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Around 1563 Ralph Winwood was born.
On 5th July 1603 Ralph Winwood (age 40) and Elizabeth Ball were married.
Memorials of affairs of state in the reigns of Q Elizabeth and K James I Volume 2. Jan 1605. Dudley Carleton (age 32) to Ralph Winwood (age 42)
Sir
I had written unto you at this time, though I had not been invited by your Letters I received by Captain Doyly. For in Mr. Chamberlain's Absense, I come in quarter, and have waited so diligently at Court this Christmas, that I have Matter enough, if the Report of Masks and Mummings can please you.
On St. John's Day we had the Marriage of Sir Philip Herbert (age 21) and the Lady Susan (age 18) performed at Whitehall, with all the Honour could be done a great Favourite. The Court was great, and for that Day put on the best Bravery. The Prince (age 11) and Duke of Holst (age 26) led the Bride to Church, the Queen (age 31) follow'd her from thence. The King (age 39) gave her, and she in her Tresses, and Trinketts brided and bridled it so handsomly, and indeed became her self so well, that the King said, if he were unmarried he would not give her, but keep her himself. The Marriage Dinner was kept in the great Chamber, where the Prince and the Duke of Holst, and the great Lords and Ladies accompanied the Bride. The Ambassador of Venice was the only bidden Guest of Strangers, and he had place above the Duke of Holst, which the Duke took not well. But after Dinner he was as little pleased himself; for being brought into the Closet to retire himself, he was there suffered to walk out his Supper unthought of. At Night there was a Mask in the Hall, which for Conceit and Fashion was fuitable to the Occasion. The Actors, were the Earle of Pembrook (age 25), the Lord Willoby, Sir Samuel Hays, Sir Thomas Germain, Sir Robert Cary (age 22), Sir John Lee, Sir Richard Preston, and Sir Thomas Eager. There was no smal Loss that Night of Chaines and Jewells, and many great Ladies were made shorter by the Skirts, and were well enough served that they could keep cut no better. The Presents of Plate, and other Things given by the Noblemen, were valued at £2500, but that which made it a good Marriage, was a Gift of the King's of £500 Land for the Bride's Joynture. They were lodged in the Councill Chamber, where the King in his Shirt and NightGown gave them a Reveille Matin before they were up, and spent a good time in or upon the Bed, chuse which you will believe. No Ceremony was omitted of Bride-Cakes, Points, Garters, and Gloves, which have been ever since the Livery of the Court; and at Night there was sewing into the Sheet, casting off the Bride's left Hose, with many other petty Sorceries.
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Letters of John Chamberlain Volume 1 199. 119. To Sir Ralph Winwood (age 47). Winwood Papers, vol. vii. London, May 2, 1610.
Sir, Since my last comming to towne I receved yours of the 21st of Aprill and find thereby great likelihoode of new troubles in those parts, which yf they go forward I feare will draw all Christendom into the quarrell, wherin we for our parts are fitter to skirmish with the pen then with the sword, and readier to uphold our side with wordes and wishes, then with armes or other reall assistance. In the meane time I cannot conceave what shold move the French king to ingage himself so far in a busines that no more concernes him, and at these yeares (as yt were de gayeté de coeur [of one's own free will]) to thrust himself into so difficult a warre: the preparations wherof (they say) make his very frends feare some further misterie. I cannot yet beleve that he is in so goode earnest, but that when he hath made a great noise in the world he wilbe content to put water in his wine, and thincke that motus præstat componere fluctus [It is better to calm the waves than to stir them up.
Letters of the Court of James I 1613. 29th August 1613. London. Reverend Thomas Lorkin to Thomas Puckering 1st Baronet (age 21).
Yoa may please to remember how, in some of my former letters, I made mention of my Lord of Essex's (age 22) case, which was to rest in dependance till next term. But the king showed himself so affectionate in it, as the commissioners have been forced (to give his majesty satisfaction) to yield a more speedy hearing of it, which was done (though with little effect) upon last Wednesday. But it is believed generally that unless the commission be changed, the nullities which his majesty desireth will never be pronounced. For the Archbishop of Canterbury (age 50) and the Bishop of London (age 54), together with Dr. Bennet, and Dr. Edwards, who are like to have the greatest sway in deciding this controversy, are directly against it; insomuch as my Lord of Canterbury, being with his majesty at Windsor for some three or four days before the hearing, fell down upon his knees twice or thrice, to entreat his majesty that he might be dispensed with from being on the commission; which he would esteem a greater favour that all that he had received from him in being raised from a private condition, and in so short a space, to the highest dignity ecclesiastical. At the last hearing, my Lord of Rochester (age 26) stayed here in town, as is supposed, to hear the success, and rode presently past unto the king, [to acquaint] his majesty thereof, and showeth himself so passionate in this business only in favour [of the countess (age 23),] with whom a new match would be presently concluded, if the old one were now abolished.
