charge him upon his allegiance to keep secret what has been said unto him, and what answer he has made unto it, and also to be forthcoming if he shall be called for; and so, noting his name, they shall command him to appear, at day and time convenient, before the Council, unto whom they shall make certificate against that day of his behaviour and their proceedings with him; and thereupon to command him for that time to return to his house, and so pass him over in such a silence as he be no impeachment or ill example to the rest who will be more tractable, and frame themselves to the consideration of things as appertaineth. And his Majesty's pleasure is that the said Commissioners shall appoint such one or two substantial persons of the same shire to receive the money growing of the said contribution, as may dispend in lands £20 per year, or else be worth in moveable goods 500 marks; to whom they shall deliver a book, or roll, indented, and interchangeably subscribed with their hands and the hands of the collectors, containing the names of all such as are contributors to the said contribution, with a titling upon every man's head of such money as he has agreed to pay; which persons, so appointed to be collectors, shall afterwards deliver the money which they do receive again to Sir Edmund Peckham, Knight, Cofferer to the King's Majesty's Household, general receiver appointed for the said contribution; with a book, or roll, to be indented between him and the said Sir Edmund, of every man's name and sum (titled on his head) who has paid the same; and the said Sir Edmund shall allow to every such person for the collection, and porterage of the said money to London, the sum of two pence in the pound for every month's payment. And, further, his Majesty's pleasure is that the said Commissioners shall send and deliver unto the said Sir Edmund Peckham the books and rolls indented between them and the collectors of their shires within their commission, before the 20th day of June next coming, to the intent it may appear unto him what every collector is charged withal. And, forasmuch as his Highness doubteth not but that his good subjects of the clergy will declare no less their good will towards his Majesty in this case than the rest of his lay subjects, his Highness's pleasure is, also, that the said Commissioners shall travail and proceed only with such of them, upon the considerations aforesaid, as have promotion in the precinct of the commission of the yearly value of ten pounds and upwards, after the rate and value of the land; that is to say 4d. for every pound; or, of the moveable goods above £15. 2d. for every pound; the best to be taken for the King for every of the said five months. Provided always that ye extend not this contribution to such as be household servants, unless the same have perpetual livings, or fees for term of life, besides his service to the sum of £10 aforesaid; or to be householders, and have above, in his moveable goods, £15. In which case (that is to say if the serving man have lands, fees, or offices, above £ 10 besides his service; or be a householder, and also have goods moveable above £15) the same shall be allotted to the said contribution as afore amongst other, without excuse or allegation of service. No. XXXIII. (Talbot Papers, vol. A. fol. 195. 1544.) FRAGMENT. Indorsed "Copy of the KING'S Letter to the Lord WHARTON.” BY THE KING. Right trusty and well-beloved, WE greet you well; and let you wit that, considering the being there in those parties of the Earl of Lennox* should much more confer to the advancement of our affairs than to lie here to no purpose; and, taking occasion at a message lately sent unto him from the Earl of Angus, the copy whereof you receive here inclosed; we have thought good to send him to Carlisle, to remain there with you upon the borders, and in his company Sir Thomas Holcroft, and Thomas Bishop; to the intent he might have the better occasion to # Matthew Stuart, Earl of Lennox, as hath been observed, had lately placed himself under the King's protection, to whose interests he was now entirely bound by his recent marriage with that Prince's niece, Margaret Douglas, daughter of Archibald Earl of Agnus by Margaret, daughter of Henry VII. He was sent into Scotland in August, this year, with twelve or fourteen ships, and six hundred men, under the observation, however, of some trusty persons; having in June preceding signed a secret convention with Henry, which may be found in the Fœdera, and which is strongly illustrative of that Monarch's designs with regard to Scotland. practise with the Scots, and either to find the means that we may get the young Princess into our hands, or else, by conferences and devisings with them, to enter a jealousy in the heads of the Governor, and others, and so to sow division amongst them; or, at the least to get intelligence of their doings. He hath a memorial of his proceedings, whereunto, and the rest of his dealing, we doubt not but he will (and so he is appointed to) make you privy from time to time, and, seemingly to our right trusty and right well beloved Councillor, the Earl of Shrewsbury, our Lieutenant; unto whom also our pleasure is you shall write what you shall hear and know in this behalf. Praying you to use the said Earl for the time of his being there in such sort as to his degree appertaineth. He is a gentle gentleman, wise, and of good courage, and we have good hope that he will, for his part, again use himself towards us accordingly. We have been from time to time advertised from our said Lieutenant of your wise and discreet proceedings in those parts, much to our contentment, and give unto you our hearty thanks for the same; assuring you that we will keep them in our remembrance, to your comfort accordingly. Signifying further unto you that our pleasure is that our said servant, Sir Thomas Holcroft, shall be made privy to all things concerning the proceeding either of the said Earl, or of our said servant, Thomas Bishop. Likewise we have appointed them here to do in like behalf. No. XXXIV. (Talbot Papers, vol. A. fol. 239.) LORDS OF THE COUNCIL TO THE EARL OF SHREWSBURY. AFTER our right hearty commendations to your good Lordship. Where these bearers, Thomas Scarden, and John Stoddar, the King's Majesty's bowyer and fletcher, do presently repair into those parts for the putting in order of the bows and arrows as well at Berwick as other places there; and, for their help, have also with them three other bowyers and five fletchers; your Lordship will understand that we have here delivered unto them conduct money, and also wages for one month, to begin at their arrival, after the rate following; that is to say, the said Scarden and Stoddar, at 12d. by the day; and each of the said bowyers and fletchers 8d. by the day; praying your Lordship to take order for continuance of their wages after the rate aforesaid, when the said month shall be expired, for the time of their being there accordingly. And thus fare your good Lordship right heartily well. From Baynard's castle, the 22d of January, 1544. Your good Lordship's assured loving friends, THOS. WRIOTHESLEY, Cancel. To our very good Lord the Earl of CHAS. SUFFOlk. |