Who now calls on thee, NEVIL, is a Muse,
That serves nor fame, nor titles;but doth chuse
Where vertue makes them both, and that’s in thee:
Where all is faire, beside thy pedigree.
Thou art not one, seek’st miseries with hope,
Wrestlest with dignities, or fain’st a scope
Of seruice to the publique, when the end
Is priuate gaine, which hath long guilt to friend.
Thou rather striv’st the matter to possesse,
And elements of honor, the[a]n the dresse;
To make thy lent life, good against the Fates:
And first to know thine owne state, then the States.
To be the same in roote, thou art in height;
And that thy soule should give thy flesh her weight.
Goe on, and doubt not, what posteritie,
Now I haue sung thee thus, shall iudge of thee.
Thy deedes, vnto thy name, will prove new wombes,
Whil’st others toyle for titles to their tombes.
THE NEVILLE MONUMENT IN THE CHURCH AT WALTHAM ST. LAWRENCE, BERKSHIREThe monument was erected by Sir Henry's father. Sir Henry senior’s plaque bears the following words: Here lyeth Buryed SR Henry Nevill knight, descended of the Nevills Barons of Abergavenny who were a branch of the House of Westmorlande. He was (besyde martial services) of the Privie Chamber to Henry The 8 and Edward 6. He died in January Ao 1593. Issue he had only by Elizabeth sole Heyer to Sr John Gresham Knight by Dame Frances sole Heyer to Sr Henry Thwaites Knight Which Dame Elizabeth died 6 November 1573. Dame Frances are both here allso buryed with Elizabeth Nevill the oldest daughter.
pla 1 H 4 no. 61 ..... and so noted in this roll m.16 that R 2 was deposed for his misgovernment : the articles whereof there recorded and those chosen for to make known to the K(King) the minds of all sorts of subjects ...
plaments held in the K’s absence: [etc.]
..................................................................................
In London, on 1st December, 1610, King James I called Parliament together to discuss his request that the M.P.s should grant him more money. James opened proceedings by declaring that he wanted to ask the politicians ‘a few questions’:
...The first was, whether they thought he was in Want? ...Whereto, when Sir Francis Bacon had began to Answer in a more extravagant Stile than his Majesty did delight to hear, he pick’d out Sir Henry Neville, commanding him to Answer according to his Conscience. Thereupon Sir Henry Neville did directly Answer…that he thought indeed his Majesty was in Want, ...according to the Relation of his Councill.
‘Then’ (said the King) ‘Tell me whether it belongeth to you that are my Subjects to relieve me or not?’
To this, quoth Sir Harry, ‘I must Answer with a Distinction: where your Majesty’s Expence groweth by the Commonwealth, we are bound to maintaine it, otherwise not’
And so continuing his Speech, he gave a Note, that in this one Parliament they had already given four Subsidies and Seven Fifteenths; ‘Which is more than ever was given by any Parliament at any time, upon any Occasion; and yet withall that, they had no Relief of their Grievances.’
Then was his Majesty intent to have him declare what their Grievances were.
‘To all their Grievances’ (said Sir Harry) ‘I am not privy, but of those that are come to my knowledge I will make recitall,’ and so began to say, that in matter of Justice they could not have an indifferent proceeding (aiming perhaps at his Majesty’s Prerogative nullum tempus occurret Regi;) and then falling upon the Jurisdiction of the Marches of Wales, Sir Herbert Croft took the word out of his mouth, otherwise, it was thought, Sir Henry (being charged upon his Conscience) would have delivered his Judgement in all, in what respect soever it might be taken.
The above incident could perhaps be compared with Ben Jonson’s remark that Shakespeare spoke with that exuberance it was necessary he should be stopped! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The writing style and linguistic usage of Sir Henry Neville are exhibited in his letters. While Ambassador in France, he wrote long and frequent letters to Robert Cecil. During the 18th century, the Scottish philosopher, David Hume, read a great deal of 16th century diplomatic letters as part of his own research. He singled out Neville’s as being by far the liveliest of the age, with the most imaginative and elegant use of language. Extracts from these letters and dispatches will be posted on this website over the next few weeks. In the meantime, here is a flavour of Sir Henry’s private letter writing: Extracts from Neville’s “LETTER TO A NOBLE LORD” [i.e. The Earl of Southampton] c. 1604Right Honourable and my very good Lord
Though I approve not the boldnes of such as dare committe anything to a letter because it can not be defined, I must confesse a little more reservedness, or bashfulness in my self when I speake with persons whom I more reverence than when I am retired from them; and with none so much as with your lordship, to whom having ben allready so much bound, as I professe myself to be, I am afraid to be importune or offensive. And yet, finding in my self, either out of the inverilyty of my name or the abundance of my love and respect unto your Lordship, which is ever accompanied with amitie and reverence, that I cannot so freely and fiercely express my self by speech unto your lordship as my occasions require, I have had to be content to do yt by writing, humbly praying your favourable interpretation. ...
