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| Collection Title: | Letters and Papers relating to Nathaniel Bacon, 1574-1650 |
| Preferred Citation: | X.d.502 (1-51) |
| Creator: | Sir Nathaniel Bacon |
| Extent: | 51 items |
| Repository: | Folger Shakespeare Library |
| Abstract: | Letters and papers pertaining to Sir Nathaniel Bacon (1547-1622) in his capacity as a Justice of the Peace of Norfolk, Clerk of Methwold, Deputy Steward of the Duchy of Lancaster, and Deputy Lieutenant in the County of Norfolk. Also, eleven items relating to private affairs. |
| Processed by: | Folger staff | ||||||||||||||||||
| Date completed: | January 2001 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Encoded by: | Folger staff | ||||||||||||||||||
Acquired in 1970 from Hoffman and Freeman. Hoffman acquired X.d.502 (1) from Bernard Quaritch in 1962.
Microfilm copy available (Film Fo. 2319). Many of the papers have been transcribed in The Papers of Nathaniel Bacon of Stiffkey, eds. A. Hassell Smith, Gillian Baker, and R.W. Kenny (Norwich: Centre for East Anglian Studies, 1979): vol. 1, pp. 123, 154; vol. 3, pp. 95, 98, 100, 105, 117, 124, 281-3, 287, 290, 305.
The collection is divided into five series, arranged chronologically within each series.
See the finding aid for the Bacon-Townshend manuscripts.
Sir Nathaniel Bacon (1547-1622) was the second son of Sir Nicholas Bacon, Lord Keeper to Elizabeth I, and Jane, daughter of William Fernley. He matriculated at Trinity College, Cambridge in Michaelmas term, 1561, and was admitted to Gray's Inn on December 16, 1562. In 1569, he married Anne Gresham, natural daughter of Sir Thomas Gresham, Royal Agent in the Netherlands, and Winifred Dutton, wife of Thomas Dutton. They had three daughters (Anne, Winifred, and Elizabeth), and two sons, both of whom died in infancy. Anne died in 1595, and in 1597 Bacon married Dorothy, daughter of Sir Arthur Hopton. Bacon served as a justice of the peace for nearly fifty years, beginning in 1574, and was sheriff of Norfolk in 1586 and 1599. He was an M.P. for Tavistock in 1571 and 1572, was returned as knight of the shire for Norfolk for three parliaments (1584, 1593, 1604), and as burgess for King's Lynn for one parliament (1597). He was a subsidy commissioner, and served on numerous other special commissions. He was knighted in 1604. Bacon was related to numerous court figures. His father-in-law was Sir Thomas Gresham, and his half-brothers were Francis Bacon and Anthony Bacon (through his father's second marriage, to Anne Cooke). Through his father's second marriage, he became a kinsman of William Cecil, Lord Burghley, Sir Henry Killigrew, Lord John Russell, and Robert Cecil, Earl of Salisbury. Through his sister's marriages, he was a brother-in-law to Sir Robert Doyly, Sir Henry Neville, Sir William Peryam, Sir Francis Wyndham, and Sir Robert Mansell.
Private affairs and correspondence
X.d.502 (1) Bacon, Edward. Concerning his lease of two pieces of land in Hockwold [Norfolk]. n.d. 1 p.
X.d.502 (2) Bacon, Edward. To Nathaniel Bacon. July 1 [1574]. ALS, written from Gray's Inn. Edward writes to his brother about the machinations of papists in the election of ancients at Gray's Inn, schemes which were frustrated by Sir Christopher Yelverton and Shuite. Gives full account of the knavery of one Nedam, who used nearly 60 forged letters to persuade the Lord Treasurer, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and others, of a plot to murder the Treasurer and the Bishop of Winchester. In a postscript, he reports the escape of Edward de Vere, earl of Oxford, to Flanders, which the queen did not take well. 2 1/2 pp., with integral address leaf, seal.
X.d.502 (3) Heydon, Sir Christopher (d. 1579). To Nathaniel Bacon. January 21, 1574/5. ALS, written from Baconsthorpe [Norfolk]. Writes on behalf of the bearer, Edward Balyston. This Heydon is grandfather to the writer on astrology.
X.d.502 (4) Neville, Sir Henry. To Nathaniel Bacon. January 22, 1589/90. ALS, written from 'Greneland' (Greenland) [either Yorkshire or Cornwall]. Concerning the sinking of the Revenge in a storm. Nevell will be pleased for his wife, Betty, to have the lease for a farm and expects that Sir Nicholas Bacon will giver her 200 pounds towards it. Great provision has been made against the Spanish, but he is too lame to help in the defence. [See Acts of the Privy Council, xviii (1589-1590), p. 324 for the recovery of the Revenge by sir henry Palmer and Mr. Burrowes before 20 January 1590] 3/4 p., with integral address leaf.
