Catalogue description JOHN VOWELL alias HOOKER to SIR PETER CAREW.

I am sorry my travails in your affairs are not satisfactory, but I hope our expectations will not altogether be frustrated. "At my first coming to this land I travelled to Mr. Davell's house, near the half way between Waterford and Dublin, and next adjoining to your barony of Hydron, which he showed unto me." He promised me his friendship and help. At Dublin I delivered your letters to the Lord Chancellor and Mr. Draycorte, with whom I have perused the records in the castle of Dublin. He is well bent to Sir William Cicell, who should be requested to commend him for his pains.

I have had conference with Sir William FitzWilliams, Lord Justice, who was obliged to return from Knockfargos to Glassone Hall, five miles from Dublin, owing to a fever. He promised to further your affairs. Following his advice, I "travail for the search of such your lands as are holden of the castle of Trymme." They have been for many years in the possessions of gentlemen of great wealth, who have changed all the ancient names except Maston, a fair castle, now in the tenure of Sir Christopher Chyvers. I will forbear to deal with any of them in Meath until your repair hither.

"As for the residue of your lands lying in the counties of Cork and Carlow, or Catherleighe, the same perforce being taken from your ancestors maketh no good title to the occupiers thereof, for they do deduce their race and genealogy from them who in deed destroyed your ancestors, as namely the Caringdons, who were seneschals to your ancestors for your lands in the county of Cork; the two brothers contending for the same were by the said Caringdons slain; and so sithens by force kept by them."

I will shortly survey the county of Meath. The barony of Hydron is in the tenure of a sect called the Cavernaghes, who were brought to the Queen's peace by Sir Nicholas Herne. Mr. Stukeleighe, now supplying his place and dwelling at Laghlyn, keeps them in subjection. I am offered to have possession of the barony whensoever I will. Laghlyn was formerly the house of your ancestors, and by them made a monastery, which, being dissolved, is now in the Queen's hands. Mr. Stukeleighe has "offered me the same house or any other which he hath to be at your commandment." If you lie there you "shall have all things serving your necessity or pleasure at a far more reasonable hand than at Dublin, where I do find all things to be at double price in respect of our things in England." I have, however, appointed a house in Dublin for you and your company. You must come furnished with store of money, as none is to be had here. I have borrowed 40l. from the Lord Justice. "Albeit, I be but a bad steward, yet I will do what I may do."

Although things are at a hard hand, "I doubt not but you shall at as good a hand keep your house here as in Exon (Exeter), so that ye do furnish yourself out of your country spice, sugar, and such other foreign wares and merchandise. And forasmuch as one expert man in these things may do your pleasure here, I have thought good to move you of one who was sometimes servant and steward to Sir Thomas Chalonor, being ambassador in Spain, a man very expert and skilful, as also to his said master profitable, and of whose praise I would speak as I have heard if he were not mine own brother. He now dwelleth with th' old Lady Mountjoye." I have given order to my wife to send for him, if you and my Lady so think it good. I wish my wife to send me such furniture as I have appointed in your bark, with your stuff and carriages.

"My Lord Chancellor being very sick in the gout, and my Lord Justice FitzWilliams in an ague, neither of them being able to write their letters of commendation as they appointed, have willed me in their behalfs and in their Ladies', to do the same unto you." My commendations to my Lord Bishop and to the Lady Rogers, and also to Mr. Mayor and his brethren, with an excuse for my absence. I trust you will not forget to bring with you your two physicians, namely Mr. Wolton and Mr. Narcissus. If Sir Gawen Carewe's cook do depart from you, deal with Mr. Treasurer for his Nicholas.

Dublin, 26 May 1568.

Signed: John Vowell als Hoker.

Addressed: Sir Peter Carew, &c., "at his house of Excester [or] Mohonsotrey."

Calendar of the Carew Manuscripts preserved in the Archiepiscopal Library at Lambeth, ed. J. S. Brewer & W. Bullen (6 vols., 1867-73), vol. I, document 257.