APPENDIX A.
Reading edition
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
No. 1. Reply from the City to a letter from King Henry V (Printed in Memorials), asking for wine and provisions for the army at Rouen. Dated 8 Sept. [1418].
No. 2. Proclamation for speeding men to the English army in Normandy. [1418.]
No. 3. Letter from King Henry V to the City, notifying the capture of Pontoise. Dated Mantes, 5 Aug. [1419].
No. 4. Reply to the above. Dated 6 Sept. [1419].
No. 5. Letter from the Duke of Clarence to the City on the same subject. Dated Mantes, 5 Aug. [1419].
No. 6. Reply to the above. Dated 6 Sept. [1419].
No. 7. Letter from Henry V to the City, informing the citizens of his movements in France. Dated Mantes, 12 July [1421].
No. 8. Reply to the above. Dated 2 Aug. [1421].
No. 9. Letter from the Duke of Bedford to the City, claiming the government of the realm at the death of Henry V. Dated Rouen, 26 Oct. [1422].
No. 10. Letter from the Mayor and Aldermen of the City to the Duke of Bedford. No date [1424].
No. 11. Another letter from the same to the same. No date [1424].
No. 12. Letter from the Earl of Salisbury and of Perche to the City, announcing the success of the war in France. Dated 5 Sept. [1428].
No. 13. Reply to the above. Dated 12 Oct. [1428].
No. 14. Letter from Henry VI to the City, asking for a loan. Dated Rouen, 10 Nov. [1430].
No. 15. Letter from Cardinal Beaufort, notifying the Mayor, Sheriffs and Aldermen of the City, of his intention to return forthwith to England. Dated Ghent, 13 April [1432].
No. 16. Letter from the Mayor and Aldermen of Calais to the City of London, asking for assistance. Dated 27 June [1436].
No. 17. Letter from Henry VI to the Mayor, Aldermen and Sheriffs of London, touching the peace of the City. Dated Lichfield, 3 Sept., 35 Hen. VI [1456].
No. 18. Letter from the same to the City, ordering the seizure of certain ships of war in the Thames. Dated Coventry, 10 March [1456-7].
No. 19. Letter from the same to the same, touching the peace of the City. Dated Kenilworth, 22 March [1456-7].
No. 20. Letter from the City to Henry VI, touching the capture of Sandwich by the French. Dated 3 Sept. [1457].
No. 21. Reply to the above. Dated Northampton, 5 Sept. [1457].
No. 22. Reply of Bishop Waynfleete, the Chancellor, to letter from the City, similar to No. 20 supra. Dated Waltham, 5 Sept. [1457].
No. 23. Letter from the Earl of Kendal, Lord Scales and others besieged in the Tower, to the Lord Mayor, asking why war was being made upon them. No date [circ. July, 1460].
No. 24. Reply to the above. No date.
No. 25. Agreement touching the surrender of the Tower by the Earl of Kendal, Lord Scales and others. Dated 16 July, 38 Hen. VI [1460].
No. 26. Minutes of the proceedings of the Common Council upon the return of the Earl of Warwick to England and the flight of King Edward IV. October, 1470.
No. 27. Letter from Thomas Fauconberge (commonly known as the "bastard Falconbridge,") to the City, declaring his peaceable intentions towards the City. Dated Sittingbourne, 8 May [1471].
No. 28. Reply to the above. Dated 9 May [1471].
No. 29. Account of the invasion of the City by the Kentish rebels. 12 May, 1471.
No. 30. Letter from King Henry VII to the City, announcing the betrothal of his daughter, the Princess Mary, to Charles of Castile. Dated Richmond, 28 Dec. [1507].
No. 31. Petition of Dean Colet to the Common Council that he might be allowed to purchase certain lands and tenements for the purpose of enlarging his school; 15th Jan., 3 Henry VIII [1511-12].
No. 32. Letter from Henry VIII to the City, desiring 300 men for the navy against a threatened invasion by the King of France. Dated Greenwich, 30 Jan. [1512-13].
No. 33. Letter from Cardinal Wolsey to the City, touching a loan of 4,000 marks. Dated 3 Sept. [1522].
No. 34. Letter from Henry VIII to the City requesting a benevolence. Dated Greenwich, 25 April [1525].
No. 35. Order of obsequies to be celebrated in the City on the death of the Lady Jane Seymour, 10 Nov., 1537.
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 Alderman Monoux, for the purpose of a site for an Exchange. Dated 25 July [1538].
No. 37. Letter from Henry VIII to Alderman Monoux, desiring him to part with the property above-mentioned. Dated Chichester, 13 Aug. [1538].
No. 38. Another letter from the same to the same, on the same subject. No date.
No. 39. Letter of thanks from Henry VIII to Alderman Monoux for acceeding to the King's former request. Dated Westminster, 25 Nov. [1538].
No. 40. Proclamation of Henry VIII, forbidding public hunting and hawking in the suburbs of London. Dated Westminster, 7 July, 37 Hen. VIII [1545].
No. 41. Letter from King Edward VI and the Protector Somerset to the City, asking for a force of 1,000 men as a protection against conspirators. Dated Hampton Court, 6 Oct. [1549].
No. 42. Letter from Lords of the Council to the City, touching the conduct of the Duke of Somerset. Dated 6 Oct. [1549].
No. 43. Letter from Queen Mary to the City, desiring a contingent of 1,000 men to be ready for active service at a day's notice. Dated Richmond, 31 July, 1557.
No. 44. Another letter from the same to the same, asking for 500 men to be immediately despatched for the relief of Calais. Dated Greenwich, 2 Jan. [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].
No. 46. Letter from the same to the same, 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].
No. 47. Proclamation against the Earls of Northumberland and Westmoreland or their rebellion against the Queen's majesty. Dated Windsor Castle, 24 Nov., 1569.
No. 48. Letter from Queen Elizabeth to the City on the occasion of the discovery of the Babington conspiracy. Dated Windsor Castle, 18 Aug., 1586.
No. 49. Speech delivered by a member of the Common Council upon the same occasion.
No. 50. List of ships furnished and victualled by the City to meet the Armada, 1588.
No. 51. Government order to victual ships furnished by the City against the Armada. 24 July, 1588.
No. 52. List of all the ships furnished by the City against Spain in 1558.
No. 53. Letter from King James I to the City, upon his accession. Dated Holyrood House, 28 March, 1603.
No. 54. Reply to the above. Dated 29 March, 1603.
No. 55. Another letter from King James I in answer to the foregoing. Dated Newcastle, 11 April, 1603.
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.
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.
No. 58. Another letter from Speaker Lenthall, on the same matter. Dated Covent Garden, 6 Feb., 1640-1.
No. 59. A third letter from the same, on the same matter. Dated Charing Cross, 19 Feb., 1640-1.
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.
No. 61. Letter from the same, announcing the appointment of Skippon as Sergeant-Major-General in the Parliamentary army. Dated Hammersmith, 16 Nov., 1642.
No. 62. Resolution of the Common Council for putting the City and suburbs into a posture of defence; 23 Feb., 1642-3.
No. 63. Letter from the Mayor, &c., of Gloucester to the City of London, touching the removal of Colonel Massey. Dated 29 May, 1645.
No. 64. Letter from the Mayor, &c., of Plymouth, to the same, enclosing copy of petition to Parliament for relief against the depredations of the Royalists. Dated 5 Sept., 1645.
No. 65. The City's petition to King Charles I, in reply to His Majesty's letter of the 19 May, 1646.
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.
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.
No. 68. The City's reply to the two preceding letters. Dated 18 June, 1647.
No. 69. Letter from Fairfax to the City in answer to the above. Dated St. Albans, 21 and 22 June, 1647.
No. 70. Letter from the City to Fairfax, informing him that Commissioners had been despatched to remain at the head-quarters of the army. Dated 25 June, 1647.
No. 71. Letter from Fairfax to the City, notifying the removal of the army to the bridge. Dated Berkhamstead, 25 June, 1647.
No. 72. Letter from Fairfax to the City, enclosing copy of proposals forwarded to Parliament from the army. Dated Reading, 8 July, 1647.
No. 73. Letter from the City to Fairfax, deprecating any attempt to intermeddle with the liberties and privileges of the City. Dated 28 July, 1647.
No. 74. Minutes of Common Council touching a recent disturbance in the City; 11 April, 1648.
No. 75. Letter from Fairfax to Skippon upon his re-appointment to the command of the City's forces. Dated Windsor, 10 May, 1648.
No. 76. A narrative of the proceedings of the Court of Common Council held the 13 Jan., 1648-9, presented by order of the Court to the House of Commons.
No. 77. Letter from the Council of State to the Mayor and Aldermen of the City, for defacing statues of James I and Charles I. Dated Whitehall, 31 July, 1650.
No. 78. Another letter from the same, ordering the entire removal of the statue of Charles I at the Royal Exchange. Dated Whitehall, 14 Aug., 1650.
No. 79. Letter from the Council of State to the City, for removal of ordnance to the Tower. Dated Whitehall, 19 Nov., 1653.
No. 80. The City's humble Petition and Representation to the Lord Protector, promising to stand by him against the enemies of the nation; 16 March, 1657-8.
No. 81. Letter from Sir John Langham to the Court of Aldermen, declining to resume the Aldermanry from which he had been deposed by Parliament, on the score of ill-health. Dated Crosby House, 18 Sept., 1660.
No. 82. Letter from the Earl of Manchester to the Court of Aldermen, desiring that the Butchers of the City might continue to supply offal to the King's "Game of Bears" as formerly. Dated Whitehall, 29 Sept., 1664.
No. 83. The City's address to King Charles II, congratulating him upon his escape after the Rye House Plot. 2 July, 1683.
No. 84. Letter from the Duke of Newcastle to the Lord Mayor, informing him of the Pretender having set up his Standard in Scotland. Dated Whitehall, 4 Sept., 1745.
