longe lyfe. From the Haghe, the 8=th= of Februarye,
1585.
[\ADDRESSED,\] To the right honourable my very good lords the
lord highe treasourour of Englande and the lord chamberlayne,
and my very good frendes Mr. vice-chamberlaine and Mr. secretory
Walsingham, and to every of them.

<Q LEY 1586 RDUDLEY>
<A ROBERT DUDLEY>
<P 99>
[} [\LETTER XXXVI. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY
WALSYNGHAM. 8TH FEBRUARY 1585-6.\] }]
   Mr. secretary, being lothe to trouble my lords with to longe
a letter, maketh me thus bould to use some addition to you,
being not only grieved but wounded to the harte. For it is more
then death unto me, that her majestie should be thus ready to
interpret allwayes hardly of my service, specially before it
might pleas her to understande my reasons for that I do. For my
own parte, I am perswaded hitherto there could not any better
service be done unto her majestie in these partes, and yf some
other man had done it, yt coulde not be but it had bene muche
better accepted: at the least I thinke she would never have so
condemned any [\other\] man before she had heard him. And, undre
her highnes pardon and favour, I dare referre the judgement of
this matter, when it shalbe duely examined and hearde, to her
majesties own selfe, or to my worst enemyes, wheresoever they
be, muche rather to any or to all her privye counsayle. All her
majestie can laye to my charge
<P 100>
ys going a little furder then she gave me commission for. Yf the
matter be well considered, the steppe forwarde is not so great,
yf my authoritye contracted before betwene her majestie and the
states be well perused, and I thancke God there is no
treachourye nor falshoode in this I am blamed for. The Lord
graunt her majestie paciently to consider by this my doing
wherein she is any waye damnefyed, or furdur engaged to the
estates then she was before.
   Her majestie I do remember well indeade, and so may you, howe
before all my lords she seamed to mislyke that I should take any
other charge then as her generall, or to make any othe to them
here, any manner of waye. I tould her majestie lykewyse, in the
same presence, it was then to no purpose for me to goe into
these countryes; for yf it were but to be her generall only of
v=m=. men, Mr. Norrise had that charge alreadye, and better able
to discharge it then I. I did lykewise put her bothe in
remembrance of her contract with the states, which had allowed
me farre more authoritye then that, and of the dealing of my
lord treasourour and of yourselfe also with them abowt a furder
enterteignment for me, as in respect I should be their officer
as well as her majesties, in which I referre myselfe to both
your reportes, being then present. For they alwayes aunswered
me, there was no doubt but they would deale with me as well as
ever they did with the prince of Orange. But her majestie indead
then would not heare of it, thoughe I made petition to be
discharged of the journey. Yet, afterwards, in speaking with
her, I founde her very well content I should receyve any thinge
from their handes whatsoever, so it mought not proceade from
herselfe, but of themselves. I did desire you, sir, at that
tyme, to move her majestie most earnestly for my stay at home,
telling you howe much I should undoe myself, and do her majestie
no service, going after that manner. And, yf I be not
forgeatfull, it seamed then to you lykewise, that her majestie
was willing inoughe that I should receyve suche charge and
enterteignment as, of themselves, the
<P 101>
estates would lay upon me and give me: but I will not stande
greatly hereupon.
   But, admitt me to be even acccording as her majestie did
contract with the estates, ys it not there agreed I should be
the generall of their warres and armyes, as well as of her
majesties? Was I not there placed as chiefe counsailour of the
estate amonge them, and two nominated also by her majestie to
assist me? I suppose in this place it was not ment, neyther for
me nor them, as counsailours for the warres only, for then I am
sure there should have bene named more famous captaines to
assist me. Besides, I am there authorized to deale in monye
matters, and myntes, with such lyke, which are mere civile
causes. Yf, then, it be so that this authoritye was given me
before, by her majesties and the estates contract, and that they
would, partly for the honour borne to hir majestie, and partly
for that they would have the worlde knowe they relye wholy upon
her, make choyse of me, so farre interessed allreadye amonge
them, and give me a tytle and place which some other must have
had, as shall playnly appeare to her majestie by Mr. Davison,
and that hir majesty is neyther furder charged therby, nor by
any means drawen into any furder action or bonde, then she was
before, and that of necessitye some one must have had the place,
I woulde fayne knowe, yf any other had had it but one wholye hir
majesties, whether she had not bene disappointed of every parte
of that she looked for: specially for a good peace for herselfe
and Englande? And whether the sure payement of her waged
souldiors by them, or the strengthe of all the garrisons placed
by them, or the navye and mariners of these countreyes, had
bene, without this authoritye to one of hers, at hir majesties
commaundement or no? Yf then, by taking this place upon me, hir
majestie being thereby no waye to be charged, eyther by the king
of Spayne or otherwise, since it was the estates own election,
and a matter merly done by themselves, to offre these great
advauntages to one of her own, methinckes it should not receyve
so harde a construction, seing by the placing of me, the
<P 102>
only benefite and greatest honour dothe growe to hir majesties
selfe every waye.
   For my own particular, I knowe it had bene farre better
another had had it then I. But for hir majestie, yf hir gracious
good opinion were not prejudiced allready against me in this
matter, bothe hirself and all others must thincke it is muche
better for hir service in the handes of one of hir own, then of
any other whosoever. But yet I am nowe sory that ever I was
employed in this service. For yf any man of a great nomber elles
had brought suche a matter to passe for hir, I am sure he should
have had, instead of displeasure, many thanckes. But suche is
nowe my wretched case, as for my faythfull, true and loving
harte to hir majestie and my countrye, I have utterly undone
myselfe; for favour, I have disgrace; and for rewarde, utter
spoyle and ruyne. I could have taken warning of this before, yf
I would have doubted so muche of hir majesties goodnes, or have
cared more for my quyet and ease at home then for hir service
abroade. And I am not so riche but I might bothe well have
spared my charge, and saved the labour of so daungerous a
journey.
   But, to conclude, yf to make hir majestie to have the whole
commaundement of all these provinces, of their forces by sea and
lande, of their townes and of their treasure, with knowledge of
all the secrettes of their estate, yea and to have brought her
what peace she woulde, besides divers wayes and meanes lykely to
have eased a great parte of her charges, only by taking upon me
the name of gouvernour, is so eveill taken as it hathe deserved
dishonour, discredite, disfavour, with all grefes that may be
laide upon a man, I must receyve it as deserved of God and not
of my quene, whome I have reverenced with all humilitye, and
whome I have loved with all fydelitye. Hit shall ende thus, that
as I fynde myselfe moste deapely wounded, and seeing hir
majesties good favour and good opinion drawen from me, that she
conceyveth I have or do belyke seake rather my own glorye then
her true service, not forgetting that some suche wordes were
used of me when
<P 103>
I made suyte to her majesty to have a fewe lords over with me, I
do humbly beseche her majestie by you, for I know my wryting to
hirselfe having these conceipts of me shall but trouble her, to
graunt me leave, as soone as she shall appoint one here to
supplye my place for her better service, which I desire with all
speade, and the sooner the better, to go lyve in somme obscure
corner of the earthe, where I will ende these grievous dayes in
true prayer to God for her. And, as the Lord doth knowe, when
she thought me any way touched with vayne glorye, I had no cause
of vayne glorye to boste of. Yf I may glorye in any thinge, it
must be, I see, in the crosses of this worlde, whiche allmightye
God strengthen me unto. And so, thincking every daye a yeare
till I may receave ordre and dispatche of this place, I bid you
hartily farewell. From the Haghe in Hollande, the 8=th= of
February 1585.
   Your loving frende.
[\ADDRESSED\] To my honourable good frende sir Fraunces
Walsingham, knight, principall secretorye to the queenes
majestie.

<Q LEY 1586 WCECIL>
<A WILLIAM CECIL>
<P 103>
[} [\LETTER XXXVII. LORD BURGHLEY TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 7TH
FEBRUARY, 1585-6.\] }]
   My very good lord, Your last letters come to my hands war by
your lordship written at the Hage the 29. of January, by which I
<P 104>
was glad to perceave [\you\] had receaved my letters sent by Mr.
Atye and my son; which war made old letters by the contrary
wynd, which of late hath bene so constant to hang long in on
cost, as ether your lordship there have cause, or we heare, to
wish it; for it holdeth strongly ether west, which pleseth vs to
send, but not to heare; or els in the est, which discontenteth
ether of vs in contrary manner.
   By your lordships letters I fynd manny thyngs of my letters
answered, and so I shall be hable to satisfye hir majesty; but,
to be playn with your lordship, in a few words, I, and other
your lordships poore frends, find hir majesty so discontent with
your acceptation of the government ther, befor you had
advertised and had hir majestys opinion, that, althovgh I, for
my own part, judg this action both honorable and profitable, yet
hir majesty will not endure to heare any speche in defence
therof. Nevertheless, I hope a small tyme shall alter this hard
concept in hir majesty, whereunto I have allredy and shall not
desist to oppose myself, with good and sound reasons to move hir
majesty to alter her hard opinion.
   But, to end this wrytyng, I could not but to accompany this
gentilman, Horatio Palavicino, with my letter, whom, for his
<P 105>
wisdom and all other good quallites, I nede not to commend to
your lordship, being so well knowen and approved to your
lordship as he is. From my house in Westminster, 7. February
1585.
   Your lordships assuredly at command,
   W. Burghley.

<Q LEY 1586 RDUDLEY>
<A ROBERT DUDLEY>
<P 114>
[} [\LETTER XLI. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY
WALSYNGHAM. 14TH FEBRUARY 1585-6.\] }]
   Mr. secretory, this gentleman, sir Robert Jarmine, hathe in
my knowledge causes of great weight which force him at this tyme
to come over. He myndeth to retourne hither within a moneth or
therabowtes, and for that tyme he may be best spared hence. I
<P 115>
have founde him to be very wise and stowt, and most willing and
ready to this service, and he hathe come hither as well
appointed as any that hathe commen over. I very hartely pray you
to accompt of him as of one specially recommended to you from
me, and yf he shall neade your favour in his causes, that you
will the rather affourd it him for my sake: I wilbe behoulden to
you for it. And so with my right harty commendacions I committ
you to the Allmightye. From the Haghe in Hollande, the xiiijth
of February, 1585.
   Your very loving frende,
   R. Leycester.
[^POSTSCRIPT AUTOGRAPH^]
   I nede not commend this gentleman to ye, but assuredly he ys
gretly to be estemed. I besech further him yf he shall nede your
favour.
   I did wryte very ernestly to ye, and I think to my lord
tresurer also, touching a request one munsieur de Meux made unto
me at Dort; he ys the hye-bayly ther, a very honest, religious,
constant, stout gentleman, one that hath gonn thorow all these
troubles with great constancy. His only sonn ys taken by the
enymye; they wyll not release him, nor sett him at any ransome,
for the fathers sake. He desyred Saburo, by whose meanes he
hoped to redeme him. The gentleman ys worthy of a greater
favour, and able to serve hir majesty many ways in this
countrey; he thinkes some lack in me that he receaves no answere
or comfort all thys while. I pray ye, sir, favour him further,
and ye shall do hir majesty a good service in yt, and yet I dout
not to get some other in Dunkirk also with him.
[\ADDRESSED.\] To my honourable good frende sir Francis
Walsingham knight, principall secretorye to the queenes
majestie.

<Q LEY 1586 RDUDLEY>
<A ROBERT DUDLEY>
<P 116>
[} [\LETTER XLII. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY
WALSYNGHAM. 15TH FEBRUARY, 1585-6.\] }]
   Mr. secretorye, I opened the packett which this bearer
comming from my lord Willoughbye will deliver you, because there
was a letter in it for me. By that letter I fynde but doubtfull
aunsweres from the king of Denmarcke, and therefore do thincke
it not amisse yf you staye the imparting to her majestie of the
contents of these letters, untill her pleasure shalbe fully
knowen touching the matters of these countryes, nowe after the
arrivall of Mr. Davison. Yf she go throughly on with these
causes, she shall not need to make doubt of having frendes
inowe. So, with my harty commendacions, I bid you fare well.
From the Haghe the xvth of February, 1585.
   Your very loving frende,
   R. Leycester.
   If sir William Pellham be not hastened hither, or some suche
man of judgement in martiall affayres, we shall hardly do that
good I wishe for here.
[\ADDRESSED.\] To my honourable good frende sir Francis
Walsingham knight, principall secretorye to the queenes
majestie.

<Q LEY 1586 RDUDLEY>
<A ROBERT DUDLEY>
<P 126>
[} [\LETTER XLIV. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY
WALSYNGHAM. 18TH FEBRUARY 1585-6.\] }]
   Mr. secretary, these men here doe very ernestly press me to
be a sutor to hir majesty, that hit will please her to consider
of the traffyq of hir marchauntes for clothes, whether these
tounes in Holland and Zeland may not be thought convenyent
places for the
<P 127>
utterance of ther clothes, as they hope all yt wyll; and, yf yt
so be found good, than wold they be sutors to have them com
hether, offring all manner of good usage, and in what place or
places so ever the merchantes wyll lyke best they shalbe
provyded for to ther contentacions, without tax, or talliage, or
any manner of charges uppon ther merchandyzes. For my none parte
I have somewhat travelled to understand what vent they may have,
and I find plainly, yf you hold your hand from lycenses, and
forbid going to any other places eastward from Hamboro
hetherward, and to the Haunces but only some suche nomber of
clothes as heretofore ye have allowed them, that here wylbe a
notable mart for them.
   Amsterdame, or Enchuson (a place I lyke best for some
causes), or Rotradame, any of these iij, wylbe very apt places,
and, with Mydelborow in Zeland, ye shall not only be sure our
clothes shall have spedy utterance but greatly content these
people, and I am perswaded yf all other places be well examyned
ye wyll fynd this the surest every way. For alredy our clothes
goe away apace from Mydelborow, but yf the hole trade come
hether, all the east partes wyll seke hether, and here ys no
fear of any arestes or exactyons, except we offer them to to
much wrong. I pray ye, sir, consider of yt, and with some spede,
for that the king of Denmark hath promysed to deall for the
Stedes, and ye had nede take hede of them, the king of Spain
hath a great hand over them, spetyally of the Count de Embden,
who, I can assure you, ys wholy at his comaundment; his letters
hath byn taken.
   These men, also, doe offer some place, or places, for your
woll of England, and wyll deall with nether French nor Spanyesh
woolles yf hir majesty wyll, and ye may utter here a great
quantyty to those that make sayes, and bayes, and other wollen
workes, which shall only spend our Englysh wooll: and I wyll
warrant your merchantes never found such markettes for ther
clothes as they shall doe here, yf they wyll not skatter to
other places. Thys being a matter of great weight I thought to
wryte yt to ye, and that I may hear from ye as sone as may be,
at least that hit be
<P 128>
not forgotten to these folkes, howsoever ye deall with the lord
lyvetenant here. God preserve and kepe hir majesty from all
evyll, and with longest and happiest yeres to rayne. From the
Hage, this xviij. of February.
   Your assured frend,
   R. Leycester.
   Hit is thought, that yf our woolles cam over hether into
Holland, that yt wold draw a great nomber out of Flaunders
hether that occupie wollen occupacions from the parte of the
enemye. For God's sake remember money, with all possible spede;
and sir Wylliam Pellam,
[\ADDRESSED,\] To my honourable good frende sir Fraunces
Walsingham, knight, principall secretorye to the queenes
majestie.

<Q LEY 1586 RDUDLEY>
<A ROBERT DUDLEY>
<P 128>
[} [\LETTER XLV. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY
WALSYNGHAM. 21 FEBRUARY, 1585-6.\] }]
   This Monday, the xxj. of February, after I had dyspatched my
other letters to ye, my lord Wyllowby aryved here very well, and
doth tell me how very well affected he hath left the king of
Denmarke toward hir majesty, that, for hir owen service, he wyll
mak warr uppon any prince, and ys content, uppon any least word
from
<P 129>
me, to lett ij=m= of the best horsmen in all his countrey to com
to me, and they may better com that way, I find, than any way
out of Jermanye, to serve this countrey, spetyally in East
Fresland and Gelderland.
   I perceave, also, that the princes of Germany ar mervellosly
gladd of hir majesties dealing with the king of Spayn. The duke
of Sax ys becom a new man synce his mariage, and hath sent very
playn messages to the emperour; he hath lykewyse agreed with
sondry princes to send to the French king, and to perswade him
to leave his prosecuting the king of Navare and the
protestantes; yf not, they protest not only to stey all succors
for him out of Germany, but to ayd and asyst the sayd king of
Navare, with all the force they may.
   I fynd yt plainly, yf her majesty send any man of countenance
now to them, and to com this way, though yt werr but boddeleye,
I dare warrant ye shall find them in an other manner of tune
then ever they werr yet, synce hir majesties tyme.
   The ellector of Culloyn received letters ij days [\ago\] to
the same effect, touching the princes of Germanyes devotyon, as
also of the duke of Sax August.
   The count of Emden ys stark naught, and the king of Spains
for lyfe, only I wyshe hir majesty to send some one to his
brother, count John, whos hart ys almost kyld synce he was in
England, and languysheth in great mallincholly, finding so small
comfort ther, as he sayth, yf hir majesty had geven him any good
comfort, his brother shuld never have don any thing but what she
wold. He is so decayd and out of comfort, as yt ys thought his
brother wyll shortly gett the Nort, and another place next the
sea called Gryte, of good importance, but the other called
Denord ys able to doe very great servyce agenst the enymye now,
yf yt werr at hir majesties dewtye, but ther must be no tyme
lost in yt.
   Hamborow ys a villanous town, and wholy the king of Spaynes;
<P 130>
my lord Wyllouby was in great danger to be taken in their
territorye. But, yf yt please hir majesty to bestow hir
merchants in other places, I beleive veryly more to their
proffytt but far more for ther surety, which, yf yt may be, I
besech ye give me but a spedy incling.
   We ar here in good forwardnes as well for sea as land; ye
shall hear shortly that our contrybutions wylbe very much
encreased, spetyally yf her majesties countenance contynew. I
have wonne them to dyvers very large pointes alredy, for they se
I only serve hir majesty and ther cause, and do venture both my
lyfe and my lyving for them, and I assure ye I find great favour
with them, spetyally with the honest councellors and the comon
people.
   Paule Buys ys a very vyllayn, a dissembler, an athest, and a
practyser to make himself rych and great, and no boddy elles;
but ye shall see I wyll doe well inough with him, and that
shortly. He ys the most hated man generally that ever I knew in
any state: but kepe this, I pray ye, to yourself. Ortell ys holy
his, and he hath alredye newes of hir majesties myslyke of me,
and I warrant ye he hath taken advantage of yt, and yet wyll not
seme to me to know any thing; but I am here every way to hard
for him. He wold seme altogether to be for Englond, and in troth
he doth skorn us.
   Hir majestie never had such a waye unto the world to daunt
hir enymys as she hath now. I pray God she may take the offers
of hir parliament in tyme: she wyll find herself happy. And, in
hast, fare ye well, the shypp steying this beror.
   Your most assured,
   R. Leycester.
To my honourable good frend sir Frauncis Walsingham, knight, her
majesties principall secretarie.

<Q LEY 1586 RDUDLEY>
<A ROBERT DUDLEY>
<P 131>
[} [\LETTER XLVI. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY
WALSYNGHAM. 22ND FEBRUARY 1585-6.\] }]
   I must nedes trowble ye as oft as occasion may serve, albeyt
I can hear nothing from you, whether I shall contynew in my
servyce or be cashed, and being loth to loose tyme whilst I am
hear, I have alredy proceded with these men for the leavy of an
army, as the only way in dede to help and save all; for,
whatsoever discourse men may make to you ther, I find by all the
wysest and best experymented men here, that if we stand but
uppon a defensyve warr, all wyll be lost, as all was almost
quyte gonne when I cam hether, as I wrote unto you, and chifely
for that men were out of hope to resyst the enymye in the fyld,
but he had way to doe what he lysted in all places; he was able
both to besiege towens and to anoye all places where he lysted,
and no man to make hedd with force ageinst him, every man
looking but to his singell charge, in this towen and that towen,
and none to commaunde or dyrect for the hole: and ye shall se
now, that a meane comander shalbe able to doe more than was donn
this good while.
   We have alredy, concluded and in making reddy, almost xl good
shippes and good cromsters, beside xxv smaler vesselles to runne
upp and down the ryvers, well furnyshed; so that, for the sea,
we wyll provyde well inough.
<P 132>
   For the land hit ys almost concluded, also, that we shall
leavye iiij=m= horse, the most reyters, beside those we have
alredy, for yf we may mach the enymye with horse, I dowbt not
for the rest; yet he hath iij=m=. Spanyardes aryved a month
agoe, and I hear he ys preparing men in Germany.
   Much adoe have I had with these men to bring them to consider
of this matter, for they imagyn ther places inpregnyble, and doe
not remember how the people groe wery of ther contynewall
burden, and standing only uppon defence. They contynewally lost
towens, cyttyes, and almost ij hole provynces, Flanders and
Brabant, all which, yf they had had but vj=m= men in the fyld,
they had saved; but I may boldly say it, for I am well informyd
of yt, they were both carelesly and neglegently lost, and
assuredly many more had byn gonn but for hir majesties comfort
and countenance, and yet wylbe, yf we shall doe but as others
have donn. Wherefore I have byn very round, and the rounder, to
be playn with ye, that I wold rather torn myself out of service
for such a cause than to be torned owt otherwyse, as perhapps ye
among ye ther have resolyd. And my dealing hath taken such good
success, as now they procede very willingly in all thinges that
I move to them for ther defence, and every man wylling to
contrybute, and to enlardge their contrybutyons, now they hope
somwhat shall be donn for ther money, as, God wylling, ther
shall, yf I tarry by yt; praing ye, ageyn and ageyn, to send
away sir Wylliam Pellam. They here have hard so much of him as
almost they beleave in him.
   Hir majesty must think that this servyce standes hir more
uppon than all hir debtes, yf they be a C=m= li., and the
prosperity therof must bring hir, not only safetye to hir state
and person, but the saving of many a C=m= li. hereafter. Besyde,
sir, yf my poore advyce may be hard, as I have wrytten yt to ye
and my lord tresorer heretofore, hir [\majesty\] shuld send with
all spede into Germany to the princes, to encourage them,
spetyally a gentleman of some quallyty to the duke of Sax, to
congratulatt his mariag
<P 133>
with the howse of Hawnalt, who is the ablest and noblest
gentleman in all Germany and a great prince; and, beside that he
wyll take himself bound to hir majesty, the old duke wyll take
it most kindly, for he loveth his yong wyffe so well as
whosoever sendes to him therabout he useth all the thankfullnes
in the world to him. He hath sent of late a stout messag to the
emperour, and hath refused to gyve any audyence or access to the
French kinges comyssary. Seguro hath ben greatly enterteyned at
his handes, and loged in his own howse.
   Yf Palavasyn com not away ye marr all. Gyttory ys almost
madd, having wrytten into Germany of hir majesties gracyous
dealing in their cause, and that Pallavasyn and he were both on
the way; now Gyttory lyeth styll at Harlem, and almost
desperatt, yet doe I comfort him by messages, to lett him know
that I myselfe have not hard this month from England. God send
them better whan they com next.
   The king of Denmark doth marvellously love hir majesty, as my
lord Wyllowby telles me; he hath sent me very kind messages by
my lord, and doth offer to let me have ij=m= of his best
horsmen, and best captens to lead them; and lykewise to send his
own sonne, yf I think yt good, and that it may any way advance
hir majesties servyce.
   Thus ye may se how greatly hir majesty may further both hir
own good servyce and the servyce of all christendome, yf hit
shall please hir. And bycause she hath alwayes harped uppon a
peace, lett all wyse men judge whether ther be any way in the
world for hir majesty to have a good peace but this way; yea,
and the more show of princes good wylles that she may procure,
the better and surer must yt be for hir. Well, I can doe no more
but open my pore conceattes, and pray to God to dyrect hir
majesties hart to doe that which may be most for his glorye and
best for hirselfe and realme, and so commytt you to his safe
protectyon. At the
<P 134>
Hage, from whence I goe toward Utrycht uppon Saturday next; this
xxij. of February.
   Your assured frend,
   R. Leycester.
   I besech ye, Mr. secretary, lett not the pore soldyers be
forgotten, and the rather for that we shall goe very shortly to
the fyld; at the least to have a flying camp of iij or 4000 men,
to doe very necessary and nedefull servyce.
   The count Hollock ys a most wylling and obedient servant, and
surely wyll doe well, and begyns to leave his drynking. Hir
majesty is much beholden to the elector Truxy, and he ys able to
doe great servyce; he ys very pore but very wyse.
[\ADDRESSED,\] To my honourable good frend Mr. secretarye
Walsingham.

<Q LEY 1586 RDUDLEY>
<A ROBERT DUDLEY>
<P 134>
[} [\LETTER XLVII. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY
WALSYNGHAM. 24TH FEBRUARY 1585-6.\] }]
   The messenger which had my last letters was reternyd back by
whether ageyn, which causeth me to make my letters as freshe to
ye as may be, styll; and, touching the encrease of allowance to
<P 135>
our former rate sett down, which was ij=cm= florins by the
month; fynding yt very skant to descharge that which this sommer
servyces shall require, I have procured at the states handes,
and with best wyll at the countreyes handes, to gyve for iiij
monthes ij=cm= florins more, with which I trust ther wylbe good
servyce donn, and I have not byn idell nor neglygent in cauling
uppon these men for this matter, and other very nedefull, though
I find many of them slak inough in furthering those thinges that
be nedefull for themselves. I cannott blame the countreys to
myslyke with them as they have donn. Well, I hope now the
gretest matter ys past, this money being so redyly agreed unto
at length; and whosoever shall suplye the place for hir majesty
here, shall find a good preparation.
   I have, lykewyse, mustered all our men, and to be payd untyll
the xij. of February, but not our horsemen. I stey tyll I com to
Utryght, which shalbe within viij days after this, yf wether
wyll suffer me. I have changed many garisons upon some smale
suspition, but, I thank God, I find all men wylling to serve for
hir majesties sake, and I trust no place at this day to be
feared, where any garyson ys. I am about to make Lylle and
Lyfskynhose somwhat stronger; places of great importance. I have
lerned to be of a good nature synce I cam hether, for I hope to
sett the French king and the king of Spain together by the
eares, as well as they love, or this day month, and cost hir
majesty never a grote. I trust ye shall very shortly hear of som
towns of importance to be had into our handes.
   I find by the muster-master that the bandes be wonderfully
decayed, though many sleyttes were used, as he saith, to deceave
him, and wyll save hir majesty a good deall, I think; he ys not
yet retornyd, but a very wyse stout fellow he ys, and very
carefull to serve thorouly hir majesty. I am gladd I named him
to yt. I wold he had byn here at the beginning; but yf I tarry
here I
<P 136>
wyll be sure we wyll have men for our money. Hetherto I was not
able to use the servyce of v=c=. Englyshe soldyers beside the
garrysons of Flushing and Bryll, which places I styrr not. Ther
are ij lytle places which I meane to gett the government of, and
shalbe no charge to hir majesty, and yet of as great importance
as any of the other almost.
   These men be mervellously pleasyd with me that they perceave
I prepare forces for the fyld, for yt ys the only way to brydell
and overthrow the enymy, and to putt in hart these people, who
care not what they gyve so they know they have men in the fyld
to defend them, spetyally in the somer tyme. Wherefore, Mr.
secretary, yf hir majesty wyll looke for honour and good
servyce, send away Mr. Pellam; we have no such man to govern the
armye of all the men they have here, nor any comparable to those
I have brought alredy. They have very few that ar any thing
able. I wold I had the ij Italians that Pallavasyn promysed me;
but, seing I trust the Spanish shall have no cause to trowble
Irland, I wold, yf I shuld tarry here, gyve one of my fingers to
have Mr. Bingam here but iiij months. I dyd think ther had byn
both more and better choyce of captens than I can find here, and
therfore ther ys the more nede of such as he ys, for surely I am
in very good opinion of happy success, I find all men so willing
to this servyce. I besech ye, yf ye find hir majesty well
disposyd, remember Bingam, but first dispatch away sir William
Pellam, whose abode one month now may hinder us greatly here.
   There ys an other matter concerning Emden of very great
importance; I have wrytten alredy thereabout to ye; he ys a very
enymye to this countrey, and fast to the king of Spayn, and doth
chifely vyttell the enymye; yf he were not, we shuld get
Groyning in xx days, and all that part of Freseland the enymye
now holdeth.
<P 137>
Thus, having scrybled in much hast, I comytt you to the Lord. At
the Hag this xxiiij. of February.
   Your assured frend,
   R. Leycester.
   I pray you remember that I may receive answere to the partes
of my letters, for I have no coppy of my requestes. Forget not
money, money; and I wyll never press for any more than hir
majesty hath promysed these countreys alredy for this yere.
[\ADDRESSED,\] To my honourable good frend Mr. secretary
Walsingham.

