By the liev. Canon J. E. Jackson, F.S.A. 47 



standcth mgagod in a Ijnie or toe [two] from j-our Ip. that the overplus upon the 

 sale therof wich sliall cxcede ther debts may with ther {?ood lykyngo be imployed 

 towards the aunswerynf^e of my lords debts aceoi-dyng to the tenoi-e of hys 

 testament, I shall not only aeknowledge myself very much behouldynge unto your 

 Ip. but shall take such coui-s for the spedye satysfj'inge of hur hj-ghnes debts as 

 shall I ti-ust very well content your good Ip., and so dcsyrj'nge your honorable 

 favoure in thes poynts, I humblye take my leve, pi-aynge allways for the con- 

 tencwance of your best health and happynes. 



" Leycester hous. thys vij of Marehe. 



" Your Ip. assui-ed poor frend 

 Addressed: "li- LetcesteE*" 



" To the lyght honorable and 



my very good Lo. the Lo. 

 tresurer of Ingland." 

 On the bad- is lun'tten in a small hand : 



"Marty. 1589. 

 " Countess of Leycest. to my L, 



Prayes some longer tyme to make 



aunswer to the booke of charge 



offred by Mr. Bainham towching y« 



Erl of Leycest'. debt to hir Ma"^ 

 " Commission for examination of such 



persons as were accomtable any wayes 



to y' said Erie wherby y^ said debt 



may be y° better satisffied. 

 " That the marchauuts morgagers of 



Denbighe may answer the 



over-value thereof towardes the 



payment of the said debt as the 



Erl appointed by his will." 



1590, March 27th. — Robert Devereux, second Earl op Essex, 

 TO HIS Mother, Lettice, Countess of Leicester. 



" Madam. I have sent y^ ladyship a Ire to my L : Chancelor -w^. y'. ladyship 

 when you have read yt may scale and please you and ether send by this berer 

 or whom els you please, to resolve y"'. ladj'ship that I will stand fErme in this 

 and in all other y' causes I do send you here mine owne to be a witnes against 

 me yf I do not. for y' laps state wi> you say is uncertaine. I will defend y* 

 other titles w"- all the witt creditt and frendes that I have, and for that w* 

 y' lap hath of my land I will not refuse to confirme yt when y' lap shall say 

 you desire that ther may be so free dealing on both sides as kindnes may be 

 deerer then any thing els. for Wansteed though 1 confesse I do gi^atly affect yt 



• The Countess's handwriting is singularly neat and clear ; her f, s, h, &c , being long : and 

 the letter y being invariably dotted, as i is with us. Original letters written by this lady are ex- 

 tremely rare. 



