Dangos 2790 canlyniad

The Privy Council (named), at the Court at Whitehall, to [Ralph Eure], Lord Eure, Lord President of Wales and Lieutenant of the Counties of Wales and the Marches. The peace enjoyed since the King came to the crown has bred security and neglect of necessary provisions for war; suspect there has been a great decay in the arms and equipment requisite in a well ordered state for continued peace. The ease of timely provision thereof since it causes less expense and trouble may induce every man to equip himself as necessary to serve the state and prevent the inconveniences which follow neglect. But the times are such both in respect of the recent boldness of the recusants and other causes requiring a ready supply in this behalf, that the King has commanded the Council to order a general muster and survey to be made and certified of the armed forces of the realm and any defects therein to be supplied, which command should be swiftly executed since it is intended not only for the safety of the realm but also to ease each man's trouble which would be much greater if it were left to a sudden necessity. Require Ralph Eure to have a general view made of all the forces, both horse and foot, and to have notice taken and enrolment made of all the numbers, trained and untrained, and especially to see the trained bands made complete, replacing officers or others who are dead, unsuitable or have gone away since previous musters with suitable men such as freeholders, 'ffermors', owners of land or householders. Let him also have defects of armour, weapons and equipment repaired and the numbers of horse, doubtless much deficient, if not increased, at least made as complete as hitherto with arms, equipment and horsemen. If any persons excuse themselves from this duty upon pretence of being servants of the King or any nobleman or peer, or thereby seeks to avoid the charge of providing horses, arms or equipment as charged, let Ralph Eure see that no such persons be exempted except those known to be the King's ordinary servants in court and household servants to noblemen. Others who are only extraordinary or retainers should be charged at the musters and other public services like others of like ability and should send arms and equipment or horses as charged, to be viewed with the rest of the counties. At the general view, it will be expedient for those charged to find arms and others fit to be charged, to be ordered to show them at the musters. Hope the justices of the peace will not be sparing in sending horses, equipment and servants to the musters, but rather do so eagerly for the furtherance of the service and as an example to others so that the musters may be taken with as little trouble to the country as possible. Each division should be mustered apart so that men do not have to travel far for their assembly or continue in the service for longer than necessary. But this abuse has been found hitherto when the musters have been so divided, that some persons, not having provided arms and equipment as charged, have borrowed them from others to serve for their view thereby themselves avoiding the charge. For the prevention thereof the musters in the several divisions should be taken all on one day if possible, otherwise Ralph Eure should take the best order he can for the redress thereof. It was ordered in former directions that in certain places a quantity of powder be kept as a store with match bullets and other provisions for a carriage, always ready for service, which the Council suppose are defective. Require Ralph Eure to have the store supplied and kept serviceable. Let him charge persons of suitable ability in the counties to repair the decay and replace what has been used as necessary, and let him see the store kept in the shire towns or such other towns as he thinks suitable for its safe keeping and not in a dangerous place subject to surprise by ill-disposed persons. Further require him, since the beacons in the counties have been long neglected, to see them quickly repaired and made ready to use if required. Lastly let all directions for the good order of the forces or otherwise concerning the strength of the country be observed; let him have special regard thereof and certify the Council without fail by 1 April of the views and musters, showing the defects, how they were supplied and all other proceedings relating to the service.

Ralph Eure has been previously directed to take from convicted recusants and others known to be recusants and ill-affected in religion in the county, all armour, weapons and warlike equipment found in their houses or belonging to them, and to keep it to be disposed of as the occasion requires. The words 'ill affected Religion', being general and subject to various constructions, have caused uncertainty in various counties as to the King's meaning therein; he, with the Council's advice and the opinion of the country's chief judges, explains it thus. His meaning is to deal not only with convicted recusants but with any who may be suspected of ill-affection in religion, including those who do not attend church frequently to hear divine service without a just cause such as sickness or some other impediment, those who for the last three or four years have not received communion at least once a year and those who have wives, children or servants who are recusants, non-communicants or otherwise known to be popishly affected, or have an extraordinary number of retainers or tenants who are recusants or non-communicants. Those being persons whom the King and state have reason to 'hould in jealousy', the Council, at the King's command, requires Ralph Eure to deal with them as he was directed in former letters to deal with convicted recusants. Refer Ralph Eure to the said letters, assuring themselves that his care and endeavours will equal the King's good opinion of his loyalty and willingness to serve him.

