Cotton MS Nero B I

Collection of records and papers concerning England and Portugal, dating from between 1373 and 1604. Including letters by Henry VI (1421–1471), king of England, lord of Ireland, and duke of Aquitaine; King João I of Portugal (1385–1433); King João III of Portugal (1521–1577); and William Cecil, first Baron Burghley (1520/21–1598), royal minister.

Also including Genealogia Regum Portugalliæ, with a map of Portugal, engraved by Jodocus Hondius (Joost de Hondt, 1563-1612), and a passport of Dioguo Botelho do Comcelho, 1584.

ff. 1r-2v: Title pages.

ff. 3r-4v: Descent of the kings of Portugal. From Henry, who died in 1112, to Anthony, who aspired to the crown in 1580. With a map of Portugal by Jodocus Hondius (1592). Printed.

ff. 5r-11v, 13r-16v: Treaty of peace and alliance between King Edward III and his sons, with John of Gaunt on one part and King Ferdinand and Queen Eleanor of Portugal on the other part. c. 1372. Latin.

ff. 12r-12v: Schedule of state papers between England and Portugal. No date.

ff. 17r-18v: Offensive and defensive treaty between King Richard II and King John I of Portugal. With the commissions of the respective ambassadors, and minutes of the articles. Coimbra, August 12 1387. Latin.

ff. 19r-20v: Examination taken before the commissioners of the Privy Council, concerning a Portuguese ship captured by the English, and carried into Sandwich. November 29 1389. Latin.

ff. 21r-22v: Propositions and remonstrances, chiefly relating to trade and navigation. Exhibited by Peter Joannes, ambassador from King John I of Portugal to King Henry IV. French.

ff. 23r-24v: Answer given by King Henry IV to the above propositions. French.

f. 25r-26v: Articles exhibited by an ambassador from King John I of Portugal to King Henry IV. Desiring him to accede to certain treaties and truces with France and Castile. No date.

ff. 27r-28v: Letter from King John I of Portugal to the Privy Council. Dispatching Ferdinand Gunfabris with the truce concluded between him and the kings of England and Castile. Coimbra, April 1. Latin.

f. 29r-29v: Letter from King John I of Portugal to King Henry IV. Reporting on a treaty that the former had concluded with Castile, wherein the latter was comprehended. Lisbon, December 30. Portuguese.

f. 30r-30v: Letter from Thomas FitzAlan, twelfth Earl of Arundel, to King Henry IV. Desiring that the living at Stokenham, Devonshire, might be given to Adam Damport, Chancellor to the Queen of Portugal. Discussing a respite for a payment. Arundel, June 25 [1403]. French.

f. 32r-32v: Letter from a Portuguese agent, possibly Affonso Miedosa, to King Henry IV. In favour of one Affonso Denis, a merchant. Portuguese.

ff. 33r-35v: Three letters from King John I of Portugal to King Henry IV. On the marriage of Thomas FitzAlan, twelfth Earl of Arundel, and King John’s daughter Beatrice. Portuguese.

ff. 36r-36v: Letter from Ferdinand, brother of King Henry III of Castile, to King Henry IV. A credential in favour of John de Camora. Cuencha, March 1412. Latin.

ff. 37r-41v: Attestation of a truce and alliance between King John I of Castile and the kings of France, Portugal and England. November 29 1389. Dated March 5 1428. Portuguese.

f. 42r-42r: Confirmation by King Henry VI of a treaty of peace and alliance with Portugal, in consequence of a declaration of King Edward of Portugal for the same purpose. November 25 1435. Latin.

f. 44r-44v: Letter from King Alphonsus V of Portugal to King Henry VI. Extolling the blessings of peace, and the duties of justice, and claiming the restitution of a ship seized by the English. Latin.

f. 45r-45v: Letter from King Henry VI to King Alphonsus V of Portugal. Concerning negotiations for a revision of former treaties carrying on between English and Portuguese commissioners. Westminster, August 8 1455. Latin.

ff. 46r-47v: Schedule of state papers. No date.

ff. 48r-53v: Confirmation by King Edward IV of the treaty with Portugal of 1385. Westminster, May 11 1471. Latin.

f. 54r-54: Schedule of state papers. No date.

ff. 55r-59v: renewal of a peace treaty between King Henry VII and King John II of Portugal. With an attestation of a notary. Evora, December 8 1489.

f. 60r-60v: Schedule of two state papers. No date.

