Add MS 48018

Robert Beale (1541-1601), administrator and diplomat, was a Clerk of the Privy Council from 1572 until his death in 1601. This was the second of two formularies for his office that he compiled: the first (dated 1572) is now Add MS 48150.

A note by Beale on f. i recto states that 'This Booke of Presidents and Letters was gathered in the yeare of or Lord god 1575: and the xvijth yere of or Soveraigne Lady Elyzabeth by the grace of god Quene of England fraunce and Irland & c. by me Robert Beale then one of the clarcks of her Mts most honorable privye Councell'.

The formulary is in the hand of a number of different clerks, who apparently worked under Beale's close direction. Beale wrote many of the marginal headings for the transcripts, and also added a number of documents himself. Beale apparently continued to add to the collection after 1575; the latest documents date from 1579. The close relationship between parts of the present collection and Sloane MS 2442 suggests that Beale may even have been continuing to add to the present formulary during the 1580s.

The formulary is divided by subject into nineteen sections, each designated by a capital letter, and within each section the invidial items were numbered. Projecting vellum tags were fixed to the first page of each section to facilitate quick reference; most of these survive. There are often blank pages at the end of the section before the title-page of the next. The volume was a paper book pre-bound in vellum.

Beale's formulary contains examples of documents relating to the whole range of the Privy Council's functions. It draws on a number of different sources. For example, the first part of the section on 'Musters', ff. 306-335, is related to an older collection of forms, other copies of which are British Library, Egerton MS 2790, ff. 81r-127v, Lansdowne MS 155, ff. 316r-363v, and The National Archives, SP 12/90/9 and 93/18, noted in Calendar of State Papers Domestic, 1547-1580, pp. 454, 471, and mostly calendared in Calendar of State Papers Domestic, Addenda 1547-1565. Similarly, the section of 'Instructions for Ambassadors', ff. 432r-563v, not only draws on Egerton MS 2790 and Lansdowne MS 155, but is also closely related to Sloane MS 2442, a collection compiled by Sir John Peyton, Lieutenant of the Tower (d.1630). Peyton's original collection is ff. 20r-159r of the Sloane MS and was apparently compiled shortly after 1586. It contains a wider range of documents than the relevant section of Beale's formulary, suggesting that it may have provided one of Beale's sources.

Beale also made use of the collection from Sir Francis Walsingham's Letter-Book when the latter was Ambassador at Paris (see the discussion of the manuscript and printed versions under Harley MS 260). Although there is a version of the letter-book in the Yelverton manuscripts (which may be Beale's or from the early seventeenth-century) the earliest datable text of the Letter-Book surviving is 1601 (Add MS 4103) so this points to the earlier manuscript history of the Letter-Book. Beale, who was married to the sister of Walsingham's wife, was a crucial member of Walsingham's household in Paris during the first part of the period covered by the letter-book, but had left his house on 8 Mar 1572. One of his scribes has headed a letter of Walsingham's as 'The Copy of my l[ett]re to therle of Leicester', ff. 213v-241v, but this is a heading in later texts.

These commissions and letters often strip out names or changes names to initials (but frequently do not). The sheer scale of the volume has meant that for some parts only the section heading has been entered, though there is no reason to believe that these are less rich than the parts that have been more fully catalogued. Elsewhere the cataloguing has been more detailed, aided by the typescript calendar Add MS 48018*, which covers the later sections. Dates entered here in square brackets are either inferences or, especially in these in these later sections, derived from other sources mentioned there ( the sources themselves are given in Add MS 48018*). A number of the entries are called 'Minutes' (probably meaning drafts), but these and other items, however labelled, are best seen as copies rather than (apart from the changes to the names) extracts. Although the odd copy is obviously only part of the original letter, most have conventional salutations at the beginning and stop just before the signing off at the end (and sometimes include the full place and date of writing).

Beale's formulary is revealing of the routine administration of Elizabethan central government. The commissions recorded here (with the dates usually omitted) should appear in the Patent Rolls at the National Archives. Nevertheless, this volume derives most of its value from its copies of.or extracts of, documents in those Council letter books which are now lost. Almost all the forms in the sections on 'Frontiers, Fortes', ff. 364r-374r, and 'Sondrie letters written to divers persons in time of warres and rebellions', ff. 404r-416v, are taken from lost Council letter books, and this is evidently the only source from letters sent to the rebels in 1549 in Norfolk and elsewhere (ff. 387r-395r). Indeed, the volume is an important source for the government's responses to the rebellions of 1549, 1554 and 1569, and its fear of popular disorder.

Contents:

f. i recto: Title-page, signed by Robert Beale: 'This Booke of Presidents and Letters was gathered in the yeare of or Lord god 1575: and the xvijth yere of or Soveraigne Lady Elyzabeth by the grace of god Quene of England fraunce and Irland & c. by me Robert Beale then one of the clarcks of her Mts most honorable privye Councell'.

f. 1r: An oath of a Privy Councillor.

f. 1v: Another oath of a Privy Councillor.

f. 2r: Another oath of a Privy Councillor 'as is now used'.

f. 4r: An oath for a Clerk of the Council.

f. 5r: The patent of a Clerk of the Council. The heading is in Beale's hand, and the text is a copy of his patent of appointment, Gorhambury, 4 Aug 1572.

f. 7r: The styles of address in the Prince's letters to all kind of noblemen and gentlemen.

ff. 10v-29r: Detailed index by category of document.

ff. 35r-73v: A. Commissions

• f. 35r: Heading.
• f. 36r: A commission to treat with ambassadors (Edward VI). In Latin.
• ff. 36r-v: Another commission to treat with ambassadors for the limitation of confines (Edward VI). In Latin.
• ff. 36v-37r: Another commission to treat with ambassadors (Edward VI). In Latin.
• ff. 37r-v: Another commission to treat with ambassadors about merchants and merchandise (Edward VI). In Latin.
• ff. 37v-38r: Another commission to treat with ambassadors upon matters of controversy in traffic (Edward VI). In Latin.
• ff. 38rv-39r: A commission to certain men to survey the King's honours, castles, manors, lands and other hereditaments (Edward VI).
• ff. 39r-v: Commission to treat for a truce (King Philip).Westminster Palace, Jan 1558. In Latin.
• ff. 39v-41v: Commission to call in the King's debts (Edward VI).
• f. 42r: Commission to treat with the Earl of [Blank] (Henry VIII). In Latin.
• f. 42r-43r: Commission to survey the goods of churches (Edward VI).
• ff. 43r-44r: A commission for depredations (Edward VI). In Latin.
• f. 44r: Commission to Lord Clinton [Edward Fiennes de Clinton, 9th Baron Clinton] to christen and name the French King's child (Edward VI). In Latin.
• ff. 44r-45r: Commission to understand what spoils have been done upon the Queen's subjects by the Portuguese ('Portingales') (Elizabeth I), Westminster, 29 Apr 1573. In Latin. the title in the margin and the text are in Beale's hand.
• ff. 45r-47v: Commission for the restraint of grain and victuals (Elizabeth I), Oct 1579.
• ff. 47v-48v: Commission to dig ground for the making of saltpetre (Edward VI).
• f. 48v: Letter to stir the Commissioners to do that by their commission which they are bound to do for the defence of their counties. In Beale's hand. No date, but the monarch is male, so Henry VIII or Edward VI.
• ff. 49r-51v: Commission for the office of Warden of the Middle March. No date, but the monarch is male, so Henry VIII or Edward VI. In Latin.
• ff. 52r-54r: A special commission ecclesiastical for the Dioceses of Gloucester and Bristol, Gorhambury, 21 July 1574.
• ff. 54r-56v: Commission for the Lord Deputy of Ireland (to Sir Henry Sidney), Aug 1575. In Latin.
• ff. 57r-58v: Commission to the Lord Deputy of Ireland (Sir Henry Sidney) for the leasing and setting of lands, Aug 1575.
• ff. 58v-59r: Commission for the office of Marshal of Berwick (Sir Robert Constable), n.d. [1575].
• ff. 59r-v: Commission for surveying and reporting on the state of the Ordnance Office, n.d. [Mary I]. Those authorised are Sir Robert Southwell, Sir William Drury and Sir Henry Bedingfield, and the Ordnance officers named are Sir William Hobby, Master, and Sir Francis Fleming, Lieutenant.
• ff. 59v-60v: Commission to Nicholas [Heath] Bishop of Worcester, Robert Rochester (Comptroller of the Household), Sir Richard Southwell, Sir John Mason, Sir Francis Englefield, Richard Morgan (serjeant-at-law), Edward Waldegrave esquire and Sir Nicolas Hare: to agree with such as were with the Duke of Northumberland for their fines. The text specifies treason nor misprision of treason committed 'in the tyme of the late rebellion' or since 1 July last [1553]. Reign of Queen Mary I.
• ff. 60v-61r: Commission for the Office of Keeper of the Wardrobe (to Sir Edward Waldegrave). Reign of Queen Mary I [?1553].
• ff. 61v-62r: Commission for the constitution of a Lieutenant. The monarch is Elizabeth I and the Lieutenancy is Middlesex: the lieutenants are only given initials, but William Paulet, Marquess of Winchester, Lord Treasurer [1558-1572] and Sir W.P. and Sir T.H.
• f. 62v: Commission for the musters, reign of Elizabeth I. The commission refers back to a previous commission of March 15 Elizabeth [1573] and (what seems to be the same commission) 'the laste yere'.
• ff. 63r-v: Commission to enquire upon the decay of havens and by what means they may be repaired, Elizabeth I. the commissioners named are William, Lord Cobham (Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports), Roger Manwood (Justice of QUeen's Bench), Sir Henry Crispe, Sir William Winter, Edward Boyes, William Holstock, John Gilbert (Mayor of Sandwich) and William Partriche, esquire. Reign of Elizabeth I, Crispe died on 21 Aug 1575.
• ff. 64r-68r: A general commission ecclesiastical for the whole realm.23 Apr 1576.
• ff. 68v-70r: A brief collection of the articles contained in the general and high commission ecclesiastical above [ff. 64r-68r].
• ff. 70v-71r: Special commission for the examination of felons and other offenders, Elizabeth I. The list of commissioners is headed by Sir Francis Knollys. The presence of Roger Manwood as a Justice of Common Pleas places the commission between Oct 1752 and Nov 1578 there is a scrap of printed paper between ff. 70v and 71r. ff. 71r-72r: Commission for piracies, 10 Sep 1577.
• f. 72v: A direction for the better and more secure execution of the commission for the punishment of the aiders of piracy.
• ff. 72v-73v: The names of the Commissioners specially appointed to examine the favourers and abetters of pirates within the shires upon the sea coast, Sep 1578.

ff. 81r-88v: B. Recognizances and obligations. The recognizances and obligations themselves (in Latin) are ff.82r-v; the conditions of such bonds (in English) are ff. 83r-84r.

