Source:
Original letters illustrative of English history, series 1, volume 2, page 229, edited by Henry Ellis, 1825
Above: Queen Elizabeth of England, artist unknown.
Above: Lady Elizabeth Hoby, née Cooke, later Russell, artist unknown.
The letter:
MADAM
Although we heare that since the death of your husband, our late Ambassador, Sr Thomas Hoby, you have received, in France, great and comfortable courtesyes from the French King, the Queen Mother, the Queen of Navarre and sundry others, yet we made accompt that all these layd together cannot so satisfye you as some testimony and sparke of our favour, with the application of the late service of your Husband, and of your own demeanour there: wherefore though you shall receive it somewhat lately in time, yet we assure you the same proceedeth only of the late knowledge of your return. And therefore we let you know that the service of your Husband was to us so acceptable, as next yourself and your children we have not the meanest loss of so able a Servant in that calling. And yet since it hath so pleased God to call him in the entry of this our Service, we take it in the better part, seeing it hath appeared to be Gods pleasure to call him away, so favourably to the service of him, especially in the constancy of his duty towards God, wherein, we hear say, he dyed very commendably.
And for your self, we cannot but let you know that we hear out of France such singular good reports of your duty well accomplished towards your husband, both living and dead, with your other sober, wise, and discreet behaviour in that Court and Country, that we think it a part of great contentation to us, and commendation of our Country, that such a Gentlewoman hath given so manifest a testimony of virtue in such hard times of adversity. And therefore though we thought very well of you before, yet shall we hereafter make a more assured account of your virtues and gifts, and wherein soever we may conveniantly do you pleasure, you may be thereof assured. And so we would have you to rest yourself in quietness, with a firm opinion of our especiall favour towards you. Given under our Signet at our City of Oxford the . . of September 1566: the eight year of our Reign.
Your loving Friend
ELIZABETH, R.
With modernised spelling:
MADAM,
Although We hear that since the death of your husband, Our late Ambassador, Sir Thomas Hoby, you have received in France great and comfortable courtesies from the French King, the Queen Mother, the Queen of Navarre and sundry others, yet We made accompt that all these laid together cannot so satisfy you as some testimony and spark of Our favour, with the application of the late service of your husband, and of your own demeanour there: wherefore though you shall receive it somewhat lately in time, yet We assure you the same proceedeth only of the late knowledge of your return. And therefore We let you know that the service of your husband was to Us so acceptable, as next yourself and your children We have not the meanest loss of so able a Servant in that calling. And yet since it hath so pleased God to call him in the entry of this Our service, We take it in the better part, seeing it hath appeared to be God's pleasure to call him away, so favourably to the service of Him, especially in the constancy of his duty towards God, wherein, We hear say, he died very commendably.
And for yourself, We cannot but let you know that We hear out of France such singular good reports of your duty well accomplished towards your husband, both living and dead, with your other sober, wise, and discreet behaviour in that Court and Country, that We think it a part of great contentation to Us, and commendation of our Country, that such a gentlewoman hath given so manifest a testimony of virtue in such hard times of adversity. And therefore though We thought very well of you before, yet shall We hereafter make a more assured account of your virtues and gifts, and wherein soever We may conveniently do you pleasure, you may be thereof assured. And so We would have you to rest yourself in quietness, with a firm opinion of Our especial favour towards you. Given under Our Signet at Our City of Oxford the . . of September 1566: the eight year of Our reign.
Your loving friend
ELIZABETH, R.
Notes: accompt = account.
contentation = contentment.
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