<B CMOFFIC3>
<Q M3 XX CORO HENRY5C>
<N LET TO BISHOP>
<A HENRY V>
<C M3>
<O 1350-1420>
<M 1350-1420>
<K SAME>
<D EMO>
<V PROSE>
<T LET NON-PRIV>
<G X>
<F X>
<W WRITTEN>
<X X>
<Y X>
<H X>
<U X>
<E DIST DOWN>
<J INTERACTIVE>
<I FORMAL>
<Z X>
<S SAMPLE X>


[^SAMPLE 1:

HENRY V.
TEXT:  LETTER(S).
AN ANTHOLOGY OF CHANCERY ENGLISH.
ED. J. H. FISHER, M. RICHARDSON
AND J. L. FISHER.
KNOXVILLE: THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE
PRESS, 1984. 
PP. 94.30  - 95.22  (24)      (HENRY5C) 
PP. 99.14  - 100.4  (32)
PP. 105.25 - 106.26 (43)
PP. 120.16 - 121.37 (69)
P.  122.1  - 122.18 (70) 

HENRY V.
TEXT:  LETTER(S).
A BOOK OF LONDON ENGLISH 1384-1425.
ED. R. W. CHAMBERS AND M. DAUNT. 
OXFORD: CLARENDON PRESS, 1967 (1931). 
PP. 71.1 - 72.40 (XI)         (HENRY5L)
PP. 82.1 - 83.35 (XXI)^]

[^SAMPLE 2:

TEXT:  LETTER(S), LONDON.
A BOOK OF LONDON ENGLISH 1384-1425.
ED. R. W. CHAMBERS AND M. DAUNT.
OXFORD: CLARENDON PRESS, 1967 (1931). 
PP. 68.1 - 70.55 (IX)         (LLETT)
PP. 72.1 - 73.29 (XII)
PP. 74.1 - 76.70 (XIV)
PP. 79.1 - 80.43 (XVIII)^]

[^IN THE EXTRACTS TAKEN FROM An Anthology of Chancery English 
ALL PARENTHESES ARE EDITORIAL, E.G. (...); EXPLANATORY COMMENTS
ARE ADDED WHEN GIVEN IN THE EDITION.^]
 
<S SAMPLE 1>
<P 94> 
[} [\24\] }]
[} [\1418 C81/1364/53 SIGNET OF HENRY V\] }]

   By the kyng:
   Worshipful fader yn god. ri+gt trusty and welbeloued. we     #
grete yow
wel / And for asmuche as we haue vnderstande by yowre lettre    #
wreten
in oure Cite of London +te iiij. day of May / how +tat +te      #
bisshop of
saint Dauid ha+t founden seurte in oure Chancellerie / +tat he  #
shal
<P 95>
neuer vexe ne inquiete +texecutours of +te testament of his     #
last
predecessour / +tat was our Confessour +te whiche god assoille  #
/ but for
asmuche as +te said bisshop of saint Dauid ha+t (not) [\THE     #
WORD IN PARENTHESES A SUPERIOR INSERT\] brawt into
oure said Chancellerie +te bulles of his translacion dirett     #
vnto vs / +tat
+tees bulles +ter seen he mighte make certein renunciacion in   #
suche
cas accustumed in conseruacion of oure Regalie / +te            #
deliuerance of his
temporaltees as yit been deferret. wherfore we sende yow by     #
+te berer
of +tis +te said bulle / and wol +tat +te said bisshop haue     #
lyueree of
his temporaltees / and do his fewte / as hit ha+d been vsed     #
duely in suche
cas afore +tis tyme. and god haue yow in his kepyng /           #
ffer+termore
/ for asmuche as we haue granted to oure clerc Robert           #
Shiryngton +te
prebende whiche sir Laurence haukyn +tat is god betaght hadde
now late in oure Chirche of Chichestre. we wol +tat ye do make
vnto +te said Robert oure lettres patentes vnder oure grete     #
seel beyng
in yowre warde in due forme. Considering +tat he lost by oure   #
comandement.
a no+ter prebende in +te same chirche / to +te vse of oure      #
trusty
and welbeloued clerc maistre henry ware / keper of oure priue   #
seel
and eslit of oure chirche abouesaid / yeuen vnder oure signet   #
in oure
Castel of Caen +te xv day of May abouesaid: Also we do yow to
witte +tat we haue granted vnto oure welbeloued clerc William   #
Toly
+te pension of +te abbot of Bataille. wher vpon we wol +tat     #
oure said
clerc haue suche lettres vnder oure grete (seel) [\THE WORD IN  #
PARENTHESES A SUPERIOR INSERT\] as +te cas aske+t

