[^CORPUS OF EARLY ENGLISH CORRESPONDENCE SAMPLER CEECS (C) SOCIOLINGUISTICS AND LANGUAGE HISTORY PROJECT TEAM 1998 DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI^] [^ORIGINAL LETTERS, ILLUSTRATIVE OF ENGLISH HISTORY; INCLUDING NUMEROUS ROYAL LETTERS: FROM AUTOGRAPHS IN THE BRITISH MUSEUM, AND ONE OR TWO OTHER COLLECTIONS. VOL I. 2ND EDITION. ED. BY ELLIS, HENRY. LONDON: HARDING, TRIPHOOK, AND LEPARD. 1825.^]

[} [\LETTER II. ARCHBISHOP CHICHELE TO KING HENRY THE FIFTH.\] }] Sovereyn Lord, after moost humble recommendacion with hele bothe of body and of sowle, as zour selfe

and alle zour liege men desire, lyke zow to wyte that the first Soneday of Lenton the dwk of Excester zour huncle sent for me to the Frer Prechours, wer I fond with him zour preest and bedeman Thomas Fyshborn, and ther he tok to me zour Lettre wryten with zour owne hond in zour hoost be fore zour town of Faleys, be the wich I undirstood, as I have at alle tymes, blessud be Almyzty God, understonde, that a mong alle zour moost wordly occupacions that any Prince may have in herthe, ze desire principaly vertuous lyvyng and zour sowle heele; and for as myche as my brother of Seint David as was zour confessour is in his best tyme go to God, ze desire that I shold be the avys of zour uncle a forseyd send zou in his stede a gode man an a clerk of divinite to ocupie that offis til zour comyng into zour lond of ynglond. And whan I hadde red zour honurable letter zour uncle a forseyd seyd to me that he hadde comunyd with Sir Thomas Fyschborn a forseyd be zour comaundement of this same matier, and whow it semed to hym, if it lyked me, that Thomas Dyss a frer prechour, mayster of divinite of the scole of Caumbrygge, wer a good man and a sufficient ther to, and whow thei hadde comunid with him ther offe, and al so with frere John Tylle the provincial of the same Ordre ther offe; and considereng his good name and fame as wel in good

and honest lyvyng as in clergie, I assentyd in to the same persone, and so comuned with hym ther offe, and toold him owre comun avis; and he hath ziven his assent ther to and ordeyneth hym in alle hast to come to zour presence, so that I hop he schal be with zou at the same tyme that zour chapel schal come: and be the grace of God ze schol fynde hym a good man and a spirituel, and pleyn to zu with owte feyntese. Forthermore towchyng that ze desire to have licence to chese zou a confessor &c. I sende zu a letter ther offe a seelyd undir my seel, with sufficient power to do in that caas al that I myzt do my self in caas I wer my self in zour roial presence. Towchyng al odr things, I wol wel my lord your brother sendyth to zu pleynlych: and ther fore undir zour Grace it semeth to me no more to vexe zour Hygnesse with myche redyng: prayeng ever almyzty God suych speed to graunt zou on zour moest ryal Journe that may be to his plesaunce, and hasty perfourmeng of zour blessud entent, and pees to cristen pepul. Amen. Wryten at Lamhyth xvj day of Febr. zour preest and bedeman H.C.

[} [\LETTER III. ROBERT WATERTON TO KING HENRY THE FIFTH.\] }] Ryght excellent hegh and ryght myghty Prynce, and most dredde sovereyne Lorde I recomaunde me to zour heghnes als lowely as any symple trewe liege man and sugette kan best thynke or devyse, thankyng all myghty God of zour graciouse spede and right grete conquest wyth the prosperite of zour awne persone, my lorde of Clarence, my lorde of Exetre, and all my lordes beyng there in zour worshipfull servyce, wyth all the remenaunt of zour right worshipfull oste. Os I have conceyvid by zour right honorable lettres wrytin at zour Cytee of Rouen the xij. day of Marche, the whych I have receyvid ryght late syth Pask, wyth othir zour lettres undir zour Pryve Seale, chargyng me to assaye by all the menesse that I kan to exyte and stirre sych as been able gentilmen wythin the shyre and the contree

that I dwell in, to kome ovyr to zowe at zour Wage, armyd and arayde as langys to thaire astate, to do zowe servyce, and for to certifie als wele to zowe os to zour Counsell of thaire answere and thaire will, the whych zour hegh comaundement I have bygunne to labour apon and sall trewely forthe dayly wyth all my myght till I have perfourmd zour forsayde comaundement. And upon Wedynsdaye next sall zour Justice sitte at Zorke opon the deliverance of the Gaole there and a Cession of the Pees also, at which tyme I suppose to speke with many of the gentyls there, and als sone aftyr as I maye be answerd I sall certifie os zowe hase lykid to comaunde me, wyth all the haste possible. Ryght excellent, hegh, and ryght myghty Prynce and moste dredde sovereyne Lorde I beseche the blissid Trinite to spede zowe and kepe zowe, and all zour worshipfull oste, and sende zowe sone in to zour roialme of Inglande wyth a joyouse maryage and a gude pees for his mykill mercy. Writin at zour awne logge of Metheleye the xij daye of Aprill zour trewe liege man and subgitte Robt. Wat'ton.

[} [\LETTER V. EDWARD THE FOURTH WHEN EARL OF MARCHE, AND HIS BROTHER THE EARL OF RUTLAND, TO THEIR FATHER RICHARD DUKE OF YORK.\] }] Ryght hiegh and ryght myghty Prince, oure ful redouted and ryght noble lorde and ffadur, as lowely with all oure herts as we youre trewe and naturell sonnes can or may, we recomaunde us un to your noble grace, humbly besechyng your nobley & worthy ffaderhode daily to yeve us your hertely blessyng: thrugh whiche we trust muche the rather to encrees and growe to vertu, and to spede the bettur in all matiers and things that we schall use, occupie, and exercise. Ryght high and ryght myghty Prince, our ful redouted lorde and ffadur, we thanke our blessed Lorde not oonly of your honourable conduite and good spede in all your matiers and besynesse, and of your gracious preuaile ayenst thentent & malice of your evilwillers, but also of the knowelage that hit pleased your nobley to lete us nowe late have of the same by relacion of Syr Watier Deureux knyght, and John

Milewatier squier, and John at Nokes yemon of your honorable chambur. Also we thonke your noblesse and good ffadurhod of our grene gownes nowe late sende unto us to our grete comfort; beseching your good lordeschip to remembre our porteux, and that we myght have summe fyne bonetts sende un to us by the next seure messig', for necessite so requireth. Overe this, ryght noble lord and ffadur, please hit your highnesse to witte that we have charged your servant William Smyth berer of thees for to declare un to your nobley certayne things on our behalf, namely concernyng and touching the odieux reule and demenyng of Richard Crofte and of his brother. Wherefore we beseche your graciouse lordeschip and full noble ffadurhood to here him in exposicion of the same, and to his relacion to yeve ful feith and credence. Ryght hiegh and ryght myghty Prince, our ful redoubted and ryght noble lorde and ffadur, we beseche almyghty Jhu~ yeve yowe as good lyfe and long with asmuche contenual perfite prosperite as your princely hert con best desir. Writen at your Castill of Lodelowe on Setursday in the Astur Woke. Your humble sonnes E. Marche and E. Rutlonde.

[} [\LETTER VI. RICHARD DUKE OF YORK TO THE CITIZENS OF SHREWSBURY.\] }] Right worshipful friends, I recommend me unto you, and I suppose it is well known unto you, as well by experience as by common language said and reported throughout all Christendom, what laud, what worship, honour, and manhood was ascribed of all Nations unto the people of this Realm, whilst the Kingdom's Sovereign Lord stood possessed of his Lordship in the realm of France, and Dutchy of Normandy; and what derogation, loss of merchandize, lesion of honour, and villany, is said and reported generally unto the English nation, for loss of the same; namely unto the Duke of Somerset, when he had the commandance and charge thereof: the which loss hath caused and encouraged the King's enemies for to conquer and get Gascony and Gyanne, and now daily they make their advance for to lay siege unto Calais, and to other places in the Marches there, for to apply them to their obeisance, and so for to come into the land with great puissance; to the final destruction

thereof, if they might prevail, and to put the land in their subjection, which God defend. And on the other part it is to be supposed it is not unknown to you, how that, after my coming out of Ireland, I, as the King's true liege man, and servant, and ever shall be to my life's end, and for my true acquital, perceiving the inconvenience before rehearsed, advised his Royal Majesty of certain Articles concerning the weal and safeguard, as well of his most royal person, as the tranquillity and conservation of all this his realm: the which Advertisements, how be it that it was thought that they were full necessary, were laid apart, and to be of none effect, through the envy, malice, and untruth of the said Duke of Somerset; which for my truth, faith, and allegiance that I owe unto the King, and the good will and favour that I have to all the Realm, laboureth continually about the Kings Highness for my undoing, and to corrupt my blood, and to disherit me and my heirs, and such persons as be about me, without any desert or cause done or attempted on my part or theirs, I make our Lord Judge. Wherefore, worshipful Friends, to the intent that every man shall know my purpose, and desire for to declare me such as I am, I signify unto you that with the help and supportation of Almighty God, and of our Lady, and of all the Company of Heaven, I, after long sufferance and delays, not my will or intent to displease my sovereign Lord, seeing that the said

Duke ever prevaileth and ruleth about the King's person, that by this means the land is likely to be destroyed, am fully concluded to proceed in all haste against him, with the help of my kinsmen and friends; in such wise, that it shall prove to promote ease, peace, tranquillity, and safeguard of all this land: and more, keeping me within the bounds of my liegeance as it pertaineth to my duty, praying and exhorting you, to fortify, enforce, and assist me, and to come to me with all diligence, wheresoever I shall be, or draw, with as many goodly and likely men as ye may make to execute the intent abovesaid. Written under my signet at my Castle of Ludlow, the 3rd day of February. Furthermore I pray you, that such strait appointment and ordinance be made, that the people which shall come in your fellowship, or be sent unto me by your agreement, be demeaned in such wise, by the way, that they do no offence, nor robbery, nor oppression upon the people, in lesion of justice. Written as above, &c. Youre good Frend R. York. To my right worshipful Friends, the Bailiffs, Burgesses, and Commons of the good Town of Shroesbury.

[} [\LETTER X. KING HENRY THE VII=TH=. TO THE EARL OF ORMOND.\] }] By the King. Right trusty and right welbeloved Cousin we greete you wele, and have tidings that our Rebelles landed

the vth daye of this Moneth in our land of Irland. Wherfore, and forasmoche as we have sent for our derrest wif and for our derrest moder to come unto us, and that we wold have your advis and counsail also in soche matiers as we have to doo for the subduyng of our said Rebelles, we praie you that, yeving your due attendaunce uppon our said derrest wif and lady moder, ye come with thaym unto us; not failing herof as ye purpose to doo us plaisir. Yeven undre our Signett at our Castell of Kenelworth the xiij daye of Maye. To our right trustie and right welbeloved Cousin Th'erl of Ormond, Chamberlan to our derrest Wif the Quene.

[} [\LETTER XI. KING HENRY THE VII=TH=. TO SIR GILBERT TALBOT, KNIGHT.\] }] H. R. By the King. Trusty and welbeloved we grete you wele. And not forgeting the grete malice that the lady Margarete

of Burgoigne bereth contynuelly against us, as she shewed lately in sending hider of a fayned boye, surmising him to have been the son of the Duc of Clarence, and caused him to bee accompanyed with Th'erl of Lincoln, the Lord Lovel, and with a grete multitude of Irisshemen and of Almains, whoes end blessed bee God was as ye knowe wele. And forseing nowe the perseverance of the same her malice, by th'untrue contriving eftsones of an othr fayned lad called Perkin Warbek, born at Tournay in Picardy, which at his furst into Irland called himself the bastard son of king Richard; after that the son of the said Duc of Clarence; and now the secund son of our fadre King Edward the iiij=th=, whom God assoille; werethorough she entendeth by promising unto the Flemynges and othr of Th'archedukes obeissaunce, to whom she laboureth dailly to take her way, and, by hir promes to c'tain aliens Capitains of estrange nacions, to have Duchies, Counties, Baronies, and othr landes within this our Royaume to induce theim therby to lande her to the distruction and disinheritaunce of the noble men and other our subgiettes thinhabitantes of the same, and finally to the subversion of this our Royaume in cas she may atteigne to her malicious propos that God defende. We therfor, and to thentent that we may be alway purveied and in aredynes to resiste her malice, write unto you at this tyme; and wol and desire you that prepairing on

horsbak, defensibly arraied, four score personnes, wherof we desire you to make asmany speres with their custrelles and di. lances wele horsed as ye can furnisshe, and the remaynder to bee archers and billes, ye bee thoroughly appointed and redy to comme upon a day warnyng for to do us service of warre in this caas. And ye shalhave for every horsman wele and defensibly arrayed, that is to say for a spere and his custrel xij=d=. a di. lance ix=d=. and an archer or bille on horsback viij=d=. by the day, from the tyme of zour commyng out unto the tyme of your retourne to your home again. And thus doing ye shall deserve suche thankes of us for your loving and true acquitaill in that behalf as shalbe to your weale and honor for tyme to come. We praye you herein ye wol make suche delegens as that ye be redy with your said nombre to come unto us uppon any our sodein warnyng. Yeven undr our Signet at oure Castel of Kenilworth the xx. day of July. To oure trusty and welbeloved Knight and Conseillor Sir Gilbert Talbot.

[} [\LETTER XIV. SECOND LETTER OF KING HENRY THE VII=TH=. TO SIR GILBERT TALBOT. A. D. 1497.\] }] H. R. By the King. Trusty and welbeloved we grete you wele, signifying unto you that wher as Perkin Warbek and his wif were lately sette ful porely to the See by the King of Scottes, and aftre that landed within our land of Irland in the wylde Irissherie, where he had be taken by our Cousins Th'erls of Kildare and of Desmond if he and his said wif had not secretly stollen away. The same Perkyn being soe upon the See, is commen to land in our Countie of Cornewaille with ij. small shippes and a Breton prinse, wherupon we have sent

our right trusty counseillour the lord Daubeney our chamberlayn by land toward thoes parties, to arredie our subgiettes for the subduyng of hym, and our right trusty counseillour the lord Broke, steward of our household, by water with our armee on the See now late retourned, to take the said Perkyn if he retorne agayn to the See. And we shall in our owne persone, if the case soo requir, goo soe accompanyed thiderward with our lordes mercy withoute delay, as we shal subdue the said Perkyn and all othre that wil take his part if eny such be. And therfore we hertily pray you to addresse you unto us with six score talle men on horsback defensibly arrayed, and no moo, without eny long delay. And to mete with us at our manoir of Wodestok the xxiiij=th= day of this present Moneth; and at your commyng unto us we shal soe content your for your and thair conduyt money, and also wages, as of reason ye shal holde you pleased; and that ye faille not herof as our espesial trust is in you. Zeven undre undre our Signet at our said Manoir the xijth day of Septembre. "To our trusty and welbeloved knight for our body Sir Gilbert Talbot."

[} [\LETTER XV. KING HENRY VIITH TO THE BISHOP OF BATH AND WELLS.\] }] [^TO DR. OLIVER KING^] By the Kinge Right reverend father in God, right trusty and welbeloved wee greete yow well, and have received your wryteinge by the which wee conceive how there is word that Perkin is landed. Truth it is that hee is soe landed, and at our Commons of Cornwall take his parte, amongst whom on Munday last the eighteenth day of September there was not one gentleman. On Sunday the seaventeenth of September, Perkin and his company came afore our Citty of Excester about one, after noone; and there inranged themselves in the manner of a battell by the space of two howers. Within that our Citty were our couzen of Devonshire, Sir William Courtney, Sir Jo. Sapcotes, Sir Piers Edgecombe, Sir Jo. Croker, Sir Walter Courteney, Sir Humfrey Fulforth, with many other noble men both of our Counties of Devonshire and Cornewall. This Perkin sent for to have deliverance of our said Citty, which was denyed

unto him by our said couzen. Whereupon Perkin and his company went to the East gate, and to the Norther gate, and assaulted the same, but it was soe defended (blessed bee God) that Perkin lost above three or foure hundred men of his company, and so failed of his intention. On the morrow after, the eighteenth day, Perkin and our rebels made a new assalt at the said Norther gate and Ester gate, like as by the Copy of the lettres from our said couzen of Devonshire inclosed yee shall move to understand more at large. The Perkin and his company, if they come forward, shall find before them our Chamberlayn, our Steward of Houshould, the Lord Saint Mourice, Sir John Cheney, and the Noblemen of Southwales and of our Counties of Gloster, Wiltshire, Hamshire, Somersett, and Dorcet; and at their backe the garison of our said City of Excester. And wee with our hoast royall shall not be farre, with the mercy of our Lord, for the finall conclusion of the matter. Wee have done proclaimed alsoo that who soe bringeth the said Perkin on live unto us hee shall have the some of a thousand marks, and all those that give theire offences first and last. Wee trust soone to heare good tydings of the said Perkin. Yeoven under our Signet at our Mannor of Woodstocke the twentith of September.

[} [\LETTER XIX. KING HENRY VIITH TO SIR WILLIAM SAY.\] }]

By the King. Trusty and welbeloved, We grete you wele. And have herde to our great displeaser, that, for a certain variance and controversie depending betwix you on the oon partie and Sir John Fortescu on the othr, ye entende with unliefull assembles and conventicles of our people to be at the Sessions next to be holden within our Countie of Hertford, to thaffraying of our Peas, and distourbance of the same Sessions, which we ne wold, in eschueing such trouble and inconvenients that by likelyhode might therupon ensue. Wherfore we write unto you at this tyme, commanding you in the straitest wise, that, leving the said assembles, ye forber to bee at the said Sessions, and neither doo ner procure to be doon any thing there, privately or apertely, repugnant to the equitie of our Lawes or rupture of our said Peas, at your uttermost perell. And also that immediately after the sight hereof ye addresse you unto our presence, to knowe our further mynde and pleasur in the premesses. Lating you wite that we have writen in like wise herein to the said Sir John. Yeven under our Signet at our paloys of Westminster the xxiij day of February. To our Trusty and welbeloved Knight Sir William Say.

[} [\LETTER XX. MARGARET QUEEN OF SCOTLAND TO HER FATHER KING HENRY THE VII=TH=. THE LAST NINE LINES ONLY IN THE QUEEN'S HAND.\] }] My most dere lorde and fader in the most humble wyse that I can thynke I recummaund me unto your Grace besechyng you off your dayly blessyng, and that it will please you to yeve hartely thankes to all your servauntts the whych be your commaundement have geven ryght good attendaunce on me at this tyme, and specially to all thes ladies and jantilwomen which hath accompeneyed me hydder, and to geff credence to thys good lady the berar her off, for I have showde hyr mor off my mynd than I will wryght at thys tyme. Sir, I beseche your Grace to be good and gracious

lorde to Thomas, whych was footman to the Quene my moder, whos sowle God have soyle; for he hath byn on off my fotemen hydder with as great diligence and labur to hys great charge of his awne good and true mynde. I am not able to recumpence hym, except the favor off your Grace. Sir, as for newys I have none to send, but that my lorde of Surrey ys yn great favor with the Kyng her that he cannott forber the companey off hym no tyme off the day. He and the bichopp off Murrey orderth every thyng as nyght as they can to the Kyngs pleasur. I pray God it may be for my por hartts ease in tyme to come. They calnot my Chamberlayne to them, whych I am sur wull speke better for my part than any off them that ben off that consell. And iff he speke any thyng for my cause my lord of Surrey hath such wordds unto hym that he dar speke no furder. God send me comford to hys pleasur, and that I and myne that ben lefftt her with me be well entretid such wayse as they have taken. For Godes sak Syr, oulde mea escwsyd that I wryt not my sylf to your Grace, for I han no layfyr thys tym, bot wyt a wishse I would I wer wyt your Grace now, and many tyms mor, wan I wold andsyr. As for thys that I have wrytyn to your Grace, yt ys wery tru, bot I pray God I may fynd yt wel for my welef erefter. No more to your Grace at this tym, bot our Lord han

you en ys kepyng. Wrytyn wyt the hand of your humble douter Margaret.

[} [\LETTER XXI. KING HENRY THE VIITH TO HIS MOTHER, MARGARET COUNTESS OF RICHMOND.\] }] Madam, my most enterely wilbeloved Lady and Moder, I recommende me unto you in the most humble and lauly wise that I can, beseeching you of your dayly and continuall blessings. By your Confessour the berrer I have reseived your good and most loving wryting, and by the same have herde at good leisure such credense as he would shewe unto me on your behalf, and thereupon have spedde him in every be halve withowte delai according to yowr noble petition

and desire, which restith in two principall poynts: the one for a generall pardon for all manner causes: the other is for to altre and chaunge part of a Lycense which I had gyven unto you before for to be put into mortmain at Westmynster; and now to be converted into the University of Cambridge for your Soule helthe, &c. All which thyngs according to your desire and plesure I have with all my herte and goode wille giffen and graunted unto you. And my Dame, not onely in this but in all other thyngs that I may knowe should be to youre honour and plesure and weale of youre salle I shall be as glad to plese you as youre herte can desire hit, and I knowe welle that I am as much bounden so to doe as any creture lyvyng, for the grete and singular moderly love and affection that hit hath plesed you at all tymes to ber towards me. Wherfore myne owen most lovyng moder, in my most herty manner I thank you, beseeching you of your goode contynuance in the same. And Madame, your said Confessour hath more over shewne unto me on youre behalve that ye of your goodnesse and kynde disposition have gyven and graunted unto me such title and intereste as ye have or ought to have in such debts and duties which is oweing and dew unto you in Fraunce by ye Frenche Kynge and others, wherfore Madame in my most herty and humble wise I thanke You. Howbeit I verrayly [{think{] hit will be ryght harde to recover hit

without hit be dryven by compulsion and force, rather than by any true justice which is not yet al we thynke any convenyant tyme to be put in execution. Nevertheless it hath plesed you to gyve us a good interest & meane if they woull not conforme thayme to rayson and good justice to diffende or offende at a convenyant tyme when the caas shall so require herafter. For such a chaunce may fall that thys your graunte might stande in grete stead for a recovery of our Right, and to make us free, wheras we be now bounde &c. And verrayly Madame, and I myht recover hit at this tyme or any other, Ye be sure ye shulde have your plesure therin, as I and all that God has given me is and shall ever [{be{] at youre will and commaundment, as I have instructed Master Fisher more largely herin, as I doubte not but he wolle declare unto you. And I beseeche you to sende me youre mynde and plesure in the same, which I shall be full glad to followe with Goddis grace, which sende and gyve unto you the full accomplyshment of all youre noble and vertuous desyrs. Written at Grenewiche the 17 day of July, with the hande of youre most humble and lovynge sonne H. R. After the wryting of thys Letter, your Confessour delyvered unto me such Letters and wrytings obligatory of your duties in Fraunce which hit hath plesed

you to sende unto me, which I have received by an Indenture of every parcell of ye same. Wherfore eftsoons in my most humble wise I thank you, and I purpose hereafter, at better leisure, to knowe youre mynde and plesure further therein. Madame I have encombred you now with thys my longe wrytings, but me thyngks that I can doo no less, considering that hit is so selden that I do wryte, wherfore I beseeche you to pardon me, for verrayly Madame my syghte is nothing so perfitt as it has ben; and I know well hit will appayre dayly; wherfore I trust that you will not be displesed though I wryte not so often with myne owne hand, for on my fayth I have ben three dayes or I colde make an ende of this Letter. To My Lady.

[} [\LETTER XXII. MARGARET MOTHER OF HENRY THE VIITH, TO HER SON; SIGNING AS QUEEN.\] }] My oune suet and most deere Kynge and all my worldly joy, yn as humble maner as y can thynke y recommand me to your Grace, and moste hertely beseche

our lord to blesse you; and my good herte wher that you sa that the Frenshe Kyng hathe at thys tyme gevyn me courteyse answer and wretyn ... lettyre of favour to hys corte of Parlyment for the treve expedicyon of my mater whyche soo long hathe hangyd, the whyche y well know he dothe expecially for your sake, for the whyche my ... ly beseeche your Grace yt ... to gyve hym your favourabyll ... thanks and to desyr hym to contenew hys ...yn.e.me. And, yeve yt soo myght leke your Grace, to do the same to the Cardynall, whyche as I understond ys your feythfull trew and lovyng servant. Y wysse my very joy, as y efte have shewed, and y fortune to gete thys or eny parte therof, ther shall nedyr be that or eny good y have but yt shalbe yours, and at your comaundement as seurly and with as good a wyll as eny ye have yn your cofyrs, as wuld God ye cowd know yt as veryly as y thynke yt. But my der herte, y wull no more encombyr your Grace with ferder wrytyng yn thys matter, for y ame seure your chapeleyn and servante Doctour Whytston hathe shewed your Hyghnes the cyrcomstance of the same. And yeve yt soo may plese your Grace, y humbly beseche the same to yeve ferdyr credense also to thys berer. And Our Lord gyve you as longe good lyfe, helthe, and joy, as your moste nobyll herte can dessyre, with as herty blessyngs as our Lord hathe gevyn me power to

gyve you. At Colynweston the xiiij=th= day of January, by your feythfull trewe bedwoman, and humble modyr, Margaret R.

[} [\LETTER XXV. MARGARET QUEEN OF SCOTLAND TO KING HENRY VIII=TH=.\] }] Richt excellennt, richt hie and mithty Prince, our derrest and best belovit Brothir, We commend ws unto zow in oure maist hertlie wise. Zoure ambassadoure Doctoure West deliverit ws zoure lovyng lettrez in quhiwis ze schew ws that quhare ze harde of our seiknes ze tuke grete hevynes. Deerest brother We ar greitly rejosit that we se ze have respect to oure

disese, and thairfor We geve zou oure hartlie thankis, and zoure writing is to ws gude confort. We can nocht beleve that of zoure mynd or be zoure command we are sa friendly delt with in oure faderis Legacy, quharof we wald nocht have spokyn nor writing had nocht the Doctoure now spokyn to ws of the sammyn in his credence. Oure husband knawis it is withhaldin for his saik, and will recompens ws safer as the Doctoure schew him. We ar eschamit thairwith; and wald God nevir word had bene tharof. It is nocht worth sic estimacioun as is in zoure divers lettrez of the sammyn; and we lak na thing; our husband is evir the langer the better to ws, as knawis God, quha richt hie and michty Prince, oure derrest and bestbelovit brothir, have zou in governaunce. Geven under oure Signete at oure Palace of Linlithg=w=. the xj day of Aprile. Your lowynn syster Margaret. To the richt excellent richt hie and michty Prince oure derrest and best belovit brothir the King of England.

[} [\LETTER XXXIV. THOMAS LORD DACRE TO KING HENRY THE EIGHTH. A. D. 1513.\] }]

Pleas it your Highnes to knowe I have receyved your most honourable Lettres of your gracious thanks for my pure service done to your Grace according to my dieuty, which is to me the most singler comforth and rejoysing I can have; for by the same I well perceyve yo=r= Highnes regardeth not the sinistre reaport or rumor surmised ayenst me, ne your Grace regardeth or geveth ony credence thereunto, wherby I am bounde the rather to doun to your Highnes the most laudable and acceptable service I can or may do, and so shall undoutedly at all my power: and where as by the same your most honorable letters I understond your pleasor and commaundment is that I shold effectually procede to the spedy execucion of ij Roods opon the West and Medyll Marches to the most annoyaunce of the Scotts that I possibly may, like it your Grace to knowe Opon Thuresday last past I assembled your subgietts in Northumbreland to the nombre of a thousand

horsmen, and rode in at Gallespeth and so to the watre of Kale two myle within Scotland, and there set furth two foreyes; my broder Philipp Dacre with ccc. men which burnt and distroyed the Town of Rowcastell with all the cornes in the same and thereabouts, and wan two towres in it, and burnt both roffe and flores: and Sir Roger Fenwike with ccc. men burnt the Town of Langton and distroyed all the cornes therein: which Townes er in the hert of the countre two myle beyond Jedworth opon the watere of Chevyot. And I come with a stale to a place called the Dungyon, a myle from Jedworth, and so went to the Sclater furd on the water of Bowset, and there the Scotts persewed us right sore, ther bekered with us, and gave us hand stroks; there come thre standards to bak theym, that is to say David Karr of Fernehirst and the lard of Boudgedworth opon the oon side, and the sheriff of Tevidale on the othre side, with the nombre of dcc. men or mo. The lard of Walghope was hurt there with oon arrowe and his hors slane; Mark Trumbill was strikken with a spere and the hede left in hym, his hors was won, and diverse Scotesmen were hurt there. And so we come forwards, where we saw my broder Syr Cristofer Dacre with his oste arreyed at a place called the Bellyng, which was to us no litill comforth, and to hym gret gladnes seyng the small power we were of at that tyme. My said broder come in at Cressopbrige and there

entred the Medyll marches, and so come thorow Ledesdale to the rughes wyre, xiiij myle within the ground of Scotland, and there he put furth two forreyes: Syr John Ratclif with fyve hundreth men in oon, which burnt the town of Dyker sex myle from the said swyre with a towre in the same, thei layed corne and straw to the dore and burnt it both rofe and flore, and so smoked theym owt. Also the said Syr John and his company burnt the Townnes of Sowdon and Lurchestrother with a towre in it, and distroyed all the cornes about theym and toke diverse prisoners with much insight and goods. Nicholes Haryngton, Nicholes Rydley, Thomas Medilton, and George Skelton with othre to the nombre of fyve hundreth in the othre forrey burnt the towne of Hyndhalghehede and a towre in the same flore and rofe; and in likewise the townnes of West sawsyde and Est sawsyde, with a Pele of lyme and stane in it: and my said broder Syr Cristofer, with two thousand horsmen and cccc. fute men with bowes for savegard of thost in strayts come in a stale to Dykerawe; and there the said forreyes releved to hym, and so come forward and met me. We had not rydden above the space of a myle when we sawe the Lord Chambrelane appere in our sight with ij M. men, and four standerds; the othre thre standerds resorted to hym and so the countre drew fast to theym. We put us in arreye and come homeworde and rode no faster then nowr

shepp and swyne that we had won wold dryve, which was of no gret substance, for the countre was warned of our comyng and the bekyns burnt fro mydnyght forward. And when the Scotts had geven us overe we retourned home and come in at the Redeswyre. I come to Harbotill at mydnyght: my broder Syr Cristofer lay that night at the towre of Otterburne, and opon the morne to Hexham, and his folks in other townnes opon the water of Tyne, and, on the thrid day at home, as many as might git. Sir I se not the gentilmen of the countre in a redynes for defence of your bordoures, for certen of theym to whome I had geven warnyng, as my Lord Ogle which promised to com to me, the constable of Alnewike, and othre, trustyng thei wold have bene glad to do your Grace service accordingly as thei have done to your Wardens in tyme of werre, come not to me at the place appoynted, wherby I was not accompayned as I thoght to have bene. I was councelled and avised by my guyds to have rejorned my purpose, and so wold have done, but oonly that I had appoynted with my broder Syr Cristofer to mete hym in Scotland, for he departed fro me to the West Merches to bryng my folks from thens whome I might not disappoynt for I had no space to gif him warnyng, it was xxx=ti=. myle fro me and more, and els I had not keped my purpose which not is performed thanked be Jhesu, and all your subgietts in savety bot a servaunt of myn, which was

killed there, and two Scotts were slain and many othre hurt the same tyme. Pleas it your Grace, as for the Rode to be made opon your West marche I can not se how it can be done conveniently unto the next light, for two consideracions, oon is bycause I dar not be absent of this Medill March during this light, for fere the Scotts schold distroye and burne the countrie in myn absence, which I regard gretly; and oon othre is that my servants horses which come to this Rode was sore labored, for thei rode xxviij=ti= owres without any bayte. And in the next light I shall, God willing, performe the said rode; and in the meane tyme shall cause small Rodes be made, which shalbe as gret annoyaunce to the Scotts as a great Rode shold be, and thus shall yo=r= money be employed to the best I can, and for the grettiest hurt and destruccion of the Scotts; for I shalbe as goode a husband thereof as I wold be of myn awn, and alwey I shalbe redy to gif accompt of the same at your pleasure. Also pleas it your Grace me seamnes it were necessary that yo=r= lettres of commaundment were direct to my lord of Northumbreland and to my Lord of Clifford, to cause their tenaunts gif attendance opon your Wardens as thei have bene accustomed to do in tymes passed, for as I understond my Lord Cliffords tenaunts er warned not to ride without his speciall commaundment.

As for Newes of Scotland, like it your Grace to know, John of Barton which passed into Fraunce in the Navye of Scotland, launded at Kirkobrighe and ther toke seknes and disceced of the same. There hase bene a gret councell at Saynt Johnstone, and all the lords of Scotland was there with the Quene. It is determined by theym that the Bisshop of Aberdene shalbe Archbisshopp of saynt Andrewes: the bisshopp of Catnes shalbe bishop of Aberdene; a broder of therl of Adthills shall have Catnes. The Abbaye of Arbrothe is geven to Master George Douglas therl of Anguyse son: th'abbaye of Dunfermlyn to Master James Hebburne: the Priory of Coldynghame to the lord Chambrelane broder: and a broder of David Karrs of Farnehirst is entred by force into the Abbacye of Kelso and enjoyes it by intrusion. Also it is aggreed by the said Councell that the Castell of Sterling shalbe vetelled and fortified in all hayst possible, and the lord Borthwike shalbe capitane of the same, and have the yong King in his keping there, and he not to be removed without assent of the hole councell. At the same councell a communication was had, which Lords shold haue the rewll of the lands for well and sou'te of the realme, bot thei aggreed not thereopon; and so departed from thens at that tyme.

Therl of Aren, admirall of Scotland, is commen home with the Shippes of Scotland, and a French Knight with hym which hase broght writtings and credence from the French King and the Duke of Albany; what it is I know not as yit, bot I shall endevor me to git knowlege thereof. Thre of the grettest shippes of Scotland er left in Fraunce to the spryng of the yere, to th'entent thei may assist the French navye as it is supposed. The gret Shipp of Scotland was ron on grounde, bot sho is recovered as thei say or theire Admirall departed. The Scottishe soldiours which be commen home makes evill reaport of the French King, sayng thei were not well entreated there: and as newes shalbe occurrant in thies parties your Grace shalbe advertised by the grace of Almighti God, whome I besech to preseve your most honorable estate. At Harbotill the xiij=th=. day of Novembre at vj. of the clok in the mornyng. Your humble subgyet Thomas Dacre. To the Kings Highnes.

[} [\LETTER XXXV. WILLIAM BURBANK TO KING HENRY THE EIGHTH.\] }]

Pleas it your most excellent Grace to witt, that, as touchyng the cause ... deithe of my Lorde and Master my Lorde Cardinall, your Graces late Orator,

because that, aswell affore his departor by the Phisecians, as aftur by a ... man that oppynyd his body by the Popis commandmentt, itt was juged ... he shuld have been posonyd, or att the leste grett tokens and as some ... saide manyfest thyngs therof apperide, the Popes said holines haith sith caused moste diligentt and exactt examynacion to be maide uppon the same. And by cause that it was known all most manyfestlie that the busshop of Worcestr, now y=r= Graces Orator, was enymye unto my said Lorde, itt was sodenlie noiside throughe the citie that he shulde have ... auctor of this great pretendid offence. A certan prest namyd Ranalde .. Modena was moche in my lords chamber, and alway dere and fa ... with the said busshop of Worcestr. Uppon suspicion he was taken by ... Popis commandment and sett in Castill Angill. By cause that I shuld conduce home my said Lords companye, and com unto your Grace his Holines commandide me to be contynually at the said examynacion d ... by the Auditor of the Chamber, the castellan, two bisshops, and the Fiscall, with sundrie notaries; to th'ententt that I seing the ordor thereof shuld soo make relacion unto your Grace. I taryed there whils thre days aftur my said Lords departor wer expiride; soo that then our company ... no house to tary in butt muste neds departt. All this tyme the said Rainalde wold no thyng

graunt of his offence or knowledge commyttide in this bihalfe. Albe itt he graunttide that mony tymes he revelate my lords secretts unto the said busshop, and sundrie oder thynges wherby the Juges eft ... hym worthy to suffre tortour: and delivered unto his lernydt counsaill a ... of his said confession for his defence, with sufficientt respett of tyme to aunswer unto the same according to the law. Wheruppon supposing no ... confession to have been made by the said Ranalde I tooke my leaf a ... Popis Holines, and soo my Journey homwarde, this night being in ... of Florence. Your trewe and faithfull Servante my felow Master Richard Pace haith sentt unto me his Lettres desiring me to advertise Your Grace uppon ... contenttes of the same. He writithe that the said Ranalde within ... tyme of his deliberacion to aunswer frelie and withoutt manyshing o ... ony creator haith oppenlie confesside that he hym self putt poson into my said lords potage att the desire and conduction therunto of the busshop of Worcestr; this he did soon aftur the fest of Corpus Christi laste. He confesside that the said busshop yeve hym for his labors in this bihalfe xv. ducats of gold, som large, and som (\de camera\) . Item that the said busshop said thes wordes unto hym, "If we rid nott this Cardenall of the worlde, we shall never be in quietnes." Item he confesside ... oon Stephan,

secret chamberlan unto the said busshop of Worcestr was ... herunto. He saith he did by the said poson in a Citie namyd Sp ... nott verray farr from Rome, and kepid itt a good space in his chambre under a tyyll stoon. All this his confession is writen in the proctor his booke by his own hande (\in processu\) . And sithen, the said Ranalde ... writen this his confession [{in{] his awne hande and haith confesside the same unto my Lorde Cardenall de Medicis your Graces protector, whom the Popis Holines (aftire he was informyd by the saide Juges herof) sentt purposlye to knowe the verray treuthe. Nott oonlie the said Ranalde haith thus confesside, and writen the same of his own hande, butt also confermyd itt with oon grett oithe. He made this confession frelie, to thintentt itt shulde be shewide immediatlie unto the Popes holines, supposing therby that his said Holines shuld have grauntted hym hys lyve, and desiride the same of my said Lorde de Medicis, who aunswerde that he shuld have pardon of all thynges that he had confesside (whiche was thefte and mony oder enormyties) save oonlie of killing of my Lorde Cardinall. Uppon the morow aftur, the said Ranalde, with a small knyff that he had secrett, smott hym self, wolfully intending to have killed hym self, and therof is in poontt of deithe as is supposide without recovery; and saith that he knowth perfitelie to be

perpetually for this act dampnyd. My said felow writithe that the said busshop haith obteignyd suche frendes by mean of his monye, that he trustith to ascaipe this jeopardie of correction. And also that som your Grace's lovers shewid hym sith my departour from Rome that the Popis Holines wold gladlie have the matier coloride upon the busshops partie speciallie, for that service that the said busshop shulde have doon for his Holines in procuring (soo farr as in him was) peax bitwixtt your Grace and the Franshe King. Verralie I can nott bileve that his Holines ever intendide this; remembring soo strate examynacion as he haith causid to be made herein, and from the begynnyng therof knew perfitelie that all suspicion herof was oonlie ayanste the saide busshop. And I trust verralie his Holines woll advertise your Grace right shortlie uppon the hool processe maid in this bihalf, for in the begynning of this examynacion he saide that if itt war possible he wolde " (\reddere rationem Sacrae Majestati vestrae super interitu Cardinalis sui\) ." By sids this, all the hooll College woll call for the correction herof. He writing to me also that now all Rome is full of the rumor of this detestable act, the forsaid Stephan is taken and sett in the Castill. Som ther be that haith noside in Rome how that the poson shuld have been sentt from England by som prelate thare, being enemye unto my said late

Lorde, and procuride the same to be mynystrid unto hym by his cooke. Wheruppon soundrie men hath inquyred the same boith of my said felo and me, wherunto we aunswerde that our master had no suche enymyes in England, ne that Prelates of Englande and English borne wer ever disposed unto ony suche actes. My said felow writithe that he is informyde by som, your Graces frendes, that sithe the saide confession was shewide unto the Popes Holines moche secret labor haith been made unto the same; that the foresaid Ranalde shulde revooke or excuse his said confession made ayanste the saide bushop. In his confession making ... desiride the Popis Holines instantlie to regarde the said busshops ... and to have compassion uppon hym. Els he said that he muste nedes be undoon; tho itt warr butt oonlie by means of my Lorde Cardinall Hadrian. In all haste possible, aftur that knowlege com unto me, I did depeche this berar towards Your Grace for to advertise the same of the premisses. My said felow writithe no thyng what ordor is intendide for the correction heroff. I have therfore writen unto hym that in ony wise he shall signifye unto your Grace when and assoon as the saide ordor shalbe determynyde. In tyme of writing ... I was soore ceaside: as may somdeall be percevide by the rude maner of the besechyng yo=r= Grace to have patiens therin with me. Thus I shall duryng lyve humble bisiche our Lorde

Jhu~ for the preservation of your Graces mosth hygh and roiall astate. From Florence the xxviij=th=. day of Auguste M.D. xiiij. Your Grace's moste lawlie, faithfull, and trewe subgett [\THE SIGNATURE BURNT.\] To the Kinge's most noble Grace.

[} [\LETTER XXXVI. WILLIAM BURBANK'S SECOND LETTER TO KING HENRY VIII=TH=.\] }] Pleas itt your moste noble Grace, aftur that I hade closid my former Lettre unto the same, I recevide from your faithfull servantt M. Richard Pacie, my felow, in writing, how that the prest that posonyd my lord and master was inducyd by his confessors, by mean of the busshop of Worcestr, that he shuld instantly deny his confession. And the said busshop laborid to have instrumenttes maide uppon the same. By inforsing of his said Confessors he denyde the space of two days, being all that tyme in poyntt of deith: butt ever he did banne and accurst the busshop of Worcestr, and the tyme that ever he bigan to have famyliaritie or practice with hym. Aboutt the sext hour of the xxvj. day of this monthe the said prest dyyde of his

own wilfull stroke. Albe itt iiij. or v. houres affore he dyyd, he graunttid of new unto his surgion and phisician that he posynyde my said lorde: butt he did not shew by whoos instance being so commandid by his confessors. The Popis Holines haith promyttid that Justice shall be ministride in this behalf; and that all his confessions and processe maid ayanst the said prest shall be kepid in suretie for your Grace to looke uppon att your pleasor; with also sundrie lettres of the said busshops which (as he saith) be hool ayanst hym self. Their is no confession of the said Ranald taken thayr in effectt, save oonlie his furst confession whiche remanyth in processe of the Juges. He saith also that my lord your Graces protector haith promyttid that the said prests body shalbe ower bruntt or quartride. He saith that many gret men haith offerid them self to kill the said busshop of Worcestr for this actt: and that all Rome be inflamyde ayanste hym for the same, boith spirituall and temporall. He writith also that he is secretlie informyde that the said busshop is taken, but the Popis Holines having regarde that he is your Graces Orator, itt is thought he woll desiste of condigne correction doyng ayanste hym, whils he shall perceve your pleasor in that bihalf. Thus I shall besiche the blissid Trinitie for the preservacion of your most highe and Roiall astate. From

Florence the xxviij. day of Auguste att nyght M. D. xiiij. Youre moste humble trew and faithfull subjectt, William Burbanke. To the Kings most noble Grace.

[} [\LETTER XXXIX. MARY QUEEN OF FRANCE TO KING HENRY THE EIGHTH.\] }]

My good Brother as hertly as I can I recomaund me unto your Grace, mervelynge moch that I never herd form you syns ... re depertynge, so often as I have sent and wrytten to you. And now am I left post a lone in effect; for on the morn next after ... e maryage my chambirlayn with all other men servants wer dischargd and in lyke wyse my mother Guldeford with other my women and maydyns, except such as never had experiens nor knowlech how to advertyse or gyfe me counsell yn any tyme of nede, which is to be fered more schortly then your Grace thought at the tyme of my depertynge, as my mother Guldeford can more playnly schew your Grace then I cann wryt; to whom I beseche you to gyve credens. And yf hit may be by eny meane possible, I humbly requyr you to cause my seyd mother Guldeford to repayr hither

once agayn. For ells if any chauns happe other then weale I schall not knowe wher nor of whom to aske any good counsell to your pleasur, nor yet to myn own proffit. I merveill moche that my Lord of Northfolke wold at all tymes so lyghtly graunt every thynge at ther reqwests here. I am weale assured that when ze know the trouth of every thyng as my mother Guldeford can schew you, ze wold full lyttyll have thowght I schold have ben thus intreated: that wold God my Lord of Zorke had com with me yn the rome of Northfolke: for then am I sure I schuld have bene left moch more at my herti ... then I am now. And thus I byd your Grace fare weale with ... as ever had Prince; and more hertis ease then I have now. ... Abvile the xij=th=. day of October. ...gef gredens to my mowder Geldeford. Be your lowyng syster Mary Quene of France.

[} [\LETTER XL. MARY QUEEN OF FRANCE TO THOMAS WOLSEY, THEN ARCHBISHOP OF YORK.\] }] ... I recomaund me un to you as hertly as I can, and as schoth ... intreated as the kynge and you

thought I schuld have ben, for ... the morn next after the maryage, all my servants, both men and women ... dyscharged. Insomoch that my mother Guldeford was also dischargyd, whom as ze knowe the kynge and zou willed me in eny wyse to be cowncelled. But for eny thynge I myght do, yn no wyse myght I have any graunt for her abode here, which I assure you my lord is moch to my discomffort; besyd meny other discomffortis that ze wold full lyttyll have thought. I have not zet seen yn Fraunce eny lady or jentill woman so necessary for me as sche ys nor zet so mete to do the kynge my brother service as sche ys. And for my part my lord, as ze love the kynge my broder and me, fynd the meanes that sche may yn all hast com hither agayn, for I had as lefe lose the wynnynge I schall have yn France as to lose her counsell when I schall lacke it, which is not like long to be required, as I am sure the nobill men and jentillmen can schew you more then becometh me to wryte yn this matter. I pray you my Lord gyf credens forther to my moder Guldeford yn every thyng concernynge thys matter. And albehit my Lord of Northfollke h ... nethyr deled best with me nor zet with her at thys tyme: zet I pray you allwayes to be good lord un to her. And wold to God my ... had ben so good to have had zou with me hither when I ha ... rd of Northfolke. And thus fare ze weale

My Lord. Wryt ... ile the xij=the=. daye of Octobr. My Lord I pray you gyve credens to my ... ord yn my sorows she have delyve ... ... Yowr on whyl I lefe Mary ... To my lovynge frend Th'archebischop of Zorke.

[} [\LETTER XLI. MARY QUEEN OF FRANCE TO WOLSEY.\] }]

My nanne good Lord, I recomend me to yow and thankyng yow for yo=r= kynde and lovyng Letter, dyssyryng yow of yo=r= good contenevans and good lessones that yow hathe gyffen to me; my lord, I pray yow as my trust ys in yow, for to remember me to the Kyng my brother, for sowche causses and bessynes as I have for to do; for as now I have no nother to put my trust in but the Kyng my brother and yow.

And as yt shall ples the Kyng my brother and hys Counsell I wolbe horderd. And so I pray yow, my lord, to show hys Grace, seyng that the Kyng my howsbande ys departed to God, of whos sole God pardon. And wher as yow a vyse me that I shulde macke no promas, My Lord, I trust the Kyng my brother and yow wole nat reken in me sovche chyldhode. I trust I have so horderd my selffe so sens that I came hether, that I trust yt hathe ben to the honar of the Kyng my brother and me, sen I come hether, and so I trust to contenaw. Yff ther be any thynge that I may do for yow I wold be glade for to do yt in thys partes. I shalbe glade to do yt for yow. No more to you at thys tyme but Jh~s preserve yow. Wretten at Pares the x. day of January 1515. By yowr lowyng frende Mary Quene of France. To my Lorde of Yorke.

[} [\LETTER XLII. MARY THE FRENCH QUEEN TO KING HENRY THE EIGHTH.\] }] My most kynde and lovyng brother, I humbly reco~mand me vnto yowr Grace, thankyng yow interly of yowr comfortable Letters; besechyng yowr grace

most humbly now so to contenwe toward me and my frendes, as owr spessyale trowst ys yn yowr Grace; and that yt may layke you w=t= all convennynte [^GAP^] to sende for me that I may shortely se yowr grace wyche ys the thyng that I most dissyr yn thys world and I and all myn ys at yowr gracs commandmente and playsayr. At Parys the vj. day of Marche. by yowr lowyng suster Mary. To the Kings Grace thes be delivered.

[} [\LETTER XLIII. MARY QUEEN OF FRANCE TO KING HENRY VIII=TH=.\] }]

My most derest and ryt entierly belowyde Lord ... brothare, yn my most humble wys I recommande

me unto yowr Grace, shawynge unto yowr Grace that I do a pa ... by my Lord my howsbande that y ... ar playsayde and contentyde that he shale resorde on to yowr presence at swche tyme as yowr Grace shale be at hys maner of Donyngton, wherby I se wele he hys merwosly rejoysyd and moche comfortyd that yt hathe lyked your Grace so to be playsayd; for the wyche yowr specyale goodnys to hym showyd yn that be halfe, and for sondry and many oder yowr kyndnes, as wele to me as to hym showed and gewyn yn dyvers cawsys, I most humbly thanke yowr Grace; assewryng yow that for the same I accompt my selfe as moche bonden un to yowr Grace as ewer swster was to brother: and accordyng ther un to I shale to the beste of my powr dowryng my lyef, endver myselfe as ferre as in me shale be possyble to do the thyng that shale stond with yowr playsowr, and yf it had be tyme convenyente to yowr Grace hade be ther wythe pleassyd I wolde most gladly have accompanyd my sayd Lord yn thys yowrnay. Bwt I trowst that bowthe I and my sayd Lord shal se yow acordyng as yowr Grace worte yn yowr laste Letters unto my sayde Lord, whyc ys the thyng that I dessyr more to opteyn than all the honor off the Worlde. And thws I beseche owre Lorde to send unto yow, my most dereste and enterly be lowyd brother and Lord, long and prosperows

lyfe with the fole accomplyshment of al yowr honorable dessyrs, most humbly prayeng yowr Grace that I may be humbly recomanded unto my most derest and beste be lowyd suster the Quene Grace, and to the Quene off Scottys my welbelowyd suster, trowstyng that she be asserteyned frome yowr Grace of the prosperows estate and helthe of my everly beloved ny ... the prences, to home I pray God send long lyfe. Frome Letheryng in Swf the ix. day off Septembur, by the hand of yowr lowyng suster Mary Quene off France.

[} [\LETTER XLIV. KING HENRY THE EIGHTH TO CARDINAL WOLSEY.\] }]

My Lord Cardinall I recommand vnto yow as hartely as I can, and I amme ryght glade to here of your good helthe, whyche I pray god may long contynv. So it is that I have resavyd your letters, to the whyche (by cause they aske long wrytyng) I have made answar by my Secretary. Tow thyyngs ther be whyche be so secrete that they cause me at thys tyme to wrytte to yow myselfe; the won is that I trust the quene my wyffe be with chylde; the other is chefe cause why I am soo lothe to repayre to London ward, by cause aboght thys tyme is partly off her dangerus tymes and by cause off that I wolde remeve har as lyttyll as I may now. My lord I wrytt thys vnto [{you{] nott as a ensuryd thyng but as a thyng wherin I have grette hoppe and lyklyodes; and by cause I do well know that thys thyng wyll be comfortabyll to yow to understand: therfor I do wrytt itt unto yow at thys tyme. No more to yow att thys tyme, (\nisi quod Deus velit inceptum opus bene finiri\) . Wryttyn with the hand off your lovyng Prynce Henry R.

[} [\LETTER XLV. MARGARET QUEEN OF SCOTLAND TO LORD DACRE.\] }] My Lorde Dakers I comend me to zou as hartely as I can, and I have seen zour vryteng and ondarstande at length, and I parcayve that ze ar nouht sykerly informyd in what stat I stand in, for ze trow yat I may pas vhar ever I vyl vyshe, is nowht trw; but yes berrar can schow zou ye trowht of all, and vhat my mynd is, and how I am constraynd to doo a gan my vyl. And I pray zou gyf hm kredens as ze valde doo to my selfe, for it is owr lang to vryt, for I have gret trast in yes man. And send me zour uter mynd and ansuer in all thyng: and God kype zou. Vryten vy=t= my hand yes Monday. Zour frend Margaret R.

[} [\LETTER XLVI. MARGARET QUEEN OF SCOTLAND TO CARDINAL WOLSEY.\] }] My lorde Cardnal I comand me hartly to zou, and I am glad to here that ze doo vell, and I have ressauet a letter from you and a nother from my lorde Dakers vher of I beleffe you know the effeyt. Ze vryte to me that sych parssons as he sent for my maters in to Scotland trust to be vell ansuerd, and hath sent to me sysch vrytengs as thay sent to hym. But my lorde I am gladar of the tydengs that the Kyngs grace teld me of the Duk of Albane, that he vyl com hyther, vysche I besech God may be trw, but I dred it be not. My lorde I thynke ryght longe vyhil I speke vyth you, for next the Kyngs grace my most trust is in you, and you may doo me moste good of any, and I pray you my lorde as soon as any body comes out of Scotland that you vyl send me vorde, for I thynke long tyl I here tydengs. No more: but God have zou in hys kypeng Zour frend Margaret R.

[} [\LETTER XLVII. MARGARET QUEEN OF SCOTLAND TO KING HENRY THE VIII=TH=.\] }] Derest broder as hartly as I can I recomend me onto you, and let you vyt that yesternyght I cam hyther, soo beyng confortted of you in my jornay in many and soondry wyses that, lovyng be to our Lorde God, I am in ryght good heal, and as joyous of my sayd Jornay towarde you as ony woman may be in commyng to her broder, as I have gret cause, and am moost desirous now to com to your presens and to have sight of your person, in whom next God, is myn oonly trust and confydens: advertissing you derest brotder I have reseved thys day a Letter from my soons ambassadors, now at London, which Leter I send on to you heryinne closed, and have adressed on to them myn ansuer severally in twoe sondery lettres, copy wher of I all so sende on to you, that apon notice had of the same it may lyke you to comand whether of the said letters ye seme besst at your plessur shall be delyverd. And the Holy Trenyte have you my most derest broder in tuycion and governance. At Stony Stretford the xxvij. day of Apryll. Zour loveng suster Margaret. Unto my dereste broder the King's Grace.

[} [\LETTER XLVIII. QUEEN MARGARET TO CARDINAL WOLSEY.\] }] My Lorde Cardinal I comand me to you, and I vould fayne have spokyn vyth you but ye var gon or I coud cam to you and therfor I most vryt to you my mynde. My Lorde I beseche you to schw your gud mynd to me, as ye have doon ever, but specyaly now, for now ys the tyme. Me Lorde I pray you hartly to get me som monne aganst ... yr day for ye knaw vell I moust gyf part of rewards and other nedful thyngs both for the kyng my brothers honour and myne: and I schal not put you in no more troubul but I be sysch you hartly my Lorde that I may have it to morow at nyght at the farest: for ells I vyl be dysapointtyd. But I put my hooll trust in you, and thys berar schal wayt apon you for your ansuer as our Lord knouth wham kype you Margaret R. On To my Lorde Kardenall.

[} [\LETTER XLIX. QUEEN MARGARET TO CARDINAL WOLSEY.\] }] My Lorde Cardnal I comand me to you as hartly as I can and vyt ze my lorde that I have spokyn vy=t=

James Aborrow and he hath schwn to me that ze and the lordys of Cownsel vould not that I schuld cam to Bayners castel to day. My Lorde I wyl doo as ze thynke best but I pray you my Lorde as hartly as I can gyf ther be no trubyl to day to lat me com to morow. I trust to God the schal be noo lych trobyl but that I may cam to morow for and it be vell thys nyght I trust to god the varst be past. And my Lorde I have I part of thyngs to doo that I most nedes have doon that vyll be nedfol to me. I pray my lorde to lat me have your aunsuer vyth thes berar and God have you in hys kypeng. Yours Margaret R. To my Lorde Cardnal.

[} [\LETTER LI. DR. CUTHBERT TUNSTALL TO KING HENRY THE EIGHTH.\] }] Plese it your Grace to undirstond that besids al other maters contenyd in our Lettres jointly written at thys tyme to your Grace, oon is in them untowchyd by cause I wold not make my clerke privey to the secretie theroff, which yff I shold not to longe have taried the last curror save thys, I shold then have written. But by cause then we wer sent for to come to th'emperor commissionars, and our Lettres wer redy written contenyng a longe discurse and declaration off many mattres shewyd by the Cardinal Sedunensis which was necessary your Grace shold know in al haste, we therfor not knowinge how long th'emperors commissioners shuld lete us, dispached that poste, reservyng thys to

be written by my selff at laysor which then I had not. The thinge is this. The said Cardinal Sedunens. in makinge his long discurse hertofor by us written, emongest other things shewyd me that oon off the secrete mater stretyd betuyx th'emperor and your Grace was that th'emperor entendeth to resigne the Empire unto your Grace, and to obten your Election by hys procurement and sollicitinge off the Electors therunto, which th'mperor entendyd to do for the avancement of your honor and the love which he berith you. Which mater when I herd I lete as I nothynge had marked it, and lete hym passe on in tellynge off his tale which endyd in thys, that thys thynge shold be oon off the secrete maters treatid by hym betwix th'Emperor and your Grace. Sire besids that I am your Graces subject and servant, and sworn off your counsel thoff unworthi, your Grace hath also shewyd so largely your bounteousnes and liberalite anenst me that I ougth mo to desire the incresement and augmentation off your Graces honor then any servaunt to your Grace belonginge. Which I assure your Grace I doo tendre as moch to my symple powar as any subjiet in your realme or ellys it wer pitie I shuld lyve. And lykwyse yff therbe any thynge soundinge to your Grace's damage or hynderaunce iff I shold concele it; ther coud no pain be to great for me. Wherfor I most humbly besech your Grace to accepte graciously and favorably the

thinge which now I write both for the ardent love which I bere unto your Grace, and for the accomplishment off my dutie. Surly yff it lyke your Grace I thinke the said Election off your Grace to th'empire cannot be brogth aboute by no means, for diverse considerations. Fyrste that lyke as in the Election off the Pope a certain forme is to be kept which not observed makith the Election to be voyd, so off auncient tyme and ordinaunce off the universale churche a certain forme must be observyd in chesinge off th'emperor, which ometted, the Election is voyde. Oon of the cheffe points in the Election off th'emperor is that he which shal be electyd must be off Germanie subgiet to [{the{] Empire; wheras your Grace is not, nor never sithen the Cristen faith the Kings of Englond wer subgiet to th'empire. But the Crown of Englond is an Empire off hitselff mych bettyr then now the Empire of Rome: for which cause your Grace werith a close Crown. And therfor yff ye wer chosen, sens your Grace is not off th'empire the Election wer voide. And iff your Grace shuld accepte the said Election therby ye must confesse your realme to be under subjection off th'empire to the perpetual prejudice off your successor, or ells the said Election wer voyde as made off a person not eligible. Besids that the forme off the Election contenyth that the first he must be Kinge of Romains and the coronation at Rome makith hym have the name off the Emperor, wher befor he is callyd but

Kinge off Romains. Over thys yff th'emperor which nou is remain stil Kyng off Romains as I understond he entendeth to doo, then yff your Grace wer eligible and undir th'empire, yet ye coud not be chosen Emperor, by cause ye were never Kinge of Romains. And also he remanyng ye could not be chosen Kynge off Romains, bycause the Kingdome is not voyde, and noon can be chosen therto but when it is voyd edyr by dethe or ellys when the Kinge off Romains is crownyd Emperor, wherby undir hym may be chosen a Kinge off Romains. The said Empire also (as it is now establyshed) may not have two Emperors at oon tyme, but oon as cheff, and the odyr as here apparaunt, which is callyd the Kinge off Romains, wher he must begyn that wyl come to th'empire. For which considerations I repute it impossible (the laws theron made stondinge) that your Grace may be chosen. And I am afferd lest the said offer beinge so speciouse at the first heringe was oonly made to get therby sum money of your Grace: Which they move to have kepte secret lest the publyshynge off it shuld make their intent to be knowen, and frustrate them off thir purpose befor they coud acheve it. Surly yff it lyke your Grace my simple advise is that your Grace interpretinge al to the beste, and the said offer to be made rather off th'emperors good mynd and grete benivolence then for odyr purpose, yff the mater shal herafter be set forward or

movyd to gyff most exquisite thanks to th'emperor for his good mynd therin: which peraventure may procede off good benivolence, and so to withdraw your fote bake out off that mater, and to make good interpretation opon so grete an offer, which shal be most honorable. Thus in thys mater I have shewed my simple advise and mynd; which, I thougth, my dutie savyd, I could not kepe close from your Grace, wherin I trust such as be lernyd in the law far bettyr then I wil afferme the same if it lyke your Grace to make them privey to it. And iff I doo erre, as I suppose I do not, I submitte to reformation besechinge your Grace graciously to accepte my trew mynde and rygth meanyng in thys mater, which I have touchyd for my discharge lest heraffter it mygth be imputyd to me not to have shewyd it in tyme when it came first to my knowlege. In al other maters at thys tyme we have written at large how her we find not al persons inclyned at it was thougth they shold be. And thus Almyghty Jhu~ preserve your Grace to his plesur with encrese off mych honor. From Machlyn the xij=th=. day of Februarie By your most humble subjecte and servaunt Cuthbert Tunstal.

[} [\LETTER LII. SIR RICHARD WINGFIELD TO KING HENRY THE EIGHTH.\] }] Please yt your Highnesse to understand that the xiiij=th=. day of this Month I wrote to your Grace my last Lettres, and as yesterday, at afternone the Great Master came from Saynt Germains there as the King lieth, hither to this Town, and as soon as I hard that he was come I went to him to his lodging where I found with him the Chaunceller, the bishop of Paris, Robertet, and Vyl Roy, wher he toold me that he had commoned with the King his Master of the Meeting and Entreview that shuld be betwixt your Highnesse and hym, and made me to sytt down with them and sayd I shuld have aunswer to every Article of myn Instructions

concernyng the said Entreview and Meeteng. And first told me that as to the tyme of the meting the King here is content, and thinketh it convenient to be in the myddest of the moneth of July, as your Grace hath devysed. And as to the place of the first meting which they think necessarye is to be in a place neutrall, which place I have rehersed to them hath been viewed by th'Erle of Worcester and the Captayn of Bolayn, he sayth the King here is content with that if better can nat be founde. Howbeit the Great Master sayeth that if it pleased your Highnesse to be lodged at Guysnes, and the King here to be lodged at Arde which is but a league asonder he thinketh it most convenyent. Orels if good serch were made by some oon of Calais such as it would please your Highnesse t'appoint, and the King here t'appoint another, there mought be found, upon the borders there, more convenyent place than that, seing that there is noo houses nor village nere it. And as to the next article of myn Instructions, which is that both your Highnesse and the King here, the Queens, and all the nobles shuld mete on horsebacke, and after th'imbracyng of eche other familiarly they shuld repaire streyt to Calais; as to the meting and embrasyng one an other a horsback without discendyng, he sayth the King here thinketh it very good, and is content therewith, whersomever the Meting shal be;

but to repaire strayt from thens to Calais and specially at the first tyme, he sayeth the King his Master will not consent therto, and thinketh it were not convenient, but sayth it were better that your Highnesse were lodged in somme village within the Englysh pale if any may be found there according, and if nat in your tents and pavyllions, seeing that it is in summer, and he to doo so likewise for his part within his ground uppon his ... whither ich of you might repaire to other after your first [{meting{] at your plesures: and sayth that after the first day of meting ... of good congruence must nedes be in a place neutrall both for your honnors and in contentation of your Pepull, the next day after the King and the Quene here shal be content to come and vysyte your Highnesse and the Quenes Grace wheresomever your lodging be, so that it be without Calais. And to induce them that the King Highness might come to Calais I have shewed them all the considerations which bee recyted at lenght in myn Instructions: shewing them [{that{] without his comming to Calais as in my said Instruccyons moch of the honnor of the said Meting shal be lost: and that it cannot bee soo honorably doon as it shuld be if it pleased hym to come to Calais. Also for their further contentation and to meve them to come to Calais without stoppe or difficultie I have shewed them as is in th'instruccions: that inasmoch as your Grace shall not

oonly ... and take a right great journey before you come to the See, but also must passe the See which is painfull, laborous, and duangerous: and after so long passage to mete with the Kinge [{here{] at a place syted in the confynes of his own Realme having his hoole power at his backe, where as your Highnesse commyth with a small companye, your puissaunce being seperate from you by the mayn See, who so ever shall see or considre thesame must judge that by your said comming over the See to hym and m[{eting{] first in the place newtrall, by reason whereof your Highnesse commytteth your noble personne to the trust, confidence, and a ... of the King here. In consideration whereof if the King here [{come to{] Calais at youre Graces desire, the honnor and the preemynence [{shall be{] his as of reason it ought so to be. And as your Grace is the ... aggre`able accordingly, and for an equall corespondent I have [{told{] the great Master that your Highnesse woll not stycke to v[{isit him{] here in his town of Bolayne if your Grace be therunto req[{uired{] . Whereunto they made me aunswer in making as great dyf[{ficulty that{] your Grace shuld come to Bolayn as they doo that the King here shuld come to Calais, sayeng that by reason of the deth that has been there and is there yet, and also that the Towne [{is{] so ... lykening it to a Dove hows, with many other

excuses so that I perceyve well it is not their mynd to have your Highnesse to Bolayn sayeng that the King here woll nat comme there hymself. Also the great Master, the Chaunceler, and the bisshop of Parys saye that if your Highnesse and the King here shuld bee both lodged owther in Calais or in Bolayn with both your traynes, which is at the lest a vj. thousand persones besides them of the Towne where myght by the reason of a varlett, or a page, or by a casueltye of fyer come any occasion of debate, or whereby myght ryse any alarm, it mought be to th'inquietness, disturbaunce, and daunger of you both. In example whereof the bisshop of Parys rehersed of a great fraye of fyer that was at Cambray at the great meeting there, which he sayth my lord of Norfolk can well tell of. Also the great Master consideryth that in July the time of the meeting shal be the hottest season of all the year, and whan folks drynk most, and thinketh that amongs such a multitude of pepull some dronken personne myght cause inconvenience. In eschewing whereof the great Master, the Chancellor, and the bishop of Parys be in the mind that nother the King here shuld come to Calais, nor your Grace should not come to Bolayn to lodge there. How be it, the great Master sayth that he thinketh verrily that if your Highnesse lye at Calais that the King his Master woll come, with a certain with him, and see your Grace in Calais in maskyr, and saith that after your

Grace and the King here have seen oones togyther he puttyth no doubte but that ye shall mete oftyn by your owne accorde. Also they thinke it good and convenient that when it shall fortune your Highnesse and the Queen's grace with your trayne to be uppon his ground and in his domynion, that your Grace, the Queens Grace, and your trayn shall have the sovereignty, honnor, and the right hand, as they think that your pleasure shalbe to give the King here and his trayn the same, whan they shalbe in your grounde and in your domynyon. And as to the nombre that shall come with your Grace to the meting that is comprised in a Rolle; wherof they have the copye; they think it very good, and woll order the Kings nombre here according to the same. And also as to an Article in the said Instructions concerning the ... of Apparell of every astate and personne, they think it ... like it very well, and say that they woll drawe a booke of [{the same{] . Howe be it the great Master tellyth me that for all the Princes of the Sangue Ryall, which be Mess=rs= Delaunson, de Burbon, de Vandosme, de Seynt Poll, de la Rosche Furyon, and the chief Officers, as the Constable, the iij. Mareschalls, the great Master, th'Admirall, with divers other, can in no wise bee comprised in any [{Rolle{] for Array; but they to were at their pleasure.

This aunswer at ... this time, as touching your Meting and Enterview I have of the Great Master, which he hath promysed me with his furthur devise he woll delyver me in writing this day or to morrow. He toold me also that he was specially charged by the King his Master, that he shuld speke to me to wryte to your Highnesse with diligence that when he sayth it was agreed betwixt your Highnesse and the King here that what tyme it shuld please God to send the Queens Grace a Prince or a Princesse, that the King here shuld be godfather to the Prince, or the Quene here to be godmother if it were a Princesse, and to bere the name after them. Soo the King here desireth your Highnesse at this tyme that if the Queen here shall have a sonne that it wold please your Grace to be godfather, and that it may be named after your Highnesse Har[{ry, and{] if it be a doughter that it may be named after the Quene Kateryn; whereof he prayed me to wryte to your Grace and ... that the King here shuld wryte to his ambassador in E[{ngland{] of the same. Also he tellyth me that the Quene is at Sain... and is mery for a woman being in her case so nere her [{time{] and loketh every day to be delivered before th'ende of this [{month{] of March. And as to th'aunswer that I have for the ... of the Marchaunts I wryte at this time more at length [{to{] my Lord Legat and Cardinall of England. Beseching

... Trinite long to preserve your Highnesse. From Parys this xvj=th=. day of March. [\THE SIGNATURE BURNT OFF.\]

[} [\LETTER LIII. SIR THOMAS BOLEYN TO KING HENRY THE EIGHTH.\] }]

Pleasyth it your Highnesse to understand that yesterday I delyvered your lettre to the Kyng here with as harty and affectuous recommendacions from your Grace as I cowlde devise. And after he had at lenght and with good laysure read over your said lettre, I declared to hym for my credence, according to

the Instructions which your Grace late sent me. First the effecte of your said Lettre. And after I shewed hym how great desire your Grace hath for the increase of his honnor, and what pleasure and consolation your Highnes taketh in the same, consideryng the unfeyned amytie and aliance that is established betwixt you, both which your Grace belevith to bee soo rooted in your hartys that what high honnor or advauncement shall fortune to come to hym, the fructe thereof shuld redonde to your Highnesse, wherfore to advaunce hym to the preferment of this Imperiall dignitie, your Grace, uppon knowledge of his further intent and mynd shalbe glad to employe your self as well by worde and writing as by acts and dedes to the best of your power, wheruppon he may assuredly trust. Wherunto, he, taking of his bonett thanked hartely your Highnesse, and sayd that the great love and favour which he well perceyveth that your Grace beryth towardes him is the greatest comfort that he hath upon erth. And for the great honnor that your Grace shewith to hym in advauncyng hym to th'imperiall dignitie which is his most desire, he sayth he knoweth nat how nor by what meanes he may recompence your Highnesse in doing any thing so moch for your Grace, but he sayeth as long as he lyveth, in any thing that he may doo that shalbe to your pleasure, he shall always bee as redy and as glad to doo yt as he wold be to doo for hymself, and desireth

no thyng moore than to have knowledge wherein he might employe hymself to doo your Highnesse some pleasure. Rehersyng to me that by the reason of the perfecte love and aliaunce betwixt you both he rekeneth your Highnesse to bee of great mygth and power, sayeng that what with your owne puissance and with his help, which he sayeth your Grace shall alwayes have redy at your commaundement, there is nother honnor, dignytie, nor other thing in Crystendome but that your Highnesse shall y... and ordre yt at your own pleasure, and tolde me that he cowlde not expresse to me with his tonge the due thanks that he t[{hinketh{] to your Grace in his hart for the loving kindnesse that he fyndeth in your Highnesse: and sayd that, whan ye both mete, which he trusteth shalbe shortly, your Grace shall knowe his hart, no man lyving soner. Wherunto I sayd that your Highnesse thanked hym, specially consideryng that amongs all his other things and great affaires, he is so moch desirous to mete, visite, and see your Grace; and toolde hym of your conformable mynd therunto, shewing to hym the tyme, place, fourme, and maner as is at lenght expressed in th'instructions that I have. Wherunto he sayed that he is determyned to see your Grace though he shuld come but hymself, his page, and his lakaye: and that noo buysenesse shall lette yt: how be it, for the tyme, place, and order of

the Meeting he said he wold common with the Great Master, and within ij. or iij. dayes he wold send hym to Parys, wher he shuld make me aunswer of every article concernyng the said Entreview and Meting. And bicause that the Quene here hath been very sycke thies ij. dayes, and in great daunger, as I have more at large wryten of the same to my lord Legat and Cardinall of England, which I am sure woll shewe your Grace thereof, I can as yet have no aunswer what order shalbe taken for the Marchaunts matiers. Beseching the holy Trynyte long to preserve your Highnesse. From Parys this xiiij=th=. day of March. [\THE SIGNATURE BURNT OFF.\]

[} [\LETTER LIV. SIR THOMAS BOLEYN TO CARDINAL WOLSEY.\] }] [{Pleasyth it youre{] Grace to understand that the xxj=th=. day of this moneth I wrote my last Lettres to your Grace, and as yesterday, which was our Lady's day, I was at Seynt Germayns, where the Quene and my Lady lyeth; but the King roode on our Ladye's even viij. leges hens, and as my Lady tellyth me it is in a dowte whether he comyth ageyn before the

Quene here be brought in bedde or nay; for she lookyth her tyme every howre. Also my Lady hath commaunded me, now while the great Master is away, that I shuld resorte to her for any thing that I shuld have to doo for the King my Master. And she hath promysed me that she woll make me pryve of such newes as she shall here of from any place: and toold me that the King her sonne whan he departed willed her to shew me a Lettre that came now streyt out of Spayn from his Ambassadour there, and therewithall she called to her the tresourer Robertet and bad hym shewe me that Lettre, wherein was wrytten by the said Ambassador whose name is de la Roche Beauconot, that the King's Highnesse had late sent a Lettre to the King Catholique advertysyng hym how the King here had desired the King's Highnesse by his lettres to wryte to th'Ellectowrs of th'Empire in his favour, the rather to atteyn the dygnyte of th'Empire; the which the King's Highness hath refused bicause of the Amytie betwixt the Kings Grace and the King Catholique, and how the Kings Highnesse had rather that the King Catholique wer Emperowr than the King here; which Lettre he wryteth is in th'andes of the Bishop of Bourges oon of the great Counsell of Spayn. Whan I had redde this clawse in the Lettre sent out of Spayn, I prayed my Lady that she wold gyve noo credence to yt, and shewed

her how I thought that the said Ambassador wrote this by Informacion of some maliciouse personne that wold sett discord bitwixt Princes; and that I assured her it was not trew. She toold me that she had soo perfecte trust in the Kyng my Master's honnor that she beleved, nor wold beleve, noo such thing; and no more she sayeth woll the King her sonne: sayeng that whan the King here redde the same clause in the Lettre wrytten to hym by his Ambassadour in Spayn he did but lawgh at it, and gave no credence thereto. And she saied it cowlde nat be trew, for the ... the Kyng's Highnesse desyring him to wryte to th... th'Empire for hym. So that as farre as I can perceyve neyther my Lady nor the King her sonne gyve noo credence to yt. And as moch as I cowld instaunce her I have desired her not to beleve this nor noo such thing that shuld be contrary to any thing that the Kings Highnesse hath promysed or wrytten to the King her sonne. My Lady also desireth that likewise as I woll make me pryve of every thing that shall touch or arr... to the Kings Grace to th'intent I shuld advertise the Kings Highnesse and your Grace. She likewise desireth to bee advertised of any thing apperteynyng to the King her sonne. She talked with me also of the Meeting of the Kings Highnesse and the King her sonne (which she moch desireth) wherein I shewed her according to myn Instructions

that if it pleased her to m... the King her sonne that he wold be content after they had mett a horsbak to repaire streyt to Calais where they myght be honourably receyved, well and easely lodged, it shuld be convenient for their estates. Whereto she aunswered that when they had oones mett, she putt noo dowtes but they shuld ... well enough, sayeng that after they had ones seen togyther his Highnesse shuld desire hym to nothing but he wold gyve thereto assent. She sayeng allwaies that it shalbe more ... and triumphant to be lodged in sommer in the fields in tents and pavilions than it shuld be in any Towne. She often [{asked{] me of my Lady Princesse and of hir helth, if she hath been syck lately or not. Also Madame la Duchesse the Kings syster, the Duke of Alaunson's wief, lately hath been and yet is very sycke. When I shall have knowledge of any other Newes I shall ... to your Grace of them: beseching the holy Trinite long to preserve your Grace. From Poyssy a leege from Saint Germains this xxvj=th=. day of March. Yowres m... Th...

[} [\LETTER LV. SIR THOMAS BOLEYN TO KING HENRY THE EIGHTH.\] }] Pleasith yt your Grace to understand that the first day of this moneth I wrote my last Lettres to your Grace, and as yet the King is nat retorned from Melun, there as he hath been almost thes fortenyght a huntyng. But hither is come Lettres with great dylygence to the King Catholiques Ambassadour from Frankford, and from my lady of Savoye, specefieng how the King his master the xxviij. day of the last moneth, at x. of the clocke afore noon, by th'assent and hoole voyce of all the Electours was chosen Emperor. And bicause there is yet noo lettres commen out of Almayn to the King nor my Lady here of this matier my Lady marvayleth moch, and sayth she feryth that Mons=r=. L'admiral is letted or evyll intreatyd bicause she hath no word from hym, or elles their Post with lettres is taken or stopped by the way. Neverthelesse my Lady sayth yf this be trew seyng the King her sonne may nat be Emperor she is ryght glad that the King Catholique is chosen. Sayeng that though the Kyng her sonne is nat Emperor, yet it is a comfort to her that the King her sonnes son in

lawe is Emperor. How be it the trouth is that both the King and my Lady, and all this Contre had rather any other had been chosen Emperor than the King Catholique. My Lady tellyth me that she is assured it hath cost hym a greyt good to atteyn to this Empire; in so moch she sayth she knoweth for a trouth oon of the Electours hath had of hym two hundreth thowsand crownes, and namyng hym of Coloigne. She sayth also that the Electours amongs them all hath not had of the King her sonne past a hundreth thowsand Crownes, and moch she ma... and fereth lest the Admirall be nat well, and sayth that the Letter that she had from hym was wrytten the xxvj. day of the last moneth, wherein by his wryting he had as great trust that the King here shuld be Emperor as ever he had. And now Mons=r=. le Bastard and they of the Counsell here say yt is a good torne for the King here, and a great weale for his reaulme that he is not Emperor, for they say yf he had been it shuld have putt hym to an infante busyness, and impoverychyd and undoone his subgietts. Here is also of late a new Ordenaunce made by the King and his Counsell, and gyven to all them that have any horses for Posts or Currors, both here at the Cort and at Parys, that payn of their lyves they delyver no horse nor horses to any man, ambassador or other, except at the Court he have a bill from Robertet

in Parys from the first President there. I have been, too, assuryd by my Lady that this is nat doon for any Lett of L... that goyth in to England, but as farre as I can knowe that resortyth in and owt of Spayn, and my lady hath ... whan so ever I woll depeche any lettres by Post. I shall stre... a Bill of Robertett and of the first President of Parys ... whan I woll. Besechyng the holy Trinite long to preserve your Grace from Poyssy this iiij=th= day of July. Yours T...

[} [\LETTER LVI. RICHARD PACE TO CARDINAL WOLSEY.\] }]

Pleas itt your Grace I have thys daye visite my Lady Margarite, and have hadde off herre verraye large thanks for that I have doon in Almayne for the Kynge Catholike in the late Election. And all the noble men off thys Courte haith yevyn unto me lyke thanks, and interteignydde me here in moste kynde and lovynge maner, wythoute ony question made unto me off eny thynge that I had doon in the sayde late Election for the advauncement of the Kynge our soverayne Lorde, as your Grace thoght they wolde have doon, as itt apperidde bi your laste Lettres directidde unto me. And in verraye deade they have no cause to complayne uppon me, for I dydde nevyr speke agaynst the Kynge catholike in the sayde Election, considerynge that itt was sufficient to me to have the Electors speke agaynst hym, and allege reasons whye he schulde nott be electidde; ande suerly they wolde nott have electidde hym yff fere off there persons hadde not dryven them thereunto, and evident ruine off all there nation yff they hadde electidde ony othre Kynge. And I forseynge suche thyngis (as itt apperith bi diverse my Lettres sent to your Grace in that cause, I ordrede my self there aftre wyth the orators off the sayde Kynge Catholyke,

in suche maner that he, yff he obteignedde, schuld bi reason yff sum thanks to the Kyngis Grace therfore. Master Hesdyng haith wretyn to my Lady verraye acceptable Lettres concernyng the Triumphe made there for the exaltation off the Kynge Catholyke, and also off the Kyngis Grace's and your lovyng myndis towardis thys House, to the grete rejoyse off all thys Courte. He haith also wretyn to me a kynde Lettre offrynge unto me hys house and all that is therin at my pleasure, and whyche commoditie I intende not to use, but to take my voyage towardes Calice tomorrowe. My Lady, with diverse lordis here, wolde have me tary here bi the space off ij. dayes in continuall fests and drynkyng, but itt is not for my purpose to be syke (\ex crapula\) . Itt is not yet knowen whatt the army beynge at this tyme in Gelderlande intendith; no hedde doeth appere emongist them as yitt. Thus Jesu preserve your Grace in long helth and continuall prosperitie. Writtyn at Mechlyne thys xxvij. off July. By your Graces most humble and feythfull servant R. Pace. To my Lord Cardinalls Grace and Legat in England.

[} [\LETTER LVII. SIR THOMAS BOLEYN TO CARDINAL WOLSEY.\] }] Pleasith yt youre Grace to understand that the first day of this moneth I wrote my last lettres to your Grace; and on Sonday last past about x. of the clocke at nyght, the Kings yong sonne whos title is Henry of Seynt Germayn Duke of Orleans, was crystened, the Duke of Alaunson was the second godfather, and the duchesse of Denamours the god mother. And bicause York, this berar, was there present who can shewe your Grace all the maner and order of the crystenyng I leve to wryte to your Grace of the same; saving that P 160> according as your Grace hath here a fore tyme wryten to me I presented to the Quene here in the name of the Kings Highnesse the Salt, the Cuppe, and Layar of gold, which was very much praysed; and also the Quene and my Lady gave to the Kings Highnesse for the same their loving and harty thanks. And after all was doon the King came to me and sayd he thanked the King's Highnesse of the great honnor that he had doon hym in crystenyng of his chyld, sayeng that when so ever yt shall fortune the Kings Highnesse to have a Prince he shalbe glad to doo for hym in lyke maner, and that he is mynded after his said sonne shall to age and be able to ... he purposyth to send hym to the Kings Grace into Englande to doo hym service. And the hundreth pounde that your Grace sent to gyve in reward, is bistowed as folowith. First the Noryce, oon hundreth crownes; to iiij. rockers of the yong Dukes chamber, ij. hundreth crownes; to iij. gentlewomen of the Quenes Pryve Chamber called (\femmes de Ret...\) a hundreth and fyfty crownes; and at the Offryng xx nobils, which amounteth in all to the some of oone hundreth pounds sterling and xv. crownes over. All which money was paid and delyvered by the hands of York this berar and Richmount, which can shewe your Grace well inough therof. Furthermore, as this berar can shewe your Grace, there hath been with me at my lodging the Kings Porters, the T... and Officers of Armys which with

importune manner asked reward saying that the Duke of Urbyn at the crystenyng of the Dolphyn rewarded them, and wyth the best answer that I could make them nothyng given they went away miscontent. Neverthelesse it is ... by honorabull folks here that the gyftes to the Quene, and the money that is gyven in rewardes was sufficiently honorable, and largely inough for the Kings honnor. I have also laid out xj=li=. xij=s=. in sendyng dyvers tymes myn own folks and other that I have hired to your Grace in to England, and to Calais, with Lettres in post and otherwise, the which xj=li=. xij=s=. and xv. crownes that I have layd out now more than hundreth poundes that your Grace sent me by York to gyve in reward, is owing me. And forasmuch as the last money that your Grace sent me for a hundreth dayes ended the xxviij=th=. day of May last past I besech your Grace both to send me such dyett money as shall best please your Grace, and that the said xj=li=. xij=s=. and xv. crownes that is owing me may be also delivered to my prest which shall attend upon your Grace for yt. Also I receyved yester evyn from your Grace, a Letter dated the xxviij=th=. day of May, concernyng the Marchaunts matiers and divers other things, whereof after I have spoken with the King, my Lady, or the Counsell here I shall wryte to your Grace such answer as I shall have of them with diligence. Here is moch speking in the Court and more at

Parys of many straunge bouts, whereof this berar can shewe your Grace by mowth as he hath hard, and as I have shewed hym. Besechyng the Holy Trinite long to preserve your Grace. From Poyssy this vij=th=. day of June Youre ... To my moste especial and singular Lord; my Lord Legat Cardinall, Chauncellar of England.

[} [\LETTER LXXVII. THE EARL OF SURREY TO CARDINAL WOLSEY.\] }] Plesith it your Grace to be advertised, that upon Fridaye at x. a clok at nyght I retorned to this towne, and all the garnysons to their places assigned, the busshopriche men, my lorde of Westmerland, and my Lord Dacre in likewise, every man home with their companys, without los of any men thanked be God saving viij. or x. slayne, and dyvers hurt at skyrmishis and saults of the towne of Gedworth and the forteresses; whiche towne is soo suerly brent, that noo garnysons ner none other shalbe lodged there, unto the tyme it be newe buylded: the brennyng whereof I commytted to twoo sure men, Sir William Bulmer and Thomas Tempeste. The Towne was moche bettir then I went it had been, for there was twoo tymys moo howses therein then in Berwike, and vell buylded with many honest and faire howses therein, sufficiente to have lodged M=l= horsemen in garnyson, and six good towres therein; which towne and towres bee clerely distroyed, brent, and throwen downe. Undoubtedly there was noo jorney made into Scotland in noo manys day, leving

with soo fewe a nombre, that is recownted to bee soo high and enterprice as this, bothe with thies contreymen and Scottishmen, nor of truthe somoche hurt doon; but in th'ende a great mysfortune ded fall, onely by foly, that suche order as was comaunded by me to bee kepte was not observed, the maner wherof herafter shall ensue. Bifore myn entre into Scotland I appointed Sir William Bulmer and Sir William Overs to be marshallis of th'army: Sir William Bulmer for the vangard, and Sir William Overs for the reregard. In the vangard I appointed my lord of Westmerland as cheif, with all the busshopriche, Sir William Bulmer, Sir William Overs, my Lord Dacre with all his company; and with me remayned all the rest of the garnysons and the Northumberland men. I was of counsaill with the Marshallis at th'ordering of our lodgings, and our campe was soo well envirowned with ordynaunce, carts, and diks, that hard it was to entre or issue, but at certain places appointed for that purpoos; and assigned the mooste commodious place of the said campe for my Lord Dacre company next the water, and next my Lord of Westmerland. And at suche tyme as my Lord Dacre came into the feld, I being at the sault of th'abbay, whiche contynued unto twoo houres within nyght, my said lord Dacre wold in nowise bee contente to ly within the campe, which was

made right sure, but lodged hymself without, wherewith at my retourne I was not contente, but than it was to late to remove. The next day I sente my seid Lord Dacre to a strong hold called Fernherst, the lorde whereof was his mortall enemy, and with him Sir Arthure Darcy, Sir Marmaduke Constable, with vij c. of their men, one cortoute, and dyvers other good peces of ordynaunce for the feld. The seid Fernherste stode marvelous strongly within a great woode. The seid twoo knights with the moost parte of their men, and Strikland your Graces servaunte, with iij C. Kendall men, went into the woode on fote with th'ordynaunce, where the seid Kendall men were soo handled that they found hardy men that went noo foote bak for theym. The other twoo Knights were alsoo soo sharply assayled that they were enforced to call for moo of their men, and yet could not bring th'ordynaunce to the forteresse unto the tyme my lord Dacre with part of his horsemen lighted on fote, and marvelously herdly handled hymself; and fynally with long stikmyshing and moche difficultie, gut forthe th'ordynaynce, wan the howse, and threwe downe the same. At whiche skyrmyshe my seid Lord Dacre and his brother Sir Cristofer, Sir Arthure, and Sir Marmaduke, and many other gentilmen, ded marvelously hardly, and found the best resistence that hath be seen sith my comyng to thies parties, and above

xxx=ti=. Scottis slayne, and not passing iiij. English men; but above sixty hurt. Aftir that, my seid Lord retornyng to the campe, wold in nowise bee lodged in the same, but where he laye the furst nyght: and he being with me at souper about viij. a clok, the horses of his company brake lowse, and sodenly ran out of his feld in suche nombre that it caused a marvelous alarome in our feld; and our standing watche being set, the horses cam ronnyng along the campe, at whome were shot above one hundred sheif of arrowes and dyvers gonnys, thinking they had bee Scotts that wold have saulted the campe. Fynally the horses were soo madde that they ran like wild dere into the feld above xv. C. at the leest in dyvers companys; and in one place above l. fill downe a great rok and slewe theymself; and above two hundred and fifty ran into the towne being on fire, and by the women taken and caried awaye, right evil brent; and many were taken agayne; but fynally by that I can esteme by the nombre of theym that I sawe goo on fote the next daye, I think there is lost above viij. C. horses, and all with foly for lak of not lying within the campe. I dare not write the wonders that my Lord Dacre and all his company doo saye they sawe that nyght, vj. tymys, of sprits and ferefull sights. And unyversally all their company saye playnely, the Devill was that nyght amongs theym vj. tymys. Whiche mysfortune hath blemyshed the best Jorney that was made in Scotland

many yeres. I assure your Grace I found the Scotts at this tyme the boldest men, and the hotest that ever I sawe any nation: and all the Jorney, upon all parts of th'army kept us with so contynuall skyrmyshe that I never sawe the like. If they myght assemble forty thousand as good men as I nowe sawe fifteen hundred or two thousand, it wold bee an herd encounter to mete theym. Pitie it is of my lord Dacres losse of the horses of his company. He brought with hym above four thousand men, and lodged one nyght in Scotland in his moost mortall enemys contre. There is noo herdyer ner bettir knyght, but often tym he doth not use the most sure ordre; whiche he hath nowe payed derely for. Written at Berwike the xxvij. of September. Your most bownden T. Surrey. To my Lord Legats goode Grace.

[} [\LETTER LXXX. THE EARL OF SURREY TO CARDINAL WOLSEY. A. D. 1523.\] }]

Plesith it your Grace too be advertised, that this Day at x. a clok I received one Lettre of newes from Sir William Bulmer sente hym fro the Priores of Calestreme, and one other sente to me fro the Lord Ogle from Wark of such newes as he hath fro the Priores of Ocles in Scotlande. I beleve right moche that the contents of the Priores of Calestremys Lettres bee trewe; and thoder doo not moche vary fro the same. Alsoo by dyuers other wayes I have advertisments that the Duke prepareth all that he can t'invade this realme with the light of this nexte newe Mone, and by his words doo right litle esteme the poure of England.

Wherefor to theffecte of yo=r= Graces late Lettre I shall tomorrowe send lettres to all the noble men and gentilmen dwelling withen the Shiris conteyned in my commyssion too bee here in this Towne the xx=ti=. daye of this Moneth, trusting that and all men come accordingle the seid Duke shall fynd more sharp recistance than he doth loke for. And notwithstanding that the weder hath bee here soo foule with mervelous greate rayne dyvers dayes, and mooste specially yesterdaye with rayne and this daye with snowe, soo that the opinion of many wise men is it shalbe very difficile for the seid Duke to cary any greate ordynance onles it bee to Berwike, yet forasmoche as he myght doo enfynyte hurte in over rynnyng the Contre onles he were recisted, I shale cause all my seid poure to come forewards, and to bee here at the daye prefixed. And if I shall see that the Duke shall altre his purpoos in setting furth I shall contermawnde theym, too thentente the Kingis Highnes shalbe put too no more chardge shalbe requysite; whereunto I shalhave the beste regard I can, the daunger of distruccion of the contre by thennemys provided for. Mooste humble beseching your Grace too helpe that some noblemen and gentilmen of the Kingis hous and the south parties maye be sente hither though they bring no greate nombres with theym. God knoweth if the poreste gentilman in the Kingis hous were here, and I at London and were advertised of

thies newes I wold not faile to knele upon my knees bifore the kings grace too have licence to come hither in poste too bee at the daye of batayle. And if yong noble men and gentilmen be not desierous and willing to be at suche jorneys, and to take the payne and yeve the adventure, and the Kingis highnes well contented with thoos that woll so doo, and not regarding others that wolbe but dauncers, disers, and carders, his Grace shall not bee well served when he wold bee; for men withoute experience shall doo small servyce, and experience of war woll not be had withoute it be sought for and the adventure yeven. Of likelihode no man leving shall ever lyve to se the Scotts attempte t'envade this realme with the powre of Scotland if they may bee well resisted nowe. And by many wayes I am advertised that the Duke of Albany is a mervelous wilfull man, and woll beleve noo mannys counsaill, but woll have his owne opinion folowed. And bicause the Frenche King hath be at soo greate chardges by his provoking, having his wiffs inherytance lying within his domynyons, dare not for no Scottish counsell forbere t'envade this realme. I am also advertised that he is so passionate that and he bee aperte amongis his familiers, and doth here any thing contrarius to his myende and pleasure, his accustumed manner is too take his bonet sodenly of his hed and to throwe it in the fire; and no man dare take it oute, but let

it to be brent. My Lord Dacre doth affirme that at his last being in Scotland he did borne above a dosyn bonetts aftir that maner. And if he be suche a man, with Gods grace we shall spede the bettir with hym. Fynally, mooste humble I beseche your Grace to send more money, at the leeste viij M=li=.; and t'advertise me of the Kingis pleasure and yours howe I shalbe further ordred in any thing ye woll commaunde me, whiche too the beste of my poure I shall fulfill, trusting that the gonners be well on the waye hiderwards. And sory I am that the Kingis Highnes and your Grace be nowe so fer in sondre, whiche I perceive is th'occasion that my Lettres sente to your Grace from tyme too tyme bee the lenger un answered, and also moche slouth is used by the Posts wiche maye be amended if it woll pleas your Grace to write one open Lettre too all the Posts, chardging theym to make such diligence nowe in riding that your Graces Lettres fro London to this towne, and my Lettres fro this Towne to London, maye bee conveyed in xlviij. houres at the leeste, whiche they maye well doo. And thanked be God, this nyght and this daye I have ben well amended of my diseases. Written at Newcastell the viij=th=. day of Octobr. Your's most bownden T. Surrey. To my Lord Legats good Grace.

[} [\LETTER LXXXI. LORD SURREY TO CARDINAL WOLSEY. THE LAST SIXTEEN LINES ONLY OF THIS LETTER ARE IN LORD SURREY'S HAND.\] }] Pleaseth it your Grace to bee advertised that I have forborne to write to your Grace sith the xviij. of this moneth, having no verey certain tydings what the Duke entendeth to do unto this day that I have received dyvers Lettres as well fro the Quene of Scottis, fro Sir William Bulmer, and others, all which Lettres I send herewith unto your Grace. And where in one Lettre is conteyned that she doth send her servant unto me for peace comprehending Fraunce, I truste this night or tomorrow to be advertised fro your Grace of the Kingis pleasure and Yours howe I shalbe ordred in aunswering any offre to be made to me fro truse or peace, and shall defer making any answer unto the tyme I shall knowe the same. And as towching the comprehension of France, onles your Grace do write to me what answer I shall make therein, I shall saye that I have none auctoritie to speke therein; and that I beleve verely the Kingis highnes woll not be content therewith, and that I believe his Highnes woll think the Duke of Albany to be too meane a personage to medle with soo high a matier: notwithstanding I woll advertise his Grace thereof, and when

I shall knowe his mooste graciouse pleasure I shall advertise your Grace of the same. And as touching her comyng awaye I shall shewe her that I have commandemente to receive her if she come, notwithstanding I think she might both doo more good in Scotland to the Kingis highnes and to the King her son, then she shuld do being in England. Assuering her that she shall lak no good helpe of the Kingis Grace, she contynuing in her good mynde towards his Highnes. Also pleaseth it your Grace to be advertised that upon Tuysdaye last my Lord Marquise with all the gentilmen of the Kingis hous came hither: and the same day came my lorde of Northumberland, my lord Clifford, my lorde Latymer, my lord Darcy, my lord Scrope. And sith that time is come all theire powere, and all other gentilmen of Yorkshire hooly, and in likewise Lancashire, and dyvers of Cheshire, Notingham, Derby, Staff. and Shropshire, and all your Grace's retynue. And this daye is come your Grace's treasourer Sir William Gascoyne. I assure your Grace, God willing, we shall have men inoughe; and the beste willed men unyversally fro the higheste to the loweste that ever I sawe. And bicause all bee not yet come asfer as Duresme, and also that the wether hath bee soo mervelously reyne whiche hath so raysed the waters that noo man maye pas from hens northward.

And also for that I was not advertised that the Duke was set forewards, nor knowing whiche waye he wold hold, I have stopped thos that came furste in this towne and bitwene this and Morpath and Hexham, and th'oders abouts Duresme. And tomorowe my Lorde Marques shall marche to Anwike, and with hym my lord Darcy and many others, to th'entente that and the Duke wold send in any good nombre to overrun the contre they maye be redy to defend the same. And I with the reste woll not marche past Morpath myself, and thos nowe that bee at Duresme unto this towne, unto the tyme I shall suerly know whether he woll goo to th'Esteborder or the Weste. For if I shuld goo any further I shuld bee compelled to retorne for lak of vitell: for I can get no cariage in maner for money too cary any with me. Assuering your Grace that I think it not possible the Duke can bring his Ordinaunce unto Norham, Wark, or Carlizle before Mondaye, though it reyned no more unto that tyme, the waters bee nowe soo marvelously greate that no man leving hath seen them greatter; but unto Berwicke he maye well com upon the ferther side of the water. Praying God to send hym thither, where I truste he shall not onely consume his tyme in vayne, somany good men nowe being within the Towne, but alsoo we comyng thidder shall have some reasonable store of vitell, and shalbe

able to geve batayle at our advantage. Fynally assure your Grace I and all others here bee all aferde of one thing that he shall not dare abide us. And grete pitie it were that the Kingis Highnes shuld spend thus moche money withoute batayle. And, as I think if he abide us we shall mete about Tuysdaye nexte. He doth make grete booste off the londyng off Richard de la Pole in Scotlond assewryng the Lords off Scotlond that he shall have gret help in this realme, wherfor after my poure opinion it wer well done Sir Riz ap Thomas wer warned to be in a redynes, for the seid Duc seith he shall londe in Wales. Iff your Grace know any man suspect I dout not ye woll provyde that he shall not shyp away. I know no man lyvyng that I shuld mystrust, but he hath spoken so largely and dayle doth, that I know not what to thynk. Most humble besechyng your Grace that and I fortewne to myscary in this Journey, to be gode lord to my poure chylderne, assewryng your Grace that without the Kyng's gracious favour and your Grace's shewed unto them, they shalbe undone. For I have spent somoch to serve the Kyng's Hyghnes, that, iff God do now his plesure off me, I shall leve them the pourest noblemanny's childerne that died in this realme thes xl. yers; havyng neyther goods nor fote off londe to put in feofment to do them gode after me. And therfor most humble I beseche Your Grace to be gode and gracious Lord to them, for my poure

service done in tymes past. Scribled the xxiij. day off October at xj. at nyght. Yo=rs=. most bownden T. Surrey. To my Lord Legats good Grace.

[} [\LETTER LXXXII. LORD SURREY TO KING HENRY THE EIGHTH.\] }] Plesith it your Highnes to be advertised that upon Satirdaye at night the Duke of Albany with a greate puysance brought his ordynaunce unto Werk, on the fer side of Twede, upon Scotland side, and began to shote right sore upon Sondaye by the breke of daye, and so contynued all that daye and Mondaye. And whiche tyme I being at Holy Island, vij. myles from Berwike, was advertised of the same at seven a clok at night the said Sondaye; and incontynente sent Lettres to my lord Cardynalls company, my lord of Northumberland, my lord of Westmoreland at Sainte Cutberts baner lying at Anwike and thereabouts, and in likewise to my lord Dacre and other lords and gentilmen lying abrode in the countre, too mete me at

Barmer wood, fyve myles from Werk on Mondaye, who so ded. And the seid Monday at iij. a cloke at aftir none, the water of Twede being soo high that it could not be riden the Duke sent over ij M. Frenche men in bootis to gif assault to the place, who with force entred the bas courte, and by Sir William Lizle captain of the Castell with a hundred with him were right manfully defended by the space of one houre and an half, without suffring theym t'entre the Inner Ward; but fynally the seid Frenchemen entred the Inner warde, whiche perceived by the seid Sir William and his company frely set upon theym, and not onely drove theym oute of the Inner warde, but alsoo oute of the Uttir warde, and slewe of the seid Frenche men x. personys. And so the seid Frenche men wente over the water; and incontynent the seid Sir William advertised me of the said assaulte, desiering too have reskue this daye, or els the place wold be no lenger kepte: whereof I being advertised by thre a clok this mornyng, avaunced foreward with the hole army by the breke of daye. And the Duke hering that I cam towards hym toke away his ordynance, and in likewise departed hymself with his hoole company, but as yet I cannot advertise your Grace of trouth howe fer he is goon, but tomorrowe I doubte not I shall knowe the certentie. Sir I doubte moche that if he here that I breke this army that he woll retorne with his

ordynance unto Werk, whiche I feare woll not hold long againste hym; for and if I had not made newe fortifications of bulwerks of erthe, it had not be tenable one half daye. I wold it were in the See, for I knowe not how to get men to remayne in it. Sir undoubtedly ther was never man departed with more shame nor with more feare than the Duke hath doon this daye: and notwithstanding the greate Assemble that he hath made in Scotland he hath not doon x=s=. worth of hurte within your Grace's realme, nor never durste hymself entre the same. Sir I feare me it shall not be possible for me to kepe this Army no longer togidder; for suche as come oute of the bisshopriche, this contre, and other places, at their own costs, have spent all that they have; and with moche difficulte and faire words have kepte theym here thus long. Notwithstanding I shall doo my beste to kepe theym togidder unto the tyme that I shall knowe the Duks army bee perspoiled. Assuering your Grace that maister Magnus hath but iij. M. marks lefte; and if th'army shuld be discharged tomorrowe next, I think x M. marks woll not paye that is owing and conduyte money home. And considering howe paynefully and with howe good will they have served, it were pitie they shuld departe withoute having that was promysed theym, wherfore mooste humble I beseche your Highnes that convenyent money maye be sente hither with diligence. And if it come not bifore the departing

hens of th'army, to th'entente they shuld not goo hens groudging and speking shrodly, I shall delyver theym asmoche as is here with asmoche more as I maye borowe. And also I shall bynd myself by my bill signed with myn hand to paye theym asmoche as shalbe due for the reste; mooste humble besechyng your Highnes to see me dischardged of the same with convenyente diligence, or els I shalbe uttirly undoon for ever. Also I beseche your Grace to send thankfull lettres to suche as have doon good servyce at this tyme, whos names be conteyned in a bill herein closed: also lx. iiij=xx=. blanks to be written here to suche as I doo not remembre the names of: assuering your Grace that in all my lif I never sawe somany Englishmen in none army nor so well willed as thees were fro the higheste to the loweste, nor never was gentilman so moche bounde as I have been this Jorney to all noblemen, gentilmen, and souldiors; whiche favor they have shewed me for the greate love they bere to your Highnes, and the desierous myende they have to doo your Grace service. Written in the Campe ij. myles from Wark this Tuysday at night. Your most humble subject and servant T. Surrey. To the Kings most noble Grace.

[} [\LETTER LXXXV. LORD DACRE TO CARDINAL WOLSEY.\] }]

My Lorde pleas it your Grace to knowe that this present hour I am advertised by my secrete espiall out of Scotland that the Lordes of the same contynueng

to giddres all Witson Weke in Edinburghe were in the Tolbothe of the same Monday, Tewisday, Wednisday, and Thurysday laste paste in counseill, and there the Duke of Albany demanded of theim by his writing certein things articulerly as your Grace may perceive by theim, with the Lordes aunsweres ensewing; that is to saye Furst the said Duke deasired thre monthes licence of the King and Lordes to th'intent in that tyme he mought departe in France and retorne in Scotland again for certain considerations moving the King and Wele of Scotland, specially for the making of provision for the defence and susteignyng of the Warres anempt and against the Kings Highnes our Soveraign Lorde and his realme, and to knowe what the Frenche Kings parte shulde be, to the supple of Scotlande; and to that effect deasired a Commission with Servants of the Kings to passe with hym in Fraunce for his aunswere, good counseill, and supple to be had and knowen towards Scotlande. The Lordes aunswered sayeing it was not tyme now for hym to remeve furth of the Realme, remembring the grete damagies that the realme and pore subjects had susteigned in his absence past, and considering that towards the King and Realme apperauntt grete warres, and also, as they were advertised, the Realme by all lyklyhode wolde in shorte tyme be preserved by

the Kings Highnes our soverain Lorde and his realme, and seing the King now at nonage, and he having governaunce of his Realme, it were not his honor to be absent fro the defence of it. He aunswered and said he had suche secrete busynes to do with the Frenche King concernyng the same that he must nedes in his owne person speke with hym. The Lordes hering the same, graunted hym the said licence with a commission to oon Maister David Beton, a clerke, and a harrolde, to departe with hym in Fraunce; which thre persones ar delivered with powier and departed with him accordingly. Secundely the Duke desired the bande that was maide in Rowane by the bishop of Dunkelde, the secretary, and the bushop of Ross to be kept by the King and the Lordes to the Frenche King, and no peas to be takin with this Realme of Inglande during the time of his licence; and further in his absens, without the advice of the French Kyng and hym. The Lordes aunswered that the bande made in Rowane they were contented shulde be kept, so that the Frenche King wolde in the mean season kepe the bande maide to the King of Scotts; and in likewise the lordes of Scotlande ar contented to contynew the warre enduring his licence, and further, unto they had the Frenche Kings advice, except that the King's

Highnes our Soverain lorde be his maigne power in the mean season fortuned to invade and pursue Scotland, whiche Scotland were not able to resiste, that then he being absent, (of force) they must neds take peas with our said Soverain and his Realme. Thirdly the Duke desired the Quene and the Lordes to holde the King in the Castell of Strivelying, and boundes divised for hym afore, to his retorne in Scotland again, binding the Quene neither to confederate with the Kings Highnes our said Soverain lorde nor to consent to peas. To the which deasires the Quene denyed hym in a parte, saing if he yode awaye she must neds do for her self: and inlikewise the lordes said, promising to do their best to cause hym kepe in, so farr as they might solicite hym. Fourthly the Duke deasired that Grisels, a Frenchman, his servant, might remaine in Scotland as Treasourer of the same, having th'auctoritye of his office whiles his retorne again in Scotlande, and nothing to be done or consented unto in any greate mattiers unto they had his advice. The Lordes aunswered, saing, what servant so ever he pleased to leif theim shulde be welcum, but they thought not suche a man mete for that office. Fiftly the Duke deasired that the Quene shulde be obeyed in all her rights.

The Lordes aunswered and said the pleasure and service that they might do shulde be at her commandement. Sextly and laste of all the Duke deasired to have and borrow of the Lordes forty thousand Crownes of the Son to furnishe hym certein wages, and for the furnishing of his Shippes, and he to deliver the same again to the merchands of Scotlande in the Towne of Deipe. The Lordes maide aunswer herunto they coude not make hym any siche som of money: and said, if he wold remaigne with them to the suppleying of the warres, thay shulde ware with hym their bodies and goodes. Wherupon the same Duke having all the Lordes afore hym on Fridaye last paste tooke leve of theim and rode that night to Lithguo: on Satturday to Stryveling, and there remaigned Sondaye, taking his leif of the King and Quene: and determined to be in Glasgue yesterdaye: and this Tewisday to Dumbretain, where as he wol take shippe if the wynde wol serve hym. Immediatly aftre he be entred ship, and sailed out of sight frome Dumbretayn, I am promised to be surely and diligently advertised therof; and if there be any retorne of hym your Grace shalbe certefied accordingly,

God willing, who preserve your Grace. At Whittingham this last daye of May at iij. of the clok in the mornyng. Yowrs to hyes serves Thomas Dacre. To my Lord Legats Grace.

[} [\LETTER LXXXVI. LORD DACRE TO CARDINAL WOLSEY.\] }] My Lord, pleas it your Grace to be ascerteyned, according to my former advertisements made unto your Grace of the Duc of Albanies departure out of Scotland; so it was at his said departure the Lordes of Scotland and he did not aggre verey well: for his intente and purpose was to have gone with a certein nombre unto the Isle of Man, and had viteilled his shippes and made all other provisions for the same accordingly. And whan it came to the poincte of his departing, all those that had promised to go with hym satt downe and refused the Jorney. Albeit of trouthe, the lordes of Scotland ar strately bounde and sworne to stik still at the said Duks opynyon and the League

of France unto the laste daye of Auguste next comyng, at which daye he hath promised to retorne into Scotland; and, if he fale therof, he shalbe clerely exempted from all his auctoritie in Scotland. And I am surely enformed that the said Lordes of Scotland woll kepe their promisse to the said Duc, and nothing do contrary the same for the tyme, except it be by force and compulsion. Albeit I am inlikewise enformed, and verely truste, that if it so fortune that the said Duc breke his promisse, and cum not again at his appoincted daye, the said Lordes and counseill of Scotland woll not onely leave his wayes, and exclude hym clerely from all his auctoritie which he hath in Scotland, but also semblably provide so that they may have peax with the Kings Highnes by their owne meanes; and geve over all bands, leages, and promises that are confermed betwene theim and the Frenche King. Wherfore seyng that the said lords of Scotland woll make persuyte to the King's Highnes for peax or treux now in the Ducs absence, without it be for a surceace of warre to be taken betwixt the wardeins upon the Bordors for a season, (which is only for their and the Duks commoditie,) right necessarie and requisite it is that the Kings Highnes and your Grace devise a substanciall order what is beste to be done for their annoyance now in the moste commodious tyme of the yere: for, according as I have declared unto your Grace in my former writings, it is but small exployt

that I can do with the nombre of men that lie now here in garnyson, remembring how the Bordors of Scotland have bene contynually destroyed sens the warres beganne. So that there is no rode that can be made upon the said Bordors with so small a nombre to the Kings honor. Howbeit I assure your Grace, for it that we might do, I have holden them in quik occupation, making of excourses contynually. And for proif that the frontors of the Bordors of Scotland ar in maner destroyed, now lately the viij=th=. day of this present monthe Sir William Evre lieutenant of the Middill Merchies, accumpanied with one thousand men and moo, made a Jorney into Scotland, and did verey well, and seased and brought awey above viij=c=. nowte with many horses and othr catall, as shepe, and gate to a great nombre, and miche insight, which I assure your Grace they did fetche xvj. myles within the grounde of Scotland. And in likewise my son, and my broder Sir Cristofer Dacre (accumpanied with a parte of the Weste marchies) the same tyme made an oder Jorney into Scotland, and there seased and gat nigh upon a thousand nowte, and miche oder catall, whiche they did fetche xx. myles within the grounde of Scotland. And so your Grace may perceive that it is litill that we can do but only kepe the Bordors from excourses, though the Kings Highnes be at grete charge; seing that litill or nothinge is lefte upon the

frontors of Scotland without it be parte of ald Howses wherof the thak and covereings ar taken awey, bireason wherof they cannot be brint as my lord Treasurer can shew your Grace. And therefore under correction of your Grace if it be the Kings pleasure and Yours (as I trust it is) that sharp warre be made upon Scotland, provision must be made for the same now in tyme; and not only the number of five or six thousand men to be putt in arredines as nighehande the Bordors as may be conveniently, to cum forward at diverse tymes whan they shalbe called upon, for making of certen grete rodes; and alwey, after a grete rode made to have wagies for that tyme only and to departe, and retorne to an order as they shalbe called upon; but also ordinance and horses to drawe the same with all oder necessaries therunto belonging to be made redy accordingly. For surely to dryve the tyme as we do, leving in defense, and doing but small hurt to the Kings enemyes, it is nothing to the honor of his Highnes, and far lesse to his prouffite as your Grace may well perceive. And if the Kings Highnes and your Grace woll not take this ordre, or othr like ordre, for oppressing of the said Scotts, then (under your Grace's correction) best it is that a surcease of Werre be taken by the wardeins for a season, which I am sure the Lordes of Scotland woll specially deasire, because it is for their owne commoditie, and after

that, I trust, the Chauncellare of Scotlande (with whome the Duc hath left his hole auctoritie) wolde be contented to mete at the bordors any honorable person that the King's Highnes and your Grace wold appointe, for to common and speke of peax and tranquillitie to be had betwene thes two realmes, whereunto he hath alwey allegied that he is right well affectionate and mynded. And if a surceace of werre were taken wherby that the bordors of Scotland might be plenisshed, and the estats of the realme gete prouffite (which they now lak), percaase they shuld fynde it so swete that they wold be wel advised or they brak agian aithr for the pleasour of the Frenche King, the Duc of Albany, or of any oder. As knoweth the Holy Trinite who preserve Your Grace. At Hexham the xj=th=. day of Junii. Yowrs with hys serves Thomas Dacre.

[} [\LETTER XCII. KING HENRY THE EIGHTH TO CARDINAL WOLSEY.\] }] Myne awne good Cardinall, I recomande me unto you with all my hart, and thanke yow for the grette payne and labour that yow do dayly take in my bysynes and maters, desyryng yow (that wen yow have well establyshyd them) to take summe pastyme and comfort, to the intent yow may the longer endure to serve us; for allways payne can nott be induryd. Surly yow have so substancyally orderyd oure maters bothe off thys syde the See and byonde that in myne oppynyon lityll or nothyng can be addyd; nevertheles, accordyng

to your desyre, I do send yow myne oppynyon by thys berar, the refformacion whereoff I do remytte to yow and the remnante off our trusty consellers, whyche I am sure wyll substantyally loke on hyt. As tochyng the mater that Syr Wyllyam Says broght answar off, I am well contentyd with what order so ever yow do take in itt. The Quene my wyff hath desyryd me to make har most harty recommendations to yow, as to hym that she lovethe very well, and both she and I wolde knowe fayne when yow wyll repayre to us. No more to yow att thys tyme bot that with God's helpe I trust we shall dysspoynte oure enymys off theyre intendyd purpose. Wryttyn with the hand of your lovyng master Henry, R. To My Lorde Cardinall.

[} [\LETTER XCIX. MARY THE FRENCH QUEEN TO HER BROTHER K. HEN. VIII=TH=.\] }] My most derest and best belowyd brother I humbly recommend vn to yowr grace. Sir so yt tys that I have bene very seke and eke atons for the wyche I was fayne to sende for Master Peter the fesysyon for to have hoplen me of the dessays that I haue. Howbe yt I am rathar wors than better. Were for I trowst showrly to come vp to Londone with my Lord. For and yf I shold tary here I am sowr I shold never asspeare the sekenys that I haue. Wer for, Sir, I wolde be the gladther a grete dele to com thether, by cawse I wold be glad to se yowr grace, the wyche I do thyncke long for to do; for I haue bene a grete wyle out of yowr syte: and now I thowst I shal not be so long agene: for the syte of yowr grace ys to me the grettys comforte to me that may be possybel. No

more to your grace at thys tyme, bwt I pray God send yow yowr hartys dessyr, and showrly to the syte of yow. by yowr lowyng suster Mary the Frenche Qu ...

[} [\LETTER C. ANNE BOLEYN TO CARDINAL WOLSEY.\] }] My Lord, in my most humblyst wyse that my powuer hart can thynke I do thanke your Grace for your kynd Letter, and for youer rych and goodly present, the whyche I shall never be able to desarve wyth owt your gret helpe, of the whyche I have hetherto hade so grete plente that all the dayes of my lyfe I am moaste bownd [{of{] all creators next the Kyngs Grace

to love and serve your Grace, of the whyche I besyche yo[{u never{] to dowte that ever I shalle vary frome this thought as long a[{s ony bre{]the is in my body. And as tochyng your Graces troble with the Swet [{I thanke o{]wer Lorde that them that I desyerd and prayed for ar sca[{pyd, and th{]at is the Kyng and you. Not doughthyng bot that God [{has preser{]vyd you bothe for grete cawsys knowen allonly of his hy[{gh wysdom{]e. And as for the commyng of the Legate, I desyer that moche; [{and yf it be Godds{] pleasor I pray hym to send this matter shortly to [{a good ende{] : and then I trust my Lord to recompence part of your gr[{ete panys the whych{] I must requyer you in the meane tyme to excepte [{my good wyll in t{]he stede of the power, the whyche must prosede partly f[{rom you as ower Lo{]urd knoweth to whom I be syche to sende you lon[{ge lyfe with continew{]ance in honor. Wrytten wyth the hande of her th[{at is most bound to be{] You[{r humble and{] obed[{yent servante Anne Boleyn.{] [^SAMPLE 1 = THE STONOR LETTERS AND PAPERS, 1290-1483, VOL. I- II. ED. BY KINGSFORD, CHARLES LETHBRIDGE. CAMDEN THIRD SERIES 29, 30. 1919. SAMPLE 2 = SUPPLEMENTARY STONOR LETTERS AND PAPERS, 1314-1482. ED. BY KINGSFORD, CHARLES LETHBRIDGE. CAMDEN MISCELLANY 13. CAMDEN THIRD SERIES 34. 1924. (REFERRED TO AS VOL. 3 IN PAGE NUMBER CODING.)^]

[} [\46. THOMAS STONOR TO (SIR JOHN FORTESCUE)\] }] [\30 October, 1424\]

Ryth welle belovyd syr, I grete yow well, doyng yow to undurstonde +tath yowre son Jon and I beth fully acorded as towchyng to the ferme of the Maner off Ermyngton, as hys endenturys +terof beth enseylyd. And ye shall have +te lawe Court of Mychellmasse last passed. Fur+turmore I send yow be the berer of +tys letter endenturys betwene yowre sone Rychard and my feffeys, +te wyche ben made be avyse and asent of yowre son Jon: prayinge yow that ye delyver nat the party of +te same endenturys enselyd be my feffeys into the tyme that yowre sone Rychard have enselyd hys party of the same endenturys: and thanne hys party soo enselyd that ye delyver sesyng unto the same Rychard and hys wyff aftyr the fourme of the endenturys: to wyche endenturys lakketh +te selyng of my uncle Belknap, wyche shall ensele +tem whanne he com fro beyonde see. And seeth that yowre forseyde son Rychard duly ensele +te same endenture, for yowre son Jonys honestie hanketh theron. And as towchyng the warde of Wytburyes heyr, and of +te londys, the wyche longen to me, I pray yow that ye soo see +terto that my ryth be saved, that I and my frendus schull have yow thonke therfore. And yf ye see that hyt may lawfully be sesyd +tath ye sesed [\hyt AFTERWARDS ERASED\] as my trust ys in yow. Nomore y wryte unto yow at thys tyme, but the holy gost have yow in hys kepyng. I-wrytte at London the Monday nexte before alle-halwenday. By Thomas Stonore. [\NO ENDORSEMENT.\]

[} [\53. ALYS, LADY SUDELEY TO THOMAS STONOR\] }] [\before 1431\] Right trusty and entierly welbeloved frend y commaund me unto you: and, where as y of singler trust in you have before this enfeffed you with other in my Maners, londes and tenements withyn dyvers shires, wole and hertely prey you, for gret consideracions and causes touching my worship and gret profyt, that ye seale the deedes, made yn youre name and other, of the seid Maners to suche persons as be named in the same, wheche seid deedes the berer of this shall shewe unto you, as my full trust ys and hathe be unto you, like as the berer hereof shall enfourme you: to whom y prey you geve credence. And, sir, yf ther be anything that y may do for you in any mater in tyme comyng, y wole do yt with all myn hert, and that knoweth God, who have you in his blessed kepyng. Wreten at Sudely the iiij day of Avrell. Alys, lady Sudeley. To the worshipfull and my trusty frend Thomas Stoner.

[} [\63. JOHN FRENDE TO THOMAS STONOR\] }] [\? April, 1462\] Right worshipfull maister, I comaunde me unto yov: praying yov to sende me word by your letter where ye wil come in to Devenshire to abide other no &c: and what I shall do with the corne, syder, and wyne: yf ye come nought, hit were best, me semeth, that hit were sold betyme &c. Also tenentes of Modbury, that is to sey John Torryng

and other, have made an ende with Ric. Fortescu in your defaute, understondyng to them that ye wold have come, and kepe not your promise at no tyme &c. Item, waen Ric. Fortescu was there in lente nov last past he sende to Modbury by John Saunder seyng, that he hadde recoveryd of Thomas Stonore a C. li: and wel a wist they schuld be cast in suche daunger as they schuld never abere: and for fere of suche langage the seid Torryng and other have made there ende under this condicion, what they schall paie, though &c hit passe ayenst them. Item, the mede I kepe in your honde unto tyme ye sende me word what I schall do. Item, I do yov to wete that my maister Drayton hath sende me word that I schulde fylle a grete parte of the Southwode: I pray yov sende me word where hit be your will or noo. By John Frende of Ermyngton, Boucher. To my worshipful maister Tho. Stonor in hast. [^LIST OF ENDORSED NAMES OMITTED^]

[} [\64. JOHN FRENDE TO THOMAS STONOR\] }] [\c. 1462\] Right worshipfull maister, I recomaunde me unto yov: letyng yov wete that Thomas Baron, John Peperell, the son of Robert Peperell, mauneseth me dayly, and put me in suche fere of my lyffe, that with other the servauntes of Ric. Fortescu, that I dere not go to cherche ne

to chepyng. Also now late the seid Baron and Peperell have sklaunder me that I schuld sende divers men to the hous of the seid Thomas; and ther and at that tyme the seid persons, that is to wete John Gune, John Cleveff and other, schuld take theefly xxvj. s. viij. d. of the godis of the seid John Peperell, vj spones of silver of the godis of Thomas Barons, and a girdell with silver harnes of his susters, and divers polen, and brynge althis to the hous of John Frende of Ermyngton: and there and at that tyme then schuld recette: uppon the whiche sklaunder and untrue noyse the seid John Frende hath made his purge with meny worshippfull gentilmen and gode yoman. Wherefore I pray yov that ye see a meane that I may be in ese: for hit is worse than ever hit was: for ye have seid many tymes that ye wold come thether, and dwelle ther: and that thay putteth in uterance daily that we schalbe undowe, for ye nel never come to helpe us. Also I pray yov that my maister Drayton may se this letter, and be enformyd thereof. And also I pray yov to take hede above, and make gode wacche for Thomas Baron. And Thomas Horne bethe come uppe to London a fote, for make labour ayenst me. Also but ye come and defende me, I wille do the service no lengher, for I may not ne dernot. And for the sege for my maisteres is made after your device. By your servaunt John Frende of Ermyngton. To Thomas Stonor, squyer, in hast.

[} [\65. THOMAS HAMPTON TO THOMAS STONOR\] }] [\1462\]

Rytht wurschypfull and my tender welbelovyd Cosyn, I recommaunde me to yow: letyng yow wyte +tat my Suster Swete recommaundyth her to yow, and hertyly thankyth yow for her chylderyn, and so do I as well for owr venyson. Syr, sche prayth yow specyally to make your effectuell labor un[{to{] the parson of Sylverton +tat he wull in weye of Crystes charyte loke up all suche evydens as in eny wyse may make eny proffe Thomas to be +te son of Syr Water and Jahne his ffurst wyff. Of Margete and Isabell: Margete was weddyd un[{to{] John Hunteley: Isabell was weddyd unto John Popham. That +tese persons, all or some of +teyse wer +te chyldryn of +te seyde syr Water and Jahne: lete hym schewe hit in the wey of good and of concyens. +Te parson, +te Kynges Chapeleyn, when he was with hym sye a full fayre Dede and Sealle of Armys: and when +te parson of Sylverton sende his ffolke to London, +tey wulde in nowyse schew +tat dede. And +tyff my Suster Swete mochte hafe had mony at here wyll, the parson schulde haf com over to yow; hit wulde nat be. Moreover, syr, we haf a ffyn reryd unto Syr Water and Jahne terme of +ter lyvys, +te rem. +terof unto Thomas, +te son of Jahne, and thit [\SIC\] he was +te son of +tem bo+te, of Domerz and Morton: but Wykes wuld haf +te ffyn servyd in Stapulham, because hit ys in +te same parische, surmyttyng +tat Jahne schulde furst hafe ben weddyd unto Amaryke Northlode, and he to be ffader to +te sayde Thomas. And for certeyne Stapulham came never by +te ffyn, +te wyche was reryd A=o= xxiiij Regis E. iij: but by a latter tytull. Lete hym geder all +te dedys of Stapulham to geder, +tat hit may be provyd +tat hit ys no parcell of +te ffyn: and lete +tem be schewyd, and by here trouth to haf all +te dedes +tat consernyth here enherytaunse +tat he hath in his kepyng: sche wull +tat he haf Stapulham as sure &c., as we all can make it. Moreover, Syr, I wryte aparte +tat hit may be kette away, +tyff ye lust to schew +tis above unto +te parson of Sylverton. The case was soo when my Suster Swete man schulde go sche kowth haf no money as for +te ffyndyng of +te Offyces, unneth to make hym bryng yow +tis my sympyl byll. Nevyrthelese here we praye yow that ye make some redy apoyntement with the Eschetor, +tat he wull not fayle yow, but be redy at suche tyme as ye and we schall sende unto hym both to haf hit fond yn +te Com. of Suth. as well as in Wylschere: and what he wull haf to ffynde hit in on, and what in the to+ter Schyre: for per case +te on schall suffyse. Ano+ter poynte, +tat ys we kepte not sende +te Dede aboute

into +te tyme hit were enrowlyd, for drede of losyng &c., Syr, we haf ffonde a gentylmanly thynge, a copy of +te Kynges Recordes +tat Thomas, ffader to Syr Th., was seysyd and dyde seasyd A=o= regis H. iiij=ti= ij=o=, the wyche schall make owr ffyn gode. And so thys fondyn, he most breff Margete, Suster to Th., bastard, wych was ffader to Syr Th. Nomore to yow at +tis tyme: but almythty Godd haf yow in kepyng. Amen. By your owne Thomas Hampton. To my ryght wurschypfull Thomas Stonor, be +tis delyvered.

[} [\67. THOMAS HAMPTON TO THOMAS STONOR\] }] [\31 Aug. (1462)\]

Rythe wurschypf[{ull Co{]syn, I recommaunde me to yow, letyng yow understande +tat my Suster Swete ffulherteyly dayly praying Godd for yourre gode. S[{yr, sche recomaunds{] her to yow, s[{pec{]yally prayng yow to do your tender dyligens as unto the parson of Sylverton for +te hafyng of p[{rofe . . .{] . Syr, ye were no rather gon fro my house but +te parsons man came unto us and lete my Suster understande +tat his mayster had ff[{ound{] fayre evydens under seale to profe Thomas to be sone of syr Water Romsey and Jahne, his ffurst wyff, and with +tat sche wuld ordeyne a suffycyaunte persone to be bounde with here in maner and forme, as we ben boundyn and as ye must nedys see: ffor +te sayde Obligacion moste nedys be delyveryd by your hands or by +te hand of Phylyp Pymme acordyng to an endenture made betwene +te parson man and [{. . . Mo{]reover, Syr, in eny wyse +tat we may haf notyse of +te parson what maner tytull Wykes made ffor Stapulham ayenst hym and ayenste Syr J. Beynton, Knyth, and thyf hit were by d[{er{]ayng, +tat in eny wyse +tat we may haf a copye of hit; and thyf hit be by wey of ple, +tat we may haf +te Record and what yere hit was, and what terme: and +tat +te parson wull stere theym +tat were of Beyntons Counsell and his to be of owr Counsell for owr mony. And also, Syr, I lete yow wyte +ter schall no more be don to +te offyse ffyndyng in no wyse. Hyth wat ye may +tat ye were wyth uns, ye schall understande a beter meane &c. on. Remembre . . . my lord of Suthfolke wull be in the mater and he be made on of +te ffeffes, as ye wull desyr hym ye or naye, or m . . . ch on as ye dar truste: the mater ys beter +ten we understode, a grete dell, +tankyd be Godd. No more to yow at +tis tyme, but he +tat made both yow and me preserve us in perpetuyte, Amen. Wrytyn at London in Our Palys of the Flete, +te laste daye of August. By your owne Thomas Hampton. Gode syr, I pray yow remembre Mowne in your comyng homward +tat he woll be my gode Cosyn, +ter ys non o+ter mene, but +te Kyng wull haf mony me semyth by Fowler. Unto my ryght Wurshypfull Cosyn, Thomas Stonor, be thys delyveryd in hast.

[} [\68. H. UNTON TO THOMAS STONOR\] }] [\? 1462\] Right worshipfull Maister, I recommaunde me unto you &c. And thanket be God that my Maistres is amendet. Letyng you wete, Syr, that Maister Mylle and I have ben dayly with Maister Fouler and Maister Danvers, and as yet Nassh is not comyn. And syr, as for Wykes, he is not here, nor on Kene nayther. And so Hampden of Kymbell movet us that ye shuld have had all Wykes landez in your hand, and have assignet old Wykes a certeynte to lyf apon; but I supposet ye wold not so, and I durst take opon to chaunge your opynyon. Mayster Mylle wold ye shuld have take an annuite of xl. s. yerly of old Wykes and his wif, and yong Wykes and his wyf, and of all the feffez: bot I supposet ye wold not so, for by cause of the penalte of the payment of the xl. s. yerly. And I told Hampden, withoute we dro to an end that ye wold execute your exigent ayeynest yong Wykes: and so I trowe we shall draw to an end. And all myghty God have you in kepyng. Your owne servaunt H. Unton. To my right worshipfull Maister, Thomas Stonore.

[} [\70. JANE STONOR TO THOMAS STONOR\] }] [\2nd August, 1463\] Syr, I recommende me to +gow. Plesyth +gow to wete +tat upon Wednesday last passyd my cousin Langforth ys sone browthe +gow a privy sele, and to all +te jentylmen off +te schyre. So I resseyved sore akenyn my wyll. Y +tesyryd of hym to have kept ytt stylle, for +ge were not at home: butt he wold nott so doo, but counsellyd me to sendyd +gow in all hast. And he promysys me +tat he wold informe +te kyng +tat +ge were not at home, and he told me +tat upon +te Thursday folwyng +te kyng remevyth northward, and purposyth into Schottland, ef +ten he com akeyn. For

+tat o+ter party hathe bysechyd +te castell +tat was late rescuyd, and +ter ys of +tam moo +ten V. m., as +te Kynge hath word. Other tydynges y can none send: but y beseke +te holy gost be +gour gyde. I-wrytyn at Stonor +te Tuesday after seint Annis day. Yowr owyn J. S.

[} [\75. THOMAS AND MARGERY HAMPDEN TO THOMAS STONOR\] }] [^MARGERY HAMPDEN'S POSTSCRIPT FOLLOWS AS A SEPARATE LETTER^] [\c. 1465\] Ryght worchepefull cossyn, y recommand me unto yow: and y pray yow, asse y may do any theyng to yowr plessur, that +ge wolle grant me

the nexte avoydanys that ffallethe yow of any benyffys off yowrys that ys off valew off xx. li., or +geffe hyt be better then xx. markes; and y werr be hold unto yow, +geffe hyt lyke yow to do sso moche ffor me, and allso +ge bynde me to do ffor yow yn that that yn me ys: y wysse, Cossyn, y have a beneffysse that ther hathe benne prest ther yn at my unkyll your faderys dessyr and yowrys alle moste theys xl. wynter, and onne I putte yn at yowr dessir my selffe. Y wryte unto yow for a jantylmane, that I darr promysse yow schall do yow tru servysse and plesurr, and he ys a worchepeffull man and a well rulede, prayng yow to sende me a answerr by wrytyng. And allmyty God have yow yn ys kepyng, and all yowrys. Y beseche yow thys sympyll byll may recommand me unto my cossyn your wyffe. Y-wrytyn at Hampden onne Newyerys day. Your cossyn T. Hampden off Hampden.

[^MARGERY HAMPDEN'S POSTSCRIPT TO THOMAS HAMPDEN'S LETTER NUMBER 75^] Cossyne, I recomaund me untoo yow, and I beche yow of yowre gode cossyne hode yn +te performyng off my husbondes dessyr &c. Cossyne, and +ge had desyred me or myne soo ofte as I have desyred yow and my cossyns, yowr sones, I wold have sene yow oftener. I wesse, cossyne, het greveth me &c. Ther may no man hold +tat woll awaye: and ther for I moste take het as weele as I can, and thenketh thes delyng under wissedome ne kyndnes all thyngys consederbred to be soo strange &c. To my right worchepefull cossyn, T. Stonore.

[} [\76. THOMAS HAMPTON TO THOMAS STONOR\] }] [\c. 1465\] After almaner of due recommendaciouns, in my most tender wyse I recommaunde me to yow. S[{yr ...{] haf knowlyche whether +te sute be takyn ayenst Will. Tystede ye or nay, and W . . . for as hit was law, tolde me he scholde sey he sette not +ter by: What hit menyth

I can not sey. My moder, my wyf, and all my douchters, your pore kynnyswymmen, tenderly recommaundyn +tem to yow, of whos preferment I pray yow to haf rememberaunce, +tyf eny fortune may grow in eny plase. Syr, I haf late been in the Counte of Stafford with my Cosyn John Hampton, sometyme Squier for +te body with Kynge H., and in my +ter beyng he hath made estate of xl. markes of his lond, and takyn estate of me ayen ther of his lyff and of his wyffes, +te remaynder to me and to myn heyres, with all +te evydens acordyng, where of I haf the more parte at home, wyche +tey schall enyoye with al o+ter of my londes. Syr, when and what tyme we schall see yow and my cosyn W., I pray yow sende me worde. Syr, +tat tyme I haf worde by my Cosyn Waller, brynger of +tis my sympull byll, Gode Syr, whether Palmer be delynge ge . . . ye, and how my Suster Swete doth. No more at +tis tyme, but almythty godde have yn hys kepyng, Amen. By your owne T. Hampton. To my Rythe Wurshypfull Cosyn, T. Stonor, be Wylyam be +tis delyveryd.

[} [\81. JOHN YEME TO THOMAS STONOR\] }] [\11 June (? 1466)\] Rygth Reverent Mayster, y recomand me unto yowe, desyryng to here of yower wellefare and prosperyte of body and sawle, besekyng Almy+gthy Jhesu preservy hit unto his plesure and to yower worly worschyppe and herte ys desyre. Furdermore, as for the accion of sewryte of pese, the wycche Thomas Horne hathe ayenst me, y have aperyd therto and have y-putte yn iij seuryteys, John Kyrton ys on, John Frende of Seynte Jely's parysche ys the secunde, and a cosyn of myn ys the thirde. And y hadde myche labur to gete me a weye. Fudermore, Walter Frende recomandes hym to yower good maisterchyppe, and he wolle pray yowe to sende hym worde wher to Mylle of Ermyngton schall be y-koweryn with stone or strawe, and wher he schall ordeyne any haye ayenst yower comyng. Y wold have come home to your maisterchyppe, but y have y-taryd vij dayys yn London apon you: for the osteler tellyd me that ye wolde have y-be ther atte the

begynnyng of the terme. All so y have y-bofte me a hors atte London, for y loste my hors ful falsly and untreuly apon the waye, as I tryste to Godde to enforme yower maysterchyppe and ever y may speke with yowe. And y have y-spende mycche mony to gete me awaye fro the Marschall ys warde: for y was comyttyd ynto his warde, but yette y thanke Godde and ffrende men for. All so Ric. Fortescu ffaryth ffowle with Walter Frende and me, and layyth his men yn awayte to murder me when y was laste atte Ermyngton atte Corte: and all ys for by cawse y wolde notte suffry hym to have his yntente at Plympton Corte: but y tryste he schal never have non yntente ayenste them that he sewyth ther. And as for the Corte of Tremeton, y have mycche laburr ther; but yette y have notte geffe no ple ther, for he ys asoynyd ij tymys a rewe yn his oune pleynte. And that sawe y never yn no place but ther: but that ys Menwynnycke, a felow of Corte of his, ys doyng, the whycche ys Steward ther. No more to yowe atte thys tyme. And Jhesu preservy yow yn his blessyd kepyng, Amen. Y-wrytyn atte London on Seynte Barnebe y Evyn yn all haste. By yower pore servant John Yeme. To my Reverent Mayster Thomas Stonor, Esquyer, thys letter be y-dylyveryd in all haste.

[} [\87. HUMPHREY FORSTER TO THOMAS STONOR\] }] [\21 October (1466)\] Ryght worshypfull and my goode kynde brother, in my most feythefull wyse I recommaunde me to yowe: and liketh yow to be remembrid to commune with the Eschetour of Bokyngham shire for the wrytte of (\diem clausit extremum\) of my brother Saquevile, whom God assoyle: and +tat ye like to wryte unto me as ye fynde hym disposed: for I ensure yowe I have communed with your worshipfull and weldisposed Suster Saquevile as for suche estate as shulde be made unto your doughter and Rokes' sone, wherin I fynde her as well disposed as ye wold desire your self, so +tat her husbondes wille be not broken ne she hurte duryng her lyff. Brother, I dowte not ye shall have worship of her grete sadnesse and +te vertuous disposicion +tat she is of &c.: hit were to grete pite to put hir to trowble or charge to cause her to change from +te disposision +tat she is fully astablisshed to. My goode brother, yef it please yowe ferthermore to remembre of +te letter my lord wrote unto yowe, Marmyon

and me, as for +te matter betwene Fowler and Heynes, whiche Heynes hath be with me and is bounde in an Obligacion of ij. c. li. to abide +te rewle of alle +te matter betwene Fowler and hym of yow, Ric. Quatermaynez, William Marmyon and me. And Fowler to appoynte suche season as ye and other may atende; and +te souner +te lever to Haynes. I have wryten to Fowler in semblable wyse in this matter: whether my lettre be come to hym or no, I wete ner. I pray you to put hym in knowlache, and to understonde of hym whether my wrytyng be come to hym or no, and to move hym by your wysdom after my lordes wryting, as ye understonde hym. And so I pray yow to sende me worde in wrytyng, for I have sent diverse tymes to Fowler place, and he hath at alle tymes be owte &c. My goode brother remembre of +te woman ye wote of &c. And God preserve yow. Wreten +te xxj day of Octobre. Your trewe brother Humfrey Forster. To my ryght worshipful Brother Thomas Stonore +tis be delivered.

[} [\91. THOMAS STONOR TO JANE STONOR\] }] [\8 October, 1468\] Myne oone good Jane, as hertely as I can I recumaunde me to yow. Like yow to wyt that my ffadyr is gone to God also: and the there was a sone wytyng: and my modyr on Saterday by the morne, and my ffadyr on Munday by [{d{]ayrove. And I pray yow that William is chyld may cum with hym, and a amblyng hors for me in hand led. I saw [\?\] yow a letter as this that was wrytyn yestyrday. And let them cum with William that I wroote ffor, and they shull have her clothe of blak to make hem gounys with. And where William hathe wrytyn a letter unto me for his parsonage, whan he comyth let hym tell me tale of trouthe and hit shall be remedyyd, with mercy of God. And myne owne Jane, I thanke God myne adversari of Devenshere hathe had no wurshyp: ffor ther aperyd xliij gentlymen as this day, and he is shamyd and nonsuyd in the cort to his great shame. And Lemman, charge Wykys to gete as myche money as eney be had: ffor I shull spende myche money. And goode swete Lemman, be ye myry and of goode comfort for to cumfort me when I cum. I can not cum to youe as sone as I wuld: ffor I most set sum direccion in Horton or I goo. Let William cum in all hast. And the blessyd Trinite kepe yow. I-wrytyn at Lundon the Saterday afore seynt Edward is day. By your ovne Stonor. To my Cosyn Jane Stonor, in hast.

[} [\97. THOMAS STONOR TO WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\(1468 or 1469)\] Willm. Stonore, I sende yow Goddes blessyng and myne. And I wulle that ye bespeke for a gentylman of my lord Archebyhsshopis of York a doseyn Brode arovys of Kyng, ffletcher: let them be wele fedyrd

with Styffew and short fedyr, and let the shaftys be no bygger than Edmond sletyth; let hem be longer. And let not hit be wete tymbyr in hond. I must have these redy in hast, and that hit be not ffaylyd as my trust is in yow. I can no more, but the blessyd trynite kepe yow. I-wrytyn at London the ffryday aftyr seint Petyr is day. By your ffadyr Stonor. To Willm. Stonor.

[} [\100. THOMAS MULL TO THOMAS STONOR\] }] [\(1469)\]

Right worshipfull Master and Brother, I recommaund me unto you: prayng you to conceyve that or Robert Barre come I had borowed iij. li. to content and paye Rayne of Devonshir for your offis upon the (\diem clausit extremum\) after the dethe of my good Mastres and Moder and your, whos sowle God assoyle, which I have payd hym. And syr, I conceyve by Robert ye wold I shold make up the offis accordyng to suche instruccion as ye sent by hym to my cosyn Willyam in a bille, which I dar not take uppon me, for I conceyve it not a right: wherefor I pray you to come your self and to bryng with you the cope of all thos dedes: or ell, and ye be not disposid to come here this terme, send us a pleyn cope of al your dedes made seth the dethe of your ffader with a more playne instruccion, and ye shall have my service: and I woll call to me sum good master or felowe: and I will geve him for his labor, and spede your mater as well as we can. And as for the mater of my lord of Caunterbury, thowgh ye come not this terme, I truste to God to kepe me from al hurtes in that behalf. And syr, as for this mone whiche ye have sente me, before God I have leyd oute for you therof, which I borowed, iij. li.: and so with me abydeth therof no more but xl. s.: and I shold have resceyvid of you at this tyme x. li. and v. nobles, which I must paye and dispose or Wennesday nexte cummyng, or ellys I must be untrewe to God and to them that be dede, and fals of my promys, which God defend me fro. Wherfor I praye and beseche you, as my servis may and shalbe redy to you at al tymes, that I may have my mone her uppon Tewesday nexte commyng: and I shal be redy to your plesyr with Goddes grace, which preserve you and yours. T. M=ll= [\Mull\] . To my master Stonor.

[} [\106. JANE STONOR TO (THOMAS) STONOR\] }] [\(c. 1470)\]

Syr, I recommande me unto yow as lowly as I cane: pleseyt yow to wyte I have ressevyde a byle frome yow wherby I undyrstonde My lorde Morlay dissyrres to sugiorne with yow: what answere +tat ye have +gevyn hym I cannot undyrstond be your bylle: I soposse your mynid was apon sum odyr materys when +tat ye wrotyt, bot and ye have not granttyde, I beseke yow to aschusyt and to contend your litylle abyddynge at home, and allso +te joberde of yowr chelder and of all your howys at your hasty goyng in to Devenscheyr: for and your abyddyng at home be no nodyrwyse +tan yt ys, +tat wolle be [{non{]e profete unto yow and hertes ese unto me: raythere breke up housallde +tan take sugiornantes, for servantes be not so delygent as +tei were wonto bee. Now farewelle, goode syr, and Gode +geve yow goode nyghte and brynge yow welle home and in schorte tyme. Wrytyn at Stonor apon Sante Symon and Judes daye at eve. Be your awne Jayn Stonor. [\IN DORSO\] Ples yt yow to be remembyrde apon genciayn, ruberbe, bays, cappys, pouttys, cheverellaseys, a nounce of flayt selke, lasses, tryacyl. To my brodyr Stonor in hast, at +te Swerde in Fletestrete.

[} [\111. THOMAS MULL TO THOMAS STONOR\] }] [\(1470?)\] Right worshipfull Master and Brother, I recommaund me unto you: and wher it lykid you to send me iij li. by Robert Barre, sendyng me by your letter word that yt was for no duete of my ffader, yf it lyke you to call to remembraunce, ther was by you due for my ffader ys dette, whos sowle God assoyle, at Alhalowyntyde x. li., of which I have resceyvid by the handes of Robert Barre, before thes iij li., vij li., and so nowe the full x. li. is content: and when ye wer in Kente and in my pore hows ye payed me x. li. for my wyfes duete, and ther lefte v nobles behynd &c of her duete unpayed. Also, and ye be not ther with displesid, when ye bought in London the goblettes and flat pees coverid, with spones &c, that sume drewe to viiij li. x. s, wherof at Cristmes ye sente me by my Cosen Willyam x marcs, and so ther restyth behynd unpayed therof v nobbles iij (^s.^) iiij (^d^) . And as for the summez in your letter, parte of the smethes sume, a xxxiij (^s.^) , I understand well: for xij moneth passid I had a bill therof of Balam after the

moneth mynde of my ffader Drayton. As for the sum of the carpenter for the lok, I remembre well what sum of mone was by my mene assigned therto &c. I shall comyn with you, when I may mete nexte with you, which with Goddis [\grace\] shall not be long &c. And I trust to God that ye woll conceyve your self, that as for the carpenteris wages ther may by no reson be no mone due to hym therof, but yf it so wer that the mone to hym assigned wer not payed, for he had it in grete for that his labour, and a warrant made to Harre Dogett to pay yt. I wot well it woll come to your remembraunce &c. Notwithstandyng I ame as much behold to you for the iij li. nowe to me sente, as though ye had lente it or geve it me. For sumwhat I had endangerid me for the sowles past to God more than I had mone to. And as for shepe I bought of you at the xij month mynd vj shepe at the pris of xxij. d. a pes, which is in dute therfor to you xj. s. &c. Syr, I am yours as ferre as my pore power may strech: and as for your mater of inquisicion, I trust to God it be to your plesyr and profyte, but your Councell in no wyse wold not agre to have the said way found, after they conceyvid that it was over your ground for other mennes ease: for though of old ther wer a toll payable to you ther for, and long seth it was payed, yet and it wer found your Maner were charged for ever ther with: and as for your toll, never the nerrer for the fyndyng: and the right of your toll never the ferther fro you, though it be not founde &c. I sende by the berer herof the dede of lees to my Moder, and the cope of all your dedes, and the cope of the Inquisicion. And Jhesu preserve you to your plesyr. Your Thomas Mull. To my maister and Brother Stonor.

[} [\112. LETTERS OF PRIVY SEAL TO THOMAS STONOR\] }] [\3 April, 1470\] By the King. Edw. Trusty and welebeloved We grete you wele; Letting you wit +tat our Traitours and Rebelles +te Duc of Clarence and Therl of Warrewik,

which daily labour +te weyes moyens at +teir power of our final destruccion, and +te subversion of this owre Realme and +te comon wele of +te same, been fledde westwardes: Whome we wol folowe and pursue with our Ooste with al diligence possible, and let and represse +teir fals and traiteroux purpose and entent with Goddes grace. Wherfore we wol and straitely charge you +tat immediatly after +te sight of +ties owre lettres ye arredie you, with such a fellasship on horssebak in defensible arraye as ye goodly can make, to come unto us wheresoever ye shal undrestande +tat we +ten shalbee, to aide and assiste us to thentent aforesaid, without failling as ye love and tendre the wele of us and of owre said Realme, and uppon the feith and liegeaunce that ye owe unto us. Yoven undre owre Signet at owre Citie of Coventre, +te iij=de= day of Aprill. To our trusty and welebeloved Thomas Stoner of Stoner.

[} [\113. WADEHILL TO THOMAS STONOR\] }] [\17 January (1471?)\] Worshipfull and my right good maister, I recommende me to youre good maistership: and like you wete +tat my lord, and my lady his Moder also, have commaunded me to wryte unto you +tat +tey bothe hertily desire and prey you, yef ye may in eny wyse or your goyng to London, ye wole take +te laboure as to come hider to speke

with my seid lord and lady for diverse grete matters and causes +tat +tey wolde speke unto you of. And yef ye may not come hider, +tan +tat ye wole find +te meane to my lord Chaunceler as to excuse my lord of his comyng not to London at +tis time, like as my seid lord was wreten unto by a pryve seall whiche was delivered to him on Munday last passed at vj of +te clokke withynne night at Ewelme, which as your maystership knoweth well was right shorte warnyng, remembring +tat +te more parte of my lordes servauntes were sente into Suffolk to +te houshold +tere ayens Crystemasse, and +te remenaunt of his servauntes, +tat were here awayting, your maystership knoweth well been forthe with my lady, my lordes wyf, into Suffolk to bringe her +tider: ffor God knoweth she thought full longe from +te yonge lorde and yonge ladies here childerne, +tat been +tere. And so my lord might not come at London himself at +tis time to his worship, and his servauntes from him: ffor I dare sey he hath here at +tis day awayting uppon his lordship not a dosen persones. Nethelese with Goddes grace my seid lord purposeth and woll be and attend at +te Parlement as o+ter lordes shall, ffor by +tat time his seid servauntes +tat be nowe absent woll be with my seid lord ayen here. Wreten in haste +tis Thursday xvij day of Januare. Youre servaunt Wadehill. To my right worshipfull master, Thomas Stonor.

[} [\115. HUMPHREY FORSTER TO THOMAS STONOR\] }] [\(? 5 April, 1471)\] My goode kynde brother I recommaunde me to yowe in my most feythefull wyse: and lyketh yow to wete +tat it pleased you to speke unto me for my ladies ferme of +te ho., +tat Grey myght have it stille, yef he cowde entrete Fryghthe, +tat I have made the graunt unto &c. My good brother, it is so +tat +te seid Fryghthe hath be with me this same Friday and enformed me howe +tat my nevewes Willm. Stonor and Emond came unto hym to his plowe and wold have entretid hym to have departe his graunte. And he seid he wold not. And +ten my nevewe seid he shuld departe from it maugre his hede, and had unto +te pore man manasyng wordes, as he seythe. So +tat +te pore man stode in grete fere. And my nevewe made hym ayenste his wille to take viij. s. My goode brother, this dealyng and demeanyng is not to my pore honestie; for, as I understond, Grey hath seid he wolle have it maugre my hede, which shall not be by my wille. My goode brother, in your wysdome reformeth this matter, trustyng to you +tat Grey shalle not be supported to my rebuke &c. My goode brother, this same nyght passed Syr Willm. Norys laye at Walyngford to London ward to +te Kyng; and Dalamar and Pury ladde hym, and he shall have his grace. My goode brother, I sende yowe +te viij. s., +tat my Nevewe made the pore man

take for fere. I prey you latt +te pore man no more be so entretid. Jhesu preserve you and alle yours. Your trew brother Humfrey fforster. To my goode kynde brother Thomas Stonore.

[} [\118. WILLIAM STONOR TO THOMAS STONOR\] }] [\24 Oct. (? 1471)\] My ryght reverent and wurshypfull fadyr, I recomaund me unto yowur good fadyrhod, mekely besechyng of yowur dayly blessyng: plesyth yowur good fadyrhod to wytt that Barentyne complaynyd to my lord, and he hathe made many ontru surmysse, the wyche I kannot yt undyrstond them, but to morow I must be with my lord by vij a kloke at my answere: and Barentyne desyryd a wryte of ryat a pon te statud ayen yowur ffadyrhod, and ayen me and the pryst: and my lord will do noyn delyver ayen yow, but only ayenste the pryst, the wyche wrytt ys owte all redy: where for I beseche yowur fadyrhode that the pryst may abbesente hym that he be not a-tachytt, and that sum odyr pryst may sey servys for a sesun. I am myche bounde to Molynerse, Nedam, Malyverer and many odyr jentelmen and be the tyme my lord hathe herde me I trust to good he wylle be my good lorde, ho have yow, my good modyr, and alle yowrs yn hys one fyfull kepeyng, Amen. I-writtyn yn Flete strete the xxiiij day of Octobur. By yowur chyld Willm. Stonore. To my ryght reverent and worshypful ffadyr, my fadyr Stonere, yn hast.

[} [\121. THOMAS MULL TO THOMAS STONOR\] }] [\(May, 1472)\] Right worshipfull Brother, I recommaund me unto you: lykith you to wete that my Cosen Willyam hath ben with a full goodly Gentilwoman, and comynde with her after love's lore: and for certein I knowe

that ych of them ys verely well content of other. Shee was late wyf unto the son of my lorde Montjoy: and for the certente what my cosen shall have with her, yf God provide for them that they shall go throwe in mariage, suer yt is that of her ffader's enheritaunce she hath in possession C. marks of lande, and after the deth of her ffader shee shall have over that the half of al the residue of al the lande of her ffader, and of my lorde Mountjoyes lande shee hath iiij=xx= marcs of annuite fe by dede endentid, for wher the lande was in value C. marcs shee hath layn it ayen to my seid lord for yelding her yerly iiij=xx= marcs. Thes certentees I have by my bedfelow Thomas Powtrell, which ys of councell with my seid lorde, and was of councell at the mariage makyng, when my seid mastres was maried to the son of my seid lord; and as I understond by my seid bedfelowe the hole value of syr Thomas Ichyngham is londe, as it was at the tyme of the seid mariage makyng shewyd in writyng, was betwen CCC. and CCCC. marcs, not fully CCCC. and better then CCC., but how much it ys oute of the remembraunce of my seid bedefelowe. And for certeine shee is well named, and of worshipfull disposicion. I have ben with my Cosen Willyam there, and seyn my seid Mastres, and comynde with her. And I fele by them both that and ye woll, with mercy of our lorde the mater shall take gode ende. I know verely my Cosen woll in no wise in this cas doo but as your good ffaderhode woll he doo. Wherfor in the name of God beth in this cas and in al other good ffader to my Cosen in councelyng, helping, and preferring after your hertes plesyr: for and I sholde mary I wolde he sholde chese for me. I wot well ye woll lyke my Mastres right well when ye se her, and better when ye comyn with her. Nowe ys al in you; in which and in al other God be your guyde. Syr, as for the manor of Clyf, I have comynd with Webley, +tat is of my lorde Cobham is councell: I hope the mater shall take goode ende by trete, of which I shall have worde +tis halidayes. Notwithstanding +ter is an attourne recordid for syr John Fog and his felowes, in hap that we accorde not. Jhesu preserve you and my gode Suster to your hertes plesyr. Sir, as it is seid, ther is of late fallyn to my Mastres ffader, syr Thomas Ychingham, CCC. marcs more after the deth of my lady Kyriell. T. Mull. To my right worshipfull Brother, Thomas Stonor.

[} [\122. WILLIAM STONOR TO THOMAS STONOR\] }] [\(? 14 May, 1472)\] My ryght reverent and wurshypfull good fadyr, I recomaund me unto youre good fadyrhod, mekely besechyng yow of yowre dayly blessyng, and my good modyr also: lykith yowre good fadyrhod to wytt that I truste weryly to alle myty Jhesu and to youre good fadyrhod that I shalle spede well of my mater, for I have comfortabul demenure of my mastresse, but as to the wery purpose, but yt I hope well: my good fadyr, Barrey shalle tel yow of the demenure, and what they be that laburyn to the jentylwoman. I beseche yow, fadyr, that Barrey may be with me here alle thys halydayys, for the jentyllwoman wyll not departe tyll the weke after Wytsuntyd, and ere that I trust to alle myty Jhesu to know more to my hertes ese than I do now, hom I beseche to preserve youre good fadyrhod and my good modyr, and have yow yn hys mersyfull kepyng, Amen. I-wrytyn I-Lundun, the Thursday next afore Whytsunday. By yowre chyld Wyllm. Stonore. [\ADDRESS UNDECIPHERABLE.\]

[} [\123. THOMAS MULL TO WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\(1472)\] Cosen, I recommaunde me to you. And wher as I fele by your letter and wrytyng that my Mastres hath not that good wyll of you as sume tyme ye ought her, Syr, ye may owe her right good will, how be

yt that it be not in so herty wyse as ye dyde before. But and I understode +tat she had seyd to you +tes wordes: "Syr, I wold not have you, but yt so bee +tat I may have C. li. or CC. marcs with you in joyntur": Syr, then it had ben a mater by which ye myght conceyve +tat shee +ten had loved your londe better +ten your self. But I understond that ther wer no such wordes, but I conceyve the wordes wer +tees: "Syr, I may have CCC. marcs in joyntur, and I to take +te lesse when I may have +te more, my ffrendes wold +tenke me not wyse &c.: and howe be yt, your ffader wol not geve me, yet lette hym do well to you." In which wordes I understond noon utter nay. But and ye in your mynde conceyve +tat shee hath yoven you an utter nay, then shall ye by myn assent never speke more of the mater, but lette yt goo: but yf it be so +tat ye your self brake the mater for +tat shee seid, "I may have CCC. marcs in joyntur," +ten shee hath geven no cause in her parte of an utter breche: for it ys not oon to sey, I may have wi+t a man CC. marcs, and +tes wordes, I woll not have you but it so be I may have CC. marcs in joyntur wi+t you. But for al thys resonyng I wold knowe +tis of you: and the case wer so +tat shee wolde ben agreable to have you with xl. li. or iiij=xx= marcs joyntur, wolde your herte +ten love as ye have doon before +tys seson? +tis question wolde I knowe of you, for and I knowe your disposicion in this behalf, I trowe to God al +tis love and mater of love wolde be revyvyd ayen in short seson: ffor and it so be +tat ye brake +tis mater for a lytyl hastynes of your self, +ten wolde I not we left so: but and shee wer +te cause of brech, +ten woll I not stere ne avise you after +tis ne+ter to write nor sende to her. But oon thyng I dar safly sey in my conceyte, that shee on her parte sithe your departier hath ben vexed and trowbelyd with +te +trowes of love more fervently in her mynde +ten ye have ben syth vexid wi+t her seyinges. And +tis my cause so to sey and deme, I know oonys for certeyn shee loved you as a parfyte lover, and +tat right late never better +ten +te last seson +tat shee was in London. Trewe it ys love oones parfytide, +tough +ter hap sum daungerus speche or countenaunce, yet ys not +te hole ffyr of love quenchyd, but when +tat +te person, +tat was moste daungerus in speche or countenaunce, by her self allow: wher as shee may revolve at her lyberte wi+toute controllyng every +tyng +tat longeth to loves daunce, +tough +te fflame of the ffyre of love may not breke oute so +tat it may be seyn, yet the hete of love in yt self is never +te les, but rather hootter in yt self. Wherfor I sey +tis for certayne, I dare depose for her +tat the sharpe and unwar chaunges from thought to +tought, and ofte remembrance of the trowbely wawes of love have so possid her to and fro in

her owne mynde, +tat shee desyreth as sore after relief, as fer as shee may for shame, as +te man in the water desyreth to be releved frome drownyng in +te perill of +te see: but daunger and shame woll not suffir her to speke yt with oute it be so +tat +ter be sume newe mocyon made to her &c.: the menes wherof I have compassid in my mynde, which by +te mercy of Gode I woll attempte yf it so be ye kan be plesid +tat way, and +tat in shorte tyme. Syr, if I may, I woll be with you on Saturday or Sonday &c. I wot well ye remembre what your ffader by his last letter assure+te you in joyntur: and syr, +tat ys feyr: and as for o+ter thynges touchyng your self, I shall enfourme you at our next metynge to your hertes plesyr, with the mercy of Jhesu, which preserve you. Thomas Mull. To William Stonor of Horton in Kent, be this letter delivered in haste.

