3°5 
The defeat of the Armada and the release from fear of any 
invasion did not remove all expenses for the care of arms, for 
the western counties and towns were expected to loan the contents 
of their armoury for the use of the 7,000 men sent under Essex 
against Cadiz, and the 6,000 men sent into Ireland in the 
following year. ‘Two letters relating to the return of these arms. 
are in the British Museum, 
“After our hasty comendations, whereas at the return of me the 
Erle of essex this last somer from the seas, there was left with you 
suche armor as was aboard the shipps apptarninge to those countys. 
and out of the which there was men leavied. Amongst the which 
the pporcon contayned in the inclosed scedul dothe belonge to the 
county of Somersett ffor as much as the Deputy Leiutenants and 
_. justices of the peace of that county have signified unto us their desire 
that the prest armor and furniture may be restored. This shal be to: 
require you to deliver the prest Armour and weapons unto suche 
psons as shal be authorised by the deputy leiutenants to receive the 
same taking acquitance of them for the receipt thereof. So wee bid 
_ you hartely farewell ffrom the Court at Whitall the 16th of Marche 
1597.” 
_ “After our verie hastie comendacions wee have received warrant 
from the lordes of yr Mag. most honorable privy councill unto you 
for redeliverie of such armors as weare left wh you upon the return of 
_ the Earle of Essex the last year from the seas appertayninge to this 
_ countie of Somerset. And do now send you this bearer thighe 
_ Parker for the receipt of the said Armors from you whom we do 
_ herbie authorize to receive them unto. 
** Hoping that as well in respect you, as owr counties men borne, 
as also that our good neighbour your brother Mr. Edward Gorge 
hath engaged his credit us from whom we hope you have before this 
_ time heard to this effect, that as our men weare as well armed as any 
_ that went in that expedition for wh we should receive as good and 
serviceable arms as any as all in your custody. And thus we leave 
you to ptecon of the Almighty this VIII. day of April 1598. 
* Your very loving friende, 
“FRANCIS HASTINGS, 
“JOHN COLLES, 
“ HUGHE PORTMAN, 
“EDWARD PHELIPPS, 
“John E. Gorge.” SELK, HEXT. 
