CP 153, 48

CP Volume 153 Folio 48

HMC Volume 1 Page 251 Number 792

Haynes Page 362 Number 360

Transcribed by Samuel Haynes in “A Collection of State Papers . . . 1542 to 1570” London, 1740

17 Sept 1560 Mr Lever to Sir Francis Knollys and Secretary Cecill

From the Original.

THE Grace of God be unto your Honors, with mi humble Commendations and harte Thanks in Christ; for that it hath pleased God to place you in Autorite with Wisdome, and Willes to advance his Glore, the Quene's Majestie's godli Honor, and the peaceable Welthe of this Realme; and that also I am well assured of your faverable Minds towards me, to take in writing according to m Meaning faithfulli, reverentli, and lovingli: Therefore am I moved, and boldned bi writing to signifie unto you, that here in these Partes, semeth unto me, to be a grevous, and dangerous suspition, and muttering of the Death of her, wich was the Wife of my Lord Robert Dudlei. And now mi Desire and Trust is, that the rather bi your godli, discrete, devise, and diligence through the Quene's Majesties Autorite, ernest searching and triing out of the Truethe, with dwe Ponishment, if ani be founde gilte in this Mater, mai be openli known. For if no search, nor inquire be made, and known, the displeasure of God, the dishonor of the Quene, and the Danger of the whole Realme is to be feared: And bi dwe Inquire, and Justice openli known, sureli God shalbe wel pleased, and served, the Quene's Maiestie wortheli commended, and her loving Subjects comfortabli quieted. The Lord God guide you by his Grace, in this and all other your your godli Travels, as he knoweth to be most expedient in Christ. Scriblet at Coventre the 17th of September, bi youre faithfulli in Christ.

Thomas Lever.

Unto the right Honorable Sir Francis Knoils and Sir William Cecill Knights, and to either of them be these dd.