<P 99>
[} [\32\] }]
[} [\1418 C81/1364/61 SIGNET OF HENRY V\] }]

   By +te kyng:
   Worshipf(ul) [\THE LETTERS IN PARENTHESES TORN\] fader in    #
god Ryht trusty and welbeloued we grete yow
wel And sende you closed wi+tinne +tees lettres. a copie of     #
certaine
lettres sent vnto vs from oure Bro+ter +te Duc of Bretaigne.    #
for to haue
Restitucion of certaine goodes of Hamon Martyn breton and       #
o+tere
of his sougittes of Bretaigne specified in +te same lettres     #
whiche shulde
haue be taken vpon +te See by certaine of our sougettes. of     #
Cornewaille.
as ye may se moore cleerly by +te saide copie. +te whiche.      #
seen and
vnderstanden and hauynge ful knowleche whe+ter +te sugestion    #
comprehended
in +te same lettres be trewe. we wol and charge you. +tat
ye se and ordeyne +tat hasty resticion of +te forsaide goodes   #
be
maad and +tat ye do compelle our saide sougettes to make        #
restitucion
abouesaid in obseruynge duely for our partie +te trewes taken   #
betwix
vs and our said Bro+ter of Bretaigne / . And knowe+d wel +tat   #
our
wil and desire is +tat +te saide trieues be kept as Iustly for  #
oure partie.
as we wolde +tat +tey wer kept towardes vs for his partie. and
in suche wyse +tat nouther he ne his saide sougettes haue no    #
cause raisounable
to compleyne vnto vs her after for +tis cause ne for non
o+ter semblable for defaute of Ryght as we haue write to our    #
Ryht trusty
and welbeloued bro+ter of Bedeford by oure o+tere lettres. And
also in wyse as we wol +tat restitucion be maad of +te          #
forsaide goodes.
yn lychwyse / we wol +tat deliuerance of +te Barge and persones
specified in +te saide copie be maad wi+d +te saide goodes. so  #
+tat
<P 100>
no defaute be founde on our partie. And we wol +tat ye do +tis  #
+tyng
by +tauys of our said bro+ter. to whom we write semblablely at  #
+tis
tyme for +te same matire. Yeven vnder our signet in our hoost   #
afore
Louiers +te viij. day of Iuyn.

<P 105>
[} [\43\] }]
[} [\1418 COTTON GALBA B.I. FOL.164 SIGNET OF HENRY V\] }]

   By +te kyng
   Right worshipful and worshipful faders yn god / right        #
trusty and
welbeloued / We grete yow wel / And wol ye wite / +tat          #
+tambassiatours
of oure bro+tir +te Duc of Baire / bringers of +tis / haue      #
been here
wi+d vs / and doon +teire ambassiat in suche wyse . as we       #
halde vs
wel apaide / And among o+tir +tinges declared vnto vs / +tei    #
haue desired
to knowe / how it standeth bitwix vs / and +te princes of       #
Duchelond
and in what wise +tei gouerne hem towardes vs / and in especial #
how
Duc Iohan of Baire sumtyme Elit of Lieges gouerne+t him anenst  #
vs
<P 106>
/ for as +tei sey / +tereafter wol oure bro+tir of Baire        #
gouerne him
/ to +te same Iohan / And for asmuche as ye knowe better        #
+tanne we
doo / how +te said Duc Iohan gouerne+t him towardes vs / and    #
oure
Rewme of Englande / and oure suggettes. we remitte hem to haue
ful declaracion and verrai knaweleche of you in +tat matere.    #
Wherefore
we wol +tat ye comune wi+t +taim of +tis matere / latyng hem    #
haue
knoweleche +terof / and how yow +tenke +tat oure brothir of     #
Baiere shulde
gouerne him anenst +te same Duc Iohan / for ye mowe trustely
anogh comun wi+t +taim of suche materes / as vs +tenke+t by     #
+te gouernance
+tat +tei haue shewed to vs / Moreouer +tei haue desired of vs  #
/
to be counseilled be what weye / +tai might best and most       #
seurly
Retourne hoom ayen into +taire cuntre / owt of oure Rewme of
Englande. Consideryng +tat +te trewes whiche were bitwix vs /   #
and +te
Duc of Bourgoine. expired at Mighelmasse last passed / wherfore
In asmuche as ye knowe better +tanne we / how +tai of           #
fflandres and
also of hollande gouerne +taim towardes vs / and oure           #
soubgettes.
we desiryng in al wise +te sauf Retournyng hoom of +te said     #
Ambassiatours 
/ wol +tat ye counseille and aduise hem in +te best wyse
+tat ye can for +te seurete of +taire Retournyng / And whiles   #
+tai
tarie yn oure land / we wol +tat +tere be shewed vnto hem / al  #
+te fee
fauor and chere / +tat may be doon yn goodly wyse. And also     #
+tat
ye oure Chanceller doo make vnto +taim / soufficeant writtes    #
of passage.
In suche wyse as +tai may haue redy passage owt of oure land /
from what port +tai come too / vnto what port +tayme is Leuest  #
to
drawe to by yowre aduis / And almighty god haue yow in his      #
kepyng.
yeven vnder oure signet in oure hoost afore Roan the xxj day    #
of Octobre

