HUNTINGDONSHIRE AND THE SPANISH ARMADA. EDITED FROM ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPTS. BY W. MACKRETH NOBLE, B.A., 'Attend all ye who list to hear our noble England's praise; I sing of the thrice famous deeds she wrought in ancient days, LONDON: ELLIOT STOCK, 62, PATERNOSTER ROW, E.C. 1896. PREFACE. THE following account of the preparations made in this county to resist the Spanish Armada in the year 1588 is taken principally from a manuscript once in the possession of Lord de Ramsey, but now in the British Museum. The manuscript contains the muster roll of the company commanded by Oliver Cromwell (the date being June 3, 1588), copies of several despatches from the Government of the day, as well as of letters from Sir Henry Cromwell, who took a prominent part in organizing the forces of the county. Perhaps nothing could show the position in the county occupied by the Cromwell family, or the national spirit of loyalty to Queen and country and determination to resist the invader, more plainly than these documents. Never before or since, we may suppose, has loyalty reached such a pitch of enthusiastic devotion as when the Queen (Elizabeth), in speaking to her troops at Tilbury, said that, though a woman, she had the heart of a King, and of a KING OF ENGLAND too, and that rather than survive the ruin and slavery of her people, she would herself lead her soldiers into battle and die with them. But previous to this speech of the Queen, evidence was forthcoming as to her subjects' disposition. In a letter written by Lord St. John from Hinchinbrook, dated May 2, 1588, he says: 'I am further to commend unto your Lordships particularlie the great willingness and careful endeavours of this gentleman, |