ff. 61r-64v: Letter from King Emmanuel of Portugal to Pope Julius II. Reporting the conquest and establishment made by Alphonso de Albuquerke on the peninsula of Malacca, at Goa. Also of having spread the Christian religion in those parts. Lisbon, 8 June 1513. Latin.

ff. 65r-66v: Two letters from King John III of Portugal to Thomas Wolsey and King Henry VIII. Desiring restitution of copper and other goods stranded on the coast of England, in a Portuguese wreck. Coimbra, 4 September 1527 and 8 October 1528. Latin.

ff. 67r-68v: Letter from King John III of Portugal to King Henry VIII. Signifying his desire for a marriage between his brother Don Lewis, and a daughter of Henry. March 2 1527.

ff. 69r-70v: Letter from the Marquess de Villa-Real to Thomas Cromwell. Camiulga, June 18 1534.

ff. 71r-72v: Letter from Manuel Cyrin, a Portuguese factor, to Thomas Cromwell. Requesting leave to export some English corn to Portugal. Antwerp, November 2 1539. Latin.

f. 73r-73v: Letter from the Marquess de Villa-Real to Thomas Cromwell. Requesting that Ferdinand Pyrrhus, a prisoner in England, might be released. Lisbon, January 1 1540. Latin.

f. 74r-74v: Note from the council table book, concerning the export of corn to Portugal. October 14 1542.

f. 75r-75: Order of the Privy Council. Prohibiting English merchants from trading to Guinea, and other Portuguese settlements. Eltham, July 1556.

f. 76r-76v: Extract from Mare Clausam, by John Selden. In which a reference is given to this manuscript.

ff. 77r-77v: Letter from Queen Elizabeth I to King Sebastian of Portugal. Answering his congratulations upon her accession. April 15 1559.

ff. 78r-82v: Four articles titled ‘The sum of the message sent to the King of Portugal 1561, with his complaints and answers thereto’. Relating to trespasses at sea, and an illicit trade carried on in the Portuguese settlements.

f. 83r-83v: Letter from Queen Elizabeth I to King Sebastian of Portugal. Signifying the measures she had taken in consequence of the above complaints. London, November 22 1561. Latin.

f. 84r-84v: Letter from a Portuguese ambassador to Mildred, wife of William Cecil. Offering to put the affairs of his king into the hands of Cecil, and promising a pension of 2000 pieces of gold. May 23 1562. Latin.

f. 85r: Letter from Queen Elizabeth I to King Sebastian of Portugal. Concerning his complaints, and in commendation of his ambassador, Don J. Pereira Damtas. Greenwich, 1562. Latin.

ff. 85r-87v: Complaints exhibited by the ambassador of Portugal, concerning the navigation to Guinea. May 22 1562.

f. 88r-88v: Commission of King Francis I of France. Mentioned in the articles of complaint exhibited by the ambassador of Portugal. May 29 1538. French.

ff. 88v-89r: Declaration by Martin Frobisher. Concerning traffic in Guinea. May 27 1562.

ff. 89v-93v: Answer given to the memorial of the ambassador of Portugal. May 31 1562.

ff. 93r-93v: Complaints made by the ambassador of Portugal to Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor. Concerning the traffic in India. With the Emperor’s answer. June 7 1562. Latin.

ff. 94r-100r: Letter from the ambassador of Portugal. In reply to the answer of the Privy Council, concerning the trade to Guinea. June 7 1562.

ff. 100v-104v: Summary answer to a long book, delivered on 7 June by the ambassador of Portugal. June 14 1562.

ff. 105r-109v: Letter from the ambassador of Portugal. In reply to the above summary answer. June 19 1562. French.

f. 116r-116v: Letter from one Pereira Damtas to Queen Elizabeth I. Arguing against the Queen’s pretension that her subjects be allowed to trade to the Portuguese settlements. London, June 25 1562. French.

f. 111r-111v: Letter from Queen Elizabeth I to King Sebastian of Portugal. Demanding the restitution of an English prize which had been driven by stress of weather into Lisbon and detained there. Windsor, March 2 1563. Latin.

ff. 112r-113v: Letter from King Sebastian of Portugal to Queen Elizabeth I. Sending credentials in favour of Aires Cardosso. Lisbon, September 26 1564. Portuguese.

ff. 114r-115v: Remonstrance from Aires Cardosso to Queen Elizabeth I. Concerning certain ships fitted out in England for Guinea. 19 November. With the answer of the Privy Council, 24 November, and a letter from Queen Elizabeth I to the King of Portugal, in answer to the above credential, 26 November 1564.