<P 120>
[} [\69\] }]
[} [\1419 COTTON VESP. F.I. FOL. 104 SIGNET OF HENRY V\] }]

   Worshipful fader in god oure right trusty and welbeloued.    #
We grete
yow wel / And wol ye wete / yat we haue Receiued youre lettres
whiche ye sent vs last by hugh of oure chambre / by whiche we   #
conceive 
/ yat among other yinges whiche ye write vn to vs of / ye       #
desire
to knawe oure entent touchyng ye trewes taken vn to Alhalwen    #
tyde
betwix vs and flaundres / of whiche trewes writtes of           #
proclamacion
been passed vnder oure grete seel. whervpon we wol ye wete /    #
yat we
hald vs agreed of ye proclamacion / after as in ye writtes be   #
contened 
/ And in cas yat yay of flaundres wol here after desire         #
prorogacion
of ye said trewes / we wolde yay were halden in hand wiy tretee
/ vn to ye tyme ye haue certiffied vs yerof / and knowe oure    #
entent
ayeinward / And of o thing we wold ye were wel aduised / yat in
any trewes takyng (with hem) [\THE WORDS IN PARENTHESES         #
SUPERIOR INSERT\] hereafter yere were put yn / alle oure
suggettes as wel of oure duchie of Normandie / and of oure      #
other
lordshippes / as of oure Reaume of Englond
   And as touchyng ye tretee wiy yembassiatours of Gene / of    #
whiche
ye haye send vs a cedule / sent vn to yowe be Escourt / In      #
whiche cedule
the merchantes of oure Reaume of England asken after ye         #
vttermast
estimacion of yayre godes yat were taken be ye Ianeuoys .x      #
ml.li.
And ye same Ianevoys maken estimacion of ye same goodes at vii.
<P 121>
ml. Cxxiiij. li. wolnyng for to stand in oure goode grace et
beniuolence paye wiy oute any excepcion / iiij. ml. li. at      #
Resonable
termes / oure subgettes and oure merchandes of oure land hauyng
hereaftre fre commyng and goyng to Gene / as yay of Gene        #
desire to
haue in to oure Reaume of England / witteth yat consideryng ye
vnese yat ye merque of hem of Gene haay / doon: as wel in       #
strengthyng
of oure ennemys / as in hindryng of ye cours of marchandise     #
betwix
oure Reaume and yaym / and tourneth to noon neer ende for hom
yat han ye merque. yan hit did / at bygynnyng / vs yenkey and
we wold / yat such somme as yay profer were accepted / yf no    #
gretter
myght be haad in short tyme / wiy ye condicion yat we           #
vnderstond
/ yay profre / yat is / yat oure sugettes of Englond etcetera:  #
may be
fre in alle yaire portes (to which we wold were put yat oure    #
subgit+g
shuld be free in alle yaire portes) [\THE WORDS IN PARENTHESES  #
SUPERIOR INSERT\] as wel as to passe by hem to what
other portes yaim lust by waye of marchandise / if this myght   #
be
haad. And alle this we committe to yow and to ye Remenant of    #
oure
counseil to be wroght after youre discrecions and comun aduis /
for as (of) [\THE WORD IN PARENTHESES A SUPERIOR INSERT\] ye    #
somme al ying considered / we halde hit Resounable o
lasse yenne more may be geten / wiy oute taryeng of yaccord /   #
And
if yis matere myght be concluded in oure Reaume of England      #
before
yow / hit were oure entent / And ellis if yat may not bee / we  #
wol
wel yat yeende be maade at Calais wyt a goode Instruccion And   #
yat
it be seyn / yat yay be wel bounden / not to [\THE WORD holde   #
CANCELLED\] (helpe) [\THE WORD IN PARENTHESES A SUPERIOR        #
INSERT\] nor
suffre non of yaires to helpe noon of oure ennemys ayeines vs   #
ner noon
of oures / nouther be land ner water / And yat in ye best wise  #
yat
may be haade.
   Also as touchyng yat now late ye saide Ambassiatours of      #
Gene haue
writen vn to oure Ambassiatours sharpely / yat [\THE WORD Awe   #
CANCELLED\] (al be) [\THE WORDS IN PARENTHESES SUPERIOR         #
INSERT\] hit
/ yat yaire vessell and marchandes haan been late taken be      #
oure suggettes
/ ye tretee of pees so nigh concluded / neuer ye later yay wol
a byde an answar after as was accorded whiche haad from vs /
yay wol send to Gene / Not wolnyng other wise yanne as before   #
trete
ner conclude / but yf yay haue other in commandement from yaire
souueraines / The answar may be wel maad yat til yai be ful     #
thorogh
wiy vs / yat yay shal no thyng haue but werre / And yerfor      #
desire 
of hem to make ye sonner ende / for in oure partie / and yay    #
wol be
Resounable hit shal not halde / but yat good Rest and           #
frensship shal be

