Catalogue description Letters and papers mainly on ecclesiastical affairs, 16th-17th cents.

'Articles concernyng the Lord Marshall of the King's Highnes armye', early 16th cent. (ff.1-2).

Letter perhaps from Thomas Wriothesley, 1st Earl of Southampton, to Michael Stanhope, Governor of Hull, c.1547, concerning a dispute about a servant of the latter named Richard Faiercliff and lands at Patrington, Yorks. (f.3).

'Instruccions geven by the Quene's maiestie to her trustie and welleloved shryefe and Iustices of the peace of the cowntye of Sussex for the purposes ensuynge the fyrste of Februarye anno 1556'. Concerns the scarcity of grain (ff.5-7).

Letter probably from Archbishop Parker to Queen Elizabeth I, [1561], urging her to countenance marriage of the clergy (copy) (f.9).

Letter from Robert Horne, Bishop of Winchester, to Sir William Cecil, from Waltham, 21 June [1566], stating that he has conferred with [John] Gough and [John] Philpott as ordered by the Council. Philpott has conformed but fears the public shame if sent to London. Offers to be surety for him (f.13).

Notes on ceremonies. Begins: 'De ritibus ecclesiasticis docent quod ritus illi servandi sint qui sine peccato servari possunt et prosunt ad tranquillitatem et bonum ordinem in Ecclesia ...'. Contains notes from Protestant confessions and authors, c.1566. (Latin; incomplete) (ff.15-16v).

Declaration by Richard Turner, [Vicar of Dartford], Simon Clark, [Rector of Murston], and Robert Pownall, [Rector of Harbledown], conforming with orders concerning ecclesiastical apparel, but desiring that the square cap be tolerated, and if not that they be allowed to persuade the people 'for theire quyetnes concernynge our conformytie' by preaching in the cathedral, Canterbury, 8 September 1566 (f.17).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Parker, from Westminster, 28 November 1566, referring to him the Bishop of Winchester's request to be relieved of the custody of [John] Gough, a preacher imprisoned for disobeying the queen's orders on vestments and other matters (f.18).

Endorsed, 'Ye like was verbatim done for [Robert] Crowley'.

Letter from Richard Cheyney, Bishop of Gloucester, to Archbishop Grindal, from Gloucester, 15 September 1576, reporting on exercises of the clergy under a moderator in the diocese of Gloucester and expressing his approval of them (f.20).

Endorsed by Grindal.

Letter from John Aylmer [Aelmer], Archdeacon of Lincoln, and (1577) Bishop of London, to the same, from Cossington, 25 September 1576, condemning 'posting apostles that go from shire to shire, from exercise to exercise', especially [Eusebius] Pagett and Stanton, and mentioning parishioners who refuse to kneel at communion. The inquiry into exercises was committed to one [Thomas] Spark and [John] Willok who do not administer communion because they refuse to wear surplices (f.22).

Endorsed by Grindal.

Notes partly in Grindal's hand headed 'Instances against this argument (They are not to be condemned that suppresse prophecies, ergo they ought to be iustified in so doing, or ergo you being commaunded ought to suppresse them)', and 'Instances against this argument (it is no mater or article of fayth, ergo we ought to yeld upon commandement', c.1576. Also text headed 'Scandali occasio nemini offerenda' (ff.24-9).

Further fragments of Archbishop Grindal's projected treatise on Prophesyings, c.1578. See also MSS/2007, ff.126-144v; 2014, ff.72-80; 2872, ff.10-11v (ff.32-39v).

A statement of events leading up to the deprivation of Archbishop Grindal in 1578 'Atque hic rei status est' (Latin) (f.40r-v).

Endorsed (perhaps by Archbishop Whitgift), 'Casus Latine'.

'Agaynst auricular (or private) information of Judges. Calculated in the Yeare no thousand, no hundred, nor any one, for ye Meridian of the citie of Westmynster and may well serve for all Inglande', by 'Pille-hâm Lamperye'. An appendix entitled 'An Appendix with Obiections agaynst favorites at the barre of Justice' is signed 'W. Lambarde' (ff.42-51).

Endorsed by Whitgift, 'Lambert towching Iudges'.

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Grindal, from Court, 27 August 1580, requiring him to confirm the grant of the office of registrar to [John] Kennall, Archdeacon of Oxford, to Audley Davette (f.59).