<Q LEY 1586 RDUDLEY>
<A ROBERT DUDLEY>
<P 137>
[} [\LETTER XLVIII. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY
WALSINGHAM, 26TH FEBRUARY 1585-6.\] }]
   Mr. secretary, yesterday being the xxv. of February, I wrote
unto you. This day, having occasion of a messenger going over, I
thought good to lett you knowe, that there came one of this
councell to me, and in verye honest sort told me, that I could
not forgett what brutes the prince of Parma had geven out
touching hir majestyes disposytion for to have peace with the
king of Spain. "I have received," sayth he, "now a lettre from a
frend of myne in London, who dothe wryte, that a Spanish
marchant, one Lewis de Pace, was gonn into Spain with all hast,
uppon a sudden, a month agon, and thought to be not without the
knowledge of some councellor, and that some secretly devyned,
that hit was to procure
<P 138>
some spech of peace, but," sayth he, "I wyll not beleave yt, for
yf hir majesty had had that minde, I am suer she wold never have
gon thus farr with us here, nether can all the Paces in England
or Spain cause the king of Spain to speake or seke a pece so
sone as this course she doth take with him. And we trust that
hir majesty wyll never doe herself so much dyshonour, nor us
that have comytted ourselves unto hir so much wronge, as to take
any such course whereby that king shall receive so great
encouragement, to hir owen harme and ours; for," quod he, "hir
majesty knoweth not the pryde of the Spaniard, yf he be any way
sought unto, how inderectly soever. I doe not beleave it, nether
wyll I speake of yt, but to tell your lordship of yt, to know yf
ye have hard any such thing."
   I told him, uppon my truth, no, (no more dyd I in dede) nor I
could not beleave yt whosoever shuld wryte yt, bycause I knew
hir majesty had meanes inowe offred hir to have herkened to a
peace or this, yf she had lysted; and he and the rest here might
assure themselves she wyll never deall or herken to peace but
their parte wylbe in yt as well as for hirself. "Seurly," sayth
he, "I wyll beleave so, for hir majesty hath bounde us by treaty
and contract that we shall no waye speake of peace without her
pryvytye fyrst, which, God wylling, wylbe truly observed. For
now ys yt in her majesties power both to save us, next unto God,
or to undoe us for ever." I dyd all I could to putt any such
conceatt out of hys head, for I wold be as loth to have yt in
myne owen, knowing how utterly hit wold both overthrow hir
majesty and thes countreys also; and how easily hir highnes ys
like at all tymes, whansoever she wyll, to have a peace at that
kinges hand. Nevertheless I could not be quyett but to advertyse
you hereof, trusting that ther wylbe no such matter in hand but
you wyll gyve your frend som knoledge wherby to govern himself
the better, and I wold be sorry my credytt werr so yll, seing I
dyd putt hir majesty in a better hope, and wyll perform yt, when
any good cause shalbe, than by such a meane to bring hir to a
peace. And so
<P 139>
having donn all my arrand for this tyme, I wyll byd you farewell
this xxvj. of February.
   Your assured frend,
   R. Leycester.
   Yf Pallavasyn come not, Gyttery wyll home to his master, and
com into England as he goeth, and so to his master. He wyll not
into Germany. He ys wonderfully greved, but I satysfie him all I
can, with the lacke of wynd to com out of England.
[\ADDRESSED,\] To my very honorable good frend sir Francis
Walsingham, knight, principall secretary [\to\] her majesty.

<Q LEY 1586 RDUDLEY>
<A ROBERT DUDLEY>
<P 139>
[} [\LETTER XLIX. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY
WALSYNGHAM. 27TH FEBRUARY 1585-6.\] }]
   This day, being the xxvij. of February, having wrytten
yesterday another letter unto you, I have received intelligence
from Gelderland. Coronell Shenkes hath ageyn donn a notable pece
of servyce. He hath taken a towen and castle of great importance
for impeching the enemye in those partes, a place we have bynn
busye about this good while to gett, and now by his dyllygence
and dyscrete handling brought to effect. Hit ys a town in
Westfalia,
<P 140>
the principall town of all that provynce, called Werle,
belonging to the byshop of Colloyn, but in the enymyes handes,
and dyd us here great dyspleasure. This good fortune, God be
thankyd, ys now com to us.
   Beside, the count de Meurs hath donn a notable pece of
servyce very lately uppon a lettre I wrote unto him, beinge
discovered unto me from a man of Deventer that was one of their
councell and of the religyon, a place of mervellous importance
to this state, who opened a full conspyracye of certen
magystrates of that town to delyver yt upp to the enymye, and
had sworne a company among themselves for the purpose. The
honest mans letter I sent to the count, who presently without
delaye repayred thether, at whose coming they wold not lett him
entre but with vj persons, for indede they wold never yet
receive garyson into the towen, albeyt they held for this state
always, and beside they had comytted the party that wrote to me
to pryson before the countes coming, for that he semed to refuse
to joyn with the rest, being one of the chefe of the towen, in
this conspyracye. And the count hath so well behaved himself, as
he hath overthrowen all this practyce, and hath changed all the
magystrates, to the great lykyng of all the towen and the full
assurance of the same as at any tyme before, which, God wylling,
shall [\be\] better assured or long, uppon this occasion. I
trust ye shall hear of other manner of places taken or long.
   Myself had byn at Utrycht or now, but expecting styll hir
majesties pleasure from England, which tyll this day I hear
nothing; and yt ys most requysytt that I repayr into those
partes about Utrycht, for, tyll the houer of hir majesties
pleasure knowen, I wyll not neglect the servyce of this aflycted
countrey, which God, I trust, wyll prosper, yf not by me, yet by
som other that hir majesty shall apoint more fytt. For very
fezeable yt ys at this present, yf God putt into hir majesties
hart to procede in geving hir good countenance to them. I dare
undertake this v yeres they werr not in so good towardnes of
well doing as synce they tasted
<P 141>
of her majestys good favour, which God Almighty styll contynew
her in toward them.
   I am thretned to be used as the prince of Orang was, but I am
at a point for that, and yet, yf yt be founde that hir majesty
wyll go thorow with all how many soever shalbe so delt withall,
they wyll leave those practyces. I besech you procure a gracious
lettre, first to the count de Meurs, and next to coronell
Shenkes, who hath notably deservyd synce my coming; he hath now
donn iij exployttes uppon the enymye synce I cam to the Hagu,
and he desyers nothing more than to have her majestye know his
good hart toward hir. The count de Meurs, whome som call
Newener, ys lykwyse very greatly affected to hir majesty, and he
ys the best protestant that I here of in all these partes, and
doth most earnestly deall in causes of relygyon. And those at
Utrycht begynne excedingly to encreace in relygyon, who werr
lately the worst of all these provinces. Even synce my coming
they have shewed great frutes of yt; and so hath some other
places, also, that lyved newtraly before. The mynesters begynn
to be bolder than then they durst be before hir majesties
authoryty was here, for fewe did care for relygyon in dede, and
they have prospered accordingly, but only the meaner sort, and
God be thanked they be manny, and the work of God doth appeare
in them, by ther trade of lyfe from all others. The mynysters be
not many lernyd, but those that be ar very honest and dylligent,
and I am perswaded, within vj months, you shuld heare that these
provynces wylbe equall with any countrey for religyon, they doe
so dayly encreace.
   Thus, for this tyme, meaning to goe to morrow toward
Amsterdam and so to Utrycht, I wyll byd you farewell; in much
hast, trusting shortly to send you more as good newes as this.
At the Hag, this xxvij. of February.
   Your most assured,
   R. Leycester.
   I pray you bear with my scrybling; this berer can informe ye
of
<P 142>
all our state here. I wold hir majesty had many such, and so
able men, and of lyke good wyll. 
[\ADDRESSED,\] To the right honorable my very good frend sir
Francis Walsingham, knight, principall secretary to her majesty.

<Q LEY 1586 RDUDLEY>
<A ROBERT DUDLEY>
<P 145>
[} [\LETTER LI. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO THE LORDS OF THE
COUNCIL. 1ST MARCH 1585-6.\] }]
   My very good lords, I remember, a while ere my cominge over,
upon certayne requestes and articles delivered over to the
councell-boarde by the governor of the marchaunts-adventurers
for enlargment in some respect of theire priviledges, theire
booke was committed to the view of her majesties solliciter and
attorney, whose aunswere and advice thereupon had, fyndinge the
sute reasonable and allowable, I movyd her majestie, in the
marchauntes behalfe, in hope to have obteyned that desyred; but,
ere her highnes pleasure knowne thereof, I departed thince
towards these contries, leavinge yt unresolved. Now, forsomuch
as the marchaunts of Myddleborowe have made earnest sute unto
me, declaringe how diverslye there trade is hyndered, and they
endomaged,
<P 146>
by thindirect and coullorable dealings of interlopers and
disorderlye bretheren of theire societie, contrary to the trewe
meaninge and construction of the priviledges by her majesties
charter geven them; which they could not remedye, unlesse by the
favor of her majestie they might be assisted to bare a hande and
hynder sutch disorderous courses; consideringe theire demaund
founded on reason, and knowinge the sarvice duringe theire
beinge a corporation doun to their prince and contrie, also
theire willing readines to continew in the lyke, thought good to
recomend theire cause unto your lordships, most earnestlie
desyringe [\you\] to be so favorable unto them as to deale so
effectuallye with her majestie that theire longinge and wished
desyre may take effect, and your lordshipps shall not only, in
my opinion, do a good deed, but also bynd them to do their
indebvor by all meanes to be most readye allwayes at
commaundment. Wherwith, expecting some good aunswere from you, I
ende, and comytt your lordships to the tuition of thalmightie.
From Harlem, this first March, 1586.
   Your lordshippes to commaunde,
   R. Leycester.
[\ADDRESSED,\] To the moste honorable my very good lordes the
lordes of her majesties most honorable privy councell.

<Q LEY 1586 RDUDLEY>
<A ROBERT DUDLEY>
<P 147>
[} [\LETTER LII. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY
WALSYNGHAM. 1ST MARCH 1585-6.\] }]
   Mr. secretarye, I wryte presentlye to my lords of her
majesties counsell, in the behalfe and for the furderinge of the
marchaunt-adventurers sute, touchinge the inlargment of theire
priviledges. The cause is to you sufficientlie knowne, and of
yourself recommended, for the good-will you bare them, and yett,
thinkinge that my commendation may stand them in some steed unto
you, I was willinge, at theire sute, by a fewe written lynes to
desyre, that, the rather at this my request, you will stand
theire honorable freend in preferringe theire booke and
petition, and speake so effectually with fytt oportunitie, that
her highnes graunt may the sooner passe. And, besydes the good
which you shall doe unto them, which I am sure they will
indebvor themselves by sarvice to desarve, I shall also take yt
very freendlye, and wilbe as willinge to pleasure any at your
desyre in the lyke or otherwyse. Wherewith I ende, and commytt
your honour to the tuition of the Almightie. From Harlem this
first March, 1586.
   Your lovinge assuryd freend,
   R. Leycester.
[\ADDRESSED,\] To my honorable freend sir Frauncys Walsingham,
knight, her majesties chief secretarye.

<Q LEY 1586 RDUDLEY>
<A ROBERT DUDLEY>
<P 148>
[} [\LETTER LIII. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY
WALSYNGHAM. 3RD MARCH, 1585-6.\] }]
   I have received intelligence this day, from a very honest man
that hath remayned in Bruges tyll now he ys retyred to
Myddelborow, that ther ys a man, called Hyman, somtyme pencyonar
of Bruges, and was the dealer for the Fleminges in London v or
vj yeres agoe. Thys Hyman ys now sent by the prince of Parma,
into England, to some servyce of his, and hath undertaken
somwhat. He was once an offycer of the councell of state here
among them, and did than great servyce for the king of Spain,
for which he ys much esteemed. And this man that hath dyscovered
this ys one that redd with his eyes the offer this Heman made to
the prince for his servyce in England, and therin used wordes
which did shew that matters of great secresye had passed from
him when he was in England. You shall do well to enquire for
him, and yf he be ther, you may be bold to clapp him upp. I
understand credybly, that the Prince fedes himself in great
jolytye that hir majesty doth rather myslyke than allowe of our
doinges here, which, yf yt be trewe, lett hir be sure hir own
suete self shall first smart, and, as I hear, he doth now
provyde accordingly. Fare you well, in all hast, at Harlem, this
3. of March.
   Your assured,
   R. Leycester.
[\ADDRESSED,\] To my honourable good frend sir Francis
Walsingham, knight, her majesties principall secretarie.

<Q LEY 1586 WCECIL>
<A WILLIAM CECIL>
<P 152>
[} [\LETTER LVI. LORD BURGHLEY TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 6TH
MARCH, 1585-6.\] }]
   My very good lord, I shuld be ashamed greatly for not oftenar
wrytyng to your lordship of late, having receaved so manny from
yow, but that I have an excuse more sufficient than I lyke of,
which also this beror can inform yow of.
   Since Mr. Hennadg was sent from hence, who tarryed very long
at the sea-cost, for want of convenient wynd, hir majesty wold
never be content to have to any speeche of the state of thinges
nedefull to be knowen for your chardg. I have not desisted to
move hir to gyve eare, but she contynued hir offence as in no
sort I cold attayn to any answer mete to be given to your
lordship. And now of late having had a myshap by a fall, wherby
I have bene and still am to kepe my bed, I have at sondry tymes
wrytten to hir majesty. I have also sent my mynd by Mr.
vice-chamberlen, who hath ernestly vsed my name to hir majesty,
specially to send monny and men to supply the broken bandes, but
no answer to purpooss can be had, and yet I mynd not so to cess,
but, being pushed thereto with conscience and with care of hir
honor, yea, of her savety, I will still sollicit hir majesty,
hopyng that God will move hir to harken to necessary motions,
pryncipally for hirself.
<P 153>
   Now, my good lord, though I can gyve yow no answer to many
thynges, for lack of her majesties good disposition, yet I will
remembre the matters conteaned in your lordships lettres, and
wryte somewhat therof, in another paper her included, with my
mans hand, because, in very truth, the payne of my broosed forad
dishableth my hand to wryte as I wold.
   My lord, I imparted to hir majesty the secret offer made to
yow for to yield to hir majesty the gayn of xxx or xl=m= pounds
by the yere, for the permission to coyne the ross-nobles ther,
but hir majesty wold not be tempted therwith; and suerly, my
lord, I marvell how such a gayn can be made therof, for though
for a reasonable porcion to be coyned there, at the first
uttrance the same might be uttred for great gayn, yet when ther
should be any plenty, the gredynes of them will be stayd, and
the trew vallewe wold be knowen, and the estymation would abate.
   It wold be knowen to what quantitie he wold monthely or
quarterly coyne, and if it should be taken in hand, and within a
few months quayle for want of uttrance, the matter wold be evil
spoken of, to erect up a coynadg in a forrayn country of our
currant monny; but if the gayne might be suer, the proffit wold
answer the speeche. As I may heare more from your lordship, so
will I procede herin.
   And so I tak my leave of your lordship, praying yow to take
in good part my devyding of my lettre, by wryting part with myn
own hand and part with my servantes.
   From the court at Greenwych, the 6=th= of March, 1585.
   Your lordships allways assured,
   W. Burghley.

<Q LEY 1586 WCECIL>
<A WILLIAM CECIL>
<P 154>
[} [\LETTER LVII. LORD BURGHLEY TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 6TH
MARCH 1585-6.\] }]
   An awnsweare of divers matters mentioned in sondrie lettres
of the erle of Leicesters.
Lettres sent by Mr. Davison, 1=o= Feb.
   I have informed hir majestie, that his lordship is assured
that theire maye be shippes and mariners enough to be hired to
serve hir majestie uppon reasonable warning, whearein is
required to be understood, what nombres of shipps of warre may
be had to joine in consort with hir majesties shippes uppon the
seas, and wheather it be not ment the same shall be at the charg
of the states, otherwise hir majesty hath noe meaning to
increase hir charge; and though, at the first, it was thowght
meete, for supplie of our lacke of mariners, to hire sum from
thence for the navie of Englande, yet nowe, my lord-admirall and
the officers doe resolutelie awnsweare, theie will never have
anie mariners, being strangers, to be matched with the Englishe.
As for the request that M=r=. Davison might retorne, I find noe
likelood to geve your lordship anye hope thereof.
<P 155>
   The awditor Hunt hath shewed a forme of an accompt of the
treasurer for the expence of the treasure delivered to him,
which commeth to lij=m li=, with v=m li= delivered to M=r=. John
Norris at the beginning. In this accompt theare [\are\] sondrie
thinges dowbtfull, spetiall for manie paimentes made by the
treasurer withowt anie warrant either from M=r=. Norris or from
your lordship. Theare is, also, noe good reckoning made by the
treasurer of the v=m li= first delivered to M=r=. Norris, whie
the same is not repaid by the states; neither of such monie as
he hath laide owt for the pioners serving the states; other
particular dowbtes theare be whereof M=r=. secretarie hath made
a colleccion, which shall be, either by Hunt the awditor or sum
other, sent over thither to be awnsweared; but that which I waie
more of than all this is, that I find certainelie, uppon the
vewe of this accompt, that the treasurer had not sufficient for
a monethes paie before the end of Januarie, so as he lacketh
both for Februarie and for this present moneth of Marche, for
which purpose it is more than good time the treasure weare on
the waie thither.
   I have informed hir majestie of the 200,000 florins accorded
to be monethlie paid by the states, to be clearelie expended,
besides discharge of their former debtes, and the charges of the
sea; thes thinges weare mentioned in the former lettre.

Lettres of 2. February.
   A matter concerning coinage shall be awnswered in a lettre of
mine owne handes, yet your lordship shall understand what
bargaine hath been made heare before the threasurers departure,
with him and alderman Martin, that is, that hir majesty should
be awnsweared for the coinage of everie pownd, vizt. of gold in
rozenobles, the summ of xxx=s=, wheare before theare ware paid
for the coinage but vj=s=. so as nowe the encrease is
xxiiij=s=., which by reckoning cometh in tale to x=d=. for every
xx=s=., that before was but ij=d=.; thus much for matters of the
second lettre.
<P 156>
Lettres of the 3d. February.
   Concerninge the levienge and sending of 1000 pioners, of
[{whom{] one hundred to be miners, bicause I thinke it weare
verie necessarie for your service theare, I have furthered it
the best of my power, but howe it proceadeth your lordship shall
understand from M=r=. secretarye.
   That which your lordship writeth of the comte of Embdens
affection to Spaigne I am sorie to thinke it to trewe, although
since your lordships departure from hence the comte sent
spetiall lettres to hir majestie, with grevous complaintes
against the Hollanders by spoilinge of his people with their
shippes in the river of Emps, requiringe hir majestie to write
hir lettres to the states in Holland to reforme the abuses of
their shippes and men of warre, with an offer to showe his good
will to the cawse which hir majestie had taken in hand for them,
and, for this purpose, hir majestie wrote hir lettres unto him
of cumfort to procure the redresse, and lettres to them of
Holland to performe the same; at which time, also, theare weare
lettres written to your lordship to [{take{] sum meanes to
compound the same controversie betwixt them, [{all{] which
lettres as I thinke Ortellius had to send into Holland; what was
done thearebie I knowe not, but yet, within a few daies, Ortell
reported, that all thinges weare well compounded betwixt [{the
states{] of Holland and the comte, and so I thought thei had
been, untill nowe that I doe otherwise understand from your
lordship, as likewise sir Thomas Shurlee reporteth the same.

Lettres of 12. February.
   I find that our merchant-men doe greatlie misuse themselves
in enhaunsing up the prices of armour theare, and, according to
your advise, I wishe the provision that is to be made for hir
majestie might be made from thence with your assistaunce.
   Your lordship writeth to have one Seburo, a Spaniard that is
a presonar heare, to be delivered in exchange for the sonne of
the bailif
<P 157>
of Dort, whearein what to awnsweare your lordship at this time I
knowe not, for that theare hath been great motion made to
procure for him the deliverie of Stephen le Sire, which I thinke
M=r=. secretarie hath furthered. And if he might free them both
[{it{] weare noe ill bargaine for England, for that Seburo is a
man of small valeue to do either good or hurt, onelie his
kin[{sman{] the governour of Dunkirke doth desire him for
frendshipp.

Lettres of 15. February.
   Your lordship moveth to have our merchantes to trade into
Holland with theare cloathes, and also with theire woolles,
which thing hath been moved unto them heretofore, and theie of
the staple for wooll have alledged, that theie have noe hope to
have anie great vent for theire woolle, considering theie have
had good quantetye of theire woolles lieng long at
Middleborough, for the which, theie saie, thei never could have
vent but to their great losse: and I moved them to change their
staple to Brill, according to the request of the towne of Brill
sent hither the last sommer by M=r=. Davison, but I could not at
that time induce them to loke thereof. Nevertheles, I will
assaie them nowe uppon your lordships newe motion, with the
offer of the Hollanders that theie will leave draping of the
Spanish woolles and occupiours, whearebie I thinke, in truthe,
our woolle maie have good utterance. For the
merchaunte-adventurers, I will also deale with them for theire
trade thither, with theire cloathes, considering neither
Hamborough nor Embden are fitt places for them as the worlde
shapeth, but I feare the greatest lett will be, that theire will
be noe safe passag for theire cloathes to be carried upp into
Germanie by the river of the Rhein, speteallie considering the
towne of Newmeggen is in the enemies hand, and the convoies of
such against the streame will be subject to dangers in divers
places, being waited for by the enemie: but if our merchantes
could be content to keape theire martes in thes Lowe Countries,
withowt seeking to conveie them upp into Germanie themselves, it
is likelie that both
<P 158>
Italians and Germaines would com into thos cuntries and buie
them at the first hand themselves, and by meanes of safe
conductes would make theire passages free. By this your lettre,
also, your lordship doth confirme your opinion of the comte
Embden to be Spanishe.

Lettre of the 18. of February.
   I was glad to perceive that your lordship hath obtained a
grawnt of 100,000 florins more for fowre monethes, and yet I am
gladde to understand, by report of sir Thomas Shurleie, that yt
should be 200,000, so as then your lordship shall have by the
moneth xl=m li=. sterling, which surelie is a great yeld, and an
argument of the liking of your government. I am glad, also, that
you have obtained the erecting of the howse of finances,
whearein I dowbt not but you have men of sufficient conning for
the guiding thereof: but I feare theire subteltie, for theire be
noe people can better skill to make a gaine of coinage than thos
Lowe Countriemen.
   In that your lordship is so desirous to have sir William
Pelham theare, I thinke you have great reason, for, in truthe, I
knowe noe one man borne in England of more sufficiencie than he
is, but the lett of his not comming I thinke this bearer can
fullie informe yowe, which, for my part, I have sowght to
remedie in all that I can, as well for the releef of the
gentleman himself, as for the proffit of the service that might
growe by his being with you.
   I am glad that yowe have the use of my brother Killegrewe,
who, as he is of great experience, so I knowe he doth of verie,
meere affection towardes your lordship serve theare at this
time, which otherwise noe reward could provoke him, such desire
I knowe he hath to live privatelie and unoccupied.
[^THE REST OF THE LETTER AUTOGRAPH^]
   My good lord, in this sort hytherto have I eased myn own hand
to releve my evill forhed. And now, since sir Thomas Shyrleys
<P 159>
coming, which was on Fryday at night, I must leave to hym to
send yow report of his actions. Hopyng, that, within some few
dayes, he shall have more matter to wryte of than that he hath.
And so I end at this tyme, overcom with feare of sham that I may
have to wryte but on lettre, to so manny as I have receaved from
your lordship, and manny of them of your hand: but the fault is
not lack of good will to wryte oftenar, if oftenar I might have
a subject of matter. I dout not but by M=r=. secretory your
lordship doth understand of the proceadynges both forward and
syde-wey in Scotland, of which variete truly the cheff cause
cometh from hence. God amend it, whan it shall please hym to
thynk us worthy of better. From the court at Grenwych the 6. of
March, 1585.
   Your lordships assuredly, as anye,
   W. Burghley.

<Q LEY 1586 RDUDLEY>
<A ROBERT DUDLEY>
<P 162>
[} [\LETTER LIX. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO THE LORDS OF THE
COUNCIL. 9TH MARCH, 1585-6.\] }]
   My verye singuler good lords, I am to render most hartye and
humble thankes unto you, for that, I am informyd, hit hath
pleaside you to be meanes to hir most excellent majesty, to
quallyfye hir hard conceatt agenst my pore servyce donne here.
   I wyll not excuse myself of a great fault, that I dyd not
first aquaint her highness before I dyd accept this office, and
to receave hir good pleasure therin, but what I may alleage for
myself I trust Mr. Davison hath delyvered, or elles hath he
greatly both deceaved me and broken promys with me. How ernest I
was, not only to aquaint hir majesty, but, imedyatly, uppon the
first mocion made here by the states, to send him over to hir
majesty with my letters and his report of the whole state of
these matters, I dowbt not but he wyll truly affyrme for me,
yea, and how farr ageinst my wyll it was, notwithstanding any
reasons delyvered me, that he and others persisted in, to have
me accept first of this place. Albeyt, I must confes, all that
he dyd, presuming the exstremytye of the cace to be such as he
thought himself fully hable to satysfie hir majesty, as a matter
either than to be taken without all delaye or to fall utterlye
to the ground, and his knowledge therof I know to be farr beyond
myne, having byn contynewally
<P 163>
beaten here among them, long before my coming, and most carefull
was he to bring all to the best pass for hir servyce. Uppon
which exstremytye of the cace, as yt was, and being perswaded
that Mr. Davyson might better have satysfyed hir majestie than I
perceave he can, caused me, nether arrogantly nor
contemptuouslye, but even merely and faythfully, to doe hir
majesty the best servyce. And as I say not thys to worke any
blame to Mr. Davyson, whose most sincere honest minde toward hir
servyce I must acknowledge, so yet may I not leave so greatt a
conceatt remayne in hir majestyes minde of my undewtyfullnes,
whan I did not only remember my dewty as I have told you, but
dyd urge the performance therof as I have wrytten. But my
yelding was my none fault, whatsoever his perswasions, or any
others, might be, seing the reasons be no more acceptyd of hir
majesty than they be; but farr from a contemptuous hart, or
elles God pluck out both hart and bowelles, with utter shame.
   And finding hit thus hardly to light uppon me, which I
thought should have wonne a more favorable constructyon, the
doing having wholye tended to the advauncement of hir majesties
most honorable servyce, as all men here hath and doth see, I doe
most humbly besech your good lordships, to contynew your good
favors towards me, and to wey whereuppon hir majesties offence
hath groen, only uppon presuming to much of hir good opinion of
my fidellytye toward hir, and partly by Mr. Davisons over-great
slacknes to have answered soner and better for me, as he
promysed he wold. And being greatly dyscouraged, albeyt I could
allege for the cause and place very much to satysfie your
lordships for my honest servyce therby to hir majesty, yet wyll
I not seme to travell ageinst the groundes of hir majestyes so
depe conceatt, but leave yt to God and your lordships most
frendly medyation to conceave, that I am hir most loyall
faythfull bondman, and had never ether contemptuous or unworthy
thought of hir sacred majesty, but as becam so bounded a servant
and subject as I am, and
<P 164>
ever wylbe to hir, lett hir use me as shall please hir. And, yf
withowt offence and with hir favour, hit ys not only the leaving
of this place I shall humbly desier, but to serve hir majesty
where elles soever by my humble and dayly prayer, which shall
never ceas for hir most happie preservacion and long
contynewance, finding myself very unfytt and unable to wade in
so weighty a cause as this ys, which ought to have much more
comfort than I shall ether find or desarve. Thus, beseching God
to bless and govern all your councelles to his glorye and hir
majestyes best servyce, I humbly take my leave. At Harlem this
ix. of March, 1586.
   Your lordships most assured pore frend,
   R. Leycester.
   As far as I can perceave, hir majesty doth think, that by
this place I tooke I have engaged hir in some further sort than
she was before, but your lordships shall find, I did both forsee
that, and ther ys no such cause to think yt; for yt ys most
certen, ther ys no more donn on hir majestyes parte than hir
owne contract doth bynd hir, only she hath hir own servant to
comaund here, whear some one other must, which wold, I think,
more have myslyked hir.
[\ADDRESSED,\] To the right honourable my very good lords, the
lords of her majesties moste honourable privye counsaile.