<Q M3 XX CORO HENRY5C>
<N LET TO ->
<A HENRY V>
<C M3>
<O 1350-1420>
<M 1350-1420>
<K SAME>
<D EMO>
<V PROSE>
<T LET NON-PRIV>
<G X>
<F X>
<W WRITTEN>
<X MALE>
<Y 20-40>
<H HIGH>
<U X>
<E DIST DOWN>
<J INTERACTIVE>
<I FORMAL>
<Z X>

<P 122>
[} [\70\] }]
[} [\1419(?) COTTON VESP. F.III. FOL.8.
AUTOGRAPH DRAFT BY HENRY V?\] }]

   Furthremore I wole that ye comend with my brothre with the
chanceller with my cosin of northhumbrelond and my cosin of
Westme(r)land [\THE LETTER IN PARENTHESES TORN\] and that ye    #
set a gode ordinance for my north marches
and specialy for the Duc of (O)rlians. [\THE LETTER IN          #
PARENTHESES TORN\] and for alle the remanant
of my prisoners of France. and also for the king of Scotelond.
for as I am secrely enfourmed by a man of ryght notable estate  #
in
this lond that there hath ben a man of the Ducs of Orliance in  #
scotland
and accorded with the Duc of albany. that this next somer he    #
shal
bryng in the maumet of Scotland to sturre what he may. and      #
also that
ther schold be founden weys to the havyng awey specialy of the  #
Duc
of Orlians. and also of the king as welle as of the remanant    #
of my
forsayd prysoners that god do defende. wherfore I wolle that    #
the Duc
of Orliance be kept st(i)lle [\THE LETTER IN PARENTHESES TORN\] #
withyn the castil of pontfret with owte
goyng to robertis place or to any othre disport. for it is      #
bettre he lak
his dispor(t) [\THE LETTER IN PARENTHESES TORN\] (t)hen [\THE   #
LETTER IN PARENTHESES TORN\] we were disceyued. of alle the     #
remanant dothe
as ye thenketh 

<Q M3 XX CORO HENRY5L>
<N LET TO MAYOR>
<A HENRY V>
<C M3>
<O 1350-1420>
<M 1350-1420>
<K SAME>
<D EML>
<V PROSE>
<T LET NON-PRIV>
<G X>
<F X>
<W WRITTEN>
<X X>
<Y X>
<H X>
<U X>
<E DIST DOWN>
<J INTERACTIVE>
<I FORMAL>
<Z X>

<P 71>
[}XI}] 
[} (\LITTERA DOMINI REGIS MISSA MAIORI & ALDERMANNIS
CIUITATIS LONDONIE.\) }]
[} [\DATE: 1418.\] }]
  
By the kyng.
 
