The 7 of November the Erle of Hertford was committed to the Tower.1

The xiiijth of Decembre I receyved a lettre from my brother Alibaster written from Tenby in Wales2 concernynge his ill success in his Irisshe iourny.

The last of December Francis Snellocke came to my house.

A festo natiuitatis Domini Anno 1595.

The blank Day of January the butcher of Wetherden Woodde was cruelly murdered viz. his hed was cutt of and his body devided into iiij quartres and wrapt in a sheet and layd vpon his owne horse, as he came from Bury markett; and so brought home to his wyfe, who vppon the sight therof presently died.3

The ixth of January Mr. Henry Sandes was taken sicke grauiter.

The xxth of January my brother Thomas Mildmay did sett vppon a Commission at the Whight Lion in Boxford street within Groton.

The same daie Richard Edwardes my man did fall sicke.

The third day of Feb. Carue Mildmay4 was borne.

The vth of Feb. mother5  Agnes Baker died.

The vijth of Feb. I Received a lettre from my Lord of Bathe.

The xth of Feb. I was at my Fathers Browne, and the xvth at my brothers Thomas Mildmayes.

67

The xvi. of Feb. Sara Winthrop was maried to John Froste.6

The xixth of Feb. Robert Brand the Phisition died, etatis 61.7

The blank of Feb. William Nutton had an ewe yeaned v lambes.

The xxth of Feb. my brother killed ij Badgers in Semer.8

The xxjth of Feb. I had a lambe killed with a dogge.

The last of Feb. my brother Roger Alibaster and his wife came to Colchester.9

The seconde of Marche Sir William Waldegrave kept a Court at Edwardeston.10

The viij day of Marche my wife egrotavit de profluuio sanguinis.

The xth day of March John Clarke the woade setter died beinge of th’age of lxxvj yeres.11

The xvijth day of Marche Mr. Thomas Nicholson was robbed.

The xixth day Mr. Knewstub12 preached at Boxforde.

The blank of Marche Sir Robert Winckfild13 the ancientest knight in Suffolk died and Sir Francis Hynd14 of Cambridgeshire died the 21 of the same moneth.

The xth of Aprill John Wade died and was buried at Prittlewell.

The xj of Aprill, being Ester day, the Bell did Ringe at Groton for Mr. Clopton,15 Anno 1596, but he recouered.

The xvth of Aprill Richard Spenser asked Mr. Gurdon forgivenesse for Slandringe of him.

The xviijth day of Aprill I bargayned with goodman Gosling for Larkes to pay at Micheltyde next xxxv li.

The xxijth of Aprill Edward Aulston was maried to Susan Brand.16

The xxiijth of Aprill my northen brended cowe died of the gargett17 being great with Calfe.

The last of Aprill Sir John Puckringe, Lord keper of the great seale died of the deadde palsey.18

The xth of May blank Grymolde19 of Nedginge20 did hange himselfe in his Barne.

The xvijth of May Adam Seely went privilie from my house and caried awaye xv s. which he did steale from Richard Edwardes, pro quo facto dignus est capistro.

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The xviijth of May John Spencer the elder died.

The xxviijth of May Mr. Pie of Colchester died suddenly.

The xjth of June Sir William Waldegraue trayned his whole band of footemen and horsemen on Babarheathe.21

The 16 of June my brother John Winthrop departed from my house towards Ireland, and my brother Roger Alibaster went with him.

The 18 of June Purdeys v kyne spoiled my Corne.

The xvth day of June Dr. Fletcher22 Bishop of London died.

The xxiiijth of June my Father Henry Browne camme to my house.

The xxvth my daughter Anne23 went to Howghton.24

The 26 day of June I went to London and returned the vth of July next followinge.

The vjth of July thassises were holden at Bury.

The same day was the Comencement at Cambrige, and Mr. Overall was made Dr. of Divinitie.25

The xvjth of July my wife fell sicke and the next day I rode to my Fathers and retorned the xxjth of July.

The 26 day of July my brother Thomas Mildmay camme to Edwardeston to my house.

The 2d of August George Alibaster died, Anno 1596.

The ixth of August my brother Roger Weston26 preched at Boxford super 13 Marcum versu vltimo, pie et eloquenter.

The xvth of Aug. fell a great Rayne which made a floud at Boxford. 21

1.

Edward Seymour (1539?–1621), Earl of Hertford, was sent to the Tower for renewing the petition to have the declaration of the invalidity of his marriage with Lady Catherine Grey set aside, but was released on January 3, 1595–96. D. N. B. , LI. 311.

2.

Tenby was settled by Flemings in the time of Henry I. It is in the county of Pembroke, South Wales.

3.

“This paragraph has lines drawn over it by a later hand, perhaps to throw doubt or denial on the story.” L. and L. , I. 407.

4.

