APPENDIX A. (continued 2)

No. 35.

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 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.

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 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.

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 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.

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 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.

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 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.

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 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 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 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 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 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.

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 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.

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 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.

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 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.

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 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.

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, 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.

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 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.

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 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.

Men.

The London Shippes The Hercules 120 Theis shipps beinge set furthe by the Cyttie are victuallid by them alreadie until the x^th of Auguste and shalbe here furnyshid with a moneths victuall more at the Cytties chardge accordinge to yo^r Lo: order.

The Tobie 110

The Senturyon 90

The Marget and John 84

The Mynyon 84

The Assention 84

The Red Lyon 84

The May Flower 84

The Primrose 80

The Teger 72

The guyfte of god 64

The B. Burre 64

The Brave 64

The golden Lyon 64

The Royall defence 60

The Thomas bonaventur 60

The releif 16 instead of theis to have 2 pynnasses

The Moneshine 30

The Pasporte 30

The Dyana 16

No. 51.

Government order to victual ships furnished by the City; 24 July, 1588.

State Papers Dom. Vol. ccxiii. No. 15.

Mr. Quarleis theis are to praie you presentlie to victuall theis shippes hereunder written nowe at the seas w^th my Lo: Admirall w^th one moneths victuall of xxviij daies to begyn the x^th of August 1588 and to end the vij^th of September followinge both daies included Of w^ch monnethes victualls you are to victuall the said Flete for the fyrst xiiij daies at Portesmouth The other xiiij daies the victuall to be sent to Dover. This to be doune with all spede possible and so fare you well from my house at Stroude the xxiiij^th of Julie 1588

1 The Hercules Of London.

2 The Tobie

3 The Senturion

4 The Marget and John

5 The Mynion

6 The Assention

7 The Red Lion

8 The Tygar

9 The Mayflower

10 The Prymrose

11 The gift of god

12 The bark Burle

13 The Brawle

14 The golden Lion

15 The Riall defence

16 Thelen Nathan

20 The foure pynnasses

No. 52.

List of all the ships furnished by the City against Spain in 1588.

State Papers Dom. Vol. ccxxxvii, fos. 15b-16b.

The whole flete sett out in 88 against the Spaniards and w^ch were payed by Q. Eliz: and how many were payed by London and the Porte Townes?

Queene Eliz: whole armye at Sea against y^e Spanish forces in anno 1588.

Shippes set forth and payde upon y^e charge of y^e City of London anno 1588

Men.

The Hercules 120 George Barnes

The Tobie 110 Robert Barratt

The May flower 90 Edw: Bankes

The Mynion 90 John Dale

The royall defence 80 John Chester

The Assention 100 John Bacon

The Guift of God 80 Thom: Luntlowe

The Prime Rose 90 Rob: Bringborne

The Margarett and John 90 John Fisher

The goulden Lyon 70 Rob: Willton

The Dyana 40

The B. Burre 70 John Sarracole

The Tigar 90 Will^m Cæsar

The Brane 70 Will^m Furth

The Red Lyon 90 Jarvis Willes

The Centurion 100 Samuel Foxcraft

The Pastporte 40 Chr. Colethurst

The Mooneshine 30 John Brough

The Tho. Bonaventure 70 William Alldrige

The Releife 30 John King

The George Noble 80 Henery Billingham

The Anthony 60 George Harper

The Tobie 70 Chr. Pigott

The Sallamander 60 Damford

The Rose Lyon 50 Barn. Acton

The Antellope 60 Dennison

The Jewell 60 Rowell

The Paunce 70 Will^m Butler

The Providence 60 Rich. Chester

The Dolphin 70 Will^m Hare

30 Shipps and Barques 2130 men.

No. 53.

Letter from King James I to the City upon his accession to the throne. Dated Holyrood House, 28 March 1603.

Journal 26 fo. 75b.

Trustie and welbeloved we greit you hartelly well beinge informed of youre great forduartnes in that iuste and honorable action of proclaminge ws youre Souverane lord and King immediatlye after the deceas oure late darrest Sister the quene, wherin yo^u have gevin a singulare good proufe of your ancient fidelitie, a reputation hereditarie to that oure Citie of Lundon, beinge the Chamber of oure Imperiall crowne and ever free from all shedowes of tumultous and onlawful courses wee could not omitt w^th all the speid possible wee might to give you hereby a teast of oure thankfull mynde for the same and withall assurance that yo^u cannot crave anie thing of ws fitt for the mentenance of yow all in generall and everie one of yow in particulare but it shalbe moast willingly performed by avs whose speciall care shall ever be to provide for the continewance and incresse of your present happines desiringe yow in the meane tyme to goe constantly forduart in doinge all and whatsumer things yow shall find necessary or expedient for the good goverment of oure said Citye in execution of Justice as yow have bene in wse to doe in oure said darrest Sisters tyme, till oure pleasure be knowen unto yow in the contrare This not douting but ye will doe as ye may be fully assured of oure gratious favour towards yow in the hieghest degrie, we bid you hartely farewell Halyrudhous the 28 of Marche 1603.

No. 54.

Reply to the above. Dated 29 March, 1603.

Id., fo. 76.

To the most high & mighty Prince our most dread & gracious Soveraigne Lord King James y^e First King of England, Scotland, France & Ireland.

Most mighty prince & our most dread & gracious Soveraigne Wee cannot expresse the great comfort and exceeding ioy conceived here for this great blessing of Almighty God in preserving yo^r sacred Ma^tie for this yo^r right and yo^r right for y^u and y^u for us yo^r Liege people of this yo^r Realme w^ch is increased & redoubled by the perfect union and concurrence of all yo^r Ma^ties faithful subjects throughout yo^r Realme especially of this yo^r Highnes City in harty love & loyall affeccõn towards yo^r Highnes a Prince so famous and renowned through the world for yo^r great wisdome piety iustice Magnanimity & other great & princely vertues whereby our selves and all other yo^r Loyall Subjects of this your Land are made assured of y^e continuance and increase of that happy peace holy religion & other great & infinite blessings of Almighty God, which wee have enjoyed soe many yeares by the happy governm^t of o^r late gracious and glorious Queene of famous memory.

