Chapter 21

Letter from Henry VIII to the City requesting a benevolence. Dated Greenwich, 25 April [1525].

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 wtyou for an amyable graunte to be made unto us towards the supportacõn of orcharges 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 yorselffes as conformable 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 performe 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 yortowarde conformytes & demeanors 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 yorcomfortes gevyng you for this yorbenevolent demeanorour right hartye thankys. Nevertheless in asmoche as by reaporte andinformacõn 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 yorgood myndes ne ye may commodiously performe 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 orlovynge 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 yorextreme 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 orsaid rights and crown whiche of necessite in avoydynge the greate dishonorthat 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 honorand Reputacõn of us and this own realme accordyngly Yoven undre our Signet at orManer of Grenewiche the xxv day of Aprill.

Order for Obsequies to be celebrated in the City on the death of the lady Jane Seymour, 10 November 1537.

Letter Book P, fo. 135b.

At thys courte yt ys agreed that a Solempn herse shalbe made in poules wyth iiij great Candlestickes wthiiij great Tapers and the herse to be garnysshed wthxxx other great Tapers wthij Braunches of vyrgyn waxe and the same to be garnysshed wthblacke clothe and wththe 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 MrRecorder shall have xxxiijsiiijd. The Chamberleyn the under-chamberleyn and the Towne clerk Every one of them xxsa pece by the commaundement of my lorde Mayre.

Extract from letter from Sir Richard Gresham to Thomas Cromwell, lord Privy Seal, touching the purchase of certain houses in Lombard Street belonging to Sir George Monoux, Alderman of the City of London, for the purpose of a site for an Exchange. Dated 25 July [1538].

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

* * * The Last yere I shewyd yorgoode lordeshipe a Platte that was drawen howte for to make a goodely Bursse In Lombertstrete for merchaunts to Repayer unto I doo suppose yt wyll coste ij m[-l]land more wyche shalbe very beautyful * * and allsoo for the honor owrsoveragne * * 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 yorgood lordshipe [to] move the kynges highnes to have his most gracious lettyrs [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 Lettyrmust be sharply made for he ys of noo jentyll nature and that he shale gyffee Further credens to the mayer I wyll delyver the Lettyrand handyll hym the best I can, and yf I maye obtayngne to have the sayde howyssys I dought not but to gather oon mlltowarde the buildynge or I departe howte of myn office ther shale lacke noo goode wylle In me. And thus orlorde preserve yorgoode lordshippe in prosperous helthe long to contynew. At London thexxvdaye Juylly.

Letter from King Henry VIII to Alderman Monoux desiring him to part with certain property whereon to erect an Exchange. Dated Chichester, 13 August [1538].

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 wtyn that orCytye lyke as ortrusty and Ryght welbelovyd servaunt SrRychard Gresham maiorof 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 orintercessyon to bestowe upon suche a common weale and furtheraunce so moche of yorsayd howsyng as shall nede for thaccomplysshement of the same freely and frankely Or at the least wtso 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 yorgentle confirmite so to doo shalbe by us thankfully accepted and remembred accordyngly Yeven under orsignet at or citye of Chichestre the xiij daye of August.

Another letter from King Henry VIII to the same urging him to part with property required for an Exchange, on reasonable terms. No Date [1538].

Id. ibid.

By the Kyng

Trusty and welbelovyd we grete you well And where as we have lately dyrected to you orletters hartely desyeryng you at orrequest frankely and frely to gyve certeyn yorhowses that ye have in lombardstrete yn that orCytye 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 orsake to conclude wttheym yn that byhalf wheryn ye shulde doo unto us acceptable pleasure not to be forgotten whensoever oportunytye shall requyre Wherupon as we be enformed ortrusty and Ryght welbelovyd servaunt Sir Rychard Gresham Knight lateMaiorof orsayd Cytye have wtother of hys brethern Aldermen of the same bene lately wtyou for thaccomplysshement therof at whiche tyme ye hooly remytted the matter to thorderyng of ortrusty and welbelovyd counsailorSir Richard Ryche chauncelorof orcorte thaugmentacõns of orcrowne wtwhome also the sayd Sir Rychard Gresham wtother of hys brethern thaldermen of that orCytye concluded and agreed to pay yerely for ever an annuall rent of twenty markes by yere for the sayd howses yet thys notwtstandyng thorough the evell counsayll and dethortacõn of certayn persones of frowarde disposicõn whiche lytle regarde orpleasure and yorestymacõn contrary to orexpectacõn and lesse to the furtherance of the common wealth of that orCytye have dysturbed the sayd good purpose to orno lytill marvell we therfore muche desyeryng the same to take effect do eftsones desyre and hartely requyre you that ponderyng and weyng wtyorself the benefite and commodytye that shall ensue therof to orcommon wealth and to the beautifitye of that orcytie and chamber of London to condescende to ordesyre and conclude the sayd graunte accordyngly wtout further delaye Requyryng you that of yorgentle conformytie herein to be used on yorbehalf (the contrary wherof we nothyng loke for) ye woll advertyse us wtconvenyent dylygence by thys brynger Sir Rychard Gresham to thintent that accordyng to yorprocedynges hereyn we maye gyve unto you orcondigne thankes and also remember the same whan occasyon shall serve to yorno lytle benefit accordyngly Yeven under orSignet &c.

