[The copye of a letter, sent by Iohn Bradforth to ... the Erles of Arundel, Darbie, Shrewsburye, and Penbroke, declaring the nature of the Spaniardes, and discovering the most detestable treasons, which thei haue pretended ... agaynste ... Englande. Wherunto is added a tragical blast of the papisticall tro[m]pet. by T.E.]

To the right ●onorable lords &c. the erles of Arū●ell , Darby , Shreusebury ct Pembrok , ●eir true and faythfull seruaunt wi●eth , as to al other of our nobilite increase of grace in gods fauour , wyth perfect honor , and the preseruacyon of their most honorable estates and country . Thoughe ye reioyce not in readyng my foolyshe reasons , yet geue God thankes , that I haue discouered suche detestable treasons .

THere haue been certain pestiferous bokes and letters lately printed in Englyshe , vnder the cloke of a feruent zeale , or loue towardes our country , against Spaniardes , by the ●euelishe deuice of certayne heretikes , thinking therby to grounde i● the hartes of all people , according t● the olde accustomed and most curse● polices of hte deuill , many abomin●ble heresies , and moste detestable ●rors , Beware of them . stinking before the face of go● and man .

One of the whiche bokes hath con● to my handes , entitled a supplicacio● to the Quenes maiestie , wherby it apeareth perfectly , that the authors o● the same bokes knew not perfectly the nature of Spaniards : but haue ther written it by report , then perfe● practise . Which bokes because fe● men dare vse them openlye , leste● youre lordeshippes , and other of t● Quenes most honorable counsell , su●vile stinking wedes should be rot● vp , and with the most folishe gath●rers cast out of the good corne , I t●● haue not ben redde of your honor So that where the said bokes sho● haue declared vnto your lordship● the nature of Spaniardes , thei pro● nothing at al , nor shold though th● came before your sight . But according to their pretensed purpose , the● haue vndoutedly infected many sim●le persons . Who , being desierous ●o gather the pleasaunt swete flouers of the gospell , doe lacke the shoes , The doctors of the churche . which Sainct Paule commaundeth vs , ●o put on our fete , that we may , with ●ut daunger of pricking , passe fresh●y throgh the s●arpe thornes . I haue ●herfore purposed , right honorable ●ordes , to leaue the full ans●eringe ●o the said heresies , because I perceue the authors themselues lacke that ●odly knowledge , which I desier to obteine : And some what to declare vnto you the nature of them , wyth ●hom I am dailye conuersaunte , tru●ing your lordships wil fauorably receiue my work , because I wil declare ●othing by report or hearesaye , but ●he● those thinges , whiche I knowe ●erfectly by experience . I wil write ●othing to disturbe the trew & most ●odly state of oure religion , whiche ●he Quenes maiestie moste gracious●e setteth oute at thys present , and wherein god hath preserued me : not yet , to disturbe the quiete estate of the common wealth : But in shewing what is pretended to the contrarye declare vnto you the way , if it please you to folowe my counsell , how to preserue youre lordeshipes , and the whole realme , from most miserable bondage and captiuite . I purpose to declare a part of the naturall disposicion of Spaniardes : certayne of thei● premeditate mischeues , and pretensed treasons , Not the halfe . not onely agaynst you● most honorable persons , but also agaynst the whole realme : so farre , a● I haue heard , seene and proued , fo● the space of two or .iii. yeres in thei● companye . My frendes putte me t● learne their language and compelle● me to liue amongest them , because myghte knowe perfectlye , whethe● their nature were so vyle , as men● ported , or not . And I assure your lor●shipes , and all my frendes , that the 〈◊〉 lefte reporte , that euer I heard Englishmen speake , The king except in all euill . by the worste of all Spaniardes , is nothinge to the vilenes which remaineth amongest the best of that nacion , except the kings maiestie . Ye wil say the noble men be very ciuill persons . Obiections . In very dede I haue not seen so muche vertue in all the reste , as in that moste noble Prince the duke of Medenazelye . The duke of medenazelie . A Prince , vndoubtedly , endewed with perfect humilite , trueth , loue , charite and all other prince like vertues . There be many other noble menne , Marke the nature of the nobibilite & their polices . vndoubtedly very wise and politik , which can throughe their wisdome binde themselues for a time from their nature , and applye their condicions to the maners of those menne , with whom they would gladlye bee frended . Whose mischeuouse maners a man shal neuer knowe , These be the rotes of Spa. nature . till he come vnder their subiection . But then shall ye perceiue perfectly their puffed pride , with many mischeffes beside , their prowling , and poling , their bribinge and shauing , their most deceitfull dealing , their braging and bos●ing , their flatteringe and faininge , their abominable whore huntynge with most rufull ruling , their doings vniust , with insaciate lust , their stout stubbernnes , croked crabbednes and vnmeasurable madnes in enui , pride and lecherie , which , thei saie , god loueth hartelie , vaine glorie , and hipocrisie with al other vilanie , of what kinde soeuer it be : supersticion , desolacion , the worst of all is when the king doth maintaīe mischief continually , and bestoweth his power in wickednes . extorcion , adulacion , dissimulacion , exaltacion , suppression , inuocacion , and all abominacion : with in numerable moe mischeues , whiche I coulde plainlie declare , that no nacion in the world can suffer . Their masking and mumbling , in the ●oli time of lent , maketh many wiues brente , the king being present nighte after nighte , as a Prince of moste mighte , which hath power in his hande , that no man dare withstande : yet if that were the greatest euil , we might suffer it wel . For there is no man liuing , but would suffer the king to haue wife sister , doughter , maide and all , bothe great & smal , so many as he liste , no man would him resist . But the worst of all the companie muste haue my wife priuelie , when I am present bi : this is more vilanie , that one muste kepe the dore , will not that greue you sore , ct dare not speake for your life when another hath youre wife . Perhaps the king , yet that were a noble thing . Naie perchaunce some other slaue or vile pockie knaue , this thing in dede shal make your hartes blede , when youre wife beareth the marke of that nightes warke , whiche still wil abide , vnderneth her side , and greue her sore , halfe a yeare & more : ye perhaps with such mocks you mai both come to pockes . For fewe of them be cleare , thoughe they make lustie cheare , as Surgentes doe me tell , and some I see right wel , whiche did me compel sore against mi wil , to take so much paine , as to make plaisters fine for the same thyng , which hath made me conning . But wherfore should I spend my time , in showing so mani of their vile condicions , as I knowe moste perfectly . For me thinke I heare some noble man starte at these fewe principall pointes , Noble mens knaues . saying : what a vyle knaue is this , that raileth so muche against the Quenes frendes ▪ would to god that wer trewe : we know moste perfectly , No●e they loue her treasure faithfully , and her crowne hartely . But if her grace worke prudently , she shall perceiue spedely , they loue her person fainedly ▪ I haue not spoken the worst nor the most , lyke a rayler , but showed a small nomber of rype rotes , from the which spring a thousand moe mischeffes , for out of eueri rote spring .vii. braunches , Marke how the spanishe fruite springth and out of euery braunche doe spring .vii. worse wormes or stinkinge serpentes of more mortall poison , then either the rotes or spitful braunches . As for example , take their pompynge pryde , The first rote and first braunch . and ye shall proue their purpose once obteined , thei wil treade your heads in the dust , and compel you to liue at home porely , without bearing rule in the commen wealth . Thinke you , to liue at home in your country : no they knowe perfectly you woulde then haue all people vpon your part and make insurrections , to driue them out of the lande : they wil prouide for this matter , and put you to death louingly , before you make such controuersye , that they may gather vp againe their great giftes , vpon youre treasures , and maintaine their gorgious garmentes , with their false brybrie : their fine Spanishe brauerye with oppression of the pore people , and bye their lustye liueres with exceading great excises . There be many other braunches , but I shewe these for a brefe example , that ye may by your wisedomes picke oute the rest . And yet if ye pull of euery braunch vii . serpentes , The serpentes of the firste braunche ye shal finde a deuelish companie .