   Trysty and welbeloued, we grete you well, and do you to
vnderstonde +tat we been in good prosperite of oure persone,    #
and
so ben al +tastates of our hoost, blessed be god, which graunt  #
you
so to be, And as touching oure gouernaunce and tithing si+t our
last departyng fro Caen, we com afore our Toun of Louiers &
wan it by assiege, to +te which place com to vs +te cardinal of
Vrsin fro our holy fader +te pope, fro to trete for +te good of
pees Betwix bo+te Reaumes, and is goon ayein to paris fro to
diligence +tere in +tis same mater, but what ende it shal       #
drawe to
we wote noght as yet. And aftur +tat we hadde wonne our sayd
toun of Louiers, we cam afore pount-de-larche, and bisieged it
on +tat oon syde of +te riuer of seyne, and vpon munday +te     #
iiij
day of +te mone+t of Juill we gate vpon our enemys +te passage
ouer the sayd riuer, and god of his mercy shewed so for vs and
for our right that it was withouten +te de+t of any mannes      #
persone
of oures, albehit that our enemys, with grete power, assembled
nigh the same riuer, for to haue let and defended vs the same
passage. And than we leyd our men afore the castell, and after
that they withine the garnison sent to vs for to deliuer vnto   #
vs the
town, and the sayd Castell of pount-de-Larch, the xx day of the
sayd moneth, Olesse +tan they were rescowed by +tat day, by
batall to be youen to vs by our aduersaire, other his sone, the
which thing we graunted, and toke +terupon hostage; and so ben
the sayd castell and Toun yolden and deliuered into our handes,
wherof, and of all our other good spede that our lord of his    #
mercy
<P 72>
shewe+t vnto vs, we thanke hym lowely with all our hert, as we
haue grete cause, and so haue ye and all our liege men.         #
Ferthermore
we sent a poursuant of oures to the Duc of Burgoyne, to
knowe whether he wolde kepe trewes taken bitwix vs and hym
or no, and the same poursuaunt is comen ayein, and hath fully
enfourmed vs the sayd duke casteth hym to yeue vs the bataill,
and so we holde hym our ful enemy, and he is now at Parys. Of
the deth of the erle of Armeignak, and of the slaghter that     #
ha+t
ben at Parys, we halde no nede to write to you, for we trowe ye
haue full knowlach +terof. And god haue you in his kepyng.
Youen vnder our signet, at our sayd Toun of Pount-de Larch,
the xxj day of Juill.
   To our right and welbeloued +te mair, Shereues, Aldermen
and good Comuners of our Cite of London.

<P 82>
[}XXI}]
[}A LETTRE FRO +TE KYNG TO +TE MAIR, ALDREMEN
AND COMUNES.}]
[} [\DATE: 1419.\] }]

   By the Kyng - Trusty and wel-beloued, We grete you well
And we thanke you wi+t al our hert of +te good wil and seruice
+tat we haue alweys founde in you hedertoward, And              #
sp[{ec{]iallich
of your kynde and notable profre of an ayde, +te which ye han
graunted vnto vs of your owne good mocion, as our bro+ter of
Bedford and our Chanceller of England haue writen vnto vs,
yeuing +terinne good ensaumple yn diuerce to al +te remanant
of our sugitz in our lande, And soo we pray you, as our trust   #
is
ye wol, for to continue. And as to +te said ayde, +te which ye
haue concluded to do vnto vs now at +tis tyme, we pray you
specially +tat we mow haue it at such tyme and in such wyse as
our b[{r{]o+ter of Bedford shal moor pleinly declare vnto you   #
on
our behalue, Lating you fully wete +tat we haue writen to al    #
our
frendes and allies +torwe Cristendom, for to haue socours and   #
help
of hem, ayeins +te same tyme +tat our sayd bro+ter shal declare
you, the which, when +tey here of +tarme and +tarray +tat ye
and other of our subgitz make at home yn help of ys, shal
<P 83>
yeue hem gret corage to hast +tair comyng vnto vs moche +te
rather and nat faille, as we trust fully. Wherfor we pray you
herteley +tat ye wolde do touching +te forsayd ayde as our sayd
bro+ter shal declare vnto you on our behalue, Considering +tat
so necessarie ne so acceptable a seruice as ye may do, a[{n{]d  #
wol
do as we trust vnto you at +tis tyme, ye ne might neuer haue    #
don
vnto vs seth our werres in Fraunce be-gan. For we truste fully
to goddes might and his mercy, wi+t good help of you and of our
land, to haue a good ende of our sayd werre in short tyme, and
for to come home vnto you to gret comfort and singuler Joye of
our hert, as god knowe+t, +te which he graunte vs to his        #
plesaunce,
And haue you euer in is kepinge. Yeuen vnder our signet, yn
our Toun of Pontoise, +te xvij day of August.
   And wete+t +tat +te forsayd xvij day of August departed      #
from vs
at Pountoyse our lettres to you, direct in +tis same tenur.     #
And by
cause it is sayd +te berer of hem is by our enemys taken in to
Crotey, we renouelle hem here at Trye +te Castell, +te xij=e=   #
day of
Septembre.                         T. Tibbay. 

