Qass__ . Book >C6t\^ J^— & £* iS^K- ^C (ft^yf^d* U..& r / ' _ //rv//^//. '.< //s/y>/// ■// d ■*, THE PRIVATE CORRESPONDENCE JANE LADY CORNWALLIS; 1613—1644. THE PRIVATE CORRESPONDENCE JANE LADY COENWALLIS; 1613—1644. FROM THE ORIGINALS IN THE POSSESSION OF THE FAMILY. CULFORD HALL, 1612. LONDON: PRINTED AND SOLD BY S. & J. BENTLEY, WILSON, & FLEY, BANGOR HOUSE, SHOE LANE. 1842. THE LIBRARY OV CONGRESS IWAtUVGTON 1 EKflDD wv HMBM u M «f> ContttiW. % PAGE Preface iii. — vii. Biographical Notices ix. — xxxi. Pedigree of Corn>jfallis .... xxxii. — xlvii. Pedigree of Meautys .... xlviii. — li. Correspondence 1—305 Index ........ 306 — 314 View of Culford Hall .... Title Meautys Arms viii. View of Brome Hall 305 Cornwallis Crest . xxxi. PREFACE. The Correspondence contained in the follow- ing pages formed a portion of a large mass of MS. papers found amongst the family archives at Brome and Culford, after the lamented death of Charles, second and last Marquis Cornwallis, in 1823, and which were placed, by his daugh- ters and coheirs, at the disposal of the Editor. The letters, all belonging to the seventeenth century, were principally addressed to the widow of Sir William Cornwallis, who, re- marrying Sir Nathaniel Bacon, subsequently assumed the name of her second husband, and many of them emanated from the pens of her female friends and relatives. It is obvious that in such a collection, treat- ing almost entirely of private and domestic concerns, matters of general historical in- terest rarely occur; still, as Lady Cornwallis encouraged her correspondents, some of whom IV PREFACE. were residing about the Court, to supply her with news, much of the gossip of the day is introduced, together with occasional anecdotes, not, as it is presumed, recorded elsewhere. Amongst the different writers, there were many who enjoyed some reputation in their day ; but Lucy, Countess of Bedford, who lived in terms of strict intimacy with Lady Corn- wallis, is deserving of especial notice; and her numerous letters, replete with spirit and vivacity, and at the same time evincing so much amiability and good feeling, cannot fail to be read with interest, while they afford the best refutation to those calumnies with which her fair fame was so unjustly assailed by Pen- nant, and Granger, and other biographers who followed in their train, without investigating the authenticity of the statements which they rashly adopted. Many allusions to families resident in the eastern counties, and espe- cially Norfolk and Suffolk, will also be found in the letters, and may prove useful in ena- PREFACE. V bling the Genealogist to correct those errors which, in spite of every precaution, find their way into our pedigrees. At all events we may assume, that the facts related in- a private correspondence are en- titled to more confidence than the traditions and printed authorities upon which historians so implicitly rely. How often, indeed, in con- templating the portrait of some person of celebrity, long since consigned to the silent tomb, we endeavour to trace in the features the characteristics of former greatness, with- out the means of satisfying ourselves whether the likeness has been faithfully preserved; whereas, the perusal of original letters from the same individual would at once give us an insight into his character, render us conversant with his secret thoughts, and afford the best representation of the powers of his mind, and the workings of his imagination. After all, there is an indescribable charm in speculating how our forefathers employed their time, and VI PREFACE. thus, as it were, identifying ourselves with their every-day proceedings, and prying into the little corners of their lives. And to this disposition may be ascribed the popularity of the numerous Correspondences and Autobio- graphies which have of late been brought to light. Upon similar grounds, it is hoped, that this unpretending volume may not be ill received by such readers as take delight in the records of bygone days; and if it should form one new link in the chain- of information, already so nearly perfected, and throw the least additional light on the reigns of the Stuarts, the Editor will have reason to rejoice that his attention was drawn to the manu- scripts before their destruction had been con- summated by the hand of time. It remains only to add, that, to avoid volu- minous notes, some particulars respecting Lady Cornwallis and her correspondents have been prefixed to the Letters, so that the reader may easily make himself acquainted with the PREFACE. Vll actores fabuljE before they are brought upon the stage. Brief notices of most of the per- sons mentioned, are likewise placed at the bottoms of the pages in which their names occur. The Editor is extremely indebted to the kindness of his friends J. Gage Rokewode, Esq. and C. G. Young, Esq. York Herald, for the pedigrees of the Cornwallis and Meautys families, inserted at the end of the Memoirs, which, by their diligence and research, have been rendered much more complete and cor- rect than any before existing in a manuscript or printed form ; and he is anxious gratefully to acknowledge their valuable assistance, dur- ing the progress of the work, in revising the sheets, suggesting explanatory notes, and ar- ranging the order of the letters, most of which were without dates. The Editor further feels bound to offer his best thanks to the different Clergymen to whom he has had occasion to refer for ex- Vlll PREFACE. tracts from their parochial Kegisters; and it is gratifying to him to be enabled to add, that in every instance he received the most oblig- ing answers, and in some cases much useful information. Audley End, June 30, 1842. IX JANE LADY CORNWALLIS, whose name occurs so continually in the following pages, is entitled to the first place in these brief notices, though it will be difficult to treat of any of her Correspondents without frequent allusions to her history. She was descended from an ancient and respect- able family, the founder of which, John Meautys, described as "of Greenegate by Leadenhall," came from Normandy with Henry VII. as his Secretary of the French tongue, and whose grand- son Sir^Petei^Meautys, some time our ambassador to France, obtained a grant of the manor of West Ham, in Essex. From him it devolved upon his son Hercules Meautys, the husband of Philippe, daughter of Richard Cooke, of Gidea Hall,--the parents of Lady Cornwallis. She must have been born about 1581, but no record of her birth is preserved; and in 1608 she became the second wife of Sir W illiam C ornwallis, of Brome, who survived only IT short timeTanoTwas buried at Oakley in November 1611, leaving issue by his second lady an only son, Frederick, created Lord Cornwallis. She seems to have acquired a large fortune under the will of Sir William, be- coming entitled to the profits of the manors of Brome, Oakley, Stuston, Thrandeston, and Pal- grave, and to be guardian to her son; besides which, the manor of Wilton, in Yorkshire, with lands in several adjoining parishes, had been pre- viously settled upon her. No wonder that, being young and richly endowed, the lady did not long , remain a widow. Accordingly, in 1613, we find ill U X W4- Nathaniel Bacon paying his addresses to her ; and they were married at~Brome, May 1 st, in the fol- lowing year. The correspondence, indeed, com- mences with the negotiations respecting this al- liance; and the conditions insisted upon by the widow show that she was quite competent to manage her own affairs, and confirm the family tradition, that she possessed a strong masculine understanding and was an excellent woman of business. It is matter of regret that very few of her letters and papers have descended to us, with the exception of some meditations and ex- tracts from sermons, apparently written when she was very old. Nor is there much known of her subsequently to the death of her second husband in 1627. Lady Bacon is supposed to have passed the evening of her life at Culford, occupying herself with the care of her own estate and that of her son; and it is recorded on her epitaph, that by prudence and good management she rescued the two ancient and distinguished fa- XI milies, with which she was connected, from ab- solute ruin, in times of the greatest difficulty. She closed her long and useful career May 8th, 1659, without the gratification of living to wit- ness the return of her son from exile, and the honours so justly conferred upon him for his loyalty and devotion to the House of Stuart. Lady Bacon # was interred in the chancel at Cul- ford;f where the family monument still remains, which is thus described in an old MS. volume of Suffolk Church notes : f " Against the north wall of the chancel is sculp- tured the figure of a man, full proportioned, in white marble, lying on his right hand, on an altar, behind a woman sitting, holding a girl in her lap ; on her right are seen two girls, on her left, two boys and a girl, standing under the man, on two black tables with capitals. * There is a whole-length portrait of Lady Bacon at Audley End, which came from Brome. She appears in a dress of the time of James I. and has light hair and a fair complexion. The painter's name is lost. f Lady Bacon, by her will, ordered a monument to be made in the church of Oakley for Sir Wm. Cornwallis and both his wives, " Lady Lucie, one of the daughters and coheirs of Sir John Neville Lord Latimer, and myself, and all children of the said Sir Wil- liam ; and another monument for William Cornwallis, Esq., great- grandfather to Sir William." This had been directed under the will of Sir William, but was not done till after his widow's death. X Penes J. G. Rokewode, Esq. Xll "M.S. Sub hoc marmore vocem tubse praestolantur Exuviae filiarum, uxorum, matrum, foeminarum optimee, D n8E Janse Bacon de Culford in Comitatu Suffolcise, filise Herculis Meautys Armigeri a nobilioribus Elizabethse Satellitibus, filii Petr^Meautys de Ham in Comitatu Essexise Equitis aurati, et Philippse Coke filise Ricardi Coke de Giddy Hall in Comitatu Essexise Armigeri, Quae talibus et orta et digna parentibus, Gulielmo Cornwallis de Broome Militi Balnei nuptu data est, cui unicum filium peperit Fredericum Cornwallis deJBroomeMilitem et Baronettum ; Postea Nathanieli Bacon d e Cu lford Militi matrimonio juncta, filium unum peperit Nicholaum Bacon de Culford Armigerum, filias autem duas Annam Janamq; quarum natu major primo Thomae Meautys Militi, dein Harbotello Grimston Baronetto, juncta connubio est ; altera junior in Christo obdormivit. Erat autem ipsa, dum viveret, cum omnibus Virtutibus exculta, turn praecipue pietate Insigni, caritate singulari, prudentia. Ultra sexum, plane admiranda, qua tempo- ribus dimcillimis duas Familias antiquitate nobiles, quibus certissimo Divinee Providential nutu conjuncta fuerat, sola sustinuit, ab interitu vindicavit, et perpetuitatis spei Restituit, ingenti exemplo ! quale nee hactenus Cognitum, nee fortasse posthac sperandum. Adeo tegit hie tumulus illud, quicquid Mortale est, ejus Foeminae, qua? fecit quic- quid mortalitas potest. Xlll Ab hoe ad monumentum abiit Maii octavo 1659, set. suae 79. On a black stone over the above : ad dextram Stant ad sinistram Jana Bacon. Anna "I Jana Meautys. Fredericus >Cornwallis. Nathaniel J In sinu jacet Hanna Griraston. Infra jacet Nicolaus Bacon, Armiger. The monument is surmounted by an escutcheon, containing in the centre, Azure, an unicorn salient Erminois, armed Or, for Meautys; and on the right, Sable, gutte d'eau, on a fess Argent, three Cornish choughs proper, for Cornwallis; and on the left, Gules, on a chief Argent two mullets pierced Sable, for Bacon." »JW*49* ty*j*r*^f3fab SIR NATHANIEL BACON, the second hus- band of the last-mentioned lady, was the youngest of the nine sons of Sir Nicholas Bacon, of Red- grave in Suffolk, premier Baronet of England, and not his brothe r, as W alpole supposed,* who con- founded him with his paternal uncle and namesake, •,, seated at Stiffkey in Norfolk some years before, ' and the ancestor of the Lords Townshend. This error procured for Nathaniel a place amongst the XIV painters in the reign of Elizabeth, to which he could have no claim, having been born only in August 1585,* nor is any thing known about him till 1613, when he was paying his addresses to Lady Cornwallis. He may, indeed, as Walpole asserts, have travelled in Italy, and thereby im- proved a natural talent for painting, in which, according to all accounts, he attained some emi- nence, Peacham f even speaking of him as not in his judgment inferior to our skilfullest masters ; Lady Bedford also consulted him when purchasing pictures, and evidently attached importance to his taste. J Among the few of his works which have descended to us, his own portrait by himself, at Gorhambury, may be selected as not discredit- able to an amateur painter, though rather a stiff and formal production. Whatever merit his other pictures possessed, they have long since disap- peared from Brome and Culford, which proves that they were not held in much estimation by the descendants of his wife. Sir Nathaniel was ostensibly the favourite child of his parents, who settled Culford upon him when he married, in spite of his having several elder brothers ; but the mother had the greatest share in bringing about the match, and, though she said " We must not * Register of Redgrave Parish, ex inf. Rev. M. Wilkinson. t History of Limning. X Correspondence, pages 50, 51. XV lay out all our stock upon one purchase, having so many to provide for,'* her love to Nathaniel, on whom she doted, prevailed, and reconciled her to what would appear to have been an act of injustice. It should here be noticed, that this lady was Anne, daughter and heir to William Butts, of Thornage, Norfolk; that she had issue twelve children by Sir Nicholas ; and that they lived happily together fifty-two years, when death made the separation on her part, and she died September 1616, cet. suce 69.* Her prophecy, that Nathaniel would make a true-hearted and honest husband, is borne out by the letters to his wife, for whom, notwithstanding the formal and ceremonious way in which he ex- pressed himself, he entertained a sincere affection, evident as it is that he stood in some awe of her, and that every thing was under her management and control. He was made a KnighlLofthe Bath at the coronation o f Charles, about which time his constitution, already delicate, was giving way ; and he died of a decline, July 1st, 1 627, at the ^age of 42. Of his three children, Anne will be men- tioned hereafter. f Jane died an infant, % and was buried near her father in Culford church. Ni- cholas, from whom some letters occur in the Cor- respondence, was born in 1617, and died Jan. 9, 1660, unmarried, at which time he represented * Mon. Inscr. in Redgrave church. f Page xxvi. £ Oct. 31, 1627, aged three years and nine months. XVI Ipswich in Parliament.* There is a funeral cer- tificate of Sir Nathaniel Bacon, which says that " he was endued with many excellent virtues, be- sides his endowments of nature. He was a great lover of all good artes and learning, and knew good literature." His widow, to whom he de- vised his estates, which descended ultimately to the issue of her first marriage, caused his bust, of white marble within an oval, to be placed in the chancel of Culford church, where it still re- mains ; it is executed with spirit, and the features bear some resemblance to the Gorhambury por- trait^ On the side are represented a pallet and painters' brushes, and the tablet beneath is thus inscribed : Viator, Specta ! Nathanielis Baconii, ad balneum regale torquati equitis, Effigies hmc est ! quem quum usus et observatio in Stirpium historia sapientissimum Fecerant, eundem, en MIRUM ! IN iisdem penecillo exprimen- dis sola natura docuit arte naturam vincere. Sat debes oculis, Vale. * He is described upon a slab in the chancel, as " a man of great modesty, of most playne and single heart, of an antient freedom and integrity of mynde, loyall to his Prince, a lover of his country, and a great sufferer for both." — Suffolk Church Notes, penes «/. G. Rokewode, Esq. f There is no sculptor's name. XV11 LUCY COUNTESS OF BEDFORD.— The memoir, given by Wiffen, # of this distinguished lady, though not uniformly correct, contains fewer blunders than those of her other biographers ; and he has, in some measure, cleared away the im- putations so lavishly but unjustly cast upon her character. She was the eldest of the two daugh- ters of John, first Lord Harrington, of Exton, by Anne, only child of Robert Kelway, Surveyor of the Court of Wards and Liveries; and at the death of her only brother John, the second Baron, in 1613-4, s. p., inherited the greatest part of his large estates. If the date upon her portrait at Alloa, quoted by Pennant, is correct,! Lucy Har- rington must have been born about 1582. She was married at Stepney,:): Dec. 12th, 1594, to Edward Russell, third Earl of Bedford. Upon the acces- sion of James, she went into Scotland with othe * ladies to meet Anne of Denmark, and was imme- diately appointed of her Majesty's bedchamber, and is soon after described as being so great with the Queen that every body respected her§; and from this time she became conspicuous as one of the leading beauties of the court, and main- tained her ascendancy till the death of her royal * History of tlie House of Russell, vol. ii. t " 1620, cet. sua 38."— 7W in Scotland. % Register of Stepney quoted in Lysons" 1 Environs, vol. iii. § Diary of Ann Clifford. XV111 mistress, at whose funeral she walked as an as- sistant mourner. We then find her retiring, after sixteen years' service, to Moor Park in Hert- fordshire, the lease of which had been granted to the Earl of Bedford by the King in 1617 ; when she made over her interest in Twicken- ham Park, where she had previously resided, to her kinsman William Harrington. It was at Moor Park that she laid out and completed, " with great care, excellent contrivance," and much cost, the garden eulogized by Sir W. Temple* as the most beautiful and perfect he had ever seen, " and with which" (says the Countess herself) " I am so much in love, that, if I were as fond of any man, I were in hard case."f But her health had long been declining, and her consti- tution impaired by two severe illnesses, in 1612 and 1619 ; indeed she usually speaks of herself as an invalid, and subject to gout and other ailments : still she occasionally appeared at court, and interested herself in passing events. But the year 1627 proved exceedingly fatal to several of Lady Bacon's friends and connexions; the Earl of Bedford dying on May 2nd, at which time his wife was so ill and worn out -with a continual cough, that she survived him only a few days, and was buried with her ancestors in Exton church on the 31st of the same month. * Works. f Page 46. XIX She left no surviving issue,* and having previously made over the reversion of part of her estates to her niece, and alienated the remainder, it is not surprising that she died intestate ; and, in fact, she had announced her intention of selling Combe to pay her debts, and, " having no belongings to pro- vide for," to raise as good a life-income as she could. That her habits were profuse, no one will deny, but probably both her means and her expen- diture have been exaggerated; at all events, she was a munificent patron of the arts and an encou- rager of literary merit, and we find her acquiring the works of Holbein without regard to price ; and, perhaps, some of the portraits now at Woburn Abbey by that master, may have formed part of her collection. It has been remarked, that the Earl, her husband, had a distaste for public life, and his absence from the busy world is attributed to weakness of character; whereas we learn from the correspondence that he had before the year 1614 been attacked by paralysis, which affected his speech and made him lame, and doubtless incapacitated him from active pursuits ; but he seems to have lived upon the best terms with his lady, and yet Pennant speaks scornfully of the Earl because he endured her / It is uncertain when the intimacy between the * In one of the letters she uses the expression, " if God had con- tinued me a mother." Page 62. XX Countess of Bedford and Lady Cornwallis com- menced ; though the nomination of Francis, second Earl of Bedford, to be supervisor of the will of Sir Peter Meautys, the ambassador, in 1562, shows that some intercourse between the families had long sub- sisted. They were certainly well acquainted before the correspondence commenced, soon after which Lady Cornwallis assisted her friend with a pecu- niary loan; and, indeed, throughout the letters it will be seen that there was a constant interchange of good offices and acts of kindness between them. The lots of the two friends were very differently cast : Lady Cornwallis leading a life of seclusion in the country, chiefly occupied with domestic con- cerns, had acquired somewhat of an austere and gloomy disposition, and was occasionally subject to low spirits : the Countess Lucy, full of grace and animation, was born to shine in courts, where her high station and a felicitous combination of wit and beauty enabled her to exercise so much influence ; while she was rendered still more conspicuous by her unbounded generosity to men of talent, and the refined taste which she imparted to all her pursuits. Not that Lady Cornwallis was wanting in acts of kindness and liberality to her needy re- latives and connexions, whose appeals to her for assistance were almost unceasing. Both ladies were unquestionably possessed of strong natural understandings ; but in one material XXI particular there was a strong resemblance in their characters, which had its effect in cementing their mutual affection, — both had been brought up in the pure Protestant faith : and whilst many of the letters, and especially those of Lady Bedford, are written in a pleasing and even a captivating style, it is gratifying to observe in all parts of the correspondence a tone of meek and unaffected piety, indicating that neither amidst the dissipa- tions of the court, nor the retirement of the country, neither in sickness nor in health, were those good principles of sound religion forgotten by the two friends, which had been inculcated in their youthful minds, and formed their best conso- lations in after-life. MARY CORNWALLIS, over whose history there hangs a cloud, was the youngest daughter to Sir Thomas Cornwallis. In 1579, Sir Thomas Kytson, of Hengrave in Suffolk, the husband of Elizabeth, sister of Mary Cornwallis, endeavoured to match her with his nephew, William Bourchier, Earl of Bath,* then on a visit to him. The Earl had been residing at Cambridge with his mother, Lady Fitzwarren, * John Earl of Bath died 10th Feb. 1561, leaving William, son of John Lord Fitzwarren, deceased, his grandson and heir, aged three years and eight months. — Inq. p. m. 3d Elix, b xxu and had only just attained his majority. The lady was probably somewhat older.* In the History of Hengrave will be found Sir Thomas Kytson's nar- rative of the affair ; f and appended to Sir Harris Nicolas's edition of " The Poetical Rhapsody," is a statement of the other party, from the pen of Francis Davison, a lawyer, written several years after the occurrence. Sir Thomas Kytson represents, that, " knowing this marriage would not be any way a disparage- ment to his lordship, and doubting also he might fall into strangers' hands, who would abuse his simplicity to their own gain, (and there is abundant proof of the Earl's weakness of character,) he en- couraged the match by all honest persuasions he could." According to Davison,:): the means resorted to were most dishonest, namely, those of intoxication, a charge which Sir Thomas Kytson's narrative is not exactly calculated to remove ; and subsequently, * Alice Cornwallis, an elder sister of Mary, was baptized 23d August 1552 ; Lady Kytson was the wife of Sir Thomas in 1560. f " A brief Abstract of the t pcedings of Sir Thomas Kytson with William Earl of Bath, his nephewe, touching the marriage between him and Mary Cornwaleys, d. of Sir T. Cornwaleys, Knt." — History of Hengrave, p. 187. X " Answer to Mrs. Mary Cornwaleys pretended Countess of Bath's libel against the Countess of Cumberland, being a defence of the mar- riage of "William Bourchier, third Earl of Bath, with Elizabeth Rus- sell, d. of Francis Earl of Bedford : by Francis Davison." XX111 in a suit instituted by the lady against the Earl in the Ecclesiastical Court, the marriage was declared void. To atone in some degree for the injury inflicted, Sir Thomas Kytson, setting forth in his will, " that by his means and procurement there was a marriage had between the Earl of Bath and his sister-in-law Mrs. Mary Cornwallis, which did prove most unfortunate and to her great hindrance," therefore he did bequeath to her ^300. Davison further reflects in his statement upon the character of the lady ; but we find her, through life, upheld by her family, and mentioned with honour by them. They maintained the validity of the marriage ; and Sir Thomas Cornwaleys, her father, who did not die till 1604, among other le- gacies to his youngest daughter Mary, unfortu- nately married to the Earl of Bath, gave her 500 marks if she, by the advice of his daughter Lady Kytson, Sir C. Cornwaleys, and others, should commence a suit for restitution ad societatem con- jugalem of the Earl of Bath, her husband.* Whatever may have been Lady Bath's frailties, she was certainly more sinned against than sin- ning, and owed her misfortunes to the evil con- trivances of her nearest relations. That she was possessed of a kind and meek disposition, is evi- dent from the letters written towards the close of * Will dated 26th March 1604, proved 6th Feb. following. 62 XXIV her life, in the true spirit of Christian humility and resignation to the Divine will ; and though she entertained to the last a deep sense of the wrongs which she had sustained, and her mental sufferings were aggravated by acute bodily pain, she neither repined nor murmured at her unhappy lot. Shortly before her death she underwent a fresh persecution from an impostor, who pretended to be her son by the Earl of Bath, and threatened her life in case she refused to provide for him ; but as " the knave," as she styles him, was fifty years old, it is not likely that his attempt proved suc- cessful. Lady Bath died at Thorpe, in May 1627, in a house which had belonged to her father, where she had lived many years in retirement and obscurity, and, as it would appear, in very bad circumstances. On the tomb of Sir Thomas _j Cornwallis in Brome church, among the arms depicted of his children, occur those of the Earl of Bath impaling Cornwallis ; and in the Register of Burials we read, " Anno D ni 1627, Caroli iii°. The La. Marie Countess of Bathon, the youngest daughter of Sir Thomas Cornwaleys, Knight, was buried the 17th day of May." XXV SIR THOMAS MEAUTYS, and his first-U^/)U x ' cousin,* whose names were identical, flourished at the same time: no wonder that they should have been mistaken for each other, and their his- tories confused. The elder Knight was brother to Lady Bacon, and at an early age, embracing the profession of arms, was sent to his uncle, Thomas Wilson, in Ireland; and afterwards served, dur- ing the war of the Palatinate, with a company of English volunteers in the pay of the Prince of Orange, of which eventually he obtained the com- mand, without rising to further military distinc- tion. In 1625 he married Anne, daughter of Sir Richard Burnebye, of Warwickshire, and, ex- cepting occasional visits to England, continued in the Low Countries with his regiment till 1644, after which we hear no more of him, and it is probable, from his health being broken, that he did not long survive. His widow was living in 1659, named as a legatee under the will of Lady Bacon, who had supported the family many years, * The portrait of Sir Thomas Meautys, by Van Somer, at Gorham- bury, has recently been engraved for the Granger Society ; but doubts have since arisen which of the two Knights it represents. On the whole, the probability seems to be in favour of the Clerk of the Council, who may, according to the caprice of the times, have been painted in a fancy dress, armed with a boar-spear ; whereas his cousin would have appeared with more propriety in the uniform of an officer. The younger Knight too was actually tlie possessor of Gor- hambury. At all events, the print is a very curious one, and ad- mirably executed. XXVI IH^lUf/iM \S and brought up Hercules, their eldest son ; but no trace of him, or his brother and three sisters, occurs in after-life, and the name of Meautys is thought to be extinct. The younger Knight was the third son of Henry Meautys, of West Ham, by Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Henry Coningsby, of North Mims, and well known as the confidential friend and secretary to Lord Bacon, who, after his fall, made over to him the estate of Gorhambury. It was to the same kind patron that Meautys, on March 5, 1618-19, owed the appointment of one of the Clerks of his Majesty's Council Extraordinary, the duties of which he performed till August 1645, when the office became virtually extinct. He had also in 1626 succeeded to the Clerkship of the Writs and Processes in the Star Chamber, the reversion of which was purchased from Thomas Cotton ; and on Feb. 16, 1640-1, he receiv ed the distinction of knigh thood at Whitehall. His letters are writ- ten in a quaint ceremonious style, but leave an impression that he was of a kind and amiable dis- position, and ready at all times to oblige his friends. To Lady Bacon he showed the greatest devotion, and ended by marrying her daughter Anne, about 1637, though there must have been a great disparity in their ages. He die d in Oct. 1649, s.p.s., and was buried near his illustrious patron, to whom he had erected a monumental XXV11 statue, in the church of St. Michael's at St. Alban's. The widow remarried Sir Harbottle Grimston, Master of the Rolls, and deceased in 1680, having borne to each of her husbands an only daughter, and lost them both when children. She was a person of exemplary piety and adorned with every other Christian virtue, and Burnett speaks of her in the highest terms.* SIR FREDERICK CORNWALLIS, the only child of Sir William Cornwallis by Jane Meautys his second lady, was born in Nov. 1610, and aged one year and three days f at the time of his father's decease. He received a home education under the eye of his mother, and could not therefore have attended Prince Charles into Spain, as all the Peerages assert. In May 1627, he was createdj i Baron et by the in fluence of h is kins- man, Thomas Meautys, the Clerk of the Council, and shortly after was appointed an Equerry to the King ; about which time we find Lady Bacon busy- ing herself in endeavouring to negotiate a suitable match for her son : but he disappointed her views by selecting a wife from amongst the ladies of the Court, his choice falling upon Elizabeth, one of the daughters of Sir John Ashburnham, who was first a Maid of Honour and subsequently a Woman * History of his own Times, vol. i. p. 382. *j* Inq. p. m. XXV111 of the Bedchamber to the Queen. In this alliance the King and his consort evinced a lively interest, even gracing the nuptials with their presence, and promising to settle ^3,000 on the youthful pair. They also interfered to effect a reconciliation between Sir Frederick and his mother, who, not being apprized of the marriage till after its so- lemnization, felt justly indignant at the omission. In 1643-4, Sir Frederick, then representing Eye in Parliament, retired with the King to Oxford, and sat with the members there ; and about that time had the misfortune to lose his wife, whose memory was long cherished in both the families to which she was allied, and we may pronounce her to have been a most amiable and kind-hearted woman. According to the inscription on her hus- band's monument, she had sepulture in the ca- thedral* of Christ Church; but no entry of the interment occurs in the Register, to fix the date of her death. Sir Frederick's attachment to the royal cause has never been questioned, and he served with distinction against the rebels; but after the death of the King, his master, he retired to the Con- tinent with Charles II., thereby suffering exile and the sequestration of his estates, and, return- ing at the Restoration to receive the reward of * " Oxonii in JEde Christi tumulata." XXIX his services, was created a Baron of the realm* on the eve of the coronation, at which he officiated as Treasurer of the Household: but his days were almost numbered, for he died of an apoplexy on the 31st of January following, 1661-2, and was buried with his ancestors in Brome church. His second wife, Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Henry Crofts, of Little Saxham, survived her husband 13 years.f Sir Frederick, whose letters display no par- ticular talent, was of a thoughtless easy dispo- sition, which led him into constant scrapes ; he passed his life in offending his mother and asking her pardon, and no sooner was it obtained than he relapsed into his former extravagancies : still it is but fair to conclude with the character drawn of him by a contemporary writer, j who says, " He was generally lamented, being a man of so cheerful a spirit that no sorrow came next his heart, and of so resolved a mind that no fear came into his thoughts; a perfect master of courtly and be- coming raillery, that he could do more with one word in jest than others could do with whole harangues in earnest ; a well-spoken man, com- petently seen in modern languages, and of a comely and goodly personage." * The Patent sets forth that " he had served Charles I. from his youth with great fidelity, and suffered the loss of his estate, impri- sonment, and exile." + For the issue of both marriages, see the Pedigree. % Lloyd's Memoirs. b5 XXX AMBROSE RANDOLPH was one of the sons of Thomas Randolph by his second wife, Ursula Coppinger.* His father attained some distinction in his day, having filled the offices of Master and Comptroller of the Posts to the Queen, and Chamberlain of the Exchequer, and been employed at different times on embassies to France, Moscow, and Scotland.-)- Ambrose also, in 1627, was appointed to a place in the Exchequer, the duties of which are not specified ; but he re- tained it till his death in 1660, and was buried at St. Peter's, Paul's Wharf. Of his wife Do- rothe we know still less, her parentage not having been ascertained; she was, however, re- lated to the Meautys family, calling them all " cousins," and on terms of intimacy with Lady Bacon, by whom she was consulted on her ma- * Vide note to page 225. + PEDIGREE OP RANDOLPH. Avery Randolph, = Anne, d. and coheir of Sir John Gaynsford, of Badlesmere, Kent. of Ewhurst, Surrey. Anne, d.ofSir_ Thomas R., the = Ursula, d. of Henry Coppinger, of Thos. Wal- singham, of Scadbury. Ambassador. Buxhall, Suffolk. John, Anne, 1 Ambrose R. ; — Dorothe, .... jllll Thomas. ob. inf. ob. 1572. will proved ob. . . . 1675, Robert, 20 Dec. S.P. living 1618. 1660. Frances, Ursula, and Elizabeth. XXXI trimonial schemes and confidentially employed on other occasions. Dorothe survived her hus- band many years, and is described in her will, dated 21st June 1671, and proved October 1675, as " of Westminster, widow." She evidently left no issue. xxxn < "So o £ o « Pg ? 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S > .. ,^» >^ td <; o »> ? "-5 C s:s S3 3 - a «d tj _ 8 * X II co ^ £ b -3 . gngssssssswSs r>! -r! cT , ..00 . d o £ •- i? co bGO> = = g^J &►, CO "O O r-i CO ^>H Vj e« (=! 3§0 CO CO r< . ,S » « -Is O-, c j .5* O s CO CM -3 co o n ~sic =3 S r; . rt^^ H-ot3so!>;=:013 M § a> w co "S > „ o 'co s co co _TGO co fl ca £ -2 co ^ x e • - i2 a a> w a £ CO lh -2 13^ 4> t-i -J" ad «r-CO ^S^te! -> ri t« c h o fl) J C !-<■ CN (*i £ co O^ t) o a) ■si si s 2 a © H«0S5S CJ^ CORRESPONDENCE. JANE LADY CORNWALEYS* TO MR. PARR.f M r Parr, — I hope you do so well remember what I said to you, at your being here, as that you have not given no incoregement to the gentleman to prosede in that matter, for, as I tould you then, I saye now, that sine Sir Willem Cornwaleys's death I neaver as yet had a thought of changing the course of life which I now lede. What may be my fortune herafter I know not, for it is onli known to Him which is the disposer of all things; whom I beseche so to direct me in all my courses as may be most to his glori : but this gentleman J being so desierous to see me, as you said he was, I thought then, and so I do now, it ware uncivell * For some account of Lady Cornwaleys and her correspondents see the notices at the end of the Preface. t ElnathanPar r, P.P. Req t pr of Palg raye, Suffolk ; which benefice belonged to the Cornwallis family. He was author of some theologi- cal tracts, published in 1614 and 1632. $ Nathaniel Bacon. B 2 part of me to forbid him coming, but left it, you know, to himselfe, and so I do still. Yo r asseured frend, Ja. Cornwaleys. [1613.] To my kind frend, M r Parr, at Palgrave. II. THE SAME TO THE SAME. M r Parr, — I am sorry that my last gaive you soch destast as by your last I parceave it did ; it was no part of my meaning that it should do so : and wareas you saye that Sir Nicholas and my La. expects their son should have soch grate pre- ferment by me, I must answer againe, that they have made it seeme other wayes to me, in asseur- ing me that it was myselfe, and not my fortune, which they desiered ; but, I confess, by several cir- cumstances I maye justly feare that I shall find my fortune to be the chiefe motive which hath persuaded them to this ; besides which, if I do, yet it will much discourage me for persevering any furder in it. Thus, being in hast, I rest y r asseured frend as long as you are as I take you to be, Ja. Cornwaleys. Pray let my love be remembered to M rs Parr. [1613.] To my varie kind frend, M r Parr. III. THE SAME TO THE SAME. M r Parr, — I thanck you for part of your letter, as farre as you ware indifferent in this busines ; but I must tell you that I did never expect that you would have ben a persuader of me to a gave awaye the increase of my owne estate, being you have eaver heard me earnestli to pro- test that I would not, though I had married to a much grater fortune then Sir Nicholas Bacon doth offer with his son ; for I would never have done my child so much wronge, though I might have had all the good of the world by it. This is no new thinge to you, for you know that before I eaver saw M r Bacon that this was my mind, and from which I neaver will be removed. Be- sides, whatsoeaver you and the rest of M r Bacon's frends think of my fortune in present, I know any indifferent bodi will saye it doth desarve farre grater offers then hath yet ben made me ; and in it I shall not nede to include that money which Sir Charles * is to paye, neaver in these. Besides, you know how often you have brought me word from M r Bacon that I should do with my own estate, besides my child's, what I would; which, if it should now apear to me that all this was but done to entice my affection, would be a grate * Sir Charles Comwallis, the Ambassador. b2 reson to direct it another waye, and I fere I shall find such hard mesure ; but, howsoever, (yet) yf you carry yourself justly, you shall eaver find me your frend to my power, Ja. Cornewaleys. [1613]. To my loveing frend, M r Parr, at Palgrave in Suffolk, this give. IV. MR. PARR TO ANNE LADY BACON. Madam, — I receaved a letter from your La. by the hands of M r Bacon about the 15th of Octo- ber last, since which tyme it hath pleased God to make me unserviceable both for the public duties of my calling, and also for private offices towards my friends, even to the time of writing this letter, being the Lord's close prisoner in my chamber, not being able to indure so much light as might serve to read one line for my comfort. I beseech his Heavenly Majestie to sanctify his fatherly punishment to his own glorie and the good of my soul. I am so much the more bold to answer your letter, in as much as it has pleased you first to use me, and my La. Cornwalleys after to suffer me, as an instrument in this weighty buisnes, to the which I wish so well that I would contentedly go a hundred miles on my bare foot for the good accomplyshing of the same. For your letter, Madam, first, I thanke vour La. for it ; and then, I desier you to know, that you writt nothing that might grieve me as concerning myself, but my grief was for the ill speeding of the buisnes, which your letter did portend. For my La. Cornwal- leys her favour towards me, though I had great cause to fear the loss of it, yett I certify your La. that I have it as amply as ever I had, I humbly thank God for it. And whereas your La. writes of amends and satisfaction to be made to me for my trouble undertaken, I answer that, first, I give your La. many thanks, and then I protest before God, who knoweth harts, that I never aymed at any such thing, neyther have been carried to this so much as in hope of any preferment. But if you will needes know what were my ends, they were these : first, the approbation of my service to Sir N. Bacon and your La. ; secondly, and more chiefly the glory of God and his Gospel to be more advanced by this mach, besides the general good of the country by so worthy a gentleman, together with the persuaded content of all parties to insue upon the same. And therfore, that you may be well persuaded of my integrity herein, I do hereby freely and willingly discharge your La. of all care and thought of any satisfaction to be made for my paynes herein, though I despise not your love ; desiering that whatsoever you have intended this way towards me, may, with much more, be added to the enlargement of con- 6 ditions in this busines. The rest of your La? s letter, is, that you offer what you are able, and that you are not capable how my La. Cornwalleys could be offended att any thing, and that you referr it to the providence of God. For these things I humbly beseech you, good Madam, give me leave to speak boldly to your Christian hart, being as ready to use the like boldness to my La. Cornwalleys if ther lay such impediment on that. For your ability, Madam, though you know best your own estate, yett the whole contry, you even show with fayre reason to be partial on your side, judge that you are able conveniently to give full satisfaction. For my La. Cornwalleys her offence at the conditions; first, they are farr under the proportion of their valew, besides short in some thing of what formerly had been spoken of. Secondly, they were bredd from an erroneous supposition of her estate ; and therefore she con- cludes thus : If error, being less, bring forth such conditions, etc. then truth, being more, requires an enlargement. And truly, Madam, might it please you to give me leave to be so bold, if you were as wise as Solomon, what could you alledge why you should not amplify the conditions, con- sidering the worthiness both of the person and estate ? Not want of ability, for the contrary is more than evident; not the envy of others, for, first, you may do it with a good conscience, and that which you give M r Bacon already, breedes as much envy as if you should give him as much more. Not the provision of other kindred; for, first, that is nearest ; secondly, more necessary ; thirdly, they may also be relieved, though not so largely. Now, whether this be first to be re- garded or such kindred, this I say, by which so great good may redound to yourselves, the family, and the whole contry, he who is impartial will easily determine on this side. But you will say, how can the La. Cornwalleys proportion on her part, conditions expected in case of death ? To this I answer, that either she must perform what is fit and reasonable, or if upon capitulation you shall not be able, then you must be contented with such as are offered. I know, as you shall find her wise and courteous, so conscionable and plaine in everything. If you shall say, the worth of M r Bacon is great, I confes it, and greater than \ I will write, to avoyde suspicion of flattery; but \ sure then you will compare herselfe ? And thus much I oft have heard her say, that, had it not been out of at special regard of his worthines, and out of a great deale of respect to Sir N. Bacon and yourselfe, she would never have entertayned it thus far, upon greater conditions then yett have been spoken of by any. Surely, Madam, there is great reason, you very well know, that you should strayne yourself for the effecting of this 8 mach ; for, as I have often expressed on M r Ba- con's behalfe to her, that I think she should be as happy for an husband as a woman might be, so I expressed on her behalfe to you, that M r Bacon should be as happy for a wyfe as any man in England. Now for the last point, concerning casting yourself and the buisnes upon the provi- dence of God; it is well done, but yett, good Madam, call to mynde that which you know as well as myself, that meanes likely, fitt, lawful, and profitable are to be used, or else we do err in the practice of our fayth, or the providence of God. God hath made a way for you in this buisnes ; follow you the good hand of God, using such aforenamed meanes, and then commit it to his providence. A word of this is enough to you that understand and desyer to practise according to sound knowledge. And now, to cease to be teadious farther to you and troublesome to my- selfe, I eaven humbly beseeche Sir N. Bacon and your La. with impartial counsellors, to consider of this weighty affair, and not to lett slip so fayre an occasion of glory to God, good to the contry, preferment to your sonne, and comfort to your- selves. I would to God it might enter into your mynde to make some worthy additions to your former proffers. I beseche the Lord Jesus of his eternal Spirit to directe you in the managing of this matter to the accomplishing of it, if it be His good pleasure. And thus, praying God for the continual encrease of your temporal and spiritual prosperity, I present the remembrance of my humble duty to Sir N. Bacon and your Ladyship, and rest, Your Ladyshypps to be commanded in what I may, Elnathan Parr. [1613.] ANNE LADY BACON TO MR. PARR. M r Parr, — I have received your letter, and I am very sory that any losse of favour or otherwise any hurt should be to you, I am sure my letter could import no such thing. I cannot give you so large an answer to every poynt in your letter as wear fytt, but you shall hear from me againe very shortly when I have spoaken to my sonne, when I will truly answer your letter from poynt to poynt. I praye you comend my love to the Lady Cornwaleys, whose love I desyre to continew, though she will not yeelde it me in that sort I desyer. And thus, in hast, fare well. God hath the disposing of all things, and to Him I comitt this and all other. Yo r assured Anne Bacon. [1613.] To my assured freind M r Parr. b5 10 VI. NATHANIEL BACON TO MR. PARR. M r Parr, — I have sent to you according to my promise, being desirous to understand the estate of the supposed sicke person,* of whose health my well wishes have not as yet geven me leave to despair. I praye send me word whether our intelligence did fayle or not, and how the determination for the jorney houldeth, or, if the party be evilye affected, whether shee will be visit- able this afternoone or not ? Thus, not desiring you further trouble at this tyme, I commyt you to God. Yo r assured friend, Nath. Bacon. [1613.] To his much respected friend M r Parr, at Palgrave, gev this. VII. ANNE LADY BACON TO MR. PARR. Sir, — If my busynes had not bene much, and my stay at Redgrave very littill, I hade purposed to have sene you at Palgrave. But, I humbly thanke God, I did heare there you wear somthing amended ; I praye God to perfect your recovery. I have received your letters, but I have not leysure neyther to reade them as I shoulde, nor to wright * Lady Cornwaleys. 11 an answer as I would, my howse being full of strangers; but, if God will, I will wright shortly. My sonne Nath. as I thinke is at London, if he be not gonne beyond the seas, which he did pur- pose, as I percieved by his letters the last weak. Soon his distance will be very great, so as we are content to lett hym travell for his recreation. You shall hear from me shortly : till then, fare well ! By a dim candle, and old eyes going to bedd. Yo r assured freind, Anne Bacon. [1613.] To my very lovinge freind M r Parr, the Minister of God's word in Palgrave. VIII. ANNE LADY BACON TO JANE LADY CORNWALLIS. The greatest treasur vnder y e sunn (which is) the loue of God, the peace of consince and joy in the Holy Ghost, be w th you to yo r eternall comfort. My good La. I do percive that the olde proverbis be not alwaies trewe, for I do fynde y* the absence of my Nath. doth brede in me the more continuall re- membrance of hym : and I cannot thinke of hym but I must do the lyke of yo r LaPP. who I knowe is lodged in the principall p* of his hart. But how yo u stande affected vnto hym I knowe not, I 12 otherwise then his resolution to travill makith me to suspect it. But, howsoever, I do and ever shall loue you vnfainedly and most deerly in the Lorde, and ame and shal be alwaies redy to do any kindness or servis that one Christian freind may perform vnto another. And I wishe from my hart that I wear abill to obtain yo u to my selfe as my owne, if I myght be so happy. But what I can- not have by alliance, yo u shall have by Christian bande. And I wishe my sonnes estate wear awn- swerable to yo r content. In shorte, I hope to enioy yo u as I would ; for a trewer husband, and on that louved yo u better, shall yo u never have. But I comend hym and yo u bothe vnto the dis- posing of Almighty God, who sitteth in y e heavens and oderth althings in this wicked world for the good of his children and for the distruction of his enimies, howsoever for a tyme thay seeme to flourishe. To this merciful God I comend yo r LaPP. w th my littill swete cosen yo r prety sonn ; and do rest, Ever yo rs , Anne Bacon. Culford, y e 22 of Octobr a 1613. To my very nobill good freind the Lady Cornwallis, at M rs Cooke* hir howse, neer to the Earle of Northampton's howse by Charinge Crosse. * Probably Anne, widow of Richard Cooke, of Geddyng Hall, Essex, Lady Cornwaleys's uncle. IX. NATHANIEL BACON TO MR. PARR. M r Parr, — I am hartely sorry that I have lived so long in ignorance of yo r estate, that I must necessarilie doubt of your well beinge ; but my continuall prayers and well wishes in ther effects have promised so perfect a recovery, that my doubt resteth in part diminished. The success of my busines here hath so assured me of the constancie of fortune in myne endevors, that I do remaine desperate, wherfore I have undertaken that course for Antwerp which I intended, wherin I desier, by your well wishes, the continuance of your affection, of which I am already truely sensi- ble, that my actions shall not in any thinge be more happily employed then to endevor a requitall. If you come to London, I desier to heare from you, which you may easily do by the means of M r Quester, the postmaster of Antwerpe, dwell- ing in Fillpot Lane. In the meane tyme, good angels guard you. Yo r assured friend, Nath. Bacon. From London, October [1613]. To his much respected friend M r Parr, Preacher at Palgrave in Suffolk, deliver this, at Sir Nicolas Bacon's howse, to be convayed unto him. 14 X. nathaniel bacon to jane lady cornwallis. Sweet Madam, The pretiousness of a faier winde & a good ship, especially at this tyme of the year, hath constrayned to me (by the suddayneness of the occasion offered) to transgress all the bounds of loue & ciuillitye in that I haue not bin able to kyss yo e sweetest hands before my departure ; but these circumstances, I do not doubt, shall suffi- ciently satisfie yo e discretion and howld me ex- cused. Deare Madam, all my happyness hath bin purchased by yo e fayth to what I haue proffessed, wherefore farther protestations ar altogether un- necessarye ; onely lett constancie still seeme my cheifest vertue, w ch I do perswade my self shalbe easilye able to make good, or better yo e greatest expectations. My retourne shall rest altogether vppon yo e command & the conueniencye of far- ther proceedinges, vntill when I leaue you w th M rs Cooke & yo e pretty sonne, w th my best ser- uisse, and prayers for all blessinges temporal and spirituall most religiously attended. From Grauesend, ready to depart for Flushing, this 29 Nouembre. Yours absolutelye, Nath. Bacon. [1613.] Yo e LaPP may be pleased to lett M r Cuckow 15 enquire at M r Quester's howse, the postmaster of Antwerp, dwellinge in Fillpot Lane, once in eight or ten dayes, wher he shall vnderstand of my letters. To the much honoured Lady the Lady Cornwallis, at M rs Cookes howse by Charinge Cross, geue these. London. XI. ANNE LADY BACON TO MR. PARR. M r Parr, — I have deffered my writting unto you, desyring to heare from my sonne, who hath byne at London ever synce the La. went up, and is either ther still, or else going over the sea, which he purposed when I last heard from hym. We have offered what we are abell, and what we can and will faythfully performe. If it be accept- ed, we shall rejoyse much therein ; if not, we must be contented without grudging, asseuring our- selves it is the Lord's doing. And although the juell layd before us be never so riche, if we be not abill to buy it we must be content to forbeare it. We must not laye out all our stocke upon one purchas, having so many others to provide for. God blesse the good La. with a richer choyse, that may bringe a happy content to hyr mind. I do honor and love hyr with my nolle hart, and 1 know an honester and trew harted husband shall she never have. But this I leave unto hyr La. 16 consideration ; resting much indebted unto you for your kinde and faythfull love, which you shall finde as occasion dothe serve. Yo rs asseuredly, Anne Bacon. [1613.] To my much approved freind M r Parre, at Palgrave, give this. XII. nathaniel bacon to jane lady cornwallis. Sweet Hart, I thincke you haue already vnderstood what vse I made of the litter, & I confess I was not able by any meanes to endure the tediousness of yt any farther ; wherfore I made vse of the coach, according to yo e adwise, & cam well to Chelms- ford, wher I mett w th my Lady Withipoole,* w th whome I was enforced by her importunity to supp ; butt thatt night, after I was in bedd, a distemper cam uppon me, so as I slept little till the morn- inge. I could not impute yt vnto any thing but diet & ale of hers, w ch she comended vnto me, & w ch I veryly beleiue caused yt, althoug I would not lett her vnderstand so much. This day I haue very well passed ouer my journy, & got a better stomach than I had this month, that I hope now a * Frances, one of the four daughters of Sir William Cornwallis, by his first wife, Lucy Neville, married to Sir Edmund Withipoole of Leighton, Essex. 