As for example . When ye bee trodden vnder foote , marke my woordes well , euery skur●eie knaue shal come to your house and take the best part , leauing you the worste . Ye muste obeie him like a Senioure , A Senior ye must geue them the best beddes , and take the worste pacientlie for youre selfes : for you haue lord Dannes come againe of them , and thei shall putte you in rememberaunce of the miseres that your parentes suffered vnder them , whiche ye haue forgot , thei ar so long past .

The worste of them shall bee better estemed , with the kinge and his counsel , then the best of your realme , ye must be gladd to geue them place not of curtesie , but of perforce : they must be set in the higheste place , and you in the loweste . If one of them be appointed in your house , by the kinge or his counsel , or els receyued for his moneie , Obieccions . the house must be his and not yours .

And yet will he departe withoute taking leaue or paying for lodegīg .

Some man will saie , that is not true : for they haue paide eueri man iustly the vttermost pennie . I speake not of that , whiche thei haue done in Englande , but of that which the most parte of them dooe in these countries , and thei wil dooe , when they maie beare rule , euen amongest you in Englande .

And yet , I thinke , there be some , that paid not verie iustly for al things when thei were amongest you laste . For I my selfe knowe manye worshippeful menne , which , if thei durst , woulde take their othe , and seke for recompence , that lodged , ye that lodged Spaniardes , in their house a yeare and more , and lette them haue halfe a dossen beddes and chaumbers with all thinges perteininge to them , a greate parte of their fyre woode , The Spaniardes kepe chereles kitchens and such other stuffe for buttery and chereles kitchen , ct c. And yet the Spaniardes at their departing would nother paye for many thinges that were stollen , nor for many thinges that were lost , as thei said , nor for many thinges , that wer broken and rente , nor to speake plainly , for many thinges whiche were so bawdye , Pockie plaisters . with their pockie plaisters , that no man could lye in them afterwardes . I know diuerse of them , that paide their accoumptes so iustlye , & toke their leaue so hōestly : The maner of taking leue among Spani . that their hostes knew not of their departing , but left the bakers , bruers , bouchers , woodmongers and coliers , one of them to paie anothers skore . Yf thei departed stoutly in these dayes , when they dissembled al goodnes , when thei trusted to winne the gouernaunce of the realme and the crowne with gentlenes and good condicions : what wyll thei doe , I praye you , when they haue the crowne indede . But to returne ye muste geue them leaue to speake , when you must holde your peace , ye must cap to them in all places where ye see them , although it be not your custome , or rather thers in dede , yet he is a very rusticall beast , that doeth it not to them : for ye know , the worste of them is a Senior : ye must preferre them in all thinges , and geue all the names of honor , excepte maiestie , to the vilest slaue amongest them . Woulde not any man be agreued to reade my worke , if I should shewe al their peuishe pride , is ther any man so folishe , that thinketh I coulde not easely sucke out of their pride a thousande pestiferous poisons , and yet not racke it halfe so sore , as a wise man both would and could doe . The seconde example of flatterie . The branches . Take another example , loke vpon their flatterie , which is the least faulte of fiftye and the smallest rote of all the reste : Remember their pleasaunt promises , repaide with preposterous performacions : ye shall proue , that the vileste wretche of them all shal bee in more credite , then the best of your frends . And yet their promises shal be so fair that an● man liuing woulde credite their wordes . Their countenaunce , shal be so pleasaunte towardes you , that ye would thinke them to be your verie frendes , when in verie dede thei shal seke your vtter destruction , and to cast you out of fauoure . Ye shall be gladde to make long laboure for smal matters : Another obieccion made by slatterers and at the last not sped ▪ And yet would they be in god your faithfull frendes . Some of their false flattering fauorers will saie , that all men maie perceiue perfectly , that I slaunder Spaniardes wrongefullye : for they haue holpen many synce their comming into England . But remember I tolde you they counterfeited condicions , These were counterfeite condicions to disceue vs . because they mighte seme like vnto vs , and the more e●sely disceaue vs .

For that , whiche thei haue done in Englande , was no part of their nature , but the greatest part of dissimulacion , Dissimulacion . and a plaine preparacion to disceaue oure nobilite . For wherefore should thei seke to maintaine oure nobilite , and the honor of the realm in his own estate : doe ye thinke , if thei obteine the crown , thei wil mainteine the nobilite and the realme vpon their own charges : were it not better for them to destroie the nobilite and bring the kingdome , This thei goe about dyligently . whiche thei loue so well , to their own commodites . Mark more of their naturs . One of them shal laugh to your face when his acquaintaunce shal kil you behinde youre backe . Howe manye Englishe men did the Spaniardes kil in their arses , or not much aboue the arse , when thei wer in England last of fauour receiued : most commomlie one of them wil talke with you pleasauntly , & kil you sodēlie when he sēeth most your frend How many bitter biting serpentes , thinke you , do spring oute of euerie braunche . Take their pleasaunte promyses , where one of them shal seme your frende , and bee your vtter enemie . The serpentes of the firste braunch . Therfore they woulde not that you shold know their treasons . Take this point of wisdom . This is painfull . They saie euerye foole canne beware of his enemye whiche he knoweth : but I assure you he is a wise man , that can heare their false faining flattery , and abhorre them as his mortall enemies . One of them shal flatter you in the ●all , when another worketh mischeffe in your chamber . Thei wil borow al that you haue if ye knowe not their condicions , & pay nothing at all . Thoughe ye wyll lende them no money , yet either for faire or foule , ye muste credite them til a paye daie , eyther willingly or agaynst your will .

And then will they stillely steale a way and pay nothing : for the paye day shal either be at their departing , or els so long before , that of force thei must take vp .iii. times so much more to leaue vpon the skore , before their departing .

They wil speake like faithful frends til they haue their purpose , and then beraile you like deuils with cursinge and grinning , swering and shaking the heades .

So that ye shal be gladde to lose your own right , Note . that ye may get out of their companie . But if ye woulde lose your goodes , to be dispatched from such villanes companie , howe much yet shall it greue your heartes to be vnder their subiection , to lette them rule you continuallie , that thei maie poole you lawfullie . Yet some of them wil take their leaue crafteli : and leaue a sturdie stuarde to make a rekeninge : and the stuarde in one nighte shall steale away and paie no thing .

Thei wil flatter you more falselie , then any nacion in the worlde : take hede mi lordes thei be false traitors towardes you priuely . and that many of our noble menne shall proue perfectly in short time , if they worke not wiselie : & yet for all this ye may not say they lie , when in dede they cannot speake t●ueth . Thei wil boast themselues to be moste righteous iudges on the earthe . But if ye come once in trouble , the falseste knave in their companie , if his tale be once told , shal cause you to be cast in prison immediatlie : and there shal ye remaine till ye bee gladde to saie , that trueth is falsehode , and falsehod is trueth .

For ye maie not saie , as ye know wel inough , that the falseste knaue among them hath tolde a false tale . Is not this equall iustice : And shal doe if I seke all my life time . doe ye not see it is in vaine and ouer tedious to wryte all thinges . I am farre past my promes , and yet the farther I seke , the more deuellishe frute I finde .

Let vs leaue all order , and take another rote by chaunce , that ye may be sure ye cannot goe amisse , but ye shal finde euerie tree bringing forth her fruite plentifullie . As for example . Marke their abominable and moste supersticious hipocrisie .

And ye shall proue , the third example of supersticious hipocrisi The braunches . they care ●or no parte of Goddes moste holye seruice , but a masse onelie , whether it be holy day or woorke daie . If the masse be begonne before their comming , God heareth not their praiers .

But if thei be presente al the masse time , thoughe they talke of al maner bawdie vices , the matter is good enoughe : thoughe thei knelle , all the ●ime masse is celebratinge , spienge , where is the fairest woman , it is wel : thoughe thei praie not .iii. wordes , and those with oute all deuocion , yet is he holie enoughe .

If he imagine all that time , howe to obtaine another mannes wife , maide or daughter , it is no sinne : when they deuyse to disceiue another man , to spoile him of his goods , to robbe him of his good name , to ●ill him or suche like mischefe , it is no offence .