Letter of thanks from Henry VIII to Alderman Monoux for acceding to the King's former request. Dated Westminster, 25 Nov. [1538].

Journal 14, fo. 124b.

By the Kynge

Trusty and welbeloved we grete you well And perceyvyngby the relacõn of orRyght trusty and Right welbelovyd counsailorthe lorde privie seale howe at the contemplacõn of orlettres lately dyrected unto you for yorlovyng graunte to be made unto the merchauntes of orcitye of London for theyre reasonable money to have of you suche yorhowses and tenementes situate and lyeng yn Lombardstrete as shulde be mete for a burse wherunto the merchauntes of orsaid Cytye shulde for the trafique of marchaundyses have dayly concorse and accesse to the beautifyeng of orsayd Cytie and the advauncement of orcommon wealth of the same ye have lyke a lovyng subiect conformed yorself unto the same And have of yorowne gentlenes shewed and declared more conformitye unto theyre sute and Request than we desyred of you by orsayd lettres lyke as for yorgentle Accomplysshement thereof we geve unto you orcordyall and condynge thankes So we assure you we shall have the same yortowardnes yn the performyng hereof yn suche remembrance as whan occasyon shall serve yn yorlawfull pursuytes the same shall redownde unto yorbenefyte accordyngly Yeven under orsignet at orRoyall palace of Westminster the xxv day of Novembre.

Proclamation by Henry VIII forbidding public hunting and hawking in the suburbs of London. Dated 7 July, 1545.

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 honorat 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 orladye 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 wthin 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].

Letter from King Edward VI and the Protector Somerset to the City asking for a force of 1000 men as a protection against conspirators. Dated Hampton Court, 6 Oct. [1549].

Letter Book R, fo. 39b.

Trustye and welbeloved we greate yowe well we charge and commaunde yowe moste ernestlye to gyve order wthall spede for the defence & preservacõn of that orCytie 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 orperson one thousand of that orcytie of trustye & faythfull men to attende upon us & ormost intyerly belovyd uncle Edwarde Duke of Somersett governorof orpersonne and protectorof orrealmes domynyons and subiectes well harnessed & wth 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 yorduetye for ours & orseid uncles defence agayns all suche as attempte anye conspyracie or enterpryse of vyolence against us or orseid uncle, and as yow knowe best for orpreservacõn & defence at this presente. Yoven under orSignett at orhonorof Hampton corte the vjthof October the third yere of orreign.

Poscript—Ye shall further gyve credyte to ortrustye & welbeloved Owen Claydon the bearer herof in all suche thynges as he shall further declare unto yowe on the behalf of us & orseiduncle the lord protector.

Letter from Lords of the Council to the City touching the conduct of the Duke of Somerset. Dated 6 Oct. [1549].

Letter Book R, fo. 40.

After orright hartye comendacõns unto yorgood lordship knowyng yorhartye 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 notwthstanding all the good advyse & counseyll that we cowde geve to the Duke of Somerset to steye hymself wthin 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 honor. 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 wthowte measure and to empoveryshe his matiehe 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 dyshonorthat 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 wthyt 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 wthmanye moo to large to recyte consydered we pondred wthorselfes that eyther we muste travayle for some reformacõn or we muste ineffecte as yt were consent wthhym to the destruccyon of orsoveraign lorde & cuntreye, wherepon laying aparte all respectes and restyng only upon orduetyes we joyned in counseyll & thought quyetlye to have treated the matter wthhym, who perceyvyng that we joyned for the kynge & wold have suche order as might be for the suertye of his maties person & the commen welthe streight put hym self in force & resteth at pleyn point as yt appereth eyther to go thurrough wthhis 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 matieis in moste certeyn daunger & this realme ornaturall countrey lyke to be destroyed wth orposteryties, lyke as we have agayne fully resolved wthgodes helpe eyther to delyver the kynges matie& the realme from this extreme ruyne & destruccyon or to spend orlyves for the declaracõn of orfaythfull hartes and duetyes so knowinge yorhartye good wylles & troth to his maiestye & therefore nothinge doubtyng of yorredynes to joyne wth us in orgodly purpose we thought good to lett yowe knowe the verye trouthe of orenterprice & in the kynges matiesbehalf 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 wthin yorcytie 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 yorL. moste hartely farewell from London the vjthof October.

