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Reference to military preparations throughout Christendom. The King has therefore to keep a vigilant eye on the safety of his own dominions by requiring a more speedy supply of all defects in the armed forces of the realm than has yet been performed in time of peace. General view and muster ordered by His Majesty's special command, and order to repair all defects in numbers and arms. It is high time at length after so many admonitions that the troops of horse be filled up and made complete. Arms provided by the clergy to be disposed amongst the trained bands and the troops of horse. Trained bands to be ready at ten days' warning. Powder and match to be provided in such proportions as in the time of the late Queen, and in such quantity as is expressed in the foot of the letter, to be laid up and kept in the places there mentioned. Order for the repair of the beacons which are altogether neglected and decayed. Certificate required between now and the 11th April next. Appended: Quantities of powder required within the Lieutenancy specified, and where they are to be kept. Copy.

'Sir William Morice. All healthe and happines wishede unto you. All your friends heare are in good healthe, with hope to God of yours also. I have no newes to write unto you, but only to desire you to write unto me more att large how your business stands betweene you and my sone Sir Harry Johns, and what you will have me writte to my Lord Bishope of Bangor. I praie showe me the effecte of your mind in writinge that I maye writte the same accordinge to your derection. This hopeinge to heare a good end to your sute, I comite you to God and reste your verie lovinge wyffe.'. Postscript: 'I have sent you hereinclossed a peece of goulde of 6s. for a token, wishinge it were a thousand pounde ... I do also send a smale token to my cozin Francis Ridgewaie. Your grand-childe Jane Awbrey remembers her dutie and servis unto youe and daylie praies for the preservation of your good health and good success in all your busnesis. Comend mee I praie you to my Lord of Bangor and I hartelie thanke him for his kindnes and will alwayie praie that he maye have his owne hart's desire. As for my unkinde son Sir Harrie Johns, God forgive hyme his harde dealeinge with me; and in any case bynde hym fast to paie me my due from hym, that wee have no further trouble ... If not we will, God willing, take some other course with hyme ... As for my daughter-in-lawe, I wishe her no harm howsoever shee wisheth mee. And thus end from Clenney the 14th of Januarie'.

Craves a favour ... that George or another of William Maurice's men shall deliver these three letters according to their superscriptions and with all the speed possible after William Maurice has come to London. Asks that his hearty thanks be given to the Bishop of Bangor, for he has taken extraordinary pains to bring the writer's brother-in-law, Hugh ap William ap Richard, to be friends with the writer, and with his son Griffith also the Bishop did make him friends.

Sends a certificate entreating William Maurice to put his hand to it with others, whereby he may have a supplicavit against his adversary, Robert ap Hugh ap Richard, as drunk and vicious a fellow as any in Caernarfonshire. Asks for the signature by bearer that he may serve a subpoena in the commote of Menai, near Newborough.

It pleases William Maurice to appoint the writer to pay Hugh Williams, one of the maimed soldiers, 20s., or at least 10s., of the maimed soldiers' mise in Mr Brynkir's time if so much did remain in his hands. The parishes were charged as follows. 'There is appended a full account of the old mise and a current one for the parishes of Cafflogion, viz:- Pwllheli, Llangian, Llanbedrog, Penrhos, Botwnog, Carngiwch, Llanfihangel Bachellaeth, Richard Jones was apparently the High Constable of the Hundred'. Says he has sufficient in hand to pay Williams or any other out of the current mise.

Lengthy account of legal business. Issues not clearly indicated. John Lloyd gave 2s. fee to Mr John Powel and spared further charges at this time, for if he had given more it would have been needless and therefore better spared 'for when you are present in person you may do as you please'. In William Maurice's absence the John Lloyd will disburse bare, ordinary and necessary fees and no more. Means to be in London on the 26th Oct., where he hopes to see his Worship, for he has special occasion to travel hither. But he will confer at large with Mr John Powel before going and will leave him his fees and all other fees whatsoever to be disbursed in William Maurice's causes. Therefore William Maurice need only send his letter to Mr Powel. There are not any of the Council resident here at this time. Sir Harry Townshend went to Shrewsbury with my Lord President.

Desires favour for the bearer, his near 'alliesman', concerning some land in Cricieth to which he is persuaded he has some right. His name is Rees the son of David ap Robert alias David Joyner. He claims inheritance after his father and elder brother. Since he was keeping schools in other countries, he had no notice that the land belonged to him until of late. Gives William Maurice hearty thanks for the kind token sent unto his poor daughter.