Letter from Sir Francis Walsingham to Archbishop Grindal, from Ostende, 29 August 1580, stating that the queen wishes to send a messenger to certain Princes of the Empire to stay publication, at least until a synod is called, of a book entitled Corpus Doctrinae, instigated by divines of the Augustan Confession, in which all other branches of the Reformed Religion are condemned. Because of great expense in Ireland, she has called on the Bishop of London to collect £300 and now requires Grindal to advance that sum (f.60).

Endorsed, 'Mr. Secret Wals. to laye owte money for Mr. Rogers Jowrney into Germanie ... cum resp. mea 2 Septemb. 1580 1a'.

Letter from Archbishop Grindal to Walsingham, from Croydon, 2 September 1580, applauding the queen's care for staying the troublesome divines of the Augustan Confession, but asking to be excused providing funds as he has lately paid the Archbishop of York £400 for dilapidations, much of which he borrowed, and is short of funds until Michaelmas and has no credit with merchants (copy) (f.62).

Letter from Sir Francis Walsingham to Archbishop Grindal, from Court, 17 September 1580, complaining of Grindal's cold answer in view of his high station, and claiming that in defence of the Reformed Religion he owes his substance and his life, and expressing incredulity of his claim of inability to pay (f.63). Marginal notes by Grindal. Endorsed, '... cumque Responsione mea 2a'.

Letter from Archbishop Grindal to Walsingham, from Croydon, 23 September 1580, denying 'any opinion you have conceived off my greate wealthe gathered by occasions of my restraynte' (draft) (f.65).

Letter from the Privy Council [to Archbishop Grindal], from Court, December 1580, requiring that the office of vicar-general and other offices be confirmed to [William] Aubrey for life (f.66).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Grindal, from Whitehall, 16 December 1580, requiring him to take bonds for persons named in a schedule [missing] for the return of their sons from abroad, as many return disaffected to the government and religion, and requiring a return for the whole diocese of persons abroad. See Acts of the Privy Council 1580-1581, 281. Also a copy (ff.67-69v).

Endorsed by Grindal.

Letter from twelve bishops of the Southern Province to Queen Elizabeth I, [1580], on behalf of Archbishop Grindal (Latin copy). Printed E. Cardwell, Documentary annals, 1844, I, 441-6 (f.71).

Endorsed by Whitgift, 'Letters to her matie for the Archb. of Cant.'.

Badly damaged letter 'sent to ye Bps. of Sarum and ...cester as a charge ... ye Archbishop', apparently seeking the restoration of Archbishop Grindal to favour, [1580]. Also a defence by an unnamed author of the new doctrine concerning the 'circumvolution of the earth upon its owne center' and the science of longitude. His long silence is due to the opposition of the clergy and the death of his only son in Ireland, c.1620 (f.73).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Grindal, from Westminster, 16 January 1581, acknowledging a letter and authorising the appointment of the Bishops of London, Winchester and Lincoln to deputise for him in Convocation during his suspension (f.76).

Letter of submission by Archbishop Grindal to Queen Elizabeth I, [21 January 1581], for refusing on grounds of conscience to suppress Puritan prophesyings (copy) (f.78).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Grindal, from Greenwich, 1 April 1582, requiring him and the rest of the bishops to make a return to the King's Bench of persons who since the last session of Parliament have refused to go to church. See Acts of the Privy Council 1581-1582, 376 (f.80).

Endorsed, 'Receavid at Lambeth the 4. of April 1582 at the handes of Robert Pedley messinger of her majesty's Chamber. The spedie execution of the contents hereof was committed to John Jucents in the absence of D. Awbrey'.

Walter Travers. 'A note of certen reasons which I humbly desier may bee thoroughly and indifferently considered for satisfieng of that which is alleged against mee of having bene made ministre at Andwerpe as a sufficient cause why I should bee restrayned from preaching, except I become ministre againe, according to the order here established', [1584]. Extensively annotated and refuted by Whitgift and entitled by him 'Travers in defens of his ministrie'. Printed Strype, Whitgift, III, bk.iii no.xxx (ff.82-7).

'The proceedinge to the funeralls of the valiante and worthie knight Sir Phillip Sidney, late governor of Vlisshinge [Flushing, 17 October 1586]. Not in Nichols, Progresses, II, 483-94 (f.88).

Letter from Archbishop Whitgift to Andrew Perne, Master of Peterhouse, Cambridge, from Lambeth, 19 December 1587, sternly rebuking him for encouraging schismatics by holding an unauthorised fast and other innovations in Cambridge (draft with alterations and a postscript by Whitgift) (f.89).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court at St. James, 6 September 1588, allowing Sir Thomas Cornwallis, who on the archbishop's order resides with his son-in-law Sir Thomas Kittson, to reside for his health in Robert Taylor's house in Wood Street. See Acts of the Privy Council, 1588, 268 (f.90).