<S SAMPLE 2>

<Q M3 XX CORO LLETT>
<N LET TO KING>
<A X>
<C M3>
<O 1350-1420>
<M 1350-1420>
<K SAME>
<D EML>
<V PROSE>
<T LET NON-PRIV>
<G X>
<F X>
<W WRITTEN>
<X X>
<Y X>
<H X>
<U X>
<E DIST UP>
<J INTERACTIVE>
<I FORMAL>
<Z X>

<P 68>
[}IX}]
[} (\LITTERA ANGLICANA REGI DIRECTA PER MAIOREM & 
ALDREMANNOS &C.\) }]
[} [\DATE: 1417.\] }] 

   Of Alle erthely Princes Our most dred souereigne liege Lord
and noblest Kyng, we, youre simple Officers, Mair and Aldermen
of youre trewe Citee of London, with exhibicion of alle maner
subiectif reuerence and seruisable lowenesse that may be hadde
in dede, or in Mynde conceyued, recommende vs vnto your most
noble and hye Magnificence and excellent Power, bisechyng the
heuenly kyng of his noble grace and Pitee that he so wold
illumine and extende vpon the trone of your kyngly mageste
the radyouse bemys of hys bounteuous grace, that the begunnen
spede, by hys benigne suffraunce and help yn your Chiualiruse
persoune fixed and affermed, mowe so be continued forth, and
determined so to his plesaunce, your worship, and alle your
<P 69>
reumys proffyt, that we and alle your other lieges to the       #
desired
presence of your most noble and graciouse persone, fro which
grete distance of place long tyme hath priued vs, the sonner
myght approche and visuelly perceyue, to singuler confort and
special Joye of vs alle; Makyng protestacion, our most dred
soueraigne liege lord, and noblest kyng, that be this feruent
desire wiche we han to the bodyly sight of your most excellent
and noble persone, our entente is noght to move you fro no
thing of your hye worship, ne to no thyng that myght be perill
to your lond, that ye haue put in obbeissaunce. Our most dred
soueraign liege lord & noblest kynge, for-as-moche as we trust
verryly that the kyngly desyre of your inspired excellence
deliteth to here of the welfare of your forsayd Cite, which     #
your
noble and soueraign grace with innuberable prerogatifs &
liberalle Fraunchises hath euer visited and endowed, Like it    #
vn-to
your kyngly mageste to vnderstonde that euer syn the tyme of
your last departyng it hath stonde, yit doth, and euer shal,    #
by the
help of oure Lord almighty, in as gret pees and tranquillite    #
as
euer ded Cite in absence of his most soueraign and excellent    #
lord.
And for-as-moch, most dred souerein liege lord and noblest      #
kyng,
as the hertly desire of your forsayd Cite ys, as who seith,     #
with an
heuenly drynk and infusion so oftetymes gladed and refresshid
as it hereth the soueraign helth and prosperite of your most
graciouse & noble persoune; Therfor we, mekely bowyng our
hertes to-for the clernesse of your kyngly mageste, biseche     #
your
high excellence and excellent highnesse that it lyke, of the    #
roted
gentillesse and gronded grace in your nobley, so to visyte vs   #
in
assertenyng of your souueragn helth and prosperite, as it is    #
seyd
before, that we, in defaute of such visitacion, languisse not   #
as men
from so hie a grace sequestred and exiled. Our most dred
soueraign liege lord and noblest kyng, we, your symple          #
officers,
specially beseche vnto alle the holy company of heuenly         #
knyghthode,
assembled in the hie blisse wher-as is eternal ioye and non
euynesse, so be-shyne the noble knyghthode in your cronicable
excellence aporeued, that ye mowe in this world vpon vs and     #
alle
<P 70>
your other lieges with report of wordly victory longe regne and
endure; and after, whan your graciouse erthely persoune from
your inward spirit ys dessolued, that ye mowe be brought tofor
the throne of the hye kynge, and ther with heuenly Ierarchies   #
in
eternel glorie perpetuelly duelle and abyde. Wryten at your
forsayd Cite of london, the xx=e= day of Decembre. Your humble
lieges and simple Officers, Richard Merlawe, Mair, and Aldermen
of your Cite of London.