<Q LEY 1586 RDUDLEY>
<A ROBERT DUDLEY>
<P 165>
[} [\LETTER LX. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY
WALSYNGHAM. 9TH MARCH, 1585-6.\] }]
   Mr. secretary, I thank you for your letters, though you can
send me no comfort; I trust God wyll not leave those that meane
truly, and trust in him. Hir majesty doth deall hardly to
beleave so yll of me. Hyt is true that I faulted, bycause I dyd
not advertyse hir majesty first or I shuld take such an
authorytye uppon me, but she doth not consider what comodyttyes
she hath withall, and hirself no way engaged for yt, either one
way or other, as Mr. Davison myght have better declaryd yt, yf
yt had pleasd him. And I must thank him only for my blame, and
so he wyll confess to you, for, I protest before God, no
necessyty here could have made me leave hir majesty unacquantyd
with the cause before I wold have acceptyd of yt, but only his
so ernest pressing me, with his faythfull assured promys to
dischardge me, howsoever hir majesty shuld take yt. For you all
se ther, she had no other cause to be offended but this, and, by
the Lord, he was the only cause, albeyt yt ys no suffycyent
allegacion, being as I am.
   And as for the importance of the cause I did adventure, so
considering the importance of hindering the cause thorow the
dyspleasure that doth fall uppon me, hit had byn an honest part
yet to have lett hir majesty know how ernest I was, and how
resolute,
<P 166>
to acquaint hir with the cause or I would have taken the place;
and hit could not have had any blame almost, doing yt, as he did
indeede, for hir great servyce, and assuredly all had byn lost
yf I had not than acceptyd of yt as I dyd, and, accepting yt as
I dyd, with my former resolucyon and myndfullnes to advertyse
hir, he had, I think, saved all to have told hir, as he promysed
me. But now yt ys leyd uppon me, God send the cause to take no
harm, my grefe must be the less; though yt toucheth me as nere
as doth hir majesties so hard dyspleasure, yet have I no way, I
thank God, tyed hir majesty to any inconvenyence by my
acceptance. How farr Mr. Henneages comyssion shall deface me
here I know not; he ys wary to observe hys comyssyon, and I
content withall. I know the tyme wylbe hir majesty wyll be sorry
for yt. In the meane tyme I am to to wery of the high dygnyty, I
wold any that could serve hir majesty werr placed in yt and I to
sytt down with all my losses.
   I assure you, uppon my fidelity, I have spent and leyd out
for hir majesty's servyce above 11,000=li= sterling alredy, in
these iij months. I thought yt wold have served me v months
longer here. I tell you truly my howse alone hath cost me a
1000=li= a month, and some month more. I have also payd hetherto
v=c= and l. men; of my owne purse these, and furnyshed them of
my none chardges. And for the horsmen, I am sure all these
countreys enymyes, or other, have not such vj=c=. horse as I
have. I receavyd but for iiij=c=. as you know, and I have payd,
both for the other ij=c=. and, synce I cam hether, a c. and l.
more; so that I have above iij=c=. and l. that myself hath
raysed, above the iiij=c=. hir majesty payd for at London. And
all this ys lyke to light uppon me, instead of better happ. I am
sure ther hath not a gentleman past hence, ether of my none or
otherwyse, but the least hath had x=li=. some xx=li=., some
xxx=li=., and the most xx. Well, so I might have gott any more
money for my land that ys left, I wold as well have spent more,
for ther be many here have spent much.
   But, sir, whatsoever become of me, gyve me leave to speake
for
<P 167>
the pore soldyeres. Yf they be not better mainteyned, being in
this strang countrey, ther wyll nether be good service donn, nor
be without great dishonour to hir majesty, and the less she
shall send at once the more unproffytable for hir, and she shall
find yt so, and xx=m li=. to send now, I doe assure you yt ys
all dew alredy, and you se what lettes you have by the wynd.
Ther was no soldyer yet able to buy himselfe a pair of hose, and
yt ys to to great shame to se how they goe, and hit kills ther
hartes to shew themselves among men. Well, you se the wantes,
and hit ys one cause that wyll gladde me to be rydd of this hevy
high cauling, and wyshe me at my pore cottage ageyn, yf any I
shall find. But, lett hir majesty pay them well, and apoint such
a man as sir William Pellam to govern them, and she never wann
more honour than these men here wyll doe, I am perswaded.
   For newes, I wrote you of late that Shenkes had taken a town
and castle in Westfalia called Werl. Synce that, the enymyes of
that countrey gathered together, both the gentlemen and ablest
men, and offred a kind of siege of the towne, but Shenkes
issewed out and sett uppon them, slewe that [\there\] ley ded in
the fild 2500 persons; he toke a great nomber prisoners, among
which wer 25 of very good cauling, and the ij chife captens
beside. Surely this ys a noble fellow, having done this he fecht
in all ther vyttells, and vytteled the towen and castell, and
left a good garison, and putt himself now safe into Nuse, which
we doubtyd to be besiged shortly. Ostend ys thought wylbe
beseged, but I fear yt not.
   Thus, having spent my paper and all my news, I betake you to
God, &c. At Harlem 9. March.
   Your assured frend,
   R. Leycester.
[\ADDRESSED,\] To my honorable good frend sir Francis
Walsingham, knight, principall secretary to her majesty.

<Q LEY 1586 RDUDLEY>
<A ROBERT DUDLEY>
<P 177>
[} [\LETTER LXIII. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY
WALSYNGHAM. 17TH MARCH 1585-6.\] }]
   Mr. secretorye, touching Pointes, of whome you wryte, I am
sory he is sent any other waye. I delivered him an hundred
poundes, and he promised me to have gone into the enemyes campe.
And so, with my harty commendacions, fare you well. From
Amsterdame the xvij. of Marche.
   Your very loving frende,
   R. Leycester.
[^POSTSCRIPT AUTOGRAPH^]
   I am forst to use a secretary, but yet, perhapps, you wyll
not very plainly understand whome I meane; hit ys Anto. Poyntz,
whome I sent over to gyve you knoledge how I had imployed him to
the enymyes camp, a matter of most nede for me, and I mervelled
that I never hard from [{him,{] and within these iiij. days, my
nephew Phillip told me he received a letter from him that you
had sent him into Spayn, whereof I am hartyly sorry, having
greatly dysapointyd me, having not one to suply that place nowe,
and a great tyme lost, also, that you dyd not at the first gyve
me knoledge of yt.
[\ADDRESSED,\] To my honourable good frende Mr. secretory
Walsingham.

<Q LEY 1586 FWALSINGHAM>
<A FRANCIS WALSYNGHAM>
<P 178>
[} [\LETTER LXIV. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF
LEYCESTER. 20TH MARCH 1585-6.\] }]
   My verry good lord, theire is [{all con{]venient speed used
in the prepa[{ration{] and putting in a ready[{ness{] the money
resolved on by her majestye to bee sent over, which I am sorrye
fawleth not owt in proportyon large as the necessytie of the
servyce requirethe, so that your lordship, contrarye to your own
lyking, shall be forced to stand uppon a defencyve warre: yt
wyll be verry discompfortable to the people of thos contryes,
espetyally when they shall see there townes lost, which your
lordship for lacke of hennowghe assistance, shall not be able to
prevent.
   Suche gentlemen as your lordship appoynted to levye men ar
tyred with long attendaunce here, for that her majestye cannot
be drawn to resolve therin. Her awnswer is, that shee wyll see
an accompt of thos allreadye sent over, before she yeld her
assent to the sending over of any more, I shewed un[\to\] her
highness the hard estate the towne of Grave stands in, which
coold not be releeved withowt an encrease of forces, which moved
your lordship to presse my lords of the cownsell here to take
some care for the speedye dyspatche of the gentlemen. I dyd also
shew unto her, that the losse of that towne woold woorke some
changing in the peoples hartes, when they shoold see themselves
subject
<P 179>
to lyke misfortune as they were before her majestye tooke uppon
her to protect them. But nothing that can be alleaged can drawe
her majestye to yeld to any thing that tendeth to the
furtheraunce of the servyce there, otherwyse then led by mere
necessytye.
   I fynde her dysposed to lyke that certeyn cashed bandes in
Ierland, uppon dowbt that otherwyse they wyll put her to some
charge here, shall be transported into the Lowe Countreys, so yt
may be don withowt her burden. I have caused Mr. Davison [\to\]
sette downe with what charge the same may be performed, which I
wyll send unto your lordship.
   Seing her majestye is no better dysposed to send over her
owne subiectes, I thinke your lordship, in case you resolve to
contynewe your servyce there, shall doe well to take part of the
master of Grayes offer, whoe, as my cosyn Randollph sendethe me
woord, sendethe an expresse gentleman unto your lordship to
knowe your lordships resolutyon therin. I fynde the gentlemen
that your lordship hath appoynted to make the levye are lothe to
take upon them that charge with the allowance of xx=s=. the man,
and herof your lordship shall doe well, in case her majestie may
be drawen to assent that any levyes shall be made here, to move
the states to increase the somme.
   By the inclosed copy of sir Edward Staffordes letter your
lordship shall see, howe resolutely the king ther is bent to
prosecute the warre, with the uttermost of his power, agaynst
thos of the relygyon.
   Ther hath ben certeyn offers made unto her majestye, and by
her rejected, and yet of no great charge, that carryed great
probabylytie
<P 180>
to have withstoode both Godes and her enemyes. I praye God, the
lacke of fealing and compassion of others myseryes, doe not
drawe uppon us hys heavye hande; to whos protection I commyt
your lordship, most humbly takyng my leave. At the coorte, 20.
Marche, 1585.
   Your lordships to commaunde,
   Fra. Walsyngham.

<Q LEY 1586 FWALSINGHAM>
<A FRANCIS WALSYNGHAM>
<P 184>
[} [\LETTER LXVI. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF
LEYCESTER. 21ST MARCH, 1585-6.\] }]
   My very good lord, thincloased hath of late [{been{] written
unto me by the duke of Nevers, conteyning a r[{equest{] , as
your lordship may perceave by the same, that, by my means, the
subjectes of his dutchy may obteyne licence to be served of
salte for their owne necessarye use out of the countryes of
Holland and Zelland, with sufficient ca[{ution{] that the sayd
salte shall by no meanes come into the [{hands{] of thenemy. The
nobleman is one to whom I [{was{] greatly behoulding in the tyme
of my imployement [{in{] Fraunce, for the which I would be glad
to shew [{my{] self thanckfull towardes him with any service I
[{can{] do him, which moveth me earnestly to pray your lordship,
that, uppon consideracion of the said request, and communicating
of the same to the states, yt may please you to returne an
aunswer unto me, whether yt [{can{] be graunted or no, to thend
I may accordinglye satisfye the duke, according to his
expectacion and myne owne promise. And so I humbly take my
leave. At Grenwich the xxj=th= of March.
   Your lordships to commaunde,
   Fra. Walsyngham.

<Q LEY 1586 FWALSINGHAM>
<A FRANCIS WALSYNGHAM>
<P 185>
[} [\LETTER LXVII. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF
LEYCESTER. 21ST MARCH, 1585-6.\] }]
   My very good lord, there are einowe here who [{having{]
knowledg that hir majesty is intent that there shalbe a [{levy{]
made in Ireland for the states, have offered ther services
[{to{] take that chardg uppon them, nevertheless understanding
[{from{] sir Thomas Shirley that your lordship meant the sayd
chardg unto sir [{William{] Stanley, I have theruppon geven all
others their answer. And, because your lordship, as I suppose,
cannot well spare sir William Stanley himself from thence, to
come and make the sayd leavye [{in{] Ireland, I have thought
good to move you in the behalfe of Mr. Dautry, who offireth his
service in that imployement. He may, withall, have the chardg of
lieutenant-coronell [{for sir{] William Stanley of thes Irish
troopes. The gentleman [{is{] one that loveth sir William
Stanley well, who I heare [{doth{] also make verye good accompt
of him. I have conferred with him about the chardges of the
leavy, his demaund is [{three{] pound a man, and myn offer but
fifty shillinges, he sayeth, [{that{] part therof may be
defalked out of their enterteynment, [{and{] he telleth me, that
two thousand maie well be had out [{of the{] countrie where he
is to make the leavy, by meanes of [{sir{] Henry Harringtons
credit, who is hable to make up [{two{] thowsand.
<P 186>
Yt may please your lordship to returne aunswer of [{the{] states
disposicion, whether they can be content to be servid with
[{that{] country people, and how many they are willing to
enterteyne; [{and{] what chardges they shall yeld to allowe for
the leavyeng of them.
   The master of Gray hath lately sent one captain Tiry hether,
[{to{] sollicit your lordships aunswer to thoffer he hath
hertofor made to [{find{] fower or fyve thowsand Scottes to the
service of the states under your lordship, with direction ether
to stay here or to passe [{over to{] your lordship for this
purpose, as I should advise him. And, for I am uncerten how your
lordship may be resolvid touching your continuance or
discontinuance in that service, uppon occasion of the late
accident that hath fallen out, I have therfor directid the party
to stay untill I may heare from your lordship, wherof I pray
your lordship to [{be{] myndfull, for the better satisfaction of
the master. And so I now humbly take my leave. At Grenwich this
xxj=th= of March.
   Your lordships to commaunde,
   Fra. Walsyngham.

<Q LEY 1586 FWALSINGHAM>
<A FRANCIS WALSYNGHAM>
<P 186>
[} [\LETTER LXVIII. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF
LEYCESTER. 24TH MARCH, 1585-6.\] }]
   Your lordships of the 3. of this [{present{] sent by your
servant Wyllyam, I have receyved, by the [{which{] you desyre
<P 187>
that an eye be [{given{] unto Iman; yt may please your lordship
to understand, that Iman, abowt a two monthes past, was at
Callas, and sent over for a save-conduct, which being denied
unto him, he stayed his commyng into this realme.
   I doe daylye sollycyt her majesty for the lycensyng of sooche
gentlemen as were recommended by your lordship to make ther
levyes of [{such{] nombers as were by you appoynted, but she
delayethe her resolucyon therin untyll she heare from sir Thomas
Henneage, whos letteres are not yet come to this coort, thowghe,
as I understande, master Vavaser, to whom they were commytted,
was dyspatched from thence the 10=th= of this present. Mr.
Warde, whoe was dyspatched thence about that tyme, arryved the
xx=th=. He imbarked at the Brill, and Mr. Vavaser went to
Flusshing, wharby he lost the benefyt of the wynde.
   By letters of 17. of Marche owt of Scotlande, we heare, that
the king there dothe yelde all satysfactyon unto her majestyes
mynister, Mr. Randolphe, and contrarye measure unto the Frenche
kinges mynister, which he takethe in extreme yll parte. I wyll
send your lordship the coppie of soche letteres as we have
receavyd from Mr. Randolphe, whoe receyvethe at the kinges
handes far better usage then he looked for. I praye God this
opportunytye be not lost, as others before have ben. I fynde a
greater cowldenes then the state of the present time requyrethe.
   The Spanishe preparatyons, as they reporte that came from
Lysbon the x=th=. of this present, wyll prove nothing this
yeare, and I hope lesse the next, yf yt be trewe that is wrytten
also from the Spanishe coorte to an Englyshman in Andelesya. The
substaunce [{is\] , that sir Francis Drake hath 6000 Semironets
repayred unto him, whoe have chosen and crowned him king, and
that he hathe great store of them sure. I doe not desyre to be
awthor of thes news for that methinkes they are [{too{] good to
be trewe.
<P 188>
Somewhat I am induced to belyve them for that Don Antonio de Cas
[\...\] , late imbassator for the cardynall-king of Portugall,
hathe [{made{] , by letters dyrected unto my[{self{] , some
overture for a peace, wherein he desyrethe to be imployed, for
that he fyndeth the king of Spayne, as he saith, desyerowse
thereof. I [{would{] to God her majestye woold put on a good
cowntenaunce for only fowre monethes, and I dowbt not but Spayne
woold seake peace greatly to her majestyes honor and advantage.
But God for owre synnes sake wyll not suffer us to doe that
which myght owre most good. And so I most humbly take my leave.
At the coorte the 24=th=. of Marche, 1585.
   Your lordships to command,
   Fra. Walsyngham.

<Q LEY 1586 RDUDLEY>
<A ROBERT DUDLEY>
<P 188>
[} [\LETTER LXIX. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO THE LORDS OF THE
COUNCIL. 27TH MARCH, 1585-6.\] }]
   My verie good lords, althoughe I doe expect her majesties
good pleasure daily for my revocacion hence, yet will I not
waie,
<P 189>
in the meane time, neglect my duety to my service in the charge
committed by her highnes to me, nor leave your good lordships
unadvertised what hath past since my last letters, which as I
remember was from Harlem upon the arryvall of sir Thomas
Heneage, before whoes coming I had determined this journey to
Utrecht, and was onward so farre in my waie.
   And, for that sir Thomas Heneage would not proceed with any
resolucion here with the states touching his commission, till he
had received againe hir majesties pleasure, nor yet thought good
I should staie my journey, bycause it was of verie great
consequence, and the assembly of all our souldiers that maie be
spared owt of garrison, as well horse as foot, appointed here by
a certein daie, I did follow the former determinacion
accordingly, the rather being commaunded by her majestie to take
my direccion from sir Thomas Heneage, who in any wise wished me
to proceed on, till I should hear again from her majestie. So I
went to Amsterdam, and there remained iiij or v dayes, and from
thence hither to Utrecht, where I am taking order for the
present service now to be sett foorth, which is for the releef
of a town called Grave, a place of verie great importaunce. We
have other places to deale in like sort with, as also to doe
what I can to drawe thenemies forces owt of Brabant and Flanders
hitherward, which it is like they will, for the defense of such
fortes as they have left garded, and by which indeed they doe
besiege Grave, albeit they have layed no battry to it, for there
be five skonces that they built abowt it before I arryved here:
yet have I by stelth intelligence from thence, and, upon some
good oportunitie, have cawsed it to be both vitteiled and 300
men putt into it, notwithstanding their skonces: and now I hope
it shalbe fully releeved. I have sent the horsemen alredie
onward, being 1500, very strong. The footmen are also marching
to the randevous, and wilbe there too morrow night, all of them,
being dryven to separate them for a time, and, till the service
of Grave be past, our horsemen lie at a village called Nycark,
and our footmen at Amaron.
   Now am I most ernestly to recommend to your good lordships
<P 190>
the nedefull estate of the capteins and souldiers here. I have
ben driven to borrow for their relief and for this journey, to
helpe them, 4000=li=. of the merchantes of Middleburghe, and
what I have disbursed of mine own purse is not unknown here, I
thinke, to all men. I would the full estate of the disbursing of
her majesties treasure heretofore were certeinly knowne to your
lordships. I wishe it for sundrie respectes, but it will requier
a very skillfull man to examine it. Her majesty cannot loose by
it &c., and yt wold be a very good satysfactyon to me. And thus,
prainge to the almighty God to preserve all your good lordships,
do take my leave. At Utrycht, this 27. of March.
   Your good lordships always to comaunde,
   R. Leycester.
[\ADDRESSED,\] To the right honourable my verie good lords, the
lords of her majesties most honourable pryvie councell.

<Q LEY 1586 FWALSINGHAM>
<A FRANCIS WALSYNGHAM>
<P 190>
[} [\LETTER LXX. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF
LEYCESTER. 28TH MARCH, 1586.\] }]
<P 191>
   Your lordships of the ix=th= of [{this present{] and of the
xx=th=, the one sent [{by{] Mr. Vavisor, the other by [^NAME NOT
GIVEN^] , I have receyved.
   The choyce of Mr. Vavasor, [{who is{] a person very agreable
unto her majestye, hathe wrowght in [{her{] a better conceipt
towardes your lordship then any other sent from the[{nce{] .
Besydes, the gentleman hath performed the charge commytted unto
hym by your lordship in so goode sorte as owre stormes begin to
caulme, so as I hope I shall have cause to chaynge my style,
which heretofore hath ben verry dyscompfortable unto your
lordship. Her majestye hathe not yet read the letters browght by
Mr. Vavisor, being trobled with an exstreeme cowld and defluxion
into her eyes, so as she cannot indure to reade any thing.
   The treasure departs hence to morrowe, but no increase of the
somme, nor non doe I looke for, howesoever the stormes be
overblowen. Yf the inconvenience lykely to insue therbye be not
helped thorrowghe sir Francis Drakes good successe, which is a
matter accydentall, I feare your lordship shall receave very
scarce measure from hence, for you wyll not beleve how the
sparing humor doth increase uppon us.
   The audytor retornethe with the threasure, whoe is dyrected,
with sooche assystaunce as your lordship shall thinke meate to
yeld unto him, to examyn strycktly the imparfect items of the
threasorers accompt, who, yf he shall not yeld good
satysfactyon, as I thinke he can in no sorte performe, then is
yt meant that he shall no longer supplye the place.
   Ther are letters wrytten unto hym, that he shall make no
dysbursementes but as he shall be dyrected by your lordship,
and, yf he shall doe contrary wyse, he can no way be dyscharged,
for that withowt your lordships warrant he owght to make no
payement.
<P 192>
   Towching the governement of the Bryll, which your lordship
wyssheth unto the lord Northe, I fynde her [{majesty{] most
resolute that sir Thomas [{Cycell{] after the recoverye of his
[{health{] shall returne thither. I think she coold lyke better
of the removing of sir Philip Sydney [{towards{] whom she hathe
put on a very hard conceypt. The lord thresorer dothe
some[{what{] complayne that there hathe ben better contentement
yelded to other garrysons then that of [{the{] Bryll, which I
fynde he taketh unkyndely. Of late her majestye shewed me a
letter wrytten from sir Thomas Cycell, to as goode purpose in
defence of your lordships acceptinge of the governement as any
other I have seene wrytten by any thence.
   The opynion of my partyalytie conytnewethe noryshed by
factyon, which makethe me weerye of the place I serve in, and to
wysshe myself emongst the trewe harted Swy [^EDITOR HAS NOT
IDENTIFIED THE ABBREVIATED NAME^] . And so in hast I most humbly
take my leave. At the coorte this xxviij=th= of Marche, 1585.
   Your lordships to commaunde,
   Fra. Walsyngham.
   The inclosed towching Ryngowt cam from a person of good
credyt, and therfor your lordship shall doe well to have an eye
to his doinges.

<Q LEY 1586 WCECIL>
<A WILLIAM CECIL>
<P 196>
[} [\LETTER LXXIII. LORD BURGHLEY TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 31
MARCH 1586.\] }]
   My very good lord, although of late many crossees or stormes
<P 197>
have happened to trooble your lordships mynd, to the hyndrance
of the commen utillite of the servyce of God and of hir majesty
in that countrye, yet sence your conscience doth testefy and
warrant your doynges to have bene ment for the furderance of the
weale therof, and the successes also, exceptyng the thwartes
from hence, do make good proffe that your actions do prosper, I
wish your lordship to contynew your disposition, and to comfort
yourself with your own integrite, which God will not have
oppressed, though he may exercise your patience, and prove the
fortitude of your mynd to contynew well-doyng and suffer
reprooff for a time. Thus much for a small preface, and now to
the matter.
   I dout not but this bearor shall come with some better
satisfaction, both for yourself and for the cause, than the
enemyes therof have looked for. Suerly unto Mr. Vavasor cam, we
here that ment well both to yourself and the cause found dayly
litle comfort, and yet suerly your frendes here did not omitt
any opportunite. But, uppon such conference as I had with hym,
of the doutfull state of that country, I, in presence of Mr.
secretory, used some boldnes with hir majesty, and protested to
hir as a counsellor, that for discharg both of my conscience and
of my oth of hir counsellor, I cold not forbeare to lett her
know, that this couers that she held ageynst your lordship was
lyk to endaunger hir in honor, suerty, and profitt; and that, if
she contynued the same, I prayed hir majesty that I might be
discharged of the place I held, and both afor God and man, be
fre from the shame and perill that I sawe cold not be avoided. I
used boldly such bold language in this matter as I found hir
dowtfull whyther to chardg me with presumption, which partly she
did, or with some astonishment of my round speche, which truly
was no other than my conscience did move me, even (\in
amaritudine animae\) . And then hir majesty began to be more
calm than befor, and, as I conceaved, redyar to quallefy hir
displesur and hir opinion. And so, finding sir Thomas Shyrley
redy to wryte, about three dayes past, I willed hym to advertise
your lordship, that I douted not
<P 198>
but that matters wold not contynew in that evill state wherin
they were; and so, as he can tell yow, he did wryte, but stayd
the sendyng therof on daye, in which tyme, to my great greff,
lookyng for some good resolution, I and Mr. secretory found hir
gon backward, as on that had bene by some adverse counsell
seduced, to thynk that all shuld do well in those countryes
though your lordship war displaced; and so he with greff stayd
his wrytyng.
   But yet, I did not thus leave the matter, and so, yesterday,
Mr. secretory and I aventured very boldly to declare our
censures of perill to come, which no councell nor action shuld
recover, and hereuppon, we obteyned a favorable answer, though
not to our full lykyng, but yet such as she commanded to put in
wrytyng, and so we war therin occupyed. And then, unlooked for,
cam a letter of your lordship to Mr. vice-chamberlen, wherewith
he made hir majesty acqueynted, and she told hym, that she had
declared hir resolution to Mr. secretory and me, and so willed
hym to come to my chamber, and so he did, and there we fyndyng
some new occasion to seek a better resolution of hir majesty, we
all three went to hir majesty, and there I told hir very
playnly, that I did see that if she used not spede to content
the states and the people of those countryes, she wold not only
lose them, but hir honor in the world, and she shuld fynd
certenly as gret daunger from those countryes, as she had looked
for comfort. Herewith she was greatly troobled, and so being
thereto moved, she assented to do any thyng that she might with
hir honour.
   In fyne, we moved hir to assent that your lordship shuld
contynew your office for some tyme, untill the state of the
matter might be better consydered by hir, and so letters were
appointed to be spedely wrytten, both to your lordship and the
counsell of the states, and that Mr. Shyrley might be sent awey
with all spede. And whan the letters war redy wrytten, came
Poyntes from Mr. Hennadg, with letters from your lordship to me,
includyng a letter to hir majesty, which I spedely delyvered
with such good speches as in honesty becam me for your excuse.
She red your letter, and, in very truth, I found hir princely
<P 199>
hart touched with favorable interpretation of your actions,
affyrming them only offensyve to hir in that she was not made
prive, not now mislykyng that you had the authorite. Suerly I
had cause, and so I did, commend hir pryncely nature, in this
sort, of allowing both of yow for your good intention and
excusing yow of any spott of evill meaning. And having hir
majesty in this sort calmed, though it was not possible to mak
your lordship amendes, yet I thought good to hasten hir
resolution, which your lordship must now tak to come from a
favourable good mistress, for so truly she doth profess, and yow
must stryve with your natur to throw over your sholders that
which is past. Thus your lordship seeth I have bene somewhat
long, to shew you the course to bryng this honest gentleman, sir
Thomas Shyrley to this messadg, who suerly hath very honestly
behaved hymself for your lordship, and truly so hath Mr.
vice-chamberlen, and Mr. secretory, and bydden many stormy
speches. And now I will write no more hereof, but of some other
particular advises, the consideration whereof I leave to your
lordship as leisure may serve yow.
   My lord, untill the state of the queenes army by muster book,
and hir monthly charges, may appear more cleare, here will be no
further meanes for any more monney. At this present ther is paid
24,000 (^l.^) and that, added to hir majestyes former chardg of
52,000 (^l.^) maketh 76,000 (^l.^) which some hir majesty doth
often repeat with gret offence.
   My lord, I am very glad to see a disposytion of sendyng some
shippes from thence to impeach the Spanish king towards his
Indyes. It is a matter that many yers past I did project to the
princes of Oranges ministers to have been attempted. We here
that sir Francis Drake is a fearfull man to the king, and that
the king cold have been content that sir Francis had taken the
last yers flete, so as he had not gone forward to his Indies. We
here that he hath taken seven rych shippes on the coast of the
Indyes. I wish they war saf in the Thamiss.
<P 200>
   We ar here troubled to understand, that from Hamborg, and
Dansk, Lubeck, &c., there ar a gret nombre of hulkes laden for
Spayn, and do meane to pass about Scotland and Irland, as some
of them did this last yere, which they do attempt to avoyd all
steyss in our narrow seas. I wold to God your flete, now
intended from these countryes, cold mak a good prize of them,
for so shuld the king of Spain be unhable to defend his seas, or
to offend any other.
   My lord, wher yow wryte to me of that yow heare of
Champygnyes arantes, I will tell yow what I know thereof, and
what els is knowen to any other, I cannot wryt of. There is an
Itallion merchant in Antwerp that pretendeth acqueyntance with
Champigny, and he hath wrytten hither to another merchant to
know, whyther hir majesty can be content to come to peace with
the king of Spayn. The answer is made, that, by the publication
published, it is to be sene wherfor hir majesty hath sent hir
forces into the Low Countreys, and, if the king of Spayn shall
satisfye hir majesty in honor, accordyng to hir protestation, by
restoryng to these countryes liberty and peace, and remove all
men of warr from thence, and restore to hir own subjectes ther
losses, she can be content to heare any honorable offer from the
king, and otherwise, she myndeth to persist in defence of hir
neighbors, and recovery of hir subjectes losses. This answer is
made by wordes only, but not from hir majesty, and whyther
Champigny will any farther procede I know not, but suer I am, he
hath no cause to make any avant hereof, and I trust ther nede
shall mak them sooner yeld than any cause to come of this
answer.
   It may be that ther are other lyke motions made to hir
majesty, but I thynk suerly hir majesty myndeth not to show any
yelding, for, God be thanked, she hath no cause but to expect
the yelding to come from the king of Spayn and his mynisters.
   And, wher your lordship wryteth, that the comming of my son
from the Bryll in this tyme may brede some dowt in mens
concepts,
<P 201>
suerly, my lord, sir Thomas Shyrley can tell yow, that, uppon
his report of his sickness, with daunger not to recover without
changyng the ayre to come into England, the queens majesty
hearyng therof, without any motion of me, commanded Mr.
secretory to send hym hir licenss, with all possible spede, and,
as I understand from hymself, he is much discomforted with the
noysomes of the place, wher the water is not only brakkish, but,
being heated on the fyre it stynketh. He also fyndeth the town
in a manner utterly unfurnished of ordonnance, and without
powder and bollets, so as, in very truth, it was as good out of
hir majestyes handes, by reason of the chardg, as to have it
only in a name. But how this should be remedyed I know not, for
hir majesty will not yeld to any more chardg, and I see the
states unwillyng to paye that which they ow; and by a clause in
the treaty, they ar bound to furnish both the towns of Flushyng
and Brill uppon your lordships demand, as hir majestyes
governor-generall, and, if there be any hope furder, it must
procede from your lordship as governor of the provynces with the
counsell of the state. I thynk sir Philip Sidney hath also some
want of ordonnance, but nothyng lyk to that of the Brill, wher
ther ar not above seven peces, few ynough for one bullwark, but
the daunger is not to be feared as long as your lordship shall
prosper in your government. My son, also, brought thyther two
hundred footmen and tifty horss, but he never cold get penny for
them, nor on penny to that garrison sence he had the chardg; and
yet it may be that hath had some help of late, for the tresorer
did wryte that your lordship gave hym order to help them with
some monny. I am now in dowt to wryte any furder for troublyng
of your lordship, knowing how infinitt your occupations be to
wryte and to reade, besides contynuall actions.
   By such letters as shall come from hir majesty you shall fynd
as much comfort from hir majesty as you have receaved
discomfort, though ther be gret differencees in the effect, for
the former I know hath depely wounded your hart, and these
cannot sodenly
<P 202>
synk so low as the wond is, but your lordship must add to this
your own fortitud of mynd. And so I most hartely wish yow to be
strengthened by Godes speciale grace.
   Your lordships most assuredly,
   W. Burghley.
   31. Martii, 1586.