What thancks sufficient can wee render to Almighty God for this his mercy and unspeakable goodnes towards this Land whoe hath thus tempered o^r great sorrow w^th a great^r comfort & repaired this o^r great losse of a Mother with the advantage of a greater gain in the succession of yo^r Highnes as a Father which is accompanied w^th the union of both Kingdoms to the great Strengthening of yo^r Highnes and noe lesse terror of y^e Enemies (if any be) of yo^r Highnes person & estate.

Touching o^r selves to whom the Charge & preservacõn of this yo^r Chamber and principall City is comitted as wee have endeavored with all o^r powers to advance yo^r Highnes most iust clayme and rightfull title to the Succession of this yo^r Kingdome soe o^r future care & indeavour shall extend it selfe to y^e very uttermost of our witts & power to preserve y^e same w^th all humble duty & circumspeccõn for yo^r Highnes use ag^t all power & opposicõn both of this Land (if any happen as God forfend) and the whole world. For assurance of w^ch o^r Loyalty & devoted loves towards yo^r Highnes Wee have sent unto y^u o^r speciall Messenger to witt o^r Secretary & Remembrancer Mr. Doctor Fletcher a man (wee heare) non unknowne unto yo^r Highnes As alsoe to returne unto us the Significacõn of yo^r Highnes pleasure and direccõn in such matters as shall conduce to the well ordering of this yo^r Chamber W^ch wee humbly pray Almighty God & intreate yo^r Highnes for yo^r owne and yo^r peoples sake may be accelerate w^th all safety and due caucõn of yo^r person to the publique ioy both of o^r selves and yo^r whole Realme From London this xxix^th of March 1603.

Your Ma^ties most humble & loyall Subjects

The Maior & Aldermen of your Highnes Citty & Chamber of London.

Robert Lee Maior

John Hart

John Spencer

Stephen Slaney

Henry Billingsly

Stephen Soame

John Garrard

Jo: Croke Recorder

Tho: Bennett

Tho: Lowe

W^m Glover

W^m Romeney

Leonard Halliday

John Watts

Rich. Goddard

Henry Rowe

Edw. Holmden

John More

Robt. Hampton

Roger Larke

Humf. Weld

Tho: Cambell

W^m Craven

Henry Anderson

James Pemberton

Jo: Swinarton, Sherriffe

No. 55.

Letter from King James I to the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of London, in reply to the foregoing. Dated Newcastle, 11 April 1603.

Journal 26, fo. 80.

JAMES R.

Right trustie and welbeloved wee greet you well Althoughe before the Comeynge of yo^r Lettres and this gentleman sente unto us wee had w^th greate Contentment by Comon reporte understood of your forwardnes in Joyninge w^th y^e nobillitie of this our Realme in the publishinge of oure righte to the succession of this Crowne. Yet weare wee not a little gladd to finde y^e same confirmed by soe honeste and diutifull a testimonie thereof under yo^r owne handes and by y^e speeche of a persone of soe greate truste w^th you and chieflie that you are not lead into this devosion onlie by the undoubted belief of oure righte, but alsoe for y^e assurance you have of oure zeale to y^e preservacõn of Religion for that wee have alwaies accompted those accõns that aryse oute of religious groundes to be the beste founded. And as wee doubte not but that in that poynte we shall give you and y^e reste of o^r people satisfaction. Soe maie you be assured that in all other thinges, wherein wee shall understande that anie breache or wronge hath bene done to y^e liberties and priviledges of that o^r Cittie wee wilbe readie to restore whatsoever shalbe justelie expected of us as we have more at lardge spoken to this gentleman and will by oure actes when wee shalbe amongest you make knowne to yo^r selves esteeminge yo^u worthie to be helde in noe lesse accompte of us then you have byne to anie of o^r progenitors whoe esteemed you moste. Given under o^r Signet at o^r Towne of Newcastle y^e xj^th daie of Aprill 1603 in y^e firste yeare of o^r raigne of England.

No. 56.

Letter from the Lords of the Council to Sir Arthur Chichester, Deputy in Ireland, as to the course to be pursued with the City's Commissioners, appointed to view the Irish Estate. Dated Whitehall, 3 Aug., 1609.

Transcripts, &c., Irish Government (Public Record Office), Vol. I, fo. 500.

After o^r very harty comendacõns to yo^r Lp. we have written unto yo^ur Lp. and the Counsell there a letter wherein we have in generall recommended certaine cittizens appointed by the Citty of London to view the Derrye and Colrane and the cuntrie between them; And in this have thought it expedient to declare o^r minde somewhat more particulerly, because we shoulde be sorry that any endeavo^r or informacõn should be lacking that might either satisfie or encourage them For when we consider how slowly this busines hath yet gon forward since it was first intended, how fit & able the Citty is for a work of y^t importaunce, of what good use their example wilbe to draw on others and lastly what reputacõn it will give both abroad and at home to y^e action y^t is like really to be effected we are moved to recommend them the more earnestly unto yo^r Lp. to take order that all occasions of discouragement may be prevented which som indiscreete persons may unprovidently suggest, if choice be not made of such to conduct and accompany them, who for their experience and understanding shalbe able both by discourse and reason to controule whatsoever any man shall reporte, either out of ignorance or mallice, and to give the undertako^rs satisfaccõn when they shalbe mistaken or not well informed of any particuler. For which purpose the conductors must have care to lead them by the best waies and to lodge them in their travaile, where if it be possible, they may have English entertainement in Englishmens howses. And howsoever we have had the opportunitye heere to lay the first hand upon this offer, and to make the project unto the Cittie thereby to drawe them on to entertaine the same for an entraunce into the business yet that it may be both begun and well followed we send the same here inclosed and must leave it to your lordship to perfect. Wherein we thinck it fit. That those y^t be sent in their company be so well prepared before hand to confirme and strengthen every part thereof by demonstracõn as they may plainely apprehend & conceive the comodities to be of good use and profit; on the other side, that matters of distast as feare of the Irish, of the souldiers, cess and such like be not so much as named, seeing you knowe that discipline and order will easilie secure them. And if there be any thing conteyned in the Project, whether it be the Fishing, the Admiralty or any other particuler w^ch may serve for a motyve to enduce them; Although yo^r lordship or any other have interest therein yet you shall make no doubt but his Ma^ty will have such consideracõn thereof that no man shalbe a looser in y^t w^ch he shall parte w^th for the furtheraunce of this service. And thus not doubting of yo^r L^ps discreete carriadge of this busines y^t cannot besides your generall dutie but be glad in your owne particuler to have so good neighbo^rs to yo^r plantacõn we byd yo^r Lp. very hartely Farewell. From Whitehall the third of August 1609.

