Mr. Reeves, & The 8 of July Mr. Sey (sic) My La: to S Thos. Parrye's. [The next entries refer to other persons not connected with the marriage.] My la: Dunb. dyed 30th of July being Wensday abowt 7 in the morning 1610. † My L: Kyn: the of July 1610." [Lord Kinloss ?] "THE EXAMINATION OF WILLYAM SEMAR, ESQ. BEFORE Y LL OF HIS MATYS PREVYE COUNCELL THE 8TH of JULY 1610. He confesseth that upon Fryday was fortnight he was maryed unto the La: Arbella at Green wh in the chamber of the sayd La: Arbella ther. That there was present one Blagew sonne to the Deane of Rochest who was the minister that maryed them; ther were also present one Edward Rodné, Crompton-gent: usher to the La: Arbella, Edward Kyrton, and Edward Reve, Mrs. Biron and Mrs. Bradshawe two servants to the La: Arbella. The maryadge was on the Fryday morninge beforesayd, between fouer and fyve of the clock, but without any Lycense as he confesseth. He saith he came to Greenwh on the Thursday at night abowt twelffe of the clock, accompanyed with the said Rodné and Kyrton and did sitt upp in the La: Arbella her chamber all the night untill they were maryed. No. XXII. WILLIAM SEymaure." Letter from William Seymour's grandfather, the Earl of Hertford, to him when abroad: and another from the same to the Earl of Salisbury. See page 162. Oct. 23, 1613. "Your former great offences which I neede not expresse aded to y'. course of life, ever since you escaped over the seas, not a litle agrevated by your late wilfull repaire to Duncerke, contrary to his Majestie's pleasure, and my instructions sent you by your Tutor Pellinge ‡ under pretence of fear of creditors in Fraunce, would make any Grandfather hate the memorie of Mr. Hugh Crompton, her steward. + Probably Lady Dunbar, wife of Sir George Hume, created Earl of Dunbar, 1604. Mr. Pelling, one of the Earl's chaplains, had been sent over to William Seymour, about Novem. ber, 1611, suche a nephew. I had thought his Matie's gratious favour, that out of his princely compacion on your weeknes, drew from mee so greate an annall allowance, my care of your education from your cradle, & your dayly protestacion by Letters that you would amend all your errors, had ben enough to have with-held you from Duncerk or any other forbydden place, though it had ben with the losse of your liberty, or at least drawen you for a time to Jeneva, where your religion could not be corrupted, rather than to indevour payment of your debts by a worse means then they were incurred. These considerations make me fear though you are not corupted in your religion, from which God I hope will deliver my family, that you are falen from his grace and service without which you can never prosper, nor any naturall care of myne take good effect. You writ for payment of your debts and have prevayled with my worthy friend the Lord Imbassador Ledger (Edmunds) to write for increase of meanes, but do not consider how litle your ill government & profusse expense doth incourage mee to contynew that you have already. Is not £400 a yere from your aged Grandfather whose estate by debts and these like burthens stands more deeply ingaged then his life-time is like to free, an exceeding greate allowance ? which notwithstanding, I have not long since paied to Langrett your Marchant in Paris, £100 for you whereof your letter makes noe mention. To conclude, I advise you in the feare of God, serve him, amende your course of life, be carefull not to do any thinge that may offend your gracious Soveraigne, to whom I wishe myselfe and all myne to be saints, though to God we cannot bee but sinners, live within your compasse, depend uppon the good advise and counsell of that worthey gent. the Lo. Imbassador to whome you are muche bounde, his good indevours & justificacion of your reformation may be greate means for you one day to kisse that Royall hand which may make you happie, and bee a comfort to my old age. Whereas by your relaps you shalbe sure to rewin your selfe and what in you lyes tumble my graye haires with sorrow to my grave. In this course uppon farther triall, I may be drawen to do for you what my meanes will give leave. And ever so prayinge God to blesse you with his Holy Spirite, I reste. [At the foot of the above letter is the following rough draft of another letter relating to it.] My Lord; in theise parts men saye, he that entertaynes beggars, provides for dayly guests, from which cayse myne differs littell that incoraged by your love and kyndeness do perpetully trouble you. I have lately