forth with to set out a proclamation to that effect; / retractation of his wicked opinions in writing. not intending in that point to stand upon any The form was as good as may be. I declared to doubt of law, nor to expect the judges' interpre- him, that this court was the judgment-seat; the tation; nor to allow any freehold in that case; mercy-seat was his majesly : but the court would but holding this the safest rule, Salus reipublicæ commend him to his majesty : and I humbly pray suprema lex esto. And so I rest

his majesty to signify his pleasure speedily, be Your lordship's faithful friend and servant, cause of the misery of the man; and it is a rare

G. BUCKINGHAM. thing for a sectary, that hath once suffered smart Newmarket, Nov. 27, 1619.

and shame, to turn so unfeignedly, as he seemed to do.

God ever bless and keep you.

Your most obliged friend and faithful servant, TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.

FR. VERULAM, Canc. MY HONOURABLE LORD,

December 1, 1619. I have presented both the submissions to his majesty. His answer is, he cannot alter that

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. which was allowed of by the lords of the last Star Chamber day, except first they be acquainted My very good Lord. with it, and the consent of the Lady Exeter be On Friday I left London, to hide myself at Kew; likewise had, because the decree doth necessarily for two months and a half together to be strongrequire it. So I rest

bent is too much for my bow. And yet, that the Your lordship’s humble servant, king may perceive, that in my times of leisure I

G. BUCKINGHAM. am not idle, I took down with me Sir Giles MomEndorsed,

pesson,* and with him I have quietly conferred Touching the submissions of Sir Thomas Lake of that proposition, which was given me in and his lady.

charge by his majesty, and after seconded by your lordship. Wherein I find some things I like very well, and some other, that I would set by.

And one thing is much to my liking, that the TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

proposition for bringing in his majesty's revenue

with small charge is no invention, but was on My veRY GOOD LORD,

foot heretofore in King Philip's and Queen Mary's I acquainted this day, the bearer with his ma- time, and had a grave and mighty opinion for it. jesty's pleasure, touching Lake'st submission; The rest I leave to his relation, and mine own which, whether it should be done in person or in attendance. writing, his majesty signified his will thus: that

I hope his majesty will look to it, that the fines it should be spared in open court, if my Lady of

now to come in may do him most good. Both Exeter should consent, and the board think fit

. causes produce fines of one hundred and fourscore The board liked it well, and appointed my Lord thousand pounds, whereof one hundred thousand Digby, and Secretary Calvert, to speak with my may clear ihe anticipations; and then the assignlady, who returned her answer in substance, that ations may pass under the great seal, to be enroll. she would, in this and all things, be commanded able; so as we shall need to think of nothing but by his majesty: but if his majesty left it to her the arrears in a manner, of which I wish the liberty and election, she humbly prayed to be twenty thousand pounds to the strangers (with excused. And though it was told her, that this the interest) be presently satisfied. The remain answer would be cause that it could not be performed this term; yet she seemed willing rather sioners, as bloody and cruel in their proceedings against him, it should be delayed, than dispensed with. and a papal clergy. He was sentenced to fine and imprisonThis day also Traske,& in open court, made a

TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.*

a

inay serve for the king's present and urgent occa- chequer hath promised his majesty that he will sions. And if the king intend any gifts, let them be no more sick, whereby you shall have this stay for the second course, (for all is not yet done,) comfort, that the burden will not lie upon your but nothing out of these, except the king should lordship alone. give me the twenty thousand pounds I owe Peter The little leisure I had at Theobalds made me Vanbore out of his fine, which is the chief debt bring your man down hither for this answer, I owe. But this I speak merrily. I ever rest which I hope your lordship will excuse; and Your lordship's most obliged friend

ever hold me for
and faithful servant,

Your lordship’s faithful friend
Fr. Verulam, Canc.

and servant, Kew, December 12, 1619.

G. BUCKINGHAM. After I had written this letter, I received from

Royston, 19h of Jan.

