London and the Kingdom - Volume 3 / A History Derived Mainly from the Archives at Guildhall in the Custody of the Corporation of the City of London.

Letter Book N, fo. 278.

Trusty and right welbiloved we grete you well. Lattyng you wytte that by the reaporte and relacioun of the moost reverende fadre in God our most trusty and mooste enterly welbiloved counsaillor the lorde legate Cardynall Archebisshope of Yorke Primate of Englande and Chauncellor of the same Whom we appoynted to practyse w^t you for an amyable graunte to be made unto us towards the supportacõn of o^r charges for our intended vyage in to Fraunce for recoverey and atteignynge of our crown and rightes there We to our singuler contentation understonde that ye lyke most lovynge and kynde subgettes have shewed yo^r selffes as confo^rmable and well mynded to accomplyshe our desire purposed and shewed unto you by the sayde moost reverende fadre in that behalffe as cowde be imagined or devised And that there lakketh yn none of you any maner towardnes or herty good wille with all effecte to perfo^rme the same For the whiche your good demontracõn evidently provynge the feithfull and mooste lovynge myndes that you alwaies have borne and contynually doo bere unto us, ye do geve us right good cause to devise and studie howe we may be as gracious soverayne lorde unto yow, as ye bee good subgettes unto us: and surely yo^r towarde conformytes & demeano^rs heryn be so imprynted in our harte and mynde that we shall never forgett the same but yn all your resonable causes and pursuytes woll have suche consideracõn and respecte therunto as shalbe to yo^r comfortes gevyng you for this yo^r benevolent demeano^r our right hartye thankys. Nevertheless in asmoche as by reaporte and informacõn of the said moost reverende fader we perceyve that albeyt ye be of this towarde molinacõn and disposicioun as is aforesaid, yet your powers and abilities be not equyvalent and correspondent unto yo^r good myndes ne ye may commodiously pe^rforme the same without your grete detryment and extreme hynderance & decay: We moche more esteme the prosperite of this our realme and the weale of you o^r lovynge and kynde subgettes then we doo ten suche realmes as Fraunce is. And not willynge you in any wise to be so overcharged in this benyvolent graunte as shulde be to yo^r extreme impoverishing have of our herty affeccõn and love towardes you at this tyme directed our other lettres and instruccõns unto the said most reverend fader willyng and desirynge hym to shewe and declare unto you what waies of moderacõn we have devysed to be taken with you in this behalff. By whome ye shall perceyve that we noo lesse doo tendre your weales then we doo the attaynynge of o^r said rights and crown whiche of necessite in avoydynge the greate dishono^r that by the contrary may ensue to us and this our realme and subgettes we must attempte to recover. Trustyng therefor verelye that lyke as we have tendre respecte unto you and your commoditie soo ye will as liberall and good subgettes regarde the importance of our said intendyd viage with the hono^r and Reputacõn of us and this own realme accordyngly Yoven undre our Signet at o^r Maner of Grenewiche the xxv day of Aprill.

No. 35.

Letter Book P, fo. 135b.

At thys courte yt ys agreed that a Solempn herse shalbe made in poules wyth iiij great Candlestickes w^th iiij great Tapers and the herse to be garnysshed w^th xxx other great Tapers w^th ij Braunches of vyrgyn waxe and the same to be garnysshed w^th blacke clothe and w^th the Quenes armys and upon Monday next at after noone the great belles in Every churche at one of the Clocke to be Ronge and so contynue tyll three and then all the belles in Everye churche to Rynge tyle vj of the clocke And my lorde Mayre and the Sheryffes to contynue by the space of xiiij dayes And also agreed that all the Aldermen shall goo in blak and agreed that at twoo of the clocke at after noone to assemble here upon Monday next and that at after noone a Solempn Obytt to be kept at powles and on the morrowe the Masse And that of every Churche twoo preestes shall gyve attendance Every one in theyre Surplesses and the said Preestes to be devyded in fyve places in our Lady Chappell Saint Georges Chappell and Saint The Great Chappels on the North and South partes and that warnynge be gevyn by the clerkes of Every churche to the churchewardens of Everye Churche and one offycer of my lorde mayres to goo west and an other easte Also to gyve warnynge to the churchewardens and that the belles of Every churche upon Tuesday next shall begynne at ix of the clocke and contynue untyll xj of the clocke afore noone And than the great belles of every churche to rynge alone tyll xij of the clocke be strycken And that my lorde for hys Offycers viij blacke Gownes shall have and Every one of the Sheryffes to have iiij a pece At the costes of thys Cytie And that M^r Recorder shall have xxxiij^s iiij^d. The Chamberleyn the under-chamberleyn and the Towne clerk Every one of them xx^s a pece by the commaundement of my lorde Mayre.

No. 36.

Brit. Mus. MS. Cotton, Otho E x, fo. 45.

