freinds and allies his Matie, having the ranck he hath, doth take in kind parte in this negotiation with Spayne, that they have (as is sayed in the said writing) made profession not to depart from the leagues and amities which they have with his Matie; who doth make like profession to the said King and Queene, that he will for his part be as carefull to conserve the leagues and amities he hath with France, and with all other their common frends and allies to whome this writing hath reference, and will not only as often as occasion shalbe ministred freely and sincerely, impart to the said King and Queene his opinion in thinges occurring which may concerne them in common, or any one of them perticularly, but will also take that course and give charge accordingly to his Maties ministers in Germany, the Lowe Countries, or other such places, to keepe a correspondency and a mutuall conjunction with such as shalbe employed on their part in all such actions as may concerne the furtherance, common good and strengthening of such other frendes and allies, in whose strength and safetie both his Matic and the State of France had so great interest.

And for a proofe of his Maties begining to take this course for the good of both crownes, as his Highnes hath sent by the said Duke of Bouillon the copie of his Maties treatie of union made with the said Princes, that they might be therewith acquainted, soe hath he willed the said Duke to invite them, not only jointly with his Matie to move the said Princes of the union to solicite the States to be joyned with them in that societye, but that the said King and Queene will themselves be content likewise to joyne in it, which would be a wonderfull great strengthening of all the said Princes of Germanye, whoe have so great an interest in both their Maties, not doubting but that, according to their profession by the said Duke, his Highnes and the rest shall find like sinceritye and plainnesse in contributing their advices uppon the same accidents.

And as touching the matter in speciall of those of the religion reformed in France, wherein by the said Declaration it is acknow

ledged that his Matie hath, both in the late Kinges time and since, so carryed himself as the said King and Queene have found him to doe the offices of a true frend and allie, soe doth his Highnes now further assure them that his affection is such to the King and Queene, and his disposition so good toward the preservation of the peace of France, as he is very glad to heare the resolution of their Maties to maynteyne the edicts graunted to those of the said reformed religion; for that it is the most assured way to preserve their estates in peace and in safetie. And his Matie doth so much assure him selfe of the dutifull and loyall disposition of those of the religion, as that they will no way give the King and Queene just cause of offence or of distrust of them. But if his Matie shold find that any perticuler persons among them shold misbehave themselves towardes the King and Queene, he wilbe so farre from allowing their actions, as he will give both his best advice (and if need be assistance) how to reforme them as freely as if they had no affinitye in religion with his Matie. But if it should so fall out (which his Matie doth hope and assure himself never will) that the Queene should be perswaded to breake the edicts towards those of the religion, that the world might apparantly see that they were persecuted for the cause of their religion, his Matie prayeth in that point that neither his late made league with them, nor yet his ratification thereof, may be extended in that case; for naturall reason teacheth every man to foresee what his owne case wilbe next, when his neighbors bee first dealt with in the same quarrell. Dated at Whitehall the xixth day of June, 1612.

[The date is in Sir Tho. Lake's writing, as well as what follows, in which, however, the document is probably misdated.]

This Declaration, putt into the French tongue to be delivered to the Duke of Bouillon, Ambassador from the French King, was the sayd xixth day of May, 1612, in his Maties presence, and by his commandement, subscribed by the Lo. Ellesmer, Lo. Chan

cellor, in the French copie delivered to the sayd Duke, and then ordered by his Matie that this copie in English shold be left with the Lo. Chancellor for his warrant and discharge.

THO. LAKE.

OATH OF ALLEGIANCE-RECUSANTS.

[The Oath of Allegiance having been enacted in 1608, had been vindicated by King James himself in print in 1609, and in the next year it had been required to be taken by every body, but especially by Roman Catholics. The subsequent letter shews some of the difficulties experienced in this undertaking in the county of Oxford.]

Indorsed by Lord Ellesmere, "Touchyng Wyves, Recusantes and Fugitives."

To the right hoble my most singuler good Lord, Thomas Lord Ellesmere, Lord Chauncellor of England, geve these.

