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ORIGINAL LETTERS,

ILLUSTRATIVE OP

ENGLISH HISTORY

INCLUDING

NUMEROUS ROYAL LETTERS :

FROM AUT0GBAPH8
IN THE BRITISH MUSEUM, THE STATE PAPER OFFICE,

AND ONE OR TWO OTHER COLLECTIONS.

WITH NOTES AND ILLUSTRATIONS

BT

SIR HENRY ELLIS, K.H. F.R. S. Sec. S. A.

PRINCIPAL LIBRARIAN OF THE BRITISH MUSEUM.

THIRD SERIES.
VOL. III.

•• •\t : • ••• :•• •• • • ••*

.• •'. :.• :.. : :.;

LONDON:
RICHARD BENTLEY, NEW BURLINGTON STREET,

MDCCCXLVL

• v1

258996

*. '•''*"

•• • ••
:.\ : • •

LONDON :

Printed by 8. & J. Bkntlby, Wilson, and Flv.y,

Bangor House, Siioe Lane

CONTENTS.

VOL. III.

LETTER PAGE

ccLYii. Richard Croke to Lord Cromwell; that he had
preached three score SermoDs in favour of the
King's Supremacy, with a List of the places

where they had been preached 3

ccLvni. Abbot Whiting to Cromwell, who had asked for
Mr. Maurice Berkeley to have the appointments
of Master of the Game, and of the Office of
Keeper, with the herbage and pannage of the
Park of Northwode 6

ccux. Ralph Sadler to Secretary Cromwell. The King
determines that no Hearse shall be set up in St.
Paul's, for the Princess Dowager. Letters
stamped. Difficulty in getting the King to sign
bills 8

CCLX. Margaret Vernon, late Prioress of Little Marlow,
io Secretary Cromwell, to aid in providing her
with a subsistence 10

ccLxi. Lee, Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry, and Sir
Thomas Englefield, to Secretary Cromwell, up-
on the extirpation of certain Outlaws from
Wales 13

CCLXII. Henry Lord Stafford to Lord Cromwell. The
Nunnery of " White Ladies." Asks for a grant
of the Priory of Runton 16

ccLXiii. Sir Simon Harcourt to Secretary Cromwell, asking
either for the continuance in its condition, or the
grant in fee-farm of Runton Priory in Stafford-
shire 17

CONTENTS.

LETTER PAGE

ccLXiv. George Earl of Shrewsbury to John Scadamore,
one of the Gentlemen Ushers of the King's
Chamber, for his interest to procure him the

grant of Wormesley Priory 20

ccLxv. Thomas Boleyn, Earl of Wiltshire, to Secretary
Cromwell, agreeing to raise the allowance to his
Son's widow from a hundred Marks to a hun-
dred Poimds 21

ccLxvi. Archbishop Cranmer to King Henry VIII. con-
cerning the King's Supremacy 23

ccLxvii. John Tregonwell to Secretary Cromwell. Visits
Godstowe Nunnery in Oxfordshire, Ensham,
Bruem, Wroxton, Clattercote, the Nuns of
Catesby, Canons Ashby, Chalcombe, Studley,
Notley, Tame, Dorchester 31

ccLxviii. The Abbot of Abingdon to Secretary Cromwell,
that he had taken a Priest into custody, who
travelled about practising Conjuration 41

ccLxix. Sir Piers Button to Sir Thomas Audeley, giving
an account of the Insurrection of the Abbot of
Norton against the suppressors of his Abbey.
Sir Piers Dutton rescues the Commissioners 42

ccLxx. The Prior of Durham to Secretary Cromwell, with

an increased Annuity for Life 44

ccLXxi. Margaret Cecill and John Huse to Cromwell, for
John Reignold, one of the Princess's footmen, to
have the ferm of the lately suppressed Priory of
Bethekelert, in Caernarvonshire 46

CCLXX II. Lee, Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield, to Lord
Cromwell, on the state of Gloucestershire. Ap-
parently written about a. D. 1536 47

ccLXXiii. Joyce, late Prioress of Catesby, to Secretary Crom-
well 50

ccLXXiv. Robert Aske, Chief Captain of the " Conventual
Assembly,'' to the Commons of Yorkshire, to
raise them for the Pilgrimage of Grace 52

ccLXXV. Robert Aske to Lord Darcy, announcing the King's
pardon to the Northern Parts, and praying his
Lordship <<to stay his quarters," as he had done
himself.; 58

CONTENTS.

LETTER
CCLXXVI.

CCLXXVn.
CCLXXVIII.

CCLXXIX.

CCLXXX.

OCLXXXIV.

CCLXXXV.

CCLXXXVI.

CCLXXXYII.

ccLxxxvni.

PAGE

Lancaster Herald to the Lord Privy Seal. The
detail of his Journey to the North Parts bearing
the King's Proclamation, after the first subsiding
of the '^ Pilgrimage of Grace." 60

The Council of the North to the Lord Privy Seal.
Lancaster Herald tried and executed 62

Henry Parker Lord Morley, to the Lord Privy
Seal, accompanying the present of Macchia-
velli's Florentine History 63

Ralph Lane and Thomas Lee to the Lord Privy
Seal, after searching the Books and Goods of
Dr. Lush, Vicar of Aylesbury 69

Richard La3rton to Lord Cromwell; inviting him to
pay him a Visit at his Rectory at Harrow 71

Richard Layton, William Petre, and John Freman,
to the Lord Privy Seal, upon receiving the Sur-
render of Bewley Abbey. The distress of the
Sanctuary people 72

Lee, Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry, to Lord
Cromwell, on the proposed exchange of his
House in the Strand with the Lord Beauchamp. 74

Richard Layion to Lord Cromwell. The death of
the Earl of Northumberland 75

William Lawrence to the Lord Privy Seal, that he
had sent up the Image of our Lady of Ipswich
by sea 78

Thomas Thacker to Lord Cromwell. The arrival
of "the Image of Our Lady which was at Ips-
wich." 79

George Alysbury to the Lord Privy Seal, to aid
his suit to the King for the Manor of Ofchirche,
in Warwickshire 80

Greorge Alysbury to the Lord Privy Seal, to put
. the King in remembrance for some living. The
charges that he had been at 81

Sir Humphrey Wingfield to the Lord Privy Seal.
Three felons, at Ipswich, found guilty, but
"prayed their Book;" no Ordinary to hear
them read, they were reprieved without judg-
ment given upon the verdict 82

VI

CONTENTS.

LETTER PAGE

ccLXXxix. Thomas Thacker to Cromwell; respecting his
Households, and his Buildings which were

going on 84

ccxc. Thomas Thacker to Lord Cromwell. The Bishop
of Hereford sends a Present of Bay-salt.
Thacker petitions for the ferm of the suppressed
Priory of Bredsalle Park; and afterwards for
a Cell or Farm belonging to Repton Priory in
Derbyshire 87

ccxci. Thomas Thacker to Lord Cromwell. Again de-
tails the Works and Repairs going on at Crom-
well's Houses 91

ccxcii. Robert Southwell to the Lord Privy Seal, signify-:
ing the attainder of two Priests for denying the
King's Supremacy 95

ccxciii. Robert, Bishop of St. Asaph, to Lord Cromwell, to
obtain him a licence to be absent from the next
Parliament ; and another licence to make Wrex-
ham the Cathedral of his See 96

ccxciv. John, Bishop of Rochester, to the Lord Privy
Seal, sending to him the Prior of the Blackfriars
of Cambridge, who desires to suppress an Image
of Our Lady there 98

ccxcv. Thomas Thacker to Lord Cromwell. The arrival
of the Images of St. Anne of Buxton, and St.
Modwenne of Burton-upon-Trent* A rich Ves-
sel belonging to the London Merchants taken by
Pirates upon the Sea of Norway 100

ccxcvi. Sir John Gresham to the Lord Privy Seal, that
one John Davy, a Welsh prophesier, has been
brought to him, who desires to speak with the
King 101

ccxcvii, Richard Cromwell to his Uncle, the Lord Privy
Seal, upon his taking possession of the effects of

Mr. Thomas Bedyll 104

ccxcviii. Thomas Thacker to Cromwell; reports the pro-
gress of the buildings at Hackney and the
Friars Augustines. Acknowledges the receipt of
certain Jewells and of a relic of gold and crystal
with our Lady's milk in it 106

CONTENTS.

Vll

LETTER PAGE

ccxcix. John Baker to Lord Cromwell. The Complaint of
the Inhabitants of Dimchurch in Kent, against
their parson i.. 108

occ. Thomas Thacker to Lord Cromwell : praying for
the Suppression of the Priory of Darleigh, and
to have the ferm of it. 109

occi. Henry Lord Stafford to the Lord Privy Seal, an-
nouncing the destruction of the Image of St.
Erasmus 110

cccii. William Dymham to the Lord Privy Seal, denoun-
cing the dissimulation of Friar Alexander
Barclay 112

oociii. Margaret Tewkesbury, Abbess of Godstow, to
Cromwell. Sends a Letter, which she has de-
vised to the King's Highness, for Cromwell's
approbation 116

occiv. Doctor Thomas Legh and John ap Rees to Secre-
tary Cromwell. Their Visitation at Cambridge,
Sopham Nunnery, and Denney , 117

occv. Sir Richard Gresham to Lord Cromwell, inviting

himtohis"FeastfulDay." 120

cccvi. Thomas Theobald to the Lord Privy Seal, a Letter
of News. A report prevalent that the Turk had
returned to Hungary. Failure of a Naval At-
tack on Barbarossa. Cardinal Pole gone to
Rome. Confederation of the Duke of Saxony
and the Evangelical Princes. The King of
France about to meet the Emperor at Bour-.
deaux, who intends passing by land into Flan-
ders 122

coo VII. John London to Lord Cromwell. Details his
*' rasing" of the Friars' Houses, in various

Counties 130

cccviii. The EarlofHertford to the Lord Privy Seal. The

death of Lord Thomas Howard 135

cccix. The Lady Margaret Douglas to the Lord

on the retrenchment of her Household, and the
discharge of two servants who had belonged to
Lord Thomas Howard 136

Vlll

CONTENTS.

LETTER PAGE

cccx. John London to the Lord Privy Seal. Surrender
of the Friars of Warwick. The greediness of
the common people everjrwhere in plundering

the Friars'Honses 138

cccxi. Letter of Petition to Lord Cromwell from Dr. John

Tregonwell 140

cccxii. John Barlo, Dean of the College of Westbury, in
Gloucestershire, to Lord Cromwell, complaining
of the violent conduct of Lady Anne Berkeley. . 142

CCCXI II. Cuthbert Tunstal, Bishop of Durham, to King
Henry the VIII., consoling him for the death of
Queen Jane Seymour 146

cccxiv. John Bale to Lord Cromwell, complaining of his
sufferings and imprisonment for preaching

against Popery 151

cccxv. Leland, the Antiquary, to Lord Cromwell; gives
a character of John Bale, and solicits the release
of him from imprisonment 154

cccxvi. Robert Devereux to the Lord Privy Seal ; enume-
rating the Friaries, of which he had takeo pos-
session 156

cccxvii. Richard Layton to the Lonl Privy Seal. Comes
to Barnwell Priory, near Cambridge. Delivers
a Charge in the Chapter-house of the Priory, to
quiet public excitement. Westacre Priory in
Norfolk 158

cccxviii. Roger Townshend to the Lord Privy Seal. The
Punishment of a poor Woman who devised a
Miracle of our Lady of Walsingham 162

cccxix . Richard Layton to Secretary Cromwell, how Christ-
church, Canterbury, and St. Thomas's Shrine
had almost been burnt. Prior of Dover. Prior-
ies of Langdon and Folkstone 164

cccxx. Geoffrey Chamber to the Lord Privy Seal. The

exposure of the Image called the Rood of Grace. 168

cccxxi. Thomas Puynell to the Lord Privy Seal, certifying
the suppression of the Friars' Houses at Boston,
and how necessary the application of some of
the materials was, for the repair of the Haven
and Town there, to save the King*s money 170

CONTENTS.

IX

LETTER
CCCXXII.

CCCXXIV.

CCCXXVI,

CCC XXVII.

CCCXXVIII.
CCCXXIX.

■ cccxxx.

CCCXXXI.

CCCXXXIII.

PAGE

Richard Ryche to Lord Cromwell. Survey of
Abingdon Monastery in Berkshire, where the
King thought of fixing a Residence. State of,
and particulars relating to, the Town of Abing-
don 1T2

Dr. London to the Lord Privy Seal, entreating for
some of the ornaments and Testments, late be-
longing to the suppressed Monastery of Abing-
don, to be sent to the College in Walliogford

Castle of which he was Dean 177

Richard Devereux to Lord Cromwell. The sup-
pression of various Friars' Houses towards the

North 179

Richard Devereux to Lord Cromwell. Visits the

Friars' Houses of Aylesford, Canterbury, &c.. . . 181
Dr. London to the Lord Privy Seal upon his Sup-
pressing the Religious Houses at Coventry and

Combe Abbey 183

Richard Devereux to Lord Cromwell ; recounts the
Friars* Houses he had taken to the King's use
in the far North. The hardships inflicted on
those who had surrendered their Houses in the
Diocese of York. The Friars' Houses at Scar-
borough : 186

Richard Devereux to the Lord Privy Seal. The
Friaries of Worcester, Bridgenorth, and Ather-

stone 189

Gregory Cromwell to his father, after having taken

possession of the Priory House at Lewes 192

Elis Price to Lord Cromwell, upon taking down

the Image of Darvel Gathem 194

Latimer, Bishop of Worcester, to the Lord Privy
Seal, upon his appointment to preach at the

burning of Friar Forest 202

Richard Layton to Mr. Wrysley : how poor furni-
ture there was in Battle Abbey 204

Bishop Latimer to the Lord Privy Seal. Asks for
part of the demesnes of Borsley. Recommends
the burning of certain Images of the Virgin
Mary 205

CONTENTS.

LETTER
CCCXXXIV.

CCCXXXV.

COCXXXVII.

COCXXXVIII,

cccxu.

CCCXUI.

CCCXLIII.

CCCXLV.

PAGE

Gregory Cromwell to his father. The King likely
to come to Lewes in his Progress. The conta-
gion of the Plague there 208

Richard Cromwell to his Uncle, the Lord Privy
Seal. The King, after the despatch of business,
solaces the day with the Ijttle Prince. The
King's fondness for Hawking 209

Richard Lay ton to the Lord Privy Seal. The Mer-
chants of York turned Maltsters to the decay of
the City. Layton desires to be employed abroad. 211

Dr. London to the Lord Privy Seal: with his
Survey of the Friars' Houses of Oxford 214

Sir Bryan Tuke to the Lord Privy Seal, for his son-
in-law, Mr. Audeley, to have the suppressed
Priory of Hylton, in Staffordshire, to ferm 221

The Abbot of Hales to the Lord Privy Seal, that
the Shrine of the feigned Relic, called the Blood
of Hales, may be razed, to avoid superstition. . . 223
Doctor Layton to the Lord Privy Seal, respecting
the House of the Trinitarian Friars, at Hounslow. 224

Richard Layton to Lord Cromwell. Binds the
Abbot of Hales in a recognizance. Intends, ac-
cording to commandment, to pay the Friar's
debts to the Inhabitants of Hounslow 227

John Hales to the Lord Privy Seal, announcing the
suppression of Sulby Monastery, in Northamp-
tonshire 228

Thomas Arundell to the Lord Privy Seal. The
Abbess and Convent of Shaftesbury offer five
hundred marks to the King, and one hundred
pounds to his Lordship, to be allowed to remain
under any other name and apparel as his Ma-
jesty's Bede-women. The Abbot of Ceme
makes a similar offer 230

Catherine Bulkeley, Abbess of Godstow, to Lcyrd
Cromwell. Begs his acceptance of the Steward-
ship of that Monastery 232

Catherine Bulkeley, Abbess of Godstow, to the
Lord Privy Seal. Thanks for his kind conduct
toward their House 233

CONTENTS.

XI

cccjXLvn.

CCCXLVIII.
CCCXLIX.

CCCL.

LETTER PAGE

cccxLVi. Thomas Parry to Cromwell. The jewels of the
Convent of St. Swithin at Winchester purchased
of the Prior and Monks by .one Bestyan, a Jew-
eller : the same who had been to divers religious
Houses through the Realm for the same pur-
pose 235

The Warden of the Grey Friars in London to Lord
Cromwell, to change his habit 236

John Winchcombe to my Lord Privy Seal, who
had written for a thousand pieces of Kerseys... 238

Richard Whiting, Abbot of Glastonbury, to Lord
Cromwell, excuses himself from coming to Par-
liament, from sickness and infirmity 241

Richard Layton to the Lord Privy Seal. Dissolu-
tion of the Priory of Clerkenwell. The Bishop
of London at the point of death. Adam Traves,
one of the Canons residentiary of Exeter, also
« in extremis." '. 243

The Mayor and Aldermen of Caermarthen to the
Lord Privy Seal, asking for the dissolved House
of the Gray Friars there, that they may estab-
lish a Grammar School in it 245

Richard Layton to the Lord Privy Seal, in excuse
for his commendation of the Abbot of Glaston-
bury 247

Bishop Latimer to Lord Cromwell. The surren-
der of Evesham Abbey : and the Examination
and Exposure of the Miracle of the Blood of

Hales 249

CCCLIY. Gregory Cromwell to the Lady his Wife from Ca-
lais. Lady Anne of Cleves expected. The
manner of her travelling, and the preparations

for her reception 251

cccLv. The Earl of Worcester to Lord Cromwell, in reply
to a request that he might purchase the Earl's
and his Countess's life interest in certain lands

at Cheshunt, in Hertfo^shire 254

cccLVt. Ralph Lane to Lord Cromwell, sending Popish

books taken with a Priest committed 256

oocui.

CCCUII.

Xll/

4

CONTENTS.

LETTER PAGE

cocLVii. Henry Dowes to Mr. Gregory Cromwell : with the
substance of Mr. Hierome's recantation Ser-
mon .• 258

cccLViii. Richard Layton to the Lord Privy Seal ; from Bis-

ham Abbey, in Berkshire 265

cGcux. John Freman to the Lord Privy Seal, that the ra-
zing of the Abbeys in Lincolnshire would be

costly to the King 268

cccLX. Sir Richard Gresham to the Lord Privy Seal. His
proposal to purchase lands belonging to Foun-
tains Abbey, in Yorkshire 270

cccLXi. William Benson, Abbot of Westminster, to Lord
Cromwell, to be relieved from the care and go-

verance of his Monastery 272

cccLXii. Lee, Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry, to Crom-
well. His Thanks for obtaining for him the
ferm of Stafford Priory. The Castle of Mon-
mouth. Brecknock Castle. The Commortha
forbidden by Statute : but a placard for one
granted by the King, to one George Matthew of

South Wales -. 274

cccLXiii. Thomas Goldwell, Prior of Christchurch, Canter-
bury, to Lord Cromwell, upon the Change in the
Cathedral, from a Prior and Convent to a Dean

and Canons 277

cccLXiv. Sir William Eure to the Lord Privy Seal of England
relating his conversations with a Mr. Bellendyn
concerning the Court, and character of James
the Fifth. He details the particulars of an In-
terlude which had been played at Linlithgow.

A.D. 1640 279

cccLXv. Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, to Sir William
Paget, after he had quitted his command at Bou-
logne 285

cocLXvi. Thomas Fisher to the Duke of Somerset, Protector,
apprizing him of Intelligence he had received
concerning tumults at Edinburgh ; and of hosti-
lities committed by the French and Almains. . . 291
cocLXvii. Edward, Duke of Somerset, to Francis None and

t

CONTENTS.

Xlll

CCCLXXU.
CCCLXXIII.
CCCLXXIV.

CCCLXXVII.
OCCLXXVIII,

PAGE

Owen Hopton, Esquires, committing to them
the hearing of a Suit 301

Dr. Day, Bishop of Chichester, to Secretary Cecil,
for his liberty, having been deprived and impri-
soned for disobeying the King's command for
substituting Communion Tables instead of Altars
in his Diocese, a. d. 1550 302

The Lords of the Council to the Earl of Sussex and
Sir Richard Southwell, for the punishment of
two persons who had stolen some young Hawks
from a Lanner's nest, and who would not con-
fess for whom they had procured them 304

The Lords of the Council to the Earl of Sussex, a
second Letter relating to the stolen Hawks from
Winfarthing. The thieves still obstinate. Ex-
amination of them by torture proposed 308

The Council to Sir Philip Hobye, resident with
the Emperor; announcing the death of King
Edw. VI., 8th July, 1553 309

The Council to the Commissioners in Flanders, 11th
July, 1563 310

Francis Yaxley to Sir William Cecil, with News
from the Court 312

Queen Mary I. to her Commissiooers at Calais, to
procure the French King's interest with such
Members of the Conclave as were at his devo-
tion to assist in elevating Cardinal Pole to the
Popedom 315

Mary of Guise to Queen Mary of England, re-
questing a Safe-conduct and Passport for George
Lord Seytonn 318

Queen Elizabeth to the Keeper of the Palace of
Westminster and to Sir Ralph Sadler, enclosing
a Warrant for placing money in his hands to be
employed on Secret Service upon the frontier to-
ward Scotland 331

Lord Robert Dudley to John Scudamore, Esq., re-
garding the Wardship of the latter*s Nephew. . . 334
. The Portuguese Ambassador to Lady Cecil, offer-

XIV CONTENTS.

LETTER PAGE

ing to put the Affairs of his King into Sir Wil-
liam Cecil's hands, and promising a pension
of two thousand pieces of gold 335

cccLXXix. Conach O'Donnell to the Lord Deputy of Ireland,
complaining of John O'Neill and Hugh 0*Don-
nell 336

cocLXXX. Owen Rowe to the Earl of Sussex, Lord Lieute-
nant, offering his services with two hundred men. 339

OOCLXXXI. The Bailiffs of Dundalk to the Lord Lieutenant of
Ireland, concerning mutual restitution of Cattle
between their Town and Shane O'Neile 340

cccLXXXii. A Complaint from three Inhabitants of Dundalk to
the Queen's Majesty's Commissioners, against
• Cowly Mac Cormuck, who had robbed them of
some Cattle 342

cccLXXxni. The Earl of Sussex to Patrick M^. Rowry ; charging
him to retain in safe custody, or to surrender to
him, the brother of M^. Mahon, whom he had
taken 342

cccLxxxiv. The Bailiffs and Magistrates of Dundalk to the
Lord Lieutenant und Council of Ireland, stating
that Shane O'Neile had refused to restore a prey
he had made upon them 343

cccLxxxv. Nardogh MacPryor to the Lord Lieutenant, to ob-
tain the liberty of his Son, whom Shane O^Neile
kept as aprisoner 345

cccLxxxvi. Patrick Rowry, Captain of Feamay, to the Lord
Deputy, desiring redress for a hundred and sixty

Cows which had been stolen from him 346

cccLxxxvii. James Prendergast to the Earl of Ormond and
Ossory, concerning injuries sustained from
Morris Fitz-Garatt and others 347

cccLXXXViu. Alexander Mac Randyllboy to the Lord Lieute-
nant, complaining of spoils committed upon his
property by O'Neil and Ferdorca M<^. Donyll
Oge 348

cccLXXXix. Edmund Grindal, Bishop of London, to Sir Wil-
liam Cecil, upon the state of Cowpland, a part
of Cumberland, where the Bishop was bom 349

CONTENTS.

XV

LETTER
CCCXC.

CCCXCI.
CCCXCII.

CCCXCV.

CCCXCVII,

OCCXCIX.

oocc.

PAGE

Edmund Scambler, Bishop of Peterborough, to Sir
William Cecil : upon the proposal to change the
Name of an Individual at Confirmation 350

Lord Rich to Sir William Cecil, concerning the
Wardship of one Sarah Stane 352

Richard Cheney, Bishop of Gloucester, to Sir Wil-
liam CecQ ; expressing his desire to resign his
BishopricksofGloucester and Bristol, a.d.1563. 353

Edmund, Bishop of London, to Sir William Cecil ;
expressing his hope that the Queen would take
notice of the Duke of Wirtemberg's kindness to
the English Protestants, who were Exiles at
Strasburgh 356

The Earl of Ormond and Ossory to the Lord-
Lieutenant, upon the depredations of the Earl of
Desmond. 357

Queen Elizabeth to Mr. afterwards Sir Thomas
Randolph, her Ambassador in Scotland, privately
to sound the Earl of Argyle, and find how he
was affected to her interest with regard to the
Rebellion in Ireland 359

Albert of Brandenburgh, to Queen Elizabeth, with
a Present of Ten Falcons 363

Edmund, Bishop of London, to Sir William Cecil,
noticing the Custom of Creeping to the Cross as
used at Dunbar 364

Bishop Grindal to Sir William Cecil ; desiring
that the Bishop of Ross may not be sent to him. 365

Robert Home, Bishop of Winchester to the Lord
Treasurer, to be delivered from the Bishop of .
Ross 367

Draught of a Letter from the Marquess of Win-
chester to Queen Elizabeth in 1571, upon the
state of the Crown Debt 369

George Buchanan to Mr. Thomas Randolph, jeer-
ing him upon his second Marriage. Busied on
the Story of Scotland. Knox's History. Com-
mends Beza's Poetry. 1572 373

Sir Thomas Smith to Sir Francis Walsingham.
The Massacre of St. Bartholomew 376

XVI CONTENTS.

LETTER PAGE

ccocii] . William Paulet, Marquess of Winchester, and Ro-
bert Home, Bishop of Winchester, to Sir Henr>-
Radcliffe, Captain of Portsmouth, and the
Mayor and Officers there, to examine all Stran-
gers who resort into the Kingdom, under pre-
tence of Liberty of Conscience 380

LETTERS

OP
THE REIGN OF

HENRY THE EIGHTH

CONTINUED.

VOL. III.

• " ••

ORIGINAL LETTERS,

ETC.

LETTER CCLVII.

Richard Croke to Lord Cromwell; that he had
preached three score Sermons in favor of the King's
Supremax:y^ with a List of the places where they
had been preached.

[8TAT. PAP. OFF.. MISC. CORRESP. 2 Ser, vii. 695. OrigJ]

Please yt yowr good Lordeshippe to be aduer-
tysed that I have syns the tyme of my lycence gyven
me by yowr Lordeshippe to preche, made thys yere
upon the poynte off threscore Sermons, not failing in
every on off them to speke effectually ayenste the
usurped power off the Busshoppe of Rhome, and
somtyme, as the mater gave me occasion, ayenste
th'abomination off hym, his Cardinalls, and hys
cloystered hypocrites, wherein I have taken thys
ordre*

Firste, I have shewed them that Petre, by whom

b2

4 OBjej^kX' LETTERS.

the Busshopge- or-filiome chalengeth his primacye,

never, had'no sutch thinge gy ven him by God.

•"SVcciWaryly that the scriptures wherby they wolde

•.'Tnayhteyne the primacye off Petre, were not spoken

*• ' nor mente to Petres person, but al busshoppes and

pristes and to the whole chyrche.

Thyrdely, I lay the presedent off Nicene Counsel
naming foure patriarks, wheroff the Bushoppe off
Rhome is laste.

Forthely, that in primitiva Ecclesia that the name
and au thorite off bushoppe and priste were al but on
thinge unto the tyme that mannys policye, to avoyde
schismes, devised the pre-eminence amongste pristes
by the name off a busshoppe.

Fiftely, I shew that the Bushoppes of Rhome have
always, for mayntenance off theyr pompe^ and fruteles
ceremonyes, bene cause off al the greatest scismes that
hathe bene in Christs Chyrche.

Sixtely, I shew that th'especial off a bushoppe ys to
preche and teche, whiche because the Bushoppe off
Rhome can nothing do here, nor in none other places
but only in Rhome, I conclude that he can in no
wyse be bushoppe here or in any other place, but
only in Rhome, and by consequent primate in no
place but there, seing that he chalengith this pri-
macye by his function episcopal only.

These things declared, and proved by evident rea-
son grounded upon scripturie ; by authorite off th'aun-

ORIGINAL LETTERS. O

cient doctors; by the saing off More and other
papists them selffs ; by semilitudes mete to make the
people to perceve the force off my reasons made in that
be halffe, I have often founde the people so inclinable
unto the treuth, that, in divers places, many as wel off
the lay men as off the pristes hathe after my Sermons
comen to me, and lamenting theyr ignorance and
longe lacke off instruction in these things, desyered
me to repete som off my reasons and authorityes
agayne. So that yff al prechers, at the leste in those
places wher^ they never did preche before, wolde
syncerely and effectually toche these maters, Ldouzt
not but the people wolde be sone enducyd to be
utter enemyes unto the Bushoppe of Rhome and al
his cloysters.

I have endosyd herein a byl off the names off the
Chyrches wherin I have prechid, that yff it please
yowr Lordeshippe the same may by examination off
the mater shortely prove whither I have handellyd
my selff as syncerely and emestely in those matters
as I have pretendyd. And the Chyrches wh^r I have
bene more than ons, I have marked with certayne
pricks before the name off the same, declaring how
many tymes I have prechyd thys yere, in som on off
them.

Beseeching yowr Lordeshippe that myne absence
from the College, for the tyme that I am thus occu-
py ed, may never be prejudicial imto me, and I truste

6

ORIGINAL LETTERS.

that I shal do the Kings Highnes suttch service as
yowr Lordeshippe shal thinke to be worthy muche
thanks. And thus I beseche the most blyssed Trinite
evermore preserve your Lordeshippe. At Bngbye,
the xxviij. off Marche.

Yow*^ Lordeshippe's moste bounden bedeman

RICHARD CROKE, Sub-dean.

..Bugbye myne
owyne'
The College
. . Daiientrye
..Westhaddon
..Wolton
, . Norton
..Starton
..Nuporte Panel

.Astewod

.Chichely

Northampton
, . Oxforde

. . Bugkingham
Hanslope
Stony Stratforde
Leghton Bosarde
Oldney

..Tocetre
Saint Probas
Barkhampstede
Brikchyl the tho-

rowfare
Brikchyl the more
Fenny Stratforde
Blaxley
Wittelburye

Potters Purg

Pullers Purge

.. Maides Morton

Hadstocke
. . Wykyn
Thornton
Thomeborow
. . Lechampstede
. .Lillingstone Darel
. . Lilliiigstone Level

Padbury
..^ostet.

LETTER CCLVIIL

Abbot Whiting to Cromwell^ who had asked for Mr.

Maurice Berkeley to have the appointments of Mas-

ter of the Game, and of th^ Office of Keeper , with

the herbage and pannage of the Park of Northwode.

[ibid. 2 Ser, xiii. 61. Orig,"]
Right honorable my singler goode Lorde, my
dutie in recommendacqns remembred unto your good

* Long Buckby in NorUiampUMuliire, to the incumbency of which Croke was
presented by the Crown, in right of the Duchy of Lancaster, June 1 2th, 1531. Reg.
Longl. Episc. line.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 7

Lordshipp. Pleaseth itt youre saide goode Lord-
shippe to be advertised thatt the xxiiij*** daye of this
moneth of Marche, I received yo' honorable and
mooste lovinge lettres, perceivinge by the same thatt
youre Lordshippes pleasure ys. thatt I shulde inde-
layedly graunte unto your servaunte Mr. Maurice
Berkeley, by my Convente Seall, the Maistershippe
of the game, th'office of the Keper, and the herbage
and pawnage of my Parke of Northwode in revercion
after Thomas Alen, my kep^r there. My good
Lorde, soo itt is thatt the Maistershipp of the game as
well of thatt parke as of all wother my parkes be all
redie graunted att the contemplacon of your goode
Lordeshipp unto M'. John Wadhame, your servaunte.
And as touching the herbage and pannage of my
said Parke, I hav§ made a lease therof to the saide
Thomas Alen and one Robert Hyatt, for terme of
vij. yeres, wherof thre yeres be fullye past, yeldinge
and payinge yerely for the same xxvij*J. yj*. viij**., and
also to lynde yerly sufficieiite pasture for ij. stallens,
xiiij. mares and there fibles, and to leve sufficient
pasture for one thousaunte dere and sufficient hey
for them in wynter, and to repaire and scoure all the
dicheis within the pale att their propre costes and
charges, with diuers other convenauntes conteyned in
the same leasse. And also the same Thomas Alen
hath the kipinge of the said Parke duringe the said
terme ; flfor exercisinge wherof he hath yerely fiyve

8 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

marks withoute any other profiles or avauntages.

And I am charged to the Kinge for the said Parke

accordinglye. My singler good Lorde, by thes my

lettres I have advertised youre good Lordeshipp the

truth of every thinge concemynge yo' pleasure an,d

desier by yo' said honorable lettres. Wherfor the

premisses considered by your good Lordeshipp (in

whom is my singler truste) I am veray well contented

to accomplisshe your Lordeshipps pleasure, wherewith

I shalbe as gladde as any man lyvinge, as knowith

the blessed Trinitie, whoo alwayes preserve your good

Lordeshipp in prosperous helth and honor. Att

Glastonbury, the xxviij*** day of March.

Yo' Lordeshipps assured bedeman

Ric. Abbott ther.
To the right honorable and myne especiall
goode lorde, Thomas Lorde Cromewells
goode Lordeshipp, be this dd.

LETTER CCLIX.

Ralph Sadler to Secretary CromwelL The King de-
termines that no Hearse shall be set up in St, PauVs
for the Princess Dowager. Letters stamped* Diffi-
culty in getting the King to sign bills*

[ibid. 2 Ser, xxxvii. 23. Orig,'\
Sir, it may please you to be advertised that uppon
my repayre this morning unto the Kings Highnes, I
declared unto his Grace all things conteyned in my

ORIGINAL LETTERS. ^

•

Memoryall, whereunto his Grace answered that as
for any Hersie to be had at Paules, surelie it should
be to his Grace more charge then is eyther requysite
or nedefull; sayeng (uppon my replieng that his
Grac's suster had one at Paules) that she was a
Queue,* and that fforasmoche as the Pryncesse dowa-
gi^r shalbe buryed at Peterborough with so grete so-
lempnisacion, and the Emperors Ambassador with
other astats to be there present, it shalbe sufficyent
manyfestacion to the worlde without any ferther
charge ; fynally determyning that there shall nede no
herse to be at Paules, To the Frensh Ambassador
also, his Highnes sayeth it shall not be requysite to
gyve any momyng vesture ; with the residue of the
order taken by you and M' Comptroller, his Grace is
veray well pleased.

As touching th'Instructions for my Lorde Wittn*
and Bisshop elect of Saynt Assaph, the Kyngs High-?
nes first appoynted me to com to him at masse tyme
to rede the same unto his Grace : at which tyme,
when I cam he saied he wold take a tyme of more
leysor, commandyng me to tary untill the evenyng
when he saied he should have best leysour, because
he wolde maturely advyse and peruse the saide In-
structions. And I doubt lest his Grace will cause
me to tary here veray late, wherefore I thought good
to signifie this unto you, and also to sende all the

* Mary the French Queen died on Midsummer Eve 1633, and was buried at St.
Edmundabury.

• B 5

10 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

lettres that be stamped by this berer. I thinke alio
it wolbe harde to gette any Billes signed at this
tyme, seeng that I have myssed to have them don at
masse tjine ; I shall, nevertheles, do the best I can,
albeit, as ye knowe, his Grace is alwayes loth to
signe, and I thinke he deferred the reding of the In-
structions at masse tyme because he was not willing
to signe.

I delyuered unto his Grace your locke, and open-
ed unto him all the gynnes of the same, which his
Grace lyketh marvelously well, and hertely thankd
you for the same. Thus the Holie Trynyte preserve
yo*^ long lif and good helth with th'encrease of honor.
At Greenwich, this Tewsdaye at none with the rude
and hastie hand of Y^ humble servante,

RAPE SADLEYR.

Jo the right honourable and his singuler
good M*", M*" Thomas Crumwell, prin-
cipal! Secretary to the Kings Highnes.

LETTER CCLX.

Margaret Vernon^ late Prioress of Little Marlow, to

Secretary Crormvell, to aid in providing her with a

subsistence.

' [ibid. 2 Ser. xlv. 109. Orig.'i

%* Margaret Vernon was the last Prioress of Little Marlow, and
evidently a woman of a cultivated mind. Several dther Letters from
her, beside this before the reader, are preserved among Crom-
well's papers. Cromwell made her the earliest preceptress of

ORIGINAL LETTER9. 11

his son. In one, she says, " Right worschipfuU Sir, widi all my
hart I recommend me unto you, certifying you that your son is in
good helth, and is a very good skoler, and can constrew his Pater-
noster, Ave, and Credo, I dowght not but at your comyng next to
meoye shall lyke hym very well." In another, " And yf it like you
to here of your son and his master, they byn boothe in good helth,
thankyd be God, and doth prospere in leming more now in oon day
than before in a weeke, be reson of Nycholas Saddelar, who is of
very good condicions and diligent. Sir, M' Copland every morning
gevith to every of them a laten, the which Nycholas dooth here a
wey, as well Gregori's lesson, as his owne, and makyth the same
Gregory perfit ayenst his tyme of rendryng; in the which their
Master taky th such comford that thryse on the day he spendith with
them a tyme."

Willis, in a manuscript Note to his History of Mitred Abbies,
says she occurs as Prioress of Little Marlow in 1534. Afterwards,
probably by Cromwell's interest, she was elected Abbess of Mail-
ing. This latter Monastery she surrendered to the King Oct. 29th,
1538, 30 Hen. VIII., and had a pension of 40/. a-year, while no
nun of the Hduse had a higher pension than 32. 6s, Sd, : the clear
value of Muilingy, according to Dugdale, producing no more than
218/. is 2id.

After most humble coffiiendations, &c. Pleaseth
it your goodnes to be advertised that I have dyvers
tymes ben at the RoUes to have spoken with your
Mastership, but by the reason of the great multitude
of suters, and also for lacke of frendship within your
Mastership his Howse, I am kepte backe, so that I
can not come to your presens to sollicite my cause.*

* The Bolls was a place of great business with Lord Cromwell. Sir Ralph Sad-
ler, in one of his Letters to Cromwell, 153$, says — " All whiche the Kings Mageste
taketh in veray good parte ; sayeng nothing dies to me, for answer of all those
thinges which in dede be not moche answerable, but that your Lordeship was in
the same case, when ye cam to the Rolles, as his Grace was when he cam to West-
minster ; for when he is there, he sayed he had m6che a do to gett thens : and so
your Lordeship he sayed, when ye com to the Bolles, have no lesse a do to get
awaye." Stat. Pap. OflF. 1830, vol. i. p. 610.

12 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

Wherfore, I most humblye besech you to lycehs me
to write my mynde at large. And that it maye
stande with your pleasor to comande one within your
Howse to put you in remembrance for any answare
of your determination and pleasor. Syr, my request
ys to desire you to call to remembrance your good
and comfortable promises made both unto me and
unto my frendes, whereunto I have ever hitherto
trusted : besechinge your goodnes to open unto me
some parte of your determinacon what thing ye mynde
that I shall have : or els to helpe me to some reason-
able lyvinge, so that I maye not contynue this longe
sute. For I have but senglye provyded for my self to
maynteyne it with all, be cause your -Mastership
comanded me that I shuld nothing imbecill or take
awaye, but leave the Howse as wealthie as I cowld,
which comandement I folowed. I hope all shalbe
for the best. I praye oure Lorde put in your hearte
to make provision for me accordinge to his holy will
and pleasor, and wholye to rule your Mastership by
his spirite. Amen. Written from Stepney, the daye
after S. Paull.

Your assured and most humble beydewoman,

MARGRET VERNON.

late Prior 68 of title Marhw.

To the right worshipfull Master Oumwell,
the Kynge his Chief Secretary.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. IS

LETTER CCLXI.

Lee Bishop of lAchfield and Coventry, and Sir Thomas
Englefieldy to Secretary Cromwell, upon the extirpa-
tion of certain Outlaws from Wales.

[ibid. xxy. 930. Or%g,1

After my moste harty recommendacons^ this
shalbe t'advertise you that we have receaved from you
the twoo outlawes, named David Lloide or Place,
and John ap Richard Hockilton, with Richard ap
Howell, alias Somner, the murderer at Munmouth,
ffoi the which we hartely thanke you. And the said
twoo outlawes we have sent to their triall, according
to Justice, which to morowe they shall receyve (God
pardon their sowles). And ffarther, within twoo
dayes after the receyving of the saide theves, were
brought to us .iiij. other outlawes as great or greater
then the forsaide David and John Were, and twoo of
the ffirst of them had byn outlawed thies xvj. years;
wherof iij. were in liffe, and oone slayne brought in
a sacke trussed uppon a horse, whom we have cawsed
to be hanged uppon the galowes here for a signe.
Wolde God ye had seen the ffashion therof. Hit
chaunced the same day to be markett daye here, by
reason wherof iijC, people ffolowed to see the said
Cariage of the saide thief in the sacke, the maner
wherof had not been seen heretofore. • What shall

14 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

wee say fiarther : all the theves in Wales qwake ffor
ffeare, and, att this day, we doo assure you, ther is
but oone thief of name of the sorte of outlawes,
whose name is Hugh Duraunt, trustyng to have him
shortely. So that nowe ye may boldely affirme that
Wales is reduct to that state that oone thief taketh
an other, and oone Cowe kepith an other ffor the
moste parte, as Lewes, my servaunt, at his letome
shall more at large enforme you. The takers of thies
outlawes were my Lord of Richmonds tehaunts, off
Keviliske and Amstley, moste parte ffor ffeare and
money, and parte ffor to have thanks, and partely to
have some of their kynredd discharged. Beseching
you that the K3mgs Highnes may be advertised
hereof. And thus the Holy Trinitie preserve you.
From Ludlowe, the xix*** daye of January.
Your most bownden

ROLAND CO. ET LICH.

At your comaundment,

T. ENGLEEILD.

Dicken ap ho" dio Bagh
Howell ap ho^* dio Bagh, alias ho" Bannor
Howell ap David Vayne
, John Dee Jmydw, alias John ap Meredith.

slayne

To the right worshipfiill Master Thomas
Crumwell, Cl^^ef Secretary unto the*
Kings Highnes, this be yoven.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 15

LETTER CCLXIL

Henry Lord Stafford to Lord Cromwell. The
Nunnery of " White Ladies.'' Asks for a grant of
the Priory of Runton.

[ibid. 2 Ser. xl. 578. Orig,^

%* " White Ladies " mentioned in this Letter was the Cistercian
Nunnery of Brewood in Shropshire, contra-distinguished from
'^ Black Ladies/' another Nunnery, but of the Benedictine Order,
which stood in Staffordshire, though in the same parish.

The site of "White Ladies" was granted in the 31st of Henry
VIII. to WiUiam Whorwood. It is still called "White Ladies,"
and is the same House mentioned in the Accounts of the Escape of
Charles the Second after the battle of Worcester.

Dugdale mentions Lord Stafford as leaving behind him three sons
and a daughter.- In a Letter already printed in the second series of
these volumes, addressed to Henry VIII. in 1629, Lord Stafford
speaks of seven children. In this Letter, written in 1536, he says,
** I have twelve poor children on my hand."

My duty to your goud Lordeship humbly remem-
bred, pleasith the same to be aduertised that the
Commissioners wilbe in Staffordshire on Sunday
next ; and on Frydaye last, oone Sutcote, sewer of
the Eangis Grace chamber^ came downe to the
White Ladys and schowed theym that he [had]
the Kyngis Grace lettre to have the said Howse, and
hath offerd hit to dy vers to selle on suche a price that
no man will gladly by hit at hys hand. Also, I un-
derstand that the Prior of Stone hathe goud hope
that his howse schall stand wherof all the contree is

16 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

righte glad, and praye full hertily for your Lordeship
therfore. So that my sute is in vaine except hit
will please your goud Lordeship to helpe me to the
Priory of Rontone, ffor the which I was the first
suter, as dothe appere in the bills which I have de-
lyuered to your Lordship.

Howe be hit I understand Syr Symon Hercorte
makith grete labor for hit, and, with owte youre
speciall favor, ys lyke to opteyne hit, wherof our Lord
knoweth he hath no nede.

My Lorde, my trust hath byn and ys oonely
in youre Lordeship, for ellis I woulde haue made
other ffryndis to have sued for me, but the goud
comforte that I had allwaies of yo' Lordeship and the
letter that Maister Rychard Cromwell sent me, made
me to put no doubte therin, as I knowe well I nede
not yf hit woulde plese youe to speke but oone goud
worde to the Kyngis Highnes for me. I haue
twelve pore childeme on my hand, and my lyving
not so goud by ffourty poundis a yere as hit hathe he
aforetyme. And I will gyve as myche to the Kyngis
Highnes as any man will . lyvyng, and youre Lorde-
ship fourty poundes for youre fauor to optayne hit
for me, and my service and prayer duryng my lyfe.
Humbly desyring youre Lordeshipe that I maye be
assertaynyd of youre pleas' by this berer in writing,
for yf I have hit not I muste schortly leve this countre,
as knowith AUmyghty God, who long preserve your

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 17

good Lordeship in honor to his pleas'. At my pore
house, beside Stafford, the xij*** daye of Marche.
Your Lordshipes to comand,

HE. STAFFORD.

To the Right Honorable and his singuler
goud Lorde, My Lorde Priuyseale, this
be-delyuered.

LETTER CCLXIII.

Sir Simdh Harcourt to Secretary Cromwell^ asking

either for the continuance in its condition, or the

grant in fee-farm of Munton Priory in Stafford-

shire.

[ibid. xvi. 123. Orig,']

%* This is probably one of the most honourable and disinterested
applications which Cromwell received for a grant of the site and
domains of a Religious House doomed to be dissolved. The little
Priory of Runton had been founded by the ancestors of the appli-
cant, many of whom lay buried in the Priory-chapel. Could it be
continued and preserved in its monastic condition, the writer offers
1002. to the King, and 1002. to Cromwell, and an annuity to the lat-
ter of 201. a-year for life. If it was the King's pleasure that it
should not be continued, then, on account of its proximity to his
estate. Sir Simon Harcourt asks for a grant of it and its lands to
him and his heirs in fee-farm. For the service of procuring it he
would give CromweU a hundred marks. At the Dissolution here
were seven religious. The revenue of the Convent in gross was
1022. 11«. Id, ; in the clear, 902. 2«. 10|d. Sir Simon Harcourt was
not successful in his application. The site of Runton was granted
in the 30th Hen. VIII. to John Wiseman.

Sir Simoif was the second, but eldest surviving son of Sir
Christopher Harcourt, and distinguished himself at the sieges
both of Terouenne and Toumay, as well as in the Battle o£ the
Spurs on August 18th, 1513. He died Jan. 16th, 1547, and was

18 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

interred at Stanton Harcourt in Oxfordshire, whence the present
Letter is dated.

Pleasith it your honorable Maistership to vn-
derstand that I am enformed that it is enacted by the
Kyngs moste honorable Parlyament that certen Re-
ligiouse Howses within this Realme shall be dys-
solved, of the whiche nomber ther is a lyttle howse of
Channons ip Staffordshire named Ronton, the whiche
my power auncestors dyd buyld, and gave awey vnto
the same frome them and their heires for ever a grete
porcyon of their lands, for this intent, ther to be
prayed for perpetually. And so, many of them be
there tumulate and buryed. In consideracyon wher-
of, I wolde gladly be a suter vnto the Kings Highnes
for the same, if I knewe that my sute myght be hard
of his Majestie. But for as moche as I am vncerten
how that his graciouse pleasor is sett, I dare not be so
bolde as to move his Grace therin. Wherefore I
moste ihstauntly desiai? your honorable Maistership
to be a mediator unto the Kings Grace for me, that
the said pore howse may contynnewe. And his
Grace shall have a C*i., and your Maistership, if it be
brought to pass, a C*i. for your payn, and xx** *i. ffee
of the said Monastery whilest yowe lyve. And if it
be soo that his Grace be fyxed to have the<Baid Rely-
giouse Howse dyssolved, then my desier also is that ijt
may lyke yow to move the Kings Highnes for me that

ORIGINAL LETTERS, .19

I and my heires may have the foresaid Monastery, and
all the lands and commodities therunto apperteyning,
to fe ferme; for as muche as it was sume tymes
founded by my power auncestors, and lyeth very
comodiously for me, by the reson that it joyneth
upon suche small lands as I have ther in that cuntree.
And I and my heires shall yeld unto his Grace and
his heires for ever so muche as the rent of Assyce
cummeth to ; and gyve your Maistership, if yow
brynge it to pasi^e, a C. m''*. And I and myne
allweis be redy to doo you suche service and plea-
sure as in our little powers shall lie. As knoweth
our Lorde, who send you moche prosperitie with*
daiUie encrease of honor. I hadd purposed ac-
cording vnto my dutie to have commen myself and
byn a suter imto your Maistership, but it is so nowe
that I am not able to ryde ; wherfore I am compellid
to send my sone, unto whome it may please youe to
be as good unto as you^ of your goodnes wolde be to
me in the premisses, if I were there my self. Frome
Staunton Harecowrte, the seconde daie of Aprile.

Yours

SYMON HARCOURT, Kt.

To the right honorable Maister Thomas
Crumwell, Secretary vnto the Kings
noble Maiestie.

20 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

LETTER CCLXIV.

George Earl of Shrewsbury to John Scudamore, one
of the Gentlemen Ushers of the King's Chamber,
for his interest to procure him the grant of JFormes-
ley Priory.

[SCUDAMORE PAPERS, BRIT. MUS. Tol. ii. 95. Or%g,'\

%* Wormeley or Wormeuley Priory in Herefordshire was founded
for Austin Canons, either at the close of John's reign or the begin-
ning of that of Henry the Third, by Gilbert Talbot. It was dedi-
cated to St. Mary and St. Leonard. About the time of the Disso-
lution the gross yalue of its revenues amounted to 89/. Zs. 9d. ; the
net income to 73/. 10«. 2d.

The Earl of Shrewsbury was not successful in this application :
the site of Wormeley being subsequently granted in exchange for
other lands, in the 37th Hen. VIII. to Edward Lord Clinton. Lord
Shrewsbury, however, succeeded in two other instances. In the
80th Hen. VIII. he obtained the site of the small Priory of Flanes-
ford in Herefordshire, which had also been founded by an ancestor
in 1347 ; and finally, in exchahge for other property, the Cistercian
Abbey of Rufford in Nottinghamshire, with the greatest part of its
possessions.

Welbiloved ffrende, as hartly as I can I re-
comaunde me vnto you, and where I vnderstande that
for the especyall truste and confydence that the Kyngs
Highnes hath yn you he hath appoynted you to be
oon of his Survayors of dyuerse Abbeis within the
Countye of Hereforde and others appoynted to be
subpressed. Trouth it is yn the poore house of
Wormsley, within the said Countye of Hereforde,
which is of my foundacon, many of myn auncestors

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 21

do lye, and the mooste parte of the furst of the
poore name that I am comyn of. So that yf I myght
by any pursute to be made vnto the Kyngs Grace for
^the same, I wold be yerey sorye it shuld be sub-
pressed. And therfore I desyre and hertely pray
you to bear your laufull favor, and to be good therin,
at this my desyre, so 'that by your good helpe and
meanes I may the soner atteyn that the same may
stande and contynewe. And I shalbe glad to do vnto
you pleasure at all tymes, as know*** our Lord who
have you in his governance. Wryten at Hansworth,
the iiij*^ day of May.

Yo' ffelow

G. SHREWSBURY.

To my hertly biloyed fellow, John Skydmore,
oon of the gentylmen vsshers of the Kyngs
most honerable Chamber.

LETTER CCLXV.

Thomas Boleyn, Earl of Wiltshire^ to Secretary Crom-
well, agreeing to raise the allowance to his Son*s
widow from a hundred Marks to a hundred Pounds,
[misc. corresp. 2 Ser, li. 679. Otig,']

*»* This Letter is the sequel to that numbered cxxiv. in the
first Series. Lady Rocheford there writes to Secretary Cromwell,
" to be a meane to the King^s gracious Highness for her to have such
poor stuff and plate as her husband had possessed before his death."
Further stating, that although the Ring's Highness and her father

Q2 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

had paid Barns of money to the amount of two thooBand mariu for
her jointure to the Earl of Wiltshire, yet that she was herself as-
sured, during the Earl's life, of no more than a hundr^ marks in
pension, which, she adds, *' is very hard for me to shift the world
withall." The King and Cromwell, it appears, both wrote to the
Earl of Wiltshire in consequence, and he raised her stipend to one *
hundred pounds. Whether the ^* poor stuff and plate '' were re-
stored, there is no record.

Mastyr Secretary, in my hartyest wyse I re-
comand me on to yow, acerteynyng yow how I have
receyvyd thys momyng a lettyr from the Kyngs
Hyghnesse, and one odyr from yow ; they both con-
sernyng an augmentacon of lyvyng to my dowghtyr
of Rochford. And for answer to the Kyngs Hyghnes
in thys mater, and also to applye me to every thyng
that may be to hys contentacon and plesur, al thow
my lyvyng of late is mych decayed, I shalbe content
that wher she hath now one hondryd marks a yere in
hand, and odyr two hondyrd marks a yere aftyr my
dyssesse, to gyve to hyr yerly fyfty marks a yere
more in hand, alonly to satysfye the Kyngs desyre
and plesur. So that from owr Ladys day last past
she shall have one hondryd pownds a yere to lyve on,
wher she shuld have had but one hondjnrd marks..
And thys I am content to gyfe hyr as long as I shall
lyve, and aftyr my decesse, she is sewer to have CCC.
marks a yere. Besechyng yow that it may plese
yow to infofme the Kyngs Hyghnesse how I do thys
alonly for the Kyngs plesur, for the trowth is whan I

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 29

maryd my wyflfe I had but fyfty pownds to lyve on
for me and my wyffe as long as my fadyr lyvyd ; and
yett she browte me forth every yere a chyld. And
now to folow the Kyngs Hyghnesse desyre and ple-
sur I am content, as I have vvryten afore, that she shall
have yerly one hondyrd povmd in hand, wher she
had but one hondyrd marks before. And thus
I make an end, praying yow alvrays, good Mastyr
Secretary, to contynew yowr goodnesse tovrards me
as my full trust is in yov^, nov7 vrhan I am farr of
that shall not alvrays be present to answer for my
selff. From Hever, thys fyrsft Sonday of July, by the
ill hand of .

YowT ovm assewrydly

T. WYLSHER.

To the rygth worsliypfiill Mastyr Thomas
Crvmwell, Chyef Secretary to the Kyngs
Hyghnesse.

LETTER CCLXVI.

Archbishop Cranmer to King Henry Fill, concerning
the King's Supremact/.

[ms. cotton. OLpoP. E, VI. 232. OrigJ]
Pleasith it your Grace to be advertised, that
inhere, as wel by your Graces special letters dated the
iij* day of June in the xxvij* yere of your Graces
most noble I'eigne, as also by mouth in Wynchester
at Michaelmas last past, your Grace commawnded al

24 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

the prelates of your Realme that they, with al accele-
ration and expedition, sholde do their diligence,
every one in his dioces, fully to perswade your people
of the Busshope of Rome his autoritie, that it was
but a false and unjust usurpation, and that your
Grace of veray right, and by Goddes lawe is the Su-
preme Heade of this Churche of Englande, next im-
mediatly unto God. I, to accomplish your Graces
commawndment, incontinent opon my retome from
Wynchester (knowinge that al the countrie about
Otforde and Knol, where my most abode was, were
sufficiently instructed in those maters alredy) cam up
into thies parties of Este Kent, onely by prechynge
to persuade the people in the said two articles. And
in myn own church at Canterbury, bicause I was in-
formed that that towne in those two poynts was lest
persuaded of all my Dioces, I preched there two ser-
mons my selfe. And as it than chawnced Doctor
Leighton was present at my first sermon, beinge than
your Graces Visitor, of whome, if it so please your
Grace, you may heare the reporte what I preched.
The scope and effecte of both my sermons stode in
three thyngs. First, I declared that the Bushope of
Rome was not Godds Vicar in erth as he was taken,
and, although it was so taught theis three or four
hundreth yeres, yet it was done by the meanes of the
Bushope of Rome, who compelled men by othes so
to tech, to the mayntenance of his autoritie, contrary

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 25

/

to Godds worde. / And here I declared by what 5 O

meanes and craft' the Busshopp of Rome obteyned
such usurped autoritie. Seconde, by cause the See
of Rome was called Sancta sedes JRomana, and the
Busshope was called Sanctissimus Papa, and mennys
consciences peradventure coulde not be quyete to be
separated from so holy a place and from Goddes most
holy Vicar, I shewed the people that this thynge
ought no thynge to move theym, for it was but a ho-
lynes in name ; for indede there was no such holynes
at Rome. And thereapon I toke occasion to declare
the glory and pompe of Rome, |the covetousnes, the ly^;

unchast lyvynge, and the mayiitenance of al vices.
Thirde, I spake agaynst the Busshope of Rome his
lawes, which he calleth divinas leges and sacros ca-
naries, and maketh thejrm equal with Goddes lawes.
And here I declared that many of his lawes were con-
trary to Goddes lawes; and some of theym which
were good and laudable, yet they were not of such
holynes as he wolde make theym, that is, to be taken
as Goddes lawes ; or, to have remission of synnes by
observynge of theym. And here I said that so many
of his lawes as were good, men ought not to contemne C - • ^

and despise theym, and wilfully to breake theym:
for those that be good your Grace had receyved as
lawes of your realme, untyl such tyme as other sholde
be made. And therfore, as lawes of your realme,
thay must be observed and not contempned. And

VOL. III. c

26 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

here I spake aswel of the ceremonies of the Churchy
as of the forsaid lawes ; that they ought neither to be
rejected or despised, nor yet to be observed, with
this opinion, that thay of themselfes make men holy,
or that they remytt synne. For seinge that oure
synnes be remitted by the deth of our Saviour Christ
Jesus, I said it was to moch injurie to Christ to im-
pute the remission of oure synnes to any lawes or ce-
remonies of mannes makynge. For the lawes or ce-
remonies of the Church, at their first makynge, were
ordened for that intent. But as the common lawes of
your Graces realm be not made to remit synne, nor no
man doth observe theym for that intente, but for a
common commoditie, and for a good ordre and quiet-
ness to be observed amonge your subjettes ; evyn so
were the lawes and ceremonies first instituted in the
Church for a good ordre and remembrance of many
good thynges, but not for remission of oure synnes.
And though it be good to observe theym wel for that
intente thay were first ordened, yet it is not good,
but a contumelie unto Christ, to observe theym with
this opinion, that thay remitt synne, or that the veray
bare observation of theym in itselfe is an holynes bi-
fore God ; although thay be remembrances of many
holy thynges, or a disposition unto goodnes. And
evyn so do the lawes of your Graces realme dispose
men unto justice, to peace, and other true and perfite
holynes ; wherefore I did conclude for ageneral rule.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 27

that the people ought to observe theymas they do the
lawes of your Graces realrae, and with no mor®
opinion of holynes or remission of synne, than the
other common lawes of your Graces realme. Though
my two sermons were longe, yet I have written
breifly unto your Highnes the summe of theym both.
And I was informed by sundry reportes, that the
people were glad that thay harde so moch as thay
did, untyl such tyme as the Prior of the blacke
Erears at Canterbury, preched a sermon, as it was
thought and reported, clene contrary unto al the <fr<:
three things which I had preched bifore. For as
towchynge the first parte, where I had preched
agaynst the erronious doctrine of the Busshope of
Rome his power, which errour was, that by Goddes
lawe he sholde be Goddes Vicar here in erth, the
Priour wolde not name the Busshope of Rome, but
under colour spake generally that the Church of
Christ never erred. And as towchjmge the seconde
parte, where I spake of the vices of the Busshopes of
Rome and their See, the Prior said that he wolde not
sclawnder the Busshopes of Rome, and he said openly
to^'me in a good audience, that he knewe no vices by { n^
none of the Busshoppes of Rome ; and he said also
openly that i preched uncharitably, whan I said that
theis many yeres I had dayly prayed unto God that I
might se the power of Rome destroyed, and that I .
thanked God that I had now sene it in this Realme.

c 2

28 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

And yet in my sermon I declared the cause wherfore
I so prayed, for I said that I perceyved the See of
Rome worke so many thinges contrary to Goddes
honor, and the welth of this realme, and I sawe no
hope of amendement so longe as that See reigned over
us ; and for this cause onely I had prayed unto God
continually that we myght be separated from that
See, and for no private malice or displeasure that I
had either to the Busshope or See of Rome. But this
semed an uncharitable prayer to the said Prior, that
the power of Rome sholde be destroyed. And as for
the fourth parte, where I preched agaynst the lawes
of the Busshope of Rome, that thay ought not to be
taken as Goddes lawes, nor to be estemed so highly
as he wolde have theym, the Priour craftely levynge
out the name of the Busshope of Rome preched that
the lawes of the Churche be equal with Goddes
lawes. Thies thynges he preched as it is proved
both by sufficient wytnes, and also by his own con-
fession. I leave the jugement hereof unto your
Grace and to your Cownsail, whether this were a de-
fense of the Busshope of Rome or not, and I onely
accordynge to my bownden duty, have reported the
truth of the facte. But in myn opinion, if he had
spoken nothynge elles, yet whosoever saith that the
church never erred, maynteneth the Busshope of
.Rome his power. For if y* were not erronious that

ORIGINAL LETTERS. ^

was taught of his power, that he is Christes Vicar in
erth, and by Goddes lawe heade of al the worlde spi-
ritual and temporal, and that al people must beleve
that de necessitate salutis, and that who soever doth
any thynge agaynst the See of Rome is an heretike,
and that he hath authoritie also in purgatory, with
such other many false thynges which were taught in
tymes past to be articles of our faith ; if thies thynges
were not erronious, yea, and erroures in the faith, / >

than must nedis your Graces lawes be erronious that
pronounce the Busshope of Rome to be of no more
power by Goddes lawe than other busshoppes and
theym to be traytores that defende the contrary. This
is certen, that who soever sayth that the Church never
erred, must either deny that the Church ever taught
any such erroures of the Busshope of Rome his
power, and than thay speke agaynst that which al the
worlde knoweth, and al bookes wrytten of that
matter thies three or four hundreth yeres do testifie :
or elles thay must say that the said erroures be none , <
erroures but truthes, and than it is both traison and
heresye. At my first examination of hym, which
was bifore Christmas, he said that he preched not
against me, nor that I had preched any thynge amis ;
but now he sayth that I preched amisse in veray
many thynges, and that he purposely preched agaynst
me. And this he reporteth openly by which wordes

so ORIGINAL LETTERS.

I am mervelously slawndered in thies parties* And
for this cause I besech your Grace that I may not
have the jugement of the cause, for so much as he
taketh me for a partie, but that your Grrace wol
commytt the hearynge herof unto my Lorde Pryvey
Scale, or ells to associate unto me some other person
at your Graces pleasure, that we may heare the
cause joyntly togither. If this man, who hath so
highly offended your Grace and preched agaynst me
openly, beinge Ordenary and Metropolitane of this
province, and that in such matteres as concerne the
authoritie, the myslyvynge, and the lawes of the
Busshope of Rome, and that also within mjn own
church : if he, I say, be not loked opon, I leave unto
your Graces prudence to expende what example this
may be unto other, with like colour to mayntene the
Busshope of Rome his authoritie, and also of what
estimation I shalbe reputed herafter, and what cre-
dence shalbe gyven unto my prechynge, what so ever
I shall say hereafter. I besech your Grace to pardon
me of my longe and tedious wry tynge, for I coulde
not otherwise set the matter furth plajme. And I
most hartely thanke your Grace for the stagge which
your Grace sent unto me from Wyndesor foreste,
which if your Grace knowe for how many causes it
was welcome imto me, and how many wayes it did me
service, I am sure you wolde thynke it moch the
better bystowed. Thus our Lorde have your High-

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 31

nes always in his preservation and governance.
From Forde, the 26 ^ day of August.

Your Graces most humble chaplain and bedisman.

T. CANTUARIEN.

LETTER CCLXVII.

John Tregonwell to Secretary Cromwell. Visits God-
stotoe Nunnery in Oxfordshire^ JSnsham, Bruern,
Wroxton, Clattercote, the Nuns of Catesby, Canons
Jshby, Chalcombe, Studley, Notley, Tame, Dor-
Chester,

[STAT. PAP. OFF. MISC. OORRESP. 2 SCT. xUu. 227. OrigJ]

*4i* The reader has already had two or three Letters laid before
him from persons who sought Toluntary gr&nts, or to make pur-
chases from the King of the sites or lands of Religious Houses. He
will now see a succession of Letters (other subjects occasionally
. intervening) detailing the particulars of the Visitations preparatory
to their destruction. He may probably have some difSculty in be-
lieving the Visitors' statements of the depravity found amongst
the religious ; but he will ^ave none as to the cruelties exercised in
their Visitations.

There is a transcript of a Manuscript among Cole's Collections in
the British Museum,* tiie original of which was vmtten about 1591,
upon the Fall of the Religious Houses and Chantry-foundations in
the time of Henry the Eighth and Edward the Sixth, by one whose
fatiier and uncle witnessed the Suppression of the Monasteries ; and
who himself bought some of tiie Church goods when sold in Edward
the Sixth's time. The following Extracts probably exhibit what
was at that time the genuine as well as general feeling of the Eng-
lish public.

« M8. Cole, vol. sii. p. 1-^.

li

o

32 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

'< Now that thou hast heard of the ways and means used to the
overthrow of all Reli^ous Houses and Abbeys, and of the clergy's
wecdth, and the great controversies in Religion ; in the mean time it
shall not be amiss to let thee know how and in what order they
were visited, spoiled, and destroyed ; so that in most places it can-
not be perceived where they stood : and their lands are so dis-
persed abroad into so many persons' hands, that there be few sub-
jects of any living that have not some part thereof; yea many of
them hath their whole inheritance forth of the Clergy land, and
that hard it would be to know what lands belonged in times past
and what not to the said Houses, and where the Monasteries and
Colleges stood, if it were not for the Records of the Exchequer and
other Courts } and the conveyances of the said Houses and Lands
made from the King to his subjects, and from one subject to an-
other, that particularly doth declare every thing by itself ; by the
means whereof both the Houses and the Lands belonging to them,
yea to every House by itself will ever be knovni.

" In the plucking down of which Houses for the most part this
order was taken : that the Visitors should come suddenly upon
every House and unawares (for they never looked to be visited out
of the doors, seeing they had pleased the Ring so well with the ready
money bestowed of him, in good hope of the standing thereof, as is
aforesaid), to the end to take them napping, as the Proverb is ;
least if they should have had so much as any inkeling of their
coming, they would have made conveyance of some part of their
ovni goods to help themselves withal, when they were turned forth
of their houses : and both reason and nature might well have
moved them so to have done, although it will be said all was given
to the King before by Act of Parliament ; and so they had neither
goods, houses, nor possessions. And there they had to give the
King great thanks, yea pray for him upon their black beads, that
was so gracious a Prince to them, to suffer them to stay so long
after that all was given from them. And therefore if the Visitors,
being the King's Officers and Conunissioners in that behalf, took
their dinner with them, and then turned them forth to seek their
lodging at night, or at the furthest the next day in the morning,
where they could find it, (as it was done indeed), they did no
wrong ; nor truly no great right : for so soon as the Visitors were
entred within the gates, they called the Abbot and other Officers of
the House^ and caused them to deliver up to them all their keys,

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 33

and took an invenjtry of all their goods, both within doors and
without : for all such beasts, horses, sheep, and such cattle as were
abroad in pastures or grange places, the Visitors caused to be
brought into their presence : and when they had so done, turned the
Abbot with all his convent and household forth of the doors.

"Which thing was not a little grief to the Convent, and all the
Servants of the House departing one from another, and especially
such as with their conscience could not break their profession : for
it would have made an heart of flint to have melted and wept to
have seen the breaking up of the House, and their sorrowful depart-
ing ; and the sudden spoil that fell the same day of their departure
from the House. And every person had every thing good cheap ;
except the poor Monks, Friars, and Nuns, that had no money to
bestow of any thing : as it appeared by the suppression of an Abr
bey, hard by me, called the Roche Abbey ; a House of White
Monks : a very fair builded House, all of freestone ; and every
house vaulted with freestone, and covered with lead (as the Abbeys
was in England, as well as the Churches be). At the breaking up
whereof an Uncle of mine was present, being well acquainted with
certain of the monks there ; and when they were put forth of the
House, one of the monks, his friend, told him that every one of the
Convent had given to him his cell, wherein he lied : wherein was
not any thing of price, but his bed and apparel, which was but
simple and of small price ; which monk vnlled my uncle to buy
something of him ; who said, I see nothing that is worth money to
my use : No, said he ; give me ij<*. for my cell-door, which was ne-
ver made with v*. No, said my uncle, I know not what to do with
it. (For he was a young man unmarried, and then neither stood
need of houses nor doors.) But such persons as afterward bought
their com and hay or such like, found all the doors either open, or
the locks and shackles plucked away, or the door itself taken away,
went in and took what they found, filched it away.

" Some took the Service Books that lied in the Church, and laid
them upon their waine coppes to peice the same : some took win-
dows of the Hayleith and hid them in their hay ; and likewise they
did of many other things : for some pulled forth the iron hooks out
of the walls that bought none, when the yeomen and gentlemen of
the country had bought the timber of the Church. For the Church
was the first thing that was put to the spoil ; and then the Abbot's
lodging, dortor, and Frater, vnth the cloister and all the buildings

c 5

34 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

thereabout, within the Abbey walls ; for nothing was spared but the
ox-honses and swinecoates, and such other houses of oflSce, that
stood without the walls ; which had more favour showed them than
the very Church itself : which was done by the advice of Cromwell,
as Fox reporteth in his Book of Acts and Monuments. It wovild
have pitied any heart to see what tearing up of the lead there was,
and plucking up of boards, and throwing down of the sparret ; and
when the lead was torn off and cast down into the Church, and the
tombs in the Church all broken (for in most Abbeys were divers
noble men and women, yea and in some Abbeys Rings, whose
tombs were regarded no more than the tombs of all other inferior
persons : for to what end should they stand, when the Church over
them was not spared for their cause), and all things of price either
spoiled, carped away, or defaced to the uttermost.

'^ The persons that cast the lead into fodders, plucked up all the
seats in the choir, wherein the monks sat when they said service ;
which were like to the seats in minsters, and burned them, and
melted the lead therewithall : although there was wood plenty
within a flight shot of them : for the Abbey stood among the woods
and the rocks of stone : in which rocks was pewter vessels found
that was conveyed away and there hid : so that it seemeth that
every person bent himself to filch and spoil what he co*ald : yea even
such persons were content to spoil them, that seemed not two days
before to allow their religion, and do g^eat worship and reverence
at their Mattins, Masses, and other service, and all other their
doings : which is a strange thing to say, that they that could this
day think it to be the House of God, and the next day the House of
the Devil: or else they would not have been so ready to have
spoiled it.