Letter from Thomas Stapleton to Cardinal William Allen, from Douai, 8 Cal. Oct. [24 September] 1588, describing letters from Cardinal Pole, one of them to Archbishop Cranmer, given to him by John Harris, secretary to Thomas More (Latin) (f.91).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court, 8 October 1588, requiring a statement of sums collected in the diocese three years since for providing horsemen for the Low Countries in order that the account of Robert Freke, teller of the Exchequer, may be discharged (f.95).

Letter from Archbishop Whitgift to William Cecil, Lord Burghley, from Lambeth, 8 November 1588, asking him to stay a Bill 'exhibited to the Earl of Essex' for glebe belonging to the clergy (copy) (f.96).

Letter from Sir Francis Walsingham to Archbishop Whitgift, from his house in London, 3 December 1588, requiring him to examine and commit to the Gatehouse one Bannister, a servant to Wrenford, of Worcestershire, he having never been to church in his life but refusing to confess that he heard mass at his master's house (f.97).

Letter from the Privy Council [to Archbishop Whitgift], from the Court at Greenwich, 11 December 1588, requiring him to examine recusants brought from Ely by Arkinstale, to require bonds, and to authorise places of residence within ten miles of London (f.98).

Conditions of a bond for recusants, 11 December 1588 (f.99).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court at Greenwich, 15 December 1588, permitting John Talbot, of Grafton, Worcs., esq., to return home for a month owing to the illness of his wife, with similar provision for William Tirwight [of co. Lincoln]. See Acts of the Privy Council, 1588, 389 (f.100).

Letter from Sir Francis Walsingham to Archbishop Whitgift, from his house, 19 December 1588, permitting the release of a recusant named [John] Gage [of Leyton, Essex] in the charge of Mr. Dickens, a minister, on giving a bond and residing within ten miles of London (f.101).

Letter from Lord Burghley to Archbishop Whitgift, from his house near the Savoy, 26 December 1588, referring to him a request from John Thimbleby, a neighbour in Lincolnshire, to return home for three months on giving a bond (f.102).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court at Richmond, 29 December 1588, requiring him to take a bond from Sir William Catesby, who has permission to go to Oxfordshire for three weeks to visit his mother, and then return to his present abode (f.103).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Whitgift, from Richmond, 9 January 1589, permitting Edward Sulliard, esq., a prisoner at Mr. [Anthony] Tirrell's house in St. Mary Spittle, to go to the country to raise money owed to the queen (f.104).

'A Breiffe of the depositions allredy taken touching the printing and publishing of Martin's Libelles and of the supposed Author thereof', [1589]. Concerns the Marprelate tracts (ff.105-6).

Letter from William Bruton to Mr. Taylor, at the Sessions House in the Old Baily, London, from Exeter, 15 January 1589, reporting the oppression of a merchant in Edinburgh by the minister and sidesmen (f.107).

Endorsed by Richard Bancroft, 'An example of ye consistorial government in Scotlande'.

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court at Richmond, 19 January 1589, allowing Thomas Hale, gent., to reside at his father's house at Walthamstow, Essex, on giving a bond (f.109).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court at Whitehall, May 1589, sending for his consideration petitions from unnamed recusants to attend to business for two or three months (f.110).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court at Whitehall, 11 May 1589, referring a petition from Anne Catesby to him (f.111). Enclosing, Petition from Anne Catesby, wife of Sir William Catesby, to the Privy Council, requesting permission for her husband, who has been sick, to visit his widowed mother Katherine Throkmorton, who is dangerously ill, and to settle other business in Oxfordshire, [May 1589] (f.112).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court at Whitehall, 30 May 1589, releasing Stephen Vaughan, who has been corrupted in religion, from the Gatehouse to the custody of his parents on giving a bond (f. 113).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court, 31 May 1589, to take a bond from Michael Hare, esq., [of Suffolk], to reside within ten miles of the city of London. See Acts of the Privy Council 1588-9, 231 (f. 114).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court at Whitehall, 1 June 1589, asking him to settle a dispute between the Bishop of London and the vestry of St. Martin-in-the-Fields concerning the appointment of a parish clerk (f. 115).