Carew, son of William Mildmay and Margaret, daughter of Sir George Harvey of Marks in Romford, co. Essex, and grandson of Sir Thomas Mildmay of Barnes and Alice Winthrop, sister of the diarist. He was adopted by his cousin Sir Gawen Harvey and as his heir took the name Carew Harvey. He married Dorothy, daughter of William Gerrard of Harrow on the Hill, co. Middlesex. Muskett, 47.

5.

“The terms ’father’ and ’mother’ will be frequently found in this Diary; applied evidently to aged persons who were probably so called in the neighborhood, but having no reference to any parental connection.” L. and L. , p. 407. Her death is mentioned, supra, p. 42.

6.

Sara Winthrop (1571–1603), daughter of William Winthrop (1529–82) and Elizabeth Norwood (d. 1578), of Kent. This William was uncle to the diarist. Muskett, 25.

7.

Of Boxford.

8.

Semer, a parish in the hundred of Cosford, co. Suffolk.

9.

A borough and market town in the hundred of Lexden, co. Essex.

10.

Edwardstone, a parish in the hundred of Babergh, co. Suffolk.

11.

Described in his will as a “woodsetter.” He was of Boxford.

12.

John Knewstub (or Knewstubs) (1544–1624) held for forty-five years the living of the rectory of Cockfield, to which he had been presented by Sir William Spring. D. N. B. , XXXI. 244. Cockfield is a parish in the hundred of Babergh.

13.

Son of Sir Anthony Wingfield, K. G., and lord of the manor of Letheringham, co. Suffolk. Letheringham is a parish in the hundred of Loes, co. Suffolk. D. N. B. , LXII. 182.

14.

Sir Francis Hynd, of Madingley, in co. Cambridge, son of Sir John Hynd (d. 1550) and Ursula (Cursonn) Hynd. He married Jane, daughter of Edmund Verney of Penley, co. Bucks. Visitation of Cambridge (H. S., Pub. , XLI), 113; D. N. B. , XXVIII. 406.

15.

Thomas Clopton, who died in 1598. Muskett, 143.

16.

Daughter of John Brand. Sudbury Archdeaconry, Acta Book V, fo. 218.

17.

An inflammation of the throat or udder.

18.

Sir John Puckering (1544–96) had been lord keeper of the great seal since April 28, 1592. D. N. B. , XLVI. 443.

19.

Spelled also Grymwade. Cf. p. 140, infra.

20.

Nedging is a parish in the hundred of Cosford, co. Suffolk.

21.

Babergh heath, the meeting place of the hundred of Babergh. The name means, according to Professor Skeat, Bada’s hill or barrow.

22.

Richard Fletcher, whose second marriage, soon after his translation from the see of Worcester to that of London, cost him the queen’s favor. D. N. B. , XIX. 317–319.

23.

Anne Winthrop (1586–1619), who married Thomas Fones of London, February 25, 1604–05. Infra, p. 88.

24.

Probably Houghton Hall in Cavendish, co. Suffolk.

25.

John Overall (1560–1619), son of George, of Hadleigh. He entered St. John’s College, Cambridge, when Dr. Still of Hadleigh was master, and in 1596 was appointed Regius Professor of Theology, in succession to William Whitaker. D. N. B. , XLII. 375.

26.

He was vicar of Wormingford, co. Essex, and married Margerie, sister of the diarist’s wife. He died December 2, 1608. Muskett, 82; infra, p. 100.

Folio 21

Winthrop, Adam (1548-1623)

The xviijth of August I dragde my great ponde and tooke out xxxv greate Carpes.

The xixth of August Tilleson did sett vp the house in the Widow Reignolds yarde.

The last of August my wife ridde to Ipswich to phisick and the same day Clover died.

The xiijth of Sept. Judithe Pond was deliuered of her first soonne being munday, and he was named William.

The xiiijth Mr. Carpinter came to my howse and the xxth he departed with his daughter Francys.

The same day my Cosen Tho: Mildmay retorned, and Ed. Aulson was maryed the xxjth1 and my wife rydd to Bury.

The xxvijth of Sept. my Cozen William Alibaster camme to my house.

The xviijth daie, being S. Lukes day John Hawes rent Mary Pierces peticote and did beate her sister Katherine with a crabtree staffe.

The xxiiijth of October Father Pierce came to dwell in my nue house in Edwardeston.

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On Tuesday the ixth of Novembre Richard Edwards my servant died.

On Thursday the xj of November Anna Snellinge2 was maried to John Duke.3

On tuesday in the mornynge being the last of November the wydowe Francis died, and the same Day the goodwyfe Lewes Kydby was deliuered of ij children.

The vth day of December Susan Bronde the wyfe of Edward Aulston died of Child-bed.

The blank day of December old Simon Laughlinge4 died.

The blank day Anne Nutton the daughter of William Nutton died, of the age of xx yeres.

A Register of the Deathes of my frends, and of other things which haue happened since the feast of the Nativitie, Anno 1596.

The iiijth Day of January Mr. Steven Piend died.