Has a commission to be executed at Dolbenmaen on the 20th day of this month. Desires William Owen's favour to write to Hugh Owen, Gwnnynog, to ask him to come to William Maurice by that time since he has skill in surveying land. The principal thing that William Maurice would learn is the quantity of the bovate and how many acres the same contains. Will consider William Owen's charges and gains therein. Subscribed: William Owen's reply. Begs William Maurice to accept reply by word of mouth with his man, as William Owen has no time to express his mind at length in writing.

Commission mentioned in an earlier letter enclosed. Some detailed instructions as to its execution. The charge of this commission is only 6s.8, wherein the writer retained Mr John Powel as attorney, and for counsel he made means to save them at this time. The rest of William Maurice's money remains with the writer. The Lord President accompanies the judges on circuit in Montgomeryshire on Monday next.

A photostat facsimile of a St. Asaph Cathedral Library manuscript containing 'cywyddau' by Gruffudd Hiraethog, Wiliam Llyn, Tudur Aled, Hywel Cilan, Guto'r Glyn, Deio ab Ieuan Du, Huw Arwystli, and Owain Gwynedd.

Has received William Maurice's letter and £10 which have been delivered to Mr Oliver Morris with the subpoenas. He told the writer flatly that he would not meddle in the matter nor lay out any more money for William Maurice or Lady Eure. When the writer saw him casting away the writs, he took them up and brought them away with him. He then caused a motion to be made for a dedimus potestatem. But the defendants be so many that he cannot, his money being so scant, bring a dedimus for them all. But if he can get money he will do so. Refers to a suit between Sir Harry Johnes, his tenants, and William Maurice. The money to be paid into court there to remain until the hearing. Sir Harry follows it hard 'but for all that hee is verie willinge to make an agreement as the berrer cane tell you'. Commissioners' names have been agreed upon with much ado ... and in the suit with Owen Ellis. References to other suits pending at the Shropshire Sessions. Postscript: Sir Harry Johnes moved the court twice to have the commission executed at Llanbadarn and the writer would have it at Harlech, and so at the end Baron Bromley appointed it to be executed at 'Gwregsam'. Sir Harry is not well pleased with that nor the writer either. He knows not where it is to be, in any case he means it shall not be at 'Gwregsam'.

Has received letters from the Privy Council for mustering and training in Wales and the Marches; encloses a copy. Desires the recipients to see that service effected at the most expedient time and place for the service and the ease of the county, and to certify William Compton thereof so that he may attend in person, unless hindered by urgent occasions. Does not doubt their care and diligence therein. Postscript: Expects a certificate from them at a convenient time so that he may certify the Council.

Received William Maurice's letter and the token. Has informed Sir Thomas Chamberleyn and the rest of the Council of William Maurice's commendations; they return the same. As for William Maurice's matter mentioned in the letter, has required the bill of Mr Harry Pryce, the counsellor, to whom it was entered from the office to peruse, and perceives that the matter is so bad that they have much ado to make a good bill. Therefore, according to the order and rule of the court, they must have time to peruse it and make it as perfect as they can. William Maurice's request for a dedimus potestatem shall be fulfilled; told the Council in the garden on Monday evening that the plaintiff's counsel kept William Maurice's bill to peruse and that John Lloyd could not have it until they had done so, and that William Maurice is employed on the King's affairs and that his being at home was uncertain in respect of his occasions. Therefore requested that William Maurice might have a commission for him and his servants to take their answers at home, retrievable on 29 Aug., the first day of the next appearance. When John Lloyd has the bill, this shall be moved and on John Lloyd's credit assuredly granted, without paying a penny costs if possible. Told Sir Francis Eure that the sheriff of Merionethshire was sick and in great extremity, and that if he thought good, William Maurice thought best to begin the sessions in Anglesey. He answered that he had two days before sent directions that he would begin in Merionethshire and must therefore do so. The President will be at Ludlow tonight or tomorrow; diverse of his people came tonight. Is credibly informed that he will not come to Anglesey, Caernarfonshire or Merionethshire at this time, but will go only to Montgomeryshire with the judges, who begin their circuits on 6 July. The bearer has left with John Lloyd 10s. in silver besides the token in the letter, to be disbursed for William Maurice as required. What remains undisbursed, if any, which John Lloyd does not know until he sees the bill, shall be ready to be defrayed by John Lloyd at the next appearance. Since William Maurice had named no commissioners to take his answer and to swear him, John Lloyd has taken the names of Owen Thomas Owen and Mores ap John ap Mores, gent's, to do so. In making the certificate, let the commissioners be careful that they mention that they have taken of William Maurice and the rest of the defendants perfect and direct answer in writing upon their corporal oaths, for John Lloyd has [had] great hindrance and inconvenience [has] fallen to many when commissioners in like matters have forgotten to mention in their certificate that they had taken the defendants' answers upon their corporal oaths, which is the only point to be certified. Knows the gentlemen aforenamed will perform the same and can rather give John Lloyd directions, but must remember William Maurice. Postscript: William Maurice may get any counsellor he prefers to draw his answer and the rest, and after drawing it up, may let one or both swear him and the others upon the answers and certify. Afterwards the commission must be delivered by the commissioners or one of them to a messenger who will bring it to Ludlow that day or the next, for he must be sworn that he received it from one or both of the commissioners. William Maurice will receive the commission, if not before, at the sessions for Caernarfonshire, from one Mr Thomas Jones, one of the clerks of the court and servant in livery to Sir Francis Eure, chief justice of the assizes.

