SIR THOMAS BROMLEY'S SPEECHES.

f [Camden informs us (“ Annals of Elizabeth," in Kennett, ii. 464, edit. 1719), and Stowe agrees with him, that, on the 25th April, 1579, on the death of Sir Nicholas Bacon, Sir Thomas Bromley succeeded him, "with the title of Lord Chancellor of England." The subsequent Speeches, made by him to Queen Elizabeth, first, when he was appointed Lord Keeper, and afterwards when he was elevated to the dignity of Lord Chancellor, shew that he was not at once made Lord Chancellor, but that, in the first instance (though it does not appear for how long), he held only the rank given to Sir Nicholas Bacon. The two papers are indorsed by Lord Ellesmere, "Sir Th. Bromley," and the first of them contains what he addressed to the Queen when called upon to serve as Lord Keeper; and the second, his speech to her as Lord Chancellor. Lord Ellesmere had procured copies of them, perhaps on his own advancement, and with a view to his own guidance as Lord Keeper to Queen Elizabeth, and Lord Chancellor to James I.]

Indorsed by Lord Ellesmere, "Sir Th. Bromley."

Effecte of that spoken to the Quenes Matie by the L. Keper when he was first called by her to serve.

I WISHE, for service sake, seinge it pleaseth your Matie to call me to serve, that those thinges which your highnes by reporte supposeth to be in me, were in me in very dede; but in judginge rightlie of my selfe, I must nedes confesse that I am so much unpurvyed of them, that, besides diligence and fidelitie, I can promise nothinge, wherof I trust there shalbe no want. But if there were ynough in me to answere these reportes, yea, and as much more as I would wishe to have, I wulde be right well contented, as my dutee is, to ymploye the whole in your service. And yet, to be plaine with your Matie, I have founde, in the course of my life, that I have led sithence the Kinge your fathers deathe, such suretie in all changes, and suche quietnes and delight in other tymes, that I cannot but like and love that sorte of life as the best for my selfe; nor cannot make my selfe beleeve that I can make any change therof but for the worste respectinge my private comodities. And that I doo thus judge the contynuance of that

CAMD. SOC. 12.

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order of lief (notwithstandinge some occasion given to the contrary), doth, I trust, sufficiently witnes with me. Mary, againe, when I remember this tyme (which I give God thankes that it is my chaunce to live to see), and therwith my dutie to your Matie as my Soveraigne Lady, and my duty to my countrie, I am then driven to thinke that I ought of right to make of every paine tending to that end a delight, and to preferre busines and trouble before quietnes and ease, and to adventure any daunger without regarde of private suretie. For I must nedes confesse that your highnes and my countrie hath a greater interest in me then I have in my selfe; and because God knoweth that, whensoever I shall enter in service, that uppon these respectes cheiflie I shall do it. Therfore I hope he will assiste me in my doinges; wheruppon reposinge my cheif trust, and againe beinge much encouraged by the greate noblenes and gentlenes that I here, not only by these your Councellors, to be in your highnes, but also by a generall affirmation of all that knowe you, I here comyt my selfe whollie and fully into Godes handes and yours, to dispose of me as you shall best like, assuringe your highnes that as I woulde most gladly, for my owne selfe, contynue the choise of like (life?) that I have already entred into, so, for duty sake, I shall, with good contentation, enter into such service as your Matie shall comaunde me to.

The L. Chauncellor's speche to her Matie when he was called to that place.

I do most humblie thanke your Matie for this so greate and singuler good opynion which your highnes hath conceived of me, as to thinke me fyt for this greate service and credit under your Matie, and I am very sory there is not in me such sufficiency as might satisfie and answere this your Maties good opynion.

If I had all the wisdome, all the learninge, and all other good qualities and virtues that God hath given to all men livinge, I shoulde thinke [them] to fewe and to smale to be imploied in

your highnes service. But when I consider my selfe, and fynde my greate wantes and lackes to do your Matie such service as appertayneth, I am driven most humbly to beseech your Matie to tollerate with me my many and sondry defectes and ymperfections.

To this humble petition I am the more forced for two other causes: the first is, the greate learninge, wisdome, and judgmente that resteth in your Matie, to whome my ignoraunce and rudeness will easily appere: the seconde is, that yf your highnes shall ympose this greate charge uppon me, I shall succede one in whome all good qualities did abounde fyt for the due execution of your Maties service in that place, wherby my want and insufficiency shalbe made more manifest.

