Catalogue description SIR FRANCIS WALSYNGHAM to LORD WILLOUGHBY.

This record is held by Lincolnshire Archives

Details of 8ANC6/110
Reference: 8ANC6/110
Title: SIR FRANCIS WALSYNGHAM to LORD WILLOUGHBY.
Description:

--"My very good Lord, There are none of the better and well-affected sort here but do greatly desire the continuance of those forces there that are under your Lordship's charge, both in respect of the cause and for the great account the King maketh of them, as by whose departure he might be more disadvantaged than their former services have purchased much honour both to him and them; [margin, "I cannot blame him, since they cost him nothing"] * which mind of continuance in that so honorable a service is wished to be in them all as well leaders as others, to which effect your Lordship's persuasion and the persuasion of the rest of the Captains under you is thought may do very much. It is conceived that the difficulties sustained by them might otherwise work in them some alienation from the service, but the state of war considered, no doubt their fortune in that behalf can not be but much better than in other places of service usually falleth out : for being lodged in villages as they are, their wants can not be great, besides some reasonable relief hath been yielded unto them by the spoil of such towns as by their help have been taken, wherin it is conceived their portion hath not been smallest. [Margin, "this particular not generall, our shares the least."] Besides, they serve a prince most affectioned to due consideration of their service and will in time assuredly (God blessing his actions) reward them most honorably; and the point not least to be considered is this, that he is the only ally and friend her Majesty doth, and this realm may, make most account of. [Margin, "Her Majesty a prince may well consyder no privat purse though they best affected can indure it."] To be short, the consequence of their continuance there is great, as whereon dependeth the encouragement or discouragement of the Dutch and Swiss forces, who do more rely upon the aid and assistance of our nation [margin, "The Suisse and Dutch paid and not we"] then of al the rest, by reason of the trial of them in other services and for the great fame that goeth of them for their worthiness in this present action.

 

"Now for that (as I persuade my self) your Lordship can like well to be acquainted with the state of things both here and abroad as we find and receive them, I have thought good to impart such as we have unto you as particularly and summarily as I can. Scotland, since your Lordship's departure, departed with their King, not by other accident but his own voluntary pleasure to transport him self into Norway to his espoused lady. The time of the year falling out hard as it doth and the constitution of the climate considered, it is thought he cannot return until the spring. Since his departure even of late there hath fallen out some matter very likely to breed some alteration there, were it not they stand in fear of her Majesty to become party against them : and this is the practice of certain Seminaries and Jesuits, the only seedsmen of treasons and rebellions in these our days. Sir Martin Furbusher is returned home from the Coasts of Spain, bringing with him the Admiral and Vice-Admiral of the Spanish fleet, deemed to be worth some forty or fifty thousand pounds, which will be some ease of the charges her Majesty hath been at for these services there. Other of her subjects have brought in others of better account and reckoning.

 

The Duke of Parma is said to be relapsed into his disease and in small hope to be recovered.

 

These are in sum the news we have, and so I take my leave of your Lordship. Signed.

 

* The marginal notes are in Lord Willoughby's hand.

Date: 1589, December 8. The Court at Richmount
Held by: Lincolnshire Archives, not available at The National Archives
Language: English
Physical description: 2 pages.

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