A HISTORY OF NOTTINGHAMSHIRE 



was 2,000, but since the earl had abated 600 from this number the gentlemen 

 of the shire promised ' to persuade all persons able to do so, over and above 

 their contributions, to provide themselves with private armour and weapons for 

 their own furniture.' The earl was to be informed of all persons who were 

 of the ability, and refused to furnish themselves as aforesaid. 1 Fresh orders 

 were issued in May, 1589, 'for musters and getting in readiness of horsemen, 

 footmen, pioneers, powder, matches, and such like, and for the maintenance 

 of the beacons.' Also ' to maintain the peace in those parts and to suppress 

 all riots and rebellion.' 8 The earl of Shrewsbury wrote to his brother-in-law 

 Sir John Manners concerning these musters that there might be ' default in 

 the selected bands of footmen ' and thus he hoped that Sir John and some of 

 the justices would view them before the day originally fixed. The greatest 

 want he thought would be of powder and match. 3 



After the success of 1588 England turned to give help to France since 

 Henry of Navarre was now king. In June, 1591, an army of 3,000 men was 

 to be sent to Normandy * for the succour of the French kinge,' and of these 

 a contingent of 150 was ordered from Nottingham to be shipped at Hull. 4 

 In July an order was sent to the mayor of Nottingham that the town of 

 Nottingham should contribute ' towards the furnishing of the armour and 

 weapon and other necessary and incident thinges and charges for those 

 nombers now to be leavied in that countie.' 5 Recruits to the number of fifty 

 were required from the county in August of the next year for the ' aid of the 

 French kinge in Britaigni.' 6 Five of these recruits seem to have been 

 unwilling to serve abroad and to have ' runn away from their generall at 

 the place where they should have embarked.' They with others who had 

 deserted from various counties were to be committed to prison and punished 

 as ' shalbe thought agreable with the qualitie of their offence. ' 7 Levies were 

 again ordered for service in Ireland in June, 1 594, and forty foot and two horse 

 were required from Nottinghamshire. 8 Concerning these it was reported 

 that Nicholas Hamerton and John Elvas had shown themselves ' back- 

 ward and undutyfull ' in service and were ordered accordingly to appear 

 before the council. 9 In March, 1595, the forty footmen were ordered to be 

 sent to Ireland, ' sorted with their armor, weapons, and other furniture as 

 before prescribed, that is one half of the whole to be shott, whereof one-fourthe 

 parte to be muskettes, the other half of the whole to be armed with corselettes 

 and pikes savinge some few halbertes.' Besides these fourteen, others were to 

 be kept in readiness for future service. 10 A new levy of 100 men was ordered 

 from the county for service in Ireland in 1598," and a further levy of 120 

 for ' the provyding of fower light horse.' Concerning the raising of the latter 

 the council wrote to the high sheriff and commissioners censuring ' the back- 

 ward and obstinacy of them whose abilities are known to be of suche as they 

 have no cause to pretend any excuse (for refusing payment) but of a perverse 

 disposition.' 1 In June, 1600, came a new requirement of fifty foot from the 

 county for Ireland. The choice of 'serviceable and sufficient' men was 

 emphasized and a special warning given against the ' evill choise ' of ' lewd and 

 dissolute persons,' such as those who ' contynewallie either runne awaie before 



1 Hist. MSS. Cam. Rep. xii, pt. iv. vol. i, 235. ' Ibid. p. 272. ' Ibid. 



4 Acts of P. C. xxi, 221. 5 Ibid. Ibid, xxiii, 135. 



' Ibid. p. 214. o Ibid, xxv, 6. ' Ibid. 



10 Ibid. 48, 263. " Ibid, xxviii, 609. " Ibid, xxx, 67. 



338 