• f. 81r: Heading.
• f. 82r: Recognizance. In Latin.
• f. 82r. Another recognizance, out of the [Privy Council] Register. In Latin.
• f. 82r: Obligation. In Latin.
• f. 82bv: Form of a recognizance under statute of Henry VIII, 8 c. 7.
• f. 83r: Form of conditions for appearance. f. 83r: Form of conditions to keep his house and return to prison, having been released for a time due to sickness.
• f. 83r: Form of conditions to be of good behaviour ('abearing').
• f. 83v: Form of conditions to keep harmless.
• f. 83v: Form of conditions to be a true prisoner.
• f. 83v: Form of conditions to be of good obedience.
• f. 83v: Form of conditions to stand to an order in a matter taken up by the Privy Council.
• f. 84r: Form of conditions upon a recognizance to such as go to the seas upon their own adventure.
• f. 84r: Form of conditions for good behaviour of a Papist suffered to have some liberty. The text is in a scribe's hand but the heading in Robert Beale's.

ff. 89r-109v: C. Passports and 'Placartes'. Passports are ff. 89r-94r; 'Placartes' ff. 97r-103r.

• f. 89r: Heading.
• f. 90r: Passport with the provisoes and licence for years.
• ff. 90r-v: Provisoes for a passport.
• f. 90v: A passport or safe-conduct.
• f. 90v: Licence to be absent from Parliament. Struck out. No date, and initials only for the recipient, but granted at the request of our good sister and ally the Queen of Scots to the Wardens of the Marches and other officers.
• f. 91r: Passport and safe-conduct granted by Edward VI at the request of the French king for Henry Sinclair, Dean of Glasgow, and Thomas 'Meynzers', Scotsmen with a company of 24 to pass through England to France.
• ff. 91r-v: Passport of Edward VI granted at the request of the French King. As Mary, Queen Dowager of Scotland, is minding to make a voyage out of Scotland into France, passport for her to send by land 200 horses through England with 140 keepers.
• ff. 91v-92r: Passport granted by Edward VI for Mary, Queen Dowager of Scotland, travelling by sea, to repair into an English port, 11 Aug 1550.
• ff. 92r-v: Licence granted by Edward VI to Sir Hugh Willoughby to go to the seas for discovering unknown lands.
• ff. 92v-93r: Safe-conduct for Monsieur, Henri, Duke of Anjou, elect King of Poland, if on his voyage to Poland thorough the English Channel he or his company have to take refuge in an English harbour, Aug 1573.
• f. 93v: Safe-conduct for the Ambassadors of France, 25 Jun 7 [Edw IV], 1477. In Latin.
• f. 94r: Safe-conduct for the Ambassadors of Scotland, Stamford, 27 Jul anno 13 [monarch not specified]. In Latin.
• f. 94r: Passport to carry dogs over. The example here is a pass for Sir Francis Walsingham, Ambassador in France [1571-1573] to send over certain dogs, mastiffs and greyhounds which he found in France to be bestowed upon certain noblemen and gentlemen.
• f. 97r: To depart the realm with his company. the subject is the Comte de Montgomery [1573 or 1574?].
• f. 97r: To depart the realm.
• f. 97v: Passport for a Scotsman. The person named is Alexander Stevenson.
• f. 97v: To take up carts for carriage of stuff. Undated, but the stuff is being sent down by Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester to Kenilworth Castle.
• f. 97v: To take up labourers for Her Majesty's works in Guernsey. The Captain of Guernsey is named as Thomas Leighton. Governor of Guernsey from 1570 and here styled esquire (he was knighted in 1579).
• f. 98r: To depart the realm, with their ships, bags and baggages. The subject is a gentleman of Friesland.
• f. 98r: To allow a ship to pass to London. To allow a French ship carrying Barbary hides and sugar, now in Falmouth, to pass to London.
• f. 98v: To assist one sent to enquire of goods taken upon the seas, and to sequester them to safe custody. the example here gives details of piracy upon a Portuguese ship.
• ff. 100r-v: Commission for Thomas Seckford to make provision of victuals for the Kingdom of Ireland.
• ff. 100v-101v: Grant to Rafe Lane to bring in Portuguese commodities, Greenwich, 26 Mar 1574.
• f. 102r: To the creditors of William Isley, to forbear him and his sureties until the next Parliament, Greenwich, 26 Apr 1573.
• ff. 102r-v: To forbear for a term arresting one spoiled in France. This recites the misfortunes in Rouen of the merchant Richard Stallenge.
• f. 102v-103r: A grant to Doctor Hector being interested by the restraint in the second degree: to be recompensed upon some things which they shall prove to be concealed. Dr Hector Nonnes, a Portuguese Doctor of Phisick living in London for 25 years, has had goods worth 2,600 ducats seized by the Spanish authorities on the Canaries. Seeks recompense through concealed goods.

ff. 109r-118r: D. Warrants.

• f. 109r: Heading.
• f. 110r: Warrant to the Treasurer of the Chamber for bringing of letters.
• f. 110r: Warrant for timber.
• f. 110r: Warrant to the Master of the armoury to deliver armour.
• f. 110r: Warrant for plays before the Queen. To be paid to John Billingsley the sum of [blank] for a play performed before the Queen last Shrove Tuesday. Martin Wiggins and Catherine Richardson, British Drama, 1533-1642: A Catalogue, 9 vols, in progress (Oxford: Oxford University Press:, 2011-), II, 74, dates the warrant to 22 or 26 Feb 1572, to pay him 313,6,8 for a performance of Paris and Vienne by the Children of Westminster at Whitehall Palace.
• f. 110v: Warrant to the Lieutenant of the Ordnance for munitions.
• f. 110v: Warrant for paper and ink for the Council Chest.
• f. 110v: Warrant to the exchequer upon a Privy Seal.

ff. 119r-144v: E. Apprehending, committing and examining offenders.