reed letters oute of Fraunce from my nephew William whose fayre promise of amendment hathe gayned the favour of my good frinde St Thomas Edmonds the ledger [umbassador] theare, my companion to the Archedukes, to write in his behalfe. Your Lp. knowes how much I was lately perplext with his beinge at Dunkerk and what course I helde therein from which my worthy Lo: I know not the waye to vary, & have therefore made boulde to sende these letters and my answeares to your Lp. that perusinge and approvinge my course therein theye maye be sent accordinge to theire directions for which I have taken order with this bearer : And ever so, &c. He was the Earl's grandson, but at that time grandsons were called nephews, from the Latin nepos. No. XXIII. Warrant signed by King Charles I., for the corpse of Robert Lord Beauchamp (son of William Marquis of Hertford) to pass from London to Bedwyn, 23 Jan.. 1645. See page 162. "CHARLES R. Charles by the grace of God King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, Defender of the faith &c. To all our commanders, Governors Officers and Souldiers Maiors, Sheriifs, Justices of the Peace, Constables and other our Ministers and loving Subjects whome it may concerne Greeting. Our command is that at sight hereof ye permitt the Corps of the Lord Beauchamp (Sonne to the Lord Marquis Hertford) frely to pass all Guards and Scouts from London to Beding in Wiltshire where he is to be interd, and that ye permitt the gentlemen and others appointed to attend the same thither, in all thirteen persons, together with their coaches, Horses and necessaries, to accompany the corps without any lett or impediment, and afterwards to returne peaceably to London without any trouble or hinderance. Wherein ye may not faile. And for so doing this shal be every your sufficient warrant. Given at Or Court at Oxford the 23th day of January 1645. By his Males Command, No. XXIV. EDW. NICHOLAS." Receipt for the value of the tapestry and bed-room furniture worked by Queen Jane Seymour. See page 163. [These articles had been given in 1647 by King Charles I. to William Marquis of Hertford, but in 1652, 3 years after the King's death, the Commissioners for the sale of the King's property, made the Marquis pay for them. A very interesting account of the dispersion of King Charles the First's magnificent collection of plate, jewels, pictures, tapestry, &c., is given in Disraeli's Curiosities of Literature (1st Series, Vol. iii., p. 383. The catalogue of them forms a fine folio MS., being Harl. MS., 4898).] "Whereas William Lord Marquess of Hertford hath caused the sum of sixty pounds to be paid unto the Treasurer for sale of the late King's goods in obedience to a former Order of this committee, which is a satisfaction for Five Pieces of Chequerd hangings of a coarse making, having the Duke of Somersett's [i.e. Protector Somerset's] Arms in them, And one furniture of a Bed of Needlework with a chaise [a chair] and cushions suitable thereunto, And are said to be wrought by the Queene the Lady Jane Seymaure with a gilt Bedsted thereto. All wich things were delivered to the said Marquess by the late King's warrant dated A° 1647 at Hampton Court. These are therefore by virtue of two Acts of Parliament for Sale of the late King's goods in consideration of the money so payed as aforesaid, to acquit and discharge the said William Lord Marquess Hertford his Heyers and Successors of all and singular the said goods. In witness whereof we have here unto sett our hands and seales this 22th of March 1652. Somerset House. VOL. XV.-NO. XLIV. John Fooke, U No. XXV. Letter from Mr. T. Gape, her steward, to Frances (Devereux) Duchess of Somerset, widow of William Seymour, Marquis of Hertford and Duke of Somerset, about the funeral of her grandson, William, third Duke of Somerset, at Bedwyn. Christmas, 1671. See p. 163. "May it please your Grace E.. The We came safe with the Hearse to Reading the first night, having Col. Cooke's mourning Coach and himselfe, Sir John Elwes [Nephew to the Lady Seymour]† Mr. Wingfield the Herauld & myself therin, drawne by my Lord Marquesse of Worcester's 6 Horses, having in all about 8 or 10 Horsemen attending the Hearse and Coach, we bayted not, nor so much as dranke by the way. next morning betwene 5 and 6 we set forth from Reading towards Hungerford, and came thither about 1 at noone, where the gentry of the countrey, viz. Sir Francis Popham with his coach in mourning and sixe horses, & a Gentleman of his kindred with him (but