Mr. Secretary Coke delivered his Majesty's pleasure, with despiteful aggravation of the fact and the dangerous precedent[567] to others. The conclusion was that his Majesty's command was we should be suspended our places. We were not suffered to make any reply, but dismissed and referred to his Majesty's further pleasure. On the Monday after, I attended to speak to his Majesty so soon as he was ready in his withdrawing chamber, where his Majesty was pleased to call me to him; and before all the lords there present and my professed enemy, Secretary Coke, his Majesty used me very graciously, with large expression and protestation of the continuance of his future favour and continued encouragements; which though Secretary Coke liked not, yet he made great show of his well wishing to me in his Majesty's presence; but notwithstanding all this, I repaid the moneys I had received for my share, being 86 pounds, to the Treasurer of the Navy for his Majesty's use, out of my yearly entertainment.

About the middle of March, my son brought his wife and his mother, with their family, from Woodbridge to my house at Chatham, where they all stayed with us till the 23rd of April following, and then went all to Woolwich, where my son was employed upon the building of his Majesty's ship the Leopard.

The 22nd of June was finished a little ship, being completely rigged and gilded, and placed upon a carriage with wheels[568] resembling the sea; was enclosed in a great case of deals and shipped for London in the Fortune Pink, and was out of her taken into a wherry and carried through bridge to Scotland Yard and from thence to St. James', where it was placed in the long gallery and presented to the Prince, who entertained it with a great deal of joy, being purposely made for him to disport himself withal.

The 26th of June, his Majesty came to Woolwich in his barge to see the frame of the Leopard, then half built; and being in the ship's hold his Highness, calling me aside, privately acquainted me with his princely resolution for the building of a great new ship, which he would have me to undertake, using these words to me:—'You have made many requests to me, and now I will make it my request to you to build this ship,' commanding me to attend his coming to Wanstead[569] where he would further confer with me about it.

The 29th October, the model made for the great new ship was carried to Hampton Court and there placed in the Privy Gallery, where, after his Majesty had seen and thoroughly perused, he commanded us to carry it back to Whitehall and place it in the Privy Gallery till his Majesty's coming thither; which was accordingly performed.

In March, 1635, the 11th day, his Majesty came to Woolwich to see the launching of the new ship built there by my son Peter, the which ship I caused to have her masts set in the dock and to be completely rigged and ten pieces of ordnance placed in her, with her sails at the yard. The ship being launched betimes, she was, by his Majesty's command, called the Leopard by Sir Robert Mansell. After the ship was clear out of the dock, his Majesty came on board and there stayed almost one hour. We hoped to sail her whilst his Majesty had been on board, but the wind came northerly, that we could do no good to lead it to our moorings. At his Majesty's parting away in his barge we gave nine pieces of ordnance.

In the midst of April, his Majesty was graciously pleased to renew my privy seal for my pension of 40l. per annum, payable in the Exchequer, with order for all my arrears due upon it. The 8th of May following, my son Peter received the same arrears, being one hundred pounds.

The 14th of May, I took leave of his Majesty at Greenwich, with his command to hasten my journey into the north, to provide and prepare the frame and timber and plank and trenails for the great new ship to be built at Woolwich; and having despatched all warrants and letters concerning that business and some imprests of moneys for travelling charges, I took leave at Woolwich and came to Chatham, leaving my son to see all the moulds and other necessaries to be shipped in a Castle ship, taken up for that purpose, to transport all our provisions and workmen to Newcastle and to send the ships to take us in at Queenborough.

The 21st of May, my son with his wife, mother, and sisters, and rest of their company, being come to us to Chatham and in readiness, we, accompanied with cousin Joseph's wife and mine own company, we took leave at Chatham in the morning and repaired by our boats to Queenborough, where the ship was in readiness; where we embarked ourselves, intending to have set sail presently, but the wind chopping to east and north-east, we could not stir that tide, but rode till the morning; then weighed and set sail and got down as low as the Blacktail Sand,[570] where we anchored all the flood. At high water, being about 3 [o']clock afternoon, we weighed again and plyed down beneath the Spits and there anchored all that night. Saturday morning we weighed and set sail again, and the next day by five afternoon we came to an anchor against Harwich and landed all our passengers bound for Woodbridge, who got thither that night; and the next myself and rest of my company went for Woodbridge, where we stayed till Tuesday afternoon and then returned to Harwich to our ship. Wednesday forenoon, we set sail from Harwich, and Thursday morning we came into Yarmouth Road, where we anchored, went on shore and dined, and after dinner returned on board and set sail, plying our course till Saturday morning. Being got within twenty leagues of Newcastle, the wind took us short, and we put room and were landed, not without some danger, at Scarborough where we lay that night, and our ship put room for Bridlington.[571]