• f. 119r: Heading.
• f. 120r: Letter of Lord Treasurer to apprehend and bring up, staying the ship and goods. The letter follows the arrest by Thomas Edmondes, Customer of Plymouth of Lewis Larder.
• f. 120r: Instructions to lay the passages for one who will fly overseas. Letter against Thomas Somess[?], serjeant to Lord Stafford, to Ireland. the Sheriff of Staffordshire had been ordered to arrest him at Thornbury but his officers were beaten up by Richard Stafford, Lord Stafford's brother, when they tried to do so.
• ff. 120r: Instructions to the Deputy in Ireland to make enquiry of the arrival of any sort, and to send him away. The particular subject is Richard Stafford (see f. 120r).
• f 120v: Referring to the punishment of the offender to the trial of common law. The case is that of Thomas Hones, arrested for seditious words against the Queen and state. To be tried at the Assizes or (if they are passed) at Common Law.
• ff. 120v-121r: Instructions to apprehend and send up. The subject is Thomas Shelleter, priest, living at the Green in at Forbridge at the house of his brother-in-law William Tully, and the house to be searched for mass books and other illegal writings.
• f. 121r: To the sheriff, on case the party sent for will not come up. Order for the sheriff to assist the messenger of the Chamber serjeant to bring the offender up: in this case one Cantrell, onetime serjeant to the late Duke of Norfolk.
• f. 121r: To send up and make further search. To send up and search his ship and lodgings the Scotsman Cuthbert Pringle arrested by the Bailiffs of Yarmouth. Also to examine, search for like matter and if cause stay the Scotsmen Ralph Cutbertson and John Simpson and the Dutch boy.
• f. 122r: Letter of the Privy Council to the Mayor and Aldermen of London touching the punishment of spreaders of false rumours and the proclaiming of the proclamation for vagabonds, 16 Sep 1554.
• f. 122r: Minute to Sir Thomas Chamberlain to use some device whereby one having spoken lewd words beyond the seas may be 'trayned' into England, 26 Jul 1552. To entrap William Aldreche of Norwich who, by a letter from Antwerp to a friend in Colchester, has made lewd and heinous reports touching the king's title to the Crown.
• ff. 122r-v: Minute of the letter of the Privy Council to the Sheriff of Wiltshire for the execution of Lord Stourton, Greenwich, 28 Feb 1557. By royal writ. Also order for other murderers and accessories to murder of the Hartgills.
• f. 122v: Minute of letter to the Mayor and Sheriffs of London to set one in the pillory who feigned that Edward VI was still alive, 15 Nov 1554. William Palmer, now in the Marshalsea, and Joan, wife of [Blank] Wheeler were the chief doers in a plot of Thomas Doddington and others to spread the rumour that Edward VI was still alive. Palmer and Wheeler (when she can be found), to be set on the pillory on two market days to stand all day (without nailing their ears or putting their heads through the holes, with papers over their heads saying 'For most falce and mailiciouse practises and vayne tales fayninge Kinge Edward to be still on lyve'.
• f. 123r: Minute to the Sheriff of Hampshire to set one on the pillory for having spoken seditious words, 30 Jan 1553. Alynn Hyndson, soldier in Calford Catle, has spoken seditious words against the Duke of Nothumberland. To be set in the pillory on market day in Southampton and then in Winchester with a paper stating his offence on his head, and to lose an ear on each occasion.
• f. 123r: To apprehend one Fletcher, an Englishman dwelling in Spain, Somerset House, 19 Jan 1571. The order is probably to the Lord Mayor of London, to arrest John Fletcher, an English mariner living in Spain but now lodging at London in Watling Street, at the Sign of the Red Lion at one Spark, a draper's house.
• f. 124r: To examine the Earl of Desmond and others, reign of Elizabeth I.
• ff. 124r-v: To examine what contrivances have been made by one who is a fugitive. By the proceedings of the late Commission for the enquiry of such fugitives as are without the Queen's favour and licence contrary to the laws departed out of this realm, that Thomas Lawrence the younger. late secretary to Sir Thomas Cornewallis possessed of property which should come to the Queen: to investigate his titles and any contrivances concealing this property.
• f. 124v: Minute to Mr Comptroller, Mr Bowes and Mr Baker to examine a practiser of rebellion, Westminster, 31 Oct 1552. To examine one Thurland and Thomas Ballarde and Thomas Athow, priest, 'a spreader abroade of lewed propheties', seditious practisers of rebellion who have been committed to the Tower of London. Also to examine the Duke of Norfolk, prisoner in the Tower, over a debt for iron claimed by one Bacon of London.
• ff. 124v-125r: Minute to Mr Hobbie, Chief Justice of the King's Bench and Mr Gooderik to examine the conveyer away of George Gordon, 4th Earl of Huntly, Basing, 9 Sep 1552. The subject, who has conveyed Huntly out of the realm, is one Fenwick.
• f. 125r: Minute for the survey of Eton College and to examine and redress the disorders there, 23 Sep 1552.
• f. 125v: Sending back to the Privy Council an examination [of William Yelverton], 3 Oct 1569.
• f. 125v: Privy Council order for examination of men hunting in the grounds and parks of Henry Fitzalan, 12th Earl of Arundel, Somerset House, 21 Jan 1571.
• ff. 125v-126r: Order for the examination of tenants, the tenants of Sir Thomas Chamberlain for his lordship of Churchdown, in Gloucester: to examine, mediate and (if the latter is not possible) to certify the Privy Council, 15 Feb 1570.
• f. 126r: Order by Privy Council for riot and forcible entry upon the house of William Craddocke by Richard Stafford, brother of Lord Stafford
• f. 126r: Order to examine Thomas Bishoppe, prisoner in the Tower for treason, over reported secret conferences with John Feckenham and other prisoners, n.d. [c 1571-1572]
• ff. 126r-v: Order for examination of an outrage: dangerous wounding of John Bunwick, Sheriff of Colchester, in the churchyard of St James Colchester by a servant of Thomas Lucas, esquire, 19 Aug 1571.
• f. 126v: Order against the disordered doings of such as pretend to have commissions out of the Exchequer for concealed lands, n.d. In response to a letter of complaint to William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley.
• f. 126v: Order for examination of assault by Assize Judges, with supplementary order to a nobleman to assist.
• f. 127r: Order for examination in a case of riot: the severest punishment if they have acted out of malice or forwardness; and nevertheless to be punished to discourage them if their cause has been provoked, n.d. A marginal note adds that for no cause should the public peace of the realm be broken and it becomes good and dutiful subjects in respect of the common tranquillity to forbear the revenging of private injuries, having other remedies appointed by the laws.
• ff. 127r-v: Minute to the Lord Keeper and the Sheriff of Wiltshire for Thomas Chaterton, esquire, n.d.. In debt case.
• f. 127v: Minute to the Sheriff of Wiltshire, n.d.. To examine a riot against Thomas Chaterton.
• f. 127v: Minute to be aiding Commissioners to examine a case of usury, Greenwich, 18 Mar 1571.
• ff. 127v-128r: Minute to the Lord President and Council of the Marches of Wales concerning a riot committed at Bromyard upon the Bishop of Hereford's officers and servants, 31 Jun 1571.
• f. 128r-v: Minute to Sir John Zouche and others concerning a matter between Sir Maurice Berkeley and John Yonge esquire, about hunting, 'begone by servauntes and sithence by persecutinge therof stomacked amonge the m[aste]rs', 24 Aug 1572.
• ff. 128v-129r: Minute to certain commissioners to bear a matter between Mr Glasier, Vice-Chamberlain and other officers of the Exchequer Court of the County Palatine of Chester and the City of Chester, 1574.

ff. 145r-170v: F. Money matters, subsidies and benevolences, loans.

• f. 145r: Heading.
• ff. 146r-161v: 46 items.

ff. 171r-191v: G: Religion.

• f. 172r: Letter to a Bishop in his favour of a purchase, n.d. Thomas Bridge desiring to buy the bishop's lordship and manor of Chudleigh, [Devon].
• f. 172r: Letter to the Dean and Chapter to confirm the same, n.d.
• ff. 172r-v: Command to a Bishop to get into his hands all Latin service books, n.d.
• f. 172v: Letter to name one a Bishop, n.d.
• f. 173r: Form of congé d’élire to a Dean and Chapter for a Bishop, n.d. In Latin.
• f. 173r: Form of royal assent for a Bishop, n.d. In Latin.
• f. 173: Oath of a Bishop. The bishop is Matthew Parker, Archbishop Elect of Canterbury.
• ff. 173v-174r: Letter to see a uniformity in religion, n.d.
• f. 174r: Letter to Bishops for common prayer. So described in the heading: in fact an urging to personal and religious reformation amongst the people - 'open rebells against the divine m[ajes]tie and clerical activism as a response to plague.
• f. 174v: Letter to the Bishops to cause spiritual persons to subscribe to the Articles, n.d.
• f. 175: Letter to the Sheriffs and JPs in the Diocese of Chester to aid the Bishop of Carlisle in his visitation there, 12 May 1571.
• f. 175r: Letter to [Thomas Cranmer] Archbishop of Canterbury for his proceedings against certain heretics in Kent, 22 Sep 1552.
• f. 175v: Minute [ of letter] of Queen Mary I and King Philip to the Shires, Westminster Palace, 27 Mar 1555. Much concerned with the liberty and insolency of the common sort. Evidently the letter to accompany the orders, ff. 175v-176r.
• ff. 175v-176r: Minute of an order prescribed by Queen Mary I and King Philip to JPs for the good order of the country and to show good example in matters of religion, 26 Mar 1555.
• f. 176v: Minute of a letter to the Bishops of Exeter and Salisbury and others to certify in their sermons the intention of Queen Mary I to marry Prince Philip of Spain and preach against false and lewd rumours spread of the same, [1553-1554].
• ff. 176v-177r: Minute to the Bishop to advertise what they be that refuse to come to church and refuse the sacraments, Windsor, 6 Nov 1569.
• f. 177v: To suspected persons to subscribe to a form, followed by the actual form to which they should subscribe.
• f. 177v: Memorandum in the hand of Robert Beale on the letter and form of subscription above, f. 177v: 'Memorandum that the ii l[ett]res above written were in the time of the Northern rebellion ao 1569 sent throughe out the realme: and the Latter Coppy retorned again to their Lls subscribed by the handes of the Noblemen knightes and others Justices of peace in eche Shire: And the recusantes bound to be at their lls commandement.'
• f. 178r: Minute to the Bishop of Salisbury to receive Sir Thomas Cornwallis for the latter's better instruction in matters of religion.
• f. 178v: To an Inn of Court, having disobedient Papists.
• ff. 178v-179r: Minute to Sir Hugh Cholmeley, Vice-President of the Council of Marches in Wales, touching Richard Bulkeley and other for matters committed by them at Beaumaris, 9 Apr 1570. Bulkeley's presence at a Catholic service.
• ff. 179r-180r: Minute to [Nicholas Robinson,] Bishop of Bangor, touching the hearing of a mass at Beaumaris heard by Sir Richard Bulkeley and others at Beaumaris, 9 Apr 1570. For Robinson's reply, which dates this letter to 29 Apr, see The National Archives, SP 12/69, f. 52r.
• f. 180r: For the instruction of the meaner curates and edification of the ignorant people, to have the Expositions of St Matthew and St John by Marliorates [the Huguenot Augustin Marlorat du Pasquier] communicated to churches where Erasmus's Paraphrase is wanting. Lees, Sep 1571.
• f. 180v: Minute to the Commissioners for Oyer and Terminer for matters of religion, Greenwich, Sep 1573.
• ff. 180v-181r: Minute to the Bishop for the uniformity in religion, Greenwich, 2 Nov 1573.
• f. 181r: Minute to Archbishop of Canterbury for some liberty to be given to Dr [Henry] Cole, prisoner in the Fleet for matters of religion, because of his great age and sickness, 4 Apr 1574.
• f. 181v: Minute to deliver a prisoner to a Bishop to take order, Westminster, 7 Jul 1571. The prisoners are Anthony Cope - Tichborne.
• f. 181v: Referring a prisoner's cause to a Bishop being a matter of religion and within his diocese, Westminster, 7 Jul 1571. The prisoners are Anthony Cope - Tichborne.
• ff. 181v-182r: Minute to the Archbishop of Canterbury and Bishop of London touching the prisoners for causes of religion upon the news of the murder of the Admiral [Coligny] in France, 23 Sep 1572.
• f. 182v: Minute to the Bishops to advertuse the names of such as come not to church, 27 Nov 1575.
• ff. 182v-183v: Minute from Queen Elizabeth I to the Bishops for suppressing prophesying, 7 May 1577.
• ff. 184r-v: Minute to the Bishops to certify recusants to come to church, with the just value of their lands and goods, 18 Oct 1577.
• ff. 186r-v: Letter to Bishops against allowing education abroad except the well-affected in religion by the Queen's special licence, n.d.

ff. 191r-228v: H. Corn and other matters concerning policy and good orders within the Realm.