<Q LEY 1586 RDUDLEY>
<A ROBERT DUDLEY>
<P 202>
[} [\LETTER LXXIV. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY
WALSYNGHAM. MARCH OR APRIL, 1586.\] }]
   Sir, I have mett with dyvers letters and inteligences that
the pope hath greatly labored some desperatt persons to doe
vyolence to hir majesty. The prince of Parma of late dyd use
very brode speches, saying, that he dyd not fear the Englyssh
ayd, yt wold not contynew many wekes, meaning hir majesties
lyfe. I wold not putt yt into my letters for yt wold [\fear\]
hir majesty I know, albeyt I doe not mystrust yt, yf you hold a
good course at home. God hath and wyll defend hir, I dowbt not,
but gett hir from London into som countrey well affected for
this somer, and the soner the better. Woodstock wer a good
place, and a holsome, or to Farnam, for yt ys hard for any
suspected persons to com so farr but som or other wyll gyve
knoledge; and, as I hear, hit ys plent now to use some
straunger, and, under collor of merchants, to make sute at the
court, and an Italian that cam iiij days past from Antwerp told
me, that a dere frend of his declared to him,
<P 203>
that ther wer two jesuyttes of Bruges, one a Walloun, and the
other of those partes lykewyse, had undertaken a great
enterprise in Englond, and did say they had pretences inow to
com to the court. I am promysed they shalbe dyscrybed to me, but
you must banyshe your popish Low Countreymen that suckes all
honye ther and be lazy drones and worse, and lett good wach be
leyd among the merchantes for such ij fellowes. They be yong
men, and seme as merchantes, but very lewd and wyked. I besech
you, for Godes sake, lett no respect of comodyus lying about
London cause hir saftye to be neglected, and albeyt she is in
all places in the handes of God, yet yt ys good to advoyd the
most lykliest places for harme. Ther be few careful about hir.
And you kepe hir tyll Mychelmas, by the grace of God, all ys
past for those thinges.
   Yf hir majestie meane to use my servyce, I trust you will
send som boddy, that yt may appere here to men that you sett a
lytle more store by me than hetherto ther ys cause for them to
think, for ther was never yet so much as a letter wrytten to any
person here of any thankes for those curtesies I had received
before you hard any thing of this place. And, how yll soever hir
majestie may conceave of me, yet these men have deservyd great
thankes for there good wyll to hir, as ever any people could
doe. And these many letters you must remember; first, to the
states generall, than to the councell of estate, and one to the
councell and towen of Utryght. I wold fayn have more but I fear
yt wyll hinder the rest. The rest may be hereafter.

<Q LEY 1586 WCECIL>
<A WILLIAM CECIL>
<P 204>
[} [\LETTER LXXV. LORD BURGHLEY TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 1ST
APRIL 1586.\] }]
   My very good lord, aftir that I had yesterday wrytten my
letter unto yow, being perswaded that sir Thomas Shyrley shuld
tak his leave that morning, as hir majesty promised over night,
whan she also agreed uppon certen letters redy to be signed, as
they war joyntly by Mr. secretory [{and{] me devised to content
hir, I went to London, and comyng back this morning, I found by
Mr. secretory a chaung of the former nightes resolution
alltogither very absurd and perilloose.
   And so this morning, at sermon tyme, we cam to hir majesty,
and, for myn own part, I told hir majesty, that I marvelled she
should so chaung to the worss, but, after manny argumentes, she
yelded [{to{] alter ageyn to hir formar resolution, as by the
letters sent both to yourself, to sir Thomas Hennadg, and to the
counsell of [{the{] states, may particularly appeare, which,
though all be [{not{] as I wold, yet it is as neare therto as
hir majesty [{can{] be brought unto; for wher hir majesty, by
hir alteration yesterdaye, wold have yow assembled the generall
states, and [{upon{] ther advise to have gyven you a quallefyed
power, without any other title than as hir lieutenant, I found
that both peri[{lous{] and absurd, and therfor did draw to this
form, that yow [{should{] contynew in your office untill the
counsell of states cold devise how to quallefy this matter. And,
for that I presume that [{they{] cannot in any congruete, nor,
with the good quietnes of ther state, devise any such, I rest
satisfyed in opinion [{that{] the country shall contynew
<P 205>
in your government, for the m[{ost{] benefitt of the country
itself.
   My son is at Gravessend, but not hable to com to the court; I
am sorry of the cause of his comming. He sendeth me word, that,
for want of monny, he hath left a lamentable company of his
soldiers at Bryll, and he hath disbursed of his own so much, as
he cam home with v=li=. The tresor is redy to be imbarked this
evening. From Grenwich, (\primo Aprilis\) , 1586.
   Your lordships most assured,
   W. Burghley.
[\ADDRESSED,\] To the right honorable my very good lord, the
erle of Leicester, lieutenant and governor-general of her
majesties forces in the Low Contryes.

<Q LEY 1586 FWALSINGHAM>
<A FRANCIS WALSYNGHAM>
<P 205>
[} [\LETTER LXXVI. MR. SECRETARY WALSINGHAM TO THE EARL OF
LEYCESTER. 1ST APRIL 1586.\] }]
   My very good lord, I pray [{that{] the compfort you now
receyve
<P 206>
come [{not{] to late bothe for your selve and [{the{] cause. I
never knewe her [{majesty{] better affected towardes you
[{than{] she seemethe to be nowe, [{and{] , for that she dothe
now testefye [{the{] same unto you by her letter wrytten with
her owne hand, I shall not need to dwell uppon that matter. I
pray [{that{] this favor may be accompag[{ned{] with effectes by
well farth[{ering{] of the cause.
   She h[{ath{] alreadye assented to the [{levy{] of
voluntaryes, but [{still{] she wyll be fownde strayte [{in the{]
supplye of threasure. [{Your{] lordship shall doe well by your
letters to herselve to lay [{before{] her the dysproffyt she
[{receiveth{] by sending over threasure [{in such{] scant
measure as ther [{can be{] no full paye made. The [^NAME NOT
GIVEN^] that regardethe more his pu[{rse than{] his dutye
lykethe better of [{credit{] then of thorroughe paymentes.
   I may not forget to tell you, that sir Thomas Henneage hath
dealt towardes your lordship [{like a{] most honest faythefull
gentleman, having left nothing undon, by letters and message,
that might woorke your good towardes her majestye, whom, next
after God, I doe assure your lordship I thinke you have cause to
esteem to be a pryncypall instrument in the recovarye of her
favor, in that compfortable measure you now receyve the same.
This I wryte uppon verry goode grownde, to the ende your
lordship may use the gentleman with that thankefulnes that
apperteynethe, and as he worthely deservathe.
   Poore Mr. Davyson dothe take yt verry grevowsely that your
lordship shoolde conceyve so hardly of him as you doe, whoe I
doe beleve, by the great protestatyons he hathe made unto me,
hathe acquyted himselve honestly towardes your lordship. I fynde
the conceapt of your lordships dysfavor hath greatly dejected
him. At sooche time as he [{arrived{] her majestye was so
incensed agaynst your lordship as all the argumentes and orators
in the world could not have wrought any satysfactyon; and yt
[{may{] be ther hathe ben some [{yll{] reporte made unto your
lordship of the poore gentleman from [{hence.{]
<P 207>
   At the tyme of her majestye [{sig{]ning of the dyspatche she
let me understand, that Rawley, hearing of some [{rumours{]
geven owt here in coorte [{that{] he had ben an yll
inst[{rument{] towardes her agaynst [{your{] lordship, dyd
humbly desyre [{to{] have ben sent awaye w[{ith this{]
dyspatche, to the ende [{he might{] have justefyed himselfe
towardes your lordship, in case [{any{] sooche synister
[{information{] had ben gyven unto you agaynst him: which her
[{wish{] was that I shoold signe[{fy unto{] your lordship, and
to assure you, [{upon{] her honor, that the gentleman hathe don
good offices [{for you{] , and that, in the tyme of hir
dyspleasure, he dealt as earnestly for you as any other in this
world that professythe most good wyll towardes your lordship.
This I wryte by her majesties commaundment, and therfor I praye
your lordship to take knowledge therof, in suche sorte as you
shall thinke good.
   Touching the qualyficatyon her majesty so greatly affectethe,
I woold to God yt could be brought to passe accordingly as she
desyrethe, but I feare sooche a motyon at this present may breed
in the peoples heades there somme unnecessary jealowsye;
espetyally for that yt can not be don withowt an assembly of the
states generall. For her majesties contentement yt shall be well
don for the counsell of estate to sett downe sooche reasons as
may shew the inconveniences lykely to insue uppon sooche a
motyon, and to delyver them unto sir Tho. Henneage at the tyme
of his departure from thence. And I dowbt not but [{your{]
lordship wyll in tyme doe yo[{ur{] indeavor to brynge this to
[{pass{] which her majesty desyrethe, [{and that{] you wyll by
your next [{letters{] put her in compforte [{thereof{] , yf your
lordship shall see [{any{] lykelyhode to perfor[{m the same{] .
   Ther are dyvers here [{frequently{] with me to know what
[{allow{]aunce will be gyven for [{the{] levye of voluntaryes,
wherein I woold be glad to know from your lordship [{how{] to
answer.
   The gentleman that the [{master of Gray{] sent unto you
meanethe to repayre [{unto{] you owt of hande [{for{] your full
resolutyon towching his masters [{offer{] .
<P 208>
   The lord-admyrall com[{plaineth{] that the commyssions your
[{lordship{] grawntethe to her majesty[{es sub{]jects which
hawnt those [{countries{] dothe woorke somme [{prejudice{] to
his jurysdyetyon. He [{would{] be lothe any waye to offend your
lordship, and wyll be [{ready{] , for the savyng of his ryght,
to grawnte hys commyssyon to any that your lordship shall
recommend unto him.
   Towchyng the party that is gon to Spayne, whom your lordship
wysshed rather to have ben imployed emongest the malcontentes,
yt grewe of himselfe, uppon a conceypt that, being recommended
by the kyng of Spayn unto the prince of Parma, he shall be the
better able to serve your lordships torne.
   And so, prayeing your lordship to exscuse thes scrybled
lynes, wrytten with bothe a tyred head and hande, I most humbly
take my leave. At the coort, the fyrst day of Aprill, 1586.
   Your lordships to commaund,
   Fra. Walsyngham.
[\ADDRESSED,\] To the right honorable my very good lord thearle
of Leicester, lieutenant-generall of her majestyes forces in the
Lowe Countreys.

<Q LEY 1586 FWALSINGHAM>
<A FRANCIS WALSYNGHAM>
<P 221>
[} [\LETTER LXXXI. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF
LEYCESTER. 11TH APRIL 1586.\] }]
<P 222>
   My very good lord, as I have alwaies thowght, sythence your
lordships first entrie into the charge you now howld, the
assystance of sir William Pelham most necessarye for your
lordship, so have I just cause, wayghing the late mutiny
happened at Utreck by a bande perteyning unto coronel Norryce,
to thinke the removing of the one as necessarye as the placyng
of the other. I see some reason to dowbt that the grownde of the
seyd coronells caryag of himself towardes your lordship grew by
practyce from hence. The nurishing of factyon at home and
abroade is thowght here the best coorse of pollecye, but the
myschefe yt wyll breed I feare wyll prove irreparable.
   I fynde, as your lordship wrytethe, that the partyes that doe
chefely possesse the coronell are but bad instrumentes, thowghe
I must neades confes that I have ben a chefe preferrer of somme
of them unto him. I woold to God that with his valewe and
courage he carryed the mynde and reputation of a relygyowse
sowldyer. The chefe exsperyence and nuryture that he hathe
receyved in the warre hathe ben in thos contryes where neyther
dyscyplin-mylytarye nor relygyon carryed any swaye, and therefor
yt hathe tawght him nothing elles but a kynde of a lycensyowse
and corrupt governement, sooche as being weyed eyther in
pollecye or relygyon can never prosper. I wyll, therfor, doe my
best indeavor, as well in respect of the cause as for the honor
and love I professe to bare unto your lordship, to procure the
speedye sending over of sir William Pealham, hoping that, nowe
your lordship standeth in verry gratyowse termes with her
majestye, she wyll be pleased, for your sake and her owne
servyce, to send him over.
   I feare your lordship shall be greatly dysapoynted in the
leavye of the voluntarye men, bothe in respect that many of the
partyes appoynted by your lordship to make the seyd levyes have
no
<P 223>
abylytye nor meanes to furnishe them, as also for that there are
verry harde brutes geven owt here of evyll usage of sowldyers
there, and of the great pauwryll and exstremytye they endure. Yf
your lordship coold fynde the meanes to furnishe the master of
Graye with an imprest of 2000=li=, to be sent hether, he myght
be able to bryng over with him 3000 footmen and 200 lyght horse.
I am of opynion that your lordship shoold be more readyly served
from that, than owt of this realme. Besydes the imployment of
that natyon in thos cuntryes (the same being with the good
allowaunce of the king) cannot but greatly further and grace the
cause, for, as I am informed, the brute thereof, as also that
there shoold be an offre made of certeyn reysters to be sent by
the king of Denmarke to serve under your lordship, doth verry
greatly troble the prince of Parma. The provysyons of money
promysed him owt of Spayn faule not owt accordyng to his
expectatyon.
   The enterpryse of sir Francis Drake layethe open the present
weakenes of the king of Spayn, for of late he hathe sollycyted
the pope and the dukes of Florence and Savoye for a loane of
500,000 [\Ducats\] , but cannot obteyne neyther the whole nor
parte of the sayd somme. The Genuoyse merchauntes that were wont
to furnishe him with money in tyme of necessytye, for that they
feare a revolt of the Indians, begyn to drawe backe.
   The repayre of thos of Bomel and Deventrye unto your
lordship, to offer themselves ther servyce and obedyence unto
her majestye, dothe shewe most manyfestly, that yf the cause
myght have ben thorrowghly countenaunced, the most part of the
provynces now possessed by the enemye woold have revolted er
this. But we heare are so greadye of a peace, in respect of the
charges of the warres, as in the procuring thereof we neyther
weyghe honor nor savetie. Somewhat here is a dealing under
hande, wherin ther is great care taken that I shoold not be made
acquaynted withall.
   I wyll not fayle, according to your lordships request, to
take order for the apprehensyon of Salesberye immedyatly uppon
his
<P 224>
returne hether. I have alwaye held a dowbtfull opynion of him,
having received somme informatyons ageynst him that gave just
cause of suspytyon. According as your lordship desyerethe I have
an espetyall care of sooche letters as your lordship desyerethe
to have pryvat to myselve, and therfor am perswaded that parte
of the adverticement your lordship maketh mentyon of, taken owt
of somme letter of yours sent hyther, was, I dare assure your
lordship, owt of non of thos sent unto me, and therfor I praye
your lordship caul to mynde to whom you dyd wryte to lyke
effect. For the proceadings in Fraunce and Scotlande I refer
your lordship unto the inclosed coppyes, and so I most humbly
take my leave.
   At the coorte, the xj=th= of Aprell, 1586.
   Your lordships to commaund,
   Fra. Walsyngham.
   Sir Art. Basset, and Sir Jhon Chichester, and thre justices
more in Devonshire, are dead thorrowghe the infectyon of the
gaole. Baron Flowerdewe, one of the justyces of that cyrcute, is
also dead. The takyng awaye of well affected men in this corrupt
tyme shewethe that God is angrye with us.

<Q LEY 1586 FWALSINGHAM>
<A FRANCIS WALSYNGHAM>
<P 229>
[} [\LETTER LXXXIII. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF
LEYCESTER. 21ST APRIL, 1586.\] }]
   My verry good lord, [{I am glad to perceive the{] great
chaynge
<P 230>
in your lordships letters, the one wrytten the v=th= the other
the vij=th= of this present, the fyrst full of dyspayre in
respect of the harde coorse helde here, the other full of
compfort uppon the receypt of her majesties gratyous letters,
and the happye success in the late conflyckt with the ennemye. I
doe assure your lordship I think her majesty tooke as muche joye
uppon the viewe of your letter, in seing you restored to your
former compforte grownded uppon her favor, as she dyd [{in{] the
overthrowghe of the enemye.
   Her highness is now pleased that [{a{] comyssyon be gyven for
the levy of the 300 men in northe . . wherin before she made
great dyffycultye. She hathe also commanded that all dylygence
be used in the sending over of the voluntarye men. I dowbt
greatly for lacke of money the captain wyll not be able to levye
them, and yf your lordship, besydes the imprest of the 1000=li=
I caused sir William Stanley to be furnyshed withall, doe not
also gyve order for a supplye of 500=li= to be sent unto him, he
shall never be able to brynge them of Irelande. He cannot get
them to be transported under xx=s= the man.
   I am earnestly desyred by Mr. Edward Dyer to move your
lordship that his brother Andrewe, thorrowe your good favor, may
be allowed after xx=s= the man for sooche nombers as he shall
bryng over. The states have offered unto him, by Mr. Ortell,
only xiij=s= iiij=d= the man, wheras in verry deede they cannot
be sett owt in that good sorte yt were fytt under xxx=s= the
man; and yt were muche better to have an armye compounded of
10,000 well furnished men, then 15,000 in sooche slender sorte
as heretofore they have been sent from hence. I doe heare, by
somme come from thence, that the harde allowance now made for
the levyes intended hathe growen owt of coronell Norryce advyce,
whoe notwithstanding, as he himself towld me, hathe ben allowed
by the states heretofore for all manner of charges after the
rate of . . . the man, which is verry skant.
   To the ende your lordship may see what instrumentes are used
<P 231>
in owre medyatyon of peace, I sende you the coppyes of certeyn
letters by good happ come to my handes. I have let her majesty
understande howe dangerowse and dyshonorable yt is for her to
have sooche base and yll affected mynisters used therin.
Norryce, the controwlers man, is bothe a notable papist and
hathe served Mounsyer heretofore as a spye. Yf eyther your
lordship or myselfe shoold use sooche instrumentes I knowe we
shoold beare no small reproche: but yt is the good happ of
hollow and dowbtfull men to be best thowght of. But, to returne
to the desyred peace, your lordship shall understand that
Grafini, sometymes Spinolas servaunt, having ben of late at
Antwerp is nowe returned, whoe reportethe that the prince of
Parma, understanding that he was to returne into England, sent
for him, and, after long speeche had of the awntyent amytye
betwen the howse of Burgundye and this crowne, the great
myschefe that bothe contryes were lyke to indure by the coorse
nowe held, and of the great good wyll he bare unto her majestye,
he prayed him to let eyther her majestye or somme of her
cownsell understande, that, althowghe he myght be thowghte more
inclyned rather to contynewe the warres then to affect peace,
yet no man woold be more wyllyng then himselve to be a medyator
therof, and, for that purpose, yf he myght understand that her
majestye wold lyke therof, he woold send somme well chosen
instrumentes unto her to make some sooche overture in that
behalf as she shoold have cause to lyke of. He dyd, for the
incoragement of Grafyni, assure him that the king shoold bestowe
some honorable rewarde on him, so as he coold bryng the same to
passe that some myght be sent over with her majestyes good
lykyng. He dyd, also, let him understande that Champigny tooke
uppon him [{too much{] in the matter, and that he had
intellygence with some person of qualytye within this realme
[{of{] the same, but that he dyd not lyke that he shoold be a
dealer therin, but woold rather imploy a contryman of his owne.
This myche have I receyved from her majestye towching Grafyinis
proceading, wherwith her plesure was I shoold acquaynt your
lordship, whoe doth
<P 232>
think meet that you shoold, yf you shall see no cause to the
contrarye, acquaynt the cownsell of the state there, that
certeyn overtures for peace are dayly made unto her, but that
she meanethe not to proceade therein without ther good lyking
and privyty, being perswaded that ther can be no peace made
profitable or suer for her that shall [{not{] also stande with
ther savetye, [{and{] that she dothe acknowledge [{hers{] to be
so lynked with thers as [{nothing{] can faule owt to ther
prejudyce but she must be partaker of theire harme. Her pleasure
ys, that you shall not acquaynt them with the partycularyties of
the overture, but woold have you deale with them in generall
termes, usyng the matter in sooche sorte as they may not enter
into any jealouse conceypt of any alyenation of her good meaning
towards them.
   I am glad that Kerseys trechery was dyscovered in tyme; I
praye God ther be no more of that crewe as lewdly dysposed as
he. I feare the lyttle hope that owre martyall men have of
rewarde wyll drawe somme of them to fayle in their dutye, and
therfore yt wyll behove your lordship to have a watchefull eye
of the looser sorte of the capteyns. But, to returne ageyn to
the peace, seing her majesty is so inclyned unto yt, and is
fownde altogether unapt to prosecute the warres, I cannot but
wyshe your lordship to be a pryncypall dealer therin, as well in
respect of your own honor as that I hope yt wyll be performed
with bothe honorable and profytable condytyons: wheras I dowbt,
yf yt passe to others hands, yt wyll not be so carefully dealt
in.
   I cannot but let your lordship understande that the
lord-chamberlyn hathe dealt verry honorably and frenly towards
your lordship of late, in causyng Weldon, sometyme pensyoner, to
be punished for delyvering, as he is charged thowghe by him
denyed, lewd speeches of your lordship. I fynde that bothe the
lord-admirall and he doe take yt verry kyndly that your lordship
dothe wryte so at large unto them, as you have of late don.
<P 233>
   Her majestye dothe longe to heare what is don uppon the last
dyrectyon geven to sir Thomas Henneage. I praye God owre nyce
dealyng therin doe not more harme, in respect of the lewde
brutes geven owt there, then may afterwarde be well repayred.
   I cannot but put your lordship in mynd to returne your speedy
awnswer to the master of Graye, towching the imprest I last
wrote of, for the levye. I wyll seeke to satysfye the duke of
Nevers towching the salt, in sooche sorte as he shall
notwithstanding thinke himselve behowlding unto your lordship.
   The Flusshingers have dealt hardely bothe with the 
lord-admyrall and me; wee shall be forced, for the relefe of
Thomson, to take some other waye of redresse. Eyther her
majestye must increase her garyson in that towne, or elles ther
must be somme devyce to imploye thos rude barbarouse maryners in
some longe vyage. And so, fearing I have over-tyred your
lordship with thes scrybled lines, I most humbly take my leave.
At the coorte, the xxj=th= of Aprill, 1586.
   Your lordships to commaunde,
   Fra: Walsyngham.

<Q LEY 1586 FWALSINGHAM>
<A FRANCIS WALSYNGHAM>
<P 236>
[} [\LETTER LXXXVI. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF
LEYCESTER. 25TH APRIL, 1586.\] }]
   My very good lord, the news browght by sir William Russell
was verry welcom unto her majestye, yet dyd she not greatly lyke
to be pressed for the supplye of horsemen agreable with the
contract; she styll harpethe after peace, bothe in respect of
charges, as of some dowbt she hathe that somewhat wyll be
attempted ageynst her own person, and, therfor, seing she dothe
so greatly thirst after yt, I cannot, as I wrote unto you in my
former, but
<P 237>
wyshe your lordship to be a chefe dealer therin; yt were a grete
wronge, consydering the brunte and burden of warres your
lordship susteynethe, that peace shoold be made withowt you. Yt
were not amysse that your lordship tooke somme apt occasyon, by
your owne letters unto her majestye, to let her understand no
les.
   I have let my lords here understande, how unkyndly your lord
ship takethe yt that you heare so seldom from them, and that
sythence your charge there you never receyved any letter of
advyce from them. They awnswer, as yt is trothe, that, her
majestye reteyning the whole dyrectyon of the causes of that
contrye to herself and sooche advyce as she receyvethe
underhand, they knowe not what to wryte or to advyce. She can by
no meanes, as I have heretofore wrytten unto your lordship,
indure that the causes of that contrye shoold be subiect to any
debate in cownsell, otherwyse than as she herself shall dyrect,
and therfor men forbear to doe that which otherwyse they woold.
   I sende your lordship sooche thinges as were yesterdaye
propounded to ther lordships in cownsell, with theire
resolutyons taken thereuppon. Mr. Dawtrye tellethe me, who
attendethe here by sir William Stanleys appoyntment, your
lordships resolutyon towching a further supplye of money besydes
the 1000=li= alreadye delyvered unto sir William Stanley, that
they cannot be conveyed owt of Ireland under xl=s=. the man. The
only transportatyon will cost a 1000=li=. Yf your lordship
cannot drawe the states to yeld that allowance, then were yt
meet sir William Stanley were speedyly made acquaynted withall,
to the end he may forbeare further proceading.
   I learne by letters owt of Flawnders, that the enemye
meanethe to sende all his forces towardes Guelderlande, in hope
to drawe you to a fyght, which I hope your lordship wyll geve
order that the same shall be avoyded, unles yt shall be uppon a
mervaylowse advawntage. Yf an overthrowghe shoold happen yt
woold put in hazarde the whole cause, for we are not armed here
with that constancy that shoold endure sooche a revers without
dysmay.
<P 238>
My lords mean shortely to sende sir William Pelham unto you with
there best advyce in this wayghtye poynte. I thinke yf your
lordship dyd convert some of your soldyeres into pyoners, you
shoold have great use of them, bothe for defence and to bryng
you to fyght uppon advauntage.
   And so, having for the present no other thinge to imparte
unto your lordship, I most humbly take my leave. At the coorte,
the xxvth of Aprill, 1586.
   Your lordships to commaunde,
   Fra: Walsyngham.
   Ther hathe fawlen owt no electyon this S=t=. Georges feast.
[\ADDRESSED,\] To the right honourable my verie good [\lord\]
the earle of Leycester, lord lieutenaunt-generall of her
majesties forces in the Lowe Countries.

<Q LEY 1586 FWALSINGHAM>
<A FRANCIS WALSYNGHAM>
<P 239>
[} [\LETTER LXXXVII. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF
LEYCESTER. 26TH APRIL, 1586.\] }]
   My verry good lord, howe this unlooked for alteratyon
happenethe at this tyme, when the goodnes of God, thorrowghe the
most happye coorse and successe thinges take there, owght to
have led her majestye to have proceaded most resolutely in the
cause, I knowe not, nor can by no meanes imagen how the same
shoold be wrowght. Ther was only cauled unto the resolutyon the
lord thresorer and I. He moved her to staye the resolutyon
untyll sir Thomas Henneages returne; he shewed her that ther was
nothing don contrarye to her dyrectyon; he protested unto her,
that, yf she dyd goo forwarde with the resolutyon, yt woold
utterly overthrowghe
<P 240>
the cause. She grewe so passyonat in the matter as she forbad
him to argue any more. Suerly there is somme trecherye amongest
owreselves, for I cannot thinke that she woold doe this of her
owne heade. I conceyve also, that ther are bad offyces don from
thence by secreat letters sent hether, by the which they doe
advertyce that the states shall not be able to yeld the
contrybutyons promysed, so as the burden of the warres wyll
lyght on her majestye. She is the rather confyrmed in this
opinion, for that your lordship dyd sygnefye unto her, that the
contrybutyons came verry slowly in. Now hereuppon I gather, that
her majestye, dowbtyng that a greater charge wyll be cast uppon
her then she shall be able to beare, wherby she shall be forced
to abandon the actyon, she conceyveth yt may be don with lesse
dyshonor, being an assyster, then when her mynister shall carrye
the tytle of absolute governor. I conjecture also, yt may growe
upon a hope of a peace; for that, as I am secreatly informed,
ther is a save-conduct sent over unto Champigny, eyther for
himselve or some other, that shall secreatly repayre into this
realme. Sorrye I am, that your lordship shoold be so yll
handeled as not to be made acquaynted with the proceadinges
here, having ingaged yourselve so far as you have don for her
majestyes servyce. I looked that her majestye woold have wrytten
letters of thankes, bothe unto your lordship and others there of
good desert, bothe strayngers and her own subiectes, but we are
more apt to wownde then to compfort. God geve your lordship
pacyence to beare thes crosses, to whos protectyon I commyt you,
most humbly takyng my leave. At the coorte, the xxvj=th= of
Aprell, 1586.
   Your lordships to commaund,
   Fra: Walsyngham.
[\ADDRESSED,\] To the right honourable my verie good lorde the
earle of Leycester, lord lieutenant-generall of her majesties
forces in the Lowe Countries.