Received enclosed letters from Sir John Wynne yesterday night; it seems there is something 'feared of the state'. Sir John Wynne will be at Caernarvon on 26 March; asks William Moris to be there likewise without fail so that they may certify together.

Received William Maurice's letter and the token. Has informed Sir Thomas Chamberleyn and the rest of the Council of William Maurice's commendations; they return the same. As for William Maurice's matter mentioned in the letter, has required the bill of Mr Harry Pryce, the counsellor, to whom it was entered from the office to peruse, and perceives that the matter is so bad that they have much ado to make a good bill. Therefore, according to the order and rule of the court, they must have time to peruse it and make it as perfect as they can. William Maurice's request for a dedimus potestatem shall be fulfilled; told the Council in the garden on Monday evening that the plaintiff's counsel kept William Maurice's bill to peruse and that John Lloyd could not have it until they had done so, and that William Maurice is employed on the King's affairs and that his being at home was uncertain in respect of his occasions. Therefore requested that William Maurice might have a commission for him and his servants to take their answers at home, retrievable on 29 Aug., the first day of the next appearance. When John Lloyd has the bill, this shall be moved and on John Lloyd's credit assuredly granted, without paying a penny costs if possible. Told Sir Francis Eure that the sheriff of Merionethshire was sick and in great extremity, and that if he thought good, William Maurice thought best to begin the sessions in Anglesey. He answered that he had two days before sent directions that he would begin in Merionethshire and must therefore do so. The President will be at Ludlow tonight or tomorrow; diverse of his people came tonight. Is credibly informed that he will not come to Anglesey, Caernarfonshire or Merionethshire at this time, but will go only to Montgomeryshire with the judges, who begin their circuits on 6 July. The bearer has left with John Lloyd 10s. in silver besides the token in the letter, to be disbursed for William Maurice as required. What remains undisbursed, if any, which John Lloyd does not know until he sees the bill, shall be ready to be defrayed by John Lloyd at the next appearance. Since William Maurice had named no commissioners to take his answer and to swear him, John Lloyd has taken the names of Owen Thomas Owen and Mores ap John ap Mores, gent's, to do so. In making the certificate, let the commissioners be careful that they mention that they have taken of William Maurice and the rest of the defendants perfect and direct answer in writing upon their corporal oaths, for John Lloyd has [had] great hindrance and inconvenience [has] fallen to many when commissioners in like matters have forgotten to mention in their certificate that they had taken the defendants' answers upon their corporal oaths, which is the only point to be certified. Knows the gentlemen aforenamed will perform the same and can rather give John Lloyd directions, but must remember William Maurice. Postscript: William Maurice may get any counsellor he prefers to draw his answer and the rest, and after drawing it up, may let one or both swear him and the others upon the answers and certify. Afterwards the commission must be delivered by the commissioners or one of them to a messenger who will bring it to Ludlow that day or the next, for he must be sworn that he received it from one or both of the commissioners. William Maurice will receive the commission, if not before, at the sessions for Caernarfonshire, from one Mr Thomas Jones, one of the clerks of the court and servant in livery to Sir Francis Eure, chief justice of the assizes.