Sir Thomas Overbury (age 32) is like to run a short course, being sick unto death1. The lieutenant of the Tower, and the physicians that were there about him, have subscribed their hands, that they hold him a man past all recovery.
Mr. Albert Morton (age 29), secretary of Sir Henry Wotton, is to be sent presently ambassador to the Duke of Savoy (age 51), and there [remain], which gives occasion of conjecture here that the old treaty of marriage is now [on foot] again; and that that other of France is like to fall to the ground. But in these [conjectures] haply it would be fit to be more sparing.
I received news lately from a gentleman, that heard it from Sir Ralph Winwood's (age 50) own mouth, that the States are resolved to make war upon the King of Denmark, if either our king will join them, or otherwise be [persuaded] to stand by a neuter. Their quarrel is, for that the King of Denmark hath imposed a grievous tax upon all merchandize that pass the Sound, and he hath in effect blocked up that passage: for it is held that of every three ships that pass, one falls by this means to his share, which is a thing intolerable.
The differences between them of the Religion in France are grown so violent as the deputies'-general have petitioned the queen, in the name of all the provinces, for liberty to hold a general assembly for [consideration] and pacification of them. But they find this request to be nothing pleasing, nor without great difficulty to be obtained, out of a jealousy the States hath that they may grow to new complaints and demands, after the example of the last assembly.
There hath been lately a proposition of marriage between the daughter of M. D'Ancre, and M. De Villeroy's grand-child, who is the heir of his house; there having been a former intention of matching her with the young Duke D'Elboeuf, which gives occasion of great jealousy and suspicion to M. De Guise and his faction, fearing by this news that M. De Yilleroy will be disjoined from them.
Note 1. He died on the 15th of September following, from poison, which Rochester and his countess had caused to be administered in his food.
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In or before 1614 [his daughter] Elizabeth Winwood was born to Ralph Winwood (age 50) and [his wife] Elizabeth Ball.
In 1614 Ralph Winwood (age 51) was elected MP Buckingham.
Around 1615 [his daughter] Anne Winwood was born to Ralph Winwood (age 52) and [his wife] Elizabeth Ball.
Letters of John Chamberlain Volume 2 243. 243. To Sir Dudley Carleton (age 43). [S. P. Dom., Jac. I, lxxxvii, 51.] London, June 8, 1616.
My very goode Lord: When I wrote last I left the earle of Somerset (age 29) pleading for his life, but that he saide for himself was so litle that he was found guilty by all his peeres: which did so litle appall him that when he was asked what he could say why sentence shold not be pronounced, he stoode still upon his innocence, and could hardly be brought to refer himself to the Kinges mercie: upon which termes he stands still, and having leave to write to the King, hath only required that his judgement of hanging shold be chaunged to heading, and that his daughter might have such of his lands as the King doth not resume and reserve in his owne handes. The Lady Knolles (age 33) and some other frends have had accesse to the Lady (age 26) divers times since her conviction, and caried her younge daughter to her twise or thrise; but I heare not of any that comes at him. He hath ben much urged and fayre offered to confesse the offence both before his arraignment and since, but he stands firme in denial: though by all circumstances and most pregnant, (yea almost infallible) probabilities he be more faulty and fowle then any of the companie, which makes the King marvayle that all the rest that have gon before having so franckly confessed the matter after theyre condemnation, he only shold continue so confident. Whether this or any other reason be the cause of stay of execution I know not, but they live yet and for ought I can learne so are like to do many a day. Sir Thomas Mounsons (age 51) arraignment which shold have ben yesterday, was then put of again till the Tewsday after the terme, which procrastination from time to time makes the world thincke we shall heare no more of this busines, the rather for that the Lord Cooke (age 64) of late is fallen (I know not how) into disfavor, so far foorth that the King hath ben very bitter to him, both in privat and publike, as upon Thursday last when all the Judges were called before the King at Whitehall, to geve a reason of theyre proceeding in the exchecquer chamber to argue a case of commendams contrarie to his commaundment by expresse message, and sending a letter subscribed by them all, not so respectively and reverently written as might become them, they