78 THE CECILS
distributing money, clothing and food to those who were in need, both at Theobalds and in London. The amount of his regular charities was computed at 500 per annum, a very large sum in those days.
His property at the time of his death was less than was generally expected. " Of his private wealth there is but 11,000," says Chamberlain, 1 " of which 6000, and 800 or 900 land are left to his two nieces of Oxford. His lands seem less than we thought, as Mr. Secretary's share will bring but 1600 a year at most." His estates included manors in the counties of Northampton, Rutland, Lincoln, Essex, York, Herts, Middlesex and Kent. Of these the northern property, including Burghley, was left to Sir Thomas Cecil, with the exception of the manor and castle of Essendine in Rutland, which together with Theobalds and the remaining property in the home counties descended to Sir Robert.
1 Chamberlain to Carleton, August soth, 1598 (Cal. S. P. Dom.).
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