[} [\124.THOMAS MULL TO THOMAS STONOR\] }] [\(1472)\] Right worshipfull Brother, I recomaund me to you. And in as muche as that my Cosen Willyam cumeth home to you hymself, therfore I wrytt not to you of the demyng &c., ne of the communicacion betwen my seid Cosen and my Mastres Blounte: but this direccion have I taken in the mater, I have thorowly comyned with the preste +tat I spoke to you of, and tolde hym my conceyte howe he shal be demened in brekynge with my seid Mastres: and that he shall not breke to much at oones to her, but ever when he spekyth in the mater to her and fele here, and certenly to marke her wordes unto the tyme that he be verily assured in hymself, as nygh as he kan, of her disposicion. And over +tat I have appoynted with hym that withyn iiij dayes after +tat he is come to my seide mastres I shal send hym a letter directe to her fro me

and in my name: and he hath promysid me that every letter +tat I sende here shal be brekyn or he departe from her. And the man +tat shal ber the letter shal be namede, Cosen, to +te said prest, so +tat he shal abide +ter in the howse. And, if it so be +te preste fele her veryly applyable, +te messenger shall [{speke{] with her hymself. John Foorde shal do the message, and abide ther ij or iij dayes. Furste I was disposid to have sente to +te [{Norce{] to have felte my seid Mastres: but me thought after, +tat it had not bene beste, for paraventur the Norce wolde feer to breke fer wi+te her, and also shee myght not contynue and abide uppon the communicacion. This preste may alwey have liberte and lesyr to speke with her. And I have lefte with him a remembrance in writyng how I wol he shal do, wherein I am verily assured he wol do his parte &c. Syr, as for my Cosen Willyam, for God is sake callyth hym forth with you when he is at home with you, and let him walke with you, and gevyth wordes of good comforte, and beth good ffader unto hym, as I certenly knowe ye be, and so letyth hym veryly understond and know. For, Syr, he is disposid to be a musyr and a studyer, which remembreth and breketh that as much as ye may. And Syr, but if +tis mater sum dele come of her own hert, she shal not otherwyse be labored to for certen. Also, yf it can be, the preste promysith me that she shall sende me worde in writyng of her dysposicion, if her disposicion be to us warde: which letter I shall sende you and my seid Cosyn. And veryly, if she be appliable, it is to be remembred her of her joyntur of the lorde Montjoy, and also of her own ffader, for he taketh the profite of a grete parte: and also in what case lorde Montjoy is land standeth it is good to be remembred to her. And I beseche Jhesu spede and directe this mater to his plesyr, and to preserve you and yours &c. Thomas Mull. To my Right worshipfull Brother, Thomas Stonor.

[} [\125. DAME KATHERINE ARUNDELL TO THOMAS STONOR\] }] [\7 Jan (? 1473)\]

Ryght trusty Cosyn, I comaunde me to you: and where as hit was agreed by you and my councell at your beyng at Dorchester byfore Crystmasse that Richard Tomyowe, consyderyng the gode service that he hath don for my husbonde and me in dayes passed and the charges that he must do for me here after, shulde be made sure of landes and tenementez to the yerely value of xx=ti= marke. And he ys agreed to take too lytill Manours in Corunwall, one called Wynnyanton and the other called Kenell, of the value by the yere of xij. li.: of the whiche I pray you, Cosyn, to speke to my cosyn Syr Richard Harecourte and Edward Grymston that betweene you to sealle hym a dede that William Menwynnek other Richard Reynolds shall brynge you of the said Maners terme of his lyve: for he woll not procede no furder in my maters in to the tyme he be made sure of the same, whiche were to me a grete hurt, as ye understonde. And that this be done as my speciall trust is in you: and our lorde have you in his blessed kepyng. Wrytten at Excestre the xxvij=th= day off Janyver. By your Cosyn Dame Kateryne Arundell. To my ryght worshipfull Cosyn, Thomas Stoner, Esquyer.

[} [\126. THOMAS MATHEW TO THOMAS STONOR\] }] [\(? 1473)\] My Ryght worschepful Mayster, y recomande me onto you: desyryng to here of youre prosperyte and gode hele, the whech y pray almy+gty God longe to contynue you theryn. Furthermore youre water of Erme ys y-stoppyd at Flutedamerel by the offycers there that ther may no ffyssch com up: wherfore the gentelmen that holdyth the water may not paye ther rente, and as thay havyth y-warnyd Water Frende. Wherapon y went to Willyam Fowel, as +ge commandyt me, to wete what aunswer he had of Johne Gybbes: and he sayde, yff +ge cowde schew youre tytel gode of olde tyme, as +ge sayde to hym that +ge hadde, yf he my+gt have understondyng therof by you or by youre councell that hyt my+gt be schewyd to Syr Phylyp Courtenay and to Orchard, that he wolde doo hys goode wyll theryn to fulfylle youre intent. Also y was wyth Mayster Courtenay, and tolde hym of the sam mater: and he sayde, that my lady wolde that ye scholde have youre ry+gt, yf +ge cowde schew that hyt were youre tytel of olde tyme. Also y mevyd John Huchyn for the ward of N . . . yayn: and he aunsweryd me, yf +ge my+gt reken eny part of the londe, he wolde entrete youre Maysterschep therfor. And y spake to Willyam Fowel of the sam mater: and he sayde, yf the londys were y-ffeffyd to that yntente to dissayve you, that hyt was collucyon and +ge my+gt reken by the lawe. Also the parson of Bykebure hath y-chargyd hys tenents that they schol no+gt pay no ale wytys to me: and Johne Yeme toke a dystresse, whane he was Baylee, and put hyt yn warde, and the parson delyveryd the dystresse ayen, by what delyvere y can no+gt understaunde: wherfor y pray you that +ge wol sende worde to youre councel how hyt schalbe demenyd. And as for the comyssyon, the commyssyoners havyth y-made a rule to sytte in every hundryd, and y tryst yn God by the rule of youre councel +ge schalbe savyd harmeles, y

tryst yn God. Also John Ry+gt promysyd me that he wolde bere thys letter: y pray you that +ge sende wrytyng by hym after youre intent how al materys schalbe doo by youre avyce. No more, but the holy Trynyte have you yn hys blessyd kepyng. T. Mathu. Thys letter be delyveryd unto Mayster Thomas Stonore in hast.

[} [\127. WILLIAM STONOR TO THOMAS STONOR\] }] [\(? 20 April, 1473)\] My ryght reverent and wurshypfull fadyr, I recomaund me unto your good fadyrhod in the most umbylle wyse that I kan or may, mekely besechyng your good fadyrhod of your dayly blessyng: lykyth your good fadyrhod to wytt that I have spokyn with master Selenger for your dute of your water sondage and sute of the Flete Damerell, and I am answeryd that I shuld be at Holbyntun at the corte, the wyche shalle be at holy rode tyde nexte comyng, and there to show evydens and recorde by mouth how hyt hath byn usyd yn tymys past: and as after Selenger seyyng in to my ladys counsell and hys that my lady wold not nother he but that your tytyll shuld be knowyn and no maner of fraude by them leyd to abatryt, and yff yt were tryyd with your fadyrhod so to be recorded and you to yn-joyye: and I found Gybbys welle disposyd to your fadyrhod, but Orcherd and Columb made many resuns ayen the water and eke ayen the sondage, the wold ye shuld have a wey to your grounde, but they wold ye shuld nat cum and send that wey. And yt lyke your fadyrhod I spoke to master Selenger acordyng to your comaundment for my brother Tomas mater, and enfourmyd hym hov they had

resseyvyd the rent, and hov your fadyrhod had don acordyng to hys desyre, and they entend nat: and he hath wrytyn unto the party to delyver the mon[{ey{] ayen: the wyche letter I send unto your fadyrhod that ytt myte be delyveryd unto the seyde party. Master Selenger desyryth your fadyrhod to forbere your sute ayen them thys terme, and that the trety go forth yff yt may be, or ellys your fadyrhod to take your a-wantage the nexte terme: but he ys dysplesyd sore with them for the reseyvyng of the money, and seyth they shall pay yt ayen. Also fadyr, master Selenger hath comaundyd alle my ladys counsell that non of my ladyse tenantes shuld fysche yn your water, and that the tenantes be so warnyd. Fadyr, and yt lyke yov, Umfrey Salman ys ded, and he hath a may chyd of x yere old to hys eyyr, the wyche ys ward unto your fadyrhod, and I trust to sesen yt unto the behofe of your fadyrhod, thov I tary a day or to the lengger. And also, fadyr, Frynd kannat yt delyver me, but he seyth unto me that your fadyrhod shalle be plesyd, and that I shalle have alle maner of dutys with me, both the old and eke the nev: corte day shalle be at Ermyngtun on a Sunday on senyte, and I caste me to departe on the morrov after, with the grace of Jhesu: for erst I kannat be delyveryd the lond of the ward wych dravyth to rent by yere xx marke: and I porpose fadyr to cum hom ward by Henbery, and so forth, as I dyd the laste tyme. No more to your good fadyrhod at thys tyme: but I mekely beseche your good fadyrhod that thys my bylle may recomaund me unto my good modyr yn my most umbyl vyse, mekely besechyng my good modyr of hir dayly blessyng &c., mekely besechyng your fadyrhod in lyke vyse, and I mekely besechyng alle myty Jhesu to preserve your good fadyrhod and your [{wyf, my{] modyrs good modyrhod, amen. I-wrytyn in Exeter the Thursday next afore seynt Jorgeys day. My lady Arundell prayyth your fadyrhod to be good cosyn unto her yn suche maters as her servant shall move your fadyrhod of. By your chyld Wylliam Stonor. To my ryght reverent and worshypfull fadyr, my fadyr Stonor.

[} [\128. WILLIAM STONOR TO THOMAS STONOR\] }] [\(? 1473)\] My ryght reverent and wurschypfull fadyr, I recomaund me unto your good fadyrhod yn the most umbyll wyse that I kan or may, mekely besechyng your fadyrhod of your dayly blessyng: lykyth your fadyrhod to wyt that my modyr ys in good hele, and alle my brethern and susters, blessyd be alle myty Jhesu: and I beseche your good fadyrhod not to be dysplesyd with me for Feyrmers mater, for I never medyld odyrs wise but told Sawnder, that that dede that he shewyd me shulde be to the womans tytyl after my conseytt: and by my trowth, fadyr, that that ys feld was don ere I knowyt: but fadyr, there is nothyng caryd, nether shalle nat be with the grace of alle myty Jhesu, hom I mekely beseche to preserve your good fadyrhod, Amen. I-wrytyn By your chyld Wyllm. Stonor. Also, fadyr, my Suster Cotymore ys delyveryd of a feyre sun, and both don welle, blessyd be Jhesu. To my ryght reverent and wurschipful fadyr, my fadyr Stonore.

[} [\136. WILLIAM STONOR TO THOMAS STONOR\] }] [\(? 6 February, 1474)\] My ryght reverent and wurshypfull fadyr, I recomaund me unto your good fadyrhod in the most umbull vyse that I kan or may, mekely besechyng your fadyrhod of your dayly blessyng: lykyth your fadyrhod to wyt that my modyr ys in good hele, blessyede be alle myty Jhesu, my brethern and my susters and my nevue Cottysmore. I beseche your good fadyrhod that yt wylle plese yov to speke with the Abbot of Dorchester that I may have suche fe as Marmyun had with hym with every thyng acordyng as he had: for I trust thorov your good fadyrhod that I may have hyt. And I beseche your fadyrhod to wryte for me to the pryor of Wychyswyde for such fe as he had there: and I trust

thorov your fadyrhode to spede with hym: for I have sente unto hym, and he hath answeryd that he wyll do to the pleasyre of your fadyrhod what he kan do: for he seyth he knovyth your fadyrhod, but he knovyth not me. And I mekely beseche your fadyrhod to wryte to the pryor of Byssam: and I trust to spede ther in lyke wyse thorov the helpe of your gode fadyrhod with the grace of Jhesu, hom I mekely beseche to spede yov yn alle your maters, and to preserve your fadyrhod yn alle maner of weyys, Amen. I-wrytyn +tat Stonore the Sunday nexte after Kandelmas day. By your chyld Wyllm. Stonor. To my Ryght reverent and wurshipfull fadyr, my fadyr Stonor.

[} [\141. W(ALTER) ELMES TO WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\(? 1474)\] Jhesus Christoforus. My rygth wurshupfull Cosyn, I recommaund me unto yow with all my herte: plesyth hit yow to undyrstond that I have spokyn with my cosyn Cottismore, and aftyre the effect that ye and I comynyd, that is to sey that ye and he to stond and abyde the direction of eny ij wurshupfull in your contre: to the wych he is agreable, so ye name soch as ye afore named, that is to sey Master Fowlere, M. Katermayns, M. Rede, and if hit plese yow to name M. Harcort: I suppose he wull be with yow at Pyrton. And the mene seson that no rent be levyd till such direction be had by such as ye afore rehersyd me of: which shall cawse grete amyte and the sonner the better: I suppose yf hit wulle be at the month mynd, at wych seson I suppose some of the afore rehersyd will be ther: and I suppose ye shall fynd hym a good and kynd brothyr. No mor to yow at this tyme, but Almyghty God preserve you fro all adversyte. W. Elmes. To my ry+gth wurshipful Cosyn, Wyllyam Stonor.

[} [\142. THOMAS STONOR TO HIS BROTHER, WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\(1474)\]

Broder Stonar, after all dewe forme of recomendacion hadde, plesse hyt yow to hunderstonde +tat I never longed so sore to speke with you as I do now, marvellyng grettly +tat ye be longe hense, remembryng how grettely in consette ye stonde in London with a gentylwoman, and the grette labore +tat hys made for here agynes you: and grettely hyt hys nossed and hasse bene tolde me with many persons +tat but ye be ware she shall be take from you. I here muche and sey no thyng: befor the laste tyme +tat ye where abowte suche a mater my speche and presens with you hurte you, and awelde you not: wherfore orlt ye to me a sewrte. I wolle in thys mater honsware no man, and yette I am grettely question with for you of divers persons thynkyng +tat I shulde ken muche of your delyng: for I wolde not for my horsse and harnes and all my oder goode +tat in thys mater ye toke a rebuke: wherefore remembre you shortely for the pass[{ion{] of Gode, for syth I cam to London xx men haffe questioned with me in thys mater, iffe ye shall be at your comyng, wheche I beseche Jhesu be not longe, who have you ever in kepyng. Your fethefull broder Th. S. Thys letter be delyvered to my broder Willm. Stonar in hast.

[} [\148. ALICE, DUCHESS OF SUFFOLK TO WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\5 March, (? 1475)\] Right trusty and entierly beloved ffrende we grete you well, desiryng and praying yow, all excuses layde apart, that incontinent this lettur seyne ye come to us to Ewelme for certayne grete causes concernyng our wele and pleasir, whiche at your comyng ye shall undrestond more pleynely: and theruppon ye to departe ayen at your pleasir, so that ye fayle not here ynne at this tyme as our parfait trust ys in you: and as in gretter case we woll be gladde to do for you, that knoweth our lorde, who have you ever yn gouvernaunce. Wreten at Ewelme the v day of Marche. +g . Alyce Suffolk. To our Right trusty and entierly beloved ffrende Wyllyam Stoner.

[} [\152. EDMUND STONOR TO HIS MOTHER AND BROTHER\] }] [\18 July, (1475)\] Ryght reverent and wurschypfull modyr, y recommaund me unto yow: desyryng to [{here{] of yowre welfare, the whyche almy+gty Gode contynu long to hys plesyr and yowr hertes desyre. Yef hyt plese yow to wytt at the makyng off thys letter I was in god hell, and all my men. No mor to yow at this tyme, but the trinyte have yow in hys kepynge. And I pray yow let me be recomaundyd to my [{sister{] yowr wyff. Wryttyn at Cales the xviij day of July, the day of the departyng of the Kyng and the duk of Burgayn, my lord and all the oste in to Frauncewarde. Yowr brothyr Edmund Stonor.

[} [\155. EDMUND STONOR TO (WILLIAM STONOR)\] }] [\28 October, (c. 1475)\] Right reverent and wurshypfull Brothyr, I recomawnd me unto yowe, good Brothyrhod, desyryng to here of yowre wellfare, the whych Almyg+gty God contynue long to hys plesyr and yowre hertys desyr: doyng yow to wyt y have spokyn with +te parson of Penyngton of the matyr +tat I have spokyn to yow off, and the parson hath told me that hyt was Perkyns dowtter: and Perkyns seythe +tat he cowd aweyll me in my lond x. mark a yer. But I undyrstond nat +tat he wull depart fro hony lond with here, but with mony, and what +tat ys the parson of Penyngton can not tell. But, syr, yff hyt wold plesse yow to speke with Perkyns and awys whethyr he, wull geve hys dowttyr hys part of Snowys well at Borowyscot to her and to her eyrys, I wold with the glader wyll dele with hym: and in that that he seyth +tat he cowd aveyll me in my lond so grett money by yer, I shall beseche yow to speke to hym in what maner of weys: and y beseche yow to be my good Brothyr in any weys, as I have fownd yow herafore tymes. No more to your good Brothyrhod at thys tyme but the Trinite have yow in hys kepyng. Wrettyn at Stonor on seynt Symon hys day and Jud. And I undyrstond Perkyns ys at London. By your brothyr, Edmund Stonor. To my ryght worschypfull Brothyr Stonor be thys delyveryd.

[} [\156. EDMUND STONOR TO (WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\(? 1475)\] My rygth wurschypfull Brothyr, I recommaund me unto yow, desyryng to her off your wellfare, the qwyhych almyghty [{Jhesu{] contynw: doyng yow to wytt that John Blakall browtt to Stonor a dyker for to make yowr dykes in . . . feld betwen the hy way and the ew tre: and John Mathew and I wolde a mad a bargeyn with hym but we [{cowd{] nott styll there on, nedyr we wyst nott how ye wold have hytt, whedyr ye wold have hytt sengyll dydge or [{dobyll{] dydge, and therffor we mad no bargeyn with hym: but I askyd hym how he wold do a perdge of sempyll dydge, and for . . d. he wold a don hytt a dobyll, sett hym with whit thorn, and a mad the dydge a yerd deppe: and yff hytt wold plesse yow to [{send{] word to John or to me whedyr ye wold have hytt dobyll dydge or senkyll, and what ye wull geve for a perdge we [{wull{] send for hym, and yff we can acord off the prys he schall still awayt and begyne. And also brothyr, wher ye speke to B . . es carpenter so to make yowr myll hows, he sayeth he can nott mak hytt but he mak hytt new: but Wyllyam Ale . . wyk [{sayeth{] that [{he{] with thyn lytyll space wyll mak ye +tat hows to stand ther xx yere, and okapy but lytyll new tymbyre: and we thy[{nk{] hyt wer +te lestt schardge to yow so, thane to mak a new hows. But I beseche yow brothyr latt not yowr carpenter know +tat I send yow thys now. No more to yow brothyr at thys tyme, but the trinyte have yow in hys kepynge. And ye schuld have a Monday next comyng a xl plowys in Pyssyll felde. Your brothyr Edmund Stonor. [\NO ENDORSEMENT.\]

[} [\158. JANE STONOR TO WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\(? 1475)\] Sone, I send you Goddys blessyng and myne. I understonde by my tenantys and yourys that Maystyr Lewes John desyryth for to have a letter fro you for to undyrstonde your maystyrschype and youre favor towarde your seyde tenants and myne. Wherefore I pray you to do aftyr hys desyre yn supportyng your ryght, and I woll do to the power that God hath sende un to me my parte wyth the grace of God, whome I beseche to be youre gyde, and that thys sympyll byll may recommaunde me un to my worshupfull and goode dowchtyr your wyfe. By your pore Moder Jane Stoner. [\NO ENDORSEMENT.\]

[} [\161. THOMAS BETSON TO WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\12 April, 1476\] Jhesu An=o= xvj=o=. Right worshipfful Syr I recom[{aund{] me unto your good maystershipe, and to my right worshypffulle maystresse your wiffe, and, yf it plese your maystershipe, to my maystresse Kateryn. And syr, +tankyd be the good lord, I understond ffor certeyn +tat oure wolle shipped be comen in [{. . .{] beste to Cales. I wold have kept the tydynges till I had comen my self, because it is good: but I durst not be so bold, ffor your maystershipe now ayenst this good tyme may be glade and joyffull off this tydynges; ffor in trouth I am glad and hartely +tannke God off it. And syr, whene I come I shall tell your maystershipe many +tinges moo by +te mercy off our Lord, who preserve your maystershipe ever. At London (\le xij jour de Apprill\) . Your servaunt to my power Thomas Betson. To my right worshipffull and synguler good mayster Willm~. Stoner, Esquyer, (\soyt d.d.\)

[} [\162. THOMAS BETSON TO WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\22 April, 1476\] Jhesu M'iiij=c=' lxxvj. Right worshipffull and my right Synguler good mayster I recommaund me to unto youre good maystershipe. And syr, ples it you to wete, this same day I depart to Cales wardes throw the myght off oure

Lord, Jhesu be my good spede. And syr with all my hart I +tannke your maystershipe ever off your gentyll chere and ffei+gthffull loffe, the whych allway ye bere and owe unto me, and off my behalff no+tinge deservid: how be it God knowing my good hart and will, and my prayer shall ever be redy for your maystershipe and all your howsold. And syr, ffor a remembraunce I send yow be +te brynger heroff ffor deynte ij powdyrd lampres, to ete hem whan it ples yow, I wold +tei wer better. Also syr, ye shall R[{esseyve{] , by the grace off God in John Somers barge now comynge to Henley a pype rede wyne ffrom my broder: I trust it shall ples your maystershipe well, ffor so my broder tellith me. And Syr, as touchynge the ffelles of Robert Turbotes of Lamberton, it makez no matter as yit thowe no man see hem till I send you o+ter word ffrom Cales: ffor I shall send you more clerer writinge ffrom Cales by the mercy off Jhesu, whom I besech ever to preserve your maystershipe in helth and vertu. At London the xxij day off Apprill. Be your Servaunt T. Betson. Syr, I besech your maystershipe +tat this powre writynge may have me lowly recomended to my right worshipffull maystresse your wyffe, and in lyke wyse to my gentyll Cossen and kynde maystresse Kateryn Rich, to whom I besech your maystershipe ever to be ffavourable and loffynge. Syr, I send you a scantlyn off your wyne herin closed. To my right worshipffull and Synguler good mayster Willm. Stonor Esquyer (\Soyt d.d.\)

[} [\163. THOMAS HENHAM TO WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\1 May, 1476\] Jhesu . M . iiij=c= lxxvj. Ryght worchipffull my Ryght Syngguler good mayster, I recommaund me unto your good maysterschipe ever more dessyring to here

of your wellffare, the wyche I beseche Jhesu mayntene and contenew to his plesur &c. Letyng your maysterschipe to wyt that I departyd ffrome Sandewych the xj day off Aprell, and so cam unto Calys apone sher thursday laste was with the wolle schipys; and so, blesside be Jhesu, I have resayvid your wollys in ssafte. Fordermore, Syr, yeff yt plesse your maystershipe for to understonde +tis, I have ressayvid your wollys as ffayer and as hole as any mannys in the fflete. More hover, Syr, yeff yt plesse your maysterschipe ffor to understonde howne your wolle was howsid ever dele by Ester even. Fordermore, Syr, yeff yt plesse your maysterschipe ffor to understonde that the schepmen be content and payde off thayer ffraythe. Fordermore, Syr, yeff hyt plesse your maysterschipe ffor to understonde off your wollys howne maney I have resayvid: Summa xxx sarplers ffyne Cottes wolle, and of M. Cottes x sarplers and off ffyne yonge Cottes wolle vij sarplers and of M. yonge Cottes iij sarplers and a sarpler of Refuse, Summa lj sarplers. All so, Syr, yeff yt plese your maysterschipe ffor to understonde that I have ressayvid a barell with harnes of peny, the wyche your maysterschipe sapke [\spake\] unto me of at my departyng frome yow, and a nother barell with harnes of bylys, the wych I have schipped hem unto London in one of the wole schipys, the wyche ij barelys schulde be kep unto the tyme that I com unto London my selffe. Fordermore, syr, yeff yt plese your maysterschipe ffor to understonde that Thomas Betson cam unto Calys the laste day of Aprill: and so he departyd in good helthe unto Brugys mart the fyrst day of May. No more unto your maister at thys tyme: but allmythi Jhesu have you in hys kepyng. Wretyn at Calys the first day of May. By your prentes Thomas Henham. Unto my worschipffull and myne synguler master Willm. Stonor, Squyer, of Oxford schyre, thys letter be delyvered in haste. dd.

[} [\164. GODDARD OXBRYGE TO WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\9 May, 1476\]

Jhesus. M. iiij C . lxxvj. Right worshipfull and Reverent Sir, plesith hit you to understonde +tat as these daye I have Res[{seyved{] fro Thomas Betson and fro Thomas Henham iij letterys, that is to saye ij to you and j to Thomas Howlake. And Sir, Thomas did write to me that I shuld shippe +te sarpler, the pooke, and the ij pokets woll, beyng at the Wollkey, now at this shippynge: And whan I have weyyde heme to reconne with +te custumerys clarkys and pay +tem for you and for heme ij. s. iiij. d., and to the weyor ffor every sake j. d., and to +te chalker j. d., and to +te porors viij. d.: thys is Thomas Betson is wrytyng to me. And Sir, I have delivered to William Somer, bargemane, to care to Henly: ffirst vj burdenys of rusys: Item xij saltffish, of +te whiche saltffish iiij be lengys: and a fardell aynte [\?\] in canvase, in +te wheche fardell is a bage with spysys, and ij brassys, a payer of pauenys for my maistres, a gowne of annyse de Padawis, and a mustard querne: and as these day at none +te barge departyd fro London; and he saythe he will be at Henli a Mondaye, or a Tuysdaye at +te fardyst, with the grase of God, wo have you in hese kepynge. At London, the ix daye of Maye, By your prentyse Goddard Oxbryge. [{To my{] good maister, Willm. Stonor, esquier, at Stonor.

[} [\165. GODDARD OXBRYGE TO WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\12 May, 1476\] Jhesu. A=o=. M. iiij=c= lxxvj. Right worschipffull Syr, please it you to wete that I send you wrytinge bi Howlake +tat Edmond Jod your tenante will departe owte of your howse I cannat tell wo sone, but I had no aunswer fro you agene for kowenat what comnante is betwyne you and heme, and therfor I beseche your maisterchip to let me have kowelige what comnante ys betwne you and heme, for I can nothenge say to heme till I have an aunswer fro you or fro my mastres. And sir, I have

R[{eceived{] fro Calise ij letters to you, and I wulld a sent theme to you before thise time, but I cowd no none body to convey theme savyng I had delyverde theme to a woman of Henly, and assone as sche was on horsebake in the strete sche wase arestid, and that is +te cause that you had theme nat before these tyme. And sir, I ame callyd apon for +te [\"for +t" REPEATED IN MS.\] monys, the wheche Davyd owyt, and in spesyall of the good man of +te marmayd, and of the polt'. And sir, I have inqueryd of maister Wrohntn is comemyng to London, and as yet he is nat come, but as sone as heys come you schalle have understondyng with +te grase of God, who have your Right worschipffull and Reverent maister in his blessyd kepyng ever. At London the xij daye of Maye. By your prentyse Goddard Oxbryge. To my Right worshipffull and Reverent maister Willm. Stonore, squyer, be delivered.

[} [\166.THOMAS BETSON TO KATHERINE RYCHE\] }] [\1 June, 1476\] Jhesus. An=o=. xvj=o=. My nowne hartely belovid Cossen Kateryn, I recomande me unto yow withe all the inwardnesse of myn hart. And now lately ye shall understond +tat I resseyvid a token ffrom you, the which was and is to me right hartely welcom, and with glad will I resseyvid it; and over that I had a letter ffrom Holake, youre gentyll Sqwyer, by the which I understond right well +tat ye be in good helth off body, and mery at

hart. And I pray God hartely to his plesour to contenew the same: ffor it is to me veray grete comfforth +tat ye so be, so helpe me Jhesu. And yff ye wold be a good etter off your mete allwaye, that ye myght waxe and grow ffast to be a woman, ye shuld make me the gladdest man off the world, be my trouth: ffor whanne I remembre your ffavour and your sadde loffynge delynge to me wardes, ffor south ye make me evene veray glade and joyus in my hart: and on the to+tersyde agayn whanne I remembre your yonge youthe. And seeth well that ye be none eteter off youre mete, the which shuld helpe you greately in waxynge; ffor south +tan ye make me veray hevy agayn. And therffore I praye you, myn nown swete Cossen, evene as you loffe me to be mery and to eate your mete lyke a woman. And yff ye so will do ffor my loveff, looke what ye will desyre off me, whatsomever it be, and be my trouth I promesse you by the helpe of our Lord to perfforme it to my power. I can [{no{] more say now, but at my comyng home I will tell you mych more betwene you and me and God beffore. And where as ye, ffull womanly and lyke a loffer, remembre me with manyffolde recomendacion in dyversse maners, remyttynge the same to my discresscion to depart them +ter as I loveff best, ffor south, myn nown swete Cossen, ye shall understond +tat with good hart and good will I resseyve and take to my self the one halff off them, and them will I kepe by me; and the to+ter halff with hartely loveff and ffavour I send hem to you, myn nown swete Cossen, agayn, ffor to kepe by you: and over that I send you the blissynge +tat our Lady gaveffe hir dere sonne, and ever well to ffare. I pray you grete well my horsse, and praye hym to gyffe yow iiij off his yeres to helpe you with all: and I will at my comynge home gyff hym iiij off my yeres and iiij horsse lofes till amendes. Tell hym +tat I prayed hym so. And Cossen Kateryn I +tannke you ffor hym, and my wiff shall +tanke you ffor hym hereafter; ffor ye do grete cost apon hym as it is told me. Myn nown swete Cossen, it was told me but late +tat ye were at Cales to seeke me, but ye cowde not se me nor ffynde me: ffor south ye myght have comen to my counter, and +ter ye shuld bothe ffynde me and see me, and not have ffawtid off me: but ye sought me in a wronge Cales, and +tat ye shuld well know yff ye were here and saw this Cales, as wold God ye were and som off them with you +tat were with you at your gentill Cales. I praye you, gentill Cossen, comaunde me to the Cloke, and pray hym to amend his unthryffte maners: ffor he strykes ever in undew tyme, and he will be

ever affore, and that is a shrewde condiscion. Tell hym with owte he amend his condiscion that he will cause strangers to advoide and come no more there. I trust to you that he shall amend agaynest myn commynge, the which shalbe shortely with all hanndes and all ffeete with Godes grace. My veray ffei+gtheffull Cossen, I trust to you +tat thowe all I have not remembred my right worshipfull maystres your modyr affore in this letter +tat ye will off your gentilnesse recomaunde me to her maystresshipe as many tymes as it shall ples you: and ye may say, yff it plese you, that in Wytson Weke next I intend to +t=e= marte ward. And I trust you will praye ffor me: ffor I shall praye ffor you, and, so it may be, none so well. And Almyghty Jhesu make you a good woman, and send you many good yeres and longe to lyveffe in helth and vertu to his plesour. At greate Cales on this syde on the see, the ffyrst day off June, whanne every man was gone to his Dener, and the Cloke smote noynne, and all oure howsold cryed after me and badde me come down; come down to dener at ones! and what answer I gaveffe hem ye know it off old. Be your ffei+gtheffull Cossen and loffer Thomas Betson. I sent you this rynge ffor a token. To my ffei+gtheffull and hartely belovid Cossen Kateryn Ryche at Stonor this letter be delyvered in hast.

[} [\167. GODDARD OXBRYGGE TO MISTRESS STONOR\] }] [\12 July, 1476\] Jhesu. A=o=. +tI. iiij=c= lxxvj Ryght worshipfull and Reverent Maistes, I recomend me unto you in the moste lowlyest wyse that I best can or maye: and, Maistes, pleasthe you to undirstond that I have R[{eceived{] a letter ffrome you by Davy Wrixham, the whech letter I undirstod wele, and schoche matter ase you he wreten to me ffor I wille aply hete as ney as I [{may{] . And,

Maistes, ther as you wrote to ffor your fesche I have aplyd hete as ny as kowd, but as I cane I will send it to you as sone as I maye, and thate shalbe a Tuysdaye or a Weddensdaye at the ffardest. And as for odir matterys that you wrote to me ffor, I have nat yete inqueryd off theme, ffor the tyme was sso shorte I cowd nat: the tyme wase sso shorte, sso I R[{eceived{] your letter a Tuysdaye betwyxte vj and vij a the kloke. And as ffor that yo wrote to me of Davy I wyll do acordyng to your wyll: and as ffor hyse gownys he had convyed theme, before you rod owte of London, into Whytebredys howse, and he had j off theme beffore he spake with me: and as for the remnante he shall nate have some wrytyng ffro you. And as ffor all oddir matterys I wyll ssend you word as ssone as I maye with the gras off owre lord, whoo have you, Right Worshipfull Maistres, I his blessyd kepynge, Amen. Be your prentyse Goddard Oxbrygge, the xij day of Jull. To my Right worshipfull Maistres Stonor, at sstonor. be thyse delywer. in hast.

[} [\168. ELIZABETH STONOR TO WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\18 August, 1476\] Jhesu. Ano. xvj Right well belovid Cossen, I recomaund me unto you with all myn hart and I +tannke you hartely, gentill Cossen, off youre expediscion

that ye have made in plesynge off my brodyr Stocker off his bucke: he is beholdyn unto you: at your comynge to London he will thannke you I dowt not as reason is; and I, as ffor my parte, +tannke you ffor my venyson, the which I have R[{eceived{] by my brodyr Crooke. Also, gentill Cossen, I undyrstond +t=t= my dou+gther Kateryn is craysed and hath a desese on hir neke: I marvell what it shuld be: yff it wold lyke you, I praye you hartely to suffer hir to come to London to me to the intent she may be holpyn +teroff. I send syr William, Annes Dibdale, and Howlake for hir, and on Twesday next I trust to see you here at London, and whanne ye come ye shall be welcom with more. Jesu spede you ever, amen. At London (\le xviij jour d'aoust\) . Elysabeth Stonor. [\P.S. IN DORSO.\] Gentyll Cossen, I praye you to bryng with you the ij baysons and hewers off silver, the silver Candelstikes and the monstrans, and the letill silver bayson to set it in. I wold have it here ayenst myn husbonds terement, and it can not come better at no tyme +tanne with you now because off strenght. To my most worshipffull Cossen Willm. Stonor, Esquyer, this be delyvered. At Stonor.

[} [\169. ELIZABETH STONOR TO WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\12 September, 1476.\] Right Reverent and Worshipfull and enteirly best belovyd Cosyn, I recommende me unto you in the most lowlyest wyse that I best can or may. And syr, as this day by your servaunt Thomas Mathew I receyvyd a letter from you, by the which letter I understonde that +ge be sumwhat amended and shall every day better and better +ten other by +te grace of God. Also, gentyll Cosyn, I understonde that my brother and yowris is sore seke of the poxes: wherfore I am right hevy and sory of your beyng there, ffor the eyre of poxe is ffull contagious and namely to them than ben nye of blode. Wherfore I wolde praye you,

gentyll Cosyn, that +ge wolde come hedyr, and yif hit wolde plese you so to doo, &c. And yif that hit lyke you not so to doo, Gentill Cosyn, lettith me have hedyr some horsis I pray you, and that I may come to you, ffor in good faith I can fynde hit in my herte to put my self in jubardy there as ye be, and shall do whilst my lyffe endureth to the plesure of God and yours. For in good faith I thought never so longe sith I see yow, ffor in trowth I hadde will hopid that your horsis shulde a ben here as +tis night; and that I tho+gt verely, and so poyntid my self for to a be with you as +te morue at night with Godes mercy, which shulde have ben to me right a grete comfort; ffor in good faith I have not ben mery at myn hert +tis sevynnight day ffor dyverse maters the whiche hath ben brokyn to me. Wherfore I wyst full hertly dyverse tymes +tat +ge hadde ben here: ffor I wot will that ye coulde an answeryd in certayne maters better +ten I: ffor truly I had not so besy a weke sith I cam hedyr, exepte oone day, which sir William, and John Mathewe both can enfourme you parte +terof. And Syr, as towchyng my childeryn I hertly thanke you that hit lyke you so for to tend them: but +git, Gentyll Cosyn, yif hit plese you to sende hem up with such horsis as hit lykith you to send for me, I wolde hertly pray you, ffor the poxe ben past out of this Countre and Cyte as fer as I understonde, blessyd be God. Gentyll Cosyn, I pray you hertly that I may have a redy worde from you on Saterday at nyght at +te ferthest; for in trowth I can not be mery unto +te tyme that I know verely how that +ge will I be demenyd hereyn. No more to you at this tyme, but almyghty Jhesu preserve you, and kepe you longe in good hele of body and longe to lyve in vertu to Godes plesure, and so to your moste hertes desire, amen. At London +te xij day of Septembr. A=o= xvj. And myn sonne Betson recommende hym unto you as hertely as he can or may, and bysowght to vouchsaffe to pray for hym &c.: and ye shall Rec. ij letters of hym by John Mathewe. And as this day viij of the Cloke in +te morning he toke his barge. I pray God sende hym good spede, amen. By your ovne Elysabeth Stonore. To my Right Worshipfull Cosyn, Willm. Stonor, squiere, this be delyvered.

[} [\170. ELIZABETH STONOR TO WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\9 October, 1476\] Jhesu M. iiij=c= lxxvj. Right Interly and beste belovyde Cosyn, I recomaunde me unto you in moste lovyng wyse. Syr, I resayvyde ffrome you a letter by the wyche I consayvyde that ye canne not departe but it shulde be to your gret lose. Wherffor ye do ryght welle to set hyt in a suerte: ffore hyt thys no lytell monay that he howys you. And Syr, as ffore my Cosyn Fowler, he whas not come as thys nythe, but he wylle be to morow at his plase as hyt thys tollde me. And as ffore my son Betson I have no wrytyng syn you departe. I truste yt shall not be longe to or whe shalle have wrytyng ffrome hym. And Syr, ther as ye wrte unto me ther as +tat Chetys and Hoderstone shulde be leffte ther stylle, truly so hyt thys: ffor I have put ffore no thyng save hondely for sarten plote. fforder more, Syr, ye schall under[{stonde{] +tat Thomas a Wode hys very sore syke at the Sworde in Flete strete. Syr, the Kyng hys come to Westemester, and I understonde there schalle be a gret Counsell, whereffore I wot never. My Cosyn Hellmys recomaunde hym unto you. And Syr, I thanke you hartely as I cane ffore your good tynchys: ffore truly thay whare very goode and swet as I het hany many a day. Whereffore I sent my ffader hone off them to hys soper. Whereffor he thanke you ryght hartely. No more unto you at thys tyme, Jhesu have you in his kepyng, Amen. At London the ix day of Octobur at ix a Cloke at nythe. By your owne Elysabeth Stonor. Allso Syr, ye schulle understonde that Thomas Wode hys [{syke wi{]th the pokys. To my Ryght Reverent and Worshipffull hosbon Wyllm. Stonor, Sqyer, at Orton thys letter be delyverd. In hast. dd.

[} [\172. ELIZABETH STONOR TO WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\22, October (1476)\]

Right interly and best belovyd husbond, I recomaund me unto you in my most herty wyse, evermore thankyng you right hertely off all kyndeness to me schewed at all tymes, and nowe ffor your good Venysone and Coneys, the wheche you sent me be Heri Blakhall, the whech is gret deyntis to have here in London: wherfor I sent the halffe hawnche to my ffadyr and a cowpyll off coneys: and they recomaund them unto you and thanke you ryght hertely. And sur, you schall undyrstond that I have be with my Lady of Southfolke as on Thursday last was, and wayted uppon hyr to my lady the Kynges Modyr and hyrse, be hyr commaundment. And also on Satyrday last was I wayted uppon hyr thedyr ageyne, and allso ffro thens she wayted uppon my lady hyr Modyr, and browght hyr to Grenwyche to the Kyngis good grace and the quenyse: and ther I sawe the metyng betwyne the Kynge and my ladye his Modyr. And trewly me thowght it was a very good syght. And sire, I was with my lady of Southfolke at this day hopyng that I myght have hade hyre at sume leysyre that I myght a spokyn to hyr ffor the money, but trwly sche was very besy to make hyre redy, ffor sche is redyne to Cauntyrbery as this same day, and sche wyll be here ageyne as on Satyrday next comyng, ffor so sche told me hyr selff. Also Sire, I spake with my cosyn Fowler at my lady the Kyngis Modyr; and I thankyde hyme as hertely as I cowde for his gret kyndnese that he schewid to you and to me at all tymys, prayeng hyme of his good contynuans: and he askyde me when you wyld cum hydyr. And I tellyd hym that I supposyd that you wyld be her as this weke. And also I spake with my cosyne Rokysse: and he askyd me in leke wyse, and he seyth itt is not hys ffortune to mete with you here in London: and I spake to hyme ffor John Mathews mater, and prayed hym to be good master unto hym: and he awnswerd me ageyne, and seyde that he had lytyll cause, for he seyth that he have ben the most importune manne that myght be to hymewardes. And I awnswerd and seyde to hyme, that I coude never undyrstond hyt but that he owght hyme his servyse to his powre. And Sire, my lady of Southfolke is halfindell dysplesyd because that my Cystere Barantyne is no better arayed, and leke wyse my Cyster Elysabeth. And sche seyth with owght they be otherwyse arayed, sche seyth, sche may not kep them: and sche seyth that my Moder and yours schuld saye that you have I-nowe to ffynd my Cyster Elysabeth with all. Also I undyrstond +tat Sure John Buttelyr hath spokyn to my lady to have my Cyster Barantyne with hyme: what he menyth therin

we wot nere, with oute that he wold have the rewle of hyr husbandys lyvelode be that meane. Wherffore my Cyster wold speke with you ffore that mater to have your cownsell in what is best to do. And Sire, as ffor my sone Betsonne I herde no worde ffrome hyme sith you departyd: for ther commyth no passage this viij dayese. And Sire, I wold pray you whenne Davy Wrixame commyth to you owght off Cottyswold, that ye wold send hyme hydder that he myght wryght to my sonne howe he have done in the contre. And good Sire, I pray you that my blewe gowne of damaske may be sent to me ageyne alhalowne day, and my cofferse and my dowter Caterynes, that I spake to you ffore. And sire, suche kercherse and smokkys and small japys that be in the chest that Cateryne my womanne had role of, whech chest stondyth in my sonne Betsonys Chaumbre. And Sire, I wold pray you that +gee wold send this gere to me that I myght take rekenyg of hyre: ffor she skevisith hyr and sey that suche gere as I aske her is there. Sir, I pray you send me no more ryngis with stonys: ffore the ryng that you sent me be Hery Blakhall, the stone is ffallyn owght be the way and loste: wherffore I ame sory. Good sire, let it not be long or I may se you: for truly me thynke ryght long syth I se you. Your chylderne and myne ffare well, blessyd be God, and they be to me a gret cowmfort in your absens. No more to you at this tyme, but almyghti Jhesu preserve and kepe you in long helth and vertue to hys plesure. At London the xxij day of Octobre. My owne Cosyne, I sende you a bladyr with powdyr to drynke when +ge go to bede, ffor hit is holsome ffor you. Be your ovne to my powre Elysabeth Stonore. To my Ryght well-belovyd Cosyn Wyllm. Stonor, squyer, at Stonore, this be delyveryd.

[} [\173. ELIZABETH STONOR TO WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\25 October, 1476\]

Jhesu M. iiij=c= lxxvj. Ryght Interly and beste belovyde Cosyne I recomaunde me unto you as hartely as I cane. ffordermore, Cosyn, plesyth hyt you to understonde that I have resayvide a bore ffrom you: the wyche I thanke you ryght hartely ther ffor: the wyche bore hys very goode and well braunde. Allso Cosyn, my moder and yourys sent me monay to by her boge, and sche sent me a gobelet to amend: the wyche gobelet I have schuyde unto dyverys golldsmythys: and thay say hyt cane not be amendyd, but hyt be new made: and so I pray you to infforme my moder. And as ffor the boge my moder sent unto me ffor, I send hyt to her by Folyhet, the brynger heroff. And so, Syr, I pray you to infforme my moder, as hyt thys: and I will kepe the gobelet unto the tyme that I have answere ffrome her. Allso, Syr, I pray you to recomaunde me hartely unto here goode moderhode. Fordermore, Cosyn, I longe sore ffore you, to se you her in London whanne you have done your besenes: but I understonde that you have hade gret besynys syn you departyd ffrome me. Syr, ye schalle understond that I had no wrytyng ffrome my son Betson: ffor as ny as I cane in-kewere, syn Howlake departyd ther came no passag ffrom Calys. Forder, syr, I pray you that ye wolde woche-saffe ffore to sen John Mathew unto Hendelay, ffor to breke the ffardell and to wrythe schuche thyngys [{as{] is in hyt and to make ij ffardellys ther off, that hyt mythe be sent downe by the caryar off [{Hendelay{] ffor I cane not have hyt ayenst the tyme helse: ffore I most nedes have hyt, ffore the chylld [{eryn have{] ne chaung, ffor they go so schamely that I have pete off them. And goode Syr, as ffor my nawne [{gowne that I{] wrothe unto you off, I pray you that I mythe have hyt as sone as ye may. No more unto you [{at thys tyme{] , but Jhesu have you in hys kepyng. Wretyn at London the xxv day off Octobur. By your ovne Elysabeth Stonore. Unto my Ryght hartely well-belovyde Cosyn Wyllm. Stonor, Squiere, thys be delyverd, in hast.

[} [\175. ELIZABETH STONOR TO WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\7 November, 1476\] Jhesu. M. iiij=c= lxxvj. Ryht enterly and beste belovyd husbond I recomand me unto you in my most hartyest wyse that I beste can or may, sartyfyyng you that I have receyvyd your letter of John Stute and iij coppull of conyes and bald reybbys with the chyk, the whyche I thanke you for als hartyly as I can. Also I conseve by your wrytyng that you have had very meyche a do with holdyng of cortes and odir besynes, the [{wyche{] , as I pray God son to send you a nend thereof, that I myght [{see you{] here. And Syr, as tocheyng the hogeyshed of salte that you wrote [{to{] me for,

truly Syr I wold a sente yt to you with alle my harte, but +te bargys wer departyd before your letter cam [{unto{] me. Also, Syr, I have reseyvyd sen you departyd ij letterys frome my [{sun Bet{]sun as on Monday last wase, on of them deectyd to you. ... The whyche letterys I have red and wele undirstond them [{... I{] conseve by hese wrytyng that he ys very lothe that Elmys woll ... departe frome heme: never the less he thynkithe that xiij markes and a d[{i ...{] pryse for to bye lx saks: after that pryce it wold draw myche m[{oney{] and lytell gettyng suld be therin. And yet I truste to ... have yt, for as I undirstond yt ys yete unsold ... that my sun Betsun sent to me by the brynger [{herof ...{] I pray you grete wel my broder Thomas Ston[{or from me desiring y{]ou to seye to heme that I marvyll gretly what [{... moveth{] heme to saye schoyche langege by me as he dothe, for as ... [{that{] I [{wold{] plok from your lyelod alle that I can to make a grete ...: for +tat I wote welle you can awnswere for me wele enowe. And so I ... to defend me. No more to you at thys tyme, but I beseche all myg[{hty Jhesu{] have you, right ynterly and best belovyd husbond, in hys [{blyssid kepyng ever{] Amen. At London the vij day of Novembr. My owne good [{husb{]ond I se well ye [{re{]membre +te puttyng at ... out of +te bed whan you and I lay last togedyr. By your ovne [{to my{] powre, Elysabeth Stonor. To my Right worshipffull husbond [{Wyllm.{] Stonor, Sqyer, thys letter be delyverd in hast. d. d.

[} [\176. ELIZABETH STONOR TO WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\11 December, 1476\] Jhesu Ryght entirely and beste belovyd husbonde I recommende me unto you in the most lovyng wyse that I best can or may. Moreover, pleseth hit yow to understonde that I have receyvyd your letter, a byll closid in the said letter, which I have redd and ryght well understondyd: and as

for all such stuff as the said byll specefyth of, as yet I have not receyvyd. How be hit the barge is comyn with +te said stuff as +tis nyght at vij of clocke: and Syr, soo hit will be the morne or I can receyvyd hit. Fer+termore, syr, plesith hit yow to wit that as on ffryday last past I dyende with my ffadir and my modir. And +ter was at dyner with hym +te frendys of +ge childe which was movid for oone of my do+gters at your last beyng heere. And so at after dyner +tey hadde +tere comunycation for +te said mateer, wherby I understode +ter dispocitions how +tat +tey were disposid in the said mateer. And truly hit was nothyng as hit was spokyn of at +te begynnyng: wherfore I answeryd and said in +tis wyse: that +too shee were my childe, as she is, I coulde not answere that mateer without yow nor noght wolde doo. How be hit, I answeryd in your byhalf: that I wyst ryght well +tat +ge wolde be ry+gt kynd and lovyng ffadir, yif God ffortunyd that ye and they shulde dele. And Sir, there as ye wryte that +tat +te bargemen ben loth to take and Rec. any stuff of ours I marveyle gretely: ffor truly to my knowlege I hadde never +ting caryed by any of them but +tat I paid them truly +terfore. And Sir, as for +te vj cowpull of haberndens, the which ye wryte ffore, they shall be bought and sente yow ryght shortly. And as ffor your gownys of chamlet and dublettes of sylke, I have bought hem: the which shall plese yow ryght well, I trust to God, at your comyng, &c. And Sir, my sonne Betson recommende hym unto yow, and he come home as on Monday last past, and he hath brought with hym, blessid be God, good tythynges, the which he and I shall enfourme yow at your comyng. And ther as ye wryte that ye will sende me of a wylde bore and other venson ayenst Sonday, truly I thanke yow as hertly as I can. But truly yet I wolde pray yow that ye wolde spede yow hedyr als sone as ye can: ffor I wolde trust to Godes mercy hit shoulde be to your profetes and avayle in tyme comyng by the grace of our Lord, who ever preserve and kepe yow to his plesur and your most herts comfort. Amen. At London the xj day of Decembre A=o= xvj. And Cosen, heras ye wryte to me +tat I had no leysyr: truly I have ben crised and besy, ellys I wyld have wryte to you or thys tyme. By your ovne Elysabeth Stonore. To my Ryght well belovyd Cosen, Willm. Stonere, esquyer at Stoner +tis be delyverd.

[} [\180. ELIZABETH STONOR TO WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\7 March, 1477\] Jhesu A=o= xvij. Ryght enterly and best belovyd husbond, I recomaund me unto you as hertely as I can. Syre, I have ress[{eyved{] a letter ffrom you, and a nothyr letter +tat my son Betson sent you and a tokyn from you be your servant Christoffyre, whech letter I have red and ryght well undyrstond. And as towchyng John Elmys, truly, syre, he is a marvelus man: I conseyve be my son +tat he wold goo from his promesse +tat he made to you and to hym of his woll +tat hyt suchld aryse as good in pokyng thys +gere as hyt ded +te last +gere: and +tat I consyve he cannot make good: but never +te lesse I dout not but +tat you and my son Betson wyll handyll +te matyrs well I-nowe: ffore blessyd be God +ge be on +te surere syde: ffore all +te sayde woll I have ress[{eyved{] hyte and fayer howsyd hyt: and +gyt ffore all that I wot well +tat you and my son wylnot dele with hym othyrewyse than ryght and consyes wyll requere, and +tat is best. Syre, I thank you hertely +tat hyt plesyd you to wyshe me with you at redyng off my letter: truly I wold I had a be there with you at +te same seson with all my hert. And as towchyng my brothyre Stonore, truly syre ther was no bodye +tat tellyd me precysly +tat hyt was he, but I knowe well hyt was he, ffore hyt was sayde to me +tat I kept you here among a meany of boyes with othyre langwage more, whech was not fyttyng fore to have such langwage of any servant that long to you ore me: fore, and he remembyre hym selff well, he hath no cause to saye of me otherwyse than well: fore I never sayde to dysplease hym be my wyll, but fore hys own worshypp, and +tat knowyth God, how ever preserve you. At London, +te vij day of Marche. Cateryn and Hue Fenne recomaund them unto you, and they praye fore you as they can. And

Syre Wyllm. Stavelye and all your howshold ffaryth well, blessyd be God. By your owne to my pouer Elysabeth Stonore. My good Cosen, I am crassed in my baket: you wat what I men. To my ryght worschypfull Cosyn Wyllm. Stonore, squyer, at Stonore be this delyvered.

[} [\185. THOMAS BETSON TO DAME ELIZABETH STONOR\] }] [\22 Dec. (1477)\] Jhesu Ano. My most synguler good lady, after all dew commendacion hadd: please it your good ladishipe to wete that I am throw and agreyd with Laurence Fyncham, and have sett hym such surte as with the same he is right well pleased. Whereffore, good madame, I beseche you to remembre myn obligacion, the which ye have off myn, and lett it be

broken and sent me hiddyr to London by the next that comethe. Also, madame, I have spoken with Laurence Fyncham ffor the xviij. l~i. due by Mayster Hampton, and he tellith me pleynly that mayster Hampton will geve no more but xiiij. l~i. ffor them, that is after iiij. s. the unce: and yff ye will nat so, ye shall have your baysens agayn. And +terffore looke how you +tinke best and +terafter send me word, and I shall doo +terin as I wold doo ffor my selff. I spake unto my lady your modyr on seynt Thomas daye, and she wold scarsely oppyn hir mouthe unto me: she is displesid and I know nat whereffore with owte hir old sekenes be fallen on hir agayn: God send hir ones a mery contenaunce, and a ffrendely tonnge, or elles shortly to +te mynnorres, wheroff she waxhith wery now, as it was told me but late. I am wrothe with Kateryne, by cause she sendith me no writtynge: I have to hir diverse tymes, and ffor lacke off answere I wax wery: she myght gett a secretary, yff she wold, and yff she will nat it shall putt me to lesse labour to answere hir lettres agayn. Madame, I beseche the blissid trenyte to send you a Mery Cristymas to your hartes ease and ever to preserve and kepe you in longe helth and vertu. At London the xxij day Discembre. By your owne sone and servaunt, Thomas Betson. To my right synguler good lady, Dame Elyzabeth Stonor, (\soyt dd.\)

[} [\186. MARGERY HAMPDEN TO WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\(c. 1477)\] Worchypfull Cossyne, I recomaund me unto yow, and I pray yow hartely, cossyne, to come heder thys nyte or to-morow by tymesse, both for +te mater off my nefew, and also for +te mater that I desyred yow, asse my truste yn yow, or asse I may do thynge to yowr plesur, +te weche to do I wold be glad, God knowthe, ho have yow yn ys kepinge. Yowres M. Hampden. To my worchippfull Cossyn, W. Stonor, in haste.

[} [\187. THOMAS HAMPDEN TO WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\(c. 1477)\] Ry+gthe worchypeffull cossyn, y recomaund me unto you: prayng yow that hyt lyke yow to come to London and speke wyth me and wyth my syster: and that hyt lyke yow to hye yow yn all godely hast, asse my truste ys yn yow, ffor y wolde be ago and +ge werr y-come, for we may nat go yn-tyll +ge come. No more unto yow, the holy Trenite have yow yn ys blessyd kepyng. Y-wryten yn hast at London. By T. Hampden of Hampden. To my Ry+gthe Worschepeffull Cossyn, Wyllyham Stonorr.

[} [\190. HENRY MAKNEY TO WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\(before 1478)\]

Myne especialle gode Mastire, y recomand me to youe &c. Syr, y have seyne a grete oxe for youe, yf ye be note purveyde: +te pris is grete, hit is of xxx. (^s.^) , but ye shalle have x. (^s.^) for +te talow and hide, and he wulle serve youe wele for a C. messe: ye moste sende a servante of yours to mete with me at Wallyngeford on Moneday by vij at +te clokke at Buttons. Y wull showe hyme +te oxe, and if ye +tynke +te pris to grete, y wulle go with hyme to Abyngdon markete, and ye shalle have iiij or v dosyne pygeons, ij or iij lamys of xij. (^d.^) a pece, chekyns and capons moste be hadde at Oxford on Satusday. Colyngerygge and y be at opyne warre: y purpose to entre in +te Manere of Makney with Godes grace on Moneday or Wennysday; and yf y have nede y pray youe sende me a gode lade or ij that y be note bete owte ayene. If +ter be any odire servise, +tat y may do abote your busines, sende me word and y shalbe redy &c. Your owne. H. Makney. To my specialle gode Mastire W. Stonor.

[} [\192. H. MAKNEY TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\(? 1478)\] My specialle gode Maister, y recomand me to youe &c. Sire, my modire hathe [{been{] with me on Friday laste, and hathe receyvde of me xl. s. for +te terme of oure ladys day, and nowe y ame here gode sone and alle welle while hit wull endure. She movide me for here suertes

of here paymentes, which [{y{] promiside here before youe: +ten I praede here name +te persons whiche [{she would{] have bownde: +te she namyde Kydwelly or Harry Dogette, Thomas Latten, Roberte Felde, and Thomas Gossefforde: wheron y have grauntide here to yeve here a answere within iij wekes after Ester. Morovire, y told here +tat y wulde departe fro +te place or sete a tenante +terin: +ten she questionyde me who shulde be my tenante: y sede +tat ye were adviside to be tenante, with +tat ye my+gte entrete here for here parlour and +te Chapell: and y suppose +tat she wulbe easely entretide, if ye sende be tymes while +te gode wylle lastithe. Wherfore on Tusday nexte comyng shalbe +te honowre day at Wallyngefforde: and yf ye wulde sende to Herry Dogette +tat he wulbe +ter and make here halfe a promise +tat he wulde be a suerte for here paymente, +te he my+gte entrete here for +te parlour; and Chapell. Also y pray youe remembre +tat +te Stuard and John Mathewe my+gte be with me on Moneday nexte: ande as for yowr stuffe at Hurley may be broughte to Makney with my cartis, whiche shall carye my litill stuffe, and save youe money and me bothe &c. Your servaunt H. Makney. To my speciall gode Maistire Sire William Stonor.

[} [\193. SIR WILLIAM STONOR TO JOHN BOUNDY\] }] [\(after 1477)\] Boundy I grete yov wele. I pray yov delyver my servant, brynger of thys bylle to yov, v. li. or x. marke, yf yt may be, for I must nedes pay yt in that Cuntrey: hyt shalle be alouyd yov of the vode. Remembre me, as [{I{] may doo for yov: and thys bylle wryt with my hond shalle be your dyscharge of the sum reseyuyd. Wyllm. Stonore, K. To Boundy ... be this deliverd.

[} [\197. HUMPHREY FORSTER TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\(after 1477)\] Ryght worshipfull and entierly wel-beloved Nevew, in my most feythefull wyse I recommaunde me to yowe. And pleaseth yowe to wete +tat I entended verreyli to have be with yowe this afternone for suche persones as will be with yowe to be suretees for Joy: but it is so +te wether is suche +tat I dare not ryde: wherfor I beseche you to have consideracion to alle the premysses and +tat ye lyke to take surete for +te pore man +tat he may goo at large. And also +tat ye lyke to wryte a letter to Herry Doget to deliver hym. And Jesu preserve you. In hast this same Saterday. Your owne H. F. To my worshipfull Nevew Syr William Stonor, in hast.

[} [\199. JOHN, ABBOT OF NORTON TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\(after 1477)\] Ryght wurschypfull and my fulgud Mayster after all due recommendacion to yowe hade: prayng yowe to send me now in my grete necessite by the berer heroff, my servant, your ferme ffor the parsonage of Pyrton, the whyche was due to have ben payd the viij day after the nativitie of Saynt John Baptist: wher I had grett mervayll when my brothyr Schanon no mone had so long taryyng in London over your promyse, me to grette coste and hym to grett labur: the sayd ferme due xxiij. li. vj. s. viij. d., never afore this tyme sendyng twyes for hyt. Besykyng yowe now to send hit me by my sayd servant withowte any delay: for truly I had never gretter mestur then I nowe have, as my sayd servant schall infowrme yowr maysterschyppe; to the whyche I beseke yow gyfe credens, ffor at mydsomer I purpos to fette myself the ferme of +t=e= sayt terme, and bryng yowr grewnd and tresyr my hake, with the grace of Good, who have yowe in hys blessyd kepyng to his pleassur and yowre hertes desyre. At Norton the third day of Februar. Your bedman John, abbot of Norton. To my wurschypfull and my fulgud mayster, Sir Willm. Stonor of Stonor in the cownte of Oxon, and of the parech of Pirton, be this delyveryt.

[} [\205. THOMAS BETSON TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\25 March, 1478\] A=no= xviij=o=. Right honorable Syr, and my right Synguler good mayster, I recommaunde me unto your good maystershipe. And Syr, yff it lyke you, accordynge to myn promesse unto your maystershipe I mette with my Lady your wyffe at Windsouer, and ffrom thens to London to my symple

power I helppid to conveye hir. And Syr, by the waye we were ryht mery, thankyd be God, and so with his mercy we mene here to be mery ffor the season that my lady is here: and whanne your maystershype is redy to come hidder wardes we here shall so welcome you that the season of your abydynge shall nat be noysom, with Godes grace. Also syr, Robert Warner of Watlyngton is departid and gone home: truly he is an untrew man of his promesse: it is well done ye call sharply uppon hym, or elles it wilbe longe or ye have your money off him. Your maystershipe knoweth best what ye have to doo. Syr, thannkyd be God, my lady is ryght mery and in hele off body, our Lord preserve her, and all we your servauntes resonable mery, as the world reqwyereth here, and I know well many off us wysche ffast to Stonor agayn by cause off a substaunce, and I ffor my season the which is ryht longe, as me semes, God Almyghty knowithe all: I say no more, but our blyssed Lord spede you att Wyndsouer in your matters and elles where. At London on our Lady day in the nyght, when I deme ye were in your bede, ffor my nyne smerttyd, so God help me, By your servaunt T. Betson. To my ryht synguler good mayster Syr Willm. Stonor, knyght.

[} [\207. THOMAS BETSON TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\16 April 1478\] Jhesus. A=no= xviij=o= Right honorable Syr and my right synguler good mayster, I recommend me unto your good maystershipe. And, syr, this same nyght I ress[{ayved{] a bill from your maystershipe, by the which I undyrstond +tat you have sent me ij capons: and syr, +te same ij capons I have ress[{ayved{] by the caryer Gardener, and they be right good: truly ffor the which I thanke your maystershipe hertely for your kyndely remembraunce, ffor with your maystershipe I am nat forgettyn I ffynd, and so all way, and I praye God reward you. Syr, I toke ij capons, but +tei wer nat the best, as ye counseled me by your letter to take, and in deed to saye the trouthe I cowd nat be sufferyd. My lady your wiffe is resonably stronge waxhid, the good lord be thankyd: and she tooke hir will in that matter lyke as she doyth in all o+ter. I dare nat wryte you the trouth till you come home, the which we deme shalbe on Setterday next with Godes grace, who ever preserve your right worshipful person in longe helth and vertu to his plesour. At London, the xvj day of Apprell Your servant T. Betson. Syr, I wold have written you som tidynges but I know none as yit +tat be trew, save we intend here, with Godes grace, to begynne shippynge apon Monday next. Syr, John Saye is deed, our lord have mercy apon his soull. To my righte worshipful mayster, Syr Willm. Stonor, knyght, (\soyt dd.\)

[} [\211. THOMAS BETSON TO DAME ELIZABETH STONOR\] }] [\17 May 1478\] Jhesus An=o= xviij=o=. Right honorable and my Synguler good lady, with due reverens as is accordynge I recommaund me unto your good ladyshipe. And

ffer+termore lyketh it yowre good ladyshipe to know that on trenyte evyne last passed I come unto Cales: and I thannke +te good lord hartely I had a fful fare passege, and the bettyr I know well it was throw your good prayers, off the which, iff y durst be so bold, I wille beseche your ladyshipe off countenewance, and I to my power shall remembre your good ladyshipe with all your loffers dayly amonges my poure prayers, off the whiche, yff they be good and acceptable unto God, my mayster your husband, your good ladyshipe, with all your children I beseche him hartely ye may have parte: and I beseche almyghty Jhesu to send your good ladyshipe as comffortable helthe and welffare at Stonor or elles where as ever ye had in eny place to Godes plesour. And good madame, I beseche your good ladyshipe to remembre my Cossen Katteryn of all such matters as I spake unto your ladyshipe off at many dyverse tymes, as ye know: I remembre hir ffull off, God know it: I dremyd ones she was xxx wynter off age; and whanne I woyke I wyschyd she had bene but xx: and so by lykelyod I am soner lyke to have my wysche +tan my dreme, the whych I beseche all myghty Jhesu hartely may be whanne it shall plese hym. Also good madame, and it lyke you to wete, as on Friday next after Corpus Christi day I intend unto the marte wardes, our blissid lorde be my spede and helpe me +ter and send me good payment off all oure dettours. And I beseche your ladyshipe to recommaund me unto my mayster your husbaund. And I praye +te good lord to send me good tidynges ffrom you bothe and ffrom all youres. Writen at Cales the xvij day off Maii, (\An=o=. ut supra\) . Be your ffeythffull servaunt, Thomas Betson. And I send your ladyshipe a token here inclosed, the which youre ladishipe knowith right well. At my commynge ffrom the marte, with Godes grace, your ladyshipe shall have more writynge ffrom me how I have spedd, and in lyke wyse my mayster your husbaund: and our blissid lord Jhesu Christ preserve you bothe in honour and worshipe vertuosly to contenew to Godes plesour, and also to send you good and proffitable counsell and grace to doo +ter after: this is and shalbe my prayer for sothe every daye: your honour and worshipe off contenewaunce here after stykkythe as nye myn hart as dothe eny freind, man or o+ter about you, be my trouthe, our blissid lord so helpe me. I will avyse you, madame, to remembre large expensez and be ware of them, and in lyke wyse my mayster your husbaund: it is well done ye remembre hym off them ffor

dyverse consederacions, as ye know bothe right well. And our blissid lord be your comfforther and help in all your good workes, Amen. To +te right honorable and my right Synguler good lady, Dame Elsabeth Stonore, this letter be delyvered in hast.

[} [\212. THOMAS BETSON TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\17 May, 1478\] Jhesu. An=o= xviij=o=. Right honorable and worshipfull Syr, I recommaunde me unto your good maystershipe in the mooste convenyent wyse I best can or maye: and ffer+termore, Syr, lykethe it you to wete that on trenyte evynne I came to Cales, and thankid be +te good lord I hade a ffull ffare passege: and, syr, with Godes myght I intend as on Frydaye next to depart to the marte wardes. I beseche the good lord to be my spede and helpe me in all my warkes. And, syr, I truste to Godes mercy, yff the world be mery here, to doo som whatt that shalbe bothe to your profette and mynne. As yit +ter comethe but ffew merchantes here: here after with Godes grace +ter will come moo. I shall lese no tyme whanne the season shall come, I promytte you. And, syr, I beseche you +tat this symple writynge may have me recommandid unto my lady your wiffe. And I beseche the good lord to send you bothe good helthe and vertuuse lyffynge, +terin longe to endewre to Godes plesour And also, syr, I beseche you to be my good mayster and ffeythffull loffer, as ever here to ffore to my knowlege I have ffoundyn you. And, syr, I trust to God as ffor my parte so to indevour me ffor your maystershipe +tat with Godes grace bothe ye and my lady your wiffe shall well undyrstond and know that I loffe bothe your worshipes, and your profett, and so it shall prove in dede with Godes helpe. And, syr, whanne I come ffrom the marte I shall send you word off all matters by the mercy off our lord, who ever preserve your right worshipffull person in longe helth and vertu, Amen. ffrom Cales the xvij day off May. Be your servaunt Thomas Betson. To my right honorable and Synguler good mayster syr Willm. Stonor, knyght, this letter be delyvered in hast.

[} [\213. GODARD OXBRYGE TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\21 May, 1478\] Right onerabulle and worschipefull sir, and myn aspesyalle good maister, I rekomend me unto your good mastershipe in the moste lowely wise that I beste can: sertefyinge your mastershepe that I ame informyd by master Betson that Dave Wrykesame hathe reportyd sarten langage by me in presens of my lady and on of her brodiryn: and that is thus, that the seyd Daveht shold saye, that I told heme that maister Betson schold tell me that he laboryd to your maistership and to my lady to brynge the seyd Davyht owte of your conseythe and favore: the whyche I take god to rekord that I never at no sesun repordid enny shyche wordys to the seyd Davethe, nor to nonodir person, and that wyll I jostyfy as largely as enny trewe person owythe for to jostyfy for a trowthe. And wan Mayster Betson told me of thys langege that Dawyth repordyd by me, it came to my remembranse that Daveth hathe sayd to me that maister Betson at Ester was a twelmonthe was srevyn off hys goostly fadir, and that it was geven heme in penanse that he shold aske the seyd Davyth forgevenes of this that maister Betson schold make labor to your mastershipe to brynge the seyd Daveth owte of your conseyt and favore. And fardirmore, the seyd Davythe sayd to me that maister Betson kowd nat have absolysyon of hys goostly fadir tyll he had promysyd to brynge the sayd Dave in your favor as myche as he was before. And thys seyd words Davyth hathe sayd to me, the whyche maister Betson kene tell you more klerly by myn enformemasyon. And Sir, I beseche your maistershipe to delyver to John Burton the moneye the whyche is dewe to me by your maistershepe: the money amonthe to the Summa x. li.: wherof I resevyd of my lady at my departynge xl. s.: and so the reste is viij. li. st. The whiche I beseche your maistership to delyver to Burton: for I have wryttyn to heme wher he shall paye the seyd money: the whyche payment I promyssyd to pay ther, as I borowid it lenge or thys tyme: wherfore I beseche your maistershype to remember me as sone as it shalle please you. And I beseche your maistershipe to take no gret displesure in me

of my neclygens that I have not wryttyn to your maistershype before thys tyme: and yef I kowd a don your maisterschype anny plesure of or servyse with my wryttyng, I wold a wrettun to you before thys tyme: and yef ther be anye servyse that I kan do to your mastership here in tyme to kome, yef it please you to let me wette, it schalle be don without anny delaye, and that knowyth God, whoo have you, Right worschipffull Sir, in hys blessyd kepynge, Amen. At Cales, the xxj daye of May, A=o= lxxviij. By your Servante Godard Oxenbryge. To +te Right onerabull and worschipfull, and myn aspesyall god maister Stonore (\soyt d.d.\)

[} [\216. THOMAS BETSON TO DAME ELIZABETH STONOR\] }] [\18 June 1478\] Jhesus. An=o= xviij=o=. Ryht honorable and my ryht synguler good lady, I recomaund me unto your good ladyschipe in the mooste lowlyest wyse that I best can or may, ever more desiryng to here and know off your wellffare, the whiche I beseche almyghty Jhesu to preserve and kepe to his plesour and to your mooste hartes desyre. And ffer+ter more, liketh it your good ladyschipe to wete that this same daye I come to London. And at my commynge home it was told me how that my mayster your husband had bene verry sore seeke: the which I know well hath not bene to your hartes comfforte, nor also to the comfforte of your howsold: off the whiche ffor sothe I am right sory. Nevertheles I undyrstond seth by dyverse his maystershipe is right well amendid and well recovered: off the which truly I am right joyffull and glad. And I beseche Almyghty Jhesu send hym als vertuous helth as I wold have myselff, and your good ladyshipe also. And yff I cowde do eny thynge here that myght be to hys plesour and youres, I wold I knew it and it shuld be done withouten ffayll. Truly your discomfforth is nat myn comffort, God knowith it. Nevertheles your ladyschipe muste cause hym to be mery, and off glade chere, and to put awaye all ffantasyes and unthryfty thoughtes that comes no good off but onely hurtffull. A man may hurt hymselff by ryotouse meanes; it is good to be ware. Good madame, I besech you to be off good chere, and I praye God comfforte you and send you vertuous helth. And also I besech you to remembre my Cossen Kateryn. I wold she did well, God knowithe it, and ye deme, as I trowe, yff I had ffownd hir at home here my comfforte shuld have bene the more: but I thannke God off all: my payn is the more: I muste nedes suffer as I have done in tymes past, and so will I do ffor Godes sayke and hirs. I send my mayster a dossen quayles to ete: I praye God they may do hym good to God ward, and all them that ete of them. I can send your ladischipe no deyntees: I am but now comen home. And our blissid Lord preserve your good ladishipe in vertu ever. Amen. At London the xviij day off June. Your servaunt T. Betson.

Madaym, Goddard Oxbryge recommaundes hym unto your ladyschipe and prayethe you that ye wold woochsaveffe to speke to my mayster your husband ffor his money. He desyred me to wryte ffore it: it is well done +tat it be so paied ffor dyverse causes: a Cossen of his shuld have it to pay it +ter as he owith it. And our blissid Lord be with you, ever, ever, ever, Amen. To my Right worshipffull and Synguler good lady, dame Elsabeth Stonor, at Stonor this be delyvered.

[} [\218. THOMAS BETSON TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\24 June 1478\] Jhesus. A=no= xviii=o=. Right honorable and worshipffull Sir, and my right synguler good mayster, I recommand me unto your good maystershipe in the mooste loffyngest wyse +tat my hart can thynnke, be my trouth: thankynge your maystershipe right hartely off your curtesse and loffynge letter, the which I have resseyvid by my M. your brodyr John Croke. And in the same letter I undyrstond by the worshipffull reporte off your maystershipe the havyors off my Cussen Kateryn unto you, to my lady your wiffe and to all o+ter &c.: and truly it is to me right joyffull and comffortable gladnes so to here off hir, and I besech our blissid lord ever to preserve hir in all vertu and good lyffynge to his plesour, and to reward your maystershipe with hevene at your endynge ffor your good disposision to hir wardes in good exortasions gyffynge: and +tat I wote well off old, or elles truly she cowd nat be off that disposision vertuous and goodly, hir youthe remembrid and consederyd. And sir, +tus as it hath lykid your maystershipe to commaunde me to come unto Stonor to se my best belovid &c, and also to make me mery, unto the which your maystershipe saith I shall be hartly welcume, and so my lady, your wiffe, affermes the same as ye wryte it: Right worshipffull sir, I know it ffull well off old, ffor so I have ffull oftyn tymes preve it and nat gretely off me deservid, but God knowith myn hart and myn entent what I intend to my power and ever hath done: and sir, I besech your maystershipe to pardone me ffor a whyle and to hold me exscused, and as sone as I can I shall cumme and se your wellffare. I thynge longe, so God help me, till I come, but be my trouth my labour and besynes is such and will be a whyle, +tat I can nat as yit with myn ease cum: and +terffore Sir, I besech you now to helpe me and to be my good mayster and exscuse me, +ter as your maystershipe shall thynnke best. And sir, in good ffeyth I am verry glad that my lady is so well amendid off hir helth, and in lyke wyse the children. I besech God ffor his

mercy and our blissid lady to send your maystershipe and all youres as well to ffare as I wold myn owneselff, and to preserve you in vertuous lyffynge, and also to send you sad remembraunce off all good begynnynge, and +tan with owte dowte ye shall make with Godes helpe a worshipfull endynge to Godes plesour and to +te honour and worshipe off all them +tat loffe you hartely. Sir, I am to bold thus to wryte, but God knowith myn hart, and som whattes I am infformed off the towardnes off your good disposision, what ye intend: I shall dayly praye hartely to God to be your good spede in all your such proffytable workes: yff ye contenew your intent ye shall be glad +terof or this day iij yere. I ffare lyke a sory pyper, whanne I begynne I can nat leve: but yit ones agayn our blissid Lord be your sped and your helpe. (\Le xxiiij jour de Juyn.\) Be your servant Thomas Betson. [\IN DORSO\] Sir, Remembre your maystershipe well what ye have written off my Cossen Kateryn, truly I shall whanne I speke with hir tell hir every word, and yff I ffynd the contrarye our vycar here, so God helpe me, shall crye owte upon h[{ir{] within this x wekes and lesse, and by that tyme I shall be redy in every poy[{nt{] with Godes grace, and so I wold she were, ffor sothe ye may beleve me off it. To the right honorable and my right spescyall good mayster, Sir William Stonor, knyght, (\soyt dd.\)

[} [\220. RICHARD PAGE TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\7 July (? 1478)\]

I recommaunde me to youre good mastership in my best maner: besechyng of you this pore byll may recommaunde me to my synguler good lady, my lady your wif, as your servaunt and hirres. Syr, wher ye write on to me y shold take an accion in the kynges name ayenst on of Wycomb for cuttyng down and fellyng of certen treys, y have taken an accion redy, and y shall send you the writte. Syr, ye wrote to me in your letter that ye hadde seasid certen corne, whiche was regratyd and forstallid from the comen marketes to the grete hurt of the Comen peple. Syr, me semys by my lernyng ye may not sease not none maner cornes in suche case and put thaym under arest: and if ye have don, yt wold be well don to se thaym delyveryd ayen in manerly forme: it is inquerable at the Cessons of pees and in every lete and fraunchise of regrators and forstallers of all maner of vitaill, and, if it be presentid, to make a fyne therfor: but it is not the maner ne the care of the law to sease none forstallid ne regratyd vitaill. I remit the delyng with the delyveraunce hereof to your discreson: but y wold not ye confessid your self to thaym that ye have mys don in that case: but honestly take a promys of thaym [\that\] thay shall not dele so herafter, and for this thay have don thay may be indited, and let thaym have deliveraunce of thaire cornys. The Kyng purposeth as to morow to be at Wendesor, and from thens to Notyngham. My lord Chamberleyn rides to morue hame to Leycestre. Other news ben ther non her. I pray God send you as well to fare as your hert can thynk. Writen at London on seint Thomas ys day with the honde of your aune Page. To my master syr Willm. Stonor, knyght, be this deliveryd.

[} [\221. RICHARD PAGE TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\(? 12 July, 1478)\] Right singuler good master, I recommaunde me to you, praying the same this byll may recommaunde me to my lady, your wif. Syr, your cosyn Hamden and my mastres, his wiff, have be with me, shewyng that your plesyr shold be ther shold no proces go ayenst Willm. Est of Wycombe, for whiche y kepe the writ in my handes till unto the tyme y understond what y shall do and how y shalbe demeanid: they bothe full manerly entretid me herein, shewyng me your plesyr in the same without whiche ther shalbe no favour shewid in my behalve. He is a courtes gentelman and your kynsman, and my mastres, his wif, a worshipfull woman, and so thay demenyd thaym in this mater not to do ne to attempt no thynge to youre displesyr, whiche is to be remembrid. I remitt this to yow, for as ye woll have it demenid so shall it be. And thus fare ye well with all my hert. Writen at London on relic Sonday with the honde of your Page. To my master, Syr Willm. Stonor, knyght.

[} [\222. THOMAS HENHAM TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\16 July 1478\] Jhesu. A=no= lxxviii. Ryght Reverent and worshypffull mayster, I recommaunde me unto your goode maystershype, ever more desyryng to here off your goode wellfare, +te wyche I be-sche Jhesu longe to continue unto your hartys

desyre. And fforder more, Syr, your maystershype shall understonde that ther hys shypyde towarde unto Calys in your name, Syr Wyllm. Stonor, knythe, and Thomas Betson, in the Jhesu off London, John Lolyngton mayster under God, Summa ij=m= iiij C. xlviij Cottes felles. Forder more your mayster schalle understonde that I sende dow[{n{]e by John Talbose, your sarvaynte: Itm. your demy gowne off chamelet; Itm. your demy gowne off blake pewke lynde with grene wellffete; truste in a shete. Forder more, Syr, ye shall understonde that masterys Hane hys well amendyde, blesyde by Jhesu, and hys in goode hallthe. Forder more, Syr, your maystershype shall understonde that the hale brewer callys apone me dayly sore ffore monay, the wyche I have wretyn unto your maysterschype affor tyme, the Somma ys v. li. and hode monay, the wyche he besekys your maysterschype that he mythe have some monay in hande unto the tyme that your maysterschype come unto London. All so, Syr, I beseke your maysterschype +tat ye wylle remember your brede baker at London, ffor he callys apone me daylle ffor monay, the wyche some hys xxxv. s. and iiij d. No more unto your maysterschype at thys tyme, butt all mythy Jhesu have you in hys kepyng. Wretyn at London the xvj day off Jullii. By your prentes Thomas Henham. Unto my Rygh honorable and myne in spesyale goode Mayster Syr Willm. Stonor, Knyght, In +te maner at Stonor thys be delyvered. dd.

[} [\224. THOMAS BETSON TO DAME ELIZABETH STONOR\] }] [\31 July, 1478\]

Jhesus. A=o= xviij Right honorable and my right synguler good lady, I recommaund me unto your good ladischipe. And, Madam, yff it lyke you, seth I come home to London I mette with my lady, your modyr, and God wote she made me right sulleyn chere with hir countenaunce whyles I was with hir: me thought it longe till I was departid. She brayke unto me of old ffernyeres, and spescially she brayke to me off the tayll I told hir betwene the vicar +tat was and hir: she said the vicar never ffared well seth, he tooke it so mych to hart. I told hire a lyght answere ageyn, and so I departid ffrom hir. I had no joye to tary with hir. She is a ffyn mery woman, but ye shall nat know it nor yit ffynd it, nor none of youres by that I se in her. Modyr mydwiffe told me +tat nowdyr my lady your modyr, my lady Stoker, nor hir husbaund come ones to se my cossen Anne sethe she come to hir, nor yet axse ones how she ffared, and yff my lady, your modyr, mete my cossen Anne she will say no more but "Godes blissynge have ye and myne," and so goo hir waye fforthe as thow she had no joye off hir. Whanne ye come to London I shall tell you more. My cossen Anne hath bene with me here at home, and she is hole and right well amendid and as a woman shulde be, +ter is no fawte, our blissid lord be thannkyd and his blissid modyr. Good Madam, by the next at comes lett hir have all hir clothes, she hath nede unto them, and that knowith owre lord, who ever preserve you, Madam, and all yours in longe helth and vertu to his plesour. At London the last day off Juyll, (\A=no= supra\) . Be your servaunt Thomas Betson. Jentil Madam, I beseche you that I may be recomaundid unto my cossen, your dou+ghter Kateryn, and our lord be with you both. Also, Madam, yff it lyke you, I have bene with my brodyr, John Betson, ffor money, and be my trouth I can none have off hym, he hath shewid me that my Mayster your husbaund and ye owe hym ffor dyverse wynes, Summa xij. li. vj. s. viij. d., as by the parcells herin closed more clerelyar it appereth, the which parcelles my brodyr saith that +tei be trew. Wherffore, good Madam, I beseche you to speke unto my mayster, to the intent I myght have the money here as shortely as can be. I muste pay to John Tate vj li. for +te felles that I have shippid now, and to Whyte of Bradway I muste pay iiij li., and I muste pay to the porters and o+ter for costes xl s. And so God save my soull I have it nat. I will nat be so bare agayn of money a good whyle, with Godes grace. It was the best dett I saw in his booke, so God help me, and +terffore I tooke

it over unto me ffor payment, and I hold me plesed with all. Jhesu preserve you ever, Amen. To my right honorable and Synguler good lady, Dame Elysabeth Stonor (\soyt. dd.\) [^COPY OF A BILL OMITTED^]

[} [\225. THOMAS HENHAM TO DAME ELIZABETH STONOR\] }] [\1 August, 1478\] Jhesu. An=o=. xviij Right Reverent and worschypfull lady, I recomaunde me unto your goode ladyschyp, evermore desyring ffor to her off your goode wellfare, the wyche I besche Jhesu longe to continue unto your hartys desyre &c. Fordermore, lady, ye schalle understonde that I have sent downe by William Somer, bargemane of London, your beme and ij calys, the

wyche I wrothe a bylle unto William Platys off that he schulde resayve yt at Hendelay and so conevay yt unto Stonor. Fordermore, lady, ye schalle understonde that maysterys Hane, your dowter, ys all moste hole, thankyd by Jhesu, and sche hys very mery. All so, lady, I beseke your goode ladyschype that I mythe have cnowlage whedir that ye wollede have hany bere or hale, that I schulde take in ayenst your comyng home unto London. No more unto your ladyschype at thys tyme but Jhesu have you in hys kepyng. Wretyn at London the ffyrst day of Agust. By your prentes Thomas Henham. Unto my Ryght Reverent and Worschypfull dame Elysabeth Stonor thys letter be delyvered in hast, dd.

[} [\226. DAME ELIZABETH STONOR TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\(21 August, 1478)\] Jhesus. Ryght enterly and my moste specyall belovyd husband, I recomaunde me to yow yn the moste harty wyse, desyryng to here of yowre welefare &c., thankyng yow of yowre lettyr and of yowre partrechys. And for Robert Warner, he ys cum to towne: dyverce of yowre servantys and myne have spoken with hym: he seyeth that he can receyve no money as yet, notwithstondyng he yntendyth to speke with me or he departe, and wyll content me yef he may. I pray God that he may so do. Also I pray yow to send me a answere of the mater that I wrote to yow for the Lumbarde. And yef hyt myght plese yow to take the labur to ryde ovyr, then ye may answere to the mater yowre selfe, whyche wyll be to me grete hartes ese and plesure: for I thynke hyt ryght longe syth I speke with yow. Syr, I truste to Jhesu to se yow here yn shorte

tyme. No more to yow at thys tyme, [{but{] Jhesu preserve yow yn hys kepyng. Wrytyn at Lundun the Fryday afore sent Bartylmewys day. By your owne wyff Elysabeth Stonore. To my most enterly belovyd husband Syr Wylliam Stonore, knyght.

[} [\229. DAME ELIZABETH STONOR TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\5 October, 1478\] Jhesu. An=o= xviij=o= Right best and hartely well belovid husbond, I recommaund me unto you with all myn hart, lettynge you wete that I am right well amendid, I thannke god +teroff: and on Sonday last past I was at the

chirche at my ffadyrs deryge, and soppid with my modyr the same nyght. And Syr, yeff I had ones done my pilgramages I reke nat how sone I were with you at Stonor: and +terffore, gentyll Syr, I praye you +tat ye ffayll nat to send me myn horsse on Settyrday next. And also I praye you to remembre the matter I spake to you off at your departynge: ffor with owte that, I can nat with your worshipe and myn depart London: ffor Cobbe call apon me dayly ffor money, and the bere wyffe with o+ter, as I told you. And also I praye you to remembre my sonne Betson: ffor he hath mych a doo with money now, and he trustith veraly to your promesse: ffor Godes sake, syr, lett hym nat be forgotten. My modyr and my broodyr Stooker recomaunde hem both right hartely unto you: and ffull ffayn they wold +tat ye had bene here, yff it myght have bene your ease. And as ffor me I wold nat that ye were here, ye know it well enowgh: neverthelesse ffor soth what som ever I wryte I wold I were at Stonor: ffor truly I am veray wery off London, ffor my son Betson intendes to ryde in to the countre, now whenne I come home: and he is ffast ryggynge hym +ter ffore, so that at many tymes I am post a loyne, and that causeth me to thynnke the more ellynger: and +terffore, good syr, remembre myn horsse on Setterday with owte ffawte. My son Betson and his wiffe recommaunde them unto you: and he told me that he hath bought here in London seth ye departid v. sacces Cottes. ffor a part redy money and the rest at mydsomer next: I undyrstond it is a good bargayn. God lenne grace, who preserve you ever in vertu and longe helth to Godes plesour. The v day off Octobre. By your ovne wyff D. Elysabeth Stonore. Unto Ryght Reverent and worschyppefull Cosyn Syr Wyllm. Stonor, knyght, in the manor at Stonor, thys letter be delyverd. dd.

[} [\231. HENRY DOGETT TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\24 Dec. (? 1478)\] Ryght worshepfull and my goode and feithfull maister, after dew recomendacion pleasith yow to wete +tat my clerke and your servaunte have been at Abendon with the vicar of Seynt Elyns to have leverey of your cuppe, and offurred hym x. li. acordyng to your writeyng: and he

answered them that he wold not deliver the said cuppe with owte the bille indented +tat is made bytwene yow be brought upon the deliveraunce: and to have sewrete for the residew of the money to be paid at Candelmas next. I remitte all to your maistershep and wysedome. The said x. li. shall be redy at eny tyme that ye like, havyng fro your maistershep a writeyng to be content ayen by Ester next comynge. And God preserve yow, my good lady, your wyfe, and all yours. At Aston, a Cristemas yeve with the hand of your servaunt Henry Dogett. To my maister, Syr Willm. Stonore, knyght.

[} [\232. WILLIAM HERWARD TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\(? Jan. 1479)\] Maister Stonor, I recommende to you, mervelynge that ye wryte me with any poynt of strayngenesse syn tyme +tat I have fulfylled your poyntment in your letters as touchyng to +te money lent for suche days as ye desyred and longer, and as the poyntment last taken, when my servant Stephen Hosyer was with youe, I aggreed, but when Harry Dokettes servantes came to me +ter was noon obligacion, and by cause +ter off I supposed +tat +tey came not as sufficiently instructe in your appoyntment, but now I have delyverd your cuppe safe and sownde to your servantes, Thomas Matthew and William Belsun, and have recevyd of them x. lib. for halfe my due and an obligacion of x. lib. for +te remynant: but I trust in your Maistership of a shorter day of payment, for I borowed xx marcs of the same money: and +towe ye be patron of Bruscote, I understande +tat well and pray for you dayly, but I laste a benyfice better to me +tan +tat is, for +te gret desyre of Maister Thomas Forster; therfor I pray you accepte not me as a stranger, for I can do as good servyce as som o+ter. (\Valete in domino per Willm. Herward, capellanum vestrum.\) To his worshipfull maister Syr William Stonor Kny.

[} [\236. THOMAS HAMPTON TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\2 Jan. (? 1479)\]

Ryht worshypfull and feythfully lovyng Cosyn, I recomaunde unto you. Syr, I was enformed by my sone Froste that hit lyked you upon cominicacon had between you and Waller that ye lete hym understonde in brefe termes, yef hym lyked the mariage betwen your kynneswoman and hym, that he shold make hyr joyntour of xx=ti=. li. worth londe acordyng to hys owne promyse, and elles ye lete hym understonde he shold no ferther enter in cominicacon in the mater: and when he understode your decre and jugement, he was therto agreable. Syr, I understonde he entendeth to be with me in ij days after the xij=th= day. Syr, me thoght by informacion of my sone Froste that he entendeth in most hasty wyse to be maried: wherfor me semyth, savyng your better advyse, that hit ys me to desyre of hym to be bounden and sum persons with hym, that he shall be Ester day then next folowyng do make hyr suer of hyr joyntour. Syr, that hit may plese you to lemyte me in what sum I may desyr them to be bounden yn, I pray send me word by my servaunt, the brynger of thys letter, and how longe ye entend to be aboute home efter the xij=th= tyde. And good syr, that thys my sympyll wrytyng may recommaund me to my good Cosyn, my lady your wyfe, and Jhesu preserve you. Wryten in hast at Oldstoke the ij day of Januer, By your owne Thomas Hampton. To my Right worshypfull Cosyn, Syr William Stonor, be this letter delivered.

[} [\237. DAME ELIZABETH STONOR TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\26 March (1479)\]

My best beloved housbond, I recommaunde me unto you in my moost herty wyse, desyring to her of your welfare, and trusted verayly to have had you at home on our Lady day by night: yf ye had be, I wold have trusted ye shuld had the warde and possession of Lovels doughters or this, for whoom Stodolf, the quenes attourney, rodde on Tuesday last all night towardes the Kinges grace. And yf ye wol spede you home to speke with hym at his comyng I doubte nat but ye shal have the oon at the leste, for I undrestand +tay be not wardes ney+ter to the King nor quene: praying you +terfore to spede you home, for undrestand he wolbe with Bryan to night or to morow without fayle. Also for all suche Stiwardships ye wrotte unto me for, thay wer graunted a way in his lyf tyme or he discessed. As for the Stewardship of Henley, I canne nat tell whe+ter it be goo or noo: wherfore Vyne shal ryde according to your commaundement. Syr, I thanke you hertyly for your veneson +tat ye wrotte to me to receyve: how be it as yet I have nat receyved. Over +tis the parson of Falley dissessed yorsterday in the mornyng, and +te parson of Hamelden, and Syr William, prest +tere, be executours. No more unto you at this tyme, but the holy Trynyte preserve you. Wryten at Stonor, whan I wold fayne have sleped, +te morow after our Lady day in +te mornyng. Syr, I send you your botes and your cloke, for +ter hath be a wete weder here syth ye departed. By your owne wyff Elysabeth Stonore. To my best beloved housbond Sir William Stonor, Knyght.

[} [\243. RICHARD, DUKE OF GLOUCESTER, TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR AND HUMPHREY FOSTER, OR FORSTER, THE ELDER.\] }] [\9 July (? 1479)\] R. Gloucestre. The duc of Gloucestre, gret Chamberleyn, Constable, and Admirall of England. Right trusty and well beloved, We grete you wele, and desire and hertely pray you, that incontynent after the sight herof it woll like you at this our instaunce to cause to come afore you William Idley and Elizabeth, his Suster, and demaund them the cause why they content and pay not to our right welbeloved servaunt, Anne Idley, Maistres of our Nurcery, her annuitee of v. marcs, graunted for terme of her lyff of the Manor of Drayton, and advise them, as they woll avoid our grevouse displeasure, to see her aswele +terof yerely contented as of +tat she is behinde unpaied of the same. And of theire disposicions in this behalve

We hertely pray you to asserten Us in as goodly hast ye may, as our speciall trust is in you, and as We may do thing at your desires herafter. And our lord kepe you. Yoven under our signet at our Castell of Middelham the ix=th= day of Juyll. J. Kendale. To our right trusty and welbeloved Sir William Stonor, knight, and Humfrey Foster, thelder, squier, and aither of them.

[} [\245. HENRY DOGETT TO (? STONOR)\] }] [\(date uncertain)\] Syr, as for the mater bytweme me and Crofte [\?\] ye undirstond my writeyng that I shold have all the tythes except of the demayn lond in Chalford: I clayme no more but all this tythe, hey as well in Chalford [{as{] the corne out of Chalford, acordyng to my writeyng: I undirstond that he hath the countrepanes of my writeyng, and yef I were prior as he is I wold have the countrepane of his writeyng. Syr, I pray yow that I may have a copy of his writeyng, and suche rewle as ye like to set betwene us I wol obey hit in the said mater. How be hit I was offered iiij marcs to lese my tytle in the said tythes, for be cause hit is well worth xl (^s.^) a year. I remitte all to yow, my goode and feithfull maister, Your old servaunt H. Dogett. [\NO ENDORSEMENT.\]

[} [\247. RICHARD PAGE TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\25 Sept. (1479)\] My ryght synguler good Master, after dew recommendacion, like it you to wete that all your servauntes and tenauntes in thes parties fare well, and I recommaunde thaym to your mastership, and so do we all to my lady your wif. The cause of my writyng to your mastership is this: it is so that I have the gift of the presentacion of the Vicarage of Sutton bysydes your maner, and for that feith and service that your chaunterie prest of Horton, Syr William, beres to your mastership, y have geven hym the benefice, so it be your plesyr. Syr, ther ys a frere prechour off thabbey of Dertford, is name is frere Hugh Fabri, whiche y have allway aught my verry good will and favour onto, and so does Appelton, Martyn, and all the gentelmen in oure parties. I certifye your mastership he is a good prest, and a clene, ther is non better to my understandyng unfaynyd. Syr, if it wold plese your mastership to write a letter to the master of Cobham that it were your plesyr, he shold succede syr William in your Chaunterie, it wold be to the grete comfort of all the gentelmen in thes parties; and over that ye shall have the dayly praier of a good prest, ther was never non suche ther syns I knew Kent. By my trowth undoutyd my lord bysshop wold have geven hym a benefice, but he woll non have. I pray your mastership to tendre this mater the rather at this my pore instance. I thank your mastership for my buk. I dar incombre you no longer. I pray Jhesu send you all youre goodly hertes desire. Writen at your Horton this xxv day of Septembr with the fest of your Page. Syr, Lestan, your fermer, understode that y wrote to your mastership, cam onto me and desirid me to remembr yow for hym: if it plese you, it is thus, he is suffisaunt within your distres, he woll content your mastership at Martynmas xx. li., if ye geve hym laysyr, he shall now pay your mastership well and suffisauntly, and if ye be hasty uppon hym he

must sel his graynys at mischef, and in concluson undon. He is sore ferd of your Steward: he hath promisid me he will content your mastership this same yere xl. li. Plese it yow to send me oon litel word here. To my master Syr Willm. Stonor, knyght for the kynges body.

[} [\251. THOMAS HENHAM TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\10 October, 1479\] Jhesu A=no= xix Ryght honorable and worshypfull mayster, I recommaunde me unto your goode mayster in the most lowest wyse that I best cane or may, ever more desyring to here off your goode wellfare, the wyche I be-sche Jhesu long to continue unto your hartys dysire. Forder more, syr, ye scholle understonde that my mayster Thomas Betson hys ryght welle amendyde, blesyde by Jhesu; and he hys paste all dowtys of sekens, and he takys +t=e= sostenanse ryght welle: and as for ffusecyons, ther come none unto hym, ffor he hase no nede of them. Syr, ye shall understonde that my mayster Syr Wylliam Stoker comaunde hym unto your maysterschype, and my lady hys wyffe. And as ffor schuche

thyngys as your mayster wrothe unto hym by master Bryane, hyt schalle be aplyde, and sent unto your mayster: ffor he says he wylle sende you none but goode: and as ffor your rede wyne, hyt schall be schyped upon Tewysday next comys: and as ffor your rondelet off Mallsay, yt thys not rede as yet, +tor mayster Syr Wyllm. Stoker hathe comyng a schype with Mallsay and hoder swet wyne, and he lokys ffor the same schype every day, and yeff so be that that the same schype come note betwene thys and Tewysday next comys he wylle porffay ffor your maysterschype a rondelet off Mallsay schuche as he may get in the sete, and hyt schall be schyppyde with your rede wyne. Fordermore, Syr, ye schall understonde that I resayved a letter ffrom your mayster by mayster Bryane, the wyche I schall do accordyng as your wryting dothe spesyffide. No more unto your maysterschype at thys tyme, but all mythe Jhesu have you in hys kepyng. Wreten at Stepenay, the x day off Octtobr. By your prentes Thomas Henham. To my Ryght Worschypfull maister, Syr Wyllm. Stonor, knyght, thys letter be delyvrde d.d.

[} [\253. HUGH UNTON TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\(? 26 October, 1479)\] Right worshipfull Maister, I recomaunde me unto you. And Syr, the case is so that yong Wagge nowe apon Saterday last passet hase comyn and take possession in a corner of a feld of a trew wedowe and bedewoman of yours, Robert Oxlades moder, concernyng the title of all hir place: the which woman hase ben in pesibill possession thes iij score yeres and more, as her sone Robert can more pleynly enfourme your maistership. And Syr, the lond is entaylet as fayre as eny can be unto the heires males, and hase been thes C. yeres. Syr, I beseche you be hir gud Maister in hir rigth, and to hir power she shall deserve hit. Wagge makys gret manasse to distres hir catell within thes iij or

fawre dayes. Syr, and ye send me a bill to withstond him, I will do my power: for as by parall she has enfeffet your maistership, M. Cotesmore, Herre Doget, me, and William Est. And Syr, I beseche you hold me excuset that I come not unto your maistership: I am a litill diseset for to ride. And almigthty God preserve you, my lady, and all your housholde, the Monday afore Simon and Jude. Your servaunt, Hugh Unton. To my right worshipfull Maister, Sir William Stonor, Knyght.

[} [\254. ALEXANDER BASYNGTHWAYTE TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\12 Nov. 1479\] Jhesu. Reverent and wurchipfull Syr, after all dew recommendacion, y recommaund me unto your Maisterchipe desyryng to here of your wylfar, the wych Almyghty Jhesu preserve and kepe to hys plesour and your hertes desyre. Forthermor letyng your Maisterchip to have in consideracyon that y stonde in sych a nessescyte at hys tyme, the wyche withowt y have your help and your socowr it wyll be unto me gret hurt and henderans: for y most pay to my son-y-lawe a C. li. or Crystysmas day, the wych y beseke yowr Maisterchipe to remember me in my ned acordeng to yowr old promys: for withowt ye help me, y wot wyll y may not kepe my hows. Syr, also my servant can infourm your Maisterchyp of my grevans. Also prayng you that thys sympoll byll may recommaund me unto my good lady your wyff. No mor to you at thys tym, but y beseke Jhesu hau you in hys kepyng. Wretyn at London, the xij=th= day of November, A=o=. E. iiij=ti= xix=mo=. Be your own servant Alix. Bassyngtwhait. To ... mayster Syr William Stonor, knyght, thys be delivered in hast.

[} [\256. HENRY DOGETT TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\31 December (? 1479)\] My good and feythfull maister, I recomaund me to yow with all my service. I undirstond by your writeyng that the Kyng and o+ter the lordes be right well plesid with your worshipfull demenyng: of the wheche I am right glad. And also that my lord Chaunceler is your good lord and councellyth you to your grete worship and avayle. God defende yow fro sinustre councell. My said lordes advyse and councell is full frutes and profitable for yow, as I have hadde very knowleche: I pray God contynue hym. And where ye like to write to me to come to your maistershep I was not wele disposed to ride this many day, as Godd knoweth. Praying yow that ye woll take no displeser, I send yow by my servaunt xx markes: I have right lytyll mone; how be hit yef ye nede I woll purvey more ayenst Monday next, and send hit to your maistershep with Goddes mercy, who ever preserve

yow, my good and feithfull maister. Wreton at Pusey a Neweyeres yeve, with the hond of your old servaunt, H. Dogett. Syr, John Wagge kan enforme your maistershep of my disese &c. To my maister syr Will. Stonore, Kny[{ght{] .

[} [\262. ANNYS WYDESLADE TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\(early in 1480)\] Right worshipfull Maister, y hertly comaund me unto you with alle suche servise as y can or may: thonking you of youre kyndnesse shewed unto me, so pore a woman as y am, and unto your Maystershyp owndeserved: desyring to hire of youre welfare, the which y pray alle mighty Godde to preserve you to youre most pleasure and hertis desire. Please you to have enknowliche of my power welfare: at the making of this my letter y was in gode hele, and y trust in God within short space to be beter: for now y am at my liberte, wherof I thanke you, in my own hous at Exeter. The ffesisicion wolle do his cunnyng uppon me, but undertake me he wol not, nor never did noon in his liff. Cumfort in

hym I fynde, and in my mynde y thinke he wolle do me gode. Furthermore the deling of my ffader in law ye shal have enknowliche by a bille, which Thomas Mathu shal deliver you. A very yeynd betwyn hym and me wolle not be had into the tyme of youre comyng, which y trust wolle not be longe. Me thinkith a M. yere gon that y hurd any tidinges fro you. And in gode feith ye may sey unto me that y am own-kynde that y wrote nor send unto you synnes youre last being at Wideslade. The cause is, for myn excuse is y have be in helle, where y had litel cumfort, but as sone as y cam to Exeter then was y yn heven: and be cause that y am now in joy y do send you this letter. Maister, hit is so that the ffesicion is in hondes with me, and he desirith to have me in cure iij monythis, for which cause I pray you remember your Worship and my poor Queste. And as y amend y shal put you in knowlich by the grace of Jhesu, who kepe you. ffrom your tru lover Annys Wydeslade. To his right worshipfull Maister Syr William Stonore, Knyght, be this delivered.

[} [\268. RICHARD GERMYN TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\(13 May, 1480)\] Right Wurshipfull and Onerable Maister, y comaund me unto you. And where as ye wrete unto me to deliver youre letters in to the Gentilmen that thei be derected unto in Devonshire and Cornwale unto a trust a man, I shalle so deliver hem that youre wille and intent shal be ffulfilled. And as yet Worthe hath not entred nor noght he shalle. Moreover, y late wrote you a letter and send him by oon John Symon, which gave you the orenges and marmelate at Exeter: which letter was delivered unto Lannos, skynner, in asmoche as ye be not at London. Y trust ye have him. Also ye wrete unto me to have youre plate, which is with Maister John at wille: at your letteris deliverans he was not at home, but before Midsomer y schal bringe hit to London pakked in the carior's pakke of Exeter: so bi the grace of God y schal deliver you me seilf. And accordinge to your letter y shal promyse to content him at Midsomer quarter of your Rentes. Furthermore I have moved Speke, that ye comaundede me to reseve l. s. for this Ester rent, he sayinge this wordes: that ye at your departinge promysed him to sende your letter for his discharge under seale, or els he to pay no mony. So of him can y have no mony. Moreover he saith, that he

can holde no Courte at Wonford in to the tyme ye su a Travers. And y teld hym so ye have done, and offered to have delivered him the writte which ye delivered me. At Tawnton on Saturday after Assencion day in hast, Youre servant, Richard Germyn. To my right wurshipfull and onerable Maister, Syr William Stonore, knyght, be this delivered.

[} [\269. WALTER ELMES TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\1480\] After my dewe recomaundacion, &c. M=r=. Page recomaundyth him to yow, prayyng yow to send the Bukk to Warde, Shreve and Aldyrman of London, dwellyng on Canynggesstrete, wher that Syr Rauff Joslyn dwellyd, and that Jamys myte kary hit: to whome I pray yow to take xx d., and I shall content hit, for the karyage, for Master Page wyllys me so to do. And Jhesu kepe yow. Y=ors= to my power, W. Elmes. To the Ryth Wurshipfull Syr W. Stonor K.

[} [\270. RICHARD DREWE TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\(1480)\]

Ryght worschypfull Master, y recommaunde me onto you, doyng yow to wete that Master Malyverer hath take an accyon off a Counte agayn your bayly off Ermyngton by the informacyon off on Sowche, chere clerke onto the sayde Master Malyverer, and thay wolde compell your bayly to acounte wyth the sayde Scherve off the mercement wythyn your hunderd and to compell your bayly to geder the mercement wythyn the sayde hunderd: and that was never don hebeffore: therfore y beseche your Masterschyp to se the mene at thys terme, that y may be dyschargyd off thys accyon that ys agayn me, and off the whyche mater Thomas Mathew can infourme yow, for he hath byn your bayly afore thys tyme. Y-wrytyn att Ermyngton by your bayly, Rychard Drewe. Thys byll be deliveryd onto my Master, Syr Wyllyam Stoner, in hast.

[} [\271. WILLIAM GOLDWYN TO JOHN BYRELL\] }] [\12 June (1480)\]

[^PRESCRIPTIONS OMITTED^] Syr, I recommende me unto yow, prayng yow as hertely as I may +tat ye have over sy+gthe in +te servyng of +tys byll, as my truste is in yow: for +tys ys for a specyall Mastres of myn. And with +te grace of God hit schall not be longe or I see yow. And +ten I purpose for to tary with yow. Wrytyn at Stoner +te xij day of June. M=r=. W. Goldwyn. To John Byrell +te eldur, Poticary, Duellyng in Bucklers Bury, be +tys byll delyverde.

[} [\272. RICHARD GERMYN TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\(4 July, 1480)\] Right worshipfull and Onerable Maister, y comaund me unto you with alle suche servyse as y can or may. Please your Maistershipp have enknowliche, y have delivered your letters to John Hochyn and to William Baker: and y have caused them to wrete unto you a aunswer, which ye shalle reserve with this. Baker hath crese cloth, canvas hath he noon, which ye shall have and ye wille: but I wol advise you to by hit not to dure. Furthermore, William Baker told me,

when y com home, that Worthe hath promysed his son to mary with Richard Pomeray. But y can not thinke hit be so, for thei be within gre of mariage iij=de= and iiij=e=. He hath made his bost syne he cam home, as Colwodele teld me, that he wol have Wolston or this somer be don. Many men questyn me where he was thurgh with you or no. And so did M. Speke also. And y told him what poyntment was made betwyne you and hym this terme. Your servant, Thomas Haiward of Wolston, spake with his man Wyse: and he teld him that his Maister is ful determed in his mynde to set upon you in hast, yef ye acorde not. After my sympel advise hit were wel don this somer, that ye cam unto Wolston, and my lady with you, and to ly there: ye have whete y-now there for a while: hit shuld cause you to have love of the Gentilmen of the Shere, and Comyns also: and after that ever to have hit in pease. And so y trust ye shal, for all this his longage. And as I have more enknowliche of this mater, or of any other perteynyng unto you, y shal by the grace of Jhesu sende you worde, who kepe you, Amen. At Exeter, un Tuesday before Seint Thomas day. From youre Servaunt, Richard Germyn. To my right Wurshipfull and Onerable Maister, Syr William Stonere, Knyght, be this letter delivered in hast.

[} [\273. HENRY COLET TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\7 July (? 1480)\] Right worshipfull Syr, I comaunde me unto you, and letyng you wete that I have receyvet your letter send to me by Hugh Unton, by the which letter I understond ye desire a gretter somme than ye graunt hir me by mouth your awne self. Syr, the trouth is this - I will aply somwhat to your intent: ye shall have for hir mariage and all the rigth that shal long to hir sex score pound: and wher ye desire me to gete

yow ij suertes, ye shall have my service, and that ye shall well understond at oure next metyng. And how ye will be demenet of this child, I pray you send me word what I shall trust unto: for ye may understond by my writyng that I owe a love to the child, and loth to displese you. Syr, I have a bill deliveret me for payment made by you to Thomas Prat of Henley of xx. li., the which ye owe my lady Mountford: of the which bille ye and I shall agree well opon at oure next metyng. And almighty God have you in his kepying. Written at London opon Seint Thomas Day at nyght at vij of Clok, be yowur owne Harry Colet. To the right worshipfull syr Willyam Stonor, knyght, be thys delivered.

[} [\274. WILLIAM GOLDWYN TO LADY STONOR\] }] [\18 July (1480)\] Right worschypful and to me Synguler good lady, I recommende me unto yow: prayng yow to sende me a buck a Wedynsday next commyng acordyng to +te promyse that my Master and ye made at my laste beyng with yow: for a specyall frende of myn schall be maryde on Thursday nexte commyng, to +te wyche I have promysyde a buck: wherfor I pray yow +tat he be not dispoyntyd. And my service schall be +te more redyer to yow at all tymys with +te grace of God, wyche have yow in kepynge. Wryttyn in haste +te xviij day of Jule, By your servant, William Goldwyn. Madam, I pray yow to speck to my Master for +te xvj. li. +tat ys dew unto me. To my lady Stonor, Be thys delyverede in haste.

[} [\275. H. MAKNEY TO (SIR WILLIAM STONOR)\] }] [\(17 Sept. 1480)\] My Ryghte reverente and my syngler gode Maistire, aftire due recomendacion, Sire, pleasithe to wete +tat my lady is in gode hele, blesside be Jhesu, and recomendide unto youe with alle here herte and mynde, and alle your servantes also, and praythe daily for your prosperite and wusshuppe, in especiall for your sone comynge home &c. Syr, your parke gothe welle onewarde in dikinge and in pale, your husbondrie in like wise, and befe and moten wex, and the state, with alle odire vitaile, and specially money. Y pray youe remembre your lente stuffe. Y wulde have be with youe my selfe or +tis tyme, but y ame so grevyde in my bakke +tat y may nethe ride ne go. We hire of your grete and importune chargis latly leyde on youe, whiche causithe alle your frendis to be y-ryghte full sory therofe: but y beseche Jhesu contynue youe in honoure as ye have begon, and +tat ye may furnysshe your selfe in alle abilymentes of werre lyke unto your ffelowshyppe beynge in rome as ye are in. And also my lady hath sente here water unto M. Derwothe to undirstonde his conceite, ande howe he demyth by here water whedir she be in wey of mending &c. On Soneday nexte afor sente Mathewes day, at Stonore. Your servaunte, H. Makney. To my Ryght Worshipfull Maister.

[} [\276. RICHARD PAGE TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\October (1480)\]

Plese it your mastership, after dew recommendacion, I have ressevyd your letter by my felow Makenay, by whiche letter ye have commaunded me to deliver hym a bill of an C. li.: and acordyng therto I have delivered hym the same byll, whiche is paiable at Feverer next comyng. As for Mr. Colet, I spake with hym or your letter cam to me, and he gave yow day tyll after a halow tyde. Syr, as for the mater touchyng your mastership and Ric. Wynslade, John hys brother and y have sen the billes of the rekenyng uppon whiche we thynk necessary to have your mastership, my lady your wif, and Ric. Winslade to mete at London the viij day after alhalowtyde: acordyng therto John Wynslade hath sent to his brother to com heder. And Syr, me semys weldon ye and my lady cam at the same day, and to remembre you to purvey where my lady shalbe. Y remitt thys to your wisdom. I understand by your letter thentent of your mastership touchyng the remayn of my ladies yointur. Syr, I have shewid myn opynyon to Makenay consernyng that mater, who will show your mastership myn entent. As for Lestan, your fermor that was at Horton, hath purveid your monay in substance, it wolbe well don ye send or bryng your byllis of rekenyng bytwene yow and hym, so that the verry dette may be clerely understand. Wete ye well I have dalt quitly with hym in that mater. Syr, y wold be right glad to se your mastership, for me semys long sens y saw yow, and so God spede me, who preserve you, and my lady, and all yours. Writen at London this Thursday with the hand of your Page. To my master, Syr Wilm. Stonor, knyght for the kynges body.

[} [\280. WILLIAM SUTTON TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\(1480-83)\] Aftur reverent recommendacion. Plesyt yow to have knolege that my lord Chansler of Oxon desyryt me at his last departyng from Oxon to remembyr yow of the mater concernyng a pore gentylwoman callyt Alys Poche, that +ge wold be hyr gud maystur as +ge have be afore tyme in the way of ryght and consiens: and if +ge so be he wyll do yow as grete a plesure. And yf hyt lyke yow to tendur hyr anythyng at my pore request, +ge bynd me to do for yow and yowres anythyng that lyse in power, with Goddes grace, who ever kepe yow. Will=m= Sutton, preist. To mayster Willm. Stoner, knyght.

[} [\282. WALTER ELMES TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\(3 Jan. 1481)\]

After all dewe recommendacion, plesyth hit yow to undyrstond that I merveyle gretely +tat ye send not Thomas Mathewe with the evydens &c. Thonkyng yow all weyys of youre grete bownteowsnesse unto me and in especyall of your offer to me grauntyd: wherfor I am bownd to be your trewe servaunt, and Bedeman whylys I lyve. Syr, I have remembryd me of your comynycacion of Agas Lovell, whome, yf hit lykyd yow that I myte have undyr the forme folowyng, I trust hit shuld be to yow moste proffyte and avayle, and I and all myn to be your perpetuall Bedemen: yff hit lyke yow to take me CCCC. li. accordyng to your offre, I shall ffynd yow suerte to pay yow att viij yeres end your CCCC. li. ageyne, and CCCCC. marcs for the ward of the seyde Agas, wych wull drawe nye to the hole stokke of your ij chyldryn, Hewe and Margarete: and so there stok shall be redy at all tymes, with the on half in myne hondys, and that othyr half now in your owne hondes, at your day to do +tat with what ye wull, and thus shall ye be purveyd of money and your stokk not brokyn. And as for the contentacion of Harry Colett, yf hit lyke yow to delyver me the next obligacion of Betson of C. li., I shall at my charge schevyshe so much and rathyr than fayle the hole: so now lakkyth non other but suerte in the Yeld hall, wych wull be gevyn apon such feoffement as ye spake of. Syr, I beseche yow remembre this, and bete hit ryth well in your mynd. And I trust hit shalbe your avayle and wurshuppe both to make your power alye, wych shall ever be bownd to pray for yow, and so yow the profyte and wurshuppe, and to me and myn a makyng for ever. Syr, yf this wey lyke yow, I pray yow to send me a byll fro yow to your Almes hows at Exeter, that I may +te sonner spede mee for Harry Colettes payment. Furthermore, I beseche yow that +tis sympyll byll may recommaund me my good lady, your wyffe, and to all yowrs. And our blessyd lord hold his holy hand over yow and them with long lyff and grete wurshupp here to endure, Amen. I trust, thou I be fer fro yow, that +tis lytyll byll [\wull cause CROSSED OUT\] this cold whedere, and my erand wull make me and shew me present. Scrybylyd with hond of hym +tat is yowr servaunt to the extreme of my lytyll power. W. Elmes. At Andever the Wenesday after Newe Yeres day at vj at Clokk in +te mornyng. To my ryth wurshipfull Master, Syr Wylyam Stonor, knyth for the kynges Body.

[} [\284. RICHARD GERMYN TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\3 April, 1481\] Right Onerable and worshipfull Maister, y comaund me unto you with alle suche servise as y can or may, letinge your Maistership have enknowliche that Maister John Agecomb is decessed un Sonday the ffurst day of Averell. Many men have spoken to me that y shuld labur unto you for Ermyngton. And y teld hem that ye have geven hit unto Maister Edmunde, and wol in-proper hit to youre Chapel of Stoner: and so have y aunswerd them. Moreover, Maister Drew hath wreten a letter unto my lady, that he wol do help my saide lady of hir sekenesse, and to com unto hir at his own cost and to geve hir a du attendauns, with that hit pleased you to geve him this saide benfys. And y have saide unto him, that his letter is wreten in vayne. And

also y wrote a letter unto youre Maistership, which was delivered unto Lannoys, skynner, the furst weke in Clene Lente: y trust ye have him. For as to any man or men, here wolle noon be goten, as y wrote unto you: savinge ther is oon Vyncent, a servaunt of my lady is, a gode archer, y suppose he wolle com unto you: but horse nother harnys hath he noon nor mony. Aray him ye must at your own cost, yef he com. Jakys shal bringe you the serteynte of his comynge. And y trust that at M. Elmes comyng that ye wol assigne whom hit please you to occupy the ruel of your Almeshous, for y may no longer occupy hit nor can not; my besenesse wol be suche here after: for y must attende my ocupacion; for my servant which had the gedinge of my shoppe is fro me, and with me hath be to longe, for y am the worse for him y can not tell how moche me seilf. And as to the deth of Cristoffer Coke, y suppose ye have enknowliche: un who is soule God take mercy. Y pray your Maistership that this my letter may comaund me unto my lady, to whom y pray Godde sende hele and comfort, who have you in his keping. At Exeter in hast the iij day of Averelle. Youre servant Richard Germyn. Unto my right Onerable and worshipful Maister, Syr William Stonore, knyght, at London in the Old bailly.

[} [\285. RICHARD GERMYN TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\7 April (1481)\] Right Wurshipfull and Onerable Maister, y comaund me unto you with alle suche servyse as y can or may. Please your maistership have enknowliche here y sende the copy of a writte, which is agayn you at the Kinge is sute in Devonshire uppon the (\Deum claus. extr.\) , which was

taken before the Escaetour. As the writte maketh menshion, see ye the meane to have hit oute of the Chekour, for ye go to a grete mersement; and more ye had, and y had not sarched therfore. Also I moved you at my last being at Stonore that my lord Markas his officer hath distrayned your tenaunt at Clist, and clemyth a mersshe, the third ffote in alle the said mersshe, where as he nor noon of his ancetours oute of tyme that no mynde is never had: and y teld you that y had apoynted with Broun his auditour, that the seid mersshe shuld ly voyde and not to be ocupyed in to the tyme that my lorde and ye hadde spoken together: hit wer wel doon that ye moved my lord of, and to cause him to write a letter unto Thomas Hexte, his stuard, so that your londe may be sette. Ther is oon John Wyndbow, which is my lord is tenant, and holdith moche lond of you, he clemyth this londe, sayng that hit shuld be longing to his place whiche he holdith of my lorde, and he is causer of alle this. Ye comaundid me that y shuld warne him oute of alle suche londes as he holdith of you: and so have y doon: have ye this mater in remembrauns. Furthermore y send you worde by Thomas Mathu, that ther was a almeshous fallen, which shuld be youre geft: y hure no more synne of. And so stont hit own-gevyn as yet. And now a nother also, what ye wille shal be doon there in: hit wer wel doon that ye wrote a letter unto M. Speke ther of. Youre Maistership gave unto me the next avoydens of oon pore man, and ye remember, in your stode at Stonore before your cosyn, Walter Elmys: in lasse then ye wrete unto the seid M. Speke, he will noon admytte. Moreover, your chauntry prest of Ermyngton is admytted into the seid your chantre: y made his presentacion, and my lorde is officers admitted him. And ye be the grettist man with my lord, and in his consaite: because of your hors geven and your attendauns unto him at London, that he may do and al his men ye may have: his servantes reportith of you that ye be the courtys knyght, that ever thei sawe, where of y am glad. Also ye wrote a letter unto me that y schuld content M. Speke, xx. li., wherof y have contented him on this quarter rent of Cristismas xvj. li. iij. s. iiij. d., as y shal shew you at my nexte comyng ever passed off my resaite, and as I bede Thomas Mathu to infurme you. The remenaunt he shal have this quarter of Ester rentes, and then he is content. And as to your tenaunts in Cornwale, thei be as trew unto you as y can understond as any tenauntes that ye have. And as to John Meger, he wille com and speke with you at suche tyme as y come, and that shal be, by the grace of God, before Wytsunday, and bringe his Obligacion. And as to youre wode there, Thomas Haiward wolle geve you xx. li., save

ye shal cope hit at youre cost: or els he to cope hit and to pay you xvij. li. And no peny more wol he geve. Yet ye muste geve him daies of payment, Mighelmas next comyng x. li., and the next Mighelmas after the remenaunt. And yef hit leke you that he shal have hit at this price, ye must wrete your letter to him, so that he may fille hit before holy Rode day now comyng, or els he can not fille hit alle this yere. And as for your whete there, y have made Thomas Haiward to sille hit to your most advaile, of which ye shal have enknowlich, when y come. Also your place at Clist is in divers places owver heled: wher ye wol that y shalle set workmen uppon hit or no, y wold have enknowlich. There after your comaundement will y do. Richard Wideslade willith me to pay him this quarter v. li, which he saith hit is youre covenaunt: and he wolle deliver me your Obligacion of so moche mony: and he desirith xij. s. iiij. d for his fee at Wulston: wher ye will y shal pay him or no, y wold have enknowliche fro you, or els he shal noon have. ij lettres have y wreten unto you synne the first weke of Clene laynte: and yet had y never answer nor letter fro you. For goddis sake remember ye to move my lord Markas ffor this your mersshe, so that he may directe his letter unto Thomas Hext or unto Speke, for he is my lord is Resever late made by the deth of Geffrey Bedwelle. No more to you at this tyme, but alle myghty God be ever youre gode spede. At Exeter un the vij=e= day of April. your Servaunt Richard Germyn. To the right wurshipfull and Onerable Maister, Sir William Stonore, knyghte, be this delivered.

[} [\286. RICHARD SALTER TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\11 April (1481)\] Ryght worshypfull Syr, and my specyall good master, I commaunde me to yow and where hyt ys so as I am enformyd +tat on doctor Eggecombe, late resydencyare of Exeter, is decesyd, +te whyche hadde a benefyce callyd Ermynton in Devonshyre of your patronage, now beyng

voyde, +te whyche I have harde reporte +ge entende to apropure or to have lycence to make a chauntre or ij off, to +te whyche I am enformyd +te bysshoppe woll in no wyse assent: wherfore yff +ge kan notte opteyn your purpose, butte moste nedys gyff hytte, yff hytte wold plese yow to have me rememburyd +terunto, I were ever bounden to be your beddemann, and to pray for yow, as God knowyth, who ever preserve yow, Amen. Wryton in hast +te xj day of Aprile. I pray yow geve credens to +te berer heroff. Your one to hys power, Richard Salter, doctor. To the ryght worshypfull Syr William Stonor, knyght, +tis byll be delyveryd.

[} [\287. WALTER ELMES TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\13 April (1481)\] Aftyr all humble recommendacion. I certyfye yow +tat Wheteley hath sheywyd to my lord of Gloucester and his Councell your labor in serchyng dyvers townys. And they marveyle that ye have sowth them ther, and say that yf ye wold ye kowde goo thydyr wer they be and fett them. Yf ye have very and trewe word that they be in Centwary, yf ye so certyfye I thinke ye shalbe excusyd. And thus is a sure wey for all partys. As for the copye of the byll, +tat is put ayenst yow, I send you the copye thereof. As for youre mater of the grete summe, I pray yow to pondre in youre owne mynde wich of the ij weyys ye lyke best and I shull be glad to performe your entent. Wherefore I pray yow to wryte me certeynly wych of thes ij weyys ye wull take, for in this mater I wull nothyng take apon my sylfe, but wych ye wull have done shall be done: and that I may have redy wrytyng fro yow at furthyst by Sonday none, that I may make a ende on Monday, for then my hors wulbe with me: my howswyffe thouthe never so long after me, and

lokyth her tyme every day: wherefore I wull no longer tary than Monday. As for Bradbury wull delyver yow in on yere for all v yeres in stuffe, yf ye nede, and I kan have no more money of them till ther wrytyng be made uppe: and so I kan not pay Master Powle. And yf ye wull that Bradbury have hit not, I pray yow send all them iij a letter, howe ye fere to dele with them for your jeoparde and theres for fere of +te kyng: wych shall be a excuse for me also. They wull be loth to leve the money I fere me, now they have yt. And yf ye dele not with them, ye must be her in hast to be suerte with that othyr persones and discharge thos othyrs or ye have +te money. I remytte all to your wysdome, and +tat I may sone have word fro yow. John Cheynye is owt a hawkyng, as sone as he comyth home I shall delyver yowr letter. The Kyng purposyth to be at W[{ynd{]sore. In hast as I hope my lady is in good hele, and all yours. No more to yow at this tyme, but almyty Jesu presene [{yow{] . At London +t=e= xiij day of Apryll in hast. Yours to my lytyll powere W. Elmes. I have delyvered my Lord Chaunceler the money: but I kanne have no letter of hym. He is so bysye with the Kyng. He would have sene my lorde prevy seale letter fayne afore. To my worshipffyll Master Sir W. Stonore, knyth for the Kyngs body.

[} [\288. WALTER ELMES TO (SIR WILLIAM STONOR)\] }] [\(16 April, 1481)\] After all humble recommendacion &c. I have spokyn with John Harecort, and he sweryth he wull do for yow, and purposyth to sytt in the Ester wyke, but he wuld fayne have Stepenhyth endityd: but +tat shuld not help your mayne. Sir W. Norreys wull do for yow, and sey whatt he kanne. Ye must be here fore the newe Reconisaunce. I wrote to yow +tat Bradbury wull delyvere your gayne in stuffe and ware,

but not in money. I purpose to be homwarde to morowe, yf I may, and shall do and make all thynges suere as by woode advyse kan be made or I goo. If ye have any certeynte of your men I wuld advyse yow to come shewe hit, for my lord of Gloucester, my lord Chamberleyne be gon, and now be her your frendys. No more to yow, but Jhesu preserve yow. At London the morowe after Palme Sonday. I purpose to come home bye Wynsore and fett your money. Your servaunt W. Elmes. [\NO ENDORSEMENT.\]

[} [\289. RICHARD GERMYN TO DAME AGNES STONOR\] }] [\1 May (1481)\] Right Worshipfull and Reverent Madam, I commaund me unto you with alle suche servyse as y can or may. Hit is so that oon of youre poremen is decessed, whiche is Pryns. And ye remember ye graunted syr John Yotte the next avoidens at your departing. He praiyth you to remember hym, that he might have these hous, which was Pryns is hous, as ever he may hereafter do at your comaundment or desire, as ye knew right well he hath doon for you herebefore. And now his trust is to be remembred at this tyme according to your promyse at hit [\SIC\] last speking with you. And also my Maister, your husbond that was, granted oon to the Sudden, and another the Old Reynold, which have called upon me to [{be{] admytted in to this said hous: and y have aunswerd them alle that y wolle admitte noon in to the tyme that my Maister and ye send me youre comaundment wham I shalle admitte in. Hit is youres, ye may geve it to wham hit pleasith you. Moreover, I hertly pray you, as ever y shal ow you my servyse, to remember my letter which y wrote unto you by Jakys, which oon mater was your

corne, and the other mater was that my Maister and ye shuld send a man to reseve this Ester Rent of your londes of your Almeshous for the payment of youre poremen and priest, and the geding therof. For I may no longer ocupy hit, nor noght wolle. I must attend my own besenesse, as I wrote unto youre ladiship: he that was my man is fro me, and by any thinge that y know y am xx=ti= li. the worse for him. For which cause y pray you remember ye my lost, and not to awe me your hevy ladiship, as my trust is y have not deserved. And y shal induce him that shal ocupy the rule and gedinge of your almshous so that he shal gede hit beter than ever y ded. And let him com a down so that he may be at Exeter iiij wekes uppon this Ester: and to gether uppe the rent to this hous belonging. And y shal shew hym alle youre londes, so that ye shal know your londes fro myn, by the grace of Jhesu: and preserve me seilf a tru man for alle the report that is made of me unto my Maister, to wham y pray you to comaund me. And of this my letter and of your welfare y wold desire to have sume knowlich: and how ye do in your fesik. And yef ther be any servyse that ye wolle comaund me to do here in your absens or els where, ye shal alway fynde me a redy to do your comaundment, as wel as though y didde ocupy this office under you. Remember ye wel, ye must hastly to admitte a poreman in Pryns is hous withoute any delay, wham hit pleasith you: and to assigne him that shall be Resever to pay this next payment, which wol be within this iij wekes: for y wol pay no mo paymentes after these, which is the day of my letter wretinge, the ffurst day of May. And y wold that hit plesed my Maister and you to let Thomas Mathu be Resever of the Almeshous. And Jhesu have you in his keping and send you as gode hele as y wold have my seilf. Your man Ric. Ger[{myn{] . To my lady Stonor in hast be this delivered.

[} [\291. THOMAS MOLEYNS TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\(? 20 June, 1481)\] Right worshipfull Master, I recommaund me unto your mastership: please it you to understond that now in the begynnyng of this terme one John Hyll, Squyer, suyth a (\Quare impedit\) ayenst you in Devonshire, supposyng by his writ that ye desturbe and let hym to present his clerke to the free Chauntry of Ermyngton, which longyth to his presentacion, as he supposith by hys wryt: I know nether your title nether his, I pray you to send me a bill of the mater of your title therto, if ye have title, that your counseill may know it, or nede be to plede. I shall do alle that lith in me to do for your mastership, by the

grace of God, who gyf your mastership as well to fare as your hert can thynke, Amen. By your servaunt to my symple power Th. Moleyns. Wretyn at London on Wednesday next before Midsomerday. To my right worshipfull master, Sir William Stonore, knyghte.

[} [\292. JOHN YAXLEE TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\(? 8 July, 1481)\] Ryght reverent and worshipfull Sere, I recomaund me to +gou &c. Sere, my Mastres Harlston recomaundyth here to +gou: and I am sure she wilbe glad iff I tell here of +gour prosperous welfare, whan I come home: for in good feyth, sere, she was verry ffull off thought and ferd lest +ge had ben sore seke or gretly diseasid, be cause she cowd not here from +gour good Mastership many a day. Wherfor she desired me feythfully +tat I shuld inquere of your welfare, of +te whech I have herd at London +te certente, thankyd be Jhesu, ho have +gour seid worshipful mastership in kepyng. Wreten at London, +te mornyne next after Seint Thomas Day with +te rude hand of +gour fey+tefull servaunt, hos name is John Yaxlee. To my ryght reveren[{t and{] worshipful master Sere Willm. Stoner, in hast delyvered.

[} [\296. SIR WILLIAM STONOR TO HARRY DOGETT\] }] [\23 Dec. 1481\] My old frynd, I recommaund me unto you. Syr, I have resseyvyd a bylle fro my cosyn Elmes, wyche cam fro you, so my seyd cosyn seth, he vyll sele to the doctor, and wyllyth me to make yov a suffycient varant for the x. li. Syr, by this bylle, vryt with my own hand on Crist[{mas{] Eve ys Eve (\Anno regni regis\) E. iiij=ti= xxj=o=, I vylle at the nexte reseyte by my cosyn Elmes ye be content, and this wryt with my ovne hand shalbe his sufficient dyscharge, he so contenteyng yov the sume of x. li. My trust ys I shalle have thys cope ayen thys tyde. Jhesu preserve yov your lond [\?\] at Stonore. Will=m= Stonore K. To my trusty frynd Harry Dog[{ett{] in hast.

[} [\299. JOHN SHYNNER TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\(c. 1481)\] Most worchepfull and reveryend Mayster, I recummend me onto yowr reverynd Maisterchep also lowly as I can hoder may: wyllyng yowr Maysterchep to have knowleche +tat syr Wylyam Sandys ys gretely dysplesyd with me, and Jaye do lesayd maner also, as for a grehowde +tat I scholde send onto yowr maysterchep as they say: +te weche I know not what coler +tis grehowd ys, noder no seche I send to yow, neyder was consente +ter to: werefor I beseche yowr maysterchep to wrythe onto Syr Wiliam Sandys as for myne a skese, and to speke to Jaye at Londun, wen, ye methe with hym, as my treste ys on yowr Maysterchep, and as I schall and am yowr preste to praye to God for yow and yowrys, ho have yow and yowrs in hys kepyng ever, Amen your preste Syr John Shynner. To my ry+gth worchepfull and reverynd Mayster Syr Wiliam Stonor, yn hast.

[} [\300. JOHN SHYNNER TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\(? 1481)\] Ry+gth reverent and worcheppell Mayster, I recommende me on to yowr Maysterchepp allso hertely as I can and may: prayeng yowr Maysterchepp to gete me a subpena for John Rowse, apon +tat he was ynfefyet yn treste to follfyll my fader ys wyll, and John Leghe and Water Torryng, +te weche John Leghe and Water Torryng be +te partyd of +tis worll, and so John Rowse is alyve, and y deser he scholde folfyll my fader ys wyll. And yn +te reverans of God laboryd ye to be scherve: for hyt ys a presentabell offise, +te worcheppefollyst yn +te scher have ben schervys and yet theye hope to be: and Wylyam Fowell sayde to me +tat Syr Thomas Selynger hopyt to be scherve +tis yer: and Wylyam Fowell sayd hyt wer all so convenyant and presentabell to yow as to hym, and sayd hyt well be worth to yow a C. nobelys abow all costys and awayll mene hoder man onder yow: and yef ye be scherve I beseche yow that John Tollocke may be creyer of +te schere, and he shall plese yow also largely as heny hoder schall, +te weche John Tollocke ys my soster sone. And I have send on to yowr Maysterchepp for my wrethe of subpena by the berer of thys byll ij. (^s.^) vj. d. And yet

yn +te reverens of God remembret yowr sylve to labor to be scherve: for hyt well gete yow a quayntens, and hyt ys beter to goveryn then to be goveryed. No mor on to yowr Maysterchepp at +tis tyme, but Jhesu preserve yow ever. Amen. I-wrethen at Modbere on Synt Luke ys yeve. By your aune Syr John Schynner, parson of Penyton. To my Rygth reverend Mayster and pattron, Syr Wiliam Stonor, knygh.

[} [\301. JOHN SHYNNER TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\(? 1481)\] Ry+gth reveryend Mayster, I recummende me to yowr Maysterchep &c. I have ben with my Maysteres, yowr Moder, and ther I schall never come mor by +te grace of God, for I was falsse varlet, theffe, and her traytour, and God yove me grace +tat I never methe with her more, ffor I have the namys of yowr bredren and sosteren. As ffor her armys I have hyt not, bot +te lord Mese woll bryng ham to yow &c. Also, rememberyt to wrythe to Mayster Wageth as for Flethe and Forde to be Tedyngman and sewtey to yowr cerche of Ermeton. Also, I wolde ye wolde to sewe to be scherve of owr scher, for me semyt hyt wolde be presentabell and to gethe a quayntans, love, and drede withyn +tis scher, and rememberyt how mene worchepfull men have be schervys of +tat scher, bothe of yowr contre and of +tis. And yef yowr Maysterchep have hyt I wolde beseche yow to have a offyce as for a kynnysman of myne to be cryer of +te scher &c. By your aune Syr John Shynner. To my ry+gth reveryend and specyall mayster, Syr Wiliam Stonor, kny+gth, yn haste.

[} [\302. PETER CAVERSHAM, ABBOT OF NUTLEY, TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\(? 1480-81)\] Worsypull Syr, y recomend me unto yowe, and y pray yowe y my+gt byn recomendyd to my lady yowr wyfe as a contreyman nowe of hurs nat to her kowyng, but with +te grace of God and yowr gentylnes y schall byn &c. As to +te intent of +tis byll, +tis hyt ys: ther one Paddenall of Crendon, whom +ge kowe well and longyng unto +gowe, and trobull me sore in my myndys of many dyverse matres, +te wych ar so long to writ unto yow and then hit wulde wery a man or he had don, and in specyall such a sympull writer as y am &c: prayng yowe, as my synguler trust is in yowe, and in tyme schert I schull reward yowe, +tat such commynantes as y made with yowe of +te ferme of Crendon my+gt byn performyd: for +tis sympull man, +te wych y release hit to, whom +ge had promysyd me fryst, at yowr request, bydyth by no promysse +tat he made to us, but trobull me: prayng of your gentyllnes to take none displesur thoy y trobull hym acordyng to +te lawe; for, saffe yowr reverans, he ys untrewe, for he sclaunders me +tat Thomas Salman schuld seye +tat y had more stondyd out j acre of +te kynges ground, the wych +te other never seyd nother never cowde make profe +terof: y wuld naut he my+gt for an hondur pond: +tis my+gt every worsypull man byn sclaunder: as my trust, send me word howe +tat +ge wyll deale on +tis mater, for in gode soth saffe for yower sake he schuld havyn kowyng +terof ar +tis: as +ge thynke hit is gode to yowe remember me, and I schall yowe, as my most trust. At Nott. by Syr Peter abbot of +te same. Unto my most gode specyall frend, Syr William Stonor, in hast.

[} [\303. THOMAS BANKE TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\16 January (1482)\] Pleasyd +gour maistyrshyp to understond +tat I hayff beyn with doctour Sutton, our commyssare, and I dyd shew to hym howe +goure maistyrshyp boy+th was and ys dysposyd to +te universite, as in fyndyng and relevyng off divers scolars to +te same and also by relevyng off many o+ter suche as cummys to +gour maistyrshyp at divers tymes in +te +gere, lyke as Mr. Eadmunde, Mr. Flynte, Mr. Kyckall, and I with o+ter moye dyd layte; off whome I desyryd +te commyssare to inquire +gour worshypfull and gentyll behave+gour to tham and to iche on off tham, because I wolde he sulde gyff more credens to myn informacyon. Also, syr, I was with my lord Edwarde and maistyr Stanley, and informyd tham in lyke wyse, and dyd shew boyth to my lorde Edwarde, to maistyr Stanley, and to maistyr commyssare, +te delyng and +te behave+gour off certan

scolars a+ganes +gour maistyrshyp and +gour servands, specyaly when +tai cume to +te universite for suche necessytes as +ge hayff to doo +ter: and +ten my lord Edwarde and Mr. Stanley desyryd +te commyssare at +ter instanse to see an remedy, suche as +gour servandes myght boyth cume and goo to or from +te universite in sayffe garde off +ter bodes: and +te commyssare seyd he wolde doo as myche as he myght by +te vertu off hys offece to provyde an remedy: nott withstondyng all thys, me semys +te moste suerte ys +gour awn wey to send for tham by privey selys. Cadwey ys benefysyd in Oxfurte: he may nott flee. Syr, I sayd to +te comyssare +tat +ge wold send for tham by privey seles, bod yff +te universite dyd see an remedy: and +te commyssare sayd, yff +ge dyd so he culd nott blame +ge, in so myche as +tei wylnot be reulyd. No more, save I besyche Jhesu preseryff +go and +gores evermore, Amen. Frome Oxfurth +te xvj day off Januer. +gour servand and bedman Thomas Banke. Syr, Maistyr Stanley, eftyr all +te comunycacyon before rehersyd, dyd send for Cadwey to cume to hym: for Cadwey is grete with hym: and +ter maystyr Stanley declaryd howe ney off kyn my laydy +gour wyff and he stande, and desyryd hym as he wolde hayffe hys gude Maistyrshyp to owe hys luffe and favour to +gour servandes in Oxfurth or owte off Oxfurth wharsoever +tei dyd mete: for Maistyr Stanley sayd +tat he moste nedes take +gour parte in all ryght: and so sayd my lorde Edwarde also, when we dyd comon firste off +te mater: and so Cadwey hays promysyd to Maistyr Stanley +tat he wyll ne+ter doo ne sey a+ganes +gour servandes, bod ra+ter to helpe to convey tham yff anyman wolde doo or sey a+ganes tham: bod +tis ys no suerte to +gour servandes for o+ter off hys cuntremen. Warfor, me semes +gour awn wey ys beste, to send for tham, or to cause +te kyng to wryte to +te universite for an remedy as +ge thynke beste &c. To hys worshypfull Maistyr Syr Wylliam Stonor, knyght, be +tis delyveryd.

[} [\304. HENRY MAKNEY TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\(? 29 Jan. 1482)\]

My ryghte worshipful Maistire, y recomand me to youe &c. Syr, the prioure of Frideswide of Oxford is collector of the dymys, he hathe sen to Pirton and hathe suspendide +te cherche for the dymys, and also he suspendide olde Bayly, whiche hath parcelle of +te tythis in Pirton undire youe. Wherfor ye moste se a remedy that +te parishens may be servyde and the dymys payde. Y hire +tat the dymys ben more +ten xl. s., whiche is unpayd. Also here is on Willm. Clerke of Nustelynge, whiche is grevously vexide and trowblide by Thomas Hardgrave for suche servise as he dide to Edmunde Ramsey in youre behalfe, wen +te furste possession was take +ter; and also when ye were +ter ye made hyme brynge the tenantis to Rumsey to speke with youe; for whiche causis he dare not abide in his house for drede of arestinge by write or for suerte of the pease: wherfore the seid Clerke besechithe your gode Maistershippe to lete make a cerche if +ter be any accion conceveide ayenste hyme by Hardgrave, and +tat he my+gte have a (\supersedeas\) fro the Chancery, whiche shulde cause odire men to be glade to do youe servise in +tat contre, if ye kepe this man harmeles &c. Item youre husbondrie is note welle gydide: ye have iiij or v hynys and but on plowe goynge, where as +ge my+gte have ij plows. Y have spoke to +te bayly to have fewere servantes or a nodire plowe goynge: but he wulde note be rewlide by me, but take his owne wey, whiche wulnote be moste for your profite, as y trowe. Item your childern be note at Oxford by cause of horse, money and men: for your servantes dare note come in Oxford. At Stonore, the Tuysday nexte afore Candelmasday, Your servant H. Makney. To my Ryghte reverente Maister, Syr Willm. Stonor.

[} [\309. RICHARD PAGE TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\(1482)\] In as humble wise as y can y recommaunde me to yowr good mastership, as he that thenkys a long seson sens y saw your mastership: I ensure [\?\] the same: y am as glad for the good spede of my lady and

that she is with chylld, as y am of any woman levyng. Wold God it wold plese you to com to your Horton when terme is don: y will geve yow attendance: ther is ther an punchon or tweyn of wyne abydyng your mastership: y hope suche as woll plese yow. Syr, y am desyrid to write to your mastership for your old servant and my felow, James Boteller, that it wold lyke yow to put suche attemtes and maters as is ayenst hym, and som direccion so that he by the mene of yowr mastership may leve in quiete and rest: and y am sure he woll do you service to the uttermost of his power to put his pore lif in juperde. Syr, y am sory to encumbre your good mastership with this simple mater, but at lest ye may do a speciall dede of almes and deserve thank of almyghty God, who ever preserve yow and all youres for my synguler comfort. Writen at London this Saterday in the morning with the hand of your servant Ric. Page. As for news y have told this berrer to enforme yow. I fere me he cannot well shew them to your mastership. To my master, Syr Willm. Stonor, knight for the Kynges body be this delivered.

[} [\310. RICHARD PAGE TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\(1482)\] Plese it your mastership, y have resseyvyd your letter in whiche ye commaunde me to speke to my lord prince councell touchyng bran at [\?\]

mater. Syr, me semys, savyng your correccion, it were not best to do so, for y suppose they know nothing of it, and me semys it were folie to shew the mater to thaym and to let thaym have understondyng theroff. Also trew it is my lord prince hath a writ of ravyshment of his ward Barantyne ayenst you and my lady Botiller. I have spoken with my lord prince Attornay and shewid hym the mater: so uppon de[{w{] [\?\] prove made of myne informacion, whyche is that he was maried in his fadris life as your mastership wrote on to me, the mater shall and must take a good end. And so it is respited tyl the next terme ye com yor self. Syr, as for the xij=c= li., whiche Bettson awis you, if he be disposid to content you, and welnot dele with your stok, me semys it makys litell force so he woll make you paiement in monay. For y wold not ye were incombrid with waris, at wollnot be your profitt, so it semys me. I remitt this to your mastership. I pray Jhesu save my lady is fare bely. I pray God send hir good tyme and good deliveraunce. Plese it your mastership this rude byll may recommaunde me to hir good ladyship. And this I make and send at this seson. I pray god send you your hartes desire. Writen with the fest at London this thursday +tat of Your Page. This byll be delivered to Master Syr Willm. Stonor, knygth to the Kinges body.

[} [\311. T. MOLEYNS TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\(1482)\] Right worshipful Master, I Recommaund me unto your Mastership, letyng your mastershipe understond that Page and I have spoken with my lord Prynce Counsell for the accion ageyn you and my lady Barantyne; and that mater shall be contynued til the next terme, upon communycacion betwen them and you and your Counsell. I know no mo materes ageyn you. Your man tellyd me that ye were in doute of a nother sute in my lord Prynce is name. I have serched therfor, but certeynly ther

is noon. I have resceyvyd v.s. by your servaunt. And Jhesu preserve you. Amen. Wrytyn in hast. By your servaunt T. Moleyns.

[} [\312. SIMON STALLWORTH TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\1 May (1482 ?)\] Worchypfull Syr, with dewe recomendacions and acordyng I recommend me unto you, prayng you to have me excusyd of my commyng: for withowt dowt I hadde purposyd to have bene with you +tis nyght. A kynsman of myne and felowe of Mertyne college, I trust to God schall be +te proctor, and hathe send for me in suche wysse as withowte I be with hym +tis night he is lykley to be distrenyd, suche labor ther is ageyne hym: I trust he shall do you servyce herafter. Syr, also accordyng to your plesur I send for Wiliam Walche to +te intent to have dronkyn wyth hym, and he wass not in Thame. My lord send me wrytyng +tat he hadde abyld Christofore Holand in +tat rowmythe by +te labor of you, I am content, and ye for to have +te delyng betwyx W. Walche and hym. Notwithstandyng my lorde send me word +tat he hadde takyne hym a byll of his awne hand. I askyd Christofor, but I cowthe nott se it. Syr, my lord wyld +tat Christofor shold answer hym at thys tyme for hys payment, and +tat mony +tat W. Walche hathe receyvyd Christofor to have it. As for +te rentalls and o+ter evydence hadde by Wylyam Walche, +ge kanne have +te delyveraunce of +tem to Christofore: for my lord profytt better +ten I wer with you: and in +te balywyke of Dorchester my lord send me word +tat +ge hade spok to hym +ter for, and he wyll contynue it to he, +ge and I spek to gydyr +ter inne: I trust +ge schalbe plesyde. And wher ye wyld me to be frend to Christofore Holand, I schalbe redy to fullfyll +tat commaundement. Syr, also I undyrstand +tat my lord wyld +tat a copy of +te vicaries land in Dorchester schold be hadde to +te beholve of Rychard Idley, and +te

fyne reservyde to you and me: so I have wrytyng: it wer ryght wel done an end to be hadd in +tis mater: it is lytyll valewe and mykyll mony spend +terinne. I schal schewe +te presedent of iij. li. vj. s. viij. d. fyne in +te same land. On Thorsday I most be at Thame Abby, and so depart to Bukden: yf ye schall please any thyng +tat I may do by +tat tyme or after I schalbe redy. I beseke ye also +tat I may have your mynd and speke with Christofore Holand and [\SIC\] Thame on Thorsday: for +ten I must send to my lord of theys thynges and other, howe +tat I doo in thys countre and in theys maters. I ame ryght sory +tat I may not speke with you or ye departe: but I trust to Jhesu to avate on you at Nottyngham with my servyce: who ever have you in hys blyssyd kepeng. At Dorchester in gret hast +te fyrst day of May by +te hand of youre servant Simon Stallworthe. To the Ryght worchypfull and my god maister Syr Wylyam Stonore, knyght for +te body, be thys delyverde in godly haste &c.

[} [\313. HUGH UNTON TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\(11 May, 1482)\]

Right worshipfull Maister, I recommaunde me unto you. Syr, as for yowr gret mater afore my lord Bryan the waraunt is in; I have geten hit in. Syr, Worthe is here nowe and the Justices have graunt him his reddicion; bot your counsell sayen hit is no gret hurt for you, for and he enter by his awne auctorite ye may put him owte and take ye the profetes of the land. And gif he enter by auctorite of the Sheref by a writ, is called (\habere facias sesinam\) , ye most suffer the Sherefs Officers to enter by vertu of the writ or waraunt, and as sone as thai ben gone enter ye ageyn and take the profetez. Syr, as for all your other accions I shall take as gud hede +terto as I can for every ayeynest the terme And sum fals pacche will be don, the which shal not be to my power, with goddes grace. Syr, ther is an accion nowe newe taken ayeynest you in Hampshire at the sute of on Agnes Foster, wydowe; but is trespas. Syr, as for wyne I have sent you by John Somer, to be deliveret to John Baker a Henley, ij hogges hedes of Claret wyne, a hogges hed of red wyne, a hogges hede of white wyne. And as for spices I spake to Maister Russh; hee [\SIC\] thai loke for a gale comys nowe in, as he sais and then he will by be gret, and then ye shall have with him as moche as ye will: bot he will lay down now no money for noon. And as for candell, we can have non such as ye send fore, as Taylboys can tell your Maistership. And as for fyssh, I can none by withoute money. And rysshes and sope I have send you by John Somers barge, the which wilbe at Henley opon Sonday or Monday at the forthest. Syr, this day messyngers go into every shire with commissions and writtes of proclamacions, that every man that hase endented to go with the Kyng to be redy with in xiiij dayes. Syr, the Kyng departes northewardes opon Twesday in Whitsonday weke. And therefore Maister Russh counseles you in any wise ye to be here Monday all day to labour to my lord Markas as for your mater anendes the Qwene and divers other causes, the which he will enfourme you of at your comyng. And

allmighty Jhesu have you in kepyng. Writen this Saterday. And as for the joyner your werk wilnot be redy bot ayeynest midsomer. Your owne servaunt H. Unton. To my worshipful Maister Syr William Stonor, knyght for +te body.

[} [\315. SIR WILLIAM STONOR TO JOHN ABREY\] }] [\23 May, 1482\] Abrey, I pray yov se the demys content; also Belle of Schyrburne hath byn with me, and Jon Baker: so I hollde me content to reseyve ix markes of Baker for Belle for the tyth of soche as he nov oft to pay. At Stonore, the Thursday nexte a fore Whytsunday, A=no= xxij=o=. Wyllm. Stonore, K.

[} [\321. RICHARD PAGE TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\23 August (1482)\] I recommaunde me to your mastership in my best maner: besekyng of the same I may be recommaundid to my lady, your wif, as he that is very glad of her good spede: I pray Jhesu save hir, and send hir good lif and long. Plese it yow to understond that Frere Hugh, chaunter prest of Horton, woll no longe occupie the Chaunterie ther: wherfor, syr, like it your mastership to write unto the master of Cobham, whos name is Doctor Underwode, to put in to the same Chaunterie Syr Robert Tybe, whiche is an honest prest and good, and a clene levyng man: y ensure yow he wolbe a sure bedeman to yowr mastership, and do yow as good service as woll any prest in Kent to his power. As for newes, the brynger can informe your mastership, to whom like it you to geve credens. I pray God save you and all yours. Writen at London on seint Bartholomew ys yeve with the hond of your servant. Ric. Page. To my master, Syr willm. Stonor, knyght for the Kynges body, be thys delivered.

[} [\322. RICHARD PAGE TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\(1482)\] In as humble wise as y can I recommaunde me to your good mastership. Syr, y have spoken with Master Lewes: I can not desire hym to be more courtais ne more gentyll towardes your mastership then he is

in every behalve. Wherfor your mastership must remembre the favourable delyng and alliance bytwene yow: he woll not in no maner wise lese your favour, for he thenkygh it to hym right a singuler tresor: and also y am right well assurid your mastership woll not hurt hym, ne lese his ffavour: hit were not to doo, savyng yourself and your dewte, whiche he is, and I dar say wolbe, as glad to perform [{every{]ythyng accord[{yng to{] your [{p{]lesyr and reson, as [{any{] gentilman in Kent, or any other man levyng. I[{ ... n{]o man speke better of your mastership then he spekys, and that in every point. [{Y write{] under correccion of your mastership, yet this [{must{] be consideryd in a ... [{gen{]tilman, and that your mastership myght, if it [{plese y{]ow, dele more favourably [{with{] hym for this maner of is delyng to come ... in displesyr, which God defe[{nd. And Syr{] , this me semys it wer well don ... [{I have{] spake with John Ford to be your fermor at Horton, y have confortyd hym ther[{in{] , and he is for yow. I pray God save you, and my lady, and my yonge master your son for my grete comfort. Writen at your Horton this . . . with the hand of your servaunt. Ric. Page. To my good master, Syr Willm. Stonor, knyght for the Kynges body.

[} [\327. RICHARD PAGE TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\12 March (1483)\] I recommaunde to your maystership. Syr, as this day I have ress. your letter by my fellow Tailbois, M=r=. Lewes beyng with me at diner in my pore hous: I understand well theffecte of your writyng. Syr, if it like your mastership to call to remembraunce he ys your feffe of the same land, by force wherof he may justefie the takyng away of the cornys, and if he be lettyd he may take an accion ayenst thaym that let hit, notwithstandyng men woll indevor thaym to do you service and plesyr as fer as they may. Also he may have a (\replegiar\) , and so have deliveraunce: ther can no man say nay, but if he do contrarie the law. Syr, if it plese your mastership, he woll be bounde to abide the rule of your counsell, suche as he hath writen to your mastership off. And under correccion, me semys, it wer better to take that way, the premisses wele-considerid, than otherwise. Like it yow to yeve credens to the berer, to whom I have shewd my conseit in this mater. From your Horton, on seint Gregori is day, with the hond off Your servaunt Ric. Page. To my master Sir William Stonor, knyght. . . .

