These arguments are in Hatton's own hand and bear his indorsement. They have reference to certain negotiations for a treaty between Elizabeth and Mary which contemplated Mary's liberation and which had been resumed in May, 1584. Apparently Elizabeth hoped to use Mary's influence in favor of the discomfited English party in Scotland and of the leaders of that party who had been forced to flee into England earlier in the year. Hatton's notes should not be interpreted to mean that he was in favor of liberating the Scottish Queen at this time. He simply sets down arguments in favor of such a policy just as the year before (cf. Document V) he had set down arguments opposing it.

In my despatch No. 12 I mentioned that M. Rivadavia had promised me some materials for the formation of a general report upon the state of this Government. I have lately received through him several notices thereupon, which have enabled me to draw up the paper which I have the honor to enclose, and which will be found to contain a general summary of the rise and progress of this State since the first declaration of its independence in 1810.

By the next packet I hope to be able to send you the report upon commercial matters to which I have alluded in the same despatch.

244 Gift in free alms by Roger de Cressy to Reading Abbey of 13d annual rent in Chearsley on the feast of St James [25 July] to provide a light annually before the relics of St James

[/9 × 1246; ? early 13th cent.]

Bf94r; Cf48r

Universis sancte matris ecclesie filiis presens scriptum inspecturis Rogeru's de Cressy, salutem in domino. Noveritis me karitatis intuitu et pro salute anime mee et animarum omnium antecessorum et successorum meorum dedisse et hac presenti carta mea confirmasse abbati de Rading(ia) et monachis eiusdem loci deo servientibus .xiii. nummatos redditus mei in Certeleia quos Willielmus films Rad(ulf)i de Certel(eia) mihi solebat reddere per annum, habendos et percipiendos prefatis abbati et monachis ad festum sancti Jacobi apostoli in puram et perpetuam elemosinam ad usum annul luminarii coram reliquiis sancti Jacobi in eadem ecclesia repositis. Volo ergo et legaliter ac firmiter precipio quod, si prefatus W(illelmus) sive heredes sui defecerint in solutione prefati redditus ad prefatum terminum, liceat prefatis abbati et monachis distringere sufficienter per manus suas prefatum W(illelmum) sive heredes suos super tenementa que de me tenent quousque satisfecerint prefatis abbati et monachis de prefato redditu et de expensis suis circa prefatum redditum recuperandum factis. Et ego Rogerus et heredes mei warantizabimus prefatis abbati et monachis prefatum redditum contra omnes homines et feminas. Et in testimonium huius facti mei, presenti carte presens sigillum meum annosui. T(estibus).

The beautiful valley of the Axe lies in south-east Devonshire, about four miles west of Dorset. The red marl and brown and sterile summits of the green sand-hills mark the situation with unmistakable signs. A real Devonshire valley cannot be confounded with any other; nor can its climate. Mild in winter, when southern Italy has frost and snow, and when Greece is not to be traversed from the same causes, its curative influence at length begins to be appreciated.

• Preface iii

• Introduction

• The Manuscript ix

• Contents and Sources x

• The Author xi

• Editions and Translations xiv

• A Note on the Text xiv

• Text and Notes I

• Index 69

• Acknowledgements 4

• Editorial note 4

• Introduction 5

• The Letters 7

• Index 157