Catalogue description Shrewsbury Papers

Folio 1

Particular, drawn up in 1600, of lands purchased by George, 6th Earl of Shrewsbury, from Anthony Blithe in Handsworth, Dinnington, Anston and Throapham, co. York. Followed by valuation of lands called Blith Lands in the same places purchased five years previously. Also particular of lands in Handsworth and Woodhouse bought from William Penell nine years previously; fee farms in Handsworth, Woodhouse and Beighton, [co. Derby], purchased from the Crown about 16 years previously, bequeathed after deducting the rent to the Crown to John Bouth for life by George, 6th Earl of Shrewsbury; lands and tenements in Handsworth bought about 12 years previously, from which the dowager Countess of Shrewsbury received £1 a year. 5½pp.

Folio 5

Information concerning the infamous and lewd life of John Walton, clerk, Archdeacon of Derby, [1590-1603], accusing him of adultery, non-residence, simony, abusing ministers in his court, accepting bribes, imposing unlawful oaths on the apparitors of his court. 1½pp. Endorsed.

Folio 8

Weekly summaries of amounts owing for provisions according to the bills of the clerk [of the kitchen, Mathew Ford], in February, March, April. Undated but probably 1603-6. 1p. Endorsed.

Folio 9

The Archbishop of York to the Earl of Shrewsbury, from Cawood Castle, [co. York], 12 October 1608, commending Sir Richard Thekeston who has visited him in connection with a benevolence to be raised from the 'seigniories' within the see of Durham belonging to the Duke of York. Mentions a record of a benevolence given to the Earl of Westmorland, when he first had seisin of his lands in Durham, which was produced by Henry Sanderson, who is prevented from attending the Earl by his duties in surveying the King's woods in Durham. 1p. Address: Privy Councillor.

Folio 11v

Rental of Stoke Bardolph and Gedling, [co. Nott.], due at the Annunciation and at Michaelmas 1615, made by [John] Hacker. 2½pp. Endorsed.

Folio 13

Anne Smith to the Countess of Shrewsbury, from Rufford, [co. Nott.], 1 January no year, sending a lamb from her husband and herself. 1p. Seal. Endorsed.

Folio 15

Names of jurors in suits of Edward Talbot v Robert Sanderson, and Ward v Shercliffe, c.1597-8. 2pp. End.

Folio 17

Sir John Byron to the Earl of Shrewsbury, from Bulwell, [co. Nott.], 24 February [1603/4], announcing the death of his father, and asking for the Earl's favour. [Edmund Lodge, Illustrations of British History, 1791, 2nd edition, 1838, iii, 2-6, and ib., unpublished papers, 112 (202), 113 (229).] 1p. Seal. Address: Privy Councillor.

Folio 19

William Hamond to Henry Butler, from Broad Street, [London], 8 March 1607/8, accounting for various sums of money received. 1p. Seal. Endorsed.

Folio 21

List of places in cos. York, Derby, Nott., Salop. and Chester apparently where Gilbert, 7th Earl of Shrewsbury, had property, no date 1p. Endorsed.

Folio 23

Memorandum of estate matters to be attended to and of New Year Gifts, written on a fragment of a letter from Edw[ard Morehouse, bailiff of Glossop, co. Derby], 1603. 4pp. Torn.

Folio 25

John Hobson to the Master Bailiff of Sheffield, [Perhaps William Dickenson.] from Dodworth, [co. York], 13 June no year, on behalf of his son-in-law Nicholas Tudworth, who had married his wife's daughter, apparently arrested for hunting. 2pp. Endorsed.

Folio 27

The Earl of Shrewsbury to Henry Butler, from Broad Street, [London], New Years Day 1611, about money matters. 1p. Endorsed.

Folio 29

John Knyveton to [the Earl of Shrewsbury], 11 May [?1573], about the demand for the payment of £53 towards the subsidy and the failure to find any record of such payments later than 2 Eliz.1. Negotiations with Barnes and Osborne about a future voyage of the Earl's ship which has returned from Bordeaux. Gifts of wine to the Lord Keeper and Lord Treasurer, and a suggested gift to the Earl of Leicester. A dispute about the impost due on the Earl's import of wine. 2pp. Seal. Address: my Lord.

Folio 31

Petition from Jonas Herold to the Earl of Shrewsbury, to purchase timber at Goodrich Castle, co. Heref., for a boat building yard he intended to set up for fishing boats, and, on the advice of Sir Charles Cavendish, seeking help to obtain the sole licence to import wine, [1597]. 1p. Seal. Endorsed.

Folio 33

Abstracts of certificates of the Surveyors of the King's Woods in the counties of Derby, Nottingham and Rutland, made for the Lord Treasurer, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and [Sir James] Altham, [Baron of the Exchequer], [1608]. 6pp. Copies. Endorsed.