Letters came to Ludlow two days ago mentioning that the Lord President would be at Ludlow on 18 June. It is credibly thought that he will travel with Sir Francis Eure through his circuit, but whether he will do so is not certainly known until his coming. At Ludlow attending the Council are Mr Justice, Sir Henry Towneshend, Sir Francis Eure and Mr Justice Overburye. This term is reasonable, but John Lloyd has known many better. For his part, has for five weeks been troubled with an ague which still hangs upon him and vexes him this term. Sir Walter Rawleighe's voyage is quite overthrown to the great hindrance of many. It is credibly reported that Sir Thomas Bromley, a knight born in Shropshire, son and heir of Sir Henry Bromley, kt, dec., who was licensed by the King to travel, has robbed the King of Spain's treasure house and taken millions of unknown riches and treasures from there. Now he lies upon the narrow seas, awaiting the King's pardon. It is also reported that the King of Spain sent to the King requesting restitution of the goods and riches taken, but John Lloyd has not heard of any assent of restitution yielded. Has no other news.

Is disappointed for his money everywhere, especially now in his need, since he lacks sufficient money for the bearer, his cousin Mr Richarde Ieuan, who is going for William Maurice to London to solicit William Maurice's business, and that of Frances Eure. Desires Frances Eure if she can to give him £10 for William Maurice which will make him more ready to take pains in their causes and better able to fee his counsellors. This shall be to Frances Eure's credit and his [Richarde Ieuan's] satisfaction. Postscript: Reminds her what trouble and charge he takes about her causes.

Received a letter from the Lord President late on Sunday night of which he encloses a copy (No. 350). Desires to arrange a meeting to confer about the Lord President's request.

W[illiam Compton, Lord] Compton, from the Court at Whitehall, to his friends Sir John Wynn, kt and bart, Sir William Morris, kt, Sir William Glynn, kt, Sir William Thomas, kt, and John Gruffyth, esq., deputy lieutenants for Caernarfonshire. The late Lord Gerrard, late Lord President of the Council of Wales and the Marches and Lord Lieutenant of the same, appointed Mr William Gerrard the bearer, muster master of Caernarfonshire, and allowed him for the execution of the office, the fees, allowances and sums of money heretofore usually taken by the muster master, upon the allowance of the deputy lieutenants thereof. But although he has now been muster master of the county for a year, he [William Gerrard] has received no fees or allowances therefor, and has therefore desired William Compton's letters in his favour, which just suit William Compton cannot deny. Therefore requests the recipients to pay him the fees and allowances for a year for his place.

The Lord President was at the last assizes in Chester, Flintshire and Denbighshire last April. He stayed in Flintshire and Denbighshire for the whole assizes and thence came to the appearance. On the first night of his return he lay at Sir Edward Broughton's house near Wrexham, and the second and third nights at Sir Edward Kynaston's house. The fourth night, a Monday, he and the Chief Justice lay at Sir Henry Towneshend's house. On Monday 11 May, the Lord President went to London, sent for by the King, as John Lloyd is informed; whether he will return next term is not yet known. Mr Justice also travels to London on Friday 15 May; John Lloyd does not know his occasions. The Lord President took the view and sight of all trained soldiers of Flintshire and Denbighshire and saw them trained, at the time of the assizes he intends to go through all Wales to that end. Mr Samuell Parker, a man of Ludlow worth £20,000 at his death, died last week, having only one daughter. John Lloyd is at this time troubled with an ague. Intends to be in London next term; if William Maurice or any of his servants is there, John Lloyd will not be forgetful of his duty in giving the best directions in William Maurice's cause that he can as the occasion requires. It is credibly reported secretly in Ludlow that a letter lately came to the Lord President mentioning great musters to be held very shortly. Cannot learn the certain time; many are to go forth from all counties in armour. Has no other news.