* * * The Last yere I shewyd yo^r goode lordeshipe a Platte that was drawen howte for to make a goodely Bursse In Lombert strete for merchaunts to Repayer unto I doo suppose yt wyll coste ij m^[-l]l and more wyche shalbe very beautyful * * and allsoo for the honor ow^r soveragne * * ther ys serteyn howssys in the sayd * * longyn to Sir George Monnocks and excepte * * maye purchesse them the sayd Bursse can [not] be made Wherefor yt maye please yo^r good lordshipe [to] move the kynges highnes to have his most gracious letty^rs [di]rectyd to the sayd Sir George Wyllynge and allsoo [co]maundynge hym to cawsse the sayd howssys to be [so]led to the Mayer and Comminaltye of the City of London for suche prices as he dyd purches them for and that he fawte not but to accomplyshe hys gracious commaundement the Letty^r must be sharply made for he ys of noo jentyll nature and that he shale gyffee Further credens to the mayer I wyll delyver the Letty^r and handyll hym the best I can, and yf I maye obtayngne to have the sayde howyssys I dought not but to gather oon m^ll towarde the buildynge or I departe howte of myn office ther shale lacke noo goode wylle In me. And thus o^r lorde preserve yo^r goode lordshippe in prosperous helthe long to contynew. At London the xxv daye Juylly.

No. 37.

Journal 14, fo. 124.

By the Kynge

Trusty and welbelovyd we grete you well. And where as we under stande that ye have certeyn howsyng and tenementes abowt lombard strete in our Citye of london whiche ar veray mete and expedyent for certeyn intended purposes to the weale and commen furtherance of merchauntes and entrecours of the same w^tyn that o^r Cytye lyke as o^r trusty and Ryght welbelovyd servaunt S^r Rychard Gresham maio^r of the same and other hys brethern there can declare unto you Forasmoche as we tender moche that theyre good mynde and purpose in that byhalf may take effect And not dowbtyng but beyng brought up there ye have a good zeale and affeccõn to the same we have therfore thought hartely to requyre you that nowe shewyng the same ye woll nowe vouchesave at o^r intercessyon to bestowe upon suche a common weale and furtheraunce so moche of yo^r sayd howsyng as shall nede for thaccomplysshement of the same freely and frankely Or at the least w^t so reasonable an agreament indelayedly to be made betwene you and the sayd Gresham as they maye have cawse to thynke that ye want no good affeccõn towardes the sayd cytye And also that ye have suche good respect to our requisicõn herein as apperteigneth Assuryng you that yo^r gentle confirmite so to doo shalbe by us thankfully accepted and remembred accordyngly Yeven under o^r signet at or citye of Chichestre the xiij daye of August.

No. 38.

Id. ibid.

By the Kyng

Trusty and welbelovyd we grete you well And where as we have lately dyrected to you o^r letters hartely desyeryng you at o^r request frankely and frely to gyve certeyn yo^r howses that ye have in lombardstrete yn that o^r Cytye of London for a burse or place apte for merchauntes to resorte to orelles upon suche a reasonable agreament and convencõn as ye cowlde fynde yn your harte for o^r sake to conclude w^t theym yn that byhalf wheryn ye shulde doo unto us acceptable pleasure not to be forgotten whensoever oportunytye shall requyre Wherupon as we be enfo^rmed o^r trusty and Ryght welbelovyd servaunt Sir Rychard Gresham Knight late Maio^r of o^r sayd Cytye have w^t other of hys brethern Aldermen of the same bene lately w^t you for thaccomplysshement therof at whiche tyme ye hooly remytted the matter to thorderyng of o^r trusty and welbelovyd counsailo^r Sir Richard Ryche chauncelo^r of o^r co^rte thaugmentacõns of o^r crowne w^t whome also the sayd Sir Rychard Gresham w^t other of hys brethern thaldermen of that o^r Cytye concluded and agreed to pay yerely for ever an annuall rent of twenty markes by yere for the sayd howses yet thys notw^tstandyng thorough the evell counsayll and dethortacõn of certayn persones of frowarde disposicõn whiche lytle regarde o^r pleasure and yo^r estymacõn contrary to o^r expectacõn and lesse to the furtherance of the common wealth of that o^r Cytye have dysturbed the sayd good purpose to o^r no lytill marvell we therfore muche desyeryng the same to take effect do eftsones desyre and hartely requyre you that ponderyng and weyng w^t yo^rself the benefite and commodytye that shall ensue therof to o^r common wealth and to the beautifitye of that o^r cytie and chamber of London to condescende to o^r desyre and conclude the sayd graunte accordyngly w^tout further delaye Requyryng you that of yo^r gentle conformytie herein to be used on yo^r behalf (the contrary wherof we nothyng loke for) ye woll advertyse us w^t convenyent dylygence by thys brynger Sir Rychard Gresham to thintent that accordyng to yo^r procedynges hereyn we maye gyve unto you o^r condigne thankes and also remember the same whan occasyon shall serve to yo^r no lytle benefit accordyngly Yeven under o^r Signet &c.

