Henry Neville, John Holles, Prince Henry, and the King's Competing Summons, 29–30 May 1612
Three letters in two days
Sourced Facts
HMC's Portland manuscripts calendar prints three Neville letters to Sir John Holles.
| Date | Place and movement | Firm content |
|---|---|---|
| 29 May 1612 | Westminster/Whitehall context | Neville thanks Holles for a favor begun, plans to attend Prince Henry, but says the King has sent for him. |
| 30 May, first note | London and proposed attendance | Neville again explains that royal business prevents his coming and promises to kiss the Prince's hands when free. |
| 30 May, second note | movement involving Richmond and the royal hunt | Neville updates Holles again as the King's movements alter his own access and timing. |
Across the sequence Neville calls Holles his “friend and kinsman.” The letters prove an active relationship, an intended audience with Prince Henry, and repeated displacement of that plan by James's summons.
Quoted Source Text
On 29 May Neville writes:
“the king is pleased to speak with me himself and am required to be in a readiness when he comes in.”
On 30 May he explains the continuing constraint: “I cannot dispose of myself at any time certain till this be past.” The second note closes by calling Holles his “thankful friend and kinsman.”
What the letters do not identify
Neither the favor nor the King's business is named in the calendar text. The repeated postponement does not prove a political mission of any particular kind, and a promise to attend does not prove the audience occurred. The kinship language may describe a demonstrable family relationship, a broader affinity, or conventional social usage; the genealogy should be traced before choosing among them.
Research route
Search Holles's adjacent correspondence, royal warrants, Privy Council and court records, Prince Henry's accounts, and Neville papers for late May–June 1612. Prince Henry died in November, so the window for confirming the promised audience is limited but not absent.
Citations
- HMC, The Manuscripts of His Grace the Duke of Portland, vol. 9, pp. 157–159: 29 May, 30 May first note, and 30 May second note.
Notes on Access
The linked calendar pages are public and reproduce the three-letter sequence. The underlying manuscripts remain necessary for endorsements, exact address, hands, and any text omitted by the calendar.