Endorsed, 1619. your lordship, by my servant, his majesty's acceptation of my poor services; for which I pray your lordship to present to his majesty my most humble thanks. I have now other things in my

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGIIAM. mind for his majesty's service, that no time be lost. MY VERY GOOD LORD,

In the midst of business, as in the midst of a way, one should not stay long, especially when I crave no direction, but only advertise.

This day we met about the commission, the MY HONOURABLE LORD,

commonwealth's commission, for the poor and His majesty hath been pleased, out of his gra- vagabonds, &c. We have put it into an exceedcious care of Sir Robert Killigrew, to refer a suit ing good way, and have appointed meetings once of his, for certain concealed lands, to your lord- in fourteen days, because it shall not be aslack. ship and the rest of the commissioners for the I was glad to hear from the two chief justices, treasury; the like whereof hath been heretofore that whatsoever appears in the country to come granted to many others. My desire to your lord- from primum mobile, (that is, the king's care,) ship is, that, he being a gentleman whom I love works better than if it came from the law. Thereand wish very well unto, your lordship would fore we have ordered that this commission shall show him, for my sake, all the favour you can, in be published in the several circuits in the charges furthering his suit. Wherein your lordship shall of the judges. For the rest hereafter.' do me a courtesy, for which I will ever rest For the proposition of Sir Giles Mompesson we Your lordship’s faithful friend and servant, have met once. Exchequer-men will be exche

G. BUCKINGHAM. quer-men still; but we shall do good. Royston, December 15, 1619.

For the account, or rather imparting, of the commissioners of treasury to the council, I thiok it will but end in a compliment. But the real

care (and I hope good purpose) I will not give TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR,

over, the better, because I am not alone. MY HONOURABLE LORD,

For the Star Chamber business, I shall, as you I have acquainted his majesty with your letter, write, keep the clock on going, which is hard to who for that business, whereof Mr. Chancellor

do, when sometimes the wheels are too many, of the Exchequer brought the message to his and sometimes too few. But we shall do well, majesty to Theobalds, returned the answer by especially if those whom the king hath hitherto him. As for that, whereof Sir Giles Mompesson made bondmen, (I mean, which have given bonds spake to your lordship, his majesty liketh very for their fines,) he do not hereafter make freemen. well, and so to all others with whom his majesty

For Suffolk's business, it is a little strange, hath spoken of it; and, therefore, he recommend that the attorney made it a question to the cometh it to your care, not doubting but your lordship will give all your furtherance to it, being not be admitted to the lease of the extent of his

missioners of treasury, whether Suffolk should your own work, and so much concerning his

own land, which is the way to encourage him not majesty's honour and profit ; and will speak to pay his fine. But when it was told him, that farther with your lordship of it at his return to the contrary course was held with the Earl of London. For those other businesses of the Star Chamber, to agree for his fine; then he turned, as his man

Northumberland, and that thereby he was brought which his majesty hath recommended to your

ner is. lordship, he hopeth you will keep the clock still going, his profit being so much interested there- Sir Fulke Greville, who surrendered that office in Sep ir, especially seeing Mr. Chancellor of the Ex- tember, 1621, being succeeded in it by Sir Richard Weston.

He had been created Lord Brooke of Beauchamp's Court, • Harl. MSS. vol. 7006.

Jan. 9, 1620-1.

a

TO MR. SECRETARY CALVERT.

For the errors, we have yet so much use of the service of Sir Henry Britten in bringing in the MR. SECRETARY, fines, (indeed more than of the attorney,) as we I have received your letter of the 3d of this cannot, without prejudice to his majesty's ser- present, signifying his majesty's pleasure touchvice, enter yet into them; and, besides, Sir Ed- ing Peacock's* examinations, of which I will ward Coke comes not abroad.

have special care. Mr. Kirkham hath communicated with me, as My Lord Coke is come to town, and hath sent matter of profit to his majesty, upon the coals me word, he will be with me on Monday, though referred by his majesty to us of the treasury; he be somewhat lame. Howsoever, the service wherein I hope we shall do good, the rather, shall be done. because I am not alone.

