Sir Robert Cecil (1563–1612) - 1st Earl of Salisbury
Author's Note: This extract was discovered by Diane Wtles and consists of two letters:
1) John Trelawny - Mayor of Plymouth (and his brethren) - to Sir Robert Cecil
2) Jonathon Trelawny to John Trelawny (Mayor of Plymouth) or in his absence to his deputy - or Mr. George Barons - Plymouth
William Wyles is a "Pilot" (an expert in the guidance and sailing of ships) who has successfully infiltrated the Spanish and Irish enemies of the State of Queen Elizabeth 1st. After successfully doing this - he appears to have extracted himself by "getting caught" by the English - where he identified himself as a "spy" serving the Crown. With William Wyles is a man only referred to as "Drake" - possibly a descendent of the famous Sir Francis Drake - but this is a speculation. Finally, our family name is spelt both as "Wiles" and "Wyles" in two related letters discussing the same person. Written English was not standardised at this time - William Shakespeare was still alive. ACW (15.8.2025)
1) John Trelawny - Mayor of Plymouth (and his brethren) - to Sir Robert Cecil
2) Jonathon Trelawny to John Trelawny (Mayor of Plymouth) or in his absence to his deputy - or Mr. George Barons - Plymouth
William Wyles is a "Pilot" (an expert in the guidance and sailing of ships) who has successfully infiltrated the Spanish and Irish enemies of the State of Queen Elizabeth 1st. After successfully doing this - he appears to have extracted himself by "getting caught" by the English - where he identified himself as a "spy" serving the Crown. With William Wyles is a man only referred to as "Drake" - possibly a descendent of the famous Sir Francis Drake - but this is a speculation. Finally, our family name is spelt both as "Wiles" and "Wyles" in two related letters discussing the same person. Written English was not standardised at this time - William Shakespeare was still alive. ACW (15.8.2025)
Cecil Papers: September 1598, 1-15 - Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 8, 1598. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1899.
'Cecil Papers: September 1598, 1-15', in Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House: Volume 8, 1598, ed. RA Roberts (London, 1899), British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-cecil-papers/vol8/pp325-348[accessed August 15, 2025].
1598, Sept. 10. John Trelawny, Mayor of Plymouth, and his brethren to Sir Robert Cecil.
There came this day out of Cornwall one Drake, that lately took at the seas one Willes an Englishman, who can reveal matters of great importance touching the State; the effect whereof in part if not in all appears in the included. Drake and Willes are being sent by ordinary post.—Plymouth, 10th September, 1598.
Holograph. 1 p. (64. 10.)
There came this day out of Cornwall one Drake, that lately took at the seas one Willes an Englishman, who can reveal matters of great importance touching the State; the effect whereof in part if not in all appears in the included. Drake and Willes are being sent by ordinary post.—Plymouth, 10th September, 1598.
Holograph. 1 p. (64. 10.)
The Enclosure:--
1598, Sept. 9.—Jona. Trelawny to John Trelawny, Mayor of Plymouth, or in his absence to his deputy, or Mr. George Barons, Plymouth.
This bearer Mr. Drake hath brought into the harbor of Foy one William Wyles, who for two voyages hath been a pilot for the Spaniard upon these costs. He came from the Groyne about 10 days since, and on Tuesday last, eight leagues from the Lizard, he took a man-of-war of one Scobbles of Plymouth. The next day after himself was taken. He confesseth that being at the Groyne he had conference with one Father Patrick and various other Irish gentlemen: and that a kinsman of the Earl of Tyrone hath been with the King of Spain, of whom he hath obtained 6 galleons, certain Flemish ships and “pattachaes,” where there shall be transported for the north part of Ireland 3,000 old soldiers of the garrisons of Calais, Bluett, and others, whereof there was spoiled at the Groyne, before this examining's coming from there, eight companies, and the ships were graven and rigging. He saith that there it was reported that there were 46 ships of war already gone to the Islands for the intercepting of the Earl of Cumberland. He hath been examined by myself and cousin Treffry, and we have felt it up to the Lords with this bearer and Wyles himself. We pray you to provide them a post warrant for three horses to London. I pray you advertise what intelligence you received by the Spanish man of war that was brought into your town. I pray you take care for the safe and speedy sending of this my letter unto Sir Henry Killigrew, and for this gentleman's commission. I pray you to be very careful to procure it from Sir Ferdinando Gorges, if yourself do it not.—Hall, 9th September, 1598.
Signed. 1 p. (64. 9.)
1598, Sept. 9.—Jona. Trelawny to John Trelawny, Mayor of Plymouth, or in his absence to his deputy, or Mr. George Barons, Plymouth.
This bearer Mr. Drake hath brought into the harbor of Foy one William Wyles, who for two voyages hath been a pilot for the Spaniard upon these costs. He came from the Groyne about 10 days since, and on Tuesday last, eight leagues from the Lizard, he took a man-of-war of one Scobbles of Plymouth. The next day after himself was taken. He confesseth that being at the Groyne he had conference with one Father Patrick and various other Irish gentlemen: and that a kinsman of the Earl of Tyrone hath been with the King of Spain, of whom he hath obtained 6 galleons, certain Flemish ships and “pattachaes,” where there shall be transported for the north part of Ireland 3,000 old soldiers of the garrisons of Calais, Bluett, and others, whereof there was spoiled at the Groyne, before this examining's coming from there, eight companies, and the ships were graven and rigging. He saith that there it was reported that there were 46 ships of war already gone to the Islands for the intercepting of the Earl of Cumberland. He hath been examined by myself and cousin Treffry, and we have felt it up to the Lords with this bearer and Wyles himself. We pray you to provide them a post warrant for three horses to London. I pray you advertise what intelligence you received by the Spanish man of war that was brought into your town. I pray you take care for the safe and speedy sending of this my letter unto Sir Henry Killigrew, and for this gentleman's commission. I pray you to be very careful to procure it from Sir Ferdinando Gorges, if yourself do it not.—Hall, 9th September, 1598.
Signed. 1 p. (64. 9.)
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