Letters: Earl of Oxford to Baron Burghley, September 22, 1572. [Spelling modernized.]

BL Lansdowne 14-84, ff. 185-6, Oxford to Burghley, September 22, 1572.
[Click here for original spelling.]

My Lord,

I received your letters, when I rather looked to have seen yourself here, than to have heard from you: but since it is so, that your Lordship is otherwise affaired [=occupied] with the business of the commonwealth than to be disposed to recreate yourself, and repose you among your own, yet we do hope, after this you having had so great a care of the Queen’s Majesty’s service, you will begin to have some respect of your own health, and take a pleasure to dwell where you have taken pain to build[.] My wife (whom I thought should have taken her leave of you, if your Lordship had come, until you would have otherwise commanded, is departed unto the country this day: myself, as fast as I can get me out of town, do follow. Where […] I be any way employed, I am content and desirous […] whereby I may show myself dutiful to her.  [O]therwise if it were […] that respect, I think there is more trouble than credit to be gotten in such governments.  [I]f there were any service to be done abroad, I had rather serve there, than at home, where yet some honor were to be got; if there be any setting forth to sea, to which service I bear most affection, I shall desire your Lordship to give me and get me that favor and credit, that I might make one.  [W]hich if […] there by no such intention, then I shall be most willing to be employed on the sea coasts, to be in readiness with my countryman against any invasion.  Thus recommending myself to your good Lordship, I commit you to god.

from London,  this 22nd of September. by your Lordship to command.

(signed) Edward Oxenford (sec. f; 4+7)

Addressed (O): To singular good lord, Burghley, and lord treasurer of England give this at the court. [seal]

Endorsed: 22 September 1572; the Earl of oxf to my master

Second endorsement: […]; Desires his Lordship to procure him some employment in ye Queen’s service: but especially, which he chiefly bends to, at sea.

Third endorsement: 22 September 1572.

Edward de Vere having wheedled a commission through Queen Elizabeth’s Principal Secretary, William Cecil, to serve as an officer in the 1570 border wars with Scotland, we find him going the same route in hopes of another commission.  Cecil had since been created 1^st Baron of Burghley and had become father-in-law to Edward who had married his daughter, Anne.

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