No. 85. Another letter informing the Lord Mayor of the Pretender having entered Derby, and desiring him to put the City into a posture of defence. Dated Whitehall, 6 Dec., 1745.
No. 86. Proceedings relative to the expunging of the recognisance entered into by William Witham, Messenger of the House of Commons, as narrated by James Morgan, Clerk to the Lord Mayor, to the Committee appointed to assist in defending Crosby, Wilkes and Oliver. 22 March, 1771.
No. 87. Letter from Charles Fox, Chairman of the Westminster Committee, to the Town Clerk of London, suggesting a general meeting of the Committees of Association. Dated St. James's Street, 20 Feb., 1780.
No. 88. Letter of thanks from Edmund Burke to the same, for the City's approval of his Bill for Economical Reform. Dated St. James's Square, 6 March, 1780.
No. 89. Letter from Charles Fox to the same, forwarding copy of proceedings of the Westminster Committee of Association, and giving particulars of the proceedings of the House of Commons upon Dunning's motion. Dated St. James's Street, 10 April, 1780.
APPENDIX A.
No. 1.
Reply from the City to a letter from King Henry V [Printed in Memorials] asking for wine and provisions for the army at Rouen. Dated the Feast of Nativ. of B.V.M. (8 Sept., 1418).
Letter Book I, fo. 216.
Our most dred most soveraign lord and noblest kyng to the soveragn highnesse of your kyngly mageste with all maner of lowenesse and reverence mekly we recomende us Nat oonly as we oughte and shulde but as we best can and may with alle our hertes thankynge your soveraign excellence of your gracious lettres in makyng gladsom in understondyng and passyng confortable in favoring of our poure degrees which ye liked late to send us from your hoost afore the cite of Roan. In which lettres after declaracõn of your most noble entent for the refresshing of your hooste ye recorde so highly the redinesse of our wille and power at alle tymes to your plesaunce and thankyn us therof so hertely that treuly save oonly our preier to hym that al good quiteth never was it ne mighte it halfe be deserved. And after suing in your forsaid gracious lettres ye praye us effcuelly [sic] to do enarme as mani smale vessels as we may with vitaille and specially with drinke for to come up as fer as they may in to the river of Seyne. And nat only this but in the conclusion of your soveraign lettres forsayd ye fede us so bounteuesly with behest shewyng of your good lordship to us in tyme comyng as ye have ever don that now and ever we shulle be the joyfuller in this life whan we remembre us on so noble a grace. [O how may the simplesse of pouere lieges better or mor clerly conceyve the graciouse love and favorable tendresse of the kyng her soveraign lord than to here how your most excellent and noble persone more worthi to us than alle wordly richesse or plente in so thynne habondance of vitaill homly disposed so graciously and goodly declare and uttir un to us that ar your liege men and subgitz yor plein luste and plesaunce as it is in yor sayd noble lettres worthily conteyned. Certein trewe liege man is þer non ne feithful subgit coude þer non ne durste tarie or be lachesse in any wyse to the effectuell praier or comaundement of so soveraign and high a lord which his noble body peineth and knightly aventureth for the right and welfare of us alle].[841] Oure most dred most soveraign lord and noblest kyng plese it your soveraign hignesse to understonde how that your forsaid kyngly praier as most strait charge and comaundement we willyng in alle pointes obeye and execute anon fro þe resceit of your of your [sic] sayd gracious lettres which was þe xix day of August nigh none unto þe makyng of þese symple lettres what in getyng and enarmyng of as many smale vessels as we myght doyng brewe boþe ale and bere purveing wyne and oþer vitaillee for to charge with þe same vessels we have don our besie deligence and cure as god wot. In which vessels wiþoute gret plente of oþer vitails þat men of your cite London aventuren for refresshing of your host to þe costes where your soveraign presence is Inne we lowely send wiþ gladdest wille unto your soveraign excellence and kyngly mageste by John Credy[842] and John Combe poure officers of your sayd cite bringers of these lettres tritty botes of swete wyne that is to seye ten of Tyre, ten of Romeney, ten of Malvesy and a thousand pipes of ale and bere with thuo thousand and five hundred coppes for your hoost to drinke of which we besech your high excellence and noble grace for our alder comfort and gladnesse benignely to resceyve and accepte nat havyng reward to þe litelhed or smale value of the gifte it self which is simple but to þe good will and high desir þat þe poure yevers þerof hav to þe good spede worship and welfare of yor most soveraign and excellent persone of which spede and welfare and al your oþer kyngly lustes and plesaunces we desire highly be the sayd berers of thes lettres or oþer whom your soveraign highnesse shal like fully to be lerned and enfourmed. Our moost dred most soveraign lord and noblest kyng we lowely besech the kyng of heven whos body refused nat for our savacõn wordly peyne gilteles to endure þat he your graciouse persone which for our alder good and proffit so knythly laboureþ litel or noght chargyng bodily ease in al worship and honure evermore to kepe and preserve. Writen at Gravesende under þe seal of mayralte of your sayd cite London on þe day of þe Nativite of our Lady the Blisful Mayde [8 Sept.].
No. 2.
Proclamation for speeding men to the English army in Normandy. 6 Henry V, A.D. 1418.
Letter Book I, fo. 217.
Be ther a proclamacõn made that al maner men þe which wil toward the Cite of Roan or any other place in the coste of Normandie þere to bein service sould or wages wiþ þe kyng our soveraign lord whom god save and kepe or wiþ ony other persone of his host or retenu make and apparale hem redy in alle haste betuen this and souneday þat next comith atte ferthest for to be wiþ inne shipbord in their best and most defensable harneys and covenablest ariaye to Seyle toward þe costes above sayd an in þe mene while come they to þe Mair of þys Citie and heshal ordeyne and dispose hem redy Shippyng in this port and vitaill free toward þe costes abovesayd.
No. 3.
Letter from King Henry V to the City notifying the capture of Pontoise. Dated Mantes, 5 Aug. [1419].
Letter Book I. fo. 236
By þe kyng.
Trusti and welbeloved we grete yow wel and late you wete to your comfort that we been in good heele and prosperite of our persone blessed be god which graunte you always soo to bee Ferthermore as touching tithing we signifie unto yow þat god of his grace worshiped be he hath sent in to our handes our toun of Pontoyse and hough profitable þe havyng of it is unto us John Palyng þe bringer of þis can enfourme you. And we pray you thankeþ god þerof and of alle his gracious soondes þat he sendeth us and for asmoch as our adverse partie wool noo pees nor accord have wiþ us but finally have refused al meenes of pees We be compelled ayein to werre thorough þair default as he wot þat al knoweþ. To whoos mercy we trust for our good wil and redinesse to þe pees to have þe better spede heraftur þe which we recomende to your good prayers wiþ al our herte and god have you in his kepyng Yeven under our Signet at our town of Mant þe v day of Augst.
No. 4.
Reply to the above. Dated 6 Sept. [1419.]
Id. Ibid.
Our most dred and most souveraign ertly lord we recomande us unto þe souveraign excellence of your kyngly mageste in þe most humble and lowely wyse þt any pouere or simple lieges can best imagine or devise lowely thankyng your souveraign excellence and noble grace of þe right gracious and right confortable lettres which ye liked late to sende us fro your town of Maunt be Johan Palyng. The which lettres with al maner of honour and lowely reverence we have mekly resceyved and understonde. And trewely most dred and souveraign lord gladder ne moor confortable tithinges might never have come nor in better tyme for to satisfie and refresche þe fervent desir of your poure lieges þat have loong thrusted aftur knowlech of your prosperite than were your sayd gracious lettres the which amongs al oþer special graces most principalich for our hertly confort conteyned þe souveraign helþ and parfit prosperite of your most souveraign and gracious persone. The which Crist of his souveraign mercy and noble pite plese alwey to kepe in al maner of worship and joye. Our most dred and souveraign erthly lord whan we remembre us hough þat your kyngly might and power grounded in the trewe pees of god is so vertuosly soonded wiþ þe spirit of meknesse in devout and continuel thankyng of god in al his soondes and trust of good prayers of your peple as your said lettres make gracious mencõn: Trewely we ar meved be as gret consideracõn and as resonable cause as ever were liege men to pray as we have and shulle yet god will for þe good and gracious spede of your most excellent and gracious persone and to thanke god lowely þat ever he sent us so gracious and so vertuose a souveraign lord to regne and have lordship up on us. Our most dred and most souveraign lord yef it like your souveraign highnesse to here of þastat of your citee London plese it your kyngly mageste to conceyve þat in more quiet ne pesibler rest as ferforth as absence of you þat ar our most gracious and most souveraign lord may suffre was never erthly citee nor place blessed be god. Our most dred and most souveraign lord we lowely beseche god the kyng of pees whos grace excedeth þe merit of hem þat pray þat he vouche sauf your kyngly mageste stabilissh in al vertu and evermore kepe your most excellent and souveraign persone in al joy and prosperite to his plesaunce. Writen at your said citee of London under þe seal of mairalte þerof the vie day of September.
No. 5.
Letter from the Duke of Clarence to the Mayor and Aldermen of London notifying the capture of Pontoise. Dated Mantes, 5 Aug. [1419]
Letter Book I, fo. 236b.
Right trusty and Welbeloved We grete you well often tymes with al our herte. And forasmoche as it is confortable and likyng to you to here of þe tithinges in this parties. We do you to understonde þat the morwe after þat the werre began at this tyme by twene my lord þe kyng and his adversaire of Fraunce by cause þat he wolde naught applie nor accorde to right and resoun he assigned certein peple to passe to Pountoise Where the Frensh kyng lay during the time of this convencõn. And so thei have wonne the forsaid toun by assaulte ithonked be god thorough the whiche wynninge my forsaid lord hath passage to Parys. Ferthermore We do you to understonde that Roger Tillyngton, Skynnere, our welbeloved servaunt desurth gretly to be freman and enfranchised amongs you at þis tyme. Wherefor We pray you entierly With al our herte þat ye wol for contemplacõn and favour of us to admitte and resceyve the forsayd Roger to be enfraunchised amongs you so þat he may knowe þat þis our praier may availle hym and stonde in stede as our gret trust is in you Right trusty and Welbeloved þe Holy Trinite have you evermore in his kepyng I writen at Maunt Under our Signet the v day of Augst.