Folio 39

John Hercy to Henry Butler, at Sheffield Lodge, from Winchester, 13 October 1603, about money paid to Mrs Hamond, delivered to him by Butler and [Mathew] Ford, and asking Butler to remind the Countess of Shrewsbury to send money to pay the tithes of Kingston and Ratcliffe, [co. Nott.] 1p. Seal. Endorsed.

Folio 41

Anthony Wingfield to the Earl and Countess of Shrewsbury, from London, 3 December 1600, reporting the high favour in which Lady Elizabeth [Elizabeth Talbot, second daughter of the Earl.] was held by the Queen and all the Chamber, and mentioning his aunt, aged 67, recently married to [ ] Pollard. 1p. Seal. Endorsed.

Folio 43

Thomas Markham to Robert Markham, the elder, at Cotham, from Ollerton, [both in co. Nott.], 4 February 1600/1, concerning the quarrel between the two branches of the family. 1½pp. Seal. Endorsed.

Folio 45

Sir Thomas Holcrofte to Humfrey Cressy, from Valriall [Vale Royal, co. Chester], 5 November 1611, about the payment of debts owed by the Earl and Countess of Shrewsbury. Copy.

A note by the Countess of Shrewsbury, agreeing that certain material should be dyed, and that goods should be dusted and laid in the inner chamber. 1½pp.

Folio 47

List of obligations and other documents received from John Bamforth, the younger, son and heir of John Bamforth, deceased, of Pulehill, co. York, to the use of the Earl of Shrewsbury, 13 July 1609. 1½pp.

Folio 49

William Hamond to [the Earl of Shrewsbury], from Broad Street, [London], 15 February 1608/9, about a request from [Roger] Tuerlot on behalf of an unnamed young man, for whom the Earl had written to the Lord Mayor and Aldermen [of London], who could not accede without a second letter 'for the better satisfaction of the free men of our Citie.' Recently second letters had been demanded from the Lord Chancellor and the late Treasurer on similar occasions. Business concerning Alderman Elwes. 1p. Endorsed. Henry the 4th and the post nati booke are now sent.

Folio 51

Sir Guido Palmes to the Earl of Shrewsbury at Sheffield Manor, from Ashwell, [co. Rut.], 17 January 1608/9, about the desire of his late kinsman, Henry Beckwith, who has died since last Michaelmas term, to obtain the Earl's resignation of his interest in Clint manor, [co. York], so that Beckwith could re-establish himself in it. 1p. Endorsed.

Folio 53

Sir John Harpur to the Earl of Shrewsbury, from Swarkeston, [co. Derby], 9 December 1608, asking him to order his bailiff to release the goods of the bearer Nicholas Pearman, who had obtained a judgement in the Court of the Duchy of Lancaster that a presentment in the court leet held by [William] Agard of his flight was void in law. 1p. Seal. Address: Privy Councillor and K.G.

Folio 55

Sir Thomas Fairfax to the Earl of Shrewsbury, from York, 1 December 1608, stating that on the marriage of his son [His son Ferdinando married Mary, daughter of Baron Sheffield.] to the daughter of [Edmund, 3rd Baron Sheffield], Lord President of the Council of the North, he had settled his lands making the Earl and the Earl of Exeter feoffees to the use of himself and his children. 1p. Seal. Endorsed.

Folio 57

William Hamond to [the Countess of Shrewsbury], from Broad Street, [London], 9 March 1607/8, apologising for repaying his brother with money sent by the Countess for the purchase of groceries. Describes a visit to [ ] Milles, who hoped to receive, not words, but 'Grumwell seede... wherein hee saith is more comforte.' 1p. Seal. Address: my Lady.

Folio 59

The Archbishop of York to the Earl of Shrewsbury, from Bishopthorpe, [co. York], 9 January 1607/8, about the King's orders to himself, the Earl, the Lord President [Edmund, 3rd Baron Sheffield.] and others for the remedy of abuses at Brancepeth Castle and Park, [co. Durham]. Parliament not likely to be held at the agreed time. 1p. Seal. Address: Privy Councillor.

Folio 61

Averye Birkbye to the Earl of Shrewsbury, from York, 7 December 1607, about the purchase of a spotted horse, and his intention of asking Harlow [Elias Harley] about its price. Mentions the imprisonment of Romston [?], and his own suit to the Earl. 1p. Seal. Endorsed.

Folio 63

William Wentworth to the Earl of Shrewsbury, from Wentworth Woodhouse, [co. York], 12 October [1607], apologising for not waiting on him at Sheffield, as he had been detained in co. Glou. disposing of the estate of his deceased father-in-law. 1p. Seal. Endorsed.