^' For the better proof of this my saying, I demanded of my fa-
ther, thirty years after the Suppression, which had bought part of
the timber of the Church, and all the timber in the steeple, with the
bell-frame, with others his partners therein, (in the which steeple
hung viiij. yea ix. bells ; whereof the least but one could not be
bought at this day for xx*^, which bells I did see hang there myself
more than a year after the Suppression,) whether he thought well of
the Religious persons and of the Religion then used ? And he told
me. Yea : for, said he, I did see no cause to the contrary. Well,
said I, then how caAie it to pass you was so ready to destroy and
spoil the thing that you thought well of? What should I do? said

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 35

he. Might I not as well as others have some profit of the spoil of
the Abbey? for I did see all would away ; and therefore I did as
others did.

"Thus you may see that as well liiey that thought well of the
Religion then used, as they which thought otherwise could agree
well enough, and too well, to spoil tiiem. Such a devil is covetous-
ness and Mammon ! and such is the providence of God to punish
sinners, in making themselves instruments to punish themselves,
and all their posterity from generation to generation ! For no doubt
there hath been millions of millions that have repented the thing
since ; but all too late. And thus much upon my own knowledge
touching the fall of the said Roche Abbey : which had stood about
three hundred years : for the Church was dedicated by one Ada, the
Bishop of Coventry, in the year of our Lord God 1244.^ By the fall
whereof it may be well known how all the rest were used.

*^ Now you shall hear of the &11 of a College, standing in Rother-
ham, within three nules where I was bom, and now do dwell, (for
I learned at the school in the said town, at the Free-school, founded
by the founder of the said College, whose name was Scott, Arch-
bishop then of York,) which is a fair house yet standing; but God
knoweth how long it shall stand ; for certain brick chinmeys, and
other brick walls (for it is all made of brick) is decayed and fallen
down for lack of use : for there hath been few persons, and some-
times none at all, of long time dwelling therein : because it is in the
Earl of Shrewsbury his hands ; and, as the Report is, it is concealed
land ; which seemeth to be the cause that he maketh no more ac-
count thereof : and much less, because all the lands and possessions
are sold from it by the King ; saving the yard, orchard, and garden,
places lying within the walls thereof: for it is walled in with a
brick wall.

"The foundation thereof was not to make a malt-house, as it is
now used: but it was to this end and purpose, that the Master
thereof should be a preacher, and to have three Fellows within it ;
of the which Fellows, one should teach freely a Grammar School
within the town for all that came to it : the second should teach
freely a Writing School : and the third a Song School : and further
to find six choristers for the maintenance of God's service in the
Church, until their voices changed, at which time they went to the

^ Here is a mistake. Roche Abbey was founded in 1147. No Bishop of Lick-
f dd and Coventry, of the name of Ada, occors in the Lists.

36 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

Grammar School : for by the foundation of Lincoln College in Ox^
ford, whereof the said bishop was a founder also, the scholars that
came from this College of Rotherham, were to be preferred to a
Fellowship of that College before any other, which was performed
Tery well so long as the House stood, according to his first founda-
tion. But so soon as the ssiid House was dissolved, neither
preacher nor schoolmaster was provided : but the town hired the
schoolmaster for many years after : until they made suit unto the
Queen's Majesty, and obtained x'^ yearly towards the finding of the
schoolmaster for the Grammar School ; which cost the town not a
little before they could get it.

'* Now let every one consider what great loss this was to such a
Town, and the country round about it ; not only for the cause of
learning, but also for the help of the poor, that now in the town is
not a few : for there are many more than was then.

" Therefore it did appear very well how the Commissioners meant
to answer before God fur the beneficial assignment of pensions for
such masters, preachers, and schoolmasters, when they dissolved the
House. It will be said the masters then being, and schoolmasters
also, lacked not their pensions during their lives. It may be true :
but when they were dead who should play the preacher or school-
master? So it appeareth, whether the foundation touched supersti-
tion or sincere Religion^ all was one : for all was fish that came to
the net. Well, this College sped better than most of its fellows, that
were far better than it both in building and possessions : for they be
for the most part rased down to the ground^ as the Monasteries for
the most part are. For the richer House, and more costly and
strongly builded, the worse it sped, and was dealt withal ; for that
thing that was done for the long continuance of them in all such
buildings, was the cause of their sooner overthrow. For if they had
been as badly builded as the first religious persons builded their
Houses and Cells, and had had no greater livings and possessions
belonging to them, and no more riches within them, they might have
stood until this day : therefore this saying is most true, ReUgio est
mater divitiarunif et jUia devoraJt matrem. And God sufiereth both
the mother and daughter to be destroyed.

" If thou wilt know more of these matters, read diligently the
Statutes made concerning Religion and the things thereunto pertain-
ing, in the reign of King Henry VIII. and King Edward VI., and
thou shalt well perceive the fair speeches there set down to be

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 37

spoken to bring foul acts to pass. Fistula dulce canit, volticrem dum
decijdt auceps" ■

Pleasyth you to be advertised that after my de-
partyug from Oxforde I went to Godstowe, where I
fownde all thyngs well, and yn good order aswell yn
the Monaster! and the Abbas there, as also yn the
Convent of the same, excepte that one sister xiij. or
xiiij. yers past, beyng then of a npthere howse, brake
her chastyte {quia pepeHt), the whych for cgrreccyon
and punysment afterward was sent to Godstowe by
the Byschope of Lyncolne, where now and euer
sethens that tyme she hath levyd vertuowse.

From thens I Went to Ensham, where I fownde
a rawe sorte of Relygyouse parsons and oflfences
emongest them (almoste yn all kyndys of synne com-
myttede, et etiam crimen pessimum) ; for the which
offences they have byne punyschede by theire or-
dynarye in his Visitation. Yet by as myche as I can
perceve by inquisition th'abbot ys chaste of hys
levyng, and dothe right well over loke the reparra-

*> The original of this Manuscript was in the possession of Thomas Porter, Esq.
of Nottinghamshire and Cambridgeshire, who told Mr. Cole that he believed Cuth-
bert Shirebrook, a dignified ecclesiastic, was the author.

It appears from the internal evidence of the Manuscript that the author, whoever
he was, was bom near Roche Abbey, within three miles of Rotherham, at the free-
school of which place he received his education. He continued to live, as his father
and uncle had done before him, on the spot where he was bom, at the time of writ-
ing this TSract, in the 33^ of Elizabeth, 1591. He mentions the funeral of Geoi^
Talbot Earl of Shrewsbury, 13th Jan. 33 Eliz. 1590— I.

At page 6 of the Manuscript he says he translated out of Latin into English the
Dialogues of St. Gregory. Cole says that he had these Dialogues translated into
English, and dedicated to Queen Anne, wife of James I., dated l608, in a small 8vo.
size. The author was a Catholic, and subscribed himself P. W., perhaps Philip
Woodward .

38 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

c5ns of his Hoiise, to whom I can obiecte nothyng
but that he ys neglygent yn over seyng hys bretheme.
He sayethe that hys dayly ynfyimyty is th'occasion
therof, whych ynfyrmy tye somwhat dyd appere by his
face to be trewe.

From Ensham to Bruweme, where th'abbot ys (as
hyt apperyth to me) not only vertuowse and well
lemyde in holy Scrypture, but also hathe ryght well
reparyde the rewen and dekeye of that howse, lefte
by his predycessors neglygens, and the Convent
(which heretofore were insolent) bjrn now brought to
good order.

From Breweme, I rode to Wraxton, a Howse of
smalle rents, and stondyth moast by husbandry.
The Prior there althoghe he be a good husbande
and kepyth good hospitalite to hys abylyte, yet
he is rewde and unlernyd. Et qualis pater tales

From thens to Clathercott a Howse of th'Order
of the Gilbertjmes, where I fownde iij. Chanons
besyde the Pryor. That Howse ys olde, fowle,
and fylthe. Whethere there levyng be accordyng,
I cannot tell, for they desyryd me that I wolde
not vyset them by cause (as they sayd) that yow
hadde gevyne (by your commyssion) full autoryte to
the Pryor of Semperyngham to vyset all there Order,
so that no man but he shulde medle with that Order ;
and by cause I wolde not mittere fahem in messem

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 39

aUenam with owt your pleasure to me knowen, I de-
parted thens negotio infecto.

And from that howse of the Gilbertynese I came to
a Howse of Nimnes called Catysby of Ixxxx^ landys
yerly, of th'order of Cistiowxe, under my Lorde of
Lyncolnes jurysdiction (as I suppos) by usurpation.
For that Order as you knowe hathe allwayes byn
exempte from the Byschope. The Priores there ys
a ryght sadde matrone, the systers also there now
beyng by the space of xx*' yeres hath byn (by as
myche as I can leme) without suspicon of inconty-
nent levyng.

From Catesby I rode to Chanons Asbye which
howse is Clx*i. yn dette, by reason of the late prefer-
ment of the Prior there now bejmg. The Howse
also, by the neglygens of his predycessor, ys yn rewen
and dekey. Howbehyt the sayde Prior (all thought
he be unlernyde) ys dysposed to thryve, and by the
lemyng and good example of levyng of the Supprior
of that Howse, the relygyowse men there byn lyke to
doo well.

From Chanons Asbye, I rode to Chacombe, the
Prior ys newly come thether whoo ys competently
well lemyde in holy Scripture. The Chanons byn
rewde and vnlemyde. He begynnyth to bryng them
to some order. I fere nothyng yn hym but negly-
gens and overmyche famylyarite which he vseth
emongest them.

K) ORIGINAL LETTERS.

From Cliacombe, I came to Burcestre^ ther I fynde
that the Prior doth well over loke his bretheme^ and
also the profettys of his Howse. His said bretheme
by his tyinc hathe byn yn good order, exceptyde one
(for frayc of punysinent for his incontenent levyng)
ran away and soo he remaynyth at thys tyme in
apostacye.

From thens, yester nyght, I came to Stoodlye.
From thens, I yntende to Notley, and thens to Tame
Abbeye, and last of all to Dorchester, where I make
an end vnto the tyme I may knowe your farder plea-
sure, whych (Gode wylljmg) I shall accomplysche.
Vpon Frydaye nexte, I trust to be redye to come to
your Mastersch}'pe accordyng to your commaunde-
ment sent to me by yo' letters, besechjmg you that I
maye knowe whethere you wyll remayne yn the
Cowrte or retume to London, And thus the holy
Goast preserve you. Frome Stoodley, the xxvij***
day of Septembre.

Yours moast bownden

JOHN TREGONWELL.

To the ryght honerable M' Thomas
Cromwell, Cheff Secretarj'e to the
Kynges Maiestye, be this dd. w*
speade.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 41

LETTER CCLXVIII.

The Abbot of Abingdon to Secretary Cromwell^ that
he had taken a Priest into custody^ who travelled
about practising Conjuration.

[ibid. misc. letters, t. HEN. VIII. I. fol. 18. b. Ortg,']

Right honorable and my very singuler good Mais-
ter, in my mooste humble wyse I comende me vnto
you. It shall please your Maistership to be adver-
tesed that my Officers have taken here a Preyste, a
suspecte parson, and with hym certeyn bokes of con-
juracions, in the whiche ys conteyned many conclu-
sions of that worke; as fyndyng out of tresure
hydde, consecratyng of ryngs with stones in theym,
and consecratyng of a cristal stone wheryn a chylde
shall lokke, and se many thyngs. Ther ys also many
fygors in hyt whiche haue dyuers thyngs in theym,
and amongs all, one the whiche hath a swerde crossed
ouer with a septor. I haue sente yo' Maistership
the boke] by the berer herof, besechyng yo' Maister-
ship to send me your myende what I shall do with
the parson. Whether I shall sende hym to Oxford
Castell or Walyngford Castell, or to any other place
that you wyll assigne. Yf I shall so do, I beseche
yo' Maistership to sende some coinaundement in
wrytyng to the Shreyffe or hys Officers that they
wyll reseve hym. I beseche you to be my good

4^ ORIGINAL LETTERS.

Maister as you haue before tyme byn. And so Jhu
haue you in hys blyssed kepjmg. Wretyn at Aben-
don, the yj*** day of October, at your Maisterships
comaundement^ with my seruyce.

THOMAS, Abbas Abendonensis Monasterij.

To the right honorable and my very singoler
good maister, Maister Cromwell, Chefe
Secretary to the Kyngs Highnesse and
Maister of his Rolles.

LETTER CCLXIX.

Sir Piers Button to Sir Thomas Audelei/y giving an
account of the Insurrection of the Abbot of Norton
against the suppressors of his Abbey. Sir Piers
Button rescues the Commissioners.

[ibid. misc. oorresp. 3 Ser, iii. 114. Orig,'\

Please it your good Lordship to be advertysed M*'
Combes and M*". BoUes, the Kyngs Commyssioners
within this Coimtie of Chestre, were lately at Norton
within the same Countie, for the suppressjmg of the
Abbey there. And when they hadde packed up
suche joells and stuffe as they had there, and thoght
apon the morrow after to depart thens, th'abbot
gedred a gret company to geders to the nombre of
two or thre hundreth persons, so that the seid Comys-
sioners weare. in feare of their Ijrves, and weare i&jnt
to take a towre there, and therapon sende a lettre

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 43

•unto me, ascertennyng me what daimgei they were
in, and desjrred me to come to assiste them or ells
they were never lyke to come thens. Whiche lettre
came to me about ix. of the clokke in the night apon
Svnday last, and about two of clock in the same
nyght I came thyders with suche of my lovers and
tenaunts as I hadde nere about me, and founde
dyuerse fyres made there aswell within the gates as
without; and the seid Abbot hadde caused an oxe
and other vitalles to be kylde and prepared for suche
hise company as he hadde then there. Ajid it was
thoght in the morrowe after he hadde comforthe to
have hadde a great nombre moo. Notwithstandyng,
I vsed some polecy and came svdenly apon them, so
that the companye that were there fledde, and some
of them toke poles and waters and it was so derke
that I colde not fynde them. And it was thoght if
the matter hadde not byn quykly handlet it wolde
have growen to forther vnconveniaunts, to what daun-
ger Grod knoth. How be it I toke the Abbot and
thre of his Canons and broght them to the Kyngs
Castell of Halton, and there commytted them to
warde to the Constable to be kept as the Kyngs
Rebellyous apon peyne of M*.*i., and afterwarde
sawe the seid Comyssioneres with theire stuflfe con-
veyed thens ; and Wilham Parker, the Kyngs ser-
vaunt who ys appoynted to be the Kyngs fermer
there restowred to hise possession. Wherfore it may

44 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

like yo' good Lordship that the Kyngs Grace may
have knowlege herof, and that hyse pleasure maye be
ferther knowen therin, whiche I shalbe alwayes redye
and gladde to accompleshe to th'uttermost of my
power, as knoweth oure Lorde God, who euer pre-
serve your good Lordship with moche honor. At
Button, the xij day of October, by yo' assured.

PERRIS BUTTON, iT.

To right honorable and my syngler good
Lorde, Sir Thomas Audely Knyght,
Lorde Chauncelor of Englande, this
be delyuered.

LETTER CCLXX.

The Prior of Durham to Secretary Cromwell^ with an

increased Annuity for life,

[ibid. misc. corresp. 2 Ser, ix. 97. Orig,']

After moste humble Recommendacons unto your
good Mastership. Pleaseth the same to be aduertised
that where as I and my brethern, your Maistershipps
contynuall beademen, have heretofore graunted unto
you oone Annuitie of v*i. due at Michaelmas last
past, whiche I did sende unto your Mastership afore
the said feast by oone Richard Crosbie, oone auditor,
to paie to your use ; the same Crosbie, bicause your
Mastership was not at London at his being there, did
bring agayne to me the same some, whiche was con-

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 45

trarie my mynde, and I am right sorie that it was not
paied at the said terme, wherwith I beseche your
Mastership to take no displeasure. And nowe inso-
moche as I do repute the said Annuitie to be . veray
small unto your person, willing to amplifie and en-
large the same with other yK yerelie, for the conti-
nuance of your Mastershipps favourable kindness to-
wards Sainct Cuthberts Monasterie, me and my bre-
them, do send unto you at this tyme, by my servaunt
the berer herof, oone graunt of Annuitie of x*i. under
our Conventual Scale during your life, with a know-
ledge of seasin and possession in the same. Humblie
beseching your Mastership to comand our said former
graunt of v*i. to be cancelled and restored unto this
berer, and that it wiU pleas you to accept this graunt
in wourthe, with the dailie prayer of me and my said
brethem, your assured continuall Oratours, ever
comitting your good Maistership to the tuicon of the
moste bhssed and holie Trinitie. At Duresm, the
last day of Octobre,

Your moste humble and daly bedeman,

HUGHE, Prior of Duresme.

To the Right Honorable Maister Secretarie
to the King our Soueraign Lordes High-
nes, be this deliaered.

46 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

LETTER CCLXXI.

Margaret Cecill and John Iluse to Cromwell, for
John Reignold, one of the Princess's footmen, to
have the ferm of the lately suppressed Priory of
Bethekelert, in Caernarvonshire.

[ibid. misc. corresp. 2 Ser, xviii. 404.]

*«* This petition did not succeed in its object The site of Beth-
kelert Priory was granted in the 27th Hen. VIII. in exchange to
the Monastery of Chertsey in Surrey, and in the 29th Hen. ^^II.
together with Chertsey itself to the Abbey of Bisham in Be^shire.

In outc right loving wise we recommende us unto
you. And where as the be3rrar hereof, called John
Reignold, oon of the Princesse footmen, is moch de-
sirous tobe fermer of the Priory of Bethekelert, in
the Comitie of Caernarvan, in Northwalles, lately
suppressed, as he saith ; for his fertheraunce thereunto
he hath sued unto us to write unto you in his favore
for that ye have the letting therof, as he affermeth.
We, considering that the said John Reignold was
borne in those parties, and that the said ferme shuld
be proufitable and commodyous for hym, desire and
hertily praye you tobe good maister unto hym, that
he being as beneficiall unto the Kings Grace in that
bihalf as any othre wilbe, may have the same to ferme
with th'appertenaunce bifore any othre, and thrathre
for that he is the Princesse servaunt. Wherin ye may

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 47

be assured not only hereafter to deserve right herty
thanks of his Grace, but also have us to do you suche
pleas' as hereafter may lie in oure powers. And be-
sides ye shall, in our opinion, do thing meritorous
for the refuge of the said John Reignold and to have
hym therfore tobe youre daily Orator : not doubt-
ing but for the annual payment of the said ferme he
shall fynde you such suj£cient suerties as ye shall
reasonable requier of hym, as God knowith who haue
you in his mercifull assurance. At the maner of
Knolle, the last daye of Nouembre.

MARGARET CECYLL.

JOHN HUSE.
To oure right loving frende,
Maister Cromewell.

LETTER CCLXXII.

Lee Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield to Lord Crom-
well, on the state of Gloucestershire. Apparently
written about A. D. 1536.

[MS. HARL. 283. fol. 163.]

%* We have here the arraignment of a Jary for a presumed fidse
Verdict. By Stat. 26 Hen. VIII. c. 4, in case of untrue Acquittals
by Jurors in Wales, they were to be punished by fine and imprison-
ment by the Lord President and CJouncil of the Marches.

To the Right Honorable and his very good Lord
the Lord Cromwell, Lord Privy Seall.

48 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

My dutye rcmembrcd to your good Lordshype
aducrtesynge the same that I have receaved your
Let teres dated at the Courte the xvij* daye of Fe-
bruaty, willing me (that where dyueres complayntes
have bene made againste Sir John Hudleston,
Knyghte, of the one party, and S' John Bridges of
the other parte, by divers poore men) I should entend
to the reformatyon of the same, and to give a vigelent
eye, and circomspectely to barken to the ordere and
factyones in the County of Gloucester. My good
Lord, accordinge to my dutye thes shalbe to enforme
the same that S^ William Sully ard knyghte, M'.
John Vernon, and Thomas Holte, were at the
Assyses at Gloucester, vsrith the Justycese of Assise,
for dyueres causes. Amonge other one was for the
tryall of a Cause of Rape comytted by one Roger
Morgane, of Wales, with a greate nomber in his
companye, in takyng a waye a widowe againste her
will out of a Churche, wherin, althoughe pregnante,
euidence was gyven to the en quest agaynste the sayd
Morgane and his company (as was thought to vs all)
yet not vrithstandynge the sayd mallefactores were
acquitted to the euell example of other. And my
good Lorde, this is a vice that is and hathe bene
comonly vsed in Wales, and hathe moste need of re»
formatyon (which we entendynge) caused the sayd
persones to be brought to tryall, and at suche tyme
as the enqueste should have ben empanelled, suche

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 49

as were of reputacon, and appointed to haue bene of
the same enqueste, absented themselues so that
we were driven to take meane men and of mean
state ; and so thoroughe beringe and secrete labore
the sayd partyes were acquitted. And therupon the
sayd Jurye was and is boimde to appeare at the nexte
assyses ; and, in the meane tyme, before the Kynges
most honorable Counsell in the Stare Chambere,
within X. dayes wamynge to them gyven, yf it shalbe
seen to your and their honores. My Lord, yf this be
not looked upon, farewell all good Rule. I have
herw*** sente vnto your Lordshipe the Coppy of the
whole bookes of Evidence to the entente that the
same scene and pervsed by your Lordshipe, I may
knowe your Lordships pleasure, what tyme the said
enqueste shall appere, that therupon I maye gyve
knowledge therof to the sayd enqueste, wherof I
hartely desyere yo' Lordshipp. At these Assyses
were viij. condempned, wherof yj. for fellony and ij.
for Treason, whose heades and quarters shalbe sent to
viij. of the beste townes of the sheir. Those twayne
were the Bereward and his ffellowe that were
broughte by the Sherife from your Lordshipe ; and
ij. other for sedytyous words agaynste the Kjmges
Highnes were sett of the pillorye and had there
yeares nayled to the same, besydes other puneshe-
ments accordinge to their desertes. And thus the
Holy Trynetye longe contynewe jrour good Lordshipe
VOL. iiL p

OO ORIGINAL LETTERS.

in honor. In haste, from Gloucester, the laste day
of Februarye.

Your Lordshipes moste bounden

ROLAND CO. £T LICH.

LETTER CCLXXin.

Joyccy late Prioress of Catesby^ to Secretary CromweU.

[misc. cx>rre8P. 2 Ser, v. 180. OrigJ]

*«* From this Letter it appears that Queen Anne Boleyn took a
lively interest in the preservation of the Nunnery of Gatesby. '' The
Queen's Grace hath moved the King's Majesty for me, and hath
offered his Highness two thousand marks in recompense of that
House of Catesby, and hath yet no perfect answer." The money,
being a large sum, was to be paid gradually.

The Prioress adds, '' I trust you have not forgotten the Report
that the Commissioners did send unto you of me and my sisters."
The Report referred to is preserved in the Gottonian MS. Cleopatra,
E. IV. fol 209. " Which House of Catesbye," it says, " we found in
very perfect order, the Prioress a sure, wise, discrete, and very reli-
gious woman, with nine nuns under her obedience, as religious and
devout and with as good obedience as we have in time past seen, or
belike shall see. The said House standeth in such a quarter much
to the relief of the King's people, and his Grace's poor subjects
there likewise much relieved, as by the report of dyvers worship-
fulls nere thereunto adjoining, as of all other, it is to us openly de-
clared. Wherefore if it should please the King's Highness to have
any remorse that any such religious House shall stand, we think IMfl
Grace cannot appoint any House more meet to show his most gra-
cious charity and pity on, than on the said House of Catesby." The
Commissioners who signed this Letter were Edward Knyghtly, John
Lane, Greorge Gyffard, and Roger Burgoyn.

By a subsequent Letter from George Giffard to Cromwell (MS.
Cotton. Cleop. e. iv. fol. 2 IS), it appears the King was displeased.
'^ And, Sir, for as much as of late my fellows and I did write unto

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 51

Mr. Chancellor of the Augmentatioiia in the fayor of the Abbey of
St. James, and the Nunnery of Catesby in Northamptonshire, which
Letter he showed unto the King's Highness in the favor of those
Houses, when the King's Highnesa was displeased; as he said to
my servant Thomas Harper; saying that it waa like that we had
received rewards which caused us to write as we did.*'

The Prioress concludes with ^^ Master Onlysaith that he hath a
Grant of the House. But my very trust is in God^ and you to h^p
forward that the Queen's Grace may obtain her request that it may
stand." Nevertheless what Master Only said was true ; Tanner
records that the site of Catesby was granted in the 25th Henry VIII.
to John Onley. There were ten religious here at the time of the
Dissolution. Jocosa or Joyce Bekeley, as Prioress of Catesby, was
admitted a member of the Corpus Christi Gild at Coventry in the
2nd of Henry the VIII.'^ She contimied till the Dissolution.

Pleaseth hit your Mastership to call to yo' re-
membrance that Doctor Gwent enformed you yes-
temyght, that the Queues Grace hath moved the
Kjnges Majeste.for me, and hath offered his Hjgh-
nes too thousand marks in recompence of that Howse
of Catisby, and hath as yet no perfet answere. Yff
hit mey lyke you nowe in my grett sorowe and pen-
syvenes to be so good Master to me as to opteyne
that the Kjmges Grace do graunte that the Howse
may stonde and geyte me yeres of payment for the
ijMil, marks, you shall, have a Cm''* of me to by you
a geldyng ; and my prayers duryng mye lyff, and all
my systers duryng their lyves. I trust you have not
forgoten the report that the Comyssioners dyd sende
rato you of me and my systers. Master Only saith
that he hath a graunt of the Howse. But my very

• Dugd. Warw.

D 2

52 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

trust is in God, and you to help forward that the

Queues Grace mey opteyne her request that hit may

stonde. And this I beseche All myghty Gt>d sende

you ever such comforth at your nede, as it was to my

hart yester nyght when Doctor G^ent ded send me

worde that you wold move the Kyngs Grace for me

this momyng ayen.

Yo*^ most bounden of all creatures,

JOYCE, late Priores of Catesby.

To the ryght honorable and my most
especiall good ma8t% M' Secretary.

LETTER CCLXXIV.

Robert Aske, Chief Captain of the *^ Conventual As-
semblyy' to the Commons of Yorkshire, to raise them
for the Pilgrimage of Grace.

[ibid. 3 Ser, i. 27. OrigJ]

%* The Dissolution of the smaller Monasteries gave rise, as the
reader is, no doubt, aware, to two Insurrections. The first broke
out at Louth in Lincolnshire, Oct. 2d, 1586, and was headed partly
by a person under the assumed name of Captain Cobler, and partly
by Dr. Makarel, Prior of Barlings. The second, of a more formid-
able character, broke out in the northern counties, and was directed
by Robert Aske of Howden in Yorkshire, a man of bold character,
who gave his undertaking the specious name of ** The Pilgrimage of
Grace."

The great outline of this double rebellion is so fully exhibited in
the first Volume of the State Papers published in 1830, that few
Letters of paramount interest upon the subject remain to be pub-
lished. Two or three only are here given, sufiScient to mark the pro-
gress and issue of the event.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 53

Robert Aske's Address, beginning *' Lords, Knights, Maisters,
Kynnesmen, and Friends," is given in the Volume already referred
to, p. 466. The following was his Address to the humbler people,
when first seeking to raise the multitude.

Masters, all men to be redie to morow, and this
neighte and in the momyng to ryng your bellis in
every towne, and to assemble your selfs apon Skyp-
withe mowre, and thare apoynte your Captayns,
Master Hussye, Master Babthorp, and Master Gas-
coygn, and other gentilmen; and to geff wamyng to
all be yonde the watter to be redy vpon payn of
dethe for the Comen Welthe ; and make your pro-
clymacon, every man to be trewe to the Kyngs issue,
and the noble blode ; to preserve the Churche of God
frome spolyng ; and to be trew to the Comens and
the welthis; and ye shall have to morowe the Ar-
ticles and causis of your assemble and peticon to the
Kyng, and place of oure meting, and all other of

poure and comen welthe. In haste, &c.
«

By me robt. aske, Chieffe Captayn

ofM'cheslandy Thiloy and Howden

shyre^ Thomas metham, robt.

ASKE Yongevy thomas salte-

MARCHE, WYLLM. MONKETON, M.
FFRANKE, MASTER CAWOOD, Cap-

tayns of the same.

54 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

%* The Herald's Report, wlio wab seot with a pfoclamatioii in
the fint iartance to appease the loforgents, affords a Sketch of the
parties assembled in Pomfret Castle truly graphic.

*' The manner, fashion, and ordering of me Lancaster Herald at
Arms to our Sovereign Lord the King, sent from Scroby the 21st
day of October, by the right honourable Lord the Earl of Shrews-
bury, Lord Steward of the King's most honourable household, and
Lieutenant General from the Trent northward, and the right ho-
nourable Earls of Rutland and Huntingdon of the King's most ho-
nourable Counsell, to Pomfret, with a Proclamation to be read
amongst the traitorous and rebellious persons assembled at Pomfinet
contrary to the King's laws. Ajid when I did approach near the
Town of Pomfret, I overtook certain companies of the said rebd-
lious, being common people of the husbandry, which saluted me
gently, and gave great honour to the King's coat of arms which I
ware. And I demanded of them why they were in harness, and
assembled of such sort ; and they answered me that it was for die
Commonwealth ; and said if they did not so, the Commonalty and
the Church should be destroyed: And I demanded of them how.
Ajid they said that no man should bury, nor christen, nor wedd^tMr
have their beast unmarked, but that the King would have a certain
sum of money for every such thing, and the beast unmarked to his
own house, which had never been seen. And I answered them and
told them how good and gracious Lord the King had been to them,
and how long he had kept them in great wealth, tranquillity, and
peace ; and also that his Grace, nor none of his Counsel, never in-
tended nor thought no such things and articles as they found them
grieved with. And with such persuasions as I found and said to
them, riding into the Town, I had gat grant of three or four hundred
of the Conmionalty to go gladly home to their houses, and to ask the
King's mercy ; and said, they were weary of that life they were in.
And resorted first to the Market Cross, where I should have made
the proclamation. And Robert Aske, captain of the host, being in
the Castle, heard tell that I was comen, and sent for me to come to
him ; and so I did ; and as I entered into the first ward, there I
found many in harness, of very cruel fellows, and a porter wi& a
white staff in his hand ; and at the two other ward-gates every of
them a porter with his staff, accompanied vrith harnessed men ; and
so I was brought into the Hall, which I found full of people. And
I was commanded to tarry to such time as the said traitorous cap-

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 55

tain'8 pleasure was known ; and in that space I stood up at the
high table in the Hall, and there shewed to the people the cause of
my comings and the effect of the Proclamation ; and in doing the
same, the said Aske sent for me in to his chamber ; and there keep-
ing his port and countenance as though he had been a great Prince,
with great rigour and like a tyrant ; who was accompanied with
the Archbishop of York, the Lord Darcy, Sir Robert C!onstable, Mr.
Magnus, Sir Christopher Danby, and divers other. And, as my
dutie was, I saluted the Archbishop of York and my Lord Barcy,
showing to them the cause I came thither for. And then the said
Robert Aske, with a cruell and an inestimable proud countenance,
stretched himself, and took the hearing of my tale, which I opened
to him at large, in as much honour to our Sovereign Lord the King
as my reason would serve me ; which the said Captain Aske gave
no reverence to„ and superstitiously demanded the sight of my Pro-
clamation. And then I took it out of my purse and delivered it to
him, and then he read it openly, without any reverence to any per-
son ; and said, it should not need to call no counsell for the answer
of the same, for he would of his ovm wit give me the answer, which
was this. He, standing in the highest place of the chamber, taking
the high estate upon him, said, ' Herald » as a messenger you are
■^ welcome to me and all my company, intending as I do. And as for
^tiiis Proclamation sent from the Lords, from whence you come,
< AbH not be read at the Market Cross^ nor in no place amongst my

* people, which be all under my guiding ; nor for fear of loss of lands,

* life, and goods, not for the power which is against us, doth not

* enter into our hearts with fear, but are all of one accord with the

* points of our articles, dearly intending to see a reformation, or else
^ to die in those causes.' And then I demanded of hun what his
articles was. And he said, one was that he and his company would
go to London of pilgrimage to the King's Highness, and there to
have all vile blood of his Counsell put from him, and all noble blood
set up again, and also the Faith of Christ and his laws to be kept,
and full restitution of Christ's Church of all wrongs done unto it,
and also the Commonalty to be used as they should be : and bade
me trust to this, for it should be done, or he would die for it. And
then I required him, that he would give me this in writing, for my
capacity would not serve to bear it away ; and he said, ^ With a
good will ;' and called for his oath which he gave to his people,
and said th'articles was comprehended vnthin the said oath, and

56 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

delivered it in writing to me^ and caused me to read it myself; and
he sayd, to that he would sett to his hand, and die in the quarrel^
and his people with him. And then I prayed him to put his hand
to the said bill, and so he did, and with a proud voice said, * This
is mine act, whosoever say the contrary.' And also he said, he
meant no harm to the King's person, but to see reformation. And
I fell down on my knee before him, showing him how I was a mes«-
senger, and charged by the King's Ck)unsell to read the Proclama-
tion which I brought, for my discharge ; and he clearly answered
me, that of my life I should not ; for he would have nothing put in
his people's heads that should sound contrary to his intent ; and
said at all times I should have his safe conduct, to come and go in
message, wearing the King's coat of arms, or else not : and also
said, if my Lord of Shrewsbury, or any other of the Lords of the
King's army, would come and speak with him, they should have of
him their safe-conducts, to come safe and go safe ; and also said,
' Herald, recommend me to the Lords from whence you come, and
say to them it were mete that they were with me, for it is for all
their wealths that I do.' And then he conunanded the Lord Darcy
to give me two crowns of five shillings to reward, whether I wold
or no ; and then took me by the arm, and brought me forth of the
Castle, and there made a proclamation that I should go safe and
c(mie safe, wearing the King's coat, in payne of death ; and so took
his leave of me, and returned into the Castle in high honour of the
people, as a traitor may. And I missed my horse, and I called to
him again, for to have my horse, and then he made a proclamati^i
that who so held my horse, and brought him not again inunediately,
bad kill him without mercy. And then both my horse was deli-
vered to me, and then he conunanded that twenty or forty men
shold bring me out of the Tovni where I should see the least of
his people, nor that I should not speak with them. For surely I
think, if I might have redd the Proclamaciou and good words unto
the people, that all the plough* commonalty would have gone home
to their houses immediately, for they say they be weary of that life
they lead, and if they say to the contrary to the captain's will, he
shall die immediately. And this all to be true, I, the said Lancas-
ter, hath written this vnth my hand and true report as mine Oath is.^

"Lancaster Herrald."*

» Stat. Papers, 1830, &c. vol. 1. p. 486

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 57

The consternation of the Court upon the second Rebellion was
great. Order was without delay ''taken for munitions;" and
Cromwell was at his wits* end to find money to pay the forces.
Henry bade that he should '' taste the fat priests ** for their benevo-
lence ; and even directed Wriothesley to write, *' His Grace's plea-
sure is, you shall go to the Jewel House in the Tower, and there
take as much plate as you shall think His Grace shall not necessa-
rily occupy, add put it strait to coining. His Majesty appeareth to
fear much this matter, especially if he should want money."

The first command against the insurgents was vested in the Earl
of Shrewsbury^ but subsequently placed with the Duke of Norfolk ;
who, to gain time for reinforcements, proposed a Treaty, in which it
was agreed that the insurgents should send a petition to the King,
that the Duke should go to court to second the petition, and that
hostilities should cease till he and their messengers returned.

Discontent and distress thinned the number of the rebels in the
interval. A pardon, with exceptions, was at last brought by the
Duke of Norfolk, for which, upon further negotiation, a general
pardon without exceptions, and a promise to hold a Parliament at
York, was substituted. Finally the Insurrection was suppressed,
and Aske first, and then the Lord Darcy, invited to come to the
King at Court. Henry's Letter of invitation, addressed to " his
well beloved sutject, Robert Aske, gentleman," is worthy of the
reader's perusal.

By the King.
« Henr^ R.
" Trusty and well beloved. We greet you well. Letting you wit,
that forasmuch as by credible information We be advertised that,
notwithstanding your offences committed agaihst us in the late re-
bellion attempted in those parts, you be now, in heart, repentant for
the same, and determined from henceforth to use yourself in all
things like our faithful and obedient subject ; and further, that your
said offences therein proceeded not so much of yourself, as of the
untruth and evil disposition of osiers ; We have conceived a great
desire to speak with you, and to hear of your mouth the whole cir-
cumstance and beginning of that matter ; and for that purpose have
not only addressed these our Letters unto you, by the which We
command you, as our true and faithful subject, for so We do now
repute you, to repair unto our own person with all possible dili-
gence, making no man privy thereunto ; but also sent unto you, with

D 5

5S ORIGINAL LETTERS.

the same, our tniity and well beloved Mrvant PMer Mewtyi, thif
beriT, oon of the Gentlemen of our Priry Cbamber^ to whom We
woll yoa ihall in all things ipve firm wid imdoiihted credence ; ••-
soring you, that We shall perform and aooompUsh towaida yoa and
all others, our general and free pardon, already granted unto you,
according to the tenor of our Prodamatioo made in that behalf.
Trusting therefore that, at your access to our presenoe, you will use
such plainness and frankness in all things that We shall demand of
you, that We may, besides, have cause to rewarde your fiddity to-
wards us, to be shewed in the same, whioh we shall not fiiil in rack
wise to do, that you shall have good cause hereafter to rEJoice, and
thank God of this journey. Yeven under our Signet, at our manor
of Westminster, the 15th day of December, the 88th year of our
reign."*

In another Letter the King addresses him as Robert Aske esyatre.

LETTER CCLXXV.

Robert Aske to Lord Darcy, announcing the King's

pardon to the Northern Parts, and praying his

Lordship "to stay his quarters" as he had done

himself,

[ibid, ut 9upr, 3 Ser, i. 33.]

A TREW Copy of M'. Aske Letter sent to the

Lord Darcy, Munday the viij*** day of Januar, A®.

1537.

Jfius.

[Vera Copia.l My Lorde as I am boundjm in hert
I recomend me unto you to advertysse your Lord-
ship from the Southe parte, ffirst the King is Ghrace is
good and gracyous Soveraign Lord to me, and haith
aifermed his most liberall pardon to all the North

h Sttt. Papers, 1880, &e. toI. 1. p. 523.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 59

parts by his owne mowthe. For border newes, ffirst
hys Grace haith dispached the Duke of Northfolke
northwards. Morover his Grace intendith to hoold
his Parliament at Yorke, and to have the Quen is
Grace cronyd ther, and also haith grantyd fre eleccon
of knights and burgesses, and lyke lebette to the
spyrytuallis to declare ther lemyng with out hys dis-
pleasure ; and, my Lord, I assure yow his Grace in
hert tendrith the Comon welth of his subiectts and
extendith hys mercy of his own benignitie plen-
tuously to hys people from the hert ; and, if I can,
shalbe glad to morow to attende of your Lordship,
trustyng your Lordship shall perceve I haue doon
my dewtie as well to the King is Grace under his
fauor, as to my Contrey, and plaid my parte. Thus
the liffyug God preserve your good Lordship. My
Lord, I prey your Lordship to stay your quarters,
as I have doon thes parts, and therby I trust all Ing-
lond shall reioyse.

ROBT. ASKE.

%* On the 10th of January Lord Darcy also received a Letter
from the King " to repair and come to his presence, with all dili-
gence that he might use, his health preserved/' Darcy declined the
invitation from illness and feebleness : and was presently committed
to prison.

60 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

LETTER CCLXXVI.

Lancaster Herald to the Lord Privy Seal. The de-
tail of his Journey to the North Parts bearing the
King's Proclamation, after the first subsiding of the
" Pilgrimage of Grace"

[ibid. 2 Ser, xix. 34. OrigJ]

*«* From this Letter it is evident that, though peace was out-
wardly restored, the discontent of the country continued ; and early
in 1537 a fresh Insurrection broke out in Cumberland. Whether
those who had led the '^ Pilgrimage of Grace *' really entered into
new plots, is difficult to ascertain : they were at all eyents sus-
pected, apprehended, and finally executed. Cromwell, in a Letter
to Sir Thomas Wyat in Spain, dated Stepney, 8th July, 1537, says,
'^ Concerning the news of this Realm nothing has succeeded since
my last writing, but from good quiet and peace, daily to better and
better. The traitors have been executed. The Lord Darcy at
Tower HiU. The Lord Hussey at Lincoln. Aske hanged upon
the dungeon of the Castle at York. The rest were executed at Ty-
burn. So that, as far as we can perceive, all the cankered hearts
are weeded away."

Poor Lancaster herald was at last tried, and executed ; not for
any neglect of duty in the Cumberland commotion, but for his mis-
deeds in the former revolt. The charges against him rested chiefly
upon his conduct at Pomfret Castle, more especially for falling upon
his knee to Aske, and for taking his reward.

In several of the State Papers he is called MUler, but his proper
name was Thomas Milner or Mylner. He was appointed Rouge-
dragon Nov. 2nd, 22 Hen. VIII. A.D. 1630, and created Lancaster
9th July, 28 Hen. VIII.

Plesith your good Lordshipe to know that I yo'
powre bydman Lancaster Herralde hathe bene with
the Kyngs Proclamacions in the North parts^ as
Yorke^ Ripon, Mydlam^ Barnacastell, Richemond,

ORIGINAL LETTERS, 61

Dorram, Newcastell, Morpath, Anwyke, and so to
Barwyke, and sewrly as ffer as I have gone, the peple
ys very sory ffor theyr oflfences done agenst the Kyngs
riall Magiste and his most honorable Counsel!, and
also they be right joyes of the knolege that my Lord of
Norfolks Grace shall come a mongest them, and doo
justes to the powre. And also the have left all theyr
raylynge words of theyr artecles and of the Kyngs
Counsell, and yf they be in herte as they show th^m-
selfs outward, I trust all shalbe in great quiottnesse.
Fane they woldbe to have my Lord of Noffolk a
mongest them : bott, my espeshall good Lord, so fer
as I have gone as yett, I have fond the most cor-
ruptyd and malicious Speritualte inward, and partly
owt ward, that anny Prince of the world hathe in his
Realme, and yf the trothe be perfittly knjown yt
wylbe founde that they wher the greattyst corypers of
the temporalte, and have gevyn the secrett accacion of
all this myscheffe agenst our Soveran Lord and your
Lordship, and other of the Kyngs Consell ; as at my
retorne I shall more planely. informe your Lordshipe
of suche thyngs as I herd and sene. And thus I pray
Jhu. meyteyne your Lordshypps honor, and longe to
contenew. Wrytten at Barwyk, this Sent Stevens
day, be your houmble headman.

LANCASTER HERRALD.

To the ryght honorable and my synguler
good Lord, my Lord Preve Scale, de-
lyver this.

62 ORIGINAL LETTERS-

LETTER CCLXXVIL

The Council of the North to the Lord Privy Seal.
Lancaster Herald tried and executed.

[STAT. PAP. OPF. MISC. 00RRE8P. 3 StT, Xix. 65. Orig."]

Pleas it youre right good and honorable Lord-
shippe to bee advertised that here have bene owre
loving ffellowes Clarenceux King at Arms, Somerset,
Kougedragone, and Rougecrosse, personallye pre-
sente at th'assises nowe holdene at the Citie of
Yorke. And at the same assises all thies persones
with as good effecte and diligence as coude bee de-
vysed, have used theymselfs for the setting forwardes
of th'affayres of the Kinges Magestie here againste
Thomas Millar late called Lancastre, who hathe suf-
fered according to his demerites. And what bathe
and shalbee further done in thies parties concer^yng
aswell th'affayres of the Kingis said Highnes as
other matiers of Justice and occurrauntis in thies
parties, we shall, at th'ende of this setting, more at
lengthe advertise the Kingis said Magestie with all
due circumstances. As knoweth our Lorde, who
euermore haue you in his holye govemaunce, oure
moste singler good Lorde. Writtene at Yorke, the
sixte daye of Auguste.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 63

By youre Lordshippes owne to th'uttermuste of
theire powre

ROBT. LANDAFFE.
T. MAGNUS.

RAUFF ELLEitKiLL the younger^ K.

THOMAS FFAIRFAX.

ROBERT BOWISi

WILLM. BABTHORP.

ROBT. CHALONER.

JO. UVEDALE.

To the right honorable and oure mooste
singler good Lorde, my Lorde Pryueseall.

LETTER CCLXXVIII.

Henry Pa/rher Lord Morley^ to the Lord Privy Seal,
CLccompcmying the present of MacchiavelWs Floren-
tine History.

[misc. CORRE8P. 2 Set, xxix. 289. brig.']

%♦ This Letter was written in 1687. The peace between Fer-
dinand of Naples and the Florentines alluded to in it, as little more
than fifty years passed, was concluded by the mediation of Spain in
1486. This brings the date to something beyond 1536, and Crom-
well, to whom it is addressed as Lord Privy Seal, was hot placed in
that o^ce till July 2nd that year. The 13th of February 1537 seems
therefore the appropriate date of this Letter.

^em^t the Seventh, mentioned in it as the late Pope, and to
whom Macohiavelli dedicated his History, died in 1534.

Macchiavelli's Florentine History first appeared at Venice in the
year of his death, 8vo. 1527 ; and was reprinted at Florence, 4to.
B. de Giunta, 1532 ; in which latter year the *' Principe" also ap-

G4 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

peared in similar type and form, from the same preaa ; reprinted at
Florence in 1534 ; and again, without place, in 15S5. The Voliime
presented by Lord Morley evidently contained both the ^ Florentine
History " and *< The Prince,*' and was doubtless the edition of 1532.

My synguler good Lord, after my most harty re-
commendacion unto youe, so do I send youe by my
trusty servaunt, this bringer, to pas the tyme with all
in the Italyan toung, a Boke of the Cronykle of the
Florantyns. The Auctor of hyt, as yt apperythe in
the Boke, wrote y t to Clement the Seventhe late Byss-
chop of Rome. Youre Lordship will marvell moche
when ye do reade yt, how he durst be so bolde to
present suche a worke unto hym ; ifor he so declaryth
theyer petygrew, that yf one schulde reade a hun-
drethe boks, he myght lake to know of theyere usur-
pacion, whiche he schall fynde aparant in his fyrst
Boke. So consequently he prosedythe to the begyn-
yng of the Augmentaccon of the Cyte of Florans.
And in the tellyng of theyre Jests, he tellythe frome
the great Charlamayne, whiche new redyfyed Flo-
rans, most part all the Jests of the Italyans. Your
Lordship, I have oftentymes harde you say, hath
bene conversant among them : sene theyere factyons
and maners. And so was I never. But yf they use
such frauds, myscheves, treasuns, and conspyrasys,
as he. wryttyth that they do, I do not skant account
them worthy to be nomberyd amongest Chrysten
men. And forbecause that as I say, sythens the

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 65

great Charles, the Bysschop of Rome hathe wythe'

all the Pxynces medlyd, and bene now in lege with

them, and somtyme otherwise at war and stryf ; now

cursyng, now blessyng, which they lyttell pas vpon ;

he so accountyth the myschef that they have usyd to

mayntene theyer usurpyd power and dingyty, that

I do knowe very well youre Lordship will affyrme to

have redd no suche thing. At the last, in the viij*^

boke he declaryth of the warre which the Florantyns

hadd agaynst the Bisschop of Rome, and Famando,

that tyme Kyng of Naples. I think yt passys lyttell

fyfty yeres sythens that war was. And how unjustly

he usyd them. And forbycause the Kyng oure

Soueraigne Lords cause and theyers be sumwhat

lyke, ffor asmoche as agaynst all reason he dothe

what in hym ys agaynst the Kyng, aswell by cursyng

as by sowyng off devysyon with all nacyons agaynst

the Kyngs Magestie and the Realme, I do exort

youre Lordschip to note well what the Florantyns

did agaynst the Romyssche Bysschop ; and how lyttle

they reputyd his cursyngs ; what schamfull abusyons

they leyde to his charge. Howe to maynteyne

theyre righteus cause they callyd a Counsell of all

the Bysschops of Tuskan, and causyd the prysts,

wyll they nyll they, to do as they commandyd them :

and appeled utterly frome his evyll dysposyd Court

unto the generall Counsell. And this one example

ys for oure Prynce so great a Declaracion of his

66 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

rigbtfull defensy that I woold to God that not only
all Inglysche men, but all other nacyons hadd redd
the same ; therby to see whyther a Cytie may resyst
in theyre right the wrongs done to them by a Byss*
chop better than one of the most nobelyst Kyngs of
Crystendome. And, my most especyall good Lord, I
most hartely pray youe to schew the very words unto
the Kyng. For I do thinke his Majestie shall take
great pleasure to see them*

In conclution, bycause my Letter schuld not be
to tedyous to youe, in suche places as the Auctor
touches any thing consemyng the Bysschop of Rome,
I have notyd it with a hand or with words in the
marjant to the intent it schuld be in a redynes to
youe at all tymes in the redyng.

And ffurthermore, this Boke off Machiavelle de
Principe ys surely a very speciall good thing for
youre Lordschip, whiche are so ny abought oure
Soueraigne Lorde in Counsell to loke upon for many
causys, as I suppose youre self schall judge when ye
have sene the same. Praing youre Lordschip to ac-
cepte yt wythe no les good wyll then my mynde is to
wyll to youe and all yours helth and honor. And
when youre Lordschip schalbe at convenyent leasor,
I pray youe to be so good Lord unto me as to tender
me in suche things as Maister Bycharde Croumwell
schall sew to youre Lordschip for me. And this I

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 67

comyt youre good Lordschip to God. From Haling-
bury Morley, the xiij day off February.

Al your Lordschypps to comande

HARRY MORLEY.

To the right honorable and my especiall
good Lorde, the Lord Privey Seale,
delyuer this.

*♦* Lord Morley might have spared himself the trouble of send-
ing Maochiavelli's Works to Cromwell. Cardinal Pole, in his Apo-
logy to Charles the Fifth, shows that Cromwell was not only well
acquainted with them long before, bat in a conversation at the Car-
dinal of Yoric's, at a critical moment, upon the duties of a Minister
to his Prince, immediately after Pole's first return from Italy, had
strongly recommended Macchiavelli*8 book to him for its precepts.
The passage is long ; but a few sentences of it will give the story in
Polk's own words. Pde subsequently states that he heard Crom-
well had regretted having praised the book to him.

''Cum Regis intimi Coinsiliarii non satis inter se convenirent, sed
«dii honesto c<»i8tanter adhaftrerent, alii, quo ferebat'Regis voluntas,
se trahi patiebantur ; tunc qUid^n^ ille mecum, qui recens ex Italia
'in medium harum contenticmttm rediissan, captata primum ansa me
alloquendi ex gratulatione de reditu, cum in domo Cardinalis Ebo-
raoensis me ofiendisset, cujus ille tunc assecia fuit, sic postea di-
vertit in sermone de officio prudentis Consiliarii apud Principem,
moventibus credo animum ejus, qu» tunc ex dissensione Consilia-
riorum Regis audiverat, et cognoverat, ac volens interim tentare,
quam in partem ipse animo inclinarem, cum sciret fieri non posse,
ut mea etiam sententia non exquireretur. Cui cum ego inter alia
hoc in summa respondissem : m*eo judicio hoc pertinere ad officium
Consiliarii, ut honori ante omnia, et utilitati Principis sui consule-
ret, nonnullaque de honesto et utili dissenii, quae maxime naturae
lex, et piorum ac doctorum Virorum scripta docent. Tunc ille ad
ea, quae a me dicta erant, sic respondit, ut diceret, se non negare,
ea praedare dici, ac disputari solere, quae in scholis saepe maghos
felpplausus habent, nee minorem, si apud populum ex suggestn dice-
rentur ; sed in secretis oonsiliis haec parum valere, insipida esse,
non modo nullum applausum excitantia si saepius dicerentur, nau-

68 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

seam, et nisi tandem Tocem motaret, et lingaam, qui a talibns arga-
mentis inciperet, sua consilia firmare etiam odiam, et tandgm perni-
ciem ; causamque addidit, quia ea fere nunquam conyeniunt eum
Toluntate Principum, et a consuetudine aulas prorsus abhorrerent.

• • • • •

'* Sed multo clarius haec omnia perspexi, cum in librum inddis-
sem, quern tamtopere apud me laudavii, quem postea vidi, ucn ab eo
mi$sum ; nam credo, P(ENITUI88E tantum de iuU omnliiM apud nte ex-
yromiiissej intelUxi, Sed cum admonitus essem ab his, qui secreta
ejus Btudia, cam lectioni vacaret, no? erant, qualia essent, non minori
studio curabam, ut haberem, quam qui hostium codicillos intercipere,
per quae eorum consilia revelanlur, ssepe magna diligentia curat. Ta-
lem autem librum ilium inveni scriptum ab hoste human! generis, in
quo omnia hostis concilia explicantur, et modi, quibus religio, pietas,
et omnes virtutis indoles, facilius destrui possent Liber enim etsi
hominis nomen et stylum prae se ferat, tamen, yvl coepi legere, quia
Satanae digito scriptum agnoscerem. Ut enim illi libri, qui rectam
Vivendi normam tradunt, per quam homines maxime cum Deo in
gratia, et secum in pace, et concordia vivere possint, divini maxime,
et Dei digito scripti dicuntur, quales sunt, qui divinas leges conti-
nent ; sic qui talem viam ad pemiciem patefaciunt, ut omnem veram
pietatem tollant, et hominum inter se societatem dirimant, qualis est
hie liber, de quo sum dicturus, nunquam eundem Satanas digitis
scriptum dubitabo dicere, etiamsi hominis nomen prae se ferat. Est
autem (ne diutius teneam expectationem tuam) liber inscriptus no-
mine Machiavelli, cujusdam Florentini, indigni prorsus, qui tarn
nobilem civitatem patriam habeat. Sed ut ubique Satanas suam pro-
lem habet, suos filios, qui se miscent inter filios Dei, quod tandiu
erit, donee qui ventilabrum in manu habet, purgaverit aream ; sic
iste Satanae filius inter multos Dei filios edoctus omni malitia, ex
ilia nobili civitate prodiit, et nonnulla scripsit quae omnem malitiam
Satanae redolent. Inter reliqua vero librum de Principe fecit (sic
enim unum suum volumen inscripsit) in quo talem nobis Principem
exprimit, qualem certe, si Satanas in came regnaret, et filium ha-
beret, quem post se in regno relicturus esset, cum camem consum-
masset, non alia prorsus praecepta filio suo daret. Ecce enim, Prin-
cipes, audite enim nunc, et attente auscultate ; ad vos enim, et ad
filios vestros maxime pertinet, ne hac omnium malitiosissima, et per-
niciosissima doctrina eos absorbere patiamini. Sparsum est enim
Ji^oc venenum per Principum aulas in hujus libris, qui ubique fere

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 69

circumferuntur. Audite ergo, et auscultate ; et nee yos tantum ap-
pello, sed omnes gentes, unirersas nationes, et populos, ut auscul-
tatis invito, quia omnium saiutem haec doctrina petit/'

Cardinal Pole was the first writer who discovered and denounced
the real principles in Macchiavelli's Prince.

LETTER CCLXXIX.

Ralph Lane and Thomas Lee to the Lord Privy Seal,

after searching the Books and Goods of Dr* Lmsh,

Vicar of Aylesbury.

[ibid. 2 Ser. xix. 78.]

^«* John Losche or Lusshe, DD., was instituted to the Vicarage
of Aylesbury June 12th, 1529, on the presentation of Brian Higden,
Prebendary of Aylesbury. Lipscombe, in the History of Bucking-
hamshire, says he was a fellow of Eton College. He died in 1545.

Pleaseth ytt your good Lordshepe^ we have re-
ceyved your letters dyrected unto us to vewe and
serche all the boks and other goodis thatt Doctor
Lusshe^ Vicar of Aillesbury, hath in his vicarage
their. And accordyng unto your seid Lordshipps
comaundment^ we have bene their and sherched the
seid boks, and taken an inventory of them ; and to
certyfie your Lorshipp of boks of importinacy, we
ffynd non butt oon, the whiche we have sentt unto
your Lordshipp, and that is called Egisippus and
Clifus, both bounden in oon volume, wherin we ffynd
in dyuerse places in Clifus the aydyng of the Bisshope
of Rome^ raylyng ayenst them thatt speketh ayenst

70 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

his auctorite. And in another place of the seid
boke their is a Sermon of Thomas Beckett in the
greatt preyse of hym, and in another place in a
sermon upon Seyntt Peters day att Midsomer he set-
teth fforth the Bisshop of Rome auctorite with greatt
lyez. And in the same boke we send you a Letter
of oon Thomas Tyffynge, prest of the Queues Colege
in Oxford, thatt provyded the seid boke for the seid
Doctor Lusshe, too yers past. And we allsso haue
send unto your seid Lordshipp three sermonez well
written with his owne hand, withoutt date, wherin we
ffynd in one of them the Bisshop of Rome prayed
flTor by the name of Pope, and in another sermon
spekith ayenst the translacon of Scripture in Ing-
lysshe, and in another sermon dispysyng servynge
men and craftsmen for lokyng of the Newe Testa-
mentt in Englysshe. And by cause the tyme is so
shortt thatt we cannott loke vppon the residue of his
other sermons as we ought to doo, by cause they be
so evyll written to rede, therfor ffor the more suerfy
we have taken them whome to our housez to loke
suerly on them, and if we tfynd any moe sermons
thatt we thynke mete to be sentt vnto [your] Lord-
shipp, ye shall shortely here of theym. And as
towchyng his goods, which is of very small valewe
we have taken an inventory of theym, tjie which
shalbe redy and saffe att your Lordshipp comawnde-.
ment by the Grace of God, who euer kepe you.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 71

Written att Ayllesbury, the xv*** day of Marche, by
youers to our pore power. rauffe lane.

THOMAS lee.
To the right honorable and our synguler
good Lord, Lord Prevy Seaie, be this
delyuered with spede.

LETTER CCLXXX.

Richard Lay ton to Lord Cromwell; inviting him to

pay him a Visit at his Rectory of Harrow.

[ibid. 2 Ser, xx. 298.]

Hit may please your Lordeshipe tobe advertissede
that if ye hadd cum to Harowe on Friday, your bede
was redy and mete for yowe and your trayne. Ye
shall have xx** bedds in the towne, wheras none de-
piurtede of the siknes this yere: besydds a dosen
bedds within the parsonage. I sende yowe by this
bringer half a dossen partterigs. If ye cum not
shortlye, ye shall have but a fewe to fle att. I sende
owte my hawke this day to kyll yowe parterige for
super on Monday. Simeon was never so glade to se
Chryst his master, as I shalbe to se your Lordeshipe
in this your owne house, and all that ever shalbe in
hit for my lyffe. And fare yo^ Lordeshipe as well as
your herte desierith. Frome Harowe, this Satterday,
by your Lordeshippes most assurede to comaunde.

RICHARD LAYTON, preste.

To the Right honorable and my singuler
goode Lord, my Lorde Cruwell, Lorde
Priveysealle.

72 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

LETTER CCLXXXI.

Richard Laytoriy William Petre, and John Freman^
to the Lord Privy Seal, upon receiving the SurreU"
der of Bewley Ahhey. The digress of the Sanctuary
people^

[ibid. 2 Ser, xx. 309.]

%• The Abbey of Beaulieu, or Bewley, as it waa conunonly
called, in the New Forest, was founded in the beginning of the thir-
teenth centary by King John. The Annals of Parcolude say in
1201 : Matthew Paris in 1205 ; by whom also we are infonned that
the Church was neither finished nor dedicated till 1246. The pri-
vilege of Sanctuary is stated to have been conferred upon it by papal
provision, in the time of Edward the Third.

Margaret of Anjou and her son took refuge here; as did'Perkia
Warbeck at a later period.

Richard the Third seems to have entertained some jealousy of the
privilege. In the Register of Privy Seals of his first year, preserved
in the Harl. MS. 433, we have the entry of a Letter to the Abbot, to
appear before the King and Council with all and every such muni-
ments and writings by which he claimed to have sanctuary at Bean-
lieu. The Chartulary of Beaulieu in the Cottonian Collection pre-
serves no Instrument relating to this Sanctuary.

Pleaseth it your Lordshipe to be advertised yes-
terdaie we resayved the Surrendar of this Monastery
and from that tyme have and doo travale for the dis-
peche of all other thinges as dilygentlie as we may.

Ther be Sayntuary men here for dett, felony, and
murder, xxxij, ; many of them aged, some very seke.
They have all, within iiij**., wyves and childern, and
dwelljrnge howses and ground wherby the lyve with
their famylies, whiche beynge all assembled before

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 73

hus, and the Kinges Highnes pleasure opened to
them, thej have verye lamentable declared that if
they be nowe send to other Saynturyes, not onlie
they but their wyves and childem also shalbe utterly
undon, and therfore have desired us to be means for
theym vnto your Lordship that they may remayne
here for terme of their lyves, so that none other be
resaved. And bycause we have by examinacon cer-
tayne knowlege that the great nomber of theym with
their wyves and childem shuldbe utterly cast awaie,
their age, impotency, and other things considered,
yf they be sent to any other place, we have sent
this berear unto you, beseching your Lordshipe we
may knowe the Kings pleasure by you herin, whiche
knowen, wee shall accordinge to our most bownden
duetes, with all delegence accomplish the same, as
knoweth our Lord, who have your Lorshipe in his
blyssid kepinge. From Bewley, the iij. daie of
Aprill.

Yo' Lordeshippes most assurede to comaimde

RICHARD LAYTON, PrCSt.

Yo' Lordshipps most bounden beadsman and ser-^

Vant WILLIAM PETRE.

Yow' pov' man john freman.

To tb6 right honorable and our singuler
good Lorde Privie Seale, be this geven.

VOL. in.

74 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

LETTER CCLXXXII.

Lee^ Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry ^ to Lord Crom^
welly on the proposed exchange of his Hoxise in the
Strand with the Lord Beauchamp,

[ibid. 2 Ser, xxvii. 1203. Orig,"]

%* Stowe, in his Surrey of London, describing the buildings of
the Strand, within the Liberties of the Duchy of Lancaster, says,
'* There was the Bishop of Chester's (commonly called of Lichfield
and Coventrie) his Inn or London lodging. This House was first
built by Walter Langton Bishop of Chester, treasurer of England,
in the reign of Edward the First."

Right honorable, after my moste harty commen-
dacions, thies shalbe to advertise the same that the
ffirst day of Maye I have receyved the Kings Graces
most honorable lettres, and your lettres also, for the
exchaunge of my house in Stronde with the Lorde
Beauchampe, for a recompence for the same. My
Lorde, I am content to gratifye my Prynce with the
same accordyngly, as I wrote to your Lordeshipp.
But it is to me great marvell that your Lordeshipp
makith so little of my partye, that I forthwith shulde
delyver my Dede, and know no thyng of my Recom-
pence. Save only your Lordeshipp wrote to me that
ye will kepe the Dede to such tyme I be recom-
penced ; uppon truste wherof, and uppon that condicon
I have sent my sayde Dede to your Lordeshipp, de-
siring your Lordeshipp to kepe the same, and not

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 75

otherwise to deliver it. For other wise, I doo and
have protested it shall never he my Dede. Besech-
yng your Lordeshipp to be my goode Lorde, consi-
dering I have therin don your Lordeshipps mynde
flTor my parte, to see the same executed for yours.
And although I am not so hable to doo your Lorde-
shipp pleasure as the Lorde Beauchamp, yet I here
your Lordeshypp as goode a harte to my Uttle power,
and more than that ye cannot have, as this berer my
trusty servaunt shall enfourme your Lordeshypp, to
whom it may please the same to give credence. And
thus the Holy Trinitie long preserve your goode
Lordshipp in honor. From Wigmore, the v* day of
Maye.

Your Lordshipps most bowndon

ROLAND, Co. et Lich.

To the right honorable the Lorde Crumewell,
Lorde Priyy Seale, thus be yeven.

LETTER CCLXXXIir.

Ridhard Lay ton to Lord Cromwell. The death of the

Earl of Northumberland.

[ibid. 2 Ser, xx. 299. Orig,'\

%* " Henry Earl of Northumberland died (says the Account of
his Funeral in the Herald's College) at his manor of Hackney, now
the King's House, between two and three in the morning on the
29th of June 1537, 29 Hen. VIII." His funeral was attended by

e2

76 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

the foor Orders of Friars, azid by a large number of clerks and
priests. Lord Butler was the chief moomer. Among the other
mourners were Lord Borough, Sir Antony Wingfield, Richard Crom-
well, Esq., and Ralph Sadler, Esq. The service was performed by
the Bishop of St. Asaph and the Abbot of Stratford. He died with-
out issue, and his brother having been attainted in Aske's rebellion,
the title became extinct, but was revived again in the person of his
nephew. Thomas Percy, in 1557.

This Earl was the person who, in coiyunction with Sir Walter
M'^alsh, arrested Cardinal Wolsey at Cawood. In his younger days
he was a lover of Anne Boleyn, but withdrew his suit in conse-
quence of the interference of his father, to whom Wolsey had com-
municated information of the King's partiality toward her. When
Henry's affection for Anne Boleyn (then his Queen) began to decline,
a supposed pre-contract between the Earl and her was made the
pretence for a divorce ; but the Earl, in a Letter still remaining in
the Cottonian Collection,' dated Newington Green, 13th May, 28
Hen. VIII., denied the existence of any contract or promise in the
most solenm manner.

The manor of Hackney, or King's-hold, as it was more nsoaUy
called, upon the £larl of Northumberland's death, was given to Lord
Cromwell,** and is more particularly noticed here, first, because fre-
quent mention is made of it in two or three Letters, a few pages on,
as one of Cromwell's residences in the plenitude of his power ; and
secondly, because his possession of it has gone unnoticed by every
topographer of Middlesex. This manor had originally belonged to
the Priory of St. John of Jerusalem.

Hit may please your Lordeshipe to be advertisede
that this Saint Peters day, at iiij. of the cloke at
afflternone I went to se the Erie of Northumber-
londe, bejrng sent for v. days paste to have cum imto
hyme, and supposyng to have fownde hyme syke, as
I was wonte, I fownde hyme languens in extremis^

> MS. ODtton. Otho C. z. fol.

^ " 23 Sept, 27 Hen. VIII. Bex conoesnt Thomse Cromwell annig. Maneriniii«
sive principale Mesuagium suiun jacen. et existent, in parochia de Hakney in Com.
Midd*. habend. eidem Thomse hored. et aaaign. rail imperpetuun." Orig, ro. zzfi.

ORIGINAL LETTEfeS. 77

vara*^ desirouse to have spoken to me, but hit wolde
not be. His syght begon to faile, profer he cowlde
not one perfite worde, his stomake swollen so gret as
I never se none, his face, brest, stomake, and all his
bodye as yealowe as saffrone; his memorie as yet
goode, and vnderstanding whatsoeuer ys saide unto
hyme, but speke he cannot. I tolde hyme for his
cumforthe that ye sende me to se hym, and that ye
wolde se he shulde lake nothyng, and that your
Lordeshipe willede hym to be of goode comfortH, and
that ye wolde helpe to spede all his affayres with the
King, nowe at your goyng to the Cowrte ; and I com-
fortede hym before his servants in your Lordshipps
name the beste I cowlde : but the trowthe is I sup-
pos he cannot lyve xxiiij. ourrs. This iij. weks he
hade no money but by borowyng, as his servants de-
clarede to me. He hathe made yo'^ Lordeshipe and
the Bisshope of Hereforthe his executors, and the
King his supervisor. I rede his will wiche me
semethe is> of smalie treasure.

I thowght hit to be my dewtye to advertisse yo'
Lordeshipe of the premisses, supposyng that he
wilbe deade before this letter cum unto your hands.
Frome London, this Saint Peters day, at nyght, by
yo' Lordeshippes moste bownden to comavnde.

RICHARDE LAYTON, PresfC.
To the ryght honorable and my singuler good Lorde,
My Lorde Crumwell, Lorde Privey Seal.

78 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

LETTER CCLXXXIV.

William Lawrence to the Lord Privy Seal, that he

had sent up the Image of Our Lady of Ipswich

by sea,

[ibid. 2 Ser. xix. 03. Orig.]

Pleasith jour good Lordship^ according to your
comaundementty I have byne with my Lord Wande-
ford* the which was very desyriouse and glade to
here of your Lordshyps good helthe. I opyned to
hyme yo' mynde conceamyng the Image of owr
Lady. His good cownsell, and helpe of his servants,
was so redy that shee was conveyed in to the Shipp
that very fewe ware prevy to yt, and shall cum upp
so shortly as the wynd will serve. And where your
Lordship comawnded me desyer my Lord Wende-
forth to aquieate suche contrauersis as be here in
Ipswiche, his wisedome was suche that he hade done
much good in the.mattere beforne my comyng to his
Lordshipp ; yeat according to your Lordshipps deqrere
for the forderance of the same, he hathe sentt for the
baylese and cawsears therof and gevyn theme com-
awndement to redresse all suche onquieatnesse, and
to speke the sinceare and trewe goospell withowt
rayling or rebukyng ony singulare persons, butt to
the encrease of vertewe and oppressmentt of syne

* This was Thomas first Lord Wentworth, who was smninoned to Parliament as
a Peer by yirtue of a writ of Summons, Dec. 1, 1520, SO Hen. VIII. He was the
son of Sir Richard Wentworth of Nettlested in Suffolk. He died March 3, 1551.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 79

and will diligently laywaight to haue it soperformyde
wheryn all this contre shall he hownd to your Lord-
shipp. So Jesus preserve you.

By yo' heedman and seruant,

WILL"M. LAWRENCE.

To the right honorable and my singular
good Lord, my Lord Privy Seale.

LETTER CCLXXXV.

Thomas Thacher to Lord Cromwell. The arrival of
** the Im^ge of Our Lady which was at Ipswich.^^

[ibid. 2 Ser. xlii. 82. OHg,'\

My Lorde, my moste hounden duetie doon. It
may please your Lordshipp to he advertessed that I
have received into your place hy flfrere Augustines,
firom William Laureftce^ the Image of our Lady that
was at Yppiswiche, which I have hestowed in your
"Wardrobe of bedds till yo' Lordshipps pleasur shalbe
further therin knowen. Ther is nothyng about hir
but ij. half shoes of silver, and iiij. stones of cristall
sett in siluer.

Your Lordshipps houshold is in good helth, as we
trust your Lordshipp is, for the contynu wherof we
doo dayly praye ; and thus Jhu preserve your good
Lordshipp in good helth long to endur. From your
place in London, the xxx. day of Julij.

My Lorde, your servaunt Gawen Lancastre is this

80 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

day buryed^ and dyed as it is thought of the wounds
he had of the officer. Albe it he had a fall in his
lodgyng on Sonday that last was, at nyght.

Yo' most bounden servaunt,

THOMAS THACKER.
To the right honorable my Lorde Cnimwelly
Lorde Pryvey Seale.

LETTER CCLXXXVI.
■>

George Alyshury to the Lord Privy Seal, to aid his
suit to the King for the Manor of Ofchirche, in
Warwickshire,

[STAT. PAP. OFF. MISC. LETTERS, t. HEN. YUI. i. 86. Orig.']

