The condition of the military works at Gravesend and Tilbury, at the time when the Lord General made his reports concerning them, is illustrated by the following extracts from estimates, preserved in the State Paper Office. "The xxyth of August, 1588. An Estimate of the Charges of finishing the two Forts at Tilbery and Gravesend, with Provisions to be made for the same. "Borde to make the Wharfe, two Barge lodes, by " estimation Faggots for the upper part of the same, xx lodes at iiij. le lode . "Tall wood for piles, ten lodes att vjs. le lode 8. d. "Spikes, nayles, henges and two gudgeons of iron and a chayne and locks for the drawbridge and gates, coste lxxx ix . "Two Barges to be hired for xv days at vjs. the day le pece "Six Tombrells to be hired for xv days at iijs. iiijd. per diem le pece "Three hundred laborers for xv days at viiid. per diem le pece. "Fees of Officers for xv days "Carpenters six for xv days at xiiijd. per diem le pece "Sum totall ccxlvij'. viij. iiijd." "An Estimate for repayering the Platform of the one part of the Blockhouse at Gravesend, being utterly decayed and taken down.t *Endorsed ❝ 25 Auguste 1588. An Estimate for mony for finishing the Forts at Gravesend and Tilbury in Essex"-in the hand writing of Cecil Lord Burleigh. s. d. 247 8 4 + Endorsed thus in the hand writing of Lord Burleigh.' li C "25 Aug. 88. An Estimate of repayring a Platforme at the Blockhouse at Gravesend. Frederick Genebelli and Thomas Bedwell." 18 8 4 265 16 8 "Long 36 "Broad 27 "Plankes of two inches dim thick, ten li s. d. hundred fote at xiis. le C vi "3tio Octobris, 1588.* "A note of nedeful workes done and to be done at the Fortes of Gravesend and West Tilburie, not remembred in the Estimate. Making the vtter Fossett and raysinge both the Counterscarpes. Done. Deale Bordes for the Gates, not remembred. Makinge two Watch howses of deale bordes and coueringe over with Tile. The Carpenters' worke of the Pallisado. Sawyers work of the Drawbridge and Gates. Beere receiued of the Victualer yt wilbe lost. Charges of grauell for the same. Carriadges of timber and other provision from London, and chardges in providinge the same provision in the countrie not remembred. Transportation for men and other necessaries by ye Ferrye. The increase of wages necessarilie given by reason of the watry Colde and Fowlenes of the worke. Also there is to be allowed to Thomas Bedwell for his charges, makinge provisions at London and coming to Gravesend weekelie to see the paymentes, which we supposed to be your honors meaning, thoughe it seemed not so intended by the L. Generall, and therefore not remembred in our Estimate." "Summa lxxvli. iijs. iiijd.” It will be seen, that the dates of these estimates are posterior to the defeat of the Armada, and that they relate to the completion of the works, which were commenced much earlier. It has already been stated, that the bridge of boats, said to have been "prescribed" by Genibelli, was under consideration on the 17th of July, when the Lord Chamberlain (Lord Hunsdon) and the Vice-Chamberlain (Sir Christopher Hatton), with Sir John On the day of the date of this specification of works to be done, a letter signed by Fredirico Genibelli and Thomas Bedwell, was addressed to the Privy Council for the payment of arrears due to the pioneers (labourers) employed on the works at Gravesend. Norreys and Sir Thomas Layton, were ordered to Gravesend, to view the river, and to consider in what apt place it might be made defensible, to stop the enemy. Mr. Pett having attended the Lord General to Gravesend, on the 22nd day of that month, the works were probably proceeded with immediately; for 600 pioneers were expected to be at Gravesend about the 23rd of July, and on the 18th of August, a warrant was given for the payment of one hundred and fifty pounds towards the charges that had been incurred at Gravesend and Tilbury.* An account of arrears due to officers and workmen, shows that Genibelli was paid six shillings and eightpence per diem; and that there was due to him the sum of fifty-four shillings and fourpence, for eight days' service, commencing on the 18th day of August, but he may have been employed much earlier. Fortunately there is preserved, among the official papers relating to the military works at Gravesend and Tilbury, in the year 1588, a drawing, which (there can be no doubt), is the plan and section of the fort designed by Genibelli, and constructed at Tilbury; for it represents most accurately the position of the bulwark erected there by King Henry VIII., and the outworks correspond with the existing arrangements at the river side. This drawing has, (with the most courteous permission) been engraved for this work, and will be esteemed in the highest degree valuable, as a specimen of the art of the engineer. The Fort seems to have been completed for defence upon future occasions of alarm and danger, rather than in time for defence against the Spanish Armada. The visit of the Queen to the camp at Tilbury, is the most interesting incident in the local occurrences. Various accounts have been given of it, but after these have been consulted, many doubts have remained, that may be removed by referring to the following details, which are founded upon the authentic corres "Sondaye 18 of August 1588. At St. Jaymes. A Warrant to Mr. Vycechamberlain to paye unto Peter Pette, Matthew Baker, and Richard Chapman, or any of them, the some of one hundrethe and fiftye poundes by way of imprest, for chardges and expenses about the fortyfycations at Tylbery, and the Stokade at Gravesend, untyll theyr accompts may be examyned and considered of."-Council Registers. temp Eliz. vol. vii. fol. 260. Council Office. |