Yet, nevertheles, trustinge in the assistaunce of Almightie God, and in the noblenes and bounty of your Maties nature, I do, as my duty bindeth me, humblye submyt my selfe to be disposed of as shall stande with your Maties good pleasure.

Concerninge these good preceptes and admonitions which it hath pleased your highnes very prudentlie to give unto me, I shall pray ernestlie to Almightie God to give me his grace that I may follow the same, and do my best and uttermost endevor effectually to performe them.

PROCEEDINGS AGAINST RECUSANTS.

[The MS. from which the following is taken is much injured by mildew, and in several parts, as pointed out, it is either destroyed or illegible. In 1580, Popish Recusants gave considerable trouble and even uneasiness to the government; and Campion and his associates were executed on the 1st December, 1581, as appears by the "True Report," &c. printed in that year (vide Bridgewater Catalogue, p. 45). Camden, in his "Annals," gives a full account of the Seminary Priests, and their designs, carried on subsequently to the issue of the Bull of Pius V. against Queen Elizabeth, in 1569. With reference to the subsequent document, it appears that, in June 1580, a Proclamation had been published requiring all who had relations abroad, especially at Douay, Rheims and Rome, to call them home within four months; while in July the Council sent out

orders for the confinement and surveillance of Recusants. In May of the subsequent year, Recusants were required to enter into bond for conformity in matters of religion, due attendance at church, &c. In August 1581, the Sheriffs, &c. were directed to ascertain how the conditions of the bonds had been complied with; and the Lords Lieutenant of counties were empowered to seize and sequester horses belonging to Recusants, lest they should be employed to aid the enemy. These points, particularly alluded to below, are not touched by Camden, who informs us that he was at Oxford with the Jesuits, Parsons and Campion, whose contrasted dispositions he describes.] Indorsed " Proceedings against Recusants, Annis 1580, 1581."

This day were signed at the table sundrey letters concerning the [def. in MS.] of castles in sundrey counties of the realme, whereunto such Recusantes as are most notorious, and of the better sort, are intended to be comitted.

Likewise letters to certaine persons to take the speciall charge and oversight of the ordring of the Recusantes to be comitted, and to advise of persons of zeale in religion and loyaltie unto the Queene, to whom the keeping of the castles and Recusantes might be delivered.

At the Court at Whitehall the 7th of May, 1581.

Present,

Lo. Chancellor.

Lo. Admirall.

Lo. Chamberlayn.

E. of Bedford.

E. of Leicester.

Mr. Treasurer.

Mr. Comptroller.

Mr. Vicechamberlayn.

Mr. Secretary Walsyngham.

This daie it was ordred by their Lordships that all the Recusantes which had bene comitted, ether to her Matyes prison, or to the charge of anie [def. in MS.] persons, for not conformitie in matters of religion, should, upon [def. in MS.] and surties in good somes of money to her Matyes use, with such [def. in MS.] followe, be released of their imprisonment.

The Conditions of the Bonds of the Recusantes.

The condition is such that if the within bounden A. B. doe not at any tyme hereafter departe out of this realme into any of the partes beyond the seas, without her Matyes speciall license to be graunted unto him in that behalfe, and doe alsoe continew and remayne at his dwelling-house called in the countie of or within three miles compasse of his said house, untill he haue conformed and yeilded himselfe unto the orders for religion, and for coming and resorting to divine service established by Acte of Parliament within this realme, and that the same his conformitie shall by his meanes and procurement be notified by the Ordinary of the dioces whear he shalbe dwelling unto the Lordes of her Matyes privie counsell. And also do not at anie tyme hereafter willinglie suffer or admitt the repaer and accesse of anie Jesuit, massing Priest, seminary Preist, or of anie other person whatsoever knowen to him to be a Recusant in not coming to the church according to the lawes of the realme. And do also from henceforth forbeare to hunt or resort aswell unto the house as to the societie of anie such person or persons as nowe is or hereafter shalbe knowen to the said A. B. to be a Recusant in not coming to the church. And also if the said A. B. doe not retayne or keepe anie servantes or in any of his houses that shall contrary to the lawes of the realme forbeare to resort and come to the church, that then, &c.