X.d.502 (5) Neville, Sir Henry. To Nathaniel Bacon. [March 3], 1589/90 (Shrove Tuesday). ALS, written from 'Greneland.' His wife may do as she pleased about the lease, because she wears 'the bryches.' In his opinion, the duke of Mayne loses many followers by taking the 'Burgunyon Crosse', and the 'king of Spaine p[re]pares w[i]th all spede to eate us up.' some family news. 3/4 p., with integral address leaf.
X.d.502 (6) Townshend, Lady Anne. Information in a Court of Wards case between Lady Anne and Sirs John, Michael, and Edward Stanhope concerning rentals due them in their wardship of Sir Roger Townshend, bart. n.d.[ca.1606]. Edward Bacon is mentioned as a party to a conveyance. 4 pp.
X.d.502 (7) Townshend, Lady Anne. A note of arrearages of rents retained by her since the death of her husband, Sir John Townshend [d. August 12, 1603]. Endorsed as sent to, and partially paid to William Mason. June 12, 1606.
X.d.502 (8) Heydon, Sir Christopher (d. 1623). To Nathaniel Bacon. May 27, 1603. ALS. On behalf of his neighbor/tenant, Nicholas House, who has only 60 acres and cannot supply a light horse for the musters, Heydon asks that a corslet and a pike be deemed a sufficient charge. To pay his debts, Heydon intends to sell certain rents and services and offers to Bacon the opportunity to purchase those due from Erminglond. Mentions the commital of Sir Thomas Overbury, the removal of Sir William Wade from his post at the Tower, and the arrival and departure of Lady Elizabeth. 1 p. with integral address leaf.
X.d.502 (9) Townshend, Sir Roger, 1st bart. A note of the reckoning made with William Mason for Sir Roger Townshend [Nathaniel Bacon's grandson] on September 7, 1618. February 2, 1618/19. Signed by Mason. 1 p. with blank leaf.
X.d.502 (10) Heydon, Sir Christopher (d. 1623). To Nathaniel Bacon. October 27, 1621. News from abroad about the movements of the armies of Spain, France, and the United Provinces around Pressburg; the requests made by the duke of Mayne on his deathbed to the king of France; the horrible fate of the prince of Poland at the hands of the Turks; the seafight at Rochelle; Sir Edward Villiers' mission to the king of Bohemia; and the detention of English ships at Constantinople. On the homefront, a controversy involving the archbishop of Canterbury; a dispute between the earl of Arundel and the lord keeper; the assurance he has been given that the Spanish match has been concluded, and that three chapels are to be consecrated for the 'Idolatrouse service of her and those of her Religion,' including Westminster and Windsor; and the reactions at court to the book against the idolatory of papists written by prince Charles' chaplain, George Hakewill, and the latter's removal from the royal service. 2 pp., with integral address leaf.
X.d.502 (11) Hayward, Thomas. Articles of agreement with Gregory Secker, concerning bargain and sale of land and houses in Hockwold and Witton. June 6, 1650. Witnessed by Clippisby(?) Bacon. 1 p. with blank leaf.
Public Business as Justice of the Peace
X.d.502 (12) Privy Council. To the Bishop of Norwich and other justices of the peace in Norfolk and Norwich (including Lord Cromwell, Sir Edward Cleere, Sir William Heydon, Nathaniel Bacon), concerning debts of George Barker, John King, and Robert Girdeler. April 3, 1590. Letter signed by James Croft [lord deputy of Ireland and controller of the queen's household, d. September 4, 1590], Francis Walsingham [secretary of state, d. April 6, 1590, 3 days after signing this letter], and J. Wolley [Latin secretary to the queen, d. February 28, 1596]. A plea that their creditors should be persuaded to treat them reasonably and compound their debts. 1 p., with integral address leaf.
X.d.502 (13) Bacon, Nathaniel. To Privy Council, concerning George Barker's debts. November 5, 1590. Date altered by Bacon from October 23. Signed by Nathaniel Bacon, written from Stiffkey. Reports on the obduracy of two of Barker's creditors and explains that Barker fell into debt through ill-fortune on the Portugal voyage. 1 p., with blank leaf.