Sunday morning we got horse with some difficulty and rode to Whitby,[572] where we were kindly entertained and lodged at one Captain Foxe's[573] house, then lying sick. There we found much kindness at the hands of one Mr. Bagwell, a shipwright and yardkeeper; this was the 31st of May. Monday morning we parted thence and came to Guisborough, a great market town, where we baited. From thence we went to Stockton,[574] where we found but mean entertainment, being lodged in the Mayor's house, being a poor thatched cottage.[575] On Tuesday we came to Durham, where we baited; from thence we came to Newcastle about five of the clock, lodging this night at the posthouse, where we were very homely used; but the next day we removed thence to Mr. Leonard Carr's house, where we were very well accommodated and neatly lodged, in which house we lay all the time of our abode at Newcastle; this was the 3rd of June, 1635.

After our coming to Newcastle and that[576] lodged ourselves conveniently, we advised together how to proceed in our business, [that] no time might be lost; and first viewed the places from whence we were to make choice of our frame and other provisions, which were Chopwell Woods[577] and Brancepeth Park,[578] a good way from one another.

Then, having marked such trees as were fittest our purpose, our workmen were disposed of to their several charges, and began to fell, square, and saw with all the expedition we could. That work being settled, my son carefully followed that business whilst I myself attended the Lord Bishop of Durham[579] with my commission and instructions, whom I found wonderfully ready and willing to give all furtherance to us, assisted by other knights and gentlemen, Justices of the Peace in the county; who with all care and diligence took order with the country for present carriage. God so blessed us in our proceedings that in a short time as much of the frame was made ready as laded away a great collier belonging to Woodbridge, which was safely landed at Woolwich; and as fast as provisions could be made ready, they were shipped away. That from Chopwell Woods was laded from Newcastle; that which came from Brancepeth, from Sunderland.

Having ordered all our business, both for carriage, moneys, and all other needful things to set forward the business, leaving my loving son Peter to oversee all, I took my leave of my friends at Newcastle the 22nd day of July, being Wednesday, and came to Durham where we lodged that night at the posthouse. Next morning I waited upon my Lord of Durham, with whom I dined, and after dinner took leave and returned to my lodging.

Friday morning, being the 24th day, I parted from Durham accompanied with my son Christopher, Charles Bowles,[580] and the guide. We met, also bound our way towards London, three Scottish gentlemen and their attendants, who very kindly accepted of our company, and we rode together to Northallerton where we lodged that night at the postmaster's. Next day we rode to York and lodged at the postmaster's. Sunday, we stayed at York all the day, myself being entertained at dinner by Sir Arthur Ingram[581] and at night by Alderman Sir William Allison.

Monday morning, 27th day, we rode to dinner to Wentbridge, thence to Doncaster to bed. Tuesday we rode to Tuxford,[582] where we dined; thence to Newark upon Trent, there lodged this night.

Wednesday morning we rode from Newark to Grantham[583] where we dined; thence to Stamford, where lodged this night.

Thursday, being the 30th day, we rode from Stamford to Huntingdon, and there dined and met there my old acquaintance and noble friend, Sir Oliver Cromwell. After dinner we took horse again, and at Huntingdon town's-end the Scottish gentlemen and we parted; they took their way for London, myself and company for Cambridge, where I lodged at the Falcon and visited Emmanuel College, where I had been a scholar in my youth.

Friday, being last of July, after I had visited Trinity College and some others, I rode from Cambridge to Bury in Suffolk, where we only baited, and rode that night to Stowmarket, coming thither very wet, having rained very hard all that afternoon; there we lay that night. From thence rode next morning to Ipswich, drank only at the Greyhound Inn, and thence came to Woodbridge, alighting at sister Cole's about eleven of the clock, being the first of August.