[} [\329. EDWARD PLOMPTON TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\23 May 1483\] Right honorable and synguler good maister, the most humble and due recommendacion had: pleaseth your maistershipp to remembre your graunt by my lord of Saint Johns of your ferme of Warpisgrowe, like as apperith by your byll by my said lord asseignet: now is tyme for your maistershipp to mowe your said graunt. I wold advyse you incontynent to send to Th. Dawy, steward of Saint Johns at London, and sone uppon to entre in to the said ferme, observyng your said graunt accordyng to the lawe: and my servyce ever at your commaundement, as knawith Jhesu, who your good maistershipp preserve. Writtyn in hast at Wycomb the xxiij day of May, 1483. Your servant Ed. Plompton Secretary to my lord of Saint John. To the right honorable and my synguler Maister, Sir Willm. Stoner knyght.

[} [\330. SIMON STALLWORTH TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\9 June 1483\] Master Stoner, after dew recommendacons, I recommend me to youe. As for tydyngs seyns I wrote to yove we her noun newe. +te Quene kepys stylle Westm., my lord of +Gorke, my lord of Salysbury with othyr mo wyche wyll nott departe as +gytt. Wher so evyr kanne be founde any godyse of my lorde Markues it is +tayne. +Te Priore of

Westm. wasse and +gytt is in a gret trobyll for certeyne godys delyverd to hyme by my lord Markques. My lord Protector, my lord of Bukyngham with all othyr lordys, as well temporale as spirituale, were at Westm. in +te councel chambre from x to ij, butt +ter wass none +tat spake with +te Qwene. +Ter is gret besyness ageyns +te coronacion, wyche schalbe +tis day fortnyght as we say. When I trust +ge wylbe at London, and +ten schall +ge knove all +te world. +Te Kyng is at +te towre. My lady of Glocestre come to London on thorsday last. Also my lord commendys hyme to yove, and gave me in commaundement to wryte to you, and prayes you to be god Master to Edward Jhonson of Thame. He wass with my lord, and sued to be made a denyson for fer of +te payment of +tis subsedy: and my lord send to Jeves +te clerke of +te corone and sawe +te commissione and schewyde to hyme +tat he schold pay butt vj s. viij d. for hymeself: and so wer he better to do +ten to be mayde denyson, wyche wold coste hym +te thyrd parte of his goods. And as for suche as have trobyld with in +te lordchype of Thame my lord wylbe advysyd by you at your commyng for +te reformacion, yf +ge take note or +ge come: for he thynkes +tat +tei schalbe punyshed in examplee of othyr. And Jhesu preserve yove. In haste from London by +te handys of your servande, +te ix day of June. Simon Stallworthe. To the ryht honorabille Sir William Stoner, knyghte.

[} [\333. FRANCIS, VISCOUNT LOVELL TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR\] }] [\11 October, 1483\]

Cosyn Stoner, y commawnde me to youe as hartely as y cane: for as myche as hit plesyth +te Kynges grace to have warnyd youe and all other to attende upon his grace, and your compeny +tat ye wolde come in my conysans and my compeny to come with you: and I ame sewre +tat schall plese his grace beste, and cawse me to thynke +tat ye lofe my honor, and y trust schalbe to your sewrte. Y pray youe remembyr this, as y schall remembyr youe in tyme to come, by +te grace of Jhesu, who ever preserve youe. Wreten at Lyncolne +te xj day of Octobyr. Your hertely lovyng Cosyn ffraunceys Lovell. Also Cosyn, +te kyng hath commawndyd me to sende youe worde to make youe redy, and all your compeny, in all hast to be with his grace at Leyceter +te Monday +te xx day of Octobyr: for I have sent for all my men to mete me at Bannebery, +te Soterday +te xviij day of Octobyr. To my Cosyn [{Syr{] William Stoner.

[} [\341. THOMAS STONOR TO JOHN WARFIELD.\] }] [\(1429 ?)\] Warfeld, I gr[{ete{] +gow well, doyng +gow to wyte that the borwis of Will. Spileman and Thomas Spileman have be wyth me sith that I spoke wyth +gow laste, and desiryd that I schulde putte hem to sum yssu how they my+gth trye hem silf fre or bounde; and I answeryd hem that ther ys a comyn lawe to all the Kyngys legee pepil, the whiche ys opyn to all men that wull sue hyt, the whiche in myne part I most nedis abyde: and I askyd the Borwys hyf they woulde sue for hem, and they borwis seyde nay, but that they prayd me that they my+gth brynge in to me the tweyne brotherin and her goodes and to be dischargyd of her bonds: and so on Wednysday next comyng they borwys wull be wyth me to bryngge the Spilemannys and her goodys to me, hopyng to be dischargyd of her bondys: And as hyt is do me to undirstonde that Will. Spileman seyth that thow I have all hys goodys and prisone hys body he wull nevyr knowleche hym bounde to deye therefore: and how I shall governe me in this mater I pray +gow to sende to me a scrowe. Also as towchyng the person of Dudecote, he was wyth me, and as whanne I speke wyth hym last at Hampden he

seyde he wuld paye to me the money the whiche I wroot to hym for, so that I wulde suffre hym to have a preste to serve hys chirche and he to dwell wyth me and wheere I wulde suffre hym: but I grauntyd hym nat hys askyn, but +gyt netherles to put all thyng in reste and for cause he hath cristenyd a child of myne, and I hold it best to suffre hym a whyle to be absent, and I pray +gow, he is now at London, enqueryth how he governyth hym there, and sendyth me wurde. Also as towchyng to a Charyngworthe I pray +gow to ende hyt or +ge come thenys, and lat hym be bounde or ell he wull nat abyde the ende. Also for[{+g{]ytyth nat ffortescew as for the wode at Erm. And I pray +gow to se redyly the (\diem claus. extremum\) of the lord Seynt John. Also I pray +gow to take the money of Clopton, and brynge hyt wyth +gow. Also speke +ge to my Maister whanne Cricklade and W .. te meete to gedere for myn brotherys wille. Thomas St. [^LATIN MEMORANDUM OMITTED^]

[} [\347. LETTER OF PRIVY SEAL TO HUMPHREY FORSTER AND OTHERS.\] }] [\16 April 1471\] By +t=e= Kyng. Trusty and webelovid we grete you wel, latyng you wete +tat in our Batel late had, whereof God of his grete grace hathe yeven us vyctory, owre Rebelles and traytours, +t=e= Duke of Excetr., +t=e= marquis Montagu, +t=e= Erles of Warwyk and Oxinford with other ben slayne, and +t=e= remenaunt put to flyght, for +t=e= whiche we and alle oure trew Subgettes owe to yeve laude and thonke to God of whom alle grace cometh: Wherfor we desire and pray you as oure trew Subgettes to thanke hym +terof, willyng also alle other to yeve unto hym lawdes and thankes for +t=e= same: And over this we woll +tat ye charge and commaunde on oure behalf alle people of oure Countee of Oxinford and other places near ajoynyng to +t=e= same of ye age of be twyxte lx=ti= and xvj=ne= yeres, hable to do us servise to be redy in alle possible hast in +tere most defensible araye and theym so arayde bryng unto us for +t=e= repressyng and subdewyng of certeyn oure Rebelles enemyes and traytours, not failyng herof us ye wol answere unto us at your peryl. Yeven under oure prive Seall at oure Cite of London +t=e= xvj day of Aprill. To our trusty and welbelovid Humfrey fforster +t=e= elder, Christofer Harecourt, Richard Crofte, John Harecourt, Humfrey fforster +t=e= yonger, and John Charleton and to everyche of them.

[} [\354. WALTER ELMES TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR.\] }] [\(c. 1480.)\] Ryth wurschipfull mayster, I recommaund me unto, and I have, syne Harry Parsone was with me, kast my boke of my Rescye[{t{] of your lond this yere as folowyth. [^BOOKKEEPING OMITTED^] Syr, I beseche yow to remembre this, and take me as I entende. I wuld plese yow by +t=e= blessyd lord. Syr, I besech yow to aske me no more money of me, and such money as I have resceyvyd of my lord of Suff. by the blessyd sacrement I have kast my boke and I have spent, thereof xx (^li.^) wych I must nedys borow ayenst +t=e= audyte or ells I am utterly shamyd and lese my offyce for ever.

And such money as Germyn bryngyth, ye shall have all save x marke that I wuld were payyd for yowr wyne at London. Syr, I trust by +t=t= tyme +t=t= y=e= have poysyd this in yowr mynd ye wull be god mayster to me as ever ye have bene, and were I owt of trobull trust to do more to yowr plesure &c: as of Horton, Watlyngton, Redyng, Borowscott, Hoddysdon I have not reseyvyd on j (^d.^) this yere. And owr lord preserve yow. Yowr seruant W. Elmes. By my trouth I kowde not slepe for sorowe this nygth. [\IN DORSO\] Item, for my costes to London, ij (^d. ob.^) Item, for my horsemete at Cawsham, ij (^d.^) Item, for my sowper and Thomas at Hawmulds, ij (^d.^)

[} [\355. HUMPHREY FORSTER TO SIR WILLIAM STONOR.\] }] [\(c. 1480.)\] Right worshipfull nevewe, in my most feythefull wyse I recommaunde me to you. And pleaseth you to wete that one Robert Bolle, a tenaunt of myne of Henle hath be with me and enformed me that his Brother dwellyng at Rysborowe shuld be atached for a Scot by servauntes of yours, wher in dede he is none, for he and his brother that is my servaunt were bore but ij myle from syr James Strangewy[{sshes place{] . whiche is fifty myle from Scotlond and more. And his fader and moder t[{enaunts{] to syr James Strangewissh, which wolle be dewly proved: wherfore I beseche yow to showe your favorabill maistership to them as conciens and ryght require. And Jesu preserve yow. Wreten in hast this same Moneday. Thomas Raufe was with me this same Moneday in +t=e= mornyng, for Poughlowe lond to understond what direccion Herre Doget wold abide: and he tolde me that he most ryde with his moder to Sotwell and Dodecote Your owne Humffrey fforster To my most worshipfull Nevewe Syr William Stonore in hast. [^LETTERS FROM THE MARCHALL CORRESPONDENCE. ED. BY KERŽNEN, JUKKA, TERTTU NEVALAINEN AND ARJA NURMI. PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, SC 1. 1996.^]

[} [\SC 1: xliv, 35. THOMAS MAYKYN TO WILLIAM MARCHALL.\] }] Well by louyd and trusty frende I recomende me to +gow, lykyng yow to vnderstonde that Robert Quynarton hath enformyd me how +t=t= Aleyne Jonysson hath your brother Richarde and me at exigent; y=e= wherfor I p~y yow, as I may do yow eny s~uyse in tyme comyng, y=t= in all hast y=t= ye may dessyre to speke w~ hy~, and to wete what day of payement he woll asyne yow in oure name, for, syr, my parte of +t~ dette ys but xix s viij d And youre brother Richarde as myche, the wherfor as my parte comyth to I p~y yow but yyf ye may take a day resonable y=t= ye wolle contente hy~ of xix s viijd, for h~ is no more of trowthe. And y=t= may ye p~ve by h~s boke of accompte by twene vs. And syr I schall paye to Thom~s Grace your Carpent~r as myche in youre name so y=t= he schall be well plesyd w~ goddys grace. And syr, as to your brother Richarde, I suppose w~ your good entretyse y=t= he wolde yeue hy~ lenger day yanne me. And forthermore I deme but for my p~sone y=t= he wolde neu~ take sewte ayen Richarde by cause of olde acqueyntawnse, and also ye may sey vn to hy~ y=t= Richarde yafe hy~ x li. of golde in a day and y~ for he may y=e= bett~ for yeue xix s viij d. And as to my parte of y=e= costys, I p~y yow maketh hy~ to for yeue at your request yyf ye may, yyf not endeth with hym in all wyse y=t= I be harmeles as I truste fully in yow. No more at y=s= tyme but how ye spede in y=s= matt~ I p~y yow sendeth me aletter in hast. And y=e= holy goost haue yow in h~s kepyng. I wryte at Wodestoke in grete hast y=e= Sonday after Est~ day. By Thom~s Maykyn. And syr I sende yow a bylle of y=e= laste accompte y=t= Aleyne Johnson, your brother Richard & I made last to ged~ in london in h~s cownt~. [\ADDRESSED\] To my tresty frende William Marchall Clerke of ye Chawnsery.

[} [\SC 1: xliv, 43. WALTER THAME TO THOMAS DANE.\] }] Ry+gt reu~end and worschepefull Cosyn, I cumma~de me on to y+gow desy[{r{]yng hertely to here of y+gowyr whelfare and good prosperite, y=e= whyche y be seche all myty god to manteyne and incresse to hys pleysyng and to y+gouyre hertys desyyre; and yf hyt pleyse y+gowe to here of my wellfare at y=e= maky~g of yis lettyr I whasse in good hellte; ferthyr mor gefeyng y+gow knowlege at cristemasse last past I be gan Arte, purposyng w~h the grase of all myty god and my good fryndys to continu forthe there in, trustyng to god y=t= +ge wyll be on to me there yn hensseforward as ye affe byn here a forre, & there to y bes eche yyow w~h all my harte; also my fathyr and mothyr and my gransar cumawnd them on to yow hertely to here of yyowyr whellffar; gefeyng yyow knolege that my brothyr Jon by the wyllys of hys fry~dys beyng there ny hym hathe gett hym a wyfe and y~for my fathyr and my mothyr and my gransare and also m[\y\] Maystyr beddford and my Maystras & my brothyr & I bothe pray yyow hartely yf hyt pleyse y+gow of y+gowyr goodnes to take y=s= labyr a pon y+gow to cu~me thethyr to y=e= Weddyng, all they pray yow hartely the whyche shall be to them grete worchepe & joy; also y delyu~yd a peyyr of glouis to my brothyr Jon, yf hyt pleyse y+gow to take them I pray y+gow hartely; no more to y+gow at thys tyme but y=e= holy gost haue y+gow in h~s kepyng; thys lettyr whas wryte at Oxford the morro afftyr syn benedyt ys day, be y+gowyr cosyn & also y+gowyr bed man Wat~ Thame [\ADDRESSED\] To my worchepefull cosyn Maystyr Thomas Dane Be thys lett~ deliu~d.

[} [\SC 1: xlvi, 262. JOHN MARCHALL TO WILLIAM MARCHALL.\] }] Right welbylovyd yeme, I comawnnd me vnto you, eu~ mor~ desyring to her~ of yo~ good Welfar~, and yeffe hitt pleas you to her~ of my welfar~ [\and CROSSED OUT\] att y=e= makyng of this lett~ I was in good hele, blessyd by god; and fforthirmor~ I pray you to Recomawnnd me to Cornnewell and his wiffe w~ all his housold, to Thom~s hosyar & his wiffe, pyry and his wiffe. To gawunt and his wiffe/ and to selyte a faf~=ll= ... w~h all odyr good frendes, as my trust ys in you/; and also I p~y you for the Reu~ens of god se well to yo~ selffe and see +t=t= yo~ lyvelode be in saffegard, fore +tem that shall haue hitt aft~ you~ wille, and that +t~ be neu~ Trobyll her~aft~ fore hit, and as sone as I com~ home w~ I shall see you sone aftyr; and yeffe ye woll do so moche to send me word to london and whed~ I Come or none lett me vnd~ stond howe ye do; hitt woll be ner~ all halowun tyde or +t=t= I Com~ home in to ynglond, as I vnd~ stond yete, but as sone as I Com~ to london ye shall haue Knowelege w~ godd~ grace, Whom haffe you in his blessyd keping; wretyn at Gawunt in fflawund~is, [\atte CROSSED OUT?\] the iij=de= day of Julle a laste past a~o lxxvj. etc.[\?\] By yo~ Cosyn John Marchall. ye shall vnd~stond +t=t= my ys dessecyd here, and nowe I am he~ in his stede and a T~ney for my mast~ Wyndesor~. etc. [\ADDRESSED\] To my Ryght welbyloved yonkyll William Marchall at Stanlake be sydes Abingdon in hast soyt dd.

[} [\SC 1: xlvi, 263. THOMAS MAYKYN TO WILLIAM MARCHALL.\] }] Welbylouyd and trusty frende, I r~mende me to yow and for as myche as I haue schewyd to yow my trewe diligense and wryte to yow iij lett~, the whiche ij of hem I sende to yowr brothur Thomas and he seyeth that he sende hem to yow by xv dayes beffor mychelmas, of the whiche ij lett~ on was of many dyue~e matters and in speciall of the bolde of yowre chamb~, o~ yowre brother John, and othere c~teyn matters co~prehendyd ther~in and now be not all in mynde, and the other lett~ was closyd w=t= the testament of yowre brothur Richard, for the whiche testament I haue grete callyng uppon of youre Syst~ Mawde, demyng that I restreyne hyt so to ymagyne unto her s~ fraude, whus colloca~s suche as wher lyke to hynd~ her in tyme co~myng. Wherfor I p~y yow in case that ye haue reseyuyd the foreseyd lett~s ande testament so sendeth me relac~on of the matters, and yf ye haue not reseyuyd hem so wryteth down unto your brothur Thomas in hast to wete whare and whom he delyuy~ hem, for as thus awysyd, he schall reseyue no mo lett~ of my hondes ne of my charge this xx=ti= yere efte sonys trewly, for and the testament be lost unto, lesse than ye haue eny copye +t~of I am lyke to be dangeryd and noysyd for no trewe man; in the case wher=e=of I p~y yow to sende me sum comforte in hast. And Syr as to the byldyng of youre chamb~ I haue putte my labo=r= suche as ye desyryd of me in rewarde of your=e= brothur John, and youre brother Thomas wolde neu~ come at Wodestoke seth the worke was by gonne, neu~rtheles seth the monday aft~ my+ghelmas day ye haue had ij carpunt~s workyng contynewally and ij sawyers to helpe dyuers dayes as the worke nedyd also, and +gut the carpunters abydeth stylle and haue wrought by candell bothe euyn and morne seth x dayes by fore all halowyntyde in on of the wollehouse, and there they haue framyd halfe the chamb~ flore and all the p~opatt work of the jetey w=t= goodely wyndowys, thatt is to wete in the fronte a wyndowe of iiij bayes and in eu~y syde a goodely wyndowe of ij bayes, and all the flore and p~opatt tymb~ of that chamb~ is and schall be goode trewe hert of oke, and the rafters we p~pose of elme, and hardely doute yow not your=e= chamb~ flore schall be stronge y now+g and ye wolde cowche pypys of wyne uppon and than ye schall not bende h=t= w=t= dawnsyng ly+gtly. Syr, there as ye hopyd to haue all the chamb~ made redy by Crystemasse, me thenketh youre avayle is the cont~ry as I schall enforme yow, for the grete hyll wall in to the yerde syde is flowe so that we moste othur take h=t= d~n othur ellys drawe h=t= upry+gth a+gen by goode crafte, and so men of crafte haueth p~mysyd me w=t= goddys g~ce; and also now the dayes wexeth shorte and god g~te that the chamb~ will not falle d~n hy~ selfe; I p~pose sauyng your=e= bett~ avyse to lete all thynges contynewe unto aft~ the feste of Crystemasse and anon aft~ for doute of fallyng down than to take hyt down in the beste tyme of the newe yere. Also I merveyle gretly of a lett~ that I sende yow by a p~son of Gloucet~ schyre, and he callyd hy~ selfe a preste of my lordys chapell of Cawnt~bury and enformyd me that he knew yow well, and p~mysyd me that ye schulde haue that lett~ uppon all halowynday at the ferrust, for he was loggyd with me the sat~day ny+gt by fore, and the same ny+gt in hast I wrote yow that lett~ and in speciall for money, xl s that ye schulde sende me to paye bothe carpunters and sawyers as for yowre parte, and of all the tymb~ I haue bou+ght w=t= caryage I haue payd byt a parte to plese eu~y man unto more money come to me, and +gut I am not all payd of the money of Blakenale, sauyng I hade the rent of youre medys that ys xj s viij d for bothe and thus I haue spoke fayr and eu~y day lokyd aft~ money fro yow. And as to Will~m Astell and Mawde youre Syst~, they haue brou+gt to Wodestoke tymber resonable as for here parte bothe oke and elme, but of money they be strange to p~te w=t= to paye workemen, for as +gut I cowde neu~ reseyue of hem but xiij s iiij d and the got~ at Blakenalys coste xx d and more. And the worke and tymb~ of the newe chamb~ hath coste at th=s= day more than vij nobles and +gut we lakke tymb~, the whiche I haue bou+gt and haue no money to pay therefore, so no caryage also unto h=t= come fro yow. And as to the bede, I haue h=t= home fro Kyrtlyngton and haue amendyd hy=t= as nede was and is now sette in her olde forme a+gen in the beste wyse and that hath coste all moost iiij s. And as to the bede ye desyryd to haue bou+gth, hy=t= was solde as that I had youre lett~. And as touchyng to Thomas Maso~ I sende by worde as ye desyryd me that I schulde. No more unto yow at th=s= tyme, but I p~y yow yf I schall do yow seruyse eny more in suche man~ occupacon that I do not care bothe to ordeyne money and all other matters that longeth +t~to also, for that me thenketh is to grete a charge. And all my+gty Jh~u haue yow in h=s= gou~naunse. I wryte at Wodestoke in hast the Sat~day aft~ Seynt Hewe day the Bysschep. And Syr I sende yow th~ lett~ by a carry~ of Oxforde, to the whiche I p~y yow delyu~ xl s w=t= out more and charge hym to sende h=t= me in hast, and yf ye wyll bye 1 lb of powd~ pepp~ to carye money surely I will paye therfor, other ellys ij lb of Rys for that makyth grette bolke. And the cary~ is at Inne in Fryday Strete, at the Belle, other ellys at the Saresen hede as I suppose. By youre owne Thomas Maykyn. [\ADDRESSED\] London. Be th~ lett~ delyu~yd unto William Marchall clerke of the Chaunsery dwellyng in Seynt Bartholomewys Spytyll w=t= my mayster Sturgeon clerke of the Crowne in Smythfelde.

[} [\SC 1: xlvi, 268. JOHN COLLAS TO WILLIAM MARCHALL.\] }] Jh~u. Ryght Reverent and Most best be lowyd modyr I Recummaund me on to you desyryng hertly eu~ more to here off your well ffar also I p~y hartlly of y~r blessyng both day & nyth. Also my brodyr & Syst~ I recum~aund me on to you as hertly as I cane, thankyng yow eu~ more for y=e= gret cher +t=t= I had vane y=t= I vas last att home w~ you. Also lettyng you vyte at y=e= makyng of thys lett~ my brodyr Wylly~m & my Syst~ ys vyfe & halle the howsold & Margery my Syst~ and [{her{] hosbond ver in gowde helle & all her howsold Also Thom~s Marchalle yo~r Sone Recum~awnd hyme hartelley one to you & to ys m[{o{]dyr & to ys goud beldame & he p~yth you hertly of yo~ blesyng both nyth and day and blesyd be Jh~u he ys in Ryth goude hele. Also I ondyre stonde y=t= ye haue y send for hyme as be kawse y=t= the dy fast att londone, letyng you vyt bleseyd be Jh~u the do not dy no more. Also I p~y you & my Syst~ & my goud modyre y=t= ye vyle not takeyth for no dysplesure y=t= I do not send hym wome for letyng you vyth y=t= the chylld ys Rygth vele hentyrd in to ys Songe, y=t= ys say bouth playnsonge & prykyd sounge. Also I vndyrstond and he chuld com to you y=t= he chuld for gete alle y=t= he hathe lerned w~ me & y=t= chuld be to me gret heuynesse and I p~y you y=t= ye vyll not be dyplesyd w~h me for w~ y=e= grace of good y=e= nextyme y=t= thom~s yo~r sone comyth vome to you I trust to good y=t= he schall be glad & all ys Kyne y=t= he vente eu~ to Skolle w~h me, for now ys hys makyng & now ys hys maryng; nat w~ stondyng and ye vyll haue hyme ye chall; y=e= kause y=t= I do note send hym vome I haue vyryth on to you. Also letyng you vyth y=t= I vas neuyr so syke send y=t= ye ver w~h me last for I had vent y=t= I chuld neu~r a lewyd for I vas takyne Sode~ly att hour lady masse y=t= I koud not stond & then I vent to the barbare and lett my selfe blod or ellys I trow y=t= I had be ded, blesyd be Jh~u of a meme~te, for I vot vell y=t= my god modyr dyde geue me her blesying, also lettyng you vyt y=t= Wyllyam my brodyr haue gret maruelle y=t= ye Do not send hyme no lett~. Also letyng you vyte y=t= hellyn valle & hall you~ god frend~ for~th Ryght velle. Thys leter vas made opon Korpuskryste day. [\ADDRESSED\] Tho Wylly~m Marchall dwellyng att Stanlake be thys lett~ delywyrd.

[} [\SC 1: li, 71. RICHARD(?) MARCHALL TO WILLIAM MARCHALL.\] }] Reuerent & worchipfull Brodyr I recomawnde me unto yow desyryng to here of your wellfar & prosperyte, the wyche god encresse for hys m~cy. Also Syr I pray god qwyte yow of your grete gentylies y=t= ye do to me. Also Syr I was not at Wodstoke syth I was at london, for wee hawe suche bysnesse y=t= I my+gth not, but I purpose me to goo to Wodstoke y=e= same day y=t= y=e= letter was made & +tanne I schall sende +gow word of all +tyng how yt ys. Also Syr I wolde pray & I durst y=t= ye wolde speke to y=r= master to borrow xxx=li= or els xx=li= un to synt bartolmews day, & truly +tanne +gee schull hawe yt +gayn with y=e= grace god & erste for sothe yee schull not fayle +tanne, ffor pegotte owyth hym C=s=, for he schull hadde at Wyytsontyde iij score ss, & I p~y yow sende how we schull spede; namore I wrytte un to yow at y=s= tyme but ye holy trinete hawe yow yn hys kepyng body & sowle. I-wrytte at Kyrtlynton on synt peters day, By your Brodyr R.M. [\ADDRESSED\] To Wylliam Marchall with Sturgeon clerke of the Crowne.

[} [\SC 1: li, 72. RICHARD MARCHALL TO WILLIAM MARCHALL.\] }] Jhesu. Worchipfull Brodyr I comawnde me un yow desyryng to here of y=r= good hele the qwyche god encresse for hys m~cy, & I pray god qwyte yow of +te g~te byngnesse & grete Cost y=t= yee do to my ffader & to me, & I pray yow to comawnde me un to Syr Thomas halys & I pray yow thonggyth hym myche for me. Also Syr I pray yow as myche as ffader and I may y=t= yee woll speke un to your master for y=e= summe of money y=t= wee spoke to yow, for y=e= encresse shall turne to me as well as to my fad~ & your labor schall be qwytte for y=s= howr; hayth payd eu~y may, & men crye on hym for to [\shalbe CROSSED OUT\] bye here woll & truly yt wowolde be a grete assayle un to my fader & to me & as euer I may be your s~uant y=t= +gee labor there for, or els y=t= wee may not bye no woll & y=t= qwere grete herte unto us & schame. I wrytte at bursset~ ye sonday a fore Myssom~ day, for my Wyffe & I weryn at dyn~ w~h bettes y=e= same sonday & I pray yow thonggyth hym yer for. By y~r Brodyr & s~uant Rychard Marchall. [\ADDRESSED\] Wylyam Marchall & Bel ... Smyythfelde at london with Sturgeon clerke of y=e= Crowne.

[} [\SC 1: li, 73. THOMAS MAYKYN TO WILLIAM MARCHALL.\] }] Well by louyd Syr I grete yow well, prayiyng yow +t=t= +ge welle sende me redy worde zyf Will~m hethe ffyschemong~ be contente of h~s money, for I sende a lett~ to John Ryngefelde D~p~ of Cornehyll y=t= he schulde contente hy~ and he sende me worde a+gen y=t= he wolde so do but +gyf Nicolas Mundy wolde. And Syr I pray zow y=t= ze wore wete of Rob~t Quynaton how my mat~ spedeth and sende+t me worde whed~ ye haue payde hym x=s= lyke as I wrote to yow, and forthermore I pray yow y=t= ye sende+t me by y=e= brynger of y=s= bylle y=e= ij golde ryng~, for Richarde y~r brod~ truste+t to yow y=t= ye woll; and I pray yow y=t= ye sende me a viij s j d. lyke as ye know y=t= is to me dewe, for all youre rente is to lytyll to rep~yr y=e= Sclatte and od~ fawtys of Rob~t Webbe his house. No more at y=s= tyme but I pray yow of all yese mattyrs sende+t me redy answeres and all my+gtty Jh~u haue yow in h~s gou~nawnse. I wryte at Wodestoke uppon Candelmasse day. Thomas Maykyn. [\ADDRESSED\] To Will~m Marchall dwellyng with Sturgeon Clerke of y=e= Crowne at Seynt Bartolmews Spytyll.

[} [\SC 1: li, 74. THOMAS MAYKYN TO WILLIAM MARCHALL.\] }] Well by louyd syr I grete +gow well, doyng +gow to undurstonde +t=t= I sende +gow a lett~ by Thom~ +gour brother, +t=e= whiche lett~ Thom~s Tayllo~ of Wodestoke hadde p~mysyd me to haue brou+gt to +gow +t=e= xiiij day of Dece~b~. No+gt w~ stondyng +t=t= I pray +gow take+t credens & considerac~on to +t=e= seyd lett~ diligently lyke as I haue wryte to +gow, exepte a matt~ +t=t= is to sey there as I haue wryte to +gow +t=t= +ge shulde sende me xxj s v d, +g~ moste sende me xl d more +t~ to, for +gour Cosyn dan Jon Wodestoke hath payd me but xl d of +t=e= nobyll & no day he woll sette me of y=e= Re~nawnt. fforthermore as towchyng to +gour grete place, at +t=s= day ~it stonde+t vacant & +t=t= is harme, wherefor me +tynke+t h~t were best and moste worschippe to +gow +t=t= Thomas +gour brother my+gt be w~ +gour helpe p~ferryd +t~ in. [\ILLEGIBLE\]er +gour brother Richarde is not well wyllyd +t~ to, No+gt w~ stondyng +t=t= +gour brother Thom~s grawntyth to pay +t~ for as anoder man wolde and y=er= of to fynde sewrte. The wherfor I pray yow wrytey a letter to hym, and anod~ to Sauage & to me, as +t=t= +ge hadde no knowlyche of +t=e= mat~ by me but only aft~ +gour goode avyse and by +t=e= mocyon of +gour brother Thom~s; and fforthermore +gyf +ge +tynke h~t were to do & buth well y wyllyd in +t=s= mat~, +ge may wryte to us in gen~all +t=t= +t=e= bargayne is halfe made aft~ iiij noblys +gerely & +ge to bere +t=e= Rep~ac~on for so od~ men p~feruth +t~ for. No more at +t=s= tyme but I p~y +gow sende+t me +t=s= foreseyd money by Thom~s +gour brother as secrete as +ge may & Jh~u haue +gow in h~s kepyng. I wryte at Wodestoke in grete hast +t=e= xxiiij day of Dece~b~. Thomas Maykyn. [\ADDRESSED\] To William Marchall.

[} [\SC 1: li, 83. JOHN SMYTHE TO WILLIAM MARCHALL.\] }] Worschypfull Syr I recomende me to yow, lykyng yow to vndurstonde that as towchyng to y=e= Rep~acion of youre house y=t= I dwelle inne, for sothe I haue well and trewly payde your rente in to y=e= laste terme day of oure lady vn to Sauage. No+gt w~ stondyng for sothe y~ was neu~ peny by sette on y=e= place sethe y=e= tyme y=t= ye were at Wodestoke last and y=t= is to me grete harme and dysese in good trouthe, p~ncipally of y=e= ende of y=e= Cuch~n towarde Snareston for +ge sye well your selfe y=t= h~t was feble but now h~t is myche worse. And y~ for syr I p~y yow ordeyneth a remedye s~what for my [\HOLE IN MANUSCRIPT\] lyke as I haue quytte me trewly unto yow. fforthermore as towchyng y=e= Rep~acion and gou~nawnse of y=e= house whan h~t schall be take down, I p~y +gow, lyke as I haue be vnto yow goode ten~nt and p~pose to be hereaft~, y=t= I may haue resonable warnyng so y=t= I be not lette of my worke y~by; and +gyf I schall be +gour ten~nt aft~ h~t ys newe made I p~y +gow sendeth me redy worde how and of what p~se I schall be ten~nt. And syr +ge othur I moste make me a newe chymney for my crafte +gyf I schall abyde y=er=inne and y=er=for ordeyneth how h~t schall be rewlyd and I woll take h~t for y=e= t~me of vij +gere and y=er=for syr +gyf I schall haue h~t I pray +gow sendeth me redy worde and not to grete a rente, for syr y=e= worlde w~ us ys harde and scharpe and ellys I moste p~vey me anod~. Also as towchyng to y=e= mowndes aboute my gardeyne for sothe ye moste sende worde to Snarestion y=t= be amende y=s= to syde, and syr I haue spoke to Maykyn and he hath g~wnte me that h~t p~te schall be made in hast w~h out fayle for he sawe nere y=e= defaute un to Sonday last was. No more un to yow at y=s= tyme but almy+gtty Jh~u haue yow in h~s kepyng. I wryte at Wodestoke in haste y=e= Monday aft~ seynt George day. By your ten~nt, John Smyth~. [\ADDRESSED\] To my worschypfull syr Willi~m Marchall.

[} [\SC 1: lviii, 49. JOHN COLLAS TO WILLIAM MARCHALL.\] }] Ryth Reu~ant and velbelowyd worschyp ffull modyr and brodyr & Syst~, wyth all my hart I reco~awnd me to you, desyryng my God modyr hartlly off your blessyng both day and nyte, desyryng w=t= all my hart to her of yo~ vell far eu~ more, both day and nyte, that I be sech Allmyty Jhe~ cep you all in porsperyte and in hel & in long lyffe to goodes plesu~ amen; lettyng you vyt hat the makyng of thys lett~ I vas in god hel; the cawse of my vrytyng to you hat tystyme ys for to let you haue cnowlach that I ham in s~uyce with my lord of ely. I thanke Good ther of hartly for be my trowt I let you haue hondyrstandyng that I vas neu~ meryer nor bett~ hat yef, nor bett~ be lowyd in no plase that yeu~ I dwelld in, & that ys both w=t= my lord and w=t= all the gentyllme~ and all the howssold; letyng you vyte I haue in vagges be yer iij li. and ij Gownys and as for my met and drynke I neu~ fard bett~ in no plase that eu~ I come in and that ys daly; lettyng you vyt my lord hath in ys chappell dayly xxvj=ti= serplers and viij chylldyrne &c; lettyng you vyt as my trobyll that I vas in, I thanke good and my god mastyrs yt ys hat a god yend, & ther for I p~y you, jentyll brodyr, Comfort my god modyr and let not her take no thowgt ther for, sche schall haue neu~ a cawsse be the g~ce of good; I vot Ryte vell sche hath take gret thowth that I Repent me full, for not w=t= stondyng I hame not the furst that a ben be gylyd nor schall not be the last, and has for hyme y=t= dyd be gylle me, I trow at the long Renyng a dyd be gyle hymeself and that I schall hondyrstand & yevyr a com in my dawnger thaw I haue lost a lytyll money I trust to good for to get as mych Ryt vell; and ther for I p~y you hartlly take no thowt ther for; I p~y you hartlly be Ryt mery eu~y schon, for good ys ther as a vas and sondsstt~ myellmasse I truste in good to se yo=ur= vell far, both I & my vyff allsso; no mor to you at tystyme, butt, jentyll brodyr and Syst~, chereth vell my god modyr & to my power I schall; I p~y good hartlly cep you and me and hus all for ys blesyd marcy, Ame~. Vrytyn at downam in my lordes plase of ely, the Sonday afft~ Sent baroulmess day, Be yo~ brodyr, John Collas. [\ADDRESSED\] To Wyll~m Marchalle dwellyng in Stanlake be thys lett~ dyllyu~d I p~y you in hast.

[} [\SC 1: lx, 50/37. JOHN MARCHALL TO NICHOLAS MARCHALL.\] }] Jh~u. Ryght welbelouyd Cosyn I recomawund me unto you & to my Cosyn yo~ wyffe w~ all my Cosyns yo~ Cheld~yn, w~ all od~ good ffrend~ &c; fforthyrmor ye shall und~stonde y=t= ye shall ressayve in thys boxe my dede of ffeffement y=e= whiche ye vnd~stond Ryght well, of y=e= whiche I p~y you to se +t=t= Rob austen may take state ther by, ffor as I vnd~stond be demynge +t~ woll be Trobyll ther for in shorte space be Twyxte my mod~ & me, ffor I haffe profyrde her all her dewte yeven aft~ her owne axing, butt she hathe answeryde [\she CROSSED OUT\] me shortly howe +t=t= she woll non Resseyve tyll her hosbonde & I haffe Reconyde to gedyrr, &e whate she men y=r= in I wote neu~, butt I hold hytt nott for no good and there for I wolde fayne haffe hytt spede; and as for myn yem~ ded~, +tey be nott made, for be Cawse of Thomas my Cosyn hathe bownde hym selffe p~nteyis w=t= outt leue of his fad~ or any ffrend +t=t= he hathe, and yeffe his mast~ hade bene any man of Theryffe hytt shold a skelyd the lesse, butt he woll not be Rulyd as I vnd~ stond for no frend +t=t= he hathe but be his owne Reson, and that ys full febyll, god knowythe, and +t=t= I am Ryght sory of. And ye may say to my yeme y=t= as for hys lyffelood lett hym makythe sure for, & yeffe hytt fortune +t=t= he decese w=t= owt any state makyng, Thomas & hys mast~ woll make a m~chauntdyce ther w=t= in short space; and I herd my Cosyn Thomas say +t=t= he woll com home +t=is= Crystm~s w=t= his mast~ and whan he comethe he woll looke in his fad~is Chest~ and he woll haue sume of hytt w=t= hym to london, and +t=r= for Take good hede +t=r= of tyll I com and I woll be wt you a bowghte Candelm~s wt godd~ grace or soone aft~; and her I send you +t=e= old ded~ of my yemys for to make +t=e= Tod~ by, &e as for +te ded~ of Stanlake lett hym make +t=e= wyll aftyr +t=e= todyr dede off Wodstok; +tey hadde bene made Redy butt I wyst nott whe+t~ he wold haue hitt so or non, and nowe he may make hitt yevyn as he woll and +t=t= lett hym doo in short space &e lett Newor~ wryght hem; and I p~y you Take vpe my Rennt~ as ny as ye can, ayenst I co~ to you. And ye may haue ffleshe of Edmond bochor for Rente I pray you Take hytt vpe, for my money, and yeffe he woll nott pay me my money nor ffleshe, I shall swe hym &c. M=rs= Parme a=d= I may haffe his name. No mor to you at +t=is= tyme, butt god haue you in his kepyng; wretyn at london in lymestret on Wendynsday last passyd. By yo~ Cosyn John Marchall. [\ADDRESSED\] To my Cosyn Nycolas Marchall of Wodestooke in hast &c. [^LETTERS AND PAPERS OF JOHN SHILLINGFORD, MAYOR OF EXETER 1447- 50. EDITED BY MOORE, STUART A. CAMDEN NEW SERIES 2. 1871/1965.^]

[} [\II. SHILLINGFORD TO HIS FELLOWS AT EXETER. DRAFT LETTER.\] }] Worthy sires y grete yow well alle; doyng yow to understonde that y rode fro Excetre on Fryday and cam to London on Tywysday by tyme at vii atte cloke; and ther sithenys have full bisily labored to make an answere to the articulys. The cause of so longe taryng yn makyng of the answers hath be for right grete bysynes y=t= Alisaunder Hody hath hadde aboute his awne maters; netheles by the avys of Alisaunder Hody and Dowrisshe and Roger Rawly, [\they\] beth made as may be yn so shorte tyme, trustyng to God that al the substance ys comprehended ther ynne, so that what tyme

hit is amended, corected and made by avys of counseyll to be right well; of the whiche answeris so shortely made y sende to yow ij. copies, oon to be send to the Recorder yn hast yf hit may be for shortenys of tyme, &c., that other copy to abide w=t= yow, prayng yow Thomas Cook most specially w=t= the lu tenaunt, callyng to yow William Noble, Coteler, Druell, and other wham ye seme is to be don, and that this answer be sadly over seyn; and yf eny thyng be ther yn to myche or to litell yn substance to sette the penne to sadly [\ORIGINALLY to sette to the penne sadly\] . This don y pray yow to calle be fore yow atte halle [\in my name ERASED\] the substance of the comminalte, praynge every of tham yn my name and chargyng tham yn +te most streytest wyse yn the Kynges byhalf to come to fore yow yn haste for the tydyngs that y have sent home to yow; and that ye wysely declare to fore tham these answers; so that they sey manly yee and nay yn suche poyntes as yow thynke to be don, &c. and +t=t= +tey wyll abide by +t=e= answers yn all wyse, and that labo=r= and spekyng be before to that entent. This don y pray yow that y have a gode man sende to me yn hast.

[} [\III. SHILLINGFORD TO HIS FELLOWS. LONDON, OCT. 30TH, 1447. DRAFT LETTER.\] }] Memo=d= that on Monedey next before the feste of Seynt Luke the yere of the regne of the kyng that now is xxvj (Henry VI.)

Richard Druell, William Speere and Henry Dobyn w=t= ham rode oute of Exceter to London-ward for nedes of the cite, that is to seye to kepe the dey of apparence atte xv. of Seynt Michall as the cite was bounde to, as hit appereth by a bounde condycionell, havyng w=t= ham sufficiant power and the comyn seell and xl s. of John Shillingford, Mayer, and xx s. of John Germyn, for their coustages; and so departed the seyde Monedey yerly. And as tochyng the seyde xl s. w=t= xl s. more that the seyde John Mayer payed to Trevylian, he was payed ayen by the feloship of the collecte mony to the plee, &c. How the seyde Richard Druell and William Speere spedde when they came to London hit appereth yn a sedule by the sayde Richard Druell and William Speer therof made, remaynyng w=t= the [\seyde\] Rychard Druell. Forthermore as tochyng the goynge of the seyde John Shillyngforde, mayer, he was all redy for to ride the seide Monedey: varians y moved bytwene hym and the seyde Richard Druell, nerthelez better accorde hadde by mene of Thomas Cook, Richard Druell w=t= other held his wey, and the seyde mayer abode at home yn to a tuysday next after Seynt Luke is dey for settyng of the kynges dyme, comyng of Trevylian, and other grete maters toching the cite, and yn especiall to have the feloship togeder, a sadde communicacion to be had or his departyng, the whiche communicacion myght not be had before Saterdey next after Seynt Luke is dey for this cause that the grete part of the feloship was at Calston is fayre, and thoo that war at home, as Upton, Coteler and Pope, were syke on theire beddes; and for alle these causes the mayer abode at home so longe, and all that tyme he kepte his iij. hors yn stabill every dey redy to ride to hym grete coste. The tuysday he rode and w=t= hym William Hampton and John Fagot. On Wendysdey at nyght they came to Sheftesbery and there mette w=t= Richard Druell, whiche made reporte of his gode spede and grete laboure at London, as hit appereth yn his sayde remembrance, and that on the beste wyse. The Saterdey next ther after the mayer

came to Westminster sone apon ix. atte belle, and ther mette w=t= my lorde Chaunceller atte brode dore a litell fro the steire fote comyng fro the Sterre chamber, y yn the courte and by the dore knellyng and salutyng hym yn the moste godely wyse that y cowde and recommended yn to his gode and gracious lordship my feloship and all the comminalte, his awne peeple and bedmen of the Cite of Exceter. He seyde to the mayer ij. tymes "Well come," and the iij=de=. tyme "Right well come Mayer," and helde the mayer a grete while faste by the honde, and so went forth to his barge and w=t= hym grete presse, lordis and other, &c. and yn especiall the tresorer of the kynges housholde, w=t= wham he was at right grete pryvy communicacion. And therfor y, mayer, drowe me apart, and mette w=t= hym at his goyng yn to his barge, and ther toke my leve of hym, seyyng these wordis, "My lord, y wolle awayte apon youre gode lordship and youre better leyser at another tyme." He seyde to me ayen, "Mayer, y pray yow hertely that ye do so, and that ye speke w=t= the Chief Justyse and what tyme that ever he will y woll be all redy." And thus departed, &c. The Soneday abowte viij. atte clokke y came to Lambeth, and w=t= me Dowrissh and Speere to myte and speke w=t= my seyd lord. We mette and spake w=t= hym yn the ynner chamber, he at that tyme beyng right bysy goynge yn to his closet. And w=t= right gode longage and gode chere yn godely wyse exscused hym that he myght not speke w=t= ous atte that tyme for grete bysynes, and comaunded ous to come ayen the morun. Y, mayer, prayed hym of oo a worde at that tyme and no more, y seyyng that y was enfourmed that he was dysplesed of my late comyng, and yf he so were, y bysoghte hym to hire myne excuse grete. He seyde "Nay;" but that y was come yn right gode tyme and well come, and at his departyng yn to his closet he seide, "Mayer, wolde God ye hadde made a gode ende at home." And y seide, "Wolde God my lord that we so hadde, and God y take to recorde y have done my due dilygent part therto, and that yn tyme y truste to God ye shall well knowe; for y have right meny thyng to enfourme yow

of yf y hadde tyme." He seide "Well, mayer," and bade me come ayen that same dey afternone, and so departed, &c. Y was by the Styward and meny other of the housholde full fayre y bede to abide atte mete, ne never hadde better chere of my lorde ne of the houshold then y hadde atte tyme. Netherlez y exscused me and wold not abide as for tyme. And so went over the water to Temple to Bluet, &c. and so went w=t= Bluet, Dowrissh, Speere and y to the chief justice and comyned of meny thynges w=t= hym. He is like as y conceve to have the grete rule yn this mater, for my lorde Chaunceller seide, as hit is aboveseid, that he wolde attende when the justyse wolde, the whiche y seide to the justyse. The justyse seyde he wold be aredy at his callyng. And as y conceve by dyvers wordes that they have comyned of a rule yn this mater; what ever hit be y can not wyte as yet. God eve [\FIRST WRITTEN yeve\] grace hit be gode, and so y truste to God that hit be. That afternone y went ayen to Lambeth to my lord after his commaundement aboveseid and when y come thider to hym yn to his ynner chamber, there was myche peeple, lordes and other, my lord Tresorer, under Tresorer, the pryvy seel, land dyvers abbottes and pryours, and meny strangers aleyns of other londys. And then came yn the Duke of Bokyngham, and ther was grete bysynes at that tyme, hardly alle men were bede to avoyde that chamber saaf the lordes. Nerthelez y awayted my tyme and put me yn presse and went right to my lorde Chaunceller and seide, "My lorde y am come at youre commaundement, but y se youre grete bysynesse is suche that ye may not attende." He seide "Noo, by his trauthe and that y myght right well se." Y seide "Yee, and that y was sory and hadde pyty of his grete vexacion." He seide "Mayer, y moste to morun ride by tyme to the Kyng, and come ayen this wyke: ye most awayte apon my comyng, and then y woll speke w=t= the justise and attende for yow, &c. Y seide, "My lorde, y woll do after youre commaundement," and prayed hym of hys gode and gracyous lordship of oo worde more, yf he were enfourmed

by worde or by wrytyng of eny thyng that y have do or seyde or governed me yn eny wyse at home sithen the last terme my departyng fro hym other wyse then to his plesure and after his commaundement. He seyde right hertly "Nay," but that y hadde governed me at home yn the most best and godely wyse and therfor he oowde me grete thanke, and seide hertely that y sholde have Goddes blessyng and his therfor, &c. And so departed, &c. Nota that Druell and Speere is beyng afore dide gode, for they dide theire part yn the most best wyse.

[} [\IV. SHILLINGFORD TO HIS FELLOWS. LONDON, 2 NOV. 1447.\] }] [\THE ORIGINAL OF THIS LETTER AND PART OF THE DRAFT ARE EXTANT; THE WORDS IN BRACKETS ARE FILLED IN FROM THE DRAFT.\] (Worthy Sires, as yn the other letter &c. y grete yow w)ell alle. Yn the whiche letter y wrote to yow that y hadde a dey to

appere before the lordis for (oure mater the Fridey next ther after; and for as moche as) my lord Chaunceller bade the Justyse to dyner ayenst that same day for (oure mater, seyyng that he sholde have a dys) of salt fisshe; y hiryng this, y didde as me thoght aughte to be done, and by avys (of the Justise and of oure counseill, and sende) thider that day ij. stately pikerellis and ij. stately tenchis, for the whiche my (lord Chaunceller cowde right grete thank)ys and made right moche therof hardely; for hit came yn gode seson, for my lordis (the Duke of Bokyngham, the Markis) of Southfolke and other, Bysshoppis divers dyned with my lord Chaunceller tha(t dey. But) as touchyng the laboure and spede of oure mater that day, hit was by my seide lorde ajorned over yn to the (morun) Saterdey for these causis that a grete disputacion was be fore my lorde yn his chapell at Lambeth for pre(chyng of) Bysshoppis. And the seide lordis that same Friday were there at diner. And the Justise came not there that day; but the same Friday after mete y was with the Justise by longe tyme and yn gode leisure to comyne of oure mater. Y fynde hym a gode man and well willed yn oure right, and like to have the grete rule of the mater, as yn the other letter. And he bade me move of some gode meene to ende the mater. Y seide ayen, savyng his commaundement, y cowde no skyll theryn ne to speke ne move of menys, ne hit was not my part so to do; for hit wolde seme if y so didde, that y hadde doute of oure right, where y have right none, but we woll dwelle and abide thereapoun and go no ferther; but if eny man wolde move of eny meene, hit was my part to hire and so to reporte, &c. But furthermore y seide that fro ij. thyngis w=t= oure gode will we wolde never departe; that the churche and cimitere, as that they calle synt Stevyn is fe, is parcel of the cite and ever hath be and shall be; and that we have a vyw and alle that to belongeth, and they right none, ne never hadde ne shall have but

ever w=t= ynne the jurisdiccion and under the correccion and punysshment of the cite, &c. He seide that they claymed a viw and that they hadde used moche thyng, &c. and he seide hit was aunsion demene. And y seide nay, and proved hit by Domesday, and so were on grete argamentes by longe tyme, to longe to write: all hit was to tempte me w=t= laghynge chere. Y seide they hadde no more but sympell Court Baron, if they so hadde. He seide that every man myght have of his awne tenantis and aske no man no leve, &c. Y seide how sholde they have more; they have no olde grauntis of kynges, ne clayme none allowance yn Eyere, ne instrument to do punysshement of that that longethe to a lete. He seide hit was a fe called of olde tyme. Y seide yee, as suche fees as beth ther on towne, and reherced hym of vij. and that alle were parcell of the cite: and among other y rehersed hym of Seynt Nicholas fe. He seide lete the Bisshoppis fe be as Seynt Nicholas fe is. Y seide, if hit pleased hym, nay, hit myght not be so; for Seynt Nicholas fe, y called Haroldis fe, is graunt of olde kyngis and confirmaciouns, &c. He seide the Bisshop hadde the same. Y seide nay that I never knyw ne sigh, and if that they so hadde, lete hit be shewed and but hit be answered hit sholde ende the mater. Then he moved of divers menys and abstynance of arestis. Y seide when the last grete debate was of the suburbis w=t= oute Este yeate, of whiche debate he was cause of an ende by a recompense, atte ende of whiche mater hit was desired for to have an abstynance, but none y graunted but under this fourme, that the Maier that tyme beyng, and every man that hadde be Maier and like to be Maier, promysed on his feith to forbere of arestis on the Churche for certyn ouris, alle that they myght godely, and sithenes hadde they no cause resonable to complaine; and y seide this was a grete thynge as me thoght. He seide nay for that that sholde be attis tyme sholde be do by writynge for a perpetual pees. Then he asked of me of this mene; if we wolde absteyne us and forbere of arrestis of alle men of habite servantis familiars knawed without any fraude generally. Y seide, if hit

pleased hym, nay; for hit was better the last terme before this, that we sholde forbere of arrestis but yn tyme of doyng of divine servys of men of habite, servantis familiars and theire Baillyffs knawed, &c. and of alle other as on Sent Paull is Chirche at London. He seide hit was soth, and asked ayen if we wold forbere and absteyne and be recompensed therfor, and we to have the viw and alle that longeth therto generally, as well on the fe as, &c. and so to make arrestis w=t= ynne the fe, as y conceved hym, and to forbere alle other arrestis w=t= ynne his tenementis of the seide fe and to be recompensed &c. and the Bisshop to have his courtis of his awne tenantis and to holde plees of gretter somme thenne [\+ten IN DRAFT\] Court Baron xl s. and spake of xl. marke. Apon this mene he stiked faste, and thoghte [\+toughte IN DRAFT\] hit was resonable and ever asked of me divers tymes what y wolde seye therto, all as y conceve to tempte me, and to concente to a mene, &c. and then y seide "My lorde, if hit please you, ye shall have me exscused to answere," &c. for thogh me thoght that hit were a mene resonable y dar not sey yee, thogh y have power, for the mater toucheth a grete comminalte as well as me, and so that y dar not seye yn to tyme that y have spoke w=t= my felowship at home: and y seide, "My lorde, for as moche as y conceve right well that this mater, if hit ende attis tyme, hit is like to ende by a mene, hit is my part to hire and to reporte, &c. but be the mene never so resonable to conclude with yow, thogh y have power ynogh, y beseche yow of youre gode lordship to have me exscused therof yn to tyme y have be at home with my felowship, or of tham here with me vj. or vij. for other wyse woll y never conclude with my gode will," &c. He seide ayen,"Ye didde theron as right a wise man," and so departyd, &c. The morun Saterday y came to Westminster to kepe my day as hit is aboveseid. Y spake with my lorde Chaunceller. He adjorned hit over yn to Soneday, and afterward fro Soneday yn to Moneday; for the Justises dyned with the Maier of London that Sonday. The Moneday y maier,

Bluet, Hody, Dourissh, Germyn and Speere with me come to Lambeth to my lord, and ther was at that day atte dyner with my lord the ij. chif justises, and so we appered before them; and for oure party advers Kys, Hengston, More, Wode and Wolston. My lord hym self furst moved the mater to the Chif Justises, so that the Chif Justise seide the mater stondeth thus: that as to the compleyntis of the Bisshop Deane and Chapitre, hit is answered, repplyed and rejoyned, and as moche do therynne as may be do; and as tochynge the compleyntes of the maier and comminalte, the whiche them semeth grevous, beth not yet answered, and them semeth, &c. My lord Chauncellor therwith sodenly went right to the justises bothen, and called to hym Nicholas Ayssheton at that tyme beynge there, and leide theire iiij. heddis negh to gedder and comyned to geder right privyly a grete while, and alle as y conceve and as hit proved afterwardis that the answeris to oure articulis not to be spoke of. After that my lorde toke his cheire and the justises sate with hym, and bothe parties with theire consell kneled before. My lord asked how we last departed and therapoun stomped a grete while. My lord asked the bokis. He seide that his were on Kent is warde. He asked of oure party advers theire bokis: they wolde be knawe of none yn no wyse. And y mayer, seide yes, with moche more therto, &c. and how my lordis commaundement was at London, and aggrementis at home yn the chaptry hous, that oure articulis sholde be answered or we proceded any ferder, y praynge my lorde that so, &c. My lord was loth therto and the justises bothe. My lorde seide furste merily of Vaspasianus. And y seide that that was no mater of oure compleyntis, but y putte yn to prive [\prove IN DRAFT\] what the cite was of olde tyme; and then my lord seide some what strangely and sharpely that oure articulis many were maters of noyse and desclaunder, and forto answers them hit wolde be cause of more

grucchynge and yvell wyll. And y seide, "Yf eny suche be, lete tham be leide apart, and tho that beth substancialle grete and grevous to us, and somme cause and begynnyng of alle this debate, lete tham be so answered:" and y reherced iij. yn especiall, oone of the Dyme, another of the feloun that toke the bysshoppis fe, and afterwarde of the churche, and the coroners ylette, &c. and of the toure on the bisshoppis gardyn, &c. The chif justise seyde as tochynge the articulis of bothe parties, that there were maters amendis to be made to ayther party, and that were longe to do, and that hit myght be don as well after as before, and that he hadde sey somme of oure articulis ij. in especiall, oone of the Deme, another of the feloun aboveseide; and seide that us semed that they were grevous to us. Whereapoun my lord spake of the bokis to us ayen; and y seide that my bokis were alle redy. And my lord bade to leye ham forth; and so we didde the articulis. They were but litell y radde ne take kepe to. Thenne as touchyng the deme, Hengston seide that he wolde right well that the deme were payed with us, as hit aughte to be, and hath be of olde tyme; but we didde not so, but sette hit and called none of the bysshoppis tenantis to us. Y saide nay, and made a longe rehersall therof fro kyng Edwardis tyme ynto this dey, how and under what fourme hit was don of olde tyme, how sithenes, and how now, and how late they sette with ynne tham self, and kept the mony and yet kepeth, and that sholde be well y proved. My lorde seide that as touchynge the settynge we were alle most accordyd theryn. Then seide Hengston lightly as touchynge settynge and kepyng of the mony of the deme, hit shall be sone answered; he menyng of Upton is tyme y wote right well, as y seide to yow at home. Y seyde to Hengston as lightly ayen, "As sone hit sholde be repplied and truly with the grace of god." Then my lord asked furste of that other party if they hadde full auctorite and power and wolde consente to menys: and they seide anone with

gode wille, yee for theire part. My lorde asked of me, Maier, if we wolde the same. Y seide as touchyng the power we hadde sufficiant and y nogh; as touchyng to menys, y bisoghte hym of his lordship that y myght go apart to comyne with my felowship and oure conseill there at that tyme; and so y didde, and yeaf an answere. Hody hadde the wordis of power as above; and as touchyng the menys with this condicion that oure articulis were answered, that we wolde aggre to suche menys as they lordis wolde rule us to. Then hit was no more at that tyme but the articulis most be answered; and as loth as they were to answere, and hadde no bokis as hit is abovesayde. Then they aggreed ham to bryng yn the answere the morun. Y seide they hadde seide dyvers tymes that they hadde olde charters, evidences, and munymentis to ende the mater; and y seide if they so hadde to bryng ham yn, and but they were answered to ende, &c. Hengston seide moche and strongely because y seide they hadde suche charters. Y seide yee, and avowed hit well they seide so. He seide that they hadde olde recordis, &c. and y saide as above. Hengston honged sore to have a lete and a grete courte, and y traversed hym ever, and seide to hym moche thynge, and yn especiall that they never hadde instrument, and reherced what that belongeth to a lete. Hengston seide but litell therto, but made wyse as thogh hit were yes; but Wode seide that they hadde olde wrytinge to have hit, and spake no more at all that tyme. Hengston seide openly that Radeford and he hadde communicacion at home of this mater, and were well negh accorded; and my lord seide, "Wolde god hit hadde be so," and yet "Wolde hit were so, for oure discharge." Y, Mayer, seide y knywe well and was spoke to of suche a communicacion; but what the privyte and the menyng was y myghte not knowe, and yf y hadde hit sholde have be never the werce but the better; and so we departed, stondyng a

fer fro my lorde, and he asked wyne and sende me his awne cuppe and to no moo. Y wende right to my lord ayen before them alle, and spake with my lorde prively a grete whiles of divers maters, and among other of thys blynde entrety that Hengston spake of, y seyynge to my lorde verily that this blynde entrety growith of my lorde of Excetre as y supposed. Wherfor and for as moche as Hengston seide yn his presence that Radeforde and he were negh accorded: y bysoghte my lorde, as me thoght his part was, and to ende the mater the rather to knowe of the communicacion, &c. My lorde seide y moved hym right well and sholde have goddis blessyng and his, and seide he wolde do so, &c. and so we toke oure leve and departed fro my lord and my lordis alle. My lord at this tyme didde me moche worsship, and openly yn the communicacion aboveseyde commended me for my gode rule at home, and yn especiall for the grete favo=r= that y have do to men of the churche, hongyng this debate; and furthermore he of his awne mocion yn the communicacion aboveseid spake openly of the letter that he send home to the bysshop by me, seiyng these wordes, "Maier, apon the communicacion that y hadde with yow here y send home a letter by yow to my brother of Excetre, the whiche y hoped sholde have do moche gode and cause of spede the rather ende of the mater." Y seide, "My lorde, that is true, and y have do my due diligent part therto, after youre commaundement by my trauthe." Y seyde more to Kys these wordis, "Kis, ye seide to me at home that y didde and seide moche thynge more there then my lorddis commaundement was, sey ye here be fore my lorde what hit was; and y truste to God and my lorde is gode lordship that my lord will avowe me on alle thyng that y didde and seide." My lorde sate stille a while, and Kys knelyng spake never a word, and thus passed over. Hengston among the maters abovesayd seyde moche more than is above writyn as touchyng the towre that stont on the bysshoppis gardyn, seiyng that that towre stode upon the bisshoppis grounde, and the bisshop

sum tyme hadde his prison yn that towre, and that we repaired hit never, as is write on oure articulis: atte last hit was seide by their party that parcell of the towre stode upon the bisshoppis grounde as hit appereth openly there; they menyng by a wall and kernellis stondynge withoute the towre and thiknys of the towne walle, toward the bisshoppis gardyn and annexed to the towre and towne wallis, &c. The morun tuysday al Halwyn yeven y receyved the answeris to oure articulis at Westminster of the whiche y sende yow a true copy, yn the whiche articulis as hit appereth they have spatte out the uttmyst and worste venym that they cowde seye or thynke by me; y blessed be God hit is nother felony, ne treson, ne grete trespas, and thogh hit hadde be, so they wolde have don, and werce yf they cowde: but as for trawthe of the mater that tocheth me, meny worthy man stondeth on the same cas and have do moche werce than ever y didde, thogh that be to me none exscuse. As touchyng the grete venym that they menyth of my lyvyng, y may and purpose be at my purge, as y may right well apon my sawle of alle wymmen alyve excepte oone, and of hire righte a grete while; therfor y take right noght by and sey sadly (\si recte vivas\) , &.c. and am right mery and fare right well, ever thankyng God and myn awne purse. And y liyng on my bedde atte writyng of this right yerly, myryly syngyng a myry song, and that ys this, Come no more at oure hous, come, come, come. Y woll not dye nor for sorowe ne for anger, but be myry and fare right well, while y have mony; but that ys and like to be scarce with me, considerynge the bisynesse and coste that y have hadde: and like to have: and yet y hadde with me xx li. and more by my trauthe; wherof of trauthe not right moche y spende yet, but like &c. Constre ye what ye will. Item, Thomas Montagew sholde sende me xj li. and odde mony as he wote well and can telle yowe: and y supposed that John Germyn sholde [\ORIGINALLY wolde\] have broght to me all most x li. all this of myne awne gode; wherof

cometh to me no peny. Wherfor y sende home to yow attis tyme William Hampton, berer of this writyng, for this cause most specially that ye, how that ever ye do, sende me xx li. yn hast, as ye wolle the spede of youre mater and welfare of the cite, y not shamed but pleased attis tyme; and that ye faill yn no wyse, mervaillyng moche, for as moche as y departed fro yow with oute eny mony of youris, that ye ne hadde sende to me sithenesse some mony by Germyn, Kyrton, or some other man, &c. Forthermore as tochyng the seide answeris, y pray yow that they be well redely avysely and distinctely over radde and the substance of them right well understonde, and most speciall the furste articule, the whiche ys most and right harde to answere, and that oure Recorder have knoweliche of all thyng that y have write home yf he be here as y suppose attis tyme, and but yf he be, to sende home to hym in hast; so that y have youre conceyt witte and entente to repplye to the seide answeris, and to the furste most specyally, whiche is derke to my conceyte as yet; but y truste to God hit shall be right well with youre gode enformacion and helpe therto: to whiche entent y sende yow a rolle yn the whiche is conteyned copies of Domus Dey, copy of Eyris, of charters and other thynges that is necessary to be seye yn makyng of thes repplicacions. Y can no more attis tyme, but y pray you to be not wery to over rede hire and se all the writyng that y have sende home to yow attis tyme; and yf ye be, no mervaill thogh y be wery, &c. and God be w=t= yow. y-writen at London yn alle Sawlyn day afore day yn hast. Item, y pray you to sende me the blak rolle whiche shall be delyvered to yow by Thomas Montegow, by William Hampton berer of this writyng, the which is a man true ynogh as y truste and suppose and hath borwys for his office, lete them be pryvy to, yf yow, that hit is to be do.

[} [\V. SHILLINGFORD TO HIS FELLOWS. LONDON, SAT. 11 NOV. 1447. DRAFT LETTER.\] }] I grete you well alle, doyng yow to understonde that y am at London as y have write to yow afore this tyme, &c. and as touchyng the laboure and spede of oure comyn mater sithen y wrote last to yow, y was at Lambeth with my lorde on Sonday next after alle Halwyn day and spake with hym at gode leisure and yn gode tyme and well disposed. Among other thynges y asked [{...{] at dey and how we sholde be demened to brynge yn oure repplicacions, he seyde "Come the morun Monedey [{...{] the love of god," Y seyde the tyme was to shorte, and prayed hym of Wendysdey; y enfourmed hym [{of t{]he grete malice venym that they have spatte to me yn theire answeris as hit appereth yn a copy that y sende to yow of. My lorde seide, "Alagge alagge, why wolde they do so? y woll seye right sharpely to ham therfor and y nogh," and commaunded me to bryng the answeris to hym the morun at Westminster, and that he wolde amende hit w=t= his awne hondis, &c. and so y departed, and mette w=t= hym that morun yn the escheco=r= chamber, and as sone as ever he saw me a ferre, he called me to hym and asked the seide answere, and he rased hit as hit plesed hym w=t= his owne handys, oure party advers w=t= theire counsell beyng present and yvell plesed and payde therwith, and my lorde was to tham right sadde ne wolde hire ham speke no worde, but spake to the chif Justyse Fortescu and prayed hym to be w=t= hym that morun atte mete to comyne of oure mater, and yeaf no dey to that other

party ne to me to be there and so departed. The morun tuysdey y came to my lorde at Westminster ayen and asked yf he wolde commaunde me eny thyng to do that dey, he seide yee, to be w=t= hym that after mete to comyne as hit is aboveseide. Y seide, "My lorde oure repplicacions beth not yet alle redy ne mygh not be for shortenesse of tyme thogh y sholde dye therfor, and yet y hadde waked nyghte and dey." He seide hit was right yvell y do yf hit myght otherwise have be, and commaunded me not fealle but kepe my dey, that after mete: and so y didde and with me Dourissh and Speare, and for that other party Kys, Hengston, More, Wode, and Orcharde, a greet barre. Furste my lorde asked how we departed laste. Hit was seyde apoune the answerys of the Bysshop, Deane, and Chapitre, put yn and we to replye. Y seyde, "My lorde, oure repplicacions beth not yet fully redy bot anon to oon and that oon almost as hit appereth here aredy to shewe." My lorde and the Justyse seyde no force to shewe and ryght meny resons why. Y seyde yes, and made resons sympelly as y cowde; so hit was graunted that y sholde bryng ham yn, &c. My lorde seyde that he wolde sende for the bokys that y have write to yow of yn Kent ys warde: then he bade that other party goo a part and comyned w=t= my seyde felowship and me nigh by an oure, and he was right mery and comyned meny dyvers maters bothe of disporte and sadnesse: furste of dysporte of Bysshop Stafford ys tyme when my lord was there, and among other y spake to my lorde yn dysporte of the arest of S=r= Thomas Gogh and of Hugh Luccays atte Denys place, and what favo=r= y had do and had no thanke and of other thyngys as come yn to my mynde. He cowde telle us how Germyn toke the churche +te day of eleccion, &c. Y seide [{...{] therof a disporte, and that Germyn putte his fynger yn his ye and wepte, also y t [{...{]e most sadly wyse. Atte last fyll to mater of sadnesse, and they spake of Goddys hous Seynt Peter ys churche of Excetre, and my lorde spake of his house, his halle, and the Justyse the same, how

loth they wolde be to make arestys theryn, and seyde that seynt Peter ys churche was Goddis hous and his halle, &c. and made meny resons to bryng yn abstynce of arestys. They were answered as God wolde geve us grace. Douryssh didde well his part; nerthelez all the longage bot hit were the lesse was by twene my lorde Chaunceller the Justyse and me. My lorde Chaunceller wolde that y sholde myve of menys. Y seyde, savyng his commaundement, that y cowde not theryn; hit was not my part: and then he hym self and the Justyse moved of menys dyvers, and atte the laste my lorde moved of this mene to forbere arestys of alle men of habyte and theyre servantys, famylyars, and bailliffs, withynne the churche and cimetere at alle tymes, &c. Douryssh acquytted hym well, and leyde meny myschyffys, &c. Y seyde therto also as y cowde sympelly, and then y reherced to hym of the last accorde of the suberbys withoute Esteyeate and what abstynance was of courtesy y graunted at that tyme, &c. y conceyved that my lorde wolde move of no nyre mene and then y seyde to hym thus: "My lorde, y beseke you of youre gode lordship to have me exscu [{...{] to move or aggre to eny mene [{...{] y have speke with my felowship at home or they here with me." Tham thoghte y seyde reso [{...{] hadde right moche longage of the Bysshoppis fe, and specyally of the vyw and of the Bysshoppis Court what court he hadde and sholde have: here of was right moche longage and reson prove and contra. Y hilde myn awne. Y hadde maters y nogh, &c. My seyde lordys bothe seyde that thay hadde olde recordys and evydences to prove their content. My lord hym self spake derkely of right olde charters the whiche y as ever have supposed right well; so y said, "My lorde, y have hurde of suche thyngis, bot y sawe hit never, praying yow yf eny suche thyng be, that they may be shewed and seyn, and bot yf hit maybe answered ellys so to make an ende," &c. My lorde conjoured me to make an ende of this mater and yf y so didde y sholde be cronycled. Y seyde, "My lorde, y have don my

part as y truste to God ye shall knawe and wolle reporte as fer as y can may and thar do after youre commaundement." Y conjoured my lorde ayen and seyde these wordys, "My lorde, ye beth lorde under hevyn, excepte the kyng, that the Cite of Excetre have most feyth hope and truste theryn, and have fulle power to make an ende, bysekyng you and as y dar requyre yow, se the ryght and lete hit never passe yo=r= hondes bot so to make an ende," and made us go a part and called that other party. They were with hym bote ryght a litell while and called us yn ayen, and bade that other go apart, and seyde to us that they hadde comyned wyth that other party, and they seyn moche that they woll abyde apoun theire right, and shewe theire forseyde evydence to prove hit. Y seyde, "My lorde," as y have aboveseyde, &c. My lorde seyde, "Mayer, ye seye right well, and so we woll do and precede," and so we all departed (\sine die\) , &c. Bot sythenys y have be w=t= my lorde dyvers tymes and now have a day, and that other party to be before my seide lordis the morun Sonedey apon the makyng of this letter; they to shewe ther evydences as y suppose. What they meneth that they woll abyde apon theire right and shew theire evydence constre ye. Gode and gentell longage and shere y have of that other party, and that they will abyde the rule of the lordys, &c. and that the lordys purpose to make an ende, &c. bote y fere therof bot the courte be so hard against us, therfor to speke wyth the nywe shyrf y sette hit grete wysedome so hit be by soche a mene as be knowe noght fro us for drede. Certe hit be seyde that that ys the cause of the breche, &c. for they have labored strongly and sayeth nay, &c.

[} [\VI. SHILLINGFORD TO HIS FELLOWS. LONDON ?NOV. OR DEC. 1447. DRAFT LETTER.\] }] Worthy siris y grete yow well alle; doyng you to understonde as touchyng the laboure and spede of oure mater that Dourissh and Speere hadde be w=t= my lord on Soneday next before my comyng and hadde ther right gode chere of my lord and other and right [{...{] so spedde there yn the beste wyse at +t=t= tyme as the mater stondeth, and yn especyall as tochyng the commaundement the whiche y reported at home, nywe bondis to be made and enseled at home to entrete yn to Candel masse and lenger yf +te parties myght so accorde to breve the mater to the lordis hondis; and that we myght not accorde therof to be remytted to the lordes and they so to make an ende; of the whiche commaundement my lorde remembred hym right well therof as well as the Chif Justise, and my lord avowed me well therof and was right well pleased of all my laboure at home y-reported to hym by Thomas Dourissh and Speere yn the beste wyse, my lorde seyng of me that y was never worthy to be called, that y was a godeman wyse and well do my part, after his commaundement attis tyme and shold have goddes blessyng and his, and whan that ever y come to be well come to hym, as the seide Dourissh and Speere reported to me; and also they spake to hym of a sute like to be take by +te B. D. and C. &c. My lord answered bot litell therto at that tyme, bot bade ham to awayte apoun hym that morun at Westminster and so departed. Ayenst whiche tyme the seide Dourissh and Speere right wysely ordeyned counsell Yong

and Beef, and so came yn before my lord Chaunceller the morun Moneday, and nywe moved hym w=t= moche longage as tochyng the sute aboveseide. My lorde seyde he myght not werne tham +te comyn lawe, bot he seide right feith fully and sadly he wolde consell ham the contrary and commaunded to awayte apon hym and +te Chif Justise beyng togeder. A rule to be sette, &c. And so departed and stont yet. Furthermore y do you to understonde y come to London on tuysdey, so +tt y wolde have be w=t= my lord +tt same dey tymely y nogh afore mete; bot I taried and yet tary because of +te buk horn +tt was boght or y went and forth before at Stoklond or y departed fro home as Germyn, that never legh, tolde to me verily w=t= grete othis; the whiche came not yet, me to right grete anger and discomfort by my trauthe, and the cause +t=t= hit was boght for myche like to be lost; for hit hadde be a gode mene and order after spekyng and communication aboveseid, the buk horn to have be presented, and y to have come there after, &c. and so to have sped moche the better: but now hit is like to faille to hyndryng. And so y have helpe ynogh abakward and but a litell forthward as hit at alle tyme proveth and appereth. Y pray you specially to thanke moche t[{...{] gentill Germyn (\Quasi duceret euge euge\) (^Germyn^) of his governaunce attis tyme, (\id male gaude\) Germyn. Nothelez [\I know\] right well he woll ascuse hym right well by thike fals harlot his carioure, and the carioure yn like wyse by the seide Germyn, and so I may say (\ait latro ad latronem\) and (\inter scabella duo anus labitur humo\) . Cristes curse have they bothe, and seye ye amen (\non sine merito\) , and bot ye dar sey so, thynke so, thynke so. Also y charge Germyn under rule and commaundement of J. Coteler my lutenant, +t=t= he do that he can do, braule, bragge and brace, lye and swere well to, and yn especiall +t=t= +te stretes be right clene and specialle the litell lane yn the bak side be nethe the flessh folde yeate, for ther lieth many oxen hedes and bonys that they be removed away for the nonys ayenst my comyng as sone as y may by cokkis bonys.

[} [\VII. SHILLINGFORD TO ONE OF THE BISHOP'S COUNSEL. 14 DEC. 1447. DRAFT LETTER.\] }] Right worshipfull sir, y recommaunde me to yow. Like yow to be remembred of the speche and communicacion +tt was late betwene yow and me at Westminster before my lorde Chif Justise and also what he seide and how that y conjured yow and ye conjured me ayen, and alle to the best entent to alle parties as y hope to God, trustyng that ye buth and woll be the same man as there, or better yf ye better may, and y the same after my sympell power by my trauthe: apon the whiche communicacion as y seide to yow that y wolde, and as ye seide my part was to spake with my lord Chaunceller, &c. and afterward Maister Rogger Kys and y were before my two seid lordis to knowe of a rule and a departyng home, &c. Whas rule and commaundement as y conceved was this, to make and ensele nywe bondis yn to Candelmasse next comyng, and lenger yf the parties wolde at oure comyng home; and yn the mene tyme to entrete at home to shorte the mater to their hondes; and that we myght not accorde therof, they to make an ende, the whiche hath ever be my will and laboure y take God to wytnesse, and yet shall be. Wherapon y consideryng the rule and commaundement of the lordes and the entent of +te communicacion betwene yow and me abovesaide, y sende to yow at this tyme praying yow to considre the same, with more that hit is bot a short and a bysy tyme consyderyng the grete parties and maters, with the circumstance and grete and longe communicacion that is like to be. Wherfor y pray yow to prefixe place day and tyme as ye woll resonabilly, and that as sone as ye may godely, the rather the levere, and ye shall be all redy and wyth alle

thoo that longeth to be there, for oure party un failled; so that noo cause of tarying shallbe founde yn oure party with the grace of God: praying yow the same, &c. for ye may fully conceve +tt my felows and y wold fayne have a gode ende and pees, prayng you to applie yo=r= god will and favo=r= to the same. And how hit may please you to do in +t=s=, y pray you to s[{ende{] hit me yn writyng and alle shall be well w=t= +t=e= grace of God, whiche have yow yn kepyng. Amen. Writen at Exeter the thursday (next) after Sent Lucie.

[} [\VIII. SHILLINGFORD TO DOWRISH. EXETER, WEDNESDAY, EVE OF ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE, DEC. 20, 1447.\] }] Right Worshipfull ser, y recommaunde me un to yow; doyng yow to understonde that as touchyng the grete maters yn debate by twene my lord the Bysshop of Excetre the Deane and the Chapiter ther, and the Maier and Comminalte of the seide Cite, the whiche maters at London this last term passed, by comaundement of the lordis ys put yn rule as hit appereth by a letter the whiche y have sende to William Hengston, wherof y sende to yow a copy; as well as of dyvers other bullis of supplicacions by the seide Maier and

Comminalte y putte yn be fore the seide lordis. The whiche copies all y pray yow avysely to over rede and well understonde after the commaundement and rule aboveseide. And after the gode will, prayer, fourme, effecte, desire, and entent of the seide Maier and Comminalte comprehended yn the seide letter and bullis, to applie your gode will and to do your tendre and diligent labour to helpe to make a gode ende, and that all my feloship and y pray yow right hertly. And yn especyall that ye be oon of thoo pryncipall endifferently to entrete ther ynne that most gode may do ther yn, and with yow Radeforde and Hengston, and so that William Beef be oon with yow by your speciall meene to be brogh yn, for pleasur and the better to ende the mater hardly with the grace of God. Ye may constre moche thyng &c. bot this aboveseide thus don, y dowte noght, bot truste to God verily to have a gode ende and pees with the grace of God, whiche have yow ynh is kepyng. Amen. Writen at Excetre on Wendisdey yn the vigill of Seynt Thomas the Apostell.

[} [\IX. SHILLINGFORD TO THE BISHOP. EXETER, 24 DEC. 1447. DRAFT LETTER.\] }] Right Worshipfull and Reverend Fader yn God and gode lorde, y recommaunde me un to your right gode and gracyous lordship. Please hit your gode and gracious lordship to have yn knowliche

as tochyng the grete maters yn variance betwene yo=r= right gode and gracious lordship the Deane and Chapiter of yo=r= Cathedrall Churche of the Cite of Exceter and the Maier and the Comminalte of the seide Cite, the which maters by yo=r= menys so labored un to the highnesse of our soverayn lorde the Kyng was broght yn and so by longe tyme hath honged and yet hongeth yn compremys be fore the lordis. The whiche by the seide lordis this last terme as y conceyved thus ruled, and commaunded nywe bondis to be made and enseled to entrete yn to Candelmasse and lenger yf the parties myght so aggre and accorde at their comyng home; and yn the mene tyme to entrete at home to shorte the mater to their hondis, and that we myght not accorde therof they to make an ende; and that by longe tyme hath be my lorde Chauncelleris commaundement as y knawe right well, and as hit proveth and appereth by a letter by hym late to yow sende, the whiche letter he this terme avowed well for myn excuse your conseill beyng present, and as y seid yn yo=r= presence yn the Chapetry hous of yo=r= Cathedrall Churche of Excetre. The whiche rule and commaundement the seid Maier and Comminalte fully aggreed ham for their part and were all redy to fulfille hit at London and so buth yet her at home, and shall be yn all wyse, or eny other resonable entrety that may be moved or stured or by yow commaunded, so hit be knowed to the pleasure of my seid lords aboveseid, praying yow and yo=r= parties and yow most specially of your gode and gracious lordship to yeve your gode will and applie yo=r= favo=r= to conforme to the same; considryng verily that we wold right fayne have a gode ende with yow as lawe, right, reson, and gode consience requiren, with all favo=r= desired resonable that by our part may be shewed or don, and to that is called your fe, most specially bysekyng yo=r= gode and gracious lordship to be amytted therto, for hit was never our will to putte that yn debate ne to despute the right therof, but as we have be forced therto by yo=r= Articulis of Complayntes and other actes of the same, or elles to lese our rig[\ht\] , &c. Also hit was never known ne seide bot that the seide fe was a thyng by him self, and the seide Churche and Cimitere

another thyng by him self, as ye have supposed and claymed and allegged by two the furst divers articulis therof made yn your furst articulis of compleynts, withoute that yo=r= Cathedrall Churche and Cimitere be parcell of the seid fe or annexed therto, as hit is and shall be well proved by evident writyng, witnesse, and other wyse. But now late this last terme ye have supposed and leyde the seid fee Churche and Cimitere to be conjoyntly contrary to yo=r= furst clayme, as hit openly appereth yn your furst articulis of yo=r= provys to have a colo=r= to the seide Churche and Cimitere by the seide fe, &c., as hit is right well conceyved, and therto ye have aleyed for yo=r= prove the boke of domysdey, the whiche is no prove, and that we have and shall comytte yn to the grete wysedomys of the lords abovseid. But we truste to God, savyng yo=r= gode lordshippe, the same boke shall prove our entent as hit is proved and pleynly appereth yn our furst answer to the seide same articule of y=r= provys. The whiche with meny other thyngs shall be redy to be shewed before yo=r= gode lordships yf hit please you. But what conclusion that ever ther folwe we trustyng to God to have yo=r= gode lordship, we woll be demened resonabilly with all favo=r= to the pleasur of your gode lordship as hit is aboveseid, and of the seid fe most specially, ever besekyng you and as we dar requyr you that ye woll applie yo=r= blessed favo=r= and benyvolence to the gode ende and appeasynge of this mater, after the will, desir, forme, effecte and entente of dyvers bullis of supplicacons by us y put and to be put yn be fore the lordes of this mater, of the whiche bullis I sende to you copies by the berers of this my pore writyng, whiche copies please hit yo=r= gode and gracious lordship at yo=r= leysure to over se and fully conceyve, the rather to have a gode ende as we truste to God: and like you to knowe that y have write to Copleston and Hengeston and y spoke with Radeford of this maters for myn exscuse to be reported above be fore the lords, so that no cause of taryng shall be founde yn our party, but ever all redye, &c. Bysekyng you of yo=r= right gode and gracious lordship, as y have my lord Chaunceller, to have me exscused of myn non comyng to you

as my dute hath be and is. Considryng verily if y myght knowe [{...{] lordships pleasur and commaundement therto, the whiche y wolde full fayne knowe and come grete joye and comfort to alle your puple and gostly children of the Cite of Exceter and me most specially; and how hit may please your gode lordeship to do and commaunde us yn the rule and commaundement of the lords aboveseide to have yn knowliche by the berers of this my symple writyng at yo=r= pleasur. Please yo=r= gode and gracious lordship to have yn rembrance that I and all the Comminalte of the seide Cite ben your gostly children and yo=r= men at yo=r= commaundement and ever shall be by Godd's mercy, whiche preserve yo=r= gode and gracious lordship and yo=r= blessed faderhed yn his high mercy. Writen at Exceter the xxiiii day of Decembre. By yo=r= awne servant and bedman, J. Shillyngford.

[} [\X. INSTRUCTIONS FROM SHILLINGFORD TO HIS DEPUTY. 24 DEC., 1447.\] }] After the recommendacion had yn the most godely wyse, ye shall seye to my lord that the Maier yeveth yow yn commaundement to seye, that my lorde Chaunceller greteth hym well and sendeth hym the letter, bysekyng hym of his gode lordship avisely to overse hit: wherapon as ye suppose after the entent of the letter that ye most speke myche more with him, also bysekyng him of his gode lordship

atte reverence of my lorde Chaunceller to yeve leyser and attendence therto; seyyng also that hit is the Maier is part to have come hym self with the letter and exscuse, &c., and then how dangerous hit was to make eny worthy man to come to hym att tyme for strange chere at Clist, &c., and that the Maier exscused hym ayenst my seide lorde Chaunceller to brynge the letter, &c., and promytted to sende of the most worthiest as he hath, &c. Item, that ye commende my lorde Chaunceller yn the most beste and trusty wyse, and that hit is his commaundement and other lordes, and longe tyme hath be, that we sholde entrete at home, the whiche hath be the Maier is grete laboure the grete part of all this yere, and myghte noght be excepted therto, and so he hath reported before the lordes as well as the furst coming to hym to Clist to seke his gode lordeship and pees for his exscuse: and yet the Mayer and the Cite now aswell as before this tyme by commaundement of the lordis and by their awne gode wyll prayeth and desireth that the matter myght be disclosed before his gode lordship, the Maier, the Recorder with other of the Cite at his pleser beyng present, trustyng to God verely al for the best, and myche the rather and the better to have a gode ende as lawe, reson, and right gode conscience requyren, he to fele alle the maters, and so as ye suppose to be his awne juge, and ende myche of the maters by his awne conscience, we knawing his blessednysse and gode conscience, &c. Forthermore, ye shall seye as for the Maier wher my seyde lorde hath seide, and sende hym word that he is not the man that he wend that he had be, the which worde is to hym right hevy, and seith that he shall fynde hym the same oo man and same true man as he hath be, and so he trusteth to God he is take and knawe among the lordes above; but thogh he and other labor for the right of the Cite w=t= true menys as he hath do and none otherwise as hit shalbe well proved, hit is no cause, &c., they beth sworn therto as he is to the right of his benefice. Make ye myche of this matter and of the deme suying, and of the short chere at Cliste, and the gode chere that the Maier had yn his Closet, bryngyng Coteler

to his gode grace, y yet praying the same yf y may be herde, and that ye desyre his gode leysur now, and but yf ye mowe now to come to hym ayen.

[} [\XII. H. WEBBER, PRIEST, ON BEHALF OF THE BISHOP, TO THE RECORDER (?). CHUDLEGH, 28 DEC. 1447.\] }] My right reverend trusty and singular maister, after dewe and entierly recommendacion with all worship and reverence, my lord the Bysshop of Excetre, of whas commaundement y write un to you at this tyme, thanketh your kyndenesse of your gode and well conceyved letter that ye sende unto hym on Sonday last passed, the whiche day sone apon that he receyved your letter he receyved a long and right a diffuse letter y send to hym by the Mayer of Excetre remyttyng my seide lord in the same yn to a long rolle of supplicacions by hym made ther a fore, yn the whiche letters ye as yn youre by the enformacion of the seyde Mayer, and the seide Mayer as yn his letters conceyved, atte laste terme that hit was appoynted by my lord of Canterbury and the two Chyf Justises, that the maters be twene my seide lord and the Deane and the Chapitre of his Churche of Excetre and the seyde Maier and the Comminalte of the said Cite hongyng sholde be entreted here at home yn this vacacon, with other larger words of the same in the Mayer's letters comprehended. Trewly, S=r=, what the departyng and how at the laste terme was a fore my seid lord the Chaunceller and the seide Justises my seide lorde was a fore and is fully enfourmed therof. Notheles for as moche as ye fynde the seide Maier and his feloship of the Cite disiderable and aggreyng a communicacion to be hadde after the effecte that ye commyned with my seid lord sum

tyme at Excetre, and yn maner so the seide Maier writeth hym self to my seid lord, with maters of pretens contrarye articulis and other allegauncies and remissions yn to meny diffuse supplicacions, seyng furdermore that he hath writen to John Copleston and William Hendiston for the same communicacion to be hadde for the gode ende and peasyng of the seide maters, of the whiche my seide lorde seith that hit pleaseth hym that a communicacion myght be hadde yn haste, and he woll do the seide John Copleston and William Hendeston to be at Excetre with other as well of the Chapitre is counseill as of his awne atte next session of peas. So that the seide communicacion be no longe delaye to hyndryng of his Churche and of his right, for trewly he woll noo long delayes theron, bot to do his avail whan he shall se his tyme. And yf hit so be that ther shall be y-offered suche weyes that may be to the gode ende and peasying of the seide maters withoute hertyng and delayng of the right of his Churche, he woll applie hym self therto with gode will: and where ye wrote yn to my seide lorde that he moved to yow that William Hendeston and ye a certyn day limited by yow and by my seid lord for to commune for the gode ende to be hadde yn the seide maters, and he kepte not his day, my seid lord seith that ye knowe well by certefyyng of right worthy men that he myght not be there at that day for certyn causes that they certefied yow therof resonable. Notheles sone apon he came to yow and ye and he communed to geder, the whiche communicacion was be case and litell fruite theron. And he seith that sith he came home from Courte he communed with yow of dyvers maters, bot ye moved noo thyng of the seide maters. And therfor my seide lord supposed ye wolde noo more therof. Notheles my seide lord, seyng your gode will, whiche ben of counseill with his Churche, wyth hym, and with the Maier of later date, thanketh yow hertely of your gode letter and also the Maier for his godeley letters, and with the grace of God John a Copleston and William Hendeston and other, as hit is aboveseid [^IN THE EDITION TWO DOTS ABOVE THE O IN aboveseid^] , shall be a redy to commune with yow under the

fourme as hit is aboveseid to the effectuall gode ende with oute grete delay, for trewly y ther sey yow secretely, on grete truste that y have founde yn your person ever, my seid lord woll not be long delayed yn noowise, as y veryly conceyve by hym, and therfor y wolde for the reverence of God and ease of the pore puple and for your grete worship that ye myght be cause of the gode ende and peasyng of the seide maters. And yf y myght se that hit myght take effectuall and a spedefull ende, y sey yow feithfully y shall do my part truly therto with the grace of God, the which have yow ever yn his gracyous kepyng, and my seid lord praied yow that ye wolle notise his wyll aboveseid to the seid Maier and to such other as your worthy and appreved discrecion semyth best for be don. Y-write at Chuddelegh the xxviii day of December. By your owne Prest, H. Webber, dwellyng with the Bysshop of Excetr.

[} [\XIII. SHILLINGFORD TO HIS FELLOWS. LONDON, 2 FEB. 1447-8. DRAFT LETTER.\] }] Right worthy siris, y grete yow well; doyng yow to understonde that on Candlemasse yeve y receyved a letter y send to me by Harry Dobyn, whiche letter yn my sympell conceyt y yn alle thynges have well understonde, and y am and was before that letter fully remembred of all thynges that is comprehended theryn, as specially of Stokewode, as well as more of the entrety some tyme moved by Sir William Bonevill, and of the communycacion ther

upon hadde at London, and specially yn the Cloyster at Paulys, the right grete of the parties, with theire conseille, and moche other puple beyng present; what was comyned, moved, stured, desired, and by whom; how hit was procured and shortly throwen of; how hit was conceyved, reported, and take there and ellis where, and what yvell wyll, waywardnys, and unkyndnesse was assigned, and what was promysed and what was do therfore, ye knowe right well, and Richard Druell specially: some wherof ye and y commyned therof the last hole day of my beyng at home at Exceter yn my parler; constre ye alle thynges what y mene. What is to do furthermore y can not yet be redely avysed by conseill, bot y most doe as y se the mater woll be ruled, and as y can, may, and dar do, eschewyng variance, breche, throwyng of, and yndyngnacion specially, and so y shall by the grace of God, whiche have yow yn his kepyng. Amen.

[} [\XIV. SHILLINGFORD TO HIS FELLOWS. 3 FEB. 1447-8. ORIGINAL AND DRAFT. THE WORDS IN BRACKETS ARE FILLED IN FROM THE DRAFT.\] }] (Worthy siris, y grete) yow well alle, doyng yow to understonde that the bukhorn came to me bot on Candelmasse yeven (afternone somewh)at better late than never, whiche bukhorn was presented to my lord on Candelmasse day by the (morun. How hit) was presented y-take, and what thankys and better thankis y nogh therfor Harry Dobyn can telle (yow of some)what by mowthe. That day was y

at Lambeth with my lorde at masse, and offered my candelle (to my lord is) blessed hond, y knelyng adoun offeryng my candell. My lord with laghyng chere upon me seide hertely, "Graunt mercy, Mayer," &c. That same day y abode there to mete by my seide lordis commaundement; (y mette) with my lorde atte high table ende comyng to meteward, and as sone as ever he saw me he (toke me) fast by the honde and thankis ynogh to: y seide to my seid lorde hit was to symple a thyng considryng his astate to seye onys graunt mercy, bot yf y hadde be at home at this faire he sholde have had better stuf and other thynges, &c. Y went forth with hym to the myddis of the halle, he stondyng yn his astate ayenst the fire a grete whiles, and ij bisshoppis, the ij Chif Justises, and other lordis, knyghtes, and squyers, and other comyn puple grete multitude, the halle fulle, alle stondyng a far apart fro hym, y knelyng by hym, and after recommendacion y moved hym of oure mater shortly as tyme asked, and yn especiall of the ij Chif Justises beyng there, bysekyng hym or their departyng to calle ham to hym for oure mater; he seid hertly with right godewill, and prayed God that ther myght be right a gode ende; and y thanked hym and seide with his gode lordship we were almost thurgh and at an ende, y seyyng also by these menys "My lord, y have herd yow seye that ye and the ij Chif Justises of a rule of the Churche and Cimitere were negh accorded." He seide hertely, "Yee for gode." Y seide, "My lord, as touchyng the fee Radford and Coplestone beth nigh accorded at home, whiche two accordis y knowe we buth alle most thurgh:" the whiche seyyng alle he toke on the best wyse and was well pleased therwith, and so departed fro hym at that tyme. Mete y doun, my lord toke his chamber, the astatis and other with hym. Y put me yn presse and to my lorde and spake with hym right a grete while, so that he called the Justises to hym and moved of oure mater. Y wolde have seide, &c. the Chif Justise toke upon hym to seye, &c. and seide moche thyng for oure part, and quytte hym a gode man to us.

Furst he reherced how we were broght yn be fore tham by the Kynges commaundement, how we wolde have be dysmyssed and discharged fro tham, and be atte comyn lawe and myght not, and how hit hath be labored ayenst us duryng the tyme of this entrety, so that ther is a Shirf y made and the contrey embraced ayenst (oure) entent and thus we stode at myschif, &c. The other Chif Justise seide well therto also, and my lord toke hit (welle) seyyng, "Hit may not be so; assigne ye a tyme the parties to be called, a rule to be sette, so that hit shold be amendyd:" and so departed as for more communicacion of oure mater. Afterward y spake with the ij=de= Chif Justise there a grete while, to whom oure mater myche was rawe. He understode and toke my seyyng and ynformacion (yn the moste) beste wise, and so seid therto for oure part. (After this we toke our leve, and y yn my leve takyng seyyng (these) wordis, "My lord, have mercy and pyty apoun that pore Cite, Jesus (\vidit civitatem et flevit super eam\) ;" also bysekyng him to yeve me leve to sywe to his gode lordship to have the mater refourmed as hit is aboveseide; he seide y sholde be right welle come what tyme that ever y come, and so departed thens and stonde this day, &c. That nyght right late Harry (Brok) broght me a copy of a recorde whiche y sende to yow, to the whiche recorde with avys of conseill y thyng bolde(ly to) appere forthwith this terme, &c. and y hope hit shall be right well as the cas stoondeth, and better than hit was desired and like to have be atte last entrety at home, with the grace of God, whiche have you in his kepyng. Writen at London the morun after Candelmasse day. By John Shillingford, M' of Excetre. [\INDORSED.\] After makyng of this letter y receyved a Copy of a writte ayenst John Hulle, as h(ere folowyth).

[^LATIN OMITTED^] [\ADDRESSED.\] To John Coteler, lutenant, Thomas Cook, John Germyn, Walter Pope, Richard Druell, and other, this letter be delyvered, &c.

[} [\XVI. THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY TO THE BISHOP OF EXETER. LAMBETH, 16 FEB., 1447-8,\] }] Ryght Worshipfull and wyth all my herte right welbeloved Brother, I grete you well full hertly. And suppose ye be well remembrid howe that matier whiche longe tyme hath abiden yn travers bitwixte yow, your Brethren and myn, your Deane and Chapitre of yowre churche of Excetre, and the Mayer and the Comminalte of the same, by speciall comaundement of the Kyng was commytted and putte to the rule of the two chief Justises and me, wheryn as God knowyth they and I have laboured long tyme, and specially the last term yn our effectuall wyse for the gode of pease and sure conclusion to growe therof, bryngyng the matier by daylie labour to grete ripenesse the soner therby to have concluded theryn: And for as moche as we myght not approchyng the ende of the terme further labour theryn, hit was comyned and desyred nywe bondis to be made and enselid at home by bothe parties unto Candelmasse last passed trustyng the matier to have be comyned and yn partie entreted at home. And as nowe we wold have preceded theryn to somme gode conclusion; and the matier is attained at large yn the comyn lawe: We praye yow as yet that, notwithstondyng havyng consideracion the seide Mayer and Comminalte have att all tymes and yet ben as they seyen redy to obey and abide all entrety, yow like to putte the matier to take soner effectuall ende by entrety and yntercommunicacion than by rigour of the lawe. And yf ther be eny poynte of grete difficultee or travers, the seide Juges and I woll putte to owr labour to the remedy

and redresse therof with all our hertis and power. And almyghty Jhesu have yow ever yn his keeping. Writen at Lamehithe the xvj daye of February, J. Archebysshop of Caunterbury.

[} [\XVII. THE CHANCELLOR TO THE CHIEF JUSTICE.\] }] Worshipfull and right welbeloved Frend, - Y grete yow well, and doute not ye be well remembred of that mater whiche hath longe tyme abiden yn travers betwixte my Brother of Excestre the Deane and Chapitre and the Maier and the Comminalte of Excetre, wheryn ye for your part have hadde grete laboure; y pray yow, considryng the mater is attainyd at large in the comyn lawe not likely by that mene to be ended lightly, as your wysedom knowyth well, yow like at this tyme yn your beyng ther to move and enduce my seid Brother and alle parties to putte the mater yn entrety at home, trustyng as me semyth fully wyth more charite and lasse coste the mater to take sonner ende by that mene than by processe or rigour of lawe withoute your dysplase. And almyghty Jhesu have yow yn his kepyng. Writen, &c. The bishop of Canterbury unto the lord Cheff Justice for an intrety to be had.

[} [\XIX. SHILLINGFORD TO THE CHANCELLOR. SOON AFTER 13 MARCH, 1447-8. DRAFT LETTER.\] }] Please hit your gode and gracious lordship to have yn your blessid remembraunce as touchyng the grete matiers yn debate betweene the right reverend fader in God and blessed man in him self and my right gode lord yn tyme hath be and yut throgh your gracious lordship I truste to God shal be, Edmond Bisshop of Exceter, the Deane and Chapitre of the same, and the Mayer and Cominalte yo=r= owne puple and poore bedemen of the seid Cite of Excetre, how hit pleased yo=r= gode and gracious lordshippe this same terme of Seynt Hillary to write a lettre unto my seid lord the Bysshop of Excetre, to have the seyd matier yn trete at home as hit was bi your lordship comaunded at Mighelmasse terme, whiche lettre ye yeve me yn special comaundement to bere my self to my seid lord of Excetre; after which comaundement I toke hit apoun me and so did, where, through favoure of yo=r= gode lordship, I ferid wel, had gode chere, and was yn the best wise right wel come, and al thing comprehendid yn yo=r= lettris yn ful godely wise take, obeyed, assent, and agreed. Radford and Copleston to be at Excetre to trete yn the matyer; and so thei were at tyme of assises, at whiche tyme S=r= Richard Neuton, chief Justise of the Comun plece, called the parties before him, and the seid John Copston and N. Radford, and there he hardly did indifferently his true tendre and diligent labo=r= and parte for the gode appesyng and welfare of bothe parties yn the seid mater, after the effect and extent of y=e= blessid lettre fro your lordship to him send by me.

Whereapon day was assigned on Wensday next after Passion Sonday [{...{] the seid Copleston and Radford to intrete of this mater; at whiche day the seid Copston and Radford, and I the seyd Mayor, with my felowship, were at Kyrton before my seyd [{...{] Bisshop of Excetre, my lorde of Devonshire at that tyme beyng present. And there and at that tyme a reule was mouthid and had accordyng to the forme of a condicion of an obligation, whereof I have send to yo=r= lordship a copy yn this lettre, to whiche bothe parties at that tyme aggreed and assentid ham, a special communication had before with the seid justise by me the seyd [{...{] my counseil and felowship; trustying to God and to yo=r= gode lordship to have right a gode ende. And, yf noe, ever to resorte to your gode lordship accordant to the kynges comaundement, by Goddis mercy, whiche preserve yo=r= gode lordship in his high mercy.

[} [\XXV. SHILLINGFORD TO HIS FELLOWS. (?)APRIL 1448. DRAFT LETTER.\] }] Worthy sirs, y grete yow well alle, doyng yow to understonde that y was at Wyndesore to London wardis on seynt George is day, and there taried almost all that day, and cowde not hyre ne knowe

there of noo thyng comprehended yn the letter y sende home to yow by William Duke, ne of none other thyng, bot all ther as well as hit was wont to be, and as y suppose with laboure and other thyng that longeth therto, yf men wyll better may be. The Wendisday y came to London, where was moche longage of oure comyn mater, and specially of this laste grete entrety at home, how hit was broken up, and for right litell thyng, and all yn oure defaute. Thus hit was y seid that accorde was hadde here at home by the seide entrety, that the Bisshop sholde have his fee churche and cimitere parcell of the same, as he claymeth generally, and generall municion yn the churche, we to have right noght to don ne make none arestis withynne his fee, bot yn the cimitere to make arrestis, excepte of the Bysshop and his mayny, chanons, and alle men of habite, and for we wolde noght aggre bot to have power to arreste chanons men servants familiars withynne the cimitere, was only cause of brekyng up of the seide entrety. Y of purpose mette with S=r= John Wolston, of wham y suppose growe all this untrue longage, and asked hym, &c. He seid every word, and that the accorde was suche as hit is aboveseide, with more that ther was writyng therof, and by what menys y write, by the hondis of John More, yn presence of my lord of Devonshire, atte Blak Freris at Excetre, all redy to shewe; y seide if any suche writyng were knowe and proved by my seide Lorde and the other arbitrous, we moste nedys and with right gode will wolde abide hit, or any other reporte that they wolde make. This same day Wendisday, as sone as y was come to towne ayenst mete tyme, my lord Chaunceller send for me yn hast. Y came to hym in Lambyth, wher y founde the ii Chif Justises of purpos moche y suppose: of wham alle and specially of my lord y hadde right gode chere, never better, and right well come yn the best wise. Y spake with my seide lord and the Justises, apart fro my Conseill, a grete whiles. They moved me to knowe of the entrety and departyng at home. Y prayed my lordes

to have my Conseill to seye for me. He graunted hit to me. S=r= John Wolston was yn the utter chamber, and wolde come noo nyre, and for as moche as Hengston was not there hit was enjorned over yn to the morun at Westminster, yn the Escheker Chamber, wher Hengston reported to my seid lord as S=r= John Wolston hath as hit is aboveseid, excepte of writyng. Y answered and seide y knywe noght therof, nee of noo such accorde, ne cowde make noo reporte, and asked of hym what knowliche he hadde of that he reported. He seide as he herde hit reported. Y asked of wham. He seide the comyn voys of the Cite. Y seide of none bot of soche as were of theire part, and by tham self. Y seid forthermore that y was enformed by S=r= John Walston ther beyng present that ther was writyng of that reporte, as hit is aboveseide.

[} [\XXVI. SHILLINGFORD TO HIS FELLOWS. (?) 24 MAY, 1448. DRAFT LETTER.\] }] Worthy siris, ryght feyne ffrendis and ffelows, y grete yow well alle, doyng yow to understonde that on Wendisday next after Corporis Christi day, as ye knowe right well, after vj atte clokke yn the mornyng y rode oute of Exceter to London warde; the Saterdey next ther after at vij atte clokke by the mornyng y came to London, and so to Westminster, and ther mette with my lord Chaunceller, he beyng yn right grete bysyness; as sone as he sawe me seyde right hertely, "Mayer well come," and toke me by the honde, and made me right gode chere, and so departed fro hym at that tyme. That day y hadde right grete bysynesse: furst y went yn to the Escheco for oure mater of Exmouth, and there y spedde spede can and may spede resonabylly well. That day on Westminster halle y mette

with S=r= John Wolston, and other of oure [\and\] theire conseill, of wham alle y hadde gode chere, and as they seide that y was right well come. Afterward y spake w=t= the chif Justis S=r= John Fortescu, goyng w=t= hym homward, and hadde with hym right muche gode longage and wordis of comfort. After this y spake with the chif justice S=r= Richard Nuton, thankyng hym of his favo=r= the last terme, &c. He, a full gode man, seide he wolde do for me what he myght godely. That day y comyned w=t= oure conseill of oure maters, and hadde wordis of gode comfort to spede right well. That day after none y wold have be at Lambeth w=t= my lord, bot y came not there because that Wolston was there that day. The morun be tyme y came to my lord, and hadde hym at right godd short leyso=r=; to wham y recommended you all to hym yn the best maner that y coude, thankyng hym of his gode lordship, &c. praying contynuance at this tyme specially, and to helpe that we myght have a gode ende by doyng after the kynges commaundement, for elles we most to a triall, and that were harde. He seide, "God hit forbede, then sholde ye never love, and that were pyty," and he seide he woll speke with the Chif Justise Fortescu, and +ten another rule, &c. Y thanked hym and seide, "My lord, they take grete boldenesse of ij thynges, oon of truste of the Shirf, another apon the lawe, y truste to Gode other wyse than they shall fynde hit." Also y seide to my lord that we hadde be yn debate by dyvers tymes, almost by tyme of viij=xx= yere, and that y coude never knowe fynde ne rede that we ever toke a sute ayenst tham, but ever stonde yn defence, as a bokeler player, and smyte never, and that y hadde to seye fro you to hym that we were fully avysed, with leve of his gode lordeship, onys to smyte, takyng a sute, for we hadde meny and dyvers causis, and they hadde none, bot that we wold no thyng do bote that his gode lordship hadde know liche of, for we wold attempte hym yn no wyse. He thanked and seyde that he coude not blame us. Y seide, "My lord, thus we most beare, serve and defende," that not with stondyng that, we woll be all redy at all tyme to obeye the kynges commaundement and his. [^PLUMPTON CORRESPONDENCE. A SERIES OF LETTERS, CHIEFLY DOMESTICK, WRITTEN IN THE REIGNS OF EDWARD IV. RICHARD III. HENRY VII. AND HENRY VIII. ED. BY STAPLETON, THOMAS. CAMDEN FIRST SERIES 4. 1839.^]

[} [\LETTER II.\] }] (^Unto my right reverent and worshipfull maister, Maister Sir William Plompton, knight.^) My right reverent and honorable maister, All humble recomendation praemised, please you that I receaved of your servant John Smith xl marks, and your letter to the Tresorer and Barons of the exchequer for respitt of your day to xv=na= Hillary, which would not be graunted but soe I have gotten that one shall appeare for you att the day of account and soe to be appeared for in the pipe, and then for to be prepared in the next tearme; and soe I have labored a felaw of mine to be your Atturney in the Court, for I may nought be but of Counsell, and he and I shall shew you such service all that time and afterward that shall be pleasing unto you. And soe shall ye have day or respitt to the xv of hillary next coming, then to be opposed of your greenewax; att which time ye may nott faile to send hider all your bookes and some readie man for to answer unto him, for I nor my said felaw may nott attend thereupon, and also to be here yourselfe than or before to pursue for your pardon, and to gree all your demaundes att once. And I trust to god for to gett you downe your greenewax if that I may, thof it cost you mony; soe ye wrote unto me, beseeching our

lord to gif you good speed against all your enemies and in all your matters. Written in hast at Westminster the fift day of November. Your servant, Bryan Rocliff. [\5 Nov. 1461.\]

[} [\LETTER IV.\] }] (^Unto his right reverend and honorable master Sir William Plompton, knight, in hast.^) Right reverend and honorable Sir, and mine especiall good maister, after all humble recomandations, with dew regraces and hartly thankings of your kind mastership unto me undeserved, effectualy my trust is desiring continuance. Please you that I have communed with Beford in your mater as ye wrote to me, and I cannot find him disposed that he will eyther grant you any yeares of payment, or els to be content by any soum yearly to be paid, and he will agre to no treate but if he have some money in hand, and so he haith taken his (\exigi facias de novo\) and is with us called in the hustings; marveling me that after writing by letter and comunication by mouth, ye tender not hartyly that matter, considring the other obligation which might be executed against Plumtre of Nottinggam, if ye wold doe your devor, beseching you to remember your honestie and wellfare. And Sir, I have tretid with Wigmore and at few words, I find him right hard and strange and soe ye bene iij called in Midlesex; wherfore ye must purvay hastely remmedy, for he will noe more trust faire wordes as he saith; thus remiting matters to your discrett wisdom, whom the holiest enspire to your profit and pleasure, my advis being allwaies redy. Written in hast at London, the 19th of May. Your servant, Brian Roclife. [\19 May, anno circiter 1462.\]

[} [\LETTER V.\] }] (^Unto his reverent maister Sir William Plompton, knight, in hast.^) In speciall my verray good maister, after due recomendations; my maister the Chief Baron comuned to my lord Treasorer of certaine matters, and soe my lord opened that Thomas Beckwith was his Awnte son, and he would make him eschetour; saying, that he loved you right well and would fayne an end were taken betwixt you and Beckwith, willing my said maister to take upon him the rewle, and would undertake Beckwith to be ruled by him, if he would take it upon him, who disclosed this unto me, nott certaine that ye would agree. And I answered that I supposed ye would agree to all reason, enforming him of the trewthe of the matter to my cuning after your information; soe that if such writing be had unto you by the advice of your trewe in reason, in reason it is to be agreed with reason, as my simplesse seemeth, saveing your better advise. And Sir, Beford hath spoken with me, sayeing that the matter is broken up in the default of Sir Harry,

that kept no tyme, and soe he purposes to continue and take out his suite, whom with soberness I entreate, affirming that ye will be here this tearme, and as long as I may, but I have noe grant of him. And Colt hath spoken to me for the remainder of the money, which he should send with the Bill of issues and for costes. And Beford hath spoken with Plomptree for the other obligation under sewertee, and soe in manner of a certante of payment, but now it is deatt the lyeing at large. Thus matters remitted to your said discretion whom our lord govern and haf in his keeping. Written in hast in the temple the fourtenth day of October. Your servant, Bryan Roclif. [\14 Oct. anno circiter 1462.\]

[} [\LETTER VI.\] }] (^Unto his singuler good maister Sir William Plompton, knight.^) Right worshippfull my singuler good mastre, as my dewtie is, with intier regraces I recomend me unto you, whose honor ioy and prosperitie I beseech the blessed trinitie to encrease dayly as I would haf of my simple person. Sir, I thank you among inumerable other, of your comfortable letter that you now take your disport att your libertee. And as touching my lord, I shall ride to M- to him within these 4 daies and doe my part, and as I shall find him, so shall I certifie you. Sir, as anenst Scatergood I hafe yett taken a longer continuance unto new yeare day, and I would fayne that it were att an end, thof it cost you mony for countermaunding and noysing; that would be had by privy seales, for they go light cheape, and send me your will therein. Sir, it is necessary that T. Beckwith be content at this time of x=li=, for losse

of money by suites makes more payments. Sir, if it like you that Richard F- aftre this yoole might entend upon me toward London, seing your presence now here, and ye might forgo him, I would have of you knowledge, for other have labored me, whome I respite therefore. Butt dissease or displease would nott I you in any wise. As for Gouldesburgh yett mett we nott, but now I trust that ye shall confirme all that first was named, and for Gods sake performe it (\(quia mora trahitt periculum)\) or his brother Edward goe to London att twentie day of yoole, and ellis will it straunge and delay. And think how ye lost Robert Ros son. Your daughter and myn, with humble recomendations, desireth your blessing, and speaketh prattely and french and hath near hand learned her sawter. Sir, Henry Suthill hath knowledge of her feofment, as a man tould me secretly, but for all that I trust all shalbe well, with the grace of the blessed trinitie, who quyte you and send you all your desires. Writen in hast at Colthrop on fryday. Your serviseable brother, Bryan Roucliffe [\Dec. 1463.\]

[} [\LETTER VII.\] }] (^To my right worshipfull maistre Sir William Plompton, kt.^) Right worshipfull maistre, I recomend me unto you. Please it you to witt the minister of St. Roberts has taken 2 suits, one of trespas for delving his ground att St. Robert, another of debt and detinue both in a writt, debt 12 marks, which as I understand by Horberey should be lent to you. Be the place [\plea\] of the detinue for a chalise shold be lent to you; also the writts were out, but I caused Horberey (\per album breve\) , so the sheriff shall have none paid for the writts, by the avise of Mr. Rocliff. I pray you send answerre against the next tearme; also had I understood for certain what goods Folbaron and Walker had of yours, I shold have bene answerd this terme by Horberey not guilty, which is the best issue you can have: I pray you send word against the next terme. Also Whele had sent out (\exigi facias de novo\) against Holden, Hanworth and West, or I came here, and said they were returned (\quarto exactus\) ; he had given them to short a day. Whearfore he said he wold write unto you for an excuse, and pray the (\exigi\) against West may be withdrawen: I promissed he should take no hurt by the proces. Also Whele sends you a (\capias utlegat\) . against Harldre by Rauf Annias, but he delivered it to the Sheriff. I shall send you another with the Copie of your

new suites and a (\venire facias\) against the ministre. Mr. Rocliff hath labored effectually this tearme for your matter of Stamford, and for my lady Inglestrop for your sake, and to Pake also; and also he dined with my lady and thanked her hertely for your sake. I trust by his labour your matter of Stamford shall take a good end with the grace of God, who have you evermore in his keeping. Written att London 14 february. Your servant Godfrey Grene. [\14 Feb. 1463-4.\]

[} [\LETTER VIII.\] }] (^Unto my reverend and worshipfull master, Sir William Plompton, kt.^) Reverend and worshipfull master, after all due recomendations had; Sir, as for your suites against the minister and others, they shalbe called upon as effectually as I can, and with the grace of God shall take as good speed as the law will suffer, howbeit that Horbury sais that ye and the minister stand in comprimise to abide the award of Sir John Malivera and others, and that he hath in comaund to continue the suite of the minister by reason of the same; notwithstanding, your suit shall proceed untill the time ye send otherwise in comaund. And as for the byeing of the velvett, the mony upon the obligacion of Mr. Suthill is nott

paid; he said Barnby wilbe here with it this tearme. God send grace it be so, for Mr. Byngham, Tho. Eyr, and Chapman of Stamford, everichone of them attends after his part this tearme. And as for the suits I shall borow untill the time the other come. There is a yong man, a mercer in the Chepe, the which a Michaelmas purpose to sett up a shop of his owne, the which mercer makes great labor to my lady and to Jeffrey Dawne for my sister Isabell to marry with her; lyvelode he hase none, a Norfolk man and of birth no gent. as I can understand; what he is worth in goods I cannott wytt. Mercers deals nott all together with their owne proper goods. How be it my lady P. hath proferred him faire, that is to say, xl=li= in mony of my lady and her freinds and my lady to find her thre yeare if he will, and Jeffrey hath proferred to lend him for iiij yeare a hundreth merce, the which mony is ready in a bag if they agre. I moved unto my lady and Jeffrey, as far as I durst for displease, that the mony was muche without she had some twentie of other of lyvelods or of goods, to the which my sister, as fare forth as she durst, abode upon; by the which they brake and nott concluded. And my lady and Jeffrey agreed well to the same, notwithstanding my sister ne I cannot think it is for her to refuse my ladies labour nor agreement, but wholie to put her to my ladies rule and ordinance, and so she did att all times. How be it my lady said to her it shold come of herselfe, and she answerred that of her selfe she could nott ne wold nothing do without the advise of you and her freinds, but whatsoever my lady thought she shold do, she wold do it unwitting you or any of her freinds. Whearfore I

beseech you as hastely as it please you, to send me word of your intent, for she and I wold faine do that at might be most to your pleasure and her profitt. Also Mr. Byngham hath spoken to Mr. Rocliff and me to witt what day ye wold be in Nottinghamshire, and I could not answere thereto; ye may send him word as it please you. Also I am not very certaine of the day and yeare that your milne dam was broken; I pray you send the certaintie this terme and ye may, that it may be amended if it be wrong. And all your other matters shalbe called upon with the grace of God, who have you evermore in proteccion. Written at London the xiiii=th= day of June. Also as for the mercer, I understand he profers now to find surety that if he die, she to have a C=li= besides her part of his goods after the custome of the Cittie. Your servant Godfrey Grene. [\14 June 1464.\]

[} [\LETTER IX.\] }] (^Unto the reverend and right worshipful Sir William Plompton, knight, my singular good master, be this delivered.^) Right reverend worshipful Sir, intirly beloved brother, and singularly my good master, after al faithful and due recommendations praemised and special regraces and thankings, as I have mo causes than I can write, which our Lord acquit, where I by non power am restrained, desiring him dayly for your honor prosperity, ioy, and longanimity, to bee encreased to your pleasur; Sir, like you to remember, the conclusions of the matter taken betwixt you and Chapman of Stamford by Husee and mee, that yee for to have his releas general should pay 100 (^s.^) , wherof I paid 4 marks in hand which you paid mee again; and now this term by

the advise of Huzze, thorowh importune clamor of Chapman, and you to bee in quiet delivering your acquittance, I paid 33 (^s.^) 4 (^d.^) afore Husze to Chapman, so that now you bee utterly out of his dammage. And, Sir, I conceived, by the remembrance of my cosin Mr. Midleton, that yee willed mee to buy to you, black velvet for a gown. But, Sir, I pray you herin blame my non power but not my will, for in faith I might not doo it, but gif I should run in papers of London, which I did never yet, so I have lived poorly therafter; for and I might els haue doon it, I shold not have spared. But the wis man saith to us, (\Impedit omne forum carentia Denariorum\) . And that prooves here now: I dare not write al my complaint. Sir, Thomas Eyr clamoreth upon mee importunly for money, so that gif I had any of my own, I wold have stopped him, and so as I might have promised him this next term, which like you for to send hither than: for and hee begin his suit now, he wil not bee so easily entreated. And also, Sir, I pray you specially for to send mee money fro Nesfield, according to your appointment and saing at our last departing, for and ye knew how it stands with mee here, I trust verily yee wold tender mee the more. And, Sir, the rather I pray you, for I purpose to have your son John Roclif to court at beginning of this next terme, where my charge of him in array and other exspences, shal encreas to the double, as God knowes, whom I beseech entirly, for to have you in his keeping, and graunt you all your desires. Written in hast in the midle temple, (\tertio die

decembris\) . Sir, Sir Henry Vavasor was gone hence or I wist, so that I might not speak to him for the wapp: my Thomas may go to him and speed I trow. Your servisable brother, Brian Rocliff. [\3 Dec. 1464.\]

[} [\LETTER XIII.\] }] (^To my right reverend and most especiall good maistre Sir William Plompton, knight.^) Right reverend and my moste speciall gude maistre, I recomend me unto your good mastership, and as touching your (\nisi prius\)

against Fulbaron, it were well doon that ye appointed with Mr. Danby at what place and what day in his comeing home after the next tearme ye would have it served; soe that I might have word the begining of the next tearme, to take out the writt, according to your appointment. Also as for the writt against Geffray Malivera, John Cockle, Rich. Croft, Hanson and other, I stand in doubt whether Mr. Midleton and Mr. Ros greed you and Sir John Malivera thereof, or no, because they are his men; notwithstanding if they agreed you nott, and ye send me word, I trust to have an exigent the next tearme. My Lord of Oxford is comitt to the tower, and it is said kept in irons, and that he has confessed myche thinge; and on Munday afore St. Andrew day one Alford and Poiner, gentlemen to my Lord of Northfolk, and one S=r= peirs, Skinner of London, were beheaded; and on the morne

after was Sir Thomas Tresham arest and is comitt to the tower: and it is said he was arested upon the confession of my Lo. of Oxford, and they say his livelhood, and Sir John Marneys livelhood, and divers other livelhuds is given away by the king. Also there is arest Mr. Hungerford, the heir unto the Lord Hungerford, and one Courtney, heir unto the Earle of Devonshire, and many other, whose names I know nott; and it is said that Sir Edmund Hungerford is send for. And also the yeomen of the Crowne bene riden into diverse countries to arrest men that be apeched. Also it was told me that Sir Robt. Ughtred was send for, but I trust to God it is not so, who have you evermore in his blessed proteccion. Written at London, 9 of December. Your servant Godfrey Greene. [\9 Dec. 8 Edw. IV. 1468.\]

[} [\LETTER XV.\] }] (^To my right worshipfull maistre Sir William Plompton, knight, this letter be delivered.^) Right worshipfull master, I recomend me unto your good mastership; Sir, I have sent to you by the bringer of this letter, a (\venire facias\) against the minister of St. Robert's, for he hath pleaded not guiltie for fishing your ponds att Plompton; if so be your writt be well served and the issue tried for you, the punishment will be grevieous to them, for it is gyffin by a statute. Also I have sent you a (\venire facias\) against Dromonby, parson of Kynalton; he hath pleaded - he withholds you nothing, in accion of detynu of the goods, delivered him by Heynes. Also the copie of the pleadings betwixt you and the minister for your

milne att Plompton; it were well done that ye had a speech with Mr. Midleton of the forme of the pleadings, and of the matter both of the title of his milne, and your milne, and of the freholdes of both sides the water, for that your counsell may have instruccion thereof: it hath cost you money this terme, and yett no conclusion but to change the pleadings the next terme at the pleasure of the parties. Mr. Midleton had great labour therewith, I profferd him no rewards because ye may reward him yourselfe as it please you. Maister Fairfax had x=s= for that matter all on. Mr. Suttill labored effectually; I tould him he shold be rewarded of the mony in his hands, and said lightly he would have none; so I wot whether he will take or no: he hath nott all paid yett. I pray you, against the next terme, send me word how I shall be demened in rewards giveing, for and it go to matter in law, it will cost mony largely. Also I have sent you a (\Capias utlegat\) . against Hargreve of Fuston; Sir John Malevera gave me a chalenge for him, and said he was outlawd under my trety: I told him I treted never; I bare your message to him, and that was a continuance for the matter against Fulburn, but nott for Hargreve. And he said ye had sued all the trew men to the king, to my lord, and to him in the forest, sith that ye come home; and that he shold complaine to the king and to the lords thereof; and I said, I trust to God ye shold come to your answere. And he said that shold not lyg in my power to bring you to do, for he wold deele with you and yours, both be the law and besides the law; and said he wold cutt the clothes notwithstanding. He was full angrie and hastie what time he said soe, and I was with Mr. Roclif the same time he gave me this chalenge, and Myles Willesthorp was with him, and said no word. And Maister Roclif asked him what the matter was, if he might any ease; and he

answered him, that ye desseyved him and all that ye dellyd withall: and Mr. Rocliff said he trust to God, - who have you evermore in his proteccion. Written at London, the v=th= day of December. Your servant Godfrey Grene. [\5 Dec. 1469.\]

[} [\LETTER XXIV.\] }] (^To my right reverend and worshipfull Maistre, Sir William Plompton, knight.^) Right worshippfull Sir, I recomend me unto your good mastershipp; Sir, as for a (\supersedias\) for yourselfe, there will not be gotten, without I shold put in sufficient men to be suerties; for there is a new rule made in the Chancery now late, that no sureties

shalbe accepted, but such as be sufficient, and twenty of the old common sureties dischardged: so it is hard to gett suerties for a yoman. And as for the supliants, I have dayly labored, sith your man come, to gett a man to aske the suertie; and so I fand one which hath bene of old a (\supersedias\) mounger, and was agreed with him that he shold gett me a man to aske it, and he and the man shold have had v=s=. for their labor; and so he said unto me and Thom. on Saturday last that it was done, and desired mony for the mans labor and for the sealing, and we shold have them forth withall: and so he hath driven us from morne to even, and in conclusion deceyved us, and hath receved vii=s=. vi=d=. And I may nott arreast him nor strive with him for the mony, nor for the decept, because the matter is not worshipfull; and so there is none odere meane, but dayly to labor him to gett the writts, and so I shall, and send them to you asoune as they may be gotten: the labor is great and perillous, and the anger is more, because of the decept. As for the suit of Tulis executor, it is delaid for this terme, but the next terme it cannot be delaid; therefore it were well done ye sought up your writtings, and all the sircumstances of making the obligacion, and whear it was made; for there is none will make a plea, without he have some matter to make it of: and also the court will nott admitt a forreine plea, without the matter be somewhat likely to be true. As for all your oder suits, they have the speed the law will give them, as Horbury will enforme you, when he comes home. As for the (\supena\) , the writt is nott retorned in; it seemes it will take a delay. I have sent you a copie of the letter, and a (\supersedias\) for Ward of Breeton; and as for your awne, if so be ye will that I put in sufficient suerties for you, ye may have one; but saveing your better advise, me think it nott necessary so to do, without oder cause shold require: for as strong in the law is a (\supersedias\) of a Justice of the peace, as in

the Chancery. And as for your bottles, there came no samon men here of all this sumor, but I understood they will come now hastely; by the next at comes they shalbe sent, with Gods grace, who have you evermore in his blessed proteccion. Written att London, the x=th= day of July. Thomas can enforme you of novelties in this countrie better then I can writte. Your servant Godfrey Greene. [\10 July, anno circiter 1475.\]

[} [\LETTER XXV.\] }] (^To his right worshipfull maistre, Sir William Plompton, kt.^) Right worshipfull Sir, I recomend me unto your good maistershipp; Sir, as for the suit against you by the executors of parson Tuly, had not it fortuned that there was a default founden in the writt, it had bene so that ye had bene condemned, or els an (\exigi\) awarded against you; for as for the matter of your plea, there would noe man plead it, ne it would not have bene except, if it had bene pleaded. Sir, there is an indenture upon the same (\oblige\) , the which wold serve much of your intents, and it might be found. Also, sir, now of late I have receaved from you diverse letters, of the which the tenure and effect is this; one, that I shold labour to Sir John Pilkinton, to labor to my lord of Glocester or to the king; they to move my lord of Northumberland that ye might occupie still at Knaresborou. Sir, as to that, it is thought here by such as loves you, 'at that labour should rather

hurt in that behalve then availe; for certaine it is, as long as my lord of Northumberlands patent thereof stands good, as long will he have no deputie but such as shall please him, and kan him thank for the gift thereof, and no man els, and also doe him servise next the king: so the labour shalbe fair answered, and turne to none effect, but hurt. And as to another point comprised in your writing, that is, to enforme the lords and their counsell of the misgovernances of Gascoin and his affinitie. Sir, ye understand that in every law the saying of a mans enemies is chalengeable, and rather taken a saying of malice then of treuthe, where, by the correction of the same defaulte, the complainer hath no availe; and so certainly by your counsell is thought here, that it wold be soe taken, and in no other wise, how be it that it be trew: and also a disworship to my lord of Northumberland, that hath the cheif rule there under the king. And as for the matter, to informe my lord of Northum: counsell how ye were entreated at Knasboro - Sir, we enformed my lords counsell according to your comaundement, and they enformed my lord, and my lord said he wold speak with us himselfe, and so did, and this was the answerr: that the cause why he wrote that no court of Sheriff turne shold be holden, was for to shew debate betwixt you and Gascoins affinitie, unto time he might come into the country and se a derection betwixt you - and that he wold 'at the 3 weeks court were holden for discontinuance of mens actions - and that he entended not to dischardge you of your office, ne will not as long as ye be towards him - and that as soune as he comes into cuntry, he shall see such

a derection betwixt his brother Gascoin and you, as shalbe to your harts ease and worship. And that I understand by his counsell, that it shalbe assigned unto you by my lo: and his counsell, what as longes to your office, and Gascoin nott meddle therewithall; and in like wise to Gascoyne. And as for the labour for the bailiships and farmes, Sir, your worship understands what labour is to sue therefore; first, to have a bill enclosed of the King, then to certein lords of the Counsell, (for there is an act made that nothing shall passe fro the King unto time they have sene it,) and so to the privie seale and Chauncellor: so the labour is so importune, that I cannot attend it without I shold do nothing ells, and scarcely in a month speed one matter. Your maistership may remember how long it was, or we might speed your bill of Justice of the peace; and had not my Lo. of Northumberland been, had not been sped for all the fair promisses of my Lo. Chamberlaine. And as for the message to my Lo. Chamberlain, what time I labored to him that ye might be Justice of the peace, he answered thus; that it seemed by your labor and mine, that we wold make a jelosie betwixt my Lo. of Northumberland and him, in that he shold labor for any of his men, he being present. Sir, I took that for a watche word for medling betwixt Lords. As for any matter ye have to do in the law, how be it that it be to me losse of time and costly to labor or medl, as yett I am and alwayes shalbe readie to doe you service and pleasure therein, with the grace of God, who have you evermore in his blessed protection. Written att London, the eight day of November. Your servant, Godfrey Greene. [\8 Nov. anno circiter 1475.\]

[} [\LETTER XXVII.\] }] (^To the right reverend and worshipfull Sir William Plompton, knight, this to be delivered.^) Right reverent and worshipfull Sir, I recomend me unto your good mastership. Please you to witt that I labored to Mr. Pilkinton and to the Chaunceler diverse times for your letter fro the King, and promissed me to move my lord to speak to the King therefore; neverthelesse it was not doon, but when the King comes to London, I shall labour therefore againe. Your writts and (\certiorare\) are labored for, and shalbe had, how be the judges will graunt no (\certiorare\) but for a cause. Ailmer wife was like to have bene non suit in her appeale, for her day was (\octabis martini\) ; but Whele and I certified the judges that she wold come if she were in hele, and out of prison. The judges gifnes her no favour, for they say they understand by credible informations, that these men be not guiltie, and is but onely your maintenance; and so one of them said to me out of the Court. And Guy Fairfax said openly att the barre, that he knew so, verily they were not guilty, - that he wold labor their deliverance for almes, not takeing a penny; and I seing this, took Mr. Pygott and Mr. Collow. Godfrey Grene. [\Anno circiter 1476-7.\]

[} [\LETTER XXVIII.\] }] (^To my most reverent and worshippfull maister Sir William Plompton, knight, be this delivered.^) After all lowly and dew recomendations, I lowly recommend me unto your good maistershipp; certifieing your maistership I sent you by one Wil. Atkinson a letter and the copie of the answerre of the privie seale, and a box with 6 peeces, 5 sealed and one unsealed; and, Sir, the box sealed for your maistershipp took me no more. First, thes tooke me 7, and 2 filed together that were of one, the graunt of Stutvell and the peticion thereon; and they tooke away the petition, and soe I had but 6, whilk I send your mastershipp by the said William in the said box sealed; and if it were so, and the letter delivered to you with the copie, I desire you send word. As for your say, I have sent you a peice of 2 yards and a halfe broad by Grethum of York, the first of Lent. As for the other peice, there is none of lesse bredth then 2 yards; for if I could have any, I should have sent it with the other. And as for the cloth of my ladies, Hen. Cloughe putt it to a shereman to dight, and he sold the cloth and ran away; and yett after Hen: mett with him, and gart him be sett in the Countre, till he founde sewerte to answer at the Gildehall for the cloth. And soe he hath sewed him till he had judgment to recover, which cost him large money; and when he shold deliver it, he delivered another peice, butt that Henry hapned to understand after the recovery wheare he had sould it; and soe it is had againe and it is put to dyeing, and as soune as it is readie, I shall send it by the carrier, for it was fryday in the second week of Lent or it was gettin again. And as for suites in the Kings bench again them in Brereton, and in the Common place again Will. Pulleyne and his suertes, are in proces; and fro they be in exigent, ye shall have the exigent sent

you, as soun as it will be sped. And for the day of appearaunce of Ailmer wyfe, is (\mense Paske\) ; so that she be here the morrow after (\mense Paske\) . I shold have sent you word or that, but that I had nott the (\habeas Corpus\) against John Esomock, and Robart Galaway, and for to see that we were not beguiled by the day of returne and day of appearance; be it my day. And soe I send you now the (\habeas corpora\) and a coppie thereof, and you must desier the sheriffe to serve it, yf so be that ye agre not. And also, Sir, that ye will send word as soon as ye can, if the principalls were delivered not att York, and what way is had betwixt you and them, and if there be any towne or hamlett in Craven that is called Medilton, and that ye send word. And as for your cope, I have cheaped diverse, and under a hundred shillings I can by non, that is ether of damaske or sattin, with flowers of gold; and I send you a peice of baudkin, and another of impereal, to se whether ye will hafe of, and the price. And the bredth of it is elme broade; 3 yards, besides the orffrey, will make a cope: to have of whilk it please you, ether to be made ... or there. And if ye will have it to be made here, it will stand ye to 6 marks or more, with the orfrey and makeing, and that is the least that I can drive it to. The orffrey 32s., the lining and making 8s., and as for a broderer, I can find none that will come soe farre, but any work that ye would have, to send hither and they will do it; and in no other wise they will as yett grant me, but I shall that I may to gett one. Alsoe, Sir, I send your mastership the bill of the expences and costs that I have made since I came hither, and please you to see it and send money the next terme. All other thinges, whilk ye will I do, and I shall doe therein that I ether may or can. I beseech your mastership

to recomend me lowly to my lady; and if I durst, Sir, the matter betwixt my brother Robart and Mr. Gascoines sister, me think, is to long in makeing up, for in long tarriing comes mekell letting. And I beseech the blessed Trinitie have you in his continual keeping. From London, the first day of Aprill. Your servant in all, Robenett P. [\1 April 1476.\]

[} [\LETTER I.\] }] (^To my Right welbeloved Robart Plompton, esquier.^) Right welbeloved frinde, I greet you well. And wheras the Scotts in great number are entred into Northumberland, whose malice with Gods helpe I entend to resist; therfore on the King, our soveraigne Lords behalfe, I charg you, and also on myne as wardeyn, that ye with all such personnes as ye may make in there most defensible arrey, be with me at Topliffe uppon Munday by viij a clocke, as my trust is in you. Written in Wresill, the vij day of September. Your Cousin, Hen. Northumberland. [\7 Sept. 1480\]

[} [\LETTER III.\] }] (^To my welbeloved Robart Plompton.^) Right welbeloved, I gret you well, willing and charging you to be with me in all hast possible after the sight of this my writting; not failing herof, as ye will answere to the Kings highnes and to me at your perill. Written at Lekinfeild, the last day of December. Henry Northumberland. [\31 Dec. 1481.\]

[} [\LETTER IV.\] }] (^To my right trusty and welbeloved freind, Sir Robart Plompton, Kt.^) Right trusty and welbeloved, I greet you well, and will and charg you on the King our soveraigne Lords behalfe, and also on myne, that ye, with all such persones as ye may make defensibly arrayed, be redy to attend uppon the Kings highnes and me, upon our warnyng, as ye love me and will answere to the King at your perill. Written at Lekingfeld, the ix=th= day of October. Your Cousin, Henry Northumberland.

[} [\LETTER V.\] }] (^To the right honorable my especyall good master, Sir Robert Plompton, knight.^) After all due recomendations premysed, pleaseth your mastership to wyt that I have received my fee xxvi (^s.^) viii (^d.^) for Pentycost last past, sent to me by my fader servant, William Coltman, in my most humbly wyse thanking your mastership therfore; neverthelesse I marvell greatly that your mastership wrote not to me, comaunding me to doe you some service at London. Sir, you know my mynd and service, and I am right sory and any synister wayes of my adversaryes be shewed unto you, and not of my deserving; if yt be so, your wryting had bene to me more comfortable then much goods, considryng althings done aforetyme. Such as be your adversaryes in your old matters hath bene with me at London, Master Bryan Roclife, Palmes and Topclyffe, comyning and desyring further to proced in our matters; and saying, ye clame suyt, service and seute, of ther maner of Colthorpe, and for the same merce him in your court at Plompton: if yt be so, in my mynd yt is necessary to aske, distreyne, and levie the sayd amerciments. Pleaseth it your mastership in my most humble wyse to recomend me unto my good ladyes, and to my power service, as I have bene and ever wylbe to my lyfes end, as more at the larg the brynger of this shall shew unto you by mouth, to whom I pray you give credence. In short space ye shall know more for the

best, with the grace of (^Jesu^) , who your mastership preserve. At London, the last day of June. Your humble servant, Edward Plompton. [\30 June 1483.\]

[} [\LETTER VI.\] }] (^To the right honorable and worshipfull my singuler good master, Sir Robart Plompton, knyght, these be delivered.^) The most humble and due recomendations premysed, pleaseth your mastership to recomend me unto my singuler good lady your moder, and my lady your wyfe; humble praying your good mastership to take no displeasure with me that I sent not to you afore this, as my duety was. People in this country be so trobled in such comandment as they have in the Kyngs name and otherwyse, marvellously, that they know not what to doe. My lord Strayng

goeth forth from Lathum upon munday next with x m=l=. men, whether we cannot say. The Duke of Buck: has so mony men, as yt is sayd here, that he is able to goe where he wyll; but I trust he shalbe right withstanded and all his mallice: and els were great pytty. Messengers commyth dayly, both from the Kings grace and the Duke, into this country. In short space I trust to se your mastership; such men as I have to do with, be as yet occupied with my sayd lord. Sir, I find my kinsmen all well dysposed to me; if your mastership wyll comand me any service, I am redy and ever wylbe to my lifes end, with the grace of (^Jesu^) , who ever preserve you. Wrytten at Aldclife, uppon St. Luke day. Your most humble servant, Ed. Plompton. [\18 Oct. 1483.\]

[} [\LETTER VII.\] }] (^To my right hartely beloved cousin, Sir Robart Plompton, kt.^) Right hartely beloved cousin, I commend me unto you. And wheras I conceive, that wheras award was ordred in the matter of variance depending betwixt John Polleyn on the one partie, and Georg Tankard with other taking his parte on the other party, I am enformed that the said parties bene now at traverse in that behalfe, contrary to such derections as were taken. I, willing the pacefying and reformation herof by the advyse of you and other of my counsell, desire and pray you, Cousin, at your comyng to me at Yorke uppon thursday next comyng, to cause the sayd Georg and the other persones to com with you; and that ye shew your good will for the performance herof, as my very trust is in

you, whom God kepe. Written in my Castell of Wresell, the xiiij day of Februarie. Your Cosin, Hen. Northumberland.

[} [\LETTER XII.\] }] (^To my singuler good master, Sir Robart Plompton, kt.^) After most due recomendacions had, pleaseth your mastership in my most lowly wyse to recommend me unto my singuler good

lady. Sir, this day com Wylliam Plompton to labor for Haveray Parke, and brought to me nether byll, wrytteng, nor commandement by words, nor token, fro your mastership; and therof I marvell, considering that at your instaunce I suffered him to occupie the same parke and office for this tyme: and for that cause I am not in certente, whether ye be his good master or noo. Wherfore he hath not spedd as he myght have done if your wrytting had com; notwithstanding, yt is well. Sir, my lord kept his Easter with my lord of Oxford at Laveham, and come to the King uppon fryday last, and comes with the King to Yorke; and my lord of Darby departeth from Notingham into Lancashire. Sir, therle of Oxford, my lord Chamberleyn, with diverse other estates, cometh to the King to Notingham, and so forth to Yorke, as more at large the brynger shall shew to you by mouth. Sir, the first gift that my lady of Syon gave to me, was a par of Jeneper beads (\pardonet\) , the which I have sent to you by the bringer; and if I had a better thinge, I wold have sent it with as good a will and harte: and any service that ye wyll comand me, I am redy, as knoweth our Lord, who preserve you. At Lyncolne, the iij day of Apryll. Your servant, Edward Plompton. [\3 April 1486.\]

[} [\LETTER XVI.\] }] (^To my right trusty and welbeloved cousin Sir Robart Plompton, kt.^) Cousin Sir Robart, I commend me unto you; and wher it is so that diverse gentlemen and other commoners, being within your office at this tyme, hath rebelled against the king, as well in ther being at this last felde, as in releving of them that were against the Kings highnes, I therfore on the kings behalfe strictly charg you, and on myne hartely pray you, for your owne discharg and

myne, that ye incontinently after the sight hereof, take all such persones as be within your office, which this tyme hath offended agaynst the King, and in especiall John Pullen and Richard Knaresborough: and that ye keepe them in the castell of Knarsbrough, in suer keepeing, to the tyme be ye know the kings pleasure in that behalfe. And that this be not failed, as ye love me; and to give credence unto this bearer, and God keep you. Written at Richmound, the xxiii day of Juyn. Se that ye faile not, as ye love me, within the time, and as ever ye thinke to have me your good lord, and as ever I may trust you. Your Cousin, Hen: Northumberland. [\23 June 1487.\]

[} [\LETTER XIX.\] }] (^To my right hartely beloved Cousin, Sir Robart Plompton, knight.^) Right trusty and welbeloved Cousin, I gret you hartyly well. And wheras I conceive that ye prepared yourselfe to have ridden with me to this day of trewe, and now remembring, that

it were not only to your great labor, but also to your cost and great charg, therfore I take me oonly to your good wyll and thankfull disposition, for the which I hartely thanke you, and am right well content and pleased that ye remaine still at home. Written at Derham, the xix day of November. Your Cousin, Hen. Northumberland. [\19 Nov. 1486-7.\]

[} [\LETTER XXII.\] }] (^To my master, Sir Robart Plompton, kt.^) In my most humble and faythfull wyse I recommend me unto your mastership, and to my singuler good lady. This day in the mornyng I spake with my master Gascoyne at Poymfrett, and he comended him to you and to my lady; and then I spake with Sir Rich. Tunstall, and had great commyning with him of (\per et contra\) . Sir, I wold advise your mastership cause William Scargell to take good regard to himselfe and not to use his old walkes; for and he doe, he wylbe taken, and brought to fynd such surety for peace and otherwise, as shalbe to him inconvenient: notwithstanding, the said Master Tunstall gave to me right curteouse words at my departing; but therto is no great trust. For the tyme it is good to dreed the worst, insomuch as the land lyeth in his rule, in the honor of Poymfret. Sir, as for such matters I had with

Robert Lenthorpe, he will give me no perfitt answere unto the begining of the terme; in the meantyme he will speak with a doctor, and send to me a letter to London by one Watkinson of Poymfrett, atturney of the common place, and then your mastership shalbe answered of the premises, with Gods grace, who ever the same preserve in prosperouse felicitie long tyme to endure. From Poymfrett, the xi day of January. Your humble servant, Edward Plompton. [\9 Jan. 1488-9.\]

[} [\LETTER XXV.\] }] (^To my right hartely beloved Cousin, Sir Robart Plompton, Kt.^) Right hartely beloved Cosin, I comannd me unto you, and for right weighty consideration me moving concerning the pleasure of the Kings highnes, on the behalve of his grace, charg you, and on my desire pray you, that ye with such a company, and as many as ye may bring with your ease, such as ye trust, having bowes and arrowes, and pryvy harnest, com with my nepvew, Sir William Gascougne, so that ye be with me upon munday next comeing at nyght, in the towne of Thirske; not failing herof, as my speciall trust is in you, and as ye love me. Written in my mannor of Semar, the xxiiii day of Aprill. Your Cousin, Hen. Northumberland. [\24 April 1489.\]

[} [\LETTER XXIX.\] }] [^TO SIR ROBERT PLUMPTON^] (^To the worshipfull in God Master Plompton, knight, these letters be delivered in hast.^) Right worshipfull Sir, I comand me to you, beyng glad to here of your welfaire. Sir, I hartely thank you for my tennaunts of

Arkenden, praying you of good contynuance, and also for your wryting, the which ye send unto me towching to the lands of myne in Arkenden. Sir, I have sent to you by my servant, Thomas Morton, the copie of my evydents of the ix acres of land, the which they clame intrest for the King. And I trust that I have sent to you such wrytting as shall discharg that matter. Sir, I pray you that ye will shew my matters according to right; and after your good mynd, for I remytt all unto your good wysdome. Sir, yt is so that I am a yong beginner of the world in my office; and Sir, for your good will and counsell I will that my officer reward to you yerly vi=s=. viii=d=. as was rewarded to other men afor tyme, praying you of your good contynuance, and any thing as I can, I will, as knoweth God, who have you in his blessed keeping. Amen. Written at Lilleshull, the xxvi day of May. Your loving frind, The Abbot of Lillishull.

[} [\LETTER XXX.\] }] (^To the right worshipfull Sir Robart Plompton, kt. be this letter delivered.^) Right worshipfull Sir, I recomend me unto you, thanking you, as hartely as I can, for your great kyndnes and gentlenes shewed to me, and to my poore tennaunts in Arkenden. And wheras ye have written to me that one Robart Walkinham is injuried and wronged of his tennor in Arkenden, contrarie to right and concience; wherfore I purposse, sonne after Whitsontide next comyng, to send a brother of myne and other officers to Arkenden, and ther to have a court to be houlden, and right to be had according

to reason and good concience, with the grace of God, who have you in his governance. Written in hast on Tewsday in the ii=d= weeke of lent. Your good lover, The Abbot of Lilleshill.

[} [\LETTER XXXI.\] }] (^To Sir Robart Plompton, kt. in Yorkshire, be this letter delivered in good speede.^) Right worshipfull Sir, we recomennd us unto you. And so it is that dame Joyes Percy hath shewed unto the Earle of Schrewesburie, which is our very good lord, and tender lord in all our rightfull causes, how ye enwrong her of certayne lands lying within our lordship of Erkenden, were ye be our steward; wherein the said lord hath made labor unto us for the sayd Dame Joyes, and desired us that we wold she be not wronged in hir right: and considering how good lord he hath bene, and yet alwayes unto us ys, and remembryng allso, that we, being men of the holy church, owe not to suffer any wrong to be done to any maner of persones within our Lordship, may no lesse doo but effectually tender the sayd lords desire in that behalfe. Wherfore we desire you, that ye will see the sayd Dame Joyes to have all that which she of right ought to have within our Lordship of Erkenden foresayd, so as she find hir not greved, nor have cause to make any more labor to the sayd lord for hir remedy therin. For and she doe,

we must sett some other person in your rome, that will not wrong hir; for we may in no wyse abyd the displeasur of the sayd lord. Tendering therfore this our desire, as we trust you; and our Lord have you in his governance. From Lillishull, the xxviii day of May. Your good loving Abbot of Lilleshull.

[} [\LETTER XXXVI.\] }] (^To my right worshipfull master, Sir Robart Plompton, kt. this bill be delivered.^) Right worshipfull Sir, I recomend me unto your mastership; please it you witt, that I understand that my cousin, Ralfe Hawgh, sendeth to your mastership for such dues as was granted to his mother and to him, by my master your father, and you, under your seales; the which writting and your seales, to come before men of worship and discretion, I am certayne, when ye se him, will not be denyed: for your seals be well knowne, and to show in money other matters in this contry, the which are of great charge. Wherwith, it please your mastership, that after my poore advice, take a direction with him at this tyme; for it will els be proces turne to more cost, and that wold I be right sory fore. From Padley, on Sunday next before St. Mary day in Lent. From yours, Robart Eire. [\anno circiter 1488.\]

[} [\LETTER XXXVII.\] }] (^To the right honorable and my especiall good master, Sir Robart Plompton, knight, be this letter delivered.^) After all due recomendations had, please it youre mastership to witt that Ralfe Haugh, according to the agrement and award betwixt you and him made, hath delivered into my hands all such

evydence as he hath concernyng your mastership, endefferently to be kept unto such tyme as a sufficyent and lawfull estate be made unto the sayd Ralfe of a yerly rent of v mark, for terme of life of the sayd Ralfe; that is to say, a feoffament of trust indented made by your mastership unto me and other of the maner of Darley with the appurtenances, and a letter of atturney according to the same; also ii obligations, one of ccc marke and another of x=li=. Wherfore I besech you to be good master, and to make him a lawfull estate acording to the award, at which tyme all the sayd evydence shalbe delivered unto your hands, or to your assigne, and if ther be any service or pleasure that I may doe, it shalbe done at my power, by Gods grace, who ever preserve you body and soule. Written at Padley, the iiijth day of August last past. Your owne, Robart Eyre, squire. [\4 Aug. 1489.\]

[} [\LETTER XXXVIII.\] }] (^To my lady, Dame Jane Plompton, at Plompton.^) Madame, in my most humble wyse I recomend me unto your good Ladyship, and let you wyte that I have spoken with Master Receyvor; iiij houres space he tarryed me, and he is right lovingly disposed in every thing toward my master and all his, if he have, or may have cause therto: and thus I have left with him to be at

Knarsbrough, the wednesday next after saynt Eline day. And ther, or afore that tyme, if they mete, to do his dutie to my master curtesly, and after that, to be as favorable, and to shew his good wyll to my sayd master in every thing he may doe, as we wyll desire; and then I purpose with Gods grace to be there. And afore the langage that Alan shold say, it is not so; he sayd none such langage. The mylner told Alan that his farme was redy, and if yt so be, I pray you cause the mylner to deliver it to Benson, and if not, to make yt redy agaynst the Receyver come thither; for this I have promysed, and unto that tyme we mete, I besech you speake to my master, that no uncurtes dealing be had with none of his servants. Also ther is a ax that my master clameth the keeping of; I pray you let them have and occupie the same unto the same tyme, and then we shall take a dereccion in every thing, as well in the premyses, as otherwyse, to my masters pleasure and entent, with Gods grace, who preserve you and him both, and all yours. Fro Habberforth, this present Thursday. Your most humble servant, Ed. Plompton. [\anno circiter 1489-90.\]

[} [\LETTER XLI.\] }] (^To my right hartely beloved Cousin Sir Robart Plompton, kt.^) Right hartely beloved Cousin, I commennd me unto you; and wheras I conceive that ther is a grudge depending betwixt you and Sir William Beckwith, knight, I, entending the peacifiyng thereof, desire and pray you to forbere and contynue to do any

thing in that behalfe against the sayd Sir William unto my next commyng into Yorkshire. And then, I shall shew me in such wyse for the reformacion therof, as I trust shall agre with right law and conscience. Wherefore I pray you to conforme you to the accomplishment herof, as my very trust is in you. I have wrytten in like wise unto the sayd Sir William. That now God conserve you. Wrytten in my castell of Warkworth, the xvi day of July. Over this, Cousin, ye shall understand, that the sayd Sir William Beckwith will committ him unto my rule in all behalves, and therfore I pray you to se the premysses performed. Your Cousin Hen. Northumberland.

[} [\LETTER XLII.\] }] (^To my Right hartely beloved Cousin, Sir Robart Plompton, Kt.^) Right hartely beloved freind, I commend me unto you, and pray you to apply your comyng unto me, according unto such order as was taken of late tofore your departure from me; and that ye faile not hereof, as my very trust is in you. Written in my Castell of Wresull, the xx day of Januarie. Yore Cousin, Hen. Northumberland.

[} [\LETTER XLIII.\] }] (^To my Right hartely beloved Cousin, Sir Robart Plompton, Kt.^) Right hartely beloved Cosin, I commend me unto you, and

for certaine considerations me movyng, I will and desire you that ye incontynent after the sight hereof, cum hether unto me, all excuses and delayes laid a part, that it be in nowise failed, as ye intend the pleasure of the Kings highnes, and as ye love me. Written in my mannor of Lekingfield, the vi day of Aprill. Your Cousin, Hen. Northumberland.

[} [\LETTER XLIV.\] }] (^To my Right hartely beloved Cousin, Sir Robart Plompton, Kt.^) Right trusty and welbeloved cousin, I commennd me unto you, and desire and pray you that in such things as my right intierly beloved Cosin, Mary Gascougne, hath to doe with you, as touching hir right of herytaunce, that ye will give unto hir ayde and supportance, as right law and conscience will, as my speciall trust is in you, whom God keep. Written in my mannor of Semar, the first day of Aprill. Your loving Cousin, Hen. Northumberland.

[} [\LETTER XLV.\] }] (^To my Right hartely beloved Cousin, Sir Robart Plompton, knight.^) Right hartely beloved Cousin, I commennd me unto you, and desire and pray you to cause suer search to be made, what horse and cattaille ther be, that goes in my spring within my parke at

Spofford; and such as can be found their, I pray you to se them dryven and voyded out therof: and also henceforth, that ye will se neither horse nor cattell goe within my said spring, as my speciall trust is in you, whom God preserve. Written in my mannor of Semar, the ij day of Aprill. Over this, Cousin, I hartely pray you to se my said parke vewed, and that the dere within the same may be easily delt withall, and what remaines within the same I pray you to certefie me, after the said vew be taken. Yor loving Cousin, Hen. Northumberland.

[} [\LETTER XLVI.\] }] (^To my Right hartely beloved Cousin, Sir Robart Plompton, Kt.^) Right hartely beloved Cousin, I commennd me unto you. And wheras I of late hath had in ward two servaunts of Thomas Myddleton, for hunting within my parke of Spofford, which I send unto you by my servant, Richard Saxston, praying you therfore,

to take an obligation of them, and two sufficient men bounden with them in the sume of xx=li=, to be of good bearing and in law themselfes uppon viii dayes warning, whensoever I send for them; not failing herof as my singuler trust is in you, whom God keepe. Written in my mannor of Semar, the xxvii day of March. Over this, Cosin, I hartely thanke you in executing my commaundement. Your Cousin, Hen. Northumberland.

[} [\LETTER XLVII.\] }] (^To my Right hartely beloved Cousin, Sir Robart Plompton, knight.^) Right hartely beloved Cousin, I commennd me unto you. And wheras variance and discord is dependyng betwixt my servant, Thomas Saxston, and Richard Ampleford, of my Lordshipe of Spofford, the cause wherof, as I am enformed, hath bene, or this, shewed unto you; and if it hath not, I desire and pray you reply to exammaen it, and therupon to shew your lovyng diligence, not onely to se the peace kept in this behalfe, but also to sett the sayd parties at agrement, so that this matter may be pacefied. And for asmuch as ye have the rule ther under me, I pray you to shew you of semblable disposicion, if any matter of varience hereafter happen within your sayd rule; so that the parties sue not to me, if ye by your discret wysdome can reforme it, as my very trust is in you: and in your thus doyng, ye shall shew unto me thankfull pleasure. That knoweth God, who preserve you. Written in my castell of Warkworth, the xv day of June. Cousin, I pray you to se this matter pacefied, that there be no more calling upon me therfore, as my very trust is in you. Yore Cousin, Hen. Northumberland.

[} [\LETTER LII.\] }] (^To my right hartely beloved Cousin, Sir Robart Plompton, Kt.^) Right hartely beloved Cousin, I commennd me unto you, thanking you for my servant Rich. Greene; and desire and pray you, that if Bastard Aldborgh, Richard Leds, or such other as of late, as I am enformed, have made revery and withdrawen goods, contrayrie to the Kings lawes, within the lordship of Knarsbrough, where at ye have rule, can be come by, ye committ them to ward within the castell of Knarsbrough, therin still to remayne unto that ye have further knowledg of my pleasure in this behalfe. Over this, Cousin, where as I have assigneed my servant William Bullocke to levy and receive such rents and fermes, and also arrerages, as are due and growen of the lands that late were William Aldburgh', wherin ye and I, with other, stand infeoffed, and to be reserved to that my pleasure therin be understanden. I therfore desire and pray you, if any person would interupt him in thexecution herof, ye will shew your good will in the lawfull defending therof, and also in the geting of all such hay as is upon the sayd ground; not fayling herof as my speciall trust is in you, whom God kepe. Written in my Castell of Werkworth, the xxxi day of July. Your Cousin, Hen. Northumberland.