• f. 191r: Heading.
• ff. 192r-v: For engrossing of corn, n.d.
• f. 192v: Letter against enhancing the price of corn, n.d.
• ff. 193r-194r: Instructions for corn, n.d.
• ff. ff. 194r-v: To commissioners to deal with the people for spring sowing because of the danger of dearth because of ill weather and incessant rains damaging the winter sown crops, n.d.; the monarch is Henry VIII or Edward VI.
• f. 194v: Minute to commissions directed to put in execution certain orders against the transportation of grain, 23 Oct 1573.
• ff. 194v-195r: Minute of a proclamation for restraint of the transportation of grain until the end of October next, Woodstock, Sep 1572.
• f. 195r: Minute to port customs officers to have regard concerning the stay of corn, not to pass beyond the seas, Sep 1571.
• ff. 195v-196r: Minute to divers commissioners to suffer the City of London to be served of certain quantities of grain, n.d..
• ff. 196r-v: Minute to the Lord Mayor of London for giving strict orders about the eating and killing of flesh, 17 Feb [no year].
• ff. 196v-197r: Minute for the restraining of those who kill or eat flesh in Lent contrary to the accustomed orders in that behalf, Feb 1572.
• f. 197r: Minute of a placard touching the keeping of Lent and other fish days, directed to the officers of London, Mar 1572.
• f. 197v: Minute against the excessive numbers of badgers, and how they shall be chosen and allowed, 24 Oct 1574. With annotations by Robert Beale.
• ff. 197v-198r; letter to the Sheriff and JPs to stay the transportation of victuals, and signifying the Queen's commission shall be sent unto them for that purpose, 19 Oct 1574.
• f. 198r: Observations usual in grants and letters for the transportation of grain. A set of notes in Robert Beale's hand. The title comes from the index.
• ff. 198v-199r: Minute to JPs touching the ordering of badgers in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Middlesex, 3 Jan 1575.
• ff. 199r-v: Minute to the Lord Mayor of London against the killing and selling of flesh in the City and liberties, 18 Feb 1575.
• f. 200r: To the commissioners for restraint of grain in Dorset: to allow 100 quarters of malt for Amias Paulet, Captain of Jersey, Greenwich, n.d.
• ff. 200r-201r: Minute to the lord Mayor of London for eating flesh in Lent, Hampton Court, Feb [no further date; reign of Elizabeth I].
• f. 201r: That there will be no shipping but in ordinary ports, to meet with the transportation of grain by stealth, Hampton Court, Feb [no further date; reign of Elizabeth I).
• ff. 201v-202r: Minute from the Privy Council to Sheriffs and JPs against badgers and others that enhance the price of corn, Greenwich, 7 Jun 1573.
• ff. 202r-v: Minute to JPs for order generally to be taken for the killing, selling and eating of flesh in Lent, 1573 [?1574 new style].
• f. 203r: Minute to JPs to look to the carrying out of corn and grain; signifying therewith letter to the port officers to look to the same, Stanstead, 18 Sep 1571.
• f. 203r: To suffer to be transported 200 quarters of corn for the town of Berwick, Greenwich, 22 Jul 1562.
• ff. 203v-204r: Minute of order for the observation of the Statute of the good tanning of leather, including a bond to tanners, 15 Nov 1574.
• ff. 204r-v: Second bond to tanners.
• f. 204v: Minute for corn: that by the serving of market towns, not only those within the shire were to be understood, but others adjoining, specially being accustomed to be served from thence, Westminster, 3 Apr 1557.
• f. 205r: Minute for restraining badgers in corporate towns, Hampton Court, 23 Nov 1574.
• ff. 205r-v: Minute of a letter to Sir Francis Knollys, Treasurer of the Queen's Household, Sir Walter Mildmay and Sir William Cordell, Master of the Rolls touching the Assize of Bread in London, Greenwich, 20 Mar 1574. With instructions, ff. 205v-206r.
• ff. 206r-v; Minute that drovers and broggers are not to sell beasts' fat, 16 May 1575.
• f. 206v: Minute to the Lord Keeper upon by the certificate sent by him of labourers' and servants' wages, Kenilworth, Jul 1575.
• f. 206v: Minute to the Wardens and Company of Stationers in London touching a 'ballet' [ballad] made by Elderton of 'D. Stories stumbling into England' that is to be called in, 8 Sep 1570. The ballad, written by William Elderon, tuitled, 'D. Storyes stumbling into Englande', imprinted in Fleet Street by Thomas Colwell. Not to be sold abroad and any that have been dispersed to be called in. Whilst the ballad shows 'a Certaine zeale and good meaninge towarde the defacing of papistrie and furtherance of true religion', some parts touch by name personages of honour and reputation, and it also tends to the discredit of some princes with whom the Queen stands presently in terms of amity.
• ff. 207r-v: Minute from the Privy Council to the Lord President and Council in the Marches of Wales touching the agreement between Sir John Throckmorton and John Price, and touching the Assize Judges, , 20 Aug 1571.
• f. 208r: Minute to Sir Henry Sidney, Lord President of the Marches in Wales, touching the Assize Judges, 7 Nov 1573.
• ff. 208r-209v: Minute to the Maritime shires for the stay of transportation of grain and the order, and for the staying of such as arm themselves to the seas for the service of other princes without licence, Oct 1576.
• f. 210r: Thanks for diligence against rogues and vagabonds, and for this to continue, Oatlands, 31 Jul 1569.
• ff. 210r-v: Watch to be had for apprehending rogues and vagabonds, Hampton Court, Jul 1571.
• ff. 210v-211r; Minute to the sheriffs touching such orders as it shall please the Queen to the take for the diets of the Assize judges, 21 Feb 1574.
• ff. 211r-v: To the Justices of assizes for ordering of commissions for penalties of statutes, Hampton Court, Nov 1574.
• f. 212r: To Sir Christopher Heydon and William Butts for taking order with such as go about the country with commissions for penalties of laws till the assize judges come hither, Greenwich, March 1574. The letter also commends their proceedings as commissioners of oyer and terminer in Norfolk and Norwich for observing uniformity in religion and also your doings in the restraint of the transportation of grain.
• ff. 212r-v: A precept for the good using of the Queen's game in Enfield Chase, Dec 1574.
• f. 213r: To enquire what strangers are arrived and of what sort and to send a certificate, Windsor, n.d.
• ff. 213r-v; Minute to the Mayor and Jurats of Rye touching a Flemish pink arrived there with a certain number of strangers being fled for safeguard of their lives, n.d.
• f. 213v: Letter to the Aldermen and Mayor of London touching provisions to suppress vagabonds and to relieve the impotent poor, Westminster, 9 Mar 1572.
• f. 214r: Minute to the Aldermen and Lord Mayor of London touching the beggars lying in the streets, 6 Dec 1571.
• ff. 214r-v: Memorial of matters to be enquired of touching the state of the Tower of London by Sir Peter Carew and Sir Thomas Wroth, Master of the Rolls and Recorder of London, 16 Sep 1572.
• ff. 214v-215r: Minute to the Sheriffs and JPs for observance of Fish Days, 28 Dec 1576.
• ff. 215r-v: Minute of the Dean of York for the observance of Fish Days, 28 Dec 1576.
• f. 216r: Minute for the observance of the Proclamation for Apparel, Apr 1577.
• ff. 216r-v: Minute with the note and names of the commissioners appointed for taking order for the sale of wines according to the Statute, 19 May 1570. So described in the heading, but the names are not in this copy.
• ff. 216v-217r: Minute for letters to be written to the Assize Judges to warn the Sheriffs at the time of Assizes not to keep any tables to the burdening of themselves and giving occasion to others who shall succeed them to be likewise charged, n.d., reign of Elizabeth I.
• ff. 217r-v: To JPs of the shires where provisions for the Queen's household are usually made to enquire of the disorders and wrongs committed upon the Queen's subjects by the purveyors, Sep 1577.
• ff. 218r-221r: Minute to the Lord Chief Justices for diminishing the number or promoters and taking away the abuses by them daily committed, Windsor, Oct 1577, with schemes and points to be considered by the Assize Judges.
• f. 221v: Minute for the restraining of the takers of partridges and pheasants, 7 Jul 1578.
• ff. 222r-223r: Minute to the Sheriffs of divers counties with certain orders in print touching the plague, 2 Dec 1578.
• ff. 223v-224r: Minute to the Assize Judges for the oath to be ministered to JPs according to the statute of Elizabeth I: to maintain her jurisdiction and for the abolishing of all foreign power.

ff. 229r-246v: I. Recommendation of suits.

• f. 229r: Heading.
• ff. 230r-233v; 10 items.

ff. 247r-280v: K. Marine causes.