No. 57.

Letter from Speaker Lenthall to the Lord Mayor asking, on behalf of Parliament, for a City loan of £60,000. Dated Covent Garden, 15 Jan., 1640-1.

Journal 39, fo. 167.

My Lord,

The greate necessetie of supplyinge the Kinges Army and providinge for the Northen Counties without which the peace of the Kingdome wilbe much endangered is such that the Howse of Commons is inforced to thinke upon a more present way of raysinge moneyes then can bee effected in the Course of Subsidies. Whereupon they have directed mee to pray your Lorpp. to call a Cõmon Hall with as much speede as conveniently you may and to comend to the Cittizens of London the Loane of £60000 by such as shall freely and willingly contribute thereunto. Which they intende not as any burthen unto them, but as an occasion of further expressinge of theire good affeccõns to the publiq. Whereof they have soe often had experience and they will soe provide that the Sũme now desired to bee lent shalbe truly repaide out of the Subsedies w^th interest for the time it shalbe forborne wherein not doubtinge of yo^r Lopp^s Care in the best way you may to further this request for y^e Cõmon safetie of the Kingdome and to receyve an answer as speedily as the bussines will permitte, ffrom my house in Covent Garden this instant 15^th of Januarij 1640.

I rest Your Lopp^s. verie loveinge ffreind W^m Lenthall, Speaker.

No. 58.

Another letter from Speaker Lenthall on the same matter. Dated Covent Garden, 6 Feb., 1640-1.

Id. ibid.

My Lord,

The present necessity requiringe the sũme of £60000 for the good of the Kingdome to be advanced sooner then by way of subsidies it can be levied as hath bin formerly signified vnto yo^r Lo^rpp. by Ald̃ran Pennington. The house hath commaunded me this day againe to intimate unto you their desire that w^th the help of such Citizens as are willing to lend particuler sumes you will take such Course that £60000 may presently be paid into the Chamber of London that soe it may be disposed of as the house shall direct. Wherein not doubting of yo^r Lo^rpps care I rest from my house in the Coven garden the sixth of ffebruary 1640.

Yo^r Lo^rpps very loving freind W^m Lenthall, Speaker.

No. 59.

A third letter from Speaker Lenthall on the same matter. Dated Charing Cross, 19 Feb., 1640-1.

Journal 39, fo. 180.

My very good Lord and Gentlemen,

I have formerly by my lrēs directed by order of the house of Cõmons vnto yo^r Lo^rpp signified their desire to borrow of the City sixty thousand pounds for the presente supply of the Kings Army and releif of the Northern partes conceived to tend principally to the gen'all safety of the whole kingdome.

We could not but take notice of the forwardnes of the Citty to comply and albeit there hath bin some protraccõn, yet we now expect the expression of it in a speedie payment. I am therefore required by the house of Commons to desire yo^r Lo^pp forthw^th to call a Comon Hall, and in that to signifie unto them our desires, Their former ingagement by promise and the expectacõn of the present performance the urgent and instant necessity of the Kingdome admitting of no delay w^thout great hazard of insueing danger to us all w^ch we desire may be prevented.

We have taken care for the secure payment of this £60000 by the bill of subsidies already passed whereof I thought it fitt to Certifie yo^r Lorpp resting

Yo^r Loving faithfull friend to serve you W^m Lenthall, Speaker from my house at Charing Crosse 19 ffebruarij 1640.

No. 60.

Letter from the Earl of Essex to the City desiring a loan of £100,000 for the maintenance of the Parliamentary army. Dated Northampton, 13 Sept. 1642.

Journal 40, fo. 38.

My lord and gentlemen I receaved so great expressions of affeccõn both to y^e cause, and to myselfe from y^e cittye of London at my departure from you, that I cannot dispaire but to obtayne any suite from you that shalbee an advantage to y^e Comon wealth Upon a true judgment of y^e condicõn of our affaires and of that of y^e enemye, I am confident that wee may bringe this business to a quick and happy conclusion God doth blesse us w^th so good successe dailey & the other parte by their plundring and burninge of townes and houses grow so odious, that they grow weaker wee stronger everywhere. Yet are wee in one great straight, and such a one as if it bee not speedily remedyed, may quash all our hopes, and endanger that peace, and libertie which wee so much strive for. Our treasure w^ch must maintayne y^e army grows neere an ende, and yo^u well know our army consists of such as cannot bee kept one day togeather w^thout pay, what a ruine it would bringe uppon us all if a disbandinge should happen I leave to your judgments. My desire unto yo^u is that yo^u would supply us w^th the speedy loane of one hundred thousand pounds which I am confident would w^th Gods blessinge bringe these unhappy distraccõns to an ende quickly. Vour citty hath hitherto had y^e honor (next to God) to bee the chiefest safetye of the Kingdome and Parlyament. This will render yo^u to all posterity the ffinishers of this great worke. If any thinge of particuler love or respect to mee may bee any argument herein I shall take it for y^e greatest honor that hath befalne mee and will oblige myselfe to acknowledge it by the utmost and most faithfull indeavors of your ffaithfull ffriend Essex. From the rendezvous att Northampton 13^o Sept. 1642.

No. 61.

Letter from the Earl of Essex to the City on the appointment of Skippon to the rank of Sergeant-Major-General in the Parliamentary army. Dated Hammersmith, 16 Nov. [1642].

Journal 40, fo. 41b.

My lord and gentlemen. Havinge a due regarde both to the publique trust and to the good and wellfare of the cittye of London I have made choice of Serjeant Major Skippon to bee Serjeant Major Generall of the army under my comaund beinge well assured of his fidellïtye and abillity to discharge that trust. And yet knowinge of what concernement his present imployment in y^e citty may be I have thought fitt to give your Lor^pp and yo^u gentlemen notice hereof w^th this assurance that in this choice I have had a speciall regard as to the publique so particulerly to the securetye of the cittye of London. And that in it I do not intende wholy to deprive yo^u of him but so as his service may be rendered usefull both to this armye and to your cittye whose good and wellfare I shall carefully provide for y^e uttmost of my power and do rest your ffaithfull ffriend Essex. From my quarter at Hammersmith this 16th day of November 1642.

