Sr Gilbert Talbot entered into the service of K. Charles ye jst at Venice an: 1637, and served his Maty XI yeares first as Resident at 40s. p. diem till the yeare 44, then as Envoye at 5£ per diem; besides extraordinairies in both qualityes.
But by reason of the war, his Maty was not able to send him any supply in soe much that he was forced to spend of his owne, and borrow of ye English and Dutch merchants to the value of 13000£ which his then Maty promised to repay with ye interest wch hath since trebled ye principall.
But ye war still growing more obstinate and Sr G. Talbot not able to continue the expence begged leave of his Maty to returne into England to represent his condition wch was graunted him for 6 moneths; in Augst 44, he found the Kg at Bucannon and followed his Maty in the Army; till in 45 he was sent back to Venice, upon an extraordinary occasion; with leave to returne when he should think fitt, because his Maty was not yet able to maintain him abroad.
At his returne into England, in 46 his Maty was pleased (a little before he went to the Scottish Army thus to recommend him to the Prince (now Kg).)
Son here is a gentleman who hath served me faythfully many yeares; and I have never bin able, hitherto, to doe anything for him. I therefore charge you to take notice of him & to see him well rewarded if I should not live to doe it myself.
The Kg going away to the Scotts; the Prince into ye West, and Oxford surrendered Sr G. Talbot had his liberty upon those Articles. But the Pr: being forced to fly: the Kg sold into the hands of the English: and afterwards barbarously murdered; Sir G. Talbot offered to goe over to ye present King in Paris; but was commanded to stay in London to corrispond with Sr Robt Long then Secretary, and to act for his Matyes service on this side of ye water. For wch being afterwards discovered by Tom Cooke, he was made close prisoner in Glocester; and there examined by Comissrs upon 6 articles of high Treason (as they were pleased to terme them). But they having noe proofes to make good any one article agst him he had his liberty upon bayle; went over into France to his Maty and followed him in all his exile, till his restauration.
When every man (upon the prospect of his Matys recall) was putting in for employment. Sr G. T.; by the assistance of the D. of Ormond, obtained the graunt of Maister of the Jewell-house forfeited by the treason of Sr Hen: Mildmay and the reversion graunted by the Martyr King to Sr Robt Howard (brother of the old E. of Berkshire) vacated by his death.
Upon his Matys returne Sr G. Talbot sent to Sr Hen: Mildmay (at the time prisoner in Dover Castle) to lett him understand that the Kg had bestowed the Jewell-house upon him; and to know if he would peaceably surrender his Patent? he returned answere That he could not give in the patent because it lay buryed amongst many confused papers But he was ready before a Maistr of Chancery to make a formall resignation of the place which he accordingly performed
And promised moreover that if Sr G. T. would obteine from his Maty a pardon of his life he would give him half his estate. Whereunto Sr G. T. reply’d that since he had soe freely resigned his office, he would endeavour to serve him, without any other condition: but desired him to send him a note of all the perquisites belonging to the place, wch he did and they are those wch are specifyed in ye jst page and shall hereafter be enlarged upon as they lye in order.
Sr G. Talbot’s patent being passed (not wthout strong opposition from the Ld Chancellr Hyde, who had shewed himself his enemy upon other occasions; and had designed the Jewell-house for a Presbyterian friend) he took possession of his lodgings; and entered upon the execution of his office.