Two interrogatories in Oxford's hand survive from January 1581. The interrogatories consist of questions to be put to Lord Henry Howard and Charles Arundel, who were under arrest at the time.
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| [=45] [?18 January] 1581 | Personal letters (1-44) |
[=45] PRO SP12/151[/42], ff. 96-6v: [January 1581]
Item, to be demanded of Charles Arundel and Henry Howard
What combination, for that is their term, was made at certain suppers, one in Fish Street, as I take it, another at my Lord of Northumberland's, for they have often spoken hereof and glanced in their speeches.
Further, for Henry Howard
If he never spake or heard these speeches spoken, that the King of Scots began now to put on spurs on his heels, and so soon as the matter of Monsieur were assured to be at an end, that then within six months we should see the Queen's Majesty to be the most troubled and discontented person living.
Further, the same
Hath said the Duke of Guise, who was a rare and gallant gentleman, should be the man to come into Scotland, who would breech her Majestie for all her wantonness, and it were good to let her take her humour for a while, for she had not long to play.
Item, to Charles Arundel
A little before Christmas at my lodging in Westminster, Swift being present, and George Gifford, [Arundel] talking of the order of living by money and difference between that and revenue by land, he said at the last if George Gifford could make three thousand pound he would set him into a course where he need not care for all England, and there he should live more to his content and with more reputation than ever he did or might hope for in England and they would make all the court here wonder to hear of them, with divers other brave and glorious speeches, whereat George Gifford replied, "God's blood, Charles, where is this?" He answered, if you have three thousand pound or can make it he could tell, the other saying, as he thought, he could find the means to make three thousand pound. That speech finished with the coming in of supper.
Item
Whether Charles Arundel did not steal over into Ireland within these five years without leave of her Majesty, and whether that year he was not reconciled or not to the church likewise, or how long after.
Item
When he was in Cornwall at Sir John Arundel's, what Jesuits or Jesuits he met there, and what company he carried with him of gentlemen.
Item
Not long before this said Christmas, entering into the speech of Monsieur, he passed into great terms against him, insomuch he said there was neither personage, religion, wit or constancy, and that for his part he had long since given over that course and taken another way, which was to Spain. For he never had opinion thereof since my Lord Chamberlain [i.e., Sussex] played the cockscomb (so he termed my Lord at that time) as, when he had his enemy [i.e. Leicester] so low as he might have trodden him quite underfoot, that then he would of his own obstinacy, following no man's advice but his own (which he said was his fault), bring all things to an
equality, wherein he was greatly abused, in his own conceit, and so discouraged Simier as never after he had mind to Spain any longer, reputing the whole cause then to be overthrown. And, further, for Monsieur, a man now well enough known unto him, and he would be no more abused in him, and it was for nothing that Simier saved himself, for he knew his [i.e. Monsieur's] unconstancy, and Bussy d'Ambois had been a sufficient warning unto him, whom Monsieur's treachery had caused to be slain and would by practise bring Simier into the slander thereof that his [i.e. Monsieur's] villainy might not be found, but it was plain enough. And he had made an end and quite done with the cause, and liked of it no more, and so with a great praising of the King of Spain's greatness, piety, wealth, and how God prospered him therefore in all his actions, not doubting but to see him monarch of all the world, and all should come to one faith, he made an end, and thus much considering his practise with Jerningham. And the other articles wherewith he is charged import a further knowledge, and gives some light to his dealings with these persons of religion and Irish causes wherein the King of Spain seems underhand to deal.
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[=46] PRO SP15/28[/2], f. 3, 18 January [1581].
Item, to my Lord Henry
How he came to the intelligence that there should come ambassadors of France, Spain and others which should assist the King of Scots' ambassador in the demand of his mother, and this should be determined among them on the other side, as he said, and shall shortly come to pass.
Likewise, both Charles and Henry
Likewise, they have been great searchers in her Majesty's wealth, having intelligence out of all her receipts from her Majesty's courts in law, customs (as well of them that go out as are brought in); what subsidies, privy seals, and fifteens she hath made since her coming to the crown; what helps, as they say, by the gatherings, as for the building of Paul's steeple, the lotteries, and other devises from the clergy; and what forfeits by attainder or otherwise, and what pensions, what other out of bishops' livings to some of her counsellors; what gifts she hath bestowed; what charges she was at in her household reparations of her houses and castles, fees and a number of things which now I cannot call to remembrance whereof they ordinarily would speak; and of her navy, the charge she was at; what the wars of Leith, Newhaven [i.e. Le Havre], and other petty journeys into Ireland and Scotland and in the time of the rebellion, which are too long; as well what she received as what she spended in all offices, places, etc.
Likewise, to the said Charles
To what use he employed his servant Pike to La Mothe, who sent into Spain, and another
Item, for what cause he sent Pike to La Mothe, and who he was went into Spain, and whether Pike went or no, but he assuredly remained the other's return who carried letters from La Mothe and brought back again letters from the King and recompense, whereupon Pike returned with answer to Charles Arundel, who helped the man, as I heard, to a marriage. And whether the fellow brought his master [i.e. Arundel] some assurance and reward from the King, his master, I know not, but ever since he [i.e. Pike] lives of himself and gives no more attendance, to colour, as I conjecture, the cause better; and the course, as I guess and have great reason to conjecture, put into some other's hands, a thing which, if it be well looked into, cannot be void of great and some notable practise, if it will please her Majesty but to look into the zealous mind which the said Charles hath since carried more than covertly to the Mass. Likewise, both Charles Arundel and Henry Howard are privy, as oftentimes they have declared by their speeches these last years past for 4 or 5.
What increase hath been made of souls to their church in every shire throughout the realm
Who be of theirs and who be not, who be assured and who be inclined, for this difference they make between them that are reconciled and such as are affected to their opinion and are to be brought in, and in every shire throughout the realm where they be strong and where they be weak. And this is known by certain secret gatherings for the relief of them beyond the seas, wherein there be notes of very households.
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