AN ACT AGAINST THE BRINGING IN AND PUTTING IN EXECUTION OF BULLS AND OTHER INSTRUMENTS FROM THE SEE OF ROME (1571).
Anno 13 Eliz., Cap. 2, 1571.
Source.—Statutes of the Realm, sub anno.
Where in the parliament holden at Westminster, in the fifth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lady the Queen’s Majesty that now is, by one Act and Statute then and there made, intituled, An Act for the assurance of the Queen’s Majesty, etc., it is ... ordained and provided for the abolition of the usurped power and jurisdiction of the Bishop of Rome within this realm ... That no person ... shall ... maintain, defend, or extol the same usurped power or attribute any manner, jurisdiction, authority or pre-eminence to the same within this realm ... upon pain of incurring the penalties provided by the Statute of ... Præmunire.... And yet nevertheless, divers seditious and very evil-disposed people ... minding ... very seditiously and unnaturally not only to bring this realm and the imperial crown thereof (being in very deed of itself most free) into the thraldom and subjection of that foreign, usurped and unlawful jurisdiction ... claimed by the said see of Rome; but also to estrange and alienate the minds and hearts of sundry her Majesty’s subjects from their dutiful obedience, and to raise and stir sedition and rebellion within this realm ... have lately procured and obtained to themselves from the said Bishop of Rome and his see divers Bulls and Writings, the effect whereof hath been and is to absolve and reconcile all those that will be contented to forsake their due obedience to our most gracious Sovereign Lady the Queen’s Majesty, and to yield and subject themselves to the said feigned, unlawful and usurped authority; and by color of the said Bulls and Writings, the said wicked persons very secretly and most seditiously in such parts of the realm where the people for want of good instruction are most weak, simple and ignorant, and thereby farthest from the good understanding of their duties towards God and the Queen’s Majesty, have by their lewd and subtle practices and persuasions, so far forth wrought, that sundry simple and ignorant persons have been content to be reconciled to the said usurped authority of the see of Rome, and to take Absolution at the hands of the said naughty and subtle practisers, whereby hath grown great disobedience and boldness in many, not only to withdraw and absent themselves from all Divine Service, but also have thought themselves discharged of all obedience ... to her Majesty, whereby most wicked and unnatural rebellion hath ensued, and to the further danger of this realm is hereafter very likely to be renewed, if the ungodly and wicked attempts in that behalf be not by severity of laws in time restrained and bridled.... To prevent the great mischiefs ... that thereby may ensue, be it enacted ... That if any person, after the first day of July next coming, shall use or put in ure[40] in any place within ... the Queen’s Dominions any such Bull, Writing or Instrument ... of absolution or reconciliation ... Or if any person after the said first day of July shall take upon him, by color of any such Bull ... to absolve or reconcile any person ... Or if any person within ... the Queen’s Dominions after the said first day of July shall obtain from the said Bishop of Rome ... any manner of Bull ... Or shall publish or by any ways or means put in ure any such Bull ... That then every such act ... shall be deemed ... by the authority of this Act to be high treason, and the offenders therein ... shall be deemed high traitors to the Queen and the realm; and being thereof lawfully indicted and attainted ... shall suffer pains of death, and also forfeit all their lands ... as in cases of high treason by the laws of this realm ought to be forfeited.
II. And be it further enacted ... That all aiders ... of any the said offenders ... after the committing of any the said Acts ... shall incur the penalties contained in the Statute of Praemunire....
III. Provided always ... That if any person ... to whom any such Absolution ... or Instrument as is aforesaid, shall, after the said first day of July, be offered ... shall conceal the same ... and not disclose and signify the same ... within six weeks ... that then the same person so concealing ... the said Offer ... shall incur the ... penalty ... of misprision of high treason.
IV. And be it further enacted ... That if any person shall at any time after the said first day of July bring into this realm ... any ... thing called by the name of an Agnus Dei, or any crosses, pictures, beads or such like vain and superstitious things, from the Bishop or see of Rome ... and divers pardons, immunities and exemptions granted by the authority of the said see to such as shall receive and use the same; and that if the same person ... so bringing in ... such Agnus Dei and other like things ... shall deliver ... the same to any subject of this realm ... to be worn or used in any wise: That then ... the same person so doing, as also ... every other person which shall receive ... the same, to the intent to use or wear the same, being thereof lawfully convicted and attainted ... shall incur into the ... penalties ... ordained by the Statute of Praemunire....
VI. And be it further enacted.... That all ... persons which at any time since the beginning of the first year of the Queen’s Majesty’s reign ... have brought ... into this realm any such Bulls ... and now have any ... in ... their custody, and shall within the space of three months next after the end of any session or dissolution of this present parliament deliver all such bulls ... to the bishop of the diocese where such absolution hath been given and received ... and shall ... publicly before such bishop confess their offence therein and humbly desire to be ... restored ... to the Church of England, shall be clearly pardoned and discharged of all ... offences done in any manner concerning any of the said bulls ... touching such absolution or reconciliation only; and that all ... persons which have received any absolutions from the said Bishop of Rome ... since the first year of the reign of our said Sovereign Lady the Queen, and shall within the space of three months next after any session or dissolution of this present parliament, come before the bishop of the diocese of such place where such absolution or reconciliation was had or made, and shall publicly ... before the same bishop confess ... their offences therein, and humbly desire to be restored, and admitted to the Church of England, shall ... be clearly pardoned and discharged of all offences committed in any matter concerning the said Bulls ... touching only receiving such absolution or reconciliation....
AN ACT AGAINST JESUITS, SEMINARY PRIESTS, AND SUCH OTHER LIKE DISOBEDIENT PERSONS (1584).
Anno 27, Eliz., Cap. 2., 1584-85.
Source.—Statutes of the Realm, sub anno.