No. 39.

Journal 14, fo. 124b.

By the Kynge

Trusty and welbeloved we grete you well And perceyvyng by the relacõn of o^r Ryght trusty and Right welbelovyd counsailo^r the lorde privie seale howe at the contemplacõn of o^r lettres lately dyrected unto you for yo^r lovyng graunte to be made unto the merchauntes of o^r citye of London for theyre reasonable money to have of you suche yo^r howses and tenementes situate and lyeng yn Lombardstrete as shulde be mete for a burse wherunto the merchauntes of o^r said Cytye shulde for the trafique of marchaundyses have dayly conco^rse and accesse to the beautifyeng of o^r sayd Cytie and the advauncement of o^r common wealth of the same ye have lyke a lovyng subiect confo^rmed yo^rself unto the same And have of yo^r owne gentlenes shewed and declared more conformitye unto theyre sute and Request than we desyred of you by o^r sayd lettres lyke as for yo^r gentle Accomplysshement thereof we geve unto you o^r cordyall and condynge thankes So we assure you we shall have the same yo^r towardnes yn the perfo^rmyng hereof yn suche remembrance as whan occasyon shall serve yn yo^r lawfull pursuytes the same shall redownde unto yo^r benefyte accordyngly Yeven under o^r signet at o^r Royall palace of Westminster the xxv day of Novembre.

No. 40.

Journal 14, fo. 240b.

Forasmoche as the Kynges moste Royall Maistey is moche desyrous to have the Games of hare partriche ffesaunte and heron preserved in and abowte his hono^r at his paleys of Westmynster for his owne disporte and pastyme That is to save from his said paleys at Westmynster to saint Gyles in the feelde and from thens to Islyngton to o^r ladye of the Oke to Hyghegate to Harnesey parke to Hampstede Hethe and from thens to Shotehophyll to Wyllesdon to Acton to Cheseweke to Chelsehethe and so from thens to his said paleys of Westmynster to be preserved and kepte for his owne disporte pleasure and Recreacõn. His Highnes therefore straytlye chargethe and Commaundeth all & singuler his subiectes of what Estate Degree or condicõn soever they be that they ne any of them do presume or attempte to hunte or hawke or in any manener of meanes to take or kyll any of the said Games w^thin the precincte aforesaid as they tender his favour and wull exchewe further punysshement at his Maiestyes wyll and pleasure. * * * Dated Westminster, 7 July, 37 Henry VIII [1545].

No. 41.

Letter Book R, fo. 39b.

Trustye and welbeloved we greate yowe well we charge and commaunde yowe moste ernestlye to gyve order w^th all spede for the defence & preservacõn of that o^r Cytie of London for us. And to levye owte of hande & to putt in order as menye as convenyentlye yowe maye well weaperred & arayed keapyng good watche at the gates. And to sende us hether for the defence of o^r person one thousand of that o^r cytie of trustye & faythfull men to attende upon us & o^r most intyerly belovyd uncle Edwarde Duke of Somersett governo^r of o^r personne and protecto^r of o^r realmes domynyons and subiectes well harnessed & w^th good & convenyent weapon. So that they do make their repayer hether unto us this night if yt be possyble or at the leaste tomorrowe before none. And in the meane tyme to do what as apperteyneth unto yo^r duetye for ours & o^r seid uncles defence agayns all suche as attempte anye conspyracie or enterpryse of vyolence against us or o^r seid uncle, and as yow knowe best for o^r preservacõn & defence at this presente. Yoven under o^r Signett at o^r hono^r of Hampton co^rte the vj^th of October the third yere of o^r reign.

Poscript—Ye shall further gyve credyte to o^r trustye & welbeloved Owen Claydon the bearer herof in all suche thynges as he shall further declare unto yowe on the behalf of us & o^r seid uncle the lord protecto^r.

No. 42.

Letter Book R, fo. 40.