No. 6.
Reply to the above. Dated 6 Sept. [1419]
Id. ibid.
Right High right mighty Prince and excellent lord We recomaunde us unto þe high lordship of your gracious excellence in as humble Wyse as any poure men best can or may ymagine and devise Thakyng your lordly excellence in as lowely maner as office of writing may conteyne for þe high and favorable remembraunce which your gracious Lordship hath to þe Citee of London in signifieng to us be your gracious lettres writen at Maunt the v day of Augst of our most dred and most souveraign erthly lordes prosperous helth and victorious spede and eke of youres. The Which god of His souveraign grace and noble pite With encrees of al honur and Joye ever kepe & mainteigne. Right high right mighty Prince and excellent Lord yef it like your lordly excellence to here of thastat of the Citee of London. Plese it your gracious Lordship to conceyve þat in moor quiet ne pesibler rest blessed be god was never erthly Cite nor toun in absence of her most souveraign & gracious Lord. Right high right mighty Prynce and excellent lord þe Prynce of all hevenly knyght hood have you in his holy kepyng. Writen at þe sayd Citee London under þe seal of Mairalte þerof þe vje day of September.
No. 7.
Letter from Henry V to the City informing the citizens of his movements in France. Dated Mantes, 12 July [1421].
Letter Book I, fo. 263.
Trusty and welbeloved we grete yow wel And for asmuch as we be certein that ye wol be joyful to here good tiding of oure estat and welfare we signiffie unto yow that we be in good heele and prosperite of oure personne and so been oure brother of Gloucestre oure beluncle of Excestre and al the Remenant of lordes and other personnes of oure oost blessed be oure lorde whiche graunte yow soo for to bee witting moreover that in oure comyng by Picardy we hadde disposed us for to have taried sumwhat in the cuntre for to have sette hit with goddes help in better gouvernance and whils we were besy to entende therto come tidinges unto us that he that clepeth hym Daulphin was commen doun with a greet puissance unto Chartres and thoos parties purposinge hym for to leye siege as we were enfourmed unto the saide toun of Chartres. Wherefor we drow us in al haste unto Paris as wel for to sette oure fader of France as the saide good toune of Paris in seure gouvernance and from them unto this oure toun of Mante at whiche jolace we arrived on Wodnesday last to thentente for to have yeven secours with goddes grace unto the saide toun of Chartres and hider comme unto us oure brother of Burgoigne with a faire felaship for to have goon with us to the saide secours the whiche oure brother of Burgoigne we fynde right a trusty lovyng and faithful brother unto us in al thinges. But in oure comyng from Paris unto this oure toun of Mante we were certified uppon the weye by certain lettres that were sent unto us that the saide pretense Daulphin for certein causes that meved hym hath reised the saide siege and is goon in to the cuntre of Touraine in greet haste as hit is saide and we truste fully unto oure lord that þorow his grace and mercy al thinges here that we shall have to doo with shall goo wel from hensforth to his plesance and worship whom we beseche devoutely that hit soo may bee and to have yow in his keping. Yeven under oure signet in oure oost at oure toun of Mante the xij day of July.
No. 8.
Reply to the above. Dated 2 August [1421].
Letter Book I, fo. 263.
Our most dred and most soveraign erthly lord we recomaunde us un to your kyngly power and soveraign highnesse in as meke wyse and lowly maner as eny simple officers or pouere lieges most hertly can ymagine or divise Thankyng with al our hool myght and konnyng your soveraign excellence and noble grace of þe right confortable and joyfull lettres which ye liked late to sende us from your town of Mante þe which lettres with al maner of humble reverence we have lowly resceyved and understonde. By whos tenure amonges al other blessed spede and gracious tithynges. For which we thanke highly and ever shall þe lord almyghty ware we most inwardly comforted and rejoysed whan we herd þe certeinte of your prosperouse helth after which we have longe desired and which god of his eendles pite ever kepe and mainteign And of þestate of your cite London yef it like your soveraign highnesse to heere and understonde Plese it your kyngly Mageste to conceyve þat in pesibler degree tretabler governance ne joyfuller rest as ferforth as absence of yow þat are our lord most soveraign under god may suffre was never erthly cite nor place blessed be god in whos vertu stondeth al kyngly gladnesse which of his infinit power and most habundaunt grace alwey dresse and continue your spede to his high worship and plesaunce and sende yow grace with report of wordly victorye upon us and all your other lieges longe for to regne. Writen at your saide cite of London under þe seal of þe Mairalte þerof þe ij day of Augst.
No. 9.
Letter from the Duke of Bedford to the City claiming the government of the realm at the death of Henry V. Dated Rouen 26 Oct, [1422].
Letter Book K, fo. 2.
Right trusty and welbeloved we grete yow wel with al oure herte And for asmuche as hit liked our lord but late a goo to calle the kyng our souverain lord that was from this present world un to his pardurable blisse as we truste fermely by whos deces during the tendre age of the king oure souverain lord that is nowe the gouvernance of the Reaume of England after the lawes and ancien usage and custume of þe same Reaume as we be enfourmed belongeth un to us as to þe elder brother of our saide souverain lord that was. And as next unto þe coroune of England and havyng chief interesse after the king þat is oure souverain lord whom god for his mercy preserve and kepe. We praye yow as hertely and entirerly as we can and may and also requere yow by þe faithe and ligeance that ye owe to god and to þe saide coroune that ye ne yeve in noo wyse assent conseil ne confort to any thing that myght be ordenned pourposed or advised in derogacõn of þe saide lawes usage and custume yif any suche be or in prejudice of us Lattyng you faithfully wite that our saide prayer and requeste procedeth not of ambicion ner of desir that we might have of worldly worship other of any singuler comodite or prouffit that we might resceyve thereby but of entier desir and entente that we have that the forsaide lawes usage and custume ne shulde be blemysshed or hurt by oure lachesse negligence or deffaulte ner any prejudice be engendred to any personne souffisant and able to þe whiche the saide gouvernance myght in cas semblable be longyng in tyme comyng Making pleine protestacõn that it is in no wise oure entente any thing to desire that were ayenst the lawes and custumes of the saide lande ner also ayenst the ordonnance or wil of oure saide souverain lorde that was savyng our right to þe whiche as we trowe and truste fully that hit was not oure saide souverain lordes entente to deroge or doo prejudice. And god have you in his keping Writen under oure signet at Rouen þe xxvj day of Octobre.
No. 10.
Letter from the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of London to the Duke of Bedford. No date [A.D. 1424.]
Letter Book K, fo. 18b.
Right high right myghty and right honourable Prince we recomaunde us un to your Lordly excellens in þe most humble and servisable maner that we can best ymagine and devise Thankyng lowly your noble grace of þo gracious lettres in makyng gladsom in undyrstandyng and passyng comfortable in favoring of our pouer degrees Whyche you liked late to sende us from Craille upon case[843] [sic] in Normandie be þat worshypfull and wel avised man John Salveyn your esquier whyche hath made us notable report and right comfortable exposiciõn of þestate and tidinges of þat londe blessed be god. Bot amonges alle other more gladder ne more comfortable tidinges myght now have come nor in better tyme to satisfie and refressh þe fervent desire of us that long have thursted after knowlech of your prosperite þan were seid gracious lettres þat yaven us ful enformacõn and singler comfort of þe gode hele and disposicõn of your persone whyche Crist of his soveraign mercy and pite infenite ever preserve and mainteigne in Joye and honoure to his plesaunche. Right high right myghty and right houourable Prince of þat þat your lordly clemence so benigly voucheþ sauf as is purported in þe parclose of your seid lettres to have assercion be comers be twene of your gode desires enclinyng your excellence to þaccomplissement of hem at alle tymes, it excedeth in estimablich our power and konnyng to yeve you thankynges þerof recompensable in every wyse. Bot god þat is guerdoner of every gode dede quite rewarde yow in stede of us where we may not. And for we truste and knowe verilich þat hit pleseth yow to here of þestate of þe cite of London to whiche ye have evyr be right gode Lorde and favorable we certefie un to your gracious Lordship þat in more quiete ne pesibler reste was never Cite nor place blessed be god whiche of his incomperable bounte send you gode and graciouse lif to þe plesaunche of hym and comfort of us and alle your oþer welvillers long for to lede Writen at London.
No. 11.
Another letter from the same to the same. No date [A.D. 1424.]
Letter Book K, fo. 21.
Right high right mighty And right honurable Prince we recomaunde us to þestate of your lordly excellence in as humble maner as eny ordyr of writing can expresse for bountees & bienfaites innumerable which þe liberal grace of your high and gracious lordship without our meryt or desert hath ever shewed us heretofore but at þis tyme in especial for þo passing gladsom and confortable letters of credens þat plesyd you late to sende un fro Vermeil[844] on perche be þat worshipful & wel avised esquier Stephen Hatefelde on of your kervers which made us noble assercõn ioyfull report and comendable credence of þe cronicable and victoriouse esploit þat our lord almyghty be special influence of his grace as it semeth and singler mediacõn of your knyghtly corage sent un to þat blessed innocent and gracious Prince our soveraign Lord whiche esploit and victorie as devoutly as we can or may we yelde and ever shall humble þankinges and grace to þe lord of hevenis which in þe balance of his infenit merci and pite as it semyth so favourably weyeth þe right and Innocence of our seid soveraign lord during his tendre age þat he will not suffre hym in nowise to be Injuried be malice or circumvencõn of his enemyes Bot hath purveid sent and stablisshed you right high right myghty and right honourable Prince to be a special mene and supporter in þis parte for tuicõn and conservacõn of his right and Innocence to singler comfort and consolacõn of all his people blessid be god whiche of his incomperable bounte send you good and graciouse lif to þe plesaunche of hym and comfort of us and all your oþer Welvillers Long for to lede. Writen at London &c.