Wrote his mind plainly to Maurice Robbines and sent Maurice Robbine's letter to William Lacon as a caveat to warn him to deal well with Maurice Robbines and William Maurice. Wrote to Maurice Robbines to deal honestly, which William Maurice does not doubt that he will, and allowed him [William Lacon] to deal for William Maurice this time, so that either of them may look to the other. Would not have Maurice Robbines consider, though William Maurice wrote to him to deal honestly, which is a kind speech to be spoken to anyone, that he therefore charges Maurice Robbines with any dishonesty. As Maurice Robbines, as he says, seeks only his own, so is it reasonable also that William Maurice seeks his own. Desires to be a mean for them both therein. Knows he is much behind every year and thinks Maurice Robbines may be also. So much of that matter. As to the second part of Maurice Robbines's letter touching his [Maurice Robbines's] kinsman, if William Maurice was truly informed, he must think as he said. Will understand the matter when he comes to the Quarter Sessions; wherever the fault was, it is worthy of punishment. How William Maurice's cousin Marye Gruffith should be so troublesome to Maurice Robbines at service time, a thing most unlawful, he does not know, unless upon some abuse offered her. As William Maurice said, upon due examination of the cause the truth shall be known and the offender censured accordingly. Maurice Robbines writes that they expect countenance at William Maurice's hands, as William Maurice wrote to the Chancellor, or else it would be otherwise. What Maurice Robbines means thereby William Maurice does not know, for if Maurice Robbines means to do them wrong, William Maurice will countenance them in their right, but if otherwise, they shall have no countenance of William Maurice in their wrongs or any other misbehaviour. Maurice Robbines knows William Maurice has and will further God's service to the utmost, and the order of the church, which he saw Maurice Robbines neglect sometimes. As Maurice Robbines said, so William Maurice hopes, that when the bishop comes they shall have all things in good order. Touching the words which Maurice Robbines says that Marye Gruffith spoke of all the clergy in general, terming them devils and black dogs, words, as Maurice Robbines rightly says, worthy of severe punishment, if they be duly proved, assures Maurice Robbines that he will further her punishment rather than speak for her. Wishes Maurice Robbines to know that William Maurice is not one to bolster any bad words or actions but will do his best to punish them and to seek redress if he finds fault in Maurice Robbines when the bishop, who, he is sure, will see any disorders redressed, comes. Draft.

Thanks the recipient for taking pains for William Maurice's business in the Star Chamber and putting in a demur[rer] to the bill of Owen Ellis against William Maurice and thirty others in the Star Chamber, seventeen of them a jury and the others witnesses for the King touching his inheritance upon a Commission of Survey, as appears by the Answer of Demur[rer]s which was referred to the King's sergeant, who should have best course to consider the King's title, and to countenance all that truly endeavour therein. For if juries and witnesses [that] upon their oaths and evidence set down the King's right shall therefore be called to the Star Chamber without good cause, it will procure unwillingness and unreadiness for any to appear to do the King's service. Marvels at Sergeant Finch's report that this new trouble should arise, firstly for William Maurice to make a better answer, for he had hoped the recipient had answered all points reasonably, being no great matter and fit for the Star Chamber, but especially for the jury and witnesses for the King, the cause being already in the Exchequer Chamber to be tried there. As for the rest of the matters against William Maurice in the bill, touching incontinence in his younger years, a matter already pardonned and fit for ecclesiastical censure otherwise, and touching mises and other defects falsely supposed against William Maurice as one of the deputy lieutenants of his county, fitting for the Lord Lieutenant to examine rather than the Star Chamber, and such other trifling matters in the bill, William Maurice was ready (but upon the recipient's opinion upon his demurrer, that all should be dismissed) to answer. So he now only desires a dedimus potestatem to make his answer at home, being a man employed in the King's service of musters appointed at this time, and also of 80 years of age and unable to travel, especially since the process is served only seven days before the day of appearance. For the rest, [desires] upon so short a warning, to have such a Commission as the other five defendants had, the proceedings wherein appear by the Commissioner's Certificate which William Maurice hopes will declare the manner of his proceedings, that after he [?the Commissioner] had examined them upon a number of articles, he left the Commission with the Commissioners' clerk to be engrossed and went on his way. Also hopes the recipient will talk with Sergeant Finch of how he reported the cause and the matter referred to him. Commits all to the recipient's care and consideration and the rest to the report of William Maurice's cousin Mr Evance, William Maurice's solicitor.

