The right honorable the Earle of Northumberland, hauing iust Cause / to Call Sir Frauncis Veere in question/ For divers wronges done vnto him/ As by the Reporte of Sundrye men of good credit hee was infformed/ on Saterdaye the Foure and twentith of April sent him / by Captayne Whittlocke A letter, with this Superscription one the Out Syde /

To the Vallorous and Worthie Captaine Sir Frauncis Veere, Lord Governor of the Brill/ and Comaunder of the English vnder the States/

I tould you at Ostend, that then was noe fitt Tyme to expostu= late matters / Nowe I hould it proper to call you to an accompt For those wronges you haue done mee/ you love to take the Ayre and to Ryde abroade / appointe therefore A Place/ and Tyme to your likeing / that I maye meete you / Bringe you A Freind with you, I wilbe accompanyd with another, that shall be wittnesse / of the Thinges I will laye to your Charge / you you Satisfie mee wee will returne good Freindes / yf not, Wee shall doe/ as God shall putt in our Myndes/ I will eschewe all bitter words/ as vnfitt For men of our Occupation / Seeke not by Frivelous Shifftes to divert this Course of Satisfaccion For all other meanes then this, that I haue prescribed/ I shall call as an Affirmacion of that I haue heard/ which will Cause mee to proceed in writting in my Selfe, as the wronge requires/ make noe Replies by Letter/ but send mee your will by this bearer directlie that you will/ or you will not, For, From mee you shall noe more / give noe Cause of noyses in the world/ to hinder this Course / least you baffle your owne reputacion/ whatsoever ells I shall doe in this Iust Cause of offence Fewer wordes/ I would not haue vsed/ to haue expressed my mynd

After he had Receyved and read this Letter/ hee asked Cap tayne Whitlocke / yf he had nothing to deliver him/ by worde of Mouthe/ Hee replyed that in Case Sir Frauncis Veere, should offer to write an Aunswere by him / then the Earle of Northumberland gaue him Chardge to saye/ that, hee was Forbidden to take any Letter, but to Crave A direct Answere by worde of mouthe/ which the Earle did Assure himselfe Sir Frauncis Veere would not refuse to send

Then Sir Frauncis Reading the Letter once againe/ he willed Captaine Whittlocke/ to Signifie vnto the Earle of Northumberland that vpon such A Subjecte as that was / hee could not soe soddainely giue giue any Answere, either by word/ or writting/ but that he would thincke of itt/ and send it by one/ Wherevpon Captaine Whitlocke asked him / yf hee should not name to the Earle of Northumberland anye preffixed Tyme, Hee tould him againe/ in theis expresse words, that he would not name the Tyme preciselye/ For in his resolucions, when he tooke, then hee was Suddaine, and therefore hee knewe not howe soone he should be readye to aunswere him / Thus Captayne Whittlocke parted with him

The Sundaye Morning the xxvth Captayne Ogle / came to the Earle of Northumberlandes Lodging / and tould his Lordship that Sir Frauncis Veere/ vpon the Receipt of his Letter/ had noe disposition to laye himselfe open to the bearer thereof, As to lett him vnderstand his mynde / For that he had advised since with him selfe/ and sent him an Answere of his Letter in another / which Capt Ogle intreated his Lordshipp to receyve

To this/ the Earle of Northumberland Replyed, that hee was Resolved to stand to that, hee had sett downe in his Letter sente by Captaine Whittlocke/ that he would receyve noe letter, but a direct Answere/ appointing the Tyme/ and place/ where they should meete/ and bring either of them A Freinde/ to be witnesses of that should be sayde betwixt then both/ His Lordshipp asked him withall whe= ther hee had anye thinge to saye by worde of Mouth/ He Answerd that Sir Fraunces Veere/ willed him to saye / that his Lordshipp tyed him to Conditions / that were over harde / by calling him / to any such place abroade / To which the Earle of Northumberland/ aunswered that it was noe disparagement to Sir Frauncis Veere/ to saye A Truth in anye place/ or in anye Mans presence/ And if he would iustifie himselfe in anye thinge that should bee layde to his chardg, there was noe place Fitter, then such as hee required/

Captayne Ogle Answered, that Sir Frauncis Veere, woulde bringe noe Bodye with him/ But was desirous to meet his Lordshipp alone/ Soe that it might bee in Place/ For the respect where of there ought to bee noe Scuffelling / or drawing of Swordes /

To this the Earle of Northumberland replyed/ that he would not sticke with him / to meete him alone/ but to stand vppon anye respecte of place/ it was to noe purpose; For neither his owne house/ nor Sir Frauncis Veere, nor the Courte/ nor the Market place were fitt/ For the deciding their Controversies / and that he might be sure wheresoever hee should meete him/ he would not goe without the Weapons he did ordinarilye weare, neither would barre the vse of them / yf it were requisite/ With this/ Captaine Ogle being vppon his departe / Offered to deliver his Letter the Seconde Tyme, saying hee knewe not howe to acquite himselfe of his duty towards Sir Frauncis Veere/ if he did not deliver itt/ accordinge/ as hee gaue him in Charge.