17 bettering in my health euery day ; w ch I hartely also wish vnto you, desiring you to be carefull of yt, & to geue yo e self the best content the place affordeth. Uppon Fryday or Satturday I purpose to depart. Comend my best loue to yo e self, w th the rest of my good friends, & comand him, who is alwaies & oneley Yo rs , Nath. Bacon. [1613.] My brother Killigrew* kyses thye hands, w th my sister, sending you many thanks for yo e kind tokens. To his most respected friend the Lady Comewalleys, at her lodg- inge in the Strand. XIII. the same to the same. Sweet Madam, W th ouT circumstances I am her the same man as I parted from you, beinge not able to make my self more worthy of yo e loue then before. I haue found base enimyes in myne absence beyond ex- pectation, but my cheifest friends firme onely in what they haue intended, & encrease of loue, al- though not of fortunes. Deare Madam, I am reasonably sensible of yo e deseruings & what * Henry Killigrew, brother to Sir Joseph Killigrew, married to Jemima, daughter of Sir Nicholas Bacon, and relict of Sir Edward Waldegrave. 18 concerneth my self; wherfore be perswaded of my best endeuors fore the satisfaction or furtherance of eyther. I haue freely imparted (not w th out great reasons) the success of my business to my father & mother, the entertaynement of w ch I will refer to yo e owne experience at yo e retourne into the contry, wher I shall be easily able to iustifie whatsoeuer I haue eyther protested for my self or promised for my friends. Vntill when all good angells guard you. From Culford, January xuiij. Yours, Nath. Bacon. [1613-14.] I desier you to kyss the hands of the L. of Bedford of my part, & lett her vnderstand that at this instant I am prouidinge to do her seruise. To his much honoured Lady, the Lady Cornewalleys, at Twitnam.* XIV. anne lady bacon to jane lady cornwallis. Madam, I cannot forbear to signify unto you how welcom my sonne Nathaniel with your favor is unto me, for without it I thinke I should not have seen hym a great while. And now, Madam, * In 1607 the Countess of Bedford obtained the lease of Twicken- ham Park, and resided there till 1618, when she gave the remainder of her term to Sir William Harrington. — Lyson's Env. vol. iii. 19 as you shall find us in love reddy to perform all things as we have spoaken unto you, so shall I not cease to praye unto the Lorde Almighty for the increase of faythfull love between you with all spiritual graces and happiness in this life, and in the life to come, endles felicity to you and yours, in the presence of the Blessed Trinity, whear is fulnes of joy, and at whose right hand are unspeakable pleasures for evermore. And if it shall please you to take Culford in your returne from London, you shall be most entirely welcom and I shall much rejoyce in it; and Nath. will meete you on the way to direct you thether. And thus, good Lady, with more trew love in hart then I can expresse in words, I leave you to the blessed direction 0/ Almighty God, and do rest Yo r ever loving freind, Anne Bacon. [1613-14.] To my deerly beloved freind the Lady Jane Cornwallis give this, at London. XV. NATHANIEL BACON TO JANE LADY CORNWALLIS. The neglect of my weekely promise, sweetest Madam, maketh me somewhat ashamed of the approbation of myne honesty by yo e letter ; but I am suer reason ther was, w ch I desier you will at the least imagine worthy an excuse. The owld 20 prouerbe, Out of sighte out of mynde, I haue proued directlye contrary, for I haue bin so wholely possesed in this absence w th the trewe consideration of yowr deservinges, that the desier of yo e presence is nowe inexpressible, & I do rest in a more troubled estate then yo e credit to my greatest protestations can make you sensible of. The tyme maketh me happy in the expectation of yo e sodayne cominge downe, w ch I wish for many respects may be made by this way: lett me vnderstand perticularly of yt, & I will warrant you safe con- duct ; vntill when I leaue you w th my best wishes & prayers moste religiously attended. Yowrs entyrely, Nath. Bacon. Culford, this February 6 [1613-14]. Speak yo e mynde to the Lady of Bedford in my behalf, & tell her that the weather hath bin very vnfauorable to the proceedinges of her picture. To the much honored Lady, the Lady Cornwalleys, geue these. XVI. the same to the same. Sweet Madam, The vnwished for newes in o e contrye maketh me desier the entertaynement of my speciale condolements w th you for the vntymelye death 21 of the Lord Harrington,* & leaueth me so sensible of ou e frayle estate in this lyfe that I cannot but w th my gratest oratory solycite a better assurance for the enioyinge of yo e sweetest companye. Deare Madam, make me happy in my chiefest desiers by yo e speedy retoarne, w ch is equally enuited by other conueniences. My father & mother ar determyned to make a longe journeye to Maubourne hilles presently after the feast of o e Lady, before w ch tyme I thincke yo e presence is neccessarily required. Remember y oe promise in cominge downe by my fathers, w ch seemeth specially conuenient unto me. The hast of the messenger biddeth me kyss yo e hands, wishinge you all happyness & restinge entyerly yours, Nath. Bacon. Culford, March 6 [1613-14]. For my Lady of Bedford, let my best seruise attend her, & my continual prayers for all comfort spiritual & temporal. To the most honoured Lady, the Lady Jane Cornewalleys, at M rs Cookes house by Charing Cross, geue these. * The second Lord Harrington, brother to the Countess of Bedford, who had succeeded to the title on his father's death a few months be- fore, and in whom the Barony became extinct. 22 XVII. anne lady bacon to jane lady cornwallis. Madam, Yo r delaye in cominge downe hath caused you once againe to be trobled with my deer Nath 1 at London. I am sorry that your busynes doth carye you another way that I shall not see you at Culford in your jorney towards Broome. But it shall not be longe I trust in God before I see you in a neerer affinity then yett ever I did, in which I joye muche now; and I doubt not but you shall muche more joye in it, when I am with the Lord God in Heaven. My husband commends hym very kindly unto you, and we bothe doe very willingly give unto you the juill of our deer sonne. God blesse you together with abbundance of all felicity in this lyfe, and in the lyfe to come the presence of the Blessed Trinity, a greater happiness cannot be to any. Deer La. the bless- ed God be with you for ever. Yo rs , Anne Bacon. [1613-14.] To my most deerly beloved the Lady Jane Cornwallis give this, at London. XVIII. the countess of bedford to jane lady cornwallis. Deare Cornewallis, The K. of Denmarcke's unexpected coming* hath constrayned me to defer my setting forward towards Rutland from the 8 th of August to the tenth, which is Wensday comse'night, and so itt will be the 11 th before I shall be at Huntingdon, whear I promis myselfe the contentment of meeting you ; whearof to have a confirmation, and that you may not be ignorant of this alteration, I send this bearer, whom lett me intreatt you to dispatch as soone as you may : and suffer not any thing lesse then necessity to change your purpos, and M r Bacon's, to take this jorney for her sake that will ever be to you both a most assured and affectionate freind, L. Bedford. My mistresf comanded me not to forget her kindest comendations to you. Bedford House, in haste, this Saterday momeinge, 30th July [1614]. To my worthy freind the Lady Cornewallis. * James heard of the arrival of Christian IV, July 23rd, at Hawnes, in Bedfordshire, and returned to London immediately to meet him. The King of Denmark left England August 1st. t The Queen. 24 XIX. the same to the same. Deare Cornewallis, I know you thinke itt strange that you have not all this while hearde from me ; but, so I know too, when you know the occasions, you will acquitte me of deserving much blame. When I went from hence itt was with a full resolution, if God con- tradicted not my purpos, to have seen you at Broome before my retorne heather, and to have in- treated you to have made a journey to Exton to have been my gueste; but, because I could not sett a sertaine day for my goeing with you, I deferred my wrighting to you till I cam into the contry, wheare within 8 days the K. overtooke me ; against whos coming, and during his stay att my house, all my tyme and litle witt was so taken up about the busnes of house] keepinge as itt made me lay all else aside. Within 3 days after, my promis carried me to my Lo. of Huntingdon's,* wheare I intended to have made but 2 days' stay, and then to have retorned to Exton; but ther I mett with a peremtory comandement from the Queene to wayte upon her at Woodstock e, which I * Henry fifth Earl of Huntingdon, nephew to the Countess of Bedford, his father having married Sarah, sister to John first Lord Harrington, of Exton. He was Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire and Rutland, and died in 1643. 25 did, though with so ill health as I had much adoe to get heather to use the helpe of some phisicke: yett I thanke God he strengthened me to beare out the extream distempers I was in till I camme to this house of mine, where I thought to have rested but a very few days, and so have gonne into Rutland againe wheare I left my Lord ; but itt pleased God to order itt otherwise, for within 2 days after my arrivall here I fell so extream sick as I was forced to take my bed, out of which I have not for the space of these 6 weekes binne 3 days together, nor yett have ventured out of my chamber ; though I thanke God my health is much better then when I cam heather. Thus, Madam, may you see what hath soe long withheld me from sending to you, who I now hope winter will bring to this towne, which I should be extream glad to have confirmed by this bearer, and to hear that you and yours have escaped free from the danger or canker of this sickly tyme, wherein my people every whear have binne vissited with much sickness, which hath concluded at Exton with the death of poor Francke Markham,* the newse whearof camme to me yester- day and brought me a great deale of sorrow, haveing ever had cause to hope, if God had spared her lyfe, she wold have repayd my care of her with honnor * Frances, daughter of Sir Anthony Markham, Knt. of Sedge- broke, Nottinghamshire, by Bridget, daughter of Sir James Harring- ton, and niece to the Countess of Bedford. C 26 and comfort; whearin at her ende she hath not deseaved me, though my hope of seeing her happily bestowed be frustrate. Had she lived till All- hollandtyde she had died a wyfe, for I had con- cluded such a match for her, as I had reason to beleive she should have lived contentedly ; but He that disposeth all things hath provided far better for her. Other then sad newse I cannot sende you, the rest I have to wrighte being that my mother goes presently into Germany by my La. Elizabeth's extreame earnest desier, and the K.'s comandement ; which, the season of the yeare consi- dered, is so cruell a jorney I much feare how she will passe 'itt. But her affection to her Highnes keeps her from being frighted with any difficultie ; and her spiritt caries her body beyond what almost could be hoped att her years, which I trust will not faile her in this no more then in other labors ; which my weake hand begins to do me, and makes me remember how unexcusable my teadiousnes is, if part of the cause of itt weare not my care to satisfie you, who shall never have cause to acuse me of leaveing you unsatisfied, howsoever I may faile in seremonis, in any real proofe I may give you that I am unchangeably Your La? 3 most affectionat and faithfull freind, L. Bedford. Deare Madam, do me the honnor to keepe me in M r Bacon's favor, whos good opinion I should 27 be proude to deserve in any thing wherin I can be of use to him. Kisse litle Fred, from me, and desier him to weare the token I send him, that he may somtymes remember he hath such a freind. I hartely beseech Allmighty God to make him, your other, and all He shall give you, lasting comforts. Bedford House, from whence I shall remoove as I am able to Harington House, and ther winter, this 9th of Sept. [1614.] To my worthy freind the Lady Cornewallis, at Broome. XX. sir thomas meautys to jane lady cornwallis. Deare Sister, It is now all most a yeare since I heard from you, but have written often to you, yett not lately by reson of the remotenes of this plase, where I have lain in with my company this 16 weakes, which hath bin the cause I coulde not wryght. I shall be extreame glad to hear that yourselfe and little sonn is in good helth, which is one of the cheafest occasyons of this messenger's goinge for England ; whome I have gyven order to macke a jorny downe to your howse in the country, if his fortune be not to find you in London. His staye is not to be longer then to bringe me answer of some letters which I have sent him with to the Corte. I could wish my fortune answerable to my affectyon, that I might show it by doing you c 2 28 servis. Thus, commending myself very affection- ately to yourselfe and little Fredderyck, I rest in hast, Your lovinge brother, T. Meautys. Julyers, October 17, 1614. To my deare sister, y e Ladie Comewallis, present these, at Broome Haull in Souffolcke or elsewhere. XXI. the countess of bedford to jane lady cornwallis. Deare Lady, You should not have had so just cause to acuse me for being thus long without sending to you could I have told what sertayne acount to have given you of my fortune, which finding in ballance att my retorne out of Rutland, I still way ted to see which way itt would setle before I writte. Now I thanke God I can say, that out of a very great and almost hopeles danger my Lord of Bed- ford hath recovered so much health and strength as we are out of all fear of him, and doe conseave that the violent fever he hath had hath done him some good for his palsy, his speach being better then itt was before he fell sick, though his lamenes be nothing amended. His present state setts me at liberty to follow my terme busnesses, which daylie are multiplied upon me, and make me heavile feel the burden of a broken estate ; yett 29 doe I not doubt but by the assistance of Almighty God I shall ear long overcum all those difficulties which at the present contest with me. Though yesterday Sir John Haryngton* hath begunne a course in the Chaunsery against my mother, f but indeed most conserning me, wherby he will gett nothing but lost labor, nor will itt cost me more then som few lawyers' fees, and a litle troble, which I am borne to, and therfore imbrace it as part of my portion. I extreamly desier to hear wheather your ill health this sommer have had so happy an issue as I hoped it wold, which lett me intreatt you by this bearer I may, and wheather you have any purpos to see London this winter or no, be- cause, if you have not, I will then send to you againe before the ende of the terme. Your cousin Killegrewf is gonne to see your neyghbour for a while, nothing altered. My La. Uvedale § is be- come the fonde mother of a sonne. j| My La. Mar- * Eldest surviving son of Sir Henry Harrington of Elmesthorpe, Leicestershire, and next brother to John first Lord Harrington. t Ann, daughter and sole heir of Robert Kelway, Attorney-General to the Court of Wards. t Probably Thomas Killigrew, who some years afterwards married Cecilia, one of the daughters of John Croftes, Esq. of Saxham, near Culford. $ Mary, daughter of Sir Richard Norton of Hampshire, wife of Sir William Uvedale, Knt., M. P. for that county. She walked at the Queen's funeral, in 1619, as a Lady of the Privy Chamber. || William, son of Sir William Uvedale, baptised Nov. 30, 1614. — Register of Westminster Abbey. 30 quis of Winchester is dead,* and our noble freind my Lord Mounteaglef very ill of a swelling in his throat. John Elviston died on Tuesday last, to the great griefe of all good daunsers. My La. of Rox- brought grows big, and lookes her for about the latter ende of the next month or begineing of December, which I fear will draw me to more attendance then of late I have putt myselfe unto. My mother affectionately salutes you, and this is all the nuese this dull towne afords ; else by this you may see I should be easily invited to lengthen my letter, which now I will conclude with my best wishes to M r Bacon, little Fred., and your- selfe, that have no whear a faithfuller freind then L. Bedford. Bedford House, this 27th of October [1614]. To my worthy freind the La. Cornewallis att Broome. * Lucy, daughter to Sir Thomas Cecil, Earl of Exeter, wife of William, fourth Marquis of Winchester. She was buried in West- minster Abbey. t William Parker, summoned to parliament in 1605, ob. 1622. % Robert Ker, first Lord Roxburghe, created Earl of Roxburghe in 1616, was thrice married ; first, to Mary, daughter of Sir William Maitland of Lethrington ; secondly, to Jane, third daughter of Patrick Drummond, the lady here mentioned, who was of the Queen's bed- chamber, and governess to the royal progeny ; and is described as pos- sessed of considerable abilities. In the Gentleman's Magazine may be seen an acknowledgment for 500L, part of 3000Z. of the King's gift for her long and faithful services as Lady of the Bedchamber to the Queen, signed " Jane Rox- tru'rc/he." 31 XXII. sir thomas meautys to jane lady cornwall1s. Dere Sister, Yors by my footeman I receved the 2. of this month. You maye conceve how wellcome theye were to me, that have nott receved any from you allmost in a yeare before, though I vnderstand by yor letters that you haue wrytten many ; and if it will please you to giue creditt to what I wright, for hathe there bin writt by me vnto yo r selfe, w th assewrence I speacke it, aboue 20, far be it from any thought of mine to neglect you, soe mucth as you charge me w th it in yo r letter ; butt yf you haue nott receued soe often from me as I haue sent, lett yo r charytie be soe mucth to yor absent brother as nott to macke an ill construcktion of his affectionate indevours, w ch will be ever sucth as shall still gane from you more open loufe. As for any ill newes that you did forbare to wright, I thanck God, and I hope I haue known the worst of all that I coulde hear, and therfore when I vnderstud by my footeman that yo r selfe and little Frederic was in health, I assewered my selfe that you coulde right me nothinge that was ill; but my lackee tolde me newes as I coulde scase be- leue, till it was confermed vnder yo r hand, that you weare maryed, w ch was newes too on that I had som assewerence too the contrary. I shall 32 wish you yo r content in all thinges, and will praye for it, as all soe for the health and well fare of yo r little sonn, whome I hear grows grate. You may imagen how dificult a thinge it is for me too send over vnto you, for from the place from whence this corns it is very nere 250 myles too the seae side. I shall for this time troble you noe furder, butt dooe intreat that I maye be remembered vntoo my sister Shute.* From home I haue nott harde sence I left England. Soe in hast I rest yo r very lovinge brother, T. Meautys. Julyers, Desember the 7, 1614. If you please, you maye returne a remember- ance from me too yo r husband, if that in yo rs came by his direction. To my dere sister the Ladie Cornwallis, att her house att Broome in Suffolcke, these. XXIII. THE SAME TO THE SAME. Neither the convenyencies of the plase, nor the opertunytie of messengers, dear sister, hath afforded me meanes too send vnto you; besides, I haue bin haulfe discurridged in regarde that I haue receeved noe ansers of my letters this twell- * His eldest sister, Jane Meautys, married, first, — Shute, by whom she had an only daughter, who became the wife of Sir Alexan- der Radcliffe ; and secondly, Robert Radcliffe, fifth Earl of Sussex, and died in 1627. The Earl deceased in 1629. s. p. s. 33 month w ch I haue sent vnto you, yett I hope that I am nott holy forgotten, but rather I thincke that you want the comoditie to send as well as my selfe. You shall favour me mutch to haue a charytable oppinnyon of me, and to salute little Fredireck from me, whome- I wish maye remaine to yo r mutch comfort. Yo r assewred lovinge brother, T. Meautys. Julyers, October the 2. 1615. XXIV. THE COUNTESS OF BEDFORD TO JANE LADY CORNWALLIS. Bedford House, this of Desember [1615]. Deare Cornewallis, Because your woeman went so sodainely out of the towne as my letters fayled comming tyme enough to goe by her, I send this bearer, by whos jorney I shall not only have the means to bring myselfe to your remembrance, whear I desier to live as your most affectionat freind, but the con- tentment to hear how you and yours doe. If I might also by him understand that M r Bacon and you wold shortly be in towne, itt wold be very wellcome newse to me that am like to be a Lon- doner the most of this winter, to ayer my house at Twicknam against the spring. I am shuer the c5 34 busnesses now a foote hear flie over all the king- dom, and therfore cannot be unknown to you; yett Sir Thomas Monson's* being sent this morn- ing to the Tower perhaps will not be so soone with you by any other hand as by this letter; therfore itt tells you of that, and that the change of his prison is a signe ther is more to be laid to his charge then what consernes Overbury's death only. My La. of Somersettf is not yett brought to bed, but this is her last day of reckoning. Whear and when this tragedy will ende I thinke God only knows ; to whom, with my best devotion, I comende you, and beg of you that no omission of seremonis may make you thinke me the lesse Your faithfull freind, L. Bedford. Sweet Madam, comend me to M r Bacon and continue me in his good opinion, which I will be ever ready to deserve by any office of an aifec- tionat freind. * He had been created a baronet June 29, 1611, and was the an- cestor of the Barons Monson. He was arraigned at Guildhall, Dec. 4, 1615, but the trial did not proceed. t Frances Howard, daughter of Thomas, Earl of Suffolk, the divorced wife of the Earl of Essex, married, secondly, Carr, Earl of Somerset. Her history is too well known. 35 XXV the same to the same. Dear Cornewallis, Had I not continually for a long tyme expected your coming up, it had been more needfull for me then you to have excused so long a silence. Now, having that to allege for myselfe, I will tell you that I cannot so easily forgett the many proofes J have had of your affection as for the omission of any seremony to suspect itt. I should have binne extream sorry to hear of your children not being well, if withall I had not heard so good newse of ther amendment, whos health I will hartely pray may so fast increase as I may see both you and them shortly hear, which I know cannot be but that I shall have M r Bacon's company too, whos good opinion and love I shall ever declare my redines to observe whensoever I shall be so happy as to know any ocation whearby I may wittnes what I am to him for his owne worth and your sake, whos Most faithfull and aifectionat freind I am, L. Bedford. Whight hall, in hast, this Good-friday at 12 o'clock [1616]. My La. of Roxbrough is so near her tyme as she is not able to wait, which tyes me to a very strickt attendance. Her sonne is dead. My La. 36 of Somersett* is sent to the Tower, and will be very shortly arraigned. The Queen's leg is nolle ; to prevent a relapse, as soone as the K. is gonne, she retornes to Grenwich and enters into a diet this spring. This is all the newse I can wright you. To my worthy friend the La. Cornewallis. XXVI. SIR THOMAS MEAUTYS TO JANE LADY CORNWALLIS. Dere Sister, The commoditie of this bearer, whome I vnder- stand to be of yo r partes, hath made me to wright vnto you ; for, sence som letters w ch I wrytt in De- sember last by Dennis that was my footeman, I haue not hard from you, neither of him that I imployed, w ch is now nere haulfe a yeare sence his goinge over that I haue vnderstood of him. Yo u shall favour me beyounde my merritt to lett me vnder- stand of yo r helth w th the wellfare of yo r sonn, and the rest, yf God hath sent yo" any by this yo r husbande. I shall for my perticular, beinge absent, praye effectually that all the contentments in this worlde maye attend you and those that shall com of you ; therefore I must ende, and rest allwayes, Yo r faythfull lovinge brother, T. Meautys, Julyers, Maye the 9. 1616. To the Ladie Cornwallis att Broome, my affectionate dere sister, giue these, in Suffolke. * Her trial took place May 24, 1616. 37 XXVII. the countess of bedford to jane lady cornwallis. Deare Cornewallis, This day I could not meet you because the rest of our company could not be ther, and tomorrow my La. of Roxborough's busnes,* whom I must not forsake, will passe a triall, so as I can neither goe my jorney nor hope to see you, if you goe away on Wensday, before your retorne into the contry, which I am extream sory for; but I will in the morninge send to you againe eyther my farewell or to reseave the good newse that you goe not so soone, which if you doe not, I will, God willing, com to you on Wensday, till when I kisse your hands. In extream hast, with the best affec- tion of Your most faithfull freind, L. Bedford. Grenwidge, this Monday night att 7 o'clock [1616]. * When the Queen was assured by Lady Roxburghe that her husband had secretly obtained from the King the promise of being- appointed Chamberlain to Charles Prince of Wales, she was very indignant that any person should have sought so eminent a place under her son without Her Majesty having been consulted ; and she made known her displeasure, and vowed that the offenders should buy the neglect of her at a dear rate ; and she kept her word, for Lady Rox- burghe was sent into Scotland in high disgrace, and never saw the Queen afterwards. Sir Robert Cary, afterwards Earl of Monmouth, from whose memoirs the above account is abridged, was, in a short time, sworn the Prince's Chamberlain, and continued of his bed. chamber. XXVIII. the same to the same. Dear Madam, Because I putte you by such a messenger to a needles troble to read thes lines, they shall only beseech you to take from him all the assur- ance of my love, and desier to manifest itt, that an honest hart can professe, till I have the happines to see you myselfe, which I hope God will not denie me before your tyme of deliverance ; though I am not able to sett a sertain day when, by reason of my building and som busnes I have with the dilatory Chancellor of the Exchequer. So soone itt cannot be as I wish, that long extreamly to tell you how unalterably I am Your most afFectionat freind to serve you, L. Bedford. From the More, this Wensday morning, in hast. To my noble and worthy freind the La. Cornewallis. XXIX. sir thomas meautys to jane lady cornwallis. Deere Sister, I haue receued yo rs by this post, and in readinge of it I remaned awhyle betwyxt hope and dispare till sutch time as I grew towards the eand of yo r letter, whereby I founde the grate cause yo u had to feare the well farr of my littl kinsman in regard 39 of his longe sickness ; butt, vnderstandinge that it was an ageue, I hope that you shall nott need to doubte any danger of him att this present. Yf my prayers may any waye availe him or yo u or yo rs , I coulde be contented to tourne beadsman all my life for to dooe yo u that charitable servis ; in the meane tim my earnest indeavou att all tims shall nott be wan tinge booth for yo u and all yo rs . Yo r kinde concleution in yo r letter I must eauer rest yo r debtor for; it is yo r worth, and nott my meritt, that eauer coulde deserve soe mutch loue from you. Conserneinge Rosseter whome I did imploye for England 3 months agoe, w th speciall letters booth to yo r selfe and other frinds, I haue nott since his goinge eauer hearde from him nor whatt is becom of my letters, w ch mackes me to more then wounder att this discomfitir, for I made choyse of him as on that I did asshewer myselfe I might repose trust in ; and yf that hee haue plaide the knaue w 01 me, if eauer villin deserved to be broken upon a wheele hee deserves it. I will att this time forbeare to troble you any furder, intreating yo u that my affection and loue may be remembered to yo r selfe, my brother, and my little kindred, whome I praye God to send yo u much joy and comfort of in this worlde. Soe in hast I rest, Yo r affectionate louinge brother to my last ower, T. Meautys. [1616.] To his deere sister the Ladie Cornewalleys at Broome, Suffolcke, these. 40 XXX. THE COUNTESS OF BEDFORD TO JANE LADY cornwallis. Deare Cornewallis, If your lines are ever exceedmge wellcome to me, both because they comme from you and that they bringe with them the assurance of the con- tinuance of your affection to me, which I infinitly prise and will never live not to deserve with the best proofes I can ever give you of mine, which I must acknowledge but a dew debt to you, as is the vissit I owe you at your owne house ; which that I have not according to my promis performed ther hath binne no fault in my will, nor other hindrance then His that disposeth of His, att His, not our pleasure, and, as I formerly writte to you, made my health such all the last sommer, and till itt was within this very few weakes, as I was forsed to setle hear and breake all my purposes to recover my selfe owt of a very ill state of body ; which I thanke God I have now so donne as I hope I shall be as well able to travell againe as ever, and if I be so I will, if beyond my power to helpe I be not againe prevented, see you att Broome before my goeinge into Germany, wheather my duty to my mother and her Highnes will carry me this springe if I be forsed, as I thinke I shall, to use the helpe of the Spaw for the confirmacion of my health and 41 prevention of som infirmities I have of late years been subject to, for which Mayerne counsells me to goe theather, which I shall doe with much the more willingnes that I may wayte by that ocasion on my mother, who crossed the sea theatherward on Thursday last, and I hope landed well that night at Callis, though I have not yett heard so much. I have not forgotten to putte the Queen in mind of her promis to you, but in that as all others she is sloe in performance; I will not be so in soliciting her till you have your desier in that as I wishe itt you in all else with as much unfainednes as I do any good to, Your most affectionat, most faithfull freind, L. Bedford. Doe me the favor to comend me affectionatly to M r Bacon. Bedford House, whear I am stayed in expectation of the Queen's daylie remoove to Wight Hall, which hath binne hindred by paine in her foote ; this Sunday morninge, in hast [1616]. To my dear and worthy freind the La. Cornewallis. XXXI. the same to the same. Dear Madam, I thinke myself infinitely beholding to you for your kindly sending this bearer; but indeed you doe me wrong to beleive I should have been gladder of any bodie's company in my jorney then of yours, 42 and should sooner have invited any of my freinds to have donne me that honor. But till very lately I was not assured wheather I should have gotten leave to goe or no, and, when I did obtaine itt, itt was with this condicion, that I should not invite others to the like jorney, which I do so punctually observe as I take nonne eyther man or woeman with me but my owne servants ; so as you see I have not binne left to my owne liberty in this, which if I had, be assured I should have intreated both you and M r Bacon to have seen the Hage with me, as thos of whos willingnes to doe me all honnor I am most confident, and whos companies wold have binne of extream contentment to me. If M r Bacon passe this way this sommer, I wish itt may be while I am ther, wheather, if God give me health, I intend to sett forward from hence on Tusday or Wensday comse'night, and to stay ther till towards the 20th of August, before the end of which month I must, if I live, of necessity be in England ; from whence, though ther be litle ods between crossing the Theams and sea, I part not without so settling my estate as, whatsoever becom of me, every one shall be shewr of ther owne, and you not be pre- judised by your kindnes to me, to whos days and comforts I beseech God Almighty to adde many, and to give me means to expresse how affectionatly I am Your most faithfull and thankefull freind, L. Bedford. 43 I will not faile to obey you to the Queen of Bohemia, nor to make such mencion of you as become my love and knowledge of you. Harington House, this 12th of July [1616]. To my worthy freind the Lady Cornewallis. XXXII. the same to the same. Dear Madam, It troubled me much that you should thinke me so negligent as not to have written to you againe upon so many sommons as itt semes the mes- senger of your last sayth he gave me : but in my excuse I must first say, the letter was left hear in my absence, and sertainly so hath his caulings binne for an answer, if at all ; for I have examined all my servants to whom I thought itt likely he might have addressed himselfe, and neyther I nor they can remember any such matter. Yett per- haps the fault hath not binne his neyther, soe he may well have binne often hear and missed me ; for som litle building I have in hand att the More, or other busnesses thear, against our goeing theather this sommer, hath for thes many weekes carried me often from hom. Shewr I am neyther want of affection or desier to make all demon- strations therof hath kept my letters from you, which I desier you will believe, and that the long 44 deferring of my promis to vissitt you hath binne inforsed by those occasions I could not avoid ; but this sommer I hope to find a tyme more freely mine to dispose of, though I cannot yett name any, being to attend a bargain I am making with my Lo. of Buckingham's officers for the fee farme of Combe,* which will carry me sooner or later thea- ther, as we conclude or breake : but I will first injoine you to give me your word, that you shall not make my coming eyther a troble or a charge for you. This dull towne afords nothing worthy the wrighting, for ther is almost nobody of quality left in itt. Of the Queen's court I can say litle good, for her resolution to part with Roxbrough still continues, which makes her looke big upon all she thinkes loves that good woeman, and they attend her very seldom : of which matter I am one that price her favor, but upon such an occasion cannot be sorry for her frownes, which are now * Combe Abbey, in Warwickshire, formerly a religious house of the Cistercian Order, most richly endowed, was granted by Edward VI. to John Dudley, Earl of Warwick ; upon whose attainder, Ro- bert Kelway, Surveyor of the Court of Wards and Liveries, obtained a lease of the estates at the rent of 1961. lis. 8d. After his death, in 1580, his only child, Ann, inherited the property, and conveyed it in marriage to her husband, John, first Lord Harrington ; and their son, the second Lord, who survived his father only a few months, left Combe to the Countess of Bedford, with remainder, in failure of issue, to the children of his other sister, Ann, wife of Sir Robert Chichester. Lady Bedford alienated the estates, probably, under the arrange- ment above mentioned, to the ancestor of Earl Craven, the present possessor. 45 litle to me, all my court busnesses being so dis- patched as they will not much requier my attend- ance ther ; and I am growne to love my ease and liberty so well as no measuer of favor could often invite me theather, whear ther is no hope of any good to be donne. My Lo. Mownteagle and my Lo. Chandos* are very shortly goeing to the Spaw, though not togethear ; for my Lo. Mownteagle is growne so in love with a plentifull fortune and a privat injoyeing therof, as he shuns all other con- versation. When they are gonne ther will scarse be a gentleman to be seen about this towne, whence I shall not stirre till after Midsommer terme. Out of Scotland I hear no newse but that the Inglish of quality are very kindly and royally entertained by the nobility, but the meaner sort not so well used by the common people ; which trobles the K. extreamly, who entertains all the noblemen went with him not as servants but guests. This is all his jorney hath yett brought forth. By the next you can send to London by, lett me know when you looke you, that I may not apoint to com to you att an unseasonable tyme ; and I beseech you be more confident in my love to you then to suspect the declination therof upon the omission of any seremony, which I con- fesse I am often guilty of towards my freinds, though never willingly of any such neglect as may * Grey Brydges, fifth Lord Chandos, ob. 1621. 46 give them a just cause to suspect me; which you shall never have, but all the proofes in my power that I am as much as you can wishe, or is in me to be to any, Your most faithfull and affectionat freind, L. Bedford. I am very glad to hear by M rs Kendrick that your children are so well. He that hath given them you, give you with them all the comforts children can be to a mother. Lett my best wishes be remembred to M r Bacon as I make them for him, and give me leave to entreate you to do me the favor to lett som servant of yours carry the ten peeses I have delivered this bearer to Nor- widge, whence I have had two letters lately from the fine M r Russell, who itt seems the fayr Queen hath forsaken, for he wrights me word he is ther prisoner, in the under sheriff's house, in great necessity ; and it wear a great pitty so compleate a foole should starve, yett I am loth to send on purpose so farre to his worship. Harington House, this 26th. of May [1617]. To my dear and worthy freind the La. Cornewallis. XXX1IL THE SAME TO THE SAME. Deare Madam, — I have nothing to acuse you of, though you cannot but condemne me as a promis breaker, and so unmannerly a one as not 47 so much as to have excused myselfe to you ; but I must treuly protest that every weeke since my coming out of Warwickshier I have binne setting a day to com to you. From thence I was forsed to follow the K. by his coinandement for the setling of a busnes I have long had in hand for his servis and my profitt, and so could not gett the liberty of 2 or 3 days to goe into Rutland, nor since my coming to this towne to leave itt so many days as wold have brought me to you and backe againe ; which I protest I have as much desired as I now do any thing, and resolve if you com up this winter, which I am putte in som hopes you will, to lett you see neither winter weather nor ways can fright me from performing before Chrismas what I could not in the sommer ; though I should be extream glad to hear we should meete in this good towne, because then I should hope to be much the longer in your company, and to have your advise and M r Bacon's in my workes att the More, whear I have binne a patcher this sommer, and I am still adding som trifles of pleasure to that place I am so much in love with, as, if I wear so fond of any man, I wear in hard case. The last busness of this letter is, to beg of you the knowledge how you and yours doe, and the favor I may be affectionatly remembred to M r Bacon, and ever by you, as in all essentiall things I will be found, the trewest of your freinds, L. Bedford. 48 The Queene hath binne very ill of late, but is now well againe. The noble Lady Roxbrough is in Scotland, which makes me perfectly hate the court. Bedford House, this 22d of October [1617]. To ray very worthy freind the Lady Cornewallis. XXXIV. the same to the same. Dear Madam, Itt wold have eased me of a great deale of care if I might by your servant have heard that you had recovered better health ; which good newse since I cannot yett reseave, I will content myselfe with this hope, that this sicknes will in the ende pay you much comfort for the payne and troble it putts you to, and so make me amends that am by itt denied your company, which I so much desired, as I also did M r Bacon's, but not with the least wishe to deprive you in this state of your greatest comfort. Som other tyme, I hope, will be more fortunat to me then this any way is, and nonne shall I esteem more so then that which may bring forth an oportunity for me to testify the un- faynednes of that respect hath so often binne vowed unto you by your most afFectionat and faythfull freind, L. Bedford. Huntingdon, this 11th of April [1618]. 49 MyLo.Mownteagle and Sir Francis Good winne* affectionatly kisse your hands, as I do M r Bacon's. You have sent me a present I so much esteem as I know not how to find you sufficient thankes for itt, and can only acknowledge itt to be the finest I ever saw of this kind. To my worthy freind the Lady Cornewallis. XXXV. the same to the same. Dear Madam, I thinke the tyme too long since I heard from you and cannot longer rest doubtfull how you and yours do, which makes me send this messenger, by whom I also desier to understand wheather you intend to com to London this spring as I was told, which I should be extream glad of, because I should the oftener and longer have your company ; but, if you do not, I have now so setled those letts of my busnesses have heatherto hindred the per- formance of my promis to vissitt you, as I can now, if God Almighty continue my health, make good my word whensoever you will after S* George's day, when the ways will be fairer and the weather better for a jorney, by which I promis myselfe a great deale of pleasure in surveinge your good huswyfery : sooner I could and wold comme to you, if you wold have itt so, but that som occasions * Of Over Winchenden, Bucks, Knt. Ob. 1634. D 50 of my owne and my freinds make me not a free woeman till the K. goe to Newmarkett or Theat- ford, which will not be before that tyme. Till then, if ther be any thing hear whearin I may serve you, lett me know itt ; and if I do itt not with as much care and affection as possible for a faith- full freind, never beleeve again that I have any treuth in me, or am worthy to bear the title of your most unfainedly loveing freind, L. Bedford. Bedford House, this 7th of March [1617-18]. I had almost forgotten an earnest request I am to make by you to M r Bacon, but that a tricke my Lo. of Arundell* putt upon me yesterday to the cusning me of some pictures promissed me, putt me in mind of itt. I was told the last night that your father in law -f- was like to die, and that he had som peeses of painting of Holben's; which I am shewr, as soon as Arundell hears, he will trye all means to gett : but I beseech you entreate M r Bacon, if they will be parted with to any, to lay hold of them afore hand for me, who better than any other I am shewr may pre vale with his bro- ther, to whos share I conseave they will falle ; for I am a very diligent gatherer of all I can gett of Holben's or any other excellent master's hand; I do not care at what rate I have them for price, but shall thinke itt an extraordinary favor if M r * Thomas, Earl of Arundel, distinguished for his knowledge of the fine arts. + Sir Nicholas Bacon, who died 13th November 1624. 51 Bacon can procure me those, or any others, if he know any such therabouts, upon any conditions ; whos judgement is so extraordinary good as I know nonne can better tell what is worth the haveing. Som of those I have, I found in obscure places, and gentleman's houses, that, because they wear old, made no reckoning of them ; and that makes me thinke itt likely that ther may yett be in divers places many excellent unknown peeses, for which I lay wayghte with all my freinds ; and when M r Bacon corns to London, he shall see that though I be but a late beginner, I have prety store of choise peeses. Dear Madam, lett me hear by this bearer, wheather I have not binne misinformed concerning thes pictures, and if I have not, make them shewr eyther for me or nobody ; and be not curious to thinke I may pay too much, for I had rather have them then juels. If any copies of them be desired, I will retorne such as he must extra- ordinarily well know paintings, that shall distin- guish them from the originalls. To my dear and worthy friend the Lady Cornewallis. XXXVI. the same to the same. Dear Cornewallis, If this honest man had not offered me a means to convaigh these lines to you, I had sent a foote- i)2 52 man of my owne with them, to lett you know that though business hear falls out as crossely to my purpos of coming to you at this tyme as can be, (the K. s jorney to Theatford being stayed,) yett nothing shall make me leave you longer in doubt that I make promisses to you I intend not to per- forme ; therefore you may be confident that if the hand of God Almighty impose not the contrary, I will be with you about a fortnight hence, though I cannot yett name the certain day, because I cahot well leave this towne till the Court removes to Grenwidge, which will be about that tyme, but no day yett sett ; my stay with you will be so short as I wish you wold resolve my journey might be to fetch you to London ; whear I might have yo r company longer, for necessity will compel me to goe and come post, and rest but one day with you ; which I know you will alowe when you shall un- derstand the occasions command my being hear, which I reserve till we meet ; hoping that desired tyme to be now so near, yett so long I will not defer all my thankes to M r Bacon ; of whos care to do me the kindnes I unmannerly desired of him for some good pieses of paintinge, your chaplain hath been a faithful relator and made me a thanke- jesser debtor; which you both shall find if ever it be in my power to witness how unfeignedly I am Your faithfullest freind, L. Bedford. [April 1618.] To my dear and worthy freind the Lady Cornewallis. 53 XXXVIL the same to the same. Dear Cornewallis, You may see how unable they are to dispose of their own tymes that attend debts and other occasions, by my no sooner sending you word when I will be with you, which now I intend, by God's permission, to be on Tuesday com se'night att night, & staying with you all Wensday ; but on Thursday you must give me leave to retorne homewards, for I must needs be hear againe on Friday night.* I wright this in extream haste, therefore excuse me that I saye no more but that I will ever be found Y r most affectionat & faithfull freind, L. Bedford. Bedford House, this 7th of May [1618]. To my honorable frend the Lady Cornewallis. * An old household book of expenses at Brome Hall early in the xviith century, still extant, notices the Countess of Bedford's visit at the end of May 1618. The charges during that week amounted to 11Z. 18s. 6d., being more than double the usual average expenditure. The following birds were provided on the occasion : — value. value. vii Capons, vs. ii Patridges, xviiid. vii Geese, vs. xii Larks, xviiid. iv Hens, ivd. vi Quails, xviiid. ix Ducks, vs. vid. vi Gnatts,t xviiid. xxviii Chickens, xs. vi Herons, vis. t Knots, the Tringa Canutus. 54 XXXVIII. MARY COUNTESS OF BATH TO JANE LADY CORN- WALLIS. Sweet Syster, I must needs give you great thaynks for your rare and bountefull present ; no meat in the woorld coold have ben so welcome. Evne at such a tyme as I coold not bee pleased with any meat to pleas my stomake, notwithstandyng I was sike of a che- ken yester night, yet I coold eat thys with desyre, and yet not sike of it, but my fitts never of mee. God give me paciens. I pray God send you a happy jorny and a safe and quik retorn. I have adventured to send you thys poor playn cakes, not so good as I wish thay were. Had I had any thynge of worth, I woold in deed have which in thees ragget lyns I seek to excuse. I have so many charges as I am determined to let my gowne aloane ; but if you will doo mee the favour to by mee so much meane stufe, canvas, or what stufe you pleas, of black and whyt, to make mee a wastcot for everye daye, you shall doo mee a great favour. I have stufe by mee will serv for thys loan plas, to make mee a playn gowne. If you pleas to get mee a black fann bought, I will leve troblyng of your La. but never leve lovyng you. I wished, as I comanded thys bearer to tell you, that you shoold not loose so much of your 55 presias tyme of entertaynyng and injoying so honorable a parsnach,* but put it inyourpoket till you come at London ; and so I bid you a harty farwell, resting your La'ps lovyng unfortunat syster, Mary Bathon. xx of May [1618]. I am bold to send thees letters to which of your attendans you pleas to comand, to get them dely- vered. To my lovyng honorable syster, the La. Cornwaleys, give these. XXXIX. the same to the same. Sweet Syster, Love doth most perfitly shyne when it is steeled in adversity. Age in thys world is of most young folkes much declined. The strongest estat I stand in maketh mee of no esteem, and that which I profes, and cannot, without desemulacion to God and the world, bee otherwise, maketh mee con- demned of the most base; but our Savyor's ex- ample, if I were as I shoold bee, might make mee thynke myselfe to suffer for Hym that suffered for us all ; but my weknes is such as, were not my hope in His mercye that He will not suffer mee to put up with my cruell fitts, were able to distract me. I protest your kind vesetacion ded much * The Countess of Bedford. 56 relieve my vexed mind, which made mee apeer to your L. as impotent in mynd as body, which your good dysposecion I well perseved tooke commis- seracion on, and made you pleased to troble your- selfe to give mee comfort in desyryng mee to come upon Monday, which daye or any daye I will, if you pleas to send, and shall, if my fitts bee not too vement, by God's gras come ; but, were it your pleasure, I had rather defer it till Thursdaye, but that by that tyme I dought your strangers will bee come, and I cannot but thynke compynyghe shoold bee troblesum to you at thys tyme, if you knowe any comynge. Sweet La. doo not send for mee. When you come home agayne, by God's gras you shall not keepe mee so long from seeing you, who will ever remayn Your fathfull lovyng syster f m hart, the most unfortunat Mary Bathon. [1618.] To my honorable lovyng syster, the La. Cornwaleys. XL. the countess of bedford to jane lady cornwallis. Dear Madam, I send this messenger to bring me word how you, M r Bacon, & all your little ones doe, and by him send my servant Fred, a sword to defend him from the malice of the buckes in this their 57 colericke season. This monthe putts me in minde to intreate the performance of your promisse for som of the little white single rose rootes I saw att Brome, & to chalenge M r Bacon's promis for som flowers, if about you ther be any extraordi- nary ones ; for I am now very busy furnishing my gardens. Thus you see itt is not good being too free an offerer to a free taker; but be not dis- couraged, for I shall be as free a requiter when- soever you shall make me know itt is in my power. I can not send you much newse from hence : the best is, that after many difficultis I have made an end, according to my wishes, of my busness with the K. & reseaved his graunt, with many excuses for the delays it hath had, and so much compli- mente as hath made amends ; the worst, that the Queen hath bled extreamly of late, wh h hath so weakened her as I much fear how she will recover itt, for I never saw her look so danger- ously ill, w ch makes me oftener a courtier than I intended, and, with my other ocasions, will, I think, draw me to winter att London, whear I should be glad to hear you minded to go. How- soever, I thinke I shall invite you towards the spring to do my niese an honor, if I can compose things according to my wishes ; an offer being made me for her pleases me well, & I doubt not will take effect, if her unreasonable father can be brought to do what he ought, which if love 58 will not make him, I hope fear will prevaile : * but of this lett no speache passe you, because itt is yett too early days ; but as soone as itt is settled to any certainty, & that the K. hath declared him- selffe, whos work it is, you shall hear of itt more perticularly from me, to whom itt will be of a great deal of use & comfort, if itt pleas God to prosper itt. So may He blesse all yo r indevors, & continue to adde to yo r happiness, which is not more hartily wished by any than by your most affectionat & faithful freind, L. Bedford. More Lodge, this 4th of October [1618]. To my noble & dear freind the Lady Cornewallis, att Brome. XLI. the same to the same. Dear Cornewallis, I must not lett this bearer retorne without my intreaty to you that to mine you will joyne your thankes to M r Bacon for the favor he hath donne me in furnishing me with such helpes for my garden, and lett me beg itt of you both that you will believe that I shall be gladder to deserve then reseave obligacions from you, though the demon- strations of good will to me are not wellcommer * This alludes to a proposed marriage between the Earl of Arran and Miss Chichester, which did not take place. 59 from any then your selves, whos love I infinitely prise, and requite with the best affection of Your most affectionat and faithfull freind, L. Bedford. Bedford House, in haste, this 6th of November [1618]. To my noble and worthy freind the Lady Cornewallis, att Broome. XLH. the same to the same. Deare Cornwallis, It is one of my misfortunes, and such a one as I assure you I am very sensible of, to be thus farre from you in a tyme whearein I perseave your love wold have made me that to you which I as affec- tionatly desier to be as to have myselfe the com- fort of a freind by me, when any opresion lies heavy on my hart, to whom I might trust my cares, and be shuer they should not only be safely lodged, but begett a desier to ease them as farre as wear possible, or at leaste advise how to make them lightest. I remember well what itt was you feared at your last being in towne, and.I am sorrier then I can tell you, that ther is such a resem- blance in our destines as makes you, like me, a trew professer to yourselfe of ills to comme, whear- in I have seldom failed. But, for all that, you must not loose couradge, nor let your kind sensi- blenes, which is the self-wordingest thing, make . ' 60 you so unkind to yourselfe and yours as to yeald up the strength of your resisting reason, and con- sent to sincke under that melancoly such hear- tofore unexpected distaste must needes breed in you, which I grieve hartely to heare hath already rought so ill effects upon your health, and so strong aprehencions in your minde, though I trust our good God will with a safe deliverance of a happy hearth restore you the one, and, if you be not wanting to yourselfe, so assist you as you shall to your contentment overcomme what causes the other; and which, when you have recovered strengthe of body againe, if you finde to continue, in my opinion you should do well to remoove heather, whear you will have better meanes to prevail, and shall have my servis, if you finde itt may be fitt for you to imploye me, or shall finde that of others of more power then my owne, by declaring that I have ingaged them to take care of you, may becomme of use to you in this ocacion, who I dare undertake shall do itt very willingly and readily, and perhaps itt wold not be to ill purpos if ther be cause. I am shuer you beleeve ther are not many for whom I durst ingadge my word to you so freely, and therfore will easily judge that I offer you the servis but of two ; but if those two give you not a good acount of what I promis in ther names, sett it on my score as a falsehoode. I should be glad you would resolve 61 to bringe up your children and familie, because I thinke itt wold be best for them and you ; but if on the sodain you cannot acomodate yourselfe with a convenient house for them all, if itt please you to lett me have your companie heare while you are provideing yourselfe with a convenient dwell- ing for your hole companie, you shall do me a very great pleasure, and, though my Lord should be in towne, no whitt straiten me, for I can well spare your wonted lodgings. Therfore, if you love me, be not scrupulous to make use of them. Itt- is now high tyme that I acknowledge the reseit of both your letters by this bearer, and withall how I aprehend your kindnes so many ways expressed to me in them; but no words can do itt, and so I beseech you to believe, because itt is trew ; and, besides that, I am farre from undervaluing, for misinterpret I cannot, the liberality you therein have used towards me, which is much more then ever I was a debtor for to any that aught itt not unto me, or then I have a hart or will to accept, if I durst at this tyme say I wold refuse what you so presse, which your kindnes only and the know- ledge of your disposicion takes off the shame I have so long detained, yett I will now keepe itt in my hands as you will have me; though I must still as your tresurer, not as a legacy, and that you will live to give me tyme when I shall leave the world, [and] be wittnes I am not behind hand with 62 you in affection, and desier to live in your memory be confident that ther is nonne of yours to whom I will be more wanting in any thing I may do for them then 1 wold have binn to my owne if God had continued me a mother ; and whear as your request is in general, and extends to nothing but what I hope you be- lieve not so ill of me as to thinke I wold not without itt have donne, and more, I beseech you, if you can thinke itt to any purpos, impose something more perticularly on me, for I will perform itt as I desier God should have mercie on me, joy- fullie I confesse in your life, but as faithfully if I outlive you; which wheather I doe or not, they shall be no loosers by what you have donne for me, that have at the present but prayers to the Almighty to repaye you with, which shall be offered up with the best devocyon of Your faithfully loving and thankfull freind, L. Bedford. Harington House, this 20th of Jenuary [1618-19]. I will, God willing, the next week send to inquier of your state, of which I hope to heare as I desier. To my worthy and dear friend the La. Cornewallis. 