No. 62.

Resolution of the Common Council for putting the City and Suburbs into a posture of defence, 23 Feb. 1643.

Journal 40, fo. 52.

That a small fort conteyning one bulwark and halfe and a battery in the reare of the flanck be made at Gravell lane end. A horne worke w^th two flanckers be placed at Whitechapell windmills. One redoubt w^th two flanckers betwixt Whitechapell church and Shoreditch. Two redoubts with flanckers neere Shoreditch church w^th a battery. At the windmill in Islington way, a battery and brestwork round about. A small redoubt neere Islington pound. A battery and brestwork on the hill neere Clarkenwell towards Hampstead way. Two batteries and a brestworke at Southampton house. One redoubt w^th two flanckers by S^t Giles in the Feilds, another small work neere the turning. A quadrant forte w^th fower halfe bulwarks crosse Tyborne high way at the second turning that goeth towards Westminster. At Hide parke corner a large forte w^th flanckers on all sides. At the corner of the lord Gorings brick wall next the fields a redoubt and a battery where the court of Guard now is at the lower end of the lord Gorings wall, the brestwork to be made forwarder. In Tuttle feilds a battery brestworke, and the ditches to be scowred. That at the end of every street w^ch is left open to enter into the suburbs of this citty defenceable brestworkes be made or there already erected repayred w^th turnepikes muskett proof, and that all the passages into the suburbs on the northside the river except five viz^t. The way from St. James towards Charing Crosse, the upper end of Saint Giles in Holborne, the further end of St. John Street towards Islington Shoreditch church and Whitechappell be stopped up. That the courtes of guard and the rayles or barrs at the utmost partes of the freedome be made defensible and turnepikes placed there in lieu of the chaynes all muskett proof. And that all the shedds and buildings that joyne to the outside of the wall be taken downe. And that all the bulwarkes be fitted at the gates and walls soe that the flanckes of the wall and streets before the gates may be cleared and that the gates and bulwarks be furnished with ordnance.

No. 63.

Letter from the Mayor, &c., of Gloucester to the City of London, touching the removal of Colonel Massey. Dated 29 May 1645.

Journal 40, fo. 132.

When we were in suche distresse by a close seige, that our freindes held our condicõn desperate, and our enimies did assure themselves of prevailing over us; by Gods providence we had reasonable releif from your famous and ever renowned citie w^ch doth now embolden us to present unto you our present estate, which is in breife. That our heartes w^th the heartes of the country in generall are surrounded w^th feare and greife for the removall of Collonell Massey from us, whose endeavors amongst us God hath soe wonderfullie prospered. Wee represented our sadd sense thereof and our reasons in particuler by peticõn to the hono^ble houses of parliament, but such meanes was used by some for the accomplishment of their owne ends therein that our peticõn was not read in the howses. So that wee are like to be deprived of him, and thereby much distraccõn, if not confusion sorely threatned to us and this countrey, thereby to the encouragement of the enimy and discouragement of o^r friends. Therefore we doe humbly apply ourselves unto you desiring you to interpose for us to the Parliament for his contynuance w^th us. Wherein you will not only doe us a singuler favour, but we are confident much further the publique service thereby, and which shalbe most gratefully acknowledged by

Your humble Servants Luke Nurse Maior [and seven others.] Gloucester 29 of May 1645.

No. 64.

Letter from the Mayor, &c., of Plymouth to the City of London, enclosing copy of petition to Parliament for relief against the depredations of the Royalists. Dated 5 Sept. 1645.

Journal 40, fo. 144b.

The greate zeale you have ever manifested for the good of the kingdome, and the forwardnes you shewed to contribute your assistance to us upon all occacõns doth imbolden us at this tyme of our extremity to beseech you to stretch out yo^r helping hand to us you know we have bin long beseiged, and we have often moved the Parliam^t, the Committee of the West, and the Generall for releif, and all this summer it hath bin promised, but o^r hopes are hitherto frustrate. We have therefore sent the peticõn (whereof the enclosed is a copie) to Sir John Young and Mr. Waddon Burgesses for this towne, and indeed this is the last and only visible meanes that unde God is left us. We beseech you that you wilbe pleased to second our peticõn by your owne desires in our behalf. And wee shall not cease to pray for the contynuance of yo^r peace and encrease of all other blessings and rest

Yo^r most humble servants Justinian Pearde Maior [and four others.] Plymouth at the Committee for Goverm^t, 5 Sept. 1645.

No. 65.

The City's petition to King Charles I in reply to His Majesty's letter of the 19^th May 1646.

Id., fo. 187.

Most humbly acknowledging the speciall grace and favour of yo^r ma^tie in condescending soe particulerly to communicate unto this city yo^r royall and pious resolucons to comply w^th your Houses of Parliament for setling of truth and peace in this distracted kingdome signified by yo^r late gratious lettre of the 19^th of May last to the representative body thereof. In w^ch as the pet^rs cannot but see the speciall hand of Almighty God soe they must and doe from the bottome of their hearts blesse his holy name that at length he hath opened such a dore of hope by enclyning your ma^ties heart to looke downe upon the affliccõns of yo^r people and from thence take comfort to themselves that he will confirme and increase those good resolucons in yo^r ma^tie.

As for this city the pet^rs esteeme it their duty now againe as they have formerly done to declare unto yo^r royall mat^ie and the whole world, that, according to their Protestacõn and Covenant they have alwayes, and doe still reteyne the same loyall thoughts towards yo^r ma^tie as ever and as becometh subiects to doe from which they shall never recede.

And as next unto the good guidance of Almighty God they doe humbly comitt and submitt the meanes and maner of their future peace and happines unto yo^r ma^ts great and faithfull Councell the two Houses of Parliament.

