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Letters of John Chamberlain is in Stewart Books.
Stewart Books, Letters of John Chamberlain Volume 1
Stewart Books, Letters of John Chamberlain Volume 1 199
119. To Sir Ralph Winwood (age 47). Winwood Papers, vol. vii. London, May 2, 1610.
Sir, Since my last comming to towne I receved yours of the 21st of Aprill and find thereby great likelihoode of new troubles in those parts, which yf they go forward I feare will draw all Christendom into the quarrell, wherin we for our parts are fitter to skirmish with the pen then with the sword, and readier to uphold our side with wordes and wishes, then with armes or other reall assistance. In the meane time I cannot conceave what shold move the French king to ingage himself so far in a busines that no more concernes him, and at these yeares (as yt were de gayeté de coeur [of one's own free will]) to thrust himself into so difficult a warre: the preparations wherof (they say) make his very frends feare some further misterie. I cannot yet beleve that he is in so goode earnest, but that when he hath made a great noise in the world he wilbe content to put water in his wine, and thincke that motus præstat componere fluctus [It is better to calm the waves than to stir them up.
[2nd May 1610] The Lord Treasurer (age 46) hath sent over his secretarie Kirkham to take order to furnish the Lord Cranbourne (age 19) with all necessaries to follow the French king in this journy, and more of our court gallants talke of taking the same course yf the viage hold. Indeed yt were fitter they had some place abrode to vent theyre superfluous valour then to brabble so much as they do here at home: for in one weeke we had three or fowre great quarrells, the first twixt the earles of Southampton (age 36) and Mongomerie (age 25) that fell out at tennis, where the racketts flew about theyre cares, but the matter was taken up and compounded by the King without further bloudshed, but the matter was not so easilie ended twixt younge Egerton eldest1 sonne to Sir John (age 59), and one Morgan (age 34) a lawiers sonne of goode state: the first beeing left dead in the feild, and the other sort hurt, and yet cannot be bailed nor dispensed withall but that he lies still by yt in Newgate. The Lord Norris (age 30) likewise went into the feild with Peregrin Willoughby (age 26) upon an old reckening, and hurt him daungerously in the shoulder.
Note 1. McClure has this as 'James' rather than 'John'. He was a younger son.
[2nd May 1610] The last widow Lady Dorset found the way to the Fleet [Map] again, where she lay sixe or seven dayes for pressing into the privie chamber and importuning the King contrary to commaundment.
[2nd May 1610] Here was one Peter Lambert a swaggering companion hangd the weeke before Easter for killing one Hamden (a Low-countrie lieutenant) and died forsoth a romish catholike. His frends caried him in a coach from the gallowes and wold have buried him the next day in Christ-church but were forbidden by the bishop. Now upon a rumor that he was seene in Fraunce, the King suspected there might be cunning and cautelous dealing in his execution, and wold not be satisfied till the sheriffes of London in the presence of much people tooke him up where he was buried, and upon view found he was sufficiently hanged.
[2nd May 1610] Here were privie seales redy printed to be sent abrode, but upon better advise there is meanes found that our Aldermen furnish the King presently with £100000 upon securitie of the customes. Our parlement is at a stand and knowes not (as they say) de quel bois faire fleches [from what wood to make arrows]. Theyre offer of £100000 yearly for wardes and tenures is neither refused nor accepted, but withall they were geven to understand by the Lord Treasurer, that the King besides that must have two hundred thousand poundes more of yearly support, which makes them pull in theyre hornes and know not what to say, for the realme growes poore, and trafficke decayes apace, insomuch that the customes of London are fallen this yeare £14000, and fewer ships arrived by 360, so that this proposition breedes much discontentment alredy, and I am sory to see us in this as in all the rest to grow so fast into the French fashion of lowde-speaking and base suffering.
[2nd May 1610] Our St. Georges feast1 passed without making any new knights, there beeing no place voyde but only that of the Lord Scroope. The next day the King went toward Thetford, where he now remaines. In the mean time what becomes of your ambassadors, or how they are entertained I know not nor greatly inquire after such matters, for I assure you I have not so much as seene the face of any ambassador to my knowledge since I was with your Lordship at Sir Noell Carons2. I heard two or three dayes since that there is a new Spanish lidger3 come, but what he is or where he lodges I know not. The solemnitie of creating the Prince of Wales is appointed to be the day after Trinitie Sonday. Dudley Carleton and his Lady are now packing away, and make account about a fortnight hence to set forward4. So with remembrance of my best service to your goode Lady I commend you and all yours to the protection of the Almighty.
