Harquebus = a heavy

sort of musket fired from a rest.

Italian and

German mer

cenaries were

used in putting down the risings in 1549.

The navy declined under Mary.

Butt a wine measure of

about 126 gallons (United States).

of their armies consists, all the English being as it were by nature most expert bowmen, inasmuch as not only do they practise archery for their pleasure, but also to enable them to serve their King, so that they have often secured victory for the armies of England. The second sort consists of infantry, who carry a sort of bill; and there are some of these likewise who would make good soldiers. The other two sorts are harquebusiers and pikemen, of which weapons they have very little experience.

The Crown has occasionally subsidized German troops, taking them for the most part from the sea towns, from which they have sometimes had as many as 10,000, About four years ago it was determined to raise a cavalry force of 1,000 men-at-arms in the French fashion, but after keeping them for a year, at a cost to the King of 80,000 crowns, they were disbanded, it having been found impossible to make the plan answer. They have no commanders of note in their pay, either English or foreign, but merely give a few pensions to some who served them on former occasions; and as to the affairs of the militia, they being regulated as in other countries, it is unnecessary to allude to them.

Her Majesty's naval forces also are very considerable, as she has great plenty of English sailors, who are considered excellent for the navigation of the Atlantic, and an abundance of timber for ship-building, as they do not use galleys, owing to the strong tide in the ocean. Were her Majesty to take the vessels of ship-owners in all parts of the kingdom, the number would be immense; but she has only 80 of her own, including some galleons; and whenever she pleased, she could very easily obtain upwards of 150 from private individuals, but small, as in those parts but few large ships are seen, and they say that those of 400 butts and under, sail better than the larger ones. The head of the naval affairs is the Admiral, he being one of the Lords of the

Council, who, when a numerous fleet is fitted out, puts to sea in person, as he did this year, when he went out with 30 sail to secure the sea, and convey the most serene Prince of Spain on his coming; but when there is no such need, a Vice-admiral takes the command.

The most important deficiency in the great navai and military forces of England, is, that in the whole realm they have no persons, neither sailor nor soldier, capable of commanding either fleet or army. The only man they had was the Duke of Northumberland, who by his bravery distinguished himself in both capacities, and from the grade of a private gentleman (his father indeed was beheaded for treason by Henry VIII.) rose step by step through his abilities to the eminent position at length attained by him; but in like manner as the punishment of his rashness was well merited, so must the friends of England lament the loss of all his qualities with that single exception.

Guisnes.

Her Majesty has a great quantity of very fine artillery, both in the fortresses beyond the sea, as well as in many Calais and places within the realm, and especially at the Tower of London, where the ammunition of every sort is preserved. Report of England made to the Senate by Giacomo Soranzo, late Ambassador to Edward VI. and Queen Mary (Calendar of State Papers, Venetian 1534-1554, No. 934. London, 1873).

52. A Political Fast (1562)

XIV. And for increase of provision of fish by the more usual and common eating thereof, be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That from the feast of St. Michael the archangel in the year of our Lord one thousand five hundred sixty-four, every Wednesday in every week throughout the whole year, which heretofore, hath not by the laws

Notes to the act by Sir William Cecil, later Lord Burghley, describe the decay of the

fisheries, and

he adds, referring to the English navy, ships without

that" to build

men to man them is to set armour upon stakes on the sea shore."

These sections were added to conciliate extreme Protestant feeling.

or customs of this realm been used and observed as a fishday, and which shall not happen to fall in Christmas week or Easter week, shall be hereafter observed and kept, as the Saturdays in every week be or ought to be: (2) and that no manner of person shall eat any flesh on the same day, otherwise than ought to be upon the common Saturday.

XV. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, for the benefit and commodity of this realm, to grow as well in maintenance of the navy, as in sparing and increase of flesh victual of this realm, That from and after the feast of Pentecost next coming it shall not be lawful to any person or persons within this realm to eat any flesh upon any days now usually observed as fish-days, or upon any Wednesday now newly limited to be observed as fish-day; (2) upon pain that every person offending herein shall forfeit three pound for every time he or they shall offend, or else suffer three months close imprisonment without bail or mainprize.