Whereas divers persons, called or professed Jesuits, Seminary Priests, and other Priests, which have been and from time to time are made in the parts beyond the seas, by or according to the Order and Rites of the Romish Church, have of late years comen and been sent, and daily do come and are sent, into this Realm of England and other the Queen’s Majesty’s Dominions, of purpose (as hath appeared as well by sundry of their own examinations and confessions, as by divers other manifest means and proofs) not only to withdraw her Highness’ subjects from their due obedience to her Majesty, but also to stir up and move sedition, rebellion and open hostility within her Highness’ realms and dominions, to the great dangering of the safety of her most royal Person, and to the utter ruin, desolation and overthrow of the whole Realm, if the same be not the sooner by some good means foreseen and prevented: for reformation whereof be it enacted ... That all and every Jesuits, Seminary Priests, and other Priests whatsoever, made or ordained ... by any Authority ... derived ... from the See of Rome, since the Feast of the Nativity of St. John Baptist in the first year of her Highness’s reign, shall within forty days next after the end of this present Session of Parliament depart out of this realm of England, and out of all others her Highness’s Realms and Dominions, if the Wind, weather and passage shall so serve for the same....
II. And be it further enacted ... That it shall not be lawful for any Jesuit [etc.] ... being born within this Realm ... to come into, be, or remain in any part of this Realm ... after the end of the same forty days; ... and if he do, that then every such offence shall be taken and adjudged to be High Treason ... and every person which ... shall wittingly and willingly receive, relieve, comfort aid or maintain any such Jesuit [etc.] ... being at liberty or out of holde ... shall also for such offence be adjudged a Felon without benefit of Clergy, and suffer Death, loss and forfeit, as in the case of one attainted of Felony.
III. And be it further enacted ... that if any of her Majesty’s subjects (not being a Jesuit [etc.]) now being or which hereafter shall be brought up in any College of Jesuits or Seminary ... shall not, within six months next after Proclamation in that behalf to be made in the City of London under the Great Seal of England, return into this Realm, and thereupon, within two days next after such return, before the Bishop of the Diocese or two Justices of the Peace of the County where he shall arrive, submit himself to her Majesty and her Laws, and take the Oath set forth by Act in the first year of her Reign; that then every such person which shall otherwise return, come into, or be in this Realm ... for such offence ... shall also be adjudged a Traitor, and suffer loss and forfeit as in case of High Treason.
IV. And be it further enacted ... If any person under her Majesty’s Subjection or Obedience shall at any time after the end of the said forty days ... convey ... over the seas or out of this Realm ... or shall otherwise wittingly and willingly yield, give or contribute any money or other relief to or for any Jesuit [etc.] ... or to or for the maintenance or relief of any College of Jesuits or Seminary ... or of any person being of or in any the same Colleges or Seminaries, and not returned into this Realm with submission as in this Act is expressed, and continuing in the same Realm; That then every such person so offending, for the same offence shall incur the danger and penalty of Praemunire....
V. And be it further enacted ... That it shall not be lawful for any person of or under her Highness’ Obedience, at any time after the said forty days (during her Majesty’s life, which God long preserve) to send his or her child or other person being under his or her government into any the parts beyond the seas out of her Highness’ Obedience, without the special licence of her Majesty or of four of her Highness’s Privy Council ... (except Merchants, for such only as they ... shall send over the seas ... only for or about ... their trade of Merchandise, or to serve as mariners, and not otherwise); upon pain to forfeit and lose for every such their offence the sum of one hundred pounds.
XI. And be it also further enacted ... that every person or persons being Subject of this Realm, which after the said forty days shall know and understand that any such Jesuit [etc.] ... shall ... be within this Realm ... contrary to the true meaning of this Act, and shall not discover the same unto some Justice of Peace ... within twelve days next after his said knowledge, but willingly conceal his knowledge therein; that every such offender shall make fine and be imprisoned at the Queen’s pleasure; And that if such Justice of Peace ... do not within xxviii days then next following give information thereof to some of the Queen’s Privy Council ... that then he or they so offending shall for every such offence forfeit the sum of two hundred marks.
DEATH OF MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS (1586).
Camden’s Account of Queen Elizabeth’s Part in it.
Source.—Camden: Annales, 1615 (English edition, 1625), sub anno.
From this attempt[41] such as were the sworne enemies of the Queene of Scotland, and sought to do her hurt, tooke occasion hereby to hasten her death; knowing that in extreame danger of safetie, Feare leaveth no place for Mercy, and tooke order (the more to terrifie the Queene of England) to spread rumorous speeches daily, and false and fearefull exclamations all over the Land; to wit:
That the Spanish Fleet was already landed at Milford Haven; That the Scots were come upon their borders; That the Guise was in Essex with a mighty Armie; That the Queene of Scots had broken prison, raysed a great troope of Souldiers, and began to make a Rebellion in the North; That there were new plots in hand, for murthering the Queene, and to burne the Citie of London; yea, That the Queene of England was dead, and such like:
which in those that are crafty and fearefull (by a natural desire) are nourished, and encreased; and Princes (credulous by curiositie) will soon lend their eares thereunto.
By such divulged horrors, and fearefull arguments, they brought her Majestie into such trouble and perplexitie of minde, that she signed the Letters of Warrant to her deadly Sentence, and was perswaded most of all to it by Patricke Gray Scottishman, whom the King of Scotland had sent to disswade the Queene of England, from putting his mother to death; who many times put these words into her eares: Mortua non mordet: Being dead, she will byte no more.
And notwithstanding, as she was naturally slow to anger, she had this custome, that she never would enter unadvisedly, or without premeditation, into any action: so she began to weighe in her minde, whether it were better to put her to death, or to let her live. From putting her to death she was disswaded,
By her owne naturall clemency, not to use cruelty to her who was a Princesse, and her next kinswoman; from the feare that she had, Histories should make her infamous to posterities, and from the dangers which might fall upon her, as from the part of the King of Scotland, who then was the next in succession to the Crowne of England; so also from the Catholick Princes, and from desperate people, who would attempt anything.
From pardoning of her likewise, she foresaw no lesse danger to ensue:
That the Nobility which had given the sentence against her, would covertly seeke to regaine the favour of her and her sonne; and that could not be done without danger to herselfe. That her own subjects would take it ill when they perceive their labour to be lost; and though then they were carefull for her wellfare, yet hereafter they might grow carelesse; and that many would change their religion, and become Popish, upon a supposition of greater hopes, seeing her preserved, as it were, by fatall providence, to inherite the Kingdome of England. That the Jesuites and Seminaries, whose eyes were all cast upon her, seeing her sickly, and not like to live long, would be so much the more busie to procure the death of Q. Elizabeth, to set up their religion.