Folio 65

William Hyldyarde to the Earl of Shrewsbury, at Sheffield, from Pontefract, 13 October 1607, about disagreements between [Richard] Dighton, one of the keepers of Brancepeth [Park, co. Durham], and [Henry] Sanderson, Constable of Brancepeth Castle. [Edmund Lodge, Illustrations of British History, 1791, 2nd edition, 1838, iii, unpublished papers, 122 (421) and passim.] 1p. Endorsed.

Folio 67

Sir Thomas Fairfax to the Earl of Shrewsbury, from Toulston, [co. York], 20 September [1607], thanking him for a present on the occasion of the visit of Colonel Cissiles. [Perhaps Sir Edward Cecil, 3rd son of Thomas, Earl of Exeter, and subsequently Viscount Wimbledon.] 1p. Seal. Address: Privy Councillor.

Folio 69

Henry Sanderson to William Hyldyarde, from Brancepeth Castle, [co. Durham], 29 August 1607, answering the complaints of [Richard] Dighton against him concerning the deer in Brancepeth Park. [Edmund Lodge, Illustrations of British History, 1791, 2nd edition, 1838 iii, unpublished papers, 122 (425).] 2pp. Copy. Endorsed.

Folio 71

William Hyldyarde to the Earl of Shrewsbury, at Court, from York, 16 June 1607, about John Harbart, deputy bowbearer to Mr. Becke in the Forest of Galtres, who was very conscientious over the game, but careless in collecting estreats and in other forest business. 1p. Address: Privy Councillor.

Folio 73

William Hyldyarde to the Earl of Shrewsbury, at Court, from York, 4 June 1607, about a law-suit between Thomas Driffield and the inhabitants of Easingwold, [co. York], about the building of a mill in the forest [of Galtres], and advising the Earl to consult Sir John Fortescue. [Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.] Mentions the affairs of Sutton [-on-the-Forest, co. York], which had been before Serjeant [Augustine] Nicholls, and the stint of forest. 1p. Address: Privy Councillor.

Folio 75

Sir John Fortescue, [Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster], to the Earl of Shrewsbury, from Westminster, 18 May 1607, about a mill erected in the Forest of Galtres upon a certificate of the Surveyor of the Duchy of Lancaster, to which the tenants of Easingwold, [co. York], had raised objection, and stating that it was built near the site of former mills, was not harmful to the deer, was a source of revenue to the King and of water to the tenants, and asking the Earl not to listen to the complaints until the Duchy Court had heard the case. 1p. Seal. Address: Privy Councillor.

Folio 77

Averaye Birkbye to the Earl of Shrewsbury, from York, 29 January 1606/7, about the maladministration of the Forest of Galtres, the dispute about the mill between Thomas Driffield and the tenants of Easingwold, [co. York], and the doings of William Cundall of Laund House. 3pp. Seal. Endorsed.

Folio 79

William Hyldyarde to the Earl of Shrewsbury, at Court, from York, 30 November 1606, about the complaints made by William Cundall of Launde House in the Forest of Galtres, and some of the inhabitants of Sutton [-on-the-Forest], Easingwold and Huby, [co. York], against the writer and Averaye Birkbye for their proceedings in the forest court. 1p. Seal. Address: Privy Councillor.

Folio 81

Sir Thomas Belasis to the Earl of Shrewsbury, from Newborough, [co. York], 24 April [1606], complaining that although the Earl had the previous year acquitted him of killing a buck in the Forest of Galtres, [William] Hilliard continued the complaint against him still. 1p. Seal. Address: Privy Councillor. Torn.

Folio 83

Sir Thomas Fairfax to the Earl of Shrewsbury, at Court, from Toulston, [co. York], 3 April 1606, about a commission from the Lord Treasurer to examine the waste committed in Cawood Park by [Robert] Morley and others, and the game in the parks of the Archbishop of York. Mentions the park at Ripon which is kept by Myles Staneley. Wishes the Bishop of Durham would return to his see and that the Duke of York might be sent north to be in the Bishop's tutorship. 1p. Seed. Address: Privy Councillor.

Folio 85

Sir Thomas Fairfax to the Earl of Shrewsbury, no date [probably 1607], stating that he has procured two hounds as requested as a present for 'His Highness', [Edmund Lodge, Illustrations of British History, 1791, 2nd edition, 1838, iii, unpublished papers, 119 (358).] and mentioning the visit of Sir Edward Cissilles [Cecil] to buy horses. 1p. Seal. Endorsed.

Folio 87

William Hyldyarde to the Earl of Shrewsbury, at Court, from York, 10 March 1605/6, about the office of Master of the Game in the Forest [of Galtres] and the parks of Scame and the outwoods of Cawood, [co. York], of which Robert Morley was keeper, and other forest affairs. 3pp. Seal. Address: Privy Councillor.

Folio 89

Anthony Dyot to the Countess of Shrewsbury, from Lichfield, 2 September 1605, about Sir William Leighton's affairs. 1p. Seal. Endorsed.

