Wiltshire Preparations against the Spanish Armada. 245 



3. Sir John Danvers, of Dauntsey, to other Justices of the Peace. 23 

 June 1588. 



" Haveing this daie received letters from the Eight Honorable the Earle of 

 Pembroke, Lo. Lieutenant of this county, requiring a speciall and speedie 

 conferance aboute such her Highnes waighty Services as the same letters imparte 

 These are therefore accordinglie to pray your meeting at the Devizes uppon 

 Mondaye beinge the first of* July next by viii of the clocke in the forenoone of 

 the same daie And for that we are also required to have some conference with 

 such other of the best sorte of gentlemen as are under the degree of Justices of 

 the Peace within every Division : I am likewyse to pray such your care therein 

 as by sufficiente warning by you given them of the daie, time, and place, the 

 said gentlemen may make their appearance accordingly. And so with my verye 

 hartie commendations I bidd you farewell. Dauntsey the xxiii th day of June 

 1588. 



Tour very lovinge Frinde, 



Jo: Danvees. 



To the Rt. honorable his verie 

 loving Freinds the Lorde Stourton 

 Sir James Mervin Kt., and to the 

 rest of the Justices of that Divi- 

 sion and to every of them." 



4. 27 June 1588. The Lords of the Council to the Earl of Pembroke, 

 Lord Lieutenant of the Co. of Wilts. 



u The trained forces previously ordered to be in readiness to repair to the sea 

 coast as occasion may serve to impeach the landing or withstanding of the 

 enemy upon his first descent and another portion disposed in proper places to 

 make head to the enemy after he shall be landed : and another principal parte 

 be reserved for the defence of her Ma tie ' 3 person ; 2000 men are ordered to be 

 ready at an hour's warning to go either^to London, or wherever else may be 

 appointed." 



5. 1 July 1588. Council Order. 



"That such of the servants and retayners of the Earle of "Worcester as are 

 enrolled in the trained bands, are to be exempted from that service, and they 

 are to repair to wait on his lordship who has been appointed to attend on her 

 Ma tie ' s person Likewise the servants of the Earl of Hertford, and any other 

 nobleman similarly employed." 



6. 10 July 1588. " A Trew Copie of Newes unto Richard Godland of 

 Bridgewater Marchaunt, written by, Barnarde Jtiadforde prisoner within 

 Spaine in St. Sebastian's the 10 of July stilo novo 1588 viz : 



That thejj Spanishe Fleete of certain departed from Lisbon the 23 and the 30 

 of Maye last and as the common reporte bathe, bound for the Flaunders Chan- 

 nell, others say for Milford, but the greatest speaohe is for the Flaunders 

 Channell to meet and joyne with the Prince of Parma fleete on whiche they 

 most depend, and without them they are nothing worth. You shall perceave 

 that uppon Midsomer Day last thoy reccavcd a mcrvelous storm of contrary 



