Harley MS 6992

ff. 1r–140v: Letters on state affairs from many prominent individuals, including Francis Walsingham, Richard Shelley, John Perrot, Thomas Smith and John Norreys, 1575–1580.

ff. 1r–2v: Original letter from Sir Thomas Smith, Secretary of State to the Lord Treasurer William Cecil Lord Burghley, 27 March 1575, Cannon Row.

ff. 3r–4v: Original letter from Secretary Francis Walsingham to Burghley, on Elizabeth's pleasure concerning the penal statutes, 11 May 1575.

ff. 5r–6v: Original letter from the Earl of Leicester to Burghley, about the nomination of Mr Townshend to be put into the grant for concealed wards, also thanking his Lordship for some stone to build his banquet house in his garden, 17 May 1575.

ff. 7r–8v: Copy of a letter from Sir Richard Shelley to Burghley, repeating what he had written to him seven years previously in justification of his allegiance, notwithstanding his religion and twenty two year absence from his country. He also remembers Burghley's speech upon burning a crucifix in the late queen's chapel, which he had honoured; of his being Turcopolier (a high order of the Order of St John of Jerusalem) and how he came to be styled Prior of England; his removal to Venice upon the invitation of the signory. He refused the King of Spain's pension; offered the Lord Oxford his house at Padua, and the like against his coming to Venice, and the reason why his Lordship declined them, May 1575, Venice.

ff. 9r–10v: Original letter from Leicester to Burghley, upon Elizabeth's signing the patent for concealed wards, 21 June 1575.

ff. 11r–12v: Original letter from Leicester to Burghley, on Elizabeth's entertainment at one of her houses on her progress, killing bucks with her bow, and delight in all the cheer other than the ale, which was as strong as malmsey, and thanking Burghley for his aid in procuring the aforementioned patent, 28 June 1575.

ff. 13r–14v: Original letter from Walsingham to Burghley, complaining about some letters to Scotland he had been forced to draw up, with so much choler that they were likely to danger the amity, 3 August 1575, Lichfield.

ff. 15r–16v: Original letter from Walsingham to Burghley, about Elizabeth avoiding Worcester on progress because of smallpox, and altering the time of the jousts; news of Mauvisier coming to England, and news from Ireland. 7 August 1575, Stafford.

ff. 17r–18v: Original letter from Sir John Perrot President of Munster to Burghley and Sir Walter Mildmay Under treasurer, of lands which he mortgaged to Mary I for £600 which he is willing to pay, 11 August 1575.

ff. 19r–20v: Original letter from Smith to Burghley, concerning Lord Hunsdon's being joined in commission with the Earl of Huntingdon President of the North to meet the Regent of Scotland, 15 August 1575, Worcester.

ff. 21r–22v: Original letter from Walsingham to Burghley, on the plans made for a match between Elizabeth and the Emperor's son, with her answer; her attitude towards marriage; his backwardness in recommending the puritan Mr Dering, despite wishing him to be preferred. He also reports news from France from Lord Cobham, and that the Earl of Kildare is forced to take the air in company of the Lord Keeper, 27 September 1575, Woodstock.

ff. 23r–24v: Original letter from Walsingham to Burghley, that Egremont Radcliffe, the Earl of Sussex's brother, who was in the recent rebellion, had been ordered to depart the realm, 8 November 1575, Windsor.

ff. 25r–26v: Original letter from Walsingham to Burghley, showing his dislike of Mr Dyer's book to dispense with some branches in statute about tanning of leather; also his mediation for Whettle, who had behaved valiantly in the army although he was now an offender, and of the marshal's office in the disposal of the Earl of Shrewsbury, 21 November 1575, Windsor.

ff. 27r–28v: Original letter from Walsingham to Burghley, on the Earl of Essex's return from Ireland, and Elizabeth's inviting him to court; her being informed that Sir John Gilbert was to apprehend (John) Stukeley today; thanks Burghley for inducing Elizabeth to consider his poor estate; matters at Genoa likely to be appeased, and France doubted by Cobham, etc., 18 November 1575, Windsor.

ff. 29r–30v: Original letter from Smith to Burghley, on the privy watch intended for rogues seven miles about London; of the Treasurer and Lord Keeper's letter, together with the proclamation for the prohibition of travelling with pistols, and who ought to be exempted, but is deferred until the meeting of a fuller board. 7 December 1575, Windsor.

ff. 31r–32v: Original letter from Walsingham to Burghley, on Elizabeth's recovery; accounts of money about the Lord Deputy, and that the same allowance will not be continued; the Lord President to change his place of residence in Ireland, and the articles against the Bishop of Ely, 8 December 1575, Windsor.

