Chapter XX: Appendix: A (2)

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.

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 wth iiij great Tapers and the herse to be garnysshed wth xxx other great Tapers wth ij Braunches of vyrgyn waxe and the same to be garnysshed wth blacke clothe and wth 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 Mr Recorder shall have xxxiijs iiijd. The Chamberleyn the under-chamberleyn and the Towne clerk Every one of them xxs 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 yor 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 ml_l_ and more wyche shalbe very beautyful * * and allsoo for the honor owr 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 yor good lordshipe [to] move the kynges highnes to have his most gracious lettyrs [di]rectyd to the sayd Sir George Wyllynge and allsoo [co]maundynge hym to cawsse the sayd howssys to be [so]led to the Mayer and Comminaltye of the City of London for suche prices as he dyd purches them for and that he fawte not but to accomplyshe hys gracious commaundement the Lettyr 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 Lettyr and handyll hym the best I can, and yf I maye obtayngne to have the sayde howyssys I dought not but to gather oon ml_l_ towarde the buildynge or I departe howte of myn office ther shale lacke noo goode wylle In me. And thus or lorde preserve yor 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 wtyn that or Cytye lyke as or trusty and Ryght welbelovyd servaunt Sr Rychard Gresham maior 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 or intercessyon to bestowe upon suche a common weale and furtheraunce so moche of yor sayd howsyng as shall nede for thaccomplysshement of the same freely and frankely Or at the least wt 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 yor gentle confirmite so to doo shalbe by us thankfully accepted and remembred accordyngly Yeven under or 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 or letters hartely desyeryng you at or request frankely and frely to gyve certeyn yor howses that ye have in lombardstrete yn that or 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 or sake to conclude wt theym yn that byhalf wheryn ye shulde doo unto us acceptable pleasure not to be forgotten whensoever oportunytye shall requyre Wherupon as we be enformed or trusty and Ryght welbelovyd servaunt Sir Rychard Gresham Knight late Maior of or sayd Cytye have wt other of hys brethern Aldermen of the same bene lately wt you for thaccomplysshement therof at whiche tyme ye hooly remytted the matter to thorderyng of or trusty and welbelovyd counsailor Sir Richard Ryche chauncelor of or corte thaugmentacõns of or crowne wt whome also the sayd Sir Rychard Gresham wt other of hys brethern thaldermen of that or Cytye concluded and agreed to pay yerely for ever an annuall rent of twenty markes by yere for the sayd howses yet thys notwtstandyng thorough the evell counsayll and dethortacõn of certayn persones of frowarde disposicõn whiche lytle regarde or pleasure and yor estymacõn contrary to or expectacõn and lesse to the furtherance of the common wealth of that or Cytye have dysturbed the sayd good purpose to or no lytill marvell we therfore muche desyeryng the same to take effect do eftsones desyre and hartely requyre you that ponderyng and weyng wt yorself the benefite and commodytye that shall ensue therof to or common wealth and to the beautifitye of that or cytie and chamber of London to condescende to or desyre and conclude the sayd graunte accordyngly wtout further delaye Requyryng you that of yor gentle conformytie herein to be used on yor behalf (the contrary wherof we nothyng loke for) ye woll advertyse us wt convenyent dylygence by thys brynger Sir Rychard Gresham to thintent that accordyng to yor procedynges hereyn we maye gyve unto you or condigne thankes and also remember the same whan occasyon shall serve to yor no lytle benefit accordyngly Yeven under or 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 or Ryght trusty and Right welbelovyd counsailor the lorde privie seale howe at the contemplacõn of or lettres lately dyrected unto you for yor lovyng graunte to be made unto the merchauntes of or citye of London for theyre reasonable money to have of you suche yor howses and tenementes situate and lyeng yn Lombardstrete as shulde be mete for a burse wherunto the merchauntes of or said Cytye shulde for the trafique of marchaundyses have dayly concorse and accesse to the beautifyeng of or sayd Cytie and the advauncement of or common wealth of the same ye have lyke a lovyng subiect conformed yorself unto the same And have of yor owne gentlenes shewed and declared more conformitye unto theyre sute and Request than we desyred of you by or sayd lettres lyke as for yor gentle Accomplysshement thereof we geve unto you or cordyall and condynge thankes So we assure you we shall have the same yor towardnes yn the performyng hereof yn suche remembrance as whan occasyon shall serve yn yor lawfull pursuytes the same shall redownde unto yor benefyte accordyngly Yeven under or signet at or 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 honor 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 or 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 wthin the precincte aforesaid as they tender his favour and wull exchewe further punysshement at his Maiestyes wyll and pleasure. * * * Dated Westminster, 7 July, 37 Henry VIII [1545].