Yf a Spaniarde be going to churche on a Sabboth day , and remember a mischeuous dede to be wroughte , Great abuse . he may returne to his mischefe , and geue a riall of plate to a Priest , that he ma● say masse : & that euil which he goth about , is good and iuste : that daie he may vse al vilanie ▪ but if he haue bē● at masse , whosoeuer saieth he canne● sinne that day , shal be called a Lutheran , though he returne after masse to al mischefe , as a dogge to his vomit , thoughe he folowe the worlde the fleshe , the deuill , and all his workes , yet preachers say not contrarie , but thei be gods deare brethren . Euerie man knoweth , the braunches , that spring out of this roote , be innumerable . whoso speaketh the truth is halfe an heretike . Note the difference . If ye cannot nomber the braunches ▪ how wil ye nomber the buddes or rather the biting serpents which spring from euery braunche . Ye wil call me halfe an heretike . Ther is difference , betwene confirming of heresie , and reprouing ipocrisie . I serued in kinge Edwardes time the ryghte worshippefull , and mi good master , sir william Skipe wi●he , in Lincolneshere , and although he be offended with me , because more wildelie then wittelie I departed from his seruice , yet both he , and all that countrie can reporte mi doinges . For I am sure , though he knewe not my departing nor knoweth where I am , yet his worship wil recorde truely , that I neuer loued heresie , because I neuer pretended nor did ani euill , falsehode or mischiefe , towardes him . I haue not spoken this , because thou shouldest thinke , as heritikes teache , that the most holy sacrifice of the masse as we call it , shoulde be naught : from which error thou shalt come easely , remembring that the holy catholike church hath ordained that most holi sacrifice in all partes like to the supper , The sacrifice of the masse the passion of Christe . and passion of our sauiour Christ , to be a perfect rememberaunce of his passiō●ill he returne to iudge the worlde . Heretikes wil say , Heretiks here ye may proue the masse to be but a rememberaunce ▪ this , but , is heresie : for vndoubtedlye there is ministred and receiued , in or vnder the forme of bread and wine , the very body and bloud of oure sauiour Christ .

Another sore heresie , We reade , saith another simple foule , that god made man , but we neuer reade that a knaue priest coulde make Christe . Nor thou shalt neuer reade this , so longe as thou lyueste . Howe is he there then : euen by hys moste holie omnipotente word . For like as it pleased him , Marke howe Christ is in the sacrament . The vertue of Christ in the supper consecrate in the masse . beinge verye omnipotente God , to make himself for the ineffable loue , which he bare towards vs , by his omnipotent word perfecte man . So likewise , it pleaseth his deuine maiestie , to bee ministred vnto vs , in the moste blessed sacramente , that we beeing manye members receiuinge that moste blessed sacrament wortheli may receue the● our sauiour christ , which is our head and being conglutinate , and ioined to the same , may be made one perfecte & most semeli mistical body . I wold handell this matter more largely , Those men which wil dispute in diuinite , ought to be perfectly learned . The serpentes of the firste braunche The first and most deuelishe serpent hath bitten the Priestes . Presumtyon . but it is not semely to cast pearles among hogges . I meane , it is not meete , to mingle such diuine matters , amongst such deuilishe dregges , as I haue begonne to write of .

And ye remember I told you , I lacked knowledge to entreate of suche hiegh diuinite : returne & loke what euill fruites spring out of this braunch of hipocrisie , for in that they thinke it sufficient for them , to say , heare , or se masse , marke what foloweth . The Spanish priests may , for the deuelish example to all other persons , leade ●hores to churche in the morninge , ●ande in hande . When the Priestes ●e in the temple they wil talke more ●ilie and more baudelye , then al others , and yet will the vile wretches presume , to say masse immediatlye , thinking , as did the vile traitor Iudas , that he doth god good seruice , when he damneth his own soule . After masse wil the deuelishe priest returne , leading the whore home againe , keepe her companie all the daie time , with out exhortacion to repentaunce , and lie with her al the night . I speake not of mens wiues , but curtesaunce and commen whores , that for money receiue euerie knaue ▪ I would not that any man should thinke the masse euil which this cursed priest doeth celebrate : for the masse , which is vndou●tedly gods most holy worde , is so perfecte and so pure of it selfe , Marke this lye . that the euill prieste can not make it worse nor the good prieste can make it no better .

The euil priest can not corrupt it nor the good priest , can not purifi● it : for like as if a good priest doe ba●tise one childe , and an euil priest ba●tise a nother childe , A trewe example her bothe the children receaue one holy goste an● are both equally clensed from sinne Euen so though an euill prieste saye masse , and consecrate that most blessed sacrament , and ministre it to me , and a good prieste dooeth likewise minister to another man , yet bothe we receiue the most holy bodie and bloud of our sauiour Christ , and are both ioyned , The vertue of the sacraments is not by the prists power , but by gods worde ▪ the prists rewarde . yf we receue worthely , we shal be saued , iudging oure selues saith paul and made members of the same : for these holy misteries be not made by the good priest , nor the euil priest , but by goddes most holye worde .

Whiche worde remaineth euer most perfect and pure : mary the euill priest , vndoubtedlie , offendeth many mens consciences most greuouslie , dishonoreth god moste shamefullie , with liuing so viciouslie condemneth his own soule perpetuallie , beecause he commeth presumptuouslie , to the ●ordes borde vnworthelie : wher the good priest , cleane contrarie , bringeth manie to gods verite , honoreth god perfectly , with keping perfect charite , and in liuing religiously , his soule shal liue assuredly with Christ continnually in ioye euerlastingly . The rewarde of a good priest ▪ the abuse of gods seruice damnable . All men may perceiue that I write not thys , because any man shoulde thinke euil or despice gods moste holye seruice : But because al men may know , that the very nature of Spaniardes is abominable , in all thinges . Because euery man may know , that gods moste holy seruice is pure , and perfect : And the abuse of it is damnable : and beecause al men may knowe , this oght not to be that suche cursed knaues make not onely gods worde , which is most good and godly , most iust and most trewe , but also all good priestes , euill spoken of and abhorred in euery place : what greater mischife can there be , amongest Christen men , then that the Prieste shoulde thinke himselfe clensed with speaking the wordes , and the people iudge themselues purified with hearing the same . Be not these worse then the Pharisees , that thinke to be saued with saying wel and working euill : or if the Iewes were not saued with hearing christ himself preache , Hearing of masse doth saue no man how much lesse shall these wretches be saued with hearing masse : Marke and you shall finde al such superstycious hipocrisie damnable . The gospel teacheth vs , that not eueri one , which said , lord , lord , God , would haue vs to folow his commaundementes in worde and dede shal enter into the kingdom of heauen : but he that worketh the wil of god shal be saued not the hearers of the lawe , but the workers , shal be accompted iust . Not those which say the commaundementes daily , but those whiche bothe say in their hartes , and indeuoure themselfes in all their doinges to kepe the commaundementes , shall please god . Not those whiche say in their pater noster , good lorde deliuer vs from euill , but those whiche forgeue their neyghbours wyth all their heartes , what people the lord will pardone . and flye from synne wyth all theyr myghte , shall bee forgeuen of God , and be saued . Yet though we doe al thys , we cannot iustifie oure selues , because we can not fulfill the lawe . But our sauiour Christ hath fulfilled the law perfectly , Christ is the oneli redemer and the perfect fulfiller of the lawe . Note . and vndoubtedlye redemed vs , with the sheddinge of his most precious bloud . And therefore he biddeth vs not seke to iustifie our selues , but commaundeth vs , to doe all that we can , towardes our own iustificacion : which Spaniards nother doe , nor wil not doe . Christen men must call them selues vnprofitable seruauntes , when they haue done all that they can doe : Ergo thei be not only neighbours to mors but also , morishe Iews them selues . but Spaniardes call them selues , gods profitable seruauntes , and do nothing . what shold I declare , how thei carie their beades openly , to be sene of all people : how they praye in euerye corner of the streates , that euery man maye heare them : how they knele at euery man● dore , before Imags knockinge , crossinge , Sobbinge , syghinge wringinge their handes , hipocrits waggynge their heades , with suche other vnsemelye maners , that all menne maye perceiue their repentaunce , and within a quarter of an houre afterwardes ye shal finde these dissimulate sorowes abiected , Good Christians doubtles and so is belzebub Almes . and the vnpenitente person among a nomber of arrante whores : doe ye not knowe that most part of them , wil not geue almes but where they may be set in a boke , that all their contremen may know , how much , and how mani times in the yer thei geue almes . What other thing did the Iewes and Pharisees . Did not Christ in the .vi. of Mathew , Mat. vi . reproue suche hipocrisie : but let all christians take this general rule : that like as our pater noster can not be made euyll , though cursed wretched persons vse or rather abuse it hipocritically , but euer remainth perfect , pure & good , euen so the masse , almes dedes , holye breade , holy water , goinge with procession , auriculer confession , beades , Images , and all other thynges , which Christ & the holy catholyke church haue commaunded , ordeined , confirmed and established , to moue vs , After the rootes , take the braunches out of e●eri rote , Mark this multiplicacion . laste of all , put out the buddinges , or bitinge serpentes , so manie as ye canne , oute of euerie braunche , and ye shall proue , if ye reken perfectly , that these .lxxvii ▪ rotes , where I haue named them but once , do spring .lxxvii. times in one yeare , and at eueri springe time , eche rote bringeth foorth .lxxvii. braunches , and euery braunche bringeth forthe lxxvii . serpentes , and euerye serpent spitteth oute lxxvii . kindes of poison .

