1. [Anne Cooke] to her ‘good reader’, 1548

Published, prefatory letter. B. Ochino, Sermons of Barnadine Ochine of Sena godlye, frutefull, and very necessarye for all true Christians, trans. anonFootnote ¹ (London, 1548), sigs A2r–A4r.

Addressed (sig. A2r): The interpretour to the gentle reader, healthe in Christe Jesu.

Death (good reader), as scripture declareth, and our dayly experience practeseth, to all mankynde is a thing most certeine and sure. For who is he that shall lyve and not se nor tast of deathe's cuppe; the longest lyvers at length dyed, neyther kyng neFootnote ² keysarFootnote ³ can avoyde the duyte of death, but of necessitie, as al are of earth and asshes, so shall they returne into the same.

Notwythstandynge thys that sure we be to dye, yet when it shall come, the Lord hath lefte secret to hys owne wysdom, chefelye bycause we shulde ever kepe watche, and warde, and be styll in aredinesFootnote ⁴ wyth our lampes burnyng to wayte upon the bridegrom, whych commeth we can not tell when, whether at mydnyght, or at the cocke's crowynge, wherfore our mayster Christ gave us warnyng that we shulde be alwayes wakyng, and loke vigilantly for he cometh closlye lyke a thefe, wythoute warnynge us, at what houre he wyll come.Footnote ⁵

Then as he findeth every man, so wyll he judge hym, and where the tree falleth, whether it be towarde the south or north, there it lyeth;Footnote ⁶ there is then no respite to be had, but streyght waye due execution of Godde's justice shal come upon all fleshe. Happy is he therfore, whome hys maister at hys returnynge fyndeth wakynge, for hym shall he put in auctoritie over all hys treasure.Footnote ⁷

And for so moche as then the [ma]tter shall hange al together in clearenes of conscience, whyche at that tyme shall accuse a man, or defende hym, acordynge as he hath kepte it cleane with vertues, or stayned wyth vices (for in the booke of menne's concience are all theyr dedes layed uppe, to be opened at the audit day of our death) me thynk nothyng can be a greatter staye to the concienceFootnote ⁸ of man, then to know how he ought to go owt of thys present lyfe, and what to cary wyth hym to hys account, or leve behynd hym in the world.

In consyderation wherof I have translated into my natyve spech out of Italien a sermon of maister Barnardine Ochin,Footnote ⁹ teaching how a true Chrysten ought to make hys last wyll, and for so moche as the divell is at that instant of deth very bragging busyly wyth man, and diversly troblith hym, and the justice of God on the other side fearith hym, I have, to staye and strengthen the consience on thes behalfes, turned into English two sermons enstructyng us how to aunswer the divel when he tempteth us at what tym, and by what meanes to quiet our myndes, as touching God's justice. Other two have I also translated, whych enforme us of the true workes that God requireth of us, and the way to go to heaven, and that our saviour, Christ Jesus, hath by hys most preciouse death purchased for us paradise with out our deservynges.

Wich fyve sermons taken out of the first part of Maister Barnardine sermons,Footnote ¹⁰ as they be wrytten and publyshed of good zeale to the wealth of many, so it is thy curtisye (gentle reder) to accept them in good parte, and pardon my grosse tearmes as of a begynner, and beare wyth my translation, as of a learner. Obteynynge thys of the good reader, I shalbe redye and wyllynge hereafter when God geveth better knowlege (accordyng as my talent wyll extende) to turne moFootnote ¹¹ godly sermons of the sayd Mayster Barnardine into Englishe for the enformacion of all that desyre to know the truth. For they truely conteyne moch to the defacyng of al papistrie, and hipocrysie, and to the advancement of the glorye of God, and of the benefytes of Christ Jesus.Footnote ¹² To whom wyth the holye ghost be all honoure and glorye for ever and ever. So be it.

God save the kyng and graunt us the truthe of hys worde.

2. Anne Cooke to Lady F,Footnote ¹³ 1551

Published, prefatory letter. B. Ochino, Fouretene sermons of Barnardine Ochyne, concernyng the predestinacion and eleccion of god (London, 1551), sigs A3r–A4v.

Addressed (sig. A3r): To the right worshypful and worthyly beloved mother, the Lady. F., hyr humble daughter wysheth encrease of spirituall knowledge, with ful fruition of the fruites thereof.

Since the orygynal of what so ever is, or may be converted to ani good use in me, hath frelye proceded (thoughe as the minister of God) of youre Ladyshype's mere carefull, and motherly goodnes, as well in procurynge all thynges thereunto belongeynge, as in youre many, and most godly exhortacyons, wherein amonge the rest it hath pleased you, often to reprove my vaine studye in the Italyan tonge, accompting the sede thereof, to have bene sowen in barayne, unfruitful grounde (syns God thereby is no whytte magnifyed), I have at the last, perceived it my duty to prove howe muche the understandynge of youre wyll could worcke in me towardes the accomplyshynge of the same. And for that I have wel knowen your chyfe delight to rest in the destroynge of man hys glorye, and exaltynge wholy the glory of God, whych may not be unles we acknowledge that he doth fore se and determyne from wythout begynnynge al thynges, and cannot alter or rewarde after our deserved worckes, but remayne stedefaste, accordynge to hys immutable wyll,Footnote ¹⁴ I have taken in hande to dedicate unto youre Ladyship this smale number of sermons (for the excelent fruit sake in them conteined) proceding from the happy spirit of the santifiedFootnote ¹⁵ Barnardyne, which treat of the election and predestination of God, wyth the rest (although not of the selfe title) a perteynigFootnote ¹⁶ to the same effect to the end it might appere, that your so many worthy sentences touching the same, have not utterly ben without some note in my weake memory, and al be it, they be not done in such perfection, as the dignitie of the matter doth requyre, yet I trust and know, ye wil accept the humble wil of the presenter, not weghingFootnote ¹⁷ so much the excelnecyFootnote ¹⁸ of the translation, al thoughe of ryghte it oughte to be such as should not by the grosnes therof deprive the aucthor of his worthynes. But not meanynge to take upon me the reache to his hygh style of thealogie, and fearyng also, least in enterprisynge to sette forth the bryghtnes of hys eloquence, I shuld manyfest my selfe unapte to attaine unto the lowest degre therof, I descend therefore to the understanding of myne own debilitye. Only requiring that it may please youre Ladyshippe to vouchsafe that thys my smal labor may be alowed at your handes under whose protection only it is commited wyth humble reverence, as yeldyng some parte of the fruite of your motherly admonitions, in this my wyllinge servyce.

Your Ladyshyppe's daughter most boundenly obedient.

A.C.

3. Mildred Cooke Cecil to Anne Cooke,Footnote ¹⁹ [after 9 July 1552]Footnote ²⁰

Draft/copy in Walter Haddon's hand.Footnote ²¹ Latin. BL, Lansdowne MS 104, fos 156r–157v. 2pp.

Addressed (fo. 156v): αννἠ κοκἠ αδελφἠ γλυκύτατη Footnote ²²

Mea soror, Cantabrigis fui. Tuum vidi Haddonum, quem amabis, si sapis, et plane tuum esse statues. Nihil illi praeter fortunam deest, nec haec quidem diu abesse potest in tanto reliquorum concursu vel ornamentorum, vel oportunitatum. Interim erit brevi, mediocris conditio, quae tuam potest honestam et ingenuam quietem sustentare. Neque minimum cogitare velis quid ortu tuo, quid communi tuoram expectatione, quid summa spe patris dignum sit; aut cum haec cogitas (ut certe debes) simul illud pondera, nullam fere rem in ipso principio se universaliter solere effundere, sed quaedam esse temporum intervalla, et certos quasi gradus vitae, quibus ad perfectionem ascendi solet. A[d] me specta, que licet nunc affluente sum et ubere fortuna, tamen principio spem non rem sequuta sum. Idem in Checo repititum est, et iterum in Smitho, qui in eisdem eruditionis et ingenii fotibus ad huiusmodi famam profluxerint. Cur non iis in Haddono sit tuo consequiturum. Sed patris voluntas tibi resistit; difficilis sane locus et lubricus; tamen, aut iis quod ille vult Deus efficiet, aut illum ita praemolliet, ut in hac tum incerta vita, non omnia velit certa postalare. Sed tamen ante omnia tibi in illius authoritate acquiescendum esse arbitror, quam si Deus ad hanc causam accommodaverit, licet fundi nonnihil haereant, nec quicquam, sit preter Oxoniensem conditionem et Regium vectigal infusum, optabilior est cum his parvis facultatibus Haddonus quam sexcenti sunt ex hoc aulico strepitu quorum, quasi pecudum solas externas videre licet corporum exuvias mentem vero tanquam porcis iures illis pro sale datam esse. Scis quanti te semper fecerim; tibi tam vehementer non suaderem nisi res valde inprobaretur sed tamen ad te refero, nam et in Haddono et in omnibus, hoc tibi semper positum et fixum sit alios ut audias, sed hac in causa tibi ipsa obtemperandum esse statuas. Tua enim res agitur et quidem totius vitae. Plurima vellem, sed in itinere sum itaque non licet. Post videbimus. Vale.

Tua soror tui amantissima.

[Translation]

My sister, I have been in Cambridge.Footnote ²³ I saw your Haddon, whom you will love, if you have sense, and will decide that he is completely yours.Footnote ²⁴ He lacks nothing except good fortune and this indeed cannot long be wanting where there is such a combination of other distinctions and advantages. Meanwhile there will be for a short time a middling status which can sustain your honourable and free-born tranquillity. Please consider not the least what may be worthy of your birth, of the shared expectation of your family and of the very high hopes of your father; or when you consider these things (as you certainly should) at the same time you must reflect on this, that hardly anything tends in all cases to pour forth at the very beginning, but that there are certain periods and certain stages of life which usually have to be scaled in order to reach perfection. Look at me; although I now have an abundant and plentiful fortune, nevertheless at the beginning I followed hope and not actual things.Footnote ²⁵ The same is true in the case of Cheke,Footnote ²⁶ and again in the case of Smith,Footnote ²⁷ who have progressed to a reputation of this kind in the same quickening of learning and talent. Why should there not be a similar outcome also in the case of your Haddon? But your father's will stands in your way. This is a difficult and slippery place, to be sure. And yet, either God will bring about what he wants, or he will soften him in such a way that in this life, which is at present uncertain, he will not wish to demand everything be certain. But above all I think you should give in to his authority, which if God accommodates to this case, although they refuse to pour forth anything, and there is nothing apart from his Oxford status and the payment of the royal honorarium, Haddon is more desirable with these small resources, than six hundred from this courtly din, of whom one can only see the external skins of their bodies, as of cattle, while you would swear that their mind has been given as it were to the pigs to serve as preserving salt.Footnote ²⁸ You know how much I have always tried to do for you; I would not have urged you so forcefully if the matter were not greatly disapproved of, but nevertheless I return to you, for in the case of Haddon and all things, may this always be set and fixed for you that you should listen to others, but in this case you should decide to obey yourself. For it is your business which is at stake, and indeed the business of your whole life. I would like to write more, but I am on the road and thus it is not possible. Afterwards, we shall see. Farewell.

Your sister who loves you most dearly.

4. Nicholas and Anne Bacon to William Cecil, 18 August 1557

Holograph, in Nicholas Bacon's hand from ‘I and my wyff’, in Anne Bacon's hand from ‘We at Bedfordes’. CP 152/19, fo. 27r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 27v): 1557 18 August Mr Bacon

I and my wyff thank you of your letter and are glad that my syster Margaret hathe for health sake goton lyberte and of my sister Elizabeth's recovery.Footnote ²⁹ Your goddowghterFootnote ³⁰ (thanks be to God) ys somwhat amendyd, hir fytts beyng more easy but not delyvyd of eny. Yt ys a doble tertian that holds hir and hir nurse a had a syngle but yt ys gone clerly.Footnote ³¹ To morow by the grace of God by tenn of the clock I wyll be at Chanon RoweFootnote ³² and yf I shall lyke ^upon the syght I shall be glad^ to joyne with you for the hangyng. My dowt ys whether Mr CoferrerFootnote ³³ be at hys howse. There be other thyngs I had rather bye than eny you wryght of; yf they be to be sold as at our next metyng I shall shewe you.Footnote ³⁴ Only the feare of provysion for warr ys the let of thys provysion mete for peace. Thus wysshyng to you and my lady as to our sylffs, we byd you farewell. Wreton at BedfordsFootnote ³⁵ thys present Wednysday 1557 by

your brother and sister

in lawe NBacon.

We at Bedfords ar no less glad of WymbledonnsFootnote ³⁶ welfare, and specially of litle Nann’s,Footnote ³⁷ trusting for ^all^ this shrewed fever to se ^her and myne^ then play fellows many tymes. Thus wyshing contynuans Footnote ³⁸ of all goode thyngs to yow all at once because your man hasteth away and my husbande to dyner.

Your loving sister,

ABacon.

5. Anne Bacon to Matthew Parker, 27 June 1561

Holograph. Parker Library, MS 114a, p. 124. 1p.

Please yt your grace, at the sute of one Fyzwyllyams which hath ben your grace's servaunt, I am so bowlde as to be a means to yow for your favour towardes hym, wherof he is an earnest craver whylest he served your grace. I nether was acqwaynted with hymse[lf] ner yet understoode that he was my cosyn.Footnote ³⁹ Yf I had, I wolde have ben his frende sooner. But ^now^ that I know so much, I besech your grace to be his goode Lorde, that yt wyll please yow to remitt eny thyng past and to graunt hym your favour and also goode worde, yf occasyon so serve. I promiss your grace I do heare some honest report of hym or elce I wolde not thus troble yow. Yf my sute may stande hym in steade more then others as he hath heretofore labored herin he sayth, your own ^howse^ can well wyttness. I shall take my selff much beholdyng to yow on his behalff. For thowgh I can do ether frend or kynn but small pleasure, yet I wolde gladly procure them my husbande's goode opinion of them and wellcome them to me, which I do not now so effectually tyll he have recovered your goode cowntenance and report agayn. Wherin he entendeth to wayt shortly on your grace hymselff and I also trust that he shall retorn with obteynyng of your favour. And thus I wysh your grace much godly success.

From my house this 27 of June 1561.

Your grace's well wyller,

ABacon.

6. Matthew Parker to Anne Bacon, 1564

Published, prefatory letter. J. Jewel, An Apologie or Answere in Defence of the Churche of Englande, trans. Anne Bacon (London, 1564), sigs 1st unpaginated leaf r–2nd unpaginated leaf v.

Addressed (1st unpaginated leaf r): To the right honorable learned and vertuous Ladie A. B.,Footnote ⁴⁰ M.C.Footnote ⁴¹ wisheth from God grace, honoure, and felicitie.

Madame, according to your request I have perused your studious labour of translation profitably imploied in a right commendable work.Footnote ⁴² Whereof for that it liked you to make me a judge, and for that the thinge it selfe hath singularly pleased my judgement, and delighted my mind in reading it, I have right heartely to thanke your Ladiship, both for youre owne well thinking of me, and for the comforte that it hathe wrought me. But far above these private respectes, I am by greater causes enforced, not onely to shewe my rejoyse of this your doinge, but also to testify the same by this my writing prefixed before the work, to the commoditie of others, and good incouragement of your selfe. You have used your accustomed modestie in submittinge it to judgement, but therin is your prayse doubled, sithFootnote ⁴³ it hath passed judgement without reproche. And whereas bothe the chiefe author of the Latine workeFootnote ⁴⁴ and I, severallye perusinge and conferringe youre whole translation, have without alteration allowed of it, I must bothe desire youre Ladiship, and advertise the readers, to thinke that wee have not therein given any thinge to any dissemblinge affection towards you, as beinge contented to winke at faultes to please you, or to make you without cause to please your selfe; for there be sundry respectes to drawe us from so doinge, althoughe we were so evil minded, as there is no cause why we should be so thought of. Your own judgement in discerning flatterie, your modestie in mislikinge it, the layenge open of oure opinion to the world, the truth of our friendship towardes you, the unwillingnesse of us bothe (in respecte of our vocations) to have this publike worke not truely and wel translated,Footnote ⁴⁵ are good causes to perswade that our allowance is of sincere truth and understanding. By which your travail, Madame, you have expressed an acceptable dutye to the glorye of God, deserved well of this Churche of Christe, honourablie defended the good fame and estimation of your owne native tongue, shewing it so able to contend with a worke originally written in the most praised speache,Footnote ⁴⁶ and besides the honour ye have done to the kinde of women and to the degree of ladies, ye have done pleasure to the author of the Latine boke, in deliveringe him by your cleare translation from the perrils of ambiguous and doubtful constructions, and in makinge his good woorke more publikely beneficiall; wherby ye have raysed up great comforte to your friendes, and have furnished your owne conscience joyfully with the fruit of your labour, in so occupienge your time, whiche must needes redounde to the encoragemente of noble youth in their good education, and to spend their time and knowledge in godly exercise, havinge delivered them by you so singular a president. Whiche youre doinge, good Madame, as God (I am sure) doth accept and will blesse with increase, so youre and ours moste vertuous and learned soveraigne Ladie and Mastres shal see good cause to commende, and all noble gentlewomen shall (I trust) hereby be alured from vain delights to doinges of more perfect glory. And I for my part (as occasion may serve) shal exhort other to take profit by your worke, and followe your example, whose successe I beseche our heavenly Father to blesse and prospere. And now to thende bothe to acknowledge my good approbation, and to spread the benefit more largely, where your Ladishippe hathe sent me your boke writen,Footnote ⁴⁷ I have with most hearty thankes returned it to you (as you see) printed, knowing that I have therin done the beste, and in this poynte used a reasonable pollicye, that is, to prevent suche excuses as your modestie woulde have made in staye of publishinge it.Footnote ⁴⁸ And thus at this time I leave furder to trouble youre good Ladishippe.

M.C.Footnote ⁴⁹

7. Matthew Parker to Anne Bacon, 6 February 1568

Copy. Inner Temple, Petyt MS 538.47, fos 59r–62v. 4pp.

Endorsed (fo. 62v): Mathew Canterbury to my Lady Bacon of her husband's binding a poore man to give v li a year to a kinsman of his in Cambrige.

Madame, my hartie salutations to your Ladyship presupposed, in Christo servatore et judice.Footnote ⁵⁰ I understand that ye use otherwhiles to be a good sollicitor to my Lord your husband in the causes of the pore for justice, &c, and I doubt not that ye remember the Christian duetie ye beare to him as well in respect of conscience to Almigtie God, as for his honorable estimation and fame to the world. Et hoc est esse, juxta divinam ordinationem, vere adjutorium salutare coram Adam datum a Deo, tempore vanitatis nostrae. Footnote ⁵¹ Upon which grounde I thought good, nowe in thend of the terme,Footnote ⁵² after my Lorde's angrie busynes nye defrayde, to write a fewe wordes to you; to my Lorde I perceive I maye not write, except they be placentissima Footnote ⁵³ and therefore I shall staye my hande. My Lorde, as by his fewe lynes written to me in awnswere to my frindlye lettres, dothe saye he hathe conceyved that he thought not to have heard at my handes before I had spoken with himself, and not so contented, but sent me an harde awnswere in worde by my mann yet externe to us bothe, whome I wisshed not to have knowen any inckling of our private dealinges so privatelie, I saye, written of my partie, that I tell you the truthe, coram Deo servatore meo,Footnote ⁵⁴ the talke not opened nor conferred within any signification to my yokefellowe,Footnote ⁵⁵ thoughe yet, I trust not so great a daye bodyeFootnote ⁵⁶ and without God's feare, and can consyder bothe reason and godlynes.Footnote ⁵⁷ Yet I have kept my greife within myself from her, not as to have you thinke that such a matter were to be much regarded, howsoever it be taken of such two as we maye be estemed, but that I have used frindship towarde my Lord in all poyntes, whatsoever he conceiveth. But I am sorye he can so sone conceive displeasantlie againste me not deserved, I saye, and to abyde thereby not deserved, for I ment not only prudently but christianlye, godlie and frindlie, howsoever yt be taken. The testimonye of my conscience shall make me take this his storme quietlie to Godwarde, rather offering him in my prayers to God, then carefull of any submission as having offended, which I entended not, as fawtie.Footnote ⁵⁸ In his conceyving (as he writeth) for to have suspended my such writing till I had heard from him or spoken with him &c, ye shall understand that the partie whoe came up with the Duke's Grace's lettres resorted to me a little before dynner, and shewed me in his talke that he was appoynted to come againe that afternone to have receyved his lettres to the Duke's Grace in awnswere &c. Whereupon I thought the tyme present such as that before he should write to his Grace to put to his wisedome and consyderation so much as I did write, for after that tyme yt had bin to late

[fo. 59v] to speake with himself who at that after none had no leysure if I had come to him, and yet sending my lettres by that messenger nor making him prevye of the sending &c. But, concerning the matter yt self, forsothe I am sure I did so reasonablie write that if he had bin the prince of the realme, or I but his chapleyn, I might have written privately as I did. And where he findeth lacke in me that I did so write, peradventure I might finde some lack in him for not staying his displeasure till he had knowne what great cause he ha I had to write, yea much more then I did write both in conscience and in good love of frindship. Madame, be not offended with my plainenes as thoughe I would make comparison with him. I knowe his office, I knowe his giftes of God, and his place, and yet maye Matthewe Parker write privately to Nicolas Bacon in matter of good frindship without offence. In all humilitye of heart I will not stick to submytt my self to his page of his chamber and will be admonished by him in reason, thoughe he were myne enimye, and againe in doing myne office to God, and my duetie of frindship to them whome I will sincerely love and honor. I will not be abasshed to saye to my prince that I thinke in conscience in awnswering to my charging, as this other daye I was well chidden at my prince's hande, but with one eare I heard her harde words, and with thother and in my conscience and heart, I heard God. And yet her highnes being never so muche incensed to be offended with me, the next daye comyng by Lamhithe bridge into the feildes, and I according to duetie meting her on the bridge,Footnote ⁵⁹ she gave me her verie good lokes and spake secretly in myne eare, that she must nedes countynance myne auchoritye before the people to the credit of my service, whereat diverse of my ArchesFootnote ⁶⁰ then being with me peradventure merveiled &c. Where peradventure some bodye would have loked over the shoulders and slily slipt awaye to have abashed me before the worlde &c. But to enter the matter of late. I sent my visitors into Norwiche, Dion's his countryeFootnote ⁶¹ and myne, to set order and to know the state of the countrye whereof I heard of credible and of worshipfull persons that GitziFootnote ⁶² and Judas had a wonderfull haunte in the countrye that Quid vultis mihi dare? Footnote ⁶³ had so much prevailed there amonge the simonyansFootnote ⁶⁴ that nowe to sell and to buy benefices, to flease parsonages and vicareages, that omnia erant venalia.Footnote ⁶⁵ And I was enformed the best of the countrye not under the degree of knightes, were infected with this soreFootnote ⁶⁶

[fo. 60r] so far that some one knight had fower or fyve, some other seven or eight benefices clouted together, fleasing them all, defrauding the Crown's subjectes of their duetie of prayers, some where setting boyes and there serving men toe beare the names of such lyvinges. Understanding this enormitye, howe the Gospell was thus ^universally^ pynched to the discoraging of all good laborers in God's harvest I ment to enquier of it, &c. In such inquisition was presented at Norwiche that my Lord had sett a serving man not ordered, a mere laye bodye, in the face of the whole citye to be a prebendarie of the churche there, and that he had an other at home at his house, an other prebendarie, and bearing them selves great under my Lorde's aucthoritye, despised myne to be at the churche's visitation &c. This matter hathe bin longe tossed amonge that people of theis two places thus used, which I knewe not of till my visitors came home againe, and enquiring of them first of the cathedrall churche &c I was enformed of theis two, of whome I tolde my Lord himself what was spoken, who not remembring their names, I ceased of talke, and yet he semed not well content that they should not doe their dueties. My commissionors unknowing to me when they were at the churche charged the Deane &c to paye them no rent of their prebendes till they had shewed good cause to me of their absence. After the visitation Smythe,Footnote ⁶⁷ one of them, came thether and was denyed his monye, and after came one of them to me for a letter of release. When I perceived what he was, and perceiving that yet he had honest learning, I moved him to enter order to avoyde the speache of the worlde and not to lyve so contrarie to lawes, and so to honest that smale nombre of the churche, besides being but six prebendaries thoughe they were all at home where one could hardlie be spared, not so well as in churches where be xl or l prebendes. After many wordes he awnswered me that thoughe he had bin brought up in some prophane learning, yet in scripture he had no knowledge and thereupon would not enter into the ministerie. He there upon asked further my counsell. I tolde him that I thought yt best for him for the necessitye of life after his service

[fo. 60v] spent with my Lorde reserving some pension to resigne yt to such an one as were able to doe good in that churche. He tolde me that certayne had offered him well, but he liked not their judgments. In fyne he thought good to gratefie the whole citye and to resigne yt to Mr Walker,Footnote ⁶⁸ who was desired for his gifte of preaching to continue there in the citye and so to be from the daunger of non residens Footnote ⁶⁹ from a little benefice he hathe in the countrye, whether he must be fayne els to goe and leave the citye destitute, for ^such^ kindes of informations be nowe redily made and heard in the King's Benche, as I heard this other daye of a verie honest man keping at his greater benefice a verie good house, is charged with non residens by a promoter from his lesse benefice not yet far ofFootnote ⁷⁰ from his other, for every monethe's absence x li. This Smythe had my lettres of release to the Deane to receive his payment, after what tyme he resigned his prebend upon a pensonFootnote ⁷¹ of v li assured by the churche, upon which vacation the Duke's Grace did write to my Lord in Mr Walker's favor, this partie travailed hether with his lettres, but he could not be admitted, the cause was awnswered that Smythe was bounde to my Lord to paye v li penson of his prebend to a sister's sonne of my Lorde's studying at Cambridge. The partie tolde me that my Lord made the awnswere himself, and that was the lett, when I heard yt, I was sory to heare yt of him, qui foenum habet in cornu,Footnote ⁷² as I thinke yt will be in the Grene YardeFootnote ⁷³ a common place shortly of the preachers there. I excused the matter as well as I could, who told me the usage of this kinde of doing in all the countrie, and merveiled that they which favour the gospell should so use yt with diverse wordes more whereby I gathered the sequell what was like to followe of his repulse. In this verie article of tyme, reteyning this Walker at dynner in my house of purpose, I in dynner time did write to my Lord my lettres, only to put the matter to his wisedome and consideration, without any of the harde circumstannce of the cause, howe yt was like to be taken, saving only of my Lord of Norfolke's plesuring &c, who I am suer would have taken yt thankfully to have sped, and so made yt knowne amongest his frindes in the citye, which should have, I doubte not, promoted the creditt of the gospellFootnote ⁷⁴

[fo. 61r] for his Grace to be the motyoner and bringer into the churche and into that citie such a preacher, whereby the people of the citie might have receyved joye and gladnes, and thenemyes of the gospell disapoynted of their triumphing on that preacher, if he had sped at the Duke's requeste &c. But all this woulde not serve, for the messenger sayd this v li pencion was the stop and lett &c. Marye he tolde me that my Lord woulde awnswere the Duke's Grace that he should be sure of the nexte vacante romme when yt channced there. I pray God send my Lord many joyfull yeares to contynue both in life and in office till that daye and tyme, but I thinke this offer wold have bin taken in tyme, and I wishe I had borne this v li pencion of myne owne purse that the common slaunderouse speache might have bin stayed, where I feare yt will by this doing be further wondred at. But yt may be sayde, ‘Let such as talke of yt, remedie yt if they can’. Oh, Madame, God is the rewarder of all good doinges, and reformer of all disorders. I see this countrie so much without remorse of conscience in this outrage that the stones will speak of yt, if it be not reformed. Yf my Lord be angrie with me for my plainenes, I feare not Almightie God. Deus, ultionum Deus Footnote ⁷⁵ wilbe content, yea and he will aske accompte of me if I holde my peace, when bothe my Lord and I shall stande dreadfully before his Chauncerie, and therefore I will not so covett the favour of man to displease God. And suerlie, Madame, I coulde no lesse doe of tender heart to his estymation. And lothe would I be that his example should be alledged for diverse spoylers in that countrye of the ministerye, thoffice of manne's salvation, thoffice of Christe's crucifyed misteries, howesoever the carnall princes of the worlde do deride God et omnia sacra, sed qui habitat in coelis irridebit eos.Footnote ⁷⁶ For God's love, Madame, helpe you tanquam una caro cum viro tuo, sed ambo Christi membra charissima,Footnote ⁷⁷ to helpe to elyminate out of his house this offendicle, ut ne ponat maculam in gloria senectutis suae. Labi et falli humanum, sed perseverare durum.Footnote ⁷⁸ I will not write that I heare reported, nor will creditt all tales. Fye on the world to carie God's good, elect and principall members of his kingdome,

[fo. 61v] so to be drowned in the dregges of this mortalitye, not to regard theis so cheife causes. What shalbe hoped for in frindship if the advertising of one an other in true faithfull frindship, and to God warde, shall stirre up emnitye and disliking? Let the blinde world saye, ‘Suaviora sunt fraudulenta oscula odientis, quam vulnera diligentis’.Footnote ⁷⁹ Let the wise man say contrarie, ‘Quam meliora sunt vulnera diligentis, quam fraudulenta oscula odientis’.Footnote ⁸⁰ I am jealous over my Lord's conscience, and over his honorable name. Yt maye become my office to him warde, thoughe he be great in office, to heare the voyce of a pore pastor, for there is one which saithe Qui vos audit, me audit; qui vos spernit, me spernit; qui vos tangit, tangit pupillam oculi mei,Footnote ⁸¹ as contemptible so ever the vaine world estemeth us. I have alwaye joyed in my Lord, alwaye honorablye reported him. I have in good places, and before the moste honorable, compared him with MoreFootnote ⁸² and AudeleyFootnote ⁸³ for their eloquence, witt, and learning in lawe, with Bisshop GoderickFootnote ⁸⁴ for his sinceritye towardes justice, althoughe they all had their faultes which God kepe from my Lord and me. The first embrued with papistrie, the seconde omnino passim et ab omnibus,Footnote ⁸⁵ the third a dissembler in frindship who used to entertayne his evill willers verie courteousely, and his verie frinds verye imperiousely, thinking thereby to have the rule of bothe, whereby he loste bothe. For while his evill willers spred howe he would shake up his acquayntance, they gathered thereby the nature of his frindship towarde his olde frinds, and therefore joyed not much of his glorious interteyning, and his frinds in dede joyed lesse in him for such his discoragement that they felt at his handes. Expertus loquor Footnote ⁸⁶ &c. Nowe what will be judged of many of the worlde, which peradventure love neither of us, if it maye be heard howe we two in that place that we be in by God's providence and the Quene's favour, bothe professing God's veritie as we doe, so longe conjoyned as we have bin nowe to fall at square, so nighe to fall into our earthlie pitt, he to contemne me, I to be dulled in my contentation towarde him? What will this worke in the common wealthe, and specially yf itFootnote ⁸⁷

[fo. 62v] should breake out upon what grounde this greife is conceyved and taken? I would be lothe to breake frindship with any meane bodye, much lesse with my Lord, and yet either King or Cesar, contrarie to my duetie to God, I will not, nor entend not, God being my good Lorde. It is not the solempnitye or commoditye of myne office that I so much esteme. I was sorie to be so accombered, but necessitie drave me, and what fate shall thrust me out, susque deque fero.Footnote ⁸⁸ I am growne nowe into a better consideration by myne age, then to be aferde or dismayed with such vaine terriculaments of the worlde. I am not nowe to learne howe to fawne upon man, cuius spiritus in naribus eius,Footnote ⁸⁹ or that I have to learne howe to repose my selfe quietlye under God's protectyon, against all displeasure of frinds and against all malignitye of thenimye. I have ofte sayd and expended that verse, Cadent a latere tuo mille &c.Footnote ⁹⁰ In this mynde I truste to lyve and dye. Here I will not awnswere as a panymeFootnote ⁹¹ did to a panyme, Cur habeam eum pro principe, qui me non habet pro senatore.Footnote ⁹² But while I lyve I will praye to my Lord that all grace and good fortune maye assiste him in himself and in his posteritie, and shalbe as glad and redye to the duetie of godlie frindship to him, if it may be reasonablie taken, as any one whatsoever with whome he is best pleased and lest provoked with, as any one that fawneth most upon him for his office sake, or for his vertue, to my power.

And thus reposing my self in bona et constante conscientia Footnote ⁹³ in this brittle time, I commytt your Ladyship to God as my self. Bycause ye be alter ipse Footnote ⁹⁴ to him, unus spiritus, una caro,Footnote ⁹⁵ I make you judge, and therefore I transmytt the verie copie of my lettre sent to him to expend the rather of my writinge. Whereby ye may take occasion to worke as God shall move you. And thus I leave. From my house at Lamhithe, this vi of Februarie. 1567.

Your frind unfeyned in Christe,

Matthaei Cantuariensis. Footnote ⁹⁶

8. Nathaniel Bacon to Anne Bacon, [late 1569–1572]Footnote ⁹⁷

Draft in Nathaniel Bacon's hand. Folger Library, L.d.48. 1p.

Madame, I am sorie, that I am no more able than I am, to shewe that goodwill and dutie which I justly owe unto your Ladyship. A poore amendes I must confesse it is of a man endetted, only to confesse his det. A poores amendes do I nowe make, who am not a litle endetted to your Ladyship. Howe it cometh to passe that I especially am moved thus to writ, I dout not but I maie utter without havinge any ill thought therof. Your Ladyship knoweth how, beinge matched in mariage as I am, it stode me upon to have some care of the well bringinge up of my wife,Footnote ⁹⁸ for these wordes of Erasmus are very trewe: plus est bene instrui quam bene nasci.Footnote ⁹⁹ Yf she sholde have had the want of both, I had just cause to feare what might befall. Herupon, beinge not able to remedie the one, I did as mutch as in me lay to provide for the other, and therfore I sought by all the meanes I colde to have her placed with your Ladyship; and at length, though with mutch adoe ^first^ and those stickinge most who had lest cause to sticke at it,Footnote ¹⁰⁰I ^was^ brought the matter to passe.

This is it for which I thinke my self so greatly beholdinge to your Ladyship, in that yow were content to troble your self with havinge my wife with yow, and not that alone, but duringe her beinge with yow to have sutch care over her and better to use her than I my self cold have wisshed. Yea, I often saied, and yet saie, a more strait maner of usage wolde have wrought a greater good. Yet sutch was your Ladyship's goodwill, which I will not live to be unmindfull of.Footnote ¹⁰¹ For the care had of her, I accompt it had of me; the good done to her, I accompt it done to me, for I perswade my self it was done in respect of me. ^But^ howsoever that be, ^at the lest^ this am I suer of, that I am he who am like to enyoye some benefit of the good which was than done ^upon^ her.

[verso] Your Ladyship seeth how redy I am in wordes to acknowledg this good torne. I shall desier yow, Madame, to thinke me as redy also in minde to requite the same, wherof I make faithfull promise, whensoever occasion shalbe geven. And thus I take my leave wisshinge your Ladyship long well to do.

9. Anne Gresham Bacon to Anne Bacon [late 1569–1572]Footnote ¹⁰²

Draft in Nathaniel Bacon's hand. Folger Library, L.d.15. 1p.

My dutie most humbly remembred unto your good Ladyship. I am in good hope that your Ladyship conceiveth no ill of me, notwithstandinge that I have not sins my departure from Gorrhambury written any lettre to yow. The time hath not bene long sins my cominge from thence, and fewe convenient messengers have chaunced, at the lest none more convenient than my brother Windam,Footnote ¹⁰³ who is the bearer herof. How well I am here placed in his house and how mutch to myne owne contentment, though perhappes your Ladyship hath alredy hard somwhat therof, yet none maie better certefie yow therof than my self, so mutch am I beholdinge to my brother and sister.Footnote ¹⁰⁴ I have but litle besides to writ unto your Ladyship, except it be to acknowledg my self greatly bounden to yow for the great ^care^ that yow alwaies had of my well doinge duringe my beinge with ^yow^ which (wolde to God) it had bene soner and so might have bene longer. I am to crave that your Ladyship will take in good part this token of my goodwill untill I shalbe better able to shewe my self thankfull, and in the meane time I shall praie to God that your Ladyship maie live many a yeare in all happines. Yf I might be so bolde, I wolde sende commendations to my brother Anthonie and my good brother Franck.

Most bounden to your Ladyship,

Anne.

10. Nicholas Bacon I and Anne Bacon to Nicholas Bacon II, Francis Boldero, and George Nunn,Footnote ¹⁰⁵ 16 November 1572

Holograph in Nicholas Bacon I's hand from ‘N. Bacon C.S.’; in Anne Bacon's hand from ‘I pray yow’. Chicago, 4123A. 2pp.

Addressed: To my sonne Nicholas Bacon and to my servauntes Frauncis Boldero and Georg Nunne geve theise

Complaynt is made unto me, by Buckes wief this bearer, that the will of her former husbond Howlot is broken by my servaunt Howlot. Theise ar therfor to will you to calle before you Howlot my servaunt and this bearer and her husbond Buck my servaunt also as you knowe, and after the matter fully examyned to take such order as the justice of the cause shall requyre. And yf you shall fynd eyther of the parties obstinate and not conformable to that that you shall thinke reasonable. Then to signifie unto me the state of the matter and in whom you shall fynd the default to thend I may deale therein as justice shall requyre. And so fare you well. From my howse besides Charing Crosse, this xvith of Novembre 1572.

N. Bacon C.S.

I pray ^yow^ sonne do that you may to healpe the owlde mother to lyve in qwiett and comfort with her own childerine in her owlde and few dayes by liklyodd, and spare not to enforme the my Lorde the truth. She sayth it greveth her she sayth to have her childern at variance, and she is very sori for her eldest sonne.

Your father is in the gowte at this present, but his payne now is tollerable, God be thanked.

Your mother,

ABacon.

11. Nathaniel Bacon to Anne Bacon [early 1573]Footnote ¹⁰⁶

Holograph draft. Folger Library, L.d.64. 1p.

Madame, I humbly thanke your Ladyship for the discharge of sutch mony as was due to the taylors for my wife. It was not my meaninge that your Ladyship sholde have bene charged with all it, for I had takingeFootnote ¹⁰⁷ order with my brother EdwardeFootnote ¹⁰⁸ for the paiment of it. I understande by a lettre of my brother's how my Lorde hath a likinge that PaternosterFootnote ¹⁰⁹ sholde attende upon my brethren at ther goinge to Cambridge.Footnote ¹¹⁰ I told the felowe of this, and I will trewly writ your Ladyship worde what aunswere he mad me. He said he was loth to have my Lord's displeasure, but to take that paines which he had taken duringe his beinge at Cambridg before, he was no waies able.Footnote ¹¹¹ For ever sins his lat siknes and the breakinge of his fote, both which happened to him at ons about two yeares past, he hath bene often trobled with paine in his bake, and likwise yf he went goeth any thinge mutch, with paine in his fote; and besides considering ^he was above L yeare old and^ he had served me and my brethren these ix or x yeares, that he were nowe loth to enter into an newe service, of whom he was not able any waie to deserve well, in as mutch as he was not able to take any paines. Herto I said that yf he went not, the let shold be judged in me, wherto he aunswered that he had before this said as mutch unto my brother Anthonie. But herof I shall talke further with your Ladyship upon my cominge to London.

12. Anne Bacon to Nathaniel Bacon, 6 August 1573

Holograph from ‘ABacon’. Huntington Library, FBL3. 2pp.

Addressed: To my sonne Nathaniell Bacon at Wraxham.

Sonne, as you wrote unto me, so am I very well content with my Lady GresshamFootnote ¹¹² to be godmother to your dawghter.Footnote ¹¹³ And understanding by your man, who hath bene with my Lady Gressham, that she hath appoynted Mrs ReadFootnote ¹¹⁴ to be for her, so for me, my desire is to have my dawghter Wyndham,Footnote ¹¹⁵ yf her health will so suffer it, which yf it showld not (as my hope is it will) then would I have my cosin Townesend,Footnote ¹¹⁶ to take the paynes for me. For the daye (because all thinges will not be convenyently redie as I thinke by Sonday), my Lord and I thinke it good that it be uppon Wednesdaye next, or soner or longer by as you shall thinke best. And so have I sent word to my Ladie Gresham as her desire was. I have sent by this bearer ii peces of gowld, ^one^ for the nurse and thother for the mydwife. But my gifte for the childFootnote ¹¹⁷ I cannot se (as I gladly would) send nowe by this bearer, because I cannot in so short tyme send to London for it, where it is, but assone as I shall go thether and have a fit mesenger, I will send it. The name for my part I put to the discrecion ^choyse^ of the mother ^for eny name she lyketh^, to whom with my harty comendacions I wishe Go spedie recovery with perfect healthe. From my hows at Gorhambury this vi of August 1573.

Your mother,

ABacon.

God be thanked for my dawghter's saff delyveraunce. Desyre her from ^me^ not to be to bowlde of her selff in childebed for all she is so yowng and strong.

13. Anne Gresham Bacon to [Lady Anne Bacon] Footnote ¹¹⁸ [c.October 1573]Footnote ¹¹⁹

Draft in Nathaniel Bacon's hand. Folger Library, L.d.476. 1p. Damaged.

Madame, I c[ra]v[e par]don yf any ill be thought of m[e becau]se I have not sins my delivery [before] nowe written to your Ladyship. I am su[re y]our Ladyship heareth how my husband ha[th] removed ^me^ from WaxamFootnote ¹²⁰ to a house of his owne for the time to dwell upon, and I am very glad of it, and though the house be meane, yet I am very well content withall.Footnote ¹²¹ I humbly thanke your Ladyship for the cup which yow bestowed upon my dawghter at her christeninge. She is nursed at StyfkeyFootnote ¹²² and is very well, and I dwell with in a quarter of a mile of her, so that I maie, as I will, loke unto her. Thus hartely wisshing your Ladyship a longe and happie life, I humbly [ta]ke my leave. From Cocthorpe.

14. John Walsall Footnote ¹²³to Anne Bacon, 1578

Published, dedicatory letter. J. Walsall, A sermon preached at Pauls Crosse by John Walsal, one of the preachers of Christ his Church in Canterburie (London, 1578), sigs A2r–A5v.

Addressed (sig. A2r): To the right worshipfull, vertuous, and his verie good Ladie, the Ladie Anne Bacon, John Walsall hartily wisheth mercy and peace from God our Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ.

This my present attempt and enterprise will, perhaps, minister unto the reader double cause of admiration, the one, by reason of the publishing, the other in the respect of the dedication of this simple and plaine discourse. Touching the first, albeit I may justly depose, and call God to witnesse that this sermon is thus imprinted and made common, not by any vaine desire of mine, or terreneFootnote ¹²⁴ purpose in me, but at the importune suite of divers godly men both of the citie where it was preached, and of the countrie where I inhabite. Yet I am enforced openly to acknowledge that it is my bounden dutie of my selfe, without request, every way to seeke the glorie of my God, by exhorting privately, by preaching publikely, by writing generally, to the verie uttermoste of my power and abilitie. Howbeit, I am here constrayned humbly to bewrayeFootnote ¹²⁵ myne owne infirmities, with heartie prayer for greater strength. For mine own simplicitie and want of profounde knowledge, the aboundaunce of most learned volumes dayly set out, together with consideration of many curious heades and carping tongues, these so prevailed with my flesh, as neither I could, of my selfe, be moved, nor by the importunitie of others, for a good space, induced, to publishe this treatise. But at length my weakenesse was somewhat strengthened, and I persuaded, not onely by the reasons of men, whome I have good cause greatly to reverence, but also by the holy spirite of God, to collect this sermon out of my notes, and send it abroad, to the end, that, as by uttering thereof it pleased the Lord God mercifully to touch the heartes of some, so, by writing and imprinting thereof, it may like the same Lord as graciously to touch the heartes of many. So that my onely drift and purpose herein is to seeke the glorie of our good God, by attempting, as he hath inhabled mee, to reclaime the wicked, to confirme the godlie, to converte the deceived, to encourage the converted, that, as God hath created all, offered salvation to al, and nourished us all, so through his sonne our Saviour Christ, he may be glorified by us al.

This glorie of our God ought to bee of so precious and deare accounte with us, that we shoulde directe whatsoever good thing wee have to the advauncement of his glorie. This is not the doctrine of carnall man, but of that moste excellent doctour Jesus Christ, and of his holy apostle S. Paule. Christe the maister saith, ‘First seeke the kingdome of God and his righteousnesse, &c’.Footnote ¹²⁶ And Paule the servant, speaking of the Lord God, telleth us, that, ‘Of him, throughe him, and for him, are all thinges’, and therefore addeth, ‘to him be glorie for ever, Amen’.Footnote ¹²⁷ These, and many the like scriptures, teach us that we are created, redeemed, sanctified, and preserved, yea, that all the Lorde's blessinges so without measure dayly powred upon us, tend to this end that his most glorious name maye bee continually extolled by us. Both Moses and Paul were so zealous for this glory, as they preferred the same to their own salvation. But alas, such is the miserable condition of the world, that few are founde willing to take anye little paine, or to susteine the short displeasure even of the vilest men, thereby to shewe their longing desire of God his glorie. Men, of all sortes, are made so drunken with their own vaine glorie, and in such manner bende them selves to maintaine that ignominious and shamefull glorie, as in the meane time, the glorie of God is cared for, accounted of, and longed for, but of verie fewe, and as it were, of an handfull, in respecte of the huge multitude of so innumerable people. From this most impure and deadly impoysoned fountaine of vaine glorie issueth the papistes’ glorious opinion of their meritorious workes, their proude conceipt of man's righteousnesse, their bloudie argumentes against justification by faith, their obstinate defences of most grosse impieties, their daily coyning of newe counterfeit miracles for the underpropping of their nowe falling kingdome. From this filthie puddle of vaine glorie springeth the contemptuous disdayning of overmanie to submitte their stiffe necks to the sweet and easie yoke of Christe. Hence it is that the verie angelles of God his church, and true ministers of his worde are sternly frowned uppon, injuriously thrust to the walles, and handled unreverently, unles with popishe dirige,Footnote ¹²⁸ they will sing, ‘Placebo’;Footnote ¹²⁹ and as the Jewes willed Esay, speak ‘Placentia’;Footnote ¹³⁰ and with the Terentian Gnato, ‘ait, aio; negat, nego’;Footnote ¹³¹ that is to say, unlesse they will with Judas betray their maister Christe, and frame them selves to feede the sinfull humours of carnall men, by wilfull neglecting the severe commaundementes of Almightie God. Hence it is, that, if contempte of true religion, lothing of Christ's holy gospel, counternauncing of the wicked, cormeranting of earthly thinges,Footnote ¹³² carnall talke, vaine delectations, horrible blasphemie, pride in apparell, epicurisme in diet, deceite in bargaining, unchristian conversation, if these, and the like enormities be reproved, and the terrible judgementes of God denounced againste them, vaine glorie will then be inflamed and set on fire with revenging anger, and at daggers drawing with such preachers. Thus I might proceede to proove that vaine glorie doth every way so abound, as the advauncement of God his glory is lamentably neglected.

Oh, that man had regenerate eyes to looke throughly upon, and deepely into himself, he should then wel perceive that no glorie, but all shame is due to him; he shoulde then be compelled to confesse, that whatsoever good thing he hath of the bodie or minde, the Lorde God hath there with adorned him, that he the authour therof might be glorified with and for the same. Saint Paul to extinguish and quench out man's greedie thirst of vain glory demaundeth of man this question, ‘What hast thou that thou hast not received?’.Footnote ¹³³ To the same ende that universall speach of Saint James may be fitly applied: ‘Every good giving and every perfect gift is from above &c’.Footnote ¹³⁴ Wherein the holy ghost teacheth that all the good things we enjoy, either temporall, or spirituall, they have streamed from the everlasting founteine of God his unspeakable liberalitie, that for and with the same we shoulde magnifie and praise his most glorious name. The Lord therefore in mercie graunt, that every man, in his severall vocation, may so hartely bend all his affections, giftes, welth,Footnote ¹³⁵ wisedome, worship, honour, or what soever the Lorde hath blessed him withal, to the magnifying of him our most gratious and loving Father, that every one of us may with a good conscience and truly say with holy David, ‘Not unto us, o Lorde, not unto us, but unto thy name, give the glorie, &c’.Footnote ¹³⁶ And with Saint Paul, ‘God forbid that I should glory or rejoice, but in the crosse of our Lord Jesus Christ, whereby the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the worlde’.Footnote ¹³⁷

Thinke not (right Christian Ladie) that these words are uttered so much to instruct you, as to enforme the reader of this letter unto you. For by good experience I have comfortably found both in the right honorable my very good Lord, your wise and loving housbande, and in your good Ladiship, his godly and obedient espouse, such care of God's glorie in advauncing true religion, in demeaning your selves in the education of your children, in governing your family, in countenauncing of vertue and learning, in cherishing the poore and needie, as I might deservedly be deemed unwise, if I had not observed it; carelesse, if I did not remember it; unthankefull, if upon offred occasion, I would not testifie it.Footnote ¹³⁸ But thanked be the king of eternal glorie, this your care of God his glory is so universally knowne to the whole realme, and so joyfully acknowledgeFootnote ¹³⁹ of the godly therein, that I neede not produce my self for an experienced witnes of the same. Wherfore to conclude this branch, I will heartily offer uppe mine incessant prayers to the Lorde God, in the name of his sonne our saviour Christe, that both you, and all Christians, may daily and continually growe not onely into such contempt of vaine glory, and al vaine thinges, but also into such love and longing of his true glorie, and all heavenly things, as, in these evill dayes, ye may have the sure testimony of your owne consciences, that you have zealously sought God his glory, and in the end, through Christ, be made partakers of his eternall glorie.

As this care of God's glorie hath drawen others to desire, and me to publish this sermon, which I trust, will prevent the uncharitable suspicions of some, and stay the rash tongues of others, so me thinketh, I am to be blamed neither by you, nor of any other for dedicating the same to your Ladishippe. For, notwithstanding nothing to be therin taught, which you have not long ago learned, and nothing in such manner delivered by me, but hath ben and may be much bettered by others, yet your Ladiship, by perusing thinges alreadie learned, shall not be altogether unprofitably occupied, and at the least this my fact shall make some outwarde shewe of mine inwarde heartie thanksgiving for the benefits bestowed upon, and the trust reposed in me your humble and faithfull servaunt.

And when I considered, that by my Lorde and your Ladiship I was first called from the universitie to teach your two sonnes (and those such children, as for the true feare of God, zealous affection to his word, obedience to their parents, reverence to their superiours, humility to their inferiours, love to their instructour, I never knewe any excell them) and also that by the same meanes I was likewise first called from teaching of children, to enstruct men, verely I coulde not but dedicate the first fruites of these my so generall labours to some of that house, whence I was first sent out to be a poore labourer in the Lord's great harvest.Footnote ¹⁴⁰ You shall here find no profounde learning, no exquisite art, no curious eloquence to delight your learned eares, but finde you shal the simple truth now imprinted as it was then uttered, to comfort your Christian hearte. And I am throughly perswaded that as I have the sure warrant of God's expresse worde for confirmation of the trueth herein conteined, so the holy spirite of God will in such wise affect you with a like and love thereof, that he will compel your heart to think, and your toung to say, Amen, yea, and to confesse that, albeit a sinnefull man was the homely utterer, yet the holy Ghost is the undoubted authour of the same.

Nowe least the portall shoulde be as great as the house, and the preface as long as the treatise, I will conclude and cease from further troubling you. But, I trust, not to surcease from hearty praying the Lord God so to devorFootnote ¹⁴¹ the harts of your good Ladiship, of your children and whole family with the holy fire of his heavenly spirite, that ye may ‘dwell in his court, and be satisfied with the pleasure of his house, even of his holy temple’;Footnote ¹⁴² ‘that the zeale of the Lorde's house may eate ye up’;Footnote ¹⁴³ that with good consciences and joyfull spirites, ye may truely say, ‘o Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place wher thine honour dwelleth’.Footnote ¹⁴⁴ Finally, that ye may be of that bright heavenly wheate, whiche shall bee gathered into the celestiall garner by the Lorde Jesus, who, for ever, mightily protect, and mercifully preserve you.

At Easeling by Feversham in the countie of Kent.Footnote ¹⁴⁵

Your Ladiship's heartie orator, and humble servant,

John Walsall.

15. Anne Bacon to Nicholas Bacon II, [May–July 1579]Footnote ¹⁴⁶

Holograph, excluding the address. Chicago, 4140. 2pp.

Addressed: To Sir Nicholas Bakon

Syr, as yow sent me worde by Osborn,Footnote ¹⁴⁷ as soone as I understoode of my Lorde Treasurer’sFootnote ¹⁴⁸ coming from the coort ^this^ afternoone I lett him know what yow sayde of Nathanaell's lett of coming. That the lett shulde be trew which is named ^I am^ sorye, for it is a great pain, but to be playn, as I can not now change, when I fyrst harde his wyffeFootnote ¹⁴⁹ was come and not he, I looked not for him. My Lord Tresurer hath appointed to morow at ii of the clock in the afternoone ^to heare the matter^ and so wylled to certefye yow.Footnote ¹⁵⁰ I pray God worke in your hart as ^readye^ a dispotionFootnote ¹⁵¹ to ende ^well^, as I at the fyrst by his grace gave a very rare example to beginn well immediatly upon your father's death, of a most faythfull hart ever to him, and the lyke desyre to confyrm your goode will still. Yf eny yll cownsell, as the worlde is full of subtiltee, go abowt to alter your own nature, which hetherto I have taken to be well enclyned. I pray ^yow^, goode Syr Nicolas Bacon, lett it do no hurt betwyxt us where there hath ben so long a continuance of more then common amytee. Yow being the sonne, and I the wyff, and now the weedoe of the same ^good^ father and husbande. So I byd yow hartely fare well and shalbe very glad when wee may mete together frendely. From Shudloes HowseFootnote ¹⁵² this Monday.

Your well wyller alweyes,

ABacon.

16. Anne Bacon to Théodore de Bèze, 18 May 1581

Holograph, excluding the address. Latin. Gotha, Cod. A 405, fos 282r–283v. 2pp.

Addressed (fo. 283v): Monsieur, Monsieur de Beze, à Geneve.Footnote ¹⁵³

Salutem in Christo Jesus.

Habes, vir eximie, jamdudum apud te, ut spero, filium meum, Antonium Bacon. Hic multumque cupiebam ut ^hinc profectus^ Genevam tuam, immo Dei potius, et faciem quoque tuam videret. Amisso patre, ingenti correptus ^est^ desiderio exteras salutandi regiones; quo morbo laborant plerique Angli hisce presertim temporibus. Faxit Deus ut in commodum Ecclesiae suae et huius regni succedat. Adjuva illum, te praecor, vir Dei, consilio tuo et in tuam tutelam suscipito eum. Egomet ignara sum quem nactus est itineris sui comitem, sed, ut conjicio, Blanchardum quendam Gallum, cui permagnam habet fidem, quemadmodum ex litteris suis mihi aliisque per Blanchardum ipsum traditis facile prospexi superiore mense Februario. Multo foelicior esset si vivente patre peregrinatus transmarinas vidisset terras, fultus auxilio et crebro consilio pii et vere prudentis patris; quod quidem fratri suo Edouardo benignitate Dei contigit. Verum cum secus visum est ^coelesti^ patri nostro, spes mea est, Deo hortante filium meum hoc iter ingressum esse et divini Spiritus ductu illum et proficisci et in bonarum rerum cognitione indies proficere.