ff. 33r–34v: Original letter from Smith to Burghley, on the form of the proclamation for the prohibition of travelling with pistols to prevent robberies; Elizabeth's opinion of it; his opinion of it, and Sir Valentine Browne's accounts, and the complaints against him, 10 December 1575, Windsor.

ff. 35r–36v: Original letter in Latin from Johannes Sturm to Leicester, informing him that out of the account, which his friend Zoltherus had sent him, he might be informed of German affairs, and what related to Elizabeth and Smith, etc., and concludes with the hope that he will approve of his studies and labours, 20 March 1575, Northeim.

ff. 37r–38v: Original letter from Walter Earl of Essex to Burghley, complaining of his loss of honour and wealth, and Elizabeth's unkindness in not letting him return to Ireland, 17 April 1576, Durham House.

ff. 39r–40v: Original letter from Smith to Burghley, concerning his hindrance from business because of rheumatic inflammation on his tongue and throat; as a result, he would like Burghley to lend him a book he had formerly written about the value of the Roman coin compared with the English standard, with tables. 22 April 1576, Cannon Row.

ff. 41r–42v: Original letter from Smith to Burghley, reporting further on his health and the side effects of the medicine he takes; that he had spent two months, as it were, in taking up and laying down weapons to fight, but never came to handstrokes before, and compares himself to the Smith in Plato who desired medicine that would either speedily enable him to work for his family or kill him. He is sorry to hear of the Lord Oxford's comportment since his return, for the love he bears, because he was bred up in his house, and does not know what counsellors he had, etc. 25 April 1576, Cannon Row.

ff. 43r–44v: Original letter from Smith to Burghley, of Mr Williams the Lord Deputy's Secretary being sent here to be employed in England, and of retiring to his seat in Essex, to wait to see if he will recover or die, 2 May 1576, Cannon Row.

ff. 45r–46v: Original letter from Walsingham to Burghley, on the decline of the Prince of Orange's State, and the danger of him becoming prey either to Spain or France, 12 April 1576, Whitehall.

ff. 47r–48v: Original letter from Henry Earl of Northumberland to Burghley, asking him to mediate in a difference between himself and Leicester, 17 June 1576, Whitehall.

ff. 49r–v: Copy of a letter from the Earl of Sussex to Burghley, informing him about Elizabeth's preferences regarding the repair of St Paul's steeple, 28 June 1576, at court.

ff. 50r–51v: Original letter from Henry Earl of Huntingdon to Burghley, on the state of religion in the North, 12 September 1576, York.

ff. 52r–53v: Copy of a letter from Essex to Burghley, a little before his death, thanking him for his friendship, and recommending his son Hereford to him to be brought up in his household, until he is fit to travel, then desires that he is sent to the Palsgrave. He takes his leave, isolating himself from all worldly causes, 21 September 1576, Dublin.

ff. 54r–55v: Copy of a letter from Essex to Elizabeth, expecting not to live until the next day because of his infirmity, although it seems to be grief at the ruin of his estate and despair at Elizabeth's neglect which drove him to speak plainly to her, but gave offence instead of securing redress. He hopes for forgiveness, as he can offend no more, recommends his son to such places of his, as she will think him worthy of, and the Archbishop of Dublin to preferment in England. 21 September 1576, Dublin Castle.

ff. 56r–57v: Original letter from Walsingham to Burghley, that the expenses of the embassy seem to make Elizabeth waver in sending over Dr Wilson Ambassador to the Low Countries; the offence she took after she thought he had advised the Prince of Orange to arrest the merchants' ships. He establishes his innocence, and doubts that the Portuguese ambassador will not succeed here. 16 October 1576, Hampton Court.

ff. 58r–62v: The substance of Dr Wilson's instructions to the States of the Low Countries in order to compound the differences between them and the King of Spain; also of Sir John Smith's instructions to the King of Spain, and Mr Edward Horsey's instructions to Don John of Austria on the same business. This little book of eight pages in quarto was copied from the originals by Mr Strype; he observes that they seem to have been written by Walsingham. Dated October and November 1576.

ff. 63r–64v: Original letter from Walsingham to Burghley, on Elizabeth's reason for calling a grant in question relating to exchange, and his opposing the exchange as now in use being made a trade and a kind of usury, injurious to traffic, etc., 16 November 1576, Hampton Court.

ff. 65r–66v: Original letter from Walsingham to Burghley, to confer with the Queen's council about the reformation of apparel, and also concerning the abuses of the supersedeas (a writ that suspends the authority of a trial court to issue an execution on a judgment that has been appealed) at the common law. 14 January 1577, Hampton Court.

ff. 67r–68v: A copy of a letter from Henry Radclyffe to the Earl of Sussex, with news concerning the French Protestants, 15 January 1577, Portsmouth. In Strype's hand.