Though the equipping and training of the forces of the Welsh counties has of late years drawn many directions from them, the Council still holds it expedient, both for the continuance of those bands which are complete in numbers and equipment and for supplying defects which upon view of the certificates appear to be more than they expected after so many frequent addresses, to call on William Compton for an effectual and speedy supply thereof, as conduces in consequence of state to the King's service and the defence and safety of the realm. Therefore, by the King's special command signified to the Council, they require William Compton according to his authority in the Welsh counties under his lieutenancy at some convenient time this summer to cause a general view to be taken of all the forces in those counties, both foot and horse, and an enrolment to be made of all the numbers, trained and untrained, and especially that the trained bands be made complete by supplying the places of such officers and others as are dead, insufficient or otherwise wanting with those of better quality and such other freeholders, farmers, owners of land or householders as are fit therefor. Let William Compton also see that the forces' arms are good and serviceable, namely, for the foot, muskets and pikes, for though many callivers are in various counties enrolled amongst the shot, William Compton knows that modern use excludes the calliver as unserviceable and not to be allowed upon any musters of arms; require him therefore to change such callivers as are amongst the county bands into muskets with as much convenience as he may for the advantage of the King's service. Whereas the numbers of horse have been so long neglected that they are for the most part defective in arms and serviceable horses, it is high time after so many admonitions that the troops of horse be filled and made complete with all necessary provisions and equipment, excepting only coats for foot and horse and conduct money, which may be spared until further order is given. Let William Compton also cause all the trained bands to be trained, exercised and displayed at such fit and convenient times and places as WC in his discretion finds expedient for the ease of the county and the better instructing of those forces in the use and practise of their armour, wherein it is especially required that all collecting captains, lieutenants and under-officers perform their duty according to the charges committed to them. No person is to excuse himself from this duty and service, except those known to be the King's servants at court. Such of the clergy as are appointed to find armour, let William Compton [according] to the list he received from the bishop likewise cause to be showed and trained as aforesaid. Lastly let such provisions be made of powder, match, bullets and carriages as has been thought expedient by former directions for the use of these counties, which are meet to be contained, observed and executed. Let William Compton have a special care for these things as a matter of special consequence and return a certificate thereof before the last day of Oct.

John Lloyd, Ludlow, to Sir William Maurice, kt, at the house of Mistress Willington at the sign of the Swan in 'Powles Chayre neere Powles churche', London. Since William Maurice's departure, diverse motions have been made on both sides in William Maurice's causes, but hopes that the goodness of William Maurice's causes and the due care had by those put in trust to effect William Maurice's affairs have been such that William Maurice's causes have been so managed that upon reading the copies of the orders which Mr John Powell, William Maurice's careful attorney sent him, William Maurice will call to memory what John Lloyd said in William Maurice's chamber when he took his leave, which he hopes he has in all respects performed as far as in him lay. The substance of the orders is that William Maurice's possession shall continue, although no express words to that end are mentioned in the order in respect that it is not needed in respect of William Maurice's former possession until the matter is tried in the Exchequer and the misdemeanours are tried next Trinity Term in the Arches after the causes for the title are heard and censured in the Exchequer, the mean profit to be paid by William Maurice since he was last in possession until the matter is heard at the Exchequer, if the trial falls against William Maurice, which John Lloyd hopes will never happen. If John Lloyd has not been mindful of William Maurice and his causes to his utmost, he is to blame, but refers his censure herein to William Maurice's discretion, and prays that he may be able to perform any service which is pleasant and acceptable to William Maurice. 'Pauca sapienti'. Has done his best according to his duty, and will continue to do so for William Maurice or any of his while he lives. Prays God to defend William Maurice and his from the wicked wiles of his adversaries and to continue His gracious love and favour to William Maurice, continuing also William Maurice's health, welfare and prosperity. Commendations to Mr Thomas Pughe and all William Maurice's followers and servants. Postscript: Sir Henry Towneshend commends himself to William Maurice. Mr Thomas Pughe's friend's ? Lealand appeared but was dispatched out of hand by the appointment of William Maurice's friend Sir Henry Townshend. John Lloyd's intended journey to London is at this time delayed.