1601 Aug Neville to Robert Cecil
Renews his suit for the mitigation of his fine. The reason he made the suit was that nothing could or would be strained against him further than misprision, and because the substance of his land was so conveyed to his son, that he could neither forfeit it in any extremity but during his life, nor sell any such portion of it as would raise any great sum of money. Prays Cecil again to estimate what his estate for life might be worth, and offer it to the Queen in his name. Begs him to consider what great charge he was at in his late service, wherein he was forced to sell land to the value of 4,000l. Trusts her Majesty will consider this in mitigating his punishment. His land in possession amounts not to above 700l. a year : out of which some allowance must needs have gone for his maintenance, if her Majesty had taken a course of rigour against him : so she could not have made of it above 500l. clear. At 6 years' purchase, the uttermost rate usual in such cases, his estate for life will not amount to above 3,000l. If the Queen will reduce his fine to 6,000 marks, and accept the latter 3,000 marks by 300 marks a year, he would hope, by help of his friends, to provide 1,000 marks to be paid upon the delivery of his pardon, and to give security to pay the other 2,000 at Hollontide next. Asks leave to sell 2 tithes in Yorkshire towards raising this money. If it is denied, he must endure what is laid upon him, for other means he has none : and his mind is so prepared already for misery, that nothing can be much more welcome to him than that which is the end of all misery. Prays that among so great examples of mercy he may not be made the only precedent of rigour. Holograph. Undated. Endorsed :—“August 1601.” 2 pp. (87. 153.