Sir Francis was in a light greyish suite) Sir John Elwes of Barton, Mr. Giles Hungerford, Mr. Pleydall of Mugehill, Mr. Geoffrey Daniell, Mr. Goddard, Mr. Deane, Mr. Hungerford of Chisbury, and many others of lesser note, together with many of his late Grace's servants, tenants, farmers, Bayliffs, & some others. After dinner we removed towards Bedwyn and came thither about 3 in the afternoone, and drove into the Church-yard; the Coffin was covered with blacke velvett and a silver plate nayled on it, having an inscription in a plate of silver with his Grace's Titles of honor, a black velvett Cushion with a Ducal Coronett thereon. The Corps being taken out of the Hearse was carried by some of his Grace's servants; Sir Francis Popham, the two Sir John Elwes, Mr. Daniell, Mr. Giles Hungerford and Mr. Pleydall bearing up the Pall at the 4 corners and the middle part. The Chauncell was hung round with blacke Bayes, having Escutcheons with his Grace's Coat-Armes pinned thereon. Mr. Charlett, Parson of Collingbourne Ducis performed the Funerall service, in the middle of which after the Corps was lett down into the grave, the Herauld rehearsed his Grace's Titles of Honour and Dignity. Col: Cooke was the chiefe mourner. There was much rudenesse of the common people, amongst whom none suffered that I hear of, but my selfe, I having above a yard of the cloth of my long Black Cloake cutt or rent off in the crowd at my going into the Church. I lay that night at the great House at Bedwin, being now in the possession of St John Elwes of Barton [who married the widow of Mr. Duke Stonehouse]. Col: Cooke, St John Elwes the younger, the Herauld, Mr. Thomas (who came into our company at Hungerford), the late Duke's & the Lord Marquess's Servants went that night to Marlborough: of whome I can give your Grace noe further information, save what I heare from Mr. Clotterbocke (who went with them thither) that Mr. Thomas hath displaced the Woodward of Collingbourne Woods, and putt his younger brother Alexander Thomas (who had runne out of his whole Estate, and left the Countrey for debt) into his place. E. for "Emanuel" (see above page 195). + The Lady Seymour alluded to was Elizabeth, daughter of William Lord Allington, wife of Charles Lord Seymour, of Trowbridge. Mary Capel, the mother of the deceased William Third Duke, had remarried Henry, Marquis of Worcester, afterwards first Duke of Beaufort, And that Mr. Ryder (who makes all meanes imaginable to get into my Lord Duke's Service) observed to Mr. Clotterbooke, how much money I had lost my Lady Marquesse, by my not agreeing with him in graunting wild Estates at our late Courts. I humbly beg your Grace's Pardon for this ruder relation; beseech Almighty God to preserve your Grace in good health, with length of days here, and to send your Grace patience and comfort to beare this sad Loss, & Eternall happiness hereafter. This is now and ever shall be the hearty prayer of Madame, your Grace's most dutifull & obedient Servant THO: GAPE." "Ambrosbury. St. John's day, in Christmas, 1671. For her Grace the Lady Duchesse Dowager of Somersett at Essex house." No. XXVI. The Herald-painter's bill at the funeral of Frances (Devereux), widow of William, second Duke of Somerset. May 7th, 1674. See page 163. MONEY LAYD OUT FOR THE ILLUSTRIOUS PRINCESS FRANCES DUCHESSE OF SOMERSETT HER GRACE INTERRED AT BEDWIN IN WILTS, MAY THE 7TH, ANNO 1674. Imprimis, for 3 Great Atcheivements of the Quartered Coates Baron & Femme, wrought in oyle with compartments of Gold Coronetts and Supporters, with Gilt Frames Two dozen of Escucheons on rich Taffaty wrought with quartered Coates, impaled Baron & Femm. with Coronetts, & five gold and silver at 10s. the peece £ s. d. 15 0 0 Four dozen of Buckram Escucheons with party gold and silver at 3s. 6d. 4 16 0 4 4 0 Four dozen of paper escucheons on the Great stair-case, at 2s. Two dozen of Large Pendants for the adorning the Hearse at 3s. 4d. Five dozen of small pencills* for the Horses Bridles, at 12s. the dozen Six shaftrons+ for the Horse Frontlets 4 0 0 400 3 0 0 0 15 0 6 6 0 5 0 0 248 3 dozen more of Buckram Escucheons for the Chapel and Country £81 16 8 Pencills. Pennoncells, little flags placed in the plumes of feathers on the horse's head, and also fastened to the tail, as may be seen in the procession of Queen Elizabeth's Funeral in Monumenta Vetusta. +Shaffrons, a corruption from the French word "chanfrein," the fore part of a horse's head. It means here the plumes of feathers placed there. |