Oxford's forty-four personal letters cover a variety of topics, mostly of a financial nature.

Return to Oxford's Letters Index.

[=01] BL Lansdowne 6[/25], f. 79: Oxford to Burghley, 19 August 1563.

My very honorable Sir

Sir, I have received your letters, full of humanity and courtesy, and strongly resembling your great love and singular affection towards me, like true children duly procreated of such a mother, for whom I find myself from day to day more bound to your honor. Your good admonishments for the observance of good order according to your appointed rules, I am resolved (God aiding) to keep with all diligence, as a thing that I may know and consider to tend especially to my own good and profit, using therein the advice and authority of those who are near me, whose discretion I esteem so great (if it is convenient to me to say something to their advantage) that not only will they comport themselves according as a given time requires it, but will as well do what is more, as long as I govern myself as you have ordered and commanded. As to the order of my study, because it requires a long discourse to explain it in detail, and the time is short at this hour, I pray you affectionately to excuse me therefrom for the present, assuring you that by the first passer-by I shall make it known to you at full length. In the meantime, I pray to God to give you health. Edward Oxinford.

[=02] BL Lansdowne 11[/53], ff. 121-2: Oxford to Burghley, 24 November 1569.

Sir. Although my hap hath been so hard that it hath visited me of late with sickness, yet thanks be to God, through the looking to which I have had by your care had over me, I find my health restored and myself double beholding unto you, both for that and many good turns which I have received before of your part; for the which, although I have found you to not account of late of me as in time tofore, yet notwithstanding that strangeness, you shall see at last in me that I will acknowledge and not be ungrateful unto you for them, and not to deserve so ill a thought in you that they were ill bestowed in me, but at this present desiring you, if I have done anything amiss that I have merited your offence, impute to my young years and lack of experience to know my friends. And at this time I am bold to desire your favour and friendship, that you will suffer me to be employed by your means and help in this service that now is in hand, whereby I shall think myself the most bound unto you of any man in this court, and hereafter ye shall command me as any of your own. Having no other means whereby to speak with you myself, I am bold to impart my mind in paper, earnestly desiring your Lordship that, at this instant, as heretofore you have given me your good word to have me see the wars and services in strange and foreign places, sith you could not then obtain me licence of the Queen's Majesty, now you will do me so much honour as that, by your purchase of my licence, I may be called to the service of my prince and country, as at this present troublous time a number are. Thus leaving to importunate you with my earnest suit, I commit you to the hands of the Almighty.

By your assured friend this 24th of November.
Edward Oxenford

*To the right honourable and his singular good friend Sir William Cecil, Secretary and Master of the Wards.

[=03] BL Harley 6991[/5], ff. 9-10: Oxford to Burghley, September 1572.


My Lord, I have understood by your Lordship's letters that Robert Christmas, according to my appointment, hath repaired to your good Lordship about my causes, and as your Lordship thinks good therein, as touching a new survey, so do I determine shall be done; for both as your Lordship perceives, and also myself, I have been greatly abused in the former by such as I put in trust tofore; but for that is past, now I have no other remedy but to look better to amend the fault in the rest of my dealings hereafter, and as for my timber at Colne Park, therein I had no other meaning save only to make, as it were, a yearly rent, so as I may without disparking the ground. But now for the surveyor which your Lordship hath named, I must get him by your Lordship's means and for your Lordship's sake, for I am utterly unacquainted with him.

And as for those large leases which your Lordship hath been advertised of to be granted by me, I do assure your Lordship, without dissembling my faults to you to whom I perceive myself so much to be bound unto for your singular care over my well-doing, I must confess my negligence and too little care, with the too too [sic?] much trust I have put to some over mine own doings; it may be I am greatly abused, but as yet, till I search into those things now, upon your Lordship's most gracious admonitions, I do not know, but it is likelier to be as your Lordship doth guess than otherwise and, if it be not so, it is more by good hap than of my providence.

The device of making free my copyholders, my Lord, I never thought of otherwise than a motion made to me by Robert Christmas wherein, among the other things, I bade him tell it your Lordship, at whose liking or disliking I was to be ruled in anything, knowing if it were a thing fit or unfit for me I should, by your Lordship's good advice, quickly understand, and so I left it to be not done, or taken in hand. And thus, sir, for these matters, both in this as in all other things, I am to be governed and commanded at your Lordship's good devotion.

I would to God your Lordship would let me understand some of your news (which here doth ring doubtfully in the ears of every man) of the murder of the Admiral of France and a number of noblemen and worthy gentlemen, and such as greatly have in their lifetimes honoured the Queen's Majesty our mistress, on whose tragedies we have a number of French Aeneases in this city that tells of their own overthrows with tears falling from their eyes, a piteous thing to hear, but a cruel and far more grievous thing we must deem it then to see. All rumours here are but confused of those troops that are escaped from Paris and Rouen, where Monsieur hath also been and, like a vesper Sicilianus, as they say, that cruelty spreads over all France, whereof your Lordship is better advertised than we are here. And sith the world is so full of treasons and vile instruments daily to attempt new and unlooked for things, good my Lord, I shall affectiously and heartily desire your Lordship to be careful both of yourself and of her Majesty, that your friends may long enjoy you, and you them. I speak because I am not ignorant what practices have been made against your person lately by Mather and later, as I understand, by foreign practices, if it be true. And think, if the Admiral in France was an eyesore or beam in the eyes of the papists, that the Lord Treasurer of England is a block and a cross-bar in their way, whose remove they will never stick to attempt, seeing they have prevailed so well in others'.

This estate hath depended on you a great while, as all the world doth judge; and now all men's eyes, not being occupied any more on these lost lords are, as it were, on a sudden bent and fixed on you, as a singular hope and pillar whereto the religion hath to lean. And blame me not, though I am bolder with your Lordship at this present than my custom is, for I am one that count myself a follower of yours now in all fortunes, and what shall hap to you, I count it hap to myself or, at the least, I will make myself a voluntary partaker of it.

Thus, my Lord, I humbly desire your Lordship to pardon my youth, but to take in good part my zeal and affection towards your Lordship, as on whom I have builded my foundation either to stand or fall. And good my Lord, think I do not this presumptuously, as to advise you that am but to take advice of your Lordship, but to admonish you as one with whom I would spend my blood and life, so much you have made me yours. And I do protest, there is nothing more desired of me than so to be taken and accounted of you. Thus, with my hearty commendations and your daughter's, we leave you to the custody of Almighty God. Your Lordship's affectioned son-in-law.

Edward Oxenford

*To the right honourable and his singular good Lord, the Lord Treasurer of England, give these.

[=04] BL Lansdowne 14[/84], ff. 185-6: Oxford to Burghley, 22 September 1572.

My Lord, I received your letters when I rather looked to have seen yourself here than to have heard from you, but sith it is so that your Lordship is otherwise affaired with the business of the Commonwealth than to be disposed to recreate yourself and repose ye among your own, yet we do hope after this, you having had so great a care of the Queen's Majesty's service, you will begin to have some respect of your own health, and take a pleasure to dwell where you have taken pain to build. My wife (whom I thought should have taken her leave of you, if your Lordship had come, till you would have otherwise commanded) is departed unto the country this day. Myself, as fast as I can get me out of town, do follow. Where [ ] I be any way employed, I am content and desirous [ ] service whereby I may show myself dutiful to her. Otherwise, if it were [ ] that respect, I think there is more trouble than credit to be gotten in such governments. If there were any service to be done abroad, I had rather serve there than at home, where yet some honour were to be got; if there be any setting forth to sea, to which service I bear most affection, I shall desire your Lordship to give me and get me that favour and credit that I might make one. Which, if [ ] there be no such intention, then I shall be most willing to be employed on the sea-coasts, to be in a readiness with my countryman against any invasion. Thus recommending myself to your good Lordship, I commit you to God. From London, this 22nd of September, by your Lordship's to command.

Edward Oxenford

*To [ ] singular good Lord, the Lord Burghley, and Lord Treasurer of England, give these at the court.

[=05] BL Lansdowne 14[/85], ff. 186-7: Oxford to Burghley, 31 October 1572.

My Lord, your last letters, which be the first I have received of your Lordship's good opinion conceived towards me (which God grant so long to continue as I would be both desirous and diligent to seek the same), have not a little, after so many storms passed of your heavy grace towards me, lightened and disburned [sic] my careful mind. And, sith I have been so little beholding to sinister reports, I hope now, with your Lordship's indifferent judgment, to be more plausible unto you than heretofore, through my careful deeds to please you which, hardly, either through my youth, or rather misfortune, hitherto I have done. But yet, lest those (I cannot tell how to term them but as backfriends unto me) shall take place again to undo your Lordship's beginnings of well conceiving of me, I shall most earnestly desire your Lordship to forbear to believe too fast lest I, growing so slowly into your good opinion, may be undeservedly of my part rooted out of your favour, the which thing to always obtain, if your Lordship do but equally consider of me, may see by all the means possible in me I do aspire, though perhaps, by reason of my youth, your graver and severer years will not judge the same. Thus therefore, hoping the best in your Lordship and fearing the worst in myself, I take my leave lest my letters may become loathsome and tedious unto you to whom I wish to be most grateful. Written this 31st day of October by your loving son-in-law from Wivenhoe.

Edward Oxenford

This bearer hath some need of your Lordship's favour which, when he shall speak with your Lordship, I pray you, for my sake he may find you the more his furtherer and helper in his cause.

*To the right honourable my singular good Lord, the Lord Treasurer, give these. At court.

[=06] Cecil Papers, 8/24: Oxford to Burghley, 17-18 March 1575.

My Lord, your letters have made me a glad man, for these last have put me in assurance of that good fortune which your former mentioned doubtfully. I thank God therefore, with your Lordship, that it hath pleased Him to make me a father where your Lordship is a grandfather and, if it be a boy, I shall likewise be the partaker with you in a greater contentation. But thereby to take an occasion to return, I am far off from that opinion, for now it hath pleased God to give me a son of my own (as I hope it is), methinks I have the better occasion to travel sith, whatsoever becometh of me, I leave behind me one to supply my duty and service either to my prince or else my country.

