Magistrum Collegii, Magistrum Alanum Perce, ut quamprimum alicui illorum placuerit Societatem Collegii intrare, deferet eis tale juramentum quale prædicti Socii præstiterunt. Insuper ex certis causis moventibus, Antedicti Rev. Pater et Mr. Hen. Hornby, præfatis Magistris Willelmo Paye, Clementi Eryngton, et Nicholao Daryngton, Principalibus quorundam Hospitiorum intra Universitatem Cant. Senioritates eis reservaverunt in prædicto Collegio Si Joh. Evang. Cant. non obstantibus prioribus juramentis quæ cæteri præstiterunt.

Acta fuerunt hæc omnia et singula, prout supra scribuntur et recitantur, sub Ann. Dom. Indict. Pontificat, Mense, die et loco supra-scriptis: presentibus tunc ibidem egregio et circumspecto viro Magistro Nicholao Metcaufe S. T. P. ac Archidiacono Roffensi, et Magistro Marmaduco Waldby A. M. ac præfato Rev. Patri, Capellano, testibus ad præmissa vocatis specialiter atq; rogatis.

Attestatio Notarii publici, nempe Thomæ
Stacy, est lacera.

A Letter written by Card. Wolsey's own hand to K. Hen. VIII concerning the suppressed Monasteries; from a transcript by Archbp. Abbot, indorsed in his hand-writing thus—“ The original I sent back to the office of the King's Papers. Ita est G. Cant. April 17, 1616.' (E Biblioth. Coll. Joh.)

To the King's most noble Grace, Defensor of the Faith. Sir, after my most humble and lowly recommendations, it may like your Highnesse to understand that it hath been and is much to my rejoyce and comfort to perceive by the relation of Sr. Tho. More how the discourses and communications which I have had with the Chancellour of Alanson sent from my Lady the Fr. King's mother for treaty of peace with your Highnesse, have ben to your contentation and pleasure. Wherein, Sir, as in all other your affairs, I have not, ne shall prætermit any labour, diligence, study or travail which may be to the conducing of the same to such end as shall be to your Highnesses honour, exaltation and benefit. And where it hath pleased your Highnesse of your excellent goodnesse and gracious favour to advertise me, by the said S'. Tho. More, of such reports as have ben made unto your Highnesse, consisting in two things: the one concerning the office of Clerk of the market within the liberties of the Monastery of St. Alban's; and the other touching certain misorder supposed

to be used by Dr. Allen and other my officers in the suppression of certain exile and small Monasteries wherein neither God is served ne Religion kept; which, with your gracious ayd and assistance converting the same to a far better use, I purpose to annexe unto your intended College of Oxford for the increase of good letters and virtue. I most humbly thank your Highnesse for that it hath pleased the same, so like a good and gracious master, to give unto me knowledge and admonition thereof; ascertaining your Grace that as to the office of Clerk of the Market within the liberties of your said Monastery, I never was minded either to extend or to diminish, but in such manner to use the same as I found the said Monastery possessed aforetime. For at your last being there, the graunts made by your noble progenitours, confirmed also by the late king of famous memory your noble Father, whose soule Jesus pardon, and also by your Highnesse, were shewed unto your Council; whereby they evidently perceived that neither the Marshall of England, ne the Steward of your most honourable Household, ne also the office of Clerk of your markets shall be exercised within the said Liberties by other than the officers of your said Monastery, as by the graunts and confirmations, ready at your good pleasure to be eftsoone shewed, doth right largely appear. Neverthelesse, whereas the Inquest and officers there have not justly, discreetly and indifferently assessed and

taxed the prices of the market, as to right, equity and the good commodity of your Grace's Servants hath appertayned; I who knew nothing thereof am not only discontented with them for their misdemeanour in that behalfe, and shall with God's grace see them ordered accordingly, but also have no small cause most humbly to thank your Highnesse, whom it hath pleased to see the said prices re formed unto the due order and direct course. And

God forbid that I should, or suffer any man to encroach upon any part of your jurisdiction Royall; trusting verily, in consideration of my poor service, that your Highnesse will be as good a Lord to that your Monastery as your noble Progenitours have been, as I most humbly on my knees beseech your Highnesse to be.

And albeit, Sir, some folks, which be alwaies more prone to speak evill and report the worst without knowledge of the truth, have percase informed your Highnesse of some disorders that should be used by my Commissaries in suppressing of the said Monasteries, yet most humbly I shall beseech your Highnesse, after your noble and accustomed manner, to give no credence unto them, unto such time as your Grace may hear my decla¬ tion in that behalf. For, Sir, Almighty God I take to my record, I have not meant, intended, or gone about, ne also have willed mine Officers to do any think concerning the said suppressions, but under such form and manner as is, and hath largely

been to the full satisfaction, recompence, and joyous contentation of any person which hath had, or could pretend to have, right or interest in the same; in such wise that many of them, giving thanks and laud to God for the good chaunce succeeded unto them, would for nothing, if they might, return or be restored and put again into their former state; as your Highnesse shall abundantly and largely perceive, at my next repaire unto the same.

Verily, Sir, I would be loath to be noted that I should intend such a vertuous foundation for the increase of your Highnesses merit, profit of your subjects, the advancement of good learning, and for the weale of my poor Soule, to be established or adquired ex rapinis; but, God willing, shall in such wise procede to the perfection thereof, without prejudice or derogation of any man's right or interest, that it shall appear to all the world that I am minded to set forthe that acte sincerely, purely, and without injury, wrong, or damage to any person. Howbeit, Sir, I account myself most bounden unto your Highnesse in that it hath pleased the same so favourably and benignly to advertise me of the reports contrived in that behalf; which I trust in such wyse to avoyd that your Highnesse shall not only be therewith contented, but also they shall peradventure be the more circumspect to make any such like reports hereafter.

Finally, Sir, I send herewith unto your Highnesse a copy of certain Articles and clauses excerpt