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 wth all spede for the defence & preservacõn of that or 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 or person one thousand of that or cytie of trustye & faythfull men to attende upon us & or most intyerly belovyd uncle Edwarde Duke of Somersett governor of or personne and protector of or realmes domynyons and subiectes well harnessed & wth good & convenyent weapon. So that they do make their repayer hether unto us this night if yt be possyble or at the leaste tomorrowe before none. And in the meane tyme to do what as apperteyneth unto yor duetye for ours & or seid uncles defence agayns all suche as attempte anye conspyracie or enterpryse of vyolence against us or or seid uncle, and as yow knowe best for or preservacõn & defence at this presente. Yoven under or Signett at or honor of Hampton corte the vjth of October the third yere of or reign.

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

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 or right hartye comendacõns unto yor good lordship knowyng yor 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 notwthstanding all the good advyse & counseyll that we cowde geve to the Duke of Somerset to steye hymself wthin his reasonable lymyttes and to use his governement nowe in the tender age of his maiestye in suche sorte as might tende to his highnes suertye to the conservacõn of his estate & to his owne honor. The seid duke neverthelesse styll contynuing in his pryde covetousnes & ambycyon ceaseth not daylie by all the wayes & meanes he can devyse to enryche hymself wthowte measure and to empoveryshe his matie 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 dyshonor 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 wth 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 wth manye moo to large to recyte consydered we pondred wth orselfes that eyther we muste travayle for some reformacõn or we muste in effecte as yt were consent wth hym to the destruccyon of or soveraign lorde & cuntreye, wherepon laying aparte all respectes and restyng only upon or duetyes we joyned in counseyll & thought quyetlye to have treated the matter wth hym, who perceyvyng that we joyned for the kynge & wold have suche order as might be for the suertye of his maties person & the commen welthe streight put hym self in force & resteth at pleyn point as yt appereth eyther to go thurrough wth 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 matie is in moste certeyn daunger & this realme or naturall countrey lyke to be destroyed wth or posteryties, lyke as we have agayne fully resolved wth godes helpe eyther to delyver the kynges matie & the realme from this extreme ruyne & destruccyon or to spend or lyves for the declaracõn of or faythfull hartes and duetyes so knowinge yor hartye good wylles & troth to his maiestye & therefore nothinge doubtyng of yor redynes to joyne wth us in or godly purpose we thought good to lett yowe knowe the verye trouthe of or enterprice & in the kynges maties 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 wthin yor 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 yor L. moste hartely farewell from London the vjth 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 yt 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 (or honor and suertie so requiering) to have a convenyent force putt in a perfytt readynes to attend upon or persone aswell for the defence & suertie thereof as to resiste suche attempes as may be by any forrein enemye or otherwise made agaynst us & or Realme and therefore will & comaunde yow that of the hole manred of that or Cytie of London aswell in lyberties as wthowt yow do appoynte the nomber of one thousand hable souldyers wherof as many to be horsemen as may be and the resydewe to be hable footemen the horsemen to be well horssed & armed & of the footemen the fourthe parte to be harquebutiars or archers One other fourthe parte or more to beare pykes and the residewe of the said footemen to be bylles all well harnessed and weaponed to serve us in or 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 xvjth 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 wth theire soldiers and the soldyers lykewyse withe their Captaines And because we have wrytten or specyall lettres to the persones named in the scedule inclosed to furnyshe for or 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 or armye into Fraunce And of yor doinges herein or pleasure is yow shall advertise us by yor Lettres wth as muche spede as you possibly maye And theis or Lettres Shalbe unto yow suffycient warraunte and dyscharge for yor doinges in that behalfe Yoven under or Sygnet at or manor of Richemond the last of July the fourth and fyveth yeres of or 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 or person at all tymes whan we shuld calle for the same Havinge receyved certein advertisementes from or Towne of Callice that the Frenche hathe approched theither and myndeth to attempte sum exployte on or said Towne and other or pieces there we have thought good for the better metinge wth suche attemptates as shalbe by them offered to sende a furder supplye of men thither and therfore requyre & comaunde yow furthwth upon the recipte of theise or letters wth 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 wth armure and weapon, whereof as many of them to be harquebutters as yow can gett and the rest to be furnyshed wth bowes and pykes so as the said number be ready to sett fourthe towardes or 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 or said Towne of Callyce at their arryvall there And because this or 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 yow And theise or lettres shalbe yor suffycient warraunte & dyscharge in this behalfe. Yeoven under or Sygnet at or Mannor of Grenewiche the seconde of January in the fourth and fyfthe yeres of or 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.