I thank your Lordship, I have received farther bills of credit and letters of great courtesy from Mr Benedict Spinola. I am also beholding here unto Mr Raymondo, that hath helped me greatly with a number of favours, whom I shall desire your Lordship, when you have leisure and occasion, to give him thanks, for I know the greatest part of his friendship towards me hath been in respect of your Lordship.

For fear of the Inquisition I dare not pass by Milan, the Bishop whereof exerciseth such tyranny; wherefore I take the way of Germany where I mean to acquaint myself with Sturmius, with whom, after I have passed my journey which now I have in hand, I mean to pass some time.

I have found here this courtesy, the King hath given me his letters of recommendation to his ambassador in the Turk's court; likewise, the Venetian ambassador that is here, knowing my desire to see those parties, hath given me his letters to the Duke and divers of his kinsmen in Venice, to procure me their furtherances to my journey, which I am not yet assured to hold, for if the Turks come, as they be looked for, upon the coast of Italy or elsewhere, if I may, I will see the service; if he cometh not, then perhaps I will bestow two or three months to see Constantinople and some part of Greece.

The English ambassador here greatly complaineth of the dearness of this country, and earnestly hath desired me to crave your Lordship's favour to consider the difference of his time from theirs which were before him. He saith the charges are greater, his ability less; the court removes long and oft; the causes of expense augmented, his allowance not being increased. But, as concerning these matters, now I have satisficed his desire, I refer them to your Lordship's discretion, that is better experienced than I perhaps informed him in [ ] negotiations of ambassadors.

My Lord, whereas I perceive by your Lordship's letters how hardly money is to be gotten, and that my man writeth that he would fain pay unto my creditors some part of that money which I have appointed to be made over unto me, good my Lord, let rather my creditors bear with me awhile and take their days assigned according to that order I left, than I to want in a strange country, unknowing yet what need I may have of money myself. My revenue I appointed with the profits of my lands to pay them as I may and, if I cannot yet pay them as I would, yet as I can I will, but preferring mine own necessity before theirs. And if at the end of my travel I shall have something left of my provision, they shall have it among them, but before, I will not disfurnish myself. Good my Lord, have an eye unto my men that I have put in trust. Thus making my commendations to your Lordship and my Lady, I commit you to God and, wheresoever I am, I rest at your Lordship's commandment. Written the 18th of March, from Paris.

Edward Oxenford

My Lord, this gentleman, Mr Corbek, hath given me great cause to like of him, both for his courtesies that he hath shown me in letting me understand the difficulties as well as the safeties of my travel, as also I find him affected both to me and your Lordship. I pray your Lordship that those who are my friends may seem yours, as yours I esteem mine, and given your Lordship's good countenance, and, in short, I rest yours.

*To the right honourable and his singular good Lord, my Lord Treasurer of England, give these.

[=07] Cecil Papers 160/74: Oxford to Burghley, 24 September [1575].

My good Lord, having looked for your Lordship's letters a great while, at length, when I grew to despair of them, I received two from your Lordship. Three packets which at sundry times I had sent this summer towards England returned back again by reason, the plague being in the passages, none were suffered to pass, but as they came were returned back, which I came not to the knowledge of till my return now to Venice, where I have been grieved with a fever. Yet, with the help of God, now I have recovered the same and am past the danger thereof, though brought very weak thereby and hindered from a great deal of travel, which grieves me most, fearing my time not sufficient for my desire, for although I have seen so much as sufficeth me, yet would I have time to profit thereby. Your Lordship seems desirous to know how I like Italy, what is mine intention in travel, and when I mean to return. For my liking of Italy, my Lord, I am glad I have seen it, and I care not ever to see it any more unless it be to serve my prince or country. For mine intention to travel, I am desirous to see more of Germany, wherefore I shall desire your Lordship, with my Lord of Leicester, to procure me the next summer to continue my licence, at the end of which I mean undoubtedly to return. I thought to have seen Spain, but by Italy I guess the worse. I have sent one of my servants into England with some new disposition of my things there, wherefore I will not trouble your Lordship in these letters with the same. If this sickness had not happened unto me, which hath taken away this chiefest time of travel, at this present I would not have written for further leave, but to supply the which I doubt not her Majesty will not deny me so small a favour. By reason of my great charges of travel and sickness, I have taken up of Mr Baptisto Nigroni 500 crowns, which I shall desire your Lordship to see there repaid, hoping by this time my money which is made of the sale of my land is all come in. Likewise I shall desire your Lordship that, whereas I had one Luke Atslowe that served, who now is become a lewd subject to her Majesty and an evil member to his country, which had certain leases of me, I do think, according to law, he leeseth them all to the Queen sith he is become one of the Romish church, and there hath performed all such ceremonies as might reconcile himself to that church, having used lewd speeches against the Queen's Majesty's supremacy, legitimation, government and particular life, and is here, as it were, a practiser upon our nation. Then this is my desire, that your Lordship, if it be so as I do take it, would procure those leases into my hands again, whereas I have understood by my Lord of Bedford they have hardly dealt with my tenants. Thus thanking your Lordship for your good news of my wife's delivery, I recommend myself unto your favour and, although I write for a few months more, yet, though I have them, so it may fall out I will shorten them myself. Written this 24th of September by your Lordship's to command.

Edward Oxenford

*To the right honourable his singular good Lord, the Lord Treasurer of England.

[=08] Cecil Papers 8/76: Oxford to Burghley, 27 November [1575].

My Lord, having th'opportunity to write by this bearer who departeth from us here in Padua this night, although I cannot make so large a write as I would gladly desire, yet I thought it not fit to let so short a time slip, wherefore, remembering my commendations to your good Lordship, these shall be to desire you to pardon the shortness of my letters, and to impute it at this present to the haste of this messenger's departure. And, as concerning mine own matters, I shall desire your Lordship to make no stay of the sales of my land, but that all things (according to my determination before I came away, with those that I appointed last by my servant William Booth) might go forward according to mine order taken, without any other alteration. Thus recommending myself unto your Lordship again, and to my Lady your wife, with mine, I leave further to trouble your Lordship. From Padua, the 27th of November.

Your Lordship's to command.

Edward Oxenford

*To the right honourable and his very good Lord, my Lord Burghley, Lord Treasurer of England, give these.

[=09] Cecil Papers 8/12: Oxford to Burghley, 3 January [1576].

My Lord, I am sorry to hear how hard my fortune is in England, as I perceive by your Lordship's letters. But knowing how vain a thing it is to linger a necessary mischief, to know the worst of myself & to let your Lordship understand wherein I would use your honourable friendship, in short, I have thus determined that, whereas I understand the greatness of my debt and greediness of my creditors grows so dishonourable to me and troublesome unto your Lordship that that land of mine which in Cornwall I have appointed to be sold (according to that first order for mine expenses in this travel) be gone through withal, and to stop my creditors' exclamations (or rather defamations I may call them), I shall desire your Lordship, by the virtue of this letter (which doth not err, as I take it, from any former purpose, which was that always upon my letter to authorize your Lordship to sell any portion of my land), that you will sell one hundred pound a year more of my land where your Lordship shall think fittest, to disburden me of my debts to her Majesty, my sister, or elsewhere I am exclaimed upon. Likewise, most earnestly I shall desire your Lordship to look into the lands of my father's will which, my sister being paid and the time expired, I take is to come into my hands. And if your Lordship will, for not troubling of yourself too much with my causes, command Lewen, Kelton and mine auditor to make a view into the same, I think it will be the sooner dispatched. As for Hulbert, I pray your Lordship to displace him of his office, which I restored unto him before mine auditor on condition he should render it up at all times that I should command. My reason is why I do the same, for that he bargained with me in Colne and, trusting him, therein he hath taken more than I meant and, as his own letter which I have sent to my servant Kelton doth show, more than himself did mean (a fit excuse for so cozening a part). And yet though it was more than he meant, whereas it is conditioned that all times he should surrender the same when his money should be offered to him again in compass of certain years, yet, in mine absence, he hath refused the same, as I understand, whereupon methinketh he deserveth very evil at my hands. And he that in so small a matter doth misuse the trust I have reposed in him, I am to doubt his service in greater causes, wherefore I do again desire your Lordship to discharge him from all dealings of mine, upon his accounts to the rest of my forenamed servants.

In doing these things, your Lordship shall greatly pleasure me; in not doing them, you shall as much hinder me, for although to depart with land, your Lordship hath advised the contrary, and that your Lordship, for the good affection you bear unto me, could wish it otherwise, yet you see I have none other remedy. I have no help but of mine own, and mine is made (to serve me and myself) not mine. Whereupon till all such encumbrances be passed over, and till I can better settle myself at home, I have determined to continue my travel, the which thing in no wise I desire your Lordship to hinder unless you would have it thus, Ut nulla sit inter nos amicitia, for having made an end of all hope to help myself by her Majesty's service, considering that my youth is objected unto me, and for every step of mine a block is found to be laid in my way, I see it is but vain calcitrare contra li buoi and, the worst of things being known, they are the more easier to be provided for, to bear and support them with patiency. Wherefore, for things passed amiss, to repent them, it is too late to help them (which I cannot), but ease them, that I am determined; to hope for anything, I do not, but if anything do happen preter spem, I think before that time I must be so old as my sons, who shall enjoy them, must give the thanks, and I am to content myself according to this English proverb, that it is my hap to starve like the horse whilst the grass doth grow.

Thus, my good Lord, I do boldly write, that you should not be ignorant of anything that I do, for if I have reason, I make you the judge, and lay myself more open unto you than perhaps if I write fewer lines, or penned less store of words, otherwise I could do. But for that it is not so easy a matter at all times to convey letters from these parties into England, I am therefore the more desirous to use largely this opportunity, and to supply in writing the want of speaking, which the long distance between us hath taken away. Thus I leave your Lordship to the protection of Almighty God, whom I beseech to send you long and happy life, and better fortune to define your felicity in these your aged years than it hath pleased Him to grant in my youth, but of a hard beginning we may hope a good and easy ending. Your Lordship's to command during life. The 3rd of January, from Siena.