ff. 69r–70v: Original letter from Edmund Grindal Archbishop of Canterbury to the Earl of Sussex (Lord Chamberlain), with a note of the Lenten preachers at court, and that if any of them should fall sick, he has prepared others to supply their place, 30 January 1577, Lambeth.

ff. 71r–72v: Original letter from Henry Lord Abergavenny to Burghley, that Sir Walter Waller's men had resisted the constable, who served them with a warrant from the said lord and other justices; more on the great disorders in Kent, robberies and murders committed, and none taken, or if they malefactors are taken and committed by one Justice of the Peace, other Justices will bail them, etc., 8 April 1577, his house at Comfort.

ff. 73r–74v: Original letter from Secretary Thomas Wilson to Burghley, that the Spaniards where he is are a great cause of disturbance; of Don Juan's endeavour to make the Prince of Orange a Roman Catholic, and of Mr Thomas Copley's great interest with Don Juan, 5 April 1577, Brussels.

ff. 75r–76v: Original letter from Wilson to Burghley, upon the coming of the Viscount of Gaunt as ambassador, acquainting him with his instructions, and giving his own judgement upon them, 19 June 1577, Brussels.

ff. 77r–78v: Original letter from Leicester to Burghley, of the great quarrel that is likely to ensue between the Earl of Pembroke and the Marquess of Worcester, about the wardship of Probard. And if he comes from Buxton, he should not use the water any distance from the well, as his own brother has found it inconvenient. 16 August 1577.

ff. 79r–80v: Original letter from Walsingham to Burghley, on Elizabeth's resolution that Hatton should only pay £6000 for two years farm of the impost; news from France concerning the Treaty of Peace, 13 September 1577.

ff. 81r–82v: Original letter from Adam Loftus Archbishop of Dublin to Sussex, recommending the bearer to Mr Ambrose Furthe Master in Chancery of Ireland to his Lordship for the furtherance of his suit, 14 September 1577, Tallaght.

ff. 83r–84v: Original letter from Francis Earl of Bedford to Burghley, censuring the negligent dealings of the states; his allowance of £200 per annum to his son John Russell being as much as his father allowed him, though he had £1000 a year more coming in by his palaces; also to prevent the transportation of gold; of the Cornish matters against the papists, and praying he will further them to have a Protestant sheriff there this year. 25 October 1577, Exeter.

ff. 85r–86v: Original letter from Sir Philip Sidney to Leicester, desiring leave to be absent from court this Christmas, and recommending the case of a poor foreign musician in the postscript, 16 December 1577, Wilton.

ff. 87r–88v: Original letter from William Fleetwood to Sussex, rewarding Lewis Davies with a small matter towards keeping his Christmas for his ready services, and sending a basket of plate by a porter, 23 December 1577.

ff. 89r–v: Original letter from Sir Francis Knollys to Wilson, of the virtue of preventing danger, and if Elizabeth does not subject her own will and affections to the sound advice of open counsel, she will be utterly overthrown; that the avoiding of her danger consists in preventing the conquest of the Low Countries, the revolt of Scotland to the French and Mary Queen of Scots, and the growth of papists; and in comforting those who are her faithful subjects for conscience's sake. If Grindal is to be deprived, then the pride and practice of papists will start up, and her safety will sink down, praying that he will hide nothing in this letter from Elizabeth. 4 January 1578, Greys.

ff. 90r–91v: Original letter from Walsingham to Thomas Randolph, upon his going into Scotland as ambassador, under pretence of a compliment to the young king with a present of a fine sword or another curiosity, but the chief purpose of his errand is not expressed. 12 January 1578, Hampton Court.

ff. 92r–v: Original letter from John Aylmer Bishop of London to Sussex, about nominating bishops etc. who were to preach at court, 27 January 1578, London.

ff. 93r–94v: Original letter from Walsingham to Randolph, that upon the overthrow of the States camp it will be necessary to set forward as soon as he can, and that Elizabeth will stick at no money to assure herself of Scotland, 4 February 1578, Hampton Court.

ff. 95r–96v: Original letter from Walsingham to Randolph, with instructions for dealing with a certain person in Scotland, who can effect a league between both realms, and must be held as a wolf by the ear, etc., 21 February 1578, Hampton Court.

ff. 97r–99v: A copy of a letter from Thomas Randolph and Robert Bowes to the two secretaries, giving an account of their audience at Edinburgh with a character of the regent and the faction against him, last day in February 1577, Edinburgh.

ff. 100r–101v: Original letter from Walsingham to Randolph and Bowes, of the disturbances in Scotland, and deposing of the Regent; that the times require unity among them, and the profession of the gospel may not be interrupted, and desires the best affected to promote the same, 16 March 1578, from the Court.