From London this second of May 1610.
Your Lordships most assured to commaund
John Chamberlain (age 57).
To the right honorable Sir Rafe Winwod knight Lord Ambassador for his Majestie with the States of the United Provinces geve these at the Haghe.
Note 1. 23rd April, when Knights of the Garter were elected.
Note 2. The house of Noel Caron, the Dutch ambassador.
Note 3. Don Alonzo de Velasco.
Note 4. For a time Carleton thought that he might go to Ireland. In the early summer he was appointed to go ambassador to Brussels, but before he left the King's intention changed, and he was sent to Venice to succeed Sir Henry Wotton. Cf. Letter 120.
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Stewart Books, Letters of John Chamberlain Volume 2
Stewart Books, Letters of John Chamberlain Volume 2 243
243. To Sir Dudley Carleton (age 43). [S. P. Dom., Jac. I, lxxxvii, 51.] London, June 8, 1616.
My very goode Lord: When I wrote last I left the earle of Somerset (age 29) pleading for his life, but that he saide for himself was so litle that he was found guilty by all his peeres: which did so litle appall him that when he was asked what he could say why sentence shold not be pronounced, he stoode still upon his innocence, and could hardly be brought to refer himself to the Kinges mercie: upon which termes he stands still, and having leave to write to the King, hath only required that his judgement of hanging shold be chaunged to heading, and that his daughter might have such of his lands as the King doth not resume and reserve in his owne handes. The Lady Knolles (age 33) and some other frends have had accesse to the Lady (age 26) divers times since her conviction, and caried her younge daughter to her twise or thrise; but I heare not of any that comes at him. He hath ben much urged and fayre offered to confesse the offence both before his arraignment and since, but he stands firme in denial: though by all circumstances and most pregnant, (yea almost infallible) probabilities he be more faulty and fowle then any of the companie, which makes the King marvayle that all the rest that have gon before having so franckly confessed the matter after theyre condemnation, he only shold continue so confident. Whether this or any other reason be the cause of stay of execution I know not, but they live yet and for ought I can learne so are like to do many a day. Sir Thomas Mounsons (age 51) arraignment which shold have ben yesterday, was then put of again till the Tewsday after the terme, which procrastination from time to time makes the world thincke we shall heare no more of this busines, the rather for that the Lord Cooke (age 64) of late is fallen (I know not how) into disfavor, so far foorth that the King hath ben very bitter to him, both in privat and publike, as upon Thursday last when all the Judges were called before the King at Whitehall, to geve a reason of theyre proceeding in the exchecquer chamber to argue a case of commendams contrarie to his commaundment by expresse message, and sending a letter subscribed by them all, not so respectively and reverently written as might become them, they all stoode upon the very words and termes of law and statutes and upon the strictnes of theyre oath: but the heaviest burthen lighted on him, wherin he behaved and caried himself so well and confidently, that the matter goes on, and they argue yt again this day, contrarie to the expectation and hope of all the bishops. But the worst is that the Lord Chauncellor (age 76), the atturny (age 55) and sollicitor (age 49) prosecute him implacablie, and have won so much ground upon him, that there is a commission graunted to the Lord Archbishop, the Lord Knollis (age 72), Sir Thomas Lake (age 48) and Sir Fulke Grivell to call him before them and examine him upon articles and points touching the premunire: and withall, the whole course of his life is like to be ript up and looked into which yf yt be severely followed many men feare yt may be his utter overthrow. But he holdes up his head, and geves no way, which makes his frends thincke he will passe over this storme and tempest well enough. Our goode frend (age 53) stands only firme to him in what he may, which many marvayle at, and sticke not to say he is corrupted, which I thincke is as far from the one as the other: but howsoever, I could wish he shold not presume so much on the strength of his shoulders, as to thincke he alone were able to beare up the ruines of a building that is falling: and to say truth in many such cases I observe he hath more courage then needs, not weighing his owne strength, nor that yt is soma d'altri homeri [the burden of other men], for I perceve he hath litle appoggio [support, baking] to the maine piller (age 23) that now stands upright.