Edward Oxenford

*To the right honourable and his singular good Lord, my Lord Burghley, Lord Treasurer of England, give this.

[=10] Cecil Papers 9/1: Oxford to Burghley, 27 April [1576].

My Lord, although I have forborne, in some respect which I hold private to myself, either to write or come unto your Lordship, yet had I determined, as opportunity should have served me, to have accomplished the same in compass of a few days.

But now, urged thereunto by your letters to satisfy you the sooner, I must let your Lordship understand thus much.

That is, until I can better satisfy or advertise myself of some mislikes, I am not determined, as touching my wife, to accompany her. What they are, because some are not to be spoken of or written upon as imperfections, I will not deal withal. Some, that otherways discontent me, I will not blaze or publish until it please me. And, last of all, I mean not to weary my life any more with such troubles and molestations as I have endured; nor will I, to please your Lordship only, discontent myself. Wherefore, as your Lordship very well writeth unto me that you mean, if it standeth with my liking, to receive her into your house, these are likewise to let your Lordship understand that it doth very well content me; for there, as your daughter or her mother's, more than my wife, you may take comfort of her, and I, rid of the cumber thereby, shall remain well eased of many griefs. I do not doubt but she hath sufficient proportion for her being to live upon and to maintain herself. This might have been done through private conference before, and had not needed to have been the fable of the world if you would have had the patience to have understood me, but I do not know by what or whose advice it was to run that course, so contrary to my will or meaning, which made her disgraced to the world, raised suspicions openly, that with private conference might have been more silently handled, and hath given me more greater cause to mislike. Wherefore I desire your Lordship in these causes (now you shall understand me) not to urge me any farther; and so I write unto your Lordship, as you have done unto me, this Friday, the 27th of April.

Your Lordship's to be used in all things reasonable.

Edward Oxenford

*To the right honourable and his very good lord, the Lord Burghley, Treasurer of England, give these.

[=11] Cecil Papers 9/15: Oxford to Burghley, [13 July 1576].

My very good Lord. Yesterday, at your Lordship's earnest request, I had some conference with you about your daughter wherein, for that her Majesty had so often moved me, and for that you dealt so earnestly with me, to content as much as I could, I did agree that you might bring her to the court, with condition that she should not come when I was present nor at any time to have speech with me, and further that your Lordship should not urge farther in her cause. But now I understand that your Lordship means this day to bring her to the court, and that you mean afterward to prosecute the cause with further hope. Now if your Lordship shall do so, then shall you take more in hand than I have or can promise you. For always I have, and will still, prefer mine own content before others' and, observing that wherein I may temper or moderate for your sake, I will do most willingly. Wherefore I shall desire your Lordship not to take advantage of my promise till you have given me some honourable assurance, by letter or word, of your performance of the condition which, being observed, I could yield, as it is my duty, to her Majesty's request, and bear with your fatherly desire towards her; otherwise, all that is done can stand to none effect. From my lodging at Charing Cross, this morning. Your Lordship's to employ.

Edward Oxenford

*To the right honourable and his very good Lord, the Lord Treasurer of England, give these.

[=12] PRO SP12/149[/42(15)], f. 108v: Oxford to commissioners for voyage to Meta Incognita, 21 May 1578.

To my very loving friends William Pelham & Thomas Randolph, Esquires, Mr Young, Mr Lok, Mr Hogan, Mr Field, & others the Commissioners for the voyage to Meta incognita.

After my very hearty commendations, understanding of the wise proceeding & orderly dealing for the continuing of the voyage for the discovery of Cathay by the northwest which this bearer, my friend Mr Frobisher, hath already very honourably attempted, and is now eftsoons to be employed for the better achieving thereof, and the rather induced as well for the great liking her Majesty hath to have the same passage discovered as also for the special good favour I bear to Mr Frobisher, to offer unto you to be an adventurer therein for the sum of one thousand pounds or more, if you like to admit thereof, which sum or sums, upon your certificate of admittance, I will enter into bond shall be paid for that use unto you upon Michaelmas Day next coming. Requesting your answers therein, I bid you heartily farewell from the court, the 21 of May, 1578.

Your loving friend,
Edward Oxenford

[=13] BL Lansdowne 33[/6], ff. 12-13: Oxford to Burghley, [13? July 1581].

My Lord, Robin Christmas did yesterday tell me how honourably you had dealt with her Majesty as touching my liberty, and that as this day she had made promise to your Lordship that it should be. Unless your Lordship shall make some to put her Majesty in mind thereof, I fear, in these other causes of the two Lords, she will forget me, for she is nothing of her own disposition, as I find, so ready to deliver as speedy to commit, and every little trifle gives her matter for a long delay. I willed E. Hammond to report unto your Lordship her Majesty's message unto me by Mr Secretary Walsingham, which was to this effect: first, that she would have heard the matter again touching Henry Howard, Southwell and Arundell; then, that she understood I meant to cut down all my woods, especially about my house, which she did not so well like of as if I should sell some land else otherwhere; and last, that she heard that I had been hardly used by some of my servants during this time of my commit, wherein she promised her aid, so far as she could with justice, to redress the loss I had sustained thereby, to which I made answer as I willed Hammond to relate unto your Lordship. Further, my Lord, whereof I am desirous something to write, I have understood of certain of my men have resorted unto your Lordship and sought, by false reports of other of their fellows, both to abuse your Lordship and me. But for that this bearer seems most herein to be touched, I have sent him unto your Lordship, as is his earnest desire, that your Lordship might so know him as your evil opinion, being conceived amiss by these lewd fellows, may be removed. And truly, my Lord, I hear of those things wherewith he is charged and, I can assure you, wrongfully and slanderously, but the world is so cunning as of a shadow they can make a substance, and of a likelihood a truth. And these fellows, if they be those which I suppose, I do not doubt but so to decipher them to the world as easily your Lordship shall look into their lewdness and unfaithfulness, which, till my liberty, I mean to defer, as more mindful of that importing me most at this time than yet seeking to revenge myself of such perverse and impudent dealing of servants, which I know have not wanted encouragement and setting on. But letting these things pass for a while, I must not forget to give your Lordship those thanks which are due to you for this, your honourable dealing to her Majesty in my behalf, which I hope shall not be without effect, the which attending from the Court, I will take my leave of your Lordship, and rest at your commandment, at my house this morning.

Your Lordship's assured.

Edward Oxenford

*For my Lord Treasurer.

[=14] BL Lansdowne 38[/62], ff. 158-9: Oxford to Burghley, [?20 June 1583].


I have been an earnest suitor unto your Lordship for my Lord Lumley, that it would please you for my sake to stand his good Lord and friend which, as I perceive, your Lordship hath already very honourably [ ], for the which I am in a number of things more than I can reckon bound unto your Lordship, so am I in this likewise especially. For he hath matched with a near kinswoman of mine to whose father I always was beholding unto for his assured and kind disposition unto me. Further, among all the rest of my blood, this only remains in account either of me or else of them, as your Lordship doth know very well, the rest having embraced further alliances to leave their nearer consanguinity. And as I hope your Lordship doth account me now one whom you have so much bound as I am to be yours before any else in the world, both through match, whereby I count my greatest stay, and by your Lordship's friendly usage and sticking by me in this time wherein I am hedged in with so many enemies, so likewise I hope your Lordship will take all them for your followers and most at command which are inclined and affected to me. Wherefore I shall once again be thus bold with your Lordship to be [ ] importunate in this matter for your Lordship's favour in [ ] my Lord Lumley's payment to her Majesty, wherein we [ ] all give your Lordship thanks and you shall do me as great an honour herein as a profit if it had been to myself, in that through your Lordship's favour I shall be able to pleasure my friend and stand needless of others that have forsaken me. Thus, for that your Lordship is troubled with many matters where you are, I crave pardon for troubling you.

Your Lordship's to command.

Edward Oxenford

*To the right honourable and his very good Lord, my Lord Treasurer of England, give these.

[=15] BL Lansdowne 42[/39], ff. 97-8: Oxford to Burghley, [30 October 1584].

It is not unknown to your Lordship that I have entered into a great number of bonds to such as have purchased lands of me, to discharge them of all encumbrances. And because I stand indebted unto her Majesty (as your Lordship knoweth), many of the said purchasers do greatly fear some trouble likely to fall upon them by reason of her Majesty's said debt, & especially if the lands of the Lord Darcy and Sir William Waldegrave should be extended for the same, who have two several statutes of great sums for their discharge. Whereupon many of the said purchasers have been suitors unto me to procure the discharging of her Majesty's said debt, and do seem very willing to bear the burden thereof if, by my means, the same might be stalled payable at some convenient days. I have therefore thought good to acquaint your Lordship with this their suit, requiring most earnestly your Lordship's furtherance in this behalf, whereby I shall be unburdened of a great care which I have for the saving of my honour and shall, by this means, also unburden my wife's jointure of that charge which might happen hereafter to be imposed upon the same if God should call your Lordship and me away before her.

Your Lordship's

Edward Oxenford

My Lord, this other day your man Stainer told me that you sent for Amys, my man and, if he were absent, that Lyly should come unto you. I sent Amys, for he was in the way. And I think very strange that your Lordship should enter into that course toward me whereby I must learn that I knew not before, both of your opinion and goodwill towards me. But I pray, my Lord, leave that course, for I mean not to be your ward nor your child. I serve her Majesty, and I am that I am, and by alliance near to your Lordship, but free, and scorn to be offered that injury to think I am so weak of government as to be ruled by servants, or not able to govern myself. If your Lordship take and follow this course, you deceive yourself and make me take another course than yet I have not thought of. Wherefore these shall be to desire your Lordship, if that I may make account of your friendship, that you will leave that course, as hurtful to us both.

*To the right honourable my very good Lord, the Lord Treasurer of England.