Letter from Archbishop Whitgift to the Lord Mayor of London [Martin Calthorp], from Lambeth, 4 June 1589, concerning the authorisation of an 'exercise of prayer and fastinge' proposed by the Lord Mayor 'for the good successe of that enterprise' [the attack on the Spanish coast] (copy) (f. 116).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Whitgift 'and ye rest of ye Commissioners sytting at Lambehith', from the Court at Whitehall, 5 June 1589, requiring them to settle a dispute between George Burgheley, parson of Chelmsford, and Robert Pallmer, chaplain to the Bishop of London, in which the latter seeks to deprive the former although already possessed of two benefices worth £100 a year or more. See Acts of the Privy Council 1588-9, 240-1 (f. 117)

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court at Whitehall, 9 June 1589, for the release on payment of a bond of William Calverley, imprisoned in the Marshalsea for recusancy, into the custody of his father William Calverley of Yorkshire, his backwardness in religion being caused by lunacy. See Acts of the Privy Council 1588-9, 286 (f. 118).

Examination of Thomas Bradley by Archbishop Whitgift, Dr. [William] Aubrey, and Dr. [Richard] Cosin, 16 June 1589, concerning subscription by 'the precisians' [i.e. Puritans] to certain articles, and mentioning the opinion of Sir Edmund Anderson (f. 119r-v).

Incomplete copy of the previous item with a note by Bancroft that he had sent the original which he asks should be returned, [1589] (f. 120).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court at Whitehall, 18 June 1589, asking him to hear a petition by William Crisall concerning a marriage contract (f. 121).

Enclosing

Petition from William Crysall, clothier, a prisoner in the Marshalsea, to Sir Francis Walsingham, stating that a contract of marriage between him and Catherine Whitlocke was found valid in the Court of Arches, but that he was imprisoned on a suit by George Tottye, a servant of the Lord Chamberlain, for refusing to abandon the case, [1589]. See Acts of the Privy Council 1588-9, 286-7 (f. 122).

Letter from William Crysall, clothier, a prisoner in the Marshalsea, to Sir Francis Walsingham, from the Court, 18 June 1589, requiring that Edward Syllyard, of Wetherden, Suffolk, esq., have leave to go to the country to arrange for the payment of large sums to the queen. See Acts of the Privy Council 1588-9, 281 (f. 123).

Letter from William Crysall, clothier, a prisoner in the Marshalsea, to Sir Francis Walsingham, from the Court at Nonsuch, 6 July 1589, that Elizabeth Hill as Brakyn, residing in the care of the Dean of St. Paul's, be entrusted to the care of an honest matron elsewhere since Thomas Brakin, gent., seeks to procure a marriage between her and his son. See Acts of the Privy Council 1588-9, 353 (f. 124).

Letter from Archbishop Whitgift to Queen Elizabeth I, from Canterbury, 17 August 1589, asking that the union of the bishoprics of Gloucester and Bristol, which the Bishop of Gloucester seeks in order to rescue himself from indebtedness caused by granting long leases, be stayed as it is injurious to the patrimony of the Church (copy) (f. 125).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court at Richmond, 8 October 1589, requesting that an increased part of the estate of Nathaniel Walter, an orphan, which is to be distributed by the archbishop or the judge of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, be given to Robert Walter, gent., who has long attended the court at great charge, in view of his nearness of blood. See Acts of the Privy Council 1589-90, 178-9 (f. 126).

Letter from Lord Burghley to Archbishop Whitgift, from his house near the Savoy, 30 October 1589, asking him to show favour to William Kirkham, gent., who, having been examined in the Star Chamber, vehemently protested his loyalty 'his Religion excepted' (f. 127).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court at Richmond, 15 November 1589, allowing John Leedes, of Wapping thorn Sussex, a recusant but well-affected to the queen and no meddler in politics or maintainer of priests and Jesuits, to visit his sick wife in the country (f. 128).

Letter from John Aylmer, Bishop of London, [to Archbishop Whitgift], from London, 23 November 1589, reporting a meeting at Mr. [William] Barrett's house near Aldgate, at which [Robert] Beal, [Thomas] Cartwright, [Richard] Gardiner, preacher at Whitechapel, [William] Charcke, [lecturer at Lincoln's Inn], and [Thomas] Barber, [preacher at St. Mary le Bow] were present (f. 129).

Speech by Henry Savile, Warden of Merton, before Queen Elizabeth I on her visit to Oxford, 23 September 1592 (Latin). Printed Nicholls, Progresses, III, 161-7 (ff. 130-3).

Endorsed perhaps by Whitgift.