Her Courtiers propounded also to her domesticall examples, because that that which is warranted by president,[42] is the more tolerable: As
what comportment the Kings of England (for their securities) have had with their competitors, namely Henry the first with Robert his elder brother, Edw. the third, or rather his mother, with Edward the second, Henry the fourth with Richard the second, Edward the fourth with Hen. the sixt, with his sonne the Prince of Wales, and George of Clarence, and Henry the eighth with De-la-Poole Earle of Suffolk, with Margaret of Salisbury and Courtney Marquesse of Exeter: all which (in comparison of their offences) dyed for very sleight matters.
Neyther did the Courtiers only suggest these and the like to the Queene; but diverse fiery-tongued Preachers also, tooke occasion to exercise (with all asperity of spirit) the heate of their desires, in hastning on her death. Sundry also of the vulgar sort were of the same temper, according as their affections or humours carried them away with hope or feare.
Amidst these sad-afflicting thoughts of minde (which so troubled the Queene of England’s perplexed heart, as that she delighted to be all alone, and to sit solitary by her selve, neyther looking up, nor uttering any speech; yet would suddenly many times, breake out into these words, and sighing, say, Aut Petere Aut Percute,[43] and withall, also a kinde of Emblem: Prevent the Stroke by Striking) shee delivered Secretarie Davison letters under her hand and seale, wherein hee was commanded to make ready a Warrant, under the great seal of England, for the execution of the Qu. of Scotland, and to keepe it private, not acquainting any therewith, lest happely in this turbulent time of feare, some sudden violent danger might happen. But the morrow after (some sudden affright mixing it selfe with her pensive thoughts and meditations of minde), changing her former purpose, she recommanded Davison (by Killegray) to dispatch his Warrant. Davison, going to her, told her it was ready, and sealed. Whereat she grew very angry, saying, He was too hasty. But for all this, he forbore not to publish the matter, and to impart it to the Councell; who (beleeving that willingly, which they desired earnestly) were easily perswaded, that the Queene had given commandment for the execution; and (unknowne to her) sent presently away Beale (who, out of a fervour of zeale which he bore to religion) was more eagerly bent against the Queene of Scotland, than any other and with him two executioners, and letters Patents, whereby authoritie was granted to the Earles of Shrewesbury, Kent, Derby, Cumberland and others, to proceed in this execution. And although the Queene had told Davison at that time, that shee had a purpose to deale otherwise with the Queene of Scotland; yet, for all that, he did not stay or recall Beale....
* * * * *
So soone as report (the messenger of this death) had brought the newes thereof to Queene Elizabeth, who not so much as thought of any such matter, she tooke it most impatiently: her speech and countenance, at once failed her: through the extremitie of her grievous discontent, shee became quite comfortlesse and disconsolate; and attired her selfe in mourning weedes, bitterly lamenting, and sheading many brinish tears from the compassionate rivers of her eyes. Shee sharply rebuked her Councell, and chased them out of her sight, commanding they should be questioned. And as for William Davison, he was brought into the Starre-Chamber to be tryed. And as soone as her passionate anguish and excesse of sorrow suffered her to write, she suddenly addrest (by sir Robert Carey) to the King of Scotland, this Letter following, of her owne hand-writing:
Queen Elizabeth’s Letter to King James.
Most Dearly Beloved Brother:
Would to God you did know, but not feele, with what incomparable sorrow my sad-afflicted heart is troubled, by the late lamentable event, which hapned contrary to my minde and meaning: but because my Penne abhorreth the recitall thereof, you shall understand it by this my kinsman. I beseech you, that (as God and many good men are witnesses with me of my innocence) you also would believe, that if I had once commanded it, I would never have denyed the same. I am not so base-minded, nor of such a degenerate or ignoble spirit, as that either I am affraid to do the thing that is just, or to disclaime it being done.
But as it is most dishonourable in Princes, to cover or colour the conceptions of their heartes, in disguised words: So will I never dissemble any action of mine, but let it appeare in its owne lively colours. Know this for certainty, that as I am sure, it hapned not by any fault of mine; so if I had ever intended such a deed, I would not have imputed it to others. Nor can I assume that to my selfe which I never thought. The rest, the Deliverer of these lines will impart unto you. For my part, I would have you believe, that there is none more intirely loving you, nor more studiously carefull for the good of you and yours, than my selfe. If any have suggested to you the contrary, be you perswaded, that such a one beareth more affection to others, than to you. God keepe you long safe and sound.
Whilest Sir Robert Carey was on the way with these letters, William Davison was brought into the Starr-Chamber before certain Commissioners, to wit, Sir Cristopher Wray Lo: chiefe Justice of the K. Bench, who for that time was likewise made Lord Keeper of the Privy Seale; the Arch Bishops of Canterbury and Yorke, the Earles of Worcester, Cumberland, and Lincolne; the Lords Gray and Lumley, Sir James Crofts Comptroller of the Queens house, Sir Walter Mildmay, Chancellour of the Exchequer, Sir Gilbert Gerard Master of the Rolls, Edm. Anderson chiefe Justice of the Common Pleas, and Sir Roger Manwood chiefe Baron of the Exchequer. In the presence of these, Sir Francis Popham, the Qu. Atturney generall, accused William Davison of contempt against her Majestie, of the breach of his allegeance; the neglect and omission of his dutie; for that the queene of England, out of her royall clemency—being unwilling that the queene of Scotland (although she stood condemned) should be put to death, for certain causes best knowne to her selfe, such as were not to bee sounded into by any others, nor could be drawne from her, eyther by the importunate urging of the States of the land, or by her Councell: notwithstanding shee had commanded the Warrant for her execution to be drawne (for the preventing of some eminent perills) the which she committed to the said William Davisons trust and taciturnitie; he, being a sworne Secretary, forgetfull of his faith and obedience (contemning her Majesties command) had imparted the same to the Councell, and brought her to execution, without the knowledge or privitie of her Majestie.
THE CATHOLICS’ DILEMMA BETWEEN LOYALTY TO COUNTRY AND LOYALTY TO CHURCH (1587).
Letter from a Jesuit Missionary in England to Father Robert Parsons, S.J.
Source.—A transcript in the Archives of Stonyhurst College.