Dominus maritus reliquit ex me, secunda sua uxore (et sane inter secundas res meas duco, precipue duco, quod me Deus voluit talis viri uxorem esse), ex me inquam, duos tantum reliquit filios, totam spem prolis meae in iis praeterea annis, qui potissimum meo judicio desiderant et indigent gubernaculo paternae autoritatis et cura sollicita chari parentis. Sed idem Deus qui abstulit patrem assumsit, ut confido, et me et filios meos in suam curam et patrocinium. Oro te, ut hanc meam quasi necessitate coactam audaciam ad te scribere velis excusatam habere et internum animi affectum viduae matris erga filium absentem respicere potius quam laceram et claudicantem latinitatem meam aut notare aut culpare. Valeat prestantia tua diu incolumis Ecclesiae Dei et reipublicae tuae.

Londini, 18 Maii 1581.

Tua in Christo ABacona,

vidua Domini Custodis.

[Translation]

Greetings in Christ Jesus.

You already for some time have with you, excellent sir, my son, Anthony Bacon, as I hope. I was greatly desirous that he should set out from here and see your Geneva – or rather, God's Geneva, as well as your face.

After the loss of his father he was seized by a great desire to visit foreign regions; this is a disease affecting many Englishmen, particularly in these times. May God grant that he succeeds to the benefit of his church and of this commonwealth. Assist him, I beseech you, as a man of God, with your counsel and take him into your protection.

I myself am unaware who he had as a companion on his journey but I presume it was Blanchard, a Frenchman,Footnote ¹⁵⁴ in whom he has great faith, as I readily noticed from his letters delivered to me and to others by this same man Blanchard last February.Footnote ¹⁵⁵ He would have been much happier if he had travelled abroad and visited foreign lands while his father was alive, supported by the help and frequent counsel of a godly and truly prudent father, as indeed his brother Edward managed to do through God's goodness.Footnote ¹⁵⁶ But since our heavenly Father deemed it otherwise, it is my hope that it was with God's encouragement that my son undertook this journey and that it was under the guidance of the Holy Spirit that he set off and makes daily progress in the understanding of good things.

My lord husband has left me, his second wife (and certainly among my blessings I especially count the fact that God wished me to be the wife of such a man), has left me, I say, just two sons, the whole hope of my offspring in these years moreover; in my judgement they particularly miss and need the guidance of a father's authority and the solicitous concern of a loving parent. But this same God who took away their father has, as I firmly believe, taken up both me and my sons in his care and protection. I beg you to excuse this boldness of mine in writing to you as something forced by necessity, and to look upon the deep affection of a widowed mother for her absent son, rather than rebuking or censuring my mangled and halting Latinity. May your excellence long remain safe and healthy for the church of God and for your republic.

London, 18 May 1581.

Yours in Christ A. Bacon,

widow of the Lord Keeper.

17. Anne Bacon to Théodore de Bèze, 24 July 1581

Holograph. Latin. Gotha, Cod. A 405, fos 284r–285v. 2pp.

Addressed (fo. 285v): Domino reverendo D. Bezae.Footnote ¹⁵⁷

Accepi tuas literas, vir eximie, quae mihi merito et sunt et debent esse gratissimae, tum quod tu, vir omni eruditionis genere praestantissimus et hac nostra etate propter zaelum Domus Dei maxime celebris, non dedignatus sis ad me scribere mulierem viduam et imbecillem, tum vero quod per te certior facta sum de adventu filii mei ad Genevam. De qua re non parum hactenus anxia fui, ac vehementer optatum hunc audire nuncium diu desideravi. Ob id igitur, ex animo gratias ago Deo nostro qui Anthonium meum salvum et incolumem ad te misit.

Biduo post acceptas tuas litteras, allatae sunt mihi literae quoque a filio inclusae in aliis ad quendam suum amicum exaratis, in quibus scribit se non modo tibi et vultu et verbis gratum venisse, verum etiam maxima cum humanitate et serio rogatu in hospitium tuum amicissime receptum fuisse. Hic vero, eloquar ne an sileam plane ignoro. Quantum ^enim^ tuae dignitati debeo propter hanc immensam ac spontaneam tuam benevolentiam erga filium, juvenem tibi penitus ignotum, nec loquendo nec scribendo satis exprimere possum. Quod si talem amicitiam erga eum tam mihi charum silentio preter mitterem, aut filium meum summae ingratitudinis, quod nollem, aut me, matrem suam tanti beneficii parum memorem, jure incusare posse videris. Deo idcirco propitio hoc omnino relinquo, cuius instinctu, ut spero, rem illi perutilem et mihi perjucundam fecisti, cuius etiam benignitas non desinit paternum suum amorem in me et meos cum maxime opus sit semper ostendere.

Dum Anthonius apud te manet, et quo diutius eo melius mihi placet, sis illi, obtestor te, loco patris et consilio tuo et auxilio, tum ad pietatem tum ad consultius et satis tuto tua prudentia reliquum iter peragendum, si modo sit illi in animo diutius adhuc foris manere, quo Dei Optimi Maximi misericordia, assiduaque tua familiaritate et sana doctrina, morumque integritate magis auctus et ditatus cum gaudio ad suos redeat.

Vale, pater celeberrime, in Christo; me meosque precibus ^tuis^ mando.

Ex edibus meis, Gorhamburiae, 24 Julii 1581.

In Christo Jesu

semper tua, ABacona.

Vidua Domini custodis.

[Translation]

I received your letter, excellent sir, which rightly is and ought to be most pleasing to me, both because you, a man outstanding in every kind of learning and most celebrated in our day and age on account of your zeal for the house of God, were kind enough to write to me, a widow and a weak woman, and also because you informed me of my son's arrival in Geneva. I have up till now been not a little anxious about this and I have long wished to receive this news which is greatly desired. And so for this, I heartily thank our Lord who has sent my Anthony safe and sound to you.

Two days after I received your letter, a letter was delivered to me also from my son enclosed in another letter written to a friend of his,Footnote ¹⁵⁸ in which he writes that he has not only arrived and been welcomed by you with a friendly countenance and words, but that he has also been received in a most friendly manner and with the greatest kindness and a serious entreaty into your hospitable house. But here I am entirely unsure whether I should speak out or remain silent. For I cannot express in speech or in writing how much I owe your dignity for the immense and unasked-for kindness you have shown my son, a young man who is a complete stranger to you. But if I were to pass over in silence such friendship towards him who is so dear to me, you would seem to be able justifiably to accuse my son of extreme ingratitude, which I would not wish, or me, his mother, of failing to remember such a great kindness. And so with God's favour I completely leave this, at whose urging, so I hope, you did this thing which benefits him so much and gives me so much pleasure, whose goodness even now does not cease, ever to show his fatherly love towards me and my family when it is most necessary.

While Anthony remains with you – and the longer he stays, the happier I am – act as a parent to him, I beseech you, giving him your counsel and assistance, both for the sake of piety and so as to carry out the rest of his journey more advisedly and safely by means of your wisdom, if now he decides to remain abroad still longer, so that by the mercy of our Almighty God, and by your continued intimacy and wise teaching, his moral integrity may develop and grow richer and he may return to his family with joy.

Farewell, most distinguished father, in Christ; I commit myself and my family to your prayers.

From my house at Gorhambury, 24 July 1581.

Ever yours in Christ Jesus,

A. Bacon,

widow of the Lord Keeper.

18. Théodore de Bèze to Anne Bacon, 1 November 1581

Published, dedicatory letter. French. T. de Bèze, Chrestienes meditations sur huict pseaumes du prophete David composees et nouvellement mises en lumiere par Theodore de Besze (Geneva, 1581).Footnote ¹⁵⁹

Addressed: A Madame, Madame Anne Bacon, vefve de feu Monseigneur Nicolas Bacon, garde des seaux de royaume d’Angleterre.

Madame, estant le livre de Pseaumes de singuliere recommandation entre tous ceux de la saincte escriture, il y a quelque temps qu’après m’estre employé à la traduction et exposition d’iceux, je me suis mis aussi à esbaucher quelques meditations sur ce suject, ayant choisi comme pour un essay les sept Pseaumes pieçà nommez penitentiaux, pour estre lors specialement dediez à ceux lesquels, après avoir satisfait à la penitence publique et canonique, estoyent r’alliez au corps de l’Eglise, le tout pour mon instruction et consolation particuliere.

Et depuis encores ayant esté requis d’une grande et vertueuse Princesse de luy dresser quelque formulaire de prieres, je les ay reprins en main et polis aucunement, en esperance mesmes de les publier: ce que n’estant venu à effect par le soudain decez d’icelle Dame, je les ay gardez entre mes papiers comme chose de peu de prix: où ils fussent demeurez, n’estoit qu’à la venue de Monsieur Antoine Bacon vostre fils par deça, voyant qu’il prenoit plaisir à ce petit ouvrage, et d’autre part ayant cognu par les lettres Latines desquelles il vous a pleu m’honorer, les grandes et singulieres, voire extraordinaires graces desquelles Dieu vous a douee, et desquelles je recognoy un vray pourtrait en vostre dict fils, je me suis persuadé que ne prendriez à desplaisir que ce petit livret, portant vostre nom sur le front, vous fust presenté pour tesmoignage de l’honneur et reverence que je porte à la vertu vostre et des vostres: esperant aussi qu’en cest estat de vefvage auquel il a pleu à Dieu que soyez reduite par le decez de ce tres vertueux et à bon droict tres-renommé Seigneur, Monseigneur Nicolas Bacon vostre mari, et tres digne garde de seaux d’Angleterre, vous y trouverez quelque consolation après la lecture de ces grands et saincts docteurs Grecs et Latins qui vous sont familiers, pour vous confermer de plus en plus en la meditation des choses spirituelles, et en ceste constance et patience Chrestienne de laquelle le Seigneur vous a tellement ornee, qu’en vous est vrayement recognue ce chrestiennement magnanime courage que j’ay veu par deçà reluire en feu de tres-heureuse memoire Monseigneur Antoine Koouk Chevalier, durant les grandes calamitez publiques du royaume, et particulieres à luy et à toute sa maison. Voilà le fondement de mon dessein, lequel s’il vous plaist avoir pour agreable, comme je vous en supplie tres-humblement, ce me sera peut estre une occasion de passer plus avant en ceste besongne, aydant nostre Seigneur, lequel je requiers, Madame, vous accroissant ses plus grandes graces, vous conserver avec toute vostre tres-noble famille tres-longuement en toute saincte et entiere prosperité. De Geneve, ce premier de novembre, 1581.

Votre bien humble et obeyssant serviteur,

Theodore de Besze.

[Translation from T. de Bèze, Christian meditations upon eight Psalmes of the prophet David, trans. J.S. (London, 1582) sigs A4r–A5v]

Addressed (sig. A4r): To my lady, the lady Anne Bacon, widowe of the deceased Syr Nicolas Bacon Knight, Lord Keeper of the great seale of England.

Madame, among other bookes of holy scripture, that of the Psalmes wel deserveth to bee singularly recommended to us. It is nowe some time, since having bestowed some payne in translating and expounding the same, I gave my selfe also to take some more libertie of dealing with them by way of meditating upon that subject, choosing (as it were for an assaye) the seven psalmes called some time Penitential, because they were appointed to such as after having satisfied open and canonical penaunce, were reunited to the body of the Church, wholy doing it for my particular instruction and consolation. After this, beeing required by a great and vertuous princesse, to frame for her some forme of prayers,Footnote ¹⁶⁰ I tooke them afresh into my hands, polishing them over, and that with hope of publishing them, which being letted by the sodayne decease of that Lady, I reserved them among my papers as things of no great price, where they had lyen still, had not bene the comming of master Anthony Bacon your sonne, into these partes. Whom when I sawe to take pleasure in this litle piece of woorke, and againe knowing by the Latin letters wherewith it hath liked you to honour me,Footnote ¹⁶¹ the great and singular, yea extraodinarie graces wherwith God hath indewed you, and whereof I acknowledge a very paterne in your said sonne, I perswaded my selfe that it should not be displeasing to you, if this small volume carying your name upon the browe, were offered to you, in testimonie of the honour and reverence I beare to the vertue of you and yours. Hoping withall that this estate of widowehode whereunto it hath pleased God to call you by decease of that right vertuous and of right renowned Lord, my Lord Nicolas Bacon, your husband and most worthy Keeper of the seale of England, you might perhaps therein finde some consolation, after the reading of those great and holy doctors of Greeke and Latine so familiar to you, for your better confirming in the meditation of spiritual things, and in this constancie and Christian patience wherewith God hath so beautified you, that in you is verily acknowledged that Christianly high minded courage, which I sawe in these partes shining in the deceased, of very happy memorie, Syr Anthony Cooke Knight, during those great calamities publique to the realm, and particular to him and his whole familie.Footnote ¹⁶² See the ground of my purpose, which if it may please you to take in good part, which I very humbly crave, it may be perhaps an occasion of proceeding in this busines, our Lord ayding, whom I beseeche, Madame, that increasing in you his greatest graces, he will preserve you and your verie noble familie, long in all holy and perfect prosperitie.

From Geneva this first of November. Anno 1581.

Yours very humble and serviceable to commaunde,

Theodore Besze.

19. Anne Bacon to William Cecil, Lord Burghley, 26 February 1585

Holograph. BL, Lansdowne MS 43, fos 119r–120v. 2pp.

Addressed (fo. 120v): To my very goode Lorde, the Lorde Tresurer of Englande

Endorsed (fo. 120v): 26 February 1584. The Lady Bacon for the preachers.Footnote ¹⁶³

I know well, myne especiall goode Lorde, it becometh me not to be troblesome unto your Honor at eni other tyme, but now cheefly in this season of your gretestFootnote ¹⁶⁴ affayres and small or no leasure. But yet because yesterdaye's morning spech, as in that I was extraordinaryly admitted yt was your Lordship's favour, so fearing to stay to long I cowlde not so playnly speak ner so well receave your answer therto as I wolde truly and gladly in that matter, I am bowlde by this writing to enlarge the same more playnly and to what ende I did mean.Footnote ¹⁶⁵ Yf it may like your goode Lordship, the report of the late conference at Lambath hath ben so handled to the discrediting of those learned that labour for right reformation in the ministery of the gospell, that it is no small greff of mynde to the faythfull preachers, because the matter is thus by the othersyde caried away as thowgh the^ir^ cawse cowlde not not sufficiently be warranted by the worde of God.Footnote ¹⁶⁶ For the which proffe they have long ben sadd sutors and wolde most humbly crave still both of God in heaven whose cause it is and of her Majestie, their moste excellent soverein here in earth, that they might obtein qwiett and convenient audience ether before her Majestie her selff, whose hart is in God his hande to towch and to turne, or before your honours of the cownsell, whose wysdome they greatly reverence. And yf they can not strongly prove before yow owt of the worde of God that Reformation which they so long have called and cryed for to be according to Christ his own ordinance, then to lett them be rejected with shame owt of the church for ever. And that this may be better don to the glory of God and tru understanding of this great cause, they reqwyre fyrst leave to assemble and to consult together purposely, which they have forborn to do for avoyding suspetion of privat conventicles.Footnote ¹⁶⁷ For hetherto thowgh in some writing they have declared the state of their, yea God his cause, yet were they never allowed to conferr together and so together be hard fully. But now some one and then some two called upon a soden unprepared, to fore prepared, to catch them rather then gravely and moderatly to be hard to defend their right and goode cause. And therfore for such weyghty conference they appeale to her Majesty and ^her^ honorable wyse cownsell, whom God hath placed in hyghest authority for thadvancement of his kingdom, and refuse the byshopps ^for judges^ who are parties partiall in their own defence, because theFootnote ¹⁶⁸ seek more worldely ambition then the glory of Christ Jesus.Footnote ¹⁶⁹

For myn own part, my goode Lorde, I wyll not deny but as I may I heare them in their publyck exercyses, as a cheff duty commanded by God to weedoes,Footnote ¹⁷⁰ and also I confess, as one that hath fownde mercy, that I have profyted more in the inwarde feeling knowledg of God his holy wyll, thowgh but in a small measure, by such syncere and sownde opening of the scrypture by ^an^ ordinary preaching, within these 7 or 8 yeres then I dyd by hearing ^odd^ sermons at PowlesFootnote ¹⁷¹ well nigh 20 yeres together. I mention this unfaynedly the rather to excuse this my bowldness toward your Lordship, humbly beseching your Lordship to think upon their sute and, as God shall move your understanding hart, to further yt. And yf opportunite will not be had as they reqwire, yet I once again in humble wyse am a suterFootnote ¹⁷²

For thinnes of the paper I write in the other leaff. For my yll eyes.

[fo. 120r] unto your Lordeshipp that yow wolde be so goode as to chewse ii or iii of them which your Honour lykes best and lycence them before your own selff or other at your plesur to declare and to prove the truth of the cause, with qwiet and ^an^ attentyve eare. I have harde them say orFootnote ¹⁷³ now they wyll not come to dispute or argew to brede contention, which is the maner of the byshopps’ hearing, but to be suffred patyently to lay down before them that shall commande theyFootnote ¹⁷⁴ excepted, how well and certeinly they can warrant by the infallible towchstone of the worde the substantiall and mayn grownde of their cause. Surely my Lorde I am perswaded yow shulde do God acceptable service herin. And for the very entier affection I owe and do beare unto your honour, I wysh from the very hart that to your other rare gyfts sondrywyse yow were fully enstructed and satisfyed in this princypall matter, so contemned of the great rabyes to the dishonoring of the gospell so long amonstFootnote ¹⁷⁵ us. I am so much bownde to your Lordship for your comfortable dealing towards me and myne as I do incessantly desyre that by your Lordship's meanes God his glory may more and more be promoted, the greved godly comforted and yow and yours abowndantly blessed. None is prevy to this and in dede thowgh I heare them, yet I see them very seldom.

I trust your Lordship wyll accept in best part my best meaning.

In the Lorde dutifully and most hartely,

ABacon.

20. Michel Berault Footnote ¹⁷⁶to Anne Bacon, 19 July [1585–1589]Footnote ¹⁷⁷

Copy. Latin, with Greek words. BL, Harleian MS 871, fo. 75r–v. 1p.

Addressed (fo. 75r): Observandissimae dominae Annae Bacon Michael Beraldus verbi minister salutem in Christo Deo.

Fieri non potest, nobilissima religiosissimaque Domina, quin tibi quantacumque constantia ac firmitate animi praedita, Domini Antonii Bacon filii tui merito carissimi diuturna in his regionibus turbulentissimo praesertim tempore mora ac inde nata eius absentia atque desiderium, et solicitudinis et molesiae plurimum attulerit. Nam ut maternum animum omittam qui propensior fere in primogenitos esse solet ac proinde omnis mali metuentior, tum Dominus Deus pro sua in suos liberalitate eum tot tamquam raris cum animi tum corporis exornavit, ut eius discessus non popularibus modo, sed etiam alienigenis qui semel excellens eius ingenium, singularem comitatem placidosque mores noverint, non minus futurus sit gravis, quam aspectus quibus frui licet iucundus; tum hac tempestate tam graves tam repentini subinde intervenerint casus etiam iis, qui ubique terrarum, praecipue vero in hac infaelici Gallia tutissimo loco esse videntur ut nis sit mirum quod cum praetiosissimum pignus loco non solum a tuo conspectu, verum etiam a praesidio procul remoto habeas, omnia adversa atque infausta suspiceris et reformides, nec non ut te cura et metu filium periculo exolvas tum ad te denique revocare quam primum cogites, studeas, omni denique ope nitaris, horum equidem nihil a verae parentis officio alienum aut discrepans, ad quod malevoli quidam vel potius malesani homines conati sunt, ut audeo tibi longe meliora de filio iure expectanti persuadere. At si iam commemoratus filius vel captus loci amoenitate et civium nostrorum deliciis, obsequiis, blandimentis illectus, ultro Montalbani moras proderes necteret atque produceret, vel purae religionis, quam a teneris didiscerat, taedio a patriae conspectu in qua Deus per Christum unice colitur, a qua superstitio omnis eiulat singulari Dei beneficio abhorreret plane cum ipsa humanitate; nedum cum veritate pugnat. Certo autem certius est ei postquam sese huc paulo antequam coniurationis Guisiacae consilio in apertam vim erupisse, ut alteri pedi ex laxatione in comitatu regis Navarroe accepta, graviter affecta mederetur, nullam quamvis cupienti summaque cura reditum in patriam quaerenti, oblatam hinc exeunti, sine aperto salutis discrimine rationem fuisse; tantum abfuit ut Rupellae portum quot unde navigaret in Angliam, tuto pervenire posset. Enim vero, si qua forte militum manus satis firma et idonea perrumpendis quae passim struebantur insidiis in Xantones aut Pictavos profectura quod bis aut ad summum ter toto hoc quinquennio contigit diceretur hinc extrema εφοδιω inopia (ut interim nihil dicam de aeris alieni magnitudine, quod sui etiam frugalissime imo tenuissime victitans tanto tempore traxerat) illinc valetudo parum prospera, nec dicam adversa, ita sanctissimis eius consiliis obstiterunt et reflarunt. Ut non sine summo animi sui dolore, in hoc obscuro Galliae angulo carpendum ei adhuc fuerit, prout in clarissima luce orbis Christiani cuius dignus est versaretur. Quamquam neque urbis ignobilitas, neque iniquitas temporum ita virtutibus eius tenebras offundere potuerunt, quin permultis mihi vero in primis et exemplo et sermonum gravitate in his comunibus miseriis praeluxerit. Quocirca nunquam dubitabo palam affirmare cum quisquis ille fuerit, qui aliter vel dixerit vel scripserit, suam magis impudentiam, quam latissimi et ornatissimi iuvenis innocentiam prodiisse. Cum a me stet non dubia veritas, nequaquam vereor, ne ulla unquam ullius etiam disertissimi oratoris eloquentia aut vagorimi veteratoris, calliditas huic testimonio fidem derrogare aut me mendacii coarguere posse. Quamobrem ego matri aequi satisfaciendi, ac tuendae filii existimationis studiosus, te colendissima Domina oro atque obtestor et si fas est moneo atque hortor, ut si quam graviorem de filio opinionem quasi aliquid de veteri in Deum vel in patriam, vel denique in te ipsum studio remiserit comprehendisti, eam me sponso rem protinus deponas, tibique persuadeas multo plus animo eius accessisse quam de pecuniis decessisse, hocque quinquennali usu et exercitationi provectiorem filium pietate reliquisque virtutibus quam aetate factum, quod ipse brevi σαν θεω praecipua cum animi voluptate cognosces et experieris. Vale. Datum Montalban. Quarto Calendas Augusti novo calendo anno Domini.

[Translation]

Addressed: Michel Berault, minister of the word, sends greetings in Christ God to the most honourable lady Anne Bacon.

It is impossible most noble and most pious lady, for you who are endowed with such great constancy and firmness of mind, not to be affected by a great deal of anxiety and concern because your son, Lord Anthony Bacon, who is justifiably very dear to you, is staying a long time in these parts at this particularly turbulent time. His absence must cause you great longing. But I say nothing about the maternal mind which tends to be almost more partial towards first-born children and therefore more fearful of every evil; furthermore the Lord God, by his generosity towards his own, has adorned him with so many rare gifts of both mind and body that his departure will be no less serious than the sight of him is pleasing to those who can enjoy them, not only to his countrymen but also to foreign-born men who have come to know his outstanding talent, his singular courtesy, and peaceable nature. Moreover at this time such serious and sudden things have happened repeatedly to those who seem to be in the safest place anywhere in the world, but particularly in this wretched country of France, so that it is not surprising since you have this most precious dear son not only far from your sight but also from your protection, you suspect and fear that everything is calamitious and unlucky and also that you may free your son from danger by solicitude and anxiety, so you plan, try and strive with all your efforts to bring him back to you as soon as possible; of which is nothing foreign from or at odds with the true role of a parent against whom some ill-willed or unsound men have striven, as I dare to persuade you who are justifiably awaiting far better things from your son. But since your already-mentioned son has been captured by the pleasantness of the place and seduced by the delights, services, and kindnesses of our citizens, so he voluntarily contrives to prolong his stay at Montauban because he finds it useful, or through its pure religion, which he had learned from his tender years, wearied from the sight of his homeland in which God is solely worshipped through Christ, bewailed by all superstition, utterly horrified by the singular benevolence of God fighting with humanity itself, nay even with truth. Certainly it is clearer to him that after he came here a little before the Guise conspiracy deliberately erupted into open violence, so that by means of a period of rest received in the retinue of the king of Navarre, he might be healed in the other foot which had been seriously affected, there was no reason for him to leave here without an obvious and sudden improvement in his health, despite his desire to do so and even though he sought a return to his own country as a matter of the greatest concern. So far was he from being able to reach La Rochelle safely, from where he should sail to England, having realized that to go forth hence without clear health to be reckoning with danger. For indeed, if by chance a troop of soldiers sufficiently strong and suitable for breaking the ambushes (which were being set up everywhere) was to set out against the people of Saintes and Poitiers, which has happened twice or at most three times in this whole period of five years, there would be said to be, as a result, an extreme shortage of travelling supplies (to say nothing of the size of the debt which he had drawn out for such a long time by living very frugally, indeed very meagrely), or on the other side hardly prosperous, not to say bad, health would have hindered his most sacred plans and blown them in the opposite direction. So that not without the greatest mental anguish, he had to live in this dark corner of France until now, in so far as he should live in the brightest light of the Christian world of which he is worthy. Although neither the dishonourable nature of the city nor the wickedness of the times could extend the darkness over his virtues and prevent him shining forth to many and to me, especially by his example and the gravity of his conversation in these shared miserable conditions. For this reason I will never hesitate to affirm publicly that whoever it was who said or wrote differently, has revealed his own shamelessness rather than betraying the innocence of the most generous and distinguished young man. Since undoubted truth stands by me, I in no way fear that any eloquence of even the most learned orator or the cunning of a roaming crafty fellow could ever revile the fidelity from this testimony or prove me a liar. For this reason I am eager to satisfy the mother and to protect the son's reputation and I beg and beseech you, most worshipful lady, and, if it is proper, I warn and urge you that if you apprehend some more serious opinion about your son, such as if he has fallen away at all from his former devotion towards his homeland, towards God, or lastly towards you yourself, you should immediately set aside the matter,Footnote ¹⁷⁸ with me as your pledge, and you should persuade yourself that he has gained much more spiritually than he has lost financially, and that he has increased in piety and other virtues more than in years during the practice and efforts of these past five years, as you will find and experience yourself shortly, God willing, with particular pleasure of mind. Farewell. Written at Montauban on 29 July in the new calendar year of the Lord.

21. Thomas Wilcox Footnote ¹⁷⁹to Anne Bacon, 25 September 1589

Published, dedicatory letter. T.W. [Thomas Wilcox], A short, yet sound Commentarie; written on that woorthie worke called; The Proverbes of Salomon (London, 1589), sigs A2r–A4v.

Addressed (fo. A2r): To the honorable and his very good Ladie, the Ladie Bacon, T.W. wisheth abundance of all felicitie outward and inward in this life, and afterwards eternal blessednes through Christ in that life which lasteth for ever.

Amongst the great, unmeasurable and infinite benefites, that God most rich in mercie and faithfull in performance, hath given unto men of all estates and degrees, in this last (though worst) age of the world, as evident and infallible testimonies of his singular love and bountie towards them, and as notable instruments to drawe and allure them soundly to knowe, unfeignedlie to love, and reverently to feare him alone that is the only giver thereof, this in my poore judgement (good Madame) seemeth unto me (and I hope that others inlightned from God are of the same minde with me) not the least nor to be reckoned in the last place, namely, the excellent and most wonderfull light, not of manifold tongues onely, as Hebrew, Greeke, Caldee, Siriake, Latin, &c, neither yet of sundrie arts alone, as grammar, rhetoricke, logicke, musicke, arithmetick, geometrie, &c, but of the holy scriptures and Christian religion speciallie; all which doubtles being heretofore through Sathan's malice and man's ignorance, not cast aside amongst wormes and moathes, by little and little to wast and consume them, but sumptuouslie laied in grave, and deepely buried, and that almost without hope of quickning, God (that alwaies had and hath the fulnes of power in his hand) hath been pleased now at the last, for the overthrowe of superstition, idolatrie, and wicked life, and for the advauncement of his glorie, and furtherance of men's salvation, to recall as it were even from the grave it selfe, and revive from the dead. Wherin howsoever the Lord have graciouslie vouchsafed to declare his incomprehensible power, accomplishing so miraculous a worke, and to manifest his unspeakable love not onely in the multitude and varietie, but in the evidencie thereof, so that even bleare eyed men and barbers (as is in the common byword) may cleerely perceive the same, yet the strength of sinne hath so not onely obscured, but as it were defaced, though not the sight, yet the power and efficacie of God's favour, with the fruites and effects which should followe thereupon, that some through naturall blindness and dimnes of their eyes cannot behold them; other some againe through dumnes of mouth, and having their tongues tied, will not acknowledge them; other some againe through want of good judgement, do with polluted hands irreverently receive them; and almost all through prophanenesse of hart, and cursed corruption unsanctifiedlie (if not irreligiouslie) use them. So fewe are there found in the world now adaies that profite by them to faith unfeigned, and humble thankfulnes before him that plentifully hath provided the same for their good, if they could tell how to accept and use the same. The contemplation and memorie wherof (I willingly and unfeignedly confesse it) leaveth behind it no small skarre, but a great wound rather in mine heart, and that not only so much for mine owne iniquitie in that behalfe (though I knowe the same to bee high and hainous) as for the common abomination, that every where as a mightie streame that will not be stopped, and forcible floud that cannot be withstood, overfloweth all, and for the fearefull desolation that in all probabilitie and likelihood of man's judgement will ensue thereupon, because howsoever God be of long suffering and great goodnes, yet he cannot, nor will not (for we are sure he is zealous over his owne glorie) continuallie suffer the vile and abominable of the world to trample and tread under their beastlie feete his exceeding blessings and singular favours. And yet I cannot hide this within my selfe, but must of necessitie breake foorth into the declaration thereof, that I am againe somewhat recomforted, in that whether soever I cast mine eyes whether at home or abroad, I certainlie beholde, and that without deceit of sight, some amongst all estates and degrees of men, high, lowe, rich, poore, young, olde, noble, unnoble, magistrates, ministers, and people, and sundrie of them of my Christian acquaintance, on whose behalfe I daylie offer up unto God through Christ the duetie of thanks giving, perswading my self further, that there is upon the face of the earth a mightie number besides (though not known to me) whom God hath pleased in the multitude of his mercies doubtles, and for much good towards them and others in them, not onely to single and cull out as it were from the huge heape and wicked fellowship of the polluted and prophane, but richlie to replenish and adorne them (as it were with most precious pearles) with the singular graces of sound knowledge, stedfast faith, comfortable feeling, unfeigned obedience, and sundrie such like holie and heavenlie gifts. Amongst whom, your sexe rightly considered, and the place you have been in wisely respected, and your present estate well weighed, I know fewe matchable with you (good Madame, flatterie is farre from my words, I humbly thanke God for it, and I hope pride removed farre from your selfe in hearing your owne praise, as I with envie may bee from others as in regard of your due commendation) and not many to go beyond you. For though to be borne not onlie of worshipful parents, but of a sanctified stock, be some thing both before God and man; and though learned and holie education bee a good helpe towards the reformation of our corruption, and as it were the instilling of another nature into us; and though to be richlie joyned in holy matrimonie be a token doubtles of God's great favour and love; and though to have in the undefiled mariage bed, a blessed seed and lawfull issue, be special blessing and mercie from God; and though to leade and live a vertuous and unreproveable life in the sight of men (who are wont neglecting themselves, with evill and curious eyes to looke upon others) bee a happie thing (with all which favours you have by the divine providence, been even laden as it were in your birth, bringing up, youth, old age, virginitie, mariage, widowhood and posteritie); yet because many bee degenerate and start aside from their ancestors’ godlines; and some through carelesnes cause to perish the cost that hath been bestowed upon them in good bringing up; and others make themselves both in single and maried life lothsome to the Lord, and infamous before men, because either they have not begun well, or have not held on unto the end; and other some by evill example, have done the children of their wombe more hurt in the world, than they have done them good in bringing them foorth to behold the light of the sunne; and other some have added to the weakenes of their sexe, not watchfulnes against sinne, as their duetie required, but laied the raines of their severall iniquities and manifold inticements to evill in their owne neckes; and many have misused their places of honor and credit to all licentiousnes of the flesh, and carelesnes of God, and of the waies of his worship, and so consequently of eternal salvation; (from all which inconveniences and mischiefes the Lord hath mercifullie kept you in everie condition of life wherein he hath been pleased to place you) me thinketh you have wherein to rejoyce, and that not onlie so much in the things themselves, freelie and plentifullie bestowed upon you, as in the happie continuance and mightie encrease of these his goodnesses in you, you also having received grace from God to beautifie them with an unblameable and holy conversation. By meanes whereof it is come to passe, that as you are much beloved at home in the midst of God's saincts and faithfull servants here, and these not onlie common professors, but many worthie ministers (for kindnes towards whom, and particularlie towards my selfe, I doo humblie here in all our names thanke God, and you as his gracious instrument), so you are made truely famous abroad in forraine Churches and countries, and highly reverenced of many worthie men there, indued doubtles with singular graces for God's glory, and the building up of the bodie of the fellowship of saincts. But what meane I to enter into this broad field of Christian commendation, where breath would rather faile me, and time I am sure, with abilitie to wade into it as I should, than matter any manner of way bee wanting. Give me leave therefore (good Madame), I beseech you, to desist from your praise (which I knowe you doo not willingly heare, though it be deserved as on your part, and though perhaps it might bee as a quicke spurre in the dull sides of others to provoke them to good things) and to turne my speach to exhortation rather and comfort. The course that you are entered into, and the race that now you have a long time runne in, is holie and honorable. Hold on therfore in the same chearefullie, notwithstanding the manifold hinderances that within and without bee cast in your way to turne you aside, if it might be; and bee not wearie of well doing at any hand, for as you knowe that your profession requireth it, so God hath promised that the time will come wherein you shall reape (as the saincts of God have done before you), if you faint not. Let the assured faithfulnes and infinite power of him, that hath in his word made you large promises, be a pricke unto you herein. And forasmuch as he hath given you grace to begin well, and to hold on hetherto, doubt not, but he hath both the will and the deed in his owne hands to bestowe them where and as it pleaseth him, will make perfect in you every good worke, even till the day of Jesus Christ. Is it possible, that that incorruptible crowne of eternall glorie, which in his onely beloved he hath prepared for you, should fade away? Upon these things, I beseech you (having cast away worldly cares), fixe continuallie the eye of your faith, that you may end your old yeeres in the Lord's peace, and be indeed gathered unto your fathers comfortablie, saying, as that holie apostle old Paule saied, ‘I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; from hence forth there is laied up for me the crowne of righteousnes, which the Lord the righteous judge shall give me at that day; and not to me onely, but unto all them also that love his appearing’.Footnote ¹⁸⁰ Your learned father, your honorable husband, your loving brother, your deare sisters some of them, and (if I bee not deceived) some also of your owne holie seede (all of them having yeelded up their spirites in the faith and feare of God) are I doubt not gone thether before you;Footnote ¹⁸¹ and why should you your selfe, or any other thinke that you should be sundred from them? As for the lengthning of your life, above many before reckoned, surely God hath done it for his owne glorie, and the good of his Church, into which also you being religiouslie gathered as a sound member thereof, you have even in that an assured testimonie given unto you, that warfaring here with his saincts as you doo, against sinne, the world and the divell, you shall in good time, through him that hath loved you and washed you in his bloud, become more than a conqueror, and eternallie truimph together with them and the rest in heaven. Till which time, as I rest resolved, that God the author and perfecter of every good thing in all his, will not withdrawe his gracious hand from you in any grace, speciallie spirituall and heavenlie. So I am certainlie perswaded that manie such as are led by his spirit, and know you in Christ Jesus, and love you in the trueth, will not (God ayding them) neglect any duetie either outward or inward, that possiblie they can performe to further that worke. Amongst whom I, though the least and most unworthie, as in respect of my selfe, yet tied thereto by the duetie of my profession from God, and bound to it by sundrie favours received from you, will in my poore measure strive to do, though not so much as others, neither yet so much as I owe (which I freelie acknowledge as being privie to mine owne disabilitie and insufficiencie that way, and not utterlie unacquainted with other men's fulnes and unheaped store) yet what God hath or shal be pleased to enable me to accomplish. Which that your good Ladiship may be the better assured of, I am bold now to present unto you, and to publish under your name some short notes and meditations of mine (long since written for the dearest friend I had in the world) uppon that worthie booke of Salomon's Proverbes. What it is, I leave to you, and the Church of God to judge of; and yet this much I hope I may without pride protest, that though it bee not exquisite like unto the worthie workes of manie BezaleelsFootnote ¹⁸² in our age, yet it is sound; and though it bee not finelie polished, either in fitnes of wordes, or great store of arte, yet the trueth it is I hope, and never a whit the more to be misliked, because it is naked and plaine, but the rather to be imbraced of God's people; who I hope will shewe me this favour, that as they wil not reject any good thing in it for any evil that may be found or suspected to be therin, neither yet admit any evil for the good's sake, but in a discerning spirit refuse the one and receive the other; so they will assist me with their praiers to God for the increase of any good thing that is within me, to God's glorie, and the benefite of his people; and in much love, according to the spirit of love wherwith they are replenished, either Christianly cover that which is amisse, or curteouslie cure it. And as for you (good Madame) though I rest perswaded that it shall bee well accepted of you, yet can I not but againe and againe beseech you to receive it, not only as from the hand, but as from the heart of him, who, if either his poore praiers in absence, or speach in presence, or any thing els either within him or without him, could any many manner of way, either further you, or answere some part of that Christian kindnes which he hath received from you, would not bee wanting in any duetie toward you or yours that God shal inable him to performe. Now the very God of peace sanctifie you throughout and grant that your whole spirit, soule and bodie may be kept blameles unto the comming of our Lord Jesus Christ. London, the xxv. of this September 1589.

Your good Ladiship’s, as very much bounden,

so in al things very readie in Christ to his poore power,

T.W., the Lord's unworthie servant.

22. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 3 February 1592

Holograph. LPL 653, fos 343r–344v. 2pp.

Endorsed (fo. 344v): lettre de Madame

Addressed (fo. 344v): To my sonne Antonie Bacon geve theis

The grace of God be dayly multiplied in yow, with mercy in Christ our Lorde.

That yow are retorned now at length, I am right glad.Footnote ¹⁸³ God bless it to us both. But when I harde with all that Lawson, who I foresuspected stale hence unto yow, and so belyk hath wrought upon yow again to your hurt to serve his own turn as heretoofore, how welcome that cowld be to your long greeved mother, judg yow.Footnote ¹⁸⁴ I can hardly say whether your gowt or his company was the worse tidings. I have entreated this gentleman Mr FauntFootnote ¹⁸⁵ to do somuch kindnes for me as to jorny to yow, because your brother is preparing your loging at Grayes Inn very car[e]fully for yow. I thanke God that Mr Faunt was willing so to do and was very glad because he is not only an honest gentleman in civill behavour, but one that feareth God in dede and wyse with all having experience of our state and is able to advyse yow both veri wysely and frendly. For he loveth yourselff and needeth ^not^ yours as others have and yet dissemble with yow. He doth me pleasure in this, for I cowlde not have fownde another so very mete for yow and me in all the best and most necessary respects. Use him therafter, goode sonne, and make much of such and of their godly and sownde ^frendly^ cownsell. This one cheffest cownsell your christian and naturall mother doth geve yow, even before the Lorde, that above all worldely respects yow carie yourself even at your first coming as one that doth unfeinedly profess the tru religion of Christ and hath the love of the truth now by long continuance fast settled in your hart and that with judgment, wysedome and discretion, and are not ether afrayd or ashamed to testifyFootnote ¹⁸⁶ the same by hearing and delighting in those religious exercises of the syncerer sort, be they French or Englysh.Footnote ¹⁸⁷In hoc noli adhibe^re^ fratrem tuum ad consilium aut exemplum, sed plus dehinc.Footnote ¹⁸⁸ Yf yow wylbe wavering (which God forbid, God forbyd) yow shall have examples and ill encoragers to many in these dayes and that αρch βισhοπ Footnote ¹⁸⁹ since he was βουλευτὴσ ἐστὶ ἀπολεία τῆσ εκκλησιασ μεθ ἡμῶν, φιλεῖ γαρ την ἑαυτοῦ δοξαν πλεον τησ δοξησ τοῦ χρίστου.Footnote ¹⁹⁰ Beware therfore and be constant in godly profession withowt faynting and that from your hart. For formalitee wanteth none with us but to ^to^ common. Be not readi of speche nor talk sodenly but where discretion reqwireth and that soberly then. For the propertie of our world is to sownde one at first comming and after to contemn. Curtesy is necessary, but common, too common familiaritee in talkyng and words is veri unprofitable and not withowt hurttaking ut nunc sunt tempora.Footnote ¹⁹¹ Remember yow have no father and yow have litle inowgh, yf not too litle regarded your kinde and no symple mother's holsome advyse from time to time. And as I do impute all most humbly to the grace of God whatsoever he hath bestowed upon me, so dare I affirme it had ben goode for yow everi way yf yow had followed it long er this. But God is the same who is able to heale both mynd and bodie, whome in Christ I besech to be your mercyfull Father and to take care of yow, gwyding yow with holy his holy and most comfortable spirit, now and ever. ןמא.Footnote ¹⁹²

Let not Lawson, that foxe, be acqwainted with my lettres. I disdayn both it ^and^ him. He commonly opened undermyningly all lettres sent to yow from cowncell or frends. I know it and yow may to much yf God open your eyes, as I trust he wyll. Send it back to be sure by Mr Faunt sealed. But he wyll prye and prattle. So fare yow well and the Lorde bless yow and kepe yow from evell.

3 February.

Your mother,

ABacon.

I trust yow with your servants use prayour twyse in a day having ben where Reformation is. Omitt it not for eny. It wilbe your best credit to serve the Lorde duly and reverently and yow wylbe observed at first now. Your brother is to negligent herin. But do yow well and zealously. It wilbe lookt for of the best ^learned^ sorte and that is best.

23. Francis Bacon to Anne Bacon, 18 February 1592

Copy. LPL 648, fos 8r–9v. 2pp.

Endorsed (fo. 9v): Mr Francis Bacon to my Lady Bacon 1591

Madame, Alderman HaywoodFootnote ¹⁹³ is deseassed this nyght; his eldest sonne is fallen ward. My Lord Treasorer doth not for the most part hastely dispose of wardes.Footnote ¹⁹⁴ It were woorth the obtayning if it were but in respect of the widow, who is a gentlewoman much commended. Your Ladyship hath never had any ward of my Lordship. It was to early for my brother to begynne with a sute to my Lord before he had seen his Lordship. And for me, I darFootnote ¹⁹⁵ at this tyme reserve my Lord to be my frend with the Queen. It may please your Ladyship to move my Lord and to promise to be thankful to any other my Lord oweth pleasure unto. Thear would be no tyme lost hearin. And so I most humbly take my leave.

From my lodging this xviii of February 1591.

Your Ladyship's most obedient sonne,

Francis Bacon.

24. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 28 February 1592

Holograph. LPL 648, fos 6r–7v. 2pp.

Endorsed (fo. 7v.): lettre de Madame 1591

Addressed (fo. 7v): To my sonne Antony Bacon at Grayes Inne

Gratiam et salutem in Christo. Footnote ¹⁹⁶

I am looking for Redborn writings.Footnote ¹⁹⁷ Yow will not think how loth most part of the neybours be yow shulde sell it away. Some cownsell rather to lease it is much better. They cownsell to sell Colney ChappellFootnote ¹⁹⁸ and Meriden leaseFootnote ¹⁹⁹ or some such smaller thing. Thowgh less did ryse, yet one might borow some. God sende yow above all his true feare in your hart and goode health to do your long discontinued duty to her Majestie and cowntry. I pray yow be carefull and kepe goode diet and order. It is here marvelous colde and sharpe, too sharpe yet for yow, I think. On Thursday or Wensday Fryday I mean to be at London, yf the Lorde wyll be so. Many syck hereabowte and one of my howsholde since I came. Yf I come not shortly, I wyll send your boy, who is trobled with colde and wylling to be with yow. I wolde gladly yow had well seene her Majestie but be in some goode state of health fyrst and regard it carefully for eny, with God his blessing. The Lorde kepe yow both from evell and gwyde your wayes to please him and encrease your health. Looke well to your servaunts and ^to^ your own things.

Gorhambury ultimo Februarii Footnote ²⁰⁰ 1591.

Your mother,

ABacon.

25. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 2 March 1592

Holograph. LPL 648, fos 12r–13v. 2pp.

Endorsed (fo. 13v): lettre de Madame, ma mere datee du 2 de mars 1591

Addressed (fo. 13v): To my sonne Anthony Bacon

Gratia in Christo. Footnote ²⁰¹

The goodeman FinchFootnote ²⁰² amongst others is desirous to se yow and commeth purposely. Yt may be yow remember him. When yow are better acqwainted with him and can rightly judg yow shall have cause to lyke well of him. He is carefull for my business, honest and trusty; I thank God for him. I cannot yet go hence as I thowght. LawrenceFootnote ²⁰³ partly can tell. I wolde gladly here how all things go with yow; I wrote lately to yow. Beleve not everyone that speakes fayre to yow at your fyrst comming. It is to serve their turn. When your health and leisure serveth to be here, yow shall know diversites of frend by dealing in your absence and yet ‘My yowng master’ in their mowths. I commende yow both to the grace of God in Christ Jesu, who bless yow and kepe yow from evell.

Gorhambury 2 Martii 1591. Regard your health and serve the Lorde in truth.

Your mother,

ABacon.

26. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 17 May 1592

Holograph. LPL 648, fos 167r–168v. 2pp.

Endorsed (fo. 168v): Lettre de Madame ma mere de Gorambery receue ce 18eme may 1592

Addressed (fo. 168v): To my sonne Anthonie Bacon

God bless yow dayly more and more both in sowle and bodie. I send to know how yow do. For my selff I am but languescens Footnote ²⁰⁴ but in goode chere and comfort, I thank God. The goodeman Rolff,Footnote ²⁰⁵ my tenant at BurstonFootnote ²⁰⁶ but lately recovered, is desyrous to see yow. He is an honest man and a kinde tenant and of discretion and dealing. I sent my man Bury to direct him and to see yow and your brother, how it is with yow both. I humbly thank God for the comfortable company of Mr Wyborn and Wylblud.Footnote ²⁰⁷ Thei may greatly be afraide of God his displeasure which worke the woefull disapointing of God his worke in his vineyardeFootnote ²⁰⁸ by putting such to silence in these bowlde sinning dayes. Haud impune ferent,Footnote ²⁰⁹ come when it shall. God encrease in yow true knowledg and stablishFootnote ²¹⁰ your hart in the love of his eternall truth. ^Cura ut valeas^.Footnote ²¹¹ Gorhamburi 17 Maii 1592.

Your mother, ABacon.

Think on your lettre wysely. Be not overruled still with by subtile and hurtfull hangers on.

27. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 24 May 1592

Holograph. LPL 648, fo. 172r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 172v): lettre de Madame ma mere, de Goramberi, ce 27eme may 1592

Addressed (fo. 172v): To my sonne Antony Bacon at Grayes Inn

Gratia et salus. Footnote ²¹²

That yow encrease in amending I am glad, God continue it every way. When yow cease of your prescribed diet, yow had nede I think to be very warie both of your soden chang of qwantite and of season of your feading, specially suppers late or full. Procure rest in convenient time. It helpeth much to digestion. I verely think your brother's weake stomack to digest hath ben much begun caused and confirmed by untimely ^late^ going to bed and then musing nescio quid Footnote ²¹³ when he shuld slepe and then in conseqwent by late rising and long lyeing in bed. Wherby his men are made slewthfull and himselff continuall syckly. But my sonns hast not to harken to their mother's goode cownsell in time to prevent. The Lord ^our heavenly Father^ heale and bless yow both as his sonns in Christ Jesu.

I promyss yow towching your coch, yf it be so to your contentation, it was not wysdome to have ^it^ seene and known at the coorte.Footnote ²¹⁴ Yow shulbe so much preased to lende and your man for gayn so ready to agree that the discomodite theroff wylbe as much ^as^ the comoditie. I wolde your health had ben such as yow neded not to have provided a coche but for a wyffe, but the wyll of God be don. Yow were best to excuse yow by me that I have desired the use of it, because as I fele it to true. My going is allmost spent and must be fain to be bowlde with yow.

It is lyke Robert Baylye and his sonne have ben to seeke some commoditee of yow. The father hath ben but an ill tenant to the wodd and a wayward payer and hath forfayted his bonde, which I entende not to lett slipp. His sonne a dissolute yowng man and both crafty. Lykewyse yowng CarpenterFootnote ²¹⁵ may sue to be your man. Be not hasty. Yow shall finde such yowng men prowd and bowlde and of no servyce but charg and discredit. Be advised. Overshoote not your selff undiscretely. I tell yow, plain folk in apperence wyll qwickly comber one here and they wyll all seek to abuse your want of experience by so long absence. Be not hasty but understand well first your own state. There was never less kindeness in tenants commonly then now.

Vale in Christo,Footnote ²¹⁶

24 Maii 1592.

Your mother, ABacon.

Let not your men see my lettres. I write to yow and not to them.

Yf yow nede eny writings from hence, let me know in time. I stay till next weke because of a coort, yf the steward can.Footnote ²¹⁷Cura ut valeas.Footnote ²¹⁸

28. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 29 May 1592

Holograph. LPL 648, fo. 178r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 178v): Lettre de Madame ma mere le 29eme may 1592 l[e] Willam Hoult. Footnote ²¹⁹

Addressed (fo. 178v): To my sonne Antony

I am glad and thank God of your amendement. But my man sayde he harde yow rose at 3 of the clock. I thowght that was not well so sodenly from bedding much to rise so early, newly owt of your diett. Extremitees be hurtfull to whole, more to the syckly. Yf yow be not wyse and discrete for your diett and seasoning of your doings, yow wylbe weakish, I feare, a goode while. Be wyse and godly too and discern what is goode and what not for your health. Avoyde extremitees. What a great fawtFootnote ²²⁰ were it in yow to take colde to hinder your amendment being not compelled but upon voluntary indiscretion. Seing the cost ^of phisick^ is much, your payn long, your amendement slow and your duty not yet done, geve none occasion by negligence. Yow go ut vulgo dicitur Footnote ²²¹ of your own errand. I lyke not your lending your coch yet to eny Lorde or Ladie. Yf yow once begin yow shall hardely end; but that in hope yow shall shortly use it, I wolde it were here to shun all offending. It was not well it was so soone ^sene^ at coort to make talk and at last be mocked or mislyked. Tell your brother I cowncell yow to send it no more. What had my Lady ShrewssburyFootnote ²²² to borow your coche; your man for mony and sombody elce for their ^vain^ credit wyll work yow but displeasure and loss and they have thanks. Disce sapere huius modii rebusque et ne quid temere. Footnote ²²³ In hast, late this Sabbath.

Vale et cura ut valeas et Deo placens.Footnote ²²⁴

AB.

29. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 29 June 1592

Holograph. LPL 648, fo. 177r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 177v): lettre de Madame 1592

Grace and health. I am very glad yow draw to a goode ende. Er yow deale with Mr Elsdon I pray yow regarde my due which is a C li at Michall tyde.Footnote ²²⁵ L marks due last Annunciation,Footnote ²²⁶ the C marks for the next now at harde frutes.Footnote ²²⁷ I have had great comber and evell payment and wyll not folyshly at thend loose by craft. Yf yow deale with Elsdon, be very well advised. For he is heat and peradventure stepp over and geve yow the lurch at a pinch. Be wyse and circumspect; these days are full of fraude.

My man sayde yow wolde ^wyshed to^ have strawberies ^to still^.Footnote ²²⁸ I have sent, I thinke, all there be ^and^ this day gathred. I had had ment to ^have^ stilled for my selff, but they be as well thus. I sende them by the boy of my kitchen, a shrewd witted boy and pretely caterchised, but yet an unhappy untowarde ^crafty^ boy. He wyll mark, I warrant, yow throwghly. I looke for him again at night. I pray yow stay him not. I have so charged him. He is able inowgh to do it, God wylling. Do not pitie; it wyll make him worse. Yf yow geve him vi d of your own selff, it is too much. Let me know towching yow and towching me as yow have cause. It is here very hote in dede. Let not your men drink wyne this hote wether, nor your brother's nether; tell him. Diverse syck of hote agews.Footnote ²²⁹ God kepe us sownd in the fayth and send us health and a care to please God above all.

All ^the^ strawberyes were gatherd in the oke woodd. None or as none in garden and orchard. It is ever hote and dry here. I thank your brother for Mr Wylblud. Much goode may he do for such and take no hurt by the others, I pray God. Impart this because I mean to both my lettre. God ever bless yow both in Christ our Lord. Gorhambury 29 Junii 92.

Your mother,

ABacon.

Χηρα.Footnote ²³⁰

Let none other see this.

Do yow think on your stock with Burbage.Footnote ²³¹ I heare he challengeth liberally your father.

30. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 6 July 1592

Holograph. LPL 648, fo. 200r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 200v): lettre de Madame 1592

I pray God yow have don well and wysely. I feare yow have yealded to th[a]t which was first shott at, I meane Barly.Footnote ²³² Mr Maynarde’sFootnote ²³³ frendshipp is then less to be accompted of in that point ^dealing^, yf he alseFootnote ²³⁴ were sowght in thother to drive to that. I am sory for it and must nedes be worse for yow as I yet can think.

Baithforde sayd yow desyred some moeFootnote ²³⁵ straburies ^sende^.Footnote ²³⁶ Almost the last throwgh stealers. The weather here is veri hote and dry and seasonable rayn wyshed, if it please God, by whose wyll and favour I mean to be at London on Saturday next upon some cause.

The uppermost ^straburisFootnote ²³⁷^ are goode to be eaten and were more choycely gatherd for that purpose for yow or your brother. The Lorde direct yow both with his holy spirit and bless yow.

6 July 1592 Gorhambury.

Your mother,

ABacon

and

late Lordkeper's wydow.

31. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 14 July [1592]Footnote ²³⁸

Holograph. LPL 653, fos 326r–327v. 2pp.