ff. 116r-117v: Letter from King Sebastian of Portugal to Queen Elizabeth I. Sending a credential in favour of Emmanuel Alvarus, sent to expostulate about acts of violence committed by English subjects. Lisbon, January 1567. Latin.

ff. 118r-119v: Letter from Queen Elizabeth I to King Sebastian of Portugal. Demanding the restitution of 4000 ducats deposited as a security in a cause. Windsor, October 12 1577. Latin.

f. 120r-120v: Three letters from Queen Elizabeth I to King Sebastian of Portugal. Demanding redress. The first sent by Thomas Wilson, later Secretary of State. May 6, November 2 and 22 1567. Latin.

ff. 121r-124v: Letter from Thomas Wilson to William Cecil. Reporting his reception and negotiations in Lisbon. October 1567.

ff. 125r-126v: Draft instructions for Thomas Wilson, sent to King Sebastian of Portugal. Corrected by William Cecil. June 1567.

ff. 127r-128v: Instructions for Thomas Wilson, concerning the cause of Mr Winter. 1567.

ff. 129r-130v: Letter on behalf of Queen Elizabeth I to an unnamed ambassador of Portugal. Concerning the charges brought against Winter. 1567.

ff. 131r-132v: Speech given by Thomas Wilson before the King of Portugal. On Winter’s cause. October 30 1567. Attested by Edward Wilson, a notary public. Latin.

ff. 133r-134v: Letter from King Sebastian of Portugal to Queen Elizabeth I. In answer to the remonstrances made by Thomas Wilson. Lisbon, October 24 1567. Latin.

ff. 135r-136v: Letter from Thomas Wilson to William Cecil. The original copy of the letter above (ff. 142r-145v). October 1567.

f. 137r-137v: Letter from Queen Elizabeth I to King Sebastian of Portugal. Concerning the remonstrances touching the English trading to the Portuguese settlements. Hampton, January 2 1567. Latin.

ff. 138r-140v: Speech by Emmanuel Alvarus, addressed to Queen Elizabeth I. Concerning his mission. April 1568. Latin.

ff. 141r-143v: Answer given by the Privy Council to the above oration. May 23 1568. Latin.

ff. 144r-145v: Copies of writing shown to Queen Elizabeth I by the ambassador of Portugal. With his book against John Hawkins and others. December 1568. Latin.

f. 146r-146v: Paper of considerations, titled ‘Whether it be profitable for England that the staple of spices for these parts of the world be kept in England, and how, it may be brought to pass’. June 29 1569.

ff. 147v-148v: Paper titled ‘Reasons from a Portuguese to move the trade into England’. June 29 1569.

f. 149r: Commission from the King of Portugal to Antonio Fogaca, on his dispatch to England. Evora, December 16 1569. Portuguese.

f. 149r: Paper of considerations ‘for trade betwixt England and Portugal’. No date.

f. 149v: Paper titled ‘Articles to be alleged in Mr Winter's cause’. No date.

ff. 150v-151v: Paper signed by one Hastings. Concerning the maintenance of the amity, and increase of trade, with Portugal. No date.

f. 152r-152v: Minutes of letters from Portugal. 1569.

f. 153r-153v: Copy of a letter from the Privy Council to one Christmas. Requesting him to state his losses by the Portuguese, that reprisals may be ordered. September 25 1570.

f. 154r-154v: Letter from Antonio Luys and Andrew Home, two Portuguese correspondents. Offering some lands on the coast of Ethiopia, bought by Mr Winter. London, April 26 1567. Portuguese.

ff. 155r-155v: Articles of a treaty between Queen Elizabeth I and King Sebastian of Portugal. February 1571. Latin.

f. 156r-156v: Articles proposed on behalf of Queen Elizabeth I. For a treaty with Spain, at the mediation of one Giraldi. 1571. Latin.

ff. 157r-158v: Peace treaty between Queen Elizabeth I and King Sebastian of Portugal. February 2 1571/2. Latin.

ff. 159r-160r: Draft answers given to certain articles proposed by Giraldi, on behalf of the King of Portugal. In Cecil’s hand. February 1571/2.

f. 161r: Instructions given by King Sebastian of Portugal to Giraldi. For his negotiations. December 1571.

f. 161v: Substance of the articles and agreement to be negotiated. December 27 1571. Italian.

ff. 162r-164v: Declaration of certain merchants, concerning the trade of Portugal. December 29 1571.