The Earle of Northumberland asked him/ whether hee badd him leave the letter it in his Chamber / yf in Case, hee would not receyve it, Hee aunswered yes/ that hee badd him expresslye leave it/ The Earle of Northumberland badd him laye it downe vpon the Table which hee had noe sooner done / But the sayd Earle/ stepping to his Sworde/ that was hanging vpon the Wall/ Hee drue it halfe out, and badd Captaine Ogle/ carrye backe the Letter / saying with his hand/ vpon his Sworde/ this is sufficient for your discharg of duetie towards Sir Frauncis/ Captaine Ogle tooke the Letter vpp againe/ and went downe, when he was gone soe farre as in to the Streete/ the Earle of Northumberland made him to be called backe againe/ and badd him tell Sir Frauncis/ that hee stayed in London expresslye from his Busines/ els where to haue an Answere/ Answere/ whether he would appointe A Tyme/ & place / or nott; Captaine Ogle/ made yett the Third Tyme / an Offer to deliver Sir Frauncis his letter / The Earle badd him/ hee should not offer itt anye more/ vnlesse he had A Fantasie that they two should haue A Thrust togither/ And thus Captaine Ogle parted/ with the Earle the Sundaye Morning/

The same Sundaye/ after dynner Captayne Ogle came to the Earle of Northumberland with A newe discourse / that Sir Franuncis Veere was willing to Satisfye his Lordshipp But/ that he was desirous to meet him in some place in London/ each of them accompayned with A man of gravitie / and of some Rancke in the State/ And named for his choise Sir Edward Stafford/ or some such like, To this the Earle of Northumberland replyed/ that he thought it noe fit Course, to trouble such men/ For that knight/ and another his equall were men like enoughe to acquainte the Queene/ and Councell/ yf they sawe anye difference betwixt them that might breed further Con= tencion / and bringe them both vnder the power of hir majestes Comaundment, by theire Infformacion/ Agayne if they should not doe this/ att the least they would hinder them, From goinge togither into the Feilde / yf either partie should haue Iust Cause soe to doe/ A proceeding/ Flatt against his meaning / Because hee desired no noyse, but privatelye to be satisfyed / as in his Lettres did appeare // And because he held Sir Frauncis For A gallant Gent & A Worthie Commaunder / hee was resolved to deale with him in the Stile of A Soldier/ And to bee Shorte/ Least Sir Frauncis shoulde in his Scoffing waye saye / that he knew howe to handle A Lord/ he would not accept of States men/ But willed Captaine Ogle/ to tell him that he would be sted fast to his First designe/ to bringe him A Gent and A Soldier/ over whose Sworde hee was assured, hee had absolute Aucthoritie For this Tyme/ and in this matter, betwixt them two/ and could Comaund him in honorable Courtisy, not to drawe/ but onelye to be wittnesse of their Conference/ & appointmentes/ least Sir Frauncis/ or himselfe/ after they were parted, should saye / more/ or lesse/ of each other/ then indeed/ had beene sayde / Such another he willed Sir Frauncis to bring with him, such another that hee should remember once agayne the Contents of his letter / to send him an absolute aunswere/ whether he would do it or no/

The same Sundaye toward Evening/ For/ the last Tyme that Capt Ogle came to the Earle of Northumberland/ hee brought worde that Sir Frauncis thought it not reasonable/ to satisfye him/ after the Manner he did appointe / and therefore hee would not doe it, But/ desired to haue vnder his hand / the particuler Causes/ For which he Found himselfe agreived/ The Earle of Northumberland replyed that to writte would bee tedyous/ & against his promise/ & his Lettres/ and that he would not make his wronges knowne / vnlesse he might be assured of Satisfaccion/ either by worde or Sworde/ in such place/ as was fitt For A noble man/ that profest Armes to receyve it in That he should tell Sir Frauncis how by this refussall/ hee was throughlye perswaded/ he had done him those wrongs/ which hee meant to laye to his Chardge/ that he would laye vpp this Iniuriouslye dealing in his harte/ and right himselfe thereafter, as he shall thinke fit