The copy of a letter written by one of the Society of Jesus in England to F. Parsons touching a little book printed under the name of Dr. Allen, 23 Oct., 1587:
R[everend] F[ather], As the rule of obedience in our Company bindeth us, I sent you not long since the annual occurrents of this Kingdom; since which time there is chanced an extraordinary cause to move me thus much to write unto you, a thing likely to breed great division among Cath. gentlemen. The matter is that of late being at M. O. house,[44] there came to see me divers gentlemen, who incontinent after dinner fell into disputation, whether a Cath. man might lawfully serve against the Spaniards in the present wars of Flanders. And after great discussing to and fro they all concluded unanimly[45] that the wars of the Low Countries was thought necessary by her Majesty and the Council in the behalf of our country and comfort of our neighbours, and that a good subject ought to look no farther into the matter, and that they fought against Spaniards as being enemies to Engld. and not as Caths. Which when we had all concluded, one of the company drew forth a little book entitled: A copy of a letter written by an Engl. gentleman out of the camp unto Dr. Allen touching the act of rendering the town of Deventer and other places unto the Cath: King, and his answer and resolution unto the same. In which book Mr. Allen, or some other in his name, commendeth the rendering up of Deventer and exhorteth others unto the same. Whereupon we fell among ourselves into great altercation; but in fine most of us resolved that Mr. Allen would never have overshot himself so foully in these times contrary to his former writings and protestations, and that it was not unlike some malicious man to make our cause odious to the world to have published this book under the name of Mr. Allen, thinking thereby to demonstrate [us] all traitors to our Prince and country. And therefore they requested me to advertise you thereof, desiring of you therein to be resolved wholly....
Therefore, good father, in behalf of the greatest part of Engl: Caths I beseech you that if any simple man (perhaps of zeal) hath set forth this book under the name of Dr. Allen, that speedy order be taken for the mitigating of his indiscreet assertions. In the meantime the chiefest of our Caths have by common consent set forth an answer to the pretended letter of Dr. Allen’s, declaring to the whole world they utterly defy the seditious doctrine of his resolution. Which book of the Caths herewithal I send you, beseeching. Alm. God to bless you with desired felicity.
R[everentiae] V[estrae] in Christo servus, J.T.
London, 23 Octob., 1587.
THE ARMADA (1588).
(A) Sir Francis Drake to Sir Francis Walsingham, 31 July, 1588.
Source.—John Barrow: Life ... of Sir Francis Drake, 1843. P. 303.
Most Honourable,
I am commaunded to send these presoners ashore by my Lord Admerall, which had, ere this, byne long done, but that I thowght their being here myght have done something, which is not thowght meet now....
We have the armey of Spayne before us, and mynd with the Grace of God to wressell a poull with hym.
There was never any thing pleased me better than seeing the enemey flying with a Sotherly wynd to the Northwards. God grant you have a good eye to the Duke of Parma,[46] for with the grace of God, yf we live, I doubt it not but ere it be long so to handell the matter with the Duke of Sedonya,[47] as he shall wish hymself at Saint Marie Port among his orynge trees.
God gyve us grace to depend on him, so shall we not doubt victory; for our cause is good.
Humbly taking my leave, this last of July, 1588,
Your Honor’s faythfully to be commanded ever,
Fra: Drake.
To the Most Hon. Sir Fras. Walsingham, Knight, etc.
P.S.—I crave pardon of your Honor for my haste, for that I had to watch this last nyght uppon the enemy.
To the Most Honorable Sir Fras. Walsingham.
With speed.
B. Lord Charles Howard to Sir Francis Walsingham.
Source.—Barrow, ibid., p. 306.
Sir, In our laste fighte with the enemye, before Gravelinge,[48] the 29th of Julie, we sonke three of their ships, and made some to go neare with the shore, so leake as they were not able to live at sea. After that fighte, notwithstanding that our powder and shot was wel neare all spente, we set on a brag countenance and gave them chase, as though we had wanted nothinge, untill we had cleared our owne coaste and some part of Scotland of them; and then, as well to refreshe our ships with victuals whereof moste stoode in wonderful neede, as also in respect of our want of powder and shot, we made for the Frith, and sente certaine pinaces to dog the fleete untill they shold be past the Isles of Scotlande, which I verelie beleave they are lost at their sternes or this. We are perswaded that they either are paste about Irelande, and so doe what they can to recover theire owne coast, unless that they are gone for some parte of Denmarke. I have herewith sent unto you a brief abstracte of such accidents as have happened, which hereafter at better leisure I will explaine by more particular relations. In the meane tyme I byd you hartelie farewell.
From aboarde the Ark, the 7th of August, 1588.
Your verie lovinge friende
C. Howard.
The Right Honorable
Sir Fra: Walsingham, knight.
Good Mr. Secretarie, lett not Her Majestie be too hastie in dissolvyng her forces by sea and land: and I pray you send me with speed what advertysements you have of Dunkerk, for I longe to do some exployt on their shippinge. If the Duke’s[49] forces be retyred into the land I doubt not but to do good. I must thank your favourable using of my brother[50] Hoby. He telleth me how forwarde you were to further all thyngs for our wants. I wold some were of your mynde: If we had had that which had been so, England and her Majestie had had the greatest honor that ever any nation had: but God be thanked it is well.
THE NAVY OF 1588.
Source.—W. Murdin: A Collection of State Papers ... 1571 to 1596 ... at Hatfield House, p. 615. (From MS. Harl.)