And the least parte wil kil , if they but taist of it .lxx. Englishe men . I meane with thoughts care and miserie to be in slauerie . For the Spanishe grounde is so hote , fertille , and frute full , that euery poison is worse then other , and the beste of them al vncurable : ye perceiue now perfectly that I raile not , excepte ye wil proue Christe himselfe a railer . I am sure Christ railed not , in declaring the iniquites of the Scribes and Pharisees , because he spake but the truth and not so largely as he might haue done : trueth cannot lie , nor raile , The authors excuse . and then ye muste nedes graunte , that I am no railing knaue , though ye name me so ▪ because I haue spoken nothing but the trueth , and not so muche by a thousande partes , as I both coulde and woulde proue , if I mighte haue leisure to write , and set out the rotes , braunches , serpentes and poisons , euerie one in order , as they ought to be . Surely but that I desier to showe your lordeships other matters briefly , I could write of the nature of Spaniardes : A volume importable . But If I should write all , that I knowe , ye woulde not credite me : ye ought to beleue al that whiche I haue written , because ye knowe perfectlye , I haue written nothing , but that whiche euerie man knoweth to be their commen customes , and immutable maners .

And ye see by these examples , Morishe maners . that I write not halfe the morishe maners whych they vse continually . Manye of my frendes haue geuen me counsel to write my letter , but not my name for feare your lordeshippes wold punishe me , with imprisomment , racking , hanging , drawing and quarteryng , for speakyng agaynste the kinges coronacion , which I thynke ye cannot doe lawfully : take hede your selues , for this toucheth your lyues . Like as it is honore for a trew man to dye for the defens of his countries , so it is shame , to die like a traitour , against his countrey Note . for so long as he is not crowned , that manne is no traitour that speaketh agaynst his coronacion , but after his maiestie hath the crown the best of you all , that speaketh agaynst the Spaniardes proceadings , shal be proued and ponished , lyke a rancke traitor . But I haue written my name plainly , that I may thereby , eyther geue youre lordeshippes warninge , to kepe youre honours & the whole realme oute of their bondage , Or els that I maye goe honestlye to the galowes , and ende this pore life , with an honorable death , for me & my countrye . When your most honorable liues , if ye disenherit the realme of the crowne , shal be ended with great dishonor , wretchednesse , miserie , and shame , for you and your successours for euer : yet I wolde hope to escape , when you are sure to die . For doubteles after that Spaniardes haue safely planted themselues in the ●ande , thei wold trust me to be their faithful frend : because they knowe I ●oue trueth , Spa. wyll neuer trust traitors . I say not ye be so . and am trewe to my coū●rey , when thei wil neuer trust your ●ordeshippes , if ye wil be so rancke & ●als traitors , as to geue them the crown of our realme willingly : & I woulde not your lordshippes should thinke me so foolyshe , as to speake agaynst his coronacion , if your lordeshippes graunt to it . Some men saie ye haue gone so faire , ye cannot turne backe . I know not what ye haue done , but I am sure , what ye may do . It lieth yet in your power . if ye haue graunted him the crown , it shal be muche better for you , to stand to that which ye may do , them performe that which ye haue promised . For I am sure , so long as the king of Ierusalem is not crowned in Englande , ye may chose , whether ye wil crowne him or not . And surely if I were worthie to be one of the counsell in Englande , my counsel shoulde be , that the king should fir● be crowned in the Citie of Ierusal● lawfully , For christ chose to be king of the Iewes . because it is the more auncient and more noble kingdome , and bring all the Iewes into subiection and make them good Christians , before he shoulde haue the crowne o● England wrongfullie , either for fa● wordes , great bribes , false flatterin● promises , cruell manacinges , terribl● threatninges , or ani other false craf● polices .

I thought your lordeshippes ha● knowledge partly of their counsel as they reporte , that the frenche kin● knoweth yours . But now I percei● their secrete , priuie , and conclude counsels lie hidden from your lordshippes , Rude principles . when ye know not the 〈◊〉 principles , where vpon many gre● matters be grounded : if ye do knowe them , and wil not credit them , It preuaileth not , to disclos treason , if ye will not with stande it or credit the truth God witnesseth with trueth , which boweth to nother party . whi this letter is written . Take warning in time or els . pardon me for writing in vaine : if ye know them not , howe can ye bee offended with me , for declaring to your lordeshippes such thinges , as be pretended to your destruction , the losse of your liues , landes , wiues and children , and finally the losse of your honors , the ●uine of the realme , the suppression of ●he commenwealth , & the bondage of your countrie for euer . Ye ought ●he rather to credite me , beecause I speake nothing , god I call for wyt●es , for malice of Spaniardes nor to ●atter Englishe men : I thinke neuer ●o come seke bribes at youre handes ●or my labour , and therfore it appea●th plainly , that I write for none o●er purpose , but only to ge●e youre ●rdeshippes knowledge and war●ng of their most morishe maners , and cursed condicions , that ye maye ●e more prudently prouide to with ●and their terrible threatninges , pretensed treasons , and pestiferous polices , and so preserue youre honorable persons , and the whole realme oute of their tiranny and bondage . Do ye think , I durst be so bolde as to offende god , in speakinge contrarye to the trueth , and lying slaunderousli and shamefullie , against my Christen brother : I know we are all brethren , if we haue the loue , and feare of God continually before our eyes , in our sauiour Iesus Christ , and we oughte to loue one another mutuallye like brethren : Nature causeth me , to discouer the Spani . treason . but as god deuided the langguages of men , so hath he caused euery nacion to loue more naturally all those , that be borne in the same self country , then foreners , and hath geuen , As England for Englishe men . Spa. for . Spa. &c. according to his ineffable goodnes , certeine places of the earth for euery nacion seuerally to inhabite , commaunding vs straightly , that one of vs shal not wrongfullye couete anothers goodes , and specially our Christen brothers , which commaundement the Spaniardes saye they will kepe . For whatsoeuer saye they is done in England , touching the crown or the gouernaunce of the realme , Seing this must come to passe take good hede to your selues . Marke this police . The kings first good worke to England . At that marke thei all shote . shall con● through procurement but of the counsell themselues . For we knowe well enoug , h say they , that there be suche deuillishe people in England to work treason and make insurrections , that it is in vaine for oure kinge to haue the crown , except the counsell wyll also deliuer him certeine of the strongest holdes and porte townes , mark my wordes well , for his refuge at all times , till his maiestie maye be able to bring in power to withstande his enemies : and then we shall make all our hauen townes more stronge , to the ●andes warde , then they be towardes ●he see . But know ye for what purpose they pretende this policie : that ● small nomber of Souldiours , maye ●ee able to keepe the Realme , quietly , Let them not haue such vantage at youre handes . For the king since his comming into England cannot yet get a grote , from Spaine . The kings treserer went oute of england but returned not till oure moneye was come ouer and new stamped , which made store euer sins in antwarpe and burne the countreye .iii. or iiii . times eueri yere til we can be contented , to obey all their constitutions , ordinaunces and lawes : they bragge that if thei may be vitled by the see at their backes , thei shal trouble , and toile Englishe men so long , til we be able to suffer no longer , for what great trouble wil it be for vs to burne , betwene Southhampton & Douer . Thei trust the quenes hignes for the kinges maintenaunce , wyll poole the realme , with subsidies and beneuolencies , so much as in her grace lieth , and geue al our treasure out of the lande , now at the kinges comming to her grace : so that the kinges maiestie with our treasure , and his owne reuenewes in this time of peace , shal enriche himselfe , that when we haue small force of money because our● treasure shal be caried out of the land the king and all our enemies mai con● into the realme , and worke mischefe against vs : for thei shall haue mone● from all places and aide of many nacions . And they beleue assuredlie to be aided by the greatest part of oure own countre men . For the Quene & good men wil take their part against heretikes : thei thinke there bee but fewe noble men in Englande , but they wil be contented , Take counsel be time . These rentes be better lost , then found . ether by gift of the Quenes highnes , or els for greate bribes , riche rentes and good giftes , to graunt that the king may haue a iust●e title to the crown , or els receue him in vpon one partye , that he may ouercome the other perforce . And thei thinke there wil be but few men against them for at their firste comming thei wil geue suche great gifts and pay mony to poore souldiers so largely , liberally , and surely , But when thei be holpen and bear rule you shall pay it triple in excises . that when we haue scante of money , poore men wil be content to serue for their money , gentell men and noble men for couetousnes to encrease their liuings and landes : but wott ye to what end ●ll this commeth : Thoughe ye receiue them into the land , & serue vpon their part , If ye be true among your selfs thei dare neuer geue you battaile . If they kept not couenaunt with Millāe or Naples , howe shold thei kepe couenaunte with you yet dare thei not trust you , but ar minded to pay you well for a time , that you may fight manfully againste your own countrey , whiles they come skirmishing at a backe winge , or els stand loking vpon you : for thei say thei be not so madd , as to fight with english men , & be killed like beasts : but when ye haue brought them in , & wonne them the victori & stablished them surely & quietly , then , as I haue told you , wil thei destroy all you , & gather vp agayne their great giftes vpon your treasures .