<P 72>
[}XII}]
[} (\RESPONCIO EIUSDEM LITTERE.\) }]
[} [\DATE: 1418.\] }] 

   Of alle erthely Princes our most dred soueraign Liege lord   #
and
noblest kynge, we recomaunde vs vnto your soueraign highnesse
and riall power, in as meke wyse and lowely maner as any symple
officers and pouuere lieges best may or can ymagine and diuise
vnto her most graciouse and most soueraign kyng, Thankyng
with all our soules your most soueraign excellence and noble
grace of +te right gentell, right graciouse, and right          #
confortable
lettres, which ye late liked to send vs fro your toun of        #
pount-de-larche,
which lettres wi+t al lowenesse and reuerence we haue
mekly resceyued, and vnderstonde bi which lettres, amonges al
other blessed spede and graciouse tithinges in hem conteyned,   #
for
which we thanke hyly, and euer shulle, the lord almighty, ware
we most inwardly conforted and reioysed, whan we herde +te
soueraign helthe and parfit prosperite of your most excellent
<P 73>
and graciouse persoune, which we beseche god of hys grete
grace and noble pite euer to kepe and manteyne. And of the
astate of your Cite of London, yif it like your soueraign       #
highnesse
to here and vnderstonde, plese it your benigne grace to
conceyue that in pesibler degre, treta[{b{]ler gouernaunce, ne  #
Joyfuller
rest, as ferforth as absence of you +tat as our most soueraign
and excellent lord may suffre, was neuer erthly Cite ne toun,
y-blessed be god. Our most dred souueraign liege lord & noblest
kyng, we lowly besech +te kyng of kynges, whos reaume shal
endelesly Last, your blessed soule and noble body from either   #
of
ther enemys euermore to kepe and defend.

Writen at your sayd Cite of London the xij day of Augst.
The mair, shereues, Aldermen and all the comuners of your
cite London.
To the kyng our most dred and most soueraign Lorde.

<P 74>  
[}XIV}]
[} (\RESPONCIO LITTERE PRECEDENTIS.\) }]
[} [\DATE: 8 SEPT., 1418.\] }] 

   Our most dred most soueraign Lord and noblest kyng, to the
soueragn highnesse of your kyngly mageste with all maner of
lowenesse and reuerence mekly we recomende vs, Nat oonly as
we oughte and shulde, but as we best can and may, with alle our
hertes thankynge your soueraign excellence of your gracious
Lettres in makyng gladsom in vnderstondyng and passyng          #
confortable
in fauoring of our poure degrees, which ye liked late to
send vs from your hoost afore the Cite of Roan. In which
lettres, after declaracion of your most noble entent for the    #
refresshing 
of your hooste, ye recorde so highly the redinesse of
our wille and power at alle tymes to your plesaunce, and        #
thankyn
vs therof so hertely, that treuly, saue oonly our preier to hym
that al good quiteth, neuer was it, ne mighte it halfe be       #
deserued.
<P 75>
And aftur suing in your forsaid gracious lettres ye praye vs
eff[{e{]c[{t{]uelly to do enarme as mani smale vessels as we    #
may
with vitaille, and specially with drinke, for to come vp as     #
fer as
they may in to the riuer of seyne. And nat only this, but in    #
the 
conclusion of your soueraign lettres forsayd, ye fede vs so     #
bounteuesly
with behest shewyng of your good lordship to vs in tyme 
comyng, as ye haue euer don, that now and euer we shulle be the
joyfuller in this lyfe whan we remembre vs on so noble a grace.
O how may the simplesse of pouere lieges better or mor clerly
conceyue the graciouse loue and fauorable tendresse of the kyng
her soueraign lord, than to here how your most excellent &      #
noble
persone, more worthi to vs than alle wordly richesse or         #
plente, in
so thynne habondance of vitaill, homly disposed so graciously
and goodly declare and vttre vnto vs, that ar your liege men    #
and
subgitz, your plein luste and plesaunce, as it is in your sayd  #
noble
lettres worthily conteyned. Certein trewe liege man is +ter     #
non,
ne feithful subgit coude +ter non ne durste tarie or be         #
lachesse in
any wyse to the effectuell praier or comaundement of so         #
soueraign
and high a lord, which his noble body peineth and knightly
auentureth for the right and welfare of vs alle. Oure most      #
dred,
most soueraign Lord and noblest kyng, plese it your soueraign   #
hignesse
to vnderstonde how that your forsaid kyngly praier as most
strait charge and comaundemant we willyng in alle pointes obeye
and execute; anon fro +te resceit of your sayd gracious         #
lettres,
which was +te xix day of August nigh none, vnto +te makyng of   #
+tese
symple lettres, what in getyng and enarmyng of as many smale
vessels as we myght, doyng brewe bo+te ale and bere, purveing
wyne and o+ter vitaille for to charge with +te same vessels, we
haue don our besie diligence and cure, as god wot. In which
vessels, wi+toute gret plente of o+ter vitails +tat men of      #
your cite
london auenturen, for refresshing of your host, to +te costes
<P 76>
where your soueraign presence is Inne, We lowely send wi+t
gladdest wille vnto your soueraign excellence and kyngly        #
mageste
by Johan credy and John Combe, poure officers of your sayd      #
Cite,
bringers of thes Lettres, Tritty botes of swete wyne, that is   #
to seye
ten of Tyre, ten of Romeney, ten of Maluesay, and a Thousand
pipes of ale and bere, with Thuo Thousand and five hundred
coppes for your hoost to drinke of, which we besech your high
excellence and noble grace for our alder comfort and gladnesse
benignely to resceyue and accepte, nat hauyng reward to +te     #
litelhed
or smale value of the yifte it self, which is simple, but to    #
+te
good will and high desir +tat +te poure yeuers +terof han to    #
+te
good spede, worship, and welfare of your most soueraign and
excellent persone, Of which spede and welfare, and al your      #
o+ter
kyngly lustes and plesaunces, we desire highly be the sayd      #
berers
of thes lettres, or o+ter whom your soueraign highnesse shal    #
like,
fully to be lerned and enfourmed. Our moost dred, most
soueraign lord and noblest kyng, we lowely besech the kyng of
heuen, whos body refused nat for our sauacion wordly peyne
Gilteles to endure, +tat he your graciouse persone, which for   #
our
alder good and proffit so knythly laboure+t, litel or noght     #
chargyng
bodily ease, in al worship and Honure euermore to kepe and
preserue. Writen al grauesende, vnder +te seal of mayralte of
your sayd Cite London, on +te day of +te Natiuite of our Lady   #
the
Blisful mayde. 
To the kyng our most dred
and most soueraign Lord.