63 XLIII. the same to the same. Dear Cornewallis, I send this bearer to inquire of my sicke freinds, into which number I am extream sorry to hear M r Bacon is fallen, both for his own sake and yours, and as desirous as any can be to hear s of his amendement, which I hartely pray for, and hope to reseave the good newse of att this mes- senger's retorne. I heard not of his being ill till my Lo. Chamberlain told me of itt,* and that upon that occasion you had excused your selfe from coming to the Queen's funeral, whear I hoped to have seen you, and am doubly sory upon this occasion to faile of that contentment; ear long I trust a happier one will bring us with gladnes to meete, which I wish to you in as great a measure as I do to Your most affectionat freind and servant, L. Bedford. The K. is earnest to have the funeral hastened, f and sayth itt shall be on Saturday com se'night; but, for all that, I thinke itt will not be till this day fortnight. Bedford House, in haste, this Thursday morning, [April 1619]. * The Lord Chamberlain of the King's household was the Earl of Pembroke, a supporter of the pall. The Queen's Lord Chamberlain present at the funeral was the Earl of Leicester. t The funeral took place 1 3th May. 64 XLIV. MARY COUNTESS OF BATH TO JANE LADY CORN- WALLIS. Sweet Lady, I desyre much to here of your perfit recovery of helth and strenth after your great payne, and God send you much joye of your last sonn, and no less of your first. I hard latly by Roben Corn- waleys* you sent to have borowed my plat, which I ded fathfully offer, and such poor lynnen as I hade. Because you sed nothynge, I ded put it bye, and carry awaye the keys ; but, knowing mee as thaye ded, thaye myght have broken up the loke. I was, I protest, hartyly ayngry thaye ded not; and yet, if you have any furder cause, I have willed you shall have it of my fayth, and take any desyre from you in such kynde, as I doo thynke you love mee, otherwayes I woold not have bene so bold with you as I have bene many tymes. Sweet Lady, if you have cause to use it before I come home, I have sent the keys by thys bearer to the same purpose. I hope to bee at home the latterendyng or the begynynge of thys next weeke. I have had my helthe very well ever syns I came hether till the last Weddensdaye ; syns, I have bene very ill, and am not well at thys present. God * This Robert does not occur in the Cornwallis pedigrees. He probably is the Robert Cornwallis to whom Lady Bath's father, Sir Thomas Cornwallis, bequeaths a legacy, noticing, that he had dili- gently attended upon him in his illness. 65 give mee gras to submit my will too hys pleasure ; and I beseech Almightie God send Sir Edmund Bacon to escape hys peryles syknes, and you helth and many years. I praye remember mee to my brother Bacon and prety Frede ; and so I will take my leve. My syster desyrs to be remembred to you and my brother, not forgettyng my littill nevewe. Your unfortunat lovyng syster, Mary Bathon. xvi of September [1619]. XLV. the countess of bedford to jane lady cornwallis. Dear Madam, As full of just sorrow as my hart can bear, I retorne you affectionat thankes for your kind send- ing. What a mother I have lost I need not tell you, that know what she was in herselfe, and to me.* Yett God, that sees no affliction to worke sufficiently upon me, hath this last night added another heavie one to my former woe, having taken my Lord Chamberlain's sonne.-f- Yett with * Lady Anne Harrington, late wyfe of John Lord H. departed this lyfe, at their house, in this parish, 25th of May 1620, being Ascension-day, and was interred at Exton. — Register of St. Botolph, t William, third Earl of Pembroke, then Chamberlain of the House- hold, married Mary, eldest daughter and coheir to Gilbert, Earl of Shrewsbury. He died in 1630, s. p. ; both his sons, James, and Henry the one here mentioned, having died infants. 66 this mersy to him, that he hath given him the hope of another, my Lady being, as we thinke, with child againe. But alas ! this is but a fear- full comfort to him and his freinds, considering her estate, which gives him too much cause of doubt wheather she will ever bring any well into the world or no, for sertainly this tooke much harme by her unrulynes both in the breeding and bearth. Yett God is all sufficient, and I trust will blesse so good a father with the joye of leaveing som of his owne to succeed him ; and the rather am I incouraged to be confident He will show favor to him and to the prayers of his freinds therin, because though he was very fond of this, yett, in those tymes of fear the child's being subject to som infirmities gave us, he ever kept a mind ready prepared to resigne att God's pleasure so unexpected a blessing. Now itt is com to the trial I am confident he will show well tempered effects of that religious resolution, and bear with pacience what the Almighty hath donne, though itt be more to him then the losse of an only sonne to another father. My losse of a dear mother camme not so unexpectedly as my Lord Chamber- lain's did att this tyme, for to outward apearance his child mended, but my mother so manifestly decayed daylie as I could not flatter myselfe with hope she could continue long; though I looked not her ende wold have binne so sodaine, yett the 67 disease she was subject to threatened no lesse, which I, sorting with that opinion she ever had since I knew her, that her ende wold be sodaine, made itt, I thanke God, not so to her, who hath left many seremonis how well she was prepared for itt, which is my unspeakeable comfort. Itt now rests for me to follow as well as I can her good example, which God graunt I may, in live- ing for his servis, that I may die in his favor, whom I beseech to blesse you and yours, and you to comende me affectionatly to M r Bacon, who made me hope att his last seeing in June I should have seen you hear before this tyme, whear you have not so true a friend as you shall ever find your sad servant, L. Bedford. Harington House, in hast, this 1st of June [1620]. To my honorable dear freind the Lady Cornewallis. XLVI. MARY COUNTESS OF BATH TO JANE LADY CORN- WALLIS. Sweet Lady, Your letter of acknowlegen more then I have or can deserve, maketh mee ashamed of thanks for nothyng, syns I have reseved to frendsheps of substance for my poor thoutes of love, which is all I can requit my best frynd withall. Sweet syster, my hart bled when I last see you ; you ded with your presenc lyten from the 68 affliction of a most fearful mallyngcoly is now more oppressed with the foulest abuse that ever was offred to so innosent a person, a discors that wold take a great deal of tyme to set down, if you will here how your poor unfor- tunat syster, who hath been intolerable wronged by the Earl of Bath, who is my lawfull husband, and nowe by a knave, who sath he is hys sonn and I am hys mother ; who hath, in my consyens, lyne abought my house to kill mee thys month, the most ill favored knave that ever was seene. Sys- ter, I had never child by my Lo. and, I take God to bee my witness, am as innosent of thys beast, who wanteth not much of fifty, as any chyld thys night born. And so, good syster, bear with my unsensible wrytynge, and God in hevn preserv you and all yours. Your lovyng syster, the most unfortunat Mary Bathon. Thorp,* thys xviii of June [1620]. XLVII. the same to the same. Sweet Lady, I thaynke you for your late vesetacion after your late long journey, as lykwise for your wyse systerly cownsell, w ch my reson doth asarten mee * Lady Bath resided at Thorp Abbots, in a house which had be- longed to Sir Thomas Cornwallis. 69 to be the best. I dought not hys love bee so littill too mee, that hee woold not doo any thynge I shoold requir in so innosent a cause as thys ; but such a base roge as thys, who is known was born and crestened of hys kinsmane, who brought them into the con- try, whos testymony I send you here inclosed, as lykwise hys exammenacion before the iusteses of Bery, as lykwise by them that ded comit him too the iayll, my thaynks, any on that is a frynd to iustes innosensy were enough, syns my lord cheef iustes is aquaynted with my woorst evill by my neerest frynd lond, as my woost enymes withall ther malles,* brybes, and trayns coold or ded proove agaynst me ; w ch snare had not I ben trecheresly caught in, I had not ben left of my frynds, though such a man of powr playe that tyn ther alas no repugnyngsy, so myght thay doo and prove what thay woold agaynst so abiect a woman, who hath ever syns not known what an howr's true content, but sorrowe and syknes, and such an aflykted mynde as shoold rather move com- pacion then furder malles,* to set roges to intytell them selves myne. Syster, I here my brother hath nether coch nor horses, and, as I am told, is abought a matter of moment for hymself, w ch maketh me staye my desyne of hys being ther; * malice. 70 and for sume other resons , cosen Thomas Cornwaleys shall denygh mee, or els shall be ther by God's suffrens. If any frynds els . . stepe in to helpe to get such a knave punneshed, wherin my innosensy shall appeer to the woorld, I shall have cause to thynk my self beholdyng to them, and I hope God will reward theme. It is enough for a Crystyon .... saye that I desyre never too see the face of God if ther bee any chyld of myn in thys world. It hath pleased G . . . . knowe too send or suffer trobles of infamee, who hath as as I coold carryed my self thys xxxix year unrep Nowe for my conscyens, w ch I can no more at with- out vtter dispayr of salvacion. If you can no way helpe, yet, sweet syster, pety me ; if my tears wooll wryt black, I need no inke. Fear not thys paper, though the masels* is in my hows. I nor my howsold cam never neere the infekted ; but I pray God you nor my sweet nevew tooke no hurte, it ca knowlege, nether was it but sus- pekted were newly syted. I desyre to knowe howe you bearer, and before my going to Hengrave I desyre to have thees wrytyngs agayn. Accordyng to your fryndly offer I am bold this next weeke too desyre your horses, if you maye spare them ; if I can any th comand any thyng of mee or myne * measles. 71 as your own. And so God in heven bles you and all yours rem wish of all good to my bro .... Bacon. Your lovyng vnfortunat syster, Mary Bathon. I have sent you too of my brother's hard to read, w ch if I in send a a pa the daye, and I will se or them and the other coppyes ; and then I will namyn the daye 1 shall desyre your horses, if you spare them, or els I besech you let me knowe when it shall be lese * convenyent to you. [Thorp,] July [1620]. XLVIII. THE COUNTESS OF BEDFORD TO JANE LADY CORN- WALLIS. Deare Cornewallis, I know that by this tyme I have deserved and undergonne much of your censuer, if I have not lost all your favor ; which to redeem I do protest unto you that the only cause you have binne so long without hearing from me was, that I was ashamed to send till I could retorne you that part of your wealth you have so long binne pleased to trust me with ; to whom alone I had binne be- holding for a curtesy of this natur. Now, if you be so crewell as you cannot forgive me this fault, 72 please yourselfe in imposeing any punishment on me you thinke my offence deserves, and I shall willingly undergoe itt, so itt may purchas my pardon, which I affectionatly beg, under promis never to be a trespasser in this kind againe. I hope to reseave itt signed, by this bearer, who can give you an acount how I have spent my tyme this many months; att whos retorne to me if I might hear that you wold be shortly att London, itt wold bring an infinit deale of contentment to Your most faithfully loveing freind, L. Bedford. Leister, this 12th of September [1620]. To my worthy and dear freind the La. Cornewallis. XLIX. the same to the same. Dear Madam, I was long in much hope that you wold have held your purpos of coming to London this spring, wheare I have binne constrained to be almost all this tyme since your going hence ; which has made me the greater looser by the change of your purpos, as I am much the sorrier for that losse, since your want of health hath binne the occasion to keep you both from hence and the More, the places in this kingdom you may justlie chalendge to be wellcom to while they are mine, and whear you should find yourself payd with most affection, 73 as in all others whearsoever I am to injoye your companie; which if I did not believe you wear confident of, itt wold be an extreame increase of misfortune to me, since you could not imagine any good to be in one that should requite with less so many real proofes of affection as I have reseaved from you, and for which I can make no requital but that of loveing you very hartely, and that I am sure I doe, and doubt not of your being so as- sured ; after which no more is needfull to be sayd, since that includes all in my power. You have sent me the finest litle beaste that ever I saw, whos beauty may excuse many faults, if she have any. How well she will play I long to be at libertie to trie ; and, howsoever she proove, she shall be much made of for the hands' sake she comes from. Thus I am ever reseaving kindnesses from you, for which I have no better retornes then thankes to make ; of those, dear Cornewallis, reseave the affectionat one I send you, and when you can find any subject to exsercise your interest in me on, be not sparing to make such full trials from what a hart they comm. I know you have heard of the mariadge of your neise to Sir John Radcliffe's son,* and how slightly my Lo. of Buck- ingham hath performed the protection promissed to him. For the first, I assure you, your newe nephew is as fine and towardly a youth as any J * Vide note to page 32. E 74 know; and for the other, my Lo. Hamilton,* my Lo. Chamberlain, f and my Lo. of Mongommery have donne ther best, and will do still, to keep off all the blows they can others' malice aymes at her; but what the successe will be I dare not promis, so strongly is the K. insensed and so bitter yett in the prosecution; but I will assure you, if ther wear no other ground but that of her blood, itt shall make me keepe warmest in my freinds desiers to save her from publick shame, and I beseech you, since your own vertue exsempts you from all reproch in her, be so just to yourself as not to be afflicted with her danger. I can wright no longer, companie interrupting me ; there- fore, dear madam, farewell, and love still Your most faithfull freind, L. Bedford. Harington House, in hast, this present Tuesday [1620]. If you deliver not my affectionat salutacions to M r Bacon and your sonne Fred, itt shall be the ground of a greater quarel betwixt us then yett we ever had. To my dear freind the Lady Cornewallis. * James, second Marquis of Hamilton, created Earl of Cambridge 1619. f William, third Earl of Pembroke, elder brother of Philip, Earl of Montgomery. 75 the same to the same. Dear Madam, If you will do me the favor to lett me have your companie hear while your busues stayeth you in towne, your lodgings will be ready for you tomorrow night, [to] which I hope you beleeve you shall be as wellcom as ever you wear to any place, and may as freely comand as when they wear your owne : so may you still, I assure you, esteem them, as long as they be in the possession of Your trewly loveing freind, L. Bedford. Harington House, this Thursday morning [1620]. To my noble & worthy freind the La. Cornewallis. LI. the same to the same. Deare Madam, I thinke itt long since I heard of you and yours, whos well beings and happines I most hartely desier, and send this bearer to inquier of, beseeching you to beleeve that no abscence nor lengthe of tyme can diminish that affection in me I have so many years professed and you so well deserved ; for, whensoever you shall have occasion to make trial therof, you shall find all in my power e 2 76 in yours to comande for your servis to the utter- most it can be extended, and that I shall reckon itt a good fortune to me to be employed by you in any thing that may give you assurance how unfainedly I love you, whereof itt wear an ex~ tream contentment to me if we wear nearer neigh- bours, that I might often tell itt you, which I can doe no more. But itt is in this, as much more, my happe to have much of what I wishe not, and want what I desier. Yett I hope eare long sum good occasion will bring you to London, from whence, exsept it be somtymes for a day or two, I shall not sturre till after Easter terme; my neese, her father, and I haveing bargained, she with him for the present posession of her land, and I with her for her posibility in the lease of Combe,* which to setle thoroughly, and provide to pay for, will coste me so long a stay heare. This donne, I intend to turn Combe wholly into money, bothe to make myself a free woman from debt, and with the rest of itt to rayse as good an estate for lyfe as I can, having now nonne but myselfe to provide for; those designes I had for my neese being crossed by her father's untoward- nes, and her owne porcion being sufficient for any matche. Nor do I fear finding this any searious worke for her, having a thing so well known, as I have already many offerers for itt. So as, dear * See note to page 44. 77 Madam, the favor you have so long binne pleased to doe me, I trust now very shortly to answer with a just account and payment of your owne, and will all my lyfe remember with dewe thankefullnes, and requite by the best means I can, having been donne me in such a fashion as I owne not the like to any other, which is unfainedly acknow- ledged by Your greatly loveing faithfull freind, L. Bedford. Harington House, this 20th February [1620-1]. Sweet Madam, coinende me affectionatly to M r Bacon, and blesse your sonne Fred, in my name, as I beseech God to doe all yours. The worthy Lady Cornewallis, my noble freind. LII. THE SAME TO THE SAME. Dear Madam, — I am extream sorry to hear you have binne so ill, but with as much gladnes thank God for your good recovery, whos health and hap- pines is not more hartely wished by any freind you have in the world ; nor indeed can any be more engaged to desier all good to you, since your con- stant affection to me challenges all the thanke- full retornes an indebted freind sensible of such kindnes can make, which though I confes my- selfe in expressing seremoniously, yet I will never be found gilty of neglecting any real proofes I 78 may give therof when eyther you or my good fortune may calle me to do so. I have myselfe had an unheal thfull spring of this, which I hope will not end in a lame leg, and that of that too I shall not long have cause to complaine. The greatest nuse I can send from hence is, that this day my Lo. of Arundel* is comitted to the Tower by the Upper House of Parlement for refusing to make a submission to the House, and give satis- faction according to the order of the House, for som reprochefuli speaches he had ther used to my Lo. Spencer ;f in which, nor his refusal to make a fitting reparacion, he hath not played the part of so wise a man as for his noble Ladie's J sake I wish he had. Sir Robert Chichester's § scurvie dealing * Thomas Howard, Earl of Arundel. + Lord Spencer was speaking in the House of some actions of their lordships' great ancestors, which displeased Arundel, who cut him off short, saying, " My Lord, ivhen these things were doing, your ancestors ivere keeping sheep,'''' alluding to his flocks, in which he took delight. Spencer instantly replied, " When my ancestors, as you say, were keep- ing sheep, your ancestors were plotting treason.'''' The matter growing to some heat, Arundel was commanded by the House to make satis- faction for laying such a brand upon a Peer who was nobly descended, and refusing to obey, was committed to the Tower, but he afterwards humbled himself to the Lords. — Wilson's Court of James. X Alathea, third daughter and coheir of Gilbert, Eaii of Shrews- bury. § Sir Robert Chichester, of Ralegh, co. Devon, K.B., by his first lady, Anne Harrington, a younger sister to the Countess of Bed- ford, who deceased in 1615, had issue an only daughter, Anne, the person here mentioned ; she was married to Thomas, Lord Bruce, of Kinlos, and died in 1627, after giving birth to a son, who succeeded in 1663 to his father's honours and estates, and was created Earl of Aylesbury in the same year. 79 hath broken up the match betwixt his daughter and my Lo. of Arran, * which drives me to play my game another way than I had layed my cards, and will hold me a Londoner till the ende of the next terme ; before which you shall hear from me againe ; and I am not unmindful of what any way I owe you, which is more than can be re- quited by your trewly loveing friend, L. Bedford. Doe me the favor to recomend me affectionatly to M r Bacon, and thank e him for his kind re- membering me. Sir Thomas Fraser, our oulde fellow, is eyther dead, or cannot passe this night, of an imposthume, the fisicians conclude, in the mesentery. Harington House, this 17th of May [1621]. To my worthy freind the Lady Cornewallis. Llll: sir t. meautys to jane lady cornwallis. Deere Sister, Not aboue 3 dayes beefore I receued yors by this poste, I spent som tyme in pervsinge sertaine letters of myne longe sence receued from my good freinds, & amongst others I founde som 100 of yo rs that were rytten beinge a maide, a * James, eldest son of James, second Marquis of Hamilton, whom he succeeded in 1624-5, and was created Duke of Hamilton in 1643. 80 wyfe, & a widdowe. Theise letters cost mee an afternounes worke to reede them over, & it did much comfort mee to finde by those lines that I wounce had a sister whose loue & affection in those dayes was nott to bee eaqualysed, & was glad to thincke w th my selfe that I had not as yett one my parte giuen any cause to the contrary. In regard e that yo u retourned noe answer of my letters by Salman, whom I imployed in England, I made my reckoninge that you (had) tacken your leaue of wryghttinge, and seeing the retourne of the ordi- nary courryer to com lickwise vaquant, it con- fermed my fyrst oppinyon and made it the stronger ; but sence I perseve by yo r last that it was onely want of commoditye & nothinge else that was the cause, yf it shoulde soe faule out that my occa- tions this winter shoulde cale me in to England, I dooe imagen that yo u wille thincke it noe dis- honnor to yo u to see mee com in good equypage. This last sommer yo u were neere beeinge quitt of a brother, but it hath pleased God, contrary to my one expectation, to restore mee. Thus, w th my loue to yo r selfe and those of yo rs , T rest Yo r trew affectionate T. Meautys. Arnheim, November the 7, 1622. 81 LIV. NATHANIEL BACON TO JANE LADY CORNWALLIS. Deeare Madam, — The constancies of my feares do enuite me continually, as occasion is offered, to a desier for the understanding of yo e estate, especially in these extremityes, of w ch I do fynde my self very sensible, & next for my most ho- nored friend the L. of Bedford, vnto whom my prayers do dayly entreat a talent of patience, equall or exceedinge her worst fortunes. I am already very weary of vncertayntyes, w ch maketh me hartely wish for a determined tyme of yo e cominge downe, the delay of w ch hath made me feele the inconuenience. My moother saluteth you, & desire th the entertaynement of this token of her loue. My father hath recouered his hear- inge, & much longeth for yo e presence. The newes of my elder brother's beinge aliue,* w ch was long since traueled, hath bin approued by iij or iiij merchants w th so great probability es that it must necessarily be he or his counterfeit; the tyme since his departure, his years, hayer, com- plexion, stature, qualletyes, & many perticular circumstances concerninge his friends, justifyinge yt w th such assurances that my father is deter- * Henry Bacon, second son of Sir Nicholas Bacon, said in the pe- digrees to have died at Jerusalem s. p. ; he is described as deceased in his father's funeral certificate in 1624. E 5 myned mediately to send a man vnto him. If my conuersation her may perceiue more then yo e imagination, be pers waded that yo e retourne is uery necessary ; vntill when I leave you w th my L. of Bedford, attended by my best loue and ser- uise, and do rest constantly yours, Nath. Bacon. Culford, March 14, 1622-3. To the much honored lady the Lady Jane Cornwalleys, giue these. LV. COUNTESS OF BEDFORD TO JANE LADY CORN- WALLIS. Dear Madam, — I think itt very long since I heard of you, and therefore send this messenger to bring me word how you doe ; from whom I should not have binne so many months without hearing, but that for this two last I have had so much ill health and paine as made me for a good part of the tyme unable to wright, and yett hath left me but a lame woeman. Better nuse I hope to re- seave of you and yours, which T pray for, and shall wellcom with a great deale of gladnes ; for this fatall yeare keepes me in continual fears for those I love, which if I did not you hartely, I wear more than unworthy to have a freind. M r Bacon, I trust, hath by this tyme perfectly recovered his long sicknes, which, both for his owne sake and the comfort of your lyfe, I cannot but with much 83 affection inquier after, and do so to know when you intend to bee att London ; where or hear I hope wee shall meete this spring att the fardest, if the towne and these parts continue so cleane from the sicknes as, God be thanked, att the present they are ; though all the markett townes about us, and many small villages, Richmondsworth exsept- ed, have all this summer continued infected, as well as the citie, which kept me from sending to those I hoped wear farder from danger for feare of convaighing any to them, though God of his great goodnes spared my owne familie, and hath yett reserved me, I hope, for his servis : if itt may be also to doe you any, I assure you I shall love my lyfe the better, and be much the more your con- tented, that am Y r most affectionat servant and faithfull freind, L. Bedford, More Lodge, this 16th of January [1622-3]. To my noble & worthy freind the Lady Cornewallis, att Broome. LVI. nathaniel bacon to jane lady cornwallis. Sweet Hart, Hauinge this opportunitie by M r Chittock, I thought these my letters myght come to yo e hands before yo e retourne, being assured you would be very glad to heare of o e estate here in the contry. For my self, therfore, you may vnderstand that I 84 am reasonably well, but cannot quite my self of my distempers, although they be very small. Vp- pon Tuesday last also, in the night, I voyded some bloud to the quantitye of 5 or 6 dropps, but yt stopt agayne imediately, & so hath contineued euer since. I am now at Redgraue, wher I haue bin (ij nights excepted) euer since my retourne, & wher I begin to grow very restless ; for, the dis- course being long since spent, continuall repe- titions proue so tedious vnto me that some tyme I am so vnmannerly as not to geue audience. O e ehilderen ar well ; & little Nick hath cast his cote, and seemeth metamorphosed into a grasshopper. Jane is a very modest mayden, & is wholely taken vpp w tb trauailinge by her self, w ch she perfourmeth very hansomely, & wil be ready to runn at yo e comand when you retourne. Thus, w th my best love & prayers I leaue, resting alwaies & onely Yo es , Nath. Bacon. [1622-3.] To his best respected friend the Lady Cornewalleys, at her lodginge ouer agaynst York Howse, at the signe of the Stirrop. LVII. COUNTESS OF BEDFORD TO JANE LADY CORN- WALLIS. Deare Cornewallis, — I am sorry M r Bacon and you are so punctual observers of the comande- 85 ment* empties this towne, which itt is now too late, in regard of the state you are in, to tell you, that if I had thought that had binne any stay to your being a Londoner this winter, 1 wolde have donne you the servis to have gotten you a dispen- sation; whos companie I should have binne ex- tream glad to have had hear, whear I shall be for the most part till the spring : and though in this I am a greate looser, yett itt trobles me more to hear how aprehensive you are of a danger itt hath pleased God to carry you so often safely through, and so I doubt not will againe, though you may do yourselfe and yours much harme, by those doubtings and ill companions for all persons, and worst for us splenetick creatures. Therfore, dear Cornewallis, lett not this melancholy prevale with you to the begetting or nourishing of those mistrusts will turne more to your hurt than that you feare, which I hope will passe with safety and end to your comfort, unto which if I could tell how hear or thear to advise any thing, I wold affectionatly endeavour att in absence, and readily undertake a longer jorney to you than itt is to Broome ; for though I have long suffered under a condicion hath maimed me of all means in real effects to express itt, and hath almost made me * " March 27, 1623. A third strict proclamation came out for gen- tlemen of quality to avoid the town, and reside and keep hospitality at their country houses ; it was nothing pleasing to any, but least of all to the women," — Nichols's Progresses of James, vol. iii. p. 842. 86 hate fruitles professions, yett ther is no freind more sensible of what they owe to another, nor fuller of earnest desiers to deserve well of them, than my hart can wittnes I am towards you, to whom I am not in so much despayre of making itt appear as I have binne, nor, I hope, are you lesse confident that itt is an unfained truth, that I am, Yo r most affectionatly faithfull freind, L. Bedford. Harington House, this 28 of November [1623]. I will write you no newse, for that I leave to M r Bacon, who may hear in the towne very near as much as I know, since what is like a secret passeth underneath, and so sounds not so farre as this end of the towne ; only I will give you my testimony that the Prince is the most improved man that ever I saw, and that my Lo. of Buck- ingham recovers much of what he had lost, so as you may see that the only Wyse, who brings light out of darknes, can favour us by ways we could not imagine could have produced such happy effects. The litle juel you sent me is a tresure, being the finest and best that I thinke was ever of her kind, for which since I cannot thanke you enuife, I will use no words to thanke you for at all. To my noble and worthy freind the Lady Cornewallis. 87 LVIII. the same to the same. Deare Madam, I have binne hindered from sending to you as I purposed, first for want of a footeman, and sinse by the sadde accident of my Lo. of Richmond's* death, which tied me to give my tyme to the performance of the charitable offices I could to his La. Now I send with a great deale of earnest longing for the retorne of this bearer, because by your brother I hear you have binne ill since your being delivered ; but I truste itt is no other then som indisposition incident to childe bed, and that I shall hear you have recovered better health, which I wish as hartely att the leaste as the continuance of my owne. Howsoever, since the very season of the yeare invites you to itt, lett mee perswade you as soone as you are able to comme to London, wheare the best meanes are for the recovery or confirmacion of your health. You know your olde lodgeings, which, or as convenient a one if I keepe you out of that, shall be ready for you, and I infinitely gladde of your companie and M r Ba- con's. I never so much longed to speake with * Lodowick, Duke of Richmond and Lenox, Lord Steward of the Household to James I. He died suddenly, 16th February 1623. He was created Earl of Newcastle and Duke of Richmond May 1 7th, 21 James. 88 you, and to have you out of that solitarie place, wheare I heare melancholie getts two much ground of you, which is so dangerous an enemie as I extreamlie desier to have you so neare me as I might offer you my best assistance and servis to overcom itt in yourself, and remove the causes if itt be possible. Therefore againe I pray you to resolve to chandge place for a while; som diver- tisments att the leaste you will finde heare, from whence I shall not, I thinke, remove till after Midsommer terme. Som acount of what passeth hear, to entertaine you, I will make unto you. First, my La. of Richmond's* losse, though it weare such a blow from Heaven as I must con- fesse I never knew given, will not kille her, of so strandge resisting stue are our hartes made. She was the happiest woman I thinke that lived, for by her owne confession she acknowledged, that if she should have sitte doune and studied what to aske of God for outward blessings and inwarde comforts of this world more then she enjoyed, she could find nothing to desier but a child ; and it was true, for she had of glorie and greatnes as much as a subject was capable of, wealth of all kinds in abundance, health and extraordinary beautie even at this adge, and, above all, a noble * Frances, daughter of Thomas Howard, Viscount Bindon, by his third wife. For a curious account of this Lady, see " Bry dges's Peers of James I." 89 husband, that was the love of her harte, and doted on her with the same pasion to the last ower of his lyfe that he did the first month of his being in love with her. Out of those loveing armes she rose not two owers before he died, and left him, as she thought, well, only troubled with a litle paine in his head, which made him desirous to sleep a litle longer ; which and his death was so quiet, as his man sitting close to his bedside knew not when he departed, but fearing, because itt was the day apointed for the parliment, that he might wake too late, called in a gentleman of his chamber that used to wake him, who drawing the curtain found him starke dead. I lay by chaunce that night att the Cockepitte, whither instantly this nuse was brought me, and I presently went to the Duches, in whos lodgeings was to be seen all that an unexpected calamity could show of sorrow. I much feared the first violence might have dis- tracted her, but her pasion had so liberal vent as I thinke itt wrought the less inwardly. Her haire, in discharge of a vowe she had formerly made, she cutte off close by the rootes that after- noone, and told us of som other vowes of retired- nes she had made if she should be so miserable as to outlive him, which I hope she will as punctu- ally perform e. For my part, I confesse I incou- radge her to itt, which, som say, hereafter she will love me nothing the better for; but itt is the counsel I should take to myselfe in her case, and 90 therfore I cannot spare to give itt. She offers to deall very nobly with my Lo. of Lenox,* yett I imagine ther will grow differences betwixt them out of his Lady's over greedines, for they already refuse to accept condisions they had subscribed to, though, if she have not very harsh and unusual measure offered her, itt is in her choise wheather to part with any thing to them or no. My Lo. of Buckingham hath made his declaracion to the parlement, who yett aplaude itt because itt tends to the final breach of the match with Spaine. The Houses have sitt so short a tyme as what they do is not yett to be judged, but I trust things will succeed well both for the Church and the Commonwealth. The Lord Marquis Hamilton is Lord Steward, so as that staffe hath had the good fortune to passe from a noble to a worthie hand, wheare I hope itt will long remaine. But I fear I do ill to wearie you with so many lines ; therfore, deare Cornewallis, I will not for the present say more then that I love you as your owne meritt and the obligacions I owe you justly deserves, and will never be wanting to you in any trial you may have cause to make of Y r most affectionat and faithful freind, L. Bedford. * Catherine, daughter and heir of Gervase, Lord Clifton, of Leigh- ton, married Lord Esrne Stuart, who succeeded on his brother's, the Duke of Richmond's, death to the Dukedom of Lenox and Scotch honours, and survived only a few months. 91 Wee have much hope that the Prince will show himselfe of such a temper as will be his owne glorie and the good of these kingdoms. My Lord Steward hath taken from me your olde servant Jeames Henly, and George Purser, whom he should not have had, if they had not binne such as but for his sake I should very unwillingly have parted with. Comende me, sweet Cornewallis, very kindly to M r Bacon ; and to my freind Fredericke, whom and the rest of yours I beseech God to blesse. Harington House, this 28 of February [1623-4], LIX. NATHANIEL BACON TO JANE LADY CORNWALLIS. Sweet Hart, I do long much to heare how you do, w th little Jane; wherfore I haue sent this messenger, by whom I desier to receiue an answer. Vppon Wed- densday last my Lo. Marshall* was here at Bury, onely to see me I thinck, for this place was out of his way to Thetford, whither he went : he would haue come vnto me to M r Pead's, but I preuented him by attendinge him at his inn, wher he was pleased to fauor me beyond my expectation. All the afternoone I waited vppon him about the ruines of the Abby. I presented him w th yo e casket; w ch , in respect yt was yo rs , I could hardly fasten vppon * Thomas, Earl of Arundel, created Earl Marshal 1621. 92 him, had not M 1 Short wittenessed that yt was be- fore sett apart for him. I exercised more yester- day by walking than I haue these 4 monethes, & I haue very well endured yt (God be thancked), be- ing at this tyme euery way better & better. If the childe be very sick, I pray do not hasten yo e com- inge hither, for yo e presence may better be spared her than ther. I comend my best loue vnto you, w th my continuall prayers for you & yo rs , and rest, Yo e most affectionate, Nath, Bacon. [Bury, 1624]. To his best friend the La. Cornewalleys, at Broome, geue these. LX. the same to the same. Sweet Harte, By the first ocasion I am desirous to comend vnto you the good health of o e childeren, w th my self, who longingely doth expect to heare of yo e safe arriuall at London w th some happy progress of o e troublesome business. My brother Coleby # is to come vpp this next weeke, beinge yesterday ar- rested at S r Henry Felton'sf sute, who I am sure * Dorothy, relict of Sir Bassingboume Gawdy, to whom she was second wife, remarried Philip Coleby. She died December 20, 1641, aet. 47. f Henry Felton, son and heir of Sir Anthony Felton, of Playford, Suffolk, created a baronet 20th July, 1620 ; he married Dorothy, daughter of Sir B. Gawdy, and seems to have quarrelled Avith his wife's father-in-law. 93 wilbe ready to do you any seruise if he shalbe at London in tyme. You may heare of him in the Middle Row in Holeborne, at a shoomaker's. Payne hath retowrned from London, & brought you a letter from yo e brother Dormer ; w ch I haue not sent you, because he himself, w th his wife, lieth in London, wher you shall se him. Instead of newes, (wher- of this country affordeth non,) accept the re- membrance of my old loue, w ch shall ne&er be estranger vnto you, & w th w ch I do at this tyme so much labour that I hope I shall make some good vse of this vacancie in my meditations for some better manifestation of yt; w th my earnest desiers to be wholely Yo rs , Nath. Bacon. May 6 [1624]. To his moste noble friend the Lady Cornewalleys, at Harington Howse, geue these. Leaue this w th M r James Henly, at Harington Howse, to be delieuered. LXI. the same to the same. Sweet Hart, I haue now receiued yo e letters w th much sat- tisfaction to my desiers, by vnderstaridinge of yo e health & safe ariuall at London after so trouble- some a journey; & do retourne vnto the healthfull estate of o e childeren & my self, who haue since yo e departure (thancks be to God) suffered very little in my brest. I do wonder much that the coraission was not retourned in the prescribed tyme, since I my self beinge at Norwich w th M r Morse * did so much vrge y t to M r Sherwood, who promised to retourne yt w th out fayle ; neyther haue I hearde any thinge of yt since yo e departure, being not able to coinend any thing concerninge that business but my many wishes for yo e frutefull en- deauors in the proceeding. My fatherf her hath taken me so wholy vpp to his seruise, hauinge at this tyme 50 men at worke in castinge his great pond, that I can hardly haue tyme to look home, being my self also studious to obserue him w th my best wits for the better effecting of myne & yo e desiers. You shall receiue by this bearer yo e wastecote, hauinge receiued yt this day from Broome w th the health of o e childeren. I could gladly vnderstande some tyme for the expectation of yo e retourne, but I do expect uncertayntye in yt from the vncertaynety of o e business; being as- sured that w th its licence ou r mutuall loues shall receiue quickly ther mutuall desiers in each other's presence. In the meane tyme I leaue yt, w th my self, wholely to yo e disposing; and you e self at- tended w th the best prayers of him who wilbe alwaies Yo e Nath. Bacon. I pray speak to John Fenn to buy me 3 ownces of masticott more than I wrote for, & it need not be of the best sort, yt being for yo e seate, w ch was * Lady Cornwalleys's steward. + Sir Nicholas Bacon. 95 sett vpp the last Satterday. We haue payed a subsidie & halfe to the beneuolence. My seruice to all w th you. Culford, May 15 [1624]. To his moste worthy friend the Lady Cornewalleys, at the Lady Cooke's howse by Charing Cross, geue these. LXII. the same to the same. Sweet Hart, The tyme since yo e departure seemeth longe, & my desiers for yo e company maketh me desier also you e resolution for a retourne. I know not the second success of o e business, but I am fully per- suaded that it is no less troublesome to you than the former, w ch maketh me still wish that yo e pa- tience may so digest yt that yt may prevent any inconvenience w ch eyther body or mynde may from thence suffer, & wherin I should be much satisfied if I might vnderstand of any content intermixt w th this yo e trouble. News o r country affordeth none but this, that we both are presented by the church- wardens at this last visitation, the Archdeacon being present, urging yt, for not keepinge o e church in the after noone. My neece Nann Gawdy * also is, I thinck, certayne of a husband, w ch is M r Stanhope. Myself with o e children ar in perfect * Anne, daughter of Sir Nathaniel's second sister Dorothy, by her first husband, Sir Bassingbourne Gawdy, Knt. of Harling, Norfolk. 96 health at this present. I haue not yett receued any letter from you this week by reason of my beinge now at Broome, wherefore I cannot by this make any particular answer, onely I commend, by any occasion offered, my harty prayers for yo e health w th Fred's, & desier alwaies the contineuance of yo e favorable affection to him, who, although weak in desert yet stronge in hart, shall ever be onely, You rs , Nath. Bacon. [1624.] I pray lett Johnsen have this thred inclosed, w ch is the length of my pistolls, whereby he may gett y cases for them ; the pistolls ar of the biggness of breach pistolls. To his moste worthy friend the Lady Cornewalleys, at the Lady Cooke's house by Charing Cross, London. LXIII. the same to the same. Myne owne Sweet Hart, I belieue this tyme (affording for the moste part diuersity of messengers) hath fayled yo e ex- pectation in hearing oftener from me, w ch I do assure you hath not bin my fault, I hauinge bin continually inquisitiue this last week for a priuate messenger, wherin I fayled; & now w th the first, I do comend vnto you the good estate of o e chil- deren, w th some betteringe of myne owne, as also of 97 my sister Waldegraue's, whose best loue, w th my sister Drurye's, do attend you. I am sorry to heare of yo e head ach, for w ch I belieue S r Charles Cornewalleys will proue no good phisitian.* My brother Nick was maryed vppon Satterday last to M ,s Darcey;f & for contry newes, you may vnderstand, if you haue not already, that for cer- tayne the States of Holland wer, the last Sunday was a seuennight, w th the King, wher, takinge oc- * The reader is referred to a very curious letter, printed in the History of Hengrave, page 73, from Sir Thomas Comwalleys to his sister, Lady Kytson, in which he draws the character of his two sons, Sir William and Sir Charles, with a feeling and masterly hand ; and deeply laments their unnatural quarrels. This was in 1594, and the same bad spirit had no way abated in 1605, when the Earl of Nor- thampton, in writing to Sir Charles Cornwallis, then our ambassador in Spain, uses these remarkable expressions, which could only tend to widen the breach. " Your unkind brother is looking daily for the death of the poor woman,:): that he may both raise his fortune and , supplant your hopes ; but women may halt up and down the house, and sit longer by the fireside in a chair, than expectation admits of, before they be ready for a winding sheet." And he adds, alluding to Sir William, " a barke as rotten as the body that sails in it cannot brook the opposition of the winds." — WimvoocPs Memorials, vol. ii. p. 94. Some further dispute had arisen between the brothers about money matters, which led to the law proceedings after Sir William's death, so frequently alluded to by Nathaniel Bacon, who thought very ill of Sir Charles Cornwallis. t Margaret, daughter of Eustace Darcy, Esq. of Bury St. Edmunds, the second wife of Nicholas Bacon, of Gillingham, Norfolk. She died in 1639; he in 1641. X Lucy Neville, Sir William Cornwallis's first wife, who lived till May 1608, giving her husband just time to remarry, and leave a son and heir at his death in 1611. 98 casion from the estate of the Pallatines, they offered ther seruise to the K. agaynst the K. of Spayne, who moste graciously receiued them, & acknowe- ledged vnto them the affront done by the K. of Spayne, but differed any conclusion vntill the re- tourne of M r Porter; in the meane tyme assured them of the continuation of a moste firme league duringe his lyfe, & hath honored many w th knight- wod, & some other of the cheifest ar to receiue yt by pattent for them & ther posterity. I haue sent you her inclosed a bill of exchange, by w ch you may receiue o e mony due from my father. Thus, w th my best wishes for good success in yo e trouble- some business, & my prayers for the recouery & continuance of yo e health, I leaue you. I pray, retourne my best servise to my cosin Glouer* & his wife & the rest of my friends, & rest alwaies yo er Nath. Bacon. [1624.] To his moste noble friend the Lady Cornewalleys, at London. (Endorsed.) From M r Bacon to mee. LXIV. the same to the same. Sweet Hart, I receiued yo e letter, wherby I vnderstand of the slow proceeding of o e business; &, for myne * Anne, daughter of Thomas Meautys, married William Glover, second son of Sir William Glover. See the Meautys Pedigree. 99 owne part her, I cannot be so well pleased but I much desier dayly to be w th you, wherfore I desier you to send me word by the next whether my cominge may be inconuenient or not, & how longe you meane to stay. For my cominge, I cannot wright any thinge certayne ; for my horses ar infected w th other sick horses, & so extreame- ly sick that I know not whether they will liue or not. For my health, I cannot wright as I did last; for this last week I suffered more payne in my teeth then euer, & this night I slept not one hower, & am now goinge to the mountebanck at Bury to draw them out. For y e childeren, they ar in very good health. Nick sends you word of a brood of young chickens, & of a disaster he escaped at my beinge w th him ; for he eate so much milk porrage at supper that he cryed out, (O Lord !) I think I haue almost broake myne guutt ; & I was fayne to walk him a turne or ij about the chamber to digest yt. Newes I cann wright none; wherfore I desier you onely to entertayne my earnest desiers to en- ioy you e company, then w ch nothing can be more pleasing to him who is & shall be allwaies onely You", Nath. Bacon. [1624.] To his moste noble friend the Lady Jane Cornewalleys, at Harmge- ton Howse, geue these. f2 100 LXV. COUNTESS OF BEDFORD TO JANE LADY CORN- WALLIS. Dear Madam, I sent to Wight Halle presently after you went from hence on Friday, but my La. of Lenox* was not retorned from Litleton, so as I could not gett her second letter to the Keeper, but I, hope I shall hear her first had the effect you desired. If more you wold have done by her on Tuesday, when the K. is gone from Grenwidge, I will find her out and bring you what you desier of her. Therfore lett me know how your busnes hath gonne, and what furder servis may be donne you by your La? s loveing freind, L. Bedford. This is like to proove as busy a weeke with me, as, if I see you not hear, I doubt I shall not at that ende of the towne. Harington House, this 23d of June [1624]. To my worthy freind the Lady Cornewallis. LXVI. nathaniel bacon to jane lady cornwallis. Sweet Hart, For the business, although the success hath not yett sattisfied my desiers, yet it hath so far * Probably Catherine, daughter of Gervase, Lord Clifton, wife of Esme Stuart, Duke of Lenox, who had recently succeeded to his bro- ther's Scottish honors. 101 equalled my expectation that I cannot but be fully perswaded of your moste great care & dili- gence, wherby it hath attayned this present estate. For your retourne, myne owne disposition teacheth me to be best pleased with your best satisfaction ; yet, in these my desiers, the end of your last let- ter maketh me to crave a favorable construction. Little newes I can wright ; only the marriage of my neece Gawdy,* & the death of Pearse & Franck Woodhowse. My self with the children ar in perfect health, God be than eked ; the which I shall dayly wish & pray to you & Fred, with my best endevors to be so much my self, that I may fully perswade you that my greatest happiness shall alwaies consist in being Your Nath. Bacon. [1624.] To his noble friend Lady Comewallis. LXVII. the same to the same. Sweet Hart, In some haste & fewe words I do retourne you many thanckes for yo e letter receiued by M r Bay- life,f together w th the newes, but especially for the * Vide page 95. She married Mr. Stanhope, whose name appears with his wife as visitors at Brome, in the Household Book, soon after, f Probably the Bailiff of Eye. 102 abundance of yo e loue therin proffessed ; w ch I de- sier you to beleue is so wellcome vnto me that the meditation therof must be vnto me my eheifest comfort in this yo e absence, & that my best ende- uors shall allwaies ayme at some meanes to my pore power both to requite & deserue yt. O childeren w th my self ar in health (God be thancked), w th the rest of yo e friends. I wish you good success w th yo e business, & in the meane tyme content both w th the place & proceedinges. Excuse my shortness, beinge comanded by the day & tyme ; & entertayne the best prayers of him who is alwaies Yo es , Nath. Bacon. Thrandeston, May 19 [1624], M r Parr, M rs Parr, & M r Greenhill remember ther best seruise. My seruise to all my friends, & bid Jhon Fenn to send my coullers * so soone as possible. To his moste worthy friend the Lady Cornewalleys, at the Lady Cooke's howse by Charinge Cross, geue these, London. LXVIII. the same to the same. Sweet Harte, I am very sorry that you haue suffered so much in yo e health since yo e comminge to London ; w ch * Sir N. Bacon was an amateur painter of some merit. 103 beinge joyned w th yo e troublesome business cannot, I am certayne, but make tbis journy uery tedious vnto you. For S r Charles Cornwalleys, I am glad that the justness of o e case hathe appeared, and should be glad to understand of some remedy; although from him yt is hardly to be exspected, he remayninge moste constant (as yt seemeth) in his fraudulent courses. O children wer well in health uppon Moonday last, when I saw them. Nic hath been troubled with illness, but perfectly re- couered, thankes be to God. I was desirous to haue seen you for a day at London, the journy be- ing not much from Cambridge, wher I now am ; but the extremity of the weather hath so dis- fauoured me that I cannot neyther with conue- niency nor security, attempt yt, being altogether unprouided for these uery fowle waies : wherfore I desire you to excuse me, and to entertayne these few lynes, by w ch moste affectionately I do corn- end my best prayers and wishes for yo e perfect health, content, and safe retourne, wherin I shall more joy than in any other earthly blessinge, and w th my best power endeauour onely Yo e Nath. Bacon. From Cambridge, wher I haue bin by M r Greenhill moste well entertayned. June 3 [1624], To his moste noble friend the Lady Cornwalley's at the Lady Cooke's howse by Charinge Cross, geue these. 