Stowe MS 144

MISCELLANEOUS historical papers, viz.:-

1. Notes on the early history of France. ff. 1, 2.

2. Examination taken before John Cristmas and George Seyer, " bailliez," and Robert Leche and others, aldermen [of Colchester], of witnesses concerning scurrilous statements made by Nicholas Fox, tailor, about the first acquaintanceship between Queen Katharine, widow of Henry V. and grandmother to Henry VII., and Owyn Tedder [Owen Tudor], her second husband; [March, 1495]. ff. 3, 4, 100-102.

3. Proclamation of Richard Francke, Sheriff of Essex, for the apprehension of William and Patrick Ruthen [Ruthven], brothers of the Earl of Gowrie, for complicity with his plot to murder King James I.; 1603. With part of rough draft of the same. ff. 5, 6.

4. Speech of Lord Lucas in the House of Lords, before Charles II., on the expenditure of the nation, and advising a reduction of the supplies voted by the Commons; Feb. 1670. This speech was printed and published, and was ordered to be burnt by the common hangman. ff. 7-10.

5. Return of ships of the royal navy ordered to be built in 1677 and 1690, with details as to number of workmen, materials, etc., and computation of cost of building and fitting ships of each different class. ff. 11b, 12.

6. Papers relating to the period of the Popish Plot, especially to the episode of Fitzharris [1681], including an abstract (of which the first part is lost) of the course of events connected with the plot, with the proceedings connected with Fitzharris at greater length; letter to Dr. [Francis Hawkins, Chaplain of the Tower, who received Fitzharris' confession] from a friend, criticising his conduct in the matter; four copies (one complete, and one a draft with several corrections) of Dr. Hawkins' public vindication of his conduct; considerations on the security of the Protestant religion and preservation of His Majesty's person, with miscellaneous incomplete notes on these and kindred subjects. ff. 13-38.

7. Draft of a Bill of Indulgence to Dissenters ; [1679-1685]. ff. 39-42.

8. " A Catechism Chronological and Historical," 1693, divided into sections, on the Babylonish, Persian, Grecian [i.e. Macedonian], and Roman empires; with a Latin treatise on the chronology of the Roman empire. ff. 43-99. Paper; ff. 102. xvth-xviiith centt. Folio.

includes:

• ff. 1, 2 France General Chronicles and History, etc: Notes on the early history of France: 16th cent.
• ff. 3, 4, 100-102 Nicholas Fox, Tailor: Examination of statements made by him respecting Queen Katherine, widow of Henry V., and Owen Tudor: 1495: With transcript, 18th cent.
• ff. 5, 6 William Ruthven, brother of the Earl of Gowrie: Proclamation for his arrest, for complicity in a plot against James l.: 1603.
• ff. 5, 6 Patrick Ruthven, brother of the Earl of Gowrie: Proclamation for his arrest, for complicity in a plot against James I.: 1603.
• ff. 5, 6 Richard Francke, Sheriff of Essex: Proclamation for the arrest of William and Patrick Ruthven: 1603.
• f. 7 Charles Lucas, 2nd Baron Lucas: Speech in Parliament: 1671.
• ff. 7-10 England; Parliament: Speech of Lord Lucas on the expenditure of the nation: 1671.
• ff. 11 b, 12 Navy; England: Return of ships ordered to be built in 1677 and 1690.
• ff. 13-38 Charles II of England: Papers relating to the Popish Plot: 1681.
• ff. 14-38 Edward Fitzharris: Papers relating to his conspiracy: 1681.
• ff. 20-30 Francis Hawkins, DD, Chaplain of the Tower: Letter on his conduct in reference to the Popish plot, etc.: 1681.
• ff. 39-42 Nonconformists: Draft of a Bill of Indulgence to Dissenters: [1679-1685].
• ff. 43-99 History, Ancient and General: A Catechism, Chronological and Historical, on the Babylonish, Persian, Grecian and Roman empires: 1693.: Engl. and Lat.