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The Cecil Papers at Hatfield House

CP Volume 154 Folio 59
HMC Volume 1 Page 294 Number 984
Haynes, Page 412 Number 415

Transcribed by Samuel Haynes

25 April 1564 Interrogatoryes for Nudigate and Lord John Grey

WHERE, and at what Tyme was the first Communication betwixt yow and the Lord John Grey, for sendyng of Beale beyond Seas?
When was Beale with the Lord John Grey in your Company, and who were in your Company?
Was the Lord John Grey, pryvee to the Money that yow gave John Hales?
Where did yow first see the Books that wer sent from beyond Seas?
Whyther did yow ever conferr with any Person about the Question of the Title of the Succession of the Crowne after the Queen's Majesty?
Ans. He sayth that many communed theruppon in the Parliament, some in Favor of the Scottish Quene, some of the Lady Margaret Lenox, some of the Lady Catharyn, some of the Lady Margaret Strange, some of the Erle of Huntyngton. And aboutt that Tyme John Hales came to him, and asked hym, whyther the Lady Francisce was legitimat or no: Wherunto he answered laughyngly, as a Thyng that was very strang to hym to be asked; but yet, he sayd that ther wer two or three in the Towne, that hadbene of his Brothers Counsell, with whom he did speke; and they told hym that such a Matter was objected by the Lady Powess in King Edward's Tyme; but the Matter was ended, and she proved legitimat, both in the Archess, the Sterr Chamber; and she sued hir Lyvery in the Court of Wards.
After that Tyme, he perceaved that John Hales had wrytten a Booke uppon that Question, which Booke he had in his keping four Dayes. And he sayth precisely, and uppon his Allegiance, that he nether did reteyne Copy therof, nor did ever commun with any Person theruppon; but did restore it ageyne to John Hales.
Q. Whyther did he ever conferr with John Hales in any other Matter towchyng the Lady Chatharyn, concerning their Mariadg and the Lawfullness therof?
A. Precisely he denyeth that ever he did speke with hym therin.
Q. Whyther was hee prevee of any Person sent beyond Seas to inquire Opinions of
For For Lord John Grey.
lerned Men therin or no; or of any Wrytyngs made or sent from beyond Seas in that Matter?
Ans. He never was prevee of any such Matter, nor never sawe Roole or Wrytyng for the Opinion of the Matter; and therunto he will stand to be tryed all manner of Wayes.