... But my heart standing so cleere as it doth, and my professions and demonstrations of duty and service unto your Lordship, and to you only, being so open as all men that know me well take knowledge of it, I cannot entertain any thought or feare that your Lordship so stands any otherwise affected to me than when you dismissed me at that time from your presence, as full of Joy as ever I was in my life. Therefore as it then pleased your Lordship out of the nobleness of your nature to advise me to seeke some good for my self and to offer me your honourable assistance, so, in free assurance that your favourable intention still continueth the same, I will lay open my whole state before your Lordship, and let it pleade for me. …
... I have thus loud opened my want and my Self. It is in your Lordship’s will and power to suffer me to continue in necessities and all the inferences that accompany it, or to releave me (as I conceave) with a word. The example can not be ill in respect of the king to a man that hath bin hindered by publikke service, nor in respect of yourself to do good to one that is so nearly tied unto you by so many bonds. And the less precedent merit there hath been from me, the more noble will your favour be and bind the more hereafter. I can say no more, but that whatsoever it shall please your Lordship to do for me shall be receaved with an honest thankfull mind. And in that I comprehend combinde all offers and assurances of love, duty and service, neither am I so unreasonable as to desire your Lordshp to be moved by any sute originally formed, but that I may be assured of your good liking and favour, without which comfort, I will never attempt it.
London, 16th February, 1604 - letter from Sir Henry Neville to Sir Ralph Winwood (Neville’s erstwhile secretary.): ... I know you have many friends of whose affection you may be assured, but none more desirous to approve his love than I am; therefore if you will have me think you esteem it, I pray you use it, and use it freely...
...To live in Court, where non proficere is deficere, without any office, business or regard, were the next degree to idleness: What remains for me to do then, but which I do? that is, to attend the care of my private state and family,... and leave the care of public affairs unto those to whom they are committed. I know your wish proceeds of much good Will to me; and I concur willingly to wish the same, if they will think me worthy in whose power it is. ... I will ever desire you to esteem me Your entirely affectionate friend,
HENRY NEVILLE
In June, 1605, Neville stills lacks office and writes to Winwood: ... I am out of my proper Orb when I enter into State matters; I will therefore leave these considerations to those to whom they appertain, and think of my husbandry in the country, which puts me often in mind of that Beatitude which Horace so much commends*. Yet I do not so wean my self from these thoughts but I will be always glad of your letters, and to understand by them how the World goeth with you there; ... wishing you all Happiness and Contentment in your imployment, and myself often with you; and so I remain ever more Your assured friend to be disposed of,
HENRY NEVILLE
*This ‘beatitude’ recommended by Horace is to retire to the countryside and write! (‘Shakespeare’ produced 11 plays between 1605 and 1614.) When Neville went to France in 1599, he was asked by the Queen to press the French King for the return of money she had lent him. Henry’s arguments against the King and his agents are numerous and powerful, and, as always, much of his unusual vocabulary is used by Shakespeare too: Extract from Neville's Dispatch to Sir Robert Cecil, from Paris, 7th August, 1599: ... she [Queen Elizabeth I] now demanding nothing but some part of her own, whereof she had disfurnished* herself to furnish them; and that not upon any light occasion, but being (as they all knew) in actual war, both at home within her own realm of Ireland, and abroad, against one of the greatest and most potent Princes of Europe, whose continual attempts and designs against her she could not repel as she had done, but with great and continual charge; and therefore that this, her so extraordinary occasions, joined with the great reason and justice of her demands, deserved at their hands a more than ordinary acknowledgement and care to content her.... Therefore I wished them to weigh with themselves, first, whether it were just, in so great a difference of merits and occasions, not to make a difference of their proceedings and acknowledgement; and secondly, whether it could be for their advantage and the good of their affairs to suffer their friends to fall into any inconvenience for the good will they had performed towards them; and that the world should discover that the friendship of France is rather amicitia praegravans and burdensome, than profitable to them which embrace it. *The unusual word ‘disfurnish’ is used by Shakespeare in Two Gentlemen of Verona, Timon of Athens and Pericles. There are many such overlapping uses of vocabulary between Neville and Shakespeare, including the use of the word ‘celerity’ which appears first in Neville’s letters, but in Shakespeare’s plays only after Neville’s first usage. - ‘Bruits’ (also present in Shakespeare’s plays) was a popular word for ‘rumours’ in diplomatic circles, and is so used, repeatedly, by Neville. Other overlapping words and phrases between Shakespeare and Neville include
- ‘with a pretence to...’,
- ‘vehemency’.
- ‘advertise’ (by then in common use in diplomatic circles, but not in literary ones),
- to give ‘the slip’,
- to understand someone’s ‘drift’,
- ‘let slip’,
- ‘discomfortable’, etc., etc.