After o^r right hartye comendacõns unto yo^r good lordship knowyng yo^r hartye loves & earnest zeales to the preservacõn of the person of the kynges maiestie & of this realme: and other his maiesties realmes & domynyons we have thought good to advertyse yowe that notw^thstanding all the good advyse & counseyll that we cowde geve to the Duke of Somerset to steye hymself w^thin his reasonable lymyttes and to use his governement nowe in the tender age of his maiestye in suche sorte as might tende to his highnes suertye to the conservacõn of his estate & to his owne hono^r. The seid duke neverthelesse styll contynuing in his pryde covetousnes & ambycyon ceaseth not daylie by all the wayes & meanes he can devyse to enryche hymself w^thowte measure and to empoveryshe his ma^tie he buyldeth in iiij or v places moste sumptuouslye & leaveth the poore souldiers unpayed of their wages onvyttaylled and in all thynges so unfurnysshed as the losses lately susteyned to the greatest dyshono^r that ever came to the kynge & this realme do declare; he soweth daylie dyvysyon bytwene the nobles & gentlemen of the commens he rewardeth & enterteyneth a nomber of those that were capteyns of the commens in this late insureccõns & fynally in such wyse subverteth all lawes justyce & good order as yt is evydent that puttyng his truste in the commens & perceyving that the nobles and gentlemen shuld be an impedyment to hym in hys dyvyllyshe purposes he laboureth fyrste to have theym destroyed & thyncketh after easelye inough to achive his desyer w^th yt appeireth playnly is to occupye the kinges maiesties place for his doinges who so ever lyste to beholde theym do manyfestlye declare that he myndeth never to render accompte to his maiestie of his procedynges. These thynges w^th manye moo to large to recyte consydered we pondred w^th o^rselfes that eyther we muste travayle for some reformacõn or we muste in effecte as yt were consent w^th hym to the destruccyon of o^r soveraign lorde & cuntreye, wherepon laying aparte all respectes and restyng only upon o^r duetyes we joyned in counseyll & thought quyetlye to have treated the matter w^th hym, who perceyvyng that we joyned for the kynge & wold have suche order as might be for the suertye of his ma^ties person & the commen welthe streight put hym self in force & resteth at pleyn point as yt appereth eyther to go thurrough w^th his detestable purpose in sorte as he hathe done or to trye yt by the sworde. Nowe for asmoche as we see presentlie that onles there be a reformacõn the person of the kinges ma^tie is in moste certeyn daunger & this realme o^r naturall countrey lyke to be destroyed w^th o^r posteryties, lyke as we have agayne fully resolved w^th godes helpe eyther to delyver the kynges ma^tie & the realme from this extreme ruyne & destruccyon or to spend o^r lyves for the declaracõn of o^r faythfull hartes and duetyes so knowinge yo^r hartye good wylles & troth to his maiestye & therefore nothinge doubtyng of yo^r redynes to joyne w^th us in o^r godly purpose we thought good to lett yowe knowe the verye trouthe of o^r enterprice & in the kynges ma^ties behalf so requyre yowe not onlye to put good & substancyall order for watche and warde but also to have an earnest contynuall regarde to the preservacõn w^thin yo^r cytie of all harneys weapons & munycõns so as none be suffred to be conveyed to the seid duke nor any others attendyng aboute hym and besydes that yow from hensforth obey no letters proclamacõns nor other commaundements to be sent from the seid duke and thus we byd yo^r L. moste hartely farewell from London the vj^th of October.

No. 43.

Journal 17, fo. 54b.

By the Quene

Trustie & welbeloved we grete yow well and lett yow wete y^t the warres beinge open betwixte us and Fraunce and the Kynge our deerest Lorde & husband passed the seas in persone to pursue the enemye we have gyven order as mete is (o^r hono^r and suertie so requiering) to have a convenyent force putt in a perfytt readynes to attend upon o^r persone aswell for the defence & suertie thereof as to resiste suche attempes as may be by any forrein enemye or otherwise made agaynst us & o^r Realme and therefore will & comaunde yow that of the hole manred of that o^r Cytie of London aswell in lyberties as w^thowt yow do appoynte the nomber of one thousand hable souldyers wherof as many to be horsemen as may be and the resydewe to be hable footemen the horsemen to be well horssed & armed & of the footemen the fourthe parte to be harquebutiars or archers One other fourthe parte or more to beare pykes and the residewe of the said footemen to be bylles all well harnessed and weaponed to serve us in o^r saide defense having & kepinge the same nomeber in suche order as under the leadynge of mete Captaynes gentlemen of enherytaunce or their heires apparaunte by yow lykewyse to be named they may be readye by the xvj^th of August nexte at the furthest and from thensfourthe to contynue in suche a redynes as at all tymes after they maye be hable upon one dayes warninge to repaire unto us or suche other place as we shall appoyncte for our servyce Takinge also suche order as the said Captaynes to bee by yow named may in the meane tyme knowe and be acquaynted w^th theire soldiers and the soldyers lykewyse withe their Captaines And because we have wrytten o^r specyall lettres to the persones named in the scedule inclosed to furnyshe for o^r servyce suche nombers of men as they ar hable to make Our pleasure is yow shall forbeare in the settinge fourthe of theis numbers to take any the tenaunts or others under the rules or offyces of the said persones or of any others appoynted lykewyse to serve us And our pleasure is yow shall have also lyke respecte to the tenaunts & others under the rules and offyces of those noble men and gentlemen now gon with o^r armye into Fraunce And of yo^r doinges herein o^r pleasure is yow shall advertise us by yo^r Lettres w^th as muche spede as you possibly maye And theis o^r Lettres Shalbe unto yow suffycient warraunte and dyscharge for yo^r doinges in that behalfe Yoven under o^r Sygnet at o^r mano^r of Richemond the last of July the fourth and fyveth yeres of o^r raignes [1557].