[} [\LETTER LIX.\] }] (^To my right trusty and welbeloved Cousin Sir Robart Plompton, kt.^) Right trusty and welbeloved Cousin, I grete you hartely well. And if you have suffered any person, that was under your ward, within the Castell of Knarsbrough, to be delivered at the desire of Sir Thomas Wortley, Kt., I lett you witte that I am not therewith contented. Wherfore, Cousin, see that this be reformed, and not to suffer any person within the said Castell to depart thence, unto that ye have knowledg of the pleasure of the Kings highnes, or from me; as my speciall trust is in you, whom God kepe. Written in thabbey of Funtayns, the xxvi day of Juyn. Your Cousin, Hen. Northumberland.

[} [\LETTER LX.\] }] (^To my right hartely beloved Cosin, Sir Robart Plompton, kt.^) Right hartely beloved Cousin, I commennd me unto you, and desire and pray you to caus a bucke of season to be taken, within the

forest of Knarsbrough under your rule, to be delivered unto this bearer, to the behaufe of the mawer of the Cyte of Yorke and his bredren, and this my writting shalbe your warrant. Wherfore I pray you that this be thankfully served, as my speciall trust is in you, whom God keepe. Written in my manor of Lekinfeild, the xxviii day of Juyn. Yor Cousin, Hen. Northumberland.

[} [\LETTER LXI.\] }] (^To my master, Sir Robart Plompton, knight.^) Pleaseth your mastership, after all due recomandacion, to wyte that this day was hanged at the tower hill iiij servants of the Kings; wherfore, the brynger herof can shew to you by mouth. Other newes, as yet, here is none. Sir, afore your indentures of Mr. Chaunceler, he maketh none unto Candlemesse next, and then he will have a generall awdite, where ye, and all other, shall have your lesses out; and in the meane tyme, every man to ocupie ther owne farmes, notwithstanding the premysses: put ye no doubt therin,

for ye shalbe sure therof, assone as any man of his. I have spoken with Nicholas Lenthorpe, and fele him well dispossed toward you. Sir, if ye send therfore at Candlemasse, send to Mr. Hemson, by the token, I gat him a warrant for a doo of my lord in his parke of Hals yerely. If it please you to assigne me, send me word what increse and approment ye wyll give, and I wyll applie my mynd and service to your pleasure and wele. Sir, I purpose to se your mastership, or to send this Cristinmase, if I may goe home. This day my lord knoweth not whether he goeth home afore this tyme, or noo. If we goe home, I wyll send; if not, I pray you send to me afore Candlemasse. Remember Clement Simpson. Pleaseth your mastership to recomend me to my singuler good lady. And your owne faythfull servant, as knoweth our Lord, who preserve you. Wrytten at London, the xvij day of December. Your humble servant, Edward Plompton. [\17 Dec. 1489.\]

[} [\LETTER LXII.\] }] (^To the right honorable my especyall good master, Sir Robart Plompton, kt.^) After the most humble and due recomendation had, please yt your mastership, that in the most humble lowly wyse I may be recomended unto my singuler good ladies; praying you to have me excused in that I send no wyld fole to you afore this tyme, for in all Lancashire cold none be had for none money. The snaw and frost was so great, none was in the country, but fled away to see; and that caused me that I sent not, as I promysed. Sir, Robart, my servant, is a true servant to me, neverthelesse he is large to ryde afore my male, and over weyghty for my horse; wherfore he hartely desireth me to wryte to your mastership for him. He is a true man of tongue and hands, and a kind and a good man. If yt please your mastership to take him to your service, I besech you to be his good master, and the better at the instaunce of my especyall prayer. Sir, I have given to him the blacke horse that bar him from the feild; and if ther be any service that ye will comand me, I am redy, and wilbe to my lives end at your comandement, all other lordship and mastership layd aparte. My lord kepeth a great Cristinmas, as ever was in this country, and is my especyall good lord, as I trust in a short tyme your mastership shall know. My simple bedfelow, your bedewoman and servant, in the most humble wyse recomendeth hir unto your mastership, and to my ladys good ladyship, and your servants; as knoweth (^Jesu^) , who preserve you. Wrytten at Lathum, the iij. day of January. Your most humble servant, Ed. Plompton, sectory to my lord Straung. [\3 Jan. 1489-90.\]

[} [\LETTER LXIII.\] }] (^To my master, Sir Robart Plompton, Kt.^) In my most humble and faythfull wyse I recomend me to your good mastership, and to my especyall good ladyes. Sir, at my departing I rode according to your comandement by my lady Delphes, a full trobleous way in that great snaw; notwithstanding, I cold not speed of your matters at that tyme. But now she is at London, and promyses me well; the which I trust, as yet, shall speed, afore your atturney come to London, within this vi dayes. He cometh ever at the last Retorne, in the end of the terme; that causeth me to have more busines than nedeth. Your matter in the Excheker is grevous; there is iij wryttes agaynst you.

Whereof, I have a (\dedimus potestatem\) out of the Escheker, and another out of the Chauncre, both derected to Sir Guy Fayrfax, to resayve your hothes and my ladyes. The serch and the copy of the wrytts, out of one cort to another, costeth much money, and the fees of them, and great soliciting. If I had them now redy, I wold have sent them to you; when they be, I pray God send to me a good messinger, or els I must neds send my servant. Afore the iij=th= wrytte, for the entre into Wolfhountlands, all the counsell that I can gett, can shew no way, as yet, necessary for you; save onely I have labored the wrytt proceding agaynst you to be reteyned unto the next terme, and in the meane tyme to purvey our remedy. Fech your pardon and my ladyes, and send them both; for without they will helpe us, I wote not well what to doe in the matter. Incontinent upon the comyng home of master Farfax, ye and my lady ride to his place with your wrytts, for so I am agreed with him; and as hastely as ye can gett down, send up the sayd wrytts with his sertyfycat, for then we must have a (\non molestando\) out of the Chauncery to discharges. The premysses maketh my purse light; to wryte partyclarly the charges, I have no tyme now. Bylby taketh to me no money; neverthelesse when I have, or may make any, your matters shall not slake, nor abate, unto such tyme as your mastership send, as is above sayd. All other matters concerning you to the Kyngs grace and his counsell, I can send to you no word therof as yet. I trust in short space to doe, with Gods grace, who preserve you. Wrytten in great hast, the x day of Feb. Your most humble servant, Ed. Plompton. [\10 Feb. 1489-90.\]

[} [\LETTER LXIV.\] }] (^To my singuler good master, Sir Robart Plompton, kt.^) In my most humble and faythfull mynd I recomend me unto your good mastership, and to my especyall good ladyes; certyfiing your mastership, that I delivered to Sir Richard Thornton, prest, upon Sunday last, to bryng to you, a box sealed, and ther in ij wrytts, one (\dedimus potestatem\) out of the Chauncere, and another out of the Excheker, both derected to Sir Guy Fairfax, and my poore wrytting therwith, the which was right simple, but I besech you have me excused. Though I wryte not at all tymes, as my dutie is to do, Sir, I had never so great busines as I have now for your matters. I know not the causes, but much payne I had to avoyd your appearance in your proper person, as ye shall more at large know by mouth, when I shall speake with you; that shalbe at your comandement. Hall demanded of me grene wax, that I knew not of, and I desired of hym a byll, what he asked of you, and his bokes wanted, he cold give me none; but I trust he wyll not be hasty upon you therfore, and if he be, let Henry Fox speake with him in my name, and pray him to suffer unto my comyng home. I made to him such chere as I cold at London. I have found meanes to convey the wryt, shold goe to the Schereffe of Notinghamshire agaynst you, unto the next terme; then Gode send us good speede therwith. Afore Easter, send upp your pardons, wrytes of (\dedimus\) , and escaptes of instruccion what plee we shall make for you in the Excheker, of, and how, and wherby ye enter your lands and maketh clame; the matter is litle, and ioyus, with

Gods grace, I purpose to be ever all this vacacion, and unto the next terme. I send to you a letter by Robert Beckwith, and more of every thing concerning you and your servants your atturney can shew. I wold, if I myght by wyshe, speak with you one houre, and yt pleased (^Jesu^) , who preserve your mastership in prosperous long to endure. Wrytten at London, the xx day of Febr. My lord Straunge came to the Kings grace uppon Munday last; my lord of Northumberland is in good health, blessed be (^Jesu^) . Please yt your mastership to commend me to my master Gascoyn, if I cold doe to his mastership any service in thes partes, I wold be glad. Robert Blackwall hath sent to you a pattent to seale, as appereth by the same, shewing to him your pleasure of vi=s= viii=d= by yere; and that he toke to no regard: the world is so covettus, I wott not what to say, nor nought I wyll, (\parum sapienti sufficyt\) . Your servant, Ed: Plompton. [\20 Feb. 1489-90.\]

[} [\LETTER LXV.\] }] (^To the right honorable and my especyall good master, Sir Robart Plompton, kt.^) In my most humble and faythfull wyse I recomend me unto

your good mastership, and to my especyall good ladys. Sir, the iij day of May I received your wrytting, and incontinent I labored to David, and spake with him according to your desire; and ther is great labour made to him for to put you from Haveray parke, and offered to him x=li= by yere, and a reward of c=s=. Notwithstanding, I have made such labor; and caused him to be agreable to let yt to you for vi yeare, viii=li= by yeare, and ye to send vi marke to him at Whytsonday next to London, and then and ther ye to have your indentures sealed and delivered, and ye to enter and begine the vi yeare to you and your assignes. Sir, David wrytteth to you in favor of Wylliam Plompton bastard, and for his excuse; and all is but a collor, for doubtles, and I had not layd yt to David discretely dyverse wayes, yt had bene gone from you, for I mad many meanes, or he wold make to me any grant: and because your mastership wrote that ye wold not for xx=li= but ye had yt, according to my dutye, I diligently applyed it to accomplish your pleasure therin. Sir, afor the arbage, dout yt not; for sir Henry Wentforth, nor yet none other, can have it, nor nothinge that belongeth to David. Sir, yt is well done ye remember to send this money, and have your indenturs in all hast possible, and if ther be anything that I know not, that ye wold have comprised within the same indenture, send to me word. Sir, I marvell much of William Plompton, that he sayth that I am not true. I never did him harme, but at your comandement I have done

much for him. Yt is no marvell he that is not naturall, that he cannot love and owe his service to you, though he love not me. I trow, he love all ill that is faythfull and true to you. Sir, what soever any man say, I am, and wilbe, to you and yours true and faythfull while I live, with Gods grace, who preserve you. From Furnyswall, (\vi die\) May. Your humble servant, Edward Plompton. [\6 May 1490.\]

[} [\LETTER LXVI.\] }] (^To the right honorable my singuler good master, Sir Robart Plompton, Knight.^) In my most humble wyse I recommend me unto your mastership, and to my singuler good ladys. Late ye wrote to me a letter, the which I received upon Whitsonday at nyght, touching the departing of Sir Henry Wentworth; and incontinent upon yt, I toke a bote, and went to Grenewich, and shewed the matters to my lord of Derby; and he appoynted me to attend uppon him unto he spake with the King, and so I did; and the Kings grace will in no wyse that Sir Henry Wentworth departe from your country, as more at larg I shall send you word in hast, when I have more sure messinger. Sir, I pray you shew to my ladys

that Byrd of Knasbrough spake to me for certaine things to send them; and he cold cary none, for he went to Hales and many other pilgramages. Wryte in a byll such things as they wold have, and send to me. Sir, ye have a faythfull frynd and servant of Davy ap-i-Kriffith, but I marvell that ye sent not the mony at Pentycost. I am douted that he vary from his grant, ther is so great labor made to him for Havarey. Notwithstanding his letter send to you in the favor of W=m=. Plompton, I am through with him affor my lord of Derby, that ye shall occupie, and put and depute under you whosoever ye wyll, at your pleasure; and so shall your indentures be made, ye observing all covenauntes. And ever your owne to my pore power, as knoweth our Lord, who your good mastership, and my good ladys, with all yours, preserve. From London, (\crastino Corporis\) . Your most humble servant, Ed. Plompton. [\11 June 1490.\]

[} [\LETTER LXVII.\] }] (^To my master, Sir Robart Plompton, knight.^) In my most humble wyse I recomend me unto your mastership, and to my especyall good lades. Sir, I marvell much that your mastership sendeth not the iiij=li= for David; he made to you a grant conditionally that ye shold content and pay to him at London iiij=li= at Pentycost last past, wheruppon ye sent to me a byll that he shold be payd at Mydsommer, and to content his mynd I shewed to him your letter; what I shall say to him, or what excuse to make, I cannot tell. Sir, remember ye may have his parke, xl=s= yerly under the price, by my labor; and if he change and let yt to another, blame not me: I have done my duty. William Plompton hath bene at London with David, and made much labor agaynst you for his fee; and otherwyse, shewed to me a copy of a state and feftment, mad by my master your father to certaine feofes, to his beofe, of lands and tenementes to the value of x mark yerly, for terme of his lyfe, the remaynderie to the ryght heire of William Plompton knight: wherupon he intended to labor a prive

seale to bring you before my lord Chaunceler and the Kings counsell, the which I have stoped as yet. Sir, I pray you send me word in all hast possible of your mynd in this matter, and in especyall the money for David; and our Lord preserve you. Wrytten in hele in great hast uppon St. Peter even. Sir, they begine to die in London, and then I must departe for the tyme and other men do. I wold make you sure of Awerrey, or I departe, fro David. Your servant, Ed. Plompton. [\28 June 1490.\]

[} [\LETTER LXX.\] }] (^To my master Sir Robart Plompton, knyght.^) In my most humble wyse I recomend me unto your good mastership, and to my especyall good Lades. This day I have spoken with master Schereffe, and ther I send Master Blakwall, Master of the Chancery, as the berer can shew to you more by mouth,

and they both comend them to you. Master Schereff hath and wyll doe as much in your matter as I can of reason desire him. At Nothingham, uppon Munday come a senit, must we fynd a office for you. I have bene with Thomas Horton, by the advice of Mr. Schereffe, and pennyt ij inquisicions of dyverse wayes; if one will not serve us, the other shall. Sir, ye have a simple tenant in Maunsfeld Woodhouse. I wold have sent him to Rich: Saxton, for to mete with me at Mr. Schereffs, and he absent him. Any service ye wyll comand me, send me word, and I am yours, as knoweth our Lord, who preserve you. Wrytten at Southwell, the xxiij of September. Your servant, Ed. Plompton. [\23 Sept. 1490.\]

[} [\LETTER LXXI.\] }] (^To my master Sir Robart Plompton, knyght.^) In my most humble and lowly wyse I recomend me unto your mastership, and to my singuler good lady. Sir, I sent to you late wryttings of all matters by Sir Edward Bethom, prest. I thinke long unto I here word from you, whether they come to you in tyme, or noo, and of your welfare. Sir, I had no word seth I parted from Plompton, as many as hath comyn to London. I cannot gyt myne entent of my lady Delphes, wherfore I have comyned with Masters Blunt and Shefeld in this forme; the say they will take yt in ferme, or els make yt exchaunce with you of lands lyeing in Yorkshire, or els pay to you redy money therfore; which of thes iij wayes ye wyll take, I pray you take good advise, and send to me word as hastyly as ye can, for they will not tary here; and I will have no further comunycation therin, tyll I know your pleasure and mynd, for they wyll take hold at a letle

thing. All such newes as I here, John Bell can shew ye by mouth, for he made so great hast, I had no leasure to writt more at larg of al things at this tyme. I thinke long till I here from your mastership, the which (^Jesu^) preserve. At London, the iiij day of November. Your most humble servant, Ed. Plompton. [\4 Nov. 1490.\]

[} [\LETTER LXXII.\] }] (^To my master Sir Robart Plompton, knyght.^) "The replycacion of Margret Scargill to the answere of William Scargill. The same Margrett sayth, that the byll put by her agaynst the sayd William is good and true in every poynt, and that the same John Scargill, named in the sayd byll, made such wyll of the same maner, landes, tenements and other premyses, and every of them, as is surmytted by the same byll; and over that, sayth althings as in the saydbyll is surmytted: all which matter she is redy to prove, as this cort will award, and prayeth as in hir byll is desired." Sir, in my right humble and tender wyse I recomend me unto your good mastership, and to my singuler good ladyes. Sir, I sent to you the copie of the replycacion of Margaret Scargill, wherupon my lord Chaunceler hath, at our speciall desire, comand a (\Dedimus potestatem\) to Sir Guy Fayrfax, to heare and examyn ther proves and ours both, in Yorkshire; wherfore I wold advise your mastership to shew your copies of ther byll, our answere, and there replicacion to Mr. William Fayrfax, that he may be perfitt by them, and your instruccion in the matter, and to be for William Scargyll afore Master Sir Guy, at that day of

his sytting, with all other proves most necessary for him; and in any wyse se that William Scargill agre with Watson, and bryng him up with him to London to release his suerty for the peace, or else he must fynd other suertyes, and that is costly: and if he fayle, he must go to ward, or els loose c marke, and every one of hus iiij l marke, the which God forbyd shold be. Sir, afore your lands in Crakenmarsh, I can not deale with my lady Delfs; I find hir varyable in hir promyse; wherfore I have, according to your comandment, letten them in your name to Mr. Blunt by indenture, as more at larg appereth by the same, the which I sent to you within this box inclosed under my seale; and ye to subscrybe your hand, and to send a servant of yours with the same box and indentures to thabbay of Dale, and ther to se thabbot and convent seale the obligation for suerty of your rent, as in them is specified, and to wryt his name down to deliver one parte to Mr. Blount, and retine another parte for you with the obligation. All such matters as ye wrote for by Georg Croft, dout not for them; I have and shall remember them to thaccomplishment of your mynd, with grace of (^Jesu^) , who you and yours long preserve in prosperous felicite to endure. From London, the xxvij day of November. Your humble servant, Ed. Plompton. [\27 Nov. 1490.\]

[} [\LETTER LXXVIII.\] }] (^To my right hartely beloved Cousin, Sir Robart Plompton, kt.^) Right hartely beloved Cosin, I comaund me unto you. And for as much as I am distetute of runyng hounds, I desire and pray you to send me a copple with my servant, this bringer. And of thing like I have fore your pleasure, it shalbe redy. Written in my lodging at Spetell of the street, the xxix day of October. Over this, Cousin, I pray you to send me your tame haert, for myne dere ar dead. Your Cousin, Hen: Northumberland.

[} [\LETTER LXXXVII.\] }] (^To my master, Sir Robart Plompton, knight.^) In my right humble wyse I recomend me unto your good mastership. I have receyved your wrytting and the credaunce of your servant. And in stopping and letting of your prevy seale, at the instance and especyall labour of my Master Gascoygne, my lord Prevey Seale hath done that he myght with reason, insomuch that he lettyt yt, and comaunded Mr. Bele, clark therof, that none shold passe, unto such tyme as all the lords of the Kings counsell commanded yt to passe, upon his surmyse and complaynt, wherof I sent to you a copye. And when we sought no remedy, we found the meanes that Ch. Kilborne, and sufficient suertyes with him, shold be bonden in a reconusance of x=li= to content and pay the cost and charg, if his surmyse and byll of complaint be founden insufficyent and not true. My sayd Mr. Gascoygne hath dyligently applyed your matter, as much as is possible for to doe, as your servant Geffray can shew unto you more at large every thing by mouth; and as yet he can get no surtyes. Wherfore my lord abbot of St. Mary Abbay shewed to me this day, that his servant Kilborne wold have a writ, (\subpena\) . Sir, for that I have lade good watch. Also my lord abott told me this day, that Edmound Thwaites hath sene his evedence, and sath that your mylne standeth uppon his ground and more, and that he is not your ward. Wherby I perceive well, he haught a favor and good lordship to his servant Kilborne. He desired the matter to be put

upon my lord of Surrey and him. And I answered, that the matter concerned your inherytance, and a matter of land, the which cold in no wyse be rightfully determyned without learned counsell. Sir, I trust we shall so provide for him here, that he shal not have all his intent, with Gods grace, who preserve your good mastership, and my singuler good ladys, and all yours, long tyme to endure with encrease of grace and honor. From Furnywalls Inne, the xxvi of October 1495. Your humble servant, Ed. Plompton. [\26 Oct. 1495.\]

[} [\LETTER LXXXVIII.\] }] (^To my singular good master Sir Robart Plompton, knyght.^) In my right humble wyse I recomend me unto your good mastership, and to my singuler good lady. Afore, my lord of Carlel hath passed so by the way, at his lodging at Poumfret and Scroby, that as yet I spake not with his lordship. I spake with his servants, and they shewed to me Ch. Kilborn rideth not up with him. Yt was shewed me that uppon Thursday last ther was a great Justice sat at Wentbrig; I wold fayne know what was done ther, and afore that, in such matters as concerned you. Master Tailbose was at Colliweston uppon tuesday, wedensday, and thursday last, as the

bringer can shew; els I wold have written much more. My lord of Darby departith towards London upon munday come a senit. Davy recomend him to your mastership, and when we come to London, ye shall have a strayt restreynt for Haveray. Our lord preserve you and all yours. At Stampforth, (\crastino Hallarii\) . Your humble servant, Ed. Plompton. [\14 Jan. 1495-6.\]

[} [\LETTER XCI.\] }] (^To my master Sir Robart Plompton, knight, at Plompton.^) In my right humble and harty wyse I recomend me unto your good mastership, and to my singuler good lady. The ix day of February I received your wrytting, the which was to me great comforth. The contents therof was moved to my lord Prive seal afore that, by Percyvall Lambeton, as he shewed to me, and as he

hath wrytten to you the scanty in every thing of my lords mynd in that behalfe; the which, me semeth, right good and necessary for you. And yt pleaseth you, when my lord cometh into your country, to se him, and ride a myle or ij with him, and wellcome him to the country; yt will doe good many wayes. Sir, afore credaunce of Ewene Barle, he gave none to me but for these premyses, and that, I thinke, nedeth no more labor nor cost; for when my sayd lord had answered reasonable therin, yt sufficeth for the same. Also I send herin a byll of discharg for your fine, and I wold I myght have content the same fyne at the last terme, [{but I spared for the more advauntage,{] for ye payd none syth Trenetie terme unto now. And your owne, and ever wylbe, to my power, as knoweth our Lord, who ever preserve you and yours in prosperous long tyme to endure. From Furnywalls Inn, the xiij of February. Your humble servant, Ed. Plompton. [\13 Feb. 1495-6.\]

[} [\LETTER XCIV.\] }] (^To my singuler good master, Sir Robart Plompton, kt.^) In my right humble wyse I recomend me unto your good mastership, and to my singuler good lady; acertaynyng you that ther is in thes partes a great talking, of those that belong and medle

with Mr. Hemson, that he intendeth to attempt matters agaynst you in the title of the heire of John Suttell. Wherin he moved and brake the same unto Mr. Gascoyne, of whom he had a discret and good answere, as thus. He desired my sayd Mr. Gascoyne to be favorable to him in the premysses; and he answered to him, and sayd thus: "if your matter were against any man in England except my uncle, I wold take your parte; but in this ye must have me excused," with dyvers words more concerning your honour and wele. Sir, the sayd Mr. Hemson moved this matter greatly, and maketh his frinds; and divers that he hath broken his hart and mynd too, hath told me the same, and his saying afore,

as they knew. If yt plese your mastership, to cause your loving frinds and servants to have knowledg therof. Sir, I shewed to a gentleman, that is of counsell and fee with Master Hemson, and a companyon of myne, how that Kyng Richard, in his most best tyme, and the first yere of his reigne, having you not in the favor of his grace, but utterly against you, caused them to have a parte of your lands by his award and ryall power, contrary to your agrement and all right conscience; the which I trust to God wylbe called againe. Sir, ye have many good frinds and servants, and moe, with Gods grace, shall have; this is the matter I thinke no dout yn. Ye have a great treasour of Mr. Gascoyne. If ther be any service your mastership wyll comand me, yt shalbe done to the uttermost of my power, as knoweth our Lord, who preserve you. Written in Furnyvalls Inne, the iij day of Feb. 1496. Your humble servant, Ed: Plompton. [\3 Feb. 1496-7.\]

[} [\LETTER XCVI.\] }] (^To my master, Sir Robart Plompton, kt.^) In my humble and most hartyest wyse I recomend me unto your good mastership, and to my singuler good lady. Sir, yt is so that certaine lovers and frinds of myne in London hath brought me unto the sight of a gentlewoman, a wedow of the age of xl yeres and more, and of good substance; first, she is goodly and beautyfull, womanly and wyse, as ever I knew any, none other dispraysed: of a good stocke and worshipful. Hir name is Agnes. She hath in charg but one gentlewoman to hir daughter, of xii yer age. She hath xx marc of good land within iij myle of London, and a ryall maner buylded therupon, to give or sell at hir pleasure. She hath in coyne in old nobles, c=li= - in ryalls, c=li= - in debts, xl=li= - in plate, cx=li=, with other goods of great valour; she is called worth m=li= beside hir land. Sir, I am bold upon yor good mastership, as

I have ever bene; and if yt please God and you that this matter take effect, I shalbe able to deserve althings done and past. She and I are agreed in our mynd and all one; but hir friends that she is ruled by, desireth of me xx marke jointor more then my my lands come too; and thus I answered them, saying, "that your mastership is so good master to me, that ye gave to my other wyfe xii marke for hir joyntor in Stodley Roger, and now, that it wyll please your sayd mastership to indue this woman in some lordship of yours of xx marke duryng hir lyfe, such as they shalbe pleased with: and for this my sayd frinds offer to be bounden in m=li=." Sir, uppon this they intend to know your pleasure and mynd prevely, I not knowing; wherfore, I humbly besech your good mastership, as my especyall trust is and ever hath bene above all earthly creatures, now for my great promotion and harts desire, to answer to your pleasure, and my wele and poore honesty; and I trust, or yt come to pase, to put you suertie to be discharged without any charg: for now, your good and discret answere may be my making. For, and she and I fortune by God and your meanes togyther, our too goods and substance wyll make me able to doe you good service, the which good service and I, now and at all tymes, is and shalbe yours, to joperde my life and them both. Sir, I besech your good mastership to wryte to me an answere in all hast possible, and after that ye shall here more, with Gods grace, who preserve you and yours in prosperous felicyte longtyme to endure. Wrytten in Furnywall Inne in Olborn, the ij day of March 1496. Your humble servant, Ed. Plompton. [\2 March 1496-7.\]

[} [\LETTER XCVII.\] }] (^To my singuler good master, Sir Robart Plompton, Kt.^) In my right humble wyse I recomende me unto your good mastership,

and to my singuler good lady, your wyfe; and wher it hath pleased Almighty (^Jesu^) of his grace, by meanes of my lovers and frinds, to bryng me to the sight and acquantance of a gentlewoman in London, whose name is Agnes, late wife of Robert Drayate, gentilman, who is a woman that God hath indued with great grace and vertue. She is wyse and goodly, and of great substance, and able for a better man then I am. Notwithstanding it pleaseth, so that I myght content her frinds mynds for her joyntor of xx marke by yere that they demand of me. My answare is to them, that I have no lands but in revercion; and that yt pleaseth your good mastership to give my last wyfe xii marke by yeare out of your lands, and my especyall trust is, that it will please your mastership, for my promotion, and in especyall for my harts desir and wele, that faythfull is set upon this sayd gentlewoman, to grant and make sure to hir a jointer of xx marke yerely over all reprises, during her life. And I besech you so to do, and that the berer herof may be certayne of your mynd in the premysses, and also answere to them by your wrytting of the same. This don, incontinent after Easter I trust in (^Jesu^) to fynish this matter; for they demaund of me certayne lands and goods, as more at large appereth within a byll here inclosed, the which I observed in every poynt to thaccomplishment of ther pleasures. Sir, you know I have no lands, nor lyving in substaunce, but onely of you; and this hapen, I shall be more able to do your mastership service. From London, in my sayd master lodging, the x of March, 1496. Your humble servant, Ed. Plompton. John Chasser of Lyncolnes. Sir William Chamber, Chaplaine. Edward Chesseman. [\10 March 1496-7.\]

[} [\LETTER XCVIII.\] }] (^To my singuler good master, Sir Robart Plompton, Kt.^) In my most humble wise I recomend me unto your good mastership, and to my especyall good lady. Sir, I sent a letter this last weke to you by James Colton, servant to Master Gascoyne, to shew to your mastership my fortune at this tyme. If your mastership be, (as I doubt no other in my mynd, nor with my words to noble men of worship, but that ye be,) my good master, the which hath, and ever shalbe, to your honour and profitt, though I have afore this bene chargable to you, now, I trust in God, as true and profitable to be, as ever I was, and much more, and able to restore and amends make of all cost done to me afore tyme. Sir, I besech you after your most discret mynd and wysdome to answere this messenger, that shall com to you for this jointor of xx marke, both in words and in your wrytting, so that yt be to your honour, my poor honestie, and truth, and making in this world; for uppon that answere lyeth my great wele, and if yt were otherwyse, my utter undoing for ever, the which God forbyde. Yt shall cost your mastership no peny more, nor charge to you; for if your mastership say to him that ye are content, and will grant and make to him this joyntor incontinent after our marriage, when we two shall come to you, and so shew yt lovingly to the sayd messenger, and in your wrytting to them agayne, then all is done: for when I am maryed to her, thes men that now are counsellers shall bere but litle rome. And therfore, this is a matter of no charg, and to me great promotion all maner of wayes. She is amyable and good, with great wysdome and womanhead, and worth in land yerly xx marke and more, to you at hir wyll, the which, I trust in God, shalbe loving for you and yours in tyme to come for ever. Also in gold and silver, coyned and uncoyned, D=li=, I thinke

veryly, as I perceyve by hir. Beside hir lands, in all she is worth m=li= marke and more. She hath refused for my sake many worshipfull men and of great lands; some of them hath offered to hir xl=li= joyntor within London: notwithstanding, she is to me singuler good mystres, as after this your mastership shall know. This same day she gave to me a chayne of gold, with a crosse set with a ruby and pearles, worth xx=li= and more. And because that ther messinger shall bryng my letter with him that they se, for I clossed yt afore, to show your mastership my mynd, I besech your mastership to cause him that shall come with these lettres from my mystres and hir counsellors, to have good chere, [{and that I trust to deserve,{] and to send to me a bill by the same, as yt shall please you. Sir, I have sent to you iij yerds of whit dameske for a cowrenet, as good as I cold bye any, and I wold have sent much more things, save only my businesse is great. Also I have payd your fyne in the Excheker, but I take not out a discharge unto the next terme, because I purpose to get a grant more. Also I besech your mastership to shew that sayd messinger, that ye had no word from me this vi weke, and no man in your place to know from whence this berer come, lest that ther messinger shold understand of my sending. Please yt your mastership to give credence unto this berer, and let him departe or the other man come with the letters; and all such service as yt pleseth you to comand me, yt shalbe done, with Gods grace, who evermore preserve you and yours in health and honor. Wrytten in Furnywalls Inne, the 19 day of March, 1496. I humbly pray your mastership to cause the messinger to speake with my Lady, and if hir ladyship wold send by him a token to my master, yt shall avale hir another of xx tymes the valor. Now, and my good lady wold of hir great gentlenes and noble mynd send a token, as is within wrytten, I cold never deserve yt to hir, for yt shold be to me great honesty, and the greatest that ever I had; for by your mastership and hir,

I am put to more worship than ever I shold have comyn to. Sir, as I wrote in, I was purposed to have sent a fellow of myne to your mastership, but now I send this my wrytting by Preston, servant with my master Gascoyne. Pleaseth your mastership to kepe this byll, and whatsoever you doe for me in word, cost, and wrytting, yt shalbe mine, when we be maryed, to relesse and unbynd; and so I will. Sir, I besech you, pray my lady to make the messinger that shall come from my mystres good chere. I know not as yet what shall come, but as I am infirmed, a gentilman of Clementts Inne. I besech your mastership, and my good lady both, to take no displeasure with my simple wrytting this tyme, for my mynd is set so much otherwyse, that I cannot perfictly do my duty. Our Lord preserve you. Your servant, Edw. Plompton. [\19 March 1496-7.\]

[} [\LETTER XCIX.\] }] (^To my singuler good master, Sir Robart Plompton, Kt. deliver these.^) In my right humble wyse I recomend me unto your good mastership, and to my singuler good lady. Sir, I have bene at Sacombe, and had theder with me from Ware William Barloe,

goodman of Christofer and William Waman, now for the tyme baly; and of thos I have bylls, of the which I sent to your master the copies, of such woods as is sold late. The maner goeth downe and decayeth, and all the houses about yt; the woods are clene destroyed and ligly to be in hast. I have given and done, as fare as I myght, in comandment and charge for further felling, and carying such as are felled and remane ther. Necessary it were, me seames, that ye made a bargan with Master Hastyngs, and it wold be. It is a fayre lordship, and yt were well gidded; it is ix myle to compasse about. Sir, I have done good ther and avantaged much wood and tymber, both as well felled as not felled, and my doings wyll stand. I have put the byers in great fere. I pray you, master, in all hast possible send to me word of your mynd in the premysses and all other, and a byll of such lands as ye are content

to departe with to Kilborne in exchange, and if ye wyll have the (\surcrortr\) . Our Lord (^Jesu^) preserve you and all yours. From London, the xvi of February. Your humble servant, Edward Plompton. [\16 Feb. 1496-7.\]

[} [\LETTER CI.\] }] (^To his especyall good master Sir Robart Plompton, knight, at Idell, in hast.^) Sir, please yt your mastership to understand that I sent a letter to you with Bryan Pullan of Gawkthorp of all the cyrcumstance of the matter betwene my master and your son and his wyfe, and William Babthorp; and as that none ther wold be. But the (\venyre facias\) com in servid. Sir, so yt is now that suerly they intend to have a (\habeas corpora\) agayn the Jurrours with a (\nisi prius\) this next assise in Lent, at Yorke. Therfore, Sir, ye must make speciall frynds to the Jurrours, that they may be labored specially, to such as ye trust wylbe made frindly in the cause. Sir, I have letten Mr. Kyngesmell see the dede of gift of the chaunchry of Elton, and shewed to him as your mastership presented in after the deith of the last Incumbent, which presentee was

in by the space of iiii or v dayes at the least, and desired of hym to have his best counsell. And he answered to me thus; that (\subpena\) lay not properly in the case: but the best remedy for your Incumbent was to have assise at the common law, if any land belonged to the sayd Chaunchre. And if he had no land, then to have a spoliacion in the spirituall court agaynst the preyst that now occupyeth, because he is one disturber, or els to suy a (\quare Impedit\) at the comon law. And so is to take no (\subpena\) . And for these causes I rest to I know your pleasure ... wryting. Sir, as for the (\subpena\) agaynst Sir John Hastyngs, I shall remember it. The accion of wast agaynst Sir John Hastings goeth forward, as fast as the law wyll serve. And if ther be any other service to doe, it shalbe done to all my power, with Gods grace, who be your preservor. From Lyncolns Inn at London, this tuesday next Candlemas day. Your servant and bedman, John Pullan. [\29 Jan. 1498-9.\]

[} [\LETTER CVIII.\] }] (^To his right worshipfull father, Sir Robart Plompton, kt. be these delivered in most godly hast.^) Right honorable and worshipfull father and mother, in the most

lowliest wyse that I can, I mekely recomend me unto you, desiring to here of your welfaire and prosperitie, the which I pray almyghty (^Jesu^) long to continue to his pleasure, and to your most joy, and comforth, and harts ease. Also, father, my brother William hartely and mekely recomendeth him unto you, and unto my lady my mother, desiring you of your dayly blessing. And I allso lowly pray you of your dayly blessing, the which is as glad unto me, as unto any child that you have, for I have no other father but you, nor no other mother but my lady; for my speciall trust is in you. Therefore I pray you take me as your poore son; a beadman for my prayer you shall wyt I life. Sir, if it pleaseth you to know that a munday my brother was at Thornton brygge, and I were; all, blessed be almyghty (^Jesu^) , be in gud health. And my sister Margaret, and my wife, and my sister Elinor lowly recomend them unto you and unto my lady, praying you of your daly blessing, the which is better unto them then any worldly goods. Veryly, Sir, Master Nevell nor Mrs. Nevell, neither of them was at home; but his brother was at home, and he made us very great chere as myght be. Also, Sir, I am very sory that the death seaseth not at Plompton, but I trust to almyghty (^Jesu^) that his

great mercy and grace [\SOME WORDS ARE HERE OMITTED\] send to my lady hir joy and comforth, and to all your frinds, as my daly prayer shalbe therfore. Sir, the cause of my wryting is but to heare of your gud welfare, the which is to me great joy and comforth. And, Sir; I lowly pray you and my lady, my mother, to take this letter in good parte, for it is wrytten hastyly with my own hand, and without the 'vise of any other body; for I trow you had rather have it of my owne hand, then of another bodyes. Also, Sir, John Tynderley recomendeth him unto you and unto my lady, my mother, gladly willing to heare of your welfare. No more unto you, good father, nor mother, at this tyme, but pray the holy Trenytie to have you in his blessed keepinge. Your good son and beadchild, German Pole. [\anno circiter 1499.\]

[} [\LETTER CIX.\] }] (^To my right worshipfull brother, Sir Robart Plompton, kt. this byll be delivered.^) Right worshipfull brother, I recomend me unto you, and to my lady, and also to my daughter and yours, with all my other yong cousins, desiring hartely to here of your welfaire and theres both, which I besech (^Jesu^) preserve unto his pleasure and your harts comforth, ever thanking you, and my lady both, of the great worshipe and gud chere, that I and my frinds had at my last beyng with you. Brother, yt is so that your farward, Christofer Law, is departed of this word and hath left behind him a wyfe and vii

smale children, wherfor I hartely pray you to be gud master unto hir, so that she might have hir farme, and the rather for my prayer. And if it please you, when your servants come over into this contry, that they will have my mynd in the letting of the sayd house; and I trust to take such wayes therin, as shalbe for your worship and profit both, as (^Jesu^) knoweth, who ever preserve you. At Padley the tewsday next afore St. Luke day in hast. Your loving brother, Robart Eyre. [\15 Oct. 1499.\]

[} [\LETTER CX.\] }] (^To his especyall good master Sir Robart Plompton, knight, be these delivered.^) Right worshipfull Sir, I recomend me unto your mastership. Sir, laytly I sent wryting to my father to convey to you, which I trust be comes to your hands afore this tyme; in which wrytinge is conteyned how the Justices of the Common Place awarded a new (\venire facias\) betwyxt my master, your son, and Wylliam Babthorpp; and also in a lytle byll therin, is contayned the names of such persones as the sayd Wylliam Babthorpp entended to have had reconnyd in the first (\venire facias\) . I wold your mastership made specyall labor to have one indefferent pannell of the Coroners; they must be labord by sum frynd of yours. Sir, the proces in thaccion of West goeth forward, as fast as the law wyll serve. Sir, I receved two letters from you with xxvi=s= viij=d=, and all such copies, as was conteyned in your wryting. Sir, so yt was that Parkin Warbek and other iij were arreyned, on satterday next before the making herof, in the Whithall at Westmynster for ther offences, afore Sir John Sygly, knight marshall, and Sir John Trobilfeild; and ther they all were attended, and judgment given

that they shold be drawn on hirdills from the Tower, throwout London, to the Tyburne, and ther to be hanged, and cutt down quicke, and ther bowells to be taken out and burned: ther heads to be stricke of, and quartered, ther heads and quarters to be disposed at the Kyngs pleasure. And on munday next after, at the Gildhalle in London wher the Judges, and many other knyghts, commysioners to inquer and determayn all offences and trespasses; and theder from the Tower was brought viij presoners, which were indited, and parte of theme confessed themselfe gyltie, and other parte were arreyned: and as yet they be not juged. I thinke the shall have Judgement this next fryday. Sir, this present day was new barresses made in Westmynster hall, and thether was brought Therle of Warwek, and arrened afore Therle of Oxford, being the Kyngs grace comyssioner, and afore other Lords, (bycause he is a pere of the Realme) whos names followeth; the Duke of Bokingham, Therle of Northumberland, Therle of Kent, Therle of Surrey, Therle of Essex, the lord Burgenny, lord Ormond,

lord Deyngham, lord Broke, lord of Saynt Johns, lord Latymer, lord De la Warre, lord Mountioy, lord Daubeney, lord Hastings, lord Barns, lord Zowch, lord Sentmound, lord Willughby, lord Grey of Wylton, and lord Dacre. And ther Therle of Warweke confessed thenditments that were layd to his charge, and like Judgment was given of him, as is afore rehersed. When thes persones shalbe put in execution I intend to shew to your mastership right shortly; and give credence unto this berrer. From Lyncolns Inne at London, this xxi day of November. By your servant and bedman, John Pullan. [\21 Nov. 1499.\]

[} [\LETTER CXI.\] }] (^To my right worshipfull brother, Sir Robart Plompton, kt. these be delivered.^) Right worshipfull Brother, I recomend me unto you, and to my lady your wyfe, and to my daughter and to yours, with all my other cousins your childred, desiring to heare of your welfaire and thers both, which I besech (^Jesu^) preserve unto your most harts comforth; evermore thanking you and my gud lady, your wyfe, of the great and worshipful chere I and my kynsmen had with you. Brother, ye be remembred how the writings of the covnaunte of marage of my son and your daughter, as it be not made upp by the 'vise of learned counsell; wherfore, if it please you to apoynt any day, and please about the beginyng of Lenten, when that I myght wayt uppon you, I wilbe glad to wayt upon you, and

a learned man with me: and all such promyse as I have made on my party shalbe well and trewly performed, with the grace of (^Jesu^) , for ye shall find me ever one man. Also, brother, I pray you that ye wold send me by my servant, William Bewott, this bringer, the payment which I shold have of you att Candlemas last past, for I have put myselfe unto more charge, since I was with you, then I had before. For I have maryed another of my daughters, and I have begon to make a wall about my parke that I shewed you I was mynded to do, which, I trust, when ye see it, ye will like it well. Praying you not to fale herin, as my trust is in you, and to give credence to this bringer. No more but (^Jesu^) preserve you. Written at Padley on St. Valentyne day with the hand of your brother, Robart Eyr. [\14 Feb. anno 1499-1500.\]

[} [\LETTER CXIII.\] }] (^To the right wyrshypful Sir Robert Plompton, kt. in hast.^) Right wyrshipful Sir, and my special good mastre, after dew recomendations had, I hartily thank your good mastership that it wold please you to cause mee to bee praied for. I beseeche Almighty God that I may live to do you such service therfore, as may contente your mastership. I received your letter by Mr. Sygskyke, clerk, and 2 ryals closed therin; and acording to your commandement I have retained in the Exchequer, by the advice of Mr. Blakewall, Mr. Denny; in the Chauncry, Porter, and given unto them ther fees. I have delivered all your letters, and from Mr. Blakwall, I trust, ye have answer by one of Mr. Gascoygne servants. And also for all things compresed in your first letter that I received by John Wadd, as touching any accion to be taken aganst you, or any (\diem clausit extremum\) for any office to be founde, I shall doe therin as much as lyeth in my power, that your mastership may have knowledg therof. If ther be any such wryt made, yt must be in Porters office, and he hath promysed me that ther shall none passe, but he shall give me knowledg therof; and if ther come any (\Inquisicio virtute officii\) , it must come into the office, wherat Mr. Deene is dayly: wherfore, I trust to

God that your mastership shall have knowledg, if any such things fortune. They have made search in the Escheker for the perdon that was pledet, suppose the title had bene made therin as here to Sir William, and when they saw that it was by feffment, they were not well content. The names that are in the byll for to be schereff; (^Not: and Derb:^) Sir Ralfe Langford, Ormound, and Such; (^Yorkshire^) , Sir William Bulmer, Sir William Engelby, and Sir W. Griffith. Sir Humfrey Stanley labors to be Schereffe in Staffordshire: herof I shall acertan you, as sonne as the byll cometh from the King. I have receyved from your mastership xl=s=; at the end of this terme, I shall send you a byll of all the matters of this terme; and as for the accion which procedeth against Sir John Hastyngs, I shall contynue yt to the next terme, by the grace of God, who ever kepe you and yours. From London, with the hand of your servant, the x day of November. Georg Emerson. Sir, also yt was shewed unto me by one Master Newdigate, that thes names for (^Not: and Derb:^) were put in the byll by the labor of the sayd Master Newdigate, at the request and desire of Sir William Meryngs heire. And yt please your mastership, me semes that yt were well done to send unto M=r= Meryng, to know wheder he wilbe frindly in thes matters or no; and if he may doe any thing with the above named personnes. [\10 Nov. 1500.\]

[} [\LETTER CXVI.\] }] [^TO SIR ROBERT PLUMPTON^] (^To my Uncle Plompton, be thes delivered.^) Uncle Plompton, I comennd me unto you. And where I should have bene with you to morow at Selbie, in good fayth it is so that I was yesterday so crased and sicke that I kept my bedd all day, and this day I am not of power to goe, nor ride as yet. And also there is with me my uncle Ward, Thomas Lawrance, Ralfe Nevell, and others; but that notwithstanding, if I had my health, I should be with you. And if ye cannot conclud tomorrow, appoynt a new day, and I shalbe glad to be with you with grace of (^Jesu^) , who ever keepe you. Scribbled at Gaukthorp, this fryday in hast. Your nepho, William Gascoygne.

[} [\LETTER CXVII.\] }] (^To his worshipfull Uncle, Sir Robart Plompton, kt. deliver these.^) Right worshipful Uncle, I comennd me unto you, praying you to send me all such evidence, as ye have concernyng any lands or tenements in Tokwith; so that I may have them at Tadcaster this nyght, for the matter is in communication there: and the sayd evidence shalbe safly kept for you, as knoweth Almyghtie

(^Jesu^) , who evermore preserve you. Written at Tadcaster this fryday. Your nepho, William Gascoygne.

[} [\LETTER CXVIII.\] }] (^To the worshipfull Sir Robart Plompton, kt. deliver these.^) Right worshipfull Sir, and my especiall good master, after due recomendations had, I hartyly thanke your mastership for many great things done for me afore this, beseching Almighty God that I may doe your mastership some service therfore. I receyved your letter by George Crose, and as for all your great matters, as yet nothings sayd; yet yt is shewed me that they purpose suerly to have an assise this somer. Wherfore I trust your mastership doth provide for the best remedy, which after my mynd is to make many frinds and of the best. I send unto your mastership closed in this box the sawar for the Inditement, according to your comandement, which is (\retornabile xv Trinitatis\) . And thus Almyghty (^Jesu^) preserve your mastership and all yours to his pleasure. From London, the first day of May, with ond of your servant to his power. Georg Emerson. [\1 May 1500.\]

[} [\LETTER CXIX.\] }] (^To the right worshipfull and his speciall good master, Sir Robart Plompton, kt. deliver these.^) Right worshipfull Sir, I recomend me unto your mastership, letting you understand that laytly I wrott to you a letter of your

matters; where was, that the great man E., as far as undoubted as I can know, intendeth to have assyses agaynst you. Wherfore tyme is to labor as well the Schereffes, as all your frynds, and every country where your land lyeth. It is for that the said great man E. with other of the Kyngs counsell, sitting for assessyng of fynes for knyghts, ... which may doe hym pleasure, he is intreated scecretly to owe his good will; ye may have trial by lyklyhed what ther answere shalbe: thus he under myneth. But let you for no labour. All such copies of your matters resteth in my keeping. And this was your lawiers conclusion; that your mastership should take a sure frynd to se all your evydence (which I thynke after my mynd must be Mr. Eleson), to this intent: that your sayd counsell may have all the estayts made by your graynser and father, as well uppon marrage lesses, as other wayes, and in lykwyse, how all the sayd estats come home agayne, wrytten (\verbatim\) in paper: and to have all your new esvedence by your father to John Norton and others, and estats made to have to your father for terme of lyfe: and to send copies of all matters proving matrymony betwyxt my sayd master your father, and my lady your mother: and further prove which of the sayd feffees was

present at possession. Loke they be at London the begining of this next terme, with xl=li= ... Sir Richard and ij men, and the sayd copies. If Mr. Eleson can find any of your lands talled to the here male, send copies therof; I thinke none be. And thus the holy Trenety send good speed to yours. From Lyncolns Inn, at London, this tuesday in the crose dayes. Your servant, John Pullan. I find no sure frends in all cause but George Emerson. Yaxley and Frowick, serieants, and Brook and Edgar are your counselors. [\18 May 1501.\]

[} [\LETTER CXX.\] }] (^To the Right worshipfull, and his especiall good master, Sir Robart Plompton, knight.^) Right worshipfull Sir, I recomend me unto your mastership, letting you understand, that latly I sent dyvers letters to you; thaffect of which letters was, that your adversaries intendeth suerly to attempt the law against you. Therfore I can wryt no other thing to your mastership, but oftymes remember my wryting; it toucheth your worship and wele. Therfore make your frynds to take your part, as frynds shold doe, as well in Nott. Derb. as Yorkshire, and God, I trust, shall be steresman in every ryghtwyse cause. Master Robert Constable, servant, shalbe Justice of assise in Cornewall, Devonshir, and other west countryes, with Master Frowike; so that I trust, he shal not be at this

assise. Such pronunstications as a speciall freind lent to me, I copied them, as your worship shall see, and receive herewithall closed. As for all other causes, this bringer can shew to you by mouth, as larg as I can wryte, as (^Jesu^) knoweth, who preserve you. From Lyncolns Inne, at London, this Whitsonemunday. Your servant and beadman, John Pullan. [\31 May, 1501.\]

[} [\LETTER CXXI.\] }] (^To my right worshipfull master and brother, Sir Robart Plompton, knyght.^) After lowly and all due recomendations, I recomend me unto your good mastership and good brotherhode, praying the same, that yt will please you to send me by this berer the Martynmese farme for such lands and tenements as ye have by lease made betwixt you and me. And, Sir, as I suppose, insomuch as ye pleased not to content me at the untermost day limytted in the sayd lease, ye wylbe agreable that I enter to the sayd lands and tenements; wherfore, so I pray you to send me word in a byll by this berer, whether ye will that I enter to the same lands and tenements, or that ye will hold them still, and content according to the same lease. And, Sir, in so much as this is the first day of breach of your payments, I wyll nothing attempt therin, to I have word from you by this bearer, if it may so please you. And Almyghty (^Jesu^) preserve you in prosperouse lyffe, long to endure. From Yorke the xii=th= day of January. Your servant, Robart Plompton, of Yorke.

[} [\LETTER CXXIII.\] }] (^To our right woshipfull master, Sir Robart Plompton, kt. be this letter delyvered in hast.^) After most lowly and all due recomendations, we lowly recomend us unto your good mastership; certyfying you, that as fare as we can understand or know, John Rocliffe and John Sothell

ar come to Kynreston place, and ther purpose to tary and abyde, to such tyme as they thinke tyme convenient for to enter into your liflods in this country, and take distor [\distress\] . And we have bene at dyverse places of your liflods, and finds your tenants well disposed toward you; and sithen, the most part of gentlemen in this country, and especyally the Eyres, so that ye wold come yourselfe and be sene amongst your tenants and frynds, the which were to them a singler pleasure and comforth, and to yourselfe a great strength. And to bring with you not over the number of xx horse at the most, and such as may have your advise and counsell to take derection, the which may be to the suerty of your lyflod and tenants. And if ye can gett master Mydleton, bryng him with you, or Richard Grene, or some other, and come to Hassop, for we have desevered us, and some departed tham. And with the grace of (^Jesu^) , and ye come betwixt this and tuesday, that all things shalbe to your harts comforth in time to come. But, Sir, they have bene here diverse tymes, doing for your wele and pleasure, and thinkes ye will, or dar, not put you in jopartie for your owne; for and ye come, they will put them in dever to do any thing that may be to the wele of your liflod and tenants. And, Sir, bryng with you money convenient for your expenses, for as yet ... here be now [\noe\] rent teyned. Now [\noe\] over to you at this tyme, who the holy Trenety have you in his keping. By your servant, Robinit Plompton, with other moe. [\Anno 1501.\]

[} [\LETTER CXXV.\] }] (^To my right worshipfull brother, Sir Robart Plumpton, kt. these be delivered.^) Right worshipfull brother, I recomend me unto you. Brother, I have received your letter, be the which I perceived ye be mynded to be with my lord of Schrewsbury on munday next, be noune of the day; and that ye wold have me to meet you by the way. Brother, my lord is at Wynfeld, and my lady both, and I wilbe glad to wayte upon you at Hegham, a myle from Wynfeld, or els at Chesterfeld, whether it please you. Brother, I am afrad lese this labour be vayne, for in certayne I caused all the labour to be made possible at this tyme, both to my lord and to my lady, and he wold not be turned; for he myght not, and keepe his truth and promyse made afore. Notwithstanding, sithe ye be comyng on your way, I thinke it is well done, ye to speake with my lord yourselfe, as prevely as ye can; and thus (^Jesu^) kepe you. At Padley, the sunday next afore the feast of St. John Baptise. Your loving brother, Robart Eyre, esquire. [\20 June 1501.\]

[} [\LETTER CXXVII.\] }] (^To my right worshipfull brother, Sir Robart Plompton, kt. deliver these.^) Right worshipfull brother, I recomend me unto you and to my

lady, your wyfe, and to my daughter Margret. Brother, I spake with Frowick on Satterday next after St. Bartelmewday, and I enquired of him whether the assisse held at Nottingham and Darby, or not; and he answered and sayd, that he cold not tell, nor man els, unto munday next after, for that day the Kings grace had comanded all the Judges and Servants to be with him at Richmond, and whether he wold comand them to kepe your Servants, or to tary for other besines at that tyme, he west never. Also, brother, as for your parte of your panell, I am promysed suerly they will appere, whose names ar closed in a byll; but as to the attachment of the proces for your sute, is not yet, as fare as I understand. But I send about it unto the Shereffe as sone as Hare Harlad com from you, for sume remedy ther, if he myspede. I have sent you part the names of the enpannell for Suttell and Rocliffe, which be in the end of the Hye Peyke, of the which divers have promysed me not to appere, and moe I trust for to stoppe. Marveling ye sent nobody to Darby for to take you lodging, for Emson hath taken much lodging for him, as I am enfirmed. Also I shall wate one you at Nottingham one sunday

next, except ye comand me contrary, praying you to send me answere shortly. Your loving brother, Robart Eyre, esquire. [\September 1501.\]

[} [\LETTER CXXVIII.\] }] (^To the right worshipfull, my full singuler good master, Sir Robart Plumpton, knight, this letter be delivered in hast.^) Right reverent and worshipfull and my singler gud master, in the most humble and lowly maner that I can, I recomend me unto you, and unto my gud lady your wyfe, desiryng to have knowledg of your prosperous helth, worship, and welfayre, which I besech almyghty Jesus long to contynue to his pleasure, and your most comforth. Hartely beseching the gud Lord that redemed me and all mankind upon the holy crosse, that he will of his benigne mercy vouchsafe to be your helper, and give you power to resist and withstand the utter and malicious enmity, and false craft of Mr. Empson, and such others your adversaries; which, as all the great parte of England knoweth, hath done to you and yours the most iniury and wrong, that ever was done, or wrought, to any man of worship in this land of peace. And non more sory therfore, then I myselfe is. If it were, or myght be in my poore power to remedy the matter, or any parcell of the matter, in any maner, condition, or dede, and whereas I may doe no more, my dayly prayers shalbe, and have bene, ever redy, with the grace of (^Jesu^) . And wher it is so that I am bounden to pay to your mastership, or to your assignes, certayne money by yere, to the sume of x=li=, at ij tymes, for such lands as be assigned in ioynter to my nephew, Germayne Pole,

and my cousin, his wyfe and your daughter, I have delivered and payd to his hands for this last past Martynmas rent v=li=, trustyng that your mastership is contented therwith. What parte, or how much thereof, my sayd neveu, Germayne, hath sent to your mastership, I am ignorant, saving that he shewed me that he sendeth you but x=li= towards the exibicions of my nese, his wyfe. I required you as my singler trust is in you, to send me acquitaunce for my discharg, for the payment of this sayd v=li=; and moreover I besech you to send me word in writting by the bringer hereof, how I shall pay my rent from hence forward, and to whom I shall pay it; and as it pleaseth you by yore owne writting to comand me, I shalbe redy to performe it, by the grace of (^Jesu^) , who ever preserve your gud mastership. Wrytten at Rodburne in hast, the morow next after St. Kathren day. Your true and faythfull beadwoman to hir power, Elizabeth de Pole. [\26 Nov. 1501.\]

[} [\LETTER CXXXI.\] }] (^To the right worshipfull Sir Robart Plompton, kt.^) Sir, after my duety remembred unto your mastership, please it you the same to know, that by instant labour I have gott a copie of the wryt of thassisse and playnt agaynst you, to the intent therby to have a wryt of error; which wryt, by the advise of your counsell, which I had togither, is put to making: and for the expedition therof, it shall want no dyligence, nor calling uppon. For the costs and expencs about thes busines wilbe great, therfore I wold ye prepared money to send, uppon all goodly hast. And your learned counsell thinketh veryly, if the law may be indefferently hard, that the proceeding in the sayd assies is error. It is so that master Frowyke is made Cheife Justice of the Common place, and therfore ye must myse his counsell; and that I forthinke. Sir, I have delivered your letters, as well to Mr. Under

tresorer, as to Blackwall; and Mr. Tresorer shewed me aparte how your wryting was. I desired him, seeing your great troble and cost, to spare the payment that ye owed him for a season; and that he sayd he myght not doe in no wyse, because he had appoynted such summes of money as ye owe him, to pay it to other persons; and further sayd, that he could not do no other wayes but attempt the law agaynst you and your suerty, if ye pay not according to your wrytting. I intreated him as specially as I could, to spare you for a season, but it wyll not be; therfore make schift to pay him, or els you and your surty wilbe sued. Ever after this, as I may have knowledg in all your matters to your comforth, I shall wryt to your mastership, with the grace of Almyghty God, who send you and all yours ther healths also. From Lyncolns Inne, this sunday next after All Saints day. Sir, for all other matters this berer can shew you at large, for a proteccion, and what your lerned counsell sayd therin. Yor beadman John Pullan. Frynds the Bishop of Rochester and Docter Warghhan. [\6 Nov. 1502.\]

[} [\LETTER CXXXII.\] }] (^To his right worshipfull father, Sir Robart Plompton, kt. deliver thes.^) Right worshipfull father, in the most humble and lowly wyse that I can, or may, desiryng to here of your prosperous health, worship, and welfaire, which I hartely besech Almighty Jesus encrease and contynew to his pleasure, and your most comforth.

Father, I am very desirous to here from you, and to know how you do in your matters. I can noe more doe therein, but hartely pray to God to helpe you in your right, and send you gud speede. And I pray you let my wyfe have some word from you by this next carryer, how you doe in your sayd matters; and she and my sister Ellynor humbly recomend them unto you, and pray you for your dayly blessing. And both they, and I, pray you that we may be recommended unto my brother William Plompton and all your folkes. (And we rehersed them by name.) And thus the holy Ghost guid you and all the matters that you labor about. Scribbled in hast the viii day of November. Father, I can not yet tell whether I come to London my selfe on this side Christenmas or not; my servant, the bringer hereof, shall shew, as sone as he hath the certenty, whether I shall come or be at home. Your loving sone to his smale poore, Germayn Pole. [\8 Nov. 1502.\]

[} [\LETTER CXXXIII.\] }] (^To the worshipful Sir Robart Plompton, kt. be thes delivered in hast.^) Sir, in my most hartiest wyse I recommennd me unto you, desiring to heare of your prosperitie and welfaire, and of your good spede in your matters; certyfiing you that I, and my sone William, with all your children, are in good health (blessed be (^Jesu^) ) with all your servants. Sir, ye, and I, and my sone, was content at your departing, that my sone should take the farmes at Martingmas of his tenaunts, or els cast them forth and prayse ther goods; and so my sone hath done with some of them. And here are the names of them that hath payd me; Robart Wood, Peter Cott, John Gloster, Robart Taler, William Bentham. Sir, it ys let us to understand that thers other tenaunts, that are cast forth,

hath bene at Cothorpe, and made one ragman to compleane on my sone and you, that ye take ther goods from them. And that is not soe, for my sone hath sent for the neighbours of Knaresbrough, and Harrygate, and Spofforth, to set pryse on ther comon and cattell after ther consience; and my sone hath set to streys some in ther layes, for ther is some that will not apply to his mynd. And they purpose to get on discharg for my sone, that they may be set in agayn, and he not to occupie; therfore I pray you to take good heed therupon. And they have set there names in the ragman that hath payd my sone; that they know not of, nor will not be conselled therto. Also, Sir Richard Goldsbrough hath taken an ox of William Bentham, that was dryven over the water with ther cattell of the towne of Plompton that he caused to be put over, for the sayfgard of ther cattell. And when he came for his ox, he answered him and sayd; Sir John Roclife had wrytten for certayne tenaunts to be so taryed by him, and spirred him, whose tenaunt he was, and he shewed him whos he was. And he will not let him have them without a replevie, and I trow he will dye in the fold; for I sent William Skirgell and William Croft, and they cannot get him without a replevie. And therfore if ye can find any remedie, I pray you for; and also I pray you to send me some word, as sone as ye may, of your good speed. No

more at this tyme, but I betake you to the keping of the Trenetie. From Plompton in hast, the xvi day (\Novembris\) . By your wife, Dame Agnes Plompton. [\16 Nov. 1502.\]

[} [\LETTER CXXXV.\] }] (^To the worshipfull Sir Robart Plompton, kt. be thes delivered in hast.^) Right worshipful Sir, in my most harty wise I recommend me unto you, desiring to witt your prosperytie and wellfayre; letting you understand that I and all your children is in good health (blessed be (^Jesu^) ) with all your servants. Lettyng you to understand that my Lord Archbishop sent one servant of his unto my son William, chardging him in the Kyngs name to sette in the tenaunts agayne; and if he wold not, he wold send to the schereffe, and cause him to poynt them in agayne. And so I sent one servant to the schereffe, and the schereffe shewed my servant that my Lord had wrytten unto him for to poynt them on agayne. But my sone kepes them forth as yet, and therfor I trow my lord Archbishop will compleane of my son and you; and sath, that he will indyte them that was at castyng out of tham. And, Sir, I pray you that you be not myscontent, that I sent not to you, for indeed I make the labor that is possible for me to make, and as yet I cannot speed; but as shortly as I can, I shall spede the matter. No more at this tyme, but the Trenytie have you in his keeping. Scribled in hast, at Plompton, this sunday next after St. Kateryne day. By your wiffe, dame Agnes Plompton. [\27 Nov. 1502.\]

[} [\LETTER CXXXVI.\] }] (^To the worshipfull Robart Plompton, knight, be thes byll delivered in hast.^) Right worshipful Sir, in my most harte wyse I recommend me unto you, desiring to here of your welfare and good speed in your matters. I and all your children is in good health (blessed be (^Jesu^) ). And, Sir, so it is, as God knowes, that I have mayd as great labor as was possible for me to make, to content your mynd in all causes; and now I have mayd the usance of xx=li=, and sent you with Thomas Bekerdike to content where ye know. And I pray you to send some wrytting to Thomas Meryng for the repayment of the money and your discharg. Sir, it is so that my lord Archbishop hath indytt my sone William and xvi of his servants, on tewsday was a senit. But Anthony Cliforth gave in the bill of dytement against my sone and his servants, but the quest would not endyte them. But my lord Archbishop caused them; or els he bad them tell who wold not, and he should ponishe them, that all oder should take insample. And I cannot get the copie of the indytement, for my Lord hath it in his hands. No more at this tyme. The Lord preserve you. From Plompton in hast, this St. Thomas day. By your wife, dame Agnes Plompton. [\21 Dec. 1502.\]

[} [\LETTER CXXXVIII.\] }] (^To Sir Robart Plompton, knight, being lodged at the Angell behind St. Clement Kirk, without the Temple barr, at London, be thes delivered.^) After most harty and due recomendations, I recomend me unto your mastership and brotherhode, and to my lady your wyfe, beseching Allmyghty God evermore to preserve and prosper you. Sir, on munday last come a servant of Sir John Roclyfs from Mr. Emson to Brian Palmes, and caused him forthwith to take his waye toward London; and as I am enfirmed, the sayd servant shewed that at the comyng up of Bryan Palmes, thei shold have an end with you, and if ye had any land, that ye shold be charged with my brother William and me. Therfore, Sir, if ye and thei drawd to an end, as I besech allmyghty (^Jesu^) to send you a good end after your pleasure and mynd, see how ye shall stand charged anenst us, and whether ye shalbe charged with the one, or with

both. And, Sir, wher ye sent me word by Georg Barbor to search for the call of the exigent in the castell of Yorke agayn you, my cousin your son, or any other of your name, or servant; Sir, on tewsday last was the court in the Castell, and then was ther none exegent called agaynst you, none of your servants, nor of your name. But ther are ix playnts by (\Replegiare\) by ix of your tenaunts against you, my cousin your sonn, Sir Richard Plompton, and dyverse of your servants. But how many playntts, and how many defendants, as yet, I can not get any knowledg; for the Schereffs clarck sayth, his master hath all the records and notes, and the playntyffs that day was essoined. And thus almyghty (^Jesu^) , our Lady, Saint Mary Virgin, Mary Magdalene, with all the Saints in heven, as I shall dayly besech, prosper and spede you in all your great besines. Scrybled in hast, the vi=th= day of February. Yours at prayer and power, Robart Plompton of Yorke. [\6 Feb. 1502-3.\]

[} [\LETTER CXLI.\] }] (^To my uncle Sir Robart Plompton, kt. be thes byll delivered in hast.^) Uncle Plompton, I recomannd me unto you as hartely as I can, shewing you that my lord Archbishop hath sent a letter to my cousin William your son and a byll closed therin; which byll and letter I wold ye gave good heed to, and understand whether it be Kings comandement, or nay. And also John Vavasour of Newton is departed to mercy of God, sence ye departed from home, and I have inquered of the age of his son and heire, which shalbe at full age within a moneth, and then I am in a suerte to have the release of him. Also there is a maraige moved betwyxt the sone of Sir John Roklife and Jane Ughtred, syster to Henry Ughtred, and great labour have they made to my lord of Northumberland for the same, which I have stoped as yet. And thus the sayd Sir John Rokclife, Henry Ughtred, and Anthony drawth all one way; and I understand they will make more labor to my sayd Lord hastely, for which cause I will goe to Lekinfeld the next weke, where I shall know further herein of my lords pleasure, which I know is your especiall good Lord: and as I can know furthere, I shall send you wrytting shortly. And also, as I understand, your adversaries will lay a fine against you, which fine is parcell of William Midleton's evidence, and is the fine of the house in Plompton that was my uncle Ralfe Gascoygne. I pray you to send me

some good tydings, as sone as ye can, of your good speed in your matters, which I besech Gude may be to his pleasure, and your comforth and myne; and thus our Lord kepe you. At Gaukthorpe in hast, the second sunday in Lenten. Yore nephew, William Gascon. [\19 Mar. 1502-3.\]

[} [\LETTER CXLII.\] }] (^To the worshipfull Sir Robart Plompton, knyght, be thes delivered in hast.^) Right worshipfull father and mother, I recomend me unto you, praying you of your dayly blessing; and all my brethern and sisters is in good health (blessed be (^Jesu^) ) and prays you of your dayly blessing, and my lady mother also. Sir, I marvell greatly that I have no word from you (and my cousin Gascoyne also) under what condition I shall behave me and my servants. Sir, it is sayd that Sir John Roclife will ploue, but we are not certayne; and if that they come, my cousin Gascoyn saith well therin, for he will se them on that mannor that they will not like: and bytts me and my servants keep house, and he will send us x bowes, and us ned. Sir, your frinds trowes ye beleve fayr words and fayr heightes, and labors not your matters; for they trow that ys not the Kings mynd, nor knowes not of ther dealing, that they indyte you, and me, and your servants, as ye may se by the Judgment herof. Sir, I have sent you ij letters, derected from my lord Archbishop; the which I have answered him, that I will keepe the Kings peace. And also I meane sent him word, whether the tenants should occupy

or no. And it is my cousin Gascoyns mynd, that they shall occupy for the tyme; and therfor I besech you send me word, how I shold do in every cause, and my servants also. Sir, your frinds thinkes that thes indytements ar for you, and it be shewed to the King or his Counsell. Both my cousin Gascon, and my brother Elson, as your counsell, gives you so to do. And also I besech you send me word, as shortly as ye may possibly. No more at this tyme, but the Trenietie kepe you. From Plompton, on saint Benedic day. By your son, William Plompton, Esquier. [\21 Mar. 1502-3.\]

[} [\LETTER CXLIII.\] }] (^To his right worshipfull Sir Robart Plompton, knyght, this byl be delivered.^) Right worshipful Sir, after due recommendations had ec=ra=, I understand by my lady that your mastership hath spoken with the Kyngs grace, wherof I am very glad. Sir, I wold avise your mastership, that if the King command your mastership to nayme any of his counsell, which ye wold shold have examination of your matters, to refare that matter unto his grace, and that your mastership name none; for if your mastership shold name any, peradventure the King wold thinke parcialty in them, and also your frinds shold be knowne. If yt like your mastership, yt were best for to shew the Kyngs grace that ye wold refuse none of his counsell, except Mr. Bray, Mr. Mordaunt, and such other as are

belonging to Mr. Bray. Sir, at the reverence of God, keepe your frynds secret to your selfe, for fere that ye leese them. I remit all these matters to your wisdom, and thus I beseech Almighty (^Jesu^) send your mastership good speed. At London, with the hand of your servant, George Emerson. [\Anno 1502-3.\]

[} [\LETTER CXLIV.\] }] (^To his right worshipfull and most especiall gud father in law, Sir Robart Plompton, kt. be thes delivered.^) Right worshipfull and my most especiall gud father in law, in my most umbele maner I recomend me most hartely unto you, and unto my lady my mother in law, gladly desiringe to have knowledg of your prousperyte, wellfayre, and harts ease, the which I besech almyghty (^Jesu^) long to contynew and increase unto his pleasure, and unto your most joyfull comforth and gladness. Sir, if it please you to understand, that since my last coming into Darbyshire, it was infirmed me, that ther was in Staforthshire a parcell of land, the which should be ther at Combryge and Cramarsh, that was not receined the recovery of the size at Nottingham and Derbye. Wherfore, Sir, I toke upon me in your name to send unto the tenants for as much rent as thay were behind, since the last payment that was made unto Sir John or Preston; and they desired my servants to com agane, as that day sennyt, and they should either have the rent, or be suffered to streyne on such guds as they fond on the ground. And so they did com

againe as they had apoynted them, and in the meane season, thorow the meanes of one Berdall of Assope, ther had bene iiij of Suttell and Roclife servants, the which wold have had the rent; and your tenaunts answered, that they knew not wherfore that they should pay them, and so they went ther way. Howbeit, they sayd they wold be ther shortly againe, and for that cause they wold not pay my servant, as for at that tyme. Howbeit, they promysed them upon ther fayth that they shall not pay one penny unto the tyme that they have some word from you. Furthermore, Sir, if it please you to understand of the great unkindnes that my grandam hath showed unto me now latly, as the bringer herof can more planly shew you by muth, to whom I besech you to take credence on. For be ye sure, Sir, that I was never so unkindly delt with; all is because that she well know it that ye are asunder, therfore she thinketh that she may give and sell all at her owne playsure. I will besech you for the reverence of (^Jesu^) to be so gud father unto me and my wyfe as to mayntayne it that is my ryght, and to se a remedy for it, as my speciall trust is in you above all other creatures livinge. Furthermore, I wold desire you that I may have knowledge how that you do in your matters, for I here tell that you dyd well. That wold be the most joyfull tydings unto me that ever was, or ever shalbe, as knoweth the blessed Rode of Rodeborne, who save you in his blessed keepinge. Amen. I will besech you, Sir, that this simple letter may recomend me unto my brother William, and my brother Maliverey, with both my sisters, and my sister Eyre, with all your houshold. By your humble son and beadman, G. de la Pole. [\Anno 1503.\]

[} [\LETTER CXLV.\] }] (^To his right worshipfull father, Sir Robart Plompton, knyght, thes letter be delivered.^) Right worshipfull and my most singuler good father in law, in my most humblest maner I recommend me right hartely unto you, and unto my lady my mother in law, inwardly desiring to have knowledg of your wellfare and harts ease, the which I besech almyghty (^Jesu^) of his infinyt mercy and grace shortly to send you, unto your most joyful comforth, and to the pleasure of your harte. So it is, Sir, that I understand by the letter that I received from you, that ye have the Kings protection ryall, the which is the most joyfullest tydings that ever I hard, since the tyme that I was borne of my mother. For now, I doubt not but with dew labor mad unto the Kings grace, and with the gud counsell of your lovers and frinds, all the vexation and troble that ye have had now laytly for your matters, by the grace of the blessed Trenity, shall turne unto your joyfull comforth and harts ease, considering how falsly, and how unrighteously, the size is past against you, contrary to the law either of God, or man. Furthermore, Sir, I have bene at Combrige for your rent at our tenaunte, William Smith, and I received of him for one yeares rent xl=s=. the which I send you by the brynger hereof. Howbeit, I lay at outside ij dayes or I cold have it, he was so fearfull to pay it because of Sir Robart Shefell and Emson; and he desireth you to be his gud master and beare him out, that a be not vexed nor trobled therfore, for be ye sure he is stedfast unto you. And I wold have had rent in Crakmarsh, but the tenaunts wold pay me none; and I wold have streaned, but ther could no man shew me which was

your ground. Wherfore, I supposed that it should have hurt your matters to have streyned, not knowing your ground from his. Also, Sir, I desired you in my last letter to be so gud father unto me, as to com speake with my grandam for diverse matters, the which longeth unto my profit. Howbeit, I have no gud answere of you. But now I will desire you, for the reverence of (^Jesu^) , to doe for me as I will do for you, if my power were unto my will, and make it in your way to com speake with hir for the welfare and profit of your daughter, my wyfe, and me. Many a gentleman in Darbyshire marvelleth, I being so nere my age, that ye will not com and speake with hir for my right; and if ye come, it will save me greatly, more then ye know, in dyvers matters that I shall shew you of, by the grace of (^Jesu^) , who have you in his gloryous keeping. Your owne son and beadman, German de la Pole. [\Anno 1503.\]

[} [\LETTER CXLVII.\] }] (^To my right worshipfull master and brother, Sir Robart Plompton, knyght for the King's body.^) After most harty and due recomendations, I recomend me unto your mastership and brotherhode; and wheras my brother William, like as I shewed you a byll, hath in his name and myne put

a byll unto the Kings grace agaynst Rocliffe and Suttell, which hath made answere, as appearethe in the byll I sent you by Ball. And the Kings counsell comaunded my brother Wylliam to goe and enter into Ocbroke; and so, in his coming home, he went thether, and wold have entred, and William Sawcheverell wold not suffer him. And he shewed the copie of our deed, and he wold not admyt it; but the tenaunts sayd, if he come againe afor alhallowes, and bryng the deeds under seale, they shold endever them to pay us. And I thinke to send Sir Robart North thither with him, in the weke next afore alhallowmase. Wherfore I pray you that ye will lett Sir Robart have the ij=d= deed with him in a box, which is of feoffment, thider, to the intent abousayd; and ye shall have them delivered againe unto you, or my lady, whether ye shal please. And if you wyll my brother Wylliam bring them up to you unto London, I shall bynd me that he shall trewly deliver you them. And of your gud mynd and pleasure in thes premyses, I pray you that ye will vochsafe to send me knowledge in wryting. And, Sir, I understand your adversaries reporteth, your matter shalbe determyned by the Kyngs Judges and Sergiants, and ther, I dout me, ye gitt but litle favor. Therfore the sonner ye goe up, I trust yt be the better for you. And almyghty (^Jesu^) preserve you, and send you gud speede in all your busines, and that shalbe my daly prayer, as God knoweth. At York, this Munday. Your servant Robart Plompton. [\Anno 1503.\]

[} [\LETTER CXLIX.\] }] (^To the worshipfull Robart Plompton, knight, be this byll delivered in hast.^) Right worshipfull Sir, in my most hartie wyse I recomend me unto you, evermore desiring to here of your prosperytie and wellfaire, and good sped in your matters, shewyng you that I and all your children is in good health (blessed be (^Jesu^) ) and prays you for your blessing. Sir, it is so now that I have made you thewsans of the money, that ye sent to me for, and I have sent it you with John Walker at this tyme; the which I shall shew you how I mayd schift of, at your comminge. And I pray you that ye be not miscontent that I sent it no sooner, for I have made the hast that I could that was possible for me to do. And also, Sir, I will not lett Tho: Croft wife plow nor occupie her fermeald, but saith she shall not occupy without yer life. And also I pray you to send me word how you speed in your matters againe, as soon as ye may; and also to send me word where ye will your horses to come to you.

No more at this time, but the Trinity keep you. From Plumpton in hast, the xix=th= day of March. By your wife, Dame Agnes Plompton. [\19 March 1503-4.\]

[} [\LETTER CLI.\] }] (^To the worshipfull Robart Plompton, knight, be these delivered in hast.^) Right worshipfull Sir, in my most hartiest wyse I recomend me unto you, desiring to here of your prosperytie and welfare, and good spede in your matters, the which I marvell greatly that I have no word from you. Sir, I marvell greatly that ye let the matter rest so long, and labors no better for your selfe, and ye wold labor it deligently. But it is sayd that ye be lesse forward, and they underworketh falsly; and it is sene and known by them, for they thinke to drive it that they may take the Whitsonday ferme: and so it is sayd all the country about. Sir, I besech you to remember your great cost and charges, and myne, and labor the matter that it myght have an end, for they have taken on (\capias\) and delivered for certayne of your tenants. And so they have taken Edmund Ward at Knarsbrough and arrest him; the which is a great nossen in the country, that they shall get such prosses, and ye dow none to them, but lett them have there mynd fullfilled in every case. And the other tenaunts cannot pays ther housses, but they shalbe cagid; and also willing none of your servants shall not pas the dowers, but they mon be trobled. And also they have stopped the country, that ther will no man deale with any of your servants, nether to bye wod, no nor nothing els. Therfore, I pray you that ye will get some comandment to the Scherefe that the prosses may be stoped. Also, Sir, I send you the copy of the letter that came from the Undersherefe, and the copy of the causes, and the letter that come from William Elison; the which I had mynd in for loyssing of Edmund Ward, for I have gotten him forth by the wayes of William Ellyson. And also, Sir, I am in good health, and all the children (blessed be (^Jesu^) ), and all your children prayes you for your daly blessing. And all your servants is in good health, and prays delygently

for your good speed in your matters. And also it is sayd, that they have cagments for them that hath bought the wood, that they dare not deale therwith. For without ye get some comaundement, I wott not how your house shalbe kept, for I know not wherof to levy one penyworth. No more at this tyme, but the Trenietie keepe you. From Plompton in hast, the xii day of Aprill. By your wyfe, Dame Agnes Plompton. [\12 April 1504.\]

[} [\LETTER LETTER CLII.\] }] (^To Sir Richard Plompton be thes byl delivered in hast.^) Sir Richard Plompton, I recomend me unto you, dessiring and prayng you that ye will se some remydy for thes prosses, that they may be stopped; and that ye will goe to my lord Dayrsse, and make on letter for me in my name, and shew him how they delt with my housband tenaunts and servants, and ye thinke it be to dowe. And I pray you that ye will se that nether thes, nor none other prosses, pas, but be stoppyd, as my speciall trust is in you. For I have sent up the copy of the (\capias\) , with one letter from William Elesson and one other from Under Sherife, that ye may, after the scest of them, labor as ye thinke best by your mynd. Also, Sir Richard, I pray you to remember my other [{order{] ; for Thomas Stabill hath taken the west Rod and the est Rod, and hath mayd the fenses, and so she hath no gresse to hir cattell; and also they sow hir land, and will not let hir occupy nothing as yet, and that discomfortheth them much. No more, but the Trinete kepe you. From Plompton in hast, the xiii day of Aprill. By me Dame Agnes Plompton. [\13 April 1504.\]

[} [\LETTER CLIII.\] }] (^To the worshipfull Robart Plompton, kt. be thes byll delivered in hast.^) Right worshipfull, I in most hartee wyse recomennd me unto you, desiring to heare of your wellfaire and good speed in your matters, letting you understand that I am in good helth, with all your children (blessed be (^Jesu^) ), and pray you of your daly blessinge; and all your servants is in good health and is right glad to here of your welfare. Sir, one the eving after the making of this letter, your servant Edmund Robyson come home, and so I understond by your letter, that you wold understand if Sir John Roclife servants have received any ferme in Yorkshire, but therof I can get no knowledg as yet. But they have sold oke wood at Nesfeld, and lettes them stand to the tyme of the yere, one oke that is worth xl=d= for xij=d=; and also they have sold aches at the same place: and the okes are sold to William Clapame and Richard Clapame, and the aches to the towards there about. And also at Idell, they have sold holyn to James Formes and to Thomas Quentin and William Aches, and herof I can geet no more certaintie as yet. And also there is no mo of your tenaunts to get as yet, nor your servants nether, at this tyme; but the Trenitie have you in his blessed keepinge Scrybbled in hast, the fryday next after St. Marke day. By your wyffe, Dame Agnes Plompton. [\26 April 1504.\]

[} [\LETTER CLV.\] }] [\NO ADDRESS.\] [^TO SIR ROBERT PLUMPTON^] Right worshipfull and my singuler good master, in the most humble and lowly maner that I can or may, I humbly recomend me unto your good mastership, and unto my good lady your wyfe, desiryng hartely to here of your welfaire, and also of your good speed in your weighty and great matters, which I have prayed for, and shall doe dayly. Sir, I receyved a letter from you, which bare dayt the viii day of June, and in that letter ye wrote to me, that it was my sone Germyne mynd, and yours, with other his frynds, that I should occupie still att Rudburne, as I have done in tymes, as long as we can agre; upon condition that I wold be as kynd to my sayd son Germyne, as he intendeth to be to me. I pray Jesus that I may find him kynd to me, for it is my full entent and purpose to be kynd and lovyng unto him and his, whersoever I come. But thus the matter is now, that I have taken another house within the Freres at Derby, which is but of a smale charge, and ther I entend to dispose myselfe to serve God dilygently, and kepe a narrow house and but few of meany; for I have such discomforth of my son Thomas unfortunate matters, that it is tyme for me to get me into a litle cornner, and so wyll I doe. I will besech you and him to take no displeasure with me for my departing, for it wilbe no otherwyse; my hart is so sett. Moreover, as touching the custodie of all such evidence, as I have now in my keeping, concernyng thenherytance of my sayd son Germyne, a gentleman of your acquantance, Mr. Herry Arden, hath bene in hand with me for them, and I have shewed him,

whensoever and to whom it shalbe thought by you most convenyent tyme of the delyverance of them, I wylbe redy to delyver them, for I will be glad to be discharged of them; for I will flitt at this next Mighelmas, as I am full mynded, or sonner, with Gods grace. I pray you contynew my gud master, and owe me never the worse will therfor; for it ryseth on my owne mynd to give over grett tuggs of husbandry which I had, and take me to lesse charge. And with Gods grace I shalbe as kynd to him, and to my daughter, his wyfe, as ever I was in my life, as well from them, as with them. With the grace of (^Jesu^) , who ever preserve you. Wrytten at Rodburne in hast, the x=th= day of July. By your poore sister and trew beadwoman, Elizabeth Pole. [\10 July 1504.\]

[} [\LETTER CLVI.\] }] (^To my right worshipfull father-in-law, Sir Robart Plompton, kt. be this delivered.^) Right worshipfull and my most singuler good father-in-law, in my best maner I hartely recomend me unto you, right glad to here of your welfare, the which our Lord contynew long unto his pleasure and your most comforth. Father, the cause of this my wryting unto you of myn own hand, is for a matter that no man knoweth

of but onely my wyfe, and I, and the partyes. Father, this is the matter; ther is a gentleman, the which had maryed one of my naunts, whose name is Randolpe Manwring, and he beareth great love and favor unto my sister Ellynor, and she doth likewise unto him the same. And the gentleman hath desired me to wryte unto you, to know if ye can be contented that he have hir in marage to his wyfe; the which if that ye so be, he wilbe glad to meat you in any plase, that it please you to apoynt, and to have a communication in the matter. And I thinke in my mynd that he wilbe contented to take lesse with hir than any man in Inglond wold doe, being of his avyowre, because of the great love and favour that is betwyxt them. And, father, this I will say by myn uncle Manwryng; his land is a c marke, and also he is as godly and as wyse a gentleman, as any is within a m. myle, of his hed. And, Sir, all the whole matter lyeth in you and in noe man els; but if that she were myne owne borne sister, I had lever that she had him, knowing him as I doe, than a man of vi tymes his land. Father, how that ye are disposed in this matter, I besech you that I may have answere, as shortly as ye can; for my sister Ellynor putteth herselfe utterly unto that thing, that is your mynd. And my wyfe and I will doe the same, by the grace of (^Jesu^) , who send you shortly a good end in your matters. Amen. Your son, Germayn Pole. [\Anno 1504.\]

[} [\LETTER CLVII.\] }] (^To my right worshipfull father-in-law, Sir Robart Plompton, kt. this letter be delivered in hast.^) Right worshipfull and my most singuler good father-in-law, in the best manner that I possibly can I hartely recomend me unto

you with effectuall desire to here of your welfare and gud speed in your great matters. And likewise, Sir, doth your poore daughter my wyfe, and my sister Ellynor, desiring to have your dayly blessing. Father, I have word brought me, by one Duckmanton of Moginton, from you, that you had a joyfull end in all your matters, the which were unto me the joyfullest tydings that cold be thought. Howbeit, Sir, I have had great marvell, that I have not, since that tyme, hard some word from you. Father, pleaseth yt you to understand, that I have comuned with my uncle Maywheryng, according to the effect of your letter; and veryly, Sir, I can no other wyse perceive by my sayd uncle, but that he is reasonable in all causes. For first, he wilbe contented to make hir xx marke joynter; and as for such essew as God sendeth them, it is noe doubt but he wyll so provyd for them, that they shall live like gentlemen or gentlewomen, whichsoever God suffereth. And veryly, father, I am right sure that my sister Ellynor had rather have hym, you beyng so content, then a man of far greater lands. And also, father, I know wher that my sayd uncle myght have great marraiges, both with great lands, and guds. Wherfore, Sir, yfe yt is your mynd that the matter goe forward, and the preferment of my syster, your daughter, in this behalfe, I pray you that I may have shortly knowledg in writting, what your mind is in this matter, and what you be worthy to give for his large proffers. And, you being any thing resanable, I am right sure that ye shall like my sayd uncle, as well as ever you liked any man, by the grace of (^Jesu^) , who preserve you. Written at Rodburne in hast upon Martingmas even. By your son-in-law, Germayn Pole. [\10 Nov. 1504.\]

[} [\LETTER CLXII.\] }] (^To Sir Robart Plompton, kt. be thes letter delivered.^) Sir, in the most hartyest wyse that I can, I recomend me unto you. Sir, I have sent to Wright of Idell for the money that he promyst you, and he saith he hath it not to len, and makes choses [\excuses\] and so I can get none nowhere. And as for wood, ther is none that will bey, for they know ye want money, and without they myght have it halfe for nought, they will bey none; for your son, William Plompton, and Thomas Bickerdyke hath bene every day at wood sence ye went, and they can get no money for nothing, - for tha will bey none without they have tymmer tres, and will give nothinge for them: and so shall your wood be distroyed and get nought for it. Sir, I told you this or ye went, but ye wold not beleve me. Sir, I have taken of your tymmer as much as I can get of, or Whitsonday farme forehand; and that is but litle to do you any good, for ther is but some that will len so long afor the tyme. And your Lenten stoufe is to bey, and I wote not what to do, God wote, for I am ever left of thes fachion. Sir, ther is land in Rybston feild, that Christofer Chambers wold bey, if ye will sel it; but I am not in a suerty what he

will give for it. But if ye will sel it, send word to your son what ye will doe, for I know nothing els wherwith to help you with. Sir, for God sake take an end, for we are brought to begger staffe, for ye have not to defend them withall. Sir, I send you my mare, and iij=s= iiij=d= by the bearer herof, and I pray you send me word as sone as ye may. No more at this tyme, but the Holy Trenyttie send you good speed in all your matters, and send you sone home. Sir, remember your chillder bookes. Be your bedfellow, Isabell Plompton.

[} [\LETTER CLXIV.\] }] (^To my right trusty and welbeloved Cousin, Sir Robart Plompton, knight.^) Cosin Sir Robart Plompton, I commennd me unto you, and am informed that ye pretend a tytle and clame unto a litle land in Rybstone, the which without tyme of mynde hath belonged unto the parson of Spofford the tyme being, and hath alwayes bene at his disposition to now lait that, as I perceive, ye be aboutward against all right to imbarr and exclud my Chapleyn, now parsonn ther, and ... my service of the same; wherof I greatly marvill, considring his predesessors alway hertofore hath quietly and peasibly had it. And furthermore, well assured I am, Cousen, that my chaplayn wold not covit to have it, but for the ... aforsayd, and in the right of his Church; the which, for that I ... patron thereof, I must and will, in that I can, helpe to defend, as myne owne inheritaince. Wherefore, I desire and pray you noe further to intromete you with the sayd land and right of his church, more then ye have in tyme past, in the dayes of other his predesessours; and in case ye nedely will, wherof I wold be right sory, know ye veryly ye cannot have my good will and favour. And that, morover, it shalbe greatly against my will, that ye or any other shall wrong me in the right of the same, whill I live. Written in my mannor of Petworth, the last day of Januarie. Your loving Cousin, Hen: Northumberland.

[} [\LETTER CLXV.\] }] (^To the right worshipfull and my most entyerly beloved, good, kind father, Sir Robart Plompton, knyght, lying at Plompton in Yorkshire, be thes delivered in hast.^) Ryght worshipfull father, in the most humble manner that I can I recommend me to you, and to my lady my mother, and to all my brethren and sistren, whom I besech almyghtie God to mayntayne and preserve in prosperus health and encrese of worship, entyerly requiering you of your daly blessing; letting you wyt that I send to you mesuage, be Wryghame of Knarsbrugh, of my mynd, and how that he should desire you in my name to send for me to come home to you, and as yet I had no answere agane, the which desire my lady hath gotten knowledg. Wherfore, she is to me more better lady then ever she was before, insomuch that she hath promysed me hir good ladyship as long as ever she shall lyve; and if she or ye can fynd athing meyter for me in this parties or any other, she will helpe to promoote me to the uttermost of her puyssaunce. Wherfore, I humbly besech you to be so good and kind father unto me as to let me know your pleasure, how that ye will have me ordred, as shortly as it shall like you. And wryt to my lady, thanking hir good ladyship of hir so loving and tender kyndnesse shewed unto me, beseching hir ladyship of good contynewance therof. And therfore, I besech you to send a servant of yours to my lady and to me, and shew now by your fatherly kyndnesse that I am your child; for I have sent you dyverse messuages and wryttings, and I had never answere againe. Wherfore, yt is thought in this parties, by those persones that list better to say ill than good, that ye have litle favor unto me; the which error ye may now quench, yf yt will like you to be so good and kynd father unto me. Also I besech you to send me a fine hatt and some good cloth to make me some kevercheffes.

And thus I besech (^Jesu^) to have you in his blessed keeping to his pleasure, and your harts desire and comforth. Wryten at the Hirste, the xviii day of Maye. By your loving daughter, Dorythe Plompton.

[} [\LETTER CLXXIII.\] }] (^To my right worshipfull father-in-law, Sir Robart Plompton, kt. be these delivered.^) Right worshipfull father, in the most loving maner that I can, I hartely recomennd me unto you, and to my lady my mother-in-law, your wyfe; and likwise my poore wyfe, your daughter, recomends hir unto you and my sayd lady, and prayeth you of your daly blessing. And we desire hartely the knowledge of your prosperous health, worship, and welfare, the which I besech Almyghty Jesus long to contynue to encrease to his pleasure, and your comforth. And, father, if you be remembred, I wrote a letter unto you laytly, and sent it unto you by my servant; in the which letter I instaunced and desired you to shew your fatherly kindnes unto my poore wife and me, and to be so gud father unto us, as to make a sure meane that we myght peaseably enjoy and occupie the land that I bought of you in Combryg in Staforthshire, (for I thought, that unles the sayd land in Combryge were specified in this award, now made betwixt you and Roclife and the heires of Suttele, or els of a liklyhod they wold enter upon me and disposses me,) and you send me word, that you thought they wold not have it, nor medle with it. But thus it is, that now within this fortnyth ther were servants of Sir William Parpoints and Sir John Roclifes determined to take away the goods that they

could find upon the ground; and so had they donne, but that the tenaunt fortuned to here tell of ther coming, and in all possible hast came to give me warning. And so, by the helpe of gud masters and frinds, at the last, by fayre means, with very great payne, entreated them to spare distreyning, till such tyme as I had sent unto you to know what remedy you wold provide herin. Wherfore, at the reverence of God, and for the love that you owe unto my poore wyfe and me and our children, remember how we stand unto you, and be so gud and kind father unto us to find the meane, that we may peasiably occupie that litle land, which I bought of you and truly payd for; and it shalbe to a discharge of your conscience and, with Gods grace, comforth in lykewyse, for it shall ever succeed in your bloud. Father, I besech you thus to doe, to take the payne upon you to make such labor unto Sir John Roclife, that he will, at your instauncie and by the mediacion of such of your frinds as it shall please you to cause to labor unto him, make a release of that land in Combrig. Father, if it please you to doe your best herin, I doubt not, with Gods grace, but you shall well bring this matter to passe, considring the familiaritie betwixt you and him now, and that is like to be. Thus doing, you bynd me and all myne ever to do you that pleasure, that may be in our smale power; and not doyng thus, all that know you and me myght well speake upon it, that I should, considryng how I stand unto you, pay such a sume of money to you, and not to be made sure of my bargen. And beside, yt wold be to me as great discomforth as lightly cold happen me, which wold greve much more then the losse of my money, or of my land. And, as you know right well, I have Slyngsby bonden as your surty in an obligation of x=li= for the perfirmance of your bargan, which I have redy in my keping. And the Lord preserve you. From Redburne in hast, upon Trenetie Munday. By your faythfull loving son, Germayn Pole. [\4 June 1515.\]

[} [\LETTER CLXXIV.\] }] (^To the right worshipfull and singuler gud father, Sir Robart Plompton, Kt. be these delivered in hast.^) Right worshipfull and my full singuler gud father, in the most humble and lowly maner that I can, I hartely recomend me unto you, and to my lady your wyfe, and in lykewise doth your daughter, my poore wyfe, and hartely prayeth you of your dayly blessing, desiring the knowledg of your prosperous health and welfaire. Father, so it is that upon a truth, of thursday last, oon Richard Bardall of Hessope came in the names of Roclife, Parpoynte, and Counstable to my tennant in Combryg, and also to Crake[{marsh{] and in ther names commaunded my tennant that he should from henceforth pay me no rent, but to make his rent redy for them, shewing eich one of them wold send a servant thither for the rent betwixt this and Martynmas; and told him playnly that they must have the sayd land, because it was nether in ther wryting, nor in yours. Father, you sent me word laytly by my servant, that you had made it sure to me without any daunger. Yt pleaseth you to let him se your wrytings, and, as I understond, both by you and by him, it is nether expressed in the wrytings that towch them, nor you. Yet, notwithstanding, upon mine honestie, they make this sturryng therin, and so yt is to thinke, that if they may find any hole or colur therin, they will troble with me for the same; and yt were great pytie that I shold have ony troble for that thing, that I have bought and truly payd for. Wherfore, at the reverence of God, and for the love that you owe to me and my wyfe, and our children, to make a sure way for me now at this terme at London. And I pray you send me word what tyme you will goe or send to London, and I will send one of my servants to meet you or your deputie ther. And

at his comming whom, bringing me word that you have made it sure to me without daunger or jopartie, forthwith you shal have payd you that, that myne uncle Sir Alban promysed you, and at all tymes the best that in me may be to you and all yours, duryng my natural life, by the sufferance of (^Jesu^) , who have you in his eternall keeping. From Rodburne in hast, the iij day of October. Father, I besech you at such tyme as recoveres or assurances shalbe made, that it will please you to let it be expressed by name, that they may be avoyded or expulsed from ther clame therin. Your loving son, Germayn Pole. [\3 Oct. 1515.\]

[} [\LETTER CLXXV.\] }] [^TO SIR ROBERT PLUMPTON^] (^To my uncle Plumpton this letter be delivered in hast.^) Uncle Plompton, I commend me unto you. It is so I am like to have busines for the lordship of Harwood. The Kinge is my good and gracias Lord, and hath granted it to me, with all the revenos and profitts thereof, duryng the nowne age of the heire of Heire Ridman. And as I am enformed, such folkes as be not my lovers, wold bysie them in the cause; how be it, they have no matter of law, nor right therin. Wherfore I desire you, if there be any cause or matter of danger against me in that behalfe, that ye will be with me, with such company as you can make, at such tyme as I send to you; at which your comyng ye shall se a reasonable

suerty to beare me in the cause. And what ye will doe herin, I pray you send me word in writting be this bearer. And thus our Lord keepe you. At Gaukthorpe, the xviii day of December. Your nephew, William Gascoygne. [\18 Dec. anno circiter 1515.\]

[} [\LETTER CLXXVI.\] }] [^TO SIR ROBERT PLUMPTON^] (^To my Uncle Plompton be these delivered.^) Uncle Plompton, I recomend me unto you, desiring you to call to your remembrance the byrth of my nephew William Farfax, which was borne with you at Plompton, and let me have the dayt of his birth. Also I pray you let me have the dayt of the marraige of my cosin Hair and your daughter, which ye have in wrytting, as I am enformed; and ye thus doyng bynds me to doe you as great a pleasure, which I shalbe glad to doe, with the grace of God, who preserve you to his pleasure, and thus fare ye well. From Gawkthrop, the third day of March. Your William Gascoyne. [\3 March 15-.\]

[} [\LETTER CLXXVIII.\] }] [^JOHN DODDINGTON TO ROBERT PLUMPTON^] (^To my right worshipfull master Sir Robart Plompton, kt. deliver thes in hast.^) Right worshipfull Sir, in my most humble maner that I can, I recomend me to your good mastership, and also to my good lady; letting your mastership understand that Nicholas, the messenger, hath delivered a byll into the Stare Chamber of all the prevey seles that he delivered in the north country: and as many as apereth not, the Counsell derecteth proses against them. Howbeyt, I made aledgment for your mastership, wherwith they are content, and hath given day All-hallow day. And they lay to your charge lxxxiij=li=, that your mastership shold be debtable to the King for the lordship of Plompton, for ij yeres, in King Herre the VII=th= dayes. This must be answered at the next terme. And, Sir, ther is a suyt against your mastership in the Excheker for introshon. And, Sir, as for my yong master, that hath none end as yet. Sir, the Kings grace and the queens lyeth at Wodfeld; and yt is sayd of a certayne that ther comes a lyget from Rome to my lord Cartdenall, and shall bring to my lord Cardenall the paypis with full authoryty and power of all maner of things in the Reame of England. No more to your mastership, but the Holy Ghost have you in his keping. From London in hast, the xxviii of June. By your servant, John D. [\28 June 1516.\]

[} [\LETTER CLXXX.\] }] (^To my right worshipfull and my especiall good father Sir Robart Plompton, kt. be thes delivered.^) Right worshipfull Sir, after dew recomendations had, I homly recomend me unto you and to my lady and mother-in-law, beseching you for your dayly blessing. Sir, I have bene dyverse tymes before the judges for my matters, but I can have none end

as yet, except my cousin Babthorp myght have all the lands in Hemyngbrough ... and I to have Waton, Northcayffe, Medelton, Wystou, and lands in Beverley to the valow of xl=s=, and forest land in Selby to the valow of xx=s=, and iij=li= land more, or lx=li= in money; and to give answer the first day of the next tearme. Wherfore, Sir, I besech you of your best counsell therin by this bearer. And as for your owne matter before Master Dance, Olever hath wrytten to you the scertayntie therof; and as for Mr. Woyd, I had money so much to do as to stope the outlawery this terme. Wherfore, Sir, I besech you to make some search therfore, for yt is a great danger, as the world is at this day, as (^Jesu^) knowes, who preserve you in health. Wrytten at Sacum, the x day of June. Sir, I besech you give credence to this bearer. By your owne son to his litle power, William Plompton.

[} [\LETTER VIII.\] }] (^To my good Lady, Dame Anne Rokesby, be this delivered.^) Maddam, after my most louely I recomend me to your ladyship, evermore desiring to wit of your good wellfare, which is my dayly prayer to Jesus to inquete to your harts most comfort. Maddam, I doe wryte to you praying not your ladyship to be wroth with my husband for the money that he received of my M=rs= your daughter, that he send not to you by this bearrer. It was my consent; for in good faith, madam, in a maner we weare eether to have lost our farme, for M=r= Trey is so trobled in the law, that he may not forbeare his rent no whyle. Madam, I bad my husband take your money, and I said, I trust your Ladyship will not be discontent for your money for a season; the which shall be befor Lamas, by the grace of God. For in good fayth, madam,

we must have else sold iij of our key, the which had bene a great hindrance to us. For in good faith we buy that we spend in our house, and I am faine to eate browne bread and drink small alle myselfe, and lives as hardly, as God knowes, and must do for this yeare. I trust to God it shall be ammended the next yeare; for, I thank God, we had not a better cropp toward this good whyle. And God reward your Ladyship; we had lived most hardly, if that your Ladyship had not bene. And I pray you, madam, let not my M=rs=. your daughter wit of it, for then she will never trust my husband, nor me. God reward hir, which I am much bownd unto. I can doe nothing for your Ladyship and hir, but for to pray for your prosperete. I pray you, madam, let not my husband know of this letter, and send me word trewly with this bearrer in a little bill of your owne hand, ij or iij words, that he know not of your mind. No more, but Jesus kepe your Ladyship in good health. By your power beadwoman, Ann Abott.

[} [\LETTER X.\] }] [^TO ISABEL PLUMPTON^] (^To his mother at Plompton be this letter delivered.^) Right worshipful mother, I humbly recommend mee unto you, desiring you of your dayly blessing, praing (^Jesu^) long to continew your helth to his pleasur. Mother, I thanke you for the ..... you send mee, for yf you were not, I were not able to live; for this same Christmasse hath cost mee as much as you send mee. Wherfore, I am afraid I shal not have money to serve mee to Easter. Also I wold desire you to send mee word of the letter that I wrote to my father and you, for to moove my Lady Gascoin to write to

my lord, her brother, not to bee only his servant, but of his houshold and attending unto him; for els he wold do as other lords do, knowes not half their servants. Wherfor, I desire you that you wil moove my lady Gascoin to write so to my lord, that I may bee his houshold servant. Also, mother, I wold desire you to mark wel my letter, that I sent you by Mr. Oughtred; and here I send you a godly New Testament by this bearer. And yf the prologue bee so small that ye cannot wel reade them, ther is my fathers book, and they are bothe one, and my fathers book hath the prologue printed in bigger letters. Yf it wil please you to read the introducement, ye shal see marvelous things hyd in it. And as for the understanding of it, dout not; for God wil give knowledge to whom he will give knowledg of the Scriptures, as soon to a shepperd as to a priest, yf he ask knowledg of God faithfully. Wherfor, pray to God, and desire Jesus Christ to pray for you and with you. No more to you at this tyme, but God fill you

with al spiritual knowledge, to the glory of God, the helth of your soule, and the profit of your poor nieghbor. Written at the Temple, the 12 day of ianuary. By your sonn, Robert Plompton. [\Anno circa 1536.\]

[} [\LETTER XI.\] }] [^TO ISABEL PLUMPTON^] (^To his right worshipful mother bee this delivered with speed.^) Right worshipfull mother, I humbly recomende me unto you, desiringe Jesus longe to continewe your healthe to the pleasure of God. Worshipfull mother, I am bounde to write to you, yea and you were not my mother, because it hathe pleased God of his inestimable goodnes to sende me some understandinge in the Scriptures; for everie man or woman that it shall please God to sende knowledge in the Scriptures is bounde to instructe theire brethren in the lovinge of the Gospell. Wherefore, it is my dutie to instructe you, most principalle of all other, which hathe shewed to me so muche kindenes, besides all motherly kindenes. Wherefore, I desire you, moste deare mother, that ye will take heede to the teachinge of the Gospell, for it is the thinge that all wee muste live by; for Christe lefte it that we shoulde altogether rule our livinge thereby, or els we cannot be in favour with God. Wherefore, I woulde desire you for the love of God, that you woulde reade the Newe Testament, which is the trewe Gospell of God, spoken by the Holy Ghoste. Wherefore, doubte not of it, dearly beloved mother in the Lorde, I write not this to bringe you into anie heresies, but to teache you the cleare light of Goddes doctrine. Wherefore, I will never write nothinge to you, nor saye nothinge to you, concerninge the Scriptures, but will dye in the quarrell. Mother, you have muche to thanke God that it woulde please him to geve you licence to live untill this time, for the gospell of Christe was never so trewly preached as it is nowe.

Wherfore, I praye to God that he will geve you grace to have knowledge of his Scriptures. Ye shall heare perceive what the profession of our Baptisme is, which profession we muste have written in our hartes. Which profession standeth in twoe thinges; the one is the knowledge of the lawe of God, understandinge it spiritually as Christe expoundeth it, Math. v. vi. and vii. chapters; so that the roote and life of all lawes is this, Love thy Lorde God with all thy harte, all thy soule, all thy mighte, and all thy power, and thy neighboure as thy selfe for Christes sake. And love onely is the fullfillinge of the lawe, as saithe S. Paule, and that whatsoever we doe and not of that love, that same fullfilleth not the lawe in the sighte of God. And what the lawe doth meane ye shall finde in the prologue to the Rom: in my fathers booke, called the Newe Testament. I write unto you because that I knowe you have a fervent ... and his lawes [\REST WANTING.\]

[} [\LETTER XII.\] }] (^To my welbeloved son Robart Plompton at the Iner Temple in London be this.^) Son Robart Plompton, I hertely recommend me to you, and sending you and your brother God blesing and mine. The cause of my writing to you now; that I wold you should helpe this bearrer, yong Letham, in such buisenes as he hath in the Court of Augmentation, for certaine power for yong children of one Berkine, deceased, as conserning one farme hold, late belonging to the hold of St. Robarts, which you know I did speake to the Ansurer for the use of the said children, and he permised not to suit them. That notwithstanding, John Benson would have entred;

and now made many great riots upon the said children, and therfore he is indited with divers persons with him. And now forther, he hath brought a preve seale against old Leathom and yong Leathom, and also the eldest child; and for that divers and many of ther frinds hath moved me to wryte to you to help them in the said matter. And if it be that you can make any frinds, to shew Mr. Chaunceler the planer and through in every thing (and this bearrer can instruct you), and then, I pray you, do the best for them. And also I would have you to speak with Mr. Latham, the goldsmith, Lanlord to Robart Oliver, and shew him how that he will not make his diches and fences belonging to his farme, but that my corne and gras is spoyled at Watterton by that meaner. And if he will not seake remedy therof, let Mr. Fox enter a action of trespas against the said Robart Oliver for dispoyling my gras at Watterton to the valew of five mark. And as far as I fele, Mr. Norton comith not up. I shall make your rents to be gathered, and send it to you as shortly as I can. And thus hartely far you well. From Plompton, this 14=th= day of November. By your loving father, William Plompton.

[} [\LETTER XV.\] }] (^Too the right worshipfull and his singuler good master, Mr. William Plompton, esquire, at Plompton Hall, in the countie of York, give theis.^) Right worshipfull, my deuty to you premised, in my most hartyest maner I recomend me unto you, and likewise to my good Mistres your wife, trusting in Jesus that you with all your children be in good health, the continuence wherof I pray Jesus increase. It may please you to be advertised I have received your gentle letters, datted at Plompton the ix of January, by the which you required

me to helpe Tho: Compton, your nephe, to some honiest ocopation at London, with him to be bownd prentis; which I wad gladly to the uttermost of my power and the helpe of my frinds have don, as I am bownd, in case he had come unto me, as he did not. The bringer of your said letters informed me that your said nephew was determend to kepe in his ownhe countrie, and not to cum to London. And where your pleasure in your said letter is, that I shold give you notise if theare wear any thing in varience within your maner or lordship of Sacomp, to the intent you might send your pleasure therin by your baly, at his next coming to Sacomp. Sir, thear is one thing in varience for title of copehold land ther, which one Edward Glidall, your late farmer, hath; which land was somtimes one Flegs, unto the which one Flege now maketh title and hath don long times past. And abowt Chrismas last past, the same Flegge delivered a (\supenea\) to Glidall for the same, as I am informed, but what is don therin I know not; of this matter, Settill, your servant, can informe you better then I. Allso, ther is one Slepe dweling abowt St. Albones, who at your last Court thear maid clame to a percill of grownd of your said copehold in the tenner of Marston, of the which the same Marston hath a cope. Soever the le [\nevertheless\] , said Slepe aledgeth that his brother, of whom the said Marston bought the same ground, never maid surrender therof, according to the custome of your maner; albeit, it apereth plainely in a bill remaining with the said Merston, that the brother of the said Slepe sold unto Merston all his intreast in the said coppehold. The same Slepe at your last court required your baly ther, with the asent of the said Merston, to make search in your court rowls if any such surrender wer maid, acording as it is mentioned in the said copie remaining with the said Marston, [{which cope, as

I remember, was maide in the fowerth or fifth yeare of the reign of our Soveraigne Lord the king that now is,{] where the said rowle could not be found; howbeit, theare was all the rowles of this King reigne but onely that of that yeare. Sir, as me thinks, your rowls thear be not kept as they ought to be; the cofer wherin your said court rowles lieth is nought and the lock therof not worth a pene, and it standeth in the church at Sacomp, wheare every man may come at his pleasure. Wherfore, in my simple mind it should be nesary for you to provide sum other meane for the safe custody of your said rowles. Also, Sir, sith the time I have bene your farmer ther, I have paid, and must pay within tow yeares next to come, vi fiftens for the farme of your maner of Sacomp, the first payment xxiiij=s=, the second xxx=s= viii=d=, and either of the other fower yeares xxiiij=s=, which amounteth in the hole vii=li= x=s= viii=d=. I marvill greatly that your said manor shold be so highley charged, considering the hole fiftene of your towne of Sacomp is but lix=s=. I could never se no writing of the sesment therof, but only by the report maid of your tennants ther by word of mouth. Sir, I wright this unto you, because in case you have any sertinty therof in wryting, I might know it. I wold be sory to charge your said maner with any more then ought of right to be; and yet I have paid the same, bycause I am loth to stand in contentions with my neighbors .... the truth therin be known. Further, I have received the letter sent to you by Sir Philip Butler, knight, wherin he wrighteth that you have bene insensed against him by the report of lewd and evill disposed persons; by whome he meaneth the same, I may not judge: howbeit, I think rather by me then any other. His sones ar discontented with me, because I kepe grey hounds and hownds at your said maner, saieng that it becometh not me to kepe grey hownds and hownds so near theyr fathers nose, with many other things

which I remite for lake of time. And whear your pleasure is in your said letter, that I shold shew Mr. Butler that in case he wold give you such fine for your milne of Sacomp as your baly did demaund for the same, you wear contented that he shold be amited tennant therof; Sir, sith the receit of your said letter I have not spoken with the said Mr. Butler, because I have bene and yet am at London, as this bearrer can informe you. Albeit, at this (^Hillarii^) tearme I spoke with one Mr. Hide, who maried the said Mr. Butlers daughter, and lieth and continueth within the said Mr. Butlers, and is the greatest doer about him; to whome I shewed your pleasure therin, requiring him to informe Mr. Butler therof, and of your said pleasure. Wherupon the said Mr. Hide said, that you demaunded an unreasonable fine for the same, and that his father did ofer you double the fine that ever was paid by any man for the same. And further he said, that in case ye wold not take such fine, as shold stand with reason and good conscience, he trusted that my lord Chauncler of England, upon the matter hard before him, wold ses such fine for the same as shold stand with right and good consience. And whear, also, the said Mr. Butler, amongst other things, wryteth in his said letters that your tennants thear be daly in his danger, and that he might put them daly to trobles, if he wold; Sir, I trust ye have no tennant thear, but that is the Kings trewe subiect, and obedient to Gods law and his graces. And as long as the be so, I dought not but that we, having so noble and gratious a King as we have, power men shal live in rest, doing their deuty to his grace, as they and all other ar most bownd to do. Sir, Mr. Butler of himself is a good and gentle knight, in case he wear not otherwise counciled, as knoweth (^Jesu^) , who ever preserve you and all

yours in good and prosperus health with long continuance of the same to his pleasure. From London the xxii day of Febuary. Your fermar and servant, John Dodington.

[} [\LETTER XVI.\] }] [^JOHN DODDINGTON TO ISABEL PLUMPTON^] (^To the right worshipfull Mrs. Isbell Plompton, this with speede.^) Right worshipfull and my singler good Mistres, my duty to you premised, in my most hertyest maner I recomend me unto you. Pleaseth you to understand I have received your letter; by the which I understand that your pleasure is, that I shuld lett Edward Glydal have such parcels of ground of your maner of Sacomburs, as which he think to be nessary for him, and which parcils I think be minded to be let. Mistres, as yet I have let no persill of the same your maner to no person. So ever the les, I have oferd Glidall, that if I let any persill of the sam, that he shold have the perfirment therof before any other person, and as farr as I can prevaile, he hath in mind to have ney percill of the same land. He hath taken a farme of my Lord of Essex, and that he intendeth to inhabit and dwell; and his eldest son, which lately dweld in a coppie hold of his father in Sacomb, hath taken and dwelleth in a farme of Mr. Holts in Lankeshire abowt Wouden. And the same copiehold the said Edward Glidall wold have me to

take of him and put in acount therin my self, and that then I shold and might tack land of the sam your said maner to the said coppiehold I shuld think expedient; and I as yet am not minded to take any copehold. Soevertheles, yf Glidall himselfe or his son be minded to occopie any of the said land that I shall be minded to let, he shall hav the preferment therof, and your comaundment in that behalfe, or in any other thing that in me lieth, to be observyd and kept to the best of my power by the same, as Jesus [{knoweth{] , who preserve you in good and prosprus health with long continuance of the same. In hast from London the xxii=th= of February. Your servant and to comaund, John Dodington.

[} [\LETTER XVII.\] }] (^To the right worshipfull and his singuler good Master, Mr. William Plompton, Esquire, this.^) Right worshipfull, in my most hartyest maner I commend me to you and likewise to my good Mistres your wife, trusting to Jesus that you and all your children and famila be in good health. And wheare I perceive by Robart Settell, your servant, that the perty who oweth the lease you sent unto me to be exemplefied, thinketh long for the same and suposes the same lease to be lost; Sir, truth it is, the same lease is and remaineth in the custody of Mr. Henley of the Court of Augmentation of the King's Majesties Crown, and is assigned with the hands of Mr. Chauncler and Counsell of the Court aforsaid, and upon the iiij day of this present month of June was delivered to Duke, clarke of the said Councill, to ingross in parchment, and then to be sealed with the seale of the same Court, which shall be done and finished within fower or 6 dayes next coming. And shortley also, I shall send

you the same with a bill of such somes of money, as I have and shall disburse for the same; so that I trust the said party have no cause to mistrust the having therof. He may not have that leases in revertion be sold on Alowed Sent Leasur. And frindship, as knoweth our Lord God, who ever preserve you. Scribbled in hast at London the 6=th= day of June. Yours to comaund, John Dodington.

[} [\LETTER XVIII.\] }] (^To the right worshipfull Mr. William Plompton, esquire.^) Right worshipfull Sir, my deuty to you premised, in my hartyest maner I commend me unto you and to my Mistres your wife; pleaseth yt you to understand my Master hath wryten his letter to Mr. Goldsbrough for a do for your mastership in Bilton park or the park of Heay at your pleasur. I trust it will be signed, and if it be not, my Master desires your mastership to send him word therof. The same letter is herin closed; and I pray your mastership, if ther be any service that I [{may{] doe your mastership, it will please you to commaund me as your servant. And thus Almighty God to preserve you. Scribled in hast, the vii=th= day of October. Your servant to comaund, John Dodington.

[} [\LETTER XIX.\] }] (^To the right worshipfull William Plompton of Plompton, in the county of York, Esquire, deliver with sped.^) Right worshipfull, in my most hertyest maner I commend me unto you, and likewise to my good Mistres your wife, and very glad

wold be to heare of your good health and all your children. Theas be to certifie you that it hat pleased God Almightie to take into his mercy the late person of Sacomp, Mr. John Petty. He departed this transetory life upon Easterday last at vii of the clock before nowne, whose sowle I pray Jesus perdon; and let us pray that he that shall succede him, be of no worse sorte than he hath bene. I and all my neighbors hartyly desire your mastership, iv also he that shall have the same be minded to be resident and abid upon the same personage, than that you will move him that cumes [{for{] Sir Christopher Bird, person, who honestly did kepe the cure under the forsaid late person, and the maintenment of God service; and may be his depete, as he was to the other late person, wherof I and all your other tennants wold be very glad. Sir, I have sent you the Kings writ of (\dedimus potestatem\) by Mr. Birnand with a letter, sealed in a box, which I trust is come to your hands; and what your pleasure shal be to commaund me in the premises, I pray you let me know, and I shall be glad to accomplish the same. And I pray you have me hartyle commended to Mr. Robart Plompton, your son, and to my Mistres his wife, and to Mr. Dinis, your son, and to Mr. Birnand. And I pray you informe Mr. Birnand his son is mery and in good health, thanks be to Jesus, who ever preserve you and all yours. Scribbled in hast at your maner of Sacomp, the Monday next after Easter day. By your to commaund, John Dodington. [\26 Mar. 1543.\]

[} [\LETTER XXI.\] }] [^TO WILLIAM PLUMPTON^] (^To my cosen Plompton of Plompton, this deliver with spede.^) Cossin Plompton, in as harty manner as I can think I recomend me to you. First, all your frinds ar in good health heare. I have bene very sick since ye went, but I am well now, I thank God. I have vewed Christall; the rent of it, as it is now letted, x=s= iiij=d= score, xv=li= viii=s=; and Arthington is above xx=li= at the end of xvi yeares: the will be iij score pownd above the rent. And the woods, my man sayes, he dar give a thowsand marke for them, but he thinks without dowt he will make a thowsand =li=. I have written to my Cossin, Henry Savill of Lapset, to go thorowgh with my Lord of Canterbury for it. Acording to the comunication, and ye and my Cossen, John Gascoyne, shall have a part, if ye will wryte to me that ye will stike to it; and Robart Savill and Henry Savill of Lapsit will stand to tow parts. I think the woods will give us our money and more; and the lease cleare to be gotten, for laying out of the money till we can make it againe of the woods. I have sent you a rental of it, what it is, every cloase. I pray you let my Cossen, John Gascoyne, se this letter and the rentall. Kepe it secret from all other. I pray God send us merry meting. All written in my ship, at Timmoth. Your asured kinsman, Henry Savill. Cussin Gascoyne, your children ar mery. [\Anno circa 1543.\]

[} [\LETTER XXII.\] }] [^TO WILLIAM PLUMPTON^] (^To my Cossin Plompton of Plompton, this be delivered.^) Cossen Plompton, I recomend me to you, and as I perceive by my son Robart servant, ye say ye will come over and hunt with me; and it please you so to do, ye shal be as hertyly welcome as any man that cam heare of a good space. Ye shall se your arrow fly and your grayhound run, and all thos that comes with you, winter and somer, when it please you to come, as long as I live. As for the other matter, I pas not a litle of it; I have yet waide it with my councill; and as ye shall know at our meting, as I am informed, and as I take it, thear ar many dowts by yt. When I speak with you, I will hide nothing from you in this then in no other cause. When ye intend to come, let me know what time, or els ye may hape neither to have me then nor my son at home; but my wife ye shal be sur to find, and she will send som with you that shall let you se both rid and fallow, if ye will take the paine. I have killed a hind or tow of late, and they ar very fatt this yeare, both in the woods at Tankersley and in my gardin at Thornehill. I thinke ye weare never yet in no grownd of mine, and I never say no man naye. Therfore, the faut is in you and not in me; ye may amend the faut when it please you. The cause of my sending of my servant at this time, is this; he informes me that in your countrie thear is a man that can kill otters very

well; wherfor, I have sent him to git him to me for a weke. I asure you, they do me exceding much harme at divers places, and especiall at Woodkirk and Thornhill, and lyes in small becks. My folks se them daly, and I can not kill them; my hownds be not used to them. From Sothill, the 8 of November. By your asured kinsman, Henry Savill, knt. After the making herof, or it was sealed, cam my son home from London. Of Wedsday came my Lord of Norfock to the Court. The Spanish Duke is gon; the earle of Hertfort, the Bishop of Winchester, with the French Imbasodor, is gon to the Emporor; the Duke of Sufolk with other remaines at Calisse. The Frenchmen that wear of sea ar gon to Depe haven, and the Inglish men ar of the sea, but the cold weather will sufer no man long to continue of the water. As conserning news of Scotland, give credence to this bearrer. This is my owne hand. [\8 Nov. 1544.\]

[} [\LETTER XXIII.\] }] (^To my right worshipfull Coussin, Mr. William Plompton of Plompton, esquire, this deliver.^) Cossin Plompton, I hartely recommend me unto you, thanking you for all your goodnes at all times. I have received your letter by Roger Brindell, and wheare that ye wryte thear is no dowghts

if the matter had come to comunication; ye ar the man that I trust, and by you I wold have bene ordered: and if ye had so thought, I wold have confeined myselfe to you. But I perceive the parte is not minded to commone with him; his wife thinks him to light. And I think, consider his qualeties, his living, his posabilete, and confer al together, I think, as good chepe as this I shall git a living for him, both as good and as fare. And I am sur ther haith bene comredis won with other far wars then he, excep one faute. And as for that, ther is and haith bene many good men with that faut; it is the thing that he cannot amend. It lets him not to eat, drink, slepe; he can live as well of it I have given him, as though it had desendit to him. And if his brother dy without isew, in all by gift he shall have v hundreth mark land, (and if he wear but inhiretable by the law, he shold be heir to him, but for defaut of heireship, I thinke he will not change his estate in this case;) and for defaute of heires of my body lawfuly begotten, he shall inhirit all that I have. But in the meane onely, his fault so shall not hirt him in no profets. Let this matter pas; I hertyle thank you, as much as if it had come to pase. He is much bownd to you, and, if ever he be able, to do you pleasure. I trust ye shull se him git a living, ere the yeare is past. At York, if ye will come and kill a hind, ye shall be hertyly welcom. Wryten at Sothill, the xxviii of November. Anno 1544, 36 H. 8. Your asured frind, Henry Savill, knt. [\28 Nov. 1544.\]

[} [\LETTER XXIV.\] }] (^To his right worshipful Coussin, William Plompton, esquire, this deliver.^) Cossin Plompton, after my hartie recommendations; your servant sheweth me ye were and have bene very sick, wherof I am very sory. And if your sicknes continue, wheare the commaundment comes forth, send forth your servants and tennants, and send forth your excuse to my Lord Lieutennant, with a letter of the trough of your sicknes, and of the time of the continuance therof; and being advertised of the truth, he will excep of your lawfull and reasonable excuse. And thus hertely far you well. From York, the xxviij of May, Anno 1545, 37 H. 8. Your asurred kinsman, Henry Savill. [\27 May 1545.\]

[} [\LETTER XXV.\] }] [^TO WILLIAM PLUMPTON^] (^To my Cossin Plompton this be delivered.^) Cossin Plompton, I hartely recommend me unto you. The cause of my wryting to you is, for that Roger Ramy said to me, he thought ye would aboute Low sonday be at Thornhill. Ye shall come to a old howse cleane downe, and as yet litle amended; but ye shall be very welcome, as I can think. I wold be sory that ye shoold take paine, and I not at home when ye come. Tomorrow begging thursday, I must of force ride to Tankerslay, viij miles hence, and mete my Lord of Shrewsburry, who will be thear tomorrow by ij of the clock, and se a showt at a stage, as my keper hath sent me wourd. And of monday, tewsday, and wedsday, theare is apoynted a great number of gentlemen to mette at cocxs at Sheifeild, whear I intend, God willing, to be, and every night will ly at Tankerxlay; soe it will be friday or I come to

Thornhill, which is the xviij (xiiij) of May. Wherfore, I desire you either put of your comming to that day, or take so much paine to come the viij myles to Tankerxlay, whear I have no lodging, but you shall have the best bed the keper haith; and ye shall se a polard or tow, both rid and falow, and se all our good coxs fight, if it plese you, and se the maner of our cocking. Ther will be Lanckeshire of one parte, and Derbeshire of another parte, and Hallomshire of the third parte. I perceive your cocking varieth from ours, for ye lay but the battell; and if our battell be but x=li= to v=li=, thear wilbe x=li= to one laye, or the battell be ended. And whensoever ye come, I require you take time to hunt with me for one weke; bring bowes and gray hounds, and at the time of the year, hownds. A polard is swet now, and I love it best now at this season; and by Whytsonday this year I shall have fatt bucks. And or any red deare be fatt, it will be July, as far as my experience serves. Com when ye will, and such as I have, ye shall se; and bring good stufe, for I warne you they ar wild about Tankerxlay and ill to cach: and if all fale, I have that ar tame enough. I make all these brages to cause you to com, for I never yet did se you in thease parts; and ye shall come no time wrong, fence-time then other. I have tame plenty lyeth out; I can make you game at rid and falow, and stir no rascall. I besich Jesus send us mery meting. Thus hertyly far ye well. This Wendsday at Thornhill, the v=th= of May, Anno 1546: 38 H. 8. Your asured frind Henry Savill, kn=t=. [\5 May 1546.\]

[} [\LETTER XXVIII.\] }] [^TO ISABEL PLUMPTON^] (^To the right worshipfull Mrs. Plompton, at Plompton Hall.^) With most harty commendations in Christ Jesus, good Mrs. Plompton, this is to advertis you of the dispatch of such matters as you did commit unto me at my last being with you, wheare that I have traveled as I might of, partly by the ade and help of Mr. Bill, your very frind I think, who hath him most hartily recommended both to you and Mr. Dynes, and hath sent your lozengs for a token. You shall allso receive with this bearrer a letter to Mr. Haymond, feodarry, for your lease, procurred by Mr. Bill, who shewed me that your charges in the Cheker is dispacht, and your Cussin Girlington hath brought your acquitance. And order is taken for you at the Court of the Wards, and all is well stayd, but yet not paid. Your request was moved to Sir Arthur Darcy first, who taketh the matter frindly, as ye shall know. The other gentleman was then by chaunc from the Court, which was the cause of the first talke with Sir Arthur. But in such wise as we may, and shall with honesty take the way which shal be thought the best to you and your frinds. Because you may se

the effect of my Lord Treasurrers letter for your lease, I have sent it to you patent and open; and that knowing the effect therof, then you may send it to the feodary yourselfe, which were good that you did with spede convenient. Thus I comit you to the permishion, to him that canne, to will justice, who all your lawful dedes of honesty desires no dought, who I pray long to preserve in health. From my lodge at Howell, this Palme Sunday. Yours to my litle power William Wodrif. The cause that I came not now to you is a broken shin, which hath much vexed me. [\25 Mar. 1548.\]

[} [\LETTER XXIX.\] }] [^TO ISABEL PLUMPTON^] (^To the right worshipfull Mrs. Plomton at Plompton hall, widow.^) Right worshipfull Mistres, in my harty wise I commend me to you, with thanks given to you for all your gentlenes; certyfying you that as yet my wife hath not laid her belly, but remaineth at her wits end. And sinc my being with you I have not had iij dayes of health; I thank God albeit. I am better now, which aple, that

I was thinking, by God's helpe, to se you after the holadayes. In the mean time I have sent this knowen bearrer to you for to se you, because I am not all well, praying you to advertis me of your health and wellfare, which I will be glad to hear of, as I wold be any frind I have, as God knoweth, who have you in his keping, and so fare ye well. From Howell grang, this Palme sunday. Yours to my litle power withowt gile, William Wodrif. I am sory of the hevines of the death of Mr. Dinis wife. [\Anno 1549-50.\] [^RERUM BRITANNICARUM MEDII AEVI SCRIPTORES. OR CHRONICLES AND MEMORIALS OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND DURING THE MIDDLE AGES. LETTERS AND PAPERS ILLUSTRATIVE OF THE REIGNS OF RICHARD III. & HENRY VII. VOL. I-II. ED. BY GAIRDNER, JAMES. LONDON: LONGMAN, GREEN, LONGMAN, AND ROBERTS. 1861, 1863.^]

[} [\XVII. RICHARD III. TO JAMES III.\] }] [\A.D. 1483. 16 Sept.\] By the King of England. Right high and mighti prince, right trusty and welbeloved cousin, we commaunde us unto you. And where as by your lettres brought unto us by your pursevaunt Dyngvale, as amongst other largely shewed that for occasion in tyme past thenterupcion, breche, and disturbaunce of peas betwixt both realmes, hath growen thrugh the meanes of evyll disposed persones contrarie to your mynde and entencioun, and that ye remayne in good purpoos to thobservaunce of love, peas, and concorde of the same royalmes to be had, and for that entent have sent, at this tyme, unto us your said pursuyvant to understande our goode mynde in that behalve, meovyng us for that cause that certaine your legates mought come unto us enstructed with your mynde in that partie; cousyn, we acertaine you our mynde and disposicion is and ever shalbe confirmable to the will and pleasur of God our aller Creatour in all resounable and convenient peax, without fenyng, that shuld be desired of us by any nacion. And if that your desire and pleasure be to sende hider suche personnages to treate for thaccomplisshing therof, we, havyng knowlage fro you of their names, shall yeve unto theim oure sure saufconduyt for ane resonable nombre and season. And God kepe you, right high and mighti prince, our right trusty and welbeloved cousyn. Yeven the xvj=th= day of September. To, &c., the King of Scottes.

[} [\XXII. RICHARD III. TO JAMES III.\] }] [\A.D. 1484. 7 Aug.\] Right high and mighty prince, right trusty and welbeloved cousin, we commaunde us unto you in the moost herty wise. And where it hath pleased your cousinage to addresse unto us nowe of late your honorable lettres by our trusty servant and squier Edward Gower, signifiing by the same howe that upon the retornyng of your trusty and welbeloved cousin and counsaillor Robert lord Lile from us into your royaume agayne, and by his relacion and others ye have ben advertised of our mynde as touching the good of peas and abstinence of werre betwene bothe royaumes. Whereunto we shewed us wele applied and inclyned in suche manere as we largely commoned with the same lord Lile and yave in charge to our said servant topen unto your said highnesse or to suche lordes of your counsaille as it wold please you to depute and assigne to here the same. And that thereupon your said cousinage likewise inclyned, and according to our pleasire hathe lymited and ordeigned certaine grete lordes and othre of your counsaille with ful powair and commission to comme into our towne of Notingham the vij day of Septembre next to comme, to advyse, common, and conclude upon treux and abstynence

of werre to be observed and kept betwix your lieges and oures; and also upon love and frendship aliaunces and mariages to be had in your blode and oures, like as in your said lettres it is conteigned more at large. Right highe and mighty prince, righte trusty and welbeloved cousin, we late your cousinage wite that this your loving and toward disposicion is to us right agreable, trusting that by the mean of this your ambassade instructed in al the forsaid maters as plenerly as the caas shal require, and to doo therein as largely in al pointes as ye were present in propre persone, according to that that is expressed in your said lettres, suche good weyes shalbe taken betwix bothe royaumes whereby effusion of Christen blood may be eschewed, love and tendrenesse growe daily and encreace, aswele betwix you and us as the inhabitauntes of bothe royaumes, whiche we take God in witnesse we as hertly have entended with good condicions, and soo shal hereafter, as any prince lyving cann or may. And to thentent no thing faille necessary or behoveful to the spedy execucion of the premisses, nor of your partie ne of oures, we have passed our lettres patentes of saufconduyt undre our gret seale for the sure commyng, abiding, and retornyng of your said ambassade, and the same lettres sent by this berer according to your desire and pleasure. Right high and mighty prince, right trusty and welbeloved cosyn, the blessed Trinite have you in his keping. Yeven undre our signet at our palois of Westminster, the vijth day of August. Ricardus Rex.

[^TO THE EARL OF DESMOND^] [\A.D. 1484. September.\] To therl of Desmond. Right trusty and right welbiloved cousin, we grete you hertily wele. Lating you wite that nat oonly the zelous desir and herty affeccion that ye bere unto us according to the duetie of your ligeance, rapported on your behalve by the reverend fader in God, our ful trusti counseillor the bisshop of Enachden, bringer of these, bot also the reteignyng in our mynde of the manifold benivolent services and kindenesse by our cousin your fader in sundrie wise to the famous prince of noble memorie our fader, whom God rest, in

seasons of great necessite, and after that to our brother, late king, doon and shewed, causen us to have and accepte you into our singler favor and grace. And forasmoch as it hathe pleased God to sende now the rule of this your reame, to have you the more tenderly recommended in the same as our said counseillor hath more plainly to shewe unto you aswele therin as our entent and pleasure for to have you to use the manere of our English habite and clothing; for the which cause we sende you by hym a coller of gold of our liveree and divise with othre apparaill for your persoune of Thenglish fassion, which we wol ye shal receyve of hym in our name as we have advised; trusting that at somme convenient season herafter we shal have you to comme over unto us hider, and bee more expert, both in the maner and condicions of us and othre honorable and goodly behavynges of our subgettes here, as by instruccions we have informed hym therin more at large. And as touching your demeanyng in mariage, that for special causes greatly resteth in our mynde and pleasure, we have in likewise shewed unto hym the same by our said instruccions, to whom in declaring therof, and of everi othre thing concernyng the premisses, we desire you to yeve unto hym ful feith and credence, and with al effect applie and endevoir you to thexecucion and performyng of the same, as our great trust is in you. Yeven, &c. the xxix. day of Septembre.

[^TO GERALD FITZGERALD^] [\A.D. 1484. September.\] To Therle of Kildare. Right trusti, &c. Certifieng you that as touching the lieutenantship of our land of Irland, we have ordeigned and appointed our entierly biloved nepveu Therl of Lincolne to that office; and have advised and willed him that ye shalbe his deputie in the same, wherunto he is agreable, as your servant besides this

can accertaigne you more at large; in the which we pray you to doo and continue as ye have doon for the good and wele of our said land. And over this where as we sende at this tyme unto thoes parties the reverend fader in God our ful trusti counseillor the bisshop of Enachden, bringer of these, for certain materes greatly concernyng our pleasure, which by our commandement he hath to shewe unto you, we desire you therin to yeve unto hym ful feith and credence, and with al diligence to the performyng of the same, what great pleasure in soo doing ye shal ministre unto us oure said counsaillor shal in like wise on our behalve enforme you. Yeven, &c. the xxij. day of Septembre.

[^TO THE LORD BARRY OF MUNSTER^] To the Lord Barrey of Monyster. Right trusti, &c. And where as we bee informed by the reverend fader in God, our ful trusti counseillor the bisshop of Enachden, how that in dayes heretofore in parte aswele thorough your awne negligence for lak of due sute and labor, as otherwise, ye have ben injured and wronged of certain lyvelode and landes, that ye clayme of enheritaunce, lieing in Wales; we assure you that if ye by your self, or any other persone for you, shalle lust to make diligence for your recovere therof, after the processe and due ordure of our lawes we shalle shew you therin any thing that may apperteyne, asferforth as your said right, and our lawes shalle require in any wise. And over that for the true hert and feith that by our said counsellor we understande ye bere unto us according to the dutie of your liegeaunce be unto you and alle your kynnesmen verray good and graciouse soverayn lord in any other cause or mater, as we have commaunded him to shewe unto you in our behalve; to whome herin ye wille geve playne credence, as our trust is in you. Yoven, &c. the xx=ti= day of Septembre.

[\A.D. 1484. September.\] To John Power and Piers Power, and aither of them. Righte trusty and welbeloved we grete you wele. Latting you wite that we have understande by the credable reaporte of reverende fadre in God the bisshop of Enachden of youre fast and good demeanyng, and specially in repressing and subduyng of our ennemyes in thoose parties, according to the duetie of your liegeaunce. For the which and your perfite contynuaunce in the same we shalbe verrey good and graciouse soverayn lord unto you and alle your kynnesmen. Desiring you both and aither of you to see that ye and they deale of oon accorde and unite, advoiding alle variaunces and stryves amonges you, as ye and they desire to please us. And our said counsellor hath in our name to shew unto you more at large concernyng the same, to whome therin ye will geve pleyne credence, as our trust is in you. Yeven, &c. the xxij=ti= day of Septembre.

[^UNKNOWN RECIPIENT^] [\A.D. 1484. September.\] To &c. Right trusty and welbeloved, we grete you wele. And have understanden to oure fulle good pleasur by the reaport of the reverende fader in God, oure fulle trusty counsellor, the bisshop of Enachden, this berer, that ye be descended of the auncien blood and lynage of our auncestres of Wolster, and also the good feithfulle hert and obeissaunce that ye bere unto us according to the duetie of your liegeaunce. Reteynyng also in mynde the noble service that ye and your kynnesmen in dayes past have doon unto the famouse prince of noble memorie, our fader (whom Jesu rest), and other our progenitors. For the which we can you specialle thankes, desiring you in our herty wise fermely to contynue the same towardes us, and that

ye of that blood amongest you applie and dispose you to be of oon demeanyng and unite for the wele of your self and of the contre there, exhorting other lordes and gentilles, as ferforth as ye may to doo the same, as our trust is in you. Latting you wite that we more at large have enstructed our said counsellor with our ferther mynde and pleasur in our name to shew unto you; wherein ye will geve unto him plaine credence, and in alle wise conforme you to thutter accomplisshing therof. For the whiche soo doyng we assure you to bee good and graciouse soverayn lord unto you and alle your kynnesmen in any your causes herafter. Yoven under our signet at Westminster, the xxj. day of Septembre.

To Sir Alexander Plunkett. Trusty and welbeloved we grete you wele. And late you wite we have understande by the credable reaport of the reverend, &c., the bisshop of Enachden of your fast and good demeanyng, and specially in repressing and subduyng of our ennemyes in those parties, according to the duetie of your liegeaunce, for the whiche and your perfite contynuaunce in the same we shalbe verray good and graciouse soverayn lord unto you and alle your kynnesmen, as our said counsellor hath in our name to shewe unto you more at large concernyng the same; to whome therin ye will geve pleyne credence, as our trust is in you. Yoven, &c., the xx=ti= day of September.

[^TO THE LORD BARRY OF MUNSTER^] [\A.D. 1484. September.\] To the Lord Barry et Monystre. Right trusty and welbeloved, we grete you wele, Latting you wite we be enformed by the reverende fader, &c., the bisshop of Enachden, that ye be enhabited in thextreme parties upon our ennemyes of the wilde Iresshe, and according to your liegeaunce daily kepe werre with them in the defense of your self and other our subgiettes there to your gret troubles, hurtes and charges. For the which we can you gret thankes, desiring you so perfilty to contynue, whiche we shalle not unremembre, but for the same be unto you and alle your kynnesmen good and graciouse soverayn lord in alle your causes herafter, as our said counsellor hath by our commaundement to shew unto you more at large; to whome therin ye will geve fulle feith and credence. Yoven, &c., the xxij day of September.

[} [\XXIX.\] }] [^TO THE DEAN AND CHAPTER OF SALISBURY^] [\A.D. 1484. 8 Dec.\] Ricardus Rex. By the king. Trusty and welbeloved, we grete you wele. And forasmoche as by calling from this uncertaine and transitory lif of your late bisshop, ye stande destitute and desolate of a pastoralle hede and spirituelle governor; for the whiche, by auctoritie of oure licence royal, ye must hastely procede to theliting of a newe pastor and bisshop: We, havyng tendre regarde aswele unto the laudable merites, highe vertues, and profounde

cunnyng, that the righte reverend fader in God, our righte trusty and righte welbeloved counsaillor, the bisshop of St. David, is notarily knowen to be of, as unto othre his notable desertes, contynued trouthe, and feithful services to us in sundry wises doon to our singler pleasire, desire and hertly pray you that in your said eleccion ye wol have him to the said preemynence and pastoralle dignitie before alle othre especially recommended and preferred. Wherein we doubte not ye shal not oonly provyde righte sadly for the wele of the said cure, and for the honnor of our cathedralle churche there to the pleasire of God, but also cause us to departe with you the more largely the favor of our good grace in suche thinges as may be for the universal wele of you and of our said churche in tyme to come. Yeven undre our signet at oure palois of Westminster the viijth day of Decembre. To our trusty and welbeloved the dean and chapitre of oure cathedral churche of Sarum.

[} [\IV. HENRY VII. TO THE BISHOP OF DURHAM.\] }] [^TO JOHN SHERWOOD^] [\A.D. 1491. 5 Feb.\] By the King. H. R. Right reverend fader in God, right trusty and right welbeloved, we grete you wel. And have seyn youre writing of the date of the xxvj. day of January, wherby and other wayes we understande wel that Sir

Robert Chambrelayne and diverse personnes with hym in company be taken at Hertilpole, within the precinct of the fraunchise of Saint Cuthebert belonging to you and to youre chirche of Duresme. Wherin ye beseche us humbly that we wol not doo breke, nor interupte the said franchises. We late you wite that for thonnor of God and of that glorioux Confessor Saint Cuthebert, we be and shalbe as good and favorable souverain lord unto you and to thoes franchises and libertees as any oure noble progenitors hathe been in tyme passed, and shal moche rather assist and defende theym then in any wise suffre theym to be interupted or defeicted. Desiring and hertily praying you that oure trusty and welbeloved servaunt Sir Edward Pykering, knight for oure body, may bring the said Sir Robert and thoes other oure rebelles and traitours to our presence. And if youre shirief of the bisshopriche have the conveyance according to your said fraunchise, both of our said servant and of our rebelles and traitors asfer as the bondes streicheth of youre said libertiees, for the better saufgard of the same, we shalbe therwith content and plaised. And astouching the goodes taken with our said rebelles, we be content also ye have theym, if that your said fraunchises so require: how be it the lord Clifford maketh clayme unto theym by raison of certain his libertees that he pretendeth to have in the lordship of Hert and Hertilpole forsaid. And inasmoche as for divers grete considerations it behoveth us to understande what writinges and othre goodes our said rebelles had with theym, we eftsonnes praye you that by billes endented betwene you and your officers on the oon part and our said knight on the other, we may be certefyed purticulierly and by parcelles of all [{su{]che writinges and goodes as shalbe founde in their caskettes, males, tronkkes, or in othre their cariages. Assuring you that our mynde ys not therby nor othrewise to breke or interupt your said fraunchises, but rathre

to [\LOST BY THE MUTILATION OF THE MS.\] and defende theym as above. Yeven under our signet at our paloys of Westminster, the v=th= day of Februarij. [\ADDRESSED:\] To the Right Reverend Fa[{der in God, our{] right welbeloved the bi[{shop of Duresme{] .

[} [\XXX. EDMUND DE LA POLE TO THOMAS KILLINGWORTH.\] }] [\A.D. 1505.\] Tomas Kellengwort, I prae yov goe yn to Breuryrissceles to the king, and speke yov with my lord Wele, and with ys broder, and recomand me to them, de serreng them to be my govd frendes as my spesale treust ys yn them. And that yt veld ples them to remenber me to the K. And that yt vold ples the K. that ys gras vold be so god lord to me that I met be hovt of thest manse hand, for as I her that ale the land saeys planle he vele nat com to the K. And ef yt be so the K. mae se a lekleode wedder the dewke vele com at hem or nat; stresting my lord my cosons, bovthe my lord Vele and my lord Fennes ys broder the vele have me yn rembererans, as the bovt promes me. I ame her by the kinges comand ment, and ys as glad to do the K. pleser and sarves as onne mane. And sae thest vordes them "Ef I vare yn the fardes yend of the vord, I veld be at ys comand ment to fovelfele ys plessor and comand ment as hone sarvant of ys ys hovs." Marke vele thest and do yt vesle, and planle, with govd and lovle as yov kane. Also go to yenker Flovrens, and sae I recommand me to hem; and sae to hem that I send yov spesale to hem for my heelepe be chescheng hem to speke to the K. for me, as ys vrytvn be fore; bovt yov mae nat let my lord Vele chake that yov come

to yenker Flovrens, for hon of them lovef nat a nodder. Yov mae sae I ame her, and that the dewke of Gelder send me no vord vat I sale do, nor heelpes me nat with notheng, as Petter sale chove yov, bovt vane yov com therechove the Baster ale your masches and fale nat the of. Vat letters vat that the Baster sent you to Anssterdane vryt me yt yn Ingles. Also I prae the Baster to send the menes I mae have som remede to have mone, for ther vele none of my frendes vele heelpe me with a pene, as yov ma chowe hem as yov have haneser fro Pole welyes I be her with the dewke of Gelder. Also, ef yov se the K. of the Romes mak me recommand dase anurs to hem, and as yov yov cheke hove the mater stovd be teven the K. of Romes and me, chev yt. And sae "the favt vas nat yn my lord, for my lord provfferd ef yovr gras veld en terten my lord for to monnet with xij hores, my lord vas vel contend to beed yovr plsser, and vane my lord vas gone I bod be hend xx days to cheke your plesser," with ferder as yov thenk best. Edmund Suffolk.

[} [\XXXII. EDMUND DE LA POLE TO THOMAS KILLINGWORTH.\] }] [\A.D. 1505?\] Tomas Kelengvort, I have reseved yovr letter, and also my schertes, and to cheerges, and a bonete, I thanke Clakes Bakker. I marvele yov sond me nat my naggeletes, and my haste and bedes. I toked yov mone for yt, and thenke yov met vele send me that that I thake yov mone for; bovt I se vele ef I thake yov no mone yov vold make bovt letaile cheeufe for me. Ther restes in yovr handes more thane xij. geldranes of the mone that Petter thoke yov to be my ger, and also the mone vas as gevd mone as coode be. Yov have done viesle to send Parrelebene to my cousene Nevele to povt me to more coostes. Yt vas nat my commandment that yov chovld do so. Me thenke yov do nat viesle nor honestele. I have notheng bovt bovt yov have yt, and yov povt me to ale the coste, nat so meches as gakee [\?\] bovt I vas fane to geevf heme mone for ys retrovre, and yeet yov send nat me my ger, that I thoke yov mone to be yt. And ale that I marvele nat so mes as of yov, and of John Grevfovn, that yov send nat me vord with yn viij daes. A vas yovr a pontement with me. I vas yn that kas that I vest nat vat vas best to do; for I had vent yov and John boovt had been trovbovld; and ef yt had ben so, parraventer

I vold a found some remedie for my cheelvf, bovt be yovr bout folles ther met a theng a happenid veches ve ale met a repentte. Loke vat dae yov a pont me to have vord frome yov. Fale nat the dae. Ve sal her the K. ys nove cerstond[\...\] Also the capetene has vord that the K. of Romes has send for me my naggetels iiij. pore, a nodder rede bonet. Thest ys to lettele a gret dele, my beddes my chekves for ale thest yov have mone, for the reng I her no vord of yov. Let me have vord for yov with ale hast, as yov have vord form the marchand, and also as yov her vord of the K. Cheis vele with the herres for mone for me as veille as yov kane; yov mae sae I ame vele, and ef I hade mone. Ef you se the Bastard Oskereke, sae I vort to you that I marled I hard no vord of hem. He chekes bettst hove I stand her; and ef he be the mane I thenke he be, me thenke he met best speke that I met have some honestle en tertanement with mone. And tele hem, thove he has for me, I have nat fore geet hem. And I strest hones for ale thest to make heme govd cher with govd maner, and pavt hem to the speches for yt; bovt be yov nat bee vane he spekes. Also chove hem of my xx geldrens for the months of xx stevers for the geldrens, and yet I most bed tele the monthe be hovt or I kane have my gret and honorerabovle entertanement. Yov hade x geldrens for my chertes, and the cherggs veches I hade, and a geldrans for my caskeet; ver be comes ale the todder mone? Provf vele for my reng. Edmund Suffolk.

[} [\XVI. HENRY VII. TO SIR GILBERT TALBOT AND THOMAS CRESSET.\] }] [\A.D. 1500. 6 May.\] By the King. H. R. Trusty and welbeloved, we grete you wele. And late you wit that oure welbeloved servant Richard Bulkeley yeoman of oure Crowne hath shewed unto us how that in cessing of the benyvolence unto us graunted tawardes oure charges in oure last voiage and jorney into Fraunce, he was appoincted and cessed either to contente unto us x. poundes, or elles to goo and geve attendance upon us in the same voiage at his propre costes and charges. And albee it that the said Richard went and served us in his personne, yet as he denyeth it not, he receyved oure wages unto the tyme of our arryvalle from thens into this oure reame; for the whiche cause the said x. li. is nowe by you demanded of him according to the said cessing. Wherfor we, considring that as wele by grete rage of fyre as other infortunat chaunces he hath susteigned, as he sayeth, right grete losses, desire and pray you to enquere whether he bee hable to pay the said money, of fallen in suche povertie as is above surmysed. And if the same surmyse bee trewe that then ye certifie us therof; and in the mean tyme see that he bee not distressed or troubled for the noon payement of the said x. li. And these oure lettres shalbe your discharge in that behalf. Yeven undre oure signet at our castell of Dover the vj=th= day of May.

[\ADDRESSED:\] To our trusty and welbeloved counsaillor and knight for our body, Sir Gilbert Talbot, and Thomas Cresset, squier.

[} [\XXXIII. HENRY VII. TO SIR GILBERT TALBOT.\] }] By the King. H. R. Trusty and right welbiloved, we grete you wele. And for thinformacion in writing subscribed by you and our servant Thomas Decon, touching Richard Knight, whiche ye have caused to bee notified and declared unto us, we geve you our especial thankes, ascertaignyng you that we have upon knowlege of the said enformacion, caused the said Richard Knight to bee comitted to warde w[{ithin{] our Towre of London. Wherfor we, considering that he had the keping of our towre of [{Ri{]sebanke, wol and commaund you that fur[{th{]w[{ith{] upon the sight herof ye do committe unto the said Thomas Decon the custodye of our said towre, and put hym into the same with noo gretter nombre of personnes than shal conveniently serve for the suer keping therof to our

moost proffit and avauntage, unto the tyme we shal have provided at convenient leysir a sufficient personne to have the charge and custodye of the said towre, and also til ye shal have from us by writing otherwise in commaundement. And that ye faille nat herof, as we trust you. Yeven under our signet at our manor of Grenewiche, the xvij=th= day of May. [\ADDRESSED:\] To our trusty and right welbiloved counsaillor and knight for our body, Sir Gilbert Talbot, our deputie of oure towne and marches of Calays.

[} [\XXXIV. HENRY VII. TO SIR GILBERT TALBOT.\] }] By the King. H. R. Trusty and right welbiloved, we grete you well. And have receyved your lettres wherby we conceyve suche newes as our servant William Woodhouse lately being at the towne of Amyas hath shewed unto you; whiche newes we have also herd by the reapport of our pursevant Calays. Thanking you for your diligent certificat in that behalve. And as like newes shal fortune to comme unto your knowleage herafter, soo we praye you to certifie us from tyme to tyme; wherby ye shall ministre unto us right singlier pleasure. Yeven under our signet at our manor of Richemount, [{the{] iiij=th= day of July. [\ADDRESSED:\] To our trusty and right welbiloved counsaillor and knight for our body, Sir Gilbert Talbot, our deputie of our towne and marches of Calays.

[} [\XXXV. HENRY VII. TO SIR GILBERT TALBOT.\] }] By the King. H. R. Trusty and right welbiloved, we grete you wele. And where as we understand that a frere Observant called frere Robert Steward, being a Scottishman, entendith to come out of the parties of Fraunce into this our reame, [{We for{] certain causes and consideracions us moving wol and commaunde you that in ca[{se{] the said frere Robert happen at any season to comme unto that our towne of Calays, ye in no maner wise suffre hym to take any passage there, but that ye cause hym furthwith to retorne again unto his brethern and convent. And that ye faille not thus to doo as ye tendre our pleasure. Yeven under our signet at our manor of Grenewiche, the xv. day of Aprill. [\ADDRESSED:\] To oure trusty and right welbiloved counsaillor and knight for our body, Sir Gilbert Talbot, our deputie of our town and marches of Calays.

[} [\XXXVI. HENRY VII. TO SIR GILBERT TALBOT.\] }] By the King. H. R. Trusty and welbiloved, we grete you wele. And where as we lately by our othre lettres commaunded you to suffre and lette passe a certain curror whiche

cam from the corte of Rome to Laurence Bonvice, whom ye stopped, supposing that he had been the same personne that we certified you of by our former lettres, whiche shuld bringe down proces for the alom lately brought in our ship the Souverain. Soo it is that we have receyved from you certain writinges, sealed with our seale, whiche the said curror brought according to our commaundement in our former lettres. How bee it, as we understand, ye detaigne stil the said curror with his writinges. Wherupon our mynde and pleasure is that ye permitte and suffre the said curror incontinently to bee at his libertie, so that he may comme into this oure reame with his said writinges, your said restraint notwithstanding. Forseeng alwayes that in caas any suche personne shal happen to comme to that oure town, out of the parties of Flaundres, with suche proces as aforsaid, that than ye use and demean you in that behalf according to our former lettres without any failling, as our special trust is in you. Yeven undre our signet at our manor of Grenewiche, the xvii. daye of August. [\ADDRESSED:\] To oure trusty and welbiloved counsaillor and knight for our body, Sir Gilbert Talbot, our deputie of our towne and marches of Calays.

[} [\KILLINGWORTH TO EDMUND DE LA POLE.\] }] [\A.D. 1505. 20 Dec.\] Sir, I humbly beseche your Grace not to bee myscontented that it is soo long or I have sent Sir Walter unto you, for it was on Thursday last passed or I could have any answer. Sir, I have delivered your lettres to my Lord Vylle in this towne thissame day xiiij. daies passed and shewed my credence; and by his wordes it appereth he is not contented that ye ar thus dealte with alle; and fromhens he made me goo bifor to Myddelburgh, to abyde there the kinges commyng and his also, whiche was vij. dayes after or the king and he camme thyder. At Myddelburgh also I delivered your lettres to my Lord Feynes and suche lettres as camme from my Lord Richard by your commaund; wheruponn my Lord Vyle and my Lord Fynes spake with the king, and they ij. have written theruponn to you a lettre, which I sende unto your Grace by this berer, to the whiche lettre my lord Shevers is also prevy. Sir, I knowe wel this lettre is of noo effect ner answer to the weighte of your ease ner helpe, ner of my Lord your broders. For my Lord Fynes shewed me thise wordes amonges other, that he is your servaunt to doo for you what he cann, but ye must suffre pacience tylle the season shal comme; and he wold not that many wordes shuld bee spoken by your servauntes, for the over many wordes of the Bastart have doon noo good; and for any helpe for my Lord your broder there was noon but pacience also; and asfor K. H. traffykkes they knewe theym wele ynough and better than ye did. And howe

the king is your good lord, and alle thinges shalbe openned and shewed to you by my Lord Shyvers at his commyng, which shalbe, I thinke, after the Kinges departing, whiche shalbe God knoweth when. Somm saye he goeth, somm saye naye; but my Lord Fynes saied to me he was sure ye wold sende me again or the Kinges going. And if ye sende me to the court, Sir, if it please you, this is best: cause a lettre of credence to bee made there in Frenche, or a lettre of your mynd to bee made to my Lord Shyvers aswele as to the other two, and fele asmuche of his mynd as ye cann. And asfor the mann with the clobbed fote, he was not in the courte. He is at Brugges, where I thinke the king is nowe. Don John axked me howe ye did. Sir, for clothes and alle necessaries for your body, my Lord Fynes shewed me that the king hath commanded my lord Schyvers to provide theym for you; and also for money for you, my Lord Schyvers also shal delivere you from tyme to tyme; to whom ye maye sende from tyme to tyme as it shal please you. And also my Lord Schyvers hath saied to my Lord Feynes, that he hath sent to you alle redy both money and clothes, and ye shal have more money shortely. And my Lord your broder hath noo maner aunswer by John Coke but alle is referred to your lettre. Somm menn saye here that thambassadors ar on thissyde commen, but surely I here it not: aggreed it is sayed they bee of suretie, and writing therupon commen hider xiiij. dayes past. Rennyng noyse also that mariage shalbe bytwix K. H. and my Lady of Savoye; and that also that a comynycacion there is for aggrement to bee made bytwix you and K. H.; and if it were soo, I thinke ye shuld bee prevy to hyt. Toysonn is here commen and retorneth not, wheder the ambassadors be commen or not. Sir, the Bastart have I handelled as ye have commanded me, and he is verrey sory of your caas, and taketh on hym great defaulte; but asfor his trowthe ye knowe hit: and I shewed hym as ye wrote to me, but he besecheth you to have writing of your own hand touching your plaisir, what ye wol he shal doo. And muche he hath mervailled that ye sent not to hym neyther William ner Hans; and the Bastart told me hym sylf that he knewe wel his wordes did him noo good.