• f. 247r: Heading.
• ff. 248r-278r: 60 items.

ff. 305r-362v: M. Musters

• ff. 306r-306*r: Instructions for musters, n.d. [1544].
• ff. 307r-v: Instructions for musters in the inland shires, n.d. [1544].
• f. 307v: A Letter to haste the certificates of the musters, Hampton Court, 25 Jul 1544.
• f. 308r: A commission to take up men for the defence of a fort, Hampton Court, 10 J[ul] 1547. Directed to Cornish parishes.
• ff. 308r-v: Commission for martial justice in a town of war, reign of Edward VI. The town is Haddington in the Marches.
• ff. 308v-309r: Order to revoke ships from the sea, the war being ended, n.d. [Mar-Apr 1550].
• ff. 309r-v: Order to levy men and send them to a port [Portsmouth], July [no year: first regnal year of unnamed monarch: it speaks of the enterprise of the French against this realm].
• ff. 309v-310r: To muster horses and geldings according to the Statute, Richmond, 29 Jul 1565 (7 [Elizabeth]).
• ff. 310r-v: Letter from the King for the preparation for the wars, n.d. [1547-1548?]. Against Scotland. for the City of London to provide one light horseman and one demi-lancer.
• f. 310v: Letter from the Privy Council to have due respect and regard to the Instructions, n.d. [a male monarch]. ff. 310r-311v: A special letter sent with the Commission for Musters, n.d.
• f. 311r: Letter to levy pioneers, n.d.
• ff. 311r-312v: Letter to the Lieutenants of a shire, n.d. [1559]. f. 312r: Letter of [Queen Elizabeth I] to the Mayor of Cambridge for mustering of the town, n.d. [1559].
• ff. 312v-313r: A letter of warning to the sea coasts, n.d. [1559].
• ff. 313r-315r: Articles for musters of the able-bodied, n.v. [1559].
• ff. 315r-316v: Articles for Lieutenants, n.d. [1559].
• ff. 316v-317r: A letter for levying certain men to be sent into Ireland, March 1561.
• ff. 317r-v: Letter to will captains to stand upon their charges, 15 Mar 1554. The letter refers to the continuing sheltering of Peter Carew and other West Country traitors and other fugitives after the overthrow of Wyatt's Rebellion, and the French King's desire to stir up rebellion and tumult in England.
• f. 117v: A letter watch beacons and be on a readiness with men, n.d. [1548]. Warning of an attempt on the English coast by the French sending aid by sea to the Scots.
• f. 117v: A letter to certain special men to see to the beacons, n.d. [1548]
• ff. 320r-326v: Instructions for the execution of the Commission for general musters, 1573.
• f. 327v: Letter from the Privy Council to the Lord Keeper concerning the drafting of the commissions for the musters, n.d. [1559].
• f. 328r: Letter from the Privy Council to the Lord Keeper for the mustering of Cambridge, n.d. [1559].
• f. 329r: Commission for a general of men of war, reign of Queen Mary I. In Latin. to Sir John Wallop, Captain of Guisnes, to take charge of the troops sent to assist the Emperor Charles V in Lower Germany [7 Jul 1557].
• f. 329r: Commission with the former commission a next general in case of the death or sickness of the first, reign of Queen Mary I. In Latin.
• ff. 329r-330r: Instructions for a Lord Lieutenant, by Queen Elizabeth I, to Henry Fitzalan, 12th Earl of Arundel, Lord Lieutenant of Sussex and Surrey.
• f. 330r: Instructions for a Lord Lieutenant. Incomplete and struck out.
• f. 330r: A commission to take mariners, gunners, etc., reign of Henry VIII.
• ff. 330r-v: Commission to take up workmen, reign of Henry VIII.
• ff. 330v-331v: Capitulations made between the King and Martin Luthmaker. Beale notes that Luthmaker was a double colonel serving Henry VIII and Edward VI. Contract over the number of men he is to bring and terms for their service.
• f. 331v: Letter to those having charge about the sea coast for the ease of watching beacons, 2 Dec 1572.
• f. 332r: Letter to Sir James Crofts to make a perfect declaration of the arms and munitions in the North.
• f. 332r: Letter to Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk, discharging him of his Lieutenancy in the North, 22 Aug 1560.
• ff. 332r-333r: Letter of King Edward VI to the gentlemen of Lincolnshire. For musters. Alludes to the war against Scotland.
• ff. 333r-335r: Letter to prepare for the invasion of foreign enemies, Greenwich, 16 Jun 1537. In Beale's hand. Beale notes that earlier instructions about beacons follow here. f. 335r: Letter appointing one to defend a certain place [Portsmouth]. in Beale's hand.
• f. 335v: Letter about musters. Norfolk.
• f. 336r: Letter to the gentlemen for the mustering of the forces of the shires upon the commotion made by the Duke of Suffolk and Sir Thomas Wyatt, Westminster Palace, Feb 1554.
• ff. 336r-v: Letter to certain of the Council and others to make musters of their powers and to certify before May Day, 1554, 11 Apr 1554.
• ff. 336v-337r: Letter to the Lord Mayor of London to levy men for the rescue of Calais and to deal with the gentlemen to provide furniture, Greenwich, 7 Jan 1558.
• f. 337r: Similar letter [to ff. 336v-337r] noted as for the shires.
• f. 337r: Letter to the Lord Steward for the making of his horsemen and footmen to attend upon the Queen, Aug 1557.
• ff. 337r-v: Letter of Queen Mary I for the mustering of men for the army at the time of the siege of Calais, 6 Jan 1558.
• f. 338r: Letter to the Earl of Westmorland and the Bishop of Durham touching the war that is intended against the French, not meaning to break with Scotland, 3 Jul 1557.
• f. 338r: Letter of the Privy Council to the Lord Mayor of London to take prisoner all Frenchmen who are not denizens, 27 Jan 1558.
• ff. 338v-339r: Articles of instruction for musters from the Privy Council, 1558.
• f. 339r: Letter to put the forces of the shires in readiness, the Lieutenant appointed to go against the rebels, Windsor Castle, 24 Nov 1569. The rebels are the Earls of Northumberland and Westmorland; the counties are Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire, the Lieutenant Edward Fiennes de Clinton, 9th Baron Clinton.
• f. 339v: Letter to the Earl of Derby, Lieutenant of Lancashire and Cheshire, to put the forces of the counties in readiness, 1569. Against the rebellion of the Earls of Northumberland and Westmorland.
• f. 339v: Letter to the Earl of Shrewsbury, Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, to put the forces of the county in readiness against the coming down of him who is appointed to go against the rebels [Edward Fiennes de Clinton, 9th Baron Clinton], 1569.
• ff. 340r-v: Letter to the Lieutenant of Sussex dealing with the few number of horsemen in that county because of under-rating for the subsidy, 7 Dec 1569.
• ff. 340v-341r: Letter to the Earl of Derby that if the Lord Lieutenant [Edward Fiennes de Clinton, 9th Baron Clinton] shall require help he shall send it him. [1569].
• f. 341r: Letters addressed with a commission of Lieutenancy, writing of the attempts of the rebels, Windsor Castle, 23 Nov 1569 or 1570. The copy actually says 12 Elizabeth, i.e. 1570, but 1569 makes more sense from the content.
• ff. 341r-v: Letter to a city with privilege to obey the obey the general commissioners appointed for the shire without prejudice to their liberties, Westminster, 29 Apr 1569.
• ff. 341v-342r: Letter to the sheriffs, JPs and commissioners for musters of Sussex and Kent for raising men in readiness and to watch the beacons during the royal progress, 'Eridge' [?Erith], 4 Aug 1573.
• f. 342r: Letter for men to be mustered to be sent into Ireland, directed to the Earl of Bedford, Lord Lieutenant in the Western parts, and to the Lord President of Wales, Jun 1574.
• f. 342v: Letter to the Commissioners of musters [for Somerset] to have certain men taken and appointed to serve under the Earl of Essex [in Ireland], Jul 1575.
• ff. 342v-343r: Letter to divers noblemen in sundry shires to take views and musters of horsemen, Greenwich, 8 Jun 1574.
• ff. 343r-344v: Letter from the Privy Council to Sheriffs and JPs along the sea coast for mustering and being in readiness against the coming of the Spanish Many, 29 May 1574.
• f. 344v: Letter into divers shires for release from the watching of beacons, , Hampton Court, 23 Oct 1574.
• ff. 344v-345r: Letter for levying of men into Ireland, Hampton Court, 24 Jan 1574.
• ff. 345r-v: Letter for providing lodging and ships for men sent to Chester, Hamton Court, 26 Jan 1574.
• f. 345v: Letter to Commisioner for Musters to send the men appointed to Chester, Hampton Court, 26 Jan 1574.
• f. 346r: Letter to the sheriffs and JPs of Cornwall for levying men for the Queen's service, 10 Mar 1571.
• ff. 346r-v: Musters 1577: Letter of Queen Elizabeth I for the training of a certain number of men for each shire. The year comes from Beale's heading; the letter may be 1573 (see ff. 346v-347r).
• ff. 346v-347r: Musters 1577: Letter of the Privy Council for the training of a certain number of men for each shire.
• ff. 347v-351r: Musters 1577: Instructions given by the Privy Council to the late Commissioners for Musters for mustering and training. from Beale's heading, f. 346r, probably 1577 but perhaps a reissue of instructions from 1573.
• ff. 351r-v: Orders that every person that shall be trained shall be taught to handle and use his piece. ff. 351v-353r: The shires and numbers of men per shire appointed to be mustered and put in readiness, March 1577; with (ff. 352r-353r), the numbers of men due from liberties within each shire and the numbers of men they are to provide towards the whole shire. ff. 353r-354v: Letter sent down from the Privy Council with Commissioners for the General Musters, Apr or May 1577. The heading says May, the end of the text April.
• ff. 355r-v: Letter for the maintenance of artillery, 10 Jul 1571.
• ff. 355v-356v: Letter of Queen Elizabeth I appointing Thomas Radcliffe, Earl of Sussex, Lieutenant in the North, Windsor Castle, 15 Nov 1569.

ff. 363r-385v: N. 'Frontiers, Fortes'. Most of this section is extracts from the Privy Council Letter Books, now lost, 1545-1579. Where they are mentioned in the Acts of the Privy Council, there is usually only a brief note of their issue.