Is not this a lamentable case , that we englishe men , for feare of mutabilite or chaunge of religion , which commeth by gods ordinaunce , shall seke to plant willingly such a nacyon in our own country , as seke the vtter destruccion of the same : But thys is most miserable , most shamefull , mos● detestable & moste abominable , that so noble and prudent gouernours , a● your lord shippes , shoulde either for faire words , loue , feare , gifts , bribes , Let not these thinges blind your eies , then , may you like most noble gouernors , defende your own country . If ye nother care for youre own liues nor your children , I can geue you no counsell to care for the whole realme . threatnings , manacings or any kind of couetousnes , seke the subuersyon of their country , the destruccion of the commen wealth , & the vtter decaye of your most noble bloud for euer . this last point doe I lament , more than al the rest : for if any of your moste noble linage might liue in autorite , as the Spaniards sai in dede , we might haue some comforte , to restore the realme and the weale publike to his olde perfecte estate : but if ye deliuer the crown out of your hands , I meane not the crown of gold onely , but also the power that goeth with it , ye shal in short time haue so great a fal , that their shal not liue one of youre ●inage , that shal be able to defend his own right , nor to rule , as his predec●s●ours haue done , nor yet to reuenge ●is fathers death . This ye must nedes graunte , that it is necessarye for the ●inges maiestie to worke the sureste ●aye for hys owne commodite and preseruacion , that can bee deuysed or founde out by the aduice of his counsell .

And then I am sure there is none of you so foolyshe , that thinketh to beare rule in the common wealthe , or about the kinges maiestie : This suspicion ha●eth youre death for all the worlde knoweth the moste detestable and most abominable treasons , whiche our nobilite doe worke against their own natural kinges continually .

And therfore Spaniardes myghte be called men of small wisedome , if thei cold not forecast such daungers , I beseche your lordships to loke vprightly , I desire you not to remember me , nor my profit . but thei haue prouided for it well enough , would to god your lordships knewe perfectly so muche , as I haue sene with mine eies , and heard with mine eares , or els woulde for youre own profit , your owne honor , youre own wealth , the preseruacion of your country , the loue of your children , & the safegarde of your own liues , credit my wordes . For then youre most prudent wisdomes coulde the better prouide to withstande their pretensed treasons . Ye will saye , Make good prouision with this warning Yet will thei deny that euer thei thought hereof . I wil shew onli that I saw in the leters howe coulde this felow see , heare , or kno● matters of their counsell : I was as all men knowe chamberleine to one of the kinges priuie counsell . And gaue my selfe with all diligence , to write and reade Spanish : which thing once obteined , I kept secrete from my master , and his seruauntes , that I myghte the rather with diligent seruice be trusted in my masters closet or studye , and so reade suche letters , as I sawe broughte to the counsell chamber . Which thinge I did , as opertunite serued : yet I cannot vnderstande any part of their priuie and concluded counsels , but the effecte of suche letters as were written from one counseller to another .

I knowe not how , nor what they haue determined vpon the said letters , but I founde this written in certeine letters that were sent from the Emperours maiestie also , The effect of the Emperours letters . Marke if thei practise not after thys sort daily a yeare beefore the kinges comming oute of Englande , that the kinges maiestye should make his excuse to the quens highnes , that he woulde goe see hys father in Flaunders , & returne immediatly . But seing the good simple Quene , pardon me though I folowe the frase of the letters , is so Ielous ouer my sonne , as the letter termed it , we shal make her agree to al our requestes before his return , or els kepe him here exercised in other effaires , til we can agree with the counsell , who vndoubtedli wil be easeli wōn with faire wordes , great bribes and good giftes , politickly placed in time , with many other things , take hede mi lordes ye can kepe your gifts , but at the kinges pleasure , how these matters must be handled , how they must be brought to passe , how al parties muste bee folowed , whom they might truste , what men woulde disceue them , whom they muste winne with bribes , and whom thei myghte winne with faire promises , whom thei thought like trewe men would with stand them , Marke whom thei cal trew men and traitors , and howe the false traitours woulde receue them : that the Emperoure would appointe the king such counselers for the same purposes , as he in many yeares had proued to be trewe and wise in their doinges , so that the kinges maiestye myght be bolde at the first presente , to putte his truste in them , whom his father in long processe of time , & with greate experience , had proued and circumspectly picked out , amonge many false dissemblinge flatterers , with innumerable such prudent counsels touchinge Fraunce , Flaunders , Naples , Millane , Boemia , Hungery , Turky , and diuerse other countryes , as betwene Spayne and the Mores .