And asfor the hors, William hath hym, and he was not sold. Bankes and Thomas had their money after, as your Grace appointed; and William also money of me to disloge his hors, and they yode toguyder to Arneham. And Yonker Florens recommandeth hym unto you as your servaunt if it laye in hym to doo you any service. And he hath sent a lettre to my lord the Bastart of Burgoyne for to have iiij. of your servauntes into wages; which lettre I have sent to Bottesford by Mr. Paules. I mette hym in Berges to thentent Bottesford maye goo with alle to Arneham; and Mr. Pawles wol take Bottesford ij. guld. Brab. in his purs. And Edward is wol amended, and goeth up and down in his chamber; withoute faulte, Mr. Paules telleth me, his legge shalbe hole made. Hans Nagell and Claus Baker recommande theym humbly unto you. Jesus preserve you. Written at Andewarpen, the xx. day of December. Your humble servaunt, Thomas Kyllyngworth. Hans Nagell openned your mynd, as ye knowe, by Gilken, to my Lordes of Ville and Fynes. He wold goo with alle feyne, by him sylf or by other; he named Alexander the goldsmyth to me. On Wennysday last was, the king made knightes of the Toyson at Myddelburgh x. or xij., amonges whiche were my Lord Nassou, Don John Emanuel, Monsieur de Emery, Yonker Florens and Monsieur de la Layn, etc.; but my Lord of Gheldres wold not comme yn to receve it. And I mighte comme where thambassador with the clobbed fote is, I wold thinke to knowe somwhat of hym. And Hans Nagell told me that a servaunt of the Kinges told hym that herde the said ambassador saye but late, that your pais shuld bee made. Sir, my newes ar but smalle. Yf ye have any, I beseche you to comforte me; ye shal perceive many thinges by the maner of menn there; and that it maye please you that I maye knowe your mynd by this bringer. [^ORIGINAL LETTERS, ILLUSTRATIVE OF ENGLISH HISTORY; INCLUDING NUMEROUS ROYAL LETTERS: FROM AUTOGRAPHS IN THE BRITISH MUSEUM, AND ONE OR TWO OTHER COLLECTIONS. VOL II. 2ND EDITION. ED. BY ELLIS, HENRY. LONDON: HARDING, TRIPHOOK, AND LEPARD. 1825.^]

[} [\LETTER CII. CARDINAL WOLSEY TO THOMAS CROMWELL.\] }] Myn owne enterly belouyd Cromwell, I beseche yow, as ye loue me and wyl euyr do any thyng for me, repare

hyther thys day as sone as the Parlement ys brokyn vp, leyng aparte all thyngs for that tyme; for I wold nut onely commynycat thyngs vnto yow wherin for my comfort and relief I wold haue your good, sad, dyscret aduyse and counsell, but also opon the same commytt sertyng thyngs requyryng expedicion to yow, on my behalf to be solycytyd: this, I pray yow therfor, to hast your commyng hyther assafore, with owt omyttyng so to do as ye tendyr my socor, reliff, and comfort, and quyetnes of mynde. And thus fare ye wel: from Asher, in hast, thys Satyrday, in the mornyng, with the rude hande and sorowfull hert of your assuryd louer T. Car=lis= Ebor. I haue also serteyn thyngs consernyng yowr sylf wych I am suere ye wolbe glad to here and knowe: fayle not therfor to be here thys nygth, ye may retorne early in the mornyng ageyn yf nede shul so requyre. (\Et iterum vale.\) M. Agusteyn shewyd me how ye had wryttyn onto me a Lettre wherin ye shuld adu'tyse me of the commyng hyther of the Duke of Norfolke: I assure yow ther cam to my hands no suche Lettre.

[} [\LETTER CIII. CARDINAL WOLSEY TO DR. STEPHEN GARDENER.\] }]

My owne goode Mastyr Secretary, aftyr my moste herty recommendacions, with lycke thanks for your goodness towards me, thes shalbe to advirtyse yow that I have beyn informyd by my trusty frende Thomas Crowmuell that ye have sygnyfied unto hym to my synguler consolacions howe that the Kyngs Hyghnes, mouyd with pity and compassyon, and of his excellent goodnes and cheryti consyderyng the lamentable condicion and stat that I stand yn, hath wyllyd yow with other lords and mastyrs of hys honorable Cownsell to intende to the perfygttyng and absolvyng, without further tract or delay, of myn end and appoyntment, and that my pardon shulde be made in the most ample forme that my cownsell cowde devyse; for thys the Kyngs moste gracyous remembraunce, procedyng of hymsylf, I accompte my sylf not onely moste bowndyn to serve and pray for the preservation of hys moste Royal Majeste, but also thancke God that ye have occasyon govyn unto you to be a sollycyter and setter forth of such thyngs as do and shall conserve my said ende, in the makyng and compownyng whereof myn assuryd trust ys that ye wele shewe the love and affeccion wych ye have and bere towards me your old lover and frende. So declaryng your sylf therin that the world may perceive that by your good meanys the Kyng ys the better goode Lorde unto me; and that, nowe, newly in maner commyng to the world, ther may be such respect

had to my poore degre, olde age, and longe contynuyd servys, as shal be to the Kyngs hygh honor and your gret prayse and laude, wych undowttydly shal folowe yf ye extende yowr benyvolence towards me and mine, perceiving that by your wysdom and dexteryte I shalbe releuyd and in this my calamyte holpyn. At the reverens therfor of God, myn owne goode M. Secretary and refuge, nowe set to your hande that I may come to a laudable ende and reposse; seyng that I may be furnyshyd aftyr suche a sorte and maner as I may ende my short tyme and lyff to the honor of Cryst's Churche and the Prince. And, besydys my dayly prayer and true hert, I shal so requyte your kyndnes as ye shal haue cause to thyncke the same to be wel imployed, lycke as my seyde trusty frende shal more amply shewe unto yow to whom yt may please yow to give for me credens and loving audience: and I shall pray for the increase of your honor. Wryttyn at Asher with the tremylling hand and hevy hart of your assuryd lover and bedysman. T. Car=lis= Ebor. To the rygth honorable and my synguler goode frende Master Secretary.

[} [\LETTER CIV. CARDINAL WOLSEY TO DR. STEPHEN GARDENER.\] }] My owne goode mastyr Secretary aftyr my moste herty commendacons I pray you at the reverens of God to help, that exspedicion be usyd in my presents, the delay wherof so replenyssheth my herte with hevynes, that I can take no reste; nat for any vayne fere, but onely for the miserabli condycion that I am presently yn, and lyclyhod to contynue in the same onles that ye, in whom ys myn assuryd truste, do help and releve me therein; for fyrst contynuyng here in thys moweste and corrupt eyer, beyng enteryd in to the passyon of the dropsy, (\cum prostratione appetitus, et continuo insompnus\) , I cannat lyve; wherfor of necessyte I muste be removyd to summe other dryer eyer and place, wher I may have comodyte of Physycyans. Secondly havyng but Yorke, wych ys now decayd by viijC.=li= by the yeere I can nat tell how to lyve and kepe the poore nombyr of folks wych I nowe have; my howsys ther be in decay, and of every thyng mete for howsold onprovidyd and furnyshyd. I have non apparell for my howsys ther, nor money to bryng me

thether, nor to lyve with tyl the propysse tyme of the year shal come to remove thither. Thes thyngs consyderyd, M=r=. Secretary, must nedys make me in agony and hevynes; myn age therwith and sycknes consyderyd. Alas M=r=. Secretary, ye with other my lordys shewyd me that I shuld otherwyse be furnyshyd, and seyn unto. Ye knowe in your lernyng and consyens whether I shuld forfit my spiritualties of Wynchester or no. Alas the qualytes of myn offencys consyderyd, with the gret punisshement and losse of goodes that I have sustignyd, owt to move petyfull hertys. And the moste nobyl Kyng, to whom yf yt wold please yow of your cherytabli goodnes to shew the premyses aftyr your accustomable wysdom and dexteryte, yt ys nat to be dowettyd but hys Hyhnes wold have consyderacon and compassion, aggmentyng my lyvyng, and appoyntyng such thyngs as shuld be convenyent for my furniture; wych to do shalbe to the Kyngs high honer, meryte, and dyscharge of consyens; and to yow gret praysse for the bryngyng of the same to passe for your olde brynger up and lovyng frende. Thys kyndnes exibite from the Kyngs Hyghnes shal prolong my lyff for sum lytyl whyl, thow yt shall nat be long; by the meane wherof hys Grace shal take profygtt, and by my deth non. What ys yt to hys Hyhnes to geve summe convenyent porcion owt of Wynchester and Seynt Albons, hys Grace takyng with my herty good wyl the

resydue. Remembyr, good M=r=. Secretary, my poore degre and what servys I have done: and how nowe approchyng to deth I must begyn the world ageyn. I beseche yow therfor, movyd with pity and compassyon, soker me in thys my calamyti, and to your power, wych I do knowe ys gret, releve me: and I with all myn shall not onely ascrybe thys my relef unto yow, but also pray to God for the increase of your honor. And as my poore shal increase, so I shal not fayle to acquyte yo=r= kyndnes. Wryttyn hastely at Asher with the rude and shackyng hand of your dayly bedysman and assuryd frende. T. Car=lis=. Ebor. To the rygth honorable And my assuryd frende Mastyr Secretary.

[} [\LETTER CV. CARDINAL WOLSEY TO SECRETARY GARDENER.\] }] My owne goode mastyr Secretary goyng this day owt of my pue to sey masse, your lettres datyd yesternygth at London wer delyveryd unto me, by the contynue wherof I undyrstand that the Kyngs Hyhnes of hys excellent goodnes and cheryte ys contentyd that I shal inyoy and have the admynistracon of Yorke merly, with the gyftts of the promocyons spiritual and temporall of the same; reservyd onely onto hys nobyll Grace the gyft of v or vj of the best promoco~ns: and that hys pleasure ys I shal leve Wynchester and Saynt Albons. As hereonto Master Secretary I can nat expresse howe moche I am bowndyn to the Kyngs Royal Maieste for thys hys gret and bowntawse liberalyte, reputyng the same to be moche more than I schal evyr be abyl to deserve. Howbeyt yf hys Maieste, consyderyng the short and lytyl tyme that I shal lyve here in thys world, by the reason of suche hevynes as I have conceyved in my hert, with the minyuose of the olde howsys, and the decay of the seyd archbyshoprych at the lest to the summe of viij C marcke yerely, by the reason of the Act passyd for fynys of testaments; with also min long peynful servys and poore

degre; and for the declaracion of hys Graces excellent cheryte, yf hys hyhnes be myndyd I shal leve Wynchester and Saynt Albons wych I supposyd when I made my Submyssyan, not offendyng in my treweth towards hys royal parson, dygnyti, or majeste royal, I shuld not now have deservyd to have left; and moche the more knowyng hys Graces excellent propensyon to pyte and mercy, and rememberyng of the francke departyng with of all that I had in thys world; that I may have summe convenyent pencion reservyd unto me, suche as the Kyngs hyhnes of hys nobyl charite shal thynke mete; so orderyng hys that shal succede and my lyvyng, that the same may be of lyck value yeerly and exstent. Wherat my trust ys and my herte so gevyth me, that hys Majeste wole make no dyfficultie yf yt may lycke yow frendly to propone the same; assuryng yow that I desyre nat thys for any mynde, God ys my jugge, that I have to accumulat good, or desyre that I have to the muke of the world; sen God be thankyd, at this ower, I set no more by the ryches and promocyons of the world than by the roshe undyr my fote; but onely for the declaration of the Kyngs honor and hyhe charyte, and to have wherewith, to do good dedys, and to helpe my poore servants and kynnysfolks. And furthermore that yt wold please the Kyngs excellent goodnes by your freindly medyacion, consyderyng how slendyrly I am furnyshyd in my Howse, nowe specially that the apparell

of Wynchester and Saynt Albons shalbe takyn from me, to geve and appoynt on to me a convenyent fernyture for the same, (\non ad pompam sed necessariam honestatem\) : and yf I may have the free gyft and dyssposycion of the benefyces, yt shalbe gretly to my comfort. And yet when any of the v or vj princypall shal fortune to be voyd, the Kyngs Grace beyng myndyd to have any of them, hys hyhnes shalbe as sure of the same as thougth they wer reservyd. And thus by hys nobyl and mercyful goodnes delyveryd owt of extreme calamyte, and restoryd to a newe fredome, I shall, with Gods mercy and help, so ordyr my lyff, that I trust hys Majeste shal take special comfort theran, and be pleasyd with the same. (\Spero quod haec quae peto non videbuntur magna.\) Howbeyt I moste humbly submyt and refferre all my petycions, (\immo ipsam vitam\) , to hys gracyous ordynance and pleasure, prayng yow to declare and sygnyfye the same, supplying myn indyssposcycon and lack of wyt conceyvyd by reason of my extreme sorowe and hevynes, that the same may be to the Kyngs contentacion; whom I had lever be ded than to ofende in worde, thowgth, or dede. And as towchyng the grantyng of the fee of one C=li= for M=r=. Nores duryng hys lyff for hys good servys done unto the Kyng's hyhnes, for the wych I have alweyes lovyd hym, and for the singler good hert and mynde that I knowe he hath allweys borne unto me, I am content to make owt my graunte

opon the same, ye and yt wol please the Kyng to inlarge yt to one C=li= more: and semblably, cause M. Thesauror hath the kepyng of the Kyngs game nygth to Fernam, I wold gladly yf yt may stand with the Kyngs pleasure grawnte onto hym the revercion of such thinges as the lorde Sands hath ther, with the ampliacion of the fee, above that wych ys oldely accustomyd, to the summe of xl=li= by the yeer: and also I wold gladly geve to M=r=. Comptroller a lycke ffee: and to M=r=. Russell anothyr of xx=li= by the yeere: remyttyng thys and all other my suts to the Kyng's Hyhnes pleasure, mercy, pity, and compassyon moste holly. Besechyng hys Hyhnes so nowe gracyously to ordyr me that I may from hens forth serve God quyetly and with reposse of mynd, and pray as I am moste bowndyn for the conservacion and increase of hys most nobyll and royal astat. And thus with my dayly prayer I byd yow farewell. From Asher hastely, with the rude hand and moste hevy hert of yowr assuryd frend and bedysman T. Car=lis= Ebor. To the rygth honorable M=r= Secretary, in hast.

[} [\LETTER CVIII. THOMAS FRYSBY TO THOMAS CROMWELL.\] }]

Right worshipfull my singuler good Master my duety humbly premised with my prayer. Pleasith it your good Mastership of your goodnes to call to your remembraunce when ye laye here with us at Launde Abbey some tyme ye wolde take the payne to walke with me or my brethern abowt owr busynes; and as you and I cam on day from Withcoke I had a fall backeward in the Snowe in a place called the Dammes, betwen Launde and Withcoke; and by the same tokyn I doo send you by this berar vj. Chesys of this contre makyng, praying you to accepte the same that the old acquentaunce somme thyng myght be renewed. You shall nott nede to gyve our M=r=. prior eny thanks for the same. Other newellies have I not to doo your Mastership pleasur with all, but with my prayer which all wayes ye shalbe assuryd of to the pleasure of God, who all wayes have you in his blessid kepyng, to your harts ease and your worship daily encreasyng. At Laund Abbey this xiiij=th=. daye of January By your beadisman Thomas Frysby chanon. To the right worshipfull M. Cromwell be this delyvered.

[} [\LETTER CXIV. THOMAS CRANMER ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY, TO MR. HAWKYNS THE AMBASSADOR AT THE EMPEROR'S COURT.\] }]

In my most hartie wise I commende me unto you and even so woulde be right gladd to here of your welfare, &c. Thes be to advertise you that inasmoche

as you nowe and than take some paynes in writyng vnto me, I woulde be lothe you shuld thynke your Labour utterly lost and forgotten for lake of wrytyng agayne; therefore and bycause I reken you be somedele desirous of suche newis as hathe byn here with us of late in the Kyngis Graces matters, I entend to enforme you a parte therof accordyng to the tenure and purporte vsyd in that behalf. Ande fyrste as towchyng the small determynacion and concludyng of the matter of devorse betwene my Lady Kateren and the Kyngs Grace, whiche said matter after the Convocacion in that behalf hadde determyned and aggreed accordyng to the former consent of the Vniversites, yt was thowght convenient by the Kyng and his lernyd Councell that I shuld repayre unto Dunstable, which ys within iiij. myles vnto Amptell, where the said Lady Kateren kepeth her howse, and there to call her before me, to here the fynall Sentance in this said mateir. Notwithstandyng she would not att all obey therunto, for whan she was by doctour Lee cited to appear by a daye, she utterly refused the same, sayinge that inasmoche as her cause was before the Pope she would have none other judge; and therfore woulde not take me for her judge. Nevertheless the viij=th= daye of Maye, accordyng to the said appoyntment, I came vnto Dunstable, my Lorde of Lyncoln beyng assistante vnto me, and my Lorde of Wyncehester, Doctour Bell, Doctour

Claybroke, Doctour Trygonnel, Doctour Hewis, Doctour Olyver, Doctour Brytten, Mr. Bedell, with diuerse other lernyd in the Lawe beyng councellours in the Lawe for the King's parte: and soo there at our commyng kepte a Courte for the apperance of the said Lady Kateren, where were examyned certeyn witnes whiche testified that she was lawfully cited and called to appere, whome for fawte of apperance was declared contumax; procedyng in the said cause agaynste her (\in paenam contumaciam\) as the processe of the Lawe thereunto belongeth; whiche contynewed xv. dayes after our cummyng thither. And the morow after Assension daye I gave finall Sentance therin, howe that it was indispensable for the Pope to lycense any suche marieges. This donne, and after our reiornyng home agayne, the Kings Highnes prepared al thyngs convenient for the Coronacion of the Queene, whiche also was after suche a maner as foloweth. The Thursdaye nexte before the feaste of Pentecost, the Kyng and the Queene beyng at Grenewyche, all the Craftes of London thereunto well appoynted, in severall bargis deckyd after the most gorgiouse and sumptuous maner, with dyverse pagiantes thereunto belongyng, repayred and wayted all together upon the Mayre of London; and so, well furnysshed, cam all vnto Grenewiche, where they taryed and wayted for

the Queenes commyng to her barge: which so done, they brought her unto the Tower, tromppets, shambes, and other dyverse instrumentes all the wayes playng and makyng greate melodie, which, as ys reported, was a combly donne as neuer was lyke in any tyme nyghe to our rememberaunce. And so her Grace cam to the Tower on Thursdaye at nyghte, abowte v. of the clocke, where also was suche a pele of gonnes as hathe not byn harde lyke a great while before. And the same nyghte, and Frydaye aldaye, the Kyng and Queene taryed there; and on Frydaye at nyght the Kyngs Grace made xviij knyghts of the Bathe, whose creacion was not alonly so strange to here of, as also their garmentes stranger to beholde or loke on; whiche said Knightes, the nexte daye, whiche was Saturday, rydde before the Queene's grace thorowte the Citie of London towards Westminster palice, over and besyds the moste parte of the nobles of the Realme, whiche lyke accompanied her grace thorowe owte the said citie; she syttyng in her heere, upon a Horse Lytter, rychely appareled, and iiij knyghtes of the v. ports beryng a Canapye over her hedd. And after her cam iiij. riche charettes, one of them emptie, and iij. other furnysshed with diuerse auncient old lades; and after them cam a great trayne of other Ladies and gyntillwomen: whyche said Progresse, from the begynnyng to thendyng, extendid

half a myle in leyngthe by estimacion or thereaboute. To whome also, as she came alongeste the Citie, was shewid many costely pagiants, with diverse other encomyes spoken of chyldren to her; wyne also runyng at certeyne Condits plentiously. And so procedyng thorowte the streats, passid furthe vnto Westminster Hall, where was a certeyn banket prepared for her, which donne, she was conveyd owte of the bake syde of the palice into a Barge and so vnto Yorke Place, where the Kyng's grace was before her comyng, for this you muste ever presuppose that his Grace came allwayes before her secretlye in a Barge aswell frome Grenewyche to the Tower as from the Tower to Yorke place. Nowe than on Soundaye was the Coronacion, which allso was of such a maner. In the mornynge ther assembled withe me at Westminster Churche the bysshop of Yorke, the Bishop of London, the Bishop of Wynchester, the Bishop of Lyncoln, the Bishop of Bathe, and the Bishop of Saint Asse, the Abbote of Westminstre with x or xij moo Abbottes, whiche all revestred ourselfs in our pontificalibus, and, soo furnysshed, withe our Crosses and Crossiers, procedid oute of th'Abbey in a procession unto Westminstre Hall, where we receyved the Queene apareled in a Robe of purple velvet, and all the ladyes and gentillwomen in robes and gownes of scarlet accordyng to the maner vsed before tyme

in suche besynes: and so her Grace sustayned of eche syde with ij=to= bysshops, the Bysshope of London ande the Bysshop of Wynchester, came furthe in processyon unto the Churche of Westminster, she in her here, my Lord of Suffolke berying before herr the Crowne, and ij=to= other Lords beryng also before her a Ceptur and a white Rodde, and so entred up into the highe Alter, where diverse Ceremoneys used aboute her, I did sett the Crowne on her hedde, and then was songe (\Te Deum\) , &c. And after that was song a solempne Masse, all which while her grace satt crowned upon a scaffold whiche was made betwene the Highe Alter and the Qwyer in Westminstre Churche; which Masse and ceremonyes donne and fynysshed, all the Assemble of noble men broughte her into Westminstre Hall agayne, where was kepte a great solempne feaste all that daye; the good ordre therof were to longe to wrytte at this tyme to you. But nowe Sir you may nott ymagyn that this Coronacion was before her mariege, for she was maried muche about sainte Paules daye last, as the condicion therof dothe well appere by reason she ys nowe sumwhat bygg with chylde. Notwithstandyng yt hath byn reported thorowte a greate parte of the realme that I maried her; whiche was playnly false, for I myself knewe not therof a fortenyght after yt was donne. And many other thyngs be also reported of me, whiche be mere lyes and tales.

Other newys have we none notable, but that one Fryth, whiche was in the Tower in pryson, was appoynted by the Kyngs grace to be examyned befor me, my Lorde of London, my lorde of Wynchestre, my Lorde of Suffolke, my Lorde Channcelour, and my Lorde of Wylteshere, whose opynion was so notably erroniouse, that we culde not dyspache hym but was fayne to leve hym to the determynacion of his Ordinarye, whiche ys the bishop of London. His said opynyon ys of suche nature that he thoughte it nat necessary to be beleved as an Article of our faythe, that ther ys the very corporall presence of Christe within the Oste and Sacramente of the Alter, and holdethe of this poynte muste after the Opynion of Oecolampadious. And suerly I myself sent for hym iij or iiij tymes to perswade hym to leve that his Imaginacion, but for all that we could do therin he woulde not applye to any counsaile, notwithstandyng nowe he ys at a fynall ende with all examinacions, for my Lorde of London hathe gyven sentance and delyuerd hym to the secular power, where he loketh every daye to goo unto the fyer. And ther ys also condempned with hym one Andrewe a taylour of London for the said self same opynion. [^A PASSAGE OMITTED^] And thus farr you well, from my manor of Croydon the xvij. daye of June.

[} [\LETTER CXVI. QUEEN ANNE BOLEYN TO THOMAS CROMWELL.\] }]

Anne the Quene. By the Quene. Trustie and right welbiloued we grete you well. And where as we be crediblie enformed that the berer hereof Richard Herman marchaunte and citizen of Antwerpe in Brabant was in the tyme of the late lorde Cardynall put and expelled frome his fredome and felowshipe of and in the Englishe house there, for nothing ells (as he affermethe) but oonly for that that he dyd bothe with his gooddis and pollicie, to his greate hurte and hynderans in this Worlde, helpe to the settyng forthe of the Newe Testamente in Englisshe. We therefore desire and instantly praye you that with all spede and favoure convenient ye woll cause this good and honeste marchaunt, being my Lordis true faithfull and loving subjecte, restored to his pristine fredome, libertie, and felowshipe aforesaid, and the soner at this oure requeste, and at your good leyser to here hym in suche thinges as he hathe to make further relacion unto you in this behalf. Yeven undir our Signete at my Lordis manoure of Grenewiche the xiiij=th= daye of May. To our trustie and right welbeloved Thomas Crumwell squyer Chief Secretary unto my Lorde the Kings Highnes.

[} [\LETTER CXXIV. LADY ROCHEFORD TO SECRETARY CROMWELL.\] }] Mayster Secretory, as a power desolat wydow wythoute comffort, as to my specyall trust under God and my Pryns, I have me most humbly recommendyd unto youe; prayng youe, after your accustemyd gentyll maner to all them that be in suche lamentabull case as I ame in, to be meane to the Kyngs gracyous Hyghnes for me for suche power stuffe and plate as my husbonde had, whome God pardon; that of hys gracyous and mere lyberalyte I may have hyt to helpe me to my power lyvyng, whiche to his Hyghnes ys nothynge to be regardyd, and to me schuld be a most hygh helpe and souccor. And farther more, where that the

Kyngs Hyghnes and my Lord my father payed great soms of money for my Joynter to the Errell of Wyltchere to the some off too thowsand Marks, and I not assuryd of no more duryng the sayd Errells naturall lyff then one hundreth Marke; whyche ys veary hard for me to schyffte the worldd wythall. That youe wyll so specyally tender me in thys behalff as to enforme the Kyngs Hyghnes of these premysses, wherby I may the more tenderly be regardyd of hys gracyous persone, youre Worde in thys schall be to me a sure helpe: and God schall be to youe therfore a sure reward, whyche dothe promes good to them that dothe helpe powere forsaken Wydos. And bothe my prayer and servys schall helpe to thys duryng my naturall lyff, as most bounden so to doo, God my wyttnes; whoo ever more preserve you. Jane Rocheford.

[} [\LETTER CXXVII. THE PRIORESS AND CONVENT OF THE CISTERCIAN NUNNERY OF LEGBORNE IN LINCOLNSHIRE TO THEIR FOUNDER.\] }] Right honourable our most synguler Maister and Founder, our duetie in the humblest wise presupposed, with dayly prayer, as your perpetuall and religious beedwomen. Please yt your goodnes to undirstonde, that where as Almyghty God hath indued you w=t= just title Founder of the Pryory of Legborne to

the great comfort of me and all my systers: we doo and shall alweyes submit ourselfs to youre most rightuouse commaundement and ordre, oonly puttyng our comfort in your goodnesse for all causes concernyng your poure Pryory of Legbourne. And where as we doo here that a grete nombre of Abbyes shalbe punysshed, subprest, and put downe bicause of their myslyvyng; and that all Abbyes and Pryores undir the value of CC=li=. be at our moste noble Prynce's pleasure to subpresse and put downe. Yet if it may pleas your goodnes, we trust in God ye shall here no compleynts agaynst us, nother in our lyvyng nor hospitalitie kepyng. In consideracion wherof if it may please your goodnes, in our great necessitie, to be a meane and sewter for your owne powre Pryory, that it maye be preserved and stond, you shalbe a more higher Founder to vs than he that first foundid oure Howse. We have noon othir comfort nor refuge but oonly unto your goodnes, and we hooly submyt our selfs to the pleasure of God, to the pleasure of our Prynce, and to the pleasure of you our Founder; and how soever it shall please God that we shalbe orderid, we shall continue your faithfull and dayly bedewomen. As knoweth oure Lorde who ever preserve you to your most comfort. Yo=r= owne dayly beadwomen Jane Messyndyne (^Pryores and^) sisters (^of the^) pryory (^of^) Legborne.

[} [\LETTER CXXIX. DR. JOHN LONDON TO LORD CROMWELL.\] }] In my most humble maner I have me commendyd unto yowr gude lordeschippe, acertenyng the same that I have pullyd down the Image of o=r= Ladye at Caversham wherunto wasse great pilgremage. The Image ys platyd over with sylver, and I have putte yt in a cheste fast lackyd and naylyd uppe, and by the next bardge that commythe from Reding to London yt shall be browght to yo=r= Lordeschippe. I have also pullyd down the place she stode in w=t= all other ceremonyes, as lights, schrds, crowchys, and imagies of wex hangyng abowt the chapel, and have defacyed the same thorowly in exchuyng of any farther resortt thedyr. Thys chapell dydde belong to Notley abbey, and ther always wasse a chanon of that monastery wiche wasse callyd the Warden of Caversham, and he songe in thys chapell and hadde the offerings for hys lyving. He wasse acustomyd to schew many prety relyks,

among the wiche wer (as he made reportt) the holy dager that kylled Kinge Henry; and the holy knyfe that kylled Seynt Edwarde. All thees w=t= many other, with the cots of thys image, her cappe and here, my servant shall bring unto yo=r= Lordeshippe thys weke w=t= the Surrendre of the Freers undre ther covent seale, and ther seale also. I have sent the chanon home agen to Notleye, and have made fast the doores of the chapell, wiche ys thorowly well covered with ledde: and if it be yo=r= lordeships pleasur I shall se yt made suer to the Kings Grace's use. And if it be nott so orderyd, the chapell stondith so wildely that the ledde will be stolyn by nyzt, as I wasse servyd at the Fryers; for as soon as I hadde taken the Fryers surrendre, the multytude of the poverty of the Town resortyd thedyr and all thinge that myzt be hadde they stole away: insomyche that they hadde convayd the very clapers of the bellys. And saving that M. Fachell, wiche made me great chere at hys howse, and the Mayer dydde assist me they wolde have made no litell spoyle. In thys I have don as moche as I cowde do to save every thing to the Kings graces use, as shall apper to yo=r= Lordeschippe at the begynnyng of the terme, Godde willing, who w=t= increse of moche honor long preserve yo=r= gudde Lordeschippe. At Redinge (\xvij=o= Septembris\) . At Caversham ys a propre lodginge wher the chanon lay, with a fayer garden and an orcherd mete to be

bestowed upon som frynde of yo=r= lordeschips in thees parties; for the chanon had no thing to do ther butt to kepe the chapell and receyve the offrings. I besek your gudde Lordeschippe to admytt me a powr sutar for thees honest men of Redinge. They have a fayer town and many gudde occupiers in ytt; butt they lacke that howse necessary, of the wiche for the mynystration of Justice thay have most nede of. Ther Town Hall ys a very small Howse and stondith upon the ryver, wher ys the commyn wassching place of the most part of the Town; and in the cession dayes and other cowrt dayes ther ys such betyng with batildores, as oon man can nott here another, nor the guest here the chardg gevyng. The body of the Church of the Grey fryers, wiche ys selyd with laths and lyme, wold be a very commodoise rowme for them. And now I have rydde all the fasschen of that Churche in parcloses, ymages, and awlters, it wolde mak a gudly Town Hall. The Mayer of that Town, M=r= Richard Turner, a very honest jentill person with many other honest men hathe expressyd unto me ther gref in thys behalf, and have desyred me to be an humble sutar unto your Lordeschippe for the same if it schulde be solde. The wallys, besyd the coyne stonys, be butt chalk and flynt, and the coveryng butt tile. And if it please the King's Grace to bestow that howse upon any of hys servants, he may spare the body of the

churche, wich stondith next the strete, very well; and yet have rowme sufficient for a great man. Your most bounden orator and servant, John London.

[} [\LETTER CXLI. JOHN FOSTER TO LORD CROMWELL.\] }] In my most humblyst wyse, I beyng not so bold as to appere before youre Lordshyp untyll your plesure

ys knowyn, feere sett appartt, nede compellythe me to wrytt. Thys last Lentt I dyd no lesse then wrytt, and also to your presence I dyd approche, suyng for your lordschyppys gracious servyce; but now my sute ys muche other, for my dysfortune hathe byn to have conceyvyd untruly Goddys worde, and not only with yntellectyon to have thought yt, but exteryally and really I have fulfyllyd the same; for I, as then beyng a preste, have accompleschyd maryage; nothyng pretendyng but as an obedyentt subyect. For yf the Kyngys Grace could have founde yt lawfull that prestys mught have byn maryd, they wold have byn to the Crowne dubbyll and dubbyll faythefull, furst in love, secondly for fere that the Bysshope of Rome schuld sette yn hys powre unto ther desolacyon. But now by the noyse of the peopull I perseyve I have dunne amysce, which saythe that the Kyngy serudyte yugementt with all hys cowncell temperall and spyrytuall hathe stableschyd a contrary order, that all prestys schalbe separat by a day; with which order I have contentyd my selfe: and as sone as I herd it to be tru, I sentt the woman to her frendys iij. score mylys from me, and spedely and with all celeryte I have resorted hether to desyre the Kyngs Hyghtnes of hys favor and absolucyon for my amysce doyng; prayng and besechyng your Lordschypps gracyous cumfortt for the optaynyng of hys gracyous pardon: and I schalbe your bounden servauntt yn hartt and also yn

contynnuall servyse yf yt schall please your gracyous lordschypp to accept yt duryng my lyfe: wrythyn the xviij. day of June. Your bounden for ever, John Foster.

[} [\LETTER CXLVI. TEN LADIES OF THE COURT, TO KING HENRY THE EIGHTH.\] }] Most gratiouse and benigne sovraigne Lorde, please it your Highnes to understonde that wee have seene and beene in your newe Greate Shippe, and the rest of your shippes at Portismowth, wiche arr things so goodlie to beeholde, that, in our liefs wee have not seene (excepting your royall person and my lord the Prince your sonne) a more pleasaunt sight; for wiche, and the most bountiful gifts, the chere and most gratiouse enterteignment, wich your Grace hath vouchsavid to bestowe upon us your most unworthie and humble servaunts, wee rendre and send unto the same our most humble and entier thanks wich wee beseche

your Ma=tie= to acceept in good parte, advertising the same that there rest nowe but only ij. sorowes; the tone for lacke of your royall presence that ye might have seene your said Shippes, nowe at this tyme whan wee might have waited on you here; the toodre that wee thinke long til it may eftsones lieke you to have us with you, wiche wee all most hertely beseche our Lord God may bee shortely; who preserve your most noble person, and my Lord Prince, and graunte you bothe to reigne over us; Your Majesty many yeris, His Grace with long continuance but by late succession, as never Princes did before You. From Your Majesties havon and towne of Portismowth the iiij=th=. of August. Yo=r= Highnes most bounden and humble servaunts, and beadwomen Mabyell Sowthampton Margaret Taylebois, Margrett Howarde, Alys Browne. Anne Knevytt. Jane Denny. Jane Meows Anne Basset Elizabeth Tyrwhyt Elsabeth Harvy.

[} [\LETTER CXLIX. PRINCE EDWARD TO QUEEN CATHERINE PARR.\] }] Most honorable and entirely beloued mother, I have me most humbli recommended to your Grace w=t= lyke thankes, both for y=t= your Grace did accepte so gentylly my simple and rude letters, and also y=t= it pleased your Grace so gentylly to vowchesaufe to directe unto me your louing and tendre letters, which do geue me much comfort and encouragement to go forward in such thinges wherein your Grace bereath me on hand, y=t= I am alredy entered. I pray God I maie be hable in part to satisfy the good expectation of the Kings Maiesti my father and of your Grace, whom God have ever in his most blessed keping. Your louing sonne E. Prince.

[} [\LETTER CLV. HENRY RADCLYF, EARL OF SUSSEX, TO HIS COUNTESS.\] }] Madame with most lovyng and hertie commendacions, thies be to signifie unto you that our late Soveraigne Lord the King departed at Westminster uppon Friday last the xxviij=ti=. of this instant Januarie about two of the clock in the mornyng. And the Kings Majestie that nowe is proclaymed King this present last day of the same moneth. And lik as for the departure of th'on wee may lament, so for th'establisshment of thother to all our comforts we may rejoyce. The names of his Executours ar th'archbischop of Canterburie, the Lord Wriothesley lord Chauncelor of Englond, the Lord St. John lord president of the Counsaile and Gret Master, the Lord Russell Lord Privie Seale, the Erle of Hertford lord Great Chamberlein of Englond, the Viscount Lesley lord Admiral, the bishop of Derham, Mr. Secretarie Paget, Sir Anthonie Denie, Sir Anthonie Browne, Sir William Herbert, The Chief Justice of the Common Place, Bromley another Justice ther, Sir Thomas Baker Chauncelor of the tenthes, Sir Edward North, and divers other aidours to the same, which for lak of tyme I pretermit.

The Parliament is clerely dissolved: the Terme and all writs closed. The Court is nowe at the Tower from whens the Kings Majestie tomorrow shalbe receyved and conducted to his Hous Derchamplace. His Hyghnes Coronacion shalbe at Shrovetyme. For my oone matiers hetherto, thorough the gret and diligent busines that my lord Chauncelor hath had, I could espye no tyme mete to the purpoos; but shal nevertheles as sone as oportunitie may serve set forth the same. And for your repaire hether in th'end of this weke I shall send unto you Henry Northey, by whom you shal knowe my determynat pleasur. In the meane tyme I require you to put all soch things in order as shalbe mete for you here. Thus, good Madame albeit the contents of your Lettres diverslie at length tending to the lak of good wil in me that ought to be in a lovyng husband; the same nevertheles as I think proceding of a good hert might otherwise have bin qualified I wisse to you my owne hert as to my self. From Eliplace in Holborne the last day of January in the first yere of the reigne of our Soveraigne King Edward the Sixeth. Your assured lovyng husbond Henry Sussex. To my wief The Countas of Sussex.

[} [\LETTER CLX. THE PRINCESS ELIZABETH TO KING EDWARD VI=TH=.\] }] Like as a shipman in stormy wether plukes downe the sailes tarijnge for bettar winde, so did I, most noble Kinge, in my vnfortunate chanche a thurday pluk downe the hie sailes of my ioy and comfort and do trust one day that as troblesome waues have repulsed me bakwarde, so a gentil winde wil bringe me forwarde to my hauen. Two chief occasions moued me muche and griued me gretly, the one for that I douted your Maiesties helthe, the other bicause for al my longe tarijnge I wente without that I

came for. Of the first I am releued in a parte, bothe that I vnderstode of your helthe, and also that your Maiesties loginge is far from my Lorde Marques chamber. Of my other grief I am not eased, but the best is that whatsoever other folkes wil suspect, I intende not to feare your graces goodwil, wiche as I knowe that I never disarued to faint, so I trust wil stil stike by me. For if your Graces aduis that I shulde retourne (whos wil is a commandemente) had not bine, I wold not haue made the halfe of my way, the ende of my iourney. And thus as one desirous to hire of your Maiesties helth, thogth vnfortunat to se it, I shal pray God for euer to preserue you. From Hatfilde this present Saterday. Your Maiesties humble sistar to commandemente Elizabeth. To the Kinges most excellent Maiestie.

[} [\LETTER CLXI. THE PRINCESS ELIZABETH TO KING EDWARD VI=TH=.\] }] Like as the richeman that dayly gathereth riches to riches, and to one bag of mony layeth a greate sort

til it come to infinit, so methinkes your Maiestie, not beinge suffised withe many benefits and gentilnes shewed to me afore this time, dothe now increase them in askinge and desiring wher you may bid and commaunde, requiring a thinge not worthy the desiringe for it selfe, but made worthy for your Higthnes request. My pictur I mene, in wiche if the inward good mynde towarde your grace migth as wel be declared as the outwarde face and countenaunce shal be seen, I wold nor haue taried the commandement but preuent it, nor have bine the last to graunt but the first to offer it. For the face, I graunt, I might wel blusche to offer, but the mynde I shal neuer be ashamed to present. For thogth from the grace of the pictur the coulers may fade by time, may giue by wether, may be spotted by chance; yet the other nor time with her swift winges shal ouertake, nor the mistie cloudes with ther loweringes may darken, nor chance with her slipery fote may ouerthrow. Of this althogth yet the profe coulde not be greate bicause the occasions hathe bine but smal, notwithstandinge as a dog hathe a daye, so may I perchaunce have time to declare it in dides wher now I do write them but in wordes. And further I shal most humbly beseche your Maiestie that whan you shal loke on my pictur, you wil witsafe to thinke that as you haue but the outwarde shadow of the body afore you, so my inward

minde wischeth that the body it selfe wer oftner in your presence; howbeit bicause bothe my so beinge I thinke coulde do your Maiestie litel pleasur, thogth my selfe great good; and againe bicause I se as yet not the time agreing therunto, I shal lerne to folow this sainge of Orace, " (\Feras non culpes quod vitari non potest.\) " And thus I wil (troblinge your Maiestie I fere) ende with my most humble thankes. Besechinge God longe to preserue you to his honour, to your comfort, to the realmes profit, and to my joy. From Hatfilde this 15 day of May. Your Maiesties most humbly sistar Elizabeth.

[} [\LETTER CLXII. KING EDWARD THE SIXTH, TO THE DUKE OF SOMERSET.\] }] Derest Vncle, by your lettres and reporte of the messenger, we have at good length vnderstanded to our great comfort, the good success it hathe pleased God to graunt vs against the Scottes by your good courage and wise forsight; for the wich and other the benefites of God heaped vpon vs, like as we ar most bounden to yeld him most humble thankes, and to

seke bi all waies we mai his true honour, so do we give unto you, good Vncle, our most hartie thankes, praying you to thanke also most hartelie in our name our good Cosin therle of Warwike, and all the othere of the noble men, gentlemen, and others that have served in this iournei, of whose service, they shall all be well assured, we will not (God graunte us lief) shew our selfes vnmindfull, but be redy ever to consider the same as anie occasion shall serve. Yeven at our house of Otlandes, the eighteneth of September. Your good neuew Edward. To our derest Vncle the Duke of Somerset.

[} [\LETTER CLXIII. THE PRINCESS MARY TO THE LORD ADMIRAL SEYMOUR.\] }]

My lorde after my harty commendacions theyse shalbe to declare to you that accordyng to your accoustomed gentilnes I have receyved six warrants from you by your seruant thys berer, for the whiche I do gyve you my harty thanks; by whom also I have receyved your lettre, wherin (as me thynketh) I parceyv strange newes concernyng a sewte you have in hande to the Quene for maryage; for the soner obtayneng wherof you seme to thynke that my lettres myghte do you pleasure. My lorde in thys case, I truste, your wysdome doth consyder, that, if it weer for my nereste kynsman & dereste frend on lyve, of all other creatures in the worlde, it standeth lest w=t= my poore honoure to be a medler in thys matter, consyderyng whose wyef her grace was of late; and besyds that, if she be mynded to grawnt your sewte, my lettres shall do you but small pleasure. On the other syde, if the remembrance of the Kyngs mayestye my father (whose soule God pardon) wyll not suffre her to grawnt your sewte, I am nothyng able to perswade her to forget the losse of hyme, who is as yet very rype in myn owne remembrance. Wherfore I shall moste earnestlye requyre you (the premysses consydered) to thynke non vnkyndnes in me, thoughe I refuse to be a medler any wayes in thys matter, assuryng you, that (woweng matters set aparte, wherin I beeng a mayde am nothyng connyng) if otherwayes it shall lye in my litle power to do you playser, I

shalbe as gladde to do it, as you to requyre it, both for hys blodds sake that you be of, and also for the gentylnes whiche I have alwayes fownde in you. As knoweth almyghty God, to whose tuicyon I commytte you. From Wansted thys Saterday at nyghte beeng the iiij=th= of June. Your assured frend to my power, Marye.

[} [\LETTER CLXIV. THE QUEEN DOWAGER TO THE LORD ADMIRAL SEYMOUR.\] }] My lord As I gether by your Letter delyvered to my brother Harbert, ye ar in sum fere how to frame my lord your brother to speke in your favour; the denyall of yowr request schall make hys foly more manyfest to the world, wyche wyll more greve me than the want of hys spekyng. I wold not wyssche yow importune for hys good wyll, yf yt com nott frankely at the fyrst, yt schalbe suffycyent ones to have requyre yt, and

after to cesse. I wold desyre ye myght obtayne the Kynge's Letters in yowre favour, and also the ayde and furtherans of the moost notable of the Counsell, suche as ye schall thynke convenyent, wyche thynge obtayned schalbe no small schame to yowr brother and lovyng syster, in case they do not the lyke. My Lord where as ye charge me w=t= apromys wryttin w=t= myne one hand, to chaunge the two yeres into two monethes, I thynke ye have no suche playne sentence wrytten w=t= my hand; I knowe not wether ye be aparaphryser or not, yf ye be lerned in that syence yt ys possyble ye may of one worde make ahole sentence, and yett nott at all tymes after the true meanyng of the wryter; as yt aperyth by thys your exposycyon apon my wryttyng. Whan yt shalbe yowr pleasur to repayre hether ye must take sum payne to come erly in the mornyng, that ye may be gone agayne by seven aclocke and so I suppose ye may come without suspect. I pray yow lett me have knowlege ver nyght at what hower ye wyll come, that yowr porteresse may wayte at the gate to the feldes for yow. And thus wyth my most humble and harty comendatyons I take my leve of yow for thys tyme gyvyng yow lyke thankes for yowr comyng to the court whan I was there. From Chelsey. I wyll kepe in store tyll I speke w=t= yow my lordes

large offer for Fausterne, at wyche tyme I schalbe glad to knowe your further pleasur therein. By her y=t= ys and schalbe yowr humble true and lovyng wyffe duryng her lyf Kateryn the Quene. K. P.

[} [\LETTER CLXV. THE PRINCESS ELIZABETH TO THE PROTECTOR SOMERSET.\] }] My Lorde I have a requeste to make unto your Grace wiche feare has made me omitte til this time for two causes, the one bicause I sawe that my request for the rumors wiche were sprede abrode of me toke so litel place, wiche thinge whan I considered I thogth I shulde litel profit in any other sute, howbeit now I

understande that ther is a Proclamacion for them (for the wiche I give your Grace and the rest of the counsel most humble thankes) I am the bolder to speake for a nother thinge; and the other was bicause paraventure your Lordeship and the rest of the Counsel wil thinke that I favor her ivel doinge for whome I shal speake for, wiche is for Kateryn Aschiley, that it wolde please your grace and the rest of the Counsel to be good unto her. Wiche thing I do not to favor her in any ivel, (for that I wolde be sorye to do,) but for thes consideracions wiche folowe, the wiche hope dothe teache me in sainge that I ought not to doute but that your Grace and the rest of the Counsel wil thinke that I do it for thre other consideracions. First, bicause that she hathe bene with me a longe time, and manye years, and hathe taken great labor, and paine in brinkinge of me up in lerninge and honestie, and therfore I ougth of very dewtye speke for her, for Saint Gregorie sayeth that we ar more bounde to them that bringeth us up wel than to our parents, for our parents do that wiche is natural for them, that is bringeth us into this Worlde; but our brinkers up ar a cause to make us live wel in it. The seconde is bicause I thinke that whatsoever she hathe done in my Lorde Admirals matter as concerninge the marijnge of me, she dide it bicause knowinge him to be one of the Counsel, she thogth he wolde not go about any suche thinge without he had the Counsels consent

therunto; for I have harde her manye times say that she wolde never have me mary in any place without your Graces and the Counsels consente. The thirde cause is bicause that it shal and doth make men thinke that I am not clere of the dide myselfe, but that it is pardoned in me bicause of my youthe, bicause that she I loved so wel is in suche a place. Thus hope prevailinge more with me than feare, hath wone the battel; and I have at this time gone furth with it. Wiche I pray God be taken no other wais that it is mente. Writen in hast. Frome Hatfilde this 7 day of Marche. Also if I may be so bolde not offendinge I beseche your Grace and the rest of the Counsel to be good to master Aschiley her husbonde, wiche bicause he is my kindesman I wold be glad he shulde do well. Your assured frende to my litel power Elizabeth. To my verey good Lorde my Lorde Protector.

[} [\LETTER CLXVI. THE PRINCESS ELIZABETH TO THE LORD PROTECTOR.\] }]

My Lorde havinge reseuede your Lordeships letters, I parceve in them your goodwil towarde me bicause you declare to me plainlie your mynde in this thinge; and againe for that you wolde not wische that I shulde do any thinge that shulde not seme good unto the Counsel, for the wiche thinge I give you most hartie thankes. And wheras I do understande that you do take in ivel parte the letters that I did write unto your Lordeshipe, I am verye sorie that you shulde take them so for my mynde was to declare unto you plainlie as I thoght in that thinge, wiche I did also the more willingelye bicause (as I write to you) you desired me to be plaine with you in al thinges. And as concerninge that pointe that you write that I seme to stande in my none witte in beinge so wel assured of my none selfe, I did assure me of my selfe nomore than I trust the trueth shal trie; and to say that wiche I knewe of my selfe I did not thinke shulde have displeased the Counsel or your Grace. And surelye the cause whie that I was sorye that ther shulde be anye suche aboute me, was bicause that I thogth the people wil say that I deserved throwgth my lewde demenure to have such a one, and not that I mislike any thinge that your Lordeshipe or the Counsel shal thinke good, for I knowe that you and the Counsel ar charged with me; or that I tak upon me to rule my selfe, for I knowe the ar most disceved that trusteth most in themselves, wherfore I trust you shal never finde that faute in me, to

the wiche thinge I do not se that your Grace has made anye directe answere at this time, and seinge the make so ivel reportes alreadie, shalbe but a increasinge of ther ivel tonges. Howbeit you did write that if I wolde bringe forthe anye that had reported it, You and the Counsel wolde se it redreste, wiche thinge thogth I can easelye do it, I wolde be lothe to do it for bicause it is my none cause; and, againe, that shulde be but a bridinge of a ivel name of me that am glade to ponesse them, and so get the ivel wil of the people, wiche thinge I wolde be lothe to have. But if it mougth so seme good unto your Lordeshipe and the reste of the Counsel to sende forthe a proclamation in to the countries that the refraine ther tonges, declaringe how the tales be but lies, it shulde make bothe the people thinke that You and the Counsel have great regarde that no suche rumors shulde be spreade of anye of the Kinges Maiesties Sisters, as I am, thougth vnwordie, and also I shulde thinke myselfe to receve suche frendeshipe at your handes as you have promised me, althogth your Lordeship hathe shewed me greate alreadie. Howbeit I am aschamed to aske it anye more, bicause I se you ar not so wel minded therunto. And as concerninge that you saye that I give folkes occasion to thinke in refusinge the good to vpholde the ivel, I am not of so simple understandinge, nor I wolde that your Grace shulde have so ivel a opinion of me that I have so litel

respecte to my none honestie that I wolde mainteine it if I had souficiente promis of the same, and so your Grace shal prove me whan it comes to the pointe. And thus I bid you farewel, desiringe God alwais to assiste you in al your affaires. Writen in hast. Frome Hatfelde this 21 of Februarye. Your assured frende to my litel power Elizabeth. To my verey good Lorde my Lorde Protector.

[} [\LETTER CLXXVI. THE PRINCESS MARY TO KING EDWARD THE SIXTH.\] }] My dutye moste humbly remembred unto your Majestie. It maye please the same to be advertysed that I have by my servantes receaved your moste honorable Letter, the contentes wherof doe not a litle trouble me, and so much the more for that any of my servants should move or attempte me in matteres towching my sowle, which I thinke the meaneste subjecte within your Realme could evell beare at their servantes hande; havinge for my parte utterly refused heretofor to talke with them in such matteres, and of all other persones leaste regarded them therein; to whom I have declared what I thinke as she which trusted that your

Majestie would have suffered me your poore humble sister and beadeswoman to have used the accustomed Masse, which the Kinge your father and myne with all his predecessores evermore used; wherin also I have been brought upp from my youth, and therunto my conscyence doth not only bynde me, which by noe meanes will suffer me to thinke one thing and do another, but also the promise made to the Emperore by your Majesties Counsell was an assurance to me that in so doinge I should not offend the Lawes, although they seeme now to quallefye and deny the thing. And at my laste waytinge upon your Majestie I was so bould to declare my mynd and conscyence to the same, and desired your Highnes, rather then you should constraine me to leave the Masse, to take my life, whereunto your Majestie made me a very gentle answere. And nowe I beseche your Highnes to give me leave to write what I thinke towching your Majesties Letteres. In deed they be signed with your owne hand, and neverthelesse in my oppinione not your Majesties in effecte, because it is well knowne (as heretofore I have declared in the presence of your Highnes) that althoughe, Our Lorde be praysed, your Majestie hath farre more knowledge and greater guiftes then otheres of your yeares, yett it is not possyble that your Highnes can at theis yeares be a judge in matters of Religeon.

And therefore I take it that the matter in your Letter procedeth from such as do wish those thinges to take place, which be moste agreeable to themselves; by whose doinges (your Majestie not offended) I intend not to rule my Conscyence. And thus, without molestynge your Highnes any further, I humblye beseeche the same ever, for Gods sake, to beare with me as you have done, and not to thinke that by my doinges or ensample any inconvenyence might growe to your Majestie or your Realme; for I use it not after any such soarte; puttyng no doubte but in tyme to come, whether I live or die, your Majestie shall perceave myne intente is grownded upon a true love towardes you, whose royall estate I beseech Almightie God longe to contynewe, which is and shalbe my daylie prayer, accordinge to my dutye. And after pardon craved of your Majestie for thes rude and boulde Letteres, yf neither at my humble suite, nor for regard of the promisse made to the Emperor, your Highnes will suffer and beare with me, as you have done, tyll your Majestie may be a Judge herein yourselfe, and right understand their proceedinges, (of which your goodness yet I dispaire not,) otherwise, rather then to offend God and my conscyence I offer my bodye at your will, and death shall be more welcome than lyfe with a trowbeled conssyence.

Moste humbly beseching your Majestie to pardon my slowenes in answeringe your Letteres, for my owlde deseasse would not suffer me to write any soner. And thus I praye Almightie God to keepe your Majestie in alle vertue and honor, with good health and longe lyfe to his pleasure. From my poore howse at Copped Hall the xix of Auguste. Your Majestie's moste humble sistere Mary.

[} [\LETTER CLXXVII. THE LADY JANE GRAY, AS QUEEN, TO THE MARQUIS OF NORTHAMPTON, LIEUTENANT OF THE COUNTY OF SURREY.\] }] Jane the quene. Right trustie and right welbeloved Cousen, we grete you well, advertising the same that where yt

hath pleased Almighty God to call to his mercie out of this lief our derest Cousen the King your late Sovereigne Lorde, by reason wherof ande suche Ordenances as the said late King did establishe in his lief tyme for the securitie and welthe of this Realme, we are entrerid into our rightfull possession of this Kingdome, as by the last Will of our said derest Cousen, our late progenitor, and other severall instruments to that effect signed with his own hande and sealed with the grete Seale of this Realme in his own presence, wherunto the Nobles of this realme for the most parte and all our Counsaill and Judges, with the Mayor and Aldermen of our Cytie of London, and dyvers other grave personages of this our Realme of England, have also subscribed there names, as by the same Will and Instrument it maye more evidently and plainly apere; We therfore doo You to understand, that by th'ordenance and sufferaunce of the hevenly Lord and King, and by th'assent and consent of our said Nobles and Counsellors, and others before specifyed, We doo this daye make our enterye into our Towre of London as rightfull Quene of this realme; and have accordingly sett furthe our proclamacions to all our loving subjects gyvenge them therby to understande their duties and allegeaunce which they now of right owe unto us as more amplie by the same you shall briefly perceyve and understand; nothing doubting, right trustie and right welbeloued cosen, but that you will

indever yourself in all things to the uttermost of your powre, not only to defend our just title, but also assist us in our rightfull possession of this kingdome, and to disturbe, repell, and resist the fayned and untrue clayme of the Lady Mary basterd daughter to our grete uncle Henry the Eight of famous memory; wherein as you shall doo that which to youre honor, truthe, and dutie aperteyneth, so shall we remembre the same unto you and yours accordingly. And our further pleasure is that you shall contynue, doo, and execute every thinge and things as our Lieutenant within all places, according to the tenor of the Commission addressed unto you from our late Cousen King Edward the vj=th= in such and like sorte as if the same hadd byn, as we mynde shortely it shal be, renued, and by us confirmed under our grete Seale unto you. Yeven under our Signet at our Tower of London the xj=th= of July, the furst yere of our Reign. To our right trusty and right welbeloved Cousyn and Counsaillor the Marquiss of Northampton our Lieutenant generall of our County of Surrey and to our trusty and welbeloved the Deputes of that Lieutenancy; and the Sheriff, the chief Justices of Peace and the worshipfull of that Shire.

[} [\LETTER CLXXVIII. SECOND LETTER FROM THE LADY JANE AS QUEEN TO THE LIEUTENANCY OF SURREY.\] }] Jane the Quene. By the Quene. Trustie and wilbiloved we grete you well. Albeit that our estate in this imperiall Crowne wherof we be actually and really possessed, as partely may appere by our Proclamacion wherin our tytle is published, is not ne can be in any wise doubtfull to all suche our good faithfull subjects as, setting blynd affection apart, do with reason and wysdom consider the very foundacion and grounde of our tytle, with the grete commodities therby coming thorough Gods providence to the preservacion of our Comon Weale and polycie; yet for that we undrestande the Ladye Marye dothe not cease by Lettres in hir name, provoked therto by hir adherents, enemyes of this realme, to publishe and notiefie sklanderously to dyverse of our subjects matter derogatorye to our title an dignitie royall, withe the slandre of certen of our Nobilitie and Counsell, We have thought mete to admonishe and exhorte You, as our true and faithfull subjects, to remayne fast in your obeysaunce and duetie to the imperiall Crowne of this Realme, whereof we have justely the possession; and not to be removed any wise from your duetie by

sklanderous reports or lettres, dispersed abrode either by the said Lady Marye, or by hir adherence; for truelye like as the Nobilitie of our Realme, our Counsell, oure Prelats, oure Judges, and lerned men, and others good wise men, godly and naturall subjects, do remayne fast and surelye in their Allegiance towards us, redy to adventure their lives, landes, and goodes for our defence, so can a greate numbre of the same Nobilitie, Counsailors, and Judges truely testifye to all the worlde, with savetye of their conscience, howe carefully and ernestly the late King of famous memorye our dere Cousen King Edward the Sixt from tyme to tyme mentioned and provoked them partelye by perswasion, partely commandements, to have suche respecte to his succession if God shuld call him to his mercye without issue, as might be the preservacion of the Crowne in the hole undefyled English bloud; and therfore of his owne mere motion, both by graunt of his Lettres patents, and by declaration of his Will, established the succession as it is declared by our Proclamacion. And for the testimonye herof to the satisfaction of suche as shall conceyve any doubt herin, We understand that certen of our Nobilitie have written at this present, in some parte to admonishe You of your duties, and to testifie their knowledge of the truethe of our tytle and right. Wherfore we leave to procede further therin, being assured in the goodnes of God that your harts shalbe confirmed to owe your duetye to us your soveraigne Lady, who

meane to preserve this Crowne of England in the royall blound, and out of the [\THIS SPACE IS LEFT IN THE ORIGINAL.\] of straungers and papists, with the defence of all you our good subjects, your lieves, lands, and goods, in our peace agaynst the invasions and violence of all forein or inward enemies and rebells. Yeven under our Signet at our Tower of London the xvj=th= day of July, in the first yere of our reigne. To our Trustie and welbeloved the Shirieff, Justices of Peace, and other Gentilmen of our Countie of Surrey, and to every of them.

[} [\LETTER CLXXXII. HENRY LORD BERKELEY TO THE EARL OF SUSSEX.\] }] Right honorable and my very good Lorde, whereas I am informed by suche as of late are come owte of

Irelande that my Ladye Woormonde my sister is not so well used by my Lorde her husbande as I would wishe her to be: and nature movinge me to learne further of the truthe herein, I am so bolde at this presente (hearinge of your Lordshipps late arrivall owt of those partes) to desire your Lordship that yt maye please you by your Lettres to signifye unto me whether you understande there be anye suche mislikinge betwene them or not, and the causes thereof, to the ende I maye travell therein accordinglie. Trustinge also that yf she be not well dealte withall and used as she ought to be, that then your Lordshippe will make reaporte of the same to suche of the Councell as maye healpe to redresse the matter, and my suite to be made for her the better furthered. And in so doinge I must neades acknowledge myselfe bothe very moche beholden unto your good Lordshippe, and She also, for her parte, moste bounden contynuallye to pray to the Almightie for the preservation of your Lordship with the encreace of muche honoure. From my Castell of Berkeley, the xxvj=th=. of Maye, 1564. Your Lordshipps assured Henry Berkeley. To the Right honorable and my very good Lorde the Earle of Sussex, yeve these.

[} [\LETTER CLXXXIII. THOMAS RANDOLPH TO SIR WILLIAM CECILL.\] }] Your H. desyerethe from tyme to tyme to here of our doyngs here, and, as the worlde framethe amongeste us, presentlye I perceave that I shall lacke no matter to wryte of. Yester daye, beinge Sondaye, the Banes of Matrimonie were askede in S=t=. Giles Churche betwene thys Quene and the Lord Darlye in that sorte as I sente your H. a byllet in wrytinge, saving that She was fyrste named. After dyner, with all the solemnities requisite, he was created Duke of

Albanie, so that upon Sondaye nexte withowte all dowte the mariage goethe forwarde, but yet uncertayne whether yt shalbe in the Churche whear the Banes were asked, in the Abbie Churche, or in her owne Chappell. Her force remaynethe contynnuallye with herr, and proclamation made thys daye that no man upon payne of deathe shall departe owte of the towne for x. dayes. The daye of Lawe agaynste the iiij Bourgois men of thys towne is lyke to holde, for anye thynge that she cane be perswaded to the contrarie. Yf so be that theie do compere, the protestants have bounde them selves to assyste them with all the force that theie are hable to mayke. The daye is upon Thurseday nexte. Thys Counsell is nowe augmented by one copple mo then were before of worthye Counsellors, that upon Saterdaye with no smale force came to thys towne, the Earle Athall and L. Ruthen. So are ther nowe present the L. Chauncelor, L. Athall, L. Ersken, L. Ruthen, and the Secretarie; some other are admitted to stonde by, of the noble men that are here present. My Lord of Murraye hathe playnelye refused to come amonge their hands whome he hathe so good occasion to suspecte, and therfore yt was yesterdaye in consultation whether yt were beste to have hym proclamed rebell thys daye or not; whear unto some among the Lords dyscented. I knowe not yet what

will become of yt, nor who their were that dyscented. I here saye that the Quene will thys daye despache a man, I know not yet whome, towards the Quene's Ma=tie=, I thynke some Frenche man, bycause of the Emb. from whome she hathe all her intelligens. Ther is one Lassells that dwellethe bysyds Toplyf, a cunnynge dealer betwene thys Countrye and that. Maye yt please her Ma=tie= that I may knowe her pleasure for suche Englisshemen as are here, or others that come. Moste humblye I tayke my leave. At Edenbourge the xxiiij=th=. of Julye, 1565. Yo=r= H. allwayes at commaund Tho. Randolphe. To the right honorable S=r=. William Scicill knight principall Secretorie to the Q. Ma=tie=.

[} [\LETTER CLXXXV. THOMAS RANDOLPH TO SIR WILLIAM CECIL.\] }] Maye yt please yo=r= H. I have receaved the Quene's M=ts=. lettre of the seconde of this instant, and therby understonde her Mat=s=. mynde touchynge the Commissioners appoynted by this Quene according to her Mat=s=. will. I have spoken agayne with this Quene that some other noble man of lyke qualitie myghte be appoynted in my Lord Bothewell place, whearunto her Grace hathe not yet accorded, but hathe promised to conferr with her Counsell ther in, and to gyve me a resolute answer therof within iij. or iiij. dayes, w=ch= tyme I do attende, and in the meane season wolde not that yo=r= H. sholde thynke longe for my lettres; for with more expedition I cane not bringe these matters to that passe that is to be desyered. I thoughte good also t'advertyse yo=r= H. that this daye Roberte Melvin is despached from hens towards the Quene's Ma=tie= from the Quene. His cheif Commission is to see what the Quene's Ma=tie= will do for this Quene towards the succession in favour of my Lord of Murraye and his complices. He muste also sue for my Ladie Lenox deliverie, and other wyse see what freindshipe he cane mayke amonge such as are well wyllinge towards her

and howsbonde, that none be preferred to them in their pretended righte. The best couller that he cane use is to be suter for the Lord, and in the meane season maye deale with other as he cane fynde occasion. Yt is thought that anye thynge that this Quene cane desyer wilbe the easlyer accordyd for the greate number of her favorers in the Quenes Ma=ts= reaulme. I shall not neade nor wyll not be so bolde as t'advise you to stonde harde to yo=r= centere, but I assure you I see this parte of the circumference shrewedlye inclined, and to beare a greate swaye to yo=r= hurte, yf yt be not looked unto. Yt hathe byne openlye saide by this Quene that she wyll have the Masse free for all men that wyll here yt. Her howsbonde, his father, Lord Athall, and other, nowe daylye resorte to yt. The Protestants in suche feare and dowte of them selves that theie knowe not what shall become of them. The wyseste so myche meslyke this state and goverment, that theie desyer nothynge more then the retorne of the Lords, ether to be receaved in their owne rowmes or ons agayne to put all in hazarde. Yesterdaye the Lord Darlye receaved the Order. The Emb. bothe dyned and supped with hym. This daye he dynethe with the Quene; tomorrowe with the Counsell; upon Wensedaye in the Castle; and Thursedaye departethe. The Solemnitie was greate, the moste parte of the nobilitie present. Ther went with hym to the masse, his father, Earles Athall and

Cassels, and Lord Seton. Thus myche I thought good to wryte unto Your H. attendinge suche answer as I shall gette touchynge the Commissioners. Moste humblye I tayke my leave. At Edenb. the x=th=. of Februarie 1565. Yo=r= h. bounden at commande Tho. Randolphe. To the righte honorable S=r=. William Cecill Knighte Principall Secretarie to the Quenes Ma=tie=.

[} [\LETTER CLXXXIX. QUEEN ELIZABETH TO THE LADY HOBY.\] }] Madam Although we heare that since the death of your husband, our late Ambassador, S=r= Thomas Hoby, you have received, in France, great and comfortable courtesyes from the French King, the Queen Mother, the Queen of Navarre and sundry others, yet we made accompt that all these layd together cannot so satisfye you as some testimony and sparke of our favour, with the application of the late service of your Husband, and of your own demeanour there: wherefore though you shall receive it somewhat lately in time, yet we assure you the same proceedeth only of the late knowledge of your return. And therefore we let you know that the service of your Husband was to us so acceptable, as next yourself and your children we have not

the meanest loss of so able a Servant in that calling. And yet since it hath so pleased God to call him in the entry of this our Service, we take it in the better part, seeing it hath appeared to be Gods pleasure to call him away, so favourably to the service of him, especially in the constancy of his duty towards God, wherein, we hear say, he dyed very commendably. And for your self, we cannot but let you know that we hear out of France such singular good reports of your duty well accomplished towards your husband, both living and dead, with other your sober, wise, and discreet behaviour in that Court and Country, that we think it a part of great contentation to us, and commendation of our Country, that such a Gentlewoman hath given so manifest a testimony of virtue in such hard times of adversity. And therefore though we thought very well of you before, yet shall we hereafter make a more assured account of your virtues and gifts, and wherein soever we may conveniantly do you pleasure, you may be thereof assured. And so we would have you to rest yourself in quietness, with a firm opinion of our especiall favour towards you. Given under our Signet at our City of Oxford the .. of September 1566: the eight year of our Reign. Your loving Friend Elizabeth, R.

[} [\LETTER CXCVII. BERNARD RANDOLPH COMMON SERJEANT OF LONDON, TO SIR WILLIAM CECIL.\] }] Righte honorable, after my humble duetie to your Honor remembred, pleasethe the same to be advertised

that I (allthough most unworthie) being by dyvysion lymytted under your honor and M=r=. Deane to the Citie of Westminster and lyberties of the same, aswell for thexamynacion of rogues and sturdye vagabondes and masterlesse men, as also for to punyshe other enormyties and mysdemeanors theare; to the whiche precincte above other in the Shire, in th'absence of your honor (and the said M=r=. Deane) I thinck myself more bounden to have a vigillant eye then if the same M=r=. Deane weare at home, or your honor somewhat nearer. And repayring thither this daye (as comonlie I doo but ones everye fortenight yf I have no especial cause), but this is the thirde tyme of my goinge thither, to examyn a lewde persone whoe hathe stolen diverse parcells of brass and copper that did adorne the Tombe of the late Kinge of famouse memorie Henrie the Seventhe and Queene Elizabeth his wife. And at my nowe comynge thither M=r=. Staunton and others of th'inhabitants of the said Cytie, gave me to understande thatt there was a great disorder in or near Long Acre, by reason of certain Games that were proclaymed there to be exercised, wheare indede theare was none used but one onlie Game, called Riflinge, by which they saide diverse persons weare spoyled and utterlie undon. Wheruppon I comaunded M=r=. Colbrande the highe Constable of the saide Cytie and Lyberties (taking with hym suche nomber of petit constables and others

as to his discression sholde seme mete, and sendinge before worde to the constable of S=t=. Gyles in the fieldes to mete hym theare) to goe thither, and not onlie to apprehende all persones that sholde be founde theare usinge the same game, but also them that kepte the same games. And I my self went also thither for the quieter apprehendinge of them, for I was informed by the said M=r=. Staunton that theare was a very greate nomber, and the nomber I thinck was muche the greater by reasone of the concourse of people thither to se one lyinge theare that was slayne theare this mornyng. Wheruppon the Keper of the same Games was broughte before me, but none of them that played theare: and yet one of my owne Servants, whom I sent pryvylie thither for that purpose, did see that game of Ryflinge in use theare at that tyme. But I thincke pryvie warnynge was gyven when I was perceyved to bende my selfe that waye. Maye it please your Honor, I commytted the Keper of the same Game to warde, meanynge nevertheles uppon sute to bayle hym untill the general Sessions. And forasmuche as he is one of the Quene's Majestie's Servants, and hathe a Lycence for laufull Games signed by th'andes of the right honorables the Lorde Stewarde, the Lorde of Arrundell, and the Lorde of Leicester (the copye wherof I have taken and intende to kepe the same), and he was in tymes past servant to the saide Lorde of Arrundell. And for that before

this tyme I have had some stoute and sharpe wordes when I have don even favorable justice to honorable mens servants, and doubting what synister complainte may be now againste me to any of honorable personages abovenamed, I have thought good to make your Honor pryvie of this my doinge, humblie praying your good Honor's ayde if I shall have nede of the same. And beinge verie sorie to trouble your Honor with this my longe rude Lettre, I comytt the same to the tuyssion of the Allmightie whoe ever preserve you in helthe and welthe longe to contynue, with increase of much honor. Written the fourth of this September 1569. Your Honor's to commande to my little power Bernard Randolph, Commen Serjiant of London. To the right honorable Sir William Cecyll Knight, principall Secretarie to the Quene's Majestie be theis gyven withe good spede.

[} [\LETTER CCIII. THE EARL OF BEDFORD TO LORD TREASURER BURGHLEY.\] }] After my hartie comendacions to yo=r= good Lordshippe, here enclosed I sende you a Lettre of M=r= Asshetones

which shuld have bene delyvered some dayes sythens. [^A PASSAGE OMITTED^] I am now going to prepare for her Ma=ties= coming to Woborne, which shalbe done in the best and most hartiest maner that I can. I trust yo=r= L. will have in remembraunce to provide and helpe that her Ma=ts=. tarieng be not above two nights and a daye; for, for so long tyme do I prepare. I pray god the Rowmes and Lodgings there may be to her Ma=ts=. contentacion for the tyme. If I could make them better upon suche a sodeyn, then wold I, be assured. They should be better then they be. So w=t= my hartie thanks to yo=r= good L. remayning alwayes as I have just cause yo=rs=, do so committ you to Gods keping. From Russell House this xvj=th=. of July 1572. Yo=r= L. right assured F. Bedford. To my verie good Lord the Lord Burghley, Highe Treasurer of England.

[} [\LETTER CCXII. WILLIAM FLEETWOOD RECORDER OF LONDON, TO LORD BURGHLEY.\] }] My singuler good Lord, uppon Thursday at even, her Majestie in her Cooche, near Islyngton, taking of

the aier, her Highnes was environed with a nosmber of Rooges. One M=r= Stone a footeman cam in all hast to my Lord Maior, and after to me, and told us of the same. I dyd the same night send warants owt into the seyd quarters and in to Westminster and the Duchie: and in the mornyng I went a brood my selff, and I tooke that daye lxxiiij roogs, whereof some were blynd and yet great usurers, and very riche: and the same daye towards night I sent for M=r=. Harrys and M=r=. Smithe and the governors of Bridwell, and tooke all the names of the roogs; and sent theym frome the Sessions Hall unto Bridwell where they remayned that night. Upon Twelff daye in the forenoone, the Master of the Rolls, my selff, and others receyved a charge before my Lords of the Counsell as towching roogs and masterles men, and to have a pryvie searche. The same daye at after dyner (for I dyned at the Rolls) I mett the governors of Bridwell, and so that after nowne we examined all the seyd roogs and gave theym substanciall payment. And the strongest we bestowed in the mylne and the lighters. The rest wee desmyssed with a promise of a dooble paye if we mett with theym agayne. Upon Sounday being (\crastino\) of the Twelfth daye, I dyned with M=r= Deane of Westminster, where I conferred with hym towching Westminster and the Duchie, and then I tooke order for Southwarke, Lambeth, and Newyngton, from whence I receyved a shooll of xl. rooggs, men and women, and

above. I bestowed theym in Bridwell. I dyd the same after nowne peruse Pooles, where I tooke abowt xx=ti= cloked roogs that there use to kepe standing. I placed theym also in Bridwell. The next mornyng, being Mounday, the M=r=: of the Roolls and the rest tooke order with the Constables for a privie searche ageynst Thursdaye at night, and to have the offendors browght to the Sessions Hall upon Frydaye in the mornyng where wee the Justices shold mete. And agaynst the same tyme my Lo. Maior and I dyd the lyke in London and Sowthworke. The same afternowne the Masters of Bridwell and I mett, and, after every man being examined, eche one receyved his payment according to his deserts; at whiche tyme the strongest were put to worke and the other dismissed into theire Countries. The same daye the M=r=. of the Savoye was with us and sayd he was sworne to lodge " (\claudicantes, egrotantes, et peregrinantes\) ;" and the next mornyng I sent the Constables of the Duchie to the Hospitall and they browght unto me at Bridewell vj. tall fellowes that were draymen unto bruers and were neither " (\claudicantes, egrotantes\) , nor (\peregrinantes\) ." The Constables if they might have had theyre owen wills wold have browght as many moo. The Master dyd wryte a very curtese letter unto us to produce theym: and although he wrott charitably unto us, yet were they all sowndly payed, and sent home to thare

masters. All Tewsday, Weddensdaye, and Thursdaye there cam in nosmbers of roogs; they were rewarded all according to theire deserts. Upon Frydaye mornyng, at the Justice Hall, there were browght in above a C. lewed people taken in the privie searche. The M=rs=. of Bridwell receyved theym, and immediatly gave theym punishment. This Satterday, after Causes of Consciens herd by my Lord Maior and me, I dined and went to Polls and in other places as well within the libertes as els where, and I founde not one rooge stirryng. Emongest all these thyngs I dyd note, that we had not of London, Westm. nor Sowthwarke, nor yet Midd. nor Surr. above twelve, and those we have taken order for. The resedew for the most were of Wales, Salop, Cestr. Somerset, Barks, Oxforde, and Essex; and that fewe or none of thaym had ben abowt London above iij. or iiij. mownthes. I dyd note also that we mett not agayne w=th= any in all our searches that had receyved punishment. The chieff nurserie of all these evell people is the Savoye, and the brick kilnes nere Islyngton. As for the brick kylnes, we will take suche order that they shall be reformed. And I trust by yo=r= good Lordship's help the Savoye shall be amended; for suerlie, as by experiens I fynd it, the same place, as it is used, is not converted to a good use or purpose. And this shall suffice for Roogs. Upon Weddensdaye last a Frenche merchaunt, in a bagge sealed, delivered to a cariers wiff of Norwich

xl=li= to be caried to Norwich. She secretlie conveyed the money to a howse a good way off frome the Inne, and within half a quarter of an houre the Frenche merchaunt cam agayne to se his money packed up. But the woman denyed that ever she received any one penny with such horrible protestacions as I never herd of before. M=r=. Secretarie Walsingham wrote me his Letters for the ayde of the Frenche man, and after great searche made, the money was founde and restored. She not knowing of the same, I examined her in my studie privatlie, but by no meanes she wold not confesse the same, but dyd bequeth her selff to the Devell, both bodie and sowle, if she had the money or ever sawe it. And this was her craft that she then had not the money, and in dead she sayth the trowth, for it was eyther at her frynds where she left it, or els delyvered. And then I perceyving her fewke, I asked her whether the Frenche merchant dyd not bring her a bagge sealed full of metall that was weightie, were it either platts, coyne, cownters, or suche lyke: then, quoth she, I will aunswer no further. And then I used my Lo. Maiors advise, and bestowed her in Bridwell, where the Masters and I sawe her punished; and, being well whipped, she sayd that the Devell stood at her elbowe in my studie, and willed her to denye it. But so soon as she was upon the Crosse to be punished he gave her over. And thus my singuler good Lo. I end this tragical part of this wicked woman.

This mornyng the Deputie of Holborne and two of the Wardmot Enquest browght me this examination. I send for the partie. He was browght before my Lord Maior and me. And we have commanded hym to warde expecting yo=r= good Lo. advise as towchinge his offens. Thus most humbly I send unto yo=r= good Lo. this last weeks Diarye, ceasing at this tyme to troble yo=r= honer any further. At Bacon howse this 14 of Ja. 1581. Your good Lo. most bounden W. Fletewoode. To the right honorable and my singuler good L. My Lo. High Treaso=r= of England.

[} [\LETTER CCXIV. M=R= RECORDER FLEETWOOD TO LORD BURGHLEY.\] }] Right honorable Sithens your Lo. last being here in London there have ben twoo great Feasts, the one at the Grosers-hall, the other at the Haberdashers-hall. At the Haberdashers feast was my Lord Maior, and divers of his brethern, with myselff, where my Lo. Maior after the second course come inne dyd take the great standing Cupp of the gift of Sir William Garrett, being full of Ypocraze, (and silence being commaunded throwgh all the Tables) all men being bare-headed, my Lo, before all men dyd use these words with a convenyent lowd voyce "M=r=. Recorder of London and yow my good bretherne the Aldermen, beare witnes that I do drynke unto M=r=. Alderman Massam as Shereff of London and Midd. frome Mighelmas next comming, for one holl yere; and I do beseche God to graunt hym as quiett and peaceable a yere with as good and gratious favor of her Maiestie as I my selff and my brethern the Shereffs now being have hytherto had, and as I trust shall have." This spoken, all men desired the same. The Sword-bearer in hast went to the Grosers

ffeast, where M=r=. Ald=n=. Massam was at dyner; and there dyd openlie declare the words that my Lo. Maior had used: whereunto (silens made and all being hushe) the Alderman aunswered verie modestlie in this sort, "First I thanke God who through his great goodness haith called me frome a verie poore and meane degree unto this worshipfull estate. Secondlie I thanke her Majestie for her gratious goodnes in allowing unto us these great and ample fraunchises. Thirdlie I thank my Lo. Maior for having so honorable an opinion of this My Companie of Grocers as to make choise of me being a poore member of the same." And this said, bothe he and all the Companie pledged My Lord and gave hym thanks. M. Nowell of the Court haith lately been here in London. He caused his man to geve a blowe unto a carrman. His man haithe stricken the carrman with the pumell of his sword and therwith haith broken his skelle and killed hym. M=r=. Nowell and his man are lyke to be indicated; whereof I am sure to be muche trobled, what with lettres and his frynds, and what by other meanes as in the verie like case heretofore I have byn even with the same man. Here are sunderie yonge gentilmen that use the Court that most commonly terme theymselffs (^gyntylmen^) . When any of these have done any thinge amisse and are compleyned of, or arrested for debt, they then runne unto me, and no other excuse or aunswere can they make but saye

" (^I am a Jyntylman, and being a Jyntylman I am not thus to be used at a slave and a colions handes.^) " I know not what other parlee M=r=. Nowell can pled; but this I say, the fact is fowle. God send hym good deliverans. I thinke in my conscience that he makethe no reckenyng of the matter. Hit was my chaunse to examine a matter in the Court holden at Bridwell. I have ben complayned of to the Counsel bord. I was sent for. M=r=. Secretary received my Aunswer, and told the compleynaunts that they had deserved to be hanged And this is the Case. Abraham of Abraham a gentilman of an hundred pound land in com. Lanc. put his dawghter and heire unto my lady Gerrerd of the Brenne. Sir Thomas and my lady being here in London, one Dwelles, a fenser nere Cicell howse, and his wiff, by indirect meanes, being of kyn to the girle, dyd invite all my Lady's children and gentilwomen unto a breakfast. They cam thether, and at theire commyng the yowthes and servingmen were caried up to the ffens skolle. My Ladys dowghters and gentilwomen must nedes play at the cardes, will they nill they. The girle Abraham, by the wiff of the howse, was conveyghed in to a chamber, and shut the dowre after her and there left her. The Girl found in the Chamber iiij. or v. tall men. She knew theym not. And ymediatlie the girle fell into a great ffeare seyng them to compasse her about. Then began an old priest to read upon a

booke, his words she understood not, saving these words "I Henry take the Suzane to my wedded wiff" &c. This done they charged the wenche never to discover this to any body lyving: and so sent her downe to her fellowes. And dyner being done the wenche told to her fellowes very lamentably what had ben donne; and they over to S=r=. Tho. and my La. And upon complaynt I sent for the ffensers wiff who wold confesse nothyng. I went with her my self to Bridwell, where there was a full Court, and thether cam Sir Thomas with the wenche, and there we bolted owt the wholl matter and dyd no more. The ffensers wyff is retorned to the Cownter. The wenche is with my La. Gerrerd. She was never in Bridwell, as the ffenser and one Poollwhele dyd avouche to some of my Lords. The wenche was there to accuse the fensers wiff in open Court. My Lo. this being the fact, and the trew case thereof, I fynd the same to be ffellonie by A=o=. 3. st. 7. ca. 2. And therefore me thinketh suche companyons as this fenser and his wiff are, owght not to be allowed to deface suche poore men as I am, in suche order, before the Lords. Thus most humbly I take my leave of yo=r= good Lo. this 18 of Julie 1583. Yo=r= good Lo. most bounden W. Fletewoode. "To the right honorable and my singuler good Lord Treasourer of England."

[} [\LETTER CCXVI. M=R=. RECORDER FLEETWOOD TO LORD TREASURER BURGHLEY.\] }]

Right honorable and my verie good Lord, uppon Thursdaye laste, beinge the crastinn of Trinitie Terme, we kepte a Sessions of Inquyrie in London in the forenone, and in the afternone we kepte the lyke att Fynsburie for Middlesex, in which two severall Sessionses all such as were to be arrayegned for felonye at the Gaole deliverye were indyted. Uppon Frydaie last we sate at the Justice hall att Newgate from vij in the morninge untill vij att night, where were condempned

certen horstealers, cutpurses, and such lyke, to the nusmber of x., whereof ix. were executed, and the tenthe stayed by a meanes from the Courte. These were executed uppon Saterdaye in the morninge. There was a Showmaker also condempned for wyllfull murder commytted in the Blacke ffryers, who was executed uppon Mondaie in the morninge. The same daye my Lord Maior beinge absent abowte the goods of the Spannyards, and also all my Lords the Justices of the Benches beinge also awaye, we fewe that were there did spend the same daie abowte the searchinge out of sundrye that were receptors of ffelons, where we fownd a greate manye aswell in London, Westminster, Sowthwarke, as in all other places abowte the same. Amongest our travells this one matter tumbled owt by the waye, that one Wotton a gentilman borne, and sometyme a marchauntt man of good credyte, who fallinge by tyme into decaye, kepte an Alehowse att Smarts keye neere Byllingesgate, and after, for some mysdemeanor beinge put downe, he reared upp a newe trade of lyffe, and in the same Howse he procured all the Cuttpurses abowt this Cittie to repaire to his said howse. There, was as schole howse sett upp to learne younge boyes to cutt purses. There were hung up two devises, the one was a pockett, the other was a purse. The pockett had in yt certen cownters and was hunge abowte with hawkes bells, and over the toppe did hannge a litle sacring bell; and he that could take owt a cownter without any noyse, was allowed to

be (^a publique ffoyster^) : and he that could take a peece of sylver owt of the purse without the noyse of any of the bells, he was adjudged (^a judiciall Nypper^) . Nota that a ffoister is a Pick-pockett, and a Nypper is termed a Pickepurse, or a Cutpurse. And as concerninge this matter, I will sett downe noe more in this place, but referr your Lordship to the paper herein enclosed. Saterdaye and Sondaie beinge past, uppon Mondaie my Lord Maior, my Lord Buckhurste, the M=r=. of the Rooles, my Lord Anderson, M=r=. Sackford Master of the Requests, S=r=. Rowland Hayward, my selffe, M=r=. Owen, and M=r=. Younge, with the assystaunce of M=r=. Attorney and M=r=. Solicitor, did arraigne one Awfeild, Webley, and Crabbe, for sparcinge abrood certen lewed, sedicious, and traytorous bookes; Awfeild did most trayterously maynteyne the booke, with longe tedious and frivolous wordes and speaches. Webley did affirme as much as Awfeild had uttered. They are both executed thorough Gods goodnes and yo=r= Lordshipps good helpe, as M=r=. Younge told me. There came a Letter to reprive Awfeild, yt was not well digested of as many as knewe of yt, but after all was well taken. When he was executed, his bodye was brought into S=t=. Pulchers to be buryed, but the parishioners would not suffer a Traytor's corpes to be layed in the earthe where theire parents, wyeffs, chyldren, kynred, maisters, and old neighbors did rest: and so his carcase was retourned to the buryall grounde neere Tyborne, and there I leave yt. Crabbe surelye

did renownce the Pope, and my Lords and the rest of the Benche moved M=r=. Attorney and M=r=. Solicitor to be a meane to her Maiestie for him, and for that cause he was stayed. Trewelye my Lord it is nothinge needfull to wrytte for the staye of any to be repryved, for there is not any in our Commyssion of London or Middlesex but we are desirous to save or staye any poore wretche, yf by color of any lawe or reason we maye doe ytt. My singler good Lord my Lord William of Wynchester was wonte to saye, "when the Courte is furthest from London, then is there the best justice done in all England." I once hard as great a parsonage in office and authoritye as ever He was, and yett lyvinge, saye the same wordes. Yt is growen for a trade nowe in the Courte to make meanes for repryves, twentie pownd for a reprive is nothinge, although it be but for bare tenn daies. I see it will not be holpen onles one honored gentilman, who many tymes is abused by wronge informacion (and suerlie uppon my sowle, not uppon any evill meaninge) do staye his penn. I have not one Letter for the staye of a theiffe from your Lordshippe. Fearinge that I trouble your Lordship with my tedious Lettres I end, this vij=th=. of Julie 1585. Your good Lordships moste humbly bownden W. Fletewoode.

At the endinge of this Lettre I received an othere, the which I will aunswere owt of hand. Upon Tewsdaie I satt in Jugement in the hustings, where M=r=. Cure and his corporate bretherne the Sadlers recovered xl=li=. land in a writ of right (\'lon le mise fint ioyne sur le mere droit'\) against one Beale. Upon Weddensday wee satt in Southwark abowt the Goneres where my cossen Holcroft accused and (\'de repetundis'\) &c. (^Archana.^) There was one that is called M=r=. Abarrowe that was at the takynge of the Erle of Arundell, and had gotten into his hands of his nere abowte ccc=li=. in gold. He was commanded to brynge the same to the LL. of the Sterre Chamber. His man carried it after hym even to the Sterre chamber doore and soddenly his man sterted away and tooke a boote, past into Sowthwarke, devyded the money, and there by my warrant was taken, and in effect all the money was had agayne. M=r=. Abarrowe his Master was the lothest man in England to have his man towched for this offence. I caused hym to be indicted and arreigned. My lord Anderson tooke it to be no fellonye because his master delyvered hym the money. I sayd it was felonye by the common lawe, because the custodie and bearing of the money in his masters presens was adjuged to

be as if it had ben in his masters owen custodie. As if my butler, my horse keper, my sheperd, or the yoman of my warderobe do steale and imbesell any thinge in his charge this is felonye, and even so is it of my purse bearer. And if it were not felonye by the comen lawe then was it by the statute, if the somme were above xl=s=. But I fearynge the matter might be called before my Lords, beinge a thing so notoriusly knowen, I caused the Jurie to fynd the speciall matter, and so it resteth. I do lerne sithens that the ffelow had ben in tymes past servant to M=r=. Smith the Clerk of the Pype, &c. [^LIST OF NAMES OMITTED^]

Memorand. That in Wotton's howse at Smarts Keye are wrytten in a table divers Poysies, and among the rest one is this (^Si spie sporte, si non spie, tunc steale.^) Another thus (^Si spie, si non spie, ffoyste, nyppe, lyfte, shave and spare not.^) Note that (^ffoyste^) is to cutt a pockett, (^nyppe^) is to cutt a purse, (^lyft^) is to robbe a shoppe or a gentilmans chamber, (^shave^) is to ffylche a clooke, a sword, a sylver sponne or such like, that is negligentlie looked unto. Nota, that (^mylken ken^) is to commytt a roborie or burgularie in the night in a dwelling howse, &c. To the Right honourable and my synguler good Lord the Lord Highe Treasorer of England.

[} [\LETTER CCXVIII. SERJEANT FLEETWOOD TO LORD BURGHLEY.\] }] Right Honorable and my singuler good Lord, this present daye from two of the clocke until syx, my Lo. Maior, with some of his bretherne th'Aldermen and myselffe, dyd examyne certene Apprentices for conspiringe an insurrection in this Cittie agaynst the Frenche and Dutche, but speciallie against the

Frenche; a thinge as lyke unto yll Maye daie as could be devysed in all manner of circumstaunces, (\mutatis mutandis\) , ther wanted nothinge but execucion. We have taken fyve, all of an age, yet all under xxj=tie=: fower of them Darbishier borne; the fyrste borne in Norhamshier. We are searchinge and seekinge for the principall Captayne; we hope we shall heare of him this night, for he hath ben workinge all this daie in the Whyt hall at Westminster, and at his cominge home we trust to have him. We have this night sett a standinge watche armed, from nyne until seven in the morninge, and doe meane to contynewe the same soe longe as yt shalbe thought convenient unto your honor and the resydewe of my Lords. M=r=. Alderman Woodcocke, who maryed the wydowe of M=r=. Lanyson shalbe buried uppon Moundaye next. S=r= Rowland Hayward is exstreame sicke and greatlie distressed (our Lord comfort him). My Ladie his wieffe is likewise verie sicke. This night M=r=. Attorney Generall sent his man unto me to sett my hand and seale unto a warrant to summon a Quest of enquirie to appeare to morowe att Westminster Hall. The Citizens, when they shall heare of yt, will lyke thereof verie well, for they all crye owt that justice maye be done uppon these Treators. The foresaid Apprentices, being of the Mysterie of Plastorers, are commytted unto Newgate uppon the Quenes Highnes and her Councells commaundement, where

they are lyke to remayne untill they be delivered by speciall warrant. Here is presentlie noe other thinge worthie of writinge. Wherefore I beseech God to preserve first her Ma=tie=, and then yo=r= Lordship, from all these Treators and such other wicked people. From the Guylde hall this present Twesdaie the sixt of September at seaven of the clocke in the eveninge 1586. Yo=r= Lo: most humble bownden W. Fletewoode. Att the sendinge away of my man this Weddensday mornynge all the bells of London do ring for ioye, that, upon the 7 of this monethe, beinge as this daie, A=o= 25 H. 8. her Grace was borne. There wilbe this daie but specially great ffeastinge at supper. I have ben bidden owt this night to supper in vj. or vij. places. To the Right Honorable and my singuler good Lo. the Lo. Treasorer of England, at the Courte. [^THE CORRESPONDENCE OF DR. MATTHEW HUTTON, ARCHBISHOP OF YORK. WITH A SELECTION FROM THE LETTERS, ETC. OF SIR TIMOTHY HUTTON, KNT., HIS SON; AND MATTHEW HUTTON, ESQ., HIS GRANDSON. ED. BY RAINE, JAMES. THE PUBLICATIONS OF THE SURTEES SOCIETY 17. 1843.^]

[} [\LETTER II.\] DR. E. GRINDALL, BISHOP OF LONDON, TO DR. HUTTON.}] [^TO DR. MATTHEW HUTTON^] [\15 Sep. 1566.\] (\Salutem in Christo!\) Wheras I appoynted you to preache att Paules Crosse the 3 off November nexte: becawse the Parlament dothe holde, and therfore it is lyke that the Bisshops shall occupie the rowme those Sundays in the myddes off the tearme, I muste entreate you to prevente your daye, and to preach Dominica 17=a=, which is the 6 off October nexte. The tyme, thowghe it may be somewhatt shorte, is longe enoughe for you; and I am destitute. It is the firste Sundaye off the Parlament, and therfore I labour to have one learned for thatt daye. I praye you fayle nott, and certiffie me w=th= conveniente spede agayne. Fare ye well. Frome Fulham, 15 Septemb. 1566. Yo=r= in Christe, Edm. London. To my lovinge frende, M=r=. Doctor Hutton, M=r=. off Pembrooke Halle in Cambrige.

[} [\LETTER IV.\] LADY HUNTINGDON TO MR. DEANE OF YORKE.}] [^TO DR. MATTHEW HUTTON^] [\Julie 21, 1575.\] After my verye hartie commendacions. Forasmuch as a kinsman of my lorde and a cosen of myne doe intend, by the grace of God, to marrye together vppon Sondaye nexte, I am therefore bould to desyre you, that you would take the paynes to be here againste that tyme, and to bestowe a shorte sermon vppon vs, suche as for the short warning you have maye suffise for that audience. The which ended, or before, att your discretion, I muste further intreate you to helpe to sollempnize that mariage. And even soe, being bould to truble you, I doe bidd you hartelye fare well. Att York, this xxj=th= of Julye, 1575. Your frend in the Lord, K. Huntingdon. Good Mr. Deane, refuse not to take this paines in being heare against Sondaie; which I shall thinke my sealfe beholdine to you for the same, and will be redie to pleasure you in any thing I maie. To my very loving frend, M=r= Deane of York.

[} [\LETTER V.\] EDMUND GRINDALL, ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY, TO DR. MATTHEW HUTTON, DEAN OF YORK.}] [\25 April, 1577.\] (\Salutem in Christo!\) I hartely thanke ye for your favour extendett towards this bringer W. Allen. I perswade my selfe that ye shewed him favour for my sake in the office bestowed

vpon him, and thatt ye had remembrance off my sute made vnto ye for him heretofore, and therefore I thanke ye accordynglye. Iff I had hadde anie speciall creditte when Durham and Carl. were bestowed, some hadde not spedde so well: but blame your selfe and Sir Tho: Garg: ye 2 comendett him, to be rydde off him: and nowe Simon is as goodd as Peter. This geare wolde make a man synge (\"Mei autem pene` moti sunt pedes," &c.\) Off myne owne present state I thynke ye can nott be ignorant: it maye be, that evell reports flye abroade agaynste me; my meanynge is goode. The ende is in Goddes handes, to whose grace I hartely commende you; with my salutations to M=r=. Palmer, and the reste off myne olde Chapleyns Prebendaries off your chirche. Lambethe, 25 Aprilis, 1577. Yours in Christe, E. Cant. To my lovinge frende M=r=. Doctor Hutton, Deane off Yorke.

[} [\LETTER VI.\] CECYLL LORD BURGHLEY TO MR. DEANE OF YORKE.}] [^TO DR. MATTHEW HUTTON^] [\August 12, 1577.\] Good Mr. Deane, I most hartely thank [{you{] for your harty commendations, which this berer M=r=. Ramsden delyveyred me, with a token in gold, being the monument of the good elect kyng Edward my master, whom God took seasonably for his soule to be a kyng in heaven, and onseasonably from this his erthely kyngdom, therby blessing hym, and scourgyng vs. God favor vs now in the reigne of our Soverayn with more of his

marcy, though I feare our offences ar gretar ... From Buxton, the xii=th= of August, 1577. Your most assured loving Frend, W. Burghley. God contynew his graces in you, by which your liff and actions ar reported very good of all your neighbors; and in sekyng to reform those that ar ovt of the waye, the ordinary waye to reduce them which I heare you vse is, by gentle instruction of them first to se and fele ther palpable errors, and so to prepare them to se the truth. To my very louing ffrend M=r=. Doctor Hutton, Deane of the Cathedrall Churche at Yorke.

[} [\LETTER VII.\] GRYNDALL, ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY, TO DR. HUTTON, DEAN OF YORK.}] [^TO DR. MATTHEW HUTTON^] [\2 Dec. 1577.\] (\Salutem in Christo!\) This bringer can informe you somethinge off my state bothe for my healthe off my bodye and other my trobles. Aboute 6 weeks agoe, and so on further tyll the 26 off November, I was putt in assured hoape off libertie, &c. Abowte thatt tyme arose a sudeyn contrarie tempest, which hadde browghte me to have appeared in the Starre Chamber 29 Novembris last, iff God had nott layed me up 2 dayes before off myne olde disease the stoane. By thatt occasion my apparence was respitted, and I now remayne as a man in suspense (\inter spem metumque\) , butt yett hoape that God wille in the ende turne all to the beste. I thanke ye for your manifold significations off your goode wille towarde me and myne. I praye

ye be goode to the bringer in that ye maye lawfullye, commende me as ye knowe. God kepe you. 2 December, 1577. Yours in Christe, E. C. To my lovinge frende, M=r=. Deane off Yorke.

[} [\LETTER VIII.\] THE EARLE OF HUNTINGDON TO MR. DEANE OF YORKE.}] [^TO DR. MATTHEW HUTTON^] [\Maie 20, 1578.\] (\Salutem in Domino, &c.!\) I am sorrye to vnderstand of your falle and harme you have therbye, but I trust God will shortelye restore you to your olde good state agayne. Of my Lord of Canterburie I heare nothyng but thys; I wyll sette downe the verrye wordes as they bee wrytten to me: - "My Lord of Canterburie dyd stande now at thys present vpon hys delyuerye by the good meanes of M=r=. Vycechamberlyne, and now at thys present the bysshoppes of Durram and Yorke have wryttyn to hyr Majesty of soche sectes and puritanes that ys in those cuntryes, that hathe made a staye of hys delyuerance." Even nowe the Lord Archebishop was heare, and I tolde hym a peece of thys matter, but sayde no worde of Canterburie, and I dyd aske hym what infection he founde in all hys dyoces, especyallye for puritanisme as they tearme yt. He aunsweryd, that he founde none to offend that way, neythyr, sayth he, have I wryttyn any thynge thereof; but in my letters to the Quene, sayth he, I dyd wryte that a younge man in a sermon at the assyses dyd sumwhat straye, but he hathe been before me and hathe promysyd to repayre the faute, etc. Also of one at Hulle who made sum scruple at sum matters, but now yealdeth and promysyth conformytee. Of other matters he dyd not wryte, but of the increasynge of the papystes, etc. By thys I see som sparkes have floane abrode. Your wrytar hathe desyryd me to sent hym worde what ys trew touchinge these reaportes. And now by warrante from my Lord's grace I may saye hys dyoces ys cleare of thys faulte. For other occuranttes I referre

you to the letter inclosyd, wherof I dyd imparte the laste parte, as I was desyryd. God make us all pure in hys syghte thorrowe Chryste, and confounde all poperye and counterfayte gospellynge, etc. And so I commytte you to the Lord. At Yorke, thys 26 of May, 1578. Your assured frend (\in Domino\) , H. Huntyngdon. To the assemblie at Smalcald her Maiestie hath sent certeine persons to dissuade and stay the proceedings, &c. D. Humfrey of Oxford, D. Wilson of Worcester, D. Still of Cambridge, and D. Hamond, a civilian, ar appointed for this purpose; and, if hast had not required, your Deane Mr. Hutton should have bene the principall, and so ought he to have bene allowed. Grenewich, xx Maij, 1578.

[} [\LETTER IX.\] GRYNDALL, ARCHB. CANT. [\TO DOCTOR MATTHEW HUTTON, DEAN OF YORK.\] }] [\18 Feb. 1578-9.\] (\Salutem in Christo!\) This bringer can enforme you that I am (thanks be to God!) in reasonable goode healthe. My case dependeth longe, as ye see, and some repulse off sute latelye made hathe bene geven; and yett, iff a man maye beleve in courte promesses, I was att no tyme so neare an ende off my trobles as att this present. (\Domini voluntas fiat.\) I praye you shew favor to the bringer for perfitinge off his longe travells.

S. Peter is a goode man, and lendeth freelye; the marchante allwayes harpeth apon interest. He will engage all to S. Peter or some off his deputies. Surelye the thinge will proove to an vndoubted beniffitte bothe publicke and private. Yff I had remayned with you, I wolde have helped him in this case; especiallye nowe when the matter is growen rype, etc. Howe the worlde goeth here, ye shall heare by other men. I wolde ye hadde a goode arrande to London, that I mighte see you. I thanke you for my poore kinsfolkes and servants. God kepe you. 18 Feb., 1578. E. C. (\tuus\) To my lovinge frende M=r=. Deane off Yorke.

[} [\LETTER XII.\] A LETTER FROM DEAN HUTTON TO THE EARL OF HUNTINGDON.}] [^TO HENRY HASTINGS^] [\8 May, 1582.\] My most humble duitie remembred to your Honour, &c. M=r=. Doctor Gibson hath obteined a dispensation to keepe his livinge in our church, whereof I am verie gladd. But in the same dispensation he hath obtained another dispensation; that he beinge absent, and keeping no residence, may have and enjoye all the commodities due to a residentiarie: for the which I am verie sorrie; not onelie because it is contrarie to our statutes, whereunto we are all sworne, and shall be taken out of the livinge of the residenciaries, some being not well hable to spare it; but also because it doth open a window, which (if it be not speedelie shutt) is like utterlie to overthrow the state of our churche. We think that her Majesty's meaninge was, that he should enjoie his livinge hereafter quietlie, which now by the space of fyve or six yeares he hath bene in some feare to be deprived of; and not to gyve him a new livinge taken furth of other men's lyvyngs; and for the which they are bound to keepe residence xxvi. weeks yearlie to their great charge. Yet, because we love quietness and hate contention, we have neither joyned nor conferred with his enemies; but have sent M=r=. Slater, one of our companie, to my Lord his Grace of Canterburie, Doctor Gibson's good Lord and ours, prayinge him to make some quiet end betweene him and us, becawse we wold be lothe to joyne with Doctor Gibson's

adversaries against hym. And my humble suit, in myne owne name and in the name of the whole Churche, unto your Honour is, to beseeche you that you wold be a meane to my Lord of Canterburye, and to join with him to componde the matter, least it grow to some extremitie of suit; which thinge I have alwaies hated. Ffor myne owne part, I could be content, and so I know wold the rest, yt were referred unto yourselfe to heare and determine at your cominge into the country, yf my Lord his Grace of Canterburie doe not now end it by your Lordshipp's good meanes, as we hope he will. We have written to my Lord Treasurar, and to Sir Francis Walsingham, beseechinge them to have a speciall care, and to be meanes, that suche like suites be not graunted hereafter, which tend to the decaye and ruine of the churches of the old fundation. Yff the matter be not quietlie ended, we make no doubte but to make good proofe to the Lords of the Counsell, that so muche of the dispensation as is hurtfull to the churche, and taketh from other men, and gyveth unto hym which he never hadd before, did procede upon wronge information. M=r=. Doctor Gibson is my good frend, and I have alwaies wished him well, and verie lothe wold I be to joyne with his enemies; which had bene done before this time yf it could have bene compassed. And therefore am I so earnest with your Lordship that the matter may be stayed, now at the begyninge. Thus, beseechinge God to send your Honour and my good Ladie shortlie into the countrie, I take my leave. From Yorke, the viij=th= of Maye, 1582. Your Honour's in Christ to comaunde, Matth. Hutton. To the Right Honorable his especiall good Lord, therle of Huntingdon, Lord praesident of her Majesty's Counsell in the North parts.

[} [\LETTER XIV.\] GRYNDALL, ARCHBYSHOP OF CANTERBURIE, [\TO DOCTOR HUTTON, DEAN OF YORK.\] }] [^TO DR. MATTHEW HUTTON^] [\19 May, 1582.\] (\Salutem in Christo!\) Yf I hadd not this daye ben trobled with muche writinge and some busines of great weight, I wolde have written to you my particuler letter at more length concernynge Doctor Gibson's case; but I praie you beare with me for this tyme, and for a few daies more, till Doctor Gibson come downe, and at his comyinge I truste to have better leasure and quyetnes to write my mynde in some thinge more at large unto you. I have written a generall letter to you and to the Chapter, which I praie you to accept well of, and not to judge hastelie before the tyme. So I take my leave, and commendinge you to the grace of Godd. From Lambeth, this xix=th= of Maye, 1582. Yours in Christe, E. Cant. To my verie lovinge ffrende, Mr. Doctor Hutton, Deane of Yorke.

[} [\LETTER XV.\] GRYNDALL, ARCHB. CANTERBURY, [\TO THE DEAN AND CHAPTER OF YORK.\] }] [^TO DR. MATTHEW HUTTON^] [\19 May, 1582.\] After my verie hartie commendacions. Whereas some matter of difference hath growen of late betwene you and M=r=. Doctor Gibson concernynge a graunte obtayned by him of her Majestie for enioyinge the profitts of residence within your churche as well absente as presente, I doe understande, aswell by your owne letters to me directed, as by the reporte and commission of M=r=. Slater and M=r=. Lyndlie your mandatories, that you are contented to referre the said controversie or difference to my order, and in suche sorte as the matter shall goe no furder. I hartelie thanke you for the truste and confidence which you repose in me, and wolde be sorie to geve you any cause to the contrarie; for I love your churche well in generalle, and wishe well unto everie one of your in particuler. And notwithstandinge the orderinge and determynacion of the matter aforesaid nowe in question is symplie committed vnto me by consente of bothe partes, yet I have learned partelie by myne owne experience, and partelie by the experience of other notable persons which have ben more experte in suche cases then I have ben, not to sett downe in suche cases any precise or absolute order withowt the good likinge and assent of bothe the parties: wherefore, for your better satisfaccion in this behalf, I will sende downe Doctor Gibson to you, betwene this and Whitsontyde, to treat with you in reasonable and frendlie order for a finall ende of this difference; which if it may be obteyned at the first by your mutuall consents in suche sorte as shalbe by him moved and declared unto you, and here thought by divers learned men agreable to lawe and not unreasonable, I shalbe verie gladd. And if it shall chaunce that the condicions offered by the said Doctor Gibson shall not be lyked of you, I will take suche further order with the said Doctor Gibson when he cometh downe, that he shall offer you other condicions which ye can not in reason mislike. And so, praienge you to beare with patience a little respite

of tyme for a few daies, I promise you, as I have done to your deputies M=r=. Lyndlye and M=r=. Slater, that I will make a quyet ende of this controversie. And therefore I have willed them not to deliver those letters which they hadd from you to divers honorable personages, because I wolde have the matter to goe no further, as thinkinge my self to have sufficient commission from you by vertue of your letters so to doe. So I take my leave, and hartelie commende you to the grace of Godd. From Lambeth this xix=th= of Maye, 1582. Yours in Christe, E. Cant. To my verie lovinge ffrends M=r=. Doctor Hutton, Deane of Yorke, and to the rest of the Chapter of the same churche.

[} [\LETTER XVI.\] THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY TO THE DEAN OF YORK.}] [^TO DR. MATTHEW HUTTON^] [\26 May, 1582.\] (\Salutem in Christo!\) Accordinge unto my promise made unto you and the Chapter, I have sente downe M=r=. Doctor Gibson, bringer hereof, to make a finall ende of the difference betwene you and him concernyng the matter of residence. And whatsoever I write unto you in this letter, I will praye you that it maye be, as the olde terme is, (\sub sigillo confessionis\) , and not to be imparted to any creature, unlesse you your self first have a good lykinge of the motion herein by me made, and be also assured that your Chapter will have the lyke; ffor I wolde be sorye that any motion made by me sholde come to your Chapter and there suffer repulse. Therefore I have chosen privately and frendlye to deale with you, who is the headd of the Chapter and knoweth verie well the disposition of the reste. After I hadd received your letters of commission to arbitrate the matter of residence aforesaid, I thought it verye requisite first to understande of what validitie M=r=. Doctor Gibson's graunte was by lawe, and for that purpose I charged Doctor Drewrye and Doctor Awbrey that they sholde, withowt respect of persons,

geve me their opynions in writinge; which they dyd under there hands in a letter, the copie of which letter I sende unto you enclosed herein. After that, I fell to treatye with M=r=. Slater and M=r=. Lyndley to understande the determynacion of you and the Chapter, what you wolde geve M=r=. Gybson in yerely pencion till suche tyme as he entered actuall residence; nothinge dowtinge but they hadd sufficient commission and instruccions to geve answere in that matter. They offered first xx=tie= nobles a yere, and after that x=li=, and at length with muche adoe they came to xx=tie= markes a yere, which I thought was to litle, and Doctor Gibson did utterly myslike of it; and I then thought as nowe I will utter my mynde frankly unto you, that in suche a case forty markes a yere, for a yere, two, or three, till he entered into actuall residence, was litle enough, the particuler porcions of your commodities of the residensarye (which are to me reasonably well knowen) beinge considered. But findinge your deputies not willinge to goe any further than xx=tie= markes, and peradventure not havinge commission to doe any otherwise, I dyd not name any summe unto them, but differred the matter till Doctor Gibson's commynge, as you knowe. Nowe, good M=r=. Deane, if you can condiscende to this fortye markes for a yere or two till Doctor Gibson can be better provided and furnished for residence, and be assured that your Chapter withowt difficultie will assente unto the same, I praye you move it to your Chapter; which if you and they doe graunte, I shall take it in verie thankfull parte, as done the rather at my requeste. But if you fynde either any scruple in your self, or thinke there wilbe difficultie in the Chapter in the grauntinge of the same, then I praye you of all frendshipp that this my letter maye be utterlye suppressed, and not divulged to any creature. And, that beinge done, I have taken order with Doctor Gibson that he shall enter into a new treatye with you particulerlye, which maye afterwarde be communycated to your Chapter, which also I truste wilbe thought bothe of you and them verye reasonable. And thus, takinge my leave for this tyme, I hartely commende you unto the grace of Godd. From Croydon, this xxvi=th= of Maye, 1582. Yours in Christe, as of olde, E. Cant. To my verie lovinge ffrende Mr. Doctor Hutton, Deane of York.

[} [\LETTER XVII.\] ARCHBISHOP GRINDALL TO THE DEAN OF YORK.}] [^TO DR. MATTHEW HUTTON^] [\26 May, 1582.\] (\Salutem in Christo!\) M=r=. Deane, I have taken order with M=r=. Doctor Gibson, that if the request of my former letter, by him nowe sente and unto you at his first conference with you delivered, were of you any waye mislyked, or that you dowted any thinge of the free and willinge assent of your Chapter without any difficultie thereunto, that then he shall deliver unto you this my seconde letter; wherein I signifie unto you, that, the cause of your mislikinge standinge as afore, I have concluded with Doctor Gibson that he shall offer unto you and your Chapter to enter into ordinarye residence, and bear all charges for the same as is requysite, notwithstandinge that the said entrie into residence at this tyme will be verie muche to his hinderance. And so I truste bothe all inconvenyances alledged by your letters and deputies shalbe clearly removed, and the desire of you and your Chapter declared unto me by your said deputies shall be fully satisfied, and so all controversies, I truste, perfectlie ended. And I shall furder praye you that my former letter at this praesente delyvered by M=r=. Doctor Gibson may be immediately, upon the receipte of this, toren in pieces and utterlye destroyed in the sight of the said Doctor Gibson, because I wolde not have any matter of diversitie in opynion betwene you, your Chapter, and me, to be extante under my hande; not onely hartely praienge you, but also as it were adjuringe you, not to revele the contents of my said letter to any boddye. So, referringe the rest unto M=r=. Doctor Gibson's owne reporte, once againe I take my leave, and commende you with all my harte to the grace of Godd. From Croydon, this xxvi=th= of May, 1582. Yours in Christe, as of olde; remayning still blynde, with ffather Tobyas, and yet hoping assuredlye by the grace of Godd to recover sight againe, as he dyd in tyme. E. Cant. To my verie lovinge ffrende, M=r=. Doctor Hutton, Deane of Yorke.

[} [\LETTER XVIII.\] LADY HUNTINGDON TO MR. DEANE OF YORKE.}] [^TO DR. MATTHEW HUTTON^] [\8=ber= 22, 1582.\] Good M=r=. Deane, Allthowgh I have not writen to you since mi coming from Yorke about the matter I had to speak with mi brother of Lecester of, because I have bin so often coming doune mi self, which I have bin ever staied bi one occasion or other; and nowe that mi Lord will not lett me come doune before Chrismus, I will not defere any longer to lett you knowe I did remember that matter presently upon mi comming up, of whom I had so good an awnswere, with so manie good words, and of his verie good opinion of you, as in truth I was most glad to here. Of this matter I wold have writen to you longe before this time, but that I was in good hope to have bin at Yorke mi self, and so to have told you what I had done in that same; but that can not be so sone as in deed I do wish and desire it: and therfore I thought it good to troble you with this mi bad scribling, though it hath ben long a cominge, that you maie knowe I was not forgetfull of you. I am to geve you great thanks for my aunt Comten, and the rest of mi wemen, whom [{I{] perceive you have bin trobled with all. And so, good M=r=. Deane, I must hastely bid you fare well, and wish there were any thing here I might do you plesure in: you shuld finde me verie redie to do it. From Stoke, the 22 of October, 1582. Your verie frend in the Lorde, K. Huntingdon.

[} [\LETTER XIX.\] THE BYSHOP OF WORSTRE, ELECT CANT., TO MR. DEANE OF YORK.}] [^TO DR. MATTHEW HUTTON^] [\17 Sept. 1583.\] (\Salutem in Christo!\) I hartelie thangk you, good M=r=. Dene, for your frendlie letters, where in you shoe that assured good

wyll which I have ever fownd in you towards me. The burden layed uppon me ys verie heavie and great; yet, bycause yt ys God's owne doeing who hath wrogght yt in her Majestie's hart, my trust ys that he wyll also furnish me with gyfts and graces necessarie, that I may, without faynting, performe that whereunto he hath so called me; and the rather thorowe your good prayers, whereof I assuer my self. I have not hard anie thing of you or M=r=. Cheke touching that matter, nether wyll I beleave yt yf yt shold be reported, knoweng you bothe so well as I doe. For your nephew, I wyll be glad to do the best I can, as occasion shal serve. To stay you there, I wyll do my endevor, onlesse yt be for some better preforment: but assuer your self that I wyll not cease to labor you frome thens, yf yt may be to such a place as wyll countervale that, and wherein you may doe more good. Towching the last poynt of your letters, nothing shalbe omytted that lieth in me: yt ys a wonde in dede, God graunte yt may be healed. Her Majestie ys moste gratiouslie affected therein, and there ys hope to bring yt to passe: there are, God be thangked, manie learned and worthie men, so that there lacketh no choise; I besech God that such respect may be had to there praeferment as the Church may be furnished with worthie men, and others thereby encoraged. Thus, with my hartie commendations, I committ you to the tuition of Almyghtie God. Frome Lambeth, the 17 of September, 1583. Yours as hys owne, Jo. Wigorn. Elect. Cant. To my assuered and loving frend, Mr. Doctor Hutten, Dene of York.

[} [\LETTER XX.\] LETTER FROM ABP. WHITGIFT TO DEAN HUTTON.}] [^TO DR. MATTHEW HUTTON^] [\23 August, 1586.\] (\Salutem in Christo!\) I am verie sorie that it is no better betwixt my Lord of York and you, and that his bitternesse continueth still against you, which I doe also perceave by his owne lettres written to my self. I pray you consider, for the redeeming of peace and quietnesse, and the avoiding of publick offense, whether it were not better for you and the rest to yeeld unto him in one or both his patents. (\E duobus malis, &c.\) But I referre the consideration hereof to yourself. Many thinges are to be done and suffered for peace sake. His Grace writeth unto mee, that you and your frendes geve it out howe well you were used at my handes, howe sure a frende I am unto you, and what favour you found with Lordes, &c., and many other thinges. But I knowe theis are but reportes brought unto him by suche as could bee content to have you at oddes still. For myne owne parte, I wish you bothe so well, that, to make you frendes and to reconcile you together, I would bee content, yf it so pleased her Majesty, to ryde from Croydon to York, yea, to Barwick, or fyve tymes furder. (\Vale in Christo!\) From my house at Croydon, this xxiij=th= of August 1586. Your assured lovinge frende, Jo. Cantuar. To the right worshippful my verie loving frende, M=r=. Doctor Hutton, Dean of York.

[} [\LETTER XXVI.\] LORD BURGHLEY TO MY LORD OF DURESME.}] [^TO DR. MATTHEW HUTTON^] [\Aug. 21, 1590.\] After my vearie hartie commendacions to your Lordship. I have received your Lordship's lettre, whearebie youe move mee to graunt to your dawghter, the widowe of M=r=. D. Slater, one

of the Prebendaries of the churche of Yorke, latelie decessed, the wardshippe of hir child, with the custodie of the land, and patronage of the rectorie of Bainton, which it semeth he had purchased, whearein I shall be verie well contented to pleisure your Lordship; althowgh theire hath been suite made unto mee both by M=r=. Osborne of the eschecquer for the said personage for Archdeacon Remington, a man verie well lerned as he informeth mee, and whoe hath also married another of your dawghters; and the like suite hath been made to mee heare by the Deane of Yorke, whoe offreth for the same to resyne a benefice he hath in this parte in the southe; and yet nevertheles the same shall be soe disposed as your Lordship shall require. And so I verye hartelie commend mee to your Lordship. From the Cort, this xxi=st= of August, 1590. Your Lordship's verie lovinge frend, W. Burghley. To the Reverend Father in God, my vearie good Lord the Bishop of Durham.

[} [\LETTER XXVII.\] SIR ROB. CECYLL TO MY LORD'S GRACE OF YORKE.}] [^TO DR. MATTHEW HUTTON^] [\September 1.\] [^1600.^] May it please your Grace: Althoughe, when I dyd wryte my letters unto you in favour of M=r=. Fant, I labored not to presse your Grace with any ernestnes of wordes, because her Majestie's letters were so gracyously and effectually wrytten at that tyme, which seemed to be of strenghte sufficient to prevayle in so reasonable a matter; yet, uppon your aunsweare, and viewe of that which hath synce fallen out in the prosecution of his sute with my cosen Stanhoppe, (by whom I am sorry it was his happe to be in that sort crossed,) I have bethought me howe by your Grace's meanes, bothe my cosen may retayne the hold he hathe already, as you ernestly desyre he should, and the gentleman lykewyse be otherwyse in some reasonable manner satisfyed. And

that is, that it would please your Grace to fynde out some other lease belonging to that sea, wherein you may make him an estate (\de bene esse\) , (suche as it is knowen your Grace may doe,) without any other scruple of conscience, or hinderance to your selfe; so it be a thing that may in some good measure be answerable to his former expectancy, which nowe he will thereuppon be content to relinquishe. For your Grace may very well conceave, that her Majestie, by the great ernestnes and charge that her lettres caryed, had a most gratyous meaninge towards hym for the effecting of his desyre; which albeit it may in the particuler receave some stoppe, (and the rather in that place where it dyd,) yet would I be loth she should understand that her lettres dyd ether become frustrate, or not receave such entertainment at your Grace's hands as they do well deserve, and the present occasyon requyreth. I doe therefore pray your Grace to conferre with my cosen, to th' end something may be effected agreable to that her Majestie intended towards hym; whether it be by graunt of a lease, or some porcyon of money to be raysed uppon some tennants that seeke to have their estates renewed, (in which kynde it seemethe your Grace had a purpose to gyve him contentment,) so that the sayd somme may recompence in a good proporcyon the losse of his former hope; which, being of a thing partly in his owne possessyon, was therefore so well grounded, as in regarde thereof, and also of the great meanes he hath used, together with his charge and travayle therein, deserveth suche good respect and consideracion as may be any wayes expected from your Grace, who have ever shewed your selfe most willing to accomplish her Majestie's demaunds when they have ben nether so ernestly written, nor in a more reasonable cause then this, wherin her gracyous desposycion should not so lightly be passed over. And so, hoping to receave your comfortable aunsweare, which is expected, I commend your Grace to God's protecion. From the Cort at Oateland's, the first of Sept. 1600. Your Grace's very loving and assured friend, Ro. Cecyll. To the most reverent Father in God, my very good Lorde the Lord Archbishop of Yorke's Grace, one of the Counsell established in the north parte.

[} [\LETTER XXXII.\] SIR ROB. CECYLL TO MY LORD OF DURESME.}] [^TO DR. MATTHEW HUTTON^] [\October 13, 1594.\] My good Lorde, I have understoode by your lettre with what willingnes your Lordship hath bestowed on me the righte you have in the wardeshipp of one Buckle, wherin your Lordship writeth lykewyse to me to nominate some such personne in whose name I would have the same to passe. For the first I doe returne your Lordship my very hartie thankes, assuring you, that in any occasion offred me I will make requittall therof towards your Lordship or any or yours; and for the other matter, because there is some lykelihood that he may be found lykewise a warde to the Queene by the tenure of some lands hereabout, I have procured a graunt of her Majesty's tytle if there be any suche proved. And nowe, to the intent I mought receave from your Lordship such a graunt as may be of validitie unto me, I am desirous to have the deed made by the advise of some of my councell, and therfore doe most hartely pray your Lordship to send me up a copie of the inquisicion taken in that contrye, wherby suche particularites may be knowen here as shalbe fytt to be inserted into the graunt; which course I knowe shalbe to your Lordship all one (seing you meane to give); that the gifte may be so framed as may not be subject to questyon hereafter: and for the more expedicion hereof I pray your Lordship that it may be sent up by some of the ordynary posts that runne betwene Duresme and the Court. It is very true that I am fullie persuaded that there wilbe a title found for the Queene, wherin (althoughe it so fallinge out) your Lordship's graunt

shall not be needfull; yet shall my thankes be as due unto you, and my readynes to requytt the same in any thinge wherin I may have occasion. And so I commend your Lordship to God's favourable proteccion. From my house in the Strand, the xiij=th= of Octobre, 1594. Your Lordship's very loving and assured friende, Ro: Cecyll. To the Reverend Father in God, my very good Lorde, the Lorde Bushopp of Duresme.

[} [\LETTER XXXIII.\] A LETTER FROM ARCHBISHOP WHITGIFT TO BISHOP HUTTON.}] [^TO DR. MATTHEW HUTTON^] [\4 Nov. 1594.\] (\Salutem in Christo!\) I dowte not but that your Lordship understandeth of her Majestie's disposition to remove you to Yorke. I have signifyed to her Highnesse that you are better, in respect of living, now where you are placed, and that I thowght you wold be lothe to remove. She answered that you shal remove, and that you are well able to bere the charges thereof: so that you must prepare yourself thereto, if this resolution hold, as I think it will. I wold not have written to you of this matter until yt had bene fullie concluded, but for the importunitie of your man. And so, with my verie hartie commendations, I commit you to the tuition of Almyghtie God. From Lamb. the 4 of Novemb. 1594. Your Lordship's loving brother and frend, Jo: Cantuar. To the Right Reverend in Christe my verie good Lord and brother, the Bishop of Durham.

[} [\LETTER XXXIV.\] WHYTGYFT, ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY, TO THE BISHOP OF DURHAM.}] [^TO DR. MATTHEW HUTTON^] [\2 Dec. 1594.\] (\Salutem in Christo!\) Yesterday, beeng the first of this monethe, her Majestie in the praesens of all her cousell did nominate such as are to be placed in the bishoppricks voyde and to be voyde: as namelie your self to York; D=r=. Matthew to Durham; the bishop of Wigorn to London; and M=r=. Day, dene of Windsor, to Wigorne. The bishop of Lincolne to Winton; the bishop of Chester to Lincolne; the bishop of Bangor to Chester; and one D=r=. Vaughan, an honest and learned man, to Bangor. M=r=. Redman, archdeacon of Canterbury, to Norwich; the bishop of Landafe to Exitor. God be thangked, as good a choyse as can be desyered. There is order gyvne for the consecration, and therefore your Lordship shal do well to send upp some to followe your businesse here. And I am glad that there ys so good a cause to bring you hether so sone. (\Vale in Christo!\) Frome Lamb. the 2 of Decemb. 1594. Your Lordship's loving frend and brother, Jo: Cantuar. To the Reverend Father in God, my verie good Lord and brother, the Bishop of Durham.

[} [\LETTER XXXVII.\] DR. TOBIE MATTHEW, DEAN OF DURHAM, TO DR. MATTHEW HUTTON, BISHOP OF DURHAM.}] [\6 Dec. 1594.\] My bounden dutie humbly and heartily remembred to your good Lordship, with manie lyk thanks for my last and best intertainment, beyond the expectation of some that would needes make me beleve otherwise then nowe I see and fynde that there was cause. But I send your Lordship in liewe thereof (having not of myne owne to requite your Lordship's great favor therein) these included from your Lordship's verie good Lord and myne, the Lord Chamberlaine, and therwithall the predominant prelacie of this province. God geve your Lordship longe and muche prosperitie therein, and make me worthie to be your successor here in tyme, which his Lordship signifieth unto me to be her Majestie's pleasure also. Wherein if it please God to place me, your Lordship shall have as obedient and faithfull a successor as any whatsoever could have been nominated therunto; whiche tyme, the mother of truth, shall prove. I have hitherto silenced this present busines both your Lordship's and myne, for that I knowe not whether your Lordship will have it knowen as yet. Thus, humbly desyring the continuance of your Lordship's good opinion and favor, I betake your Lordship to the grace of God, who reward our most gratious soveraigne and many many yeres preserve her Majestie! At Duresme, 6 December, 1594. In haste as is required. Your Lordship's humble and assured at commandement, Tobie Matthew. My humble commendacions to good M=rs=. Hutton. To the Right Reverend Father in God, and my verie good Lord, my Lord Bushopp of Duresme at Awkeland, with spede.

[} [\LETTER XXXIX.\] DR. TOBIE MATTHEW, DEAN OF DURHAM, TO DR. MATTHEW HUTTON, BISHOP OF DURHAM.}] [\31 Dec. 1594.\] My verie honorable good Lord and father, Being glad to heare that your Lordship is hable so strongly to wreastle with your coulde, I have presumed to present this booke of figures to your

Lordship, fitt for your eies to passe awaie the tyme, while you have better healthe to reade greater maters, but yet not of greater persons. Your Lordship's letters I take in dutifull and thankefull parte, and according to my bounden dutie doe and will ever (whether you think good to remove or abyde) wisshe your Lordship and good M=rs=. Hutton the renewing of many happie yeares, everie one more happie then other, to the pleasure of Almightie God, that Ancient of daies, and to the comfort of all that depend upon you here and elsewhere. Thus humbly for this present taking leave of your Lordship. At Duresme, (\ult. Decemb.\) 1594. Your reverend Lordship's most humble in Christ, Tobie Matthew. To the Right Reverend Father in God, and my verie good Lord, my Lord Bushop of Duresme, at Awkland.

[} [\LETTER XLI.\] DR. TOBIE MATTHEW TO DR. MATTHEW HUTTON, BISHOP OF DURHAM.}] [\29 Jan. 1594-5.\] My bounden dutie and thankfulnes remembred to your good Lordship. I receaved yesterdaie from my Lord Lieutenant these enclosed from M=r=. Dethick by poste, wherwith I thought meete to acquaint your Lordship, that yow maie therby partely perceave how thinges goe and come. My brother D. wanteth good advise in myne opinion. For myne owne parte, I must and doe referre my selfe wholely to the divine providence of God, to her Majestie's gratious favor, still continewed for ought I can learne, and to your Lordship's good furtherance as tyme and occasion shall serve, which I humbly desyre and will unfainedly seeke to deserve alwaies. Your Lordship is godlie wise; you will doe nothin but what you maie doe with a good conscience and with honorable credit. What that is no man can judge of better then your self, having therunto all the helpes that maie be. (\Sed noli justus esse nimium\) : yet I knowe also what followeth. Your Lordship, I presume, will geve me leave - (\"Si bene quid facias, facias cito: nam cito factum Gratum erit, ingratum gratia tarda facit."\) God loveth, and so doe princes, a cherefull gever. (\Noli perdere substantiam propter accidens.\) Thinges be not as they be, but as they be taken. Olde frendes loke to be used after the olde fasshion. Newe frendes are not like the olde, neither so well knowen, nor so easily kept, nor so assuredly to be trusted, if and when a man hath or maie nede them. Sy. Comyn, my man, is about the churche's affayres to goe toward London upon

Frydaie next. If your Lordship have any letters or busines that he can doe, I dare undertake he shall doe it carefully and faithfully. Thus, humbly craving pardon if I have exceeded, and hoping your Lordship will impute it rather to the plainnesse of my heart toward you then to any presumption, I wisshe your Lordship longe to live and prosper, to God's glorie, and comfort of all this province. At Duresme, 29 Jan. 1594. Your Lordship's most humble assured alwaies, Tobie Matthew. To the Right Honorable and Right Reverend Father in God, the Lord Bushop of Duresme, my verie good Lord, at Awkeland.

[} [\LETTER XLVI.\] SIR ROB. CECYLL TO MY LORD'S GRACE OF YORKE.}] [^TO DR. MATTHEW HUTTON^] [\16 April, 1595.\] May it please your Grace. Becawse I knoe it was and shalbe her Majestie's honour to grace so reverent a prelate as your Grace is, especially in such a case as this, I have thoght good to use my best oportunity to remember to her Majesty the pardon for the Lady Nevyll, by whose example as others I hope may be induced to shew the like conformity, so will this her Majestie's lenity stopp the liing tongs of them that wold insinuate by lybells and raylings that her Majestie's mercy is to seldome shewed; whereof, God be thanked, no kingdome hath under any of God's ministers ever tasted so many good fruicts: and therfore, seing I knew it wold be expected that you shold bring it with you as God's instrument of this woork, I was glad to finish it so as you might be assured to affirme that it was don, and therfore have I thoght it not amiss by these presents to assure your Grace that this very houre her Majesty hath signed it unto me; and, but that I do knoe it must pass the seales, I wold have sent it after you with this. I have therfore sent it to M=r=. Roger Manners, who I think wyll cawse it to be followed. If you wyll have it otherwise, your Grace may wryte back; and to whom you wyll have it comitted over, it shalbe. Her Majesty hath also promised a pension of 40=li= a-yeare, which I will also see finished. And thus, in hast, I wish your Grace a good journey, and remaine your loving poor freend assuredly, Ro. Cecyll. I have receaved a lettre from your Grace concerning my brother Brook. For her Majesty's affaires. To the most Reverend ffather in God, my very good Lord, the Lord Archbushop of Yorke, his Grace Metrapolitane of England. Hast, post hast, hast, hast, hast! At Whitehall, 16 April, at past 7 at night. Ro. Cecyll.

[} [\LETTER XLVIII.\] A LETTER FROM THE ARCHBYSHOP OF CANTERBURY TO MY LORD'S GRACE OF YORKE.}] [^TO DR. MATTHEW HUTTON^] [\19 Aug. 1595.\] (\Salutem in Christo!\) My very good Lord, I must become an earnest suiter to you in the behalf of M=r=. Edwyn Sandys for the continuance and increase of your Grace's good favor towards him. I doubt not but that you doe hold him in that accompt which hee very well deserves. Notwithstanding, for the great care which I have that he may doe well and bee incouraged by all meanes in his good and studiouse endevours, I praye you most hartelye that he may both have your good countenance and comforte in those partes, and cheeflye that for such leases as hee holdes of your Grace (being the chiefe stay of his lyving) hee may renue them at your handes for his reasonable ffine with favoure. I doubte not but my request will seme to your reasonable, and the gentleman so worthie to be cherished and encouraged, that I shall not need to use with you anie further perswasion. And so, with my hartie commendacions, I committ yow to the tuicion of Allmightie God. From Croydon, the xix=th= of August, 1595. Your Grace's loving brother in Christe, Jo. Cantuar. I pray you send me youre resolution (together with youre opinion of the recantation) of these poyntes: (\An sola Dei voluntas, absque respectu aliquo ad peccatum, sit causa reprobationis?\) And whether yt be ether hereticall or popisch to say, (\quod electi debent esse certi de salute, sed non securi\) . And likewise:

(\quod electi possunt cadere totaliter a fide ad tempus, sed non finaliter\) . (\Tuus\) , Jo. Cantuar. To the moste Reverend ffather in God, my verie good Lord and brother, the Archbishopp of Yorke his Grace.

[} [\LETTER XLIX.\] CECYLL LORD BURGHLEY TO MY LORD'S GRACE OF YORKE.}] [^TO DR. MATTHEW HUTTON^] [\March 6, 1595-6.\] May it please your Grace. Yesterdaye by my letters I advertised my expectation to have hard from you of the receipt of the Quene's commission; which I am now gladd to parceave, by a letter syned by your Grace and the rest of the Quene's learned Counsell there the first of this moneth, that the same commission came to you the daye before: wherein I do note some negligence of the poste, for I did entend it should have come there some dayes before; but I am gladd that it served to hold your sessions the first. By a private letter of your Grace, as I thynk written at the same tyme (though the daye be not dated by the negligence of your Secretary), I parceave you have made sute for the comission ecclesiasticall 3 quarters of a yeare, and that it nowe remayneth in Doctor Caesar's hand unsyned, whom I will dyrect to procure it to be syned. Of other matters, which I did impart unto you by my letter dated yesterday, I require some answer. And so I bid your Grace verie hartie farewell. From the Court at Richmond, the vi=th= of Marche, 1595. Your Grace's at com[{mand{] , W. Burghley. I doubt not but the Receyvor of Yorkshire hath geven order for the payment of money for the dyette, for that he had his warrant both for that which was done in the Erl's tyme, and from thence forward. But I take it that hir Majestie meaneth not to be at charge with the Erl's howshold servauntes from the

tyme of this your commission, and so it is reason you should give them warninge; and yett I pitty their estate, considering I can fynd nobody to take care for the buryall of their master, as yesterday I did write unto you, and yett I am desirous to hear from you how the body of the nobleman is ordered, and where it resteth, and what nomber they are, and of what condicion, that attend the same. To the moste Reverend ffather in God, my varie good Lord, the Archbishopp of York his Grace.

[} [\LETTER L.\] CECYLL LORD BURGHLEY TO MY LORD'S GRACE OF YORKE.}] [^TO DR. MATTHEW HUTTON^] [\April, 1596.\] After my verie commendacions to your Grace [\SIC\] , and to the rest. I have received a letter of the xxiij=th= of this monethe, signed by your Grace and some others of the Counsell, wherebie yow certifie unto me that my Lord of Huntingdon hath signified unto yow hir Majestie's pleisure towching the buryell of the late Erl of Huntingdon's body at Ashbie in Leicestershire, which I knowe to be true, and to be donne with hir Majestie's verie good liking of the now Erl of Huntingdon, for that he hath undertaken to performe the same; and for myne owne parte, as I do thinke that it is verie honorablie donne of my Lord, and the place verie fitt for the buryall, so I do thinke it verie well donne of yow, M=r=. Puresye, and Mr. Stanhopp, if yow take the paynes to repaire to Ashbie with such of the late Erl's servaunts as may convenientlie traveil thither to performe the last dutie of your love towards him. And whereas I fynd by your letter that by reason of the greate nomber of the late Erl's houshold servaunts, and longer contynuance of them together then was thought, the expences have growen farr greater then that which hath bene received from hir Majestie's Receyvour by the warrant dyrected unto him, of the which yow require to have allowance, and to

have order given for the payment thereof, that remboursement may be made to the late Erl's steward, who hath disbursed a good some of money for their dyett; I can make no other answer hereunto but that I can not help the same otherwise then uppon the ordinarye, and therfore do wishe that good husbandrie may be used hereafter to repayre and recover the former expences. And, as towching the place where the dyett shalbe provided for that Counsell at their sitting, (which hitherto hath bene, as yow write, in the minster garthe,) I am of opynion that it is more convenient to be kept within hir Majestie's howse, the late Erl's good being safelye lockd upp in some private place, as your Grace writes; and therfore I do require your Grace that order may be taken accordinglie. And, lastlie, towching your Grace's private letter to me, wherein your Grace doth earnestlie wishe and desire (for the reasons therein sett downe) that there may be some fitt nobleman appointed by hir Majestie and sent downe to be President and Liuetenant there, your Grace shall understand that I do as earnestlie desire it as your Grace doth, and will further it the best I can; but, by reason of my want of healthe, can neither do it nor write unto your Grace as frequentlie as otherwise I would do, wherein I pray your Grace to hold me excused. And so I bidd your Grace verie hartely farewell. From the Courte at Grenewiche, the [^BLANK IN EDITION^] of April, 1596. Your Grace's verie lovinge frend, W. Burghley. To the most Reverend ffather in God, my verie good Lord, the Archbishop of Yorke his Grace, and to the Counsell established in the northe parts.

[} [\LETTER LI.\] CECYLL LORD BURGHLEY TO MY LORD'S GRACE OF YORKE.}] [^TO DR. MATTHEW HUTTON^] [\Maie 15, 1596.\] After my verie hartie commendacions to your Grace. As it hath bene thought good and expedient that nowe, uppon the departure of hir Majestie's royall navie at sea, under the conduct of the Erl of Essex and H. Admirale, that some declaration should be published in prynt to the world of the causes moving hir Majestie thereunto, for the manifestation of the justnes of hir procedinge; so I have thought good to send unto your Grace 3 of them, 2 in Englishe and one in Latyn, both for your Grace's owne satisfaction and for the better notifying the same unto that countrie, who wilbe gladd to heare of it, and by your Grace's report will quicklie and easilye be divulged thereaboute. And so, not doubting but that our armye shall have your Grace's good prayers to God for their good successe in this expedition againste his professed ennemyse and ours, I bidd your Grace verie hartely farewell. From the Court at Grenewich, the xv=th= of Maye, 1596. Your Grace's verie assured lovinge frend, W. Burghley. (^For hir Majestie's spetiall affayres.^) To the moste Reverend Father in God, my verye good Lord, the Archbishopp of Yorke his Grace. (^W. Burghley.^) 15 May, '96, 8 at nighte. Hast, hast, post hast!

[} [\LETTER LII.\] LORD BURGLEY TO MY LORD'S GRACE OF YORKE.}] [^TO DR. MATTHEW HUTTON^] [\Maie 20, 1596.\] After my verie hartie commendacions to your Grace. I have received your Grace's letter of the xv=th= of this monethe, together with the coppie of Sir Chr. Hylliard's letter to yow and that Counsell, inferinge that a certein Scottishman (as was suspected), by the meanes of one Richard Beningham, a bad fellowe, had taken into his shipp, lying nere the Spurne within Humber, a C. quarters of beanes, which he meant to have stayd, supposing he had no lycence to transport them; wherein what is the trothe I knowe not. But this I thought good to lett your Grace understand, that I have of late graunted severall warrants for transportacion of a good round quantitie beanes and pease into Scotland, whereof the greatest part was by hir Majestie's lycence, graunted at the suite of the Scottishe Ambasseder now residing here; a part also was graunted to one Hunter, a Scottishman, in lieu of a lycence graunted to him above a yeare past for the transportacion of v=c=. quarters of wheate, whereof he never took any benefitt; and another part unto 2 merchaunts of Hull, uppon good and reasonable cause, being recommended to me from the Maior and Aldermen of that towne. Nevertheles your Grace shall understand that I had not assented to any transportacion at all, if I had not formerlie received letters from the Maior, Aldermen, and Officers of the towne of Hull, that there was not onlie greate plentie of that grayne there in these parts, which might well be spared, and the prises at so lowe a rate as it might be transported without any hurt to the countrie, but also that there were many Scotts there that had browght in good comodities, and had no other comoditie to imploye their money in but in beanes and pease. I received also, synce that time, a letter from diverse Justics of peace, both of that countie, and Yorke, and Lincoln, as namelie, M=r=. Pellham, M=r=. Hotham, M=r=. Skippwithe, M=r=. Gats, and M=r=. Alred, agreing in report with the others towching the plentie of that grayne and the lowe prises thereof, and that it would be a benefitt to the

countrie and to the poore husbandmen thereaboute to have lycence to transport the same; and this was the cause that moved me to graunt the said warrants. Nevertheles I added a proviso, that, uppon informacion that the prises of the said grayne should be enhansed by reason of the said lycences, I would take order for the staye of them. From my howse at Westminster, the xx=th= of Maye, 1596. Your Grace's verie lovinge frend, W. Burghley. Postcript. - Towching the defects of beacons, pouder, piks, etc., mencioned in the end of Sir Ch. Hylliard's letter, I thinke the towne of Hull either are bound, or in reason ought, to supplie them, in respect of the benefitt they receyve from hir Majestie; I therfore pray your Grace send for some of them (which yow shall think fitt) and deale with them to that end, or otherwise lett me understand from yow your opynion by whom it is fitt they should be supplied. To the moste Reverend Father in God, my verie good Lord, the Archbishopp of Yorke his Grace.

[} [\LETTER LIV.\] CECYLL LORD BURGHLEY TO MY LORD'S GRACE OF YORKE.}] [^TO DR. MATTHEW HUTTON^] [\Aug. 2, 1596.\] Maie it please your Grace. By your late lettres I perceave what a good Christian act yow have done in reducing of the Popish priest Dawson from his errors, who, lewdlie denying the authorities by your Grace alledged against him, in the end was justlie convinced. And bycause no mention is made in your lettres of his blind reasons for his defence, nor of your assertions of authorities to disprove him, I am desirous to have a report of them; both for my better informacion, wherein I pray your Grace to satisfy me by your next writings; and likewise of his manner of acknowledging his error, and profession of amendement under his hand writing. I desire also to heare from your Grace the particular aunswers made to such articles of complaints as I did send unto yow, conteyning the greevances of the country, against many proceedings of that Counsell; wherein if yow have satisfyed the justices of assise, I am verie glad, for I assure your Grace some of them made the like complaint to mee. The good newes that are commonlie reported of the great victorie of hir Majestie's army and navy in Spayne is so certainlie confirmed by the generalls as it is ment that both in the province of Canterbury and of yours at York there should be publick prayer and thankesgiving

for the same, whereof your Grace shall shortlie heare. And so I comend mee verie hartelie to your Grace. From the Court, the 2 of August, 1596. Your Grace's assured loving frend, W. Burghley. To the most Reverend Father in God, my veary good Lord, the Archbishop's Grace of York.

[} [\LETTER LV.\] CECYLL LORD BURGHLEY TO MY LORD'S GRACE OF YORKE.}] [^TO DR. MATTHEW HUTTON^] [\30 Jan. 1596-7.\] May it please your Grace. I have by M=r=. Ferne recyved your Grace's lettres of the 8=th= of this monethe, wherby you do advertise me of lettres you have recyved from the Lord Keper of the greate seale, whereby he sheweth a dislike that your Grace and the Counsell should dyrect proces to staye suites commenced in the Chauncerye; wherein you have written to his Lordship for your defence that it hath bene so used by the Court in former tymes. And hearein I have had some speache with M=r=. Ferne, and have shewed my opynion that I thinke it against good reason, that where a suite is begonne in the Chauncery by any plantife, that he should be restrayned from following his suite at the request of the defendant; which my conceipt hath moved me to forbeare herein to deale with my Lord Keper. But if M=r=. Ferne shall, as he saith he will, shewe me some presidente of the yelding of the Chauncery to such request, I will theruppon deale with my Lord Keper, having some coulour therby to presse the same; otherwise I shalbe loath to deale, contrary to myne owne opynion. I wish hir Majestie would provide you of some noble man sufficient for authoritie and wisdome to be the president there of that Counsell; but hir Majestie in this and like causes delayeth her resolution for want, as is supposed, of mete persons for such offices, wherof I am sory to see such scarsitie, as is over apparant: yett I will not fayle to

sollicite hir Majestie to determyne hereuppon. And so, referring the report of suche good newes as M=r=. Ferne can bring you of an overthrow given by Count Morrice and other Englishe forces comanded by Sir Robert Sidney and Sir Frauncis Vere of a nomber of the King of Spayn's auncient soldiars, as the like hath not happened with such successe to the states synce the begyning of their warrs, I bidd your Grace verie hartely farewell. From the Court at Whitehall, the xxx=th= of Jan. 1596. Your Grace's assuredly at command, W. Burghley. To the most Reverend Father in God, my verye good Lord, the Archbishopp of Yorke his Grace.

[} [\LETTER LVI.\] LETTER FROM ARCHBISHOP HUTTON TO LORD BURGHLEY.}] [^TO WILLIAM CECIL^] [\11 March, 1596-7.\] My most honorable good Lord, I have beene often times bold to pray your good Lordship to move her Majestie for a Lord President here. In your last letters you shewe as the cheffe cause that her Highnes doth not resolve to be the great want off fitt men for that place. I am right sorie to know so much myself, (\sed in eo non sunt omnia\) ; but rather this is the chefe cause, that, the ranke of nobilitie beinge taken away whom her Majestie founde at the beginninge off her reigne, the nobilitie that now is growinge up under her shee by her great wisdome and experience doth know them (\intus et in cute\) , themselfes, their families, ther defects and informities whatsoever: but, under reservation, this oght not to cause her Majestie to be so irresolute; for, as Solomon saith, (\qui observat ventum non seminabit, et qui considerat nubes non metet\) . For I make no doubt but yf it please her Highnes to resolve, her Majestie's commission, the instructions, the ordinarie proceedings in this court knowen to

the learned Counsell here, will sufficientlie inhable him. My Lord of Huntingdon when he came downe here was verie raw, but havinge a resolute wit to serve God and her Majestie, he grewe to great experience; so, no dowte, yf her Majestie resolve off anie that feareth God and loveth the present state, God will inhable him. Thus, beseeching God to blesse her Majestie and the whole realme with your Lordship's long life and good health, I humblie take my leave. March 11, 1596. Post Script. - I pray you to be a mean that there be no amovation in the office of the examiners here, and vouchsafe this bearer, M=r=. Cole, your Lordship's favour.

[} [\LETTER LVII.\] SIR ROB. CECYLL TO MY LORD'S GRACE OF YORKE.}] [^TO DR. MATTHEW HUTTON^] [\March 18, 1596-7.\] My good Lorde, I have made knowen to her Majestie with what willingnes you have performed to my brother-in-lawe what formerly you had promised to her Majestie, and howe in every circumstance you have shewed bothe regarde to her pleasure and affection to the persone recommended. I am commanded for this to be the messenger of her Majestie's gratious acceptation, as a thinge exceedinglie pleasinge her, the rather for that by your voluntarie and speedie performance her Majestie had present opportunitie, thoughe in a trifle, to give comfort to the younge gentleman in the instant of his great losses of his best and dearest frendes; wherin as I confesse my spirit and body dothe participate with a feelinge ( (\secundum naturam\) ) insupportable, so do I confesse myself interessed in an exceeding obligation of gratefulnes to you, as being done to him whom for his neernes in bloodd and vertue to my deare wief I can but hold in principall accoumpt; the requittall wherof I shall make good to you whensoever opportunitie shall afforde me occasion. And so for this tyme

I take my leave. From the Court, this xviij=th= of Marche, 1596. Your Grace's poore frende at command, Ro. Cecyll. To the most Reverend Father in God, my very good Lorde, the Lorde Archbushoppe of Yorke his Grace.

[} [\LETTER LVIII.\] LORD BURGHLEY TO MY LORD'S GRACE OF YORKE AND THE COUNCILL THERE.}] [^TO DR. MATTHEW HUTTON^] [\March 19, 1596-7.\] After my vearie hartie commendacions to your Grace and the rest. I have received your letters written the xi=th= of this monethe, mentioninge the apprehencion of one Joseph Constable, a brother of Sir Henry Constable's, with some others with him, beinge, as it semeth, common receivers of seminaries and such like bad persons; movinge mee by the same your letter to direct youe mine opinion in what corse and with what speed yow should proceade against the said Constable; whearein I cannot direct youe aniethinge, but must leave the same to your selves: onelie I have thowght good to lett youe understand, that uppon the dowbt conceived by you, Mr. Ferne, of the validitie of his inditement, I have, in the absence of the judges, required the opinion of hir Majestie's attorney-generall; whose awnsweare yow shall perceive by his letter to mee, which I doe send heare inclosed to yow, with the copie of his inditement, by which yow will finde the same to be erronious. And wheare yowe require to understand mine opinion for his sendinge upp, I see noe such cawse to have him to be sent hither. And so

I bid your Grace and the rest hartelie farewell. From my howse in the Strand, this xix=th= of Marche, 1596. Your Grace's assured lovinge frend, W. Burghley. Your Grace's letter to me, shewyng your desyre and opinion for a President, hath bene greatly lyked by hir Majesty for your syncere advice. To the most Reverend Father in God, my verie good Lord, the Archbishop of Yorke, and the rest of the Counsell there.

[} [\LETTER LX.\] WHYTGYFT, ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY, [\TO THE ARCHBISHOP OF YORK.\] }] [^TO DR. MATTHEW HUTTON^] [\2 May, 1597.\] (\Salutem in Christo!\) It hath pleased her Majesty to bestowe the bishoprick of London upon D=r=. Bancroft; the bishoprick of Winchester upon D=r=. Bilson, Bishop of Worcester; and the bishoprick of Chester upon D=r=. Vaughan, now Bishop of Bangor. And, forasmuch as it would be verye great trouble and charges to him to come or send downe for his confirmation there, he hath intreated mee to move you to be content to direct your commission to some here for the perfourming of the same; which you may very well doe to some of the doctors of the Arches, suche as you shall best lyke of. The bishoprick is but small, and your Lordship knoweth that after his confirmation he must doe his homage here in person, and take care for his restitution; and therefore I hartelye praye yow to showe unto him what favor you may. The last lettres written from your selfe and the Councell there, touching certeyn papists and recusants, are very well taken, and you are lyke to receave thancks for the same, especiallie for your paynes in conference with some of them to so good an effect. In one of the lettres there was putt Christes-tyde for Christen-mass, which because of the noveltie thereof (being latelye used onely by some nice persons more curiouse in termes then in deeds) was by some of your best frends mislyked; and I marvell how it escaped you, being so farre from allowing suche novelties. Our brother, your successor, hath scarcelye delt brotherlie with mee in some lettres latelye written concerning Tempest's wiffe and Hedleyes of Newcastle; but of suche dealings I make small accompte. I have no especiall newes to write unto you. Rumors and reportes varie

daylie. (\Vale in Christo!\) At Lambeth, the second of May, 1597. Your Grace's assured loving frend and brother, Jo. Cantuar. To the moste Reverend Father in God, my very good Lord and brother, the Archbishoppe of Yorke his Grace.

[} [\LETTER LXIII.\] LORD TREASURER [\BURGHLEY TO THE ARCHBISHOP OF YORK).\] }] [^TO DR. MATTHEW HUTTON^] [\21 Feb. 1597-8.\] After my vearie hartie commendacions to your Grace. The same shall understand that at the present theare is, by order of the King of Scottes, the person of Sir Robert Carre, otherwise

called the Lord of Sesford, Warden of the Est Marches of Scotland, delivered to the Warden of the Est Marches of England, for aunswearinge of divers attempts and wrongs done by the part of Scotland; whoe is to remaine in England untill a nomber of pledges maie be delivered into England for satisfaccion of the wronges done to England in that wardenrie. This man is of great accompt both by his birthe and by office, and one hable to be either a good or a bad neighbour to England: for which purpose hir Majestie hath thowght it necessarie that he should be browght and staid in som remote part in England from the Border; and for that purpose hir Majestie hath recommended me to signifie to your Grace hir pleisance and command that he should be browght unto you; and that he should be committed to the charge of sum trustie persons, to see him forthcominge at your howse of Busshopsthrope, or sum othir place owt of the citie of York, so as he showld not have anie accesse of strangers to him. And, accordinge to this hir Majestie's commandment, I have at this present signified hir Majestie's pleasance to Sir Robert Careie, Warden of the Estmarche, whoe hath him in his custodie at this time, and will send him to your Grace. And so I take my leave. From the Cort, this xxi of Februarye, 1597. Your Grace's assured lovinge frende, W. Burghley. To the most Reverend Father in God, my very good Lord, the Archbishop of York.

[} [\LETTER LXIV.\] LORD TREASORER [\BURGHLEY TO THE ARCHBISHOP OF YORK).\] }] [^TO DR. MATTHEW HUTTON^] [\1 Mar. 1597-8.\] After my vearie hartie commendacions to your Grace. I have received your letter, dated the xxv=th= daie of the last moneth,

signifieng thereby the receipt of mine of the xxj=th=, whearebie I gave your Grace to understand of hir Majestie's purpose to have the Lord of Sesford to be sent unto yowe, to be safelie kept at Busshopsthorp, or some other place without the citie. And wheare by this you lettre yowe move three questions, I will in one word awnswere them all, which is, that hir Majestie's express pleisure and commaundment is that he shall not be browght at all to Yorke, or kept at hir Majestie's howse theare; but that he showld be kept at Bishopsthrop, and theare to be kept as a close prisoner, without resort to him, or walking abroade, otherwise then privately neare the howse; and thearefore I doe not dowbt but, nowe your Grace understandeth hir Majestie's pleisure therein, yowe will be carefull to tak order with him accordingly, and that he maie be safelie garded and kept. And so I commend mee hartelie to your Grace. From Cort, this first of Marche, 1597. Your Grace's assured loving frend, W. Burghley. To the most Reverend Father in God, my veary good Lord, the Archbishop's Grace of Yorke.

[} [\LETTER LXX.\] LORD WILLUGHBIE [\TO THE ARCHBISHOP OF YORK).\] }] [^TO DR. MATTHEW HUTTON^] [\4 May, 1598.\] My very goode Lord, I receaved the Queene's Majestie's packett and your Grace's letter this fourth of May about six in the morning, and by her Highnes' letters had the very like directions as it seemed by your Grace's to me you had concerning the delivery of Sir Robert Kerr Lord Sesforde, and upon the same conditions. But, before the coming of these letters, there was nother man nor mention of any thing touching the same, more then a secretary of his came to me to have pasport to ryde to your Grace and informe his master that his pledges were ready; which when I had graunted him, he left the same behynde him, and so departed. It seemeth that her Majestie's plesure is, before Sesford should be inlarged, there should be putt into my handes the brother of the said Sesford, with two persons of kynn to him, to remayne prisoners in some suche place as shalbe appoynted thereunto, untill these pledges that ar to be given in by the indent of the late Commissioners on both sydes for the border causes shalbe accordingly entered; and with this caution also before he be dismissed from your Lordship, that he gyve in writing under his hand and seale, that if, after his brother and kinsfolkes shalbe delivered into my handes, he doe not within one moneth next after following recover and deliver in those pledges which by the said Commissioners' indent ought on his part to be entered, he shall then return to Barwick and yeald himself prisoner into my handes, to be kept in such places of these north partes as to her Majestie shalbe thought fitt, untill he shall have performed on his part that which by the sayd indent was agreed should be done. Wherfore it may please your Grace to deale effectually with Sir R. Kerr Lord Sesford, to take order to proceade herin according to her Majestye's pleasure; and, assone as ever his brother and kinsfolkes

apoynted shalbe delivered into my handes, I shall send your Grace present word, and thinck it very convenient that then you send him to Duresme by such gentlemen of your choyse of that country (myself being altogether unacquaynted in those partes) as you shall thinke meete, acording to your Grace's owne project in your postscript. And I would willingly entreat you to give me your opinion what manner of persons were fitt to be sent from me for his receaving there, whether martiall men for a guard, or civill politique men for entring into his counsell; whether many, or fewe; with great countenance, or with ordinary complement; for in these things I would be glad nether to doe too much nor too little, but, as I have direction by mutuall correspondency with your Lordship, that which might be most acceptable service. And so I humbly take my leave. From Barwick, the 4=th= of May, 1598. Your Grace's assured, P. Wyllughby. To the Right Reverend Father in God, the Lord Archbishop of Yorke his Grace.