<Q LEY 1586 RDUDLEY>
<A ROBERT DUDLEY>
<P 248>
[} [\LETTER XCI. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY
WALSYNGHAM. 30TH APRIL, 1586.\] }]
<P 249>
   Mr. secretary, I did writt ij dayes past to you at some
lenght, and in that letter by chaunce haue answered some thinges
that your last letter of the xxj=th= of Aprill doth require,
which letter I receaued this last of Aprill; but one thinge I
must cheifly remember and thanke you for, which is, that I neuer
receaued letter, or word, of comfort from you, since I came
over, but by this letter. I would be sorrie my enemie, much
lesse my freind, should suffer such a time as I did, almost
foure monethes together; but the blessednes of England I see
hath made manie forgett the miseries of others. God grant me his
grace to strengthen me in this service, and that he will send
her majestie victorie over all her enemyes; and that poore men,
whoe doe hazard there life, honor, and liveing, maie be better
remembred then I haue bine. But now that her majesties good
favor is promised me, and is the onlye worldlie thinge I begge
of God, I doe greatlie quiet myself, and doe protest, even
before the majestie of the eternall judge, that I haue sought
nothinge in this service of mine, but, first, the glory of God,
and, next, the saftye and service of her majestie, for which
respect He doth knowe, and I doe feele, I haue lost the sweet
comfort of her majesties presence, my most gratious soueraigne,
the safe protection of my happy countrey, the contented life
among my deere and loveinge freinds, and the libertye with all
comfort in a most blessed state. What I purchase here, insteed
<P 250>
of all theis, lett my companies and beholders witnes. But if x
times worse were possible to be felt, and maie doe my gratious
mistress but half the service I desire, with enioying her favor,
all would be pleasure, ioy, and comfort; for I knowe, if God be
pleased, this accion must needs turne to her majesties great
securitie, or ells was I vnhappy to enter into it. Well, sir, I
thanke you now, at last, that I receaued some lines of comfort
from you; as that her majestie is my good ladye, that she will
assist me in her service here, with licensinge of voluntary men
to come over, in favoring sir Wylliam Stanleys fechinge men out
of Ireland, in imparting to me the offers for peace.
   For the voluntaries, I trust noe way to chardge her majestie,
but shall all be borne here, and shortlie to send moneie over;
there are v or vj=c= come already, whoe had prestes out of my
owne purse.
   For sir William Stanley, also, I will speedily send over to
you for that you haue prested, as also to send him a further
prest, wishing of God that it had pleased her majestie to haue
sent, or yet to send, sir William Pelham over. I knowe, I say I
knowe it, that all the debt he oweth had bine saved another way
if he had bine here, beside the great service to the whole
cause, as you shall find in a tickett, &c.
   Touching the matter of peace, I haue, I thinke, said in my
other letter as much as I now can say. And I doe most humbly
beseech her majestie to consider well of it. I perceaue that I
heard here is true, and confirmed by your letter, soe that there
is dealing for peace as well by Grefyne as others, which
intelligences being so knowen caused me to take that course
which I perceaue her majestie doth will me, which is, to let the
councellers vnderstand of the meanes which are offered her
majestie, as, in very troth, I haue done but to the wisest sort
of them, alwaies to
<P 251>
prevent the hearing of it; for theie be very subtill, and as
suspicious people as ever I delt withall, which made me to vse
some speech of this matter to them; how greatly her majestie is
sought for peace, and how carefull I knowe she wilbe to doe anie
thing to their hurt. And theie beleeue she is soe, for I tell
you theie knowe it, and I am sorry I haue not heard sooner, for
I haue often writen what I haue heard of this matter, that I
might haue authority to say somethinge, as, I thanke God, I did
it sondry times of myself, to avoid the iealousye. And I knowe
it hath done great good, and sir Thomas Henneage declaracion
thereof, also, did exceeding much good, and confirmed in good
time, and fully, that I had said before to them.
   But to the peace, what I thinke I referre you to my other
letter, protesting, before God, I desire nothing more in this
world then a good and sure peace for her majestye, being I knowe
most agreable to her best liking, whome, next God, I would in
all dewtifull service most please, and, beside, I am most
perswaded that all good Christians ought to seeke and preferre.
My onlie advice doth tend to haue her majestie haue as sure
peace as in reason may be gotten. And I doe verilie thinke, as
matters stand here, if her majestie will vse her advantage, she
shall bringe the kinge, and specially this prince of Perma, to
seeke it in other sort then by waie of merchantes. I can assure
you he was never soe deiected, nor soe mallancholy, since he
came into these countreys, as he is at this daye, nor so far owt
of courage. I protest vnto you, I would gage my life and
creditt, if I were supplied as were but reasonable, I would haue
Antwerpe towne and Burges or midd June. This last overthrow is
greater then you there can imagin, with the vitelling of Grave,
being a towne of greatest importance of all the places we hould
in theis provinces, for Brabant, Gelders, Vtryckt, and Over
Isell, being the very passage into all those places, saving into
Gelders the enemie maie goe another way, but far worse and more
discomodious, and the prince made as sure accompt of it as ever
he did of anie skonce that he
<P 252>
tooke in hand. His men doe marvellously beginn to mutinie; manie
run away, specially Spaniards.
   I thinke I wrot to you, how Shenks lieutenant very latlie
again hath overthrowen, nere Mustryckt, aboue v=c= footmen,
whereof onlie l are kild, and a c with their cheif ainsynes
taken and brought awaie, with losse of five or sixe at most; he
himself was, and is, here with me, about a service presentlye to
be done, in building a fort whereby we will choke vpp Newmeagen,
and stopp all vittells that waie to the enemie.
   The count Hollocke is here also, a most noble gentleman, and,
to deale plainlie, geuing every man his right, he was the cheife
cause, vnder God, of our days victorye, wherein, beside his
valiant behaviour, he delt as like a good souldier as ever I
heard of, and afterwards, for the vitellinge the towen, in his
person he did most desperatlye adventure it, and went into it
himself, where he past a 1000 shott of muskett and caliver, and
a c shott of cannon and great ordinance; surelye he is to be
honored and cherished. Shenks is a worthy fellow. I made ij
knights as theie shuld be, one having a bloodye wound, thother
not whole of a shott thorow his thigh at the overthrow at Werll,
where he slew almost iij=m= men of the enemies, which was
Shenke, thother Mr. John Norris, whoe was but newly hurt, and is
as valiant a gentleman as ever liued, and he giues this
commendacion to the count Hollock that I tell you for that dayes
service, whome, before his face, he saw kill a Spaniard with his
pistell, when thother was ready to throst his pike thorow him;
these two knights deserved it well.
   I am likewise in assured hope to drawe awaie from the enemie
furthwith ij=c= of his best Albanesines, whoe be his cheif
<P 253>
horsmen. I haue spoken this daie with the capten, whoe is
secretlie stollen hether to me, being within a dayes iourney or
litle more of their troupes, being not farr of Grave; he is as
manlike a gentleman as euer I looked vppon, and Shenks tels me,
the onlie leader among them. He asketh me nothing till he brings
his bandes to me. I assure you there cannot be a thinge will
frett the prince more at the heart. This man doth tell me for
all troth, vppon his owne knowlege, that there is three hundred
Italians and Spaniards of his best cauallery gone to the duke of
Guise against his will, and that he hath written to the duke
against them, but he keeps them, and hath done this moneth. This
capten was in hight of the fraye at Grave, but the waters kept
all the horsmen off; he doth assure me that there was not so few
as vj=c= Spaniards kild, and the verie flowre of all their
campe, but don John de Aquilau is alive, whoe we thought was
kild; soe that for peace, you maie see whether it be not like
that it wilbe sought in better sort at her majesties hands then
by merchants. I am borne in hand of all, the lords and cheif
gentlemen of Heynalt, Arteyes, and Flaunders will seeke it, and
presse the prince for it, and there is one that will giue me
knowlege verie shortlie thereof, and, if I be not abused, the
prince and kinge both will dailie, as longe as theie can, to
entertain, talke of peace, and to discourage these countreys
thereby, before theie will either harken indeed to a peace, or
to treat of anie. And, vnder corection be it spoken, if these
men here conceave once her majestie to be in hand with a peace,
theie are gone without once looking back, and will make their
men, and overthrow her majesties, or lett me suffer for it. God
I take to record, vppon that I haue conceaued, and what you haue
written, of her majesties disposition, I would creepe vppon the
ground as farr as my hands and knees would bere me, to haue a
good peace for her majestie, but my care is to haue a peace
indeed, and not a shew of it to devid her freinds and her
insonder; they loaue her not that wish that kind of weake
dealing. Yf all the Spanish faction in England
<P 254>
procure her majestie a peace fitt for hir, in any respect, lett
me be hanged for it. Nay I thinke, if you or I should shew to
haue so much creditt that waie as some doe as I heare of in
England, I doubt whether we should be thought worthy to be
hanged or noe; but I haue not to doe with other mens doings, God
preserve her majestie, and send her trew faithfull councellors.
And the best waie for a good peace, I thinke still, is to bring
it by a good sharp warr; and if I had monie, noe more but that
her majestie hath promised to imploye here for this yeare, if
her majestie be not sought and sought againe, as she should be,
lett me beare the blame. But, soe long as pedlers and merchantes
be seking and paultringe in so weighty a cause, the enemy will
make his profitt of it, or, if it were knowen that I did but
advise thus much, the enemy would be in the greatest prid in the
world, and hold out to the vttermost houre, whereas now, hard
handling must doe the feate, without conceat of hasty or easy
beleeuing. Thus, I pray you beare with my tedious writinge, and
lett me certenly knowe her majesties will and pleasure therein
indeed, for what her will is must be obeyed, and, after I knowe
it, I will deall accordingly, by the grace of God, to the
vttermost of all my witt.
   I receaue even now a lettre from Amsterdam, by which it is
written, that the kinge of Denmark hath stayed in the Sound a
great nomber of shipps, and will suffer none to passe except he
promise, or put in bands, not to goe either to Spaine or to
Portugall; if it be true, as I doe verilie hope it is, hit is a
verie happy matter for her majestie.
   I thinke it will fall out plainely that [\John\] Jentile
which I wrote to you of, that came to the princes of Symeye,
seming to discouer that he was hired to poison her from her
husband, came onlie to doe it to me; all circumstances of his
speeches leanes to it. He was not yet put to anie torture, but
he shalbe, his tales
<P 255>
be so full of contrarietyes and doubtes as he beginnes now to
wish himself dead, and craves mercye. He confesseth now his
meaning was to serve me, and he doubteth there be others that
haue comission for the matter, though he hath not; but all is
one for him or anie other, my God hath chardge of me, and will
not suffer their malice to take place. Yf it should, welcome be
his blessed will, hit is for a good cause and soe I am at a
point, and yet will I be as carefull as I may be. Thus God haue
you in his good keeping. From Vtrickt this last of Aprill.
   Your assured freind.

<Q LEY 1586 RDUDLEY>
<A ROBERT DUDLEY>
<P 258>
[} [\LETTER XCIV. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY
WALSYNGHAM. 6TH MAY, 1586.\] }]
   Mr. secretary, I could not answere your letter which came by
the pursevant before this, for that I haue bine two dayes busie
at the musters, and giuing order for the paiment of soldiours,
which falleth out soe short as hit is pitty to see it; but I am
going now into the feild with such forces as I am able to make.
The cheifest cause, to withstand the prince of Permas
enterprises in these parts, coming, as I am credibly aduertised,
in person, with xviij cannons to batter Grave, which if he doe,
I trust to prevent his intention. Some other causes there be of
great necessitye to settell these partes, and I see, except I
goe myself with these companies, this campe will hardly be
mainteined or kept together. There is some emulacion amonge the
commandours, and captens over-hard to their souldiors, and, by
my will, there shalbe noe advantage giuen the enemye throwe our
disorder. I will take the more paine myself among them, by the
grace of God.
   For the matter your pursevant brought, I haue answered in a
letter by Aty to her majestie. I will not faill to obey her
comandement very precisely. And, for my owne parte, I was at the
point at the first time sir Thomas Henneage came, and offered
most
<P 259>
reddily to satisfye her majesties comandement, but much more now
I trust her majestie is not offended with me, and I care not how
sone I be deliuered of this burthen, speciallie since I find it
noe way acceptable to hir majestie, the service of this
countrey, for, I thanke God, I haue neither done her majestie
anie dishonour here, nor haue had anie ill successe for her
service, yet haue I had as little thankes, and as great blame,
as he that had lost a countrey or a battell. Well! for the
obseruing of her majesties pleasure for this last commandement,
albeit we had very good warrant for it, hit shalbe done, as
soone as sir Thomas Henneage comes. And if I maie find anie
grace to be honestly revoked, I will take it more thankfullie
then some men that should receave x=m=.=li= for a reward.
   I trust in this voyage, if God lett me liue, to settell all
these partes thorowly for a good while. I will then retorne to
Hage except I heare of anie sege, either of Berges or Ostend. Of
Ostend I cannot thinke; Berges is more like, and yet if he take
it not in 2 dayes, which I thinke he shall never, without
treason bringe aboue ij=c= men in it, I will warrant we will
reliue it well enough.
   There be allready viij or ix=c= men come over, and the states
will entertaine them all, and the rest that come, and I am in
good hope the meanes will rise verie great for the maintenance
of all theire charges here, yf her majestie will goe thorow with
this matter. I would God my lord Gray, or some other noblemen,
were here to supply this place, not doubting but theie should
farr better accomplish this service then I can, and their
service farr better accepted then mine is. Hit sufficeth me that
my conscience doth witnes with me that I doe serve her majestie
as in the presence of the Almightie; I pray God send me but her
majesties reasonable fauor for it.
   I am sorry I had not knowledge enough to send you worde of
the great embassage the kinge of Denmark doth send to her
majestie, which, as it is reported, is the greatest that euer
went
<P 260>
out of the east countreys; his expectacion is great of her
majesties forwardnes in their causes. I praie God he maie
receaue that comfort I wish. He hath again made offer to me of
his ij=m= royters, and I beseech you, sir, lett it be
acknowledged there to his embassador.
   I am here perplexed in my soule for the vntowardly dealing
for our money. I assure you here is not a full moneth to pay the
soldiours at this time, and there is none paid but Brill,
Ostend, and Flushing. I doe protest to you, if I were as well
encouraged to serve as ever I was, I would not deale anie more
with her majesties servants here, hauing such disbursers of the
monie. I doe assure you it is enough to ouerthrow all our whole
service here, and there is noe speaking nor warning, theie
presume either vppon chaunge or favour, or som what, for never
man hath dealt soe playnely nor soe rigorously as I haue done,
but theie care not one pennie for it; theie say theie must and
will answere it. You shall doe well, whosoeuer haue the chardge
here, to direct the treasor to his chardge vntoucht or vnbroken
vpp, and thin the treasorer to make his reconing, and to receaue
out, that which is due to be paid, and that which remaines to be
locked vpp vnder ij keys; for my parte if anie come before my
departure, surely I will neither make pay nor warrant if he
delivered any penny before yt come to me. The auditor is both
simple and fearefull, and, except you appoint another comission,
I dare vndertake her majestie shall loose xx=m= mark, at least,
in this already past. What a thinge is this, Mr. secretary, that
the poore stervid wreches that have susteined penury this iiij
monethes almost full, shall haue but one moneths pay, and not
that, now to goe to the feild. Withall, by your leaue, I must
say it againe, you did her majestie and yourself
<P 261>
wronge, when you appointed such officers, so vnited, as you did,
specially being interessed as theie were. For my parte, I trust
I shall stay noe time here; yf I should, I would never agree to
haue this man deall with the money agein, I will command noe
souldiours [{...{] and, as the souldiers hath noe pay but for a
moneth, soe is there no officer in the feild paid anie thinge
but myself. It is verie late, yet I wish there were care in
time.
   As for peace, I am at a point. My care was for hir majestie
and the realme, and I wilbe hanged when she shall haue a good
peace but as I wrote to you, and therefor there needes noe hast,
matters going as theie doe; but I am noe fitt councellor in
this. God speed it well, and keep you alwaies. At Hamersford
this 6. of May.
   Your assured freind.

<Q LEY 1586 RDUDLEY>
<A ROBERT DUDLEY>
<P 264>
[} [\LETTER XCVI. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY
WALSYNGHAM. 9TH MAY, 1586.\] }]
   I am sorry to trouble you with the discomfortable dealings of
of our treasurer here; I assure you it passeth, and our auditor
a foole in comparison to mete with there subtelties. I saw this
day an abstract. I see there is yet due to souldiers aboue
x=m=.=li= when all this monie almost shalbe paid that cam last.
This coronel Norris doth match the late earle of Sussex, of all
men that euer I haue sene, for such matters, and sett
countenaunce withall vppon them. I trust you will provide for my
speedye cominge home; but, if I tarrie, either lett an other
dispencer of the monie be appointed, or lett it be deliuered
into my custodye, that their be noe paiments made before a
perfect reckoning cast vpp; for, if it goe on with the rest as
with this past, I will warrant a full third parte lost
<P 265>
from her majestie and the souldiers now. I haue so often spoken
I haue done, for I will not beare anie burthen at the souldiers
and captens hands, for all the treasure in this countrey. And
howsoeuer the matter is, the treasurer hath some back hope, and
little doth care what fault I find.
   This day I heard for certen, that, vpon the new supplie of
men I caused to be sett into Grave, which was 350 with 4 or 5
very good captens, the enemye attemptinge to take and spoyle a
subvrbe to Grave, being about 1000 Spaniards, theie haue lost
dead in the place 400, all Spaniards, such as they lost before
for gallant fellowes, soe that there is a good abatment of them
of late. We heare the prince doth meane to follow that seige
still, but now I little feare that place, for this 350 fresh
lusty souldiers having vittels, store, and munition, is a good
assurance; beside, the place is stronge, and well fortified, and
hath more with these last, beside burgers, which are stout and
willing fellowes and well trained. Their is 1000 able souldiers,
and the burgers stronge 800. And I am now here, provided to
rescue anie place the prince shall attempt. I am v=m=. footmen
and 1500 hors. This day I haue sent most of my horsmen into the
Betowe toward Newmeagin. I sent Shenks two daies since with 1000
footmen
<P 266>
to take a peice of ground called Mellin, where I haue appointed
a fort to be made, which shall stopp all cariage by watter
betwene Newmeagin and their campe at Grave. It maie be that I
will putt that towne in hazard, at the least I will [\leave\]
them noe places to hinder vs vppon the Reyne betwene Newes and
this towne. Yf the enemie attempt Burges vp Some, as a brute
there is, I will sone relieve it, by the grace of God, and yet
there is both good store of men and victells in it, neither doe
I greatlie mistrust anie place now that I am in the feild, that,
either by watter or land, I can recover anie place, nether doe I
thinke that the prince can well tell what yet to doe. God send
me good successe this iorney, and well to acquit me of this
countrey, and some happier man to stepp into it. Soe God be with
you, and to morow I will lodge toward Newmeagin, with my
companie altogether, from whence you shall heare as occasion
will serve. In some hast at Arnham, this ix. of May, without
money or ware.
   Your assured freind.
   Yf you send not speedlye a nimbler fellow then this auditor
there will neuer fault appere.

<Q LEY 1586 WCECIL>
<A WILLIAM CECIL>
<P 266>
[} [\LETTER XCVII. LORD BURGHLEY TO SIR THOMAS HENEAGE. 13TH
MAY, 1586.\] }]
<P 267>
   Good Mr. threasurer, although theare is heare matter mines
[\tiring?\] plentifullie to write uppon concerning the subiect
of your charge, yet, bicause the same conteineth noe such
resolucion as both I have advised and wished, I doe forbeare to
enlarge the discours thereof by particulers, and breefelie doe
concurr with Mr. vice-chamberlaine, whoe nowe writeth to youe
such an imperfect resolucion as hir majesty hath delivered unto
him, nothing agreable to our advises.
   Uppon manie urgent and poignant cawses, as I maie so terme
them, I have advised hir majesty to permitt my lord of Leicester
to continue in the gouverment of thos cuntries, wherein God hath
latelie prospered him, and that you, being sick, might retorne
without following that hazardous course that is appointed to
you: but hir majestie will neither allowe of the one nor of the
other, but she saith, that you shall goe backe, and doe that she
hath commaunded you, which she is content to interprete in this
sort, that though she still misliketh that my lord of Leicester
hath accepted the title of governor-generall of thos provinces,
yet she meanethe not that he should presentlie or hastelie leave
it, bicause of the inconveniences that might happen to the
publique cawse by want of gouverment; and yet hir mind is, that
you should conferre with his lordship and the counsell theare,
yea, you should also further the same, that it might be devised
there by authoritie of the states, howe my lord might forbeare
the title and absolute authoritie of the gouvernor of thos
provinces, and yet, remaining with the title and authoritie of
her majesties lieutenant-generall,
<P 268>
to have, by the graunt of the estates, authoritye according to
the articles of the mutuall treatie with the counsell of the
states, to order, governe, reforme, and direct the martiall
affaires in like sort as his lordship nowe maie doe, by the
comission of the states whearebie he is made theire 
governour-generall; and this is that hir majestie desyreth, and
wisheth to be done, and, to that ende, would have by your meanes
conference had betwixt my lord and the counsell, howe this maie
be brought to passe, and thowgh, if it can be so compassed, it
cannot by anie likelood be browght to passe without sum length
of tyme, and manie circumstances and difficulties, yet hir
majesty willeth you to retorne, with the report of such
conclusion as shall fall owt uppon this conference betwixt my
lord, yourself, and the counsell of the states: and further,
also, hir majestie plainely saith, that she would not have my
lord to leave this authoritie untill she shall, uppon your
retorne, understand howe, and in what manner, this devise shall
be thowght faisible to be done, withowt anie evident danger of
the common cawse. In this sort you see howe I take hir majesties
wordes and mind, and so also I thinke you shall perceive the
like, or equivallent, from Mr. vice-chamberlaine and Mr.
secretarie, for with noe other would hir majestie deale in this
cawse, as I could understand.
   This matter hath been more cumbersome and more severe to me
and others that hath at sundrie times delt therin with hir
majesty, than any whatsoever since I was a counselor; the will
of God be, to bring it to some better resolucion, both for his
owne glorie and for the quiet and weale of hir majestie and hir
estate, to which ende I se my praiers must be hereafter
accommodated to God rather then advise as a counselor to hir
majestie, and yet I mind not to leave either of them as God will
geve me grace. I praie you praie my lord to excuse me for my
short writing, and my lord North for my not writing, for truelie
I am at this time overtoiled. 13=o= Maij 1586.

<Q LEY 1586 FWALSINGHAM>
<A FRANCIS WALSYNGHAM>
<P 269>
[} [\LETTER XCVIII. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF
LEYCESTER. 14TH MAY, 1586.\] }]
   My verry good lord, I had hoped that your letters sent by Mr.
Atye woold have drawen her majestye to have revoked sir Thomas
Henneage, and to have stayed the motyon for the qualyficatyon of
the tytle, in respect of the alteratyon that the same is lykely
to woorke there. But nothing that can be sayd can woorke any
staye here, so resolutely is her majesty bent to have the matter
propounded to the counsell of state ther; whoe, I doe assure
myself, wyll be greatly perplexed with the motyon, and, as I
take yt, they have no awthorytye to treate uppon yt, but must
refer the consyderation therof unto an assembly of the states,
which wyll woorke sooche a busse in the peoples heades, and
mynister to the evyl-affected there sooche a plotte to woorke
on, as to mans judgement may perryll the whole cause. Ther hathe
ben as muche sayd towching the daynger as myght be alleaged. And
truly, my good lord, I am now perswaded that thys straynge
proceading growethe from her majestye selve. I have prayed this
gentleman, who is honest, to acquaynt your lordship with my
opinion herin; and so I most humbly take my leave. At the
coorte, the xiij=th=. of Maye, 1586.
   Your lordships to commaund,
   Fra: Walsyngham.
   By the coppye of Mr. Randolphes letter your lordship may see
the present state of Scoteland.

<Q LEY 1586 FWALSINGHAM>
<A FRANCIS WALSYNGHAM>
<P 272>
[} [\LETTER C. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF
LEYCESTER. 20TH MAY, 1586.\] }]
   My verry good lord, her majestye hathe made me acquaynted
with the letter she wrytethe with her owne hande unto your
lordship, and where she chargethe your lordship with the
acquaynting the cownsell of state there with the overture of
peace made unto her by the prince of Parma as a faulte, herin
your lordship is wronged: for the fault is myne, yf any were
commytted, but, in verry trothe, she gave me commaundment to
dyrect you to acquaynt them withall, thowghe nowe she dothe
denye yt. I have receyved within thes fewe dayes many of thes
harde measures.
   Her majestie dothe, also, revoke her resolutyon towching the
sendyng over of voluntary men in sooch nomberes as doe nowe goe;
she saythe, she was content that a 1000 or 2000 shoold be
permytted to goe, but no greater nombers. Sooch as are alreadye
levyed shall, notwithstanding, be permytted to passe, but the
rest are ordred to be stayed. This chayng as I learne growethe
uppon
<P 273>
a malytyouse informatyon, that the subiectes of this realme
shoold murmore greatly at the imployement of so many people of
this realme in defence of others, to the weakening of the seyd
realme; wheras, contrarywyse, all men of judgement, lookyng into
the persons that are imployed, being for the moste parte loose
men and having nothing to take to, or into the present dearthe,
doe thinke her majestie happye to have so apt an occasyon to
imploye them in so necessary a servyce. So lyttle love is
carryed to the contynewaunce of this actyon as the weakest
argument that may be used wyll suffyce to woorke an hinderaunce
to the cause. I wyll, therfor, doe my best indevor to procure
your lordships revocatyon.
   The thre last letters your lordship sent unto me, by Browne
the messenger, I thowght good, for sundrye causes, to shewe them
unto her majestye, but espetyally to the end she myght see the
yll husbandrye used by the thresorer, and how necessary yt was,
both for her proffyt and her servyce, to have another
substytuted in his place. I fownde her disposed to geve good
eare thereunto, and thereuppon I moved her for the sendyng of
sir Valentyn Browne, for that your lordship fownde the audytor
nowe imployed there verry weake, but coold not drawe her to any
resolutyon. For, fyrst, towching sir Valentyn Browne, she
alleaged two impedymentes; the one, that she was necessarily to
use his present servyce in Ireland abowt the peoplyng of
Monster. The other, that yt woold be a matter of great charg to
have two audytors imployed there at one tyme. For the fyrst, yt
is trewe that he cannot be well spared, being, as he is, best
acquaynted with the plott for the peopling of Monster; towching
the charge, I shewed how that the benefyt she shoold reape
therby woold verry largely requyt the charge. The audytors here
be so softspryted men as I dowbt there wyll not any one be
fownde owt emongest them more suffytyent then he that is now
imployed. I fynde her majestyes dysposytyon to be sooche, as
rather than she wyll entre into an extraordynarye charge of an
hundrethe pownd
<P 274>
she can be content to be deceyved of 5000=li=. I suppose when
the thresorer shall be dysplaced your lordship wyll make choyse
of sir Thomas Shurley, whoe, I doe assure your lordship, is a
most constant affected gentleman unto you, and deservethe an
extraordinary good usage at your lordships handes.
   This daye the lord-thresorer and I dealt with her majestie
for the sendyng over of money, in sooche a proportyon as ther
may be a thorrowghe paye made, which we shewed her woold proffyt
her at the least thre thowsand pownd; but we coold no waye
prevayle, she styll standethe uppon the returne of the accompt
of the threasure last sent. Your lordship therfore shall doe
well to hasten the sending over of the same. The next threasure
that shall be sent over shall be chested under two lockes, as
your lordship advysed, to the ende you may be assured to see the
imployement thereof.
   I doe rejoyce greatly, notwithstanding the dyscowntenancyng
of your lordship every waye, that God dothe blesse your care and
travayle with most happye successe, which suerly faulethe owt so
myche the better for that your lordship hathe cause to ascrybe
the same to the goodnes of Almyghtie God, to whos protectyon I
commyt your lordship. At the coorte, the xx=th= of Maye, 1586.
   Your lordships to command,
   Fra: Walsyngham.
[\ADDRESSED,\] To the right honorable my verie good lord the
earle of Leycester.

