Select correspondence of Sir John Thynne (d.1580), including royal letters and warrants,...

Select correspondence of Sir John Thynne (d.1580), including royal letters and warrants, and letters of John Dudley, Earl of Warwick, of Edward Seymour, Earle of Hertford, and others of the Seymour family, of Bishop Jewell, and of members of the Thynne and Gresham families:

I. Royal Letters and Warrants, viz: -

1. Queen Mary: (a) to Sir John Thynne, requiring him to attend upon her "good cousin the Prince of Spayne" Philip II on the borders of Wilts in case he should land at Bristol or any of the Western ports: Westminster, 14 Jan. ao 1.[1554.] Signed with a stamp "Marye the quene". f.1: (b) to the same, requiring him to pay the rents due by him to the Crown, in arrear through his "in-tollerable necligence and disobedience": Westminster, 21 Mar. ao 1. [1554]. Signed as above. f.2: (c) to Lord Herbert of Cardiff [2nd Earl of Pembroke 1569], requiring him to meet and attend upon the Marques de las Navas, envoy from Spain: Richmond, 8 June, ao 1. [1554] f.3.

2. The Princess Elizabeth: (a) to Sir John Thynne, consenting to take "Mr Kyngesmylle" into her service on his recommendation: Hatfield, 27 Feb. 1555[6]. Signed "your verye frende Elizabeth" f.4: (b) as Queen, to the Sheriffs and Justices of Hampshire and Wilts requiring them to assist Edward Basshe, Surveyor of victuals of the Navy, in the supply of provisions: Greenwich, 17 July, ao 5 [1563]. Copy. f.7: (c) to the Treasurer of the Lottery, in London and the Sheriffs and Justices of Somerset, Dorset, Wilts, etc. requiring them to further the service of the Lottery: Westminster, 18 Feb. 1567[8]. Copy. f.8.

II. John Dudley, Earl of Warwick [cr. Duke of Northumberland 1551, beheaded 1553] to Sir J. Thynne: (a) asking him to move the Protector Somerset for a grant to him of Fecknam, Co. Warw. etc. no date. f.10: (b) in favour of his "frend Mr Pecknam": 18 Mar. 1548[9]. f.11: (c) on measures to be taken for supplying his place as President of the Welsh Marches during his absence, as to his proposed purchase of Fecknam, etc. 19 Mar. 1548[9]. f.12: (d) as to the Commission for the Marches, the lordship of Fecknam, etc. 28 Mar. 1549. f.14: (e) on the question of the Marches: Esher, 29 March, 1549. f.15: (f) thanking him for his interest with the Protector, and stating he "wyll not ferder molest his grace": Esher, 22 Apr. 1549. f.16: (g) on his failure to obtain the "offyce of the pensyoners" Esher, 30 Apr.1549. f.18: (h) asking him to further his request for Hatfield and to help "to place my lady Elizabeth in Otforde or Knowle or some other place agreable to her desyer", etc.: 1 May, 1549. f.19: (i) asking his favour with the Protector for the bearer, who desires to succeed "The Makkeryll" as one of the King's surgeons: 2 May, 1549. f.20: (k) on the same subject: 8 May, 1549 f.22: (m) regretting the "trouble of My Lords grace with thes vpprores" and his own inability to leave his house on account of illness, with news that the rebels "have apoynted to spoyle the towne of Warwick", etc.: Ely Place, 12 July, 1549. f.24.

III

1. Edward Seymour, Earl of Hertford, son of the Duke of Somerset, Lord Protector, to Sir J. Thynne: 22 Aug. 1557 - 2 Apr. 1575. ff.27-75.

Besides business and money matters, the letters refer to the ruinous state of his house at Willphall (28 Feb. 1568 (9), f. 41), a booke dedicated to the rebells by Thomas Norton, his old schoolmaster with news from France and Flanders (24 Dec. 1564, f. 45), the provision of conies for his new "conigree" (27 Aug. 1573, f. 49), the Queen's satisfaction with her entertainment at Longleat (11 Oct. 1574. f. 62), and transactions with his "brother Edward the Eldest" (3 Dec. 1575. f. 64).