Compare and contrast all this with Cecil’s style. He employs no unusual or inventive vocabulary and over-uses nested clauses and long sentences, even by the standards of the day: Letter from Sir Robert Cecil to Sir Henry Neville, 1st May, 1599: There remaineth now, that I acquaint you what her Majesty willeth you to deliver, both to the King and Monsieur de Villeroy: First, that notwithstanding all such advertisements as were brought from Spain into France, wherein assurance was given that there was no preparation for any action of offence, in which respect her Majesty was contented to licence the carrying of corn and where (out of respect to the French King) Proclamation is made, that no ship carrying a French flag, should be molested; First, it is most evident that the Preparations are great and suspicious, for although we know, that in regard of the Hollanders Fleet, which will lie upon their coast, they are driven... and so it continues for another three lines.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - LETTER TO NEVILLE FROM HIS SISTER IN LAW, DOROTHY SEYMOUR, NEE KILLIGREW Most Respectede brother ...I hope the differinge of the parliament wilbe a means of hastening your journey to the bath & a means of incresing helth to your legge which I heare hath very much troubled you this last Sommer. When you be there I hope you will not forsay cominge into devonshire you wrote unto me you would not forsweare it but I am afraid I shall be ever be so happie as to see you ther. Good brother let me humbly intreat you to send me word that you heare of my fathers busines. I hope the differinge of the parliament will not be hindrance to it. He doth acknowledge to have received great help and kindness from you, for the which I do acknowledge my self exceedingly bound unto you that you would be pleased to take care of her who is never able to deserve it but in harte, but I feare the end of this mater wilbe the fulfillinge of the proverbe that might will overcome right, but yet it is a comfort to think that the earth is the Lords & he giveth it whom pleaseth him. I pray god – may give a good account of that we have already. I am sure we shall have more than many a good man wil have shortly, for I heare Mr. burgis with many more have lost their livinge, but god is above and judgeth rightly, to whose gracious protection I leave you humbly intreatinge him to acte daily unto your happines 18 Jan
Your intirly loving sister
Dorothy Seymour.
Sir
The Parliament is now prorogued in print and you have leave to continue your good housekeeping till November next by proclamation. You will please to show this paper enclosed to Sir Richard Brooke, which containes – a brase of Epitaphs upon the poore yong Pope so pittifully massacred by the Frenchmen: and is somewhat sutable to the entertainment of yesterdayes melancoly dinner. I know not how to wish you better than to wish you no worse all the yeare, and so I rest as ever
most devoted to your service
Dudley Carleton
From Eton this 13th January 1608 Mr. Packer (Neville’s scribe) to Sir Ralph Winwood, 22 April, 1613:..that evening my Lord of Pembroke and Sir Henry Nevill were with him [Sir Thomas Overbury, in the Tower] and so were againe this Morning; who have given him so good Advice, that if he follows it, as I hope he will, all will be well with him, and no hurt to his Friend.
Thus in hast I have but only given your Lordship a Taste of this Busyness, which your Lordship shall hear more particularly by Report of others. And so I leave your Lordship to God…
John Chamberlain to Winwood, 6 May 1613Sir Henry Neville is in a fair way, and his Friends look daily when he shall be sworn Secretary: But I hope he shall tarry till a Colleague come to help to bear the burden; and I will not believe otherwise but that we shall see you here shortly, whereof no Man living shall be more glad than my self.
The Earl of Southampton to Sir R Winwood (Neville's erstwhile secretary and permanent friend) 6 Aug. 1613Sir,
I perceive by your last Letter that you have been of late particularly advertised of the proceedings in England, and how the Busynesss of which we desire so much to hear the Conclusion, is still in Suspence. The Difficulty alledged is the not having as then accommodated the Matter of Sir Thomas Overbury, which many times bred Disturbance, and hindred the Performance of the Resolution taken; and it is in vaine to hope for any good Issue of the other untill that be settled, which I thinke to be done long ere this after this Manner; that upon his Submission he shall have leave to travail, with a private Intimation not to return untill his Majestie’s Pleasure be further known: And much adoe there hath been to keepe him from a publique Censure of Banishment and loss of Office, such a rooted Hatred lyeth in the King’s Heart towards him; and that Blocke being now removed, I find the same Confidence that I left touching Sir Henry Neville; which I shall be as glad of as any, but (as I wrote before) this often deferring hath made me doubtfull. Of the Nullity I see you have heard as much as I can write; by which you may discern the Power of a King with Judges, for of those which are now for it, I knew some of them when I was in England were vehemently against it, as the Bishops of Ely and Coventry. For the Business itself, I protest I shall be glad, if it may lawfully, that it may go forward; though of late I have been fearful of the Consequence, and have had my Fears encreased by the last Letters which came to me; but howsoever, the manner of interposing gives me no cause of Contentment. I stay here only for a Winde, and purpose (God Willing) to take the first of England, though till Things be otherswise settled, I could be as well pleased to be any where else; but the King’s coming to my House imposeth a Necessity at this time upon me of returning. When you come over I assure my self you will not so soon go back, but that I shall have Opportunity to see you often. In the mean time recommending my best Wishes to you, I rest & c. H. SOUTHAMPTON © Brenda James 2005
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