Folio 91

William Hyldyarde to the Earl of Shrewsbury, at Sheffield manor, from York, 5 August 1605, about the regarders of the Forest of Galtres and the composition of the Commission of the Forest.

List in another hand of the names [of the Commissioners]. 1p. Seal. Address: Privy Councillor.

Folio 93

Robert Redhead to the Earl of Shrewsbury, at Sheffield manor, from York Castle, 5 August 1605, about a threat by the Sheriff [Sir Richard Gargrave.] to enter the castle forcibly, and the negotiations with him which for the time had ended peaceably. 2pp. Seal. Address: Privy Councillor.

Folio 95

[Lord Sheffield, Lord President of the Council of the North], Thomas Hesketh, Richard Williamson, and John Ferne to the same, from York, 23 July 1605, stating that, after hearing a suit between Nicholas Fearneley, plaintiff, and Nicholas Shircliff and William Overall, defendants, the Court orders the Earl to hold a manorial court at Coley, [co. York], so that a surrender of copyhold in Butterthwaite within the manor of Coley by Shircliff to Fearneley in 43 Eliz. 1 might be presented in court, no court having been held since 1602. 1p. Seal. Address: K.G., Privy Councillor.

Folio 97

John Johnson, [surveyor], to the same, from St. Helen's Well, 5 July 1605, about the survey of 160 trees for the Isle of Axholme according to the Lord Treasurer's order, and another 30 trees according to the Earl's warrant, as he understood from William Talbot. Postscript mentions commission for survey of debateable lands on the border of Scotland. 1p. Seal. Address: Privy Councillor.

Folio 99v

List of wages due to servants of [the Earl of Shrewsbury], at the Annunciation 1605. 2pp. Endorsed.

Folio 101

P. Sanford to the Countess of Shrewsbury, from Baynard's Castle, [London], 19 February 1604/5, reporting that his efforts to obtain a grant of Maniston had failed. 1p. Seal. Endorsed.

Folio 103

The Archbishop of York to the Earl of Shrewsbury, from Bishopthorpe, [co. York], 15 December 1603, congratulating him on his appointment as Justice in Eyre of the King's forests beyond Trent, and recommending [William] Hildyard to be steward of the court of the same. 1p. Seal. Address: Privy Councillor.

Folio 105

William Hyldyarde to the Earl of Shrewsbury, at Sheffield, from York, 14 December 1603, asking to be appointed steward of the court and one of the deputy Justices in Eyre of the Earl, who had been recently appointed Justice in Eyre of the King's forests beyond Trent. 1p. Seal. Address: Privy Councillor.

Folio 107

William Hyldyarde and Averaye Birkbye to the Earl of Shrewsbury, at Court or at Broad Street, [London], from York, 28 June 1604, about the condition of the Forest of Galtres, and enclosing a list of claims made to various offices there. [William] Cundall, who claimed to be Master of the Game, was not so described in his patent, and though an honest man was no woodman. 1p. Seal. Address: Privy Councillor.

Folio 109

Examination made by William Hyldyarde and Averaye Birkbye of York, esquires, at the Lawnd House, [co. York], about claims to hold various offices in the Forest of Galtres, 27 June 1604. 1¼pp. Endorsed.

Folio 111

William Hyldyarde to the Earl of Shrewsbury, at Court, from York, 26 June 1606, asking that the writ for the election of a new verderer in the Forest of Galtres should not specify that Alderman Birkbye was to be displaced for infirmity, and that three verderers were necessary for the business of the forest. 1p. Address: Privy Councillor.

Folio 113

William Hyldyarde to the Earl of Shrewsbury, at Court or at Broad Street, [London], from York, 21 June 1609, stating that he had not summoned the court of the Justice in Eyre [of the King's forests beyond Trent] to meet at St. Mary's manor near York because of the plague, but he intended shortly to review the patents etc. of the officers of the forest; that the Council of the North was infringing the forest jurisdiction; that a restraint should be obtained from the King because the number of deer was low; and that Lord Burghley should be asked about the patent for the Mastership of the Game. 1p. Seal. Endorsed.

Folio 115

Memorandum for Averaye Birkbye to inform the Earl of Shrewsbury, of matters relating to the Forest of Galtres, with marginal notes as to the patent of the Mastership of the Game granted to Lord Burghley, who let the office to [Philip] Stapleton, who sub-let to [William] Cundall, [1604]. 2pp. Endorsed.

Folio 117

The Earl of Shrewsbury to [Robert] Somerscales, from Whitehall, [London], 14 June 1604, reprimanding him for not calling in a Justice of the Peace when an unlawful assembly opposed the entry of the Earl's men into lodges in Pontefract [Park]. 2pp. Copy. Endorsed.