I stayed at Woodbridge till Tuesday, the 4th of August; thence taking leave, I rode to Witham to bed; from thence next morning taking horse I came to Gravesend ferry; there passing over my horses I stayed their coming, and then taking horse again I came home to my house about 4 clock afternoon, in safety and health, giving God thanks for our safe meeting after eleven weeks absence from thence.

The 4th November, being Tuesday, it pleased God to send my son Peter safely to Woolwich, where we met together to our great comfort; and so gave order for proceeding in our business.

The 21st day of December, the keel of the great new ship was laid in his place upon the blocks in the dock; most part of the frame and other provisions came safely to Woolwich and were landed in the Yard.

The 16th day of January, his Majesty, accompanied with divers of the lords, came to Woolwich to see part of the frame and floor of the ship laid. At that time his Majesty gave order to myself and son to build two small pinnaces out of the wastes of the great ship.

The 28th day of March, his Majesty came again to Woolwich, accompanied with the Palsgrave,[584] his brother Duke Robert,[585] and divers other lords, who all stood in the windows of my lodgings to see the two pinnaces launched, which was performed to their great content, and named the Greyhound and Roebuck.

About[586] the 10th of April, his Majesty's ship called by the name of the Anne Royal, bound for to be Admiral of the narrow seas, and anchoring in Tilbury Hope, being unmoored,[587] the ship winding up[588] upon the flood, came foul of her own anchor, which pulled out a great part of her keel abaft the mast; and so, in sinking, overthrew so suddenly that some of the company were drowned, amongst whom was the master's wife and one other woman. Myself, amongst others, was commanded by his Majesty to give my assistance for weighing of her, which cost much trouble, great charge and no small danger to them that travelled[589] about it; which was afterwards objected to them as a great fault, and were rewarded with a bitter check from the Lords. The ship was weighed, and carried to Blackwall, and put into the East India Dock about the 10th of August.

The 3rd of February, his Majesty came to Woolwich by water, accompanied with the Prince Elector[590] and divers other lords, where he thoroughly viewed all the works of the ship without; and then went on board and seriously perused all the ship within board, both aloft and in the hold, being very well satisfied in all points; and then retired himself into my lodgings, where he stayed till flood, and then took his barge and returned to Whitehall.

Tuesday, the 25th of April, my daughter Martha was married unto John Hodierne, sometimes my servant.[591] She was married at Chatham Church, accompanied with the best sort of our neighbours, who were entertained in the garden under a long tent, set up for that purpose, where they ate, dined, and supped.

On the 21st day [of] July, being Friday, I brought my wife from Woolwich to Chatham in a coach, having been very ill some weeks before. We brought her safe to my house, and the next day she was to our thinking very cheerful, and was visited by divers our good neighbours, but on Sunday she grew very ill, and continued worse and worse all that night. About 3 clock, Monday morning, she fell into a sweet sleep and so like [a] lamb quietly departed this life, and the Wednesday afternoon following was buried in Chatham Church, accompanied with the better sort of all the neighbours about us; Mr. Vaughan, our Minister, preached at her funeral.

Tuesday, being the 29th August, proved a very wet, rainy day, but the shipwrights of the river, which were warned to help to strike the ship upon the ways, being come together, we set on the business, and by God's blessing the ship was struck by eleven of the clock without harm to any man, which we accounted a great mercy of God.

Monday, the 25th of September, was the day peremptorily appointed by his Majesty for launching the great ship; and accordingly all things were prepared in readiness for performance thereof. His Majesty, accompanied with the Queen and all the train of lords and ladies, their attendants, came to Woolwich, for the most part by water, landing at the dock stairs about 12 of the clock, and went directly on board the ship, where they stayed about one hour, and thence retired into our rooms, prepared and furnished for their entertainment. About 2 of the clock the tackles were set taut and the ship started as they heaved, till the tackles failed and the water pinched,[592] being a very poor tide, so that we gave over to strain the tackles and began to shore the ship. Then his Majesty with the Queen took their barge and returned to Whitehall, being very sorry the ship could not be launched. We attempted two or three tides afterward to no purpose; it was then concluded to let the ship sit till the next spring,[593] sitting so easily and safely that she could take no hurt.