• f. 363r: Heading.
• f. 364r: For sending down one [Mr Pelham] to view a place [Harwich] and how it may be fortified, n.d.
• f. 365r: To view the state of the castles of Berwick and War[kworth] in the North, Westminster, 3 Apr 1545.
• ff. 365r-v: Letter to the Lord Admiral for the discharge of certain bulwarks and blockhouses upon the Thames, 17 Jun 1553.
• ff. 365v-366v: Letter to the Scottish Queen for good orders to be taken upon the Borders and justice done on both sides, 8 Sep 1555.
• f. 366v: Letter to Sir James Crofts to be assisting the Earl of Northumberland upon the Borders, 6 Aug 1557.
• ff. 366v-367r: Appointment of Thomas Gower as Master of the Ordnance in the Queen's Army in the North, 29 Jan 1558.
• f. 367r-v: Letter from Queen Mary I and King Philip to Sir Richard Edgecombe and Mr Copston to look to Plymouth Sound that neither Sir Peter Carew nor any other rebels try anything, May 1557.
• f. 367v: Letter to named Norfolk and Suffolk gentlemen to assist Sir Thomas Wodehouse in the repair and safety of Great Yarmouth, 26 Jun 1557.
• f. 368r: Minute from King Philip and Queen Mary I to the Earl of Cumberland in doubtful time of war to repair to his house of Borham [or Broham, i.e. Brougham] near the Border, 3 Jul 1557.
• f. 368v: Minute to the Bailiffs of Great Yarmouth to set the charge of the town and port, 3 Jul 1557.
• ff. 368r-v: Minute to Sir Thomas Wodehouse to repair to Yarmouth, 6 Jun [1557].
• ff. 368v-369r: Minute of the Privy Council's letter to the Earl of Northumberland touching impeding the fortification intended by the French and Scots at 'Aymouth' [Eyemouth], 10 Aug 1557.
• f. 369r: Minute to William Eure, 2nd Baron Eure, on his appointment as Captain of Berwick, St James, 20 Dec 1557.
• ff. 369r-v: Minute to the Earl of Oxford for answer of his letters touching the blockhouses of East Mersea and West Tilbury, St James, 20 Aug 1558.
• ff. 369v-370r: Minute to Richard Worsley to view and survey Portsmouth, 8 Dec 1558.
• ff. 370r-v: Minute to Richard Worsley to receive the room of Captain of the Isle of Wight, 27 Mar 1559.
• f. 370v: To deal with the inhabitants to contribute toward the reparation of a place, Greenwich, 9 Apr 1568. the place may be a castle on Jersey.
• f. 371r: To the Lord Warden of the Marches that proclamation be made that officers may repair to their charge, 7 Jul 1557.
• ff. 371r-v: to Henry Carey, 1st Baron Hunsdon to have regard to Berwick against the attempts of the Scots and rebels, 18 Mar 1570.
• f. 371v: Minute to the Wardens to understand the decay of the forces of the frontiers, n.d., reign of Elizabeth I.
• ff. 371v-372r: Minute to Lord Scrope, Warden of the West March, signifying what order has been taken with Fergus Greame [Graham] upon his submission made before the Privy Council , as well for the acknowledgment of his fault as for abiding by such order as is Lordship shall take with him, 8 Aug 1571.
• ff. 372r: Minute to Sir |John Forster touching Tynemouth (Beale adds to the note that this is upon the committing of Sir Henry Percy, Captain of the Castle), 15 Nov 1571.
• ff. 372r-v: Minute to certify the state of a fort, 8 Oct 1572 or 1574. The heading says 1574, the text 1572.
• ff. 372v-373r: Minute of a letter to Sir Edward Horsey, Captain of the Isle of Wight, for the putting in a state of readiness the able men within the Isle, Oct 1579.
• ff. 373r-v: Minute to Sir Henry Ratcliffe to repair to his charge and to put in a readiness his forces within Portsmouth, Oct 1579.
• ff. 373v-374r: Minute to the Hampshire JPs for the putting in readiness of the succours heretofore limited for the succour Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight, [19 Oct 1579].

ff. 387r-401v: O. 'Messages and letters written to Rebelles in the time of warres and commotions'.

• f. 387r: Heading.
• ff. 388r-v: Minute of the letter appointed to go to the Commons assembled in Norfolk, Richmond, 18 Jul 1549.
• ff. 388v-389r: Minute to the King's subjects assembled in Norfolk, Westminster Palace, 17 Jul 1549.
• f. 389v: Minute to persons assembled about Thetford, 17 Jul 1549.
• f. 389v: Minute to the Commons in Oxfordshire, 7 Jul 1549.
• ff. 389v-390r: Minute to the Commons assembled in Suffolk, Richmond, 18 Jul 1549.
• ff. 390r-v: Minute to the persons assembled in Suffolk, 19 Jul 1549.
• ff. 390v-391r: minute of a letter sent to the Rebels beside St Albans, 11 Jul 1549.
• f. 391r: Minute of a letter to the Rebels in Hampshire, [1549].
• ff.391r-v; Minute to the seditious persons in Essex, 5 Jul 1549.
• f. 392r: Proclamation of Queen Mary I signifying her title to the Crown upon the death of King Edward VI, [1553].
• f. 392r: Minute of the commission to the Master of the Horse (Sir Edward Hastings) and Sir Thomas Cornwallis, and what they are to say to Sir Thomas Wyatt, [Jan 1554].
• ff. 392r-v: Minute of a proclamation against Sir Thomas Wyatt, Feb 1554.
• f. 392v: Beginning of a proclamation against Sir Thomas Wyatt, [1554].
• ff. 393r-v: Minute of names of gentlemen in Kent whose names are enclosed for examining and setting fines upon rebels and those suspected of rebellion, March 1554.
• f. 393v: Instructions of Queen Mary I for men privy to the rebellion [in Kent], treat for their fines and make enquiry what goods and chattels they have.
• ff. 393v-395r: Minute to the JPS of Hertfordshire and Middlesex, touching the repressing of tumults and unlawful assemblies of the common people, Apr 1579. The letter is in response to 'the late disordered & rebellious assemblie' at Northaw, Herts.

ff. 403r-430v: P. 'Sondry l[ett]res written to divers persons in times of wares and rebellions'. Most of this section is extracts from the Privy Council Letter Books, now lost, 1549-1571. Where they are mentioned in the Acts of the Privy Council, there is usually only a brief note of their issue.