<Q LEY 1586 FWALSINGHAM>
<A FRANCIS WALSYNGHAM>
<P 275>
[} [\LETTER CI. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF
LEYCESTER. 20TH MAY, 1586.\] }]
   My verry good lord, fyndinge the uncerteyn coorse helde
[{here{] towchyng thos cuntrye causes, [{and{] that her majestye
dothe rather [{wish{] to weaken then strengthen your awthorytye
there, I [{have{] dyswaded the master of Graye from his further
proceading [{in{] his preparatyon for thos cuntryes, lettyng him
playnly understand howe greatly your servyce is crossed, wherby
your lordship shall not be able to perform that good usage, both
towards himselve and sooche troopes as he shoold bryng with him,
as you desyre, for lacke of cowntenaunce and awthorytye;
[{and,{] for his better satysfactyon therein, I have sent unto
my cosyn Randolphe one of your last letters, by the which your
lordship desyreth to be revoked, wherby he may see that ther is
no cause whye your lordship shoold incorage him to imbarque
himselve in the servyce, seing you mynde yourselve to geve it
over. I have desyred sir Philip Sydney to put your lordship in
mynde to wryte somme letter of thankes to the master of Graye,
and to assure him of your good affectyon towards him.
   How hazardowsly her majestye dealethe in causes of Scotland
your lordship may perceyve both by Mr. Randolphe and the coppye
of the kinges owne letter unto hir majestye. The master of Graye
dothe assure me, that she never had so weake a partye in
Scotland as she hathe nowe. I fynde yt a verry harde matter
<P 276>
to conserve the amytye of that contrye in the coorse now held
heare, and what daynger may growe by the losse thereof, a verry
mean-wytted man may see. She greatly presumethe [{on{] fortune,
which is but a [{very{] weake foundatyon to buylde uppon. I
woold she dyd buyld and depend uppon God, and then all good men
shoold have les cause to feare any chaynge of her former good
happ.
   The myserye growethe so great in Flaunders and Brabant, as,
yf the Dunkerkers might be restrayned, yt woold owt of hande
woorke a great chaynge there. I hope the G[{...{] wyll doe more
good in one monethe, then the shyppes set owt by her majestye
hathe don all this year. Ther is daylye carryed owt of Holland
and Zelland both merchandyce and vyctualls to Calles, which
dothe greatly offende oure merchauntes here that are restrayned.
I wishe to God ther coold be some coorse taken to prevent this
mischefe of transportyng of vyctualles. And so I most humbly
take my leave. At the corte the xx=th= of Maye, 1586.
   Your lordships to commande,
   Fra: Walsyngham.
[\ADDRESSED,\] To the right honorable my [{very good{] lord the
earl of Leycester, lord [{lieutenant-gene{]rall of hir majesties
forces in the Low Countryes.

<Q LEY 1586 FWALSINGHAM>
<A FRANCIS WALSYNGHAM>
<P 278>
[} [\LETTER CIII. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF
LEYCESTER. 23RD MAY, 1586.\] }]
   My verry good lord, sythence I last wrote unto your lordship
there is nothing come to my knowledge worthye to be imparted
<P 279>
unto your lordship, and yet, having so convenient a messenger, I
woold not suffer him to passe without a fewe lynes. There is no
man here dealethe more honorably and faythefully towardes your
lordship then this bearers master, and yet, as he tould me
secreatly yesternight, he hathe ben informed that there are some
that seeke malytyowsely to [{persuade{] your lordship to
conceyve otherwyse of him. But he reposethe that confydence in
your sownd conceypt of him as yt dothe not greatly troble him.
   I begyn now to put on an opinion that the only thwartes your
lordship receyvethe growethe owt of her majestyes owne
dysposytyon, whom I doe fynde dayly more and more unapt to
imbrase any matter of weyght. And, wheras I dyd by Mr. Barker
let your lordship to understande, that I thowght you were
crossed under-hand by some great personage, I doe nowe quyte him
of yt, and am perswaded that he dealethe honestly in the cause.
   The imbassator of Denmarke departythe hence within a daye or
two. He hath ben honorably used. I doe not fynde by him that his
master is greatly inclyned to doe any thing that may offend
Spayne, or to attempt any thing in favor of the king of Navar.
By late letters from Palavicino her majestye is advertysed, that
thinges goe cowldly forwarde in Germany. By former letters from
him we were in better hope. The wyne is so weake this yeare as
yt dothe not revyve ther spirytes.
   The king of Navar is drawen towardes Rochell. And so I most
humbly take my leave. At the coorte, the xxiij=th= of Maye,
1586.
   Your lordships to commaund,
   Fra: Walsyngham.

<Q LEY 1586 FWALSINGHAM>
<A FRANCIS WALSYNGHAM>
<P 281>
[} [\LETTER CV. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF
LEYCESTER. 26TH MAY, 1586.\] }]
   My verry good lord, I send your lordship her encloased such
letters as I have lately receavid from the master of Gray. In
aunswer wherof, fynding hir majesty so couldly disposed still
towardes that action, I have thought good to acquaint him
directly with the change of her majesties resolution towching
the continuaunce of your authoritye, being a matter not secreat
but oppen and common, which I do tell him proceadeth thorough
the practise of ill instrumentes here, that favour the Spanish
proceedinges, and seeke to crosse your lordship, letting him
withall
<P 282>
understand, that your authoritye be[\ing\] by such meanes so
weakened as you shall not nowe be hable to yeld him that
satisfaction and good enterteynement for himself and his company
that aperteyne, you have just cause not to encourage him to come
over to the service, least, yf he should fynd any want, yt
[\might\] geve him occasion to blame your lordship, and breede
in his company a mislyke of him that had brought them to so
[\bad\] a bargayn. This aunswir in effect I have made to the
master, to whom my lord thresurer hath also written to lyke
purpose. His lordship and I have dealt earnestly with her
majesty about the matter of the masters imployement, letting her
understand how necessary yt weare that hould weare taken of his
offer, in respect of thimbarking of the king his master into the
action, which, we tould hir majesty, could not be don, unles yt
might pleas hir to mayntayne your lordships authoritye in the
title of governement geven you there, but she conceaveth still
that the matter might well enough be performid by vertue of your
authority of generall only. And so I humbly take my leave of
your lordship. At Grenwich, the xxvj=th= of May, 1586.
   Your lordships to commaund,
   Fra: Walsyngham.

<Q LEY 1586 FWALSINGHAM>
<A FRANCIS WALSYNGHAM>
<P 286>
[} [\LETTER CVIII. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF
LEYCESTER. 3RD JUNE, 1586.\] }]
   My verry good [{lord, I think{] good by the opportunyte of
this gentleman to let your [{lordship{] understande, that I am
advartysed that the prince of Parma is determyned to attempt
somewhat agaynst Sluse, which maketh me to doubt that he hathe
some intellygence within that towne. He meanethe to commit the
executyon of the matter unto the count of Egmonde, goyernor of
Flaunders, and unto La Mota, in whom [{he{] reposethe his
chefest trust. I am greatly affrayde, unless ther shall be some
Englishmen placed there, that that towne wyll be lost. By
[{sir{] William Pelham your [{lordship{] shall understande howe
greatly yt importethe her majestye to kepe the porte townes owt
[{of{] the Spaniards handes. And so I most humbly take my leave.
At the Barnealmes, 3. June, 1586.
   Your lordships to command,
   Fra: Walsyngham.
   This gentleman hathe verry well acquited sooche favor as yt
hathe pleased your lordship to shewe him. He was verry desyrowse
to have levyed a bande of footemen, but could not performe yt
for lacke of meanes.

<Q LEY 1586 WCECIL>
<A WILLIAM CECIL>
<P 306>
[} [\LETTER CXIV. LORD BURGHLEY TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 10TH
JUNE, 1586.\] }] 
   My very good lord, though I wrote late on Wednesday at night
to your lordship, uppon Mr. Nicolas Gorge comming to me with
<P 307>
signification that he was to depart erly in the next morning,
and therfor I wrote more hastely, yet now, being lykwise moved
by Mr. Unton, the beror hereof, to know if I would have any
thyng to your lordship, who is also moved to tak shipp this
evening, with commodite of a western wynd, I am also occasioned
to wryte in lyk hast, and yet, as the tyme falleth out, if I had
mor leasur, I shuld not wryte of such matters as war mete,
because I am here at Westminster, being Fryday, and have hard
that sir Thomas Hennadg cam to hir majesty yesternight, and
that, in a generall report, I here that hir majesty is very well
contented with hym and his messadg; for which cawse, untill I
shall be at the court, which I mynd to be to morrow at nyght, I
am unfurnished what to wryte of such matters as his retorn shall
minister cause, so as, untill that tyme, I cannot so
conveniently wryte to your lordship as Mr. Hennadg and others at
the court may doe.
   But yet, my lord, I have thought good to lett you know, that
I had, by hir majestyes commandment, on Teusday last, treated
with our marchantes-adventurers to mak payment ther, on that
syde, of the some of xxx=m li=. wherby to stey the carriadg out
of monny in specie, and, about the same tyme, I did also deale
with some marchantes straungers to the same effect, that, if
they cold mak payment ther of some good somes of monny, I wold
repay the lyk here, and herof I was in good hope to have spedd,
by the manner of ther answers, so as our monnyes, namely our
aungell and xij=d=. might be ther stablished at ther just
valleus in certenty, namly, the aungell at xvj=s=. viij=d=. and
our xij=d=. at xx=d=., and so ratably other monnyes, wherof I
gave them hope, uppon report made, that your lordship was
purposed to publish a placard ther for the lyk purpooss. And to
comfort our merchantes, I did also promiss payment of the v=m
li=. presently, that was last payd ther by your lordships
request, though the same was not payable befor the last of this
month; but yesterday, both our own and the straungers cam to me,
with declaration, that, by this mishapp of Grave, they both, but
specially the straungers, cold not possibly perform that which I
required of them; and
<P 308>
so I was perplexed, and yet I so pressed our 
marchantes-adventurors as I told them, if they wold not now
strayn ther credittes to pay ther xx=m li=. within xiiij dayes,
I wold procure from hir majesty a licenss for the straungers to
carry out clothes undressed, wherby I hoped both to vent our
clothes, which is a thyng very nedefull in this tyme, and to
obteyne my request for payment of monny. By this threatning of
them they have bene styrred to mete togither, and do offer to
send awey this night a post to provide xx=m li=. to be ther
within xiiij dayes, if it be possible, and, for certenty, they
offer, that monthly they will be hable to paye x=m li=. Thus
your lordship seeth how uncerten thynges pass here, but knowyng
how great nede ther is to have monny ther, rather than ther
shuld be want any long tyme, I will press hir majesty that monny
may be sent in specie, wherof you lordship shall shortly here.
   Our marchantes do alledg another gret difficulte, in that
ther shippes can not have fre passadg to Embden by reason of the
Hollanders shippes in that ryver, wherof I have gyven them hope
that your lordship had delt therin betwixt the cont of Embden
and the Hollanders, and so I hope your lordship hath doone some
good therin, for so indede our marchantes shuld be more hable to
pay you monny from thence than at Midleburgh.
   I wish your lordship that good success that yow cold mak the
ryver of the Rhen free, as by your late takyng of the sconce in
the duke of Cleves contrey, I hope a gret furderance.
   And so now, prayeng your lordship to accept this my hasty
kynd of wrytyng in good part, I wish you success of all your
honorable actions.
   Your lordships most assuredly,
   W. Burghley.
   10 Junii, 1586.
[\ADDRESSED,\] To the right honorable my very good lord, the
erle of Leicester, lieutenant-generall of hir majesties forces
in the Lowe Cuntries.

<Q LEY 1586 FWALSINGHAM>
<A FRANCIS WALSYNGHAM>
<P 318>
[} [\LETTER CXVIII. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF
LEYCESTER. 22ND JUNE, 1586.\] }]
   My verry good lord, I am to recommend unto your honorable
favor this bearer, my servaunt, that by your lordships good
meanes he may enioye lyke benefyt of his offyce of water-bayly
in Flusshing, as the water-baylye in Bryll dothe presently
enioye. I hope he wyll deserve any favor yt shall please you to
bestowe on him, and I shall thinke myselve greatly bownde unto
you for the same. And so I most humbly take my leave. At the
coorte, the xxij=th= of June, 1586.
   Your lordships to command,
   Fra: Walsyngham.

<Q LEY 1586 FWALSINGHAM>
<A FRANCIS WALSYNGHAM>
<P 318>
[} [\LETTER CXIX. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF
LEYCESTER. 24TH JUNE, 1586.\] }]
<P 319>
   My very good lord, yt may please your lordship to hould me
excused yf I use the hand of annother in writing unto you, being
[\at\] this present meself overburthened with other busynes. The
cause of this my dispatch is to acquainte your lordship with the
late comming of Augustin Grafigna and Bodenham from the prince
of Parma with some overture of a peace, though but in generall
termes, having only yet delyvered, that, yf the king of Spayne
can lyke to have a peace, the prince, for his part, who hath now
receaved honner enough in that countrye, will very willingly
undertake to becom an instrument and dealer in yt, for which
purpose he meaneth to send over hether some personage of quality
yf the matter go forward, but to other particularityes they
descend not. And whether the prince have any commission or
authoritye from the king to treate appeareth not. Bodenham
seemeth to have some further directions, and a letter for her
majestyes self, theffect whereof your lordship shalbe made
acquainted withall so soone as yt is knowen.
   Grafigna telleth me, that he was lodged in Cosmos lodging
when Skinck and Roger Williams gave the camisado to the campe,
and,
<P 320>
by that meanes, was prevye that the disorder and confusion was
so great as there appeared no smaule lykelyhood, that, yf they
had ben followed by their horsemen, the whole campe might have
ben overthrowen; and yet that there weare not so many slayne as
was otherwyse reported, the whole number being not above three
or fower score, and of our people betwin thirty and forty taken
and slayne, which happened for that, by reason of their longe
taryeing, they gave the prince tyme to pursue them with his
horsemen. They gave our men the prayse to have guided
thenterprise with no lesse skill and good discretion then yt was
hazardously undertaken. He telleth me, that, to shunne the
danger of Berges up Zome, he was constrayned to returne by
Mastrich, Liege, and thos quarters, where he understood that the
people had violently resistid the carriadg of the intended
provisions of vittalls to the campe, in respect of their owne
want and necessitye; by meanes wherof the prince cannot long
continue before Venloo. He understood that the merquis of
Pescara, who was looked for with 1500 horse and 3000 footmen,
bringeth now with him butan hundreth and fyfty horse and eight
hundreth footemen. The prince of Parma, as he telleth me, was
informed, that your lordship should have 18,000 fotmen and 3,000
horse, wheruppon, calling his captens to counsell, yt was, at
the first, advised to go from Ventloo and hazard the battell
with your lordship, and in thend resolved to leave some strength
before Venloo, and yet go forward with their purpose to
<P 321>
bid your lordship battell; wherof I have thought good to geve
your lordship speedy knowledge. And so I most humbly take my
leave. At Greenwich, the xxiiij=th= of Juin, 1586.
   Your lordships to commaund,
   Fra: Walsyngham.
[^THE POSTSCRIPT AUTOGRAPH^]
   The prince of Parma, in his letter to her majestye, which I
have seene, doth use the matter in sooche sortt as thowghe
sooche as have ben dealors in this peace had sowght the same at
his hands in her majesties name, which is taken most offensyvely
agaynst both the prince and the mynisters; for her highnes
protestythe, that she naver gave any sooche commyssyon. The
prince protestethe, that he hathe not any comyssyon, neyther
generally nor perticularly, to deale in the matter, and yet, yf
her majestye shall be dysposed to have the seyd peace proceaded
in, uppon knowledg in what sorte she wyll have the same
performed, he wyll be ready to further so good a worke. Your
lordship may see what effectes are wrowght by sooche weake
mynisters. They that have ben the imployers of them are ashamed
of the matter. I praye your lordship that this advertycement
towching the contents of the prynces letter may not be made
publycke.

<Q LEY 1586 FWALSINGHAM>
<A FRANCIS WALSYNGHAM>
<P 329>
[} [\LETTER CXXIII. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF
LEYCESTER. 30TH JUNE, 1586.\] }]
   My very good lord, upon knowledge receaved from Mr. Aty here,
of a motion made by your lordship, that, in case it would please
hir majestie to write some letters to certein of the townes in
that countrey, it could not but in all lykelyhoode be a thinge
of good consequence, and very expedient for the comforting and
encouragement of the saied townes: my lord threasurer and I,
acquainting hir majestie with the mater, have founde hir very
well enclyned to yeeld therunto, as your lordship may perceyve
by the enclosed, which is a copie of the five letters that are
sent herwith, signed by hir majestie; wherin if your lordship
shall thincke good to have any thinge added or altered, or any
more letters to be
<P 330>
written to the same effect, I will not faile, upon knowledge of
your pleasure and desire herin, to procure the same to be
dispatched with expedition. And so I humbly take my leave of
your lordship. From the court at Grenewich the xxx=th= of June,
1586.
   Your lordships to commaunde,
   Fra: Walsyngham.
[^THE POSTSCRIPT AUTOGRAPH^]
   The brethern of yong Mr. Kyngesmell being geven to
understande that he shold be of late taken prysonar, have
desyred me most earnestly [{to represent the same{] unto your
lordship, that by your favorable meanes his libertye may be
procured. They can be content, rather then he shoold remayn long
prysoner, to paye sume reasonable ransom. It is left to your
lordship to direct the letters as you shall thincke meete.

<Q LEY 1586 RDUDLEY>
<A ROBERT DUDLEY>
<P 337>
[} [\LETTER CXXVII. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY
WALSYNGHAM. 8TH JULY, 1586.\] }]
   Yt is like you shall heare of it before this comes to you,
that we haue taken Axell, a towne in Flaunders, nere Ternous, a
forte of our side. Your sonne Philip with his bands had the
leadinge and entringe the towne, which was notably handled, for
theie caused xxx or xl to swime over the ditch, and so gett vpp
the wall and opened the gate; yet, or theie could enter half
their nombers, the souldiers were in armes, and came to resist
our men,
<P 338>
but they were overthrowen, and most of them slaine, being vj=c=,
as I heare, souldiers in that towne, beside burgers; iiij
scon[\c\]es beside are taken. The count Morrice was there, and
my lord Willoowby, and young Mr. Hatton, for his first
nuselinge. God send we may hold it, vittell is so hard to come
by there; but all is done that can be possible.
   I see wee shall starue on everie side. I here now, that there
is x=m li= sent over by exchange, and other x=m= in the middest
of August; you wrote vnto me that her majestie had appointed
xxxij=m li= to come over. It is no marvell our men runn fast
awaye. I am ashamed to write it, there was v=c= ran away in two
dayes, and a great manie to the enemye, of which sort I haue
taken sixe, and Welch is taken, that went with Pigott, where the
count Hollock and Robin Sidney overthrew a good cornett of horse
of Camilles, beside Breda, kild and tooke 28 prisoners, and
horse. This Welch was one. There is of our runagates ij=c=
brought againe from the coast-side. Divers I hanged before the
rest, and I assure you theie could haue bine content all to haue
bine hanged rather then tarry. Our old ragged roggues here hath
soe discouraged our new men as, I protest to you, theie looke
like
<P 339>
dead men. God once deliuer me well of this charge, and I will
hange to, yf I take charge of men and not be sure of better pay
a forehand. I assure you it will frett me to death or longe, to
see my souldiers in this case, and canot help them. I cry now,
peace! peace! for neuer was there such a warr, and a cause so
slenderly countenanced; but God will help vs I trust. And you
must looke to yourselues there what you will doe, you see the
yeare runns on apace.
   I will not now hold you longer; but, Mr. secretary, I tell
you, if our people shalbe noe better releiued, by the Lord, I
looke for the fowlest mutiny that euer was made, both of our men
and these countrey souldiers, and I am sure I can doe as much
with them as ever anie man could, and I doe but wonder to see
theie doe not rather kill vs all then runn away, God help vs!
And I would God you were all here one moneth, to see our
handling from ourselues. I doe assure you, if our paiments come
thus, you must looke to heare I and theie shalbe come shortly
Martin Rous and his companie, for men will not starue, and for
such monie as the states owe I look verie shortlie to haue
[\it\] . The enemie doth vse his old practice; he hath conveied
above ij=c= of our men by Callice, and I beseech cause good wait
at Dover, and Sandwish, for such as come without my pasport, and
that some example be made, or we shall never keep them here.
   I haue good hope of the count Hollock. Paul Buis, a very
knave, more and more.
   The opinion conceaued that you will leave vs will vndoe all,
and past help shortlye. Yf help doe come in sort to pull out
this late deep-rooted conceat, lett me loose life, and all I
haue in the world, yf these countries be not brought free of
this warr within one yere, and, before the Lord I speake, I doe
thinke it had bine this yere if matters had bine well followed
and supplied; but, as you deall, I knowe not what to say, nor
what councell to giue, but
<P 340>
to pray to God, and looke for ruin of all here or longe, for you
must thinke these conceats cause matters to alter more in a
weeke then heretofore in iij monthes. And yet is there life. God
be with you. In hast this 8. of July.
   Your assured.

<Q LEY 1586 FWALSINGHAM>
<A FRANCIS WALSYNGHAM>
<P 340>
[} [\LETTER CXXVIII. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF
LEYCESTER. 9TH JULY, 1586.\] }]
   My verry good lord, your [{last{] letters unto her majestye
[{in{] which your lordship hathe layd before her the present
alteratyon [{in that{] cuntrye, as well in the gene[{ral{]
thorroughe the losse of Grave and Venlewe, as also in
[{certain{] partyculer persons of [{...{] cauling there, as the
count [{Maurice{] and count Hollocke, for somme knowen
respectes, hathe g[{reatly{] perplexed her, and the [{more{] for
that she gatherethe uppon the vyewe of your lordships letter,
that the only salve to cure this sore is to [{make{] herselve
propryetarye [{of{] that cuntrye, and to put [{in{] sooche an
armye into the [{same{] as may be able to make head to the
ennemyes. The[{se{] two thinges being so contrarye to her
majestyes dysposytyon, the one, for that yt breedethe a dowbt of
a perpetuall
<P 341>
war, the other, for that yt requireth an increas of charges,
dothe merveylousely dystrackt her, and make her repent that ever
she entred into the actyon.
   She hathe only made the lord-thresorer and Mr. 
vyce-chamberlyn acquaynted, as they tell me, with parte of thos
letters, and gave them order to consyder what wer fyt to be don
uppon this alteratyon. To this conference by her majestyes order
I was cauled. The resolutyon is not yet taken, but hangethe in
susspence for that the lord-thresorer, being trobled with the
gowte in his hande, canot repayre unto her. The advyce that wyll
be gyven her wyll faule owt to be this; fyrst, that she must
prosecute the actyon without respect of charges; secondaryly,
that a gentleman of sound judgement be sent over unto your
lordship, to confer with you howe bothe the generall and
pertyculer dyscontentment reygning theare may be removed, as,
also, to be informed of dyvers poynts towching the state of that
cuntrye; and, lastly, that yt shall in no sorte be fyt for her
majestye to take a[{ny{] resolutyon in the cause until sir
Francis Drakes returne, at lest untyll the successe of his vyage
be seene; wheruppon, in verry trothe, dependethe the lyfe and
deathe of the cause according to mans judgment. She is also
advysed, in the mean tyme, to make no shewe of her dyslyke, but
rather to countenaunce the cause by all owtwarde meanes she may,
which, contrarye to her naturall dysposytyon, she doth verry
well performe, [\forced thereto by mere necessytye upon the
dyscoverye of some matter of importaunce in the hyest degree
thorrowghe my traveyl and cost, CROSSED OUT\] by the which yt
apperethe unto her most playn, that, unles she had entred into
the actyon, she had ben utterly undon, and that, yf she doe not
prosecute the same, she cannot contynewe.
   I have acquaynted this gentleman with the secreat to the ende
he may imparte the same unto your lordship. [\I dare make
<P 342>
none of my servants here privy thereunto. My only feare is, that
her majestye will not use the matter with that secreacye that
apperteynethe, thowgh yt import yt as greatly as ever any thing
dyd sythence she cam to this crown, CROSSED OUT\] and suerly, yf
the matter be well handeled, yt wyll breacke the necke of all
dayngerowse practyces duryng her majestyes reygne. [\I pray your
lordship make this letter an heretyke after you have read the
same. CROSSED OUT\] I mean, whan the matter is growen to a full
ripenes, to send some confydential person unto you, to acquaynt
you fully with the matter. And so, in the mean tyme, I most
humbly take my leave. At the coorte, the ix=th= of Julye, 1586.
   Your lordships to commaunde,
   Fra: Walsyngham.

<Q LEY 1586 FWALSINGHAM>
<A FRANCIS WALSYNGHAM>
<P 342>
[} [\LETTER CXXIX. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF
LEYCESTER. 11TH JULY, 1586.\] }]
<P 343>
   My verry good lord, by my last [\letter\] , by sir William
Pelham, I dyd let your lordship understand what advyce I thowght
woold be gyven to her majestye, uppon the poyntes of your
lordships last letters unto her; sythence which tyme, reporte
thereof hathe ben made unto her, but she not resolved as yet,
what advyce to geve unto your lordship uppon the sayd poyntes.
She is lothe to sende a spetyall person to your lordship and the
counsell of state there, in respect of charges; and y[{et{] , in
the ende, for that the matter is of wayght, I thinke she wyll be
drawen to assent thereunto. I suppose Mr. Wolley or Mr. Wylkes
wyll be used in that servyce. She seemethe to be dysposed to
make Mr. Davyson my assystaunt in the place I serve. The
gentleman is very muche greeved with the dyslyke he
understandethe your lordship hathe of him. For my own parte, I
doe not fynde but that he hathe dealt well, bothe for the cause
and [\also\] towards your lordship, whos good opinion and favor
he dothe greatly desyre.
   The v=th= of this present captain Haggarston arryved here,
whoe departed hence the daye following.
   He had accesse unto her majestye, and was verry gratyousely
used by her. He layd before her sondrye reasons to move her to
thinke that the master of Grayes imployement in the Lowe
Contreys myght yeld more proffyt to the generall cause, and
furtheraunce to her servyce, by imbarquing the king his
soverayn, then his contynewaunce in Scotlande. But nothing that
he coold saye coold lead her majestye to be of his opinion,
being perswaded that his absence from thence may breed some
dayngerowse alteratyon in that realme. I fynde, bothe by the
master of Graye and captain Haggerston, that, without he goe in
person, he shall not be able to send over sooche nombers as your
lordship desyrethe, and, therfor, I have thowght good to staye
the sending of the 2000=li=. untyll I heare from them.
   Her majestye styll makes verry great dayntye to send over any
of her own subjects to serve, eyther as pyoners or sowldiers. My
lord-thresurer, Mr. vyce-chamberlyn and I dyd deale verry
effecttually
<P 344>
with her for the sending over of the 600 pyoners, but coold not
wyn her to assent thereunto. The pyoners provyded by Mr. Rauley
are nowe come to London and are readye to imbarque.
   Sir William Stanley, as the lord-deputye and secretary Fenton
doe advertyce me, hathe ben greatly hyndered and crossed by
dyvers malytyowse and sedytyowse brutes geven owt in that
realme, in the levye of the 1000 men, as thowgh ther were an
intent and meaning to bryng them to the butchery. Were yt not
that the deputye dothe assyst him to the uttermost of his power
he shoold not, as I am informed, be able to rayse halfe the
nombre. I hope the next westerly wynde wyll bryng him and his
troopes unto your lordship.
   What resolutyon is taken for the thresorer your lordship may
perceyve by the coppye of a letter wrytten by her majestye unto
yourself. By sir Thomas Shurley your lordship shall receyve the
originaule letter, as also sooche matters as the sayd thresurer
hathe ben charged withall, and Leyster his deputye, together
with ther awntswers. And, for that ther are certeyn espetyall
matters wherwith he standethe charged, and are by him denied, yt
is, therfor, thowght meet, that they shoold be examyned there. I
suppose he wyll himselve be a suter to be dyscharged of the
place, and the rather yf coronell Norryce returne, whos frendes
are verrye earnest for his revocatyon, in respect of the dyslyke
your lordship hathe of him. Her majestie dothe yet oppose
herselve thereunto, but I hope, in the ende, wyll be drawen to
assent, which shall not lacke any furtheraunce I can yelde, for,
being a person dyscontented, and not lyked of by the most part
of the marshall men serving there, his contynewance in that
servyce cannot but doe a great deale of harme, by maynteyning of
factyon. I wyshe also bothe his brethern here, in case he leave
the servyce, espetyally Edwarde, whoe I dowbt dothe advertyce
but hardly of the proceadinges there.
   Towchyng the 1500=li= dysbursed by your lordship in the
levyeing of the 650 horse, over and besydes the 8000=li=
alreadye receyved,
<P 345>
I doe assure your lordship that the contrybutyon of the
recusentes, and the charges, dothe not suffyce to supplye the
sayd somme of 8000=li= dysbursed by her majestye. And owr people
in this realme, by the malytyowse practyces of the yllaffected,
begyn to murmure at the warres, so as yt is thowght meet for a
tyme to staye the makyng of any newe levyes, eyther of men or
money. I doe assure your lordship there are very dangerowse
humors reygnyng here amongest us, and we not dysposed to take
sooche a pryncely coorse to kepe the yll-dysposed under, as the
present tyme requireth.
   I praye your lordship, for that her majestye dothe geve owt
that the count of Hollocks dyscontentment growethe in respect he
was removed from the coronellshipp of the footemen serving in
Zeland, and the same bestowed uppon sir Philip Sydney, that her
majestye may be satysfyed in that poynte, for that she layethe
the blame uppon sir Philip, as a thing by him ambytyowsely
sowght. I see her majestye verry apt uppon every lyght occasyon
to fynde fault with him.
   Owre treatye in Scotland was concluded the vj=th= of this
present, and the commyssyoners dysmyssed with good contentement.
Sooche advertycementes as I hav lately receyved owt of France,
Flaunders, and the ennemyes camp, I send your lordship herwith.
And so I most humbly take my leave. At Barnelms, the xj=th= of
Julye, 1586.
   Your lordships to commaunde,
   Fra: Wal.