Letter from Queen Mary to the City, desiring a contingent of 1,000 men to be held ready for active service at a day's notice. Dated Richmond, 31 July, 1557.

Journal 17, fo. 54b.

By the Quene

Trustie & welbeloved we grete yow well and lett yow wete ytthe warres beinge open betwixte us and Fraunce and the Kyngeour deerest Lorde & husband passed the seas in persone to pursue the enemye we have gyven order as mete is (orhonorand suertie so requiering) to have a convenyent force putt in a perfytt readynes to attend upon orpersone aswell for the defence & suertie thereof as to resiste suche attempes as may be by any forrein enemye or otherwise made agaynst us & orRealme and therefore will & comaunde yow that of the hole manred of that orCytie of London aswell in lyberties as wthowt 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 orsaide 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 xvjthof 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 wththeire soldiers and the soldyers lykewyse withe their Captaines And because we have wrytten orspecyall lettres to the persones named in the scedule inclosed to furnyshe for orservyce 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 orarmye into Fraunce And of yordoinges herein orpleasure is yow shall advertise us by yorLettres wth as muche spede as you possibly mayeAnd theis orLettres Shalbe unto yow suffycient warraunte and dyscharge for yordoinges in that behalfe Yoven under orSygnet at ormanorof Richemond the last of July the fourth and fyveth yeres of orraignes [1557].

Letter from Queen Mary to the City asking for 500 men to be immediately dispatched for the relief of Calais. Dated Greenwich, 2 Jan. [1557-8].

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 orperson at all tymes whan we shuld calle for the same Havinge receyved certein advertisementes from orTowne of Callice that the Frenche hathe approched theither and myndeth to attempte sum exployte on orsaid Towne and other orpieces there we have thought good for the better metinge wthsuche attemptates as shalbe by them offered to sende a furder supplye of men thither and therfore requyre & comaunde yow furthwthupon the recipte of theise orletters wthas muche dylygente spede as ye may possyblye to putt in a reddynes the number of fyve hundreth hable footemen and to se them furnyshed wtharmure and weapon, whereof as many of them to be harquebutters as yowcan gett and the rest to be furnyshed wthbowes and pykes so as the said number be ready to sett fourthe towardes orsaid 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 orsaid Towne of Callyce at their arryvall there And because this orservyce 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 yowAnd theise orlettresshalbe yorsuffycient warraunte & dyscharge in this behalfe. Yeoven under orSygnet at orMannorof Grenewiche the seconde of January in the fourth and fyfthe yeres of orraignes [1557-8].

Letter from Queen Elizabeth to the City desiring 250 soldiers for service at sea under the High Admiral, Lord Clinton, against the French. Dated Greenwich, 17 May, 2 Eliz. [1560].

Journal 17, fol. 238b.

ELIZABETH R.

Right Trustie and welbeloved we grete you well. Because we certaynly understand that notwthstandinge our desire and good contentacõn at diverse tymes declared to have a treatie wththe frenche for the redresse and staye of the notable Iniuries and attemptes commytted agaynst us and the right of our Crowne and for the wthdrawinge of their forces out of Scotland the whiche can not be permytted there as they be wthout greate daunger not onlie to ortowne of Barwick but also to the state of orrealme 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 wthsomme 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 orRealme aswell to treate wththe frenche for accorde and quietnes as for wthstandinge of there furder attemptes specially by sea we have by advyse of our Counsell thought convenient to send our navie furthwth to the seas, and therwth orright trustie and right welbeloved Counsellor the lord Clynton our highe Admirall to governe the same, and wthorsaid Navie to wthstande 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 toinvade or attempte to lande upon any parte of orsea costes. And for the better furnyture of orsaid navie wthsouldiores we will that there shalbe levyed wthin that our Cytie of London and the liberties of the same the nomber of two hundred and fyftie hable men whereof ormeanynge 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 wtharmoure and weapon mete for that service to be redy in orCytie of London the xxiiijth of this monethe and to departe to ornavie wthorAdmirall at suche tyme as he shall prescribe and for their conducte money the same shalbe delivered to you by order of orTreasorer of Englande. And theise orlettres shalbe yorsufficient warrant for the levyenge of the said nomber of two hundred and fyftie men accordinglie. Yeoven under orsignet at our mannor of Grenewiche the xvijthof Maye the seconde yere of orreigne [1560].