[=16] BL Lansdowne 50[/22], ff. 49-50: Oxford to Burghley, [25 June 1586].

My very good Lord. As I have been beholding unto you divers times, and of late by my brother R. Cecil, whereby I have been the better able to follow my suit wherein I have some comfort at this time from Mr Secretary Walsingham, so am I now bold to crave your Lordship's help at this present for, being now almost at a point to taste that good which her Majesty shall determine, yet am I one that hath long besieged a fort and, not able to compass the end or reap the fruit of his travail, being forced to levy his siege for want of munition. Being therefore thus disfurnished and unprovided to follow her Majesty, as I perceive she will look for, I most earnestly desire your Lordship that you will lend me 200 pounds till her Majesty performeth her promise, out of which I shall make my payment, if it please you, with the rest that your Lordship hath at sundry times, to my great furtherance and help in my causes, sent me by your servant and steward Billet. I would be loath to have troubled your Lordship with so much if I were not kept here back with this tedious suit from London, where I would have found means to have taken up so much to have served my turn till her Majesty had dispatched me, but for that I dare not (having been here so long and the matter growing to some conclusion) be absent. I pray your Lordship bear with me, that at this time wherein I am to set myself in order I do become so troublesome. From the Court this morning.

Your Lordship's ever bounden,

Edward Oxenford

*To the right honourable and my very good Lord, my Lord Treasurer of England, give these.

[=17] BL Lansdowne 63[/71], ff. 181-2: Oxford to Burghley, 5 August [1590].

My very good Lord, where I mortgaged my lease of Aveley to Mr Herdson, and not as yet redeemed, and now, as well for the supply of my present wants, as also to have some three hundred pounds of ready money to redeem certain leases at Heningham which were gotten from me very unreasonably, for divers years yet enduring, and are of as good clear yearly value as my said lease of Aveley is, I therefore most earnestly desire your Lordship to signify your liking to me in writing to dispose of the said lease at my pleasure; otherwise, there is not any will deal with me for the same nor for any part thereof, wherein I shall be greatly beholding to your Lordship, as I am in all the rest of my whole estate. The 5th of August.

Your Lordship's to command,

Edward Oxenford

The lease dependeth upon divers casualties, which lease I hold chiefly by your Lordship's favour, and the casualties & defects are as follow.

First, the lease is made by the name of "The Master and Chaplains called the Hospital of the Savoy", where the corporation is "The Master & the Chaplains of the Hospital of the Savoy", & not "called the Savoy", & therefore the lease supposed void.

Secondly, Mr Payne's claim, and pretending interest to the said lease, doth cost me one hundred pound by the year to defend.

Thirdly, any creditor of mine to whom I am indebted may, by writ of eligit, or fieri facias or levari facias, extend, and sell the said lease for a trifle, and utterly defeat me thereof. And I intend for £300 in money to redeem leases of mine own land of a greater yearly value.

*To the right honourable and his very good Lord, the Lord Treasurer of England, give these.

[=18] BL Lansdowne 63[/76], ff. 191-2: Oxford to Burghley, 8 September [1590].

I would have been with your Lordship before this, but that I have not had my health; nevertheless, Hampton being returned from the country, I have sent him to your Lordship, that he may advertise you of his proceedings there. At Oatlands, I think your Lordship remembers a complaint of [ ] Bellingham's son, of his mother's putting forth of the castle, which was before anything done, whereupon your Lordship directed a letter unto [ ] sheriff, [ ] whereof, as it seems, Thomas Hampton had dealt with more favour towards her than the letters unto the sheriff imported. Notwithstanding, I understand Bellingham is gone to the court, encouraged I know not by what friends, to complain, as he did report here in town, not to your Lordship, but to her Majesty's self. My Lord, it was ever meant that he should have consideration as reason and conscience might afford him. But sithence he taketh a violent course and refuseth reasonable offers, I have sent Hampton to inform your Lordship the state of the man, who hath received heretofore a pardon for three burglaries and stands bound to the good behaviour, which behaviour, for sundry and manifest breaches thereof, which I can prove, he hath lost the benefit of his pardon whereby, as lord of the manor by escheat, I am to deal with him as he hath given me occasion, and herein I hope her Majesty will have consideration, sith the same case hath been seen once in Henry the Seventh's time and one example in this, her Majesty's. For those things which falls to me by escheat, I do not doubt that her Majesty will, against her law, give any ear, or hearken to such wrongful complaint.

Skinner hath been often with me for a composition, upon what point of law Hampton is to inform your Lordship, referring myself wholly to your Lordship who, in all my causes, I find mine honourable good Lord, and to deal more fatherly than friendly with me, for the which I do acknowledge, and ever will, myself in most especial wise bound. And whereas there is a lease in Arthur Myles' hand of the manor and lands of Lavenham, I desire your Lordship to cause him to make over his trust unto my servant Minn, to whom the other lease is made. If there be complaints made unto your Lordship (as I doubt not but that there will) against the proceedings of mine officers, I most earnestly desire that there may be some reasonable time appointed for the answering of them because my counsel is not in town, but shall be before, or at the beginning of, the term to satisfice your Lordship and answer their particular complaints. London, this 8th of September,

Your Lordship's to command.

Edward Oxenford

*To the right honourable and his very good Lord, the Lord Treasurer of England, give these at the court.

[=19] BL Lansdowne 68[/6], ff. 12-13: Oxford to Burghley, 18 May [1591].

My Lord, I do thank your Lordship for the punishment of Hampton, whose evil dealings towards me, being put in trust with my causes in law, I hope your Lordship will think them sufficient to deserve your disgrace, especially knowing his corruptions which, for the more assured knowledge of your Lordship, I have sent unto the parties themselves from whom he hath drawn money to his own behoof, whose confirmations, so soon as they can be brought out of the country, they shall be delivered to your Lordship. In the mean season, I shall most heartily pray your Lordship to persever in your good favour towards me, whereby I may procure redress against this which Amys hath passed under the Great Seal by the practice of Hampton's fraudulent device, as shall appear (if I may have leisure to manifest the same) every day more and more. The changing of the name of my servant without my privity, and putting in another in trust for himself (as bad, as I understand, as himself), if your Lordship will, may give your Lordship certain knowledge of the deceit; the cozening of so many tenants of their money, and the forfeiting of my lease of Skinner's land, do witness enough his corruption. I know if your Lordship will stand mine honourable good Lord and friend herein by handling this Hampton roughly, and this Amys so that he be but put in fear, that you may bring them to that order which is reason, that I may enjoy mine own lands, as from the beginning was meant by her Majesty. And as for this letter of Amys' which I have returned to your Lordship, both concerning my messages to him and the dealing of my servant, as he reports is most false, wherefore I will refer all to your Lordship, who knows the intent of her Majesty's first meaning to me was far otherwise in the beginning when, with this suit of mine, she thought to recompense me in some sort for forbearing my suit for the forest, and can judge how unfaithfully I am dealt withal by these parties. Which favour if your Lordship shall do for me, then would I gladly break unto your Lordship another matter which I would have done ere this had I not been intercepted by these unlooked for troubles. And this it is.

Whereas I have heard her Majesty meant to sell unto one Middleton, a merchant, and one Carmarden the demesnes of Denbigh which, as I am informed, is £230 by yearly rent now as it is, I would be an humble suitor to her Majesty that I might have had this bargain, paying the £8000 as they should have done, accepting for £5000 thereof the pension which she hath given me in the Exchequer, and the other £3000 the next term, or upon such reasonable days as her Majesty would grant me by her favour. And, further, if her Majesty would not accept the pension for £5000, that then she would yet take unto it, to make it up that value, the title of the forest which, by all counsel of law, and conscience, is as good right unto me as any other land in England. And I think her Majesty makes no evil bargain, and I would be glad to be sure of something that were mine own and that I might possess. If her Majesty thinketh it should offend the tenants, and for that she hath granted them a lease, if they complain or be against it I will cease my suit, but if I can get their goodwills, and that they shall let their lease fall which her Majesty hath granted (whereupon I dare presume to your Lordship), then that her Majesty will let me have it on those former conditions. This is a thing that I have been desirous to impart unto your Lordship, but that I have either found you troubled with other business or I myself have been encumbered with these treacheries of Hampton.

The effect hereof is, I would be glad to have an equal care with your Lordship over my children, and if I may obtain this reasonable suit of her Majesty, granting me nothing but what she hath done to others, and mean persons, and nothing but that I shall pay for it, then those lands which are in Essex, as Hedingham, Bretts and the rest whatsoever, which will come to some 5 or £600 by year, upon your Lordship's friendly help towards my purchases in Denbigh shall be presently delivered in possession to you for their use. And so much I am sure to make of these demesnes for myself.

So shall my children be provided for, myself at length settled in quiet and, I hope, your Lordship contented, remaining no cause for you to think me an evil father, nor any doubt in me but that I may enjoy that friendship from your Lordship that so near a match, and not fruitless, may lawfully expect. Good my Lord, think of this, and let me have both your furtherance and counsel in this cause for, to tell truth, I am weary of an unsettled life, which is the very pestilence that happens unto courtiers that propound to themselves no end of their time therein bestowed. Thus committing your Lordship to Almighty God, with my most hearty thanks and commendations, I take my leave this 18th of May.

Your Lordship's ever to command.

Edward Oxenford

*To the right honourable & his very good Lord, the Lord Treasurer of England, give these.

[=20] BL Lansdowne 68[/11], ff. 23, 28: Oxford to Burghley, [30 June 1591].