104 LXIX. the same to the same. Sweet Hart, I receiued yo e letter by Murdock, by w ch I vnderstand the troublesome proceedinge of o e busi- ness, for w ch I am sorry, but especially for the tediousness that you ar affected w th by reason of the trouble in yt & yo e longe stay by yt ; & al- though I am euery hower in expectation of yo e presence, yet I could not but venter the arrivall of these lynes before yo e departure, by w ch you may vnderstand of the perfect health of myself & o e children & the rest of yo e friends her, & the sweet estate of yo e howse & gardin, w ch to the best en- deuors of my self & yo e seruants hath bin pre- pared to geue you a pleasinge welcom, together w th 14 yonge fesants, w ch peepinge do much desier ther M rs presence. Thus all of vs rests in the hopes of yo e sodayne retourne, w ch by how much the more desired by so much the more yo e wel- come shall be endeuored, but especially by him the perfection of whose happynes resteth in yo e loue & the deseruing yt, and in beinge Oneley yo ,s , Nath. Bacon. Broome, June 5 [10'24]. To his noble friend the Lady Cornewalleys, at the Lady Cooke's howse by Charing Cross, geue these. 105 LXX. THE SAME TO THE SAME. Sweet Hart, I haue long expected to heare from you of yo c health, but haue not yett receiued any thing since my departure. I would be loth to omitt any oc- casion, w ch maketh me venture this letter; other- wise being almost perswaded of yo e retourne be- fore this shall come to yo e hands : so howsoeuer, if you receiue yt, you may vnderstand my health to be euery way equall w th that before yo e going upp, if not better. O childeren also ar all in good health : Nick hath well recouered his ague ; & M rs Mop is a much fyner girle than euer, & more familliar w th me, & I hope before strawberyes go out I shall win her hart for euer. I haue no more to wright but my many prayers & wishes for yo e health & happy retourne, w ch God grant vnto you. Thus, w th my best loue & servise to yo e self w th the rest of my friends, I leaue, resting onely Yo es , Nath. Bacon. Redgraue, June 13 [1624]. To his best respected friend the La. Cornewalleys, at her lodging oueragaynst York Howse, at the signe of the Stirrop, geue these, London. fo 106 LXXI. the same to the same. Sweet Hart, The tyme of expectinge yo e retourne, beinge hastened by myne owne desiers, doth now ap- proach : yett, not vnderstandinge how yo e expecta- tion for the proceedinge in yo e business hath bin favored, I must reste still doubtfull of yo e pre- sence her vntill I shall heare fardher from you. This gentleman hath brought me a letter from S r Thomas Meautys, the contents wherof if you do not already vnderstand, I must conceale vntill o e next meetinge; yt beinge nothinge necessary to comend them to you in wrighting at this tyme, I hauinge also desired this messenger to excuse myne answer vntill Payne's retourne in to the Low Countryes. Newes we haue none, onely the sodeyne retourne of my brothers out of the Low Countryes before they cam ther, ther voiage not exceeding Yarmouth. My perfect health, w th o e children's, you may receiue by these, w th my dayly prayers for yo es , & my moste earnest desiers that you may entertayne the necessity of this distance of place w th the vertu of beinge content; & that you will be merry, & remember me once a day in a cup of clarrett, the pledg of w ch I shall in con- ceipt retourne vnto you w th many thanckes. Co- mend my loue & servise to my friends, & be 107 assured that I shall not be more happy in any thing than in the manifestation of the moste secrett sincerity of my hart, whereby I cannot appeare other to you then yo e onely Nath. Bacon. Culford, this present Fryday [1624]. To his moste worthy friend the Lady Comewalleys, at the Lady Cooke's howse by Charing Cross, geue these. LXXII. the same to the same. Sweet Hart, W TH my many desiers to salute you by all occa- sions offered, I do coinend these lines w th my pre- sent health, w ch at this my beinge in London hath bin moste constant, thancks be to God. I haue bin w th yo e kynsman, M r Thorn Meautys, and he tould me that S r Thomas Meautys determined to be in England 10 dayes after the wrightinge of his letter, w ch he receiued by Payne, since w ch tyme he hath not heard of him. I spake also w th him con- cerning the Sherifes, and he tould me that the last yeare the Kinge himself disliked much the pricckinge of those whose names wer not geuen in vnto'him, & that he would warrant me free, vnless my name wer geuen in to him by the L. Keepere, w ch I cannot yett know; howsoeuer, I perceiue great meanes made of all hands, & I shall en- deuor the best I can for myself. For newes her is 108 very little, but some hopes that the stronge report of the kinge and princes death of Polonia may proue vntrue, for her hath lately arriued a ship out of these contries, w ch relateth no such thinge ; & besides, the Spanish embassador hath no such intelligence. The report is also of an embassador out of Spayne for the Low Countryes, to treat of peace ; for whose entertaynement ther is ther great preparation. A confirmation also of the sea fight betwixt the Frenche Kinge & the Rocchellers, 6 of the Kinge' s shipps being sunck, & iij taken ; & also of the other newes I last wrote, of another nauiie of shipps is also preparinge, the intent vn- certayne, some say for Spayne, the match pro- ceeding according to the comon report. For my retourne, yt resteth onely vpon this business of the Sherifes, otherwise yt should be imediate, beinge so fully satisfied w th this place, that I do assure you yt is rather tedious to me than plesant. The lady of Bedford is not yet come to the towne, nor is expected vntill Wedensday next. No other things I can comend vnto you, but the best loue of him who must alwaies be entirely Yo e , Nath. Bacon. From the Raynebow, in bow lane, October 26 [1624]. Tell Nan I haue bought her a fine new gowne, wherfore I shall expect a great forwardness in her book at my retourne. 109 LXXIII. the same to the same. Sweet Hart, Not expectinge the retourne of the messenger, nor reckoning of the opportunity of the carrier, I do comend vnto you these, wherby you may vnderstand of the safe arriuall & present health of o e childeren : for my self, I am still accompanyed w th my constant companions, the tooth ach & head ach, of whose society I begin to grow so weary that I shall not any longer geue them quiet enter- taynement, but vnwillingely call in the ayde of the phisitian. I longingely desier to hear the end of yo e troublesome journy, w th yo e present estate, vppon w ch my best wishes haue attended, & w ch I do expect to vnderstand very shortly by Cock. Newes the contry affordeth small: onely my nephew Bass. Gawdy,* I vnderstand, is come ouer & hath sould his cullars; I vnderstand also that Ensigne Rosseter was slayne at Berghen. My sister Waldegrauef remayneth in her former estate, whose best loue, w th my sister Drurye's,^ doth attend you. Thus, w th my many desiers for yo e * Bassingbourne Gawdy, son of his father of both those names, by his second wife Dorothy, sister to Nathaniel Bacon. t Jemima Bacon, wife of Sir William Waldegrave, Knt. of Small- bridge, Kent. She afterwards married Henry Killigrew. $ Anne Bacon, widow of Sir Robert Drury, Knt. of Hawsted, Suffolk. 110 cheerfull patience in yo e troublesom business, & ray continuall prayers for yo e health & good suc- cess in them, I leaue you to God's protection, rest- ing happy in any occasion wherby I may express my desiers to be Onely yo es , Nath. Bacon. Culford, Nouembre 20 [1624]. I pray remember my loue & seruisse to all my friends. To his moste noble freind the Lady Jane Cornewalleys, geue these. LXXIV. SIR T. MEAUTYS TO JANE LADY CORNWALLIS. Deere Sister, Yo rs by my cosen Meautys beeinge com to my hands, I woulde not lett this carryer goe w th out theise, w ch must retourne yo u thancks for yo rs , that I shall eauer thincke myselfe moste happye yf I maye any daye dooe yo u servis to requite the affec- tion you beare mee ; and longer then reciperecoly I maye answere yo rs I shall not desier to bee hap- pye, neather in this worlde nor in the worlde to come. I vnderstand that my brother is suddenly well recouered and beeyounde expectation, the w ch I dooe ingenyously confes that I am glad of; and soe, I praye, remember my loue to him, I did receue letters from Coventrye, but none from my Ill mother,* for I am informed that shee is very ill sence yo r goinge from London. Shee sent mee a letter, w ch I shoulde a sent vnto yo u , but it had gotten a myschance by the waye, haueinge bin, as it shoulde seame, bin lett fall in the durt, and was holely vnfitt to bee sent. I haue informed hir of it, that shee maye right againe. Thus, w th the trew affection of a lovinge brother, I rest allwayes reddy to macke good my oblygatyon till the tyme come that I shall bee called awaye to render an account of the sencerytye of my hart w ch I own towards you beefore Him that is the judger of all men's harts; till then I am Yo r moste affec 1 brother & servant, T. Meautys. London, Desember the 23, 1624. To my deere sister the Lady Jane Comewallyes, for the present att M r Peade's howse in Berry, giue these. LXXV. COUNTESS OF BEDFORD TO MR. BACON. S r . I see your freinds had need be moderat in ther requests to you, that have so liberal a hand in the satisfieinge them ; for my part, I must give you the discouragement to say you have gotten nothing by your care so plentifully to furnishe me with what I * Philippa Cooke, the widow of Hercules Meautys, remarried Cotton, and resided at Coventry. She was living in 1630. 112 desired, but a bare acknowledgement of my thank- fullness ; since my desier to deserve well of you, and sence of the obligations I ought you, wear att that height before, as they can reseave no increase : yett this do we the right to believe, that though this must stand at a stay, my endevors shall not do so, if ever they may find such employment as may witnesse me to be in deed as well as in words, Sir, the thankefullest and most assured of your freinds, L. Bedford. Bedford House, in haste, this 6th of November [1624]. When you come next to town we shall be able to shew you some good new pieses of painting at Harington House. To my much esteemed freind M r Bacon, att Broome. LXXVI. NATHANIEL BACON TO JANE LADY CORNWALLIS. Sweet Hart, I am very glad to vnderstand of yo e safe though troublesome arriuall at London, as allso of the re- covering estate of yo e sister * so much contrary to yo e expectation, and I pray God continew yt. Since yo e departure yt was reported at Bury so confi- dently that yt was Sir Thomas Meautys that was sick, and not yo e sister, as I had almost belieued * The Countess of Sussex. 113 yt before I receiued yo e letter reportinge the con- trary. O r children ar all well, God be thanked, with my self, who haue bin these ij last passed dayes verry well and much better than when you left me or better than 1 haue bin these 14 dayes. I haue vsed garlick agayne w th much benifite. The Lady Jermine * hath entertayned yo e bitch w th all thanckfullness. I haue cast vpp superficially the inuentory of all the stock and mouables of Cul- ford w th the legacies to be payed out, the plate xcepted, and yt amounteth vnto 1200,40 and odd pounds. My brother Coleby hath offered to buy the stock of kyne and horses and to hyre so much ground as now resteth in myne owne hands, but I have differed my resolution. Thus leaving you w th my best loue, wishes and prayers, I rest, being alwaies Onely yo rs , Nath. Bacon. Culford, this Sunday [Dec r 1624]. My loue and servis I pray to all my friends. Sweet Hart, geue order to M r Morse I pray for the payment of 20 marks to M r Chitting,f the fee due to the Herralds upon my father's death. * Katherine, daughter of Sir William Killigrew, of Hanworth, Middlesex, wife of Sir Thomas Jermyn, of Rushbrooke, in Suffolk, by whom there was issue, amongst other children, Henry Earl of St. Albans. t Henry Chitting, of the county of Suffolk, Chester Herald. 114 LXXVII. sir t. meautys to jane lady cornwallis. Dear Sister, This is only to lett you understand that, since I hear that my sister of Sussex is nott quickly to part with her greate belly as yett, I doe pourpose, God willinge, upon the retourne of this messenjer, to goe downe to Coventry, &, before my cominge back, to marry with the eldest daughter of Sir Richard Burneby. The reasons that endeuceth mee to it is bee cause I am assured that a good foundation will all ways stand, and by that meanes I am in hope to preserve the name in my father's lyne, the which I doe much desire, with God's favor- able assystance. Her portyon is but 6^1500, which is not much ; yett, when I consider the breadinge, discretyon, and disposityon of the j en tie woman, and havinge likewise made a calculatyon of my own means and abyllytyes, I must confess that shee is rich in comparrason of my selfe. My sister of Sussex hath, with the consent of my Lorde, afforded mee i?200 a yeare annujty,* to mee and my ayers for eaver, in present, the which I will assure to my wyfe for a parte of her joynture, and as much more as I can inrich her with. Now, if it shall please you to sett to your helpinge hand * This annuity, not "being legally secured, gave rise afterwards to much bad feeling amongst the parties concerned. 115 for to sett us up, or to be a means to preserve us from fallinge in regarde that our estats will not bee grate, you shall binde her as much as my- selfe all ways to dooe you servis, and wee will acknolidg it with all thankfullness, and valleu you as one of our best benefactuers. In regard of my long staye out of the Low Countryes, monye is grown short with me at this present; if it will please you to think upon mee in regarde of my occasyon, and use it att this tyme, you shall much favour mee. This, with my love to you & all yours first. Your moste affectionate brother & servant, T. Meautys. Jan. the 6, 1624-5. To my dear sister the Lady Cornewallys, at Brome or els where, give these. LXXVIII. the same to the same. Deere Sister, The sayme daye I receued yo r last by my foot- man I fell extreame ill of a scouringe, w ch hath continued upon mee eauer sence, but, I thanck God, it beegins somethinge to lessen it selfe of it selfe, w ch was the cause yo u haue not herd from mee till now; haueinge eauer sence kept my lodgeinge by reason of a soreness in my throte, and 116 horseness w th all, that did macke mee holely viifitt for company ; yett, for all this, I durst not adven- tuere to put my selfe in to the docktor's hands, but hath lett Nateure worcke his wille w th mee, and I hope for the best. Yo r noble & discreete proffer & presentation I must moste lovingly and affectyonately imbrace ; and w th all, retourning yo a the thanckes I dare not saye due to yo r merrytt, but all that my merrytt is capable to render you for soe worthy a respect of yo ls to mee, for conclu* syon, my wyfe that shall bee shall remayne yo r ser- vant and joythfull pentyoner; for I haue consty- tuted the benevolence yo u haue bestowed upon mee to hir present pertyceuler vseses and pryvate mayntenance, for the w ch shee shall in pertyceuler hereafter retourne yo u hir thanckes, w th as much loue to you from hir parte, beinge hir sister, as shee can beare to my selfe, whome shee exspects to haue to bee hir husband, or else shee cannot loue mee soe much as shee professeth. And though all bee but thanckes w ch can com from mee to you, yett lett mee macke that apeere as much as I can in all, w ch is to shew my gratitude to you for yo r present asistance allsoe, w ch I haue receued, as yo r dyrectyons was. I praye God contynue me gratefull to you, w ch yf I shoulde fayle in shewen, I shoulde drawe a punyshment upon my one hed, beecause I have the contrary in another. For newes, S r Joh. Radclyfe is deade, and his 117 sonne* hath his company; the Counte Mansfeldes bysnis goes not forward as it aught ; the French kinge hath refeused him landinge and passage in France, soe that hee is now to shypp his troopes for Hamborough. God speed them well, and send them good succkses att there eand ! As for ther beeginninge, it is but vntoward, w th lyttle hope of good suckses. I pray remember my loue to my brother and to all yo r lyttle ones. Att Clarcken- well, I beelieue, they heere nothinge of my cosen Glover's goinge towards yo u , whome, I thincke, will send you this. Soe, deere sister, I rest, Yo r moste affecty te brother & servant, T. Meautys. This 18* h Jan? 1624-5. To yo r worthy selfe. LXXIX. THE SAME TO THE SAME. My DEERE & WORTHY SlSTER, Yo r cordiall & lovinge letter I haue receued, but w th some hazard, for I knowe not by whoes hands it was sent mee. Y r lines are in all things licke yo r selfe, confortable & loving. Now, deere sister, sence yo u haue bin pleased to send my wyfe and mee soe many good wishes, w th a promyse that yo u will in yo r meditatyons thincke upon vs, I will therefore now tacke the boldness to desier * Sir Alexander Radclyffe, mentioned before. 118 yo 11 to holde yo r word, for I dooe . receue it as an artycule of my beeleafe, & am confident, that wee shall prosper much the better for yo r good prayers. My wyfe hath a longinge desier for to see yo u , but wee knowe not how to compass it, my tyme goeing soe fast upon mee to bee gon for the Low Countryes, soe that shee is for this sea- son allmoste out of hope ; but myselfe will wayght upon yo u , God willing, as soone as I can. I praye lett my loue bee remembered to my brother Bacon, and to all my prittie kindred ; and receue these from yo r afFect y brother, that dooth moste loue & honor yo u , T. Meautys. Coventry, the 17 th of March 1624-5. To my much honored deere sister the Lady Cornewallis giue these. LXXX. countess of bedford to jane lady cornwallis. Deare Madam, I acknowledge that I feele so to the quicke this last afliction # God hath pleased to lay upon me as no worldly comfort will ever be able to pre- vaile against itt, for I have lost the best and wor- thiest freind that ever breathed, whom I could not love enoffe for what he was to me, nor suifi- * There can be no doubt that the person whose loss is here lamented was James Marquis of Hamilton, who died just at that time, and appears to have been a great friend of the Countess of Bedford. 119 ciently admire for what he was in himselfe and to all the world; nor can I ever by any sorrow satisfie my owne hart that itt is such as I ought to have for such a heavie crosse, which yett I trust will be a means to fitt me the sooner for heaven, because I am sure nothing on earth will ever be able to recover much hold on me; not that God hath not yett in mercie leaft me freinds I love better then ever I did myselfe, but this hath made me see that I must have the best freinds in the world but to loose them I know not how soone, for he that was so sodainly taken from me, both for his years, strength, health and temper, was like to have lived to much greater adge than any I have left, and so I think would, had not his noble hart binne too great for thes tymes and his for- tunes in them. But he is, I doubt not, now wheare nothing of felicity is grudged him, and hath left behind him more trewly sorowfull harts of both nacions then any man's death now living can make againe, and many of us yett know not how to indure one another's sight, being deprived of his ; for myselfe I must trewly say I am a maimed body and worse, and so is my Lo. Chamberlain, the last person left of power that I can relie on for the worth of his affection and friendship to me ; and, to speake freely to you, the only honest harted man imployed that I know now left to God and his countrie, in which I believe you will hear 120 of a great change before this letter comme to your hands ; for I heard this morning from Tibauls that the King was this morning in so weake estate, as there was no hope of his lyfe, though till his 3 last fitts there was no [more] doubt of his safety then of every man's that hath an ordinarie tercian ague, so fatal a yeare is this to great persons as well as meaner. The Lo. therfore give us all grace not to delay preparing to be ready whensoever He shall please to call us, and then the sooner He takes us out of this misserable world the more cause we shall have to magnifie his compacion. Deare Madam, retorn my thankes and aiFectionat salutacions to your husband, and believe that, though itt will be with a sadder hart, I shall ever continue to love you as your kindnes hath from tyme to tyme given me cause, which is all so unfor- tunat a woman as I am can deserve itt by; but of that you shall never want any real proofe can be given by Yo r most affectionat and thankefull freind, L. Bedford. I know I need not tell you that I take your kinde sending as kindly as is posible, and that I thanke you more for itt then I can sett downe. More Lodge, this 23 of March 1624-5. 121 LXXXL* the countess of bedford to jane lady cornwallis. Deare Cornewallis, The good nuse of M r Bacon's amendement was exceeding wellcome to me, that have a lively sence of all that concerns you, in whos discomforts I shall ever have a share, and so have now of glad- nes for the good signes of his recoverie, which lett not your affection make you so distrustfull of, when himselfe, others, and you, too, find a better- inge of his health and strength ; for, when nature winnes upon the disease, itt is an argument that the worst is past, though lingering sicknesses are not shaked off att an instant, but commonly weare away by degrees as they camme. Ther- fore have pacience, and afflict not yourselfe ; while God, I hope, intends you your harf s desier, not to take from you yett that you hold so deare, who have already learnt so well to submit your will to His, as so sharpe a precept needes not to teach you obedience. But, howsoever the only wise God shall please to deale with you, you shall have my infirme prayers that He will never leave to speak e peace unto your soule, nor to give you joyeful) * This letter, written probably in the summer of 1624, should have been inserted at page 107, but the date was not ascertained till the preceding sheet had passed through the press. G 122 assurances of His favor, whearof, if it be His will, I beseech Him now, as an earnest, to hear what you aske for your husband ; to whom I praye you comende me very affectionatly, and tell him, as I did you, that if itt please him to make trial of chandge of ayr, or that remedy which hear grows daylie more and more in request through the gene- ral good successe itt hath, I desier, exsept you will be in London to have him that ministers that, the oftener with him, that he will choose More Park to be the place he will remoove unto, which I hope you both take for one of your homes. But if you had rather be in towne under this roofe, you may commande all I calle mine, which is not farre neither from my cosin Kellway's house, who I dare undertake will be carefull to doe you and M r Bacon all the servis he can. I give you many thankes for the reseit, which with your last I re- seaved. For all your kindneses I can but love you, which I doe and ever shall hartely while ther is breath in Your most afTectionat and faithfull freind, L. Bedford. Harington House, in haste, this Saterday morning [1624]. Since your goeing my Lo. of Kensington * is comme out of France, who brings word that they * Henry Rich, second son of Robert Rich, Earl of Warwick, created Baron of Kensington in 1622, and Earl of Holland in 1624. He was beheaded in 1648-9, for taking up arms against the Parliament. 123 are so desirous of that mache as I believe itt will presently be both concluded, and she hear, eare long, upon less ill condicions then Spaine insisted on for matter of religion. I intend, God willing, within ten or twelve days at fardest, to be fixed at More Park, from whence I will send to you. My Lo. of Kensington retornes instantly againe into France. To my noble and worthy freind the Lady Cornewallis, att Broome. LXXXII. SIR THOMAS MEAUTYS TO JANE LADY CORNWALLIS. My DEERE & WORTHY SlSTER, Soe seldome or neavor dooth the occatyon pre- sent it selfe that any trustye messengers travells in to the parts where you are, from that quarter about Coventrie where I now am, that I must of nessessitye imploye one expres to inquyer of y r good health, or else it weare impossible allmoste to partycypate of the knowledg thereof; but att this tyme, haueing soe good an occatyon offered mee by yo r worthy selfe in sending soe fayre a toeken to my wyfe, I must confes for vs booth that wee are joyntly in payne vntill that shee & I haue re- tourned ower harty & loving thanckes for yo r kinde remembrance of hir; & indeede, my good sister, I aknoledg my selfe infynytly beeholding to yo u for it, for yo u haue booth grased mee much & g2 124 lickewyse honored mee by that favour, & I praye to God that I maye but liue to deserve & to bee thanckfull vnto yo u for yo r loving respect shewed vnto vs booth. I haue left yo r sister to hir selfe for to bee thanckfull vnto yo u in hir one selfe ; but I dout it will not bee in many lynes, hir health haveing bin none of the best of late, occationed by a disaster gotten by ryding in hir coach, w ch did cause a grate pane in hir back, w ch caused hir to keepe hir bed for three or foure dayes; & the learned saye shee must tacke hir leaue of hir coach for one month or too. It trobles hir not a lyttle, haueing, upon the recepte of yo r laste to vs booth, perswaded w th mee that shee myght come vp to London, onely to see yo u & haue the happy- nes to bee acquainted w th you; but it weare to grate a happyness booth for mee & hir to attayne to. I praye, deere sister, let mee eauer be enter- tayned in yo r good oppinyon, for I am, and will allwayes remayne, Yo r moste affect" 1 brother and humble servant, T. Meautys. I praye lett mee bee kindly remembered vnto all my lyttle cosens. Coventry, Apryll the 7 th , 1625. To my deere & much honored sister the Lady Jane Cornewallys, att Brome in Suffolcke, these. 125 LXXXIII. countess of bedford to jane lady cornwallis. Dear Cornwalleis, I have written as effectually as I could to my Lo. Chamberlain, who I think e, if it be in his power, will do what you desier. What the King's resolucion is yett for his owne and his father's servants, he hath not declared farder then the whight staves, which are to remaine as they wear; but for the greene cloth, and other inferior officers both of the household and chamber, itt is thought he will imploye his owne and dismisse his father's, because he hath caused the latter to be all re- moved to Denmarke House to attende the body, and lodged the former about himselfe att White- halle : and, for aught any body yett can discover, he makes his owne determinacions, and is very stiff in them ; having already changed the whole face of the court very near to the same forme itt had in Queene Elizabeth's tyme, suffering nonne but the counsell and his bedchamber to come further than the privie chamber, whear he continually abides; nor the councell to go furder than the privie gal- lerie, and causes itt to be strictly kept likewise. Into the presence no more are admitted than his owne servants and gentlemen of quality. Of his bedchamber he hath sworn nonne more than he had 126 before but the Duke of Buckingham, whom he uses very well ; but, it is hoped, will be governed by no man, nor will he admitt any of the rest as is thought. After the funerall itt is expected that he will make som alteracions among the great officers, and, the coinon voice is, change my Lord Chamber- lain's staffe into that I shall never but with sorrow see in other hand than that that held itt last, and bestow his upon his brother. Yett so far he hath not yett declared himself; but, if this be, I have taken order that, if any power remaine in the Chamberlaine for the gentlemen ushers' places, whethersoever of them hold that staffe, itt shall be alike for your request ; and this I did because I think the chamber will not be settled till the prin- cipal officer be so. The King is pleased to use my Lord Chamberlain that is as graciously as any man; which gives many much confidence, seeing the King so well inclined to favour honest men, which he is known to be, and one that will never abuse his trust. Besides, (which, indeed, is the chiefe,) he manifests much care of God's servise, and never failes, morning and evening, coming to prayers to the little closett, nor being an attentive hearer att sermons ; so as ther is all good signs that God hath set him over this kingdom for a blessing. This, I know, you will be glad to hear from one you believe would wright no untruth to you, and that hath made me (though I am not 127 much disposed to wright newse) sett down this much. To which I will adde, that our destined Queene is with all possible speede expected hear, for whos coming the coronacion will be stayed, that that, and her mariadge and entrie, may be all but one charge : but the first mariadge in France will be instantly, the King having sent his procsey to the King of France, that either his brother or the Duke of Chevreux (which is Prince Joinville that was here) may dispach that, so as the next month she is expected; all else being fully con- cluded, and they in France hastening the espous- als. I am very glad to hear M r Bacon hath re- covered so good health, whos welcom shall ever be such whear I am as I owe to his meritt and you; whos labor I do not pittie so much but that I wish you would beare him companie to this solitarie place, whear I do not desier to see many now living, but yourselfe very much. I writt to my Lord Chamberlaine to lett John Fenne know his answer, because he came not back hither ; and, had I binne sure when I should have seene him, I would rather have spoken than writt, though I know in effect it will be all one, for he knows by my lines as well as he could have done by speach that I as earnestly affect the successe of my recomendacion as I can doe any thing in his power to doe ; and I was so loth M r Glover should have any thing to impute to my least delay, as I 128 writt so late the last night to my Lord Chamber- lain, and dispached John Fenne, as I could not send this from hence with him, who went earlier than I was awake this morning, but make haste itt may overtake him att London. The lying Papists cannot be content to want my Lord Stuartt* in the beadrole of those they wold have thought for their glorie ; but whosoever knew him living, I hope, will reseave no such false opinion now he is dead, who, eaven after he was speech- less, gave evident demonstracion (being asked by his chaplain) that he believed to be saved by the meritts of Christ : yett, by the follie or villeinie of a ficisian wayted on him (who was Popish), have they got some colour to invent this slander, which I trust will be cleared to all the world, as it is clear in itselfe to those friends from whom he had not a reserved thought, and that knew how far both in sound judgment as well as practise he w r as from approving any point of their doctrine disagreeing with the creed we profess.f I pray God they knew him not so well to be the boldest opposer of their ends as they used means for the shortening of his noble dayes, which that they * The Marquis of Hamilton, who was Steward of the Household at the time of his decease. See Letter LXXX. + The King, before his death, they say, left a confession of his faith, to stop the mouths of the Papists, that had given out that the Marquis of Hamilton had died a Roman Catholick. — Ellis's Original Letters, second series, vol. iii. p. 244. 129 wear unnaturally cutte off ther are strong suspi- cions in the most; because being att first, by the testimonie of all the surgeons phisicians and his owne servants, as fayer a corse as ever their eyes beheld, in the space of three owres his hoole body, head, and every part swelled so strangely and gangrened so generally as it astonished them all; though the phisicians affirme to have seene the like in pestilential fevers, when the spots break not out afore death, and impute part of the cause to the expedient of chafing his body, att least for the space of an hour before he departed, with hotte cloths, and keeping itt to close in the bed after. God only knows the truth, who, if he had any wrong, I trust will in his justice declare it. It is true that, when he was opened in his stomack and head, there appeared nothing to con- firm this jealosie, which makes the phisicians con- fident it could be no poison they are in these parts acquainted with; yett both myselfe and many other of his friends rest not clear of doubt, though, but upon some farder evidence, it is not to be stirred in ; but if ever the least light can be gotten, the feare of all mortal men should not hinder our just prosecucion of so abominable a fact: which yett, if it wear so, hastened our losse but a little ; for all his vital parts wear so decayed, as, by the judgment of the doctors, he could hardly have lived out a year, which nobody that looked on him could 130 have suspected ; yett he himselfe told me this last winter that he found such an inward decaye in him- selfe as he knew he should live but awhile ; but, God knows, I conceived it to be but a melancholy aprehension, seeing his health better to my think- ing than it had beene a year or two before, for his spleene seemed to trouble him lesse. But now I have many reasons to assure myself he expected not to live out this year, though he was sparingest to utter that to those he knew loved him best for grieving them; yett now I call to mind many speeches of his I heeded not when they wear spoken, might have made me take more hold what his opinion was of his short continuance on earth, where he hath not left such another ; nor . any creature so great a loser as I in the death of a friend, whom, if it had pleased God to have longer spared us, would at this tyme both to the publick and his private friends have binne that wee must not look to see any other. But" God saw us not worthy of such a blessing, whos will, as itt is ever best, whatsoever itt apear to oure sense, so must wee submitt ourselves to itt in all things, though it is the hardliest practised lesson of all we learne in religion. My thoughts are, and ever will be, full of his memorie, which makes me tedious when any thing draws me into discourse of him; yett will I not excuse this temper, because it is a duty I owe him in this detracting tyme, when those 131 that durst not have breathed amis on his leaste action while he lived will now ventur as much as in them lies to slubber his fame, when they shall thinke themselves out of the hearing of those would make them keepe in their venom, or make them smart for uttering it at the least. And now I have donne this, it is tyme I ende, whos love and respect to you shall be endless, in which, to my sorrow, you cannot have so much advantage as I have satisfaction to know myselfe for your most affectionate and faithful, though most unfortunate friend, L. Bedforde. P. S. Dear Madam, comende me affectionately to M r Bacon, whom if you will bring hither this springe, I hope you would both find good by our ayr, which hitherto hath held free from infection ; and should be glad to see any of yours, too, with you. More Lodge, this 12 th of April [1625]. LXXX1V. dorothe randolph * to jane lady cornwallis. My most honored Lady, I can let noe mesenger pass without the remem- brance of my loue and seruis to you. This toune afords noe newes, onely this, which I thinke you * See the notices at the end of the Preface./ /XX. / XXX^ v~ \S 132 will be sory for, that M rs Anne* and M rs Ueare Cooks f are become soe much the prouder sins thay weare aires; for thar brother J is uery latly deade of a burning feauor, and the land fales be- twene them. My ould Lady Cook§ presents her seruis to you, and is a sade woman for the ruine of her howes. My Lady Nethersole || is not yet gone, but goes shortly. Thus, with the remembrans of my neuer enough aknowledged loue and seruis to you, I rest your most faithfull frend and humble seruant, Dorothe Randolph. [1625.] Hi fiuwh ifatc Zj) I J ~b 7 • Sir Anthony Cook, Knt. Preceptor = Ann, daughter of Sir William to Edward VI. ob. June 1576. I Fitzwilliam, Knt., of Gaynes ' iSI-JfZ* I Park, Essex. Richard, of Gidea Hall, Esq. ob.— Ann, daughter of John Caunton. 3rd Oct. 1579. I I Sir Anthony,— A vice, d. of Sir Philippe, = Hercules Meautys, 1st Knt., son and heir, oh, 1604. William Wal- ob. 1631. husband: degrave, Knt. of Cotton, 2nd hus- Smallbridge. band. Sir Edward, son_§ Martha, dau. of Sir William Daniel, Knt., Justice and heir, Knt. I of the Common Pleas. Charles, * Ann._ Sir Edward—f Vere._ Sir Charles Gawdy, son & heir, ob. 1625. Sydenham, Knt. of Crowe Hall. Knt. 5 sons and 5 dau. || Lucy, eldest daughter of Sir Henry Goodyere of Polesworth, Warwickshire, married Sir Franci s Nethersole, Knt. who had been Public Orator at Cambridge, ana! became secretary to the Queen of Bohemia. He died in 1652. — Nichols's Progresses of King James. X LXXXV. sir thomas meautys to jane lady cornwallis. Deare Sister, I am very sorry in deed to understand by your servant that you are not in good health, & the more bee cause I heare that it is an ague that tra- vills you att this present: it is the desease that dooes att this tyme moste predomynate, for wee heare, the Lorde bee praysed for it ! that the plague is lessenned att the leste 3000 a week of the proportyon of what it hath bin. Your servant founde mee att Colchester this daye, beeing Son- daye, where I have bin eaver sence Frydaye night past. I am in ployed to survaye these marry tan- yan parts, for to rayse sutch workes or take sutch order as I shall thincke fyttest for the presurva- tjon of the towne & haven of Colchester. I have with mee 500 foote & a troope of hors, beesids 200 foote which I founde in the towne beefore my aryvall. The daye after I came theather beeing Satterdaye, I spent it sollely inspecting the harbore & the towne: the sayme night I received letters from my Lord of Warrick * to hasten my retourne to the army with all expedytyon, for that, hee rights, since my coming from that, the enymye is drawne downe with more forses to Donkerick, & * Robert Rich, second Earl of Warwick, ob. 1658. 134 that all there fleet is drawne out of their harbore, & lyes underneath the castle of the towne, reddy to seet sayle; upon which newes I have sent a cur- ryer this daye back to my Lord, to advertis him of the present estate of the place, & to lett him know that one Tusedaye morning by bracke of the daye, God willing, I pourpose to bee att the army. The troops are not lyckely to seaver this good whyle yett. You maye bee assured to heere from mee, as occasion shall offer it selfe to me, contjneually : but I dooe want the assistance of servants exced- ingly; my Lord of Warrick was fayne to lend mee his page to attend mee this jorny. I have re- ceived the fortje pounde from your servant which I wrjt unto you for ; for the which I am much your servant, & I must desier you to paye your selfe againe with your one money. My pore wyfe I am shewer is much distresed for that shee hath not hard from mee neaver sence my coming from hir ; neather dooe I knowe how to send unto hir, pore creature ! to comforte hir. I praye, remember my love to my brother Bacon & to all your lyttle ones ; &, I praye, entertayne the treu love of Your eaver affec' brother & servant, T. Meautys. Colchester, Sept. the 18 th , 1625. To my deare sister the Lady Cornewallis, att her howse att Browme, these, Suffolk. 135 LXXXVI. frederic cornwallis to his mother, jane lady cornwallis. Maddam, To give your LaPP a testimonie that as I grow older in yeares, soe I doe the like in filiole affection and dutie towards you, I thought it became mee not to discontinue my accustomed pledge therof in an humble and ioyfull congratulation of your LaPP' s arrivall (by God's good providence) in health and happines unto the end of this ould yeaur, w th a noe lesse happy and propiceious entrance into the new. And because to honor father and mother is the first commandem nt with promise, as alsoe for that I may not forget that your Ladiship hath beein to mee insteade of both even from my cradle hitherto, it is of noe small consequence to the length and happines of my owne life to pay this duty, both yearly and dayly, of offering up my prayers to Almighty God for the continuance and preservation of yours ; and doe therfore heare pray from the bottome of my heart that this new yeare may be as noe yeare to your age, and as a yeare of many harvests to your content and comfort. I presume likewise (so priviledged by the usuall ceremony of this time) to p'sent your LaPP w* a petty newyear's-gift hearinclosed, as unworthy (I confess) your La?P ,s wearing or owning as is hee 136 that pursents it; but the approach and admission to your LaPP ,s presence and benigne acceptance may give worth to both. Soe humbly asking your blessing, I am, with the trouth of my heart, Your LaPP' s not lesse dutifull than obliged humble sonne, F. Cornwalleis. [Jany 1625-6.] LXXXVII. NATHANIEL BACON TO JANE LADY CORNWALLIS. Sweet Hart, For the business w ch called me from you so suddaynely, I may truely say, I cam vpp w th a full resolution to auoyd yt; but my Lo. Marshall was unsatisfiable, assuring me of honor to descend to you from thence, & not the contrary, & prefer- ring this order * farr beyond the barronetts, as being the most antient of this land. Vppon his comands, w th the perswasion of my other friends, I haue embarqued my self in yt, God send me good shipping ! yt being already a greater trouble to me then fitts w th my disposition; but I must now go thorough, w ch perforemed, I shall not be long absent from you. In the meane tyme, I de- sier yo e assurance of my true affection, who am Onely yo es , Nath. Bacon. * The order of the Bath ; there being a creation of knights im- pending, in honour of the coronation. 137 Newes little. My Lo. of Essex's business com- pounded. The French King geueth no satisfac- tion to o e embassadors, nor will retourne o e shipps. Great grumbling on both sides. The Queen will not be crowned w th o e cerimonies, wherfore her coronation is putt off. Cecill * generally taxed. [January 1625-6.] To his best respected friend the La. Cornewalleys, at Broome, geue these. LXXXVIII. SIR NATHANIEL BACON TO JANE LADY BACON, f Sweet Hart, I haue, I belieue, much decerned yo e expecta- tion concerning my retourne, but I haue had a just excuse, the extremity of the weather & myne owne indisposition of body; notw th standing w ch , I should haue ventured my retourne as this day, had not the King strayghtly comanded all of o e order, both new & ould, to attend this day at Westmin- ster, furnished w th horse & footmen after the best * Sir Edward Cecil, third son of Thomas, Earl of Exeter, trained up as a soldier in the Netherlands, and after long and distinguished services created in October 1625 Baron Cecil and Viscount Wimble- don, and appointed to command the unsuccessful expedition to Cadiz. He was thrice married, but died in 1638, s. p. s. t Lady Cornwallis had just assumed the name of her second hus- band, in consequence of the King's order, that the Knights of the Bath, and their ladies, were to take precedence of all Knights Bache- lors and their wives. — Anstis's Order of five, Bath, p. 79. 138 manner, from whence we ar to ride by torch light to the Lo. Maior's to a great feast ther specially prepared for vs. Some other attendance also is reported to be geuen the K. the next day by vs, but yt is not yett certayne. Newes her is little ; nothing done in parliament. The peace betwixt the French King & Rochell certaynly concluded. The Duke de Rohan made prime peer of France. Mounseir Subise to receiue a yearly pension of 100,000 crownes. O shipps retourned from Ro- chell. Tomorrow or Weddensday the Queen's mask is to be shewen, w ch is in the manner of a play, she being a speciall actor in yt. Nothing more, but to tell you I neuer had a greater desier to be w th you, w ch I desier you to belieue as from him who is Onely you rs , Nath. Bacon. February [1] [1625-6], this Moonday. To his best respected friend the Lady Jane Bacon, at Broome, geue these. LXXXIX. thomas meautys * to jane lady bacon. My ever best Lady and Cosin, Rather then send away this messenger empty, I scribble you such newes as I have picked up by the highway, and that the coronation houlds, both of King and Queene, on Candlemas day, with as * Clerk to the Council. \ 139 little noyse and ceremony as possibly may bee; the L ds , as is sayd, being spared the charge of roabes, and required onely to wear their coronets. My Lo. of Holdernes # is alive againe. The syde saddle is a making, and wee talked of nothing last night but that and bathing,f which I sweate to hear. My Lo. of Essex,! they say, is at court, and no speach of any quarrell thear. All this I present to you as I reseaved it last night from our Knight of the Bath and Nedde Eltenhead, who mett us last night at Pukeridge from London; but theyr intelligence and relations were soe ill putt together as did little edify me, eyther in be- lief or knowledge. I take leave to kisse your hands, and to have my love and servise cordially recoihended to your best beloved ; from whose presence and conversacions, more acceptable and agreeable to mee then any I can meete with till I meete them againe, I am so newly weaned as that I have much adoe not to bee froward, and to * John Ramsay, a page to James I, having been instrumental in rescuing his royal master from the Gowry attempt upon his life, was created Viscount Hadington in Scotland, and in 1620 made an Eng- lish peer by the titles of Baron Kingston and Earl of Holdernesse. He died s. p. s. + Bathing formed one of the ceremonies observed by the Knights of the Bath on the eve of their investiture ; it is thus described by Camden : " Juxta vas balneatorium linteis opertum, in quo, cum se Deo commendaverint, se abluunt, ut deinceps corpore, animocrae mundo, esse admoneantur." — Britannia, p. 124. X Robert Devereux, third Earl of Essex, afterwards Commander of the Parliamentary Forces. 140 cry Mam, Dadde, Dub. deare, if any body anger mee. # Your LaPP ,s , &c. T. M. [Feb 1 * 1, 1625-6.] xc. sir nathaniel bacon to jane lady bacon. Sweet Hart, I am very glad of yo e health in the con try. I do also conclude of the welfare of all ours w th you, otherwise, I perswade myself, I should haue vn- derstoode yt by you ; &, for little Jane in perticu- lar, I should haue bin glad to haue vnderstood some of her new language. My Lady of Bedford is well & in towne, vnto whome I haue presented yo e servise. The Kinge was crowned yesterday w th greate pomp at Westminster. For other newes her is little ; some do say that the Earle of Hol- land hath compounded the business betwixt the French King & Rochell, & that o e shipps ar re- turning. God grant yt may be true ! Vppon the next Sunday earles ar to be created, some say 8. The next weeke I intend to see you ; in the meane tyme I comend vnto you the most true affection of him who is onely Yo rs , Nath. Bacon. February 3 [1625-6]. To his best respected friend the Lady Bacon, at Broome, geue these. * Probably expressions used by the children at Brome. 141 XCI. the same to the same. Sweet Hart, I have not receiued any letter from you this week, w ch maketh me hope that you & yo rs ar well, otherwise I presume I should haue vnder- stood yt: for my self & the rest of yo e friends her, we ar all in health (God be thancked), my La. of Bedford excepted, who hath bin excedingly ill of the gout, & is little recouvered yett. For news, we haue very little, nothing being as yett done in parliament. Ther hath bin 8 earles # cre- ated, the Lo. Wentworth, Andouer, the Treasurer, Mandiuill, and others. Yesterday ther was a quarrell at Medlye's ordenary betwixt the Lo. Henry Paulettf & S r Will. Sturton;J they went secretly in to a chamber & fought. Paulett is * The following honours were conferred on the occasion of the coronation : — Henry Viscount Mandeville, made Earl of Manchester ; Thomas Viscount Andover, Earl of Berkshire ; Thomas Lord Went- worth, Earl of Cleveland ; George Lord Carew, Earl of Totnes ; Robert Lord Carew of Leppington, Earl of Monmouth ; Edmund Lord Sheffield, Earl of Mulgrave ; James Lord Ley, (Lord Treasurer,) Earl of Marlborough ; Horace Vere, Lord Vere of Tilbury ; Henry Ley, (eldest son of James Earl of Marlborough,) Lord Ley. + Fourth son of William fourth Marquis of Winchester, K. B., and the immediate ancestor of the present Marquis. He lived till 1672. J He was created K.B. in 1616, and succeeded to the Barony of Stourton on the death of his father, Edward, in 1632. 142 runn thorough the body, not likely to Hue ; the other, hurt in iij places, is apprihended. 1 am now almost sattisfied w th London, & do intend this next week to retourne; in the meane tyme I comend vnto you my best loue, wishes, & prayers for all health & happyness, & am Onely yo rs , Nath. Bacon. February 10 [1625-6]. To his best respected friend the La. Jane Bacon, at Broome, geue these. XCII. the same to the same. Sweet Hart, At my last wrightinge vnto you I thought to haue seen you before this tyme, but by reason of the extremity of the weather I haue bin enforced to stay longer, hauing gotten a great could, com- mon to moste her, by reason of w ch I haue bin constrayned to keep my chamber these 4 dayes, & wher I haue bin honored w th a speciall visite by my Lo. Marshall & my Lo. Maltreuers.* I haue sent one of my seruants w th these to lett you vnderstand the cause of my stay, & I do intend to follow my self so soone as I dare, w ch I hope wil be about the beginning of Shrouetyde. For newes, little is yett done in parliament but snarling on * Henry Frederick Howard, eldest son of Thomas Earl of Arundel. 143 both sides, & much muttering agaynst the Duke,* vnto whome ther happened, in his going to parlia- ment, an accedent, by many reputed ominous ; for betwixt the court & Westminster his bridle would not hould vppon his horse's head, but being twise mended, at the last yt fell quite of, w th the plume of feathers, to the ground. Ther hath bin some distaste betweene the King & Queene by meanes of the French embassador, who left the court in a pett & departed for France, but was enforced to retourne, M r Mountague being sent in his stead. The Admirall's shipp of Dunkirke was lately blowne vp & quite lost, by meanes of ij Hollanders w ch serued in her & now wer desirous to do ther contry seruise, both w ch escaped. My La. of Bedford is yett verry ill of the goute, & my La. of Sussex very ill of a could. I long much to be at home w th you, which shal be so soone as possible w th my health I may : in the meane tyme my dayly prayers to attend you, & I desier to be esteemed in all affection onely Yo es , Nath. Bacon. February 16 [1625-6]. To his best respected friend the La. Jane Bacon, at Broome, geue these. * The Duke of Buckingham. 144 XCIII. t. meautys to jane lady bacon. My ever best Lady and Cosin, In my last to your La? last weeke by the Berry carrier I did, in a sort, resolve not to write againe untill I had been repayd with a lyne or two from your hand, for some three or fower letters your La? is in arriere to me ; but to show that all occasions offered of doing you servise winne ground upon me against any resolucyons whatsoever to the con- trary, I could not possibly omitt the oportunity offered me by this bearer of scribbling to you rather nothing than not at all. Our parlamen 1 falls not as yett upon the mayne of busynes, it being but early days with us and many members absent. Onely Sir Edward Cooke's election* hath bene debated, and is like to be determined against him, within ten dayes ; and yf he and the rest of his fellow sheriffs be excluded, as it is con- ceaved they will, we shall have a tame howse, and the King will master bis own ends without much adoe. My cosin's health did prophesy of this cold weather some few days ago, for his cough beganne to trouble him, and makes him wish himselfe at Broome. Myne is after the oulde rate, now and * The King, when he dissolved the parliament, wishing to exclude some of the popular members from the new House of Commons, nomi- nated them sheriffs for the counties which they had represented, with the view of preventing their re-election. 145 then a fitt of short breathinge. God in heaven maintaine you in health and all yours ! Yo r LaP^' s all ever, T. M. Feb'? 16 [1625-6]. XCIV. the countess of bedford to jane lady bacon. Deare Madam, I take extreme kindly your sending to visit raee, which I should not have delayed an ower thanking you for, but that itt is so busy a tyme heare, both about what consernes the publicke and my owne privat, as I have, against my will, binne hindered from dispatching your man accord- ing to my desier and purpos ; but the assurance he carries of my present health I know will make you excuse the length of his staye. My feare of re- lapsing makes me content to punish myselfe this spring by following a course of phisicke Sir Theo- dor Mayerne * hath putt mee into, though I am very incredulous that itt can prevent my having more fitts of the goute; howsoever, when I am trobled with any, they are accompanied with such accidents of sicknes as shows they proseed from such humors as phisicke uses to correct, against which I have too rebellious a spleene I doubt to be brought into such obedience as not faster to * The celebrated physician, who resided at Chelsea, and died in 1655. Tkwu/k I ?* difrmt UU . wy>Lyi~u<)U H 146 power out the souernes therof into my stomache, and distill itt into other parts, then all the potica- rie's drugs will be able to correct. What I do, therfore, is rather because itt shall not be layd to my charge that I neglect the meanes of health, then out of any great hope of cure by itt, which weather I have or no, God, I trust, will give mee thankfulnes to Him and patience till His apointed tyme of releasing mee from all misserie ; of which wee are yett like to have in generall more and more, if this Parlement and the King part not upon better termes then yett they stand, the King having declared himselfe stiffe one way, and they growing stronger and stronger in their resolucions another. They have had som way given them, which is understood by them as a good signe of the King's relenting, who may, if he please, have of them what none of his predecessors ever had of their people, so they may with all have their bar- gaine, without which they thinke all their liberal- ity would be no better then cast away : what the event will be, a fewe dayes more will show. In the mean tyme my Lo. Marshall * remains att the * In the month of March 1625-6 the Earl of Arundel had incur- red the King's displeasure, and been sent to the Tower, on account of the marriage of his son, Lord Maltravers, to Lady Elizabeth Stuart, daughter of the Duke of Lenox, which was solemnized without the consent or knowledge of his Majesty, who had designed her, as his ward and kinswoman, for Lord Lorn, afterwards Marquis of Argyll. As Parliament was sitting at the time, and no cause was assigned to the House of Peers for the committal of one of their members, they 147 Tower, though my Lo. Chamberlain is laboring to gett his prison changed to his owne house at Highgate. I wishe another tyme had binne taken for that hasty busynes, in regard of the want of so able a man at this tyme in the upper house, whea- ther ther is no probability he will be suffered to com this secion though he wear enlarged. All other kind of nuse for the present lies dead hear, exsept itt have some relacion to the Parlement, and my ower of persecucion is com; therfore, deare Lady, farwell. Lett your love to me, and confidence in myne to you, continue alike; for, truste me, the one is highly valued, and to lessen the other you shall never have just cause given you by Your most affectionat, faithfull freind and servant, L. Bedford. Believe mee, your son Fred, hath my prayers that he may be so blessed from heaven as that your comfort in him may daylie increase. With many thankes to S r Nathaniel Bacon, do mee the favor to retorne my best salutacions, to whom I was extreme sorry I could not, at his being heare, do those litle servises I ought to your husband, petitioned the King, and remonstrated against such an infringement of their privileges ; and complained that five proxies held hy the Earl were lost by his imprisonment. Charles, however, seems to have de- termined to prevent Lord Arundel from attending in his place, and con- trived to delay his release till the 8th of June, just before the session was brought to a close. — Abridged from Collins V Peer -age, vol. i. h 2 148 and my respect of himselfe ; but itt was so late be- fore I knew att all of his being in the list of the Knights of the Bath, after which I inquired not, and so lived in ignorance till his owne coming to me, as on that alone I can charge my ill hap. S* Jeames's Streete, this last of March [1626]. I cannot close my letter without being a begger to you to helpe me, if you can, to another good and fine tumbler,* being a comodity not to be got- ten in thes parts. Thus, you see, I cannot leave my custum of robbing you. To my noble and deare freind the Lady Bacon, att Broome. xcv. t. meautys to jane lady bacon. My ever best Lady and Cosin, I am righte gladde that I have found out at last, which I understood by yours receaved last night, the way and stile to make my letters acceptable, which is, I perceave — for such was that letter you seeme to approove — by being short, and making profession of my desire and happines to contribute any thing towards your health and welfare, which I doe as cordially affect now as then, and shall ever doe the same while I am, T. Meautys. [April 1626.] * Bewick describes " the Tumbler " as a dog belonging to the family of the Lurchers, whose name only has descended to us. It was for- merly used for taking rabbits. This it effected by tzimbling itself about in a careless manner till within reach of the prey, and seizing it by a sudden spring. — History of Quadrupeds, p. 315. 