So they shall contynue their instant prayers to the Throne of all Grace to dispose yo^r ma^ties royall heart to comply with such proposicõns as from them shalbe represented unto yo^r ma^ty for the settlement of true religion and peace in all yo^r kingdomes and the mainteynance of the union betweene the two nations. And then the pet^rs shall not doubt but yo^r ma^tie (w^ch is their earnest prayer) will with honor and joy returne unto this yo^r antient city, and that yo^r throne shall in yo^r royall selfe and your posterity be established in all yo^r kingdomes to the great honour of yo^r mat^ie and to the comfort of all yo^r good subiects amongst whome the peticõn^rs shall alwayes strive to approve themselves inferiour to none in loyalty and obedience.

And as in dutie bound shall pray &c.

No. 66.

Letter from Fairfax and the Council of War to the Commissioners of the City of London forbidding further enlistments. Dated 14 June, 1647.

Journal 40, fo. 222.

Being informed that divers souldiers are daily listed under offic^rs, in and about the cities of London and Westm^r, and parts thereto adiacent, besids the trayned bands and usuall auxiliaries. We strongly apprehend that (notwithstanding all your desires and labour of peace) the kingdome is like to be precipitate by some persons into a new warr. Therefore (before we can answere that part of yo^r cities lettre to remove to 30 miles distance from London) we desire the citie would use their indeavo^rs, to prevent all such listings, and therein deale soe effectually as that nothing be for future done towards such listinge or raising any forces, and those already raised may be forthwith discharged. But if this cannot be done, we shalbe forced by an unwilling necessitie to apply our indeavo^rs to breake all designes of that kinde. And therein we hope to receive the concurrance of yo^r citie, professing, we have nothing else in our eye, but yo^rs our owne, and this poore kingdomes good and quiett.

Hereof we desire to here speedily from you, but so from time to tyme, as oft as may be, which we shall owne as a seale of that reciprocall love, w^ch the cities lettre purports to this army, and shall on our part be most earnestly endeavoured to be maynteyned.

June 14^th 1647.

No. 67.

Letter from the same to the Mayor, Aldermen and Common Council of the City, touching the removal of the army and the safety of the King's person. Dated St. Albans, 15 June, 1647.

Journal 40, fo. 222b.

We are very glad our lettre from Royston of the tenth of this instant June had soe good a recepcõn w^th you: whereof you have given us assurance by yo^r lettre of the twelfth of this instant,[852] and by those worthy aldermen and others the members of yo^r citie whome you sent unto us, to whose hands we yesterday returned such answere (to that part of yo^r lettre for our removal to thirty miles distant from London) as the present exigence of affaires could possibly admitt. To w^ch we add this sincere assurance that soe soone as we shall receive the next resolucõn from the Parliament in relacõn to the proceedings upon the papers nowe given in unto them (whereof likewise yo^r comissioners have received a coppie from us). We shall then imediately give you such further answere and satisfaccõn to that particuler, as the nature of those results will permitt, w^th respect only had to the necessary prosecution of those pressing concernements of the kingdome, comprized in those papers (whereunto) (for) the iustnes and reasonablenes of our desires, and their consistance w^th the true honour, iust power and priviledges of parliament, the liberty of the subiect and safety of yo^r citie and kingdome we do referr you.

As to yo^r desire (expressed in the instruccõns to yo^r comissioners) of o^r care for the safetie of his ma^ties person, while amongst us. We had upon his first comeing into our quarters assigned, and have since contynued in attendance about his ma^ty, a guard of two regim^ts of horse, of as faithfull men, and under as trustie a commaund as this army doth affoard, neyther shall our future care be wantinge in any further provision necessary for the safetie of his royall person. And nowe we cannott but take notice, as of the past, most free and forward ingagem^ts of yo^r famous citie in the same cause, w^ch we are now desiring to see a period to, and accomplishment of, soe of yo^r contynued readines to close w^th us in our iust and necessary desires to the same ends: as alsoe of yo^r present professed averssenesse to ingage in any thing that may tend to any further warr or distraccõn in this kingdome. For all w^ch we cannott but returne (after our praises to God) thankes to you and yo^r citty. And we assure you that the sence thereof hath a deep impression in our spiritts to find (as we doe hitherto) the hand of God working all mens hearts to go cleere, and unanimous concurrence w^th our owne, in our desires for the present setling and securing the rights liberties and peace of the kingdome, beyond w^ch we have noe aymes or ends of our owne.

St. Albans June 15^th 1647.

No. 68.

The City's reply to the two preceding letters. Dated 18 June 1647.

Journal 40, fo. 224b.

Yo^r answere of the 14^th and lettre dated the 15^th of this instant June, w^th copies of the papers given into the Parliam^t we the maior aldermen and commons in common councell assembled have received and perused, and by our committee we have ben further informed of them, and of yo^r many seasonable expressions of the reallity of yo^r intencõns to promote the peace and welfare of the Parliam^t and kingdome, and in particuler of this city, w^ch how acceptable it is to us will best appeare by our proceedings thereupon.

We take it very kindely that though you were informed divers souldiers were daily listed under offic^rs in and about the Cities of London and Westm^r and parts thereto adiacent, besides the trayned bands and usuall auxiliaries, yet you conceived (and that most truly) it was w^thout the privity or consent of this Court, and did not suspect the sincerity of our heartes in what by o^r last was represented unto you, wherein for yo^r further satisfaccõn be pleased to take notice that since the returne of our comittee from St. Albans, yo^r said answere and lettre and a narrative of the severall passages twixt you and our committee, and yo^r desire that the citie should use their indeavo^r to prevent all such listings and therein deale soe effectually, as that nothing be for the future done towards such listings or raising any forces, and that those already raised might be forthw^th discharged: and the resolucõn of this court, and the Committee of the Militia of this city and parts adiacent upon the whole being all by our direccõn made knowne to both Houses of Parliam^t they were pleased to make severall votes thereupon; whereunto (as to those thinges) we desire to be referred.

By all which we hope the great desire of this court and citie to cherish a right understanding and keep a good correspondence twixt yo^r Excellencie yo^r Councell of Warr, Armie and this Citie will evidently appeare, and shortly draw from you a more full answere satisfaccõn and assurance, that your army shall noe way preiudice the Parliament (whose power and priviledges are the principall meanes to preserve the liberties of the subiects of this kingdom) nor this Citie (who have lost soe much blood and spent soe much treasure in defence thereof) and in order thereunto that it shalbe forthwith removed to, and contynued at a further distance from London.