My very good Lord, I do understand by Mr. Fortescue your Lordship's good disposition and willingness to pleasure me in this my cause wherein, being deceived by Hampton, whom I did put in trust to follow the matter forsomuch as he was the deviser of the suit, I sought remedy to her Majesty that I might have a new lease to perform the first intention of her grant. In this I did not doubt but to have had your Lordship's favour for that I was borne in hand by Hampton that I should have a better lease, but I do find his report was untrue, and your Lordship not advertised of mine estate. Now therefore I have sent unto your Lordship a remembrance whereby your Lordship may understand how I have been dealt with. And I hope there is no occasion given, but that your Lordship may both favour and further my matter as you have ever done, being rightly informed which, being once ended (as I doubt not by your Lordship's good means and her Majesty's disposition to succour me at this time), as I desired of your Lordship by my letters when first this trouble began to break out whilst her Majesty was at Theobalds, so I remain in every point to satisfice your Lordship to your content and my quiet, which I hope by these few lines you will conceive. And I have included herein these notes as briefly as I may, which also I have sent unto her Majesty for the better understanding how to give me remedy. Thus desiring your Lordship to favour me at this present, as you have done in this suit and in others heretofore, I will take my leave, remaining your Lordship's to command.

Edward Oxenford

*To the right honourable and his very good Lord, the Lord Treasurer of England, give these.

[=21] BL Harley 6996[/22], ff. 42-3: Oxford to Burghley, 25 October 1593.

My very good Lord, I hope it is not out of your remembrance how long sithence I have been a suitor to her Majesty that she would give me leave to try my title to the forest at the law, but I found that so displeasing unto her that, in place of receiving that ordinary favour which is of course granted to the meanest subject, I was browbeaten and had many bitter speeches given me; nevertheless, at length, by means of some of the Lords of the Council, among which your Lordship especially, her Majesty was persuaded to give me ear. At that time, which was at Somerset House (if your Lordship please to call to mind), her Majesty would needs have it committed unto arbitrers, pretending therein to do me especial favour in cutting off the long circumstances of the law and charges pertaining thereto. But after I had consented thereunto, for me could be no other arbiter permitted than the Lord Chancellor, whom she had chosen for herself; this I am assured your Lordship hath good cause to remember by her Majesty's exception against you, in that she thought you partial to your son-in-law. But these things I call only to mind for your Lordship's better remembrance which, through so many affairs, otherwise, in so long a time, it is no marvel if perhaps you have easily forgotten. Therefore I will to purpose only further call to remembrance the success of this arbitrament, which was thus. After much ado, and a good year spent by delays from her Majesty, my Lord Chancellor, then Sir Christopher Hatton, being earnestly called upon, appointed a time of hearing, both for her Majesty's learned counsel at the law and mine, whereupon what he conceived thereby of my title, he was ready to have made his report unto her Majesty. But such was my misfortune (I do not think her mind to do me any wrong), that she flatly refused therein to hear my Lord Chancellor, and for a final answer commanded me no more to follow the suit for, whether it was hers or mine, she was resolved to dispose thereof at her pleasure. A strange sentence, methought, which, being justly considered, I may say she had done me more favour if she had suffered me to try my title at law, than this arbitrament under pretence of expedition and grace; the extremity had been far more safe than the remedy which I was persuaded to accept. But after I had made some complaint of this hard determination, yet in so desperate a state, she promised this relief to my cause that, in some other matter, that should be as commodious as that unto me, she would recompense me in the meanwhile. Hence riseth the cause, my Lord, wherefore I have preferred many suits to her Majesty, but have found in them all the same delays and difficulties that I did in the other before. But now the ground whereon I lay my suit being so just and reasonable that either I should expect some satisfaction by way of recompense, or restoration of mine own (as I am yet persuaded till law hath convinced me), these are most earnestly to desire a continuance of your Lordship's favour and furtherance in my suit which I made at Greenwich to her Majesty, at her last being there, about three commodities, to wit, the oils, wools and fruits, in giving therefor as then my proffer was. I do the rather now renew the same for that I do not hear as yet they are disposed otherwise, and that the time is fittest, as well as for her Majesty's commodity as his that shall take it, and considering (if her Majesty will have a just consideration of the premises) I am to challenge and expect somewhat. Your Lordship knows the whole process of the matter, and can better judge than any other (as to whom my estate is best known, & how hardly I may forbear so great an interest without any recompense) and, therefore, as to the meetest (for that my state and cause, both in right and conscience, is best understood) to conceive of the just desire I make of this suit, I do address myself to your Lordship, most earnestly to crave both your opinion and counsel, your favour and furtherance, whether I were best to follow this suit which I have commenced or, it standing so that there is no good or hope to be done or conceived therein, to seek again her Majesty's favour that I might proceed in law to try my title to the forest. And thus desiring your Lordship to hold me excused for that I am so long in a matter that concerneth me so much, I will make an end, this 25 of October, 1593.

And always rest your Lordship's to command.

Edward Oxenford

*To the right honourable and his very good Lord, the Lord Treasurer of England.

[=22] BL Lansdowne 76[/74], ff. 168-9: Oxford to Burghley, 7 July 1594.

My very good Lord, if it please you to remember that about half a year or thereabout past I was a suitor to your Lordship for your favour that, whereas I found sundry abuses whereby both her Majesty & myself were, in mine office, greatly hindered, that it would please your Lordship that I might find such favour from you that I might have the same redressed. At which time I found so good forwardness in your Lordship that I thought myself greatly beholding for the same; yet, by reason at that time mine attorney was departed the town, I could not then send him to attend upon your Lordship according to your appointment. But hoping that the same disposition still remaineth towards the justness of my cause, and that your Lordship, to whom my estate is so well known, & how much it standeth me on not to neglect as heretofore such occasions as to amend the same may arise from mine office, I most heartily desire your Lordship that it will please you to give ear to the state of my cause and, at your best leisure, admit either mine attorney or other of my counsel in law to inform your Lordship that, the same being perfectly laid open to your Lordship, I may enjoy the favour from you which I most earnestly desire. In which doing, I shall think myself singularly beholding in this, as I have been in other, respects. This 7th of July, 1594.

Your Lordship's ever to command,

Edward Oxenford

*To the right honourable & his very good Lord, the Lord Treasurer of England.

[=23] Cecil Papers 31/106: Oxford to Cecil, 24 April 1595.

Sir Robert Cecil. Whereas I have dealt with the Earl of Derby about my daughter's allowance, and that he hath promised me to assure her to that intent a thousand pound a year, forsomuch as I now understand, upon some discontentment that he hath not attained to that honour which it seemeth he did at this time expect, he determines tomorrow to depart into Lancashire, and that he hath neither in his house or for herself set down any stay whereby either in her own lodging or, if she shall follow her attendance upon her Majesty, she is provided as his wife. I do therefore most heartily desire you as her uncle and good friend to deal earnestly with my Lord Treasurer, unto whom I have also written, that he would send unto him or else speak with him, to the end that either he should fulfil his promise or, until such time as he shall, to take that order which is fit for her place wherein she serves her Majesty, and for his wife. I do understand by my daughter how good an uncle she finds you, and how ready to friend her, wherein I also take myself beholding unto you. Of what fancies his humours are compounded you know well enough, and therefore I pray you to be earnest with my Lord that he may deal effectually upon so good a ground as his word and honour which he hath given. Also I understand that my Lady Russell, for some offence conceived of my daughter, hath lately written to my Lord Treasurer to discourage and dissuade him to urge the Earl of Derby but, for that she was herself the first that moved this allowance, and hath sithence altered her mind upon some conceit, I hope my Lord will not be carried away upon such unconstant balance. Yet if you find any such hindrance, I pray you, nevertheless stick to your niece and further her in what you can, sith her desire is just in that it is his promise, & reasonable in that she is his wife. Thus what you shall do for her, esteeming it mine own bond, I refer her whole cause to your kindness. Your assured friend.

Edward Oxenford

*To the right honourable & his very good friend Sir Robert Cecil, one of her Majesty's Privy Council, give these.

[=24] Cecil Papers 35/84: Oxford to Cecil, 20 October 1595.

Good Sir Robert Cecil. I have often received from you many words of courtesies & favours when I should have occasion to use ye, all which I have believed, & do still, imagining those promises to proceed of a free & liberal disposition. Wherefore, having at this time an especial opportunity to try my friends in a cause which I do not doubt but just, I make thus far bold with you that, whereas a few years sithence I was a suitor to her Majesty for her favour thus far, that my right (which I did not doubt) to the forest of Waltham & park of Havering, concerning the keeping thereof, might have trial at law, which is a common course to every subject, & that then, under pretence to do me a favour, her Majesty, to avoid charge and delay of the law, greatly to mine ease and for better expedition, her pleasure was that the matter should be referred to arbitrament, which was so done as, her Majesty taking exception to my arbitrer, had her own, Sir Christopher Hatton, then Lord Chancellor, appointed as indifferent for us both, as she did measure it. He, having heard the matter, and her Majesty's counsel with mine, was resolved, and hereupon wished me to urge her Majesty to call for his report, which accordingly I did, and the Lord Chancellor present. In short, she refused to hear him. She flatly said whether it were mine or hers she would bestow it at her pleasure and so, under pretence of keeping the same from spoil till the matter were decided between her Majesty and myself, she put it into the hands of Sir Thomas Heneage and this, after a year's travail, I had for my short expedition. Now my Lord your father is a full witness of all these things, being present when the matter was committed, and the intentions and all are sufficiently known to him, with all the course observed. I have written also to him and also to her Majesty. I only desire my friends that may speak their minds to her Majesty, & have opportunity, that they will be means that either she will let me enjoy that which my right doth cast upon me (and the law) with her favour, or that she will protect me with her law as her subject and that, if it be none of mine, she will rather take it away by order than oppression.

This 20th of October 1595
Your assured friend,

Edward Oxenford

As I was folding up this letter I received a very honourable answer from my Lord Treasurer. My whole trust in this cause is in you two, my Lord for that he is privy to the whole cause and handling thereof from time to time, and in you, for that I assure myself in so just a matter you will not abandon me.

He seemeth to doubt yet of his death, & wisheth me to make means to the Earl of Essex that he would forbear to deal for it, a thing I cannot do in honour sith I have already received divers injuries and wrongs from him which bar me of all such base courses. If her Majesty's affections be forfeits of men's estates, we must endure it.

*To the right honourable & his very good friend & brother Sir Robert Cecil, one of her Majesty's Privy Council.

