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will answer for the contrary at your uttermost perils. We BOOK are moved to call earnestly upon you herein, not without great cause; and amongst many others, we cannot but remember unto you, that it appeareth very strange unto us, and a great wonder unto all true subjects, that you will either assist or suffer his majesty's most royal person to remain in the guard of the duke of Somerset's men, sequestred from his own old sworn servants. It seemeth strange, that in his majesty's own house, strangers should be armed with his majesty's own armour, and be nearest about his highness person; and those to whom the ordinary charge is committed, sequestred away, so as they may not attend according to their sworn duties. If any ill come hereof, you can consider to whom it must be imputed once; the example is very strange and perilous. And now, my lords, if you tender the preservation of his majesty, and the state, join with us to that end: we have written to the king's majesty, by which way things may soon be quietly and moderately compounded. In the doing whereof, we mind to do none otherwise than we would be done to, and that with as much moderation and favour as honourably we may. We trust none of you have just cause to note any one of us, and much less all of such cruelty, as you so many times make mention of. One thing in your letters we marvel much at, which is that you write, that you know more than we know. If the matters come to your knowledg, and hidden from us, be of such weight as you seem to pretend; or if they touch, or may touch his majesty or the state, we think you do not as you ought, in that you have not disclosed the same unto us, being the whole state of the council. And thus praying God to send you the grace to do that may tend to the surety of the king's majesty's person, and tranquillity of the realm, we bid you heartily farewel, &c.

IT

Number 45.

An answer to the former letter. An original.

may like your good lordships, with our most hearty Ex libro

concilii.

II.

PART commendations, to understand, that this morning sir Phillip Hobbey hath, according to the charge given him by your lordships, presented your letters to the king's majesty, in the presence of us, and all the rest of his majesty's good servants here, which was there read openly, and also the others to them of the chamber, and of the houshold, much to their comforts, and ours also; and according to the tenours of the same, we will not fail to endeavour our selves accordingly.

Now touching the marvel of your lordships, both of that we would suffer the duke of Somerset's men to guard the king's majesty's person; and also of our often repeati g this word cruelty; although we doubt not but that your lordships have been throughly informed of our estates here, and upon what occasion the one hath been suffered, and the other proceeded; yet at our convening together, (which may be when and where pleaseth you) we will, and are able to make your lordships such an account, as wherewith we doubt not you will be satisfied, if you think good to require it of us. And for because this bearer, master Hobbey, can particularly inform your lordships of the whole discourse of all things here, we remit the report of all other things to him, saving that we desire to be advertised, with as much speed as you shall think good, whether the king's majesty shall come forthwith thither, or remain still here; and that some of your lordships would take pains to come hither forthwith. For the which purpose, I the comptroller, will cause three of the best chambers in the great court to be hanged and made ready. Thus thanking God that all things be so well acquieted, we commit your lordships to his tuition.

T. Cant.

From Windsor, the 10th

of Octob. 1549.

Your lordships assured

loving friends,

William Paget. T. Smith.

Number 46.

Articles objected to the duke of Somerset.

1. THAT he took upon him the office of protector, upon express condition, that he should do nothing in the king's affairs, but by assent of the late king's executors, or the greatest part of them.

2. That, contrary to this condition, he did hinder justice, and subvert laws, of his own authority, as well by letters, as by other command.

3. That he caused divers persons arrested and imprisoned for treason, murder, man-slaughter, and felony, to be discharged; against the laws and statutes of the realm.

4. That he appointed lieutenants for armies, and other officers for the weighty affairs of the king, under his own writing and seal.

5. That he communed with ambassadors of other realms alone, of the weighty matters of the realm.

6. That he would taunt and reprove divers of the king's most honourable councellors, for declaring their advice in the king's weighty affairs against his opinion; sometimes telling them that they were not worthy to sit in council; and sometimes, that he need not to open weighty matters to them; and that if they were not agreeable to his opinion, he would discharge them.

7. That against law he held a court of request in his house; and did enforce divers to answer there for their freehold and goods, and did determine of the same.

8. That being no officer, without the advice of the council, or most part of them, he did dispose offices of the king's gift for mony; grant leases, and wards, and presentations. of benefices pertaining to the king; gave bishopricks, and made sales of the king's lands.

9. That he commanded alchymie, and multiplication to be practised, thereby to abase the king's coin.

10. That divers times he openly said, that the nobility and gentry were the only cause of dearth; whereupon the people rose to reform matters of themselves.

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PART

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11. That, against the mind of the whole council, he caused proclamation to be made concerning inclosures; whereupon the people made divers insurrections, and destroyed many of the king's subjects.

12. That he sent forth a commission, with articles annexed, concerning inclosures, commons, highways, cottages, and such-like matters, giving the commissioners authority to hear and determine those causes, whereby the laws and statutes of the realm were subverted, and much rebellion raised.

13. That he suffered rebels to assemble and lie armed in camp, against the nobility and gentry of the realm, without speedy repressing of them.

14. That he did comfort and encourage divers rebels, by giving them mony, and by promising them fees, rewards, and services.

15. That he caused a proclamation to be made against law, and in favour of the rebels, that none of them should be vexed or sued by any, for their offences in their rebellion.

16. That in time of rebellion he said, that he liked well the actions of the rebels; and that the avarice of gentlemen gave occasion for the people to rise; and that it was better for them to die, than to perish for want.

17. That he said, the lords of the parliament were loth to reform inclosures, and other things, therefore the people had a good cause to reform them themselves.

18. That after declaration of the defaults of Bulloign, and the pieces there, by such as did survey them, he would never amend the same.

19. That he would not suffer the king's pieces of Newhaven, and Blackness, to be furnished with men and provision; albeit he was advertised of the defaults, and advised thereto by the king's council; whereby the French king was emboldned to attempt upon them.

20. That he would neither give authority, nor suffer noblemen and gentlemen to suppress rebels in time convenient; but wrote to them to speak the rebels fair, and use them gently.

I.

21. That upon the 5th of October the present year, at BOOK Hampton-Court, for defence of his own private causes, he procured seditious bills to be written in counterfeit hands, and secretly to be dispersed into divers parts of the realm; beginning thus, Good people; intending thereby to raise the king's subjects to rebellion and open war.

22. That the king's privy-council did consult at London to come to him, and move him to reform his government; but he hearing of their assembly, declared, by his letters in divers places, that they were high traitors to the king.

23. That he declared untruly, as well to the king as to other young lords attending his person, that the lords at London intended to destroy the king; and desired the king never to forget, but to revenge it; and desired the young lords to put the king in remembrance thereof; with intent to make sedition and discord between the king and his nobles.

24. That at divers times and places he said, the lords of the council at London intended to kill me; but if I die, the king shall die; and if they famish me, they shall famish him.

25. That of his own head he removed the king so suddenly from Hampton-Court to Windsor, without any provision there made, that he was thereby not only in great fear, but cast thereby into a dangerous disease.

26. That by his letters he caused the king's people to assemble in great numbers in armour, after the manner of war, to his aid and defence.

27. That he caused his servants and friends at HamptonCourt, and Windsor, to be apparelled in the king's armour, when the king's servants and guards went unarmed.

28. That he intended to fly to Gernsey or Wales, and laid post-horses and men, and a boat to that purpose.