Stowe MS 160

LETTERS of the Privy Council of the reign of Elizabeth. Copies. The first part (fF. 3-85) is apparently arranged in chronological order, covering the period from the last months of 1578 to March, 1580; but the exact dates are rarely given. The rest of the volume is not arranged chronologically; the letters are all dated and mostly belong to the years 1579-1581, but among them is one dated 29 May, 1574, relative to the guarding of the coasts (f. 112 b), another of 7 May, 1577, concerning uniformity of religious rites (f. 116), a letter of the Duke of Alva to the Pope, 21 Aug. 1556 (f. 116 b), and a paper of "Instructions touching the dealing with the French K. for Ma : Queen of Scots or for Elizabeth his daughter to marry with K. Ed: the 6," to which is appended a note on French and English dowries in former times (f 141b). The latest letters in the volume are two of December, 1582. Most of the letters in the second part refer to the affairs of Ireland; and very few of those in either part are mentioned in the Calendar of State Papers. Introductions, conclusions, signatures, etc., are omitted, only the bodies of the letters being given, with headings describing the contents. A table of contents is placed at the end. Paper; ff. 169. xviith cent. Belonged successively to John Anstis (f. 2), and to Tho. Astle, who has added a note (ff. 1 b, 2) on MSS. in the Cottonian and Harleian collections and in the State Paper Office containing proceedings of the Privy Council, tempp. Rich. II.-Chas. I. Folio.

Privy Council, The: Letters: temp. Elizabeth.: Copies, 17th cent.

John Anstis, heraldic writer and Garter King of Arms: Notices of ownership in.

includes:

• ff. 1 b, 2 Privy Council, The: Note by T. Astle on MSS. containing proceedings of: 18th cent.
• ff. 1 b, 2 Thomas Astle, ob. 1803: Notes on margins, etc.: 18th cent.
• f. 26 Sir Walter Ralegh, alias Raleigh; military and naval commander; author: Letter to Sir R. Carr on the latter's obtaining his lands: 1609.: Copy.
• ff. 86-169 passim Ireland: Letters of the Privy Council relating to: temp. Elizabeth.: Copies.
• f. 116 b Paul IV; Pope: Letter to, from the Duke of Alva: 1556: Copy, 17th cent.
• f. 116 b Ferdinand Alvarez de Toledo, Duke of Alva: Letter to the Pope: 1556.: Copy, 17th cent.
• f. 141 b Edward VI of England: Projects for his marriage: 17th cent.