95 - 11 Feb. To the earl of Huntingdon

Summary

Salutem in Christo

My very good Lord

Though in this end of Terme a great heape of busynes is fallen upon me, yet I could not refuse my Kinsman Mr. Cottesford to write these few lynes to your Lordship in his behalfe. My Lord Hastings your Sonne was honourably pleased to give him the Parsonage of Inglefield in Berks, where he hath lyved ever since, but being marryed, and having formally spent som what freely while he had the honour to be trusted with your Sonnes, I fynde he hath gone backward in the world. To keepe him from sinkinge, and withall to give him incouragement, I have lately given him a Benefice in Suffolke, and if by the favour of your Lordship, and of the Lord Hastinges, he might have leave and power to exchange Inglefield, for some Benefice in those Partes, to joyne to that which I intend him, he may be made able to lyve, and have great cause to thanke your Lordship. I know your Lordship is soe noble, that this humble desyre of his, would not be stucke at, but that there is an Advouson of Inglefield granted to your Chaplaine, which yet I presume you will not suffer to be a Barr in soe honest and necessary a motion as this is, the Party with whom he intendes to exchange being as old, or elder then himself, and as likely to make that Parsonage voyde as he. For I hope there was never that Intentment, that if I did him a good turne as a deserving Kinsman, to give him any Addition to his Means, that should be used as an Argument to take of that which you have given, and I hope he did in some measure deserve. I hartily pray your Lordship therefore to over-rule your Chaplaine in this Particular, and I shall take it as a lovinge respect from your Lordship to my Kinsman and to me. If it should fall out otherwise (as I hope not) I may be dryven to leave Mr. Cottesford at Inglefield, till I can provide thereaboutes for him, and to bestowe my now vacant Benefice upon another. Your Lordship will give me leave to express my desyres earnestly to you in this Particular, because I am willing to be beholding to you for it.