Catalogue description THE QUEEN to LORD WILLOUGHBY.

--Whereas we heretofore commanded that the bands of horse under Sir Robert Sydney, Sir John Burgh, Thomas Knolles, Anthony Sherley, Christopher Blunt and Mathew Morgan, having each one hundred lances, should make repair, with their horses and furniture, to this realm, to serve us "in a voyage committed to the charge of Sir John Norreys and Sir Fraunces Drake, whereunto the States General of those Low Countries did assent at Sir John Norreys his being there with them, who also expected [i.e., expecting] their coming from thence above five weeks past according to our commandment, did make provision for their shipping, transportation and victuals, to our very great charge; we have great cause to [mislike] the stay of those numbers, both for the neglecting of our commandment as also thereby disappointing our service."

And therefore we desire you to give orders to the said Captains (saving Thomas Knolles, who, we understand, hath had no horse of long time, and therefore not to be allowed any pay), that, without further delay they repair to the places where shipping is provided, and come over into Kent, that from thence they may pass to the voyage with Sir John Norreys ; or if they shall refuse (wherewith we shall have cause to be offended) or delay, and shall not take shipping within six days after you have warned them, then our pleasure is that you discharge out of our pay all such as decline, "and so acquit us of all charges from that day, for that upon such refusal or delay, we will employ the pays heretofore appointed to them to a double number of footmen in the said voyage."

We will that our servant Thomas Bodley be made acquainted with this our resolution, that he may impart it to the Council of State and the States General. [A draft of this is in S. P., Holland.]