No. 12.
Letter from the Earl of Salisbury and of Perche to the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of London announcing the success of the war in France. Dated 5 Sept. [1428]
Letter Book K, fo. 55b.
Right trusty & entierly welbeloved frendes we grete you hertely wel And for asmuche as we trust fully that ye desire to here of þe good tydinges of þat which vureth wel to oure sovereing lord in the conquest of his enemys here in þis lande We do yow to witte þat þe vure & spede seth our last comyng in to þis lande hath be so good that I am ever behold to þanke god besechyng hym to continue hit for his mercye and after þe Wynnying of many diverse tounes castelles & Forteresses we laied siege afor þis toune of Yenville and after diversez aprochemenes made þerto as was on sonneday sevenyght which was the xxix day of August we gate þe said toune of Yenville be þe most notable assault þat evere we sawe. And sethen þe castell was yolden un to oure grace and many oþer tounes castelles & stronge chirches god hath sent hem in to þobbeissaunce of oure sovereing lord blessed most god be somme yolden to oure grace somme to our wil somme wonne be assault & somme oþer wyse þe nombre of whiche is more þan xl And so þanked be god þer comyth in dayly places to þobbeissaunce to þe Recovering of which we þenke to do all diligence as we behold with out sparyng of labour or pein. And for our gret & singler comfort We pray you oft tymes to signifie us be wryting of youre Welfare. And þat we may fynd your faveur and Frendship in alle þinges þat we have or shal have to don in oure absence and so to continue your good frendship like as hit liked yow to do what tyme we were þer present. For which we thanke yow and hold us muche behold to do for yow what we can or may to which we wol ever be redy with al our power. And þe holie trinite have yow always in his blessed keping. Writen at Yenvile the v day of Septembre.
Item we do you to wite that seth the wryting of þis we have had tydinges frome our brother Sire Richard Haukeford whome we had sent to Ride afore þe toune and castel of Meun sur leyre[845] þat blessed be god he hath do so good diligence that he hath goten þe sayd toune castel & peuple yolden to þobbeissaunce of oure soverein lord Which toune & castell ben ryght notable & hugely fourneshed of peuple and vitaile yuoughe blessed be god for alle þe kyngis puissaunce here a good while. And to þe sayd toune is a faire brigge overe þe gret River of leyre which ys bot v leges oute of þe cite of Orliens.
[A schedule of 38 towns follows]
No. 13.
Reply to the above. Dated 12 Oct. [1428]
Letter Book K, fo. 55b.
Right worshipful & ryght mighti lord we recomaunde us to your gret lordsship & noble grace in as humble maner as we can or ought Thankyng it fro þe deppest of our hertis of þe gentill lettres writene at Yenvile þe v day of Septembre last þt ye liked to sende us be your herauld.... Which lettres after the resceit of hem whith dhue reverence And after þat thei were publisshed and redde to fore þe Commens of þis Cite putte us all in singler comfort & Joye because of þe fervent & special desir we hadde afore to here comfortable tidynges of your good spede and welfare. And mekely we þanke our lord of heven for þe gret & greüx oevre þat it liked hym to sende you of his mercy so sone after youre First comyng at þis tyme in to þo parties as your seid lettres make noble mencioun Beseching hym of his infinit pite continue & encrese it to his plesaunce. Right worshipful & ryght mighty lord of þat þt it liketh youre high lordship so favorably to wryte & desire in yor seyd lettres to here & know of oure welfare & offre us your good lordship in tyme comyng plese it yow to wite þat þe sayd Cite is in gret pees tranquillite & good accorde and we þat are þe simple governors þerof in good hele & disposicõn of our personnes blessed be god. And be cause we perceyve wel þat þis desire & ofre procedeth of your gret gentilesse & good grace & not of our merit ne desert so þt it excedeth incomparablich our puissaunce to recompense it be thankinges or ought elles. Therefore we pray to god þat is almyghti to acquite & guerdone it in stede of us. But we & suche service as we can do þough it be simple or mene of value shal ever be Dressed & apparailled to your plaisirs. Whiles we lyve God knoweth which of his endles grace kepe & preserve your noble lordship in alle þe actes of knyghthode to Hys plesaunche. Wrytten at London þe xii day of Octobre.
No. 14.
Letter from King Henry VI to the City asking for a loan of 10,000 marks. Dated Rouen, 10 Nov. [1430].
Letter Book K, fo. 84.
Trusty and welbeloved we grete yow wel and signiffie un to yow þat amonge alle þevident tokens of trewe affeccioun and of kyndenesse þat our sugettes of oure Royme of England hav shewed and shewen un to us for þavantyng forward of oure present voiage þe tender love and kynde acquitail of oure goode and trew cite of London bothe un to our progenitours of noble memoire in like cas, and al so un to us is noȝt owt of our remebrance but writen and wel emprinted þeryn for þe which we have and purpos to have our said citee as þe principalle and most notable of our said Royme and yow as our kynde and trewe suggettes þe moore specialy recommended and can yow singuler thank and as owre entencioun is to shew yow perseverance of goode lordship semblably we trust þat on yowre part ye wol put yow in yowre trewe dewire and kynde acquitaille un to us att alle tymes and namely at our nede as ye have wel done al weyes hedir toward and soþe hit is þat be cause of many costlew charges long to declare our necessitee is at þis tyme suche þat on lesse þan it be in short tyme releved suche inconveniences þat god defende been noȝt unlike to falle boþe til us and oures, as shuld be right displesant til alle oure trewe suggettes and to yow in special whom we wold entierly desirous of our welfare. Wherfore siþ we have founden yow redy and welwilling to chevese us of good at alle tymes ar þis, þat nede hape required, and oure necessitee is suche at þis tyme as was never gretter. We pray yow hertely and also right entierly, as ye desiere þe seurte of oure personne and þe wel and worship of boþe oure Roymes þat continuing un to us þe kynde tendirnesse in oure absence þat ye shewed un to us in oure presence ye wol at þis tyme make un to us a prest of xml marc repaiable at suche tyme and of seure repaiment as may bee accorded be twix our counsaille þer and yew of which chevance we trust ye wol not faille us consideryng þat þe said some may do us more ese and service in our present necessite þan perventure shuld þe double and muche more an oþer tyme whan þat whan þat [sic] our nede war lasse. To þe whiche loone we trust þat our personel beyng here among our enemyes in þis our tendir age shal muche þe more meve yow for to take yow nigh to serve oure desire. Wyting for certain and withouten dowte þat in perfourming at þis tyme of our prayer ye may do un to us soo notable and þanklewe service þat we wol wel considre hit in tyme comyng and be þe more enclined to shewe you favorable and good lordship. Wyting also þat we wold noȝt desire of yow þis charge as nowe be cause of þe charges þat ye have borne un to us ar þis, ner urgent and verray necessite required us þer to and our lord have yow in his kepyng. Yeven under our signet at our toun of Rouen þe x day of Novembre.
No. 15.
Letter from Cardinal Beaufort to Mayor, Sheriffs and Aldermen of the City informing them of his intention of returning to England. Dated Ghent, 13 April [1432].
Letter Book K, fo. 105.
My ryght trusty and with al myn herte entierly welbeloved frendis I grete yow wel as hertily as I can. Desiring evermore to knowe of the welfare and prosperite of yowe alle and of ech of yow and of al þe good commune of þe noble citee of þe which ye bee for my singuler joye and gladnesse. Biseching oure blessed lord evermor to give yow as good welfare as ye can desire and as I wold for my self. And wol ye wite þat nought wiþstanding divers adversitees þat I soeffre ayeinst Reson and gentilesse I hadde pourposed me to have goon to þe court of Rome to doo þe duetee þat loongeþ to myn astat trustyng always þat þe moost xr̃en prince my souverain lord of whos disposicioun I ne have noo doubte and also his wise counsail of his Royaume in engeland wel advised wolde have doon me Right and favour also al þing considered aswel in myn absence as yn my presence. Nevertheless as in to þis tyme I feele right littel or noon as me þenkeþ And þerfore nought wiþstanding þat oure holyfader haþ sent un to me for to come to hym in haste I wol leeve al þing for a tyme and retourne agein into engeland and bee þer yif god wol a boute þe bigynnyng of þis parlement to knowe þe causes why I am þus straungely demeened and declare my self as a man þat have nought deserved soo to be treted. Mi right trusty and wiþ al myn herte entierly welbeloved frendis I þanke yow wiþ al þentierness of my herte of youre good love favour and will wich I have ever founden in yow paying you of youre good continuance and douteth not ye schull þerinne doo to god plesance for he is al trouþe to þe Kyng my soverain lord noo trespas nor offence but to hym comen to more age which with goddis mercy shal in haste growe singuler plesir, and to your self worshipp. My right trusti and wiþ al myn herte entierly welbeloved frendis yef I can or may goodly eny thing doo to your ese ye certiffie me þerof as to hym þat to my trewe pouer wol faithfully parfourme hit right gladdly and wiþ al myn herte þat knoweþ our blessed lord whom I hertily beseche to have yow evermor in his gracioux proteccioun and keping. Written att þe good town of Gaunt þe xiiie day of Averil.
No. 16.
Letter from the Mayor and Aldermen of Calais to the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of London asking for assistance. Dated 27 June [1436].
Letter Book K, fo. 148.