Endorsed (fo. 327v): lettre de Madame

Grace and health.

I sende ^to^ yow, sonne, by this boy bearer to know your determynation, with God his mercy and favour. When, what and how in dede I mistooke it when yow spake of one your page, as yow called, but after I remembred he is tall and not one of your litle boyes. Write what yow wolde I send, and when and whether yow have eny stuff sent upon Monday that I may send for it upon Tewsday to the town. Make it readie yf yow do send, upon to morow Saturday because of the Sabbath. KnightFootnote ²³⁹ knowes the order. I sende yow pescodds.Footnote ²⁴⁰ I think not veri goode better for your frende then your selff. Byd they be tenderly sodenFootnote ²⁴¹ because they be great. I wolde be loth to encrease your payn eny way but yf yow tast, let it be at diner and not at night and soden in goode care.

A few strawburies, pease of the first and those of the last almos[t ha]d. God bless yow both and kepe yow from synn and evell. Wryte your mynde and forbyd the boy of speche. PeterFootnote ²⁴² and the other must nedes go on foote. Yow wyl[l] go but softly. Let me know perfectly as yow may. I look for the boy at night; dispatch him, I pray yow. Many wycked stalkers abroad. 14 July Gorhambury.

Your mother,

AB.

32. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 24 July 1592

Holograph. LPL 648, fos 196r–197v. 2pp.

Endorsed (fo. 197v): lettre de Madame 1592

Addressed (fo. 197v): To my sonne Antony Bacon at Grayes Inne

I thank yow for your lettre but I understand not that one cheffe point, nor do not desyre yet. But yow had nede be veri circumspect and wyse. Beware in such matters how yow venture before yow be called by God and your prince. I assure yow I aske not, nor know not where Lawson ^is^. But this I cownsell. Be very ware that his veri subtile and working head work not to your comber. Yow have ben long absent and by your sickliness cannot be your own agent and so wanting right judgment of our state may be much deceaved. That which yow did for the merchannts was scantly well taken and fell not owt as yow looked;Footnote ²⁴³ and I remember once yow dealt ^with MatinianFootnote ²⁴⁴^, I wot ^not^ now, wherfore it is a goode whyle since, but both envy and also dislyke did appere. Some dowting your sowndeness in religion, yow were so great with some ^such^ great papists then. Have a sure warrant and grownd, least yow may purchase encombrance withowt goode success contrary to your expectation. Be not to bowlde with κυριω θησαυραριω.Footnote ²⁴⁵ Loose not his φιλιαν,Footnote ²⁴⁶ yow know what I mean. God geve yow understanding in the best things and direct your mynde to walk wysely and religiously. Be not overcredulous nor to open. Sub omni lapide latet anguis.Footnote ²⁴⁷ Get health to serve God and your cowntry as he shall enable and call yow. And so the Lorde multiply his grace in yow with goode health to please him in all things. I thowght goode to write thus much unto yow. Cogita tu ipsi.Footnote ²⁴⁸ Cast it not abowt to be seene. When yow can welcome in the Lorde, send me worde. Vale et bene vale.Footnote ²⁴⁹ Gorhambury 24 Julii 1592.

Your moother,

ABacon.

I malice not thowgh to justly must mislyke Lawson, but take yow great heede he still play not upon yow to serve more him selff then your goode. No ill warning this. Be not yet too forward in state matters. Wyse have withdrawn hisce diebus.Footnote ²⁵⁰ On Monday last week Grimell and Аyre came hether as yow appoinnted thei sayde and this Monday one browght hether for yow from Mr Gray dosen ½ pigeons, whereof I send yow the doson and ii caponetts and ii ducklins, which I send all by Peter, my cooke. I wolde your brother's cooke were lyke him in Christian behavour and yet a yowng man and mery. Geve him a shilling because he had goode wyll to cary them on foote.

AB.

33. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 25 December [1592 or later]Footnote ²⁵¹

Holograph. LPL 653, fo. 366r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 366v): lettre de Madame

I have sent even invita Footnote ²⁵² ii hoggshedsFootnote ²⁵³ of my howsehold bere, which I cowlde very yll spare having but litle store for ii places. I much rather desyred your aboad. I do not heare that Mr TrottFootnote ²⁵⁴ or eny other such gentleman is with yow, elce I wolde have sent yow a peece or two brawn, but I know your selff eates none and I do not mean Barnes shulde make it scamblingFootnote ²⁵⁵ breakfast meate.

I harde avowched that Mr BradleyFootnote ²⁵⁶ did not preach this day. Ether he is excommunicat or two careless of his charg, specially among such a people who lyke eny save a faythfull and paynfull preacher. Now belyke Robin Hoode and Mayde Marian are to supply with their prophan partes, for leave is geven.

Well yf yow stayed here tyll after, yow had ben spent your tyme ^no dowt^ more comfortably and profitably ^every way^. Sneaking Smith babbells he wyll come and see yow and so moeFootnote ²⁵⁷ but yow know and I hope consider the best for yow. God bless yow and be with yow.

Avoyde and cura Footnote ²⁵⁸ yow sharpen not the gowt; ne te acrius tractet.Footnote ²⁵⁹ I send iiii pewter candlesticks. Gorhambury 25 December.

I am sory my men must loose the exercises of religion for carieng to morow. And besyd I am bownd to have my servants to go to the howse of God with me. For goode example too.

Your mother,

ABacon.

34. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 22 January 1593Footnote ²⁶⁰

Holograph. LPL 649, fos 15r–16v. 2pp. Damaged.

Endorsed (fo. 16v): lettre de Madame dattee du 23eme de janvier 1593

I pray God direct your wayes to please him in all things and send yow health of body to able yow to performe goode things. Consider wysely your own state. Troble not your rest, nor breake it unseasonably in no wyse. Looke not for nedefull health yf yow leave not untymely watching and disordrying your naturall qwiett sleepe by occupieng your head owt of time and tune. Use not ^yet^ company at meales to make sytt long and to procure commers to your hurt. Eate not frutherFootnote ²⁶¹ toyes after your meales to provoke superflous drinking; that use wyll brede but rawnes of stomack and make yow ^long^ wearish. I pray be godly wyse to consider; be not to ready nor open in talk. Sub omni ^latere^ latet anguis his diebus. Footnote ²⁶² Because I hard yow mislyked your too strong drink, well may yow do so still and by observation yow shall finde it best for yow not to sharpen your gowt humour. Yet this present I sende yow ^bere^ brewed in September and above xvi weeks owlde or thereabowtes; I think it is not so heady as yours is and yet too strong alone for meate. I sende it throwgh by myn own cart, because it shuld not twyse trobled being so stale. Yf it come well to morow as I trust, anon after the settling in the seller,Footnote ²⁶³ the vent wolde be qwyckly lyft upp and stopt strayte again. It is not lyke to work much because brewd so long and yf it had not ben styrred it wolde have lasted good tyll Easter, I think. Let it be well and after looke so for leaking or running after carriage and not sect sett too low behynde. KnightFootnote ²⁶⁴ knowes well and wyll care. The other hogshed is of ordinary beere but ^one^ a weeke owlde; not to be dronk these vi weeks onlessFootnote ²⁶⁵ cariag prevent by new working. The other hogshed I think may be dronk of after 3 dayes settling. Stale ordinary had I none but a cantFootnote ²⁶⁶ in a pype vessell. Be your own taster; your men are ready to disprayse your drink early upon no cawse (specially JaqwesFootnote ²⁶⁷ who can better skill of French water and wyne then Englysh beere) and to a syckly body it is not goode to disprayse rashly and fondly, and be not to mixe in your tast, but judg aryght. The Lorde Jesus heale and helpe yow both and encrease his grace dayly in yow, and do well and wysely. 22 January 1592.

Your mother, ABacon.

Burn this.

35. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 25 January 1593

Holograph. Latin and English. LPL 649, fo. 23r–v. 1p. Damaged.

Endorsed (fo. 23v): lettre de Madame envyoie le maresihal et receue le 25eme de janvier 1593 Footnote ²⁶⁸

Modo ^post meridiem^ audivi oppidanos Albanenses elegisse denuo duo illos priores burgessos, scilicet Conisbeum et Maynardum. Procull dubio ab initio ita statuerant, videri tamen ^vellent^ captare benevolentiam tuam in offerendo. Sic astuti sunt et dissimulantes egregie et plus experiendo senties. Profecto pro re ipsa non est ^quod^ cures, pro modo tractandi, ne sis minus anxius, ^non tanti est^. Plures adhuc loci sunt [. . .]. Cura ut bene valeas et animo et corpore, ne negligas statum tuum. Deus propitius suo tempore te placido vultu respiciet. Interim sis bono animo, prudens et cautus et nullo modo locum dato podagrae vell per cibum, potum, aut intempestivas vigilias. Si semel solide convalescas, Deus dives est in misericordia et ^in^ munificentia suis filiis. Hoc raptim.

25 Januarii 1592.

Mater tua, ABacon.

I had written the above before my men returned. Truly I do nott understande the inclosed writing. I pray yow sende in my name to the Lord Treasurer by your brother. For I know not how to speak or write to him in the matter. I send it herinclosed again. Shew your brother this. It was sent in his lettre; it wold not be delayed.

[Translation]

Just after midday I heard that the townsmen from St Albans had chosen once again those principal burgesses, namely Conisby and Maynard.Footnote ²⁶⁹ Without doubt they had decided this from the beginning, but they would wish to appear to capture your good will in making an offer. They are so cunning and so good at pretence, as you will learn more by experience. Undoubtedly you would not care for the thing itself and not for the way of behaving. Do not be too anxious; it is not of such great importance. There are still many places.Footnote ²⁷⁰ Make sure you stay well, both physically and mentally, and do not neglect your condition. God is on your side and in his time he will grant you his favour. Meanwhile be of good spirit, be prudent and careful and do not let your gout get the better of you, either by what you eat, drink, or through keeping late hours. Once you properly recover, God is rich in mercy and in generosity to his children. This in haste.

25 January 1592.

Your mother, ABacon.

36. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, [5 February 1593]Footnote ²⁷¹

Holograph. LPL 653, fo. 361r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 361v): lettre de Madame

Her Majestie, God his holy spirit be in her and direct her, is upon coming nere now to my Lord Tresurer's there to lodg this night. Mr H ClarkFootnote ²⁷² was to see me, and asking him whether he send not my pardons in therle of Lecester's tyme, he sayd he dyd and therle discharged it wylling withowt fyne.Footnote ²⁷³ His advise is I shuld bring to my Lord at my next going a ^some^ breff notes wherof and in what yeres and how and he sayth yf I wyll, he wyll follow this too as he dyd the other. He sayth he saved my profitt well ^then^. I pray yow show Mr CrewFootnote ²⁷⁴ thus much, for I wyll speak with my Lorde as soone as conveniently I may after her Majestie's going. I wold gladly have the writing to morow and I wyll sende for it as Mr Crew appoints me with the Lorde's goode wyll. The former sent by Mr Crew ^to^ Gorhambury I returned in next lettre to yow within 3 dayes after the receit.

Vale et cura ut bene valeas. Abstineto ab intempestivis horis in cena et in somno. Vigiliae debilitant vires et animi et corporis in valetudinariis noxi. Footnote ²⁷⁵

37. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, [c.5 February 1593]Footnote ²⁷⁶

Holograph. LPL 653, fo. 250r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 250v): lettre de Madame

Sonne, me thinke it were very nedefull that Mr FullerFootnote ²⁷⁷ dyd see the notes. What thei be and in what maner and to have his certein cownsell with Mr Crewe's in what sort I were best to move my Lorde. As I remember it goeth in Mr Goodyere's name, but that was I take it to make the better and stronger assurance for his part as one of Sir Ralph Rowlett's herres.Footnote ²⁷⁸ To bedwarde. For hyndring your rest troble not your selff later but sure it were well to have his advyse, Mr Fuller’s, set down plain for me. God bless us.

38. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, [c.5 February 1593]Footnote ²⁷⁹

Holograph. LPL 653, fos 330r–331v. 2pp.

Endorsed (fo. 331v): lettre de Madame sans datte

Ever since I cam to my loging, save that I wrote a few wordes to my Lorde to that purpose as yow know, I have wayted at my Lord's chamber to have it delivered this night with promys for his so doing. For my Lord is both ill handled with the gowt and stomack syck with all and tyll ^now^ lettres owt of France cowlde not be deliverd to him wherabowt he now is. I dyd not use Mr MaynardeFootnote ²⁸⁰ but another whome I have used when occasion served and he promiseth yf it may well, he wyll this night. Mr Maynarde refuseth to deale with the person as unfitt, he sayth, for that or eny other ^such^ thing now. I desyred him to say nothing of my motion thus for that.

Your brother presumeth to much, he knoweth too well upon what late cause I have to geve not onely motherly but godly advise. His profession is not ^or^ owght not to be of vayn devises and unprofitable.Footnote ²⁸¹ ‘Be ye holy as I am holy’, sayth God by his prophett.Footnote ²⁸² Let him reade the 5 to the Ephesians towching unclean speachs and thowghts.Footnote ²⁸³ Trust in the Lord with all this hart, sayth the wysedom of God, and not in thin own. Read the 3^rd of the Proverbes.Footnote ²⁸⁴ The apostle sayth, or rather the holy gost, ‘yf eny man think him selff, let him be a foole in this world that he may be wyse’.Footnote ²⁸⁵Outre Footnote ²⁸⁶ gwdance marres many or disgraces many goode gyfts. God geves grace to the humble.Footnote ²⁸⁷ God bless yow both and geve yow upright mynds to live in ^his^ feare and walk in his truth,Footnote ²⁸⁸ the sownde preaching wheroff consiseth not all in wysdom of words ^the wordes^ men's wysdom but in the power and evidence of the spirit,Footnote ²⁸⁹ which God graunt.

Your mother, ABacon.

Read not my lettres ether scoffingly or carelesly, which hath ben used to much. For I humbly thank God I know what I write and cownsell.

39. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon [c.5 February 1593]Footnote ²⁹⁰

Holograph until ‘Vale in Jesu Christ, AB’, thereafter in another hand. LPL 653, fos 359r–360v. 2pp.

Endorsed (fo. 360v): lettre de Madame

Mr Crew coming hether to me, I thank him and even newly returned from my Lord Tresurer, I purposed to have come to yow to tell yow of my Lord Tresurer's answer to me for pardon of alienation. For myne own opinion, I never looked but for such an answer which was it must nedes be compownded now, for nether my late Lorde's priviledg, ner my opteining the lyke of the erle of Lecester since my Lorde's death cowlde warrant him being put in trust by the Queen to geve away that which was here and ^as^ now it was; and that therle had it as an officer, but now none such. Reply was but hardely taken, he was so very earnest. He wylled to see the notes and then he wolde helpe to compownd as he might deale with the deputie for the Queen. It fell owt that as upon a sudden I saw her Majestye, so very gratiously saluted and asked of yow, seming to pitie your hard handling gowt. She hoped this spring wolde be better. To morow as opportunitee wyll serve I wolde again to my Lord Tresurer. I pray yow sende me the perfect value of the manours of the rent as bowght by your father. Apsbury I know is 16 li by yere. I take it that yours in Barly is above xl li. Yf yow sende to Mr Clark, this bearer shall go.

Vale in Jesu Christo. Footnote ²⁹¹

AB.

I remembre very well that my Lorde Kepar's pryvilege was allowed of by the Erle of Leicestre in the former that I declared to my Ladye. But for what land it was, I is not nowFootnote ²⁹² remembre nor no notes thereof be with me but all were delyvered to my Ladye. I thinke my Lorde of Leicestre might since chosenFootnote ²⁹³ whether he would have allowed pryvilege in that case or no.

40. Anthony Bacon to Anne Bacon, 25 March 1593

Draft. LPL 649, fo. 89r–v. 1p.

Addressed (fo. 89r): To the honorable and his verie good Ladie mother

Endorsed (fo. 89v): A Madame le 25me de mars 1593

Madame, I humblie thanke your Ladyship for your lettres and will not faile to remember and endeavour to followe your Ladyship’s wise and kinde advise, as also to save a spetiall care not to goe too fast, both in respect of my self and your Ladyship's horse.

It is verie trewe that Mr MayorFootnote ²⁹⁴ and 3 of his brethren were with me one Frydaie laste and brought me their commissionFootnote ²⁹⁵ ^under the broad seale^ by them renew lately renewed and increased by the puttinge in of Mr Raffe Coinsby,Footnote ²⁹⁶ Mr Harry Butler,Footnote ²⁹⁷ Mr HaydonFootnote ²⁹⁸ and my self placed next, the foure knights which, yf it had bene possible, I would verie willingly have refused, beinge as litle desirous as yet able to attend thereunto to suche matters. But your Ladyship knoweth ^verie well^ that it beinge done by my Lord Keeper’sFootnote ²⁹⁹ appointment upon their motion, altogether without my knowledge, it can not be undone but upon my particular sewte, which upon conference with my brother I will advise yf I ^maie^ make to my Lord Keeper, without seeminge to disdaine that which my eaquals have ^accepted^.Footnote ³⁰⁰ In the meane time, I have excused my self unto them, as also to Mr FrewickeFootnote ³⁰¹ and Mr ClarkFootnote ³⁰² who came likwise the next daie, that I could not be at their sessions nor would not under till it should please God to enable me with some furder strengthe and refused flatly to be a comissioner in this late jarre fallen out betwixt Mr StewardFootnote ³⁰³ and Mr Clarke of the one side and the mayor with the moste parte one the other side, which they did both earnestly require me require them to promise to accepte ^when^ they should have procured the same from the Lords of the Councell. And so assuringe your Ladiship that neyther in suche, muche lesse in greater matters, I will not medle but by dewtie conscience and dewty ^and^ warranted by good the best allowance, I most humbly take my leave with remembrance of my humble dewty and beseche God to strengthen and comforte your Ladyship every waie.

Your Ladyship's moste humble and obedient sonne.

Redborne, this 25^th of Marche 1593.

41. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 15 April 1593

Holograph. LPL 649, fos 99r–100v. 2pp.

Endorsed (fo. 100v): lettre de Madame receue ce 16 avril 1593 le gantier. Footnote ³⁰⁴

Addressed (fo. 100v): To my sonn Mr Antony Bacon at Grayes Inn

The g[l]over my neighbour upon going to London for his own busines tolde me of it sodenly after ^this^ Sabbath forenone sermon that he must go to London and that earely to morow. I am desirous to know how your health is, how matters after Parlement go to private folk nempe Footnote ³⁰⁵ Mr Moric[e],Footnote ³⁰⁶ your cosin Hoby,Footnote ³⁰⁷ and si vis Footnote ³⁰⁸ your brother too. God graunt us all faythfull harts in pietie and religion and wyse and discrete in godly practise. Yf eny lack wysdome, ask of the Lorde and receive ut ait Jacobum apostolus Footnote ³⁰⁹ for his gevesFootnote ³¹⁰ with all Christian fortitude to beare upp a goode conscience. I hast to the church again. God make yow able to heare publick instructions to your great comfort. I cowld wyllingly heare of Barly proceadings. For your state of want of health and ^of^ mony and some other things towching yow both οὐκ ἐᾳ με εὑδειν ἡσυχωσ.Footnote ³¹¹ God bles yow both with goode and godly encrease in Christ.

Easter ut aiunt Footnote ³¹² 15 April.

Your mother,

AB.

42. Anthony Bacon to Anne Bacon, 16 April 1593

Draft. LPL 649, fos 103r–104v. 2pp.

Endorsed (fo. 104v): une lettre a Madame le 16 d’auvrile 1593

My dutie most humblie remembred. I assure my self that your Ladyship as a wise and kinde mother to us both will neyther finde it strange nor amise, yf tendringe first my brother's helth, which I know by myne owne experience to depend not a litle upon a free mynde and then his credit, I presume to put your Ladyship in remembrance of your motherlie offer to him the Sonneday yow departed, which was that to help him out of debt, yow would be content to bestowe your whole interest in Markes upon him.Footnote ³¹³ The which unlesse yt would please your Ladyship to accomplishe out of hande, I have juste cause to feare that my brother wilbe put to a verie shrowde plondge,Footnote ³¹⁴ eyther to forfeyt his revercyon to Harvie,Footnote ³¹⁵ or els to undersell yt verie muche, for the avoydinge of both which great inconveniences, I see no other remedy then your Ladyship surrender in tyme. The formall drafte wherof I referr to my brother him self, whom I have not anie waye as yet made acquainted with this my motion, neyther meane to doe till I heare from yow. The ground wherof beinge onlie a brotherlie care and affection, I hope your Ladyship will thinke and accept of yt accordinglie, beseechinge yow to beleeve that beinge so neare and deare unto me as he is, that cannot but be a greef unto me, to see a mynde that hath givneFootnote ³¹⁶ so sufficient proof of yt self, in havinge brought forth manie good thoughts for the general, to be overburdened and cumbered, with a continuall care of clearinge his particular estate. Touchinge my self, my dyet, I thanke God, hitherto hath wrought good effect, and am advised to continewe this whole month, not medlinge with anie purgative phissicke more then I must needs, which wilbe but thrise duringe my whole dyet; and so I moste humblie take my leave.

From Graise Inne this 16^th of Aprill 1593.

43. Anthony Bacon to Anne Bacon, 16 April 1593

Draft. LPL 649, fo. 105r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 105v): une lettre a Madame 16iesme d’auvril 1593

My humble dutie remembred for answear to your Ladiship's leter which I receyved this daye by the glover, havinge dispatched SpencerFootnote ³¹⁷ in the morninge, maye yt please yow to be advertised that Sir Edward Hobbie was at libertie before the laste daye of the Parlament, but not without a notable publicque disgrace, layed uppon him by her Majestie's royall senseur, delivred emongest other things by her self, after my Lord Keeper's speeche, which summe saye was much inferior to his first in the begininge; the effecte of that which her Majestie uttered your Ladiship shall receyve here inclosed.Footnote ³¹⁸ Diverse gentlemen that werre of the Parlament and thought to have retourned into the contrie after the ende thereof, are stayed by her Majestie's commandment for beinge privye, as yt is thought, and consentinge to Mr Weyntworth's matter.Footnote ³¹⁹ The earle of Essex hath bin twyse verie earnest with her Majestie touchinge my brother, whose speeche beinge well grounded and directed to good ends, as yt cannot be denyed but yt was, I doubt not but God in his mercey will in tyme make yt an occasion of her Majestie's better opinion and lykinge.Footnote ³²⁰ I have not yet gonne throughe with anie for Barlie, neyther can conveniently, though I would, tyll the tearme. And so I humblie take my leave.

From Graise Inne this xvith of Aprill 1593.

Madame, havinge ended my letter and before the glover parted from my lodginge, my man Spencer aryved by whome I receaved your Ladiship's leter, which I communicated imediately to my brother, who hath written his owne answear.

44. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 17 April [1593]Footnote ³²¹

Holograph. LPL 653, fos 318r–319v. 2pp.

Endorsed (fo. 319r): lettre de Madame recue ce 17ime avril

For your brotherly care of your brother Francis’ state yow are to ^be^ well lyked and so I do as a Christian mother that loveth yow both as the chyldern of God. But as I wrote but in few wordes but yesterday by my neighbour, the state of yow both doth much disqwiett me, as in Greeke wordes I signified shortly. I am sure ye both do or shulde remember what I sayde to and of yow both at my coming hether, speaking of myn own syckliness and styll long wishing strength and ^so lyke^ of but short continuance, that I was in mynde allmost to make none of ^yow both^ myn executors, as well for my buriall, as I dyd wyll, as also that those that greatly abused and spent yow both and with whome yuFootnote ³²² were so besotted to ^my^ very hart's greeffe shulde beare eny stroke in my appointed matters ^and howse^ after my death and truly but for evydence I am still in the same mynde. And how God wyll dispose my mynde herin as yet I know not. Goodes shall I leave none as mony or plate; as I may with God his leave, I wyll geve to my servants before as I am able. I have ben too ready for yow both till nothing is left. And surely thowgh I pitieth your brother, yet so long as he ^pities not him selff but^ keepeth that bloody Peerce,Footnote ³²³ as I towlde him then, yea, as a coch companion and bed companion, a prowde, ^prophane^, costly fellow, whose being abowt him I verely ^feare^ the Lord God doth mislyke and ^doth^ less bless your brother in credit and otherwyse in his health. Surely I am utterly discoraged ^[to] make a conscience^ further to undoe my self to maytein such wretches as he is. ^That^ JonesFootnote ³²⁴ never loved your brother in dede but for his own creditt, lyving upon your brother ^and thankles bragg[ing]^, thowgh your brother wylbe blynd to his own hurt and picking such vyleFootnote ³²⁵ his wycked cowntry men to supply ^in^ his absence. The Lorde in mercy remove them from him and evell from yow both, and geve yow a sownde judgment and understanding to order your selffs in all things to please God in tru knowledg and in his tru feare unfeyned, and to harken to his worde which onely maketh wyse in dede. Besydes your brother towlde me before yow twyse ^then^ that he entended not to parte with Markes and the rather because Mr MyllsFootnote ³²⁶ wolde lend him 500 li and as I remember I asked him how he wolde come owt of dett. His answer was meanes wolde be made withowt that and mentioned JeningsFootnote ³²⁷ and Cornellis.Footnote ³²⁸ It is most certein tyll first Edney,Footnote ³²⁹ a fylthy wastfull knave, and his Welch men, one after another. For take [o]ne and they wyll still swarm ill favoredly ^did so land him as in a train^. He was a towardes yowng gentleman and a sonne of much goode hope in godliness, but truth he hath norished most synfull prowde villans wyllfully.

[Left-hand margin] I know not what other answer to make. God bless yow both with his grace and goode health to serve him with truth of harte.

Make no errors in your phisyck tyme. Gorhambury, 17 April. ABacon.

[fo. 319r] Yf your brother desyre a release to Mr Harvy, let him so reqwyre it him ^selff^ and but upon this condition by his own hande and bonde I wyll not. That is that he ^he^ make and geve me a true note of all his detts and leave to me the hole order of the receit of ^all^ his mony for his lande to Harvy and the just payment of all his detts thereby. And by the mercy and grace of God it shalbe performed by me to his qwiett discharge withowt cumbring him and and so his credit. For I wyll not have his cormorant seducers and instruments of Satan to him committing fowle synns by his cowntenance to the displeasing of God and his godly tru fre[n]ds. Otherwyse I wyll not, pro certo. Footnote ³³⁰

AB.

45. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, [18 April 1593]Footnote ³³¹

Holograph. LPL 653, fos 301r–302v. 2pp.

Endorsed (fo. 302v): lettre de Madame

I received somewhat late yesterday all sent by the glover. All the notes savour of discontent myxed. God turn all to the best. Your continuance in dett still, I feare still. Often and diverse surveiesFootnote ³³² and no goode effect marreth, I dowt, the bargain. But looke yow, yf trobles threaten, purchasers wylbe lowe. Mora trahit periculum.Footnote ³³³ I send herin your brother's lettre.Footnote ³³⁴ Constru the enterpretation. I do not understand his enigmaticall fowlded writing. O, that by not harkening to holsome and carefull goode cownsell and by continuing still the meanes of his own great hindrance he had ^not^ procured his own early discredit, but had joyned with God that hath bestowed ^on him^ goode gyfts of naturall wytt and understanding. But the same goode God which hath geven them to him wyll I trust and hartely pray to sanctifye his hart and the right use of them to glorifye the gever with them to his own inwarde comfort.

The scope of my so called by him circumstances, which I am sure he must understand, was not to use him as a warde; a remote phrase to my playn motherly meaning and yet, I thank the Lorde and the hearing of his worde preaced,Footnote ³³⁵ not voyde of judgment and conceving. My playn purpose was and is to do him good, but seing so manifestly that he is robbed and spoyled wyttingly by his base exalted men, which with Welch wyles praye upon him and yet beare him in hande theFootnote ³³⁶ have other mayntenance, because their bowlde nature wyll not acknowledge, I dyd desyre onely to receave the mony to discharge his detts in dede and dare not trust such his riotus men with the dealing withall. I am sure no preacher nor lawyer nor frende wolde have mislyked this my doing for his goode and my better satissfieng. He perceaves my goode meaning by this and before too, but PercieFootnote ³³⁷ had wynded him. God bless my sonne. What he wolde have me do and when for his own goode as I now write, let him return plain answer by Fynch.Footnote ³³⁸ He was his father's first chisFootnote ³³⁹ and God wyll supply yf he trust in him and call up upon in truth of hart, which God grant to mother and son.

[Left hand margin] I sende the fyrst flyte of doves to yow both and God bless yow in Christ.

AB.

46. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, [c.22 May 1593]Footnote ³⁴⁰

Holograph. LPL 653, fos 328r–329v. 2pp.

Addressed (329v): To my sonne Antony Bacon

God in mercy looke upon yow and geve yow a goode issue of your phisick. Baylye Waggoner towlde me from yow, yow had not yet sent to my cosin KempeFootnote ³⁴¹ for the 15 li and that Mr Crew wolde not receive the 4 li till I was wylling to say whylest I had it and the copieng and the ^law^ cownsellors had had fees all ready of him. But as he wyll. I wolde Mr Crew these holy dayesFootnote ³⁴² mowght have but seene what spoyle Carter makes with his coales burning but most of all hurting the steimmes with burning the spray so nygh them. Fynde fawt, no amendment but my lease doth allow all. I wolde his lease were a litle neerer lookt into for he seemes to make the uttermost spoyle and so dryve to forfait when it is at worst. Cross is gon to be maried, I know not now where eny lyeth and am loth to look more my selff. Yow shall do well not to make William Dell eny hope of enterteinment. He is but a nawghty subtill felow thowgh he speaks fayre and to say troth, your kind lyveries be for men of better credit. For his lewde towng and behavour hath got him but litle credit in the parish. I met homeward hether Humphrey Lanio Footnote ³⁴³ in your cloak; me thowght a butcher dyd scaseFootnote ³⁴⁴ become and much less such a troblesom fellow and ill favored as Dell. Thomas Knight hath sent yow a feasant hee tooke on Saturday last; I cowlde not ^send^ it sooner. I was content and but hardely to lett Hamlett tary at Shafforde for his wyffe's sake and bidding him trust whether I lyved or departed, he greenned upon me and sayde he had better hope; then so from whence yow know best. His alehowsing and trading to London weekly hath made him careless of all there, besyde the liberty he hath suffred to let vyle vagabond and their nawghty packs both ^haunte^ lodg abowt the woodds and made that walk a common passage to my howse continually, so that the gate and grownd is seldom withowt them rownd abowt. I prepare and new wash the faschions with ii payre of shetes of Gorhambury fyttest to cary, and 4 pilloberes,Footnote ³⁴⁵ a sqware cloth diaper, a doson lyke napkins. Send me worde when and what elce yf yow nede by Bury. Write not your selff, but burn this.

[Left-hand margin] It may be EwardeFootnote ³⁴⁶ is come to yow. He went away on a sudden, lyke as he is a whet and tipsy verlett. Yow shall have a goode perish catch of him. He pickt a qwarell for this nonceFootnote ³⁴⁷ it seems. My two cheffe servyce horses are syck. God helpe me.

47. Anthony Bacon to Anne Bacon, 22 May 1593

Draft. LPL 649, fos 132r–133v. 2pp.

Endorsed (fo. 133v): une lettre a Madame 1593

My most humble dewtie remembred. I have receyved xv li of my cosen Kempp, for the which, as also for that your Ladyship sente me by Badtforde, I humblie thanke your Ladyship. For the foure pounds I cannot as yet get Mr Crewe ^as yet^ to take that will needs make me his pursbearer and yet moste willinglie undertakes anie paines in your Ladyship's or your sonnes’ busines. The gentleman is of justlie of your Ladyship's minde that the same cuninge compagnon Footnote ³⁴⁸ Carter will make as great havocke as he can and then give that over. As for Deall, I have given him no kinde of promise but willed him onlie to live honestlie hereafter, howsoever he had bene heretofore, yf he desired my favour and good will. The provicion of linningeFootnote ³⁴⁹ which it hath pleased your Ladyship to specefie in your letter semes to me verie sufficient which yf I may receyve The time for ^of^ sendinge of yt I referr to your Ladyship's discrecion. In what sorte Edward camm to me, how sorrie he is of your Ladyship's displeasure and readie to acknowledge and repaire his faults and what answeare I gave him, I hope Mr Wybo^r^n and Mr WilpletFootnote ³⁵⁰ will trewlie and indifferentlie advertice your Ladyship, without whom ^who may be assured that wyth owte your^ good lykinge, how necessarie soever such a one is nowe ^for me^ and like to be more and more hereafter, I meane to passe with him and recover some other when and where I may, and so I most humblie take my leave.

From Graise Inne this 22th of May 1593.

Your Ladyship's moste humble and obediente sonne.

48. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 25 May 1593

Holograph. LPL 649, fos 121r–122v. 2pp.

Endorsed (fo. 122v): Lettre de Madame receue ce 25 may 1593 le baille Footnote ³⁵¹

Addressed (fo. 122v): To my sonne mister Anthony Bacon at Grayes Inn

It is but cownterfayt whatsoever he moveth yow and Mr Wyborn to write.Footnote ³⁵² In dede as I might I kept him from his former starting to the town to tiple which liberty he will craftely seeke and loves to well. He is but an irefull pevish fellow yf he be looked into and checked for his loose demeanour from which I restraind him. And how your horskeper and others ryght emboldened him I know not, but sure I am he purposely wrangled to be gon diverse tymes. But that he was for a soldiour I had parted with him orFootnote ³⁵³ this and I care not for his servyce. Let him go lyke a prowde ignorant verlet. Let him be talking and stepp abroade ^unseasonably^ and cloake ^it^ with lyes. He is lyke him selff. I trust to have some honest man for my horses never prosper since he came to them. He wylbe ready to borow and pay at leasure. That which he had of me fownd him well in my service but he had a secret nawghty vent and so wyll still, warrant yow, yf he once may after a while dissembling get a litle credit. God send yow encrease of his grace and favour and health. How doth Barly? The linnen sometyme next weeke. Pierre weepes for new cloths. I wyll pay for it and let his apparell be made here, except his cote or elce made more large, the last was but spoyled by Redborn taylour, made so scant, and taylours now so abhominably scant, both men's and boye's hose before, that their fylthiness is ready to be sene upon every stepp, going or stooping. A most beastly and sinful custome now. So ungodly becomes England under the holy and pure gospell. Yf yow wolde have your horse here in the soyle, sende worde how to be ordered in writing and how long. Onselow mendes slowly, yf he do. God helpe me.

[Left-hand margin] Your mother, AB.

49. Anthony Bacon to Anne Bacon, 28 May 1593

Draft. LPL 649, fo. 135r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 135v): une lettre a Madame 1593

Incomplete address (fo. 135r): To the right.

My most humble dutie remembred. Mr Crewe, as I thinke, will weyght upon your Ladyship on day ^toward the ende^ of the next weeke, till which tyme your Ladyship may deferre, yf yow thinke good, the delivrie of thwritFootnote ³⁵⁴ ^that^ I send yow here inclosed, which Mr Crewe recevied from my cosen Kemp. Your Ladyship's liningeFootnote ³⁵⁵ will stande me in noe lesse steade here before I goe to the Bath,Footnote ³⁵⁶ then at the Bath, concyderinge my brother takes his provision with him to Twitnam.Footnote ³⁵⁷ For the time of my departure, I cannot presentlie set yt downe ^but^ my next, havinge once spoken withe Earle, I shalbe able particularlie to advertice your Ladyship eyther the continewance or alteraition of that my pourpose. Good Mr Wyborn, ^I thanke him^, was here with me this afternone, whose companie I was bould to request to the Bath, yf I went, which I thanke him he did not denie though not flatlie resolved. Thus besechinge God longe to preserve your Ladyship, I most humblie take my leave. Graise Inne 28^th May 1593.

Your Ladyship's most humble and obedient sonne.

50. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 31 May 1593

Holograph. LPL 653, fos 363r–364v. 2pp.

Endorsed (fo. 364v): lettre de Madame

Grace and health in Christ.

I have sent yow some linnen, the parcells herin closed; parte of myne from London and part from Gorhambury, as the ii payr of fyne shetes and the v pilloberes,Footnote ³⁵⁸ almost all I have. For Edward I leave to yow; God send yow a better servant of him then I have had, but I have had but his carcase a goode whyle. But yet yf necessite do constrianFootnote ³⁵⁹ I wyll use his soldior's servyce yf he be not at Bathes, thowgh against my wyll. Upon a soden he is but an ignorant irefull wranglour, yf fawt be fownde, howsoever he deserveth and loveth shippsFootnote ³⁶⁰ conningly. He wyll peradventure dissemble a while and now he may talk and tiple and have his nose over the manger ^idlely^ . Sorie, some what a ^wit^,Footnote ³⁶¹ he cam for his clothes yesterday. I denied not for the value, for his best he had ^in^ my service and mony in his purse, yf he typled not it way. But that I denyed him was to make him know his pevish pride. For greeved yet with the loss of my speciall noble horse ut ita dicam,Footnote ³⁶² and Onslow not well, in talk in justly of his carelessness he both lyed and wrangled disdaynfully with me. Wherupon loth to troble my selff I bad with these wordes, ‘A man master wolde go ny to breake thy head for this speach, but I byd the gett the owt of my syght lyke a lyeng prowde verlett’. Wherupon glad belyke he went immediatly to the stable and took his cloake and sworde and jetted away lyke a jack. He was here both christianly and too well used here. I wryte this to tell yow the trowth howsoever he lyeth. Yet yf your necessitee compelleth, yow take him, as yow think goode, and kepe him in order for your servyce. God geve yow much goode of the Bathe. Yowng Mr Alexander here doth say they dyd him no goode and some think yf your gowt be hote the heate of that water doth rather farther the gowt then the patient. I trust yow have well consulted and considered before.

To Mr Crew hereafter.

[Left-hand margin] And the Lorde in mercy be with yow and geve goode and blessed success in Christ our Lorde and health and hope.

ultimo Footnote ³⁶³ May 1593 Gorhambury. Your mother, ABacon.

I hope your horse comes to yow sownde and well.

51. Francis Goad Footnote ³⁶⁴to Anne Bacon, June 1593Footnote ³⁶⁵

Holograph. LPL 650, fo. 206r–v. 1p. Faded.

Endorsed (fo. 206v): De Monsieur Gode a Madame mere de Monsieur 1594 Footnote ³⁶⁶

Addressed (fo. 206v): To the right worshipful my Ladie Backen, this be delevred at Gras Enn.Footnote ³⁶⁷

Madam, my duty rembred. I thought yt my duty to write to your Ladiship for in that I havinge founde divers and sondry tymes your good kindnes towrdsFootnote ³⁶⁸ me and beinge herFootnote ³⁶⁹ I cold do no lese then in part to your Ladishipe the stayt of this rwueneseFootnote ³⁷⁰ kingdom.Footnote ³⁷¹ For the Kinge him selfe,Footnote ³⁷² he ys in good helth and sencs my cominge owyer not annye thinge don agayn. The ienymyeFootnote ³⁷³ her hath byn a partinge on a pese, but not nothinge doun but adiuys by the King's inmyes to intrape him by som onFootnote ³⁷⁴ way or other. The which yf theFootnote ³⁷⁵ cold bringe to pas then that ys al the hayfe so longed shouted at. Her was apounted theor of inne ametingeFootnote ³⁷⁶ of al the nobilite of the Kinge's sid, but as yt not don but brocken of that is quyt and yt is thought nothinge but treson. So that the Kinge ys cominge downe hether with his powres and to help them her or eyls the Spannerd is lyck to get al her. In Peckerdie,Footnote ³⁷⁷ yf he do not com in tym, this wars ys nothinge but to consume men and tresur withowt getinge of ether honnor or credite. Her was 2000 as brafe Ingles men,Footnote ³⁷⁸ when I cam owyer, as is in Ingland and now not 100 to be sen and yt newer cam to sarwys and to consom annnye man but manye ded for want, and som rayn awaye and the pesenttes hath kiled manye awon.Footnote ³⁷⁹ This ys howr Majestie's men and tresur consumed. In that the Kinge's consel ys most of them papesFootnote ³⁸⁰ and known to be as pencheners unto the Kinge of Spayn. In my openyon, look not for beter wares her then yow herFootnote ³⁸¹ of by my leters. So longe thing as so handled as the be. Yt is God that must remedi yt and a godlye consel and not consel of papest to set a Kinge in his kengedom to gowerrn a prodistant King.

[fo. 206v] For as fast as we and his frend do to his good, the rest of his consel binge papesFootnote ³⁸² seike to undieue yt so that yt ys to be ferredFootnote ³⁸³ he may continue as he doute but not get the thinge which is his right. This with my duty to your Ladishipe, I comyt you and yours to the Almight[y]. Amen.

Your to command,

Francis God.

In DepeFootnote ³⁸⁴ the [] JuneFootnote ³⁸⁵

styl nowe 1593.

I do pray God blese our good prencs and grant us pese and that thowse in Ingland wold but rember the benifet the hayf by hour Majestie’sFootnote ³⁸⁶ and the pese the resefe by God and hour. Yf you war her to se the mesorye of this contry yt wold mack annye Cristen hart to rwe yt; not bred nor drinck to get her in the contry but water and yf yow do fynd in on places bred in 20 myl not annye but what ys in gret castel and tounes as Depe or such lick. The Lorrd deliwer Ingland from yt and sen[d] yt. I do newer se the lick, I pray to God. Amen. Yf yt shold com yt will be grevs unto us for mor then we thinck for be cawse of our long pese.

52. Anthony Bacon to Anne Bacon, 2 June 1593

Draft. LPL 649, fo. 190r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 190r): une lettre de Madame 1593

My dutie most humblie remembred. I have receyved all the linningeFootnote ³⁸⁷ accordinge to your Ladyship's note, for the which I render your Ladyship most humble thanks. My journie to the Bath is must be ^deferde^ for a monthe at the least and I knowe not whether for altogether this yeare, upon occasion most importante and necessarie occasion, that toucheth me nearer then myne health. Your Ladyship shall receyve a booke,Footnote ³⁸⁸ which the printer therof de PiuxFootnote ³⁸⁹ brought unto me this morninge, accompanied with Mr Castor,Footnote ³⁹⁰ one of the Frenche ministers, who both requested me to conveye the same unto your Ladyship as a remembrance and token from good Mr Bezea,Footnote ³⁹¹ who God be thanked is as well as one of his yeares can be. yf To whom yf it please your Ladyship to wright anie thinge they have promised ^me^ to attend heare ^upon Friday next^ for the same. My brother goeth this daye to Twitnham, and would will nedes boroughe Mr Crewe, of one who in that respect shall not be able to wayght on your Ladyship. The Earle of Essex wrote me this daye that her Majestie is thoroughlie appeased and that shee standeth onlie to ^uppon^ the exception of his yeares, for his present preferment,Footnote ³⁹² but I doubt not, saithe my Lord, I shall over come that difficultie verie soone and that her Majestie will shewe yt by good effects, and so I most humblie take my leave.

From Graise Inne, this 2th of June 1593.

53. Anthony Bacon to Anne Bacon, 8 June 1593

Draft. LPL 649, fo. 187r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 187v): une lettre a Madame le 8me 1593

My duty most humblie remembred, with like thankes to your Ladyship for increasinge my ^smalle^ store of lynninge.Footnote ³⁹³ Accordinge to your Ladyship's wyse councell I have begone, and thanks be to God therfore, and meane to continewe to ineure my self as much I can to ^the^ open ayre. Mr Crewe is not yet returnd from Twitnham which is the cause I keepe Sir Jhon Bro^c^ket’sFootnote ³⁹⁴ letter to shew unto him. Mr Castor,Footnote ³⁹⁵ the Frenche minister, and the printer of that booke which Mr Bezea sent your Ladyship cam to me at the same ^tyme^ that Bashford arrived, to know yf your Ladyship would wright or commande any thinge to Mr Bezea, who ^both^, to be plaine with your Ladyship, gave me at their first cominge, and now likwise, to understande that Mr ^Bezea^ expected more then a leter from your Ladyship. In consideration whereof, as also to revive my ancient acquaintance with the good ould father,Footnote ³⁹⁶ I was bould to sende him in your Ladyship's name and myne owne a girdle of gould a present ^not of bare monie^ to the valewe of xx marke but otherwise imploied to the valewe of xx marke, accompanied with a leter of myne owne to him self, and two more to two other of my espetiall frends at Geneve. And so I most humblie take my leave besechinge God longe to preserve your Ladyship. Graise Inne the 8^th June.

Havinge ended my leter, Mr Crewe arived after super from Twytnham, who, after I had redd Sir Jhon Brocket's leter, said he never that he looked for as muche at his handes and yet seeinge yt hath pleased your Ladyship to make choice of him, your Ladyship must now expect what his cosen will doe of him self or by his precurement. Maye yt please your Ladyship to excuse Bashford for staieinge for my only occasion.

54. Anthony Bacon to Anne Bacon, 15 June 1593

Draft. LPL 649, fo. 188r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 188v): une lettre a Madame mere le Monsieur le 15me de juin 1593

My deutie most humblie remembred. Maie it please your Ladyship to hould me excused, yf by reason of the good companie, which I have not wanted ^nether can nor thus house^, both at dinner and souper, namelie since my brother's returne hether, whose cheefest ease and comforte ^duringe his sicknes^ is by companie, as also in respect of the arrivall of a gentleman from beyonde sea whom ^it pleased^ her Majestie to appoint ^command^ ^my Lord Tresorer to direct^ to repaire and remaine here with me,Footnote ³⁹⁷ I be so bould as to desire your Ladyship to spare me, yf yow cann, one hogshedde of the same beare I had laste and three others of a later brewinge, as also the standinge cuppeFootnote ³⁹⁸ double guilte, which it my pleased my ^late^ father to lefted me.Footnote ³⁹⁹ The earle of Essex, I thanke his Lordship, sent me yester daie thre warrantes for three bucks and writt unto me he would not faile to be with me this eveninge to see my brother and my self, and to speake withe gentleman, who I send parteth this daie ^morninge^ in my coatche to my Lord Tresurer at Tyballs.Footnote ⁴⁰⁰and so I most Yf your Ladyship likwise could spare me two geldings to accompanie my coatche which I shall have occasion and meane, God willing, dalie to imploie, they should be most no lesse welcome then they are necessarie. Your Ladyship shall not neede to doubt but that I will have a speciall care of them and so I most humblie take my leave. June 15th.

55. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, [15 June 1593]Footnote ⁴⁰¹

Holograph. LPL 653, fo. 251r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 251v): lettre de Madame

Abowt beginning of the next weeke, sonne, I mean, yf it please God, to stepp to London to see and know how it is with yow for your health and business and not long after to send some beere. July wyll come on a pace for your brother's dett to Cornelis.Footnote ⁴⁰² The Lorde God shew mercy to yow both and direct and bless yow as chyldern and kepe yow from evell every way. My fyne black hobyFootnote ⁴⁰³ for servyce is complayning, not well. God save the beast; I know not how to do for servyce yf it continue.

Gorhambury.

56. Anthony Bacon to Anne Bacon, 15 June 1593

Draft. LPL 649, fo. 189r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 189v): une lettre a Madame le 15 1593

My dutie most humblie remembred. I After I had dispatched my letter by Risbrough, my bayliffe of Barlie, I receyved your Ladyship's by Mr Welplet,Footnote ⁴⁰⁴ wherein perceyving your Ladyship's purpose to come one Mondaye or Tewsdaie to Wilssons Howse, I thought it my dutie to advertice your ^Ladiship^ that there is no place in London more dangerous nor where thinfection is more ryffe then ^in^ that parishe. Therfore beseche your Ladyship to see one weeke more paste. My brother, God be thanked, is almost red of his ague,Footnote ⁴⁰⁵ and my self will not faile to let ^certifie^ your Ladyship understand ^by letter^ by letter or what soever it shall please your Ladyship to understande, eyther concerninge my brother or my self.

Graise Inne juin the 15th of juin 1593.

57. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 26 June 1593

Holograph. LPL 649, fo. 153r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 153v): lettre de Madame, 1593

Addressed (fo.153v): To my sonne

Sonnne, goodeman GrimwellFootnote ⁴⁰⁶ of Barly came this morning hether, very sadd upon a speche he had harde yow were abowt to lett his ferm to another, yet hopeth better both for your promiss and the receit of some mony upon it. Goode sonne, kepe your worde advisedly spoken, it is a Christian credit. Be not sodenly removed nor beleve hastely, but know whome and how. Sure yf that disposition be fownde and observed in yow once it wylbe wrowght upon to your hindrance in estimation and profitt. Besydes that the grandefather, father and sonne have there continued. I think once upon a sale of woodd ^in your absence^, I hard that the Grimwells had dwelled there above a vi^xxFootnote ⁴⁰⁷ years. The man is willing to do as much as another. The same person that now wolde, I wot not what ^reversion^, in your absence was backwarde and rather hindred wood sales and other things. He wolde fayn have had goode^man^ Finch with him to yow but I can in no wyse now spare him, mowyng and other businesses come on. It is here marvelous hote and dry and grass burn away, God helpe us. I pray yow comfort Grimell's hart and kepe just promises justly and be not credulous lyghtly and so the Lorde bless yow and gwyde yow with his holy spirit in his feare. Be not to frank with that papist.Footnote ⁴⁰⁸ Such have seducing spirits to snare the godly. Be not too open; sit not upp late, nor disorder your body that yow may have health to do goode service when God shall appoint. Gorhambury 26 Junii 1593.

Your carefull mother,

ABacon.

58. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 3 July [1593]Footnote ⁴⁰⁹

Holograph. LPL 653, fo. 317r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 317v): lettre de Madame

I sende purposely. I can ^not^ tell what I ayled. But still I suspecte a dilatory bargayning; to have goode assurance is requisite but your tytle and case made weaker by it, I think is not wysely or skillfully handled. I wolde have no speach of dowte at all; let not my man this bearer understande eny thing by your selff or your men. For thowgh honest and pretely spoken for his kinde yet he ^is^ satis linguae et non insulsus. Footnote ⁴¹⁰ Surely I suspect there is some drift to fetch Barly from yow, but yow wyll, I trow, not so discredit your selff; and possible some have hereby pried wylbe mistrusted there too. I pray be ware and wyse in your own doings and not too open. The worlde is full of false semblance. Yow have ben very long absent and so must of brobaliteeFootnote ⁴¹¹ be yet to seek in your own state and sycknes is dangerous.

What yow mean to bring, trunks or such. Robert Knight knowes the cariag dayes. To leave your loging withowt one to lye I feare were not saffe. Yf it will stande yow to stay my man till next day, as yow have cause do, other wyse I appoint his return eodem die Deo propitio.Footnote ⁴¹² I pray yow shew your brother. I wolde have the two kallenders very saffly returned ^hether^Footnote ⁴¹³ and Mr Wyblud's lettre ad archiepiscopum Footnote ⁴¹⁴ and all Redborn evidence with all the apertinanceFootnote ⁴¹⁵ Marcks lease and all saffly deliverd to my cosin Kempe, with a note therof to him and another to me. Yf my man know of your coming, charge him with secresy. I have prepared for yow as well as I can the chamber next the great parlour as fittest for your ease being no better in your lymms.

The ^Lorde^ make yow better and better dayly. Take care of your all writings and bewrayingFootnote ⁴¹⁶ unadvisedly. Yf I wyst yow came not this weke; I wolde make a jorny but for ii dayes to speake with a frende. Fac certiorem et valete eo citius scirem.Footnote ⁴¹⁷ God be ^with^ us in mercy in all our doings and goings. I thank God that the learned men did visit yow, as tokens of his favour. Make profitt of it.

3 July.Burn this well marked.

Mater tua,Footnote ⁴¹⁸

ABacon.

59. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, [early July 1593]Footnote ⁴¹⁹

Holograph. LPL 653, fo. 322r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 322v): lettre de Madame

Addressed (fo. 322v): To my sonnes

Si valetis, ut cupio est.Footnote ⁴²⁰ I cam, I humbly thank God, well hether and before I think your brother was risen, sed non in laudem nec pro valetudine.Footnote ⁴²¹ For I was ^at^ AilbonsFootnote ⁴²² befor 9 of the clock and rode but a convenient pace. I sende purposely to know how and what is or whether owght ^is^ by me to done.Footnote ⁴²³ I have charged to come a way next morning si Deus voluerit Footnote ⁴²⁴ by 3 of the clock both for his health and for that his leasure was scant now to have come. It is hote here early or elce I am very fainty.Footnote ⁴²⁵ For I feele it so. Yf yow have eny thing dispatch by v or six of the clock at farthest. For my man riseth very early two mornings ^together^ to avoyde heat and dust and goeth on foote, not used but upon such reqwest of me. Looke well to your selff, servants and loging and the God of mercy be withFootnote ⁴²⁶ yow and kepe your mynds in the knowledg and love of him and his holy law.

These be the last partriches kylled yesterday, thinking ^once^ my man shulde have come this morning but it cowlde not be.

Valete in Christo ut filii altissimi. Footnote ⁴²⁷

I pray yow make no spech of your comming since it is no better with yow. Yf yow write to me for eny thing secretly it shalbe don, God wylling.

Your mother.

Shew your brother.

60. Anthony Bacon to Anne Bacon, 18 July 1593

Draft. LPL 649, fos 223r–224v. 2pp.

Endorsed (fo. 224v): Lettre a Madame le 18me de july 1593

My most humble dutie remembred with the like thankes to your Ladiship for your kinde remembrance and care of me and myne estate every waye, which howe weake and meane soever it be, or maie seeme to be in the eye of the world, ether both for health or and wealthe, yet so longe as it shall please God to strengthen the same with his grace and to blesse me with the inwarde comforte of a Christian and honest minde, in the course of my lyfe I have juste cause with a thankfull patience to attend his good pleasure for the betteringe of mine estate with temporall and externall blessing. Concerninge Mr Standen, as he hath I have saide here to fore, so maie it please your Ladyship to rest assured that his companie neyther hath nor shall with God's helpe prejudice me eyther in mynde or bodie and therfore I judge it ^in^ no wyse conveniente that your Ladyship should shewe by letter or otherwise anie discontentment of his aboade here, so longe as it shall please her Majestie to like therof. Nether have I nede, I thanke God, to trouble my Lord Tresorer in demandinge his Lordship's helpe by loane of anie somme to satisfie my debtes; the effects of whose good will towards me, accordinge to his Lordship's often protestations and not altogether without my deservinge, I would eyther request to some good purpose or els not at all, especiallie consideringe the more free I keepe my self, the mor bould I maie be with his Lordship in my brother's behalf, whose benefite and preferment ^advancement^ I have and shall alwaies esteeme as mine owne. Our most honourable and kinde frende the Earle of Essex was here yester daie three howers and hath most frendlie and freelie promised to set up, as they say, his whole rest of favour and credit for my brother's preferment before Mr Cooke, whensoever the now Atournie shallbe removed to the ^place^ of the Rowles.Footnote ⁴²⁸ His Lordship tould me likwise that

[fo. 224v] he had alreadie tould moved the Queene for my brother and that she tooke no exceptions to him but said that she must first dispatch the Frenche and Scotishe Ambassadors and her busines abroad before she medle with ^thinke of suche^ home matters, and so I most humblie take my leave.