The Names of all her Majesty’s Ships, and others that served under the Lord Admiral and the Lord Henry Seymour on the Seas against the Spanish Forces. Collected the 13th of December, 1588.
| Tonnage | Ships. | Men. | Captains. |
| 800 | The Ark Raleigh | 400 | The Lord Admiral |
| 600 | The Elizabeth Bonaventure | 250 | The Earl of Cumberland |
| 500 | The Rainbow | 250 | The Lord Henry Seymour |
| 500 | The Golden Lion | 250 | The Lord Thomas Howard |
| 1000 | The White Bear | 500 | The Lord Edmund Sheffield |
| 500 | The Vanguard | 250 | Sir William Winter |
| 500 | The Revenge | 250 | Sir Francis Drake |
| 900 | The Elizabeth Jonas | 500 | Sir Robert Southwell |
| 800 | The Victory | 400 | Sir John Hawkins |
| 400 | The Antelope | 160 | Sir Henry Palmer |
| 1100 | The Triumph | 500 | Sir Martin Frobisher |
| 400 | The Dreadnought | 200 | Sir George Beeston |
| 600 | The Mary Rose | 250 | Edward Fenton, Esq. |
| 500 | The Nonpareil | 250 | Thomas Fenner, Gent. |
| 600 | The Hope | 250 | Robert Crosse, Gent. |
| The Galley Bonavolia | 250 | William Borough, Esq. | |
| 400 | The Swiftsure | 180 | Edward Fenner, Gent. |
| 300 | The Swallow | 160 | Richard Hawkins, Gent. |
| 300 | The Foresight | 160 | Christopher Baber, Gent. |
| 250 | The Aid | 120 | William Fenner, Gent. |
| 200 | The Bull | 100 | Jeremy Turner, Gent. |
| 200 | The Tiger | 100 | John Bostock, Gent. |
| 150 | The Tremountain | 70 | Luke Ward, Gent. |
| 120 | The Scout | 70 | Henry Ashley, Esq. |
| 100 | The Achates | 60 | Gregory Rigges, Gent. |
| 70 | The Charles | 40 | John Roberts, Gent. |
| 60 | The Moon | 40 | Alexander Clifford, Gent. |
| 50 | The Advice | 35 | John Harris, Gent. |
| 50 | The Spy | 35 | Ambrose Ward, Gent. |
| 50 | The Marlin | 35 | Walter Gore, Gent. |
| 40 | The Sun | 24 | Richard Buckley |
| 30 | The Sinnet | 20 | John Sheriff |
| The Brigandine | 36 | Thomas Scott | |
| 120 | The George | 30 | Richard Hodges |
| 12190 | 34 | 34 |
Ships serving by Tonnage with the Lord Admiral, viz.
| Tonnage. | Ships. | Men. | Captains. |
| 140 | The White Lion | 50 | Charles Howard, Esq. |
| 80 | The Disdain | 40 | Jonas Bradbury, Gent. |
| 50 | The Lark | 30 | Chichester, Gent. |
| 186 | The Edward of Maldon | 40 | William Pearce |
| 30 | The Marygold | 40 | William Newton |
| 20 | The Black Dog | 20 | John Davies |
| 20 | The Katherine | 20 | |
| 50 | The Fancy | 50 | John Pawle |
| 20 | The Pipping | 20 | |
| 160 | The Nightingale | 160 | John Date |
| 756 | 10 | [51]248 |
Ships with Sir Francis Drake.
| Tonnage. | Ships. | Men. | Captains. |
| 400 | The Galleon Leicester | 180 | George Fenner, Gent. |
| 400 | The Merchant Royal | 160 | Robert Feake |
| 300 | The Edward Bonaventure | 120 | James Lancaster |
| 300 | The Roebuck | 120 | Jacob Whitton |
| 250 | The Golden Noble | 120 | Adam Seager, Gent. |
| 200 | The Griffin | 100 | William Hawkins, Gent. |
| 200 | The Minion | 80 | William Winter, Gent. |
| 200 | The Bark Talbot | 80 | Henry White, Gent. |
| 200 | The Thomas | 80 | Henry Spindelo |
| 200 | The Spark | 80 | William Spark |
| 200 | The Hopewell | 80 | John Marchant |
| 250 | The Galleon Dudley | 120 | James Krezey [? Creasy] |
| 200 | The Godsaver | 80 | John Greenfield |
| 200 | The Hope of Plymouth | 80 | John Rivers |
| 150 | The Bark Band | 70 | William Poole |
| 150 | The Bonner | 70 | Charles Cesare |
| 150 | The Bark Hawkins | 70 | Prideaux |
| 80 | The Unity | 40 | Humphrey Sydenham, Gent. |
| 60 | The Elizabeth Drake | 30 | Thomas Seely |
| 80 | The Bark Buggens | 40 | John Longford, Gent. |
| 80 | The Frigate | 40 | Grant |
| 160 | The Bark Sellinger | 80 | John Sellinger, Gent. |
| 160 | The Bark Manning[t]on | 80 | Ambrose Mannington, Gent. |
| 50 | The Golden Hind | 30 | Thomas Fleming |
| 60 | The Makeshift | 30 | Pierce Leyman |
| 60 | The Diamond of Dartmouth | 30 | Robert Holland |
| 100 | The Elizabeth of Fowes, [? Fowey] | 60 | |
| 60 | The Speedwell | 14 | |
| 140 | The Bear | 60 | John Young, Gent. |
| 60 | The Chance | 40 | James Fowes |
| 50 | The Delight | 30 | William Cope |
| 40 | The Nightingale | 20 | John Gresting |
| 5220 | 43 | 2334 | 33 |
Ships of London set forth by the same City.
| Tonnage. | Ships. | Men. | Captains. |
| 300 | The Hercules | 130 | George Barnes, Gent. |
| 250 | The Toby | 120 | Robert Basset |
| 200 | The Mayflower | 90 | Edward Banks |
| 200 | The Minion | 90 | John Dale |
| 160 | The Royal Defence | 70 | John Chester |
| 200 | The Ascension | 90 | John Baron |
| 180 | The Gift of God | 80 | Thomas Lentlow |
| 200 | The Primrose | 90 | Robert Bringborne |
| 200 | The Marget and John | 90 | John Fisher |
| 140 | The Golden Lion | 70 | Robert Wilcox |
| 80 | The Diana | 30 | |
| 160 | The Bark Burr | 70 | John Sarracolle |
| 200 | The Tiger | 80 | William Sezare [? Cæsar] |
| 160 | The Brave | 70 | William Furthoe |
| 200 | The Red Lion | 80 | Jarvis Wylde |
| 250 | The Centurion | 100 | Samuel Foxcroft |
| 80 | The Passport | 30 | Christopher Coletharste |
| [? Colthurst] | |||
| 60 | The Moonshine | 30 | John Borough |
| 140 | The Thomas Bonaventure | 70 | William Aldredge |
| 60 | The Relief | 40 | John King |
| 220 | The Susan and Parnel | 100 | Nicholas Gorge, Esq. |
| 220 | The Violet | 70 | Martin Hawkins |
| 170 | The Salamon | 100 | Edmund Musgrave |
| 180 | The Anne Francis | 90 | Christopher Lyster |
| 200 | The George Bonaventure | 90 | Eleazer Hickman |
| 100 | The Jane Bonaventure | 50 | Thomas Hallwood |
| 160 | The Vineyard | 80 | Benjamin Cooke |
| 140 | The Samuel | 70 | John Vassall |
| 150 | The George Noble | 80 | Henry Bellingham, Esq. |
| 110 | The Anthony | 60 | George Harper |
| 140 | The Toby Junior | 70 | John Vassal, Christopher |
| Pigott | |||
| 120 | The Salamander | 60 | Samforde |
| 110 | The Rose Lion | 60 | Barnaby Acton |
| 120 | The Antelope | 60 | Dennison |
| 120 | The Jewel | 60 | Rowell |
| 160 | The Pawnses [? Pansies] | 80 | William Butler |
| 130 | The Providence | 70 | Richard Chester |
| 160 | The Dolphin | 70 | William Hare |
| 6130 | 38 | 3020 |
Coasters with the Lord Admiral.