Has a commission to be executed at Dolbenmaen on the 20th day of this month. Desires William Owen's favour to write to Hugh Owen, Gwnnynog, to ask him to come to William Maurice by that time since he has skill in surveying land. The principal thing that William Maurice would learn is the quantity of the bovate and how many acres the same contains. Will consider William Owen's charges and gains therein. Subscribed: William Owen's reply. Begs William Maurice to accept reply by word of mouth with his man, as William Owen has no time to express his mind at length in writing.

Lengthy account of legal business. Issues not clearly indicated. John Lloyd gave 2s. fee to Mr John Powel and spared further charges at this time, for if he had given more it would have been needless and therefore better spared 'for when you are present in person you may do as you please'. In William Maurice's absence the John Lloyd will disburse bare, ordinary and necessary fees and no more. Means to be in London on the 26th Oct., where he hopes to see his Worship, for he has special occasion to travel hither. But he will confer at large with Mr John Powel before going and will leave him his fees and all other fees whatsoever to be disbursed in William Maurice's causes. Therefore William Maurice need only send his letter to Mr Powel. There are not any of the Council resident here at this time. Sir Harry Townshend went to Shrewsbury with my Lord President.

Learns partly from his son William Thomas and partly from some of the recipients' wellwishers that the latter have bestowed between them a thousand pounds with their grandchild Mrs Jane Awbury to match her to their liking. Persuades himself that they have a better liking for William Thomas's son William Thomas, whose condition they know and allow of, than for another more estranged by nature and country. Thought it not amiss to manifest to them his readiness and consent thereto, the more because the young people may justly expect greater kindness at the recipients' hands than of others, besides the portion due to William Thomas for the estate which he means to assure upon them and their heirs. As William Thomas told the recipients in conference at Corsygedol, [this consists of] all William Thomas's lands in Caernarfonshire, namely, Aber, Llanfair, the fields in and near the town of Caernarvon, the lands in Hugh ap Robert ap Yner's hands, the mills, Coedalen and William Thomas's chief mansion house in Caernarvon, all which he values at £500 a year or not much under. That money must go to redeem his lands now in mortgage and to pay his debts. As for the lands in Anglesey, intends to reserve some of them for his eldest son, and the residue towards the preferment of the rest of his children by the recipients' daughter. Will make his son William Thomas a competent jointure such as the recipients think reasonable and all the lands in Caernarfonshire after William Thomas's decease, discharged from all encumbrances, to make the best thereof, except his mother's right. Makes the recipients the first offer of his son with William Thomas's main and principal estate and expects their answers, jointly or severally.

Craves a favour ... that George or another of William Maurice's men shall deliver these three letters according to their superscriptions and with all the speed possible after William Maurice has come to London. Asks that his hearty thanks be given to the Bishop of Bangor, for he has taken extraordinary pains to bring the writer's brother-in-law, Hugh ap William ap Richard, to be friends with the writer, and with his son Griffith also the Bishop did make him friends.

Covering letter with No. 356. He hopes that their late mustering within their several divisions has already made so good a preparation that now 'some small addition of your care and industry for supply of the defects' will make a speedy performance of His Majesty's pleasure declared to the President in the Council's letters. Copy enclosed. He expects their certificate by the last of March.

Asks whether William Maurice means to proceed against him at the next Merionethshire Assizes for the glebe land in Llanfihangel-y-Traethau. Requests that the trial be deferred until the next assizes following, by reason of some earnest business the writer has. Meanwhile he hopes that they can better end the matter amongst themselves than the trial of law will end it. 'Your poor kinsman'.

