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 w^th all spede for the defence & preservacõn of that o^r 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 o^r person one thousand of that o^r cytie of trustye & faythfull men to attende upon us & o^r most intyerly belovyd uncle Edwarde Duke of Somersett governo^r of o^r personne and protecto^r of o^r realmes domynyons and subiectes well harnessed & w^th 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 yo^r duetye for ours & o^r seid uncles defence agayns all suche as attempte anye conspyracie or enterpryse of vyolence against us or o^r seid uncle, and as yow knowe best for o^r preservacõn & defence at this presente. Yoven under o^r Signett at o^r hono^r of Hampton co^rte the vj^th of October the third yere of o^r reign.

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