Pleasith yo' Lordship to be aduertised, accord-
yng to your comaundment by yo' letter, I have sent
herein wrytyn the names of all suche infucions which
I have made at this tyme of RoMs, after the descrip-
cion of mesin • ; oyle of rosis, vynagre of rosis, rose
water, damaske water made chefly with rosis, driede
rosis; of all thes I was comawndyd by Doctor
Buttes and the surgeons to have store of for the
Kyng. Yf it lyke your Lordship I wolde have made
other, as conserue of rosis, sirop of rosis, mell rosa-
rum, Julop of rosis, and soche other, yf I had byn so
comawnded. I be seke yo' Lordshipe to haue me in
remembrawnce to the Kyngs Grace for my sute con-
seming the manor of Ofchirche, in Warwyke shire.

•Macer?

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 81

I wolde have come to your Lordship at this tjrme but
the Kyng hathe comawnded me to be at Hampton
Courte, to do such thyngs as his Grace wull have
done therre. And thus Almyghty God preserue
your Lordship to his plesure, and your hartes desyre.
Amen. Frome Sowthwarke, the fourthe daye of
August^ at X. of the clocke.

By your seruaunt to his powre.

GEORGE ALEYSBURYE.

I recaeued yo' Lordshipes letter at viij. of the
clocke^ this present fowrth daye of August*

To his synguler good Lorde, Lorde Cromewell,
Lorde ?revie Scale, dd. this.

LETTER CCLXXXVIL

George Alysbury to the Lord Privy Seal^ to put the
King in remembrance for some living. The charges
that he had been at.

[ibid. i. 87. OrigJ]

MosTE omble besekethe youre good Lordshype to
haueyoure old seruaunt in remembrance to theKyngs
Grace for sume lyuyng that I maye be able to do hys
Grace seruys. Sir, I haue byn with hys Grace thys
yere and this quarter, which I had neuer penny lowde
me for mete, nor drynk, nor horse, nor bote hyre
for bryngyn suche thyngs as his Grace commanded

£5

82 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

where some euer he dyd I7, which hath byn a. grate

charge to me with my syknes, besekyng you to be

good lord vnto me now, as you haue byn euer, as it

was neuer more nede, as knowith oure Lord who pre-

serue yome good Lordshype to his pleser, by yowre

servant to his pore, georoe altsburt.

I wolde a wajrt apon youre Lord shype as my

dutie is, the truthe is, and yf it lyke you, I came not

out of my chamber thys tewellie weks, and ylyke

youre Lord shype yf youre watar had nott byn which

Mayst*^. Broke stylld for the Kyng, I had shure dyde.

'I had taken a surfett with bred that was not baken,

whiche laye in my stomak too dayes lyke a pece of

lede ; as sone as euer I drank of the water it burst

it and cause it to a voyde marvosly.

To the ryght honorable my lord
Preyy selle take this.

LETTER CCLXXXVIIL

Sir Humphrey Wingfield to the Lord Privy Seal.

Three felons J at Ipswich^ found guilty ^ hut ^^ prayed

their Book;'* no Ordinary to hear them read, they

were reprieved without judgment given upon the

verdict,

[ibid. misc. corresp. 2 Ser, xli. 738. Orig,}

Right honorable and myn especiall good Lorde, I

moste humbly comande me unto yoiu: good Lord-

shipp, sygnifyinge you the same that ther wer at the

ORIGINAL LETTERS.

83

laste Grayle delyvery holden in the Kings Towne of
Ypeswiche for the deKuerye of the Grayle of the
same Towne, iij. felons araynid upon iij. severall In-
diqjments of seuerall felonyes, and every of them
pleded not gyltye. Wheruppon xij. men chargid to
trye the same, fownde every of them gyltie. Ther-
uppon every off them prayed ther book, and for that
the See of Norwiche than was vacant, and none ordi-
narye to here them rede, the Justices of the Pease
that wear at the said Sessions repried the said felons
withowt eny Jugement upon the said verdit by them
gyven, because the kepynge of them wer sumwhat
daungerous. Whiche prisoners I assure your Lord-
shipp wer as streydye and suerly kepte as myght be
conveniently devysyd, savynge ther lyeflfe, as one off
the bayllyes of the sayde Towne, this berer, shall
more specially advertyse your good Lordshipp. To
whom yt maye lyke your Lordshipp to gyve credence
aswell conceminge the said sure kepenge as the
fassion of ther escape, not dowtynge but that he vrill
playnly and trewly declare to your Lordshipp the
very trothe of the same in all cyrcumstances. To
whom I humbly beseche your good Lordshippe to be
good Lord unto, and to shewe to hym and to hys
felowe your lawfull favor and ease in the same, so
that the Kings Grace, by, jour good Lordshippes
meanes, may graciously pytie this mater, and the
said baylyes and all the hole Towne shall dayly praye

84 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

to God for your honorable Estate longe to endure.
Wretin at Ypiswiche^ the viij. daye of Auguste.
By y' most bounden,

HUMFREY WYNGFELDy i£#

To the right honorable and my especiall
good Lorde, Lorde Cromewell^ and
Lorde Prevye Sealle.

LETTER CCLXXXIX.

Thomas Thacker to Cromiotll; respecting his Hmse-

holds f and his Buildings which were going on.

[ibid. 2 Ser. xlii. 85. Orig,'\

%* Thomas Thacker was Cromwell's stewanL He was after-
wards, upon Cromwell's death, taken into the service of Henry VHI.
More will be said relating to him presently.

Right honorable Sir, my duetie humbly doon, yt
may please yo^ Maistershipp tobe aduertessed that
this Wedynsday, the xj*** day of this present moneth
of August, I have receiued yo' Maistership is lettre
dated at Barkeley Herons the ix*** day of the said
moneth, and according to your comaundement, I haue
sende to you the Acte in a box. Your Housholds
at the Rolls, Augustyne ffireres, and Hakeney, be all
in good helth, God so contynue yt. And also at
Stepneth all in good helth, and the stere there from
yo' lodging down to the galaxy fynyshed with a wyn-
dowe there, the Jaques was very well doon. Your
buyldyngs at Hakeney gothe fforwards apase, the

ORIGINAL LETTERS, 85

kychyn, the breke worke thereof, with the chynvnes
ffynyshed to the rooff, the roff sett upp and tylers
upon yt. The enlargyng of your buttry there and
scolary, and well brought upp aboue the ground my
hyght, and the roofs therof in fframyng with all
spede, and all other your lodgyngs trymed with
wyndowes glasse and hangyngs there so as I thyng
your Maistership wyll lyke yt well, as a goodly place
in myn opynyon. The pay there on Saturday last
made to Ixxiiij. workmen and laborers, with the
empcions and necessaries was xliiij*i. xiiij*. \j^. At
your place at Frere Augustynes, the wall of the
kychyn towards the strete, with the wyndowes of
ffiree stone, and also the walls of the same kychyn,
scolary, buttry, pantry, and other kouses of office
clerely ffjmysshed, and the carpenters in reysing of
the rooffs of the buttry and pantry and over the
kychen, and your hall also iSynysh all the breke work
exqepte the wyndowes of the syde of the hall towards
the Court, which taryes for the mason work, and that
is in hande as fiast as they can. Yo' owne lodgyng
with all the chambers and galaxy above flfynyshed
and plastered, wantyng nothyng but glasyng, and
youre stere also plastered. The pay there on Satur-
day last past was made toxl\j. workmen and laborers
with the empcions and necessaries was xx*i. xiiij*. vij**.
as by the perticulers therof yt dothe appere. On
Sonday last past I went to Ewhurst, and there vewed

86 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

yoiyr goodly firames ; the doble fflores of your hall
and soler under yt be ffynyshed, and also the twoo
sydes of your hall, and parte of the same caryed firom
the frame to the watersyde, and more dayly shall
come by the grace of God. They have much busy-
nes to gett caryage by cause of haye tyme and har-
vest ; but the parson of Ewhurst which is good and
diligent in your busynes there, saith we shall have
carts this next weke. Your frame is the goodlyest
and myghtiest that I in my lyf have seen : but your
foundacions therof, with Goddis grace, is substanciall
and myghty ynough to here yt. And nowe they be
in hand with the roof of your said hall, they have
received vjC, loode of tymber of Dandy, and he hath
had of your Maistership paid by Webster and Chris-
topher Roper, jCli, Dandy when I was there was in
perell of dethe, and I suppose ded by this tyme. The
pay there on Monday last to Carpenters and Sawyers
for xiiij. dayes ended the xxiiij. day of July last past,
that is to saye, to Ixvij. persones, was xxv*i. xj*.,and
on Saturday, that shalbe the xxj. day of this present
moneth of August shalbe pay day ay en for a monethe,
your Maistership so pleased. Sir, Maister Styward
intendithe to begynne houshold at Hakeney ayenst
yo*" comyng homeassone as the housse is redye, oonles
he haue contrary comaundement from ypur Maister-
shipp. I truste by the ende of the next weke yt
wylbe in good waye. M'. Williamson and Richard

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 87

Lee doo as moche there in with all diligence as may
be. All your fifolks at Canbyry be also in good
helthe, thankyd be God. I beseche your Maister-
shipp to pardon me of this my royde wrytyng. Wry-
ten in hast, at M^ Gostwyk place in London, the
said xj**» of August, and Jhu. preserve your Mrshipp.
By yo' humble and ffaithfull servaunt,

THOMAS THACKER.

S'. Thomas Grene tellith me that Dandy is full

paid for his tymbre after the rate iij*. iiij**. the lode.

To his right honorable M% Maister
Thomas Cnimwell Squyer, Prin-
cipal! Secretory to o*" Souereine
Lord the Kyng.

LETTER CCXC.

Thmias Thacher to Lord Cromwell. The Bishop of

Hereford sends a Present of Bay-Salt, Thacher

petitions for the ferm of the suppressed Priory of

Bredsalle Park; and afterwards for a Cell or Farm

belonging to Repton Priory in Derbyshire,

[ibid. 2 Ser. xlii. 93. Orig,']

*«* Thacker in this Letter asks for a farm belonging to Repton
Priory ; but the Visitors in 1588 placed the Priory itself in his
hands to hold for the King, and in 1540 he became its purchaser.
The Messrs. Lysons, in their Account of Derbyshire, say he also
purchased most of the furniture and stock at the suppression. They
add that the furniture of the high altar, and of St. John's, St. Tho-
mas's, Our Lady's, Our Lady of Pity's Chapels, with Images, &c.
sold for fifty shillings : the grave-stones were not then sold, nor the
buildings. It appears that there was a Shrine of St Guthlac at

88 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

this Priory, to which wm a greftt resort of pilgrims. And his bell
was applied to the head by superstitions persons for the cure of the
head-ach.*

Fuller, in his Church History, on the authority of his kinsimn
Samuel Kuper of Linc«)ln's Inn, says that one Thacker, being pos-
sessed of Repingdon Abbey in Derbyshire, ^ alarmed with the news
that Queen Mary had set up the Abbesrs again, (and fearing how
large a reach such a precedent might haye,) upon a Sunday (bdike
the better day the better deed) called together the carpenters and
masons of that county, and plucked down in one day (church work
is a cripple in going up, but rides post in coming down) a most
beautiful Cliurch belonging thereunto, saying he would destroy the
nest, for fear the birds should build therein again."

Sir Henry Spelman, in his History of Sacrilege, notices Mr. God-
frey Thacker of Repingdon, as an instance of a person possessing
church tithes and lands, and making a very insufficient allowance
to the minister of his church, and remarks his having been reduced
in his circumstances without any assignable cause.

Gilbert Thacker, the last of this family, died in 1712, leaving one
only daughter, who bequeathed the Priory estate to Sir Robert
Burdett, Bart., grandfeither of the late Sir Francis Burdett The
name of Thacker, however, in humble life, still continues at Repton
and in its neighbourhood.

The remains of the Priory have since been converted into the
school-room and offices belonging to Repton School ; and the man-
sion, which was the seat of the Thackers, is now rented as a resi-
dence for the head-master.

Wollay, in his Derbyshire Collections, (MS. Addit. Brit. Mus.
1667, p. 658,) speaks of the respectability of Thacker's family at an
early period. He says " this Mr. Thacker's family had their resi-
dence (before the Dissolution of Monasteries) at a House vrithin
the Liberty of Highedge, in the parish of Duffield in Dert)y8hirey
formerly called Toadmire Hall, but now generally Thacker Hall,' or
Thacker House.''

Please yt your good Lordshipp to be aduertissed
my Lorde, the Busshopp of Hertford hath gyven to

■ Lyions, Derb. p. 236, from the Particidan of Sale annexed to a Copy of fho
Regiater of Tutbury Abbey, then in the poaaeaaion of Sir Joaeph Banka, Bart.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 89

your Lordshipp yj. weigh of Baye Salt which I have
receyved and bestowed in your seller at Frere Augus-
tynes. All your housholds and servaunts here be in
good helth, as we trust that your Lordshipp is, I
pray God to contynew. Yo' Lordshipp shall receiue
herwith a lettrje from the Lord Deputie of L-eland.
Your buyldyngs goo well fforwards, and your work-
men shall nor doo lack noo callyng on them to
Synysh and make an ende with asmoch spede as con-
veniently may be.

Please it your Lordshipp, where of late I was so
bolde to move yo*" said Lordshipp to helpe me to
haue in ferme of our Soueraine Lorde the Kyng the
suppressed Priory of Braydsall Park in the Coimtie
of Darby, beyng of the yerely value of x*i. xvii'. x**.,
which M'. Chauncellor of the Augm^ntacon dyd
graunt vnto me, and put my name in his booke upon
the same: albeit the sertificate of that cuntry not
beyng as yet come upp, oon Robert Wodd of Walt-
ham Holy Crosse hath gotyn his name into the
Kyngs booke, and therfor M'. Chauncellor badde me
spye some other thyng ; and I shewed hym of a sell
or fferme belongyng to the Priory of Repyngton
commenly called Repton, in the Countie of Derby,
suppressed, which M'. Chauncellor so founde in his
booke, and put my name upon yt, and hath promised
me the same ; but nowe, within these ij. days, my bre-
thers haue certified me from Darby, that the Prior of

90 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

Repton nowe of late hath made a lees iherof to Panon
Levesoiiy for a kynsman of his, upon certeyn promises
by the said Parson to the said Prior; the said lees
sealed not half yere agoo, berin date iij. or iiij. yeres
pasty as the neyghbours there do reportOi insomoche
as the said Prior, hauyng knowledge-of the comyng
thedur of the Surveyars, hath caused the supposed
fermer to bryng in parte of his stuff into the said
fferme, so to meantene his said imjust lees, and put
me from it, oonles your good Lordshipp is helpe
therin. Wherfor I am nowe thus bold to besech your
Lordshipp if any labor be or shalbe made to your
Lordshipp for the same by the said Leveson or any
other, to haue me in your Lordshipp is remembrance,
and of your goodnes to helpe me to have the same in
fferme, by the Kyngs graunt for conuenient yens,
orells to directe your lettre unto M'. Chauncellor
for the same. The name of the same Sell or Fenne
is commenly called Calk, but in the books certified
befor this tyme in th'exchequer it is entred in this
wise

Aston Chelardston, Walent in Re" et firm iUm per
Calk, and Donasthorpp ) Annum v*i. x*. iiij*^.
but I suppose the Surveyors will nowe fynde it of
more yerely value.

My Lorde, I beseche yo' Lordshipp to pardon me
of my bold wrytyng, which I doo by cause it is noted
in the cuntrey that I shall haue the said fferm by

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 91

favor and helpe of yo' Lordshipp ; as true it is if I have
yt, by whom I am revyved and brought in estima-
cion there and els where : I pray God that I may
deserve with my true and delegent service. God
knowithe my poore mynd. And so Jbu preserue
your good Lordshipp in helth with long lyf, Wrytyn
at the Rolls, the xv*** day of August.

By yo' humble servaunt,

THOMAS THACKER.

To my ri^t honorable Lord, the Lord
Crumwell, Lord Pryvey Seale,

LETTER CCXCI.

Thomas Thacher to Lord CromwelL Again details

the Works and Repairs going on at CromwelVs

Houses.

[ibid. 2 Ser, xlii. 91. Orig,'\

%* In a Letter from Cromwell to Wolsey, in the preceding Vo-
lume, his exhortation to the Cardinal, after his fall, to cease from
building is remarkable. But a few years after, we find Cromwell
indulging this taste for building himself. In London, a house near
the Augustine Friars, on the site of what is now Drapers* Hall, was
his early residence. The Rolls was his official house for years.
He had a house at Hackney, another at Stepney, Canonbury House
at Islington was a third, and Mortlake a fourth, in the vicinity of
London. Ewhurst in Surrey, on the bordier of Sussex, was another
of his residences : and works and repairs, as will be seen in this
and a preceding Letter, were going on in most of them at the saime
time.

Stepney he had upon lease, according to Lysons, as early as 1524.

92 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

The grant of Hackney has been already meatkMied in p. 76. Gi-
nonlmr}' he appears first to hare rented of the Prior of St Bartho-
lomew in Smithfield ; but the fee of it was granted to him npon the
suppression of that Honse in 15S9. The lands at Mortlake he ob-
tained in exchange from the King by an Act of Parliament, 28 Hen.
VIII. c. 50, A.D. 15S6.

So many Letters and Papers are dated from Stepney, that tint
was probably his most &vourite residence in the neighbooihood of
London.

The Editor has met with bat one Letter of CromweU's dated fiua
Canonbory ; addressed ** to Sir Boger Reynolds priest. Master of
the Hospitall of Saynt Johns in Huntingdon, Robert Wolf baylif
there, and John Kytche, and to every of them be this joYtn,'^

** I commend me unto you. And these shall be to advertise yea
that the King's pleasure is that ye ymmediately upon the sight of
these my Lettres shall repayre hither to answer unto suche tilings as
then shall be layd and objected to you oo the King our said Sore-
reigne lords behalf. Fayle ye not thus to do as ye will avoyde far-
ther peril! and iocoDTenience. So fiare ye welL From my Hoofle
at Canbery the vj«> day of September.

Thomas Crumwell."

My Lord, most humbly thanckyng your Lordshipp
for yo' lettre directed to the Surveyars of the sup-
pressed Monasterys in the Countie of Darby in
favor of my brethem, moche to my comfort and
theyres. Please yt yo' Lordshipp, the paye made on
Seturday, the xix*** daye of this present moneth of
August, at your place by Frere Augustynes was
xxxix*i, ij*. V*. ob., that is to wytt to yj. brekelayers,
lyj. carpenters, xij. sawers, v. plasterers, and xix.
laborers, xxviij*». xix*. j**,, and for emptions of lyme,
sande, heyre, and other necessaries, with cariage vij^.
xix*. iiij**. ob., and for cariage of tymbre from Frian

t

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 93

wodd to your said place xliiij*. iiij**. I paid more
the same day to the smyth for locks and iron work
received and rekened by M'. Williamson for Mourt-
lake xiijli., and to the glasier for glasse workmanshipp
ther delyuered and doon, and the rekenyng therof
brought also by M*". Williamson other xiiij*i. So
that the payment at Frere Augustines, with this
xxvi*i. at Mordak, amounteth to lxv*i. ij*. yj**. ob.
Your work gothe well forward* Ye must have
eight flfodre of lead for wyndowes, gutters, dubbyng
and suche other. I will loke for yt this weke, for p

now it wilbe best chepe for this yere, and we must f

occupie yt out of hand, and so to cover the greate
chambre. The chymney therof they are appoynted
to begynne on Monday next. By the next paye I
trust in God we shalbe in good forwardnes.

My Lord, I shall have nede of more money, which
I am as loth to call fore as any man may bee, yo'
busynes not letted. I have not left above xl*i. which
must goo for leade, and then dyuers other tbyngs we
must prouide for the dispache of your said works.
Nowe is the tyme to applye the same, which nowe
will dekay euery daye more and more. Your work-
men doo nor shall lack no callyng on. There must
be doores of weynscot, as your own chambre, and
other aboute and nere to the same, and at the stere
hed of the hall, whiche we intende to sett £For-
ward.

94 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

Your works at Mourtlake goo well forward. M^
Williams wold haue vj, mounts of plaster, which will
cost vj\ the mount ; and he desireth more to haue the
glasse and selyng of the old galarj, which we woll
not delyuer vnto hym oonles your pleasure knowen
therin,

I sende to your Lordshipp herwith a lettre that
come from M^ Chauncellor of Augmentadon, an
other lettre that was brought to your place by
th' Augustyne freres, from whom I knowe not : also
a quyver with adosen arrowes for your Lordshipp is
crosbowe. Other newes I here of non, but that I
am sure your Lordshipp hathe more certeyn than I
can wryte you: and so JKu preserve your good
Lordshipp in good helth with long lyf. Wryten at
your Place in the Rolls, at London, the xx*** day of
August.

By your humble servaunt

THOMAS TRACKER.

To the right honorable lord, the Lorde
Crumwell, Lorde of the Pryve Seale.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 95

LETTER CCXCII.

Robert Southwell to the Lord Privy Seal, signifying
the attainder of two Priests for denying the King^s
Supremacy.

[cotton. MS. CLEOP. E. VI. fol. 256. OHg^

Pleasithe it your good Lordship to ynderstand
of Wyllyam Dikenson clerk and prestyd at Rome,
with Wyllyam Pettye, sume tjone a frier minor in
Jereseye, wer yest'daye attaynted of high treason
vppon theyr severall denyyng the Kyugs Suppre-
micye, wheryn they stouk as errogantly as any tray-
tors that I have mouche sene in my lyff, and more
wold haue done iff they might have been permitted
therto. Suerly Sir, they wer and be yett too weeds
not meate to growe in our garden, nor none of ther
seade that they have sowen, wherof we can as yet no
thyng leme by ther conffessyon. Dickyngson was
aprehendyd by the see syde in Sussex in jomey to-
wards Rome, iff he hedd not ben stayed. Pettye is
as suttelye witfyd as he is engenious, and hathe as
plesant an instrument ffor the vtterance of his can-
cred hert as I have herd.

Sir, this day we procede to the araynment of
felons, wherof ther is good store and very personable
men. It shalbe a charitable deade to delyver a great
part of them agayn this holy tyme accordjmg to ther

96 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

merits. I humbly beseche your Lordships that I
may be advertisyd not only of the Kyngs pleasure
concemyng the tyme of th'executyon of thesse too
traytors that be attayntyd, but also of your pleasure
ffor the adjomement of the Court tyll Mondaye, at
wiche tyme the men of the Countye that hathe alredye
aperyd wylbe very lothe to apere so shortly agayne
fFor lett of ther own besynes^ and ther ffor wither we
shall this daie dissolve^ or adjome tyll Mundaye, I
humbly beseche your Lordschip that I may know
your pleasur, wiche, God thankyng, I will accom-
plishe.

Y*" Lordship's humbly to comand,

ROBERT SOWTHWELL.

LETTER CCXCIIL

Robert, Bishop of St, Asaphy to Lord Cromwell, to
obtain him a licence to be absent from the next
Parliament ; and another licence to make Wrexham
the Cathedral of his See,

[STAT. PAP. OFF. MISC. LETTERS, t. HEN. VIII. i. 140. OHg,']

*«* Robert Warton was elected Bishop of St. Asaph June 8th,
and consecrated July 2nd, 1536. He was translated to Hereford
in 1554 : and died Sept. 22, 1557. This Letter appears to have
been written soon after he had taken possession of St. Asaph. That
Cathedral had undergone sad changes. It had been burnt by the
English in 1282, in their wars with the Welsh ; after which an in-
effectual attempt was made to fix the See at Rhuddlan. In 1884,

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 97

however, the Gdthedral was rebuilt ; and the structure then erected
may be considered as the present edifice, the walls having remained,
although the church was again burnt by Owen Glyndowr in 1402.
For near eighty years it lay in ruins, but was finally restored by
Bishop Redman, who repaired the walls and gave the church a new
roof. Bishop Warton was nevertheless desirous to remove the seat
of his See to Wrexham, the church of which place was, and still is
considered, not only as the glory of the place, but of North Wales.

Right honorable and singler good Lorde^ after
my duetie remembred vnto yo' Lordeship, with
humble recomendacion, pleasithe it the same to be
aduertised that, God willing and yow, I am deter-
myned to ride in the lattef ende of this somer vnto
my Diocess. And forsomuche as the wynter shall
approche, and the wais growe depe and tedious,
theise shall be therfore moste hartely to beseche yo*^
Lordeship to be so muche my good Lprde to gett me
licence of the Kyngs Highnes to be absent from the
Parhament at the next session, or ells my tarieng
there shall be very shorte, and my retume muche
pajrnfull. And if it may please your good Lorde-
ship to haue also in yo' rememberance to optajme
my lycence for to remove my See or Cathedrall
Church to Wrexham, the boke wherof I lefte with
Master Richard Pollarde to deliuer vnto yo*^ Lorde-
ship jrmmediatlie after dissolucion of the last session
of Parliament, yo' Lordeshipp shall bynde me as yow
haue alredie done to owe yow my faithfull and hartie
service duryng my life, wherof your Lordeship shall
be assured.

VOL. III. F

98 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

My Lorde^ yn all my causes, I have non other
refuge but yow, wherfor I most humbly beseche
yow, as occasions shall growe, I may be bolde to
crave yo' aide whiche of yo' goodnes yow haue
comanded me to doo. And I shall remayne as one
that shall be assured yo' Lordeships duryng my life,
as God knowith, who preserue yow with dailie en-
crease of honour. Yow' Lordshyps bedman,

ROBERT ASAPHER.

To the right honorable and hU sinc^er
good Lorde, my Lorde Privie Scale,
be this deliuered.

LETTER CCXCIV.

John^ Bishop of Rochester, to the Lord Privy Seal,
sending to him the Prior of the Blackfriars of Cam-
bridge , who desires to suppress an Image of Our Lady

there,

[ibid. 2 Ser. xzxv. 118. OrigJ]

Gratia tecum.

My most synglar good Lord^ these be to advertyse

your Lordshyppe that thys honest man bryngar off

this byll, the which is Prior off Cambryge yn the Black

Freers, a man off good lemynge, and a prechare off

Gods trewe gospell, cam unto me to desyre my

lettres to your Lordshjrppe to hyre hys humble pety-

cion, the which ys thys, Ther hathe off longe tyme

byn an Ymage off ower Lady yn the sayd hows off

ORIGINAL LBTTERS. 99

Freers, the which hath had myche pylgrjrmage unto
her, and specyally att Sturbruge fayre, and for as
myche as that tym drawythe nere^ and alsoe that the
sayd Prior cannott well here syche ydolatrye as
hathe byn vsyd to the same^ hys humble request ys
that he may have comawndment by your Lordshyppe
to take away the same ymage from the peoples syght.
And now my shute and hys ys also, that hytt may
please your Lordshyppe to take the sayd Hows imto
the Kjngs hands to put hytt vnto syche vse as hys
Grace shall thynke best, for nother that ydoll, nother
thatt relygyon, evyn leek as other relygyon fayned,
lekythe me, or thys your power man*. Hytt may
therfore please your Lordshyppe to acceptt hys
hartty shute heryn, and bothe he and I shalbe your
two gode contynuall Oratours. Wretyn yn London,
the XXX** day off August.

By your Lordsh3rpps oratour

J. ROFFEN.

Yff yo"^ Lordshyppe wyll trust me to be commys-
sionare for the sayd purpose, I wold fayne declare
myselfe that I am nott a meynteyner off supersty-
cyous relygion, as some (vntreWe men) beryth me yn
hande.

To hys synglar and veray good Lord
Privye Seale, thys be yevyn.

F a

100 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

LETTER CCXCV.

ThomasThacker to Lord Cromwell. The arrived of
the Images of St. Anne of Buxton^ and St. Mod^
wenne of Burton-upon-Trent. A rich Vessel be^
longing to the London Merchants taken by Pirates
upon the Sea of Norway.

[ibid. 2 8er» xlii. 80. Orig,'\

My Lorde, my moste bounden duetie doon, yt
may playse yo*^ said Lordshipp to be advertessed that
oon Basset, servaunt to my Lorde of Canturbury,
hathe by yo' Lordshipp is comaundement, as he saith,
brought to your place by Frere Augustynes, in Lon-
don, the Image of Seint Anne of Bukston ; and ako
the Image of Seint Moodwyn of Burton upon Trent,*
with hir red kowe and hir staff, which wymen labor-
yng of child in those parties were very desirous to
have with them to leane upon, and to walk with yt,
and had greate confidence in the same staff; which tWoo

* The Abbey Church of Burton-upon-Trent was dedicated to the blesaed IHigiit
Mary and St. Modwbn. This St. Modwen, or Modwenna, was an Irish Saint of
the ninth century, who, when her monastery in that country was destroyed, came
to England, and, after having built two other religious houses, lired as an an-
chorite for several years in an island of the Trent called Andredesey, where she
was buried. Her reliques were afterwards enshrined in this Abbey, which Ldand
says was on her account sometimes called Modwenne'Stow, Thomas Feyld, Abbot
of Burton from 1473 to 1498, rebuilt her dxapel in Andredesey. Camden gives her
epitaph :—

" Ortum Modwennie dat Hibemia, Scotia finem,

Anglia dat tumulum, dat Deus Astra poli.

Prima dedit vitam, sed mortem terra secunda,

Et terram terrse tertia terra dedit.
Aufert Lanfortin quam terra Connallea prsefert,
Felix Burtonium virg^ms ossa tenet."

ORIGINAL L^TtERS:* 101

Imagis I have bestowed by our LaaJ^^/)f[«Ippiswich.

** * ♦ •

There cam nothjmg with theym but the bare.*Im§i£;is.

Oon Mody is shipp, my Lord, which was chared* •.
with marchants goodes of London from the Mart, 'is ^.;*: •^
takyn by pyrats upon the See of Norway, as it is said * •*•*
here, to the greate losse of dyuerse marchant men of
London, as Sir Rauf Waryn, good M'. Lock, Rawland
Hyll, and other, to the some, as is here reported, of
X. Mli, and above. I pray God sende theym good
recovery therof. And thus Jfiu preserve yo*" Lord-
shipp in prosperous helth long to endure. From
your Lordshipp is place in London, the flBrst of Sep-
temBr. By your most bound servaunt,

THOMAS THACKER.

To the right honorable my Lorde,
my Maister.

LETTER CCXCVL

Sir John Gresham to the Lord Privy Seal, that one
John Davy, a Welsh prophesier, has been brought
to him, who desires to speak with the King.

[sTAT. PAP. OFF. MISQ. LETTERS, XV. 14. OrigJ]

%* The condescension which' ordinarily marked the manners of
Henry the Eighth is frequently noticed in the History and Letters
of his time. It induced many, likfe' fhis prophesier, to seek an in-
terview, which did not always secuI^^^ the King*s favour. There is
a passage in a Tract of the time of the Commonwealth,* which tells
that Henry was himself alive to the belief of this. It says, " and

* The Nonesuch Charles, 12mo. Lond. l6Sl«

lOS . :OftIorNAL LBTTEBfl.

-• • • •
.• ••'• ••

who ca« deay^ faiitltliit thofe are the happiett men who (m King

Heni^ tlm Eiglilh laid) do not know a King, nnd whom the King
kQc^d^h jiot."

***.*|{cla8fnu8, in a letter to his friend Jodoeni Jfmu, giret an intenpst-
big account of an interview which Dean Colet had with Henry in
* the early part of his reign, in the garden of the Franciscan Convent
adjoining to the palace at Greenwich. Colet died in 1519. It
finishes, ** Ubi reditum est in Regiam, rex dimissums Coletum,
aUalo poctUo prabibity et complexus komhum fcwmiifftme, omniaqne
pollicitus que sint ab amantissimo Rege expectanda, dimiili/*^

Roper, in the life of his father-in-law Sir Thomas Morey draws
another picture of Henry*s familiarity. ** Such entire fiivouTy'* says
Roper, ^* did the King bear him, that he made him Chancellor of the
Duchy of Lancaster," — ^* and for the pleasure he took in his com-
pany would his Grace suddenly sometimes come home to his honse
at Chelsea to be merry with him, whither, on a time unlooked for,
he came to dinner, and after dinner, in a fair garden of his, vralked
with him by the space of an hour, holding iiis arm about his neck.
As soon as his Grace was gone, I, rejoicing thereat, said to SirTho*
mas More, how happy he was whom the King had so familiarly
entertained, as I never had seen him do to any before, except Car-
dinal Wolsey, whom I saw his Grace walk once with arm in arm.
' I thank our Lord, son, (quoth he,) I find his Grace my very good
Lord indeed, and I believe he doth as singularly favour me as any
subject within this realm ; howbeit, son Roper, I may tell thee, I
have no cause to be proud thereof; for if my head would win him a
castle in France (for then there was war between us) it shonld not
fail to go.' "<^

Anecdotes of coarser familiarity between Henry and his courtiers
may be found in Puttenham's Art of English Poesie, who also says,
'< I have heard that King Henry the Eighth, her Majesty's fother,
though otherwise the most gentle and affable Prince in the world,
could not abide to have any man stare in his face ; or to fix his eye
too steadily upon him when he talked with them.''*'

Henry had stooped to listen to the ramblings of Elizabeth Barton,
and the Welsh prophesier supplicated, even should death follow, to
be admitted to the same privilege.

b Enwini Epiat. fol. Lugd. B«t. 1706. col. 451—462.

* Roper'* Life of Sir Thomas More, Singer's edit. svo. Chiiw. 1822, pp. SI, 8S.

' Puttenham's Art of Eng. Poesie, edit. Haalewood, p. 247.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 103

Please yt your good Lordeship to understond
that ther was brought unto me one John Dauy, a
Welcheman, whiche Jtakythe apon hym to be a pro-
phessyer and matythe grete dessyer to speake with
the Kyngs Majesty> and saithe that he will neuer
open the truithe untyll he speake wythe his Grace :
and if he tnight com to his Grace he will shew soche
things as be nowe shortelly commyng, whiche be
very nedefull and necessary for his Grace to knowe.
And also the said John Dauy saithe that when he
hath opynyd soche things to the Kings Grace as he
hathe in his stommacke to shew^ he is contentyd to
be commawndyd to what prysson his Grace shall
apoynte hym imto, and ther to remajme. And yf so
be his saings chaunsse not to be trew, he is contentyd
to suffer dethe. My thyncke yt ys butt a weryshe
persson to have any soche lemyng of prophessye,
neuerthelesse he is marvelousse dessyerous to speake
with the Kings Grace, Wherfore I sende the sayde
John Dauy unto your Lordeship, and here in to do yo*^
pleasure. From London, the iiij**" dale of Septembr,
wyth the hande of all yo".

At your Lordeships commaundement

S'. JOHN GRESHAM, K.
To the right honorable and his singnler
good Lorde, my Lorde Prevy Seale.

104 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

LETTER CCXCVII.

Richard Cromwell to his Uncle^ the Lord Privy Seal,

upon his taking possession of the effects of Mr.

Thomas BedylL

[ibid. misc. corresp. vii. 18S. Or%g,'\

%* An account of Thomas Bedyll will be found in Wood's Atbe-
ne Oxonieoses, ed. Bliss, vol. ii. col. 25, and in Newcourt's Reper-
torium, vol. i. p. 62, in both of which works his various preferments
are enumerated. Amongst the latest was the Archdeaconry of Lon-
don, which he resigned in 1534, on being collated to the Rectory of
Bocking in Essex, by the Archbishop of Canterbury. Wood says
that in 1533 he was one of the Clerks of the King's Council: and
soon after appointed to be one of tiie Commissioners for visiting
Religious Houses in order to their dissolution. This last appoint-
ment probably made Lord Cromwell anxious to get possession of his
papers and effects. As Clerks of the Council, he and Richard Lay-
ton examined and swore Bishop Fisher, when prisoner in the Tower,
in verho sacerdotii. Many of Bedyll's letters are preserved in a
large mass of Cromwell's Correspondence, now in the State Paper
Office ; and a few are preserved in the Cottonian Collection at the
British Museum. One Letter in the Cottonian MS. Cleop. £. vi. fol.
252, is dated from his house in Aldersgate Street. On Oct. 10th,
1534, he wrote from Bugden to Cromwell, then the King's Secret-
ary, to announce that the servants of the Princess Dowager persisted
in calling her Queen, and that she refused to leave Bugden. Bedyll,
as appears from the Register of the See of London, died early ill
September 1537, a day or two before the date of this Letter.

John Raynes here spoken of, was a well-known bookseller and
bookbinder of his day, who dwelt in St. Paul's Churchyard. Some
books were printed by him, and others for him ; but there are many
more which have his marks and devices on their covers. Herbert
found nothing printed either by or for him, after 1544. The Sta-
tioner's Company had a portrait of Raynes, which is supposed to
have been lost in the fire of London.

Please yt your Lordshipp my duetie doon, this
shalbe to aduertes the same that before my comyng
to M*". Bedyll is housse in Aldersgate strete London

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 105

his woman had sent thyder twoo of his servaunts
named John Pye and John Wager, which have lan-
saked and convayed this nyght, so as nothing but
bedyng, books, and such other there is remajrnjmg ;
albeit by commimication withe Nycholas Hewet, his
servaunt, kepyng bis housse in London, I perceyued
that M^ Bedell by his lyfe tyme was conversant with
John Rajmes, bookseller, and with John Layland, and
oon Feld, and therupon Icame to the said John Raynes,
and declaryng to hym that my comyng to hym was
to see suche money, plate, and joyells as M'. Bedyll
had lefte in his custodie, he fiurthwith confessed that
he had a gardyvyance*of his and brought oute the same
to me, wherein is such plate and gold as your Lord-
shipp, by a bill of the perticulers herin closed, may
perceyve ; which gardyvyance,* with the said plate and
gold, I have delyuered to the custody of my cosyn
Williamson in your place by Frere Augustynes ; and
for all other thjmgs remaynyng in the said hotisse, I
have left fader Thacker and John Millesent to see
and make an inventory therof, and the same to cer-
tifie unto your Lordshipp. And thus Jfiu preserue
yo' Lordshipp in good helth, long to endure. At
London, the v*** day of Sept.

Yo"^ most bounden nephew,

RICH. CRUMWELL.
To my very good Vncle, the Lorde Piyvey Seale.

* A cupboard or ambry, a portable receptacle.

F 5

106 ORIGINAL LETTEHS.

LETTER CCXCVIII.

Thomas Thacker to Cromwell ; reports the progress
of the buildings at Hackney and the Friars AuguS'
tines. Acknowledges the receipt of certain Jewells
and of a relic of gold and crystal with our Lodges
milk in it,

[ibid. misc. corresp. 2 Ser. xlii. 79. Orig,"]

Right honorable Sir, mj duetie doon^ yt may
please your Maistershipp to be aduertessed that all
your houshold, thanked be God, be in good helth, as
we trust that your Maistershipp with all your ffamilie
be. God contynue the same. Your buyldyngs goo
goodly ffurth though they be chargeable, as I lately
wrote unto your Mastershipp. I trust for your
place at Hakeney, by the next pay, which shalbe
Saturday the xj*** day of this moneth of Septembr,
shalbe at a good poynt. Sir, the paye at Hakeney,
the iiij* day of this moneth made to Ixviij. persones,
with the emptions and necessaries, was Iviij^., and at
Frere Augustynes to xliij. persones, with the emptions
and necessaries there, xxx*i. Sir, for the two pays,
and other your afferres, I receyued of M^ Williil'
son j^xl**., and for three weks pay at your fframe
ended, thys Saturday the xj**» day of Septembr, and
cariage of tymfer, and for more tymbr bought of late,
whereof and of all yo' busynes there, I shall acerteyn

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 107

your Mastershipp at my comyng from thens. I have
nowe receiued more of M'. WiUiamson lx*i.

Sir, I have received of my fellowe, WiUiam Law-
rence, from Yppiswich, our Ladies Cote with twoo
gorgetts of gold to put about her neck; and an
Image of our Lady, of gold, in a tabernacle of silver
and gilte, with the f ether in the topp of y t gold ; and a
lytill relyke of gold and cristall with our Ladys Milk
in yt, as they saye.

Also that came from Seint Peters, a Crqsse of siluer
and gilt, with Mary and John ; a Pax of silver and
gilt ; a Pix of silver and gilt ; a Chales silver and gilt ;
a Sencer parcell gilt ; and a Shipp to the same parcell
gilte ; twoo Cnietts of silver,- parcell gilt.

And thus the Holy Gost have your Mastershipp in
his mercifull tuicon. Wryten at your Place at tjie
Rolls, the xi**" day of Septembr.

By yo*" humble servaunt,

THOMAS THACKER.

To his right honorable M*", Maister
Thomas Crumwell, Squyer, prin-
cipal! Secretary to the Kynga
Highnes.

li)!$. ORIGINAL LETTERS.

LETTER CCXCIX.

John Baker to Lord Cromwell. The Complaint of the

Inhabitants of Dimchurch in Kent, against their

parson.

[ibid. 2 Ser. iii. 27.]

*«* Dimchurch lies in the lerel of Romney Marsh, in tiie Hun-
dred of Worth in Kent, upon the sea shore.

Robert Brachie is not mentioned by Hasted in his List of the
Rectors of Dimchurch ; but from the Canterbury Registers it ap-
pears that he was admitted rector there upon the death of Thomas
Norton, 12th June, 1536. He died in July, 1553. Upon the pre-
sent occasion he probably met with favour.

It was on the 9th of June 1534 that the Proclamation was issued
for abolishing the usurped powers of the Pope, '' and causing all
manner prayers, oracions, rubrics, canons, or mass-books, and all
other books in the churches wherein the said Bishop of Rome is
named, or his presumptuous and proud pomp and authority pre-
ferred, utterl^f to be abolished, eradicate, and rased out, and his '
name and memory to be never more (except to his contumely and
reproach) remembered ; but perpetually suppressed and obscured."

My dewtie in the mooste humble maner that I
kanne remembred vnto your good Lordship, with
helthe and prosperitie long to endure, to the pleasure
of Almighty God. It maye please your good Lord-
ship to bee advertised that certein honest menne of
Dymchurche in the Marsche, have been with me
and have shewed me that Roberte Brachie, their per-
son, hathe not expelled the name of the Byshop of
Rome out of dyuerse and sundrie bookis in his
keping, parte belonging unto hymself, and parte of
theim belonging unto the seid Churche : contrary to

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 109

the comaundement to hym gyven. Whiche infor-
macon upon suche examinacon as I have taken there-
in, I have founde to be true. And therupon I have
comytted hym to the gaole, there to remayne tille yo'
Lordships pleasure bee further knowen in that be-
half. Humbly beseching yo'^ good Lordship that I
may kAowe your pleasure what ordre I shall take
with the saide person, whiche I shalbe glad to accom-
plishe to the best of my power by the grace of our
Lorde, whoo preserve your Lordship in helth and
prosperitie to his pleasure. Written the xij*** daye
of Septembre.

Yours to his small power,

JOHN BAKER.

To the righte honorable and his singnler
good Lorde, Lorde CrumweU, Lorde
Pryvie Seale, his good Lordship, this
bee delyuered.

LETTER CCC.

Thomas Thacker to Lord Cromwell: praying for the
Suppression of the Priory of Darleighy and to have
theferm of it.

[ibid. 2 Ser. xlii. 95. Orig»'\

Please yt your good Lordshipp to be aduertessed,
I and my ffrends haue by the space of iij. monethes
labored to the Abbot of Darleigh, in the Countie of
Darby, very nyghe ther I was borne, and as my poor

110 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

landys lye, to surrendre hys Monastery of Darleigh
aforesaid unto our Soueraine Lorde the Kyngs handa,
by your Lordshypp ; and albeit that he hath hether-
unto prolongyd tyme, I trust he is nowe at apoynt,
and that I shall shortly have his lettre therof. Most
humbly besechyng your good Lordshipp to helpe me
to the same hous withe the stuffe and goodes vpon the
same, as it shalbe {)raysed and valued, and thus may
your good Lordshipp make me the more able to
seme your Lordshipp and b3rnde me to prayer, as
alredy I am bounden, that knowith God, whoo ever
preserve your good Lordshipp in good helthe long to
endure. From yo*^ Lordshipps place in London, the
xxiij*** of Septembre.

Your Lordshipp is most boimden seruaunt,

THOMAS THACKER.

To the right honorable my Lorde,
my maister Lord Pryvey Seale.

LETTER CCCI.

Henry Lord Stafford to the Lord Privy Seal, an--

nouncing the destruction of the Image of St.

Erasmus.

[IMD. 2 Ser. xl. 580. Orig.']

%* The present Letter i» dated from Stafford, the castle and
manor of which, with their appurtenances, as also a certaii^. manor
called Stafford Manor, and Stafford Rent, with all lands, tenements,
and hereditaments thereto belonging, were granted in the 23iti of
Henry VIII. A.D. 1532, to Henry Lord Stafford, Ursula his wife.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. Ill

and their heirs, as parcel of the possessions of the said Henry's late
father the Duke of Buckingham.

From what church the Image of St. Erasmus was removed does
not appear. The Saint himself was one of those who were called
Helpers in various diseases. He was especially prayed to to cure
the colick.

Pleaseth it your goode Lordship to be advertisid
that on Mychalmes Evene last, at nyght, a servaunt
of myne.came from Chartleye, and there the same
daye oon Bagotte, servaunt to my Lord Ferrers, de-
lyueryd him a letter that your Lordship sent me,
bering date the xxviij*. daye of August, wheryn your
pleasor was that with convenyent spede I shulde take
and remove away the Idoll(callid of ignorant persons
Saiifct Erasmus), so that the people shuld have no
occasion herafter therby to offende, wheryn your
Lordship hathe done amerytoryous dede for mannys
sowle. And according to yo' pleasor the next mom-
yng yerly, I sent for it, and so have usid it that I
trust no man shall therby offende in Idolatrye heraf-
ter, assuring your Lordship that if your letter had
come soner to my hands, it shuld not haue bene so
longe ondone, as Crist knoweth, who longe preserve
youe my goode Lord in honor to his pleasor. At
'my power howse nye Stafford, the ij**® daye of Oc-
tobre. Yo' Lordshipes to command,

HE. STAFFORD.
To the right hon'able and my singuler
goode Lord, my Lord Priuy Seall,
this be delyw'yd.

112 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

LETTER CCCII.

William Dynham to the Lord Privy Seal, denouncing
the dissimulation of Friar Alexander Barclay.

[ibid. 2 Ser, ix. 112, Orig,'\

*«* Alexander Barclay is principally known by his ^*Ship of
Fools," a translation, adapted to the fools of his own country, from
• Sebastian Brandt's '^ Stultifera Navis." He was educated at Oriel
College, Oxford, then became a priest in the College of St. Mary
Ottery in Devonshire, afterwards a monk of Ely, and finally took
the habit of the Franciscans at Canterbury.

William Dynham, the writer of the present letter, from the free-
dom with which he addressed Barclay when at supper with the
Prior of St. Crermains, may be presumed to have known him inti-
mately; but the observation at its close, that such hinderers of
Truth ^' should be tied shorter, that the glory of God may increase,"
was not the suggestion of a friend. Barclay survived it. That he
subsequently temporized with the changes of Religion there can be
no doubt ; since he possessed Church preferments in the reign of
Edward the Sixth. Herman Rynck, in a Letter to Cardinal Wolsey,
Oct. 1528, from Cologne, among the enemies of England, aft^r men-
tioning Edmundus de lapoell (Edmund de la Pole), adds, '^ Deinde
et Wilhelmus Roy, Wilhelmus Tyntaell, Hieronimus Barlo, Alexan-
der Barckley, et eorum adherentes." Cotton. MS. Yitell. B. xxi.
fol. 43.

Barclay was instituted to the vicarage of Much Badow in Essex
in 1546 ; and to Wokey in Somersetshire, the same year. He had
also the Church of All Saints in Lombard Street, London, on the
presentation of the Dean and Chapter of Canterbury, which yras
vacated by his death in the month of June 1552.

His Biographers have greatly differed whether he was an Eng-
lishman or a Scotsman. There are no Scotticisms observable either
in his translation from Brandt, or in the poems of his own composing.
The probability is that he was born, as Pitts believed, in Somerset-
shire or Devonshire. In his will, dated July 25, 1551, and proved
10th June, 1552, he calls himsdf, both at the beginning and the end,

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 113

Alexander Barquelay, designating himself at the opening as doctor
in divinity.

MosTE humble commendacon presupposed dewe
to your Honor. This may be to advertise youe that
of late I casually came to the Pryorye of Saynt Ger-
mayne, in Cornwall, where I, gentely acceptyd of
the Pryor, sate at supper with hym, being accpm-
panyd with Alexandre Barckley, whiche oyer the
daie before preached there to the dewe and condynge
honor of the blessed Virgen, yet not so muche in the
edyfying of the audyence as his demeynor the next
daye was (as I herde reportyd) to ther distrucc5n.
This folowing I knowe to be. true, when he and I
mett at supper I moved suche questyons as I thought
myght do good to the audyence, wherin truly to re-
porte, he servyd my turne and purpose, till after a
sodeyne dompe he brake silence, as a man that had
spoken to well (and yet a frere in a some what
honester wede), with a protestac5n gloryfied him
selfe and glosyd by dyssymulacyon his herers, I
meane the Pryor and his, whiche lytle that I coulde
perceyve favored hym.

Barckley first this protestjnag that he wolde preache
no new things not set out by the Kynge and his
Councell, I aunswered him and mervelyd. I saide
what he therby mente, when all men of litterature
and any good judgement knewe that our so Crystyen
a Prince and his Councell set forthe no newe thjmge

114 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

but the gospell of Cryste and the sincere yeryte ther-
of, and wolde every parte therof necessarye to the
edyfying of the people were by the preachers truly
disclosed to them without partyculer comaundement
to teache this or that: also that mought edefye.
Then wyshed Barckley, ' I wolde to God that at ^e
leste the lawes of God might haye asmuche aucto-
rytye as the lawes of the realme.' Wherunto I
replyed, * what meneth your wysshe^when our moste
Cristen Suppremyst Hed holdeth his lawes, and I
dare saye him selfe, subjecte to Gods lawes, and
wolde his by them to be tryed an by the onely twiche
stone. What meane you Barckley.' * Nothinge tniely,'
saide he, * but I thinke menne are to besye in puUinge
downe of Ymages without especiall comaundement ci
the Prynce.' * I knowe none then,' saide I, * pulled
downe but sutche as Idolatrye was comytted unto/
The pullinge downe of whiche was as I supposed by
comaimdement, but well I knowe that most frequent
places of Scripture serve and make for the pullinge
downe of suche. I dyd putt him in remembraunce
of Saint Margets Patent is Rode, and the assemble,
although some what dispraised, yet for the intente
and good facte therof toleratyA* Here he demaunded
what folowed therof. I requyring him to aunswere
hys demaunde, he saide I knewe howe manye tene-

• Hie destruction of the Rood in the churchyard of St. Margaret Pattens in IMS
" by people unknown/' is particularly noticed by Stowe, Survey of London, 4to.
1002, p. SI 1 . Rood- Lane in its name still preserves the remembnm^ of this Bood*

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 115

«

ments, and some people were brunte sone upon.
* What, Barckley,' saide I, * here is some what movyd,
ye have a versatile ingeyne, but were ye so sleper
as an ielle here will I holde youe. Wulde you
infecte this audyence with that opynyon that God
for suche cause plageid them: your kaidmd harte
is disclosed, my true lytle stomake, with reverence of
the Pryor and his borde, muste be opened leste it
breake. You are, Barckley, a false knave and a dis-
semblinge frere, youe get no pense might I rule here,
you seke your owen proffytt vocall, to hindre the
trouthe, more than unite to sett forthe the true and
pryncely endevour of our moste Crysten and of his
Churche Supremyst Hed moste laudable enterprises,
wherof I truste thowe shalt here.'

That pevishe vessell of dyssimulacion, with these
and mo suche blastes me moved, whiche I nowe
comytt to your Lordships arbytrarye will and pie-
sure ; this was my juste (I truste) combatement with
hym, and wayte for no victorye, butt as your honour
shall seme, suche hinderers of trouthe, nowe so well
accepted in sundry places, to be tyed shorter, that the
glorye of God may encrease. Who preserve your
Honour to the comforte of all true Crystens. Amen.
Sente from Lyfton, the xij* daie of October.

Your oratour and servaunt in harte and wyll,

willll'm dynham.
To the right honorable Lorde Gmmwell,
Lorde Pry vey Seale, this be delyvered.

116 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

LETTER CCCIII.

Margaret Tewkesbury^ Abbess of GodstoWy to Crom-
well Sends a Letter, which she has devised to the
King^s Highness, for CromwelVs approbation,
[sT. PAP. OFF. MISC. CORRE8P. 2 Set, zIy. 1. OrigJ]

*«* Margaret Tewkesbury received the temporalities of her ab-
bacy June 30th, 1518. She resigned, and was succeeded by Ka-
therine Bulkeley, but remained resident in the Monastery till its
dissolution. In point of date this Letter is probably inisplaced. It
could not have been written later than 1535.

Pleasith it your Mastership, with my dayly
prayers, to accepte your litle poor fee by this berer,
and for Goddes sake to continue your towarde mynde
in my sueitt to you, and for the furtherauns therof to
peruse a letter wiche I have devysed to the Kings
Highnes, and to delyuer the same to his Grade as you
thincke best if it be made as it ought to be, and if not
to sende me wourde howe I shall order my self, and
I shall be gladde to folowe your advise and counceill.
And I pray you gyve crednce to this berer, Doctour
Gwent, and what so ever he doth saye to you I shall
abide by it, with the grace of God, who kepe you
my especiall good Master, in wourship ever to encreas
to his pleasure. Amen. At Godstowe, this Mighel-
mas eve. Your bounden daly beades woman,

MARGARET TEWKESBURY,
To the right honorable and my moost Abbes of Godstowe,

especiall good master, Mr. Grum-
well, Secretary to the Kings Grace.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 117

LETTER CCCIV.

Doctor Thomas Legh and John ap Rees to Secretary
Cromwell. Their Visitation at Cambridge^ Sopham
Nunnery, and Denney,

[ibid. misc. corresp. 2 Ser, xxii. 483. Orig.'\

After our due commendacions, please it your
Mastershippe to be advertised that we have as yes-
terdaye laste finished our Visitation at Camebrige,
where the students doo saye that ye have doon more
good there for the profitt of studie and advauncement
of lem3mg than ever any Chauncellor did there
heretofor ; trusting that ye woll see suche direccions
and injunctions as we have geuen theym, nowe in yo*^
name effectually putt in execution. For many of
the hedds which be for the moste parte addicte to
sophisticall lernjnag, were not content with all that
we have doon, and therfore maye fortune woll labor
to have some relaxacion therof. We have founde
theym all very conformable touching the Kings
busynes ; but as touching sophisticall lemyng, which
some of th'elders did yet majnatene as moche as they
coulde, partialitie of contreys in choysing felowes,
and divers other particular abuses we have redressed
as well as we mought. And in divers Colleges we
founde the nombre of felowes decreased for that (as
they said) they that were chosen felowes, were not

118 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

able to paye the Kings firste frutes; wherfor we
tbinke that ye might doo a very good dede yf ye
wolde helpe theym to be discharged of that, and geve
theym cause to reken theymself very happie tahave
you their Chauncellor and Patrone. Their goods
and revenues be well bestowed and no superfluitie
amongest thejrm, wherfor it were pite to take any
thing from theym, but rather to geue theym. The
greate nomber that lacked in all the Colleges by
reason of the said thing, and decaye of the Vniver-
sitie, that it is nowe in more than it was wonte to be
heretofor, moueth us this to write vnto you.

Also being at a Noonrie hereby called Sopham, we
founde nother tolerable sorte of lyving nor good ad-
ministrac5n there, but all ferre out of order. The
Ladie there hathe geven a benefice being appropried
to the House, of the yerely valewe of xxx^., to a
Frier, which they saye she loves well, the House not
being able to dispende fully C^. in all. The said
Frier is noted of the comon rumor of all the contrey
hereabouts and also of all the susters of the said
House to be nought with the Priores there. And to
make you laugh, we sende you a lettre which is sup-
posed not without sure conjectures to be sent unto
her from the said Fryer, as in the name of a woman,
allthough any man maye soone perceve that it cam
from a lovier. Wherby ye maye perceve her conver-
sacon. There the Priores and all wold have goon

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 119

f oorth yf we had suf&edt hejm. And they had doon
all catall^ come, and householde stuff for that intent.
And at Deny also, there we founde half a dozen of
full, moste instantely desired with wepyng eyes to
goo foorth, amongest whome one is a faire yong wo-
man, suster to S' Gyles Strangwige, which was and is
maryed to one Ryvel, a merchant ventrer, at London,
with whom she had iiij. children, and no we moved of
scruple of conscience, as she saith, desireth moste
humbly to be dimised and restored to her husbande.
And so by this ye may see that they shall not nede
to be put foorth, but that they woll make instance
theymself to be deUvered. So that their doing shalbe
imputed to theymself and to no other. And theis at
Denye doo importimately crie that they lyve here
dayli against their conscience, and therfor doo loke
for an answer of yo*" pleasure in that behalf. And
thus Allmightie God have yo' Mastership in his
moste blessed tuicion. From Denye, the xxx**» of

October.

Y®** ever assured,

THOMAS LEGH, D.

S', allthough I reken it well doon that all were out,
yet I thinke it were best that at their owne instante
sute they might be dimised to avoyde calimmacion
and envie# And so compelling theym to observe
thies injunctions ye shall have theyna all to doo
shortely. And the people shall knowe it the better

ISO ORIGINAL LETTERS.

that it Cometh upon their sute, yf they be not straight
discharged while we be here. For than the people
wolde saye that we wente for no other cause about
than to expell thejnn, though the trueth were con-
trarie. For they juge all thing of the effectes that
foloweth, and not allweys of the trueth.

Your most bounden servant,

JOHN AP REES.
To the right honorable and o*^ singlar
good maister, Mr. Secretarie to the
KingB Highnes.

LETTER CCCV.

Sir Richard Gresham to Lord Cromwell, inviting him
to his " Feastful Day.'^

[ibid. 2 jS^r. XV. SI. OHg,']

%* Sir Richard Gresham was Lord Mayor in 1537. It had been
the invariable custom, from the earliest period in which the City
had a Mayor, that he should be elected on the feast of St. Simon and
St. Jude, and the next day, the 29th of October, be presented to the
King wherever he might be in England. But in 1252 it was granted
by charter that the Citizens, from that time forward, '< for lack of
the King's presence being at Westminster," should present their
Mayor so chosen unto the Barons of the Exchequer, there to be
sworn and admitted as he before time had been before the King.'
The Feast, of course, followed, and so continued till the introduc-
tion of what was termed the New Style, in 1751, when, beside the
Act for regulating the Commencement of the Year, another Act of
Parliament passed for the Abbreviation of Michaefanas Term, 24
Geo. II. chap. 48, one section of which (§ 11) as follows, altered
the ''feagt-ftd day" to Nov. 9th.

• Fabyui'ii Chron. edit. 1811, p. 397.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 121

^^ And whereas by divers Charters heretofore granted to the Citi-
zens of London by his Majesty's Royal Predecessors, Kings and
Queens of England, it is directed that the Mayor of the said City,
after he is chosen, shall be presented and sworn before the King or
Queen of England in their Court of Exchequer at Westminster, or
before the Barons of the said- Court : And whereas the said solem-
nity, after every Annual Election of the said Mayor, hath been
usually kept and observed by the said City on the twenty-ninth day
of October, except the same fall on a Sunday, and then on the day
following ; Be it enacted by the Authority aforesaid, that from and
after the said feast of St. Michael, which shall be in the year of our
Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty-two, the said solemnity
of presenting and swearing the Mayors of the City of London after
every Annual Election into the said Office, in the manner and form
heretofore used on the twenty-ninth day of October, shall be kept
and observed on the 9th day of November in every year, unless the
same shall fall on a Sunday, and in that case on the day following :
any Rule or Order in any of the Charters of the said City, or the
usage or customs thereof to the contrary, notwithstanding." .

Myn humble dieuty rememberyd to your goode
Lordeshipe, yt shale please you to untherstand that
the xxix. daye of this monethe shale be my feestefuU
daye, where unto I shale moste humbly dessyer yo'
good Lordeshipe to take the payne to be there. My
Lorde Chaunceller, with other noble men, shale be
dessyered in lyke weysse, and the Enbassetores of the
Emperors and . of the Frenche Kyngs, with other
straungeres, the .Tuges and Sergeauntes at Lawe^
with meny other; I doo supose upon iiijC. measse;
and as moche as in me ys I have and shalbe prepare
to make them the beste chere I can. Yt shale please
you to be soo goode Lorde unto me to move the
Kyngs Hyghnes that yt maye please hys Grace to be

VOL. III. G

122 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

soo goode Lorde vnto me to gyffe me of hys Dooes as
shale stande with hys moste graciouse pleasser. And
thys I shale preye to God to sende you goode helthe,
long ieyffe, with encresse of hono'. From London,
thys Thursdaye, the xviij* daye of Octobr.

Y' owne at your Lordeshipes comandement,

RYCHARD GRESHAM.
To the ryght honorable and hys synguller
goode Lorde, my Lorde Preyy Seale.

LETTER CCCVL

Thomas Theobald to the Lord Privy Seal, a Letter of
News, A report prevalent that the Turk had re-
turned to Hungary. Failure of a Naval Attack
on Barbarossa, Cardinal Pole gone to Jtome.
Confederation of the Duke of Saxony and the Evan* .
gelical Princes. The King of France about to
meet the Emperor at Bourdeaux, who intends passing
by land into Flanders.

[ibid. 2 Ser, xiii. 181.]
MosTE honerable and my sjmgular good Lord,
pleasethe it yower Lordshyp to understond that
weras in my laste letters I sertyfyed yower Lordschyp
dowbtfuUy off the Torkes retorne in to Hongaiy,
we be at this tyme advertysed it to be off trewthe,
that is the Torke and ij. of his sons to have passed
the flodde of Danubie wythe a verye great armaye,
whome the Prynce of Valachia and Moldavia^ with

ORIGINAL LETTERS.

xl. thowsand, and Vivad, other wyse called Kyng
John, with xl. thowsand, resyste hjrm, and to geve
hym batayle. And yti the meane seasone Verdynand
should yn Austryche and therabowt constryve an
armye to supplye or helpo them as nede shall re-
quyer. Thes news were sent in post from Vienna to
the Bysshope off Salysbourge, whos secretary or
steuard wrot them hyther unto the sayd Bysshops
nevey, here beyng stevdiant : but thes letters were a
monthe in commyng. To the confyrmation of thes
news, I hare of a gentylman of Polonia, here stev-
dent, which sayethe that he hathe sene letteris at this
present, from a great man of ther cowntrye which do
sertifie that wheras hathe byn contyneval warre many
yers betwext the Pryuc^ of Moldavia or Yalachia
and the Kyng of Polonia. This Prynce fyndyng
hymselfe somwhat ynferior and myche to weal^e, and
besyds now beyng yn rebellion agenst the Torke,
which ynvadeth hym on the other syde, hathe made
yntercessyon imto the Kjmg off Polonia for peace,
offeryng hym what condycions he will desyer, to the
furtherance of which agrement th'Emperour and
Verdynand dyd send ther Ambassadours also, so
that this is concluded; Yn assuerment and confyr-
matione of the condycions therof this forsayd Prynce
hethe sent his eldest sone wythe 1. horse to wayte
apon the Kjnag off Polonia, and contynewally to fol-
low his Cowrte. And thus after this agreement

G 2

1^4 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

hathe fomyshed Kyng John with thes forsayd forty
thowsand persons, which this man sayethe be all
horsemen. The Kyng off Polonia in this expedy-
cion medlethe nothyng, for they say he is in a perpe-
tual lege with the Torke for hym and his hayers*
Also I here off the Almayns that the cyties and
Pryncis imperiall have gravnted and determed to
send an armey unto Verdynand agenst Marche yff
the Torke do persever to come on Chrystendome,

The Chrysten Navye have had but smalle successe
nowe latelye agenst Barbarovssa, for all the greate
crakes and promysses made heretofore. Nother he
is I reken so greatlye in ther davnger as they semede
to have hym. Andreas Dorias sent ij. of his shyps
and ij. or iij. of the Venetians gallyes to iUecte hym
forthe of the port of Laarte wher as they thowght to
have had hym at ther wyll, which when he perceaved
somwhat nere the haven, and the wynde sodenly to
cease, made owte his armey which is all yn gallies
and toke, or rather dystroyd them, for they wold
never yeld, but fowght manfuUye unto they were
slayne and homed ; and the revmor is here that they
dystroyed of ther gallies also xx**., but I cannot be-
leve that they were ^g. The Venetians great Gallyon
was in this conflycte, which should fyght with them
by the space of v. bowers, and after skaped, but sore
hurte, she is estemed to have in her iij. hondred pecis
of ordynance. The cause why Andreas Dorias cam

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 125

not to soker thes forsayde was by reason of the
changyng of the wynde, by hope off which he had
grownded and ynstytuted his enterprynce yn illect-
yng his envyes by this forsayd praye or bayte, for his
cheffe strenght and truste is in his shyps whyche are
in nombre fyftye or mo, which, all the wynd beyng
alayed, cowld have done hym no servyce ; so that the
Torkes havyng as many or mo gallyes then he, and
better ynstrvcted, he cowld not have medlyd and
tryed with them but by egall strenght, or we para-
ventur to have byn somwhat the weaker, in which
had byn great dowbt off the successe, which yff it
should have byn agenst hym, ther Navye had byn
dystroyed, and all Chrystendome in great davngier,
wherfor he had rather take this lytle domage than to
put all in a hasard. Trustyng dayly to meate wythe
them agene at some avantage, and so to fyght and
medel by some secvryte and lekelode of vyctorye,
with the which his advyse and cownsel in this acte
the Venetians and other at lenght ar content and
satisfyed, wheras afore some dyd ympute it to feare
or some great oversight and errour, and many did
ympute it as a prodycion of hym agenst the Vene-
tiansj for the which at that present was great conten-
tion, suspition, and yndignation off the Venetians and
Pops generall agenst hym, which wold nedes have
geven Barbaroussa batayl, but we here now all to be
wel, and this way that is taken to have byn b^st.

126 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

Forthermore, wheras in my last Letters I sertifyed
yower Lordship off M. Pole goyng to Venys, he was
yn dede so mynded at that tyme, as I was then, and
have hyn sens adveitysed, but the same daye he
should have gone thyther, he came to Padway, and so
contyneved his joroey on by lond to Rome. What
dyd chang his mynd in that behalfe I cannot tel ; yowr
Lordshjrp parayentur can conjectvre ; but dyvers gen-
tylmen of Venys cam to hym, as I here, to take ther
leve of hjrm. The Venetians seuarly, what so ever
they do pretend, they are in dede great papysts, not
for ony opjmion that they have in his little hollynes
and lesse vertu or authorytie spirituall, but for his
temporall power and authoryte, cheffely here yn
Italy e, wherof and of his other practysesand aydes
yn Chrystendom, they have and do more use, and
have as mych nede of, as of all other besydes, cheffely
as the world hath gone now in this age, and for ther
state ther is no man, all thjmgs consydered, with
whome they can or temporally more commodiously
joyne-

Master Pole came not here in to the Cytie, but
entred secretly in to a Monasterye hard by the owter
walles called Seynt Justyns, wheras he is ther wyte
God and they his blacke angells, ther he tarryed not
passyng halfe an hower, to take his leve, rydyng from
hens vj. myles that nyght to his bed, wheras he mete
wy the Cardynall Contarenus which rOde forthe wythe

ORIGINAL LETTERS, 127

hym to Rome. In his trayne he had not passyng
xvij. or twentye horses at vttermuste of which vj. or
vij. were monkes and fiyars, archers^ and kepers
beleke of his holly bodye, for they rydde nexte vnto
hym. There are iij. gentylmen of Padway, j. of
Vyncence, and ij. of Venys which do follow hym
to Rome, and ther tarry with hym. They are all
lernyd, one of them of Venys is called Alovyse, a
gentleman off a very good and rych famylye, to
whome the wyllage and lodgyng dothe pertayne
wheras M*^ Pole hathe lyen all thys wynter ; he wor-
shyphethe and observethe hym for a God, and so
dyvers moo off them, and here also. Som as ower
cowntryemen which follow hym, and certayn other,
do beleve that he shalbe Pope, after this mans dethe,
which is nothyng lekely; and other as Italians do
pretend great veneration and excydyng love towerd
his vertue and holynes, but I reken yn that they
coman myche that he nother hathe no ther wyll take
a bysshopryke, nother is or wylbe preste, do ymagyn
some other fantasye above my capacite or audacy te to
conjecture.

Friar Pato at this present is here at the Observant
Fryars, to prepare hym self to ryde to Rome by M.
P. coste and wyll. I have spoken wythe hym ons or
twyse. Among them they have mo news owt of Yng-
lond, and with more expedyence than all Ynglyssemen
here or in Venys, which they have seuerly from An-

128 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

dwarpe or from thos parties, wherfore ther is some
marchant therunto appropriated what so ever he be.
I do knowe the Italian at Yenys which is ther factour
in receavyng and conveyng ther letters. I wyll make
means afareoff to get owt of this Friar what means
and way they vse at Andwarpe for this pourpose, for
he is somwhat bablyng and very open, as commanly
all off his cote be ; howbeit ellis I can perceave no
great mallyce or vehemencye yn hi? comvnycation or
behaveure, but yn his symple opynion somwhat per-
tynate, which and supersticion, with a lytic hypocrasy,
are faster and dyper sowen in their hartes then ther
hoodes to ther cotes.

They have made here a wonderous matter and re-
porte off the Shryne and bomyng of the Idols boumt
at Canterberye, and besydes this that the Kyng his
Hyghtnes and Cownsell to be become Sacramentari-
BUS by reason of this Ambassye, which the Devke of
Saxony sent lately to Ynglond.

A gentylman of Spayne of a great famylye which
hathe long byn herfe resydent, departed lately hens to
Flanders, which at this present writtethe hyther to a
frend of his that the Devke off Saxon, the Landis-
grave, and other Cities and Pryncis evangelycal to be
confederated in lege with the Devke of Cleve for
Gelders, wherfor yn Flanders they should prevely
make provysion for warre.

Also to this here ys a gentylman of France, which

ORIGINAL LETTERS, iJ^

also at this present hathe receved letters from his
cowntry in which he is advertysed that ther Kyng
rydethe shortly to Bordevs, and so forthe to the bor-
ders of Spayne, to meate wythe th'Emperour, which
should be determed under his feythe and securite to
enter in to France and so to passe by land yn to
Flanders throw his cowntrye, and that towerd the
spryng of the yere, in his owne persone, he wolde
sett apone Gelders. The certaynty of this newes I
dowbt not but yower Lordshype dothe here more
largely from thes parties, and with more expedy-
ence, yet to declare my dylygence, I thowght I
could do no lesse then bryevlye to declare, the
which I beseche yower good Lordshype to accept
and take yn good wrthe. Thus prayyng God ever
to preserve yower Lordshype in all vertu and honor
to his pleasure. Wrytten in hast, at Padwaye, the
xxij. day of Octobre.

By yower most hovmble servant and dayly beddys-
man, thomas theabold.

To the moste honerable ande his singulare
good Lorde, my Lorde off the Preavy
Seale^ this be delyuered.