X.d.502 (14) Gawdy, Sir Francis. To Nathaniel Bacon. ALS, written from King's Lynn. 1601. They have been appointed to examine certain matters exhibited against Dr. Burman on Thursday in Easter week. Bacon should collect information from people living near him before that date. [Gawdy was the judge who opened the case against Mary, queen of Scots in 1586, and took part in the proceedings against Secretary William Davison]. 1/2 p.
X.d.502 (15) Bacon, Nathaniel. Examination of Bridgett Skott in a bastardy case. November 16, 1602. ALS? She says she was procured by John Crowe to say that Thomas Barrett was the father of her child. Then her mistress, Allen's wife, told her to charge her husband John Allen to be the father. When she refused, her mistress threatened her and beat her with a broom stick. 3/4 page, with blank leaf.
X.d.502 (16) Nicholas Ringolde and son. Petition to James I. June 23, 1603. Endorsed by Bacon. A claim against the widow of Richard Buntinge, late bailiff of the liberty (who had left his wife 10,000 pounds), for satisfaction of a debt made to her husband but in fact owed to them by Thomas Chambers, who had earlier escaped from Buntinge's custody, and for damages. 1/2 p.
X.d.502 (17) Caesar, Julius. To Sir Christopher Heydon and Nathaniel Bacon, appointing them mediators in the Ringolde case. June 24, 1603. Signed by Julius Caesar, written from the court at Greenwich. 3/4 p.
X.d.502 (18) Sidney, Henry. To Nathaniel Bacon. July 4, 1603. Concerning the Ringolde case. ALS, written from Walsingham [Norfolk]. Informs Bacon of what he knows of the cause of Nicholas Ringolde and of his own part in it. He states that he had met Buntinge at Bacon's house. 2 pp., with integral address leaf.
X.d.502 (19) Bacon, Nathaniel. Notes on the Ringolde case. July 12, 1603. In Bacon's hand. 1 p., with blank leaf.
X.d.502 (20) Bacon, Nathaniel. Signed deposition of Richard Ringolde. July 28, 1603. In Bacon's hand. An acquittance in Bacon's possession is mentioned. 1/2 p.
X.d.502 (21) Dorset, Thomas Sackville, earl of. To Nathaniel Bacon. August 1, 1607. Signed by Dorset, written from court. Instructions relating to his commission as surveyor of the king's lands in Norfolk. 1/2 p., with integral address leaf.
X.d.502 (22) Lincoln, John (on behalf of John Williams, lord keeper). To Nathaniel Bacon. Copy. May 11, 1622. Appointing Bacon mediator in the case of one Newby. 1/2 p.
Public business as Clerk of Methwold and Deputy Steward of the Duchy of Lancaster
X.d.502 (23) North, Roger, second baron, steward of the Duchy of Lancaster in Norfolk, Suffolk, and Cambridgeshire. To Nathaniel Bacon. February 16, 1590/1. ALS, written from Kirtling [Cambridgeshire] (Lord North's seat). Having been informed by Bacon that Mr. Sidney and other lessees have entered upon court leets to the great prejudice of his office of steward of the Duchy, for which Bacon is his deputy, North states his intention to fight for his rights, since his patent was never called in. He asks Bacon to draw up arguments in favor of his cause. He knows he does not have a copy of Bacon's letter to Walsingham, since he saves all of Bacon's letters, and requests that one be sent. 1 p., with integral address leaf partially torn away.
X.d.502 (24) Bacon, Nathaniel. To Roger, Lord North. March (or May) 4, 1591/2. A copy endorsed by Bacon. Reasons why North may demand redress in the Duchy Chamber for the impeachment made to his high stewardship. 1 p.
X.d.502 (25) Goodwin, Christopher. To John Goodwin. July 26, 1607. ALS to his brother about business in the court at Methwold, transactions in land there, fines attaching to them and the customs of the Duchy manor at Hellsay. The sale of the house of Bacon's man Raymond has not proceeded because the title was doubted. Among other matters dealt with it is stated that Sir Edward Mountford gives countenance to the tenants against Bacon for the common. 1 p., with integral address leaf.
Public business relating to the Norfolk Militia: an inquiry into the number of forces raised and paid in Norfolk, 1590-1594
X.d.502 (26) Privy Council. Appointment of Nathaniel Bacon and other justices of the peace to inquire into the collection of money for the defraying of the charge of "armor Imprest, and conducte & c." November 20, 1594. Copy, endorsed by Bacon. 1 p., with blank leaf.
