BL Lansdowne 33/6, ff. 12-13
(bifolium, 238mm x 160mm), Oxford to Burghley; July 1581 (W223-4;F283-4).
[Click here for original spelling.]
My lord,
Robin Christmas did yesterday tell me how honorably you had dealt with her majesty as touching my Liberty, and that, as this day, she had made promise to your Lordship that it should be. Unless your Lordship shall make some to put her majesty in mind thereof, I fear, in these causes of the two lords, she will forget me. For she is nothing of her own disposition, as I find, so ready to deliver, as speedy to commit. And every little trifle gives her matter for a long delay. I willed E. Hammond to report unto your Lordship, her majesty’s message unto me by Mr. secretary Walsingham which was to this effect, first that she would have heard the matter again touching Henry Howard, Southwell and Arundel. Then that she understood I meant to cut down all my woods, especially about my house; which she did not well like of. As if I should sell some land else other where. And last that she heard I have been hardly used by
some of my servants, during this time of my
commit[ment]. Wherein she promised her aid, so far as she could with justice, to
redress the loss I had sustained thereby. To which I made answer, as I willed
Hammond to relate unto your Lordship. Further my lord, whereof I am desirous
something to write, I have understood of certain of my men have resorted to
your lordship, and sought by false reports of other of their fellows, both to
abuse your lordship and me. But for that this bearer seems most herein to be
touched, I have sent him unto your lordship, as is his earnest desire, that
your lordship might so know him, as your evil opinion, being conceived amiss by
these lewd fellows may be removed. And truly my lord, I hear of those things
wherewith he is charged, and I can assure you wrongfully and slanderously, but
the world is so cunning, as of a shadow they can make a substance, and of
likelihood a truth. And these fellows, if they be those, which I suppose, I do
not doubt but so to decipher them to the world, as easily your lordship shall
look into their lewdness and unfaithfulness. Which until my liberty I mean to
defer, as more mindful of that importing me most at this time, then yet seeking
to revenge myself of such perverse and impudent dealings of servants which I
know have not wanted encouragement and setting on. But letting these things
pass for a while, I must not forget to give your lordship those thanks, which
are due to you, for this your honorable dealing to her majesty in my behalf.
Which I hope will not be without effect.
The which attending from the court, I will take my leave of your lordship, and rest at your Commandment, at my house this morning
Your lordship’s assured
(signed) Edward Oxenford
Addressed by Earl of Oxford: For
my lord Treasurer [seal]
Endorsed by Baron Burghley: July
1581 Earl of Oxford thanks
Second endorsement: Thanks his
lordship for obtaining the promise of his Liberty of the Queen: entreating him
to remember the Queen of him. The Queen’s message to him to Walsingham.
Also at Virtual Grub Street:
- A Model for Lady Macbeth. July 12, 2020. “In Macbeth, the Lady of the castle would also seem to be her Lord’s indomitable will. She will see the deeds done that need be done in order for him to pass the daunting tests and wear the crown.”
- Edward de Vere, Shakespeare and Tycho Brahe. June 9, 2020. “When Brahe was encouraged by his friends and associates to publish a book on the November 1572 supernova for which he is now famous, his answer belonged to his times.”
- What About Edward de Vere’s Twelfth Night of 1600/01? January 28, 2020. “Leslie Hotson, who brought the Orsino-Orsino coincidence to the attention of the Nevillians seems to have made one particular mistake that is all to our point.”
- A Most Curious Account of the Funeral of Queen Elizabeth I: April 28, 1603. April 28, 2019. “Once it was clear that James I would face no serious challenges, Cecil and the others could begin to give attention to the matter of the Queen’s funeral.”
- Check out the English Renaissance Article Index for many more articles and reviews about this fascinating time and about the Shakespeare Authorship Question.
- Check out the English Renaissance Letter Index for many letters from this fascinating time, some related to the Shakespeare Authorship Question.
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