London and the Kingdom - Volume 3 / A History Derived Mainly from the Archives at Guildhall in the Custody of the Corporation of the City of London.

by Reginald R. Sharpe

Letter from King Henry VIII to the City desiring 300 men for the service of the Navy against a threatened invasion of England by the King of France. Dated Greenwich, 30 Jan. [1512-13].

Journal II, fo. I.

Trusty and welbeloved we grete youe well. And forasmoche as we have perfite knowleage that o^r enemye the Frenche kyng hathe prepared a strong navye furnysshed w^t men of warre to entre and lande in diverse parties of this o^r realme in this nexist moneth of Februarij for to brenne slee robbe and distroye all that they may overcome. We entendyng to prevent his conspired malice and to defende o^r reame and subgiettes from all suche invasions by strength of a navye to be shortly sett to the see. Wol therefore & commaunde youe that almaner excuses utterly sett a parte ye furthw^t upon the sight hereof doo prepaire and arredye the nomber of ccc able persones sufficiently harneysed to serve us on the see so that they be here at Grenewiche by the xv^th day off Februarij nexist commyng at the farthest any o^r former lettres wrytinges to contrary notw^tstondyng and that in the mean season ye do send unto us some persone to receyve money for jakettes and conducte money and that ye faile not hereof as ye tender our hono^r the suertie & defence of this o^r realme and woll annswer therefore unto us at their utturmost perill. Yeven under o^r Signet at o^r mano^r of Grenewiche the xxx day of Januarij.

No. 33.

Letter from Cardinal Wolsey to the City, touching a loan of 4000 marks. Dated Westminster, 3 Sept. [1522].

Journal 12, fo. 196b.

Right honorable and my welbelovid frendes I parceyve by the relacõn of Sir John Dauncy howe towardly and benevolently ye at this present tyme of necessite, do use applye and endevo^r yo^r selfes to shewe gratuite hono^r and pleasure unto the kynges grace, and that the rather at my contemplacõn and desire, ye be mynded and contentid nowe to avaunce unto his highnes by way of lone the summe of iiij^ml merkes which is not only a manyfest and evydent demonstracõn of the perfite zele that ye have to the furtheraunce of the kynges affaires, but also therbye I do see what good inclynacõn and lovyng myndes ye be of to do unto me acceptable and thankfull pleasure assuryng you that the kynges highnes woll not faile so to remembre this yo^r gentill demeano^r as ye shall have cause to thynk the same well employed and bestowed. And for my parte I thank you asmoch as though an other season ye gave unto me thries that valure, offeryng that eny goodes of myn or that I can make of my frendes shalbe as alliable unto yo^r commodities weales and profites hereafter as ye do shew you to be unto the satisfacõn of my desire and request, promysyng you also that w^tin xv dayes next ensuyng I shall see you entierly repayed of the same And in all such thynges as may concerne thadvaunceme^t and comon weale of you and that Citie ye shall assuredly have my favo^r and good furtheraunce as thise yo^r merites condyngeiely do requyre. At my place besides Westmynster the iij^de daye of Septembre.

Yo^r assured lovyng ffrende
T. Cardinalis Ebor.

No. 34.

Letter from Henry VIII to the City requesting a benevolence. Dated Greenwich, 25 April [1525].