[} [\LETTER LXXI.\] LORD WILLUGHBIE [\TO THE ARCHBISHOP OF YORK).\] }] [^TO DR. MATTHEW HUTTON^] [\8 May, 1598.\] My honorable good Lord, I receaved your Grace's letter this day at noone, in conveyance whereof the postes have used great negligence, it coming to Duresme at eight in the morning, and to Newcastle not till foure in the evening: to punish this slacknes (least it be committed in more important services), I must desyre your Lordship to concurr with me. I am of your Grace's opinion that Sir Robert Kerr will not make any escape, yet much water passeth the mill that the

miller knoweth not, and there may be secretes herin unknown to your Lordship and me; so that, till his pledges be delivered, it wilbe good to have a heedefull eye to him. And wishing your Lordship much hapines, I rest Your Grace's assured, P. Wyllughby. Barwick, the viij=th= of May, 1598. Since my letter written, Sir R. Kerr's pledges arrived here at foure afternoone. I must desyre your Grace to advertise me two dayes before he comes to Duresme, that I may take order with those who I shall apoynt to meete him. To the Right Reverend Father in God, the Lord Archbishop's Grace of Yorke.

[} [\LETTER LXXII.\] LORD WILLOUGHBY TO THE LORD OF SESFORDE.}] [^TO DR. MATTHEW HUTTON^] [\8 May, 1598.\] Sir, I would have bene glad to have seene you in your retorn in this towne; but, her Majestye havinge otherwyse appoynted your jurney, I wyll, yf I cann, mete you at M=r=. Graye's, and purpose to send some gentleman to convey you from Durham thether. I am sory I shall not intertaigne your brother and hostages, beinge unfurnished as a stranger yet my selfe, but what I may shalbe afforded them; hopinge you wyll hasten to deliver the pledges accordinge to the indent for ther releivinge. Thus, wishinge you well in any thinge becomes me, I rest accordingly, Your lovinge freind to my uttermoste, P. Wyllughby. Barwick, this 8=th= of May. To the Honorable Knight, Sir Robert Carre, Lord Warden of the Easte Marshes of Scottlande.

[} [\LETTER LXXIII.\] LORD WILUGHBIE [\TO THE ARCHBISHOP OF YORK).\] }] [^TO DR. MATTHEW HUTTON^] [\13 May, 1598.\] I am sure, howsoever I measurd by the cold clime Aprill for a late May, or missed to signe my name, I omitted it not for want of grace, but for hast; which shall be at layzure mended. The hand as I take it was, as this, my owne, and therefore my owne, and not my secretarie's fault; and I confesse I love to write no dobles of letters, but will affirm my hand and it whansoever your Grace shall nede to call uppon it. In the meane season, as the French pronouncing Latin shorten it mutch, and with their quickness excuse the cadence of sillables, so excusing my selfe, and leaving it to your gratious construction, I rest in better things at your Grace's commawnd, P. Wyllughby. Barwick, the 13 of May. The poste-masters have in this pacquet of your Grace's slacked their duty mutch; I complayne, but I shall be better hard when the witnes is (\ex ore duorum\) . If your Grace send me the letter as it is, I will set to my hand: I can hardly beleave but that I signed the letter; but, if it be not signed, at any time I will subscribe it for you. My people shall attend at Durham according to your Grace's appoint. To the Right Reverend Father in God, the Lord Archbishop's Grace of Yorke.

[} [\LETTER LXXV.\] LORD TREASORER [\BURGHLEY TO THE ARCHBISHOP OF YORK\] .}] [^TO DR. MATTHEW HUTTON^] [\23 May, 1598.\] After my vearie hartie commendacions to your Grace. Wheare by your letter dated the xv=th= daie of this moneth, derected to myself and my Lord Marshall, yowe require to understand what yowe shall doe with the bond which yowe have taken of the Lord of Sessford, (whereof yowe sent hither a copie,) as either to send it hither, or to the Lord Willowghbie; your Grace shall understaund that it is ment that your Grace should send it to the Lord Willowghbie, so as it maie be delivered back uppon the performance of the condicion thereof; and thearefore I praie your Grace forthwith to send it to his Lordship. And so I recommend mee heartelie to your Grace. From the Cort, this xxiii of Maye, 1598. Your Grace's assured loving frend, W. Burghley. To the most Reverend Father in God, my very good Lord, the Archbishop's Grace of Yorke.

[} [\LETTER LXXIX.\] MY LORD OF DURESME [\DR. MATTHEW\] .}] [^TO DR. MATTHEW HUTTON^] [\17 June, 1598.\] May it please your Grace and the rest. Finding by letters from the Lords and others of her Majestie's most honorable Prevy Counsell that the pledges lately delivered by Sir Robert

Kerr to the Lord Governor of Barwick are thence to be conveyed and guarded to York; and by a letter from M=r=. William Fenwick, the Deputie Warden of the Middle Marshes, that he is to recceave them upon Mondaie next about noone at Alnewick; at whose hand the Sherif of this countie is to receave them at Gatesheade on Tuesdaie next about the same houre, and purposeth to deliver them to the Sherif of Yorkshire at Croftbridge upon Wednesdaie next by one of the clock in the afternoone, being the usuall place betwene that countie and this to deliver and receave all maner of prisoners (\hinc inde\) : These may be to certifie your Grace of the premisses, to the end that the said tyme and place may forthwith be signified to the Sherif of Yorkshire, whereby he may addresse himself for the more certayne execution, with expedition, of this her Majestie's extraordinary service of great importaunce; wherewith I perceave your Grace and your associats have been made acquainted already from above. And so I humbly betake your Grace and the rest of that honorable Counsell to the tuition of the Almightie. At B. Awkland, this xvij=th= of June, 1598. Your Grace's humblie at commaundment, Tobie Duresm. To the most Reverende ffather in God, and my very good Lord, the Archebusshop's Grace of York, and the rest of her Majestie's Counsell established there.

[} [\LETTER LXXXV.\] THE ARCHBISHOP OF YORK TO TIMOTHY HUTTON, HIS SON.}] [\16 Aug. 1598.\] (\Salutem in Christo!\) I am glad to heare that you and your wife bend and buckle your selves so well towards thryvinge. God blesse you bothe, and yours, and geve yow much comfort of them. Yow are put in the commission of peace within the Northridinge, and I referr it unto your choice, whether you will come to take th' oath before the judges at th' assises, or afterwardes. There are so few justices in that part of the countrie that I feare there will be some resorte unto yow, which in this tyme of th' infection may be daingerous. Commend me to my daughter, and move hir to continue as she hath well begunne to hir comforte and commendation. And so I commend yow bothe to the blessed direction of the best Director. At Yorke, the xvj=th= of August, 1598. Your loving father, Matth. Ebor. [\POSTSCRIPT.\] More safetie not to coome, but more present credit to come, and be sworne openlie: (\utere tuo juditio\) . Yf you coome, you shalbe welcome; yf you come not, I will not take it in evill part. (\Vale in Domino!\) (\Tuus ut suus,\) Matth. Ebor. To my lovinge sonne, Timithie Hutton, at Marske.

[} [\LETTER LXXXVII.\] THE ARCHBISHOP OF YORKE TO TIMOTHY HUTTON.}] [\25 Feb. 1598-9.\] (\Salutem in Christo!\) I thank yow for your letter, and I pray yow thanke M=r=. Lawson hartely, and tell him I am not hable to deale with all these thinges; notwithstanding, if the milnes be fitt for your house, I would be glad to serve my frends. It is not like they be of that worth which he settes downe, because there be other milnes in the towne; yet if yow understand certainely the worth, the value, the tenure, the reparations, and the price, I will tell you more. Thus, beseachinge God to blesse yow and youres with his manifold graces, I bid yow hartelie farewell. From Yorke, in haste, Februar. 25, 1598. Your loving father, Matth. Ebor. To my lovinge sonne, Timothie Hutton, at Marske, with speede.

[} [\LETTER LXXXIX.\] LETTER FROM ARCHBISHOP WHITGIFT TO ARCHBISHOP HUTTON.}] [^TO DR. MATTHEW HUTTON^] [\27 Aug. 1599.\] (\Salutem in Christo!\) Wee here have the like writts frome the Exchequer to certifie, as wee are also bownde to doe by the commission ytself. The bonds wee take wee dulie certifie into the Exchequer, when they are forfayted; nether can wee otherwise bestowe or imploy them. Owte of the fines wee defray necessarie charges, which are nott greate; the rest we return also into the Exchequer; but owre fines are nott greate nor manie. Towching your self, I have not at anie time hard her Majestie to have apprehended anie complaintes against you, or to have conceaved otherwise then well of you; but here hathe bene informations gyven that recusants are of late increased in that province, and that you are to milde with them. Some of your ministers doe also affirme the same to be trewe. My advice therefore ys, that your Lordship make a true declaration in writing how that province standeth in that poynte and this tyme; for it may be some men's pollicie to make things worse then they are, to effect there desyers and to winn the commendation to themselfes. Assuer yourself that I will do my best to satisfye all objections, yf anie shalbe, especiallie so far as I knowe and shalbe instructed. I can testifie, with manie others, how desirious you were to leave that troublesome place of government, whereof in my opinion you are happilie rydd. You cannot but here what alarams we have had, and yet have, of the Spanyerds approching. It hath bene, and ys, a greate charges to the clergie of this province: you and your clergie are not trowbled therewith. And so, with my verie hartie commendations, I committ you to the tuition of Allmightie God. Frome Croidon, the 27 of Aug. 1599. Your Grace's assuered loving frend and brother, Jo. Cantuar. To the most Reverend in Christe, my verie good Lord and brother, the Lord Archbishopp of York his Grace.

[} [\LETTER XCI.\] SIR ROB. CECYLL TO MY LORD'S GRACE OF YORKE.}] [^TO DR. MATTHEW HUTTON^] [\December 26, 1599.\] After my very harty commendacions to your Grace. Where her Majestie hath ben informed of the deathe of M=r=. Do. Binge, who in his liefe tyme enioyed a prebend in this churche, which nowe is become voyde by that accydent; fforsomuch as it pleased her Majestie to use her recommendacion unto your Grace for a lease to be made to my brother-in-lawe M=r=. George Brooke, whereunto you dyd not assent, but in lieu thereof you made hym a graunt of the next prebend that should fall voyd and be in your Grace's dysposycion, I have thought good to let you knowe that her Majestie (uppon this occasion) dothe expect from you a confyrmacion of that which you have begonne and intended towerds the gentleman, being one of whom her Majestie maketh extraordynary estymacion, bothe in regard of the affeccion which she hathe heretofore borne to his parents, and the partyculer quallities and good partes wherwith himself is quallyfyed. Thes being all I have to wryte unto your Grace for the present, I take my leave. From the Cort at Richmond, the xxvj=th= of Decem., 1599. Your Grace's very loving and assured freind, Ro. Cecyll. To the most Reverent ffather in God, my very good Lord, the Lord Archbishopp of York's Grace.

[} [\LETTER XCVI.\] A LETTER FROM THE LORD ARCHBYSHOP OF YORKE TO THE LORD ARCHBYSHOP OF CANTERBURIE.}] [^TO JOHN WHITGIFT^] [\Maie 20, 1600.\] (\Salutem in Aucthore salutis!\) I am verie sorie that, after so manie yeres of moste wise and happie government, manifest displeasures appear among so worthie Counsellors. God grant it

be not a prognostication of some great storme to this noble kingdome. Three thinges there be which threaten daingers, if not ruine, to Commonweals, (\privatum commodum, latens odium, juvenile consilium\) . The first perverteth justice and upright dealing. The second seeketh revenge, though it be with dainger: (\Haec ipsa pollens inclyti Pelopis domus ruat vel in me, dummodo in fratrem ruat.\) The third, by not forecasting future events, hathe through temerity turned manie States, - (\Cedo, qui` vestram rempublicam tantam amisistis tam cito? respondentur alia, e`t haec in primis, Proveniebant oratores novi, &c. stulti adolescentuli,\) - especially when these three doe concurr together, and that in the fullness of time when God hath appointed to alter states, and when the sinne of the people is ripe. The palme of the hand that writt on the wall (^Mene^) and (^Tekel^) , added also (^Phares^) ; because, whensoever the fulnes of time and repenes of sinne doe meete together, then doeth God exequute his judgement upon kingdomes, as he did then, &c. The two first of these are knowne onelie to God. The third, when it cometh, is like to be knowne, seene, and felt to manie. We loke to the second causes, and by them guess (\de futuris contingentibus\) , as, (\concordia res parvae crescunt, discordia maximae dilabuntur\) . I praie God the jarring at home doe not incorage the rebelles in Ireland and elsewhere. I take it to be against good policy for a great prince to keepe a longe and lingeringe warr with a subject nation, though the people be never so base; for it teacheth them to be skilfull, stout, and resolute, as appeareth by the Low Countries. God graunt it may not appeare by Ireland! The people there are growne verie valiant and desperate, and, being hable to abide all kind of hardines, take the benefite of the contrie, of woods and bogges, and are like to hould out a long time, without the losse of more noblemen and captaines then may be well spared in England. Besides that, manie of our English nation ( (\nescio quomodo\) ) are verie unwilling to go thither; and many tall men at home, when they come there, prove cowards, and the verie contry consumeth them. Therefore (in myne opinion) it were not amisse for yow of hir Majestie's Counsell to thinke rather of an honorable peace, than

to indainger so manie noblemen, valiant captaines, and dutifull subjects, and perhaps (in time) the losse of that kingdome. Yow and I are men of peace, and therefore I am bould to write unto yow, being nere to hir Majestie, &c. It would comfort a verie great nombre of hir Majestie's best subjects if shee would be pleased to stretch forthe the goulden scepter to that noble gentleman now abiding the frownes of fortune, and to cause a sure and hartie reconciliation. The parties are verie wise and most worthie Counsellors. They are raised almoste wholly by hir Majestie, therefore (no doubt) wilbe ruled willingly; and shee hathe bene moste gratious unto bothe parties, therefore may and should rule and overrule bothe parties. Hir Majestie, by long experience, hathe gotten the verie (\habitum\) of deepe and sound wisdome, and all heroicall vertues; so that I make no doubt but that shee will, of hir owne inclynation, shew clemencie and mercy, &c. The Lord for his mercies' sake blesse this land with hir Majestie's long and prosperous reigne, and yow also, that yow may long serve hir, to the good of his Church. From Cawood, the xx=th= of Maie, 1600. Your Grace's in Christe most assured, Matth. Ebor.

[} [\LETTER XCVII.\] THE LORD OF CANTERBURY'S LETTER TO MY LORD'S GRACE OF YORK.}] [^TO DR. MATTHEW HUTTON^] [\7=o= Junii 1600.\] (\Salutem in Christo!\) I have receaved both your letters; that by your sonne-in-lawe M=r=. Bowes, and the other of the xxv=th= of May. I would to God your Grace's advise and desier in the first might take place, as I hope it will, there appearing no evident token to the contrary. I have perused the copie of the letter which you writt to the noble man, and his answere; wherein I note the spirite of suche humours as those are possessed witheall to whom (as it is thought) hee doeth too

muche inclyne. (\Scientia non habet inimicum nisi ignorantem.\) A man had better take upon him to perswade xx=ty= learned men that are not (\propositi defensores\) , then one suche. I have receaved the copie of a sermon preached there in the defense (as it seemeth) of the haling of your recusantes to sermons; but his name I knowe not. Hee alleageth both scriptures and doctors; but nothing to the purpose in myne opinion. You knowe that Christe's (\compelle intrare\) , and suche like phrases in the Newe Testament, are farre from meaning of any suche violence. And so is St. Augustine's (\si terrerentur et non docerentur\) , and the rest of the places of his and others the doctors alleaged in that sermon. True it is (as you knowe) that St. Augustine and others doo allowe, in suche cases, ponishment and compulsion; but not in that sorte. Neither did I ever reade that any Christian prince or magistrate drewe any ethnickes or heretikes either to preaching or praying; nor to my remembraunce was it used in Queen Marie's tyme to the professors of the Gospell: but I reade that heathenish princes have in that maner drawen Christians to their sacrifices. But everie man aboundes in his owne sense. Yf good come of it, it is well, and they have to glorie in their dooinge; yf otherwise, then experience, which is (\stultorum magistra\) , will teach them to see their owne error. In the meane tyme I would not wish your Lordship to contend with them in that matter, least they say that zeale is quenched in you, and that you doate in your old age, as it pleaseth some here to say of mee; and yet, peradventure, when wee are gone, they will wish us alyve agayne. I am here verie much troubled with the appeasing of newe controversies about praedestination, justification, (\liberum arbitrium\) , the state of the Fathers before the coming of Christe, inhaerent justice, and suche like matters, never doubted of by any professor of the Gospell during all the tyme of your aboade and myne in the universitie. But suche is the malice of the devil, and pryde of men glorieng in their owne wittes. My Lord of London is not yet retourned from Embden, neither have I heard from him but once since their arryval there. Upon Thurseday last the Earle of Essex was called before the Lords of the Counsile, and diverse others appointed by her Majesty to sitt with us, for the hearing of the cause; as, the

Erles of Shrewesburie, Worcestre, Comberland, and Huntington; the Lordes Zouche and Darcie; the Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, the Lord Chief Baron, Justice Gawdie, and Justice Walmesley: the totall number of Counsellors and others were xviij. The place of sitting was at the Lord Keeper's in York house, where wee sate from viij of the clock in the morning till it was almost ix at night, without ether eating, drinking, or rysing. The Earle was charged by the Queene's learned Counseile, who objected against him and urged v thinges especially, viz.: the placing of the Earle of Southampton lieutenant of the horsse, against her Majestie's commaundement; the making of so many knightes, contrarie to her pleasure likewise; the not going into the North partes against the rebell while our forces were strong, according to the direction geven him here before hee went and his owne consent, and contrarie to directions sent him from hence after his arryvall in Ireland, &c.; his parleeing with the rebell, &c.; and his coming over from thense, against the Queene's expresse commaundement. The Earle aunswered with great submission, and, after a vehement protestation of his loyaltie and true harte to the Queene and the State, hee confessed his error in all theis poyntes, and did forbeare to make any qualifieng of them, or to contest with her Majesty touching the same; saving in some particulars, wherein the Lords were desierouse to bee satisfied. Hereupon wee proceeded to judgement, every man gevinge his censure particularly from the first to the last; and all agreed in this sentence, that my Lord should retourne to his owne house, from whence he came, and there remayne as he did beefore, during her Majestie's pleasure; that hee should deale no more in matters of Counseile, nor take himself to bee a Counseiler; that hee should not meddle himself in causes belonging to the Earle Marshall, nor in the office of Master of the Ordinaunce. And this was the end of that action. You may think yourself beholden unto mee for writing so long a letter, having so litle leasure; but I thought you were desierouse to have myne opinion in the first, and to knowe the trueth in the latter. My Lorde's frendes doo hope that this her Majestie's mylde and mercifull proceeding with him will in shorte tyme work his further good, according to her accustomed clemencie, wh[{erein{]

she doeth excell. (\Vale in Christo!\) From Lambehith, the vij=th= of June, 1600. (\Tuus in Christo,\) Jo. Cantuar. To [{...{] rend in Ch[{...{] he good Lorde [{...{] brother, the Archebishopp of York his Grace.

[} [\LETTER XCIX.\] MY LORD'S GRACE HYS LETTER [\TO TIMOTHY HUTTON, HIS SON.\] }] [\Octob. 2, 1600\] (\Salutem in Christo!\) I like your letter, but I doe feare your brother will prove a carelesse unthrefft. My Lord Latimer claimeth the milnes at Richmonde. I pray you talke with old M=r=. Pepper, whose father boght the milnes off M=r=. John Philips, and learne off him off whom M=r=. Philips did buie them, and off whom that man did buie them, and so upward as longe before as you can; and also what title my Lord Latimer maketh unto them an the others milnes there, and he reporteth the M=r=. Lawson hath compounded with him, and did offer unto me to compounde, &c., for the land in Wensdale ... and Marske latelie purchased. I thinke the Quene's auditor wilbe desyrous to see your purchase, &c.; they cost me vij=c= and lx=li=. I must have xx wethers everie Easter, untill I can make better provision. Your sonne is well, God be thanked, and this day in the minster garthe off his owne accord did aske Jackson howe his grandsier did. Commend me to my doghter and to yours also. Yorke, the 2 off October, 1600. Your lovinge father, Matth. Ebor.

[} [\LETTER CII.\] MY LORD OF CANTERBURIE'S LETTER TO MY LORD'S GRACE OF YORKE.}] [^TO DR. MATTHEW HUTTON^] [\17 May, 1602.\] (\Salutem in Christo!\) I had speach of late with the Lord Burghley towching your self. His Lordship did gyve verie good

testimonie of you, onelie he fownde hymself discontented that you seme to estrange your self frome hym by absenting your self from York when he is there, saying that your praesens sometymes there wold do much good; he wished also that you wold take paynes now and then to here causes your self, and not to committ them wholie to your other officers. Your Grace knoweth how althings prosper where there is concorde, and what effects the same dothe work bothe in Church and civill government; and therefore I do wisch and assuer my self that you will have an especiall care thereof. (\Vis unita fortior.\) My Lord semethe to be of a good nature, and I know that you were never delited with separation; and therefore, in my pore opinion, you shal do well to conferr with hym and to be reconciled. I know that he for hys parte will willinglie embrace yt, and yt can not be but a great comforth to you; besides, that both God and her Majestie shal by that meanes be better served. This I write of my self unto you, bycause I wold lett you understand in what state things are. As for hearing of matters your self with others in commission with you, I shal not nede to write of; I am suer you do so, and thingk yt to be necessarie for you so to doe. Her Majestie hath bestowed the denerie of Powle's upon D=r=. Overall, reader of the divinitie lecter in Chambridge and M=r=. of Kateren-hall; and the denerie of Chester upon D=r=. Barloe. The bishopprick of Hereford hangeth as yet in suspence betwixt the Bishop of Chester and D=r=. Bennet, Dene of Windsor. (\Vale in Christo!\) Frome Lamb. the 17 of May, 1602. Your Grace's loving frend and brother, Jo. Cantuar. To the most Reverend in Christ, my verie good Lord and brother, the Archbishop of Yorke.

[} [\LETTER CIII.\] MY LORD'S GRACE HYS APOLOGIE TO THE LORDS CONCERNING PRECEDENCIE.}] [\Maie 30, 1602.\] Right Honorable, It may please you to understand that the xx=th= of this moneth I received a letter from your Honors of the ix=th= of the same, which I did reade with griefe, that you should conceive so hard an opinion of me as to censure me that I have neglected your Honors' directions in my certificate concerning place of the Vice-President at the Assizes, &c.; and it would have greeved me more, but that I have the testimony of a good conscience. I beseach yow therefore to heare my answere with favorable construction. (\Objectio 1.\) - First, it is misliked that I did certifie alone apart, without Sir Thomas Fairfax, Sir Edward Stanhope, and M=r=. Atturney of the Wards; which three, or two of them, should have joined with me. (\Respons. a.\) - I answere, (^ffirst^) , that (under reformation) there is no such direction in your letters that I should joyne them in my certificate. I appeall to your Honors better informed, and referr my self to your later letter, wherein brefely and most truely is recited the effect and meaning of the former letter, viz., that I should use the assistance and advise of Sir Thomas Fairfax, Sir Edward Stanhope, and M=r=. Atturney of the Wardes, or any two of them, and all convenient means, to informe my self what place the Vice-President had by the space of 25 or 30 yeres, &c., and to advertise your Honors; and, if my health did not serve me, then to put it over to those three gentlemen or two of them, and they to advertise yow, &c. Here is, that I should use their advise and assistance to discover the trueth (as in deede I did), but not to joine in certificate with them. (^b. Secondly.^) - If I had bene required so to doe, yet could I not have any two of them to joine with me in certificate: for, before the Judges came to Yorke, M=r=. Atturney departed, and not yet retourned; Sir Thomas Fairfax also went away before I could certifie; and Sir Edward (who hathe taken great paines in this matter) was in the contrie, I did not know where, nor

when he would retourne; and therefore sent the certificate. Within two or three daies after, Sir Edward came and shewed me a note out of the recordes of the Counsell, shewing who was Vice- President everie sitting many yeres, but what was fund in the records of the Assises neither he nor any of the Counsell did informe me; albeit Sir Edward seemed sorie that my certificate was sent before he did retourne. Yet, before their departure, I had the assistance here of Sir Edward and M=r=. Atturney, and their advise that I should write to my Lord Darcy to know what place to take, and to learne of auncient men the usage, &c.; which I did accordingly. (\Objectio 2.\) - But the other three gentlemen have made certificate differing from myne, &c. (\Respon.\) - I answere, that, after the letter of the 5=th= of March directed to me, there came an other letter of the 21 of the same from your Lordship to me and the rest of the Counsell of Yorke, whereby authoritie was geven to search the recordes of the Assises, before denyed; and, bicause my health did not well serve me, I sent to my Lord of Limerike M=r=. Hales and M=r=. Ferne, who then onely were at Yorke, praying them to send for the Clarke of the Assises to search the records of that court, which I understand was done verie diligently. And, after the Clarke had retourned his search to the Counsell, subscribed with his hand, my Lord of Limerike and others then at Yorke did subscribe their names, and sent it up; neither Sir Thomas Fairfax nor M=r=. Atturney being then at Yorke. But what they found, and what they certified, they did not make me privie neither before their certificate nor after; yet since (I hear) they found in the records that the late Lord Ewre toke place of them once or twice, and the same confirmed by some witnesses, which is said to differ much from my certificate. But (under reformation) albeit there is contradiction betwene those whom I did examine by vertue of the first letter, and those that were examined by the Counsell at Yorke by the later, yet there is no contradiction betwene the certificates, but a difference onely (\secundum magis et minus\) , for bothe may be true, &c. (\Objectio 3.\) - But, immediately upon receipt of your Lordships' letter, I writt a private letter to Sir Edward and M=r=. Atturney, that my opinion was that Barons Vice-Presidents should take place, &c.

(\Respon.\) - And I answere, that my opinion was then, and yet is, that they should have place, if the gaole-deliverie be kept by the commission dormant to the Lord President and Counsell. Which is not contrarie to my certificate, wherein by your direction I was required to certifie what I could learne of the usage, not what I thought convenient, &c. (\Object. 4.\) - But I my self toke the place, &c. (\Respon.\) - I answere, that, as I was not President, so was I not Vice-President, but appointed by hir Majestie's commission under the great seall to supply the place, which the worthie late Lord Treasorer advertised me was like to continue untill hir Highness should resolve of a worthie man to succead the good Erle of Huntingdon. I did lye at the mannor, and kept the diett for the Counsell, and the Judges came allwaies to me at their coming to Yorke, as they did to former Lords Presidents, and now doe to my Lord now President, and I did sitt betwene them on the bench, onely when the commissions were in reading and the chardge in geveing. But (under reformation) I take it, this maketh nothinge for everie Vice-President: for, the Lord President may appoint any of the Cousell to be Vice-President, and Doctor Rokebie, one of the Prebendaries of Yorke, was Vice-President; and yet it had not bene convenient that he should have taken place of the Judges, who are knowne to be wise and great lawyers, and come with great authoritie for the great good of the subject, and therefore deserve all honor that may be geven them without injurie to higher authoritie. (\Object. 5.\) - But I gave to much credit to the Lord Darcie's letter, who, about two yeres before, had written to the contrary, &c. (\Respon.\) - I answere, that what he writt before I can not tell; but since, he being desired by my Lord of Limerick and M=r=. Ferne to certifie what place he toke, signified by his letter to them more plainly then he did to me, viz., that he gave place to them, bothe in the church and on the bench. (\Object. 6.\) - That I have geven the Lord President cause of exception against me, and therefore it pleaseth your Honors to use me no more in this particular. (\Respon.\) - I answere, that I geve your Honors humble and heartie thanks, and wish I had not bene used at all. But (I protest before God) I never meant to crosse my Lord President,

whom I allwaies loved, and doe honor with all my hart, not onely for his place which he houldeth under hir Majestie, but also for the deserved great good will I did ever bear to my verie good Lord his noble father, as worthie a counsellor as ever England bredd. Thus, beseaching God to blesse this kingdome with hir Majestie's long and prosperous reigne, and all your Honors with his manifold graces, long to serve so gratious a sovereigne, to the great good of this Church and common wealth, I humbly take leave. From Bishopthorp, the xxx=th= of Maie, 1602. Your Honors' in Christe to be commaunded, Matth. Ebor.

[} [\LETTER CIV.\] A COPYE OF MY LORD ARCHBISHOP'S LETTER UNTO THE LORD PRESIDENT.}] [^TO EDMUND SHEFFIELD^] [\30 Aug. 1602.\] Right Honorable, I thanke your Lordship hartely for the booke and newes you sent me by my Chancellor. The booke I have redd, and mislike that it should come to the hands either of the papists (whom it will confirme in their error), or of the simple protestants, whom I fear it will weaken in their faith, &c.; ffor, albeit these traitors vomit their poison one against an other, yet they joine together in casting out poison against religion and the State. As for hir Majestie's entertainment at my Lord Keeper's house, I am glad to heare it was to hir good likinge and best contentment; and (in deede) it could not be otherwise, ffor, besides the loyall and chearefull harts of the master of the house and his good ladie (well knowne to hir Highnes before, and then speciallie shewed), two of the first creatures that ever God made, and so now two of th' ouldest, Time and Place, forgetting their yeres, 5564, did (as it were) caste awaie their crutches and frame themselves to the present worlde to speake (\placentia\) , concurring, consenting, and conspiring to cheare and solace hir Highnes, by whose wise and happie government bothe time and place themselves

have bene much graced. These two are verie nere of kinne to two oulde predicaments as ould as them selves, (\quando et ubi\) , which I praie God may allwaies and everie where likewise concurr to serve her Majestie; that, whensoever and wheresoever shee taketh anie thinge in hand, God's holie hande and powerfull spirit may direct it to his glorie, and hir happines and comforte, bothe in this world and in the world to come. Thus, beseaching God to blesse your Lordship, my good Ladie, and all youres with his manifould graces, I bid you moste hartelie farewell. From Bishopthorpe, the xxx of August, 1602. Your Lordship's in Christe moste assuredly, Matth. Ebor.

[} [\LETTER CVI.\] ARCHBISHOP HUTTON TO SIR TIMOTHY HUTTON.}] [\13 Julii, 1603.\] (\Salutem in Sal. &c.!\) I like not in any case that yow should go to London, the sicknes is so dispersed. Since your boyes coming hither, I perceaive by a letter from D=r=. Benet that the coronation is like to hould as was appointed, but with lesse solemnitie then was expected. I thinke verie fewe will go. I will write to D=r=. Benet to excuse yow. The Lord blesse yow and youres with his manifould graces. At Bishopthorp, the xiij=th= of Julie, 1603. Your loving father, Matth. Ebor.

[} [\LETTER CVIII.\] MY LORDE'S GRACE [\TO SIR TIMOTHY HUTTON, HIS SON.\] }] [\18 May, 1604.\] (\Salutem, &c.!\) I have kept your sonne Math. here these 4 or 5 daies, fearing the dainger of the sicknes, &c. And now, being informed that it spreadeth abrode and increaseth in Yorke, I hould it best that you take him to you, for that I doubt he can not so well stay here without dainger or great fear so nere th' infected places and among so manie in this great familie. And so, praying God to blesse you and all youres with his manifould graces, with hartie commendations to my good daughter, I end. Bishopthorp, this xviij=th= of Maie, 1604. Youre loving father, Matth. Ebor.

You shall do well either to fetch him or send for him, and also a toward scholar, a pretie boy, M=r=. Rawson's kinsman, that waiteth on him. You need send the fewer, because I hear that M=r=. Crawthorne and Th. Stirkai stay till he comes, and all my horses are at grasse. To my verie loveing sonne, Timothie Hutton, at Marske, with speede.

[} [\LETTER CXIV.\] TOBIE MATHEW, DEANE OF DURESME, [\TO MR. TIMOTHY HUTTON.\] }] [\Ult. Dec. 1594.\] Sir, I am geven to understand you fall to your studies againe, and thereof am I glad to heare; especially that you take a speciall delight in historie, the witnes of tyme and memorie of life, yea after death. Let me recommend to your diligent reading the book I send you herewith, a translation of a most excellent author by a great learned frend of myne. You shall in myne opinion profit and please yourself muche in the perusing thereof, attending it well, and using with the text the annotacions, but, of all other thinges, preferring here and there your Christian judgement before the profane pollicie of the originall writer. No merveile, for what booke all faltlesse but the Book of God? And so, hartily wisshing you and yours longe and prosperously to enjoye the yeares, lyfe, and land of your honorable and reverend father, I betake you and gentle M=rs=. Hutton to the grace of God. At Duresme, (\ult. Decemb.\) 1594. Your assured loving frend, Tobie Matthew. To my worshipful and verie loving frende M=r=. Timothie Hutton, at Awkeland.

[} [\LETTER CXXVII.\] ADRIAN CAREW, MASTER OF WARTON SCHOOL, TO SIR TIMOTHY HUTTON.}] [\July 27, 1608.\] Right worshipfull, my humble dutie remembred, &c. Sir, I receaved a letter of reprehension of late from my dearest cousen Sherrard for not wrighting unto you by the returne of John Ellow, which time would not permitt; yet his legate discovereth the effectuous zeale of a mind fraught plenteouslie in him with the bewtie of memorable thankfullnes. He knowes that (\malum non recedet e domo ingrati\) ; of which I was nither unmindfull, nither yet do I anie waie distast his grave and strict admonition in the same. His lines alltogeather incited me to thankfullnes; yea, thankfullnes to you, to whose extraordinarie favour I never can be sufficientlie enough thankfull, and, to use his owne saying, (\Grates persolvere dignas non opis est nostrae\) , from the bountie of whose charitable palme I receaved a refuge against all schollars' common enimie, viperous necessetie, yea a cataplasme carefullie carefullie [\SIC\] imploid against the frequent wound of this ulcerous world's unregard of the Muses. Sir, I am not unthankfull, God that knows my hart is assured. Nither, were that within the limitts of my power to be procured which should shew it, I would rack my self to leavie the arrerage, I would not owe it: not that my

shallownes in judgement can intimate anie thing that you expect other at my hands then a hartie care, and a hand to office that hart in the true pourtracture of the same care; but because I would not through my oversight work anie uneavenes in that path which you so divine wiselie, honourablie, humanelie, charitablie, and humblie have laid before my deare cousen's feete; my deare dearest cousen, who hath consented often to my thought, and I to his, in this (and that without assentation), you are a man made up of divine wisedome, honour, humanitie, charitie, and one in whose rank it is rare to find the like for true humillitie, humilitie the fayre ornament of all grace and vertue. Sir, I will be thankfull, and my verie soule is allreadie resolved into a myriad of thanks for your marveylous respects laid upon us and bounteous effects: but my hart is ashamed, and I doubt the acceptance; for, being of late sick of some abuse, my choller willfullie pursued for an untimelie medicine, having forgotten that (\morbis nihil est magis periculosum\) then (\immatura medicina\) ; by which I have done that which will undoe the kind knot of your favour towards me. The matter I refer to my cousen's lips, being loath to regester the unhappie cause of my recession in that which should be the record of my progression in the vertue which you have busied me in; when he hath spoken it, beleve it (I beseech you), he shall speake the truth. Credit, I humbly praie you, no vulgar tongue, for (\Plebi non judicium, non veritas\) . (\Non est consilium in vulgo, non ratio, non discrimen: ex opinione multa, ex veritate pauca judicat.\) Nither too much to our predecessors, though they have bene kind; for no doubt (\Aegris oculis alienam faelicitatem intuentur\) . And then, I beseech you, give me leave to be my owne judge. My selfe have done the offence most against my selfe, for which I will exile my selfe from all hope of your abused favour; and, I most humblie beseech you, respect my cousen nothing the worse, in whom you are nothing deceaved. What you have done for me praie permitt me to resigne againe to his brothers, whose sufficient lerning for Greeke and Latin can well discharge this, and a greater charge then this. Their modestie and civillitie is as their brother's. I doubt not but you will be pleased in their dilligence, pacience, and temperance. I will thankfullie make restitution to them of all that I receaved, except your favour, which I have willfullie lost. (\Una salus victis nullam sperare salutem.\)

Ireland, which hath begun my griefe, shall ease it, or end it, as God shall please. For those that have abused me here, God forgive them. I cannot with pacience live anie longer among them. (\Nec amissos colores lana refert medicata fuco.\) God forgive my offence towards you; to redeeme the which, I will taxe all the actions of my hands, and thoughts of my hart. Yea, my hart, hands, life, lerning, all that I have, shall be alwaies readie to be exposed to the honour of you and your most honourable ladie. I onlie request this one thing at your hands, your favourable report. I will sowe the seedes of true repentance for my rash oversight, by the which I hope againe in time to regaine grace at your honourable hands. (\Multo firmior est fides quam reponit poenitentia.\) Not forgetting my dutie to your singular good ladie, your excellent chilldren, the ingenuous offspring of right generous parents, I a thousand times recall all your curtesies, readie to take my leave of discourteous Lancashier. Warton, (\Julii 27=o=\) , 1608. Obliged to your worship in all the offices of humilitie and thankfullnes, Adrian Carew. To the right worshipful my most worthie good frend, Sir Timothie Hutton, at Mask, give these with speede.

[} [\LETTER CXXXIV.\] A COPPIE OF MY LETTER TO MR. DEANE OF YORKE.}] [\Julie 8, 1617.\] Sir, I must and doe acknowledg, as I ame a poore sonne of a Levite, that yt had becomd me eare now (yf I held not some particulars of my poore estate of you) to have tendred the dutye that I doe owe unto your hollie trybe: but my place of beeing alderman in thys poore towne of Richmond, wheare I dwell, hath prevented dyvers intented tymes which I had purposed to have wayted on you. I would entreate you that myne attendance may be acceptable in the assyse weeke, at which tyme I doubt not but to gyve you contentment for such leases as I hould of you; beeing a greate part of the portion which my deare father left unto my selfe and manye of my lyttle selves. I have noe reason to press you for extraordinarye favoure, bycause I have not deserved anything of you, but to be used as you use others; and I cannot doubt of that, bycause I heare of your true worth everye way: humblye thanking God even for the glorye of hys word, and the good of that church, that he hath sent such an one amongst us. God is my wyttnes that I speake yt without adulation, yt beeing a thing very farre from my playne dysposition; and I doe detest yt either in myselfe or anye. I doe eftsoones entreate your

favoure for thys tyme prefyxed, at which tyme (God wylling) I wyll attend you; tyll when, and then, and always, I rest, &c. To M=r=. Deane of Yorke. Julie 8, 1617.

[} [\LETTER CXLII.\] TIM. HUTTON, MY KYNSMAN.}] [^TO SIR TIMOTHY HUTTON^] [\June 29, 1620.\] Right Worshipfull, My humble duty remembred; with my thankfullnesse for your late, as yet, undeserved favor and helpe in the tyme of my greate nede; with my daylye prayer to the Almighty for your reward, and contynuall health and happnes, to his best will and pleasure. May it please you to pardon my bouldnes in that I ame constrayned to trouble you by reason of my myssefortune, as I understand by my deare ffreind M=r=. Robert Fort you are fully made acquaynted with; whose love hath ben such to me that, unlesse he had byn ordayned of God to worke my good, beinge to me a straynger, I can see no reasson that I should receve such kindnesses from him as I have obtyned, in somuch that they have semed to savor more lyker the deedes of a ffather then a ffrinde; wherby he, to worke my peace and quiett, hath taken most of my debtes upon him selfe, and disburssed much mony for me, and ordered althinges in that forme, beinge a man of good cappassitie, that, with the help which I understand he did wright unto you to be pleassed to doe for me in the behalfe of my good, which to my joy, as I understand, you have promysed to doe for me, I may be rayssed from nothing to be able to repaye your former deede, worthey of me to be remembred, and lykewisse lyve of my selfe to the rejoysement of all my good ffreindes, and especyally not forget from whence all my good cometh; the tyme being very short which muste establish my hoppes, which only relye upon your helpe in the forme M=r=. Fort hath shewed your worship, the which I refer to your worthy consyderacion. And so, as my bounden duty commandeth, I shall never seasse to pray to the Allmighty God, whoe is the sender of all goodnes upon his servants, to multyply

and increasse your worship with all the contents of this world and the joyes of the etternall worlde to come; and thus I sease at thes tyme to trouble your worship any ffurther, humbly desiring your answer. From the Blew Ancker in Feld Lane, London, June the 29=th= day. Your lovinge servant, and at your worship's command. Timothie Hutton.

[} [\LETTER CXLV.\] TIM. HUTTON, MY KYNSMAN, TO JO. ELLOW.}] [^TO JOHN ELLOW^] [\Maie 31, 1621.\] Kinde John Ellow, my best love and harty commondationes remembred unto you. This is to certifie you that I have receved your letter, and M=r=. Forte another ffrom Sir Timothie, for the which I give you many thoussand thankes; intreating you to deliver M=r=. Forte's letter to Sir Timothie, and to further me in my affares: thus desiring your love to speake to Sir Timothie for me to stand my frend at this time, and I shall be mad for ever, and my fortunes raised againe. M=r=. Forte and his wife and Susan remembers their loves to you. Soe I end, leavinge you to the protection of Allmightie God. Frome the Blew Ancker in Feld Lane, London, May the 31=th= day. Your loving ffrind to his power in what I may, Timothie Hutton. To his assured and very lovinge ffrind, John Ellow, dewelling with Sir Timothie Hutton, knight, at Maske, deliver this.

[} [\LETTER CXLVI.\] TIM. HUTTON, MY KYNSMAN, TO JO. ELLOW.}] [^TO JOHN ELLOW^] [\June 14, 1621.\] Kind John Elow, my best love and harty commendations remembred unto you; hopping of your good health, with all the rest of my good ffrinds. This is to certyfie you the cause of my wrighting unto you is to intreat you to speake to Sir Timothie for me; and that he would be pleased to doe somthing for me at this tyme, for I never had more ned in all my lyfe. I doe owe M=r=. Fort +L10. 12 (^s.^) , which doth greave me very sore, he having layd out the most of it out of his purse to keppe me from prisson; and now he will doe no more, and I cannot blame him, for, had not he bene, I had ben dead in prisson afore now. Kind John Elow, speake to Sir Timothie that he would be pleased to lend

me +L10 12 (^s.^) to pay him, and I shall thinke my selfe happy, and be bound to pray for his worship, and in tyme pay his worship agayne. Soe I would intreat you to showe Sir Timothie this letter, wherby he may understand my wants at this tyme, for they wear never more. No more at this tyme, but, intreating your answer, I commit you to the protection of Allmighty God. From the Blew Anchor in Fild Lane, London, June the 14=th=. Susan hath sent you a token for a remembrance, of hir owne makinge. Your loving ffrind to his power, Timothie Hutton.

[} [\LETTER CLI.\] WILL. ALDBROUGH [\TO SIR TIMOTHY HUTTON\] .}] [\Januarie 15, 1622-3.\] Ryght Worshippful. Forasmuch as I am not able in bodye to come to your sessions at this instant, having formerly bene att the sessions at Hemsley; therfore I thought fitt to signifie unto you, thatt yf yt stand with your good-likinge, that, according to his Majestie's orders, there shall be a division of our selves into sundry wapentakes for the spede preventing and remidinge of the dearth of corne and other victualls according to the said orders, I shall be redye for the spede execucion of the said service to joyne with those of our assosiats as you shall think fitting for the execucion of the said service within the wapentake of Hallikell and Hangeast, upon notice of the tyme and place which I thinke fitting afore your departure from sessions to be sett downe, and notice therof to be geven to the head constable now present at your sessions. The place I think fitting to be att Burneston; the tyme as shortly as you can; the charge to bee that the pettie constable and bring [\SIC\] a note of all brewsters lycensed and lycensed maltsters, and the malsters to be present, all badgers and ingrossers

of corne, and whatt further derections you will sett downe. Thus, upon notice of your pleasures hearein, I will be redye to the best of my knowledg to do his Majesty service, both now and all other tymes. Yours in all kindenes, Will. Aldiburgh. Ellingthorp, Januarij 15, 1622. William Rey of Kirbie super Moram, I hold him not fitting to tiple, for that he doth harbour by a whole weak to gether contemptououse persons to the law; therefore I pray you lett him be disallowed by sessions.

[} [\LETTER CLV.\] A COPIE OF MY LETTER TO MR. RYGGE.}] [\Aug. 18, 1623.\] Sir, I suppose you are nott ygnorant of a match which was intended betwyxt my maugh Cleburne hys eldest sonne Edmund and my daughter. I doe protest unto you (in the word of truth) that the breach thereof is no smale dyscontentment unto me; and that I must needs cleare the young gentleman soe farre, that there was noe fault neither in hym selfe nor on hys syde, but onely the dysaffaction of my foolysh daughter, whoe is lyke (and shall) to pay for hyr follye. I understand that there hath beene conference betwyxt hym and you touching hys sonne with your daughter, whearein (yf ytt shall please God that yt goe forward) I shall nott be a lyttle glad that he shall match with one of such integretye as you are reported to be. Hys estate is fayre, and such as (with a lyttle tyme) will free hym from all incombrances: and bycause I know you cannott but be desyrous to know them, I have delyvared a note of them unto my maugh (the bearer heareof) which he wyll shew you. As for myne owne mony, which I have payd, I wyll nott take one pennye for use, butt that I may have ytt upon one quarter's warning yf of necessytye I must requyre ytt; which I thinke wyll nott be hastely, for my daughter is nott much above fowarteene yeares ould. As for other bonds which I am entred into for hym to supply hys occasions, I hope noe reasonable man wyll thinke ytt unreasonable to desyre securitye for myne indemnitye. I wyll wyllinglye release any interest that I have in hys estate, upon such securitye as shalbe reasonablye requyred; and that the covenants for the good of the chyldren be parformed, for I must profess that I wyll never betray that trust that is reposed in others with myself for them whylst I lyve. These things performed, and that there be an agreement betwyxt you, (which I beseach God to dyrect and bless,) I shalbe verye desyrous that the busynes may receave an overture,

and wylbe wylling to meate whensoever and whearesoever you or any shall please to prefyx. And thus I rest, Your verrye loving freind, T. H. Marske, Aug. 18, 1623. My letter to Mr. Rygge.

[} [\LETTER CLIX.\] MY LETTER TO MY LORD'S GRACE OF YORKE FOR MR. SHERRARD.}] [^TO THE ARCHBISHOP OF YORK^] [\8ber ult. 1623.\] My dutye remembred, &c. I made bould att my last beeing att Byshoppthorp humblye to entreate your Grace's favoure in the behalfe of thys bearer M=r=. Sherrard; and I dyd then intimate unto your Grace that (with your favourable acceptance) I would wryte with hym unto you att such tyme as he brought the booke which your Grace requyred hym to wryte. I must acknowledg that I have nott deserved to obtayne any sute of you; yett such is the nature of necessytye that yt oftentymes presumeth upon (\non erubescunt literae\) . And, now that I have begunne to speake unto my Lord, (\"ne quaeso accendatur ira Domini, si loquar tantum hac vice"\) . Good my Lord, even for God's sake, hys glorie, and the good of hys Church, lett me beseech and humbly beg your favour for hym, whose integretye of lyfe I know, and whose learning you know, and for both I know nott many such. I know your Grace hath many worthye Chaplaynes, whoe depend on you for there preferrement; butt myne humble sute is, that (as God hath made them fyshers of men) your Grace would bestow such a poore flye on hym as your Chaplaynes happelie wyll nott vouchsafe to bate there hookes withall. The poore meanes that he hath is nott worth twentye pownds (\per annum\) (I speake of the most), having a wyfe, twoe chyldren and one half (I speake of the least); and such is the myserie of the tyme, and my desyre to wyshe hym good, as I would wyllingly gyve out of my poore estate one, twoe, or three hundreth powndes to buye hym a lyving yf I knew how to come by ytt: butt thys I make bould to wryte unto your Grace to shew my symple condition to hym as a learned mynyster, and as I am myselfe a poore sonne of a Levyte; your Grace's honorable and free dysposition to all schollars beeing known unto all. Thus,

loath to add tediousnes to bouldnes, and humblye craving pardon for the same, I doe rest, Humblye at your Grace's comandment, T. H. Richmund, (\8=bris= ult.\) [\1623.\]

[} [\LETTER CLX.\] MY LETTER TO MR. DODSWORTH, CHANCELLOR, FOR ETHERINGTON.}] [\9ber 22, 1623.\] Sir, I have made bould heeretofore to entreate your lawfull favour for Tho. Cooke, alias Etherington, in hys tedious and chardgeable sute; which now I heare is to be sentenced upon Thursday next. If you please to remember, I was att your owne howse, when and wheare I shewed you all the evydences which weare taken upon oath for the King, and they prooved strongly for hym; otherwyse he had been condemned att the last assises, and had suffered death, which had gyven an end to all hys trobles: butt now, whatt with the hanging of cause soe long, and that yf sentence goe agaynst hym, ytt wylbe worse then death unto hym, beeing utterlye undon allreadye. And, good Sir, gyve me leave to remember you, that, when I shewed you the depositions, you sayd that you had beene stronglye enformed of the heynousnes of the fact, and that you never heard soe much to the contrarye before; and that, yf they weare true, there would be no doubt but the cause would goe well enough on hys syde. Sir, nott to interpose my poore opynyon with your reverend judgment, I doe proteste unto you even upon my conscience and knowledg ytt is as conscionable a cause (whearein I beseech your favour) as ever I knew in my lyfe. I would nott wrongfullye intimate thus much unto you, bycause if the cause goe agaynst hym ytt is hys undoing (as he is allreadye), yea though ytt weare upon the hazard of myne owne overthrow, for all the worlde; butt onlye that I cannott contayne but in soe conscionable a case to entreate your lawfull and just censure.

And the rather for that I have heard ( (\nescio quo\) ) that you are resolved to gyve sentence agaynst hym; which I doe rather wonder att then beleave, knowing that the judgement of a judge is (untyll ytt be delyvered) (\in scrinio pectoris\) . He hath beene mooved by dyvers to appeale further, but I have styll dyswaded hym from ytt; assuring hym of your upryghtnes and lawfull favoure, wheareof I doubt not, and whearein you shall fynd hym an humble and thankefull remembrancer of the same. And thus, loath to add tediousnes to bouldnes, I rest your ever loving frend, T. H. (\9ber\) 22, 1623.

[} [\LETTER CLXII.\] WILL. ALDEBROUGH [\TO SIR TIMOTHY HUTTON\] COM. PRO RECUSAN.}] [\5 Sep. 1624.\] Syr Tymothie, I would desire you, as convenienly as you could, to send me word what tyme and place you appoynte for the executione of his Majestie's commission to us and others directed for the levying of his Majestie's fines for the fynes of the recusants. It is lett me understand (but I am nott certayne) that the Commissiners have setten upon the said commisson in all devisions save Richmondshire; so I would desyre you that wee might not be slacke therin, and that you would appoynt a place within twelfe myles, for I am not able further to travill. Thus, with my love and kinde wishes to you, my ladye, and your children, I committ you to God. Yours in all kindenes, Will. Aldeburgh. Ellingthorpe, the 5=th= Sept. 1624.

[} [\LETTER CLXVI.\] JOHN JACKSON, RECTOR OF MASKE, [\TO MATTHEW HUTTON, ESQ.\] }] [\June 2, 1637.\] Good Sir, I do so thirst for your returne, and languish so thorough my defeated hope of having enjoyed yow heere this night, that I have neither mind ne power to write more than two words. And (indeed) to be cramped with reading a short letter is less torment then to be putt on the rack with a long. Touching your sweet self-multiplyed ones (of which yow desire to heare in the first place), M=r=. Jones, in your absence, hath bene as carefull of them as one could be of a christall glass. They are all three as your owne harts could wish them; that is, very well, save that Jacky laboureth a little in his eyes. Babby (whose innocent actions carry theyr warrant with them) cheeres us all with her warme and moyst kisses. Touching the mony yow wrote about, I can say nothing but as the day shall bring forth. You know who is to be the paymaster of the greater part of it; one who, if all the rules of physiognomy be not false, will not pay just at his day. The bearer heereof will also beare yow all the regreets that yow can expect from your owne family. I send yow mine heere under seale, not so much for the secrecy as for the sureness thereof. Also to M=rs=. Hutton and M=rs=. Rothy more harty affection then poetry can feigne or oratory vary; also to

yow all this short but full prayer, Jesu be your Jesus! From Marske, a place seated betweene 4 great hills, or (as yow may properly speake) the English Alpes; which, though it be our habitation, yet, in your so long absence, our place of banishment. Yours verily, to be ever commanded, Joh. Jackson. June 2=o=, 1637.

[} [\LETTER CLXVII.\] JOHN JACKSON [\TO MATTHEW HUTTON, ESQ.\] }] [\March 1637-8.\] Good S=r=, We now begin to grow impatient of your long absence from us: so, as I am a generall suitour to pray yow to fold upp your businesses and make hast northe-ward. By our neighbour, M=r=. Nicholson, I wrote to yow. By your servant, Th. Cl., I receaved a kind letter from yow, for which I owe yow much thancks; whereby I perceave yow have very notably fitted mee with a trilingue psalterium, which indeed is just such an one as I would have (if it be well printed). For the Chaldee or Syriack I care not, and only mentioned them because I thought yow would hardly gett one of the three tongues only. I pray, Sir, let it be preserved even as it is, without alteration of binding, if already yow have not delivered it over to be broken by the bookbinder. So as the book yow had upp with yow being fayrely bound, and that only brought downe, yow have fully therein concurred with my desires. I hope by this tyme M=r=. Bulwer's debet is payed yow. I must needs, in the behalf of my wife, pray yow also to buy her 2 fayr and usefull bone combes, about 16 or 18=d=. a piece. God send us yow saffe home is a piece of our March leiturgy, and of Yo=r= very fr. and servant, Jo. Jackson.

[} [\LETTER CLXXXII.\] THE ARCHBISHOP OF YORK TO THE BISHOP OF DURHAM.}] [^TO TOBIE MATTHEW^] [\7 Mar. 1603-4.\] (\Salutem in Christo!\) I think my self very much beholden unto your Lordship for your many pitthie kind letters. Your former good advertisements towching the late Conference and Commissioners, &c. did pass somewhat slowlie; but your woeful letter of the heavie news of the death of that most reverend and worthy Archbishop, brought to me on Saturday last, came too, too soon, the Lord God knoweth. Many (no doubt) may, and do lament, that his Majesty hath lost a faithful, good counsillor; the Church a great and notable pillar and patron; and my self also have special cause to sorrow for the want of such an auncient, constant, and dear friend. It is a singular comfort and incouragement to us all, that his Highness vouchsafed so graciouslie to visit him; wherein, as in many other excellent vertues and things, he doth imitate his late dear sister, worthy Queen Elizabeth, who did alway bear and shew a special good affection toward him. God move his Majestyes royal and religious heart (the sooner the better) to make special choice of one to succeed him; and I think that either your Lordship, or my Lord of Winchester, is like to have the place: albeit the dealing with the Sec [\Secular\] Priests against the Jesuits in his Majesty's time is now said to be a good service, and that it was done only to advance his Majesty's title against the Spanish faction. I send you and my Lord of London my proxy, jointly and severally, lest your Lordship should happen to be sick, &c. I pray you help Sir John Bennet to such copies or things as are to be sent hither, and must be confirmed by Convocation. Thus, beseeching God to bless your Lordship with His manifold graces, and that I may never see you more (though I love you entyrely) but that you may be placed there, to God's glory, the good of

His church, and your own contentment, I bid you most hartily farewel. From Bishopthorp, the vii=th= of March, 1603. Your Lordship's very assured loving friend and brother, Matth. Ebor. To the Right Reverend Father, my very good Lord and Brother, the Bishop of Duresme.

[} [\LETTER CLXXXVI.\] THOMAS BOWES TO SIR TIMOTHY HUTTON.}] [\4 May, 1623.\] Sir, I have beene at Newcastle and at Sir Wm. Wrey's, but Sir Wm. Wrey was gone into Yorkshire. I stande in doubt I shall not gitt money in tyme. I have spoken with one M=r=. Coale; his answere is delatorye. He seemes as thoughe he woulde buy yt; but he hath an offer of Folansbye by my nephew Hiltone, that lyes nearer to Newcastle, and therefore he will not part with his money untill he be resolved for yt: yet he hath promised me an answere this weeke by our carryers that goes to Newcastle. Upon his words I went to the east of Bishoppricke to have spoken with my nephew John Hilton, but I missed of

him; and his wife tells me that she thinkes yt is not of sale. I shall have answere from John Hilton tomorrow, as I expecte. I have written to Sir Wm. Wrey by this bearer: what yt will worke with him I know not; but, yf he please to doe me the favour he may doe, I shall rest ever beholden to him. If he returne me any answere, call for yt and see yt, yf you please; and, howesoever he please to doe, I will not cease to labor to procure this money at some hand, and therefore I staye tomorrow at home to heare from him. I have ridden downe my grasse horses in this journey, otherwise I would have come over; but I must needs ease them to-daye, to have them readye upon Tuesday. Thus, commendinge my love to you, I rest Your assured lovinge brother, Thomas Bowes.

[} [\LETTER CLXXXVII.\] THOMAS BOWES TO SIR TIMOTHY HUTTON.}] [\3 Jan. 1623-4.\] Sir, I praye you let me intreate you to enter bond agayne to my cosin Wycliffe for the 50=li= that you stand bound for with M=r=. Blackborne. I intreated my cosin Wycliffe to put in my name; but yt seemes his sonne hath mistaken yt, for my cosin Wycliffe haith sent his sonne and a bond onelye with your name and John Blackburn's. I have intreated M=r=. Blackburn to stand bound agayne, and he is come to our house, where wee expect the bond; and, when he hath sealed yt, I will come up with my cosin Ascoughe to you. Soe, comendinge my love to you, I rest Your assured lovinge brother, Thomas Bowes. Januarye 3=d=, 1623.

[} [\LETTER CLXXXVIII.\] THOMAS BOWES TO SIR TIMOTHY HUTTON.}] [\31 Oct. 1624.\] Sir, I praye you be pleased either to send one to Sir Conyers Darcye for the deed, that he wilbe pleased to bringe it to you tomorrow to Bedall, or send your man from Bedall for yt tomorrow; for I can not call upon Tuesday with any conveniency at Horneby, beinge to speake with M=r=. Davill that morninge, for sooner I can't gett to him. I goe this night to Streatlam for my sister's joyntur, and return tomorrow, and soe to Yorke. I praye you therefore eyther send your man in the morninge to Sir Conyers for yt, or from Bedall for yt. Soe in hast comendinge my love to you I rest Your assured lovinge brother, Thomas Bowes. Oct. 31=st=. [\ENDORSED\] 1624.

[} [\LETTER CLXXXIX.\] MATTHEW HUTTON TO SIR TIMOTHY HUTTON.}] [\After 27 Mar. 1625.\] Sir, My duty bindes me to this observance, as to give you a weekely accompt of our parliamentary proceedinges. My last letters acquainted you with such passages as had had there overture in my absence, since which time (\"sic se res habet"\) . A select committee of 12 spent the beginninge of this weeke (the House in the mean time not sitting) in examininge all the phisitions and surgeons that attended of our late King att his death, about a potion which was given by the Duke of Buckingham to the King, and a plaister applyed by his directions; both of them being contrary to the general directions of all the phisitions, and absolutely disliked and gainesaid by some, by name D=r=. Ramsey (who since his examination is committed): which act of the Duke was judged, first by the judgement of the 12, and afterwards upon report to the House, to be and act of a transcendent presumption,

and of a dangerous consequence; and so resolved to be annexed to the Duke's charge. Montagu is, for his booke, transmitted to the higher House; and his booke judged to be contrary to some of the articles maintained by our Church. The Earle of Bristow was sent for, as was supposed, as a delinquent; but must first come into the higher House as a Peere: this 'generally thought the King will be his accuser. (\Caetera quis nescit?\) His sonne, this morninge, presented our House with a petition containinge many articles against the Duke; and those of such consequence, that it is probable that one of them will suffer. I intend (God willinge) to put in my bill of Thursday next; I pray God send itt good success. Sir John Bennett is not yet come to towne, neyther can I make any certainty of any money. M=r=. Sotherne is content that we shall have a parley, but what it will produce I cannot as yett imagine; I am advised both by M=r=. Justice Hutton and others to buy him out, though we pay deer for itt: and therefore, good Sir, acquaint my unkles with the dangers, that they may be motives for them to allow of our composition; for, when we shall have both Marbury his recognizance, and these two statutes in our owne power to extend upon the estate, we need not doubt but that all subsequent securityes will be glad of reasonable composition. And thus, with an humble tender of my duty, I rest Your obedient sonne, Matthew Hutton. Fleet Street, att the signe of the Ship, neere Temple Barr.

[} [\LETTER CXC.\] THOMAS BOWES TO SIR TIMOTHY HUTTON.}] [\20 May, 1625.\] Sir, I have beene diverse wayes to have gott money, but as yet I cannot finde any that hath money or will finde money: onelye M=r=. Dawson of Newcastle hath ready money, but he hath gone throw with M=r=. Trolopp for his land, and payes him this

day +L1,900; that bargayne was once gone back, but they are now agreed. I know M=r=. Robinson woulde gladly buy some lande, and yett I cannot gett him to buy myne: and in good faythe he shall have yt free of all troubles, by God's grace, yf he will buy; and he shall have yt leased, yf he like, for 21 yeares. I have sought diverse wayes, and yet will looke for more, that I may satisfy your last kindnes, as all your other, with what conveniency I can; and I praye you, yf he have any occasion to come to you, that you will speake to Williamson of Barton to buy parte of yt. I entreated my nephew Dodsworth to speake with him in that kinde. Thus, commendinge my love to you, desirous to see you shortly, I rest Your assured lovinge brother, Thomas Bowes. Streatlam, the 20=th= May, 1625.

[} [\LETTER CXCI.\] MATTHEW HUTTON TO SIR TIMOTHY HUTTON.}] [\23 Sep. 1626.\] Sir, M=r=. Sotherne hath falsifyed his trust, and this morninge before I gott to towne arrested my unckle Thomas; who, for any thing I can gather from him, is content to undergoe the extreamity of the law, and that out of willfulnes rather then necessity. He intendeth, yf he can prevayl with the Under- Sheriff, to see you in his way; in which respect I have made bold humbly to intreat your forbearance of any further engaging yourselfe untill all such to whom any preceding incumbrances do appertaine be called in, to knowe what security they will be content to accept off, that so we may know the uttermost of our dangers before we engage ourselves any further. I intend this night to know Sir Talbot his intention, and presently after you shall partake the same. Thus cravinge pardon for my boldness, humbly cravinge your blessing for Your dutifull sonne Matthew Hutton. Rich. 23=th= 7=ber=, 1626. To his lovinge father, S=r= Timothy Hutton, K=t=., att Popleton, be these del. The bearer is satisffyed.

[} [\LETTER CXCII.\] THOMAS BOWES TO SIR TIMOTHY HUTTON.}] [\25 Sep. 1626.\] Sir, M=r=. Sotherne has arrested me upon the first statute, being 600=li=. I am now here in the castle at Yorke, and came hither yesterday; I could gitt neyther paper nor inke untill my man came, for otherwise I had written to you yesterday. I think I must give bond for my true imprisonment; and therefore I have made bolde to write theese to you, and to intreate you to joyne with me for security, and my sonne shall give you what bonde you please to keepe you harmeles of that bonde. I came upon such a sudden that I am unprovided of money; I praye you therefore that you will be pleased to lend me tenn pounds for sixe weeks, and you shall then have yt repayed. I have not as yet spoken with M=r=. Blawithe what bond he will require: but, require what he will, I hope you are persuaded I will not offer to doe my self or frends wrong in yt; yt beinge nowe way beneficiall to me, but hurtfull. Thus, comendinge my love to you and the Ladye Hutton, I rest Your assured lovinge brother Thomas Bowes. From the Castle at Yorke, this 25=th= of Sept. 1626.

[} [\LETTER CXCIV.\] SIR TALBOT BOWES TO SIR TIMOTHY HUTTON.}] [\20 Jan. 1626-7.\] Maugh! I perceyve by my sister, that, though sundrye of my supposed freindes be lyke doves that forsake ruinous houses, yet yowe contynue still the same yowe alwayes were; our declininge fortunes have made no alteration in your affection. I have now no meanes of requitall of any your least favours, but onelye to gyve youe thankes for all togyther. If I shoulde enter into particulars, I know not where to beginne; but that which is in present use is freshest in memorye: and therefore, first, I thank you for your tabacco sent to my wyf; for I owe as much thankes as she, bycause I participate with her in the takying of yt. I cannot be unmyndefull to gyve you thankes for your sonne Phillip's companye with us, for he gave us a sermon wherein we receyved muche comfort and great cause of rejoycinge. In good fayth, I am verye glad to see his good proofs; and, the rather, bycause I doubte not but yt will gyve you an extraordinarye contentment. I have had a great desyre to come to see you; and it is not distance of place, nor unseasonableness of weather, or yet wayes, that coulde keepe me from you: but my brother's misfortune makes me afrayd to fall into the same danger, and so I hope you will take yt. How thinges stand between Richard Fletcher and us, my sister hath related to you. I intend the next weeke to wryte to him, and what answere he gyves me you shall heare so soon as I can. In the mean tyme I will saye noe more but hast, hast; lappinge up in sylence what I cannot expresse in wordes. And among my manye afflictions, next after my spirituall comfort, this is my last consolation, that you do still accept me into your good

opinion; whiche I will ever seeke to preserve, that I maye be still reputed Your brother-in-law and true love, Talbot Bowes. Streatlam, the 29=th= of Januarye, 1626. To the Ryght Worshippfull my verie lovinge brother, Sir Tymothye Hutton, Knight, gyve these.

[} [\LETTER CXCV.\] MATT. HUTTON [\TO SIR TIMOTHY HUTTON, HIS FATHER\] .}] [\9=ber= 2, 1627.\] Sir, I thanke God I am safely arrived att Marske, and left my wyfe (as wee thinke and hope) past all danger; for the 9=th= day was past ere I left her, and they att the height. I intend to goe to Littleburne to her of Tuesday, in hope to bringe her home (with the help of the coach) the latter end of that weeke: yf she be not able to ride, then I must leave her. And immediately after Martinmas day I will hasten to Popleton to observe your directions, and follow the advice of counsell in takinge security for such further engagementes as we shall engage our selves for my unckles. And thus, with the tender of my duty to your selfe, and my service to my Lady and M=r=. Weekes, I rest Your dutifull sonne, Matth. Hutton. Marske, 2=d= (\9=ber=\) , 1627.

[} [\LETTER CXCVI.\] SIR TALBOT BOWES TO SIR TIMOTHY HUTTON.}] [\18 Nov. 1627.\] Sir, I was muche comforted and refreshed with hope that, by your good meanes and your sonne's, my brother should have had present delyverye from his long and tedious imprisonment: but I perceyve yt is God's will yet to trye me further how I can beare his hand; for of late I receyved a letter from my nephew Matthew, wherein he desyred that with patience his jorney to London

for that occasion might be deferred till Candlemas terme, in respect both of his owne weaknes and his wyf's dangerous sicknes, whom to leave so soone in suche a case woulde be to her a great discomfort and discouragement. I returned him answere, that God forbyd I shoulde intreate him to anythinge that was eyther an impayringe of his owne health or a discomfort to his wyfe; and, in good fayth, I then writ truely and ingeniouslye as I thought: but since I hear that his wyf is pretylye well recovered, and I hope he himselfe may undertake suche a jorney without danger; whiche yf yt may be, then I woulde intreate your furtherance thereunto. It is true that my brother's imprisonment is greevous unto me, in respect he is my brother; and yt is augmented by this, that yt is generally apprehended to be for my cause. I have no freinde in the world whom I dare intreate in so great a busines as his deliverye but your self alone; and yet I am not so thirstye to compasse myne owne desyre, nor so respectlesse of the wellfare of yourself and your posterytye, as to intreate you to anythinge unlesse you first see yourself freed from feare of future danger. But, yf that may be done, then myne earnest desyre is for expedition in the busines; for I perceyve delayes wilbe a great discomfort to my brother, and in that respect too grevous to my self. I will saye no more, but the experience of your former love hath made me adventure upon this request; and, yf there be any cause of my presence to make securytye, upon notice thereof I will not fayle to come to Yorke: and in the mean tyme thinke this of me, I beseeche you, that I will never forget what you have done for Your distressed brother-in-lawe and love, Talbot Bowes. Streatlam, the 18=th= of November, 1627.

[} [\LETTER CXCVII.\] MATTHEW HUTTON TO SIR TIMOTHY HUTTON, HIS FATHER.}] [\6 Feb. 1627-8.\] Sir, Tis now certainly agreed that there shall be a parliament, and to begin upon the 17=th= of March. Good Sir, sollicite the

towne that wee may continew our places, that I may endeavour the prosecution of that course which I formerly intended as the onely meanes we have to attaine our ease and comfort. Yf my cosin Christopher Wandesford be not off the House, I fear we shall not effect our desires; and therefore, yf S=r=. Talbot will not be perswaded to desist, I pray you lett my cosin have the place rather then myselfe. I was in hope to have gott out of towne this weeke, but I fear I shall not; for some of the gentlemen with whom I am to treat be out of towne, and I must stay there returne. I have placed my brother Thomas with M=r=. Farmer: the indentures are not yet sealed, so as I cannot send you the conditions. My brother Phillip prosecutes his suit, but I much fear the success will not answear his paines. The 20=li=, as dew upon your accompt, we must take order to pay; but we hope to gett my order from the Barons of the Exchequer to stay the seisure for the 60=li= till there come a charge demonstratinge the particulars, which they thinke will be (\ad Graecas calendas\) . And thus, with the tender of my duty to your selfe, and my service to my Ladye (whose freindes are all well), I rest Your dutifull sonne, Matth. Hutton. London, 6=th= Feb. 1627. I am summoned by the bell to doe the last offices of a friend to M=r=. Christopher Brooke.

[} [\LETTER CXCVIII.\] ANNE, WIFE OF THOMAS BOWES, TO MATTHEW HUTTON.}] [^TO MATTHEW HUTTON, ESQ.^] [\1629.\] Good Nephew, Let me intreat you to looke amongst your writings for the articles that was last agreed upon betwixt Sir Gorge Bowes and mi husband, for I think you have them; for, if you cannot helpe me to them, I knowe not what to doe: for Sir Gorge Bowes wil not pay the rent charg which was due at Martinmas last, but still puts me of that there is some reckening betwixt his unckell and him, which I knowe not how to answer till I se the

articles: for, if there be anything in them unperformd, so it is; for, since the time those was maid, I am sure we neither bought nor tooke any thing of him. Good Sir, for God sake perrues the articles, and, as you find them, let me have your best adviss what to doe, for I would be verie loth to doe Sir Gorge any wrong; and yet mi owne necesseties presethe me so, that, if it be due, I would have it. There is tow-and-fortie shillings more which Sir Gorge should have paid me mor than a year since, but I canot get one peny from him. The rent charg was assined me to pay for that ground I hav of Will Dowethwat at Barforth, and it much greves me that I should be soe ill a tenant as not to paye my rent when it is due; for I only desird that I might hav that rent charg assind me to discharg that rent at Barforth, thinkin it would alwaies hav bene surly payd at such times as it was due: but he stil delaies, and forceth me to wrong you for your rent. Thus, hoping you will excuse me at this time, promising hereafter to be a better tanant, I rest with mi true and due respect to you and all yours, desiring still to remain Your faithfull loving aunt to her pore, Anne Bowes. [\NO DIRECTION.\]

[} [\LETTER CXCIX.\] THOMAS BOWES TO MATTHEW HUTTON.}] [^TO MATTHEW HUTTON, ESQ.^] [\27 June, 1630.\] Sir, Upon perusall of your counsell opinion, I finde that he insists much upon a deede made from Sir George Bowes to you of the castle, mannor, and lordship of Streatlam, (\anno\) 1629. Sir George Bowes att that time hadd nothing to doe with the castle or mannor, but I shall not dispute eyther his right or ours at a distance: onely give me leave to acquainte you, that, unlesse you will be pleased to come over accordinge to your agrement and mine, the tenants will drive your tenants' goods; which I should be loath should be done untill wee had a fuller understandinge of the busines.

My cozen Cleburne went this morninge to Thornton from hence: she expected to have mett you here; but faylinge, she desired me to acquaint you, that you will heare of her eyther att Cillerby or there. Be assured none is more unwillinge that any trouble should fall out betwixt you and my brother then your affectionate cozen, Thomas Bowes. June 27=th=, 1630. For his kinde cozen Mathew Hutton, Esq. these.

[} [\LETTER CCI.\] THOMAS BOWES TO MATTHEW HUTTON.}] [^TO MATTHEW HUTTON, ESQ.^] [\5 June, 1633.\] Sir, I have but relation of Sir George Bowes' busines, concernynge which, as he says, is this: he hath payed, as he reports, 1200=li= of the money, and had the rest there readye to paye; of which summe my nephew Thomas Delavale brought 700=li= from his sister-in-lawe, with direction from her to bringe it againe; for, Sir George Bowes not havinge credite to procure the whole summe, he and his ladye went to Seaton, and dealt there with his sister Barbarye for 700=li= until Pentecost, and that she shoulde have securitye out of Bradley to have her money repayed then. After this he writt agayne to his sister-in-law not to fayle him at the tyme, for that she shoulde have her money returned agayne; whereupon she sent the money with her brother, my nephew Thomas Delavale, and I thinke the whole summe was tendred: but, M=r=. Eurye having some speach with Mr. Delavale, yt was perceived that the 700=li= must not be payed: whereupon the Lady Eurye broke off, and woulde doe nothinge without all her money. M=r=. Delavale was laboured both by Tobye and John Ewbanke to lend yt untill Pentecost, and they would then repaye; but he would not goo from her direction. Sir George did promise securitye

out of the land; and, when the deed came to be seene, yt is sayde that land was to passe in Sir George Bowes' sonne's name. Soe all is wronge there. John Ewbanke hath an estate, as yt is said, of Cleatlam, and haith his goodes there; and Sir George Bowes is glad to take some part of yt of him, and the house. He is now at Newcastle; and yt seemes he thinkes his money will never have an end, for he is making matches with the lordes of horse-courses, and, as we heare, hath made 2 matches, the one for 40=li=, thother for 100=li=; soe that wee feare he will make an end of all soone: and yt is given out that they intend to goe and live at London at Michaelmas, and live there upon the interest of their money. I heare the Ladye Eurye is cuttinge down such wood as there is there, and Sir George Bowes sent to forbid them; but this forbiddinge will take noe place: so that wee see noe good to be doone for him, yf he cannot gett yt by lawe. In good fayth, I could not tell you any thinge touchinge my brother Warcop's performance with you, neyther knew I any thinge of his abilitye; and seldom do I see him. Yo write that yo have sent me the bill of charges touchinge the judgment to Christ. Peacock. I asked your man yf he had any other writinge to me than your lettre, and his answer ys that he hath none: soe that I have see noe such note. Your tenant Parmely had a cowe driven by baylies. As for my contempt, when I was at York, I caused the court to be sought, and noe such thinge is there to be found against me; and the truth is, I never had a lettre served upon me wherbye suche contempts should accrue: so that I thinke yo may have a very good amendes of the bailyes; for, yf it had bene soe that I had beene in contempt, they must take my owne goods for it, and not an other's. I shall disburse none to drawe your fine, but both I and my sonne will perform what is ryght to be doone yf the fine be accordinge to Sir George Bowes' deed for the demaine. Thus in hast I have written yo an answer to all your enquiries, soe well as I can; but the truth is, wee of Streatlam are mere strangers to Sir George Bowes' businesses. And soe, commendinge my love to yo, I rest Your assured lovinge uncle, Thomas Bowes. June the 5=th=, 1633. To the Right Worshipful my assured lovinge nephew, Mathew Hutton, Esq., at Maske, theese be dd. [^CORRESPONDENCE OF ROBERT DUDLEY, EARL OF LEYCESTER, DURING HIS GOVERNMENT OF THE LOW COUNTRIES, IN THE YEARS 1585 AND 1586. ED. BY BRUCE, JOHN. CAMDEN FIRST SERIES 27. 1844.^]

[} [\LETTER I. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 26TH SEPTEMBER, 1585.\] }] My verry good lord, her majestie sent me woorde by M=r= Da [^EDITOR HAS NOT IDENTIFIED THE ABBREVIATED NAME^] that I shoold speak unto your lordship that her plesure is you forbeare to proceed in your preparatyons untyll you speake with her. How this commethe abowt I know not. The matter is to be kept secreat. Thes chaynges here may woorke somme sooche chaynges in the Lowe Contrye as may prove irreparable. God give her majestye an othur mynde and resolution then in proceadyng otherwyse yt wyll woorke bothe hers and best

affected subiects ruine. And so I most humbly take my leave. At the courte, the 26. September, 1585. Your lordships to command, Fra: Walsyngham.

[} [\LETTER II. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM. 27TH SEPTEMBER, 1585.\] }] Sir, I have this night, at j a clok, received your letter, which doth signyfie that her majesties pleasure ys, I shuld stey my preperations untyll I doe speake with her. I wyll lett you knowe how farr I have gonne, and than I shall obey hir majesties comandment, being knowen from you, for stey of the rest, and to undoe of that ys donn, as hir wyll shalbe. First; uppon hir first order geven, both from hir self and also confirmyd further by your letters by hir majesties comandment, I dyspached, betwene Thursday night and yesternight iiij a cloke, above ij=c= lettres to my servaunts, and sondry my frends, to prepare themselves, according to the order I had my self, with all the spede the could possible, to serve hir majestie, under me, in the Low Countreys. I am sure ther be a c of these alredy delyvered, and the rest wylbe before I can revoke them; having apointed the xviij. and xx. of the next month for ther repayr hether with

all ther furnyture. I have since, and before I cam my self to the Tower, taken upp both armours and stele saddelles, as many as must cost me a good pece of money. I have sett in hand sondry furnytures also for my self. I have taken upp ij or iij vessells to carry away presently certen provissions, as bear and other necessaryes, which must be ther before me. And, lastly, that I am most sorry for, the states that were at court cam hether to me this morning by ix a cloke, and spent ij owres with me, touching my dyspach, in so much as they werr reddy to knele to me for to make what hast for my none aryvall on the other syde that I could possibly, yea by all perswasions pressing me that I wold not stey tyll my full preparations werr made, and my companyes, but to be knowen once to be aryved at Mydelborow, or Flushing, with such as may sonest be reddy, for by that meanes I shuld be the cause of stey of greter matters than wold be wyshed thorow longer delay, for, they sayd, yt was very long alredy. They offerd me with all, that many things shuld be ther made reddy to receave me, even so sone as yf I went within vj days I shuld be prepared for. I did, hereuppon, tell them what streyt comandment I had received from hir majestie to hast me over, and what good wyll they shuld now fynd in me to performe the same. We agreed that I shuld send som servant of myne to have ther lettres over to se all things made ther reddy for me, yf I shuld followe within 14 or 15 days; I dyd so, and sent D. Doyly, whome ye know, who hath ther lettres, and, except my messenger find him, he ys gonn this morning tyde before iij a cloke; yet have I, uppon the sight of your lettre, sent one to seke him and to stey him. This farr alredy have I proceded. I told the states, also, that I steyd hereabout tyll I shuld prepare for my owne speedyer dyspach. Whereuppon this sudden change doth groe, M=r= secretary, I

can not imagin, nether wyll I meddell withall, but must obey her majesties pleasure yf she have determyned any alteration, which I desyer to hear from you, for yf I com to the court yt must more easyly breake out, as yt wyll notwithstanding, and I can but greve at the myserable estate of the pore aflycted; as for my owne, hit must be as the potters vessell, &c. For that I know this forenoon some of the estates wyll com ageyn to me about this cause, I wylbe absent somwhear tyll after none, by which tyme I wyll hope to receive further dyrectyon from you, which God grant to be best for her majesties own servyce and hir realme, by whose wysdom and government we are all lyke ether to stand or faule. Thus in much hast, praing you to excuse the imperfectyon of yt, being scrybled in my bed this Monday morning almost ij a clok. Your assured frend, R. Leycester. [\ADDRESSED.\] To the right honourable M=r= secretary Walsingham, hast, hast, hast.

[} [\LETTER III. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM. 27TH SEPTEMBER, 1585.\] }] This ys one of the strangest dealings in the world. I find yf

any lytle stey be longer, the alteration on the other syde wylbe past remedy. They ar so importunatt uppon me as I was feyn to promys them to be reddy my self to goe within xv days. I have don as I have wrytten, both in dyspach of my lettres and taking upp of the other necessaryes, which comes to no smale som, and now, was I in my money matters, and have my frends abrode for yt! What must be thought of such an alteration! For my parte, I am wery of lyfe and all. I pray you let me hear with spede. I will goe this morning to Wansted, to se som horses I have ther, where I wyll tary tyll iij a clok, and than retorn hether ageyn, and, yf the matter alter, I can have no hart to com at court, or look uppon any man, for yt wylbe thought some myslyking in me doth stey the matter. Send Philip to me, and God kepe you, and, yf you can possible, lern out the cause of this change. Your assured, R. L.

[} [\LETTER IV. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 27TH SEPTEMBER, 1585.\] }] My verry good lord, I wyll not fayle to acquaynt her majestye with the great compforte your lordship tooke thorrough her

grateowse dealyng towardes you, at sooche time as she dyd delyver her plesure unto you towching the imployment of you in the Lowe Contryes. My lords have semed to be verry wyllyng to further any thinge your lordship shall require for the advauncement of the servyce. But yf your lordships requests shall mynister matter of charge, thowghe yt be for publycke servyce, the impedyment wyll be fownde in her majestye, with whom I have had verry sharpe conflyctes abowt the Scottyshe causes, and all for charges. I wyll excuse your lordships absence in respecte of the necessytye of your being at London for the better expedytyon of your preparatyons. Sir Amyas Paulet proceaded forther in the preparatyons at Chartley then I lookd for. I wyll doe what I can to staye the intended remove thither, but I feare neyther ser Wat. Ashetons howse, nor Gyffordes, wyll be founde so apt. I wyll cause a sayll to be made of the felling of the quenes woodes, and of the used of hir stuffe. I fynde by the comyssyoners that they desyre greatly your presence on the other syde the seae, for that they dowbt, in respect of the present confusyon of governement, and the practyces in hand to drawe them to gyve eare to the prince of Parma, ther may faule owt somme dayngerowse alteratyon in thos contryes. I knowe your lordship wyll make what speed you may, and yf your good wyll myght have taken place, the daynger they feare by delaye had ben avoyded. I wyll doe my best indevor to see your lordship somme tyme to morrowe, or next daye, at your howse in London, and so, in the

meane tyme, I most humbly take my leave. At the courte the xxvij=th= of September, 1585. Your lordships to command, Fra: Walsyngham. I woold be glad to undarstande whether your lordship hathe had sir Thomas Cicell in remembraunce. [\ADDRESSED.\] To the right honorable my very good lord the earle of Leycester.

[} [\LETTER V. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM.\] }] Sir, I doe not meane to make any request that shall encreace any neu chardge, albeyt hir majesty, I trust, shalbe well provided to have hir own chardges saved in the end. You know what my sutes ar lyke to be, only to se me go accompanyd with such suffycyent

persones as shalbe requysytt in so weighty a servyce as this ys. And herein, good Mr. secretary, stand fast to me in dede; for I wyll seke nothing, by my jorney, in this world, but to doe servyce to hir majestie and this realme, and nothing I am in sure hope wyll hinder yt but letting me from such able persons as I shall desyer. I gave my nephew Philip this morning som notes to conferr with you about. I hope, sir, I may have that I made you acquantyd with v or vj c of my owne tenauntes, whom I wyll make as good reconing of a[{s{] of 1000 of any that ar yet gonn over, and no way to encreace hir majesties chardges, and whan I shall speak with you, which I much desier, I wyll further satysfye you. Sir, my lord of Hunsdon hath sent his comandment, uppon his sonn Hobbyes informacion, for a bayly of Hersam, who had a book concerning ther own lybertyes and myne also, delyvered them by a stuard of myne only for a tyme to pleasure them, and now they have retornyd the booke ageyn to my offycer, and my lord, he sends, wyll comytt him for yt, but I trust that justyce wyll not be, for I must rather inform hir majesty; and this being the truth of the cause, I pray you, sir, help to kepe the pore man from prison, as I know yf you send to my lord that the party hath opened the cause to you, I know he wyll forbear him. I am

loth to have squares with him now. God kepe you, and so I rest your assured, R. Leycester. [\ADDRESSED.\] To my honorable good frend Mr. secretary Walsingham.

[} [\LETTER XI. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO LORD BURGHLEY. 5TH DECEMBER 1585.\] }] My very good lord, I am sorry I could not take my leave of you before my departure, but I hard, which I am sorry for, that

your lordships paines encreaced after my going from the court, and dyd lett your intended coming to London; but, seing that oportunyty taken away, I have thought yt my parte to byd your lordship fare well by these fewe lynes, whearin I shall wyshe your lordship perfect health, and many yeres to serve hir majesty, comending you for the same to the mightye protectyon of the Lord. My good lord, I may not, having this occasion, be unmyndfull of these thinges also, which I did think at my leave taking to have remembred to your lordship, albeyt I know the care you always have of hir majesties good servyces. Your lordship can not but remember the cause for which hit hath pleased hir majesty to send me into the Low Countreyes. Hit was not only by your lordship, but by the hole nombre of councellors agreed uppon, how mete and necessary hit was for hir highnes to yeld ayd and assistance for the relyfe of those aflicted countreys, her neghbours and most auncyent frendes: hit hath grown synce to nerer termes and resolucyons, aswell by hir majesties own wordes of comfort to them, as by contractes sett down betwen hir and them, by hir majesties comyssioners apointed for the purpose. I trust, my good lord, now that I have taken this voyage uppon me to serve hir majestie as she hath commanded, your lordship will be myndfull of me, poore man, but of the cause comytted now to my delinge chifely. Albeyt I have no mystrust but in so great absence, and such a servyce, I might greatly relye uppon your partyculer good wyll and regard of my self, but in this case I desier no respect nor regard of me, but of the cause, which I besech you, my lord, I may at this farewell recomend to your wysdome and great care. Hit cannott be but whatsoever lack shall happen to me in this servyce, but the want must turn to hir majestie; and, as ther can

no good, or honor, fall to this actyon, but yt must be wholy to the prayse and honour of hir majestie, so whatsoever disgrace or dyshonor shall happen (growing for lacke of our good maintenaunce) but yt wyll redownde to hir majestie also. Hir majestie, I se, my Lord, often tymes doth fall into myslyke of this cause, and sondrye opinions yt may brede in hir with all, but I trust in the Lord, seing hir highnes hath thus farr resolvyd and groen also to this farr executyon as she hath, and that myne and other mennes pore lyves and substances ar adventured for hir sake, and by hir comaundement, that she wyll fortefie and mainteyn hir owen actyon to the full performance of that she hath agreed on. Than shall ther be no dowbt, but assured hope, of all good success, to the glorye of God and perpetuall honour to hir majestie. My good lord, you may conceave my meaning without more wordes used to you, and the rather for that I desiered Mr. secretary to imparte a lettre to yow I wrote to him. I besech your lordship have this cause even to your hart, as yt doth appear yow have donn by consentynge to the adventure of your eldeth sonne in this servyce; for this I must say to you, yf hir majesty fayle with such suplye and maintenance as shalbe fytt, all she hath donn hetherto wylbe utterly lost and cast away, and wee hir pore subiectes no better than abiectes. And, good my Lord, for my last, have me only thus farr in your care, that in these thinges which hir Majesty and yow all have agreed and confirmed for me to doe, that I be not made a metamorphocys, that I shall not know what to doe. And so the Lord have you in his keping, preserve hir majestie for ever, and send me good spede in this servyce. In som hast this 5th of December, on my way to the sey syde; by your lordships assured frend, R. Leycester. My lord, no man feleth comfort but they that have cause of

grefe, and no men have so much nede of relyfe and comfort as those that goe in these dowbtfull servyces. I pray you, my lord, help us to be kept in comfort, for we wyll hazard our lyves for yt. [\ADDRESSED.\] To the right honourable my very good lord, the lord Burley, lord treasurer of England.

[} [\LETTER XII. LORD BURGHLEY TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 6TH DECEMBER 1585.\] }] My very good lord, I have receaved your courtess [^MS BURNT^] letter, wherein your lordship doth commend to me your honorable ca [^MS BURNT^] that your state and service now in hand doth require, whereof truly, my lord, I do assure yow, no less a portion of my care and travell for many respects to the furtherance of your own honor than if I war a most neare kynsman in bloode; and for the avancement of the action, if I should not with all the powers of my hart contynually both wish and work avancement therunto, I war to be an accursed person in the sight of God; consideryng the endes of this action tend to the glory of God, to the savety of the queens person, to the preservation of this realme in a perpetuall quietnes, wherin for my particular interest, both for my self and

my posterite, I have as much interest as any of my degree. And this I pray yow, my lord, mak a perfect accompt of me and for my doyngs. I referr the report to Mr. secretary, who hath this afternoone hard me, in most ernest sort, dell with hir majesty to favor and maynteane you and your action, as the only meanes at this tyme to bryng hir to savety. From my couch in my chamber, not yet hable to rise from it. God send your lordship a spedy good passadg. This vi. of December, 1585. Your lordships assured as any, W. Burghley.

[} [\LETTER XIII. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM. 15TH DECEMBER 1585.\] }] Sir, I have not the contract which passed betwene hir majesty and the states, which you promysed me I shuld have, and of necessyty I must nedes have yt sent to me, and, yf yt may be, the

very oryginall ys best, whearatt ther handes be; you may cause the coppye to be exemplyfied yf ye lyst. I have also perused the rates for the armye, which you sent me by Lloyd my secretarye, wherein you sett down my rate as generall without my ordynary company, as a gard, phisytyon, chaplen, clerkes, drom, fyfe, and such lyke, as other lyvetenauntes had, and as you dyd delyver me before, at the beginning; for all other great offycers, as marshall and such lyke, you told me yt must be alowed by this countrey chardges; which I meane to deale accordingly, &c. You sett doun all Mr. Kyllegrew and Mr. D. Clerk lx=s= a pece (\per dyem\) , which ys more than the governors of Flushing and Bryall have, and, as I remember, you told me that their allowance shuld be xl=s= a pece. I pray you lett me be answered of these iij matters with as much spede as may be. My laste is, to hear from you as ofte as may be, and to take ordre for your ordynary passenger on that syde, and to lett me hear how hir majesty acceptes of my doinges and wrytinges. The longer the winde doth holde our shipps the more occasion I shall howerly have to wryte. The greatest of all ys, first, to pray you to gett hir majestys favor that I may have vj=c=. or a 1000 of your Iresh idell men, such as be not only in her majestyes pay but very mete to be out of that countrey. The cause of my desier to have them ys, for that they be hard, and wyll abyde more pains than our men, tyll they have byn well trayned with hardnes as they have byn. My desier only ys, that hir majesty wryte a letter to my lord deputye to gyve such leave to come as he shall not imploye ther, and to further the beror that ys sent thether in all reasonable sort for his conveying and transportacion of them, without any chardge to hir majesty. Herein ye shall [\do\] hir majesty very great servyce, for I assure you ther be many dedd of

our souldyeres, and the enymye hath contynevall intellygence from us, only they think I have brought a mervelous suply, by the nomber of vesselles that cam over with me, and the rest that went into Holland, thinking my company ther and her ys not under iiij=m= at least. Ther be tyckettes also sent from London hether which no dowbtes past to the enymye quykly, and wyll doe no hurt, setting done the names of such as com with me, wherein there ys ij=c=. names of my none gentlemen sett down, and they, hearing I have so many gentlemen in my company, imagyn they are not without servauntes, and so owr nomber must be great; which opinion hath doon no harm, but yet yt wyll not long hold, and therfore, I pray you Mr. secretary, ether gett me this suply or elles 6 or 700 at the least out of England, to fill up our bandes, elsewyse you wyll be sorry to hear of the want and dyshonor that ys lyke to follow. Ther ys an other matter which I wold gladly be asuered of; I wrote yt in an other lettre, touching the allowance of the souldyer, at what rate he shalbe payd, whether after viij=d= the day stirling, or after Flemysh money, which maketh much adoe here. For our selues here, also, I trust you wyll remember, you ther may hereafter have cause to fele that we doe, and shall doe; therefore doe as you wold be done unto. Ther ys a pore matter of my none I left with you, Mr. secretary, which ys, a byll for ij leases, an ordinary matter, and I wyll pay for them; but my chefe care ys, there ys a statute of forfeture uppon yt of iij.=m= li., or ij=m=. li. at least, yf yt be not gotten before Crystmas day and delyvered to the party. I dyd once tell you of yt, as also comandyd Tho. Dudley to inform you therof; I pray you, sir, doe me the favor to dyspach yt, or yf hir majesty think you styll to partyall toward me, I pray you desier and beseche certeyn to do yt; yt standeth me so much uppon me as I tell you. I wrote somwhat of sir Aldagond to you in putting his case; but this ys certeyn, I have the coppy of his very letters sent hether to

practyce the peace not ij days before I cam, and this day one hath told me, that loves him well, that he hates our countreymen unrecouerably. I am sorry for yt. So the Lord kepe you this Wenysday the xv. of December. Your loving frend, R. Leycester. I pray you, sir, lett me know whether I shall have sir Wylliam Pellam, or no; for I hear he sayth he dowbteth now whan.

[} [\LETTER XIV. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO LORD BURGHLEY. 17TH DECEMBER 1585.\] }] My very good lord, the love and affection that I finde in this people of Middelbourch to my souveraigne, and the good will and desier they shewe to do me honour for her majesties sake, do the rather persuad me to recommend unto your good lordship a cause of certain merchantes of this towne, towchinge a ship of Vlussingue that was loaden with oyles and cottens, and bond for New Haven, but mett by the way, in their course, by three Englishe shippes, and by them taken, and carried into England. This was donn within these fifteene dayes; but because the marchantes have one their that doth follow and solicite the cause, and will wayte upon your lordship to impart the particulars hereof unto you, I will not troble you therwithall. I hartely praye your good lordship to

shewe them your good favour for the releasing of their shippe, and recovering of their goods, and the rather at my earnest request unto your lordship, for which you shall allwaies find me very thankefull in all I maye. I am now here amongst them, where I wold be very glad to requite their good wille, and to contynewe their affection, by accomplishing their reasonable requestes, and therfore once againe I am bold to put your lordship in mynd of my request. Thus leaving your good lordship to God, who send you as well and as good health as to my self, I end. At Middelbourgh, this xvij=th= of December 1585. Your lordships ever assured frend, R. Leycester. [\ADDRESSED.\] To the right honorable my very good lord, the lord Burghley, lord high treasurer of England.

[} [\LETTER XV. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM. 26TH DECEMBER 1585.\] }] Mr. secretary, albeyt I wrote lately to you from Dordrick, having

thes convenyent messengeres, who doth meane to goe presently into Englande, I wold [\not\] lett them pass without letting you know where I am, and how greatly hir majesty ys in all places reverenced and honored, of all sortes of people, from hiest to the lowest, assuring themselves alredy, now they have hir majestyes good countenance, to beatt all the Spanyards out of their countrey ageyn. Never was ther people I think in that jollyty that these be. I could be content to loose a lymme that hir majesty dyd se these contreys and towens as I have; she wold than think a hole subsedye well spent, but only to have the good assurance and commandment of a few of these townes. I think ther be not the lyke places agayn for England to be founde. I am now going to the Hage, whear I shall have matter to wryte to hir majesty shortly. In the meane tyme I meane not to trowble hir majesty with any lettre, having written from Dort also unto hir. Thys sute I am to recomend unto you most ernestly. Ther ys a gentleman, one Jacob Muys Van Holy, who ys one of the ablest men in all these partes to serve hir majesty, both for his credytt and wysedome. He hath a sonne prisoner with the enymye, and very yll used. He besought me, yf ther were any Spanyard taken among our seamen, as he heareth ther ys, he wold be a proude man to have him, or any, to redeme his sonne, for they wyll not sett him at any ransom, for the hate to his father; who in dede hath, by his credytt, donn notable service in this cause, and no man better able at this day to serve her majesty. I assure you, in my opinion, hit were a good tern to bestow Seburo uppon him, and yt ys my sute; I know it shall doe more good with all than xx=m= crowns in money. He ys chefe bayly of Dordryght, where they have ij=m= and iiij=c= able soldyers

of the very townes men as ever I saw in any place, and the kindest people; beside there ys belonging above ij=m= maryners to this town alone. I assure you yf such a parte might com to him uppon the sudden, with a letter of thankes to the hole towne besides, for ther honorable usage of me, hir majesties lyvetenant here, you shall wynn her more frends withall thorow all this countrey than a c Spanyardes be worth. I must besech hir majesty, also, that ther may be partyculer letters wrytten of thankes to those towns who have so honorably and chargeably receaved me in hir majesty's name, as Dordryght, Rotradame, and this towne Delf, which ar all iij notable fair towns, and all trafyquers with England. Flushing and Mydelborow had letters, which makes me the bolder to craye these. The worst of these towns presented me with xv=c= shott and armed men, at the least, and dyd conduct me from town to town with vj and vij=c= shott. This town ys an other London almost for bewty and fairnes, and have used me most honorably, as these berors can tell you; with the greatest shewes that ever I sawe. The mett me along the ryver as I cam, v=c= shott ij myles of; at my landing ther was not so few as xv=c= shott more, standing in a row from my landing tyll I cam to my lodging, which was nere a long myle; by the way, in the great merkett place, they had sett a squadron, at the leaste of viij=c= or a 1000 pikes, all armyd, which was a mervellous fayr sight, and tall able personages as ever I saw. Ther was such a noyse, both here, at Rotradame, and Dordryght, in crying, "God save queen Elisabeth," as yf she had ben in Chepesyde, with the most harty countenances that ever I sawe; and therfore, whatsoever hath byn sayd to hir majesty, I beleave she never bestowed hir favor uppon

more thankfull people than these countryes of Holland; for the states dare not but be queen Elyzabethes, for, by the lyving God, yf ther shuld fall but the least unkindness, thorow ther default, the people wold kyll them, for these towns woll take no dyrectyon but from the queen of England, I assure you; and yf hir majesty had not taken them at this nede, but forsaken them, she had lost them for ever and ever, and now hath she them, yf she wyll kepe them, as the cyttysens of London, in all love and affectyon. All our horses, that have byn uppon the water at London and here above xxvj days, ar as well aryved as yf they had never byn travelled, and not so fayr when they wer shipt as they be now. Lastly, sir, I besech send me a pursevant; he that I apointed, and desyered to goe, made sute a day before I cam away to tarry at [{home,{] with xx excuses, his name ys Segar. I prey you, sir, lett some one, and an able boddy, be apointed with spede. Yf you call for clarencius he wyll name some fytt man to you. I have great nede of such a one. Yf he have French, or Duch, or Latyn, yt shall suffyce. I perceave not only these people here dowbtyd of hir majesty dealing thus with the king of Spayn, but the princes of Germany also, of whome one yesterday hath told me, that they know alredy of my coming, and so mervell at yt as he thinkes her majesty shall fynd them in an other tune than ever she found them yet; shortly I shall hear more, and, uppon this, yf the matter of Segaro werr satysfyed touching Cassamere, she wold shortly dyrect them all. I speak yt not for any respect for my self (God ys judge), but you wyll not beleave what a reputacion this dealing in the Low Countreys hath alredy gotten hir. I have most cause to complayn, that was sent out as I was, and yet stand, without help, or assistance, of such persons as I hoped for. I hear nothing of Sir William Pellam, nor Mr. Kylligrew,

and, for my parte, yf I lak them one weke longer, I had as leave the taryed styll, for now am I at the worst, even at the first; for now wyll all the busynes be: yt were to much pytty to lose so great good thinges for lack of some help at the first. Yf yt were not for Mr. Davison I shold be very farr to seke, God knows. I find no great stuffe in my lytle colleage, nothing that I looked for. Yt ys a pytty you have no more of his profession able men to serve. This man hath good wyll, and a pretty skollers wytt; but he ys to lytle for these bygg felloues, as heavy as hir majesty thinks them to be. I wold she had but one or ij such as the worst of half skore here be. I find Ruddykyrke a very grave, wyse, honest man; now, in the fayth, he confesseth, he was almost out of belefe of hir majesties goodnes. Walke dealeth most honestly and painfully. Paule Buys I find greatly envyed and myslyked; but he must nedes be had, albyt all devyces ar used to putt him out from being a councellor. Now a few wordes for St. Aldegonde. I wyll besech hir majesty to stay hir judgement tyll I wryte nest. Yf the man be as he now semeth, hit were petty to loose him, for he is in dede mervelously frended. Hir majesty wyll think, I know, I am easily pacyfied, or ledd, in such a matter, but I trust so to deall as she shall gyve me thankes. He hath made my nephew and Mr. Davison deall with me; he hath sent his sonn, also, to me, to gyve him to me, but I forbare, tyll I had good advyce in dede, to send one to him, which was Gilpyn, and doe looke every oure to

hear from him agayn. Once yf he doe offer servyce yt ys sure inough, for he ys esteemed that way above all the men in this countrey, for his word yf he gyve yt. His most enymyes here procure me to wynne him, for sure just matter for his lyfe ther ys none. He wold fayn come into Englond; so farr he ys com alredy, and doth extoll hir majesty for this work of hirs to heaven, and confesseth, tyll now, an angell could not make him beleave yt. Well, I hope you shall hear that wyll not myslyke you hearin. Fare you well, this Sonday morning, at Delph. Your assured, R. Leycester. I never herd out of Englond yet synce I cam away. [\ADDRESSED.\] To my honourable good frend sir Francis Walsingham, knight, her majesties principall secretarie.

[} [\LETTER XVI. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. DECEMBER, 1585.\] }] My verie good lord, your letters sent by Mr. Henrie Astell and your servante Underhill, I have receaved, by the which I am verie

gladd to understand that your lordship hath ben so honourably used in those places where you nowe are, and that they stand so greatlie devoted towardes her majestie as by all owtward shewe dothe manyfestly appeare, which ought to move her majestie to like the better of the actyon, and to countenance the same in such sorte as maie both encourage your lordship and increase the love and goodwill towardes her, of those well affected people. But, as farre as I can learne by such of my frendes as are acquainted with our court proceadinges, it wourketh not that good effect that were to be wished, so unpleasant are all thinges that mynister matter of charges. I praie God frame an other minde in her majestie, as well for her owne honour and safetie, as for the encouragement of such as are emploied in publicke service. I am verie gladd that the promised contribution by the states carrieth likelyhood of perfourmance, which stoppeth the mouthes and practises of those that sought to wourke an other conceipt in her majestie, by bearinge her in hand that she was abused, and that the burthen of the charges would light uppon her, or at least that she should in the ende be forced, in respecte of charges, to geve over the cause. I would to God their meanes might have ben found such as some parte of her owne charges might have ben diminished, whereby she might have ben the rather encouraged to have put on a resolution to have proceded constantlie in the maintenance of the cause. As your lordship heareth out of Germanie that this enterprise of her majesties hath greatlie encreased her reputation in those partes, so do we here the like out of Italie, and I thincke that, if they might stand assured that her majestie would throughlie prosecute the cause, they might be drawne in some sorte both to yeald supporte and to kyndell some fyer ther; so necessarie do they find it that the king of Spaynes greatnes should be abated in respect of their owne perryll. I perceave by your lordships letters that if you had not come

at that tyme you did, there would have fallen out some dangerouse alteration in that countrie, and therefore all honest and well affected subiectes here have cause to thancke God that you arrived there so seasonablie as you did; for, houesoever we mislike of the enterprise here, all England should have smarted if the same had not ben taken in hand. If the princes of Germanie could be drawne to congratulate your lordships repayre into those partes, as your lordship is put in hope they will doe, it will greatlie countenance the cause. Touchinge your lordships request to have Sebur gewen in exchange for the bayliffe of Dortrechtes sonne, I will doe my uttermost endevor to bringe the same to effecte, wherein I hope there wilbe found no great difficulty, for that his releasement, beinge a man of no great capacitie thoughe otherwise malliciouslie affected, can wourke no great preiudice to this estate. This daye, I understood by Mr. vice-chamberlaine, who came to vissitt me, that her majesties mislikes towardes St. Aldegonde contynuethe, and that she taketh offence that he was not restrained of his libertie by your lordships order. I did acquainte him with the letter he wrote unto your lordship, which carryinge a true picture of an afflicted mynde, cannot but move an honest harte, weyinge the rare partes the gentleman is endued withall, but to pittie his distressed estate, and to procure him releif and comforte, which Mr. vice-chamberlaine hath promised on his parte to perfourme. I thought good to send St. Aldegondes letter unto the lord threasurer, who heretofor hathe carryed a harde conceipt of the gentleman, hopinge that the viewe of his letter will breed in his lordship some remorse towards him. I have also praied his lordship, if he see cause, to acquainte her majestie with the said letter. Sorie I am that your lordship should have that iust cause you

have to complaine of lacke of assistance. There falleth out daylie, as I am informed, newe discoverie of abuses touchinge the office of the ordenance, as that there should be a hundred brasse peeces missinge, which doth so much agravatt her majesties displeasure against sir William Pelham, in that he did neglect, with that care that appertained, to oversea the inferiour officers, as she can hardely endure anie man to deale for him. Yett, notwithstandinge, my lord threasurer hathe of late sent the gentleman woordd, that he is nowe in some hoape that her majestie wilbe content to extend some grace towardes him, whereby he maie be sent unto your lordship, who canne never come to late, in respecte of the contynuall use your lordship shall have of his advice and assistance, so longe as you shalbe emploied in those countries in a martyall coorse. Touchinge a coppye of the originall contracte that your lordship writeth of, I am assured the same was delyvered either to Mr. Atye, or to Mr. Fludde; in the meane tyme, until the same maie be found, your lordship maie use a coppie I delyvered to Mr. Killegrewe, who hathe been long at the seae syde for a wynde. The allowance gewen to doctour Clarcke and Mr. Killegrewe is mistaken by the writer, for that it ought to be onlie 40 (^s.^) (\per diem\) . And, as touchinge your lordships allowance as generall, it is true that the enterteinement due to all such necessarie attendantes all other generalls have had, was omitted. Your lordship therefore shall do well to write a joynte letter to the lord threasurer and to me, to move the rest of the counsell to geive warrant to the threasurer for the paiement thereof. The letters of thanckes your lordship desireth unto the townes of Dortrecth, Rotterdam, and Delft, I will not faile to procure: as also that ther maie be provided a passage boate for the transportation of letters.

[} [\LETTER XVII. LORD BURGHLEY TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 26TH DECEMBER, 1585.\] }] My very good lord, sence the retorn of Mr. Gorge from your lordship, who cam the next daye after his shippyng, we have not hard from your lordship, nether I thynk hath your lordship hard from hence; the lack of both hath bene in default of passages. And now, as soone as any shippyng cold be made redy, which, though I wryte these letters this Mo[\nday\] being the 26. yet, untill Wednesday, the officers of the admyralte say, the shippyng cannot be redy, and if it than shall be, I d[{oubt{] of nothyng but want of wynd to bryng over to your lordship a gret nombre of your good frendes and servantes, and amongst them my son, who hath bene hable and redy these x dayes, if he cold have gotten shippyng, which he cold not get untill your shippes retorned. By Mr. Gorge and others I receaved two letters from you, the on of the xj=th= the other of the xiij=th=, both wrytten at Midelburg. By the former, your lordship signefyeth your saff arryvall, and the perswasion that your coming hath wrought in that nation of hir majesty's mynd to help them, wherof they war in doubt afor. By the second, your lordship wryteth in what state Sluse and

Ostend ar, and how much yow fynd above your formar opynion the importance of those ij places ar for the service ageynst the enemy, and therfor your lordship hath entred into consideration how to releve ther wantes; wherin, in my opynion, I think your lordship hath no on thyng, now at your first coming, mor nedefull for avoyding of that danger, which, if it shuld happen, will not be remedyed without gret charges and hazard. For I have allweise thought, that ther was nothyng more nedefull for the kyng of Spayn than to have mo and better places on Flanders syde than he yet hath for shippyng, as well to send ayde of men, mony, and victells, from Spayne, or from France by frendshipp, as to kepe shippes of warr to offend all passengers betwixt England and Zelland or Holland; as, by experience, the possessyng of Dunkyrk haven hath served, with a few beggarly vessells, to have done gret dammage by sea, presyng of men, shippes, merchandise, and victells; and suerly, my lord, if Sluse shuld be lost, the Spanyards might incress ther strength by sea with shippyng hable to overmach both Flussyngars and a good nombre of our shippes, for if the haven shuld be thers, they might kepe as well j=c= sayle as x., and what cost will a kyng of Spayn spare, to be a master on the sea, wher he now is commanded? But I am to long herin, although I might wryte much more; but I know and perceave by your lordships own wrytyng, yow look depely into this matter, which in dede can not be to spedely looked unto, that both these places he victelled, manned, and ther weaknes also spedely strengthened, and, in my opinion, the states ought, at this tyme, more largly to contribut to this chardg than to a doosen of other towns in any part of Holland, and therfor, good my lord, as you have begon to take care hereof, so procure the states to yeld monny plentifully, to pay a sufficient nombre there whylest the imperfections of the places may be reenforced, and than the

nombers may be the fewar afterward. I wold to God that your lordship cold procure such a releff, as ether of those ij towns might have but j=c= horsmen, who, joyning togither, might ether spoyle the country, or might cause the ennemy bryng a great force to that frontyer, wherby ther own nombres shuld also dammag ther own towns, as Bruges, Newport, &c. by reason of ther lack of victells. Mr. Wylford wrote a letter to Partridg of Kent, to help send hym some victells, and therwith he sent a letter of your lordship to the commissioners of Kent, and so I have procured letters from the counsell to the commissioners, to authorise on Mr. Avyer to send it over, with bond to have it saffly sent, wherof Mr. Brown your lordships servant is by me made prive. Your said servant also required my warrant for sendyng of ce[{rtain{] victell uppon your lordships letters wrytten to hym, and I was v[{ery{] willyng so to have doone of myn own authorite, but I am otherwise directed by a warrant signed by hir majesty afor your lordship departed, wherof, it is sayd, that your lordship was prive; but it bredeth, in [\my\] opinion, some hyndrance with the circumstances; for, first, it is by the warrant apoynted, that your lordship must, first, by your letters to me, signefy what quantite yow require, and than ther must be an other letter procured from four of the counsell to me, also, for allowance therof, and than am I authorised to gyve warrant to the portes, but yet with condition that bondes must be put into the chequer for the retorn of trew certificat from that syde. With all these circumstances I am circumscribed more than in former tymes hath bene thought necessary, but I fynd no lack in that I am so directed, but sometyme ther will be required more spede than this manner doth prescribe. Of this Mr. Brown is now prive, and yet I have ventured to gyve hym warrant, havyng also gotten a letter from the counsell, for such a proportion as he required, which was, for j=m= quarters of

wheat, as much malt, j=c= ton of beare, xl bulloks, vj oxen, j=c= shepe, vj barrells of tallow candells, a hoy with wood and cole. And he sayth, he will wryte to your lordship to have yow hereafter to signefy your mynd in particular wrytyng to me, for such thynges as yow shall have nede, wherin I wish your lordship caused accompt to be made of the charges of our prises, with charges of transportation, with the lyk kyndes there to be had, for I here report that manny thynges ar to be had ther with easyer prices, and, of those thynges, I doot not but your lordship will forbeare to require any provision from hence, which will also be good for our country, wher, by collor of these provisions, prises will ryse without reason. I heare also, my lord, that there is gret gayne made of our coyn, both of gold and silvar ther, to the loss of our countrymen uttryng the same for that country monnyes, and the gayn sought by merchants both of that country and of England, by choppyng and changyng therof under the trew vallew; for, in truth, our monny, both gold and silver, is worth in eschange above xxxiiij=s=. the pownd, and yet the marchant holdeth the eschange but at xxxiij=s=. iiij=d=, and therfor, my lord, yow may do a good dede to cause some honnest skillfull men to make a trew assaye of the monnyes of that countrye, and rate both our gold and silver at the same price, and to cause our people to be well instructed at what prices they ought to utter our monnyes for the monnyes of those con[{tryes{] . In this matter, I thynk a servant of alderman Martyns, that went over with the tresorer, can inform your lordship, or any of your counsell ther, what order war to be taken. And I wish, also, that your lordship wold deale with the counsell of the states for reformation of ther myntes, which, being many in nombre, serve only by fraude to gayne to them that ar the officers of the myntes, and to the decept of the people. Your lordship, also, is to be advertised, which I do by hir majesties direction, that she understandeth very certenly, that the king of Spayn maketh all the provision that he can possible, to mak a

mighty navy for a great army to come by sea, to annoy hir majesty, and, for the furniture therof, beside his own shippes and gallyes, both of Spayne and Itally, in Millan, Naples, and Sicilly, he is promised ayd of men and gallyes from the pope and the dukes of Savoy and Florence, and, some report, from the Venetians, but therof I dout, so as, in conclusion, it is here found most necessary that hir majesty shall also make preparation of all the strength that she can mak by sea, and, for that purpooss, it is here resolved, that hir own shippes shall be removed to Portesmouth in March next, and a gret nombre of hir subjectes shippes shall also be made redy to come, ether to Portesmouth, or to Plymmouth, or to other places in our west partes, as, by further intelligence of the king of Spayns preparations, shall be requeset. And for this purpooss hir majesty thynketh it most nedefull that your lordship shuld presently procure some persons of understandyng, such as here is named, Mr. Nicholas Gorge, to repayre to the portes of Holland and Zelland, ether with the pryvety of the states or without it, as your lordship shall thynk best, and to attayn to a certen knolledg of the nombre of shippes provisable for warre, as to be about ij=c= tons or vij or viij=xx=, and of ther furnitur, and what nombre of marrynors ar also in every port, and whyther any nombre of marrynors might be had to be hyred, to help to supply our lack that may happen in the queen's navy, wherof we have cause to dowt, because of the gret nombre absent with Sir Francis Drak, and abrod with our merchantes shippes being adventurers, and after that your lordship shall have understandyng hereof, than hir majesty wold have your lordship to impart to the states, or to ther counsell, how and in what sort hir majesty looketh to be this sommer, and that very tymly in the

spryng, assayled by a gret army of the king of Spayns, and how nedefull it is, that all meanes possible be used to have a navy hable to withstand the same, and specially to impeach the comming of this Spanish navy towardes those Low Countryes, for which purpoos, as hir majesty will spare no chardg to arm hir own navy to the seas, and hir subjectes also, which must prove an unknowen chardg, so wold she have your lordship to exhort them, accordyng to the necessite of this tyme, to put in order spedely as gret a navy as maye be by them fully furnished, to be redy to come to the narrow seas by the end of March, or the midd of Aprill, if by the king of Spaynes hasty preparations hir majesty shall be therto so spedely provoked. And though, by an article of the treaty, they ar bound hereunto in a certain quantite, as by the article wherof I send your lordship a copy, (I know not whyther you have the same,) yet the tyme requiring all help possible, to match with so puissant army as the king prepareth, your lordship may with reason soll[{icit{] them to a farder proportion, if it may be. And hir majesty is desyrous to be advertised hereof with such spede as your lordship may procure. Thus, my lord, consideryng Mr. Aty maketh hast to depart, and I am as yet not so hable to wryte as I have bene, I pray your lordship that I may mak an end, with my assurance to your lordship that, in any thyng that in my power lyeth to plesure you and furder your service, I will be as redy as any frend that is here behynd yow. And to conclud, I hartely thank your lordship for the trust you have committed to me joyntly with my lord chancellor for your office of the forrest, but we must have some directions from your lordship what to do, or els we shall not know what to doo. I nede not wryte to yow of our common news here, because so

many come over at this tyme fully fornished with such matters. From Grenwich, the 26th of December, 1585. Your lordships to be commanded, W. Burghley. [\ADDRESSED.\] To the right honorable my very good lord the erle of Lecester, lord [{lieutenant of{] the queens majestys forces [{in the{] Low Countres of Holland, Zelland, &c. and of hir majesty's prive counsell in England.

[} [\LETTER XVIII. LORD BURGHLEY TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 27TH DECEMBER, 1585.\] }] My very good lord, whan I wrote my letters on Sonday, which I do send by Mr. Aty, I wrote the same in hast, as I am forced by multitude of causes to do allweis, but the rather because Mr. Aty told me, that he wold come for them as yesterday, and depart, which, fyndyng hym not to come, as I thynk by some necessary lett, and havyng my sonn here redy to pass towardes his shippyng, I have thought good to wryte a few thynges by hym. First, I am so assured, and my sonn also, of your lordships honorable good will towardes hym, more than in common sort, as I forbeare to wryte any more, but, breffly, to recommend hym to your protection, and to wish [\him\] Godes grace to do as well as I am sure your lordship will wish hym.

My lord, now Mr. secretary being absent, I am occasioned to deale with hir majesty in manny thynges, and suerly I am gretly discoraged with lack of hir resolutions. For Mr. Pelham, I have delt ernestly with hir majesty to dismiss hym with hir favor to come thyther to your lordship, but hir majesty refuseth ether to pardon hym, wherof he hath most nede, or to stall his dett, which he also requireth, yea to take as much of his land as resonably may satisfy his dett, so as he may, with the rest, live and pay his other dettes, but hir majesty peremptorely commandeth me to chardg hym to depart, and to hope uppon hir favor at his retorne. Herwith he is so discontented as he offreth rather to go to the Tower: in this hard terme his cause resteth. Hir majesty sayth, he nede be at no chardg ther, for he shall bot as a privat man attend on your lordship. I saye, I thynk your lordship meaneth to mak hym marshall. She sayth, that therin she will not deale, for she will charg hym with no service, but only to attend on yow. In these termes is this poore gentleman; and yet I will continew, with all importunite I can, to obteyne hir majestys more favorable opinion of hym, because I know how nedefull his service is to your lordship. Good my lord, serche the intention of the works in Antwerp by the carpynters that work uppon shipps, in secret sort. I feare ther is ment to mak some multitude of fatt botes to bryng people into the flatt seas, to attempt Tergooss and Zyrecksea. Uppon the purposs of the ennemy your lordship is to provyde some conterwork to withstand such enterprises. I have hard that ther ar manny papistes in Tergooss. And thus, the tyde callyng my sonn awey, maketh me and my letter in hast. At Grenwych, 27 December, 1585. Your lordships at command, W. Burghley.

[} [\LETTER XIX. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM. 31ST DECEMBER, 1585.\] }] Mr. Secretary, I cam hether to the Hay, uppon Monday last, whear I was very honorably receaved, all the states being assembled together for that purpose, to make as much shew as they could devyse of their good wylles to hir majesty, as in many orations, pagentes, and such lyke, was expressyd, besyde the people with great joye cryed, "God save the quene, God save the quene," in every place of the stretes as I passed. The next day all the hole states generall cam to me, and ther openly ageyn ther chauncelor Leonius (some call him Longonius) made a longe oratyon in thankes and prayses to the quenes majesty for hir great clemency, bounty, and goodnes, shewyd to these pore aflycted countreys; attrybuting all their good and happines, under God, to hir majesty only. As sone as he had donn than cam comyssioners from partyculer provinces, as from Utrycht, Geldars, and Fresland, besides sondry spetyall towens, as Ansterdam, Leydon, Auchuson, and others, all which must nedes use ther gratulacion, with oratyons, as the other dede, and much to the same effect all with thankes and prayse to hir majesty.

At all this cerymony-doing was ther a French secretary, sent hether v or vj [\days\] before with lettres from the king. He sayd yt was about merchantes matters, but in dede contrary, only to have impeched, yf he could, this bynding themselves to hir majesty as they doe. But the states gave him no audyence all the while, alleaging they were occupied about the servyce of the quene of Englond, which they wold dyspach before all princes in the world. This fellow, being present at all this solemne dealing with me, tooke yt in such snuffe as he cam prowdly to the states, and offred his letters, saing: "Now I trust you have donn all your sacrafyces to the quene of Englond, and may yeld me some leysure to rede my masters letters." They so shooke him upp, and with such termes, naming hir majesty in skorn, as they tooke yt, as they hurld him his letters, and bidd him content himself, they wold first dischardge all the least dewtyes whatsoever to hir majesty before they wold hear him. So they have every day synce sett about the contract with hir majesty, spetyally how to gyve me answere for hir full satysfaction touching ther abyllytye to maynteyn ther warrs, whearin I hear credybly hir majesty shalbe well satysfied, and further then any of us looked for. And both roundlye and frankley they goe to worke, that ye shall se they wyll doe indede more than ever they promysed, considering her majestes denyall [\of\] the souerauntye and name of protector. For they meane, and must doe yt, for the hole people wyll have yt, that hir majesty shall have in hir handes the hole bestowing aswell of ther money and contrybucions as of ther men of warr; and the desire no longer hir good favour to them than they shall deall in all sincerytye with hir. Wherein yt apperes that all the comyssioners have wonderfully sett fourth her majesty to them all here, and Paull Buys hath donn his parte thorowly, so hath Walk also. And all thinges alredy [{are carried on{] with the most unyversall obedyence of hir majestys name that ever I sawe. And

flatly yt apperes now, they wyll no other authorytye but under hir majesty, nor that their treasure nor lyves shalbe at the dysposing of any but hir majesty, which, yf you saw that we se here, ye would wonder at [\what\] these people doe, and ar able to doe, and yf God had not moved hir majesty to send when she dyd, the prince of Parma had byn by this tyme in the best and greatest tounes they have; but ye shall hear others in this and not me. And as I wrote before how hir majestyes dealinges here ar alredy blowen into Germany, so this day the elector brought me letters agayn newly com there, whereby they wryte most honorably of hir majesty, and the duke of Sax geues much better eye than he did, synce his wyfes death, and lyke to marry ageyn with the hows of Hanalt, a great protestant and a great howse. He hath sent to speak with Seiguro, and very lyke to joyn with the other princes, who ar agreed, not only to send a messenger to the French king, but to lett him know, that they will com to the ayd of the king of Navare, who ys most iniuriously delt withall by the practyce of the pope and king of Spayn. The ellector vowede to me that they have donn more in these causes within this xx dayes, synce they understood of her majesties resolucyon agaynst the king of Spayn, aswell by Sir Francis Drakes going into the Indyes as her sending into these countreys, than they have don this x yeres, or wold have don this twelmonths yet. God send hir majesty to think of his mercyfull dealinges accordingly. The king of Denmark also hath joyned and encouraged greatly these princes. Hit ys told me by the elector that dyvers of them meane to send hether to me, to congratulate hir majestyes gracious doings toward this countrey. I have no other nues tyll these states have fully ended ther consultacions, which wylbe to morrow, as I hear, and wholy, without contradyctyon, to be at the devotyon and dispocyon of hir

majesty absolutly. Of this ye shall hear as sone as I shall know ther further answere. Two of our men of warr of Flushing hath taken ij Dunkirk men; one sonk and drouned all the souldyers and maryners. Thus fare ye well, sir, this last of December. Your assured frend, R. Leycester. Hit ys sayd that the princes ar resolvyd to entreate Cassymere to be generall, and shall have xxv=m= men levyed by the princes to goe with him into France.

[} [\LETTER XX. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM. 3RD JANUARY 1585-6.\] }] Good Mr. secretarie. I had forgotten in my former letters to send unto you theis letters which I therein mencioned, which I presently send unto you herinclosed; and so committ you to the blessed tuicion of the Almightie. From Leyden, this iij. of Januarie, 1585. Your assured loving frend, R. Leycester. [^POSTCRIPT AUTOGRAPH^] I leave yt to your self whether you think yt good hir majesty se St. Aldagondys letter or no. I cam hether to Leydon whilst the states ar fynyshing all thinges ageinst my retorn, which wylbe to morrow: this ys a goodly town and very strong, and most loving people. Cassimers letter ys not here. [\ADDRESSED.\] To the right honourable my very good frend, sir Francis Walsingham, knight, principall secretary to her majesty.

[} [\LETTER XXI. LORD BURGHLEY TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 12TH JANUARY 1585-6.\] }] My very good lord, though ther ar manny difficulties both for your lordship ther, and for us here, to concurr to the furderaunce of this noble necessary service under your chardg, yet ther is no on thyng that more annoyeth the expedition than the advers wyndes, that somtyme kepeth us from understandyng of your procedynges, not many dayes but manny wekes; but, that most greveth us, the contrariete also of the wyndes stayeth us from sendyng to your lordship, not only of letters but of men, horse, victells, and monny. Amongst which evill accidentes my son, Thomas Cecill, feleth at this tyme the burden and greff therof, as he shuld have bene less damnefyed with an agew of on or two monthes. As soone as he had recovered his evill fate he went towardes the sea syde, the secound day after Christmas daye, shipped about lx horses and ij=c= foote men, besyde lx other servantes and followers, about the tyme your lordships secretary, Mr. Aty, went also as I thynk with some monny of your lordships. Henry Killigrew, also,

and William Knolls and sir Thomas Parrot went anon after. All these have lyne at Margat in Kent ever sence, to this 12. of January, for any thyng that I can heir to the contrary, savyng they have bene on to the seas three or four sondry tymes, and put back, ether with chang of wyndes or lack of wyndes, and, at this present, we have had these five or six dayes constant esterly wyndes with frostes, so as I feare a longer contynuance of the impedimentes, but hereof ther is no remedy. Whan God shall please to send them passadg, your lordship shall of ther own report here more particularetyes of ther incommodytes. My son feleth very gret charges herby, for, as he wryteth hyther, victellis ar dearer wher he lyeth than at London, and, as he thynketh, at the Brill. He kepeth at his chardg, with his horses, his band of footemen being ij hundredth, and with his howshold servantes, and dyvers gentillmen that accompany hym, above iij=c= mouthes. If your lordship be not good lord to hym for allowance, ether for wages or for charges of this transportation, or rather, I may saye, of this retardation by occasion of the lack of wyndes, he shall mak a shipwrack of his jornaye; but I wryte not this to move your lordship to do more than I knowe you will of your self consider what is mete, and what you may doo. Now, my lord, I will leave this long preface, and come to some matters in my former letters. Whan Mr. Aty went from hence I wrote, that hir majesty was desyroos to have your lordship to deale with the states to put ther navy in order to joyne with hirs, which shall be at Portesmouth in March next. Hir majesty also wold that your lordship shuld procure knolledg of the state of ther shippes mete for warr in every of the portes, and what nombre of marryners might be spared from thence, if the navy of England shuld have nede therof, which we dowte of, because of a gret nombre gon with Sir Francis Drake, from whom, sence he departed from the cost of Spayn, we never hard word, nether do we

look to here afor March. In lik sort, to your lordship to have inquisition made in Antwerp to what purpooss the vessells war made by a nombre of shipwryghtes that lately cam out of Itally, from Janua. These thynges I do repete to your lordship, not knowyng how my formar letters may come to your handes. Now the rest that shall follow ar of thynges not mentioned before. The queens majesty hath yelded to procure a some of monny to be on hir part redy at Frankforth, towardes the levy of an army that, we hope, don Cassymyr will conduct into France, for the releff of the king of Navarr and Christes flock ther persequuted; hereof monsieur de Grytry, that cam from Germanny afor your lordship departed, will inform your lordship. In Scotland, to outward apparance, all thynges procede well. The kyng hath kept a parlement at Lythquoo, wher the lords that war bannished ar restored to ther states, and ar by the kyng cleared of the crymes imputed. He hath sent a gentleman of his chamber, named Kyth, therof to advertise her majesty, and to offer all frendship that he can to his power yeld to hir majesty; he desyreth to have the leag that was begon to be fynished. Arrayn, now called but James Stuard, lyveth on the west seas, hoveryng ther, from whom the kyng requireth his jewells, which he, at his fleyng away, took out of Edenburgh castell, but he will not delyver them without a pardon to come back, which is denyed, but with condition that he will appeare to justyce, which he as yet declyneth. Mr. Randolf is to go to the Scottish kyng, and so the treaty, as I thynk, shall go forward. Tyme must trye these thynges, for we fynd that the French kyng hath sent, by sea, a baron of France, the son in law of Pynartes, a man of gret lyvyng but of lytle understandyng, and therfor he hath a shrewd instrument with hym, called Courselles, whom your lordship did, I

thynke, know here with Malvesyn, a notable servitor to the Scottish quene and the house of Guise, and, addyng to this, that we understand how Lyddyngton, the secretary in Scotland, and Robert Melvyn, who both remayn in good creditt with the kyng, ar devoted to the kinges mother and to France, we may dout of the eventes. Sence the puttyng of our shippes in order ageynst March, it was ment to have sent this next month ten shippes of warr, wherof five of hir majesty's and five marchantes, to have lyne uppon the cost of Spayn, to have impeached the coming togither from sondry portes of ther victells and shippyng, and also to have discovered the truth of the reportes of the gret preparations of a Spanish navy and army, accompted for iij=c= sayle of shippes and gallyes and nere to iij=xx= thousand men, by meanes of the helps out of Itally, from the pope, the duke of Florence, duke of Savoye, from Naples and Sicilly; but, lately, advertisement is come out of Itally, that ther is no such preparation made there, nether of men nor shippes, but whyther we be duly advertised I am yet in dout. Nevertheless, I did never thynk it lykly that any such nombres, ether of men or shippes, cold be sett forth by the king of Spayn as was reported, specially for want of victells for such a nomber; but hir majesty, uppon this advertisementes, stayeth the sending forth of the sayd ten shippes, but yet both they, and all the rest of the navy, contynew ther equippage to be in Portesmouth afor the end of March. Now, my lord, I will resort to a speciall matter, whereof hir majesty hath sent me chardg to wryte sence I began this letter. A gentleman of the duk of Bullyon, whom your lordship knoweth, named de Sevilly, cam two dayes past to hir majesty from the duk, to inform hir of a gret preparation of grayn and other victell provyded in Louvayn and Champayny, for to be sent down by the ryver of Maze to the Lowe Countreys, for the prince

of Parma's army, which mass of victell is to come by the dukes castell of Sedan, under his bridg; and though he have good will to stay it, yet he dar not so doo, for feare of offence to be intended ageynst hym, but if he cold devise how to by it of the owners, with collor to serve both for his own provisions to store his own castells and houses, and to distribut amongst his neighbours that do want, he sayth he wold aventur the staye with that collor, and though the vallew may be, as it is thought, above j=c= thousand crowns, yet his desyre is to borrow but forty, or thirty, or, I thynk, twenty thousand crowns, towardes that purpos. And herin hir majesty hath gret lykyng to have this stayd, as a matter of very gret moment, as your lordship hath gret cause so to thynk by the want of victells presently in Flaunders and Br[\abant\] , but hir Majesty, fyndyng hir charges otherwise so great, she doth not yeld to this loone, but hath thought of some other meanes, as hereafter followeth. First, she wold have your lordship to impart this matter, as you shall thynk mete, to the states ther, in secret sort, for which purpos the gentillman Sevilly offreth to come to your lordship, as he sayth he also ment to have doone, as sent from the duk his master, and hir majesty thynketh this intention to stay this provision of such a moment to weaken the adversaryes forces, as, in very truth, a power of men ageynst them hyred with j=c= thowsand crowns cold not so much annoy the adversaryes, and, if the states might yeld to the loone of the some of xxx thousand crowns to this purpooss, hir majesty wold thynk very well of them, the consideration wherof hir majesty hath willed me, in hir name, to be left to your lordship. And besyde this meane, as if it shold not take place, hir majesty hath also commanded me to instruct our ambassador in France to understand the duke of Bullions mynd, whyther he shall not lyk that the French kyng be moved from hir majesty, very ernestly, ether to impeach this great convoye, consideryng the great derth of victells in France, or consideryng how hir majesty

hath bene hertofore animated to enter into this action, to save the Low Countreys from the conquest of the Spanyardes, and to impeach the king of Spayns gretnes; and, therfor, to move hym, in honor, to prohibitt the frequent convoy of victells out of France, or els that he will not mislyk if the duke of Bullion can stey this convoye. And in these two sortes, hir majesty hath thought to devise meanes to stay this convoy, but whyther the same will be stayd I do dout, and yet, truly, I know not how the adversary might receave a greter blow, without drawyng of any weapon. Wher your lordship hath had gret desyre to have had sir William Pellham, and also my lord Graye, your lordship shall understand that I have done my uttermost for Mr. Pellham, but hir majestes offence appeareth such towardes hym as she wold in no wise yeld ether to acquit hym of his dett, or to stall it as he desyred, and so he, alledgyng his dishabillite to passe for want of furnytur, though he confessed to me, and some others, that he had receaved v=cl= of your lordship towardes his furnytur, which he had layd out, and so was indetted to your lordship; but his gretest impedyment was, that he did ow to other persons about v=Ml= which he cold not pay, as he had a desyre, by sellyng of some landes, but that no man wold by of hym whylest he was in hir majesties dett; and in this sort his stey remayned xv or xvj dayes, notwithstandyng that I never cessed, I thynk, any iij whole dayes together, without movyng and intreatyng of hir majesty to shew hym favor, in remittyng part and stallyng the rest, but I cold not obteyn my request, and yet she willed that he shuld be commanded to depart; whereto he answered, that, as a privat soldier, he wold go, so commanded, but to tak any chardg, he was so unhable, as he offred hymself to be ether a prisoner or a banished man. In this sorte the poore gentillman being afflicted, he fell sodaynly and daungeriosely sick, whereof I informed hir majesty, and thereby to have pitte of hym. Wheruppon hir majesty yelded only to have his dett stalled, without remission of any part, addyng that he shuld not go over to your lordship, but

that the lord Gray shuld come to yow, whose case I also reported for his dett to hir majesty, but therunto she hath yelded to remytt hym a part, and to stall the some that he borrowed whan he went into Ireland, which was ij=Ml=. Hereof I have even this daye wrytten to Mr. secretary, to advertise my lord Graye. My lord, all this letter I have bene forced to wryte in my bed, which I have kept these two dayes, not, as your lordship hath knowen, for payne of my gout, but in dede havyng seven dayes past rubbed of a good deale of skyn uppon my shyn, I did neglect the healyng of it whan I shuld, and so am I now forced to kepe my bed without any hose, or without any salve, hopyng within two dayes more to have it whole; and, therefore, I pray your lordship to accept my scriblyng in a rude sort in good part, and, doutyng of passadg, I mynd to dooble this letter, and to send it by some others. From the court at Grenwych, 12. January, 1585. Your lordships most assured, W. Burghley. After I had wrytten this letter thus farr, I have hard of the takyng of a hoye of Holland, wherin are taken ten or twelve horses of my sons. God send better luck for his own passadg. My lord, we heare dayly that the Hollanders carry vyctells to Calliss under pretence of cockettes to come to England. I assure your lordship ther can be no more care taken than is to stey carryadg out of England. W. Burghley.

[} [\LETTER XXII. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO LORD BURGHLEY. 14TH JANUARY, 1585-6.\] }] Mr. secretarie, I know yow think long to hear of some certein proceeding here, which, for my parte, I doe as greatly hasten, assuring yow, that, since I came to the Hage, I have not ceassed calling upon the states for their resolution, which they will in no wise make other then that I must be absolute governour, both of warre and peace, over all their provinces. As upon new yeers day in the morning they came all to me, and brought with them a heralt and trumpettes, meaning as soone as they had delyvered their speech, which D. Leoninus had to make for them, which was to offer to me, with many good woordes for her majesties sake, the absolute governement of the whole provinces, and to proclaime the same immediatly. I was skarce readie, when one brought me woord of their being all in my great chamber, desyring to speake with me. Not knowing or thinking it had ben for any such matter, I made haste to goe to them, and so did, having the best of my company there with me. As soone as I came to them, by and by Leoninus began an oration to me, and, even as he began, one told me in mine eare, that they were

come to offer this matter, and had brought heralt and all, &c. I was so bold presently to interrupt the chauncelour, telling him, that I heard he had some matter rather to deale more privately in, than so openly, and therfore prayed him and the rest, to come in with me to my chamber, where they should have a more convenient place. He turned abowt and said, "Yow hear my lord desyers us to withdraw with him into his chamber," and so they all went with me into my bedchamber, and I called such of the best of my companie as I thought meetest for v or vj, wherof Mr. Davison and Mr. Dr. Clerk were ij. And there the chauncelour began again, and proceeded with his matter, which was, indeed, after a long discourse of her majesties goodnes, of the love of the country to her, of the trust they had in her above all the world, of the necessity they had for safetie of their state and countreys, albeit her majestie would not take the soveraigntie upon her, which they yet desyred might be, to choose some person of honour and creditt to be their governour. And as there was no prince in the world whom they ought obedience and duety unto, but to her majestie, so seing the creditt and trust it pleased her to putt me in here alredie, and the favour, creditt, and I cannot tell what, so many good woordes they used of me, they tooke knowledge of that I had long had at her majesties handes, with manie yeers contynuaunce in her service, as appeered, they said, both now by her own commendation by lettres, as also to their commissioners in England, that had reported the same of her own mouthe: they did not know any person whom they could desyre so much to take this office in hand as my self, and, therfore, with one whole consent they did there beseech me, even for the love her majestie bare them, and for the help of so afflicted a countrey, that was ever a faithfull frend to the crowne of England, that I would take the place and name of absolute governour, and generall of all their forces and souldiers, with their whole revenues, taxes, composicions, and all manner of benefittes that they have, or may have, to be putt freely and absolutely into my

handes, disposicion and order, with so ample woords and termes as here were too long to recite, seing I will shortly send you the whole by Mr. Davison. As soone as he had ended I aunswered by Mr. Davison, whom I required to delyver it in French, as they all speak only French, that, as this was a matter unlooked for, being further then had past in the contract with her most excellent majestie heretofore, so was I presently very farre unprovided to give them aunswer to this matter, albeit, in her majesties behaulf, greatly to thank them for their ernest goodwills and great affeccion borne to her majestie; and very true it was they did all acknowledge, that her highnes had shewed herself a most loving princesse and neighbour to them, as did well appeer to their embassadors in England, that what she did was only for the good will she bare to this afflicted countrey, and for no private respect or commoditie to her self. I did also give them most hartie thankes for myself, that did conceive so well of me, being but a straunger to them, that they would hazard so great a matter upon me, as all their state, both well and ill dooing, should depend therupon. But as her majesties gracious favour towardes me ledd them to this conceite of my abilitie, farre more then was in me to deale in any such cause, so I prayed them not to take it in ill parte, that I desyred at their handes, to proceed with them in thoes cawses which I had to doe in her majesties behaulf with them, and give me time, or els some of them to come unto me, to hear what I had to delyver unto them touching the contract alredy past betwixt her majestie and them, wherin I thought they should finde I had more alredy layed upon me, than so weake shoulders were able to bear, and well to goe thorow withall. That her majestie had sent me only to serve them, and so I promised I would, both faithfully and honestly, even as her majestie had commaunded and willed me to doe. So they returned, after Mr. Davison had made this aunswer for me, not leaving, at their departure, to insist upon their former request very ernestly. The next morning they appointed v or vj to come to me, which

were of the chief of them, and, leaving the former matter, as not to speak of it at all, I delt with them upon certain pointes and questions, such as her majestie had willed me principally to remember; as, first, to know what their forces were, who were their chief governours, and had charge of townes and fortes, what meanes they had to contynue and mainteyne their forces, how their people and garrisons were paied, what debtes they were in to their souldiers. Theis, and sundry other, which are sett downe for her majestie, ye shall receive: leying before them what a mighty enemy they had against them, it behooved them to shew good force and good means to withstand such an enemy. To theis thinges, and all other questions, I think their wilbe good satisfaction given to her majestie, to cawse her think their state not so hard as hath ben doubted, nor for her majestie to repent her cost or charge adventured for them. I doe assure myself it will proove the best expences that ever shee bestowed in her life, and the best repayed againe to her coffers, if God overthrow not the world. I did never see greater probability in my life of assured good successe, and protest unto you, I like the matter xx tymes better then I did in England, and so I beleeve any man here of judgement doth the like. And yet is it nowe at the verie woorst, as well for the decaie of our men, as for the season of this time, which is such as we cannot, till the wether break, send by water or land almost to any place. I could not hear owt of Zeland but by long seas, all the ryvers be ycie and frozen, but not to bear any horse or cariage. Th'enemy hath attempted sundry places, but repulsed at all, and I dare presume thus much for her majesties name only, that if her comfort had not come, yow had heard of many a revolt er this daie, and the poor garrison-men, the straungers chiefly, suffer presently the greatest miserie in the world for all thinges, and yet send good comfort daily hither to me, that for the queen of Englandes sake they will suffer more yet. The queen of England

they would serve as their mistris, and under me as her minister here, with a better will then ever they served under the prince of Orange; yet they loved him well, but they never hoped of the libertie of this countrey till now. It is assured me the states are verie well able to perfourme their charge, and with great ease. The count Hollock [\is\] surely a wise, gallant gentleman, and a right souldier, and verie well esteemed with many of the capteins and souldiers; he hath only one fault, which is, drinking, but good hope that he will amend it. Some make me believe I shalbe able to doe much with him, and I meane to doe my best, for I see no man that knowes all theis countreys, and the people of all sortes, like him, and this fault overthrowes all. Here is another little fellow, as litle as may be, but one of the gravest and wisest young men that ever I spake withall; it is the count Guilialme of Nassau, he governes Frizeland; I would every province had such another. He had noe lettre from her majestie yet, nor his father, but that makes not so great matter as for this young gentleman. Her majestie may doe well also to contynue some kindenes from time to tyme with this howse of Nassau, especially to shew to take care for the count Maurice, who hath ben greatly laboured to have harkened to a composition, I can tell you, and I see him much discontented with the states for certein. He hath a sullen, deep witt, and shrewd counsellours of his fathers abowt him, now that they see the hope of Holland and Zeland taken awaie, which was the marke was wholy by the father shotte at, and almost hitt, as I am sure you have heard. The young gentleman is yet to be wonne only to her majestie, I perceive, of his owne inclination. The howse is merveilous poor, and litle regarded

by the states hitherto, and if they gett any thing it is like to be by her majestie, which I wishe should be altogether, and she maie easily doe for him to wynne him sure; I will undertake it. Well, now I will returne a litle backe again, to tell you what followed since my former conference with the states. They went to their fellowes and told them what had passed; they aunswered me again, and brought me an act sett downe in writing by them all, that I should be pryvie to all their state, as well for their forces as their means, and that I should see very flatly that they abused not her majestie, neither with the offer of sovereigntie, nor yet with the state of their abilitie to mainteine their cawse, but better then ever they told her of, and referred to me what I thought of the strength and force of theis countreys. "Well, now we will say, and make your lordship know," say they, "the people bearing the love wee see they doe to her majestie, if she had taken the sovereignty over us, she should have had monethly 300,000 florens, certeinly payed to her purse, which is 30,000=li= sterling, every moneth, beside the customes of merchauntes, and Flaunders if it might be recovered, which did yeeld as much and more alone; and her majestie should doe more good, and defend th'enemy farr easilyer, with 100,000 than we shall with 200,000, for the obedience and reverence to her majestie would be as great as in England, and that we doe is even with feare and force among them, which bringeth such confusion as there is no remedie, but either your lordship must take the whole governement upon you, at our humble suite, and at the request of all the rest, or els all wilbe yet lost;" confessing that confusion of officers hath undoon their governement, and not to be recovered but by som one to take it that is so backt as I should be by the countenaunce of her majestie, whom the people only trust and love, for unto no other will they committ that which they will to her majestie, or one of hirs; and so doe they flatly conclude the matter upon me. All the lords here have ben in like sort with me, and all the captens, and governors, and magistrates of townes, pressing me

most earnestly, if I love her majestie, if I love the good of England, and theis countryes, to take it, and that forthwith, bycawse the souldiers be unpayed, and no man will contribute any longer but to her majesties minister, and to him all places doe promis, and have sent their procuratours, as they told me alredy, to bind themselves and all their townes for the payment of ij=c= m. florens monethly, beside the admiraltie to be discharged by their customes, as it is alredy. They will also make their oath to me, and all officers, to returne presently to paie all sommes to me. Thus it standeth presently, as either all must be hazarded and lost, or els I must take it, which, as farre as I can see, and all here with me, as the case enforceth it, must needes be best for her majesties service everie waie. The reasons Mr. Davison shall delyver you, who hath seen how I have proceeded, and upon what necessitie either this waie must be taken, or els all overthrowne. It is doon for the best, and if so her majestie accept of it, all wilbe to the best. I have had none other scope herein, nor shall have, but her majesties service above all worldly respectes, and well knowne to the wisest here with me, how desperatly both the lords and capteins were and are bent, if I should not take this upon me, to have left and given over the whole service of theis states, which had made an easie conquest for th'enemie, but a most dangerous for her majestie. Thus referring the full declaration of our doinges here to Mr. Davison, who shall shortly be with you, doe take my leave, and commytt you to the Lords protectyon. At Leyden, this xiiij. of January. Your assured frend, R. Leycester.

[} [\LETTER XXIII. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM. 15TH JANUARY 1585-6.\] }] Mr. secretary, as you shall shortly hear of our hole procedinges by Mr. Davyson, so must I entreat you most ernestly, even as the well doing of my poore servyce here may be tendred, but spetyally for the honor and servyce of hir majestie, that you wyll be meanes that ther may be a good quantytye of money sent over, as ther ys behind of the hole some her majestie dyd sett done, as I take yt, above lxx=m=li. So you wyll procure, as much as in [\you\] may lye, that the most parte may be sent over. Hit shalbe the worst, and the most, she shalbe charged with, but, at the beginning, xx=m=li. shall stand in more stead than xl=m=li. iiij monthys hence, and I am well perswaded, as you shall se at Mr. Davysons coming, that they here have good meanes to maynteyn ther warrs, and when we make reconing at home of a defencyble warr, hit must be so defencyble, as we must be able to have always vj or vij=m= men, horse and footemen, to frunt the enymye, who, all this hard wether, hath gon from place to place with iiij=m= footemen and xv=c= horse, and at this day he kepes the fyld, and hath putt in danger iij or iiij townes of great importance, as Brabee, Wenloe, Vianna, and Bomeley, as also now he ys come uppon Zeland syde, and wyll doe what he can to Lylle and Lyskinshook, whear ther hath byn much decay of soldyers, but ther ys doing all that ys possible for defence, for otherwyse we ar no way able to resist them, which they know,

and doth make them presume the more at this tyme. But the states have agreed, and doe find ther ys no remedy, but we must erect a camp to brydell this lyberty of the enymye, or ells he wyll kepe a warr this xx yere, and make us all wery, and, this way being taken, I warrant ye we wyll shortly wery him as well, and yet never hazard any battell, which he wyll be as loth to come to as we. I am in hope of an enterpryse to tak place shortly which ye wylbe gladd to hear of. God send yt to fall out as I looke for, and that ye may provyde us spedyly with a good some of money, being all one to hir majestye, and I wyll undertake she shall com to no furder chardge whatsoever. I wyll help to ease hir, before the end, of a good parte of this, yf she doe but contynew hir favour and good countenaunce to this cause only, as I trust she wyll, or elles she knoweth not the lacke she wyll fynd of the frendshipp of these countreys. As, uppon my honour and truth to you, they were almost utterly gonn yf I had not aryved when I dyd. Thus, referring ye for the rest to Mr. Davyson at his coming, I wyll take my leave, protestyng my hole care and endeavour his to doe hir majestie acceptable servyce, or elles God not to lett me lyve, yf otherwyse yt shuld be. In much hast this xv. of Januery, Your assured frend, R. Leycester. [\ADDRESSED.\] To my very honorable good frend sir Francis Walsingham knight, principall secretarye to her majesty.

[} [\XXIV. LORD BURGHLEY TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 17TH JANUARY, 1585-6.\] }] My very good lord, as matters do rise so I am bold to wryte unto yow, and yet I se so many misaventures in savety of arryvall of lettres, as I se it necessary to repete thynges in second lettres, wherewith your lordship may be troobled by readyng, but I had rather, so woole your lordship, than leave it undoone. In my former lettres I have shewed yow that hir majesty wold have your lordship to cause inquisition to be made of the nombre and power of the shippes of warr in Holland and Zelland, and with what nombre they wold be content, uppon ther charges, to serve this yere with hir majesties navy agaynst the king of Spaynes power, which hath bene reported greater than I can beleev, but hir majesty is resolved to have hir navy redy at Portesmouth before the end of March. Hir majesty, also, wold gladly have your lordship discover to what purpooss the Itallien carpyntors do work, as it is sayd, very secretly in chirches, in Antwerp, about shippes or gallyes. Of late Ortell, that remayneth here agent for the states, propounded certain questions uppon the trade to be used by the shippars of Holland and Zelland; the articles I do send herewith to your lordship, with an answer by us here gyven, under your lordships advise, uppon conference with the states. We fynd here, that, under collor of any trade with merchants to any part of Pycardy, the enemy is succored. Nevertheless, as your lordship

shall ther fynd the states conformable, we here will prescribe that same order to be kept. Truly, my lord, it is most necessary that all kind of victells, or matters for shippyng, be utterly forbydden. We have advertisementes from Lyshborn by sondry come from thence, that all English men ar at liberty ther, and that the preparation is as yett not grett, only all manner of great hulkes ar stayd. And so I end from any farther trooblyng of your lordship. 17. January, at Grenwych. Your lordships most assuredly, W. Burghley. [\ADDRESSED.\] To the right honorable my very good lord, the erle of Lecester, lieutenant generall for all hir majesties forces in the Low Contreys.

[} [\LETTER XXV. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM. 22ND JANUARY, 1585-6.\] }]

Mr. secretary, I can wryte nothing to ye touching the state of the tresure or tresorer. I wyll not blame him yet, nor excuse him, but I dowbt he hath a conning under-tresorer. This vj wekes can I gett no reckoning, nor the awdytor any bookes from them, tyl this last weke. Our money goeth very low, and I beleive ye will not be best pleased with the former expences, and yet am I forst to dysburs much of this money for relyfe of the souldyers not payd, and, as I wrote of late to you, so doe I now also to my lord tresorer by Mr. Davyson, to besech ye both, yf ye wyll have any hope of good of our servyce here, to gett us a good pece, or rather the hole somme, of that ys behind of hir majestys allowance. Yf hit be not well ordered and husbanded, lett the blame light hevyly uppon me. My thinkes I hear your answere alredy, that no man knoweth better than I the dyffycultye to gett money from hir majesty, and so I must satysfye myself. But, as I confes yt ys hard to procure great sommes from hir majesty, so must I lett you know, and more now than whan I was partaker of those dyffycultyes ther with you, that yf hir majesty doe not deall now gratyously and princely with these people, and consider how infynyttly hit doth import her highness to bring these causes to a good end, whan yt ys in such forwardnes as they be, and that yt ys only the expence of a lytle money, and no more than she hath alreddy contractyd and agreed with them for, and for which she hath such a pawen as she may assure hirself, by them alone, to have all hir charges ageyn, yf the worst fall owt that can be. And here I say to ye Mr. secretary, and I speak yt in the presence of God, I am veryly perswaded, yf hir majesty had not donn this she hath donn, these hole countreys had byn gonn by this day; and, se the good providence of God! yf I had not come when I dyd, the wynd

turned the next daye, and hath so contyneued ever synce, that, this being the xlij day since my aryvall, I never hard word from Englonde; I trust, therfore, whan yt comes yt shalbe good. But, if I had steyd tyll this day, all hope had byn gone of hir majesty, and all the practyces of the enymye had byn sett afoote, for I founde them very well onward at my aryvall; yet, I testyfye a truth, as sone as hir majestys favour hether was sene and known, I thinke from the beginning of these trowbles the people were never hotter ageinst the enemye than at this day, nor better devotyd to hir; in so much as she may now dyspose of all, and dyrect all, that otherwyse had lost all, both countryes and credytt, yea, with a mortall hate for ever to our natyon; and yf the case be thus for hir majesty, for Gods sake lett hir comfort all here, and lett hir be sure the enymye was never so dowbtfull, nor so perplexed, as he ys at this day; for he stoode in great hope, before my coming, to have had certen places delyvered unto him of great importance, and I think hit was so promysed to him in dede, but as sone as the souldyers hard of hir majesty taking the cause in hand, and that I was com, they setled themselves wholy this way, and so doe contyneue, and have resisted the enymyes attemptes most faythfully; yet have they not byn payd a long while, nether wold have trusted the states but for hir majesty, takyng my word only that they shalbe payd; and so they shalbe forthwith, I have wroght so for them. Nether wold they wyllingly trust the states touching hir majesty, but that I must have the absolute government, and the recept of their reveneues, or elles they wold not be pacyfyed, nor trust to their paymentes more; which suerly hath byn yll handled, for they have meanes and meanes ageyn to meyntayn all these charges, but their careless imploying of yt hath hindred all; but this requyres a hole wekes informacion of Mr. Davison, who hath donn hir majesty notable servyce here, and doe pray ye, and as ever ye tender the success of this servyce, retorn him hither, with the more credytt the better, for without him I confes myself quyte maymed. His

credytt ys mervelous great here that ever I sawe of any stranger in any countrey, in my lyfe, and he lyves lyke a gentleman and chargeably every way. And my nephew Sydney, I assure ye, ys notably estemed, and I think within a few months shalbe able to doe hir majesty here other manner of servyce than may well be looked for. The prince of Parma, uppon my aryvall, and hearing of the dysposicion of these countreys wholy bent to shew their good trust of hir majesty, by comytting all chardge and confydence to me, being hir servaunt and subiect, he assembled the counsell, the presydent &c. ther opened the matter, shewing the great dyffycultyes happened unto them unlooked for, for yt was a matter assured them that the queen of England wold never attempt any thing, ether here or elleswhere, but he saw now yt was otherwyse, and that she had sent Drake to the Indyes, and the erll of Leycester into the Lowe Countreys, alleaging all he could do. The president answered him: "Now sir," quod he, "ye may se what yt was for the king our master to forsake the councell was geven him, and the offer the people made of these countreys to have had a peace, and whether yt had byn better to [\have\] accepted that, or elles to consume his treasure and people in vayn; for yt was never other lyke whan all such meanes as the queen of England made accompt of was taken away, as the prince of Orange that was at hir devotyon, and Monsieur who was in stryct league with hir, but she wold rather defend and kepe these countreys hir frendes, then suffer our master to enioye them, being afreyd of his greatnes to be so nere hir as these countreys shuld be, except there were better love betwene them than ther ys. But refusing that peace his people offred him to have had religyon fre, was the cause of all these warrs, and losse now of thes countreys, which than he had byn sure of, yea, and, after a while, to be sure also to have putt down the herytykes and protestantes, as he might have used the matter; but now," saythe [\he\] , "yt ys to late for councell, the queen of Englond ys not so easy to be removyd, being received as she ys

among them, nether doe I ever looke now for so good an end ageyn." Synce that, ther cam within these ij daies one from Antwerp, beside here ar sondry letters from thence of yt, (which ys donn of purpose to bring this people in dowbt of hir majestys dealing for them,) that there was a howse in Antwerp, the Englysh howse, preparing for me; that she made but a shew of warr, her intentyon ys only to make a peace, and that I had instructyons to prepare the myndes of the states to conformetye, and to be reconcyled to the king. I assure ye a pestylent practyce yt ys, and no one thing under heaven so lykely to cutt my throte, but yt doth agre well with a tale that was wrytten also from Bruxelles to the cont de Hollock here. That the prince of Parma, hearing of my aryvall, chaft very much, and semed greatly to be deceaved that hir majesty wold send as she hath donn, "but," sayth he, "ther ys no remedye but one; we must gyve out brutes that the queen of England hath offerd talk of peace, which wyll brede presently jelosye in the states heads, and some devyces we must have to make devyssion among them, to breake this resolucyon to lett the government be at the queen of Englands dyspocytion." This letter cam to him, which he shewyd me, above iij wekes agoe, and, as the cont sayd, from a very credyble place; so that he presumeth styll of the umore of Englond. But God defend hir majesty shuld loose the honor, credytt, and saftye, she ys in so good way to obteyn, and lett me have shamfull death and utter reproch, yf hir majesty goe princely and couragiously forward, yf ever she receive the lyke porcyon of all these as she shall doe by this actyon here. And I assure you yf ye saw these places, with the dysposicion of the people, as I doe, ye wold think, even for hir majestys own safty sake, but for her own tyme only, beside the respect of Englond, that more money than yet she hath leyd out to be most happely spent yf ther were no gage or hope to have yt payd ageyn.