Wherof I knowe perfectlye they haue brought many things to passe & mani thei be like to obtein , al which maters , because they pertein litle to our countrey , I wil passe ouer wyth silence . But why then is not the Quene endowed as fully in al his .xxv. kingdoms . For her own destruccion . In other letters I haue founde the case disputed that the quens highnes was bounde , by the lawes of god to endowe the kinges grace , her husbande , in all her worldly possessions and goods , so farre as in her maiestie lyeth , and they thinke she will doe it in dede to the vttermoste of her power ▪ No man can thinke any euill in the Quenes highnesse , thoughe her grace be something moued , when such bondes , as touche her conscience , bee beaten into her memorie priuely . Let all men therfore take h●de , & beware diligentlye , Lette no man pretende euill to the Quenes person , for then god wyll plage the whole realme . that no man be so bolde , or rather so deuelishe , as once to pretende any euill towardes the quenes maiestie , in pain of perpetual punisment . For vndoubtedlye ●f any euyll should be wrought against her hyghnes person , god would not onely require her bloude with condemnyng such malefactors for euer more therfore but : also would plage the whole realme most greuouslie for such wickednes . But if I wer worthy to geue your lordesh●ppes counsel , Beyng crowned he wil liue away and appointe you a sp . viceroye ye sholde banishe from the courte , except when the king is present , which wil be very seldom what wai soeuer ye work , mistres Clarentius , Elizabeth Dyas , the Ladie of phisike , I know not her name , and all other that speake Spanishe . I wil not say that like foolyshe girles , doe loue Spaniardes , whyche might seme like to geue the Quene counsell in these matters . wemens councels deuelishe For they vndoubtedly haue and dooe beate into her heade , more then all you can deuise to pull oute . The Spaniardes knowe not , whether the crowne do belonge to the Quenes maiestie or the realme , whether it be in her power to geue it wher please her , Marke diligentlye what thei pretende after wardes , or in the power of the whole realme to bestow it lawfulli wher it of right shold be : neuertheles they can wel be contented to flatter youre lordeshippes till that be perfectly proued . And if they receiue any comforte therin , to bribe you freli til the same be deliuered , Here beginneth destruction . but then they must begin to gouerne and beare rule . For which gouernment would to god I knew their counsels , or els that your lordships woulde beeleue that , whiche I haue heard and sene . I haue founde other letters , which I woulde not that any man should credit , touching mi lord Paget . That he should be the kinges aduersarie and the French kings sede debite , to declare vnto him all youre counsels . Talbotte the lords Greye , & Clinton must dye for captaynes . Ye se my lordes what the Spa. prepare for you .

But in these letters be conteined diuerse other : as the lord Treasorer is counted the kinges ytter enemye , the lorde Talbot is not their frende , the lord Grey they trust not , the lord Clinton thei loue not , therfore they think , if these and diuerse other lords in the North were made awaye , thei should be in lesse daunger , and the rather obtaine their purpose . And yet thei say , thei must of necessite flatter my lord Treasorer and my lord Paget craftili , til thei mai obtaine their purpose . Because thei two bee apte vessels to worke treason by . Ye may well perceiue therfore that they will flatter al you , seeing they flatter these whom they take for their enemies , and so fayne these lies againste my lord Paget inuented treaterously , to make him out of the way , with the rest . For if euer the kinge beare rule , these which I haue named shal be examined as straitlye , as the Spanishe lawes wil extende to handle the kings enemis . There be many other noble men , whose stowtnes must be pulled down , & their power abated . It shal be more for your commodite , to agree among yourselfe Be true to youre countrey I write not this to bring any of these noble men in suspection , but that ye maye perceue , what wayes thei inuente to bring variaunce amongest you , that thei might be called to mak agrement ▪ for thei hope , if one part of the nobilite would once withstande the other , that then shoulde they be receiued , thoughe they preuaile not beefore time . But reade further and you shal know the trueth . They thinke your lordeshippes , my Lorde Admiral , the erle of Oxforde , and diuers other , To thys ende ye shall proue their frendship to extende . to be their frendes : therefore they purpose if euer they beare rule to ioyne with you in councell , for a time , & the state of the realme once knowen , let you die pleasauntlie , with racking , hanging , drawyng , quartering , and whirling vpon whils ius●ly according to youre desertes , Obiection ye wil say the king doth not vse his counsellers so in any countrei : in dede , the king hath in euery countrey certene churles of the same lande picked out whiche be craftie knaues , Crafty chourlish knaues . and canne finde at their hartes , for their owne lucre and priuat gaynes , to inuent all the waies possible , to pole their own country , according as his counsel can deuise to commaunde them , and to liue , as ye shal reade hereafter , according to the nature of Spaniardes . and so the true men to their country are traiterouslye ouer come perforce , but thei make another reason for your destruction , and sai thei may not trust , Mark I se names & what example shal destroy you those men long in the counsel nor about their king , nor kepe them in auctorite , that willingly will bee false traitors , to their own country . I found two peces of a letter , but the third I could neuer finde , or els I shold haue knowen perfectlye , what bribes had been appointed for euery noble man , It is better for your lordship to be Earle of Penbrok stil I cannot tel what sholde be done , but this ye were appointed at the first wherin the Erl. of Penbroke was appointed to be gouernour of the kingdome of Granatha , and to haue fourtie thousande crownes of yerely rent : but thei purpose , he shall enioye it but a short time . Do ye thinke my lord of Penbroke , that ye shall haue fourtie thousande crownes from Granatha , and liue safely in England : ye muste goe thether with the king or some other , to take such sure possession , that ye shal neuer returne

For I assure you thei dare not geue you so much power more than ye haue and let you liue in your own countri ▪ bee ye assured ye shall offende their lawes a thousande times , If they do not yet moue it to you to goe thether , they wil cut of your head ni England for such profet cannot long come out of Spain The erle of Darby betrewe my lorde Shreusbery lest ye lose your sonne & your auncetors praise for their trueth . Of your sonne my lorde of Arundell thys was written or he died , fear the sequel in youre selfe . The Spaniardes wold ended this or you shold vnderstode it & therfore now denye it . before ye know them , and your head shall perhaps pay for the first . My lord of Darby shal perceiue , that nother he , nor his sonne shal liue long after the king is crownd . The Erle of Shreusbery may well perceiue they flatter hym shamefully , when they goe about to destroy the noble lord Talbot . I am sorie that my lord of arundell hath escaped so many treasons as haue been inuented beefore agaynst him , and shall now be disceaued and destroied amongst vile , treaterous , and moste false flattering Spaniardes . And yet I am sory that the realme should be robbed of so wise , so noble and so manlike a gentell man , as the Lorde matreues his only sonne : do ye thinke these thinges wil not come to passe or doe ye beleue , I haue not told you trueth , or truste you to liue styll in your countre : ye vndoubtedlye my lords , they dare not suffer you . The reason is this , thei say , that nacion & those men , that will woorke treason and be false traitours to , and against their own naturall kynge and countrey , the same men so sone as they be agreued , and beginne to smart , will woorke treasons againste them , and their king : but these thinges may be wrought in their time .

Ye thinke I speake my pleasure , but I assure you most truely I wryte nothinge of suspeccion , nor blinde iudgemente , but those things , which I haue seene and proued perfectlye and that be moste surely pretended and will vndoubtedly be wrought , if ye take no better counsell to withstand them . Marke my lordes if these bee well gotten goodes , that shal be the destruccion of you , & your countrey for euer : doe ye not encrese your rentes properly , when ye seke the losse of your liues , and children , without remedy : be not those bribes dere bought that bring with them the ruine and the subuersion of youre countrey , Marke what manyfolde mischiefs the beggerly bribes do bring , if it be not youre deathes at the end receiue them . The craftie treasons be to hard for you to vnderstande , but by Suspecting many things . whiche if ye wolde then preserue England from bondage I would shew them if I hanged for it Youre lordships shall first curse the time of these bribes & false flaterye . So my lord Darbes sonnes title to the croun by hys wife will cost al iii. their life the bondage of the lande , the suppression of the commen wealth the beggerie of al the quens subiects , the losse of our liberte , the death of our nobilite , the perdicion of al oure rentes , lands , goods and children , these thinges I haue found in their letters bu● doubteles , the kings counsel haue pretended waightie maters towards you , in deuising how these thynges shal be brought to passe : these be but rude principles , but in the grounde worke be prudent counsels . I knowe ye wil cal and accompt me a veri fole because I shewe you the trueth plainly , and put my selfe in daunger of hanging to saue your liues , and preserue● my countrey from bondage , but foolishly or prudently I speake nothing but that which I knowe perfectly , y● may take my wordes , as it shal please your honors : if ye worke wittelye : as your lourdships can do , if it plese you , I shal reioice at your preseruacion● but if ye wil submit your selfe to bondage willingly , nowe ye knowe the daungers that wil folow , what man liuing would lament the miseres that shal fal amongest you . Herken there words after their writings . Thei purpose , if their power will serue , not to leaue one liuing , that by any maner title , ought to make claime for the succession of the cowne .