<Q LEY 1586 FWALSINGHAM>
<A FRANCIS WALSYNGHAM>
<P 353>
[} [\LETTER CXXXIII. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF
LEYCESTER. 20TH JULY, 1586.\] }]
   My very good lord, I understand by this gentleman, her
majesties thresorer there, that he cannot have coronnell Morgans
acquittances to be delyverid, [\as\] usually unto him by all the
captens and others that have chardg vppon receipt of their paye,
for that yt is required that a defalcacion be made out of his
enterteynement for the armour of his companyes, as hath be don
to the other captens, which the coronnell refuseth to yeld unto,
alleadging that he hathe sent backe the armour providid by the
countrye, and furnished his companyes himself. Whereuppon the
gentleman standeth chardgid with so much as the sayd paye
amounteth unto, and hath nothing to shew for the same, that may
dischardg him in his accomptes. I pray your lordship therfore to
geve order, that Mr. Morgan maye delyver unto him his
acquitaunces, as aperteyneth for his indemnitye; and, towching
the matter ytself, the armour that he hath sent backe being
refused by the country, I do not see howe he can be releevid
unles some vent maye be found for the same, or that he will come
over himself to make suite and take some order in yt. And so I
most humbly take my leave. At Richmond, the xx=th= of July,
1586.
   Your lordships to commaunde,
   Fra: Walsyngham.
[\ADDRESSED,\] To the right honorable my very good lord, thearle
of Leycester, lieutenant-generall of her majesties forces in the
Lowe Countryes.

<Q LEY 1586 WCECIL>
<A WILLIAM CECIL>
<P 354>
[} [\LETTER CXXXIV. LORD BURGHLEY TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 21ST
JULY, 1586.\] }]
   My verie good lord, I will first beginne to awnsweare your
[\lordships\] letter of the xviij=th= of June, which doth
conteine your advise verie circumst[{antially{] geven for my
sonne to have consideration of the matter that hath been
[{moved{] to your lordship from hence, for the change of Brill
for Harlingham, and for that [{he{] was come over thither before
the receipt of your [\lordships\] letter, I could not conferre
with him theareuppon, but if I had, by the reasons alledged in
your lordships letters, which are verie manie, I should have
counseled him to have continued in the Brill, than to have gon
so farre of as Harlingham is, being owt of the limits both of
Holland and Zeland; and the rather, also, I would have advised
him to have continued at the Brill, bicause I perceive by your
lordships letter, you can be content
<P 355>
that, with the Brill, he maie have the governement of the iland,
which maie be very commodious for him, for the strengthening of
the place; and so nowe, meaning not to trowble your lordship
with this matter, I dowbt not but he himself hath commoditye to
receive your lordships resolucion thearein, which I leave to
himselfe to accept, and conforme himselfe to your advise.
   In the postscript of your sayd letter I perceive, that by the
establishing of the chamber of finances your lordship shall be
more hable to make necessarie paimentes for all thinges
requisite under your charge then heretofore you have been, the
opinion of which lack hath most cheeflye bread dowbt in hir
majestie of the good sequel of the cawse; and therefore the
sooner your lordship maie make it appeare to hir majesty, that
the contribucions heretofore offred by the states maie be nowe
performed, which spetiallie will be best credited by hir
majestie if she maie perceive, that such sommes of monie as have
been paiable by the states to yourself for your enterteinement,
and to satisfie the debtes due to hir majestie for hir treasure
defraied to their uses, [{have been paid,{] the more resolute
shall you find hir majestie to stand fast and firme in the
prosecution of this action.
   Your lordship doth in that end of the letter, also as in
manie others, make mention of your desire to have sir William
Pelham theare, which surelie hath not been by me omitted, nor by
himself delaied, but as now he can tell your lordship, whoe I
trust hath arrived theare sum fewe daies past, in whom the lett
hath been, partlie for not yelding to the acquitall of his
debtes, and partlie, as hir majestie did often awnsweare us,
that she could not well spare such a man from the service in the
office that he hath, considering both the absence of sir Philip
Sidney, and the unhabilitye of my lord of Warwick, your brother,
to travell. But my awnswere was theareto, that, for anie
spetiall service in the field at home, in that kind of office, I
thowght, as longe as you weare well occupied in thos cuntries
against the common enemie, and might
<P 356>
prosper theare, we should not have any great neade of his
presence heare.
   Nowe, my lord, for awnsweare of sum matters conteined in your
other longe letter. Your lordship writeth, that I, in my former
letter, did sett a rate of the angell and the shillinge, the one
at xv=s= the other at xx=d=, and you did doubt wheather I ment
it to be the valewe of sterling or otherwise. But I did, and doe
still meane it, to have our angell, that is heare x=s=, to be
currant theare for xv=s= Flemishe, and our sterling shilling
that is heare xij=d=, to be theare currant for xx=d= Flemishe.
And wheare the great rose-noble was theare in estimation farre
above his valewe, and nowe is fallen out of that reputacion, I
was ever of that minde, and shall be, that newe coine in anie
cuntrie wheare knowledg is of minting, will have a higher
estimacion than his ritches will yeld him, and so I think your
lordship should have proved. The experience of him that offred
yowe so great sommes for the coinage of the rose-nobles in that
cuntrye would have tended to a fall of his great offer within
one moneth or lesse; for, trewlie, it is a natural reason in all
thinges, that (\ex nihilo nihil fit\) , and noe great gaine can
ever be made to last, but wheare the cawse and grounde of the
gaine shall last. We had heare the like experience for a while,
of an offer made by alderman Martin, to yeld to hir majestie for
the coinage of everye pownd weight of gold into rose-nobles the
sum of xxx=s=, wher otherwise was never paid above iiij=s=, for
other the best gold; and, having commission to coine the same,
he was forced to leave of within the monethe, for that the
estimacion of them did sodenlie decaie, and so the coinage
perforce did staie, and yet, for that short time, her majestye
had awnswered unto hir neare m=li= for coinage. I perceive your
lordship hath the stampes of the said rose-nobles which your
offerer had provided, and, I thinke, if the matter weare renewed
unto him againe, he could not mainteine any reason to yeld unto
your lordship anie extraordinarie proffett by coinage of them,
more then of other gold of like
<P 357>
fines, whearein I praie your lordship cawse him to be tempted
anewe, and lett me knowe his awnsweare, for if hir majestie
might have the gaine thearebie, I should be right glad thereof,
and would also further it, so as it might be sett downe to what
quantitie the coinage should be.
   And, for that I sent your lordship word of summ shillinges
coined in that cuntrie, the partie that browght them unto me
said, he had them from Amsterdam, as being coined theare; but,
as your lordship writeth, it might be at summ other towne, as
Gorcum, or such like: but this maie be held for a rule generall,
that whearesoever our monies, either gold or silver, be coined
in anie other cuntrie, if the same coines be in waight and fines
as good as ours, theare will be noe longe continuance of coinage
thereof; for the proffett of the coinage, which is the
sufferantie to the prince, is so small as [\it is\] hard for
privatt men to continue such coinage; but if, otherwise, theie
be coined of lesse valewe, then, thowgh for summ time, people
may be abused to receive them, yet such monies will not have
longe continuance in theire estimacion.
   Your lordship maketh mention of my writing that I had delt
with the merchantes-adventurers to paie ther xxx=m li=, which
indeade theie weare contented to promise, at that time when I
did write so, but, afterward, uppon the losse of Grave and
Venlo, theie semed to have had intelligence from there factors
on [{that{] side the seas, that the trade of merchandize began
to change [{and{] staie, and so theie started from theire
promise: and yet, after that, theie helped your lordship with
v=m li= which was verie happelie taken upp [{by{] your lordship,
in that it semeth, though the some weare little, the poore
soldiers weare more releved with that small portion than theie
had been with the paie of a great deale more before. And,
trewlie, if your lordship could bring it to pass, that the poore
soldiers might be paied by [\the\] poll, sometimes one monethes
paie would doe more good in that sort, than two monethes paie to
the capteine, and, in like sort, I see your lordship hath care,
that theie which shall have the disposing of the
<P 358>
treasure [\may\] be directed so to dispose it as it maie cum
trewlie and indifferentlie to the use of the soldier.
   The paiment made to the states of monie by the threasurer,
whereof your lordship maketh mencion that it was paied without
your warrant or assignment, hath been hard to be excused,
[\any\] otherwise then that the threasurer saith, he made the
warrant by the forme of another, written before by Mr. Atye,
your lordships secretarie. I am of opinion, as your lordship is,
that the states would not agree [\to\] make the rembursement of
these thinges, if your lordships warrant had not past for the
same; and one thing I find hath been greatlie forgot theare,
that, according to an article of the contract, the states
commissaries have not been made privie to our musters and
paiements, whearebie the issue will be, respondence for
repaiment to bee made [\here\]after to hir majesty. At this time
hir majestie hath appointed sir Thomas Shurleie to cum over with
the threasurer, and to be privie of all receiptes of monie that
he shall have, heare or theare, and shall joine with the
threasurer in all paimentes to be directed by your lordship, and
not otherwise, so as it shall be in your lordships power, for
this time, to see and have perfect knowledg to whome anie monie
shall be paid, and how much he shall have to paie, and, uppon
the paiments of this money now delivered to them both in charge,
the threasurer is determined to leave the place, and so I have
of long time advised him, and would have had him so to have done
heare, by ending his whole accompt [\on\] this side, but hir
majestie would have him come over to make an ende of his broken
paimentes theare, whereof, uppon his accompt heare, many dowbtes
have been made, and he left in suspence and respect almost of
xi=m li=, though he showeth divers matters for his warrantiz to
be allowed thereof, as by his peticions which at this time are
sent over thither by sir Thomas Shurleie, maie appeare: which
are of sundrie natures, for that he sheweth good warrantes for
paiment of divers sommes, but noe perfect acquittances of the
receivors,
<P 359>
though he saie theie be left theare on that side now to be
produced, and, for sum part, he sheweth acquittances of sommes
due and paied but hath not heare shewed warrantes for the same,
for the which he is to receive your lordships favour, as the
justice of the paimentes shall require.
   Your lordship maketh mention of the sending of William Herle
to Embden, from whome, at the writing of your letter, your
lordship had noe awnswere. But nowe of late I have seen, in Mr.
secretaries handes, the whole negotiation of William Herle, by
objecting and expostulating with the comte of Embden for verie
manie thinges, and of the awnsweares made thereunto; whearebie
it appearethe, that manie thinges have been spread otherwise to
his condemnacion than was trewe. But yet, I see the sequell will
be, that, although our merchantes maie have traffique thither,
yet he will keape still a newtralitie, both towardes the king of
Spayne and thos provinces, for aiding and victualing of either
of them. I wishe he might be otherwise recovered in favor of
thos states, consideringe the benefitt that might growe to thos
provinces under your government, if the river of Ems might be
kept free from the trade of the Spanishe side, whoe surelie have
great cawse to attaine to the possession of that river,
thearebie to have sum passage open to the sea, as well to have
entrance from the sea thither as to passe to the sea from
thence, the lack of which commoditye is one of the principall
impedimentes that impeacheth the king of Spaines actions.
Having, for all his great cuntries in that part of christendome,
noe commoditye to passe and repasse the seas but by Graueling,
which is not worth naming, and by Dunkirke, and Newport, which
two, in my opiniong weare of as great moment to be wonn from him
as either Gant, or Bruges, or both. And, if I knew howe to geve
counsell for such an enterprise, I would preferre it before anie
other in this time, for I doe conclude that the king of Spaine
never can be a full master of thos cuntries without he have sum
owt-gate and in-gate by the sea. And, whilest I am writing thus,
I praie your lordship thinke
<P 360>
howe such service might be done by your maritime forces and
flie-boates theare, that are fittest to impeche thos kind of
havens. Thus having been longe in trowbling your lordship,
withowt anie great matter of substaunce, but uppon conclusions
taken by perusing your lordships letters, and nowe, considering
what thinges have hapned since the writinge of your letters, I
will breefly make sum mention of thinges latelie passed.
   By sum late letters written from your lordship to hir
majestie, and by sum conference had with Coxe, whoe browght the
same letters, hir majestye hath had sondrie ernest consultacions
with Mr. vice-chamberlaine, Mr. secretarie, and me, uppon divers
thinges contained in your lordships letters, and for that hir
majestie perceiveth you are verie desirous to be advised and
directed by hir for your governement in that place, which is
accompanied with manie great difficulties at this time,
thearefore, after longe debate had before hir majestie, it was
thowght most necessarie to send one spetiallie from hir majestie
unto your lordship, having named two or three, but in the ende,
hir majesty made choise of Mr. Wilkes, the bearer of thes my
letters, whoe is instructed, not onelie by sum writings, as
memorialls, delivered unto him, but, also, by longe speches of
hir majestie hirself, which she hath recorded in hir owne
tables, and nevertheles caused him to putt the same more at
length in writing, so that he commeth verie well informed of hir
majesties mind, and appointed also to be informed by your
lordship of manie necessarie thinges for satisfaction of hir
majestie. And, besides thes, he hath letters from hir majestie
for assuraunce of hir constant persisting in this common action,
and, bicause your lordship shall at length understand by himself
the matters committed to his charge, I doe thearefore forbeare
to make any further mention thereof.
   At the writinge hereof sir William Stanley was come hither,
and meaneth with hast to repaire to your lordship, judging that
his men are before this time at Flushing.
   Mr. secretarie, I thinke, doth advertise you of the dowbtfull
estate of the affaires in Fraunce, altogether in great
calamitie.
<P 361>
And, which is most of us to be dowbted and feared, by the long
delaie of the armie to cum owt of Almaign, we maie dowbt that
the king of Navarre will yeld to sum peace not profitable for
the religion, but yet unprofitable for the Frenche king, for
that the duke of Guise and all his partye, by sum mediation of
the duke of Nevers and Montmorency, offer great frendshipp to
the king of Navarre, meaning to seperatt themselves both from
depending uppon the Frenche king or his mother, against whome
the duke of Guise professeth open hatred, as thinking himself
also secretlie hated by the king. And so, by thes strange
accidentes, it cannot be but France must suffer great
calamities, and so as the poore flock of Christ might be safe,
whilest thes great bulls of Bazan shall rage one against the
other, I care not for the rest that maie followe to that wicked
nation.
[^THE REST OF THE LETTER AUTOGRAPH, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE
ADDRESS^]
   I understand by Mr. secretory, that the master of Gray in
Scotland contynueth his purposs to send forces out of Scotland
to your lordship, and myndeth to come unto England first hyther.
But I dout how he shall be helped with that mony that I had
purpoossly stayd, being ij=m li= for hym, for that, as Mr.
Shyrley can tell your lordship, hir majesty was grevoussly
offended with me for steying of it; and, even this daye, I moved
hir majesty ageyn, that it might be stayd, or otherwise the
master of Gray shuld be disapoynted therof, but in no wise she
wold yeld, as Mr. secretary can advertise your lordship.
   And so, with a good hart and yet an evill head, I am forced
to end, besechyng God to prosper yow, and enhable yow to hold
the feld, but I wish not that yow shuld hazard any fight, for,
as your case is, a small loss may be a gretar to yow than the
lyk to the ennemy. From Rychmont, the 21. of July, 1586.
   Your lordships most assuredly,
   W. Burghley.
[\ADDRESSED,\] To the right honorable my verie good lord, the
erle of Leicester, lieutennant-generall for hir majesties
forces, and governor of the provinces united.

<Q LEY 1586 FWALSINGHAM>
<A FRANCIS WALSYNGHAM>
<P 382>
[} [\LETTER CXXXVIII. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF
LEYCESTER. 30TH JULY, 1586.\] }]
   My verie good lord, whereas my servant Brune hath, since sir
John Norryces departure last out of this realme, employed
himself in victualling a great part of hir majesties forces in
the Lowe Countries, and for that purpose hath been at great
charges, as hee advertiseth me, in erectinge bruehouses and
bakehowses, whereby the souldier is much better served,
especiallye in drincke and bread, than otherwise hee would bee,
so it is, that I am enformed, there bee some whiche intend to
sue to your lordship for a commyssion to authorize them
speciallye to serve in those victualling causes, whereby my sayd
servant is lyke to bee undone. Wherefore, as before I have
recommended my servant to your lordship, so I humblye praye you
to continewe your honorable favour in suche sort towardes him as
he maye not bee forbidden, but permitted still to vittall the
souldiers as hee hath done; for whiche I shall thincke myself
beehoulding to your lordship, and so I humblye take my leave.
From the court, the xxx=th= of Julye, 1586.
   Your lordships to commaund.
   Fra: Walsyngham.

<Q LEY 1586 FWALSINGHAM>
<A FRANCIS WALSYNGHAM>
<P 395>
[} [\LETTER CXLIII. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF
LEYCESTER. 15TH AUGUST, 1586.\] }]
<P 396>
   My very good lord, by thincloased from the master of 
[{Gray{] , your lordship maye perceave howe much yt doth importe
her majestyes [{service{] and his own credit, that the intended
imployment of hym in the Lowe Countryes do take place, the
consideracion whereof hath now movid hir majesty to geve hir
resolut consent therunto, for that she seeth thinconveniences
that are otherwise lykely to grow, yf she do not imploy him, and
judgeth very necessary for her owne behoof to have his credit in
Scotland and devotyon towardes her mayntayned and continued, and
therfor your lordship shall do a thing very acceptable to hir
majesty, to have a spetyall care that he may fynd [{...{] of
enterteynement, and receave that welcom and good [{...{] both
for himself and those that accompanye him, that may satisfye his
expectation and encourag him in his good disposicion. I have
also movid hir majesty for an advance for him of the two
thowsand poundes that he desyreth, [{which she is{] content to
graunt a warraunt unto my lord-threasurer to disburse the same
out of the next treasure that shalbe yssued for them ther, to be
repayd agayn unto your lordship by the states, and [{...{] shall
the somme be notwithstanding presentlye furnished to serve the
masters present and necessary turne, as he desireth; and so I
humbly take my leave of your lordship. At Barnelmes, xv=th= of
August, 1586.
   Your lordships to commaund,
   Fra: Walsyngham.

<Q LEY 1586 WCECIL>
<A WILLIAM CECIL>
<P 396>
[} [\LETTER CXLIV. LORD BURGHLEY TO THE EARL OF LEICESTER. 18TH
AUGUST, 1586.\] }]
<P 397>
   My very good lord, I have forborn to wryte to your lordship
of any thyng sence Mr. Wylkes depeche, and sir Thomas Shyrley
with Mr. Hudleston, and so contynued in expectation of some
matter from that syde uppon their arryvall, and so we here did
thynk the lack of hearyng from thence cam by contynvance of
contrary wynds, and yet nevertheless yesterday cam, [\in\] on
instant, two from your lordship, Mr. Haydon and Mr. Killigrew,
and by Mr. Haydon I receaved your lordships letters of the
29=th= of July from the Hage, which war wrytten befor the
arryvall of Mr. Wilkes and sir Thomas Shyrley, so as by those
your lordships letters I cold not understand any thyng in answer
to matters committed to ther severall charges, but yet by a
lettre of the 6. of August from sir Thomas Shyrley at Tyrgowss,
I perceaved that he had spoken with your lordship, and at that
tyme he had understandyng that the prince of Parma was not at
Antwerp, as before was reported, but that he was gon to besege
Berk, and that, as he thought, your lordship would prepare
yourself to follow with an army. And whan I consider your
letter, how difficultly you bryng the states and the contrye to
yeld to yow monny, accordyng to their manny promises, for
mayntenance of so great an important service, tendyng to
preserve themselves out of the Spanish bondage, I do truly
lament your case, to be so wrapped into the cause as for hir
majesties securety you may not leave it soddenly, nor yet
without more redy helpe of monny can prosequut the action with
that lyff as it ought to be. And no on thyng doth more hynder
hir majesties forwardnes than an old rooted opinion that she
hath, that all this warr will be torned uppon hir chardg, by the
backwardnes in payement by the states, ageynst which I did
allweys oppose in answeryng to comfort hir majesty, that I was
assured, so as she wold contynew redy payement for hir nombres
accorded, yow wold not fayle but recover such somes from the
states, monthly, as they had promised your lordship shortly
uppon the committyng of the government to your lordship; and so
suerly I contynued my hope, although, in truth,
<P 398>
manny privat persons did advertise it very dowtfull, and so I am
sorry to se it, as I do by your own letters, very difficult to
be gotten. And yet I will not leave my hope, consideryng I
presume your lordship will look into [\the\] impedimentes, which
I thynk ar not the lack of good will in the people to yeld the
aydes promised, but in the maliciouss covetoosness of such as ar
knytt and confederat with the states, who, I thynk, fynding ther
lack of ther former gaynes, wold, if they cold, attayn to ther
government ageyn, and for that purpooss seke to stopp the
payment, therby to weary your lordship, and to induce yow to
remitt the government, which suerly cannot be doon but with the
ruyn of the whole cause, to the gretest daunger of hir majesties
suerty.
   Your lordship hath don very honorably and proffitably to our
country in procuryng oppen passadg for our marchantes to Embden,
and yet, in the end of your lordships letter, your lordship
wryteth that the ambassador for Embden will not assent to the
matter, except the ryver may be fre for all other marchantes
besyde English, but, I thynk, if it be well stycked unto, the
conte of Embden will, [\for\] his own proffitt, consent to our
merchantes access, though others shuld not come but by
permission of the Hollanders. Suerly if ther might be passadge
oppen by the Rhen out of Holland, I wold less care for our trade
at Embden, for than our merchantes saye they wold make a great
trade by Holland, but yet, with the condition that our
marchandise be not burthened with great taxes, for your lordship
knoweth that nothyng is so great a hyndrance to trade of
merchantes as new toles and impositions, wherof our staplers of
late complayned for the burden layd uppon ther wares at
Midleborough. And yet, I confess, it is hard to gyve advise
herin, for as resort of merchauntes to those countreys is
proffitable, so how the common cause that is maynteaned by taxes
may yeld a forbearance of taxes uppon marchandise, I gretly
dout.
   I thynk by the accompt of Englishmen of late monthes past out
of this realme, ther ar besyde the queenes own army, above
<P 399>
vj=m= footemen, so as, if your lordship may have wherwith to pay
them, I would think your lordship shuld be hable so to kepe the
feld as the prince of Parma shuld not be hable to contynew any
sege to any town of strength, being also well-manned. And
suerly, my lord, without yow shall be hable to kepe the feld,
ther is no town so strong but the prynce with his battery will
wyn it.
   I am very glad that the town of Axell serveth to so good a
purpooss. I am suer, if the prynce did not follow theise seges
in Gelderland, &c. your lordship wold advance some horssmen to
Sluse and Ostend to spoyle the countreys about Bruuges and Gant,
which also wold make them revolt. Now, my lord, I dowt not but
Mr. secretory doth at lardg acqueynt yow with the discovery of
the late traytorooss conspyracies, the authors wherof, as farr
furth as we do esteme, we have, savyng only ij, Thomas Salisbury
and Edward Abyndon, both which ar fled, but pursued. My
lord-chancellor and I ar here contynuyng at London, dayly
occupyed, first in procuryng ther apprehension, and now in
examyning, &c.
   And so, my good lord, being urged with a weak gouty righthand
to leave wryting, I pray your lordship to accept these lynes, so
evill scribled, in good part.
   Your lordships most assured,
   W. Burghley.
From my houss at Strond, 18 Aug. 1586.

<Q LEY 1586 FWALSINGHAM>
<A FRANCIS WALSYNGHAM>
<P 403>
[} [\LETTER CXLVI. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF
LEYCESTER. 2ND SEPTEMBER, 1586.\] }]
   My very good lord, this gentleman hathe verry carefully and
dyscretely executed the charge commytted unto him. In what good
termes your lordship standethe with her majestie he can shewe
you, I praye God contynewe yt, and that she may dyscerne the
yll-affected from the sownde.
   Sorrye I am to see your lordship trobled with the pertyculer
quarrels of thos that ought to be best united. The Lord geve you
wysdome to appeese them, and patyence to beare this crosse!
   The lord-treasurer hathe promysed to ioyne with me in the
<P 404>
revokyng of sir Ihon Norryce. I have imparted unto this bearer
what is intended agaynst the Scottish queen. He is commanded to
departe with speed, and my leysure wyll afoorde no more lynes,
and therfore I most humbly take my leave. London, 2. September,
1586.
   Your lordships to command,
   Fra: Walsyngham.