| Tonnage. | Ships. | Men. | Captains. |
| 80 | The Bark Webbe | 40 | Nicholas Webbe |
| 150 | The John Trelawney | 70 | Thomas Meeke |
| 60 | The Hart of Dartmouth | 30 | James Haughton |
| 180 | The Bark Pottes | 80 | Anthony Pottes |
| 40 | The Little John | 20 | Lawrence Clayton |
| 130 | The Bartholomew | 70 | Nicholas Wright |
| 110 | The Rose of Apsam | 60 | Thomas Sandie |
| 25 | The Gift of Apsam | 20 | |
| 90 | The Jacob of Lyme | 40 | |
| 60 | The Revenge of Lyme | 30 | Richard Bedscodge |
| 70 | The Win of Bridgewater | 40 | John Smith |
| 140 | The Cresset of Dartmouth | 70 | |
| 100 | The Galleon of Weymouth | 50 | Richard Wheeler |
| 66 | The Katherine ditto | 30 | |
| 70 | The John of Chichester | 40 | John Young |
| 60 | The Hearty Anne | 30 | John Wynnal |
| 230 | The Minion of Bristol | 100 | John Sachfield |
| 80 | The Handmaid of ditto | 40 | James Langton |
| 60 | The Aid of ditto | 30 | Christopher Pitt |
| The Unicorn of ditto | 70 | William Wreger | |
| 1930 | 20 | 960 |
Coasters with the Lord Henry Seymour.
| Tonnage. | Ships. | Men. | Captains. |
| 160 | The Daniel | 70 | Robert Johnson |
| 150 | The Galleon Hutchins | 70 | Thomas Tucker |
| 150 | The Bark Lane | 70 | Leonard Harwell |
| 60 | The Fancy | 30 | Richard Fearne |
| 70 | The Griffin | 40 | John Thompson |
| 50 | The Little Hare | 30 | Matthew Railston |
| 75 | The Handmaid | 40 | John Gattenbury |
| 150 | The Marygold | 70 | Francis Johnson |
| 35 | The Matthew | 20 | Richard Mitchel |
| 40 | The Susan | 20 | John Musgrave |
| 140 | The William of Ipswich | 70 | Barnaby Lowe |
| 125 | The Katherine | 60 | Thomas Grimble |
| 120 | The Primrose | 60 | John Cordwell |
| 60 | The Anne Bonaventure | 30 | John Conny |
| 80 | The William of Rye | 40 | William Coxon |
| 50 | The Grace of God | 20 | William Fordred |
| 120 | The Ellnatchen of Dover | 70 | John Lydgen |
| 110 | The Robin | 60 | William Cripps |
| 38 | The Hazard | 20 | Nicholas Tornor [? Turner] |
| 150 | The Grace of Yarmouth | 70 | William Musgrave |
| 150 | The May Flower | 70 | Alexander Musgrave |
| 100 | The William of Bricklesey | 50 | Thomas Lambert |
| 60 | The John Young | 30 | Reynold Veazey |
| 2248 | 23 | ||
Voluntary Ships with the Lord Admiral.
| Tonnage. | Ships. | Men. | Captains. |
| 140 | The Francis of Fowey | 70 | John Rashley |
| 300 | The Sampson | 120 | John Wingfield |
| 60 | The Heathen of Weymouth | 30 | |
| 120 | The Golden Ryal ditto | 70 | |
| 70 | The Bark Sutton ditto | 30 | Hugh Preston |
| 50 | The Carouse | 30 | |
| 250 | The Samaritan | 100 | |
| 120 | The William of Plymouth | 60 | |
| 30 | The Galego ditto | 20 | |
| 60 | The Bark Hawlfe | 30 | Grinfield Hawlfe |
| 76 | The Unicorn of Dartmouth | 30 | |
| 100 | The Grace of Apsam | 50 | Walter Edney |
| 60 | The Thomas Bonaventure | 30 | John Pentyre |
| 80 | The Rat | 40 | Gilbert Ley |
| 60 | The Margaret | 30 | William Hubbard |
| 40 | The Elizabeth | 20 | |
| 40 | The Raphael | 20 | |
| 60 | The Flyboat | 40 | |
| 1716 | 18 | 820 |
Fifteen Ships that transported Victuals Westward.
| Tonnage. | Ships. | Men. | Captains. |
| 119 | The Elizabeth Bonaventure | 30 | Richard Startoppe |
| 112 | The Pelican | 30 | John Clarke |
| 107 | The Hope | 30 | John Skinner |
| 110 | The Unity | 30 | John Moore |
| 114 | The Pearl | 30 | Lawrence Mower |
| 115 | The Elizabeth of Lee | 30 | William Bower |
| 100 | The John of London | 25 | Richard Rose |
| 110 | The Bersabee | 22 | Edward Bryan |
| 80 | The Marygold | 30 | Robert Bowers |
| 130 | The White Hind | 30 | Richard Browne |
| 120 | The Gift of God | 30 | Robert Harrison |
| 115 | The Jonas | 30 | Edward Bell |
| 160 | The Salomon | 40 | George Streat |
| 120 | The Richard Duffylde | 25 | William Adams |
| 180 | The Mary Rose | 40 | William Parker |
| 1795 | 15 | 455 | 15 |
An Abstract of this Book in Total.
| Ships. | Tonnage. | Men. | Captains. | |
| Ships and vessels of her Majesty’s | 34 | 12190 | 6225 | 34 |
| Ships serving by tonnage with the Lord Admiral | 10 | 756 | 248 | |
| Ships with Sir Francis Drake | 33 | 5220 | 2334 | 33 |
| Ships sent out by the City of London | 33 | 6130 | 3020 | 38 |
| Coasters with the Lord Admiral | 20 | 1930 | 960 | |
| Coasters with the Lord Henry Seymour | 23 | 2248 | 1210 | 23 |
| Ships that transported Victuals Westward | 15 | 1795 | 455 | 15 |
| Voluntary Ships with the Lord Admiral | 18 | 1716 | 820 | |
| Summa Totalis | 191 | 31985 | 15272 |
THE LAST FIGHT OF THE REVENGE (1591).