6 5

ISO ORIGINAL LETTERS.

LETTER CCCVIL

John London to Lord CromwelL JDetaib hit ^^ rating ^

of the Friars' Houses, in various Counties.

[ibid. miso. oorresp. 2 Ser, xziii. 717. OfigJ]

In my most humble maner I have me comendyd
unto your gudde Lordesliipp, as your most boundon
orator and servant. I have not so mocbe rasyd the
Howses I have be at as I perceve the Kings Grace
and your Lordeschippe ys informyd, and hadde
rasyd noon saving for the words of suche Comissions
as I have to schew, and dydd nott extremely so do
butt wher necessitee compellyd me by reason of the
importunytie of the people^ wich els wold have
pilledd all so as the Kings Grace schulde have hadd
no profytt of those Howses ; and in every place I savyd
the hole ledd unto the Kings Graces use, and the
hole plate. Yet have I be in som very beggarly
HowseSy as now I am at oon, the Whyte Fryers in
Northampton, wher all they have ys nott able to pay
ther detts. And brevely I will rehersse what I dydd
in euery Howse.

At Reding I dydd oonly deface the Church; all
the windoes being full of Fryers ; and left the roff
and wallys hole to the Kings use. I solde the orna-
ments and the sellys in the dorter and certen uten-
syls wiche els wold have be stolen as dyvers wer
indede.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 131

At Aylesbury, I founde them very powr and in
dett, . Ther ornaments wor very coursse and very
litill stuff of howshpld. Ther I oonly solde the glasse
wyndoes and ther ornaments with ther vtensyles. I
left the Howse hole and oonly defacyd the Churche.
Ther the hole churche ys well coveryd with ledd, and
a gudd new roff.

At Bedford, I dydd.sell the ornaments of ther
churche and certen vtensiles. All the ledde I savyd
with certen vtensyles, because I myzt leve them in
S8iff custody with M'. Gostwike. .

At Stamford, I left in the Grey Fryers all ther
brewyng vessels, and ther kechyn stuff wasse so gud
that I cowde gete butt viij*. for all. I solde ther
ornaments and glasse of their church with certen
stuff, and sold no glasse in the Grey, Whyte, or
Blacke Fryers, saving oonly in their churches. At
th^ Austen Fryers I sold all ther glasse, for els all
wold have be stollyd, ffor it stondeth owt of the
town. In thre Fryiers ther I sold ther brewyng
vessels wich wer very ny worn.

In Coventry, I dydd partly rase that Howse of the
Gray Fryers, thou after the powr people lay so sore
vpon ytt. Butt the Whyte Fryers I dydd litill
vnto.

At Warwick, the Fryers Howse ys withowt the
town, an olde ruynose howse and'no ledd butt gutters
and the coueryng of the steple. Ther I defacyd the

132 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

churche wyndoes and the sellys of the dorter as I
dydd in euery place saving in Bedford and Aylisbury
wher were few byars. I pullyd down no Howse
thorowly at noon of the Fryers: butt so defaeyd
them as they shuld nott lyztly be made Fryerys
agen.

At Tellisford Crosse Fryers, I have oonly recyvyd
the surrendere : and have left the Howse with all the
stuff in safe custody with the late mynyster and oon
of the Kings seruants dwelling therbye. In that
Howse I must farther know your Lordeships pleasur
or I do any more, as by my servant I shall shortly
more at lengeth expresse every thing. Ther wasse a
fonde fasschon of Idolytrye. In the body of the
Churche wasse an Image at an Awters end callyd
Mayden Cutbrogh, and vnder her feete wasse a
trowgh of wodde descending undre the Awter wich
wasse holow. Thyder resortyd suche as wer trobelyd
with the hedde ache, or hadde aiiy slottiche wydowes
lockes, viz. here growen to gether in a tufte- Ther
must they putt in to the trowgh a peckke of oots, and
when they wer oons slydyd vndre the Awter, the
Crosse Fryers schuld behynd the Awter pryvily stele
them owt, and the sykk person must geve to the
Fryer a peny for a pynte of these Maydon Cutbrogh
oots, and then ther heds schuld ak no more till the
next tyme, I have pullyd downe thys IdoU with
herre manage.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 133

At Northampton, I fynd the Prior of Augustjms
lyk a Fryer, and oon of the most unthrifts that yet I
have mett with all : yet have I found butt few trew
or gud, and amongs many blessyd reformations don
by the Kings Grace, I suppose thys be nott the lest,
vtterly to suppresse theis Fryars, in whom I fynd so
moch dissymylation as may be in men, I trust to
bring all ther falshudds here to lyzt, butt in the mean
tyme I am fayne to sett the Prior and almost all hys
brethem in warde. They have delyuered owt of
ther Howse all ther plate and gudd stuff, and made
biUes of sale and knowledging of receipt of certen
sommys of money wher they receyvyd, nor owzt, oon
peny, and all. to dissejrve the Kinge. I have in som
of those billes her enclosyd, and moo I will have or
I depart, and have agen the best stuff I saw yet, and
more I trust to have. Howbeit by hys own confes-
sion he made away, thys yere above a C^. plate. He
ys a great lyar and a gyvelar.*

I will hensforth deface no Howse unlesse I have
your or the Kangs Grace speciall comaundment. Butt
then if ther be no Surveyor to do ytt immedyatly or
som suer man to uihabitt the same, the Howsys will
be so spoylyd as litill profytt will com of them. I
thowzt I dydd for the beste in defacinge those
Howses, and have to the Kings Grace use above all,
dispacchyng of the Fryers, payng ther detts and re-

• A bate fellow, a ribald, a bu£foon. To jiffle is to shuffle, in N. Britain.

134 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

warding every oon of them, savyng also all the cover-
yng and wallys of the Howses, aswell in ledde^ slatt,
as tyle, and my chardges of expens bom^ and all the
plate also thorowly savyd hole to the Kings use.
CC*». and above in gudd gold. And have also savyd
to the Kings use the best ornaments wher any were
with all. I will now owt of hand upon All Halon tyde
send vppe or I execute any of these commissions last
sent from your Lordeschippe to me. For I have a great
dele of gudd plate wiche I wold fayn be dischargyd
of. Thus I besech your Lordeschipp to take my
powr meanyng in gudd partt, intending to my litill
powr truly to serve the Kings Grace, and so I dowbt
nott butt his Majesty wiU accept my doings when his
Grace knowith what beggarly and crafty merchants I
have be occupyed with all. And most humble I do
thank your gudd Lordeshippe for your gudnes and
gudd mediation vnto hys most noble Grace for me,
and shalbe during my liff your assured seruant and
orator vnto Almyztie Godd long to preserue your
gudd Lordeshipp with increse of moch honor. At
Northampton, xxix. Octobris.

Your most bovndon orator and seruant,

JOHN LONDON,

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 135

LETTER CCCVIII.

The Earl of Hertford to the Lord Privy Seal The

death of Lord Thomas Howard.

[ibid. 2 i9er..xyii. 223. Orig,'\

\* A.D. 1536. ** In the month of July, Lord Thomas Howard,
youngest brother to the Duke of Norfolk, was sent to the Tower of
London for making a privie contract of matrimony with the Ladie
Margaret Douglas, daughter to the Queen of Scots by the'Earle of
Angus, and neece to ELing Henry of England : the said Lord Tho-
mas was attaint by Parliament, and also the said Lady Margaret
Douglas was after committed to the Tower for the same.'^

Again, A.D. 1537. <^ On Alhallowe Even, Lord Thomas How-
ard, brother to the Duke of Norfolk^ died prisoner in the Tower of
London, and was buried at Thetford ; and then the Lady Margaret
Douglas was pardoned, and released out of the Tower." ^

The reader need hardly be told that Lord Thomas Howard was
the uncle of Lord Surrey ; who, in the Sonnet in yfMch he renounced
his affection for the fair Geraldine, thus alludes to Lord Thomas's
imprisonment and death :

" For you yourself doth know, it 'u not long ago,
Sith that for love one of the race did end hia life in woe,
In tow'r both strong and high ; for his assured truth ;
Whereas in tears he spent hia breath, alas ! the more the ruth.

This gentle beast° so died, whom nothing could remove*
But willingly to seek his death for loss of his true love.' '

Lord Thomas Howard's death did not reconcile Henry to his
niece, as the succeeding Letter to this will show. She was reproved
for entertaining two servants who had belonged to Lord Thomas :
** the cause for which she took them was the poverty she saw them
in, and for no cause else."

Lady Margaret Douglas was afterwards the mother of Lord
Damley.'*

» Stowe, Annals, sub. an. . ^ Ibid.

• Probably alluding to the Hon as the Howard Crest.

^ In a Book of Payments by the Treasurer of the Household from Candlemas day

136 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

Ml L0RD9 I have schouid the Kings Highnes of
mi Lord Thomas deth as Mast. Wrisli desirid me, as
all so mi Ladi his Mothers request for the bering of
him. His Grace is content sche hath him according
to your aduis, so that sche hire him with owght pomp.
Yo*^ Lordeshipes louuing frind,

£. HERTFORD.
To the right honerabull mi Lord Previselle.

LETTER CCCIX.

The Lady Margaret Douglas to the Lord on

the retrenchment of her Household^ and the discharge
of two servants who had belonged to Lord Thomas
Howard,

[MS. COTTON. VESPAS. F. xm. 188 b. Or%g.'\

My Lord,
What cawse hawe I to gyve you thanks, and how
moche bownd am I vnto you, that be your menys
hath gotten me, as I trust, the Kyngs Grace ys ffiiver
agene, and besydes that that yt plesyt you to wryt,
and to gyve me knowleg wherin I myght have hes

S9 Hen. VIII. to Midsummer day 33 Hen. VIII. MS. Arundel, Brit. Mua. 97. In
the 29th Hen. VIII., we have,

" Item, paid to Thomas Ashe poticary by the Kingis comaundment, cortifyed by
My Lord Privy Seals letter, for certain medicines by Dr. Cromer and other phesi-
dons, and by the Poticarye employed for the relief and conservation of the helth of
the Lady Marg. Douglas duringe the tyme of her beinge in the Tower of London,
and also sins the same, ziiij^. ii\j^.

** Item, paide to my Lady Margret Douglas, daughter to th'erle of Angnishe, for
the saide Lode's servaunts and gentil womens wagu and bord wi^ by the Kings
commaundment) certified by my Lord Pryvi Scales letter, zxiv^. v^*. x^.

ORXOINAL LETTERS. 137

Grraceys desplesuer agen, wych I pray owr Lord
sooner to send me deth then that ; and I assure you,
my Lord, I wyll never do that thyng wyllyngly that
shuld offend hes Grace. And my Lord, wher as yt
ys informyd you that I do charge the howse with
agr^ter nomber then ys contienyent, I assuer you I
have but ij. mo then I had in the Court, wych in ded
wer my Lord Thomas sarvands : and the cavse that I
tok them for, was ffor the poverty that I saw them in,
and ffor no cause els, Bvt seyng, my Lord, that yt
ys your plesuer that I shall kepe non that ded be
long vnto my Lord Thomas, I wyll put them fro me.
And I be seche you not to thynk that eny fancy doth
remayn in me towchyng hym ; but that all my study
and car ys how to plese the Kyngs Grace and to con-
tynv in hys ffaver. And my Lord, wher yt ys your
plesuer that I shall kepe but a ffew here with me, I
trust ye wyll think that I can hawe no fewer than I
hawe : ffor I hawe but a gentyllman and a grom that
keps my aparell, and a nother that keps my chamber,
and a chaplean that was with me always in the Court.
Now my Lord, I be seche you that I may know your
plesur yff you wold that I shuld kep any ffewer.
Howbed, my Lord, my sarvents hath put the howse
to small charg, for they hawe nothyng but the revers-
syon of my bowrd ; nor I do call ffor nothyng but
that that ys gyven me ; howbed I am very well in-
treted. And my Lord, as for resort, I promes you I

138 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

hawe non, except, yt be gentylwemen that comes to
se me, nor never had sens I cam hether ; ffor jS eny
resort of men had com yt shold nother abecum me to
a sen them, nor yet to haue kept them company,
beyng a mayd as I am. Now my Lord, I besech you
to be so good as to g^t my power ssarvends ^er
wagys; and thys I pray owr Lord to preserve you
both solle and body,

by her that has her trust in you,

MARGRET DOWOLAS.

LETTER CCCX.

John London to the Lord Privy Seal. Surrender of
Friars of Warwick. The greediness of the common
people every where in plundering the Friars* houses.
[misc. corresp. 2 Ser, xxiii. 715. Orig,'\

In my most humble maner I have me comendyd
vnto your gudde Lordesehippe acertenyng the same
that at my being in Warwik, in the tyme I receyvide
the surrender of the Fryers ther, thys berar, a very
honest person, hadde fellyd certen trees in a grove
behynde the place, and having sale of them made to
hym, with moo by the Prior, intendyd to fell and
cary the same. And forasmoche as I toke it nott to
be within the meanyng of the Eongs Grace commis-
sion directyd vnto me ther to determe any lesys or

ORIOINAt LETTERS. 139

salys made, I dydde inhibit hym the felling and
cariag^bf any trees ther vntill suche tyme as he hadde
befor'your Lordeschippe declaryd hys bargyn. At
my being at Warwik thys man, with dyvers other the
honest inhabitants ther, dydd helpe me all they cowde
to saue euery thing, butt the power people thorowly
in every place be so gredy vpon thees Howsys when
they be suppressyd that by night and daye, nott
oonly of the townys, butt also of the contiye, they do
contjmually resortt as long as any dore, wyndoo,
yren, or glasse, or lowse ledde remaynythe in any of
them. And if it were so don oonly wher I goo, the
mote blame myzt be layd to me, butt yt ys vniuer-
sally that the people be thus gredy for yren,.wyndoes,
doores, and ledde. In every place I kepe wacche as
longe as I tary, and prison those that do thus abuse
them selvys, and yet other will nott refrayne. My
seruant schalbe with your Lordeschipp, Godde will-
ing, this weke, with such plate as hytherto I have
receyved, wicbe bycause yt ys of gudd valor and from
sondre places browzt to Oxford, I thowzt gudd to
be dischardgyd of thys or I medelyd with any moo.
And now, Godd willyng, I schuU accomplishe the
rest of the Kings Highnes pleasur and yo' Xorde-
schipps with all faythfull diligens to the best of my
litill powr. And I besek Almyzty Jbs long to pre-
serve your gudde Lordeschipp with increse of moch
honor. Oxon, v®. Novembris.

140 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

The Kings Grace hath a kechyn in bilding at
Warwik Castell. Ther ys oon roff of. Ix. fote long
and more at the Fryers wold serve ther, and the old
tile ys very gudd, els all ys old and litill worth.
Yo' Lordeschips most bounden

Orator and Servant,

JOHN LONDON.

To my right honorable and most singuler
gad Lord, my Lorde of the Privye Seale.

LETTER CCCXI.

Letter of Petition to Lord Cromwell from Dr. John

TregonwelL

[sTAT. PAP. OFF. MISC. coRRESP. 2 ScT, xliii. 226. Ortg^l

*«* John Tregonwell, a native of Cornwall, was educated at Ox-
ford, where he was admitted LL.D. June 23d, 1522. In 1529 he
was one of the King's proctors when the King and Queen were
cited before the Legates at the Black-friars ; and he was one of the
pounsel for the King when the final sentence of divorce was pro-
nounced at Dunstable by Cranmer. For his service in this last
business a part of his reward consisted in a pension of forty pounds
a-year, the resignation of which, in 1539, helped to liquidate the
purchase from the Crown of the site of the House of Milton Abbas
in Dorsetshire, together with the church, belfry, bells, and church^
yard, advowson of the vicarage, manor, and rectory, with the cha-
pels of Wolland, Lyscombe, and Wydcombe, the tithes of the de-
mesnes in Milton, Huish, Churchcombe, and a portion of the tithes
in Milbome St. Andrew, to be held by Knighf s service as the tenth
part of a Knight's fee, paying yearly 121. '0«. Ad, The money con-
sideration, beside resigning the pension, was a thousand pounds.
In 1550 he was made one of the Commissioners of the Great Seal
during the sickness of Lord Chancellor Rich. He was knij^ted

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 141

Oct. 2Qd, 1553, and in that year sate in Parliament for Scarborough.
In 1554, he was Sheriff of the Counties of Dorset and Somerset. He
died Jan. 13th, 1565, and was interred in the month of February
following at Milton*

Iff hit maye stonde with your Masterships plea-
sur to opteyne of the Kyngs Highnes the ferme of
oon of thes undrewreten Monasteryes for your mooast
bownden Jo. Tregonwell, to be letten to him at a
convenyent rent, wherbye he maye have some helpe
towards his levyng, and fyndyng of his wiff and chil-
drene, your kindnese therin schalbe consyderyde
with suche rewarde as schall content your Mastre-
shipe ; and besyda that you schall bjmde him, and all
his, perpetually to pray to All Myghty Godde for
your prosperytye and helthe longe t'endur.

Byndon . . . Wiltes.

Dorchester. • . Oxon.

Breweme . • Oxon.

Briggwater| .^ ^^^^^

Clyve J

Canonlye
Polslowe
Mayden Bradley . . Wiltes.

1

Devon.

Wiltes.
Ivechirche . . Wiltes.

142 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

LETTER CCCXII.

John Barlo, Dean of the College of Westhury in .
Gloucestershire, to Lord Cromwell, complaining of
the violent conduct of Lady Anne Berkeley.

[ibid. misc. COERE8P. 8 Ser. iii. 65.]

%* The Lady Anne Berkeley who fonns the chief subject of this
Letter was a singular character. She was the daughter of Sir John
Savage of Frodsham, and became the second wife of Thomas sixtii
Lord Berkeley. The match was supposed to haye been made by
Anne Boleyn and King Henry the Eighth.

Fosbrooke, in his Extracts from Smyth's Lives of the Berkeley
Family, pp. 181, 185, says, " this Lady Anne, when at &ny of her
country houses, would betimes, in winter and summer monang^
take her walks to visit her stable, bames, dayries, poultry, swine-
troughs, and the like; which huswifry her daughter-in-law, the
Lady Catherine Howard, wife of the I^ord Henry her son, seeming
to decline, and to betake herself to the delights of youthful greats
ness, she would some times say to those about her, ' By God's
blessed sacrament, this gay girle will beggar my son Henry.'

*^ During some fieunily squabbles," says the same author, *' Maurice
Berkeley, Nicholas Poyntz, &c., and a riotous company of their
ser\'ant8 and others, entered the park of Lady Anne, at Yate, and
having havocked her deere at pleasure, sware, amongst themselves,
they would, to fret and damage her the more, set the great hay-
ricke on fire ; meaning a great rick of hay for winter's provision,
inclosed with a high pale, at the stable end adjoininge to the house,
wishing the fire might catch the house, and bume the lady with her
werish boy in the midst of it ; and * Then, Maurice,' quoth Giles
Poynz, * thou shalt be heire, and we have an end of aU our sutes.'
There chanced at the same time another company of hunters to be
in the same parke, stealing also of this lady's deere, who perceiving
a stronger pack of thieves than themselves to be in the place, and
better provided, had drawne themselves secretly for shelter under
the hay-rick, where, close standing and hearing what was said and
determined, and fearing to be either descried or burned, presently

ORIGINAL LETTERS, 143

ran away and fled; which being perceived by Maurice and his
company, and by them thought to be of the Lady's family, and such
as she and her keepers had drawn together, they also, as loth to be
discovered or taken, fled as fast ; and thus was a great danger pre-
vented.

" From this and other aggressions the above Lady Anne fled to
her old master King Henry VIII., who granted her a special Ck)m-
mission, under the Great Seal, to enquire, hear, and determine
these riots and other inisdemeanors, and made her one of the Ck)m-
missioners and of the Quorum ; whereupon she came to Gloucester,
and there sate on the bench in the publique Sessions-hall, impa-
nelled a jury, received evidence, found Sir Nicholas Poyntz and
Maurice Berkeley, and their followers, guilty of divers riots and
disorders, and fined them ; and hence it is that the common people
in these parts of Yate and Mangotsfield will, with some stiffness 'of
opinion, to this day, to the honor of this Lady,, as they suppose,
maintaine that she was a Justice of the Peace, and sat with them
upon the Bench."

The College of Westbury was founded about 1288 by Grodfrey
Gifford, Bishop of Worcester, who, after much opposition from the
Prior and Convent of his Cathedral, made several churches of the
patronage of his See prebendal to this of Westbury ; and here be-
came a College for a Dean and Canons dedicated to the Holy Tri-
nity. It was afterwards augmented by various benefactions. John
Carpenter, Bishop of Worcester, sometimes styled himself Bishop of
Westbury. The House was valued in the 2eth Hen. VIII., at
2322. 14«. O^d. per annum, and was granted 35 Hen. VIII. to Sir
Ralph Sadler.

Plesith it your good Lordship that wher I uppon
Mihehnas day last past, rydyng toward Gloucett*^, to
serve the Kyng aceordyng to my moste bowden
douty at the Quarter Cessions holden ther, fownde
in my sayd jomay, at the "Churche Howse of the
parish of Yate, in the Counte of Gloucett' afore
said, wher the Lady Anne Barkley dwellith, divers
evyll disposed persons, to the number of xiiij.,

144 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

playng at the unlawfull and forbydden game of
temies at Divine serues tyme in the momynge, who
at my comynge toward them avoided and fledde a
way. Neverthelesse, with moche diffieulte I gotte
some of ther names, intendyng at my comyng to the
Cessions to have sett them forward for ther dew
ponishment accordyng to the statute in that behalfe ;
but at my comyng to the said Cessions, ther was
soche a bande of the sayd Lady Barkleys servaimts
and retayners, beyng Comon Jurers all, as she hath
no small number of soche, and wer impanneld the
same tyme in Jures ther, rather to lett then to pre-
ferre Justice, as I then mistrusted, and as most
comonly they use to do. For fere of the same I
thought it good to differre the settynge forth of the
said matter tyll the comyng of the Justices of th'as-
size, wherew* the said Lady Barkley uppon knowlege
geven to hur of the same, gretly beyng displesed, un-
charitably rayled with mony sklaunderus and oppro-
brious words agenst me in the presens of diverse
gentillmen; wisshyng that the sayd evill disposed
persons had beten me ; sayng that I shuld have ben
well beton in dede if she had had knowlege before of
my comyng thither: and further with thretenynge
words sayd, the same tyme, that she wolde sytte
uppon my skyrtes. Sens the wich' tyme,^ accordynge
to hur thretenyngs, at a purchased gaole delyuery
holdon at Gloucett*", the vj. day of this present

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 145

monyth of November, tHe said Lady Barkley of
malice have caused me with diverse of my frends,
and servaunts wrongefuUy to be indited by hurre
said seruants of diuers trespaces. And on of the said
trespaces is for that I caused on Sir William Norton,
a priste, more than a yere past, to be attached for
the kepyng of certen prohibited boks that I founde
vdth hym, as Portuces not reformed of the Busshop
of Romes names, and a boke of Busshop Fysshiers
for the mayntenans of the sayd Bisshop of Romes
pretensed supreme ecclesiastijcall povsrer, wherof Sir
Nicolas Poyntz and I gave informacons to yo*^ Lord-
ship, and ye remitted it down to the Shere to be
determined ther; which matter notwithstandyng it
was and yet is very notorius, and pregnant evidens
is of the same, yet by reson the said priste is retayn-
ing to the sayd Lady Barkley it cowde never be
fov^mde to this day. And to declare the rest of the
trespaces that I am indited of to yo*^ lordeship, it wer
to tedius, the wich if it shalbe your plesure to here,
Sir Nicolas Poyntz can declare them, to whom I have
wrytten the hole matter at large ; and thus I make
an ende, besekyng your Lordship of your lawfuU
ayde, as hitherto I have fownde it allways redy in my
resonable sewtes, and in this distresse now that I am
in, so to provyde for me that I be not thus lefte in
rebuke and shame, for doynge the Kyngs Grace trew
and faithfull service in the ministracon of Justice,

VOL. III. H

146 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

from the wich no injuste vexacons can cause me to

desiste^ hauyng your Lordshipps lawfull favor and

ayde in that behalf as my speciall truste is in the

same, Wrytten att Westbury College, the xij. day

of November,

Yo' Lordsbippes bownde orator,

JOHN BARLo, Deauc there.

To the right honorable and my singler
good Lorde, the Lorde Cromwell,
Lorde Privy Seale.

LETTER CCCXIII.

Cuthhert Tunstal, Bishop of Durham, to King Henry
the VIII, ^ consoling him for the death of Queen
Jane Seymour.

[mS. cotton. TITUS. B. I. fol. 121. OHg^l

Plese it your Highnes to understonde that wher
now of late it hath pleasyd Almyghty God to take
unto his mercy out off thys present lyff the most
blessyd and vertuouse lady your Graces most derest
wyffe the Queny's Grace, whose soule God pardon,
and newys theroff sorowful to all men came into
these parties, surly it cannot wel be expressyd how
all men off al degrees dyd greatly lament and mome
the death of that noble lady and princesse, takyn out
off thys world by bringinge forth off that noble frute
that is spronge off your Maiesty and Hir to the great

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 147

joy and inestimable comforte off al your subjects,
consideringe withal that thys noble frute, my Lord.
Prince, in his tendre age interyng in to thys worlde is
by hir deth leffte a dear Orphan, commencinge therby
thys miserable and mortal lyffe not oonly by wepinge
and waylinge, as the misery of mankynde requyryth,
but also reffte in the begynnynge off his lyffe from
the comforte off his most dere moder. And albeyt
to hym by tendimesse off his age it is not known
what he hath lost, yet we that do know and fele it,
have mych more cause to mome, seinge such a ver-
tuouse Princesse who hath shewyd so grete hope off
mych frute to come off hir body, is so sodenly taken
from us. But thys not withstondinge your Maieste,"
whom thys chaimch most towcheth, must by your
hygh wysdom consydere the misery off the mortal
lyffe off mankynde, which no man bom in thys world,
prince nor poer man, can exchue, seinge it is the sen-
tence off Almyghty God, sainge in the begynnyng
aswel to the woman. In dolor e paries Jilios tudSy as
to the man, and by him to al his posterite, Puhis es,
et in puherem reverteris. In which mortal lyffe who
so ever is mor vexyd and troblyd, yff he take it pa-
tiently, ys more accepte to God, and callyd in the
Scripture thereby blessyd; as it is written in the boke
off Job, Beatus homo qui corripitur a Deo, increpa-
tionem ergo Domini ne reprobes, quia ipse vulnerat et
medetur, percutit et manu9> ejus sanabunt. And it

H 2

148 ORIGINAL LETTERS*

is written in th'epistle off James lykwyse, JBeatus vir
qui suffert tentatumem^ quam autem cum prob^Uut
fuerit, accipiet coronam vita. And as S**. Paul saith
to the Hebrews, It is a suer tokyn that God favorytb
them as his chyldren to whom he sendeth adversitei
sainge, Quern enim diligit Dominus cctstigat, flagellat
autem omnem Jilium quern recipit. In discipUna
perseverate, tanquam Jilijs vobis se offert Deus. Qtitt
enimfilius quern non corripet pater, quia si extra disci-
plinam estiSy cujus participes facti sunt omneSy ergo
adulteri et non Jilij estis. And albeyt the discipline
off adversite be ful off hevynesse for the tyme, yet it
endith always in yoy, as ther foloyth. Omnis autem
discipUna in presenti quidem non videtur esse ffaudij
sed meroris, postea autem fructum pacatissimum ex-
cercitatis per earn reddet justiciam. And like as al
men more do favor those their servaunts that in a
long viage do sustein more adversite, so Almighty
God in thys lyffe, which al is but a viage, for
as S*®. Paul saith, Non habemus hie manentem
civitaiem sed futuram inquirimus, most acceptith
those his servaunts that do sustein most adversite
patiently, and S*. Paule, considerynge the instabilite
off this world, exhorteth al men to use al things
therin as transitory and not permanent, both in pros-
perity and in adversite, for nedyr off both doth tary,
but brevely overpasse, sainge, Tempus breve est, reU-
quum esty ut qui habent uxores, tanquam non haben-'

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 149

tes sintf et qui flent^ tanquam non flentes ; et qui
gaudent tanqtiam non gaudentes ; et qui emunt tan-
quam non possidentes ; et qui utuntur hoc mundo, tan-
quam* non utantur; jprmterit enimfigura mundi hujus.
Then sens prosperite is fugitive and taryyth not, lat
us not trust to yt ; and sens adversite soon overpasseth
and abydyth not, lat us not esteme it ; for afiter it
sustenyd patiently, sure we be that yoy shal succede.
Consyder, yff it lyke your Maieste, how offte tymes
sens your most noble regne began, God hath sent
you diverse and many times grete flowinge of prospe-
rite, and therfor yff God sum tyme do send a droppe
off adversite, sustein yt by your hygh wysdome with
patient sufferance, as I trust assuredly and dobt not
but your Hyghnes wyl. And assuryd ye may be that
God for your so doinge shal hyghly requite yt farre
beyond your Hyghnes expectation, Grete cities,
towns, and regions, al peple in them, and princes off
the same, offte do sustein adversite by cause the hole
world is alway subgiet to mutabilite; and lyke as
afft^r lygth succedith darknes, and after somer
comyth winter, so darknes taryyth not, but lygth
doth folow ; and winter gyffeth place to the somer
again; so that I dobt not, but, God willinge, thys
storme off sorowful season shal by your Maiesties
wysdome affter a tyme overpasse, and the somer off
yoyful gladnes shal succede, not oonly to your Graces
comforte, but to the comforte off al your subgeittes,

150 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

mych momyng at thys tyme in their hartes with
your Hyghnes. And wher Ahnyghty God hath
taken from your Grace to your grete discomforte a
most blessyd and vertuouse lady, consyder what he
hath gyffen your Hyghnes again to your comforte
and to the rejoyse off all us your subgiettes, our
most noble Prince, to whom God hath ordenyd your
Maiestie not only to be fadyr, but also as the tyme
now requireth to supply the rowme off a modyr also ;
so that therby he shal heraffter have doble cause to.
honor your Hyghnes, as it is not to be dobtyd, but,
God grauntynge hym lyffe,* herafiler he wyl doo. In
whom, in the mean tyme, Ahnyghty God off his in-
finite mercy graunt that your Grace, puttinge away
al soroful pensivenesse, may to the comforte off your
most noble harte longe rejoyce, which shalbe also to
the hygh comforte off al the subgettes of your Graces
realme. And sens moumyng can in no wyse amend
the mater, and thankes gyffen to God may sonner
over blowe thys storme, best shal be to conclude
with Job, sainge, Domintis dedit Domintis abstuUt,
sicut Domino placuit ita factum est : sit nomen Domini
benedictum. God gaff youre Grace that noble lady,
and God hath takyn hir away ; as it plesyd hym so it
is doon, laude be gyffen to hym, and for to consyder
also, how Job exhorteth by his example al men
beinge in lyke case to patience, sainge. Si bona sus^
cepimus de manu Domini, mala autem quare non sus^

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 151

tineamtuf, which your Highnes^ for your great wys»
dome and lemynge can mych better consyder then I
can advertise the same^ onlesse sorofulnesse for the
tyme put it out off remembraunce. Almyghty God
off his infinite njercy graunt your Grace spiritual
comforte, and putting away al worldly hevynesse
ever to rejoyse in hym, who have your Maiesty
alway in his blessyd protection to your haxtes desyre,
with increse off mych honore. From your Citie off
Yorke, the xij* day of November,

By your Graces most humble subgiette^ servaunt,
and chapleyn,

CUTHBERT DURESME,

LETTER CCCXIV.

John Bale to Lord Cromwell^ complaining of his suf^
ferings and imprisonment for preaching against
Popery*

[MS. COTTON. CLEOP. E. iv. fol. 134. OHg,']

Grace and goodnes from God the fader, and
from hys sone Jesus Crist, be euer with yow. Amen.

Be yt knowne unto your Highnes (most honorable
Lorde) that I, John Bale, doctor of dyvynyte, un-
wurthye, and at the onlye desyr of faythfull Cristen
menne, late parrysh pryst of Thomdon, in Sothfolbe,
for zelei of Godd's wurde, and most faythfull obedi-
ent love towards my Prince, have not only forsaken

152 ORIGINAL LETTEBS.

my owne welth and plesur, as God and the wcnrlde
knoweth, but also suffired poverte, persecucyon^ and
hate of yll persons for yt, zea, and at this present
season soch vylenes, stynke, penurye, colde, and
other incommodyes as the preson conteyneth, with
opprobryose rebuks of my kepars, and opyn shame
of the worlde. But for as moch as I have evydently
knowne most rightose iugements to have place in
zow by the gracyose gyft of God, in hys behalf I in-
teyrlye desyr you to waye my por cawse, and late me
not for my faythfulnes fare the wurse. The balye
of Thorndon, whych maketh her ageynst me, ys
nother Godds frynde, my Princys, nor zowrs, as
many substancyall honest men in Sothfolke can and
wuld also ber wytnes, war yt not for soch dysplesur
as thei fer to have by my Lorde of Sothfolk, throwgh
hys thretenyng, zea, and one honest man ys now
present in the Cyte, which wuld be glad to enfonne
ze of yt, and also of soch langage as he had of zou at
Lyncolne, jrf yt wuld plese zou to hear hym, with
whom many honest men schall also wytnes. I wuld
to God zo*^ honor knewe of soch doblenes as my
Lorde Wentworth, Master Edward Grjrmston, and
other wurchypfull men cowde tell zow of hym, wyth
gyfts and rewards to them whych knoweth not hys
deuyllysh cawtels. He hath made stronge byldyngs
ageynst me, and hath grownded them upon lyes, sup-
posyng through my troble and punnyshment to

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 153

escape daungers, to have his full plesur, and to accom-
plysh hys promyse to certayn popish prysts, whych
hath hyred hym to persecute the trewth. Of them
that hath sealed agaynst me, one lyeth bedred in his
howse, and never harde me preche ; an other sort wer
at Lyncolne, whan I preched, and hath sealed only
upon the wytnes of ther wyves ; sum wer thretened
to lose the copye londe that thei holde of my Lorde
of Sothfolke yf thei vnild not wytnes ageynst me ;
sum for that I rebuked their wyves for unfaythfull
langage ageynst their prince, sealyd ageynst me ; and
sum of them ar knowne for common perjurs. And
for a conclusyon the mor part of them knoweth not
throwghlye whereto thei have sealed, and thei which
now knoweth yt wyll not afferme yt. And sens
Cristmas, ther wer non other matters that thei had
ageynst me than thei wuld have clerlye dyscharged
me of befor honest men, so that I wuld have for-
saken the towne, and nomor to have cum ther.
The Artycles whych thei have gadred upon my
prechyng wer never my sayngs, as I wyU answer be-
for God ; the whych Artycles thei have twyse altred
sens the begynnyng. In one maner of style thei left
them .with my Lorde Wentworth to examyn me
upon them, and in an other wurse kynde with Syr
Vmfraye Wyndfylde. If I have, for want of cownsell
or dewe cyrcumspeccyon, takyn to moch upon me in
Godd's cawse and my Princes, zea, whan I have

H 5

154 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

harde zo' honor^ my Lorde of Caunterbery, of Hely,

of Worcetur, of Salysbery, Saynt David's, and other,

slaunderoslye reported, I schall be contented herafter

to folowe zo*^ gracyose informacyon. My conscyence

geveth me that I have nother offendyd God nor my

Prince, in that I have done. Zet am I not so sur

but I may be disseyued. Wherfor, I desyr zo'

gracyose goodnes, if I have offended mor than I can

perseyve in my self, gracyoslye to ber with myn yg-

norant blyndnes. And I schall not only endeuour

my self to amend that ys past, but also applye to my

uttmost powr, from hens forth, to serve God and my

Prince with mor sobemes. Who ever preserue zow

in longe helth to contynewe. Amen.

Yo' contynuall orator and bedeman.

JOHN BALE, PrysU

To the most honorable Thomas CrumWell,
Lorde of the Preuye Seale, to our most
redowted Prince Kynge Henry the viij.
of Ynglond and France.

LETTER CCCXV.

Leland, the Antiquary, to Lord Cromwell; gives a
character of John Bale, and solicits the release of
him from imprisonment,

[sTAT. PAP. OFF. MISC. CORRESP. XXU. 594. Orig,']

Syr, I beseche you most humbely to admitte my
homble writing at this tyme, seing that the multitude

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 155

of your waty maters suflfre not me to have conuenient
accesse on to you. Doctor Bale^ sum tyme a whight
frere, and now a secular preest, ys deteined at. Green-
wiche yn the porters warde, upon certein Articles of
preching. Wherin I desier your good Lordship^ in
the way of chaxite^ that he may fauorably make his
purgation, and so to receyue as he hath merited. The
world is fill of yl tunges, and yl wil can iiot say
welle. Surely if the man be not ihore strungly
chaunged, ther is in hym leming, jugement, modesty,
with many other gQode qualites, and worthier he
was, if he be not lately altered, to haue a better for-
tune then to be a poore paroch preste. His brother
hath brought up a certificat, subscribed by the most
honest menne of the paroch wher he dwelled. And
as for sum of the articles laide on to him be so folisch
that they be worthy no lemed mannes answer. Now,
my good Lord, the trouthe knowen, I most humbely
beseche yow, in the name of good letters, and charite,
that he may trye hym self, and so to receyve as ye
shaal se the cause to require. And I shaul pray yn
the meane tyme for yo' prosperitie. At London, the
XXV. day of January, by your poore louer and ser-
uantt at comaundement,

JOHN Leyland.

To the right honorable and my singular
good Lorde, my Lord of the Priuy
Seale.

156 ORIGINAL LETTERS*

LETTER CCCXVI,

Robert Devereux to the Lord Privy Seal; enumerating
the Friaries^ of which he had taken possession.

[ibid, a Ser. viii. 117. Orig.l

My singular good Lorde, in my humely maner,
plesethe yt your Lordshipe to understande that sithe
I was with yon laste I have receyued in to my l^uidis
to the Kingis use, the Blacke Freres in Dunstabeill,
the Grreye in Ware, the Grey in Babwell, the Grey
in Walsingham, the Black and White in Norwich,
the Blacke, the White, and the Grey, in Yarmouthe,
the Austen in Gorleston, the Blacke and Grey in
Dunwich, the Austen in Oxforde, the Blacke and
White in Ipsewich, the Austen in Clare, the Grey in
Colchester, the White in Maldon, and the Blacke in
^hemsforde. The more parte of these, the substans
before my cuming was conweid and gone; sum
soUde, sum stollen, and sum plegeid; so that litill
was lefte, neither in plate, leade, nor other imple-
ments. Yet, so I have ordereid them, that bothe
plate and leade ys cum to lighte, so that yt ys col-
lected to the Kingis use, and sum thinge more as by
myne accownteis yt shall appere. Sithe that I re-
ceyueid these Convents I have be in Langley, and
putte owte the freres ther, and taken an inventory
of that Howse, and causeid preisars to pryse all, and

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 157

browthe the plate to the Kingis use ; as that I have
don other, so that Howse ; I have the order of yt in
my hands, trusting in your good Lordshipe that ye
will helpe that I shall have yt with the profeteis
during my liflfe ; for withowte yt I maye dispende no
peny to life with. And that litill that I had of my
frindis, meche of yt I have spente ther.

My good Lorde, theis xij yeris, ye have ben my
singular helpar, and I labor to non but yo"^ Lorde-
shipe, yet I here that ther ys labor for that Howse by
on of the Eangis chamber ; and yf yt shallde by his
Grace be graunteid, for lacke of sute before made for
me, yt war to my utter ondoing. Werfor, my good
Lorde, for Goddis sake, have pitey on your true and
feithfuU seruante that ys glade to do the servis that
he can to the uttermost of his powre, bothe for the
King's hyethnes plesure and profite, and also for
yower, and ever wiH do to heis liveis ende. I am
covTnselleid to tarey and folowe my sute for the same,
but yf that I have your favor in yt, I will streite in
to Kente and Sussexe to receyve all those Howseis to
the Kingis use before Christmas ; for thei have wretin
to me that excepte I cum before Christmas thei muste
sell the tile and lead of their Howseis, for other
thingis thei have non ; and sum of them have soUde
allredey bothe leade and Howseis as I here saye.

And yf eny more Howseis be in Ynglond to dis-
charge streithe after Christmas, I will discharge them.

158 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

and not retume to London till I have don all. But
for Gods sake late me have sum comforte for my
Howse before that I shall departe after Christemas:
and I pray you late non medeill ther but X for the
Kings Grrace. I truste to see that ys ther, bothe
leade and other, saveid and ordereid to the Kingis
profite so well as eny man els. And yf that I knowe
your plesure all the leade ther shall be in stablois in
Christmas tyme, the which will be wery mete for
the More*: for I here say that thei carey leade
thither iij tymes so farre as that ys. My good
Lorde yo' plesure in these my suteis, so that yt maye
be to my comforte, and that I maye departe in to
Kentte, for Christemas ys nere.

. Your feythefull servauntt and trewe orator.

RICHARD DEVEREUX.
To my singular good Lorde Crumwell,
Lorde Preuey Scale, this delyver.

LETTER CCCXVII.

Richard Layton to the Lord Privy Seal. Cornea to

Barnwell Priory^ near Cambridge. Delivers a

Charge in the Chapter-house of the Priory^ to quiet

public excitement. Westacre Priory in Norfolk.

[misc. corresp. 2 Ser, xx. 260. Orig.'\

*ij* Cromwell's opinion of the Prior and Convent of Westacre
seems to have been somewhat different from that of his Visitor.

• The More was a manor of the King's, at Rickmeresworth, in Hertfordshire ; see
an account of it in the First Series of these Letters, vol. i p. 277, note.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 159

William Wingfield, the last head, was Prior in 1526. He sub-
scribed to the King's supremacy in 1534, and with eight of his monks
surrendered his Priory to the King, January 14th, 29th Hen. VIII.
At the Dissolution he received a pension of 402. per annum, and was
living in 1555. He became Rector of Bumham Thorpe in Norfolk,
in King Edward the Sixth's reign, and was a married priest*
' In the Compendium Compertorum Prior Wingfield and twelve of
his monks are accused of most flagrant acts of incontinency ; but
the pensions granted to the Prior and several of these very persons,
indicate the statement to have been untrue. There could have been
no necessity under such circumstances to have bestowed rewards
when the Convent was suppressed. •

Hit may please your Lordeshipe tobe advertisede
that at my cumjnig to Bamewell Priorie on yij***
Evyn, hit was immediatly brutede in Cambrige that
the Priorie shulde be evyn then suppressede^ and
that I wolde go from thens to Ely and to Byrye, and
suppres where so ever I came, and that the Kings
Highnes was fully determynede to suppres all
Monasteries, and that M'. Sothewell and I were
sent into Northfooke only for that purposse : which
brute to stope, and to satisfye the people, I wente
with expedition to th'Abbays and Priores, calljmg
imto me all suche gentilmen and honeste men as
were nygh Inhafoitans there, and opynly in the
chapitre house comaundede and chargede th* Abbotts
and Priors with their Conventts, in the Swings be*
halffe^ that they shulde not in no wysse, for fere of
any suche brute or vayne babullyng of the people,
w^te, distroye, or spoile ther woodds, nor sell ther

» Blomef. Hiat. Norf. iv. 751.

160 ORIGINAL LETTEH8.

plate or Jewells of ther Churche, or morgage, or plege
any parte or parcell of the same for any suche intent ;
nother late oute ther grayngeis, pasturs, or glebe,
ever retaynede in ther hands for mayntenance of ther
House and Hospitalitie ; nor to make excesse al
fynes, renewyng evere mannes leasse to one hundrethe
yere that was wylljmg therfore to sewe ; nother they
shnlde not sell or alienate ther londes and revenewjrs
nor diminishe ther rentts, nor sell any maner, porcion,
pension, quite rent, or any suche lyke appertaynyng
to ther Monasterie. And finally to save evere thyng
in the same state as they have done always heretofore
and as they of right be bownde ; and not to gyve any
credite to the vayne babullyng of the people, and
whatsoever they were that persuadede them tomake
any suche alienation or salle: allegeyng that the
Kyng wolde suppresse them and all other religiouse
howses, and that better hit shulde be for them
tomake ther hands betyme then to late. All suche
personnes, what so ever they were, whether they
were knyghtes, gentilmen, or yeomen, or of the
meane and buyssyste sorte, they were gretly tobe
blamede, and in ther so doyng utterly sklaunderede
the King ther naturale Soveraygne Lorde and our
most graciouse Prince. I willede them therfore that
frome thens forthe they shulde innowyse beleve any
suche babullers of what astat or degre so ever they
were ; and in casse they were villaynnes and knaves •

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 161

^hat so wolde reporte, I comaunded th' Abbotts and
Priors to set them in the stokks. If they were gentil-
men- that then they shulde certifye your Lordeshipe
and other the Kings moste honorable Cownsell of
ther reportts and words immediatly withoute delay,
evyn as they wolde answer in that behalf at ther fur-
ther parell. This digression therfore hath sumwhat
hynderede us for Westeacre, wiche if I shulde not have
spede before the dissolution of the same, the rumor
wolde have so gretly increassede in the hedds of the
comon people, that surely all Abbots and Priorrs
wolde have made fowle shyffts before we cowlde have
made full expedicion, and all finisshede at Westeacre.
Your comandemente tberfor gyven unto me in your
galerie in that behalff, was muche more weyghtye
then I at that tyme jugede or supposede, or wolde
have belevede yff I hade not sene the veraye expe-
rience therof.

Nowe for Westeacre, what untrewthe and dissimu-
lation we fynde in the Prior, what falsehode in fals
knaves emongist the Covent, what briberie, spoile,
^d ravyne with craffty colours of bargannes con-
trivide by th'ynhabitantts, hit were to long to wryte.
But for a conclusion all ther wrenches, wyles, and
gyles shall nothyng them prevaile, and so, Gode will-
yng, we shall serve the King trewly, and, as I truste,
fully satisfye th'expectation of faithefulnes that yowre
Lordeshipe hath conceyvede in us : and thus I pray

162 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

Gode loDge to continewe your Lordeshipe in helthe
with honoure. From Westeacre, xviij. Januarij. By
your Lordeshippes most humble to comaunde^

RICHARD LAYTON, Preste.

To the right honorable and my singuler
goode Lorde, my Lorde Privey Seale.

LETTER CCCXVIII.

Roger Tatvnshend to the Lord Privy SeaL The
Punishment of a poor Woman who devised a Mi'
racle of our Lady of Walsingham.

[ibid. 2 Ser, xliii. 193. Orig^l
Please itt your good Lordshipp to be avertysed
that ther was a pore woman of Wellys besyde Wal-
syngham, that imagyned a falce tale of a M3rracle to
be doon by the Image of our Lady that was at Wal-
syngham syth the same was brought from thens
to London; and upon the tryall therof, by my
examynacon from one person to an other, to the
nomber of vj. persons, and att last cam to her that
she was the reporter therof, and to be the very auc-
tour of the same, as ferforth as my consciens and
perceyvyng cowd lede me ; I commytted her therfor
to the warde of the constables of Walsyngham. The
next day after, beyng markett day, ther I caused her
to be sett in stokkes in the momyng, and aboute ix.
of the clok when the seyd markett was fullest of

ORIGINAL LETTERS.

163

people, wyth a papir sett aboute her hedcj wreten
wyth thes wordes upon the same, A reporter of fahe
tales ^ was sett in a carte and so caryed aboute the
xnarkett stede and other stretes in the town, steyng
in dyvers places wher most people assembled, yong
people and boyes of the town castyng snowe balles
att her. Thys doon and executed, was brought to
the stokks ageyn, and ther sett till the markett was
ended. This was her penans ; for I knewe no Is^we
otherwyse to ponyshe her butt by discrec5n ; trust-
yng itt shall be a warnyng to other lyght persons in
suche wyse to order them self. Howe be itt, I can-
not perceyve butt the seyd Image is not yett out of
sum of ther heddes, I thought itt convenyent to
auertyse yo' Lordshipp of the trouth of thys majter,
lesse the reporte therof comyng in to many mennys
mouthes myght be made other wyse than the trouth
was. Therfor I have sent to your Lordshipp by
Richard Touneshend the said examynac5n. Thus
I beseche Allmyghty Jhu euermore to have your
good Lordshipp in hys best preseivacon. Wreten
the XX*** of January.

Humbly at your comande*

ROGER TOUNESHEND.
To the ryght honorable and my ryght
synguler good Lorde, my Lorde
Pryvy Seale.

164 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

LETTER CCCXIX.

Richard Layton to Secretary Cromwell^ how Christ-
churchy Canterbury y and St. ITiomas's Shrine had
almost been burnt. Prior of Dover. Priories of
Langdon and Folkstone.

[ibid. 2 Ser. zx. 269.]

Pleasit your goodnes to understonde that this
Saterday, at nyght, I came to Canterberie to Christ
Churche ; at one of the cloke affter mydnyght, one of
my servands callede me up sodenly or ells I hade bene
brent in my bede. The gret dynjmg chambre callede
the Kyngs logeyng where we suppede, and wheras
the Bisshop of Winchestre lay the day before I came,
was sodenly fierede by sum fierbronde or snoff of
sum candell that fyrste sett the risishes in fier. My
servands Ij^g nygh to the saide logeyng were almost
chokede in ther bedds, and so callede me, and anone
affler I fownde a bake dore oute, callede up the
howse, and sent into the towne for helpe, and before
ladders and water cowlde be gottyn that gret logeyng
was paste, recoverie, and so was the chamber wheras
I lay. Thre chambers onely is brent, callede the
new logeyng or the Kyngs logeyng; 'the gabull ynds
of the howse made of stronge bryke keppede in the
fier from the howsyng adjoyned with helpe of men.
So that ther is no herme done but in that logeyng.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 165

Asson, as I hade sett men to sqwenche and to labor, I
went into the Churche, and ther tariede continew-
ally, and sett iiij. monks with bandoggs to kepe the
Shryne, and put the sexten in th0 revestre ther to
kepe the Jewells, and I walkede continewally in the
Churche above ; and sett monks in everie qwarter of
the Churche with candills, and sent for th' Abbot off
Saynt Augustins to be ther withiime in a redines to
have taken downe the Shryne, and to have sent all the
Jewells into Saynt Augustins; but as it chaunced,
there is no herme done more then thos iij. chambers.
No plate nor nothyng loste. If I hade not taken that
order for spoile within the Churche, ther wolde have
bene harme done. Suche beddjmg ds was caste
abrode in the cloistre or other placess were convayede
away and imbeseled by poire fookks vriche came
rather to spoile then to helpe. And this is to adver-
tise you onely of the fier.

The Prior of Dover and his monks be evyn as other
be, but he the worst. ***** ther is none, for
they nede not, they have no lake of women. Th'Ab-
bott of Langdon passethe all that ever I knew in
profounde baudrie ; the dronkyiiest knave lyvyng.
All his chanons be evyn as he is, not one spaike of
vertu emongist them ; arant baudy knaves every man.
The Abbot causede his Chapelaine to take an hore,
and instigate hym to hit, browght hir up into his own
chambrcj^ toake one of his federbedds off his owne

166 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

bede, and made his chapelaines bede in the inner
chamber^ within hym, and ther causede hym to go to
. bede with his hore that th' Abbott hade providett for
hym. To reherse you the hole stone, hit wer to
long and to abhominable to here. The howsse is in
utter dekaye and will shortly fawle donne. Ye must
neds deposse hym and sodenly sequestrate the firutts,
and take an inventarie of the goods. Ye can do no
lesse of justice. I have pronowncede hym peijurede
ex muUis capitibuspena reservata unto yowe. What
ye will I shall further do in the premisses by this
bringer my servant I pray yow sende me yo' deter-
minat pleasur. This Abbay, callede Langden, is iij.
myles from Canterberie. If hit be your pleasure I
shall with spede ryde bake and therin do what ye
shall comande me.

Ther is an other Priorie called Fowlstone x. or xiL
myles from Canterberie, wherin is but the Prior, a
monke sike *****. The saide Prior hath the
same Priorie by institucion of my Lorde of Canter-
berie removibil ad nutum, Therof my Lorde Glyn-
ton pretendith to be founder, but the Kyng is surely
founder. Ther is the Parishe Churche appropriat to
the saide Priorie, that Churche with the glebe londe
is the hole revenews wiche holly amountith to Ixx^.,
wherof the Prior hath x'i. in pecuniis: So the
Priorie is lx*i. The valew of the benefices xl*».,
and xx*i. the glebe. The said Priorie wajs fyrste a

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 167

Nonrie, then a Parsonage, with this Vicar indewyde.

After that ther was a Blake Monke Bisshope of

Cant, and when the Parson departede he made hit a

Priorie, and institute a Blake Monke. Nowe the

Howse is in utter dekay. Ther is no dorter, fratre,

cloistre ; one hale, one chamber, and a kechjmg, with

a little parlor under the grownde. No house mete

for a Monk or two ; the Priors Monke ***** *^

the Prior hymself was an apostata, and cam theder

as a run agate. ISis Monk is a Monke of Cant. Hit

were beste to sende the Prior home wheras he was

professede, and to punishe hym for his apostacie.

His Monke * * * * to be sent home to Canterberie

agayne. A few catel he hath, but howssolde stuff

ther is none. The barnes be well replenished with

come. If ye will I shall deposse hym, as I cannot

se but ye muste, let me know your pleasure. The

saide Priorip wilbe a good parsonage with a Vicar,

indewede, as hit hath bene here tofore. If ye will

make the Kyng patrone as right is, and geve hit me

for a parsonage, I will dispache the Prior to his

clostre. What your pleasure shalbe in this also, hit

may please you to certify ine by this bringer, my

servant. I am informede that this Prior hath muche

money, to serche and sequestrate I wolde.

Yo*" assurede servant,

To the right honorable Mr. Thomas RICHARDE LAYTON.

Cmmwell, cheffe Secretarie to the
Kyngs Hyghnes, w^ spede.

168 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

LETTER CCCXX.

Geoffrey Chamber to the Ltord Privy Seal. The ex-
posure of the Image called the Rood of Grace.
[ibid. 2 Ser. v. 210.]
My singler goode Lorde^ my dutye remembrede
unto yoiir Lordeshipe this shalbe to aduertise the
same that upon the defacjmg of the late Monasterye
of Boxley, and pluckyng down of the Images of the
same, I founde in the Image of the Roode callede
the Roode of Grace, the whiche heretofore hath
beene hadd in greate veneracion of people,* certen
ingynes and olde wyer, wyth olde roton stykkes in
the backe of the same, that dyd cause the eyes of the
same to move and stere in the hede therieof lyke unto
a lyvelye thyng ; and also the nether lippe in lyke
wise to move as thoughe itt shulde speke ; whiche, so
famed, was not a little straunge to me and other that
was present at the pluckyng down of the same,
whereupon the Abbott heryng this brut dyd thether
resorte, whome to my litle witt and conyng, with
other of the olde Monkes, I dyd examyn* of their
knowleg of the premisses ; who doo dexilare themselff
to be ignorante of that same. So remyttyng the fur-
ther of the premisses unto your goode Lordshjrpe
whan they shalle repayer unto London. Neverthe-

• In a book of Payments by the Treasurer of the Hoiudiold, 1 to 4 Hen. Vlll.
(Addit. MS. Brit. Mus. 7001. An. 1. 1510), we read, " July 99. For fhe Kixg's
offring at the Rood of Orace, 68. 8d."

ORIGINAL LETTERS.

169

lesse, the sayd Abbott is sore seke, that as yett he is
nott able to come. Further, when I hadde scene
this straunge sight, and considerjmg that th'inhabit-
aunce of the Cuntre of Kent hadde in tyme past a
greate devocion to the same, and to use contynuall
pilgramag thither, by th'advise of other that wer
her with me, dyd convey the sayd Imag unto Mayde-
ston this present Thursday, then beyng the markett
day, and in the cheff of the markett tyme dyd shew
itt openly unto all the people ther beyng present, to
see the falsej crafty, and sottell handelyng therof, to
the dishonor of God, and illusion of the sayd people,
whoo, I dare say thatt if in case the sayd late Mo-
nasterye were to be defaced agajme (the Kyng's
Grace not offended) they wold aither plucke itt down
to the grounde, or ells bume itt, ffor they have the
sayd matter in wonderous detestacion and hatred, as
att my repayer unto your good Lordeshipe, and bryng-
jng the same Image with me: wherupon I doo
somewhatt tarrye, and for the further defacyng of
the sayd late Monasterye, I shall declare unto youe.
And thus almyghty Jesu preserve youe to hys plesure,
with good liff and long. Att Maydeston the vij***
day of Februarye. Yo" most bounden,

JEFFRAY CHAMBER.

To the right honorable and hys singler
goode Lord, Lorde of the Preuy Seale,
be thes delyuered.

VOL. III. I

170 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

LETTER CCCXXI.

Thomas Puynell to the Lord Privy Seal, certifying
the suppression of the Friars^ HoiLses at Boston^ and
how necessary the application of some of the mate-
rials was f for the repair of the Haven and Town
there, to save the King's money.

[ibid. 2 Ser, xxxii. 216. OrigJ]

Right honorable and my good Lorde, my dutye

remembred. Please yt your honorable Lordshipp to

knowe that the Vycetor hathe bene with us at Boston,

and hathe suppressed all our Freers Howses, and in as

muche as my dutye is, bejmg the Kjmg's officer, to

certyfy the Kyng, or ellys your Lordshipp, what is

most expedyent and necessarye for to repayer, redeiy,

and byuld his Graces tenements, staythes and see-

banks within the sayd towne ; and consyderyng howe

barron our Cuntre is bothe of stone, tymber, and tyle,

and moreover howe chargeable the caryage of the

same wilbe, if his Grace shuld be constrayned to by

ytt ; therfore I advertyse your honorable Lordshipp

that the stone, tyle, and tymber of the forsayd

Howses is very apt, mete, and necessarye, for his

Gracei? purpose in this behalf, and shall save his

Grace muche monye, wiche his Grace shuld dysburse

if his Highenes be determynyd to make repayer,

wiche of very necessite had ned6 to be done in the

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 171

beginnyng of this yere, bothe for the savegard of the
towne and the cuntre, wiche suerly, if shorttely re-
medy be not ffound, it is lyke to putt a grete part of
the lowe parts of Hollond in grete dawnger and
jeoperde. I have dyverse and sundry tymes com-
playnod unto the counsell of Richemond ffee, and also
to the Surveor generall, accordyng as was your
Lordshipp comaundement, nevertheles remedy as yet
have we none at theyr hands. Wherfore I esteme
if by yo"^ Lordshipp procurement spedy remedy be
not had for the repayring of the decayes aforesaid, in
processe of small tyme there is lyke to be utter deso-
lacyon of all his Graces lands within the sayd towne,
wiche lyethe hooly in howssing, except onely Syve
mark in pasture ; and suerly if thise decayse shuld
styll be suffred, it wuld be the very mene whereby
his Graces Custome dayly shuld decay. Wherfore
if it wull please your honorable Lordshipp to stay the
tymber, yron, and stone of the sayd Howsses for the
purposes above rehersyd, your Lordship myght save
the King a grete dele of monye, and deserve of the
towne immortale memorye ; who dothe dayly make

Q

exclamacyon vppon me, thinkyng that I lyttyll doo
tender the comodyte and welthe of his Graces towne,
Wherfore I humble requere your Lordshipp to lett
me knowe yo' Lordshipps pleasure concemyng the
premysses wiche thing done I shall indevor my silf
withe all dyligence to accompUce your comaunde-

I 2

172 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

ment, as knowith our Lord who long preserve your
honorable Lordshipp in the ffavor of God and our
Kyag. Datyd at Boston the xxij*** day of Februarij.
I humble desyer your Lordshipp off pardone in as
muche as my dutye was to have cume vpp my silf :
but the berer hereof can certefy your Lordshipp the
very cavse wiche is resonable.

By yo' servaunt vnder the Kyng,

THOMAS PAYNELL.
To the right honorable Lord Crumwell,
Lord Prevy Seale.

LETTER CCCXXII.

Richard Ryche to Lord Cromwell. Survey of Abing^
don Monastery in Berkshire^ where the King thought
of fixing a Residence. State of and particulars
relating to^ the Town of Abingdon.

[ibid. 2 Ser, xxxvi. 216. Orig.']

After my right hartie recommendacions this
shallbe to aduertyse your Lordshyp, I, and other
of the King's oflfycers, ben at this present tyme at
Abyngdon, and have withe deliberacion vyewde
and seen the state and plytte of the sayd late Monas-
terye, with the buildyngs and decaye asewell of the
same as of the Towne there. Requyryng your
Lordshyp to sygnyfye to the Kynges Majestye that
moste parte of the Howses of office thereof ben

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 173

moche in ruyne and decaye excepte the Churche,
whiche assuredly ys a great and goodly thyng, well
reparyd. And, as concemyng the Abbotts lodgyng,
I thynke yt not lyke for an habitacion for the
Kynges Majestie onles his Highnes will there ex-
pende great treasure. And as I and other can judge
noo grounde thereaboute on the Northe Estesyde to
be convenyently imparkyd for the Kyngs dysporte
and pleasure onles yt shulde retorne moche to the
hynderaunce of tyllage nere the town: nether on
the Sowthe-syde onles his Grace iraparke moche of
the beste medowe on the Sowthe-syde of Themmes
whiche shulde take awaye the modes wherby the
towne of Abyngdon beyng well replenyshed withe
people shulde decaye : moste humbly besechyng his
Grace to sonde suche of his masons, carpenters, or
other devysers of his Graces workes to apoynt and
lymytt what parte of the Churche, cloyster, dorter,
Chapter howse, flfrayter, shalbe defaced. I thynke a
greatt parte therof maye be defacyd, and yet suffy-
cyent lefte to the Kyngs contentacion ; besechyng you
to sygnjrfye to the Kings Majestye that the Town
ys sore decayed, and lyke dayly more to decaye onles
provysyon there be made to sett the people on worke
to drape clothe, wherby undowghtydly his Grace
shulde mochQ contente the people and inhabitaunts
thereabought, whiche assurydly ben a greatt nomber.
Sygnyfying to yow also there ys a certen clothe

174 ORIGINAL LETTBR8.

maker^ calljd Tuckar, dwellyiig in Burtheforde,
which hathe requyryd me to advertyse the Kyngs
Magestye yf his Grace wyll leatt to hym too fullyng
mylles now decayed, the fflott gats, the jB^rsshyng,
and a farme callyd the Rye, for such rents as they
shalbe surveyd with a convenyent howse mete for
his occupacion, affyrmyng to me. he wyll bestowe
wykely duryng hys lyff in wages to clothe makers in
the seyd towne a C. marks sterlyng, whiche shnld
moche inryche the towne, and kepe the people &om
idlenes. And hereyn . His Magestye shulde moche
content the inhabytaunts, asserteynyng yow that
wee travayll contynually in surveying the possess-
yons, whereby aperythe as wee can yett fynde noo
encrease, but rather kepethe the rate of the tenthe
or under, the cause why wee shall declare to yow,
praying your Lordshype to commande M'. Vaughanne
to sende downe capacytyes for theis persones whose
names ben in a Sedule hereyn enclosed ; moste in-
tyerly desyrying your Lordshyp to advertyse me by
your lettres of the Kyngs pleasure hereyn, whiche I
shall withe all diligence accomplyshe to my moste
bounden duetye. My Lorde, wee lacke many Books
of Accompts, Court BoUs, and Bentalls, whiche are
supposed to be in the custodye of Button, whom I
requyre yow to sende down to th'entent I maye have
some knowledge of hym. He hath informed me that
the possessyons of Abyngdon are worthe clerely

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 175

M*.Mt.Mt.D.* marks, whiche I wolde be ryght gladd
to knowe.** And therfor I hartely desyre your Lord-
shyp to send hym downe withe spede, besechyng
your Lordshyp to remembre my byll for Schoburye,
whiche ys maryshe grounde, and ever in jeoperdy of
surrowndyng, and but of the cler yerly value of
xxx*i. besyd the yerly reparacyons there. And if
yt myght be sygned nowe, ye bynde me hereyn as ye
have doon in many thyngs to owe to yow my pore
harte and prayer, withe suche other comodytie as
shall reste in my lytyll powar. Also M*^* Baker, the
ICyngs Attorney, requyryd me in your name to putt
my hande to his byll concemyng the Kyngs moste
gracyous gyfte to hym, beyng not above the clere
yefly value of xl^. bysyd the reparacions, whenmto
I have putt my hande, and lefte the same with
M'. Hennage, comandyng my clerke that when M'.
Hennage dyd sende the bills to th' Austen Fryers,
that then my seyd clerke shulde with spede convey
the same byll to your good Lordshyp : whiche I dowte
not but imedyatly after the sygnyng therof shalbe
sent to yow.

Sythens the wrytyng of the premysses, thys morn-
yng, I have receyved a lettre, and for ase moche as I
perceyve therby that M*". Robert Sowthewell, by the
Kings comandement, shortly procedethe to Northe-

■ Three thousand five hundred.
Speed says the gross revenue of this Monastery amounted to 2042/. 2«. Sid.

176 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

hamton to survey Saynte Andrewes, whom I hadd
a poynted withe M^ Treasorer in my absens to here
the declaracion of the party cularAccompts. I entende,
onles yo' good Lordshyp shall advertyse me of the
Kyngs pleasure to the contrarye^ to resorte to London
with spede, and to leave M^ Danyster and M^ Can-
dyshe to fjmyshe the reste of the Survey. And so
to bryng upp suche plate and other ornaments as ben
at Abyngdon of the Kyngs: and as for any stuifl^
implements of howsolde, and catall^ wee fynde there
lytyll or noone: but all ys delyvered to the late
Abbott and relygyous persones.

I entende to make and seall to the late Abbott,
Prior, and other Monkes, their pencions, accordyng
to the sommes wrytten in the booke delyueryd to
me by the Commyssioners, onles the Kyngs pleasure
shalbe to the contrarye.*

And thus I moste hartely comytt yow to the
tuycion of the Holy Goste, who kepe you in honor
and helthe to your gentill contentacion. From
Abyngdon this present xxij*** day of Februarii.

Your owne assurydly,

RYCHARD RYCHE.

* The Instnixnent by which the Pennoiu were aasigned to the Abbot and Monki
of Abingdon bore date on the following day, Feb. 23, 89 Hen. VIII. See '^^^Uis,
Mit. Abb. vol. i. p. 9*

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 177

LETTER CCCXXIII.

Dr. London to the Lord Privy Seal, entreating for
some of the ornaments and vestments, late belonging
to the suppressed Monastery of Abingdon, to be sent
to the College in Wallingford Castle of which

he was Dean. •

[ibid. 2 Ser, xxiii. 719. Orig,']

%• One or two previoas Letters have already made the reader
acquainted with Dr. London. He was very active in promoting the
Reformation, and was one of the Commissioners appointed by King
Henry the Eighth to examine into the state of Religious Houses.

One fact is mentioned in the Letter before the reader, which the
Editor believes is not elsewhere recorded, that Henry the Eighth
" did within these eight years past" (that is about 1530) " build
nearly the whole College" of Wallingford, "in manner all, as well
the Deans as the Priests and Clerk's lodgings."

In my most humble maner I have me comendyd
vnto your gudde Lordeshipp with my assurede prayer
and boundon servys during my liff. In lyke humble
maneij thanking your Lordesbipp for all your many-
folde goodness schewyd unto me and to my frynde
your Abbott of Osney, by whose preferment your
Lordeshipp hathe nott oonly don a great benefytt to
that ruynose Monastery and the brethem ther, butt
also to the hole town and contry abowt Oxford.

Having no other refuge to sew unto, saving oonly
yow, my most singuler gudde Lorde, am at thys pre-
sent tyme an humble sutar for the Kings Grace and
my Lorde and Patrone our Princes Colledge in hys
Grace is castell at Walingforde^ wher it pleasyd hys

I 5

178 ORIGINAL LBTTER8.

Maiestje of hys most benign gudnes to make me
hys servant and Dean. Thys CoUedge wasse fyrst
foundyd by the most noble of memory Prince Ed-
warde, callyde the Blacke Prince, and by the Lords
Edmonde, som tjrme Duke of Cornwall, and by them
and by the most noble and excellent of memory the
Kings Grace father Kinge Henry the vij***, indewyd
with londs for the mayntenance of a Dean, vj. Prests,
vj. Clarks, a Decon, and iiij. choristars. Every mans
portion dewly payde, very litiU remaynythe to here
other chardges of that Chapell, wherbye suche orna-
ments as thees noble founders gave unto that Chapell
do oonly remayne, very olde and dyuers of them past
mending. The Kings Grace of hys most tendre
benyvolens bom to that hys Grace and our most
noble Princes CoUedge dydde within thees viij. yeres
past bylde newly the hole CoUedge, in maner aU,
asweU the Deans as the Prests and Clerks lodgyngs.
And syns the fyrst noble founders decesyd, hys
Grace is most noble father and hys Majesty e have be
the gretist benefactors that euer we hadde. Now we
do here that M. Chaunceler of the Augnjentation
and M. Danaster schaU dispose the ornaments of the
Churche within hys Grace is Howse at Abyngdon,
and other things perteynyng vnto the same. Wher-
for I do most humbly besek your gudde Lordeshippe
now to be a mean for vsse, hys most boundon Orators
of hys Grace is CoUodg in Walingford, to geve vnto

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 179

vsse suche ornaments of that Churche in Abyngdon
as be necessary for vsse. We have very few copys,
few vestmei^ts^ and butt oon awlter clothe of sylk,
and all thees very olde. If it may please the Kings
Grace to socor vsse, and to bestow any of those orna-
ments vpon vsse, I will at my chardge repayer them,
and sett in euery of them hys Grace is armys with a
scripture of memorye that hys Grace conferryd suche
ornaments to that hys Grace is CoUedg : and we all
and our successors schall according to our most
boundon dewties pray vnto Almyztie Godde long to
preserve hys most noble Grace and your gudde
Lordeschippe by whose mediation we have obtaynyd
so greatt a benyfytt. Oxon, xxiij. Februarii.
Yo"^ Lordeschipp most boundon,

JOHN LONDON.
To my most honorable and gingoler gudde
lorde^ my Lord of the Pryvie Seale.

LETTER CCCXXIV.

Richard Devereux to Lord Cromwell. The suppress
sum of various Friars^ Souses towards the North.

[ibid. 2 Ser. viii. 112.]

Plesethe ytt your goode Lordeshjrpe to under-

stande, that, syth that I laste was with you, I have

receyuyd to the Kyngs use xij. Howses of Freres,

that ys, one in Huntyngton, iiij. in Boston, iiij. in

180 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

Lyncolne^ one in Grantham^ one in Newewarke^ and
nowe one in Grymesby. They all ware in pouertye
and lytyll lefte, scaice to pay the detts, and yn some
place nott so moche by iij*i. or more, so that in these
Houses the Kyngs Grace shall have butt the lede,
the wyche I thynke yn all xij. Houses shalbe as I
can judge ytt, aboute xij. score fooder or more, and
xxiiij. bells, suche as they be ; so off euery House a
chales off vj. or x. imc. a pese, in some place more,
these chales I here with me, and oder sylver jS that
I fynde ytt.