<Q LEY 1586 FWALSINGHAM>
<A FRANCIS WALSYNGHAM>
<P 404>
[} [\LETTER CXLVII. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF
LEYCESTER. SEPTEMBER 1586.\] }]
   My very good lord, [{...{] can wytnesse unto you [{how{]
greatly I was busyed at the tyme of his departure in the
dyscoverye of the complyces of the late conspiracye, wherof I
praye God her majestye may make [{more{] proffyt then of lyke
opportunytyes thorrowghe Gods godnes appered unto h[{er{] . I
knowe your lordships good advyce can greatly further the matter.
She dyd never make greater [{speech{] of her love towardes you,
[{or{] of the trust she reposethe [{in{] you then at this
present; therfor your lordships good cownecell will work good
effects.
   Your last sent by young [{Gor{]ge of the vij=th= of this
present
<P 405>
I think meete to be communicated unto her majestye, that she may
see howe hardely she dealethe with her best-affected servaunts.
   I am very glad that your lordship is growen to so good a
lykyng of my cosyn Jhon Norryce. I praye God he may styll carrye
himself towardes your lordship in sooche [{sort{] as may
increase your good opynion conceyved of him.
   I have not been unmyndfull of your lordships request both for
Danyell Rogers and your servant Bodley. Poor Rogers is forced to
staye here to sollycyt the contrybution of the bishops towardes
his ransom, which he fyndethe himselve bound in conscyence to
see awntswered to sooche as became bounde for the same. I fynde
the man well bent to serve your lordship yf this impedyment were
not. Touching your servant Bodley, he hathe been owt of the
towne a long whyle but is dayly looked for, at whos returne I
will not fayle to deale with him.
   Touchyng her majestyes goodnes to be exstende towards the
elector Truxies I wyll not fayle to sollycyt, thowghe [{with{]
no great hoape thereof. And so I most humbly. [\NO CONCLUSION OR
DATE\]

<Q LEY 1586 RDUDLEY>
<A ROBERT DUDLEY>
<P 405>
[} [\LETTER CXLVIII. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY
WALSYNGHAM. 4TH SEPTEMBER, 1586.\] }]
<P 406>
   Good Mr. secretary, remember Seburo, my honour and creditt
lieth vppon it.
   The manner of our proceeding Mr. Gorge shall tell you, from
our first going fourth of this iourney till he departed after
the wyning of Dorsborge, which was happilie gotten, being so
well walled and double ditched as it was, for the prince was
come as farr as Eltons with his forces to reskew it, but he came
to late, for the same day we had it. Hit is the first towne wonn
by the cannon for the states these ix yeres, and it is a towne
as fitt for vs as can be, for Zutphin can now little harme vs,
for it is environed of
<P 407>
euerye side; Deventer and othir townes beneth it, and this towne
and Arnham aboue it, all vppon one river.
   The marshall, I thanke God, mends verie well, and shall carye
a bullett in his bellie as long as he liues. God hath
wonderfully delt for his saving aliue, and I escaped well, I
thanke Him, the same instant. For saving me he had it, as I
wrote vnto you, for I first spied the wall to be verie nere, and
he found he was past his marke, and stept before me, at which
verie stepp he receaued the blow, which perhapps had lighted
more daingerous vppon me, being higher then he, but God can
defend whoe he will.
   Roger Williams hath gott a blow thorow the arme, one evil
fire. I warned him of it, being in trench with me, and would
need run vpp and downe so oft out of the trench, with a great
plume of feathers in his gylt morion, as so many shott coming at
him he could hardlie escape with soe little hurt. He saw ther
was [{some went out{] of my trench to gaze and were strait hit,
and on kild out-right, that were [{n{]euer such marks as he was,
and within point-blanke of a caliver. God be thanked, all things
considered, that we lost noe more. I thinke there is not xij
kild since we came before the towne, and I beleeue never men
lodged so nere a towne the first day as we did, and began our
trench the first night, which had like to haue bine costly to
some. We attend here looking for the enemie, but our stay is to
strengthen the towne better, or I departe.
   This day I received letters from the count Newenor who is
with the rutters, and tells me theie will march further with all
[\speed\] . He sends me worde that old Ramelius was sent vnto
him by the kinge of Denmarke, to will the count to send me word,
that, if the rutters stay, or vse delay, that he will furnish
him with ij=m= of his best horse and iij=m= footmen, and shalbe
with him within xv dayes; and that her majestie had sent vnto
him that he should help me if there were occasion, and her
majestie should see he
<P 408>
was at her comandement. Though the yere be to far past now to
levy those countrei horsmen, yet her majestie may see that
kinges good devotion, which I pray you, sir, to remember to her
majestie, that the kinge maie receaue thanks, and to keepe him
in [\t\]his mind still; for, if her majestie doe goe forward
with this cause, than his offer will serue well against the
springe, for, noe doubts, against that time, the kinge of Spaine
will sett vpp his rest; and truly, but for this armie of her
majesties, at this time, now, the prince had prevailed this
yere, to the verie townes of Holland. All these parts, Gelders,
Overisell, the Vellow, Vtrickt, and Freseland, had bine gone
cleane or this day, and for all the men that came over so fast,
I doe assure you at Elten, our last campe, we had not 4,500
English footmen, nor xiij=c= horse, English, Duch, and all, nor
aboue 1,100 Scotts and Duch foote. All which [\is\] a small army
to defend such an enemie, as is at the lest at this howre 3,000
horse, and 8,000 footmen, if not 10,000. Neuerthelesse, I trust
not only to keepe all these parts safe, but, if our rutters come
in time, make him seeke a new coast to dwell in. In the meane
time, I am glad as he got ij townes of ours by reason, we haue
gotten ij of his by force, and honorably, and, vppon my word,
the states will not change these ij for iiij such as thother,
theie be so fitt to annoy the enemie, as you will not beleeue
the hurt Axell hath done him, and now we haue this towne,
Zutphin wilbe nothing, considering how it shalbe beseiged by
Deventer and this towne. We haue the whole river of Isell save
Zuttphin, and the prince must now gett him another place for
provion then Cullen, for Cassamer hath forbidden anie vittell to
passe his countrey, either to Cullen or that waye. Soe that
Cullen beginns to growe weary of the prince, and so doth the
duke of Cleave, albeit he and his sonne hath giuen him all the
help theie can, as well in deliuering vpp their towne to him, as
euerie [\way\] ells, but he will double smart for it, the
rutters once being come.
<P 409>
   I receaued a letter from sir Edward Stafford, wherin he doth
giue me warning of one Caesar, an Italian, that is gon into
England, and doth meane to come over to me for some myschief. By
his description it should be a surgion, for their were ij
Italians, both surgions, and both their names Caesars, and be
both of Rome, and very villaines, yet found theie great fauor of
me in England. Yf it be either of them, as he sayth this man
confessed he serued me, it were not amisse he [\and\] his
companion were staid there, or ells, if theie desire earnistly
to come over to me, give me warninge and write your letters by
them to me, and then I will handle them well enough here; in the
meane time, if theie linger there, for feare of her majestie
clapp them vpp, for she is their principall mark.
   I trust, after Wilks be come home, I shall heare of her
majesties resolucion. If she leaue of her hold that is offerd,
all is gon; and except she take vppon her all, all wilbe gon,
and that shortly. For my none parte, I trust not to leaue anie
dishonour behind me for her majestie; and except she take the
cause princly in hand, and call her parliament, and accept that
hir subiects will offer her to maintayne this charge, hit will
but consume her treasor and loose the countries. Yet better were
it to make some secret confederacye first with Denmark, and, if
I knew her pleasure onlie, I could deall by the count Hollock
with the king of Denmark, quickly to knowe his mind. High time
it is that her majestie did resolue one way or other, for our
states growe stately, and wilbe high or low as God shall dispose
of this iourney, for theie yet feare her majesties acceptacion
further, and hir continuance with this charge doubtfull. Theie
be iumbling vnderhand, I dowbt. Theie doe send to hir majestie,
as Wilks can tell you, touchinge this point. Menyn and Walke be
appointed; Valk is a shrewd fellowe and a fine; Menyn is the
deper man indeed, and I thinke the honester, and being well vsed
the ablest man of all the states to serue her. He hath great
credit as anie one man.
<P 410>
Lett him be inwardly vsed; and he is but poore, which you must
consider, but with great secrecy. Thus far you well; in hast,
this 4th September.
   Your assured freind.
   I doubt not but her majestie will shewe my letter touching
these causes.

<Q LEY 1586 WCECIL>
<A WILLIAM CECIL>
<P 411>
[} [\LETTER CL. LORD BURGHLEY TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 15TH
SEPTEMBER, 1586.\] }]
   My very good lord, Mr. Wylkes is come wherby hir majesty
falleth into consideration of the state of those countryes,
which suerly requireth no small consultation, the lett wherof
is, at this tyme, more than is convenient, that we of the
counsell ar throghly
<P 412>
occupyed, some at London, some here, and some abrode, to deale
partly in tryall of traytors, in serching for more, in lookyng
to the sea-costes, to withstand the landyng of certen Spanish
shippes of warr which ar come to Brest, but as yet we know not
to what end. Some thynk they cam to have bene in redynes to have
landed in ayde of this late conspyracy intended, some to joyn
with the French in the recovery of Rochell. Within a few dayes
we shall se what they meane.
   I understood your lordship did favorably stey, amongst
others, my son from goyng to the assault of Dewsborogh. I do
thank your lordship therfor, although I can be content that both
he and I shuld spend our lyves for the queen and our countrye,
but I wish it in a matter of more moment; and yet I judg the
wyning of the town very necessary as the tyme was, but most of
all if therby Zutphan might be gotten, which I thynk must be by
perill of famyn.
   The queen of Scottes is lykly to come to Fodryngham castell
the 27. hereof, and I thynk a nombre of the counsellors and
others of the nobilitie shall have commission, accordyng to the
late statute 27=o=, to heare and judg hir cause ther, so as in
the next parlement, to begyn uppon a new summons the xv. of
October, further order may be taken with that queen accordyng to
part of hir desertes. Your lordship and I war very great motes
in the traytors eies, for your lordship ther, and I here, shuld
first, abowt on tyme, have bene killed; of your lordship they
thought rather of poysoning than slayeng. After us ij gon, they
purposed hir majesties deth, but God our defendor hath
graciously prevented ther mallyce, and I hope will contynew his
favor to mak voyd the relliques of ther mallyce.
   I will not fayle but remembre your lordships sute for the
forfayted
<P 413>
less of Salisbury at Denbigh, being the land [\of\] your
lordship.
   I can wryte no more at this tyme, wishyng to heare some
comfortable news of Berk, ether of fredom from the sege or
resonable composition for our people ther.
   From Wyndsor, xvth of September, 1586.
   Your lordships most assuredly,
   W. Burghley.
   Seaburo, the Spanyard, hath bene redy this month to be sent
to your lordship, and so I told Mr. Dudley iij wekes past.

<Q LEY 1586 RDUDLEY>
<A ROBERT DUDLEY>
<P 418>
[} [\LETTER CLIII. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO LORD BURGHLEY. 29TH
SEPTEMBER, 1586.\] }]
   My lord, I wrote to you before of certain commissionours
appointed to be sent to her majestie by the estates: who nowe I
thinke wilbe very shortly with you. One cause of their comming
wilbe, to advertise her majestie of their estate, and to be
humble suytours to knowe her highness pleasure for the
continewaunce of her gracious favour to them. But withall, a
spetiall cause of their message wilbe, to borrow of her majestie
a furder somme of monye, wherein I can saye litle. But according
as her majestie shall lyke of the proceading with the cause, so
must the advise be. And I do wishe, yf her majestie mynde to
deale furder in this cause, and do thincke the maintenance of it
to concerne the savetye of her own estate and realme, as it
hathe bene allwayes so thought hitherto, that then bothe some
loane of monye in this necessitye and all other effectuall
courses were taken that may best furder the same. As,
principallye, a parliament to be called, and that her highness
do use the good willes of her subjectes to a francke
contribution therto, to the which I nothing doubt but they wilbe
founde moste agreeable and willinge. And no doubtes the case was
never so good to deale in as nowe, and, as I trust you shall
furder perceyve, yf other mayntenaunce fayle not nowe, being in
good estate. But to goe on in suche sorte as it hathe hitherto
<P 419>
bene proceaded in, is to lose all that is and shalbe spent, and,
by litle and litle, to undoe the whole countrye, which the wise
here see, and surely will do what they can to prevent in tyme,
and it must neades be daungerous to her majesties estate, to
lett it be thus weakelye dealt in on bothe sydes. For my own
parte, I will not endure suche another yeares service, with so
many crosses and wantes, and so litle asistaunce every waye, yf
I were sure to gayne as muche as all these provinces are worthe.
I hope God will put into her majesties and your lordships
myndes, to do that which shalbe moste for his glorye, for the
savety of her majestie, and benefite of her realme. And so,
desirous to know with all spede some piece of her majesties
resolucion, being hye tyme, I myselfe wilbe moste readye to
performe the parte of a most duetifull servant, and obey all her
commandementes. And so, with my right hartye commendacions, I do
bid your good lordship farewell. At the campe before Zutphen,
the 29=th= of September, 1586.
   Your lordships very loving frende,
   R. Leycester.
   To the right honourable my very good lord, the lord
high-treasourour of Englande.

<Q LEY 1586 WCECIL>
<A WILLIAM CECIL>
<P 420>
[} [\LETTER CLV. LORD BURGHLEY TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 1ST
OCTOBER, 1586.\] }]
   My very good lord, uppon this bearers [{...{] Killygrews
sodden departure, I cannot wryte so much as I wold; nether if he
had lesur to tarry, cold I at this present wryte to myn own
satisfaction. I dout not but Mr. Cavendish, whom I fynd a most
ernest devoted creatur to your lordship, will, havyng lesur,
wryt at length how he fyndeth her majesty disposed. For the
commen causes ther under your government, Mr. Wylkes is to come
from hence within these few dayes, instructed from hir majesty.
   For the gretest matter here in hand, we fynd the cause so
manifest ageynst the party, the party so daungerous to our
quene, our countrye, and, that is of most importance, to the
whole cause of Godes chirch thrugh christendom, as without a
direct and spedy
<P 421>
procedyng it had bene less daunger to have concealed then
revealed this gret conspyracy. I hope that God, which hath gyven
us the light to discover it, woll also give asistance to punish
it, for it was intended not only ageynst hir majesties person,
and yours, and myne, but utterly to have overthrown the glory of
Christes chirch, and to have erected the synagog of Antychrist.
I nede not to debate this argument.
   My lord, for a particular plesur, I thank you for licensyng
[{my son{] to come home, for suerly otherwise his carcass had
never bene brought alyve hyther; he is yet, by the opinion of
the physicians, not out of perrill, his ageu still contynuing
uppon hym.
   And so, my lord, forbearyng untill Mr. Wylkes coming, I take
my leave of your good lordship, whom I wish so to end your
jornay in the feldes, as you may retorn hyther without daunger
to the commen cause ther, a thyng so nedefull, as suerly,
without your presence here, I know not how hir majesty will or
can resolve uppon hir manner of procedyng. From Wyndsor castle,
the first of October, 1586.
   Your lordships most assured,
   W. Burghley.
   I hope well that Cassimyre shall enter into France.
[\ADDRESSED,\] To the right honorable my very good lord the erle
of Lecestre lieutenant-generall for the queens majesty of
England in the Low Countryes.

<Q LEY 1586 RDUDLEY>
<A ROBERT DUDLEY>
<P 421>
[} [\LETTER CLVI. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY
WALSYNGHAM. 2ND OCTOBER, 1586.\] }]
<P 422>
   Good Mr. secretary, I trust now you shall have longer
enioying of your sonne, for all the worst days be past, as both
surgeons and phisytians have informyd me, and he amends as well
as ys possible in this tyme, and himselfe fyndes yt, for he
slepes and restes well, and hath a good stomack to eate, without
feare, or any distemper at all. I thank God for yt.
   Ther be certen personns desired to be sent to hir majesty,
one of the states, which ys Mening, another of the councell,
which ys Valk. I have thought good to have Mr. doctor Clerk goe
also, who wyll deall truly with hir majesty, and he hath byn a
dilligent observer of all that hath past among them.
   But I haue thought yt good for spetyall causes to send one
Burgrave, and joyned him with the other, who of my knoledge ys a
wyse, honest, and religious personn, and not one now amonge them
that ys of better understanding of all the matters of this state
than he ys, and whatsoever he doth know he wyll deall plainly
with hir majesty, whome I pray you help he may haue conference
with hir, and with you. You shall fynd him a substanciall wyse
man. He was, in the princes tyme, one of the chife for Flanders;
he hath byn also one of the prevey councell of estate, and used
almost in all ther great causes. Since my coming he served first
as master of requestes, after audyencer, and first secretary of
the councell of estate. He ys born in Flaunders, and therefore
those of Holland have byn lothe to lett him groe into to
<P 423>
much credytt. Paul Buys could never lyke of this man, as one
afrayd of him, for he ys a depe fellow; yet wold this man never
speak yll of him to hurt him, and yet no man can tell more of
his doinges than this man, and he can tell you whether I dyd use
Paul Buis, and deservyd well at his handes, or no. This man I
recomend to you, as one best able to satysfye you what courses
may be best to procede for the present, yf hir majesty doe meane
to deall any further in these causes, but, except you think the
cause worthye to be taken thorowly and princely in hand, never
pach it upp any more; rather take your owne courses betyme, and
leave these to God, than to deall so as nether part shalbe the
better; for most faythfully I assure you, the fear among
themselves, with the dowbt of hir majesties proceding, hath
almost mard the fashyon of this actyon. And yet, what hart and
contentacion the shew of hir majesties favor to these countreys
hath bredd doth appeare by the king of Denmarkes and other
princes furtherance hereof. And, no doubtes, yf hir majesty wyll
goe to the chardge but for ij yeres, she may as assuredly
stablysh these countreys as she shall please, as yf ther
[\were\] no enymye able to gaynsay yt.
   Now, whether you ther conceave styll as you have done, that
these countreys be of consequence for hir majesties safty and
servyce, to be kept at hir devotyon, I must leave to yourselves;
but yf you be, than doth now your opportunytye well serve you,
both to move hir majestye and to ease hir own charges. Yf that
opinione be changed, then ether must you entertein them with
hope, tyll you can know whether Denmark wyll deall or no, or to
make a good peace or a bad peace for hir and them. And, albeyt I
wyll never councell that way which may bring but a present shew
of peace for a tyme than a perfect peace in dede, yet yf others
shall think and perswade that way as a necessarye way, than I
say, I think hir majesty may have what peace she will at the
king of Spains handes nowe. For the prince ys at his wyttes end
at thys time, and a sounde and princely preparacion made for hym
this wynter wold breake his backe the next yere, using such
other meanes as hir majesty may with the king of Denmarke and
the
<P 424>
princes of Germany, with whome she may have the greatest
reputacion of any prince in the world.
   These thinges I must leave, as he that must be dyrected; and
yf hir majesty doe procede with these men in the cause, you must
nedes than have another manner of comission than was last, and
otherwyse delt withall, both for hir majesties assurance here
and a more fyrme establyshment of the government; and as these
men, all but Burgrave, are sent not only for to seke relyfe, but
chyfely to dyscover and understand hir majesties very full
dysposytion in this cause, so ys hir majesty to consider with
herself what she wyll doe, that she may use them accordinglye.
   Of those ij, Mening and Valk, Meninge ys the abler man every
way, and I think the better affected to hir majesty. I dyd gyve
him a cheyn, one of those you sent; he was no lytle proud man to
think himselfe remembered of hir majesty. For my owne parte, my
credytt hath byn craked ever synce hir majesty sent sir Thomas
Henege hether, as all men can tell you, for indede the
government they semed they had geven from themselves to me stok
in ther stomackes always, and but to have pleased hir majesty
and satysfie the people, they wold never have donn yt. On the
other syde, the towens and people they never could, nor yet can,
well consent to be overuled by their bakers, and bruers, and
hired advocattes, having byn always governed under some prince,
and now spetyally under hir majesty, for so dyd they, and doe
the most parte, yet take it, that they be only under hir
majesties goverment and not the states, for, lett me never be
trusted, yf, as sone as they shall finde that they be not under
her majestyes government, that they doe not refuse to obey the
states, or to lyve under the name of ther goverment iij monthes.
I know they hate them, and therin Paul Buys sought to wynn his
credytt wyth the people ageyn, to make that shew he dyd, as
indede he dyd above all other men here, to advance hir majesties
goverment, by joyning with them to press yt so uppon me, as,
unless that werr donn, they wold have no goverment by the states
by no meanes. Of this you hard inough, but I never found yt was
well conceavyd yet, for your owne
<P 425>
authoryty from Englond was such as gave them all good cause both
to thinke hir majesty ment yt, and for them to offer yt, and
confyrm yt uppon me.
   Touching all these matters for these countres, I wyll referr
you to Mr. Burgrave. I pray you make much of him, for he ys very
religious indede, and so ar not many here. Mening ys therin
better than his fellow, and one you may deall withall frely, but
yet you know he ys one of the states. Valk is subtyll, and
seketh wholy to content the states ever synce my authorytye cam
in questyon, for, before they hard of hir majesties myslyke,
they all of the councell werr sworn to me as governour. After
Mr. Henege cam, they all secretly sought to the states, and
tooke new patentes from them, saving ij, who plainly answered
that they wer sworn to me as governour over all the provinces,
and they wold no other patentes from any boddy.
   The states have challenged those of Utryckt, also, for that
they have contynewed themselves only obedyent to my authoryty,
refusing any other comandment of ther states-generall; and
herein did Paul Buys deall most badly with me, and with hir
majesty also, that knowing hir good pleasure, after did always
seke to make wrangling and debates among us, yet did I never any
thing but by his advice, and used him above all other
councellors here. I hear yt ys reportyd that he gave upp all
offyces in the princes tyme for standing against Monsieur and
for hir majesty, and how trew that ys all men here know, and
that he had a course than in hand, nether for Monsieur nor hir
majesty, but only for these countreys for the prince himselfe;
and whan he was dedd wold have had him buryed as erll of Holland
and Zeland, and wrought all the states of the countrey in the
heyt of yt to chuse his sonne governor, which being delayed, he,
being in England, was the chife cause to hasten the confyrmacion
of yt, and was donn indede, as you know, and none semed to
myslyke yt so much as he, and yet he chifely procured yt. His
reason than was, for that he feared hir majesty wold not goe
forward, and than he ment to prevent all other practyces for
<P 426>
the French; and yet whan I cam he only sought to make a pyke
between count Morris and me, and byd me take hede of him for he
was only French. Indede I here that after the prince was ded,
and [\he\] saw that his practyce that way was ended, he stoode
for hir majesty before the French, for he knew the French was
advertysed that he was the dealer against Monsieur; but
otherwyse yf he ether lost offyce or credytt for hir majesties
sake, lett my credytt be lost with you and all the frendes I
have; so well have I enquyred of his doinges. But lett him and
all these pass. I pray you lett spedy care be taken what course
hir majesty wyll take, as a thing most nedefull, and tyme ys
most precyous.
   And, though I have not byn wylling to make the worst of
thinges, yet wyll I not be thought so yll an husband as some I
hear wold make me, that I have received of these states not only
all the ordynarye allowed beforehand, but also the
extraordinarye to the somme of 400,000=li= sterling. First, I
wyll say, I never received the therd parte of the ordinary, and
for the extraordinary, hit was 400,000 florins, and not poundes,
which shuld have byn payd in March, Aprill, May, and June; but
the first of that we never received before August, and of that
ther ys one 100,000 dewe yet; and of the 300,000 disbursed, yf
ther hath byn paid in money 70,000 to the soldyers hit hath byn
a myllion. But they doe make reckoning of all ther vyttell, of
ther armour, and wepon, and of their lyke provissions, for which
I dare asure yt to you, they have v, vj, viij month day for
payment, and yet these provissions be of some their owen. Than
judge you, what dealing this ys, or whether these sommes may be
said "delivered" to us in money, or no. For the same tyme they
take with the marchant for vyttell and munytion, the same might
they use for the benyfyt of the soldyer; for, before vj or v
months come out, they myght make other money reddy for to pay
the marchant, and relyve the soldyer in the meane tyme with that
which they turn to their own benyfytt; but they deny all this,
albeyt yt be playnly knowen.
   So, praing to the Lord to dyrect all your councelles to his
glory
<P 427>
and hir majesties saftye, I comytt you to his protectyon. In
hast, this 2. of October.
   Your assured frend,
   R. Leycester.
[\ADDRESSED,\] To my honourable good frend sir Francis
Walsingham, knight, her majesties principall secretarie.

<Q LEY 1586 WCECIL>
<A WILLIAM CECIL>
<P 449>
[} [\LETTER CLXVI. LORD BURGHLEY TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 4TH
NOVEMBER, 1586.\] }]
   My very good lord, this gentleman, Mr. Gorge, commeth thyther
with such hast, as I have no lesur to wryte as otherwise I wold,
but breffly. I have, accordyng to your lordships late lettres,
moved hir majesty for your lordships licenss to retorn, wherunto
hir majesty is of hirself very willyng, as well for the desyre
she hath to se your lordship, as for the dout she also hath that
thys wyntar season yow might fall into some sycknes; but yet
herwith she also is very carefull how those countrees may be
governed without harm to the public cause, and how hir own army,
consistyng of hir people, might also be ruled and directed; of
both which, though hir majesty hath had some kind of speches,
yet she myndeth not to mak any resolution but by your lordships
advise. Yet, for the government of hir army, I perceave she will
laye the chardg uppon my lord Gray, who will shun it I am sure
as much as he may, and yet I have perswaded hir majesty to
encorradg hym with the remission of an Irish det that, in
conscience, he ought not to paye.
   I told Mr. Gorge by speche, that seing ther is treasur sent
over, wherof your lordship had no knolledg at your late wrytyng,
I wold
<P 450>
wish your lordship to se the same, or the gretar part, issued
out wher is most nede, but specially to mak full payes to some
day certen.
   For the government ther in your lordships absence we here
cannot gyve any advise, but, consideryng your lordships great
experience there, whatsoever your lordship shall declare to be
mete I will assent therto, and by my advise to hir majesty
furder it as reason is. Some spek of namyng the count Morrice to
be governor alon in your absence, and as to have the rule under
your lordship; some wish that the count Moryce shuld be joyned
with the lord Graye. The queenes majesty wold that it war in the
states direction ageyn as it was befor they committed it to your
lordship, with the direction of the lord Graye as lieutenant of
hir army; but suerly I feare greatly the success hereof, for the
generall evill opinion conceaved, both by the people and the men
of warr, ageynst the particular persons representyng the states,
except ther might be a new election by the severall provynces of
new and more upright persons to represent the states.
   My lord, though presently it semeth your lordship to be
greved with the sondry mislykynges of hir majesty signefyed by
her privat lettres, for sondry thynges wherof your lordship hath
sufficient matter to discharg yourself, yet I dowt not but uppon
your lordships retorn to hir presence, she will be fully
satisfyed by your lordships own good answers, for so I myself do
conceave the issew will so be proved. And so, by reason of Mr.
Gorges hasty departure, I am compelled to end. From Westminster,
4. November, 1586.
   Yesterday all we commissioners [\perfected\] our sentence
against the Scottish quene, with on full assent, but I feare
more slackness in hir majesty than will stand ether with hir
suerty or with ours. God direct hir hart to follow faythfull
counsell.
   Your lordships most assured to my power,
   W. Burghley.

<Q LEY 1586 FWALSINGHAM>
<A FRANCIS WALSYNGHAM>
<P 453>
[} [\LETTER CLXVIII. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF
LEYCESTER. 5TH NOVEMBER, 1586.\] }]
   I humbly beseeche your lordship, that this bearer may receyve
your honorable assystaunce in the recovarye of sooch imprestes
as have been made by his late master unto sooche as served under
him. Sir Philip hathe lefte a great nombur of poore credytors;
what order he hathe taken by his wyll for ther satysfactyon I
<P 454>
knowe not. Yt is trewe, that, immedyatly after the deathe of his
father, he sent me a letter of attorney for the sale of sooche
portyon of lande as myght content his credytors, wherin there
was nothing don, before his deathe. I have payde, and must paye,
for him above 6,000=li=, which I doe assure your lordship hath
browght me into a most harde and desperat state, which I waighe
nothing in respeact of the losse of the gentleman, whoe was my
chefe worldly compforte. Sorry I am to take any occasyon to
revyve the memorye of him to the renewing of your lordships
grefe, for the which I praye pardon, and so I most humbly take
my leave. At Barne ealmes, the v=th= of November, 1586.
   Your lordships to commaund,
   Fra. Walsyngham.

<Q LEY 1586 FWALSINGHAM>
<A FRANCIS WALSYNGHAM>
<P 456>
[} [\LETTER CLXX. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF
LEYCESTER. 6TH NOVEMBER, 1586.\] }]
   My verry good lord, even as I had gyven this bearer his
dyspatche I receaved a letter from Mr. Davyson, by the which he
dyd sygnefye unto me that her majesties pleasure was, that I
shoold wryte unto your lordship to stay the commyng of the
commyssioners, for that she is in no sort wyllyng to be pressed
in a matter that she is alreadye resolved not to procead in.
Thes be the verry wordes of his letter, which I refer to your
lordships consideratyon. Monsieur Burgrave is alreadye come to
London. I have appoynted on Mondaye next to speake with him, and
wyll, for your lordships sake and the good commendatyon you gave
him, use him with all the favor I may.
   I have caused sir Philip Sydneys wyll to be consydered of by
certeyn learned in the lawes, and I fynd the same imperfect
towching the sale of his land for the satysfyeng of his poore
credytors, which I doe assure your lordship doth greatly afflyct
me, [{that{] a
<P 457>
gentleman that hath lyved so unspotted [{a{] reputatyon, and had
so great care to see all men satysfyed, shoold be so [{exposed{]
to the owtcrye of his creditors. His goodes wyll not suffyce to
awnsware a third parte of his debtes alreadye knowen. This hard
estate of this noble gentleman makethe me staye to take order
for his buryall untyll your lordships returne. I doe not see
howe the same can be performed with that solempnytye that
apperteynethe withowt the utter undoing of his credytors, which
is to be weyed [\in\] conscyence. Sorrye I am to troble your
lordship with these unplesaunt matters, but that a necessitye
movethe me therto. And so hoping to see your lordship here, I
most humbly take my leave. At Barne elmes the vj. of November,
1586.
   Your lordships to commaund,
   Fra. Walsingham.
[\ADDRESSED,\] For her majestyes speciall affaires. To the right
honoorable my verie good lord the erle of Leicester, lord
lieutenaunt-generall of hir majestyes forces in the Lowe
Countries, &c.
   W. Davison.

<Q LEY 1586 RDUDLEY>
<A ROBERT DUDLEY>
<P 480>
[} [\THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM. 22ND
DECEMBER, 1586.\] }]
   I am hartyly sorry for any further vysitacion to com to that
howse, for I must every way be partaker therof. But you and I
must yeld to His gracious chastysment who knoweth best what ys
fytt for us both.
   I confes that I se what you fynde, and I fele lyke you have
founde. The Lord that inflycteth us here with sharpnes can, and
I know wyll, recompence us elleswhere x, xx and xxx fold, to our
everlasting joye and comfort. Wherfore I pray for you, as for
myself, that the same Lord wyll contynew us in strength, and
strengthen us in pacyence to receyve His blessyd wyll, as
becomyth us. The lettre you sent me I wyll suspend my
<P 481>
opinion, albeytt I fear he ys not the man we thought him. God
grant us his peace, and the rest of our yeres to pass in his
fear, and so to his blessyd protectyon I leave ye. Hast this 22
of December, 1586.
   Yours assured,
   R. Leycester.
[\ADDRESSED\] To my honorable frend Mr. secretarye Walsingham.

<Q LEY 1586 RDUDLEY>
<A ROBERT DUDLEY>
<P 481>
[} [\THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM. 23RD
DECEMBER, 1586.\] }]
   I cannott be quyett tyll I may know how my daughter doth
amend, wyshing hir even as to my none child, which, God wylling,
I shall always esteme hir to be. I wold gladly make a start to
you, but to morrow king Antonio comes hether, but my hart ys
ther with you, and my prayers shall goe to God for you and for
yours. Ther ys a lettre com from the Scottish queen that hath
wroght tears, but I trust shall doe no further harm, albeyt the
delay ys so daungerous. Of all thinges that ys to be advertysed
I know Mr. secretary Davyson doth wryte to you, therefore I wyll
leave to trowble you, and commytt you to the Lord. From Grenwich
xxiij of December.
   Your assured frend,
   R. Leycester.
   Bycause I dowbt of your spedy repayr hether I pray you send
my ij leases, Mr. Secretary, to se what may be donn.
[\ADDRESSED\] To the right honorable Mr. secretary Walsingham.



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