RELEASE OF FINE. 



CCCXC1 



importunities of his creditors, assigned it to Mr. Justice 

 Hutton, Mr. Justice Chamberlain, Sir Francis Barnham, 

 and Sir Thomas Crew, whom Bacon in his will directed to 

 apply the funds, for the payment and satisfaction of his 

 debts and legacies, having a charitable care that the 

 poorest creditors or legatees should be first satisfied, (a) 



This intended kindness of the King the Lord Keeper 

 Williams misunderstood and endeavoured to impede by 

 staying the pardon at the seal, (#) until he was commanded 



() The following is the extract from the will : &quot; Whereas of late my 

 fine, and the whole benefit thereof, was by his majesty s letters patent 

 conveyed to Mr. Justice Hutton, Mr. Justice Chamberlain, Sir Francis 

 Barneham and Sir Thomas Crewe, knight, persons by me named in trust ; 

 I do devise by this my will, and declare, that the trust by me reposed, as 

 well touching the said lands as upon the said letters patents, is, that all and 

 every the said persons so trusted, shall perform all acts and assurances that 

 by my executors, or the survivor or survivors of them shall be thought fit 

 and required, for the payment and satisfaction of my debts and legacies, 

 and performance of my will, having a charitable care that the poorest either 

 of my creditors or legataries be first satisfied.&quot; 



(6) Dr. Williams, Bishop of Lincoln elect, and Lord Keeper of the 

 Great Seal, to the Viscount St. Alban. 



My very good Lord, Having perused a privy seal, containing a pardon 

 for your lordship, and thought seriously thereupon, I find that the passing 

 of the same (the assembly in parliament so near approaching) cannot but 

 be much prejudicial to the service of the King, to the honour of my lord of 

 Buckingham, to that commiseration, which otherwise would be had of 

 your lordship s present estate, and especially to my judgment and fidelity. 

 I have ever affectionately loved your lordship s many and most excelling 

 good parts and endowments ; nor had ever cause to disaffect your lordship s 

 person. So as no respect in the world, beside the former considerations, 

 could have drawn me to add the least affliction or discontentment unto 

 your lordship s present fortune. May it therefore please your lordship to 

 suspend the passing of this pardon until the next assembly be over and 

 dissolved, and I will be then as ready to seal it as your lordship to accept 

 of it ; and, in the mean time, undertake that the King and my Lord Admiral 

 shall interpret this short delay as a service and respect issuing wholly from 

 your lordship, and rest, in all other offices whatsoever, 



Your Lordship s faithful servant, Jo. LINCOLN, elect. Gustos Sigilli. 



Westminster College, Oct. IB, 1621. 