The viijth day of January being Saterday, my Father Henry Browne died, of the age of 76 yeres, and was buryed in Prittlewel Church in Essex.

The seconde of Marche John Hamonde5 died.

The same day Susan Coe6 was deliuered of a bastard soone which died the ixth of Marche next followinge.

The vijth of Marche I was robbed by false kks knaves, and iij dayes before Mr. Henry Sandes was robbed.

The xxvth of Marche 1597 William Alston did take an estate in the Widowe Crickes7 house and land about viij of the Clock towards midnight.

The xxixth of Marche Anno 1597 John Crab8 was married to Katherine Key my servant who was sicke the same day.

The first of Aprill Thomas Bonde ranne his way for that he had gotten a maide with Childe.

The xvjth day of Aprill Mr. Gawen Harvey9 the yongest soonne of Mr. George Harvey highe shreve of Essex came to my house and the xixth day he and my nephewe Henry Mildmay10 departed toward Springfild in Essex.

The same day I had a yonge lambe killed by some vermyn.

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The 22 day of Aprill Grymble my great mastiffe was hanged, a gentle dog in the howse but egrotavit of blindness.

The xxiijth day of Aprill I sowed Wranglande with berry barley.

The 27 day my sister Hilles came to my howse for that her husbande had beaten her face and Armes grevouslye.11

The iijd of May Mr. Robert Hanhams wife Receyved xx li. of the gift of Mr. Hanham his vnckle.12

The iiij of May John Hawes came to my howse and the same day Anne Page departed out of my service.

The xth of May I did ryde to my brother Thomas Mildmayes and returned the xvjth of the same and Charles camme to dwell with me.

The same day my cosen E. R.13 did fall in my garden.

The xviijth day of May my Cosen William Alibaster camme to my howse.

The same day I bought Kembolds14 grey horse for iij li. vj s. viij d.

The xxth day of May in the mornynge Anne Kembold was deliuered of a girle, and Mr. Brigges died at Brettenham.15

The xxixth day of May my cosen Bulwer came to my house.

The seconde day of June I was at my Cosen Joan Muskett.

The vth day Charles had his livery cote.

The xvth of June John Huggon Ranne from me.

The xvijth Catherine Pierce went from her father. 22

1.

This day was a later correction by the diarist.

2.

Daughter of John and Anne (Browne) Snelling. Muskett, 82.

3.

Of Colchester. Matriculated sizar from Trinity College, Cambridge, Michaelmas, 1581; B.A. from Emmanuel, 1584–85; M.A., 1588; M.D. from Clare, 1598; died, May 16, 1629. Venn, A. C. , II. 73.

4.

Of Boxford, clothier, whose will, probated October 10, 1597, names sons: Peter, Jasper, Thomas, Simon, and Christopher; and daughters: Alice, Elizabeth Doe, Katherine Reeve, and Bridget. Sudbury Archdeaconry, Wills, bk. 39, fo. 301. His wife, Margaret, died in 1613. Sudbury Archdeaconry, bk. 44, fo. 245(a).

5.

Of Boxford, yeoman. His will, probated March 18, 1596–97, mentions wife Bridget, son John, and daughter Mary. Sudbury Archdeaconry, Wills, bk. 39, fo. 170.

6.

Daughter of Thomas and Margaret Coe. She was baptized December 31, 1581.

7.

Widow of Robert Cricke, of Edwardstone, who died in 1594. Sudbury Archdeaconry, Wills, bk. 38, fo. 547.

8.

Of Boxford.

9.

Gawen Harvey (born c. 1575), fifth but only surviving son of Sir George Harvey of Marks Hall, Romford, co. Essex, and Frances, daughter of Sir Leonard Beckwith and Eliza Cholmondeley. His sister, Margaret, was wife of William Mildmay, son of Sir Thomas and Alice (Winthrop) Mildmay. Morant, Essex, I. 68; Visitations of Essex, II (H. S., Pub. , XIV), 582, 737.

10.

Of Graces, parish of Little Baddow, in the hundred of Chelmsford, co. Essex.

11.

Joan Browne and William Hilles. Both died later in the year. Infra, p. 71.

12.

She was Dorothy Chamberlyn. The uncle was either Peter or Richard Hanham. Visitations of Suffolk, ed. Metcalfe, 142.

13.

Edmund or Edward Raven.

14.

Stephen Kembold of Boxford, clothier. Sudbury Archdeaconry, Acta Book, 1605–12 fo. 72; infra, p. 133.

15.

Martin Briggs, matriculated pensioner from St. John’s College, Cambridge, Michaelmas, 1566; B.A., 1570–71; M.A., 1574; was ordained deacon and priest at Ely, January 12, 1577–78; and was inducted to the rectory of Brettenham, August 17, 1579, which he held till his death in 1597. He was succeeded by Humphrey Munning. Venn, A. C. , I. 217; III. 227; Sudbury Archdeaconry, Register.