No. 44.

Journal 17, fo. 55.

Trustie and welbeloved we greate you well and where ye did this last Sommer put in a readynes the nomeber of one thowsande men to attend upon o^r person at all tymes whan we shuld calle for the same Havinge receyved certein advertisementes from o^r Towne of Callice that the Frenche hathe approched theither and myndeth to attempte sum exployte on o^r said Towne and other o^r pieces there we have thought good for the better metinge w^th suche attemptates as shalbe by them offered to sende a furder supplye of men thither and therfore requyre & comaunde yow furthw^th upon the recipte of theise o^r letters w^th as muche dylygente spede as ye may possyblye to putt in a reddynes the number of fyve hundreth hable footemen and to se them furnyshed w^th armure and weapon, whereof as many of them to be harquebutters as yo^w can gett and the rest to be furnyshed w^th bowes and pykes so as the said number be ready to sett fourthe towardes o^r said Towne under the conducte of suche captaynes as we shall appoynte by Frydaye nexte at the furthest For whose conducte money we have alredy given order they shall receyve the same at o^r said Towne of Callyce at their arryvall there And because this o^r servyce requyrethe moche expedycõn and haste, ye shall not neade to staye for the makinge of any cotes for the said number but to send them fourthe withe all spede Wereof we requyer you not to fayle as we specyallye truste yo^w And theise o^r lettres shalbe yo^r suffycient warraunte & dyscharge in this behalfe. Yeoven under o^r Sygnet at o^r Manno^r of Grenewiche the seconde of January in the fourth and fyfthe yeres of o^r raignes [1557-8].

No. 45.

Journal 17, fol. 238b.

ELIZABETH R.

Right Trustie and welbeloved we grete you well. Because we certaynly understand that notw^thstandinge our desire and good contentacõn at diverse tymes declared to have a treatie w^th the frenche for the redresse and staye of the notable Iniuries and attemptes commytted agaynst us and the right of our Crowne and for the w^thdrawinge of their forces out of Scotland the whiche can not be permytted there as they be w^thout greate daunger not onlie to o^r towne of Barwick but also to the state of o^r realme consideringe the false pretence made and certeyne other depe practises by them agaynst this Realme. To the furderaunce of whiche treatie they offer in speche and good wordes accesse of personages to mete w^th somme of ours; yet their preparations to the seas be daylie so great as greater can not well be whiche surely with convenient providence on our parte and by goodes goodnes we nede not feare. Thearfore meanynge to be ready for the defense and honour of o^r Realme aswell to treate w^th the frenche for accorde and quietnes as for w^thstandinge of there furder attemptes specially by sea we have by advyse of our Counsell thought convenient to send our navie furthw^th to the seas, and therw^th o^r right trustie and right welbeloved Counsellor the lord Clynton our highe Admirall to governe the same, and w^th o^r said Navie to w^thstande suche force as he shall fynde on the frenche parte upon the seas to damage either our owne subiectes and marchauntes tradynge the seas or the subiectes of any other our frendes or to invade or attempte to lande upon any parte of o^r sea costes. And for the better furnyture of o^r said navie w^th souldiores we will that there shalbe levyed w^thin that our Cytie of London and the liberties of the same the nomber of two hundred and fyftie hable men whereof o^r meanynge ys, that the one halfe shoulde be archers and thother harquebuttiers, and as sone as ye have levied the same, our pleasure is that ye shall commytt them to several captaynes for every hundred, and cause them to be arrayed w^th armoure and weapon mete for that service to be redy in o^r Cytie of London the xxiiij^th of this monethe and to departe to o^r navie w^th o^r Admirall at suche tyme as he shall prescribe and for their conducte money the same shalbe delivered to you by order of o^r Treasorer of Englande. And theise o^r lettres shalbe yo^r sufficient warrant for the levyenge of the said nomber of two hundred and fyftie men accordinglie. Yeoven under o^r signet at our mannor of Grenewiche the xvij^th of Maye the seconde yere of o^r reigne [1560].

No. 46.

Journal 18, fo. 137.