I was made acquainted, by your letter to SecreThe proclamation for light gold Mr. Secretary tary Naunton, with his majesty's dislike of the Calvert, I know, hath sent to his majesty; and sending to him of the jolly letter from Zealand. therefore of that I say no more.

I will now speak for myself, that when it was For the raising of silver by ordinance, and not received, I turned to the master of the wards,t by proclarnation, and that for the time to come, and said, “Well, I think you and I shall ever we have given order to finish it. I hear a whis- advise the king to do more for a Burlamachi pering, that thereupon the commissioners of the when he seeketh to his majesty by supplication navy, the officers of the household, the wardrobe, and supplying the king at the first word, than for may take occasion to break the book and the all the rest upon any bravados from the Burgoundertakings, because the prices may rise, which masters of Holland and Zealand :" who answered I thought good to signify to his majesty. And, very honestly, that it was in the king's power to to speak plainly, I fear more the pretence than make them alter their style when he would. But the natural effect.

when another of us said, we could not but in our God evermore preserve your lordship. I rest own discharge send the king the letter, scilicet Your lordship's most obliged friend negandum non fuit ; though indeed my way is and faithful servant,

otherwise. FR. VERULAM, Canc. I have at last recovered from these companions, January 20, 1619.

Harrison and Dale, a copy of my Lord of Bangor'sť book, the great one, and will presently set

in hand the examinations. God keep you. TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.

Your assured friend, MY HONOURABLE LORD,

FR. VERULAM, Canc. I have acquainted his majesty with your letter,

February 5, 1619. who is very well pleased therewith, finding in you a continual care of his service. In that point of the Star Chamber business, his majesty saith there is a mistaking: for he meant not the MAY IT PLEASE YOUR MAJESTY, Dutchmen's business, but that motion which Sir Edward Coke is now afoot, and, according your lordship made unto him, of sitting in the to your command, signified by Mr. Secretary Star Chamber about the commissions, which you Calvert, we proceed in Peacock's examinations. had not leisure to read till he came down to For, although there have been very good diligence Royston, and hath reason to give you thanks for used, yet certainly we are not at the bottom; and it, desiring you to prepare it, and study the point, he that would not use the utmost of his line to (of which he will speak more with you at his sound such a business as this, should not have return to London, being a matter worthy your due regard neither to your majesty's honour noi thinking on, and his majesty's practice.

safety. For the last point of your letter, his majesty saith it cannot but proceed of malice, that there

* He was a minister of the University of Cambridge. He

was committed to the Tower for pretending that he had, by should be any such plot, which he will not sorcery, infatuated the king's judgment, in the cause of Sir endure, but he will account those that whisper of Thomas Lake.-Camd. Annal. Regis Jacobi I., p. 54.

+ Sir Lionel Cranfield. it in that sort, enemies of his service; and will

1 Dr. Lewis Bayly, born at Caermarthen in Wales, and put them out of their places that practise it. And educated in Exeter College, Oxford. so I rest

of Evesham in Worcestershire, and chaplain to Prince

Henry, and rector of St. Matthew's, Friday street, in London. Your lordship's faithful

He was promoted to the bishopric of Bangor in 1616. friend and servant,

TO THE KING.

He had been minister

On TO T

LORD CHANCELLOR.