I nowe ryde to Hiill, and so to Beverlaye and to
Skarborrowe, and Karlehyll, and to Lancaster, and
oder Houses, as I shall here off by the waye. Good
my Lorde, the Mayer and the Aldermen off Grymes-
by payde a great parte off all my costs in Grymesby ;
and to the Meyar I have commytted the House ther
to the Kyngs use, with the lede and bells, by ynden-
ture ; and I percyve that they wyll make sute to your
Lordeshype to have that House to the Towiie, to
make off ytt a Comon House for Ordynans, and
other necessary^ for the defense off the Kjmgs ene-
mys yff nede be ;. ytt stondethe very well for the
purpose nere the water, and open on the see, very
necessary for the Comon Welthe in my mynde : the
lede off that House ys aboute xx. or xxij. foders. I
beseche you be good Lorde to them in ther sute, and
I ever yo' Orator to Jhesu, who ever preserve yo'

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 181

goode Lordeshype to hys hye honor. Wrytten in
Grymesby, thys xxix day off February,

By yo*" seruante and orator,

RICHARD DEVEREUX.
To my syngalar good Lorde Crumwell,
Lorde Priuy Seale, thys be delyuered.

LETTER CCCXXV.

Richard Devereux to Lord Cromwell. Visits the

Friars* Houses of Aylesfordy Canterbury^ ^c.

[ibid. viii. 114.]

My synguler goode Lorde, in my vmble maner,
pleseyth youe to understonde that I have receyueyd
the Howse of Whyte Fryers in Aylysforde in to the
Kyngs hands, and the xiij. day of December I cam
to Canterbury, wher that I fynde iiij. howseys, more
in dett than all that they have ys ahull to pay, and
specyally the Austen Fryers. Ther detts, as they
lay them, be xl^i., and all ther implements be not
vj^., excepte only a lytyll platen the whyche ys in
weyte yj". and vj. vnce. The Blacke and Gray be
abull with ther implements to pay ther detts and
for owr costs, and lytyll more. Beyng in the Austen
Fryers ther the xiiij. day of December, on Fryer
ther very rudely and trayterusly vseyd hym be for
all the cumpany, as by a byll here inclosyd ye shall
perseyve parte. To wryght halfe hys wordds and
order ther, yt war to longe to wryght. I perseyue-

182 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

yng heys demenor streyte sequesteryd hym, so that
non spake with hym. I senth for the Mayar, and or
that he cam I examyneyd hym befor Master Spyl-
man, and also afterwarde befor the Mayar and Master
Spyhnan^ and at all tymys he styll hylde and styll
woll to dey for yt, that the Kynge may not be hede
of the Chyrche of Ynglonde (but yt must be a spyry-
tuall father adpoynteyd by God), wherfor I requyreyd
of Master Mayor to haue horseys and men to sende
hym to yow ; chargeyng bothe the men that no man
shulde speke with hym tyll that he wer with your
Lordschype, and than at yowr plesur to order hym.
I have payd bothe for horse and man. And so this
Sonday I woll make an ende in Canterbury, and on
Munday to Sandwyche, and on Wedensday to .Rey
(and so to Wynchelsey and Leweys), besecheynge
yowr Lordschype that I may have my Howse, so that
I may knowe sum thynge of myn owyn to resort to,
for now I am so pore that I have no Howse, but only
by yowr fauor that I kepe Langley in my handds,
and use that under the Kyngs Grac's favor and yowrs,
to my use tyll I knowe forther of heys Grac's plesur
and yowrs, the whyche I truste shall be to my com-
fortt, by yowr goode menys, in whome ys my synguler
trost, as knowyth God, ho euer preserve yowr Lord-
schype. Yowr servauntt and oreter,

RICHARD DEUEREUX.
To my synguler goode Lorde Crumwell,
Lorde Privy Seale, be this dd.with
spede.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 183

LETTER CCCXXVI.

Dr, London to the Lord Privy Seal upon his Suppres-
sing the^Heligious Houses at Coventry and Combe

[ibid. 2 Ser, xxiii. 71 S. Orig,^

In my most humble maner I have me coimnendyd
unto your gudde Lordeschippe. I have with moche
adoo dispacchyde the Priory of Black Monks at Co-
ventrye, the Charterhowse, and Combe Abbay. The
Priory wasse in dett befor he com ther, and he hathe
made me an apparent reasonable accompte. I have
left the Churche and Howse vnspoylede and vnde-
facyd, because as yet I do nott know the Kings
Grace's pleasur and yowrs what schalbe don therwith.
At the Charter howse I found scase the valor of xx**
nobles worth of gudds to dispach the hole Howse.
Howbeit Godde hath so disclosyd ther crafty dealing,
that I have gevyn every brodor xl* towards ther ap-
pareU, have payd all the servants wages, have gevyn
to every brodor his . . . ceUe, saving the Howse and a
vestyment, have payde all ther detts within x*i., and
yit schall the Kings Grace have above CC. vnc. of
plate ther, wher I found but iij. chalyces scasly way-
ing all iij. xl. vnc. I have gevin the Prior a salt of
syluer with a cover, a drynking cuppe of syluer with
a cover, a maser, a chales, a suy te of vestyments with

184 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

bedding and other stiiff^ lyke an honest man^ and so
I have dispacchyd that House clerlye.

At Combe, I have left the hole Howse wijth imply^
ments vnspoylyd thorowlye. Harforde now schyryue
of Coventrye informyd me that the Abbot^of Comlbe
hadde CCCCC«. in a fetherbedd at hys brodors
Howse. Of truythe I serchyd the bedd, and the Ab-
bot hjrmself, with owt any difficulty, confessed unto
me what money was ther, and farther informyd me
of every thing he hadd lyk an honest man, and of
truythe ther wasse no more monye ther in that
bedde but xxv^i., wiche vpon hys oothe he tolde me
that he putt yt ther to paye certen detts with all
now at Candelmas, wich in dede ys trew dett, and he
layd those things at his brothers bycause he cowde
yvill trust any servant he hadde. He surrenderyd
hys Howse the same day twelve monyth he was made
Master, and therfor every thing consideryd he left
hys Howse in competent gudd state. The dyspacch*,,
ing of that Howse wasse som thing chardgeable for I
founde ther xv. monks and Ixviij. seruants. I have
made safe the evydences in every Howse wher I com,
and in som of them I founde the evydences dispersyd
and neglecte, moche pytie to se ytt. .Wherfor I
beseke yowr Lordeschippe that aswell to stay the
spoyle of the Howsys as for safgarde of suche evy-
dences the Surveyors may com as spedyly after me
as may be.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 185

I have folowyd your pleasure for your servant M.
Whalley, at PoUesworth, wherfore I besek your
Lordescliipp to remembre M. Cheyrey, at Bowsvale,
Charterhowse Monks bye Notingam, or in som
other place.

If I hadde made rasch ryddyng of thees iij. Howsys
I hadde don the Kings Grace butt yvell service. And
I trust now I have don both for hys Grace is profy tt,
and as every thing ys savyd and all parts well pleasyd,
I schall forwards mak all the spede I can possiblie.

I have of thees iij. Howsys above DCCC. vnc. of
plate, wich schalbe at London safly caryede by my
commyng thedyr. And my servant now shall de-
lyuer to yowr Lordeshippe such ornaments as I have
sent uppe. I besek your Lordeshippe to take these
things I do in gudd partt, for of my fayth I do truly
my best diUgence to serve the Elinge as our Lord
knoweth, who with encrese of moch honor longe
preserve your gudde Lordeshippe.

Your most boimden orator and servant,

* JOHN LONDON.

To the right honerable and my most
singuler goode Lorde, my Lorde of
Prive Sealle.

186 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

LETTER CCCXXVIL

Richard Devereux to Lord Cromwell; recounts the

Friars* Houses he had taken to the King*s use in the

far North, The hardships inflicted on those who

had surrendered their Houses, in the Diocese of

York. The Friars* Houses at Scarborough.

[ibid. 2 Ser. viii. 120.]

My syngular good Lorde, plesyth ytt your good
Lordshype to understonde that I have receyvyd sythe
that I departyde from you xvj. covents off Frers into
my hands to the Kyngs use : and ther be yett styll
standynge aboute x. Houses in these parts, besyde iij.
or iiij. Houses in Barwyke and nere Barwyke, the
wyche I perfytly knowe nott whether Master Law-
son have receyuyd them or no, and yff that I shulde
ryde thether ytt ware above an hunderyd myle owt
off my waye, so that I shulde nott be able to come
home before Ester : wherfor I presupposynge they be
downe, I entende nott 1;o ryde theyr, butt yff they
styll stande, then I beseche yo' Lordeshype that ye
wolde dyrecte yo' letter to Master Laweson that he
may receyue them into the Kyngs handds, as that he
hathe done other ; he hathe occasyon moche to be
ther.

Further my good Lorde, in these parts, within the
Dyocese off Yorke, the pore men that make surren-

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 187

der off ther Houses, be hardely orderyd by the
Byschops Offjrcers att the Byschops comandement,
so that they can nott be sufferyd to synge, nor saye
in any Paryshe Churche withoute they shewe ther
Letters off ther Ordres; my letters or ther capa-
cy tes, notwithstondynge ; and the charges off these
Letters off ther Ordres be so grett that the pore men
be nott abull to here ytt ; some muste goo an hun-
deryd myle to seke them, and when they come ther
the cherges of sergyng the regyster ys so grett that
they be nott able to pay ytt, and so they come home
ageyne confowndyd.

I have bene with my Lorde off Yorke, and shewyd
to hym yo' Lordeshypps letter, that your comande-
mente ys that they wyche so have surrenderyd ther
Houses, shulde be sufl&yde withoute interrupcon to
sjmge and saye in anye churche. The Byshope
made many obieccons, and sayd that ytt muste be
knowne whether they ware prysts or no, and I certe-
fyde hym that wee that receivyd the Houses make
dewe serge wyche ware prysts and whiche ware none,
and so made certyfycate to yowr Lordeshyps, and yd'
Lordeshype to the Kyngs Grace, so that by that
meane ther capacytes ware grauntyd, wherfore I de-
syred hym to accepte ther capacytes from the Kyngs
Grace with so moche favor as the Byshops off Romes
capacytes before had ben receyvyd, for the wyche
ther was never sercbe made, butt streyghte obeyd.

188 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

He att the laste graimtyd that somany as shewyd my
hande shulde be allowyd tyll that ther capacytes
myghte come, butt ther be many that be putte owte
by other comyssions that have not my hande, wher-
for yo' Lordeshype sholde do a eharytable dede to
wryghte yo' letters to the Byshope that he streyte
att the syghte off yow' letters myghte sende thoroughe
hys Dyocese that all curats myght have wamynge to
suffer soche pore men that have gyff upe ther Houses,
to synge in ther Churches, for they all have before
comaundement off the Byshope that they shall not
suffer them to synge withoute they shewe ther
Letters off ther Ordres, the wyche ys nott possyble
for them to doo. These ij. letters, my goode Lorde,
I beseche yow to remember, one to M'. Laweson for
certen Covents in Barwyke and nere ytt, the other to
the Byshope off Yorke for pore men to synge in
Paryshe Churches withyn hys Diocese with owt
shewyng off Letters off ther Ordres.

My good Lorde, I nowe am in Skarborrowe where
that I have receyvyd iij. pore Houses of Frers, to the
Kyngs use, Blacke, Whyte, and Greye, so pore that
they have solde the stall and partclossys in the
Churche, so that nothynge ys lefte butt stone and
glasse, yett ther ys metely good lede in these iij.
places. I thynke amonge them xl** fooder for the
more parte in every House, sythe that I cam from you,
ys good lede, the wyche I have to the Kyngs Grace,

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 189

and bellys, and pore chalyses, for other plate I fynde
none. I shall nowe ryde, so sone as the weder wyll
suffer me, to Caxlehyll and Lancaster, and other
Houses yff any be in the waye, or that I can here off,
and I truste to see yo' Lordeshype on Palme Son-
daye, be Godds grace, who preserve yo' good Lorde-
shype. This X. daye off Marche. Wrytten be your
servant and oratour.

RICHARD DEVEREUX.
To my singlar good Lorde Crumwell,
Lorde Preuy Seale, thys be dely-
uered.

LETTER CCCXXVIII.

Richard Devereux to the Lord Privy Seal. The

Friaries of Worcester^ Bridgenorth, and Ather-

stone.

[ibid. 2 Ser. viii. 127.]

My synguler goode Lorde, pleseythe yt your
goode Lordeschype to understande that sythe I last
wroght to you from Glowsetur I have receyvyd in to
the Kyngs handds ij. Couents off Worsetur and
on in Brygenorthe, and on in Atherstone, and now I
am in Lechefylde. Off the relesse of the ij. Co-
uents in Worsetur, my Lorde of Worsetur had yt to
brynge to yowr Lordeschype. The copys of the
Inuentory, I sende to you here. The relesse off
Brygenorthe I sende here to yowr Lordschype, and
the copy of the Inuentory.

190 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

Dyverse of the Fryers are very lothe to forsake
ther Howsys, and yet they be not abuU to lyve, for I
thynke, for the more parte off them, yff all ther detts
schuld be payd, all that ys in ther Howsys ys not
abull to do yt.

I am now in Lychefylde, the wyche ys in that
takeyng, and yet lothe to gyve up.

Blacke Fryers in Worsetur ys a proper Howse
with owte any led, and may dyspende by yere in
rotton Howsys above xx. nobylls by yere (but all ys
in decay). Ther was an Ancres with hom I had not a
lytyll besynes to have her graimtt to cum owte, but
owte sche ys. The Gxaye Fryers ys a fayer Howse,
and well byldeyd ; and have not a bove xl*. by yere
off harcheyardds and gardens ; ij. yelys ledyd, the
rest tyle and slate.

The Graye Fryers in Brygenorthe, the porest
Howse that I have seyn ; not worthe x*. by yere ; all
the Howsys at fallyng downe. I praye youe be goode
Lorde to yowr Oratour Nycholas Holte, he hathe
non Howse : yt wolde do hym sum plesur.

Atherstone ys a lytyll Howse in decay, but may
dyspende iiij. marks by yere, off the whyche they pay
iiij. nobylls yerly in rent : the substans off the
ground one Ameas Hyll a seruant of the Kyngs
hathe by lese. Ther ys no led, but Howsys in decay.
All the stuff ther ys not worth xl*., be syde a chales
and a bell.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 191

The copy of thys Inuentory I sende, mekely be-
sechynge yowr Lordschype to be so goode Lorde to
me to sende to thes Fryers ther warantts to change
ther babetts^ by this bryngar ; and my good Lorde, I
be seche yow be so goode Lorde to me to sende me
yowr plesur whether I shall kepe styll thys order
with the Fryers or no. I thynke in this doynge I do
them moche goode, for in ther relygyon they be not
abull to leve, yet many be lothe to departe, and spe-
cyally off the Graye Fryers ; they be so close eche
to other that no man can cum within them to know
ther hartts. I have more besynes with them then
with all the Fryers besyde. One of them euer
gyuethe wamynge and consell to other, and euer so
moche as they may prevente my purpose before that
I cum; yet sythe that I receyvyd yowr last letter
non hath skepeyd : and I thynke fewe shall, withowt
ye sende me contrary comandement. Also, my goode
Lorde, I must beseche yow to be good Lorde to me,
for in suche plaseys as that the Fryers gyve up, I
have no peny neyther to paye my costs nor yet taxse
of the Howsys dewe to the Offys, so that sythe I
toke on nobyll, I have spent xx. nobylls of suche
money as I had off the Kyngs for W3nichelse stuffe ;
and withowte I may in sum placeys sell for my neces-
sars with in theys xiiij. days I shall neyther have
n^oney off myne owyn, nor off the Kyngs money. I
harttely beseche your Lordeschype to sende me yowr

19S ORIOINAL LETTERS*

plesur who I shall do for the warrants for the Fiyew
that I shall put owt, for whan that I am fare from
London yt shall he to gret a charge to sonde for ther
warrantts, and than sende them a gayne to the pkce
wher they dwell ; also yowr plesur whether I may sell
any thynge for the costs, and to marvelous clamors I
have for detts : also whether yowr plesar be that I
shall kepe thys order as that I do, in puttynge owte
off Fryers, and I ever yow' Orator

Zour bedeman and servantt,

RICHARD DEVEREUX.

To my syngular goode Lorde Cntmwell,
Lorde Preyey Seale, thys be dd. with
honor.

LETTER CCCXXIX.

Gregory Cromwell to his father ^ after having taken

possession of the Priory House at Lewes.

[ibid. 2 Ser. vii. 172. Orig.']

*«* The site and possessions of the Priory of St. Pancras Lewes
were granted Feb. 16th, 15 SB, to Thomas Lord Cromwell, to him
and to his heirs. Their extent was considerable. The demolitioa
of the Monastery began very soon ; but the Priory House was re-
served as a place of residence for the new owner. Gregory CSrom-
well, the son, was allowed by his &ther to reside in it. He here
gives the particulars of his arrival, and of the reception of him and
of his wife by the families of its neighbourhood.

Gregory Cromwell married Elizabeth, daughter of Sir John Sey-
mour of Wolshall in Wilts, and widow of Sir Anthony Oug^tred,
knight. She was sister to Queen Jane Seymour, to the Protectpr
Somerset, and to the Lord Admiral Seymour.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 193

•

Gregory was afterwands created Lord Cromwell of Okeham.
Nichols says, as his name does not appear on the Journals during
his father's life, he was probably a minor when created. He first
took his seat in the House of Peers Jan. 16th, 1541. He died 4th
July, 1551, seised of the site of Laund Priory in Leicestershire, in
the chapel of which he was buried. His Monument, against' the .
north wall of the chapel, is engraved in Nichols's Leicestershire,
vol. iii. PI. xlv. p. 326.

The Priory House at Lewes, which afterwards obtained the
name of "The Lord's Place," was destroyed by fire in the seven-
teenth century. It lay a short distance to the south-east of the pre-
sent Church of Southover.

My bounden dewtie in moste humble and lowly
wise rememberyd. Pleaseth it your Lordeshipp to
understOnde that I have thus longe tyme deferred to
wright unto you of my state and condition^ and how
both my wife and I lyke this Country by cause I
wolde nott make reporte unto you therof before!
had more experyence in the same then I colde have
in a daie or tweynes proffe. Trustinge that ye woll
so take this my longe scilence, and nott as any slowth-
fulnes or forgottefulness of my dewtie. Wherfore as
conceminge the Howse, and the situation of the same,
it doth undoubtedly right moche please and content
both me and my wife, and is unto hir so comodious
that she thinketh hir self to be here right well
settylled. My Lord Dakers and my Lady his wif,
Sir John Gage, M^ Gainsforth, M'. Shelley, M^
Belinghom, and dyuers other gentylmen of this con-^
trey and theire wifes hath, both with theire preasences
and also presents, right frendeljr enterteigned me and

VOL. IIL K

194 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

welcomed me into thies parties: unto all whome if
ye shall have occasion^ I moste humblie requjre yow
to render herty thankes for their kynd gentylnessef
unto me shewyd. And thus I desyre our Lorde to
have you in his tuition. At Lewes» the xj^ daie of
Apryll. Your moste obedyent sone,

OREGORY CRUMWELL.

To the right honorable and his singuler
good Lorde and fiEither, my Lorde
Privy Seale.

LETTER CCCXXX.

Elis Price to Lord Cromwell^ upon taking down the
Image of Darvel Gathem.
[ibid. 2 Ser, nxiv. 480. Orig.']

\* In the first Series of the present Collection^ yoI. i, p. 82, there
is a Letter to Lord Cromwell from this same Elis Price, to know
what he should do with the Image of Darvell Gathem, to which the
M'^elshmen made pilgrimage, and which was subsequently broo^t
to London and burnt He here informs us of the large bribe which
was offered to him by the parson and parishioners of the parish
where it stood, to prevent its being taken away; and of a deputatiflii
to save it, intending to come personally to his Lordship.

In Michael Woddes' Dialogue between two Neighbours, 12iiio,
1554, we read, ^< If the Welshman would have a purse, he praied to
Darvel Gatheme ; if a wife were weary of her husbsnd, she oWnA
Otes at Poules, at London, to St. Uncumber. Thus have we been
deluded with their Images." Signat. Cii. b.

Pennant, in his Tour in North Wales, having described the neigh-
bourhood of Pont Gilan, says, ^'A little beyond the extremity
of this romantic part, in an opening on the light, stand the church
and village of Llan Dderfel : the first was dedicated to St Dttfal
Gadam, and was remarkable for a vast wooden Image of the Saint,
the subject of much superstition in antient times."*

* Pennftnt'i Tours in Wales, Svo. Lond. 1810, vol. iL p. i»7.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 195

Ryghte honorable and my syngular good Lorde
and Mayster, pleasythe yt youre good Lordshype
that I haue repaired to the place where as the Image
.of Darvell Gadarn stode, and have takin the same
downe accordynge to the Kyngs moste honorable
commaimdmente and youres, whiche shalbe caried to
ypure Lordeshype wythe all dylygens and expedy-
con. The person and the parysheners of the Churche
wherin the saide Ymage of Deruell stode profered
me fortie powndes that the said Ymage shulde not be
eonvaide to London, and because that I was nothynge
inclynable to theyre profers and peticons, the saide
person hym self wythe others ar comyn to youre
Lordeshype not onlie to make sute and labor in the
premisses, but allso to make fayned surmyse and
complaynts on me. Therfore I purpose, God wyll-
jnge, to cume and to gyve attendance upon youre
Lordshype wythin thys fortnyghte that I maye an-
swere to such thyngs that they shall laye to my
chaxge. And thus Jhu preserve youre Lordshype in
welthe and honor. Wrytyn in Northe Wales, the
xxviij*** daye of Aprill.

Youre dayelye orator by duty,

ELIS PRICE.
To the righte honorable and his gyngolar
good Lorde and Mayster, Lorde Crum-
well, and Chancelor of the Ecclesiasti-
call power and Jurisdiccon of Eng-
lande, this be delyuered.

K 2

196 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

*«* The preceding Letter is addretaed to Lord Cromwell as <' Chan-
cellor of the Ecclesiastical power and Jurisdiction of England."

There is a curious little volume, supposed to hare been printed
at L«ip6ic in 1542, enUtled '*Of the Auctorite of the Word of God
agaynst the Bisshop of London/' by Alexander Alane, Scot. ISmo.
6. /. It gives the following account of one of the meetings of con- '
clave which Lord CYomwell held as Vicar General ; now probably
the only picture of those Meetings preserved. He says, " I did mete
bi chance in the streate the right excellent Lord Crumwell, going
vnto the parlament howse, in the yeare I5S7. He whan he sawe me,
called me vnto him, and toke me with him to the parlament house
to M'estmyster, where we fownd all the bisshops gathered together.
Vnto whom as he went and toke me with him, all the bisshops and
prelates did rise vp and did obeisance vnto him as to their Vicar
General, and after he had saluted them he sate him down in the
highent place, and right against hym sate the Archbishop of Cantor-
bery, after him the Archbisshop of Yorke, and than London, Lin-
coln, Saliflbery, Bathe, Ely, Herford, Chichester, Norwich, Roches-
ter, and Worcester, and certen other whose names I haue forgoten :
all these did sitt at a table couered with a carpet, with certen
prystes standing about them.

" Than the Lord Crumwell being Vicar General of the reame, Lord
of the Preuy Seale, and chefe secret counceler ynto the king, turned
him self to the bisshops and sayd, * Right reuerend fathers in Christ,
' the Kings majesty geueth yow high thankes that ye haue so dili-
' gently without any excuse assembled hether according to his com-

* mandroent, and ye be not ignorant that ye be called hether to de-

* termyne certen controuersys which at this tyme be moued concem-
' yng the christen religion and faith, not only in this reame but* also

* in all nacions thorowe the world : for the King studieth day and
' night to set a quietnes in the church, and he cannot rest vntill all
' such controuersis be fully debated and ended thorow the deter-

* minacyon of yow and of his whole parlament. For all though his

* special desyre is to set a stey for the vnlemed peple whose con-
' sciences are in dout what thei may bileue, and he him selfe by his

* excellent lerning knoweth these controuersys welinough, yet he

* wil suffer no comon alteracyon, but by the consent of yow and of
' his whole parlament. By the which thing ye may perceiue both
' his high wisdom, and also his gret loue toward yow ; aind he de-
' siereth now for Chribtes sake that all malyce, obstynacy, and carnal

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 197

* respect set apart, ye will frindly and louingly dispute among your

* selues of the controuersys moued in the church, and that ye wyl

* conclude all things by the word of God without all brauling, or
' scolding ; neither will his Majesty suffer the scripture to be wrested

* and defaced by any glosys, any papistical lawes, or by any aucto-

* ryte of doctors or councels, and moch lesse wil he admit any ar-

* tides or doctrine not conteyned im the scripture, but approued only

* by contynuance of tyme and old custome, and by vnwritton verjtes

* as ye were wont to doo. Ye know wel inough that ye be bound

* to shewe this seruice to Christ and to his church, and yet notwith-
' stonding his Majesty wil giue you high thanckes, if ye wil set and

* conclude a godly and perfight Tnyte, wherunto this is the only way
' and meane if ye wil determyne all things by the scripture as God
< commandeth now in Deuteronomy, which thing His Majesty ex-

* borteth and desyreth yow.'

^ When the Lord Crumwell had spoken his mynd after this sort
with high grauyte, (as he was a man of a gret witt, of excellent
wisdom, ancT of goodly eloquence,) all the bisshops did ryse up and
gaue thankes to the Kings Maje&ty for his feruent study and desyre
toward an unite, and for this vertuos exhortacyon most worthy a
christen King. After this began thei to dispute of the Sacramentes.
And first of all the Bisshop of London,*^ which was an earnest de-
fender of the Popes part, whom a litel before the Lord Cromwel
had rebuked by name for defending of unwritten verites, this bisshop
of London, I say, went about to defend that there were vij. sacra-
ments of our Christen religion, which he wold proue by certen
stincking gloses and old lousy writers, and he had ^on his syde
the Archbishop of York,"* the Bisshop of Lincoln/ Bath,<*Chichy8ter,«
and Norwich/ The Bisshop of Salisbery,*^ Ely,*» Herford,* and Wor-
cester,*' and certen other, with the Archbisshop of Cantorbery, were
against him. And after thei had made moch strife and contencyon
about the saings of the doctors, one contrary to another, the Bisshop
of Cantorbery spake and sayd thus : * It besemeth not men of lem-
' ing and grauyte to make moche babling and brauling about bare
' wordes, so that we agree in the very substance and effect of the
' matter. For to braule abowt wordes is the property of sophisters
' and such as meane disceight and suttilty, which delight in the de-

• Jobn Stokesley. ^ Edward Lee. " John Longland. ^ John Clerk. « Richard
Sampaon. ' William Rugge alias Repps, s Nicholas Shaxton. ^ Thomas Good.
xich. * Edward Fox. ^ Hugh Latimer.

198 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

' bate and diMencyon of the worid and in the BUMfable itato of the
' Church, and not of them which ahold teke the c^Uxy of Ghristyand

* «huki study for the Tnyte and qoietnes of the Church. There he

< waighty controoenifl now moued and put forth, not of oereBioaiB
' and light things, but of the tru understonding and of the riglit
'difference of the lawe and of the gospel, of the maiier and way

* how synnes be forgeuen, of cQwmforting doutful and waueriog
' consciences by what meanes thei may be certifyed that thei please
' God, seing thei fele the strength of the lawe accusing them of

* sinne, of the true rse of the sacramentes» whether the outward
' work of them doth iustifye man, or whether we receyue our insti-
' ficacyon thorow fayth. Item, which be the good workes and the
' true seruice and honor which pleasetii God, and whedier the chdie
' of meates, the difference of garmentes, the vowys of monkes and

* pristes and other tradicyons, which haue no word of God to ooa-

< firme them, whether these, I say, be right good workes and such

< as make a perfight Christen man or no. Item, whether TBine ser-

< uyce and false honoryng of God and mans tradicyons db bynd mens
^ consciences or no. Finally, whether the ceremonies of oonfirma-

< cyon, of orders, and of annealing, and soch other (which can not

* be proued to be institute of Christ, nor haue any word in them to

< certifye us of remissyon of sinnes) ought to be called sacramentes,

< and to be compared with baptism and the supper of the Lord or
*■ DO. Thes be no light maters, but ^uen the principal poyntes of

< our Christen religion ; wherfor we contend not about wordes and
' trifles, but of high and emest matters. Christ saith. Blessed be

< the peace makers, for thei shal be caUed the sonnys of God. And
^ Paul commandeth bisshops to auoyde brawling and contencion
^ about words, which be profitable to nothing but vnto the subTer-
' sion and destruction of the hearers. And he monissheth specially

< that he shuM resist with the scriptures whan any man disputeth

< with him of the fayth, and he addeth a cause where as he sayth,
* << Doing this thou shalt preserue both thy selfe and also them which

< heare the." Now if ye wil folow these counsellers, Christ and
' Paul, all contencyon and brauling about wordes n^ust be set apart,

< and ye must stablissh a godly and a perfi^t vnyte and concord
' out of the scripture. Wherfor in this disputation we must first
' agree of the nomber of the sacramentes, and what a sacrament
' doth signify in the holy scripture, and whan we cal baptyme and
' the supper of the Lord sacramentes of the gospell, what we meane

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 199

' therby. I knowe right wel that S^ Ambrose and other autors calle
' the wasshing of the disciples fete and other things, sacramentes,
^ whidi I am sure yow your selves wold not suffer to be nombred
' among the other saeramentes.'

<< This exhortacyon did the archbisshop make most soberly and
discretely, as he is a man of a singular grauyte, with such swetenes
that it>did my hart good to hear him. And bicause I did signifye
bi some token of my countnance that this admonicyon of the arch-
bissop did please and delight me excellently wel, the Lord Crom-
well bad me speake what I thought of this disputacyon. But he
told tiie bisshops before, that I was the Kings scolar, and therfor he
desiered them to be c<mtent to heare me indifferently. Than I after
the rude manor of the scholes, rather than after any courtly solem-
ayte, bowing my knee for a token of curtesy and reuerence, as it
became me, with out any preface at all, beg'd to speake after this
maner : ^ Ryght honorable and noble lord, and yow most reuerend

* finthers and prelates of the Church, although I come vnprepared
' ynto this disputacyon, yet trusting in the ayde of Christ, which

* promiseth to geue both mouth and wisdom ynto ys whan we be
^ required of our fayth, I will ytter my sentence and iudgement of
^ this. disputacyon. And I think that my lord archbisshop hath
' geuen you a profitable exhortacion that ye shuld first agree of the

< significacyon of a sacrament. Whether ye wil call a sacrament a
' ceremony institute of Christ in the gospel to signifie a special or a

< singular yertu of the gospel and of godlines (as Paul namith re-
f mission of sinnes to be), or whether ye mene that euery ceremony
' generally which may be a token or a significacyon of an holy thing,
' to be a sacrament. For after this latter significacyon I wil not
' stike to grant how that there be y^. sacramentes and more to, if

* ye wil.'

• • • • «

'^ The Bisshop of London could scarsly suffer me to speake thus
moch, but he brake forfh and said thus unto me, ' Wher as ye

* affirme all right and true sacramentes to be institute of Christ, or
' to haye the manifest scripture to proye them, or that all sacra-

* mentes must haye a significacyon of remissyon x>f sinnes. It is all

* false.' Than I answered that I wold proye all that I had sayd to
be true not only by the scripture, but by the old doctors and by the
sehole writers also.

^< But the Bisshop of Herforth (whom the Kings Grace fayored

200 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

highly both for his siogolar wiidom and lerningy which was than
new comme out of Germany where he had bene ImbaasytiH') being
mored with the frowardnes of this Bisshop of London, sajd unto
me, ' Brother Alexander, contend not moch with him abont the

* myndes and sayngs of the doctors and schole writers, for ye knowe
' that thei in many places doo differ among them selfes, and that tfaei
' are contrary to them selves also almost in every article. And there
' is no hope of any concord to be made if we must leane to dieir
' judgementes in these maters of controuersy, and we be conmianded
' by the Kings Grace to dispute by the holy scripture/ &c. And he
turned him to the bisshops and made a short and pythy oracyon.

'* ' Think ye not,* sayd he, ' that we can by any sophistical snt-
' tiltes steale out of the world agayn the light which every man dotii
' see. Christ hath so lightned the world at this tyme that die light
' of the Gospel hath put to flight all misty darknes, and it wil shortly
' have the higher hand of all cloudes, though we resist in vain never
' so moch. The lay people do now knowe the holy scripture better

* than many of us. And the Germanes have made the text of the
' Bible so playne and easy by the Hebrewe and the Greke tong,

* that now many things may be better understand without any gloses

* at all than by all the commentarys of the doctors. And more over
' thei haue so opeaned these controversys by their vmtings, that
' women and childem may wonder at the blindnes and falshode that
' hath ben hetherto. Wherfor ye must consider emestly what ye
' wil determyne of these controuersys, that ye make not your seines

* to be mocked and laughed to scome of all the world, and that ye
' bring them not to haue this opinion of yow to think euer more here
' after that ye haue neyther one sparke of leming nor yet of godlines
' in yow. And thus shal ye lose all your estimacyon and auctoryte
^ with them which before toke yow for lerned men and profitable
' membres unto the comon welth of Christendome. For that which
' yow do hope upon, that there was neuer heresy in the Church so
' gret but that processe of tyme with the pour and auctorite of the

* Pope hath quenched it, it>is nothing to the purpose. But ye must
' tume your opinyon, and think this surely that there is nothing so
' feeble and weake, so that it be true, but it shall find place end be

< able to stand against all falshode. Truth is the doughter of tyme,
' and tyme is the mother of truth. And what so euer is beseged of
' truth can not long continue, and upon whose syde trutii doth stand,

< that ought not to be thought transitory or that it wil ever falle. All

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 201

^ tilings consist not in painted eloquence and strengt or auctorite.
^ For the truth is of so gret pour^ strength, and efficacite, that it can
' neither be defended with wordes norbe oyercomme with any strepgth,

* but after she hath hidden hir self long, at length she putteth up hir
^ head and appereth ; and as it is written in Esdra, a King is strong,
' wyne is strongar, yet wemen be more strong ; but Truth excellyth
*all.'

^' He spake many more things to this purpose and effect very dis-
cretely, to the high dely te of all that hard him. And I, thinking my
selfe to be encoraged by his oracyon, I began thus to reason agains
the Bisshop of London.

• • « ' « « '

"Now whan the right noble Lord Crumwel, the Archldsshop,
with the other bisshops which did defend the pure doctrine of the
Grospel hard this, thei smyled alytle one upon another, for as much
as thei sawe hiin flee even in the yery beginning of the disputacyon
unto his rusty sophistry and unwritten verites. And I wold have
disputed further with the bisshop to have confuted this blasphemes
lye. But the Lord Crumwel bad me be content, for the tyme began
to go away, and it was xij. of the clock : and thus I made an end
with this protestacyon. *• Right reuerend master bisshop, ye denye

* that our Christen faith and religyon doth leane only upon the word

* of God which is writton in the Bible, which thing if I can prove
' and declare, than ye wil grant me that there be no sacramentes
•but those that have the manifest word of God to confirme them.'
Unto this he did consent, and than immediately that Assemble was
dissolved for that day.

** Now the next day whan the bisshops were assembled agayne,
and I was present with the Lord Crumwel, there came unto me a
certen archdeacon in the name of the Archbishop of Cantorbery,
which told me that the other bisshops were grevosly offended with
me, that I being a stranger shuld be admitted unto their disputa-
eyon, which thing whan I had shewed unto the Lord Crumwel, he
thought it best to gyve place unto the bisshops, specially be cause
he wold not procure me their hatred, for he knewe wel that if thei
had ones conceived in their hartes any malyce against any man, thei
wold never cease til thei had goten him out of the way, and thei
had before brought to death diverse 'whom tlie King did highly
favor, befor the King himself (whom thei moved by all meanes to
put them to execucyon quickly) could perceyve and spye out their

K 5

202 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

craft and siittilty. But he bad me gyre hym the Paper wfaerBia I
had writton my disputacyon, that he might showe it to the Bia^q)
of London and to the other hiathopa in the Gonnod.'*

LETTER CCCXXXI.
Latimer f Bishop of Worcester, to the Lord Privy Seal,
upon his appointment to preach at the burning of
Friar Forest.

[ibid, a Ser. xlix. 518. Orig.']

%* It has been mentioned from Hall, in the first Series of theie
Letters, that Latimer preached the condemned sermon when Friar
Forest was bomt. The reader has here the Reply which Latimer
wrote when Cromwell imposed that odious task upon him. It be-
gins in a manner which must be considered flippant. '<Yf yt
be your pleasure, as hyt ys, that I shall plag^ the fool qfUr wuf cub-
tomable manner when Foreste shall suffire."

Sir Thomas More, in one of his Letters to his daughter Roper,
gives a singular picture of the ordinary extravagance of Latimer's
manner. It was when he was cited before the Lords at Lambeth
for refusing the Oath of Supremacy. He says, *' I was in conclu-
sion commanded to goe down into the gardein. And thereupon I
taried in the old burned chamber that looketh into the gardein,
and would not goe down because of the heate. In that time saw h
mayster doctour Lattemer come into the gardein, and there walked
he with divers other doctours and chapleins of my lorde of Canter-
burye. And very mery I saw him ; for he laughed, and toke one
or twaine about the necke so handsomely, that if they had ben
women, I would have went he had ben waxen wanton."*

The following contemporary notice of the burning oi Friar Forest
is preserved in one of the Harleian manuscripts :-^

^' M^. that one Wensday the xxij. day of May in An*' Dni. 1538
Fryer Forest of Grenewyche a doctor of Dyvynite was brent in
Smjrtheffeld for sarten poynts that he held of the Byshop of Rome,
and for that he wold not stycke and preeche the New Testament,
for he seyd that he wold preche but the Pops dradyscyons and his

* 9ir Tho. Hore's Worin, fol. Loiid.>l657, p. 1499.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 203

lawse and decrese, and in them and for them he dyede. At whoos
dethe was M*" Rye. Gressam^ meyar of thys cytte with hys shreflfyes,
also the Deuke of Norfiblk, the Deuke of Solifolke, the Lord Ame-
rail, the Lord Privey Seall, with dyvars other ; and of the comens of
the cytte a gret nomber; and the Byshopp of Wossettar dyde preeche
a fibre hym fiace to fface, the whych bysshopp name ys Latemare."

Salutem in Christo phirimam.

Ande Syre yf hyt be your plesowre, as hyt ys
that I sUidl play the fooll af ten my customable maner,
when Foreste shall suffur, I wolde wyssh that my
stage stoude nere unto Fooreste, ffor I wolde indevor
my selff so to contentt the peple, that therw* I myght
also converte Fooreste, God so helpynge, or rather
altogether workynge ; wherfore I wold that he shulde
here what I shall say, si fort^^ &c. Fooreste, as I
here, ys nat dewly accompanyd in Newgate for hys
amendment, with the Whytt Frere of Dancaster and

Mooks of the Charterhows in a fere moor

lyke to induratt then to molify. Whether thorow
the fawtt of the shreffe or of the gylere or bothe, no
man cold soner disceme then yo*^ Lordshyppe. Sum
thynke he ys rather comfortyd in his way then dis-
couragyd. Sum thynke he ys alowyd both to here
masse and also to receve the sacrament ; wych yf hytt
bf3 so, hyt ys ynough to conferme hym in hys obsti-
nacy ; as thowgh he were to suffere for a juste cause,
Thes thyn^s wolde be nyder ut relegantwr ex myitis
cordibus cogitationes.

Hyt ys to be feryd that sum instyllyd in to hym

204 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

that thowgh he hade perseverde in hys abjuration
yett he shuld have sufferde afturwarde for tr^soiii
and so by that occasion he myght have byn inducyd
to refuse hys abjuration. Yf he wold yett with hartt
retoume to his abjuration, I wolde wyssh hys pardon,
such ys my foolyshnesse.

I thanke yo^ good Lordshype for Glocester desyr-
ynge the contynuance of your goodnesse to Master
Nevel, for I dowtt natt butt that you wyll of your
selff reinembre my nursse. Thus I can natt butt be
bolde with yowr Lordshype.

Hytt were gode you wolde sum tyme sende for
Masters of Collegis in Cambryge and Oxforde with
there Statuytts, ande yf the Statuytts be natt god and
to the furtherance of god lettres, change them. Yf
the masters be natt god butt honorary, and draw
lachys, change them.

Xvij. Ma. H. L. WIGOR.

To the ryght honorable Lord Privay Seall,
hys synguler good Lord.

LETTER CCCXXXIL

Richard Lay ton to Mr. Wrysley : how paorfumiturt

there was in Battle Ahhey.

[iWD. 3 8er, v. 46. Ori^:\

I right hertely commende me imto yowe, and so

beggery a Howse I never se, nor so fylthye stuffe. I

assure yowe I wilnot xx*. for all manor hangyngs in

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 205

this House, as this bringer cantell yowe. The reves-
trie is the worste, and the bawdiste, and the poyerist*
that ever I se. Here is one cope of crimosyTi veluet
sumwhat imbroderede, on of grene veluet, imbro-
derede, and two of blewe, rowsty and soyllede. If
ye will have any of thes, sende me worde. The best
vestment complete that I can fynde ye shall have,
but I assure yow so many evill I never see, the
stuffe is like the persons. I pray you helpe to dis-
pache this bringer, my servant, for I can nothyng do
before his cummyng towchyng the dispache of hous-
holde. Thus fare ye well and as yo' hert disieres.
From Batell,, xxvij® Maij by yo*^ ffrende assurede to
comaui^de. rycharde layton, Preste.

To the right wurahippfiiill Mr. Wrysley.

LETTER CCCXXXIII.

Bishop Latimer to the Lord Privy Seal. Asks for
part of the demesnes of Borsley. Recommends the
Jmming of certain Images of the Virgin Mary.
[ibid. 2 Ser. xlix. 513. Orig,']

Right honorable, salutem in eo qui unus sal/care
potest. And syns I was myndyd to have byn a
sewtere to your Lordshype, seynge I can natt at-
tayne to the use of my parke att Allchurch, ffor my
prefermentt to sum good part of the demans of Bors-

« baldest and poorest.

206 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

lay for my mooney, wych ys evyn att hande, to le*
lyffe of my grett nede to such thyngs ; ffor I trow noo
man hauyng the name of so many thyngs hath the
use of so few as I, handlede in dede lyke a warde.
Butt now herynge that thys berere, M*^. 'Erance,
hathe begim and enteryd in to the same sewt be
foore hande with your Lordshype, and ys putt in
comforde of the same to be fortheryd theriu, as I
perceve by a lettre came to hym a laytt^ I leyve my
purpasse to begyne for my selff, ande wyssh good
successe to hys begynnynge, very lothe to hynder or
lett ony mimys sewtt begun. Ande sewrly Syre, I
supposse you shallbestow ytt ryght well uppon hym,
fore I supposse hym to be a wyttye and a polityck
man, both actyve and expertt in thyngs to be doon :
ande noo lesse prompte and reedy then many ways
able to doo you servyce in your affiiars. Now Syre,
the moor you inclyne your goodnesse to further hjm
in thys hys sewtt, the moor able he shallbe to doo
you servyce from tyme to tyme as you shall call
uppon hym, ande thowgh thys you knoo to be vere
much bettur then I, w* owght my relatione, yett, I
trust you wyll natt myslyk nor yll expownde, butt
take in good partt thys my wrytynge, ffor as much
as I muste neds, beynge desyred, sumthynge wrytt,
thowgh never so foolysshly, after my accustoomyd
maner. Ande you have byn soo good and hath
shoyd yo' goodness soo largly unto me that many

ORIGINAL LETTERS. S07

men dothe thjnke my poore remembrance with a
wurde or too unto yo"* Lordshippe shuld further ther
causes with you ; butt yett me thynke you smyell att
one thynge, that I a man of so lytuU polycye, so
lytuU experyence of activy te, so ly tuU wytt and wys*
doom, wold take vppon me to juge a nother man
polytyke and expertt, actjrsre, wyttye, and whysse.
Well Syre, yf I have doon butt only that made you
so smyell, to the refresshynge of your mynde in the
myddyste of your matters, I have natt doon no-
thynge. Ande they reste I commytt to your accus-
tomable goodnesse, with they sewtt of my Nursse,
wych I am certen you wyll remembyr with all opor^
tunyty. Ande Master Nevell, makynge hym selff
sewre of hys sewtt, hath goott the wydoo, trustynge
Siewrly in your Lordshypps goodnesse for perfoorm-
ance of the same, nott with owgth pleggynge of my
. poor honestye in the same behalff.

I truste your Lordshype wyll bestow our grett
Sibyll to sum good purposse ut periat memoria cum
sanitu. She hath byn the Devylls instrument to
brynge many (I feere) to etemall fyre ; now she here-
syLff, with here old syster of Walsyngham, hyr
younge syster of Ipswych, with ther other too systurs
of Dongcaster and Penryesse wold make a jooly mus-
ture in Smythfeld. They wold natt be all day in
bumynge.

Thus God be with you and preserve you longe to

SOS ORIGINAL LETTERS.

such good purpases that the lyving God may be

dewly knoyn in hys spyrytt and veretye.

13 Junij. H. wiooR.

Att Hartlebury.

To the ryght honorable Lord Cromwell,
the Lord Pryye Seall, and hys syn-
guler good Lord.

LETTER CCCXXXIV.

Gregory Cromwell to his father. The King likely to
come to Lewes in his Progress. The contagion of
the Plague there.

[ibid. 2 Set, TU. 180. Orig,"]

My bounde dewtie in most humble wise remem-
bryd, pleasith it your Lordeshipp to be advertised
that a yoman of the garde named Christofer Chapp-
man beinge sente, as a sercher of the state of the
cuntrey, and gever of knowledge imto those places
wherunto the Kings Highnes hath dyrected the
giests of this his Progresse, came the daie of mak-
ynge hereof vnto this your Lordeshipps Hows of
Lewes; viewinge and perusinge the lodginges and
offices of the same, affyrmynge moreover that the
Kyngs Grace wolde here be ; but how longe he wolde
remayne or when he wolde come beynge vncertayne.
In consyderation therof, and forasmoche as yo' Lorde-
shipp sholde not be ignorant in the behalf, I thowght

ORIGINAL LETTERS.

it my bownden dewtie to asserteyne you of his sayde
comynge. And forcause the contagion of the Plage
whiche hath heretofore not a litell infected this
towne is not as yett all whole extincte and quenched,
I have therfore caused hime to have a trewe certificat
as well of oon that this daye disceased in an ynne of
the towne, as of all other suche as hath dyed att any
tyme sythens Christemas within the precyncte of
the same. Desirenge therfore that it maye please
your Lordeshipp to geve me advertisement of your
.pleasure and comaundement therin. And thus I de-
syre our Lorde to have you in his moste gratious
tuytion. At Lewes, the xxix*^ daie of June.

Your most obedyent sonne,

GREGORY CRUMWELL.
To his moste honorable father,
My Lorde Privey Seale.

LETTER CCCXXXV.

Richard Cromwell to his Uncle, the Lord Privy Seal,
The King, after the despatch of business, solaces the
day with the little Prince. The Kings fondness for
Hawking.

[ibid. 2 Ser. vii. 188. OrigJ]

\* There is little perhaps in this Letter which deseryes parti-
cular notice, except the portrait it presents of Henry the Eighth,
after the despatch of early business, passing a large portion of the
day in mirth and Joy, dandling the infant Edward *' in his arms a

210 ORIGINAL LBTTKBS.

kmg space, and holding him in a window to the ai^^t and," it if
added, " great comfort of all the people/'

Henry's fondness for Falconrj is shown in the latter part of tfiif
Letter.

Sir William Fitzwilliam, writing to Lord Cromwell in September
1517, says, ** My Lord, one thing there is, that the Klng^s said
Highness, at my Ute resort onto your Lordship willed me to apeak
onto your Lordship in ; and, at my return to His Grace, his High-
ness asked whether I had remembred the same or not : which is.
His Grace hath a priest, that yearly maketh his Hawks, and this
year hath made him two, which fly and kill their game very well,
to his Highness singular pleasure and contentation ; and for the
pain which the said priest taketh about the same, His Majesty
would that he should have one of Mr. Bedell's benefices, if there be
any ungiven, besides that which His Grace hath already given ;
and if there be none of the said benefices ungiven, that then your
Lordship should have him in remembrance, that he may have i
other, when it shall fall void."

Yt maye please your Lordshipp to undrestond that
the Kings Highnes toke very acceptablye and well
the sayngs of John Boughsrowe, and this mornyng
assone as his Grace came abrowde he comunyde with
hym in his garden, and then ymediatly sent hym to
Hundesdon to the Lords of the Counsell, to whom
he declaryd the same matter he shewed bifore to the
King and youe. This done, his Grace went to the
Prince, and there hath solacyd all this day with
much myrth and joye, daleyng with hym in his armes
a long space, and so holding hym in a wyndow to the
sight and great compfort of all the people.

Touching the Freenche Ambassador, the Kings
Highnes is determynyd to comen with hym to mo-

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 211

rowe after dynner at Royden, and then I trust to
bring you knoUege of there determynacion.

Touchyng all your Hawks are come. But the
King as yet have not seen them flye: savyng his
Grace comaundyd Mr. Culpepper and I to go
see them flye, and we could fyend no game to
flye at.

My Lord Braye hath sent you hyther his Hawke,
whose flyeng as yet I lyke not, not withstondyng she
cam with a good wilL I told the Kings Highnes
of M'. Bridges Hawke and howe your Lordshipp will
fyend a means to get hir, and his Grace desieryth she
maye be sent hym assone as ye have attaignyd her,
for he is greatlye desierous of her. Thus Jhu pre-
serve yo' good helth with long lyef. From Roydon,
this present Thursdaye at night.

Y*" Lordshipps most bounden nephue,

RICH. CRUMWELL,
To the right honorable my Lorde of

the Privie Seale.

LETTER CCCXXXVI.

Richard Layton to the Lord Privy Seal, The Mer^
chants of York turned Maltsters, to the decay of the
City. Layton desires to be employed abroad.

[ibid. 2 Ser, xx. 286. Orig,^
After moste humble commendacions hit may please

yo' Lordeshipe to be advertisede that accordyng to

21S ORIGINAL LETTERS.

the contentts of your letter I have sent up my servant
to deliver suche by Us off the Portingalls^ as I hade of
Ric. Hore, if he can sorte them furthe emongiste
other writings that I have at my house ther.

Forasmuche as the Parliament nowe aflfter Ester
(as I here say procedethe), hit may lyke yowe tobe
advertisede of one speciall thyng here vdthin the
Citie of Yorke worthye reformation^ wiche thyng
hathe bene the onely decay therof (as I can juge)
and in continewance shalbryng the saide citie to the
pooreste village within the realme, Therbe here vnth-
in the towne xl. Ix. a hundrethe, I knowe not howe
many malte kylnes, every marchant of the towne
makethe hym a kylne and maketh malte ; leffes all
trade of marchandyse and imploithe his stoke in
come, byethe up all the wode in the contrey, tymbre
and other, and therwith makethe malte. Whan the
poire men of the contrey bringithe in ther malte to
the market, offeryng the same for v*. the quarter,
thes come graitters offerithe them vi*. and so biethe
up the hole market, haveyng thereof gret abundance t
serching for barly thoroweoute Lincolneshire, con-
veying the same to Yorke by water. They sell ther
malte to ale wyffs at ther owne price, and causethe
all the tovme to be ale-typlers ; every ydle knave and
vacabounde ther gettithe hym an alehouse over his
hede, and serchese no further profet nor kynde of
lyvyng, yet the Citie stondethe the beste for trade of

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 213

marchandise that ever I se, London excepte ; balan-
gers, crayese, goodly vessells may arrive galantly at
the towne syde. Condenme ye therfore all the make
kylnes within the towne and the suburbes, and then
shall they of necessitie begyn agayne ther olde trade
of marchandise. Examyne ye this of anyman of
experience that knowethe Yorke, and hathe reason
to marke the decay of a Comonwelthe, and I warrant
yowe he shall affirme this to be trewe, Tl^ Towne
never decaede before thes malte kylnes were made ;
yet may ye not gyve credence to Sir George Lawson,
for he hathe made nowe of late a grete newe garner
over againste his house, lyke unto a Kings grete
galarici and therbye intendithe sumwhate.

Your Lordeshipe muste pardon me if I truble
yowe sumtyme with my folishe lettres, for I hade
rather ye jugede me importune then tobe negligent
of dewte. To be ydle hit is againste my nature.
Your Lordeshipe hathe dyvers and sondry tymes
saide unto me heretofore that ye wolde set me furthe
in parties beyond See. If any suche occasion do occure
wherein ye thynke I may or am able to serve the
King or yowe vnder the King, hit may please your
Lordeshipe to attemte and prove me in sum smale
thyng, and as ye shall fynde my procedings, so ye
may commite unto me graviora negocia. Your
Lordeshipe knowes the cumpas of my wite aswell as
myselff. Whether hit be your pleasure I shall cum

S14 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

up to London this Parliament and Conyocation tyme

or not^ I wolde gladely knowe yowr Lordeshippes

pleasure, for withoute your expresse licence and

comaundement I dare not nor wilnot remove hens,

altho hit shulde be my gret cumforthe to se your

Lordeshipe. Thus Christe continewe yowe in goode

helthe with increase of honowre. Frome Yorke, thif

Ester Monday.

Yo' I^rdeshippes moste bownden to comaunde,

To the right honorable and my syngnler RIC. LATTON.

good Lorde, my Lorde Preye Seall.

LETTER CCCXXXVII.

Dr, London to the Lord Privy Seal : with his Survey
of the Friars* Houses of Oxford.

[ibid. 2 Ser, xxiii. 709. Orig,']

In my most humble maner I have me commendyd
imto your guedde Lordshippe with my assurede
prayer and service during my liff. It may like yow
to be advertisede that M. Maier, master Aldermen,
and I, have be, acording to the Kings Grace commis-
sion, at all the places of the Fryers in Oxforde, and
forasmoche as we be in dowbt of many things, we
thowzt gudde to know your Lordeships pleasur or
we went any further : and I schall expresse in ordre
what hytherto we have don.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 215

At M. Pye is comyng home M. Maier and M.
Fryer wer at London, and forasmoche as we dowbtyd
of ther spedy comyng home^ and M. Pye and I wer
creadable informyd that it wasse tyme to be doing
among the Friers, we went to every place of them,
and toke suche a yew and stay among them as the
tyme wolde permytt, till M. Maier com home witfi
M, Fryer.

And fytst went to the Whyte Friers. Ther they
have lately solde to th' Abbot of Ensham an annuytie
of iij*i. wiche cum owt of the same Howse of En-
sham : and receyvid butt xl^. for ytt, wiche they have
devyded amonge them ; and wer redy to sell a nother,
anuytie of iiij^i., payde to them by th' Abbot of West-
myst'. They have butt litill grounde longing to
them, yet have they lett it owt for xxx. yeres, and
hadde bargenyd for suche elmys as growith abowt the
Howse ; and som wer del)niered. We have stayd the
rest Two shrewyd husbonds. Priors ther, hathe sold
in maner all ther iuellys and plate : suche as ys laft
ys comprised in a byll. They have prety ornaments,
as copys and vestments. All the gudds of the Howse
besyd ys nott worth v*i. The Howse is notably
rujmose. The Prior hath be a brode syns befor
Whytsontyd: and will be at home thys weke as
they say. In the meny tyme all thing ys made
saf ther.

The Augustines conteynyth nott in the hole

216 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

grounde passing vj. or vij, acres. And the Howse ys
notably niynose. My Lord of Develyn, lately ther
Prior, fellyd the best trees wer in ther ground, and
hadde thens moch guely,* stuff, and plate to the valor
as they say of CC. marks at the lest He left them
butt iij. chalesses, and no other plate nor juell. They
be in extreme poverty and all ther ornaments of ther
Church and stuff of howshold ys yvill worthe jl^.
Ther ys befor Whytsontyd yerly a fayer worth to the
Fryers som yere iiij*^., som yere v^. towards the costs
in making ther bothes, and they can nott contynew
ther.

The Gray Fryers hathe prayty Bonds behynd ther
Howse well woddyde, and the waters be thers also.
They have oon fayer orcherd, and sondry praty gar-
dens and lodgings. It is a great hoge** Howse con-*
teynyng moche ruynose bylding. They have im-
pledgyd and solde most of ther plate and juellys,
forcyd by necessitee as they do saye : and that re-
maynethe ys in the bill. Ther ornaments of ther
Churche be olde and litill worthe. Ther other stuff
of howsholde ys yvill worth x*i. They have taken
vppe the pypes of ther condytt lately and have cast
them in sowys, to the nombre Ixvij. wherof xij, be
sold for the costs in taking uppe of the pypes as the
Warden saith. The residew we have putt in safe
garde : butt we have nott yet weyd them ; and ther ys

» jewels. ^ huge.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 217

yet in the erthe remaynyng moche of the cundytt nott
taken uppe. In ther Groves the wynde hathe blown
down many grett trees wich do remayne upon the
ground. Thees Freers do receyve yerly owt of th'ex-
chequer, of the Kings almys, 1. marks. Thys Howse
is all coueryd with slatte and no ledde.
. The Black Fryers hathe in ther baksyde lykwise
dyuors Ilonds well woddyd, and conteynyth in
lengith a great ground. There quere wasse lately
new byldede, and couered with ledde. It ys lykwise
a bigge Howse and all coueryd with slatt saving the
queere. They have prety store of plate and juellys,
and specially there ys a gudd chales of golde sett*
with stonys, and ys better then a C. marks: and
ther ys also a gudd crosse, with other things con-
teynyd in the bill. Ther ornaments he olde and of
small valor. They have a very fayer Cuadytt, and
ronnythe fresshelye. Ther be butt x. Fryers, being
Prests, besid the Anker wich ys a well disposyd man,
and have 1. marks yerly of the Kings cofers.

It ys rumoryd her that dyuers of the garde do in-
tende to begge thees Howsys of the Kings Highnes :
and that, with other considerations, moveth me now
to be an humble petitioner unto your Lordeschippe
for my neybors. We have in Oxforde two of the
Kings Grace's servants, M. Banaster and M^. Pye, two
as burgesly and as honest men as lyvith in any town,
and hathe no thing to live upon, nother farmes abrode

VOL. III. L

218 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

nor fees saving oonly ther wagies of the Kings Gracei
iiij^ a day. M. Banester ys now mnjot/^ and M. P^
hath be mayer to hys great chardge.^ Your Lorde^
schippe schulde do a very cherytable dede to obtayne
for M. Banester the cyte* with the profl^^ of the
Whyte Fryers, and for M'. Pjre, the cyte* with the
proffytts of the Fryere of the Ansten Fryers. M.
Pye specially hath be diligent to bring vnto the Sjngs
Grace bonds thees Howses, and therfor I besek yowi
gudd Lordeschipp to be gndd Lord onto hym. And
syns M. Mayer com houm he ys as diligent as maye
be and so ys M. Fryer.

And forasmoche as I found your Lordeschipp
gudd Lorde unto me in my suyte for my neighbors
of Walingford, towchyng ther fee farme, to whom I
besek yow to contynew gudd Lord, I am now the
bolder to motyon yowr Lordeschippe for my neybors
of Oxford, seyng so gudd an occasion ys com wherin
your Lordeschipp may do unto them the hyest be-
nefytt that ever dydd honorable man.

The greatist occasion of the povertie of thys Town
ys the payment of ther fee farme : for thys ys cus-
tomablie seen that suche as befor they have be bay-
liffs hath be prety occupyers, if in ther yere corn be
nott at a hie price then they be nott able to pay ther
fee farme. And for the worschipp of ther town they

e A.D. 1637-8, W. Bannister, Aiayor. Peahall's Hist. Oxf. p. 359.
^ A.D. 1632-3, J. Pye, mayor. Ibid. • site.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. S19

must that yere kepe the better howsys, fest ther ney-
bors, and wer better apparell^ wiche makith them so
pore that few of them can recouer ag^i.

K by your gudde Lordeschips mediation the town
myzt haue the Grey and Black Fryeres grownds after
the Kings Gh?ace hath be answerd for the wodd and
buyldings with other thyngs npon the same : and lyke-
wise the cyts^ of the Whyte and Austen Fryers after
the decese of M. Banester and M. Pye, it wolde mer-
yelosly helpe the town^ and gere them great occasion
to fall to clothynge : ffor vpon the Grey and Kiack
Fryers water be certenj convenyent and commodiose
places to sett fulling mylles upon^ and so people myzt
be sett a worke. Now the baylys forcyd by necessitie
takith such toll of such as passith by the town^ with
catell or any maner of cariage as makith men lothe to
cum her bye. And Oxford ys no great thorow£are
wherby moche resort schuld helpe them. Thys
benefy tt schuld lytell hjmder the Kings Mddestie and
mervelously helpe tiijs powr town. And your Lord-
schippe schuld do a blessyd acte to helpe so many
power men, wich by ther fee farme be notably
poverischyd. And yet the Kings Grace schuld save
a C. marks yerly in hjs cofers by reason of the Gray
and Black Fryers wich hathe euery of them L marks
by yere.

It may like your Lordeschipp to acerten usse of
your pleasure.

'sites.

L 2

2iO ORIGINAL LETTERS.

Imprimisy whether you will accept this supplica-'

tion, and if the forme be not to your Lord-*

schipps plesur to lett usse have a forme.

Item, when we have sent upp all the namys of
suche as hath made submission, if your Lordeschippe
will accept itt, then that with spede we may have
ther capacyties, ffor the longar they tary the more
they will wast.

Item, to have your pleasur how yow will haue the
guddes kept when they have their capacyties.

Item, to knowe your pleasur concemyng the
Anker of that Howse cum into the Kings hands,
whether he schall remayne ther or nott He byldyd
the Howse owt of the grounde and wolde fayne end
hys liff ther if it be the Kings Grraces pleasur and
yowr Lordeschips.

Item, what rewards every Freer schall have wher-
with .... at ther departinge.

Item, whether we schall requyer of my Lord of
Ensham such munyments as he hadde of the Whyte
Fryers, concemyng the sayd annuytie of iij*i.

Our Lord save your gudd Lordeschippe with in-
crese of much honor. Oxon. viij. July.

Your most bounden orator,

JOHN LONDON.

ORIGINAL LETT£RS* 221

LETTER CCCXXXVIIL

Sir Bryan' Tuke to the Lord Privy Seql, for his son--
in-law y Mr. Audeley^to have the suppressed Priory
of Hylton, in Staffordshire^ toferm.

[ibid. 2 Set, xliv. 310. Orig-.]

%* Hilton Priory, in Staffordshire, was founded by Henry de
Audeley, according to Tanner, in 1233. At the Dissolution its
gross revenue amounted to 892. 10«. \\d. per annum ; its clear in-
come to 762. 14«. \\\d, Bryan Tuke's petition went unheeded.
The site was granted in the 34th of Henry VIII. to Sir Edward
Aston.

My singuler and special good Lorde^ I humbly re*
commende me vnto your good Lordship, My Lorde^
so it is there is a poore Monastery in Staffordshire,
called Hylton, the lands wherof be as I vnderstonde
of the yerely value of jiii^*. or theraboute, and was
of the fundacion of the Lord Audelay, whose manor^.
called Audelay, is besids it, and is nowe in the hands
?uid possession of yong M, Audelay, my son in lawe,
and of my doughter his wife, by Act of Parliament.

My Lorde, this Monastery was not suppressed, but
stondeth stil : and is of litel moment or importance,
other then the value of the lands : and my said son
in-lawe to the litel lande that he hathe in that
countrey, whiche is al that he and my douzter have
in recompence of her joyntor that, by my bargain
with Lorde Audelay, shulde have ben CCC.*i ^nd is

222 ORIGINAL LETTERS*

nowe skant C. marcs, hathe no maner house to dwel
in but an olde ruynous Castel, almost al fallen down :
and, therfore, he was desirous, if it had ben suppress-
ed, to have had the said Monastery in ferme, and
had, as he shewed me, the Kings gracious favor ther-
iiu Howe be it, the House stonding, his sute wa$
in vayne.

Nowe, me thinketh by hym the incumbent of the
said Monastery can be contented to resigne the same
Monastery into' the Kings hands, and M. Audelay
wolde fayne sue to his Maieste, but he lakketh frends
and redy money, to make any convenient composicion
with his Highnes, and I knowe noon in England to
whom I can recurre to be mediator to the Kings
Grace for me or my frends but your Lordship, whose
goodnes alredy shewed imto me I have not hitherto,
ne can tel howe to deserve. And he, my Lorde, is
nowe comen oute of Staffordshire purposely to re*
paire imto your said Lordship for this cause, as to his
chefe hope, to further and avance his humble porsute,
desiring my lettres'unto your good Lordship in his
favor. Wherfore, my Lorde, I humbly beseche
your Lordship for my sake to be the better Lorde
unto hym herin, and surely my Lorde ye shal therby
do SL right charitable dede in releving that poore
famylie and name, by the infortune of his father so
sorely decayed : deserving therby, as ye do of al
noble men, eternal lawde and fame. And me your

ORIGINAL LETTERS*

' Lordship shal so moche more deyince unto you for
evermore as your perpetual bedeman. Thus, Al-
myzty Jhu long preserve your good Lordship. At
Londoui the penultyme of August, 1538.

Y' humble and daily bedeman for ever

BRIAN TUKE.
To my singuler and special good Lorde,
my Lorde Cromwell, Lorde Priyey Seale,

LETTER CCCXXXIX,

The Abbot of Hales to the Lord Privy Seal, that the
Shrine of the feigned ReUc, called the Blood of
Hales, may be razed, to avoid superstition.

[ibid. 2 Ser, xyii. 170. OrigJ]
Pleasith hit youre Honor, aftyr my most humble
dewty with immortal thancks for youre inestymable
goodnes towarde me ever att my nede, to be adverty-
syd that where hit is so that the case where that
faynyd relyck« caUyd the Bloode was in doth stande
as yet in the place there styll, as hit was in manner
and fasshion of a Shryne, so that I am aferde lest hit
shulde mynistre occasyon to any weke person, loking
therupon, to abuse his conscyens therwith; and,
therfore, I do beseche you to be so good Lorde imto
me as to geve me lycens that I may putt hit downe,
every styck and stone, so that no maner of tokyn or
remembrans of that forgyd Relycke shall remayne

224 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

there during the tyme that hit shall please Grod, oure '

soveregne Lorde the Kings Majesty, and your good

Lordeshipe, that this pore Howse may stande. And

as towching the valor of the sylver and golde that is

theryn, I thynck hit is not worth xl.*i, scant xxx.**

by estymac5n, wherin hit may please yo' Lordeshipe

to geve credyt to this berer, and by the same to lett

me know your pleasure in the premysses, beseching

yow most humbly to contynew my good Lorde, as ye

have ever byn, and to accept this pore tokyn whiche

I do send you att this tyme, a strange pece of golde.

And this the blessyd Lorde of Hevyn longe preserve

yo"" lyf and helth to his pleasure. Amen. Att Heiles,

the xxiij. daye of Septembrel

Your most boundyn bedsman,

STEPHYN, Abbat there.
To my most especyall good Lorde,
my Lorde Pryvey Seale.

LETTER CCCXL. ,

Doctor Layton to the Lord Privy Seal, respecting the
Home of the Trinitarian Friars, at Hounslow.
[ibid. 2 jSer. xx. 294. Or%g,'\

\* The Priory, as it was called, at Hounslow, was founded in
the thirteenth Century, but by whom or at what exact time is un-
certain. It .was dedicated to the Holy Trinity, and belonged to the
brethren of that Order, whose peculiar ofiSce it was to solicit alms
for the redemption of captives. At its suppression, its revenues
were valued at 782. 8«. 6d. per annum. The manor and church of

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 225

Bedfouty and an annual rent of 202. out of the town of Kingston-
upon-ThameSy were among the most valuable of its possessions.

The manor of Hounslow and the site of the Priory were annexed
by Henry VIII. to the Honor of Hampton Court.

Hit may please your Lordeshipe tobe aduertisede
that on Friday laste the Minister off the Frears of
Hownsley let to ferm to M'. Cheseman all his
Howse, londs, and tenements, for a hundreihe yere
saue one. He topay, therfore, yerly, to the saide Mi-
nister, duryng his lyffe, x.*i, and to evere off the
reste v.*i and to obtayne their capacities off his coste
and charge, and cam unto them in your name, sayng
that your Lordeshipe was well content they shulde so
do. Thys, the Minister hathe confessede unto me,
with salle off smale parcells off plaite ; whome 1
comaundede in your name, and as he wolde make
answer at his further perell, that he shulde not pro-
cede to any further sale or alienation of any his
moveables, tyll he therin knewe your Lordshippes
further pleasure. Yet M"^ Cheisetnan dynede with
me here at Harowe the laste Thorisday, the veray
day before he towke owte this leasse, and tolde me
that the Minister and hys brederen wolde have solde
vnto hjm all the londs and Howse, and askede myne
advice what he shulde or myght do therin. I then
willede hym that innowysse he shulde attempte any
suche thyng ; but to repaire unto your Lordeshipe,
and to oppen all ther demeanor imto yowe, the Kings

L 5

296 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

high Vicar generall, to whom hit appertajnede to se a
redresse in all suche ther misgovernaunce. Neuer-
thelesse^ the morowe aiOfter^ he obtaynede this leasse
with the conditions above saide^ as the Minister hym-
selff hathe conf essede unto me, whom I sent for to
Harowe with spede, assone as by my neburrs I herde
off this boute. Thus to advertise your Lordeshipe
off this lewede frear, my nebur, I thowght expedient
and my bownden dewtie, Howe this thyng, done in
fratidem Regis^ shall take effecte, the Prince ther
fownder^ your Lordeshipe can beste consider.

I sende yow by this bringer, Perisse^ of Harowe
graffede by my Lorde of Duresme his owne hand;^
and suche parterige as my hawke kylls^ wheroff here
is grett plentye. We lake but goode Hawks, and
your Lordeshipe to se them flee.

This Hownslowe is a hundreth marks, meate for

M*^ Doctor Trigunwell if yo' Lordeshipe therin have

made no former graunte. Thus Christe continewe

your Lordeshipe in helthe with incresse off honoure.

Frome Harowe on the Hyll, the xxv*** of September,

by your Lordeshippes moste bownden to comaunde

Ri. LAYTON, preste. .

To the ryght honorable and my singoler
goode Lorde, my Lorde Priueyseall.

•Pears.

i» Cuthbert Tunstall, aftenrardB Biahop of DufaRan, Had iMea leolor of Uwaom
from 1511 to 1622.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 227

LETTER CCCXLL

Richard Layton to Lord Cromwell. Binds the Abbot
of Hales in a recognizance. Intends^ according to
commandment^ to pay the JEriar^s debts to the Inha-
bitants of Hounshw.

