Analysis
This document is a pension petition dated 8 February 1636/37 from the Star Chamber, submitted on behalf of Thomas Babbe, a maimed soldier from Hertfordshire, England. It outlines his military service under Queen Elizabeth, his injuries, and his request for a pension. The document includes endorsements from high-ranking officials and references to legal provisions for pensions. Sadly, the court’s response has been lost to time. Given the case made, it seems likely that the request was granted. At least, we should hope it was. But we simply cannot know that with any level of certainty.
Formal Transcription (Latin & Early Modern English)
Thomas Babbe – a Maymed Souldier
Also to the authires of Board & Trear [Triar] for maimed souldiers in the County of Herford[shire].
Whereas an humble petition haty [hath] beene presented Ento [Unto] us by Thomas Babbe a poore maymed [maimed] souldier showing
that he was impressed [conscripted] out of that county in the Raigne of Queene Elizabeth of famous memory and
served then as a souldier in the Portugall voyage under Captain Brockett and later in the warrs in the low countries [Netherlands] under Captain Turner and
Captain Elsden, wherein he received divese wounds and Maymes which have now in his old age have disabled him to get his living.
And therefore humbly besought the Board to be recommended unto you for a pension to be allowed him, according to the Lawe, hereby
to prevent him from perishing. Forassmush as he have beene given to understand by Thomas Meutys, Esquire clerk of the Counsell and Mustermaster Generall
of England that the tonth of the Poore allegations hath beene made appeare until him by good and incredible certificate as belonging the best merritts
and well deserving in is said imploymite [?]. whe have therefore brought good hereby, to recommend him to ___ of periall care for such pension to be
allowed him as bye law is provided. And considering his age and imfirmities doe with the
Same should be as large as _____ to be ephended to warde day of the lyke considtion and as may be an incouraragement to of yours to doe theire king and countrie soverine hereafter. And god gr[ants].
signes vt ante s
At the Starr Chamber the 8th of February 1636/37
Present
Lord Archbishop of Canterbury
Lord Keeper (custodian of the Great Seal)
Lord Treasurer
Lord Privy Seal
Lord Chamberlain
Earl Marshall
Earl of Northumberland
Earl of Dorset
Earl of Salisbury
Lord Cottington
Lord Newbrough
Master Treasurer
Master Comptroller
Modern English Translation
Thomas Babbe – a Maimed Soldier
To the authorities of the Board and Treasurer for maimed soldiers in the County of Hertfordshire.
A humble petition has been presented to us by Thomas Babbe, a poor maimed soldier, stating that he was conscripted from that county during the reign of Queen Elizabeth of blessed memory and served as a soldier in the Portugal expedition under Captain Brockett, and later in the wars in the Netherlands under Captain Turner and Captain Elsden, during which he received various wounds and injuries that now, in his old age, prevent him from earning a living.
He therefore humbly requested the Board to recommend him for a pension to be granted according to the law, so as to prevent him from falling into destitution. He has been informed by Thomas Meutys, Esquire, Clerk of the Council and Mustermaster General of England, that the truth of his claims has been confirmed by credible certificates, showing his merit and deserving service. We therefore recommend him to your special care, that a pension be granted to him as provided by law. Considering his age and infirmities, the pension should be generous, to serve as an example and encouragement to others to serve their king and country faithfully. May God grant it.
Signed as above
At the Star Chamber, 8 February 1636/37
Present:
Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Keeper, Lord Treasurer, Lord Privy Seal, Lord Chamberlain, Earl Marshall, Earl of Northumberland, Earl of Dorset, Earl of Salisbury, Lord Cottington, Lord Newburough, Master Treasurer, Master Comptroller
Glossary of Terms
Impressed: Conscripted or forcibly enlisted into military service.
Maymed/Maimed: Injured or disabled, especially in a way that prevents working.
Voyage: Military expedition.
Low Countries: Historical term for the region now known as the Netherlands and Belgium.
Mustermaster: Official responsible for verifying military service and qualifications.
Board: Governing body responsible for pensions and military affairs.
Starr Chamber: A court of law at the royal palace, used for special cases.
Esquire: A title of respect for a man of higher social rank.
Certificate: A formal document confirming facts or qualifications.
Imploymite: Likely a scribal error for ’employment’ or ‘service’.
Report of People’s Names
Thomas Babbe – Testator, maimed soldier
Queen Elizabeth I – Monarch during Babbe’s military service
Captain Brockett – Military commander in Portugal
Captain Turner – Military commander in the Netherlands
Captain Elsden – Military commander in the Netherlands
Thomas Meutys – Clerk of the Council and Mustermaster General
Lord Archbishop of Canterbury – Present at the Star Chamber
Lord Keeper – Present at the Star Chamber
Lord Treasurer – Present at the Star Chamber
Lord Privy Seal – Present at the Star Chamber
Lord Chamberlain – Present at the Star Chamber
Earl Marshall – Present at the Star Chamber
Earl of Northumberland – Present at the Star Chamber
Earl of Dorset – Present at the Star Chamber
Earl of Salisbury – Present at the Star Chamber
Lord Cottington – Present at the Star Chamber
Lord Newbrough – Present at the Star Chamber
Master Treasurer – Present at the Star Chamber
Master Comptroller – Present at the Star Chamber
Report of Place Names
Hertfordshire – County in England where Babbe was conscripted; located north of London.
Portugal – Country in southwestern Europe; site of military expedition.
Netherlands – Country in northwestern Europe; referred to as the Low Countries.
England – Country of origin and jurisdiction of the petition.
Star Chamber – Royal court located at the Palace of Westminster, used for special cases.
Citation
At the Starr Chamber the 8th of February 1636/37
Pages 136-137. Letter to the justices of the peace and treasurer for maimed soldiers in… | The National Archives
The Tree
There isn’t enough information in this record to make an unequivocal connection to Thomas. But he would likely be one of two known Thomas’ in Hertfordshire at this time:
1. Thomas Babbe (born abt. 05 Feb 1569/70 in St Albans Parish at St Michael Church), whose last known presence in a record was also in St Albans in 1625/26. This Thomas married Katherine and had 7 children. He would have been about 68 at the time of this record. This Thomas was the son of John Babe who is the current Progenitor of the tree known as Hertfordshire Pedigree (St Albans 1569).
2. Thomas Babb (Born abt. 21 Sep 1574 in Berkhamsted), whose last known presence in the County was the birth of his youngest son Ephraim Babbe in 1622 in Berkhamsted. He married first to Katherine Thelwell in 1594 at Sandridge and together they bore two children. He married second Elisabethe Younge in 1608 at Berkhamsted) and together they bore 5 children. He would have been about 63 at the time of this record. This Thomas was the son of William Babb who is the current Progenitor of the tree known as Hertfordshire Pedigree (Berkhamsted 1546).
In case you are wondering, these two Thomas’ cannot be the same person. The record sets do not overlap in any way and are distinct.
How either of these men with such large families could be without support is a mystery. I must acknowledge that there is a possibility that this might be some other Thomas, but at this very early date in time, There are only these two known Thomas’ alive in the county. Any other would have to evaded detection for most of his life.