Twitinham this 18^th of Julie.

61. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 31 July [1593]Footnote ⁴²⁹

Holograph. LPL 653, fos 338r–339v. 2pp.

Endorsed (fo. 339v): lettre de Madame

Addressed (fo. 339v): To my sonne Anthony Bacon at Gray's Inne

I pray God to bless your coming and allweies in Christ. I make litle speech of it. Have regarde to your easy cariag this veri hote weather; best alone yow shall finde it. 4 horses as yow wylled. Yow will not ryde fast for your selff and the horses being grass and will qwickly take hurt in this heate; one specially very fast which Mr SelwinFootnote ⁴³⁰ wyll lyke and use ^well^. Me thowght your coch d[y]d jogg and shake uneasely. Be carefull yow do not be bowlde at the fyrst. Leave goode order for your chamber and loging in safety. No more brute of the town suspition. God kepe us sownde in mynde and body.

I send Mantell’sFootnote ⁴³¹ subtile and combersome lease to be consydred. The three yeres’ terme endeth the day or two at most after Bartolomew.Footnote ⁴³² He takes all tyll then. I wolde know surely yf I do take the remeintyth after that day. Whether I hinder my right for this somer's ^hole^ comodites, which is to me the hole yere's profitts. At this present thus it standeth. Theris unpaid to me the last halff yere of the AnnunciationFootnote ⁴³³ and now this sommer frutes ^due^,Footnote ⁴³⁴ which is an C markes, in all one C li. I pray yow speak to your brother to sende sownde and sure advyse and make a goode agreement, yf he can, with down payment, yf he can, quia indigeo,Footnote ⁴³⁵ or elce what I must and may saffly do after Bartolomew. Goode cownsell. The Lorde be with us in mercy and kepe yow both from synn and evell.

[Left-hand margin] Your mother, ABacon.Gorhambury ultimo Julii.Footnote ⁴³⁶

62. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 14 August [1593]Footnote ⁴³⁷

Holograph. LPL 653, fos 303r–304v. 2pp.

Endorsed (fo. 304v): lettre de Madame

Addressed (fo. 304v): To my sonne Mr Antony Bacon

I was and am very sori when I understoode by Mr Trott your returned payn of the gowt more paynfully. I pray the Lorde sende yow the best cownsell and goode success with all. As I wrote before unto yow, beware of issues never withowt danger and be well advised. I am of an opinion that yow with a constant order ^do not^ prevent taking colde in the affected lymmes and that yow kepe your selff to close and too much owt of the ayre which maketh yow apter to be towched. For it is not almost possible but yow must be tender with keeping in and ^in^ your bed so continually. The gowt is named pulvinarius morbus Footnote ⁴³⁸ because it lyketh softness and ease. Goode sonne, call upon God to take patiently his correction and using ordinary goode means have comfort and hope yet of better and endevour it as yow may, with yea with some travell of body more then heretofore. Yow eate late and slepe litle and very late, both enemies to a sownd and short recovery. Make not your body by violent and uncessant pullyng and phisick practise unmete and unable to serve God, your prince and cowntry, but procure next care of tru godliness, your health of body, and make not night day nor day night by disorder^ly^ discowrsing and watching to hinder ^and decay^ both mynde and body. God bless yow, cownsell and comfort yow. I had gotten Mr Wyborn's goode ^wyll^ to have come unto yow as I wrote before, but this ^great^ chang of your health and other syck too there makes him ^and^ me dowt of eny opportunitee now, so he stayeth, I am sory, and wyll shortly return to his own howse. Mr Trott continueth frendly wylling to take paine and care for your matters. I desyre to know how it proceadeth with Barly; come not to uneqwall nor unusuall conditions in no wyse. It may be God wyll sende helpe for mony borowing and yet not known, and I wyll prove all my frends rather with his grace and ayde.

[Left-hand margin] He took small rest here and interteynment in goode part and hasted early hence. Kepe yee your howse in Christian order exercyse.

14 August.Your mother, ABacon Χηρα.Footnote ⁴³⁹

63. Anthony Bacon to Anne Bacon, 15 August 1593

Draft. LPL 649, fos 262r–263v. 2pp. Damaged and faded.

Endorsed (fo. 263r): A Madame mere de Monsieur et une autre a Monsieur Wyborn, ce une autre a Jian Finche, le 15 aout 1593.Footnote ⁴⁴⁰

Madame, I can but give your Ladiship moste humble and hartie thanks for your continuall care and remembrance of me and my estate testified aswell by your Ladyship's lettres as by my good frend Mr Trott's particular relation unto me. Whereupon groundinge my selfe, as upon moste fare foundation, I have accordinge to good and sounde advise I sett doune and sente to Alderman Spencer and his councell that which in conscience and equitie accordinge to my trewe meaninge and worde ought to satisfie him.Footnote ⁴⁴¹ Whom I have plainlie assured that yf he meane to leape over the limites of conscenceFootnote ⁴⁴² and equitie for his profitt, I, with juste reason for my credit, will rather imploie my nearest and dearest frends then ascervileFootnote ⁴⁴³ my self to unusual and unreasonable inconveniences. His answerre I looke for to morrowe whereof I will not faile to advertice your Ladiship. My brother is still at the coarte in reasonable good health, God be thanked, the dangerous and unlooked for changes. France and Scotlande trouble much and posses her Majestie's minde,Footnote ⁴⁴⁴ who in worldlie discource seemeth to have as much neede, nowe as ever, of God's mightie and mercifull protection by Christien sinceare and timelie councell. And with remembraunce of my moste humble dewtie to your Ladiship, I take my leave.

Twicknam Parcke this 15^th of Auguste 1593.

64. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 20 August [1593]Footnote ⁴⁴⁵

Holograph. LPL 653, fos 333r–334v. 2pp.

Endorsed (fo. 334v): lettre de Madame

Addressed (fo. 334v): To my sonne Mr Antony Bacon

Sonne the Lorde in mercy all weyes ^be^ with yow. I am desyrous to know the ende of Barly matter; I pray do wysely herin for your selff and be not readely removed from the best advyse and determynation, but ^ever^ in goode things be constant with circumspection and judgment. I send yow v partriches from Thomas Knite. Dell, under pretence for yow, makes revell and ^in^ my grownd here and leaves allmost none. He every yerre hath new scollersFootnote ⁴⁴⁶ and such as by and with him learne to steale and spoyle the game, and where yow have two, he geves and selle 1/2 doson at least. I know him nowght and a great lyir and very bowlde shameless ^and flattring^ fellow for his own turn. I pray cowntenance him not to the dislyke of your honest neighbours and your own discredit. When I am in heaven, do as God shall gwyde yow, but known nawghty personsFootnote ⁴⁴⁷ use not, nor enterteyn not for eny tattler. Experience wyll teach yow to your cost, I warrant yow, yf yow be hasty that way.

The Lorde bless yow both and thowgh yow answer not more solito.Footnote ⁴⁴⁸ When yow were beiond sea, my particulers written, yet I hope yow allow and wyll follow the advyse to your own goode for health and other wyse. And so I commend yow to the love of God in Christ, who bestow goode health upon yow with dayly encrease. I am very sory yow have no learned man. It may be Mr Wyborn, yf he can, will hereafter. Let your servaunts and hole howse exercyse godlynes with prayours and psalmes reverently, morning and evening.

Gorhambury 20 August.

Your mother,

ABacon.

65. Anthony Bacon to Anne Bacon, 20 August 1593

Draft. LPL 649, fos 264r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 264v): A Madame mere de Monsieur le 20me d’aoust 1593

My moste humble dewtie remembred. I could not sende your Ladyship anie certaine advertissement whether I were to breake of or proceed with Alderman Spencer before this daie, when it pleased him nowe the thirde time to come hither and parted but a litle before your man's arryvall, and nowe what hath passed and beene agreed betwixte us, your Ladyship shall understande by Mr Trott's lettre.

As for Dell, he never had promisse of anie favour from me further forth, then he should shewe himself dewtifull to your Ladyship and honest to his neyghbours, but speciall warnings not to spoile the game, and threatinings yf he did, which I hope he will not so soone sett so light by. Towchinge may ^my^ not answeringe particularlie your Ladyship's lettres as some points maie require it, so in matter of advice and admonition from a parent to a childe, I knowe not fitter nor better answerre then signification of a dutyfull acceptance and thankes, unlesse there were juste cause of replie, which howe reasonable soever it be, manie times is more offencive then a respective silence. Yester daie after my longe reste forced by my goute, I had a verie shrewd fitte of the stonne,Footnote ⁴⁴⁹ which I have now paste over, havinge voided three, the leaste as bigge as a barlie corne, by which discharged, God be thanked, I am muche eased. And so I moste humblie take my leave.

Twicknam Parcke this 20 of August 1593.

Your most humble and obedient sonne,

Anthony Bacon.

66. Nicholas Trott to Anne Bacon, 20 August 1593

Copy. LPL 649, fos 248r–249v.Footnote ⁴⁵⁰ 2pp.

Endorsed (fo. 249v): [Lettre a] Monsieur Francois une et une autre a Madame mere de Monsieur. Le 2[0] l’aoust 1593.Footnote ⁴⁵¹

Madame my humble dewtie in humble sorte remembred this Mondaie 20 of this Auguste. Alderman Spencer has bene here, my selfe beinge present at his conference with Mr Anthonie your sonne, who by remonstrans and reason hath removed him from dyvers unreasonable demands of bonds and assurances; the rest is referred to a second consideration of Mr Francis to whome the books are to be sent to morrowe, and by reason of the inclyen and yeldinge of the Alderman I thinke will ende in agreement of the bargains. It is agreed upon both parties that it shall not be needfull to send to Sir NichlasFootnote ⁴⁵² Bacon before the bargaine profited and exquitedFootnote ⁴⁵³ and the Alderman requireth not with anie earnestnes that he make any assurance reposinge himself uppon such securitie, as without him the lawe will make notwithstandinge for gaininge of time and speedier paiement. Mr Anthonie is determined to sende to Sir Nicholas whom the rest is profited. Thus committinge your Ladyship to the protection of the Almightie. 20 Auguste.

Your Ladyship's trewe servant,

Nicholas Trot.

67. William Cecil, Lord Burghley, to Anne Bacon, 29 August 1593

Copy. LPL 649, fo. 276r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 276v): Lettre de Monsieur le Grand Tresorier a Madame mere de Monsieur. Escripte de sa propre main le 29me d’aoust 1593. Footnote ⁴⁵⁴

Good Madame, I thanke yow for your kinde letter; and for your sons, I thinke your care for them is noe lesse then they both deserve, beinge so quallified in learninge and vertue, as yf they had a supplie of more helth, they wanted nothinge, but none are, ore verie fewe, ab omni parte beati,Footnote ⁴⁵⁵ for suche are not elect, but subjecte to temptation tentations,Footnote ⁴⁵⁶ from the highe waye to heaven. For my good will to them, thoughe I am of lesse power to doe my frends good then the worlde thinketh, yet they shall not want the intention to doe them good; and so, God continew yow in his favour, by your meditations, and that I as your olde frende, maie be the partaker of your good wishes and prayers.

From my howse at Theobalds, the 29 of August 1593.

Your Ladyship's lovinge brother in lawe,

W. Bourgley.

68. Anthony Bacon to Anne Bacon, 6 September 1593

Draft. LPL 649, fo. 314r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 314v): une lettre a Madame mere de Monsieur le 6me de septembre, 1593.

My moste humble dutie remembred. Maie it please your Ladyship to be advertised, that yester daie Mr Alderman Spencer, and one of his councell of Mr Altham of Grayse Inne,Footnote ⁴⁵⁷ cominge hether expreslie for that purpose ^we made an ende^ by the sealing and delivered unto him suche ^of^ wrytings which were his done acknowledged by Mr of the here before a master of the Chancerie, so that nowe nothinge resteth but my brother Bacon’sFootnote ⁴⁵⁸ joyning, which beinge done the Alderman is bounde to paie me imeadiatelie 15 hundred pounde more besides the ^fourteine hundred^ pounde he hath alreadie delivered; but yf ^my brother^ make difficultie, I am not to receyve it till the ende of the next tearme, at which time likwise he is to paie me me the other 500 ^five hundred^ pounde, which makes in all 3000 3400 pounde, whereof I am to paie 130 thirtene hundred pounde to Mr Trot, who moste frendlie and kindlie hath promised me to lende it my brother for the redemeinge of ^Marks out of^ Mr Harvei's hands. I pourpose out of hande to sende to my brother Bacon to knowe his finall resolution, whether he will doe willinglie like a kinde brother without anie prejudice to him or his, that which yf he refuse I shall performe without him by lawe with the helpe of some further tyme. And havinge hard his answere, I meane, God willing, accordinge to good advise both of phisistions and other of my frends, to goe downe to the Bath, but in as much as I have bene advertised that the waie hether is verie ill for a coatche, I am to beseche your Ladiship to spare me, yf yow maie, your lytter. As for horses and guydes, the Earle of Essex, I thinke, his Lordship hath promised to furnishe me. I have likwise speciall neede to use a cooke yf your Ladiship could convenientlie spare ^for beare^ Richard; for rather then your Ladiship should be anie waie discommodated by want eyther of the one ^or^ of the other I will take some other otherwise the best order I cann. In the meane tyme I am to crave pardone at your Ladiship's hands yf I cannot doe my dewtie in persone, as I desire, till yt shall please God I be retournd from the Bath, in as tru[th] as before my goinge I shall have ^dailie^ earneste occasion ether to wryte ^unto^ or to heare from my Lord of Essex and my brother in courte, besides my owne unfitnes to make anie postinge journey. And so beinge verie sorie ^to have understood^ that your Ladyship have ^understood^ bene ^somwhat^ ill at ease, and besechinge God to strengthen and comforte your Ladyship everie waie, I most humblie take my leave. Twitnam Parcke, this 6th of September 1593.

Your moste humble

Your Ladyship's most dewtifull and lovinge sonne.

69. Anthony Bacon to Anne Bacon, 21 September 1593

Draft. LPL 649, fo. 312r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 312v): Lettre a Madame mere de Monsieur le 22me de septembre 1593

My moste humble dewtie remembred.

As I thought it my parte by my last letter, havinge ^first to^ advertised your Ladyship of my purpose to goe to the Bath and then to present my humble and trewe excuses, that I could not absent my self from this place hence for that litle tyme I am to remaine here, by reason of the continuall occasions I have eyther to sende unto or ^to^ heare from the earle of Essex and my brother in court, so havinge understood by your man Winter to my great greef the continuance of your Ladyship's sicknes, I am most humblie to beseche your Ladyship to let me knowe whither my presence maie be anie waie serviceable to your Ladyship before my departure, beinge no lesse redie then bounde to preferre the performance of such a dewtie before the respects above mentioned. Maie it please your Ladyship therefore not to make anie difficultie to commande my personall attendance, for your Ladyship's service and contentment, otherwise with your Ladyship's good leave, I continue my resolucon purposed journey so soone as I have hearde from my brother Bacon. As for the litter, I humblie thanke your Ladyship I have no need hereof ^it shall not need^, havinge otherwise accommodated my self. The service of Richarde ^the cooke^, seinge it pleaseth your Ladyship to spare him, I shall be willinge to imploie and will sende for him after I have harde out of Suffolk.Footnote ⁴⁵⁹ My brother cam yester night from the courte unlooked for in my Lorde of Essex's coatche and is returnd hether againe this morninge. I cannot tell in what tearms to acknowledge the deserte of the Earle's unspeakable kindnes towards us both, but namelie to him nowe at a pinche, which by God's helpe shortlie will appeare by good effects. Surlie, Madame, I must nede confesse, that the noble besechinge God to give us the ^grace and^ means to be thankfull therefore, the Earle declareth him self more like a father then a frende unto him and doubte not, but yf that he that should be firstFootnote ⁴⁶⁰ doe but seconde the earle, that those gifts which God hath bestowed of my brother shall lie no longer fallowe. And so besechinge the Almightie, to give your Ladyship spirituall strength and comforte, wherebie yow maie suppporte with a Christian patience and bodlie visitation whatsoever it shall please him in mercie to laie upon yow, I most humblie take my leave.

Twicknam Parcke this 21th September 1593.

70. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, [c.23 September 1593]Footnote ⁴⁶¹

Holograph. LPL 653, fos 203r–204v. 2pp.

Endorsed (fo. 204v): lettre de Madame

Yesterday GodramFootnote ⁴⁶² was here from yow, he sayd, and that yow wolde come and see me, which in no wyse I wolde, as it is now with us both; it much disqwiet me then eny comfort. My howse is trobled inowgh with my sycklines, now in a quarttansFootnote ⁴⁶³ in myn owlde age. I pray troble not your selff and me; yf yow had ben in health and made a stepp, I wolde not have mislyked, but I pray yow looke to your selff and pray for me. Doctor SmythFootnote ⁴⁶⁴ coming did very much satisfye me to know how to order my selff and then rest in the goode wyll and mercy of God, as I humbly thank for his grace I endevour to do. My ansier, yow know. I am sory my wyll is such a poore wyll, not able to dispose 300 li amongst my frends and others I owght, but it is not long of me, having that I have continually kept howse and lyved owt of dett. I never purchased nor bowght eny matter of value, by yow specially and also your brother, but not the thyrde part.

This morning, I being in bed after my fytt that night, one came from my syster Russell,Footnote ⁴⁶⁵ whome I thanked and prayd her to make no mention of me and, as before by Doctor Smyth, I prayd her not to see me for she shall ^loose^ her labour and I wolde not be cumbered with her loging here. My purpose was to kepe my howse and my selff qwiett. My fytts, thowgh very paynfull, yet not extreme, I humbly thanke. The colde seemes to be less sore and shorter and was this last. I sende of purpose. I heare the earle of Essex is gon to the Ile of Wyght.Footnote ⁴⁶⁶ I wyshed your brother had traveled with him for exercyse with but a man or two. Surely yow kepe not a right regarde of your lymms that yow are so never withowt gowt. Yow troble your head and break your slepes, I feare, with supervacuum,Footnote ⁴⁶⁷ and want of digestion by want of due rest wyll encrease the gowty humour. I can say no more but God heale yow well. I wyll send yow worde from me except yow sende to me. How your detts are discharged and that from your brother, I desyre to know. God bless yow both. This bearer can enferre of our parish state but wealie.Footnote ⁴⁶⁸

Your mother, AB.

Gorhambury.

71. Anthony Bacon to Anne Bacon, 23 September 1593

Draft. LPL 649, fo. 313r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 313v): Lettre a Madame mere de Monsieur le 23me de septembre 1593

My moste humble dewtie remembred. Seinge it hath pleased your good Ladiship to dispence with me at this present for the performance of my personall attendance, I thought it my parte ^to acknowledge^ by these fewe ^lynes^ your Ladyship's ^kinde^ care of my well doinge, and withall to beseche yow to rest assured, that wheresover I be, I shalbe no lesse mindefull and redie ^in harte^ then I am bounde by dewtie, to carrie a continuall remembrance of your ^Ladyship^ in my dailie prayers. Upon my brother's returne, I purpose, God willinge, to begine my journie to the Bathe, which by God's grace yf it doe me noe ^present^ good, yet by God's grace, I shall ^will^ take suche order and advice, as it shall doe me noe harme. Touchinge your Ladyship's cooke, as I made the moition before I knewe of your Ladyship's sicknes, so I praie your Ladyship give me leave to beleve that I would not for anie good, God is my witnes, discomadate your Ladyship ^anie waie^, especiallie seinge I maie provide my self otherwyse, as my brother can certefie your Ladyship. One want ^hinderance^ onlie remaineneth, with which ^towards my of my journie^ wherein with your Ladyship's good leave and favour I am to crave your supplie ^Ladyship's assistance^. Yf it standeth with your lykinge to wit a couple of ^your^ gueldings, which I dare assure your Ladyship, uppon my credit, shalbe so well used and looked unto, as that they shalbe as freshe ^lustie^ and servicable ^God willinge^ at their returne, as yf they had stoode all the while in the stable. And so with remembrance of my moste humble dewtie, and offer of my presence and service, eyther nowe or hereafter whensoever yt shall please your Ladyship to command the ^same^, I commit yow to God's mercyfull and saffe protection.

Twicknam Parcke, this 23 of September 1593.

72. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 18 October 1593

Holograph. LPL 649, fos. 340r–341v. 2pp.

Endorsed (fo. 341v): lettre de Madame 1593

Addressed (fo. 341v): To Mr Anthony Bacon my sonne at Twycknam

I pray God kepe yow saffe from all infection of synne and plage. Yt hath pleased the Lorde to put me in remembrance on both sydes of me by taking two of the sycknes, very necessary persons to me, a wydow, specially the goodeman FynchFootnote ⁴⁶⁹ whose want I shall have cause to lament dayly. His careful, skillful and very trustye husbandyng my speciall rurall busynesses every way procured me, and that even to the ^very^ last, much qwiett of mynde and leasure to spende my tyme in godly exercises, both publick and private. I confess I am so hartely sory for his death as I cannot chuse but moorne my great loss therby and now in my weakysh, syckly age. But the Lorde God doth it to humble his servants and teach them to draw neerer to him in hart unfeynedly, which grace God graunte me to be effectuall in me, I humbly besech ^his Majestie^. Surely, sonne, one cannot value rightly the singular benefitt of such a one in these dissolute and unfaythfull dayes, but by wyse consyderation and goode experience. It may be yow know it er this by sombodye's posting in joylitee;Footnote ⁴⁷⁰ but be wyse and ware in tyme to your own goode estimation and be not redely caried ether to beleve or do upon unthrifte pleasing and boasting speaches, ^and but mockeryes in ded^ to make them profitt of yow and to beare owt their unknown to yow disordred unruliness among their peradventure pott felloshipp companion.Footnote ⁴⁷¹ There wylbe craving of yow and I wott not what. Promiss not rashely, be tui juris.Footnote ⁴⁷² Yow shalbe better esteemed, both of wyse and unwyse, before that puniens experientia docebit tuo malo.Footnote ⁴⁷³

It is sayde that ThystleworthFootnote ⁴⁷⁴ is visited. Some talk how Finch shulde take it there in bayting his horse, but now he is gon. So was the wyll of God who bless yow and sende yow much goode of all your bodely phisick and make yow strong to do his holy wyll to your comfort. Sis tardus ad loqwendum et promittendum ne sero peniteat.Footnote ⁴⁷⁵ Commende me to your brother. Looke well to your ^howse^ and servants for late and night roads now towarde wynter.

18 October 93.

Your sad mother, ABacon.

73. Anthony Bacon to Anne Bacon, 19 October 1593

Draft. LPL 649, fos 337r–338v. 2pp.

Endorsed (fo. 338r): Lettre a Madame ^mere de Monsieur^ le 19 d’octobre 1593.

Addressed (fo. 337r): To the honorable his very good Lady and mother the Lady Anne Bacon widdowe.Footnote ⁴⁷⁶

My most humble dewtie remembred. I thought it my parte to advertice your Ladyship, that on Saterdaie laste I undertooke a journey to the courte, with resolution to have donne my most humble dewty to her Majesty. But havinge ^pased^ three partes of the waye betwixt Colboroughe and Eaton, I was so sadonily surprised by an extreame fit of the stone that I was faine to take the nexte harborougheFootnote ⁴⁷⁷ at Eaton. Where findinge my self so weake as that it had chargued rather in me a very great presomption then a dewtyfull minde to have presented my self, thoughe it had bene possible, to her Majesty in so painfull a plight, I commited the signification of my uttermost endevour and my unlooked for pange to the right honorable my very to the relation of to the Earle of Essex ^relation^ to her Majesty, who hath very gratiouslie accepted thereof as your Ladyship should have seene by the Earl's owne letter, but that I know your Ladyship could not read my Lord's hande, it beinge as hard as any cypher to those that are not thoroughlie acquainted therewith. It was no finalle comforte likwyse ^to me^ to understand from my Lady RussellFootnote ⁴⁷⁸ that her Majesty about her Majesty a seven night befo agoe openly in the parckeFootnote ⁴⁷⁹vouch before divers vouchsaffed of her self without any other occasion to make mention of me and to moane muche my infirmity, protestinge with othFootnote ⁴⁸⁰ that yf I had but half as muche health as honestie and other sufficientcie, shee knowe not througheout not her realme where to finde a better servant and more to her lykinge. In returninge I met with my Lord TresurerFootnote ⁴⁸¹ in his coatch, whom havinge saluted out of myne a foote man ^the highe waye^, his Lord tooke that dewty very kindlie and promised to joyne with the Earle in the rapportinge to her Majestie my dewtyfull endevour. And renderinge

[Left-hand margin] most humble thankes in my behalfe for her gratious remembrances of and good speeches of me, this I wryte not upp to your Ladyship upon any vaine glory but ^to that ende^ that your Ladyship may aswell be ^made^ partaker of my comforts as ^as advertised^ of my paine as crosses.

[fo. 337v] Touchinge the decease of goodman Finche, next after your Ladyship and his wyfe and children, I thinke noe body hath loste more nor consequently have greater cause to regreat him then my self. Yet God forbid that the greatnes of the ^remembrance of so great a^ losse in respect of your Ladyship's contentment and the necessary use of his service should make me so farr forget my self as to grudge or repine at God's unsearchable justice or to enter thereupon into any distrust of his mercyfull providence, which never leveth destitute of comfortable supplies those that have resource and truste thereunto. Lastlie it may please your Ladyship to rest assured that ^eyther^ to anye to succeed in ^Finche^ his chardge or to medle with ought ^els^ that concerneth your Ladyship's livinge ^without your leave^, I am so furrFootnote ⁴⁸² from that rashnes or presomption as that I have more neede to be drawne on by ^to^ suche cares then ^of^ cavats to keepe me from hasty promises. And so I most humblie take my leave.

Twicknam Parcke, this 19^th of October 1593.

Your Ladyship's moste humble and obedient sonne,

Anthony Bacon.

74. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, [late October 1593]Footnote ⁴⁸³

Holograph. LPL 653, fos 201r–202v. 2pp.

Endorsed (fo. 202v): lettre de Madame

Addressed (fo. 202v): To my sonne

I purposely send to know how yow do, and what your brother, and determyn for coming hether. I cannot as I wolde provyde but sustentatyve meat; I wyll as I can provyde. Besyde the loss of the man Fynch, I have also a great want of the use of that howse, for yll was my dayry and powltry at all tymes, in season or owt. Herabowts is not the lyke; for the cawse of it, certeintee and reasonable price. He is with God, I trust. Even but yesterday it is advertysed abroad for very too trew that a mayde hath ^a^ sore come foorth on herFootnote ⁴⁸⁴ at Buttler’sFootnote ⁴⁸⁵ to the encrease of much discomfort to the wydow and here yf yow come yow must be very carefull for your men from stray^ng^ eny where, nor not to Redborn. For Gooderam, I wyll tell yow more when yow come, yf yow wyll beleve; a riotous, prowde, crafty fellow, all to get credit by yll.

My fitts encrease and I weaker tyll the tyme God hath appointed. I wyll have no resort hether because I wolde be qwiett in my sycklines and surely all your servaunts must kepe goode order and due tymes here. I know Hynds untymely starting last tyme; it was no marvell, thowgh your horse miscaried, had yow known all, and marred myn too. I do determyn to watch better over them and for stealers commers to mocke me. I wolde prepare my selff to the Lorde's goode wyll. God bless yow and shew mercy unto me, I humbly besech hym.

Your mother, AB.

Let not my lettre be sene, but to your brother, and teare it.

75. Anthony Bacon to Anne Bacon, 2 November 1593

Draft. LPL 649, fo. 399r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 399v): A Madame le 2me de novembre 1593

Addressed (fo. 399r): To the honorable his very good Ladye and mother the Ladye Anne Bacon widowe at Gorhamburie in Hertfordshire

Madame,

My most I thanks most humbly thanke your Ladishipp for your letter and sending your man Bashforde to visite me, who purposeth, with God's helpe, so soone as possibly I can, to doe my dewtie to your Ladyship, but the sonest I doubt wilbe much as ten daies to morrow or next Mondaie come senight.Footnote ⁴⁸⁶ My brother, I thinke, will goe to St Albon's soner with my Lord Keeper,Footnote ⁴⁸⁷ who hath kindly offred him rome his owne lodginge there, as he hath also accomodated him in his of a ^alredy of late, resigned unto him the use of his^ chamber in the courte. God forbid that your Ladiship shall trouble your self any what more with anie extraordinary care in respect of our presence, which yf we thought should be the leste cause of ^your^ discontentment, we would rather absent our selves then occasion yow anie waie your Ladyship's disquietnes. As for Gotheram, I have bene and shalbe allwaies redye to heare dewtyfully your Ladyship's motherlie admonitions touchinge him or any other man or matter and to respect them as I ought. And so with remembrance of my humble dewtie I beseche God to preserve and comfort your Ladiship.

Twikinam Parcke, this 2 of November 1593.

76. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, [late 1593]Footnote ⁴⁸⁸

Holograph. LPL 653, fo. 256r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 256v): lettre de Madame

Gragg bringing malt hether, I was playn with him. He had don evell to broak such a husband for wydow Finch, as his wyff made a way her selff an infamous note to him for ever in this lyff. He for his cowllour answerd yow had seene him and lyked him well. It was a base office, I sayde, to make yow the autour of it, who knew all but by him. I spake with her since and towlde as she was of yeres and experience to consider well another mariag and regard of him gon, of her own comfort, and her chyldern's thereby, ^so I ment not but shortly to advise her^ I perceaved and prayde her to pray to the Lorde to advise and cownsell her. I perceaved she was browght to some good opinion of him, wherof I was sory and towlde her for myne own part I cowlde never lyke such a fowle, blotted husband for her, nor such a neybour so nere as Butlers and therfore in my tyme, as it pleaseth God, I wolde never consent to her lenger continuance in Buttlers, for feare of diverse inconvenience, but that it were best for her, yf she ^so^ mattched, to go away and dwell with him to avoyde obloqwy.Footnote ⁴⁸⁹ Surely, sonne, I verely think it were very hurtfull for yow to have such an infamed so nere a tenant. Besydes of trowth he is cownted but a loose lyver, in dett, hath many chyldern and one of Gragg's worthy prayses, forsooth: a good fellow, that is as much as a riotus pott companion and qwareling lyke with all. They wyll prease yow but consent not to your own harm hereafter. I thowgtFootnote ⁴⁹⁰ it good to declare thus much unto yow in tyme. Take heede to your selff.Footnote ⁴⁹¹ For all your gests, I wolde I had fitt for them and yow. So God bless yow more and more.

PeeroFootnote ⁴⁹² must return to day.

ABacon mater.Footnote ⁴⁹³

Gorhambury Thursday.

77. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, [late 1593]Footnote ⁴⁹⁴

Holograph. LPL 653, fo. 332r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 332v): lettre de Madame

I thank yow, sonne, for your payns to make good agreement betwixt the wombe and frute therof. My neighbour SmythFootnote ⁴⁹⁵ came to me to desyre yow also to make an indifferent ^ende^ for both parts betwixt wydow Finch and him. He sayth he made sodenly a foolysh bargain and can be content with some loss to warn him. I wolde not hynder her but yet not extremytee. God encrease your health with his favour.

Your mother, AB.

78. Francis Bacon to Anne Bacon, 4 December 1593

Copy. LPL 649, fo. 433r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 433v): Mr Francis Bacon to my Lady Anne Bacon 1593

Madame, I receyved this afternoone at the court your Ladyship's lettre after I had sent back your horse and written to yow this morning. And for my brother's kindnes, it is accustumed; he never having yet refused his securitye for me, as I on the other syde never mad[e] any difficultie to do the like by him according to our severall occasions. And therfore yf it be not to his own disfurnishinge, which I rekon all one with myne owne want, I shall receyve good ease by that hundreth poundes; speciallie your Ladyship of your goodnes being content it be repaied of Mr Boldroe’sFootnote ⁴⁹⁶ dette, which it pleased yow to bestowe upon me. And my desire is it be paied to KnightFootnote ⁴⁹⁷ att Graies Inne, who shall receyve order from me to paye two fietiesFootnote ⁴⁹⁸ (which I wish had been two hundredths) where I ow and wheare it presseth me most. Sir Jhon FoskeuFootnote ⁴⁹⁹ is not yet in court; both to him and otherwise I willbe mindfull of Mr Downing’sFootnote ⁵⁰⁰ cause and libertie with the first opportunitie. Mr Nevell,Footnote ⁵⁰¹ my cosin, though I be furder distant then I expected, yet I shall have an apt ocasion to remember. To my cosen Kemp I am sending. But that would rest between your Ladyship and my self as yow sayd. Thus I commend your Ladyship to Godde's good providence. From the court this iiii of 10breFootnote ⁵⁰² 1593.

Your Ladyship's most obedient sonne,

FB.

79. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 1 January [1594]Footnote ⁵⁰³

Holograph. LPL 653, fo. 358r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 358v): lettre de Madame

The bearer herof William Finch of the PrayFootnote ⁵⁰⁴ to whome his father did appoint that ^farm^ lease, after his ^second^ sonne Richard dyd, refused and chose rather to dwell with him. Now his mother is very wylling to resyng over her yeares to him for more assurance and he is very desyrous and she too for to have yours and my goodewyll fyrst ^er the^ the doing it. It is good both for the mother and the sonne it be done presently, she being well contented to perform her husband's wyll herin. For this cawse he now comes to yow. The farm nedes reparation, sonne, and he hath allready ben at charg by this late stormes. He, sonne, an honest plain man and they say thryving. God looke on yow with mercy and encrease goode health.

1 January.

Your mother,

ABacon.

80. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon [c.10 January 1594]Footnote ⁵⁰⁵

Holograph. LPL 653, fo. 365r–v. 1p. Damaged.

Endorsed (fo. 365v): lettre de Madame

I pray sonne, send not to Albons to Mr LockeyFootnote ⁵⁰⁶ towching Dorball as yet. I think that the same WinterFootnote ⁵⁰⁷ wylbe advised before he deale with him, and as for Winter's wordes, fond inowgh inow to me, it is the man's ^custom they say^. I make no ^great^ reaconing of such person's speches. I have such usage often where I owght not and have learned not to make a matter of every such and wolde ^not^ have Mr Lockey deale in eny thing concerns my selff. He is an open ^mowthed^ man with owt all discretion, full of foolysh babling. He wolde make all the town ryng of his foolyshnes. I pray yow defende not me this way; I nether lyke it ner nede. Prowde speaches common and I am acqwainted with them and do rather contemn then regarde. It were not yet to styrr for Dorbull. Yf yow cowntenance him, it wyll cawse the other not to be hasty. But I have and mean styll to harken.

81. Anthony Bacon to Anne Bacon, 10 January 1594

Draft. LPL 649, fo. 22r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 22v): Lettre a Madame mere de Monsieur le 10iesme de janvier 1593

Addressed (fo. 22r): To the honorable his very good Lady and mother the Lady Anne Bacon widdowe

Madame, seinge your Ladyship thinks it needlesse that Winter should be called to account or any waie delt with all for his undewteyfull demeanour and speeches, I am very well content to rest spare eyther imployinge of Lockey or any other which yet should I have thought. I have reason to thinke that Winter's insolency beinge so ordinary as it ^(beinge a thinge ordinary with him)^ is or shalbe nowe knowne and spoken so much knowne and spoken of by his own braggs. Thus that Lockey's knowledge and entremise Footnote ⁵⁰⁸ could ^have^ avoadFootnote ⁵⁰⁹ nothinge thereunto. So soone as Mr Trot's man, whom his master looked for yester daie, shallbe returned ^from my brother^ I will not faile to advertise your Ladyship. I signified yester daie to the widdowe Finche that I was glad to understand her purpose to performe her husband's trew will and meaning towards ^ther younger^ children and have promised her my helpe therein in case the eldest should be intysed by advan some advantage of lawe should ^to^ forget the dewty both of a sonne and a brother, vainely beinge ^otherwise^ so well provided for and lefte other wyse by his late father. And so with remembrance of my humble dewty, I take my leave.

Redborne, this 10^th of Januarie 1593.

Your Ladiship's humble and obedient sonne.

82. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 31 January 1594

Holograph. LPL 649, fo. 9r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 9v): lettre de Madame 1593

One ende of matter drawes on another, I am afrayd. Yow shall oft be trobled wth brabling matters, yet being your neybours to do goode among them pleaseth God and for your credit. My neighbour Laceby is combred with William Dell's nawghty dealing,Footnote ⁵¹⁰ but that fellow is shameless and a wrangle crafty makebate,Footnote ⁵¹¹ geven to decrease with a scoffing impudency. I never yet knew him other; Mr Downing hath ^had^ much a doo with him and so shall yow.Footnote ⁵¹² Laceby is loth to law with him, but the other loves of lystFootnote ⁵¹³ crafte in word and dede. God make yow able for his servyce and your cowntry and be carefull every way for it, both sustinendo et abstinendo.Footnote ⁵¹⁴ I am hartely glad for your good ^and qwiett^ ending of the Finches’ ^cawses^. God encrease his grace in yow to do much goode, both wysely and religiously. When I can, I wyll see yow, but be yow very ware to jorny ^hastely^ after your great payn, phisick and chamber keepin, this very harde and colde season.

Gorhambury ultimo Januarii Footnote ⁵¹⁵ 1593.

Your mother.

83. Anthony Bacon to Anne Bacon, 1 February 1594

Draft. LPL 649, fo. 48r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 48v): A Madame le premier de fevrier 1593 par le petit garcon petit Pierre Footnote ⁵¹⁶

Addressed (fo. 48r): To the honorable his verie good Lady

Madame, I am bould to referre your Ladyship to the beginninge of Mr Crewe's lettre, which I send here inclosed concerninge my brother; the rest beinge particularities not worth your Ladyship's reding. There is great speache at this time bothe at the court and cyty of Doctor Lopus, his accusation and commitinge for uppon highe treason; the grounde whereof is thought by some to have bene discouvered by Don Antonio before his late goinge over into France.Footnote ⁵¹⁷ Where the Frenche King's affaires succeede of late very well, as I have bene advertised this day by Mr Castol,Footnote ⁵¹⁸ the princepall Frenche minister in Monsieur de la Fontaine’sFootnote ⁵¹⁹ absence, who is gone as assistant to Sir Robert Sidney sent by her Majestie into France.Footnote ⁵²⁰ And so with remembrance of my most humble dewty, I take my leave.

Redborne, this first of February 1593.

84. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 4 February [1594]Footnote ⁵²¹

Holograph. LPL 653, fo. 336r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 336v): lettre de Madame

Addressed (fo. 336v): To my sonne at Redborn

I pray God hartely to geve yow stregthFootnote ⁵²² to beare and his healing helpe to overcome saffely the whole cause of your present payn. Full payn, no dowt, by all lykelyodFootnote ⁵²³ of your thyck, trobled urin and other tokins incident, the master calculus Footnote ⁵²⁴ is yet behind. Yow must in eny wyse be speciall carfull yow take no violent things to break it, for the peece wyll so cutt yow and raw theFootnote ⁵²⁵ place, that the smart theroff wylbe intollerable and very dangerous. I know yow should anoynt yow beneth and also the ^place before^ avoyding with oyle of allmons, as I remember, and oyle of lynsell.Footnote ⁵²⁶ I am not sure whether also camomyll oyle myxt. Once your father dowted much the avoyding and was proved with small qwylls, ravens ^or crowes^ I think, to helpe to turn it in the passag, yf nede were. Mr HuickFootnote ⁵²⁷ was then present at the doing, very gently at tymes. Your father dyd drink for some few dayes allmon mylk with the fower colde seedes, as they call them.Footnote ⁵²⁸ I wolde Dr SmythFootnote ⁵²⁹ were with yow to consyder. Yf yow wyll sende one fyttest of your men, I wyll wryte to him earnestly. It were good to delay for casting yow into a feever, lacking slepe, ^when^ holsome, smoth and thine diett for the tyme best. Theris a bath yf yow did prove in goode order, but two howers, not thin with water, but full with certein herbes soden and some mylk and sytt in it but upp to your and a litle above your loyns. Yf yow wyll lett me, I wyllingly wyll come and make it for yow with less toyle to yow then the poticary. I have learnt by experience both of your father and my selff.

[Left-hand margin] I pray lett me heare and the Lord take care of yow and saffly ease yow.

4th February. AB, your mother.

When MorerFootnote ⁵³⁰ is come, I wyll come qwickly, Deo propitio. Footnote ⁵³¹

85. Anthony Bacon to Anne Bacon, 5 February [1594]Footnote ⁵³²

Draft. LPL 649, fo. 49r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 49v): Lettre a Madame mere de Monsieur le 5me de fevrier

Addressed (fo. 49r): To the honorable his verie good Ladie and mother, the Lady Anne Bacon, widdowe.

Madame,

Beinge not able my self to doe my dewtie to your Ladyship, I thought it my part to advertise yow that which a frende of mine hath particularly written unto me by the Earle of Essex[’s] appointment, prencepally concerninge my brother and obiter Footnote ⁵³³ some other occurrens Footnote ⁵³⁴ wherein I assure your Ladyship I alter not one worde, thinkinge it best to set it downe as it hath bene delivered from my Lord, who said one Thursdaie that the Queen's Majestie had understoode that my brother had argued verie well in a case of importance in the King's Benche.Footnote ⁵³⁵

That the Earle at the same instant cominge from the Queen, she tould him that my Lord TresurerFootnote ⁵³⁶ had streytly urgeFootnote ⁵³⁷ ^her^ to the nomination of Cook to be her Generall Atturnie,Footnote ⁵³⁸and also to the nomination of a paire of SecretariesFootnote ⁵³⁹ (Sir Robert Cycill and Sir Edward Stafforde) and a paire of other officers in her houshold (all these to be one Candlemas daie placed or at the furdest the Sondaie followinge) but said the Earle, ‘Mr Baccon shall understand ^finde^ by the event that howsoeuer the olde man and his sonneFootnote ⁵⁴⁰ doe beleve, the same now of them shallbe as yet’.

That Doctor Lopus for all the favorers he had was on Tewsdaie at nine committed to the Tower and the Wednesdaie followinge at seven of clocke in the morninge beinge examined before the Earle and Sir Robert Cycell confessed more then enoughe. They two returninge backe in coatche together, Sir Robert began of him self saying ‘My Lord, the Quene is resolved, ere five daies passe, without anie furder delaie to make an Attournie Generall, I praie your Lordship let me knowe whom yow will favour and desire to preferre’. To which the Earle answered that he wondered Sir Robert should ask him that question, seinge it could not be unknowne unto him that resolutely againste all who soever, he stoode for Francis Bacon. ‘Good Lord’, quoth Sir Robert, ‘I wonder your Lordship should goe about to spende your strength in so unliklie and impossible a matter’, desiring that my Lord would alledge unto him but ^one^ only president of so rawe a youth to a place of suche moment. My Lord workinge upon the speeche of Sir Robert said that for the Attournieship, which was but an ordynary office of justice, he could not produce anie instants bycause he had never made any searche therefor, but that a younger then Francis Bacon of lesser learninge and of no greater experience seuethFootnote ⁵⁴¹ and shoueth withall might and maine for an office of farre greater importance, state and chardge then the Attournishipp, suche a one the Earle said he could name unto him. To which Sir Robert replied that he well knewe my Lord noted him selff but admittinge that both his yeares and experience were but small yet wayinge the schoole he ^Sir Robert^ studied in, the great

[Left-hand margin]Footnote ⁵⁴² wisdome and learninge of his schoolour,Footnote ⁵⁴³ the paines and observations he daily passe in that schoole, he thought his forces and wisdome be sufficient to swaye that machinge,Footnote ⁵⁴⁴ alledginge withall his father’s ^my Lord Tresorer’s^ deserts, his continuall and painfull travails of so longe regiment, to merit a note of gratitude from her Majesty in the persone of his sonne in sum. Touching ^For the matter of^ my brother, he praied my Lordship to be better advised sayinge ‘Yf your Lordship had spoken of the SolicitorsshipFootnote ⁵⁴⁵ that moughtFootnote ⁵⁴⁶ be of easier digestion to her Majesty’. ‘Digest me noe digestinge’, said the Earle, ‘for the Attourniship is that I must have for Francis Bacon and in that will I spende my uttermost credit, frendship and aucthority against whomsoever and that whosoere went about to get the office procure it to others, that it should test both meadiators and the sutors, the settinge one before they cam by it. And this be yow assured of Sir Robert’, quoth the Earle, ‘For now do I fully declare my self and for your owne part, Sir Robert, I thinke muche and strange both of my Lord your father and yow that can have the minde to seeke the preferment of a stranger before so near a kindsman, namelie consideringe yf yow waie in a ballance his parts and sufficiency in any respect with those of his competitor, exceptinge only five poore yeares of admittance, which Francis Bacon hath more then recompensed with the priority of his readinge, in all other respects yow shall finde noe comparison between them.’ These speeches it pleased my Lord to confirme unto my brother upon Fridaie ^laste^ at Graise Inne and promised him to be present in the King's Benche at his next pleadinge, which was appointed this daie leavinge my brother and so he departed from there my brother's lodginge leaving him justly verie glad and comforted to see my Lord sticke so stoughtly and surely to him and to make it his owne case. And so with remembrance of my humble dewty I take my leave.

86. Anthony Bacon to Anne Bacon, 8 February 1594

Draft. LPL 649, fo. 47r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 47v): Lettre a Madame le 8iesme de feuvrier 1593 par petit Pierre Footnote ⁵⁴⁷

Madame,

Maie it please yow to be advertised that two or three daies after the conference betwixt the Earle of Essex and Sir Robert Cycell, my Lord Tresorer vouchsaffed, uppon what motive God knowth, to use a verie honorable compliment towards my brother in sendinge Mr Hickes, his secretarie,Footnote ⁵⁴⁸ to him at Greise Inne, with chardge to tell him from his Lord that he did with much joye and contentment congratulate unto my brother the first fruicts of his publique practise and requested him to sende ^him his^ case and the cheif pointes of his pleadinge to the ende he might make report thereof there where it moughtFootnote ⁵⁴⁹ doe him most good. Mr FantFootnote ⁵⁵⁰ and Mr GosnallFootnote ⁵⁵¹requested ^have desired^ me to remember their humble dewty to your Ladiship, which they would have performed them selves in persone, but for the haste they made to be at my brother's pleadinge to morrowe in a most ^famous^ Exchecker Chamber case where the Lord Keeper and the Lord Treasorer, yf he be able, the two Lord's Cheif Justices, with two other judges of eache benche, the Lord Cheif Baron and the rest of the barons are to it.Footnote ⁵⁵² I beseche God to strengthen his understandinge and memorie with the vertue of his holie spirit to the ende that his words findinge grace before so manie princopall majestrats, he maie thereby hereafter be more enabled and encouraged to imploie his good gyftes to the best purposes; I meane to the advancement of God's glorie and her Majesty and country service. And so with humble thanks to your Ladyship that it please yow to spare me an other quarter of wheate, I take my leave.

Your Ladyship's most humble and obedient sonne.

Redborne, this 8 of Februarie 1593.

87. Bartholomew Kemp to Anne Bacon, 8 February 1594

Draft. LPL 649, fo. 30r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 30v): Lettre de Monsieur Bartholomew Kemp a Madame Bacon de 8issime de feuvrier 1593

Addressed (fo. 30r): To the honorable his and my especiall good Lady, the Lady Bacon at Gorhamburie, give theise

Good Madame, as I have alwaies founde your Ladyship bothe good and gratious unto me, even from my youth uppe hither unto, soe I moste humbly beseche yow not to forsake me and leave me in my greatest nede and necessity. I have had, as it is well knowne, theise two laste yeares ii great extraordenary charges, which I trust wilbe to the benefit of my wyffe and children yf God call me before them. That is the revercion of mine office for my sonneFootnote ⁵⁵³ and the lease of my howsse at Eaton. Trewlie, Madame, theise two chardges did stande me in CCx li and upwarde, which hath made me the lesse able to paie yow, whereof I am sory. I knowe your Ladyship hath bene good unto many and althoughe I have not deserved this favour at your handes, yet I trust God will move your harte in this my necessity to graunt me fouer or five yeares days payement.Footnote ⁵⁵⁴ Which yf I shall obtaine of your Ladyship yow shall the more binde both me and mine unto yow and yours. And for the performance hereof I will put yow my good securetie suerty. Never the lesse, yf I cannot obtaine this favour at your Ladyship's hands, I will sell theise thinges againe and all that I have to satisfie your Ladyship, rather then I will marre your displeasure that hath bene heretofore so good and gracious unto me. I have neyther eloquence nor understandinge to perswade your Ladyship to graunte me this my poore sute in my greatest nede and necessitie. But it must come from him who gives unto those that be his assured prosperity adversity as prosperity and I trust he will incline your harte to graunt me this my poore sute. And hopinge of your Ladyship's good favour herein, I most humblie take my leave. From the Strande, this viiith of Februarie 1593.

Your Ladyship's moste bounden to commande,

Bartholomew Kempe.

88. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, [between 8 and 12 February 1594]Footnote ⁵⁵⁵

Holograph. LPL 653, fos 340r–341v. 2pp.

Endorsed (fo. 341v): lettre de Madame

I sent yow my cosin Kempe lettre by goodeman Rolff. His maner of writing is very unkinde and allmost unchristian, knowing as he doth myn unmoveable purpose to that last use and that it was only of trust and upon a moneth's warning betwixt him and me. I never thowght it possible such dealing ^from him^. He hopes belyke of some delay after my time. But I wyll by the grace of the Lord follow it to have ^it^ by law owt of hande. I pray yow sende me advyse by law how to begin and to proceade, for I cannot away with such dealing in such a matter and for such a use.

I mean also, God wylling, to send for my implements there upon Wensday next, yf Mr Yarts,Footnote ⁵⁵⁶ ^your man^, may go. I wolde have him ready ^here^ by ix of the clock with horse yf he may. Yf his leasure serve not, I wyll sende Lawrence and some other, because my cosin wylbe away abowt ende of the week at Wynsor and uncertein of his return ^to London^, yf not unwylling.

Cura ut bene valeas.Footnote ⁵⁵⁷

Sende my lettre from my cosin, I pray.

89. Anthony Bacon to Anne Bacon, 12 February 1594

Draft. LPL 649, fo. 50r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 50v.): A Madame le 12me de fevrier 1593

Madame,

I receyved by goodman Rolfe my cosene Kemp's lettre to your Ladyship, the contents whereof were verie farre both from my expectation and contentment, namedly from him as well in respect of his undutyfullnes towards your Ladyship as of the carlesnes of his owne credit; which yf without declaringe my self sencelesse, I could finde anie trewe reason to induce me thinke that it proceded anie waie of necessity, I should be as redy to intreat your Ladyship in his behalf as I am now loth to dissuade your Ladyship yow from your resolution to recover your dew out of his hands. And yet under your Ladyship's correction, consideringe this tearme is nowe at an ende me thinketh it were never not amis to differre surchardge him with kindnes so farre forthe as to give him ^therefore^ some respit betwixt this and the next tearme, in case he should forget himself so extreamely as not to satisfie your Ladyship before.

Touchinge the service of my man Yates, he shalbe according to his bounden dewtie ready, at the ^God willinge^, one Wednesdaie next at the houre appointed.

I am bould to sende your Ladyship hereinclosed a lettre of Mr Harey Gosnalls,Footnote ⁵⁵⁸ thinkinge it more convenient for my self and comfortable ^to^ your Ladyship that yow should understande rather by other relation then by ^my^ owne reporte that which concerneth him who is so neare and deare unto your Ladyship and my self ^to us both^. And so most humblie with remembrance of my humble dewty, I take my leave.

Redborne, this 12^th of February 1593.

90. Anthony Bacon to Anne Bacon, 14 February 1594

Draft. LPL 649, fo. 51r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 51v): A Madame le 14me de feuvrier 1593

Madame,

I have perused this which ^coppie which^ it pleased your Ladyship to sende me and meane not to perswade your Ladyship to alter anie thing therein, by reason I cannot imagine whie or howe his present refuse and demande of furder delaie.Footnote ⁵⁵⁹ Possibly proceade of necessitie, as I would have tould him plainly my self yf he had ever spoken or sent unto me about it, that which I wrote unto your Ladyship, for to give him the respeit till the next tearme, was not upon anie intent or desire to pleasure the man havinge never deserved it at my handes, but ^for^ that I did thinke that your Ladyship could not conveniently begine anie suite againste him sooner. And so I most humblie take my leave.

Redborne, this 14^th of Februarie 1593.

91. Francis Bacon to Anne Bacon, 14 February 1594

Copy. LPL 649, fo. 60r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 40v): La copie de la de Monsieur Francois Bacon a Madame touchant le fait de Mr Kempe le 14me de fevrier 1593. Footnote ⁵⁶⁰

After remembrance of my humble deuty it is so that my cosen Kemp is gonne to Windsore and, as he appointed, not to retorne till the ende of the next weeke. He acquainted me of his going upon this occacion that he brought to me and lefte with me a cuple of keys, sayinge that he thought your Ladyship would sende for certen apperell which by the meanes of these keys your Ladyship maight receive. So that by reason of his absence your Ladyship's lettre could not be delivered. And your servant Lawrence was of opinion, and so me thought he had reason, that suche thinges as your Ladyship sent for, beinge delivered and chardged by inventorie, could not be safelie redilivered without his presence. For your Ladyship's monie, my cosen Kemp tould me that rather then he would purchase your Ladyship's displeasure he would provide it, what shifte so ever he made. And so I thinke verielye he will. Therefore my intention is at his comming to deliver your Ladyship's lettre and to proceed as you have directed, except I heare otherwis from your Ladyship in the meane time. Furder, if your Ladyship withdrawe anie implementes of house from hence, which I take it were suche as served in Yorke Howse,Footnote ⁵⁶¹ your Ladyship had ever ^an^ intention they should have bene bestowed of MarkesFootnote ⁵⁶² or Twicknam,Footnote ⁵⁶³ and indeed I want them, and finde howe costlie the buyinge of it newe is. Whereof I doe but remember your Ladyship; for I am faine, as they saie, betwene Graise Inne and Twicknam to rob Peter and paie Paul and to remove my stooffeFootnote ⁵⁶⁴ to and fro, which is chardgable and hurteth the stuffe. And therefore, Madame, they would doe wonderous well, yf yow thinke so good; and yf your Ladyship will give me leave to see what I want, the rest maie remaine where it shall please yow. But herein I referre my self to your Ladyhip's good pleasur. Besides my cosen hath in coustodie my resideiw of plate, which yf your Ladyship take all out of his hands ^which^ I praie yow let me receive. I have sent your Ladyship the key of your juell casket which I lately received from my cosen. I humblie thanke your Ladyship for your good counsell everie waie and I hope by God's assistance to followe the same. For my health, I shall have now some leysorFootnote ⁵⁶⁵ to use the benefit of the springe season for the confirminge therof and I am right glad to understande it is so well with my brother as it is. And thus I leave your Ladyship to the good favour of the Almightie, hopinge this springe will recover clearly from your quartaine.Footnote ⁵⁶⁶

From Grayse Inne, this 14^th of Februarie 1593.