<P 79>
[}XVIII}]
[} (\RESPONSIO LITTERE PRECEDENTIS.\) }]
[} [\DATE: 6 SEPT., 1419.\] }] 

   Our most dred and most souueraign ertly lord, we recomande 
vs vnto +te souueraign excellence of your kyngly mageste in +te
most humble and lowely wyse +tat any pouere or simple lieges
can best imagine or deuise, lowely thankyng your souueraign
excellence and noble grace of +te right gracious and right      #
confortable
lettres, which ye liked late to sende vs fro your town of
Maunt, be Johan Palyng. The which lettres, with al maner of
honour and lowely reuerence, we haue mekly resceyued and
vnderstonde. And trewely, most dred and souueraign lord,        #
gladder
ne moor confortable tithinges might neuer haue come, nor in
better tyme, for to satisfie and refresshe +te feruent desir    #
of your
poure lieges, +tat haue loong thrusted aftur knowlech of your
prosperite, than were your sayd gracious lettres, the which     #
amongs
al o+ter special graces most Principalich for our hertly        #
confort
conteyned +te souueraign hel+t and parfit prosperite of your    #
most
souueraign and gracious persone. The which Crist of his         #
souueraign
mercy and noble pite plese alwey to kepe in al maner of
worship and Joye. Our most dred and most souueraign erthly lord
whan we remembre vs hough +tat your kyngly might and power,
grounded in the trewe pees of god, is so vertuosly soonded      #
wi+t +te
spirit of meknesse in deuout and continuel thankyng of god in
al his soondes, and trust of good prayers of your peple, as     #
your
sayd lettres make gracious mencion: Trewely we ar meued be
as gret consideracion and as resonable cause as euer were liege
men to pray, as we haue and shulle yef god will, for +te good   #
and
gracious spede of your most excellent and gracious persone, And
to thanke god lowely +tat euer he sent vs so gracious and so
<P 80>
vertuose a souueraign lord to regne and haue lordship vp-on vs.
Our most dred and most souueraign lord, yef it like your        #
souueraign
highnesse to here of +tastat of your Citee london, Plese it
your kyngly mageste to conceyue +tat in more quiet ne pesibler
rest, as ferforth as absence of you +tat ar our most gracious &
most souueraign lord may suffre, was neuer erthly Citee nor     #
place,
blessed be god. Our most dred and most souueraign lord, we
lowely beseche god the kyng of pees, whos grace excedeth +te
merit of hem +tat pray, +tat he vouche-sauf your kyngly mageste
stabilissh in al vertu, and euermore kepe your most excelent &
souueraign persone in al Joy & prosperite to his plesaunce.
Writen at your sayd Citee of london, vnder +te seal of Mairalte
+terof, +te vi=e= day of Septembre.

To the Kynge our most dred      your pouere and humble lieges
and most souueraign Lord.       +te Mair Shirefs Aldremen & 
                                Commons of your Citee London.  