[=25] Cecil Papers 172/81: Oxford to Cecil, 21 October 1595.

There are times wherein the use of friends are so necessary that, although we be loath to be cumbersome, yet are we compelled to thrust into their hands the trust of our troublesome causes. Such is my state at this present, who in mine own conceit have no mistrust of your good disposition towards me, yet am I forced (by what unlooked for occasion I cannot tell) at this time to turn my thought upon you as the only friend with whom, I think, I may be boldest.

Wherefore, for that I understood the great danger of life wherein Mr. Vice-Chamberlain lay, considering the veins and humours of this world I do not mistrust but many things hereby falling into her Majesty's hands to bestow, that there would be many suitors. And for that to the keeping of the forest of Waltham & the park of Havering mine evidences show me a certain right to the same (from which I cannot be persuaded till I know better to the contrary), I have most humbly written to her Majesty that, after so many bestowings of it upon others void of any pretence, she will now at length give ear to the justness of my cause &, as she hath often disposed it upon others upon favour, that now, not only upon justice but also upon grace she will deign it to the rightful keeper.

And this I do not notice to you as if I thought it in your power to do more than it shall please to come of her Majesty's own disposition, but for that you are the only person that I dare rely upon in the court and at this present to implore as an instrument to make my desire known unto her Majesty.

And thus having opened to you my cause, what I have written in effect to her Majesty and what I crave of your courtesy, I commit you to God. This 21 of October, 1595.

Your loving and assured friend and brother.

Edward Oxenford

*To the right honourable & his very well beloved friend & brother-in-law Sir Robert Cecil, one of her Majesty's Privy Council.

[=26] Cecil Papers 44/63: Oxford to Cecil, 6 September 1596.

The writing which I have is in the country, for I had such care thereof as I carried it with me in a little desk; tomorrow or the next day I am to go thither and, so soon as I come home, by the grace of God, I will send it you. The Earl of Derby should have set his hand and seal to this copy as he had done to yours but, his promises being but delays and shifts, in the mean season I caused his officer Ireland and another to set their hands unto it to witness that it was a true copy. I named to you in haste in my last letter, Mr Hicks, but I had forgot myself; it was Mr Bernardeau whom my Lord employed in that cause, and therefore I think him able to satisfice all such doubts as my Lord may cast. I do not doubt but if my Lord had then any care thereof, or Mr Bernardeau, but that this assurance is as firm as the law can make it; there was employed in it the Master of the Rolls, then and now Lord Keeper, and others of my Lord's learned counsel in law who, I hope, are sufficient to pass greater matters than it.

Thus taking my leave from Cannon Row, this 6 of September, 1596,

I remain your loving friend.

Edward Oxenford

*To his very well beloved and honourable friend, Sir Robert Cecil, Principal Secretary to her Majesty, and one of her Highness' Privy Council, give these.

[=27] Cecil Papers 44/101: Oxford to Cecil, 17 September 1596.

I have sent you by this bearer the copy which was in my hands but, perusing the same, it seemeth to be not as I took it, but rather a counterpane of her jointure than of her pension. How my daughter's occasions are to use the same I am ignorant, being made rather acquainted therewith by common report than from herself or any of her friends. But I doubt not but that my Lord and you did so well look to the same when it was to be performed that what assurance was to be made was done with good advice. I know that Bernardeau was the man who was employed, and that the intent was for a pension of one thousand pounds by years to be assured her so long as my Lord of Derby lived, and to that end a lease to her use was to be made over unto you and myself. How it was followed, if this be not it, I know not. Wherefore I pray you, good Sir Robert Cecil, peruse this, and if it be not as I take it, yet have that care of your niece that if it be in the hands of Bernardeau it may be sought out. Also I am most earnestly to desire you that, as you are her uncle and nearest to her next myself, that you will friendly assist her with your good advice. You know her youth and the place wherein she lives, and how much to both our houses it imports that she carry herself according to her honour. Enemies are apt to make the worst of everything, flatterers will do evil offices, and true and faithful advice will seem harsh to tender ears. But sith my fortune hath set me so far off as I cannot be at hand in this her troublesome occasions, I hope you will do the good office of an uncle and I commit unto you the authority of a parent in mine absence. Thus confounded with the small understanding of her estate, and the care of her well-doing, I leave to trouble you any farther, most earnestly desiring you, as you can get leisure, to advertise me how her causes stand and upon what terms, whereof, I assure you, I cannot yet tell what to think. This 17 of September 1596.

Your assured friend.

Edward Oxenford

*To the right honourable and his very well beloved friend Sir Robert Cecil, Secretary to her Majesty, give these.

[=28] Cecil Papers 37/66(b): Oxford to Cecil, 11 January 1597. Accompanies =49.

Good Sir Robert Cecil. Whereas my wife hath showed me a supplication exhibited to the Lords of the Council against her, I have longed both to yield you thanks for your courtesy to her and myself in making her acquainted therewith, and also to advertise you how lewdly therein he behaves himself, for as for my wife he chargeth with a matter whereto she was never acknowledging (as if you consider the date of his supplication which signifieth a five years agone, at what time I think she never knew the man, and much less had any dealings with him, as he cannot deny, and if I then were married unto her it was all). Whereas he pretendeth I made over to her my pension with a condition to pay all former warrants granted by me, it is merely false, neither hath he any ground to say it, wherefore how presumptuously he doth abuse her you may easily judge, as that dares to make so impudently his complaint of her, being as she is, and to such personages of quality and state as are the Privy Council. I do not doubt therefore, but as you have begun with so honourable a proceeding, but you will let him have his deserts according to his presumption. And in the mean season, for that a long letter may be troublesome unto you, which have matters in hand of more importance, I thought it fit thus shortly to show the wrong done to her, and to refer the very ground and colour of his complaint unto another schedule which I shall send you.

Wherein if he hath had any cause to have complained, it should then have been against myself, as the same will explain. But his shifts and knaveries are so gross and palpable that, doubting to bring his parts and jugglings to light, he doth address his petition against her that is utterly ignorant of the cause. Thus desiring you to conceive how thankfully I take this honourable dealing with my wife and friendly care to me, I will the less set forth in words what I the more desire in deeds to show, if I were so happy as to find opportunity. This 11th of January, 1597.

Your assured friend and brother-in-law.

Edward Oxenford

*To the right honourable and his very good friend Sir Robert Cecil, one of her Majesty's Privy Council, and Principal Secretary.

[=29] PRO SP12/264[/111], ff. 151-1A: Oxford to Burghley, 8 September 1597.

My very good Lord, I have perused these letters which, according to your Lordship's desire, I have returned. I do perceive how both my Lord and Lady do persever, which doth greatly content me for Bridget's sake, whom always I have wished a good husband such as your Lordship and myself may take comfort by. And as for the articles which I perceive have been moved between your Lordship and them, referring all to your Lordship's wisdom and good liking I will freely set down mine opinion, according to your Lordship's desire.

My Lord of Pembroke is a man sickly, and therefore it is to be gathered he desireth in his lifetime to see his son bestowed to his liking, to compass which methinks his offers very honourable, his desires very reasonable; again, being a thing agreeable to your Lordship's fatherly care and love to my daughter, a thing which, for the honour, friendship and liking I have to the match, very agreeable to me, so that all parties desire but the same thing. I know no reason to delay it but, according to their desires, to accomplish it with convenient speed. And I do not doubt but your Lordship and myself shall receive great comfort thereby, for the young gentleman, as I understand, hath been well brought up, fair conditioned, and hath many good parts in him. Thus, to satisfice your Lordship I have, as shortly as I can, set down my opinion to my Lord's desires; notwithstanding, I refer theirs, and mine own, which is all one with theirs, to your Lordship's wisdom. I am sorry that I have not an able body which might have served to attend on her Majesty in the place where she is, being especially there whither, without any other occasion than to see your Lordship, I would always willingly go. September 8th, 1597.

Your Lordship's most assured.

Edward Oxenford

*To the right honourable, my very good Lord, the Lord Treasurer of England.

[=30] Cecil Papers 251/28: Oxford to Cecil, [July 1600].

Although my bad success in former suits to her Majesty have given me cause to bury my hopes in the deep abyss and bottom of despair, rather than now to attempt, after so many trials made in vain & so many opportunities escaped, the effects of fair words or fruits of golden promises, yet for that I cannot believe but that there hath been always a true correspondency of word and intention in her Majesty, I do conjecture that, with a little help, that which of itself hath brought forth so fair blossoms will also yield fruit. Wherefore, having moved her Majesty lately about the office of the Isle, which by the death of Sir Anthony Paulet stands now in her Majesty's disposition to bestow where it shall best please her, I do at this present most heartily desire your friendship and furtherance; first, for that I know her Majesty doth give you good ear; then, for that our houses are knit in alliance; last of all, the matter itself is such as nothing chargeth her Majesty, sith it is a thing she must bestow upon someone or other. I know her Majesty hath suitors already for it, yet such as, for many respects her Majesty may call to remembrance, ought in equal balance to weigh lighter than myself. And I know not by what better means, or when, her Majesty may have an easier opportunity to discharge the debt of so many hopes as her promises have given me cause to embrace than by this, which give she must, & so give as nothing extraordinarily doth part from her. If she shall not deign me this in an opportunity of time so fitting, what time shall I attend (which is uncertain to all men) unless in the graves of men there were a time to receive benefits and good turns from princes? Well, I will not use more words, for they may rather argue mistrust than confidence. I will assure myself and not doubt of your good office, both in this but in any honourable friendship I shall have cause to use you. Hackney.

Your loving and assured friend and brother.

Edward Oxenford

[=31] Cecil Papers 76/34: Oxford to Cecil, 2 February [1601].