Source.—Richard Hakluyt: The Principal Navigations, Voiages, Traffiques, and Discoveries of the English Nation ... within the compass of these 1500 years. 1598-1600. Vol. ii., part ii., p. 169.
A report of the truth about the fight about the Isles of Azores, the last of August, 1591, betwixt the Revenge, one of her Majesty’s ships, and an Armada of the King of Spain; penned by the honourable Sir Walter Raleigh knight.
* * * * *
The Lord Thomas Howard with six of her Majesty’s ships, six victuallers of London, the Bark Raleigh and two or three other pinnaces, riding at anchor near unto Flores, one of the westerly Islands of the Azores, the last of August in the afternoon, had intelligence by one Captain Middleton of the approach of the Spanish Armada. Which Middleton being in a very good sailer, had kept them company three days before, of good purpose, both to discover their forces the more, as also to give advice to my Lord Thomas of their approach. He had no sooner delivered the news but the fleet was in sight: many of our ship’s companies were on shore in the island, some providing ballast for their ships, others filling of water and refreshing themselves from the land with such things as they could either for money or by force recover. By reason whereof our ships being all pestered,[52] and rummaging, everything out of order, very light for want of ballast, and that which was most to our disadvantage, the one half part of the men of every ship sick and utterly unserviceable; for in the Revenge there were ninety men diseased, in the Bonaventure not so many in health as could handle her mainsail. For had not twenty been taken out of a bark of Sir George Carey’s, his being commanded to be sunk, and those appointed to her, she had hardly ever recovered England. The rest for the most part were in little better state. The names of her Majesty’s ships were these as followeth: the Defiance, which was Admiral, the Revenge Vice-admiral, the Bonaventure commanded by Captain Cross, the Lion by George Fenner, the Foresight by M. Thomas Vavasour, and the Crane by Duffild, the Foresight and the Crane being but small ships, only the other were of middle size, the rest, besides[53] the Bark Ralegh, commanded by Captain Thin, were victuallers, and of small force or none. The Spanish fleet, having shrouded their approach by reason of the island, were now so soon at hand as our ships had scarce time to weigh their anchors, but some of them were driven to let slip their cables and set sail. Sir Richard Grenville was the last that weighed, to recover the men that were upon the island, which otherwise had been lost. The Lord Thomas with the rest very hardly recovered the wind, which Sir Richard Grenville not being able to do was persuaded by the master and others to cut his mainsail and cast about, and to trust to the sailing of the ship, for the squadron of Seville were on his weather-bow. But Sir Richard utterly refused to turn from the enemy, alleging that he would rather choose to die than to dishonour himself, his country and her Majesty’s ship, persuading his company that he would pass through the two squadrons in despite of them, and enforce those of Seville to give him way. Which he performed upon divers of the foremost, who, as the mariners term it, sprang their luff, and fell under the lee of the Revenge. But the other course had been the better, and might right well have been answered in so great an impossibility of prevailing. Notwithstanding, out of the greatness of his mind, he could not be persuaded. In the meanwhile as he attended[54] those which were nearest him, the great San Philip, being in the wind of him and coming towards him, becalmed his sails in such sort as the ship could neither make way nor feel the helm: so huge and high carried was the Spanish ship, being of a thousand and five hundred tons. Who after laid the Revenge aboard. When he was thus bereft of his sails, the ships that were under his lee also luffing up laid him aboard, of which the next was the Admiral of the Biscayans, a very mighty and puissant ship commanded by Brittandona. The said Philip carried three tier of ordnance on a side, and eleven pieces in every tier. She shot eight forth right out of her chase,[55] besides those of her stern ports.
After the Revenge was entangled with this Philip, four others boarded her, two on her larboard, and two on her starboard. The fight thus beginning at three o’clock in the afternoon, continued very terrible all that evening. But the great San Philip, having received the lower tier of the Revenge, discharged with crossbar-shot, shifted herself with all diligence from her sides, utterly misliking her first entertainment. Some say that the ship foundered, but we cannot report it for true, unless we were assured. The Spanish ships were filled with companies of soldiers, in some two hundred besides the mariners, in some five, in others eight hundred. In ours there were none at all besides the mariners but the servants of the Commanders and some few voluntary gentlemen only. After many interchanged volleys of great ordnance and small shot, the Spaniards deliberated to enter the Revenge, and made divers attempts, hoping to force her by the multitudes of their armed soldiers and musketeers, but were still repulsed again and again, and at all times beaten back into their own ships or into the seas. In the beginning of the fight the George Noble of London, having received some shot through her by the Armadas, fell under the lee of the Revenge, and asked Sir Richard what he would command him, being but one of the victuallers and of small force: Sir Richard bade him save himself and leave him to his fortune. After the fight had thus without intermission continued while the day lasted and some hours of the night, many of our men were slain and hurt, and one of the great galleons of the Armada and the Admiral of the hulks both sunk, and in many other of the Spanish ships great slaughter was made. Some write that Sir Richard was very dangerously hurt almost in the beginning of the fight and lay speechless for a time ere he recovered. But two of the Revenge’s own company, brought home in a ship of Lime from the Islands, examined by some of the Lords and others, affirmed that he was never so wounded as that he forsook the upper deck, till an hour before midnight, and then being shot into the body with a musket as he was addressing, was again shot into the head, and withal his Chirurgeon wounded to death. This agreeth also with an examination taken by Sir Francis Godolphin of four other mariners of the same ship being returned, which examination the said Sir Francis sent unto master William Killigrew of her Majesty’s Privy Chamber.