Letter from Queen Elizabeth I to John Piers, Archbishop of York, from Hampton Court, 13 January 1593, requiring a return throughout the Province before the convening of Parliament of all clergy, stating their names, degrees, conversation, whether they preach or are unfit to teach the people or are non-resident, in order that any such may be removed. A similar return has been asked of the Archbishop of Canterbury (copy) (f. 134).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court at Greenwich, 9 May 1594, allowing an extension of Thomas Throckmorton's absence from Banbury castle to attend to legal business (f. 135).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court at Greenwich, 24 May 1594, ordering the release of Andrew Newman, a poor scholar of Trinity College, Cambridge, who was imprisoned in the Marshalsea for attempting to go abroad without a licence, to the charge of his father [John] Newman, of Furneux Pelham, Herts. (f. 136).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court at Osterley, 4 June 1594, allowing the release of Thomas Throckmorton, esq., who is grievously sick, to repair to the baths at Buxton until 1st September (f. 137).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court at Greenwich, 4 August 1594, allowing Thomas Throckmorton a further three months' absence from Banbury castle to repair to baths in Somerset and prosecute legal affairs (f. 138).

Letter from Sir Thomas Throckmorton to -, from Gloucester, 6 August 1594, stating that his brother Anthony Throckmorton was informed that many papists attended the house of William Myners in Herefordshire every Sunday and holiday. This was confirmed while he was attending the Council of the Marches at Gloucester by one Lewes Watkens, who said that as many attended the mass as attended the parish church at Oldfield in the parish of Garway. Edward Havard, a recusant, is now tenant of Myners' house (f. 139).

Letter from the Privy Council to Sir Thomas Throckmorton, from the Court at Greenwich, 20 August 1594, declining to interfere in his wife's place of residence, which does not contravene statutes against recusants, and rebuking him for not making diligent search for the papists he reported present at Miners' house at Oldfield (f. 140).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court at Greenwich, 1 September 1594, allowing John Arundell, esq., three months' leave of absence from Banbury castle because of his ill health with permission to attend to legal business concerning his tinworks at St. Margaret's in Cornwall, providing he does not keep company with known recusants or disaffected persons (f. 141).

Letter from Lord Burghley to Archbishop Whitgift, from his house in the Strand, 4 November 1594, asking for a list of names and addresses of recusants imprisoned at Ely and Banbury and of those released (f. 142).

Letter from Archbishop Whitgift to Lord Burghley, from Lambeth, 4 November 1594, sending names of recusants at Ely and Banbury. Has received warrants for release only of Thomas Throckmorton and [John] Arundell, the latter of whom declined the conditions offered to him (copy) (f. 143).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court, 13 November 1594, allowing release of John Thymylbie, esq., prisoner at Ely, to the custody of Edward Bilsbye for the sake of his health and legal business (f. 144).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court at Whitehall, 19 November 1594, sending a schedule of places at which recusants imprisoned at Ely and Banbury may reside on giving a bond to appear before the Privy Council after due notice and on undertaking not to go abroad or go above five miles from their abode without the bishop's leave. Approves of Sir Alexander Culpiper and Mr. Sullierd remaining with Sir John Higham [at Ely] (f. 145).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court at Somerset House, 27 November 1594, allowing the release of John Halsey, a recusant, from the Gatehouse on giving a bond and remaining within five miles of London. A note that 'he practise not his profession of Phisick til farther direction' (f. 146).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court at Somerset House, 28 November 1594, making similar provision for John Copley, a prisoner in the Clink (f. 147).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court at Somerset House, 3 December 1594, extending the release of Henry Carlyle, gent., a recusant, owing to sickness of his family (f. 148).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court at Somerset House, 8 December 1594, excusing John Talbot of Grafton from appearing before Whitgift with other recusants according to the late directions, owing to his ill-health (f. 149).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court at Greenwich, 24 December 1594, ordering the release from the Gatehouse and Marshalsea of Anthony Garnet and Robert Gray, being over 72 years of age, and ordering that some learned priest confer with them about their conformity in religion (f. 150).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court at Greenwich, 29 December 1594, with a further order for the release from the Gatehouse of Robert Gray, of Martin, Norfolk, gent., information being given by Richard Topcliffe that nothing chargeable is known except his recusancy (f. 151).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court at Greenwich, 6 January 1595, ordering the release of John Copley, of Hadzor, Worcs., a recusant required to reside about the city of London (f. 152).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court at Greenwich, 12 January 1595, ordering the release of Henry Ashe who was committed to Bridewell for recusancy two years ago by order of Richard Yonge, of late deceased, on giving bond as other matters than recusancy are alleged against him (f. 153).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court at Greenwich, 25 January 1595, ordering that certain young men, whose names are enclosed [missing], who intended to go to Spain, having been brought up in seminaries overseas, should reside with bishops, deans and other ecclesiastical persons at their own expense and receive instruction (f. 154).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court at Greenwich, 9 February 1595, ordering, on the advice of the Bishop of London, that Thomas Abbington, of Worcester, gent., long imprisoned in the Marshalsea and owing large sums to the Exchequer, be released in or about the city of London (f. 155).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court at Greenwich, 16 February 1595, ordering that Lady Stonor, widow, who was required to reside with her eldest son Francis Stonor, gent., for recusancy, transfer to the house of her son-in-law Nicholas Rudgeley in Essex 'for the better avoiding of unkindnes' with her son (f. 156).

