Reference: Hatfield, MS 170/120
Citation: DCB/001/HTML/0677/008
Date: 14 March 1595
Note:
addressleaf
fol.121vAddressed: To the right honorable my very singular good Lord the Erle of Essex.
Endorsed: 14 March 94
Later Addition: Dr Birch's Memoirs Vol. 1 Page 291
lettertext
fol.120r
May it please your good L. that point being knowen, and told my by divers, of the Coronels secret charge, astouching the succor which he must re- quire, (albeit he himself doth conceale it alto- gether) I thought it convenient to signifie so muche unto my L. Tresurer, lest some other should prevent me, to whome perhaps in like maner the same intelli- gence might be given. For I finde it is advertised by divers out of Scotland, and namely from Sir William Keth, and Master Da[niel] Fowles, to the Ligger that is heere, who this very day came of purpose to tell me, that Stuart would communicat very litle unto him, but bare him still in hand, that he had very highe maters committed unto him by secret instruction: and me thinkes, saied he, to drawe some mony from the states, he would put them in head of I knowe not what policie, as if in their wisedom they were to take suche a course, as the king might acknowledge, that whatsoever great good he shall attaine unto heereafter, commeth onely of them and their assistance: and besides he pratled muche of the Q. of England, by way of extenuation of her princely beneficence towardes the King, with many shiftes and devises to bring his purpose to passe: in so muche as he told him, that if the King his master would be ruled by him, he should be able to bridle both the Queene and the States, and care for nether of bothe: but howe he meant it should be done, he could not signifie directly, unles it were by some accord with the forfeited Lordes. fol.120v
Moreover Stuart told him, that he was righte well assured, that her Majestie of purpose sent me hither to demande the remboursment of her monies, that it might be a barre to his request: wherein he made no doubt of obtaining his suite, if I had not come or had not put in their headdes, that it behooved them to deale with her Highnes advise: which was too great an in- dignitie to the K. his master, that he should not use the aide of his frindes, without the privitie and liking of the Q. of England. And this the Ligger hath told me with very special intreatie because it touched him neere, that I would knowe it, and not revele it, where his name might come in question: being very desirous, as by his speeches I could ga- ther, to accommodat every mater between her Majestie and his master. Upon this and the rest that I have written to your L. my last bearing date the 2 and 4 of this moneth, I doe long very muche to understand, somwhat from yow, howe her Majestie is affected, and howe she will enjoine me to tune my Voice in this songe. And so I take my humble leave. From the Hage March 14 1594. Your L. most humbly bounden Tho. Bodley
Postscript: Sins the former was written, I was told by a special frinde, who spake it upon knowledge, that the K. of Scottes hath written a privat lettre to Master Barnevelt with his owne hand. And I am fully persuaded, he hath done the like to Master Brederode, Master Valke, and others: with whome your L. may con- sider what force the lettres of that K. will have above others, comming, as I assure my self they did, full freighted with fairer wordes, and kinde promises. This art of writing to privat persons heere, is very muche used by the Frenche K.and hath bin one of his chiefest meanes to compasse his demandes, though nowe and then they be remembred, with some better thing in hand to quicken their affections.
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