At this time I am to try my friends among which, considering our old acquaintance, familiarity heretofore, & alliance of houses (than which can be no straiter) as of my brother, I presume especially. Wherefore at this time, whereas some good fortune (if it be backed by friends) doth in a manner present itself, I most earnestly crave your furtherance so far as the place and favour you hold may admit. And that is, as I conceive, that if her Majesty be willing to confer the Presidency of Wales to me, that I may assure myself of your voice in Council, rather than a stranger. Not that I desire you should be a mover, but a furtherer; for, as the time is, it were not reason. But if it shall please her Majesty in regard of my youth, time & fortune spent in her court, adding thereto her Majesty's favours & promises which drew me on without any mistrust the more to presume in mine own expenses, to confer so good a turn to me, that then with your good word and brotherly friendship you will encourage her forward and further it as you may, for I know her Majesty is of that princely disposition that they shall not be deceived which put their trust in her. Which good office in you I will never forget, and always to my power acknowledge in love & kindness, hoping that, as we be knit near in alliance, so hereafter more nearer by good and friendly offices. Thus most earnestly desiring you to have me in friendly remembrance when time serveth, I take my leave this 2nd of February.

Your assured and loving brother.

Edward Oxenford

*To the right honourable and my very good brother, Sir Robert Cecil, of her Majesty's Privy Council, Principal Secretary & Master of the Wards.

[=32] Cecil Papers 181/80: Oxford to Cecil, [May 1601?].

My very good brother, I have received by Henry Lok your most kind message, which I so effectually embrace that, what for the old love I have borne you which, I assure you, was very great; what for the alliance which is between us, which is tied so fast by my children of your own sister; what for mine own disposition to yourself, which hath been rooted by long and many familiarities of a more youthful time, there could have been nothing so dearly welcome unto me. Wherefore not as a stranger, but in the old style, I do assure you that you shall have no faster friend & well-wisher unto you than myself, either in kindness, which I find beyond mine expectation in you, or in kindred, whereby none is nearer allied than myself sith, of your sisters, of my wife only you have received nieces, a sister, I say, not by any venter, but born of the same father and the same mother of yourself. I will say no more, for words in faithful minds are tedious, only this I protest: you shall do me wrong, and yourself greater if, either through fables, which are mischievous, or conceit, which is dangerous, you think otherwise of me than humanity and consanguinity requireth. I desired Henry Lok to speak unto you for that I cannot so well urge mine own business to her Majesty, that you would do me the favour, when these troublesome times give opportunity to her Majesty to think of the disposition of the President of Wales, that I may understand it by you lest, neglecting through ignorance the time, by mishap I may leese the suit; for, as I have understood, and by good reason conceived, I am not to use any friend to move it, so myself having moved it and received good hopes, I fear nothing but through ignorance when to prosecute it, lest I should leese the benefit of her good disposition on which I only depend.

Your most assured & loving brother, as ever in mine own affection, in all kindness and kindred.

Edward Oxenford

*To my very good brother & honourable Sir Robert Cecil, one of her Majesty's Privy Council & Principal Secretary.

[=33] Cecil Papers 182/23: Oxford to Cecil, 11 May 1601.

I received this morning your message by H. Lok whereby I see you have not forgotten me to her Majesty, and so as it is much to my contentment (I protest to God not so much in that somewhat her Majesty doth satisfice my desire, but that I find that assuredness in your kindness to me with whom, as we are straightly allied, there is no reason but I should make especial account of before all others), so am I glad moreover to find an especial friend, constant and assured in your word, which thing I vow to God to acknowledge to you in all faith, kindness, and love and in whatsoever I may stand you in stead which according to mine estate now is little, but in goodwill very great, I will with all alacrity and well-wishing perform, and this I both speak and write unto you from my heart. Wherefore as you have begun, so I most earnestly desire you to stick to me in this cause, for it is a thing whereof I make great account, and it is a friendship which you have done me above thanks, which I will freely impart to you at my coming to the court, which I think shall be tomorrow by the grace of God, till which time, as a hater of ceremonies, I will refer all other thanks and observations, which in me are as far from ordinary accomplishments as my thankful acceptance of this your friendly and brotherly office is near my heart simple and unfeigned. I sent my man, as H. Lok informed me, unto you that he might open somewhat more plainer the cause; the more you shall countenance him, the more boldly and freely he will certify you. I will only now end, wholly recommending my cause to your friendship, assuring you that there is nothing in the world that I esteem more or accept more kindly that your brotherly and friendly office which you at this present undertake in my behalf. Tomorrow I hope to see you myself at the court where I will more frankly and freely declare myself. For today, although I thought to have come to you, yet considering your manifold causes, I think it best to forbear. In the mean season I rest your most thankful brother and assured friend.

Edward Oxenford

To my very well beloved friend and brother Sir Robert Cecil, Principal Secretary to her Majesty.

[=34] Cecil Papers 88/101: Oxford to Cecil, 7 October 1601.

My very good brother, if my health had been to my mind I would have been before this at the Court, as well to have given you thanks for your presence at the hearing of my cause debated, as to have moved her Majesty for her resolution. As for the matter, how much I am beholding to you I need not repeat, but in all thankfulness acknowledge, for you have been the mover & only follower thereof for me, & by your only means I have hitherto passed the pikes of so many adversaries. Now my desire is, sith themselves who have opposed to her Majesty's right seem satisficed, that you will make the end answerable to the rest of your most friendly proceeding, for I am advised that I may pass my book from her Majesty if a warrant may be procured to my cousin Bacon and Sergeant Harris to perfect it, which, being done, I know to whom formally to thank, but really they shall be, and are, from me and mine to be sealed up in an eternal remembrance to yourself. And thus wishing all happiness to you, and some fortunate means to me whereby I might recognize so deep merits, I take my leave this 7th of October from my house at Hackney, 1601.

Your most assured and loving brother.

Edward Oxenford

*To the right honourable & my very good brother Sir Robert Cecil, one of her Majesty's Privy Council, and Principal Secretary, give these at the court.

[=35] Cecil Papers 89/124: Oxford to Cecil, 22 November 1601.

My good brother, in that I have not sent an answer to your last letter as you might expect, I shall desire you to hold me for excused sith, ever sithence the receipt thereof, by reason of my sickness, I have not been able to write. And whereas you do conceive that I have been carried too much by the conceits of Cauley, I do assure you there is no such thing. I have used him, and so do still, as a follower of my business, wherein I do not find any cause to blame, but rather, recommend his diligence. For counsel, I have such lawyers, and the best that I can get as are to be had in London, who have advised me, for my best course, to desire that her Majesty would grant me her warrant signed for the drawing of a book mentioning what her pleasure is to grant me concerning the escheat of Sir Charles Danvers (de bene esse, quantum in regina est), whereby shall ensue no prejudice unto any of the pretenders which suggest to be interessed in any of the said lands in regard that, if the Queen have no title, there passeth nothing to me. It is a common course, notwithstanding any office found against the Queen, that her Majesty granteth concealed lands in this course, whereof there are many yearly precedents, so that her Majesty, granting this to me, granteth but her own interest which, in effect, had been nothing, considering how this cause hath been carried, and so likely to have been obscured forever if it had not been my hap to have stirred therein.

For the rest of your letter, whatsoever you have written, although it be some discouragement unto me, yet I cannot alter the opinion which I have conceived of your virtue and constancy, neither can I suffer it to enter my thought that a vain fable can brandle the clearness of your guiltless conscience, sith all the world doth know that the crimes of Sir Charles Danvers were so bifold that justice could not dispense any farther. Wherefore I cannot leave that hope and trust which I have had in your promises but, as I have done, still I do wholly rely myself on your only friendship, and thus desiring you to bear with the weakness of my lame hand I take my leave from Hackney, this 22th of November, 1601.

Your loving and assured brother, to his power.

Edward Oxenford

*To my very well beloved brother Sir Robert Cecil, Principal Secretary to her Majesty.

[=36] Cecil Papers 89/148: Oxford to Cecil, 4 December 1601.

I cannot conceive, in so short a time & in so small an absence, how so great a change is happened in you, for in the beginning of my suit to her Majesty I was doubtful to enter thereinto, both for the want I had of friends and the doubt of the Careys, but I was encouraged by you, who did not only assure me to be an assured friend unto me, but further did undertake to move it to her, which you so well performed that, after some dispute, her Majesty was contented. In that good beginning, I was promised favour, that I should have assistance of her Majesty's counsel in law, that I should have expedition. But for favour, the other party hitherto hath found much more and, as for assistance of her Majesty's counsel (who hath been more, nay only, against me), the expedition hath been such that what might have been done in one month is now almost a year deferred. At my departure from Greenwich, what good words you gave me and what assurance of your constancy to me, if you have forgotten, it is in vain for me to remember. Now, besides the alteration which I find in the style of your letters, Cauley hath told me that you are exempted and that Carey complains, as it were, of your partiality. When I took my leave of her Majesty, she used me very graciously &, moreover, gave me these words, that she doubted not, for all that was said to the contrary, but that the escheat of Sir Charles Danvers would fall out well, and that with all her heart she wished it and meant it to me. I was glad to hear her, and thought myself greatly beholding to you, for I myself had never yet speech with her, wherefore I did, and do still, impute this, her good mind, to your friendly and honourable dealing towards me. Now the cause falling out to be good and, by course of law, her Majesty's, it is justice that her Majesty may bestow the same at her pleasure, and if she be willing to give it me I do not see, in reason, how partiality should, or can, be imputed to you &, the matter lying thus in the balance of justice, I do not see but, both for your promise's sake (even from the beginning) and for the alliance which is between you and me, without any just imputation of partiality you may as well, and with as great honour, end as begin it. And whereas you assure me the Lord Treasurer is now very willing to further me, I am very glad if it so prove, for I have need of as many good friends as I can get and, if I could, I would seek all the adversaries I have in this cause to make them my friends (whereof I stand in so much need) and yet, when I had done all, I would especially think myself beholding to yourself on whom, for all these discouragements past, I do only rely. I have written to her Majesty, and received a most gracious answer to do me good in all that she can, and that she will speak with you about it. Now, therefore, it is in your power alone, I know it, that if you will deal for me, as I have cause to believe, that it may have an end according to mine expectation, for which I will esteem and acknowledge only to proceed from you. The attorney hath had a device, indeed (as you know if you list), by referring it to judges to delay the cause whereby, wearying me with an unreasonable time, he might procure an agreement (whereto I will never agree) or else an extenuation or utter overthrow of her Majesty's liberality towards me. But my counsel doth fully advise me that, if it be her Majesty's pleasure to have a short end thereof, then to grant it me de bene esse quantum in nos est wherein, if at any time it shall please you to hear them, I do not doubt but they are able to satisfice you. In the mean season I recommend myself and the whole cause to you, as on him upon whom I rely, with this most earnest desire that, howsoever, there might be an end. For as it hath hitherto been handled, if it were to begin again, I would never enter into it and, if I cannot obtain it, yet an end, as it is fallen out, is somewhat. This 4th of December, 1601.