Letter from Queen Elizabeth to the City, desiring that Sir Thomas Gresham might be discharged from serving the offices of Mayor, Alderman and Sheriff. Dated Westminster, 7 March, 5 Eliz. [1562-3].

Journal 18, fo. 137.

Trustie and welbeloved we gret you well; And wheras our faythfull servante SrThomas Gresham knighte is one of the citizens and fredome of orcitie of London, and by reason therof maye perchance hereafter be called upon or elected to serve in the office of maioralderman or shref wthin our saide citie of London or countye of Middlesex. Forasmuche as the same SrThomas Gresham not onlye in tymes past hathe ben employed in orservice about our weightye affayres in the partyes of beyond the sea concerninge the state of orRealme, But also hereafter duringe his lif muste and shalbe employed aboute orlike weightye affayres inorservice 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 yornexte comen assembly or comen counsayle daye to be holden wthin 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 orsaide servante SrThomas Gresham from hensfourth duringe his life shalbe free and clerely discharged of and from the saide offices of maior, alderman and shriff afore mencõned and of and from every of them and not at any tyme to be elected or charged wththe same offices or any of them. And that ye fayle not herof as ye tender orfavor. And of yorprocedinges in observacõn of this our request, that ye do furthwith after yornexte 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 orpalace at Westminster the vijthdaye of Marche in the fyveth yere of our reigne [1562-3].

Proclamation against the Earls of Northumberland and Westmoreland for their rebellion against the Queen's Majesty. Dated Windsor Castle, 24 Nov., 1569.

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, wthcerten personnes of suspected behavor, the formor reportes were renewed and thereof also thesaide 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 Matiescouncell 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 wthwhom 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 wchthei 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 wchnotwthstandinge, thei refused to come: And havinge before the delivery of her Matiesletters to them assembled as great numbers as they could (wchwere 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 Matiessubiectes to take theire partes, as personnes that meane of theire private auctorite to breake andsubvert Lawes threateninge the people that if thei cannot atchive theire purposes, then strangers will enter the Realme to fynyshe the same. And wththis they adde, that they meane no hurte to her Matiespersonne 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 wththem to satisfie there privat lacke and ambicioun wchcannot be by them compassed wthout coveringe at the first certeine highe treason against the quenes Matiesperson and the Realme, longe hidden by suche as have heretofore provoked them, wththe 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 (wchis 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 Matiesraigne wchnowe 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 herewthalso her Maiestie chargeth all her goode subiectes to employ there hole powers to the preservacõn of comon peace (wchis 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 tothis 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 Matieby these presentes for avoidinge of all pretences of ignoraunce reiterat and eftsonnes notifie the same to her whole Realme, wthall 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 Matiesraigne.

god save the quene.

Letter from Queen Elizabeth to the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of London on the occasion of the discovery of the Babington conspiracy. Dated Windsor Castle, 18 August 1586.

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 andsinguler 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, wch(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 wthall 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 Matieso 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 wthall 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 xviijthdaie of August 1586 in the xxviij yere of our Reigne.

Speech made by a member of the Common Council 22 Aug., 1586, upon the occasion of the discovery of the Babington conspiracy.

Journal 22, fo. 52.

Right worshipfull my good countreymen & citezens of this most noble cittie of London. Since the late brute and report ofa 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 wthhir 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 wchher 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 wthanie 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 wththis, that she will not faile wthall 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, wchyou shall heare redd, my lorde maior and his bretheren have required me to declare unto you all thatthey 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 matiewchhath 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 matiehir 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 nopartakers 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 wthall ytwe can make, & wththe 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 wchhathe 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.

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

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

At Plymmowthe xixnoJulij 1588.

A note of all the shipps nowe at sea under the chardge of the Lorde Admerall wththeir nombers of men and tyme of victuallinge wchis reduced nowe to ende inthem all together the xthof Auguste.

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