The matter resting thus/ after three dayes/ on Thirsday following / Sir Noell Caroone/ Agent/ For the States/ & cheife dealer For the Businesse/ Sir Frauncis Veere hath now in hand, did acquainte the Queene/ and Councell/ with theis differences and and Suddainelye it pleased hir highnes/ to send an honorable person to the Earle of Northumberland/ and to laye A Comaund vpon him/ to Forbeare anye Accion against Sir Frauncis Veere, at that Instant imployed in her Service/ which hee in all humility did accept/ of making noe Reckoning of anye thinge touching his owne particuler/ in respect of her Majestes Service/ and Commaundement Hee onelye made the Companye there present to vnderstand, that hee referred himselfe to all men of Iudgment, that made profession of honor And that he hoped they would not blame him/ yf that in Attending his Satisfaccion/ hee protested that Sir Frauncis Veere was A knave/ and Coward/ that in Flearing & gearinge like A Common Baffoone would wrong men of all Condicions and had neither the honestie / nor the Courage to satisffy anye

Sir Fra: Veere his Answere to the Earle of Northumberlands Challendge

The Earle of Northumberland/ making Profession/ to haue Sir Frauncis Veere vpon divers Sinister Reportes/ made by base and Factious Persons / where hee might haue drawne from Sir Frauncis Veere/ Satisfaccion in the matters hee were to obiect/ either by word or Sworde/ without anye hinderance/ or daunger/ of the Lawes/ neuer called him to Accompte / or Charged him directlye with any matter/ thoughe Sir Frauncis Veere did offer to giue him Satisfaccion / know- inge him selfe Cleere From wronging the Earle/ in his Reputacion, thoughe hee must, and will Confesse / vpon the Certayne knowledg hee had of the Contynuaunce and Favour, the Earle shewed to certaine meane persons / And the Contentment hee tooke in the bitternes of theire Backbitting of Sir Frauncis Veere, that he grew into Con= tempte of this humor of the Earles / & afforded him litle respecte/ Their First meetinge in England was in the Courte/ the 13: Aprill, Sir Frauncis Veere being sent to her Majestye by the States as a publique person/ vpon verye waightie/ and important Affayres where the Earle passing by Sir Frauncis Veere/ asked softlye if hee went to London that night/ Wherevnto Sir Frauncis Veere answered he knewe not it being knowne to A Gent of greate Worthe in Courte / that Sir Frauncis Veere, attended the Comminge of A Councellor to Courte/ throughe whose handes his busynes must passe/ And was determined if he came Earlye, after Speech with him / to goe to London yf late to haue stayd in Court that night

The Earle made noe Replye/ but passed/ Wherevponn Sir Frauncis Veere followed him/ asking him / if he would Commaund him anye Servece/ if he went to London / To which the Earle made noe aunswere at all / Sir Frauncis Veere/ whoe tooke this/ as the Earle meante/ whoe Since confessed to Captayne Ogle / that hee purposed to sett vpon Sir Frauncis Veere vpon the Waye/ For sakinge his Former Resolucion of Attending the Arryvall of the honorable parsonage/ passed towards his Lodginge/ And on the Greene/ before the Courte/ hee sawe the Earle/ And soe soone as his Coache was made readye/ Sir Frauncis Went to London and Found noe Encounter/ Here vppon A Rumour was spred, both both in Courte and Cittie/ that the Earle had Challendged Sir Frauncis Veere / the 24: Aprill in the Evening/ about sixe of the Clocke/ One Captayne Whitlocke came vnto Si Frauncis Veeres Chamber, and after some Speeches of other Matters/ hee drew a Lettre out of his Pockett / and sayd the Earle sent it to him/ Sir Frauncis Veere tooke the same, and read it twise/ Whitlocke required an Answere/ Sir Frauncis told him/ the matter was of a greate Moement / to be suddainelye aunswered / Hee asked when the Earle might Expect an aunswere/ Sir Frauncis Replyed, that his Speede would be more then ordinarye / The same Evening he Framed his Aunswere/ but wanting A Convenient Messinger, For he was to choose one/ to whom hee might Comunicate his Lettre, it was not sent vntill the next morning / and then he gave the same to Captaine Ogle his Leivtenant Collonell/ willinge him, yf the Earle refused the Lettere, to deliver by worde/ the contents thereof which was as Followeth