Folio 119

William Hyldyarde to the Earl of Shrewsbury, at Broad Street, London, from York, 13 June 1604, about forest affairs, and particularly the holding of the courts of the Forest of Galtres. 1p. Seal. Endorsed.

Folio 121

Robert Somerscales to [the Earl of Shrewsbury], at Court, from Pontefract, 6 June 1604, describing the forcible ejection of some of the Earl's men from lodges in Pontefract Park; the finding of a jury about the deer fences and felling trees; the sale of trees from Ackworth Park to [Edward] Talbot, Ackworth manor being part of the Queen's jointure in co. York. 3pp. Seal. Address: my righte honourable good Lorde.

Folio 123

Note by Robert Somerscales for the Earl of Shrewsbury that the jury would give no verdict at Pontefract Castle about woods in Ackworth manor, [co. York], without a warrant from the Duchy [of Lancaster], and urging the Earl to renew his patent for the stewardship [of Pontefract Honor] from the Queen. [Ackworth was part of the Queen's jointure. C.f. Edmund Lodge, Illustrations of British History, 1791, 2nd edition, 1838, iii, 67] ½p.

Folio 125

Henry Constable to the Earl of Shrewsbury, from the Tower [of London], 15 May 1604, about his submission to the Privy Council, and asking the Earl to obtain leave for his cousin Sir William Constable and his uncle to visit him on private affairs. 2pp. Endorsed.

Folio 127

[William Hyldyarde] to the Earl of Shrewsbury, at Broad Street, London, from York, 7 May 1604, about the administrative reform of the forest [of Galtres]. 1p. Seal. Endorsed.

Folio 129

Henry Tamworthe to the Earl of Shrewsbury, 22 March 1603/4, complaining of the delay in negotiations for some preferment from the Crown for his cousin, which Sir William Steward was to effect. The negotiations were begun on the advice of [William] Hamon, formerly the Earl's servant and now the Queen's and apparently the writer's brother-in-law, but nothing resulted. 1p. Seal. Endorsed.

Folio 131

Robert Somerscales, John Bouth and Edward Morehouse to the Earl of Shrewsbury, at Broad Street, [London], from York, 12 March 1603/4, about their canvass of the freeholders at very short notice to give their first vote in the election of Knights of the Shire for co. York to [Francis] Clifford, and their second to Sir John Savile, the candidate of the Lord President of the Council of the North, and describing Savile's popularity. 1p. Broken seal. Endorsed.

Folio 133

Petition of Edward Skipwith or Skipworth of co. Linc., gent., to the King for a pension to relieve his poverty. He was wounded in the late Queen's service, his son was killed in Ireland in the Earl of Essex's campaign, and his grandfather, father and three uncles had served the Crown, and he himself the King's grandmother, the Countess of Lennox, when she was in prison and at liberty, no date 1p. Endorsed.

Folio 135

The Countess of Cumberland to the Countess of Shrewsbury, from North Hall. 8 January 1603/4, describing the illness of her sister. [Anne, Countess of Warwick.] A postscript refers to the King's promise to settle her affairs, when she had hoped to repay Sir Charles Cavendish's bounty, 'but all is broken...' 1p. Seal. Endorsed.

Folio 137

John Hercy to [the Earl of Shrewsbury], from Hampton Court, 24 December 1603, about the possibility of the Earl obtaining a patent for the Lieutenancies of cos. Derby and Nott.; other offices and lands; the bail allowed to [William] Hamond; letters from Lady Arabella [Stuart]; news of the sentence of conspirators [in the Main Plot]. Marginal notes on the contents of this letter. 1p. Seal. Endorsed.

Folio 139

William Fouler, [secretary to Queen Anne of Denmark, to the Earl of Shrewsbury], from Winchester, 11 October 1603, about the effect on the Earl's patent [as Steward of the Honor of Pontefract] of the inclusion of the manor of Pontefract in the Queen's jointure, and reporting the death of Alexander Dikson. 2pp. Endorsed.

Folio 141

Richard Topclyffe to the same, and the Countess of Shrewsbury, at Worksop manor, from Somerby, [co. Linc], 16 June 1603, sending, in view of the impending visit of the Queen to Worksop Park, a fallow deer and young herons, and offering other gifts, 1p. Seal. Address: K.G., Privy Councillor.

Folio 143

Account by Richard Topclyffe of 'A waye to mayke Heronseews breede in any place wheare is Tymber woode growinge, Eather of Oake or Ashe, wheare Crows may breede.' N.d., but possibly enclosed with the previous item. 1p. Endorsed.

Folio 145

Petition of the Earl of Kent to the King, about the manor and barony of Ruthin, [co. Denb.], and the manors of Brampton and Hemingford Grey, [co. Hunt.], taken into the hands of Henry VIII in the time of his uncle Richard, Earl of Kent, and asking that the terms of the conveyance might be examined, c.1606. [Edmund Lodge, Illustrations of British History, 1791, 2nd edition, 1838, iii, unpublished papers, 100 (47).] 1p.