Your Ladyship's most obedient sonne,

Francis Bacon.

92. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 16 February 1594

Holograph. LPL 649, fos 39r–40v. 2pp.

Endorsed (fo. 40v): lettre de Madame 1593

I can very yll spare my howsholde men. It is a tyme of busines for sowing and for carieng woodd, besyde other home workes. I wolde not that eny belonging to me shuld take in others’ manners. William Dell v yeres since was bowlde so with Mr Reade and had lyke to have sett him and well worthy by the heeles and so sent worde he wolde ^and I consented^; do not for a byrde begin no qwarell. Yow are yet unknown and not amongst the gentlemen and Justice. And your men as others maye feede qwarells. As it is lyke GooderamFootnote ⁵⁶⁷ wyll suff[er] as bygg and bowld to hinder peace and qwiet. Be advised, I pray yow, but myne must not. As for Carpenter, I am not fully agreed of his dwelling, both for myn own uncertein and weaking body, as also becawse he is geven to typling disorder and worse. So as I yet stay dowtfull till more proffe; for dronkelyk hath he ben often, thowgh not wylling to heare of it. I mowght have had him or this elce but all these bybbers ar conttentious and furnish.Footnote ⁵⁶⁸ He hath also used idle stealing with Dell as are of his scollers and in dede besyde such idle occupation marrs their goode husbandry and make them but lease ill. I have kept him well in and to his worke for the tyme. He hath hethertoo ben with me and may not go eny where with owt my leave. Send him back again in tyme, for he must ^not^ lye abroade. Them ^as late^ shall, God wylling, comm to morow morning to yow but not tary, but so as he be heere at evening ^afternoone^ cathesing,Footnote ⁵⁶⁹ becawse the next day following all my folk are examined by Mr WybludFootnote ⁵⁷⁰ again. Yf yow wyll eny feasonts here to sende to Grayes Inne, now at reading or for your selff, apoint as yow think mete Thomas Knight. God encrease your health with his blessed favour. Use gestation,Footnote ⁵⁷¹ not violent body exercyse and use your leggs, ayre, diett and rest in season and kepe your joints from colde taking in eny wyse, and ryse not ^in nyght^, drink not late nor especially ^in the^ night, as frendly to the gowte and very hurtfull for the gowty party. Observa et bene vale et cura diligentissime ut quam optime valeas et sis homo frugi per crumena. Footnote ⁵⁷²

Gorhambury 16 February 93.

Your mother,

AB.

93. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 25 February 1594

Holograph. LPL 649, fo. 37r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 37v): Lettre de Madame receue 25me de feuverier 1593

I cary a continuall greef for your ^no^ intermiting syckness. The Lorde release it in his good tyme to your comfort. Beere I can very yll spare, but the carying in nowyse. My husbandry horses betwixt wood carieng, wherof yet I have not xx loads caried and now earnest sowyng, I can not spare to lett one dry, whylest season serveth, but as yll as I am want my drink this halt lent tyme. Yf it be for own drinking in dede, or your frends, sende me plain worde by the boy statim.Footnote ⁵⁷³ Yf for your howse, thowgh I can not in dede well spare, then of a newer for them. Let me know, I pray yow, but sende for it must nedes be or elce none at all in very dede. Let your men consider better and not be lavish. ^Idle^ Redborn menFootnote ⁵⁷⁴ have hunt here allmost dayly; yf I were not syckly and weak I wolde owt my selff with all kind of doggs against them and kyll theirs, but stopp I do and wyll. Wynter must of necessitie attende upon myn appointed servyce. Fyrst morning and evening he reade the chapter and prayers, with psalmes last of all. Now it is gardening allso which must be plyed. I look for his diligent now attendance. Owlde SmythFootnote ⁵⁷⁵ do nawghty to leave ordinary ministery on the Sabbath for belly chew, and bading, and tellyng what he list in his cupps. I wylbe earnest with him for it. He shulde serve better example. I pray yow allow him not to do so ungodly even for hym self.

[Left-hand margin] This messenger must turn back strayt. God make yow hole and sownd. Send for bere or elce it can not be.

94. Anthony Bacon to Anne Bacon, 6 March 1594

Draft. LPL 649, fo. 88r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 88v): A Madame le 6me de mars 1593

Madame,

The cause of my over lately troublinge your ^Ladyship^ is to advertise yow Ladyship before my Lady Spolman’sFootnote ⁵⁷⁶ departure that his Lordship havinge not well Nicholas particularized unto me the contents of his ^Lordship’s^ lettre unto your Ladyship maie perhaps looke for some ^further^ answere then generalities of comendations or thanks from your Ladyship self. The consideration whereof, I submittinge unto your Ladyship's good ^will and^ pleasure, I humbly take my leave.

Redborne, this 6^th of March 1593.

95. Bartholomew Kemp to Anne Bacon, 13 March 1594

Draft.Footnote ⁵⁷⁷ LPL 649, fo. 63r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 63v): Lettre de Monsieur Kempe a Madame le 14me de mars 1593

Addressed (fo. 63r): To the honorable and my verie good Ladie, the Lady Anne Bacon, widowe, at Gorhamburie

I am verie sorie that I did so muche offend your Ladyship by my laste lettres. I will rather sell all that I have then offend yow willinglie. Trewly, Madame, yf it had not bene with me as it is at this present for want of monie, I have would never thus often have troubled your Ladyship with my rude lettres to forbeare the same. And I doe knowe and am fullie perswaded that yow would have doone more for me then the forbearinge of one hundred poundes for some fewe yeares, had it not bene that your Ladyship appointed the same, as I knowe verie well, to the performance your will. Nowe, good Madame, this is my humble seute unto yow and I hope God will prolonge your yeares that it would please yow that upon bandes with good severtieFootnote ⁵⁷⁸ unto suche as yow shall appoint that I might paie the same within one monthe next after God shall calle yow to his mercie. And this I trust in God willbe not hard matter to obtaine of your Ladyship bycause you have alwaies voued the sayd to the excecutionFootnote ⁵⁷⁹ of your will. And I hope yow will thinke to paie the same within one moneth after the same, your decease, noe great time bycause yow ment it to that use. And thus leavinge this my sewte to your good Ladyship to dispose of as it shall please God to move your heart. I am able I remaine alwaies redy to doe yow and yours the best service that I am able. From Eaton this xiiith of Marche 1593.

Your Ladyship's most bounde to commande,

Batholomew Kempe.

96. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 25 March 1594

Holograph. LPL 650, fo. 130r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 130v): lettre de Madame 1594

I besech God of his mercy in Christ, gwyde yow and govern yow and take continuall care of yow. Looke well to your selff and sytt not up late and beware of joints colde and sinowes. Cura ut valeas ad Deum et patriam. Footnote ⁵⁸⁰ Commende to your brother. I hope he wylbe a Christian master and be carefull to please God and depende upon ^him^ with goode hope.

I sende yow this lettre from Sir Jhon BrakettFootnote ⁵⁸¹ for vew of hors. Yf Edward were able, he shulde appere; I have now none other ready for it. Take saffe order for your howse and provision. Yow learned in Terence long ago, sic luxuriantur famuli cum absunt domini.Footnote ⁵⁸²

Bene vale in Christo.Footnote ⁵⁸³ Gorhambury. 25 Martii 94.

Sende me back the lettre by the boy.

97. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, [late] March 1594Footnote ⁵⁸⁴

Holograph. LPL 650, fo. 127r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 127v): lettre de Madame, mars 1594

One of the prophetts, Naom I think, ^sayth^ that the Lorde hath his way in the hurle wynde, the storme and tempest and cleudesFootnote ⁵⁸⁵ are the dust of his fete.Footnote ⁵⁸⁶ The wynde hath had great power. It hath thrown of a nomber of tyles, some frute trees and one or two other pales,Footnote ⁵⁸⁷ posts and all, and stone pinacle, and, that I am soriest for, hath blown upp a shete of lead on one syde of the gate where the diall stands; but in my conscience your French cartallFootnote ⁵⁸⁸ JaqwesFootnote ⁵⁸⁹ and all had before loosened it with hacking leade for pelletts. I pray burn this; let them not see it, but hurtfull they ^were^. I desyre to know how yow did and do. I pray be carefull to be well to your own comfort and goode desyre of your frends, with avoyding coldetaking continually and preventing by warines; sustine et abstine Footnote ⁵⁹⁰ and be cherefull and slepe in due tyme. I lyked nothing my cosin Kemp's lettre I sent yow. I wyll not grant. My time in God's hande and not at his appointment; he ever stoode upon a moneth's warning in my lyffe. Some unknown tryck theris; it wyll not serve with me dowtless and shall Elsdon and BrocketFootnote ⁵⁹¹ thus dayly and mock still. Yf God geve me strength I wyll to London for these two cawses, by his mercyfull gwyding.

AB.

98. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, [late] March 1594Footnote ⁵⁹²

Holograph. LPL 650, fos 128r–129v. 2pp.

Endorsement (fo. 129v): lettre de Madame mars 1594

I sende to know whtherFootnote ⁵⁹³ yow kepe your jorny to morow. Mr SpencerFootnote ⁵⁹⁴ spake for horses. I promysed two. I mean to send one to bring them next day early back. They be grass horses, and but poore and faynt to kepe your coch horse pace, and I have no better, nor moeFootnote ⁵⁹⁵ almost, nor mony for moe.

My selff, my horses and my mony is as goode as spent all. I thank God for all his goodeness, past and present. Yf yow had your health, my care shulde be much less for whatsoever. It was towlde me the MayorFootnote ⁵⁹⁶ of the town and some of company with yow; surely, sonne, onely for their own credit. An truly and much misordred town, all for their own profytt marvelous greedy. I hard their offred forsooth great to have yow Justice amongst them. Take it not yet sonne, si sapis,Footnote ⁵⁹⁷ it is but to charge yow and make a partaker of all their undiscrett and wrangle bra[w]les. Your father cowlde never have their goode wyll, because he wold reprove and hinder their riots and disorders sondry weies betwixt Albons and Redborn. Gorhambury is besett and the worse for the yll prophaness and unruly lycentiousnes of those beggerly towns.

Take goode order how yow leave your ^howse^ in your absenc. They wyll make havock and revell abroad when yow are gon and make lyberall expences of your back and other things. And also for the safty of your howse. The Lord in mercy be with yow both. Feare God, look to your health and mare your bodyesFootnote ⁵⁹⁸ with vain discowrsing late. Be not liberall of spece; yow know how to use all the Lord Treasurer and others. Be ware and wyse and still my sons ad consilium ^reti^neor.Footnote ⁵⁹⁹ The blessing of God be with yow; kepe yow from sinn and evel. Look to your servants ^with^ your brother.

[Left-hand margin] From my cosin Kempe, nothing but down payment. I am fully still and shalbe resolved. Let him not unkindly and so to his discredit compel me to law. I never was for myn own necessitie [. . .].Footnote ⁶⁰⁰

99. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, [late March 1594]Footnote ⁶⁰¹

Holograph. LPL 653, fos 254r–255v. 2pp.

Endorsed (fo. 255v): lettre de Madame

God geve yow grace well to do and geve yow goode understanding to discern and follow that which best pleaseth him and is goode for your self every way. Yow sende for ii loads of bushes and ii quarters wheate; yf had stayed,Footnote ⁶⁰² I had ben more wylling. But truly for my corn, the last yere's cropp was but small and my owld well nigh spent and in dede, as I towlde yow, having no mony for the poore, I have wylled corne to them. So that I may not nor wyll not by the grace of God be wanting to that use. In trowth I can hardly spare ii quarters but ii yow shall have for this present, which is three in all and trust to it I wyll geve no more tyll I se the wyll of God. For my lyff afterwarde, I leave to ^in^ the worlde ^and^ to your disposition. I marvell yow send to me for bushes. Yf yow wyll have eny yow must appoint with my consent, and Crosby’sFootnote ⁶⁰³ discretion where, and not above ii loade; they are yll to comeby and scant besyde. Yow must provyde cariag of your own. My folk cannot by no means intend it. I am to make provision of ^work^ for my howse and to plow; inowgh ^labour^ for myn own beasts and servants. Goodram must not ^make^ my men his underlyngs to check and commande for their honest hart to yow and to me, and yf Crosby forgett, I must remember myn own busines in time. He is not ^yet^ throwghly acqwainted with my doings and this I am sure of by my ^own^ example, none that serveth me with a sownd and a Christian ^hart^ but are most wylling to accompt yow their master and ready to shew it. But fawners for their own turn to charge yow, beware how yow trust them too well with lyght affection and later costly experience. Yf Mr Faunt wolde tary all night, I desyre him to forbeare. It is my syck day, thowgh every day syckly after a sorte. Yf Brockett spake not with yow ^to the mater^, Goodram knowes I ment the lettre shulde have ben delivered to him. It is but hollow handling. Commende me to Mr Trott and shew not your men my lettre or the contents to misconster.Footnote ⁶⁰⁴

Your mother, AB.

100. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon and Francis Bacon, [before April 1594]Footnote ⁶⁰⁵

Holograph. LPL 653, fos 246r–247v. 2pp.

Endorsed (f 247v): lettre de Madame

Addressed (fo. 247v): To both my sonnes at Gray Inn

The Lorde of grace and health bless yow both in your phisick and allweyes and worke in yow both a goode ^and fervent^ desyre and a right use of the heavenly phisick to strengthen yow against all dangerous infection of mynde and bodie. Beware of synn in your selffe and yours; ‘Beware of the concision’, ut ^ait apostulus^Footnote ⁶⁰⁶ and subtill seducers. And beware also of your speches towching matters God suffreth for a ponishment of our carnall securitee to be qwickned with workers of iniqwiteeFootnote ⁶⁰⁷ under pretence, therfore nede of provident wysdome and patience and requisite silence.

AgewsFootnote ⁶⁰⁸ hardhandling and somtime ending after langwishing be here abowts some what rieff. Litle Peter is payned with red swelling in knee and neerer plaices but not syck much yet, I thank God. Mr Wyborn came down a litle towched in foote but now I dowt with plain podagra.Footnote ⁶⁰⁹ He wysheth him selff well at London. Yf yow be content so, I wolde pearce 1 vessell of your owlde claret wyne. I offer the whyte wyne but learned men and some others ask for claret. I towlde yow at first what Franklin wolde do; dryve ^of^ conningly and then slipp the coller lyke a crafty worldelyng. I disprayse none upon mallice, I thank God of his grace, but upon experience of their much evell doings. I do with a Christian judgment take hede of them and avoyde dealing with them so familiarly. Well take hede of Goodram. He jornieth to harken of your sale and receipte to pay his riotus and ungodly, I know it, expences and after kick his heele at yow on less yow make him to bowlde with yow for his credit. He is owt of dowt but mala mens et malus tuis Footnote ⁶¹⁰ for all his owtward fawning with tryfles to make yow pay deere. Looke to that and such lyke in time and for yowng Robert Bayly; he did grow lyke his father, litle goode fayth and very wylde and ignorant and irreligious. Cogita et ne quid temere. Footnote ⁶¹¹ Yow may hinder your credit with the better with interteining unadvised the worse. My cownsell hath ever ben for your goode, both to your brother and yow; ^dies docebit^.Footnote ⁶¹² For the wyne, write your mynd, elce wylbe a spech to procure folk to sende for it liberally which is not my custome but upon some neighbourly occasion et hoc rare.Footnote ⁶¹³ In your phisick, kepe a constant wyse coorse that goode may follow wyth God his blessing. Avoyd sutch, watch now. All for now both.

[Left-hand margin] Let your brother read this as myne and be godly advised of spech and cherefull. God is wyser and stronger then men and wyll reign for ever. Yf cawse shulde be yet let which wyll hurt. Let your brother wysely kepe the Lord Tresurer and Syr Robert's favour. Propter rumorem, dissimulatore loco et pie et prudentia. Vale. Footnote ⁶¹⁴

101. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, April 1594

Holograph. LPL 650, fos 187r–188v. 2pp.

Endorsed (fo. 188v): lettre de Madame avril 1594

Having some spech with Mr HenshewFootnote ⁶¹⁵ after yow went hence towching your howse taken in Bishopsgate ^Strete^,Footnote ⁶¹⁶ he very soberly sayde ‘God geve him well to be there, for this last plage that strete was much visited and so was Colman Strete; large and wyde stretes both’, and asking him what ministery there, he answerd itt was very mean. The minister there but ignorant and as commonly with all careless and he thowght yow shulde fynde the people therafter geven to voluptousnes, and the more to make them so having but mean or no edifieng instruction. The Bull Inne there with continuall enterludesFootnote ⁶¹⁷ had even infected the inhabitants there with corrupt and lewde dispotions;Footnote ⁶¹⁸ and so accownted of he was even sory on your behalff. I promiss yow, sonne, it hath runn in my mynde since with greeff and feare for yow and yours to dwell so dangerously every way. I marvell yow did not fyrst consider of the ministery as most of all nedefull ^consydering your state^ and then to have so neere a place haunted with such pernicious and obscean playes and theaters able to poyson the very godly and, do what yow can, your servants shalbe entyced and spoyled. Goode Lorde, thowght I, how yll falleth it owt ^for^ the choyce of the best exercises and commoditees in places to dwell ^for my chylderen^, for no ministery at Twyttnam nether. Surely I am very sory yow went from Grayes Inne, where was very good ayre and Christian company in comparison, to charge and venture your selff, your lymms no better. But your men over overrule yow and seeke them selffs and not yow in dede when yow overtrust. God bless yow and kepe yow from evell.

AB.

102. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, [before 3 June 1594]Footnote ⁶¹⁹

Holograph. LPL 653, fo. 362r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 362v): lettre de Madame

I had thowght to have come to see yow but this Aprilllyke shoower lett it. It is lyke the gowt worketh with the weather. Have patience and looke upp to God and wysely and warely order your selff. I feare your last drink is to strong for ordinary drink, not yf ^yow^ can betwixt meales, nor after supper to bedward or in the night. Your father was so cownselled and folowed it well but upon some extremitee and wolde say he fownde goode of it and wolde wash his mowth with a garglyng glass.

My man sayde as he came away forenoone he mett Mr KempeFootnote ⁶²⁰ coming to yow with one cheined. Yow know how to use curtesye and yet ne quid nimis Footnote ⁶²¹ but with gravitee. He belongeth to the bishopp and dyd hurt in Mr Dyke’sFootnote ⁶²² and Mr Cooke’sFootnote ⁶²³ tyme and was ^then^ as the official now in maner. They be byting vipers, the hole pack of them. They can flatter and his too their venum. Be wysely ware of them and such and promiss not to do much for them. For thei are all for them selff and hindrerers of goode men and matters pryvy or apertFootnote ⁶²⁴ut vulgo dicitur.Footnote ⁶²⁵ Had I thowght he had come to yow I wolde have desyred some motion to him for poore Newton, prisoned by such as he and others now in place. The Lorde pull them owt of ther dwelling in his goode tyme and their backgon bishop.Footnote ⁶²⁶

Burn this, thowgh I wryte tru. Beware of liberall speeches theFootnote ⁶²⁷ captious dayes.

AB.

Your brother, Sir Nicolas, towlde my cosin Kempe, as he lately towlde me, that one tyme at ende of his gowt (I am not sure of the tyme) that he sett leaches to his leggs, which drew so much blood with some exercyse upon it that he hath fownde much ease ever synce. Take hede, I pray yow, how yow do all your phisick practises. I did but write this by the way. Yow may know better of my cosin Kempe him selff.

103. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, [before 3 June 1594]Footnote ⁶²⁸

Holograph. LPL 653, fo. 335r–v. 1p.

Yf the rolls must be searched, I pray yow cause yow it to be done. I have no body of skill to do it. It wolde not be much spoken of. Your brother must think to borow. I am at this time greatly ^greved^ because Mr WybludFootnote ⁶²⁹ is committed by that godles BishopFootnote ⁶³⁰ to the Gatehowse for refusing to pay unlawfull charge to a wycked fellow of Redborn that hath ^had^ Mr Wylblud's lyving by seqwestration this yere andFootnote ⁶³¹ spent upon his malicious sutes that he neded not. Boner, I think, did not so far cruelly in such case.Footnote ⁶³² I pray remember to search in time by some honest frend. I think the date of thindenture must be known for the yere wherin to search. Your brother had nede think of borowing mony, yf but for halff first and get further day for the other yf he can. I am determyned as I may with good cownsell follow for Mr Wylblud's wrong dealing, the Lorde assisting as I trust he wyll, to whome I ^commend^ the goode cause and injust ponishing of his most faythfull servants.

God bless yow both with perfect health and have care to fare well and do well.

AB.

104. Anthony Bacon to Anne Bacon, 4 June 1594

Draft. LPL 650, fo. 213r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 213v): A Madame le 4me de juni 1594

My most humble dewty remembred.

Your Ladyship's minde God willingeet ultima voluntas Footnote ⁶³³ shall by God's help and favour be dewtyfully and thoroughly performed, bothe in substance and ^all^ circumstances, accordinge to your owne desire and appointment. Thoughe I veryly hope that your Ladyship's time is not so neare as by a Christian and wyse foresight your Ladyship semeth to apprende. Touchinge Stretlie,Footnote ⁶³⁴ I beseche your Ladyship give me leave to followe Eclesiasticus’ sute and wyse and charitable advise where he suithe sayinge ‘Despise not a man that turnethe him self awaie from sinne, nor caste him not in the teethe with all but remember that we are all worthy blame’,Footnote ⁶³⁵ which councell is directly confirmed by St Paule in the 6th to the Galatyans, the first and seconde verse in these wordes, ‘Bretheren, yf a man be sodainly taken in my offence, yea which are spirtuall, restore suche an one with the spirite of meaknes concideringe thy ^self^ least thou also be tempted & c.’Footnote ⁶³⁶

Mr WelpletFootnote ⁶³⁷ and Mr Aake, I thanke them, were here with one yesterdaie to whom I offred, yf it might stande them in any stead, my best endeavour in their particular businesses. And so I most humbly take my leave.

London this 4th of Junii 1594.

Your Ladyship's most humble and obedient sonne.

105. Francis Bacon to Anne Bacon, 9 June 1594

Copy. LPL 650, fo. 217r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 217v): Copie de la lettre de Monsieur Francois Bacon a Madame, le 9me de juin, 1594. Footnote ⁶³⁸

My humble dewtie remembred. I was sory to understand by goodman Gotheram that your Ladyship did finde anie weaknes, which I hope was but caused by the season and weather, which waxeth more hot and fainte. I was not sorry, I assure your Ladyship, that yow came not up, in regard that the stirringe at this tyme of year and the place where yow should lye, not beinge very open nor freshe, moughtFootnote ⁶³⁹ rather hurt your Ladyship then otherwise. And for any thinge to be passed to Mr Trot, suche is his kindnes, as he demandeth it not, and therefor as I am to thanke your Ladyship for your willingnes, so it shall not be needfull but uppon suche an occasion as maie be without your trouble, which the rather be bycause I purpose to, ^God willinge^, comme downe, and it be but for a daie, to visit your Ladyship and to doe my dewtie to yow. In the meane tyme I praie your Ladyship as yow have done the parte of a good Christian and saint of God in the comfortable preparinge for your ende, so neverthelesse, I praie denie not your body the dew, nor your children and frends, and the churche of God, which hath use of yow, but that yow enter not into furder conceyte then is cause, and withall use all comfortes and helpes that are good for your health and strength. In truth I hard Sir Jhon ScidmoreFootnote ⁶⁴⁰ often complaine after his quartenFootnote ⁶⁴¹ had lefte him that he founde suche an heavines and swellinge, speciallie under his ribbes, that he thought he was buried under earthe half from the waste, and therefore that accident is but incident. Thus I commend your Ladyship to God's good preservation. From Graise Inne, this 9^th of June 1594.

Your Ladyship's most obedient sonne,

Francis Bacon.

It maie be I shall have occasion, bycause nothinge is yet donne in the choyce of a Solicitor,Footnote ⁶⁴² to visit the courte this vacation, which I have not nowe donne this month's space, in which respecte, bycause carriadge stuffe to and fro spoylethe it, I would be glad of that light bed of stryped stuffe which your Ladyship hath, yf you have not otherwise disposed it.

106. Anthony Bacon to Anne Bacon, 10 June 1594

Draft. LPL 650, fo. 214r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 214v): A Madame le 10me le juni 1594

My most humble dewty remembred.

The time is yet to come, Madame, God be thanked who knoweth the harte and searcheth the raynes reynes that I ever misdoubted or mistooke your Ladyship's motherly affection ^meaninge in your admonitions^ and advis which if I doe not sturdley ^allwayes immediately^ and verbally performe your Ladyship, I know, is wyse and kinde to thinke that the difference and delaie maie ^be justly occasioned and^ proceed from any other cause rather then from want of deutifull respect.

Touchinge musique as ^I^ knowe the knowledge and my right use thereof to be Christian and comparable so I am so doe I contemne and abhore the ^sondry^ abuses thereof. I have signified unto my brother your Ladyship's mind and resolution to effectuate whatsoever shall be in reason founde requisite for Mr Trot's ^full^ satisfaction and assurance, who freely ^trulie^ Madame hath showde so great ^more real^ confidence and kindnes towards us bothe then I thinke all our brethren and uncles together would have performed, yf we had bene constrayned to have had recourse to them upon nowe in the like case. I purpose, God willing, to doe my dewtie unto your Ladyship after the tearme ^but^ not to remaine at Redbourne above two 3 daies for the by reason of some business which your Ladyship, shall ^with God's leave, shall^ understand by my self and so I most humblie take my leave.

London the 10^th of June 1594.

107. Anthony Bacon to Anne Bacon, 22 June 1594

Draft.Footnote ⁶⁴³ LPL 650, fo. 212r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 212v): A Madame le 22me de juni 1594

My most humble dewtie remembred.

It is verie trewe Madame that amongst other speche with goodman Crosbie I let fale that yf your Ladyship could have conveniently spared a hundred pounde it should not have bene unseasonable but as your in this my common, but as in me incuringe this to Crosbie to mention it to your Ladyship, I preferred your Ladyship's conveniencie before myne owne desire and occasions, so am I nowe as ^verie^ redie to make a full point without pressinge yo proceedinge anie furder. As for this bearer I hope your Ladyship shall finde by his dewtyfull demeanour that he hath served a master that hath kepte and can kepe in good rule, more unrully then ever he was, otherwise I would be verie lothe that he should be nearer your Ladyship.

I have understood by Mr LawsonFootnote ⁶⁴⁴ that he hath receyvd the 2 globes and astrulabeFootnote ⁶⁴⁵ of your Ladyship. I andFootnote ⁶⁴⁶ thanke you Ladyship therefore, as also for Lawson himself, who I hope with God's grace will omit nothinge, that he eyther in the ^dewtyfull honest^ cariadge of himself, or his faithfull care of ^and diligence^ in my busines, that he can conceave, maie procure and confirme your Ladyship's good opinion of him. I sent worde by him that the soonest leysure I looke for to come downe would be a 12 daies hence, before which time I will not faile to advertise your Ladyship more certenly. And so I most ^humblie^ take my leave.

London this 22 of Junii 1594.

Your Ladyship's moste obedient sonne,

Anthony Bacon.

108. Anthony Bacon to Anne Bacon, 12 July 1594

Draft. LPL 650, fo. 228r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 228v): A Madame mere de Monsieur le 12me de juillet 1594.

Address (228v): To the honorable and his very good Lady and mother the Lady Anne Bacon widowe.Footnote ⁶⁴⁷

Madame, for answere (on my parte) to your Ladyship's lettre to us bothe, havinge asked councell and leave of him who onlie knoweth and guydeth the hartes, I founde my self imboldened withe warrant of a good conscience, and by the force of truthe, to remonstrate unto your Ladyship, with a moste dewtyfull minde and tender care of your Ladyship's soule and reputation, that howsoever your Ladyship dothe pretende and alledge for reason your motherlie affection towardes us in that which concernethe Lawson, yet anie man of judgme[nt] and indifferentcy must needes take it for a meere passion, springinge eyther from presomption (that your Ladyship can your can only judge and see that in the man, which never anie man yet hath seene or for shame dare saie) or from a souveraigne desire to overrule your sonnes in all thinges, how litle soever yow understande eyther the grounde or the circumstances of their proceadings, or els from lacke want of charety, abandoninge your minde continuallie to most strange and wrongfull suspitions, notwithstandinge all most humble submissions and indeavours possible on his parte to procure your Ladyship's satisfaction and contentment. This my remonstrance as I have just cause to feare that ^it^ will at the first by sight be offencive to your Ladyship, yet have I noe lesser reason to hope that Almighty God, that ^who^ knoweth with how dewtyfull intente and to what ende I have made the same, will ^in his mercie^ dispose your Ladyship's harte not to yelde to your cradle which you counte for gre as it were so heynous an offence, but to truthe and charety, whereupon intirely reposinge my self as infallible groundsFootnote ⁶⁴⁸

[fo. 228v] I remaine as ^more^ redie to receive and indure your blam[e] for performinge that dewty which for filliol respecte this my bounden dewty, than your thanks or likinge for soothinge or allowinge by sylence so dangerous humours ^and uncharitable and misconceyptes^ in your Ladyship. And so I most humbly take my leave.

Londres ce 12me du juillet 1594.Footnote ⁶⁴⁹

109. Anne Bacon to Robert Cecil, 13 July 1594

Holograph. CP 27/33, fos 59r–60v. 2pp.

Endorsed (fo. 60v): July 1594. Lady Bakon to my master. In favour of North.

Addressed (fo. 60v): To the right honorable Sir Robert Cecyll of her Majestie's Prevy Cowncell

This bearer, Syr Robert, as he sayth is lately a ranger in Enfeild, wherupon as being at your command is desyrous to belong unto yow.Footnote ⁶⁵⁰ He is by his sayeng reteining unto my Lady of Warwyck,Footnote ⁶⁵¹ yet now placed in the forrest service under your government. His sute is that it wolde please your Honour to accept of his service and maketh me his meinFootnote ⁶⁵² upon no acqwaintance at all but becawse his wyffe's syster is maried to a substantiall man in this parish where I dwell, which made him, he sayde the BoFootnote ⁶⁵³ bolder, which I would not deny him, both becawse I ^at least^ take it to be an ordinary that rangers retein to the liewtenant and because he is a comely man and taken to be in goode case.Footnote ⁶⁵⁴ His maner of speech to reqwyre me to write was thus, which did seeme to me discrete, that he might ^but^ know your pleasure yf he might be so bowlde to move that sute ^unto yow^, because of him selff he wolde not take upon him in respect of your Honour and place, and then yow as it were accepting and lycencing him therto, he wolde procure the cowntess to speak for him for the accomplyshing. At the fyrst sight and behavour every way and also his brother in law's neybourhod, I wylling move yow in his behalff as he reqwyred, leaving yt to your own lyking.

For my maner health upon late leting blood, I feele a goode releeving of faynt heate and burning, but leave and leave again very much elded.Footnote ⁶⁵⁵ I am in goode comfort in the Lorde's mercy, when sooner or later as pleaseth him, and can be content to have some venyson when you can.

God healpe both my poore sonns. Francis hath ben tossed inter spem curamque Footnote ⁶⁵⁶ to appose another maner ^of man^, if and he everyway; let them learn to depende upon God and in his feare and favour wayte upon him with goode hope. For sure is he. They feele the smarting want of a father now in their ripe age. Fare yow well, goode nephew, with God his gratious assistance, with good encrease of his love towarde yow. Gorhambury, 13 July.

Your aunt, ABacon.

110. Anthony Bacon to Anne Bacon, 27 July 1594

Draft. LPL 650, fo. 198r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 198v): A Madame le 27me de july 1594

My moste humble dewtie remembred.

I have receyved the two bonds and the coppie of your Ladyship's lettre to Mr Boldro which having communicated to Mr Crewe, his advis is that your Ladyship should not enter any accionFootnote ⁶⁵⁷ against her till Lawrence his retourne, and that afterwards yf your Ladyship receyve noe satisfaction from her, nor her suerties yea would, he will doe what your Ladyship shall appoint him. In the meane tyme, the bonds as also the paper of the imposteFootnote ⁶⁵⁸ shalbe well kepte.

Touchinge Stretly, I referre me to Mr BradlieFootnote ⁶⁵⁹ himself, whether he receyved not good ^ wer not^ satisfied before ever I tooke him into my howse, and whether that ever since he hath ^given^ any offence, eyther inwards or behaviour, but rather shewed a full resolution a manifest change and resolution to spende his tyme well, uppon which condition and not otherwise I have accepted his service, which hath and maie stande me in some steade. The man hath good and ^very^ worshipfull frends in Leystershire, whereof some have alredy and more will yf need be answere for his good demeanour. Maie it please your Ladyship therefore in consideration consideringe Mr Bradly hath had full satisfaction and that he hathe caried himself honestly ^and studiouslie^ since he hathe bene with me and that he hath good serviceable partes in him, and that I have good pledges for him, your Ladyship would be content that I maie use him according as he now thinkinge as him as he nowe is and not as he was, till I finde cause to the contrarie.

Touchinge my brother, we are both resolute that in case he be not placed betwixt this and next terme never to make any ^more^ words of it. And so I most humbly take my leave.

111. Nicholas Trott to Lady Anne Bacon, 3 August 1594

Copy. Latin, with Greek words and Greek transliteration. BL, Harleian MS 871, fo. 80r–v. 1p.

Addressed (fo. 80r): To the honourable my veri good Ladie, the Ladie Bacon at Gorhamburie

Magna me verecundia totum hunc annum exercuit, illustris Domina, cum te inter Christiana studia et infirme valetudinis molestias rerumque familiarum curam ad cogitationes de me homine tantillo et equilio meo disscendisse audirem cum vero tantum tibi liberalitatis superfuisse viderem ut tuis impensis bene et sollicite curatum, alio multo meliore comitatum ad me transmiseris, dolebam sane me singulari tua tuorumque beneficentia supra meritum et conditionem meam auctum, nova hac munificentia cumulari. Puero certe meo qui sua negligentia primo hanc molestiam creavit et futilitate sua consilium meum de eo vendendo prodidit iure succenseo. Spencero etiam subirascor qui tibi errorem meum hac in re, non satis amice detulit. Sed cum propter rerum borealium expectationem mihi alio hac estate excurrere non liceat et lentas in deliberando moras itineris celeritate reparandas videam et proinde nos citis et dispositis equis usuros iudicarim. Consultum non putavi ἱππουσ αέριουσ toto hoc anno alere. Sed tuam una cum meis divendere. In quo video quantum contra viri grati officium commiserim. Sed ignoscas precor simulque existimes. Nullum quantumvis generosum asturconem mihi gratiorem nec κειμήλιον ullum carius eo animo a quo profectus sit unquam futurum. Dominus Franciscus nondum ad vos rediit sed cum Deus Optimus Maximus hanc illi remoram immiserit, non dubito timentibus eum in ^omnia^ melius cessura. Morbum istum seu potius molestiam (nam morborum et precipue illius cui is maxime obnoxius est) propria et efficacissima medicina sunt ἀμαρροιδεσ nihil est quod inutiliter pharmacis exasperet et corpusculum tenue intempestive vexet. Quod etsi is pro sua prudentia optime videat, a me tamen si opus est admonebitur. Dominum Antonium sua negotia diutius hic detinuerunt varia usum valetudine. Quod etsi non ignoro tibi pro materna caritate solicitudinem et dolorem afferre, non dubito tamen prudentiam tuam ea solatia que res ista intus habet Christiane explicare. Nihil dicam de iis artibus virtutibusque quibus equales vincunt. Id illis relinquo quorum iuditium est intelligentius et testimonium minus suspectum nec mihi sumo ut te feminam omnium quas novi doctissimam prudentissimamque admoneam. Ea tantum cum bona venia memorabo quibus me ipsum consolor primum ethnici philosophi bona quedam prima esse dicunt ut sanitatem pacem &c illius modi quedam secunda ex infelici materia expressa ut in morbo patientia, in bello fortitudo, et cum prima illa optabiliora fortasse sint secunda tamen ista laudem habere maiorem. Et bene Tertullianus vitam tranquillam rebus ad desiderium fluentibus et ventis leniter ad votum spirantibus Mare Mortuum appellat per quod raro ad felicitatis portum navigatur. Salvator etiam noster qui ad coelum preivit et nobis viam stravit, notas quasdam apposuit ut nos non aberrare sciremus, molestas afflictiones et morbos. Sed ista meliora domi nascuntur ego certe erga te et tuos, quos meritissimo vestro unice amo et colo, nullum unquam officium fidelis grati et diligentis amici pretermittam. Deus te servet incolumem.

Ex hospitio Grao 3 August 1594.

Dominationi tue devictissimus,

Nicolaus Trottus.

[Translation]

I have been vexed by great shame this whole year, distinguished lady, after I heard that you, amidst Christian pursuits and the problems caused by ill health and the concerns of family matters, have condescended to think of me, a person of such little consequence, and of my wretched horse. When I saw that so much generosity remained in you that you at your own expense sent it over to me, carefully and well cared for and accompanied by another much better horse, I was most sorry that I, who was enriched above my merits and status, as the result of your outstanding kindness and that of your family, had now been overwhelmed by this new act of generosity. I am angry with my boy, to be sure, because his negligence caused this problem in the first place and his stupidity made known my plan to sell it. I am also rather angry with Spencer who reported my mistake in this matter to you in a less than friendly manner.Footnote ⁶⁶⁰ But since it is not possible for me to rush elsewhere this summer because I am waiting for the things from the north,Footnote ⁶⁶¹ and since I see that the prolonged delay in deliberation must be repaired by the speed of the journey, I accordingly judged that we must use swift and well-disposed horses. I did not think it wise to feed ‘airy horses’Footnote ⁶⁶² for the whole of this year, but to sell off yours together with mine. In this I see what a great error I have committed against the duty of a grateful man. But I beg you to forgive me and at the same time to consider that no ambling horse, however noble, will ever be more pleasing to me, or any heirloom more valuable, than that affection from which it came. Master Francis has not yet returned to you but since Almighty God has brought about this delay for him, I am sure that everything will end better for those who fear him. This illness or rather discomfort, for of illnesses and particularly of this one to which he is especially prone, a proper and most efficacious medicine is haemorrhoids;Footnote ⁶⁶³ there is nothing that exasperates more and unreasonably vexes the frail body than useless drugs. But even if he should discern very well in accordance with his good sense, he will nevertheless be admonished by me, if necessary. Master Anthony has been detained here for longer by his affairs while he has experienced varying degrees of health. But even though I am aware that this causes you anxiety and grief in accordance with your motherly love, I am nevertheless sure that your good sense will unfold in a Christian fashion the solace which this matter contains within it. I will say nothing about those skills and virtues which overcome those of your equals. I leave that to those whose judgement is more intelligent and whose testimony is less suspect and I will not assume to remind you, who are the most learned and prudent woman I have known. I will just remember with your good leave that with which I console myself; firstly the pagan philosophers say that certain moral qualities come at the first, like good sense and peaceableness and others of this kind, some are secondary, which are forced out by unhappy matters, such as endurance in illness, bravery in war, and although these first ones are perhaps more desirable, however the second ones are more praiseworthy. And Tertullian rightly applies the term ‘Dead Sea’ to a peaceful life with things flowing as one wishes and with winds that blow gently towards one's desires as one breathes, whereby one rarely sails into the port of happiness like this. Our Saviour, too, who has preceded us to heaven and paved the way for us, set out certain marks, such as troublesome afflictions and illnesses, so that we would know not to go astray. But these things are brought forth better at home; towards you and yours whom I love and adore most deservedly, I certainly will never omit any duty of a loyal, pleasing, and diligent friend. May God keep you safe.

From Gray's Inn 3 August 1594.

Yours most completely to command,

Nicholas Trott.

112. Anne Bacon to Francis Bacon, 20 August 1594

Copy. LPL 650, fo. 255r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 255v): Copie de la lettre de Madame a Monsieur Francois Bacon le 20me d’aout 1594 Footnote ⁶⁶⁴

I was so full of paine backe paine when yow came hether that my memorie was very slipper.Footnote ⁶⁶⁵ I forgot to mention of Rame.Footnote ⁶⁶⁶ Yf yow have not, I have not receyved FranckFootnote ⁶⁶⁷ last half yere of midsommer; the first half so longe unpaide. Yow will mare your tenants yf yow suffer them. Mr Brocquet is suffred by your brother to coseneFootnote ⁶⁶⁸ me and beguile me without cheke. I feare yow came too late to London for your horse; ever regarde them. I desire Mr Trot to harken to some honest man and CookeFootnote ⁶⁶⁹ too as he maie. Yf yow can heare of a convenient place I shalbe willinge, yf it so please God. For Lawson will drawe your brother quocunque vult ut timeo valde Footnote ⁶⁷⁰ and that with false semblance. God give yow bothe good healthe and heartes to serve him trewlie and blesse yow always with his favor.

I sende yow pigeons taken this daie and let bloode. Looke well about yow and yours too. I heare that Robert Knight is but sicklie; I am sorie for it. I doe not wright to my Lord Tresurer bycause yow liked to staie. Let this lettre be unseene. Looke verie well to your healthe. Supp not, nor situpp late. Suerlie I thinke your drinkinge to bedwards hindrethe your and your brother's digestion verie muche. I never knew anie but sicklie that used it, besides ill for head and eyes. Observe well yet in tyme. 20 August Gorhambury.

In Christo,Footnote ⁶⁷¹

ABacon.

113. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 7 September 1594

Holograph. LPL 650, fos 331r–332v. 2pp.

Endorsed (fo. 332v): lettre de Madame le 8me de septembre receue 1594

Addressed (fo. 332v): To my sonne Mr Antony Bacon

I sende yow herein Crossbye's lettreFootnote ⁶⁷² because yow may better understande by hym ^the^ words of the shryff to him selff. Yf the state be browght in question, I am sory of the last act yow so earnestly reqwired, whertoo I was hardelyFootnote ⁶⁷³ drawn, as yow know, for dowt of danger. Dowtless your brother NicholasFootnote ⁶⁷⁴ hath don somewhat in thexcheqour. Yow thowght it cowlde not come to his eare so sone, but yow see ^yow^ are deceaved. Yow shall do well to send for the ^your^ atorny and myne, MarshFootnote ⁶⁷⁵ I do mean, yf he shulde streinFootnote ⁶⁷⁶ upon the manners to troble me and my tenants. I have browght my selff in goode case by your means. Mr Crew is not in citie I heare; it is the worse. The shryff threateneth to straynFootnote ⁶⁷⁷ before the next audite which is before Michaelltyde,Footnote ⁶⁷⁸ which is not iii weeks hence at uttermost. Yow had not nede to slack this, as Brocket's matter is to my hindrance. Some mony I had nede of for to ^have^ pay the sute ^by his cosins^. I have not of myne own at this present for my howse and other chargs vi li in mony; I am ready to borow x li of my neyghbours, yf I can. I sende purposely. I pray yow let me know certeinly what way yow take to helpe it with spede. Yf it once came in Cheqour sute, one troble wyll follow another. Prevent therfore.

I wolde fayn have gon to London for phisick next weeke but I perceave I cannot, being weakish to ryde so farr and the way is but yll for a coche for me, besyde the wett wether. I wyll desyre Mr MoorerFootnote ⁶⁷⁹ to be with me here for that time. Yf yow prove your new in hande phisick, God geve yow goode of it. My Lord Tresurer abowt 5 yeres past was greatly preased by the grauntFootnote ⁶⁸⁰ vaunts of ^a^ soden startupp glorious stranger, that wolde nedes cure him of the gowt by boast, but quod my Lorde, ‘Have yow cured eny; let me know and se them’. ‘Nay’, sayde the fellow, ‘but I am sure I can’. ‘Well’, concluded my Lorde and sayde ‘Go, go and cure fyrst and then come again or elce not’. I wolde yow had so don but I pray God bless it to yow and pray hartely to God for your goode recoverye and sownde. I am sory your brother and yow charge your selffs with superfluous horses. The wyse wyll but lawgh at yow both being but truableFootnote ⁶⁸¹ besyd your detts ^for^ long jornyes and private persons. Earles be earles.

[Left-hand margin] The heavenly preacher sayth, ‘Ech thing hath his opportunite and due season’.Footnote ⁶⁸² Well may yee do as blessed in the Lorde. 7 Sept 94.

[fo. 331v] Your vain man Stretly by his slewth and prowde qwarell piking conditions setts all your howse at Redborn owt of qwiette order by generall complaint as I heare. Lately yowng Moorer was smot in the eye by him. I pray God yow heare not of some mischeff by him. But my sonns have no judgment. They will have such abowt them and in their howse and wyll not in tyme remedy it before it break owt in some manifest token of God, his displeasure. I cannot cease to warn as long as I am a mother that loveth yow in the lorde most deerly and as Seneck by phisophyFootnote ⁶⁸³ onely cowlde say, in amico admonendo mallem successu et quod tamen nollem, quam fidem deesse. Footnote ⁶⁸⁴

Your mother,

ABacon.

114. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 5 December 1594

Holograph. LPL 650, fos 333r–334v. 2pp. Severe damage to right-hand side of letter.

Endorsed (fo. 334v.): Madame le 5me de decembre 1594

Addressed (fo. 334v): To my sonne Mr Antony Bacon at Byshoppe gate.

This very colde frost and snow yet seasonable and healthfull to heale and s[no]w compelleth me, sonne, to sende to know yow do feele your gowty body ha[rd]. I remember well this tyme of the yeare, and in such hard freesing and sn[owy] wether, your father was greevously tyred and payned with the gowt here at Gorhambury and scant able to endure coch jornyeng to London, but two da[yes] next most before ^that^ Christide, and kept his howse all the tyme and after neere ter[me]. It was the same yere my Lady SkidmorFootnote ⁶⁸⁵ now went to her Majestie, being sent for ^at^ soden, and I fayn to go with her ^from hence^ to Hampton Coort. For all the gowt, se[e and] look well to your selff and sitt not upp in the night; yow wyll undoe your selff and make your lymns stark and your body bothered. Your father never w[ould] for eny payns so ponish and spoyle him selff. Be not to tender but [careful] and avoyde occasions to call the gowt. My cownsell in this is mos[t needful] and allweyes hath ben both at your being abrode and at home, but to li[ttle] regarded, the Lorde knoweth.

For Mr Spencer,Footnote ⁶⁸⁶ your man, I think he had had a goode wyll to tary at London both in respect of his [. . .] the Lord Mayor and also becawse in dede he was sad that his hawlkFootnote ⁶⁸⁷ was [. . .] for here withowt that he had no cowntenance nor cowlde tell how to occup[. . .] For I putt him to nothing but restrayned him of unfitt being abroa[de . . .] A yowng man and so many vyle creatures, hawnting abowt eve[. . .] onley because I was lyke then to have sooner departed. I was will[ing you have] one discrete man of yours against all events; otherwyse I needed [nor] cared for eny. I have used him well here and so must he nedes sa[yth. Beseeching] God I may hope of some lenger continuance and yet I trust looke [. . .]

Forcye of Butlers was yesterday here with ^me^ to desyre my goode wyll to con[tinue] your tenant there, becawse, sayeth he, ‘My wyff is marvelous ^loth^ to chang her dwe[lling]. For I have’, sayth he, ‘A howse of myne owne but she greatly desyres to be [here.]’ He had, he sayd, ben with yow to move yow but fully his interest tyme is but short and [he] nede to know what to trust too. I think with goode conditiones for payeing rent, and for hurting your wooddes and providing for others inconven[iences], I think in respect of his wyff, who serveth most for butter and my mylk her[e] when no other tenant nor neybour can or wyll so certeinly, it were better to [keep] the same, then to chang, thowgh but for vii or ix yeres. Truly [. . .] an yll tenant there were a fowle comber diverse wayes. By proffe the[re] yow shall fynd by experience. Geve no liberty to lett or sell, for I wyll not [consent] to that. The grownde in occupieng there is demeinsFootnote ⁶⁸⁸ and neerer to anoy[ther] grownde and howse, yf he be not an honest man and a kynde tenant with all. He [is honest] as ^it^ here reported yet and carieth him selff with creditt; his wyff wolde be [. . .] for her long aboad and borne and well alied here. I commend it to God yow [be not] mysled.

For oteesFootnote ⁶⁸⁹ to sow your grownd for that portion, I am very wylling, as I en[deavour] to power in all. Now I know by my and your officer it is your own request, I consent and so shulde it be betwixt us, for restoring as the Lorde sy[gnifieth]. There is a love betwixt Jaqwes, your gallum,Footnote ⁶⁹⁰ and Susanne, my mayd lately, bewrayedFootnote ⁶⁹¹ by [a letter] him to her sent lately by pot boy once with me. In dede I did justly as somewhat [. . .] not the best I missed some thynges [. . .] she hath ben plyed with lynes, I know not from whome. Yow shall do well to have an eye watching ov[er] and quod a me scis nescias omni modo.Footnote ⁶⁹²

[Left-hand margin] Of this more hereafter. I parted with her after a sorte, before my last going to London. Be very close but observe. I pray burn my lettre. Your men and your brother's prye in every matter and lysten. I pray send back or burn this to be sure. The Father of our Lorde Jesu Christ be your mercyfull Father to both of yow and gwyde your hartes with holy spirit evermore.

Gorhambury 5 December 94, your loving and careful mother for yow. ABacon Χηρα.Footnote ⁶⁹³

115. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 9 December 1594

Holograph. LPL 650, fos 329r–330v. 2pp.

Endorsed (fo. 330v): Lettre de Madame le 13me de decembre 1594 receue

Addressed (fo. 300v): To my sonne Mr Anthony Bacon

I pray God mitigate your gowt disqwiett paynes, both this stark colde wether here and allweyes. Why I send this sodenly is of some occasioned charite, which I thowght to make known to yow and I wolde do it thowgh very nedefull speedely. The miller, Preston, this morning made pitious moans that the whele of the wheat mill, the principall, was broken very much by the frost and remedilesFootnote ⁶⁹⁴ this hungry ty present tyme and so his customers (my selff for one) compelled to seeke to others to his great undoing, being hyghe rented and having wyff and chyldern. Wherupon, I know not who putt it in his mynd, he earnestly begged the whe^e^le of the unoccupied water ment to come to the howse and yet unprofitable. Me thowght he had reason with him for this present great necessitee ^and also^Footnote ⁶⁹⁵ that all ^there^ unoccupied. So having made yow fyrst prevy and the matter well considred of by Crosby and others of skill ^I purpose^ to lett him have it owt of hand, yf it be thowght it may ^be^ conveniently done, for goode continuance of his customers and no harme in removing an idle wheele that but rotteth and ^to no use^. And this afternoone it was towld me the cockshote doore, but very lately fast nayled upp and stregthnedFootnote ⁶⁹⁶ since the last pilfering thence, was newly broaken upp again and a pipe stolne owt above an ell long. Sure hereafter it were good to take all down and save the remeins of lead pipes.

Very harde colde snow here, both for men and cattell. I trust it wyll, with the Lorde's mercy, staye the infection abroad. For my going hence, I yet mean it becawse I am but unable to go to the church and to avoyd ungodly, unruly Albons rovers, besyde cownterfayt soldiors and roags.

I think I shall go upon a soden very nere the tyme, si Deus ita volet,Footnote ⁶⁹⁷ who kepe us ^in^ his safty. I trust they wyll notFootnote ⁶⁹⁸ mum nor mask nor synfully revell at Grayes Inne. Who w[ere] ^sometime^ cownted fyrst, God graunt they waxe not dayly and deproveFootnote ⁶⁹⁹ to [be cownted] last. The Lorde in mercy bef be with us and geve us tru repentant harts with amendment.

My swelling is lately encreased. I humbly thank God for all yf yow and your brother take ^care^ to please the Lorde in your studies and all your actions. I shalbe be comforted ether to lyve or to dye, sommer or later, as God shall call.

Bene vale in Christo.Footnote ⁷⁰⁰5to Decembris.Footnote ⁷⁰¹ Gorhambury.

Your mother ABacon,

Χηρα.Footnote ⁷⁰²

116. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 23 January 1595

Holograph. LPL 650, fo. 33r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 33v): Lettre de Madame a Monsieur le 23me de janvier 1594 / Lettre de Madame a Monsieur touchant Mr Francis Bacon le 24me de janvier 1594. Footnote ⁷⁰³

After curteous and familer speches upon the cawse of my comming hether and the unlooked for differring,Footnote ⁷⁰⁴ to that point ^Sir Robert^Footnote ⁷⁰⁵ sayd ‘Indede her Majesti was not well then’. I sayde yesterday I went to see yow,Footnote ⁷⁰⁶ much more to my comfort yf your health wolde lett yow be and see further, God having inabled your mynde. ‘It is true’, quod he, ‘He hath goode partes, but gowte and such be too naturally drawn from parents’. ‘Well’, inquam,Footnote ⁷⁰⁷ ‘The eldest of my but two in all sonns is visited by God and the other me thinks is but strangely used by man's dealing, God knowes who and why. I think he is the very fyrst yownge gentleman of some accompt made such ^so long^ a common spech of – this time placed and then owt of dowt – and yet nothing done. Inowgh to overthrow a yowng and studious man, as he is geven in dede, and as fytt by judgment of wyser, both for yeares and understanding, to occupy a place as well as the Atturny. The worlde marvells in respects of his frends and his own towardnes.’ ‘Experience teacheth that her Majestie's nature is not to resolve but to delay.’ ‘But with none so’, quod I. ‘Why’ inquit,Footnote ⁷⁰⁸ ‘She is yet withowt officers of 3 whyte staffsFootnote ⁷⁰⁹ together, seldome ^seene^.’ ‘But’, sayth he, ‘I dare say my LordeFootnote ⁷¹⁰ wolde gladly have had my cosin placed orFootnote ⁷¹¹ this.’ ‘I hope so my selff’, ^inquam^, ‘but some think yf my Lorde had ben earnest, it had ben don.’ ‘Surely’, sayth he, ‘My Lorde even on last Tewsday moved the Queen that the terme day was neere and reqwyred a Sollicitor for her servyce and she strayt shulde say it was a shame the place was so long unfurnished. “No shame, Madam”, inquit ille,Footnote ⁷¹² “But a lack.” “I may not name any” sayth Majestie, “Nor other dare, for feare of yow and my Lord of Essex.” “I trust”, sayth my Lord, “yow are not withowt a nomination, but rather now to conclude.” “Is there none, I pray yow”, inquit Majestie, “but Francis Bacon fitt for that place ^Solic[ito]r^.” “I know not”, inqu^it^ ille, “How your Majestie may be altered but the judgess and others have and do take him sufficient with your favour and it is expected of all this terme.”’ Wherto she have no grant, and this sayth, and protested, Sir Robert, that my Lord did very playnly and in goode fayth.