• f. 403r: Heading.
• f. 404r: Minute to Henry Somerset, 2nd Earl of Worcester: he was not appointed Lieutenant [for Devon and Cornwall] because of his sickness but is required to aid and assist Sir William Herbert [against the Western Rebels], Jul 1549.
• ff. 404r-v: Minute to Mr [Leonard] Chamberlayn admitting of things touching the first apprehension of Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, 21 Oct 1549.
• ff. 404v-405r: Minute to Mr [Christopher] Mount touching Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, 21 Oct 1549.
• f. 405v: Minute from the Council at London to certain gentlemen, who had been called to assist the Lords against Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset: now to remain at home seeing that he is taken, 11 Oct 1549.
• f. 405v: Minute from the Privy Council to the King's Lieutenants in divers counties signifying the return of soldiers from Calais into their countries: to have a care for the preservation of peace and quietness, 10 Sep 1550.
• f. 406r: Notice by a Lieutenant [of Lincolnshire] to the gentlemen, where he shall meet them, reign of Elizabeth I.
• f. 406r: Minute to Lord Wharton signifying that the King has appointed [- Rookesbye] as marshal of Berwick [in place of Thomas Gower], 27 Nov 1552.
• ff. 406r-v: Minute to the Lord Chancellor to have the examinations of the practices of Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, enrolled, Apr 1553.
• f. 406v: Minute to Lord Gray and Sir Anthony Anger and others of the Queen's council at Calais thanking them for their fidelities, willing them to give thanks to the crew there and to preserve the ancient laws and statutes of the town, in not condescending to the attempts of the Duke of Northumberland, 14 Sep 1553.
• f. 407r: Minute of Lord Mordaunt and Mr St John to examine certain attempts to pluck up hedges, Tower of London, 5 Aug 1553.
• ff. 407r-v: Minute of the letters to the Commissioners of Oyer and Terminer in divers shires [but the content here is directed to Essex] to look to the quietness of the shire and suppress all attempts [at stirs]. Queen Mary is going to be married, Apr 1554. An interesting letter on security measures.
• ff. 407v-408r: Minute to Sir Thomas Pope to open to the Lady Elizabeth how traitors have abused her name, 30 Jul 1556.
• ff. 408r-v; Minute to Francis Talbot, 5th Earl of Shrewsbury on the traitorous doings at Scarborough of Thomas Stafford: to assist Henry Neville, 5th Earl of Westmorland, 27 Mar 1557.
• f. 408v: Minute to Francis Talbot, 5th Earl of Shrewsbury to send down Sir James Croft, 7 Jun 1557.
• f. 409r: Minute of letter of Queen Mary I to Henry Neville, 5th Earl of Westmorland: touching the appointing of the chief officers of a royal army in the North [these are listed] according to a schedule sent with this letter, 22 Jun 1558.
• f. 409v: Minute to Roger North, 2nd Baron North: glad to understand of his good will and travail and the good devition and forwardness of country, with desire to continue, 14 Dec 1569.ff. 409v: Minute to Sir Hugh Paulet, Sir Mauruce Berkeley, deputy lieutenants to the Earl of Pembroke in Somerset, signifying what good reports of their doings, with thanks and desire to continue, 11 Dec 1569.
• ff. 410r-v: Minute from the Privy Council to Thomas Radcliffe, 3rd Earl of Sussex, Henry Carey, 1st Baron Hunsdon and Sir Ralph Sadler: marvelling the taking of Hartlepool by the rebels, and ewarning of preparations in Flanders; ordered to reover the town whither the Queen's ships are being sent, 7 Dec 1569.
• f. 410v: Minute to William Herbert, 1st Earl of Pembroke, thanking him and the rest of the gentleman [in the counies where he is Lieutenant] for their good will, 11 Dec 1569.
• f. 411r: Minute from the Privy Council to Thomas Radcliffe, Earl of Sussex, Ambrose Dudley, Earl of Warwick and the Lord Admiral (Edward Fiennes de Clinton, 1st Earl of Clinton): touching the preservation of horses, armour and weapons: to be returned into the shires back again as near as may be, 14 Dec 1569.
• ff. 411v-412r: Minute to Thomas Wentworth, 2nd Baron Wentworth, Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk and Suffolk: the rebels being possessed of Hartlepool, and some preparations being made in Flanders, to look to their charge. and notifying of Queen's ships sent Northward, 7 Dec 1569.
• f. 412r: Minute of two letters from the Privy Council to the Lord Steward (William Herbert, 1st Earl of Pembroke) and Henry Fitzalan, 12th Earl of Arundel, being named as fawtors [supporters or abettors] in the proclamation of the rebels in the North, 4 Dec 1569.
• ff. 412r-413v: To Thomas Radcliffe, 3rd Earl of Sussex, Lord President of the Council in the North: to advertise what he understands of the causes of the Rebellion in the North, 25 Oct 1569.
• f. 413v: Minute to enquire and advertise of the causes of certain rumours and troubles in the North, Windsor Castle, 26 Oct 1569.
• f. 414r: To Thomas Radcliffe, 3rd Earl of Sussex, [Nov?] 1569. The letter is in reply to that of the 15th of this month (itself possibly a reply to ff. 412r-413v). Some of the details of his letter, reporting the doings of the Earls of Northumberland and Westmorland, appear here, including tearing the Holy Bible in pieces and overthrowing the communion table at Durham.
• ff. 414v-415v: Minute from the Privy Council to Thomas Radcliffe, Earl of Sussex, Henry Carey, 1st Baron Hunsdon and the Lord Admiral (Edward Fiennes de Clinton, 1st Earl of Clinton): to confer upon means to sppreess the rebels, to have a consideration of the charges od entertainments according to a schedule [and the letter lists the costs of senior officers' wages, with the names of some of them] and to have a care for the preservation of Sir George Bowes, who is besieged, 11 Dec 1569.
• ff. 415v-416r: Minute to Arthur Grey, 14th Baron Grey of Wilton [Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire], conerning those that refuse to bring their arms to the places by him appointed, 18 Oct 1570.
• f. 416r: Minute to the Mayor of Norwich, Mr Clere and Mr Drury in answer to their letters touching the conspiracy done by Throgmorton and others: 'To suppresse uproare', 1 July 1570.
• f. 416v: Minute to the Lieutenants throughout the shires of England, touching the disorder of certain persons moving troubles to the state of the realm, and the dispersing of seditious scrolls and papers, 14 Mar 1571. These writings have been dispersed 'in Commen places to be thereby spred amongest the symple people of the realme, to styrr them wth false brutes and reportes to murmures and unquyetnesse'.

ff. 431r-565v: Q. Instructions for Ambassadors.

