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1602
La:dy Shrewsb:ury
Master Vicechamberlain and
owr my lettre to ye
Lady Shrewsbury
168
128
167
Madame. It hath pleased her Ma.jesty; vppon the receipt of your lettres
by S.ir Henry Bronekard (with which and with all other perticulers he
acquaynted her) to command vs two, to Lett you know, how much
she remayneth satisfyed with your proceedinges ; nothinge
appearinge in them, but fullnes of care to prevent inconvenionces
and desyre to accomplish (in all thinges) her Ma.jestes pleasure, Wherof But
(Least you by mistakinge her meaninge, or apprehendinge more then
is needfull, should peradventure take some course, that is not covenient)
we are commanded to Lett you know; first what her Ma.jesty conceaues of
the younge Ladyes action, and how (from hence forth) she would haue
it ordered, to avoyd idle talkes and rumours, whereof there is
aptnes in most men, to take libertye in this tyme. In the
observation of the roote (from whence this motive spronge in
the Lady) she doth perceaue, that some base companions (thinkinge
it pleasinge to her youth and sex) to be sought in marriage,
weare content to abuse her, with a device; That the Erle of
Hartford, had a purpose, to match his Gran=chyld with her
A matter wherein they knew (in their owne consciences) how
Leawdly they dealt, but that they hoped, soe to haue practised
vppon the Nobleman, as to haue proffitt if they could once haue
been admitted; only to haue entered into such communication
with him: for of this your Ladyship may be assured, That if
his owne precise carriage in the matter and cleare and inocent
dealinge with the queen (as he hath done) weare not sufficient
to cleare the Erle; yet the incongruitye of his Gran=chylds
yeares (beinge between 17 and 18) besydes the absurd Election
of the Ministers, and course of proceedinges) is suffcient to
satisfye all the world, that this matter had a corrupt beginninge,
as it hath a fond end, and hereof is her Majesty pleased, that
you should make the yonge Lady, partaker; to this intent;
both that she may see her follye, and withall to receaue this
admonition hereby; That howsoever her Majesty may be contented
(in respect of her penitence for her fault) to pass ouer the
presumption in her, to hearken to a match in that place,
whereby it mought be collected, that she had some other idle
conceipt, then the marriage, Yet that if she shall not take
this for a warninge, and content her selfe to Liue in good
sort, (with soe deare a parent and soe worthy a matrone) without
dealinge in such thinges, or any matter of importance,
wherevnto she shall not ether, first make you privy (if she
be the first Authour) or immediately after she is acquaynted
by any others, shall not resort to you and playnly and dutifully
declare all
circumstances even at the first instant, she shall be made knone,
that therein she abuseth that libertye, which otherwise her Ma.jesty is
pleased, she should hould, as heretofore she hath done, for all correspon=dencyes and exchanges of Courtesyes, and acquayntance with her
freindes and or yours, in matters that tend not to such like plottes or
practises, wherein she must know, that beeinge of that blood she is,
her Ma.jesty will looke for an extraordinary accompt of her proceedinges.
Next Madame to concurr with this purpose, of her Ma.jesty, in the
manner of her traictment we are commanded to tell you, that she
would haue you (by all meanes) avoyde any such manner of Guardinge;
your howse, or excludinge resort as may contynew the fond bruietes.
that are raysed, and that you therein retourne to your accustomed
manner, without any other overcuriositye. Your Ladyship may
notwithstandinge sufficiently observe, how she carryes her selfe, And
because your age and sicknes cannot permitt you to be allwayes in
her company, you may impose some care vppon some discreet gentlewoman
to be in her company and some honest gentleman to attend her amongest
the rest, whoe without vsinge any extraordinarye restraynt, may haue
eyes sufficiently vnto her, if she doe any thinge vnfitt for her
ether in dutye to the queen, or in preiudice of her owne honour or
welldoinge. To conclude Madame we must agayne reiterate vnto you
her Ma.jestes gracious acceptation of your dutifull care and affection
to please her. Only you must receaue this answeare for your suite
to be freed of her, That her Ma.jesty cannot thinke of any other
place, soe fitt for her as this is, and therefore desyreth you to
remayne contented and to looke to your health, that God may
giue you a comfortable life, which her Ma.jesty wisheth you as much
as any freind you haue. And soe for this tyme we &c.
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