Lett me retorn, therfore, once ageyn, to pray ye, and entreat ye, to stand ernestly for the spedye sending away of money; and to send yt by dryblettes causeth yt to be consumed to lytle purpose, and no honour or credytt, nor yet relyfe in dede of the soldyer. Touching this I have wrytten in a scedule enclosed, which I pray ye break after ye have redd yt. And touching the opinion of a defensyve warr, I know ye wyll now chang yt, for ther ys no wey to overthrow this state but that. Experience doth teach yt, for the enymye goeth where he wyll, he makyth skours now in every place; as, ferst, in Flanders, about Ostend and Sluce, he hath made so many, as no man can sturr out to anoye the enymye any way, nether can they be taken with all the garasons ther. He hath byn synce about Grave, a place of great importanee for us, not farr from Bolduke in Brabant; he hath attemptyd yt iiij or v tymes this frost, but myshing of yt, he hath buylt iij or iiij forts about yt, that no vyttell can com to yt. He hath donn the lyke at Venlou, and ys presently in doing ther, and hath ther iij=m= men and a 1000 hors; all the garasons we have ther ys not able to deale with him. So from this place he wyll to some other, but yf he follow these ij so strongly as he may doe, I se no way we ar able to mach him yet in the fild to relyve them, and, lett him alone, he wyll surely have them. Therfore ther ys no remedye for us but to make a camp, which wylbe, with those we have alredy, without any great chardg donn, whereby we may be masters of the fild, for he dares not draw his garasons fourth of his great towens, so shall we relyve the places thus beseged, and recover the skonces and fortes he hath buylt to anoye us. Besides he doth spoyll all countreys that ar most frutefull and help us most, by his contynewall incursions which is a great matter I se here, to loose the servyce of the bours, and yt ys also a dyscouraging warr to this people that ar dayly charged with taxes and contrybucions, to se an endles warr,

as they caule yt when yt ys altogether defensyve, and so yt ys in dede; and we ar sure the enymy ys more ferfull to adventure than we ar, for yf we loose, we have styll strong townes able to defend, yf he loose, he hath no townes to hold him, for all he hath ys alredy by the force of his garasons. I have sent to ye, sir, also, for leave that sondry gentlemen may have leave to take upp som men in Englond, without any peny charge ether to hir majesty or the countrey, and our enymyes ar the bolder for that they know the decaye of our soldyers. I wold be gladde, also, to have leave for v=c= of my none servantes more, not in Wales alone, but of my other tenantes, where I shall think mete; for I tooke but iiii=c= of the v=c= hir majesty dyd graunt, and I wyll not gyve those iiii=c= for the best v=c= & l. that I se or can hear of here, nether shall ther any man have charge, by my good wyll, but such as shall have good cause to care for his men. I think xv=c= wyll skant well furnyshe all the bandes decayd here, and I wold ernestly desier ij=m= more, such as wyll wyllingly com. Ye have people to many, and ye nede not fear any attempt to Englond in assaling yt by force, as long as hir majesty hath these countreys, I warant ye; therfore help us yf ye wyll styll be quyett. And yf I may be able to wander a while with ij=m= horse, and 4 or 5000 footemen, about Easter ye shall hear, without any meting withall, all those skonces shalbe caught, our own places putt in good sewrty, and the enymye as well spoyled. And I pray ye, for these things, beleave us pore men that serve, and have best cause to know what course in reason ys best. When Mr. Davyson comes he shall tell ye at lardge of some partyculer thinges ye wold have lytle beleved, but I know them to be most true. That Vyliers ys a most vyle trayterous knave, and doth abuse a young nobleman here extremely, the conte Morys; for all his religion he ys a more ernest perswader secretly to have him yeld to a reconcylliacion than St. Allagonde was, and hath an instrument about the young gentleman, one that pleasyth his affectyons, that ys a very dangerous man. The young man

hath a solem, slye wytt; but, in troth, yf any be to be dowbtyd toward the king of Spain, yt ys he and his counsellers, for they have byn altogether so farr French, and so farr in myslyke with Englond, as they cannot almost hide yt, and this umore ys styll kindled by this prest, and some say yet St. Allegonde, but I doe not beleve yt, for that he hath geven his word for yt to me. The other shall not tarry ten dayes nether in Holland nor Zeland; he ys greatly hated here of all sortes. And yt shall goe hard but I wyll wynn the young conte, and gett the knave about him removed, whose name ys Mallorey, one the prince himself dowbtyd of before his deth. Old Medykyrk was farr gonn ageinst hir majesty, and our natyon also, and so farr dowbtyd, as now, at the nomynacion of councellors, I named him for one, thinking he had good credytt among the states, and I found them all ageinst him, and made request to me to leave him out, which I mervelled at, and doe plainly chardge him with his yll mynd to hir majesty. Paule Buys, I lern, certenly was putt from his offyce in Holland only for standing agenst the French, and preferring Englond alweys, and indede he passeth them all for skyll and judgement. The cont Hollock deserveth great countenaunce at hir majestys handes, for he ys a plaine gentleman, and one that always delt flatly with the prince for the French, even tyll his death; and was also so reddy and had best power to delyver both Flushing and the Bryll into hir majestys handes, and yt ys most true that he was greatly pressed to stand agenst yt, and the yong count was not wyllyng to have yt rendred, only by Vyllyers meanes, and the cont Hollock perceving told the cont Morrys, in a great rage, that yf he tooke any other course than the queen of Englond, and swear by no beggers he would drouen his prest in the haven before his face, and turne himself and his mother-in-law out of there howse there, and thereuppon went with Mr. Davyson to the delyvery of yt. This man must be cheryshed; he ys sound and faythfull, and hath indede all the chife holdes in his handes, and at his comandment. Ye shall doe well to procure him a letter of

thankes, taking knoledge in generall of his good wyll to hir majesty. He ys a right Almayn in manner and fashion, fre of his purse and of his drynk, yet doe I wysh him hir majestyes pencyoner before any prince in Germany, for he loves hir, and able to serve hir, and doth desyer to be knowen hir servant. He hath byn sought and labored by his nerest kinsfolkes and best frendes in Germany, to have left the states, and to have the king of Spaines pencyon, and very great reward, but he wold not. A cheyn of ij=c= li. wold be well bestowd uppon him in the meane tyme; and uppon his further desart, which I think wylbe shortly, I trust hir majesty wyll accept of his offer to be hir servaunt during his lyfe, being in dede a very noble soldyer. He hath some matters a-brewing which he hopeth well of; for my parte I have an other, brought to me by Mr. Davyson, which yf yt fall out as I verylye looke for yt, that wylbe worth 'God a mercye!' and nerer home, and of exceding great consequence for hir majesty and this cause, and or xx days ye shall hear of yt, I trust in God. Ther ys another matter and I must trowble you withall, and full fayn I wold have yt redressed; hit ys my lord North. Hir majesty hath comaunded him hether in my company; he doth certenly doe me all the honor he can devyse, and he hath not the best boddy for such a place, spetyally he having no chardge, nor any allowance in the world, and surely his expences cannott be lytle, albeyt his grefe must be more to have no countenance at all but his own estate, and a man of his yeres and long servyce. He doth take yt hir majesty doth place him for some respect of myne, which wyll gender an inward grudge to me at length. I am not the cause of yt. He ys a wyse gentleman, and for any nede I se I shall have of Mr. Bartholomew Clerk, I assure ye I had farr rather have my lord Northes councell and assistance; and for lawe here ys one, the other lytle Clerk, who ys much beyond Bartholomew

in all lerninges of lawe, as hath well appered here alredy. Yf at Mr. Davysons coming ye can, ether with honour and allowance kepe my lord here, or elles in some good sort by hir majesty cauled for home, rather than to attend here without any charge or countenaunce, I wold gladly wysh yt. That in the mean tyme yt wyll lyke ye to wryte to my lord how carefull and myndfull I have byn of him, shall doe me a great pleassur. And thus having bin long, as I cannott others chuse having so much to imparte to you, I wyll byd ye farewell, longing styll to hear from ye. At the Hage, this xxij. of January. Your assured frend, R. Leycester. Bycause I se how the wynd kepes back all hearing from ye, being xlij days synce I hard from England, sir, Grant Herns hath a man that doth bring dayly fishe from this cost, and when no shipp goeth out he wyll shift ageinst the wynd, and he comes very safely. I pray ye bear with the faultes of my letter, hit ys so long I cannott peruse yt. I am afrayd ye will compare me shortly to Wylliam Herll. [\ADDRESSED.\] To Mr. secretary Walsingham.

[} [\LETTER XXVI. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM. 31ST JANUARY 1585-6.\] }]

Mr. secretary, Mr. Davyson doth now retorn home, which I coulde hardly have yelded unto but only to have hir majesty fully answered and satysfyed touching all our proceedinges here synce my aryvall, and noe man able to doe yt but himself, praing ye, good Mr. secretary, yf hir majesty wyll shew me any favour, that thys may be one, to have Mr. Davyson retorn ageyn to me, who I assure you ys the most sufficient man to serve hir majesty that I know of all our nation; for he knoweth all partes of these countreyes, and all persones of any accompt, with all ther umores, and hath great credytt among them all here. And the better servyce shall he be able to doe yf yt may please hir majesty to gyve him such countenaunce as may encrease his credytt here, for here hath byn many brutes and reportes of hir good intentyon toward him, and he wyll deserve any goodnes she shall bestow uppon him, whatsoever yt be.

As for sir Wylliam Pellam, I look not for him; I se his delayes be such. When I departyd thence he promysed me faythfully that he wold follow me, what end soever he had, and theruppon he had v=c=li. prest, but I se his joynders and reioynders doth seke all delay, and spetyally that I saw in his letter to hir majesty of late wrytten, wherein he asketh ageyn a new suply of hir majesty, to sett him furth; a matter I know, of old, what yt wyll doe. Therfore, sir, yf you find this diffyculty styll, lett me no longer expect his uncerteinty. My lord Grey for many respectes I wold be gladd of, but I can as lytle hope of him, and except I might have one of them by the end of this month, I shall after not much nede any of them, and therfore I thought good to signyfye thus much unto ye; and the only cause I wysh for my lord Grey, yf God call me, ther might be such a one reddy here to command as he ys: but lett me know, I beseche ye, with spede, what to trust unto. Now, sir, to my old sute, and more than tyme that yt were grantyd, or rather here, which ys, for money; for I told ye, before my coming, ther was no more payd than wold serve the end of this month of February next, and you all there made a stryckt reckoning how farr all your money wold strech, not accompting the horsmen, nor sondry other charges leid out by all your warrants to the tresorer before yt cam over, and yf we had the full of that was delyvered for the armye, without these paymentes, yet had yt payd no further than the end of February. And I pray ye remember what I wrote touching the tresorer and his deputye; I doe send over the audytor to you, who I take to be an honest man, he wyll tell ye as much as I wrote, for I had yt of him. But yf yt wyll please hir majesty to send over the hole some behind for the yere, yf I make yt not strech as farr as possibly yt may, and to serve the torn for this yere, lett yt lye uppon me and all that I have to answer yt. But yt shalbe otherwyse

handled than this was. Ther ys to to much pryvatt gayn soght, more than ever I wold have beleavyd, and all leyd uppon hir majesty, for hir proffytt, they say. Touching any procedinges here for the matters of this state, I leave to Mr. Davyson to declare to you. I trust very shortly to send ye some good nues of some enterprise uppon our enymyes, who of late, in the frost, went into Freseland, and ther overthrew iij or iiij=c= of conte Wylliams soldyers, and tooke sondry boores prisoners. Synce that, Schenk hath mett twyce with them; at the first, he overthrew a cornett of Italians, and tooke xl horse and men prisoners; the second tyme, being this last weke, he overthrew v=c= of the bravest soldyers they had, and kyld iij=c= in the place, and took a captain and xv prisoners. I doe not hear of any man that dealeth so lustyly with the enymye as he doth. I wyll cherysh him accordingly, and wyll shortly be at Utryck and vyssett those places. Albeyt I hope ye shall here some nues from me ye look not for or I com thether. I assure ye Wylford ys to busye in advertysinge of that place at Ostend; hit ys in good case, and yet have I taken order for to better yt: he ys not to have credytt to all hys wrytinges. The soldyers ther of late have taken uppon the river vj boates, loden with corn and other vyttelles coming from Dunkirk and Calles. My lord thesorer wrote to me to know, what nombre of shipps and maryners here be to be had, yf nede werr. I have wrytten to my lord, here be many more than hir majesty shall nede to beat

the king of Spain and all his frendes. Uppon small warning ye shall not want inough to serve hir majesty, I warrant ye. I pray ye make more of the merchantes of these countrey people ther; they begyn a lytle to complayn of some hard dealing, but I have satysfied these for this tyme. Ye wyll find these people are worthe the cheryshing. So farewell, good Mr. secretary, in much hast, this last of Januery. Your assured frend, R. Leycester. I will have care to do for captain Veall, your servant. [\ADDRESSED.\] To my honourable good frende sir Fraunces Walsingham knight, principall secretarye to the queenes majestie.

[} [\LETTER XXVII. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. DAVISON. FEBRUARY 1585-6.\] }] Remembrances for Mr. Davison. First, how all the states here in every place, from my first aryvall, receaved me as well for there generall and governour as for hir majesties, pressing me very ernestly at my coming to the Hage, to take uppon me the same absolute goverment of all these provinces unyted; nevertheless I deferred yt by as many meanes as I could, tyll I was fully informyd by the knoledge and meanes which Mr. Davison had gotten of ther estate and abyllytye,

whereby beinge fully satysfied, hit was thought best service for hir majestye any way to accept ther ernest offer. The causes which moved me to accept this place werr these. By hir majesties apointement, I was hir generall of all hir forces in these countreys, and by a contract, lykewyse generall of their armye, and ther first counsellor. The confusion that was amonge the states-generall bredd many dysorders almost uncurable amonge them, as the discontentation of the captens, governors and soldyers, in all places becom desperatt for lack of pay, the yll imploying of ther treasure, whereby all matters most necessary for the warrs and defence of the countrey was utterly neglectyd, the unyversall hate and myslyke which both these and all the people had conceaved ageinst them, being such as, yf hir majesty had not sent when she dyd, ether they must have chosen some one governor, to have taken this charge in hande to remedy there confusions, or elles have reconcyled themselves to the enyme, for avoyding the further ruyn and hazard of themselves. And yf they had had any other governor then myself, hit ys most certen hir majesty could not have these countreys so fully at her commandment as now she ys lyke to have. Nether might she convenyently have kept, ether an armye, or any nobleman here, to be hir generall, but must have byn at the directyon and dysposytion of that governor. Besides, how the contractes and agrementes could be so well kept, ether for paymentes or otherwyse, that ys betwene hir majesty and these countreys, ys as dowbtful, or rather owt of dowbt. Beside yt had byn by that meanes also very dangerous that a peace might have byn procured and concluded with the enymye without hir majesties consent or prevety, hir people and captens, and towns delyvered for hir seurty, in great danger to be all lost. The enymye offeryng any revenge to any hir majesties domynions she might be depryved also of such helps and succors as these countreys may well asist hir now withall, the governor being at hir majestie comandment, with all other services lykewyse, But, the governor being at hir majesties dysposytyon

and dyrectyon, these wantes aforeseyd ar provyded for and suplyed; hir people ar to be in all sewrty and to be well treatyd; hir contractes and agrementes ar always to be well observyd and kept to hir majesties most advantage. He also, having the placyng and disposing of these garysons, the paymentes and other condycyons toward hir majesty ar most lyke to be better kept. No treaty or peace to be made or delt in but by hir majesty. No attempt can be made by the enymye ageinst hir majesties domynyons, but she may dyspose and have all such succors as shalbe nedefull for hir. The last, and chefe, ys, that hir majesty having hir one servant, whome she may comaunde, to be ther governor and comaunder, she ys sure to comande them as absolutly as he hath his authorytye from them to comand other under his charge. So for this first parte, these ar reasons that perswaded the acceptance of this goverment, seing of necessyty this state dyd require one, and hir majesty having so nerely placed me therein before, and being so farr interressed in these countreys as she ys alredy. For the secound, which was the reconcylliacion to the enymye, hit nedeth no argument; he ys sensles that conceaveth not that yf the king of Spain had these countreys at his comandment, lett hir majesty have the best peace that ever was or can be made, and wee shall find, as the world now standeth, that he wyll force the queen of England and Englond to be at his dysposytion. What with Spain for the west and what with these countreys for the est, England shall traffyqe no furder any of these ways than he shall gyve leave, without every voyage shall aske the charge of a whole navye to pass withall.

[} [\LETTER XXVIII. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM 1ST FEBRUARY 1585-6.\] }] Mr. secretorye, amongest my manye letters unto you of other matters, I have forgotten one. I would gladly have Daniell Rogers here, for some good services which I thincke he is fitt for. Yf you fynde that her majestie meane to continue me in service here, I hartely pray you that Daniell Rogers may be sent to me. And so, with my right harty commendacions, I bid you farewell. From the Haghe, the first of February, 1585. Your very loving frende, R. Leycester. [\ADDRESSED.\] To my honorable good frende sir Fraunces Walsingham knight, principall secretory to the quenes majestie.

[} [\LETTER XXX. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM. 3RD FEBRUARY 1585-6.\] }] Mr. secretory, I have written to my lord treasourour for his healpe to procure that I may have one thousand pioners out of Englande, men very necessary for the service here, and not to be well had in these partes. Whereof one hundred I would have to be myners, and have written to Sir Walter Rawleighe to healpe procure them out of his jurisdiction in Cornwall and Devon. For the other nyne hundred, I hartely pray you to conferre with my lord treasourour, and to put to your healpe that they may be had out of dyvers shyres in Englande, here and there, where you shall thincke they may be best taken. There was abuse in the levye of those that were sent before, many of them being househoulders, and maryed men, and of bodye not fit for this service. I pray you lett there be care had in these, that they may be single men and of apt bodyes. And I woulde be gladde to heare from you with speade, whether they be to be had or not, that I may cause mony to be readye at London for them. And yf they be to be had, yf the taking of them up may be gone in hande with in the

meane tyme it shalbe well, for I would have them here abowt the ende of Aprill, and not before. And so with my right harty commendacions, I bid you farewell. From the Haghe in Hollande, the 3d. of February, 1585. Your very loving frende, R. Leycester. [^POSTSCRIPT AUTOGRAPH^] Yf I may have these pioners, I desier to have them in a redynes agenst the mydst of May. I besech ye lett me hear oftener from you. I must lett ye know all our tresure ys gonne, and have leyd out iij or iiij=m= li. beside my expences, only for the causes and service here. And how the tresure hath byn payd out lett the awdytor tell ye, and yet he ys not able to tell ye all, but before I cam, all was gonn, and many debts owing, and the soldyers reddy to sterte, yet yt was thought that ther had byn inough here tyll the end of Decembre, of the first money; nether cam ther, as I now I find, over with the treasurer above 14,000 li. of the xx=m=., and he had but warant of me for 2,000 or therabout, whereof xvij=c= li. was for our shipping, yet he sayth he broght but 14,000 with him. [\ADDRESSED.\] To my honourable good frende sir Fraunces Walsingham knight, principall secretorye to the queenes majestie.

[} [\LETTER XXXI. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM. 4TH FEBRUARY 1585-6.\] }]

Good Mr. secretary, even as ye love the furtherance of this servyce, send us money with all spede, for, as you shall understand by Mr. Davyson, all our treasure ys gonn, and ye may se, by experyence, how dowbtfull the wyndes ar to pass at your wyll. I pray you also that you wyll obteyn lycence that we may have men, and the captens I have sent over may be dyspached only with hir majestys authorytye for the leavy of them. Mr. Norrys doth this day departe hence to Utrycht, whether also I send all my horsmen. Yf we may have money and men from Englond only to abyde the first brunt this sommer, I trust you shall hear of great servyce to the honour and quyett of hir majesty. The prince of Parma gyves yt out styll, and hath sent ageyn to Antwerp, to provyde for hir majesties embassador, ether to com thether or to Brusselles, only to make shew of yt, to brede busses in these mens heddes here. The preparacion at Antwerp for shipping ys not as ye have hard, for certen, nether his forces to be feared, spetyally yf we may once gett before hand with our men this spring. Here ys a man that doth offer to cure your decease uppon loss of his lyffe. Fare ye well; in much hast, this 4. of February. Yours assured, R. Leycester. [\ADDRESSED.\] To my honourable good frende Mr. secretory Walsingham.

[} [\LETTER XXXII. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM. 6TH FEBRUARY, 1585-6.\] }] Mr. secretory, this bearer, monsieur Civile, retourneth well inoughe, I thincke, satisfyed with the dealinges here. Yet do not the estates thincke good to goe throughe with the matter offred by him on the duke his master his behaulfe, partly because they do not take it to be of so great importaunce as the duke thincketh, and more specially because mony at this present groweth skant with them, being to satisfye me for my allowaunce monethly, and to paye their ould debtes, (which I covenanted they shoulde do before I would take the gouvernment on me,) and having some other payementes to make; so that, by their former desordre and confusion in all thinges, a litle money is nowe at the first more unto them then a great deal wilbe hereafter, when they have overpassed these paymentes, and thinges shalbe settled in good ordre. I have a meaning also to do the duke ere longe some pleasure an other waye, which I hope shalbe well to his lyking. And so, with my right harty commendacions, I bid you farewell. From the Haghe, in Hollande, the vjth of February 1585. Your very loving frende, R. Leycester. [^POSTSCRIPT AUTOGRAPH^] I have partly remembred my lord tresorer of a matter wherein I have at large wrytten to my lord admyrall, wherein both you there and we here may be better servyd, and hir majesty farr less charged. I pray you further yt to my lord admyrall, who I know wylbe very reddy therto.

And for those portes here, I can assure you they have doun great servyce, both in taking and burning of sondry of the Dunkerkers, as also in reskewing dyvers shipps taken by the enymye, both Englysh and Flemysh, and ij of the best and greatest were cast away uppon the Goodwyns lately, with all ther men and artyllery, save 4 or 5 maryners; iij small barkes on your side wold ease all, as ther ys also on this side as many and moe sett out, but ther ys more trust x tymes to ours to kepe Dunkirk, than these here, for they mete with many frendes whom they lett slypp. [\ADDRESSED.\] To my honourable good frende sir Francis Walsingham knight, principall secretory to the queenes majestie.

[} [\LETTER XXXIII. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO LORD BURGHLEY. 7TH FEBRUARY 1585-6.\] }] My lord, there are two marchaunts of this countree, the one of Middlebourge, called Mr. Jehan Cooman, bourgmaster of that towne, the other, Jehan Berrhee, eschevin and senatour of Amsterdam, who have a shipp with merchaundise taken coming from St. Lucars in Spayne, by certeine shipps of warre of England in October last, under pretence that they were the goods of the king of Spaynes subjects, because there was found in the shipp a bill of lading making mention that the goodes appertayned to a marchaunt of Anwerp, which indeade was done to thintent that the goodes should not be confiscat in Spayne; for that, since the

taking of Anwerp, all Anwerp-men are free from arrestes in Spayne, and this manner of lading in other mens names is used here, and allowed by an order of the estates, to thintent thereby the goods and monie of this countreemen arrested in Spayne and Portugall maie be gotten thence, and that those that are here against the king maie have some kynd of trade thither. Theise two marchaunts are verie honest men, of good religion, devoted to her majestie, and have suffred verie much for theis countrees service. He in Anwerp, though he dwell in Anwerp, and be therefore taken as reconcyled to the king of Spayne, yet is he an honest man accompted, and doth no hurt but great good to the cause. Theire humble suite to me is, to be meane to your lordship that the said goodes, being a 100 pypes of oyle and 19 balles of cotton, maie either be delivered to themselves upon good caution and assuraunce, or at least sequestred till sentence be geven, doubting greatlie least yf their adversaries, who are John Bird, Jo. Wattes, and John Stokes, should gett the possession of them, they would distract them at meane pryces, and dryve of thise men with long processe; which request seemeth to me verie reasonable. I doe earnestlie praye your lordship to cause good consideracion to be had of it, the rather the men being so well affected. And so, with my right hartie commendacions, I comitt your lordship to thallmightie. From the Hage in Holland, the 7th of February 1585. Your lordships loving frende, R. Leycester. [\ADDRESSED.\] To the right honourable my very good lord, the lord Burghley, lord highe treasourour of Englande, knight of thordre, one of the lords of her majesties privie counsaile, and master of her highnes wardes and liveryes.

[} [\LETTER XXXIV. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM. 7TH FEBRUARY 1585-6.\] }] This vij. of February I receive your letter, with a pece of lead in yt lyke a patern of a booke; I know not what yt meanes, nether have ye wrytten any word of yt. The master of the hoye that lost Sir Thomas Cecylles hors, I have putt him in prison, and great presumtyons ar ageinst him, which shalbe tryed to the uttermost, for such felloes have doon much harme, but no more than your great recourse to Calles now of your merchauntes doe, which ys so notable as wyll cause all here to runne at lyberty yf ye hold yt on, for all thinges doth pass to Calles. I besech ye consider of yt.

For the duke of Bullyns matter I wrote somwhat to ye of yt, but ther ys no aparaunce in dede that yt can be trew that so much vyttell can come to that place. I beleave ther ys some other matter in yt. I am sorry hir majestie wyll not suffer the Ireshe soldyers to come hether; hir majestie shuld not have byn at a peny charge for them; ther servyce in Ireland wyll not doe hir that servyce that ther want here wyll hinder hir in a hier degre. I fear the brutes the prince of Parma doth gyve out wyll prove trew, which ys, that hir majesty lookes rather for a peace than to goe any further into any warr, and making no questyon at all, whan he doth se the worst we can doe, but to have what peace he wyll at hir handes, at all tymes. What hurt yt doth, ye wyll, I fear, se to sone, for yf [\it\] be once setledd in these mens heddes, I warant ye they wold provyde for themselves, yf they had ther forces in ther handes, well inough; yt ys the thing hir majestie nedeth least desier, and sonest wylbe offred hir, yf she hold fast a lytle for the warr; otherwyse, farewell all these countreys, and ye shall never have peace but a shamfull one. And yf that shalbe thought mete, yf I bring not an offer, and a seking to hir for peace, or half the rest of hir money be spent, lett me loose hir favour and my credytt with hir majestie. But to make shew of your parte to desier a peace, and procede not in manyfest actyon of warr first, and with that ernest shew indede which apperteynes to so weighty a cause, look for no peace for England, whosoever elles can have yt: and be not deceaved, for I know yt, and doe fear the sequell of yt. The enymye doth as asuredly know what conferences have byn about sir Jo. Smyth's imbassage, and how ernest hir majesty ys for peace, how hardly she hath spoken ageinst the councellors of this enterprise of the Low Countreys, as any ye that ar at home; and by devyces ys brought hether, to corrupt men of best

credytt. But finding by my preparatyon to the contrary, and my sending for men into England, doth hold them all here back from any thought yet that waye, wherein someway I know I endanger myself at the enymyes handes, for his practyces to my none hurt, for he ys perswaded that I am a great hinderar to peace, and much of this here donn leyd uppon me. Beside, he hath intelligences partyculer out of Englond of me, whereby yt may the rather provoke him to seke my ryddance. But I am resolvyd of the protectyon of the Almighty ageinst all devylls and his enymyes, and that he wyll defend all that constantly trust in him. I have no interest, God doth know, in desier of warr; but the state of our prince and countrey requyring that ys done to be for there safty, I think this lyfe well imployd for there servyce, and xx tymes shall I be more wylling to be imployed in an honorable and good peace for them, which may be, I think, yf hir majesty take the way and follow yt. Some flyng tale hath byn told me here, that hir majesty shuld myslyke with the name of "excellencye." Suerly I know the great encreace hit hath geven me, but that I had the same at all straungeres handes that ever cam into England, synce I was made by hir majesty an erll, and abrode where she hath sent me. Yf I had delighted, or wold have received tytles, I refused a tytle hyer than excellency, as Mr. Davyson, yf you ask him, wyll tell ye; and that I my none self refused most ernestly that, and, yf I might have donn yt, this also, but I have had this both wrytten and spoken to me whan I used but the place of hir majesties master of hir horse, and both then and now asmuch to hir majesties honor as any advauncement to me, as one that desyreth no name but my none name, longer than I may serve hir majesty to hir honour and good lyking. I have sent the audytor over with the accomptes here, and, yf hir majesty wyll looke for my good servyce, there must be hast of

money hether, for here ys none left, and we have now above viij=c= horse to pay. So, in som hast, I comytt ye to God; at the Hage, this vij. of February. Your assured frend, R. Leycester. [\ADDRESSED.\] To Mr. secretary Walsingham.

[} [\LETTER XXXV. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO THE LORD TREASURER, THE LORD CHAMBERLAIN, THE VICE CHAMBERLAIN, AND MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM. 8TH FEBRUARY 1585-6.\] }] My very good lords, I have to my great discomfourt receyved from you her majesties great mislyke of my acceptaunce of this

gouvernment, and that she will by no meanes avowe, but rather disavowe wholy, that which is done therein. I was somewayes a very unfortunat man, I must confesse, that founde scant of her majesties wonted favour towardes me before my going to take so great and weightye a charge as this in hande, not being ignorant of the infinite hazardes that I must put my own poore estate unto, bothe lyfe and all. Neverthelesse, the Lord God doth knowe, unto whose mercye I do appeale, the very aboundaunce of my faithfull harty love, borne even to the preservation of her sacred person, and the care of her prosperous raigne over our poore endaungered countrye, was only cause thereof. But, my lords, thus muche hope had I allwayes notwithstanding, in the great goodnes of her majestie, that in so weightye a cause as this is, her majestie would, before she had condemned me so farre, have hearde what reasons have moved me to do this I have done, above her commission or commaundement. And I doubt not but her majestie and you all shall well fynde, that I have adventured more to do her majestie acceptable service thereby, then to do my selfe eyther honour or good. And as your lordships have had good experience heretofore of the uncertaintyes of these passages; so was I here xliij dayes before I did once heare worde out of Englande. And, for this matter, to satisfye eyther her majestie or your lordships as it ought to do, must stand upon sondry reasons which necessitye brought fourthe at this tyme to cause me to accept of this gouvernment, which I had delivered to Mr. Davison to declare bothe to her and to your lordships, I do moste humbly beseche your good lordships to examine all those reasons but indifferently. Yf they seame to your wisdomes other then suche as might well move a true and a faythfull carefull man to her majestie to do as I have done, I do desire for my mistaking offense to beare the burden of it, which can be no greater then that which her majestie hathe allreadye decreed, to disavowe me with all displeasure and disgrace; a matter of as great reproche and griefe as ever can

happen to any man. And according to her will, which I perceyve is ment by her majestie, I wilbe readye (seeing it is not otherwise to be presently used) to obey her pleasure, yf it were presently to give it, without any more adoe, over agayne to them. But respecting what hinderaunce it may be to her majesties service at this tyme, and to the whole cause, I trust I shall not offende your lordships, nor her majestie, to give this simple advise, that it may pleas her to send somme nobleman with all speade whome it shall lyke her to supply my place, according to her first meaning, and to revoke me, which I will humbly obey, and take it as a matter from God, who can and will correct the wayes of synners, protesting in his presence, and by the beliefe I have in Chryste, that I have done nothing in this matter, but, to my iudgement, of suche consequence for her majesties service, besides the furderaunce of the cause here, as, yf lyfe, lande and goodes had lyne upon it, I must have adventured it as for an acceptable service. And yet when I sett my foote on lande I no more imagined of any suche matter to be offred me, or more then was by her majesty and the estates contracted, then I thought to be king of Spayne; nor till I came to this town xij dayes after: and yet was there some were affinitye with this by that contracted betwene her and the estates. I have no cause to have played the foole thus farre for myselfe; first, to have her majesties displeasure, which no kyngedome in the worlde culd make me willingly to deserve; next, to undoe myselfe in my later dayes; to consume all that should have kept me all my lyfe, in one haulfe-yeare. And so muche gayne have I heare by it as I have lyved and spent only of my own since I came, without ever having pennye or groate from them, neyther shall gett so muche by them all here, yf I had served them this xij monethes, as I have spent since I sawe her majestie and your lordships laste. But I must thancke God of all, and am most hartely grieved at her majesties heavy displeasure. I neyther desire to lyve, nor to see my country, with it. For yf I have not done her majesty good service at this tyme, I shall never hope to do her

any, but will withdrawe me into some out-corner of the worlde, where I will languishe out the rest of my fewe, to many, dayes, prayng ever for her majesties longe and prosperous lyfe, and with this only comforte to lyve an exile, that this disgrace hathe happened for no other cause but for my mere regarde of her majesties estate, being driven to this choyse, eyther to put myselfe into her handes for doing that which was moste probably best for her service, or elles loose her that advantage which, at that present lett slippe, was not possibly to be gotten for her agayne. I doubt not but ere this Mr. Davison hathe presented to her majestie my own letter, and acquaynted all your lordships with suche reasons as have moved me to deale as I have done, who was dispatched hence fower dayes before I receyved your lordships letters, leaving me in opinion yf her majestie had not thus conceaved of it as she nowe dothe, that I would have thought my service had deserved more thanckes. I shall nowe attend her majesties furder pleasure, not daring wryte to herselfe being thus offended, but will humbly desire your lordships good constructions of my doinges to hir highnes, yf you shall fynde the consideration worthie, with your honourable and frendly meanes in my behaulfe, being a man absent, but moste faythfull and loyall to my moste dread soveraigne mistres, and so wilbe to my lyves ende, and to my power humbly thanckefull to your lordships all, for the good favour you shall shewe herein towardes me. And so will pray unto God to keape you all in his feare with longe lyfe. From the Haghe, the 8=th= of Februarye, 1585. [\ADDRESSED,\] To the right honourable my very good lords the lord highe treasourour of Englande and the lord chamberlayne, and my very good frendes Mr. vice-chamberlaine and Mr. secretory Walsingham, and to every of them.

[} [\LETTER XXXVI. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM. 8TH FEBRUARY 1585-6.\] }] Mr. secretary, being lothe to trouble my lords with to longe a letter, maketh me thus bould to use some addition to you, being not only grieved but wounded to the harte. For it is more then death unto me, that her majestie should be thus ready to interpret allwayes hardly of my service, specially before it might pleas her to understande my reasons for that I do. For my own parte, I am perswaded hitherto there could not any better service be done unto her majestie in these partes, and yf some other man had done it, yt coulde not be but it had bene muche better accepted: at the least I thinke she would never have so condemned any [\other\] man before she had heard him. And, undre her highnes pardon and favour, I dare referre the judgement of this matter, when it shalbe duely examined and hearde, to her majesties own selfe, or to my worst enemyes, wheresoever they be, muche rather to any or to all her privye counsayle. All her majestie can laye to my charge

ys going a little furder then she gave me commission for. Yf the matter be well considered, the steppe forwarde is not so great, yf my authoritye contracted before betwene her majestie and the states be well perused, and I thancke God there is no treachourye nor falshoode in this I am blamed for. The Lord graunt her majestie paciently to consider by this my doing wherein she is any waye damnefyed, or furdur engaged to the estates then she was before. Her majestie I do remember well indeade, and so may you, howe before all my lords she seamed to mislyke that I should take any other charge then as her generall, or to make any othe to them here, any manner of waye. I tould her majestie lykewyse, in the same presence, it was then to no purpose for me to goe into these countryes; for yf it were but to be her generall only of v=m=. men, Mr. Norrise had that charge alreadye, and better able to discharge it then I. I did lykewise put her bothe in remembrance of her contract with the states, which had allowed me farre more authoritye then that, and of the dealing of my lord treasourour and of yourselfe also with them abowt a furder enterteignment for me, as in respect I should be their officer as well as her majesties, in which I referre myselfe to both your reportes, being then present. For they alwayes aunswered me, there was no doubt but they would deale with me as well as ever they did with the prince of Orange. But her majestie indead then would not heare of it, thoughe I made petition to be discharged of the journey. Yet, afterwards, in speaking with her, I founde her very well content I should receyve any thinge from their handes whatsoever, so it mought not proceade from herselfe, but of themselves. I did desire you, sir, at that tyme, to move her majestie most earnestly for my stay at home, telling you howe much I should undoe myself, and do her majestie no service, going after that manner. And, yf I be not forgeatfull, it seamed then to you lykewise, that her majestie was willing inoughe that I should receyve suche charge and enterteignment as, of themselves, the

estates would lay upon me and give me: but I will not stande greatly hereupon. But, admitt me to be even acccording as her majestie did contract with the estates, ys it not there agreed I should be the generall of their warres and armyes, as well as of her majesties? Was I not there placed as chiefe counsailour of the estate amonge them, and two nominated also by her majestie to assist me? I suppose in this place it was not ment, neyther for me nor them, as counsailours for the warres only, for then I am sure there should have bene named more famous captaines to assist me. Besides, I am there authorized to deale in monye matters, and myntes, with such lyke, which are mere civile causes. Yf, then, it be so that this authoritye was given me before, by her majesties and the estates contract, and that they would, partly for the honour borne to hir majestie, and partly for that they would have the worlde knowe they relye wholy upon her, make choyse of me, so farre interessed allreadye amonge them, and give me a tytle and place which some other must have had, as shall playnly appeare to her majestie by Mr. Davison, and that hir majesty is neyther furder charged therby, nor by any means drawen into any furder action or bonde, then she was before, and that of necessitye some one must have had the place, I woulde fayne knowe, yf any other had had it but one wholye hir majesties, whether she had not bene disappointed of every parte of that she looked for: specially for a good peace for herselfe and Englande? And whether the sure payement of her waged souldiors by them, or the strengthe of all the garrisons placed by them, or the navye and mariners of these countreyes, had bene, without this authoritye to one of hers, at hir majesties commaundement or no? Yf then, by taking this place upon me, hir majestie being thereby no waye to be charged, eyther by the king of Spayne or otherwise, since it was the estates own election, and a matter merly done by themselves, to offre these great advauntages to one of her own, methinckes it should not receyve so harde a construction, seing by the placing of me, the

only benefite and greatest honour dothe growe to hir majesties selfe every waye. For my own particular, I knowe it had bene farre better another had had it then I. But for hir majestie, yf hir gracious good opinion were not prejudiced allready against me in this matter, bothe hirself and all others must thincke it is muche better for hir service in the handes of one of hir own, then of any other whosoever. But yet I am nowe sory that ever I was employed in this service. For yf any man of a great nomber elles had brought suche a matter to passe for hir, I am sure he should have had, instead of displeasure, many thanckes. But suche is nowe my wretched case, as for my faythfull, true and loving harte to hir majestie and my countrye, I have utterly undone myselfe; for favour, I have disgrace; and for rewarde, utter spoyle and ruyne. I could have taken warning of this before, yf I would have doubted so muche of hir majesties goodnes, or have cared more for my quyet and ease at home then for hir service abroade. And I am not so riche but I might bothe well have spared my charge, and saved the labour of so daungerous a journey. But, to conclude, yf to make hir majestie to have the whole commaundement of all these provinces, of their forces by sea and lande, of their townes and of their treasure, with knowledge of all the secrettes of their estate, yea and to have brought her what peace she woulde, besides divers wayes and meanes lykely to have eased a great parte of her charges, only by taking upon me the name of gouvernour, is so eveill taken as it hathe deserved dishonour, discredite, disfavour, with all grefes that may be laide upon a man, I must receyve it as deserved of God and not of my quene, whome I have reverenced with all humilitye, and whome I have loved with all fydelitye. Hit shall ende thus, that as I fynde myselfe moste deapely wounded, and seeing hir majesties good favour and good opinion drawen from me, that she conceyveth I have or do belyke seake rather my own glorye then her true service, not forgetting that some suche wordes were used of me when

I made suyte to her majesty to have a fewe lords over with me, I do humbly beseche her majestie by you, for I know my wryting to hirselfe having these conceipts of me shall but trouble her, to graunt me leave, as soone as she shall appoint one here to supplye my place for her better service, which I desire with all speade, and the sooner the better, to go lyve in somme obscure corner of the earthe, where I will ende these grievous dayes in true prayer to God for her. And, as the Lord doth knowe, when she thought me any way touched with vayne glorye, I had no cause of vayne glorye to boste of. Yf I may glorye in any thinge, it must be, I see, in the crosses of this worlde, whiche allmightye God strengthen me unto. And so, thincking every daye a yeare till I may receave ordre and dispatche of this place, I bid you hartily farewell. From the Haghe in Hollande, the 8=th= of February 1585. Your loving frende. [\ADDRESSED\] To my honourable good frende sir Fraunces Walsingham, knight, principall secretorye to the queenes majestie.

[} [\LETTER XXXVII. LORD BURGHLEY TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 7TH FEBRUARY, 1585-6.\] }] My very good lord, Your last letters come to my hands war by your lordship written at the Hage the 29. of January, by which I

was glad to perceave [\you\] had receaved my letters sent by Mr. Atye and my son; which war made old letters by the contrary wynd, which of late hath bene so constant to hang long in on cost, as ether your lordship there have cause, or we heare, to wish it; for it holdeth strongly ether west, which pleseth vs to send, but not to heare; or els in the est, which discontenteth ether of vs in contrary manner. By your lordships letters I fynd manny thyngs of my letters answered, and so I shall be hable to satisfye hir majesty; but, to be playn with your lordship, in a few words, I, and other your lordships poore frends, find hir majesty so discontent with your acceptation of the government ther, befor you had advertised and had hir majestys opinion, that, althovgh I, for my own part, judg this action both honorable and profitable, yet hir majesty will not endure to heare any speche in defence therof. Nevertheless, I hope a small tyme shall alter this hard concept in hir majesty, whereunto I have allredy and shall not desist to oppose myself, with good and sound reasons to move hir majesty to alter her hard opinion. But, to end this wrytyng, I could not but to accompany this gentilman, Horatio Palavicino, with my letter, whom, for his

wisdom and all other good quallites, I nede not to commend to your lordship, being so well knowen and approved to your lordship as he is. From my house in Westminster, 7. February 1585. Your lordships assuredly at command, W. Burghley.

[} [\LETTER XLI. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM. 14TH FEBRUARY 1585-6.\] }] Mr. secretory, this gentleman, sir Robert Jarmine, hathe in my knowledge causes of great weight which force him at this tyme to come over. He myndeth to retourne hither within a moneth or therabowtes, and for that tyme he may be best spared hence. I

have founde him to be very wise and stowt, and most willing and ready to this service, and he hathe come hither as well appointed as any that hathe commen over. I very hartely pray you to accompt of him as of one specially recommended to you from me, and yf he shall neade your favour in his causes, that you will the rather affourd it him for my sake: I wilbe behoulden to you for it. And so with my right harty commendacions I committ you to the Allmightye. From the Haghe in Hollande, the xiiijth of February, 1585. Your very loving frende, R. Leycester. [^POSTSCRIPT AUTOGRAPH^] I nede not commend this gentleman to ye, but assuredly he ys gretly to be estemed. I besech further him yf he shall nede your favour. I did wryte very ernestly to ye, and I think to my lord tresurer also, touching a request one munsieur de Meux made unto me at Dort; he ys the hye-bayly ther, a very honest, religious, constant, stout gentleman, one that hath gonn thorow all these troubles with great constancy. His only sonn ys taken by the enymye; they wyll not release him, nor sett him at any ransome, for the fathers sake. He desyred Saburo, by whose meanes he hoped to redeme him. The gentleman ys worthy of a greater favour, and able to serve hir majesty many ways in this countrey; he thinkes some lack in me that he receaves no answere or comfort all thys while. I pray ye, sir, favour him further, and ye shall do hir majesty a good service in yt, and yet I dout not to get some other in Dunkirk also with him. [\ADDRESSED.\] To my honourable good frende sir Francis Walsingham knight, principall secretorye to the queenes majestie.

[} [\LETTER XLII. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM. 15TH FEBRUARY, 1585-6.\] }] Mr. secretorye, I opened the packett which this bearer comming from my lord Willoughbye will deliver you, because there was a letter in it for me. By that letter I fynde but doubtfull aunsweres from the king of Denmarcke, and therefore do thincke it not amisse yf you staye the imparting to her majestie of the contents of these letters, untill her pleasure shalbe fully knowen touching the matters of these countryes, nowe after the arrivall of Mr. Davison. Yf she go throughly on with these causes, she shall not need to make doubt of having frendes inowe. So, with my harty commendacions, I bid you fare well. From the Haghe the xvth of February, 1585. Your very loving frende, R. Leycester. If sir William Pellham be not hastened hither, or some suche man of judgement in martiall affayres, we shall hardly do that good I wishe for here. [\ADDRESSED.\] To my honourable good frende sir Francis Walsingham knight, principall secretorye to the queenes majestie.

[} [\LETTER XLIV. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM. 18TH FEBRUARY 1585-6.\] }] Mr. secretary, these men here doe very ernestly press me to be a sutor to hir majesty, that hit will please her to consider of the traffyq of hir marchauntes for clothes, whether these tounes in Holland and Zeland may not be thought convenyent places for the

utterance of ther clothes, as they hope all yt wyll; and, yf yt so be found good, than wold they be sutors to have them com hether, offring all manner of good usage, and in what place or places so ever the merchantes wyll lyke best they shalbe provyded for to ther contentacions, without tax, or talliage, or any manner of charges uppon ther merchandyzes. For my none parte I have somewhat travelled to understand what vent they may have, and I find plainly, yf you hold your hand from lycenses, and forbid going to any other places eastward from Hamboro hetherward, and to the Haunces but only some suche nomber of clothes as heretofore ye have allowed them, that here wylbe a notable mart for them. Amsterdame, or Enchuson (a place I lyke best for some causes), or Rotradame, any of these iij, wylbe very apt places, and, with Mydelborow in Zeland, ye shall not only be sure our clothes shall have spedy utterance but greatly content these people, and I am perswaded yf all other places be well examyned ye wyll fynd this the surest every way. For alredy our clothes goe away apace from Mydelborow, but yf the hole trade come hether, all the east partes wyll seke hether, and here ys no fear of any arestes or exactyons, except we offer them to to much wrong. I pray ye, sir, consider of yt, and with some spede, for that the king of Denmark hath promysed to deall for the Stedes, and ye had nede take hede of them, the king of Spain hath a great hand over them, spetyally of the Count de Embden, who, I can assure you, ys wholy at his comaundment; his letters hath byn taken. These men, also, doe offer some place, or places, for your woll of England, and wyll deall with nether French nor Spanyesh woolles yf hir majesty wyll, and ye may utter here a great quantyty to those that make sayes, and bayes, and other wollen workes, which shall only spend our Englysh wooll: and I wyll warrant your merchantes never found such markettes for ther clothes as they shall doe here, yf they wyll not skatter to other places. Thys being a matter of great weight I thought to wryte yt to ye, and that I may hear from ye as sone as may be, at least that hit be

not forgotten to these folkes, howsoever ye deall with the lord lyvetenant here. God preserve and kepe hir majesty from all evyll, and with longest and happiest yeres to rayne. From the Hage, this xviij. of February. Your assured frend, R. Leycester. Hit is thought, that yf our woolles cam over hether into Holland, that yt wold draw a great nomber out of Flaunders hether that occupie wollen occupacions from the parte of the enemye. For God's sake remember money, with all possible spede; and sir Wylliam Pellam, [\ADDRESSED,\] To my honourable good frende sir Fraunces Walsingham, knight, principall secretorye to the queenes majestie.

[} [\LETTER XLV. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM. 21 FEBRUARY, 1585-6.\] }] This Monday, the xxj. of February, after I had dyspatched my other letters to ye, my lord Wyllowby aryved here very well, and doth tell me how very well affected he hath left the king of Denmarke toward hir majesty, that, for hir owen service, he wyll mak warr uppon any prince, and ys content, uppon any least word from

me, to lett ij=m= of the best horsmen in all his countrey to com to me, and they may better com that way, I find, than any way out of Jermanye, to serve this countrey, spetyally in East Fresland and Gelderland. I perceave, also, that the princes of Germany ar mervellosly gladd of hir majesties dealing with the king of Spayn. The duke of Sax ys becom a new man synce his mariage, and hath sent very playn messages to the emperour; he hath lykewyse agreed with sondry princes to send to the French king, and to perswade him to leave his prosecuting the king of Navare and the protestantes; yf not, they protest not only to stey all succors for him out of Germany, but to ayd and asyst the sayd king of Navare, with all the force they may. I fynd yt plainly, yf her majesty send any man of countenance now to them, and to com this way, though yt werr but boddeleye, I dare warrant ye shall find them in an other manner of tune then ever they werr yet, synce hir majesties tyme. The ellector of Culloyn received letters ij days [\ago\] to the same effect, touching the princes of Germanyes devotyon, as also of the duke of Sax August. The count of Emden ys stark naught, and the king of Spains for lyfe, only I wyshe hir majesty to send some one to his brother, count John, whos hart ys almost kyld synce he was in England, and languysheth in great mallincholly, finding so small comfort ther, as he sayth, yf hir majesty had geven him any good comfort, his brother shuld never have don any thing but what she wold. He is so decayd and out of comfort, as yt ys thought his brother wyll shortly gett the Nort, and another place next the sea called Gryte, of good importance, but the other called Denord ys able to doe very great servyce agenst the enymye now, yf yt werr at hir majesties dewtye, but ther must be no tyme lost in yt. Hamborow ys a villanous town, and wholy the king of Spaynes;

my lord Wyllouby was in great danger to be taken in their territorye. But, yf yt please hir majesty to bestow hir merchants in other places, I beleive veryly more to their proffytt but far more for ther surety, which, yf yt may be, I besech ye give me but a spedy incling. We ar here in good forwardnes as well for sea as land; ye shall hear shortly that our contrybutions wylbe very much encreased, spetyally yf her majesties countenance contynew. I have wonne them to dyvers very large pointes alredy, for they se I only serve hir majesty and ther cause, and do venture both my lyfe and my lyving for them, and I assure ye I find great favour with them, spetyally with the honest councellors and the comon people. Paule Buys ys a very vyllayn, a dissembler, an athest, and a practyser to make himself rych and great, and no boddy elles; but ye shall see I wyll doe well inough with him, and that shortly. He ys the most hated man generally that ever I knew in any state: but kepe this, I pray ye, to yourself. Ortell ys holy his, and he hath alredye newes of hir majesties myslyke of me, and I warrant ye he hath taken advantage of yt, and yet wyll not seme to me to know any thing; but I am here every way to hard for him. He wold seme altogether to be for Englond, and in troth he doth skorn us. Hir majestie never had such a waye unto the world to daunt hir enymys as she hath now. I pray God she may take the offers of hir parliament in tyme: she wyll find herself happy. And, in hast, fare ye well, the shypp steying this beror. Your most assured, R. Leycester. To my honourable good frend sir Frauncis Walsingham, knight, her majesties principall secretarie.

[} [\LETTER XLVI. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM. 22ND FEBRUARY 1585-6.\] }] I must nedes trowble ye as oft as occasion may serve, albeyt I can hear nothing from you, whether I shall contynew in my servyce or be cashed, and being loth to loose tyme whilst I am hear, I have alredy proceded with these men for the leavy of an army, as the only way in dede to help and save all; for, whatsoever discourse men may make to you ther, I find by all the wysest and best experymented men here, that if we stand but uppon a defensyve warr, all wyll be lost, as all was almost quyte gonne when I cam hether, as I wrote unto you, and chifely for that men were out of hope to resyst the enymye in the fyld, but he had way to doe what he lysted in all places; he was able both to besiege towens and to anoye all places where he lysted, and no man to make hedd with force ageinst him, every man looking but to his singell charge, in this towen and that towen, and none to commaunde or dyrect for the hole: and ye shall se now, that a meane comander shalbe able to doe more than was donn this good while. We have alredy, concluded and in making reddy, almost xl good shippes and good cromsters, beside xxv smaler vesselles to runne upp and down the ryvers, well furnyshed; so that, for the sea, we wyll provyde well inough.

For the land hit ys almost concluded, also, that we shall leavye iiij=m= horse, the most reyters, beside those we have alredy, for yf we may mach the enymye with horse, I dowbt not for the rest; yet he hath iij=m=. Spanyardes aryved a month agoe, and I hear he ys preparing men in Germany. Much adoe have I had with these men to bring them to consider of this matter, for they imagyn ther places inpregnyble, and doe not remember how the people groe wery of ther contynewall burden, and standing only uppon defence. They contynewally lost towens, cyttyes, and almost ij hole provynces, Flanders and Brabant, all which, yf they had had but vj=m= men in the fyld, they had saved; but I may boldly say it, for I am well informyd of yt, they were both carelesly and neglegently lost, and assuredly many more had byn gonn but for hir majesties comfort and countenance, and yet wylbe, yf we shall doe but as others have donn. Wherefore I have byn very round, and the rounder, to be playn with ye, that I wold rather torn myself out of service for such a cause than to be torned owt otherwyse, as perhapps ye among ye ther have resolyd. And my dealing hath taken such good success, as now they procede very willingly in all thinges that I move to them for ther defence, and every man wylling to contrybute, and to enlardge their contrybutyons, now they hope somwhat shall be donn for ther money, as, God wylling, ther shall, yf I tarry by yt; praing ye, ageyn and ageyn, to send away sir Wylliam Pellam. They here have hard so much of him as almost they beleave in him. Hir majesty must think that this servyce standes hir more uppon than all hir debtes, yf they be a C=m= li., and the prosperity therof must bring hir, not only safetye to hir state and person, but the saving of many a C=m= li. hereafter. Besyde, sir, yf my poore advyce may be hard, as I have wrytten yt to ye and my lord tresorer heretofore, hir [\majesty\] shuld send with all spede into Germany to the princes, to encourage them, spetyally a gentleman of some quallyty to the duke of Sax, to congratulatt his mariag

with the howse of Hawnalt, who is the ablest and noblest gentleman in all Germany and a great prince; and, beside that he wyll take himself bound to hir majesty, the old duke wyll take it most kindly, for he loveth his yong wyffe so well as whosoever sendes to him therabout he useth all the thankfullnes in the world to him. He hath sent of late a stout messag to the emperour, and hath refused to gyve any audyence or access to the French kinges comyssary. Seguro hath ben greatly enterteyned at his handes, and loged in his own howse. Yf Palavasyn com not away ye marr all. Gyttory ys almost madd, having wrytten into Germany of hir majesties gracyous dealing in their cause, and that Pallavasyn and he were both on the way; now Gyttory lyeth styll at Harlem, and almost desperatt, yet doe I comfort him by messages, to lett him know that I myselfe have not hard this month from England. God send them better whan they com next. The king of Denmark doth marvellously love hir majesty, as my lord Wyllowby telles me; he hath sent me very kind messages by my lord, and doth offer to let me have ij=m= of his best horsmen, and best captens to lead them; and lykewise to send his own sonne, yf I think yt good, and that it may any way advance hir majesties servyce. Thus ye may se how greatly hir majesty may further both hir own good servyce and the servyce of all christendome, yf hit shall please hir. And bycause she hath alwayes harped uppon a peace, lett all wyse men judge whether ther be any way in the world for hir majesty to have a good peace but this way; yea, and the more show of princes good wylles that she may procure, the better and surer must yt be for hir. Well, I can doe no more but open my pore conceattes, and pray to God to dyrect hir majesties hart to doe that which may be most for his glorye and best for hirselfe and realme, and so commytt you to his safe protectyon. At the

Hage, from whence I goe toward Utrycht uppon Saturday next; this xxij. of February. Your assured frend, R. Leycester. I besech ye, Mr. secretary, lett not the pore soldyers be forgotten, and the rather for that we shall goe very shortly to the fyld; at the least to have a flying camp of iij or 4000 men, to doe very necessary and nedefull servyce. The count Hollock ys a most wylling and obedient servant, and surely wyll doe well, and begyns to leave his drynking. Hir majesty is much beholden to the elector Truxy, and he ys able to doe great servyce; he ys very pore but very wyse. [\ADDRESSED,\] To my honourable good frend Mr. secretarye Walsingham.

[} [\LETTER XLVII. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM. 24TH FEBRUARY 1585-6.\] }] The messenger which had my last letters was reternyd back by whether ageyn, which causeth me to make my letters as freshe to ye as may be, styll; and, touching the encrease of allowance to

our former rate sett down, which was ij=cm= florins by the month; fynding yt very skant to descharge that which this sommer servyces shall require, I have procured at the states handes, and with best wyll at the countreyes handes, to gyve for iiij monthes ij=cm= florins more, with which I trust ther wylbe good servyce donn, and I have not byn idell nor neglygent in cauling uppon these men for this matter, and other very nedefull, though I find many of them slak inough in furthering those thinges that be nedefull for themselves. I cannott blame the countreys to myslyke with them as they have donn. Well, I hope now the gretest matter ys past, this money being so redyly agreed unto at length; and whosoever shall suplye the place for hir majesty here, shall find a good preparation. I have, lykewyse, mustered all our men, and to be payd untyll the xij. of February, but not our horsemen. I stey tyll I com to Utryght, which shalbe within viij days after this, yf wether wyll suffer me. I have changed many garisons upon some smale suspition, but, I thank God, I find all men wylling to serve for hir majesties sake, and I trust no place at this day to be feared, where any garyson ys. I am about to make Lylle and Lyfskynhose somwhat stronger; places of great importance. I have lerned to be of a good nature synce I cam hether, for I hope to sett the French king and the king of Spain together by the eares, as well as they love, or this day month, and cost hir majesty never a grote. I trust ye shall very shortly hear of som towns of importance to be had into our handes. I find by the muster-master that the bandes be wonderfully decayed, though many sleyttes were used, as he saith, to deceave him, and wyll save hir majesty a good deall, I think; he ys not yet retornyd, but a very wyse stout fellow he ys, and very carefull to serve thorouly hir majesty. I am gladd I named him to yt. I wold he had byn here at the beginning; but yf I tarry here I

wyll be sure we wyll have men for our money. Hetherto I was not able to use the servyce of v=c=. Englyshe soldyers beside the garrysons of Flushing and Bryll, which places I styrr not. Ther are ij lytle places which I meane to gett the government of, and shalbe no charge to hir majesty, and yet of as great importance as any of the other almost. These men be mervellously pleasyd with me that they perceave I prepare forces for the fyld, for yt ys the only way to brydell and overthrow the enymy, and to putt in hart these people, who care not what they gyve so they know they have men in the fyld to defend them, spetyally in the somer tyme. Wherefore, Mr. secretary, yf hir majesty wyll looke for honour and good servyce, send away Mr. Pellam; we have no such man to govern the armye of all the men they have here, nor any comparable to those I have brought alredy. They have very few that ar any thing able. I wold I had the ij Italians that Pallavasyn promysed me; but, seing I trust the Spanish shall have no cause to trowble Irland, I wold, yf I shuld tarry here, gyve one of my fingers to have Mr. Bingam here but iiij months. I dyd think ther had byn both more and better choyce of captens than I can find here, and therfore ther ys the more nede of such as he ys, for surely I am in very good opinion of happy success, I find all men so willing to this servyce. I besech ye, yf ye find hir majesty well disposyd, remember Bingam, but first dispatch away sir William Pellam, whose abode one month now may hinder us greatly here. There ys an other matter concerning Emden of very great importance; I have wrytten alredy thereabout to ye; he ys a very enymye to this countrey, and fast to the king of Spayn, and doth chifely vyttell the enymye; yf he were not, we shuld get Groyning in xx days, and all that part of Freseland the enymye now holdeth.

Thus, having scrybled in much hast, I comytt you to the Lord. At the Hag this xxiiij. of February. Your assured frend, R. Leycester. I pray you remember that I may receive answere to the partes of my letters, for I have no coppy of my requestes. Forget not money, money; and I wyll never press for any more than hir majesty hath promysed these countreys alredy for this yere. [\ADDRESSED,\] To my honourable good frend Mr. secretary Walsingham.

[} [\LETTER XLVIII. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY WALSINGHAM, 26TH FEBRUARY 1585-6.\] }] Mr. secretary, yesterday being the xxv. of February, I wrote unto you. This day, having occasion of a messenger going over, I thought good to lett you knowe, that there came one of this councell to me, and in verye honest sort told me, that I could not forgett what brutes the prince of Parma had geven out touching hir majestyes disposytion for to have peace with the king of Spain. "I have received," sayth he, "now a lettre from a frend of myne in London, who dothe wryte, that a Spanish marchant, one Lewis de Pace, was gonn into Spain with all hast, uppon a sudden, a month agon, and thought to be not without the knowledge of some councellor, and that some secretly devyned, that hit was to procure

some spech of peace, but," sayth he, "I wyll not beleave yt, for yf hir majesty had had that minde, I am suer she wold never have gon thus farr with us here, nether can all the Paces in England or Spain cause the king of Spain to speake or seke a pece so sone as this course she doth take with him. And we trust that hir majesty wyll never doe herself so much dyshonour, nor us that have comytted ourselves unto hir so much wronge, as to take any such course whereby that king shall receive so great encouragement, to hir owen harme and ours; for," quod he, "hir majesty knoweth not the pryde of the Spaniard, yf he be any way sought unto, how inderectly soever. I doe not beleave it, nether wyll I speake of yt, but to tell your lordship of yt, to know yf ye have hard any such thing." I told him, uppon my truth, no, (no more dyd I in dede) nor I could not beleave yt whosoever shuld wryte yt, bycause I knew hir majesty had meanes inowe offred hir to have herkened to a peace or this, yf she had lysted; and he and the rest here might assure themselves she wyll never deall or herken to peace but their parte wylbe in yt as well as for hirself. "Seurly," sayth he, "I wyll beleave so, for hir majesty hath bounde us by treaty and contract that we shall no waye speake of peace without her pryvytye fyrst, which, God wylling, wylbe truly observed. For now ys yt in her majesties power both to save us, next unto God, or to undoe us for ever." I dyd all I could to putt any such conceatt out of hys head, for I wold be as loth to have yt in myne owen, knowing how utterly hit wold both overthrow hir majesty and thes countreys also; and how easily hir highnes ys like at all tymes, whansoever she wyll, to have a peace at that kinges hand. Nevertheless I could not be quyett but to advertyse you hereof, trusting that ther wylbe no such matter in hand but you wyll gyve your frend som knoledge wherby to govern himself the better, and I wold be sorry my credytt werr so yll, seing I dyd putt hir majesty in a better hope, and wyll perform yt, when any good cause shalbe, than by such a meane to bring hir to a peace. And so

having donn all my arrand for this tyme, I wyll byd you farewell this xxvj. of February. Your assured frend, R. Leycester. Yf Pallavasyn come not, Gyttery wyll home to his master, and com into England as he goeth, and so to his master. He wyll not into Germany. He ys wonderfully greved, but I satysfie him all I can, with the lacke of wynd to com out of England. [\ADDRESSED,\] To my very honorable good frend sir Francis Walsingham, knight, principall secretary [\to\] her majesty.

[} [\LETTER XLIX. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM. 27TH FEBRUARY 1585-6.\] }] This day, being the xxvij. of February, having wrytten yesterday another letter unto you, I have received intelligence from Gelderland. Coronell Shenkes hath ageyn donn a notable pece of servyce. He hath taken a towen and castle of great importance for impeching the enemye in those partes, a place we have bynn busye about this good while to gett, and now by his dyllygence and dyscrete handling brought to effect. Hit ys a town in Westfalia,

the principall town of all that provynce, called Werle, belonging to the byshop of Colloyn, but in the enymyes handes, and dyd us here great dyspleasure. This good fortune, God be thankyd, ys now com to us. Beside, the count de Meurs hath donn a notable pece of servyce very lately uppon a lettre I wrote unto him, beinge discovered unto me from a man of Deventer that was one of their councell and of the religyon, a place of mervellous importance to this state, who opened a full conspyracye of certen magystrates of that town to delyver yt upp to the enymye, and had sworne a company among themselves for the purpose. The honest mans letter I sent to the count, who presently without delaye repayred thether, at whose coming they wold not lett him entre but with vj persons, for indede they wold never yet receive garyson into the towen, albeyt they held for this state always, and beside they had comytted the party that wrote to me to pryson before the countes coming, for that he semed to refuse to joyn with the rest, being one of the chefe of the towen, in this conspyracye. And the count hath so well behaved himself, as he hath overthrowen all this practyce, and hath changed all the magystrates, to the great lykyng of all the towen and the full assurance of the same as at any tyme before, which, God wylling, shall [\be\] better assured or long, uppon this occasion. I trust ye shall hear of other manner of places taken or long. Myself had byn at Utrycht or now, but expecting styll hir majesties pleasure from England, which tyll this day I hear nothing; and yt ys most requysytt that I repayr into those partes about Utrycht, for, tyll the houer of hir majesties pleasure knowen, I wyll not neglect the servyce of this aflycted countrey, which God, I trust, wyll prosper, yf not by me, yet by som other that hir majesty shall apoint more fytt. For very fezeable yt ys at this present, yf God putt into hir majesties hart to procede in geving hir good countenance to them. I dare undertake this v yeres they werr not in so good towardnes of well doing as synce they tasted

of her majestys good favour, which God Almighty styll contynew her in toward them. I am thretned to be used as the prince of Orang was, but I am at a point for that, and yet, yf yt be founde that hir majesty wyll go thorow with all how many soever shalbe so delt withall, they wyll leave those practyces. I besech you procure a gracious lettre, first to the count de Meurs, and next to coronell Shenkes, who hath notably deservyd synce my coming; he hath now donn iij exployttes uppon the enymye synce I cam to the Hagu, and he desyers nothing more than to have her majestye know his good hart toward hir. The count de Meurs, whome som call Newener, ys lykwyse very greatly affected to hir majesty, and he ys the best protestant that I here of in all these partes, and doth most earnestly deall in causes of relygyon. And those at Utrycht begynne excedingly to encreace in relygyon, who werr lately the worst of all these provinces. Even synce my coming they have shewed great frutes of yt; and so hath some other places, also, that lyved newtraly before. The mynesters begynn to be bolder than then they durst be before hir majesties authoryty was here, for fewe did care for relygyon in dede, and they have prospered accordingly, but only the meaner sort, and God be thanked they be manny, and the work of God doth appeare in them, by ther trade of lyfe from all others. The mynysters be not many lernyd, but those that be ar very honest and dylligent, and I am perswaded, within vj months, you shuld heare that these provynces wylbe equall with any countrey for religyon, they doe so dayly encreace. Thus, for this tyme, meaning to goe to morrow toward Amsterdam and so to Utrycht, I wyll byd you farewell; in much hast, trusting shortly to send you more as good newes as this. At the Hag, this xxvij. of February. Your most assured, R. Leycester. I pray you bear with my scrybling; this berer can informe ye of

all our state here. I wold hir majesty had many such, and so able men, and of lyke good wyll. [\ADDRESSED,\] To the right honorable my very good frend sir Francis Walsingham, knight, principall secretary to her majesty.

[} [\LETTER LI. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO THE LORDS OF THE COUNCIL. 1ST MARCH 1585-6.\] }] My very good lords, I remember, a while ere my cominge over, upon certayne requestes and articles delivered over to the councell-boarde by the governor of the marchaunts-adventurers for enlargment in some respect of theire priviledges, theire booke was committed to the view of her majesties solliciter and attorney, whose aunswere and advice thereupon had, fyndinge the sute reasonable and allowable, I movyd her majestie, in the marchauntes behalfe, in hope to have obteyned that desyred; but, ere her highnes pleasure knowne thereof, I departed thince towards these contries, leavinge yt unresolved. Now, forsomuch as the marchaunts of Myddleborowe have made earnest sute unto me, declaringe how diverslye there trade is hyndered, and they endomaged,

by thindirect and coullorable dealings of interlopers and disorderlye bretheren of theire societie, contrary to the trewe meaninge and construction of the priviledges by her majesties charter geven them; which they could not remedye, unlesse by the favor of her majestie they might be assisted to bare a hande and hynder sutch disorderous courses; consideringe theire demaund founded on reason, and knowinge the sarvice duringe theire beinge a corporation doun to their prince and contrie, also theire willing readines to continew in the lyke, thought good to recomend theire cause unto your lordships, most earnestlie desyringe [\you\] to be so favorable unto them as to deale so effectuallye with her majestie that theire longinge and wished desyre may take effect, and your lordshipps shall not only, in my opinion, do a good deed, but also bynd them to do their indebvor by all meanes to be most readye allwayes at commaundment. Wherwith, expecting some good aunswere from you, I ende, and comytt your lordships to the tuition of thalmightie. From Harlem, this first March, 1586. Your lordshippes to commaunde, R. Leycester. [\ADDRESSED,\] To the moste honorable my very good lordes the lordes of her majesties most honorable privy councell.

[} [\LETTER LII. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM. 1ST MARCH 1585-6.\] }] Mr. secretarye, I wryte presentlye to my lords of her majesties counsell, in the behalfe and for the furderinge of the marchaunt-adventurers sute, touchinge the inlargment of theire priviledges. The cause is to you sufficientlie knowne, and of yourself recommended, for the good-will you bare them, and yett, thinkinge that my commendation may stand them in some steed unto you, I was willinge, at theire sute, by a fewe written lynes to desyre, that, the rather at this my request, you will stand theire honorable freend in preferringe theire booke and petition, and speake so effectually with fytt oportunitie, that her highnes graunt may the sooner passe. And, besydes the good which you shall doe unto them, which I am sure they will indebvor themselves by sarvice to desarve, I shall also take yt very freendlye, and wilbe as willinge to pleasure any at your desyre in the lyke or otherwyse. Wherewith I ende, and commytt your honour to the tuition of the Almightie. From Harlem this first March, 1586. Your lovinge assuryd freend, R. Leycester. [\ADDRESSED,\] To my honorable freend sir Frauncys Walsingham, knight, her majesties chief secretarye.

[} [\LETTER LIII. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM. 3RD MARCH, 1585-6.\] }] I have received intelligence this day, from a very honest man that hath remayned in Bruges tyll now he ys retyred to Myddelborow, that ther ys a man, called Hyman, somtyme pencyonar of Bruges, and was the dealer for the Fleminges in London v or vj yeres agoe. Thys Hyman ys now sent by the prince of Parma, into England, to some servyce of his, and hath undertaken somwhat. He was once an offycer of the councell of state here among them, and did than great servyce for the king of Spain, for which he ys much esteemed. And this man that hath dyscovered this ys one that redd with his eyes the offer this Heman made to the prince for his servyce in England, and therin used wordes which did shew that matters of great secresye had passed from him when he was in England. You shall do well to enquire for him, and yf he be ther, you may be bold to clapp him upp. I understand credybly, that the Prince fedes himself in great jolytye that hir majesty doth rather myslyke than allowe of our doinges here, which, yf yt be trewe, lett hir be sure hir own suete self shall first smart, and, as I hear, he doth now provyde accordingly. Fare you well, in all hast, at Harlem, this 3. of March. Your assured, R. Leycester. [\ADDRESSED,\] To my honourable good frend sir Francis Walsingham, knight, her majesties principall secretarie.

[} [\LETTER LVI. LORD BURGHLEY TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 6TH MARCH, 1585-6.\] }] My very good lord, I shuld be ashamed greatly for not oftenar wrytyng to your lordship of late, having receaved so manny from yow, but that I have an excuse more sufficient than I lyke of, which also this beror can inform yow of. Since Mr. Hennadg was sent from hence, who tarryed very long at the sea-cost, for want of convenient wynd, hir majesty wold never be content to have to any speeche of the state of thinges nedefull to be knowen for your chardg. I have not desisted to move hir to gyve eare, but she contynued hir offence as in no sort I cold attayn to any answer mete to be given to your lordship. And now of late having had a myshap by a fall, wherby I have bene and still am to kepe my bed, I have at sondry tymes wrytten to hir majesty. I have also sent my mynd by Mr. vice-chamberlen, who hath ernestly vsed my name to hir majesty, specially to send monny and men to supply the broken bandes, but no answer to purpooss can be had, and yet I mynd not so to cess, but, being pushed thereto with conscience and with care of hir honor, yea, of her savety, I will still sollicit hir majesty, hopyng that God will move hir to harken to necessary motions, pryncipally for hirself.

Now, my good lord, though I can gyve yow no answer to many thynges, for lack of her majesties good disposition, yet I will remembre the matters conteaned in your lordships lettres, and wryte somewhat therof, in another paper her included, with my mans hand, because, in very truth, the payne of my broosed forad dishableth my hand to wryte as I wold. My lord, I imparted to hir majesty the secret offer made to yow for to yield to hir majesty the gayn of xxx or xl=m= pounds by the yere, for the permission to coyne the ross-nobles ther, but hir majesty wold not be tempted therwith; and suerly, my lord, I marvell how such a gayn can be made therof, for though for a reasonable porcion to be coyned there, at the first uttrance the same might be uttred for great gayn, yet when ther should be any plenty, the gredynes of them will be stayd, and the trew vallewe wold be knowen, and the estymation would abate. It wold be knowen to what quantitie he wold monthely or quarterly coyne, and if it should be taken in hand, and within a few months quayle for want of uttrance, the matter wold be evil spoken of, to erect up a coynadg in a forrayn country of our currant monny; but if the gayne might be suer, the proffit wold answer the speeche. As I may heare more from your lordship, so will I procede herin. And so I tak my leave of your lordship, praying yow to take in good part my devyding of my lettre, by wryting part with myn own hand and part with my servantes. From the court at Greenwych, the 6=th= of March, 1585. Your lordships allways assured, W. Burghley.

[} [\LETTER LVII. LORD BURGHLEY TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 6TH MARCH 1585-6.\] }] An awnsweare of divers matters mentioned in sondrie lettres of the erle of Leicesters. Lettres sent by Mr. Davison, 1=o= Feb. I have informed hir majestie, that his lordship is assured that theire maye be shippes and mariners enough to be hired to serve hir majestie uppon reasonable warning, whearein is required to be understood, what nombres of shipps of warre may be had to joine in consort with hir majesties shippes uppon the seas, and wheather it be not ment the same shall be at the charg of the states, otherwise hir majesty hath noe meaning to increase hir charge; and though, at the first, it was thowght meete, for supplie of our lacke of mariners, to hire sum from thence for the navie of Englande, yet nowe, my lord-admirall and the officers doe resolutelie awnsweare, theie will never have anie mariners, being strangers, to be matched with the Englishe. As for the request that M=r=. Davison might retorne, I find noe likelood to geve your lordship anye hope thereof.

The awditor Hunt hath shewed a forme of an accompt of the treasurer for the expence of the treasure delivered to him, which commeth to lij=m li=, with v=m li= delivered to M=r=. John Norris at the beginning. In this accompt theare [\are\] sondrie thinges dowbtfull, spetiall for manie paimentes made by the treasurer withowt anie warrant either from M=r=. Norris or from your lordship. Theare is, also, noe good reckoning made by the treasurer of the v=m li= first delivered to M=r=. Norris, whie the same is not repaid by the states; neither of such monie as he hath laide owt for the pioners serving the states; other particular dowbtes theare be whereof M=r=. secretarie hath made a colleccion, which shall be, either by Hunt the awditor or sum other, sent over thither to be awnsweared; but that which I waie more of than all this is, that I find certainelie, uppon the vewe of this accompt, that the treasurer had not sufficient for a monethes paie before the end of Januarie, so as he lacketh both for Februarie and for this present moneth of Marche, for which purpose it is more than good time the treasure weare on the waie thither. I have informed hir majestie of the 200,000 florins accorded to be monethlie paid by the states, to be clearelie expended, besides discharge of their former debtes, and the charges of the sea; thes thinges weare mentioned in the former lettre. Lettres of 2. February. A matter concerning coinage shall be awnswered in a lettre of mine owne handes, yet your lordship shall understand what bargaine hath been made heare before the threasurers departure, with him and alderman Martin, that is, that hir majesty should be awnsweared for the coinage of everie pownd, vizt. of gold in rozenobles, the summ of xxx=s=, wheare before theare ware paid for the coinage but vj=s=. so as nowe the encrease is xxiiij=s=., which by reckoning cometh in tale to x=d=. for every xx=s=., that before was but ij=d=.; thus much for matters of the second lettre.

Lettres of the 3d. February. Concerninge the levienge and sending of 1000 pioners, of [{whom{] one hundred to be miners, bicause I thinke it weare verie necessarie for your service theare, I have furthered it the best of my power, but howe it proceadeth your lordship shall understand from M=r=. secretarye. That which your lordship writeth of the comte of Embdens affection to Spaigne I am sorie to thinke it to trewe, although since your lordships departure from hence the comte sent spetiall lettres to hir majestie, with grevous complaintes against the Hollanders by spoilinge of his people with their shippes in the river of Emps, requiringe hir majestie to write hir lettres to the states in Holland to reforme the abuses of their shippes and men of warre, with an offer to showe his good will to the cawse which hir majestie had taken in hand for them, and, for this purpose, hir majestie wrote hir lettres unto him of cumfort to procure the redresse, and lettres to them of Holland to performe the same; at which time, also, theare weare lettres written to your lordship to [{take{] sum meanes to compound the same controversie betwixt them, [{all{] which lettres as I thinke Ortellius had to send into Holland; what was done thearebie I knowe not, but yet, within a few daies, Ortell reported, that all thinges weare well compounded betwixt [{the states{] of Holland and the comte, and so I thought thei had been, untill nowe that I doe otherwise understand from your lordship, as likewise sir Thomas Shurlee reporteth the same. Lettres of 12. February. I find that our merchant-men doe greatlie misuse themselves in enhaunsing up the prices of armour theare, and, according to your advise, I wishe the provision that is to be made for hir majestie might be made from thence with your assistaunce. Your lordship writeth to have one Seburo, a Spaniard that is a presonar heare, to be delivered in exchange for the sonne of the bailif

of Dort, whearein what to awnsweare your lordship at this time I knowe not, for that theare hath been great motion made to procure for him the deliverie of Stephen le Sire, which I thinke M=r=. secretarie hath furthered. And if he might free them both [{it{] weare noe ill bargaine for England, for that Seburo is a man of small valeue to do either good or hurt, onelie his kin[{sman{] the governour of Dunkirke doth desire him for frendshipp. Lettres of 15. February. Your lordship moveth to have our merchantes to trade into Holland with theare cloathes, and also with theire woolles, which thing hath been moved unto them heretofore, and theie of the staple for wooll have alledged, that theie have noe hope to have anie great vent for theire woolle, considering theie have had good quantetye of theire woolles lieng long at Middleborough, for the which, theie saie, thei never could have vent but to their great losse: and I moved them to change their staple to Brill, according to the request of the towne of Brill sent hither the last sommer by M=r=. Davison, but I could not at that time induce them to loke thereof. Nevertheles, I will assaie them nowe uppon your lordships newe motion, with the offer of the Hollanders that theie will leave draping of the Spanish woolles and occupiours, whearebie I thinke, in truthe, our woolle maie have good utterance. For the merchaunte-adventurers, I will also deale with them for theire trade thither, with theire cloathes, considering neither Hamborough nor Embden are fitt places for them as the worlde shapeth, but I feare the greatest lett will be, that theire will be noe safe passag for theire cloathes to be carried upp into Germanie by the river of the Rhein, speteallie considering the towne of Newmeggen is in the enemies hand, and the convoies of such against the streame will be subject to dangers in divers places, being waited for by the enemie: but if our merchantes could be content to keape theire martes in thes Lowe Countries, withowt seeking to conveie them upp into Germanie themselves, it is likelie that both

Italians and Germaines would com into thos cuntries and buie them at the first hand themselves, and by meanes of safe conductes would make theire passages free. By this your lettre, also, your lordship doth confirme your opinion of the comte Embden to be Spanishe. Lettre of the 18. of February. I was glad to perceive that your lordship hath obtained a grawnt of 100,000 florins more for fowre monethes, and yet I am gladde to understand, by report of sir Thomas Shurleie, that yt should be 200,000, so as then your lordship shall have by the moneth xl=m li=. sterling, which surelie is a great yeld, and an argument of the liking of your government. I am glad, also, that you have obtained the erecting of the howse of finances, whearein I dowbt not but you have men of sufficient conning for the guiding thereof: but I feare theire subteltie, for theire be noe people can better skill to make a gaine of coinage than thos Lowe Countriemen. In that your lordship is so desirous to have sir William Pelham theare, I thinke you have great reason, for, in truthe, I knowe noe one man borne in England of more sufficiencie than he is, but the lett of his not comming I thinke this bearer can fullie informe yowe, which, for my part, I have sowght to remedie in all that I can, as well for the releef of the gentleman himself, as for the proffit of the service that might growe by his being with you. I am glad that yowe have the use of my brother Killegrewe, who, as he is of great experience, so I knowe he doth of verie, meere affection towardes your lordship serve theare at this time, which otherwise noe reward could provoke him, such desire I knowe he hath to live privatelie and unoccupied. [^THE REST OF THE LETTER AUTOGRAPH^] My good lord, in this sort hytherto have I eased myn own hand to releve my evill forhed. And now, since sir Thomas Shyrleys

coming, which was on Fryday at night, I must leave to hym to send yow report of his actions. Hopyng, that, within some few dayes, he shall have more matter to wryte of than that he hath. And so I end at this tyme, overcom with feare of sham that I may have to wryte but on lettre, to so manny as I have receaved from your lordship, and manny of them of your hand: but the fault is not lack of good will to wryte oftenar, if oftenar I might have a subject of matter. I dout not but by M=r=. secretory your lordship doth understand of the proceadynges both forward and syde-wey in Scotland, of which variete truly the cheff cause cometh from hence. God amend it, whan it shall please hym to thynk us worthy of better. From the court at Grenwych the 6. of March, 1585. Your lordships assuredly, as anye, W. Burghley.

[} [\LETTER LIX. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO THE LORDS OF THE COUNCIL. 9TH MARCH, 1585-6.\] }] My verye singuler good lords, I am to render most hartye and humble thankes unto you, for that, I am informyd, hit hath pleaside you to be meanes to hir most excellent majesty, to quallyfye hir hard conceatt agenst my pore servyce donne here. I wyll not excuse myself of a great fault, that I dyd not first aquaint her highness before I dyd accept this office, and to receave hir good pleasure therin, but what I may alleage for myself I trust Mr. Davison hath delyvered, or elles hath he greatly both deceaved me and broken promys with me. How ernest I was, not only to aquaint hir majesty, but, imedyatly, uppon the first mocion made here by the states, to send him over to hir majesty with my letters and his report of the whole state of these matters, I dowbt not but he wyll truly affyrme for me, yea, and how farr ageinst my wyll it was, notwithstanding any reasons delyvered me, that he and others persisted in, to have me accept first of this place. Albeyt, I must confes, all that he dyd, presuming the exstremytye of the cace to be such as he thought himself fully hable to satysfie hir majesty, as a matter either than to be taken without all delaye or to fall utterlye to the ground, and his knowledge therof I know to be farr beyond myne, having byn contynewally

beaten here among them, long before my coming, and most carefull was he to bring all to the best pass for hir servyce. Uppon which exstremytye of the cace, as yt was, and being perswaded that Mr. Davyson might better have satysfyed hir majestie than I perceave he can, caused me, nether arrogantly nor contemptuouslye, but even merely and faythfully, to doe hir majesty the best servyce. And as I say not thys to worke any blame to Mr. Davyson, whose most sincere honest minde toward hir servyce I must acknowledge, so yet may I not leave so greatt a conceatt remayne in hir majestyes minde of my undewtyfullnes, whan I did not only remember my dewty as I have told you, but dyd urge the performance therof as I have wrytten. But my yelding was my none fault, whatsoever his perswasions, or any others, might be, seing the reasons be no more acceptyd of hir majesty than they be; but farr from a contemptuous hart, or elles God pluck out both hart and bowelles, with utter shame. And finding hit thus hardly to light uppon me, which I thought should have wonne a more favorable constructyon, the doing having wholye tended to the advauncement of hir majesties most honorable servyce, as all men here hath and doth see, I doe most humbly besech your good lordships, to contynew your good favors towards me, and to wey whereuppon hir majesties offence hath groen, only uppon presuming to much of hir good opinion of my fidellytye toward hir, and partly by Mr. Davisons over-great slacknes to have answered soner and better for me, as he promysed he wold. And being greatly dyscouraged, albeyt I could allege for the cause and place very much to satysfie your lordships for my honest servyce therby to hir majesty, yet wyll I not seme to travell ageinst the groundes of hir majestyes so depe conceatt, but leave yt to God and your lordships most frendly medyation to conceave, that I am hir most loyall faythfull bondman, and had never ether contemptuous or unworthy thought of hir sacred majesty, but as becam so bounded a servant and subject as I am, and

ever wylbe to hir, lett hir use me as shall please hir. And, yf withowt offence and with hir favour, hit ys not only the leaving of this place I shall humbly desier, but to serve hir majesty where elles soever by my humble and dayly prayer, which shall never ceas for hir most happie preservacion and long contynewance, finding myself very unfytt and unable to wade in so weighty a cause as this ys, which ought to have much more comfort than I shall ether find or desarve. Thus, beseching God to bless and govern all your councelles to his glorye and hir majestyes best servyce, I humbly take my leave. At Harlem this ix. of March, 1586. Your lordships most assured pore frend, R. Leycester. As far as I can perceave, hir majesty doth think, that by this place I tooke I have engaged hir in some further sort than she was before, but your lordships shall find, I did both forsee that, and ther ys no such cause to think yt; for yt ys most certen, ther ys no more donn on hir majestyes parte than hir owne contract doth bynd hir, only she hath hir own servant to comaund here, whear some one other must, which wold, I think, more have myslyked hir. [\ADDRESSED,\] To the right honourable my very good lords, the lords of her majesties moste honourable privye counsaile.

[} [\LETTER LX. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM. 9TH MARCH, 1585-6.\] }] Mr. secretary, I thank you for your letters, though you can send me no comfort; I trust God wyll not leave those that meane truly, and trust in him. Hir majesty doth deall hardly to beleave so yll of me. Hyt is true that I faulted, bycause I dyd not advertyse hir majesty first or I shuld take such an authorytye uppon me, but she doth not consider what comodyttyes she hath withall, and hirself no way engaged for yt, either one way or other, as Mr. Davison myght have better declaryd yt, yf yt had pleasd him. And I must thank him only for my blame, and so he wyll confess to you, for, I protest before God, no necessyty here could have made me leave hir majesty unacquantyd with the cause before I wold have acceptyd of yt, but only his so ernest pressing me, with his faythfull assured promys to dischardge me, howsoever hir majesty shuld take yt. For you all se ther, she had no other cause to be offended but this, and, by the Lord, he was the only cause, albeyt yt ys no suffycyent allegacion, being as I am. And as for the importance of the cause I did adventure, so considering the importance of hindering the cause thorow the dyspleasure that doth fall uppon me, hit had byn an honest part yet to have lett hir majesty know how ernest I was, and how resolute,

to acquaint hir with the cause or I would have taken the place; and hit could not have had any blame almost, doing yt, as he did indeede, for hir great servyce, and assuredly all had byn lost yf I had not than acceptyd of yt as I dyd, and, accepting yt as I dyd, with my former resolucyon and myndfullnes to advertyse hir, he had, I think, saved all to have told hir, as he promysed me. But now yt ys leyd uppon me, God send the cause to take no harm, my grefe must be the less; though yt toucheth me as nere as doth hir majesties so hard dyspleasure, yet have I no way, I thank God, tyed hir majesty to any inconvenyence by my acceptance. How farr Mr. Henneages comyssion shall deface me here I know not; he ys wary to observe hys comyssyon, and I content withall. I know the tyme wylbe hir majesty wyll be sorry for yt. In the meane tyme I am to to wery of the high dygnyty, I wold any that could serve hir majesty werr placed in yt and I to sytt down with all my losses. I assure you, uppon my fidelity, I have spent and leyd out for hir majesty's servyce above 11,000=li= sterling alredy, in these iij months. I thought yt wold have served me v months longer here. I tell you truly my howse alone hath cost me a 1000=li= a month, and some month more. I have also payd hetherto v=c= and l. men; of my owne purse these, and furnyshed them of my none chardges. And for the horsmen, I am sure all these countreys enymyes, or other, have not such vj=c=. horse as I have. I receavyd but for iiij=c=. as you know, and I have payd, both for the other ij=c=. and, synce I cam hether, a c. and l. more; so that I have above iij=c=. and l. that myself hath raysed, above the iiij=c=. hir majesty payd for at London. And all this ys lyke to light uppon me, instead of better happ. I am sure ther hath not a gentleman past hence, ether of my none or otherwyse, but the least hath had x=li=. some xx=li=., some xxx=li=., and the most xx. Well, so I might have gott any more money for my land that ys left, I wold as well have spent more, for ther be many here have spent much. But, sir, whatsoever become of me, gyve me leave to speake for

the pore soldyeres. Yf they be not better mainteyned, being in this strang countrey, ther wyll nether be good service donn, nor be without great dishonour to hir majesty, and the less she shall send at once the more unproffytable for hir, and she shall find yt so, and xx=m li=. to send now, I doe assure you yt ys all dew alredy, and you se what lettes you have by the wynd. Ther was no soldyer yet able to buy himselfe a pair of hose, and yt ys to to great shame to se how they goe, and hit kills ther hartes to shew themselves among men. Well, you se the wantes, and hit ys one cause that wyll gladde me to be rydd of this hevy high cauling, and wyshe me at my pore cottage ageyn, yf any I shall find. But, lett hir majesty pay them well, and apoint such a man as sir William Pellam to govern them, and she never wann more honour than these men here wyll doe, I am perswaded. For newes, I wrote you of late that Shenkes had taken a town and castle in Westfalia called Werl. Synce that, the enymyes of that countrey gathered together, both the gentlemen and ablest men, and offred a kind of siege of the towne, but Shenkes issewed out and sett uppon them, slewe that [\there\] ley ded in the fild 2500 persons; he toke a great nomber prisoners, among which wer 25 of very good cauling, and the ij chife captens beside. Surely this ys a noble fellow, having done this he fecht in all ther vyttells, and vytteled the towen and castell, and left a good garison, and putt himself now safe into Nuse, which we doubtyd to be besiged shortly. Ostend ys thought wylbe beseged, but I fear yt not. Thus, having spent my paper and all my news, I betake you to God, &c. At Harlem 9. March. Your assured frend, R. Leycester. [\ADDRESSED,\] To my honorable good frend sir Francis Walsingham, knight, principall secretary to her majesty.

[} [\LETTER LXIII. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM. 17TH MARCH 1585-6.\] }] Mr. secretorye, touching Pointes, of whome you wryte, I am sory he is sent any other waye. I delivered him an hundred poundes, and he promised me to have gone into the enemyes campe. And so, with my harty commendacions, fare you well. From Amsterdame the xvij. of Marche. Your very loving frende, R. Leycester. [^POSTSCRIPT AUTOGRAPH^] I am forst to use a secretary, but yet, perhapps, you wyll not very plainly understand whome I meane; hit ys Anto. Poyntz, whome I sent over to gyve you knoledge how I had imployed him to the enymyes camp, a matter of most nede for me, and I mervelled that I never hard from [{him,{] and within these iiij. days, my nephew Phillip told me he received a letter from him that you had sent him into Spayn, whereof I am hartyly sorry, having greatly dysapointyd me, having not one to suply that place nowe, and a great tyme lost, also, that you dyd not at the first gyve me knoledge of yt. [\ADDRESSED,\] To my honourable good frende Mr. secretory Walsingham.

[} [\LETTER LXIV. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 20TH MARCH 1585-6.\] }] My verry good lord, theire is [{all con{]venient speed used in the prepa[{ration{] and putting in a ready[{ness{] the money resolved on by her majestye to bee sent over, which I am sorrye fawleth not owt in proportyon large as the necessytie of the servyce requirethe, so that your lordship, contrarye to your own lyking, shall be forced to stand uppon a defencyve warre: yt wyll be verry discompfortable to the people of thos contryes, espetyally when they shall see there townes lost, which your lordship for lacke of hennowghe assistance, shall not be able to prevent. Suche gentlemen as your lordship appoynted to levye men ar tyred with long attendaunce here, for that her majestye cannot be drawn to resolve therin. Her awnswer is, that shee wyll see an accompt of thos allreadye sent over, before she yeld her assent to the sending over of any more, I shewed un[\to\] her highness the hard estate the towne of Grave stands in, which coold not be releeved withowt an encrease of forces, which moved your lordship to presse my lords of the cownsell here to take some care for the speedye dyspatche of the gentlemen. I dyd also shew unto her, that the losse of that towne woold woorke some changing in the peoples hartes, when they shoold see themselves subject

to lyke misfortune as they were before her majestye tooke uppon her to protect them. But nothing that can be alleaged can drawe her majestye to yeld to any thing that tendeth to the furtheraunce of the servyce there, otherwyse then led by mere necessytye. I fynde her dysposed to lyke that certeyn cashed bandes in Ierland, uppon dowbt that otherwyse they wyll put her to some charge here, shall be transported into the Lowe Countreys, so yt may be don withowt her burden. I have caused Mr. Davison [\to\] sette downe with what charge the same may be performed, which I wyll send unto your lordship. Seing her majestye is no better dysposed to send over her owne subiectes, I thinke your lordship, in case you resolve to contynewe your servyce there, shall doe well to take part of the master of Grayes offer, whoe, as my cosyn Randollph sendethe me woord, sendethe an expresse gentleman unto your lordship to knowe your lordships resolutyon therin. I fynde the gentlemen that your lordship hath appoynted to make the levye are lothe to take upon them that charge with the allowance of xx=s=. the man, and herof your lordship shall doe well, in case her majestie may be drawen to assent that any levyes shall be made here, to move the states to increase the somme. By the inclosed copy of sir Edward Staffordes letter your lordship shall see, howe resolutely the king ther is bent to prosecute the warre, with the uttermost of his power, agaynst thos of the relygyon. Ther hath ben certeyn offers made unto her majestye, and by her rejected, and yet of no great charge, that carryed great probabylytie

to have withstoode both Godes and her enemyes. I praye God, the lacke of fealing and compassion of others myseryes, doe not drawe uppon us hys heavye hande; to whos protection I commyt your lordship, most humbly takyng my leave. At the coorte, 20. Marche, 1585. Your lordships to commaunde, Fra. Walsyngham.

[} [\LETTER LXVI. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 21ST MARCH, 1585-6.\] }] My very good lord, thincloased hath of late [{been{] written unto me by the duke of Nevers, conteyning a r[{equest{] , as your lordship may perceave by the same, that, by my means, the subjectes of his dutchy may obteyne licence to be served of salte for their owne necessarye use out of the countryes of Holland and Zelland, with sufficient ca[{ution{] that the sayd salte shall by no meanes come into the [{hands{] of thenemy. The nobleman is one to whom I [{was{] greatly behoulding in the tyme of my imployement [{in{] Fraunce, for the which I would be glad to shew [{my{] self thanckfull towardes him with any service I [{can{] do him, which moveth me earnestly to pray your lordship, that, uppon consideracion of the said request, and communicating of the same to the states, yt may please you to returne an aunswer unto me, whether yt [{can{] be graunted or no, to thend I may accordinglye satisfye the duke, according to his expectacion and myne owne promise. And so I humbly take my leave. At Grenwich the xxj=th= of March. Your lordships to commaunde, Fra. Walsyngham.

[} [\LETTER LXVII. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 21ST MARCH, 1585-6.\] }] My very good lord, there are einowe here who [{having{] knowledg that hir majesty is intent that there shalbe a [{levy{] made in Ireland for the states, have offered ther services [{to{] take that chardg uppon them, nevertheless understanding [{from{] sir Thomas Shirley that your lordship meant the sayd chardg unto sir [{William{] Stanley, I have theruppon geven all others their answer. And, because your lordship, as I suppose, cannot well spare sir William Stanley himself from thence, to come and make the sayd leavye [{in{] Ireland, I have thought good to move you in the behalfe of Mr. Dautry, who offireth his service in that imployement. He may, withall, have the chardg of lieutenant-coronell [{for sir{] William Stanley of thes Irish troopes. The gentleman [{is{] one that loveth sir William Stanley well, who I heare [{doth{] also make verye good accompt of him. I have conferred with him about the chardges of the leavy, his demaund is [{three{] pound a man, and myn offer but fifty shillinges, he sayeth, [{that{] part therof may be defalked out of their enterteynment, [{and{] he telleth me, that two thousand maie well be had out [{of the{] countrie where he is to make the leavy, by meanes of [{sir{] Henry Harringtons credit, who is hable to make up [{two{] thowsand.

Yt may please your lordship to returne aunswer of [{the{] states disposicion, whether they can be content to be servid with [{that{] country people, and how many they are willing to enterteyne; [{and{] what chardges they shall yeld to allowe for the leavyeng of them. The master of Gray hath lately sent one captain Tiry hether, [{to{] sollicit your lordships aunswer to thoffer he hath hertofor made to [{find{] fower or fyve thowsand Scottes to the service of the states under your lordship, with direction ether to stay here or to passe [{over to{] your lordship for this purpose, as I should advise him. And, for I am uncerten how your lordship may be resolvid touching your continuance or discontinuance in that service, uppon occasion of the late accident that hath fallen out, I have therfor directid the party to stay untill I may heare from your lordship, wherof I pray your lordship to [{be{] myndfull, for the better satisfaction of the master. And so I now humbly take my leave. At Grenwich this xxj=th= of March. Your lordships to commaunde, Fra. Walsyngham.

[} [\LETTER LXVIII. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 24TH MARCH, 1585-6.\] }] Your lordships of the 3. of this [{present{] sent by your servant Wyllyam, I have receyved, by the [{which{] you desyre

that an eye be [{given{] unto Iman; yt may please your lordship to understand, that Iman, abowt a two monthes past, was at Callas, and sent over for a save-conduct, which being denied unto him, he stayed his commyng into this realme. I doe daylye sollycyt her majesty for the lycensyng of sooche gentlemen as were recommended by your lordship to make ther levyes of [{such{] nombers as were by you appoynted, but she delayethe her resolucyon therin untyll she heare from sir Thomas Henneage, whos letteres are not yet come to this coort, thowghe, as I understande, master Vavaser, to whom they were commytted, was dyspatched from thence the 10=th= of this present. Mr. Warde, whoe was dyspatched thence about that tyme, arryved the xx=th=. He imbarked at the Brill, and Mr. Vavaser went to Flusshing, wharby he lost the benefyt of the wynde. By letters of 17. of Marche owt of Scotlande, we heare, that the king there dothe yelde all satysfactyon unto her majestyes mynister, Mr. Randolphe, and contrarye measure unto the Frenche kinges mynister, which he takethe in extreme yll parte. I wyll send your lordship the coppie of soche letteres as we have receavyd from Mr. Randolphe, whoe receyvethe at the kinges handes far better usage then he looked for. I praye God this opportunytye be not lost, as others before have ben. I fynde a greater cowldenes then the state of the present time requyrethe. The Spanishe preparatyons, as they reporte that came from Lysbon the x=th=. of this present, wyll prove nothing this yeare, and I hope lesse the next, yf yt be trewe that is wrytten also from the Spanishe coorte to an Englyshman in Andelesya. The substaunce [{is\] , that sir Francis Drake hath 6000 Semironets repayred unto him, whoe have chosen and crowned him king, and that he hathe great store of them sure. I doe not desyre to be awthor of thes news for that methinkes they are [{too{] good to be trewe.

Somewhat I am induced to belyve them for that Don Antonio de Cas [\...\] , late imbassator for the cardynall-king of Portugall, hathe [{made{] , by letters dyrected unto my[{self{] , some overture for a peace, wherein he desyrethe to be imployed, for that he fyndeth the king of Spayne, as he saith, desyerowse thereof. I [{would{] to God her majestye woold put on a good cowntenaunce for only fowre monethes, and I dowbt not but Spayne woold seake peace greatly to her majestyes honor and advantage. But God for owre synnes sake wyll not suffer us to doe that which myght owre most good. And so I most humbly take my leave. At the coorte the 24=th=. of Marche, 1585. Your lordships to command, Fra. Walsyngham.

[} [\LETTER LXIX. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO THE LORDS OF THE COUNCIL. 27TH MARCH, 1585-6.\] }] My verie good lords, althoughe I doe expect her majesties good pleasure daily for my revocacion hence, yet will I not waie,

in the meane time, neglect my duety to my service in the charge committed by her highnes to me, nor leave your good lordships unadvertised what hath past since my last letters, which as I remember was from Harlem upon the arryvall of sir Thomas Heneage, before whoes coming I had determined this journey to Utrecht, and was onward so farre in my waie. And, for that sir Thomas Heneage would not proceed with any resolucion here with the states touching his commission, till he had received againe hir majesties pleasure, nor yet thought good I should staie my journey, bycause it was of verie great consequence, and the assembly of all our souldiers that maie be spared owt of garrison, as well horse as foot, appointed here by a certein daie, I did follow the former determinacion accordingly, the rather being commaunded by her majestie to take my direccion from sir Thomas Heneage, who in any wise wished me to proceed on, till I should hear again from her majestie. So I went to Amsterdam, and there remained iiij or v dayes, and from thence hither to Utrecht, where I am taking order for the present service now to be sett foorth, which is for the releef of a town called Grave, a place of verie great importaunce. We have other places to deale in like sort with, as also to doe what I can to drawe thenemies forces owt of Brabant and Flanders hitherward, which it is like they will, for the defense of such fortes as they have left garded, and by which indeed they doe besiege Grave, albeit they have layed no battry to it, for there be five skonces that they built abowt it before I arryved here: yet have I by stelth intelligence from thence, and, upon some good oportunitie, have cawsed it to be both vitteiled and 300 men putt into it, notwithstanding their skonces: and now I hope it shalbe fully releeved. I have sent the horsemen alredie onward, being 1500, very strong. The footmen are also marching to the randevous, and wilbe there too morrow night, all of them, being dryven to separate them for a time, and, till the service of Grave be past, our horsemen lie at a village called Nycark, and our footmen at Amaron. Now am I most ernestly to recommend to your good lordships

the nedefull estate of the capteins and souldiers here. I have ben driven to borrow for their relief and for this journey, to helpe them, 4000=li=. of the merchantes of Middleburghe, and what I have disbursed of mine own purse is not unknown here, I thinke, to all men. I would the full estate of the disbursing of her majesties treasure heretofore were certeinly knowne to your lordships. I wishe it for sundrie respectes, but it will requier a very skillfull man to examine it. Her majesty cannot loose by it &c., and yt wold be a very good satysfactyon to me. And thus, prainge to the almighty God to preserve all your good lordships, do take my leave. At Utrycht, this 27. of March. Your good lordships always to comaunde, R. Leycester. [\ADDRESSED,\] To the right honourable my verie good lords, the lords of her majesties most honourable pryvie councell.

[} [\LETTER LXX. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 28TH MARCH, 1586.\] }]

Your lordships of the ix=th= of [{this present{] and of the xx=th=, the one sent [{by{] Mr. Vavisor, the other by [^NAME NOT GIVEN^] , I have receyved. The choyce of Mr. Vavasor, [{who is{] a person very agreable unto her majestye, hathe wrowght in [{her{] a better conceipt towardes your lordship then any other sent from the[{nce{] . Besydes, the gentleman hath performed the charge commytted unto hym by your lordship in so goode sorte as owre stormes begin to caulme, so as I hope I shall have cause to chaynge my style, which heretofore hath ben verry dyscompfortable unto your lordship. Her majestye hathe not yet read the letters browght by Mr. Vavisor, being trobled with an exstreeme cowld and defluxion into her eyes, so as she cannot indure to reade any thing. The treasure departs hence to morrowe, but no increase of the somme, nor non doe I looke for, howesoever the stormes be overblowen. Yf the inconvenience lykely to insue therbye be not helped thorrowghe sir Francis Drakes good successe, which is a matter accydentall, I feare your lordship shall receave very scarce measure from hence, for you wyll not beleve how the sparing humor doth increase uppon us. The audytor retornethe with the threasure, whoe is dyrected, with sooche assystaunce as your lordship shall thinke meate to yeld unto him, to examyn strycktly the imparfect items of the threasorers accompt, who, yf he shall not yeld good satysfactyon, as I thinke he can in no sorte performe, then is yt meant that he shall no longer supplye the place. Ther are letters wrytten unto hym, that he shall make no dysbursementes but as he shall be dyrected by your lordship, and, yf he shall doe contrary wyse, he can no way be dyscharged, for that withowt your lordships warrant he owght to make no payement.

Towching the governement of the Bryll, which your lordship wyssheth unto the lord Northe, I fynde her [{majesty{] most resolute that sir Thomas [{Cycell{] after the recoverye of his [{health{] shall returne thither. I think she coold lyke better of the removing of sir Philip Sydney [{towards{] whom she hathe put on a very hard conceypt. The lord thresorer dothe some[{what{] complayne that there hathe ben better contentement yelded to other garrysons then that of [{the{] Bryll, which I fynde he taketh unkyndely. Of late her majestye shewed me a letter wrytten from sir Thomas Cycell, to as goode purpose in defence of your lordships acceptinge of the governement as any other I have seene wrytten by any thence. The opynion of my partyalytie conytnewethe noryshed by factyon, which makethe me weerye of the place I serve in, and to wysshe myself emongst the trewe harted Swy [^EDITOR HAS NOT IDENTIFIED THE ABBREVIATED NAME^] . And so in hast I most humbly take my leave. At the coorte this xxviij=th= of Marche, 1585. Your lordships to commaunde, Fra. Walsyngham. The inclosed towching Ryngowt cam from a person of good credyt, and therfor your lordship shall doe well to have an eye to his doinges.

[} [\LETTER LXXIII. LORD BURGHLEY TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 31 MARCH 1586.\] }] My very good lord, although of late many crossees or stormes

have happened to trooble your lordships mynd, to the hyndrance of the commen utillite of the servyce of God and of hir majesty in that countrye, yet sence your conscience doth testefy and warrant your doynges to have bene ment for the furderance of the weale therof, and the successes also, exceptyng the thwartes from hence, do make good proffe that your actions do prosper, I wish your lordship to contynew your disposition, and to comfort yourself with your own integrite, which God will not have oppressed, though he may exercise your patience, and prove the fortitude of your mynd to contynew well-doyng and suffer reprooff for a time. Thus much for a small preface, and now to the matter. I dout not but this bearor shall come with some better satisfaction, both for yourself and for the cause, than the enemyes therof have looked for. Suerly unto Mr. Vavasor cam, we here that ment well both to yourself and the cause found dayly litle comfort, and yet suerly your frendes here did not omitt any opportunite. But, uppon such conference as I had with hym, of the doutfull state of that country, I, in presence of Mr. secretory, used some boldnes with hir majesty, and protested to hir as a counsellor, that for discharg both of my conscience and of my oth of hir counsellor, I cold not forbeare to lett her know, that this couers that she held ageynst your lordship was lyk to endaunger hir in honor, suerty, and profitt; and that, if she contynued the same, I prayed hir majesty that I might be discharged of the place I held, and both afor God and man, be fre from the shame and perill that I sawe cold not be avoided. I used boldly such bold language in this matter as I found hir dowtfull whyther to chardg me with presumption, which partly she did, or with some astonishment of my round speche, which truly was no other than my conscience did move me, even (\in amaritudine animae\) . And then hir majesty began to be more calm than befor, and, as I conceaved, redyar to quallefy hir displesur and hir opinion. And so, finding sir Thomas Shyrley redy to wryte, about three dayes past, I willed hym to advertise your lordship, that I douted not

but that matters wold not contynew in that evill state wherin they were; and so, as he can tell yow, he did wryte, but stayd the sendyng therof on daye, in which tyme, to my great greff, lookyng for some good resolution, I and Mr. secretory found hir gon backward, as on that had bene by some adverse counsell seduced, to thynk that all shuld do well in those countryes though your lordship war displaced; and so he with greff stayd his wrytyng. But yet, I did not thus leave the matter, and so, yesterday, Mr. secretory and I aventured very boldly to declare our censures of perill to come, which no councell nor action shuld recover, and hereuppon, we obteyned a favorable answer, though not to our full lykyng, but yet such as she commanded to put in wrytyng, and so we war therin occupyed. And then, unlooked for, cam a letter of your lordship to Mr. vice-chamberlen, wherewith he made hir majesty acqueynted, and she told hym, that she had declared hir resolution to Mr. secretory and me, and so willed hym to come to my chamber, and so he did, and there we fyndyng some new occasion to seek a better resolution of hir majesty, we all three went to hir majesty, and there I told hir very playnly, that I did see that if she used not spede to content the states and the people of those countryes, she wold not only lose them, but hir honor in the world, and she shuld fynd certenly as gret daunger from those countryes, as she had looked for comfort. Herewith she was greatly troobled, and so being thereto moved, she assented to do any thyng that she might with hir honour. In fyne, we moved hir to assent that your lordship shuld contynew your office for some tyme, untill the state of the matter might be better consydered by hir, and so letters were appointed to be spedely wrytten, both to your lordship and the counsell of the states, and that Mr. Shyrley might be sent awey with all spede. And whan the letters war redy wrytten, came Poyntes from Mr. Hennadg, with letters from your lordship to me, includyng a letter to hir majesty, which I spedely delyvered with such good speches as in honesty becam me for your excuse. She red your letter, and, in very truth, I found hir princely

hart touched with favorable interpretation of your actions, affyrming them only offensyve to hir in that she was not made prive, not now mislykyng that you had the authorite. Suerly I had cause, and so I did, commend hir pryncely nature, in this sort, of allowing both of yow for your good intention and excusing yow of any spott of evill meaning. And having hir majesty in this sort calmed, though it was not possible to mak your lordship amendes, yet I thought good to hasten hir resolution, which your lordship must now tak to come from a favourable good mistress, for so truly she doth profess, and yow must stryve with your natur to throw over your sholders that which is past. Thus your lordship seeth I have bene somewhat long, to shew you the course to bryng this honest gentleman, sir Thomas Shyrley to this messadg, who suerly hath very honestly behaved hymself for your lordship, and truly so hath Mr. vice-chamberlen, and Mr. secretory, and bydden many stormy speches. And now I will write no more hereof, but of some other particular advises, the consideration whereof I leave to your lordship as leisure may serve yow. My lord, untill the state of the queenes army by muster book, and hir monthly charges, may appear more cleare, here will be no further meanes for any more monney. At this present ther is paid 24,000 (^l.^) and that, added to hir majestyes former chardg of 52,000 (^l.^) maketh 76,000 (^l.^) which some hir majesty doth often repeat with gret offence. My lord, I am very glad to see a disposytion of sendyng some shippes from thence to impeach the Spanish king towards his Indyes. It is a matter that many yers past I did project to the princes of Oranges ministers to have been attempted. We here that sir Francis Drake is a fearfull man to the king, and that the king cold have been content that sir Francis had taken the last yers flete, so as he had not gone forward to his Indies. We here that he hath taken seven rych shippes on the coast of the Indyes. I wish they war saf in the Thamiss.

We ar here troubled to understand, that from Hamborg, and Dansk, Lubeck, &c., there ar a gret nombre of hulkes laden for Spayn, and do meane to pass about Scotland and Irland, as some of them did this last yere, which they do attempt to avoyd all steyss in our narrow seas. I wold to God your flete, now intended from these countryes, cold mak a good prize of them, for so shuld the king of Spain be unhable to defend his seas, or to offend any other. My lord, wher yow wryte to me of that yow heare of Champygnyes arantes, I will tell yow what I know thereof, and what els is knowen to any other, I cannot wryt of. There is an Itallion merchant in Antwerp that pretendeth acqueyntance with Champigny, and he hath wrytten hither to another merchant to know, whyther hir majesty can be content to come to peace with the king of Spayn. The answer is made, that, by the publication published, it is to be sene wherfor hir majesty hath sent hir forces into the Low Countreys, and, if the king of Spayn shall satisfye hir majesty in honor, accordyng to hir protestation, by restoryng to these countryes liberty and peace, and remove all men of warr from thence, and restore to hir own subjectes ther losses, she can be content to heare any honorable offer from the king, and otherwise, she myndeth to persist in defence of hir neighbors, and recovery of hir subjectes losses. This answer is made by wordes only, but not from hir majesty, and whyther Champigny will any farther procede I know not, but suer I am, he hath no cause to make any avant hereof, and I trust ther nede shall mak them sooner yeld than any cause to come of this answer. It may be that ther are other lyke motions made to hir majesty, but I thynk suerly hir majesty myndeth not to show any yelding, for, God be thanked, she hath no cause but to expect the yelding to come from the king of Spayn and his mynisters. And, wher your lordship wryteth, that the comming of my son from the Bryll in this tyme may brede some dowt in mens concepts,

suerly, my lord, sir Thomas Shyrley can tell yow, that, uppon his report of his sickness, with daunger not to recover without changyng the ayre to come into England, the queens majesty hearyng therof, without any motion of me, commanded Mr. secretory to send hym hir licenss, with all possible spede, and, as I understand from hymself, he is much discomforted with the noysomes of the place, wher the water is not only brakkish, but, being heated on the fyre it stynketh. He also fyndeth the town in a manner utterly unfurnished of ordonnance, and without powder and bollets, so as, in very truth, it was as good out of hir majestyes handes, by reason of the chardg, as to have it only in a name. But how this should be remedyed I know not, for hir majesty will not yeld to any more chardg, and I see the states unwillyng to paye that which they ow; and by a clause in the treaty, they ar bound to furnish both the towns of Flushyng and Brill uppon your lordships demand, as hir majestyes governor-generall, and, if there be any hope furder, it must procede from your lordship as governor of the provynces with the counsell of the state. I thynk sir Philip Sidney hath also some want of ordonnance, but nothyng lyk to that of the Brill, wher ther ar not above seven peces, few ynough for one bullwark, but the daunger is not to be feared as long as your lordship shall prosper in your government. My son, also, brought thyther two hundred footmen and tifty horss, but he never cold get penny for them, nor on penny to that garrison sence he had the chardg; and yet it may be that hath had some help of late, for the tresorer did wryte that your lordship gave hym order to help them with some monny. I am now in dowt to wryte any furder for troublyng of your lordship, knowing how infinitt your occupations be to wryte and to reade, besides contynuall actions. By such letters as shall come from hir majesty you shall fynd as much comfort from hir majesty as you have receaved discomfort, though ther be gret differencees in the effect, for the former I know hath depely wounded your hart, and these cannot sodenly

synk so low as the wond is, but your lordship must add to this your own fortitud of mynd. And so I most hartely wish yow to be strengthened by Godes speciale grace. Your lordships most assuredly, W. Burghley. 31. Martii, 1586.

[} [\LETTER LXXIV. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM. MARCH OR APRIL, 1586.\] }] Sir, I have mett with dyvers letters and inteligences that the pope hath greatly labored some desperatt persons to doe vyolence to hir majesty. The prince of Parma of late dyd use very brode speches, saying, that he dyd not fear the Englyssh ayd, yt wold not contynew many wekes, meaning hir majesties lyfe. I wold not putt yt into my letters for yt wold [\fear\] hir majesty I know, albeyt I doe not mystrust yt, yf you hold a good course at home. God hath and wyll defend hir, I dowbt not, but gett hir from London into som countrey well affected for this somer, and the soner the better. Woodstock wer a good place, and a holsome, or to Farnam, for yt ys hard for any suspected persons to com so farr but som or other wyll gyve knoledge; and, as I hear, hit ys plent now to use some straunger, and, under collor of merchants, to make sute at the court, and an Italian that cam iiij days past from Antwerp told me, that a dere frend of his declared to him,

that ther wer two jesuyttes of Bruges, one a Walloun, and the other of those partes lykewyse, had undertaken a great enterprise in Englond, and did say they had pretences inow to com to the court. I am promysed they shalbe dyscrybed to me, but you must banyshe your popish Low Countreymen that suckes all honye ther and be lazy drones and worse, and lett good wach be leyd among the merchantes for such ij fellowes. They be yong men, and seme as merchantes, but very lewd and wyked. I besech you, for Godes sake, lett no respect of comodyus lying about London cause hir saftye to be neglected, and albeyt she is in all places in the handes of God, yet yt ys good to advoyd the most lykliest places for harme. Ther be few careful about hir. And you kepe hir tyll Mychelmas, by the grace of God, all ys past for those thinges. Yf hir majestie meane to use my servyce, I trust you will send som boddy, that yt may appere here to men that you sett a lytle more store by me than hetherto ther ys cause for them to think, for ther was never yet so much as a letter wrytten to any person here of any thankes for those curtesies I had received before you hard any thing of this place. And, how yll soever hir majestie may conceave of me, yet these men have deservyd great thankes for there good wyll to hir, as ever any people could doe. And these many letters you must remember; first, to the states generall, than to the councell of estate, and one to the councell and towen of Utryght. I wold fayn have more but I fear yt wyll hinder the rest. The rest may be hereafter.

[} [\LETTER LXXV. LORD BURGHLEY TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 1ST APRIL 1586.\] }] My very good lord, aftir that I had yesterday wrytten my letter unto yow, being perswaded that sir Thomas Shyrley shuld tak his leave that morning, as hir majesty promised over night, whan she also agreed uppon certen letters redy to be signed, as they war joyntly by Mr. secretory [{and{] me devised to content hir, I went to London, and comyng back this morning, I found by Mr. secretory a chaung of the former nightes resolution alltogither very absurd and perilloose. And so this morning, at sermon tyme, we cam to hir majesty, and, for myn own part, I told hir majesty, that I marvelled she should so chaung to the worss, but, after manny argumentes, she yelded [{to{] alter ageyn to hir formar resolution, as by the letters sent both to yourself, to sir Thomas Hennadg, and to the counsell of [{the{] states, may particularly appeare, which, though all be [{not{] as I wold, yet it is as neare therto as hir majesty [{can{] be brought unto; for wher hir majesty, by hir alteration yesterdaye, wold have yow assembled the generall states, and [{upon{] ther advise to have gyven you a quallefyed power, without any other title than as hir lieutenant, I found that both peri[{lous{] and absurd, and therfor did draw to this form, that yow [{should{] contynew in your office untill the counsell of states cold devise how to quallefy this matter. And, for that I presume that [{they{] cannot in any congruete, nor, with the good quietnes of ther state, devise any such, I rest satisfyed in opinion [{that{] the country shall contynew

in your government, for the m[{ost{] benefitt of the country itself. My son is at Gravessend, but not hable to com to the court; I am sorry of the cause of his comming. He sendeth me word, that, for want of monny, he hath left a lamentable company of his soldiers at Bryll, and he hath disbursed of his own so much, as he cam home with v=li=. The tresor is redy to be imbarked this evening. From Grenwich, (\primo Aprilis\) , 1586. Your lordships most assured, W. Burghley. [\ADDRESSED,\] To the right honorable my very good lord, the erle of Leicester, lieutenant and governor-general of her majesties forces in the Low Contryes.

[} [\LETTER LXXVI. MR. SECRETARY WALSINGHAM TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 1ST APRIL 1586.\] }] My very good lord, I pray [{that{] the compfort you now receyve

come [{not{] to late bothe for your selve and [{the{] cause. I never knewe her [{majesty{] better affected towardes you [{than{] she seemethe to be nowe, [{and{] , for that she dothe now testefye [{the{] same unto you by her letter wrytten with her owne hand, I shall not need to dwell uppon that matter. I pray [{that{] this favor may be accompag[{ned{] with effectes by well farth[{ering{] of the cause. She h[{ath{] alreadye assented to the [{levy{] of voluntaryes, but [{still{] she wyll be fownde strayte [{in the{] supplye of threasure. [{Your{] lordship shall doe well by your letters to herselve to lay [{before{] her the dysproffyt she [{receiveth{] by sending over threasure [{in such{] scant measure as ther [{can be{] no full paye made. The [^NAME NOT GIVEN^] that regardethe more his pu[{rse than{] his dutye lykethe better of [{credit{] then of thorroughe paymentes. I may not forget to tell you, that sir Thomas Henneage hath dealt towardes your lordship [{like a{] most honest faythefull gentleman, having left nothing undon, by letters and message, that might woorke your good towardes her majestye, whom, next after God, I doe assure your lordship I thinke you have cause to esteem to be a pryncypall instrument in the recovarye of her favor, in that compfortable measure you now receyve the same. This I wryte uppon verry goode grownde, to the ende your lordship may use the gentleman with that thankefulnes that apperteynethe, and as he worthely deservathe. Poore Mr. Davyson dothe take yt verry grevowsely that your lordship shoolde conceyve so hardly of him as you doe, whoe I doe beleve, by the great protestatyons he hathe made unto me, hathe acquyted himselve honestly towardes your lordship. I fynde the conceapt of your lordships dysfavor hath greatly dejected him. At sooche time as he [{arrived{] her majestye was so incensed agaynst your lordship as all the argumentes and orators in the world could not have wrought any satysfactyon; and yt [{may{] be ther hathe ben some [{yll{] reporte made unto your lordship of the poore gentleman from [{hence.{]

At the tyme of her majestye [{sig{]ning of the dyspatche she let me understand, that Rawley, hearing of some [{rumours{] geven owt here in coorte [{that{] he had ben an yll inst[{rument{] towardes her agaynst [{your{] lordship, dyd humbly desyre [{to{] have ben sent awaye w[{ith this{] dyspatche, to the ende [{he might{] have justefyed himselfe towardes your lordship, in case [{any{] sooche synister [{information{] had ben gyven unto you agaynst him: which her [{wish{] was that I shoold signe[{fy unto{] your lordship, and to assure you, [{upon{] her honor, that the gentleman hathe don good offices [{for you{] , and that, in the tyme of hir dyspleasure, he dealt as earnestly for you as any other in this world that professythe most good wyll towardes your lordship. This I wryte by her majesties commaundment, and therfor I praye your lordship to take knowledge therof, in suche sorte as you shall thinke good. Touching the qualyficatyon her majesty so greatly affectethe, I woold to God yt could be brought to passe accordingly as she desyrethe, but I feare sooche a motyon at this present may breed in the peoples heades there somme unnecessary jealowsye; espetyally for that yt can not be don withowt an assembly of the states generall. For her majesties contentement yt shall be well don for the counsell of estate to sett downe sooche reasons as may shew the inconveniences lykely to insue uppon sooche a motyon, and to delyver them unto sir Tho. Henneage at the tyme of his departure from thence. And I dowbt not but [{your{] lordship wyll in tyme doe yo[{ur{] indeavor to brynge this to [{pass{] which her majesty desyrethe, [{and that{] you wyll by your next [{letters{] put her in compforte [{thereof{] , yf your lordship shall see [{any{] lykelyhode to perfor[{m the same{] . Ther are dyvers here [{frequently{] with me to know what [{allow{]aunce will be gyven for [{the{] levye of voluntaryes, wherein I woold be glad to know from your lordship [{how{] to answer. The gentleman that the [{master of Gray{] sent unto you meanethe to repayre [{unto{] you owt of hande [{for{] your full resolutyon towching his masters [{offer{] .

The lord-admyrall com[{plaineth{] that the commyssions your [{lordship{] grawntethe to her majesty[{es sub{]jects which hawnt those [{countries{] dothe woorke somme [{prejudice{] to his jurysdyetyon. He [{would{] be lothe any waye to offend your lordship, and wyll be [{ready{] , for the savyng of his ryght, to grawnte hys commyssyon to any that your lordship shall recommend unto him. Towchyng the party that is gon to Spayne, whom your lordship wysshed rather to have ben imployed emongest the malcontentes, yt grewe of himselfe, uppon a conceypt that, being recommended by the kyng of Spayn unto the prince of Parma, he shall be the better able to serve your lordships torne. And so, prayeing your lordship to exscuse thes scrybled lynes, wrytten with bothe a tyred head and hande, I most humbly take my leave. At the coort, the fyrst day of Aprill, 1586. Your lordships to commaund, Fra. Walsyngham. [\ADDRESSED,\] To the right honorable my very good lord thearle of Leicester, lieutenant-generall of her majestyes forces in the Lowe Countreys.

[} [\LETTER LXXXI. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 11TH APRIL 1586.\] }]

My very good lord, as I have alwaies thowght, sythence your lordships first entrie into the charge you now howld, the assystance of sir William Pelham most necessarye for your lordship, so have I just cause, wayghing the late mutiny happened at Utreck by a bande perteyning unto coronel Norryce, to thinke the removing of the one as necessarye as the placyng of the other. I see some reason to dowbt that the grownde of the seyd coronells caryag of himself towardes your lordship grew by practyce from hence. The nurishing of factyon at home and abroade is thowght here the best coorse of pollecye, but the myschefe yt wyll breed I feare wyll prove irreparable. I fynde, as your lordship wrytethe, that the partyes that doe chefely possesse the coronell are but bad instrumentes, thowghe I must neades confes that I have ben a chefe preferrer of somme of them unto him. I woold to God that with his valewe and courage he carryed the mynde and reputation of a relygyowse sowldyer. The chefe exsperyence and nuryture that he hathe receyved in the warre hathe ben in thos contryes where neyther dyscyplin-mylytarye nor relygyon carryed any swaye, and therefor yt hathe tawght him nothing elles but a kynde of a lycensyowse and corrupt governement, sooche as being weyed eyther in pollecye or relygyon can never prosper. I wyll, therfor, doe my best indeavor, as well in respect of the cause as for the honor and love I professe to bare unto your lordship, to procure the speedye sending over of sir William Pealham, hoping that, nowe your lordship standeth in verry gratyowse termes with her majestye, she wyll be pleased, for your sake and her owne servyce, to send him over. I feare your lordship shall be greatly dysapoynted in the leavye of the voluntarye men, bothe in respect that many of the partyes appoynted by your lordship to make the seyd levyes have no

abylytye nor meanes to furnishe them, as also for that there are verry harde brutes geven owt here of evyll usage of sowldyers there, and of the great pauwryll and exstremytye they endure. Yf your lordship coold fynde the meanes to furnishe the master of Graye with an imprest of 2000=li=, to be sent hether, he myght be able to bryng over with him 3000 footmen and 200 lyght horse. I am of opynion that your lordship shoold be more readyly served from that, than owt of this realme. Besydes the imployment of that natyon in thos cuntryes (the same being with the good allowaunce of the king) cannot but greatly further and grace the cause, for, as I am informed, the brute thereof, as also that there shoold be an offre made of certeyn reysters to be sent by the king of Denmarke to serve under your lordship, doth verry greatly troble the prince of Parma. The provysyons of money promysed him owt of Spayn faule not owt accordyng to his expectatyon. The enterpryse of sir Francis Drake layethe open the present weakenes of the king of Spayn, for of late he hathe sollycyted the pope and the dukes of Florence and Savoye for a loane of 500,000 [\Ducats\] , but cannot obteyne neyther the whole nor parte of the sayd somme. The Genuoyse merchauntes that were wont to furnishe him with money in tyme of necessytye, for that they feare a revolt of the Indians, begyn to drawe backe. The repayre of thos of Bomel and Deventrye unto your lordship, to offer themselves ther servyce and obedyence unto her majestye, dothe shewe most manyfestly, that yf the cause myght have ben thorrowghly countenaunced, the most part of the provynces now possessed by the enemye woold have revolted er this. But we heare are so greadye of a peace, in respect of the charges of the warres, as in the procuring thereof we neyther weyghe honor nor savetie. Somewhat here is a dealing under hande, wherin ther is great care taken that I shoold not be made acquaynted withall. I wyll not fayle, according to your lordships request, to take order for the apprehensyon of Salesberye immedyatly uppon his

returne hether. I have alwaye held a dowbtfull opynion of him, having received somme informatyons ageynst him that gave just cause of suspytyon. According as your lordship desyerethe I have an espetyall care of sooche letters as your lordship desyerethe to have pryvat to myselve, and therfor am perswaded that parte of the adverticement your lordship maketh mentyon of, taken owt of somme letter of yours sent hyther, was, I dare assure your lordship, owt of non of thos sent unto me, and therfor I praye your lordship caul to mynde to whom you dyd wryte to lyke effect. For the proceadings in Fraunce and Scotlande I refer your lordship unto the inclosed coppyes, and so I most humbly take my leave. At the coorte, the xj=th= of Aprell, 1586. Your lordships to commaund, Fra. Walsyngham. Sir Art. Basset, and Sir Jhon Chichester, and thre justices more in Devonshire, are dead thorrowghe the infectyon of the gaole. Baron Flowerdewe, one of the justyces of that cyrcute, is also dead. The takyng awaye of well affected men in this corrupt tyme shewethe that God is angrye with us.

[} [\LETTER LXXXIII. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 21ST APRIL, 1586.\] }] My verry good lord, [{I am glad to perceive the{] great chaynge

in your lordships letters, the one wrytten the v=th= the other the vij=th= of this present, the fyrst full of dyspayre in respect of the harde coorse helde here, the other full of compfort uppon the receypt of her majesties gratyous letters, and the happye success in the late conflyckt with the ennemye. I doe assure your lordship I think her majesty tooke as muche joye uppon the viewe of your letter, in seing you restored to your former compforte grownded uppon her favor, as she dyd [{in{] the overthrowghe of the enemye. Her highness is now pleased that [{a{] comyssyon be gyven for the levy of the 300 men in northe . . wherin before she made great dyffycultye. She hathe also commanded that all dylygence be used in the sending over of the voluntarye men. I dowbt greatly for lacke of money the captain wyll not be able to levye them, and yf your lordship, besydes the imprest of the 1000=li= I caused sir William Stanley to be furnyshed withall, doe not also gyve order for a supplye of 500=li= to be sent unto him, he shall never be able to brynge them of Irelande. He cannot get them to be transported under xx=s= the man. I am earnestly desyred by Mr. Edward Dyer to move your lordship that his brother Andrewe, thorrowe your good favor, may be allowed after xx=s= the man for sooche nombers as he shall bryng over. The states have offered unto him, by Mr. Ortell, only xiij=s= iiij=d= the man, wheras in verry deede they cannot be sett owt in that good sorte yt were fytt under xxx=s= the man; and yt were muche better to have an armye compounded of 10,000 well furnished men, then 15,000 in sooche slender sorte as heretofore they have been sent from hence. I doe heare, by somme come from thence, that the harde allowance now made for the levyes intended hathe growen owt of coronell Norryce advyce, whoe notwithstanding, as he himself towld me, hathe ben allowed by the states heretofore for all manner of charges after the rate of . . . the man, which is verry skant. To the ende your lordship may see what instrumentes are used

in owre medyatyon of peace, I sende you the coppyes of certeyn letters by good happ come to my handes. I have let her majesty understande howe dangerowse and dyshonorable yt is for her to have sooche base and yll affected mynisters used therin. Norryce, the controwlers man, is bothe a notable papist and hathe served Mounsyer heretofore as a spye. Yf eyther your lordship or myselfe shoold use sooche instrumentes I knowe we shoold beare no small reproche: but yt is the good happ of hollow and dowbtfull men to be best thowght of. But, to returne to the desyred peace, your lordship shall understand that Grafini, sometymes Spinolas servaunt, having ben of late at Antwerp is nowe returned, whoe reportethe that the prince of Parma, understanding that he was to returne into England, sent for him, and, after long speeche had of the awntyent amytye betwen the howse of Burgundye and this crowne, the great myschefe that bothe contryes were lyke to indure by the coorse nowe held, and of the great good wyll he bare unto her majestye, he prayed him to let eyther her majestye or somme of her cownsell understande, that, althowghe he myght be thowghte more inclyned rather to contynewe the warres then to affect peace, yet no man woold be more wyllyng then himselve to be a medyator therof, and, for that purpose, yf he myght understand that her majestye wold lyke therof, he woold send somme well chosen instrumentes unto her to make some sooche overture in that behalf as she shoold have cause to lyke of. He dyd, for the incoragement of Grafyni, assure him that the king shoold bestowe some honorable rewarde on him, so as he coold bryng the same to passe that some myght be sent over with her majestyes good lykyng. He dyd, also, let him understande that Champigny tooke uppon him [{too much{] in the matter, and that he had intellygence with some person of qualytye within this realme [{of{] the same, but that he dyd not lyke that he shoold be a dealer therin, but woold rather imploy a contryman of his owne. This myche have I receyved from her majestye towching Grafyinis proceading, wherwith her plesure was I shoold acquaynt your lordship, whoe doth

think meet that you shoold, yf you shall see no cause to the contrarye, acquaynt the cownsell of the state there, that certeyn overtures for peace are dayly made unto her, but that she meanethe not to proceade therein without ther good lyking and privyty, being perswaded that ther can be no peace made profitable or suer for her that shall [{not{] also stande with ther savetye, [{and{] that she dothe acknowledge [{hers{] to be so lynked with thers as [{nothing{] can faule owt to ther prejudyce but she must be partaker of theire harme. Her pleasure ys, that you shall not acquaynt them with the partycularyties of the overture, but woold have you deale with them in generall termes, usyng the matter in sooche sorte as they may not enter into any jealouse conceypt of any alyenation of her good meaning towards them. I am glad that Kerseys trechery was dyscovered in tyme; I praye God ther be no more of that crewe as lewdly dysposed as he. I feare the lyttle hope that owre martyall men have of rewarde wyll drawe somme of them to fayle in their dutye, and therfore yt wyll behove your lordship to have a watchefull eye of the looser sorte of the capteyns. But, to returne ageyn to the peace, seing her majesty is so inclyned unto yt, and is fownde altogether unapt to prosecute the warres, I cannot but wyshe your lordship to be a pryncypall dealer therin, as well in respect of your own honor as that I hope yt wyll be performed with bothe honorable and profytable condytyons: wheras I dowbt, yf yt passe to others hands, yt wyll not be so carefully dealt in. I cannot but let your lordship understande that the lord-chamberlyn hathe dealt verry honorably and frenly towards your lordship of late, in causyng Weldon, sometyme pensyoner, to be punished for delyvering, as he is charged thowghe by him denyed, lewd speeches of your lordship. I fynde that bothe the lord-admirall and he doe take yt verry kyndly that your lordship dothe wryte so at large unto them, as you have of late don.

Her majestye dothe longe to heare what is don uppon the last dyrectyon geven to sir Thomas Henneage. I praye God owre nyce dealyng therin doe not more harme, in respect of the lewde brutes geven owt there, then may afterwarde be well repayred. I cannot but put your lordship in mynd to returne your speedy awnswer to the master of Graye, towching the imprest I last wrote of, for the levye. I wyll seeke to satysfye the duke of Nevers towching the salt, in sooche sorte as he shall notwithstanding thinke himselve behowlding unto your lordship. The Flusshingers have dealt hardely bothe with the lord-admyrall and me; wee shall be forced, for the relefe of Thomson, to take some other waye of redresse. Eyther her majestye must increase her garyson in that towne, or elles ther must be somme devyce to imploye thos rude barbarouse maryners in some longe vyage. And so, fearing I have over-tyred your lordship with thes scrybled lines, I most humbly take my leave. At the coorte, the xxj=th= of Aprill, 1586. Your lordships to commaunde, Fra: Walsyngham.

[} [\LETTER LXXXVI. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 25TH APRIL, 1586.\] }] My very good lord, the news browght by sir William Russell was verry welcom unto her majestye, yet dyd she not greatly lyke to be pressed for the supplye of horsemen agreable with the contract; she styll harpethe after peace, bothe in respect of charges, as of some dowbt she hathe that somewhat wyll be attempted ageynst her own person, and, therfor, seing she dothe so greatly thirst after yt, I cannot, as I wrote unto you in my former, but

wyshe your lordship to be a chefe dealer therin; yt were a grete wronge, consydering the brunte and burden of warres your lordship susteynethe, that peace shoold be made withowt you. Yt were not amysse that your lordship tooke somme apt occasyon, by your owne letters unto her majestye, to let her understand no les. I have let my lords here understande, how unkyndly your lord ship takethe yt that you heare so seldom from them, and that sythence your charge there you never receyved any letter of advyce from them. They awnswer, as yt is trothe, that, her majestye reteyning the whole dyrectyon of the causes of that contrye to herself and sooche advyce as she receyvethe underhand, they knowe not what to wryte or to advyce. She can by no meanes, as I have heretofore wrytten unto your lordship, indure that the causes of that contrye shoold be subiect to any debate in cownsell, otherwyse than as she herself shall dyrect, and therfor men forbear to doe that which otherwyse they woold. I sende your lordship sooche thinges as were yesterdaye propounded to ther lordships in cownsell, with theire resolutyons taken thereuppon. Mr. Dawtrye tellethe me, who attendethe here by sir William Stanleys appoyntment, your lordships resolutyon towching a further supplye of money besydes the 1000=li= alreadye delyvered unto sir William Stanley, that they cannot be conveyed owt of Ireland under xl=s=. the man. The only transportatyon will cost a 1000=li=. Yf your lordship cannot drawe the states to yeld that allowance, then were yt meet sir William Stanley were speedyly made acquaynted withall, to the end he may forbeare further proceading. I learne by letters owt of Flawnders, that the enemye meanethe to sende all his forces towardes Guelderlande, in hope to drawe you to a fyght, which I hope your lordship wyll geve order that the same shall be avoyded, unles yt shall be uppon a mervaylowse advawntage. Yf an overthrowghe shoold happen yt woold put in hazarde the whole cause, for we are not armed here with that constancy that shoold endure sooche a revers without dysmay.

My lords mean shortely to sende sir William Pelham unto you with there best advyce in this wayghtye poynte. I thinke yf your lordship dyd convert some of your soldyeres into pyoners, you shoold have great use of them, bothe for defence and to bryng you to fyght uppon advauntage. And so, having for the present no other thinge to imparte unto your lordship, I most humbly take my leave. At the coorte, the xxvth of Aprill, 1586. Your lordships to commaunde, Fra: Walsyngham. Ther hathe fawlen owt no electyon this S=t=. Georges feast. [\ADDRESSED,\] To the right honourable my verie good [\lord\] the earle of Leycester, lord lieutenaunt-generall of her majesties forces in the Lowe Countries.

[} [\LETTER LXXXVII. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 26TH APRIL, 1586.\] }] My verry good lord, howe this unlooked for alteratyon happenethe at this tyme, when the goodnes of God, thorrowghe the most happye coorse and successe thinges take there, owght to have led her majestye to have proceaded most resolutely in the cause, I knowe not, nor can by no meanes imagen how the same shoold be wrowght. Ther was only cauled unto the resolutyon the lord thresorer and I. He moved her to staye the resolutyon untyll sir Thomas Henneages returne; he shewed her that ther was nothing don contrarye to her dyrectyon; he protested unto her, that, yf she dyd goo forwarde with the resolutyon, yt woold utterly overthrowghe

the cause. She grewe so passyonat in the matter as she forbad him to argue any more. Suerly there is somme trecherye amongest owreselves, for I cannot thinke that she woold doe this of her owne heade. I conceyve also, that ther are bad offyces don from thence by secreat letters sent hether, by the which they doe advertyce that the states shall not be able to yeld the contrybutyons promysed, so as the burden of the warres wyll lyght on her majestye. She is the rather confyrmed in this opinion, for that your lordship dyd sygnefye unto her, that the contrybutyons came verry slowly in. Now hereuppon I gather, that her majestye, dowbtyng that a greater charge wyll be cast uppon her then she shall be able to beare, wherby she shall be forced to abandon the actyon, she conceyveth yt may be don with lesse dyshonor, being an assyster, then when her mynister shall carrye the tytle of absolute governor. I conjecture also, yt may growe upon a hope of a peace; for that, as I am secreatly informed, ther is a save-conduct sent over unto Champigny, eyther for himselve or some other, that shall secreatly repayre into this realme. Sorrye I am, that your lordship shoold be so yll handeled as not to be made acquaynted with the proceadinges here, having ingaged yourselve so far as you have don for her majestyes servyce. I looked that her majestye woold have wrytten letters of thankes, bothe unto your lordship and others there of good desert, bothe strayngers and her own subiectes, but we are more apt to wownde then to compfort. God geve your lordship pacyence to beare thes crosses, to whos protectyon I commyt you, most humbly takyng my leave. At the coorte, the xxvj=th= of Aprell, 1586. Your lordships to commaund, Fra: Walsyngham. [\ADDRESSED,\] To the right honourable my verie good lorde the earle of Leycester, lord lieutenant-generall of her majesties forces in the Lowe Countries.

[} [\LETTER XCI. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM. 30TH APRIL, 1586.\] }]

Mr. secretary, I did writt ij dayes past to you at some lenght, and in that letter by chaunce haue answered some thinges that your last letter of the xxj=th= of Aprill doth require, which letter I receaued this last of Aprill; but one thinge I must cheifly remember and thanke you for, which is, that I neuer receaued letter, or word, of comfort from you, since I came over, but by this letter. I would be sorrie my enemie, much lesse my freind, should suffer such a time as I did, almost foure monethes together; but the blessednes of England I see hath made manie forgett the miseries of others. God grant me his grace to strengthen me in this service, and that he will send her majestie victorie over all her enemyes; and that poore men, whoe doe hazard there life, honor, and liveing, maie be better remembred then I haue bine. But now that her majesties good favor is promised me, and is the onlye worldlie thinge I begge of God, I doe greatlie quiet myself, and doe protest, even before the majestie of the eternall judge, that I haue sought nothinge in this service of mine, but, first, the glory of God, and, next, the saftye and service of her majestie, for which respect He doth knowe, and I doe feele, I haue lost the sweet comfort of her majesties presence, my most gratious soueraigne, the safe protection of my happy countrey, the contented life among my deere and loveinge freinds, and the libertye with all comfort in a most blessed state. What I purchase here, insteed

of all theis, lett my companies and beholders witnes. But if x times worse were possible to be felt, and maie doe my gratious mistress but half the service I desire, with enioying her favor, all would be pleasure, ioy, and comfort; for I knowe, if God be pleased, this accion must needs turne to her majesties great securitie, or ells was I vnhappy to enter into it. Well, sir, I thanke you now, at last, that I receaued some lines of comfort from you; as that her majestie is my good ladye, that she will assist me in her service here, with licensinge of voluntary men to come over, in favoring sir Wylliam Stanleys fechinge men out of Ireland, in imparting to me the offers for peace. For the voluntaries, I trust noe way to chardge her majestie, but shall all be borne here, and shortlie to send moneie over; there are v or vj=c= come already, whoe had prestes out of my owne purse. For sir William Stanley, also, I will speedily send over to you for that you haue prested, as also to send him a further prest, wishing of God that it had pleased her majestie to haue sent, or yet to send, sir William Pelham over. I knowe, I say I knowe it, that all the debt he oweth had bine saved another way if he had bine here, beside the great service to the whole cause, as you shall find in a tickett, &c. Touching the matter of peace, I haue, I thinke, said in my other letter as much as I now can say. And I doe most humbly beseech her majestie to consider well of it. I perceaue that I heard here is true, and confirmed by your letter, soe that there is dealing for peace as well by Grefyne as others, which intelligences being so knowen caused me to take that course which I perceaue her majestie doth will me, which is, to let the councellers vnderstand of the meanes which are offered her majestie, as, in very troth, I haue done but to the wisest sort of them, alwaies to

prevent the hearing of it; for theie be very subtill, and as suspicious people as ever I delt withall, which made me to vse some speech of this matter to them; how greatly her majestie is sought for peace, and how carefull I knowe she wilbe to doe anie thing to their hurt. And theie beleeue she is soe, for I tell you theie knowe it, and I am sorry I haue not heard sooner, for I haue often writen what I haue heard of this matter, that I might haue authority to say somethinge, as, I thanke God, I did it sondry times of myself, to avoid the iealousye. And I knowe it hath done great good, and sir Thomas Henneage declaracion thereof, also, did exceeding much good, and confirmed in good time, and fully, that I had said before to them. But to the peace, what I thinke I referre you to my other letter, protesting, before God, I desire nothing more in this world then a good and sure peace for her majestye, being I knowe most agreable to her best liking, whome, next God, I would in all dewtifull service most please, and, beside, I am most perswaded that all good Christians ought to seeke and preferre. My onlie advice doth tend to haue her majestie haue as sure peace as in reason may be gotten. And I doe verilie thinke, as matters stand here, if her majestie will vse her advantage, she shall bringe the kinge, and specially this prince of Perma, to seeke it in other sort then by waie of merchantes. I can assure you he was never soe deiected, nor soe mallancholy, since he came into these countreys, as he is at this daye, nor so far owt of courage. I protest vnto you, I would gage my life and creditt, if I were supplied as were but reasonable, I would haue Antwerpe towne and Burges or midd June. This last overthrow is greater then you there can imagin, with the vitelling of Grave, being a towne of greatest importance of all the places we hould in theis provinces, for Brabant, Gelders, Vtryckt, and Over Isell, being the very passage into all those places, saving into Gelders the enemie maie goe another way, but far worse and more discomodious, and the prince made as sure accompt of it as ever he did of anie skonce that he

tooke in hand. His men doe marvellously beginn to mutinie; manie run away, specially Spaniards. I thinke I wrot to you, how Shenks lieutenant very latlie again hath overthrowen, nere Mustryckt, aboue v=c= footmen, whereof onlie l are kild, and a c with their cheif ainsynes taken and brought awaie, with losse of five or sixe at most; he himself was, and is, here with me, about a service presentlye to be done, in building a fort whereby we will choke vpp Newmeagen, and stopp all vittells that waie to the enemie. The count Hollocke is here also, a most noble gentleman, and, to deale plainlie, geuing every man his right, he was the cheife cause, vnder God, of our days victorye, wherein, beside his valiant behaviour, he delt as like a good souldier as ever I heard of, and afterwards, for the vitellinge the towen, in his person he did most desperatlye adventure it, and went into it himself, where he past a 1000 shott of muskett and caliver, and a c shott of cannon and great ordinance; surelye he is to be honored and cherished. Shenks is a worthy fellow. I made ij knights as theie shuld be, one having a bloodye wound, thother not whole of a shott thorow his thigh at the overthrow at Werll, where he slew almost iij=m= men of the enemies, which was Shenke, thother Mr. John Norris, whoe was but newly hurt, and is as valiant a gentleman as ever liued, and he giues this commendacion to the count Hollock that I tell you for that dayes service, whome, before his face, he saw kill a Spaniard with his pistell, when thother was ready to throst his pike thorow him; these two knights deserved it well. I am likewise in assured hope to drawe awaie from the enemie furthwith ij=c= of his best Albanesines, whoe be his cheif

horsmen. I haue spoken this daie with the capten, whoe is secretlie stollen hether to me, being within a dayes iourney or litle more of their troupes, being not farr of Grave; he is as manlike a gentleman as euer I looked vppon, and Shenks tels me, the onlie leader among them. He asketh me nothing till he brings his bandes to me. I assure you there cannot be a thinge will frett the prince more at the heart. This man doth tell me for all troth, vppon his owne knowlege, that there is three hundred Italians and Spaniards of his best cauallery gone to the duke of Guise against his will, and that he hath written to the duke against them, but he keeps them, and hath done this moneth. This capten was in hight of the fraye at Grave, but the waters kept all the horsmen off; he doth assure me that there was not so few as vj=c= Spaniards kild, and the verie flowre of all their campe, but don John de Aquilau is alive, whoe we thought was kild; soe that for peace, you maie see whether it be not like that it wilbe sought in better sort at her majesties hands then by merchants. I am borne in hand of all, the lords and cheif gentlemen of Heynalt, Arteyes, and Flaunders will seeke it, and presse the prince for it, and there is one that will giue me knowlege verie shortlie thereof, and, if I be not abused, the prince and kinge both will dailie, as longe as theie can, to entertain, talke of peace, and to discourage these countreys thereby, before theie will either harken indeed to a peace, or to treat of anie. And, vnder corection be it spoken, if these men here conceave once her majestie to be in hand with a peace, theie are gone without once looking back, and will make their men, and overthrow her majesties, or lett me suffer for it. God I take to record, vppon that I haue conceaued, and what you haue written, of her majesties disposition, I would creepe vppon the ground as farr as my hands and knees would bere me, to haue a good peace for her majestie, but my care is to haue a peace indeed, and not a shew of it to devid her freinds and her insonder; they loaue her not that wish that kind of weake dealing. Yf all the Spanish faction in England

procure her majestie a peace fitt for hir, in any respect, lett me be hanged for it. Nay I thinke, if you or I should shew to haue so much creditt that waie as some doe as I heare of in England, I doubt whether we should be thought worthy to be hanged or noe; but I haue not to doe with other mens doings, God preserve her majestie, and send her trew faithfull councellors. And the best waie for a good peace, I thinke still, is to bring it by a good sharp warr; and if I had monie, noe more but that her majestie hath promised to imploye here for this yeare, if her majestie be not sought and sought againe, as she should be, lett me beare the blame. But, soe long as pedlers and merchantes be seking and paultringe in so weighty a cause, the enemy will make his profitt of it, or, if it were knowen that I did but advise thus much, the enemy would be in the greatest prid in the world, and hold out to the vttermost houre, whereas now, hard handling must doe the feate, without conceat of hasty or easy beleeuing. Thus, I pray you beare with my tedious writinge, and lett me certenly knowe her majesties will and pleasure therein indeed, for what her will is must be obeyed, and, after I knowe it, I will deall accordingly, by the grace of God, to the vttermost of all my witt. I receaue even now a lettre from Amsterdam, by which it is written, that the kinge of Denmark hath stayed in the Sound a great nomber of shipps, and will suffer none to passe except he promise, or put in bands, not to goe either to Spaine or to Portugall; if it be true, as I doe verilie hope it is, hit is a verie happy matter for her majestie. I thinke it will fall out plainely that [\John\] Jentile which I wrote to you of, that came to the princes of Symeye, seming to discouer that he was hired to poison her from her husband, came onlie to doe it to me; all circumstances of his speeches leanes to it. He was not yet put to anie torture, but he shalbe, his tales

be so full of contrarietyes and doubtes as he beginnes now to wish himself dead, and craves mercye. He confesseth now his meaning was to serve me, and he doubteth there be others that haue comission for the matter, though he hath not; but all is one for him or anie other, my God hath chardge of me, and will not suffer their malice to take place. Yf it should, welcome be his blessed will, hit is for a good cause and soe I am at a point, and yet will I be as carefull as I may be. Thus God haue you in his good keeping. From Vtrickt this last of Aprill. Your assured freind.

[} [\LETTER XCIV. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM. 6TH MAY, 1586.\] }] Mr. secretary, I could not answere your letter which came by the pursevant before this, for that I haue bine two dayes busie at the musters, and giuing order for the paiment of soldiours, which falleth out soe short as hit is pitty to see it; but I am going now into the feild with such forces as I am able to make. The cheifest cause, to withstand the prince of Permas enterprises in these parts, coming, as I am credibly aduertised, in person, with xviij cannons to batter Grave, which if he doe, I trust to prevent his intention. Some other causes there be of great necessitye to settell these partes, and I see, except I goe myself with these companies, this campe will hardly be mainteined or kept together. There is some emulacion amonge the commandours, and captens over-hard to their souldiors, and, by my will, there shalbe noe advantage giuen the enemye throwe our disorder. I will take the more paine myself among them, by the grace of God. For the matter your pursevant brought, I haue answered in a letter by Aty to her majestie. I will not faill to obey her comandement very precisely. And, for my owne parte, I was at the point at the first time sir Thomas Henneage came, and offered most

reddily to satisfye her majesties comandement, but much more now I trust her majestie is not offended with me, and I care not how sone I be deliuered of this burthen, speciallie since I find it noe way acceptable to hir majestie, the service of this countrey, for, I thanke God, I haue neither done her majestie anie dishonour here, nor haue had anie ill successe for her service, yet haue I had as little thankes, and as great blame, as he that had lost a countrey or a battell. Well! for the obseruing of her majesties pleasure for this last commandement, albeit we had very good warrant for it, hit shalbe done, as soone as sir Thomas Henneage comes. And if I maie find anie grace to be honestly revoked, I will take it more thankfullie then some men that should receave x=m=.=li= for a reward. I trust in this voyage, if God lett me liue, to settell all these partes thorowly for a good while. I will then retorne to Hage except I heare of anie sege, either of Berges or Ostend. Of Ostend I cannot thinke; Berges is more like, and yet if he take it not in 2 dayes, which I thinke he shall never, without treason bringe aboue ij=c= men in it, I will warrant we will reliue it well enough. There be allready viij or ix=c= men come over, and the states will entertaine them all, and the rest that come, and I am in good hope the meanes will rise verie great for the maintenance of all theire charges here, yf her majestie will goe thorow with this matter. I would God my lord Gray, or some other noblemen, were here to supply this place, not doubting but theie should farr better accomplish this service then I can, and their service farr better accepted then mine is. Hit sufficeth me that my conscience doth witnes with me that I doe serve her majestie as in the presence of the Almightie; I pray God send me but her majesties reasonable fauor for it. I am sorry I had not knowledge enough to send you worde of the great embassage the kinge of Denmark doth send to her majestie, which, as it is reported, is the greatest that euer went

out of the east countreys; his expectacion is great of her majesties forwardnes in their causes. I praie God he maie receaue that comfort I wish. He hath again made offer to me of his ij=m= royters, and I beseech you, sir, lett it be acknowledged there to his embassador. I am here perplexed in my soule for the vntowardly dealing for our money. I assure you here is not a full moneth to pay the soldiours at this time, and there is none paid but Brill, Ostend, and Flushing. I doe protest to you, if I were as well encouraged to serve as ever I was, I would not deale anie more with her majesties servants here, hauing such disbursers of the monie. I doe assure you it is enough to ouerthrow all our whole service here, and there is noe speaking nor warning, theie presume either vppon chaunge or favour, or som what, for never man hath dealt soe playnely nor soe rigorously as I haue done, but theie care not one pennie for it; theie say theie must and will answere it. You shall doe well, whosoeuer haue the chardge here, to direct the treasor to his chardge vntoucht or vnbroken vpp, and thin the treasorer to make his reconing, and to receaue out, that which is due to be paid, and that which remaines to be locked vpp vnder ij keys; for my parte if anie come before my departure, surely I will neither make pay nor warrant if he delivered any penny before yt come to me. The auditor is both simple and fearefull, and, except you appoint another comission, I dare vndertake her majestie shall loose xx=m= mark, at least, in this already past. What a thinge is this, Mr. secretary, that the poore stervid wreches that have susteined penury this iiij monethes almost full, shall haue but one moneths pay, and not that, now to goe to the feild. Withall, by your leaue, I must say it againe, you did her majestie and yourself

wronge, when you appointed such officers, so vnited, as you did, specially being interessed as theie were. For my parte, I trust I shall stay noe time here; yf I should, I would never agree to haue this man deall with the money agein, I will command noe souldiours [{...{] and, as the souldiers hath noe pay but for a moneth, soe is there no officer in the feild paid anie thinge but myself. It is verie late, yet I wish there were care in time. As for peace, I am at a point. My care was for hir majestie and the realme, and I wilbe hanged when she shall haue a good peace but as I wrote to you, and therefor there needes noe hast, matters going as theie doe; but I am noe fitt councellor in this. God speed it well, and keep you alwaies. At Hamersford this 6. of May. Your assured freind.

[} [\LETTER XCVI. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM. 9TH MAY, 1586.\] }] I am sorry to trouble you with the discomfortable dealings of of our treasurer here; I assure you it passeth, and our auditor a foole in comparison to mete with there subtelties. I saw this day an abstract. I see there is yet due to souldiers aboue x=m=.=li= when all this monie almost shalbe paid that cam last. This coronel Norris doth match the late earle of Sussex, of all men that euer I haue sene, for such matters, and sett countenaunce withall vppon them. I trust you will provide for my speedye cominge home; but, if I tarrie, either lett an other dispencer of the monie be appointed, or lett it be deliuered into my custodye, that their be noe paiments made before a perfect reckoning cast vpp; for, if it goe on with the rest as with this past, I will warrant a full third parte lost

from her majestie and the souldiers now. I haue so often spoken I haue done, for I will not beare anie burthen at the souldiers and captens hands, for all the treasure in this countrey. And howsoeuer the matter is, the treasurer hath some back hope, and little doth care what fault I find. This day I heard for certen, that, vpon the new supplie of men I caused to be sett into Grave, which was 350 with 4 or 5 very good captens, the enemye attemptinge to take and spoyle a subvrbe to Grave, being about 1000 Spaniards, theie haue lost dead in the place 400, all Spaniards, such as they lost before for gallant fellowes, soe that there is a good abatment of them of late. We heare the prince doth meane to follow that seige still, but now I little feare that place, for this 350 fresh lusty souldiers having vittels, store, and munition, is a good assurance; beside, the place is stronge, and well fortified, and hath more with these last, beside burgers, which are stout and willing fellowes and well trained. Their is 1000 able souldiers, and the burgers stronge 800. And I am now here, provided to rescue anie place the prince shall attempt. I am v=m=. footmen and 1500 hors. This day I haue sent most of my horsmen into the Betowe toward Newmeagin. I sent Shenks two daies since with 1000 footmen

to take a peice of ground called Mellin, where I haue appointed a fort to be made, which shall stopp all cariage by watter betwene Newmeagin and their campe at Grave. It maie be that I will putt that towne in hazard, at the least I will [\leave\] them noe places to hinder vs vppon the Reyne betwene Newes and this towne. Yf the enemie attempt Burges vp Some, as a brute there is, I will sone relieve it, by the grace of God, and yet there is both good store of men and victells in it, neither doe I greatlie mistrust anie place now that I am in the feild, that, either by watter or land, I can recover anie place, nether doe I thinke that the prince can well tell what yet to doe. God send me good successe this iorney, and well to acquit me of this countrey, and some happier man to stepp into it. Soe God be with you, and to morow I will lodge toward Newmeagin, with my companie altogether, from whence you shall heare as occasion will serve. In some hast at Arnham, this ix. of May, without money or ware. Your assured freind. Yf you send not speedlye a nimbler fellow then this auditor there will neuer fault appere.

