Stowe MS 161

HISTORICAL TRACTS and papers; tempp . Elizabeth and James I.

1. " A coppie of the last instructions which y^e Emperour Charles the Vth gave to his sonne Phillipp before his death. Translated out of Spanishe " [by Lord Henry Howard, cr. Earl of Northampton 1604]. This is followed by the translator's letter presenting his work to Queen Elizabeth, in the hopes of obtaining a return of her favour. The original Spanish was published by Sandoval in his Life of Charles V. in 1634; the translation has never been printed, but other MS. copies (with some verbal variations) exist in Stowe MS. 95, and Harley MSS. 836, 1506 (incomplete). ff. 3, 24.

2. "The Revolucion of the five periods of 500 yeares": a short treatise showing that important crises have occurred about the end of each cycle of 500 years, beginning from Brute the Trojan (circ. 1000 B.C.) and ending with the reign of Elizabeth. f. 28.

3. Memoir, for consideration of the Queen and her Ministers, on the proposal that she should accept the offer of the sovereignty of the Low Countries, advising that no such decisive step should be taken; [1584-1585]. f. 32.

4. " The coppie of a letter sent from the great Turck [Amurath III.] to y^e Queene's Maiestie in ano: 1590," stating that he has abandoned his intended attack on Poland at her request, and is prepared to join in attacking Spain. f. 35.

5. " The suddaine and evill digested opinions of some, whoe are committed to the censure of farr more worthie spiritts, touching the peace, or rather agreement, supposed to have bin offered unto hir Ma^tie by the king of Spaine ": a memoir on the state of the war, especially with reference to the Low Countries, and advising the continuance of it; [1597-1598]. Perhaps by Sir Robert Sydney, Governor of Flushing. f. 37.

6. " An Answer made by command of prince Henry [of Wales] to certain propositions of warr and peace, delivered to his highnes by some of his millitary servants," the writer urging the disadvantages of war in general; [1603-1612]. In the same hand as the preceding, and paged continuously with it. f 65.

7. " Fragmenta Regalia, or Observations on Queene Elizabeth, her tymes and favorites," by Sir Robert Naunton. Written circ. 1630, and first printed in 1641. f 157. Paper; ff. 211. With book-plate of Algernon Capell, Earl of Essex, 1701. Folio.

Algernon Capell, 2nd Earl of Essex: Book-plates.

Bookplates: Capell (Algernon), Earl of Essex: 1701.

includes:

• f. 3 Charles V; Emperor of Germany: Discourse on his resignation: 17th cent.
• ff. 3, 24 Elizabeth I of England: Translation of Charles V.'s discourse, dedicated to: 17th cent.
• ff. 3-27 Philip II of Spain: Instructions to, from his father, the Emperor Charles V.: 1556.: Engl. transl.
• ff. 3-27 Henry Howard, Earl of Northampton: Discourse of Charles V. to his son Philip II., translated by: 17th cent.
• ff. 28-31 History, Ancient and General: The revolution of the five periods of 500 years (from Brute to Elizabeth): 16th cent.
• ff. 32-34 Political Tracts: Memoir on the question of the sovereignty of the Low Countries: [1584-85].
• ff. 32-34 Netherlands, United Provinces: Memoir against the acceptance of the sovereignty by Queen Elizabeth: 1584-1585.
• ff. 35, 36 Turkey, Sultans of. AMURATH III: Letter to Queen Elizabeth, stating his readiness to join in attacking Spain: 1590.: Copy.
• ff. 35, 36 Elizabeth I of England: Letter to, from Amurath III., of Turkey: 1590.: Copy.
• ff. 37-64 Sir Robert Sydney, afterwards Viscount Lisle and Earl of Leicester: Memoir by (?), on the state of the war with Spain, [1597-1598]: 17th cent.
• ff. 37-64 Elizabeth I of England: Memoir on the state of the war with Spain, [1597-1598]: 17th cent.
• ff. 65-156 Henry, Princes of Wales: An answer made by his command to certain propositions of war and peace: [1603-1612].
• ff. 157-211 Sir Robert Naunton, Secretary of State: Fragmenta Regalia: 17th cent.