Your Lordshipp required in the Lettere sent mee by Captayne Whittlocke/ that I should retourne A direct aunswere by word of Mouthe/ to the Contents/ which at the Instant I forbore/ the matter being of Moement/ and not to be resolved of soe sud dainelye/ and nowe For good respects I Chose rather to let your Lordshipp knowe my Mynde / by writting/ then by anye Mans reporte/ yf your Lordshipps meaning bee/ yf your Lordshipp meaninge be by the meeting you appoynte, to drawe A Verball satisfacion From mee/ in the obiections you are to make / The manner of the Meeting in my opinion is not the best/ in regard that Truth delivered/ where Swordes might bee drawne / is subiect to harde Construction/ which I desire to avoyde/ your Lordshipp shall therefore be pleased to nominate some Fitt place, for communica cion whether I will repayre/ with much willingnes to Cleere my Selfe / of haueing given your Lordshipp the First Cause of Offence For Truthes Sake/ For the respect of your greatnes required & for that/ I dispise private Combatinge/ especiallye at this Tyme, that I am ingaged & in soe great, & important an Action as your Lordship knoweth

This Course reiected by your Lordshipp I shall not leave to follow, the occasion that drew mee with the poore Trayne attending mee/ ordina= rilye / Confident, that your Lordshipp will attempt noething vnfitting your Selfe vppon mee/ that haue allwayes lived in good reputa= cion/ and am discended From A Graund Father of your Owne Rancke/ From my Lodging in Aldersgate Street 25: of Aprill

Frauncis Veere/

Where of the Superscription was/ To the right honourable The Earle of Northumberland knigt of the most Noble order of the Garter /

The Earle refused the Lettre, And Captaine Ogle/ layeing the same/ On the Boord / The Earle tooke his Sworde &c And Capt Ogle/ as I had instructed him / tooke the Lettre/ and delivered the Contents by worde / The Earle replyed that there was no place priviledged From drawing of Swordes/ But the greene Chamber of presence/ the Garden; or the Markett place / and that theis were noe places to Speake in/ And with this Captayne Ogle Retur= ned to Sir Frauncis Veere/ whoe said to Captaine Ogle/ that to him / all places were alike / yf the distinction then / was proper proper For Treatie/ and expostulacion/ and that it was In= different to him/ where it were/ and what Companye on the Earles parte were present/ Soe/ hee might heere some Gent quallifyed/ Such as Sir Edward Stafford/ to be A wittnes what should passe/ With this Answere Captaine Ogle retorned to the Earle/ the Third Tyme / to Signifie vnto him / that since his Lordshipp would accept of Noe in different & Convenient place of meeting / For Comunicacion / that Sir Frauncis was reso= ved/ not to satisfye in the manner hee required/ And moreover to lett him vnderstand / that where / and wheresoever the Earle should meete with Sir Frauncis Veere / where there were noe priviledge of drawing of Swordes/ and should expostulate with Sir Frauncis, hee would never aunswere him to his demaundes/ but willinglie laye his hande on his Sworde/ And Soe this Negotiacion of Capt Ogle bracke of.

With in some Fewe dayes/ her majestye had knowledge/ what had passed it being divulged by the Earles Followers/ that he had sent Sir Fraunis Veere A Challenge/ Wherevpon the 30: of the Foresayde Monthe/ her Majestye sent Comaundement vnto the Earle/ not to haue to doe with Sir Fraunis Veere/ Then the Earle as by Cir= cumstances appeare/ haueing brought Matters to the passe hee desired published the manner of his proceedings/ in the Englishe Frenche/ and Italian/ whereof Sir Fraunis Veere could nott procure anye Coppe/ till some Fewe days before his departure, nor Answere the same soe presentlye / as/ hee willinglye would for his Affayres otherwise/ And For that in the same/ the Earle went beyond the true groundes of Iudgment and honour/ Sir Frauncis Veere / thought it necessarye to send to the Earle / This Lettre Following/ which he offered to the world / with the reste of his Proceedings to be Iudged of /

Because I refused to meete you / vppon your peremtorye and Foolish Summons/ you Conclude mee/ in A discourse sente abroade vnder your Name/ to be A knave/ A Coward/ and A Baffoone/ wherein you haue provoked mee/ to sett asyde all respect to you person / and to saye / that ar you are a most lyinge/ & vnwoethie Lord/ you are bounde, by her Majestes Comaundement not to assayle mee, And I by the Busynes Committed to mee/ not to seeke you/ when you shall be Free / as God shall make vs meete/ I will mayne tayne it/ with my Sworde /

Frauncis Veere/

Examined with the Coppye, which Sir Frauncis Veere Sent vnto mee/ at the verye First daye / taken Forthe of it, which was even vpon his departure/ out of London/ For the Lowe Coun= tryes/ Soe went, all the Waye by Land/ From London to Thames/ where hee tooke Shipping/ Mr White his man brought it vnto mee/