Letter from Lord Burghley to Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court at St. James, 24 February 1595, sending a list of prisoners at Wisbech and inquiring whether some should not be proceeded against at law rather than 'kept and cherished' in prison (f. 157).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court at Whitehall, 7 March 1595, authorising Thomas Throckmorton, esq., to go to the city of London and the counties of Middlesex, Buckingham and Warwick on business (f. 158).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court at Whitehall, 16 March 1595, ordering the release of Ferdinando Paris, lately imprisoned for recusancy at Ely and now in or about London, to go to the country on business (f. 159).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court at Whitehall, 2 April 1595, authorising John Halsey, a practitioner in physick confined for recusancy in or about London, to go to Berkshire (f. 160).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court at Whitehall, 13 April 1595, permitting Robert Pryce, confined for recusancy at the parsonage of Lutton, Northants., to go to London on legal business (f. 161).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court at Whitehall, 22 April 1595, requesting that John Gattacre, a young man recently come from abroad where he lived with ill-affected persons and fugitives, and placed 'by me the Earl of Essex' with Alderman Lee, be put in the charge of a learned divine (f. 162).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court at Whitehall, 25 April 1595, authorising Sir Alexander Colepepper, a recusant transferred from Ely to the house of Sir John Higham at Barrow, Suffolk, to reside for his health with his son Anthony Colepepper in Kent, who has long conformed (f. 163).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court at Greenwich, 6 May 1595, allowing Edward Sillyard, esq., who is confined to Sir John Higham's house at Barrow, Suffolk, to reside at his own house in Suffolk for his health and legal business (f.164).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court at Greenwich, 29 June 1595, authorising Ferdinando Paris, esq., now confined for recusancy in London, to reside at his house at Linton, Cambs., owing to age and infirmities (f.165).

Letter from James Morice, attorney in the Court of Wards and Liveries, to Archbishop Whitgift, from Chipping Ongar, Essex, 22 August 1595, sending the 'Defence of my pryvate Treatise made against generall and officious oathes' [now MS.234], and complaining of his treatment in controversy with Dr. [Richard] Cosin (f.166).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court at Richmond, 1 October 1595, referring to a recent order that musters of the clergy be put in readiness as in 1588, and that pluralist clergy be assessed for an additional one or two petronels for each benefice. Also requires him to enjoin residence on the clergy in this time of dearth and scarcity (f.168).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court at Nonsuch, 6 October 1595, requiring muster rolls of the clergy to be returned to Lieutenants or their commissaries in the counties as in 1588. See Acts of the Privy Council 1595-6, 14-15 (f.169).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court at Richmond, 9 November 1595, authorising Mr. [Thomas] Gawen, a recusant confined to Mr. Henry Butler's house in Dorset, to go to London on legal business, the diocese of Bristol, by which licence should be given, being vacant. See Acts of the Privy Council 1595-6, 60 (f.170).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court at Whitehall, 26 November 1595, requiring ecclesiastical laws to be better enforced and an inquisition made in all dioceses of the number of recusants, the number who are householders, resident in their counties or vagrant, and of measures taken for their instruction. See Acts of the Privy Council 1595-6, 87-8 (f.171).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court at Whitehall, 30 November 1595, releasing Mrs. White, of South Warnborough, Hants., to the care of her husband by reason of age and sickness. See Acts of the Privy Council 1595-6, 82-3 (f.172).

Letter from Lord Burghley to the Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court, 26 February 1596, asking for further certificates of musters of the clergy for service in Ireland to be sent to him (f.173).