Folio 147

Petition of Nicholas Hatfielde to the King, complaining that [Gilbert, 7th] Earl of Shrewsbury, had raised the rent of his tenement called the Priest Pastures in Glossop Dale manor, [co. Derby], from 15s. a year, with the service of finding a man and armour for the King's service, to £16 a year, no date ½p.

Folio 149

Allegations made against Robert Somerscales concerning the exercise of his office of Steward of the Court [of Pontefract], for the information of the Earl of Shrewsbury, 9 January 160 1/2. 2pp. Endorsed.

Folio 151

Thomas Coke to the Earl of Shrewsbury, from Sheffield Castle, 13 January 160 1/2, concerning his visit to Pontefract to investigate the allegations against Somerscales. Refers to the purchase of Mansfield, [co. Nott.], and business about Padley, [co. Derby]. 6pp. Address: my Lord.

Folio 155

Thomas Woodward to [the Earl of Shrewsbury], from Clipston, [co. Nott.], 26 July 1601, about the nisi prius tried at the Assizes for Normanton Grange, [co. Nott.]. Mentions the difficulty of getting the necessary documents, but the copy of the Earl's fine had come in time, and although [ ] Short had counsel, Mr. Fletcher successfully pleaded and the jury, 'in wch decke I found Six suer Trumpes,' gave a verdict for the Earl. The candidature of [Richard] Perpoint to be nominated Knight of the Shire, and the state of the Earl's influence with the burgesses of Retford, [co. Nott.]; the misdeeds of the keepers of woods in [Sherwood] Forest; the suit to be heard at the next Swainmote between the Queen and Digby and the townsmen of Clipston. 3pp. Address: my Lord.

Folio 157

James Blythman to [the Earl of Shrewsbury], 3 February [158 1/2], complaining of the false certificate of the extent of his father's property made by his kinsman [ ] Lacy [of Brierley, co. York], and given to the Earl. [Edmund Lodge, Illustrations of British History, 1791, 2nd edition, 1838, iii, unpublished papers, 47 (144).] 2pp.

Folio 159

Memorandum that the King [James I] should forbid the sale of certain woods in the manors of Brancepeth and Raby, [co. Durham], until the repurchase by the Crown had been considered. The woods were granted in fee farm by Queen Elizabeth I to George, late Earl of Cumberland, at a rent of £100 a year, and were leased by him to Sir John Watts, Paul Banning and Thomas Alabaster, merchants of London. N.d. but about 1607. [Ib., iii, unpublished papers, 122 (435), 123 (446).] 1p. Endorsed.

Folio 161

Edmund Eltoftes to [Gilbert, 7th] Earl of Shrewsbury, from Farnhill, [co. York], 8 July no year, nominally about hunting, but perhaps in reality referring to the quarrels between the Earl and his brothers, 1p. Seal. Endorsed.

Folio 163

Richard Wodroue to [Gilbert, 7th] Earl of Shrewsbury, no date, asking for the loan of £20 to free himself from imprisonment.

A note states that the loan was made by the Earl. 1p. Seal. Endorsed. Torn.

Folio 165

Request from one Dorington for compensation for the loss of the offices of Porter and Keeper of the Ordnance of Pontefract Castle, granted to him by the Chancellor [of the Duchy of Lancaster], but vacated because the Earl of Shrewsbury wished for the patent. The previous holder of the offices was Thomas Cowper by patent dated 1 Eliz.1. N.d. 1p. Endorsed.

Folio 167

Grant by Nicholas Shircliffe or Sheyrcliffe of Ecclesfield, co. York, to the Earl of Shrewsbury, of his right and title in Woolley Grange and woods, [co. York], for the term of years for which he held it, 20 February 1608/9. 1p. Endorsed.

Folio 169

Elizabeth Talbot to her mother [Mary], Countess of Shrewsbury, from Sheffield, 14 March no year, about the health of herself, her sisters and cousin Charles [? Cavendish], 1p. Seal. Endorsed.

Folio 171

Two fragmentary notes about the manor and mills of Ecclesfield, [co. York], and Woolley Grange, a member of the same, and arrangements with [Nicholas] Shircliffe about the rent, [1609]. 1p.

Folio 172

Sir William Skipwith to the Earl of Shrewsbury, 27 August 1603, sending him a letter received from the Privy Council ordering him to attend Lord Spencer [of Wormleighton] into Germany, and asking for his help in obtaining permission not to do so owing to debts and private affairs. 1p. Seal. Endorsed.

