Ffeil Clenennau letters and papers 77 [RESTRICTED ACCESS] - The Privy Council (named), at the Court at Greenwich, to [Henry Herbert], E[arl] of Pembroke,

Are to inform Henry Herbert of the numbers of foot the Queen wishes to have levied in the counties of his lieutenancy, and of the procedure on other points relating to the same. The numbers to be levied in the counties, both in and outside the liberties, are 440, and they are to be provided with weapons and arms as follows:- half the number are to be shot (a quarter of that to be muskets), the other half to be armed with corslets and pikes, except for a few with halberds. They should have coats as soldiers should commonly have, blue in colour, of good cloth and lined. The exact numbers and the counties where they are to be levied are set down in an enclosed schedule. As soon as they are made ready, let them be sent to Chester in the charge of suitable persons to see them controlled on the way. Instead of conduct money, they shall have wages of 8d. a day from the time they are taken to their leader, until their arrival in Chester, marching at least sixteen miles a day, the money to be delivered beforehand at Henry Herbert's direction to the leader. The leader shall receive payment at Chester both for the coats, at the Queen's rate, and for the conduct to Chester. Henry Herbert is required to provide horsemen from the counties of Wiltshire and Somerset, and is to be informed of the proper procedure therein. Wiltshire must provide four and Somerset five. The horses must be good and carry a suitable man, armed with cuirass, headpiece, sleeves of mail, a light horseman's staff, pistol, sword and dagger. For the charges and provision of the same, let Henry Herbert, taking the advice of the chief men of the counties, cause contributions to be made to buy horses and provide horsemen. The men must have blue coats of good cloth. The contributions must be levied only among justices of the peace living in the counties, within and outside the liberties, who are sufficiently wealthy, as specified by the Queen's letters. It will doubtless be so light a task as to be accomplished willingly and quickly. Since the horsemen's numbers are small, no-one need be appointed to take them to Chester, whence they are to embark, but so that they may go there in orderly fashion, let it be found what horsemen are appointed from adjoining counties so that they may travel together. At Chester they shall be received into the Queen's pay and thence transported to Ireland to serve under captains appointed by the Lord Deputy. Since no definite period can be set for their journey to Chester because of the uncertainty within what time they may be provided, can only request all possible diligence, so that they may be at Chester by 1 July, or at the latest by 10 July. Endorsed: Note of examination by John Wynn. Copy.