Letter from Archbishop Whitgift to Thomas Sackville, Lord Buckhurst and (1604) 1st Earl of Dorset, 1596, containing an account of a vehement attack on him by an unnamed member of the Privy Council [apparently Lord Burghley] for imparting information about James Morice to the queen, adding 'I wold you wold loke to non residents, pluralities, and papists which swarme now a dayes and nothing done against them ... and not to troble and hinder honest men' (draft) (f.174).

Letter from Archbishop Whitgift to Sir Christopher Hatton, 1596, gratefully acknowledging a message, having recently had hard words 'where I least looked for them, onelie for doeing my dutie'. Marvels that some who seek peace and conformity in the Church oppose measures to execute the laws (draft) (f.177).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court at Richmond, 2 March 1596, directing that clergy musters be sent to Chester, with details of their accoutrements (f.178). Endorsed with numbers of light horse, petronels, muskets and calivers to be sent by certain dioceses certified by Sir William Waad. See Acts of the Privy Council 1595-6, 258-9.

Letter from Lord Burghley to Archbishop Whitgift, from his house in the Strand, 11 March 1596, repudiating the Bishop of Norwich's claim to be unable to provide horse required, since the diocese is assessed at less than Ely and Lincoln, and stating that the weapons provided are fewer than those certified (f.179). Postscript by Burghley, 'I am right sorry to see so many extraordinarye charges wherof I se no remedy untill it may please God to send us peace'.

Letter from Matthew Hutton, Archbishop of York, to Archbishop Whitgift, from York, 24 April 1596, on the military unpreparedness of the north. Suggests more godly men about the queen, an increase in the Privy Council, and the reconciliation of differences (f.180).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court at Greenwich, 31 May 1596, referring a petition from Thomas Throckmorton, esq., who is confined within five miles of Morehall, Warks., for leave to travel for legal and other business. See Acts of the Privy Council 1595-6, 425 (f.181).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court at Greenwich, 22 June 1596, referring a petition from Mighaell Hare, of Brusyard [Bruisyard], Suffolk, esq., who is confined for recusancy in the city of London, for leave to visit his estate, licence having been given to him by the late Bishop of London. See Acts of the Privy Council 1595-6, 482 (f.182).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court at Greenwich, 6 July 1596, referring a petition from William Brown [of Elsing, Norfolk], esq., who is confined about London for recusancy, to stay with his children in the country owing to his age and infirmities. See Acts of the Privy Council 1596-7, 10 (f.183).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court at Greenwich, 11 July 1596, referring a petition from Thomas Crawley, esq., a recusant remaining about the city of London, to go to his house in Essex. See Acts of the Privy Council 1596-7, 16 (f.184).

Totals of male and female recusants in dioceses in England and Wales, 1596 (ff.185-6).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court at Greenwich, 23 July 1596, referring a petition from Samuel Lone, esq., formerly imprisoned at Ely and now confined in the county of Bedford, for leave to go to his house at Sevenoaks, Kent. See Acts of the Privy Council 1596-7, 47 (f.187).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court at Greenwich, 8 August 1596, ordering preachers to admonish farmers and owners of corn to be hospitable to the poor in order to relieve the scarcity of grain and bring down the price forced up by farmers, ingrossers, and J.P.s who are also corn masters. Householders should omit supper on Wednesdays, Fridays, and fast days, and kennels of hounds should not be kept. See Acts of the Privy Council 1596-7, 94-6 (f.188).

Letter from Archbishop Whitgift to the Bishops, 10 August 1596, requiring measures against the dearth of corn and other victuals (copy) (f.189).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court at Greenwich, 22 August 1596, ordering diocesan collections for the release of captives held for four years in Algiers, especially eight men left by the late Captain [Edward] Glemham. See Acts of the Privy Council 1596-7, 126-7 (f.190).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court at Nonsuch, 9 October 1596, referring a petition from John Arundell, of Lanherne, Cornwall, esq., for licence to travel to settle his affairs, including payment of money owed to the queen, and the discharge of legacies by his father. See Acts of the Privy Council 1596-7, 230 (f.191).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court at Whitehall, 12 December 1596, stating that recusants at Ely and Banbury cannot come to London owing to age and infirmity, and requiring their eldest sons and ill-affected persons to come in their stead. See Acts of the Privy Council 1596-7, 363 (f.192).

Letter from the Privy Council to Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court at Whitehall, 22 December 1596, ordering that measures be taken in time of scarcity to restrict diet, enforce fish days and collect alms for the poor. See Acts of the Privy Council 1596-7, 383-6 (f.193).

Letter from Archbishop Whitgift to the Bishops, December 1596, on the observation of fish days and dieting on Wednesdays (copy) (f.194).