Folio 174

William Hamond to [the Earl of Shrewsbury], from Broad Street, [London], 21 March 1604/5, reporting the payment of £130 by 'the sillie plaine ould woman' for the lease [of Huntley, co. Glou.]. Steel is sold at £14 the barrell, and he cannot get £15 the barrell for the Earl's best quality steel owing to competition from Bristol. 1p. Seal. Address: my Lo[rd].

Folio 176

William Hamond to Henry Butler, at Sheffield Lodge, from Broad Street, [London], 2 June 1611, about the quality of cloth to be bought in London, and despatching 4 lbs of gunpowder costing 4 shillings barrelled to Sheffield, apparently for shooting hares. Money received. 1p. Seal. Endorsed.

Folio 178

William Hamond to Henry Butler, at Sheffield, from Broad Street, [London], 29 July 1611, transmitting instructions from the Countess of Shrewsbury for the payment to [ ] Ratcliffe of a debit of £1000 in wool, noting that Langford wool is of better quality than the rest, and that any deficit is to be paid in iron [Edmund Lodge, Illustrations of British History, 1791, 2nd edition, 1838, iii, unpublished papers, 129 (591).] 1p. Seal. Endorsed.

Folio 180

Mary, Countess of Shrewsbury to the same, no date, ordering him to arrange for 'Mrs Poll' to be paid before Candlemas, and for certain sums to be paid to her daughters, the Countess of Pembroke, and [Elizabeth] Grey, and sending messages to Mrs Markham as to the bearer of the letter. 1p. Seal. Endorsed.

Folio 182

Notes of lands and leases purchased or exchanged by the Cavendishes, for most of which they were yet in debt, and of lands of the inheritance of the Countess, no date 1p. Endorsed.

Folio 184

William Hamond to [the Earl of Shrewsbury], from Broad Street, [London], 19 September 1606, about warrants for deer from the Lord Treasurer in Buckhurst Park, [co. Suss.], and arrangements about debts. 2pp. Seal. Address: my Lord.

Folio 186

Petition of Walter Mercer to Philip, Lord Herbert, afterwards 5th Earl of Pembroke, and [crossed out] to his wife Penelope, Viscountess Bayning, about the manor of Althorpe, co. Linc., in the hands of Commissioners, c.1638. 3pp. Draft. Endorsed.

Folio 188

John Bouth to Henry Butler, 11 April 1609, about the letting of lands and park at Handsworth, [co. York], 1p. Seal. Endorsed.

Folio 190

John Slack and John Wrighte to the Earl of Shrewsbury, from Goodrich, [co. Heref.], 6 February 1603/4, about the supposed murder of a child at Ross, [co. Heref.], by workmen at the Earl's ironworks during a quarrel with Sir Herbert Croft's men. 1p. Seal. Endorsed.

Folio 192

Notes about the manor of Althorpe, [co. Linc.], formerly part of the personal estate of Viscount Bayning, and now belonging to Lady Bayning, and the question of a lease to Walter Mercer, c.1638. 3pp. Endorsed.

Folio 194

Rowland Dand to the Earl of Shrewsbury, from Mansfield Woodhouse, [co. Nott.], 18 July 1605, about royal warrants to fell trees at Clipston, Birkland and Bilhaugh, [co. Nott.] [Edmund Lodge, Illustrations of British History, 1791, 2nd edition, 1838, iii, unpublished papers, 122 (445).] 1p. Endorsed. for the repair of Nottingham castle.

Folio 196

[Martin Otto], musician, to the Earl and Countess of Shrewsbury, after 1605, asking to be released after 15 years in their service in order to enter that of Viscount Fentoun; that his wages, which were almost three years in arrears, might be paid, and that he be allowed to have 'the chyste of vyalls,' and a bed with furniture. 1p. Endorsed.

Folio 198

Memorandum by a servant of the Earl of Shrewsbury of wages due to Martin Otto, and of the Earl's refusal to allow him to have the chest of viols, after 1605. 1p.

Folio 199

Margaret Anne to the Countess of Shrewsbury, at Sheffield manor, from Frickley, [co. York], 3 October 1607, about a grant of Attercliffe, [co. York], to a servant of the Countess to be obtained from the writer's cousin Robert Turritt. 1p. Endorsed.

Folio 201

The Archbishop of York to the Earl of Shrewsbury, from Cawood Castle, [co. York], 12 September 1607, suggesting, with the consent of Henry Sanderson, Constable of Brancepeth Castle, and chief forester and Master of the Game there, that measures be taken to prevent the timber being sold to London merchants, and that the King's personal intervention, at the request of the Earl as Justice in Eyre, would be needed. 1p. Copy. Endorsed.

Folio 203

Lord Darcy to [Gilbert, 7th] Earl of Shrewsbury, from Aston, [co. York], 8 April no year, excusing himself from waiting on the Earl before they both went to London. 1p. Seal. Address: K.G., Privy Councillor.