ff. 102r–103v: Original letter from Leicester to Burghley, seemingly from Bath, with an account of how the waters agreed with him, 25 June 1578.

ff. 104r–105v: Original letter from Burghley to Randolph, inviting him to his house at Theobalds, 21 July 1578.

ff. 106r–107v: Original letter from Wilson to Leicester, of adjourning the term if the sickness continues, and of a cause between Sir Henry Young and Mr Hugh Smith, etc., 6 November 1578, Greenwich.

ff. 108r–109v: Original letter from Sir Walter Mildmay to Burghley, noting some passages to be objected against in the draft of Elizabeth's grant to Lord Mountjoy, 4 January 1579, London.

ff. 110r–111v: Original letter from Mr John Norreys to Leicester, concerning the wars in the Low Countries and that he would procure leave for some horsemen to come over, if the States should want them, etc., 13 March 1579, Antwerp.

ff. 112r–113v: Original letter from Leicester to Burghley, entreating him to persist in furthering the suit of his brother the Earl of Warwick; that the papists were never since Mary I's days in the jollity that they are now in England, etc., 20 October 1579, Kenilworth.

ff. 114r–115v: Original letter from Leicester to Burghley, under Elizabeth's displeasure for opposing her marriage with Monsieur, yet justifying the fidelity of his services to her for twenty years, 12 November 1579, Kenilworth.

ff. 116r–117v: Original letter from Wilson to Burghley, on Elizabeth signing a warrant for £500 for the discharge of the posts, her thinking it an excessive charge, and his arguments to justify the same, etc., 26 November 1579.

ff. 118r–119v: Original letter from Wilson to Burghley, with the bad news of Desmond's destroying Youghil in Ireland and of a fleet preparing in Spain against England or Ireland, and on Mr Monson being committed to the Fleet, 3 December 1579.

ff. 120r–121v: Original letter from Wilson to Burghley, about penning a letter of reproof to Dr Hutton Dean of York by Elizabeth's order, for his misbehaviour to Archbishop Sandys, and of Du Plessy's being sent hither by the King of Navarre, complaining of the cruelties of Montmorancy and Byron to the Protestants, etc. 31 May 1580, St Katherine's.

ff. 122r–v: Copy of a letter from Wilson to Sussex, on the examination of the Turwhittes in the Tower; sending back the Prince of Condé to Duke Casimir, and that Elizabeth will write to the French king in his favour; of events in Flanders and Spain, where the King is preparing either against Spain or Ireland, 28 June 1580. In Strype's hand.

ff. 123r–124v: Original letter from Walsingham to Burghley, on the good results from the ecclesiastical commission in Lancashire, and the forwardness of the Early of Darby therein, and the course to be taken with the lewd fellows sent over from Rome, 20 July 1580, at Court.

ff. 125r–126v: Original letter from Walsingham to Burghley, on the soldiers' allowance for their coat and conduct money; Mr Hawkins's advice for marching the new raised soldiers to the Isle of Wight, and there to be embarked, disliked by the Lord Admiral. News from Ireland of the disaffection there, and sending over the Lord Gray to be deputy there with 300 men. 21 July 1580, Barn Elms.

ff. 127r–128v: Original letter from Mr George Devereux to John Puckering Esquire of Lincoln's Inn, requesting him to further his election to the office of sheriff in the counties of Camarthen or Cardigan, 9 October 1580.

ff. 129r–130v: Original letter from Robert Earl of Essex to Puckering, thanking him for his advice to his uncle Devereux in the execution of the sheriff's office; for his favour to his servant, and requesting his recommendation of his uncle to the office again, 21 October 1580, Trinity College Cambridge.

ff. 131r–132v: Original letter from Huntingdon to Burghley on the jurisdiction within the bishopric of Durham, the abridgement of the council there and the bad results, 22 October 1580, York.

ff. 133r–134v: Mr Thomas Copley to Burghley, hoping that as he never entered into parties or conspiracies against Elizabeth, but has endured imprisonment for her and spoken largely in her honour, he will continue his good inclinations towards him, in order to restore him to the enjoyment of his effects and Elizabeth's reconciliation, 26 November 1580, Paris.

ff. 135r–136v: Original letter from Mr William Badger to Francis Mylles, on the execution of his office of bailiwick, and some accounts of money relating to it, 20 February 1580, Winchester.

ff. 137r–138v: Original letter from Devereux to Puckering, recommending David Lloyd Gruff ap Res, to be chosen in the Commission of the Peace in Carmarthen, 6 November 1580, Leicester House.

ff. 139r–140v: Original letter from Badger to Mylles, concerning the business and fees of his bailiwick, 20 November 1580.

ff. 141r–153v is a modern list of contents, followed by another unfoliated list of contents (two leaves).