X.d.502 (27) Bacon, Nathaniel. To the Mayor of Lynn [King's Lynn]. Draft. [ca. December 1594]
X.d.502 (28) Bacon, Nathaniel. Remembrances to be demanded of the Chief Constables. [ca. December 1594]
X.d.502 (29) Bacon, Nathaniel. Questions to be demanded of the Chief Constables, and extraordinary charges by one of the Constables of Holt. December 4, 1594.
X.d.502 (30) Bacon, Nathaniel. To the Chief Constables. Copy. December 20, 1594.
X.d.502 (31) Bacon, Nathaniel. Notes of things to be considered in the accounts of the Chief Constables of Norfolk touching the charge of soldiers, which were delivered to Sir William Paston, Sir Edward Coke, and others. January 9, 1594/5. Possibly in Bacon's hand. A list of discrepancies between the numbers of soldiers provided by the county and the amounts of coat and conduct money paid in the years 1590, 1591, 1593, and 1594. 3 pp.
Public business relating to the Norfolk Militia: Norfolk Muster Papers, 1603-1620
This series consists largely of copies or retained drafts of letters between the lord lieutenant (Henry Howard, earl of Northampton), the deputy lieutenants, the captains of the foot, and privy council. The deputy lieutenants of Norfolk included Sir Henry Gawdy, Sir Arthur Heveningham, Sir Phillip Woodhouse, Sir Nathaniel Bacon, Sir Charles Cornwallis, and Sir Henry Bedingfield. Six of these documents are calendared in Historical Manuscripts Commission, 11th Report, Appendix IV.
X.d.502 (32) Deputy lieutenants of Norfolk. To Henry Howard, earl of Northampton, lord lieutenant of the county of Norfolk. Copy. September 23, 1603.
X.d.502 (33) Deputy lieutenants of Norfolk. To Henry Howard, earl of Northampton, lord lieutenant of the county of Norfolk. Copy. October 22, 1607.
X.d.502 (34) Deputy lieutenants of Norfolk. To Henry Howard, earl of Northampton, lord lieutenant of the county of Norfolk. The form of the certificate for the musters. October 22, 1607.
X.d.502 (35) Privy Council. To Henry Howard, earl of Northampton, lord lieutenant of the county of Norfolk. June 30, 1608.
X.d.502 (36) Deputy lieutenants of Norfolk. To Henry Howard, earl of Northampton, lord lieutenant of the county of Norfolk. Copy. January 12, 1608/9.
X.d.502 (37) Deputy lieutenants of Norfolk. To the Captains of Foot. Copy. March 3, 1608/9.
X.d.502 (38) Northampton, Henry Howard, earl of. To the deputy lieutenants of Norfolk. Copy. May 4, 1609.
X.d.502 (39) Northampton, Henry Howard, earl of. Appointment of William Carson as Muster Master. Copy. May 4, 1609.
X.d.502 (40) Northampton, Henry Howard, earl of. To the deputy lieutenants of Norfolk. Copy. October 21, 1609.
X.d.502 (41) Bacon, Nathaniel. To Mr. Griffith, secretary to the earl of Northampton. Copy. June 1610.
X.d.502 (42) Order of the deputy lieutenants of Norfolk. Copy. January 8, 1611.
X.d.502 (43) Northampton, Henry Howard, earl of. To the deputy lieutenants of Norfolk. Copy. July 8, 1611.
X.d.502 (44) Northampton, Henry Howard, earl of. To the deputy lieutenants of Norfolk. Copy. December 8, 1611.
X.d.502 (45) Privy Council (signed by Suffolk, Shrewsbury, Worcester, Knollys, Ralph Winwood, Julius Caesar, Thomas Lake). To the justices of the peace of the county of Norfolk (Woodhouse, Gawdy, Heveningham, Bacon, Bedingfield, Sir Thomas Hobbart, Sir Hamon Lestrange). July 16, 1614.
X.d.502 (46) Same to same. July 18, 1614.
X.d.502 (47) Deputy lieutenants of Norfolk. An order (with blank spaces for dates) to the captains of militia regiments to appear before the deputies with an account of horse and foot. July 28, 1615.
X.d.502 (48) Deputy lieutenants of Norfolk. To the lord lieutenant of Norfolk (now Arundel). Copy. January 14, 1617.
X.d.502 (49) Arundel, Thomas, earl of. To the deputy lieutenants of Norfolk. Copy. February 11, 1618/19.
X.d.502 (50) Arundel, Thomas, earl of. To the deputy lieutenants of Norfolk. Copy. February 15, 1618/19.
X.d.502 (51) Deputy lieutenants of Norfolk. Form letter to the captains of militia regiments. August 1620.