Stowe MS 181

HISTORY Of the negotiations of [John Digby] Earl of Bristol for the Spanish match between Prince Charles and the Infanta, 1611- 1626; together with an account of the charges afterwards brought against the Earl in respect of the same. Transcripts of the following particular documents, etc., are included:-

1. Letter from the Earl to James I, controverting the statement that before the arrival of Pr. Charles and Buckingham in Spain " all that had bine treated in the businesse of the match . . . was falshood and deceipt on the part of Spaine, and without anie intention of makinge and effecting anie such match"; [Mar.-Aug., 1623]. f 1.

2. The twenty interrogatories administered to the Earl, " about the 30 of June, 1624," by the Council at the King's command, with the Earl's replies. Printed in Lord Hardwicke's State Papers, 1778, vol. i. p. 494. f. 9.

3. The Earl's account of the progress of the negotiations from 1611 until the arrival of the Prince and Buckingham in Spain [March, 1623]. Printed in the Camden Miscellany, vol. vi., ed. S. R. Gardiner. f 30.

4. " A paper sent in a letter bearing date the 2 of February, 1624, from the Duke of Buck. to the Earle of Bristoll contayneing certaine propositions in which the Duke requireth that the said Earle would acknowledge"; with the Earl's reply. f. 51.

5. The Earl of Bristol to Lord Keeper Sir Thomas Coventry, on receiving an intimation from the latter not to use his writ of summons to Parliament; Sherborne, 12 Apr. 1626. f. 53 b.

6. The same, to [Edward] Lord Conway, Secretary of State, announcing his intention of coming to London; Sherborne, 12 Apr. 1626. f. 55.

7. The Earl's petition to the House of Lords to be heard in his defence; [-April, 1626]. f 56.

8. Speech of the Lord Keeper on the Earl's petition, 21 Apr. 1626; followed by the articles against the latter. f. 57.

9. The Earl's two speeches in the House of Lords, 6, 29 May, 1626; with his detailed replies to the articles, 19 May, 1626. ff. 64, 73 b, 85 b. Paper; ff. 127. xviith cent. With bookplate of Algernon Capell, Earl of Essex, 1701. Folio.

Philip II of Spain: Negotiations for the match between the Infanta and Charles, Prince of Wales: 1611-1626.

Charles I of England: Negotiations for his marriage with the Infanta: 1611-1626.

John Digby, Earl of Bristol: Negotiations for the Spanish match and subsequent charges against: 1611-1626.

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

includes:

• f. 1 James I of England: Correspondence with the Earl of Bristol: 1623, 1625.: Copies, 17th cent.
• f. 1 John Digby, Earl of Bristol: Letters to James I.: 1623, 1625.: Copies.
• f. 23 b John Digby, Earl of Bristol: Letter to Lord Keeper Coventry: 1626.: Copy.
• f. 51 George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham: Correspondence with Lord Bristol: 1624-1628.: Copies.
• f. 51 Thomas Coventry, 1st Baron Coventry: Letter to, from Lord Bristol: 1626.
• f. 55 John Digby, Earl of Bristol: Letter to Lord Conway: 1626.: Copy.
• f. 55 Edward Conway, 1st Viscount Conway; Secretary of State 1623: Correspondence with Lord Bristol: 1623, 1626.