After, it was resolved the ship should lie till the spring after, which was about the 12th or 13th October following. In the interim many malicious reports were raised to disable the ship, and to bring as much disgrace upon me as malice itself could possibly invent; all proceeding from the Masters of the Trinity House and other rough-hewn seamen, with whom William Cooke, one of the four Masters of his Majesty's Navy, enviously adhering to pleasure Secretary Coke, and Mr. Edisbury, then newly made Surveyor of his Majesty's Navy, all professed enemies to the building of the ship, and more to myself, joined together to cast what aspersions upon both as far as they durst (for fear of the King's displeasure); but the time of the spring drawing on, there was a meeting called by Sir Robert Mansell's means at Woolwich of such Trinity House Masters as were formerly employed on the business, with the Officers of the Navy, to resolve of the certain day and time of launching, which was generally concluded to be on Sunday following, being the 14th October, and that I should not attempt to stir the ship before; but on the Saturday night tide, the wind chopping up for westerly, and a fair night in hand promising a great tide to follow, I caused the two Masters of the Navy there attending to be ready, commanding all we could on the sudden get together to attend us, contrary to the mind of Mr. Cooke, who was very unwilling to meddle with the ship in the night, though Mr. Austen,[594] the more resolute man, was very willing to take the benefit of the first opportunity to launch. The tide came in so fast that the ship was on float by three-quarters flood, which I perceiving thought it fit to command the ship to be heaved off, the night being fair and calm; which accordingly was presently performed, and the ship brought into the channel and from thence by several warps conveyed safely to her moorings by high water; keeping lights with reed[595] all alongst the shore till the mooring cables were taken in and made fast to the bitts; which success with much thankfulness we acknowledged an especial mercy of God towards us. This done, I presently dispatched a messenger to Sir Robert Mansell at Greenwich, who came with all speed on board us, and according to his Majesty's commandment gave the name to the ship and named her the Sovereign of the Seas. The next morning the company of the Trinity House Masters and others appointed to attend the launching, came according to the appointment to give their attendance, but finding the ship already launched, and at her moorings in the midst of the river, they seemed to be much discontented that they were so disappointed and prevented, which they expressed as far as they durst.

This morning Sir Robert Mansell rode away post to the King, lying then at Hampton Court, and acquainted his Majesty with our proceedings, who was wonderfully pleased with it.

The week following we reared the sheers to set the masts, which was performed with much safety and expedition, and all the masts set within fourteen days; and so soon as the rigging could be in some reasonable complete manner fitted, and sails brought to the yards, the ship was removed from Woolwich to Erith, by reason there was a greater depth of water to ride in. His Majesty had been on board of her before she went thence.

The 12th of May, 1638, the Sovereign set sail from Erith to Greenhithe,[596] where she anchored to take in her ordnance and provisions. The 6th of June after, his Majesty, accompanied with the Queen, Duchess of Chevreuse,[597] Duke and Duchess of Lennox,[598] with divers other lords and ladies more, came on board the ship at Greenhithe, where they dined to their great content. At their going from the ship, we gave them 17 pieces of ordnance.

The 10th of February before, I received particular warrants from his Majesty at council table, being himself there present, for bringing the ship from Chatham to Woolwich dock; which was by my care speedily performed, and the ship safely dry docked, the 21st day of March following.

About the 12th of July, the Sovereign weighed from Greenhithe and anchored a little beneath Gravesend, where she rode till the King's Majesty came on board her, which was upon the 21st day of July, being Saturday, coming down in his barge, and rowed some part of the way against the tide. In the time of his being on board, his Majesty observed the condition of the ship as she now rode ready to sail, vidt. the draught of water, the distance of the ports of the lower tier from the water, number of the ordnance, and all other circumstances to her complete furnishing; wherewith he was so well satisfied and pleased that he parted from her with as much expression of content and satisfaction as we could expect from him, to the general comfort of us all.

Before his Majesty took barge I had placed my then wife, Bylande,[599] daughter Ann,[600] and many other gentlewomen, my special friends, in the great cabin to kiss his Majesty's hand, and prevailed with his Majesty to walk aft into the cabin, where his Highness most graciously gave each of them his hand to kiss. His Majesty then took his barge, and at his going from the ship we gave him 72 pieces of great ordnance. I then with my wife and friends went on shore and took the coach and came directly home.