XXXIX. And because no manner of person shall misjudge of the intent of this estatute, limiting orders to eat fish, and to forbear eating of flesh, but that the same is purposely intended and meant politically for the increase of fishermen and mariners, and repairing of port-towns and navigation, and not for any superstition to be maintained in the choice of meats.

XL. Be it enacted, That whosoever shall by preaching, teaching, writing or open speech notify, that any eating of fish, or forbearing of flesh, mentioned in this statute, is of any necessity for the saving of the soul of man, or that it is the service of God, otherwise than as other politick laws are and be; that then such persons shall be punished as spreaders of false news are and ought to be.

An act touching politick constitutions for the maintenance of the navy. 5 Eliz. c. 5. Statutes at Large (Cambridge, 1763), VI, 179, 185.

53. Elizabeth and Mary Stuart (1564)

The next morning Master Lattoun and Master Randolph, late agent for the Queen of England in Scotland, came to my lodging to convoy me to her Majesty, who was, as they said, already in the garden. . . . I found her Majesty pacing in an alley. . . . She inquired if the Queen had sent any answer anent the proposition of a marriage made to her by Master Randolph. I answered, as I was instructed, that the Queen thought little or nothing thereof, but looked for the meeting of some Commissioners upon the borders, with my Lord of Murray and the secretary, Lethington, to confer and treat upon all such matters of greatest importance. . . . So seeing your Majesties cannot so soon find the opportunity of meeting, so much desired between yourselves . . . the Queen, my mistress . . . is in hope that your Majesty will send my Lord of Bedford and my Lord Robert Dudley. She said that it appeared that I made but small account of my Lord Robert, seeing that I named the Earl of Bedford before him; but, or it were long, she should make him a greater earl, and that I should see it done before my returning home; for she esteemed him as her brother and best friend, whom she should have married herself, if ever she had been minded to take a husband. . . . And to cause the Queen, my mistress, to think the more of him, I was required to stay till I had seen him made Earl of Leicester and Baron of Denbigh, with great solemnity at Westminster, herself helping to put on his ceremonial, he sitting upon his knees before her, keeping a great gravity and discreet behaviour. .. Then she asked me how I liked of him. I said, as he was a worthy subject, he was happy that had encountered a princess that could discern and reward good service. "Yet," she said, "ye like better of yonder long lad,"

his home in

Fife and occupied himself in writing the Memoirs. From them this extract is taken describing his mission to England to discuss with Elizabeth the question of Mary's marriage, and especially to learn, if possible, Elizabeth's

real intentions.

I.e. next in succession to the English throne.

pointing towards my Lord Darnley, who, as nearest prince of the blood, bore the sword of honour that day before her. My answer again was, that no woman of spirit could make choice of such a man, that was liker a woman than a man; for he was very lusty, beardless, and lady-faced. I had no will that she should think that I liked of him, or had any eye or dealing that way: albeit I had a secret charge to deal with his mother, my Lady Lennox, to purchase leave for him to pass in Scotland, where his father was already, that he might see the country and convoy the Earl, his father, back again to England.

Now the said Queen was determined to treat with the Queen, my sovereign, first anent her marriage with the Earl of Leicester, and for that effect promised to send commissioners unto the borders. In the meantime I was favourably and familiarly used; for during nine days that I remained at Court, her Majesty pleased to confer with me every day, and sometimes thrice upon a day, to wit, aforenoon, afternoon, and after supper. Sometimes she would say, that since she could not meet with the Queen, her good sister herself, to confer familiarly with her, that she should open a good part of her inward mind unto me, that I might show it again unto the Queen; and said that she was not so offended at the Queen's angry letter as for that she seemed to disdain so far the marriage with my Lord of Leicester, which she had caused Master Randolph to propose unto her. I said that it might be he had teached something thereof to my Lord of Murray and Lethington, but that he had not proposed the matter directly unto herself; and that as well her Majesty, as they that were her most familiar counsellors, could conjecture nothing thereupon but delays and drifting of time, anent the declaring of her to be the second person which would try at the meeting of commissioners above specified. She said again that the trial and declaration thereof would be