Ful worshipfull wise & discrete sires we recommaunde us un to you in as goodli wise as caan be þought and in as mochell as we fynde of olde governaunce of þis toun that oure predecessours hadde in cours to wryte to your worshipfull estate to be mene and movers toward þe kyng our souveraigne lord and þe gracious lordes of is counseill for þe relevying & sustentacioun of þis said toun the yeveth us occasioun to wryte to yow attys tyme. Of which it were to longe to wryte the particuler circumstaunces of þe mischiefs and disese þat is suffred here to our unportable distresse and hevynesse. With more þt we sende to yow at this time how þarmynakz[846] þt been in Rewe prese fast and have prayhed a boute Samme de boys[847] and takyn mony prisouners and brent þe toun of Staples. And as it is said of presumpcioun þey purpose & avaunte to override þe lordshipes heere of Guysnes & oþer and to renne heere a fore þis toun. So ferforth þat þe pore tenauntz forsake þe land & drawe þeim in to þe said toun & castelx and leve þe villages desolate the which yef þei were destruyed that god defende were pryved of our sustenaunce of levying and conforte & þe people anyentysed for evyr prayeng & besechyng you as ye þt be þe principall of all þe citees of þe Roiaulme of Engelond that it like to yor trew affeccioun that ye have & owe to have to þe said toun to contynue & exercise þe commendable promocioun as your said worthy predecessours hadden in use for þe salvacioun of þe said toun. As ye þat were trust singulerly in and as a principall membre oweth to do & ministre to is parties atte reverence of god whom we be sech preserve you ever & graunt yow parfite conclusyoun of yor desires with good lyf and long. Wrytene at Cales þe xxvij day of Juyn.
No. 17.
Letter from Henry VI to the Mayor, Aldermen and Sheriffs of London touching the prevention of disturbance within the City. Dated Lichfield, 3 Sept., 35 Hen. VI [1456].
Letter Book K, fo. 287.
By the king.
Right trusty and trusty and welbeloved we doubt not but that it is in yor remembraunce what inconvenience have late fallen and more were likly to have falle if it had not myghtly have be resisted not oonly by suche as with multitude of people otherwise then that their power & degree wold have entred oure chambre and citee of London by what meanes it is not unknowen unto you, but also by thinsolence of evil disposed and mysgoverned people of our saide citee whereof as nowe ye have þe governaunce the which thing hath be to the breche of our peas and grete trouble of our people and whereof we have had cause to be gretely displeased. And we willyng to eschew all suche inconveniences from hensforward will and charge you straitely that considered that our saide citee is called and named oure chambre and so we holde it wherein shuld be rest and peas and the whiche ought to be of goode governaunce to ensample of all this oure Reaume that from hensforthward ye ne suffre any persone or persones of what estate degree or condicioun that he or they be of at any tyme to entre into oure saide cite and chambre but peasiblie and with moderate nombre of people according to his and their estate and degree. And also þat not onely aftre their entree into our saide citee and chambre ye have suche awaite & and [sic.] attendaunce that they ne make any assemblees nor gadringes of any suche evil disposed people as is abovesaide but also þat ye have suche awaite & attendaunce to oure saide citee and chambre þat by the people beyng in or resorting to or saide citee no gadringes nor assemblees be made the which in any wise may sowne or shuld be to þe breche of or peas or trouble of our people. And if any suche hap to be as god defend þat ye lette it as ye wol answere unto us at your perill. And furþermore we wolle and charge you on þe feith and ligeance that ye owe unto us þat ye kepe or saide citee in due obeisaunce unto us as ye ought to doo. And not to suffre any such multitude of people entre into our saide citee neiþer to be in þe same but as ye may be at alle tymes of power to suppresse them and to be governours for us of þe same as reason wille ye shuld. Yeven under our privee seal at Lychefeld the iij daye of Septembre the yeer of or regne xxxvth [1456].
No. 18.
Letter from King Henry VI to the City ordering the seizure of foreign ships of war in the Thames. Dated Coventry, 10 March [1456-7].
Letter Book K, fo. 288b.
By the king.
Trusty and welbeloved We be enfourmed by a full grevous and a lamentable complainte made unto us and our counseill by marchantz estraungiers of Italie beyng heere within þis that where as they nowe late by vertue of our lettres patentz have shipped certeyn wolles wollencloth and other marchandises in diverse shippes of Zeland and paied truely alle duetees belongyng unto us And upon that have their Cokettes[848], there have certeyn shippes of werre aswell of Caleis as of Sandewiche encountred the said shippes of Seland within the Themyse at Tilbery or there nigh. And in maner of werre assaulted them and doo their werst to take and despoile them the whiche demeanyng is full gretely ayenst our honeur and worship in especial sith the saide marchantes been heere undre our sauf conduit and ligue. It is so also an example to discorage every marchaunt, and thereof must ensue not onely grete disclaundre to this our land but also the subversion of thentrecourse of marchandise. Wherin resteth gretly the welefare of our subgettes, With the whiche horrible dede, we be right gretely displeased as we have cause so to be. And will in no wise suffre that it passe over unpunysshed, And forasmuche at this straunge demeanyng is commytted and doon undre the boundes of yor franchises and in suche place where ye have jurisdiccõn and power by suche franchises as ourre noble progenitours and we have graunted unto you as it is doon us to understande. It is yor parte to resiste correct and reforme the said wronges wherefore we by thavise of or grete Counseil woll that callying to yor remembraunce our lawes made in þt behalve and in especial the statue made by our noble progenitor King Edward the third in the ixth yeer of his regne and oþer statutes made in þat behalve ye immediatly aftre pereceivyng of thees our lettres sette remedye in þe matier abovesaid. And þat ye take þe said shippes of Werre and malefactours and commytte theym to prisoun there straitely to be kept and to have as they have deserved, And provide that þe said shippes of Seland and marchandise be at their full fredome, and restored to their goodes if any be take fro them. Letyng you wite for certeyn if ye be remysse or necligent in þe punisshing of þis mysgovernaunce and executyng this our comaundement, as we thinke ye have be in oþere afore this, ye shall renne into þe peyne provided by our lawes aswele in yor franchise as oþerwise. Wherto we shall entende withoute any grace to be shewed to you. And if so bee ye doo effectuelly yor devoir in this matier þat sitteth us right nigh to hert we shal thanke you. And lete you have knowliche þat ye have doon us singler pleasir. Yeven undre or privee seal at our citee of Coventre the x daie of Marche.
No. 19.
The same to the same touching the peace of the City. Dated Kenilworth, 22 March [1456-7].
Id., ibid.
By þe king.
Trusty and welbeloved we grete you wele and late you wite that certeyn of yor breþeren aldermen of our cite of London hath shewed unto us by þe declaracõn of your Recorder of þe good diligence that ye entended to have put you in to þe performyng of our commandement yeoven unto you by our lettres of prive seal in case our said lettres had come unto you in convenable tyme as for tharrest and attachement to have be made of certeyn shippes and persones þat late in our Ryver of Thamyse made gret attemptatz ageynst our ligue and sauf conduct of þe which yor goode disposicioun and benivolence we hold us wele content and can you þerfore right goode thankes charging you that if it hapne any of þe said shippes or mysdoers to repaire herafter unto or saide citee or unto þe franchise þerof that thenne ye doo put them undre arrest and to be kept in sure warde abiding the determinacon of our lawes the which we wol in all wise be executed. And over this we charge you in yor effectuel devoir to see that our peas be kept at alle tymes within our saide citee And if any misgoverned persone of what estate or condicioun so ever he be make any stiring riot or attempt any thing to þe breche of or paix within oure saide citee and franchise of þe same þat thenne ye doo yor peyne to suppresse them and to put hem in warde and so þat they be duely punisshed according to their demerites. In which thing doyng ye shal mynistre unto us cause of grete plaisir and deserve of us þerfore right good and especial thanke in tyme to come. Yeven under our signet at or Castell of Kenelleworth the xxij daye of Marche.
No. 20.
Letter from the City to Henry VI, touching the capture of Sandwich by the French. Dated 3 Sept. [1457].
Letter Book K, fo. 292.
Of al erthely princes our moste high moste redoubted sovereyn lord and moste Christian kyng. We youre symple officers and feithfull humble lieges Mair and Aldermen of yor true citee and chambre of London recomande us unto yor most souvereyn excellence & noble grace in als humble and lowly wise as we moste hertly canne ymagine and devise humblely beseching yor moste noble grace to be enformed of þe full piteuous and lamentable tidings þat late have comen unto or knowliche bothe by writing in certeyn and credible reaporte made to us touching thynfortunate entrepruise late hadde upon yor towne of Sandewiche by yor enemyes and adversaires of France and Bretaigne whiche in a grete armee and with grete noumbre of shippes on Sondaie last passed aboute vj of the clok in þe mornyng arrived to lande at yr saide towne of Sandewiche. And there after diverse scarmysshes gate and entred þe towne and it have dispoiled and pilled unto thuttermoste they have also full cruelly slayne diverse and many of your people and taken prisoners þe moste parte of the þrifty men of þe same towne and also have taken & ladde awaie þe shippes in the haven þere aboute þe nombre of xxxij grete and smale diverse of theym charged with wolles and oþere marchandises of no litle estymacõn and value to þe grete hurt of all this your reaume, and suche othir shippes as they myght not with them wele convey from thens have broken fired and brent and many oþere grete and outrageous violences have there commytted and doon þat pitee is to hire like as in þe copies of ij lettres entre-closed within thise is made expresse mencõn. And thise doon yor saide enemeys with their vessels pillaige and prisoners withdrowe them unto the Downes where they dailie encrecen in gretter nombre both of people and vessels entending not as it is seide therby to ceasse of their cruell and malicious purpose but utterly to destroye þe navire of this yor land as it sheweth in open experience by that they have late also attempted and doon at yor towne and porte of Fowey and oþere places. And then to take an entrepruise upon this yor royalme þe whiche if it ne were þe sonner myghtly lette and manly withstonde by yor saide highnesse and myghti power myght of liklihode growe unto þe grete jeoparde of your saide reaume as god defende. In eschewing of whiche daungerous myschiefz and grete perils we yor said humble lieges wiþ grete & undelayed diligence have had rype comynycacõn with þe grete partie of yor comons of yor saide citee whom to þe pleasir of god and of you sovereyn lord and to þe defence and saufgarde of this yor reaume we fynde to their power full wele-willed and towardly disposed to take upon them the charge in hasty wise to vitaille manne and setteforthe diverse shippes heer beyng in yor ryver of Thamyse with þe nombre of mt mt persones or neer thereby they to be redy to attende & assist such armee and power as shall like yor highnesse by thavise of yor Counsell to provide and ordeyne to þe resistence recountre and rebuke of yor saide enemyes by goddis mercy. So þat it may like yor moste high and noble grace to comaunde them so to doo. And þeruppon to yeove them sufficient auchorite undre yor grete seal. And to open and declare þe premisses unto your saide higenesse more at large. We send towardes þe same at this tyme or broþer Thomas Cook, alderman pleynly instruct of or entent in this behalve. To whom in moste humble wise we besiche yor said highnesse to give full feith & credence in the premisses Moste high moste redoubted sovereyn lorde and most Christian kyng we devoutly besiche þe kyng of all kynges whos reaume shall endelesly last and endure your blessed soule and noble body from either of þeir enemyes evermore to protect kepe and defende þat ye mowe in þis world upon us and alle yor oþer lieges wiþ reporte of worldly joye and victorie long tyme regne & endure to þe singuler conforte of us all. Written at yor saide citee of London þe third daie of Septembre.
