Professional Documents
Culture Documents
YEAR 1595
Noted by Sir Fras. Drake and Sir John Hawkins that this letter
came to hand as the post was ready to take his horse, and that some
captains are getting ready to go westward. Endorsed (by Cecil),
“Hannibal Vyvyan, from the fort of Falmouth, to Sir Fras.
Godoiphin, advertising the burning of divers towns.”
The English court had its spies abroad keeping an eye on the
Spaniards. One of these was Edmond Palmer who reported to the
Lord High Admiral.
July 23. / Aug. 2.
32. Edm. Palmer to the Lord High Admiral. I wrote you 18 July,
and intended to have waited upon you personally, but have since
altered my mind, and shall not leave until the departure of the
King’s ships to the Passage. Subiacoe came back from Bluett 28
July, having landed such monies and provisions as he carried, and
brought back some horses, pigs, &c., as also general Don Diego
Brochero, who was in the galleys there, and who landed in the
Passage Road, and went post to the Court at Madrid; when he
returns, he will go as general of six sail and four pinnaces, now in
the Passage, and bound for Lisbon to join those there.
Their pretences are to follow Sir Frau. Drake, who they understand
has gone to sea; when they are gone, the coast will he clear of men-
ofwar, till other ships of the King are built. ‘They go but weakly
provided, and have stayed 14 large merchantmen bound for Seville,
to keep them company till they arrive, at Lisbon, when those
there....... (again there are three lines missing from the bottom of the
page).
...........grief to them. Shatteo Martin was beheaded 20 July; his body
lay on the scaffold 24 hours, when it was buried; his head stands
most honourebly on one of the gates of the city where he should
have brought in the Spaniards, and the rest of his mates’ heads and
quarters in the like order; they used him royally, bareheaded, he
with the hangmen were in a cart, and a rope about his neck, and so
was carried through all the chief streets in the city, with 300 or 400
arquebusiers waiting on him. A great quantity of letters were found
in his house, from the Viceroy of Navarre and Don Juan d’Idiaques,
the Kings chief secretary, as from the Cardinal; some were in plain
writing and others in cipher, and he had burnt many. He and his
mates had laid their plots for betraying the city. He was the means
that brought me in disgrace with the Lord Treasurer and Mr. Vice
Chamberlain, although I have always served my Prince loyally.
There are more consorts of Shatteo Martin’s who are not yet taken,
and some have fled.
On 19 July, Joseph Jackson went to the frontiers of Spain, with
letters out of England to Rollestone, who met him on the French
shore, where they were both taken prisoners by a gentleman of the
country, but were set at liberty two or three days after. I understand
they both much depend on my Lord of Essex, by Mr. Bacon’s
means, but if his Lordship knew what knaves they are, he would not
trust them. Rollestone has spoken villainous words of Her Majesty.
He has a stipend out of England, which Jackson pays him. I have
never had anything, and am grieved to see strangers and traitors
made so much of, and receiving such large stipends; but a friend In
the Court is better than a pound in a man’s purse. I hope Her
Majesty’s favour; I intend to see her shortly, and will leave as soon
as the ships have left the Passage. The Prince of Ascole has not as
yet found his accusers, and in the end all will be nothing for Don
Pedro de Medeles and other nobles are in the dance. Nothing passes
in England but the Spaniards have intelligence of it, which is sent
by some Dutchmen in London to Middleburg, and thence to
Antwerp as merchants’ letters. All speed is used for despatching the
King’s ships lying in the Passage, as well as those at Lisbon.
July 25.
34. Copy of the exainination of Barnaby Loe. [1 3/4 pages .)