all stoode upon the very words and termes of law and statutes and upon the strictnes of theyre oath: but the heaviest burthen lighted on him, wherin he behaved and caried himself so well and confidently, that the matter goes on, and they argue yt again this day, contrarie to the expectation and hope of all the bishops. But the worst is that the Lord Chauncellor (age 76), the atturny (age 55) and sollicitor (age 49) prosecute him implacablie, and have won so much ground upon him, that there is a commission graunted to the Lord Archbishop, the Lord Knollis (age 72), Sir Thomas Lake (age 48) and Sir Fulke Grivell to call him before them and examine him upon articles and points touching the premunire: and withall, the whole course of his life is like to be ript up and looked into which yf yt be severely followed many men feare yt may be his utter overthrow. But he holdes up his head, and geves no way, which makes his frends thincke he will passe over this storme and tempest well enough. Our goode frend (age 53) stands only firme to him in what he may, which many marvayle at, and sticke not to say he is corrupted, which I thincke is as far from the one as the other: but howsoever, I could wish he shold not presume so much on the strength of his shoulders, as to thincke he alone were able to beare up the ruines of a building that is falling: and to say truth in many such cases I observe he hath more courage then needs, not weighing his owne strength, nor that yt is soma d'altri homeri [the burden of other men], for I perceve he hath litle appoggio [support, baking] to the maine piller (age 23) that now stands upright.
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Letters of John Chamberlain Volume 2 252. 252. To Sir Dudley Carleton (age 43). [S. P. Dom., Jac. I, lxxxix, 21.] London, November 14, 1616.
My very goode Lord: Beeing last night at Master Secretaries (age 53) I understoode that Dieston was to be dispatcht this day towards you, who must not come empty though I wrote so lately. There supped divers of your goode frends, Sir Walter Raleigh (age 62), Sir Henry Savile, Sir Maurice Barklay, Sir ... Seymor, Sir Harry Nevill, Sir Robert Killegree with I know not how many Ladies and gentlewomen of that race and alliance. The absence of the court geves Master Secretarie leave and leysure to entertain his frends as Sir Henry Savile was there likewise the night before: the King went to Tiballs on Monday and so towards Roiston and Newmarket. The Quene continues at Somerset House till his return. The Lord Cooke (age 64) is now quite of the hookes, and order geven to send him a supersedeas from executing his place. The common speach is that fowre Ps have overthrown and put him down, that is Pride, Prohibitions, Premunire, and Prerogative. Sir Henry Montague is generally nominated to the place, by reason that the citie is written unto to choose Sir Harry Yelverton (age 50) for theyre Recorder which is terminus diminutinus [diminutive term] to his office of sollicitor, but yet must be accepted to serve turns. Yet perhaps yt may be that yf yt come to light in time that the late Recorder (age 53)1 hath maried his maide1 (as is bruited) and geven her such earnest as cannot be long concealed, yt may hinder his preferment.
Note 1. Henry Montagu, future Earl of Mancheser, married three times. His second wife Anne Wincot died in November 1614 so at the time of the letter he was a widower. He next married in 1620 to Margaret Crouch Countess Manchester (age 11).
Letters of John Chamberlain Volume 2 252. [14th November 1616] Vicount Wallingford (age 72) is willing to make roome for Sir Thomas Edmonds (age 53) advancement to be controller, having besides the dignitie conferred now upon him £2000 a yeare during life out of the court of wardes, or the best ward (saving noble men) that falls every yeare at his owne choise, so that the King is the only gainer by these bargains, except perhaps his Lady (age 33) whose ambition they say yt was to have him a vicount that she might have place of certain Ladies, but specially of the Lady Fenton (age 48), whom she did most aime at. The Lord Rosse (age 26) went from Portesmouth the third of this present, having had ever since as fayre a wind as ever blew, so that yt is certainly held that he is before this time arrived at Lisbone. At his parting he sent Secretarie Winwod (age 53) a diamond worth forty pound.
On 28th October 1617 Ralph Winwood (age 54) died.
Letters of the Court of James I 1618. [13th August 1618]. The [his wife] Lady Winwood hath lost her elder daughter [his daughter] Betty (age 4), who died of a burning fever on Tuesday last, and was brought up the next night to be buried by her father. No doubt, it is a great affliction to the good lady; for this child was her only jewel, and she more fond of it than of all the rest.