[} [\LETTER XCVII. LORD BURGHLEY TO SIR THOMAS HENEAGE. 13TH MAY, 1586.\] }]

Good Mr. threasurer, although theare is heare matter mines [\tiring?\] plentifullie to write uppon concerning the subiect of your charge, yet, bicause the same conteineth noe such resolucion as both I have advised and wished, I doe forbeare to enlarge the discours thereof by particulers, and breefelie doe concurr with Mr. vice-chamberlaine, whoe nowe writeth to youe such an imperfect resolucion as hir majesty hath delivered unto him, nothing agreable to our advises. Uppon manie urgent and poignant cawses, as I maie so terme them, I have advised hir majesty to permitt my lord of Leicester to continue in the gouverment of thos cuntries, wherein God hath latelie prospered him, and that you, being sick, might retorne without following that hazardous course that is appointed to you: but hir majestie will neither allowe of the one nor of the other, but she saith, that you shall goe backe, and doe that she hath commaunded you, which she is content to interprete in this sort, that though she still misliketh that my lord of Leicester hath accepted the title of governor-generall of thos provinces, yet she meanethe not that he should presentlie or hastelie leave it, bicause of the inconveniences that might happen to the publique cawse by want of gouverment; and yet hir mind is, that you should conferre with his lordship and the counsell theare, yea, you should also further the same, that it might be devised there by authoritie of the states, howe my lord might forbeare the title and absolute authoritie of the gouvernor of thos provinces, and yet, remaining with the title and authoritie of her majesties lieutenant-generall,

to have, by the graunt of the estates, authoritye according to the articles of the mutuall treatie with the counsell of the states, to order, governe, reforme, and direct the martiall affaires in like sort as his lordship nowe maie doe, by the comission of the states whearebie he is made theire governour-generall; and this is that hir majestie desyreth, and wisheth to be done, and, to that ende, would have by your meanes conference had betwixt my lord and the counsell, howe this maie be brought to passe, and thowgh, if it can be so compassed, it cannot by anie likelood be browght to passe without sum length of tyme, and manie circumstances and difficulties, yet hir majesty willeth you to retorne, with the report of such conclusion as shall fall owt uppon this conference betwixt my lord, yourself, and the counsell of the states: and further, also, hir majestie plainely saith, that she would not have my lord to leave this authoritie untill she shall, uppon your retorne, understand howe, and in what manner, this devise shall be thowght faisible to be done, withowt anie evident danger of the common cawse. In this sort you see howe I take hir majesties wordes and mind, and so also I thinke you shall perceive the like, or equivallent, from Mr. vice-chamberlaine and Mr. secretarie, for with noe other would hir majestie deale in this cawse, as I could understand. This matter hath been more cumbersome and more severe to me and others that hath at sundrie times delt therin with hir majesty, than any whatsoever since I was a counselor; the will of God be, to bring it to some better resolucion, both for his owne glorie and for the quiet and weale of hir majestie and hir estate, to which ende I se my praiers must be hereafter accommodated to God rather then advise as a counselor to hir majestie, and yet I mind not to leave either of them as God will geve me grace. I praie you praie my lord to excuse me for my short writing, and my lord North for my not writing, for truelie I am at this time overtoiled. 13=o= Maij 1586.

[} [\LETTER XCVIII. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 14TH MAY, 1586.\] }] My verry good lord, I had hoped that your letters sent by Mr. Atye woold have drawen her majestye to have revoked sir Thomas Henneage, and to have stayed the motyon for the qualyficatyon of the tytle, in respect of the alteratyon that the same is lykely to woorke there. But nothing that can be sayd can woorke any staye here, so resolutely is her majesty bent to have the matter propounded to the counsell of state ther; whoe, I doe assure myself, wyll be greatly perplexed with the motyon, and, as I take yt, they have no awthorytye to treate uppon yt, but must refer the consyderation therof unto an assembly of the states, which wyll woorke sooche a busse in the peoples heades, and mynister to the evyl-affected there sooche a plotte to woorke on, as to mans judgement may perryll the whole cause. Ther hathe ben as muche sayd towching the daynger as myght be alleaged. And truly, my good lord, I am now perswaded that thys straynge proceading growethe from her majestye selve. I have prayed this gentleman, who is honest, to acquaynt your lordship with my opinion herin; and so I most humbly take my leave. At the coorte, the xiij=th=. of Maye, 1586. Your lordships to commaund, Fra: Walsyngham. By the coppye of Mr. Randolphes letter your lordship may see the present state of Scoteland.

[} [\LETTER C. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 20TH MAY, 1586.\] }] My verry good lord, her majestye hathe made me acquaynted with the letter she wrytethe with her owne hande unto your lordship, and where she chargethe your lordship with the acquaynting the cownsell of state there with the overture of peace made unto her by the prince of Parma as a faulte, herin your lordship is wronged: for the fault is myne, yf any were commytted, but, in verry trothe, she gave me commaundment to dyrect you to acquaynt them withall, thowghe nowe she dothe denye yt. I have receyved within thes fewe dayes many of thes harde measures. Her majestie dothe, also, revoke her resolutyon towching the sendyng over of voluntary men in sooch nomberes as doe nowe goe; she saythe, she was content that a 1000 or 2000 shoold be permytted to goe, but no greater nombers. Sooch as are alreadye levyed shall, notwithstanding, be permytted to passe, but the rest are ordred to be stayed. This chayng as I learne growethe uppon

a malytyouse informatyon, that the subiectes of this realme shoold murmore greatly at the imployement of so many people of this realme in defence of others, to the weakening of the seyd realme; wheras, contrarywyse, all men of judgement, lookyng into the persons that are imployed, being for the moste parte loose men and having nothing to take to, or into the present dearthe, doe thinke her majestie happye to have so apt an occasyon to imploye them in so necessary a servyce. So lyttle love is carryed to the contynewaunce of this actyon as the weakest argument that may be used wyll suffyce to woorke an hinderaunce to the cause. I wyll, therfor, doe my best indevor to procure your lordships revocatyon. The thre last letters your lordship sent unto me, by Browne the messenger, I thowght good, for sundrye causes, to shewe them unto her majestye, but espetyally to the end she myght see the yll husbandrye used by the thresorer, and how necessary yt was, both for her proffyt and her servyce, to have another substytuted in his place. I fownde her disposed to geve good eare thereunto, and thereuppon I moved her for the sendyng of sir Valentyn Browne, for that your lordship fownde the audytor nowe imployed there verry weake, but coold not drawe her to any resolutyon. For, fyrst, towching sir Valentyn Browne, she alleaged two impedymentes; the one, that she was necessarily to use his present servyce in Ireland abowt the peoplyng of Monster. The other, that yt woold be a matter of great charg to have two audytors imployed there at one tyme. For the fyrst, yt is trewe that he cannot be well spared, being, as he is, best acquaynted with the plott for the peopling of Monster; towching the charge, I shewed how that the benefyt she shoold reape therby woold verry largely requyt the charge. The audytors here be so softspryted men as I dowbt there wyll not any one be fownde owt emongest them more suffytyent then he that is now imployed. I fynde her majestyes dysposytyon to be sooche, as rather than she wyll entre into an extraordynarye charge of an hundrethe pownd

she can be content to be deceyved of 5000=li=. I suppose when the thresorer shall be dysplaced your lordship wyll make choyse of sir Thomas Shurley, whoe, I doe assure your lordship, is a most constant affected gentleman unto you, and deservethe an extraordinary good usage at your lordships handes. This daye the lord-thresorer and I dealt with her majestie for the sendyng over of money, in sooche a proportyon as ther may be a thorrowghe paye made, which we shewed her woold proffyt her at the least thre thowsand pownd; but we coold no waye prevayle, she styll standethe uppon the returne of the accompt of the threasure last sent. Your lordship therfore shall doe well to hasten the sending over of the same. The next threasure that shall be sent over shall be chested under two lockes, as your lordship advysed, to the ende you may be assured to see the imployement thereof. I doe rejoyce greatly, notwithstanding the dyscowntenancyng of your lordship every waye, that God dothe blesse your care and travayle with most happye successe, which suerly faulethe owt so myche the better for that your lordship hathe cause to ascrybe the same to the goodnes of Almyghtie God, to whos protectyon I commyt your lordship. At the coorte, the xx=th= of Maye, 1586. Your lordships to command, Fra: Walsyngham. [\ADDRESSED,\] To the right honorable my verie good lord the earle of Leycester.

[} [\LETTER CI. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 20TH MAY, 1586.\] }] My verry good lord, fyndinge the uncerteyn coorse helde [{here{] towchyng thos cuntrye causes, [{and{] that her majestye dothe rather [{wish{] to weaken then strengthen your awthorytye there, I [{have{] dyswaded the master of Graye from his further proceading [{in{] his preparatyon for thos cuntryes, lettyng him playnly understand howe greatly your servyce is crossed, wherby your lordship shall not be able to perform that good usage, both towards himselve and sooche troopes as he shoold bryng with him, as you desyre, for lacke of cowntenaunce and awthorytye; [{and,{] for his better satysfactyon therein, I have sent unto my cosyn Randolphe one of your last letters, by the which your lordship desyreth to be revoked, wherby he may see that ther is no cause whye your lordship shoold incorage him to imbarque himselve in the servyce, seing you mynde yourselve to geve it over. I have desyred sir Philip Sydney to put your lordship in mynde to wryte somme letter of thankes to the master of Graye, and to assure him of your good affectyon towards him. How hazardowsly her majestye dealethe in causes of Scotland your lordship may perceyve both by Mr. Randolphe and the coppye of the kinges owne letter unto hir majestye. The master of Graye dothe assure me, that she never had so weake a partye in Scotland as she hathe nowe. I fynde yt a verry harde matter

to conserve the amytye of that contrye in the coorse now held heare, and what daynger may growe by the losse thereof, a verry mean-wytted man may see. She greatly presumethe [{on{] fortune, which is but a [{very{] weake foundatyon to buylde uppon. I woold she dyd buyld and depend uppon God, and then all good men shoold have les cause to feare any chaynge of her former good happ. The myserye growethe so great in Flaunders and Brabant, as, yf the Dunkerkers might be restrayned, yt woold owt of hande woorke a great chaynge there. I hope the G[{...{] wyll doe more good in one monethe, then the shyppes set owt by her majestye hathe don all this year. Ther is daylye carryed owt of Holland and Zelland both merchandyce and vyctualls to Calles, which dothe greatly offende oure merchauntes here that are restrayned. I wishe to God ther coold be some coorse taken to prevent this mischefe of transportyng of vyctualles. And so I most humbly take my leave. At the corte the xx=th= of Maye, 1586. Your lordships to commande, Fra: Walsyngham. [\ADDRESSED,\] To the right honorable my [{very good{] lord the earl of Leycester, lord [{lieutenant-gene{]rall of hir majesties forces in the Low Countryes.

[} [\LETTER CIII. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 23RD MAY, 1586.\] }] My verry good lord, sythence I last wrote unto your lordship there is nothing come to my knowledge worthye to be imparted

unto your lordship, and yet, having so convenient a messenger, I woold not suffer him to passe without a fewe lynes. There is no man here dealethe more honorably and faythefully towardes your lordship then this bearers master, and yet, as he tould me secreatly yesternight, he hathe ben informed that there are some that seeke malytyowsely to [{persuade{] your lordship to conceyve otherwyse of him. But he reposethe that confydence in your sownd conceypt of him as yt dothe not greatly troble him. I begyn now to put on an opinion that the only thwartes your lordship receyvethe growethe owt of her majestyes owne dysposytyon, whom I doe fynde dayly more and more unapt to imbrase any matter of weyght. And, wheras I dyd by Mr. Barker let your lordship to understande, that I thowght you were crossed under-hand by some great personage, I doe nowe quyte him of yt, and am perswaded that he dealethe honestly in the cause. The imbassator of Denmarke departythe hence within a daye or two. He hath ben honorably used. I doe not fynde by him that his master is greatly inclyned to doe any thing that may offend Spayne, or to attempt any thing in favor of the king of Navar. By late letters from Palavicino her majestye is advertysed, that thinges goe cowldly forwarde in Germany. By former letters from him we were in better hope. The wyne is so weake this yeare as yt dothe not revyve ther spirytes. The king of Navar is drawen towardes Rochell. And so I most humbly take my leave. At the coorte, the xxiij=th= of Maye, 1586. Your lordships to commaund, Fra: Walsyngham.

[} [\LETTER CV. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 26TH MAY, 1586.\] }] My verry good lord, I send your lordship her encloased such letters as I have lately receavid from the master of Gray. In aunswer wherof, fynding hir majesty so couldly disposed still towardes that action, I have thought good to acquaint him directly with the change of her majesties resolution towching the continuaunce of your authoritye, being a matter not secreat but oppen and common, which I do tell him proceadeth thorough the practise of ill instrumentes here, that favour the Spanish proceedinges, and seeke to crosse your lordship, letting him withall

understand, that your authoritye be[\ing\] by such meanes so weakened as you shall not nowe be hable to yeld him that satisfaction and good enterteynement for himself and his company that aperteyne, you have just cause not to encourage him to come over to the service, least, yf he should fynd any want, yt [\might\] geve him occasion to blame your lordship, and breede in his company a mislyke of him that had brought them to so [\bad\] a bargayn. This aunswir in effect I have made to the master, to whom my lord thresurer hath also written to lyke purpose. His lordship and I have dealt earnestly with her majesty about the matter of the masters imployement, letting her understand how necessary yt weare that hould weare taken of his offer, in respect of thimbarking of the king his master into the action, which, we tould hir majesty, could not be don, unles yt might pleas hir to mayntayne your lordships authoritye in the title of governement geven you there, but she conceaveth still that the matter might well enough be performid by vertue of your authority of generall only. And so I humbly take my leave of your lordship. At Grenwich, the xxvj=th= of May, 1586. Your lordships to commaund, Fra: Walsyngham.

[} [\LETTER CVIII. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 3RD JUNE, 1586.\] }] My verry good [{lord, I think{] good by the opportunyte of this gentleman to let your [{lordship{] understande, that I am advartysed that the prince of Parma is determyned to attempt somewhat agaynst Sluse, which maketh me to doubt that he hathe some intellygence within that towne. He meanethe to commit the executyon of the matter unto the count of Egmonde, goyernor of Flaunders, and unto La Mota, in whom [{he{] reposethe his chefest trust. I am greatly affrayde, unless ther shall be some Englishmen placed there, that that towne wyll be lost. By [{sir{] William Pelham your [{lordship{] shall understande howe greatly yt importethe her majestye to kepe the porte townes owt [{of{] the Spaniards handes. And so I most humbly take my leave. At the Barnealmes, 3. June, 1586. Your lordships to command, Fra: Walsyngham. This gentleman hathe verry well acquited sooche favor as yt hathe pleased your lordship to shewe him. He was verry desyrowse to have levyed a bande of footemen, but could not performe yt for lacke of meanes.

[} [\LETTER CXIV. LORD BURGHLEY TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 10TH JUNE, 1586.\] }] My very good lord, though I wrote late on Wednesday at night to your lordship, uppon Mr. Nicolas Gorge comming to me with

signification that he was to depart erly in the next morning, and therfor I wrote more hastely, yet now, being lykwise moved by Mr. Unton, the beror hereof, to know if I would have any thyng to your lordship, who is also moved to tak shipp this evening, with commodite of a western wynd, I am also occasioned to wryte in lyk hast, and yet, as the tyme falleth out, if I had mor leasur, I shuld not wryte of such matters as war mete, because I am here at Westminster, being Fryday, and have hard that sir Thomas Hennadg cam to hir majesty yesternight, and that, in a generall report, I here that hir majesty is very well contented with hym and his messadg; for which cawse, untill I shall be at the court, which I mynd to be to morrow at nyght, I am unfurnished what to wryte of such matters as his retorn shall minister cause, so as, untill that tyme, I cannot so conveniently wryte to your lordship as Mr. Hennadg and others at the court may doe. But yet, my lord, I have thought good to lett you know, that I had, by hir majestyes commandment, on Teusday last, treated with our marchantes-adventurers to mak payment ther, on that syde, of the some of xxx=m li=. wherby to stey the carriadg out of monny in specie, and, about the same tyme, I did also deale with some marchantes straungers to the same effect, that, if they cold mak payment ther of some good somes of monny, I wold repay the lyk here, and herof I was in good hope to have spedd, by the manner of ther answers, so as our monnyes, namely our aungell and xij=d=. might be ther stablished at ther just valleus in certenty, namly, the aungell at xvj=s=. viij=d=. and our xij=d=. at xx=d=., and so ratably other monnyes, wherof I gave them hope, uppon report made, that your lordship was purposed to publish a placard ther for the lyk purpooss. And to comfort our merchantes, I did also promiss payment of the v=m li=. presently, that was last payd ther by your lordships request, though the same was not payable befor the last of this month; but yesterday, both our own and the straungers cam to me, with declaration, that, by this mishapp of Grave, they both, but specially the straungers, cold not possibly perform that which I required of them; and

so I was perplexed, and yet I so pressed our marchantes-adventurors as I told them, if they wold not now strayn ther credittes to pay ther xx=m li=. within xiiij dayes, I wold procure from hir majesty a licenss for the straungers to carry out clothes undressed, wherby I hoped both to vent our clothes, which is a thyng very nedefull in this tyme, and to obteyne my request for payment of monny. By this threatning of them they have bene styrred to mete togither, and do offer to send awey this night a post to provide xx=m li=. to be ther within xiiij dayes, if it be possible, and, for certenty, they offer, that monthly they will be hable to paye x=m li=. Thus your lordship seeth how uncerten thynges pass here, but knowyng how great nede ther is to have monny ther, rather than ther shuld be want any long tyme, I will press hir majesty that monny may be sent in specie, wherof you lordship shall shortly here. Our marchantes do alledg another gret difficulte, in that ther shippes can not have fre passadg to Embden by reason of the Hollanders shippes in that ryver, wherof I have gyven them hope that your lordship had delt therin betwixt the cont of Embden and the Hollanders, and so I hope your lordship hath doone some good therin, for so indede our marchantes shuld be more hable to pay you monny from thence than at Midleburgh. I wish your lordship that good success that yow cold mak the ryver of the Rhen free, as by your late takyng of the sconce in the duke of Cleves contrey, I hope a gret furderance. And so now, prayeng your lordship to accept this my hasty kynd of wrytyng in good part, I wish you success of all your honorable actions. Your lordships most assuredly, W. Burghley. 10 Junii, 1586. [\ADDRESSED,\] To the right honorable my very good lord, the erle of Leicester, lieutenant-generall of hir majesties forces in the Lowe Cuntries.

[} [\LETTER CXVIII. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 22ND JUNE, 1586.\] }] My verry good lord, I am to recommend unto your honorable favor this bearer, my servaunt, that by your lordships good meanes he may enioye lyke benefyt of his offyce of water-bayly in Flusshing, as the water-baylye in Bryll dothe presently enioye. I hope he wyll deserve any favor yt shall please you to bestowe on him, and I shall thinke myselve greatly bownde unto you for the same. And so I most humbly take my leave. At the coorte, the xxij=th= of June, 1586. Your lordships to command, Fra: Walsyngham.

[} [\LETTER CXIX. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 24TH JUNE, 1586.\] }]

My very good lord, yt may please your lordship to hould me excused yf I use the hand of annother in writing unto you, being [\at\] this present meself overburthened with other busynes. The cause of this my dispatch is to acquainte your lordship with the late comming of Augustin Grafigna and Bodenham from the prince of Parma with some overture of a peace, though but in generall termes, having only yet delyvered, that, yf the king of Spayne can lyke to have a peace, the prince, for his part, who hath now receaved honner enough in that countrye, will very willingly undertake to becom an instrument and dealer in yt, for which purpose he meaneth to send over hether some personage of quality yf the matter go forward, but to other particularityes they descend not. And whether the prince have any commission or authoritye from the king to treate appeareth not. Bodenham seemeth to have some further directions, and a letter for her majestyes self, theffect whereof your lordship shalbe made acquainted withall so soone as yt is knowen. Grafigna telleth me, that he was lodged in Cosmos lodging when Skinck and Roger Williams gave the camisado to the campe, and,

by that meanes, was prevye that the disorder and confusion was so great as there appeared no smaule lykelyhood, that, yf they had ben followed by their horsemen, the whole campe might have ben overthrowen; and yet that there weare not so many slayne as was otherwyse reported, the whole number being not above three or fower score, and of our people betwin thirty and forty taken and slayne, which happened for that, by reason of their longe taryeing, they gave the prince tyme to pursue them with his horsemen. They gave our men the prayse to have guided thenterprise with no lesse skill and good discretion then yt was hazardously undertaken. He telleth me, that, to shunne the danger of Berges up Zome, he was constrayned to returne by Mastrich, Liege, and thos quarters, where he understood that the people had violently resistid the carriadg of the intended provisions of vittalls to the campe, in respect of their owne want and necessitye; by meanes wherof the prince cannot long continue before Venloo. He understood that the merquis of Pescara, who was looked for with 1500 horse and 3000 footmen, bringeth now with him butan hundreth and fyfty horse and eight hundreth footemen. The prince of Parma, as he telleth me, was informed, that your lordship should have 18,000 fotmen and 3,000 horse, wheruppon, calling his captens to counsell, yt was, at the first, advised to go from Ventloo and hazard the battell with your lordship, and in thend resolved to leave some strength before Venloo, and yet go forward with their purpose to

bid your lordship battell; wherof I have thought good to geve your lordship speedy knowledge. And so I most humbly take my leave. At Greenwich, the xxiiij=th= of Juin, 1586. Your lordships to commaund, Fra: Walsyngham. [^THE POSTSCRIPT AUTOGRAPH^] The prince of Parma, in his letter to her majestye, which I have seene, doth use the matter in sooche sortt as thowghe sooche as have ben dealors in this peace had sowght the same at his hands in her majesties name, which is taken most offensyvely agaynst both the prince and the mynisters; for her highnes protestythe, that she naver gave any sooche commyssyon. The prince protestethe, that he hathe not any comyssyon, neyther generally nor perticularly, to deale in the matter, and yet, yf her majestye shall be dysposed to have the seyd peace proceaded in, uppon knowledg in what sorte she wyll have the same performed, he wyll be ready to further so good a worke. Your lordship may see what effectes are wrowght by sooche weake mynisters. They that have ben the imployers of them are ashamed of the matter. I praye your lordship that this advertycement towching the contents of the prynces letter may not be made publycke.

[} [\LETTER CXXIII. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 30TH JUNE, 1586.\] }] My very good lord, upon knowledge receaved from Mr. Aty here, of a motion made by your lordship, that, in case it would please hir majestie to write some letters to certein of the townes in that countrey, it could not but in all lykelyhoode be a thinge of good consequence, and very expedient for the comforting and encouragement of the saied townes: my lord threasurer and I, acquainting hir majestie with the mater, have founde hir very well enclyned to yeeld therunto, as your lordship may perceyve by the enclosed, which is a copie of the five letters that are sent herwith, signed by hir majestie; wherin if your lordship shall thincke good to have any thinge added or altered, or any more letters to be

written to the same effect, I will not faile, upon knowledge of your pleasure and desire herin, to procure the same to be dispatched with expedition. And so I humbly take my leave of your lordship. From the court at Grenewich the xxx=th= of June, 1586. Your lordships to commaunde, Fra: Walsyngham. [^THE POSTSCRIPT AUTOGRAPH^] The brethern of yong Mr. Kyngesmell being geven to understande that he shold be of late taken prysonar, have desyred me most earnestly [{to represent the same{] unto your lordship, that by your favorable meanes his libertye may be procured. They can be content, rather then he shoold remayn long prysoner, to paye sume reasonable ransom. It is left to your lordship to direct the letters as you shall thincke meete.

[} [\LETTER CXXVII. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM. 8TH JULY, 1586.\] }] Yt is like you shall heare of it before this comes to you, that we haue taken Axell, a towne in Flaunders, nere Ternous, a forte of our side. Your sonne Philip with his bands had the leadinge and entringe the towne, which was notably handled, for theie caused xxx or xl to swime over the ditch, and so gett vpp the wall and opened the gate; yet, or theie could enter half their nombers, the souldiers were in armes, and came to resist our men,

but they were overthrowen, and most of them slaine, being vj=c=, as I heare, souldiers in that towne, beside burgers; iiij scon[\c\]es beside are taken. The count Morrice was there, and my lord Willoowby, and young Mr. Hatton, for his first nuselinge. God send we may hold it, vittell is so hard to come by there; but all is done that can be possible. I see wee shall starue on everie side. I here now, that there is x=m li= sent over by exchange, and other x=m= in the middest of August; you wrote vnto me that her majestie had appointed xxxij=m li= to come over. It is no marvell our men runn fast awaye. I am ashamed to write it, there was v=c= ran away in two dayes, and a great manie to the enemye, of which sort I haue taken sixe, and Welch is taken, that went with Pigott, where the count Hollock and Robin Sidney overthrew a good cornett of horse of Camilles, beside Breda, kild and tooke 28 prisoners, and horse. This Welch was one. There is of our runagates ij=c= brought againe from the coast-side. Divers I hanged before the rest, and I assure you theie could haue bine content all to haue bine hanged rather then tarry. Our old ragged roggues here hath soe discouraged our new men as, I protest to you, theie looke like

dead men. God once deliuer me well of this charge, and I will hange to, yf I take charge of men and not be sure of better pay a forehand. I assure you it will frett me to death or longe, to see my souldiers in this case, and canot help them. I cry now, peace! peace! for neuer was there such a warr, and a cause so slenderly countenanced; but God will help vs I trust. And you must looke to yourselues there what you will doe, you see the yeare runns on apace. I will not now hold you longer; but, Mr. secretary, I tell you, if our people shalbe noe better releiued, by the Lord, I looke for the fowlest mutiny that euer was made, both of our men and these countrey souldiers, and I am sure I can doe as much with them as ever anie man could, and I doe but wonder to see theie doe not rather kill vs all then runn away, God help vs! And I would God you were all here one moneth, to see our handling from ourselues. I doe assure you, if our paiments come thus, you must looke to heare I and theie shalbe come shortly Martin Rous and his companie, for men will not starue, and for such monie as the states owe I look verie shortlie to haue [\it\] . The enemie doth vse his old practice; he hath conveied above ij=c= of our men by Callice, and I beseech cause good wait at Dover, and Sandwish, for such as come without my pasport, and that some example be made, or we shall never keep them here. I haue good hope of the count Hollock. Paul Buis, a very knave, more and more. The opinion conceaued that you will leave vs will vndoe all, and past help shortlye. Yf help doe come in sort to pull out this late deep-rooted conceat, lett me loose life, and all I haue in the world, yf these countries be not brought free of this warr within one yere, and, before the Lord I speake, I doe thinke it had bine this yere if matters had bine well followed and supplied; but, as you deall, I knowe not what to say, nor what councell to giue, but

to pray to God, and looke for ruin of all here or longe, for you must thinke these conceats cause matters to alter more in a weeke then heretofore in iij monthes. And yet is there life. God be with you. In hast this 8. of July. Your assured.

[} [\LETTER CXXVIII. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 9TH JULY, 1586.\] }] My verry good lord, your [{last{] letters unto her majestye [{in{] which your lordship hathe layd before her the present alteratyon [{in that{] cuntrye, as well in the gene[{ral{] thorroughe the losse of Grave and Venlewe, as also in [{certain{] partyculer persons of [{...{] cauling there, as the count [{Maurice{] and count Hollocke, for somme knowen respectes, hathe g[{reatly{] perplexed her, and the [{more{] for that she gatherethe uppon the vyewe of your lordships letter, that the only salve to cure this sore is to [{make{] herselve propryetarye [{of{] that cuntrye, and to put [{in{] sooche an armye into the [{same{] as may be able to make head to the ennemyes. The[{se{] two thinges being so contrarye to her majestyes dysposytyon, the one, for that yt breedethe a dowbt of a perpetuall

war, the other, for that yt requireth an increas of charges, dothe merveylousely dystrackt her, and make her repent that ever she entred into the actyon. She hathe only made the lord-thresorer and Mr. vyce-chamberlyn acquaynted, as they tell me, with parte of thos letters, and gave them order to consyder what wer fyt to be don uppon this alteratyon. To this conference by her majestyes order I was cauled. The resolutyon is not yet taken, but hangethe in susspence for that the lord-thresorer, being trobled with the gowte in his hande, canot repayre unto her. The advyce that wyll be gyven her wyll faule owt to be this; fyrst, that she must prosecute the actyon without respect of charges; secondaryly, that a gentleman of sound judgement be sent over unto your lordship, to confer with you howe bothe the generall and pertyculer dyscontentment reygning theare may be removed, as, also, to be informed of dyvers poynts towching the state of that cuntrye; and, lastly, that yt shall in no sorte be fyt for her majestye to take a[{ny{] resolutyon in the cause until sir Francis Drakes returne, at lest untyll the successe of his vyage be seene; wheruppon, in verry trothe, dependethe the lyfe and deathe of the cause according to mans judgment. She is also advysed, in the mean tyme, to make no shewe of her dyslyke, but rather to countenaunce the cause by all owtwarde meanes she may, which, contrarye to her naturall dysposytyon, she doth verry well performe, [\forced thereto by mere necessytye upon the dyscoverye of some matter of importaunce in the hyest degree thorrowghe my traveyl and cost, CROSSED OUT\] by the which yt apperethe unto her most playn, that, unles she had entred into the actyon, she had ben utterly undon, and that, yf she doe not prosecute the same, she cannot contynewe. I have acquaynted this gentleman with the secreat to the ende he may imparte the same unto your lordship. [\I dare make

none of my servants here privy thereunto. My only feare is, that her majestye will not use the matter with that secreacye that apperteynethe, thowgh yt import yt as greatly as ever any thing dyd sythence she cam to this crown, CROSSED OUT\] and suerly, yf the matter be well handeled, yt wyll breacke the necke of all dayngerowse practyces duryng her majestyes reygne. [\I pray your lordship make this letter an heretyke after you have read the same. CROSSED OUT\] I mean, whan the matter is growen to a full ripenes, to send some confydential person unto you, to acquaynt you fully with the matter. And so, in the mean tyme, I most humbly take my leave. At the coorte, the ix=th= of Julye, 1586. Your lordships to commaunde, Fra: Walsyngham.

[} [\LETTER CXXIX. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 11TH JULY, 1586.\] }]

My verry good lord, by my last [\letter\] , by sir William Pelham, I dyd let your lordship understand what advyce I thowght woold be gyven to her majestye, uppon the poyntes of your lordships last letters unto her; sythence which tyme, reporte thereof hathe ben made unto her, but she not resolved as yet, what advyce to geve unto your lordship uppon the sayd poyntes. She is lothe to sende a spetyall person to your lordship and the counsell of state there, in respect of charges; and y[{et{] , in the ende, for that the matter is of wayght, I thinke she wyll be drawen to assent thereunto. I suppose Mr. Wolley or Mr. Wylkes wyll be used in that servyce. She seemethe to be dysposed to make Mr. Davyson my assystaunt in the place I serve. The gentleman is very muche greeved with the dyslyke he understandethe your lordship hathe of him. For my own parte, I doe not fynde but that he hathe dealt well, bothe for the cause and [\also\] towards your lordship, whos good opinion and favor he dothe greatly desyre. The v=th= of this present captain Haggarston arryved here, whoe departed hence the daye following. He had accesse unto her majestye, and was verry gratyousely used by her. He layd before her sondrye reasons to move her to thinke that the master of Grayes imployement in the Lowe Contreys myght yeld more proffyt to the generall cause, and furtheraunce to her servyce, by imbarquing the king his soverayn, then his contynewaunce in Scotlande. But nothing that he coold saye coold lead her majestye to be of his opinion, being perswaded that his absence from thence may breed some dayngerowse alteratyon in that realme. I fynde, bothe by the master of Graye and captain Haggerston, that, without he goe in person, he shall not be able to send over sooche nombers as your lordship desyrethe, and, therfor, I have thowght good to staye the sending of the 2000=li=. untyll I heare from them. Her majestye styll makes verry great dayntye to send over any of her own subjects to serve, eyther as pyoners or sowldiers. My lord-thresurer, Mr. vyce-chamberlyn and I dyd deale verry effecttually

with her for the sending over of the 600 pyoners, but coold not wyn her to assent thereunto. The pyoners provyded by Mr. Rauley are nowe come to London and are readye to imbarque. Sir William Stanley, as the lord-deputye and secretary Fenton doe advertyce me, hathe ben greatly hyndered and crossed by dyvers malytyowse and sedytyowse brutes geven owt in that realme, in the levye of the 1000 men, as thowgh ther were an intent and meaning to bryng them to the butchery. Were yt not that the deputye dothe assyst him to the uttermost of his power he shoold not, as I am informed, be able to rayse halfe the nombre. I hope the next westerly wynde wyll bryng him and his troopes unto your lordship. What resolutyon is taken for the thresorer your lordship may perceyve by the coppye of a letter wrytten by her majestye unto yourself. By sir Thomas Shurley your lordship shall receyve the originaule letter, as also sooche matters as the sayd thresurer hathe ben charged withall, and Leyster his deputye, together with ther awntswers. And, for that ther are certeyn espetyall matters wherwith he standethe charged, and are by him denied, yt is, therfor, thowght meet, that they shoold be examyned there. I suppose he wyll himselve be a suter to be dyscharged of the place, and the rather yf coronell Norryce returne, whos frendes are verrye earnest for his revocatyon, in respect of the dyslyke your lordship hathe of him. Her majestie dothe yet oppose herselve thereunto, but I hope, in the ende, wyll be drawen to assent, which shall not lacke any furtheraunce I can yelde, for, being a person dyscontented, and not lyked of by the most part of the marshall men serving there, his contynewance in that servyce cannot but doe a great deale of harme, by maynteyning of factyon. I wyshe also bothe his brethern here, in case he leave the servyce, espetyally Edwarde, whoe I dowbt dothe advertyce but hardly of the proceadinges there. Towchyng the 1500=li= dysbursed by your lordship in the levyeing of the 650 horse, over and besydes the 8000=li= alreadye receyved,

I doe assure your lordship that the contrybutyon of the recusentes, and the charges, dothe not suffyce to supplye the sayd somme of 8000=li= dysbursed by her majestye. And owr people in this realme, by the malytyowse practyces of the yllaffected, begyn to murmure at the warres, so as yt is thowght meet for a tyme to staye the makyng of any newe levyes, eyther of men or money. I doe assure your lordship there are very dangerowse humors reygnyng here amongest us, and we not dysposed to take sooche a pryncely coorse to kepe the yll-dysposed under, as the present tyme requireth. I praye your lordship, for that her majestye dothe geve owt that the count of Hollocks dyscontentment growethe in respect he was removed from the coronellshipp of the footemen serving in Zeland, and the same bestowed uppon sir Philip Sydney, that her majestye may be satysfyed in that poynte, for that she layethe the blame uppon sir Philip, as a thing by him ambytyowsely sowght. I see her majestye verry apt uppon every lyght occasyon to fynde fault with him. Owre treatye in Scotland was concluded the vj=th= of this present, and the commyssyoners dysmyssed with good contentement. Sooche advertycementes as I hav lately receyved owt of France, Flaunders, and the ennemyes camp, I send your lordship herwith. And so I most humbly take my leave. At Barnelms, the xj=th= of Julye, 1586. Your lordships to commaunde, Fra: Wal.

[} [\LETTER CXXXIII. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 20TH JULY, 1586.\] }] My very good lord, I understand by this gentleman, her majesties thresorer there, that he cannot have coronnell Morgans acquittances to be delyverid, [\as\] usually unto him by all the captens and others that have chardg vppon receipt of their paye, for that yt is required that a defalcacion be made out of his enterteynement for the armour of his companyes, as hath be don to the other captens, which the coronnell refuseth to yeld unto, alleadging that he hathe sent backe the armour providid by the countrye, and furnished his companyes himself. Whereuppon the gentleman standeth chardgid with so much as the sayd paye amounteth unto, and hath nothing to shew for the same, that may dischardg him in his accomptes. I pray your lordship therfore to geve order, that Mr. Morgan maye delyver unto him his acquitaunces, as aperteyneth for his indemnitye; and, towching the matter ytself, the armour that he hath sent backe being refused by the country, I do not see howe he can be releevid unles some vent maye be found for the same, or that he will come over himself to make suite and take some order in yt. And so I most humbly take my leave. At Richmond, the xx=th= of July, 1586. Your lordships to commaunde, Fra: Walsyngham. [\ADDRESSED,\] To the right honorable my very good lord, thearle of Leycester, lieutenant-generall of her majesties forces in the Lowe Countryes.

[} [\LETTER CXXXIV. LORD BURGHLEY TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 21ST JULY, 1586.\] }] My verie good lord, I will first beginne to awnsweare your [\lordships\] letter of the xviij=th= of June, which doth conteine your advise verie circumst[{antially{] geven for my sonne to have consideration of the matter that hath been [{moved{] to your lordship from hence, for the change of Brill for Harlingham, and for that [{he{] was come over thither before the receipt of your [\lordships\] letter, I could not conferre with him theareuppon, but if I had, by the reasons alledged in your lordships letters, which are verie manie, I should have counseled him to have continued in the Brill, than to have gon so farre of as Harlingham is, being owt of the limits both of Holland and Zeland; and the rather, also, I would have advised him to have continued at the Brill, bicause I perceive by your lordships letter, you can be content

that, with the Brill, he maie have the governement of the iland, which maie be very commodious for him, for the strengthening of the place; and so nowe, meaning not to trowble your lordship with this matter, I dowbt not but he himself hath commoditye to receive your lordships resolucion thearein, which I leave to himselfe to accept, and conforme himselfe to your advise. In the postscript of your sayd letter I perceive, that by the establishing of the chamber of finances your lordship shall be more hable to make necessarie paimentes for all thinges requisite under your charge then heretofore you have been, the opinion of which lack hath most cheeflye bread dowbt in hir majestie of the good sequel of the cawse; and therefore the sooner your lordship maie make it appeare to hir majesty, that the contribucions heretofore offred by the states maie be nowe performed, which spetiallie will be best credited by hir majestie if she maie perceive, that such sommes of monie as have been paiable by the states to yourself for your enterteinement, and to satisfie the debtes due to hir majestie for hir treasure defraied to their uses, [{have been paid,{] the more resolute shall you find hir majestie to stand fast and firme in the prosecution of this action. Your lordship doth in that end of the letter, also as in manie others, make mention of your desire to have sir William Pelham theare, which surelie hath not been by me omitted, nor by himself delaied, but as now he can tell your lordship, whoe I trust hath arrived theare sum fewe daies past, in whom the lett hath been, partlie for not yelding to the acquitall of his debtes, and partlie, as hir majestie did often awnsweare us, that she could not well spare such a man from the service in the office that he hath, considering both the absence of sir Philip Sidney, and the unhabilitye of my lord of Warwick, your brother, to travell. But my awnswere was theareto, that, for anie spetiall service in the field at home, in that kind of office, I thowght, as longe as you weare well occupied in thos cuntries against the common enemie, and might

prosper theare, we should not have any great neade of his presence heare. Nowe, my lord, for awnsweare of sum matters conteined in your other longe letter. Your lordship writeth, that I, in my former letter, did sett a rate of the angell and the shillinge, the one at xv=s= the other at xx=d=, and you did doubt wheather I ment it to be the valewe of sterling or otherwise. But I did, and doe still meane it, to have our angell, that is heare x=s=, to be currant theare for xv=s= Flemishe, and our sterling shilling that is heare xij=d=, to be theare currant for xx=d= Flemishe. And wheare the great rose-noble was theare in estimation farre above his valewe, and nowe is fallen out of that reputacion, I was ever of that minde, and shall be, that newe coine in anie cuntrie wheare knowledg is of minting, will have a higher estimacion than his ritches will yeld him, and so I think your lordship should have proved. The experience of him that offred yowe so great sommes for the coinage of the rose-nobles in that cuntrye would have tended to a fall of his great offer within one moneth or lesse; for, trewlie, it is a natural reason in all thinges, that (\ex nihilo nihil fit\) , and noe great gaine can ever be made to last, but wheare the cawse and grounde of the gaine shall last. We had heare the like experience for a while, of an offer made by alderman Martin, to yeld to hir majestie for the coinage of everye pownd weight of gold into rose-nobles the sum of xxx=s=, wher otherwise was never paid above iiij=s=, for other the best gold; and, having commission to coine the same, he was forced to leave of within the monethe, for that the estimacion of them did sodenlie decaie, and so the coinage perforce did staie, and yet, for that short time, her majestye had awnswered unto hir neare m=li= for coinage. I perceive your lordship hath the stampes of the said rose-nobles which your offerer had provided, and, I thinke, if the matter weare renewed unto him againe, he could not mainteine any reason to yeld unto your lordship anie extraordinarie proffett by coinage of them, more then of other gold of like

fines, whearein I praie your lordship cawse him to be tempted anewe, and lett me knowe his awnsweare, for if hir majestie might have the gaine thearebie, I should be right glad thereof, and would also further it, so as it might be sett downe to what quantitie the coinage should be. And, for that I sent your lordship word of summ shillinges coined in that cuntrie, the partie that browght them unto me said, he had them from Amsterdam, as being coined theare; but, as your lordship writeth, it might be at summ other towne, as Gorcum, or such like: but this maie be held for a rule generall, that whearesoever our monies, either gold or silver, be coined in anie other cuntrie, if the same coines be in waight and fines as good as ours, theare will be noe longe continuance of coinage thereof; for the proffett of the coinage, which is the sufferantie to the prince, is so small as [\it is\] hard for privatt men to continue such coinage; but if, otherwise, theie be coined of lesse valewe, then, thowgh for summ time, people may be abused to receive them, yet such monies will not have longe continuance in theire estimacion. Your lordship maketh mention of my writing that I had delt with the merchantes-adventurers to paie ther xxx=m li=, which indeade theie weare contented to promise, at that time when I did write so, but, afterward, uppon the losse of Grave and Venlo, theie semed to have had intelligence from there factors on [{that{] side the seas, that the trade of merchandize began to change [{and{] staie, and so theie started from theire promise: and yet, after that, theie helped your lordship with v=m li= which was verie happelie taken upp [{by{] your lordship, in that it semeth, though the some weare little, the poore soldiers weare more releved with that small portion than theie had been with the paie of a great deale more before. And, trewlie, if your lordship could bring it to pass, that the poore soldiers might be paied by [\the\] poll, sometimes one monethes paie would doe more good in that sort, than two monethes paie to the capteine, and, in like sort, I see your lordship hath care, that theie which shall have the disposing of the

treasure [\may\] be directed so to dispose it as it maie cum trewlie and indifferentlie to the use of the soldier. The paiment made to the states of monie by the threasurer, whereof your lordship maketh mencion that it was paied without your warrant or assignment, hath been hard to be excused, [\any\] otherwise then that the threasurer saith, he made the warrant by the forme of another, written before by Mr. Atye, your lordships secretarie. I am of opinion, as your lordship is, that the states would not agree [\to\] make the rembursement of these thinges, if your lordships warrant had not past for the same; and one thing I find hath been greatlie forgot theare, that, according to an article of the contract, the states commissaries have not been made privie to our musters and paiements, whearebie the issue will be, respondence for repaiment to bee made [\here\]after to hir majesty. At this time hir majestie hath appointed sir Thomas Shurleie to cum over with the threasurer, and to be privie of all receiptes of monie that he shall have, heare or theare, and shall joine with the threasurer in all paimentes to be directed by your lordship, and not otherwise, so as it shall be in your lordships power, for this time, to see and have perfect knowledg to whome anie monie shall be paid, and how much he shall have to paie, and, uppon the paiments of this money now delivered to them both in charge, the threasurer is determined to leave the place, and so I have of long time advised him, and would have had him so to have done heare, by ending his whole accompt [\on\] this side, but hir majestie would have him come over to make an ende of his broken paimentes theare, whereof, uppon his accompt heare, many dowbtes have been made, and he left in suspence and respect almost of xi=m li=, though he showeth divers matters for his warrantiz to be allowed thereof, as by his peticions which at this time are sent over thither by sir Thomas Shurleie, maie appeare: which are of sundrie natures, for that he sheweth good warrantes for paiment of divers sommes, but noe perfect acquittances of the receivors,

though he saie theie be left theare on that side now to be produced, and, for sum part, he sheweth acquittances of sommes due and paied but hath not heare shewed warrantes for the same, for the which he is to receive your lordships favour, as the justice of the paimentes shall require. Your lordship maketh mention of the sending of William Herle to Embden, from whome, at the writing of your letter, your lordship had noe awnswere. But nowe of late I have seen, in Mr. secretaries handes, the whole negotiation of William Herle, by objecting and expostulating with the comte of Embden for verie manie thinges, and of the awnsweares made thereunto; whearebie it appearethe, that manie thinges have been spread otherwise to his condemnacion than was trewe. But yet, I see the sequell will be, that, although our merchantes maie have traffique thither, yet he will keape still a newtralitie, both towardes the king of Spayne and thos provinces, for aiding and victualing of either of them. I wishe he might be otherwise recovered in favor of thos states, consideringe the benefitt that might growe to thos provinces under your government, if the river of Ems might be kept free from the trade of the Spanishe side, whoe surelie have great cawse to attaine to the possession of that river, thearebie to have sum passage open to the sea, as well to have entrance from the sea thither as to passe to the sea from thence, the lack of which commoditye is one of the principall impedimentes that impeacheth the king of Spaines actions. Having, for all his great cuntries in that part of christendome, noe commoditye to passe and repasse the seas but by Graueling, which is not worth naming, and by Dunkirke, and Newport, which two, in my opiniong weare of as great moment to be wonn from him as either Gant, or Bruges, or both. And, if I knew howe to geve counsell for such an enterprise, I would preferre it before anie other in this time, for I doe conclude that the king of Spaine never can be a full master of thos cuntries without he have sum owt-gate and in-gate by the sea. And, whilest I am writing thus, I praie your lordship thinke

howe such service might be done by your maritime forces and flie-boates theare, that are fittest to impeche thos kind of havens. Thus having been longe in trowbling your lordship, withowt anie great matter of substaunce, but uppon conclusions taken by perusing your lordships letters, and nowe, considering what thinges have hapned since the writinge of your letters, I will breefly make sum mention of thinges latelie passed. By sum late letters written from your lordship to hir majestie, and by sum conference had with Coxe, whoe browght the same letters, hir majestye hath had sondrie ernest consultacions with Mr. vice-chamberlaine, Mr. secretarie, and me, uppon divers thinges contained in your lordships letters, and for that hir majestie perceiveth you are verie desirous to be advised and directed by hir for your governement in that place, which is accompanied with manie great difficulties at this time, thearefore, after longe debate had before hir majestie, it was thowght most necessarie to send one spetiallie from hir majestie unto your lordship, having named two or three, but in the ende, hir majesty made choise of Mr. Wilkes, the bearer of thes my letters, whoe is instructed, not onelie by sum writings, as memorialls, delivered unto him, but, also, by longe speches of hir majestie hirself, which she hath recorded in hir owne tables, and nevertheles caused him to putt the same more at length in writing, so that he commeth verie well informed of hir majesties mind, and appointed also to be informed by your lordship of manie necessarie thinges for satisfaction of hir majestie. And, besides thes, he hath letters from hir majestie for assuraunce of hir constant persisting in this common action, and, bicause your lordship shall at length understand by himself the matters committed to his charge, I doe thearefore forbeare to make any further mention thereof. At the writinge hereof sir William Stanley was come hither, and meaneth with hast to repaire to your lordship, judging that his men are before this time at Flushing. Mr. secretarie, I thinke, doth advertise you of the dowbtfull estate of the affaires in Fraunce, altogether in great calamitie.

And, which is most of us to be dowbted and feared, by the long delaie of the armie to cum owt of Almaign, we maie dowbt that the king of Navarre will yeld to sum peace not profitable for the religion, but yet unprofitable for the Frenche king, for that the duke of Guise and all his partye, by sum mediation of the duke of Nevers and Montmorency, offer great frendshipp to the king of Navarre, meaning to seperatt themselves both from depending uppon the Frenche king or his mother, against whome the duke of Guise professeth open hatred, as thinking himself also secretlie hated by the king. And so, by thes strange accidentes, it cannot be but France must suffer great calamities, and so as the poore flock of Christ might be safe, whilest thes great bulls of Bazan shall rage one against the other, I care not for the rest that maie followe to that wicked nation. [^THE REST OF THE LETTER AUTOGRAPH, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE ADDRESS^] I understand by Mr. secretory, that the master of Gray in Scotland contynueth his purposs to send forces out of Scotland to your lordship, and myndeth to come unto England first hyther. But I dout how he shall be helped with that mony that I had purpoossly stayd, being ij=m li= for hym, for that, as Mr. Shyrley can tell your lordship, hir majesty was grevoussly offended with me for steying of it; and, even this daye, I moved hir majesty ageyn, that it might be stayd, or otherwise the master of Gray shuld be disapoynted therof, but in no wise she wold yeld, as Mr. secretary can advertise your lordship. And so, with a good hart and yet an evill head, I am forced to end, besechyng God to prosper yow, and enhable yow to hold the feld, but I wish not that yow shuld hazard any fight, for, as your case is, a small loss may be a gretar to yow than the lyk to the ennemy. From Rychmont, the 21. of July, 1586. Your lordships most assuredly, W. Burghley. [\ADDRESSED,\] To the right honorable my verie good lord, the erle of Leicester, lieutennant-generall for hir majesties forces, and governor of the provinces united.

[} [\LETTER CXXXVIII. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 30TH JULY, 1586.\] }] My verie good lord, whereas my servant Brune hath, since sir John Norryces departure last out of this realme, employed himself in victualling a great part of hir majesties forces in the Lowe Countries, and for that purpose hath been at great charges, as hee advertiseth me, in erectinge bruehouses and bakehowses, whereby the souldier is much better served, especiallye in drincke and bread, than otherwise hee would bee, so it is, that I am enformed, there bee some whiche intend to sue to your lordship for a commyssion to authorize them speciallye to serve in those victualling causes, whereby my sayd servant is lyke to bee undone. Wherefore, as before I have recommended my servant to your lordship, so I humblye praye you to continewe your honorable favour in suche sort towardes him as he maye not bee forbidden, but permitted still to vittall the souldiers as hee hath done; for whiche I shall thincke myself beehoulding to your lordship, and so I humblye take my leave. From the court, the xxx=th= of Julye, 1586. Your lordships to commaund. Fra: Walsyngham.

[} [\LETTER CXLIII. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 15TH AUGUST, 1586.\] }]

My very good lord, by thincloased from the master of [{Gray{] , your lordship maye perceave howe much yt doth importe her majestyes [{service{] and his own credit, that the intended imployment of hym in the Lowe Countryes do take place, the consideracion whereof hath now movid hir majesty to geve hir resolut consent therunto, for that she seeth thinconveniences that are otherwise lykely to grow, yf she do not imploy him, and judgeth very necessary for her owne behoof to have his credit in Scotland and devotyon towardes her mayntayned and continued, and therfor your lordship shall do a thing very acceptable to hir majesty, to have a spetyall care that he may fynd [{...{] of enterteynement, and receave that welcom and good [{...{] both for himself and those that accompanye him, that may satisfye his expectation and encourag him in his good disposicion. I have also movid hir majesty for an advance for him of the two thowsand poundes that he desyreth, [{which she is{] content to graunt a warraunt unto my lord-threasurer to disburse the same out of the next treasure that shalbe yssued for them ther, to be repayd agayn unto your lordship by the states, and [{...{] shall the somme be notwithstanding presentlye furnished to serve the masters present and necessary turne, as he desireth; and so I humbly take my leave of your lordship. At Barnelmes, xv=th= of August, 1586. Your lordships to commaund, Fra: Walsyngham.

[} [\LETTER CXLIV. LORD BURGHLEY TO THE EARL OF LEICESTER. 18TH AUGUST, 1586.\] }]

My very good lord, I have forborn to wryte to your lordship of any thyng sence Mr. Wylkes depeche, and sir Thomas Shyrley with Mr. Hudleston, and so contynued in expectation of some matter from that syde uppon their arryvall, and so we here did thynk the lack of hearyng from thence cam by contynvance of contrary wynds, and yet nevertheless yesterday cam, [\in\] on instant, two from your lordship, Mr. Haydon and Mr. Killigrew, and by Mr. Haydon I receaved your lordships letters of the 29=th= of July from the Hage, which war wrytten befor the arryvall of Mr. Wilkes and sir Thomas Shyrley, so as by those your lordships letters I cold not understand any thyng in answer to matters committed to ther severall charges, but yet by a lettre of the 6. of August from sir Thomas Shyrley at Tyrgowss, I perceaved that he had spoken with your lordship, and at that tyme he had understandyng that the prince of Parma was not at Antwerp, as before was reported, but that he was gon to besege Berk, and that, as he thought, your lordship would prepare yourself to follow with an army. And whan I consider your letter, how difficultly you bryng the states and the contrye to yeld to yow monny, accordyng to their manny promises, for mayntenance of so great an important service, tendyng to preserve themselves out of the Spanish bondage, I do truly lament your case, to be so wrapped into the cause as for hir majesties securety you may not leave it soddenly, nor yet without more redy helpe of monny can prosequut the action with that lyff as it ought to be. And no on thyng doth more hynder hir majesties forwardnes than an old rooted opinion that she hath, that all this warr will be torned uppon hir chardg, by the backwardnes in payement by the states, ageynst which I did allweys oppose in answeryng to comfort hir majesty, that I was assured, so as she wold contynew redy payement for hir nombres accorded, yow wold not fayle but recover such somes from the states, monthly, as they had promised your lordship shortly uppon the committyng of the government to your lordship; and so suerly I contynued my hope, although, in truth,

manny privat persons did advertise it very dowtfull, and so I am sorry to se it, as I do by your own letters, very difficult to be gotten. And yet I will not leave my hope, consideryng I presume your lordship will look into [\the\] impedimentes, which I thynk ar not the lack of good will in the people to yeld the aydes promised, but in the maliciouss covetoosness of such as ar knytt and confederat with the states, who, I thynk, fynding ther lack of ther former gaynes, wold, if they cold, attayn to ther government ageyn, and for that purpooss seke to stopp the payment, therby to weary your lordship, and to induce yow to remitt the government, which suerly cannot be doon but with the ruyn of the whole cause, to the gretest daunger of hir majesties suerty. Your lordship hath don very honorably and proffitably to our country in procuryng oppen passadg for our marchantes to Embden, and yet, in the end of your lordships letter, your lordship wryteth that the ambassador for Embden will not assent to the matter, except the ryver may be fre for all other marchantes besyde English, but, I thynk, if it be well stycked unto, the conte of Embden will, [\for\] his own proffitt, consent to our merchantes access, though others shuld not come but by permission of the Hollanders. Suerly if ther might be passadge oppen by the Rhen out of Holland, I wold less care for our trade at Embden, for than our merchantes saye they wold make a great trade by Holland, but yet, with the condition that our marchandise be not burthened with great taxes, for your lordship knoweth that nothyng is so great a hyndrance to trade of merchantes as new toles and impositions, wherof our staplers of late complayned for the burden layd uppon ther wares at Midleborough. And yet, I confess, it is hard to gyve advise herin, for as resort of merchauntes to those countreys is proffitable, so how the common cause that is maynteaned by taxes may yeld a forbearance of taxes uppon marchandise, I gretly dout. I thynk by the accompt of Englishmen of late monthes past out of this realme, ther ar besyde the queenes own army, above

vj=m= footemen, so as, if your lordship may have wherwith to pay them, I would think your lordship shuld be hable so to kepe the feld as the prince of Parma shuld not be hable to contynew any sege to any town of strength, being also well-manned. And suerly, my lord, without yow shall be hable to kepe the feld, ther is no town so strong but the prynce with his battery will wyn it. I am very glad that the town of Axell serveth to so good a purpooss. I am suer, if the prynce did not follow theise seges in Gelderland, &c. your lordship wold advance some horssmen to Sluse and Ostend to spoyle the countreys about Bruuges and Gant, which also wold make them revolt. Now, my lord, I dowt not but Mr. secretory doth at lardg acqueynt yow with the discovery of the late traytorooss conspyracies, the authors wherof, as farr furth as we do esteme, we have, savyng only ij, Thomas Salisbury and Edward Abyndon, both which ar fled, but pursued. My lord-chancellor and I ar here contynuyng at London, dayly occupyed, first in procuryng ther apprehension, and now in examyning, &c. And so, my good lord, being urged with a weak gouty righthand to leave wryting, I pray your lordship to accept these lynes, so evill scribled, in good part. Your lordships most assured, W. Burghley. From my houss at Strond, 18 Aug. 1586.

[} [\LETTER CXLVI. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 2ND SEPTEMBER, 1586.\] }] My very good lord, this gentleman hathe verry carefully and dyscretely executed the charge commytted unto him. In what good termes your lordship standethe with her majestie he can shewe you, I praye God contynewe yt, and that she may dyscerne the yll-affected from the sownde. Sorrye I am to see your lordship trobled with the pertyculer quarrels of thos that ought to be best united. The Lord geve you wysdome to appeese them, and patyence to beare this crosse! The lord-treasurer hathe promysed to ioyne with me in the

revokyng of sir Ihon Norryce. I have imparted unto this bearer what is intended agaynst the Scottish queen. He is commanded to departe with speed, and my leysure wyll afoorde no more lynes, and therfore I most humbly take my leave. London, 2. September, 1586. Your lordships to command, Fra: Walsyngham.

[} [\LETTER CXLVII. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. SEPTEMBER 1586.\] }] My very good lord, [{...{] can wytnesse unto you [{how{] greatly I was busyed at the tyme of his departure in the dyscoverye of the complyces of the late conspiracye, wherof I praye God her majestye may make [{more{] proffyt then of lyke opportunytyes thorrowghe Gods godnes appered unto h[{er{] . I knowe your lordships good advyce can greatly further the matter. She dyd never make greater [{speech{] of her love towardes you, [{or{] of the trust she reposethe [{in{] you then at this present; therfor your lordships good cownecell will work good effects. Your last sent by young [{Gor{]ge of the vij=th= of this present

I think meete to be communicated unto her majestye, that she may see howe hardely she dealethe with her best-affected servaunts. I am very glad that your lordship is growen to so good a lykyng of my cosyn Jhon Norryce. I praye God he may styll carrye himself towardes your lordship in sooche [{sort{] as may increase your good opynion conceyved of him. I have not been unmyndfull of your lordships request both for Danyell Rogers and your servant Bodley. Poor Rogers is forced to staye here to sollycyt the contrybution of the bishops towardes his ransom, which he fyndethe himselve bound in conscyence to see awntswered to sooche as became bounde for the same. I fynde the man well bent to serve your lordship yf this impedyment were not. Touching your servant Bodley, he hathe been owt of the towne a long whyle but is dayly looked for, at whos returne I will not fayle to deale with him. Touchyng her majestyes goodnes to be exstende towards the elector Truxies I wyll not fayle to sollycyt, thowghe [{with{] no great hoape thereof. And so I most humbly. [\NO CONCLUSION OR DATE\]

[} [\LETTER CXLVIII. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM. 4TH SEPTEMBER, 1586.\] }]

Good Mr. secretary, remember Seburo, my honour and creditt lieth vppon it. The manner of our proceeding Mr. Gorge shall tell you, from our first going fourth of this iourney till he departed after the wyning of Dorsborge, which was happilie gotten, being so well walled and double ditched as it was, for the prince was come as farr as Eltons with his forces to reskew it, but he came to late, for the same day we had it. Hit is the first towne wonn by the cannon for the states these ix yeres, and it is a towne as fitt for vs as can be, for Zutphin can now little harme vs, for it is environed of

euerye side; Deventer and othir townes beneth it, and this towne and Arnham aboue it, all vppon one river. The marshall, I thanke God, mends verie well, and shall carye a bullett in his bellie as long as he liues. God hath wonderfully delt for his saving aliue, and I escaped well, I thanke Him, the same instant. For saving me he had it, as I wrote vnto you, for I first spied the wall to be verie nere, and he found he was past his marke, and stept before me, at which verie stepp he receaued the blow, which perhapps had lighted more daingerous vppon me, being higher then he, but God can defend whoe he will. Roger Williams hath gott a blow thorow the arme, one evil fire. I warned him of it, being in trench with me, and would need run vpp and downe so oft out of the trench, with a great plume of feathers in his gylt morion, as so many shott coming at him he could hardlie escape with soe little hurt. He saw ther was [{some went out{] of my trench to gaze and were strait hit, and on kild out-right, that were [{n{]euer such marks as he was, and within point-blanke of a caliver. God be thanked, all things considered, that we lost noe more. I thinke there is not xij kild since we came before the towne, and I beleeue never men lodged so nere a towne the first day as we did, and began our trench the first night, which had like to haue bine costly to some. We attend here looking for the enemie, but our stay is to strengthen the towne better, or I departe. This day I received letters from the count Newenor who is with the rutters, and tells me theie will march further with all [\speed\] . He sends me worde that old Ramelius was sent vnto him by the kinge of Denmarke, to will the count to send me word, that, if the rutters stay, or vse delay, that he will furnish him with ij=m= of his best horse and iij=m= footmen, and shalbe with him within xv dayes; and that her majestie had sent vnto him that he should help me if there were occasion, and her majestie should see he

was at her comandement. Though the yere be to far past now to levy those countrei horsmen, yet her majestie may see that kinges good devotion, which I pray you, sir, to remember to her majestie, that the kinge maie receaue thanks, and to keepe him in [\t\]his mind still; for, if her majestie doe goe forward with this cause, than his offer will serue well against the springe, for, noe doubts, against that time, the kinge of Spaine will sett vpp his rest; and truly, but for this armie of her majesties, at this time, now, the prince had prevailed this yere, to the verie townes of Holland. All these parts, Gelders, Overisell, the Vellow, Vtrickt, and Freseland, had bine gone cleane or this day, and for all the men that came over so fast, I doe assure you at Elten, our last campe, we had not 4,500 English footmen, nor xiij=c= horse, English, Duch, and all, nor aboue 1,100 Scotts and Duch foote. All which [\is\] a small army to defend such an enemie, as is at the lest at this howre 3,000 horse, and 8,000 footmen, if not 10,000. Neuerthelesse, I trust not only to keepe all these parts safe, but, if our rutters come in time, make him seeke a new coast to dwell in. In the meane time, I am glad as he got ij townes of ours by reason, we haue gotten ij of his by force, and honorably, and, vppon my word, the states will not change these ij for iiij such as thother, theie be so fitt to annoy the enemie, as you will not beleeue the hurt Axell hath done him, and now we haue this towne, Zutphin wilbe nothing, considering how it shalbe beseiged by Deventer and this towne. We haue the whole river of Isell save Zuttphin, and the prince must now gett him another place for provion then Cullen, for Cassamer hath forbidden anie vittell to passe his countrey, either to Cullen or that waye. Soe that Cullen beginns to growe weary of the prince, and so doth the duke of Cleave, albeit he and his sonne hath giuen him all the help theie can, as well in deliuering vpp their towne to him, as euerie [\way\] ells, but he will double smart for it, the rutters once being come.

I receaued a letter from sir Edward Stafford, wherin he doth giue me warning of one Caesar, an Italian, that is gon into England, and doth meane to come over to me for some myschief. By his description it should be a surgion, for their were ij Italians, both surgions, and both their names Caesars, and be both of Rome, and very villaines, yet found theie great fauor of me in England. Yf it be either of them, as he sayth this man confessed he serued me, it were not amisse he [\and\] his companion were staid there, or ells, if theie desire earnistly to come over to me, give me warninge and write your letters by them to me, and then I will handle them well enough here; in the meane time, if theie linger there, for feare of her majestie clapp them vpp, for she is their principall mark. I trust, after Wilks be come home, I shall heare of her majesties resolucion. If she leaue of her hold that is offerd, all is gon; and except she take vppon her all, all wilbe gon, and that shortly. For my none parte, I trust not to leaue anie dishonour behind me for her majestie; and except she take the cause princly in hand, and call her parliament, and accept that hir subiects will offer her to maintayne this charge, hit will but consume her treasor and loose the countries. Yet better were it to make some secret confederacye first with Denmark, and, if I knew her pleasure onlie, I could deall by the count Hollock with the king of Denmark, quickly to knowe his mind. High time it is that her majestie did resolue one way or other, for our states growe stately, and wilbe high or low as God shall dispose of this iourney, for theie yet feare her majesties acceptacion further, and hir continuance with this charge doubtfull. Theie be iumbling vnderhand, I dowbt. Theie doe send to hir majestie, as Wilks can tell you, touchinge this point. Menyn and Walke be appointed; Valk is a shrewd fellowe and a fine; Menyn is the deper man indeed, and I thinke the honester, and being well vsed the ablest man of all the states to serue her. He hath great credit as anie one man.

Lett him be inwardly vsed; and he is but poore, which you must consider, but with great secrecy. Thus far you well; in hast, this 4th September. Your assured freind. I doubt not but her majestie will shewe my letter touching these causes.

[} [\LETTER CL. LORD BURGHLEY TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 15TH SEPTEMBER, 1586.\] }] My very good lord, Mr. Wylkes is come wherby hir majesty falleth into consideration of the state of those countryes, which suerly requireth no small consultation, the lett wherof is, at this tyme, more than is convenient, that we of the counsell ar throghly

occupyed, some at London, some here, and some abrode, to deale partly in tryall of traytors, in serching for more, in lookyng to the sea-costes, to withstand the landyng of certen Spanish shippes of warr which ar come to Brest, but as yet we know not to what end. Some thynk they cam to have bene in redynes to have landed in ayde of this late conspyracy intended, some to joyn with the French in the recovery of Rochell. Within a few dayes we shall se what they meane. I understood your lordship did favorably stey, amongst others, my son from goyng to the assault of Dewsborogh. I do thank your lordship therfor, although I can be content that both he and I shuld spend our lyves for the queen and our countrye, but I wish it in a matter of more moment; and yet I judg the wyning of the town very necessary as the tyme was, but most of all if therby Zutphan might be gotten, which I thynk must be by perill of famyn. The queen of Scottes is lykly to come to Fodryngham castell the 27. hereof, and I thynk a nombre of the counsellors and others of the nobilitie shall have commission, accordyng to the late statute 27=o=, to heare and judg hir cause ther, so as in the next parlement, to begyn uppon a new summons the xv. of October, further order may be taken with that queen accordyng to part of hir desertes. Your lordship and I war very great motes in the traytors eies, for your lordship ther, and I here, shuld first, abowt on tyme, have bene killed; of your lordship they thought rather of poysoning than slayeng. After us ij gon, they purposed hir majesties deth, but God our defendor hath graciously prevented ther mallyce, and I hope will contynew his favor to mak voyd the relliques of ther mallyce. I will not fayle but remembre your lordships sute for the forfayted

less of Salisbury at Denbigh, being the land [\of\] your lordship. I can wryte no more at this tyme, wishyng to heare some comfortable news of Berk, ether of fredom from the sege or resonable composition for our people ther. From Wyndsor, xvth of September, 1586. Your lordships most assuredly, W. Burghley. Seaburo, the Spanyard, hath bene redy this month to be sent to your lordship, and so I told Mr. Dudley iij wekes past.

[} [\LETTER CLIII. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO LORD BURGHLEY. 29TH SEPTEMBER, 1586.\] }] My lord, I wrote to you before of certain commissionours appointed to be sent to her majestie by the estates: who nowe I thinke wilbe very shortly with you. One cause of their comming wilbe, to advertise her majestie of their estate, and to be humble suytours to knowe her highness pleasure for the continewaunce of her gracious favour to them. But withall, a spetiall cause of their message wilbe, to borrow of her majestie a furder somme of monye, wherein I can saye litle. But according as her majestie shall lyke of the proceading with the cause, so must the advise be. And I do wishe, yf her majestie mynde to deale furder in this cause, and do thincke the maintenance of it to concerne the savetye of her own estate and realme, as it hathe bene allwayes so thought hitherto, that then bothe some loane of monye in this necessitye and all other effectuall courses were taken that may best furder the same. As, principallye, a parliament to be called, and that her highness do use the good willes of her subjectes to a francke contribution therto, to the which I nothing doubt but they wilbe founde moste agreeable and willinge. And no doubtes the case was never so good to deale in as nowe, and, as I trust you shall furder perceyve, yf other mayntenaunce fayle not nowe, being in good estate. But to goe on in suche sorte as it hathe hitherto

bene proceaded in, is to lose all that is and shalbe spent, and, by litle and litle, to undoe the whole countrye, which the wise here see, and surely will do what they can to prevent in tyme, and it must neades be daungerous to her majesties estate, to lett it be thus weakelye dealt in on bothe sydes. For my own parte, I will not endure suche another yeares service, with so many crosses and wantes, and so litle asistaunce every waye, yf I were sure to gayne as muche as all these provinces are worthe. I hope God will put into her majesties and your lordships myndes, to do that which shalbe moste for his glorye, for the savety of her majestie, and benefite of her realme. And so, desirous to know with all spede some piece of her majesties resolucion, being hye tyme, I myselfe wilbe moste readye to performe the parte of a most duetifull servant, and obey all her commandementes. And so, with my right hartye commendacions, I do bid your good lordship farewell. At the campe before Zutphen, the 29=th= of September, 1586. Your lordships very loving frende, R. Leycester. To the right honourable my very good lord, the lord high-treasourour of Englande.

[} [\LETTER CLV. LORD BURGHLEY TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 1ST OCTOBER, 1586.\] }] My very good lord, uppon this bearers [{...{] Killygrews sodden departure, I cannot wryte so much as I wold; nether if he had lesur to tarry, cold I at this present wryte to myn own satisfaction. I dout not but Mr. Cavendish, whom I fynd a most ernest devoted creatur to your lordship, will, havyng lesur, wryt at length how he fyndeth her majesty disposed. For the commen causes ther under your government, Mr. Wylkes is to come from hence within these few dayes, instructed from hir majesty. For the gretest matter here in hand, we fynd the cause so manifest ageynst the party, the party so daungerous to our quene, our countrye, and, that is of most importance, to the whole cause of Godes chirch thrugh christendom, as without a direct and spedy

procedyng it had bene less daunger to have concealed then revealed this gret conspyracy. I hope that God, which hath gyven us the light to discover it, woll also give asistance to punish it, for it was intended not only ageynst hir majesties person, and yours, and myne, but utterly to have overthrown the glory of Christes chirch, and to have erected the synagog of Antychrist. I nede not to debate this argument. My lord, for a particular plesur, I thank you for licensyng [{my son{] to come home, for suerly otherwise his carcass had never bene brought alyve hyther; he is yet, by the opinion of the physicians, not out of perrill, his ageu still contynuing uppon hym. And so, my lord, forbearyng untill Mr. Wylkes coming, I take my leave of your good lordship, whom I wish so to end your jornay in the feldes, as you may retorn hyther without daunger to the commen cause ther, a thyng so nedefull, as suerly, without your presence here, I know not how hir majesty will or can resolve uppon hir manner of procedyng. From Wyndsor castle, the first of October, 1586. Your lordships most assured, W. Burghley. I hope well that Cassimyre shall enter into France. [\ADDRESSED,\] To the right honorable my very good lord the erle of Lecestre lieutenant-generall for the queens majesty of England in the Low Countryes.

[} [\LETTER CLVI. THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM. 2ND OCTOBER, 1586.\] }]

Good Mr. secretary, I trust now you shall have longer enioying of your sonne, for all the worst days be past, as both surgeons and phisytians have informyd me, and he amends as well as ys possible in this tyme, and himselfe fyndes yt, for he slepes and restes well, and hath a good stomack to eate, without feare, or any distemper at all. I thank God for yt. Ther be certen personns desired to be sent to hir majesty, one of the states, which ys Mening, another of the councell, which ys Valk. I have thought good to have Mr. doctor Clerk goe also, who wyll deall truly with hir majesty, and he hath byn a dilligent observer of all that hath past among them. But I haue thought yt good for spetyall causes to send one Burgrave, and joyned him with the other, who of my knoledge ys a wyse, honest, and religious personn, and not one now amonge them that ys of better understanding of all the matters of this state than he ys, and whatsoever he doth know he wyll deall plainly with hir majesty, whome I pray you help he may haue conference with hir, and with you. You shall fynd him a substanciall wyse man. He was, in the princes tyme, one of the chife for Flanders; he hath byn also one of the prevey councell of estate, and used almost in all ther great causes. Since my coming he served first as master of requestes, after audyencer, and first secretary of the councell of estate. He ys born in Flaunders, and therefore those of Holland have byn lothe to lett him groe into to

much credytt. Paul Buys could never lyke of this man, as one afrayd of him, for he ys a depe fellow; yet wold this man never speak yll of him to hurt him, and yet no man can tell more of his doinges than this man, and he can tell you whether I dyd use Paul Buis, and deservyd well at his handes, or no. This man I recomend to you, as one best able to satysfye you what courses may be best to procede for the present, yf hir majesty doe meane to deall any further in these causes, but, except you think the cause worthye to be taken thorowly and princely in hand, never pach it upp any more; rather take your owne courses betyme, and leave these to God, than to deall so as nether part shalbe the better; for most faythfully I assure you, the fear among themselves, with the dowbt of hir majesties proceding, hath almost mard the fashyon of this actyon. And yet, what hart and contentacion the shew of hir majesties favor to these countreys hath bredd doth appeare by the king of Denmarkes and other princes furtherance hereof. And, no doubtes, yf hir majesty wyll goe to the chardge but for ij yeres, she may as assuredly stablysh these countreys as she shall please, as yf ther [\were\] no enymye able to gaynsay yt. Now, whether you ther conceave styll as you have done, that these countreys be of consequence for hir majesties safty and servyce, to be kept at hir devotyon, I must leave to yourselves; but yf you be, than doth now your opportunytye well serve you, both to move hir majestye and to ease hir own charges. Yf that opinione be changed, then ether must you entertein them with hope, tyll you can know whether Denmark wyll deall or no, or to make a good peace or a bad peace for hir and them. And, albeyt I wyll never councell that way which may bring but a present shew of peace for a tyme than a perfect peace in dede, yet yf others shall think and perswade that way as a necessarye way, than I say, I think hir majesty may have what peace she will at the king of Spains handes nowe. For the prince ys at his wyttes end at thys time, and a sounde and princely preparacion made for hym this wynter wold breake his backe the next yere, using such other meanes as hir majesty may with the king of Denmarke and the

princes of Germany, with whome she may have the greatest reputacion of any prince in the world. These thinges I must leave, as he that must be dyrected; and yf hir majesty doe procede with these men in the cause, you must nedes than have another manner of comission than was last, and otherwyse delt withall, both for hir majesties assurance here and a more fyrme establyshment of the government; and as these men, all but Burgrave, are sent not only for to seke relyfe, but chyfely to dyscover and understand hir majesties very full dysposytion in this cause, so ys hir majesty to consider with herself what she wyll doe, that she may use them accordinglye. Of those ij, Mening and Valk, Meninge ys the abler man every way, and I think the better affected to hir majesty. I dyd gyve him a cheyn, one of those you sent; he was no lytle proud man to think himselfe remembered of hir majesty. For my owne parte, my credytt hath byn craked ever synce hir majesty sent sir Thomas Henege hether, as all men can tell you, for indede the government they semed they had geven from themselves to me stok in ther stomackes always, and but to have pleased hir majesty and satysfie the people, they wold never have donn yt. On the other syde, the towens and people they never could, nor yet can, well consent to be overuled by their bakers, and bruers, and hired advocattes, having byn always governed under some prince, and now spetyally under hir majesty, for so dyd they, and doe the most parte, yet take it, that they be only under hir majesties goverment and not the states, for, lett me never be trusted, yf, as sone as they shall finde that they be not under her majestyes government, that they doe not refuse to obey the states, or to lyve under the name of ther goverment iij monthes. I know they hate them, and therin Paul Buys sought to wynn his credytt wyth the people ageyn, to make that shew he dyd, as indede he dyd above all other men here, to advance hir majesties goverment, by joyning with them to press yt so uppon me, as, unless that werr donn, they wold have no goverment by the states by no meanes. Of this you hard inough, but I never found yt was well conceavyd yet, for your owne

authoryty from Englond was such as gave them all good cause both to thinke hir majesty ment yt, and for them to offer yt, and confyrm yt uppon me. Touching all these matters for these countres, I wyll referr you to Mr. Burgrave. I pray you make much of him, for he ys very religious indede, and so ar not many here. Mening ys therin better than his fellow, and one you may deall withall frely, but yet you know he ys one of the states. Valk is subtyll, and seketh wholy to content the states ever synce my authorytye cam in questyon, for, before they hard of hir majesties myslyke, they all of the councell werr sworn to me as governour. After Mr. Henege cam, they all secretly sought to the states, and tooke new patentes from them, saving ij, who plainly answered that they wer sworn to me as governour over all the provinces, and they wold no other patentes from any boddy. The states have challenged those of Utryckt, also, for that they have contynewed themselves only obedyent to my authoryty, refusing any other comandment of ther states-generall; and herein did Paul Buys deall most badly with me, and with hir majesty also, that knowing hir good pleasure, after did always seke to make wrangling and debates among us, yet did I never any thing but by his advice, and used him above all other councellors here. I hear yt ys reportyd that he gave upp all offyces in the princes tyme for standing against Monsieur and for hir majesty, and how trew that ys all men here know, and that he had a course than in hand, nether for Monsieur nor hir majesty, but only for these countreys for the prince himselfe; and whan he was dedd wold have had him buryed as erll of Holland and Zeland, and wrought all the states of the countrey in the heyt of yt to chuse his sonne governor, which being delayed, he, being in England, was the chife cause to hasten the confyrmacion of yt, and was donn indede, as you know, and none semed to myslyke yt so much as he, and yet he chifely procured yt. His reason than was, for that he feared hir majesty wold not goe forward, and than he ment to prevent all other practyces for

the French; and yet whan I cam he only sought to make a pyke between count Morris and me, and byd me take hede of him for he was only French. Indede I here that after the prince was ded, and [\he\] saw that his practyce that way was ended, he stoode for hir majesty before the French, for he knew the French was advertysed that he was the dealer against Monsieur; but otherwyse yf he ether lost offyce or credytt for hir majesties sake, lett my credytt be lost with you and all the frendes I have; so well have I enquyred of his doinges. But lett him and all these pass. I pray you lett spedy care be taken what course hir majesty wyll take, as a thing most nedefull, and tyme ys most precyous. And, though I have not byn wylling to make the worst of thinges, yet wyll I not be thought so yll an husband as some I hear wold make me, that I have received of these states not only all the ordynarye allowed beforehand, but also the extraordinarye to the somme of 400,000=li= sterling. First, I wyll say, I never received the therd parte of the ordinary, and for the extraordinary, hit was 400,000 florins, and not poundes, which shuld have byn payd in March, Aprill, May, and June; but the first of that we never received before August, and of that ther ys one 100,000 dewe yet; and of the 300,000 disbursed, yf ther hath byn paid in money 70,000 to the soldyers hit hath byn a myllion. But they doe make reckoning of all ther vyttell, of ther armour, and wepon, and of their lyke provissions, for which I dare asure yt to you, they have v, vj, viij month day for payment, and yet these provissions be of some their owen. Than judge you, what dealing this ys, or whether these sommes may be said "delivered" to us in money, or no. For the same tyme they take with the marchant for vyttell and munytion, the same might they use for the benyfyt of the soldyer; for, before vj or v months come out, they myght make other money reddy for to pay the marchant, and relyve the soldyer in the meane tyme with that which they turn to their own benyfytt; but they deny all this, albeyt yt be playnly knowen. So, praing to the Lord to dyrect all your councelles to his glory

and hir majesties saftye, I comytt you to his protectyon. In hast, this 2. of October. Your assured frend, R. Leycester. [\ADDRESSED,\] To my honourable good frend sir Francis Walsingham, knight, her majesties principall secretarie.

[} [\LETTER CLXVI. LORD BURGHLEY TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 4TH NOVEMBER, 1586.\] }] My very good lord, this gentleman, Mr. Gorge, commeth thyther with such hast, as I have no lesur to wryte as otherwise I wold, but breffly. I have, accordyng to your lordships late lettres, moved hir majesty for your lordships licenss to retorn, wherunto hir majesty is of hirself very willyng, as well for the desyre she hath to se your lordship, as for the dout she also hath that thys wyntar season yow might fall into some sycknes; but yet herwith she also is very carefull how those countrees may be governed without harm to the public cause, and how hir own army, consistyng of hir people, might also be ruled and directed; of both which, though hir majesty hath had some kind of speches, yet she myndeth not to mak any resolution but by your lordships advise. Yet, for the government of hir army, I perceave she will laye the chardg uppon my lord Gray, who will shun it I am sure as much as he may, and yet I have perswaded hir majesty to encorradg hym with the remission of an Irish det that, in conscience, he ought not to paye. I told Mr. Gorge by speche, that seing ther is treasur sent over, wherof your lordship had no knolledg at your late wrytyng, I wold

wish your lordship to se the same, or the gretar part, issued out wher is most nede, but specially to mak full payes to some day certen. For the government ther in your lordships absence we here cannot gyve any advise, but, consideryng your lordships great experience there, whatsoever your lordship shall declare to be mete I will assent therto, and by my advise to hir majesty furder it as reason is. Some spek of namyng the count Morrice to be governor alon in your absence, and as to have the rule under your lordship; some wish that the count Moryce shuld be joyned with the lord Graye. The queenes majesty wold that it war in the states direction ageyn as it was befor they committed it to your lordship, with the direction of the lord Graye as lieutenant of hir army; but suerly I feare greatly the success hereof, for the generall evill opinion conceaved, both by the people and the men of warr, ageynst the particular persons representyng the states, except ther might be a new election by the severall provynces of new and more upright persons to represent the states. My lord, though presently it semeth your lordship to be greved with the sondry mislykynges of hir majesty signefyed by her privat lettres, for sondry thynges wherof your lordship hath sufficient matter to discharg yourself, yet I dowt not but uppon your lordships retorn to hir presence, she will be fully satisfyed by your lordships own good answers, for so I myself do conceave the issew will so be proved. And so, by reason of Mr. Gorges hasty departure, I am compelled to end. From Westminster, 4. November, 1586. Yesterday all we commissioners [\perfected\] our sentence against the Scottish quene, with on full assent, but I feare more slackness in hir majesty than will stand ether with hir suerty or with ours. God direct hir hart to follow faythfull counsell. Your lordships most assured to my power, W. Burghley.

[} [\LETTER CLXVIII. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 5TH NOVEMBER, 1586.\] }] I humbly beseeche your lordship, that this bearer may receyve your honorable assystaunce in the recovarye of sooch imprestes as have been made by his late master unto sooche as served under him. Sir Philip hathe lefte a great nombur of poore credytors; what order he hathe taken by his wyll for ther satysfactyon I

knowe not. Yt is trewe, that, immedyatly after the deathe of his father, he sent me a letter of attorney for the sale of sooche portyon of lande as myght content his credytors, wherin there was nothing don, before his deathe. I have payde, and must paye, for him above 6,000=li=, which I doe assure your lordship hath browght me into a most harde and desperat state, which I waighe nothing in respeact of the losse of the gentleman, whoe was my chefe worldly compforte. Sorry I am to take any occasyon to revyve the memorye of him to the renewing of your lordships grefe, for the which I praye pardon, and so I most humbly take my leave. At Barne ealmes, the v=th= of November, 1586. Your lordships to commaund, Fra. Walsyngham.

[} [\LETTER CLXX. MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM TO THE EARL OF LEYCESTER. 6TH NOVEMBER, 1586.\] }] My verry good lord, even as I had gyven this bearer his dyspatche I receaved a letter from Mr. Davyson, by the which he dyd sygnefye unto me that her majesties pleasure was, that I shoold wryte unto your lordship to stay the commyng of the commyssioners, for that she is in no sort wyllyng to be pressed in a matter that she is alreadye resolved not to procead in. Thes be the verry wordes of his letter, which I refer to your lordships consideratyon. Monsieur Burgrave is alreadye come to London. I have appoynted on Mondaye next to speake with him, and wyll, for your lordships sake and the good commendatyon you gave him, use him with all the favor I may. I have caused sir Philip Sydneys wyll to be consydered of by certeyn learned in the lawes, and I fynd the same imperfect towching the sale of his land for the satysfyeng of his poore credytors, which I doe assure your lordship doth greatly afflyct me, [{that{] a

gentleman that hath lyved so unspotted [{a{] reputatyon, and had so great care to see all men satysfyed, shoold be so [{exposed{] to the owtcrye of his creditors. His goodes wyll not suffyce to awnsware a third parte of his debtes alreadye knowen. This hard estate of this noble gentleman makethe me staye to take order for his buryall untyll your lordships returne. I doe not see howe the same can be performed with that solempnytye that apperteynethe withowt the utter undoing of his credytors, which is to be weyed [\in\] conscyence. Sorrye I am to troble your lordship with these unplesaunt matters, but that a necessitye movethe me therto. And so hoping to see your lordship here, I most humbly take my leave. At Barne elmes the vj. of November, 1586. Your lordships to commaund, Fra. Walsingham. [\ADDRESSED,\] For her majestyes speciall affaires. To the right honoorable my verie good lord the erle of Leicester, lord lieutenaunt-generall of hir majestyes forces in the Lowe Countries, &c. W. Davison.

[} [\THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM. 22ND DECEMBER, 1586.\] }] I am hartyly sorry for any further vysitacion to com to that howse, for I must every way be partaker therof. But you and I must yeld to His gracious chastysment who knoweth best what ys fytt for us both. I confes that I se what you fynde, and I fele lyke you have founde. The Lord that inflycteth us here with sharpnes can, and I know wyll, recompence us elleswhere x, xx and xxx fold, to our everlasting joye and comfort. Wherfore I pray for you, as for myself, that the same Lord wyll contynew us in strength, and strengthen us in pacyence to receyve His blessyd wyll, as becomyth us. The lettre you sent me I wyll suspend my

opinion, albeytt I fear he ys not the man we thought him. God grant us his peace, and the rest of our yeres to pass in his fear, and so to his blessyd protectyon I leave ye. Hast this 22 of December, 1586. Yours assured, R. Leycester. [\ADDRESSED\] To my honorable frend Mr. secretarye Walsingham.

[} [\THE EARL OF LEYCESTER TO MR. SECRETARY WALSYNGHAM. 23RD DECEMBER, 1586.\] }] I cannott be quyett tyll I may know how my daughter doth amend, wyshing hir even as to my none child, which, God wylling, I shall always esteme hir to be. I wold gladly make a start to you, but to morrow king Antonio comes hether, but my hart ys ther with you, and my prayers shall goe to God for you and for yours. Ther ys a lettre com from the Scottish queen that hath wroght tears, but I trust shall doe no further harm, albeyt the delay ys so daungerous. Of all thinges that ys to be advertysed I know Mr. secretary Davyson doth wryte to you, therefore I wyll leave to trowble you, and commytt you to the Lord. From Grenwich xxiij of December. Your assured frend, R. Leycester. Bycause I dowbt of your spedy repayr hether I pray you send my ij leases, Mr. Secretary, to se what may be donn. [\ADDRESSED\] To the right honorable Mr. secretary Walsingham. [^LETTERS OF QUEEN ELIZABETH AND KING JAMES VI. OF SCOTLAND; SOME OF THEM PRINTED FROM ORIGINALS IN THE POSSESSION OF THE REV. EDWARD RYDER, AND OTHERS FROM A MS. WHICH FORMERLY BELONGED TO SIR PETER THOMPSON, KT. ED. BY BRUCE, JOHN. CAMDEN FIRST SERIES 46. 1849.^]

[} [\NO. VI. ELIZABETH TO JAMES.\] }] [\January 1584-5.\]

I mynde not deale, my deare brother, as wise men commenly counsel, to try my trust with trifles first, and therby iuge of like event, but haue agried to make my first assay of your many promises and desires that you might knowe the way to please me most; and therfor do require, that a question may, upon allegeance, be demanded by yourselfe of the mastar Gray, whether he knoweth not the prise of my bloude, wiche shuld be spild by bloudy hande of a murtherar, wiche some of your nere-a-kin did graunt. A sore question, you may suppose, but no other act than suche as I am assured he knowes, and therfor I hope he wyl not dare deny you a truthe; but yet I beseche you let it not seme to come from me, to whom I made no semblance but ignorance. Let him suppose that you receaued it elzwhere. O most wicked treachere, to gusche the droppes of innocent bloud, yea, of suche as perhaps hath saued often thers! As this toucheth me nearest, so use it with best commodity, and let the answer be speded after a thre or foure dayes after his retourne. It

may please you, aske it no sonar, lest he suspect it come of me, from whom, according to trust, let it be kept. Your most assured sistar and cousin, [\UNSIGNED\] . God euer kepe you from al daungerous attempts, and graunt you many yeres to liue and raigne. [\ADDRESSED,\] (\Au roy d'Escose, mon bon frere et cousin.\)

[} [\No. VII. ELIZABETH TO JAMES\] }] [\January or February 1584-5.\] I haue, right deare brother, receaued your frendly and affectionat letters, in wiche I perceaue the mastar Grayes halfe, limping answer, wiche is lame in thes respectz: the one, for that I se not that he told you who bade him talke with Morgan of the price of my bloude, wiche he knowes, I am assured, right wel; nor yet hathe named the man that shuld be the murtherar of my life. You wel perceaue that nothing may nearelar touche me than this cause, and therfor, accordinge to the bond of nature and the promes of strikte frindeship, let me coniure you that this vilanye may be confest. I hope I may

stand you in bettar sted than that you wyl shew you uncareful of suche a treason. And because I desiar that no cause be giuen of your part to make me, or the lokers on, to slandar your good wyl, I heare, out of my realme of Ireland, that Skotz assemble in great troupes. Giue you charge immediatly, I most hartely require you, that, upon paine of treason, the desist from suche action, and so shal you bind me to recompence suche honorable traictment. And wher I perceaue that you expected the erles departur from the bordars, it is true, vpon my honor, that I dispached furthewith a charge unto them, wiche the answered, after a wekes leasur, that the wer so indetted to my subiectz that the could not, but I am sure by this time the ar departed. As for ther not banisment out of my realme, I haue, by my secretary, signified to the mastar Gray what reasons necessary to be considered moues me therunto, specially sins the offar to submit themselues to suffar as if the wer my subiectz offending me, and to take condigne pain if, while the bid in my gouernement, the disobay ther alegiance to you. And this, with the rest, I trust wyl content you, as one that I wyll take as great care of, for your honor and your surty, as whosoever may giue you more golden promes with leaden performance. I beseche you let your answer be retournid me with your best spede and most commoditye. Thus, not willing to molest you, I, with my humblest deuotion, intreat the Almighty to protect you from al inconveniens, and grant you many happy yeares. Your most assured sistar and cousin, Elizabeth R. [\ADDRESSED,\] (\A monsieur mon bon frere et cousin le roy d'Escosse.\)

[} [\NO. X ELIZABETH TO JAMES.\] }] [\June or July, 1585.\]

Right deare brother, Your gladsome acceptance of my offred amitie, togither with the desiar you seem to have ingraven in your mynde to make merites correspondant, makes me in ful opinion that some ennemis to our good wyl shal loose muche travel, with making frustrat thar baiting stratagemes, whiche I knowe to be many and by sondry meanes to be explored. I cannot halt with you so muche as to denye that I haue seen suche euident shewes of your contrarious dealings, that if I mad not my rekening the bettar of the moneths, I might condemne you as unworthy of suche as I mynd to shewe myselfe toward you, and therfor I am wel pleased to take any coulor to defend your honor, and hope that you wyl remember, that who seaketh two stringes to one bowe, the may shute strong, but neuer strait; and if you suppose that princes causes be vailed so couvertly that no intelligence may bewraye them, deceave not yourselfe; we old foxes can find shiftes to saue ourselves by others malice, and come by knowledge of greattest secreat, spetiallye if it touche our freholde. It becometh, therfor, all our rencq to deale sincerely, lest, if we use it not, whan we do it, we be hardly beleaved. I write not this, my deare brother, for dout but for remembrances. My ambassador writes so muche of your honorable traitment of him and of Alexandar, that I belive the be convertid Scotes. You oblige me for them, for wiche I rendar you a milion of most intire thankes, as she that meaneth to desarue many a good thoght in your brest throwe good desart. And for that your request is so honorable, retaining so muche reason, I wer out of [{my{] sences if I shuld not suspend of any hiresay til the answer of your owne action, wiche the actor ought best to knowe, and so assure yourselfe I meane and vowe to do; with this request, that you wyl affourd me the reciproque. And thus, with my many petitions to the Almighty for your long life and preservation, I ende thes skribled lines. Your verey assured lovinge sistar and cousin, Elizabeth R. (\A mon bon frere le roy d'Escose.\)

[} [\NO. XII. ELIZABETH TO JAMES.\] }] [\August 1585.\] Right deare brother, I find to true the Frenche adage, (\Qu'un mal ne vint jamais seul\) ; for as the horrible and soudain murdar of my most faithful subiect and most vaillant baron was unto me a heartsore and grivous tidinges, so was it tenfold redoubled with knowelege that a Skot shuld dare violate his handes on any of our noble bloude, in a peacable concord, whan our frendship shuld haue sent out his hotest beames to the kindeling of the entier affection of bothe realmes; that any of that nation shuld ons dare haue had a thoght to maculate suche a contract of amitie. I perceive, by my ambassador, that your grief is litel les than suche a hap deserveth, and do perceaue that you haue not spared your wel-fauored, to cause him answer suche a suspicion. I thinke myselfe, therfor, greatly

obliged unto your care for my satisfaction, and therin I thanke you for being so considerast of your owne honor, wiche, I assure you, lieth a-bleding in the bowels of many an Inglas man, until ful rayson be made for suche a treacherye. God send us bettar luck after our league be finished than this bloudy beginninge may geue calendes of, elz many a red side wil folowe suche demerites. But I hope you wyl spare no man that may be douted of suche a meaning. I meane, not only of the murdar but of the breaking out upon our borderars, wiche commonly ar the beginnings of our quarelz. I dout nothinge of your curious care in this behalfe, and for that the warden of that marche hathe bine the open and commen fosterar and compagnion of the traitor Westmarland and his complices in France and Scotland, I hope you wil agrie to send him to my handes, wher he shal neuer receaue iniurie nor ivel measure. And thus, desiring [{you{] to credit my ambassador in certain particularites that he shal impart unto you as to myselfe, I recommend you to Gods safe tuition, who graunt you many gladsome yeres. Your most affectionat sistar and cousin, Elizabeth R. [\ADDRESSED\] (\A mon bon frere et cousin, le roy d'Escose.\)

[} [\NO. XV. ELIZABETH TO JAMES.\] }] [\November 1585.\]

Right deare brother, the strangenes of harde accidens that ar arrived here, of unloked for, or unsuspected, attemps in Skotland, euen by some suche as lately issued out of our lande, constraineth me, as wel for the care we have of your person as of the discharge of our owne honor and consciense, to send you immediatly this gentleman, one that appartaineth to us in bloud, bothe to offer you all assistance of helpe as al good indeuor of counceil, and to make hit plaine that we delt plainly. Thes lordes makeng great outcryes that I wold not or coulde helpe them to be restored; I, by ther great importunitie, yelded, that if I might be fried of my assurance given unto you for ther safe kiping, I wold consent to ther departure, and so, after your answer, as my thoght most honorable, that the might take ther way to Germany with your gracious graunt of some livelode, after a weekes space I gaue them my pasport and so dismissed them, without, I swere unto you, ons the sight of any one of them. Now, whan I way how suddenly, beyond my expectation, this suddan stur ariseth, and fering lest some ivel and wicked person might surmise that this was not without my forsight, I beseche you trust my actions accordinge the measure of my formar dealings for your safety, and ansuerable to the rule of reason, and you shal find, that few princes wyl agrye to constraint of ther equalz, muche les with compulsion of ther subiects. Juge of me, therfor, as of a kinge that caries no abiect nature, and thinke this of me, that, rather than your daungier, I wyl ventur myne; and albeit I must confesse that it is daungerous for a prince to irritast to muche, through iuel aduise, the generalitie of great subiectz, so might you or now haue folowed my aduise, that wold neuer betray you with unsound counceil; and now to conclude, making hast, I pray you be plain with this bearar, that I may knowe

what you wold that I should do, without excuse hireafter, that constrained you did hit, for I dare assure you of his secresye, and therof be you bold. For the lord Russelz dethe, and other thinges, I referre me to this gentilman, who I dare promis is of no faction beside my wyl. God blesse you in al safety as I wysche myself. Your tru assured cousin and sistar, Elizabeth R. Feare not, for your life must be thers, or els the shal smart wel, euery mothers son of them. [\ADDRESSED,\] (\A mon trescher frere le roy d'Escose.\)

[} [\NO. XVII. ELIZABETH TO JAMES.\] }] [\January 1585-6.\] Right deare brother, I am not a litel satisfaict of many a carefull thoght that my mynde tossed up and downe, with doutes what care might do to a kings brest, invirunned of a seubdain with so vnlooked for an accident; my thankes, therfor, may sca[{r{]se be contained in this paper for your most acceptable messanger, whom it pleased you to commaund [{for{] my satisfaction of your good estat, togither with your good liking of the lordes and ther action, whom I

beseche God no longar preserue in life, than the be ready for your preservation to spend all thers; so far wer euer my intentz from any trechery towarde you. And wheras your desiar seameth great that the league in hand myght come to ende, I am addressing a gentilman vnto you for the same purpose, and wyl delay no time for so good a intent, trusting than, that no whispering treason shal haue credit in your eare to retarde or cut of so nideful an action. Suppose suche, I pray you, to resemble a golden houke that oft deceaues the vnwary fische, and makes him receaue his worst in lieu of bettar hope. Amidz al thes kind dealings of yours, let me not forget how litel care the worlde shal thinke you prise me at, if in middest of greatest frindship, my los of honor be no whit repaired for the shamful murther of the baron Russell. Pondar it depely, I beseche you, for hit striketh nere me, so publik an iniurye to haue no redres, without we shewe the thoght, wiche God alone reserues his part. The like answer was neuer yet giuen, and [{I{] hope for bettar paiment. For your churche matters, I do bothe admire and reioise to see your wise paraphrase, wiche far excedeth ther texte. Since God hathe made kinges, let them not unmake ther authorite, and let brokes and smal rivers acknowledge ther springes, and flowe no furdar than ther bankes. I praise God that you uphold euer a regal rule. For all other matters wiche this gentilman hathe told me, I wil hope stil that your faithful profession of constantie in my behalfe shal far surmount the devellishe practises and suttel iniquitie of those wiche, undar pretence of your aduancement, wil skanten your best fortiune. And albeit I am aduertised, even from amonge themselves, that your assurance to them doth shewe, that al my faire offers from you be (\ad Ephesios\) and ridiculus, meaning wholy to folow them and temporise with me, yet I mynd to (\peccare in meliorem\) if I must nides be begiled, and mynd not to trust them til I see you faile me, and than (\deceptis ad decipientem digne vertitur\) . Til than, I wyl trust your worde, and dare assure you shal neuer, on my behalfe, haue cause to

repent your woues, meaning you no les good than I pray God euer to afourde me, prayinge him longe to conserve you. And to ende this lettar, let me not forget to recommend this gentlemans good behavor in this his charge, hauing used it to your honor and his great praise. Thus I finische to troble you, but do rest, Your most assuredzt louing sistar and cousin, Elizabeth R. [\ADDRESSED,\] To my deerest brother and cousin the king of Scotts.

[} [\NO. XVIII. ELIZABETH TO JAMES.\] }] [\February 1585-6.\] Right deare brother, Determining with myselfe to sende you some one of whose affection I had profe towarde your estat and parson, have resolved of this gentilman, who in your childesche yeres sought all menes of your preservation, and was the instrument to have you served by them that folowed no other rular than your raigne, and for that cause suffred hard assaultes, yea to the present peril of life, wiche was soght sondry wayes, and ons by bullet of pistol, as he had to shew. Suppose you that suche a one, so used, wold be hasty to go on this viage, wer it not my spetiall charge, wiche only I do for the longe experience that he hathe had of that country, and so the bettar able to serve us bothe, for I dare swere he hathe no other scope than to kipe us frendes, and increase that bond. And if he

find any opposite against so good a worke, he wyl obviat it if he may, and wyl serve you in any thing that may advance your honor and quiat, according to his commission; praying you to have regard unto him and his honorable traictment, that I may haue no cause to reuenge his wronge; not douting but if you knew his nature and honesty, as I do, you wold not estime him menely. I assure you he is of muche valeur bothe for wit and discretion; in whom ther was never found trechery. Thus I end, with my prayers to God for your long continuance. Your assured sistar and cousin, Elizabeth R. [\ADDRESSED,\] (\A mon bon frere le roy d'Escose.\)

[} [\NO. XIX. ELIZABETH TO JAMES.\] }] [\March 1585-6.\] The expertist seamen, my deare brother, makes vant of ther best shippes whan the pas the highest bellowes without yelding, and broke nimlest the roughest stormes. The like profe, I suppose, may best be made, and surest boste, of frindes, whan greatest persuasions and mightiest ennemis oppose themselues for parties. If than a constant

irremouable good wyll appere, thar is best triall made. And for that I knowe ther is no worse orator for truthe than malice, nor shwredar invahar than envye, and that I am sure you haue wanted nether, to assaile your mynde to win it from our frindeship; if not auailing all thes minars, you kipe the hold of your promised inward affection, as Randol at lengthe haue told me and your owne lettars assure me, I dare thus boldly affirme, that you shall haue the bettar part in this bargain. For when you way in equal balance, with no palsey hande, the very ground of ther desires that wold withdrawe you, it is but roote of mischif to peril your selfe, with hope to harme her who euer hathe preserued you; and sins you may be sure that Skotland, nor yourself, be so potent, as for your greatnes the seake you, nor neuer did, but to iniure a thirde; and if you rede the histories, ther is no great cause of bost for many conquests, thogh your contry sarued ther malice. This you see the beginning why euer Skotland hathe bine sought. Now, to come to my ground worke, only natural affection (\ab incunabulis\) sturrid me to saue you from the murderars of your father, and the peril that ther complices might brede you. Thus, as in no counterfait miroir, you may behold without maske the faces of bothe beginnars. It is for you to juge what ar like to be the best euent of bothe, and therafter I pray God you may use your best choise to your surest good, no semblant false to begile. And as I reioyse to haue had, iven in this hammering worlde, suche presant profe of your sincerite, so shal you be sure to imploye it upon no gileful person, nor suche as wil not take as muche regard of your good as of her owne. Tochinge an "instrument," as your secretarye terme it, that you desiar to haue me signe, I assure you, thogh I can play of some, and haue bine broght up to know musike, yet this disscord wold be so grose as wer not fit for so wel-tuned musicke. Must so great dout be made of fre good wyl, and gift be so mistrusted, that our signe Emanuel must assure? No, my deere brother. Teache your new rawe

counselars bettar manner than to aduis you such a paringe of ample meninge. Who shuld doute performance of kinges offer? What dishonor may that be demed? Folowe next your owne nature, for this neuer came out of your shoppe. But, for your ful satisfaction, and to plucke from the wicked the weapon the wold use to brede your doubt of meanings, thes the be. First, I wil, as longe as you with iuel desart alter not your course, take care for your safety, helpe your nide, and shun al actes that may damnifie you in any sort, ether in present or future time; and for the portion of relife, I minde neuer to lessen, thogh, as I see cause, I wil rather augment. And this I hope may stand you in as muche assuranse as my name in parchement, and no les for bothe our honors. I can not omit, also, to request you, of all amitie betwine us, to haue good regard of the longe-waiting expectation that all our subjectes lokes after, that some persons be deliuered in to my handes for some repaire of my honor thogh no redres for his dethe, according as my ambassador Randol shal signifie, and that ther be no more delais, wiche haue bine ouer many already. And thus I end my trobling you. Comittinge you to the tuition of the living God, who graunt you many yeres of prosperous raigne. Your most assured louinge sistar and cousin, Elizabeth R.

[} [\NO. XXI. ELIZABETH TO JAMES VI.\] }] [\May, 1586.\] I muse muche, right deare brother, how possiblie my wel-ment lettar, prociding from so fauteles a hart, could be ether misliked or misconstred; and first, for my promis made of reciproke usage in all amicable maner, I trust I nether haue, nor neuer shall, make fraction of in the lest scruple; and as for doute of your perfourmance of your vowe made me, I assure you, if I did not trust your wordes, I shuld estime but at smale valew your writings, and if you please to reade againe my last lettar, you shall perceaue how muche I prise your tried constancy for all the many assaultes that, I am sure, your eares haue bin assailled with, and therfor I am far from dout, whan suche profe is made, and you might worthely forthinke you to haue bestowed so muche faithful dealinge upon one that ether had smal iugement or muche ingratitude, and therof I may clerely purge me from suche crime, for I haue more iust cause to acknowelege thankefulnis manifold, than, in any part, to ouerrun my owne wit to leue it behind me. And for the some that you suppose my many affaires made me forget, togither with the maner of the instrument, or lettar, (\quocunque

nomine datur\) . For the first, I assure you I never gaue commission for more. Some other might mistake, as Raudol wil tel you. And for the lettar, some wordes and fourme was suche as fitted not our two frindeships, as Randol also can shewe you, but I haue sent you a lettar that I am sure containes all you desired in spetiall wordes. I trust it shal content you; although I must say for myselfe this muche, that the pithe and effect of all you receiued afore; and beseche you thinke, that I finde it my greatest fault that I remember but to well, yea, many times more than I wolde, but never aught that may be for your behoffe, ether in honor or contentation, shal euer slip out of my mind, but wil take so good regarde unto it as that it euer shal nerely touche myselfe; as knoweth God, who euer preserue you from deceitful counseil, and graunt you true knowlege of your assured, with longe and many yeres to raigne. Your most affectionate and assured louing sistar and cousin, Elizabeth R. [\ADDRESSED\] (\A mon bon frere et cousin le roy d'Escosse.\)

[} [\NO. XXIII. ELIZABETH TO JAMES.\] }] [\4th October, 1586.\]

I hope, my deare brother, that my many waighty affayres in present may make my lawful excuse for the retardance of the answer to your ambassadeurs charge, but I doute not but you shal be honorably satisfaict in all the pointz of his commission, and next, after my owne errand done, I must rendar you my innumerable thankes for suche amicable offers as hit hathe pleased you make, making you assured that, with Gods grace, you shal neuer have cause to regrat your good thoghtz of my meaninge to deserue as muche good wil and affection as euer one prince owed another, wisching all meanes that may maintaine your faithful trust in me, that neuer wyl seake aught but the increase of your honor and safty. I was in mynd to haue sent you suche accidentz as this late monethe brought furthe, but the sufficientie of mastar Archebal made me retaine him, and do rendar you many loving thankes for the joy you take of my narow escape from the chawes of dethe, to wiche I might easely haue fallen but that the hand of the hiest saued me from that snare. And for that the curse of that desaing rose up from the wicked sucgestion of the Jesuites, wiche make hit an axceptable sacrifice to God, and meritorieus to themselfe, that a kinge not of ther profession shuld be murthered, therfor I could kipe my pen no longar from discharging my care of your person, that you suffer not suche vipars to inhabite your lande. The say you gaue leue undar your hand that the might safely come and go. For Gods loue regard your surety aboue all perswations, and account him no subiect that intertaines them. Make not edictz for skorne, but to be obserued. Let them be rebelles, and so pronunsed, that preserue them. For my part, I am sorier that the cast away so many goodly gentilmen than that the soght my ruine. I thanke God I haue taken

more dolor for some that ar gilty of this murther than beare them malice that the soght my dethe. I protest hit before God. But suche iniquitie will not be hide, be hit neuer so craftely handeled; and yet, whan you shal here all, you wyl wondar that one accownted wise wyl use suche matter so fondly. But no marvel, for whan the ar giuen to a reprobat sence the offen make suche slip. I haue bine so tedious that I take pitie of your paine, and so wyl ende this skribling, praying you beliue that you could neuer haue chosen a more sure trust that wil neuer begile than myself, who dayly prayes to God for your longe prosperitie. Your most assured louing sistar and cousin, Elizabeth R. [\ADDRESSED\] (\A mounsieur mon bon frere et cousin le roy d'Escose.\)

[} [\NO. XXIV. ELIZABETH TO JAMES\] }] [\15th October, 1586.\]

My deare brother, Hit hathe sufficiently infourmed me of your singular care of my estat and brething that you haue sent one, in suche diligence, to understand the circumstancis of the treasons wiche lately wer lewdly attempted and miraculously vttred. Of whiche I had made participant your embassador afor your lettars came. And now am I to shewe you, that, as I haue receaved many writings from you of great kindnis, yet this last was fraughted with so careful passion, and so effectuall utterance of all best wisches for my safety, and offer of as muche as I could haue desired, that I confes, if I shuld not seake to decerue it, and by merites tye you to continuance, I wer ivell-wordy suche a frind; and, as the thankes my hart yeldes my pen may skant rendar you, so shal the ownar euer decerue to shewe hit not ivel imploied, but on suche a prince as shall requite your good wyl, and kipe a wacheful yee to all doings that may conserne you. And whereas you offer to send me any traitor of myne residing in your land, I shal not faille but expect th'accomplischement of the same in case any suche shal be, and require you, in the menetime, that spidy deliuerye may be maid of the Cars, wiche toucheth bothe my conscience and honor. I thanke God that you beware so sone of Jesuites, that haue bine the source of al thes trecheries in this realme, and wyl sprede, like an iuel, wide, if at the first the be not wided out. I wold I had had Prometheus for companion, for Epimetheus had like have bine myne to sone. What religion is this, that the say the way to saluation is to kil the prince for a merit meritorious? This is that the haue all confessed without tortur or menace. I swere hit, on my worde.

Far be hit from Skotland to harbor any suche, and therfor I wische your good providence may be duly executed, for elz lawes resemble cobwebbes, whens great bees get out by breaking, and small flies stiks fast for wekenis. As concerning the retarding of your answers to al pointz of your ambassadors charge, you had receved them or now but that matters of that weight that I am sure you wold willingly knowe can not as yet receaue a conclusion, and til that mastar Douglas doth tarye; and with his retourne I hope you shal receaue honorable requital of his amicable embassade, so as you shal have no cause to regret his arrival; as knoweth the Lord, whom ever I beseche to send you many joiful dayes of raigne and life. Your most assured louing and faithful sistar and cousin, Elizabeth R. I must giue you many thankes for this poore subject of myne, for whom I wil not stik to do al pleasure for your request, and wold wische him undar the grond if he shuld not serue you with greatest faithe that any seruant may. I haue wylled him tel you some thinges from me; I beseche you heare them fauorablie. [\ADDRESSED\] (\A mon bon frere e cousin le roy d'Escose.\)

[} [\NO. XXV. ELIZABETH TO JAMES.\] }] [\January, 1586-7.\]

I finde myselfe so trobled lest sinistar tales might delude you, my good brother, that I haue willingly found out this messanger, whom I knowe most sincere to you and a true subiect to me, to carry unto you my most sincere meaning toward you, and to request this iust desiar, that you neuer dout my intiere good wyll in your behalfe; and do protest, that, if you knewe, even sins the arrivall of your commissionars, (wiche if the list the may tell you,) the exstreme dangier my life was in, by an embassadors honest silence, if not invention, and suche good complices as haue themselues, by Godz permission, unfolded the hole conspiratie, and haue aduouched hit befor his face, thoght hit be the peril of ther owne lives, yet voluntaryly, one of them neuer beinge suspected brake hit with a councelar to make me acquanted therwith. You may see whither I kipe the serpent that poisons me, whan the confes to haue reward. By sauing of her life the wold haue had mine. Do I not make myself, trowe ye, a goodly

pray for euery wretche to deuour? Transfigure yourself into my state, and suppose what you aught to do, and therafter way my life, and reiect the care of murdar, and shun all baites that may untie our amities, and let all men knowe, that princes knowe best their owne lawes, and misiuge not that you knowe not. For my part, I wyl not liue to wronge the menest. And so I conclude you with your owne wordes, you wyl prosecute or mislike as muche thos that seake my ruine as yf the sought your hart bloud, and wold I had none in myne if I wold not do the like; as God knoweth, to whom I make my humble prayers to inspire you with best desiars. Your most affectionated sistar and cousin, Elizabeth R. I am sending you a gentilman fourwith, the other being fallen sick, who I trust shal yeld you good reason of my actions. [\ADDRESSED\] To my verey good brother and cousin, the king of Skotz.

[} [\NO. XXVI. ELIZABETH TO JAMES.\] }] [\About 1st February, 1586-7.\] Be not caried away, my deare brother, with the lewd perswations of suche, as insteade of infowrming you of my to nideful and helpeles

cause of defending the brethe that God hath given me, to be better spent than spilt by the bloudy invention of traitors handz, may perhaps make you belive, that ether the offense was not so great, or if that cannot serue them, for the over-manifest triall wiche in publik and by the greatest and most in this land hathe bine manifestly proved, yet the wyl make that her life may be saved and myne safe, wiche wold God wer true, for whan you make vewe of my long danger indured thes fowre - wel ny fiue - moneths time to make a tast of, the greatest witz amongs my owne, and than of French, and last of you, wyl graunt with me, that if nide wer not mor than my malice she shuld not have her merite. And now for a good conclusion of my long-taried-for answer. Your commissionars telz me, that I may trust her in the hande of some indifferent prince, and have all her cousins and allies promis she wil no more seake my ruine. Deare brother and cousin, way in true and equal balance wither the lak not muche good ground whan suche stuf serves for ther bilding. Suppose you I am so mad to truste my life in anothers hand and send hit out of my owne? If the young master of Gray, for curring faueur with you, might fortune say hit, yet old master Mylvin hath yeres ynough to teache him more wisdome than tel a prince of any jugement suche a contrarious frivolous maimed reason. Let your councelors, for your honour, discharge ther duty so muche to you as to declaire the absurditie of such an offer; and, for my part, I do assure myselfe to muche of your wisdome, as, thogh like a most naturall good son you charged them to seake all meanes the could deuis with wit or jugement to save her life, yet I can not, nor do not, allege any fault to you of thes persuations, for I take hit that you wil remember, that advis or desiars aught ever agree with the surtye of the party sent to and honor of the sendar, wiche whan bothe you way, I doute not but your wisdome wil excuse my nide, and waite my necessitie, and not accuse me ether of malice or of hate. And now to conclude. Make account, I pray you, of my firme frindeship loue and care, of which you may make sure accownt, as one

that never mindz to faile from my worde, nor swarve from our league, but wyl increase, by all good meanes, any action that may make true shewe of my stable amitie; from wiche, my deare brother, let no sinistar whisperars, nor busy troblars of princis states, persuade to leave your surest, and stike to vnstable staies. Suppose them to be but the ecchos to suche whos stipendaries the be, and wyl do more for ther gaine than your good. And so, God hold you ever in his blessed kiping, and make you see your tru frinds. Excuse my not writing sonar, for paine in one of my yees was only the cause. Your most assured lovinge sistar and cousin, Elizabeth R. [\ADDRESSED\] To my deare brother and cousin, the kinge of Skotz.

[} [\NO. XXVIII. ELIZABETH TO JAMES.\] }] [\RECEIVED 15 MAY, 1588.\] My pen, my deare brother, hathe remained so long dry as I suppose hit hardly wold have taken ynke againe, but, mollefied by the good justice that with your owne person you have bine pleased to execute, togither with the large assurance that your wordes have

given to some of my ministars, wiche all dothe make me ready to drinke most willingly a large draught of the rivar of Lethe, never minding to thinke of unkindnes, but to turne my yees to the making vp of that sure amitie and stanche good wyll wiche may be presently concluded in ending our league, that so unhappyly, to my harts grife, was delaied and differd, assuring you, on the faith of a christian and worde of a king, that my hart cannot accuse my conscience of one thoght that might infringe our frindship, or let so good a worke. God the chersar of all harts euer so haue misericorde of my soule as my innocencye in that mattar deserveth, and no otherwise; wiche invocation wer to dangerous for a gilty conscience; as I have commanded this bearar more at large to tel you. And for your part, my deare brother, thinke, and that with most truith, that, if I find you willing to imbrase hit, you shal find of me the carefulst prince of your quiet gouuernment, ready to assist you with forse, with treasor, counsel, or any thing you shal haue nede of, as muche as in honor you can require, or upon cause you shal nede. You may the more soundly trust my vowes, for never yet wer the stained, nether wil I make you the first on whom I shal bestowe untruthe, wiche God wyl not suffer me live unto. I have millions of thankes to rendar you, that so frankely told to Cary suche offers as wer made you, wiche I doute not but you shall euer haue cause to reioyse that you refuse; for wher the meane to weken your surest frind, so be you assured the intended to subiect you and yours. For you see how the deale euen with ther owne in al countries lessar than ther one, and therfor God, for your best, I assure myselfe, wil not let you faule into suche an aperte daunger, undar the cloke, for al that, of harming other and aduansing you; but I hope you wil take Ulisses wexe to saue you from suche sirenes. Hit wer most honorable for you, if so hit please you, to let them knowe that you neuer sent for ther horse, thogh some of your lords (to bold with you in many ther notions and over sawsy in this) made them beliue you consented to ther message, wiche the themselues desired your pardon for. This wyl make them feare you more hereafter, and make them

affraid to attempt you to weaken your assured frind. If I deserue not your amitie persecute me as your foe; but being yours, use me like a prince who feareth none but God. Your most assured loving sistar and cousin, Elizabeth R. [\ADDRESSED,\] To our good brother and cousin, the king of Scotland.

[} [\NO. XXIX. ELIZABETH TO JAMES.\] }] [\About 1st July, 1588.\]

I am greatly satisfied, my deare brother, that I find, by your owne graunt, that you bilive the trothe of my actions so manifestly openly proved, and thanke you infinitely that you profes so constant defence of your country, togither [{with{] myne, from all Spaniardz or strangers; a matter fur otherwise given out by bothe our enemies, withe blotting your fame with assurance of doble dealing, as thogh you assured them under-hand to betake you to ther course; wiche, what a stain hit wer in a princis honor, you yourselfe in jugement can wel deme. For my part, I wyl ever trust your word, til I be so sure of the contrary. Right wel am I persuaded that your greatest daunger shuld chanche you by crossing your strait pathes, for he that hathe two stringes to his bowe may shoute stronger, but never strait; and he that hathe no sure foundation cannot but ruine. God kipe you ever therefor in your wel-begone pathe. I have sent you this gentleman, as wel to declare my good agrement to send some finischars of our leage, as other matters wiche he hathe to communicate unto you, if hit please you to heare him; as my desiar of answering your good frindeship and amitie in as ample sort as with honor I may, as one that never seakes more of you than that wiche shal be best for your selfe. Assure your selfe of me, therfor, and shewe by dides ever to mantaine hit, and never was ther in christendome betwine two princes surar amitie nor soundar dealing. I vowe hit, and wil performe hit. And for that you speake oft of satisfaction, I haue much vrged, as now againe I do, to knowe what therby is ment, sins I bothe mynde, and also do, whatsoever may honorably be required of suche as I profes myselfe; and therfor, I require you therin to answer me. And so, trusting that all your protestations lately made me by Cary shalbe readely performed, togither with your constant resolute cours of late professed, I end to molest you longar, but, with my thankes to God that any your offendars be entred to your hands, and not the les not having bine done without some of our helpe, whiche glads me no les than [{if it had{] happened to our selfe, whose forse shal never faile you in all leaful causes: as knoweth God,

who euer bles you from all malignant spiritz, and increas your happy yeres. Your most assurest sistar and cousin, Elizabeth R. [\ADDRESSED,\] To our right deere brother, the king of Scotland.

[} [\NO. XXXI. ELIZABETH TO JAMES.\] }] [\August, 1588.\]

Now may appeare, my deare brother, how malice conioined with might strivest to make a shameful end to a vilanous beginning, for, by Godz singular fauor, having ther flete wel-beaten in our narow seas, and pressing, with all violence, to atcheue some watering place, to continue ther pretended invation, the windz have carried them to your costes, wher I dout not the shal receaue smal succor and les welcome; vnles thos lordz that, so traitors like, wold belie ther owne prince, and promis another king reliefe in your name, be suffred to live at libertye, to dishonor you, peril you, and aduance some other (wiche God forbid you suffer them live to do). Therfor I send you this gentilman, a rare younge man and a wise, to declare unto yov my ful opinion in this greate cause, as one that neuer wyl abuse you to serve my owne turne; nor wyl you do aught that myselfe wold not perfourme if I wer in your place. You may assure yourselfe that, for my part, I dout no whit but that all this tirannical prowd and brainsick attempt wil be the beginning, thogh not the end, of the ruine of that king, that, most unkingly, euen in midz of treating peace, begins this wrongful war. He hathe procured my greatest glory that ment my sorest wrack, and hathe so dimmed the light of his svnshine, that who hathe a wyl to obtaine shame let them kipe his forses companye. But for al this, for yourselfe sake, let not the frendz of Spain be suffred to yeld them forse; for thogh I feare not in the end the sequele, yet if, by leaving them unhelped, you may increase the Englisch hartz unto you, you shal not do the worst dede for your behalfe; for if aught shuld be done, your excuse wyl play the (\boiteux\) ; if you make not sure worke with the likely men to do hit. Looke wel unto hit, I besiche you. The necessity of this matter makes my skribling the more spidye,

hoping that you wyl mesure my good affection with the right balance of my actions, wiche to you shalbe euer suche as I haue professed, not douting of the reciproque of your behalfe, according as my last messengier unto you hathe at large signefied, for the wiche I rendar you a milion of grateful thankes togither, for the last general prohibition to your subiectz not to fostar nor ayde our general foe, of wiche I dout not the obseruation if the ringeleaders be safe in your handz; as knoweth God, who euer haue you in his blessed kiping, with many happy yeres of raigne. Your most assured louing sistar and cousin, Elizabeth R. To my verey good brother the king of Scottz.

[} [\NO. XXXIII. ELIZABETH TO JAMES.\] }] [\September, 1589.\]

As no tidinges, my most deare brother, can euer come out of season to me that may brede you honor or contentement, so this last newes, thogh soudaine, of the aproching neare of your coming quene, bids me so muche to bode you all the best blessings that the mighty God can send you, as in witnis therof to salute you bothe with an embassader, and some tokens, for signe of the happinis I wische that feast, and the gladnis my hart shuld haue receued if hit wer as lawfull to honor hit with my presence as hit is sure that I bles hit with my orasonns. And for that the spide of suche a bargen was far greatar than the expectation of her arrivall, you wyll, I trust, blame yourselfe, and impute no neglect to me, that my messangers come after the solempnites; for I assure you, but for my honor sake, my wyl wold haue hied ther post with smaller company than fitz my place. And in meane while, let hit content you to giue me so muche right as to assure yourselfe no witnis ther of so princely a pact shall wische hit more succes, nor greatar lasting joy, than myselfe, that wischeth sign king no longar while than to see the perfourmance of suche alliance, hauinge besides yourself, wiche is the principall, an inward zele, wiche, sins my childhold, I haue borne to the parentes of your honorable quene, to whome I desiar all felicitie, and neuer shal skrape from my memorye the intire loue the bare me; as knoweth God, who euer bles you and gide you. Your most assured loving sistar and cousin, Elizabeth R. [\ADDRESSED,\] To my deare brother the king of Skotes.

[} [\NO. XXXIV. ELIZABETH TO JAMES.\] }] [\1590.\] Althogh my faithe stands me, my deare brother, in so good stede, as, without assurance by any one [{but{] your owne hand-worke, I do beliue that God hathe, of his goodnes more than your hide, prosperd to good end your vntimely and, if I dare tel truthe, ivel-seasoned journey, yet I may no longar, thogh my courage could stay me til you first began, that best hathe cause to acknowelege thankfulnes, stay but let you knowe, what humble sacrifice of thankes I yeld to the Omnipotent for your safest stop for al your hard cours, and am so bold to chalenge some part of that seurty to my heartiest oraisons powred out of no fained lippes, wiche best is pleasing to his eares. And do beseche the same to send you, in this noble-raced linage, suche lasting joy as the continuance may yeld you bothe happy. And now to talke with you frely as paper may vttar conceit. Eccept my howrely care for your broken countrey, to to muche infected with the maladie of strangers humors, and to receue no medecin so wel compounded as if the owner make the mixture appropriatted to the qualetye of the siknes. Knowe you, my deare brother, for certaine,

that thos ulcers that wer to muche skined with the doulcenes of your applications wer but falsly shaded, and wer within filled with suche venom as hathe burst out sins your departure with most lewd offers to another king to enter your land, with declaration of ther assured perfourmance of ther by-passed helpes, and numbars great to take ether part. If with my yees I had not vewed thes treasons, I would be aschamed to write them you. And shal I tel you my thoght herein? I assure you, you ar wel worthy of suche traitors, that, whan you knewe them, and had them, you betraied your owne seurty in fauoring ther liues. Good Lord! who but yourself wold haue left suche peple to be abel to do you wrong. Giue ordar with spide that suche skape not your correction, and hie your retourne, that is more your honor than a other mans land, without you mynde to make you seme innocent of your realmes ruine, whan absence wil sarue but for your bad excuse. Sild recouvers kings ther dominion whan greattar posses hit, yea, suche as ther owne skars may indure for ther tirany. My deare brother, you see how fur my intire care drawes me out of the limites that anothers affaires shuld plucke me to, but all suche error I hope you wyl impute to affection, not my curiositie, and beare with ouerplaine imputation, sins hit springs of so good a roote. I craue of you, for your owne best, to authorize, yea, animate, your faithfulst and giltles of this conspiratie, that the feare not to apprehend in time (I pray God not to late), all suche as any way the may suspect or knowe to be pertakers of this faction. Beliue no more to dandel such babies, as may, or they come to honestie, shake your chaire, for you haue had to sowre experience what suche vane opinions hath bred you. I wyl not faile, from time to other, to warne suche as I may thinke most clere of this infection of all my knowelege in this dangerous season, daring so muche in your absence as to animat them not to lingar this great mattar til your retourne, for I knowe that wer to late; the dayes that the haue giuen ar shortar than to expect so longe. If my prayers wer not more than my good [{writing{] , I shuld be sory to retaine your yees on so rude skribling, wherfor I

end, with my incessant prayers to God for your safe kiping and ioyful retourne. Your most affectionat lovinge sistar and cousin, Elizabeth R. [\ADDRESSED,\] To my deere brother and cousin the king of Scotland. After the finisching of my lettar, ther came to my handz an overtur that makes me suppose hit could not, nor durst not, haue bine offerd me without your consent, albeit for hit I nether saw your commission nor receued from you one word therof, but for al that, hit makes me see that your sight serues you not alone for present vewe, but makes you to beholde the state of distant countries wiche do fele the smart of my vndeserued hate, and makes the innocent bloud cal for reuenge of euel-framed iniuries. And thogh my conscience cannot accuse my thoghts to haue by any cause procured suche an ennemy, and that he hathe to plainlye soght my life and kingdome, yet, I think myselfe obliged to you that wold make end of so uniust a war, and acknowelege the ded king of famous memorie more happy in suche faithful councelars than I see many kings in ther liuing seruantz. And for that they offer me, I wyl euer cronicle them amonge the iust fulfillars of true trust. And albeit my wrongs be suche as nature of a king aught rather, for ther particular, dye than not reuenge, yet the top of my courage shal neuer ouerstreche my hart from care of christian bloud, and for that alone, no feare of him, I protest to God, from whom bothe iust quarel, faithful subjectz, and valiant acts I dout not wil defend: yet, am I thus content that you shal folowe the wel-deuised methode, and if he wyl giue playne grant without a gileful meaning, I wil make knowen that in me the lack of so good a worke shal neuer be found.

[} [\NO. XXXV. ELIZABETH TO JAMES.\] }] [\May 1590.\] The strife is great, my deare brother, wiche shuld win, ether the care of your perilous journey or the joy of your safe retourne, but, leuing them in ther batail, I assure you I can scars giue a tru verdit who is the victorar, but only this I dare say, that no one that liveth thankes God more deuoutly for al your eskapes, nor is more joyful of your sure arrivall than myself, who could not stay but salute you, togither with your honorable espouse, and by this ambassade make you know how grateful suche newes wer to me, besichen God to bles you withe suche benedictions as he bestoith with largist giftes, and make your contentementz long and prosperous. And now that you bied wher yourself, I doubt not, wyl haue an accownt of what in your absence hathe bine ordred, I hope you wyl not be careles of suche practisis as hathe passed from any of yours without your commission, spetially suche attemptz as might ruin your realme and danger you. If any respect whatever make you neglect so expedient a worke, I am affraid your careles hide wil worke your unlooked danger. Thinke not but I knowe how some had the vewe of my lettars, in wiche you did your selfe les honor than to me harme, and yet you see hit warnes me not ynough from againe to ventur the like hap. But as no hate to any of them (God I cal to witnis) procured me hireto, so only care of your sure gouuernement hathe made me deale this far, and, if I see al admonition so uaine, I wil hireafter wische al wel, but counsel no more at all. I can not

forget to reiterat my thankes for suche your offars as hit pleased you by justice-clarke to make me, and as I shal hire more therof from you I shal concur with you in so holy an action. And thus I end troubling you with my skribling, with my prayers to the Almighty for al prosperitie in your dayes. Your most affectionat sistar and cousin, Elizabeth R. [\ADDRESSED,\] To our deere and loving brother the king of Scotland.

[} [\NO. XXXVII. ELIZABETH TO JAMES.\] }] [\6th July, 1590.\] Greatar promises, more affection, and grauntz of more acknowelegings of receued good turnes, my deare brother, none can bettar remember than this gentilman by your charge hathe made me understand; wherby I thinke all my endeuors wel recompensed, that see them so wel acknoweleged; and do trust that my counseles, if the so muche content you, wil serue for memorialz to turne your actions to serue the turne of your safe gouernement, and make the lookars-on honor your worthe, and reuerence suche a rular. And lest fayre semblance, that easely may begile, do not brede your ignorance of suche persons as ether pretend religion or dissemble deuotion, let me warne you that ther is risen, bothe in your realme and myne, a secte of perilous consequence, suche as wold haue no kings but a presbitrye, and take our place while the inioy our privilege, with a shade of Godes word, wiche non is juged to folow right without by ther censure the be so demed. Yea, looke we wel unto them. Whan the haue made in our peoples hartz a doubt of our religion, and that we erre if the say so, what perilous

issue this may make I rather thinke than mynde to write. (\Sapienti pauca.\) I pray you stap the mouthes, or make shortar the toungz, of suche ministars as dare presume to make oraison in ther pulpitz for the persecuted in Ingland for the gospel. Suppose you, my deare brother, that I can tollerat suche scandalz of my sincere gouuernement? No. I hope, howsoeuer you be pleased to beare with ther audacitie towards your selfe, yet you wil not suffar a strange king receaue that indignitie at suche caterpilars hand, that, instede of fruit, I am affraid wil stuf your realme with venom. Of this I haue particularisd more to this bearar, togither with other answers to his charge, besiching you to heare them, and not to giue more harbor-rome to vacabond traitors and seditious inventors, but to returne them to me, or banische them your land. And thus, with my many thankes for your honorable intertainementz of my late embassade, I commit you to God, who euer preserue you com al iuel counsel, and send you grace to folow the best. Your most assured loving sistar and cousin, Elizabeth R. [\ADDRESSED,\] To my deere brother, the king of Scotland.

[} [\NO. XXXVIII. ELIZABETH TO JAMES.\] }] [\April 1591.\]

My deare brother, As ther is naught that bredes more for-thinking repentance and agrived thoughtes than good turnes to harme the giuers ayde, so hathe no bonde euer tied more honorable mynds, than the shewes of any acquital by grateful acknowelegement in plain actions; for wordes be leues and dides the fruites. Wiche I may not forget to remember in your present fact, granted so frely, in deliuering up my lewde rebel, whose person and forse, thogh nether be aught worthe, as who, for his greatnes, being a base varlet, drawes few for sequel, nor his birthe so great as a meanar than a prince nides feare, yet I wold haue bine agrived that so lewde a mynd shuld haue found fauor in so deare a brothers dominion, and do assure you, that I wil lay this part in the safest cornar of my memorye, to serue me for example of a like acquital, if suche ivel accident shuld happen you. And in meane while, thanke myselfe, not you alone, that haue made so good a choise of so sounde an election upon whom to spend the chifest care of my endeuors, as I hope you haue hiretofore tried, and this may make increase. The two gentilmen, I trust, shal receaue your thanke for perfourming so wel ther charge, wiche, I beseche you for my sake, the may receaue; not a litel wondring why your subiectz of Glasco shuld doute the stop of ther trafique for so poore a caytife, who was neuer of abilitie to make or giue trafique. The ar sorely misinfourmed of his greatnes. A few sort of outlawes fils up his traine, and of the meanest sort. I trust you wyl make them knowe your faithful ministars must not be niknamed "the English feade men."

I protest I haue no suche in your realme, for, if the principal faile me, I shal neuer care for (\adiacentia\) . I rendar for this my most loving and deare thankes, acknoweleging the kinnes more than the act, and bothe so honorable as shal neuer be blotted out of my thankefulst mynde, adding therto the sincere ordar giuen for our bordars matters; tokens sufficient to shewe your grateful hart and princely mynd, wiche I meane to requite and acknowlege, as knoweth the liuing God, who I am sure wyl make your subiectz the surar that you abhor anothers traitors. Among wiche, I must not forget your most kind vsage in the answer that my arche-rebel, Westmarland, shal receue from you, wiche shal serue him, and all suche, to knowe that ther neuer shal remane with you ether helpe or hap for suche wicked members of a kingly rule. This shal retourne to you with triple fold of good regard amonge your owne, if the see your justice to anothers traitor, yea to suche a one as made me knowe a traitor in my land. I wyl end to troble your yees with my skribling, but neuer end to care for you and yours as for my owne. God euer bles you, and make you kipe your regal authoritie, and make yours knowe you. Your most assured loving sistar and cousin, Elizabeth R. [\ADDRESSED,\] To my verey good brother, the king of Scotz. d. d.

[} [\NO. XLI. ELIZABETH TO JAMES.\] }] [\January 1591-2.\]

My deare brother, Thogh the heringe of your most daungerous peril be that thing that I most reuerently rendar my most lowly thankes to God that you, by his mighty hand, hath skaped, yet hathe hit bine no other hazard than suche as bothe hathe bine forsien and fortold; but Cassandra was neuer credited til the mishap had rather chanched than was prevented. The poore man who, against his wyl, was intercepted with all suche epistelz as traitors sent and receved, was for reward put to the bootes; so litel was any thing regarded that procided from your best frind, and yet the matter made to aparant, or many days after, throw the traiterous assembly of your euidant rebelz, that with banner displaied and again you in the fild. Thes wer the calendes of this late attempt. I knowe not what to write, so litel do I like to loose labor in vaine; for if I saw counsel auaill, or aught pursued in due time or season, I shuld thinke my time fortunatly spent to make you reape the due fruit of right oportunitie; but I see you haue no luk to helpe your state, nor to assure you from treasons leasur. You giue to muche respit to rid your harme and shorten others hast. Wel, I wyl pray for you, that God wyl unseal your yees, that to long haue bin shut, and do require you thinke that none shal more joy therat than myselfe, that most I am sure grives the contrary. Aston hathe told me some of your request, to wiche I haue made so reasonable answer as in reason may wel content. Praying God to defend you from all mishap or treason, Your most assured loving sistar and cousin, Elizabeth R. [\ADDRESSED,\] To my right deare brother the king of Skotz. d. d.

[} [\NO. XLII. ELIZABETH TO JAMES.\] }] [\January 1592-3.\] My most deare brother, Wondars and marvelles do so assaill my conceatz, as that the long expecting of your nideful answer to matters of suche waight as my late lettars caried nides not seame strange. Thogh I knowe the aught be more regardid, and spidely performed, yet suche I see the emminent danger and wel-ny ready approche of your states ruin, your liues peril, and naighbors wrong, as I may not (to kipe you company) neglect what I shuld, thogh you forget that you aught. I am sory I am driuen from warninge to heed, and from to muche trust to seake a tru way how your dides, not your wordz, may make me assurance that you be no way gilty

of your owne decay and other danger. Receue, therfor, in short, what cours I mynd to hold, and how you may make bold of my unfained loue and euer constant regard. You knowe, my deare brother, that, sins you first brethed, I regarded alwais to conserue hit as my womb hit had bine you bare. Yea, I withstode the handz and helps of a mighty king to make you safe, iven gained by the bloud of many my deare subiectz liues. I made myself the bulwark bitwixt you and your harmes whan many a wyle was invented to stele you from your land, and making other posses your soile. Whan your best holdz wer in my handz, did I retaine them? Nay, I bothe conserved them and rendred them to you. Could I indure (thogh to my great expence) that forennars shuld haue foteing in your kingdome, albeit ther was than some lawfull semblance to make other suppose (that cared not as I did) that ther was no danger ment? No. I neuer left til all the Frenche that kept ther life parted from your soile, and so hit pleased the Hiest to bles me in that action, as you haue euer sins raigned void of other nation than your owne. Now, to preserue this, you haue overslipt so many soundry and dangerous attemps, in nether uniting with them whan you knewe them, nor cutting them of whan you had them, that if you hast no bettar now than hiretofor, hit wyl be to late to helpe whan non shal avale you. Let me remember you how wel I was thanked, or he rewarded, that ons broght all the lettars of all thos wicked conspirators of the Spanische faction, even the selfe same that yet stil you haue, to your eminent peril, conserued in ther estates. Was I not so muche douted as hit was thoght an Italian invention to make you holde me dearer, and contrived of malice, not don by cause; and, in that respect, the poore man, that knewe no other of his taking but as if thiues had assailed him, he most cruelly soufert so giltles a marterdome as his tormentors douted his life; so sore had he the bootes, whan the wer ivelworthy life that bade hit. See what good incouragement I receved for many wacheful cares for your best safty! Wel, did this so discomfort my good wyl as, for al this, did I not euer serue for your true espiall, iven whan you left your land and yours ready, wel-ny,

to receaue suche foraine forsis as the required and wer promised; wiche, if you had pleased to knowe, was and is to evident to be proved. But what of all this, if he who most aught, did naught to assure him, or to requite them? Now, of late, by a fortunate good hap, a lewd felowe hathe bine apprehended with lettars and instructions. I pray God he be so wel handeled as he may confes all his knowlege in the Spanische conspiracie, and that you use not this man as slightly as you don the ringeleaders of this treason. I vowe, if you do not rake hit to the botome, you wyl verefie what many a wise man hathe (vewing your procidings) judged of your gilttines of your owne wrack; with a wining, that the wyl you no harme in inabling you with so riche a protector, that wyl prove, in the ende, a destroiar. I haue beheld, of late, a strange, dishonorable, and dangerous pardon, wiche if hit be true, you haue not only neglected yourselfe but wronged me, that haue to muche procured your good to be so ivelguerdoned with suche a wrong, as to haue a fre forgiuenes of aught conspired against my person and estat. Suppose you, my deare brother, that thes be not rather enseignes of an enemy than the tast of a frinde? I require, therfor, to al this, a resolute answer, wiche I chalenge of right, that may be dides, bothe by spidy apprehension with bisy regard, and not in sort as publik rumor may precede present action, but rather that the be intrapped or the do looke therfor; for I may make deme you wold not haue [{them{] taken, and what wyl folowe than, you shal see whan lest you looke. Think me, I pray you, not ignorant what becometh a king to do, and that wyl I never omit; praying you to trust Bowes in the rest as myselfe. I am ashamed that so disordard coursis makes my pen excide a lettar, and so drives me to molest your yees with my to long skribling, and therfor end, with my ernest prayers to God that he wyl inspire you to do, in best time, al for your best. Your loving affectionat sistar, Elizabeth R. [\ADDRESSED,\] For our deare brother the king of Scotland.

[} [\NO. XLVII. ELIZABETH TO JAMES.\] }] [\May 1593.\] No sample bettar triar of truthe, my deare beloued brother, than whan dides dothe give a right sequel to wordes precedant, the report of wiche profe sins your actions make me, iven in the last just handeling of that wicked traitor Westmerland, whom many benefitz of life and lande, besides all other kind and louinge traictmentz, could neuer let but he wold nides make his name the first traitor that euer my raigne had; to whom, nether cause, nor iniury, nor pouerty, nor il vsage, gaue euer shadowe of mene to moue suche a thoght, but wer hit not that he liueth by my meanes (whom many wold, for the horror of his fact, or now haue dispached), (\securus propter contemptum\) , els hit had not bine possible for him to haue liued to this howre; but I dout not but your answer to his treasonable lettar wyl make him, and suche like, knowe that you not only hate the treason, but do owe as muche to the traitor; and, I assure you, I wil neuer suffer that this fact of yours shal retourne void, but wil euer recompence you withe the like, with my million of thankes for suche kinglike part. And, now, I heare that some nobleman hath bine accused of so

horrible a crime as my hart rues to remember. For Godz loue, look throw no spectacles to your owne safety. Your yees be younge, you nideth not haue a clere sight in your so nye a cause, and let your counseil see that you wyl not easely be begiled in making to smal regard of that wiche toucheth life - yea, of a king! For overgreat audacitie wyl brede, to a mynde that may be sone perswaded that all is wel, to do the boldlar a wicked act. Hard is the skul that may serue in place of suche a danger, nay hit may bride hit to neglect hit. You haue had many treasons wiche to tendarly you haue wrapt vp. I pray God the cindars of suche a fire bride not one day your ruine. God is witnes I malice none, but for your seurty is only the care of my writing. I desiar no bloude, but God saue yours. Only this my long experience teacheth me; whan a king neglectes himself, who wyl make them enemis for him? Let this serve you for a (\caveat\) . You wil beare with the fault that affection commiteth, and use the profit to your best good. For wiche I wyl euer pray to God, who long defend you from al treachery. Your most assured loving sistar and cousin, Elizabeth R. While Bodewel is in this case, give ordar, I beseche you, that the ordars so wel begone may be perfourmed, and so continued, and that no man haue rule ther that taketh not to hart the quiet of bothe realmes. [\ADDRESSED,\] To my deare brother the king of Skotz.

[} [\NO. LI. ELIZABETH TO JAMES.\] }] [\October 1593.\] My deare brother, If the variablenis of Skottis affayres had not invred me with to olde a custom, I shuld neuer leue wondring at suche strange and vncought actions, but I haue so oft with careful yees foresine the ivel-comming harmes, and with my watche for-met

with chifest attemptz, and see them ether not belived or not redrest, that I wex faint vndar suche burdain, and wery of fruictles labour. One while, I receue a wright of obliuion and forgiuenes, than a revocation, with new additions of latelar consideration; sometimes, some you cal traitors with proclame, and anone, ther must be no profe allowed, thogh neuer so apparent, against them. Yea, if one lewd aduocat, perchance hired for the nonest, dar pronounce a sentence for them, thogh one of like state denye the same, his word must not take place. Hit semes a paradoxe to me, that, if of two plaidars one be for the king, the equal number shal not serue for a king. I muse how any so lewd a man hathe bine chosen for suche a place, as durst come in open vew pleade against his mastar. Ther office is, as to do right so do the soueraine no wronge. If he had douted, as no honest man could, he ought bine absent rather than ther to play so vnfitting a part, thogh secretly he had told hit you. He is happy he is no Englis man. You shuld haue hard other newes of him than. Old Meluin, I perceaue, hathe told you a pece of a tale and left out the principal. My wordes wer thes: "I heare say the offending lordz hopes by ther frindz to skape ther paine; I suppose your king to wise to be so unmindful of his peril to suffar vnprosecuted suche as wold tral ther country to strangers curtesy, hauing knowen hit so plain and so long, for this is not ther first offence. But if his powre serued not to apprehend, yet to condempne I douted not, for if euer he wold pardon them, wiche I could hardly counseil, yet I could not thinke without some obligation to some other prince, that, for ther request, he wold do hit." Now to this great cause that toucheth us bothe so muche. First, considar of what profession the be; next, to whom the haue made vowe for religion, the wiche I call christian treason, under what cloke so neuer. I haue oft told you I was neuer horsleche for bloude, but rather than your ouer-trust shuld peril the creditor, I wold wische them ther worst desart. Than how to credit that so oft hathe deceued? My braines be to shalow to fadom that botome. How hardly

remedies be aplied to helpe inveteratid maladies! I haue small skil of suche surgery. In fine, I see nether jugement, counseil, nor sure affection in so betrayinge advis as to giue your selfe suche a lasche that the shal be bothe vncondemned and saued. What thanke may the giue your marcy whan no crime is tried? What bond shal tye ther profert loyalty if no precedent offencis past be acknoweleged by confession? Shal the leue to adhere to that party wiche the neuer made? Or what othe shal be sure to suche as ther profession skars thinkes lawful for a trust? I vowe to the liuinge Lord, that no malice to any, nor turbulent spirit, but your tru seurty and realmes fredom, inforseth my so plain discours, wiche cannot omit that ther be left so great a blot to your honor as the receuing them uncondemned to your grace. And for Bodwel, Jesus! did euer any muse more than I, that you could so quietly put up so temerous, indigne, a fact, and yet by your hand receving assurance that all was pardoned and finisched. I refer me to my owne lettar what dome I gaue therof. And now to heare al reuoked, and ether skanted or denied, and the wheele to turne to as il a spouke. I can say, bad is the best, but yet of iuelz the lest is [{to{] be taken. And if I wer in your place, I wold, or he departed, make him try himself no sutar for ther fauor whos persons let him persecute, so shal you best knowe him, for ther be liars if depely the have not sought him or now. But that I way most is the smal regard that your sure party may make [{of{] you, whan the see you adhere to your owne foes, habandoning the others seruise. I feare me the fame blowes to fur that you wyl not pursue the side of wiche you be, what so your wordes do sound. And this conceat may brede, if not already, more unsound hartz than al the paching of thes bad matters can worke you pleasure. You ar supposed (I must be plain, for dissemble I wyl not,) to haue receued this heretical opinion, that foreign forse shal strengthen you, not indanger you, and that al thes lordes seake your greatnes not your decay. O, how wicked sirenes songes! wiche, in first shewe, pleas; in ende, ruines and destroies. Wax ynough of Godz raison befal

you to resist so distroing aduis, and be so wel lightned as not so dark a clowde may dim you from the sight of your best good, wiche cannot be more shunned than by the not yelding to so betrainge deceat; from the wiche I wil incessantly pray for your deliuerance. Wisching you many days of raigne, and long. Your most assured sistar, Elizabeth R. [\ADDRESSED,\] To my good brother the king of Scotland.

[} [\NO. LV. ELIZABETH TO JAMES.\] }] [\May 1594.\] Thogh by the effectz, I sild see, my good brother, that euer my aduisis be folowed, yet you haue whitsafed to giue them the reding I wel understand, having made some of them the theme of your last, thogh, God knowes, applied fur awry from ther true sence or right desart; for if I bin in abuse, I claime you the author of my deceat, in beliving more good than the sequele hathe told me. For I haue great wronge if you suppose that any perswation from whomsoeuer can make me haue one iuel opinion of your actions, if themselues be not the cause. I confes that diuers be the affections of many men, some to one, some to another, but my rule of trust shal neuer faile me,

whan it is grounded, not on the sandes of euery mans humor, but on the stedy rock of approued fact. I shuld condemne my wicked disposition to founde any amytie promised upon so tikel ground that others hate might breake the boundz of my loue, and upon others jugementz to bild my confidence. For Bodwelz bold and unruly entrance into my bordars, I am so fur from gilt of suche a faulte, as I protest if I had receaued an answer, in seuentene wekes space, of my lettar that contained his offer to reveale unto you the treason of the lordz with forennars, I could sone haue banished him from thens; and next, he came with your owne hand to warant that no offence was imputed, wiche made the borderars readiar to receaue him; but after I had not left unpunist some of his receatars, I could not haue beliued the durst haue procurid the pane due for suche desart, and minde to make them affraid to ventur suche a crime agane; and if ordar giuen now to all the wardens do not suffice, I vowe ther bodies and pursis shal wel suffar therfor. I wil not troble you with recital of what this gentilman hathe hard in all the other pointz, but this toucheth me so nere as I must answer, that my desartz to you haue bine so sincere as shal neuer nide a threte of hel to her that hathe euer procured your blis. And, that you may knowe I am that prince that neuer can indure a menace at my ennemys hand, muche les of one so dearly traictid, I wyl giue you this bond, that affection and kind traictement shal euer preuaile, but feare or doute shal neuer procure aught from me; and do advowe, that if you do aught by forainers, wiche I knowe in ende worst for yourselfe and country, hit shal be the worst aide that euer king had, and I feare may make me do more than you wyl cal back in haste. Deare brother, use suche a frende, therfor, as she is worthe and giue her euer cause to remaine suche a one, as her affection hathe euer merited, whos raschenes is no suche as neglect ther owne so nere if the wil not forgo ther best and shun ther owne mishaps, whom non can at my hand procure but your owne factz. Thus, hoping that this bearar wyl tel you my faithful mening and sincere

professions, with al the rest that I haue committed to him, I leue this skribling, besiching God euer more to preserue you. Your most affectionate sistar and cousin, Elizabeth R. [\ADDRESSED,\] To our good brother the king of Skotts.

[} [\NO. LVII. ELIZABETH TO JAMES.\] }] [\October 1594.\] My most deare brother, Thogh I wold haue wisched that your sound counsels oft-giuen you, and my many lettars intercepted wiche made to plain a shewe of that hye treason that to late you beliued, might haue prevented your ouer great peril and to muche hazarde, yet I rejoys with who is most gladlist, that at lengh (thogh I confes almost to late) hit pleseth you so kingly and valiantly to resist with your parson ther (\oulter-cuidant\) malignant attempt, in wiche you haue honord your selfe, reioysed your frends, and confound, I hope, your proud rebelz. You may see, my deare brother, what danger it bredes a king to glorifie to hie and to soudanly a boy of

yeres and counduict, whos untimely age for discretion bredes rasche consent to undesent actions. Suche speke or the way, and attempt or the considar. The waight of a kingly state is of more poix than the shalownis of a rasche yonge mans hed can waigh, therfor I trust that the causeles zele that you haue borne the hed of this presumption shal rather cary you to extirpe so ingratius a roote, in finding so sowre fruite to springe of your many fauors ivel-acquited, rather than to suffer your goodnis to be abused with his many skusis for coulors of his good menings. Though at the first your carire was not the best, yet I hope your stop will crowne all. If you now do not cut of clerely any future hope to your nobilitie, through this example, neuer to combine with forenars, or compact amonge themselues to your danger, I wowe to God you wyl neuer posses your dignitie long. Wedes in fildes, if the be suffred, wil quickly ouergrowe the corne, but subiectz, being dandeled, wil make ther owne raignes, and for-let an other raigne. My affection to your surty bredes my plannes, wiche I dout not but by your sower experience you wil fully beliue hireafter, hauing so lately proued the sincerite of my dealings. God so prosper me in my affaires as I maligne none of your subiectz, nor euer wold exaggerat any matter but for your seurty, whom I mind to take euer as great a care of as if only the interest of my life and person consisted theron. This gentelman, the lord of Wemes, I find a most careful subiect of his prince, and one most curius to atcheue as muche as you committed to him, in wiche I dout not but I haue satisfied you in honor, as time and comoditie serue, with wiche I wil not molest you more than refer me to his declaration, with this only, that no one answer to al but procideth from a most parfaict good affection toward you, and so I desire, with most affection, that you interprete hit. I must not omit, for conscience sake, to speke a few wordz of the mastar of Gray, with whom I haue had long discours, in wiche I find him the most gridiest to do you acceptable seruise that I haue euer hard any, and dothe lay none of his disgracis, banismentz, nor los, in any part to you, but only to perswations of suche as ment his ruine,

and hopes, with his good indeuors, to merite your formar grace; and for my owne [{part{] , I am nothing partiall to him for his particular, but this I must confes, being as honest as he is sufficient, I thinke your realme possesseth not his secound. I nowe speake upon my knowelege, therfor lose not so good an instrument for your affaires, if you knowe no more against him than I can lerne. You will pardon my audacious writing, as one whos yeres teacheth more than her wit, neuer ceasing to lift up my handes and hart with deuout [{prayers{] for your most prosperous safe and sure succes in this voiage, for which I haue sent you but to pay for hors-mete. Your most affectionat louing sistar and cousin, Elizabeth R. [\ADDRESSED,\] To my deere brother the king of Scotland.

[} [\NO. LIX. ELIZABETH TO JAMES.\] }] [\January or February 1595-6.\] My deare brother, If the wracked state, and wel-ny ruined, of this poore gentylman, through the faitheles trust of desceving servantz, in looking every wike of the ending of his troubles, [{had not occasioned me to delay,{] I could not haue left my pen so long dry, but wold haue fild hit to you with matter ful of truthe, and memorialz of my cares, wiche neuer ar at rest for your best avail, and ment to warne you of suche occurrance as other nations afourd me; spetially, suche as might touche the safty of our countryes, and honors of ourselves. Althogh I do not dout, as now I do perceaue, that you shuld think them now overstale for newes, being by good espialz not made ignorant of our ennemis driftz, whos skope haue ther boundz while ether liues in raigne, but the ever-guidar of best actions, and readiest ruinar of wicked actes, wyl, I doute not, coule ther heat, abate ther pride, and confounde ther forse. I am not suche a wekely, nor

of so base a courage, that euer I mene breake one slombar for ther malice, nor ons dreame of ther victoiri, whos ground-worke is of so slippar foundation that the hold of suche edefice wyl be overturnd with his owne gilt. I may not deny but Epimetheus is no companion for a king. With Prometheus, therfor, I mynd to folowe that after wische condemne not for iugement, and therafter prepare suche menes and power, that, I feare not, shal be so marshald as shal make us no skorne to the world, nor delite to our foes; in some suche sort as I here you haue begone; whos praise, if I shuld not lessene in praising, I could more delate, but this muche I must tel you, that I cannot imagin how you could by any more glorious menes set out your care for your land, your loue to your neigbors, your hate to suche wrongeful invadars, than with your pen and charge to your subiectz you haue utterd, in wordz of suche effect and matter, of suche waight, as, in honest dimars, hit may mar the facon [^A CEDILLA ON THE C IN THE PREVIOUS WORD^] of diuelische machines, and crase the hartz of treason-mynding men. In me, hit hathe set a deape impression of a cousin-like zele, that myxith not his los with her decay, and joyeth not that she shuld perische first, in hope of bettar fare; wiche, as hit is euer unsure, so sild is hit not a winde-shaked blast. But your so spedy care for thretes, that the may not arive to dedes, doth assure me that the shal haue no just cause that shuld make suche a skruple. Receve, therfor, deare brother, bothe my censare and my thankes therfor, as she that wyl not suffar you to go one fote beyond her in busy inquiring and narow serching what fitteth best for my counsel, or my warning for that may conserne your safety or estate, as I haue charged this my embassador to tel you more at length, as time and cause shal invite me, not omitting to beseche you, that as I knowe him most obsequious in aught that may conserne you, so hit wyl please you to shadow him with your grace against the spiritz of suche as may fortune envie him but shal never mache him. Thus I end my tedious skribling, wiche you wil the rather pardon for to recompence the

long space that my writing hathe not spoken with you, praying the euer-liuing God euer to preserue you from sinistar counsel, and al good elz may euer befal you may prosper. Your most affectionat sistar and cousin, Elizabeth R.