XXVIII.—Sir Walter Raleigh and Sir Francis Vere, by J. Payne Collier, Esq., V.P.: in a Letter to W. Durrant Cooper, Esq., F.S.A.

Extract

In a letter I addressed to you some time ago, which obtained a place in Vol. XXXIV. of the Archæologia, I introduced a note from Sir Walter Raleigh to one of the law advisers of the Crown (most probably the Attorney-General) on the subject of the revocation and re-grant by Queen Elizabeth of the letters patent conceded to her then favourite, authorizing him to issue licences for the retail sale of wines. The note bears date 8th March, 1587–8, and it is the more important, because it corrects a mistake committed by Mr. Fraser Tytler, when he stated in his “Life of Raleigh” that this privilege was conferred as a reward for Raleigh's services in the defeat of the Spanish Armada. The fact appears to be, as I stated, that this renewal of the older and original patent took place before the Spanish Armada ventured to approach our shores.