Folio 205

Interrogatories to be put to Timothy Pusy in a suit between Gilbert, 7th Earl of Shrewsbury, and Henry, Lord Cavendish, apparently concerning a codicil to the will of [Elizabeth], Countess of Shrewsbury, no date 3pp. Draft.

Folio 207

Answer of Robert Somerscales, [steward of Pontefract Court], to allegations made against him to the Earl of Shrewsbury, 9 January 1601/2. 2¼pp. Endorsed.

Folio 209

Sir John Scudamore to [Mary], Countess of Shrewsbury, from Holme Lacy, [co. Heref.], 18 November no year [after 1600], enclosing a new account, made by Christopher Foxe, of the steel works at Linton, [co. Heref.], and mentioning his view of the account of William Vaughan, apparently an official of the court at Goodrich, [co. Heref.]. Also mentions lease of fishing, which had been ruined by a weir being destroyed, and plants to be sent to Henry Keise for the orchards. 1p. Endorsed.

Folio 211v

Proceedings in a lawsuit between Edward Fairfax and Sir Thomas Fairfax, begun by Edward [an illegitimate] son of Sir Thomas Fairfax, the elder, by a petition to the Privy Council about his father's treatment by the defendant [the elder son], c.April 1600.2pp. End.

Folio 213

Thomas Woodward to [the Earl of Shrewsbury], 19 November 1607, about the actions of the Earl of Rutland against the Earl's officials at Clipston Park, [co. Nott.]; petition of Robert Tailor and other tenants at Norton, [co. Nott.], to the Lord Treasurer and to the King described. His visit to the Countess of Arundel, who sent presents to her mother and sister Elizabeth and messages about the survey of Arundel House and a masque at Court. 3pp. Address: my Lord.

Folio 215

Agreement between [George, 6th] Earl of Shrewsbury, and John Hall, about the tithes of Adlingfleet, Whitgift, [torn], and Swinefleet or elsewhere in Marshland, co. York, held at fee-farm from the Crown, and mentioning the conveyances of the interest of Roger Beckwith, lately resident at Selby, [Roger Beckwith sold Selby in about 1582 and died in 1587. C.f. Edmund Lodge, Illustrations of British History, 1791, 2nd edition, 1838 iii, unpublished papers, 47 (134).] co. York, to the Earl and Edward Talbot, no date 2pp. Draft. Torn.

Folio 217

John Wood to [Mary, Countess of Shrewsbury], no date, describing how he stood in the pillory for 4 hours, while Mr. Talbot and the Lord Treasurer's son threw rotten eggs at him, and a hired fool, Talbot's man Nevill, Sir George Savile and Harry Witherington mocked him. Begs for help or he will be put there again, having been fined £500. [Edmund Lodge, Illustrations of British History, 1791, 2nd edition, 1838, iii, unpublished papers, 77 (767).] 1p.

Folio 219

Thomas Co[ok] to Charles Fitzwilliam, no date, accepting his challenge to a duel, but explaining that in objecting to Fitzwilliam sitting at the table of an unnamed Duke, he had only carried out his orders that certain specially chosen gentlemen were to sit there. 1p. Copy.

Folio 221

Henry Tamworth to the Earl of Shrewsbury, from Holborn, [London], 25 February 1603/4, interceding for a member of the family of Stafford of co. Derby, concerning whom he hears that the Earl is about to settle a dispute. 1p. Seal. Endorsed.

Folio 223

Evidence given by Thomas Peter, Christopher Fox, Christopher Kirkland and Richard Tayllor that the report that Fox's child had been killed at Ross, [co. Heref.], on 27 November [1603], by workmen from the Earl of Shrewsbury's works at Bilmilene [near Goodrich, co. Heref.] was false, but during a quarrel with Sir Herbert Crofte's men there had been several casualties, no date 1p. Endorsed.

Folio 225

John Hercy to [the Earl of Shrewsbury], 18 February 1607/8, on legal business: the record of Harrison v Woodward, which had been brought to the last assizes by the Earl of Rutland; Screven's case; case against [John] Thorneighe, High Sheriff [of co. Nott.], for entering Clipston Park; commission for the survey of woods; the will of [Elizabeth, Countess of Shrewsbury]. 2pp. Seal. Address: my Lord. Torn.

Folio 227

Richard Latham to the Earl of Shrewsbury, from Shifnal, [co. Salop.], 7 September 1607, about a letter from [ ] Talbott of Pepperhill, [co. Salop.], money sent to London to pay debts, iron delivered to George Talbott, a visit by Lord Buckhurst to Shifnal manor, and Sir John Leveson's offer to pay £4000. 1½pp. Seal. Endorsed.

Folio 229

Prolegomena. Notes in English and Latin perhaps for a sermon, no date 4pp.

Folio 231

Discourse De discensu Christi ad inferos, no date 3¼pp. Latin.

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