2. letters of Sir John Thynne to the Earl of Hertford; (a) on the latter's suit with Lord Wentworth, 3 Apr. 1575. f. 77); (b) on a proposed match between Sir Henry Seymour and Sir John's daughter; 5 June 1577. Draft. f. 79; (c) repelling a charge of having misused him, and on proposed matches between Mr John (?) Seymour, the Earl's cousin and Sir John's daughter, and the Earl's sister and Sir John's son; 31 Oct. 1579 (?). Draft. f. 80.

IV. Sir Edward Seymour, of Bury Pomeroy, eldest son of the Duke of Somerset by his first marriage; (a) to Laurence Hyde, servant of Sir J. Thynne, 14 Jan. 1554 (5), with a letter from Hyde to Sir John on the back; 28 Jan. f. 83; (b) to Sir J. Thynne,- Aug. 1561 (?) 7 June, 1577, 7 Sept. The second letter endorsed by J. Thynne, jun., "To have my father release him of his recognisance which he woulde not doe" ff. 85, 87, 89.

V. Sir Henry Seymour, brother of the Protector Somerset to Sir J. Thynne; Canon Row, etc. 16 May 1569 - 14 May, 1574 (5). ff. 91-105. Among other subjects referred to are, the question of the writer's marriage (14 July, 1569. f. 93); the Queen's complaint of Sir John's unwillingness "to receve her this yeare" - "My Lord Chamberlen ansrwered very honorably on your behaulf declaring how willing and ready you were any wayes to spend that you had in her servyse the rather for that he knew you had an ernest desier to see her in your house", etc. (3 June, 1574. f.97): the disagreement between Sir John and his son, "the manner of his disobedience I find is not so well knowen as I am able to report when occasion serveth, and yet will be loth to be a medler in any thing betweene the father and the sonne" (28 Jan. 1574[5] f.102.

VI. Letters to Sir John Thynne from: (a) Lord Edward Seymour, son of the Protector Somerset, complaining that "it is a tyme lost that is spent" in Ireland, and asking his interest with the Earl of Hertford that "so he will assure me of somewhat to stay unto": Dublin, 12 June, 1570. f.106: (b) from John Seymour, son of the Protector Somerset, on a suit in the Court of Wards: 10 Nov. 1552. f.108: (c) from the same (letter and date illegible): f.110: (d) from Lady Mary Seymour, daughter of the Protector on Sir John's credit with "her Grace" [?the Duchess of Somerset]: Hanworth, 7 Aug. 1573. f.111: (e) Lady Margaret Seymour, asking Sir John's interest with her brother to procure her "the graunt of sum souch hold woorth the havyng": no date, f.113.

VII. John Jewell, Bishop of Salisbury, to Sir John Thynne and (ff.116, 121) other justices: (a) on a case of bigamy at Bristol: London, 20 Mar. 1559[60]. f.116: (b) as to a survey of Mersheton Massy: Sarum, 25 Aug. 1564. f.118: (c) as to a suit with Sir Francis Englefield for the Manor of Sonning, Co. Berks: Sarum, 7 June, 1566. f.119: (d) objecting to the erection of a gaol at East Harnham within a "Highteshoote" of his house, and suggesting a site at Fisherton: 11 Mar. 1568[9]. f.121: (e) "I wishe the partie for whom you write were no woorse furnished of learninge then he is of life and zele. But the Latine tongue is so many waies necessarie that for wante thereof wee are oftetimes forced to staie our handes. Poore children muste be entred into theire grammere. And how maie that be withoute a teacher? And who should teache them but the prieste?" 28 Mar. 1569. f.123: (f) as to the rectory or prebend of Corsley, and the matter of the curate of Warminster, "I see there be sometimes sparkes in him that would be quenched": Monkton Faireleigh, 29 Aug. 1570. f.125.