Then upon my words that him selff was Secretary in place but not nominate,Footnote ⁷¹³ ‘As for that,’ sayth he, ‘I deale nor speake no more of it, but as long as none is placed I wayt still, thowgh I may think my selff as hardly used as my cosin. And I tell yow playnly, Madam, I disdayn to seeme to be thowght that I dowted of the place and so wolde I wysh my cosin Francis do so long as the rome vacant and beare her delay so accustomed. Let him not be discourage,Footnote ⁷¹⁴ but cary him selff wysely. It may be,’ sayde he, ‘her Majesti was to much preased at the first, which she lyketh not and at last come of her selff.’

This in maner was the speech and parting to the coorte. Truly his spech was all kindly owtward and dyd desyre to have me think so of him.

AB.

117. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 23 February 1595

Holograph. LPL 650, fo. 69r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 69v): 23 de feuvrier 1594

Grace and health.

Surely I appoint my men to return at my tyme. I dyd not think that Lawrence cowlde have sene yow then at all; his tarieng was but a day and I needed things for to be bowght, and to attende my impost,Footnote ⁷¹⁵ and horsemeat charge is ^dere^. I saw him not but at his return synce. He hath much a do to pay all this hard yere and his ferm left so decayed and the grownd so pilledFootnote ⁷¹⁶ bare. Yow do well to kepe promiss with your brother for the pale woodFootnote ⁷¹⁷ valu, but have it hence with toyling doble cariag and halff purloynd at London in the working. The small noxia Footnote ⁷¹⁸ reyning so ryff here in this ayre and every wheare threatening more syckness. I wryte now to him to geve place to reason and his purse and to skyllfull advyse, so I tell him playnly. Crossby I am sure wyll helpe to bye it commodiously for him. For hence cariag wyll not ner must be to his greater charg and toyle. Wolde to God filii mei charissime Footnote ⁷¹⁹ wolde have more judgment with their knowledg to their fuller commendation in actionibus suis.Footnote ⁷²⁰ The Father of heaven bless yow both and gyde yow with his holy spirit and restor[e] yow to better health of body that yow might have experience to further knowledg and more right understanding to discern for your selff, ^uteris.^Footnote ⁷²¹ Yow have a ^nother^ horse I weene; surely to your needless charg except yow were able to use them. Corn, all grein, very deere here; much more there, besyd Hynd's lewd costly neyligence.

I am very desyrous the coort keeping her[e] shuld ^be^ to the satisfieng of the tenants and in order for the leete,Footnote ⁷²² which hath ben hetherto observed, and that Mr Downing shulde be at the coorte keping this one coort more in my tyme. Hereafter as yow wyl[l], and they matters, thowgh small, are not to be don obiter.Footnote ⁷²³ Yf Mr Crew can not in due tyme at Easter, yf Mr Downing cowld not, I wolde entreat Mr RammeFootnote ⁷²⁴ to do it, ^yf I do lyve to it^, for this once finall coort, as I think. I am the Lorde’s, my sure trust is whensoever Christ, my saviour, elce as I may willingly. I wolde gladly have had a note of all implements had from hence and from me. I have often desyred it and I marvell not made ^and sent me^ orFootnote ⁷²⁵ this.

God encrease yow with encrease of his dayly favour.

Your mother,

ABacon.

118. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 24 February 1595

Holograph. LPL 650, fos 84r–85v. 2pp.

Endorsed (fo. 85v): De Madame a Monsieur le 25me de fevrier 1594 en l’endroit de Fausset. Footnote ⁷²⁶

Addressed (fo. 85v): To my sonne Mr Anthony Bacon

Had I known as much yesterday I wolde have written this now by my man allredy sent to day morning, withowt leave of much tariang; solito luce.Footnote ⁷²⁷ Goodman Furcey and his wyffe after two of the clock this afternone (and yet before I had eate eny thing, being allmost afrayde becawse of my after swelling, but as it pleased the Lorde, upon whome I depend and wayte, his mercy in ^his^ due tyme appointed), they were both but sad in ded, sayeng thei were not satisfied with the lease making, standing so tyckleyFootnote ⁷²⁸ upon my lyffe. I promiss yow when I red that circumstance of 21 yeres yf my lyff and 3 yeres did continue so long, I understoode not what was granted, then eny thing or nothing in effect. Farr other wyse then your fyrst grant for ii yeres after my departing and the^n^ one more at my reqwes[t] late with yow. Besyde the yeare they have of their former lease in your father's tyme ended at MichaellFootnote ⁷²⁹ to come 1596 ^which is their own^ and so 4 yeres in all wherby he myght lett his ^own^ howse for iii or 4 yeres. This kinde of lease I looked for, which being ^not^ attended to cunningly for my understanding and very unprofytably for them, I playnly refuse to sett to my hande and graunt. Be my lyff as in GodFootnote ⁷³⁰ hand, so at his goode pleasure. They (rather being discomfited yf they can not have ^it^ as yow fyrst as before rehersed did promiss and I verely did take your tru meaning) do desyre your favour and the lease restored them again and ^to^ abyde the wyll of God and that yeare and 2 they yet enjoy, ^certeinly^ by your father and me. It stands upon so many yffes and difficulties that they both did rather moorn then be owght glad. What law may be alleged I know not, but sure small commoditee to them, but great uncertentee, which is not goode for all parties. They are both very desyrous I shulde see the cowntinpanesFootnote ⁷³¹ in your hands now left to my use. So the Lorde bless yow with dayly blessednes in body and sowle. Sytt not late up nor comber your head with busines late. It wyll spoyle both your health and understanding vigour. 24 February Gorhambury.

Your mother,

ABacon.

Χηρα Footnote ⁷³²

119. Anthony Bacon to Anne Bacon, 25 February 1595

Draft. LPL 650, fo. 101r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 101v): A Madame le 25me de fevrier 1594

Madame

I receved yesterday a lettre of your Ladyship's by your man Woodward and a nother this day by goodman Fawcett.

For the first, the other day my brother comminge to se mee, I advized him with confirmation of my office to employ some honest faithfull man as I tooke take Groome to be and Robert LargeFootnote ⁷³³ his owne care unacquainted in such matters upon ^Groome^ his squillFootnote ⁷³⁴ and fidellitie rather then his manadgement or anie of his servants overseeing or provision; which my brother allowinge, I have sent for Groome, who with Crosbie's direction may and I doubte not but will save him much.

For the time of keeping the court, as it hath ben, so shall it be allwaies of your Ladyship's pleasure and appointment, thinking it were convenient that Mr Downinge, if his bussinesse permitt him, performe that office ^alone^, seeing Mr Crewe cannot be there in due time to joyne with him; otherwise I cannot thinke of any man fitter to be extraordinarely emploud then Mr Rame.

For your Ladyship’s For your Ladyship's second lettre, maie it please you to be advertised that Mr Crewe being to departe to morrow morninge towards the presentlieFootnote ⁷³⁵ circaite I could to not ^resolve nor^ advise upon any other ^better^ order for your Ladyship's satissfaction and his certaintie, then according to your Ladyship's lettre, to lett his oulde terme stand ^by disnulling the newe^, with promise to make secon[d] your Ladiship, who maie make him a sufficient lease, if it please you, during your life by a particular assurance ^from my selfe^ of 2 yeares after. Which trulie, Madame, if it please you will to remember my memorie doe not over much faile mee was all that ever your Ladyship assured ^and I graunted^, having stoode with himselfe at (^considering your Ladyship maie as I hope and wishe live many^) the first upon for one yeare after his oulde terme. And I grant it And this under correction proceeding kindlie from your Ladiship and trulie from my selfe ought increase to content ^them bothe^ and maie well further but can no way hinder his creditt for ^nor^ the disposition of his owne to ^nere sorie^ uses. And so with remembrance of my most humble dutie, I take my leave.

This 25^th of February 1594.

Your Ladyship's most loving

and obedient sonne.

120. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, March 1595

Holograph. LPL 650, fos 117r–118v. 2pp.

Endorsed (fo. 118v): lettre de Madame receu en mars a Redbourne 1594

I came yesterday home, I thank God, well thowgh very weary, by that missing the right way we roaved and made it lenger. I fownd a very syck and soare altred man. One might by him see what is mutatio dextrae ^manus^ Excelsi Footnote ⁷³⁶ in correcting. He hath ben as yow know a strong armed man and active in such exercyces of strength as shooting, wrestling, casting the barr, and whyllst he was with me I never used footestoole to horsback. But now, God healpe him, weake in voyce, his flesh consumed, his hands bones and synewes, but his belly upp to his very chest swoln and hoved upp and as hard with all as thowgh one towched wenscott.Footnote ⁷³⁷ I thank the Lord that put me in the mynde to visitt him with a Christian desyre to comfort his sowle, which I trust Mr Wyblud’sFootnote ⁷³⁸ spirituall cownsell and comfort with harty prayour was a means to it; God, I trust, working with his admonitions in the syck body to the reviving of his sowle. He hath his memory perfect and well and glad of godly exhortation. God grant him, and my selff allso, his continuall swete comfort and feeling mercy to the ende. Amen.

For yourFootnote ⁷³⁹ going, yow spake of, to London and wyll have be ii bedds hence for your servants, let me know in tyme. I wolde yow had here taried tyll that remove. Yow shuld have spared much wast expences which yow nede not and have ben better provyded. Surely yf yow kepe all your Redborn howsholde at London, yow wyll undoe your selff. Mony is very hard to come by and sure frends more hard and yow shalbe still in other folks’ danger, and not your own man, and your detts wyll pinch yow, thowgh yow may hope. But your continuall syckliness with all is a great hindrance and yf yow make shew of a howse keping in the cytie

[Left-hand margin] yow shall qwickly be over charged, much disqwieted and browghFootnote ⁷⁴⁰ not over theresFootnote ⁷⁴¹ but over shulders.Footnote ⁷⁴² Therefore at the begining be very ware and wyse as it ^is^ sayde. Tibi ipsi sapere disce,Footnote ⁷⁴³ one sayde; he sayde he had rather be envied for goode state, then pitied for harde case.Footnote ⁷⁴⁴ Consult them and ne quid temere.Footnote ⁷⁴⁵ I cowlde not chuse but advise as heretofore. God gwyde yow to take the right and best cowrse.

121. Anthony Bacon to Anne Bacon, 7 March 1595

Draft. LPL 650, fo. 149r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 149v): A Madame le 7me le mars 1594

Madame,

These few lines shalbe first to remember my most humble duti[e] then to render your Ladyship like thankes for that which it pleased you to send mee by my man John Wharton;Footnote ⁷⁴⁶ and withall to advertize your Ladyship that if it please you to make your impost provision of Gascoigne wine, a frend of myn the same marchant of who furnisheth my selfe will provide your Ladyship of as good the best that is come in this fleete, which is but mene in comparison of the yeares past.

My brother (thankes be to God) beares it out very well, having not seene him looke better. ^I my selfe doe but attend the helpe and fittnes of the season with sound advice not to assaile by violence but to undermyne by some safe phisicke my infirmity. The ^^winter^^ bruntes wherof (God be thancked) I have better borne and passed then I hoped for, considering my extraordinary discontinuance of phisickes and artificiall succour.^ And so I humbly take my leave beseeching God long to preserve your Ladiship.

Your Ladiship's most lovinge and obedient sonne.

122. Anthony Bacon to Anne Bacon, 15 March 1595

Draft. LPL 650, fo. 150r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 150v): A Madame le 15me de mars 1594

Addressed (fo. 150v): To the honourable his very good Lady and mother the Lady Anne Bacon

Madame,

I thought meete to advertise your Ladieshipp for this bearer, your Ladieship's servant's good and encouragement, that he hath begunn verie honestly to husband my brother's garden expanses, and may well affirme, though to my no lesse grief then the fellowe's ^just^ commandation, that ^the care and affection of^ all my brother's me[n] together could not have stood him in halfe so much stead for such a purpose.

May it please your Ladieshipp according to that I mentiond in my last, to lett me knowe whether I shall take up any Gascoigne wine for your Ladieship's provision, by reason that the best of bad will quicklie be bought upp.

I am bold to send unto your Ladieshipp a taste of a Lenten Spanish daintie, which an honest merchante presented unto me the other day.

The good Earle of Essex hath bene pulld assald with certain fittes of an ague, but God be thanked he hath at the last ^is now quit so ridd of it^, and so I most humblie take my leave.Footnote ⁷⁴⁷

123. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 1 April 1595

Holograph. LPL 651, fos 108r–109v. 2pp.

Endorsed (fo. 109v): De Madame le premier jour de avril, 1595

I mean yf God wyll to come hether again before Easter. But your going farther hence than my ablenes wyll endure to travell, ether by water or by lande, and know not when I shall see yow eny more, I pray God to go before yow and ^to^ be with yow, ever to heale yow, to healpe yow and to cownsell and comfort yow continually with his fatherly love in Christ Jesu our Lorde.

Amen.

I wrote yesterday to my Lady WasynghamFootnote ⁷⁴⁸ and by her to the cowntess.Footnote ⁷⁴⁹ She tooke yt well and thanked me. The cowntess is very nere her travayling tyme.Footnote ⁷⁵⁰ I besech God of his goodeness make her a joyfull mother with dayly encrease of God his blessing upon her and hers.

Beware in ^eny wyse^ of the lord H. Ὁουαρδε;Footnote ⁷⁵¹ he is a dangerous intelligencyng man. No dowt a subtill papist inwardely and lyeth in wayte. Peradventure he hath some close working with Στανδον Footnote ⁷⁵² and the Σπανιαρδε Footnote ⁷⁵³και τοιουτοισ.Footnote ⁷⁵⁴ Yow can not espy; be not to open. He wyll bewrayFootnote ⁷⁵⁵ yow to diverse and to your Αουντε Ρουσσελ Footnote ⁷⁵⁶ among. The duke had ben alyve but by his practising and styll soliciting hym to the Duke's undoingFootnote ⁷⁵⁷ and the Εαρλε of Αρουνδελε.Footnote ⁷⁵⁸ Avoyde his familiaritee as yow love the truth and your selff. A very instrument of the Spanish papists. No creature know or see this I wryte, ^I pray yow^, but burn it, your own hands, and remember, for ^he^ pretendyng curtesy, works micheff devilyshly. I have long known him and observed him,Footnote ⁷⁵⁹ his workings have be stark nowght. Procull esto.Footnote ⁷⁶⁰ I am sory, I can not speak with Dr Fletcher.Footnote ⁷⁶¹ For your horses I wolde certenily know. It is not lyke yow wyll over hastly. Sende me worde what tyme yow gess becawse of myne absence, yf God let me lyve, but vessells and cariag must surely be provyded. For in dede I have none for malt. Yf yow tell Crossby your mynde, I wyll pay for it when I have receaved rent. GrystFootnote ⁷⁶² is ^very^ deere, my thinks, but he denieth. Yf yow had taken your physyck here in your well warmed ^howse^ it had ben better, I think. God be your gwyde in all your weyes and take hede of cold taking upon remove and after physick call for your own neccessaries. Your men forgett yow and yow smart for it. Use your leggs at as yow may dayly; they wyll elce be the feebeler and the synewes stark and strengthless. It is true. I feare theris no ordinary preaching ministery at Full Chelsy.Footnote ⁷⁶³ I can not tell how to lament ^it^, but both my sonnes me thinke do not cast for it where they dwell. Great want can not be. We had nede watch continually to be well armed against evell dayesFootnote ⁷⁶⁴ imminent to be feared. For of all sorts we waxe worse and worse.Footnote ⁷⁶⁵ London waxeth streight laced, urging subscription; that ^slavish^ pleasing wyll not salve his harde cured sore. Burn this.

The God of mercy, health and peace compass yow abowt with his heavenly favour whersoever.

Primo Aprilis Footnote ⁷⁶⁶ 95.

Mater tua Footnote ⁷⁶⁷ AB. Bene vale in Christo nunc and semper. Footnote ⁷⁶⁸

[Left-hand margin] λυπη μου μεγαλη εστι υπο του Εσσεξ και σφοδρα φοβουμαι μη εν καιρω υπαρχει μοιχεια αισχροτατη και πικρα και μεστη των κακων. Footnote ⁷⁶⁹

124. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 1 April 1595

Holograph. LPL 651, fo. 107r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 107v): De Madame, le premier de avril, 1595

Addressed (107v): To my sonne Mr Bacon

Sonne,

Woodwarde towlde me yow reqwired a hogsehead of beare. I wyll, yf it please God I come well and in tyme home to morrow. I wyll send yow one by the cart of my best ordinary beere.

The rest March remaining is March,Footnote ⁷⁷⁰ I pray yow lett me have another hogshead for it. I shall lack elce and lett one be ready with a carr to receave it of the carier on Fryday in goode tyme, thowh he tary a litle, because of doble jumblying. I think well used yow may drink it after v dayes settling at least, but that as yow see being above iiii moneths owlde after it is broched it wyll last above a fotenigh bycawse of cariag.

[Left-hand margin] This bearer I have newly taken into my s[ervy]ce. AB.

125. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 3 April 1595

Holograph. LPL 651, fos 105r–106v. 2pp.

Endorsed (fo. 106v): De Madame le 4me d’a[vril] 1595

Addressed (fo. 106v): To my sonne Mr Anthony Bacon

I thank yow for your horses. I sende yow a hogshead of November bere, me thinks goode, and a barrell also of the same bruing, which I did cawse the bruyar then to ^torne^ of the fyrst toppe of the same bruing and so stronger, becawse at that tyme it was thowght yow wolde come to Redborn and I ment it to yow. It is so strong as I wolde not drink it ordinaryly to my meales, but do yow use it to your most goode. In eny wyse when these two vessells be emptie, let them be returned by the cart. I can not want them in dede and they be strong. Besyde diverse others vessells of myn sent to your sondry places. I did at one tyme sende vi together, yf not seven, to Redborn and I payde vii s for headding and hooping and seasoning of them, howsoever they made yow pay afterwarde. I dyd so in trowth. I pray remember Groome's yll handling and ende it well for all nowghty Godram and his tipling mate. I wrong my men lyving well and Christianly in their honest vocation to suffer them to be ill entreated and my selff contemned. I mean not so. Crosby purposeth to be with yow on Monday, yf God wyll and yow corn ready. Gorhambury 3 April.

Mater tua,Footnote ⁷⁷¹ AB.

Yesterday seing my sister Russell at the Blackfries howse after the sermon,Footnote ⁷⁷² I fownde her ver[y] much greeved and her wordes charging my Lord Tresurer of very unkinde dealing in a matter very chargeable to and a slyte ende procured, she sayde, to her hurt cum lachrimis per illum.Footnote ⁷⁷³ I saw her so lamenting I sayde I wolde writ to Sir Robert Cecill. ‘No, no’, inquit,Footnote ⁷⁷⁴ ‘It is to late, he hath marred all and that against my cownsells lyking at all.’ But not yow nor your brother; vosmet inter miscere.Footnote ⁷⁷⁵ Never be aknown of it, I pray yow. Shew your brother this and let him not take knowledg, lest yee both sett on work, and for that Ὁουαρδε,Footnote ⁷⁷⁶ once again be very ware, as of a subtile serpent. Burn all. Ne famuli quidem.Footnote ⁷⁷⁷ Be not hasty to remove. Your drink well used and not sett abroch all at once but (^above the barr fyrst then^ by degrees lower once or twyse) wylbe better and last lenger, ^sayth the bruyer^. Yok HowseFootnote ⁷⁷⁸ lease is not here, as I sayde to my cosyn Kempe. Mr BaylyFootnote ⁷⁷⁹ hath seene every place purposely to satisfye my Lord Keeper. I do not remember that ever I saw eny lease from the Bishop sealed, but by parley and trust betwyxt both. Bene vale.Footnote ⁷⁸⁰

The bruyar who is now here sayth that your beer ^now^ sent, well handled, wyll drink well a moneth's space. Lett not your servants begyle yow clam aut aperte.Footnote ⁷⁸¹ Use your leggs and eyysFootnote ⁷⁸² in eny wyse and dayly, least they fayle yow when yow wolde. Neglect not in tyme and serve the Lorde with all your hart and omnia ad salutem tempestive.Footnote ⁷⁸³

126. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 8 April 1595

Holograph. LPL 651, fo. 89r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 89v): De Madame le premier jour d’avril 1595 Footnote ⁷⁸⁴

I sende between your brother and yow the fyrst flight of my dovehowse, the Lorde be thanked for all; ii doson and iiii pigeon, xii to yow and xvi to your brother becawse he was wont to love them better then yow from a boy. Marvelous harde, snowy, hayly and strong, wyndy wether here and great scarsytie. I have had more toyle in my body few dayes since I cam last hether theFootnote ⁷⁸⁵ in above twyse as long at London. I wysh my selff ther again and peradventure, yf God wyll, I wyll before Easter as now mynded. I am glad your bere was sent so soone. To day upon occasion of a mayd sending to Redborn, but none of my servants, I heare Mistress Read and He[n]rie are mallcontent for certein implements, specially as the[y] say in the best reserved chamber for your frends, noble or not noble: a carpett and other things fyled with byrds hunting or hawks or doggs. Mr Lawson was the nobleman lodg there, I weene, and lyke inowgh for he is totius vanae gloriae Footnote ⁷⁸⁶ and make yow bleared styll to endure all and pay for all; and further it was reported that Morice was discontented for your resiningFootnote ⁷⁸⁷ to Mr Reade, he not made prevy before. Thus they talk and some think elce now yow are gon, and one that tames the bit is become a tipler and wylbe oversene with drink, but an yll servant in your howse and ^the frute of idleness^. Large was here this day. I towlde him it was honesty and ^Christian^ duty to dwell at home with his ^wyff^. I wolde, I sayde, be loth that my sonne ^shulde^ beare the blame of his being an yll husban[d] and leave his first calling to labour and ^and so leeve over to^ be a good thriving fellow. I used him so styll thowgh other civill ^servyce^ wayting among. It is commonly spoken that Fynch of WoodendeFootnote ⁷⁸⁸ ^and Goodram^ are joint companions in all yll fellowshipp. Use them therafter and take no luck by such. Yow and your brother have taken much discredit by not judging wysely and rightly of those yee both of yow overcredit to your wylling hyndrance. I pray the Lorde geve yow good understandyng by his worde and spirit and health to serve him in truth to your goode estimation with encrease of his blessed favour. Let not your men be prevy herof. As your goode mother, I thus certefie. Think of it.

Gorhambury 8 of April 1595.

Mater tua,Footnote ⁷⁸⁹ AB.

Use your leggs betymes for feare of loosing in disuse.

Goode RolffFootnote ⁷⁹⁰ was here to day to speak with me, very sadly sayde thus to me that h[e] had before now and lately again did here that his ferme shuld be lett from him. Wherupon his ancient wyff and he both were much greeved. I towlde ^him^ I never harde eni litle of it and thowght it was nothing so. It wyll be worst, I wys,Footnote ⁷⁹¹ for yow to mak a chang for Humphrey. He hopes yow wyll at least lett him tary iii yeares lenger after his present state fynished. ScamblersFootnote ⁷⁹² are easily had every where, but discrete, honest, sufficent farmours wolde be continued. They serve the cowntry and cowntenance their landlorde in deed. Gooderam wyll prove stark nowght yf yow suffer to lett the grownd from Pleadalls Ferm.Footnote ⁷⁹³ Yow are marvelously abused by him and misled. Some in my howse are often with him. I wyll looke better to them for it. Yet by them I heare ^of^ there his nowghty doings, both for him selff and yow. God be with yow and make yow able to every goode dutye and gwyde yow all weyes to your comfort. God knowes when I shall see yow. I am therfore more carefull to advyse yow to beware.

Remember Groome, I pray yow. Brockett wyll make jeste of us both. Kepe not superfluous servants to marr them with idleness and undoe yow. Let Larg lyve at home; best for him, a maried man. Nobody see this, but burn it or send it back; and so commend yow to the Lorde.

127. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, [c.20 April 1595]Footnote ⁷⁹⁴

Holograph. LPL 653, fos 252r–253v. 2pp. Damaged.

Endorsed (fo. 253v): lettre de Madame

Addressed (fo. 253v): To my sonne

I am not wylling Mr Crew shulde come hether against the time, in dede I have yet no cooke and Thomas Witherton syckly and my selff peradventure wyll stay at Mr Cooke's howse.Footnote ⁷⁹⁵ I can therfore spare such tyll the holy dayesFootnote ⁷⁹⁶ be spent. Yf he wyll come after on Tewsday Wensday to vew as I wrote to yow, he shalbe hartely welcome, but not for myne own unwoleness to go to and froe before that time. Then yf yow and he wyll welcome, yf he tary 3 or 4 dayes and bring some frende yf he wyll.

Osborn and his wyff are well gone hence, yet she to brew yf qwiettly and orderly. In very truth, sonne, my servants of that sorte with Edwarde and such lyke brake of owt of order with me last sommer. But I have it as I myght not, greving liberly to their hurt and my discredit, because I wolde ^yow shulde^ every way be well and comfortably here. Truly your often geving to such and where no desert was, made them serve more frowardly. Osborn's wyffe learnd her brewing with me and I payde well for her learning, specially since her mariag, with more comber to her and troble and almost doble charg in every thing, besydes which I was loth then to mention, certein other things ^were gon^ besyde one your best shertes. But I use her well inowgh and she brewes in diverse places and with me shortly. But I pray yow in my tyme, lett my servants loke to me. Yow shall soone inowgh fynde them lyke themself and for them selfs.

I hope yow wylbe very careFootnote ⁷⁹⁷ of your health and that constantly. I had worde yow wolde not your horse to the grass; as yow appoint, it shalbe. I pray yow let me know what tyme yow mean to jorny, yf it please God whose mercy and favour go with yow and bless the meanes to your recovery. In no wyse but as of necessite, kepe no superfloous expences. Remember yow have yet ^not^ visited God his howse nor seene our Soverein after your long absence. Be wyse and the Lorde geve goode success. How doth your brother and what?

128. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 26 April 1595

Holograph. LPL 651, fo. 110r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo.110v): De Madame, le 28me d’avril 1595

Addressed (fo. 110v): To my sonne Mr Antony Bacon. If the Βρυιαρ Footnote ⁷⁹⁸ go on with his sute (the cheet) he wyll freyFootnote ⁷⁹⁹ yow at nede. But Περι εστι.Footnote ⁸⁰⁰

I humbly thank God I came well hether and fownde my howseholde well, saving that Jhon Knite was from home, after he had ben with the rest for a fashyon at church, came not home tyll x of the clock at night, much to my myslike. Be not offended, sonne, but in dede Redborn resort, which he hath haunted secretely and unseasonably above these 3 quarters yere, hath appayredFootnote ⁸⁰¹ him much. Goodram and he and James your man and Woodend Fynch companons of late in yll and it lyghteth so upon Goodram. For as here it is spoken in my howse, the shryff hath seased Goodram's cattell and cotes.Footnote ⁸⁰² I pray yow sonne, let not ungodly once abuse and cary ^yow^ to frendeFootnote ⁸⁰³ synne. O that your health wolde suffer yow to heare publick preaching. I hartely wyshed yow had harde Mr Ege^rton^Footnote ⁸⁰⁴ the two ^last^ weke exercyces. Surely your knowledg and judgment wolde much encrease thereby to discern aright; which gyft proveth my sonnes me thinks specially in their own matters and calling ^do want^, thowgh wyse otherwyse in diverse things ore tenus,Footnote ⁸⁰⁵ but aliud semper agentes suo magno sumpto et incommodo.Footnote ⁸⁰⁶ Do ^not^ cowntenance such nawghty ^un^godly spendalls.Footnote ⁸⁰⁷ Your cowntenancyng Goodram so soone made him careless to badd. Yf I had my xv pownds, I wold gladly bestowe yt for your credit and goode but it greveth my conscience knowing your great want, the more for such that yow shulde partetake to releve and mayntein their synfull expence.

I thank yow for your horses; that left here shalbe well looked, but horses wyll with horse play lyte and strike one anoter unhappely; myne own doble one so lately. Thother when in dede he is throwgly well. I dare say that ^iuke^Footnote ⁸⁰⁸ beast Hynde hath spoyled yow in hors since your commyng over above 200 marks every way.

Looke well to your selff inwardely and owtwardely and peace of God and love in Christ Jesu be with yow ever. Lett not your men see my lettres; it were magna injurya.Footnote ⁸⁰⁹

Gorhambury 26 April.

Your mother, ABacon.

129. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 6 May 1595

Holograph. LPL 651, fo. 142r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 142v): De Madame le 7me de may 1595

Addressed (fo. 142v): To my sonne Mr Anthony Bacon in Bishipps Gate Strete, with some spede

Your beere, God wylling, wilbe ready to be caried on Fryday at furthest, sayth the bruyer. Yf ^it^ tary lenger, it wylbe the worse, he sayth. It is don as yow appointed the qwantite. Yow promised certeinly to me to take order for the cariag. I looked to ^have^ knowFootnote ⁸¹⁰ from yow for it when vessells were sent. I cannot, nor wyll not, take the care of cariag. Send worde with spede therfore or elce it shalbe layde in to seller ^saffly principle^.Footnote ⁸¹¹ Folke now apply seing the former season hath ben so fowle. I pray therfore write whom yow wyll to cary and sende owt of hand. I think Mr Crossby wylbe with yow on Fryday, yf can dispatch your busines, he sayde.

The less yow use Goodram the better. He wasteth beastly trusting to your foolysh pitie, but now sett not sinn in him nor others to your hurt. Ne te plura mala damna sequantur. Footnote ⁸¹² Discern and not ^to^ be too easely caried ^led away^. Your age reqwyreth now a godly, wyse constancy in yo in all your proceadings.

The Father of Heaven, bless yow more and more in Christ Jesu.

Gorhambury 6^thMaii 95.

Your mother,

ABacon.

Memento Footnote ⁸¹³ Brocket, Grome.

130. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, [before 8] May 1595Footnote ⁸¹⁴

Holograph. LPL 651, fos 165r–166v. 2pp.

Endorsed (fo. 166v): de Madame le may 1595

Addressed (fo. 166v): To my sonne Mr Bacon at Bishops gate. This was ment to be sent with the beere.

Gratia et amor Dei in Christo. Footnote ⁸¹⁵

Your beere, well handled I trust, is ment to be sent tomorow early. The bruyar hath ben careful him selff. I had no bruing, I dare say, this twelve moneth more diligently attended upon of my servants. Yf the cariers do their part and afterwards well watched and looked to in the seller, it is thowght for your own speciall use it wyll last tyll nye Michaeltyde,Footnote ⁸¹⁶ both for qwantitee and qwalitee. As yow appointed it is brued; viii hogshed in all of the cheefest beere, ii hogshedds marked with an S on ech syde of the wheele mark. The third somwhat less strong being a seconde is marked lyke wyse with chalk wyth a smaller whele mark and one only S bye it to know it ryghtly; thother v alyke. God geve yow the right use of all his ^gyfts^ to God's glory and your own further advancement and tru comfort. The rowelledFootnote ⁸¹⁷ horse I had no mynde to indede nor the horse Mr Spencer roade on. Lawson thrust in here his and others, smutledFootnote ⁸¹⁸ and spoyled beast. The horse is ful[l] of wyngalls,Footnote ⁸¹⁹ a token of very spoyling in ryding and dress^ing^. Grass is here yet but poore and scant and I must turne shortly my two service geldings of necessitee. I wyll not chang my ^own^ fayelyFootnote ⁸²⁰ husband's horseFootnote ⁸²¹ for yours, both heavie and stumbling and never broken for ^such a^ toward ho[rse] when yow fyrst had him. Diverse of my folk now sy[ckly]. God encrease your health, I pray God, and be mercyfull to us both.

[Left-hand margin] I thank yow for your comly mastive. It is suspected he wyll hunt after shepe and is to owlde. I durs not prove him yet.

Your mother, ABacon.

131. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 12 May 1595

Holograph. LPL 651, fo. 156r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 156v): De Madame le 12me de may 1595

Grace and health.

I hope your beere is well where yow appointed. I ment a lettre to yow then, but it was afterwarde by the carier ^sent^. Hangings I wolde ^not^ sende with the new working tonned drinkFootnote ⁸²² for hurting. The two upper chambers be not ^to^ be altered, they are no sute but odde ones most. As nere as cowld I chose the best and fyttest for your chamber here. Yf yow wyll those iiii odd romes too. And one ^of them^ of the great chamber hanging at your howse in your father's tyme of Barbary. Yf yow wyll have them to eny goode purpose sende me worde by this bearer. So yow sende wythall by him a right note of the former implements yow ^have^ had allready from hence, which I looke for and often have justly reqwyred heretofore. For your horse I wyll take him thowgh in ^dede^ spoyled ^ut antea levissi^Footnote ⁸²³ in comparison as freely as I gave him to yow; and yf I put not the beast to my cart and put a way ^one^ of my 4 now, for moeFootnote ⁸²⁴ wyll I not kepe. I wyll sell him as well as I can and when I am able bestow a nagg in his stede. I pray dispatch this my man. I send him of purpose to yow, and for none other business, and I nede his service here at home, besyde the charge of tareing. Remember the note to be sent elce I can sende no more hence. Vale in Christo quam optime.Footnote ⁸²⁵

Beware of ἑνρι Ὁουαρδ Footnote ⁸²⁶ and such. Αμυνου εστι κινδυνοτατοσ και κακω[ν] δολων ανηρ.Footnote ⁸²⁷ God kepe the EarleFootnote ⁸²⁸ from such poyson and snaring και σεαυτον ομοιωσ Footnote ⁸²⁹ but matris monita nihil estimantur.Footnote ⁸³⁰ I think for my long attending in coorte and a cheeff cownsellour's wyffe few preclarae feminae meae sortis Footnote ⁸³¹ are able or be alyve to speak and judg of such proceadings and worldly doings of ^men^.

ButFootnote ⁸³² God bless yow and make yow able to heare wholsome, publick doctrine for your better understanding every way. I am sory yow at Chelsey and your brother at Twycknam do want that pretious commoditee for cheff health and comfort.

Gorhambury 12 Maii 95.

Your mother, ABacon.

132. Anne Bacon to William Cecil, Lord Burghley, 22 May 1595

Holograph. BL, Lansdowne MS 79, fos 79r–80v. 2pp.

Endorsed (fo. 80v): 22 May 1595. Lady Bacon to my Lord. One Mr Holme returned one of Ireland from Mr Travers

Addressed (fo.80v): To my singuler goode Lorde, the Lord Tresurer of Englande

This morning, my singuler goode Lorde, I was so bowlde as to desyre Mrs Whyte,Footnote ⁸³³ whose very kinde curtesy I allweies find, that she wolde in passing by this way upon eny occasion do so much as to see me that by her I might do my humble dutie to your Lordship and know of your goode health to my comfort.

This afternoone even abowt 3 of the clock came Mr Holmes, the learned man that went over with Mr Travers into Ireland and reqwested of me ii or three lynes that he might have access to your goode Lordship for the matters of her Majestie's yowng colledg there, he sayde.Footnote ⁸³⁴ I fynde such favour in your Lordship that for such a one and such cawse I do not readily deny to troble your Lordship thus. Rejoysing in dede, my Lord, of your goode continuance and ablenes for the great benefitt of our lande and specially of the advancement of the gospell herin, domi forisque,Footnote ⁸³⁵ to your great harte's solace. God encrease it more and more.

I came hether to take a litle cownsell for my much disordred body synce my quartan,Footnote ⁸³⁶ sondry weyes to ease some payns, diverse at this present and not able to go but with payn in one of my feete and other wyse. I have great cawse to acknowledg the mercy of God towarde ^me^ in granting me tyme and meanes to more mortification, which by his grace I besech him I may dayly ^endevour^ to be better and better prepared for a better lyffe. The Lorde prolong yours with feeling encrease of his love and goodness in Christ Jesu.

I humbly take my leave, with thanks from my hart for your honorable comforts. Flete Strete. 22 May 95.

In the Lorde ex animo,Footnote ⁸³⁷

ABacon

Χηρα.Footnote ⁸³⁸

133. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 31 May 1595

Holograph. LPL 651, fos 225r–226v. 2pp. Damaged along right-hand side.

Endorsed (225v): De Madame le 3me de juni 1595

Addressed (225v): To my sonne Mr Anthony Bacon at Bishopps gate street. Ne subito relinquas aut concedes alicui edes urbanas. Footnote ⁸³⁹

Sonne yow had a mynde to have the long carpett and the ancient learned philosoph[ers’] pictures from hence, but in dede I had no mynde therto, yet have I sent, very carefully bestowed and layde in a hamper for safty in cariage. For the carpet, being withowt golde, yow shall not, I think, have the lyke at this time in London, for the right, and not paynted, cowllers;Footnote ⁸⁴⁰ which is to common in this age in moeFootnote ⁸⁴¹ things then carpetts, and such. It is for all not of late bowght, worth 20 li to bye. Such implements as your father ^left^ I have very diligent looked to and kept; yow have now bared this howse of all the best. A wyffe wolde have well regarded such things, but now they shall serve for use of gaming or typling upon the table of every common person, your own men as w[ell] ill as others, and so be spoyled as at Redborn. I wolde think that Jhon your taylour shude be fittest to looke well to your furnitre.Footnote ⁸⁴² God I humbly besech him encrease in yow dayly spirituall stoare, also the comfort of bodily health and other comforts of this lyff to his own good pleasure to whose fatherly love in Christ I commend yow.

I wysch the hamper were not opened tyll your selff were at Chelsey to see it don before yow; for the pictures are put orderly within the carpett. Yow have one long carpett allredy; I can not think to what use this shulde be. It wylbe an occasion of mockery that yow shulde have a great chamber, called and carpeted. Haud inane est quod dico.Footnote ⁸⁴³ Draw no charge till God better enable yow, but observe narowly both for your health and purse. Surely your vi s beere is no ordinary drink for your howse no tyme of the yere specially, and usually to strong for yow, but podagra Footnote ⁸⁴⁴ wyll bestur him. Seing God hath geven yow some goode abilities, I wolde I trowFootnote ⁸⁴⁵ watch over my diett and every thing to put them in ureFootnote ⁸⁴⁶ by health to God his glory and your own more creditt getting publickly. Yf her Majesti have resolved upon the negative for your brother, ut audio,Footnote ⁸⁴⁷ truly save for the brute a litle, I am glad of it. God in his tyme hath better in stoare, I trust. For considerying his kynde of health and what ^comber^ perteins to that office, it is best for him I hope. Lett us all pray the Lorde we make ^us to^ profitt by his fatherly correction dowtles in his hande and all for the best and love to his chyldren that wyll seeke him fyrst and depend upon ^his^ goodenes, godly and wysely. Love thee lyke brethern what soever and be of goode corage in the Lorde with goode hope.

Vale et cura diligenter ut quam optime valeas et sis tui juris et prudenter age. Footnote ⁸⁴⁸

ultimo Maii Footnote ⁸⁴⁹ 95.

Mater tua,Footnote ⁸⁵⁰ ABacon Χηρα.Footnote ⁸⁵¹

134. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 16 June 1595

Holograph. LPL 651, fo. 206r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 206v): De Madame le 18me de juni 1595

How matters went at Gorhambury yow understoode by Mr Crew. I offred him a litle golde and he wolde take none. Yf it were once the goode wyll of God, your being here or elce where shulde be very comfortable. Your continuall lack of health and other no small hyndrances thereby have gon very nere to me. But now I ^endevour to^ cast my burden upon the LordeFootnote ⁸⁵² ^and^ to wayte upon his gratious providence both for my selff and myne in his own goode tyme, not omitting goode meanes.

The weather ^here^ very boystrus with wynde, hayle and rayn. I feare yow feele theroff. I wolde, yf it please God, be a few dayes at London the next terme. I think yow wylbe gon to Chelsye before. I pray God yow take not hurt there this unseasonable weather and others enjoy your ^consumming^ charges and illis sit bene cum tibi sit male.Footnote ⁸⁵³ Do what yow can to expell the gowt by diet and seasonable sleeping. Use not your selff to be twanged a slepe, but naturally it wyll grow into a teadious custome and hynder yow much.

Jhon ^your man^ had thowght to have wayted on yow very shortly, but his fever is now every day again. He never feltt him throwghly well, but now works a fresh and looks thinn and pale, wherof he is sory for gladly wolde he return.

I think the great well chayn must be searched and amended. I have delivered goodeman woodd mony for Spanish iron for it.

The God of all grace be with yow and direct yow with his holy spirit allweies.

βεουαρε of Ιακουεσ and αδελφοσ σου of κελλεττ. Σουσαν ^Ληστηρ and Λονηττ^ is gon to London and, as I desyred, Mr Κρευε.Footnote ⁸⁵⁴Λοοκε σπουδαιωσ,Footnote ⁸⁵⁵ owt of some ^dowt^ did maynteyn her nawghtines. Do it wysely and closely but I think none abowt yow ^wyll^ do it trustely. Burn this sat cito,Footnote ⁸⁵⁶ yet reede and marke. God kepe yow both in his love in Christ ever.

Remember ut sis tui juris et ^enitere ut^ expergiscaris cum podragra cum omni prudenti cura. Footnote ⁸⁵⁷

Ματερ tua,Footnote ⁸⁵⁸

ABacon.

Gorhambury 16^thJunii.

Comburatur hoc ne. Footnote ⁸⁵⁹

135. Anthony Bacon to Anne Bacon, with return postcript by Anne Bacon, 18 June 1595

Draft, Anthony Bacon holograph from ‘Your Ladiship's moste loving’; Anne Bacon holograph from ‘I send yow the lettre’. LPL 651, fo. 207r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 207v): De Madame le 18me de juin 1595

Addressed (fo. 207v): To the honorable this verie good Ladie and mother the Ladie Anne Bacon

Additional address by Anne Bacon: To my sonne Mr Anthony Bacon in Byshopps gate Strete. Part not with your London howse temere ne forte peniteat tei.Footnote ⁸⁶⁰

Madame,

These fewe lynes shalbe first to remember my most humble dewtie to your Ladyship, with the like thankes for the carpet and pictors which it pleased yow to sende me, wherof your Ladyship maie be asseured there shalbe speciall care had.

I am likewise to advertise your Ladyship that Mr Crewe and Mr Downinge, God willinge, will waight of your Ladyship on Wednesdaie next to keepe the courte; which is thought to be necessarie, for the certen knowledge by Mr Tille. Hawgood houldeth a good quantity of copiehold.Footnote ⁸⁶¹

And so I most humblie take my leave, and commit your Ladyship to God's best protection.

This 0thFootnote ⁸⁶² of June 1595.

Your Ladyship's moste lovinge and obdient son, Anthony Bacon.

[Postscript by Anne Bacon]

I sende yow the lettre that yow may your selff see how wysely ^and heedefully^ warning was geven by the writer. It made much dowt and disapointed much.

136. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 8 July 1595

Holograph. LPL 651, fo. 267r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 267v): De Madame le mois de juillet 1595

Addressed (fo. 267v): To my sonne Mr Anthonie Bacon in Bishopgate strete

I thank God I came well, thowgh weary, heather and thank yow for your horses. The not delyvery of my lettre, sent by the carier, returned me by myn own horses unlooked for then, and becawse I had written before dowtfully referring to another lettre to be sent afterwarde. They ^My men^ not hearing as they looked, fearing I had not ben well, came on, wherin theFootnote ⁸⁶³ shewed their honest and dutifull care and regard of me, which pleased me much.

I sende yow oakwood straberies gathred this morning by this bearer and other[s]. His name is Dawyes, diligent in the garden as the tyme will, for he came but lately and is also a zealous Christian servant; I thank God for him. I pray yow, sonne, see him and speak with him your selff. He returneth not tyll nigh a weeke, he sayth. He readeth the ordinary morning and evening prayour to my howse, even hartely ^reverently^. The Lorde God in mercy be with yow all weyes. Looke to your charges at Chelsey; small thankes for your great charges. Be an enemy to the gowt and watch over it with all goode observation and use your lymms in tyme, for God sake. Supp not, watch not late and slepe naturally in utramque aurem.Footnote ⁸⁶⁴ Call no convivas Footnote ⁸⁶⁵ till God better enable yow in his ^own^ gratious tyme ^sed interem cave et enitere prudenter^.Footnote ⁸⁶⁶ Fare yow well in our Lorde Jesu Chris[t].

Gorhambury 8 Julii.

Your moother, AB.

Mr PurveiourFootnote ⁸⁶⁷ and Groome.

137. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, [before 21 July 1595]Footnote ⁸⁶⁸

Holograph. LPL 653, fos 320r–321v. 2pp. Damaged.

Endorsed (fo. 321v): lettre de Madame

I sende to know how yow and your brother do, and I sende my horse LossFootnote ⁸⁶⁹ yf yow wyll have him st[a]y, but I have no sadle to remein with yow for him. I have but v for myne own use. Yf I had ben able I wolde have bowght moe.Footnote ⁸⁷⁰ Yf yow kepe Loss, let him well used in dede. I have not such another for frende or a preacher. Mantell is scant sownde. Nether my horses ner my men are acqwainted with undiscreteFootnote ⁸⁷¹ travell; he is taken from the grass. It wylbe chargeable keping him in and to put him abroade yow may qwickly be ridd of him. Do as your necessary business reqwireth and beware, sonne, yow procure to your sellf tangled matters t[o] no purpose but your nedeless charg. I wolde yow were well ridd of that owlde, booted, polling papist.Footnote ⁸⁷² He wyll use discoorses owt of season to hinder your health, the want wheroff is your great hindrance. Take ^heede^ therefore every way and be ware and wyse. When yow are throwgh[ly] sownded then adieu.Footnote ⁸⁷³ Some do think that your brother and yow make to great a note of the Εαρλεσ Footnote ⁸⁷⁴ favour. Do well and committ your wayes to the Lord [and] seeke cowsell at him. Beware of emulation and be not frank to open your mynd to every body. Yow shalbe better estemed. The Lorde direct yow in all things. Mark what I write and but to your brother to nobody. Welldon, that in an ill tyme for herFootnote ⁸⁷⁵ maried her ^Carpenter's wydow^, suffreth willingly his shepe to marr my last felled spring and hath with crapping hindred it above a yere's growth. He is ^a^ nawghty makebaterFootnote ⁸⁷⁶ with his neighbours. Fyrst he and EwerFootnote ⁸⁷⁷ cowlde never agree because his did still eate up his grownde and is styll offring occasion of qwarrells. Mr Downing hath ^had^ somewhat to do with him,Footnote ⁸⁷⁸ with his ^never^ challenging I wot not and ^as^ for his sonns, they be but riotus and hog that liberty, yf one be not typsye which is too trew and stub[bor]n with all. I heare Weldon braggs yow have graunted him a 100 li loade of chalk, which I can not think yow so ^be^ unadvised and lyeng with in another tenant's grownd. So yow may make matter of continuall stryff and the other may chuse doing his dutie.

[Left-hand margin] I wisFootnote ⁸⁷⁹ yow shall dwell ^here^ in a harde soyle and ^by^ harde harted neighbour but for their own profitt conning. Be not hasty, tacuisse numquam.Footnote ⁸⁸⁰ ABacon.

138. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 30 July 1595

Holograph. LPL 651, fos 310r–311v. 2pp.

Endorsed (fo. 311v): De Madame le 3me le aoust 1595

Endorsed (fo. 311v): To my sonne Mr Anthony Bacon geve theis

I most humbly thank God and much rejoyced when I harde by Crosby yow do more exercyse your body and your leggs and that in your coch yow go to the Earle ^your selff as occasion^. Surely, sonne, by the grace of God yow shall fynde great healpe by bodily exercyse in season and much refreshing, both to body and mynd and be more accompted of. I wolde advise yow went sometyme to the French ChurchFootnote ⁸⁸¹ and have there (and bashFootnote ⁸⁸² not your necessaries for warmeth) to heare the publick preching of the worde of God, as it is his ordinance, and arme so with prayour. For understanding it maketh the goode hearers wyse to God and enableth them to discerne how to walk in their worldly vocation to please God and to be accepted of men in dede, which God grant to yow both.

Truly, sonne, the miller's last coming to yow was but a craft to collour his halting, towching his secret consenting to steale, as cause hath ben geven to suspect him not lately ^alone^ but long. He waxeth a suttell fellow and hath a running head of his own. Now he goeth with mealeFootnote ⁸⁸³ to London and to some other places here abowt and wyll marr the myll I dowt by his flitting. Wherfore shulde he have a nett? Him selff confessed abowt the scowring of ^the mill^ but lately that there was store of trowte and now allmost none, because BunFootnote ⁸⁸⁴ and other dyd lately robb as yow know. I took the miller's part in defending his right dealing and so the JusticesFootnote ⁸⁸⁵ have bownde Bun to goode abearing tyll next sessions. But that ^same^ Bun sayde earnestly that the miller cowlde join and beare with some and ^he^ cowlde abyde by it; and so hath Mr Coltman sayde when I have blamed him but for angling. Certeinly, sonne, where he bringeth yow two, I wolde they were moeFootnote ⁸⁸⁶ for yow. He carieth to Mr πρεστον Footnote ⁸⁸⁷ and others twyse as many but say yet not so to him. I mean to take his net from him. He is waxen so heady new fangled that the mille goeth to wrack and customers begyn to mislyke and forsake it, which hynder our living and discontinew it.

I wyll cause HumphreyFootnote ⁸⁸⁸ to be paid as yow order with Crossby. Surely set a syde my poore mortmain; but 200 li or little above. A small portion for my continuance. I thank the Lord ^for all.^ Spending mony goeth but from hande to mowth as they say with me. I gave your brother at twyse 25 li for his paling,Footnote ⁸⁸⁹ the rather to chere him since he had nothing of me. Crossby towlde me he looked very ill; he thowght he taketh styll inwarde greff I feare.Footnote ⁸⁹⁰ It may hinder his health herafter. Cownsell to be godly wyse ^fyrst^ and wyse for him selff too; and both of yow looke to your expences in tyme and oversee those yow trust how trustely, for I tell yow plainly it hath ben ^long^ commonly observed that both your servants are full of mony.

My Lord Cheff Baron's mariag with your syster I never eny inkling of before Crossby towlde.Footnote ⁸⁹¹ I pray at leasure wryte to me some circumstances of the maner and God bless it. I sende Wynter purposely becawse yow shulde not sende your boy.

Gorhambury penultimo Julii.Footnote ⁸⁹²

Mater tua,Footnote ⁸⁹³ AB.

Nobody but your selff see my lettres, I pray yow.

[Left-hand margin] After harvest, some venison wolde do well here. God bless yow dayly with goode encreases.

139. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 2 August 1595

Holograph. LPL 653, fos 323r–324v. 2pp.

Endorsed (fo. 324v): lettre de Madame

Addressed (fo. 324v): My sonnes both

Sonne I had thowght to have sent unto yow on Fryday, yf your man had not come yesternight. The goode cawse was to know whether Mr Wyborn may be welcome to do goode unto my sonnes, living with owt publyck ministery and private and holsom conference to styrr yow upp to remember the Lorde, and serve him cheffely with yours. The other cawses were too. I have hard since I saw yow that yow have an issue abowt your shoulder or arme, wherof I was sory, as dangerous to beginn and more to shutte ^upp^. I never harde Mr SmythFootnote ⁸⁹⁴ speak of it, and to use ArcheloeFootnote ⁸⁹⁵ alone in such a case I feare is not saff for yow. He is very adventurous to promyss and very often his cownsell ^and warrant^ fownd nowght. God geve yow goode of your fysychFootnote ⁸⁹⁶ and to be wyse for your selff and send yow no nede of it with God's helping ^healing^ hande.

The last I have lately upon occasion harde that yow labour much for that Wolworth fellow, Lawson, and that by therle of Es[sex]. Yt were wysdome, I think, to use his favour in goode and pertinent matters for your selffs and your own farthering, and not to be teadious or overbowlde for such base personns, howsoever overvalyng yow, and ^who wyll^ to convey from yow your estimation for his own, which he hath already and wyll more doe as yow enable him.Footnote ⁸⁹⁷ Trust to that when the foxe seeth his opportunitee by your footing. Do not hinder your health and spend your goode tyme in discoorsing and yow and your brother, specially yow, be still occupied and entangled with state and wordelyFootnote ⁸⁹⁸ matters above your calling, to make yow the more unfit to be employed and then your gyfts phiynFootnote ⁸⁹⁹ appere to your own credit. Exercise your selff in the knowledg of holy and profitable things to please God, and then men, and now that yow have a coople of subtill renoldes ^raynoles Footnote ⁹⁰⁰ Standon and he^ to besett yow. I humbly besech the Lorde yow may escape all their snarings and God encrease your health with his favour.

A few plumms draweth much here; peares not ripe nor goode.

Valete in Domino Jesu Christo.Footnote ⁹⁰¹

AB.

Gorhambury ii August v.

140. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 5 August 1595

Holograph. LPL 651, fos 328r–329v. 2pp.

Endorsed (fo. 329v): De Madame le 7 d’aoust 1595

Addressed (fo. 329v): To my sonne Mr Bacon

For your bottles, I thank yow. The malmesyFootnote ⁹⁰² I tasted a litle; very good. Humphrey shall, God wyllingly, be answerd but with a syght of his reconing; he asketh for 20 neats towngsFootnote ⁹⁰³ at once, not very seldome neyther.Footnote ⁹⁰⁴ For Mr Barbar, Crossby wyll go with in these 3 dayes to kepe your credit with him and such is a veri Christian duty. Owe nothing to eny sayth the Lorde in his worde, but to love one another.Footnote ⁹⁰⁵ I wolde I were able to helpe yow both owt of dett, but set a part my poore mortmein which I certeinly have vowed, for eny Dei gratia Footnote ⁹⁰⁶ I am not worth one C li. Yee and specially yow have spent me qwick. Nothing can therfore remain after I am dead. God bless yow. I had not sent now but for this cawse. By your message by Wynter the two cowntisses, systers,Footnote ⁹⁰⁷ wyll neighbour yow. Both ladies that feare God and love his worde in dede zealously, specially the yownger syster. Yet upon advise and some experience, few I wolde earnestly cownsell yow to be ware and circumspect and not be too open nor wylling to prolong speche wth the cowntess of Warwick. She after her father's fashion wyll search and sownd and lay upp with diligent marking quae nec sentiu[n]tur aulica prope ad Reginam, et patrissat in illa re nimis. Hac causa nunc scribendi. Footnote ⁹⁰⁸

Another matter is that now the mariag of your syster is well by God his appointment I trust. Use not such ^brode^ langeges of ^upon^ mislyke of unkindness; your men and others yow peradventure yow mark not may hurt yow very much. Surely yf such phrase as yow wrote in your lettre or such deriding shulde come to his eare it wolde be very hurtfull to yow more then one way, which yow nede not being never abroad amongst them. Your syster's nature is but unkinde and at that tyme of her mariage cowlde not her selff think of such things. I pray harken to him with all curtesy. He is of marvelous goode estimation for his religious minde in following his law calling upprightly. Cave igitur a verbis et factis et sermonibus in mensa coram. Vix illi fides in servis. Footnote ⁹⁰⁹ I write more herof becawse others write your lettres and not your selff. I am sory your brother with inwarde secret greeff hindreth his health. Every body sayth he loketh thine and pale. Let him looke to God and confere with him in godly exercyse of hearing ^and reading^ and contemn to be noted to take care. I had rather yee both with God his blessed favour had veri goode health and well owt of debt, then eny offyce yet; thowgh the Εαρλε Footnote ⁹¹⁰ shewed great affection, he marred all with violent coorses. I pray God encrease his feare in his hart and a hatred of synn in deed; halting before the Lorde and backslyding are very pernitious. I am hartely sory to heare how he sweareth and gameth unreasonably.Footnote ⁹¹¹ God can not lyke it. I pray shew your brother this lettre, but ^to^ no creature elce. Memento mei et tui. Footnote ⁹¹²

AB mater tua. Footnote ⁹¹³

[Left-hand margin] Gorhambury 5th August 95. With a humble hart before God, lett your brother be ^of^ good chere. Alas, what excess of bucks at Grayse's Inne and to feast it so on the Sabbath. God forgive and have mercy upon England.

141. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 15 August 1595

Holograph. LPL 651, fos 330r–331v. 2pp.

Endorsed (fo. 331v): De Madame le 15me d’aoust 1595

Addressed (fo. 331v): To my sonne Mr Anthony Bacon

I besech God his blessing may foloww yow and be upon yow whereever yow go. The cownsell to part with that London howse so well agred and ^made^ necessary was more cunning then ment for your goode, being gowty as yow be, but yow nimis Footnote ⁹¹⁴ in such ^were things^ to your great hurt, credulous suffer wyllingly your self to be abused. God open your understanding both inwarde and owtwarde. For thother place, thowgh honorably offred, crede mihi fili Footnote ⁹¹⁵ yow shall fynde many inconveniences not lyght.Footnote ⁹¹⁶ Envy, emulation, continuall and unseasonable disqwiett to encrease your gowt; many paynes, great urging for sutes, yea importune to troble thearle and your selff. Peradventure not so well lyked your selff there as in your own howse. What, others allready offended not small ones, may mark and laye upp, I feare, having as yow have working heads abowt yow, some encrease of suspition and disagreement which may hurt yow privetly, yf not publikly, or both by all lykeliods.Footnote ⁹¹⁷ These so tykleFootnote ⁹¹⁸ tymes the Lord healpe. ^And^ I have not ^mentioned^ before your unavoydable cause of expence. The maner of your removes have and go to my hart and surely penitebit te, expertus te malo timeo,Footnote ⁹¹⁹ besydes your stuff spoyled and lost and many by incommoditees.

I thank yow for your ment venison. It wylbe but troblesome to yow and chargable to me. Mony is gon with me and I am but syckly and sadd.

I commende yow to the grace of God and to goode health every way.

Gorhambury 15 August 95. καλωσ φερε. και σοφοσ εστω εν καιρω. Footnote ⁹²⁰

Mater tua pia,Footnote ⁹²¹

AB.

142. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 20 August 1595

Holograph. LPL 651, fos 326r–327v. 2pp.

Endorsed (fo. 327v): De Madame le 21me d’aoust 1595

Addressed (fo. 327v): To my sonne Mr Anthony Bacon

I pray God yow have throwghly premeditateFootnote ⁹²² and his goodness was the best resolution for yow, but I cannot put the troble, some feare, owt of my mynde yet. I am on auncient experience non in obscuris locis sed in principum aulis ab adoless^cencia^.Footnote ⁹²³ ii verses have come to my remembrance thinking of your purpose, long forgotten but now fresh. The one rather a ^proverbiall^ cownsel then a verse, which is as I have sene it by ^fyrst^ syllable onely sett down thus. Ni= Fa= pa= con=;Footnote ⁹²⁴adde ^prima^ mia, ^seconda^ miliaritas, ^tertia^ rit, ^quarta^ temptum Footnote ⁹²⁵ which hole joined together to returne longum usus rerum docuit et docebit.Footnote ⁹²⁶ The verse is dulcis inexperto cultura potentis amici.Footnote ⁹²⁷ Yow have hetherto ben estemed as a worthy frende, now shalbe accownted his folower; a base kinde of goode wyll ^and speech^. Before his servants did regarde yow; now yow must respect and be in their danger to your comber and charg ^and care^ to please. Every thing yow do shalbe spoken and noted abroad and yourself browght as it were into a kinde of bondag where now yet free. Many, many wylbe the unqwiet and hurtfull molestations. But I wyll make my moane unto the Lorde in whose mercy is my onely comfort and trust, who bles yow and gwyde yow in all things.

The last Sabbath as I was past the block going to the church, a man of Mr Thomas Sadler,Footnote ⁹²⁸ he sayde, mett me and

[Left-hand margin] tolde my men he had venison from his master for me, which I sent home with my cooke b[y the] party. It is very goode flesh and fayre kylled. I thank yow and him too.

[fo. 326v] Yow were before nere the French church;Footnote ⁹²⁹ now uncertein but to knitt upp this greff. ^For^ I mean no more of this to yow but to the Lorde God. It may be my Lady and her ^Ladie^ motherFootnote ⁹³⁰ may think some whatt of it. Vale.Footnote ⁹³¹

Your horse sent upp is in so goode lyking that two of your men's jorneing wyll utterly spoyle the beas[t]. Your want of health spoyles yow many wayes. Pray for encrease of grace and health and use all goode means in due season, specially your naturall rest and due diett, with exrcising the legges and lymmes. Late suppers and late rest tak[ing] fomenta podagrae cum sociis eius nocivis.Footnote ⁹³²

Gorhambury 19 ^20^ August.

Mater tua,Footnote ⁹³³ AB.

Tewsday.Footnote ⁹³⁴

I send x pigeons to yow, taken some yesterday, some this morning. As many to your brother so.

Standen being there and Lawson and such, yow verely wilbe cownted a practiser and more mislyked and ^suspected^. God kepe yow ^saff^ from Spanish subteltyes and popery and και μητερα quoque.Footnote ⁹³⁵ןמאFootnote ⁹³⁶

143. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, September 1595

Holograph. LPL 652, fo. 20r–v. 1p. Damaged.

Endorsed (fo. 20v): De Madame mere de Monsieur le mois de septembre 1595

I sende yow 4 trowts and a pickrellFootnote ⁹³⁷ owt of the river taken in hast, sent in hast and this written in hast. Trowts must be boyled as soone as possible because they say a faynt harted fysh. Let your cooke dress them presently; the viii of the clock before this messenger, vicinus,Footnote ⁹³⁸ come to your howse.

Large chydes Crosby I never ment before the next yere yf I lived. He wyll spoyle yowng Cresdon wood with his care, which in the nights er now hath had iii or 4 heads. I can not so sodenly put by Thomas Knight, who I am sure wyll looke to the yowng spring honestly and ^increase ren[t]^. Larg is a whyning and crafty fellow. Nether did Fynch gon nor Crosby now, thowgh I have mislyked his often moving me herin, bring me to theire beck in things to your hurt and myne. Bene vale. Footnote ⁹³⁹

The BisshopFootnote ⁹⁴⁰ is a grave and comely man and surely became his ^place^ well, thowgh επισκοπαλλ,Footnote ⁹⁴¹ and is learned. He used me courtiously and Mr CookFootnote ⁹⁴² and Mr Wyblud comfortably. Cura et valeas.Footnote ⁹⁴³

Thursday onFootnote ⁹⁴⁴ of clock post meridie,Footnote ⁹⁴⁵ AB.

144. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 9 October 1595

Holograph. LPL 652, fo. 129r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 129v): De Madame le 9me d’octobre 1595 /Le Madame mere de Monsieur le mois d’octobre 1595.

Grace and health.

Lately by reason of my back payn and some things elce ^sending to the coort^, my Lady StaffordFootnote ⁹⁴⁶ sent me word that her Majesti marveled yow came not to see her being now so longe a tyme and wylled my messenger so ^to^ tell me from her and to advyse yow to think well of it at her Majestie's remove to Richmont,Footnote ⁹⁴⁷ which I do now. God geve yow ableness ^to^ and all good duties when it may please God that yow go; were no eny lyke wyse losse ruffs.Footnote ⁹⁴⁸ Your brother's here I lyked no thing. De gesta coram illa satis scis, caute tamen cum officio et prudenter in vestitu ut unus gallice nunc parum ut potes per frigus, verum hac tibi relinquo, et te dei benignitati. Footnote ⁹⁴⁹

I send yow xii pigeons and a pullett. DawysFootnote ⁹⁵⁰ browght me a few grapes; the poorest and the sowrest. Not worth the sending a bushe. I sende yow also a pigg and a pullett sent me by Cattlin's wyffe becawse I stayed her husbande from going forth a soldiour. I thanks Thomas Brockett and loke yow, I pray, for me in that and other curteyses. Περι πραγματων του αδελφου ουδεν ακουω. Μηδεν ειπης περι αυτου ενοπιον των θεραποντων σου αξιω σε. Footnote ⁹⁵¹

I sende your brother xii pigeons and a pullet. Geve ουιντερ Footnote ⁹⁵² but reasonably. Cura ut bene valeas sede dormito tempestive. Alioqui certus frustra.Footnote ⁹⁵³ Yf now I had not great regarde of my diet and rest time I shulde be payned miserably.

Your mother, ABacon.

But syns by the mercy of the Lorde I live yett lenger, I wyll wayte to follow his goode wyll and procure as litle encrease of payn as I may, that my lyffe may be comfortable to my selff and someway profitable to other by his grace. Iterum vale et sis memor κυριασ σταφυρδ.Footnote ⁹⁵⁴

Gorhambury 9 October.

Yf Woodwarde ^come again,^ enterteyn him not. He lately waxed bragg and nowght ^I much dowt^ and cunningly got mony of yow by mocking me. Let him walk lyke a unconstant varlett.

145. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 21 October 1595

Holograph. LPL 652, fos 128r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 128v): De Madame de 20 l’octobre 1595.

Addressed (fo. 128v): To my sonne Mr Anthony Bacon

Since it so pleaseth God, comfort one brother kindely and Christianly and let me, mother, and yow both, my sonns, look upp to the correcting hand of God in your wants every way, with humble harts before him and with comfort and procure your health by goode means carefully. Yf I did not warely sustinere et abstinere,Footnote ⁹⁵⁵ I shulde lyve in continuall payn pitifully. For set syckness to speak of I have not now, I thank God, but very combersom, troblous accidents to kepe [m]e to exercise mortification. ^Remember^ her Majestie is, they saye, now at Richmount. God preserve her from all evell and rule her ^hart^ to the zeallus setting forth of his glory; want of this zeale in all degrees is the very grownde of our home trobles. We have all dalied with the Lorde, who wyll not ever ^suffer him selff^ be mocked. I send yow xii pigeons, my last flight, and one ring doveFootnote ⁹⁵⁶ besyde and a black conyFootnote ⁹⁵⁷ taken by Thomas Knight this day and pigeons too ^hodie^.Footnote ⁹⁵⁸ Lawrence can tell yow my Lady Stafford's spech ^was^ of yow, as she hath harde from her Majestie, marveling yow came not to see her in so long space; consider well and wysely. For I sent him ^to her^ to know of her Majestie's goode estate ^to Nonsuch,^Footnote ⁹⁵⁹ according to my dutie and to Mr Dr Smyth. He cam not home by London as I bad him.

Do what yow may for health pie et diligenter,Footnote ⁹⁶⁰ owt of qwestion where yow be yow must nedes disorder your tymes of diet and qwiet, want of which wyll styll kepe yow in lame and uncomfortable. I heare the Κυριος Ὁουαρδ Footnote ⁹⁶¹ is nimis sepe apud te.Footnote ⁹⁶² He is subtiliter subdolus.Footnote ⁹⁶³Cave et cave Footnote ⁹⁶⁴ to burn this. The Lorde of heaven bless yow from heaven in Christ ^our Lorde and hope^.

Gorhambury 21 October. Mater tua,Footnote ⁹⁶⁵ AB.Burn, I pray, but rede well fyrst.

146. Anne Bacon to Robert Devereux, earl of Essex, 23 December [1595]Footnote ⁹⁶⁶

Holograph. CP 128/68. 2pp.

Addressed: Ad comitem Essexiae magnatem eximium Footnote ⁹⁶⁷

σῳ Θεῳ και ενώπιον του Θεου μονου. Footnote ⁹⁶⁸

I crave leave and also pardon, my speciall goode Lord, for uttering my unfained Christian affection to your Honour, worthie Honour, in this simple maner which much rather I wolde have done by humble speache, yf my health and access to your own person myght conveniently have concurred. Therefore now this upon it is my goode Lorde I was moved to be thus bowlde. Lately in a place of a preching minist^ery^ in the citie freqwented as I may and the lecture finished, I sayde to a cowrte frend of mine a parte, one I am sure must and doth love yow well and then was there, ‘I wysh many times’, quod I, ‘that her Majestie's selff did heare such wholsome and frutfull doctrine as we do heare and enjoy under her.’ ‘That were’, quod they, ‘happiest for her and comfortable to us all.’ ‘Surely,’ quod I, ‘her want theroff and also of catechising in that high place causeth great want of the right knowledg of synne and therby great carelessnes for synne. Yet is there one noble man that in his yowth doth remember his creator and loveth both the worde of God and goode preachers and goeth beyond his ancients in avoiding swearing and gaming with such common corruptions there.’ ‘Whome mean yow’, inquit.Footnote ⁹⁶⁹ ‘Even one’, inquam,Footnote ⁹⁷⁰ ‘To whome I am so much bownde that I owe to wysh him dayly encrease of godlines, with blessed success in his worldely state’, and named indede the Εαρλε of Εσσεξ. Footnote ⁹⁷¹ ‘Is it he yow meane’, inquit, ‘wolde to God he did so. But he sweareth as much as others.’ ‘Wo, I am for it, sory,’ inquam, ‘I am to heare it, but yet I trust not ordinarily, nor great greavous othes.’Footnote ⁹⁷² ‘Alas,’ inquit, ‘He is a terrible swearer’, which words me thowght stroke my hart in respect of the Εαρλε. ‘Loe’, inquam, ‘The hurt of no catechising in coorte. For by expownding well the law and commandments of God, sinne is layde open and disclosed to the hearers and worketh in them by God his spirit more hatred of evell and checketh our pronnessFootnote ⁹⁷³ naturall, to all synn. By the lack wheroff, even our cownsellors, both owlde and yowng, are pitifully infected with that contagion to their own danger and lamentable example of others, what degree so ^ever^.’ And so we parted, which God redress it ^wyth^ mercy cheffly there and elcewhere. I besech yow, my goode Lord, let not this my mention^ing^ of religiouslyke talk after a religious exercyse offende yow, nor ^provoke yow^ to caste in undeserved displeasure who the other party shulde be. It may be the Lorde God wolde have yow know it ^the mater^, thowgh by such a poore weake meanes as this is.Footnote ⁹⁷⁴

For I protest to your Honour that those words (‘a terrible swearer’) did so terrefye me in your behalff, whose godly encreasinge a nomber fearing God do hartely desyre, that my mynde cowlde not be well qwieted, till I had committed ^it^ thus in scribling to your Honour, my deere Lorde, and licence me, I pray yow withall, to add these few textes for your remembrance, being diverse wayes drawn to forgett:

The fyrst is the charge the Lorde him selff joyneth with his own commandement that he wyll not holde him gyltless that takes his name in vain.Footnote ⁹⁷⁵ Our Saviour Christ also byddeth, ‘Sweare not at all’ Mathew 5,Footnote ⁹⁷⁶cum Footnote ⁹⁷⁷ the apostle James teacheth sayeng, ‘Above all things, my brethren, sweare not’ 5,Footnote ⁹⁷⁸cum the prophet Hoseas, soare accusing that people in his time that by many horrible vices they brake owt, at the fyrst front nameth by swearing &c cap. 3.ii.Footnote ⁹⁷⁹ To conclude with the profecte Jeremye cap. 23, he complayneth saying to that people, the Jewes, ‘The lande’, sayth he, ‘is full of adulterers and by reason of oathes the lande morneth.’Footnote ⁹⁸⁰

I humbly desyre yow, my Lorde, not to note in me presumption for this, but, as the Lorde knoweth, ^of^ a super abowndant care that yow may please God and prosper in all goode things. For so yow have geven ^me^ cause in my deerest, who neyther are, nor never shalbe made prevy of this my doing, ner eny other whatsoever, by the grace of Allmighty God, shalbe. For, for your owne sake alone, and before the Lorde God alone, this I do in singleness of hart. I pray your Honour to accept it so and to use me so in silence and ^secrecy^, I pray yow hartely. I besech God to multiply his graces continually upon ^in^ yowr selff and upon your posteritee, his manifold blessings to grow upp as plants of rightousness, in the howse of the Lorde and to the honour of this their cowntry.

As my state of body ^is able^, so my scribling thus weak and blurred, unworthy your vew and troble to reade in so many carefull affayres, wherin the Lorde ever gwyde yow with his holy spirit. Fare yow well, my singuler goode Lord, it may be for ever. For thowgh I yet lyve, I feele sondry yll encombrance post nuper febrem quartanam in languescente corpore.Footnote ⁹⁸¹ But I endevour to wayte upon Christ, my saving health and hope. From the confines of ruinated Verulam.Footnote ⁹⁸²

23 Δεκεμβερ.Footnote ⁹⁸³εν χριστω א ב ανανδρῳ.Footnote ⁹⁸⁴

147. Anthony Bacon to Anne Bacon, 20 April 1596

Draft. LPL 656, fo. 262r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 262v): A Madame le 20me d’avril 1596

Madame,

I most humblie thanke your Ladishipp for your dainteyes, which though I dare not taste my selfe by reason of my diett, yett shall they be better imployed.

The losse of CalesFootnote ⁹⁸⁵ is to trew, whereby the enemy no doubt is wonderfullie puft upp to a most insolent pride and presumptuous hopes to annoy anFootnote ⁹⁸⁶ infest continuallie this state. The Duke of Bouillon,Footnote ⁹⁸⁷ heretofore called the viscount of Tureines, is come hither with verie lardge power and authoritie to treat and conclude for the French King's parte a straict league offensive and defensive betwixt the Queen's Majestie, the French king, the king of Scots, his brother the king of Denmarke, and the states of the Low Cuntries. This nobleman, the Duke, since his comming into England is fallen sick of an ague so that as yett he hath had no audience of her Majestie and this day hath vouchsafed, ^my Lord of Essex being absent^, to send for my coche to transport him from Billingsgate to a faire howse in Fanchurchstreet, where my Lord Tresurer is to visite him this day.

For the band wherin it pleased your Ladyshipp to stand bound with me, I have dew remembrance and care thereof. My brother hath within this seven nights spoken twise with her Majestie a full hower each time, whome she used at both times with grace and trust and sent me comfortable speches that she did remember me, trust me and would give me, ^soner then perhaps I loked for^, good proofe thereof.

Thus your Ladyshipp sees that ^though^ loyalltie, patience and diligence may for a time be shadowed and disgracdeFootnote ⁹⁸⁸ by malice and envie, yett it pleaseth God, the aucthor of them founteines of all goodnes by his extraordinarie power, to make ^sometimes^ them shine to the Prince's eyes through the darkest mistes of cunning and misreportes. And so I most humblie take my leave.

148. Anne Bacon to Francis Goad, 27 April 1596

Holograph. LPL 656, fos 319r–320v. 2pp.

Endorsed (fo. 320v): De Madame Bacon a Monsieur Goad le 28me l’avril 1596

Addressed (fo. 320v): To Mr Goade, a Christian Captain

Mr Goade,

Yf I had ben able ^and not so late^ I wolde have gon a litle of the way to Essex HowseFootnote ⁹⁸⁹ with ^yow^ and so have byd yow fare well. As it is the dutye of all which love unfaynedly the glorie of God and the happy continuance of our Prince and ^of our^ deere cowntry, thowgh long tyme unthankfull, and presumptously sininng against our most loving God, and styll wayting for our conversion. So have I besydes ^a^ peculier just cawse to crave of the Lorde God, a speciall care of his fatherly protection of that noble valiant and religious Earle,Footnote ⁹⁹⁰ singuler goode Lorde to me in myne. And becawse I can by none other meanes, I from my very hart besech the blessed God to sende unto him all those blessings pronownced by God to be upon them that love and feare him, both when he goeth owt, and whylest he is abroad, and at ^and after^ his retorne home. And that his gratious favour, mercy and truth may ever preserve him and prosper him with his hole charge and putt his strength into them for his own glory and great name ^sake^ and for our Lord and Saviour Christ's sake.

Amen.

It ^is^ written, as I remember, Mr Goade, in Alexander, the great history, that thowgh he were but yowng, yet he so sett forth with his army, that after he was owt of his own cowntry and pittched his campe in another lande, the inhabitance there marvelled and ^sayde that^ his army was more lyke to a senate then to a campe of warriours, so good was his conduct and their behavour for all they were chosen solidiours.Footnote ⁹⁹¹ Now I trust, Mr Goade, that yea ^Christian^ capitains under the ministery ^of the gospell^, fyghting under Christ's banner for the defence of the gospell, wyll astonish much more the wycked miscreant enemies with your godly and tru Christian valliancy, abandoning blasphemy, swearing and cursed gaming, ^a fowle cheff and robber^ from among yow. That as it pleaseth ^the Lord him selff^ to say to his people, charging them to avoyd sinn and ungodliness, ‘That I’, sayth God, ‘May walk among yow and be in the middest of yow to defend yow’.Footnote ⁹⁹² I write this hartely, thowgh bowldely, and pray the Lorde to gwyde that worthy Earle, your grawnd worthy, and to prosper him and to preserve him formFootnote ⁹⁹³ all treacheries and from all maner evell, and be his continuall cownsellour and comfort and I pray yow humbly commend ^me^ to his goode Lordship.

[Left-hand margin] Fare yow well in the Lorde, vel peri multo.Footnote ⁹⁹⁴ 27 Aprilis. 96. A.B.

149. Anthony Bacon to Anne Bacon, 31 May 1596

Draft. LPL 657, fo. 15r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 15v): A Madame Bacon le 31me de may 1596

Madam, my most humble dutie remembred.

May it please your Ladyshipp to be advertised. Having intreated my good freind Mr Crew to make a stepp downe to Gorhamburie to peruse and bring me certaine evidences, I thought it my part first to advertise your Ladiship thereof and to know your plesure when the gentleman may ^might^ come, which the soner it may ^be^ the better, for my busines depending thereuppon. To that ^this^ purpose I have sent this bearer ^as allso cause^ to bring upp 2 gellding for him and his man LosFootnote ⁹⁹⁵ and my Galleway nagg ^to be brought^ for him and his man. And so I hope most humblie take my leave.

150. Anthony Bacon to Anne Bacon, 6 June 1596

Draft; second hand for ‘Your Ladyship's in all filiall duties’. LPL 656, fo. 257r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 257v): Le Madame le 6me de juin 1596

Madame,

As from a mother sicklie and in yeares, I am content to take in good parte anie misconceite, misimputatione or causeles humorous threates whatsoever, onlie this I maie withe reason and must for mine upon the warrant of a good conscience remonstrate unto your Ladyship, that your sonne's poore credite dependethe uppon judgement and not uppon humour; and that your Ladyship cannot utter anie thinge in your passion to your sonne's lacke, so longe as God gives him the grace to be more carefull in dutie to please and reverence your Ladyship as his mother, then your Ladyship seemethe manie times to be towardes me as your sonn, and so I beseche God to preserve your Ladyship.

Your Ladyship's in all filiall duties.

151. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 18 June 1596

Holograph. LPL 657, fos 168r–169v. 2pp. Very faded.

Endorsed (fo. 169v): De Madame Ann Bacon le mois de juni 1596

By the goode hand of the Lorde, I am come well to Gorhambury where I fynde my howsholde well and in goode order, I thank God. My syster, my Lady Russell’sFootnote ⁹⁹⁶ coch is far easyer then ether of yours and her man, a comely man withall, dyd it with care and very wel, and your brother's footeman did very diligently go by me. Here be no straburieFootnote ⁹⁹⁷ nor fysh to send and for bere, sonne, I have none ordinary under 2 weeks at lest, above a monetFootnote ⁹⁹⁸ brued the fyrst week of May, which now caried after so long settling and in the heat of summer must nede be spoyled, which were great pitie this darthFootnote ⁹⁹⁹ tyme. Truli, sonne, as yet I know not when to brue by my provision, not this ii weeks at least, as well as for vessells. I have teerceFootnote ¹⁰⁰⁰ of last March beere, but surely being yet unrype and caried this heat it wyll be utterly marred.

Payeng Mr Moorer's byll for my physick, I asked him whether yow did owe eny thing for physick. He sayd he had not reconed with since MichaellFootnote ¹⁰⁰¹ last. ‘Alas, why so long?’, inquam.Footnote ¹⁰⁰² I think I sayde farther ‘it can be muted’, for he hath his confectio[ns] from strangers, and to tell yow truly, I bad him secretly send his byll, which he semed loth but at my pressing, when I saw it came to above xv li or xvi li. Yf it had ben but vi or vii, I wold have made some shyft to pay. I towlde him I wolde say nothing to yow becawse hee was so unwylling. It may be he wolde take halff willingly, becawse ‘ready mony made ^all weies^ a conning potecary’,Footnote ¹⁰⁰³ sayde covetous MorganFootnote ¹⁰⁰⁴ as his proverbe.

For Large, I cannot tell what yow wolde have me do for him. He fynds I do not recompence evell with evell. I have at tymes geven him, he knoweth, but he is but whyning and a companion to much with nawghty Gooderam, thowgh not at Redborn, but to his hurt. Let him ply his labours in God his name and not a busy body and secret qwarell pikar,Footnote ¹⁰⁰⁵ as he is partly suspected. I use charite to him, thowgh I lyke not his crafty soothing nature. With thanks forFootnote ¹⁰⁰⁶ your horse. I besech, heade all your infirmities

[Left-hand margin] to your comfort. Be jelous over your health. Intempestive horae occidant.Footnote ¹⁰⁰⁷

Gorhambury 18 June.

Vale. Mater tua,Footnote ¹⁰⁰⁸ ABacon.

152. Anthony Bacon to Anne Bacon, 23 June 1596

Draft. LPL 657, fo. 148r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 148v): Le Madame le 23me de juin 1596

Madam, my dutie most humblie remembred.

May it please your Ladishipp to beleive that my silence to your last lettre proceded rather of a respective forbearance to charge or importune your Ladyship, then any unthankfullnes or careles regard of your ^Ladiship’s^ kindnes; the ^first^, God be thanked, possessing ^continually^ my minde, as much as the last, hath allwayes bene farre from me, assuring your Ladishipp that a kind, motherlie, free affection hath and shall allwayes ^ever^ carrie his full weight and due affirmation in my heart, referring unto your Ladiship's good will and pleasure what yow may spare to Mr Morer, who shallbe honestlie satisfied of the rest.

I most humblie thanke your Ladiship for your beare, not onlie for my selfe but in my cosen Bacon’sFootnote ¹⁰⁰⁹ behalfe, who I hope shall employ ^spend^ ^himselfe^, or cause to be employed uppon his spetiall frends that visite him, the 2 thirds of it.

I may not omitt with your Ladiship's good leave to certefie yow ^how^ unspeakeably my cosen is retorned cheared and satisfied with your Ladiship's honorable kindnes, which I know will ^not onlie^ confirme and seale that which is past betwixt him and me but being forty new effects in my cosen's mind, according to my occasions and his abilitie, and therfore, as in dewtie I ought, I render your Ladiship ^likewise^ most humble thanks for the same. And so I beseech God to preserve your Ladiship.

Your Ladiship's most humble and dutifull sonne.

153. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 25 June 1596

Holograph. LPL 657, fo. 163r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 163v): De Madame Bacon le 25me de juni 1596

Of but halff a tonne I sende yow the best chosen hoggshed.Footnote ¹⁰¹⁰ There was a teerceFootnote ¹⁰¹¹ last torned of ^wyth^ the same last March beere but wanting much of full; I wolde not send that, dowting. The other vessell is the newest in my howse of ordinary beere but to yow and syck I wolde not have spared it, season of the yeare upon hay seele.Footnote ¹⁰¹² Care wolde be taken fyrst for the gentle and saff ^carieng and^ layeng it in the seller, becawse of the hoopes. Then that your March beere be in no wyse to soone broched before settlyng after cariag; I think not in a weeke at least. Thother ordinary after 4 or 5 days settlyng at the fyrst peercin broaching. It may seeme harsh, but well used after, better in drinking. I provided to have it caried immediately after the loading that it might take not hurt with stayeng by the way. The Lorde geving goode success, they wylbe at your loging by 8 or before 9 at least. Let it be attended upon. I sent warning by Rowland yf yow have eny swete empti vessells they shalbe welcom sentFootnote ¹⁰¹³ now. God and Father of our Lorde Jesus Christ, comfort and cownsell yow as his deare loved sonne in him and pray hartely dayly with reverence and understanding.

For the tyme abowt 4 of the clock a vehement glut of rayn, all my panns and other things wolde scant suffice to latch the rayn so very pouring down ^in^ every place. When I went but lately to London I saw all the gutters well clensed and the ponnes;Footnote ¹⁰¹⁴ twyse here a bryckleyer before Easter.

[Left-hand margin]

Goodeman Knite and Holt, who is from me alltogether, do join in carting, so I appointed them for more surtyFootnote ¹⁰¹⁵ and hasty spede. Yf they wyll have eny thing for their cariag, I wyll leave it yf yow geve them some small reward, other wyse I wyll not in ^dede^. Even now at 7 of the clock it thundreth and rayneth for all the former storme. Κυριε ελεησον.Footnote ¹⁰¹⁶

154. Anthony Bacon to Anne Bacon, 25 June 1596

Draft. LPL 657, fo. 145r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 145v): A Madame Bacon le 25me de juni 1596

Madame, my most humble dutie remembred.

I render your Ladiship most humble thanks for your vouchsafing me the ^better^ halfe of your Ladishipp's store of March beare, which shall not be brochedFootnote ¹⁰¹⁷ this fortnight monthe.

For the weather, it hath bene here lamentable, stormie and unkindly for the season, the changes whereof as they were used for threatnings by the prophettes in antient time so no dout but ^God graunt^ they ^may^ worke more in all good Christians minde amongst ^in^ us as due and timelie apprehension of God's hevie judgements, imminent over us, for the deep prophane securitie that rayneth to much amongs us.

I will be bould obiter Footnote ¹⁰¹⁸ to certefie your Ladishipp first, that newes arrived at the court yesterday that the French king and the king of Spain by the entermiseFootnote ¹⁰¹⁹ of a Florentine cardinall, sent into France of late from the Pope, have made a truce for 3 moneths.Footnote ¹⁰²⁰[. . .] Next, that the great Turke is for certaine on horseback him selfe with 200 000 men and likelie to be a hevie scorge to Christendome.Footnote ¹⁰²¹ To theis 2 generall points I will ad a particuler which I know your Ladishipp willbe content to heare for my spetiall good Lord of Essex his sake, ^whome God in his mercie guid and protect^, to witt that the Countesse of Northumberland,Footnote ¹⁰²²reputed allwayes

[fo. 145v] reputed a verie honorable vertuous Ladie, is brought to bede of a goodlie boy, ^who God graunt may resemble and inheritt as well his mother and his noble uncle, her ^^most^^ worthie brother's vertue, as his father's antient nobilitie^. And so with the remembrance of my most humble dutie and my cosen’s, I take my leave.

Your Ladishipp's most humble and obedient sonne.

155. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, [late June/early July 1596]Footnote ¹⁰²³

Holograph. LPL 653, fo. 325r–v. 1p. Damaged.

Endorsed (fo. 325v): lettre de Madame

I wolde see Mr Moorer's bill for this cawse. Me thinks xv li is a very great summ only for diett, drink and some few locull plasters. The man is veri honest and will be carefull both for the stuff and well doing. Yow shall do well not to ^have too^ much at once ^made^ ether to be cast away or taken not in season. Be not to busy with your eyes. I feare your diett drink is to strong and breedeth fumes. Be carefull [c]heffly for a religious mynde and use that phisick [and] then take goode care for your bodily health [t]hat yow may be now with God graceFootnote ¹⁰²⁴ ^to^ serve God, your prince and cowntry to your own and the goode of others.

God bless yow both. Be not styll in phisick nor temper not.

Your mother,

AB.

I am not loath to pay, specially him, but look yow the qwantitee be not much at once. It is the common maner of phisitions nimis.Footnote ¹⁰²⁵

156. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, [c.2] July 1596Footnote ¹⁰²⁶

Holograph. LPL 658, fos 30r–31v. 2pp.

Endorsed (fo. fo. 31v): De Madame Bacon le mois de juillet 1596

I wolde know by Mr Crosby how your caried bere proveth. For the ordinary ever this I think ^well^. Thother after a week or 10 days I take; aske advise of home bruyar. For Mr Moorer, nether came the speech of your physyck eny whyll of him selff, but onely of myne own selff upon payment of my last physick things. I asked when he last retorned and was paid from yow. He sayde, becawse I preased him to shew, ‘At Michaell tyde last,’ inquit.Footnote ¹⁰²⁷ Wher with I replied, somwhat offended with him, he differred so long for prises of such wares myght ryse more deere in that space and that it was ^crafty^ pollicie in your father's tyme of muck lover Morgan to shyft ever to bring in his reconing in order yf he looked for price rysing, but I kept him to it for all that his murmuring ^every^ quarterly, as I dyd generally for all payments being put in trust by your father. Wheroff, after his death, I humbly thank God for his grace directing me, much qwiet and good credit to your father was noted and noysed, yet Morgan wolde say that mony present made the best potecary. Yf yow see and syngFootnote ¹⁰²⁸ Mr Moorer's ^byll^, which he sayde, as I remember, came to 15 li, upon your hande, in part of payment I wyll sende x li, thowgh I promys yow I can but hardely spare it, my living now so abated as it is. But he must bring yow with all a discharg of his own hand and put so much owt of his book. What with last ii quarters' wages, your coale payment and now x li, besyde the woodds felled mony this yere all to yow, my sommer liveries, the butcher, the malt man, my physick ^to phisitian and potecary 20 marks (the physician all were farr at the coort^), and charges at London since the springe oneli, v li x s to Groome for your brother, and my howsehold charges, is above 220 li in mony layd owt. So that I can nott but be now but very scantly provide for sommer chargs, yf it please God I lyve. Crosby knowes well inowg.Footnote ¹⁰²⁹ The Lorde that geveth all freely make us goode stewards of his diverse gyfts and multiply his merits in yow, manyfold wayes to your much comfort. I thank for your lettre. I humbly besech God ^to^ defende ^from all trechery and to^ geve goode success to the Earle and all his army ^power^.Footnote ¹⁰³⁰Cura diligenter ut valeas. Footnote ¹⁰³¹

AB.

157. Anthony Bacon to Anne Bacon, 2 July 1596

Draft. LPL 658, fo. 3r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 3v): A Madame le 2me de juillet 1596

Madam, my dutie most humblie remembred.

So sone as I have sett a broch ether of those vessells it plesed your Ladyship to send me, I will not faile to advertise your Ladyship how I find them.

Touching Mr Morer, he himselfe after the 10 li receved from your Ladyship for part of payment of my dett, came and tould me that he had rased out so much out of his booke ^and a receipt signd with his owne hand^ for them, which I render your Ladyship most humble thanks, beseching your Ladyship to give me leave to observe but a little parenthesis in your Ladyship's lettre, where it pleges yow to specefie your charges, sayin amo saying that amongst them their were but 5 li 10 s to Grome for my brother. My meaning and desire in observing those words is onlie that your Ladyship may rest assured by mine owne sincere assertion that what soever your Ladyship hath or shallbe able and willing to spare to my brother hath bene and shallbe acceptable to my selfe, who I thanke God have ^hitherto^ allwayes, and wil by the assistance of his grace I hope shall alwayes, have a brotherlie feling and simpathy, aswell both of his good and furtherances, as allsoe of his harmes and hinderances.

For newes may it please your Ladyship to be advertised that the Duke of Bouillon's returne is now in parle Footnote ¹⁰³² and, in exchange of him, the Earle of Shrousberye's imployment to the French king, who is very much wrought and sought unto by the Pope Spanish faction to breake of the treatie latelie begonne with her Majesty,Footnote ¹⁰³³ who ^hath^ receved lettres from the worthy Earle and my Lord Admirall dated the xx of the last moneth atesting, that ther was helth ^by God’s^

[fo. 3v] with thankfullnes to God, that there was helth under order and courage amongst them, which God in his mercie continew.Footnote ¹⁰³⁴ And so I most humblie take my leave.

158. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 10 July 1596

Holograph. LPL 658, fos 28r–29v. 2pp.

Endorsed (fo. 29v): De Madame le 13me le juillet 1596

Now that Sir Robert is fully stalled in his long longed for secrettary place, I pray God geve him a religious, wyse and an upright hart befor God and man.Footnote ¹⁰³⁵ I promiss yow, sonne, in my ^conjectural^ opinion, yow had more nede now to be circumspect and advised in your troblelous discoorsings and doings and dealings in your accustomed matters, ether with or for yourselff or others whome yow hartley honour, nec sine causa.Footnote ¹⁰³⁶ He now hath great avantage and strength to intercept, prevent and to toy where he hath ben or is in, sonne, be it emulation or suspicion, yow know what termes he standeth in towarde your self and wold nede have me tell yow so, so very vehement heeFootnote ¹⁰³⁷ was then. Yow are sayde to be wyse, and to my comfort I willingly thynk so, but surely, sonne, on thother syde for want of home experience by action and your teadious unaqwaintance for your ^own^ cowntry by ^continuall^ chamber and bedkeeping, yow must nedes myss of considerate judgement in your verball onely travayling. Yf all were scant sownde before betwixt the Εαρλ Footnote ¹⁰³⁸ and him, frends had nede to walk more warely in his diebus Footnote ¹⁰³⁹ for all doing elce ^may^ hurt, thowgh pretending goode. The father and sonne are ^affectionate^, joyned in power and policy.Footnote ¹⁰⁴⁰

The Lorde ever bles yow in Christ. Still I harken for Yates, I dowt somebody hindreth his comming to me. It were small matter to come speake with me. Yow know what yow have to ^do in^ regard towching the Spaniard.Footnote ¹⁰⁴¹ I reak not his displeasure. God graunt he marr not all at last with Spanish popish sutellty.

Alas, what I wrote towching the poor summ of 5 li to your brother, I ment ^but^ to lett yow know plainly. I wolde rather norish then eny litle way weaken nere brotherly love as appereth manifestly to yow both. God forbyd but that yee shulde allways love hartley invicem Footnote ¹⁰⁴² and kindely. God commandeth love as brethern,Footnote ¹⁰⁴³ besyde ^a^ bonde of nature. This pescod tymeFootnote ¹⁰⁴⁴ but bruing but hasty and somer drinking. In truth, yf I shuld purposely make a teerseFootnote ¹⁰⁴⁵ somewhat strong for yow, I know not yow have it caried throwg; yt were pitie that yow and I both shuld be disapointed. Annona cur[a].Footnote ¹⁰⁴⁶

Burn, burn in eny wyse. 10 Julii. AB.

159. Anthony Bacon to Anne Bacon, 13 July 1596

Draft. LPL 658, fo. 7r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 7v): A Madame le 13me de juillet 1596

Madam, my most humble dutie remembred.

I am at the earnest request of an honest merchaunt, an antient freind of mine, who hath bine long bedreddFootnote ¹⁰⁴⁷ langueshing and now desireth greatlie (according to the advise of the phisitions) change of ayre, I meane Mr Robert Spencer, humbly to besech your Ladiship that yf yow have a litter and can spare it, yow would vouchsafe to lend and send it me, that I may pleasure him, especiall which I have so much the more cause now to doe, seing his pthisicall weaknes makes me ^justlie^ feare that this shallbe the last freindlie office I shallbe able to doe him, my prayers onlie accepted for the strength of his soule at the last hower of combatt. As for the due care and good usage of your Ladiship's litter, I will constitute my selfe suretie and answerable in his behalfe.

For occurents. Her Majesty is in daylie expectation and very carefull suspence for tydings of the Earle's procedings.Footnote ¹⁰⁴⁸ The Christians under the Transilvanian Prince have very freshlie given important overthrowes to the Turke.Footnote ¹⁰⁴⁹ The archrebell of Ireland, called Tyrone and created O’Neill, hath refused her Majestie's pardon, alledging frivolous excuses that he could not come and speake with Sir Edward More, who was to present him the same;Footnote ¹⁰⁵⁰ his drift is onlie to delay to se what [. . .] else my lord of Essex shall have and accordinglie to reject or accept her Majestis grace. The uncardinallised Archduke of AustriaFootnote ¹⁰⁵¹ is held better tack by the Count Maurice,Footnote ¹⁰⁵² second sonne to the late Prince of Orange, in the Low Cuntryes, then he was by the French king

[fo. 7v] at Caleys, the towne of Hulst houlding out bravely against him.Footnote ¹⁰⁵³ And so with the remembrance of my most humble dutie, I take my leave.

160. Anthony Bacon to Anne Bacon, 13 July 1596

Draft. LPL 658, fo. 6r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 6v): A Madame le 13me de juillet 1596

Madam,

I most humbly thanke your Ladyship for your wise and loving admonition which, God willing, shalbe by me remembred and observed.Footnote ¹⁰⁵⁴

May it please your Ladyship to call to mind what ^speech^ late Queen Mary used, when she layd downe uppon the Counsell bord the purse where the privy seall was kept, for the which the ould Lord Pagett had bene so long so earnest a suiter and procured King Phillip to be his mediator,Footnote ¹⁰⁵⁵ and so to consider withall what is befallen to that house ^since^. For mine owne part the reding and Christian meditation of the 36 and 37 psalmes shall, with God's grace, serve me for trew preservatives to keep me from emulating any worldly prosperetie or greattnes or fearing the effects of man’s human power and malice, so long as it please God to comfort and strengthen the best part of man me, as hitherto in his mercy he hath done with extraordinary effectes.

Yates hath onlie stayed hitherto for a horse, beseching your Ladyship to thinke that no superiour, ^souverain am and not onlie excepted and yet [wi]th dutyfull^, or equall, muche lese my inferiour as servants bee, shalbe able to dissuade or withhould me from frowringeFootnote ¹⁰⁵⁶ your Ladyship's contentment.

That I wrote of this 5 li was onlie to exemplefie my inward desire and meaninge for myne done discharge and no waye to misimpute or misconster,Footnote ¹⁰⁵⁷ whiche God knoweth is farr from me. And so referringe my selfe for occurrents to my former lettre whiche I had thought to have sent your Ladyship by express messenger, yf Lawrence had not come, I most humbly take my leave, with my like thanks for your Ladyship's fishe.

161. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 15 July 1596

Holograph. LPL 658, fo. 27r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 27v): De Madame Bacon, le 15me de juillet 1596

The truth is, sonne, the litter is unperfect to be used for a syck body and a very frende; owt of dowt it must needes fayle. It reqwyreth reparation, specially the lethers, scant strong, that cary it, and the saddell very owlde. Yates by my appointment hath narrowly venedFootnote ¹⁰⁵⁸ all. Mr DykeFootnote ¹⁰⁵⁹ but a yeare past wolde nedes borow your father's owlde coch. I towlde him the weaknes of it, but nedes he wolde ventur and after vi myles jorny, his wyff and chyldern had lyke to take ^hurt^ and were compelled to make other provision by the way, with much comber.

I wold gladly yow had ii teerceFootnote ¹⁰⁶⁰ of my beere but carriadg is the matter; myne own ^horse^ but 4, wherof one blynde and the rest but poore. My horses within these 3 yeres have much miscaried to my great comber, besyde the charges. Thomas Knite served me but lewdly. I am halff impotent now my selff and every thing decaies with me, which made me desyrous to have Yates my deputy in howse to oversee, taking him to be both honest and scillfull.Footnote ¹⁰⁶¹ This must I needes say of him, and truly that commended to me by yourselff, in your beyond sea aboad for your busines to be dispatched over by me then. I saw him do it with such a good harte to yow and carefull diligence, that the rest yow so sent, withowt exception, were nothing comparable. They all sowght themselff but he, me thowght, seemed to do all with love to your selff in dede. Yow know otherwyse but a stranger to me ner since your comming over. I thank yow for your lettres and good accepting.

162. Anthony Bacon to Anne Bacon, 29 July 1596

Draft. LPL 658, fo. 4r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 4v): Le Madame Bacon, le 29me le juillet 1596

Madam,

In lieu of my personall dutie attendance, and for your Ladyship's wellcome and assurance, I meane such as may be given ^and^ exspected concerning accora of newes that come so farre of and are subject to winde and wether, I send your Ladyship hereinclosed a lettre sent after midnight ^last^ from principall councellor Mr SecretaryFootnote ¹⁰⁶² to an honourable friend of mine, who vouchsafed betimes this morning to bring it and leave it with me, which when your Ladyship hath perused I besech, may it please yow to returne it to me sealld without mentioning the sight therof to any whome soever. And so I most humbly take my leave.

163. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, [before 3 August 1596]Footnote ¹⁰⁶³

Holograph. LPL 653, fos 248r–249v. 2pp.

Endorsed (fo. 249v): lettre de Madame

Sonne, the Lorde allwey bles yow and be with yow, both allweyes in mercy and gwyding of yow. Peter hath desired me to write for his placing at Doctors' CommonsFootnote ¹⁰⁶⁴ for his preferment, otherwyse loth yet to part with him. I have written to Doctor CesarFootnote ¹⁰⁶⁵ and to my cosin Thomas Stanhopp,Footnote ¹⁰⁶⁶ in stede of Doctor StanhoppFootnote ¹⁰⁶⁷ to whome I wyll never more write again ^but^ upon great occasion by God's sending. His For thowgh cosins, he is a love man to all, God his good minister before him, experta loquor.Footnote ¹⁰⁶⁸ HerFootnote ¹⁰⁶⁹ is a fylthy adulterer, yf not fornicator too, according to his profession. Blackwell's wyffe is noted in strete as she goeth and pointed at as his harlot. Good sonne, write not to him at all in this nor be beholding to him for eny sute.

Yf these my lettres wyll not healpe Peter, let it go. Noli te admiscere cum tali impio in re tam levi.Footnote ¹⁰⁷⁰ He is my man and therfore have I written. See, reade and seale, I pray yow. Forgett not that, but no more for yow; this is inowgh, yf God wyll.

Vale in Christo. Cura omni modo ut bene valeas et abstinendo et bene agendo.Footnote ¹⁰⁷¹

Ner your brother to write nether to writt him. God gwyde him with his grace and send him selff health to serve God first and please man in his feare.

AB mater tua.Footnote ¹⁰⁷²

164. Anthony Bacon to Anne Bacon, 6 August 1596

Draft. LPL 658, fos 149r–150v. 2pp.

Endorsed (fo. 150v): A Madame Bacon, le 6me d’aoust 1596

Madame,

Having receved the very same day your Ladyshipp departed from one Signor Lopus, a Spanish merchaunt much bound to my Lord of Essex, certaine dainteyes such as he hath presented to the countesse and my Lady Rich,Footnote ¹⁰⁷³ I am bould to send your Ladyshipp the best parte of them, as allsoe a memorative note of such advantages as are accrued to her Majesty by the taking of Cadez; and will send your Ladyshipp, God willing, this next ^weeke^ a particuler trew relation of the whole action which, God be thanked, hath bene seconded with the taking of another place called Farrow,Footnote ¹⁰⁷⁴ since for which spetiall goodnes and blessing of God and the continuance therof there is appointed here prayer and thankesgiving. And so I most humbly take my leave.

165. Anthony Bacon to Anne Bacon, 11 August 1596

Draft. LPL 658, fo. 151r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 151v): A Madame Bacon le 11 d’aoust 1596

Madam,

I would not faile to certefie your Ladyshipp by goodman Forsett of the worthy Earle's most honorable, happie and safe returne,Footnote ¹⁰⁷⁵ for the which God's name be praised and make both him and us thankfull.

I dout not but your Ladyshipp hath understood that my Lord Cobham was made Lord Chamberlaine on Sunday last.Footnote ¹⁰⁷⁶ The Duke of Bouillon is daylie loked for and no dout will hasten his coming so much as he can possible to obteine of her Majesty the spedy employment of the greatest parte of her Majestie's armie, returned which my Lord of Essex, hath brought home God be thanked by GodFootnote ¹⁰⁷⁷ mercifull providence and devine protection, hath happely brought home in health, wealth and ^hartie^ courage for the recovery of Callis and to make inglishd.Footnote ¹⁰⁷⁸ This is all, Maddam, that I have at this time worth advertising your Ladyship. And so I most humbly take my leave.

166. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 12 August 1596

Holograph. LPL 658, fos 167r–168v. 2pp.

Endorsed (fo. 168v): De Madame Bacon, le 11 d’aoust 1596 Footnote ¹⁰⁷⁹

The Lorde Jesus salus et vita vera nostra. Footnote ¹⁰⁸⁰ Restore yow from lymm lamenes to perfect health, yf be ^his^ blessed wyll that yow may, thank God, as the long creple dyd, skipping and leaping in the temple after he was cured of the apostles.Footnote ¹⁰⁸¹ Yelde not to much, but stryve against and use your lymms ^in due order^ more thowgh with some payn. Your unseasonable eatinge, resting and restles toyling with unorderly commers and commoners ^have and do^ spoyle yow.

I thank for your lettres, fyrst and last. O that the Lorde of armies had ^his^ due prayses ^from hie and low^ geven to his holy name for the gratious success. For the Duke of Bollain sute for Καλεσ,Footnote ¹⁰⁸² to speake lyke an unskillfull body and yet have observed somewhat, I dowt it wyll spende and spoyle our soldiour, whome God hath spared, and bring the plage into the lande, as Newhaven.Footnote ¹⁰⁸³ The French might have prevented and now sett us a worke. The Spaniard in possession, the French a looker on and wee after good success contend with great cost and charg ^danger^ in a vain hope. God graunt wee may be truly thankfull to him and so can consult with him what is best for his glory and our state.

Impossible yet to take partriches. The corn slow going down by variable wether. Every pigeon I send yow as yow think good. Shawford com not yet with much care feeding and howse seasoning. Hamlett's lewd using.

God much bles the Earle and as he hath made him strong aganst his enemies, so to make him strong against καρναλ κονκυπισσενς Footnote ¹⁰⁸⁴ and prosper him in his feare and continuall favour. The Lorde God be ever with yow in mercy and comfort.

Gorhambury 12 August.

Μητηρ σου,Footnote ¹⁰⁸⁵AB.

167. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 30 August 1596

Holograph. LPL 653, fos 354r–355v. 2pp.

Endorsed (fo. 355v): De Madame ^Bacon^ le 30me d’aoust 1596

Addressed (fo. 355v): To my sonne Mr Anthony Bacon geve theis

Snecking owlde Smyth, one your father never cownted but hollow, hath now begon contention and troble by his owlde crafty letting a lease of the thyrds, undermining wyse, not making forcly privie lyke a subtill miser. This bearer commes of purpose to yow for remedy being loth to law. And he hath lett it to Rocket,Footnote ¹⁰⁸⁶ a head scraper of that their greedy snaphanceFootnote ¹⁰⁸⁷ ceort,Footnote ¹⁰⁸⁸ trobling good and qwiet subiects. Yf it may lett not Rocket procead, but undoe it, being craftely in conscience wrasted,Footnote ¹⁰⁸⁹ thowgh their litigious unspirituall may challeng advantage. Rockett in his claim coming on the grownde browght one with a halkeFootnote ¹⁰⁹⁰ under that cullour, with prowde wordes thowgh upon my sending to the Mayre to talk with him; ‘Why he durst’, he answerd, ‘Forsooth it was but for company.’ Thus styll besyde trobling the farme we shalbe combred with him. He is a prowde and for gain, full of qwarellpiking. I thowght good thus much by this greeved bearer. Do wysely and surely for thoficiall with all the pack of them seek only ungodly gain; litle good do it them. I write so even with a tru Christian hart by experience of their unlawfull dealings in my tyme.

Partriches yet will not to the net. Knite and one other of myn own men this hole week in full nights have ben styll abroad.

The Lorde of heaven rayse yow upp to more goode in your vocation and geve yow dayly encrease of godlines and health with his fatherly love to your comfort. Lett not prentyse for tryfles cowntenan[c]e such troblesom de deceaveable persons. Let him not see this. He can skill uti foro.Footnote ¹⁰⁹¹

I pray yow remember coorte keping here according to order, which I carefully now; next coorte is lete also,Footnote ¹⁰⁹² which wolde not be neglec^t^ed. Mr Crew ether wyll not or owt of season or in hast. I saw not Mr Downing a great whyle; he can and wyll do it best. Mr Crew made prevy and present yf he wyll. It owght before Michalltyd.Footnote ¹⁰⁹³ I may think of it.

168. Anthony Bacon to Anne Bacon, 7 September 1596

Draft. LPL 659, fo. 9r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 9v): A Madame Bacon, le 7me de septembre 1596

My most humble dutie remembered.

I render your Ladyshipp humble thanks for your patriges,Footnote ¹⁰⁹⁴ which your man, ^it semes,^ was very carefull to bring in good sorte.

The Duke of Bouillon on Sunday last, after dinner, vouchsafed to visite me, having ^with very kinde respect^ first sent a gentleman to know whither ^company^ should not be troobellsome unto me. He is this day departed, having receaved a cubberd of plate of 1200 li of her Majesty for a present. The ambassadors The ambassadors of the States are arrived to be joyned in with her Majesty and the French king against their common enemy, the Spaniard.Footnote ¹⁰⁹⁵ It is spoken that the Scottish king and the king of Denmarke, his brother in law shallbe and other princes of Germany shallbe likewise invited thereunto. My Lord of Essex yesterday feasted ^here,^ my Lord Admirall,Footnote ¹⁰⁹⁶ Mr SecretaryFootnote ¹⁰⁹⁷ and divers others of the nobilitie and, at dinner ere dinner was done, was sent for by the Queene, who for the most parte out of her selfe useth him most gratiouslie allwayes and I dout not but will more and more by God's goodnes so long as he continew his Christian zealous course, which he hath begonne since his returne, in not missing preaching, nor prayers in the courte, and showing trew noble kindenes towards his vertuous espouse intirely without any diversion. And The state of Ireland is more dangerous then ever, notwithstanding the false submission of Tyronne and acceptance of her Majestie's pardon. And so I most humbly take my leave.