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[8th June 1616] Sir Owen Oglethorp died on Sonday at the earle of Excesters (age 74), leaving litle or nothing (they say) behind him scant so much as a goode name; he was buried the next night in temebris [darkness], and so was Sir Thomas Parry (deceased) that died a day or two before him. Sir John Deckham newly knighted succeeds in the chauncellorship of the Duchie (wherof he had the graunt and patent before,) but all the counsaile stoode against him alleaging the invaliditie of such patents and reversions of places of judicature, as beeing directly against law besides the meannes of the man, and that he had ben detected of divers fraudes and fowle dealings, specially in the pardon propounded the last yeare for the earle of Somerset: these exceptions suspended his admittance for five or sixe dayes, but I always saide quod defertur non aufertur [what is deferred is not taken away], when I understoode what sure cardes he had for him, and that Sir George Villers (age 23) and the prince betted on his side. Sir Fraunces Bacon (age 55) was in election to be sworn of the counsaile on Sonday last and missed yt narrowly, by the opposition almost of the whole table, not so much in shew against his person, as his place of atturny, as beeing incompatible for many reasons, wherof among others this was not the least, that yt was unseemly he shold plead before his fellow counsaillors uncovered but yf that be all, he hath precedents in store, and for more suretie the King is so well affected to him, and the Lord Chauncellor (as well in spite to the Lord Cooke as favour to him) so pliable that yt is thought he will part with the great seale upon goode composition, wherby he may take his ease, and the other become Lord Keper, whiles in the mean time the King shall not want the Lord Chauncellors service yf he be preferred to President of the counsaile.
[8th June 1616] The Countesse of Salisberie (age 26) hath brought a sonne wherto the King is invited somtime the next weeke to be Godfather. The King dines this day in towne at Alderman Coquins (age 55) invited thether by the companie of the new marchants, where I heare they mean to present him with a bason of gold of £1000 value, and the Prince with halfe so much. Two dayes since I receved both your letters of the 24th and 30th of the last moneth. Presently after your going hence I inquired whether Sir Henry Wotton had signed the letter for Gregorio, and found he had don his part, but nothing comes of yt, and yet I furthered yt then what I might, and divers times since, I assure I you, as occasion was offered, or any mention made of him; but yt is surdo canere [singing to a deaf person], so that not long since I told him the poore man meant to come over and solicit for himself; yet in these bare times I wold not wish him to adventure yt without better assurance then I can geve him, for I see no man intends any thing in publike that doth not some way concern himself. Yesterday I cast out a word of your going to the Spaa, and what necessitie there is of yt, but he wold not be acknowne [admit] that he had heard any thing of yt, or that you had written to him about yt. Phill Lytton goes ydling up and down and knowes not what to do with himself. His brother (age 29) as lasilie hunts after meanes to place him about the Lord Chamberlain (age 36), which yf yt fayle he makes reconing to go with the Lord Rosse (age 26) into Spaine. In conclusion I have no opinion of his industrie, or that he cares to employ himself virtuosamente. So with all due remembrance to my Lady I commend you to the protection of the Almighty. From London this 8th of June 1616.
Your Lordships to commaund
John Chamberlain (age 63).
To the right honorable Sir Dudley Carleton knight Lord Ambassador for his Majestie with the States of the United Provinces at the Hagh.
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Stewart Books, Letters of John Chamberlain Volume 2 252
252. To Sir Dudley Carleton (age 43). [S. P. Dom., Jac. I, lxxxix, 21.] London, November 14, 1616.
My very goode Lord: Beeing last night at Master Secretaries (age 53) I understoode that Dieston was to be dispatcht this day towards you, who must not come empty though I wrote so lately. There supped divers of your goode frends, Sir Walter Raleigh (age 62), Sir Henry Savile, Sir Maurice Barklay, Sir ... Seymor, Sir Harry Nevill, Sir Robert Killegree with I know not how many Ladies and gentlewomen of that race and alliance. The absence of the court geves Master Secretarie leave and leysure to entertain his frends as Sir Henry Savile was there likewise the night before: the King went to Tiballs on Monday and so towards Roiston and Newmarket. The Quene continues at Somerset House till his return. The Lord Cooke (age 64) is now quite of the hookes, and order geven to send him a supersedeas from executing his place. The common speach is that fowre Ps have overthrown and put him down, that is Pride, Prohibitions, Premunire, and Prerogative. Sir Henry Montague is generally nominated to the place, by reason that the citie is written unto to choose Sir Harry Yelverton (age 50) for theyre Recorder which is terminus diminutinus [diminutive term] to his office of sollicitor, but yet must be accepted to serve turns. Yet perhaps yt may be that yf yt come to light in time that the late Recorder (age 53)1 hath maried his maide1 (as is bruited) and geven her such earnest as cannot be long concealed, yt may hinder his preferment.
Note 1. Henry Montagu, future Earl of Mancheser, married three times. His second wife Anne Wincot died in November 1614 so at the time of the letter he was a widower. He next married in 1620 to Margaret Crouch Countess Manchester (age 11).