VIII. Family and other correspondence of Sir John Thynne, viz:-

1. Sir John Thynne: (a) to Sir John Williams, Treasurer of the Court of Augmentations, asking him to pay out of money due to "My lordes grace [Somerset] £160 towards Roger Hertfords "purches of certeyn chauntries in Herfordeshire": 10 Dec. 2 Edw. VI. [1548]. f.128: (b) to John Barwik, asking him to "appoinctKnolles" (i.e. Knowle farm in Bedwyn) to John Busshall: Sion, 22 June, 1549. f. 129: (c) to Laurence Hyde, instructing him to make up his account, and to help Lady Thynne "to take ordre with all thinges before she do com up": London, 11 Nov. 1558. f.132: (d) to Christian, [daughter of Sir Richard Gresham] his first wife: Westminster, 16 July 1559: Canon Row, 13 May, 1562, 5 Feb. 1564[5]. In the last letter he writes, "I se no accompt of frendship betwene therle of Pembroke and me, it proves but wordes. I loke for all extremyte, yet if I may have iustice I fere not" (cf. f.:45). ff.:37, 139, 146): (e) to Sir Edward Rogers Comptroller of the Queen's Household, thanking him for his "frendly travell inmy discharge for my late pretended preferment, for I like better to be here than at Newhaven": etc. Longleat, 2 Aug. 1562. f.143: (f) to the Privy Council, on some misdiong of his men in hunting, "this is their first fault, they be but pore men": 23 Oct. 1564. f.145: (g) to John Thynne, jun. his son, generally on matters of business: 1 June, 1576 - 6 Mar. 1579[80]. ff.164-176, 181, 183-194, 196-200, 204, 205, 208-217, 219-230: (h) to the Lord Treasurer and the Earl of Sussex, on a suit between Lord Stafford and Sir Rowland Hayward [J. Thynne's father-in-law] "for the lands of Caus: 25 June, 1577. f.177: (i) to Sir Walter Mildmay, for a stay of process on a bond: 27 Sept. 1577. f178: (k) to the same, for a super sedeas on a debt of Sir E. Seymour: 6 Nov. 1577. f.180: (1) to the Lord Chamberlain, as to the suit concerning Caus: 20 July 1578. f.182: (m) to Sir Thomas Wroughton his brother-in-law: 8 Feb. 1578[9]. f.206: (n) to Lord Stafford, on the suit concerning Caus: 15 July, 1579. f.221: (o) to Anthony Parry, his servant: 28 Oct. 1579. f.221: (p) to Francis Chok(?): London, 14 Feb. ..... f.233.

2. William Thynne: (a) to Sir John, his brother, on the surrender of his prebend, with the news of the committal of certain gentlemen to the Tower for a design to rob the Treasury: London, 20 March, 1551[2]?. f.130: (b) to the same from Italy: Padua, 1 Oct.: Rome, 26 Dec.: Venice, 4 Feb: (no year given) ff.235, 237, 239.

3. Christian, Lady Thynne to Sir John, her husband: 30 May, 9 July, 1559. The second letter has a P.S. relating to Sir John's goskawks etc. ff.133, 135.

4. Thomas Thynne [of Longbridge Deverill ?] and George Walker to Sir John, as to "feasantes" at Longleat, etc. 2 March, 1562[3]. f.141.

5. John Thynne, jun.: (a) to Sir John, his father, praying to be relieved from learning Greek, etc. Oxford, 23 Dec. 1570. f.148: (b) to Lady Mervyn, on his father's opposition to his marriage with her daughter: (cf. art. 8-10) Mar. 1575. Draft. f.158: (c) to Sir John, his father, on the suit concerning Caus, etc. 14 Nov. 1578-3 Jan. 1578[9]. ff.195, 201, 202.

6. Thomas Thynne [of Longbridge Deverill ?] to Sir John on the purchase of sheep, etc. Corseley, 1 May, 1572. A different signature from that in art. 5 .f.150.

7. Arbitration by Sir J. Thynne and Richard Kyngesmyll in dispute between Henry Knolles and George Sidenham as to a lease of Milverton Manor, co. Somerset: 13 Sept. 1572. f.152.

8. "Remembraunces for Berington": instructions from Sir John Thynne to an agent for an interview with John Thynne, his son, to reprove him for making love to Sir James Mervyn's daughter against his wishes (cf. Art.5): 1574. f.154.