London 18 of June 1647.

No. 69.

Letter from Fairfax to the City acknowledging receipt of letter of the 18^th June. Dated St. Albans, 21 and 22 June, 1647.

Journal 40, fo. 225b.

Wee received yo^rs of the eighteenth of this instant, whereof though all passages were not soe answearable to our expectacõn as wee hoped yet we apprehend the same good affeccõn in you towards this armie as was expressed in yo^r former letter. And that not onelie from the assureance of the worthy gentlemen, (yo^r comissioners) againe sent to us, But alsoe from that informacõn we have received of yo^r extraordinarie indeavo^rs, to procure monie for the armie; To prevent further raysinge or listinge of souldiers and to procure those alreadie listed to be disbanded, (some persons of yo^r militia onelie, haveinge bin active for the raysinge of them without yo^r privitie). As likewise from that letter (fild with respecte) which you prepared and intended to us, And beinge sent to the Parliament was obstructed by some persons, who (labouringe to imbroyle the kingdome in a new warre) would not have the fforces alreadie raised to be disbanded who excepted against yo^r discoverie to the House, That some persons onelie of the militia had ioyned in the raysinge of the new forces, who alsoe would prevent a right understandinge betweene yo^r cittie, and this armie, knowinge a firme corrospondence betweene them would make the designes of all such men hopeles, And though our takinge notice of these thinges seemes not regular, yet beinge soe publiquelie done, we thought fitt to mind you of them.

Now although wee have confidence of the reall and cleare intentions of yo^r lor^pp and ald̃ren, and the commons of yo^r cittie to promote the peace of this kingdome, and the iust desires of this armie, alsoe to prevent all tendencies to a new warre, or anie further blood, and therefore hold our selves obliged to yeeld all possible compliance to what you desire of us, yet addinge to the former grounds the manie informacõns which daylie come to us of the continued underhand workings of some persons still to list men, that divers agents are sent into severall parts of the kingdome to leavie forces and Worcester the place appointed for a generall randezvouz, whither the fforces designed for Ireland (that were parte of this armie) are by some of the committee at Darbie House[853] ordered to march: And severall of those companies who went out from us for the service of Ireland, havinge it intimated to them, and by divers carriages perceiveinge they were intended a foundacõn for a new armie and a new warre, they so much abhorred the thoughts of it as both the officers and souldiers of divers companies are of late entirelie returned to us: likewise that noe meanes is lefte unattempted to bringe in fforces from Ireland, France and Scotland against the peace of this poore kingdome.

Wee (upon the whole matter) offer to yours, and all mens consideracõns, whether with yo^rs ours or the publique safetie we can remove further backward, untill upon yo^r and our ioynt indeavo^rs with the Parliament, those things of imediate and pressinge necessitie be provided for, which wee desired in our paper last given in to the Parliam^ts Comissioners in order to the better proceedinge upon the heads of the Representacõn and Charge, with more hopes of safetie, and of a timelie and happie issue to our selves, and the kingdome (viz^t.) That the persons impeached by us may not continue in power and capacitie to obstructe due proceedings against themselves; And for their owne escape from justice to threaten ruine to the whole nation.

That all fforces latelie raised or listed in or aboute the cittie may be forthwith discharged except the usuall nomber of trained bands and auxiliaries and that all endeavo^rs publiquely or privatlie to rayse anie further forces may cease and be supprest.

And that the same measure maybe allowed to this armie in payinge them upp to the same ffoote of accompte as is alreadie given to those who have diserted the same.

And for the things exprest in our Representation though of weightie importance yet because they will require time they shalbe noe occasion to impead our remove, and in the meantime both by Proclamacõn from his Excellencie and all other waves wee shall indeavo^r, that the accustomed supplies to yo^r cittie may be freelie sent up.

To conclude, wee say from o^r hearts that as oure espetiall ends are the glorie of God, and the good of this whole land, soe our indeavo^rs shalbe to prosecute the same without preiudice to the beinge or welbeinge of Parliaments in generall, (the mayntenance whereof wee value above our owne lives) or (as wee have formerlie said) of this Parliament in particular, but altogeather in order to the good and peace of this nation, and with a most tender regard to yo^r cittie to which wee professe we shall by all actions make good all ingagements tending to the securitie thereof in what way yo^rselves shall desire consistinge with the good of the whole kingdome you makeinge good your mutuall correspondencie with us not doeing anie thinge to our preiudice in the prosecucõn of our iust desires, and endeavo^rs.

St. Albans June 21, 1647.

Wee heare (even now) since the writinge of this letter, that (yesterday) divers of the Reformadoes came againe (in a threatninge manner) to Westm^r the house of Commons then sittinge to the greate affrightment and terror of divers faithfull members then present, and to discouragement of others from their attendance there, soe that we cannot but perceive, that the freedome of this Parliament is noe better then that those members who shall accordinge to their consciences endeavo^r to prevent a second warre, and acte contrarie to their wayes, who, (for their own preservacõn) intend it they must do it with the hazard of their lives: which indeed is a thinge soe destructive to Parliamen^ts and freedome that we conceive our selves in dutie bound, to endeavo^r to the utmost to procure redresse therein.

June 22^th 1647.

No. 70.

Letter from the City to Fairfax in reply to recent letters and informing him that Commissioners had been despatched to remain with the army at head-quarters. Dated 25 June, 1647.

Journal 40, fo. 229b.

We the maior aldermen and commons in common councell assembled having received yo^rs to us of the 21^th and 22^th and yo^r excellencies to our committee of the 23^th instant w^th a coppie of a Remonstrance directed to the Parliam^t, did send three of that nomber yesterday to acquaint you w^th our resolucons thereupon, since w^ch we have caused coppies of those lettres to be presented to both Houses, desiring their direccõn concerning the resideing of some of that committee continually w^th you in the head quarter, and that according to yo^r former requests the Reformadoes and other offic^rs and souldiers raised for the service of the Parliam^t might be required forthwith to repaire into their severall counties there to receive such satisfaccõn as is or shalbe appointed by Parliament, and that if any souldiers be listed uppon the votes of the committee of Lords and Commons, and committee of the militia that they may be forthw^th discharged whereupon severall votes were made, unto which we desire to be referred.

