Description:The letters written by Sir Richard to his cousin and colleague Sir John include many intriguing accounts of military adventure whilst serving in the English Navy. These accounts relate to significant sea battles fought in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries.
In 1599-1600 Sir Richard sailed to Calais to confront a fleet of Spanish forces led by Frederico Spinola. Unbearable weather conditions forced Leveson and his battered ships to turn back to England. In a letter dated 12th January 1600 Sir Richard writes to Sir John:
‘In expectation of the Spaniardes I have kept the coast of Fraunce these 10 dayes past, and have suffered more fowle weather than (I thinke) any of the Quenes Shippes ever did in this place, more in deed than can be answered with good discretion’.
In another similar account he writes ‘I must tell you that when the first breach was made the Spaniards sailed out in the night very proudly beinge in number 800…but were beaten back loosinge at least 200 of ther best men’.
The letters also include Sir Richard’s personal feelings about his expeditions. He writes ‘such is the miserable nature of this place as to do the thinge which is expected and avoyde the censure of Idell fellowes that undertande littel, a man must some times undergo hassard settinge consideration apart’ Considering this, it is significant that Richard Wisker notes that Sir Richard received criticism for his actions in Calais.
Contextual information here taken from: Richard Wisker, ‘Leveson, Sir Richard (c.1570–1605)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/16538]