149 Your brother went for the Low Countries yes- terday, with hope to retourne some 6 weekes hence. His lady remaynes with my Lady Sussex. My Lo. S* Alban is dead * and buried. XCVI. the same to the same. My ever best Lady and Cosin, I receaved your LaPP' s by the carrier of Berry, by whome I send thease; it came to my hands some minutes before my going into the country, which makes me retourne thease in more scrib- bling wise then otherwise I should. And although I perceave by yours that you cannot find in your heart, or at leaste in your penne, to invite me to Broome, though I did in a sorte begge it of you in my last; and that the proverbe, which sayeth that " He is an ill dogge that's not worth whist- ling," makes me conceave that you think little lesse of me, that think me not worth the inviting; * He died April 9, 1626. Such is the cold and heartless manner in which Meautys, who usually wrote in a complimentary strain, an- nounces the death of his patron and benefactor, the illustrious Bacon ! And yet we may still read the inscription upon the monumental statue, erected in the church of St. Michael, at St. Albans, by the secretary, to the memory of his departed master, concluding with these words : — Tanti Viri Memories, Thomas Meautys, Superstitis Cultor, Defuncti Admirator. 150 yett, to show you that I cannot find in my heart to take any thing in ill part at your hands longer then needes must, I will endeavour to obtaine of myself and my occasions to waite on you som- times this somer, yf I may understand from you by your next how you dispose of your owne residence this vacacion, for by this day fortnight I shall re- tourne for London with my Lord Wentworth,* who is then to goe for Fraunce, and will then hope to meete with a lyne or two from you hear, that may reassure me of your health. And for the rest that concernes myself, synce it comes so dryly and cau- tiously from you, I shall arme myself with as much patience as I may, and as you may expect from y r LaP p ' s all and ever to love and serve you, T. Meautys. Thear came a messenger last night from my Lord Veere,f who brings good newes of a blowe given the enemy, to the cutting off two thousand of theyr men at least, some of them persons and comaunders of the best quality, with the loss of 5 or 6 of the States' side, comon souldiers, only ; ffor * Thomas Lord Wentworth, eldest son of the Earl of Cleveland, summoned to Parliament, 16 Charles I. as Baron of Nettlested ; he served with distinction in the Civil Wars against the rebels, and died v. p. March 7, 1664. s. p. m. t Horatio Vere, third son of Geoffrey, third son of John fifteenth Earl of Oxford, created Baron Vere of Tilbury for his military services, July 25, 1625. He died May 2, 1635, leaving five daughters, and coheirs. 151 the water fought for them, and did the execution without blowes. Pray let my cosin Randolph understand that his father is soe ill that thear is little hope of his recovery, and I think it wear considerable for him, in relation to his office, to come up and take it into his care. [April 1626.] XCVII. THE SAME TO THE SAME. My Ex ,nt good Lady and Cosin, I wrote to your LaPP last weeke by the Berry carrier, and inclosed it in my cosin Frederick's letter, but understood that the carrier of Disse called afterwards at my house, and, hearing I had putt my letters into the hands of the Berry carrier, resolved to call for it from him and soe deliver it himselfe. How they have agreed on it I know not, but would have been willing to understand in your next wheather it came to your hande. I wrote to my cosin, your husband, and put it into M r Chetwin's hands on Monday last. The King is not at leasure to thinke of my Lord of Arun- dell's reduction from the Tower, but he is, mee thinks, as a man forgotten already. Our Parle- ment proceedings are froward enough; and those businesses we embrace first, and please ourselves best in, which have a left eye upon the Duke. 152 But we barke hitherto against the moone, which is above our reach. We shall, within a day or two, bee roundly put to it for a present supply to de- fend the kingdome and setting of a new fleete to sea; for our daungers threaten us by the great preparacyons of our enemy, whearof thear is dayly advertisement. My Lord Generall Cecill hath not yett been admitted to kisse the King's hands. Hee was on Monday last before the counsell table, with the rest of the coinanders and officers in chief in that ymployment.* Thear was de- maunded of him a particular journall and account of the counsells and actions since the going out of the fleete. Hee broke outt into a confused and passionate discourse of his hard condicion, to be prejudged and decried in comon voyce, as himself said hee was, even as farr as to balletts ; but was withall very confident to give theyr Lordships a good account of his conducting the whole affayre, and doubted not but to come off with honor for his particular carriage, though it pleased not God to give successe to the enterprize; and soe desired a furder day, for that his papers and bookes, whearin his proceedings wear exactly registred, wear not yett come a shoare. The Plate fleete, I perceave, was theyr chiefest design, and they steered, it seemes, soe right a course for it as that they had 7 of theyr shipps in chase ; but ours being * See note to page 137. 153 leaky, and marriners weake, and victualls spent, could not reach them. Sir Thomas Meautys and his lady are in town, at M r Deake's, an upholsterer in Fleete Streete. His lady is now daungerously ill of a burning feavor. Shee hath been visited from Clerkenwell, # and Sir Thomas hath been thear ; and wee are all friends, soe long as it will last. And soe I greet you, and all yours, with the sincerest affection and devocyon to serve you & yours, T. M. [April 1626.] XCVIII. the same to the same. My very best Lady and Cosin, I receaved yours by M r Proud, the minister, and purpose to write to you then againe by him. In the mean time, I take the freedom to tell you, that yf upon the death of M r Cotton,f of whose office in our chamber I had a second reversion, I proceed, as I am in treaty, to buy him out that is in possession, and so to gett it for three lives of my own name, when I will reckon upon your LaPP' s purse to assist mee with the loane of 600 i?, for * The Earl and Countess of Sussex's residence. + Thomas Cotton, of Starston, Norfolk, succeeded in 1613 to the office of Clerk of the Writs and Processes in the Star Chamber, on the death of his father Bartholomew Cotton, who had held it thirty- three years. The son deceased in 1626, when the reversion fell to Thomas Meautys. H 5 154 about that sum I must deposit at first, and 300i? more afterwards, which is the full rate I must pay; and for security I will eyther make over the 200 i? p r ann. of my brother Glover's, the office itself, or any other security your counsell shall advise. Yt concernes mee to hear by the next carrier, which I would gladly wear by him of Berry, on Thursday, how farre you are like to pleasure mee hearin; and yf you take this to be any over freedome with you, onely pardon it, and I will take it for a warn- ing till I may have furder merited it at your hands. However, I shall rest at yo r LaPP' s devotion altogether to serve you, T. Meautys, I have one fetter more put upon my legge to imprison mee in London, for thear is a new Coun- sell of Warre instituted, and I pointed out for one to attend it. Yt consists all of privy counsellors, unless 3, namely, Wimbledon, Tilberry, and Colo- nell Ogle. Friday [May 1626]. XCIX. THE SAME TO THE SAME. My SINGULAR GOOD AND NOBLE LADY, I cannot acknowledge inough your readines to pleasure mee with the sum you write of, nor can- not take thought inough to find myself good for nothing whearin to pleasure you againe. Onely this I have to offer uppe to you, and yett it is noe 155 more then you had long since, namely, whatsoever I am, or may bee, to bee at your disposing. For security, however, you are pleased, in confidence of mee and favor to mee, to decline it ; yett I must take leave to deale as safely for you as you have done lovingly and suerly with mee, and upon the receipt of the moneyes am resolved to send you sealed a bond from my eldest brother and myself, to such person as you shall nominate to have the bond made, and this with as little noyse or notice of the favor done mee as you shall direct or wish. For the moneyes, the sooner they come the welcomer ; but, by cause I could not collect from your letter whether they mought be with most conveniency sent up by som servant of your own, or otherwise that I could send a servant of myne to receave them theare, I am somwhat at a stand untill I may find by your next what course you will pro- pound on that behalf. Thus, with a heart as full of affection to serve you, as a head full of payne and aking, being scarcely out of a sharpe fitt of tertian ague, which hath held me all this morning, I rest, Your LaPP' s in sicknes and health, living and dying, all and ever, T. Meautys. This Friday, May 19th, from my house in the Strand [1626]. The inclosed from Sir Thomas Meautys I send, to the end my cosin may extract the newes of those parts out of them ; and so retourne me the letters, yf you please. 156 Yesterday it was debated in the upper house, wheather the Duke should be comitted, or at least sequestered from the house during the examinacion and proceeding against him, Hee carried it by voyses, and yett had no use of proxies, whearof hee hath, as is sayd, 1 5 in store, which shows his case is not desperate. C. the same to the same. My ever dearest Lady and Cosin, This messenger going from Toddington* to my Lady Smith's in Norfolk, and Culford not being much out of his way, gives mee the meanes of sending thease, together with such occurrences as I meet with hear, sent mee from London. You may, if you please, at your best convenience im- part them to Sir Drue,f and thearby acquitte mee to him in part of some payments of this kind. Thus, waiting all occasions and minutes to serve you, I aske leave to kisse your deare and precious * Toddington, in Bedfordshire, was a large quadrangular mansion, built by Sir Henry Cheney, in the reign of Elizabeth, who honoured him with a visit in 1563, and in 1572 created him Baron Cheney. He died in 1595, leaving the estate to his widow Joan, one of the daughters of Thomas first Lord Wentworth, of Nettlested, from whom it devolved upon her great nephew, the Earl of Cleveland. The pro- perty passing subsequently through the Lovelace family to Thomas Earl of Strafford, he demolished the house in 1745. t Drury. 157 hands, together with all those made out of them, whearby you have obliged, Y or LaPP' 3 for ever to love and serve you, T. Meautys. May [1626]. The instructions concearning preaching,* though some say they are to be printed, yett are not to be authorized and published, as was conceaved, by proclamacyon, but to bee recoin ended onely by letters under his Ma ties signature to the two archbishops. I am this morning going with my Lord of Cleve- land for London ; his Ladyf goes not till the Kinge's retourne from Newmarkett. CI. the same to the same. My best Lady and Cosin, I receaved both yours by Nutte, the carrier, and in answer to the first, which is soe carefull and sollicitous of my health, I can but first thanke you in as much earnest as you are pleased to expresse on my behalf, and then lett you know that I am, * About this time the King's proclamation appeared, by which the clergy were prohibited from preaching or publishing religious opinions contrary to the doctrine of the Church of England. f The Earl of Cleveland was twice married, first to Anne, daughter of Sir John Crofts, of Saxham, in Suffolk ; and secondly, to Catherine, daughter of Sir John Wentworth, Knt. of Gosfield, Essex : this was his first wife. 158 God be thanked ! much better now then when I fell sicke ; this ague having, apparently, evacuated much of that humour whearwith my lungs wear wont to labour, whearby I am grown friendly with it, and think of it, now 'tis past, rather as my phy- sician then a disease. I am sorry to find, both by your letter and by the messenger, that my cosin's health is noe better ; but I comfort myself in that observacion he makes of the time, as hoping that I shall hear by the next that we are twynnes as well in recovering together as in falling sick, other- wise he will but bind me over in good manners to undergoe a relapse, for I shall take the lesse com- fort in my recovery that it hath gotten the start of his. As for the moneyes, I will send sometimes the next weeke by an immediate messenger from hence. Our Parlament was this day adjourned till Thursday next. The upper howse is not satis- fied with the reasons of the King's detayning my Lo. of Arundell from them, and are resolved to press it furder. The King withdrawes not his countenance or protection one jotte from the Duke.* God send us all the light of His counte- nance, and then all will end well. Yo r LaPP' s all and ever, T. Meautys. Strand, this Thursday [June 2, 1626]. My sister Glover f desires to be excused for not wrighting by this passage, which she confesseth * Of Buckingham. f Anne, wife of William Glover. 159 she both ought, but that she was called away to hould a Lady Butler's* back, one of the last sisters of the Bath. Sir John Eliott is released, f and restored to the howse. CII. THE SAME TO THE SAME. MY EVER BEST AND DEAREST LADY AND COSIN, I reseaved yours by my man, Knight, accom- panied with that horse load of favor and friendly curtesy, which you pleased to mention in your former letters; which seasonable piece of friendshipp expressed by your La p P towards mee and my occa- sions although I can never acknowledge, yett give me leave to reckon of it but as treasure in silver in comparison of that other in gould, which was the hopes you gave mee of kissing your hands hear ere long ; whearin however you have somwhat fayled, for though, mee thinks, with mee, who num- ber dayes and howers till I see you, it is already a great while since I drank in those hopes, yett will hope on still, and leave you thus farr without excuse as to tell you that thear are two houses in the Strand at your devotion, my own and Sir * The wife of Sir John Butler of Hertfordshire, who had just "been made K.B. She was then probably lying in. f He had been committed to the Tower by the King, with Sir Dudley Digges, for their speeches on the motion for Buckingham's 160 Thomas Wilson's, who lyeth and his family at Whitehall, though I must confesse I shall wish my own house on fier every time I see you passe by it to sleepe in any other. Thearfore, as you tender my rest and happines, sweete Madam, think not, I beseech you, of resting yourselfe under any other roofe, and be pleased rather to lett mee see you then hear from you againe. And now lett me presume to putt a new piece of trouble upon you, which is to cause your servant to learne cer- taynly the day of M r Cotton's death, and to lett me understand it by the next ; for ever since that day the profitts of the office belong to mee, and are to be accounted to mee by his deputy and clerks, and the difference of a few dayes may be in or out of my way half a hundred pounds. M r Morse was much conversant with him, as I have heard him say, and can, peradventure, satisfy this question. The Duke hath this day made his answere to our charge against him ; an ingenuous and cleare an- swere, and very satisfactory, as is conceaved, to all indifferent eares. My Lord of Arundell was this day restored to the house ; it appeares not as yett wheather he be in * or not against the Duke, or how he will play his game. We talk much of great forces both by sea and land in readines to come from Spayne. We have 30 sayle of good shippes shortly to putt to sea. Our house quar- rells the election of the Duke to be Chancellor of * illeg. 161 Cambridge, as an affront done to the house ; the King hath sent messages to our house to forbear questioning it. Tomorrow we are, I understand, to debate what is to be done in it. The King hath sent the University a letter of thanks for electing him ; * and so doe I to you, for continuing mee in your good favor and affections, who am All your own, T. M. [June 8 th 1626.] CHI. sir edmund bacon to sir nathaniel bacon. Brother Nath. Yt was tolde me yesterday from Burye, that one cause of your goinge up to London ys to cut of the intayle of Culforde and the rest of the landes, which in much love weare confer'd upon you. Whether I have any interest or not therin ys utterly unknowne unto me, for in my father's tyme I never was made acquainted with any parte of the conveyances ; and yf I be in remaynder, my dayes are so farre spent, that yt weare too partiall a thinge for me to feed myselfe with any expectation : but yt ys like yt concernes others, for in what belonges to myselfe I finde that he hath had a very strict desyre to uphold his famyly in the meanes he left, which I signify unto you, that you might * Upon the death of Thomas, Earl of Suffolk, the Duke of Buck- ingham was chosen Chancellor of Cambridge, by a majority of five voices only. 162 have a greate care how you proceede in this busynes, which importes a good parte of the estate. But no more of this matter : it concernes me more to have you respecting your health, and to entreate you to have a care that you oppresse not your body or your mynd with too much agita- con, for they are both greate enemyes to weake spirites. The proroginge of the Parlament hath given me lybertye to take a vewe of Rotten Thornage* before I goe to London, whether I am setting for- warde this morning. And thus I rest, Y r very loveing brother, E D M. Bacon. [June 1626.] CIV. t. meautys to jane lady bacon. My ever best Lady and Cosin, I reseaved your La??' 3 by M r Morse, with the note inclosed, touching M r Cotton's death. This morning M r Morse advertized mee in post hast that thear was a messenger going towards Broome ; hee tooke mee napping, and, before I was broad * The lordship and advowson of Thornage, in Norfolk, granted by- Henry VIII. in 1537, to his physician, Sir William Butts, remained in the family till Ann, daughter and heir to William Butts, brought them in marriage to her husband, Sir N. Bacon ; and their eldest son, the wri- ter of this letter, had recently inherited the property. It was aUenated, circiter 1710, by the Bacons to Sir Jacob Astley, Bart, of Melton Constable, whose descendant, Lord Hastings, is the present possessor. 163 awake, for his post's sake I had finished thease. Your hospitality to my sister and hers hath un- happily deprived mee, I perceave, of dayes, if not weekes, of your company hear, who shall count every daye a weeke till I see you ; the rather for that, after this month ended, my month of attend- ance being next, and the King meaning to lye most part of that month at Greenwich, I shall spend most of my dayes thear, and soe loose more of your company, which vexeth mee aforehand to think of, and will vex mee more when it happeneth then otherwise, yf you had come to town sooner, I could have done : onely my comfort will be, that I can remember, when I am absent, that you are pleased to sleep under my roofe, and that my house doth you some service instead of mee. Our Parlement is in pieces and quite dissolved. My Lo. of Bristow* close prisoner in the Tower. My Lo. of Arundell confined to his mother's house, as before. No lower house men comitted as yett, but some of the most active amongst them comand- ed not to depart the town till his Ma ties pleasure furder known. The King borrowes a hundred thousand pounds of the city, for which he pawnes his juells and plate : this chiefly to sett out a fleete of 30 sayle, whearunto 20 sayle of Holland- ers are ready to joyne. Present my affectionate * John Digby, created Earl of Bristol in 1622, confined on a charge of high treason. 164 love and service, good Madam, to my good cosin ; and tell him, yf he comes to town, I will shew him melons forwarder then his at Broome, and procure him the receipt how to improve his owne, which is a journey, I hope, not altogether lost. I rest your LaPP' 3 all and ever, T. M. This Monday morning, June 19 [1626]. Pray be pleased to salute my sister Claxton and her husband from mee, yf they be still with you. I think it wear no ill wish to wish them at Liver- more againe, for that they had wont to take it for granted that the mother's death would much mend theyr case. CV. sir n. bacon to jane lady bacon. Sweet Hart, Uppon Thursday last I left London, thincking to haue bin w^ you this day, but, at my taking horse, I raysed by coughing a little bload, w ch made me come that night but to Burntwood. The next day in the morning I found myself disposed to bleed agayne, w ch made me venture no farther than Esterford, wher, presently after my coming in, the vayne opened agayne, wher I raysed some half a spoonful]. Now, this day I intend to come no farther then Colchester, wher I shall haue Doctor Duke's help, if need require. L'ppon Monday, God willing, I intend to reach Bury, whither I desier you to send me, uppon Tuesday morning 165 next, yo e coach, to bring me home w th the more ease. All yo e friends in London do salute you. The Lady of Bedford is reasonably well. The business of the Navie is now in question in Parlia- ment, but nothing done. Thus, with my best loue I leaue you, desiring to be excused for brief- ness, being now in my bed ; from whence I desier you not to conclude any danger in me, for my bleeding is stopped, & my cough less then yt hath bin any tyme these iij. weeks. Bless ours, & kiss little Jane from me ; & so I rest, In all trew affection only y rs , Nath. Bacon Esterford, this Satterday morning [June 1626]. To his best respected friend the La. Jane Bacon, at Broome, geu these. CVL philippe cotton * to jane lady bacon. Deere & worthie Dawghter, I do acknowlidg my self much bownd to God, that hath given me such a child to be so respective of so aged & infirme a mother as I am, to help & succor me, not being able, by reason of manie greeuances, to stirr from home, w ch hath much afflicted me that I cowld not frequent the howse of God as formerlie I have donn; w ch now, by God's permision, and as w th helth He shall inable me, y or good meanes egging me forward, I purpose to redeeme. Deere dawghter, if I should stodi so * Lady Bacon's mother. 166 long tyme as I cowld stodie no longer, I should never be able to find good words suffitient to ex- press the well deservings of y or liberall bownti w ch manie ways y ou have aforded me, this y or greate and worthie present, w ch at this tyme y ou have sent me, not being the lest ; wheare of I shall have dayeli occation to be putt in minde of, lift- ing up my hart to God w th dayelie prayers to bless y ou , both in heaven & earth, to His glori, for all y or comforts aforded me. Good dawghter, lett me intreate y ou not to be offended w th y or mann for staying so long, for I was the cawse, he being dayelie desierous to be gonn ; whose going I still hindred, for that I was desierous to lett y ou know that my first iorney in it was to church, w ch cowld not be effected no sooner. I pray y ou remeber my much respected love to my worthie sonn Baconne & my good nephew Meautys; my manie kinde thancks to him for his venison w ch he sent me. So, from my hart praying God to bless y ou & all yor Sj j ever remain, y e trewlie affected mother, Philippe Cotton. I praie y ou , lett me heere of y or coming to Lon- don, & as often as y ou cann ; & I hope my nephew Meautys will be so good as his word to me, w ch was that he wold bring y ou & the rest of all my good children hether to me this sommer. Good dawghter, I have given y or man fortie shillings, both for his charges coming and going, & also in 167 gratuitie of the present hee browght me ; had I benn better provided w th monie, my rewarde should have beenn greator. Stoke, October 23 [1626]. To my deere & worthie dawghter the Lady Jane Baconne, these. CVIL the same to the same. Right deere & worthie Daughter, I do not well know how to find a good word out sufficient for so worthie a child, which hath made her mother, if anie mother cann be, bownd to her child. You have enchained me with such a bound to you never to be dissolved, such is the rare vertue of your so often benignities extended to- wards me, never to be forgotten. By your brother Meautys I understand of your safe being att Lon- don, with all your sweete children. Hoping now I shall the oftener heere from you, I much desire, good daughter, to be allowed to make a motion unto you, now you are in London, a place of most conveniencie for such a purpose. My desire is this, you wolde be pleased to aford me your picture; not for that it might put in mind of you, for that needeth not, I having you alreaddie so imprinted on my hart never to be forgotten, but that I maie with comfort behoulde the aspecte of so worthie a child. This is the end of my desires, which I hope you will not denie me. I desire likewise to 168 be remembered to my good sonne Bacon, not for- getting my nephew Meautys, with all yours, whome, with yourselfe, I humblie pray the eternall God to bless with all felisities both in heaven and earth : and so I ever live your trewlie loving mo- ther, Philippe Cotton. Coventry, Novemb. 17, 1626. CVIII. t. meautys to jane lady bacon. My ever best Lady and Cosin, I receaved yours by Nutte, and am sorry that his soddaine departure hath soe turned my hower glasse that I have not time to inquire and send you worde, so distinctly as otherwise I would, of that which I assure myself would be well- comest to you in this letter, as it was in my last ; namely, the health of your best friend.* Onely thus much I can say of it from M rs Dixon, from whom I heard it some two dayes sinse, that it was in the way of increasing to a perfect recovery. I should have been right glad to have heard the like of my cosin's health, for which, as for that of your LaP and all yours, I shall dayly pray as for myne owne, and remayne all and ever Yo r LaP' s to love and serve you, T. Meautys. April 5th, 1627. * The Countess of Bedford. M rs Dixon was probably her maid. 169 CIX. the same to the same. My ever best Lady and Cosin, The oportunity of this messenger, whoe is to be back by Tuesday night at Riddlesworth, and promised me to make Culford in his way, invites me to gratulate your well coming to the end of your first daye's journey, which 1 understood from Sir Thomas Meautys, and to hope the like of your journey next day, and that you found all well at Culford. Next, I take leave to tell you, that I understand this night, upon speach with M rs Tucker, that my Lady of Bedford wynnes still upon her health, and missed her fitt yesterday. This I knew would mend the welcome of my let- ter, and thearfore supping this night at my aunt* Thomson's, and hearing her accidentally speake of M rs Tucker, and that she dwelt hard by, I tooke advantage of it to inquire of that Lady's health. Black Pusse is apprehended and carried before Sir Thomas Wilson, and convicted for a runaway; but, hir case being baylable, my cosin Sir Henry Coningsby, of _ Elizabeth, dau. of Sir John Boteler, Knt. North Mims, Knt. of Watton Woodhall, Herts. I I Elizabeth. = Thomas Meautys. Jane. *__ Robert Thompson, Esq re of Crawley, county of I Bedford. Thomas Meautys, Clerk of the Council. 170 Randolph and myself have bayled hir, and soe you may require her at my cosin Randolph's hands, with whom she is a sojourner. Madam, I am so newly weaned from the company of my best friend, that you may imagine how indisposed and froward I mought well be, and that I could find nothing to still me but by busying myself in writing, or doing something that mought look towards the serving of you, then which nothing can be for ever more ac- ceptable to, Your LaPP' s to dispose as you list, T. Meautys. Easter night [1627]. Pray present my most affectionate love and servise to my cosin Bacon. CX. the same to the same. My ever best Lady and Cosin, I begged of you, in my last by Nutte the car- riere, that I mought partake of the happy tidings of your recovery soe soone as it should please God to send it you ; but, not having receaved any lyne from you sinse, I am not a little perplexed what to thinke of your health. I understood onely, by a letter from my cosin, that it was a setled tertian ague, and that some fitts had been very sharpe* I will both hope and pray that I may hear that they 171 have done theyr worst then, and that you are in way of recoverie ; till when I shall be in a cold fitt of feare and expectation touching the event of your sicknes. Next, lett me impart to you, and aske your pardon, that, without your privity and direction, I have presumed to apply the favour meant me long synce by the Duke, for making a baronett, to the servise, I hope, of my cosin Fre- derick. Quarrell me you may, as you use to doe, for my forwardnes to affect and serve you and yours, for other offence towards you I was never guilty of; but for this, it is too late to intreat it, yf, peradventure, in disfavour of me, you had a mind to it, for it hath already passed the signet and privy seale, and will be to morrow by noone passed the great seale. That which prevented me from acquainting you with it soe seasonably as otherwayes I had done, was, that I was surprised myselfe in this resolution to make use of the Duke's promise in that kinde on my cosin's be- halfe, for, hearing that Sir Robert Crane, young Wingfield, Drue Drurie's nephew, and some others of Suffolk wear laboring for that dignity to be conferred upon them, I concluded that no time must be lost; which, though it seeme a cir- cumstance, yett is substance in these cases, poynt of precedency being noe indifferent thing, whearin I have handled it that he shall be the first of that county of this last edition of baronetts. And i2 -^ 172 least any apprehension, which you, by your favour, are apt enough to take, should possess you, as yf I had hearin rather endeavoured to picke a thank of your sonne officiously, then to give you a clear argument of my affections to doe him a servise for your sake; or least you should be in suspence whether any disadvantage should hearby ensue to you in poynt of the wardshipp eyther of his body or lands ; be pleased to believe that, for the first, he neyther knows from me of any the least inten- tion of myne to sett this on foote, neyther doe I want soe much respect and love to yourself, or soe much piety to preserve and endeare a sonne to a mother, as to handle it soe that every circum- stance of this worke should not appear to be de- rived immediately and totally from your love and indulgence ; and, for the latter, that I am not soe precipitate or indifferent in that which concernes you in point of interest as not first to have ad- vised, and been clearly resolved and satisfied without all scruple and question by those who best know it, and particularly by M r Attorney Ge- nerall and M r Attorney of the Court of Wards, that thear is nothing of prejudice that can hearby ensue to you touching his wardship eyther of body or lands. By the next I purpose to send you the patent under the great seale ; and soe hearwithall send you, under the privy seale of my heart, the 173 most entire and sincere affections to serve you and yours, of yo r LaPP' s all and ever to dispose of, T. Meautys. May 4 th , 1627. My Lo. of Bedford died on Tuesday last : my Ladie's recovery is much doubted ; her strength and spiritts being, as they say, farre spent, and wearing out dayly by an untoward cough, which is almost continuall. This I understood from M rs Dixon. CXI. the same to the same. My ever best Lady and Cosin, Your not vouchafing, eyther by letter or mes- sage, to take knowledge of the contents of my last to you touching my cosin Fred., reprooves mee sufficiently of being in my last an officious foole ; and although, Madam, I shall take it for a warning, yett when I reflect as well upon the affection and singleness of heart whearwith I did it, as also upon the motives which confined mee in point of time from acquainting you first thearwithall, I plead not guilty of having deserved at your LaPP" s hands to have my well meaning hearein to be soe passed by as not worthy of a lyne or a message. And least those motives should seem to be altogether fayned and imaginary, as I did touch upon them then, soe I now offer them to your view in thease payre 174 of letters from Sir Drue Drury to me, both con- cerning himself and his nephew Wingfield ; * which I onely insist on to excuse mee for acting the busines before my acquainting and receaving commission from you. And I was not ignorant that time in thease cases, though it seeme a circum- stans, yett is indeed substance ; precedency be- ing a principall verbe, which my cosin Fred's patent hath, both of Drue, and Wingfield, and of Sir Rob* Crane; which in my poore discretion, considering they are all of a county, was som- what, and which had been lost if I had stayed to send and to have heard from you first. And now, my dearest friend, Lady, and cosin, I come to that which both affects and perplexes mee more then any other thing in this woorld which can come crosse upon mee, namely, the ill tidings of your want of health, and the dayly fears, and appre- hensions I have of your growing worse; agaynst which I have no refuge but to Almighty God with my dayly and instant prayers, which I shall as earnestly doe as for my own soule ; and, being ob- tained, give Him thanks as for the greatest tem- porall blessing to mee upon earth. Yo r LaPP' s all and ever to love and serve you, T. Meautys. May 10* 1627. * Elizabeth, sister to Sir Drue Drury, of Riddlesworth, married Sir Thomas Wingfield, Knt. father of the first baronet, whose creation is here alluded to. 175 My cosin Fred 3 patent beares date the 4 th of this present; Drue's the 7 th following; Wingfield's* and Crane's f are not yet passed the seale. I could not send it now, as I intended, by reason the in- rolment of it, both in the Exchequer and the Rowles, take up more time then I expected. I am not a little troubled to hear of my cosin Bacon's ill health, and that I am good for nothing that may conduce to his recovery; onely my prayers for him shall bee in as good earnest as for the dearest friend and brother I have. To my much hon r(1 Lady and Cosin the Lady Jane Bacon, at Broome Hall, Suff. CXI I. the same to the same. My ever dearest Lady and Cosin, The oportunity of this messenger being sent to SaxumJ gives me as much time as serves to be accountable to your LaPP of myselfe and my jour- ney, being now at Toddington, from whence I am injoyned to make retourne to your LaPP of the love and respects of the Right Noble Lord and Lady hear. I reached Hartford on Saturday be- fore five o'clock, whear I was not the less welcome for the place I came from, and your LaP p ' s friendly and loving remembrance which accompanied mee * Anthony Wingfield, of Goodwins, Suffolk, patent dated 1 7 May, 1627. f Robert Crane, of Chilton, Suffolk, 11 May, 1627. $ The residence of Sir John Crofts, Lady Cleveland's father. 176 thither; for with Harry Meautys's * I send you the best and all the retourne he can make, which is, to find an innermost roome for you and yours in his dayly prayers. Soe, beseeching your La pP to doe the like for him and mee, in yours, and desir- ous to be numbered in the catalogue of your family, I ask your blessing with the very mouth of my heart, and remain, Your La pp ' s all and ever, T. M. My Lord's brother arrived hear out of the Low Countries last night, by whom I find that there was not such a thing as an army on foot for the affayres of the Palatinate, all theyre's being now in garrison. The peace between Spayne and them hovers aloofe, and, if at all, not likely to be con- cluded in hast. Madam, If it may be without your trouble, I would gladly hear how it fares with M r Claxton. Monday night [1627]. CXIII. THE SAME TO THE SAME. My EVER BEST LADY AND COSIN, This bearer some weekes since having delivered mee a letter from your La pp , and calling upon mee this day to know whether I would retourne an * One of the sons of Henry Meautys and Elizabeth Hare, first cousin to the Clerk of the Council. 177 answere, therby gave mee an opportunity, which left mee without excuse yf 1 had now omitted to write. And because it is not unwoorthy your knowing, nor the repeating, though you may know it already, nor unacceptable to you, what we have done and are doing in Parliament, thease take leave to tell you, that on Saturday last the King gave a full and satisfactory answer to our petition concerning the liberty of the subject, and pro- priety and exemption of his person and estate from any illegal courses, which caused such expression of joy in generall, as, whear tongue left, bells and bonfires began ; and the proceeding with the sub- sidies, which wear till then at a stand, followed the next day in Parliament, and are ready to be passed entirely within two or three days. Neverthelesse, wee goe on with a remonstrance or informacion to his Ma tie contayning the generall grievance of the realme, which wee have reduced to thease heads, namely, fear of innovation of religion, and the ill successes of our late forrain enterprizes, the ill state and decay of our forts and castles, the gene- rall want of powder and all other sorts of ammuni- tion requisite for the defence of the realme, the decay of trade, the great losse and decay of fche shipping of the realme, the ill guarding of the narrow seas ; and ended in these very termes, that the excessive power of the Duke of Buck™ and the abuse of that power is the chief cause of these i 5 178 evils and daungers to the King and kingdome. This was the woorke of this day, and held us without stirring out of the house from 8 this morning till this hower, being now 7 at night ; soe that, it being now high time to goe to dynner, I end the more abruptly, and rest, Yo r LaPP' s all and ever to serve you, T. Meautys. The inclosed, for those few words which are in French, and for which you want noe interpreter, was the King's answer to our petition ; the rest was somewhat which hee spake before and after the answer given. I heard speech of your pur- pose to come to town : if such part of my house as is empty may pleasure you, you may command it. June 11 [1627]. CXIV. the same to the same. My ever best Lady and Cosin, I have, almost ever since my coming from Cul- ford, been dayly in journeys, and am, at the writing of thease, soe newly alighted from my horse, that I have scarse time, considering the carrier's hower is at hand, to scribble this. I am not a little com- patible with my friends thear to find, by a letter from my cosin Fred, that my cosin Bacon's health still declines, and that your LaPP hath hurt your 179 foot, which puts you to much payne. Madam, weare I good for any thing that mought bee of use towards eyther of your recoveries, I would not fayle to hasten to you, and make a tender in per- son of my best endeavours and most affectionat service ; but, since I am not, my onely resort must bee with my dayly prayers, upon the knees of my heart, to the Great Physician Himself. Neverthe- less, I have hearwithall sent some of that syropp of ela campane, of my sister's making, which I have myself, and some other of my friends, found so much good of, and have withall sent the receipt herinclosed by which it is made ; and if thear bee any thing in it hurtful to my cosin's infirmity, yett I am perswaded it will do your La?P good for that rheume whearwith I heard you complayne you wear troubled a mornings. And by cause I saw my cosin was allowed to take tobacco som- times, I, having had some sent mee from a friend for special good, have hearwithall likewise sent some porcion of it, and, yf my cosin like it, I will send him more. Soe, wishing with all my soule a share in eyther of your sufferings and discomforts of body or mynd, so that your parts therby might be the more tolerable, I corriend you to the conso- lacion and protection of God Almighty, and rest, Yo r LaPP' 3 all and ever to love and serve you, T. Meautys. June 22 [1627]. 180 The Duke,* we say, sette sayle on Weddensday, and the King is expected hear tomorrow. Yt is no newes to you, I conceave, that Sir Thomas Meautys is father of a brave boy, and that my Lady of Sussex hath, in congratulacion thearof, descended from her greatnes, and is like to be well again with him. cxv. sir thomas meautys to jane lady bacon. Deere Sister, I am very sorry to understand by your letter of the death of my brother, your husband ; yet, againe, in the same letter you did send me a consolation ever to bee rejoysed for, and that is, the peacable, quiet, and relygeous end that he made att his de- parture out of this worlde, to tacke possession of that most blessed inherytance which God hath pre- pared for all those that die in His favour. Sister, whereas you wright me in your letter that he hath left you behind him his widdow, full of greefe and sorrow, to morne for yourself and not for him, in- deed I was glad to hear you saye soe ; for a man to lament the departure of a freind with extremytie of greefe, when his own eye is a wittnes, and his hart lykewyse tells him, that his freind hath ex- changed his sosietie for a more happy one, and * The Duke of Buckingham. 181 hath left this worlde, soe full of troble and miserye, to goe tacke possession of a kingdom, the joyes of which are not to be expressed, that person that shall sorrow soe much for the los of his freind, certainly he cannot be esteemed a trew freind at all, for yf a husband shall study to make his wyfe happy, or a wyfe her husband, all the dayes of their lyfe, after their departure let them endevor to lyve soe as they may dye the servants of Almightie God, I have often called to minde a sayinge of you unto me, which for the pyousnes of it I must never forget, it being upon the death of your fyrst husband, when myselfe was with you and saw how exceedingly you greeved for the los of him ; and I well remember that I was a lyttle mouved at your pacion, to which you replyed, " O brother ! you must holde me excused yf soe be that I greeve for him, but yet it is not soe much for his death, as for the manner of his death ;" which was a worthy saying, and comendable in the ears of all those that ever heard it. But, deere sister, in this your last husband that feare is tacken awaye and greefe abolyshed, and joye sent in place of sorrow from God to comfort yourselfe and all the rest of his freinds left behinde him ; and we will all of us greeve with you, but, as we ought, with a moderate and discreet greef, for otherwyse we should appear brutal to the worlde ; and surely a sorrow is allow- ed to every one of us to sorrow for our freinds 182 departed. My wyfe desiers to have her love re- membered to you, who is but weake as yet; but my child is, I praise God, helthy and strong. I am sorry to hear that you should be driven to tacke up money to serve your present tourne ; in what a case then must your brother bee, in that he hath no rents at all to reseave. I protest before the Almightie God, that I was never so neere to bee ruinated and cast under foot as I am at this pre- sent for my company in the Low Countryes, as you may see by this enclosed letter, which I re- seaved not above 10 dayes agoe, in what case I stand ; yet yf I can but goe over now with Lord Vere, who attends the Dutch Ambassador's re- tourne, I may speede reasonably well, yf I had but 100^ to settle my affayres before my going, and to leave my wyfe provyded for : therfore let me in- treate you imploye your creditt for soe much for me till Michaelmas, and I will see it discharged without any prejudice at all to you, for I have 3 or 400^ due unto me in the Low Countries since my coming from thence, the which I can reseave no part of it till my owne retourne ; and you shall make me very much your servant. Y r affectionat brother, T. Meautys. Clerkenwell, July the 2d, 1627. 183 CXVI. the same to the same. Deere Sister, By this you shall receive an account of the pre- sent that you left with me for the Queene of Bo- hemia. As soone as she saw me come into the roome where hir Ma tie was, her second words was, " How dooth my Lady Cornwallis?" I gave her your present, and told her that I had left you with a hart charged with griefe for the death of your hus- band, but with a minde full of will and reddynes to doe her Majesty service. She tooke the box, and before all the company that was there did open it, and did very much commend the property of it, and retourne you many thanks ; for that I saw that it was a gyft very agreeable to her, for the same day at my Lord Ambassador's howse, where the King and Queene and Princes of Orange did dyne, she tooke occasion to speake of it againe, and said that the old love between you two must not be forgotten. I pray, therefore, con- tinue this interchange to her as often as you shall find occasion, for, upon my soul ! if it laye in her power to doe you a good office, she would not be sparing to performe it. She lookes her within this month or 6 weekes to be brought a bed. God send her a safe and happy ower, yf it be His 184 will ! I left a letter with my wyfe, in which I desired you to lend her 50i?, in regard I left her but ill provided. I pray God to bles you with His spiritual and temporal blessings ; and soe I rest, Y r most affect 6 brother and servant, T. Meautys. Hage, July 25, 1627. To my deare sister Lady Bacon, at Broome. CXVIL t. meautys to jane lady bacon. My ever best and dearest Lady, I reseaved yours in answer to myne about the picture, and having no better way to satisfy the Lord * I mentioned, that I had dealt clearly with him in doing my endeavor, I shewed him so much of your letter as related thearunto ; one passage whearof he was willing to lay hould of as giving him some kind of hopes that the picture mought be procured from those hands it was meant to by your noble husband ; and thearfore, yf you please to lett me know by your next to whose hands it is come, and that I may likewise understand what is meant by these wordes in your letter, " / thinke they will not part with it upon those termes would he * See the next Letter. 185 pleasing to you" it would enable me to give full satisfaction to that Lord whether it be to be had on any termes or noe, whearin he now flatters himselfe with some little hope derived from those wordes in your foresayd letter. Yt is, I conceave, no newes to you, that on Friday last we resolved in the howse on giving the King 5 subsidies, the time not then agreed on, but the inclinacyon of the howse was to pay them all, or 4 of them, be- tweene this and Christmas ; since then, which is now some dayes, we have not spoken a word more of them, but gone on with our own busines to pro- vide for the liberty of the subject both in his per- son and estate, both which have been infringed by the late busines of the loanes and billeting of souldiers, as is insisted upon by the howse. The King, taking it in ill part that we goe not on with the subsidies, requires us to sitt all this Easter, and not to breake up for a weeke, as we intended, which men are not pleased withall; and however, in conformity with the King's message, we shall continue together without adjourning our howse, yett it is so unwillingly, as that I doubt the King's busines will hardly gett any steppes forward ; which yf the King find, he is resolved, I perceave by those who know his mind near hand, to putt us roundly to it by some message to the howse ; which yf it take not effect, which I feare to think of, our Parlement will not be long lived. 186 The enclosed* is somewhat that passed from the King and the Duke at the Counsell table the next day after we resolved to give the 5 sub- sidies. I am the shorter in newes, because I un- derstand by your last that you want not our Par- lement newes from better and readier hands. Yo r La pp ' s all and ever, T. Meautys. Good Friday [1628]. CXVIII. THE SAME TO THE SAME. My EVER DEAREST LADY AND CoSIN, In my last to you, which it seemes hath miscar- ried, I expressed that my Lord of Dorsettf was the Lord that affected the picture ; and did likewise in that letter bemoane the sicknes, and desire your prayers for the recovery of my deare sister Glover, who was then very sick of the small pox, whearof with eyes fraught with teares of grieffe I must in the first place acquaint you, she departed this life on this day fortnight, and yett tell you withall, with eyes noe lesse filled with teares of joye and com- fort, that she hath assuredly changed this life for a better, and that she is now a saynt in heaven, * April 3, 1628. The King, in a message to the Commons, denied the truth of a report, that the Duke of Buckingham had spoken malicious words at the Council table against that House ; nothing having fallen from him, or any other, to that purpose. + Edward Sackville, fourth Earl of Dorset, ob. 1652. 187 witnessed to all that heard her infallibly by those Christian conflicts and heavenly conferences be- tween God and her soule for divers dayes together, even to the period of her life ending, in the un- speakable and lively feeling and assurance of that haven of eternall happines whearunto she was saylyng. I am, thearfore, now indeavouring what possibly I may, under so great an affliction as this is to me, to practise that which I advise other friends that loved her, namely, to forgett what we have lost by remembring what she hath gayned. She died at Kellett's, the apothecarie's, neare Paule's, whear her daughter Anne at this present lyeth ill of the same disease, but is, God be thanked ! past all daunger and almost able to goe abroad. Yt rests that, in relation to those of her little wandring flock she hath left behind her, I make the like suit to your La p that I doe to the rest of my friends, which is, to lend me so much of their advice and helpe as they can spare me for the disposing and breeding of some of them ; and yf your La«» can find in your harte to ease me some- what, without charge to you at all, of the care of breeding that little harmlesse one which was dear to her, and is no less soe to me, and ever was, the rather peradventure because she hath in favour been sayd and believed to resemble you, I shall be at some harte's ease, which at this time I have neede of, being like one that hath lost a 188 wife as well as a deare sister, finding the difference now for a moneth together between solitude and the conversacyon and comfort of a matchless friend ; and wear it not for the relief I have found from some disconsolate howers by the neighbourhood and noble favors of my Lord and Lady Cleveland, of whose family I reckon myself, and have done all this while, thear being nothing but solitude under my own roofe, I should by this time have resolved to become as weary of this part of the world as some friends alive, nearest and dearest unto me, have shewed of late to be of me. 1 receaved let- ters this morning from Sir Thomas Meautys, dated the 25th of March : he and his lady are both well, and she ready to make worke for the midwife about the end of July next, as she writes, and hath invited me to come over and christen her childe ; whearof I can yett retourne noe direct answer untill I have settled some tearme busines concerning my Lord S* Albane's creditors, and taken order for the disposing of some of my sister's children, and seeing to the maintenance, which is 100^?, and amongst them, left in trust with me and my eldest brother for their educacyon. However, against that time lett me bespeake your letters into those parts, for rather your brother in some letters to me complaines of being so unhappy as not to have receaved any letters lately from you. And now, my best and dearest friend, I take leave to kisse 189 your pretious hands, and to wish from the bottom of my soul all true happines and blisse both in this life and a better to you and all yours, whom I doe most sincerely and entirely love ; resolving, in what part of the world soever it shall please God to dispose me, to live and dye All and ever yo r La pp ' s , T. Meautys. Apr" 16th [1628]. The L ds of the upper howse are this day in seri- ous debate, which hath held them some days to- gether, whether they shall joyne with us to the King in that part of our petition for the restrayning of the King's power of comitment in all cases with- out shewing cause upon the comitment. Yf they joyne, all will end well; otherwise we are like to break within very few dayes. CXIX. sir edmund bacon to jane lady bacon. Sister, I had a purpose to have seene you in the ende of this weeke; but, finding a disposition to the goute, I have bene driven to take physike these 4 days by way of prevention. This I hope shall ex- cuse me to you, who am goinge towards London, God willinge, the day after the fast ; where, yf yt 190 shall please you to comande me any thing, I shall be ready to serve you. In the mean tyme I en- treat you that M r Fenne may come to me, for I can now give him satisfaction concerninge the lyvery, M r Barrie having bene here with me to that purpose. Yt will be necessarye that the inventory of my father's goods be at London ; yf you will sende yt to me, I will carrye yt; or otherwise I desyre you yt may be there. I hope all thinges will be in so good a forwardnes that the next tearme shall dispach the busynes, of which I im- magine you thinke I am by this tyme wearye. And thus I rest, Y r lovinge brother, ready to doe you service, Ed. Bacon. There are thankes to be given under my hande for the best and fattest pike that ever was eaten : he had a fish hooke in the fatt on y e outside of his rivett. Redgrave, this 19 of April 1628. cxx. the same to the same. Sister, I being to pay much money into the Exchequer for the debt of my father to the K., I am tould I am like to be releived out of the estate my father left, eyther personal or his lands disposed. The dis- 191 tribution of the charge must be ordered by the Barons of the Exchequer, from whence this morn- ing I was delivered a subpoena to be sent unto you that there might be cleere dealings amongst us. I have acquainted M r Morse this morning how the proceedings in the business are like to be, and withall I have tould him that in all the wayes I shall proceed no otherwise then as I shall be will- ing to declare myselfe to any man of judgment. These shall be presently speedily sent to my bro- thers to make answere for what concernes them. I am glad to hear this morning that Nicke begins to recover. Your very loveing brother, Ed. Bacon. Rowlls, this 14 of May 1628. CXXI. jane lady bacon to sir edmund bacon. Brother, I received your letter with your unkind token, which I think I did not deserve, I haveing been as forward, if not forwarder, to a peacable end then any body els ; but since you have made choice of this way to walk in, I will go with you along upon as faire and frendly tearmes as you will ; and rest, Yo r very loveing sister, Ja. Bacon. [May, 1628.] 