Trustie and welbeloved we gret you well; And wheras our faythfull servante S^r Thomas Gresham knighte is one of the citizens and fredome of o^r citie of London, and by reason therof maye perchance hereafter be called upon or elected to serve in the office of maio^r alderman or shref w^thin our saide citie of London or countye of Middlesex. Forasmuche as the same S^r Thomas Gresham not onlye in tymes past hathe ben employed in o^r service about our weightye affayres in the partyes of beyond the sea concerninge the state of o^r Realme, But also hereafter duringe his lif muste and shalbe employed aboute o^r like weightye affayres in o^r service concerninge the state of oure realme from tyme to tyme as our pleasure shalbe to appoynte. These ar to signifye unto you that those & other speciall consideracõns us movinge our request and expresse pleasure is that at yo^r nexte comen assembly or comen counsayle daye to be holden w^thin our saide cittye ye do cause it to be fyrmely and perfectley ordered and of recorde emongest yon regestred by an absolute acte of comen counsell that o^r saide servante S^r Thomas Gresham from hensfourth duringe his life shalbe free and clerely discharged of and from the saide offices of maio^r, alderman and shriff afore mencõned and of and from every of them and not at any tyme to be elected or charged w^th the same offices or any of them. And that ye fayle not herof as ye tender o^r favo^r. And of yo^r procedinges in observacõn of this our request, that ye do furthwith after yo^r nexte comen counsell daye assertayne us by writing from you to the intent we maye have consideracõn of the same as shall appertayne. And sowe bidd you fare well from o^r palace at Westminster the vij^th daye of Marche in the fyveth yere of our reigne [1562-3].

No. 47.

Journal 19, fo. 202b.

By the Queene.

The Queenes maiestie was sundry wise aboute the latter ende of this sommer infourmed of some secrete whisperinges in certaine places of Yorkshire, and the Bishopricke of Durham that there was lyke to be shortly some assemblies of Lewde people in those partes tendinge to a rebellyon: Whereof, because at the first the informacõns conteyned no evident or direct cause or proofe therfore her Maiestie had the lesse regarde therto, untill upon certayne convencõns and secrete meetinges of the Earles of Northumberlande and Westmerlande, w^th certen personnes of suspected behavor, the formor reportes were renewed and thereof also the saide two Earles were in vulgare speaches from place to place expresslye noted to be the auctors, whereupon the Earle of Sussex, lorde President of her Ma^ties councell in those north partes, gave advertisment of the like brutes, addinge nevertheles (to his knowelege) there was no other matter in dede but lewde rumors, sodaynly raised and sodaynly ended. And yet shortely after he sent for the two Earles w^th whom he conferred of those rumors: who as thei could not deny but that thei had harde of suche, yet (as it nowe afterward apperethe) falsely then dissemblinge, thei protested themselves to be free from all suche occasions, offeringe to spende theire lyves against any that shulde breake the peace and so muche trusted by the said lorde president upon theire othes, they were licensed not only to departe, but had powre geven to examyn the causes of the said brutes. Neverthelesse the fire of theire treasons w^ch thei had covered was so greate, as it did newly burst out mo flames. Whearupon her Maiestie beinge alwais lothe to enter in any open misport of any of her nobilitie, and therfore in this case desirous rather to have bothe the saide Earles cleared from suche sclaunders and her good people that lived in feare of spoile to be quitted comaunded the lord President (as it semed) havinge than discovered somewhat further of theire evill purposes, dyd onely at the first write to them to come to hym to consult upon matters apperteynynge to that councell, whereunto they made delatory and frivolous answeres: and so beinge once agayne more earnestly required, thei more flatly denyed. And last of all her Maiestie sent her owne private letters of comaundement to them to repaire to her presence all w^ch notw^thstandinge, thei refused to come: And havinge before the delivery of her Ma^ties letters to them assembled as great numbers as they could (w^ch were not many, for that the honester sorte dyd refuse them) thei did enter into an open and actuall rebellion armynge and fortifyinge them selfes rebelliously in all warlike maner and have invaded houses and churches and published proclamacõns in there owne names to move her Ma^ties subiectes to take theire partes, as personnes that meane of theire private auctorite to breake and subvert Lawes threateninge the people that if thei cannot atchive theire purposes, then strangers will enter the Realme to fynyshe the same. And w^th this they adde, that they meane no hurte to her Ma^ties personne a pretence always first published by all traitors. And as for reformacõn of any greate matter, it is evident thei be as evill chosen two personnes (if there qualities be well considered) to have creditt, as can be in the whole Realme. And nowe her Maiestie manifestly percyvinge in what sorte these two Earles beinge both in povertie, the one havinge but a very small porcõn of that wiche his auncesters had and lost, and the other havinge almost his whole patrimony wasted, do go aboute throughe the perswasion of a nomber of desperat persons associated as parasites w^th them to satisfie there privat lacke and ambicioun w^ch cannot be by them compassed w^thout coveringe at the first certeine highe treason against the quenes Ma^ties person and the Realme, longe hidden by suche as have heretofore provoked them, w^th the cover of some other pretended generall enterprises hathe thought good that all her good lovinge subiectes shulde spedely understand howe in this sorte the said two Earles contrary to the naturall propertie of nobilitie (w^ch is instituted to defende the prince beinge the head and to preserve peace) have thus openly and traitorrously entred into the first rebellyon and breach of the publique blessed peace of this Realme that hath heppened (beyonde all former examples) duringe her Ma^ties raigne w^ch nowe haithe contynued above eleven yeares, an acte horrible against god the only gever of so longe a peace; and ungratefull to there soveraigne Lady to whom thei two particularly have heretofore made sundry professions of there faith and lastely most unnaturall and pernicious to theire natyve cuntrey that hath so longe enyoied peace, and nowe by there only mallyce and ambicioun is to be trobled in that felicitie. And herew^th also her Maiestie chargeth all her goode subiectes to employ there hole powers to the preservacõn of comon peace (w^ch is the blessinge of almightie god) and spedely to apprehend and suppresse all maner of personnes that shall by any dede or word shewe them selfes favorable to this rebelliouse entreprise of the said two Earles, or any there associates who as her Maiestie hath already willed and commaunded to be by the forsaid Earle of Sussex, her liefetenaunt generall in the northe, published rebells and traitors against her Crowne and dignytye so dothe her Ma^tie by these presentes for avoidinge of all pretences of ignoraunce reiterat and eftsonnes notifie the same to her whole Realme, w^th all their adherentes and favorers to be traitors, and so to be taken and used to all purposes not doubtinge but this admonicõn and knowlege geven, shall suffice for all good subiectes to retaine them selves in there dwetes, and to be void from all seducinge by these foresaid rebells and traitors or there adherentes and favorers, whatsoever there pretences shalbe made or published by them selves, or suche as have not the grace of god to delighte and lyve in peace, but to move uprores to make spoile of the goodes and substances of all good people, the true proper fruytes of all rebellions and treasons geven at the Castell of Windsor the xxiiij daie of November 1569 in the twelfth yere of her Ma^ties raigne.