ff. 165r-166v: Letter from the Privy Council, in response to demands made by the ambassador of Portugal. May 2 1574. In Cecil’s hand. Latin and English.

ff. 167r-168v: Draft articles of a treaty of commerce between England and Portugal. April 1574. In Cecil’s hand.

f. 169r: Three articles by Giraldi. Concerning negotiations with Portugal. 1574.

ff. 169r-170v: Paper on the effect of the grant required by the merchants trading into Spain and Portugal. 1574.

f. 171r-171v: Letter from Thomas Wilson to an unnamed recipient. Concerning Stukeley’s intended expedition against Ireland. June 14 1578. See also Lansdowne MS 12, article 19.

ff. 172r-172v: Two letters from Giraldi to an unnamed recipient. Complimentary. December 15 1573, and July 29 1578. Italian.

f. 174r-174v: Oration made by the council and assistants of the city of Lisbon, to King Henry of Portugal. Following the decease of King Sebastian. 1579.

ff. 175r-176v: Letter from Benedetto Spinola to an unnamed recipient. With a paper of propositions, all concerning the trade into Barbary. London, October 20 1575.

f. 177r: Letter from Giraldi to an unnamed recipient. Complimentary. Charterhouse, October 8 1576. Italian.

ff. 178r-179v: Two letters from David Lewis, possibly to William Cecil. On the trade in Portugal. London, October 10 and 11 1576.

ff. 180r-182v: Treaty of abstinence and commerce between England and Portugal, concluded by Giraldi and Francis Walsingham. October 29 1576. Latin.

f.183: Paper giving reasons by Thomas Pullison, alderman, and others, against the incorporation for trading to Spain and Portugal, on behalf of the merchants restrained from the said trade.

ff. 183r-184r: Commission of Queen Elizabeth I to Francis Walsingham. To treat with Giraldi. Hampton Court, October 25 1576. Latin.

f. 184v: Commission of King Sebastian of Portugal to Giraldo. To negotiate a peace with England. Evora, June 10 1573. Portuguese.

ff. 185r-186v: Paper titled ‘Remembrances which the King of Portugal makes unto his people’. No date.

f. 187r-187v: Paper titled ‘A chapter of that which is done in the parliament of Portugal until the 12 of May 1579’.

f. 187r-188r: Sentence pronounced against Peter Dalcafora, treasurer to the late King Sebastian of Portugal.

f. 188r-188v: Paper titled ‘An oration made by the rulers of the city of Lisbon to nobility and clergy, after the receipt of a letter from Philip II King of Spain’.

f. 188r-188v: Letter from King Philip II of Spain to the city of Lisbon. On the death of King Sebastian of Portugal. Madrid, March 14 1579.

ff. 189r-191v: Descent of the kings of Portugal from Henry of Bullion to 1580.

f. 193r: Letter from the Archbishop of Lisbon and other governors of Portugal to Queen Elizabeth I. On the death of King Henry. Almeria, February 19 1580. Italian.

ff. 193v-194r: Letter from Queen Elizabeth I, in answer to the above. Westminster, April 4 1580.

f. 194v: Instructions from Queen Elizabeth I to her ambassador in Portugal, William Wade. See Harley MS 168, article 13. 1580.

f. 195r-195v: Descent of the kings of Portugal from King John I to King Sebastian.

ff. 196r-197r: Instructions from Queen Elizabeth I to William Wade. On the contested succession to the crown following the death of Henry. c. 1580.

f. 198r-198v: Articles offered to the Portuguese ambassadors by King Philip II of Spain. c. 1580.

f. 199r-199v: Letter from Roderigo Lopez, possibly to Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester. On the affairs of Antonio, Prior of Crato, pretender to the crown of Portugal. London, September 11 [1580]. Italian.

f. 200r-200v: Offers made by the King of Spain to Portugal. On claiming the crown. Communicated in a letter from Almeria of March 25 [1580].

f. 201r-201v: Letter from Antonio, Prior of Crato, pretender to the crown of Portugal, to Queen Elizabeth I. Requesting her aid against the King of Spain. 1580.

ff. 202r-203r: Paper of intelligence concerning the state of affairs on Portugal. From a letter from Almeira, May 9 1580.

f. 204r-204v: Report by Thomas Howard, on the state of the Spanish marine. Yarmouth, June 1 1580.

f. 205r-205v: Letter from Acerbo Velutelli, possibly to Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester. Sending news from Portugal. London, August 17 1580. Italian.

