Add MS 48063

COLLECTION OF TRACTS, ETC.; 15th cent.-1623, n.d. Latin and English. Some copies and drafts.

1. ff. 4-11b. Treatise by Sir John Fortescue against the title of Edward IV to the throne of England; [1461-1463?] Latin. Copy. Probably written while Fortescue was exiled in Scotland with Henry VI. Printed from the present unique manuscript under the title 'De Titulo Edwardi Comitis Marchiae' as an addendum in The Works of Sir John Fortescue . . . , ed. Thomas, Lord Clermont, 1869, i, pp. 61*-90*.

2. ff. 12-26b. 'Castra Regia' or 'The Kinges Castell', a tract on the succession by Roger Edwards al. Edwardes, with a prefatory letter to Elizabeth I;

10 Kal. Jan., i.e. 23 Dec. 1568. Copy. For another copy see Harley MS. 6243, ff. 6b-16. Printed from a copy in the State Paper Office in Historical Papers I, ed. P. Bliss and B. Bandinel, Roxburghe Club, 1846, pp. i-iii,

1-40. See SPD 1547-1580, pp. 332-333.

3. ff. 28-57b. 'How the Kings of England have supported and repaired their Estates without Parlaments', by Sir Robert Cotton; 1610-1611. Copy. For other copies of this text see: Hargrave MS. 311, ff. 62-77; Harley MSS. 304, ff. 99-10lb and 1858, ff. 70-95. For the dating of this item, see Harley MS. 304, f. 99b, where the tract is dated in Cotton's autograph, 'Anno 8 Jacobi Regis for the Earl of Northampton', and K. Sharpe, Sir Robert Cotton, 1979, pp. 121-122. Printed in Cottoni Posthuma, pp. 161-200, where the item is dated 1609.

4. ff. 60-64b. Tracts, etc., on the office of Earl Marshal; mid 16th cent. Printed from two separate sources in C. Howard, Historical anecdotes of some of the Howard family, 1769, pp. 138-163. For another 16th cent. copy see Add. 15091, ff. 22b-35. As follows: (a) 'The manner and usage of Gylbert de Strogell Marshall of England'. The text refers to the coronation of Henry II: Gilbert fitz Gilbert, 1st Earl of Pembroke, Baron Striguil, in fact d.1149. For a French version of the text in a 15th-cent. MSS. see Add. 32097, ff. 40-42 and Cotton MS. Vitellius C.IV, ff. 134b-135b (imperfect at end). ff. 60-63; (b) Ordinance of Henry VIII 'for the office and due attendaunce of the Knyght Marshall'; 17 Hen. VIII [1525-1526]. See Add. 15091, f. 4b. ff. 63-63b; (c) ' . . . the manner and custome of the usages of Thomas Brotherton . . . in the office of the Marshalsey'. Thomas of Brotherton, 1st Earl of Norfolk, was created Marshal in 1316. ff. 63*-64b.

5. ff. 65-74b. Two tracts written by Dr John Hammond; c. 1583. A memorandum by Beale, f. 65, states that 'Mr. D. Hamond' composed the discourses at the request of Burghley before the publication of 'Iustitia Britannica', i.e. Burghley's The Execution of Iustice in England, 1583: the Latin version of this work was printed in 1584. (a) 'The Popes excommunications of Christian princes unlawfull'. ff. 65-70b; (b) 'What resistaunce hath beene made or defence used by christen princes againste the Popes excommunications'. ff. 70b-74b.

6. ff. 77-87b. Part of a defence prepared by Cuthbert Bainbrigg and Francis Johnson, fellows of Christ's College, Cambridge, of their refusal to take the oath ex officio mero; 12 March 1589. Copy. Bainbrigg and Johnson were imprisoned for preaching offences in January 1589 and refused to take the oath. The full text of the original defence occurs in Lansdowne MS. 61, ff. 25-35b, material in the present MS. beginning on f. 28. See H. C. Porter, Reformation and reaction in Tudor Cambridge, 1958, pp. 157-163.