[ibid. 2 Set. xz. 258. Orig:\

•

This shalbe to advertise your Lordeshipp that, ac-
cordyng to yo' commaundment, I bownde th' Abbott
of Hailes in a recognisaunce of v. hundrethe pownds
that he showlde not, from the day of hys departure
from London, alyenate, nor gage, pledge, or putt
asyde anny the movables of his House, or grawnte
owt anny thinge by convent seale from the day of his
prevy surrender fdrwardis ; and so sende hyme home.

On Friday last I cam to Harrow. Yeste^y, the
morrow after, Iwente into the fBeldis, and such birds
as I kyllede with my hawke I sende unto your Lorde-
shipp by this brynger, my servante, viz., three
ffesaunds.

To morrow, according to your commaundement, I
purpose to be at Hunslow, and M'. Ansam the
grome portar also, ther to pay the pore inhabitaiince
and vytlers of the towne, such debts as was dew by
the lewde, dronkyne fi&yers, whiche, as the commyne
reporte is, dronke wickely all the towne dry ; not a
lytle myssyde of the Ale typelers ; and yet when

ORIGINAL LETTERS.

they wer most dronke at nygthi and lede home to
their house by the inhabitaimce ther, then the same
selfe parsones wer most holly in the momynge, and
most redy to synge masse. quanta ReUgio hcsc !
From Harrow, this Sondayi by your Lordeshippis
most humble to comaunde

RYCHARDE LAYTON, pveste.

To the right honorable and my singoler
good Lorde, my Lord Privey Seale.

LETTER CCCXLII.

John Hales to the Lord Privy Seal, announcing the
suppression of Sulby Monastery, in Northampton-
shire.

[ibid. 2 Ser, xvi. 15. Orig,']

o

%* Sulby was an Abbey of Premonstratensians, founded about
the year 1155 ; valued in the 26^ Hen. VIII. at 3052. 8«. 5|d. in
gross, and at 2582. 8<. S^d. in its clear reyenue. The site was
granted in the 10^ of Queen Elizabeth to Sir Christopher Hatton,
knight.

Ralph Armonte, or Amonte, the last abbot, occurs in 1534. He
had 502. a-year pension granted to him in 1538.

Of John Hales, the writer of this laconic letter, the Editor is un-
certain. Wood, in his Athenae Oxonienses, mentions John Hales, a
younger son of Thomas Hales of Hales Place, in Halden in Kent,
who was clerk of the hanaper for seyeral years in the reign of
Henry the Eighth ; and in 1548 was appointed a Commissioner to
enquire into Enclosures, letting houses fall to decay, and the un-
' lawful convertiDg of arable groimd into pastures, for the counties of
Oxon, Berks, Warwick, Leicester, Bedford, Bucks, and Northamp-
ton. His estate lay chiefly in Warwickshire, and his residence ^t

ORIGINAL LETTERS^

CoYentry, where his principal house was called Hales Place, other-
wise the White Friars.

If this was John Hales, the writer of the present Letter, he had
also the site of St. John's Hospital at Warwick, and converted it
into a free-school, which still continues. He died Jan. 5th, 1572.

My duetie most humbly don unto your gode
Lordeship^ accordyng to your pleasure and comande-
ment, the papisticall denne of idle and vtterly vn-
lemed beasts at Soulbie, is broken vp and dispersed ;
and your servant is in possession. Wherfore I most
humblie praie for your gode Lordeship, otherwise I
confesses although I consume this wretched bodie, I
shall not be able in any parte to gratefie your gode
Lordeship, whom the blissed Trynyte preserve in
moche honor and prosperous helthe. From Soulbie^
the xxv*"* of September,

Yo' Lordeships faithfull servant and oratour,

JOHN HALES.

To the right honorable and my syngler
good Lorde and Master, myLorde
Prevy Scale.

230 ORIGINAL LBTTBR8.

LETTER CCCXLIII.

Thomoi ArundeU to the Lord Privy Seal I%e Abbess
and Convent of Shaftebury offer five hundred marks
to the King, and one hundred pounds to his Lord-
ship, to be allowed to remain under any other
name and apparel as his McyeHy's Bede-women.
The Abbot of Ceme makes a similar offer.

[misc. LETTBK8, t HEIf* VOI, 1* 135. Of^.]

My synguler . good Lorde, aftur my lawly and
moiste herty recominendaconsy thies shalbe t'aduer-
lyse the same that^ forasmoche as your goode Lord-
shipe, at my departure, dyd, by occasion, aske of me
whether th' Abbes and Conuente of the Monastery of
Shafton wolde surrendre theyr Howsse vnto the
Kmgys handys, wherunto I aimswaryde as I then
thought that consideryng the King ys Highnes was so
liberalle to all suche that soo wolde surrendre, they
wolde rather be contentyde to foUowe the moo then
otherwyse. Neuerthelesse, sythyns the comyng hyd-
dur of Maist' Doctor Treygonnoll, the Sings Highnes
Comissioner in that byhalfe, I haue perceyuide theyme
to be of other sorte ; ffor, notwithstanding the loi^
and emest practysing of the saide M^ Doctor for
theyre surrendrys, they haue in right lamentable wyse
aunswerede, that havyng the ffavor of the Kings Ma-
iestye, they woU not by any meane wollingly ther-

ORIGINAL LETTERS, 231

vnto aggre. Wheruppon the haue moiste hertly
desyrede me to write vnto your goode Lordshipe to-
move theyre peticon that it mought please the dame
tomove the Kings Maiesty that they maye remayne
here, by some other name and apparell, hys Highnes
poore and true Beydyswemen, ffor the whyche they
woll gladly gyve vnto hys said Majesty tyye hondrethe
markes, and vnto your LcMrdshipe, for your paynes,
on hondrethe ponds. And haue also eftsons requirede
me to desyre your goode Lordship t'accepte this
theyre moiste humble peticon in goode parte^ az^
that they meane in noo wyse t'oilfende the King is
saide Maiesty in this bihalf. And nowe, my goode
Lorde, evyn so I haue desyryde yo' Lordship for
theyme ; soo must I and doo hertly praye the same
to haue me excusyde of thys my bolde enterprise.
But your genlill goodnes allways towards me haithe
bene the eause therof, whiche enforsythe me thus to*
Ixowble you. And sythyns my comeng h<»ne,
th* Abbot of Ceme haythe desyrede me to maike the
same offre whiche Iwolbebounden to see performyde
also, yf it maye soo staunde with yo' goode pleasure.
As o' Lorde knowythe, who sende yo*" good Lord-
shipe goode and long lyfe. From Shafton, the xviij***
daye of Decembre.

Youre Lordschips with my seruis,

THOMAS ARUNDELL.
To the right honourable 'and my verry
singnler goode Lorde, my Lorde
Pryvey Sealle,

2S2 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

LETTER CCCXLIV*

Catherine Bulkeley, Abbess of Godstow, to Lord
Cromwell. Begs his acceptance of the Stewardship
of that Monastery.

[ibid. 2 Set, xiy. 2. Orig,"]

My moste especiall good Lorde. After my moste
humble dewtie and immortal thanks for your infyny te
goodnes towarde me, thies be to aduertise your Honor
that where as the laste weke I was enformyd by the
Deane of th' Arches lettres that you ar so good Lorde
unto me as to accepte this lyttle office of the Stew^
ardeship of this Monasterie, I am so boulde as to
sende imto your Honor herewith the Patente thereof
under our Convent Scale for terme of your liflfe, be-
seching your Honor to accepte the same, thoughe it
be but smalle ; ffi)r if it were a M. tymes better you
shuld have it with all my harte aud praiers, as
knowes our Savior Cryste, who ever preserve you in
honor duely to increace to his pleasure. Amen. At
Godistowe, the xij* dale of Marche.

Yo' moste bownden bedswooman,

KATHEkiNE BULKELEY, Abbes there.

ORIGINAL LETTERS*

LETTER CCCXLV.

Catherine Bulkeley, Abbess of Godstowy to the Lord
Privy Seal. Thanks for his kind conduct toward
their House.

[ibid. 2 Ser. xiv. 3. Orig.l

My moste singular good Lorde, my mooste humbly
dutie^ thies be speciallie to thanke you for that it
pleasithe you to dyrecte youre letters for the staie of
Doctor London whiche was here, redie to suppresse
this poor House5 ageinste my will and all my sisters ;
and had done it in dede if you had not so spedilie
sente contrarie commawndente, for the. whiche youxe
goodnes you shall be well assuered, (as I am all redie
mooste bownden,) of a poor mayden is prayer duringe
my lyffe ; seinge I have no other riches to recompense
youwithall. And where it pleasid you to dyrecte
youre letters sens that tyme to me and my systers for
the preferment of Mayster Doctor Owen to owre
demaynes and stocke, thies be to certifie your Lord-
shipe that we have accomplishede the same with all
fauor and gentillnes as I truste he will reporte and
give youre Lordeshipe thanks therefore, for no man
levinge imder the Kinge cowld have had it of hus
withe oure good willis, savinge your Lordeshipe.
And, therefore, as my verie truste and comforde is
in you, I beseche you to contynewe my good Lorde,

234 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

as I truste you shall never have cause to the contrarie ;
for youre Lordeshipe shall be well assuered that ther
is nother Pope nor Purgatorie, Image nor Pilgrimage,
ne prayinge to dede Saintes, usid or regarded
amongeste hus ; but all supersticious ceremonies set
aparte, the verie honor of God and the trewithe of
his holie wordes, as farre as 4he fraile nature of
women may ateyne unto, is mooste tenderlie folowid
and regarded withe hus. Not dowtinge but this
garmente and facon of liffe dothe nothinge prevaile to-
warde oure justifyinge before God, by whome, for his
swete'Sone Jhesus sake, we onlie truste to be justified
and saved, who ever preserve yo' honor to his plea-
sure. Amen. At Godstowe, this xr^**^ daie of
Nouember.

Youre mooste bownden bediswoman,
KATHERiNE BULKELEY, Abbesse there.

To the righte honorable and my verie
singular good lorde, my Lorde
Previe Seale.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. S35

LETTER CCCXLVI.

Thomds Parry to Cromwell. The jewels of the
Convent of St. Swithin at Winchester purchased of
the Prior and Monks by one Bestyan^ a Jeweller :
the same who had been to divers reUgiotis Homes
throtiffh the Reahn for the same purpose.

[ibid. 2 Ser. xzxii. 1^. Or%g,'\
After my moste humble boimden duetie^ thes
shalbe to aduertise your Maistersbip that upon the
examynacion of divers of the monkes here, according
to your comaundement, I well perceyve that diverge
precious stones, as emerodes, and other, to a grete
value, taken out of the juells of the House here
prively by the Prior and iiij. car y. Monkes of his
affinitie, without consent or knowlege of the Convent,
were sollde to one Bestyan, a Jeweller, who as I here
saie, is in London in some familie of the Straungiers
ther. And understanding that he hathe ben in
diverse religious Houses throughout the Reallm for a
like purpose, in case yt pleasid your Mastership to
eomaunde hym to be taken and brought bifor youe,
he, I suppose, wollde not onely with a litell coher-
cyon yellde ayen suche juelles and theasur* as he
hathe sedicyously by his crafty meanes goten, but
allso disclose unto your Mastershipp thinges that
shulld be to the Kinges Highnes moche profitable

236 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

and to youe right singler pleasur. M'. Doctor Leigh
is furthe in suche other a£^es as ye have comaundid
hym and to morow he will retorne for th'expedicion
of our busynes her ; wherein shalbe all the forwardnes
of that pore sendee that I can : and bringing with
us at our retorne the boke of perticulers of the said
juelleSy and certificat of the rest, God willing, who
have your Mastership in his blessid tuicyon. At
Saint Swithins, in Winchester, the xiiij, daie of
Marche, with th'ande of your humble servaunt,

THOMAS PARRY,

To his right honorable Maister, M'
Cmmwelly Chief Secretarie to
the Kinges Highnes.

LETTER CCCXLVIL

The Warden of the Grey Friars in London to Lord
Cromwell^ to change his habit.
[MS. COTTON. CLEOP. E. IV. 98. Orig.'\

Prudentissime mi Domine, eandemque tibi sahitem.

Yff yt may be callyd to your Lordschyppys re-
membrans ye comandyd me to send the namys of my
bretherne, wheruppon ye myght send a dyspensacyon
off our papystycall slanderus apparell (the wych I
thynke yt plesyth God that we shall no more were)
for off truth yt hath not byn ryghtly usyd'many
yerys, and therffor I dowth not but God movys the
herts off Pryncys to take yt away, and many other

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 237

thyngs more yn the Chyrche off X*.^ sicut Ezechias
4** Reg. 18 fregit serpentem eneum quern fecit Moyses
ex precepto Dei. Off the which acte we may se that
Piynces may change a thynge that God dyd institute,
when yt ys not usyd to Godds yntent. Also yt ys
not on knowyn to them that be lernyd yn Godds^
law, how God gaffe to the chylder of Ysraell, and to
clargy of Ysraell also, both ceytys and townys, &c.,
but when thay usyd themselvys with ydolatry and
syne, then dyd the same God that gaffe the gyfts
mowe,* and Caldeys and Babylons, yee as Scrypture
sayth that he callyd the Babylons and the Caldeys,
to take a way that he affore gaffe, &c., and the Apos-
tyll sayth prima Co, x. h<BC autem omnia in Jigura
nostri contingehant illis, scripta autem sunt ad corep--
tionem nostrarum. No dowth but yn theys words
the Apostyll spoke off us, and all that shall cum after
Cryst ; the which theynge ys now justly executyd on
us, we specyally off the clergy, have God as a lowyng
Father doyth corectte and cally th agayn to hym by
thoys that hath Autoryte to change all customys,
usages, and maners yn lemynge and apparell, that
hath byn offensyve to Godds pepyll ; the which
autoryte wee say ys yn the Kyngs Graces hand and
your; and therffor all my bretheme desyryth no nother
dyspensacyon but your Lordchyppys word, so knowyn
to be your word and commandment by the leste let-

238 ORIGINAL LETTBM.

ter that yowr Lordchypp can wiyght* For a9 modie
as ye be our heyd (und^ the KyBgg Grace) wee be
exempte ffirom. all Byshopys tyU yt shall plese the
Kyngs Grace to submytte us to them. I trust your
Lordchyppe wyU wy th sawe^ to take us as your tavhf
jects exemptyd ffiro Byshoppys ; and as ffor I myselffe
am your beydman and servant at all tymys to iny
lywyaende, and at your comandment^ and stjrll xe-
maynyng yn soche apparell as your Lordchyppe sawe
me yn at Chechester^ and wyll tyll I shall knowyoux
plesur to be contrary, and then I shaQ obey with aU
redynes. I thynke longe tyU your dyspensacyoifc
cum ffor my bretheme, and so thynk thay also. Yff
your plesur be to make your dispensacyon by every
mans name here, I have send them yn this other
letter. So ffare ye well yn God and all good pros-i
peiyte, for the which you have and shall have the
dayly prayer of your orator the Warden off the Gray
Freyrs yn London.

LETTER CCCXLVIIL

John Winchcomhe to my Lord Privy Seal, who had

written for a thomand pieces of Kerseys.

[ibid. 2 Set. xli. 692. Orig.1

%* John Winchcombe, the writer of this Letter, was the son of
John Winchcombe, otherwise Jack of Newbury, so well known in
the reign of Henry the Eighth.

^ wyth sawe, i. e. youchsafe.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 239

The Messrs. Lysons, in their account of the Town of Newbory in
Magna Britannia, s^y, '^ A picture, which hangs in. a room over
the new market-house, in which the corporation hold their pri-
vate meetings, being a copy from the original at Bucklesbury, is
erroneously said to be the portrait of the celebrated Jack of New-
bury ; whereas it is in fact that of his son, John Smallwode, alias
Winchcombe, who died in 1557, as appears by the parish register.

^ The date which accompanies the portrait is 1550, and the person
it represents is said to have been then 61 years of age. This picture
has been copied for the sign of Jack of Newbury, at the Inn of that
name, which is said to stand on the site of John Winchcombe's
dwelling-house. John Winchcombe, the son, became possessed of
considerable landed inroperty, chiefly by the grants of monastic es-
tates. Henry Winchcombe, his descendant, was created a baronet
in 1671. The title became extioct at his death.'^ No absolute site
of a monastery, however, appears to have been granted to John
Winchcombe.

The following rather curious entry occurs in the Privy Council
Book of the 82<^ Henry VIII. relating to the Winchcombe of the
present Letter :-^

" Westminster, 15 Martij.
'' Whereas Winchcombe of Newburie and sundry other clothiers
did make suite unto the Kings Higfanes that the Statute made in the
27*^ yeare of His Ma^^ reigne for the making of broade clothes and
carsayes might be dissolved, or at the leastwise the execution thereof
differred, alleadging for themselves certain reasons, wheruppon they
grounded their suite. It was declared unto them by the Gounsaill
that the King's Highnes pleasure was, the execution of the said
Statute should be prorogued for a time, and that at the beginning of
Easter terme next, four or six of tiie said clothiers should be before
the Counsaill to saie what they could why their suite should be
further graunted, and that in case it should appeare before the said
Counsaill that the reasons which should be brought for the contrary
parte were more effectual than theirs, then should they have libertie
untill Bartlemewtide next to prepare all things necessarie for them
for the observation of the said Statute ; and if the reasons of the
clothiers should seeme of more efficacy, that then the said Statute
should be annulled, and they to' occupie as they doe at this present.
Wheruppon it was agreed by the Counsaill that Poll WythypoU, S'
Richard Gresham, knight, and such others, as were noted to be the

240 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

setters forth of the said Acte should have warning to be readie
against the same terme, to saye in defence of the same Act what
they could alledge."

My singular goode Lord (my dewtye consideride)^
I humblye commende me to your goode Lordshipe
right glade to her of your Lordships goode helthe,
sertifieng your Lordshipe that I hav receyvide your
lettre wherin I perceyve the effect is ffor a thowsand
peces of Kerseys betwixte this and Ester, whiche tyme
I ensur your Lordshipe is very shorte, my promises
befor made remembride. How be hite, I trust to
make suche shifte ffor your Lordshipe to haue readye
ffive hundrithe peces ageynst Ester, and iff I can
mor, your Lordshipe shalbe assuride of them* And
as for the price, I, at my commyng upe, whiche
shalbe shortlye, shall shew your Lordshipe the utter-
most of my mynde therin, as knowithe Gode, who
hav your Lordshipe always in his blesside kepinge.
Yowr assuride to his power,

JOHN WINCHCOMBE.

To the right honerable ande singuler
goode Lord Pryyye Seall, be this dd.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 241

LETTER CCCXLIX.

Richard Whiting, Abbot of Glastonbury, to Lord
Cromwell, excmes himself from coming to Parlia-
ment, from sickness and infirmity.

[ibid. 2 Set. xiii. 63. OHg^

Right honorable my singler goode Lorde, my
dewtie in recomendacdns in right humble wise re-
membred unto youre goode Lordshipp. Pleasith it
you to be advertised that I have recevid the Kings
writte comanding me to cume unto his Graceis high
Parleament to be holden at Westm' the xxviij*** daye
of this present moneth of Aprile. My good Lorde,
the trewthe is this, as knoweth our Lorde God, I
have been greatlye diseas id with dyuers infirmyties
mor then this halffe yere, in so muche that for the
more parte of the tyme I haue not been able to labor
fourthe of my housse, and I cannot ryde, nother yett
goo well but with the helpe of my staffe, in veray
greate payne ; by reason whereof I am not able to do
my moste bownden dewtie unto the Kings Mageste
as with all my hoole harte and wille I wuld do, and
that right moche grevith me, as knoweth God. In
considerac5n whereof, good my Lord, in whom is my
singler truste, I hartely and right humblie beseke
you be goode Lord vnto me as ye alwayes hitherto
have been. And if your Lordship thinke it so to be

VOL. III. M

242 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

best, it may please you of your great charltie and
goodeness to move the Kyngs Highnes for me that of
his moste habundant grace and pitie it may please his
Highenes moste graciously to pardon me, and to be
absent at this tyme from this his Grace is saide Par-
leament. Wherein your good Lordship may do to-
wards me a right mercifull and charitable acte, as
knoweth God. But if the Kings pleasure be so, I
wulbe gladlye caryed thider in a horsse litter to ac-
complisshe his Grace is pleasure and comaimdement,
rather then to tarye at home. My good Lorde I am
not able to make you recompense accordinglye other-
wise then with my moste hartye prayers, which of my
very dewtie I am bounden to rendre imto almyghtie
God for the greate goodenes your goode Lordeshipp
hath alwayes doon to me herebifore, as knoweth
God, who alwayes preserve your goode Lordshipp in
honor. At Glastonbury the vij*** daye of Aprile.
Your Lordshipps bedisman assured,

Ric, Abbott ther.

To the right honorable my singler goode
Lord, my Lord Previe Seale, be this
deliuered acordinglye.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. £43

LETTER CCCL.

Richard Layton to the Lord Privy Seal. Dissolution
of the Priory of ClerkenwelL Tlie Bishop of Lon-
don at the point of death. Adam Traves^ one of the
Canons residentiary of Exeter ^ also " in extremis, ^^
[ibid. 2 Ser, xx. 284. Orig,']

*»* John Stokesley, DD. was a fellow of Magdalen College, Ox-
fordy and principal of Magdalen Hall in 1502. After enjoying ra-
rious preferments, he was sent ambassador to Rome, one of the many
who went about the King's divorce, and upon his return had the
bishoprick of London bestowed upon him, to which he was conse-
crated Nov. 27th, I5a0. He died Sept. 8th) 1539, upon his birth-day.

Adam Traves was collated to the archdeaconry of Exeter Jan.
19th, 1518. Le Neve, in his Fasti, gives no successor in this pre-
ferment till 1555, the 2** and 3<* of Philip and Mary. So that pro-
bably Adam Traves disappointed Layton's expectations.

Hit may please your Lordshipe to be advertisede
that this Saterday, the yj. of Septembre, we put the
Duke of Northefooke his servande in custodye of
Clarkenwell, and have fully dissoluede the same to
the contentacon of the Prioresse and all hir sisters.

The Bisshope of London cannot continewe tyll
this letter cum unto yowe, for hit is jugede that he
will departe this Saterday at nyght. He hath made
his Executors M'. Recordor of London, M^ Baker
the Kings Attorney, M^ Horewoode, and one Ewer
his chapelayne. He hathe declared that he owythe
the Kyng but CC*i. He confessithe to have but
fyve hundrethe pownds in redy money. Men

M 2

344 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

th3mklthe he hath muche more. His plate ys
goode ; his carpetts also.

One Adam Traves, residensarie at Exceter, lyethe
here at Garters house in poynt of dethe. He ys
archedeacon of Exeter, and hath a prebende of the
saide Churche, and hathe other benefices in that
contrey right goode. The names therof I knowe not,
nor the valewe. K ye liste to prefer any off your
chapelains to the saide archedeaconrye, or to any
other off his benefices, hit may please yowe to wryte
to the Bisshope. I suppos he wilnot say yowe nay.
To morowe, at nyght, I wilbe att Redyng, and from
thens repaire to your Lordeshipe with spede, whome
I pray Gode continewe with incresse of honour.

From London, this Satterday, at nyght, the yj*** of
September.

Y*^ Lordeshippes moste bownden to commande,

RIC. LAYTON, Prjsste.

To the right honorable and my singuler
goode Lorde, my Lorde Privey Seale.

ORIGINAL LEtTERS. 245

LETTER CCCLL

The Mayor and JJdermen of Caermarthen to the Lord
Privy Sealy asking for the dissolved House of the
Gray Friars there, that they may establish a
Grammar School in it, ^

[ibid. 2 Ser, v. 146, Orig.']

%* Taimer, describing the religioas foundations of Caermarthen,
says '' Here was a House of Grey Friars under the custody of Bris-
tol ; which, after the Dissolution, was granted 34 Hen. VIII. to
Thomas Lloyd, and 5 Edw, VI. to Sir Thomas Gresham.'' It seems
probable that the Lloyd here mentioned was the same with Thomas
l^oyd, chaunter of St. Davids, spoken of in the Letter, who in-
tended to establish a Grammar School within the site of the Friary.
His intention, however, from some cause or other, does not seem to
have been carried into effect ; and the Town-petition was disre-
garded.

The Grammar School of Caermarthen, which exists at the present
time, was founded by Letters Patent, dated 7th July, 18 Eliz. A.D.
1576, at the petition of Walter Earl of Essex, Richard Davies Bi-
shop of St. David's, Sir James Croft Knt., Griffin Rece Esqr., and
Walter Vaughan Esqr., aldermen of Caermarthen, and Robert Toye,
gentleman, one of the burgesses of that town. The original endow-
ment was 202. per annum, payable out of the tythes of the parish of
Ishmael, in the county of Caernarvon.

To the righte honorable Lorde Privie Scale.

Pleasethe it your Honor to be advertised that the
Cite and Mansion of the Grraie Freres in the Kanges
Towne of Caermarthin, in Southe Wales, was of late
surrendride in to the Kinges handes, and is, and
haithe ever sence ben voide and desolate, runnynge
dayelye in contynuall ruyne and decaie : ffor there is

246 OEiaiKAL LSTTEES.

no fote of lede apon anie parte therof, and it were
pitie that suche buyldinge^ in suche a baron contrie,
shulde not be convaied to sume lawful and convenient
use, for the mayntenance of the commen wealthe.
Wherefore if it maye please your Lordeshipe to be a
meane to the Kinges Magestie that the Mayre and
Aldermen of the saide towne maye have and enjoye
for ever, to them and theyie successors, the same
Cite and Mansion with thre medoes of pasture
grownde, with a garthin and orcherde at the backe-
side, to the same belonginge, beinge of th*annuall
rente of xviij*. in the hoole, so that they maye have a
Grammer Scole at the coste and charge of Mayster
Thomas Lloyd, chaunter of Sainte Davies there mayn-
teyned, and otherwise the same to bestowe for the
commen wealthe and commoditie of the same towne ;
the saide Mayre and Alldermen nowe there, for the
time beinge, will give his Magestie xl^, sterlinge for
the same Cite and Mansion, with th'appurtenauncis
as is aforesaide, and to your good Lordeshipe xx^.
for your good mediation and travaile taken to bringe
It to passe, over and besides the contynuall praier
and service not onlie of the saide Mayre and Allder-
men nowe beinge, but allso of all the hoole inhabit
tantis of the same towne, and all the hoole cuntrie
thereaboute. As knowes oure Lorde God, who pre-
serve yo*" Honor longe to his pleasure. Amen.
By yo*" Lordeshippes bedismen the Majrre and Al-

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 247

dermen of the Kinges Towne of Carmarthin in
Sowthe Wales.

LETTER CCCLIL

Richard Lay ton to the Lord Privy Seal, in excmefor
his commendation of the Abbot of Glastonbury.

[ibid. 2 iSfer. XX. 256. Orig,^

Pleasithe your Lordeshipp to be advertised that
wher as I iinderstande by Mr. Pollarde ye muche
marvill whie I wolde so greatly praise to the Kinges
Magestie, at the tyme of the Visitation, th' Abbott of
Glaston*, whiche now apperithe nether then, nor now,
to have knov^^e God, nether his Prynce, nother
anny parte of a good Christin man his religion. So
that my excessive and indiscrete praise that tyme
unadvisedly made to my Sovereigne Lorde, muste
nedes now redownde to my greate foly and vn-
trewethe, and cannot be well redubbede, but muche
dymynishe my crecjytte towardes his Majestie, and
evyne so to your Lordeshipp, whome I most humblie
beseche to consider that I am a man, and may arr,
and cannot be sure of my judgementt to knowe the
inwarde thoughte of a monke, beinge fayre in wordly
and outward apparaunce, and inwardly cankerede as
now by your discrete inquisition apperithe. And
althoughe that they be all fals, fajnaed, flatteringe,

248 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

ypocrite knaves, as vndoubtedly ther is none other
of that sorte, I must therfor now at this my neces-
syte, most humblie beseche yo' Lordshippe to par-
done me for that my foly then committide, as ye
have don in many tymes heretofore ; and of yo^
goodnes to mitigate the Kingis Highnes Maiestie in
the premissis : and from henesforthe I shalbe more
circumspecte, whom I shall commende either to his
Grace or to your Lordeshipp. This shalbe an ex-
perience for euer in suche behalfe, yo' Lordeshippe
therfor to contynew my father in this comon welthe
as ye have begone I moste humblie beseche; and
that I may continew under your tuission as your
most bowndene and assured servaunte whiche never
hade bjoie but a basket berer but only by your good-
nes. Thus I pray God to contynew yo*^ Lordeshipp
in honor with increase. From Readinge, the xvj.
day of September.

Yo*" Lordeshippes most humblie to comaunde,

Ric. LAYTON, Preste.

To the right honorable and my singuler
good Lorde, my Lord Previe Seall.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 249

LETTER CCCLIII.

Bishop Latimer to Lord Cromwell. The surrender of
Evesham Abbey: and the Examination and Ex-
posure of the Miracle of the Blood of Hales.
[ibid. 2 Ser. xlix. 487. Orig.'\

\* Philip Hawford, alias Ballard, a yonng monk of Evesham,
was created Abbot of that House in 1539, upon the resignation of
Abbot Clement Lichfield ; and on Nov. 17th in the same year
surrendered his Monastery to the King, much to the discontent of
his predecessor. For this acceptable service Hawford obtained a
pension of two hundred and forty pounds per annum ; and was af-
terwards made Dean of Worcester, as Stevens supposed in lieu of
the pension. Wood says he died in 1557.

Sir William Petre, in a Letter to Lord Cromwell, MS. Cotton.
Cleop. £. IV. fol. 255, says, " According to your commandment I
have been at Evesham, and there received the resignation of th'ab-
bot, which he was contented to make immediately upon the sight of
your Lordship's letters, saving that he desired me very instantly
that I would not open the same during the time of my being here,
because (as he said) it would be noted that he was compelled to
resign for fear of deprivation. As touching his pension and the as-
surance thereof, he hath made certain requests, submitting himself
to be ordered in all things as to your Lordship shall be thought
mete."

Ryght, honorable, salutem multo plurimam in om-
nium Sakatore. And Syr, as to Master Wattwod, I
have doon accordynge to the tenor of your Lordshyps
lettresse ; and yett att my nexte spekynge with your
Lordshype, I wyll purge my selff of hys falss accu-
sation, as he hym selff hath confessyd that he made
untrew relation uppon me in won thynge, and

M 5

250 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

Ads hee^ a certen man dyd wrytt unto me a lajtt
these wurds from • • • • Bartlow doth much hurtt in
Cornwall and in Daynshyroji bothe with opon pre-
chynge^ and allso with priuatt communication^ &c.

Yff this be trew, he hath sum comforde from
noon I fere me. And I dyvyne much of Doctor
Nycolasse, a man with hoom my fantacye never
wroght with all.

And now Syre thys berer, th' Abbott of Evesham^
requiryd me to make sum mention <5f hym, and too
thank your good Lordshyp fore hym, which I am
bownden to doo mooste hartelye. And Syre, a
monge many that your Lordshype hathe doon foore,
I th3mke you shall fynde butt few that wyll better
remembyr to hys poore* your benefycyallnesse then
he wyll. Verelye he seemyth to me a verye cyvyll
and honeste man ; and won that puttyth all hys
truste in your good Lordshype, that of your good-
nesse, as you have begoon with hym and made hym,
soo you wyll contynew good Lord unto hym to the
maynteynynge of hym in hys ryght of such thjmgs
which he hath obtaynyd by your only goodnesse.
Thus God contynew you amonge us to doo many
men good.

Yo" H. L. WIGORN.

Syr, we have byn bultjnige and syfftynge the
blud of Haylls all thys fomowne. Hytt was wun-

• power.

ORIGINAL LfiTTERS. S51

derslye clossly and craftelye inclosyd and stoppyd
upe for takyn of care. Ande hytt clevesse faste to
[the] bothom of the lytull glasse that yt [ys] in.
Ande verelye hytt semyth to be an nnctuousse goom
and [a] compownd of many thyngs. Hytt hath a
certen vnctuousse moastenesse, and thowgh ytt seme
sumwhatt lyke blude whyell ytt ys in the glasse, yett
whan ony parcell of the same ys taken ought ytt
tumyth to a yoidownesse and ys cleevynge lycke
giew. Butt we have natt yett examenyd all the
Moonks. And therfore thys my brother Abbott
shall tell your Lordshype whatt he hath sene and
herde in thatt matter. And in the end your Lord-
shyp shall know all to gether. Butt we perceve natt
by yo*^ commyssion whether we shall send ytt vp, or
leve ytt here, or certefie ther of as we know.

29 Oct. H. L. WIGORN.

Att Haylls.

To the right honorable and hys singuler
good Lord, the Lord Privye Seale.

LETTER CCCLIV.

Gregory Cromwell to the Lady his Wife from Calais.
Lady Anne of Ckves expected. The manner of her
travelling y and the preparations for her reception.

[sTAT. PAP. OFF. MISC. CORRESP. 3 Ser, ii. 141. OrigJ]
*»* The Harleian MS. 296, foil. 169, 170, preserves the names of

*^ The Noblemen and other of the Quenes traynes that attendid upon

Her Grace to Calays.*' They were —

253 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

'' The Erie of Ouereteyn, aod vij. persons.

The yoog Erie of Nueuare and Roassenbergh, with xiij. persons.

Sir John Dulzike, the Elector of Saxes Marshall, with x. persons.

The Stewarde Hoggesteyn, with y. persons.

Osliger the chauncelor, with yi. persons.

ij. Brethren called Pidart, with x. persons.

Tannagel the maistre d'hostell, with yij. persons.

Sir John Baren, with yj. persons.

Hantzeler, capteyn of Myllen, with yij. persons.

xxyij. Grentilmen, besids eyery of them iy . or iiij* seryaonts.

yiij. Pages, whereof one is an Earl's son.

Dyyers Officers besids.

Mrs. Gilman, with y. persons.

The Lady Keteler, with yj. persons.

The wydowe of the Lorde of Wyssen, with vj. persons.

The wyfe of the elder Palart, Lorde of Brabant, with yj. persons.

y. yong Gentilwomen of the which one is a Baron's daughter.

iij. other Gentilwomen as seryannts.

The nomber of Gentilmen, whereof ij. Erles xxxviij, ]

Pages, whereof one is an Erles son . . yiy. f CC.xxyiij.

Officers and servaunts . . . Ciiij.^^ij.''

The nomber of the Ladies and Gentilwomen . xij.| „

The nomber of their servaunts . . xxiij.j

The same Manuscript, fol. 171, preserves tKe names of the per-
sons appointed by the King <' to receive the Lady Anne of Qeves,
and wait upon the King/'

In a Book of Payments by the Treasurer of the Household, 30"»
and 31«» Hen. VIII. MS. Arundel, Brit. Mus. No. 97, fol. 100. b,
we find, in the month of November in the latter year,

" Item, to William Gonson, by the Lord Privy Seales lettre, for-
somuche money appoynted to be payd by way of the Kingis rewarde
to certain lords and gentilmen, to every Lord xx". and to every gen-
tilman xiij^ v". viij**., appointed to recey ve the Lady Anne of Cleves
at Calais, CCCCvj»». xiij«. iiij«*.

" Item, to William Wilkinson by like lettre for his charges coming
from Cleveland to England C. and by way of the Kings reward to
him given vj^*. xiij". iiij<*. In all xj^*. xiy", iiij'*.

^'Item, payde Coorard Heresbach, counsaillor to the Dae of

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 253

Cleves, by the Lord Privy Scales lettre, by way of the Kinges re»
warde to him geven the some of Ixvij". xiij*. iiij*'."

Bedfellow, the daie before the makynge herof,
we receyued the iuste newes of my Lady Annes
repayre hither, the same beynge appoynted vppon
Ttursdaie nexte comynge, whiche thinge all thowgh
it be nowe* newes, yet I feare that lacke of expedi-
tion in the conveyaunce of thies my lettres shalbe
occasion the same to be olde before they shalbe of
you receyued, forasmoche as suche newes arr more
sweftely sette abrode by tonges then writynge. It
is determyned that she shall remayne here Frydaie
and Satyrdaye all daie, and vppon Sondaie, wynde
and wether seruynge, take hir passage into Englande.
After she ons entereth the Englishe paJe, both she
and hir whole treyne shalbe att the Kyugs charge,
thitherto she hath bene att hir owne. There arre in
hir companye iijC. horsses, wherof one C. lydeth
before for prouysion, and ijC, awayte vppon hir„
My Lorde Deputie, with all the Speares and Offycers
of the towne shall receyue hir att the English Pale.
My Lorde Admyral with all vs accompanyenge hime
a litle withowte the towne. My Lady Lisle with all
the other Ladyes and Gentlewomen att the towne
gates.

I ame, thanks be to God, in healthe, trustinge
shortely to here from you lyke newes, aswell of your

254 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

self as also my little boyes, of whose encreace and
towardcnes be ye assured I ame nott a litle desyrous
to be aduertised. And thus nott hauynge any other
newes to wryte I bydde you moste hartely well to
fare. Att CaUays, the in^ of DecemV.

Your lovinge bedeffelowe,

GREGORY CRUMWELL.

To my right louinge bedfellow,
att Ledes Castell in Kent.

LETTER CCCLV.
The Earl of Worcester to Lord Cromwell, in replg to
a request that he might purchase the EarVs and his
Countess's life interest in certain lands at Cheshunt
in Hertfordshire,

[misc. corresp. 2 Ser. xlix. 451. OrigJ]

*«* This Letter relates to the manor of Andrews, or the Mote, in
the parish of Cheshunt, the mansion of which is still called Ches-
hunt House. The ancient edifice, partly cased, and now mostly
taken down, with the exception of some of the basement buildings
and the great hall, is said to have been erected, of a quadrangular
form, in the reign of Henry the Eighth, and to have been the occa-
sional residence of Cardinal Wolsey, to whom the manor belonged
from 1619 till the time of his incurring the premunire in 1529,
whereby his estates became forfeited to the Crown ; and amongst
them this manor, which was granted by Henry the Eighth, by let-
ters patent, 1 3th April, in the 22d year of his reign, to Henry So-
merset, second Earl of Worcester, and Elizabeth his wife, and for
the life of the survivor of them, to hold by fealty and a rent of 41.
68. Sd. The Earl of Worcester died on the 26th Nov. 1549, and his
Countess in the year 1565. She was the daughter of Sir Anthony
Brown, knt., standard-bearer to King Henry the Seventh.

Mr., afterwards Sir Robert Dacres, received the reversionary

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 255

grant mentioned in this Letter by a patent dated in the S(Mh of
Henry the Eighth^ which, of course, will not allow an earlier date
to this Letter than 1539 or 1540.

My speciall good Lord, in my hertiest maner I
commende me imto your good Lordship^ thanking
you of your goodnes to me at all tymes shewed,
prayeDg you of your contynuaimce. I have receFved
your lettre dated at Sainct James, besides Westm%
the xxj. daye of February last passed, perceiving
therby your Lordships request is that I and my wif
sholde sell imto your Lordship my and her interest
in suche lands as I and she have in Chesthunt in the
Countie of Hertford, of the gift of the Kings High-
nes. I advertise your Lordship that I wolde bee
glad to do your Lordship any pleasure that I maie
reasonably do, and that the said lands in Chesthunt
dooth me suche pleasure at all tymes whan I do come
to London (because I have no other lands nigh Lon-
don), that I maie not well spare it. Nevertheles
bicau3e I wold bee verie loth to denye your Lord-
ships desire in any thing that I have, and bicause my
land is so small that I wold bee loth to sell any parte
therof, I am content (if it please your Lordship to
opteigne of the Kinge gift to me and my wif, and
to the lenger liver of us, lands here in Wales of
like value), that your Lordship shall have my said
lands in Chesthunt ; so that your Lordship do loke
it for your self and for no other : ffor I undrestande

256 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

that Mr. Dacres, Secundarie of the Comptre in Lon-
doDy hath opteigned the revercon of the said lands
after the decesse of me and my wif. And my trust
and desire ys that your Lordship will not loke of me
to departe from my said lands to any other save
oonly to your Lordship yourself. And in this or
any other thing that I have to do your Lordship
pleaser for yourself, I am yours next my Prince to
the best of my litle power. I have now sent yo'
Lordship vj. pasteys of Lampreys bake, praying you
to accepte the same : and if I had any better thing in
this pore cxmtrey of Wales, I wold gladlye sende it,
as know^ Jhu, who have your good Lordship in his
blessed preservac5n. At Chepstow, in Wales, the
xxij. daie of Marche.

Yowr Lordshyps to my lytle power,

H. WORCESTER.

To the right honorable and my speciall
good Lorde, my Lorde Prevy Seale.

LETTER CCCLVI.

Ralph Lane to Lord Cromwell^ sending Popish books

taken with a Priest committed.

[ibid. 2 Ser. xix. 71. Orig.'\

Right honorable and my verey good Lorde, myne
humbliest commendacions imto your good Lordship

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 257

remembred. Yt may pleas the same to be aduer-
tyzed that percevyng by yo*" late lettres of the xxj***
of this present, yowr pleass' and comaundement to
me addressyd for a due dehberacon to be vsyd and had
in perusinge certeyn bookes of one Sir Thomas Cant-
well, parson of Hardwyke, suspiciously brought to a
pore mans house in Whitchurche, and after by me
comytted to the salf kepyng of the Constable ther ;
and that upon contemplacon of your said lettres, and
upon view of my suspecte boke or bokes of suche
sorte as shuld not be mete for hym to kepe, I shuld
therof aduertyse your good Lordship to th'ende due
reformacion myght therin be made accordingly ; or
otherwise that I shuld permytte the said parson to
vse and occupie the said bookes, as shuld be conve-
nient in suche behalf; I have accordingly usyd my
best dexteritie to my-powr (as my duetie is), and
have sent to your good Lordship ffjrve bokes of the
said parson, wherof three entytled [Tomi] Homeliaru
Johannis Eckii, being all three dated in A® Dno.
Ml.CCCCC.xxxviij.«; one boke of the liff of S*.
Thomas Beckett; and a Myssale wherin is thewurde
Papa thorowoughtly vncorrected. And forasmoche
as theis amonges the rest of his bokes (hitherto-
wardes ouer seen) ar to me thought most suspecious ;
I have therfor enclosyd them in a bagge sealyd to be
deiyuered to your good Lordship by this bryngar.
And upon knowleage of your further pleass' I shall

258 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

not faill (for th*accomplishment therof) to vse mj
dexteritie and dilygence accordingly. And the
Hollie Trynitie yeve your good Lordship long iyfi
with moche encrease of honour. From Hogshawe,
this the xxiij* of this Marche^ A*. Regni ft. H. viij"^.
xxxj.

By your good Liordships bounden and assuryd,
RAUFFE LANS, the YotmgeT.

To the right honorable aod my singer
good Lorde, Lorde Cmmwelly Lord)
Pri\7 SeaU.

LETTER CCCLVII.

Henry Dotces to Mr. Gregory Cromwell: with the
substance of Mr, Hierome*s recantation Sermon.

[MS. COTTON. CLEOP. E. V. foL 874. Orif^.']

*«* Master Hierome, the points of whose recantation are here
detailed, was William Jerome, yicar of Stepney, to which living he
had been presented on May 29th, 1537. Preyious to hia recantation
he was *' convented," as he terms it, before the King's Majesty, who
so indifferently heard him, so gently used him, and so merciiiiUy
forgare him, that there was never poor man that ever received like
gentleness at any Prince's hand. He states his belief that there
was no man so fiili uf inhumanity, although he were nourished at a
tiger's paps, and had part of the lion's cruelty, but the King's
gentleness would compel him to relent and wax mild. How little
this character was eventually justified in poor Jerome's case, will
presently be shown in a short extract from Hall's Chronicle.

After my bounden dewtye in moste humble wise
remembered, thies shalbe t'aduertise yo*" Maistdtshipp

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 259

that, accordynge unto your pleasure and comaund-
mente, I was this daie presente at the Sermon of M'.
Hierome, and forasmoche as that your comaunde-
mente hath fully persuaded me you to be nott a litle
desyrous to receyve knowledge after what sorte he
behaved himselfe, aswell concemyng his Recanta-
tion, as also the reste of thinges conteyned in his
saide Sermon, I have therfore thowght it my
bounden dewtye herin to declare unto you, if nott
all (for that were to moche for me to promes)
yet att leaste the summe and effecte of that that
was by hime uttered in the same, as ferre as my
slender memory wolde serve to remembre and cary
awaye.

Wherfore pleaseth it you to understonde, that,
after he hadde redde in the Englishe tongue the
Gospell of this daie, whiche was of the apperynge of
Christe unto theime that wente unto the Castell of
Emaus; before that he entered into the exposition
thereof, he made a litle preface, affirmynge and saye-
inge the worlde to be suche and the iniquyte of
menne so greate that he was bounde to wryte that he
sholde speake, and nott to reherse any other thjmge
then he had before wrytten ; whiche thinge he wished
that he had used and done hertofore, prayeng theime
all nott to be hasty in takyng his wordes, but to joyne
theime with the sentences that cometh either before
or after, wherby that shall appere playne and many-

260 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

festely trewe, whiche otherwise might seme false and
erroneus.

That done, he toke in hande the exposition of the
Gospell, she^vynge what Christs resurrection was,
and certeyne meanes wherby we shold be made par-
takers therof, repellyng also partely the opjmion of
S. Augustyne and Theophilacte, who affirme that
the breade broken in the Castell of Emaus was the
sacramente of the altare. But forcause that over
many of suche rehersalls sholde perchaunce be unto
you but tedyous, I woU passe over unto the chiefe
poynte, whiche is the artycles that he recanted ; and
thies they be.

Firste, whereas he hadde in a Sermon hertofore
preached by hime att Paules Crosse, affirmed that
Sara, Abrahams wife, betokened the Churche ; and
that lyke as she beynge a free womanne, had a free
childe, withowte any condytion, so were we justifyed
freely withowte any condytion by feithe onely. He
nowe recanted that opynion, protestynge that he
hadde therin overshotte himself, and that he owght
to have joyned therunto penaimce, baptyme, and the
other sacraments, whiche arre wayes and meanes to
enter into justification; and prayed theime all that
lyke as he nowe beyng better aduysed and further
enstructed, dyd abhorre, deteste, and vtterly forsake,
that opynion, that they wolde in lyke case with hime
clerely refuse and expelle the same.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 261

The seconde artycle was this. Whereas he had in
the saide Sermon preached that the Magistrates, as
concemynge things lefte indifferente by Goddes
worde, coide nott make any lawes that shold bynde
mennes conscyences, he nowe revoked the same as
erroneus, false, and contrary to the Scriptures, foras-
moche as the rulers whom we arre bounde to obey
by Goddes lawe, shold therby renne in contempte,
and the people be browght into disobedyence, whiche
sholde be a subversion to the publique weale, and
the breaketh of all honeste orders and cyvyle
polecyes.

The iij^* and laste was this, that wheras he was
convynced by wyttenesses after the course of the
lawe, howe in a Sermon made the laste somer he
used opprobryous wordes of the Burgeses, callynge
theim butterflyes, foles, and knaves ; he nowe pro-
tested the same to be yll and slanderusly spoken,
sithens therby suche things as they sholde conclude
and determyne uppon sholde be hadde in the lesse
regarde and estymation.

For whiche artycles he saide he was convented and
brought before the Kjnigs Majestic, who nott with-
stondynge the heynous reportes that were made of
hime imto his Grace, yet so indiflferentely herde
hyme, so gentylly used hime, so mercyfully forgave
hime, that there was never pore manne that ever
receyved lyke gentylnes att any Prynces hande.

2S2 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

And here he entered into the Eongs Highnes praises^
extolljnge aswell his high vertues and excellente
lemynge, as also the greate equytie^ rare clemencies
and vnspeakable mercy whiche he fownde in his Ma-
jestic ; moche wonderynge that there colde be any
traitors towardes his Grace, and chefely of theime
that hadde the fruytion of his presence, whiche is
able to converte any herte, be it never so cankered,
and that there is no man so full of inhumanytie, all-
thowgh he werre nurished att a tigers pappes, and
had parte of the lyons crueltie, but his gent^lnes
wolde compell hime to relente and waxe mylde.
Lastely wishinge unto himselfe the eloquence,
either of Homere, Cicero, or Demosthenes, that he
might worthely expresse the moste mercyfull good-
nes whiche his Grace had towardes hyme shewed and
exhibited.

Then to take awaye the error of theime that
walke nott accordynge unto theire justification, butt
lyve in pleasure and voluptie, takynge Christes pas-
sion alone to be suffycyente for theyre salvation, he
shewed howe we are justiiyede, sayeng that we
muste receyve the sacraments and have contrition,
whiche is to hate and abhorre the synne commytted,
as Ezechias, the Nynyvites, David, Peter, and Mary
Magdelene dydde, and then viuification, whiche is to
aryse agayne by feithe, aducynge for the stablishe-
mente herof no small numbre of authorities and

ORIGINAL LETTERS. S63

t^xtes of scripture. And in lyke case he approved
the authorytie geven unto the Magistrates to make
lawes, whiche were to longe nowe to reherse* But
in conclusion^ takinge occasion sumwhat to talke of
his recantynge, he saide that allthowgh he were per-
plexed, yet was he nott utterly confounded, nor
thowgh he was browght unto suche straytes that he
was compelled to denye himselfe, yett was he nott
the first that so had done ; for to denye himself is
no more, but when adversitie shall come, as losse of
goodes, infamy es, and other lyke trubles, then to
denye his owne will and call upon the Lorde, say-
enge, jiai voluntas tua, and so Abraham was com-
pellyd to denye himself, and Jobe also, with many
other. Wishinge that sume menne nowe adaies
wolde lerne to do the same, and then wolde they
nott, contrary to the order of charytie, withowte any
reconcyliation, so malitiusly brynge theire neigh-
bours into infamyes and slaunders.

This is the effecte of his Sermon, or att least so
moche as I, neither beyng so placed as I might
quyetly here his wordes, neither endewed with suche
a memory as is wonte safely to kepe that that is to
it comytted, cold cary away. Moste humblye de-
syrenge you that if the same be nott so declared as
your expectation is, that ye woll ascrybe the fawlte
unto the lacke of power rather then good wille ;
whiche in me never shall ceasse dyligentely to accom-

264 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

plishe all your comandements. Thus desyrenge our
Lorde to have you in his tuytion. Att Stepneth,
this Easter Mondaie.

Yo' moste bounden servaunte,

HENRY DOWES.
To the right worshipful! and hU sing^er
good Maister, Gregory Cromwell,
Esquyer.

'' The thirtie day of July were drawen on herdelles out of the
Tower to Smithfield, Robert Barnes, doctor in divinitee, Thomas
Garard and Wyllyam Jerome, bachelors in diyinitee, Powell, Fa-
therston, and Abell. The first three were drawen to the stake,
tliere before set up, and were burned ; and the latter three drawen
to the galowes, likewise there set up, and were hanged, hedded,
and quartered. Here ye must note, that the first three wer meane
that professed the Grospell of Jesus Christ, and were preachers
thereof: but wherefore thei were now thus cruelly executed, I
knowe not, although I have searched to kncrw the truth. But this
I finde in their attainder, for ye must understande that after thei
had preached at Sainct Mary Spittle, as before I have declared,
Barnes for leamyng his lesson no better was committed to the
Skolehouse before prepared, whiche was the Tower, where he was
kepte, and never called to examination till his rod that he should be
beaten withall was made, which was a sharp and great Fire in
Smithfielde : and for compaignie sake, was sent to the Skolehouse
with hym, the fomamed Garet and Jerome, whiche dranke all of
one cuppe. And as I saied before, thus muche I finde in their at-
taindor, that thei were detestable and abhominable heretickes, and
that thei had taught many heresies, the nomber whereof was to
greate in the attainder to be recited, so that there is not one alleged,
whiche I have often wondered at, that their heresies wer. so many,
and not one there alleged as special cause of their deathe. And in-
deede at their deathe, thei asked the Shirifes, wherfore thei were
condempned, who answered, thei could not tell : but if I male sale
the truthe, most menne said it was for preachyng against the doc-
tryne of Stephen Gardiner, bishoppe of Wynchester, who chiefly
procured this their death. God and he knoweth, but greate pitie

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 265

it wasy that sache learned menne should so bee cast awaie, without
ezamiDacion, neither know3rng what was laied to their charge, nor
never called to answere." Hall, Chron. Edit. 1548. Hen. VIII.
fol. 243.

See another Account in Fox's Acts and Monuments of the Church,
edit 1641, vol. ii. p. 524 — 528. Jerome, it appears, had preached
iint at St Mary Spittle in Lent, and then at Paul's Cross.

LETTER CCCLVIIL

Richard Lay ton to the Lord Privy Seal; from Bis-
ham Abbey ^ in Berkshire.

[misc. corresp. 2 Ser. xx. 249. OrigJ]

%• Bysham, or Bisham Abbey, was founded in 1338, by Wil-
liam Montacute Earl of Salisbury, as a Priory for Canons of the
Order of St. Austin : the gross income of which in the 26th Hen.
VIII. amounted to 285/. 11«. The Prior and Conyent having sur-
rendered their Monastery July 5th, 1536, King Henry the Eighth
ID the year following refounded, and, as appears by his Letters pa-
tent, more amply endowed it with the lands of the late dissolved
Abbey of Chertsey, and the Priories of Cardigan, Bethkelert, An-
kerwyke. Little Marlow, Medmenham, &c. to the value of 6612.
14«. Od. per annum^ for the maintenance of an abbot who was to
have the privilege of wearing a Mitre, and thirteen Benedictine
monks. In fact, John Cordry, then Abbot of Chertsey, and his Con-
vent, were removed to Bisham. This new Abbey, however, was but
of short continuance, being again surrendered by Cordry and his
monks, according to Willis, June 30th, 1539 ; according to Tanner,
June 19th. The present Letter, dated June 22d, shows Tanner's to
be the more correct date. From its contents we must conclude that
the re-endowment by Henry the Eighth could only have been pro-
mised. The mention of the Abbot shows it to allude to the last
foundation ; but the poverty of the House is little reconcileable with
the increased endowment

VOL. HI. N

S63 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

Tbe site of Bisham was first granted by King Edward the Sixth
to his father's repudiated wife, Anne of Cleyes, who haying Bnrrea-
dered it to the Crown again in 1652, it was given, not, as Tanner
states, to Sir Edward, but to Sir Philip Hoby.»

Hit may please yo' Lordeshipe to be advertisede
that we have taken th'assurance for the King;
th' Abbot, a veray simple man ; the monks of smale
lernyng, and muche lesse discretion; plate veray
litle; housholde stuffe none, but th' Abbotts bede
and one matteresse for two of his servants* I
causede a bede to be borowede in the towne> and
browght into th'abbay for Doctor Came and myself.
In the lewe of hangyngs bare walls throwe oute the
house. Catell none, but bowght this day and to
morowe to the larder, saveynge a fewe mylche kyne,
not xij. in numbre. In the gamers, not one busshell
of whete, make, or other grayne. Vestements smale
store, and not one goode, for th' Abbot hath made
money of all the beste, and soldo them at London ;
and even so the Churche plate ; and is so goode a
husbonde that doubtles within one yere I juge verely
he wolde have solde the House, lands, and all, for
white wyne, sugar, burage leves, and seke, wherof he
sippes nyghtly in his chamber tyll mydnyght. Money
to dispache the housholde and monks, we muste
make of the rotten copes and bells : al other thyngs,

» See Bepert. Orig. yol. tL foL 6o b.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. &&7

as well kechyng stuff as other, we shall leiffe. If

thes two thyngs wilnot amounte to the dispache of

the housholde, then we muste sell the kyne and the

plowe-oxen and horse. The whete of the grownde,

barly, with all kynds of grayne, the fayrest that ever

I se, and gret plenty theroff ; muche medowse, and

wodelande also. At our cnmyng ye shall knowe the

number of all the acars, and the valewe of the grayne.

The goodeliste demajmnes that I have sene ; bycause

hay herviste is nowe, we must retayne all the carters

and plowemen^ and so sett all thyngs in order, and

with expedition repaire vnto your Lordshipe. This

day we dispache the monks, for they be muche de-

sierouse tobe gone; for yesterday, whan we were

makyng salle of the olde vestments within the chapitre

house, they, the monks, cryede a newe marte in the

cloister ; every man bringyng his cowle caste upon

his nee to be solde, and solde them in dede. Thus

Christe continew yow in honoure and long lyffe.

From Bissham, xxij. Junii, by yo*" servant,

Ric. LAYTON, Preste.

To tiie right honorable and my singnler
goode I#orde, the Lord Priyey Seale.

W 2

268 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

LETTER CCCLIX.

John Freman to the Lord Privy Seal^ that the razing

of the Abbeys in Lincolnshire, would be costly to

the King.

[ibid. 2 Ser, zii. 64. Orig.}

Hit may please your good Lordship to understond
that the Kings Comyssion comaundeth me to pull
downe to the grownde all the walls of the Churches,
stepullsy cloysters, fraterys, dorters, chapter housys,
with all other howsys, savyng them that be necessary
for a farmer. Sir, ther be more of greatt Howsys in
L3mcoln8hyre then be in Englonde besyde suppressid,
of there valowis, with thykke walls, and moste parte
of them vawtid, and fewe byars of other stone, glasse,
or slatt, whiche myght helpe the charges of plokyng
down of them. Wherfore, I sertefy yo' Lordship
that yt will be chargabull to the Kynge, the doune
pullyng of them, if I sholde folow the Comyssion, by
the leste M*i. within the Shere. Therfore, I thynke
it were best, to a voyde this charge, to take fyrste
down the bells and lede, whiche I hame abowtt to doo :
flTor I hade bothe plomer and ffynner from London
with me, with all maner of necessaries to theym ap-
pertening ; whiche bells and ledde will rise well and
to a great some, by the lest vj. or vij. M*. marks, and
this done, to pouU downe the rovys, batilments, and

ORIGINAL LETTERS. J^69

stayres, and lete the walKs stonde, and charge som
with them as a quarre of ston to make salys of, as
they that hathe nede will fetche. If you thjmke
this not the beste waye, but that the Kyngs pleasure
be to have theme downe, a cordyng to the Comyssion,
it shalbe done ; whiche most haue a greatt tyme, for
a C. menne be skant sene in a wekke in sum Howsys.
And also harde to have so manye to doo it withall, by
cawse they apply now theyr harviste. Wherfore,
yo*" pleasure herin I wold fayn know by this berar.
And thus I pray to God to geve you showche helthe,
welthe, and long Ijrffe, as is in hym to geue. At
Valdey, the vij*^ day of August,

Yo*" powre mane,

JOHN FREMAN.

Desyryng yo' good Lordship to have in your re-
membraunce when ye shall see your convenyente
lyme, my old swette,* whiche is to have my ferme of
the yefte of the Kyng, whiche is xxxv.*i by the yere,
by cause I reconne the Kyng will thynke the gifte to
greatt. I showid your Lordship I wold geve his
Grace ij.C K in money, and for the rest I trust to doo
so moche profitable sarvys at this tyme and others,
as shall make uppe the reste of that purchas. Sir,
good will and dewte byndith me to be soo bowld in
yo*" letter to sende recomendacons to M'. Wrethisley,
whoo is my ffrende as yo*" Lordship knowith, ffor the

270 ORIOm AL LETTERS.

whiche frenship I thanke you therof and his goodnes

togethers.

To the right honorable my Lorde Praiiy Seftle,
this be deljTered.

LETTER CCCLX.
Sir Richard Oresham to the hord Privy Seal. Hii
proposal to purchase lands belonging to Fountains
Abbey f in Yorkshire.

[ibid. 2 8er. xt. i6. Orig.'\

\* Sir Richard Gresham obtained considerable grants of Abbej-
lands. In the 32d Hen. VIII. he purchased the site and demesnes
of Fountains' Abbey, the site of the Priory of Nun Kelynge in the
deanery of Holdemesse, and the site of the Priory of Swinhey, all
in Yorkshire. In the 36th Hen. YIII. he bought two Preceptories
which had belonged to the Knights Hospitallers, one at Battisford
in Suffolk, the other at Carbroke in Norfolk, the latter being granted
jointly to Sir Richard Gresham and Sir Robert Southwell. In the
37th Hen. VIII., in conjunction with Richard^illingford, he bought
the Houses of the White and the Trinitarian Friars in Newcastle.
Lastly, in the 38th of Henry the Eighth he purchased the site of the
Priory of Hoxne in Suffolk. Of all these, the only purchase of
great extent was the site and demesnes of Fountains. Sir Richard
Gresham, for certain lands of Fountains' Abbey of the value of 30(M.
a-year, in the present Letter, offers, at the rate of twenty years' pur-
chase, to give the sum of 70002. From the original Letters patent
it appears that he subsequently bought the site with its neighbour-
ing lands and their appurtenances for the increased sum of 11,187<.
11«. 8d. It appears to have been an example of fair and legitimate
purchase : followed, probably, but in few instances by those who
then and afterwards made up the great body of Henry's grantees.

Myn homble diewty to your goode Lordeshype^
&c. Maye yt please you to be advertyssed that where
I have movyd the Kyngs Magiste to porches of hys

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 271

Grace serten launds be longyn to the Howsse of
Fowntens, to the vallewe of thre hondred and fyvety
pounds by yere, aftyr the rate of xx** yeres purches,
the som of the mony amownthe unto vij^^. *i. wher
of tobe deffalkyd jM.li., wyche I delyuered by the
comawndement of the Lorde Cardinale to the Duke
of Bokyiigham, at hys goynge to Guynes. And the
sayd Cardenale receyvyd of the sayde Ducke ij. obli-
gacions where in staunde boundyn he and Syr
Thomas Woodehowsse with other, to the Kyngs usse,
for payment of the sayd M} *i., and the same obliga-
cions wher delyuered by the sayde Cardenale to
Mastyr Mekelowe, beyng Thesaurer of the Kyngs
ChamlSr, onely to th'intent that I shoulld be recom-
penced to the same M^ *i. in customes, wyche yet I am
not as your Lordeshepe doo knowe. And for the
teste of the mony for the sayd launds, wyche ys
yjM ^'9 I wylle paye in hande iijM li., and the other
iijM *i. to paye yerlly vC K. tyll yt be payed. Be-
sechynge your good Loideshipe to be soo goode
Lorde unto me that I maye knowe the Kyngs gracious
pleasser, that yf I shale have the sayde launds that I
mftye prepare the mony to be in a redynes. And
thus ower Lorde preserve yo*" goode Lordeshype with
helthe. At London, the xxij. daye of Octobr.
Your owne at your Lordeshepes comawndement,

RYC. GRESHAM.

To the ryght honorable and hys singuller
goode Lorde, my Lorde Prevy Seale.

ORIGINAL LETTERS.

LETTER CCCLXI.

William Benson^ Abbot of Westminster, to Lord
Cromwell, to be relieved from the care and govern-
ance of his Monastery.

[ibid. 2 Ser, xlvu. 197. Orig,^

\* William Benson, otherwise Boston, who had been Abbot of
Buiton-upon-Trent, succeeded to Westminster upon the death of
Abbot Islip in 1532. On January the 16th, 1639-40, with twenty-
four of the monks, he surrendered his House to the King. There is
no date to the present Letter ; but it was evidently written between
the time of the surrender and the granting of the Abbot's pension.

On the 17th December, 1540, the Letters patent came out by
which the Abbey of Westminster was erected into a Cathedral,
when Benson was made the first Dean. He died in September
1549.

On Monday, April 13th, 1634, when Sir Thomas More came be-
fore the Commissioners at Lambeth Palace, and refused the oath
then offered to him, he was committed, and thereupon delivered to
the Abbot of Westminster to be kept as a prisoner ; with whom he
remained till the Friday following, and then v*ras sent prisoner to
the Tower of London. Sir Thomas More, describing what passed
when before the Lords at Lambeth, says, " Then said my Lorde of
Westminster to me, that howsoever the matter semed unto mine
owne mind, I had cause to fere that mine ovme mind was erro-
niouse, when I se the great counsaill of the realme determine of my
mind the contrary, and that therefore I ought to change my con-
sciens. To that I aunswered, that if there were no mo but myselfe
on my side, and the whole parlement upon the tother, I would be
sore afraide to leane to mine ovni minde only againste so many.
But on the other side, if it so be, that in some thinges for which I
refuse the othe, I have, as I think I have, upon my part as great a
counsail and a greater too, I am not then bounden to change my
consciens, and conforme it to the counsail of one realme, against the
general counsaile of Christendome."'

* Sir Thomas More'* Works, fol. Lond. 1657, P* 1430.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 273

Abbot Benson, with others whom we have seen, bent to the
times.

My syngler good Lord, after most humble and
hartye thankes for your kynde message sent unto me
this Saturday by M*". Doctor Peter, yt may please
youe to be so goode Lord unto me at this tyme as by
your most excellent wysdome to devyse suche wayse
that I may be delyvered from the cure, and to me
the unportable burden in governance of this House,
in suche sorte as the Kyngs Majesties indignacon be
advoyded from me. For in good fayeth my feblenes
is suche, by reason of dyverse most grevouse dyseases,
that I know well taryng here I shall not only have a
very short paynfull bodlye lyeff, but also put my
soule in dawnger. Alas! my Lord, what shall it
profett eny creature that I put ether of them in
pearelh As for my pencon, I passe not how lytle
so euer it be, so y may have the Kyngs Hyghnes my
gracyouse Lord, for as Paule sayth scio habundare et
scio penuriam pati. Yf ever your good Lordeship
wyll do me pleasure in this world, now obtayn me
this petycon. I fable not, but meanyth truely what
I wrytte as God, the Judge of all, knowethj, whose
grace ever prospere your good Lordeshipp.

From youre awne moste bownden orator,

WYLLM. BENSON,

Abbott quondam of Westm.

N 5

274 ORIOINAL LETTERS.

LETTER CCCLXII.

Lee^ Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry ^ to CromweU.
His Thanks for obtaining for him the ferm of
Stafford Priory. The Castle of Monmouth. Breck-
nock Castle. The Commortha forbidden by Statute:
but a placard for one granted by the King, to one
George Matthew of South Wales.

[ibid. 2 Str, xxy. 1006. OrigJ]

\* The grant of the ferm of the demeBnes of the Austiii Priory of
St Thomas at Stafford, for which Bishop Rowland Lee thanks
Cromwell in this Letter, fixes its date to 1540.

After my most harty recommendacons^ hit may
please the same to be advertised that of late I re-
ceaved letters flSrom my Surveyor, conteynyng the
olde assured goodenes and ffauor of your goode harte
contynued towards me i&om tyme to tyme, and nowe,
lastely, in that it pleaseth you to tendre my sute flfor
the Priory of Saincte Thomas, although I cannot
have it to stonde, yet ffor that ye mynde my prefer-
ment to the fferme of the demaynes I hartely thanke
you. As God judge me, I only desyre the same flTor
quyetnes, and ffor none advauntage as my saide Sur-
veor shall enforme you, to whom I hartely beseche
you to geve ffarther credence, bothe herein and other
things, emongs which oone ys ffor the reparacions of
the Castill of Monmouthe which is all decayed and

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 276

in ruyn (the hall and the walls only excepte). And
fforasmoche as it shalbe a Shire towne, and that also
this Counsaile shall ffor sondry causes repayre thither
I thinke hit expedient the Priory here, viz. the
Mansion of the same, as stones, tymber, and other
things to be reserved ffor the re-edifieng of the saide
Castill, which, t(^ther with CC?K in redy moneye and
suche as this Counsaile wolde helpe, wolde make a
convenyent Lodging ffor this Counsaile and other at
the Kings Graces pleasure : wherein his Grace plea-
sure knowen, and money had as bifore, my dihgence
shall not ffayle to the best of my litle power. But
tliere is no leade in the sayde Priory. I truste 1
have sett Brecknock Castell in as perfitt ffashion as
he was syns his ffirst foundacion. Truste ye me
truly, I wilbe more circumspecte in spending the
Kings Graces moneye then myne owne. And what
the Kings Graces pleasure shalbe herein I praye you
I maye be asserteyned shortly.

And fforasmoche as abowte Arusteleye syns my
moving unto Brecknock, in Southwales, be gathered
together a certen cluster or company of Theves and
Murderers, where I entended to Glocestor, I must of
necessitie retome to Herforde and Ludlowe ffor the
redresse of the same, which, God willing, shall not be
omytted. Hartely prayeng you to remembre the
Commission that M*". Englefild left with you : ffor
without that we can doo no goode here.

276 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

Farthermore ye shall understonde that where ffor
the highe commoditie and welth of Wales and the
Marches of the same, Commortha and other exacdons
were fordon by Statute, oone George Mathewe, gen-
tleman, of Southwales, hath obteigned a placarde to
the contrary (the Kings Grace as I take it not
playnely instructed therin) ffor there is no cause
whye expressed, as by the copy hereinclosed hit
doth appere, wherin I wolde gladly knowe the Kings
Graces pleasure shortely. Truly it is right large, all
things considered, ffor he is so j&ended that it shall
ron through all Wales to his advauntage, as I lake it,
of a thowsand marks. Thus I trouble you, beseching
you of pacyence and daily my prayer is for your pre-
servaccon which Almighti Jhu contynewe. From
Monmouthe, the xxj**" daye of June.

Yours most bownden,

ROLAND CO. ET LICH.

To my moste entierly beloved ffrende,
Master Secretary.

** Henry the Eight, by the grace of God King of Englande and
of Fraunce, defensor of the Faythe, and lorde of Irlonde, and in
Erthe the supreme hed of the Churche of Englande. To all maner
our officers, mynysters, and subjects, of what estate, degree, or con-
diciou so ever they be, these lettres hering or seing, greting. We lett
you wite that we of our especiall Grace have licenced, and by these
presents doo license, our trusty and welbeloved subjecte George
Mathewe Esquyer, to reasorte and goo duryng the space of three
yeres next ensuyng the date hereof, from tyme to tyme,in all places
within Wales, and to aske and demaunde suche things as his kyns-
folk, alies, and other his ffrinds and neighbours will ffirely of their

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 277

goode myods, departe with him by waye of Commortha towards his
releiff, any statute, ordinauoce, or other thing made to the contrary
hereof notwithstonding. WTierefore we woll and comannde you
and every of you not only to permytt and suffer our saide subjecte
to use and enjoy the hole effecte of this our licence, but also to ayde
and assiste him in the due execucion of the same at all seasons, as
ye entende to please us and woll advoide the contrary. Yeven un-
der our Signet at our Manor of Grenewiche the xxj"». daye of Feb-
ruary, the xxvij***. yere of our reigne."

LETTER CCCLXIIL

Thomas Goldwell^ Prior of Christ Churchy Canterbury ^

to Lord Cromwelly upon the Change in the Cathe-

draly from a Prior and Convent to a Dean and

Canons.

[ibid. 2 Ser, v. 82.]

