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Bad Queen Bess
The attractions of the palace of Somersham was starting to come to the attention of royalty, not least for the good hunting, and the reputation of the palace as a place for comfortable living.
From Collections of Private Papers in the British Library
Lord Salisbury manuscripts Volume II
Lord North to the Bishop of Ely
Oure longe aquaintance & nere neighborhod enforceth me by these letters to discharge the office of an honest friende and a good Christian; by the one to advertise yowe what perilles you presentlye stande in, and by the other to advise yowe to doe that which I myselfe woulde if I were in your case; trustinge that your L will not superficiallye reade this, but so substantiallye as yow will both thanke me & also followe my councell, if yowe approve it for good. Yowe remember how tenderlye and hartelye her Majestye wrote this summer unto yowe for a lease of Somersham for her selfe & she forgetteth not your aunswere. Being nowe in the Courte I understande her Maiestye did verye zealouslye recommende Mr hatton to be keeper of your house in Holborne, a man much favored of her Highnes & much esteemed of the best & honest sorte of Englande. Beside he Maiestye request was quallefied with so reasonable conditions, both for your ease and honor as it is more than marvelous to knowe with what face yowe could denye her. Well! This laste denyall beinge added to her former demandes, hath moved her Highnes to so great dislykinge as she purposeth presentlye to send for yowe, & to here what account yowe can render for this strange dealinge toward your gratiouse Soverayne.
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