[14th November 1616] On Saterday the Knights of the Bath were entertained by the Lord Mayor at Drapers Hall with a supper and a play, where some of them were so rude and unruly and caried themselves so insolently divers wayes but specially in putting citizens wives to the squeake, so far foorth that one of the sheriffes brake open a doore upon Sir Edward Sackvile (age 25), which gave such occasion of scandall, that they went away without the banket though yt were redy and prepared for them. Neither did they forbeare these disorders among themselves, for there were divers picques and quarrells at their severall meetings, but specially at the Miter in Fleetstreet, insomuch that younge Parker (age 16) sonne to the Lord Mountegle (age 41), and Will Howard the Lord Treasurers (age 55) youngest sonne went into the feild, but were there prevented and reconciled. There was a greater busines towards in that kind betwixt the earle of Dorset (age 27) and the Lord Clifford (age 25), upon notice wherof the King and counsaile have taken order that they forbeare one another, and try out theyre controversies by warres in Westminster Hall. The Lady Compton (age 46) (the Lord Villers (age 24) mother) appeares not here this terme, which is much noted, and thought to be sore against her will, but the reason is saide to be certain letters from her sonne with advise to forbeare, for that her entermedling in matters is not so well taken. The Lord Chauncellor (age 76) comes litle abrode since his new dignitie1, beeing overtaken with a cold, or as some interpret yt in suspence what wold become of the Lord Cooke.
Note 1. Thomas Egerton was created Viscount Brackley on the 7th November 1616.
[14th November 1616] Vicount Wallingford (age 72) is willing to make roome for Sir Thomas Edmonds (age 53) advancement to be controller, having besides the dignitie conferred now upon him £2000 a yeare during life out of the court of wardes, or the best ward (saving noble men) that falls every yeare at his owne choise, so that the King is the only gainer by these bargains, except perhaps his Lady (age 33) whose ambition they say yt was to have him a vicount that she might have place of certain Ladies, but specially of the Lady Fenton (age 48), whom she did most aime at. The Lord Rosse (age 26) went from Portesmouth the third of this present, having had ever since as fayre a wind as ever blew, so that yt is certainly held that he is before this time arrived at Lisbone. At his parting he sent Secretarie Winwod (age 53) a diamond worth forty pound.
[14th November 1616] The sheriffes were prickt on Sonday. Those that I remember are Master Pawlet (age 31) for Somersetshire, Sir Thomas Temple (age 49) for Buckingham, Sir Thomas Spenser (age 31) for Oxford, one Beswicke1 for Kent, Thomas Lucas for Essex, Master Newce2 (whose sonne maried Mall Fanshaw) for Hartford, and one Standen a widower (a neere neighbor of Sam Backhouse and shall marrie his youngest daughter) for Berkshire.
Note 1. William Beswick of Spelmorden.
Note 2. William, son of Thomas Newce of Much Hadham, Berkshire, married Mary, daughter of Sir Henry Fanshawe.
[14th November 1616] Yt is become a matter of great canvasse and sute to avoide the place and your brother Harrison1 was in bodilie feare yt wold light upon him. On Tewsday one Bertram2 an aged gentleman killed Sir John Tindall a master of the chauncerie with a pistoll charged with three bulletts in Lincolns Ynne, pretending he had wronged him in the report of a cause to his utter undooing, (as indeed he was not held for integerrimus), and afterwards stabbed himself once or twise but not mortally, and beeing apprehended and examined, shewed no signe of remorse, sayeng that howsoever he had cast away himself yet he had don the common wealth good. The cause breeds much discourse the man beeing neere fowrescore yeares old that did yt, and a comly grave man as is to be scene, but the strangenes and desperatnes of the fact cuts of all commiseration: mine author Ned Wimarke cites Sir William Walter for sayeng that the fellow mistooke his marke and shold rather have shot hailshot at the whole court: which indeed growes great and ingrosses all manner of cases, and breeds generally complaint for a decree passed there this terme (subscribed by all the Kinges learned counsaile) wherby that court may review and call in question what judgements soever passe at the common law, wherby the jurisdiction of that court is inlarged out of measure, and so suits become as yt were immortall: this successe is come of my Lord Cookes and some of the judges oppugning the chauncerie so weakely and unseasonablie, that in stead of overthrowing the exorbitant authoritie therof they have more established and confirmed yt.
So with all due remembrance to my Lady I commend you to the protection of the Almighty.
From London this 14th of November 1616.