My very speciall goode Lorde, in my right humble
maner I recomend me vnto your goode Lordship,
besechyng thesame your Lordschip to contynue goode
Lord vnto me, as you have always ben in tjone past,
and specially nowe in the chaimge of the Religion of
this Cathedrall Churche of Caunterbury, fro Priour
and Covent unto Deane and Canons, for I am in-
fourmed that suche as be, or shalbe assigned and
apoynted by the Kings Maiesty to be the Comyssioners
and Vysytours for thesaid chaunge of theseid Churche
of Caunterbury, shalbe at thesame Churche vrithin
litle tyme, and of the whiche Comyssioners my Lord
of Caunterbury, as I here, shalbe the chyffe (who is

S78 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

not SO goode Lord ynto me as I wold that he were).
Wherfore^ without your especiall Loidship, I suppose
my Lord of Caunterbury will putt me to aamoche
hynderance as he can ; and also I have herd of late
that my brother, the Warden of the Maners, Doctor
Thomeden, is called in my Lord of Caunterbuiyes
house, Deane of Cristscherche/ in Caunterbury, the
whiche office of Deane by the favour of your goode
Lordship I trusted to have had, and as yet trust to
have. I have ben Priour of theseid Churche above
xxij. yers, wherfore it shuld be moche displeasure to
me in my age to be putt fro that my levyng or fro
my chamber and lodgyng whiche I have hadd by all
the seid xxij. yers. Hit hath ben also shewed imto
me that my Lord of Caunterbury at his comyng to
the seid Churche will take from me the keys of my
chamber, and if he so do I dowte whether I shall have
thesame keyes or chamber agayne or nott. I have
or can have none other comfort or helpe in this mater
but onely by yo' Lordship, and where it pleased your
Lordship of your goode mynde toward me to write
unto me of late by your lettres that I shuld have my
seid chamber with all comodities of the same as I
have hadd in tyme past : the whiche your so wrytyng
to me was and is moche to my comfort, and with the
favour of your Lordship I trust so to have for terme

• Richard Thornden, alioM Stede, was the fint prebendaiy oi the first stall by the
charter of foundation, April 8, 1542; but never became Dean of Canterbury. He
died In the latter end of 1557,

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 279

of my lyf (the whiche terme of my lyf by course of

nature caimott be long for I am above th'age of

Ixij. yers). I beseche your goode Lordship that I may

knowe your pleasure in the premysses by your lettres

for my comfort of my levyng and my lodgyng, and I

shall dayly pray to Almighty God for the preser-

vacon of youre goode Lordship. Wretyn at theseid

Churche, on Tewisday, the xxiiij*** day of February.

Be yo' Lordschyppys dayly bedeman most bownde

THOMAS^ Prior of Cryste ys Churchy

in Canterbury.
To my yery speciall goode Lord,
my Lord Crumwell, Lord Privy
Seale, this be delyvered.

LETTER CCCLXIV.

Sir William Eure to the Lord Privy Seal of England^
relating his conversations with a Mr. Bellendyn
concerning the Courts and character of James the
Fifth. He details the particulars of an Interlude
which had been played at Linlithgow. A. Z). 1540.

[MS. REO. 7. c. xvi. Orig,"]

\* The present Letter affords unquestionable proof that in 1540,
whatever might have been Cardinal Beaton's counsels, the spirit of
Reformation had spread from England to Scotland ; and that James
the Fifth had decided upon a reformation of the Church. The plot
of the Interlude, annexed to this Letter, is no other than the first
draught of Sir David Lindsay's Satire on the Three Estates.

280 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

Pleas it your goode Lordeshipe to be advertiside
that at the meating whiche I had with two gentle
men of the King of Scotts Counsaile at Caldestreme,
for suche buysynes as I haue aduertised yo' Lord-
shipe of in myn other lettre w^ of our procedings
in the same, I hade diuerse comynyngs with M^
Thomas Bellendyn^ one of the saide Councellors fbr
Scotlande, a man by estymacion apperaunte to be of
th*age of fiftye yeres or above, and of gentle and
sage conversacon, speciaDy touching the staye of the
spiritualtie in Skotlande, and gathering hym to be a
man inclyned to the soorte vsed in our Souerains
Realme of England, I dide soe largely breke with
hym in thoes behalues as to move to knowe of hym of
whate mynde the King and Counsaile of Scotland
was inclyned imto concemyng the Busshope of
Rome, and for the reformacon of the mysusing of the
Spiritualtie in Scotlande; wherunto he gentlie and
lovinglie aunswered, shewing hym self well contented
of that comynyng, did saye that the King of Scotts
hym self, with all his temporall Counsaile, was gretely
geven to the reformac5n of the mysdemeanors of
Busshops, religious persones, and preists with in the
Realme. And so muche that by the Kings pleasour,
he being prevey therunto, thay haue hade ane Enter-
luyde played in the feaste of the Epiphane of our
Lorde laste paste, before the King and Queue at
Lighgive and the hoole Counsaile spirituall and tem-

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 281

porall. The hoole matier whereof concluded vpon
the declaxacon of the noughtines in Religion^ the
presumpcon of Busshops, the collucon of the spirit-
uall Courts, called the Concistory Courts in Scotland,
and mysusing of preists. I haue obteigned a noote
frome a Scotts man of our soorte being present at the
playing of the saide Enterluyde of th'effecte thereof,
whiche I doe sende vnto your Lordeshipe by this
berer.

My Lorde, the same M'. Bellendyn shewed me
that after the said Enterluyd fjmished, the King
of Scotts dide call vpon the Busshope of Glascoe,
being Chauncelor, and diuerse other Busshops, ex-
orting thaym to reforme thair facons and maners of
ly ving, saying that oneles thay soe did, he wold sende
sex of the proudeste of thaym vnto his vncle of
England, and as thoes wer ordored, soe he wold ordor
all the reste that wolde not amende. And ther unto
the Chauncelor shuld aunswer and say vnto the
King that one worde of his Graces mouthe shuld
suffice thaym to be at comaimdement. And the
King haistely and angrely aunswered that he wold
gladely bestowe any words of his mouthe that could
amend thaym. I am alsoe aduertised by the same
M*". Bellendyn that the King of Scotts is fuUy mynd-
ed to expell all spirituall men frome having any auc-
toritie by office vnder his Grace, either in House-
hold or ells-where within the Realme, and dailye

S82 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

studiethe and devisithe for that entente. The same
M^ Bellendjme haithe desired of me to haue an
Abstracte of all suche Acts, ConstitucionSy and Pro-
clamacons as ar passed within this the King our
Soyerains Realme touching the suppression of Beli-
gion, and gathering imto the Kings Maiestie suche
other proffeits as befor haithe been sp[oken], with
the reformacon of the mjsdemeanors of the Clergye,
saying that he trustethe to haue the King his master
to studie the same. And haith m ... me that if I
cane attaigne the saide Acts, Constitucons, and Pro-
clamacons, that I shall not adventur to sende hym
thaym, but by suche a privy persone as he by a
secreat token whiche is devised bitwene hym and me
shall send vnto me for that purpose. Further, he
haithe aduertised me that it is appointed the Queue
of ScottSy now being with childe, shalbe crovmed on
Sondaye, the firste daye of Februarij, and therafter
shalbe had a Convencon of thfe Lords, for whate pur-
poos I cannote be certefied as yet, but as is thought
apertely for the reformacon of spiritualtie. I am ad-
uertised by one of myn espiells that the Kinge of
Scotts havinge at this instaunte three shipes in redy-
nes to goe to the Sees, haithe been at, seen, and viewed
the same ; and that it is rumered a maings the comon
people thay shulde be prepairede for the King to goe
to the Meating in Fraunce. My Lord, conscidering
th*effects of the premisses, I thought my duetie could

ORIGINAL LETTERS.

be noe les thene of the same with deligence to aduer-
tise your Lordshipe, wherein as shall further stande
withe the Eangs Maiesties pleasur to comaunde me,
even soe I shall, God willing, applie myn vtter deli-
gence by the grace of the HoUie Gooste whoe ever
preserue your goode Lordshipe. At the Kings Ma-
iesties Castell of Berwike, the xvyj* daye of Januarye.
Your Lordship's at comaundement,

WYLL^M EURE.
To the right honorable and my verey
goode Lorde, my Lorde Privey Seale«

'^ The Gopie of the Nootes of the Interluyde.

^ In the firste entres come in Solaice (whose parte was but to make
mery, sing balletts with his ffellowes^ and drinke at the interluyd of
the play), whoe shewede firste to all the Audience the Playe to be
played, whiche was a generall thing, meanyng nothing in speciall to
displeas no man, praying therfor* noe man to be angre with the
same. Nexte come in a King who passed to his throne, having noe
speche to th'ende of the Playe (and thene to raitefie and approve as
in playne Parliament all things doon by the reste of the players
whiche represented the three esces). Withe hym come his cortiors,
Placebo, Pikthanke, and Flaterye ; and suche a like garde, one
swering he was the lustieste, starkeste, best proporcioned, and moste
yaliaunte man that ever was ; an other swear he was the beste with
longe bowe, crose bowe, and culverin, in the world ; an other swear
he was the best juster and man of armes in the world ; and soe furthe
during thair parts. Therafter came a man, armed in hames, with
a sword drawen in his hande. A Busshope, a Surges man, and
Experience clad like a doctor, whoe sete thaym all down on the
dels vnder the King. After thayme come a poor Man, whoe did
goe vpe and downe the scaffald, making a hevie complaynte that he
was heryed throughe the Cortionrs place, wher throughe he hade
strayled his house, his wif and childeren beggyng thair brede, and
soe of many thousaund in Scotlande, whiche wolde make the Kyng's
Orace lose of men if his Grace stod neide, saying thair was noe reme-

284 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

Bye to be gotten, for thoughe he wolde suyte to the King's Grace, hb
was naither acquaynted with controoller nor treasurer, and with
oute thaym myght noe man gete noe goodenes of the King. And
after he spered for the King, and whene he was shewed to the Man
that was King in the playe, he aonsuered and said he was noe
King, ffor ther was but one King, whiche made all and gouemethe all,
whoe is etemall, to whome he and all erthely Kings ar but officers,
of the whiche thay muste make recknyng. And soe furthe muche
moor to that effecte. And thene he loked to the King, and saide he
was not the King of Scotlande, for ther was an other Kiug in Scot-
lande that hanged John Armestrang with his fellowes, and Sym
the larde, and many other moe, which had pacified the countrey,
and stanched thiste, but he had lefte one thing vndon, whiche per-
teynede as well to his charge as th'other. And whene he was asked
what that was, he made a loug narracou of the oppression of the
poor, by the taking of the corse presaunte beists, and of the herying
of poor men by Concistorye lawe, and of many other abussions of
the spiritualitie and Churche, withe many long stories and auctori-
ties, . . . thene the Busshope roise and rebuked hym, saying it . .
effered not to hym to speake such matiers, commaunded of hym
scilence, or ells to suffer dethe for it by thair lawe. Therafter roise
the Man of Armes, alledginge the contrarie, and comaunded the
poor Man to speake, saying thair abusion hade been over longe
suffered with oute any lawe. Thene the Poor Man shewed the
greate abusion of Busshopes, Preletts, Abbotts, reving menes wifs
and doughters, and holding thaym, and of the maynteynyng of thair
childer. And of thair over bying of Lords and Barrons eldeste
sones to their doughters, wher'thoroughe the nobilitie of the blode
of the Realme was degenerate. And of the greate superfluous rents
that perteyned to the Churche by reason of over muche temporall
lands given to thaym, whiche thay proved that the Kinge might
take boothe by the Canon lawe and Civile lawe. And of the greate
abomynable vices that reiagne in Clostures ; and of the comon Bor-
delles that was keped in Closturs of Nunnes. All this was prouit
by Experience, and alsoe was shewed th'office of a Busshope, and
producit the Newe Testament, with the Auctorities to that effecte.
And then roise the Man of Armes, and the Surges, and did saye
that all that was producit by the poor Man and Experience was
reasonable, of veritie, and of greate effecte, and verey expedient to
be reasoemede with the consent of Parliament. And the Busshope

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 285

said he wold not consent thereunto. The Man of Armes and Burges
saide thay were twoe, and he bot one, wherfor thair voice shuld
haue mooste effecte. Theraftre the King in the Playe ratefied, ap-
proved, and confermed all that was rehersed."

LETTER CCCLXV.

Henry Howard^ Earl of Surrey ^ to Sir William
Paget, after he had quitted his command at Bou-
logne.

[MS. COTTON. TITUS. B. 11. 68. Orig.']

»,* The reader will not be displeased to have one Letter laid be-
fore him of the high-minded and accomplished Lord Surrey. In
1544, in the well-known expedition to Boulogne, Surrey was field-
marshall of the English army, and after the taking of that Town,
was constituted the King's lieutenant and captain-general of his
forces within the Town and Country of Boulogne. In 1546, whilst
endeavouring to intercept a convoy of provisions intended for the
fort of Oultreau, he was defeated by the joint power of the Rhin-
grave and the Marshal de Biez. Subsequently, though not at the
immediate moment, he was recalled, and Lord Gray appointed to
succeed him as Lieutenant.

Who the strangers were to whom he alludes, and whom he as-
sisted with an additional reward to that which the King had allow-
ed, the Editor has not discovered. He complains heavily of Lord
Gray's conduct to two of his servants, whom he thought he had
provided for securely at Boulogne : and speaks in no measured
terms of the reflection which he conceived Lord Gray had cast upon
his honour. '^ There be in Boulogne too many witnesses that Henry
of Surrey was never for singular profit corrupted ; nor never yet
bribes closed his hand."

The machinations which ended in his destruction were at this time
beginning. He was beheaded on ^ower-hill Jan. 19th, 1546 — 7.

It may like you with my hartie commendacions
that wheras yester nyght I perceyved by you that the

286 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

Kings Ma*^*, tbincking his liberalitie sufficiently ex-
tended towards the Straungers that have served hym,
I have with fairc words done my best so to satisfie
them accordingly. Assuring you on my faythe that
their necessite semed to me suche, as it cost me a
hundred ducates of myn owne pourse, and sumwhat
els ; so that now ther resteth nothing to be don, but
their paspourte and redy dispatch from you, wherin
it may please you to consider their great chardges
here.

And now you shall geve me leve to come to myn
owne matters. Commjrng from Boullougne in such
sorte as you knowe, I left onely two of my servants
behynd me, John Rosington and Thomas Copeland.
To the saied John, for his notable service, I gave
th*advantage of the Playe in Boullougne. To
Thomas, the profecte of the Passage. Whom my
Lord Gray put immediatly out of service after my
departure, notwithstanding the lettres I obteyned
from you to hym in their favour. And upcm a
better consideracion, John occupieth his rowme, and
my Lord to his owne use occupieth th'others oi&ce
of the Passage, sayenge that I and my predicessors
there shuld use the same to our gayne. Whiche I
assure you upon myn honor is untrewe ; and that it
shuld be parcell of th'interteynement of the Deputie,
which in Callayes was never used, and as me semeth

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 287

to nere for a Deputie to grate : unlesse it were for
some displeasure borne to me.

Finally, M*". Secretary, this is th'onely sute that I
have made you for any thing touching Boullongne
syth my departure, wherfore it may please you that
if my Lord Gray woll neades be Fassinger, and that
this office was no lesse wourth to the saied Thomas
then fyftie pounds a yeare, being plased ther by a
Kings Lieutenant ; which me thjmcketh agreat dis-
order that a Capytayne of Boullongne shuld displase
for any pryvat gayne ; yet at the lest it may please
you to require my Lord Gray to recompense hym
with a sum of money in recompence of that that he
hath lost, and purchased so derely with so many
daungiers of liefe; which my saied Lord of his
liberalite cannot refuse to do.

And for aunswer that my saied Lord chardgeth me
to have returned the same to my pryvat profecte ; in
his so saying, he can have non honor, for ther be in
Boullongne to many wytnesses that Henry of Surrey
was never for singler profecte corrupted ; nor never
yet bribes closed his h,ande. Which lesson I lemed
of my father, and wysshe to succeade hym therin as
in the rest.

Further, wheras the saied Copeland, was placed
ther for his demerites by M'. Southwell and me of the
garde, and that my sayd Lord Gray deteyneth from

288 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

h}nn his wages ; it may plese you, at my most hertie
request to graunt hym your Lettres for th'obteynyng
therofy and of the rest ; and to pardon my francknes^
for that you know it is my naturall to use it with

And thus wisshing you my

firend till I deserve of trary, I pray to Grod

send you harte desyreth. From

xiiij«» of July, 1546.

Your assuryd loving flfrend,

H. SURREY.

To the right woonhipfnll Sir W Paget, Knight,
one of the Rings Ma**** principall Secretaryes.

LETTERS

OP
THE REIGNS OF

KING EDWARD THE SIXTH

AND OF

QUEEN MARY.

VOL. III.

ORIGINAL LETTERS,

ETC.

LETTER CCCLXVI.

TTiomas Fisher to the Duke of Somerset, Protector,
apprizing him of Intelligence he had received con-
cerning tumults at Edinburgh; and of hostilities
committed by the French and Almains.

[MS. COTTON. CALIG. B. VII. 325. Or%gJ\

%* Araott, in his History of Edinburgh, takes no notice of the
fray which is here described. The arrival of the French and €rer-
mans in Scotland to aid the latter country against England in 1548,
is an occurrence of History well known, as well as the raising of
the siege of Haddington.

'< About the same time," says Holinshed, '^ there chanced a mu-
tinie to rise betwixt the Scots and the Frenchmen in Edinburgh, by
reason that a French soldier fell a quarelling with two or three
Scotishmen ; and falling together by the eares, diverse Scots that
came to depart the fraie, would have had the Frenchman to prison ;
but other Frenchmen being there also present, would not suffre the
Scots to take him away. Wlierupcm arose a great tumult and stirre
among them, insomuch that there were divers slain on both parts ;
namely, James Hamilton, laird of Stanhouse, Knight, Captain of the
Castle and Provost of Edinburgh, with his son ; and Maister Wil-
liam Steward, one of the Queen's servants ; besides sundry other.
For the Frenchmen doubting some contrived commotion against

292 ORIOINAL LETTERS.

them, assembled to^^ther in order of battell in the streets ; so that
before the matter might be appeased by the captains that shewed
their diligent endeavors therein, they had enough to bring it to pass
as they wished. The beginner of this business was hanged the
same day in the market place of Edinburgh, where he began first to
pick the quarell."*

May it like youre Grace t'anderstonde this evening
came hither firom Edenbrughe, Thomas Carlile, who
was taken prysoner at the first overthrowe afore
Haddington, and remayning ever sins in Edenbrughe
is nowe delyvered for his raunsom, being S40 corons
of the Sonne, whiche he hathe paid (as he saithe) :
with whom, questyoning howe thinges procede and
arr taken betwene the Scottes and Frenche, and spe-
cyally after the hurle lately emonge theym at Eden-
brughe, and sins of the overthrowe of the Frenche
and Almaynes at Haddington, he saith for the
firste, that when this ruffle was emonges theim at
Edenbrughe, whiche he saith contynewed a good
hower and more, the French could no soner espie a
Scotisheman, woman, or childe, comme out of their
dores, or put their heddes out at a wyndoo, but
straight way was marked with an harquebute, so as of
that nacion they spared none ; whereat the Governor
and his countreymen (as they durst) were not a litell
stomaked, whiche seing. Monsieur Dessee gathered his
hoU band in hast togethers, and that night, in a gret
rage, nothing pleased towardes the Governor, departed

• Holinsh. edit. 1687, Vol. i. P. ii. p. 348.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 293

the towne, not all after the gentellest maner, sending
for the Ringrave to mete him with his band (as forth-
with he did) and ceassed not till he came to Muskel-
burghe, where he tarryed awhile, and so to Hadding-
ton, to their coste, as was lately wrytten to your
Grace. They were (saith he) no soner out of Eden-
brughe, but the gates were shutt, and then the
townes men, seking for such French as werr lefte,
were he sick or holl, he was no soner founde, but
fiurthwith slayne and cut in pieces ; so searched they
the towne eftSones on the morrowe, and as they found
dispatched as afore, contynewing still the like order
as they can get one or two French apart, which they
kill and thrust into holes and comers to hide theym
as they maye. He also saith that at suche tyme, M'.
Monsieur Dessie and the Ringrave, with their bandes,
were at Haddington (which journey he saith was re-
solved upon fourteen daies before the execution of
the same in this sorte) either to attempt the steling of
that tovnie, or elles the forte here, and to have distroy-
ed us in our campe. Newes came to the Governor,
being at dyner in Edenbrughe, that the Frenche and
Almaynes had wonne Haddington, and slayne all the
soldiours, saving a fewe gentlemen that were gotten
within Windham's bulwark, which they kept to be
dely[vered] only upon promise for saving their lives,
whiche the messenger said to the Governor, the
French wold not so take, neither graunte, and other

294 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

curtesie then deith (said he) they shuld not have*
Wheruppon the Governor and the towne of Eden-
brughe reyoicyng not a litelly and derely forgetting
and frankelj forgeving the Frenche former mysde-
meanors (as though it had not byn) caused his
tnunpet to wame all th'orsmen of the towne to be
furthwith ready to ryde with him to HaddingtoQ,
hoping to have com in tyme, either himself and his
band, to have wonne Wyndhams Bulwark^ which he
wold have desired of Monsieur Dessie, or at the least
to have assisted the French in the wynning therof
And so hastyng forwardes with his band of horsemen,
as far as Lasterick, a mile out of !Edenburghe, met
with th*other newes of the repulse and overthrowe ;
wherwithall, beinge astonyed, rode to a hill not farr
of, wheras he discovered and sawe the French and
Almaynes, commyng towardes him, wherat he cast
downe his had, and with all spede retomed to Eden-
brughe, and after him came thither both Monsieur
Dessie and the Ringraye with the Frenche and part
of th' Almaynes, whom Thomas Carlile saith that
standing in his ho • • • house, he sawe enter the
towne, and with them in company either twenty
seven or twenty eight cartes and carriages laden with
hurt men. And when that Monsieur Dessie and the
Ringrave had put of their hames, and shifted theim,
they both, passing the stretes, went to the Governors
lodging to have spoken with him, who wold not be

ORIGINAL LETTBRS*

spoken withall that night, nor this da3re untill nine a
clock in the mornings so as they departed for that
present. And having audience with the Governor
this daye, unto whom not showing any frendely
countenance, he answered, they were com rather to
spoile and distroye the Reahne, then to assist and
defend yt (as was promysed), and seing no better
successe of their service, which also considering the
slaughter lately made by the Frenche uppon the
liege people, and specially the Hammyltons, he told
theim playnly and openly in the hearing, of many,
that without more ado, the matier should be enquered
uppon, and th'offenders shall suffire therfore, without
remission ; and so departed from theym, and they re-
torned to their lodginges very saddly as he saith. Wher-
upon the Ringrave repayred to Leghe, wheras he
with his holl band (saving 500 left behind him with
the Lard of Bucliughe for a season) wooll remayne
all the wynter as yt is sayde. He saith also yt is
reported in Edenburghe, both by the Frenche and
Almaynes, that at this conflicte at Haddington, there
was slayue and hurte of their best men betwene
four and 500; and that the more part of the
hurte men (as is supposed) cannot escape death.
Emonge the whiche, there was slaine in the base
courte a very nere kynesman of the Ringraves, who
being uppon the first repulse left behind ded in the
courte, certeu of the ^worthiest Almaynes at the

296 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

desire of their coronell, with a new showte eftsones
approched and reentred the same, of purpose to fetche
awey his said kynesman; of whom was also slayn
with the culverin, being newly charged with hayle
shot, nineteen, dyvers of th'others sore hurte, and in
fyne retomed without their desire for the ded man,
saving one of his armes, which they recovered and
toke with theym ( God send them many 9uche banketU).
And saithe also the Scottes reyoiceth as moche of
this overthrowe as we do, and that it is spoken in
Edenburghe the Hamyltons woll, for their blud-
sheding, seeke no other amends at th'andes of the
Frenche, but to be revenged with the sworde, and
therefore it is thought there wolbe good sport
emonges theym or yt be long. Marye, had not that
affray (by the provicion of God) so tymely happened
emonges theym, the Castell of Edenburgh for trothe
had byn on the morrowe morning, by the appoynt-
ment of the Quene and the Governor, with th'assent
of M'. Hamilton, constable of same, and the provost
of the towne, now sore hurt, and the rest of the Go-
vernors frendes, delyvered to th'andes and charge of
Monsieur Dessie, which I trust woll not nowe be so
departed withall. And yt is thought in Edenburgh
(saith he) that yf money arryve not out of Fratmce
within a fortenight or three wekes, the Frenche and
Almaynes arr like to famishe for any relief they shall
get without money, yf in the meane tyme the power

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 297

of the Realme set not uppon theym, which (as he
saith) is in question emonges many. And abedye
Monsieur Dessie and the Ringrave have pledged all
their ringes^ jewelles, cheynes, plate, and credite, for
money to satisfie their bandes, untill more com;
which is dayly loked for. I pray God yt maybe inter-
cepted by sea, and then I doubt not youre Grace
shal here good accompt of theym.

Ferther he saith that, about sixteen daies paste,
Hughe Dowglas, of long Netherye, being in Eden-
brughe and lodged within two houses, where he, the
said T. Carlile, lodged, he sawe the Govemer com
to him in the evenyng, wheras they conferred three
houres togithers, and then the Govemer retomed
home, suflKng no light to be carried before him in
the stretes, and Hugh Dowglas forthwith departed
the towne. And saith he certenly knoweth to be him,
by the M'. [of the] housholde to the Queue, that the
next night after, somewhat late in the evening, the
Lardes of Ormeston and Bromston came to the same
lodging, unto whom also the Govemer and Monsieur
Dessie came, resorted that night in secretie, and,
tarryeng with them the space of twoo or three howres,
they went to their lodginges, and the two Lardes de-
parted the towne before the breke of the next day;
this he saith is very true, and woU so prove it unto
their faces yf yt so please your Grace ; or elles offireth
to be hanged for yt ; what juggeling may be herin

o 5

298 ORIGINAL LETTERS^

(unles they have ferther commission from your Grace
then I knowe) considering there famyliarite here, and
the credite they arr in with som in thies parties, your
princely wisdom can best judge, and for my parte I
pray God y t be for goode as (saving your Graces re-
formacion) I beleve yt not.

This day also, as he came hitheiwardes,, he saith
that betwene Edenburgh and Long Neiherye, he
met 200 horses and nagges at the leest, of ih'assuied
mens, laden with bred, butter, drinke, cheese, and
other victuelles, going towardes Edenbrughe and
Leghe, to relief the French and Almaynes ; and no
daye escapeth but a nomber of them goeth thither to
the market, and yet in thies parties, we ceasse not to
graunt assurances. And, under your faveur, to showe
my folishe opynyon in discharge of my bownden
duetie unto your Grace, how had it byn possible for
such a powere as the Frenche and Almaynes were,
not under three thousand, or above as is reported, to
com in the night tyme thorough our assured mens
townes, from Muskelburgh to Haddington, and never
a one of them shuld heare, either of their comyng or
passing, as they sey they did not, or as I thinke they
wold not, although in my judgement a goode part of
theim knewe full well of th'entended enterprice, and
yf they did here, or were previe therimto, why had
they not then let it be knowen by some meane to the
Capten of Haddington, as it was not

ORIGINAL LETTERS. S99

He ferther saith the Fiench arr at this present in
suche desperacion, as they had rather adventqr and
be killed with Englishmen then by the Scottes ; and
yet do they day ly make fayre tayles to the Scottes, and
emonges the rest, say that for troith, open warr is
proclaymed in Fraunce betwene them and England,
and that presently they have a mayne power afore
the towne of BuUoigne, which th'Englishmen have
offired to rendre, yf they might be suffired to departe
with bag and bagage. Thies lyes (saving your ho-
nour) and such like they devise and ymagen to make
the blynd Scottes beleve that Fraunce woll so occupy
England, as they may do their willes in Scotland ; but
God (who seeth and knoweth all) woll, I doubt not,
scuorge them for their untroithe and nawghtines,
according to his most divyne wille and pleasure.

Lastely he saith, that having had libertie to walke
abrode in the towne of Edenbrughe with his taker,
and somtymes betwene that and Leghe, he telleth that
Leghe is entrenched round aboute, and that, besides a
bulwarke made by the haven side towardes the sea
on the ground where the Chapell stode, which I sup-
pose your Grace remembreth, their is an other great-
er bulwerk made on the mayne ground at the gret
churche standinge at the upper end of the towne,
towardes Edenbrughe. And that their engener
having at the firste comyng of the Frenche, devised a
traves walle, betwene the towne of Edenbrugh and

300 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

the oastell, the same, saith he, is alredy a good piece
builded and rysen brest highe of a man, at the chaiges
[of] the Governor, which wall, with a poynted bul-
werk in the myddes, ronneth by the jugement of his
eyes t'whart the grene where Sir Christopher Morres
planted th*ordenance at your Grraces first approche
there, in sorte here under grocely pricked out, and at
the south end thereof is th'entreet her unto, which dis-
taunce seameth to be like a base court to the castelL
Fynally, bicause the fort here groweth nowe in
suche strenght as yt woll not long desire tarryeng
here of the campe, it may like your Grace to sig-
nifie your pleasure, howe and where you mynd t'em-
ploye the service of th'Almaynes, which as yt is
thought might be well placed in the West bordres,
wheras they may be doing both to annoye th'*enemye
and also well victuelled for this wynter tyme. As
knoweth the living God, who ever prousper your
Grace in honor and felicitie long t'endure. From
the campe at the Pethes, the IS*** of October, 1548.
The towne.

A 1 11 ^^

The castell.

Your Graces most humble and bounden servante

THOMAS FISHER.
To the right highe and mightie Prince
my Lorde Protector his good Grace.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 301

LETTER CCCLXVII.

Edward Duke of Somerset, to Francis None and
Owen Hopton^ Esquires, committing to them the
hearing of a Suit.

[lansd. MS. No. 2. art 23. Ori^J]

*»* Lord Orford, in his *' Catalogue of Royal and Noble Au-
thors/' noticing the good qualities of the Duke of Somerset, says,
" I chuse to throw into a Note a particularity on this head that it
may be more remarked. Great clamour was raised against him for
a merit of the most beautiful nature ; this was his setting up a
Court of Requests within his own house, * to hear the petitions and
suits oipoor men; and upon the compassion he took of their oppres-
sions, if he ended not their businesses, he would send his letters to
Chancery in their favour.'"*

In times, Lord Orford justly* adds, when almost every Act of
State was an Act of Tyranny, how amiable does this illegal jurisdic-
tion appear !

The following is one of the Letters which were given to suitors
on this occasion. The body is in the hand of a Secretary. The
signature, only, that of the Protector.

After our hartie commendacions we send unto
yow the Supplicac5n hereinclosed, wherein we mind-
ing direcc5n by right, wherfor (knowing your wis*
domes and upright dexterities) we will and require
yow by vertue hereof, calling all such parties before
yow as yow shall thinke mete for the better know-
ledge of the truith therin, to here and examyn the
same, and uppon due knowlage of the cace, to pro-

• Strype, vol. ii. p. 183.

302 ORIGINAL LETTBE8.

cede without furder tract of time unto the finall
determinacon thereof, as to right,' equitie, and con-
science shall apperteign, so as the partie complaynant
may receive and enjoy th*ole that in conscience he
ought to have by your order ; being yow by the tenor
hereof authorised therunto, without furder cause
hereafter eftsones to molest us in this behalf with
complaint Thus, not doubting that yow will not
frustrate this the good opinion we have conceyved in
yow, we bidde yow fare well. From Somerset Place,
the xj*»» of March, A* 1548.

Yowr loving freend,

E. SOMERSET.

To our loying frends, Francis None and
Owen Hopton esqiers.

LETTER CCCLXVIII.

Dr. Dayy Bishop of Chichester, to Secretary Cecil,
for his liberty, having been deprived and imprisoned
for disobeying the King^s command for substituting
Communion Tables instead of Altars in his Diocese,.
A. D. 1550.

[ibid. No. 2. art. 53. Orig,"]

Gratia et Pax in Christo Jesu, Where as your
Maistreship wylled me to wryte vnto you concern-
ynge the communication whiche it pleased you of
late to haue with me: albeit to entreate againe of

ORIGINAL LETTERS.

that Argument can be no lesse vnpleasaunt and
daungerous vnto me, than it is to the merchaimte
to sayle agaiQe in those seeis wherin he hathe suf-
fered shipwrack before : yet I haue gone aboute to
accomplishe your wyll and pleasure, and haue de-
vysed with my selffe how and what I shulde wryte of
that mattre. But in goodde trouthe I cannot tell
what I shulde wryte therin, otherwyse than I an-
swered vnto my Lords of the Counsaille (before I
was commytted to pryson) and afterwards to the
Commissioners at the tyme of my deprivation : viz.
that I sty eked not att the alteration, either of the
matter (as stone or wode) wherof the Altar was made,
but I then toke, as I now take, those things to be in--
different, and to be ordred by them that haue autho-
ritie. But the commaundement, whiche was gyven
to me to take dovnie all Altars vritliin my diocese,
and in the lieu of them to sett vp a table, implyinge in
it selffe (as I take it) a playne abolyshment of the
Altare (bothe the name and the thinge) from the vse
and ministration of the Holy Communion, I cowlde
not vrith my conscience then execute. As I an-
swered to my Lords of the Counsaille then, and
afterwarde to the Kings Ma**®* Commissioners ; and
what I shulde ells now answere I cannot tell.

Iff 1 may by your helpe and Sir Jhon Chekes, in
consyderation of the losse of my lyving, and twoo
yeares emprysement, frely now obtayne the libertie of

S04f ORIOINAL LETTERS.

a subiecte (whiche if I shiilde herafter abvse I wolde
not desyre to lyve), I wyll dayly pray to God for the
Kings moste excellent Ma^ and his moste honorable
Counsaile koX vwep iffiHy riv pvar^v fiov. Sin mihi
Uhertas emenda est novo consdentus certamine etperi-
culo, prestat opinor ea carere, quam tanto precio
mercem tarn vulgarem et egenam comparare. Domi-
ntu Jesus te semper incolumem seruet, vir clarissimej
et suo spiritu te semper dirigat ad nominis sui gloriam
et ReipubliccB utilitatem. Ex csdibtis reverendissimi
D. Cancellarij AngluB, x®. Januarij.

Tuae Dignitatis Studiosus,

G. DAY.

To the right honorable Sir Willm Cicell, Knyght,
Secretary vnto the Kings Ma"«.

LETTER CCCLXIX.

The Lords of the Council to the Earl of Sussex and
Sir Richard Southwell, for the punishment of two
persons who had stolen some young Hawks from a
Lanner's nest, and who would not confess for whom
they had procured them.

[M8. cotton. TITUS. B. II. fol. 271. Ortg.']

%* The Gentleman's Recreation, Svo. edit. pp. 51, 52, says,
" You may know the Lanners by these three tokens : 1, they are
blacker Hawks than any other; 2, they have less beaks than the
rest ; 3, and lastly, they are less armed and pounced than other
falcons."

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 305

Falconry has been already noticed as the favourite sport of the
English princes and nobility from the earliest times. From the
Wardrobe Account of the 34th £dw. I. it appears that the fees, re-
wards^ &c. to the King's falconers, for that year only, amounted to
no less a sum than 2482. 7«. Aj^d,

In the 34th £dw. III. it was made felony to steal a hawk : and
to take its eggs, even in a person's own ground, was punishable
with imprisonment, beside a fine at the royal pleasure. For how
long time the first part of this statute continued in force, is shewn in
this and the succeeding Letter. Previous to the invention of the
fowling-piece, as may be gathered from several Letters already
printed in these volumes, Game was chiefly obtained by Falconry.*

From an entry upon the OriginaUa Rolls, vol. ii. p. 267, anno
35 Edw. III., we find that a falcon gentil cost 20«. ; a tersil gentil,
lOs, ; a lestour, 3«. 4d» ; a tersil lestour, 6s, Sd. ; and a Laner, 68, Sd,
These were the prices which the Sheriff was to give for Hawks for
the King's use. At a later date the prices were greatly enhanced.
Birt, in his Address to the reader, prefixed to his Treatise already
quoted in the Note, says he *' had for a Groshawke and a Tarsell a
hundred marks ; both sold to one man within sixteen months."

In the earlier period in England, the Norway hawk seems to
have been most prized. In the Domesday Survey, the City of Wor-
cester, among the customary rents paid to the King, gave ten pounds,
or a Norway hawk.

Among the Royal Letters in the Lansdowne Collection, there is
one from Henry the Eighth to Thomas Dowty to furnish a Cabin in
his ship to a servant of Sir Anthony Kingston, Serjeant of his Ma-
jesty's Hawks« sent by his master into Iceland to transport Hawks
into England. Dated Hampton, 29th March, 1539.

Ireland also was known for its breed of Hawks. In a volume
of Letters and Warrants relating to that country, formerly belonging
to Lord. Kingsborough, the Editor remembers one from Queen Eli-
zabeth to Sir Henry Sydney, the Lord Deputy, dated Windsor, 7th
Oct 1568, which began, " Whereas in the second year of our reign,
we did grant unto the right noble Ferdinand de Castro, Marques of
Sana in the kingdom of Spain, being our right trusty and well-be-

* Birt, m his "Approved Treatise of Hawks and Hawking," 4to. Lond. 1619,
says that on the Sussex downs, within five weeks he killed with one hawk " four-
score and odd partridges, five pheasants, seren railes, and four hares against his
wiU." P. 29.

306 ORIGINAL LKTTER8.

loved Cousin, and detcended of tlie royal Mood of our predeooMon,
and by the House of Lancaster, that he shuld yearly have two
Goesehawks and four gre3rhoanda, to be deUrered by oar Deputy,
or other our principal minister in that Sealmy at such seasonable
time as he should send for the same.'' The grant was to baye con-
tinuanoe till the Queen's pleasure should be otherwise determined.
The Warrant went on to state that the Hawks which were wanted
could not always be had, and that it would be wdl for aome of the
inhabitants of the parts from which they were procured, by way of
rent or other inducement, to be enjoined to obtain tiiem.

Throughout Europe, it is probable that HaiHcs' nests now go un-
molested : though the Queen of England, in ^e nominal portion of
her Majesty's household has still an hereditary Grand Fakoner.

In 1662, when the Ambassadors were introduced to the King
from Russia, the Emperor and Grand Dukes sent numerous Fal*
cons among their Presents.

Turberrille, in his ^ Booke of Falconrie," 4to. Lend. 167&, pre-
senres the memory of Queen Elisabedi's fondness for tiie 8p<^ of
Hawking in a wood cut, twice repeated in his work, which repi^
sents the Queen on horseback pursuing it, accompanied by her
courtiers. In the later edition of 1611, a poition of ttte block re-
presenting her Majesty is cut out, and James the First's figure
amusingly substituted for the Queen.

After our right harty commendacions, whereas
by the examynacion inclosed you may perceyve that
one Anthony Man and James Gardyner being ap-
pointed to watche a Lanner's neste within the dis-
parked Parke of the Lady Marie's Grace of Wyn-
farthing, in the County of Norfolk, by her Grace's
officer there, have confessed before Sir Richard
Southewell and Sir Thomas Woodhowse, Ejiight,
that they have stoUen thre yong Hawkes in the said
Lanner's neste, but by whose procurement, for whom
they were so stolen, or to whom they were delyvered,

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 307

they very obstinately and utterly refuse to confesse,
as by the said examinacions shall more playnly ap-
pere to your Lordshipp : thies shalbe to require
the same agayn t'examyne the saide Man and Gar-
dynere so earnestly and effectually as they may
confesse aswell by whose meanes and procurement
they stole the saide Lanners neste^ as also to whome
they were delyverid, and to whose use ; to th'ende
the said Hawkes may be restored agayne to the Lady
Maries Grace, which if they refuse to do by gentle-
nes, then we desire your Lordshipp to force them to
do the same by straight handling and punyshement ;
and in the meane tyme to give ordre that they be
still kept in sure warde, till we advertise your Lord-
shipp of our furder order to be taken in that behalf.
So we byd the same hartely farewell. From Grene-
wich, the v«> of May, 1553.

Your Lordshipps loving ffirendes,

WINCHESTER. NORTHUMBERLAND.

F. HUNTYNQDON. PENBROKE.

T. DARCY. RYCHARD COTTON.

JOHN GOTTE. WILLIAM PETRES.

.... WAAD.*

To our very good Lorde the Earle of Sussex,
and our loving frende Sir Richard Sowthe-
well, Knight.

* A Memorandum says, " Thies Lettres were delyvcryd unto us the above named
Eric of Sussex and Sir Richard Southwell the x. of Maye the yerc within wrighten."

308 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

LETTER CCCLXX.

The Lords of the Council to the Earl of Sussex, a
second Letter relating to the stolen Hawks from
Winfarthing, The thieves still obstinate. Examin-
ation of them by torture proposed,
[ibid. II. 969. Orig.^

%* That the torture of the Rack, howeyer illegal, was resorted
to in the reign of Elizabeth on particular occasions, is evidenced by
entries upon the Books of her Privy Council. One instance occurs,
when the Council were at Otelands, 20th June, 1570. One Thonuis
Andrewes, suspected of a murder in Somersetshire, in custody at
the Marshalsea, would confess nothing. ** A Lettre" was ordered
" to the Lieutenant of the Tower to cause the said Andrewes when
he shalbe brought unto him to be sett to the Racke and offered the
torture therof,and then be returned backe again to the Marshalsey."

After out hartie commendacions to your Lord-
ship, we have receyved your letters of the last of
May, whereby we perceyve your diligence and tra-
vayle used in the straight examination of Man and
Gardener that stole the Hawkes out of Winfarthing,
for which we gyve unto your Lordship right hartie
thanks. And for as muche as it appereth unto us
that the said lewd persones doo most obstinatly re-
fuse to confesse the trouthe of theyr doings in this
behalf, we have thought good to pray your Lordship
to cause the sayd Man and Gardener to be sent
hither unto us under oure custody, to th'end we may
gyve such ordre for the examinacion by tortours or
otherwyse of the sayd persones, yf they refuse to

ORIGINAL LETTERS.

confesse the trouthe and particulareties of theyr
lewde doings^ as may be an example t6 other lyke
froward and obstinate persones hereafter. And so
we byd yo' Lordship hartely well to fare. From
Gxenewich, the iij. of June, 1553.

Yo' L. loving ffriends,

T. CANT. WINCHESTER.

H. SUFFOLK. J. BEDFORD.

T. DARCY. F. SHREWSBURY.

RYCHARD COTTON. PENBROKE.

WILLM. PETRES. JOAN CHEEK.'

To our very good Lorde,
th'Erle of Sussex.

LETTER CCCLXXL

The Council to Sir Philip Hohyey resident with the
Emperor; announcing the death of King Edw. FL,
8th July, 1553.

[MS. COTTON. GALBA. B. xii. 249. b, OrigJ]

After our very hartye commendaciones, wee
must needs be sorye to write that which comethe
bothe from us and goethe to you, with such ex-
treame sorowe of the lyke newes passed under these
our hands ; but suche is the Allmighty wille of God
in all his creatures, that his order in tyme maye not
be by us resisted. In one word wee muste telle you
a great heape of infelycetye. God hathe called out of

* Endoned, " Thiese Lettres were delyrered to me the said Erie of Snssez the
T^^. of June the yere within wrighten."

310 ORIOINAL LETTERS.

this world our Soveraigne Lord, the sixth of this
month, towards nighte, whos manore of deathe was
suche towards God as assurethe us that his soule is
in place of etemall Joye. The desease wherof he
dyed was of the putrefaction of the lunges, beinge
utterly uncurable. Of this evill, for the importance
wee adverties you, knowing it to have moste com-
forte to have hyne therof ignorante. And the same
ye may take tyme to declare to the Emperore as
from us, which knowe assuredly that his Majestie
will sorowe and condole with us for the departure
and losse of a Prince of that excellencye, and so
deare a brother and frend. Not doubtinge but his
Majestie will have in remembrance the auntiente
amitye that hathe byne alwayes betwixte their aun-
cestores, for consideracion whearoff ye shall assure
him that ther shall not bee any thinge lackinge one
our parte, but alwayes redyenes to observe and main-
tajme the same : and so we wisshe to us all the com-
fort of Gods Spirite in all adversetyes.

LETTER CCCLXXIL

The Council to the Commissioners in Flanders ^ llth

July, 1553.

[ibid. xii. 250.]

After our harty commendacions ye shall perceave

by the bearere, M^ Shelleye, and by suche letteres

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 811

as je shalle receave from the Queenes Highnes our
Soveraigne Lady Queene Jane, with coppy of suche
Letteres as hir Grace sendethe to the Emperoure,
what is the cause of this message nowe sente to you,
and what it is that is nowe to be done by you
l^eare: first, the signeficacion of our Soveraigne
Lords deathe ; nexte, the possession of ^ the Queenes
Highnes in the Crowne of this Realme ; thirdly, the
placyoge of you, S'. PhiUipe Hobbye, Knighte, as
Ambassadore theare resydente ; fourthely and laste,
the offer for your remaining there to proceed in the
Treaty of the Peace, yf it shall so lyke the Em-
perore. Furthermore, ye shall understand that al-
thoughe the Lady Marye hath byne written unto
from us to remayne quiete, yet nevere the lesse wefe
see hir not so waye the mattere, that yf she myghte
she wold disturbe the state of this Reiilme, havinge
thearunto as yet no manere apparance of helpe or
comforte, but onelye the concurrance of a fewe
lewde, base people; all other the nobyDetye and
gentlemen remaininge in their dutyes to our Sove-
raigne Ladye Queene Jane. And yet never the lese
because the condissyones of the basser soarte of
people is understood to be unruly yf they be not
governed and kepte in ordere, thearfor for the meet-
yng with all events, the Duke of Northumberlands
Grace, accompanyed with the Lord Marques of
Northampton, proceedethe with a conveniente powere

313 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

in to the partyes of Norfolk ,to keepe thos cuntreyes
in staye and obedyence ; and because the Emperores
Ambassadores heare remainenge shall in this mattere
of the pollecie not intermedin, as it is verye lickly
they will and doe dispose them selves, the Lord
Cobham and Sir John Masone repairethe to the
same Ambassadors to give them notice of the
Ladye Maryes proceedings againste the state of this
Realme; and to pute them in remembrance of the
nature of theire office, which is notte to medle in
theis causes of pollecie, nether directly nor indi-
rectly ; and so to charge them to use them selves as
they geve noe occasione of vnkyndnes to be mynes-
tred unto them, whearof wee wold be moste sorrye
for the amytie which one our parte wee meane to
concerve and maintaine. And for that percace the
Ambassadores, and what the verye mesage is, usinge
it in suche soarte as thearby as the amytie maye
best be preserved.

LETTER CCCLXXIIL

Francis Yaxley to Sir William Cecil, with News

from the Court.

[lansd. MS. 3. art. 44. Orig,']

My duetie unto yow and my good Lady remem-
bred, yow shall please to be advertised that imme-

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 313

diately vppon my arryval at Callais, I delivered your
lettres with most harty recommendacions to my L,
Wentworth and Sir Thomas Comewaleys^ who no
lesse frendly then thankfully received the same^ as by
their answers herein inclosid yow may perceive. I
talked also with M'. Auchar for your monney, and
he said that his servaunt had ben to seke yow for the
payment thereof, and could never fynd yow, so as
nowe (as he shewed me) he hath wretin to his ser-
vaunt for the payment of the said monney, which
lettre I have, and mynde to reteigne untill your
coming hether.

At my retourne from Callays with lettres to the
Queues Highnes in post, I was so tormented and
tossed by tempest of wether and contrary winde in
the unmercelesse seas, as after xiij*®** howres sailing,
I was enforsed to take to Callays haven and remaine
there viij. dayes for passage.

As for newes, yow shall understand that the Kings
and Queues Majesties be in helth, and mery, whom
I did see daunce togethers uppon Sunday at night, at
the Court, where was a brave maskery of cloth of
gold and sylver, apparailed in maryners garments,
the cheif doer whereof I thinke was my Lord Ad-
mirall.

Uppon Thursday next, there shalbe in Smithfeld
Giuoco di Canne; where the King and Queue
wolbe.

VOL. III. P

S14 ORIGINAL LBTTER8.

Here is comme hether Don Ferrando Gontaga^
Merques de Bergos, Counte de Home, Mouns' Dar-
raSy th*£mperors secretary, who were at Callays at my
being there.

The Parliament is summoned to begynne the xij^
of the next; and for the better eleccion of the
Knights and Burgesses, her Maiestie hath addressed
forth her lettres to the Sheriefes of the Sheres, as by
the copie thereof herein inclosed yow shall perceive.

The Artizens Spaniards wer commaunded yester*
day to shett upp their shoppes, I thincke because,
by th'order and lawes of the City, they may nat open
the same being nat ire-denizens.

It was told me this day that the Ambassador of
Savoy was yesterday to see my Lady Elizabethes
house at Strand, and that there was order given for
the putting of the same in areadines for the Duke*
his M^

Other occurrences here be none worthy the writing,
but that all things be in good quietnes, thanks be to
God. And I see no feare of the contrary, albe it
there be diuers lewde and evill disposed personnes
who do not lett to sprede abrode false and sediciouse
rumores and tales.

Thus wisshing unto yow and my good Lady con-
tynewance of helthe, with the contentacion of your

* The Duke of Savoy, called Prince of Piedmont, arrived in England on Dec.
27th. See Grafton, edit. 1569, p. 1347.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 315

vnnegodly harts desires, I make an ende. From the
Courte, the xij*^ of October, 1554.

Youres to do yow service, as I am most bomiden,
duering lief,

FRAUNCIS YAXLEE.
To tiie right worehipfull S» WilUam Cicffl,
Knight.

LETTER CCCLXXIV.

Queen Mary L to her Commissioners at Calais, to pro-
cure the French King^s interest with such Members
of the Conclave as were at his devotion to assist in
elevating Cardinal Pole to the Popedom,
[ms. cotton, tit. b. II. 113. OHg,"]
By the Quene.

MARYE THE QUENE.

Bight reverende father in God, right trusty and
right welbeloved, and right trusty and right welbe-
loved cousin and counsellor, and right trusty and well-
beloved counsellor, we grete you weU. And where
we doo consider that Christes Catholik Churche and
the hole state of Christendome having byn of late so
sundrie wayes vexed, it shold greatly help to furder
summe quiet staye and redresse of that is a mysse if at
this tyme of the Popes Holines election, sume suche
godly, learned, and well disposed personne may be

p 2

316 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

chosen to that place, as shalbe gyven to see good
ordre mayntained^ and all abuses in the Churche
reformed ; and knowne besydes to the worlde to be of
godly lyfe and disposition : and remembering on the
other syde the greate inconvenience that were lyke
to arryse to the state of the Churche if worldly
respects being onely wayed in this choyse, any suche
shold be preferred to that roome as wanting those
godly qualities before remembred, might gyve any
occasion of the decay of the Catholik faith : we can-
not for the discharge of our dutie to God and the
Worlde, but bothe earnestly wysshe and carefully
travayle that suche a one may be chosen, and that
withowt long delay or contention, as for all re-
spects may be most fyttest to occupie that place to
the furtherance of Gods glorie and quie^tnes of Chris-
tendom. And knowing no personne in our mynde
more fyt for that purpose then our deerest cousin
the Lord Cardinal Poole, whome the greatest parte of
Christendome hath heretofore for his long expe-
rience, integritie of lief, and great learning, thought
mete for that place ; we have thought good to pray
you, that taking sume good occasion for that pur-
pose, you doo, in our name, speake with the Cardi-
nall of Lorrayne, and the Conestable, and the rest of
the Commissioners of our good brother the Frenche
King, praying them to recomende unto our sayd
good brother, in our name, our sayd derest cousin to

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 317

be j named by hym to such Cardinalls as be at his
devocon, so as the rather by his good furtheraunce
and meanes this our mocion may take plase. Where-
unto if it shall please hym to gyve his assent, lyke as
vppon knowledge thereof, we shall for our parte allso
labour to sett forwards the matter the best we may,
so doubt we not but if this our good purpose take
effect, both he and we, and the rest of all Christen-
dom, shall have good cause to gyve God thanks, and
rejose thereat. Assuring hym that if we had in our
conscience thought any other personne more fyt for
that place then our sayd deerest cousin, we wold not
for any privat affection have preferred his advaunce-
ment before Gods glorie ani the benefite of Chris-
tendom : the furtheraunce whereof is, we take God
to recorde, the onely thing we seeke herein, which
moveth vs to be the more earnest in this matter, the
overture whereof we have taken in hand (as ye may
assure them of our honno*") without our sayd deerest
cousins ether, knowledge or consent. And by cause
we nede not to remembre the wysdome, synceritie of
lyfe, and other godly partes, wherewith Almighty
God hath endowed our sayd derest cousin, the same
being well enough known to our sayd good brother
and his sayd Commissioners, and the rest of the
Worlde, we doo referre the manner of the opening and
handeling of the rest of the matter vnto your owne
wysdomes, praying you we may vnderstand from you.

318 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

as sone as ye may, what aunswer ye shall have
receyved herein at the sayd Commissioners hands.
Yeoven, vnder our Signet, at our Honnor of Hamp-
ton Courte, the xxx^ of May, the fyrste and seconde
yeres of our Beignes.

To the right reTerend &ther in God our right
troBty and right welbeloved counselor the
Bisshop of Winchester, oar High Chaim-
cellor of England; to our right trusty and
right welbeloved cousin and counsellor the
Earle of Arundell, Lorde Steward of owr
Howseholde ; and our right trusty and wel-
beloved counsellor the Lorde Paget; our
Commissioners presently at Galleys.

LETTER CCCLXXV,

Mary of Guise to Queen Mary of England^ request-
ing a Safe-conduct and Passport for George Lord
Seytonn. .

[MS. COTTON. CALIO. B. VU. 481. OHg,']

*«* It was on or about the 7th of August, 1548, that Mary Queen
of Scots set sail for France. She arrived in Brest harbour August
13th.

In April 1554, in the Parliament of Edinbur^, a Commission
from her was produced and read, which appointed her mother,
Mary of Guise, to be regent of her realm : whereupon the Queen
dowager accepted the homage and congratulations of the assembled
nobility. It was in this character that she wrote the present Letter.
Mary of Guise was deposed by Lord Ruthven and the nobles and
others of his faction, Oct. 22, 1559.

Mary Queen of Scots arrived in her dominions August 19th, 1661.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 319

Right excellent, richt high and mychtie Princes,
oure derrest sustir and allya> We commend ws to yow
in oure maist hartlie maner, praying yow to grant, at
yis oure requisitionn, youre salfconduit and sure pas-
port in dew forme to George Lorde Seytonn, and
with him twelf servandis in company, saidflie to cum
within youre realme of Inglannd to ony toun, port,
havin, bume, creak, or parte yairof, one hors or one
fate, be sey, launde, or fresche watter, and to remane
thairin, pas and repas throw ye samyn, to and fra ye
partis of Fraunce, als oft as he sail think expedient,
with yair horsses, as weill staint as geldingis, bul-^
gettis, cofferris, caskettis, fardellis, gold, silver, con-
nyett and imcunnyett, and lettars, clos and patent,
without pny serche, arreist, stop, trowble, or im-
pediment to be maid or done to yame or ony of
yame, at ony toun, port, passaige, or parte of
youre realme and dominions, for ye space of ane
yeir, nixt to cum efdr ye day of ye dait of ye samyn,
irrevocablie to indure ; and gif it happynis ye said
Lord, or ony of his company foirsaid to trespas
within youre realme, the personn trespassond being
puneist yairfoir in his awin bodie and guidis, houre
saulfconduct neviiyeles to be observitt in effect to ye
remanent behavand yame selfis honestUe, and com-
mittis na trespas. Richt excellent, richt hie, and
mychtie Princes, oure derrest suster and allya, we
pray God half yow in his keping, Gevin undir oure

320 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

signetty and subscrivit with oure hand, at Edinburt,
ye sevint day of July, the yeir of God, one thousand
fyve hundret fyftie and foure yens.

Your gud stister and allya^

MARIE R.
To the richt excellent, richt hei^ and
myghty Princes, oure derest saster
and allya the Qaene of England.

LETTERS

THE REIGN OF

QUEEN ELIZABETH.

P 5

322 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

\* The reader who has studied the Life and Reign of Queen
Elisabeth, cannot but have been occasionally struck by the nume-
rous traits of personal character imitative of her father. Among
them, in the early part of her reign, was the desire occasionally to
examine Heretics herself.

Cromwell, in a Letter to Sir Thomas Wyat, preserved in the
Harleian MS. 282, dated London, 28th Nov. 15S8, says, <<The IGtfa
day of this present, the King's Mijesty, for the reverence of the
Holy Sacrament of th' Altar, did sit openly in his Hall, and there
presided at the disputation, process, and judgement of a miserable
heretick sacramentary, who was brent the 2(Hh of the same Month.
It was a wonder to see how His Highness exercised there the very
Office of a Supreme Head of his Church of England ; how benignly
his Grace assaid to convert the miserable man ; how strong and ma-
nifest reasons His Highness alledged against him. I vdshed the
Princes and Potentates of CSiristendom to have a mete place for
them there, to have seen it : undoubtedly they should have much
marvelled at His Majesty's most hi^ wisdom and judgement, and
reputed him none otherwise after the same than in manner the
Mirror and Light of all other Kings and Princes in Christendom.
The same was openly done with great solemnity, whereby I doubt
not but some of your friends that have good leisure shall by their
Letters advertise you of the whole discourse thereof. * * • ♦
*^ At the time of the condemnation of the Sacramentary the King's
Highness caused some Proclamations to be made, the copy whereof,
in print, ye shall receive herewith."

The Additional MS. in the Museum, 4783, fol. 101, preserves the
narrative of a Scene not unsimilar, when Queen Euzabeth pre-
sided at the Council -Board : more humanely conducted, however,
and followed by a result more favourable to the Heretic.
" The Examinacion of Faithfull Comin, the Dominican Fryer, who
pretended to be a godly Preacher. Anno 1567.

" Faithfull Comin, of the Order of St. Dominick, Anno 1567, to
all people's imaginations supposed to be a strict Protestant and
against the Church of Rome, was brought before Her Grace Eliza-
beth of England, France, and Ireland Queene, and her Ma**" most
honnored Councell, on Monday the fifth of Aprill, being accused to

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 323

be a sower of Sedition amongst Her Miy'esties faithfull subjects, by
tlie testimony of John Garkson, chaplaine to his Grace Mathew
Parker, Archbishopp of Canterbury, as alsoe by the testimonyes of
Nicholas Draper and Mary Deane, all being swome upcm the holy
Evangelists that the said Faithfull was an impostor, notwithstand-
ing he preached against Pope Pius Quintus then Pope of Rome.

** The ArcMnshop^s Question. FaidifuU Comin, what profession
artthou of?

" Answer. Of Christ's Order.

** Q. What order is that?

**A, A preacher of the Holy GospelL

^ Q, What GospeU is that you caU the Holy GospeU?

**A. The GospeU of Jesus Christ

^' Q, Under whose power doe you owne to hold that Holy Gos-
peU?

** A, Under Christ and his Sayntes.

** Q, Doe you acknowledge any other power save Christ's to be
uppon earth?

"il. Yes, I doe.

" Q. What power is that?

"^. The Holy CathoUque Church.

'^ Q. Doe you not acknowledge a Defender of the holy Catholique
&ythe?

** A, God is the onely defender thereof.

** The Archbishop to her Mqj^, Your gratious Ma*** may perceave-
tfaat this man either hath beene instructed what to say, or otherwise
he must be by his answers a man of craft.

" The Queene. I suppose soe, my Lord.

**Then FaitlrfuU Commin being commanded to withdraw. Her
Grace and the whole CounceU consulted what to doe, and how
to proceede further in this matter. Caused the said John
Clerkson to com in b^ore the Board,

" The Queene. What is your name ?

** Joh, Clerkson, May it please your Grace my name is John
Clerkson.

^The Q. Were you acquainted wHh FaithfuU Comin?

'*Jo.Cl, I was.

"TheQ. How long?

''Jo. CL Within this yeare and more.

324 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

<* The Q. What have yon to say against Faithfall Gomin, that he
is suspected to be an Imposter?

**J,C. Three things.

"TheQ. What be they?

** J, C, First, lett him prore his Ordination since he fell from the
Dominican Order ; secondly, why he never cometh to the Prayers
of the now Established Church of En^^and, but starteth up and
preacheth to the people, not comeing into the Church till the prayers
be finished ; thirdly, let him prove that he ever receaved the Sacra-
ment according to the Church of England, from any of our orthodox
clergymen.

'' Her Grace and the Cauncell amndering <if these three things^
sent out for the said Faitl^yU Commin to com in,

'< The Archbishop.

** Q. Were you ever ordayned ?

" A, Yes, I was ordayned.

"Q. Bywhome?

<<^. By the Cardinall. Afeaittfig- M. PooU.

*^ Q. Had you noe other Certificate since under any of the Bi-
shopps hands since the Reformation ?

"-4. Not any.

'' Q. Wherefore would you dare to preach, haveing not gott a
Lycense or Permission under some of our Bishopps hands ? How
shall we be certifyed that you are not of the Romish Church ?

" -4. There are seyerall have heard my Prayers and my Sermons,
and can testifye that I have spoken against Rome and her Pope as
much as any of the clergy have done since they have fedlen from her.
Therfore I wonder why I should be suspected.

^^ Archbishop. By your answer I perceave, Mr. Commin, you
would have any one preach, soe that he speakes but against the
Pope in his Sermons.

^^ A. Not every one save he whose function it is, and he who hath
the Spirit.

" Q. What Spirit is this you meane?

" A, The Spirit of Grace and Truthe.

<< Q. But is this Spirit that is in you either the Spirit of Grace
or Truthe, that doth not comply vnth the orders of the Church, lately
purged or clensed from Sisme and Idolatry ?

**A, Therefore I endeavor to make it purer, as far as God per-
mite mee.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 325

** Q. How doe you endeavor to make the Church pure, when you
neither dommune with her in Sacrament or in Prayer ?

^*A, Yes, I endeavor it when I pray to God that he would open
the eyes of men to see their errors ; %nd seyerall have joyned with
mee therein when I hare both given and taken the body of Christ to
those of tender consciences, who have assembled with mee together
in the feare of the Lord.

<' Q. By your words you have then a Congregation who follows
.you?

*^^A, I have soe.

<< Q. Of what parish, and in what Dioces ?

*^ A, Neither of any certayne parish, or in any certayne Dyoces.

" Q. Where then, I pray ?

*^A, Even in the wide world, amongst the flock of Christ, scat-
tered over the whole earth.

" Q. Your Dioces be verry large, Mr. Commin.

'^ Faitl\ful Commin being commanded to mthdnwy the other two
* witnesses were caUed into the general CounceU Chamber,

** The Queene. Mr. Draper, what have you to say to this Faith-
fidl Commin ?

'' Draper, He came to my house at the Maidenheade in Maides-
towne with severall of his ffollowers, where he bespoke a joynte of
motton and two hens for a dinner, hearing that my profession was
a cooke. I shewing him a roome for him and the company that
came with him, perceaved severall to come and enquire for this Mr.
Commin, but by chance goeing upp the stayres, I heard one groane
and weepe, which caused mee to lift up the latch ; at the first I was
startled, and stood in a maze, but enquiring of one of his followers
what ayled the man (he replyed doe you not see that wee be all at
prayers) the maide wondring where I was came to seeke mee, and
found mee amongst them, and can testifye the very same.

"The Queene. Are you Mr. Draper's mayde?

"^. Yes, may it please your Grace.

" Q. What is your name ?

"j4. My name is Mary Deane.

" Q. Did you see this Faithfiill Commin, that was here before us
now, praying to the people ?

"J.I saw him, and I thought he was distracted when I heard
him pray ; but the people sayd that he was a heavenly man, and

326 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

tiiat it was God's Spirit nuule him weepe for t^ simies of the
Worlde.

*< The Queene. For how long eontimied they at Prayers doe yon
know, Mr. Draper?

^ A. May it please your Grace aboet two hoaresy or neare that
tjrme.

<< Q. What did they, after that they had prayed?

'^A, Some went from the hoase, and about ten or thereabouts
stayed to eate what they had bespoken, and payed mee to the at--
most penny.

** The Queene. Call in this Faithfoll Gommin. Mr. Commin, if
yon will receive orders, and become of the Chnrch of England you
may; otherwise you must not be permitted to pray or preach
amongst my subjects ; and though yoa have, as appeares by several!
other witnesses, preached against the Pope, yet have yon usurped
over the power both of State and Church in doeing contrary to the
orders that Wee, our Councell, and Parliament have unanimously
agreed on, by and with the vdiole consent of the clergy of mf
realme.

**A, Give me time to consider and to prepare my seUe, and I
shall give your Grace a further answer in a short space.

'^ Q. Is there any vnll be bound for your appearance ? otherwise
you must be kept close prisoner ; for wee have other £xaminati(Mis
to take, and questions to demaund.

<< F. Commin, I have three that will answer for my appearance.

<< Then came Richard Bland, brother to the Mid Faitl^ful by the
mother*8 syde, and two others, which gone bonds for his appear^
once,

<'Aprill the 12th.

'< Mr. Comin appearing before Her Majesty and Councell, it was
putt of till the next day, by reason of the Spanish Embassador's
appearance before her Grace, who had that day audience ; but it
fell out that the said FaithfuU haveing appeared according to the
bonds of those who were bound for the said Faithfiill's appearance,
that this sayd Faithfall gave them all the slipp, and never appeared
afterwards ; soe that the partyes being summoned to appeare for to
answer the penalties of the bond, made this answer to the whole
Councell, that the said Faithfull appeared, but they were not bound
for his second appearance, by reason they never demannded them to

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 3S7

be baimd, or gfLve tfaem any Airdier charge of him. So these bonds-
men Same off and payd nothing.

'^ This Faithful! Commin coming before his followers the same
day, tould them that her Majestie and the Councell had quitted
him, and that he was warned by God to goe beyond seas, there to
instruct the Protestants ; and that he would retume to his flock ere
long with better success : sayeing unto the pec^e that spiritaall
Prayers was the chiefe testimony of a true Protestant, and that the
sett Forme of Prayer of England was but Mass translated. Soe,
after he had prayed an extemporary, he fained a crocodile like
weepeing bef(»« all of his flock, and tooke leave of them, sayeng
that he had not a forthing to support him in his journey ; yet, it
beeing €rod's cause hee intended to undertake out oif charity, he
was certaine that the Almighty would raise him upp friends wher-
ever he trarailed. Uppon this speech of his, the poore simple
people fell most of them a weepeing, especially the women, who
moveing theire husbands to contribute to this Impostor, who was
amongst them esteemed as a Demy-Grod ; soe that it appeared up-
pon further inquiry, after he had escaped out of England, that at
that present the poore people collected for him to the summe of 1301.
over and above what the silly women gave him unknowne to theire
husbands.

<<ApriU the 18th.

*^ The next day the Councell wayteing on Her Grace at the Boajvl,
and several! numbers attending to heare this Imposter examined,
stayed a long time. Her Grace and the Councell wondering at this
dielay, sent unto his brother Richard Bland and the other two who
were bayle for this Imposter's appearance, they comeing before her
Grace and the rest of the Councell, made this answer. Wee have
performed as much as wee under-tooke to performe ; but had wee
receaved any further directions from your Grace and this honour-
able Board, for to have brought him this day, and not to us, soe that
wee supposed ourselves to bee released of what wee had under-
taken, haveing presented him before your Grace and this honnwable
Board.

<< It being a publique heareing, and the auditors that were pre-
sent in expectation to have heard Commin speake, and not those
that were bound for him, caused the Councell's ire to rage more
than ordinary ; hereupon the Councell caused searches immediately
to be made over all London and Kent, especially, wherever they

3^8 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

suspected him to be, but could not finde him ; for he was fled that
veiry evening. Yet by this inquiry they found out severall of the
creatures whome he had deluded, and the true relation of what
summes of moneys the poore people had gathered and bestowed on
him. Most of those who were supposed to hare beene of this Im-
postures flock were examined before her Grace's Priyey Councell,
who sayd that to theire opinions and thoughts they had never be-
held soe zealous and soe heavenly a man as he seemed to be.

•* September the I4th.

** By a vessell arriveing at Portsmouth, called the Swan of Lon-
don, John Baker being the master of the same, among other Dis-
courses, declared how he had seene Faithfull Commin in the Low
Countryes, and some of the Councill heareing of this man's arrivall,
acquainted the Queene with what they had heard concerning this
villaine ; uppon which information her Grace and the rest of the
Privey Councell sent a Pursuivant for the said John Baker, who
comeing to the man on the 20th of this said instant, and found him
a bed, the man was started, and demanded of the Pursuivant what
was his crime. The Pursuivant made answer he knew not for what
it was he was sent for, only it was her Grace's will and the Coun-
cell's to speake with him; yet the poore man, whether through
feare or to courage spiritts, called for a cupp of sack, and drank
her Grace's health to the Pursevant, sayeing (heare *s a health to my
Royall Queene) if she intends to try my fidelity and imploy mee in
her Navy, I will venture all the blood in my body to defend her
Grace's rightes. But when he appeared before the Board, they
demaunded of him if he had seene Faithfull Commine, he made
answer he had seene him in the Low Countryes, and inquireing
further, he related this Relation as follows.

*^ ^ Comeing with other vessells to land some goods at Amsterdam,
Martin von Davall, a merchant of that Citty, heareing me talke of
this man, tould mee that this Commin had beene lately at Rome,
and that Pope Pius the Fifth had caused him to be clapt up in
prison, and that Commin had wrought to his Holyness the next
day, saying that he had something to say unto his Holyness, uppon
which the Pope sent for him, and as soone as he had seene Mr.
Commin he spoke to him, saying. Sir, I have heard how you have
sett mee and my predecessors foorth amongst your hereticks of
England, by rayleins: against my person and my church ; and that

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 329

Commin made answer, I confess my lipps hare opened that which
my hearte thought otherwayes, but your Holyness little thinkes
that I have done you a kindness, notwithstanding I have spoken
soe much against your Holyness ; and that the Pope should return
Commin this answer, How in the name of Jesus, Mary, and of all
his Saints hast thou done soe ? And that Commin should make this
answer, sayeing, I preached against sett Formes of Prayer, and I
called the English Prayers English Masse, and have perswaded
severall to pray spiritually, and extempore, which hath taken soe
much with the people, that the Church of England is become as
odious to that sorte whome I instructed as Mass is to them, wh^h
will never be but a stumbling block in that Church whilst it is a
Church. And that uppon this Resolution the Pope cherished him,
and gave him 2000 ducketts for his labor.'

'' Her Grace and the whole Councell thankeing Mr. John Baker
for this relation, bad him withdraw, and uppon this Information
wrote over to her correspondents beyond seas, if possibly he might
be sent oyer hither into England ; but it being talked all over Eng-
land how that the Pope had rewarded this Imposter, some knowing
where he was, he gave him notice, and thereby he escaped out of
the territory into the Romish houldings.

^* The Councell consulting with her Grace to prevent not onely
Popery, but all other Sectaryes, caused an Act to be framed and
to be enacted that the severall Ministers of severall parishes
should take the names of all the familyes liveing within the se-
verall parishes, both male and female, from ten yeares of age :
and that every parish should have a certaine Clerke for that pur-
pose, and that every house within the said parishes should have a
particuler seate for them and their familyes ; each man or woman
missing prayers every Sunday to forfeit a shilling, excepting those
who had Certificates under a Protestant physitian's handes to be
sicke, the clerke to have one third parte, the poore the second third
part, and the third towardes the Church for broomes, sweet straw-
ing herbes, flowers, and rushes, &c.