MAIE it please your Lopp. to be advertised that sithence the letters from your Lopp. and the Lord of Canterburies Grace, I, with the Justices of the division beyond Oxon, went to Sir Frauncis Stonners howse, wher his Ladie, the Ladie Lentall his daughter, Mrs. Crowch his sister, and the Ladie Lentall's woman, refused to take the othe of allegeance, and theareuppon wee committed them all to prison (the Ladie Stonner and Mrs. Crowch being recusants convicted). From thence we went to Henrie Stonner, sonne and heire to Sir Frauncis Stonner (his Ladie being a recusant convicted): her husband told us that shee was gone, because shee would not take the othe of allegeance. From thence wee went to Mr. Symonds, a man of great estate, whose wieffe being a recusant convicted, hee answeared us, that his wieffe was gone before our comming, for that shee would not take the othe of allegeance. From thence Sir George Tipping and my selfe went to

Mr. Belson (hee and his wieffe being recusants convicted); he being not at home, his wieffe, his mother, the wieffe of one Mr. Lovett and one Mrs. Belson, an auncient mayde, all of them refused to take the othe of allegeance, wheareuppon we committed them. From thence Mr. Brome and I went to one Mr. Powells howse, a man of good estate, (his wieffe being a recusant convicted,) shee, likewise, was gone before our comeing (as her husband told us), for that she would not take the othe of allegeance. Thus much I thought it my dutie to signifie unto your Lopp. of our proceedinges beyond Oxon, and of the rest your Lopp. shall have intelligence from our Sessions, which we have appoynted for that purpose, to bee on Wednesdaie next, the xix daie of this instant moneth. The estate of our contrey is lamentable, and I humblie beseeche your Lopp. and my Lord's Grace of Canterburie to consider of it. I am humblie to entreate your Lopp. in the behaulfe of the bearer heareof, a poore minister of my name, and minister to Sir Richard Chetwood, my neighbour, well commended in his place, that your Lopp. would be pleased to bestowe on him a poore living latelie fallen, for which hee shall bee bounde to praie to God for your Lopp. and my selfe most bounden for all your Lopp.'s most honorable favoures towardes mee and myne. And soe, resting at your Lopp.'s service and commaunde during my lieffe, I most humblie take my leave, this xvjth daie of August,

1612.

THO. CHAMBERLAYNE.

LORDS ROCHESTER AND NORTHAMPTON.

[This is only the copy of a letter, which copy we may presume was furnished by Lord Northampton to Lord Ellesmere. It is a curious exposure of court intrigue and traffic for great places, whether vacant or in expectancy. How far we may be inclined to agree in the favourite's vindication of himself is a different question.]

Indorsed, "Copy of my Lo. of Rochester his letter to my Lo. of Northampton."

My Lo. It had been objected against me that I should seeke to get the Mastership of the Horse from my Lord of P., to whom, they pretende, it was promised long agoe when it fell. Your Lordship heard the K. protestation that he never made any such promise, and I know no man living whose integrity and memory is more to be trusted, and, for mine owne parte, I protest I never before heard mention of any such promise geven, nor did I ever move the K. first for the place; but his Majesty, thinking it fitt in generall that that place shoulde be helde by one who did continually attend his person, made choice of me, as being one upon whom he perceaved the conferring of it could not be unwellcome, as being a Peere of this kingdome, and naturalized as well by affection and meritt towards it as by lawe. Since there hath risen another imputation, that my L. of Wo. shoulde be forced to compounde for the possession, for feare of the King's displeasure, which otherwayes he woulde not doe, which is no lesse unjust; for at Hampton Courte my L. of W. and I speaking of that businesse, and his Lo. demanding, as I thought, somewhat large conditions, I toulde him I was not so fonde of the place as to geve unreasonably for it, but woulde rather expect till it fell, till when I shall accompt my Master's trust dignity enough. Thus was I so far from extorting his consent, that, after I had it, I was negligent in the pursuite of the businesse. And all this can your Lordship the easier beleeve, because your Lordship knowes how carefull I have beene to preserve the nobility here, rather then invade the right of any; as in that businesse of my Lo. Montagues escheat, and Cobham Hall, both which your Lordship knowes I refused, and refused to come by the possession of Sir John Ross's office by moving the King to make him a Baron, because I would not sett tytles to sale for my private endes. And as towardes the nobility, so towardes other men may I justifye my selfe, that I ame the courtier whose handes never tooke bribe; and that partely my estate can witnesse, which I have sought rather to preserve by moderate expense then