A man would think he were in Luke Hutton's Spain from hence, are discharged, together with case again; for, as my Lady Roos personated some munition, which was also upon the point of Luke Hutton, so it seemeth, Peacock personateth being sent. Another thing is also certain, that Atkins. But I make no judgment yet, but will both in the court of Spain and this, there is at go on with all diligence; and, if it may not be this time a strange straitness of money; which I one otherwise, it is fit Peacock be put to torture. do not conceive, for my part, to proceed so much He deserveth it as well as Peacham did.

from want, as design to employ it. The rendezI beseech your majesty not to think I am more vous, where the forces were to meet, was at bitter because my name is in it; for, besides that Malaga, within the straits ; which makes the en: I always make my particular a cipher, when terprise upon Algiers most likely to be intended. there is question of your majesty's honour and For I take that to be a wild conceit, which thinks service, I think myself honoured for being brought of going by the Adriatic per far in un l'iaggio into so good company. And as, without flattery, duoi servilii ; as the giving a blow to Venice, and I think your majesty the best of kings, and my the landing of forces in aid of the King of Bohenoble Lord of Buckingham the best of persons mia about Trieste. savoured; so I hope, without presumption, for my Perhaps the King of Spain would be glad to let honest and true intentions to state and justice, the world see, that now he is hors de paye; and, and my love to my master, I am not the worst of by showing himself in some action, to entitle the chancellors. God ever preserve your majesty. Duke of Lerma to all his former sloth ; or perhaps Your majesty's most obliged

he now makes a great preparation, upon the preand most obedient servant, tence of some enterprise, that he will let fall, that

Fr. Verulam, Canc. so he may with the less noise assemble great 10th of February, 1619.

forces some other year for some other attempt no! spoken of now.

My Lord Compton* is in this court, and goes shortly towards Italy. His fashion is sweet, and

his disposition noble, and his conversation fair Most HONOURED LORD,

and honest. I presume now, after term, (if there be any Diego, my Lord Roos's man, is come hither. such thing as an afterterm with your lordship,) to I pray God it be to do me any good towards the offer this enclosed paper* to your sight, concern- recovery of the debt his lord owes me. ing the Duke of Lerma; which, if your lordship Most honoured lord, I am here at good leisure have not already read, will not, I think, be alto- to look back upon your lordship’s great and noble gether unpleasing, because it is full of particular goodness towards me, which may go for a great circumstances. I know not how commonly it example in this age; and so it doth. That which passeth up and down more or less. My friend, I am sure of is, that my poor heart, such as it is, Mr. Gage, sent it me lately out of Spain. But, doth not only beat, but even boil in the desires it howsoever, I build upon a sure ground; for, hath to do your lordship all humble service. though it should be vulgar, yet, for my desire to I crave leave, though it be against good manserve your , I cannot demerit so much, as ners, that I may ever present my humblest service not to deserve a pardon at your lordship's most to my most honoured lady, my Lady Verulam, noble hand.

and Lady Constable, with my best respects to my Before the departure of the Duke of Lerma dear friend, Sir John Constable; who, if your from that court, there was written upon the gate lordship want the leisure, would perhaps cast an for a pasquinade, that the house was governed eye upon the enclosed paper. por el Padre, y el Hijo, y un Santo; as, in Paris, I do, with more confidence, presume to address about the same time, was written upon the Louvre this other letter to Mr. Meautys, because the con. gate, C'est icy l'hostel des troys Roys; for Luynes's tents thereof concern your lordship's service. brother is almost as great as himself. But, the I beseech sweet Jesus to make and keep your while there is good store of kings now in Christ- lordship entirely happy. So I humbly do you endom, though there be one fewer than there was. reverence, remaining ever

In Spain, there are very extraordinary prepara- Your lordship’s most obliged servant, tions for a great armada. Here is lately in this