Thursday, 2nd of August, I took leave of my wife and friends at Chatham after supper; so rode to Gravesend, thence on board the Sovereign and lay on board in mine cabin, being the first night I lodged in her.

Friday, my son Peter came on board from Woolwich; then about 10 of the clock we weighed from Gravesend, and stood down beneath Hole Haven, and there anchored that night, being little wind.

Saturday morning, 4th August, we weighed from Hole Haven and stood down beneath the buoy of the Gunfleet, where we anchored all that night.

Sunday we came to an anchor right before Margate town, where we rode till Thursday morning following, then weighed and set sail with the wind at west; but coming about the Foreland we met the wind so far southerly as put us to go without the sand, and blew so much wind as we could bear our topsails but half mast high, so that we could not possibly weather the South Sand Head;[601] the tides running also dead, we were forced to anchor in 32 fathom and there rode that night, which proved reasonable fair.

Friday morning, the 20th August, we weighed; having the benefit of a whole tide of ebb, we weathered the South Sand Head and stood in right thwart of Dover; but neither the town nor Castle took notice of us. So we put room into the Downs and anchored as near Sir John Pennington, then riding Admiral, as we conveniently could do, being about 8 of the clock in the morning; we were saluted by the Admiral and all the ships in the road, whom we answered again, giving the Admiral 21 pieces. This done we went on board the Admiral, Sir John Pennington, to whom we were continual guests while we stayed in the Downs.

Wednesday morning, being the 15th of August, we set sail out of the Downs, the wind at south and sometimes south-west. We turned to [and] fro with very foul weather till we came as high [as] thwart of Shoreham, or thereabouts (the Garland attending us, who was not able to keep way with us); which course we held till Saturday the 18th day [of] August; then finding in that time we had sufficient trial of the condition and working of the ship in all respects, and having but a small proportion of victuals to stay out longer, we resolved to bear up again for the Downs; which accordingly was done, and about 3 clock, afternoon, we anchored close to the Admiral, Sir John Pennington entertaining us on board his ship all the time we rode by him.

Tuesday morning, the 21st of August, I took leave of the Sovereign and the Admiral, and went on shore at Deal, where I found my man attending ready with my horses, being the night[602] before come thither, where I presently took horse and rode directly to Canterbury, having visited Sir Henry Palmer by the way. I baited some hour or more at Canterbury, and took horse again and came home to my house [at] New Dock[603] a little after four in the afternoon; giving God hearty thanks for my safe return, finding my wife, family and friends in a reasonable health.

The 28th of August, the Sovereign came safe to her moorings at St. Mary Creek, being Tuesday.

The 8th of September my dear wife sickened, taken with a violent fever, being then great with child.

The 19th of September, being Wednesday, between 8 and 9 clock in the morning, she departed this life in a most Christian manner, surrendering up her spirit into His hands that gave it her; the next day after, being Thursday, she was buried in a seemly manner in Chatham Church, close by the side of my first wife, leaving me a sorrowful and disconsolate husband.

Within few days after, deceased also my wife's one[604] sister and next neighbour, wife to Mr. John Short, Clerk of the Check to his Majesty's Navy.[605] They sickened together, she also being with child, and knew not of one and tother's death. Soon after died Mr. Etherington, their own father, at Mr. Short's house, who came thither purposely to visit them.

After I had a little passed over this great and sudden affliction, I prepared myself to go for London; and having set all things in order, on Thursday morning, the 27th of September, 1638, I took leave of my family at Chatham and rode to Gravesend, thence took boat to Woolwich where I stayed one night, and next day, accompanied with my son Peter, we went by water to Kingston, where we took up our lodging in a private house, the inns being full. The next day, being Sunday, we went by water to Hampton Court, where we presented ourselves to his Majesty, who was pleased to use us very graciously, where we spent that whole day, at night returning by water to our lodging at Kingston.

Next morning, my son and myself rode to Sion,[606] to wait upon the Lord Admiral, and was presently commanded by him to hasten to Chatham to prepare barges and boats to be sent to Dover for the receiving on shore the Queen Mother,[607] expected to arrive and land there

(Here the manuscript ends.)