7. ff. 89-98b. Collection of tracts, etc. Copies, 17th cent. As follows: (a) Discourse addressed to James I from the Privy Council on means of improving the revenues; 1605. The date is suggested by the composition of the list of councillors, ff. 94-94b. For another copy of this tract see Cotton MS. Titus B.IV, ff. 253-255b. ff. 89-94b; (b) 'The opinion of the Antient Doctors of the Lawe', whether a prince may authorize the detention of the body and goods of the subject of a foreign prince in reprisal for wrongs suffered by his own subjects'; aft. 1585. The text refers to the fall of Antwerp, f. 96b. ff. 94b-98; (c) Letter from Elizabeth I to Christopher, Duke of Württemberg, with appended notes; 27 Jan. 1564. SPF 1564-1565, no. 1779. ff. 98-98b.

8. ff. 99-117. 'A reconsiliacion made betwene the Kinge, and his Subjectes, touchinge the demaund of his right in oued debtes, and landes . . . '; aft. 1610. Copy. The tract relates to the administration of the revenues and reform of the Exchequer. The text refers to the attack on Sir Stephen Proctor in the parliamentary sessions of 1610 (f. 117). For other copies see: Add. MSS. 11764, ff. 101-119b and 25250, ff. 9-29; Cotton MS. Titus B.IV, ff. 2-18b; Stowe MS. 302, ff. 16-37b (imperfect).

9. ff. 119-150. 'The Courte of the Exchequer'; temp. James I. For another copy of this tract see Hargrave MS. 168, ff. 219-264.

10. ff. 151-187. 'Of the lately erected service called the Office of Compositions for Alyenations', by William Lambarde; 1598-1601. Copy. Formerly ascribed to Francis Bacon, the work was printed from a MS. in the Inner Temple Library in The works of Francis Bacon, ed. B. Montagu, xiii, 1831, pp. 364-385. The text was originally composed in Oct. 1590, and enlarged in Nov. 1595: J. Spedding, The letters and the life of Francis Bacon, ii, 1862, pp. 120-121; Cotton MS. Tiberius B.IV, ff. 197-216. The version in the present MS., like that of the printed edition, contains amendments made to the text after the death of Burghley in 1598. For further copies of the text see Harley MS. 4889, ff. 77-107 and Stowe MS. 422, ff. 83-107b.

11. ff. 189-201b. 'A Councell geaven': address to Elizabeth I relating to foreign affairs and internal security; [early autumn 1569?]. Draft. Reference is made to the embassy from the Duke of Alva to England, Jan.-March 1569 (f. 193), to a letter sent by the Queen 'this last summer' (f. 195b). Marginal notes in Beale's hand are probably of later date.

12. ff. 202-218. Collection of tracts. Copies, aft. 1617. As follows: (a) 'The Parley at Essex house betweene the Earles of Essex and Southampton and Sir Robert Sidnye . . . '; 8 Feb. 1601. An account of the attempt of the Earl of Essex to raise the City on 8 Feb. 1601, and in particular the attack on Essex House in the evening and the negotiations of Sir Robert Sidney with Essex and Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton. For another copy, see Sloane MS. 1856, ff. 10-13b. ff. 202-204; (b) Arraignment of the Earls of Essex and Southampton; 19 Feb. 1601. Printed with minor textual variations in State Trials, i, 1333-1358. ff. 204-214b; (c) Discourse in the form of a letter addressed to Sir Edward Coke, criticising Coke's conduct; Dec. 1616. Copy, 1617. See SPD 1611-1618, p. 415. Formerly ascribed to Bacon, under whose name the tract was printed in Cabala, pp. 86-89. The present MS. bears a postscript (f. 218) not in the printed version. The item is discussed in Spedding, op. cit., vi, 1872, pp. 121-129, where the ascription to Bacon is refuted. For other copies of this text see: Add. MSS. 29975, ff. 31-34b and 40838, ff. 1-5; Cotton MS. Titus C.VII, ff. 23-26b. ff. 215-218.

13. ff. 219-220. Letter from Pope Gregory XV to Charles, Prince of Wales; 20 April n.s. 1623. Latin. Copy. Printed under the title The Popes Letter to the Prince . . . , London, 1623. For other copies of the Latin version, see Add. MSS. 14043, ff. 274b-276 and 28640, ff. 149b-150b.

14. ff. 221-226. 'An answere to certaine argumentes raised from suposed antiquytie and practise, by some memberes of the Lower house of parlyment to proue that Ecclesiasticall lawes ought to be enacted by temporall men', by Sir Robert Cotton; [24 Feb.-March 1606?]. Printed in Cottoni Posthuma, pp. 205-217. For other copies of the text see: Add. 26634, ff. 45-48b; Cotton MS. Titus F.IV, ff. 174-175b; Egerton MS. 3378, ff. 10-14; Harley MSS. 3142, ff. 64-67 and 6849, ff. 268-272b. Probably delivered as a speech in the Commons by Cotton, and afterwards presented to James I, see The Parliamentary Diary of Robert Bowyer 1606-1607, ed. D. H. Willson, 1931, p. 52, n.2, and Harley MS. 6849, f. 268.