169. Anthony Bacon to Anne Bacon, 30 September 1596

Draft. LPL 658, fo. 154r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 154v): A Madame Bacon le 30me de septembre 1596

Madam, I most humbly thanke your Ladyshipp for your lettre by Forsett and your daintyes by this bearer, who carrieth a lettre from me to ould Smith, wherein I have tould him roundly of his undutifullnes towards your Ladyshipp and my selfe and his unneighbourly dealing with goodman Forsett, whome, if he continew to trooble by the help of Rockett, I have signified unto him warninglie that nether of them both should gett any creditt or benefitt thereby, which I dout not but to make good if ether or both of them persist to vex goodman Forsett.

Uppon Sunday last her Majesty bestowed 2 white staves and made my Lord North, Tresurer, and Sir William Knolles, Comptroler.Footnote ¹⁰⁹⁸ As Anthony was with in, it pleased the Earle of ShrowsburyFootnote ¹⁰⁹⁹ to come and visite me who hath and to give me hirtie thanks for sending him my man Yates, of whome he hath hard so good testimony of those that know him in France;Footnote ¹¹⁰⁰ hereof I thought meet to advertise your Ladyshipp, having the rather taken this opportunitie to preferre and place him ^to so noble a man^ in place of spetiall creditt and trust in respect of your Ladyshipp's good opinion of him. And so in hast, as this bearer can wittnes, I most humbly take my leave.

170. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 1 October 1596

Holograph. LPL 659, fos 254r–255v. 2pp.

Endorsed (fo. 255v): De Madame Bacon, le 2me d’octobre 1596

Grace, peace and health be multiplied upon yow dayly. I send yow v partriches; they have in taking with 3 persons allmost as many nights as the number. I cowld hardly in dede have spared this bearer. Hast him away, I pray yow. I sende your brother 12 pigeons and all my two howses heare. Yf yow lyke to take for your selff 3 or 4, elce lett him have all.

Smyth,Footnote ¹¹⁰¹ the carier, yesterday being Thursday, sent by his man a byll to me of above 7 li for coales and that since June. I cast ^my selff^ that June, July and August were the cheffe sommer moneths and he was paid all then. Surely, sonne, something or somebody goeth awrie for your reconing and experenceFootnote ¹¹⁰² perswade as yow wyll to your hindrance; yow did by your words to me name abowt v li and he now ^asketh^ above 7. Yf his reconing had ben right in dede, I had it not to pay him thence; Crossby was gon to a fayre. Yf yow sende me by this bearer a just warrant sygned, I wyll borow so much for so must I of necessitee; yet do and I wyll pay him upon Tewsday next, God wylling. I commend yow to the favour and blessing of the Allmighty. Vale in Christo.Footnote ¹¹⁰³

Primo Octobris Footnote ¹¹⁰⁴ 1596.

AB.

171. Anthony Bacon to Anne Bacon, 2 October 1596

Draft. LPL 659, fo. 210r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 210v): A Madame, le 2me d’octobre 1596

Madam,

Thre houres after I had spoken with Miller, the carrier, and returned my humble thanks and just excuse for not writing my selfe, I receaved your Ladyship's by this bearer, and 5 partriges, for the which I humbly thanke your Ladyship.

The expense of coales I concesseFootnote ¹¹⁰⁵considering the season ^for foure sommer moneths^ may justly seme ^over^ great, unlesse it please your Ladyshipp to consider first my sicknes, then the extraordinary moistnes of the season, the scituationFootnote ¹¹⁰⁶ of my lodging and the honorable helpes I have had to spend them since my Lord's returne, which I know your Ladyshipp will not would not have had me refused for tenn times as much, so long as ^not onlie^ it is knowen to the cheifest of this house, but thankfullie taken.

Her Majestie this day parted from Grennwhich and hath dined at my Lord Burrough’sFootnote ¹¹⁰⁷ house by Lambeth and lodgeth this night at MichamFootnote ¹¹⁰⁸ and from hence to Nonesuch.Footnote ¹¹⁰⁹ Certaine nomber of Spaniards landed very latelie in Ireland,Footnote ¹¹¹⁰ which hath bene foretould often and long enough agoe to have bene presented prevented, if any advertisements, how ^timelie and^ trew so ever were currante, unlesse they carried the stamp of the golden sheath. And so referring some other particurersFootnote ¹¹¹¹ worthey your Ladyshipp's till knowledge till Sunday ^some day of^ next weke, I comm[end] your Ladyshipp to God's hollie protection.

172. Anthony Bacon to Anne Bacon, 8 October 1596

Draft. LPL 659, fo. 211r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 211v): A Madame A. Bacon le 8me d’octobre 1596

My humble dutie remembred.

According to my promise in my last by Mr Downing, I thought it my parte before the weeke ended to certefie your Ladyship of that which then I had no leisure to sett downe. To witt that my Lady Russell sent me worde I should be of very good cheare for that my Lord Tresurer had not onlie receaved satisfaction in that she delivered him from me, but thereby was much very well disposed to doe me all the good he could, which comfortable message of her Ladiship's I accepted with more thankfullness then I meane to relie uppon with confidence for τὶς πίστις ἀπίστῳ.Footnote ¹¹¹² In the meane time, I have cause to acknowledge it as a token of God's spetiall goodnes towards me that it hath pleased him to blesse my extemporall answer, which truth and innocency did dictFootnote ¹¹¹³ unto me without meditation or affectation, so farre forth as that it hath dried upp the torrent of ^so mightie^ my Lord Tresurer's mightie indignation, at the least by show and his owne profession and so autenticall a testemony as my Lady Russell’s.Footnote ¹¹¹⁴

For generall occurrences, to use the noble Earle's one judicious discription in his proper termes, ‘Her Majestie's Councell have their hands and heads full; they see more dangers then they know how to prevent’. Ireland growing worse and worse and France, notwithstanding all externall formes and solemnities of amitie and league, internally discontented and consequentlie ^dangerously^ doutfull. And so I most humbly take my leave.

173. Anthony Bacon to Anne Bacon, 22 October 1596

Draft. LPL 659, fo. 209r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 209v): A Madame An Bacon, le 22me l’octobre 1596

Madam,

I humbly thanke your Ladyship for your patrigesFootnote ¹¹¹⁵ and ^pigeons and^ would not let Anthony returne without these few lines, whereby I thought meet to assure your Ladyship that Ketterwell hath not made me any way acquainted with the putting out of his interest in the mill and therfore I may justlie, if it stand with your Ladyship's liking, charge him with undutifull forgettfullnes, ^or^ that which is worse, presumption.

The Earle of Shrewsbury is loked for daylie, who hath bene very royallie entertained in outwards; how God k whither from the harte or noe, God knoweth and time, ^the mother of truth,^ will better discern. For Ireland, the crosse advertisements from the Deputy on the one side and Sir John Norrice of the other; the first as a good trumpett sounding ^in his lettres^ continuallie the alarm against the enemye; the other last, serving as a treble vyallFootnote ¹¹¹⁶ to invite us to daunce and be merrie uppon false hope of a hollow peace, makes many feare ^rather^ the ruine then restoration of that state uppon that infallible ground;Footnote ¹¹¹⁷quod omne regnum in se devisum dissipabitur.Footnote ¹¹¹⁸ And so I most humbly take my leave.

174. Anne Bacon to Robert Devereux, earl of Essex, 1 December 1596

Copy. LPL 660, fos 149r–150v. 2pp.

Endorsed (fo. 150v): De Madame Ann Bacon au Comte Essex le premier de decembre 1596

Hearinge, my singuler good Lord, of your honour's returne from the sea coastes this daie, and I goinge hence to morowe, yf the Lord so will, I am bould, uppon some speeches of some and withe some persone at the courte, where latelie I was, to imparte somewhat here of to your honour, bycause it concerned a partie there more nere to me then gratious to her stocke.Footnote ¹¹¹⁹ I will not denie, but before this great suspition of her unwiflike and unshamfast demeanour hath bene brought to me even into the contrie, but lothe to beleve, I laid it up withe secret sadnes in my brest. And trulie my good Lord I did not a litle but greatlie rejoyse in harte, that it pleased ^God^ of his mercie and goodnes, withe the ^late^ famous honor he gave yow in your late martiall exploite withe renowned good successe,Footnote ¹¹²⁰ he did also worke in yow such a change of your minde, before by reporte inclined to coorte carnall dalyance, that that honorable and Christian brute was carried aboute joyfulie to the much gladdinge of manie that unfaynedlie loved your Honour's trew prosperitye. But ^proh dolor^Footnote ¹¹²¹ my good Lord, I perceived by some eye witnesses here, and which must needes heare and marke, that of late a backsliding to the foule ^incontinent impudent^ doth plainlie appeare, and thoughe they did mervaill and muche blame your dishonorable and dangerous to your self course takinge, to the infaminge a noble mane's wyffe and so nere aboute her Majestie, yet she was utterlie condemned as to bad, bothe unchast and impudent, withe as it were an incorrigible unshamfastnes; the Lord speedelie by his grace amende her, or cut her of before some sodaine mischeef.Footnote ¹¹²² Yt hathe alredie made her antient noble husbandeFootnote ¹¹²³ to undoe his howse by fallinge, as one out of comforte. But yf a desperate rage, as commonlie, followthe, he will revenge his provoked jealosie and most intollerable injury, even desperatelie; and the more, bycause it is said he lovethe her, and greatlie, as withe greef, laborethe to winne her. Yt is great pittie she is not delivered to him and the courte to be clensed by sendinge awaie such an unchast gazeFootnote ¹¹²⁴ and common by-word, in respecte of her place and husbande.Footnote ¹¹²⁵ But yow, my good Lord, have not so learned Christe and hearde his ^holie^ worde in the 3d.4.5. verses of the 1 chapter to the first Thessulonians.Footnote ¹¹²⁶

[fo. 149v] Yt is written ‘This is the will of God that yea should be holie and abstaine from fornication, and everie one knowe how to keepe his owne vessell, in hollines and honor; and not in the luste of concupiscence, as doe the gentiles, which knowe not God.’ And more, yf it please yow to reade and marke well, yt is a heavie thret, ‘That fornicators and adulterors, God will judge’Footnote ¹¹²⁷ and that they shalbe shut out; ‘For such thinges’, saith the apostle, commonlie ‘^commeth^ the wrathe of God uppon us.’Footnote ¹¹²⁸ Good Lord, remember and consider the greate danger hereby, bothe of soule and bodie, greve not the holie spirit of God, but honor God ^that honored yow and reward him not with such evell^ for his greate kindnes towards yow. ^Good my Lord, sinne not against your owne soule.^

My Ladie StaffordFootnote ¹¹²⁹ said uppon occasion in her talke, the good vertuous Countesse your wyfe was withe childe.Footnote ¹¹³⁰ O honorable and valiant noble, make greate accounte of this God his blessinge to yow bothe, and make not her hearte sorrowfull to the hinderance of her younge fruite within her. For it was thought she ^tooke^ before to harte and that her last did not so comfortablie prosper.Footnote ¹¹³¹ Yf yow be withe the Lord in deede, he wilb[e] with yow and make your verie enemies to reverence yow. Be stronge in the Lord,Footnote ¹¹³² your and our good patient God, feare him and walke upritelie in his truthFootnote ¹¹³³ and for his promise in Christe,Footnote ¹¹³⁴ he will assist yow and looke favorablie uppon yow and yours, ^prosper and increase his blessing uppon yow and yours;^ which mercie and grace, I humblie doe as I am most bound, calle uppon him to graunte yow ever, my dere and worthy Lord in Christ Jhesu. With verie inwarde affection have I thus presumed, ill favoredlie scribled, I confesse beinge sicklie and weake manie waies. Boni consulas te vehementer oro et quam optime vivas et valeas vir insignissime et quantum decet mihi charissime.Footnote ¹¹³⁵

Primo Decembris.Footnote ¹¹³⁶

In Christo ^ex animo^,Footnote ¹¹³⁷

ABacona Χηρα.Footnote ¹¹³⁸

175. Anthony Bacon to Anne Bacon, [1] December 1596Footnote ¹¹³⁹

Draft. LPL 660, fo. 123r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 123v): A Madame Ann Bacon le Mr de decembre 96

My humble dutie remembred.

I thought it my parte to sende the inclosed, without delaie to your Ladyship. And withall to advertise yow that ^thoughe^ the noble kinde Earle ^had^ havinge not received my lettre ^pacquet^ by reason of infinite busines till this eveninge, yet it pleased his Lordship imeadiatelie ^after^ he had read your Ladyship's lettre and mine to returne me his answer to be sent unto your Ladyship, whiche I have bene bould to doe by his Lordship's owne footman, who hath charge to attende me by his Lordship's comandment attendethe here dailie to be dispatched where I thinke good. Uppon the perusinge my Lord's lettre, yf your Ladyship in your wisdome finde anie just occasion of replie, yt maie please your Ladyship that I maie be acquainted therewithe, to thende I maie be the better provided at his Lordship's next meetinge to performe my dutie to your Ladyship and his good Lordship. And so hopinge that God that hath blessed your Ladyship's Christian and yet most respective indeavours withe dere, kinde acceptance and affectuall impressions, I most humblie take my leave.

176. Robert Devereux, earl of Essex, to Anne Bacon, 1 December 1596

Copy. LPL 660, fos 281r--v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 281v): Du Comte d’Essex a Madame Ann Bacon le 2/3 decembre 1596

Addressed (fo. 281r): To the honorable Ladie, the Lady Anne Bacon

Madame, that it pleasethe yow to deale thus freelie withe me in lettinge me knowe the worst yow heare of me, I take it as great argument of God's favour in sendinge so good an angell to admonishe me, and of no small care in your Ladyship of my well doinge. I knowe howe needfull these summons are to all menn, espetiallie espetiallie to those that live in this place. And I had rather withe the poore publicaine, knocke and my brest and ly prostrate, or withe the confesse, when I have donne all I can, I am an unproffitable servant, then pharisaycallie to justifie my self.Footnote ¹¹⁴⁰ But what I write nowe is for the truthe's sake and not for mine owne, I protest before the majestie of God, and my protestation is voluntarie and advised, that this charge which is newlie laide uppon me is falce and unjust. And that since my departure from England towardes Spaine, I have bene free from taxation of incontenentcy withe anie woman that lives. I never sawe or spake withe the Lady yow meane, but in publicke places, and others beinge seers and hearers, who, yf they would doe me right, could justifie my behaviour. But I live in a place where I am howerly conspired against and practised uppon. What they can not make the world beleve, that they perswade the Queen unto, and what they cannot make probable to the Queen, that they give out to the world. They have almost all the howse to serve them for instruments. Yea, the verie Oracles (I meane those that are accounted to be plaine and sincere) doe ^φιλλιππιζειν^Footnote ¹¹⁴¹ phillippisein, doe speake the largest language of the strongest faction.Footnote ¹¹⁴² Plutarch taught me longe since to make profit of my enemies, but God teachethe it me muche better nowe. Worthy Ladie, thinke me a weake man, full of imperfections, but be assured I doe endeavour to be good and had rather mende my faultes then cover them. I wish your Ladyship all trewe happines and rest. At

At your Ladyship's commandment,

Essex.

Burne, I praye yow.

i of December 96.

177. Anne Bacon to Robert Devereux, earl of Essex, with postscript to Anthony Bacon, 4 December 1596

Holograph copy. LPL 660, fos 151r–152v. 2pp.

Endorsed (fo. 152v): Le Madame Ann Bacon au Comte d’Essex et en hate sero a’Monsieur le 4me de decembre 1596 Footnote ¹¹⁴³

My honourful goode Lord, in ^your^ incessant and carefull affayres to vouchsaff me as one almost forgotten in the worlde, a lettre even with your own hande, is favor more then my poore thanks or il parts can reach unto. God doth diverse wayes make manifest his love towards yow, wherof his church here and our state do flow the swete benefytt to the prayse of his name, and your honorable fame, and the rejoysing in a goode conscience. Yet such excellent persons never want emulatores malignos cum fastu.Footnote ¹¹⁴⁴ But yet for all that, tru godly vertue in the Chris[t]en chyldern of God doth with the palme ryse and encrease styll, thowgh men stryve to suppress and oppress it, and they styll shall florysh in the coort of the God of glorious majestie and their seede shalbe blessed.Footnote ¹¹⁴⁵Ab imis precordiis,Footnote ¹¹⁴⁶ as I am most bownde I besech the living Lorde to direct continually with his holy spirit your Lordship's hart to the love of him and of his eternall truth, and sanctifye yow throwgh ^it ever^ to lyve in his reverent feare and to approve that which is pleasing in his syght. And my good Lord, walk circumspectly for the dayes throwgh synn are evell ut ait apostulus.Footnote ¹¹⁴⁷ In peace, God graunt yow safty from all crafty treacyeries and subtile snare whatsoever, and in battell by sea or by land his mighty arme be your invincible puissance and make yow victorious, and sende his holy angell to pytch rownd abowt yow and your armies to watch over yow for your saffgard, and with fullnes of goode dayes and yeres in this lyff, preserve yow to his hevenly kingdom for ever.Footnote ¹¹⁴⁸ ןמא.Footnote ¹¹⁴⁹ The God of peace geve yow peace all weyesFootnote ¹¹⁵⁰ by all means, my very singular goode Lord.

AB.

[Postscript to Anthony Bacon]

For dispatch I wrot late and yll. I wolde not send to yow, ^thowght it not best so,^ by his man, thowgh yow saw my Lord's lettre. I sende it enclosed. Send it back again. I sende by this bearer one Powle Roewly com to me. I think he wolde serve well in your buttry;Footnote ¹¹⁵¹ he hath, he sayth, used that service. He seemes yet wylling and honest playn, readeth but poorely. Larg wylbe lavesh to pyck, thank and crafty filtching, besyde he hath an owlde father-in-law. Yow wylbe worse thowght of for calling to idlenes where h[e]r[e] your own to make bate.Footnote ¹¹⁵² It is true.

[Left-hand margin] Three churches were here robbed in one night. Use not so much plate abroad to tempte the divell allwey as ready. Warn your brother to, I pray yow to, take hede in tyme for [. . .] sodenly. Vale. Footnote ¹¹⁵³ God bles yow with his grace and love in Christ.

178. Anthony Bacon to Anne Bacon, 6 December 1596

Draft. LPL 660, fo. 122r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 122v): A Madame Ann Bacon, le 6 de decembre 1596

Madam,

I humbly thanke your Ladyship for sending me my Lord's lettre to your Ladyship, which I had not sene before bycause his Lordship writt it and sealed it at the court, as allsoe your Ladyship's replye, the sight of both which were very wellcome and comfortable unto me.

Touching this bearer, though I dout not but in respect of his honestie and truth he deserve a better place then my buttry, yett having noe cause as yet to be discontented with John Large, I meane to employ him for one quarter, during which time I assure your Ladyship he shall have much lesse time ^many fewer howers^ to be idle then if he were at home.

A For occurrents, Monsieur de la FonteineFootnote ¹¹⁵⁴ tould me himselfe yesterday that he marveiled at so long and deep a French silence. Of the shipwrack much bruted, their is no certaine particuler confirmation.Footnote ¹¹⁵⁵ Ireland remaineth still in consumption and is like to pine away more and more unlesse better restoratives be sent thether in time. And so I most humbly take my leave.

179. Anne Bacon to Robert Cecil, 13 December 1596

Copy. LPL 660, fo. 129r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 129v): De Madame A. Bacon a Sir Robert Cecill, le 13me decembre 1596

Secretarie and honorable nephewe, I thanke yow for allowinge your ^olde^ aunte some speeche with some leysure at my laste beinge withe yow. Trulie me thinkethe I received refreshinge there but ever since. And I take my self bounde to my Lord, your father, for sendinge the cause to see yow bothe. God make yow stronge for your waightie causes to his glorie and to your owne rejoysinge in a good conscience.

And I praie yow, good Sir, since it pleased my Lord your father to use me so kindelie thereto, that yow will doe so muche as from me and for me to intreate his honour to remember still Mr FrowickeFootnote ¹¹⁵⁶ for his good by continuinge his Lordship's favour to him for his credit in well doinge. The gentleman withe his lawe and learninge lovethe trewe religeon and is well esteemed, thoughe otherwyse but of smalle livelihoode and manie children, even of the beste and wyseste and is lincked in kindred and alliance withe moste of the cheef hereaboute, who would be verie sorie, I knowe, to have him descredited by suche disordred and undiscreete oppidani.Footnote ¹¹⁵⁷ The towne is alwaie but unorderlie and unconscionable and careles of cheef dutie, bothe for good government or for providinge for their poore, whome they willinglie and wilfullie suffer continuallie, for lacke of good lookinge to, to straie everie where aboute, begginge likewayes, and makinge spoile of fences, and hackinge and stealinge woode, out of all measure, to striffe makinge by layinge open inclosieres, beside the hurt they do tiplinge, taverninge and droncken idlenes and gameinge, which is almost this towne's proffession. God amend such vises there and generallie in this lande. And exempli gratia Footnote ¹¹⁵⁸ with in these 3 daies, the water conduit turrit made by my Lord for his howse here was the 3d time broken up and the cisterne leade and other thinges stollen quite awaie. The whole worke is nowe utterlie spoiled by them,Footnote ¹¹⁵⁹ no doubt, but complayninge prevailes not with suche wilfull, ignorant and evell base gouverners.

Lycence ^me^ a litle more for this once, good Mr Secretarie. After I had written the premiss and pawsed for my weake sight, the Lord lighten my soule's sight, this fell out to my muche unquyetinge uppon Wednesdaie laste.Footnote ¹¹⁶⁰ My few menn appointed for church and light horse roade them abroade, as by order they use to doe for excercise of the horses and their owne more fittinge to serve uppon commandment, my lance horseFootnote ¹¹⁶¹ casteinge a shoe by the waie, his ryder went withe him to my farrier at Redborne by to shoe him. And beinge there at the Smithe's forge, comes firste a furious fellowe withe his dagger drawne and by violence wold needes take my principall beaste for a post horse,Footnote ¹¹⁶² for all he was told whose he was and to what service and that he wanted a shoe, my man stryvinge still and callinge an officer to staie the horse, cam 3 more suche harebraine fellowes withe swordes drawne, swearing and madlie rageinge, and tooke him quite awaie scant withe 3 shoes well. My man not able to get a horse soone enoughe was faine to take my other light horse, a younge geldinge, to ride after for the other, and overtakinge him when a myle or more, got awaie my lance, and sendinge him home by his fellowe, he was faine to make after him poste to Constable to recouver the light horse after this hurtfull post to the spoile, as is reported. They threwe downe meale sackes and tombled of the side cotesFootnote ¹¹⁶³ and their companie with savage rage. Yf ^Irelande^ had such soldiors, God healpe. Since Tilbory service,Footnote ¹¹⁶⁴ I have loste 3 great horses, and ^a^ spetiall geldinge, knowne and camendedFootnote ¹¹⁶⁵ much at the musters,Footnote ¹¹⁶⁶ nowe deade, and miscaried to my no smalle ^charg and^ greef. These 2 last I bought verie dere, bothe but younge beastes and scant yet thoroughly framed and nowe I feare spoiled. The losse of suche horses and my sonne's sicklie state will even goe verie nere my harte.

180. Winter Footnote ¹¹⁶⁷to Anne Bacon, [before 15] December 1596Footnote ¹¹⁶⁸

Holograph.Footnote ¹¹⁶⁹ LPL 660, fo. 141r–v. 1p. Torn and damaged.Footnote ¹¹⁷⁰

Endorsed (fo. 141v): De goodman Wynter a Madame Bacon, le mois decembre 1596

Addressed (fo. 141v): To the honourable this verie good Ladie and Mistress, the Lady Bacon, delivered theise [. . .].Footnote ¹¹⁷¹

The Commyssion went in Sir Conwayes Clyfford's name, he saye at the Red LyonFootnote ¹¹⁷² at Mr Painard, and there it is reported there was 40 quarts of wyne dronke, so that som of them was thought to be verye merrey.Footnote ¹¹⁷³ It is thought it was his cocke that went before withe the comission. There was as it is reported dyver other Knights, whose names I cannot as yet inquyre out, but two of them, that is Syr George GiffordFootnote ¹¹⁷⁴ and Sir Rychard Bingham.Footnote ¹¹⁷⁵ They went from St Allbains the 8 dayes of december 1596, as it was thought, betwneFootnote ¹¹⁷⁶ the houres of 8 and ix in the morninge. It is reported that some of there behavyour was not very good, neyther at BarnettFootnote ¹¹⁷⁷ nor withe there horses; by the waye sum report they kylled a horse withe a sworde or a dagger, they were so mad hedded, and abused there gwyde verye muche.

Thesise ar furder to certefye your Ladyship. I dyd speke with Nathiniel and Nycolas concernyn [. . .] sayth he wolde [rest of letter has been torn away].

181. Anthony Bacon to Anne Bacon, 15 December 1596

Draft. LPL 660, fo. 120r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 120v): A Madame Ann Bacon, le 15me decembre 1596

Madam, my most humble duty remembred.

I humbly thanke your Ladyship for vouchsafing me the sight of your lettres to Mr Secretary, which having perused and finding none ^of those riotours^ named, I asked goodman Crosbye whether he could not tell me any of thierFootnote ¹¹⁷⁸ names, wheruppon he showed me a little paper mentioning Sir Coniers Clifford, who having bene heretofore a follower of my Lord of Essex and exceedinglye bound unto him for all that he hath, I knew his Lordship's censure of his folkes’ outrage would be more waightie unto him then all ^of^ my Lord Tresurer's or Mr Secretary's threatnings. I therfore sent that little paper to my Lord of Essex who, very much moved, will put it as a spetiall item with shame enough in his next lettre to the said knight, thanking me for addressing my complaintes unto him without naming Sir Coniers Clifford to any other. Hereof I thought it my parte to advertize your Ladyship, whome for I meane not to trooble at this time with any generall ocurrences, but referre my selfe for them to my next. And so I most humbly take my leave.

182. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 30 December 1596

Holograph. LPL 653, fo. 316r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 316v): De Madame Ann Bacon le 31 de decembre 1596

Addressed (fo. 316v): To my sonne Mr Antony Bacon at Essex Howse with some spede

Becawse yow spake of brawn to my man, I have sent yow, lett quick.Footnote ¹¹⁷⁹ I have not tasted of it my selff. I thank God for Mr Wyborn, but tyed by the foote, as I may betwixt ryding and hobleing ^on foote^ this hard frosly,Footnote ¹¹⁸⁰ God be blessed for it, I crawle to the chur[ch]. God make yow able to go well and with ryght stepp.

Fare yow well. Your brother, I heare, at court often. The grace of God gwyde him and be with yow both ever.

Gorhambury penultima Decembris.Footnote ¹¹⁸¹

Mater tua,Footnote ¹¹⁸² AB.

I thank yow for your deynties.

183. Anthony Bacon to Anne Bacon, 31 December 1596

Draft. LPL 660, fo. 124r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 124v): A Madame An Bacon, le 31me decembre 1596

Madam,

I most humbly thanke your Ladyship for ^your^ seasonable provision and am very sorrye to understand of Mr Wiburne's indisposition, but thanke God ^your Ladyship^ doth hould out so well this fear trying and persingFootnote ¹¹⁸³ wether. For my selfe, I prayse God, the state of my bodye is as good as I looke for, considering that I daylye bere farre more strong and healthy then my selfe to feele and complayne of the rotten weather past and the late sodeine change.

It hath pleased God to call the Lord MayorFootnote ¹¹⁸⁴ and Alderman Haughton,Footnote ¹¹⁸⁵ the 2 lustiest of their bench,Footnote ¹¹⁸⁶ both in shorte space. My brother, God be thanked, hath receaved gratious usage and speach this holly dayesFootnote ¹¹⁸⁷ of her Majestie, who I hope at the last will vouchsafe to exemplefie her good wordes by some princely reall effects. I thinke meet likewise to advertise your Ladyship that Mr Secretary of late hath professed very seriouslye an absolute ἀμνεςια Footnote ¹¹⁸⁸ of all misconceits passed, with earnest protestation that to the Queene, to his father, or of himselfe he would be gladd and redye to doe me any kinde office if I would make proofe of him. This is soe much the more comfortable unto me that mine owne conscience doth wittnesse that it is onlye God's working and noe way mine owne seking by any base meanes or insinuation. And so beseching God to send your Ladyship ^this new yeare and many more^ full measure of inward comforte and contentment, one grayne whereof is to be preferred befor quintallsFootnote ¹¹⁸⁹ of worldlye happines, I most humbly take my leave.

184. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, January 1597

Holograph. LPL 654, fo. 45r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 45v): De Madame le mois de janvier 1596

Sonne, the Lorde well ease and heale yow of ^your^ wofull to me payns. I am determined to have nether hawlk of my Lord ChamberlainFootnote ¹¹⁹⁰ nor Sir Edward Hoby.Footnote ¹¹⁹¹ The Lord Chamberlain's ^men^ hereafter ^to^ challeng an autoryteFootnote ¹¹⁹² by it, which I playnly denied in your absence. I wyll geve no such beginning in my tyme certeinly. Troble not them therfore. Sir ^Edward^ Hoby is too to ^I wot not what^, I can not ^tell what^ skyllFootnote ¹¹⁹³ of him. I wyll nether byrde nor man ^of his^ come to my howse in my absence; to unorderly for me being away to lett him and his alone. Yf Mr SkippwithFootnote ¹¹⁹⁴ can not gett a hawlk, I know what I wyll do. I wyll have no revell in myne absence; send none, I pray, therfore. I wyll forbyd in dede. I wold yow cowld your selff, that were joy. Onely Mr Skippwith or none at all. Put not your selff and ner me to nedeless troble in so small a matter. For they shall not once again, I earnestly sett down, and ^so^ wyll make order. More sualterFootnote ¹¹⁹⁵ in it then yow are ware of. Herafter I wyll holde on in those things as I have begon, Deo propitio.Footnote ¹¹⁹⁶

Mater tua,Footnote ¹¹⁹⁷ AB.

185. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 12 January 1597

Holograph. LPL 654, fo. 297r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 297v): De Madame Ann Bacon le 12me de janvier 1596

Addressed (fo. 297v): To my sonne Mr Antony Bacon at Essex Howse with some spede.

σῳ Θεῷ ἠὺ Footnote ¹¹⁹⁸

In hast for Mr Wyborne's hast away, I thank yow for your delicate wyne, as Mr Wyborn sayth, who tasted fyrst of it. Yf it please yow to send a rondelett,Footnote ¹¹⁹⁹ as Rowland, my man, sayd yow did meane ^and was reidi^, I pray yow in eny wyse send it upon Fryday next and that your man see it saffe sett in the cart for drawing. For in very dede the last was drawn at least 11 gallons; he that goeth with all must see it laden with charge to the carier, who be now more deere and careless. Upon Saturday ^next^, yf God wyll, I will looke for it and I wyll sett upp my selff saffe before I go hence. I have ben more comfortable this Christyd by the speciall favour of God to me and my howshold by Mr Wyborn's fatherly and holsome heavenly instructions, besyde the publick. But for the communion this next Sabbath, where I trust with my hole howsehold to be, with the blessing of God, I had gone hence this week; on Wenseday ^next^ furdest I purpose, yf not before. I have not sene Crossby yet towching your colliar,Footnote ¹²⁰⁰ this day I looke for him. He hath much busines, it shalbe browght. Cura cura ut quam optime valeas.Footnote ¹²⁰¹ Yf Mr Wyborn had not dieted thin and in season, he shuld have ben worse handled cum podagra.Footnote ¹²⁰² Gorhambury 12 Januarius.

ABacon.

186. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 20 January 1597

Holograph. LPL 654, fos 43r–44v. 2pp.

Endorsed (fo. 44v): De Madame le 21me de janvier 1596

Addressed (fo. 44v): My sonne Mr Antonye Bacon. Cura ut tempestive edas et dormias sanat crudos humoris.Footnote ¹²⁰³

Salutem in Christo.Footnote ¹²⁰⁴

Si,Footnote ¹²⁰⁵ my goode sonn, that by the handy work of the Lorde in ^us both^, nether of us cowlde see one another being no further distant, I thowght at my retturn hether to wryte as I cowlde to yow. Lett us both know it is the Lord's fatherly correction to both and desyre grace to make profitt of it to our inwarde healing. Thowgh my late encreased pain in superficie cutis Footnote ¹²⁰⁶ be soden and extraordinary to me and may partly suspect some venom to be drunk with those block wormes I tooke in drink 4 times, ^of them half a pint^ abowt ^half a pint of them^, yet yow know the learned do call senectus ^ipsa^ morbus,Footnote ¹²⁰⁷ which synce my qwartanFootnote ¹²⁰⁸ I fynde by diverse accidents to be tru and very paynful, and I humbly acknowledg ^God’s^ mercy that moveth my mynde to take age, syckliness ^and infirmitees^ being naturall, as well as yowth's health. And ^yf^ I use such goode means by cownsell and diett as may make my unacqwainted payne more tollerable, and I fynde much ease by ^thinn diet, wholsome and^ earlier suppers before vi, and clean usuall drink and never in the night and seldome in morning or betwixt meales.

Yf I shulde say true, your continuall, uncomfortable state of body dobleth what greeffs God sendeth me, besyde ^cherfull^ patience ^in your disease^ is necessary and the Lorde hath pitie of his chyldern. But lett your patience ^be growned^ upon humbling your selff and prayour and meditation to God to beare patiently his wyll, which is allweyes just and holy; and also upon goode hope ^and expectation^ of his fatherly comfortable restoring in his goode tyme, not ceassing by earnest and faythfull prayour to call upon him with confidence in his tender mercy in Christ our Lorde, and regarde your diet ^and healthy good order^ diligently and seasonably for eny. Yf your health did serve yow might do much goode even ^here^ among, but when the Lorde shall please, but aude comit omni modo accuratissime.Footnote ¹²⁰⁹ So my God hath bestowed gyfts; labour to employ them in tua persona Footnote ¹²¹⁰ and I lament your continuall ^bodily^ impotency the more, becawse yow are therby, as it were, cast of and unabled for the comfort of the publick ministery, a greavous want, whereby yowr tru understanding judgment and knowledge are, and must nedes be, greatly hindered and weakned, and yow less able to discern aright betwixt spirituall and naturall flesh and the spirit. Labour therfore by harty prayour to God to heale yow every way to your comfort, and in the mean whyle be glad and religiously entertein the godly learned when they come to yow, that at length yow may have some privat conference and howseholde reading ^and^ prayour reverently and dayly as is commanded; ^the^ morning and evening ^sanctifyee^ in eny wyse, goode sonne. And never be afrayd to avow your Christian estimation of the godly preachers before ἑνρι ὁουαρδ,Footnote ¹²¹¹τεχνησ πληρον,Footnote ¹²¹² or eny other. It is a goode report of yow and due, being continuall syckly; he is to much with yow. God kepe the goode Earle saffe.

[Left-hand margin] I feele, I thank God, the fury of my ^outward^ corruption somewhat abated and my stomack amending somwhat. I yeelde my selff to the goodness of my hevenly Father and yours. Cura diligenter et timore. Footnote ¹²¹³ Gorhambury 20 January. AB, mater tua.Footnote ¹²¹⁴

187. Anthony Bacon to Anne Bacon, 22 January 1597

Draft. LPL 654, fo. 295r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 295v): A Madame Ann Bacon, le 22me de janvier 1596

Maye it please your Ladyship to be advertised that my humble desire is that your Ladyship would signe a deede of mortgage ^of Cheedor,^Footnote ¹²¹⁵ wherein my brother and my self likewyse joyne, and for that purpose a master of the Chancery is appointed to attende your Ladyship at three of clocke as a witnes of recorde. The rent is to be continued still to your Ladyship till I have perfected the sale. And so likewyse of Napesburie,Footnote ¹²¹⁶yt beinge farr moreadvantagyeous for me to satissfie your Ladyship the rent so that your Ladyship is no looser and I eased and inabled to satisfie pressinge debtes. And so I moste humbly take my leave.

188. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 25 January 1597

Holograph. LPL 654, fos 47r–48v. 2pp.

Endorsed (fo. 48v): De Madame le 27me de janvier 96

Addressed (fo. 48v): To my sonne Mr Antony Bacon at Essex Howse

Grace and mercy matri et filio per Christum.Footnote ¹²¹⁷

I verili think this sharpe weather doth stirr the gowt in yow paynfully. Your father, besyde other, in spring tyme felt often of it and sharpely. The Lorde heale yow in his mercy to your own comfort and others that love yow well in the Lorde. I heare that ther is disagreement in Abon town,Footnote ¹²¹⁸ wher owght not. By reason of continuall sycklines and therby lack of experience, yow may be missinformed and misled. Comber not your selff much with their envieing and undiscrete doings. There is fawt, as is thowght, in those that take them selff wysest and do take upon them. Some say that the MaiorFootnote ¹²¹⁹ for his understanding proceadeth carefully and not contentiously, unprovoked and uncontemned. Mr Κλαρκε Footnote ¹²²⁰ is an honest man and so hath ben cownted even in your father's tyme for an oppidanus.Footnote ¹²²¹ But when was it seene that an inholder shulde be made a Justice of Peace ^in^ his own ^such^ howse, thowgh against his wyll, must nedes be disorder and how in dede fitt to redress. They ^two^ band with too much note to do evenly. I pray yow lett ^not my^ writing be red of eny but your selff. Yow are to open ut antea saepius monui, utinam monita matris plus sapuissent palato tua fortasse multo in meliore statu vixisse et tibi et tuis, sed omni in bonitate dei mei acquiesco, non sine bona spe. Footnote ¹²²²

Theris a tindeFootnote ¹²²³ of report that Streatly by your means shulde succede Mr Thomas.Footnote ¹²²⁴ Surely, sonne, yf it shulde be so yow wyll sustein much discredit by him. I trust yow regarde more the great charge ^necessitie^ and duty of a religious sufficient scoolemaster, furnished with godliness ^with his teaching^ and wyse discretion, then carnall frendshipp to seek to place one that wanteth all these. He hath not been but ill spoken of and reconed inpudicus et effrenis;Footnote ¹²²⁵ ^forte gramma risui^.Footnote ¹²²⁶ Well, I deale playnly herin coram deo,Footnote ¹²²⁷ who direct yow in this speciall. Your father rejoysed that God sent him such a man as the late was and did much encourag him, commending ^him^ in my hearing and to me persepe.Footnote ¹²²⁸ I shulde be sory that yow, his sonne, shulde displease and dislyke many by a partiall choyce, to the hindrance of your good opinion for judgment and Christian, religious consideration by such a corrupt fantastyck person.

BruteFootnote ¹²²⁹ goes here yow wolde sell Napsbury.Footnote ¹²³⁰ I hope yow mean it not. The chiefest manor hereabowts. I wolde be sory to see but rather stay what I may for diverse respects. But yesterday, the Lord's day, being at the parish church, one asked ^by^ me the qwestion, who I looked not shulde heare or deale in such matters and sayde that Mr FullerFootnote ¹²³¹ had desyred a frend in these parties to harken owt some manor for him to buy ^and was desirous of it^. Thowgh I cowlde lyke of Mr Fuller better, ^legis peritus,^Footnote ¹²³² then other for him selff, I was, I promiss yow, much offended with the motion as a thing I greatly do and shall mislyke. Have yow no hope of posterite? Only my chyldern cownted in the worlde unworthy their father's care and provyding for them. Barly and Pinne, yf yow had kept them, wolde have ben above iv C markes a yere to yow.Footnote ¹²³³ Do not, I pray yow, make your selff a by-word both here and to such as are but your halff frends by so selling to your great lack and encombrance to this howse many wayes. And to descent, your sonnes, yowng sonnes in latter tymes, are blessed posterite and ^it^ wolde be well issued ^for them^. I shulde have ben happy to have seene chylder’s chylder but Frannce spoyled me and myne. God comfort us all, I humbly besech him, and look favorably upon ^us^ in Chris[t], his one dearly beloved ןמא.Footnote ¹²³⁴ Marke well quo animo haec scribo.Footnote ¹²³⁵ And God bless yow wyth health and gratiously supply your wants.

Gorhambury 25 January.

Mater tua,Footnote ¹²³⁶ AB.

189. Anne Bacon to Edward Stanhope, 14 February 1597

Copy. LPL 655, fo. 95r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 95v): De Madame a Mr Dr Stanhope, le 14ime de fevrier 1596

Addressed (fo. 95r): To Mr Doctor Stanhop give these.

Sir.

I cannot but marvell what ails yow, Mr Doctor, still to vex the godlie ministers of Christ and by your undeserved excommunication to hinder the glorie of God so pittifully.Footnote ¹²³⁷ I understand yow have thus ungodlie delt with Mr Bradelie, the precher at Redburne, an honest man and carefull by his godlie paines to make the gainsaying and waiward peopleFootnote ¹²³⁸ to become the people of God. Besides that the cause, being God's cause, ought nerelie to touch anie Christian hart, I take my selfe bound, since he was there lawfully placed by me, to assist him and to further him in his ministrie to the advauncing therby of God's honor. For he is neither a proud man nor carelesse of his famelie, nor contentious, but to winne the hard harted to tollerating; yow can chardge him with no materiall just cause, I dare ansuer, if not to gentle among such alenollingFootnote ¹²³⁹ and bad people most part, and yow would have them so still if yow bereave them of the meanes of trew conversion. By report, the enemies of God, of her Majestie and of our cuntrie are mighty and with cruell and fiery hartes preparing the readie ^to the pray^ and spoile of us all.Footnote ¹²⁴⁰ We had need with most humble submission intreat the Lord of hostes to be with us and on our side by publick fasting and unfained humilation, and that troughoutFootnote ¹²⁴¹ the land, and not presumptuouslie to beat back his faithfull and appointed servantes by his owne selfe, to stand in the gapp betwene God and us, to torne away his wrath so greatlie provoked daily by the fearfull contempt of his holie gospell, to hevelie and lamentablie manifested every where by our professed wickednes and most carnall securitie. I pray you, Sir, remember well your selfe and heap not thus God's displeasure uppon you, but incouradge the faithfull and painefull preachers of Jesu Christ that they maie labour comfortablie. Our life is uncertaine and riches speciallie gotten by partaking against God and increase of his trew honour will not availe in the day of his wrath, ‘For he is a consuming fier’ saith the holie prophet.Footnote ¹²⁴² I desire you hartely to remember and to your power to remedie this great undoing ifFootnote ¹²⁴³ her Majestie's people. Yf yow saw the grevous disturbance of a parish by disgracing and dissevering their godlie minister from them yow would, I am sure, both for conscience to God and your allegiance to our gracious soveraigne, avoid all occasions of such pernitious disquieting of the hartes of her good subjectes, who by the ghospell preached sincerelie amongst them love, dread and redelie obey her with willing hartes, and thatt of verie conscience pull awaye the good working meanes, yow kill their hartes and make them but sad and dull, either to serve God or her Majestie. It is to trew by to much experience, God help us. I commend yow and my selfe also to the grace of God in Christ.

Fleetstreete

In the Lord, ABacon, your sicklie and

auntient cosin, late Lord Keper's widow.

190. Anne Bacon to Robert Devereux, earl of Essex, 15 February 1597

Copy. LPL 655, fo. 215r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 215v): Le Madame Ann Bacon au Comte D’Essex le 15me le fevrier 1596

Addressed (fo. 215r): To my very good Lord, the Earl of Essex, worthFootnote ¹²⁴⁴ noble

My very singuler good Lorde.

I humbly desire your Lordship to vouchsafe to read this lettre inclosed, bycause this very first advertisement is sent me from a good preacher thereabout, one Mr Dike, now at Hemsted parish.Footnote ¹²⁴⁵ I am bould and tooke it my dutie to lett your Lordship understand the contents by his owne lettres; I could not well devide that cheife pointe, which I pray your good Lord to peruse bycause it concernes ^yow^ and yow could not have bene sure it came to me from the preacher indeed sua sponte.Footnote ¹²⁴⁶ The Lord of heaven and earth prosper yow longe in the one with his continuall grace and favour and spare yow for the other everlastinglye.

A Fleetstreet.

15 fevrier. Footnote ¹²⁴⁷

In the Lord, as I have great cause, ab imo pectore.Footnote ¹²⁴⁸

AB Χηρα.Footnote ¹²⁴⁹

191. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 1 March 1597

Holograph. LPL 656, fo. 49r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 49v): De Madame, le 2me de mars 1596

Addressed (fo. 49v): To my sonne Bacon

Sonne, Mr Dyke him selff wyll declare the matter to yow. He desyreth your carefull furtherance to helpe his sute to the Earle. The learned man hath great charge and yf my Lord may by his favorable ^letter^ further his sute, it wyll comfort him in his godly payns. Consider well and do discretely and yet hartely herin, yf yow may well. God make yow able to serve him in personall action with his dayly blessing.

Gorhambury primo Martii.Footnote ¹²⁵⁰

Your moother,

AB.

192. Anthony Bacon to Anne Bacon, 9 March 1597

Draft. LPL 656, fo. 5r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 5v): A Madame, le 9me de mars 1596

Madame, my most humble duty remembred.

My cosen Robert Bacon, havinge determined to imploie your Ladyship's meadiation and furthermore by lettre to my Lord Tresurer in the behalf of his nece, my cosen, Mrs Terrill,Footnote ¹²⁵¹ I could doe no lesse in acknowledgment of his confidence and spetiall kindenes towarsFootnote ¹²⁵² me then accompainie him withe these fewe lines, and most humblie beseche your Ladyship to recomende this and his nece's sute unto my Lord Tresurer, when I hope whose Lordship, I hope, in wisdome will shewe himselfe no les willinge, then in honor and kindnes he is bounde to gratefie your Ladyship. And so I most humbly take my leave.

Your Ladyship's most humble and obedient sonne.

193. Anne Bacon to William Cecil, Lord Burghley, 10 March 1597

Copy. LPL 656, fos 95r–96v. 2pp.

Endorsed (fo. 96v): De Madame Bacon a Mr le Grand Tresorier, le 9me de mars 1596

Addressed (96v): To the right honourable, my singular good Lord, Lord Tresorer of England

My singular good Lord.

Now I humblie desire your honour to licence me to write in some what a more unaccustomed stile unto your good Lordship. I perceave by this gentleman, Mr Robert Bacon, my Lord that was his elldest brother's onelie sonne, that he hath made some meane allreadie unto your Lordship for the wardshipp of Mr Tyrell, to whose mother he is uncle.Footnote ¹²⁵³ I confes trulie unto your honour that after he had requested me, being his allied aunt, to add my poore furtherance in this sort unto your Lordship for your obteining of the same, I was ever very willing and readie to trooble your honour thus much for him. Beseching your Lordship humbly and hartelie to be good LordFootnote ¹²⁵⁴ unto him in this his sute, proceding ^more^ from a naturall and kind affection for the good of the mother, warde, and thother chilldren, then for any profitt he meaneth to make by them. I dare assure your honour hereof for of long I have well knowen what trew, frendlie care he hath and had as a brother and as an uncle unto his kindred, discretlie and comfortably to his power, which naturall part manie omitt now adayes. Surelie, my ever good Lord, if it may please yow to lett him have that nere kin wardship and that intirelie without deviding of it, I am perswaded your Lordship shall not better bestow such a benefitt, in both respect of the widow and her other chilldren, as of the ward him selfe, who I know shall find him by the grace of God as a loving uncle-father in all kind dutie with wise usage and a good conscience, wherfore as may become me, I hartelie intreat your Lordship that he may gratiouslie obteine your honourable favour to the full obteining this, his naturall sute to so good andFootnote ¹²⁵⁵ end, which I am sure he purposeth unfeynedlie, the Lord guiding him. Good Lord, excuse this my earnest maner in his behalfe, being the first matter he ever required of me. And gladlie would shew my hartie good will to him in respect he was so nere my Lord and under your Lordship's leave one that I take to be afittFootnote ¹²⁵⁶ tutor every way. And I shall accompt my selfe as for your

[fo. 96v] other honourable acceptance of my constreyned bouldnes, even for this onlie very matter very much bound unto your honour. The God of all grace and comfort continew your good estate to your godlie, hartie joy and comfort of many. Gorhambury 10 Martii.

In the Lord,

unfeynedlie allwayes,

ABacon.

Late Lord Keper's widow.

194. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, 18 March 1597

Holograph. LPL 656, fos 47r–48v. 2pp.

Endorsed (fo. 48v): De Madame, le 19me de mars 1596

Addressed: To my sonne Mr Anthony Bacon at Essex Howse

υστερον προτερον.Footnote ¹²⁵⁷

Grace and health.

I sent my seale ring fastened to a litle psalme boke in meeter by my cosin Bacon.Footnote ¹²⁵⁸ I think yow know. Sende it saff, I pray yow, yf not well before, then by Thomas Knite, in eny wyse next weeke. I desyred the bearer heroff, Robert Smyth, the carier, to go with this lettre hym selff and to speak with yow. His byll for cariag and another for coales are so confused and exceading that it to plainly appeareth yow have none that careth for your profitt. I know not why your cariages shulde be appointed by eny of your men whosoever to me and yf yow wolde upon cawse have eny, then lett it be down orderly and sygned by your selff. For his byll of xvi li browght me by him for coales is monstrous. I had lyke to have torn it but that he browght it me him selff. Your father nether in London nor here spent so many in two yeres and was as ^well^ cherisedFootnote ¹²⁵⁹ in his gowte and syckness and better ^too^ in goode order of expences, which yow want and so runn on in dett as yow do. I turned back the coales byll by him again. Yow had of me for coales at London upon occasion of meeting the woman there, who sayde she cam for mony for coales, vi li abowt Hollantyde;Footnote ¹²⁶⁰ when I saw yow ^last^ yow reqwyred of me viii li for coales, then by Crossby I was demanded ix li, one pound more then yow named, where with I was not content, but never the less, thowgh I may but ill being owt of mony and compelled to borow to pay this next quarter's ways, I have delivered Crossby the ix li and odd shilling. For the rest ^for coales,^ I wyll not nor can pay. Yf I may know from your selff what cariag yow have had in dede, and sende it noted by this Mr Smyth, it may be I wyll pay it. But to have horses sent hether and sent for I wot not by whome nor for whome, only by your bowlde oversawcy masters ^rather^ then servants, for I must not be appointed, nether wyll I alow it so. For no horse shall be hether or sent hence, of eny of my servants, but by my commandment. Elce I geve over my authorite to my inferiours, which I think is a discreadit ^to eny of accompt^ that knows rightly their place from God and pray for grace to use it well ^and^ in goode order. I may think much lack of kindenes and duty in yow and your brother that never write to me. I wolde know how my cosin Bacon did with my Lord Tresurer for the wardeFootnote ¹²⁶¹ (but for him I wold not have written, nor of Mr Wolley's deall), nor where your brother tarieth the rest of this Lent and how it is with yow both. It greves me and I feare thaccess to yow styll of hollow ὁουαρδ.Footnote ¹²⁶² God kepe the Εαρλε Footnote ¹²⁶³ from being seduced by such. I pray remember to pay your scrivener's dett. I looked for and yow owght in duty to have sent me orFootnote ¹²⁶⁴ this your bond. I pray forget it no lenger, but let me have it shortly. Speak with Smyth your selff and take goode order with him.

[Left-hand margin] The Lorde geve good understa[nd]ing and goode health with his many blessings. Sape tibi ipsi quoque ne forte.Footnote ¹²⁶⁵

Gorhambury 18 Martii.

Mater tua,Footnote ¹²⁶⁶ AB.

195. Anthony Bacon to Anne Bacon, 24 March 1597

Draft. LPL 656, fo. 7r–v. 1p.

Endorsed (fo. 7v): A Madame, le 24eme de mars 1596

Madam,

Your Ladyship shall receave by Thomas Knight, according to your appointment, your seale and booke, for the which my cosen, Robert Bacon, rendreth by your Ladyship together, withe the remembrance of his dutie, most humble thankes, deferring to write unto your Ladyship till he be more assured by some good effectes, which my Lord Tresorer's sickness and exceding great business, ^he^ taking my cosen taking all thinges at the best, hath hetherto delayed. For Smith's bill, I tould him that what soever remained to be paid, I would satisfie. For my catt ^any cartte’s^ bill notes, and I my selfe remember it nor he demaunded any thing of me, praying your Ladyship to thinke that what occasion soever I have yett, it shall be alwayes more contentment to me to receave nothing fr atall from your Ladyship, than how much soever with any disquietnes of minde or troublesome conceiptes, which springing many times more out of jealousie and motherlie apprehension, then out of truth, trooble your Ladyship more then they can profit me. My brother is well, thankes be to God, and some times heare, or therwhile at Twittnam. And so I most humblie take my leave.

196. Anne Bacon to Anthony Bacon, [before August 1598]Footnote ¹²⁶⁷

Holograph. LPL 653, fo. 337r–v. 1p. Damaged.

Endorsed (fo. 337v): lettre de Madame

God bles yow with nedefull health, inwarde and owtwarde. Yow purge styll; me thinkes it shuld make nature nether to work digestion ner strength being so long still pulled. What custom of phisick hath done in yow God knows and yow me thinks feele. He helpe it in mercy.

I wolde gladly know when and how you sell Redborn. I think abowt 2 of the clock at furthest this day my Lady Pawlett wyll know certeinly for the lending me one C li as I lately wrote to her and she halff promised. But selling Redborn I wyll troble no more frends to borow, for yow and your brother must be all bownde for it. I have nothing to answer such detts.

Even as I had wrote thus farr, my Lady Paulett sent me worde by her kinsman that she was sory she cowlde not lend me a C li as I desyred but herafter yf L li wyll stande me, she wyll for that sum she sayth. I was glad I knew this so soone. I wyll ceass to troble eny moe,Footnote ¹²⁶⁸ growing syckly as I do and being behinde hand. Do wysely for Redborn and be owt of dett as soone as yow can and that don geve your selff to serve the Lorde with all your hart and look to your health that God may bless yow with a good marriage to your comfort. Wee must trust in the Lorde but with well doing, with our fayth first fownded upon Christ ^and his worde^. I thank God my physick proved well.

Kepe the affected parts warme.

Your moother, AB.

Sende me plain worde.

197. Anne Bacon to Nicholas Bacon II, 3 March 1600

Holograph from ‘in the Lord’. Chicago 4167. 2pp.

Addressed: To my lovinge sonne Sir Nicholas Bacon at Colford.Footnote ¹²⁶⁹ Deliver this.

Sir Nicholas Bacon, I commende me unto yow, and to your Ladye, hopinge of your good health. I thancke God my owne health ys not verye good, but I beare yt with pacience. And I thincke my selfe beholdinge to yow for havinge care of payenge me myne anuytie in good tyme for I have neede of yt alwayes before yt commeth to my handes. At this tyme yow have written to one Mr Cooke to paye me a hundered poundes at the Ladye Daye next,Footnote ¹²⁷⁰ of whome I shalbe verye well content to receave yt yf he paye yt to me then, but if he dothe fayle me and yow then, at the daye, I hope yow will have care of me, to see me payed. And so with prayer to God for this tyme I leave yow to his protection. From my lodingeFootnote ¹²⁷¹ in Fleete Streete this third of Marche 1599.

Your Lordship's mother,

in the Lord,

very frend, ABacon Χηρα.Footnote ¹²⁷²