192 CXXII. t. meautys to jane lady bacon. My best Lady and Cosin, I have found even minutes enough, and that 's all, between the Parlament howse and the Consell chamber to scribble over these confused lines, and to tell you what hath passed in Parlament, viz. almost a moneth ; for onely time, and not busines, hath hetherto passed. Tomorrow Sir Ed. Cooke's election will be determined of, and it is taken for graunted he will be excluded and another chosen in his roome. The counsell of warre, as well such of them as are of the upper howse as the rest, are tomorrow to appear in the lower howse, and to answere to such questions as shall thear be asked them touching the yssuing and expending of the late subsidies. The lower howse hath busied themselves most part of this weeke in examining the stay of a French shipp hear, laden with mer- chandise of the valew of 400,000^?, which stay hath caused an arest of all our merchants'' goods in Fraunce, to the valew of above 300,000^?. The stay of that shipp having produced this ill effect, it hath heated the howse against those who made the seazure therof, which is found to be the Lo. Ad- mirall ; whearupon a message was this daye sent to him from our howse to demaund his reason of that stay, with a purpose, in case he gives us not 193 the better satisfaction, to present it up to the King as a publique greevance ; the yssue whearof can proove nothing but the loozing our breath and the shewing of our good wills to the Duke, for he will easily answer it to the King and upper howse though we be deaf to him. Pray, Madam, lett me understand in your next of my cosin's safe and healthfull arrival at Broome, and in the mean time present him with the best affections of His and yours to serve you ever, T, Meautys. The Earl of Devonsheere # is dead. [June 21, 1628.] Pray direct your letters to Kellett's the apothe- cary, on Ludgate Hill. CXXIII. sir edmund bacon to jane lady bacon. Sister, I make no doute but M r Morse hath tolde you in what forwardnes I was towards a composition at his beinge at London, which since I have per- fected ; and though yt be a good sum of monye, 3100^, yet, all things considered, I complayne not of the bargaine. To conclude, the next tearme ther was proces appointed to be sent downe * William Cavendish, second Earl of Devonshire, died June 20, 1628. 194 to the shreyfe, to charge those in possession of my father's landes to make awnsweare why they should not be chargable to the debt to the K., and that the conveyances of the landes should be brought up. I was bolde, without your privitye, to stay the proces concerning you, as I did the rest for my brothers, by engaging myselfe to awn- sweare for them. Yf you like of the same course, I will retourne your awnsweare. Yf you shall be pleased to have one at London some 5 days be- fore the tearme, with the conveyance made to my brother upon your marriage, as also that which concernes the stock, I must certifye M r Vernon by the carriers that goe from Bury the next week what you will doe, and so desyre you to let me understande y r resolucon by Sunday night at the furthest. My brother's monument* goeth well forwarde; I sawe yt, so much as ys done, the day before I came out of towne. And yesterday, betwixt this & Burye, Tom Shorte tolde me the good nues that my nephewe Nick growes strong, which I am hartely glad of. Your very lovinge brother to serve you, Ed. I. Bacon. [June 1628.] * The bust of Nathaniel Bacon, now in Culford church. 195 CXXIV. t. meautys to jane lady bacon* My ever best and dearest Lady, As thear is nothing more naturall with me then to be best pleased when I am doing you ser- vise, soe be pleased to believe that thear hath nothing since I saw you occurred oftener to my thoughts and wishes then the hope of seeing and serving yours ere long. I write thease from Hampton Court, wheare the King and Queene intend to stay till Alhollandtide, and whear I am afrayd I shall be for the most part attending ; and thearfore, yf that part of my house which is at my own disposing, and which, by making up of doors and passages, is sequestered intirely from that part my Lo. of Cleveland hath, may pleasure you, you may eomand it, wholly furnished as it is ; and, when I retourne to it againe, I shall love every roome the better whearin I shall conceave you have eyther trodde or breathed. All this without courtshippe, as is and shall be for ever whatsoever else lyeth within the power which may be accept- able unto you of Yo r La^P' s all and ever to love and serve you, T. Meautys. The Parlament is adjourned till the 20 th of Ja- nuary, and a proclamacyon going out to that effect. Thear is nothing certaine of the fleete, other then 196 that on Monday was se'nnight they wear seene within some few leagues of the Isle of Retz, com- ing so late as, it seemes, to take advantage of the late spring tides, and expecting till the oportunity of the next, which by the seamen's calculacyon be- gun yesterday. My Lo. Brooke* departed this life on Tuesday morning. October 2, 1628. Pray, Madam, kisse M rs Randolph for me, and injoyne her to do the like for me to all my cosins, exsept Sir Frederick. cxxv. AMBROSE RANDOLPH TO JANE LADY BACON. Most HON rd Lady, Upon Munday last I received 15£ of M r Morse and gave him an acquittance for it, and imediatly payed it to M rs Burnibie and had her discharge. I have also sent your letter to Sir T. Meautys ; and can assure you that M rs Glover had your letter long sinse, but I left her sick, which may be the cause you hear not from her. The Lady Barring- ton, and y e Lady Crofts that shall be the next week, * Fulke Greville Lord Brooke died September 30, 1628, aet. sua? 75. His death was occasioned by a wound inflicted upon him by one Haywood, a servant, whom he had offended by cancelling a bequest that he had made in his favour under a former will. 197 present again their service to you 1 ' La s P, whose neighbourhood was a great advancement to the match, as they confesseth.* From beyond sea we only heare that the Sweths and the French King are united, and their articles agreed upon. Here at home Sir John Suckling, f in place of repairing his honor, hath lost his reputation for ever, and drawne himself in dainger of the law. On Tues- day last he waie layed M r Digby, that had formerly strook him, and, as he came from the play, he, with many more, set upon M r Digby; in which quarell Sir John Suckling had a man rune through, som say he is dead. The King goeth this day, being Friday, to Cobam^ where the Duke festes him this night ; then he comes hether again, wher I remain, Yo r LaP ,s most affectionat kinsman to serve you and yours, Ambr. Randolph. 21 ofNovembr. [1628], * As Sir John Crofts, of Saxham, had a wife living at this time, and his son, who was then eighteen years old, did not marry for some time, we may suppose this alliance never took place. + Sir John Suckling was Comptroller of the Household to James and Charles, and father to the poet of both his names. X Cobham Hall, in Kent, then the property of James Duke of Lenox, whose father is mentioned in a former letter ; now belonging to the Earl of Darnley, 198 CXXVL SUSANNAH BURNEBYE* TO MRS. LONG. Worthy M rs Long, Since I wrote my last letter to you it hath pleased God to take away my deare and louing father from vs, which hath beene greater greefe to me then I can express. I giue you many thankes for this your desir which you fauour me with all, in letting me heare of my nephew's good health, which I am very glad of. I am confident, if my Lady Bacon would take him into her care, S r Thomas and my sister would, as they should, haue a great deal of reason to thinke themselues much obliged to her LaP for that courtesie, she being a frend which I know they highly esteeme of. I haue not yet receiued answere of any letter which I haue sent to my sister, which I maruell much at ; and shee doth the like, as it hath apeered by some letters which I haue receiued from her, she chal- lenging me with want of true affection because shee hath not heard from me ; and, God knows, I haue not neglected any meanes whereby I might send to her. My mother desires to haue her kind * An unmarried sister to Anne Lady Meautvs. 199 respects presented to your worthy selfe and M r Long ; so, with my owne to you both, I rest, Yours assured to doe you seruice, Susanna Burnebye. May the 11 th , 1629. To my much honored frend M ris Long, at her house in Clarkenwell Close, present these, London. CXXVII. t. meautys to jane lady bacon. My noble Lady and Cosin, Yf it weare as easy for me to passe through Suffolk without asking leave to salute you and to inquire of your welfare, as it is for you to deny me leave, I had peradventure forborne to put upon you at this time the trouble of reading thease ; but by cause, be you what you please to- wards me, I can be no other in my heart towards you then what, upon best understandings formerly between us as friends, we have formerly professed, you may please to pardon me yf upon that foun- dacyon, which on my part was layd too deep to be shaken with every tempest of unkindnes, much lesse with one guste of breath, I take leave to build agayne some lower roomes for myself in your accustomed friendly and much desired affec- tions. And yf I may be soe happy as to perceave, upon the retourne of this bearer, that the porter at Broome hath not in charge to shutte the gates 200 against me when I come thither, I shall peradven- ture sett apart one hower before I retourne to London to waite on you and kisse your hands, then which nothing, since I had the favor to doe it last, hath occurred more acceptable, or is more longed for by Yo r La pp,s for ever to love and serve you, T. Meautys. Norfolke, Armingland, May 25, 1629. CXXVIII. the same to the same. My ever best Lady and Cosin, I am not a little troubled that I have heard nothing since my departure from Broome concern- ing your health, though I had my cosin Randolph's promise, and partly yours, that I should. I was severall times at my Lady Nethersole's lodging to have delivered your letter with my own hands, but, not finding her within, I sent it her at length by my man Matthewe, who was intrusted to give her an account of your present health, and of the circuit that letter had rode before it came to her hands. She tould my man shee would this day write to you and send the letter to mee ; but I hear nothing of it, and thearfore I conceave shee may have found some readyer way to convey it to your hands. The inclosed, from your brother, came to 201 my hands some dayes since; whearin by cause to hear somthing concerning his child, I thought it not unreasonable to impart it to you. Onely, yf in any letter to him you reply to any thing con- tayned in this of his to mee, you may bee pleased not to acknowledge that I transmitted to you the whole letter. That Sir Thomas Edmonds goes ambassador for Fraunce, I think, is noe newes. The Queene comes abroad on Sunday next, and hath been so well, beyond expectacion, all the time of her lying-in, as that it was a second labor to her to keep in all this time. You will, peradventure, hear speach of an ambassador arrived here from the Arch Duchesse, but it is onely Reubens, the famous painter, appearing onely in his own quality ; and Jerbir,* the Duke's painter, master of the ceremonies to entertaine him. My Lady Barring- ton injoyned mee last night not to omitt her ser- vise to you; and I should" say as much for her to my cosin Randolph, but that I owe her not soe much service, for fayling of her promise in giving mee an account this weeke of your La pp,s health, then which nothing in the world can bee more welcome to Yo r La pp ' 3 all and ever to love and serve you, T. Meautys. June [1629]. * Sir Balthazar Gerbier. k5 202 CXXIX. bridget long * to jane lady bacon. Good Madam, I haue lately receeved both the letters you sent me, and yo r letter that is directed to my Lady Meau- tys, w ch about a fortnight hence I will most carefully send to Forneham by the foote post that lately came to me from her, and will call on me before he re- tome. I also lately received a letter from M rs Suzanna,f my Ladie's sister, w ch I make bold here- with to send yo r LaP, that you maye thereby take notice of the death of Sir Richard Burnaby, as also that you may truely knowe what intentions are towardes the poore childe on that syde ; butt I leaue the consideration therof to yo r LaP* s wise- dome, for I do this onely of my owne heade, and yo r LaP may doe as you please for all me : butt truely itt is high tyme the childe were nowe taken into some better keepinge, for albeitt the nurse doth her parte to the vttmost, yett he nowe be- ginnes to growe, and will looke for better coihons then her wages will beare. I sente for him and he was w th me a fortnight att Whitsontyde last, and I perceiued how well a little tyme of chaunge did alter him : he is very well (I thanke God) and comes on apace : he can goe and prattle a little, * She seems to have been an intimate friend of Lady Bacon "s. living, with her husband, at Clerkenwell. + Burnabye. 203 and is very pretty companye, and thrives the better for his good aunte Bacon's allowance, w ch is weekely sent his nurse for him. And thus, good Madam, I am redy to seme you, if in any thinge you haue occasion to comaund me : in the meane tyme I doe humbly take my leaue. Yo r LaP" s to be comaunded, Bridgett Longe. This 17 th of June 1629. To the righte worthye and my much honored good ladye, the Ladye Bacon, att her house in Suffolke, &c. &c. M r Longe remembers his humble seruice vnto you. cxxx. dorothe randolph to jane lady bacon. My most honored Lady and dearest frend, I retorne you humble thankes for your coach, which brought us well to Coulchester, where I met M r Randolph with another, but not one that will bring us to London before Saturday night. I per- seave nothing by him that should cause my stay in London longer then to see my mother and doe my duty to her, for she finds good frends to helpe her to money out of the Exchequer, and that is all she is like to expect, he tells me; yet I am resolved to trie what may be done for her, and then make hast to kiss your hands at Brome again, which I hope to doe within a fortnight or three weekes. 204 My father, to my great joye, made his last actions sutable to his former, which was, he did his inde- vor to sell his offis, which was made over to M r Randolph before, and came so neer it as the man was in the howse with money to paie for it, when at the instant he failed of words and breath, soe nothing was done. If M r Randolph had not gone as he did, it seemes he had lost his offis ; for my Lord Carlisle* comended one to the King, which he apointed to posses my father's plase, M r Ran- dolph being such a stranger as I think they knew not what right he had to it ; but now they are per- swaded to let the man paie for it and be his part- ner, and reseave half the benefit, which he might have possesed alone had he not neglected it, as he doth all things ; but he seemes glad ther is one to do the busines for him, that he may live like a drone as he did. I am your most true harted cosin and humblest servant, Dorothe Randolph. [1629.] CXXXI. the same to the same. My most honored Lady, My desires and intentions have bene to have waighted on you long agoe, for I thought my * James Hay, Viscount Doncaster ; in 1622 advanced to the Earl- dom of Carlisle, filled several offices about the court and King's per- son, and was K.G. Ob. 1636. 205 mother and her busines would have bene better settled sooner ; but all things are yet as they weare, and nothing to be done about her money till the King come, and till she know what to trust to : so she will by noe means let me leave her. I have no hope of seeing your Ladyship sud- denly, except some good occasion bring you to towne. Sir William Plaiter* will acquaint you with the busines of my Lord Banning'sf daughters, which we thinke very good marages, and not hard to be gotten by you, because you have a great many frends to make way for you, as my Lord of Dorset J and Sir Henry German,§ that are nere kinsmen to them. Sir Harbottle Grimston || hath a * Sir William Playters, Bart, of Sotterley, Suffolk. Ob. 1638. •f* Paul, first Viscount Banning, who died in 1629, left issue by his wife Anne, daughter of Sir Henry Glemham, Knt. one son and four daughters : Cecily, married to Henry Pierrepont, Marquis of Dorchester ; Anne, created Viscountess Banning after her father's death, married to Henry Murray, Esq. Groom of the Bedchamber to Charles II. ; Mary, married, 1st, William, Viscount Grandison, 2dly, Charles Villiers, Earl of Anglesey, and, 3dly, Arthur George, Esq. ; Elizabeth, married, 1st, Francis Lord Dacre, 2dly, David Walter, Esq. and was, in 1680, created Countess of Shepey for life. Lord Banning's widow remarried Dudley, first Viscount Dorchester, and surviving him, gave birth to a posthumous daughter, named Frances, who died young. £ Vide page 1 86. § He was created in 1644 Baron Jermyn of Bury St. Edmunds, and afterwards attended the Queen to France, and had the manage- ment of her household. In 1660 he was raised to the Earldom of St. Albans, and became subsequently Chamberlain of the Household, and K.G. He died in 1683, unmarried. || Sir Harbottle Grimston, of Bradfield, Essex, created a baronet in 1612, father to the Master of the Rolls. 206 greate deale of interest there, and will be as redee to do you servis as any bodie. Thar is a report my Lord of Dorchester* shall marry the widow; which if he doe, you will be still the stronger. If this or any thing else perswade you to come to towne, I think you cannot be better lodged any whear then heare with this woman; and you may sojorn with her, or she will provide you diet. She hath made a fine lodging of the parler and furnished it daintily, which you may have, and that within it, and the romes over where you lay be- fore : but they will not be long unlet, for theare is many desires them ; but, if I can possibly, I will make a stay of them till I hear from you; till which time, and ever, I will be Y r Ladyship's most faythfull frend and humble servant, Dorothe Randolph^ [1629.] My mother presents her humble servis to your Ladyship ; so doth M r Randolph, whoe is in danger * See the note t to page 205. f The letters from Mrs. Randolph, which follow immediately, seem to belong to the years 1629 and 1630, and are arranged accordingly. Lady Bacon was at that time occupied in negotiating a suitable match for her son Sir Frederic, as it was called in the language of those days, when money formed the principal recommendation, and the inclinations of the parties concerned were altogether overlooked. Meanwhile Sir Frederic chose a wife for himself; and though his conduct in marry- ing without even informing his mother, who was devotedly attached to him, could not be justified, and the lady was ill endowed, she came of an ancient and honourable race, and appears from all the concurrent testimonies to have been an excellent and most amiable person. 207 to become a statesman, for he will not spare any frend or occasion one hower from his offis. I am promised to speake with a very good cooke, that served in a Lord's house ayght yeares. CXXX1I. the same to the same. My most honored Lady, I am now, I thanke God, soe well rid of my paine that I am able to give you an acount at larg of all the busines you wright about ; which I had done sooner, but that I reseaved not your letter, which I imagine should have come on Wednesday or Thursday, as they use to doe. I went sins to visit M rs Dickson, and in discors fell upon the ould busines; but she made answer ther was no good to be done for the two elder daughters,* ther was now a treaty of marage betwene my Lord North's sonef for one, and Sir Gervis Clifton's J for * We have no clue to the names of these ladies ; probably neither of the projected alliances took place, certainly not both, as North and Clifton do not appear to have married sisters ; but perhaps the daugh- ters of Sir Charles Montagu are referred to, of whom we find that Elizabeth became Lady Hatton ; Anne, Lady North ; and Mary, Lady Byshe. + Sir Dudley North, made K.B. in 1616, succeeded to his father's barony, and died in 1677. X Sir Gervase Clifton, created a baronet in 1611 ; was seven times married, and served in eight parliaments, and died in 1 666, aged eighty. His son and heir, the second baronet, may be here al- luded to. 208 another, and the third was too young. I spake with M r Chitting about Sir Thomas Barrington's neese ; he semes to thinke she is worth seven thousand pounds, but he will wright to you the perticulers. But I beleve my inteligens will prove better then his, for my Lady Barrington, who is now in town, and presents her most afectionat servis to you, tould me M r Chitting had some speach with her concerning the gentlewoman, and would have had her wright to you about it; to which she made answer she would not propound it to you, but, if upon her informacion you toke liking to it, she would be redy to do you any servis, and would show how glad she would be that any that had relation to her might be soe happy as to come under your government. I asked her what her portion was : she tould me she had one thousand pounds in money and a hundred pounds a year land of inheritans, and they valued this at five thousand pounds or therabouts. I made answer, I had not heard any thing of it from you, but I thought you would not aksept of soe small a por- tion with any body; besides, you would rather have money then land: but this I said from myself. You may give what answer you please, and, if you like not of it, you need retorne noe answer to M r Chitting, for I have putt off my Lady Barrington from any hope of it ; tharfore, if pleas you, let M 1 Chitting say nothing that he hath acquainted you 209 with it, becaus I think you will denie it, and I would have nothing hinder the proseding of a bu- sines which I have some hope may come to good, which is this : As I was with my Lady Barrington, ther came in Sir William Curtene,* a Dutchman, and two of his daughters, the one of which was soe conveniently handsome that I wished her my cosin's wife if shee had ten thousand pounds ; to which Lady Barrington answered, they were re- ported to have so much a piece, and ther father might give them more if he liked the condicions, for he is very rich. I asked the lady if shee had so much intrest in them as to propound such a business with hope of suckses, and whether she would be pleased to favor her frends soe much as to doe it : to which she answered, she had some power ther, and would use her best endeavors if she might reseave full comition from me, which I must first reseave from you, and so will prosede by your direction. Now, to give you some acount of your frends and servants here, of which my mother is one that retornes you many thankes for your kind wishes to her and her busines, in which yet * William Courteen, a Dutch merchant of great celebrity, who set- tled in England, and was knighted at Whitehall in 1622. He pur- chased large estates in Worcestershire, which he subsequently dis- posed of, owing to a reverse of fortune. By his first wife, a native of Haarleem, he had issue one son only : his second lady, whose name was Tryon, brought him another son, and three daughters, here men- tioned. Vide Kippis's Biographia Brit. 210 we can do nothing. The letter you sent my cosin Meautys was unsealed. You sent three open, one to him, one to Sir William Plaiters, and one to me ; but I delivered them to them both with my own hands, and I think they both beleved I looked not in them ; for, if I did not, my cosin was very testy at the reseaving of it, which had I known I would have sealed it for him. I think he meanes to come quarrell with you for it if he can find noe greater matter, for he intends to come to you as soon as the tearme is done. Sir William Plaiters is in this towne, and hath bene ever sins he came from you, but he hath bene ill of late with soare eyes. And now my paper reminds me I have bine so teadious to you, and bids me say noe more but that I am Your most loving, faithfull, & humble servant, Dorothe Randolph. CXXXIII. T. MEAUTYS TO JANE LADY BACON. MY EVER BEST LADY AND COSIN, At my coming to London on Weddensday last, and not before, I understood of yo r La pp ' s being at Coventry by M r Greenhill, whoe telling me he had letters to convey to you, I purposing at that time, and having oportunity, to send to my Lord of 211 Dunsmore's,* not farre from thence, gladly tooke upon me, and bespoke of him, the truste of con- veying them unto you, the rather that I moughte thearby be occasioned to attend upon them with a letter of my owne, making tender of my accus- tomed profession to love and serve you and yours with the most sincere and unchangeable affections of a friend and kinsman, and of my desires to re- ceave and doe your comandments with as much gust and appetite as that whearwith I feede upon my dayly bread. Next, I take leave to congratu- late with yo r La pp and my exc lent good aunt your noble mother the happy and, as I can witnesse on both partes, the long looked for hower that hath brought you together, and the many howers of joye and content which dayly accompany soe happy a meeting; only, I confesse I am not without some regrette that, eyther by yo 1 * La pp1s election or my misfortune, it falls out at such a time when I am not soe much at liberty, as yo r La pp well knows, nor soe much master of myself, as to waite upon you thear, as I professe I did infinitely de- sire to have done, and had not failed to doe at any other time which I mought call my owne. For newes, I meete with little hear, other then that * Sir Francis Leigh, Bart created, in July 1628, Baron Dunsmore of Dunsmore, co. Warwick, and in 1643 advanced to the Earldom of Chichester. He manifested his loyalty to the royal cause in the Great Rebellion, and died in December 1653, s. p. m. 212 the Spanish embassador, Don Carlos de Colona, who was formerly hear, is so near his arrivall as that thear is a howse in Broad Street already pre- pared to receave him ; and Sir Francis Cottington,* we say, goes for Spayne some time next weeke. You may, peradventure, have heard a rumour of some sharpe encounter betweene the Prince of Orange and Vanderburgh's army, and of blood drawn deeply betweene them, but the receaved opinion hear is that thear is no such thing. The King goes on Weddensday next to More Park,f whear he stayes till Friday, hunts and feasts. Soe, asking leave for thease to kiss your hands, to- gether with my worthy aunt's, and the rest of my best and dearest cosins under that roofe, especially those of my pretious cosin Anne at the least thrice over for the bracelett that goes thrice about, I rest, yo r La pp,s all & ever, T. Meautys. Hampton Court, Oct r 2, 1629. To Lady Bacon, at Coventry. * Created Lord Cottington 1631; died at Valladolid 1653. f According to Clutterbuck, More Park was then in the possession of Philip Earl of Pembroke, who alienated it shortly afterwards. 7th Charles I, to Cary Earl of Monmouth. — History tf Hertfordshire. 213 CXXXIV. dorothe randolph to jane lady bacon. My most honored Lady, There was one question my Lady Barrington asked me when she was in towne that I would de- sire to be provided of answer from you for her against she come. She desired to know, if Sir William Curteen asked what portion you would demand, what she should say. We looke for her every day; and my cosin Meautys's man put me in hope I should see you here between this and Easter, which was very welcome newes to me. I have enquired after matches in other places if this should faile, but can hear of none but some of the nobility, which I harkened not to, becaus I thinke you desire not to match with them ; yet thear was one Lord whoes daughters weare so much co- mended to me that I did not absolutely denie it, but thought good to let you know. It is my Lord of Bridgwater ; * and Sir Henry St George is he propounded it, whoe is well acquainted with him, and thinkes he will give six thousand pounds. * John, Earl of Bridgewater, President of Wales, had issue by the Lady Frances Stanley, second daughter and coheir of Ferdinand Earl of Derby, four sons and eleven daughters, of which number he saw seven honourably married before his decease in 1649. They were the young persons for whom Milton wrote the Masque of Comus, on the occasion of one of them, Lady Alice Egerton, having been lost in Haywood Forest. 214 When you come I hope you will met with one to your liking, which I hope will be shortly ; till which time, and ever, I am and will be Your humble servant, Dorothe Randolph. [1629.] cxxxv. mr. long to jane lady bacon. Good Madam, I lately harde from yo r La p , & thereby gained the oportunity to send to yo r La p , and w th all to signify vnto you, that att twoe several tymes I received from yo r La p twoo several somes of money, one of 20£ & the other of 66£ 13 s 4 d , and bothe theis to the vse of yo r brother, Sir Thomas Meautys, to whome I haue lately given and sent over by his leivetenent, M r Smithe, a pticuler accounte therof. The 66£ 13 s 4 d was for redeem- inge of plate, & Smith sayde to pawne here in Cheapesyde ; & the 20 £ was to procure men for the furnishing of his companye; the men, plate erringes are all sent him over by M r Smythe, his leivetenente, accordinge to his owne request : &, besides all this, I gaue a perticuler receipt vnder my hande for the receipt of theis somes when I received them. Nowe, Madam, for Sir Thomas his braue boye, to whome you haue beene more then an aunte, naye, in the place of a mother : 215 my wief, who duely remembers her vnto you, doth desire to lett yo r Lap knowe, that her pretty charge hath had iij or iiij or fyttes of an ague lately, & whether it will proceede any further or not she knoweth not; butt itt is a daynty fine childe & bravely improoued, God bless him ! the better for his good aunte's allowannces, as I haue att large written over into the Lowe Countreys, and made bolde to deale playnly w th Sir Thomas Meautys in those mistakes that are betwixt him & yo r La p ; albeitt I doe itt not to nourishe any difference, yett playne deallinge is a Jewell, & ought to be vsed amongest ffreindes. A little be- fore the deathe of the late Earle of Sussex I made bolde to present the childe (beinge then att my house) to his Lop, who dealt liberally w th the nurse that brought him, and putt him downe a legacy of 300^ in his will: herof & v of the rest I thought fytt to giue yo r La p an accounte, as my wief is & wil be ready to giue yo r La? a more pticuler ac- counte of the disbursem* of all yo r money when you shall please. And euen thus, w th both o r best respects to yo r good Lap in the best manner re- membred, I take my leaue. Yo r La p ' s to doe you seruice, Longe. This 17 th of Nouemb', 1629. To the righte wor th the Lady Bacon, att her house in Suffolke, theis : at Culford in Suff. by Bury. 216 CXXXVI. t. meautys to jane lady bacon. My noble Lady and Cosin, I cannot tell what to conceaue of it that I haue neuer a friend left at Broome that will vouchsafe mee a lyne or two touching the state of yo r health, w ch is soe pretious vnto mee, and the recouery wherof I soe affectionatly long for. I wrote to yo r Lapp the last weeke, and sent it inclosed in one to S r Fredrick. I mett w th M r Long, whoe tould mee that S r Rich. Burnaby* was dead, and that the Lady would now take home yo r godsonne into hir care; but that, this beeing but discourse as yett, when it grewe to bee resolued on hee woulde advertize yo u therof by letter. Yt is currantly re- ported that both Colonell Morgan f and the King of Sweeden haue giuen a blowe of noe small conse- quence in seuerall places to the Empero r,s forces ; this I had more perticularly from S r James Fuller- ton yesterday, at dynner, at my Lord of Cleue- land's. I rest, Yo r LaPP' s for euer to loue and serue you, T. M. [Nov* 1629.] * The father of Lady Meautys. + Sir Charles Morgan, who had been sent, in 1626, with 6000 English troops, to augment the army of the King of Denmark when acting against the Imperialists. 217 CXXXVII. the same to the same. My ever best and deerest Lady, Yt is harder, I perceave, to gett an invitacion from your LaPP then a welcome ; witness your last, which turned the invitacion I bespoke in myne into an expostulacyon, not invited or drawn on by any thing in my letter to your LaPP, rightly or friendly interpreted. But letting that passe as you please to understand it, I come now to tell you somewhat of what we doe hear. In my last I tould you of the restraint of some noblemen and others about a discourse of a pernicious nature that had passed from hand to hand, teaching a king by the examples of forraine tiranyes to oppresse his sub- jects, and to rayse moneyes without parlaments. This being conceaved to be a malevolent devise of some ill affected persons to putt envy upon the King and state in a time when sinister impressions are easily entertayned, as yf the King intended to goe those wayes, hath caused a proceeding in Star Chamber against those Lords and others, whoe are now at liberty to follow theyr cause, and are ready to putt in theyr answers.* On Monday the King feasted the Queene, and solemnized hir birthday with running at ring and other triumphs. Yester- * See note to page 220. 218 day being the King's birthday, the K. feasted him againe at Denmarke House. The last weeke, my Lady Cooke's # eldest daughter married, much to her mother's discomfort, to Nedde Sidnam, for- merly the King's page, now equery. They wear married in Whitehall ; and my Lord of Holland and my Lord Goring f wear, by the King and Queene's appointment, present at it. Thear hath been much courting the Lady Cooke sinse, with promises from the King to make Sidnam a fortune woorthy hir daughter : last night my Lord of Holland brought hir some fruit therof, viz. a graunt of 600^ a year fee farm for both theyr lives, and an assurance of a present of 600£ woorth of juells from the Queene. Y r LaPP ,s all and ever, T. M. Yt beginnes to be currently spoken and believed that the Queene is with childe. [Nok 20, 1629.] CXXXVIII. the same to the same. My ever best Lady and Cosin, My last to your Lapp, being rightly interpreted, was rather a bemoaning of my owne misfortune then reproving another's faulte. This comes to * See page 132. *f* George Lord Goring, created a Baron in 1628, and advanced to the Earldom of Norwich in 1635. 219 give you thankes that you have at length been pleased to impart soe much of your minde to mee as gives mee ayme whear to find you when I shall bee at liberty to waite on you, whearin if I fayle toward the end of the terme, I shall indeed reckon it among my misfortunes, though your La pl> peradventure place it among my faultes; neyther will I then, or at any time doubt of my welcome, though I meet with nothing in any of your letters like an invitation, and though, com- paring them with letters from other friends to whom I am less professed, full of invitations, they seeme to speake colder then they meane, and mought somtimes a little trouble mee did I not conclude that it wear alike erroneous to judge of the store and inside of your affections and cordial- nes to your friend by the outside of your expres- sions, as to judge of the stores of a rich goldsmith or jeweller by that onely which appeares upon his stall toward the streete. And now, my dearest Cosin and friend, fearing to renew those paines of your head by the reading of thease, which wear soe troublesome to you at the writing of your last, I forbear to say for the present any thing else in thease then what my heart now and at all times inforceth mee to say, namely, that I am really all and ever Your La pp,s to serve you, T. M. November [1629], I 2 220 You may peradventure hear of commitments* of my Lo. of Clare to the B p of Winchester, my Lo. of Somersett to the B p of London, my Lo. of Bed- ford to the M r of the Roules, Sir Rob. Cotton and one M r S t John, a lawyer, to other places, which is all true ; the cause not yett apparent, voyced ge- nerally to bee for some writing or discourse passed from hand to hand, counterprerogative and sediti- ous, now discovered. Our Parlement men shall, they say. be proceeded with speedily upon an in- formacion in the King's Bench. For yo r hon d self, deere Madam. CXXXIX. dorothe randolph to jane lady bacon. My most honored Lady, When I resaued your letter on Thursday, that I might giue you the better acount of the busines, I went to deliuer my Lady Barrington's letter my selfe, whome I could not meete with at home, but found her at a ladie's, wheare thare was soe much * For a circumstantial account of this most tyrannical proceeding, the reader is referred to Kennett's History of England, toL iiL p. 62 ; "\YifFen*s House of Russell, toL ii. p. 141 ; and Rushworth's Histori- cal Collections, vol. i. Appendix, p. 12 ; in which the supposed libel is printed, written, as it turned out, seventeen years before, at Florence, by Sir Robert Dudley, and approved by James I. The cause came on for hearing, in the Star Chamber, May 29. 1630, vrhen the King sig- tbe C i ::. that as the Queen had given birth to a Prince of Wales, it was not his -wish to proceed further in the prosecution. 221 company I could not speake with her as I desired ; but I find by her shee meanes to doe you the best seruis she can in that busines. She intends to speake with S r William Curtene spedily, and to wright you word how she prosedes: and, becaues she goeth out of toune shortly, I desired her, if she found the father forward in the busines, shee would let him know in her absens I could informe him of any thing, or M r Randolph, if she thought him fitter; to which shee made answer she would study the best way, for shee did not more truly desire to serue any body. Shee cometh to toune againe the next tearme, and then I hope what is now begune will then hapily be ended, for which I shall be as truly glad as if it conserned my selfe. I doubt not but S r Fredrick and S r William Plaiters are long before this safely with you, and that my cosen will stay theare till some good ocasion bring you to toune ; which I hope will be shortly, for, sins my mother's ocasions denies me yet the coming to you, I will pleaes my selfe with an expectation of see- ing you heare, and will be heare and euery wheare Euer your faithfull and humble seruant, Dorothe Randolph. London, this 1st of Desember [1629]. My mother presents her seruis to your Ladeship, and is yet not gone one step forward in her busines, but rests at my Lord Treasoror's unmersifull mercy. 222 CXL. t. meautys to jane lady bacon. My euer best and dearest Lady, I recaued by this messenger, a seruant of my brother Claxton's,* an earnest sumons to come to Liueremore vpon the death of the ould man,f whearof they aduertized mee, pretending it con- cerned them to haue a friend at hand to aduize w th all as things now stand ; but, it soe falling out that I must necessarily bee at London on Wed- densday next at the furdest, I haue ouerruled my self and my desires, (though not w th out some diffi- culty,) considering that Culford is in my way to Liuermore, in taking a journey to gratify my friends thear, and hope it may suffize for theyr affayres to recomend to S r Drue| (w ch I haue doon by letter) the care of them as there shall bee occasion, desiring yo r Lapp, when yo u see him next, to second my recomendacon thearin by the power yo u haue ouer him. I comend yo r LaP? and all yo rs , my dear and precious cosins, to God's goodnes and protection, and remayne noe lesse by affections then by obligacons Yo r La pp,s all and euer, T. Meautys. Toddington, this 7 th of Decem br [1629]. For yo r dearest self. * Vide Meautys's Pedigree. + " John Claxton, Esq. was buried Januarie 26, 1619." — Regis- ter of Great Livermere. This entry not according with the date of the letter, probably the ould man survived a short time after Meautys had been sent for. % Sir Drue Drury. 223 CXLI. judith lady barrington* to jane lady bacon. Madam, It is much your goodnes if I am not within your censure of too much negligence that I have not all this while given you some account of that employment you honored me withall, whearin my intentions wear soe reall to serve you, that I was loth to saye any thing untill I wear better satisfied, which I expected to have found in more forwardnes then I see, although I gave them time to consider of it from the end of last terme till now ; and, although I have but a little while to staye now in London, I sett this afternoone apart for a visett thear, that I might thorowly understand their re- solutions, which are, that the daughter must not think of marriage untill her brother's returne from France, which will be this springe. Soe I alto- gether concealed our name and urdged no further, because we have little reason to undervalue our- selves soe much as to importune that which so much deserves to be mett at least half way in. If hearafter you please thear shall be any renuing of this begining, I shall be faithfull at your corhand, professing seriously I should thinke myselfe happy * Daughter of Sir Rowland Lytton, of Kneb worth, Herts, Bart, and widow of Sir George Smith, of Annables, Knt. ; remarried, in 1624, Sir Thomas Barrington, Bart, of Barrington Hall, Essex, to whom she was second wife. He died 1644, and she in 1657, s. p. 224 in nothinge more then in those actions that might express mee Your Ladyship's most affectionate servant, Ju. Barrington. [1629.] To my most honored Lady the Lady Bacon, in Suffolke at Broome, this. CXLII. dorothe randolph to jane lady bacon. My most honored Lady, The Lady Barrington made soe short a stay in London after the receipt of your letter, that shee could doe littell in the busines: what shee did I hope she hath or will shortly let you know, yet I thought fitt to tell you what I know conserning it from her. Shee went to the father and tould him that out of her loue to him, and the good opinion she had of his daughter, she came to propound a worthy match to him for her, which she knew he would giue her thanckes for, when he knew wher it was ; which before he should doe, she desired to know if she weare free, or he had noe treaty with any for her, to which he replied, he could not yet giue her any answer, but retorned her many thankes for her offer, though I thinke he knew not whoe it was she wished him. She is extreame sory she could doe noe more in it now ; but at the next tearme she will be heare againe, and then shee tould me she would doe you the best seruis she. could : in the meane time, if I heare of any other, I 225 will lett you know of it, for I doe most ernestly desire to se him maried, becaues I persaued a wandring humor in him when he was at London, and a resolution this spring to goe into France, yet not without your leaue, as he saied. I resaued this muff from my cosen Copinger* latly, and, sins you weare pleased to like the other that came from thens, I venture to present this to you, and with it the best seruis of Your most louing, faithfull, and humbell seruant, Dorothe Randolph. Desember 7 [1629]. CXLIII. the same to the same. My most honored Lady, I much wonder the Lady Barrington reseaved so drie an answer from Curtene, for shee was very confident it would have bene thankfully enter- tained, and that an extraordinary portion would have bene given, because shee knew he gave five thousand pounds with a daughter to one that had * In Chitting MS. the following pedigree of Coppinger, of Buxall, Suffolk, occurs, showing the connexion between the families : — Henry Coppinger, of Buxall in —Agnes, dau. of Sir Thomas Suffolk, 1561. I Jermyn, of Rushbrook. I I Thomas—. . . dau. of Lord Ursula, married to Coppinger. I Cobham. . . , Randall. William. Francys, mar. Elizabeth, dau. of . . . Randall, s. p. of London. l5 226 but twelve hundred pounds a year, and shee thought he would give ratably according to the estate : but this is the cause, I perseave, why he makes a stay ; he hath a brother latly dead in the Low Contryes, and his sone is gone thither to see how things are, and till his retorne he will conclude of nothing, for it is reported he hath left him forty or fifty thousand pounds, and then he will looke very hie for his daughters; yet Lady Barrington said he gave her many thankes and did not at all refues, but made a stay; but it is not worth your further expectation. I hope a better will come in your way in the meane time ; and, if a good offer comes, I presume you will not delay it, for it is hard to meet with one whose person and portion is without exseption. If some such good occasion bring you not to town, I intend, if pleas God to give me leave, to waight on you at Culford be- tween this and Easter Your most faithful and humble servant, Dorothe Randolph. [1629-30.] To my most honored frend the Lady Bacon, at her howes at Cul- ford, present this. CXLIV. the same to the same. My most honored Lady, I am most hartely sorry to heare you are soe ill as your letter tells me, which I reseaved with the 227 dainty pott of jely, for which, as for the rest of your favors, I can only retorne thankes and con- tinue constantly yours. I sent a letter to you last weeke, fastened to a little box, which I make ques- tion whether you reseaved or noe, becaus I heard nothing. Ther was some busines concerning my Lady Barrington, who will be in towne by the time this letter come to you ; and I know not whether your resolution hould conserning the match she propounded or noe, and I am suer she will aske me whether she shall prosede in it, which I will say nothing to till I hear from you. I heare of a very prety gentillwoman that hath six hundred pounds a year, and her father and mother dead; but ther is eighteen hundred pounds to be paid to her grandmother for her wardship, some of it. If you like of this, I think ther might be meanes found to propound it. M r Randolph went to see her, and comends her for very hansome, and sixteen years ould. My mother is very ill with the gout, I am afraid I shall not enjoy her long. Thus, with my faithful love recommended to you, I rest, Your Ladyship's humble serv', Dorothe Randolph. [1629-30.] To my most honored frend the Lady Bacon, Culford. 228 CXLV. t. meautys to jane lady bacon. My ever best Lady and Cosin, I rejoyse to perceave by your last that you are journey proofe, it giving us hope hear that we may ere long see you at London, whearof when you shall vouchafe to give me light, or think me worthy the knowledge, I shall as gladly waite on you part of the way, as be ready to serve you while I remayne hear, or while I remayne in this world, and that with those affections whearwith I have long since vowed myself Yo r La pp,s all and ever to serve you and yours, T. Meautys, Feb'y 19 [1629-30]. Madam, I gladly kissed the outside as well as the inside of your letter, as supposing the super- scription to be my cosin Anne's handwriting.* If I wear mistaken, lett the next make me amends, or ells she is still in my debt for the well meaning of it. CXLVI. bridget long to jane lady bacon. Good Madam, Havinge lately received letters from Sir Thomas Meautys touchinge his little sonne, that eyther yo r La? will take him into yo r care, or els that he be * He afterwards married the young lady. 229 sent over to him, as also that a some of 8 1 ' of his, w ch fell out to remaine in M r Longe's handes & was kept for the vse of the nurse, shold be deliuer- ed to this bearer, his sergeaunt, I haue thought itt my parte, in discharge of that that I do and haue vndertaken for the childe, to move yo r LaP y t you wold please (if itt may stand w th yo r lykeinge) to take the childe to yo r custody, or if there be, as padventure there may be, some raason why you shold not, then to give yo r advice what shalbe done w th itt, for I will haue no hande in sendinge itt to sea, where I dare not goe my self; and that whereas about Michellmas last yo r LaP sent me 5 li to provide for him w th all, I haue layde out aboue half of itt for clothes for him, & made accounte to laye oute that 8 11 of his father's about the childe, w ch he now sends for to be deliuered to his ser- geaunt, & I haue accordingly lett him haue 3 1 ', w ch is all that is left either of yo r LaP' s 5 n or his 8 U , & so you may perceive I am a bare boorde, wherof 1 thought fytt to acquainte yo r La p that such further order may be taken as you shall thinke meete. And thus, w th myne & M r Longe's our hartye thankes to yo r LaP for yo r remembraunce of vs, and myne moste p r ticuler for the gloues yo r Lap sent me, I take my leave. Yo r LaP's to comannde, BltlDGETT LONGE. 2 April 1630. To the very worthy lady, her very good freinde, the Lady Bacon, theis. 230 CXLVII. sir f. cornwallis to jane lady bacon. My deare Mother, When I consider in what a contradictorie waie I haue gone to your La pp ' s commands and my one ingagments, I cannot but bee extremly troubbled at my one misfortune, in that it appears to you (and I confesse it may verie well appeare so) that I am the worst of children to the best of mothers ; yet I beeseech your La pp bee pleased once more to give mee leave to bege that by my letters which I had rather a great deale doe upon my kneese, (but that I feare my sight wold bee rather a cause of adding more affliction unto you, then of reastor- ing my selfe to my selfe by your pardon,) which is, that your La pP would be pleased to forgive this last act* of mine, it beeing done by the commands of the King and the Queene, whoo had appointed the time at mie last beeing in the countrie, it not beeing in my power to alter it, espetially at that time both of them beeing pleased to express there favor so farre as to give us a i?1000 for ievells, and 6^2000 in monie, all which with our selves we shall bee readie to cast downe at your La pp ' s feete, and bee holie at your La pp ' s disposing. I beseech you doe not cast of and lose your childe, who neither can nor will bee happie without your La pp,s favor, and whoo with that regained will ever strive * His marriage. and I hope shall prove to bee as great a com- fort as heether tow hee hath proved otherwise ; this is the onelie act which hath manifested mee to bee as you please to tearme it your unnaturall childe. This now beeing finished, your La pp shall not bee so readie to command as I shall bee studious to obay ; thearfore for God's sake, and for your poore child's sake, who once had the happinesse to bee dearly loved by you, bee pleased to restore mee to your favor, and make us both so happie as to give us leave to fech you either at Newmarket or at Broome ; which beeing done, I make no question but wee shall have cause to say and thinke, that noe children are more blessed in a mother, and I hope your La pp will thinke noe mother happier in children. And now, deare mother, hoping and praying for that happie hower, I restt, and ever shall, Your most obedient sonne, F. CORNWALLEIS. [January 1630-31.] For my ever honored Ladie and Mother the Ladie Bacon. CXLVIII. elizabeth lady cornwallis to jane lady bacon. Madam, Both dutie and desire dooth, by the asshurans that your soon hath euer gifen me of your La l,1s goodnes and loue to him, giue me confidens by thes to beg your blessinge and his pardon, hoo 232 thinks himselfe most vnhappy in your La p ' s dis- plesure, which I most humbly beseech yo r La p to forgeef to him, that so much loufs and honors you as that, withthout your La p ' s loue and fauor restorde to him, hee will neuer ioye in any thing ether hee dooth ore shall posses ; therfor, I besech your La p , let vs not any loungger suffer the want of that which will make vs so infinitly happy: and thoue, by want of the good fortune of being known to your La p , I coulde not hitherto hope of any fauor from you, yet now my indeuors shall euer bee such towards you as that I will all wais aprooue my selfe to bee Yo r La p ' s most obedient daughter and humble saruant, Eliza Cornwalleis. [1630-31.] Madam, if your La p will be plesed to make vs so happie as to let vs know when we shall haue the honor of seing you heare, we will com down to fetch you vp, or wait of yo r La p whersoeuer you will apoynt; and so ons more I kis your hands, and by all humble intreattis beg your La p ' s pardon. For my much honored mother the Lady Bacon, thes. CXLIX. the same to the same. Madame, Coming to see my cosen Randolph, shee gave me incurragment that by lines ons more to tender 233 my humble respects to your La p wold not bee ill taken ; which if I may have the happines to know from you, I shall not faile in this sarvis, or any that I think your La p will exsepte of. And for the last letter I sent you, I ashure your La p your sonne had no hand in it, for it was written before he came home, and sent to the carrier's after he was gon, and so I gave it to my cosen Randolph to send ; being very sorry that it was your La p ' s pie- sure to give ocasion to wright to you in that style, for ther was nothing more contrary to my will, and I hope it shall bee the last in that kind that shall pas between us : but while you are plesed to stand at this distans, I feare my husband will not do that which his hart most desirs, for he does ashure himself that affection you ons had to him is clear gon, and that it is hopeles for him to seek your love. I hope by your goodnes thes doughts shall bee taken away ; and if the King and Queen's promis to yourselfe, of doing that for us as soon as they can, will bee any satisfaction to your La p , I will procure them to you, if your La p,s ocasion bring you to town, wher I shall be happy with your sonne to wait on you; or else I am afraid you will not meet a great while, for he dares not com down any more: therfore I shall wish for som good ocasion that may bring you together, and make a harty frendshippe amongst us. But give me leave, I besech you, but not to hinder the 234 speediest that I can getting of what we have pro- mised to your La p , to wish that the frendshipp might be before, otherwise I must confes to your La p that I shall not joy in it ; and give me leave to say, that you will do yourselfe as much right as you will give your sonn comfort and happines. But your La p is wise, and knows what is fittest for you ; and I can but wish you the greatest happines, which I shall ever wish, that am Yo r La p,,s , if you pies to exsept it, affectionate and obedient daughter, E. CoRNWALLEIS. 