9. Sir John Danvers to Sir John Thynne, about breaking off the match between J. Thynne and Lucy Mervyn: Oct. 1574. f.160.

10. Articles of Thomas White, LL.D Chancellor of Salisbury, against John Thynne and Lucy Mervyn for breaking a contract of marriage: 1574. f162.

11. Dorothy, Lady Thynne [dau. of Sir William Wroughton] to Sir John her husband, with instructions for buying her gowns, etc. Wilcot, 4 May, ...... f.231.

IX. Letters from members of the Gresham family to Sir John Thynne, viz: -

1. Sir Thomas Gresham to Sir John Thynne. his brother in law: (a) on his commissions to buy plate and tapestry: Antwerp, 12 Apr. 1549. f.242: (b) on the success of his "adventure": "In hast from Callis, halffe droncke, halffe sober, with dryncking with the serchers att Gravelyn": 9 May, 1549. Enclosing [f.245], a copy of his letter of the same date to Protector Somerset, explaining how he had smuggled bullion out of Flanders in bales of silk: f.243: (c) on the insufficient price offered by the Protector for his bullion: London, 20 June, 1549. f.246: (d) asking for a licence to bring from Calais free of custom "certayn wrought velvets" for the Duchess of Somerset: 27 June, 1549. f.248: (e) on the refusal of Sir John's daughter [Anna] to marry Edw. Nevell and his own intention to give her £500 for her marriage, etc. with a reference to Sir John's second marriage, with Dorothy Wroughton: 20 June, 1566. f.259: (f) on a bargain with Lord Cobham, family matters, etc: 19 July, 1566. f.261: (g) commending his niece [Anne Thynne] and praying Sir John and his wife to be kind to her, also mentioning the building of the Exchange, "the fondacyone and vawtes of the Bursse be all dowen", etc: 1 Aug. 1566. f.263: (h) on the marriage of Sir John's daughter to "Mr Colles" [John Coles], and his regret that he "cannot doo now for here as my harte dessyrythe by the reasson I am sore growen in deat wythe my monement", but promising to give her two gowns and two kirtles of silk and £500 by instalments: Gresham House, 14 June, 1569. f.265: (i) in behalf of "Mr Burley" in a controversy with one of Sir John's tenants, and inviting Sir John to bring up his wife and daughter Coles, as he has more leisure now to be merry, having cleared his accounts with the Queen and being "nothinge in here speache but her good Gresham": 11 Oct. 1575. f.268.

2. Sir Thomas Gresham to [Christian] Lady Thynne, his sister, complaining of her and her husband's "rashe jugment" of him, "whatsoever thosse slaunderers have mis-reported": no date. f.250.

3. Sir John Gresham, jun., to Sir John Thynne, his brother in law, requesting him to act as his mediator with his brother Thomas Gresham: Bethnal Green, 4 Sept. 1549. f.252: (b) on the same subject, and asking his interest with the Protector for his appointment to be one of the Council at York: 19 Sept. 1549. f.254: (c) on the Queen's announcement of her marriage to the Prince of Spain, etc. 19 Jan. 1553[4]. f.258.

4. Sir John Gresham sen., to Sir J. Thynne, his nephew, on "this greate vesytacion and plage [plague] that raynethe in this cyttie of London", and asking that an officer of the Corporation may succeed to the office of Sir John's cousin and deputy, Heynes, who had died of it: 17 July, 1551. f.256.

5. John Gresham to Sir John Thynne, his cousin, complaining of Sir Thomas Gresham and praying him to stand bound with and for him: [1569]. f.266.

6. Frances, widow of Sir John Gresham, jun. to Sir J. Thynne proposing a match for his daughter [Elizabeth] and a son of Sir Ralph Sadler: Pillings, 21 Aug. 1576. f.270: (b) on the desire of "Mr Nevell" [Henry Neville, of Billingbeare co. Berks, her son in law] to Mary "Lady Doyle my Lord keppers dafter", and his intention to break the promise he made to her and her deceased daughter in order to provide a jointure: Pillingbeare, 18 Nov. 1577. In the hand of, and with a postscript by, Elizabeth Thynne. f.272