^^ This Act at first was irksome to many : but at long running,
rather than a master would pay for his family or for his sewant,
they began to com to prayers and sermons : then the Clerkes, spye-
ing but little to be gott when the people begun to com to Church,
neglected theire ofQce, and severall agreeing with the Ministers of

330 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

each parish to give them a yeariy stypend, the Act ceased, and
Popery and Sectaryes increased.

''This being a Coppy of the Lord Cissell's Memorandums of
Faithfull Commin ; many other memorandums in the same Booke
worth the printing : which Booke was amon^t Archbishop Usher's
Manuscripts before his death."

ORIGINAL LETTERS,

ET€.

LETTER CCCLXXVI.

Queen EUzabeih to the Keeper of the Palace of West'
minster and to Sir Ralph Sadler^ enclosing a War-
rant for placing money in his hands to he employed
on Secret Service upon the frontiers toward Scotland.

[aDDIT. MS. BRIT, MUS. 5751.]

\* Sir Walter Scott, in the Memoir which he prefixed to Clif-
ford's edition of Sir Ralph Sadler's State Papers, paving noticed
the share which he took in the battle of Pinkie, and his creation
as a knight-banneret, says he had discovered no further trace of
Sadler being employed in public affairs during the rest of Edward's
reign. He retained his place in the Council ; but his prudence
probably prevented him from attaching himself zealously to any of
the factions whose strife and hatred to each other disturbed the
quiet of their youthful Sovereign.

In the reign of Philip and Mary he appears to have retired to his
estate at Hackney: but again came forth upon the accession of
Elizabeth. So soon as this event took place, he was called to the
Privy Council of his new Sovereign, and until the day of his death,
retained a large portion of her regard and esteem. One Letter of
his to Lord Burghley relating the manner in which the Queen of
Scots received the news of the Duke of Norfolk's condemnation,
has been already printed in the Second Series of these Volumes.
The first diplomatic office in which Sir Ralph Sadler was en-

332 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

gaged« during this reign, is disclosed in the present letter. It was
resolved by the English Council to support the Protestant nobility of
Scotland in their struggle with the Queen Regent ; but with such
secrecy, as neither to bring upon the Lords of the Congregation the
odium of being the friends and pensioners of England, nor to engage
Elizabeth in an open war with her sister and rival.

To manage the intrigues necessary for the successful execution of
this plan, it was necessary that an accredited agent should be sent
to the frontier. With this view, a commission was granted to the
Earl of Northumberland, Sir Ralph Sadler, and Sir James Crofts, to
settle certain disputes concerning Border matters with Commission-
ers to be named by the Queen Regent of Scotland, and to direct the
repairs proposed to be made on the fortifications of Berwick and
other Border fortresses. But the oliject was only to furnish osten-
sible reasons for Sadler to make a long stay in the town of Berwick,
whence he could most easily correspond with the Lords of the Con-
gregation.*

A second Letter, authorisiiig the expenditure of another 30002,
accredited in the same way, was despatched to Sadler on the 5th of
October, and a third with money to the same amount in November of
the same year. The originals are preserved in the same volume vrith
the present Letter.

By the Quene.

ELIZABETH R.

Trusty and welbeloved, we grete you well. And
will and comande you of such our treasure as re-
mayneth in your handes to deliver or cause to be
delivered vnto our trusty and welbeloved S*" Raff
Sadler, Knight, the some of thre thousand poundes,
to be by him employed according to suche instruc-
tions as we shall give hym. And thies our Lettres,
with th'acquittance of the said S*" Raff, witnesseng
the recepte of the said money, shall be your sufficient

* See Clifford's edit, of Sadler's State Papers, i. zxi.— zziv.

ORIGINAL LETTERS.

warraunt in this behalf. Yeven vnder our signet at
our Manor of Eltham, the iij*** of August, the first
yere of our reign.

To our trusty and welbeloued servaunt,
George Bredyman esquier, Keper of
our Pallace of Westm'.

L. S.

Then follows y

"Trustie and welbeloued, we grete you well.
Like as we haue, vppon greate trust conceyved in
yow, conferrid for speciall seruyce to be don by yow
vppon our frontiers toward Scotland, so do we aucto-
rize yow to conferre, treate, or practise with any
maner of persone of Scotland, either in furtherance
of our seruyce and of any other thinge that maye
tende to make a perpetuall Concorde betwixte the
nation of Scotland and ours. We do also auctorize
yow to rewarde any maner of persone of Scotlande,
with such sommez of money as ye shall think meete,
to be taken of the some of thre thowsande pounds
which we have ordered shulde be delyuerid vnto yow
in golde ; wherein such discrestion and secrecye is to
be vsed, as no parte of your doings male empaire the
treatise of peax lately concluded betwixte, vs and
Scotland. And for enlargement of our further mean-
jmg in this, we referre you to considre a Memoriall
of certeyn Articles to be delyuered to yow by our
Secretory, whenmto you shall not nede to haue fur-

S34 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

ther respecte then the oportUnyte of the tyme will
requyre,- Geven vnder our Signet, the vij* of August,
at Nonsuch, 1559, the first yere of our reigne."

This is the true copye of the Queues

Highnes Lettres remayning with

S' Raffe Sadleir.

WINCHESTER.
WA. MILDMAY.

LETTER CCCLXXVII.

Lcyrd Robert Dudley to John Scudamore^ Esq. re-
garding the Wardship of the tatter's Nephew.

[SCUDAMORE PAPERS, MS. ADDIT. BRIT. MUS. 11049. fol. 2. OrigJ]

After my right hartie commendations. Whereas
at the request of my Lady Croft, I obteynyd the
wardship of your nephewe for hir husband, trusting
therby to procure a marriage for my kinswoman
S*". James Crofts doghter, and perceyving by him
that the mariage as yet dothe not take place, not-
withstanding that the yonge folks do verie well like,
and that the staye therof is for that you demaunde of
him great somes of money whiche he is not able to
paye ; fynding him nevertheles willing to satisfie you
to the uttermost of his power. Forasmoche as my
traveill hathe bene herein to matche my kinswoman
with your howse, and in soche a place as I tru&t shall
not be against your worship, I shall hartely pray you

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 335

to deale with the said S*" James Croft in soche frendly
sorte, as not onely I may have cawse to gyve you
thankes, but also to shewe you from tyme to tyme
the pleasure and frendship thay maye lye in me.
And thus fare you most hartely welL From the
Court at S*. James, the first of Decembre 156h

Yo' lovinge frende,

R. DUDDELEY.
To my yearie loving ftend John Skydmour,
Esquier, at Home, yeire this.

LETTER CCCLXXVIII.

The Portuguese Ambassador to Lady Cecil, offering
to put the Affairs of his King into Sir Wilham
CeciVs hands y and promising a pension of two thou-
sand pieces of gold,

[MS. COTTON. NERO. B. I. 98 b, Orig,^
MAG*. D^NA,

Cum negotia serenissimi Regis Portugalliae Do-
mini mei quae habet in hoc Regno indigeant patrono
aliquo atque Protectore, me infra paucos dies disces-
suro, ea nemini visum est mihi commodius commen-
dari posse quam mag*^® domino Secretario viro tuo,
cujus opera atque patrocinio confido fore ut nedum
ea quae nimc mihi sunt tractanda felicem habeant exi-
tum, sed ut etiam quae posthac inciderint favorabi-
liter terminentur prout eorum aequitas atque justitia

336 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

postulabit. Id ego ei breviter insinuavi, tibi latius

explicatur, quod faciam quam primum tecum mibi

colloquendi facultas dabitur: interim tamen differre

nolui tibi significare quod postea sum ipse dicturus,

decrevisse scilicet Regem Dominum meum viro tuo

hac de causa bis mille aureorum pensionem annuam

concedere, quae singulis annis hoc tempore exolvetur,

cujus pensionis primam solutionem ego tibi solvi

curabo antequam discedam, ut inde dotem pares filiae

tuae puellse suavissimae ; cujus collocandse cura cum

ad te seque atque ad ilium pertineat malui tibi quam

illi munus hoc offerre, quae minus es occupata. Jam

vero peto a te^ mea Domina, agas id ut boni ipse con-

sulat, Regis enim liberalitati injuriam faceret nisi

libenter acciperet quod illi Majestas sua libentissime

largitur. Vale. Ex aedib. die Sabbati, 23 Maij.

1562.

Vre bon & affectionne amy,

l'aMBASSADEUR de PORTUGAL.

The amba8mdor*8 Seal stands below
the signature.

LETTER CCCLXXIX.

Conach G'Donnell to the Lord Deputy of Ireland^
complaining of John O'Neill and Hugh CDonnelL

[MS. COTTON. VESPAS. F. XH. 76 Ofig,']

♦»* The reader will now have a few short Letters laid before
him, Latin and English, between some of Queen Elizabeth's Irish

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 337

subjects and her Lord Deputy. They are samples of a much greater
number, all exhibiting the same traits of incivility and savageness of
manners. One Letter only is in Irish,

Some portion of those in Latin were probably composed for the
writers by their priests ; but, that Latin at that time was cultivated
in Ireland even among the wildest chiefs of the Septs is undoubted.
Fynes Moryson,* noting the visit of a Bohemian Baron, who went
from Scotland to the northern parts of Ireland, states his reception
there at the house of a great lord named Ocane. He found the fe-
males of the family to a considerable number assembled at the door,
young and old, with no dress but a loose mantle; and even that was
dispensed with when they entered the interior of the house. ** Soon
after," he says, " Ocane, the lord of the country, came in, all naked
except a loose mantle and shoes, which he put off as soon as he
came in, and, entertaining the Baron ttfter his best manner in the
Latin tongue, desired him to put off his apparel, which he thought
to be a burthen to him, and to sit naked by the fire with this naked
company.'' An invitation which the Baron declined.

Henry the Eighth, it appears, had a curiosity to see a wild Irish-
man. Ajnong a^e Privy-purse expenses of his 32d year, A.D. 1540,
we read, " Item, to Henry Bradshaw, which brought two wilde
Irishemen, xx". : and to the said Iryshemen, in way of the King's
rewarde, also xx»."*»

Ireland from the earliest period has been the statesman's puzzle.
The words which Lord Bacon addressed to James the First con-
tinue applicable to its condition : ** Your Majesty accepted my poor
field fruits -touching the Union ; but let me assure you that England,
Scotland, and Ireland, well united, will be a trefoil worthy to be
worn in your crown. She is blessed with all the dowries of nature,
and with a race of generous and noble people ; but the hand of man
does not unite with the hand of nature. The Harp of Ireland is not
strung to concord. It is not attuned with the harp of David in cast-
ing out the evil spirit of superstition, or the harp of Orpheus in
casting out desolation and barbarism." °

Per Chonaciam Odonnayll R**. Domino deputato
S. P. cum humili subjectione.

* Disc, at the end of his Itinerary, pp. 180, 181.

b MS, Arundel. Brit. Mus. 97-

Bacon's Works by )f ontag^, toI. xvi. Pt. u. p. cccclxiz.

VOL. III. Q

S38 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

Literas vestras nunc novissime deputas accepimus,
ex quibus clare intelligimus nos ob servitium nos-
trum in sdpendio regio annual! fore acceptos, propter
quod maximas grates vestrae magnificentiae referi-
mus. Conquerimur equidem yestrsD dominationi de
ineffiibilibus damnis nunc nobis commissis quando
in vestro colloquio eramus, per nefandum virum
Johannem Oneill et Hugonem Odonaill^ qui nobis
S. milia vacarum et capallorum' auferebant ac pa-
triam nostram incendio tradiderunt, in vituperium
ac contemptum vestrum et nostrum irremediabile
detrimentum, pro ut hujus assertionis veritatem ab
hominibus ipsius Johannis Oneill assequebamur.
Noluimus enim pandere omnia anxietatis nostras
quando in vestro conspectu fuimus. Igitur nunc
vestram dominationem exhortamur ut necessitatem
nostram in memoria habeatis, et vestram facultatem
adversus ipsum Johannem celeriter deduceatis. Et
si vestri ambasiatores adhuc non repetierunt Hiber-
niam, jubemus vobis tardare nostrum nuncium vo-
biscum usque ad eventum vestrorum ambasiatorum
quo adusque certiorabitis nos de his quae Domina
Regina vobis rescripserit. Ut breviter quidem allo-
quimur^ omnia nobis possibilia. Parati sumus ad
vestrum jussum explere. Et sic valetote ex Manerio
domini Maguydlyr 9 die Octobris, Anno Domini
1562.

* «c, caballorom.

ORIGINAL LETTERS, 339

Post scripta. Pandimus quod vehementi morbo
opus est celeri remedio, Igitur finem faustum
nostris conatibus imponetis. Contemptus autem
Majestatis regiae generatur ex commissione damno-
rum quando simus in vestro colloquio, et quia stoli-
dorum schomatibus . afficimur, igitur, &c. Nobis
enim asseritur quod ipse Johannes Oneill facit multos
amicos adversus vestram Majestatem ab orientali et
occidentali. Unde precavendum est. Oportet enim
nos elaborare pro aliquo medicamento aliunde acqui-
rendo nisi celeriter nobis per vestrum suflfragium suc-
curretur. De digno autem responso horum omnium
nobis rescribetis, et de promissionibus vestris nobis
fiendis quas vellitis deducere ad finem si possibile erit

Your humble servant to comawnd at all times,

CON. ODONAILL.

Reyerentissimo domino Deputato harum
Litterarum, cum reverentia honoreque
condigno, fiat tradicio.

LETTER CCCLXXX.

Owen Howe to the Earl of Susseic, Lord Lieutenant,

offering his services with two hundred men.

[ibid. f. xii. fol. 23. Or^.]

It maye please your Honor to be atvertysed that I
Owen Rowe, your Honors pore sarvytor, am now
verey pore, and not so pore but I am able to serve

Q 2

340 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

your Honor in what place your Lordsship will apoynt
me with ij. hundred men^ and am alwayes redey at
your Honors commaundement. Therfore I desier
your Lordship to accept my symple serves in good
parte, for yff I were able to conquer all Erlande,
your Honor should commande me to do yt as well as
you maye commaunde oney man you have. I desyer
your Honor to send me word yff your Lordship wyll
commaunde me oney serves. From hir Heyghnes
toune off Craigfergis, the v* of September, 156S.

Your Honors to commaunde duryng lyte to serve
faythfully,

To the ryght honorable and his synguler
good Lord th'Erle off Sussex, Lord
Leftenant off hir Heyghnes realme off
Eyrlande, geve thes.

OWYN ROWE.

LETTER CCCLXXXI.

The Bailiffs of Dundalk to the Lord Lieutenant of
Ireland^ concerning mutual restitution of Cattle he-
tween their Town and Shane O'Neile.

[ibid. f. xii. fol. 53. Orig,'\

Our humble duety premised unto your honorable
Lordship. And where informacion was gyvin to
your Honor that sum of Shane O'Neylls men shoulde
stell certen bevys from the warde of Armaghe, we
certify your Honor that the same are restorid ; ffor

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 341

certen of our townsmen, that were yesterday at Ar-
maghe, as they were retumyng from Shane, praing
him of restitucion of a pray that sum of M*= Mahouns
men made uppon us a Friday last past, showid us
thereof. And they fainid that the bevys ware
scatteryd abrode by wolffs; and ij. of them, that is
nat restorid, to be etten by the said wolfffis. Never-
theles, he saithe he will se them satisfied thereof.
So that we nede nat send any bevys at this tyme.
And as concerning pur pray, made by M*^ Mahonns
men^ as afforsaid, he will never se cow restorid, nor
he wolde nat have lokid uppon our lettre, but sent it
back again undisclosid, callyng us false chorlys vdth
other vile names; wherfor we pray your Honor to di*
rect your strait commaundement to M*= Mahown will-
ing and commaunding him to restore our said pray.
The names of them that made the pray are NeyU
oge M*' Neyll, More O Neyll, and the sons of Evyr
son of Hughe Roo M*^ Mahovm : and the number of
the pray is fifty kyne and iiij. g'rans. And thus we
humbly take leve. From Dundalke, this viij*^ of Oc-
tobre, 1562.

Your humbles

STEPHEN CASSELL
and JAMES DYLLON

To the right honorable the Erie of Sussex,
L. Lieutenaunt of Irelande, gyve these.

\ Bayllyves.

34^ ORIGINAL LETTERS.

LETTER CCCLXXXIL

A Complaint from three Inhabitants of Dundalk to the
QueerCs Majesty's Commissioners y against CowJy
Mac Cormucky who had robbed them of some Cattle.

[ibid. f. xii. fol. 16. Orig.'\

To the Quenes Ma**~. Commissioners*
CoMPLAYNETHE unto youT wisdoms^ Walter Ma-
pas of Dundalk, mercchant, John Loggan, and Patrick
M*^ Gonyll of the same, how that Cowly Mac Cor-
muck Mac Cardyle, of Mac Mahonns contrey, the
xxiiij^ of July last past, came to Dundalke afGbrsaid,
and ther and then prayd and robbid your complay-
nant of xxxyj. kyne, whereof he restoridxxvij. kyne,
and the residue, viij*** kyne, he utterly refusithe to
restore, whereof they praiethe remedy, &c.

LETTER CCCLXXXIII.

The Earl of Sussex to Patrick M^Rowry; charging
him to retain in safe custody y or to surrender to himy
the brother of Mc. Mahony whom he had taken,
[ibid. f. xii. fol. 101. Orig.']

Predilecte Salutem. Hodie intelleximus te
M*' Mahon occidisse et fratrem suum manucepisse, de
quo certe ob tuam causam letamur. Cum vero salus

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 843

tua in manibus tuis est hortamur te quatenus ffatrem
M*^ Mahon nuUo modo e vinculis dimittas sine nostro
consensu^ et si in loco tuto iUum custodire non
poteris ad nos ilium mitte^ nosque ilium non solum
in saluo custodire per Presentes promittimus^ sed
etiam ilium pro te et in tuum usum custodire^ cum ad
te jam gubemacio illius patriae sicut nobis videtur
maxime spectat. Si ad nos veneris, libenter collo-
quium tecum habebimus de his qui non scribebimus.
Interim vero ne dictus M*^ Mabon pacto aut dolo e
manibus tuis liberetur caue, ne post factum peniteas.
Vale. Datum ex Arbrakon 5® Nouembris, 1562.

Tuus amicus

T. SUSSEX.
Predilecto nro Patricio filio Rogeri.

%* At the back of this Letter is apparently the rough copy of an
intended Answer, signed ^'Yester yems subditus Patricins filius
Rogery capitonius de Ffemy.

LETTER CCCLXXXIV.

The Bailiffs and Magistrates of Dundalk to the Lord
Lieutenant and Council of Ireland^ stating that
Shane O'Neile had refused to restore a prey he
had made upon them.

[ibid. f. xii. fol. 45. Orig,'\

Our humble duetyes premised unto your honor-
able wisdoms, pleas it the same to be advertised that

344 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

where' you addressid your lettres to Shane O Neyll,
willing him to restore unto us our pray, mad by his
men the viij**' of Novembre last past, we did send our
messingers therwith to him, and he utterly refusid to
restore the same, alledging that they were none of
his men that made the said pray, where of truthe we
are hable to prove that they ware his men. And for
profe thereof the saide pray is with Neyll M^ Shane
Boy, o Donylly, Neyll Oryraghe o Neyll, and others
of his best men. And where he alledgith for a jest
that they ware of the Hanlons that made our pray,
the same was by his devise and commaundement ;
videlicet, that they and the kern of Neyll M^ Shane
Boy afforesaid, shoulde manyfestly be seen taking the
pray away, and that Neyll Oryragh o Neyll and xij.
horsemen shoulde ly in an Anbushment, reddy to
rescowe them, which thing was done accordingly.
Therfor we humbly beseche your wisdoms to gyve
credit to our sufficient and true matter, and nat to
his untrue denyall. And not onely with this pray
wille he be satisfied, but he hathe sent us warnyng
that so longe as he ly ve, if any man from Tyreoyn to
Kildare do him wrong he will revendge the same
uppon us. So that we imderstond none othir thing
but that he wyll distrpye this town without spedy
remedy may be had. Thus beseching your wisdoms
to have us in remembraunce concemyng the Artilary
mencionyd in our last letter, and to send the

haUffs.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 345

vectualls yf you send the souldiors, we take leve.
From Dundalke, this iij^« of Decembre, 1562.

Your humbles

STEPHEN CASSHELL

JAMES DYLLON.

JOHNE CHASHELL.

JAMES BRANDON.

LENARD BELLEW.

PATRICK STANLEY.

GEORGE g'nON.

To the right honorable the Erie of Sussex,
L. Liewtenaunt of Ireland, and to the
Quenes Ma^<» Consaill of the same.

LETTER CCCLXXXV.

Nardogh MacPryor to the Lord Lieutenant^ to obtain

the liberty of his Son, whom Shane O'Neile kept as

a prisoner.

[ibid. f. xii. 15. OrigJ]

Compleynyng showth unto your moste honorable
Lordshype, whereas Sean Oneyll haw taken all my
goodes from me, and kyps my sonne daylye bounde
with hym, and cut of one of is fyngers, therfore
I beseche your honorable Lordship to get my sonne
from Sean Oneyll and my sayd goods. My Lorde, I
do tary daylye for your helpe and pouer and gett me
my lyvyng that I may serv your Lordship in tymes

Q 5

346 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

comyng. My Lord remembre that you promyt me
to be my good Lord and to helpe me. Now or never,
my Lorde.

Your very orator and dayly servant,

NARDORGH M*' PRYOR.

LETTER CCCLXXXVL

Patrick Rotory, Captain of Feamatf^ to the Lord De-
puty, desiring redress for a hundred and sixty Cows
which had been stolen from him.

[MS. COTTON. TIT. B. zi. fol. 20. 6. Orti^.']

Premissa salutatione illustri invictissimoque do-
mino Locum tenenti ac Deputato serenissimae Do-
minae Reginae in terris Hibemiae. Noverit vestrapre-
eminentia atque dominacio quod eo tempore quo nos
fuiihus vobiscum, et accessimus ad presentiam ves-
tram, causa salutandi vestram dominationem, OKverus
Georgii filii Thomae Plimket et filius Roberti flavi filii
Geraldi ejusdem cognominis depredanmt nos ad sum-
mam centum sextaginta vaccarum. Quapropter ves-
tram dominationem humiliter imploramus, atque ob-
nixe deprecamur, quatenus absque dilatione quacim-
que praefatam nostram praedam ab illis Olivero et filio
Roberti nobis exigatis, aut occupandi bona illorum
nobis licentiam concedatis, et quod in premissis
faciatis ad nos cum presentium latore scribatur. Item,

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 347

non content! mails contra nos comissis, volunt venire
cum filiis Hugonis Yragyllyd causa depredandi nos-
tram predam. Ideoque rogamus vestram Excellen-
tiam quatenus scribatis minatorie ad dominum
Oragyllyd et Hugonem ut inhibiant omnibus suis
filiis et fratribus ne aliquid nocumenti vel prejudicii
nobis generabunt. Ex loco nostraa mansionis, penul-
timo die mensis Augusti> instantis Anni.

Per me Patricium Rogeri Capitanium de Feamay,
vfm fidelem servum.

LETTER CCCLXXXVIL

James Prendergast to the Earl of Ormond and Ossory^
concerning injuries smtained from Morris Fitz-
Garatt and others.

[VESPAS. F. XII. fol. 55. OrigJ]

My mooste reverente and humble duetye pre-
mysed, my good Lorde hit is so that the laste Satur-
daye, Moris Fytz Gerott, with certaine of Jeames
Russell of Lyfiynyne is men, toke from me by nyght
tyme a hundred stode caples.* And that (as I am
made sure) . by the procurement and troughe the
meanes of Piers Butler of the Cahir, who sende myne
evill conseyled and dysposed brother John to that
partyes to shewe the sayde Morys and Jeames Rus-
sell wher to fynde my sayde stode. Wherfore, and

■ caple, a hone, caballua.

348 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

forasmyche as I dare not to be revenged on them tyll

I sholde knowe of your Honors advise, I beseche your

Lordship to lett me be made sure of your counseyll

therein, that I may worke thereafter. Thus I take

my leave at your Honor. From Newe castell this

instante Fry day, 1563.

Your Lordship's humble servant,

JEAMES PRENDERGAST, mami oliencu

To the rigkt honorable myne especiaU
and mooste reverent Lord, th'Erle
of Ormon and Ossorye, thes gyve
in haste*

LETTER CCCLXXXVIIL

Alexander Mac Randyllhoy to the Lord Lieutenant,
complaining of spoils committed upon his property
by O'Neil and Ferdorca M9 Donyll Oge.

£ms. cotton, vespas. f. fol. XII. 96. Orig,1

Jhs,
To the Lord Ljrfittenot.
After my hartty comendacyons I comend ine unto
your Honors, showyng that Onell made a pray or ij,
apon me sen I hawe bein with your Lordship, and
more ower he hawe senyd his messengers to me for
to get a byinge of me and to be his daylly servant.
And, more ower, showyng your Honors that Ferdorca
M*^ Donyll Oge made ij. prays apone me after nyr de-

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 849

partynge frome your Lordschipe, for the which caws I
desyer your Honors to gyf me lew* to rewnge the
said ij. prais apone the said Ferdorca. And I desier
your Honors to send a defens or help, for the said
Onell is stronge apone all Irys men, and send me
your consayll what I shall doe to gyf hime his
desier or not ; and send me ansuer, and mynd in wryt-
tynge, and all nywes by this berrer, in all haste, &c.
By your lowynge and serwant to his power,

ALLEXSANDRE M^ RANYLI« BOYE.

This Byll be delywerede to the Lord
Lyfftenant of lerland with spyde.

LETTER CCCLXXXIX.

Edmund Grindal, Bishop of London^ to Sir William
Cecily upon the state of Cowpland, a part of Cum-
berlandy where the Bishop was horn.
[MS. LANSD. 6. art. 51. Or%g,'\

Sir
I understande a gentleman, one Skelton, verie
neare my native towne, is departed, and doubt
nothing but my countreymen make goode spede for
the wardship. My meaninge is nott att this tyme to
hinder anie particular sute ; but I have offte thowght
to make a generall sute to you for regarde to that
little angle wher I was borne, called Cowplande,

■ leave.

350 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

parcell of Cumberlande ; the ignoranteste parte in
Religion, and tjwste oppressed offcovetouse landlordss,
off anie one parte of this Reahne to my knowlege. I
entende att my nexte cominge to you to discourse
more largely off the state theroff, which, Godde wyl-
lynge, shall be shortely. I have no more to saye for
this matter, butt only to praye you, yff your grawnte
be not fullye paste, to take order bothe for the goode
education off the Warde, and nott to leave the poore
tenentes subjecte to the expilation of those cowntrey
gentlemen withoute some choyse, wherin if it please
you to undrestand myne opinion I will utter it
simplye according to my understandinge.
Godde kepe you, 17 Maii, 1563.

Yo' in Christe,

EDM. LONDON.

To the honorable S' WiUiam Cecill,
Knighte, Secretarie to the Quenea
Ma»*e.

LETTER CCCXC.

Edmund Scamblery Bishop of Peterborough, to Sir
William Cecil: upon the proposal to change the
Name of an Individual at Confirmation.

[ibid. art. 50. OrigJ]

%* Wheatley, in his Illustration of the Book of Common Prayer,
says, by a Provincial Constitution of our Church, made by Arch-
bishop Peccham, A.D. 1281, it is provided that no wanton names

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 351

be giyen to children at their baptism, or, if they be, that they he
changed at Confirmation.* The giving consent to such change was
probably one of the reasons for our rubric anciently enjoining the
attendance of a Godfather or Godmother at the latter ceremony.

Camden, in his Remains, edit. 1674, p. 66, says the practice of
changing the baptismal name was usual in other countries as well
as our own : and instances two sons of King Henry the Second of
France, who were christened by the names of Alexander and Her-
cules, but had them changed at their confirmation into Henry and
Francis,

After my humble commendations imto your
Honor premised, these ar to signifie unto you that
whereas your Honor and Sir Ambrose Cave wrott
unto me conceminge the changing of a name at the
Confirmation, I have lemed that I may not chaage
usuall or comon names, but onlie strange and not
comon ; and further, if the name be changed at Con-
firmation it taketh effect but &om the Confirmation.
And thus wishing your Honor prosperous health, I
committ you to God, who ever preserve you. From
Peterborough, this xxv*^ of Maie, 1563.

Your Honors to command,
edmunde petriburg.

To the right honorable S' William Cecill,
Knight, Principall Secretary to the
Queues Majestic, yeve these.

* See Gibson, Codex Ecd. edit, 1713, vol. i. p. 440. '* Johannes Peccham in
Const, circa Sacramentum, subdit. de Baptismo, &c.— ' Attendant etiam Sacerdotes,
ne lasciva nomina, quse scilicet moz prolata sonent in lasciviam, imponi permit-
tant parvulis baptizatis, sezui pnecipue fceminini ; et si contrarium fiat, per Confir-
mantes Episcopos corrigatur.* " Gibson adds, from Lyndwode, ** tcil. mutando
nomen, et honestius nomen imponendo," farther adding, *' Quod sic in Confirma-
tione mutatum, legale nomen reputabitur."

353 ORIGINAL LETTERS*

LETTER CCCXCI.

Lord Rich, to Sir William Cecil, concerning the
Wardship of one Sarah Stane.

[ibid. art. 23. Orig.^

%* The misery entailed on families in former times by the grant
of Wardships has been already made apparent in Letters of different
periods. We have here an instance of its extending even to humble
life, from the holding of a small tenement.

After my right hartie commendacions unto you,
good maister Secretarie, It may please you to un-
derstand that apon the deathe of one Richard Stane,
late of Pakellesham, in the countie of Essex, yeoman,
who did holde certaine lands of me, as of the Honor
of Rayleigh, by Knight's service, at suche time as
the same Honor was in my possession, I seased one
Sara Stane, daughter and heire of the said Richard
as my warde, and afterwarde sold the wardeship of
her for ten pounds to Margery Stane, her mother,
then widowe, and nowe the wiffe of this berer. Syns
which time it appereth, by auncient records, that
parcell of the lands of the said Richarde Stane, be
holden of the Queues Majestic in chief, by reason
wherof I became humble suter to you, to graunt the
wardeship of the said Sara Stane to this berer, as it
pleased you to do, for the which I render to you my
verie hartie thankes. And syns that time ther is an
office founde in Essex of the premisses, by the which

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 353

(as I am enformyd) the lands are presented to be of
the clere yerely value of ix*i. by reason wherof the
wif of this*berer can haue, by way of dower, but Ix*.
by the yere, wher by the last will and testament of
her late husband, she should haue had yerely vj^^i. It
may therfore nowe please you, the premisses consi-
dered, and the rather at my Jiumble sute, to graimte
all the said lands in farme to this berer, during the
minoritie and nonage of the said Sara, for the yerely
value above expressed, his wyves dower being out of
the same deducted. And thus doing, in myn opinion,
you shall do a good and charitable dede. As knoweth
Almightie God, to whom I commytte you. From
my poore house at Rocheford, the xxyj"* of July,
1563. Your loving friend assuredly,

to comaunde,

RIC. RYCHE.
To the right honorable S*" William Cecill,
ELnight, Secretarie to the Quenes Ma"*,
be theis yeven.

LETTER CCCXCII.

Richard Cheney y Bishop of Gloucester ^ to Sir William
Cecil; expressing his desire to resign his Bishop-
ricks of Gloucester and Bristol* A. D. 1563.

[ibid. art. 72. Orig,'\
I CANNOT but renue my former sute to your

Honour touchyng the resignyng of myne office, for

354 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

consideryng that the jurisdiction of Bristow is taken

from me, and in some poynctes suche prechyng of

the rashe and ignoraunt is continued in Oloucester

diocese, as my consciens and poore leamyng can thynk

not to be good, contrarie to the promyse that my

Lords Grace of Canterbury made me at my beyng at

London: I had moche«rayther lyve a private lyfe,

like a poore man, as I dyd before I was drawen to

office, then thus to continue with suche burden and

torment of conscience, beside care for great pay-

mentes, and charges of housholde, exceadyng great

now in this deere worlde, beyng compelled to lyve

now in the tyme of my first fruites (for lacke of an

house otherwise then hiered) in a great citie as

Gloucester, there bying all in a maner of the penye,

where, yf I had not t'help of Bristowes revenues by

your Honoures meanes, I shoulde have lyved hitherto

moste miserablie. I doubt not but there are ynowe

that wolde take Bristowe alone, and Gloucestre

alone, as they were in Kyng Edwardes and Quene

Maries tyme ; or the Quenes Majestic, yf her Graces

pleasure were so, might, after her exceadyng great

charges latelie susteyned, be somewhat eased for a

season with the revenues of Bristowe, whiche I wolde

gladlie leave, so that I might be rydde also of

Gloucester, and resigne at suche tyme, that T might

departe from my lyvyng out of debt, as I suppose I

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 355

might doo, yf I resigne betwene Michelmas and
Allhaloutide next comyng. I have alredye ynoughe
of Lordyng, wherin I fynde nothyng but sphndidam
miseriam. My trust is, that as I have ever hytherto
fownde your Honour my verie greate and almoste one-
lie frende, so I shall bothe now and hereafter fynde you
in other sutes, as yet unknowen, my greatest frende ;
assuryng your Honour that there hath not wanted in
me good wyll, somewhat to considre your goodnes
towardes me, but there hath wanted poure and ha-
bilitie. Yf yt shall so fall out hereafter, that I be
hable, you shall perceyve that you have doone for a
man not alltogither unkynde or unthankfull. This
booke whiche I have sent is by reason of some lea-
sure perfectlie drawen, and the like is in a redynes
at Bristowe ; but Doctor Cotrell, who is there under
my Lords Grace of Canterbury, sent me worde that
he dothe not send yt up to the honourable Lordes of
the Counsell, because he receyved no letter concern-
yng that matier, but onelie from me, and not from
my Lords Grace of Canterbury. Your Honour
maye sauflie call my man unto you, yf your pleasure
be so, for there is no plage, thankes be to God^ in
our countrey, by whome, yf I may receive twoo
wordes in your letter to my comforte in the pre-
misses, I shall thynk myself excedynglie boimde
unto you, as I doo neverthelesse. Thus wysshyng

356 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

you encrease of grace, vertue, and honour, I take
my leave. From Lekyngton, this 17 of Septemhre,
your Honoures at commaundment.

RIC GLOUC.
To the right honourable syr WyUyam Sicile,
knyght, Princypall Secretarie to the Quenes
moste excellent Miyestie.

LETTER CCCXCIII.

Edmundy Bishop of London^ to Sir William Cecil;,
expressing his hope that the Queen would take notice
of the Duke of Wirtemherg^s kindness to the Eng^
lish Protestants^ who were Exiles at Strashurgh.

[ibid. art. 58. Orig,']
The Duke of Wirtemberges gentleman, whiche
ye comendett unto me, returneth herwith to Courte
agayne. I cowlde have ben contented to have hadde
his companie lenger, I lyke it so well. He was a
student in the Civille Lawe, att Strasburge, when I
was ther, but we wer nott ther acqwaynted. By oc-
casion off talke, we have somewhatt differed in opi-
nion concerninge Brentius doctrine off Ubiquitie,
which he semeth to approove, and nott I ; butt so,
as we wer conttented one to heare anothers reasons,
and eche to suffer other to abownde in his owne
sense.

The Duke of Wirtemberg his master gave, att
one tyme, to the exiled Englishe att Strasburge, 3 or

ORIOINAL LETTERS. 357

4 hundreth Dallers, besydes thatt he gave att Frank-
furde. Iff ye thinke it conveniente, I wolde wisshe
ye mooved the Quenes Ma*" to make some signifi-
cation to the bringer, that her Highenesse hathe
hearde thereoff, that it maye a{>peare his liberalitie is
not alltogether buried in oblivion; or els iff some
remembrance theroff passe frome yowr mowthe, it
mighte doo goode.

Goidde kepe you.

Yo' in Christe,

EDM. LONDON.

Frome Fulham, Januarij, 1563.

To the right honorable Sir William Cecill,
Knighte^ Secretarie to the Queues Ma^^.

LETTER CCCXCIV.

The Earl of Ormond and Ossory to the Ldrd'
Lieutenant, upon the depredations of the Earl of
Desmond.

[ms. cotton, vespas. f. XII. fol. 1. Orig,]

*j^* The date of year of this Letter is not apparent. It was pro-
bably written in 1565. An original Letter of Queen Elizabeth to
Sir Henry Sydney, in the late Lord Kingsborough's possession,
dated Westminster, 8th Jan. 1565, began as follows :

" Right trusty and well beloved, We greet you well. Forasmuch
as there hath been found in the examination of the Controversies
betwixt the Earls of Ormond and Desmond such and so many diffi-
culties and uncertainties in their sundry Allegations and Answers,
as well for the unlawful assemblies, riots, and conflicts which were

358 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

committed the last year in the County of Waterford, and a multi-
tude of other disorders and misdemeanors; as for titles of lands,
liberties, and possessions claimed and chalenged by the one against
the other, that we could no wise come to any certain knowlege or
determination, and in what sort to proceed to the condemnation or
acquittal of any one of them, without further proofs and trial to be
had in that realme of the circumstances belonging to the matters in
controversy, which necessarily ought to be prosecuted in that Realme
where the same controversies and causes have arisen."

My veray good Lord, my duty remembred, and
whear your pleasur is I shold repayr to Dubling, for
the matters in controversy betwyxt th'Erle of Des-
monde and me, I have sent for there complayntes
that have ben spoyled, which, when they are wrytten,
I woU wyth sped repayr to your Lordship. In the
mean tyme, I humbly pray your Lordship to pardon
myne absens. My men are dayly spoyled by th'Erle
of Desmonds, as your Lordship may perceve by the
letter here enclosed, as knowth God, who send your
Lordship your harts desyr. From Waterford, the
XXV. of February.

Your Lordships assured to command,

THOMAS ORMOND AND OSS.

My Lord, I pray you take order wyth th'Erle of
Desmond for stayeng Pers Grace, for he never seases
from spoyling my tenants, when I am not in the
cownty of Kylkeny.

To the ryght honorable (and my very good
Lord) my Lord-Lyutenant.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 359

LETTER CCCXCV.

Queen Elizabeth to Mr. afterwards Sir Thomas Ran-
dol/phy her Ambassador in Scotland^ privately to
sound the Earl of Argyle^ and find how he was af-
fected to her interest with regard to the Rebellion

in Ireland,

[ibid. 9. art. 20. Orig,"]

*«* Archibald, fifth Earl of Argyle, one of the great promoters of
the Reformation of Religion in Scotland, was the nobleman here
alluded to. He was the chief commander of the Queen of Scots'
forces at the memorable battle of Langside in 1668, where, as the
armies were beginning to engage, he was seized with an apoplectic
fit. He did not die, however, till 1575. The Scottish Historians
make no mention of any interference on his part in the affairs of
Ireland ; but there is a Letter of this Earl to Queen Elizabeth in
the Cottonian Collection (Calig. C. I. fol. 155 b.), dated from Dum-
barton, 24th August, 1568, which clearly shows that she was still
afraid of his giving assistance to her enemies. He says, ^'' And
quhan zo' Ma^® writtis that thair is gjreit numeris of people levyed
in my boundis and my Lord of Cassilis, quha is my frende, to invaid
zo*" Ma^<* lieges in the realme of Irelande, I assuir on my honor
that zour M a*^ sail not fynd thai reportis to be trew, nor zit sail do
na thing that may be offensive to zo^ Ma'% ze standing gude freinde
to my soverane : bot sail do zour Hienes all the honor and service
that lyes in my power nixt her Grace quhome to I aucht my obedi-
ence and service.

" Zour Ma''** humble servitor,

" Ar<*. Argyle."

By the Quene.
Elizabeth R.

Trusty and welbeloued, we grete yo^ well, foras-
much as of late we perceaved by some advertise-

360 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

ments sent yow out of Scotland, that there shuld, in
a communication lately betwixt the Erie of Argile
and an other, certen words passe from the said Erie,
pretending some remissenes and diminution of his
former good will towards our service, and specially
for the matters of Ireland, in respect (as he alledgeth)
that he found some lack of our favor in time of his
nede : and yet it semeth by those advertisements (if
he DMght be sure of our favor towardes him) he wold
be as redy to gratify vs with his good will, as in for-
mer times he professed to be : We haue herevpon
thought mete to have the said Erie somewhat delt
withal], for the reteyning of him to beare like good
will to our service, specially in Irland, as heretofore
he did, and to forbeare from all maner of ayde and
comeforting of such as are knowen to be rebellious
in the same realm. Lyke, as by the said advertise-
ment sent vnto yow, it doth appeare that he which is
the principall and almost the only rebell in that
realme hath his servitors secretly following practises
about the Quene there in Scotland, and others, to
such purposes.

And, therfore, first, we wold have yow, by such good
meanes as yow can secretly lerne, to knowe the truth
of the disposicoii of the said Erie of Argile towards
vs. And, if he be dowtfuU in dede vpon the respects
intended, we wold gladly have him reduced from the
same, and to be made assured (as the truthe is) that

ORIGINAL LETTERS.

we were not only right sorry for the troble wherin he
and his frends was, but did also as mi^ch as we cpuld
be in honor perswaded, to be convenient for vs to do
(omitting nothing but open hostility) for the preserva^
tion of him and the other noblemen joyned with
him in that action, as we trust the Erie of Murray
can truly report.

And because we knowe not by what more conveni-
ent meanes he might be induced to be assured of
our good will and favor, we wold have yow for the
acquaintance yow have with the Erie of Murray or
some others, as yow shall think mete, to require
t]iem to communicat thus much to the said Erie of
Argile. And as yow shall think metest, so wold we
have yow vse any convenient persuasion for the time
to alter the said Erie of Argiles mind herin, and to
with drawe him from the favoring of that principall
rebell, being not only rebellious towards vs, but also
a swome cruell adversary to the state of all true relli-
gion : for which respect we think the said Erie of
Argile ought to be moved to impeache his enterpris'.
And yet this we do not conceave of that rebell as of
one "v^om we cannot correct and suppresse, (though
he shuld have ayde of diverse) but for that if he be
not ayded and comeforted other wayes, he shall ether
submitt him self the soner to our correction, as he
doth ill wayes in speches do : or be more spedily, and,
with our lesse charges, chastised or supprested. And

VOL. III. R

362 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

SO we wold have yow vse this matter, as none might
think otherwise of him : for, in dede, so we well un«
derstand what we can do to the subversion of him.
And so we meane playnly to procede, if we shalbe
therto provoked.

Nevertheless considering we think the said rebell
may growe the more audacious vpon hope of helpes
and succors out of Scotland, and therby provoke vs
to the greater charges for the subduing of him, we
could be well content to have all good meanes vsed,^
both to vnderstand his practises there, and his assur-
ances, and finally, to have him disapointed of the
same. And the rather then he shuld receave any
ayde or comefort from thence, we could be content
to have some portion of money by waye of reward
secretly bestowed there to the hinderance of his ayde,
or rather to the playne annoyance of him at such
convenient time as should be thought mete by our
direction, or by th'advertisement of our Deputy in
Ireland.

And yet of this last matter of money, we rather
make mention as of a thing for yow to think ther-
vppon vntill yow may heare furder from vs: then
that you shall deale with any person therin, for we
have of late sent our Vicechamberlein into Ireland, to
conferr with our Deputy there ; and vntil some re-
tume of answer from him, we have suspended our
resolution. And yet, vpon these advertisements sent

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 363

from yowy we thought mete to commonicat thus much
vnto yow, not dowting but yow will vse the same
secretly and discretely to the best for our service, as
the time may serve you. Yeven vnder our Signet,
at our manor of Ghrenewich, the xxiij*** of May, 1566,
the eight yere of our reigne.

To our trusty and welbeloYed servant
Thomas Raadoliih esquier.

LETTER CCCXCVL

Albert of Brandenburghj to Queen EUzaheth^ with a
Present of Ten Falcons^

[MS. COTTON. VESPAS. F« III. fol. 91. b. Orig.']

Serenissima BegiDa, potentissima Princeps et
Domina» Post salutis et incolumitatis precationem
Reginali vestrae dignitati promptissimam aiiimi nos-
tri voluntatem offerimus, eique fausta et foelicia
omnia exoptamus. Serenissima Regina, Domina et
Consanguinea colendissima, pro consuetudine nostra
annua, Reginali vestree dignitati iterum 10 nunc
transmittimus Falcones, a Deo optimo Maximo pe-
tentes ut Reginalis vestra dignitas iis multa cum
delectatione fceliciter utatur. Si etiam Reginali
vestrse dignitati in maioribus studium erga. ipsam
nostrum declarare potuerimus, id pro ea quas cum
Reginali vestra dignitate nobis intercedit arcta con-

R 2

364 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

iunctione animo libentissimo sumus prsestitiiri. Quod

reliquum est Reginali vestrae dignitatis quam et

amamus et colimus plurimum, protectioni Divinse ab.

omnibus rebus aduersis clementer tutandam, etiam

atque etiam x:ommendamus. Dat» R^omonti yii»

die Octobris, anno M.D. XiXVI.

Albertus senior, Dei gratia Marchio

Brandeburgeii, ac in Prussia, Stetiniae,

Pomeranise, Cassubarum et Vandalo-

rum Dux, Burgrauius Noribergensis,

Rugiaeque Princeps,

L. S. manu propria scripsit.

Serenissimo ac potentissimo Principi et
Domiii« dominaeJEllizabethse, Anglise,
Franciae, Hibemiseque Reginae, Chris-
tians fidei patrone, et Ecclesiae An-
GUcanae ac Hibemicae supremae Gu-
bematrici, Dominae et CoDsanguiiieae
nostrse colendissimae.

LETTER CCCXCVII.

Edmundy Bishop of London, to Sir William Cecil,
noticing the Custom of Creeping to the Cross as
used at Dunbar.

[lansd. mss. X, art. 44. Orig,}

Sir
I SENDE you herwith letters from M'..Deane of
Powles : my man sKalle attende for answer, as you
shalle apoynte.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 365

Owre men are all retoumed owte of Scotlande,
and, so farre as I can leame, make no preparation to
goo theder agayne. In the meane tyme they cease
nott her frome theyr olde practeses and assemblyes.
Ytt maye please you to consider whether they are to
be called agayne before you to knowe theyr mean-
ynge.

One of them, named Evans, who is thowght a man
off more simplicitie then the reste, hathe reported
(as I am crediblye enfourmed) that att Dunbarre on
Goode Frydaye, they sawe certeyn persons goo bare-
footed, and bare legged to the churche, to creepe tp
the Crosse. Yf it be so» the Churche off Scotland
wille nott be pure inowghe for owr men. They are
a wilfulle companie ; Godde kepe you humble spirites*

8® Maii. From my howse att Powles.

Yo*" in Christe, edm. london.

To the honorable Sir WUliam Cecill,
Knighte, Secretarie to the Quenes
Majestie.

LETTER CCCXCVIII.

Bishop Grindal to Sir William Cecil; desiring that
the Bishop of Moss may not be sent to him.
[ibid. xii. art. 32. Orig,']
*j^* It was no uncommon practice in Queen Elizabeth's time for
Churchmen who had fallen into disgrace, or who had been guilty of
delinquency, to be committed to the temporary care of other Church-
men, in preference to sending them to prisons. Such was the case
of John Leslie, the well-known Bishop of Ross, who appearing at
the English Court as ambassador for Mary Queen of Scots, was

366 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

tfaovght to baye exceeded his priyilege, and fell inte diflgrace, by his
exertions to procnre her liberty. He was committed, at different
times, to different cnstodies. To the Bishop of London ; to die
Bishop of Ely ; to the Bishop of Winchester ; and at last to the
Tower of London. He was at length set at liberty in 1573, and
banished to the Netherlands.

Leslie was a man of great learning, an able statesman, and a ssea*
loos churchman ; but appears to have been a very troublesome pri-
soner. He died at Guirtenburg, two miles from Brussells, May Slst,
1596. The Bishop of Winchester's Letter, to be delivered firom tiie
Bishop of Boss, though of later date, here fidlews Bishop Grindal's.

Sir, I praye you moste instantlje to be a meane
that I be nott tiobled with the Bishoppe of Bosse :
he is a man of suche qualities as I lyke nothynge att
all. Yf nedes I muste haye a gheste, I hadde rather
kepe M^ Hare stille. The Deane off Powles his
wiffe and howseholde is att Hadham ; he himselfe, is
commonly with me att meales. And iff it please you
to knowe myne opinion in genere, surely I thynke it
wer goode that suche as deserve to be committed,
shulde be sente ad custodias publicas.

Experience declareth thatt none off them are re-
formed, which are sente to me and others : and by
receivinge off them, the punishement lighteth apon
us. Godde kepe you. From my bowse att Powles,
this Sondaye momynge, betwene 8 and 9, imediately
affter the receipte of your letter, 5® Febr. 1569.

Your in Christe,

EDM. LONDON.
To the honorable Sir William Cecill,
Knighte, Secretarie to the Queues
Majestie.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 367

LETTER CCCXCIX.

Robert Hornet Bishop of Winchester to the Lord
Treasurer, to be delivered from the Bishop of
Boss.

[ibid, xvii. art. 57. OrigJ]

Ryght hono**^, the woman of Cananaea thorow her
moche importunitie obtained for her daughter deli-
uerie from a troublesom sprite* The griefe that
growethe towardes me by a troublesome sprite
causeth me to be a more importune suter to your
Honor for my dehuerie from soche a develleshe sprite
as my house is possest withall. I praye your Honor
therfor help me, that this devill were ridde out of my
house. My trust is that your Honor will have me in
remembraunce, and I shall not forgett in my praiers
to the Allmightye to beseche him hartilye to defend
and deliver you from the malitious practises of all
your spritishe fooes. At my house by the Clinke, in
Southwerk, 14Novemb,

Your Ho. to comande in Xo,

ROB. WINTON.

To the right hono'*'* my verye good Lorde,
the L. Burleighe, highe Treasurare of
Englande.

•»♦ The following was the

" Forme to be observed by my Lords the Bishops in the ordering
of such as were committed to their custody for Popery.

368 ORIOINAL LETTERS^

** That the lodging^ in such a coiwenient part of your House as
he may both be there in saCfe custody^ and also have no easy access
of your household people unto him, other than such as you shall ap-
point and know to be settled in religion and honesty, as that they
may not be preverted in religion or any otherwise corrupted by
him.

''That he be not admitted unto your own table, except upon
some good occasion to ha?e ministred to him there, in that presehoe
of some that shall happen to resort unto you, such talk whereby the
hearers may be confirmed in the truth ; but to have his diet by him-
self alone in his chamber, and that in no superfluities but after the
spare manner of Scholars' commons.

*' That you suffer none (unless some one to attend upon him) to
have access unto him but such as you shall know to be persons weU
confirmed in true religion, and are not likely to be weakened .in the
profession of the said religion by any conference they shall have
with him.

** That you permit him not at any time and place, whilst he is
with you, to enter into any disputation of matters of religion, or to
reason thereof, otherwise thab upon such occasion as shall be by
you, or in your presence, with your good liking, by some other mi-
nistred unto him.

'' That he have ministred unto him such books of learned men
and sound writers in diyinity as you are able to lend him, and none
other.

'' That he have no liberty to walk abroad to take the air : but
when yourself is at best leisure to go with him, or accompanied
with such as you shall appoint.

" That you do your endeavor by all good persuasions to bring
him to the hearing of sermons and other exercises of religion in your
House, and the Chapel or Church which you most commonly fre-
quent."*

» MS. Lansd. 159, fol: 198.

ORIGINAL LETTERS^ 369

LETTER CCCC.

Draught of a Letter from the Marquess of Winchester
to Queen EUzaheth in 1571, upon the state of the
Crown Debt.

[ibid. cli. fol. 195.}

*,* This Letter, or Draught, or Minute, contains a summary re-
port of the origin of the Debt with which King Henry the Eighth,
incumbered both his children and his successors.

The Marquess of Winchester was a man of great natural and
great acquired abilities. He was comptroller and afterwards trea-
surer of the Household to King Henry the Eighth, and Lord High
Treasurer during the reigns of King Edward the Sixth and Queen
Mary, and through part of the reign of Queen Elizabeth. Granger
has given the Marquess's character, when repeating one of his
answers to a less experienced courtier. Being enquired of how he
could by possibility accommodate himself to Princes of such differ-
ent characters, so as to retain the same high post through so many
changes of administration, he answered, '' by being a wiUow, and
not an oak." The passage in this Letter relating to the forbearance
of Henry the Seventh to disclose the quantum of his accumulated
treasure is curious.

A Memorandum at the end of the Draught says,

" This Lettre was ment to be written to the Q. Majestic by the
Lord William Marques of Winchestr, high treasorer of England,
but he never finished it : and it was written in April 1571.**

The Marquess of Winchester, who was extremely aged died be-
fore the close of that year.

The King your grandfather having good title to
the Crowne of England, entred the same, and by
strength and Godds helpe slewe Kinge Richard in the
feld, and so proceded to the governance of the realme
and raigned in great honor twenty foure yeres, and

R 5

370 ORIOINAL LETTERS.

in that tyme had iij. fought felds, and no mo Counsel-
lers but Cardinall Morton, Foxe, Lovell, and Bray,
and Sir Giles Dawbeney, whome he made Baron and
Lord Chamberlen. The great Lords he could not
take to Counsell for the variance that was amonge
them. And in that tyme his Majestic grew so riche
that he never made declaracon of his estate, but lefte
all to his Sonne, the Ejnge your father.

The King your father, vpon the deathe of your
grandfather, was brought to the Tower, and there
kept howse till the Duke of Buckingham, and the
old Erie of Oxford came to the Court; and when
they were assembled, there were ij. questions moved
amonge them. The one was whether the Kyngs
Majestic should be brought up in worldly know-
lege, or els in pleasure and liberty, leaving the care to
his Counsell. And it was agreed best to bringe him
vp in all pleasure, for otherwise he should growe to
hard among his subjects as the King his father did ;
and that agrement was kept. The King your father,
delighting in pleasant life, was forced to apoint the
Cardinall to call his Counsell togethers and sett forth
the order and governement of the realm e, and so it
contynewed till his cummjmge to the xxij*** yere of
his raigne, and in that tyme he had spent all the
treasure his father leftq, and as much more taken of
the subjects, of whome he could take no more. And
then was it devised to take of the Clergy ; and so was it

ORIGINAL LETTERS, 371

done. And «o nere was that wasted, when his Grace
came to the xxxtj*** yere of his raigne, that he devised
to consider his estate for mapitenance of the same,
VfiAck could not be foimd before the end of his life.

Then your brother the King entred his raigne, and
continewed the same all in governance by reason of
his nonage ; and by all that tyme kept ia the warre
wherin his father had lefte him, and thereby, and
with his faders dett was growne into great dett, and
so died.

Then came the Quene your sister with sum diffi-
culty to the Crowne, and to all the said dett, that her
Highnes was forced to se her state; and that her
Grace comanded me to make, and so I didd upon
trust her Majestic would have kept the same secret,
but that was not done : but I, called before her Grace,
and commanded to declare that which I had written
to all my Lords of her Privy Counsell, to make profe
of that I had written, and so I didd, though it was
never followed in in all her life. And thereby all
the said dett with the Crowne was, and is cum to
your Majestic, and the dett encreased by the warres,
and by making of great provicons, and by losses in
exchange, which moveth your Majestic to call agayn
to se your estate, and how your dett may be dis-
charged, wherof I have made Papers, and delivered
the same to your Secretory that my L. Keper of
your Great Scale and your Secretory may reade and

372 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

consider the same, whereby they may the better con-
ferre with your Majestie in every thinge, at the
doinge wherof I would gladly have bene, but I am
so trowbled with the humor upon my nose that I am
not able to go abrode, and for that cause only I -de-
sire your Majesty to accept my excuse.

. *«* There is a copy of a Document among the Harleiaa MSS. in
the hand-writing of Ralph Starkey which throws great light npon
the wasteful expenditure of money at the close of the reign of
Henry VIII., so pointedly alluded to in this Letter. It purports to
be a <' Brief Declaration of the Charges of the King's Wars and For-
tifications/' divided for the sake of perspicuity, into several branches,
some extending over a longer period of time than others, between
the 30'"» Hen. VIII. and the e^** Edw. VI.

The first division contains the charges of Hen. VIII. when he
went in his own person to besiege the tovnis of Boulogne and Mon-
treuil ; with the subsequent expense of maintaining the fortifications
of the Boulognois, from 1st Jan. 35 Hen. VIII. to the 1st May
4 Edw. VI., being the day of rendering and leaving the town and
county to the French. 2. The Charges of the fortifications and gar-
risons at Calais, Guisnes, and the Marches, between 30 Sept. 30th
Hen. VIII., and the last of July, 6 Edw. VI. 3. The Charges of
divers and sundry anmes aad garrisons in the North parts of the
realm, with those of the Invasions made into Scotland, from 9 Sept.
34 Hen. VIII. to Ist May 4 Edw. VI. 4. The Charges of the Ma-
rine, and of the men-of-war upon the seas, at sundry enterprizes
against both French and Scots, " within the time of all the said
wars." 6. The expenses of the journey of Landrecy made by the
Emperor against the French King, 35 Hen. VIII. 6 The Charges
of the Castles, Forts, and Bulwarks, made and fortified upon the
^ea-coasts for the defencelof England. 7. The Charges of suppress-
ing the Rebels in the 3 Edw. VI.

The sum total of the expenses included in these several divisions,
amounted very nearly to three millions and a half. The exact sum
was 3,491,471^. 19«. S\(i.

ORIGINAL LETTERS*^ 37S

LETTER CCCCL

George Buchanan to >Mr. Thomas Randolph; jeering

him upon his second Marriage. Busied on the Story

of Scotland. Knox's History. Commends Beza's

Poetry. 1572.

[ibid. XT. art. 24. OrigJl

I resav't twa pair of lettres of you sens my latlie
wryting to you. Wyth the fyrst I resavit Marinus
Scotus, of quhylk I thank you greatly, and sppcialy
that your Inglishmen ar found liars in thair cronicles,
dlegyng on him sic thyngs as he never said. I haif
beyne vexit wyth seiknes al the tyme sens, and geif
I had decessit ye suld haif leset bath thar lettris and
recompena. Now I must neid thank you, bot geif
wear brokke vp of thys foly laitly done on the bor-
der, for than I wyl hald the recompense as Inglii^
geir ; bot geif peace foUowis, and nother ye die seik
of mariage or of the twa symptomes following on
mariage, quhylk ar jalozie and cuccaldry, and the
gut* cary not me away, I most other find sum way to
pay or leise kyndnes, or ellis geifing vp kyndnes pay
zow with evil wordis ; and geif thys fasson of dealing
pleasit me, I haif reddy occasion to be angry wyth
you that haif wissit me to be ane Kentys man,
quylk in a maner is ane centaure, half man, half
beast; and yit for ane certain© consideration I wyl

■ gout.

874 ORIGINAL LETTERS,

pas over that iniury, imputyng it evar to your new
foly than to aid wysdome ; for geif ye had beine in
your ryt wyt, ye being anis** escapit the tempestuous
stormes and naufirage of manage^ had never enterid
agane in the samyng dangeris^ for I can not tak you
for ane Stoik philosopher, having ane head inexpug-
nable with the frenetyk tormentis of jalozie, or ane
cairless hart skeptik that taks cuccaldris as thyng in-
different. In thys caise I most nedis praefer the
arude Scottis wyt of Capitane Cocburne to your
Inglis solomonical sapience, quhylke every of ane
wyfis deliuerit hir to the queyne againe, bot you«
deliuerit of ane wyfe, castis your self in the samyu
nette, etferre potes dominam saluis tot restibus ullam :
and so Capitane Cocburne is in better case than
you, for his seiknes is in the feitte and zowris in the
heid. I pray you geif I be out of purpose, thynke
not that I shuld be maryitt, bot rather consider your
awyn dangerouse estait of the quhylk the speking as
thus troublit my braine and put me sa far outof the way.
As to my occupation at thys present tyme, I am
besy with our Story of Scotland, to purge it of sum
Inglis lyis and Scottis vanite.

As to Maister Knoks, his Historic is in hys
fieindis handis, and thai ar in consultation to miti-
gat sum part the acerbite of certaine wordis, and
simi taimtis quhair in he has followit to muche sum

b once.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 375

of your Inglis writaris, as M. Hal, et suppUcatorem
eius Graftone :^ and as to M. Beza I fear that eild,
quhyk has put me from verss making, sal deliure hym
sone a scabie poetica, quhylk war ane great pitye for
he is ane of the moost singular poetes that has beine
thys lang tyme. As to your great prasyng gevin to
me in your lettre, geif ye scome not I thank you of
luif and kyndnes towart me, but I am sorie of your
corrupt iugement. Heir I wald say mony iniuries
to yow war not yat my gut*^ comandis me to cesse,
and I wyl als spair mater to my mixt writings*
Fairweal and God keip you. At Sterling, the sext
of August Be youris at al a power,

G. BUCHANAN.
To his singalar freynd, M. Randolf,
Maister of Postis to the Queines
G. of Ingland, in Loiidon.

■ Henry EiUigrew, in tiie latter part of a Letter to Lord BorgUejr, dated from
Edinburgh, 6th Oct. 1572, gives the following short but inteiesting notice of ICnoz'a
hitest days. He died Nov. 24th following.

" The Postscript of your L. Lettre I'answer thus. I trust to satisfy Morton, and
for John Knox, that thing you may see by my dispatch to Mr. Secretary is done
and doing daily. The people in general well bent to England, abhorring the fact in
France, and fearing their tiranny.

" John Knox is now so feeble as scarce can he stand alone, or speak to be heard
of any audience, yet doth he every Sunday cause himself to be caried to a place
where a certain numbre do hear him, and preacheth with the same vehemency and
leal that ever he did. He doth reverence your L. much, and willed me once again
to send you word that he thanks Grod he had obtained at his hands that the Gospel
of Jesus Christ is trudy and simply preached throughout Scotland, which doth so
comfort him as he now desireth to be out of this miserable life. He said further,
that it was not long of your L. that he was not a great bishop in Eng^d, but that
effect grown in Scotland, he being an instrument, doth much more satisfy him. He
desired me to make his last commendations most humbly to your Jjordship, and
withall that he prayed God to increase his strong spirit in you, saying there was
never more need. And quoth he to me, ' Take heed how you believe them of the
Castle, for sure they virill deceive you ; and trust me I know they seek nothing more
than the ruin of your Mistress, which they have been about a long time.'* Cott.
MS.Calig. C.iii. fol. 871.

^ gout.

376 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

LETTER CCCCII.

Sir Thonias Smith to Sir Francis Walsingham. The
Massacre of St. Bartholomew.

[MS. COTTON. VESP. F. vi. fol. 130. Ofig.']

\* The Massacre of St. Bartholomew received a short Comment
in the second Series of these Volumes. The terror which it struck
into surrounding countries may be imagined from this and from the
succeeding Letter.

A ControFcrsy relating to it was carried on a few years ago, with
some degree of warmth, between the late Mr. John Allen and Dr.
Lingard, the former having attacked the fidelity of the latter's state-
ments in his History, in the Edinburgh Review. On one side, every
credible document was represented as declaring that the Massacre
was a sudden and unforeseen expedient, an ebullition of popular ven-
geance, suggested by the alarm which the failure of an attempt upon
the life of the Admiral Coligni had excited, and by the danger to be
expected from the revenge of his adherents. On the other side, it
was represented as the consequence of a premeditated plot to entrap
and destroy the Hugonots in general. Again, on the one side,
the hypothesis of a preconcerted plot was represented as not rest-
ing upon contemporary evidence. The other stating the hypo-
thesis as positively advanced upon such authority. There cannot be
a doubt but that contemporary opinion leaned to the side of preme-
ditation ; and that there was not a CJourt in Europe but believed
that the Massacre of Paris was the result of a Plot, as deeply as it
was deliberately planned. A fact which affords this opinion no
trifling corroboration, is, that the documents upon the subject in
France, have long ceased to exist among the Public Records.

Some years ago the Editor of the present Volumes communicated
to the Society of Antiquaries a Copy of the Instructions sent to
Henry Killigrew, Esq""., then Resident at the Court of Scotland, to
announce this Massacre, in which Elizabeth and her Ministers de*
clare, that at the first they supposed it to come but of private
quarrel and contention between the Admiral and certain noblemen
of the Reformed Religion and the House of Guise j but adding
that, from later circumstances <^ you may say that we are afraide, and

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 377

in manner (perfectly do see, that this hath been premeditated and
minded of long time before."

The present Letter^' dated 11th September, 1572, says, "You will
not think how much we are desirous to hear what end these troubles
will have ; whether it rangeth further into all France, or it did, or
will cease there at Paris/' The dates have been already given in
the former Series *• of the ecntinuance qfthe butchery.

Among the Egerton Manuscripts in the Museum >> there is one
preserved, relating to this Massacre,^^ of no common character, en-
titled " Instruction a M. de Guise apres la Barthelemy :" dated
80 Aug. 1572 ; signed by Charles ix*^ himself, and countersigned by
BnUart, Lord Bridgewater has added this Note in his ovni Cata-
logue : " Cette Apologie fut envoy^e dans toutes les Cours de TEu-
rope ; entr'autres en celle d'Angleterre/'

S*, this accident ia Fraunce semeth to us so
straunge, and beyond all expectacon, that we can
not tell what to sale to it. And the excuse tarn
vapdlo^a that we wote not what to think of it The
mater apereth all maner of waies very lamentable.
The King so sodenly and in one day to have de-
spoyled him self and his realme of so many notable
capitames, so many brave soldiars, so wise and so
valiant men. And if they were ungilty of that
which is in word laid to them, yt is most pitifull.
Yf they were giltie, Cur inavdita catcsa damnati ac
ccBsi? In suche sodeine and extreame dealings cita
sed sera pcenitentia solet sequL Yf yet it were
sodein, and not of long tyme premeditate before;
and if so, then the worse, and more infamous. Thus
yow see what privately eny man may think of the
fact. I am glad yet in these tumultes, and cruell

• Second Series, vol. iii. p. 23. '» MS. Egerton, 9-

378 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

proscriptions that jow did escape^ and the yong
gentlemen that be there with yow; and that the
King had so great pitie and care of our nation so
lately w* streight anoitie confederate unto him.
Yet we here saie, that he that was sent by my Lord
Chamberlayn, to be scholemaster to the yong Lord
Wharton, being but com the daie before, was then
slaine. Alas he was acquainted with no body, nor
could be parte taker of eny evill dealing.

How fearfull, and carefull, the mothers and parents
that be here be of such yong gentlemen as be there,
you may easely ges, by my Lady Lane, who prayeth
very emestly, that hir son might be saufely sent
home, w* as mich spede as may be. And if my
Ladie yo*^ wief w* yo' daughter, and the rest of such
as yow may spare, were sent away home, untill this
rage and tempest were somwhat more apeasid, you
should be the quieter, and disbourdened of mich of
your care.

Yow will not think how mich we are desirous to
here what end these troubles will have ; whether it
rangeth further into all Fraunce, or it did, or will
cease there at Paris.

Our Marchaunts be afraid now to go into Frauijce;
and who can blame ? who wolde, where such liberty
is geven to soldiaxs, and where nee pietas nee justitia
doth restreyne and kepe back the unruly malice and
sworde of the raging populace.

ORIGINAL LETTERS. 379

Mons' de la Motte is somwhat spoken to in this
mater; and now the vintage as you know is at hand,
and our trafique into Roan and other places in
France is almost laid downe with this new feare. Y t
greveth no man in England so mich as me, and in
dede I have in som respects the greatest cawse.
Fare ye well. From "Woodstock, the xi*** of Septem-
ber, 1572.

My Lady Lane hath sent by yo' man xxx*». in
gold to pay hir sons detts there and charges in com-
myng home.

Yo' allwais assuiid

T. SMITH.

I most hartely thank yow for yo' Booke of the
storye of the passid trobles in Fraunce, but helas
who shall now worthely write of tiiese new treasons
and cruelties more barbarous then ever the Scithians
used. Both my L. Treasurer and I have bene more
then ones or twies suters to her Ma*** for yo"^ comyng
home, and somtyme we had it grawntid but streight
revokid; the lettres faier written, and immediately
callid back. Ye must I se enduer for a tyme, but I
trust it shall not be long.

380 ORIGINAL LETTERS.

LETTER CCCCIII.

William Paulef, Marquess of Winchester , and Robert
Home^ Bishop of Winchester^ to Sir Henry Rad-
cliffe^ Captain of Portsmouth^ and the Mayor and
Officers there, to examine all Strangers who resort
into the Kingdom, under pretence of Liberty of
Conscience.

[MS. COTTON. VESPAS« f, xii. fol. 191. Of^.]

Whereas the hono***® Counsaile have directed their:
lettres unto us, which came to our hands this pre-
sente morning, declaring howe they are enformed
from sondrie partes that sithence the first daie of
September last past, many straungiers are repaired
in to this realm, under pretence of the libertie of
their consciences, and for safetie of their lives ; and
more are to be looked for dailie ffor that under the
coulour thereof many besides may resorte which have
not like honest meanings towards the preservacion of
the state and quiet of our country : and, thereupon
have required us forthw* to geve order unto all the
oflScers of suche townes and parts adjo3niing unto us
where any such straungiers doe make their abode,
to viewe and note as circumspectlie and directlie as
theie may, what number of straungers have sithence
the said first daie of September, repaired unto suche
townes and portes, and howe manie do remaine, and

ORIGINAL LETTERS, 381

howe many be departed thence, and whither ; noting
perticulerlie what their names be, what nation, con-
dicon and qualitie theie be of, howe they doe behave
them selves, howe manie masters, wifes, children,
and servaunts they be in the whole, and howe manie
the said towne and portes is able to beare : we do
require you, and also in the Queenes Ma** name doe
chardge you personaUie, to be with us at the citie of
Winchester, upon this daie sevennight, which shalbe
the v*^ daie of November. And in the meane tyme
so to indevour your selves as then we may receave in
writing at your hands or at th'ands of some of yours,
sufficient notice and certificate of the state touching
the premisses within your chardge, for the satisffieng
of the hono***' Counsaile, yeven under o' hands, the
xxjx*»» daie of Octob', 1572.

Yo' loving frends, wynchester.

ROB. winton.

To the right worthipll o' loYing frende

S'' Henrie Radcliff, knight, Capitaine

of Portesmouth.
And to o' loving frends the Maior and

other Officers of the same, haste,

haste.
Constables and Tithingmen, see this

Lettre conveighed from place to

place, till they come to the place ap->

pointed for the Quenes Ma^ sendee.

END OF THE THIRD VOLUME.

LONDON:

Printed by S. A J. Bmxur, Wiuov, and Flit,

Bangor Hoom. Shot Lane.

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