No. 21.
Reply to the above. Dated Northampton, 5 Sept [1457].
Id. Ibid.
Trusty and welbeloved we grete you oftentymes wele. And lete you wite þat this same daie or welbeloved Thomas Cook oon of your brethren hath in yor behalve presented yor lettres and also declared full notablie yor credence unto us by the which we have understande the fervent desire and true ligeaunce þat ye tendirly and humbly here unto or royal estate, the whiche hath gretely renoveled and recomforted us Whereof aswele as of the notable aide that ye have graunted at this tyme unto us in right notable nombre of men of werre shippes and all other necessaires expedient for theym to þe repressing and rebuke of thoultrageous malice of oure enemyes of Fraunce now travarssing the narwe Se as it is saide we thanke you with as goode wille and hert as we can trusting for undoubted and also praying you þat considering þis Somer season passeth fast ye wille in all possible haste prepare and advaunce yor saide exploit for the whiche we have comaunded Chauncellor of Englond to yeove you auctorite so to doo undre oure grete seal. And have written to or port of Hull and oþere to drawe them and their ships towardes þe Se in their moste defensible and warrely araye and to ioigne and accompaignie theyme with you under the leding and guiding of god and of suche lordes and capitaignes proved in þe werre as we have full hope shall be to the grete renõmee of us and seurtee of you and alle our true subgettes and to thutter confusioun and reproche of or auncien enemy adverse of Fraunce. Yeoven undre oure Signet at our towne of Northampton the v daye of Septembre.
No. 22.
A letter similar to No. 20 (supra) was sent to Bishop Waynfleete the Chancellor, to which was made the following reply. Dated Waltham, 5 Sept. [1457].
Letter Book K, fo. 292b.
Right Worshipfull and right entierly welbeloved sirres I recommende me unto you in þe moste herty wise. Puttyng you in knowliche þat I have receved yor lettres direct unto me by Roger Tonge yor comon clerc in þe whiche I have understande not onely yor grete trouth to þe king our aller sovereigne lord and to this his Reaume but also I see and cleerly understand yor worshipfull coraige special love tendernesse and affeccõn þat ye bere to his highnesse and to þe defence prosperite and wele of this his Land to my special reioysing and conforte for þe whiche I thank you all as entierly as it is possible to me so to doo. I am certeyn that þe kinges highnesse will yeove you a grete Laude & speciall thankinges & alle the land hath cause to do þe same. Your worshipfull Demeanyng in this case and in this tyme of so straite necessite shall be an example to all þe land aftre I besiche you right hertly to contynue yor saide goode & worshipfull entent to yor perpetuell laude & worship hereaftre. In suche tyme as I shall come next to þe kinges high presence & to thassemblyng of þe lordes of his land I shall not forgete but I shall remembre open and declare yor worshipfull demenyng at this tyme. And where as I have ever be wele willyng to þe wele of þe cite afore this tyme by occasioun of this yor so thankfull demeanyng ye shall have me. Doutelese ever heraftre more redy & right glade to doo suche thinges as may be to þe welefare honer and prosperite of þe same. And how be it þat this may be thought a burthyn and a charge for þe season I doute not but þe goodenesse of almyghty god shal encrece you þe more for this so meritory a werk in tuicioun & defence of þe land and in eschewing of inconveniences happely muche gretter than as yet ben knowen. Furthermore I pray you to yeve feith & credence to suche thinges as þe said Roger shall open unto you in my behalf. And þe Holiegoste have you alwey in his guydyng. Written at Waltham þe vth day of Septembre.
No. 23.
Letter from the Earl of Kendal, Lord Scales & others in the Tower to the Mayor asking why war was being made upon them. No date [circ. July 1460].
Journal 6, fo. 250b.
Sirs it is yor saying that ye be the kinges trew liegemen and soo be we wherfore we wul desire of you to wite the cause why ye make us werre. And that we may understande how ye may joyne your sayinges and youre dedes togiders, And also what shuld bee the cause that ye take prisouners and we shuld nat defende us ayenst you and of this abovesaid we pray of you an answer for we cast us no more to accomber you wt oure writing, &c.
No. 24.
Reply to the above. No date.
Id. ibid.
Like it your lordshipps to understande and with for certain that according to oure sayn ... we have ever bee, nowe we bee, and ever will bee the kinges treu subgettes and hum ... liegemen. And where ye by youre bill desire of us to wite þe cause why we mak ... you werre, &c. Therto we answer and seye that ye and your ffelesship have began and made no werre by diverse assault shetyng of gonnez and otherwise by the which the kinges treu liege people aswell the inhabitauntz of this citee men women and children as oþer have be murdred slayn maemed and myscheved in sundry wise. And soo that þat hath be doon by us is onely of youre occasioun in oure defence. And suche as we take for prisouners been for the attemptatz occasiouns and assaultz by theym doon as aforesaid in breche of the kinges peas, and for dispoillyng of the kinges treu people of their vitaillz and goodes without due contentacõn or paiement hadde in that behalve contrary to good equite and all lawe, &c.
No. 25.
Agreement touching the surrender of the Tower by the besieged Lords. Dated 16 July 38 Hen. VI. [1460].
Id. fo. 256.
Be it remembred that we William Hulyn maire of the citee of London and the aldermen and þe comunes of the same agree us by thise presentz to holde ferme and stable and to performe in every pointe in that that in us shall bee alle suche appoyntementz touchyng the gyvyng over of the Toure of London by therle of Kendale the lord Scales, the lord Lovell, the lord Hungerford and Sir Edmond Hampden and oþer nowe beyng wtin the same tour, and the receyving of the tour aforesaid by the erle of Salisbury to the kinges use as be made by the same erle or his deputees on that one partie, and the said erl of Kendale lord Scales, lord Lovell, lord Hungerford and Sir Edmond Hampden and oþer or that othre partie. In witnesse wherof to thise same presentz we have put our comon seal writen at London aforesaid the xvj day of July the xxxviijth yeer of the reign of King Henry the vjte [1460].
No. 26.
Minutes of proceedings of the Common Council upon the return of the Earl of Warwick to England and the flight of King Edward IV. Oct., 1470.
Journal 7, fos. 223b-224.
Translation.
Be it remembered that on the 1st day of October it was noised abroad throughout the city that Edward the Fourth King of England had fled, for which cause the Queen Elizabeth who had fortified the Tower of London quitted the same Tower and fled to the sanctuary at Westminster and sent the Abbot of Westminster to Richard Lee the Mayor and the Aldermen to inform them on the Queen's behalf that the men of Kent and many others from divers parts of England in great numbers were purposing to enter the city and lay siege to the said Tower and the men at arms whom the said Queen had left behind in the same Tower; that the same Queen desired that the said Tower should be delivered into the hands of the Mayor and Aldermen because the said Queen was afraid, it was said, that unless the said Tower was so surrendered the said Kentishmen and others would invade the said sanctuary of Westminster to despoil and kill the said Queen. And be it remembered that the said Tower was on the Wednesday next following delivered into the hands of the Mayor and Aldermen and of Geoffrey Gate, knight & others of the council of the lords Clarence and Warwick on condition that all who were then within the said Tower should remain safe & secure with their goods and be conducted in the city of London either to the Sanctuary at Westminster or Saint Martin according as they might wish. And be it remembered that the lord Henry the Sixth who on the said Wednesday and for many years past had been confined in a certain cell (in quodam Argastulo) within the said Tower, was conducted by the said mayor and Aldermen to a certain chamber adorned with handsome furniture which the said Queen Elizabeth had fitted up and in which, being enceinte, she purposed being brought to bed. And be it remembered that the aforesaid Mayor and Aldermen for the safe custody of the said Tower and the said lord the King Henry the Sixth then living in the same placed in the said Tower the persons underwritten, namely
[Here follows a list of names.]
And each of the said Commoners had with him in the same Tower 2 men at arms to wait upon him.
And be it remembered that all the foregoing was executed by authority of the common council assembled in the church of Saint Stephen in Walbrok.
Also be it remembered that on the 5th day of October the Archbishop of York entered the Tower of London with a large band of men at arms and took command of the said Tower and relieved the said Aldermen and Commoners of the custody of the same And be it remembered that on Saturday the 6th day of October George Duke of Clarence and Richard Earl of Warwick entered the City by Newgate about the third hour after noon with a large army and rode through le Chepe to the said Tower of London and took away the lord the King Henry the Sixth and brought him the same day before nightfall to the Bishop of London's palace.