Ye will thinke there could not remaine in them suche crueltie : it is in vaine for me to write trueth , if ye beleue me not . It is damnable without remedy , to call God for witnesse in false maters , and what would it profit me , to saue your liues , preserue al Englande , or wine the whole world and condemne mine own conscience But in truth I dare folow the example of S. Paul , and call god for a iuste and true witnes , that I haue hard with mine eares and sene the same persons , with mine eies , that haue said , if euer the king might haue a iust title to the crown , and obteine it , he wold make that most vertuouse Ladi Elizabeths grace sure , The Ladie Elizabeth condemned . for euer comming to inherite the same , or any other of oure cursed nacion : for thei say if thei cold kepe Englande in subiection , thei could doe more with Englande and Flaunders , then all the rest of the kinges kingdoms : therfore thei wyll not worke so foolishly , as to make dissension betwene these two lands and bring them in controuersie or sett them at variaunce . But inuente all polices to ioyne them both a like vnder their subiection . thei haue promysed to bring englande in subieccion to Flaunders . When she muste die trust not ye to liue longe after . Sedicion among your selfs wil be your destruccion for traitors seke in englishmens variaunce , to bring in Spa ▪ vpon them . If ye liue quietly within yourselfs ye preserue your countrei against your enemyes &c. I speake of no fooles , but of the wisest sort , and no meane persons , though they knewe not me in such corners , to heare their counsels . Remember if this warning be not sufficiente , to cause noble men to take hede , that so vertuous a Lady so beautifull , and so comly a princes , should first of all , besyde all the greate nomber , that shoulde folow afterwardes , be eyther banished the lande , or els putte to death miserabli for that , whiche should be her own righte , by iuste and lawfull discente . If they , that loue wemen so wel , wil not fauour suche a Ladie , how much lesse wil thei fauoure youre lyues : I speake not this , as some men woulde accuse me , to make sedicion nor treson in the realme : for that were the beste waye for Spaniardes to come to their purpose .