Your Lordships to commaund John Chamberlain (age 63). To the right honorable Sir Dudley Carleton knight Lord Ambassador for his Majestie with the States of the United Provinces at the Hagh.
Note 1. Richard Harrison of Hurst, Berkshire.
Note 2. John Bertrtam. Cf. S.T.C. 14054.
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Stewart Books, Letters of John Chamberlain Volume 2 310
310. To Sir Dudley Carleton. [S. P. Dom., Jac. I, civ, 34.] London, December 19, 1618.
My very goode Lord: Though the winde be come about again into the east and brought backe the cold weather, yet yt bringes no newes els from any part. The commissioners of the States1 returned this day sevenight from theyre viage to New-market, where they had reasonable entertainment, though nothing so much as was at the first bruited. They had otherwise a journy bad enough by reason of the fowle weather, and the overthrowing of two of theyre coaches, and withall the King (as I heare) forbare not to tell them theyre owne. They were with the counsaile at White-hall on Tewsday, but who be particularly apointed to treat with them I have not yet heard, save only that the Lord Digbie (who is now overtaken with a burning feaver), Sir Thomas Smith, and Sir Lionell Cranfeld (together with such other as they shall find fit to call to them) have order to deale with them concerning matters of trafficke. The Lord Haye (age 38) or Doncaster buried his younge sonne at St. Clements this weeke, by night, yet with some solemnitic. The child died (they say) of convulsions.
Note 1. Cf. Letters 306, 309.
[19th December 1618] Yt is growne altogether in fashion to burie now by night, as on Sonday last the Lady Haddington1 had a solemne convoy of almost an hundred coaches (and torches in aboundance), that accompanied her from Westminster to White-chappell on her way to New-hall in Essex where she is to be buried: in this troupe besides the countesses of Bedford (age 38), Excester (age 38), and Devonshire (age 50) was the Lady Verulam (age 26) with a world of other Ladies. The countesse of Salisburie (age 28) the Friday before made a great feast and a play, though her husband (age 27) were absent at court, and the rest of her house and frends in sorow about a lewde libell, that (excepting the highest) runs over all the court and countrie almost that followes not theyre faction, and though the author cannot be found out, yet notice is taken that the Lady of Wallingford (age 35) was one of the first that sunge yt, and the King thinckes of her yt may be required. I heare of another crosse libell that shold pay her and all hers in the same coine, but for my part I protest I have neither seene nor seeke after any of them, but only heare the generall buzze abrode.
Note 1. Cf. Letters 309.
[19th December 1618] Sir Edwin Riches (age 57) Lady [Margaret aka Honora Worlich] dieng the last weeke in childbed, yt was geven out all over to be Sir Harry Riches (age 28) Lady, and so was the matter mistaken two or three dayes, but I heare nothing but well of her, by those that saw her since this report. Sir Edward Cecill (age 46) hath lost his litle daughter he had by this Lady Diana Drurie, but the best is she is saide to be quicke with child again and so not out of hope of an heyre male. Master Wake1 arrived here on Sonday and went the next day toward the King: he found goode entertainment at Paris, and though he kept himselfe private yet he was visited in great troupes both by Monsieur Betunes with the other ambassador that was his colleague and others, with so many caresses and such ouvertures that yf he durst have taken hold of them he might easilie have peeced all again, which they seeme very desirous of, and to lay all the blame on theyre owne minister. He sent to me as soone as he came, and to my seeming is much amended both in garbe and countenance. The Kinge comes this day to Tiballs and on Monday or Tewsday to White-hall: to morow is a christning at court of Sir Patricke Murreys sonne, where the Prince, the Duke of Lennox, and the countesse of Mongomerie are to be gossips. This inclosed letter comes about the busines I wrote concerning Master Abell Barnard. His wife2 claimes kinred of your sisters by the Culpepars and her eldest brother [Simon Clarke 1st Baronet] is a baronet.!t So with the remembrance of my best service to my goode Lady I commend you to the protection of the Almighty. From London this 19 of December 1618. Your Lordships at commaund.
John Chamberlain (age 65).
To the right honorable Sir Dudley Carleton knight Lord Ambassador for his Majestie with the States of the United Provinces at the Hagh.
Note 1. Isaac Wake, English agent at Turin.
Note 2. Anne, daughter of Walter Clarke of Burford, Kent, and wife of Abel Barnard of Pyrton, Oxfordshire. Lady Carleton's half-sister Elizabeth married Sir John Sedley of Southfleet, Kent, whose maternal grandmother was Anne, daughter of John Colepeper of Aylesford, Kent.
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