• f. 431r: Heading.
• ff.432r-433r: Instructions to Nicholas Wotton as Ambassador to the Emperor Charles V, [10 Apr 1551].
• ff. 433r-434v: Instructions to Sir William Paget, Comptroller of the Household, as Ambassador to the Emperor Charles V, [2 Jun].
• ff. 434v-435v: Instructions to Richard Morison, Ambassador to the Emperor Charles V, 18 Aug 1550.
• ff. 435v-436r: Instructions to Thomas Chamberlain, appointed Ambassador Resident to [Mary of Hungary] Regent of Flanders, 20 Jun 1550.
• ff. 436r-437v: Instructions to Sir John Borthwick, sent as Ambassador to [Christian III], King of Denmark, [1550]. This includes a marriage between the prince and either Princess Mary or Princess Elizabeth (the latter is especially praised for the love King Edward bears her and for 'her age, her personage, hir learninge, hir educacion, her godly profession'; King Edward 'loveth her not onlie of his natural affection, but also for the similitude of learning and religion in wch two, she excelleth, in thone for knowledge thother for godlines.’
• ff. 437v-440r: Instructions to Sir Anthony St Leger, Sir Thomas Mildmay, Sir Philip Hoby, Sir Richard Cotton and William Barnes, sent as commissioners to view the town and marches, of Calais, [Jun 1552]; with (f. 440r) letter from the Council ordering to be assisting the commissioners.
• ff.440v-441r: Instructions of Sir Richard Cotton and Sir Edward Bray, commissioners appointed to view Guines and other places within the Marches of Calais, [Dec 1551-Jan 1552].
• ff. 441v-442v: Instructions to the [named] commissioners for settling Border disputes between England and Scotland, [Apr 1551].
• ff. 442v-444v: Memorial to Sir John Mason, Ambassador resident in France, and Sir William Pickering, [1547-1551]. The list of Councillors who sign is headed by the Duke of Somerset and John Dudley, Earl of Warwick.
• ff. 444v-448v: Instructions to William Parr, Marquess of Northampton and others (named) sent to as ambassadors to the King of France, Greenwich, 20 May 1551.ff. 448r-v: Instructions to William Parr, Marquess of Northampton and his colleagues as commissioners and ambassadors to the French King, in response to their letter to the Privy Council of 23 Jun 1551, Greenwich, [30 Jun] 1551.
• ff. 448v-449v:Instructions to William Parr, Marquess of Northampton and his colleagues as commissioners and ambassadors to the French King, in response to their letter to the Privy Council of 26 Jun 1551, Greenwich, 2 Jul 1551.
• ff. 449v-450r: Instructions to Sir William Pickering, gentleman of the Privy Chamber, sent as Ambassador Resident to the French King, 30 Jun 1551.ff. 450v-451v: Instructions to Sir Henry Sidney, one of the chief gentlemen of the Privy Chamber, sent as ambassador to the King of France, Dec 1552, with addition to the instructions, ff. 451v-452r.
• ff. 452r-454v: Instructions to Dr Nicholas Wotton, Dean of Canterbury and York, Sir William Pickering, Ambassador Resident to the King of France, and Sir Thomas Chaloner on mission to the French King,[2 Apr 1553].
• ff. 454v-455v: Letter of King Edward VI to Sir William Pickering upon the return of Sir Henry Sidney's message, Westminster, 4 Feb 1553.ff. 457r-461r: Letter of Sir William Paget and Sir Philip Hoby, respectively special and ordinary ambassadors to the Emperor Charles V, to Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, Lord Protector, 24 Jun 1549.
• ff. 461r-464v: Letter of Sir William Paget and Sir Philip Hoby, respectively special and ordinary ambassadors to the Emperor Charles V, to Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, Lord Protector, 12 Jul 1549.
• ff. 465r-466r: Extract of a letter of William Parr, Marquess of Northampton and named others, ambassadors in France sent to treat of a marriage between King Edward VI and Elizabeth, daughter of the French King, to the Privy Council, 'Chateau Bryan', Jun 1551.
• ff. 466r-468r: Extract of a letter of William Parr, Marquess of Northampton and named others, ambassadors in France sent to treat of a marriage between King Edward VI and Elizabeth, daughter of the French King, to the Privy Council, 'Chateau Bryan', 26 Jun 1551.
• ff. 479r-484r: Letter of Dr Nicholas Wotton, Sir William Pickering and Sir Thomas Chaloner, [1] May 1553, Passy.
• ff. 491r-v: Instructions to Sir Richard Shelley, sent as special ambassador to Ferdinand, King of the Romans, 11 Dec 1557. So dated: properly 1553? In margin described as instructions for an ambassador sent on some special purpose.
• ff. 491v-492v: Instructions to John Russell, 1st Earl of Bedford, and Thomas Radcliffe, Lord Fitzwater, sent as ambassadors to Philip, Prince of Spain, 12 Mar 1554. Noted in the margin as like instructions (for a special embassy).
• f. 492v: A commission of Queen Mary I to Sir Thomas Cornwallis and Sir Robert Bowes to treat with the Scottish commissioners (in Latin), with instructions for the same, ff. 492v-493v.
• ff. 493v-494r: Instructions to Sir Thomas Chaloner to treat with Mary of Guise, Queen Dowager of Scots, 1555. Noted as instructions for a special ambassador.
• ff. 494v-495v: Memorial of certain matters committed to Thomas Randolph, sent to Mary Queen of Scots, 20 Aug 1563.
• ff. 495v-497r: Memorial of certain matters sent to Thomas Randolph, sent to Mary Queen of Scots, 17 Nov 1563.
• ff. 497v-499r: Memorial of certain matters sent to Thomas Randolph, sent to Mary Queen of Scots, 4 Oct 1564.
• ff. 499v-503r: Memorial for Henry Killigrew, sent as envoy to Mary, Queen of Scots, 15 Jun 1566. The instructions mention how an MP has been punished for a book written three years ago by long imprisonment [John Hales's book in favour of the match between Lady Katherine Grey and Edward Seymour, Earl of Hertford]. Beside this passage Beale himself has written, 'Oh poore John Hales' (f. 502r).
• ff. 503v-504r: Instructions for Henry Killigrew touching the troubles, and pacification thereof, of Scotland, [Aug 1572].
• ff. 504v-505r: Instructions given to Henry Killigrew being presently sent into Scotland, 22 May 1574.
• ff. 505r-506v: Instructions to Henry Killigrew sent as ambassador to France whilst Walsingham is absent from the French Court recovering his health, [19 Oct 1571].
• ff. 506v-508v: Instructions of Queen Elizabeth I to Henry Killigrew, sent into Germany ['Almaine'] to Frederick IV, Elector Palatine, 26 Jan 1569.
• ff. 509r-511v: Instructions of Queen Elizabeth I to Francis Walsingham, sent as ambassador to the King of France, 12 Aug 1570. With Sir William Cecil's name at the foot. All the letters and instructions subsidiary to this, to ff. 514v-515r, are treated as one item in the volume.
• ff. 511v-512r: Letter of Sir William Cecil to Francis Walsingham, Chenies, 13 Aug 1570.
• f. 512r: Letter of Francis Walsingham to Sir William Cecil, London, 13 Aug 1570.
• ff. 512r-v: Letter of Queen Elizabeth I to Francis Walsingham, Penley, 15 Aug 1570.
• ff.512v-513v: Letter of Francis Walsingham to Sir William Cecil, touching his negotiation with the French King, Paris, 29 Aug 1570.
• ff. 513v-514v: Letter of Francis Walsingham to Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, Paris, 29 Aug 1570. The heading has been transcribed by Beale's scribe as 'The Copy of my l[ett]re to therle of Leicester'.
• f. 514v: Letter of Francis Walsingham to Sir William Cecil, n.d. [29 Aug - 7 Sep 1570].
• ff. 514v-515r: Letter of Queen Elizabeth I to Francis Walsingham, Rycote, 7 Sep 1570.
• ff. 515r-521v: Letter and instructioons of Queen Elizabeth I to Sir Henry Norris, sent as Ambassador resident to the King of France, Hampton Court, 23 Feb 1570. So dated in the transcript. But other sources correct to 23 Feb 1570. Beale notes the letter, 'Her l[ett]re to Sir Henry Noreis: touching the Quene of Scottes'.
• ff. 522r-523v: Instructions of Queen Elizabeth I to Francis Walsingham, sent as our Ambassador Resident to the King of France, 10 Dec 1570.
• ff. 524r-528r: Instructions of Elizabeth I to Sir Thomas Smith, to Francis Walsingham (ordinary ambassador), and in Walsingham's absence Henry Killigrew, Ambassadors to France, Westminster, 13 Feb 1572.
• ff. 528r-532v: Instructions of Queen Elizabeth I to Edward Fiennes de Clinton, Earl of Lincoln, Lord Admiral, sent as ambassador to France and to be assisted there by Sir Thomas Smith and Francis Walsingham, 25 May 1552.
• ff. 532v-535r: Instructions to William Somerset, 3rd Earl of Worcester, Hampton Court, 11 Jan 1573. Sent on a mission to France.
• ff. 535v-541v: Memorial signed by Queen Elizabeth I of the matters to be treated of at the colloquy at Bruges between the commissioners of the Queen, Anthony Browne, 1st Viscount Montague, Nicholas Wotton and Walter Haddon, and the commissioners of the King of Spain, Westminster, 11 Mar 1565.
• ff. 542r-545r: Instructions for Sir Henry Cobham, sent Ambassador to the King of Spain, 1 Jul 1575.
• ff. 545r-547r: Instructions to John Hastings, sent at Ambassador into Holland as Ambassador to William I (the Silent), Price of Orange, 29 Oct 1575.
• ff. 547v-550v: Instructions to Robert Corbet, sent at Ambassador to Luis de Requesens, Commendator of Castile, Governor of Flanders, 29 Oct 1575.
• ff. 550v-552r: Instructions to William Davison, sent as Ambassador into the Low Countries, 29 Mar 1576.
• ff. 553r-555v: Instructions to Thomas Randolph, sent as special ambassador to France, 2 Apr 1576.
• ff. 555r-556r: Instructions to William Herle on his mission to Hamburg: A private memorial given to his by the Queen., 16 Aug. 1563. The instructions are ff. 555r-v, followed by 'A computation of the benefit and charges of money to be taken upp in Germanye', ff. 555v-556r.
• ff. 556r-557r: Instructions to Sir Thomas Gresham sent to Antwerp touching payment of the Queen's debts, 20 Dec 1563.
• f. 557v: Instructions to Sir Thomas Gresham sent to Antwerp touching prolongation of certain of the Queen's debts, 22 Feb 1567.
• f. 558r: Instructions to Rowland Fox on his mission to Antwerp and Cologne, 12 Nov 1575.
• ff. 558v-559v: Instructions for those that shall take up money in Germany for the Queen, 26 May 1576.
• ff. 559v-560r: A commission for taking up money in Germany, to Robert Coleshill, Christopher Hudson and Edward Castelin, Greenwich, 20 May 1576. In Latin.
• f. 560r: Safe conduct for Robert Coleshill, Christopher Hudson and Edward Castelin, Greenwich, 20 May 1576. In Latin
• ff. 560r-561r: Form of obligation upon Robert Coleshill, Christopher Hudson and Edward Castelin. In Latin.
• ff. 561r-v: Form of obligation upon the City of London, 18 Elizabeth (1575-1576). In Latin.
• ff. 562r-563v: Instructions of Queen Elizabeth I to Armagil Waad [Wade], as Ambassador to Adolf I, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp, 15 Apr 1559.

ff. 566r-625v: R. Instructions for the Lords President of York [the Council of the North] and [the Council of] Wales, and the Governor of Berwick.

• f. 566r: Heading.
• ff. 567r-577r: Instructions to Sir Henry Sidney, Lord President, and other members of the Council of Wales, with the oath to be administered to members by the Lord President, Jun 1564,ff. 577r-578r.
• ff. 579r-588v: Instructions to Henry Hastings, 3rd Earl of Huntingdon, Lord President, and other members of the Council in the North, [May 1574].
• ff. 596r-597v: Instructions to Francis Russell, 2nd Earl of Bedford as Warden of the East Marches and Governor of Berwick, 27 Feb 1564, followed (ff. 598r-603r).
• ff. 603v-604v: Headed, Certain articles for the observation of the former establishment , but in a second heading in the margin, The new establishment at my Lord of Bedford's command, beginning from 25 Mar 1564.
• ff. 605r-609v: The ancient statutes of the town and castle of Berwick, ratified by Queen Elizabeth I, 1 Oct 1560.
• ff. 613r-619v: Orders agreed with the Commissioners of Scotland for the government of the Marches, 23 Sep 1563. The heading is in the hand of Robert Beale.

ff. 626r-663v: S: Ireland.

• f. 626r: Heading.
• ff. 627r-630r: Instructions to Sir Anthony St Leger, Lord Deputy, and [named] members of the Council of Ireland, [Jul 1550].
• ff. 630v-634v: Instructions to Sir William Drury, Chief Justice of Ireland, and Sir William Gerard, Lord Chancellor of Ireland, [29] May 1578.
• ff. 635v-637v: Some notes of instructions given by King Henry VIII to Sir William Skeffington [Aug 1529], whereof mention is made in former instructions. the heading is in Beale's hand.
• ff. 638r-641r: Instructions to Sir Henry Sidney, Lord Deputy of Ireland, 2 Aug 1575.
• ff. 641r: Minute to Sir William Fitzwilliam, Lord Deputy of Ireland, for his revocation and delivering up the government to Sir Henry Sidney, 2 Aug 1575.
• f. 643r: Commission appointing of Sir William Fitzwilliam, Treasurer at War in Ireland, as Lord Justice in Ireland in the absence as Lieutenant there of Thomas Radcliffe, 3rd Earl of Sussex, [20 Dec 1561].

ff. 664r-674v: T. Orders in certain matters taken up and determined by the Lords of the Council. These are extracts from the Privy Council Registers for 1574-1576. The entries open with the Privy Councillors present to her the issue.

• f. 664r: Heading.
• ff. 665r-v: Hearing and order of the Privy Council between Henry Middlemore, Groom of the Privy Chamber, and the Merchants of the Steelyard concerning the importation of bow staves, Star Chamber, 6 Feb 1574.
• ff. 666r-667r: Hearing and order of the Privy Council between William Glasier, Vice-Chamberlain of County Palatine of Chester and the City of Chester, Greenwich, 9 Apr 1574.
• ff. 668r-v: Hearing and order of the Privy Council touching William Wilde's attempt to excuse Worcester from the jurisdiction of the Council of the Marches of Wales, Star Chamber, 13 May 1574.
• ff. 669r-v: Orders of the Privy Council for the government of the Inns of Court, Greenwich, 31 May 1574.
• ff. 670r-v: Orders of the Privy Council concerning the fees of the Clerks of the Council, St James, 4 Apr 1575.
• ff. 671r-674r: Orders of the Privy Council concerning disputes between the University and City of Oxford, Greenwich, 12 May 1575.
• ff. 674r-v: Order of the Privy Council concerning complaints made by their tenants made against the Dean and Chapter of Durham, Greenwich, 21 May 1576.