Reference: Kent U1475, C/18/15A fol.178r-v
Citation: DCB/001/HTML/1410/008
Date: 6 June 1591
Note:
lettertext
fol.178r
Later Addition: Sir Thomas Bodley to William Lord Burghley
May it please your good L/ordship/ The bearer heerof John Minche, having served a long time in these countreys was taken prisoner by the Ennemy about 5 weekes past and brought presenty to Bolduc & from thence to Bruxels & last of all to Andwerpe. In the time of his imprisonment he had conference in Bruxels with one John Damport a Cheshire gentleman, and a Pensioner of the King of Spaine who seeming to bee weary of the Kinges service, and desirous to forsake the companie of the Englishe fugitives discovered his minde to this bearer, and willed him without all delay to repaire into England, & there notefie speedily that there were certain Englishmen in Bruxels which had a mischievous practise in hand upon her Majesties shippes. For the effecting wherof they had sent certaine mariners into England appareled like Burgers, which were addressed to a Duche mans house in St Katherins neere to the Towre, who bestoweth them in service in the foresaid shippes, with instruction to watche an opportunity to sett them on fire. The truthe heerof I knowe not otherwise but by his owne report, who as far as I can parceave hath no other proofe nor conjecture but by the speeches of John Damport; which also I knowe not how truly he avoucheth Nevertheles because hee offereth of him self to make this voyage, requiring nothing of mee but to give his meanes by a letter unto your L, or some other of my LL. to have accesse, I thought to write thus much by him, and to signifie heer unto him, that if by his travell and service the parties bee descried, hee wilbee well rewarded, otherwise I could make him no promise, not hee mighte not build upon it, for his onely good will, & this bare declaration to receave any recompense, and thus &c. Hage June 6 1591.Later Addition: Your Lordships &C Tho. Bodley
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