TOBIE MATTHEW, court, a current speech, as that the enterprise (whatsoever it should have been) is laid wholly P. S. I should be glad to receive some of your aside : but that were strange. Yet this is certain, lordship's philosophical labours, if your lordship that the forces of men, to the number of almost two thousand, which were to have gone into * Spencer, Lord Compton, only son of William, Earl of

lordship,

*

could so think sit. I do now receive a letter from ber; I received it this evening at six or the clock, the Conde de Gondomar, who, thinking that it by the hands of the master of the rolls,* sealed should find me in England, saith thus: Beso las as it is with my Lord of Suffolk's seal, and the manes mil vezes a mi sennor, el sennor Gran Chan. master's of the rolls; but neither I, nor the master cilor, con my coracon ; como estoy en su buena of the rolls know what is in it; but it cometh gracia. The empress is dead long since, and the first to his majesty's sight. Only I did direct, emperor is so sickly, or rather so sick, that they that because the authentic copy (unto which my forbear to bury her with solemnity, as conceiving, lord is sworn, according to the course of the that he will save charge by dying shortly. They court) is not so fit for his majesty's reading, my say here, that the business of Bohemia is grow- Lord of Suffolk should send withal a paper copy, ing towards an end by composition.

which his majesty might read with less trouble. Brussels, this 14th of February, 1619.

My Lady Suffolk is so ill of the small-pox, as she is not yet fit to make any answer.

Bingley'st answer is come in, a long one; and, as I perceive, with some things impertinent, yea,

and unfit. Of that I confer with Mr. Solicitort TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

to-morrow; and then I will farther advertise your My very good Lord,

lordship. God ever preserve and prosper you. For the services committed to Sir Lionel Cran- Your lordship's most obliged field, after his majesty hath spoken with him, I

friend and faithful servant, shall attend and follow his majesty's pleasure and

FR. VERULAM, Canc. directions, and yield my best care, advice, and

York House, this 23d of Febr. 1619,

at I of the clock, 1619-20. endeavour for performance.

in the pretermitted duty I have some profit, and more was to have had, if Queen Anne had lived ; wherefore, I shall become humble suitor to his

TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR. majesty, that I may become no loser, specially seeing the business had been many a time and oft Most HONOURABLE LORD, quite overthrown, if it had not been upheld only, I do even now receive this letter from the Conde or chiefly by myself; so that whatsoever service de Gondomar, with direction I should send it hath been since done, is upon my foundation. (since I am not there to deliver it) to Mr. Wyche,

I Mr. Attorney* groweth pretty pert with me of that so he may present it to your lordship’s hand late; and I see well who they are that maintain at such time, as it may be of most use to him. him. But be they flies, or be they wasps, I nei- He commands me, besides, that for his sake I ther care for buzzes nor stings, most especially in should become an humble solicitor to your lordship any thing that concerneth my duty to his majesty, for this friend of his; which I presume to do the or my love to your lordship.

more willingly, because this party is a great friend I forgot not in my public charge, the last Star of mine, and so are also many of his friends my Chamber day, to publish his majesty's honour for friends. Besides, he wills me to represent his his late commission for the relief of the poor, and great thanks to your lordship, for the just favours suppressing vagabonds; as also his gracious you have been pleased to vouchsafe to Mr. Wyche intention touching informers, which I perceive already, the rather in contemplation of the Conde, was received with much applause. That of pro- as he hath been informed. And if in the company, jectors I spake not of, because it is not yet ripe, or rather in the attendance of so great an intercesneither doth it concern the execution of any law, sor, it be not an unpardonable kind of ill manners for which my speech was proper. God ever pre- to intrude myself, I presume to cast myself at serve and prosper you.

your lordship’s feet, with protestation that I shall Your lordship's most obliged

be very particularly bound to your lordship's friend and faithful servant, goodness for any favour, with justice, that hu

FR. VERULAM, Canc. shall obtain. February 17, 1619.

I beseech Jesus keep your lordship ever entirely happy; and so, doing all humble reverence, I take leave.

Your lordship's most humble
TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

and most obliged servant,

Тов:E WATTHEW MY VERY GOOD LORD,

Brussels, this 26th of February, 1619. I send hy post this sealed packet, containing my Lord of Suffolk's answer in the Star Cham

+ Sir John Binglev's. Sir Henry Yelverton

Sir Thomas Coventry.

• Sir Julius Caesar.