god save the quene.

No. 48.

Journal 22, fo. 52.

Right trustie and welbeloved we grete you well being given tunderstand howe greatlie our good and most Loving subiectes of that Cittie did reioyce at the apprehension of certayne develish and wicked mynded subiectes of ours that through the greate and singuler goodnes of god have of late ben detected to have most wickedlie and unnaturallie conspired not onelie the takinge awaie of our oune lief, but also to have stirred upp (as mutche as in them laye) a generall rebellion throughout our whole realme: we could coulde [sic] but by our owne lettres witnes unto you the grate and singuler contentment we receyved uppon the knowledge thereof assuringe you that we did not so mutche reioyce at the escape of the intended attemp against our owne person, as to see the greate Joye our most Lovinge subiectes tooke at the apprehension of the contrivers thereof, w^ch (to make their Love more apparent) the have (as we are to our greate comfort enformed) omitted no outwarde shewe, that by anie externall acte might witnes to the worlde, the inward love and dutifull affeccion they beare towardes us, and as we have as greate cause w^th all thankfulness, to acknowledge godes greate goodnes towardes us throughe the infinit blessinge he layeth uppon us as manie as ever Prince hadd, yea rather, as ever creature hadd; Yet doe we not for anie worldlie blessinge receyved from his devine Ma^tie so greatlie acknowledged them, as in that it hath pleased him to inclyne the hartes of our subiectes. Even from the first begynninge of our reigne, to carrie as greate Love towardes us, as ever Subiectes carried towarde Prince, whiche ought to move us (as it dothe in verey deede) to seeke w^th all care and by all good meanes that apparteyne to a christian Prince, the conservacion of so loving and dutifull affected subiectes. Assuringe you that we desire no longer to Live, then while we maie in the whole course of our governement carrie our self in sutche sorte, as maie not onelie nourish and contynewe their Love and goodwill towardes us, but also increasse the same we thinke meete that theise our lettres should be also commynicated in sum generall assemblie to our most Lovinge subiectes the commons of that cittie. Geven under our signet at our castell of Wyndesor the xviij^th daie of August 1586 in the xxviij yere of our Reigne.

No. 49.

Journal 22, fo. 52.

Right worshipfull my good countreymen & citezens of this most noble cittie of London. Since the late brute and report of a most wicked and tray terouse conspiracie, not onelie to take awaie the leif of our most gracious soveraigne whom god graunt longe to lyve & raigne over us but also to stuer upp a generall rebellion throughout the whole realme; the greate and universall ioye of you all of this cittie, uppon the apprehension of divers of that most wicked conspiracy a late declared and testified by manie outward actes & shewes hathe wrought in the quenes most excellent maiestie sutche a gracious contentement, that it hathe moved hir highnes, by hir letters signed w^th hir owne hand to signifie unto my L. Maior of this cittie, and his bretherein, her most noble and pricelie acceptacioun thereof And that in sutche sorte as there by maie appeare that hir highnes hath not more no not so mutche reioyced at the most happie escape of the wicked mischeif intended against hir owne person as att the ioye w^ch her lovinge subiectes and namelie you of this cittie of London looke at the apprehension of the practizers of that intended treason By occasion whereof hir highnes brought to a thankfull rememberance, and acknowledginge of godes infinite blessing bestowed on hir, comparable w^th anie prince or creature in the worlde no worldly thinge more or like accompteth of them of the heartie love of hir lovinge faithfull subiectes many wayes and many tymes before nowe but especially by this our greate ioye in this sorte at this tyme and uppon this occasion shewed.