1630-31. For my honored mother the Lady Bacon, at her house at Broome, these. CL. THE KING TO JANE LADY BACON. TO OUR TRIJSTIE AND WELBELOVED LADY BACON, Charles R. Trustie and well beloved, we greete you well. In o r gratious favo r to a faithfull and worthie ser- vant to o r dearest consort, wee were pleased to hono r yo r Sonne's marriage both with o r royall presence and by admittinge the ceremonie to be done in a place where none have accesse but such as the Kinge purposeth to hono r . Hereby wee doubt not but (as you have just cause) you have 235 receyved much comfort ; and to increase it further, by removeing all misprision, w h by the shortnesse of tyme governed by o r affaires might happen, wee hereby will you to attend us at Newmarkett, whither wee purpose speedilye to repaire, and where you shall understand o r further pleasure and grace towardes yo r selfe and yo r son. Given at o r court at Whitehall, the fourth day of January, in the sixt year of o r reigne, [1630-31.] Sealed with the royal anna. CLI. THE QUEEN TO JANE LADY BACON. TO OUR TRUSTIE AND RIGHT WELL BELOVED THE LADY BACON. Henriette Marie R. Right trustie and right well beloved, we greet you well. Having taken into o r particulare care and contemplation the good of your sonne, Sir Frederick, in regard of his matching with one who serves us in a place of such nearnes, wee cannot but be very soary to understand that you are dis- pleased with him for doing that wherby he hath made himself so pleasing and acceptable to us. Hence it is that wee have thought ourselfe tied both in honor and charitie to desire you that you wold not, out of any misconstruction of his pro- ceedings, continue to withdrawe your countenance 236 frome him, but at our intercession vouchafe to look upon him with the eye of a mother ; assuring your- self that the gracious intentions which wee carrye towards our servant and his wife shall extend themselfs in so large a measure, both towards him and towards you (if you will make use of them), as at last your owne good nature will acknolledge that your sonne could not have taken a better course, eyther for his owne advancement or for your satisfaction, then that wherein he is for the present. And so much you may beleeve from the mouth of this bearere, one of the gentlemen ushers of our privie chamber, untill you heare it from our owne, which, if you do not frustrat the King's expectation, may be before wee go from hence ; till when, and ever, wee committ you to the pro- tection of the Almightie. Given under o r hand at Newmarket, this four and twenteth day of January [1630-31]. CLII. THE SAME TO THE SAME. TO O r RIGHT TRUSTIE AND RIGHT WELL BELOVED THE LADY BACON. Henriette Marie R. Right trustie and right well beloved, we greete you well. Wee are so sensible of the respect that you have shewed to o r request, in receyving 237 againe your sonne into yo r favor, that wee cannot chuse but let you know that wee take it very thankfully at your hands. If wee can prevaile but this much further with you, that you will extend the same kindnes towards your daughter in law, and so receive them both into yo r motherly care, you shall put such an obligation upon us as wee shall never forget, but remember upon all occasions wherein our favour can be of any use unto you ; and, with this assurance, wee committ you to the protection of the Almightie. Given under o r hand at Newmarket, this one and thirty day of January [1630-31].* CLIN. the countess of denbigh f to jane lady bacon. Maddam, Though I have not the honor to be acquainted with you, yet I must give you thankes for this favour that you bestow uppon my deare cosen in intertaining her for your daughter, in whome, be- fore it be longe, I know you will thinke yourselfe happy ; and though her family be unfortunate,:}: yet * The signatures of the King and Queen only, are autographic. These three letters have been printed in a note to the History of Audley End. t Susan, daughter of Sir George Villiers and sister to the Duke of Buckingham, married to William first Earl of Denbigh. $ i. e. in bad circumstances. 238 you will find as true an affection as your hart can desire: and if there be any thoughts remaine in your mind of the disobedience of your sonne, I beseech you to blotte it out, and be confident that I shall esteeme him as one of my owne, and what is in my power shall not be wanting to do him service ; and to yourself there lives none that shall be more affectionatly yours, Your faithful and humble servant, S. Denbigh, [1630-31.] For my deare and worthy freinde the La. Bacon, these. CLIV. elizabeth lady cornwallis to jane lady bacon. Deere Madame, As I concluded with your La p at my coming from you, so will I continue to pray to God to give you helth and us your favor, in which we shall bee at the highte of our ambytion, to the obtaning wherof we shall never willingly omightt any thing that may witnes our desiers therto ; and to that end I will endevor all I can the speedy getting of the 3 thousand pounds which the King and Queen hath ben plesed to promis us, the which so soon as we have we shall most gladly present to your La p ; till when I besech you ex- sept of our desiers, and by thes my humble sarvis 239 and thanks for the noble welcom and favor which, for my gratious mistrise's sake, at this time your La p gave me. But, Madam, I hope the next time will bee for your sonne and my owne ; in confidens wherof I will ever bee, Yo r La p ' s most afFectionat daughter to comande, E. Cornwalleis. [1630-31.] Madame, Sir Thomas Stafford, my cosen Vil- lers, and M r Elleiot all Ids your La p ' s hands, and humbly thank your La p for your coach.* For the Lady Bacon, my much honored mother, these. CLV. ambrose randolph to jane lady bacon. Most honoured Lady, I knowing youre love to the truth of newse, rather then first or common report of it, shall, as you wisht me, send you a relation of the King of Swedland's great victory, the 7 th of September, as it was tould by him that brought the newse to our King since my cominge to towne ; an Englishman, whoe the King hath now knighted, his name Sir John Castell. The 4 th of September last, Tilley having taken by force the town of Lipswitch be- longing to the Duke of Saxe, he, being puffed up with the victory, sent presently to the King of * They had all been on a visit at Brome. 240 Sweth, and willed the messenger to tell the King that now he had nosed and dishonoured him, and the 7 th of that month he would be in God's fielde, if he durst meete him there. The King of Sweth sent him word againe that the loss of Lipswitch was noe dishonor to him, for he never had the pro- tection thereof, nor any thing to doe with it ; and as for meeting him in the fielde, he, being a King, would not be at the calle of a dog, for so he ever esteemed of him since his inhumane cruelty at Megelberge,* yet it was twenty to one he would be on that fielde the same day. Thereupon Tilly with his army of 44 thousand was first in the field ; then came the King of Sweth with 38 thou- sand, and the Duke of Saxe with 12 thousand, whoe led the vanguard and gave the onsett upon Tilly ; but he speedily drove the Duke and all his men out of the field, except three of his regi- ments. Which the King of Sweth seeing, presently assaulted that part of Tilly's armie where his artil- lery was, yet he had the repulse for awhile ; but at the last the King took the artillery and turned it upon Tilly's men, and so routed them all, and slew in the field 12 thousand, and tooke 7 thou- sand prisoners: which newse the Duke of Saxe hearing, came back againe, and gave the King three horses laden with gold, and promised to paye his army 5 months. When this messenger came * Magdeburgh. 241 away, that saw all the fight, Tilly was alive, and had been prisoner half an houre, but, being un- known, escaped, hurt in the neck, arme, and shoul- der, which his chyrurgeon, who is now prisoner, sayeth doth gangrene so that he cannot live.* There remaynes yet 22 thousand of Tilly's men, but it is not known whoe is their commander. The King of Sweth is come from Frankford, which towne doth now contribute to him, and neare the Palatinat. It is sayd that the Lord Craven f hath bought armes for two thousand men, and that he will goe to the King. It is feared that Marquis Hambeldon J hath lost many, if not most of his men, by sicknes. Colonel Morgan is made governour of Bergen up some. Sir Francis Nethersole and his Lady are come to towne; they landed at Yar- mouth, and meant to have seen your Ladyship, but were hindered by some disaster. My wife, with myselfe, present our humble services and many thanks for your constant favors. She went * The Count Tilly, though severely wounded at the battle of Leipsic, was not taken prisoner ; and subsequently resuming the com- mand of the Imperial forces, received a mortal hurt, at the passage of the Lech, of which he died, April 30, 1G32. t William Lord Craven, celebrated for his military prowess, ad- vanced to an Earldom 16th Charles II. He died unmarried in 1697, aged 88. t James Marquis of Hamilton, who commanded the troops sent to the aid of Gustavus Adolphus, in 1630, when only twenty-three years old. He was elevated to a dukedom in 1643, and beheaded May 9, 1649, for taking up arms against the Parliament. M 242 to her mother, that is not very well, Wensday was seavennight ; the Lady Weston * not being come to towne, by whose meanes she was in hope to have pleasured her mother : but neither she nor myselfe can yet get any money, which makes me by force to crave your Ladyship's patience for my non paiment, having had good words and a promise from the Lord Tresorer, which I feare will prove slow in performance, as it doth to many others. I delivered your LaP' s comands to M r Chitting, whoe is a sad man for his cosin Short, and much the sadder, he being like to loose some monys that he is ingaged to the marchant for him for Twillops-f- for him, Sir William Spring and others, which came so late to him in his sicknes, that he feares they will miscarry e. Thus, most humbly kissing your hands, I rest, Yo r La p ' s most affectionat servant, desirous to be commanded, Ambrose Randolph. November the 3 d , 1631. The Duke of Vendome and his sonn are landed. He was sonne to Henry IV. by Madame Gabriell. * Frances, daughter and coheir of Nicholas Walgrave, of Boreley, Essex, Lord Weston's second wife, by whom he had four sons and as many daughters. f The meaning of this sentence is not obvious, though the words are clear in the MS. 243 CLVI. the same to the same. Most honored Ladye, Understanding this second time, not without some wonder, how frustrat your La?' 3 expectations of my letters hath beene by reason of the messen- ger's neglect rather then my owne, I am now de- termined to transgress by troubling you with them rather then still be thought unmindfull of that duty which I must ever acknowledge most due to your La p , that being the only and best ex- pression I can make to so noble a freinde. I therfore omitting to speake of the new reformation on the King and Queen's side in this court, and of the Kinge's voyage into Scotland about the midst of Aprill next, with the Queene's bringing him to Yorke, if not further, and his going to Newmarket in March; as also of the Duke de Vandome's goinge on Monday next to Bagshaws* to hunt for a weeke, and of his Lady's coming hither; all which I doubt not but your Ladyship hath heard of, if not of the great preparation of the Painted Cham- ber for the Marshall's Court f there apointed to sitt, with the Lord Leynsey, Constable, and divers * Bagshot. *f* The proceedings in the Court of Chivalry on this occasion are fully detailed in Rushworth's Historical Collections, vol. ii. p. 112, &c. ; M 2 244 others, to judge the lawfulnes of single combats, and then, if it be thought fitt to proceed that way with the L ds Massey and Ramsey, to apoint the time, place, and weapon; all which will be on Thursday next, or the Thursday after the tearme. Pure discourse here now is of the great overthrow the Hollanders have given the Spanyards in the West Indies, where they have sunk and dispersed the Spanish fleet they went to meet, so that it can- not be agayne repaired in many yeares, and have taken 2 very rich carracks. Of the Kinge of Sweth- land's continewed victorys I sent word in my former letter, if not of the present he sent Sir Tho. Roe, it being valewed at four and twenty hundred pounds, if it continew not still copper, but be turned into plate, as the King comanded; for he sent as much copper as was worth 3000^?, with a letter which he esteemes farr above the present, wherein the King did thanke him for his good counsell and perswasions, # to which, next under God's owne hand, he doth impute all his the inquiry terminated, by the King's committing the parties at issue, Donald Lord Reay, and David Ramsay, to the Tower, till they gave security to keep the peace towards each other. * Sir Thomas Roe had advised Gustavus to make the descent upon Germany, which led to the battle of Leipsic. He was success- fully employed on divers embassies ; and being chosen for Oxford University, in 1640, showed himself a person of great eloquence, learning, and experience ; but he survived only to 1644, 245 happy proseedinge : to whose best protection I committ your Ladyship, resting Your most humble and affectionat serv*, Ambrose Randolph. Novemb. 17 [1631]. Your window cushill shall be sent by M r Morse. CLVII. sir f. cornwallis to jane lady bacon. My deare Mother, In obedience to your La p,s comands I take the libertie to tell you that my wife and my selve, with all we have, are verie well, thanks be to God ! and a great deale the better since we heard of your good health, which we shall both pray may con- tinue to make him happy, who is Your most affectionate and obedient sonne, F. CORNWALLEIS. I humbly thanke you, sweet Maddam, for the monie you weare pleased to send me by M r Morse. Maddam, heere is noe newes but of the duelists, who they say must fight. I and some of my fel- lowes are comanded to goe to Winsor with the Duke of Vandome on Monday, to hunt all the weeke the stag. [Nov r 1631.] 246 CLVIII. dorothe randolph to jane lady bacon. My most honored Lady, Though I writ soe latlye by the carier, that my letters will tread upon one another's heeles, yet I coulde not negleckt the presenting of my seruis to you, hauing soe fitt a messenger as S r Fredrick's man, which he sent to me ; but him selfe I saw not sins the day he came to London from Brome, therfore can say nothing of him, but that I hope he continewes in the same minde and dutifull re- speckt to you that he profest the last time I spake with him. I cannot but hope to see you at Lon- don shortly, where I feare I shall be inforsed to stay till the end of next tearme, to se if I can bring my mother's busines to some thing, for yet we have done littil, by reson my Lady Weston was out of toune and soe could never come to have my Lord and shee together. I am in hope to bring my housband at last to the busines you sent for him to Brome, for conserning his eastate; which if he doe, I shall thinke it worth my jornye, and when it is done I shall wish my selfe with you. In the meane time, where soeuer I am, I am and euer will be, Your Ladiship's faithfull frend and humble seruant, Dorothe Randolph. [1631-2.] To my most honored frend the Lady Bacon. 247 CLIX. the same to the same. My most honored Lady, Of the busines I most desire I can as yet give you the least acount, for I have not seene eyther Sir Frederick or his Lady sins I came to towne, onlie ons him in Hide Park with a company of gentlewomen in a coach ; he came and inquired of your health and my cosin's, and that was all that passed: but he was ons to see me when I was from home; and I beleve shortly she will come to me, for I heard she did intend it, but she was ill of a soare throat and the tooth-ache. Some say she is with child. I ons thought to have gone to Grenwich to her because she was not well, but sins I resolved to stay and see what they would doe. The King's being at Grenwich hath made every bodie almost leave London, that I am put to a great deale of troble to find out those that should ende my mother's busines, and the more becaus I have bin ill after the manner I was, ever sins I left your Ladiship at Brome. My Lady Barrington is not in towne, nor will be this tearme; but M r Randolph has promised I shall come that way as I come downe againe, which shall be as soon as I can. My cosen Peter Meautys * hath your letters and a copie of the paper you sent ; he staies but for a * A son of Thomas Meautys, of West Ham, and Elizabeth Conyngsby. 248 winde. I spake to M rs West, who desired me to retorne you humble thanks for your favour and bounty to her and her nece; her house will be emty within a fortnight, she saith, if pleas you to comand it. I have sent you some patterns of stuff such as is worne by many, but not much laes upon those wrought stufs ; but the newest fashion is plaine satine, of what collor one will, imbroydered all over with alcomedes, but it is not like to hould past summer. They weare whit sattine wascots, plaine, rased, printed, and some imbroydered with laes, more then any one thing, and whit holland ones much. M r Chitting comends his services to you, and will bring the musition with him ; which when I have done, and inquired of Sir Charles Seasar,* whom he serves, of his condishions, I will send you worde, and will be most careful! of all the coniands you have or will be pleased to favour me with, or what else may give testimony I am your faithfull frend and humble servant, Dorothe Randolph. [1631-2.] Sins I writ this letter my Lady Cornwalies came to me, but not Sir Fredrick ; for he plaies least in sight, for feare, I thinke, that I should tell him his owne, but I am like to doe it the more, next time I see him. I tould his Lady the manner * Appointed Master of the Rolls in 1638, which office he purchased of the King. He died in 1 642. 249 of his carage at Brome, and that it was his own fault he came away upon noe better termes. She professes she knowes his hart much desires a sin- cere reconcilment ; and the contrary, if it continue soe, will shorten his life : yet I perseave not him to be soe forward as she; but I know nothing but that he is soe backward to come to me, where he might further that he soe much desires. It will be too tedious to committ to wrighting all that passed betwene my Lady Cornwalies and me ; only this in generall, she much desires, as she saieth, still to doe any thing that might give you satisfac- tion. For the money, when she could get it, you should have it ; and, if in the meane time the King and Queen's promis from their own mouthes to you will any way give you content, she will not faile to procure that, and she desired me to wright you word soe, which I made answer it was better for her to writ it herselfe. I knew not how you would like it, yet I let it goe on, that you might take that ocasion to speake with the King ; and I thinke it may serve you for the money well, and be a meanes to get it sooner then they can otherwise, and it will be a caus that any bodie will thinke sufficient to bring you to towne. My Lady was afraid any thing that she should writ would be unpleasing to you, but I strived to perswade her from that ; becaus, if you should accept any thing that she offers, you might have it under her owne hand, for 250 she might forget what she saied to me, and I might be accused for mistaking. I thinke you weare never trobled with so tedi- ous a letter, and therfore now I will conclude, with a hartie wish of all hapines to you and yours ; and soe, sweet Madam, ons more farewell. CLX. AMBROSE RANDOLPH TO JANE LADY BACON. Most HON red Lady, I should think it a great happines to me if [I] could any waye merit the thanks which I receyued by your last letter, for there can neuer any thing happen within y e small compass of my abillity to performe, that I shall not most willingly efFecte to doe your La^ seruice, or inwardly condemne my selfe of much ingratitude. The newse we haue now a dayes is so variously reported, that euen from good hands we cannot well be assured of it ; yet, rather then to be altogether silent, I haue both now and y e last weeke sent your Lay p what I heare, but, y e carryer beinge gone before my man came to him, I haue here inclosed it. Since which time it is reported, that Papinham hath from y e Em- perour releued the towne of Magdenbirg to his owne cost ; for, after he had with 8000 entred the cittie and spoiled it, he blewe vp the cheefe churche and ruined all y e best buldings, and then 251 tooke all y e welth of y e towne with him, and so ment to haue returned in great triumph ; but y e troopes of y e Duke of Saxon and Count Home sur- prised his treasure, and did defeate a 1 ! his men with a great slaughter. This, with my humbly and most affectionat seruice, is the all I can pre- sent at this time, resting You 1 " La yp1s most humble seruant, Ambrose Plandolph. February 8, 1631-2. CLXI. the same to the same. Most honored Lady, If I had much newse, it were now superfluous to write it, your La yp having so many of the courte y t can exactely relate it. I therfore will only ac- quaint yor La yp with my owne misfortune, that this night at 11 of y e cloke lost my best freinde the Lo rd of Dorchester,* his Lady beinge very great with child. To which sad euent I may also add an other greefe, which doth with y e former much press me, and y t is the breache of promise from y e Lord Treasorer,f whoe sayed I should have my mony this last tearme, but now I have small hope of it a good while, if all be true y* is sayd of the Exchequer. I must therfore crave yor La !,e ' s pardon that I have not yet discharged y e debte of mony which I * See note to page 205. + Lord Weston. 252 so much desyre to paye to your La yp , but cannot yet so much as sett a certaine daye to doe it ; but, when you please to comand it, I shall most willingly procure it, and most thankfully rest, Your Lay p ' s most affectionat and humble ser- uant to command, Ambrose Randolph. Feb. y e 26, 1631-2. CLXII. sir t. meautys to jane lady bacon. Deere Sister, I cannot but let you know what an afflycted and grieved lady the Queene of Bohemia is for the death of the King, who dyed at Mentz in Ger- many. Certainly no whoman shoulde tacke the death of a husband more to hart then this Queene doth. I would that it lay in your power any waye in these her sorrows to bee a comfort to her, for I do asshewer you that you are much bound to her for her good opinnyon of you ; for, not long before the newes came of the King's death, I had the honnor to wayghte upon her at her court at Rine, where she then was, and, amongst other discourse that her Majestie was pleased to move unto me, she asked me when I heard from you, and wheather my sonne were with you still or noe. I toulde her that he was : " Otherwaies," said her Ma tie , " you neede tacke no care for him." I made her 25$ answer that my care for him was the les, in regarde that I knew him to bee with soe good a friend. And said she, " Your sister is one of the best dis- positions in the world, and every way I doe love her very well, and better then any lady in Eng- land that I knowe, and have a great deale of reason to doe soe." This was her Ma tie ' s discours of you at that time before the Princes and the rest of the ladies there present. Now, I pray, give me leave to ask you a question, and that is, How you lyke my lyttle girle that is with my wyfe ? I must tell you that she hath bin lapt in the skirts of her father's shirt, for she is beloved where she comes, and I love her very well, and soe doth she me ; and yet somtymes I can wipp her and love her too. You must excuse me for using this lan- guage, for, when I cannot see my children, it does me good to talke of them. Now, as M r Mayor of Dover tolde my Lord of Essex that he had a bet- ter cup of wine in his sellar then that he had given his Lordship at that tyme to drynck of, soe I must say I have another girle at home that is as prettie as Nan, which God make me thankful to Him for, and bles me with meanes as may provyde for them ! And soe, with my love and affection to you and all yours, I committ you to God, and rest, Yours, T. Meautys. Amheim, the 2 d of Desember 1632. To my deere sister, the Lady Bacon, geve these. 254 CLXIII. SIR EDMUND BACON TO JANE LADY BACON. SlSTER 3 This eveninge the messenger I sent to London is retourned ; what I have learnd of his sendinge ys, that the busynes wherin my cosin dealt was the treaty of a match betweene M r Philip WOod- house and the daughter of the L. Lovelace,* wherof I sayde somewhat to you when we last mett. That gentlewoman is nowe assured to one of the country where my L. lyveth, so that there ys an end of that negotiation. This ys the awnsweare to what I promised to enquire after. I will seale up these lynes unto you with a larg acknowledgment of y e debt I owe you for your kinde visitation, and so leave you for this tyme, being Y r very loving brother, Ed. Bacon. I remember well the busynes treated on at Hacqueneye, and the portion was 500£. There was some difference about the payment of some part of yt, which was the speciall cause why the match went not forward. Redgrave, Feb. 2, 1632-3. * Sir Richard Lovelace, created in 1627 Baron Lovelace, of Hur- ley, Berks, had by his second wife, Margaret Dodsworth, two sons and two daughters, of whom Elizabeth married Henry, son of Sir Henry Marten ; and Martha, Sir George Stonehouse, Bart. 255 CLXIV. dorothe randolph to jane lady bacon. My most honored Lady, I find my Lady Cornwalies in the same minde still of desiring your fauor, and a willingnes to haue you come up, but not to haue the King send for you ; but I doubt not but shee will be easilie aduised to make it her sutt to you to come, that you may resaue the King and Quene's promis for the mony ; * but I persaue shee is a littell afraid you should falle upon business past when you shall speake with the King, not as it conserns S r Fredrick but him selfe, in the matter of his iniuring you. But I shall neede say noe more of anything, sins I asure myselfe you haue resaued satisfaction by S r Fredrick ; therfore I will now say noe more then that which I shall euer be redy to make good, which is, that I am your Ladiship's faithfull frend and humble seruant, Dorothe Randolph. My mother and housband present thar seruis to you. Thar died of the plage but three. Maye the 25 [1632]. To my most honored frend, the Lady Bacon, at Brome. * The money was probably never paid, for the circumstance would undoubtedly have been mentioned in some of the letters. 256 CLXV. ANNE LADY MEAUTYS TO JANE LADY BACON. According to my promise, I will not faile to let you understand of my proseedings last week, which was the first opportunity I could get to come unto the speech of my Lord of Dorset, who was pleased to tell me how much his Lordship had travailed in M r Meautys's behalf to his Majestie for the making of a baronet, the which his Majestie will by no means grant; so for that I am allredie answered. Now for Sir Alexander RadclifFe and my Lady: so soone as I came to London, I did write unto them, and sent those letters of M r Meautys's en- closed, which, as it should seeme, they like of very well ; for he is come to London, and tells me the cheefe part of his bissines is to take me down into the country, my Lady being very desirous to see me, so that now I resolve to goe along with him. Thus, entreating you to let me hear from you as often as your leisure will permit, I rest, Your affectionate loving sister, Anna Meautys. London, Nov r 24, 1632. To ray deare and much honoured sister, the Lady Bacon. 25' CLXVL sir f. cornwallis to jane lady bacon. My deere Mother, In obedience to your La?' 3 comands, I sende this messenger to tell you that I am appointed to goe w th my Lord Marshall to the Hage to fech the Queene of Bohemia ; * and therefore I humbly bege your leave and blessing, and desire to knowe if your La? will comand mee any services. My warning is so short that I cannot have time to come kisse your hands my selve, for I knew not of it untill w th in this hower, and wee must goe awaie upon Wensday. Thus, with the presentments of mine and my wife's humble dutie and respects to your La p , whoo desiers to be excused for not writing, I rest, Your most affectionately obedient sonne, F. CORNWALLEIS. [December 1632.] CLXVII. the same to the same. My deere Mother, My Lord Marshall making so much hast, I have onelie time to tell your La p that wee are this * " Thursday the Earl of Arundel sett forth for the Low Countries to fetch the Queen of Bohemia and her children.' 1 — Land's Diary, Dec r 27, 1632. 258 morning imbarking, having a good winde and faire weethere, so that I hope wee shall bee at the Brill w th in 30 or 40 howres, and then I shall with the next messenger give you an account of our jour- ney againe ; till w ch time, and ever, I shall humbly beg your La p,,s blessing for my boy and Your most obedient sonne, F. CORNWALLEIS. Marget, this Sunday morning, 30 day December [1632]. CLXVIII. the same to the same. My deere Mother, I must not omitt any oportunitie to present my humble dutie and respects to your La p , and so give you an account of my selve. This night wee are savely (thankes bee to God !) arrived at Delph, w ch is w th in a mile of the Hage, and my Lord Im- bassador is gone privately to the Queene : in the morning he retournes to us againe, and then the Prince and the States comes to fech us to the court. This is all I know yet or have time to write ; only to bege your La p ' s blessing upon Your most obedient sonne, F. CORNWALLEIS. Pelph, this New Year's night [1632-3]. 259 CLXIX. the same to the same. My deere Mother, The winde hath been so contrarie that I had noe means all this time to tell your La p that my selve and all our company are verie well, and now verie shortly coming for England, but w th out her wee came for ; the cause I know not in particular, but I finde in generall matters have bin ill carried, and that is as much as wee dare inquire into. My Lord Goring is going in a great hurrie, and I have onelie time to say I am Your La p,s most obedient sonne, F. Cornwallis. [1632-3.] CLXX. the same to the same. My deere Mother, I besheech you excuse my scribling, for I broke my thumb in Holland, and I cannot yet hould my pen allmost so longe as to tell your La p that the Queene commends her love to you, and hath sent you the last cheane shee wore : but my cabinet is not yet come, and, if it weare, I should desire to deliver it and her one language my selve, which I shall doe as soone as I am but a littell rested ; for 260 wee weare forteene daies at sea, and truely I am extreame sore with tumbling. Madam, I humbly beg your blessing for mee and my boy. Your LaP' s most obedient sonne to love and serve you, F. Cornwallis. [1632-3.] CLXXL THE SAME TO THE SAME. My deere Mother, It was not Hide Parke, nor any other foolerie, that kept mee the last weeke from presenting my respects to your La p , but I was at Kensington w th my Lord of Holland, who is still heare for sending my Lord Weston * a challenge ; but I hope wee shall have him againe at court w th in one day or two. Wee are mainly factious heere and disordered w th this ; but I dare write noe more, onely, humbly beging your La p ' s blessing for mee and Charles, I rest, Your most affectionately obedient sonne, F. Cornwallis. [1632-3.] For my deere and honored mother the Ladie Bacon, at Cidforde, these. * Sir Richard Weston, created in 1628 Baron Weston, and ad- vanced in 1632 to the Earldom of Portland. He rilled successively the high offices of Chancellor of the Exchequer and Lord Treasurer. He was also K.G. He died in 1634. No account of this quarrel seems to have come down to us. 261 CLXXII. the same to the same. My dere Mother, My hand is just well inough to present my humble dutie and respects to your La p , and to tell you that all our Lords heere are made frinds againe and restored to the King's favor ; which is all the newes wee have. Now, Maddam, I hum- bly bege your La p1s praiers and blessing for Charles and Your affectionately obedient sonne, F. Cornwallis. [1632-3.] CLXXIII. the same to the same. My deere Mother, Will you give these leave to beg my pardon for not waiting on you this night; for this morn- ing the Duchesse* and my Lord of Holland are gon to London, and laied there comands upon mee to waite of my Lord Dunlusse (my Lord Savagef not being at home) as longe as he staied, * Randall Macdonnell, Lord Dunluce, eldest son of the first Earl of Antrim, succeeded his father in 1636, and was created a Marquis in 1643, which honour became extinct at his death in 1673. s. p. His first wife was Lady Catherine Manners, widow of the Duke of Buckingham, the Duchess here mentioned. t Thomas Viscount Savage succeeded, in 1639, to the Earldom of Rivers, on the decease of his maternal grandfather, on whom that title had been conferred in 1626, with remainder to the heirs male of his daughter Elizabeth, married to Sir Thomas Savage. 262 which will bee till Twesday, and then I shall not faile to waite on you; in the meane time, and ever, I shall humbly beg your La p,s blessing for Charles and Your obedient sonne, F. Cornwallis. [1632-3.] If there come any letters from my wife, I pray open them and sende them to mee ; and, if your La p can, I besheech you lend mee 20 1 , for the truth is I have lost all my monie. For my honored deere mother the Ladie Bacon. CLXXIV. anne lady meautys to jane lady bacon. Most deare Sister, Not long since I had the happines to receve a letter from you, the which I was not a little joyfull of. In that I was soe far remote from you, I must confess it did grieve me, in that my being was so long in England ; but now, since j.t hath pleased God to bring me so far as London in my way towards the Low Countries, my desier is to receve your commands, for, soe soone as I can get con- venient shipping, I will make all the haste over that I can. Deare Sister, I must aquaint you with the bissines concerning Sir Alexander Rad- clhTe and my Lady ; as yet I understand by them how their estate is so much encombered, first by 263 the occasion of their debtes, and then the redeem- ing of their land, the which her father mortgaged unto the very dores of his house, that, until such time as their own estate be settled, they saye they shall not be able to establish any sartintie upon me or mine ; but so soone as they can take order for it, which this terme they intend to do, then they have both promised me seriously they will not faile to performe all that they can for me. For them, I wish them much happines; and I must acknowledge I have bine very kindly enter- tained of them both all the time of my being there. Now, deare Sister, when you shall see them in my absence, will you please to put them in mind of me, for their intent is to see you this somer. Deare Sister, I must confess that I am ashamed now againe to trubble you, but my neces- sitie is such, occasioned by my living and teduous travels, that I must intrete you to, if you please, to send me the money which is to be receved at Midsomer. Were it that I did know how to help myselfe, I would not bespeake one ower's time that you have prefixed, but now I hope that you will take me into your consideration. And thus, wishing you the blessings of this life, and honor hereafter, I rest, Your most affectionate and truly sister ever to serve you, Anna Meautys. London, April 16, 1633. 264 CLXXV. the same to the same. Most deare Sister, These are to intreate you, that, in my absence, you would be pleased to show this letter to Sir Alexander and my Lady when they shall come unto you, which is to remember them of those promises made unto me at my being with them. The first was my Lady whom I did acquaint, I telling her how much my case was to be commis- serated, the promises of my Lord and her mother being now violated, the which they had with soe many solemn protestations vowed to performe to me, concerning the jointure of 200^ a yeare, and that if it should please God to take away my hus- band, what would become of me and my poore children ; and withall I told her how much I did relie upon her goodnes, whom I did assure myselfe did love me soe well that she would take my case into her consideration: she said she would do what might be done for me, and that she would tell Sir Alexander of it, who, she knew, would not be against any good that she should intend to any kindred of hers. Then I did breake with him my- selfe, and I must confes I found him very noble in his answer, sayeing that soe soone as he had but settled his bissines, which he hoped to dispach this terme, he would conferme something upon 265 me, which he said must be some of his own in- heritance, for the rest, he said, was all intailed, only Diss, upon his sone, which is 80 £ a yeare. He did solemnly swear to me he would not faile to do for me all that laye in his power, and soe did my Lady too ; soe that, when they have settled their occasions, that then they will really con- ferme something upon me. I and mine shall be ever obliged to them, and I am assured God will prosper them the better for their charitable per- formance. And soe, beseeching you to be an as- sistance to me in this bissines, I shall, now and ever, continew Y r most affectionate and truely loving sister to be commanded, Anna Meautys. London, May 6, 1633. To my deare and much honoured sister, Lady Bacon. CLXXVI. the same to the same. Most deare Sister, I have receved that money which you was pleased to send me by M r Greenhill, which came soe conveniently as I could wish. The shipping is now come which I have soe long expected ; and on Saturday next I meane, with God's permission, to goe for the Low Countries. I have been much beholding unto my Lady Cornwalies, who was c 266 pleased to come and see me, and after brought me to kiss the King and Queen's hands. The King is gone for Scotland ; and for the other nuse att court concerning M rs Villiers and M r Garman, I thinke you will heare the relacion of it before these shall come unto you, so that I shall not neede fur- ther to write to you of it. Deare Sister, I give you thankes for all your real favours, and all hap- pines attend you and all yours ; and soe, being called away by the hasty marriners, I must desist to write, but never to love you. Yo r most assured in all true affection, Anna Meautys. From London, May .9, 1633. To my deare and much honoured sister, Lady Bacon. Favor me, sweete Sister, soe much to recom- mend my kind respectes unto my sweete neveu and my neece ; and, if you will please to kisse pretie Charles and Hercules for my sake, I shall be your servant. CLXXVII. sir f. cornwallis to jane lady bacon. My deere Mother, I am just now come from waiting of the King into Scotland;* and, meeting w th the carrier, have made him stay so long as to tell your LaP that I * The King set out for Scotland, May 20, and returned to Green- wich, July 20. 267 will very shortly waite of you, and humbly bege my selve your LaP' s blessing for Charles and Your LaP' s most affectionately obedient sonne, F. Cornwallis. [June, 1633.] CLXXVIII. eliza lady cornwallis to jane lady bacon. Deere Mother, I hoope, by God's great marsy to us, our sweete babs are as well as thay seem ; I humbly beseech Him to bless them with His sauinge grace. But, Madam, it dus hartily greefe me that you are so sade, becas I know it will hurte you, and then our sufFrings muste bee more : therfor, good Mother, for God sake cheere up yo r sperrets, and striue all you possible can to forgeete what is not to be helpte ; for, Madam, I hope God will bee so gratious to us as to keepe our deere Frede, and bring him to us again in safty, and then, Madam, wee shall bee joyfull again. I wod to God I wear ene with you, for trwly I wod doo ore say any thing to cheere you up, for I haue more oblygation to yo r La pe then euer datter in law had to a mother ; and by that I bege of you that you put an ende to all sade thouts for me, for, Madam, God hath so infinitly blest us, that to[morrow] the thurd parte of my greattest trubel will be ouer, and, I think, with- hout any suspission att all ; I humbly beseech God N 2 268 that I may neuer forgeet His great marsy in it. Madam, this is heere a huge day of triounfe, and I haue taken so much hart and currage as a leettell to appeer amongst them, thoo it be but stagaring. My Lady Mary * and my Lorde Charles are married, and thay say thers more brauery then has been seene a loung time. So, praing for yo r helth and dessyre of yo r blessing and prayars for and to us all, I humbly kis yo r La p ' s hands as, Madam, Yo r La pe1s true affectinate datter and most humble saruante, Eliza Cornewalleis. [January 8, 1633-4,] Madam, I think it best not to send any letters to my husband till we know whear he bee. CLXXIX. sir f. cornwallis to jane lady bacon. My deare Mother, Since my comeing out of England I have been so happy as to receive five letters from your La p ; and in your last your La p is pleased to take notise * " January 8, 1633-4. I married Lord Charles Herbert and Lady Mary [Villiers], daughter of the Duke of Buckingham, in the closet, at Whitehall." — Diary of Zaud, then Bishop of London. The bridegroom was the eldest son of William, fourth Earl of Pembroke, and died at Florence of the small-pox in 1635, v. p. His widow married, secondly, Esme, Duke of Richmond and Lenox ; and, thirdly, Thomas Howard, brother to Charles Earl of Carlisle, and deceased in 1685. She left no issue by any of her husbands. 269 of a letter of mine which it should seeme bore no date, and thearfore your La 1 ' makes some question that it was written before I came awaie. I will assure you, Madam, my journie was so sudden, that I had not time to write for your La p,s leave and blessing, which were a great deale more con- siderable to me then all the rest of my fortune. That made me send my wife to make my excuse, and in my name to beg it : but for that omission I hope, Madam, I shall easily obteine your La 1 ' 9 belief and pardon, when I tell you I was so much distracted with the sense of my own misfortune, that caused me to be giltie of so much importuni- tie to your La p , that I hardly durst venture at all to send it, but that the assurance of your La 1 " 8 goodness incouraged me to be confident that nothing can divert your affection. Madam, your most obedient sonne, to dispose of as you like, F. CORNWALLEIS. Madam, I humbly beg your La p ' s blessing for myself and all mine, which I am sure will make us all verie happy. Paris, March 19, 1633-4. 270 CLXXX. eliza lady cornwallis to jane lady bacon. Deere Mother, I hade last Satterday broute me by a London- ere a bill of exchange, as they cale it, for tow hunderd pounds, presently to bee paid to the barare therof, becas hee had alredy hade the munie. I must confes the hand is so licke my husband's, that I ueryly beleue it came from him, but whear hee shude thinke I shud haue the munny I cannot imagen ; and, to, one of thos letters I sente to y r La pe last was datted the same daye that the mar- chanfs note was, which was the 24 of May, and in that hee spack of noe suche thinge. Now what in the worlde to saye to this marchant for the pre- sente I knowe not, becas they say that if bills bee not presently paide heare, thay send back and pro- test them thear, and then nobody will trust them for any thinge. Now, if that wod bring him home, it weare noe matter ; but, alas ! I fear it will note : therfore I tould the man, more to delay the time awhile, then for any hops that I hade of the munny, becas I think thear is more paide alredy to him and for him then is dwe to him of his halfe year's reuenue, that I myselfe was alltogether un- prouided of such a sume of munny, and that hee sed nothing of it in his letter to me ; but I wode 271 sende doun to them that had the ordring of his bisnes, to see if ther weare any munny to be had, but named nobody. I tould him it wode be neere a fortnite before I coulde heare an ansor, which time hee was contente to stay before hee sent backe to protest him. Now I beseech you, Madam, gife me yo r aduis what to say to him, for I know not whear to haue the munny ; for, as for that that I am to haue for the halfe yeare, I haue so long promised paiment of what I can possibly spare, that I shud bee loth to faile them, if I wantted not food for my saruants and myselfe, being my hus- band has a compidens besides; for out of loOi? I am shur I haue promised abufe 6 score pound, shift as I can, and thay com and send daily for it, but as yet we can geet none out of the Exchecer. I humbly beseech God to presarue my poore husband, and bring him horn in saftie to us ; but, Madam, thes 2 munths are mity loung. But, good Mother, I beseech you, be you chearly and make much of yo r selfe ; and with thes resaue my humble thanks for our poore sweete babs, whom I most humbly beseech Almighty God to bles with His sauing grace. Trwly, Madam, I loung to see them and you, and you and them : and I hope the Queene's being with childe, which now begins to bee publeckly spoken of, shall bee noe hindrans to my coming to yo r La? 6 , thoe I fear it will be to my stay with you ; for the Queene had gifen me leaue 272 to a com to y r La pe when shee had gon her progres, and then I shud a had too munths ore 6 weeks to af staide with you, and now I fear I shall be cut shorte of that time. Here is much talking of forren wars and armis joyning, yet no sartentie; but I humbly beseech God kepe our Fred from amongst them and all harm. My Lady Harborte,* with all her youth and buttie, is deed of a spotted feuer, which is uery rife at London : she is much lament- ed, M r Tressurer is taken in his rite hand with a ffitt of the ded palsie, as he was sitting down to supper. I haue sente yo r La e a littill barrell of Seffill oullifs:f thay say thay are uery good for the spleene, if thay bee eaten in a morning fasting, and disgested by sum exsersise. S r Thomas Stafford J and M r Gorge Elliot presents ther saruis to yo r La pe and my faire sister, to whoom with my saruis I wish all happie suckses, and bege yo r blessing for and too us all, and so humbly kis yo r La p,s * It is difficult to identify this lady, but she was probably Mary, one of the daughters of the Earl of Bridgewater, mentioned before, who married Richard, eldest son of Edward Lord Herbert, of Cher- bury. t Seville olives. X According to Dugdale, Hist, of Warwickshire, v. ii. p. 686, the church of Stratford-on-Avon contained a mutilated inscription, record- ing the military services of a Sir Thomas Stafford, and a person of those names is elsewhere said to have married Mary Wodehouse, relict of Sir Robert Kelligrew, and to have lived at Stafford House in the Strand. But nothing conclusive respecting the knight above mentioned has been ascertained. 273 hands as, Madam, Yo r La ,,1s trv affectinate dautter and humble saruant, Eliza Cornewalleis. The King has sente M r Harry Murry to see his sister the Queene of Boheme : she has had many fits of ane ague. The Dutches of liichman* is uery well recouered againe. Grinwich, the 4 of June [1634], CLXXXI. nicholas bacon to jane lady bacon, his mother. Deare Mother, I might bee accused of a greate deale of negli- gence if I shoulde not, as often as I have any occa- sion, present my most humble duty unto your La H ; and I doe hope, Maddame, to performe your La (, ' s promise to my tutor for mee in regaining y e time I have lost. Maddame, y e tailor saieth, for gownes, either a wrought silke grogorine or a tuffe taifety in graine, y e colour greene or tawny, which your La H pleaseth ; for sowing hee requireth 2 yardes of velvet or plush, which your La 1 ' pleaseth : he re- quireth fourteen yardes for y e gowne, besides the facings, of half a yarde broade. N. B. Cambridge, May 23 [1635]. * Vide note to page 08. 274 CLXXXII. the same to the same. Deare Mother, I never faile as oft as occasions shew themselves of presenting my humble duty to your La p . I doe count it a great happinesse, that, whilst I am de- prived of your La p,s sight, I have the oportunity to doe so in writing ; and I very much wishe, Maddam, I could as well expresse it in words as it is really in my heart : but your La p knoweth my dissability that way, and therefore I hope you will excuse all faults committed in the writing. Thus, Maddam, humbly craving your La p ' s blessing, I rest, Maddam, Yo r La p ' s most obedient childe, Nic. Bacon. My aunt Walgrave presents her humble service. Maddam, I shall desire yo r La p to buy mee a blacke hatt, for that bever I have begins to decay. [1635.] To my deare and loving mother, the Lady Bacon, presente these. CLXXXIII. anne lady meautys to jane lady bacon. Deare Sister, These are to intrete you to let M r Meautys and myselfe to understand the sertintie of your 275 determinate resolution, whether you will be pleased to assist us in sending us one 100 £, and to paye yourselfe againe, as he hath formerly writt unto you I can write noe nuse, but that there is in these parts many trubbles: the Prince of Orringe his armies and the French are joined together, but, before they did meete, the King of France his armie did give unto the King of Spaine's armie a great overthrow, in number slane and maimed 9000 men. I was very lately by her Ma tie the Queen of Bohemia, who hath bine very sicke of an ague. She was pleased to tell me she had bine that day 6 weekes sicke that I was with her Ma tie , and that in the time she had 23 fits ; first she was soe extreme ill, that every fit held her Ma tie 12 houres long. Her Ma tie told me she was so weake that she was not able to stand upon her legs ; but now, praised be God ! she begins to mend finelie. I must needes tell you I am much her Ma tie,s humble servant, for she is pleased to use me with a great deal of favour. Her Ma tie hath done me the honor to give me some of her own linen to make me clothes, and likewise some of her own wareing linen for myselfe, which she had wont to ware herselfe in child-bed. And although it hath pleased the Lord to laye many trubbels and afflic- tions upon my deare husband & myselfe, yet I thanke God it is His mercie towards us to give us a good repute. My sweethart is now away from 276 me, but I hope his absence will not be long. I am much your servant that you are pleased to let me understand of the wellfare and towardlynes of my son Hercules ; for my other littell sonne, I have never bine so happie as once to heare whether he is dead or alive, since my coming over; &, although I have written diverse letters to my neece Radcliffe,* I have never receaved any from her. I am so tedious, but love has no bounds in my affection to you, and soe I remain infinitely yours, Anna Meautys. Delft, June 1, 1635. I hope my sweete neece Anne is married before this ; in which, if it be so, I wish her much happines. To my deare sister the Lady Bacon, at Culfourd. * We learn from Blomefield,t that Robert fourth Earl of Sussex left no surviving issue by either of his wives, and dying in September 1629, adopted Sir Alexander Radcliffe as his heir to the manors of Diss and Attleburgh ; also that Sir John Radcliffe, father of this Sir' Alexander, by Anne, daughter of Thomas Askow, was slain in the engagement at the Isle de Rhe, Oct. 29, 1627, being descended from Sir Alexander Radcliffe, of Ordsall, grandson to the first Earl of Sussex. Blomefield further calls Sir Alexander's wife a natural daughter of Robert fourth Earl of Sussex ; if so, her birth occurred during the widowhood of her mother, Frances Shute, who remarried the Earl, and whose reputation was not unblemished. Still, a child born under such circumstances would hardly have been acknowledged by Lady Bacon as her niece, nor would the King have interested himself about her ;X and at all events, Frances Radcliffe was found heir to her mother in 1627. + History of Norfolk, vol. v. p. 519, 8vo edition. J Vide pages 73 and 74. 277 CLXXXIV. sir t. meautys to jane lady bacon. Deere Syster, It was my fortune to come home att the same tyme my wyfe receued y r letter and bill of ex- change of a hundred pounds for the three haulfe yeares due att Mid Sommer next, for w ch I giue y u many kinde thancks ; and, vntill that came, wee weare holly out of moneys, in regarde of the ill payement w ch the Stats macks vnto vs. I am sorry to reede in y r letter to my wyfe, that my sonne is soe hard to learne, but I heere that it proceeds not from deulnes of spiritt, but rather from wildnes, w ch tyme may allter in him ; for, yf I bee not de- seued, hee is licke vnto his second sister, whome, I prayse God for, is a fine quick spiryted childe, but some thing hard to learne : but then my eldest gyrle is much the contrary, and of a good memory, and learnes more then I can finde meanes to haue tought hir, and I maye saye hath all reddie sooed all hir wylde oats, soe much a whoman is shee grone, God bles hir ! My wyfe and my selfe are much troubled in regarde wee cannot heere any thinge of ower childe in Lankess-shire, wee haueinge sent soe many letters theather, but can receue noe ansour att all againe, neather dooe wee knowe for the present weare to direct ower letters. 278 I confes that I loue my children well, but I had rather to haue none att all, then to haue them soe ; but att my cominge for Ingland I will cause him, yf that hee be aliue, to be fetched from the place weare hee is. Thus, w th the remembrance of my loue to y u , I rest Y r afFect e lovinge brother, T. Meautys. Delfe, theij of June 1636. For my deere syster, the Lady Bacon, att hir howse att Coulfurd in Suffolcke, these. CLXXXV. nicholas bacon to jane lady bacon. Deare Mother, I, according to your Ladyship's commands and my humble former promises, present my respects dutifull to your Ladyship. 'Tis a troublesome time, I confesse, now ; yet nothing may hinder a ready hart from breaking out into this paper ser- vice. I suppose your Ladyship expects to heare something concerning Dr. Sibes : * the newes is the worst we can send, for God hath removed him from a mastership here to the fellowship of Him- self and blessed angels. A post this night gave us notice of his departure this morning. God turne all to the best. My tutor & M r Pots re- * Richard Sibbs, D. D,, Preacher at Gray's Inn, appointed Master of Catherine Hall in'1626, to which he proved a great benefactor. He was succeeded by Ralph Brownrigg. 