Chapter XXI: Appendix: A (3)

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

No. 46.

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

Journal 18, fo. 137.

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

No. 47.

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

Journal 19, fo. 202b.

By the Queene.

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

god save the quene.

No. 48.

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

Journal 22, fo. 52.

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

No. 49.

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

Journal 22, fo. 52.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

No. 50.

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

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

At Plymmowthe xixno Julij 1588.

A note of all the shipps nowe at sea under the chardge of the Lorde Admerall wth their nombers of men and tyme of victuallinge wch is reduced nowe to ende in them all together the xth of Auguste.

Men.

{ The Hercules 120 }
{ The Tobie 110 }
{ The Senturyon 90 } Theis shipps
{ The Marget and John 84 } beinge set furthe
{ The Mynyon 84 } by the Cyttie are
{ The Assention 84 } victuallid by them
{ The Red Lyon 84 } alreadie until the
{ The May Flower 84 } xth of Auguste and
{ The Primrose 80 } shalbe here furnyshid
The London { The Teger 72 } with a
Shippes { The guyfte of god 64 } moneths victuall
{ The B. Burre 64 } more at the
{ The Brave 64 } Cytties chardge
{ The golden Lyon 64 } accordinge to yor
{ The Royall defence 60 } Lo: order.
{ The Thomas bonaventur 60 }
{ The releif 16 } }
{ The Moneshine 30 } } instead of theis to
{ The Pasporte 30 } } have 2 pynnasses
{ The Dyana 16 } }

No. 51.

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

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

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

* * * * *

1 The Hercules }
2 The Tobie }
3 The Senturion }
4 The Marget and John }
5 The Mynion }
6 The Assention }
7 The Red Lion }
8 The Tygar }
9 The Mayflower } Of London.
10 The Prymrose }
11 The gift of god }
12 The bark Burle }
13 The Brawle }
14 The golden Lion }
15 The Riall defence }
16 Thelen Nathan }
20 The foure pynnasses }

No. 52.

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

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

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

Queene Eliz: whole armye at Sea against ye Spanish forces in anno 1588.

* * * * *

Shippes set forth and payde upon ye charge of ye City of London anno 1588

Men.
The Hercules 120 George Barnes
The Tobie 110 Robert Barratt
The May flower 90 Edw: Bankes
The Mynion 90 John Dale
The royall defence 80 John Chester
The Assention 100 John Bacon
The Guift of God 80 Thom: Luntlowe
The Prime Rose 90 Rob: Bringborne
The Margarett and John 90 John Fisher
The goulden Lyon 70 Rob: Willton
The Dyana 40
The B. Burre 70 John Sarracole
The Tigar 90 Willm Cæsar
The Brane 70 Willm Furth
The Red Lyon 90 Jarvis Willes
The Centurion 100 Samuel Foxcraft
The Pastporte 40 Chr. Colethurst
The Mooneshine 30 John Brough
The Tho. Bonaventure 70 William Alldrige
The Releife 30 John King
The George Noble 80 Henery Billingham
The Anthony 60 George Harper
The Tobie 70 Chr. Pigott
The Sallamander 60 Damford
The Rose Lyon 50 Barn. Acton
The Antellope 60 Dennison
The Jewell 60 Rowell
The Paunce 70 Willm Butler
The Providence 60 Rich. Chester
The Dolphin 70 Willm Hare
---------------------- -----------------
30 Shipps and Barques 2130 men.

No. 53.

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

Journal 26 fo. 75b.

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

No. 54.

Reply to the above. Dated 29 March, 1603.

_Id._, fo. 76.

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

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

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

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

Your Maties most humble & loyall
Subjects

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

Robert Lee Maior
John Hart
John Spencer
Stephen Slaney
Henry Billingsly
Stephen Soame
John Garrard
Jo: Croke Recorder
Tho: Bennett
Tho: Lowe
Wm Glover
Wm Romeney
Leonard Halliday
John Watts
Rich. Goddard
Henry Rowe
Edw. Holmden
John More
Robt. Hampton
Roger Larke
Humf. Weld
Tho: Cambell
Wm Craven
Henry Anderson
James Pemberton
Jo: Swinarton, Sherriffe

No. 55.

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

Journal 26, fo. 80.

JAMES R.

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

No. 56.

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

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

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

No. 57.

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

Journal 39, fo. 167.

My Lord,

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

I rest Your Lopps. verie loveinge ffreind
Wm Lenthall, Speaker.

No. 58.

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

_Id. ibid._

My Lord,

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

Yor Lorpps very loving freind
Wm Lenthall, Speaker.

No. 59.

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

Journal 39, fo. 180.

My very good Lord and Gentlemen,

I have formerly by my lres directed by order of the house of Comons vnto yor Lorpp signified their desire to borrow of the City sixty thousand pounds for the presente supply of the Kings Army and releif of the Northern partes conceived to tend principally to the gen'all safety of the whole kingdome.

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

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

Yor Loving faithfull friend to serve you
Wm Lenthall, Speaker

from my house at Charing
Crosse 19 ffebruarij 1640.

No. 60.

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

Journal 40, fo. 38.

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

No. 61.

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

Journal 40, fo. 41b.

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

No. 62.

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

Journal 40, fo. 52.

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

No. 63.

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

Journal 40, fo. 132.

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

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

No. 64.

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

Journal 40, fo. 144b.

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

Yor most humble servants
Justinian Pearde Maior
[and four others.]

Plymouth at the Committee
for Govermt,
5 Sept. 1645.

No. 65.

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

_Id._, fo. 187.

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

As for this city the petrs esteeme it their duty now againe as they have formerly done to declare unto yor royall matie and the whole world, that, according to their Protestacõn and Covenant they have alwayes, and doe still reteyne the same loyall thoughts towards yor matie as ever and as becometh subiects to doe from which they shall never recede.

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

So they shall contynue their instant prayers to the Throne of all Grace to dispose yor maties royall heart to comply with such proposicõns as from them shalbe represented unto yor maty for the settlement of true religion and peace in all yor kingdomes and the mainteynance of the union betweene the two nations. And then the petrs shall not doubt but yor matie (wch is their earnest prayer) will with honor and joy returne unto this yor antient city, and that yor throne shall in yor royall selfe and your posterity be established in all yor kingdomes to the great honour of yor matie and to the comfort of all yor good subiects amongst whome the peticõnrs shall alwayes strive to approve themselves inferiour to none in loyalty and obedience.

And as in dutie bound shall pray &c.

No. 66.

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

Journal 40, fo. 222.

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

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

June 14th 1647.

No. 67.

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

Journal 40, fo. 222b.

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

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