We have also taken those lettres w^th another received from those we sent yesterday and copie of a lettre dated the 24^th instant delivered to the Comm^rs of Parliam^t, and yo^rs of the 25^th instant into further consideracõn thereby observing the constancie of yo^r expressions to doe nothing in preiudice either of the Parliam^t or the citie, and of your purpose by proclamacõn and otherwise to indeavour that the accustomed supplies of this citie may be freely sent upp. All which we do with due thankfulnes acknowledge, And to performe a right understanding with you we have appointed the said committee, or six of them at the least continually to reside in yo^r Head quarter, and do intend to make it our further request to the Parliam^t that whoever have or shall endeavour to raise any forces to ingage this kingdome in a new warr, may be discovered and prevented therein, and that you may receive satisfaccõn equall to those that have left the armie, soe soon as it is possible for the Parliam^t to performe the same, believing upon the assurance you have given us that yo^r speciall ends are the glory of God the good of this whole land, and the safety of Parliam^t and citie. To conclude the neare approach of yo^r armie to this citie causeth us once more to desire you to take it into yo^r most serious consideracõn, for albeit you do not come to offer any violence to us, yet wee have and shall suffer very much in our trade and price of victualls by reason thereof, w^ch we hope you wilbe so sencible of as to prevent it in the future by removing further of, and by takeing such a course that we may receive no further preiudice either in thone or thother, w^ch is our earnest desires, and that in yo^r indeavo^rs to save the kingdome from ruine, you doe not overthrow the fundamentall constitucõn of Parliam^t w^ch is essentiall to the well being thereof.

London 25 June 1647.

No. 71.

Letter from Fairfax to the City notifying the removal of the army to Uxbridge. Dated Berkhamstead, 25 June, 1647.

Journal 40, fo. 230.

Wee have in all things dealt cleerly and plainely w^th you, and hope wee shall still continue to doe so. As soone as the worthy alderman and the other two gent^s yo^r cõm^rs came the last night to us, we acquainted them w^th our purpose to draw the head quarter to Uxbridg That soe we might contract our quarters w^ch have hitherto lyen scattered. At which place we hope to receive that w^ch wilbe satisfaccõn to the kingdome and will remove obstruccõns out of the way of justice, wherein if right were done, wee should let you and all the world see that we would be soe farr from pressing neere yo^r citie of London, it should be indifferent to us to march not only to the distance already prescribed, but to any part of the kingdome we should be commanded to by the Parliament. Wee have asked nothinge hitherto but right in the things that are knowne, as if they were proved an hundred times before them from whome wee have sought them, w^ch if graunted would not only be a justice to the armie, but would lett the kingdome see the ffountayne in a way to be cleered without w^ch nothing of force or power would be a securitie to any man. We wish the name of priviledges may not be in the ballance w^th the safetie of a kingdome, and the reality of doing justice, w^ch as we have said too often, we cannot expect whilest the persons we had accused are the kingdomes and our judges. A little delay will indanger the putting the kingdome into blood, notwithstanding what hath bin said, if it be considered that in Wales (besides underhand workings in yo^r citie) and other places men are raised and that in noe small nombres. And are not those men in the Parliam^t who have contynued faithfull to the principles of common interest from the beginning of the Parliam^t to this very day still awed by the concourse of Reformadoe offic^rs and others to their doores. Expence of time will be their advantage only who intend to bring evill purposes to passe. We have written this to you for yo^r satisfaccõn that soe nothinge may be done without giving you a perfect account of our intencõns and ends. And still to contynue our assurance to you, that should necessity bring us neerer to the citty our former faith given you shall be observed inviolably, there being nothing more (next the good of the kingdome) in our thoughts and desires than the prosperitie of yo^r citty.

Barkhamsteed June 25 1647.

No. 72.

Letter from Fairfax to the City enclosing copy of proposals forwarded to Parliament from the army. Dated Reading, 8 July, 1647.

Journal 40, fo. 234.

My Lord and Gentlemen

To the end we may contynue a right understanding betweene you and us all along in the manadgm^t of this great busines, w^th the Parliam^t (the happie proceeding whereof so much concernes the safety and peace of this Kingdome.) We have given yo^r Commission^rs this day, the copie of a paper w^ch we presented to the Commissioners of Parliam^t residing w^th us. Wherein we take notice of the true reasons of the slowe progresse in the Treaty, and declare where the stoppe remains. And to the end that nothing be wanting in us w^ch might work towards the speedy settlem^t of the quiett of this Kingdome, wee have humbly offered what we conceive will most effectually tend to remove those incombrances and lettes, w^ch stand betwixt us, and this universall good to the Kingdome; and till that be done, it cannot be expected that we should procure the peace of this nation by a Treatie, but rather give occacõn and opportunity thereby to others to ingage us in a second warr, w^ch must necessarily hazard the ruine of this Kingdome, as also ascertayne the destruccõn of Ireland, the relief whereof we should most effectually apply unto, were the affaires of England, but once put into a hopefull way. It is a sound and substantiall settlement of the whole we desire, in a generall safe and well grounded peace, and the establish^mt of such lawes, as might duly and readily render to every man their iust rights and liberties: And for obteyning of theis, not only our intencõns have lead us, but we thinke that all the blood, treasure, and labour spent in this warr was for the accomplishm^t of theis very things, w^ch are of that concernem^t both to our selfs and posterity, that neither we nor they cane live comfortably without them. And thereof we hope yo^r selfes will have the same sence, and therefore improve your interest for the obtayning of our iust desires in the proposalls now sent to the Parliam^t, w^ch being graunted, and we secured from the danger of a warr, we shall proceed w^th cheerfulness to the Treaty; and doubt not in a short time to see a happy conclusion to the satifaccõn of all honest mens expectacõns: And that in all our undertakeings we shalbe found men of truith, fully and singly answering the things we have held forth to the Kingdome in our severall declaracõns and papers, without bye or base respects to any private ends or interests whatsoever.

July 8th 1647 Readinge.

No. 73.