279 commend their humble service to your Ladyship; and I, as duty bindes me, close my letter with nothing but this, that I resolve to remaine Yo r Ladyship's most obedient sonne, Nich. Bacon. Cambridge, July 6, 1635. To my deare mother, the Lady Bacon, at Culforde, present these. CLXXXV1. the same to the same. Deare Mother, I humbly desire your La p not to thinke it out of any neglect that there came no letter from me this weeke, for I had written, and the carrier was gone to bedd and would not rise. Madam, we have, I hope, a very good master, which is some comfort to us for the losse of D r Sibes. Madam, I shall desire to waight upon your La p when my brother & sister* come downe, if it please your La p ; for I shall herein, and all other things, submit myselfe to your La p,s pleasure, that so I may per- forate the part of Yo r La p,s most obedient sonne, Nicholas Bacon. Cambridge, July 15, 1635. Sir Frederick and Lady Cornwallia. 280 CLXXXVII. sir f. cornwallts to jane lady bacon. My deare Mother, I hope your La? was pleased to receiue my wiefe's excuse, & so to pardon mee that I had not the honor to write to your La? the last weeke ; for, iust as I was aboute it, the Kinge sent mee in a greate deale of haste to my Lorde Sauage, whoo, for all my speede, I founde deade beefore I came. Hee hath leafte noe will, & they say that his debts are a greate deale more then his fortune will bee after my Lord Riuers his death, espetially if hee shoulde die beefore my Ladie. Madam, ail the other newes is of the ariuall of the Prince Elector,* whoo came to the court vpon Saterday night. I was sente w th a message a Friday to meet him at Rochester ; and vpon Saterday morning my Lorde of Douer,f my Lo rd Maltravers, w th ther gentill- men, did fech him to Gravesend, wheare my Lord Marshall met him from the King, & my Lorde Goring from the Queene, w th diuers Earls, Lords, & gentillmen, whoo did bring him to the Tower by water; and there weare the King's & Queene's coches to receive him, w th thirtie coches more, * Charles Lewis, Elector Palatine, eldest surviving son of the King of Bohemia, and nephew to Charles I. He died in 1680, aged sixty-three. f Henry Cary, Lord Hunsdon, advanced in 1627 to the Earldom of Dover. 281 having 6 horsesse a pice. Hee was received at Whitehall w th a greate deale of state in generall, w ch hath giuen the worlde much satisfaction, & makes all men think that this iourney will con- duce much to the good of his affaiers. Wee are all now at Theobals, wheare wee shall stay till Saterday, & then retourne againe to London, &, I thinke, the next weeke to Hamton Court. Ma- dam, this is all the newes ; for that w ch I shall say to you of my selve will bee none, w ch is, that I haue bin faine to pay away all the little monie that M r Morse brought to stop some few people's mouths, & yet it will not halfe satisfie them ; so that I haue not a shilling left for my selve, nor know not what to doe, vnlesse your LaP will bee plesed to take mee into your consideration, w ch if your LaP shall please to doe now at this time, you will eternaly oblige, Madam, Your LaP 1s most affectionately obedient sonne, F. Cornwalleis. Madam, I will not faile to waite on your La»* at Broom at the awdit. Theobals, November 26, 1635. CLXXXVIII. eliza lady cornwallis to jane lady bacon. Deere Mother, It was your favore to me that made me sende to the carrier to inquire after my letters, which I 282 shulde be much to blame to neglect without just excuse, sins you are pleased to give them so good acceptans; but I beleave the carriers, or some be- longing to them, very faulty. I am sure they have been so to me this winter. I had my man Wod- dull at Newmarket this weak, and it was sum trubble to my mind that he shuld com so neere and not waite of yo r Ladyship ; but his bisnes was not mine, but my Lady Holland's, for she borrod him to go to Cambrey upon the report that the Prins Elector wod not go there. Madam, I humbly thanck you for yo r good news of my husband and his bairns, and for yo r love and favor to us all, which I beseech God to rewarde you for us all with His saving grace ; and I beleave that yf my husband had* staide lounger with yo r La?, which I shud a bene glad of, he wod a bene cleane well : but I heare he means to be hear Satterday, therefore I will not write to him. Madam, 1 have not seene M r Morse, but I did much feare that he wod be so neare coming up when my husband came down, that there wod be nothing now don in his bisnes : and M r Morse tould me that yo r La? might have assurance and the remainder set- tled there as well as here, which I was very glad of; for I know yo r La? cannot com here but with much trubble and charge, and we had nede be as sparing of that as we can in small matters, sins 283 nesessity forses us to crave yo r assistans in so great a proportion ; for trewly, Madam, if you do not helpe, I much feare all will be naught. But trewly, Madam, my husband is very good ; but, if he put his estat into a stranger's hand, I shall never looke to see any part of it againe : but for yo r favor to me in desiring to keep my joynture free, I cannot saye enuff, but I shall laye it up in a thank- ful harte with yo r many other kindnesses. But I hope my husband will be willing to give yo r La? any assurance that you pleas, and trewly, Madam, the more tie you have upon him and his estate the gladder I shall be, for I veryly beleve it will be [best] for him ; and I pray God give us all a happie meeting. But when I think how troublesome I have been, and how unplesing company I must yet be to every body, I recall my wishes, and hope that God will give me that hapines when I shall be more ca- pable of it then now I could, being so often ill : but, Madam, if I do think of any thing that my stomach will sarve me to eat, I will make such use of your kind favour, for which I humbly thank you r La p , that you shall be sure to hear of me. My sister Jarvess and her husband wear with me this day ; they',both present ther sarvis to yo r La p . Gordon, the oulde blade, presents his humble sarvis and thanks for the chees, and says yo r LaP' s kindnes is much more to him then the chees, and that one of thes 284 days he will present you with an eppissell. My Lord Carlell* is hugely amended after his fissick, and, they say now, will not die at this time. Sum says hear that the Tresurer's stafe shall be carred by a paire of lawn slevess.f I have given my cosen Randolph yo r La?' 5 letters. I humbly kiss your hands, as Yo r La?' 3 most affectionate daughter, Eliza Cornwalleis. Pray, Madam, be pleased to bles and bus the babs for me. Sir Thomas Stafford presents his sarvis : he is pitteously in love, and som times he 's in hope and som times in despare, and what will be his ende I know not. The Prins of the Temple, they say, has sent to offer his sarvis to my cosen Semer, and they say she has refused him; but they say that by Ester, or before, we shall have two of our French women married to Inglishmen, Crittian to S r Thorn 3 Shelly's son, J and Cattoe to M r Arpe. The Quene went this day to Walling- forde, but in her chaire. S* James's, on Thursday the 4 of February 1635-6. * James Hay, mentioned before. He died shortly afterwards. + William Juxon, Bishop of London, was about this time appoint- ed Lord Treasurer, and retained the office till 1641. | Both these matches took place. Sir William Shelley, Knight, f/isjLf eldest son of Sir Thomas Shelley, of Michel Grove, county of Sussex, who was created a Baronet in 1611, married Christiana, daughter of Sir James Vandelet, Knight, and died vita patris ; and Mrs. Arpe is mentioned in a subsequent letter. Her maiden name has not been ascertained. ^ ^ / / 285 CLXXXIX. sir f. cornwallis to jane lady bacon. My Deere Mother, I am extreame sorrie that this occation is hapened, which makes me sende this messenger to kisse your hands and to tell you that I believe Sir Arthur Capell* is uncapable either to serve your La? or his nephew by reason of an unfortunate ac- cident which hath happened to him lately, which was the killing of Sir John Jenithrope in a duel, which although it wear fairly and with a great deal of pressing, so that he is not in danger for his life, yet by it, till after his trial, he is uncapable to fol- low any sute in law, and he himself is much dis- ordered by it; the more because the gentillman that he killed and he had been a long time verie good friends. The particular relation I leave to my wife's man. Now, Madam, I have nothing more to say, not being able to advise, only to expect yo' La p ' s com- mands, which shall be obeied by, Madam, Yo r affectionate and obedient sonne, F. CORNWALLEIS. S l James's, May 4, 1636. * Created Baron Capel of Hadham in 1640, and beheaded for taking up arms against the Parliament, March 1648-9. 286 cxc. ANNE LADY MEAUTYS TO JANE LADY BACON. Deare Sister, Although I haue wriet diuers letters vnto y°, of w ch as yet I haue not receiued any answare of them, yet such is my affection to y°, y* I can omit noe vpportunitie to doe y° seruies. M r Meautys is in y e feeld before y e Conac, y* y e enime hath taken this summer agin from vs. I haue not seene him this halfe yeare, and I feere a winter campayn will detaine him y e longer from mee, in y* hee hath y e command ouer those companies y* lies there. Y e Queene of Bohemia is now in y e Hage ; she was pleased to doe me y* honor to be godmother to my child, y e w ch I was ignorrant of vntill y e Queene's retorne from Rine. I told her M tie y* y° was y e other godmother, y e w ch shee was very well pleased to vnderstand ; her Ma tie telling of mee y* shee did know y° to bee a lady y* was indued w th a great dell of honour and virtue, & y 1 in her knowledg y° did loue y or brother very well, w ch was a thing most commandible in y° : indeede, Sister, her Ma tie doth use you w th much fauor, and hath promised me y 1 what soeuer doth lie in her power to doe mee good shee will not faile to perform it : shee was pleased to giue vnto my littell Jane a fine present, w ch M r Meautys did send mee from Arn- 287 heim. Deare Sister, in my other letters I did desier y° to send vs oner y e monie; w ch , if y° please, should bee very wellcome vnto vs. Thus, wishing much happiness vnto y° and y ors , I remaine redy to doe y° seruise in all true affection to my end, Anna Meautys. Deft, y e 9 th of June 1636. Deare Sister, if y° please, send mee word how my Hercules doth, to whome 1 send my blessing. To the Lady Bacon, at Culford. CXCI. eliza lady cornwallis to jane lady bacon. Deere Mother, I hope you have by this time recovered the werines of your jurney, and given our babs leave to come to you. My Lady Nuport's * daughters' was not the plague, thanks be to God ! Truly, Madam, I did much feare your being very wery of so long and solitary a jurny ; and my husband said that he was sorry he was putt to ask to stay, for that case staies him still in town, as he says to me, for I have not as yet seen him sins that day that you wente out of towne; but he on Sunday sent M r Tom Howard to me, that I would be reddy to goe, * Anne, daughter of John Lord Butler, of Bromfield, wife of Montjoy Blount, Earl of Newport, mentioned before, by whom she had issue three sons, and two daughters, Isabel and Anne. 288 into the beginning of the nexte weeke. I sent him worde I would do what I could ; but now, I thinke, I shall not come so soone, because the Queene is now resolved to stay hear till Michlemas, and I have been some times away of late, so that I shude do well to wait a fortnight or 3 weeks, and besides I wod willingly know what will become of my mother's appearle * affair, so that I wrote to my husband by this messenger not to stay for me after he have dispatched his owne affayres ; and when I am coming down, I will beg the favor of your cotche's meeting me at .f Madam, I can say nothing of Sir Tho., only, as soone as you were gone, he went to lead me up to your chamber, and then he said to me and I to him as before, and soe he went away, and I saw him noe more. Then my husband and I went to bed into your bed, and at nine o'clock I rose and sent for M r Morse, who read all the writings to my husband as he lay, and then he sealed them, and bade M r Morse put them with the writings. I wished the fine and all had bene passed, but I hope it will. The King went yesterday to Tibal's, and comes not till Saterday. The Queene is much delighted with her howse.J Madam, I reseved, I humbly thanke you, your ring by Tom Howard, and he tould me that your La? meant to goe through that night. Truly, my good Mother, I very much long to hear how you * Sic orig. f Meg. X At Oatlands. 289 do, and how you got home ; and so I hope I shall by him that carries this to London. Truly, Madam, I am so much bound to you for your love and care of me and mine, as no creature is more; therfore all I can say is so littell. But God re- warde you, and I humbly besech God to bless us all with His saving grace, and to give us all a happie meeting. Madam, Y r LaP ,s true affectionat daughter and humble sarvant, Eliza Cornwaleis. Otlands, the 11 of Julye 1637. CXCII. sir t. meautys to jane lady bacon. Deere Sister, Sence the rytinge of my last, allthough I much desired it, I haue not harde from y u . My retourne to the Hage beinge upon the sudden, occationed by the death of one of my children, that giues mee meanes to rite att this time vnto y u , and to desier y u that the haulfe yeare's anewytie, w ch will be dew att this somer next, maye be transported ouer vnto my wyfe in my absence by a letter of ex- change, whoes acquittance y u shall receue for the same. Y r frinds, M r Laurence and his wife, are in good health att Arnheim, the ayer of w ch place is uery agreeable vnto them, as to the rest of the o 290 good sosietye that liue there : they speeke honour- ably of y u , and I dooe perswade myselfe woulde be glad to dooe y u any servis in their power. Thus, kissinge y r hands, I rest Y r affecty e brother and servant, T. Meautys. Hage, this 6 Maye 1639. For my deere sister, the Lady Bacon, att Culfourd. CXCIII. ELIZA LADY CORNWALLIS TO JANE LADY BACON. Deere Mother, I humbly thanke you for your kind letter and desire of my company, which truly, Madam, is very pleasinge to me, and I shude be very glad to see pratteling Frede, yo r La?, and all the rest of my good frends at cheerly Culford, if I coulde : but, alas ! Madam, I feare I shall not this somere, because it is so near spent, and now M rs Arpe* looks within a weeke, and my poore Lady Shelly is going away for a month to Sir Thomas Shelly's, to see if that air will do her any good for her case ; if not, she must presently away for France, for Doctor Caddiman says, if she lose this season, it will be too late for her to go; so that, Madam, by these resons yo r La p may know that I must do as I may. But, Madam, though I see not our babs, yet my comforte is that within 2 months I * See Letter CLXXXVIII. 291 shall have the happines of seeing her that, under God, is the preserver of our babs ; for whom with myselfe I give to yo r LaP humble thanks, humbly beseching God to bless us all with His saving grace, and to give us happie meetings when it shall please Him. I am sorry silly Harriote is still so great a wagler,* for now I shall feare her not out growing it ; but God's will be done : and for Frede, I think the best is your opinion of not letting him use them f till it shall please God to give him more strength. I beseche yo r LaP to bless them all, and be pleased to present my sarvis to my sister and brother. I have sente him his sworde by the carrior. I have obaied your comands to me. Lady Denbigh remembers her sarvis to yo r La'', and gives you many thanks for your fine recete. My Lady DuchesJ yet houlds out still ; she is yet at her aunte of Richmond's, § so that now we see her but seldom. Monday was my Lord Felding's || marage day ; but so private, that his mother did * To waggle is to move from one side to the other, a term applied to goslings unable to walk steadily. + i. e. his legs. J Mary, daughter of G. Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, wife of James Duke of Lenox, created in 1641 Duke of Richmond. § Vide note to page 88. || Basil Lord Fielding, afterwards second Earl of Denbigh, was thrice married, but left no issue. His second wife, here mentioned, was Barbara, daughter of Sir John Lamb, Knt. Dean of the Arches and Chancellor to the Queen-mother. She died April 2, 1642, and lies buried in Westminster Abbey. o2 not know, or at lest pretended ignorans to every body : theare was nobody at the marage but the 2 fathers, the man and the woman, and one doctor, at a church in London. The which daye thear had like to have bene a great duell fought on horse- back betwene my Lord of Holland and my Lord Nucasell ; * but, God be thanked ! by His marsy it was prevented, for they had fought 3 to 3, and it might have begott many quarels : it seams it was something about their cullears flying at the army ; but now all is well, and they good frends againe. The Knight Marshall should have bene second to my Lord Holland, and one M r Palms to my Lord Nucasell; and M r Walter Mountagu, taking a supposition on Sunday night upon seeing Palms with my Lord Holland, on Monday by daye light went to my Lord Holland, and hung on him like a bur that is not to be shaken oif, by which meanes before they could finde one to fight with him, they wear found out by my Lord Nuport and M r Wil- motte; but the brute first ran about the towne that it was my Lord Essex and Holland, because, as it seems, that M r Palms keeps much with Essex. Madam, I shude have sente yo r La? worde last weeke of 2 warrants that my husband has given, one to M r Fenne, our clarke, and one to M r Cosin, * Sir William Cavendish, successively created Earl, Marquis, and Duke of Newcastle. He died in 1676, aged 84 293 M r Treasurer's stuarde ; 'twas partly by my meanes. Madam, I now have the writing for the stuard- shepe of Aye from the atturney, and have sente it to M r Lucas for my Lord to present to the Queene for her hande, with telling him that, as soone as her Ma tie ' s hand was at it, I shude send to him again from you, meaning the hundred pound ; which he semed willing to understand, for his answer was, that if his Lord did not get theQueene's hand within 3 or 4 dayes, he wode returne it to me againe to presente to the Queene, for her hand must be to it before we can get the seales. So, Madam, yesterday I wrote to M r Fenne to pray him to provide a hundred pound against the end of this weeke or the begihing of the next; but he gave it to Josias, and I shall kepe it till next weeke that I reseave your plesure, though it be signed in the meane time ; and for M r Lucas's own rewarde, I shall, according to your directions, eyther give him what you plese, or tell him that you will be his debtor till Michaelmas tearme that you come up : but, Madam, the wrighting this makes me sweate, because we are so chargeable every way that I am ashamed of it. I pray God give us gras to be thankfull, and in good time to make good use of your love and favour to us, for, truly, Madam, many wod be wery of doing so much; for all which, with your huge kindnes, God 294 rewarde you ! And, my good Mother, I must now conclude with beging your prayers and blessing to and for us all, and so I humbly kis your hands as, Madam, Yo r LaP ,s tru affectionat daughter and humble sarvante, Eliza Cornwaleis. White-Hall, the 15 of August 1639. I beleve Charles will think M r Fenne's absence very long ; and, yf I had thought of his going there, I should have beged of your LaP that, going or com- ing, he might have looked upon our new purchase it is just as forward as the stuardeshepe, and yet, for aught I know, it may be a fortnight ere they get all the seales, because some of the lessees are yet out of towne. Madam, this is all the papers that has bene found about the chambor sins your going. George Elliote's sarvis must not be forgot. I say nothing of my husband, because he says he will write himselfe. I thanke God he is very well. CXCIV. anne lady meautys to jane lady bacon. My deare Sister, I give you manie thanks for your kind letter, which I receved by M r Meautys's ancient, who tells me he is very much your servant for your kind 295 intertanement of him, the which we both take really as done to ourselves. I understand by him my niece* is maried; I pray God make her happie, and I doe sincerely wish that all things may fall out to your contentment. This gentellman doth not fale to acquaint me how judissially carefull you are of the education of our sonne, and by his rela- tion gives me much hope and comfort of him: therfore, in the first degree, I render God the prayse for the present comfort, not doubting, if the Lord shall be pleased to increse the number of his dayes, your haveing layed soe good a founda- tion, but that the expectation of his futer time shall be blessed in honoring of his Maker ; and, secondly, in rendering you all humble and dutiefull thanks for your tender care and true affection which you have been pleased to bestow upon him. Thus, with my prayers to the Almightie for you and all yours, I kiss your hands, Yo r most affectionate and truly loving sister, ever to serve you, Anna Meautys. Hage, 19 of Maye 1641. * Anne Bacon, married to Thomas Meautys, Clerk of the Council. cxcv. sir f. cornwallis to jane lady bacon. My deere Mother, I am extream sensible of your La p ' s indisposition of health, and truly I should omitt so much of my dutie, if, with all the power I have, I should not importune you, even on my knees, to doe som- thing speedily for your La?' 3 preservation. Ma- dam, I heare by my sister, whome I have had time but just to see, and also by my wife's letters, that your La p is inclinable to a dropsie. I neede not tell you how dangerous that disease is, if not timely prevented; but, Madam, give me leave to desire you most humbly, if not for your own sake, yet for your children's sake, for my pore children's sake, nay, even for God's sake, that you will be pleased to come up to this towne and aske the advise of our phisitians here, who say that the waters at Tunbrige are extreame good for your condition. Madam, this I should have saide to you myselfe, but that in good faith we are here in such disorder, and nobody left, that the King will not let me bee awaie, not for a night ; but, as soon as I can get but two daies 1 libertie, I will not faile to be with you. Madam, I have but one thing more to say ; that is, humbly to beg, that, when your LaP hears of our greate disorders and troubles here, you will be pleased to believe that hitherto I have carried my- 297 selfe with a reasonable clear reputation on both sides, I meane the King's and Parliament's ; so I shall continue still to doe nothing that may render me unworthy either of my mother or countrie, or for your La p not still to esteem me, Madam, Y r most affectionately obedient childe, F. CORNWALLEIS. Whitehall, June 18, 1641. For my honored mother, the Lady Bacon. I refer for newes to Church his letter. CXCVI. lady cramond* to jane lady bacon. My deare Sister, I am exceeding sorry to heare of y r ill health, & much wonder y l you will not please to be pswaded by yo e frendes y* loue you to come to Lon- don, where certainly y e best help is to be had for * '' Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Sir Thomas Beaumont, of Stough- ton Grange, Leicestershire, Knight, widow of Sir John Ashburn- ham, Knight, by whom she had, besides other issue, John, ancestor to the Earls of Ashburnham, and Elizabeth, wife of Sir Frederick Corn- wallis. Having remarried Sir Thomas Richardson, Speaker of the House of Commons, in 1620, and afterwards Chief Justice of the King's Bench, she was in 1628 created Baroness of Cramond in Scot- land, for her life only, with remainder to the lieirs male of far second husband by a former wife. No reason is assigned for this strange limitation in the patent. But there was no issue of this second match ; and Lady Cramond deceasing in 1651, the title devolved on Thomas Richardson, the judge's grandson, and became extinct in 1 7 35, on the death of the fourth lord." — Wood's Peerage, vol. i. p. 363. 298 any infirmity, if it be not let goe to farr. Yo r La?" good daughter & mine was latlie here : she gott leaue for one night to come see her hus- band, who indeed made great moane for you, & tels me she feares you are inclined to a dropsie, my olde disease, w ch for your comfort, sweet Ma- dam, I thinke is easie to be cured, if you take it in time. I p'mised her to send to M r Hill for that electuary he gaue me, & send you some, w ch I did the next day; but, alas ! they brought me word he dyed before Christmas, w ch I neuer heard of: but my daughter Seruill saith, there is one M r Glasonby, at K ts bridge, y* is very exalent for y* cure. Poor Besse* is much greeued for you, & I know doth as truly loue you as any of y r owne children can do, as indeed she hath good cause, for y r exterordinary fauour, loue, & care towards her & her children ; & my selfe, Madam, amongst y r other frendes, do hartely wish y° health & all happines : therefore giue me leaue also to entreat yo r La p not to delay y e time too long to take ad- uise for yo r recouery, for y e good of many others beside yo r selfe, for I do beleeue there are few ladies in England whose death would be so great losse as yo re would be to yo r children & grand- children. Deere Madam, take care of yo e selfe, to y e comfort of many & of me, who am, Madam, Yo r La p ' s truly louing sister & saruant, January 28 [1641]. E. CRAMOND. * Lady Cornwallis. 299 I beseech your La p present my loue & saruice to S r Tho. Meautys & my Lady, if they be w th you, & my blessing to my grandchildren. To my much respected sister, the Lady Jane Bacon, at her house at Culford, these present. CXCVII. eliza lady cornwallis to jane lady bacon. Deere Mother, What to say to your busines I do not as yet know, for we are still fed with hopes, which to me are no satisfaction till I see performans; for all this weeke we have been tould by Lorde , that he wode do all that in him laye as much as for him- selfe, and that I shud never know all that he wod say to them, but if they shude go from their words, that then he wod have a bill put in, and then he wode make short worke with them. I desired that if theare were a meeting appoynted, that it might be heare in his chamber, that I and my brother might be theare too. I carried M r Fenne to him at his chamber heare on Friday, that he might be the better known to his Lordship, and tould him that he and your solissitor had no other busines in towne but the attendans of this : and every day sins M r Fenne has sought him at his chamber, and I in the galleries, and Josias at Westminster, yet we missed him, and still put BOO from day to day by one ocation or other that we coulde not exsepte against; and to night he tould me that M r Cappell had bene with him to day againe, and that Sir Tho. wod be in towne tomorrow, and that then they wod 4 or 5 of them meete aboute it, and that he need not doubt but that they shude make a good and peasable end, and that tomorrow night or Saturday they wode waite of his Lordship againe ; and my Lord has promised me that if theare be any meeting ap- poynted before him, which I tould him I ex- tremely desired, that he might see and judge of the justnes and resonablenes of the accounte, that I shude have notice of the time, and I wish words may be kept of all sides, which till I see done I cannot much credit. Madam, I ask your pardon for not giving you all this time an account of our cosin's husband ; truly I had it 2 or 3 times in my hede when I went to write, and still like a best forgot it : but, Madam, he had not the plas, for the Kinge wod not speake, nor ever did he say he wode, as it seemed ; for, when I came to put the Queene in minde of what they tould me she had already promised, she toulde me, No indeed, she had not promised at all, for all she said was to Doctor Caddiman that she wode speak to the King, but she was much afraid he wode not do it, because he did not love to do it. And now, my good Mother, with your pardon I also bege your 301 prayers and blessing to and for us all : so humbly kisse your hands as, Madame, Yo r La p,s true affectionate daughter and humble sarvante, Eliza Cornwaleis. My Earle of Cumberland * is dead, and, they say, the King of Spaine. Madame Wantletef and George Elliote presents there sarvis to your La p . Mine, I beseche yo r La p , to my brother and sister and our bairns. The King's children come to towne on Tuesday for all winter; the Prins and Duke York to Durham House, the two daughters and your master to Somerset. My Lady Shelton has the small pox ; they feared the Prins, but he is well. [1641.] CXCVIII. sir t. meautys to jane lady bacon. Deere Sister, The opertounytye faveringe the occation, after too years' space that I haue receued noe lynes from you, I woulde not pas by it w th out rytinge somethinge that maye onely let you knowe y 1 you haue a brother yet alyue and in health, to dooe y u service, and reddy to expres his loue vnto y u upon * Francis Clifford, fourth Earl of Cumberland, K.B., succeeded by his only surviving son Henry, who was the last heir male of tbat ancient house. t Lady Shelley's mother. 302 occation yf y u shall commande him. The tymes as they now are, or maye be, may invyte y u to vse me booth by waye of fact and counsell ; yf it dooe, I will not fayle y u in neather to the vtmost of my abilly- tye and power. Thus in haste I rest Y r affect' lovinge brother and servant, T. Meautys. Hage, the 28 of Aprill 1642. For my deere sister, the Lady Bacon, these. CXCIX. anne lady meautys to jane lady bacon. Deare Sister, The ernest desier I haue to heare of yo r health makes mee indeuore to find out y e securest meanes y* these lines may come w th saftie into yore handes, y e times afording mee soe conuenient an vpportu- nitie by y e occation of my neese Cornwalles * being here, whose sosietie is soe exceeding good, y 1 , were it not pregudiciall to hir y 1 1 soe much loue and honor, I wish I might allwayes inioy y e happienes of soe deserueing a friend ; but this age of mutil- letie permites vs noe sertintie of comfort long, and therefore w th patience I must condicend to what is determyned by y e greater Power. My neue Bacon -f- is very well, and is pleased some times to come * Sir Frederick Cornwallis's wife. •J* Nicholas, Lady Bacon's youngest son. 303 and visset his vnkle and mee. I should take it very well if y u would spare soe much time as to write to mee: 1 haue recomended diuers letters vnto y° sence I receued those monies w ch was due att Chrismas last, and likewise acknowlidgeing my selfe much ingaged to y° for yo r gift y° was pleased to send mee, and w th God's permission I will not deseest in my prayers y* Hee would re- store it againe to y° and yo rs y e good y 1 you are pleased to doe to mee and mine. Now I desier y°, deare Sister, y 1 monies, w ch will be due att Mid- somer next, y° will bee pleased to giue order to him y 1 y° shall command, y* I may receue it against y e day, in y* M r Meautys hath disposed of those monies to my youse and my children's, and y' those monies may bee retorned vnto mee according to y* rate y* y e exchange is now att, and by y e same partie y* I receued it last of. Thus, commiting y° and all yo rs into y e protection of y e Allmightie, I conclude now and euer to bee Yo r most affectshonate loueing sister to serue y° to my end, Anna Meautys. Hage, the 25 th of Maye 1642. My deare sister, the Lady Bacon, at Colford, these. 304 CC. the same to the same. Deare Sister, Allthough I cannot bee soe happie to receiue yo e lines, yett yo e kind rememberance hath not failed to give mee an assured testimonie of yo e ferme and conciderable affection in condicending vnto my request, coming in a time soe acceptable, y*, had it not bine, I and mine had not had where w th all to haue subsisted ; therefore thinke y 1 y e haue releeued soe many dieing soules, w ch had suffered, had not God ordained y° to bee y e meanes of our presaruation. To this day my husband is still att Arnheim, and is so misearablely intreted by there iniustice, y 1 in this spase of a yeare hee hath not bine able to send mee any monie or to come vnto mee, and through his heuie troubbles and wantes hee is grone very sickelie, and hath of late bine soe extreme ill, y* those y* ware neere him was doubt- full of his recouerie ; and allthough it is in these partes ill trauelling in y e winter sesone, y et I doe intend to goe and see him, and to leaue my ehill- dren att my howse in y e Hage vntill my retorne, for there is noe venturing to take them w th me ; but my resolution is to come suddinelie bake againe. Thus, w th my prayers vnto the Allmightie to pre- sarue y° and all yo rs in these dangerous times from 305 all calamities, I commit yo vnto His protection, and rest Yo' most affectshonatt sister to my end, Anna Meautys. Hage, y e 5 th of Jenuary, y e nue stile, 1644. To my most deare and much honoured sister, the Lady Bacon, att Culford. BROME HALL, 1620. INDEX. Admiral, the Lord, 192. Alloa, xvii. Ambassador, Dutch, 182 ; Lord, 183. Andover, Lord, 141, and n. Anglesea, Charles, Earl of, 205, n. Annables, 223, n. Archdeacon, the, 95. Archduchess, the, 201. Armingland, 200. Arnheim, 80. 286. 289. 304. Arpe, Mrs. 284 and n. 290. " Arran, Earl of, 58 and n. 79 and n. Arundel, Earl of, 50 and n. 78 and n. 91 and n. 146, n. 151. 158. 163. 257 and n. 258 and n. Ashburnham, Sir John, xxvii. 297, n. Ashburnham, Earls of, ib. n. Ashburnham, Elizabeth, ib. Askow, Thomas, Anne, 276, n. Astley, Sir Jacob, 162, n. Attleburgh, 276, n. Attorney- General, 172. Attorney- General of Court of Wards, ib. Audley End, xi. n. 237, n. Aylesbury, Earl of, 78, n. Bacon, Nathaniel, iii. x. xii. xiii. xiv. xv. xvi. 1 and n. 3, 4. 7, 8. 10, 11. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 26. 30. 33, 34, 35, 36. 41, 42. 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52. 57, 58. 63. 65. 67. 71. 74. 77. 79. 81, 82, 83, 84. 86, 87. 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, n. 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113. 118. 121, 122. 127. 131. 134, 136, 137, 138. 140, 141, 142, 143, 144. 147, 148. 161. 164, 165, 166. 168. 170. 175. 178, 179, 180, 181. 183, 184. 194 and n. ; his bust and epitaph, xvi. Bacon, Jane, Lady, iii. iv. vi. ix. x. xi. xii. xv. and n. xvi. xviii. xix. xx. xxi. xxv. xxvi. xxvii. xxviii. xxix. xxx. 137, 138. 140, 141,. 142, 143, 1.44, 145. 148, 149. 151. 153, 154. 156, 157. 159, 162. 164, 165. 167, 168, 169. 170. 173. 175, 176. 178. 180, 183, 184. 186. 189, 190, 191, 192, 193. 195, 196. 198, 199, 200.202,203,204. 206V n. 207. 210. 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218. 220. 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229, 230, 231. 232. 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239. 243. 245, 246, 247. 250, 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 257, 258, 259, 260, 261, 262. 264, 265, 266, 267, 268. 270. 273, 274. 276, and n. 277, 278, 279, 280, 281. 285, 286, 287. 289. 294. 296, 297. 299. 201, 302, 303. 305 ; por- trait of, xi. n. See Cornwallis. Bacon, Nicholas, xv. xvi. 29. 105. 191. 194. 273, 274. 278, 279. 302. Bacon, Nicholas, of Gillingham, 97 and n. Bacon monument, xi. xii. xiii. Bacon, Anne, Lady, xiv. xv. 4. 9, 10, 11. 15, 16. 18, 19.22. Bacon, Sir Edmund, Bart. 65. 161, 162. 189, 190, 191. 193.254. Bacon, Sir Nicholas, xiii. xv. 2, 3. 5. 7, 8, 9. 17, n. 50 and n. 81, n. 94 and n. Bacon, Anne, xv. xxvi. 108. 162,n. 276. 295 and n. Bacon, Henry, 81 and n. Bacon, Jane, xv. 140. 165. Bacon, Lord Chancellor, xxvi. 149 and n. Bagshot, 243 and n. Banning, Paul, Viscount, 205, n. Banning, Anne, Viscountess, ib. Barrie, Mr. 190. Barrington, Lady, 201. 208, 209. INDEX. 307 213. 220. 223 and n. 224, 225, 226, 227. 247. Barrington, Sir Thomas, 208. Barrington Hall, 223, n. Bath, Mary, Countess of, xxi. xxii. xxiii. xxiv. 54, 55, 56. 64, 65. 67, 68. 71. Bath, W. Earl of, xxi. xxii. xxiii. xxiv. 68. Bath, John, Earl of, xxi. and n. Bathing, ceremony of, 139 and n. Beaumont, Sir Thomas, 297, n. Bedford, Lucy, Countess of, iv. xiv. xvii. xviii. xix. xx. xxi. 18 and n. 20, 21 and n. 23, 24, 25, n. 26. 28. 30. 33, 34, 35. 37, 38. 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, n. 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53 and n. 55, n. 56. 58, 59. 62, 63. 65. 67. 71, 72 74, 75. 77, 78, n. 79. 81, 82, 83, 84. 86, 87. 90. 100. 108. Ill, 112. 118. 120, 121, 122. 125. 131. 140, 141. 143. 145. 147. 165. 168 and n. 169. 173. Bedford, Francis, 2nd Earl of, xx. xxii. n. Bedford, Edward, 3rd Earl of, xvii. xviii. 28. 173. Bedford, Francis, 4th Earl of, 220. Bergen op Zoom, 241. Bind on, Viscount, 88, n. Bohemia, Elizabeth, Queen of, 26. 40. 43. 132, n. 183,257 and n. 258, 259. 262. 273. 275. 286. Bohemia, King of, 183. 252. 280,n. Boreley, 242, n. Boteler, Eliza, 169, n. Boteler, Sir John, ib. Bradfield, 205, n. Brentwood, 164. Bridge water, John, Earl of, 213 and n. 272, n. Brill, the, 258. Bristol, Earl of, 163 and n. Brome, iii. ix. x. xi. n. xiv. xv. xvi. 22. 24. 40. 94. 96. 101. n. 124. 144. 162. 164. 175. 193. 200. 203. 231. 234. 246, 247. 249. 255 ; household book at, 53, n. Brooke, Fulke, Lord, 1 96 and n. Brownrigg, Ralph, 278, n. Bruce, Thomas, Lord, 78, n. Buckingham, Villiers, Duke of, 44. 73. 86. 90. 126. 143 and n. 151. 156. 158 and n. 159, n. 160. 171. 177. 180 and n. 186 andn. 193. 201. 237, n. Buckingham, Duchess of, 261 and n. Burnebye, Sir Richard, xxv. 114. 202. 216 and n. Burnebye, Susan, 196. 198 and n. 199. 202 andn. Bury St. Edmund's, 69 99. 161. 164. 194. 205, n. Bury St. Edmund's Abbey, 91. Butler, of Bramfield, Lord, 287 n. Butler, Lady, 159 and n. Butler, Sir John, ib. Butts, Sir William, xv. 162, n. Butts, Anne, ib. Buxhall, 225, n. Byshe, Lady, 207, n. Cadiz, 137, n. Caddiman, Dr. 290. 300. Calais, 41. Cambray, 282. Cambridge, 161 and n. Capel, Mr. 299. Capel, Sir A. 285 and n. Carlisle, Henry, Earl of, 204 and n. 284 and n. Castell, Sir John, 239. Catherine Hall, 278, n. Caesar, Sir C. 248 and n. Cecil, SirE. 137 andn. 152. Chamberlain, Lord, 125, 126. 128. Chandos, Lord, 45 and n. Charles Prince of Wales, xxvii. 37, n. 91.301. Charles, King, xxvii. xxviii. xxx. n. 125, 126. 137, 138.140. 144,n. 146, 147, n. 151. 157 and n. 161. 163. 177, 178. 185, 186 andn. 189, 190 193, 1D4.197. 205, 212 and n. 217, 218. 220 and n. 230. 233, 234, •_>:i5. 2:56. 237,11.239.243,244.247,248, 308 INDEX. n. 249. 255. 261. 266 and n. 280. 288. 296. 298. 300, 301. Chelmsford, 16. Chelsea, 145, n. Chetwin, Mr. 151. Chevreux, Duke of, 127. Chichester, 211 and n. Chichester, Sir Robert, 44, n. 57, 58, 76. 78 and n. Chichester, Miss, 57, 58, n. 76. 79. Chichester, Ann, Lady, 44, n. Chilton, 175, n. Chitting, Mr. 113 and n. 208. 242. 248. Chittock, Mr. 83. Chivalry, Court of, 243 and n. Christ Church, xxviii. Clare, Earl of, 220. Claxton, Mr. 164. 176. 222 and n. Claxton, Mrs. 164. Clerkenwell, 182. Cleveland, Earl of, 150, n. 157 and n. 175. 188. 195. 216. Cleveland, Countess of, 157 and n. 175 and n. 188. Clifford, Ann, xvii. n. Clifton, Sir G. 207 and n. Clifton, Gervase, Lord, 90 and n. Cobham, Lord, 225, n. Cobham, 179 and n. Cock, Mr. 109. Cockpit, the, 89. Colchester, 133. 164. 203. Coleby, Mr. 92 and n. 113. Colona, Don Carlos de, 212. Combe, xix. 44 and n. 76. Comus, Masque of, 213, n. Conyngsby, Sir Henry,xxvi. 169, n. Conyngsby, Elizabeth, ib. 247, n. Cooke, Pedigree of, 1 32, n. Cooke, Anne, 12, n. 14. Cooke, Richard, ix. 12, n. Cooke,. Lady, 96. 102, 103, 104. 132 and n. 218. Cooke, Philippe, ix. Ill, n. See Cotton. Cooke, Sir Edward, 144. Copinger, 225. Copinger, Pedigree of, 225, n. Copinger, Ursula, xxx. and n. Cornwallis, Jane, Lady, xiv. 1 and n. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. 9, 10 andn. 11, 12. 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24. 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33. 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41. 43. 46. 48, 49. 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56. 58, 59. 62, 63, 64, 65. 67, 68. 71, 72. 74, 75. 77, 79. 81, 82, 83, 84. 86, 87. 91, 92, 93. 95, 96. 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107. 109, 110, 111, 112. 114, 115. 117, 118. 121. 123, 124, 125. 131. 133, 134, 135, 136, 137. 183. See Bacon, Lady. Cornwallis, Sir Thomas, xxii. n. xxiii. xxiv. Cornwallis, Charles, 2nd Marquis, iii. Cornwallis, Sir Frederick, ix. x. xi. xvii. xxviii. xxix. 27. 135. 151. 171. 173,174, 175. 196. 206, n. 216. 221. 230, 231. 234, 235. 245, 246, 247, 248. 255. 257, 258, 259, 260. 262. 266, 267. 269. 272. 279 and n. 280, 281. 285. 290. 293. 296, 297. Cornwallis, Eliza, Lady, 231, 232. 234. 238, 239. 247, 248, 249. 255 265. 267, 268, 269, 270. 273. 279 and n. 281. 284. 287. 289, 290. 293, 294. 299. 301, 302. Cornwallis, Mary, see Countess of Bath. Cornwallis, Sir William, iii. ix. xi. xxvii. n. 1. 97, n. 181. Cornwallis, Sir Thomas, xxiii. xxiv. 64, n. 68, n. 97, n. Cornwallis, Sir Charles, xxiii. 3 and n. 97 and n. 103. Cornwallis, Alice, xxii. n. Cornwallis, Thomas, 70. Cornwallis, Robin, 64 and n. Cornwallis, Charles, 266. Cornwallis, Harriet, 291. Coronation, the, 138. 140. Cosin, Mr. 292. Cottington, Sir Francis, 212 and n. INDEX. 309 Cotton, Thomas, xxvi. 153 and n. Cotton, Bartholomew, ib. Cotton, Mr. 162. Cotton, Philippe, lll,n. 155 and n. 166. 168. See Cooke. Cotton, Sir Robert, 220. Coventry, 110, lll,n. 114. 123, 124. 168. 210. 212. Cramond, Eliza, Lady, 297, 298 and n. Crane, Sir Robert, 171. 174, 175 and n. Craven, Earl, 44 n. Craven, Lord William, 241 and n. Crawley, 169,n. Croftes, Sir John, 157, n. 175. 197 and n. Croftes, Lady, 197. Croftes, John, 29, n. Croftes, Sir Henry, xxix. Cuckow, Mr. 14. Culford, iii. x. xi. xiv. xv. xvi. 18, 19, 20, 21. 95. 110. 156. 161.169. 194, n. 222. 226. 290. Curteen, Sir William, 209 and n. 213.221.225. Cumberland, Francis, Earl of, 301 and n. Cumberland, Countess of, xxii. n. Dacre, F. Lord, 205, n. Dacre, E. Lady, ib. Darcey, Mrs. 97. Darnley, Earl of, 197, n. Davison, Francis, xxii. Deake, Mr. 153. Delpht, 258. Denbigh, Countess of, 237, 238. 291. Denbigh, Earl of, 237, n. 29.1. Denmark, King of, 23 and n. 216,n. Denmark House, 125. 218. Derby, F. Earl of, 213, n. Devonshire, W. Earl of, 1 93 and n. Digby, Mr. 197. Digges, Sir D. 159, n. Diss, 151, 257, n. Dixon, Mrs. 168 and n. 173. 207. Dodsworth, Margaret, 254, n. Doncaster, Viscount, 204, n. Dorchester, Viscount, 205, n. 206, 251. Dorchester, Marquis of, 205, n. Dorchester, Cecily, Marchioness of, 205, n. Dorchester, Lady, 251. Dormer, Mr. 93. Dorset, Earl of, 184. 186 and n. 205, 206. Dover, Lord, 280. Dover, Mayor of, 253. Dnimmond, Patrick, 30, n. Drurv, Lady, 97. 109. Drury, Sir Drue, 156. 171. 174, 175. 222. Dudley, Sir Robert, 220, n. Duke, Dr. 164. Dunkirk, 133. 143. Dunluce, Lord, 261 and n. Dunsmore, Lord, 211 and n. Durham House, 301. Edmonds, Sir Thomas, 201. Egerton, Lady Alice, 213, n. Elector Palatine, Charles, 280 and n. 282. Eliot, Sir John, 159 and n. Elizabeth, Queen, 125. Elliott, G. 239. 272. 294. 301. Eltenhead, Ned, 139. Elviston, John, 30. Emperor, the, 216. Essex, Earl of, 137. 139 and n. 292. Esterford, 164, 165. Exchequer, Barons of, 191. Exchequer, Chancellor of, 38. Exeter, Thomas, Earl of, 30, n. 137, n. Eye, xxviii. Eye, Bailiff of, 101 and n. Exton, xviii. 24, 25. 65, n. . Felton, Sir A. 92 and n. Felton, Sir H. ib. Fenne,John, 94. 102. 127, 128. 190. 292. 294. 299. Fielding, Basil, Lord, 291 and n. Fleet, Spanish, 244. 310 INDEX. France, King of, 108. 117. 127. 137, 138. 140. 197. Frankfort, 241. Fraser, Sir Thomas, 79. Fullerton, Sir James, 216. Gabrielle, Madame, 242. Garman, Mr. 266. (Qy. Jermyn.) Gawdy, Bass, 109 and n. Gawdy, Sir B. 92, n. 95, n. Gawdy, Charles, 132, n. Gawdy, Dorothy, 92, n. Gawdy, Ann, 95 and n. 101 and n. Gerbier, Sir B, 201 and n. Gidea Hall, ix. Gillingham, 97, n. Glemham, Sir H. 205, n. Glemham, Ann, 187. 196 and n. Glasonby, Mr. 298. Glover, Mrs. 98. 158. 186, 187. Glover, Mr. 117. 127. 154. 158, n. Grenegate, ix. Goodwinne, Sir F. 49 and n. Goodyere, Sir H. 132, n. Gordon, Mr. 283. Gorge, Arthur, 205, n. Gorge, Mary, ib. Gorhambury, xiv. xxv. n. xxvi. Goring, Lord, 218 and n. 259.280. Gosfield, 157, n. Go wry Conspiracy, 139, n. Grandison, W. Viscount, 205, n. Grandison, Mary, Viscountess, ib. Granger, iv. Gray's Inn, 278, n. Greenhill, Mr. 102, 103, n. 210. 265. Greenwich, 100. 163. 247. Grimston, Sir Harbottle, xxvii. 205 and n. Grimston, Lady, xxvii. n. See Bacon, Ann. Gustavus Adolphus, 240, 241 and n. 244, n. Haarleem, 209, n. Hackney, 254. Hadington, Viscount, 1 39, n. Hague, the, 42. 184. 257, 258, 290.303, 304. Hamburgh, 117. Ham, West, ix. 247, n. Hamilton, James, Marquis of, 79 and n. 90. 118 and n. 128 and n. 241 and n. Hampton Court, 195. 281, Hanworth, 113, n. Hare, Eliza, 176, n. Harington House, 112. Harling, 95, n. Harrington, Ann, Lady, xvii. 44, n. 65 and n. 66. 78 and n. Harrington, Bridget, 25, n. Harrington, John, 1st Lord, xvii. 29 and n. 44, n. 65, n. 66. Harrington, John, 2nd Lord, xvii. 21 and n. Harrington, Sir Henry, 29, n. Harrington, Sir John, ib. Harrington, Sir James, 25, n. Harrington, Sir William, xviii. 18, n. Hastings, Lord, 162, n. Hatton, Lady, 207, n. Hawnes, 23, n. Haywood, Mr. 196, n. Haywood Forest, 213, n. Hengrave, 70. Hengrave, History of, 97, n. Henley, James, 91. 93. Henry IV. of France, 242. Herbert, Lord, of Cherbury, 272, n. Herbert, Mary, Lady, 272 and n. Hertford, 175. Hide Park, 247. 260. Hill, Mr. 298. Holbein, xix. 50. Holborn, 93. Holdernesse, Lord, 139 andTk Holland, Earl of, 122, n. 140. 218. 261. 292. Holland, Lady, 282. Howard, Thomas, 287, 288. Hunsdon, Cary, Lord, 280 and n. Huntingdon, 23. Huntingdon, Earl of, Henry, 24 and n. Hurley, 264, n. Ipswich, xvi. INDEX. 311 James I., King, xvi. 23, n. 24. 26. 36. 45. 47. 50. 52. 57, 58. 63. 97, 98. 120. 128 and n. 139, n. 276, n. Jenithrope, Sir J. 285. Jermyn, Lady, 113. Jermyn, Sir Thomas, 1 13, n. 225, n. Jermyn, Sir Henry, 205 and n. Jerusalem, 81, n. Julyers, 33. Kellett, Mr. 187. 193. Kelway, Robert, xvii. 29, n. 44, n. 122. Kendrick, Mrs. 46. Kensington, Lord, 122 and n. 123. Kensington, 260. Killigrew, Thomas, 29 and n. Killigrew, Sir W. 113, n. Killigrew, Katharine, ib. Killigrew, Henry, 1 7 and n Killigrew, Sir Joseph, 17, n. Killigrew, Sir Robert, 272, n. Knebworth, 223. Knightsbridge, 297. Kytson, Lady, xxi. 97, n. xxii. n. xxiii. Kytson, Sir Thomas, xxi. xxii. xxiii. Lamb, Sir John, 291, n. Latimer, John, Lord, xi. n. Laud, Archbishop, Diary of, 257, n. Laurence, Mr. 289. Leadenhall, ix. Leicester, 72. Leicester, Earl of, 63, n. Leigh, Sir Francis, 211 and n. Leipsic, 239, 240, 241, n. Lenox, Lady of, 90 and n. 100. Lenox, Lord of, ib. Lenox, Duke of, 100, n. 197, n. Lenox, Duke and Duchess of, 291. Ley, Lord, 141, n. Littleton, 100. Livermere, 164, 222 and n. Long, Bridget, 128, 129. 202 and n. 203. 218. 228,229. Long, Mr. 128, 129. 203. 214. 216. 227. 229. London, Juxon, Bishop of, 220. 284 and n. Lorn, Lord, 146, n. Lovelace, Lord, 254 and n. Lucas, Mr. 293. Ludgate Hill, 193. Lyndsey, Lord, 243. Lytton, Sir Rowland, 223, n. Magdeburgh, 240. 250. Maitland, Mary, 30, n. Maitland, Sir W. ib. Maltravers, Lord, 142 and n. 280. Manchester, 141 and n. Manners, Lady Cath. 261, n. Mansfeld, Count, 117. Markham, Frances, 25 and n. 280. Markham, Sir Anth. 25, n. Marlborough, Ley Earl of, 141, n. Marshal, the Earl, 136. 142. 146. 280. Marshal, the Knight, 292. Marten, Sir Henry, 254, n. Massey, Lord, 244. Mawborne Hills, 21. May erne, Sir Theodore, 41. 145, and n. Mayor, Lord, 138. Meautys, Sir Thomas, xxv. and n. 27, 28. 31. 33. 36. 39. 79, 80. 106, 107. Ill, 112. 114, 11.5. 123, 124. 133, 134. 155. 167. 169. 180. 182, 183, 184. 196. 214, 215. 228. 252, 253. 256. 277, 278. 290. 294. 300, 301, 302. Meautys, John, ix. Meautys, Thomas, Clerk of the Council, xxv. and n. xxvi. xxvii. 138. 140. 144, 145. 148, 149, 150, 151. 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159. 161, 162. 164. 166. 168, 169, 170. 173, 174, 175, 176. 178, 179. 184. 186. J 89. 192, 193. 195. 199, 200, 201. 210. 212, 213. 216, 217, 218, 219. 222. 228. 299. Meautys, Sir Peter, ix. xx. 217 and n. Meautys, Ann, Lady, xxv. 98, n. 312 INDEX. 153.202. 216,n.256,262,263, 264, 265, 266. 294, 295, n. 302, 303, 304, 305. Meautys, Hercules, ix. xxvi. 180. 198. 202, 203. 214, 215, 216. 228, 229. 266. 276, 277. 287. 295. Meautys, Henry, xxvi. 176 and n. Meautys, Eliza, 176, n. Medlye, 141. Melton Constable, 162, n. Michael's, St. Church, (St. Alban's,) xxvii. 149, n. Michel Grove, 284, n. Milton, J. 213, n. Mims, North, xxvi. 169, n. Monmouth, Cary, Earl of, 37, n. 141, n. Monson, Sir Thomas, 30 and n. Montagu, Sir Charles, 207, n. Montagu, Walter, 292. Monteagle, Lord, 30 and n. 45. 49. More Lodge, 38. 43. 47. 72. 131. More Park, xviii. 122, 123. 212 and n. Morgan, Sir C. 216 and n. 241. Morse, Mr. 94 and n. 113. 160. 162. 191. 193. 196. 245. 281, 282. 288. Murdoch, Mr. 104. Mulgrave, S. Earl of, 141, n. Murray, Henry, 205, n. 273. Nethersole, Sir F. and Lady, 132 and n. 200. 241. Neville, Lucy, xi. n. 97, n. Newcastle, Earl of, 87, n. 292. Newmarket, 50. 157. 231. 235, 236, 237. 241. 282. Newport, Lord, 287, n. 292. Newport, Lady, 287 and n. Nicolas, Sir Harris, xxii. North, Dudley, Lord, 207 and n. North, Lady, ib. Northampton, Henry, Earl of, 87, n. Norton, Sir Richard, 29, n. Norwich, 46. 94. Oakley, ix. x. xi. n. Oatlands, 288. and n. Ogle, Col. 154. Orange, Prince of, xxv. 183. 212. 275. Ordsall (Notts), 276, n. Overbury, Sir Thomas, 34. Oxford, Geoffrey, Earl of, 1 60, n. Oxford University, 244, n. Oxford, xxviii. Palgrave, x. 1 and n. 10, 11. Palms, Mr. 292. Papenheim, 250. Parr, Elnathan, 1 and n. 2, 3, 4. 9, 10. 13. 102. Parr, Mrs. 102. Paulett, Lord Henry, 141 and n. Payne, Mr. 93. 106, 107. Peacham, xiv. Peade, Mr. 91. 111. Pearse, Mr. 101. Peers, Creation of, 141 and n. Pembroke, W. Earl of, 63, n. 65, n. Pembroke, Philip, Earl of, 212, n. Playford, 92, n. Playters, Sir W. 205 and n. 210. 221. Pennant, iv. xvii. xix. Porter, Mr. 98. Potts,. Mr. 278. Puckeridge, 139. Purser, G. 91. Queen Ann of Denmark, xvii. 23, 24. 36, 37, n. 41 and n. 44. 48. 57. 63 and n. Queen Henrietta Maria, 137, 138. 201. 205, n. 217, 218, 230. 233. 235, 236, 237, n. 238. 243. 249. 255. 266. 271. 280. 284. 288. 293. 300. Quester, Mr. 13. 15. Radcliffe, Sir A. 32, n. 73. 117, n. 256. 262. 264. Radcliffe, Frances, Lady, 32, n. 256. 262. 264. 276. Radcliffe, Sir John, 116. Ramsay, John, 1 39, n. Ramsey, 244. Randolph Pedigree, xxx. INDEX. 313 Randolph, Ambrose, xxx. xxxi. 151. 170. 196, 197. 203, -204. 206, 207. 221. 227. 239. 242, 243. 245. 247. Randolph, Dorothv,xxx. xxxi. 131, 132. 200, 20 f. 203, 204. 206 and n. 207. 210.213, 214.220, 221. 224, 225, 226, 227. 232, 233. 246, 247, 248. 255. Reay, Lord, 244, n. Redgrave, xiii. xv. n. 84. 190. Retz, Isle of, 196. Richardson, Sir T. 297, n. Richmond, Frances, Duchess of, 88 and n. 90. 273. Richmond, Duchess of, 291 and n. Richmond and Lenox, Duke of, 87 and n. 88, 291 and n. Rickmansworth, 83. Riddlesworth, 169. Rine, 252. Rivers, Earl of, 261 n. 280. Rochelle, 138. 140. Roe, Sir Thomas, 244 and n. Rohan, Due de, 138. Rokewode, J. G. Esq. vi. vii. Rosseter, Mr. 39. Rosseter, Ensign, 109. Roxborough, Lord, 30 and n. Roxborough, Lady, ib. 34. 37.44. 48. Rubens, 201. Rushbrook, 225, n. Russell, Mr. 46. Rutland, 23. 28. Salmon, Mr. 80. Savage, Lord, 261 and n. 280. Savage, Sir Thomas, 261, n. Saxe, Duke of, 239, 240. 251. Saxham, xxviii. 157, n. 175 and n. 197, n. Sedgebrooke, 25, n. Semer, Miss, 284. Serville, Mrs. 298. Shelley, Sir T. 284, n. 290. Shelley, Lady, 290. Shelley, Sir W. 284. Shelton, Lady, 301. Shepy, Countess of, 205, n. Short, Mr. 92. 1 94. 242. Shrewsburjr, G. Earl of, 65, n. Shute, Frances, 32 and n. Sibbs, R., DD. 278 and n. 279. Smalbridge, 109, n. Smith, Sir G. 223, n. Smith, Lady, 156. Smith, Mr. 214. Somerset, C. Earl of, 220. Somerset, Countess of, 34 and n. 36 and n. Somerset House, 300. Sotterley, 205, n. Soubise, Monsieur, 138. Spa, the, 40. 45. Spain, King of, 98. 275. 301 . Spencer, Lord, 78 and n. Spencer, Lady, ib. Spring, Sir William, 242. St. Alban's, Henry, Earl of, 1 1 3, n. 205, n. St. Alban's, (Bacon,) Lord of, 149 andn. 188. St. George, Sir Henry, 213. St. John, Mr. 220. Stafford, Sir Thomas, 239. 272 and n. 284. Stafford House, 272, n. Stanhope, Mr. 95. 101, n. Stanhope, Mrs. ib. Stanley, Lady F. 213, n. Starston, 153, n. Stepney, xvii. Stewart, Lord, 128 and n. Stiffkev, xiii. Stoke, 167. Stonehouse, Sir George, 254, n. Stoughton Grange, 297, n. Stourton, Sir W. 141 and n. Stratford-on-Avon, 272, n. Stuart, Esme, Lord, 90, n. Stuart, Catherine, Lady, ib. Stuart, Lady Elizabeth, 146, n. Stutton, x. Suckling, Sir John, 197, and n. Suffolk, Thomas, Earl of, 161, n. Sussex, Earl of, 1 14. 153, n. Sussex, Robert, Earl of, 276, n. Sussex, Countess of, 1 12 and n. 114. 149. 153, n. 180. 215. Sweden, King of, 216. p IVK1 314 INDEX. Sydenham, Sir E. 132, n. 218. Temple, Sir W. xviii. Theobalds, 120. 281. 288. Thetford, 52. 91. Thompson, Robert, 169 and n. Thompson, Mrs. 169. Thompson Pedigree, ib. Thornage, xv. 162 and n. Thorpe Abbots, xxiv. 68 andn. 71. Thrandeston, x. Tilley, Mr. 239, 240, 241 and n. Toddington, 156 and n. 175. Totness, C. Earl of, 141, n. Townshend, Lords, xiii. Tryon, Miss, 209, n. Twickenham, 18. Twickenham Park, xviii. 1 8 and n. Tucker, Mrs. 169. Uvedale, Lady, 29 and n. Uvedale, Sir William, 29, n. Valladolid, 212, n. Vanderburgh, 212. Vandelet, Sir J. 284, n. Vandelet, Lady, 301. Vandelet, Christiana, 284, n. Vandomer, xxv. n. Vendome, Duke of, 242, 243. 245. Vere, Lord of Tilbury, 141, n. 150, n. 154. 182. Vernon, Mr. 194. Villiers, Sir George, 237, n. Villiers, Mrs. 239, 266. Waldegrave, Sir E. 17, n. 109 andn. Waldegrave> Lady, 97. 109 and n. 274. Wales, Charles Prince of, 300. Walgrave, Nicholas, 242, n. Walpole, Horace, xiii. xiv. xv. Walter, David, 205, n. Warwick, Dudley, Earl of, 44, n. Warwick,Henry, Earl of, 122 and n. Warwick, Robert, Earl of, 133 and n. 134. Watton Woodhall, 169, n. Wentworth, Lord, 141 and n. 150. Wentworth, Sir John, 157, n. West, Mrs. 248. Weston, Lord, 242, n. 251. 260 and n. Weston, Lady, 242 and n. 246. Westminster, 137. 140. 143. Westminster Abbey, 291. White Hall, 41. 160. 209, n. 218. 235. WifFen, Mr. xvii. Wilmot, Mr. 292. Wilson, Thomas, xxv. Wilson, Sir Thomas, 160. 169. Wilton, x. Wimbledon, Lord, 137, n. 154. Winchester, Marquis of, 30, n. Winchester, Marchioness of, 30. Winchester, 4th Marquis of, 141, n. Winchester, Bishop of, 220. Wingfield, Young, 171. 174, 175 and n. Wingfield, Sir Thomas, 174, n. Wingfield, Eliza, Lady, ib. Withepoole, Lady, 16 and n. Woburn Abbey, xix. Woddhull, Mr. 282. Woodhouse, Frank, 101. Woodhouse, Philip, 254. Woodhouse, Mary, 272, n. Woodstock, 24. Yarmouth, 106. 241. York, 243. York, Duke of, 301. Young, C. G. Esq. vi. vii. THE END. London : Printed by S. & J. Bentley, Wilson, and Fley, Bangor House, Shoe Lane. U*s fid. pfiwijfc ifa f-rdifiLL- Jxlv&t J* -/-j I / Fl IB— '1 If GS^^t jb • 9k|/Hf^ \¥|J._jBv.1 ^M\T : V: : ':/ijM|f rvi/ 1 '■'"'■ ^B 11. - WBp%\j| ftkvl - Irjfl S'alrrl Wfl i flffSf iWm f Jk / wf l^^f L4l «N&