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



standeth ingaged in a lyne or toe [two] from }^our lp. that the overplus upon the 

 sale therof wich shall excede ther debts may with ther good lykynge be imployed 

 towards the aunswerynge of my lords debts accordyng to the tenore of hys 

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

 lp. but shall take such cours for the spedye satysfjange of hur hyghnes debts as 

 shall I trust very well content your good lp., and so desyrynge your honorable 

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

 tenewance of your best health and happynes. 



" Leicester hous. thys vij of Marche. 



" Your lp. assured poor frend 

 Addressed: "L. Leycester*'* 



" To the ryght honorable and 



my very good Lo. the Lo. 

 tresurer of Ingland." 

 On the bacJc is written in a small Jiand : 



"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 e 



Erl of Leycest r . debt to Mr Ma tie 

 11 Commission for examination of such 



persons as were accomtable any wayes 



to y e said Erie wherby y e said debt 



may be y e better satisffied. 

 " That the marchaunts 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 of Essex, 

 to his Mother, Lettice, Countess of Leicester. 



" Madam. I have sent y T . ladyship a ire to my L : Chancelor w h . y r . ladyship 

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

 or whom els you please, to resolve y r . ladyship that I will stand ffrme in this 

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

 me yf I do not. for y r laps state w h you say is uncertaine. I will defend y r 

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

 y r lap hath of my land I will not refuse to continue yt when y r 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 greatly affect yt 



•The Countess's handwriting 1 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. 