Be it remembered that as soon as it was notified that Edward the Fourth had fled the Mayor and Sheriffs every day to wit for 10 days rode about the City with armed men both before nine and after nine; the following men being sent by the masters and wardens of the misteries to the Guildhall every morning to attend upon the said Mayor and Sheriffs.
[Here follows a schedule of the number of men sent by each mistery.]
No. 27.
Letter from Thomas Faucomberge, captain of Kent, to the City of London. Dated "Sydyngbourne," 8 May [1471].
Letter Book L, fo. 78.
To the worshipfull my feithfull trusty and welbeloved frendes the Comminaltie of the Citee of London youre feithfull trewe lover Thomas Faucomberge Capteyn and leder of oure liege lorde king Henrys people in Kent at this tyme sendith hertly recommendacioun lettyng witte that I am enfourmed howe the partie of the usurper of our saide liege lordes Crownne hath made you to understande that I with the kynges people shulde purpose to robbe ryfell and despoile the Citee of London if I came therein. Wherefore they exorted you to make us werre and kepe us oute of the Citee. Certaynly frendes god knoueth whome I calle to recorde. It was never myn entent ne purpose and therfore I beseeche you to give no credence to theire false suggestioun and surmyse. But trusty frendis sethen it is soo that I have taken upon me with the helpe of Almyghty god and the true comons to revenge his quarell ayenst the saide usurper and his adherentis and to sike hym in whate parties he be within the Reaume of Enland to abrigge the peynfull labour and to shorte the wey of the kinges people hertly sette and disposed ayenst the saide usurper desire and praye you courteisly to passe through the Citee in oure wey. And we shall neiþer take vitaille ne ware withouten payment be ye therof certayne. And that I promytte you on myn honour for he is not within the kyngis hoste in my company that breketh the kyngis crye but he shal have execucioun accordyng to his offences. No more unto you at this tyme saffe we have desired of the Maire and Aldermen to have an answere hereof by Fryday ix of the clokke at the blak ethe. And Almyghty Jesus have you and the goode Citee in his blessed garde. Writene at Sydyngbourne hastely the viijth day of Maij.
No. 28.
Reply to the above. Dated 9 May [1471].
Id. ibid.
Worshipfull sir we receyved your lettres writen at Sydyngborn the viijth day of the present month of Maij by the whiche we understande that it is comyn unto youre knoulege that if ye and youre ffeleaship wt the which ye be accompanyed shulde come unto the Citee of London like as ye write ye entende to doo that thanne ye wolde rifell and dispoile the saide citee ye desire us by the saide lettre that we shulde yeve no credence to noon suche surmyse seiyng and takyng recorde of god that ye never entended so to doo. Prayng us to suffre you and youre saide ffeleaship to passe through the saide Citee of London uppon youre journey to perfourme and execute suche thinges as in your saide lettres ben more largely expressed. Sir we lette you witte that whanne the kgng kyng Edward þe fourth oure soveraigne lord after his grete victorye hadde uppon Ester day last passed beside Barnet daparted oute of the saide Citee of London. He charged and commaunded us upon oure aligeaunce that we shulde kepe the same saffely and suerly to his beof and use not suffryng any persone what degree or condicioun or estate whereof gaderyng or makyng assembles of any people contrary to his lawes wt oute auctorite of his high commaundement to entre therin ffor the whiche cause and many oþer we ne darre may ne wille suffree you to passe through the same Citee, lettyng you witte for certayne that we understand that if ye and youre saide feleaship shulde come and entre in to the same that youre saide feleaship wolde beof like condicioun as other of like disposicioun have bene in tyme passed as by sondry precedentis it appereth unto us right largely. And it shulde not lye in youre power to lette your saide feleaship frome dispoilage and robery. Wherefore we advertise you for that love and service that we afore tyme have ought unto that noble knyght youre ffader[849] and oure goode lorde whose steppes we wolde that ye shulde folowe and for verrey favour that we have born and bere unto you for the goode disposicioun and vertue that in tyme passed we have knouen to be in you that ye spare and absteyne you self from suche unlawfull gaderyng & asumbleng of people the whiche if ye soo doo we doubte not but it shal not onely be unto you grete honour and worship but also to youre prevaile and cause the kyng the rather to be youre goode and graciouse lorde. Moreover Sir we have receyved a proclamacioun sent from you in the whiche amonge oþer articles we understand that ye by the commaundement of Henry late kyng of this Reaume Margarete late quene and Edward late called Prynce by thavise of the Erle of Warwyk whom ye suppose to be alyve[850] as we ben enfourmed and oþer ye be ordeigned Captayne of the Navye of Englond and men of warre both by þe See and by lande. Right worshipfull Sir we mervaile gretely that ye beyng a man of soo grete wisdame and discrecioun shulde be disceyved by simple seynges and fayned tales we certifie you upon oure worshippes and trouthes that bothe the saide Edward late called Prynce and therle of Warrewyk ben slayne and dede for we knoue for certayne not onely by the reaporte of men of grete credence bothe of this citee and by other which were wt the saide Erle of Warrewyk in the felde whanne he and his brother Marqueys Montagu were slayne but also by open lying of theire bodyes in the chirche of Poules by the space of ij dayes whiche many of us didde see and understand for certayne to be the bodies of the saide Erle of Warrewyk and Marqueys Also Sir the saide Edward late called Prince Therle of Devynshire lord John of Somerset lord Wenlok Sir Edmund Hampden Sir Robert Whityngham, Sir John Lewkenore, John Delves wt other moo were sleyne upon Saturday last passed at Tewkesbury. And the Duke of Somerset lord of Seint Johannys Sir Gerveys of Clifton Sir Thomas Tresham wt oþer moo to the noumbre of xij persones ben taken and ben beheded on Monday last passed as we ben veryly enfourmed at Tewkesbury aforsaide where god yaffe the kyng oure saide soverayn lord the victory as we certeynly understande not onely by lettres signed with oure saide soveraigne lordys owne hande whereof we sende yow a copye herein enclosed and by writynges senden from lordes and gentilles there beyng present unto divers and many persones beyng wtin in the saide Citee of London but also by the reaporte of many credible persones and men of worship and by oþer servauntes of the same Citee. Whereof some were sent unto the hooste of oure saide soveraigne lord the king and some unto the hooste of the saide Edward late called Prynce to see and understand the disposicioun of bothe þe saide hoostes and to make reaporte unto us accordyng to the trouth whiche faiethfully have made reaporte unto us of the disposicioun and gugdyng of bothe the saide hoostis and howe and in what manere and fourme the saide Edward late called Prynce and oþer were taken and slayne. Wherefore we fryndely exorte you and stire you not onely to absteyne youre silf from suche unlawfull gaderynges and assembles of people and gevyng feith and credence to any symple feyned and forged tales contrary to trouth as it is rehersed, but also to take accepte and obey the kyng, kyng Edward the iiijth for your soveraigne lord the grete victories aforerehersed which god hath gevyn hym by his myghty power considered like all the lordes spirituell and temporell of this lande and we also have agreed for to doo. And ye soo doyng shal cause the kyng rather to be youre goode lorde and therby ye shal eschewe grete ieobardies parelles and inconveniences that myght enshewe of the contrary. And also ye shal not onely have oure good willes and benevolences in all thinges that hereafter ye shall have to doo wt us but also we shall be meane to the kynges highnesse trustyng that by oure praier he shalbe unto you the rather goode and graciouse lord lettyng you witte for certayne that ye nor youre hooste shal not come within the said Citee. Writen at London in the yeldehall the ix day of Maij.
No. 29.
Account of the invasion of the City by the Kentish rebels on Sunday the 12th May 1471.
Journal 8, fo. 7.
Translation.
Be it remembered that the Mayor and Aldermen with the assent of the Common Council fortified the banks of the river Thames from Castle Baynard as far as the Tower of London with men at arms, bombards, and other implements of war to prevent an attack by the seamen who had brought a large fleet of ships near the Tower, and the said bank was held by the Aldermen and the rest of the citizens in great numbers. Be it remembered also that on Sunday viz: the 12th day of May in the eleventh year of Edward IV, [1471] Kentish seamen and others, rebels of the lord the king made an attack upon London bridge and on the new gate there and set fire to divers houses called berehouses near the hospital of Saint Katherine; and afterwards on the 14th day of May being Tuesday the eleventh year aforesaid about eleven o'clock in the morning of the said Tuesday the said Kentish seamen and other rebels made an attack with great force and set fire to 13 tenements upon London bridge. The said Kentish seamen and others to the number of 5000 persons also made an attack from the Thames upon the gates of Aldgate and Bishopsgate and set fire to divers tenements. The citizens, however, sallied out of the gates and made a stout resistance and put them to flight, and nearly 300 men fell in battle and in flight besides those who were drowned in endeavouring to get on board their ships at Blakewall &c. And afterwards viz.: on the eve of the Ascension the aforesaid eleventh year our said lord King came with a great multitude of armed men to the city of London and there to the honour of the same city created knights John Stokton the Mayor, Richard Lee, Matthew Philip, Ralph Verney, John Yong, William Tailor, aldermen, Thomas Urswyk the Recorder, George Irlond, William Hampton, Bartholomew James, Thomas Stalbrok and William Stokker, aldermen. And the same lord the King conferred upon them knights' badges.
No. 30.
Letter from King Henry VII to the City announcing the betrothal of his daughter the Princess Mary to Prince Charles of Castile. Dated Richmond, 28 Dec. [1507].
Letter Book M, fo. 138.