Letters from Tom Eyton with news from London enclosed. The writer has since heard from his correspondent that Mr Attorney General was convented to the Star Chamber on Friday sennight, and after submission and acknowledgement of his offence in open court by his own mouth he desired His Majesty might be made more acquainted with his confession before their Lordships proceeded to sentencing him which was [though hardly] granted. Since then news has come to Ludlow by packet that Mr Attorney is to receive his answer in the Star Chamber this day. Likewise news came there by packet signifying that a parliament begins the sixteenth of Jan. and that the Lord Chief Justice shall be Lord Treasurer. Attached: 1620, Oct. 30. News of the Attorney General as above. News lately from Bohemia that the King is very strong and well provided and that the Marquis Dampier, General to the Emperor, was lately taken in battle by the King of Bohemia's army and was beheaded and his head set up in Prague. Some three thousand of his men were slain and some chief men taken prisoners. There is speech of a new contribution for the maintenance of the Palatine's own country for Marquis Spindalo has taken some cities there and now aid is to be sent thither. The bishops and clergymen begin very bountifully and many great lawyers and officers give £100 a piece, and it is thought that this contribution will be as great as the former if it do not exceed it.

William [Compton], Earl of Northampton, Lord President, Ludlow Castle, to Sir Francis Eure and John Jeffryes, Justices of the Great Sessions in Caernarfonshire, Anglesey and Merionethshire. Complains that diverse sums of money levied for the service of His Majesty in the counties of Wales still remain in the hands of the deputy lieutenants and other gentlemen. Orders them to make a diligent inquiry into this matter and to report to him. Copy.

Was last week at Bangor, and, with others of the Chapter, William Brynkir was drawn by his Lordship to bestow a benevolence of a double tenth, towards the maintenance of the wars in Bohemia, which for the writer's part comes to £5.12.8. Has promised to send them to Bangor on Monday next. He has gone to diverse that were to pay him money at mid-summer to help him for so much at this time ... but could not receive one penny. Asks his uncle for a loan. His Lordship wished the writer to remember his kindest love to her Ladyship. His Lordship used the 'nurse' and the writer's cousin, Ric' Vaughan, very kindly. The 'nurse' sat next to him at table, and he made very much of her.

Asks William Maurice to wait for payment. Will bring the money himself in a fortnight's time. Hopes William Maurice will not think the worst of him. But for his business he would be oftener with William Maurice and his Lady Mother.

Writes on behalf of the bearer's landlord that William Maurice may bind the latter's adversary to the peace. He is very troublesome and has beaten and wounded the bearer and his wife several times. Will bring the dedimus when he comes up himself next week.

His master is now very sick and Morris Williams is afraid that he will never recover his health again. Thinks that George Williams is displeased with Morris Williams because he has sent no letters. Has sent three by the Oswestry carrier, which apparently have not been received. As for the money, his master had it half a year ago. Thanks for the tokens sent him, and begs to hear from him the next term. Wishes to be remembered to his mother and other friends at home.

Refers to a former request for William Maurice's favour and voice in the election. Now understands that he was too slow in his request and that William Maurice's voice had been assured to another before he heard from the writer. He does not therefore undervalue William Maurice's love for him but is sorry for his own ill hap in not being sooner with this request. He will not press what may not become William Maurice to grant nor the writer to desire. 'Your promise is to great a tie of you, I acknowledge, to be recaled, but my resolucion beinge to stand out in election ... my desire is to you that you will please as far as yt may be without prediudice of your worde to graunte mee your favoure in leavinge youre frendes to theire libertie and that I may be strengthened by them if without injurie to yourselfe it may be soe'. John Gruffydd weighs other men's credits in the same balance as his own so that he would not request at William Maurice's hands what he himself would be unwilling to do in like case; he honours and respects William Maurice and assures him that what he can worthily do on the writer's behalf shall be faithfully acknowledged.

Has been very sick whereby her wants are increased and her means of release lessened. Beseeches her good father, in the tender bowels of fatherly affection, to have compassion on her present misery and the distressed estate of her poor children who are like to perish unless he extend a charitable hand to support them. Although she has never deserved any good from her father, begs him to afford her relief and that speedily. Has neither food nor clothes nor ability to pay for house room. Her misery is at its highest pitch and her ruin at hand. Having some hope of her father, she is a little refreshed with comfort, otherwise she would despair and die. See also No. 455.