And that hir exceadinge greate love and exceptacion of our reioycinge maye the more appeare unto you, it hath pleased hir highnes in the same letter to declare that she desireth no longer to live amonge us, then she shall maynteyne contynue norish & increase the love and goodwill of her subiectes towardes hir And this her highenes hath willed to be made knowen unto you all w^th this, that she will not faile w^th all care and by all good meanes that apperteyne to a Christian prince to seke the conservacion of you all so lovinge and dowty full affected subiectes This hir maiesties pleasure in parte nowe declared & more to be made knowen to you by hir owne letters, w^ch you shall heare redd, my lorde maior and his bretheren have required me to declare unto you all that they doe hartelie reioyce and thank god for the happie daie of the good acceptacion of this your greate ioye. And my L. himself hathe willed me to give you all hartie thankes in his name for that in the tyme of his service your dutifull behaviours have gotten to the cittie so noble & worthie a testimonie of dewtie & loyaltie of so worthie & noble a quene.

Now for asmutche as godes blessinges wonder fullie abounde & one ioye cometh uppon an other let us not be unthankfull to god but acknowledge his goodnes, attribute the same (as in deede we ought) to the sincere religion of allmightie god most godlie established by the quenes most excellent ma^tie w^ch hath taught us to knowe god a right our dowtie to our soveraigne and to love our countrey, and hath made us dutifull & obedient subiectes reioycinge att all good thinges happeninge to hir ma^tie hir realme or to anie in hir noble service the true effectes of a true & good religion. Whereas the contempners thereof & the immoderate affectors of the Romish religion & suspersticions, beinge voide of the true knowledge of god, have declyned from god, their allegiance to their prince their love to their countrey, And have become inventors of mischifes, brutors and spreaders abrode of false and sediciouse rumors, sutche as ioye at no good thinge but contrarie wise reioyse at everie evell successe, the badges and markes of their profession, who have before this, & in this realme and other hir highnes dominions stirred upp rebellion forrein invasion, and manie tymes practized the verey deathe & destruccion of the quene hir self the ruyne & subversion of the whole realme the proper effectes of their romishe religion.

We have behelde thes thinges & seene in our daies the ruyne and mischeifes invented against others fall uppon the inventors themselves & have knowen the wicked and violent handes of divers of them devilishlie to kill & murdre them selves whom most trayterouslie then woulde, and most happilie the could not slea the Lordes annoynted.

As we have knowen all thes thinges, so god be thanked, that by a better religion, havinge ben better taught, we have ben no partakers of their wicked devises, But have put to our helpinge handes as occasion hath served, and over redie to ever throwe the auctors & devisers there of.

And I have no doubt, but we of this noble cittie, who hetherto have ben alwaies redie dutifullie & faithfully to serve hir maiestie uppon all occasions (her highnes now so graciouslie acceptinge onely of our reioycinge at the apprehension of her enemies ever the least parte of the dutie of a good subiecte to so good a quene) wilbe redie everie one w^th all y^t we can make, & w^th the uttermost adventure of all our lives spedilie to be revenged uppon all sutche as shall vilanouslie & trayterouslie attempe or put in ure anie mischeif to her noble person, and in the meane tyme will have a better eye and eare to all suspicious miscontented persons to their sayenges and doinges to their false brutes and reportes, to the places and corners of their haunt & resort, to their harbours companions, ayders & maynteyners.

God upholde and contynue his religion amonge us & increase our zeale therein w^ch hathe made us so lovinge & loyall and so beloved & acceptable subiectes to so worthie a prince, & roote out the wicked & romishe religion that hath made so manie disloyall & trayterous subiectes, to whom is bothe odious & irkesome the longe lief and prosperouse reygne of our most noble quene Elizabeth. God confounde all sutche traytors and preserve hir hignes longe to live and raigne over us.

No. 50.

List of ships furnished and victualled by the City to meet the Armada, 1588.

State Papers Dom. Vol. ccxii. No. 68.

At Plymmowthe xix^no Julij 1588.

A note of all the shipps nowe at sea under the chardge of the Lorde Admerall w^th their nombers of men and tyme of victuallinge w^ch is reduced nowe to ende in them all together the x^th of Auguste.