[116] Henry VIII. to the Duke of Suffolk: Ibid. 480.

[117] Wriothesley to Cromwell: State Papers, Vol. I. p. 471. Examination of the Prisoners: Rolls House MS.

[118] Henry VIII. to the Duke of Suffolk: Rolls House MS. first series, 480.

[119] “The captain and the Earl of Cumberland came of two sisters.”—Lord Darcy to Somerset Herald: Rolls House MS.

[120] State Papers, Vol. I. p. 523.

[121] Manner of the taking of Robert Aske: Rolls House MS. A 2, 28.

[122] “There was a letter forged in my name to certain towns, which I utterly deny to be my deed or consent.”—Narrative of Robert Aske: Rolls House MS. A 2, 28. This is apparently the letter which is printed in the State Papers, Vol. I. p. 467. It was issued on the 7th or 8th of October (see Stapleton’s Confession: Rolls House MS. A 2, 28), the days on which, according to Aske’s own confession, he seems to have been in the West Riding.

[123] The oath varied a little in form. In Yorkshire the usual form was, “Ye shall swear to be true to God, the king, and the commonwealth.”—Aske’s Narrative: Rolls House MS. The tendency of the English to bind themselves with oaths, explains and partly justifies the various oaths required by the government.

[124] Deposition of William Stapleton: Rolls House MS.

[125] Henry VIII. to Lord Darcy, October 8th: Rolls House MS. first series, 282.