Letter from Sir Robert Cecil to Archbishop Whitgift, from the Court, 11 July 1597, stating that he has presented to the queen 'your booke of printed prayers' and has read three or four of them to her. She has ordered some to be read in her chapel but is much troubled that her own prayer is in print and requires that it be removed from all copies printed (f.195).

'A Memoriall of some things to be considered in the Parlament and Convocation 1597 so farre as to the ... Archbushop of Canterburie ... shall seeme requisite', by Tobie Matthew, Bishop of Durham, [21 November 1597] (ff.196-7).

Letter from Tobie Matthew, Bishop of Durham, to Archbishop Whitgift, from Bishop Auckland, 21 November 1597, enclosing the previous item. Urges reform of the Ecclesiastical Commission in the north. The Bishop of Carlisle [John May] has lately been spoiled of all his oxen and most of his sheep and horses by the Scots. 'The good olde father's merrie heart is quite kilde and stark dead' what with his hospitality, many children, the queen's service, expectation 'your Grace can ghesse whereof', and dearth of corn. Urges preferment for him (f.198).

Statement by William Doddington, the elder, at the time of his execution, mentioning perjury against him by John Buckley and others, [1598] (f.199).

Confession by John Darrell of causing false claims of possession by the devil and of dispossession by prayer and fasting, with summaries of evidence by Katharine Wright, 'the boy of Burton named Thomas Darlinge', and 'the boy of Nottingham named William Somers', [1599] (ff.200-205v).

Endorsed by Whitgift with notes from Scriptures.

Letter from Sir Edward Coke to Archbishop Whitgift, 28 July 1599, on the submission and pardon of a seminary priest (f.206).

Endorsed, 'Mr. Attourney generall touching one Rob. Hawkesworth a Seminarie'.

Examination of Thomas Muriell, Fellow of Pembroke College, Cambridge, before William Redman, Bishop of Norwich, concerning rumours of the queen's death, referring to Leicester's Commonwealth where the succession is mentioned, and allegations of popery, 29 August 1599 (ff.208-209v).

Report by Peter Raye of a conversation with Thomas Muriell, 1 September 1599 (f.210).

Confession of Thomas Muriell, mentioning Leicester's Commonwealth and the succession, but denying remarks about Lady Arabella Stewart, and referring to a popular report that the kingdom should be governed like the Low Countries, Lambeth, 7 September 1599 (f.211).

Examination of Thomas Muriell before Dr. John Jegon, John Overall, Robert Some, Thomas Nevile, John Cowell, and James Mountagu, 29 September 1599 (f.212).

Certified copy of an affidavit by William Billingsley, Fellow of St. John's College, Cambridge, of a conversation with Thomas Muriell, [1599]. Another by William Branthwayt, Fellow of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, [1599] (ff.213-14).

Statement of prayers said in various London churches for the recovery of the Earl of Essex from sickness, December 1599 (ff. 216-218v).

Statement by John Richardson, Master of Trinity College, Cambridge, (1615), denying remarks in a sermon concerning the queen or that he applied to the Earl of Essex attributes ascribed to Seneca, and praying to be released from prison, 12 January 1600 (f.219). Also a Latin letter from him to Whitgift, January 1600. See MS. 2004, ff.9-10 (f.221).

Letter from Thomas Sackville, Lord Buckhurst, and (1604) 1st Earl of Dorset, to Archbishop Whitgift, from Salisbury, 24 January 1600, requiring him to suppress a 'picture' of the Earl of Essex with indiscreet verses lately published and to punish the printer (f.222).

'An Act for assurance of landes', 1601 [perhaps 43 Eliz.1 cap.1] (ff.223v-224v).

Endorsed by Whitgift, 'Quere whether this Act do make the exemplification of greater force then the dede itself, or whether yt make good to the Q. anie landes wch she now hath nott. Item. whether it do not revive graunts ones mayd to the K. or Q. and frome passed over againe or judged to be unlawfull'.

Notes perhaps for a speech in Parliament by Archbishop Whitgift, complaining about attacks on the bishops and clergy in and out of Parliament, and proposals that tenths and subsidies by raised by lay collectors, c.1600 (f.225).

Endorsed by Whitgift with notes condemning proposals for granting reversionary leases.

'The othe of a Privy Counseller', early 17th cent (f.227).

Endorsed, '276'.

'A Memoriall exhibited by the Marchants concerning their trade into the Indies & into Spayne', stating matters to be secured in a treaty with Spain, temp. Eliz.I (f.229).

230 ff.