But to return to the fight, the Spanish ships which attempted to board the Revenge, as they were wounded and beaten off, so always others came in their places, she having never less than two mighty galleons by her sides and aboard her; so that ere the morning, from three of the clock the day before, there had fifteen several Armadas assailed her, and all so ill approved their entertainment, as they were by the break of day far more willing to hearken to a composition than hastily to make any more assaults or entries. But as the day increased, so our men decreased, and as the light grew more and more, by so much more grew our discomforts. For none appeared in sight but enemies, saving one small ship called the Pilgrim, commanded by Jacob Whiddon, who hovered all night to see the success,[56] but in the morning bearing with the Revenge, was hunted like a hare among many ravenous hounds, but escaped.
All the powder of the Revenge to the last barrel was now spent, all her pikes broken, forty of her best men slain, and the most part of the rest hurt. In the beginning of the fight she had but one hundred free from sickness, and fourscore and ten sick, laid in hold upon the ballast. A small troop to man such a ship, and a weak garrison to resist so mighty an army. By those hundred all was sustained, the volleys, boardings and enterings of fifteen ships of war, besides those which beat her at large. On the contrary the Spanish were always supplied with soldiers brought from every squadron; all manner of arms and powder at will. Unto ours there remained no comfort at all, no supply either of ships, men, or weapons, the masts all beaten overboard, all her tackle cut asunder, her upper work altogether razed, and in effect evened she was with the water, but the very foundation or bottom of a ship, nothing being left overhead either for flight or defence. Sir Richard, finding himself in this distress, and unable any longer to make resistance, having endured in this fifteen hours fight the assault of fifteen several Armadas, all by turns aboard him, and by estimation eight hundred shot of great artillery, besides many assaults and entries; and that himself and the ship must needs be possessed by the enemy, who were now all cast in a ring round about him (the Revenge not able to move one way or other, but as she was moved with the waves and billow of the sea) commanded the master gunner, whom he knew to be a most resolute man, to split and sink the ship, that thereby nothing might remain of glory or victory to the Spaniards: seeing in so many hours fight and with so great a navy they were not able to take her, having had fifteen hours’ time, above ten thousand men, and fifty-and-three sail of men-of-war to perform it withal; and persuaded the company, or as many as he could induce, to yield themselves unto God and to the mercy of none else; but as they had, like valiant resolute men, repulsed so many enemies, they should not now shorten the honour of their nation, by prolonging their own lives for a few hours or a few days. The master gunner readily condescended, and divers others; but the Captain and the Master were of another opinion, and besought Sir Richard to have care of them: alleging that the Spaniard would be as ready to entertain a composition as they were willing to offer the same: and that there being divers sufficient and valiant men yet living, and whose wounds were not mortal, they might do their country and prince acceptable service hereafter. And whereas Sir Richard had alleged that the Spaniards should never glory to have taken one ship of Her Majesty, seeing they had so long and so notably defended themselves, they answered, that the ship had six foot water in hold, three shot under water, which were so weakly stopped as with the first working of the sea she must need sink, and was besides so crushed and bruised as she could never be removed out of the place.
And as the matter was thus in dispute, and Sir Richard refusing to hearken to any of those reasons, the Master of the Revenge (while the Captain won unto him the greater party) was convoyed aboard the General Don Alfonso Baçan. Who (finding none over hasty to enter the Revenge again, doubting lest Sir Richard would have blown them up and himself, and perceiving by the report of the Master of the Revenge his dangerous disposition) yielded that all their lives should be saved, the company sent for England, and the better sort to pay such reasonable ransom as their estate would bear, and in the mean season to be free from galley or imprisonment. To this he so much the rather condescended, as well, as I have said, for fear of further loss and mischief to themselves, as also for the desire he had to recover Sir Richard Grenville, whom for his notable valour he seemed greatly to honour and admire.
When this answer was returned, and that safety of life was promised, the common sort being now at the end of their peril, the most drew back from Sir Richard and the master gunner, being no hard matter to dissuade men from death to life. The master gunner, finding himself and Sir Richard thus prevented and mastered by the greater number, would have slain himself with a sword, had he not been by force withheld and locked into his cabin. Then the General sent many boats aboard the Revenge, and divers of our men, fearing Sir Richard’s disposition, stole away aboard the General and other ships. Sir Richard, thus overmatched, was sent unto by Alfonso Baçan to remove out of the Revenge, the ship being marvellous unsavoury, filled with blood, and bodies of dead, and wounded men, like a slaughter house. Sir Richard answered that he might do with his body what he list, for he esteemed it not, and as he was carried out of the ship he swounded, and reviving again desired the company to pray for him. The General used Sir Richard with all humanity, and left nothing unattempted that tended to his recovery, highly commending his valour and worthiness, and greatly bewailing the danger wherein he was, being unto them a rare spectacle and a resolution seldom approved[57] to see one ship turn towards so many enemies, to endure the charge and boarding of so many huge Armadas, and to resist and repel the assaults and entries of so many soldiers. All which and more is confirmed by a Spanish captain of the same Armada, and a present actor in the fight, who, being severed from the rest in a storm, was by the Lion of London a small ship taken, and is now prisoner in London....
The Admiral of the Hulks and the Ascension of Seville were both sunk by the side of the Revenge; one other recovered the Road of St. Michael and sunk also there; a fourth ran herself with the shore to save her men. Sir Richard died, as it is said, the second or third day aboard the General, and was by them greatly bewailed. What became of his body, whether it were buried in the sea or on the land we know not: the comfort that remaineth to his friends is that he hath ended his life honourably in respect to the reputation won to his nation and country, and of the same to his posterity, and that, being dead, he hath not overlived his own honour....
A few days after the fight was ended, and the English prisoners dispersed into the Spanish and Indy ships, there arose so great a storm from the West and North-west, that all the fleet was dispersed, as well the Indian fleet which were then come unto them, as the rest of the Armada that attended their arrival, of which fourteen sail, together with the Revenge, were cast away upon the Isle of S. Michael. So it pleased them to honour the burial of that renowned ship the Revenge, not suffering her to perish alone, for the great honour she achieved in her life-time.