Letter from the City to Fairfax, deprecating any attempt to intermeddle with the liberties or privileges of the City. Dated 28 July, 1647.

Journal 40, fo. 242b.

Our Committee being all returned from the Army contrary to o^r expectacõn we are yet well satisfied therew^th, because, that it was at your request. They have communicated unto us severall papers from you dated on and betweene the 17^th and 23^th present, by one whereof, being a lettre to this Court, we take notice of the sence the army hath of a printed paper w^ch had come to their hands out of the Citie, and have perused the same, but in regard the originall hath not bin yet presented to this Court, it is not thought fitt to declare our sence thereupon, but we esteeme it our duty to rest in that w^ch both Houses of Parliam^t have resolved, upon consideracõn of this paper, w^ch we conceave also wilbe sufficient to stopp the further proceeding thereof. But truly we cannot conceale from yo^r Ex^cie that (forasmuch as we can collect) this paper was occasioned from intelligence w^ch came from the army, that there was some intencõn there, to move the Parliament for the change of the Militia of this Citie, and we doubt not but you have heard what great distemper the alteracõn w^ch the Parliam^t made of our Militia upon yo^r desire did lately produce in this Citie, w^ch being now againe upon our humble peticõn put into the same hands it was, at the tyme the mocõn came from you, we hope all things are well appeased and setled. And we are confident it cannot be offensive unto the armie, if we desire them not to intermeddle w^th any the Liberties or Priviledges of this Citie or interpose in the point of our Militia, but that wee may enioy that trust quietly w^ch wee shall assure you we shall take care shalbe managed to no other end but for the Parliam^ts and our owne defence, and shall give no iust provocacõn to any person whatsoever. We shall conclude w^th this profession that we shall alwayes detest all occasions of a new warr, and we are not conscious to ourselves, that any thing that hath passed in this business can deserve the expressions of yo^r lettre, as if it were probable to involve the whole Kingdome in bloud, or that it must necessarily begin within our bowells or draw the seat and misery of warr upon us and our Citie. For all other thinges we referr you to our Committees.

London 28 July 1647.

No. 74.

Minutes of Common Council touching a recent disturbance of soldiers in the City; 11 April, 1648.

Journal 40, fo. 267.

Att this common Councell Mr. Ald̄ran Fowkes and Mr. Ald̄ran Gibbs (by direccons of the comitte of the milicia for London) did make a large relacõn of the greate tumult insurreccõn and mutinie which happened in this Citty on the last Lords day and on Monday last by many evill disposed persons w^ch first began on the Lords day in the afternoone in the Countie of Middlesex. Where they seazed the colours of one of the trayned bands of the said countie who were there imployed for the suppressing of such persons as did prophane the Lords day And being dispersed by some of the genãlls forces did gather togeather within the citty of London and Lib̃ties thereof And in a riotous manner did breake open divers houses and magazens of armes and amunicõn and tooke away armes plate money and other things And did seaze vpon the drums of the trayned bands of this Citty which were beating to raise their companies and armed themselves and beate vp drums and putt themselves in a warlike posture And seazed vpon the gates chaynes and watches of the Citty and then marched to the Lord Maiors house and there assaulted the Lord maio^r sheriffs comitte of the milicia of London and other magestrates of the same And did shoote into the Lord maiors house beat backe his guard killed one of them wounded divers others and seazed and tooke away a peece of ordinance from thence with which they did afterwards slay and wound divers persons and comitted many other outrages All which matters being largely debated and many particulars insisted vpon both for the discovery and punishment of the said outrages and misdemeanours and alsoe for the preventing of the Like for tyme to come It was at the last concluded and agreed by this common Councell as followeth, ffirst this common Councell do generally conceive that this Citty was in great danger by Reason of the said outrages and misdemeanours And that if the same had not bine soe tymely prevented and stayed the whole citty would have benn exposed to the fury and rage of the said malefactors And this comon Councell doth declare that the same misdemeanor and outrage was an horrid and detestable Acte tending to the destruccõn of the Citty and that they do disavow the same and with an vtter detestacõn doe declare their dislike therof And this common Councell doe appoint the comitte of the milicia of London to make the same knowne to the honãble houses of Parliament And alsoe to make an humble request vnto them that an order may be issued forth from them to the sevãll ministers of this citty and the places adiacent that they may be directed to give publique thankes to Almighty God the author of this greate and wonderfull delivãnce from that eminent danger wherein this Citty and parts adiacent were involved And further the said comittee was appointed by this court to apply themselves to the honãble houses of Parliament for the obteyning of a speciall Comission of Oyer and Terminer for the trying and punishing of all the malefactors that had a hand in this detestable accõn according to the knowne Lawes of this land And this court with thankfull harts doe acknowledge the instruments (vnder God) by w^ch they obteyned this delivãnce to be by the forces raised and continewed by the Parliament vnder the command of his excellency the Lord Genãll Fairefax And to manifest the same this common Councell doe alsoe order that the said comitte of the millitia in the name of the Citty as a thing agreed vpon by an vnamious Consent shall returne their harty thankes to his excellency for his speedy and seasonable aide afforded the Citty in this their greate straight and danger And this court with a genãll consent doe well approve of the endeavours of the said comitte of the milicia for London for the raising of the forces of the Citty And in their procuring of the said Ayde and helpe from his excellency in this extreamity and what els they have doun for the appeasing and suppressing of the said tumults And this courte doe give thankes to the said comitte of the millicia for their care and paines taken by them taken vpon this sadd occasion And they doe appointe Mr. Ad̄ran Fowkes to declare the same their thankes to such of the said comitte as are not of this Court And this Court doth alsoe with all thankfulnes acknowledge the paines and care of the right honãble the Lord Maior and the right Worshiplull the Sheriffs of the Citty therin And this court doe genãlly declare that it is the duty of every Citizen of this Citty by himselfe & all that doe belong vnto him or is vnder his comand to be ready vpon all occasions to be ayding and assisting vnto the Lord Maior and the rest of the magistrates of this Citty for the suppressing of all tumults and disorders within the same And the sevãll persons now present att this comon councell by the holding vp of their hands have promised that for the tyme to come they will vse their vtmost endeavours and be ready vpon all occasions to doe the same.