By the king
Trusty and welbeloved we grete you well. And forasmoche as wee doubt not but yt is and shalbe to you and to all other our true subiectes right joyfull and confortable to here and understande from tyme to tyme specially of suche causes and matiers as redounde to the grete honour exaltacioun universall weal suertie and restfulnes of us this our realme and our subiectes of the same we signifie unto you that by or grete labour studie and police thys grete and honourable aliaunce and mariage betwixt the prince of Castile and or right dere doughter the lady Marie ys nowe or lorde bethanked betwixt or ambassadours and the oratours aswell of or brother and cousyn the king of Romans as of the seid yonge prince at or towne of Calays accorded aggreed concluded and finally determyned wt a grete ample and large amitie and consideracioun to the suertie strenght defence and comfort aswell of us and of the seid prince as of either of our realmes contrayes dominions and subiectes and considering the noble lynage and blode whereof the seid yong prince ys descended whiche ys of the grettest kinges and princes in Cristendome remembring also the regions landes and contrays by rightfull enheritaunce he shall succede with the manyfolde commodities and goodenes that may folowe and ensue to us and this or realme aswell by the seid aliaunce and amitie as also by the free and sure entercourse of merchaundise that our and hys subiectees may and shall have in the regions and contrayes of us bothe specially being soo nye joyned togeder as they be we thinke verraly that thought the same shalbe right chargeable yet for the honor suertie weale and profite of this or seid reame noon so noble mariage can any where be founde. So that by meane therof and thother aliaunce whiche we have wt or good son the King of Scottes[851] this or reame ys nowe environd and in maner closed on every side wt suche myghti princes or good sonnes frendes confiderates and alies that by the helpe of or lorde the same ys and shalbe perpetually establisshed in rest and peace and welthy condicioun to or grete honor and pleasor the reioysing and comfort of all or loving frendes confiderates and alies, the feare and discomfort of or enmyes that wold entende or presume to attempt any thing to the contrary. The premisses therefore considered we do advertise you of the same to thentent that like as we doubt nat but ye and every of you wol take pleasor and comfort in hering thereof. So with convenient diligence uppon the sight of these or lettres ye wol cause demonstraciouns and tokens of reioysing and comfort to be made in sundry places wt in or citie there aswell by making of ffyres in suche places as shall thinke convenient as otherwise in the best and confortable maner that ye can so that therby it may be evidently knowen what gladnesse and reioysing ys generally takyn and made by you and other or subiectes for perfecting of the seid honorable matiers like as we knowe right well that the subiectes of the seid yong prince for their parte have doon and wol semblably do accordingly lating you wite that we have directed or like lettres to diverse other cities and townes wtin or seid reame semblably to do for theyr part. Yeuen under or Signet at our maner of Richemond the xxviij day of Decembre.
No. 31.
Petition of Dean Colet to the Common Council that he might be allowed to purchase certain lands and tenements for the purpose of enlarging his School; 15 Jan. 3 Henry VIII. [1511-12].
Journal 11, fo. 147b.
To the honorable Comon Counsell of the Citie of London.
Shewith unto you the Honorable Comyn Counsell of the Citie of London yor lover and Bedman John Colet Deane of poules. That where he hath made sute unto you afore this tyme for certeyn mesuage or tenement in the olde Chaunge and ye have not sufficiently yitt knowen his mynde in that behalf that it woll nowe lyke you to understande his mynde more plainly whiche ys this. That ys to sey That where he hathe edified and ordeyned a scole for your Childern bothe for lernyng and for good made maners in poules Churche and nowe to the more examplefying and makyng profite of the same in every pointe And also the more commoditie and weale of yor sonnes that nowe and hereafter shall resorte to the seid Scole because he sethe that it moche behoveth hym to his purpose to have suche house and tenement in the old Channge lying at the bakside of the said scole in the Est parte of the same that is to sey betwixt the tenement nowe in the tenour of Reynold Pwe Citezen and Marchaunt haberdassher of London on the South parte and the tenement nowe in the tenure of John Evers Citezein and Marchaunt haberdassher of London on the North parte conteynyng in lenght from the South to the North xxviij fote of assise and in brede from the Est to the West x fote ix Inches and a half of assise nowe being in the tenure of the seid John Evers paying a yerely Rent of xxxv ̃s. Therfore he instantly praieth you and requireth you that ye wyll voutesave to lett hym have the seid tenementes for convenient and reasonable price suche as shalbe sene to indifferent men according to the true valour of the seid tenementes and [sic] this grauntyng ye shall doo the seid John Colet a gret pleasor and also a thing of gret commoditie to your childern, and the seid John Colet Deane of poules shall pray for your good prosperious contynuance to almyghty God all way who ever kepe you amen.
No. 32.
Letter from King Henry VIII to the City desiring 300 men for the service of the Navy against a threatened invasion of England by the King of France. Dated Greenwich, 30 Jan. [1512-13].
Journal II, fo. I.
Trusty and welbeloved we grete youe well. And forasmoche as we have perfite knowleage that or enemye the Frenche kyng hathe prepared a strong navye furnysshed wt men of warre to entre and lande in diverse parties of this or realme in this nexist moneth of Februarij for to brenne slee robbe and distroye all that they may overcome. We entendyng to prevent his conspired malice and to defende or reame and subgiettes from all suche invasions by strength of a navye to be shortly sett to the see. Wol therefore & commaunde youe that almaner excuses utterly sett a parte ye furthwt upon the sight hereof doo prepaire and arredye the nomber of ccc able persones sufficiently harneysed to serve us on the see so that they be here at Grenewiche by the xvth day off Februarij nexist commyng at the farthest any or former lettres wrytinges to contrary notwtstondyng and that in the mean season ye do send unto us some persone to receyve money for jakettes and conducte money and that ye faile not hereof as ye tender our honor the suertie & defence of this or realme and woll annswer therefore unto us at their utturmost perill. Yeven under or Signet at or manor of Grenewiche the xxx day of Januarij.
No. 33.
Letter from Cardinal Wolsey to the City, touching a loan of 4000 marks. Dated Westminster, 3 Sept. [1522].
Journal 12, fo. 196b.
Right honorable and my welbelovid frendes I parceyve by the relacõn of Sir John Dauncy howe towardly and benevolently ye at this present tyme of necessite, do use applye and endevor yor selfes to shewe gratuite honor and pleasure unto the kynges grace, and that the rather at my contemplacõn and desire, ye be mynded and contentid nowe to avaunce unto his highnes by way of lone the summe of iiijml merkes which is not only a manyfest and evydent demonstracõn of the perfite zele that ye have to the furtheraunce of the kynges affaires, but also therbye I do see what good inclynacõn and lovyng myndes ye be of to do unto me acceptable and thankfull pleasure assuryng you that the kynges highnes woll not faile so to remembre this yor gentill demeanor as ye shall have cause to thynk the same well employed and bestowed. And for my parte I thank you asmoch as though an other season ye gave unto me thries that valure, offeryng that eny goodes of myn or that I can make of my frendes shalbe as alliable unto yor commodities weales and profites hereafter as ye do shew you to be unto the satisfacõn of my desire and request, promysyng you also that wtin xv dayes next ensuyng I shall see you entierly repayed of the same And in all such thynges as may concerne thadvauncemet and comon weale of you and that Citie ye shall assuredly have my favor and good furtheraunce as thise yor merites condyngeiely do requyre. At my place besides Westmynster the iijde daye of Septembre.
Yor assured lovyng ffrende T. Cardinalis Ebor.
No. 34.
Letter from Henry VIII to the City requesting a benevolence. Dated Greenwich, 25 April [1525].
Letter Book N, fo. 278.
Trusty and right welbiloved we grete you well. Lattyng you wytte that by the reaporte and relacioun of the moost reverende fadre in God our most trusty and mooste enterly welbiloved counsaillor the lorde legate Cardynall Archebisshope of Yorke Primate of Englande and Chauncellor of the same Whom we appoynted to practyse wt you for an amyable graunte to be made unto us towards the supportacõn of or charges for our intended vyage in to Fraunce for recoverey and atteignynge of our crown and rightes there We to our singuler contentation understonde that ye lyke most lovynge and kynde subgettes have shewed yor selffes as conformable and well mynded to accomplyshe our desire purposed and shewed unto you by the sayde moost reverende fadre in that behalffe as cowde be imagined or devised And that there lakketh yn none of you any maner towardnes or herty good wille with all effecte to performe the same For the whiche your good demontracõn evidently provynge the feithfull and mooste lovynge myndes that you alwaies have borne and contynually doo bere unto us, ye do geve us right good cause to devise and studie howe we may be as gracious soverayne lorde unto yow, as ye bee good subgettes unto us: and surely yor towarde conformytes & demeanors heryn be so imprynted in our harte and mynde that we shall never forgett the same but yn all your resonable causes and pursuytes woll have suche consideracõn and respecte therunto as shalbe to yor comfortes gevyng you for this yor benevolent demeanor our right hartye thankys. Nevertheless in asmoche as by reaporte and informacõn of the said moost reverende fader we perceyve that albeyt ye be of this towarde molinacõn and disposicioun as is aforesaid, yet your powers and abilities be not equyvalent and correspondent unto yor good myndes ne ye may commodiously performe the same without your grete detryment and extreme hynderance & decay: We moche more esteme the prosperite of this our realme and the weale of you or lovynge and kynde subgettes then we doo ten suche realmes as Fraunce is. And not willynge you in any wise to be so overcharged in this benyvolent graunte as shulde be to yor extreme impoverishing have of our herty affeccõn and love towardes you at this tyme directed our other lettres and instruccõns unto the said most reverend fader willyng and desirynge hym to shewe and declare unto you what waies of moderacõn we have devysed to be taken with you in this behalff. By whome ye shall perceyve that we noo lesse doo tendre your weales then we doo the attaynynge of or said rights and crown whiche of necessite in avoydynge the greate dishonor that by the contrary may ensue to us and this our realme and subgettes we must attempte to recover. Trustyng therefor verelye that lyke as we have tendre respecte unto you and your commoditie soo ye will as liberall and good subgettes regarde the importance of our said intendyd viage with the honor and Reputacõn of us and this own realme accordyngly Yoven undre our Signet at or Maner of Grenewiche the xxv day of Aprill.