15. ff. 227-232b. Discourse outlining a project for peace between England, Spain and other parts of Christiandom; summer 1588. Copy, aft. 1621, see art. 16 below. The tract refers to the peace commission to Ostend, Feb.-May 1588 (f. 228), and discusses possible alliance with Turkey against Spain.

16. ff. 233-236b. Discourse on territorial gains made by Spain and Austria in Western Europe since the death of Henry IV of France; c. 1622. Copy, in the same hand as art. 15 above. Composed apparently by a Frenchman, see f. 235b, 'Wee French men must not be angrey . . . '. For the date of composition, see reference to Nov. 1621, f. 234b.

17. ff. 238-251b. 'An apollogie of the Earle of Essexe against those which falsely and malitiously taxe him to be the only hindraunce of the peace and quiett of his countrye 1598', addressed to Anthony Bacon. Copy. Printed under the title An Apologie of the Earle of Essex, 1603. Previously printed in 1600 but suppressed, see A. Collins, Letters and memorials of state, 1746, ii, p. 193. For other copies of this tract see: Add. MSS. 4128, ff. 29-42b, 4129, ff. 1-15, 5495, ff. 8-15b and 38137, ff. 161-172b; Harley MS. 405, ff. 36-41; Sloane MS. 1132, ff. 15-25b; Stowe MS. 275, ff. 1-12.

18. ff. 253-260. John Keymer: Observations on trade and commerce; 1620. Copy. The version with introductory address as printed from a MS. in Edinburgh University Library in Original papers regarding trade in England and abroad drawn up by John Keymer . . . , ed. M.F. Lloyd Prichard, 1967. Apparently presented to James I in 1620, see Lloyd Prichard, p. 23, where dated copies in the PRO are cited. For other copies of this version of the text see: Cotton MS. Titus B.V, ff. 231-234b; Harley MSS. 5111, ff. 36-42b and 6273, ff. 151-163; Lansdowne MSS. 216,

ff. 133b-144, 798, ff. 78-104b and 811, ff. 7-16; Sloane MS. 2179, ff. 24-31b. Formerly ascribed to Sir Walter Ralegh, the tract was first printed in 1653 under the title Sir Walter Raleigh's Observations touching Trade & Commerce with the Hollander and other Nations. For another version of the text see Add. 48155, art. 7.

19. ff. 261-262b. Letter from the Privy Council to the sheriffs of certain coastal counties ordering them to prepare against Spanish naval attack; Greenwich, 25 May 1574. Draft. Heading in Beale's autograph, f. 261.

20. ff. 263-264b. Letter from the Privy Council to Sir William FitzWilliam, Lord Deputy of Ireland, relating to defence against possible Spanish attack; Greenwich, 25 May 1574. Draft. Heading in Beale's autograph, f. 263.

Paper; ff. ii + 267 + 63*. 17th-cent. foliation throughout. Folio. Late XVI-early XVII centt. Letter from Thomas, 1st Baron Clermont, to Lord Calthorpe concerning transcription of art. 1; 28 June 1871 (ff. i-ii). Vellum binding: numbered '69' on spine, which bears traces of label.

Elizabeth I of England: Papers of R. Beale, Clerk of the Council: 16th cent.

Robert Beale, Clerk to the Privy Council: Correspondence and papers.

includes:

• ff. i-ii Thomas Fortescue Clermont, 1st Baron Clermont: Letter to Lord Calthorpe: 1871.
• ff. 4-11b Sir John Fortescue, Chief Justice of the King's Bench: On the title of Edward, Earl of March, to the English throne: 1461-1463 (?): Lat: Copy, 17th cent.
• ff. 12-26b Roger Edwards, alias Edwardes: `Castra Regia' or `The Kinges Castell': 1568: Copy.
• ff. 28-57b Sir Robert Bruce Cotton, 1st Baronet; antiquary: How the Kings of England have supported and repaired their estates without Parliaments: 1610-1611: Copy.
• ff. 60-63 Ceremonials: Usage of Gilbert de Striguil as Marshall of England: 16th cent: Copy.
• ff. 60-63 Gilbert Fitz Gilbert, 1st Earl of Pembroke; Baron Striguil: Usage of, as Marshall: 16th cent: Copy.
• ff. 63-63b Henry VIII of England: Ordinance for the office of Marshall: 1525-1526: Copy.
• ff. 63*-64b Thomas of Brotherton, 1st Earl of Norfolk: Usage of, as Marshall: 16th cent: Copy.
• ff. 63*-64b Ceremonials: Usage of Thomas of Brotherton as Marshall: 16th cent: Copy.
• ff. 65-70b, 70b-74b John Hammond, LL.D: Tracts against papal excommunication of princes: circa 1583.
• ff. 77-87b Cuthbert Bainbrigg, fellow of Christ's College, Cambridge: Defence prepared by: 1589: Copy.
• ff. 77-87b Francis Johnson, fellow of Christ's College, Cambridge: Defence prepared by: 1589: Copy.
• ff. 89-94b James I of England: Discourse on the revenue addressed to, from the Privy Council: 1605: Copy.
• ff. 89-94b England; Privy Council: Discourse on the revenue: 1605: Copy.
• ff. 89-94b Revenue: Discourse on, by the Privy Council: 1605: Copy.
• ff. 94b-98 Law OF ENGLAND: Opinion on reprisals against foreigners: aft. 1585: Copy.
• ff. 98-98b Elizabeth I of England: Letter to the Duke of Würtemberg: 1564: Copy.
• ff. 98-98b Christopher; Duke of Württemberg: Letter to, from Qu. Elizabeth: 1564: Copy.
• ff. 99-117 Exchequer: Tract on, entitled `A reconsiliacion made betwene the Kinge and his subjectes': aft. 1610: Copy.
• ff. 119-150 Exchequer: On the Court of the Exchequer: temp. James I.
• ff. 151-187 William Lambarde, antiquary: On the Office of Compositions for Alienations: 1598-1601: Copy.
• ff. 189-201b Elizabeth I of England: Address to, on foreign affairs, etc.,: 1569(?): Draft.
• ff. 189-201b Political Tracts: Address to Elizabeth I on foreign affairs, etc.,: 1569(?): Draft.
• ff. 202-204 Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex: Account of the parlay at Essex House with Sir R. Sidney: 1601: Copy.
• ff. 202-204 Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton: Account of the parlay at Essex House with Sir R. Sidney: 1601: Copy.
• ff. 202-204 Robert Sidney, 1st Earl of Leicester: Account of the parlay of at Essex House, with Lord Essex and Lord Southampton: 1601: Copy.
• ff. 204-214b Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex: Arraignment of: 1601: Copy.
• ff. 204-214b Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton: Arraignment of: 1601: Copy.
• ff. 215-218 Sir Edward Coke, Lord Chief Justice: Discourse addressed to: 1616: Copy.
• ff. 219-220 Charles I of England: Letter to, from Pope Gregory XV: 1623: Lat: Copy.
• ff. 219-220 Gregory XV; Pope: Letter to the Prince of Wales: 1623: Lat: Copy.
• ff. 221-226 Sir Robert Bruce Cotton, 1st Baronet; antiquary: Answer to arguaments on the enactment of ecclesiastical law: 1606(?): Copy.
• ff. 227-232b Political Tracts: Project for peace: 1588: Copy, 17th cent.
• ff. 233-236b Political Tracts: On Spanish and Imperial territorial gains: circa 1622: Copy.
• ff. 238-251b Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex: Apology of: 1598: Copy.
• ff. 253-260 John Keymer: Observations on trade and commerce: c. 1617-1620: Copies.
• ff. 253-260 Trade and Commerce: Observations on, by J. Keymer: 1620: Copies.
• pp.253-260 John Keymer, alias Keymor; author: Tract rel. to trade: 17th cent.
• ff. 261-262b England; Privy Council: Letter to sheriffs of coastal counties: 1574: Draft.
• ff. 263-264b England; Privy Council: Letter to the Lord Deputy of Ireland: 1574: Draft.
• ff. 263-264b Sir William FitzWilliam, Lord Deputy of Ireland: Letter to, from the Privy Council: 1574: Draft.
• ff. 263-264b Ireland: Letter to the Lord Deputy from the Privy Council: 1574: Draft.