f. 206r-206v: Paper of intelligence from Portugal. Badajoz, August 29 1580. Spanish.

f. 207r-207v: Letter from Thomas Wilson, possibly to Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester. Sending intelligence, some from Portugal. September 3 1580.

f. 208r-208v: Letter from Roderigo Lopez to William Herle. Concerning the descent of the kings of Portugal. 1580. Italian.

ff. 209r-210v: Pedigree of the kings of Portugal from King John I to King Sebastian.

f. 211r-211v: Letter from Antonio, Prior of Crato, pretender to the crown of Portugal, to Queen Elizabeth I. Expressing thanks for her benefits, lamenting his misfortunes, and recommending his sons and servants to her protection, foreboding the approach of death. Paris, August 23 1595.

ff. 212r-215v: Tract on the succession to the crown of Portugal. Portuguese.

f. 216r-216v: Letter from Roderigo Lopez to Antonio, Prior of Crato. Reporting the favourable disposition of Queen Elizabeth I towards him. Richmond, October 9 1581. Italian.

f. 217r-217v: Letter from Acerbo Vellutelli to an unnamed recipient. Requesting the fulfilling of a promise. London, August 8 1581. Italian.

ff. 218r-220v: Paper on the manner in which King Philip of Spain takes his oath for the crown of Portugal, at Tomar, April 16 1582.

f. 221r-221v: Letter from Dioguo Botelho, possibly to Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester. September 8 1582. Portuguese.

ff. 222r-223v: Printed passport, to be given to Dioguo Botelho, as an agent of Antonio, Prior of Crato, at Middleburgh. October 23 1584. Portuguese.

f. 224r-224v: Letter from Horatio Palavicino, possibly to Francis Walsingham. Reporting the arrival of one Rugiero, a favourer of Antonio, Prior of Crato. London, September 20 1585. Italian.

ff. 225r-226r: Memorial of negotiations between the ambassador of Antonio, Prior of Crato, and Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester. [1586]. French.

f. 227r-227v: Letter from Roderigo Lopez, possibly to Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester. On the affairs of Antonio, Prior of Crato, and his son Emmanuel, and their distresses. September 24 1586. Italian.

ff. 228r-229v: Letter from Dioguo Botelho to Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester. Requesting the promised supply towards raising troops, and discussing negotiations for peace. Dordrecht, September 12 1587.

ff. 230r-231v: Note of the presents sent by the King of Portugal, the King of Spain and the King of Turkey to the Xarif Mulet Hamet. No date. French.

f. 232r-232v: Paper on the purpose of the grant required by the merchants trading into Spain and Portugal. No date.

f. 233r-233v: Letter from Queen Elizabeth I to Antonio, Prior of Crato. Assuring him of the continuance of her friendship. Sent by Don Christopher, one of his sons. Richmond, November 12 1594. Italian.

f. 234r-234v: Letter from Don Christopher, son of Antonio, Prior of Crato, to Queen Elizabeth I. On the death of his father, and imploring her further protection of himself and his brother Emmanuel. Paris, September 12 1595. French.

f. 235r-235v: Letter from Dioguo Botelho to Queen Elizabeth I. On the death of Antonio, Prior of Crato. Paris, November 20 1595. Portuguese.

f. 236r-236v: Letter from Don Emmanuel, son of Antonio, Prior of Crato, to Queen Elizabeth I. Reporting his intention to remove to Holland. 1596. French.

f. 237r-237v: Letter from Don Christopher, son of Antonio, Prior of Crato, to Queen Elizabeth I. Requesting the continuance of her protection. [1596]. French.

f. 238r-238v: Letter from Don Emmanuel, son of Antonio, Prior of Crato, to Queen Elizabeth I. Sending thanks for a favour. Dieppe, November 2 [1596]. French.

f. 239r-239v: English copy of the note on presents above (ff. 272r-274v).

ff. 240r-245v: Description of the wealth and fruitfulness of the kingdom of Portugal. By John Rymer. Addressed to Queen Elizabeth I. No date.

f. 246r-246v: Letter from William Cecil to Queen Elizabeth I. Concerning a large diamond left by Antonio, Prior of Crato, in pledge with some merchants. c. 1582.

ff. 247r-248v: Petition addressed to Thomas Sackville, first Earl of Dorset, from the English merchants trading into Spain and Portugal. Concerning the proper manner of certifying their goods. With the earl's opinion, and reference to Dun and Edmunds. September 1 1604.