Your most loving and assured brother-in-law.

Edward Oxenford

*To my very well beloved brother Sir Robert Cecil, Principal Secretary to her Majesty.

[=37] Cecil Papers 181/99: Oxford to Cecil, [January 1602].

It is now almost a year sithence, by the promises of your help and assistance, when the escheat of Danvers was found nothing for her Majesty (26 shillings excepted), that I did undertake to recover it. Now, brother, I do not by these letters make challenge of your words for, if you list to forget them, my putting in remembrance will be bitter, and to small purpose. Only this now is mine intention, not to tell any new thing, but that which is already known unto you. The matter, after it had received many crosses, many inventions of delay, yet at length hath been heard before all the judges (judges, I say, both unlawful and lawful, for so may I affirm sith Walmsley, who had matched in the house of Danvers, besides some other, were admitted to the deciding of the cause, notwithstanding long sithence I did except against him, and it was then thought reasonable), but now time and truth have unmasked all difficulties and I do understand the judges are, if they will be indifferent, to make a good report to her Majesty. Yet (I know not by what unfortunate star), there are so many disposed to withstand it as the truth, much oppressed by the friends of the contrary part, is likely, if not wholly to be defaced, yet so extenuated as the virtue thereof will be of little effect. Now forsomuch as I understand it is meant to delay the report, to the end to get a composition of her Majesty and so to bring all my hope in her Majesty's gracious words to smoke, I am earnestly to solicit her to call for the report, which I should not have needed to do if gospel had been in the mouths of the Lord Chief Justice and the Attorney, who did assure me that, at the next hearing, which then was appointed the second day of this term, it should have a full end. Now the matter depending in this sort, I find my state weak and destitute of friends for, having only relied always on her Majesty, I have neglected to seek others, and this trust of mine, many things considered, I fear may deceive me. Another confidence I had in yourself, in whom (without offence let me speak it) I am to cast some doubt by reason as, in your last letters I found a wavering style much differing from your former assurances, I fear now to be left in medio rerum omnium certamine et discrimine which, if it so fall out, I shall bear it, by the grace of God, with an equal mind sith time and experience have given me sufficient understanding of worldly frailty. But I hope better (though I cast the worst), howsoever, for finis coronat opus, and then everything will be laid open, every doubt resolved into a plain sense. In the mean season, I now, at the last (for now is the time), crave this brotherly friendship that, as you began it for me with all kindness, so that you will continue in the same affection to end it. And so I will end, these things only desiring you to remember, that you may know I do not forget how honourably you dealt with her Majesty at what time you first moved her, showing how, out of nothing to her (for so in manner it was found), if by mine industry I could of this nothing make something, she should yet give a prop and stay to my house. Again I know and well perceive how that this escheat of Danvers shall be made a great matter, to cross my good hap and to obscure the rest of the lands which descend from the mother on [the] Latimer side to her Majesty, which is as clear her Majesty's as this. Last of all, I shall desire you to remember that I craved of this escheat only what I could recover in Wiltshire and Gloucester shires, leaving to her Majesty the lands of Oxford, Leicester, Northampton and Yorkshire, which is of much more value. In the beginning the whole was thought desperate, and yet you shall see now the law to be clear of the Queen's side, notwithstanding it hath endured all the crosses that can be possible; yea, moreover, I will say to you that I must inform, this case hath opened her right to a far greater matter than this of Danvers, if her Majesty's right and interest be not cunningly suppressed, and therefore I hope her Majesty, after so many gracious words which she gave me at Greenwich upon her departure, exceeding this which I expect, will not now draw in the beams of her princely grace to my discouragement and her own detriment. Neither will I conceive otherwise of your virtue and affection towards me now, at the end, than I apprehended all good hope and kindness from you in the beginning. Thus with a lame hand to write I take my leave, but with a mind well disposed to hope the best of my friends till otherwise I find them, which I fear nothing at all, assuring myself your words and deeds dwell not asunder.

Your loving brother-in-law.

Edward Oxenford

*To my very well beloved brother-in-law Sir Robert Cecil, of her Majesty's Privy Council, and Principal Secretary.

[=38] Cecil Papers 85/103: Oxford to Cecil, 22 March [1602].

It is now a year sithence, by your only means, her Majesty granted her interest in Danvers' escheat. I had only then her word from your mouth. I find by this waste of time that lands will not be carried without deeds. I have twice therefore moved her Majesty that it would please her to grant me that ordinary course de bene esse quantum in nobis est whereof there are more than an hundred examples; mine answer is that I should receive her pleasure from you, but I understand by Cauley that she hath never spoken thereof. The matter hath been heard, according to the order, with much ado twice before the judges, and many also standers-by did hear the same; there, in open apparence, her Majesty's title was questionless. The Lord Chief Justice, upon this (as in form I was made believe), was to have taken the opinion of the rest of the judges and, conferring it with his own, to have made up a report to her Majesty. As for the judges' report, they were never called unto it, and the principal points to confirm her Majesty's title never opened or moved but, contrary, kept back, so that under their hands the Lord Chief Justice hath made no report. Yet something he hath done out of his own breast that is secret and I cannot learn; if he have reported nothing to escheat to her Majesty, then is my suit as it was the first day, that is, where her Majesty thought she had nothing, that she would grant me her interest. This suit I obtained by your especial means, and this she promised me, wherefore [ ]. Hereupon I challenge that something might be done whereby I may upon ground seek and try her Majesty's right, which cannot be done without this deed afore spoken of. The course (which seldom or never hath been used before) in this cause, to refer it to the judges, how prejudicial a precedent I know not to her Majesty hath been observed, and the effect hath showed that, whereas it was pretended to be shortest, it hath been the furthest way about and, as the beginning was but some opinion, the end is but confusion. Now therefore, the matter having been directed by this course for a whole year's space and come to no better terms, my desire is to know her Majesty's pleasure touching her patent de bene esse, whether she will perform it or no. If not, then have I been mocked; if yea, that I might have answer, whereby I may upon reason quiet myself, and not upon weariness. Howsoever, an answer shall be most welcome unto me, now being the best expectation of my tedious suit, thinking therein my time lost more precious than the suit itself. Thus taking my leave from Hackney this 22nd of March, I remain,

Your assured friend and brother-in-law.

Edward Oxenford

*To the right honourable my very good brother Sir Robert Cecil, her Majesty's Principal Secretary.

[=39] Cecil Papers 99/150: Oxford to Cecil, 25, 27 April 1603.

Sir Robert Cecil: I have always found myself beholding to you for many kindnesses and courtesies, wherefore I am bold at this present, which giveth occasion of many considerations, to desire you as my very good friend and kind brother-in-law to impart to me what course is devised by you of the Council & the rest of the Lords concerning our duties to the King's Majesty, whether you do expect any messenger before his coming to let us understand his pleasure, or else his personal arrival to be presently or very shortly. And, if it be so, what order is resolved on amongst you, either for the attending or meeting of his Majesty for, by reason of mine infirmity, I cannot come among you so often as I wish, and by reason my house is not so near that at every occasion I can be present, as were fit, either I do not hear at all from you or, at least, with the latest, as this other day it happened to me, receiving a letter at nine of the clock not to fail at eight of the same morning to be at Whitehall, which, being impossible, yet I hasted so much as I came to follow you into Ludgate, though through press of people and horses I could not reach your company as I desired, but followed as I might.

I cannot but find a great grief in myself to remember the mistress which we have lost, under whom both you and myself from our greenest years have been in a manner brought up and, although it hath pleased God after an earthly kingdom to take her up into a more permanent and heavenly state wherein I do not doubt but she is crowned with glory, and to give us a prince wise, learned and enriched with all virtues, yet the long time which we spent in her service we cannot look for so much left of our days as to bestow upon another, neither the long acquaintance and kind familiarities wherewith she did use us we are not ever to expect from another prince, as denied by the infirmity of age and common course of reason. In this common shipwreck, mine is above all the rest who, least regarded though often comforted of all her followers, she hath left to try my fortune among the alterations of time and chance, either without sail whereby to take the advantage of any prosperous gale or with anchor to ride till the storm be overpast. There is nothing therefore left to my comfort but the excellent virtues and deep wisdom wherewith God hath endued our new master and sovereign Lord, who doth not come amongst us as a stranger but as a natural prince, succeeding by right of blood and inheritance, not as a conqueror but as the true shepherd of Christ's flock to cherish and comfort them.

Wherefore I most earnestly desire you of this favour, as I have written before, that I may be informed from you concerning these points and thus, recommending myself unto you, I take my leave.

Your assured friend and unfortunate brother-in-law,

E. Oxenford

*To the right honourable my very good brother-in-law Sir Robert Cecil, Principal Secretary.

[=40] Cecil Papers 99/161: Oxford to Cecil, 7 May [1603].

My very good Lord, I understand by Mr Attorney that he hath reported the state of my title to the keepership of Waltham Forest and of the house and park of Havering, whereby it appears to his Majesty what right and equity is therein. Till the 12th of Henry the 8th mine ancestors have possessed the same, almost sithence the time of William Conqueror, and at that time (which was the 12th year of Henry the 8th) the King took it for term of his life from my grandfather, sithence which time, what by the alterations of princes and wardships, I have been kept from my ri