For our enemyes can neuer hurt vs , till we make dissension amongst oure selues : suche a time they looke for , suche a time thei desier , and such a time some noble men haue promysed them . Lette all menne , because I knowe not those traitors names that woulde prepare thys time , endeuour themselues , to lyue , & loue one another charitably and quietly , that ye maye all take one waye and hold together lyke good people , the better to preserue your country , & withstand al these deceitfull and most detestable treasons , The Quenes grace disceaued with flaterers and premeditate mischifes , which be pretended against you and your countries . Ye haue heard many euils , but god is witnes I cannot for shame write nor declare the vile , shamefull , detestable , and mo●e abom●nable reportes , The Spaniardes reporte of the Quenes maiestie There wordes arge thei ment more then was perfourmed , to speake trueth thei purposed rather to wine her crown then her body . whiche they haue spoken by the Quens maie●ie : and yet her grace thinketh them to be her very frendes : but this one trueth I wil shew couertlie , and wrappe it in as cleane cloutes as I can , desiring all men and the Quenes highnes herself most humblye , to take it after their words . The Spaniards say , if they obtaine not the crown , t●e may curse the time that euer their ●inge was bounde in mariage to a ●ife , so vnmete for his maiestie by natural curse of yeres , but yet if the thing maye be brought to passe , which was ment , in the mariage in a king , thei shal kepe old riche robes , for high festif●l dais . If there be any man that doth not vnderstande this saying of Spaniardes , let the Q●enes highnes , so long as her grace ▪ 〈◊〉 haue any fauourable frendship of the kinges maiestie , kepe her selfe as heig● in auctorite & as rich , as she is at this present , or els her grace shall perceiue perfectly , as she maye partly at this present , that Spaniards naturally loue freshe wares , yong deintie dishes , and chaunge of new things . Marke the most honorable and courte like customes in their courtes here in Flaunders I thinke the Quene will blame me , for showing this one trueth , but by that time her grace shall be glad , to tie horsses vnderneth her chamber windowe , to suffer vile stinking dong hils at her priuie chamber staires , to see her garde chamber garnished about with plaine wals , finely furnyshed with riche pallets , of st●ong corse canuas , wel stuffed with strawe , the wals most comly colored with coles , to see sitting among her graces ye men , curriers , carmen , and coblers , woode monges , vintners , and waggeners , pointers , pinners , and pedlers , showe makers surgeaunts , A misordered hospitall . The chappel chamber made when strangers be presente , the garde chamber The kings courte much more carterly than a farmers house in the countrey . and sadlers , boke binders , bakers , bre●ers , with al kinde of lowsie loiterers , and euerye one a bagge , a budget , or a bot●ell ●anged open beefore him , tyed vnder hys arme , or behinde vpon his backe , more like a moste misordered hospitall then a kynges garde chamber , that nother her highnes , nor any of her nobilitie , can passe that way . For in dede the gard● in the kinges courte be suche bawdye , burly beastes , that they neuer come in the kinges chappell , excepte for necessite when straungers come to the courte and abyde the smell , of suche a stinkinge stue . Her grace will say I speake not all . When her pallice gates shal stand open , without porters , that not only beggers , slaues , and all kinde of wretches , but also oxen , kine , hoggishe olde swinne , shepe and lambs , goats , kiddes , and rammes , cattes , dogges , geese , duckes , cockes , and hennes , with all other suche good houshold stuffe , may enter into her courte , and standing , rubbing , rowteing , diggēg deluing , and donging , before her chamber windowe , like a good fermers house in the countrey , when her highnes hall shall be one daye hanged with riche arreisse , and halfe a yeare after , ether shut , and locked vp , the king is the vylest tauerner of all his court or els furnished finely with spinners , silke-twiners , weuers of laces , rop makers , coblars , and botchers of olde hosen , moste shamefullie without all order , and be glad to kepe within her most princelike palice a vile stingking baudy tauerne , that euerye one of these fore saied craftes men , The kinge selleth wine and water more dearer than other and hath the lyes hymselfe . and all other baudes , beggers , slaues , and vile dronken wretches , maye bie within her courte breade , beare , nuttes , apples , and chese , and fetche wine and water out of the kinges courte , by iiii . penny pintes , and that with the dearest , accordinge to the olde , auncyente , and moste honorable customes of the Emperours maiesties courte , & the kinges maiesties palaies here in flaunders , her maiestie shall wel perceiue , that I kepe many thinges secret whiche I am ashamed to declare . Ye will thinke I speake the worste , but when the Quenes grace shal be glad to fetche her wine out of the tauern by eight pense , and a halfe peny , the quarte : as the king and bothe the Quenes doe here in this courte , The kings wine fetched out of the tauerne by the quart but in England freely by Iugges & bottels . My lord Ambassadour is worthye of blame if more then this be not written , for he should se the Quene , be not disceaued herin . Thus ye shal liue when ye be in bondage . Tak hede ye sai not hereafter would to god we had done it , for now ye may do it her highnes shall well know , that I cold show much worse orders , and manye thinges more vile , more shamefull , and more dishonorable then these , and by that time all these thinges be wrought ordinarely , in the court of Englande , ye shall smell them more vnsauerly . Al men that be here continuallye , doe see muche more and many worse thinges , then I write . But if these things , wil not make your lordships worke wiseli and be circumspect in deliuering the crowne , looke further vpon youre proceadinges , and when your lordships shal be glad , if ye might escape so well , to be at the Spanishe counsels commaundement , and wander with Spaniardes from one countrey to another , and where ye liue at this present with all plentiful prouision in your own houses , be compelled to lie in good tiplinge houses , & rost halfe a capōe to your supper and kepe the rest for your diner , with a pinte of white wine and water , a pigge● petitooes , a younge shepe trotters , halfe a loine of leane mutton and iiii . or .v grene sallettes , as the best of the kings counsell doe liue daily , ye wil say , woulde to god we had kept the crown in our owne handes , for the right and lawful heires of the realme to whom it belongeth by iust and lawfull discent , and bene trewe to our countrye , so that we might haue reigned still , and lyued more honorable , in reste , wealth and quietnes , then any nacion in the world . The Spaniards say your lordships most specially , and al the rest of our nobilite , with the moste parte of our counsel , be without knowledge , learning , language or perfect experience , and therfore thei hope though not spedely , yet in proces of tyme to disceaue and ouer come you , with their learning , I desir ye shold folow your own preseruacion wisdome , craft , and policy . Let your children therfore , if ye loue them , be brought vp in learninge , & wisedome , that they maye be able to gouerne the realme prudently , after your dayes . And folowe youre lordships , for the preseruacion of youre lyues , honor and children , this worthy and notable example of the most worthy king Codrus , who seing his countrey assauted , by the most cruell tiranny of his enemies , sought by all meanes possible to deliuer his people from bondage , with least destruccion of his subiectes bloud : and being answered that there was no way to preserue his realme , except he himselfe should be slaine , appareled hys most princelike person in a poore palmers wede , and after great lamentacion of his subiectes , whiche woulde rather haue lost life , lands & goods , The king a turne spitte . then suffer so noble a king to die for their deliueraunce , became a tourne spitte in his enemies kitchen , and when hys aduersarie had prepared a great armi for the inuasion of his countre , he prouoked with cruell woordes , If panīs so muche loued their countrey , shold we Christians betraie ours remembring the commen and publike weal of his subiectes , which he desired so earnestly , his enemies so much , that a skuruye kitchen slaue without mercye thruste him to the harte , wyth a whote spitte of yrone ▪ who , beyng stripped naked to be buried , was knowen perfectly to be the king himself by a crosse vnderneth his brest : whos death so muche discoraged his enemies , that thei flyeng before his subiectes , when the battell shoulde bee fought , were slayne and taken in the chase , his countrey preserued , & hys maiestie obteined immortal fame . I wold wish your lordships , for your honors & the preseruacion of youre lyues and countreye , as I truste assuredly ye wil , though not so daungerously , Kepe the state that ye haue . as this noble Prince did , yet with suertie obserue thys counsell : I meane ye are in suche estate , at thys present that ye maye withoute the daunger , or losse of ani mans life , kepe the crown & the realme quietli , but if ye will deliuer the crown oute of your handes willingly , Spaniardes report Englande to be the strongest and beste kingdom on the earth . then wher ye ought to venter , ye to lose in dede life , landes , goods and rentes , with honor for the preseruacion of your countrey : ye shal not only lose life , landes , goods , wife and children , but also al honour , fame and renowne , with the moste noble , and the moste mightie kingdome , as Spaniardes say , on the w●ole earth , with the losse of innumerable thousandes of Christen mens liues . For what nacion in the world is able to suffer the verye nature of Spaniardes : haue I not showed you many things which ye cannot suffer : ye may expell nature for a tyme , as Spaniardes did in Englande lately , but al the world can not expell her so much , but she returnth in short space . what deuelishe nature is this , that no man can suffer : the time is shorte , or els I wold tel you much more : their pride is of such nature , that she can suffer no man , to be felow with her . The nature of Spani . Pride would euer be the highest , and then who hath more pride then Spaniardes , who canne beare rule aboue them . Doubteles I know no man can set forth more mysery , then the peo / ple be in in Naples and if ye go forth ; ye shal come to the lyke . The Spaniardes denie not them selues to be the proudest and moste lecherous men liuing , and can they then be without all other vices , seeing pride is the roote of al sinne , and the mother of all mischiefe . Their hartes wil boile and borst , to see any nacion nere about them prosper in welth and tranquilite . I heare saye there be certeine bokes amongst you whiche in dede I neuer sawe , as the lamentacion of Naples : the mourninge of Millane , and suche other , which haue showed you the tiranny that Spaniardes haue vsed in other countries , and in those points I wold counsel you to beleue the same bokes and take hede ye come not in like bondage . For if ye do , be assured that the same tiranny , which thei haue vsed in other countries , But if ye wil not take warning of them which do shew you then shal you suffer al the plages that be named in this boke for youre incredulitie . thei will vndoubtedly vse amongst you : for if thei fauored not those noble men , whiche thei say be Christned , how much les wil they fauour you , whom thei accoumpt worse then Iewes : but like as thei haue destroied the nobilitie in other countryes , euen so will they according to their pretensed purposes destroie and murther you priuely one after another , so soone as they may beare rule amongest you . Some Spaniardes say we must not take example by those countres , which th●y be compelled to keepe perforce : but be you assured thei must bee compelled within one yere , to keepe England perforce also . For doubtelesse English men will neuer pay such excises willingly , as other nacions be compelled to pay against● their wil : nor let their rentes be raised so much aboue the rate whiche thei bee at in these daies , as Spaniardes woulde amount them . Obiection Ye wil say the Spaniards kepe their olde rentaking : Marke ye people of England howe ye muste be taxed how can that be , when euery poore man must pay yerely for euery chimney in his house , and euery other place that is to make fire in , as ouen , fornes and smithes forge , a frenche crowne : wil englishmen , or can thei suffer to be poled and pilled moste miserably , in payeng continually suche poling pence , and intollerable tollages for all maner graine and breade , be●e , beare , and mutton , goose , pigge and capone , henne , mallard and chicken , milk , butter and chese , egges , apples & peares , wine white and reade , with all other wines beside , salt white and graye , Note thys . al thinges must pay , small nuttes , and wall nuttes , cheries , and chest nuttes , plumbes , damassens , philbeardes and al both gret & smal whatsoeuer thei maye se to fede the pore commenalte , Salmon and hearing , this is a shamefull thing , If ye can suffer this then crown the king of Ierusalem . The third part of al thinges : kepe your selues from that bondage . Marke this yomen and husbande men , kepe your liberte , that ye pay not for your own chickens when ye bee sicke . If ye folow this counsel , ye saue your lyues , your landes & contrey . And will with spede . For all your learning is lost , your law destroyed & al your liuinges decayed for euer ▪ the office of trewe men . tench , ele or conger this shall kepe vs vnder , and make vs die for hunger , flounders , floucke , plaice or carpe , here is a miserable warke , that Englande must abide to maintaine Spanishe pride : ye paye youre tenthes for all these thinges , but I speake not of churche rentes , nor balifes fees , for that is but the tenthe part , but this shall greue your harte , to pay the thirde part more , that burthen waieth sorer then fines or rents , tak hede therfore . Ye wil think their commens be not so opprest : there is not a ye man , farmer nor husbande man in these partes , that dare eate a capōe in his own house if his frende come to viset him , but the capōe must cost him a noble , if it wer worth , xx . pence and euen so of hennes , pigges , geese , chickins ▪ and all other thyngs . Dooe ye thinke to make prouises for all these mischefes , which I haue rehearsed : the best prouiso ye can deuise to make is , that for the auoiding of all these and innumerable moe mischefs ye kepe the crowne in youre owne handes , and geue it to no forreyne prince . For when the king is crowned , who dare withstand his doings doe not the lawes of Englande bind al men to obeie him : but seing thei vnderstande not our lawe , maye not the kinge chaunge it , as shall seeme good for him , by the aduise of his counsel : I nede not to feare the daunger of my boke , for I heare say , I shal be outlawed , with a pension writte , for .iii yeres pension , in cliffords inne . Do it spedely , least it take none effecte : for if Spaniardes beare rule fare wel all Englishe lawes , the king will reach you Spanish lawes , and looke what lawes Spaniardes make is not he a traitor that speaketh to the contrary but til his grace be crouned , it is mete for all trewe men , to holde with the right , and speake against his coronacion . Ye say , the quenes highnes hath al power in her hande : Obiection we must obey her surely in actes that bee paste by parliament and confirmed by the hole realme , we ought to obey her highnes during her life : but I think there is no law confirmed and past , where by the Quene may lawfully disinherite the realme of the crown . And for that which is to come , eueri man mai lawfully speake against it : for she can make no such law without your aide . Yf ye read the enchiridion of Erasmus in the leafe , Erasmus . lxxv . ye shall finde that the Quenes highnes or any other Prince , What the quene oughte to doe . that wil folowe goddes commaundement and seke the kingdom of heauen , ought not to make any lawes or statutes agaynste the commen wealth of her countr , and that she ought not to doe that , which she may by her power , but that which she maye doe iustlye by the lawes of the realme . A trewe example For lyke as Christe was not borne for himselfe , nor died not for himselfe , but was borne to fulfil the law , liued to teache vs the perfecte trueth of the law , and died to redeme al those that woulde folow his steps and kepe his commaundementes : euen so the Quene ought not to do that thing which is for her own profet , her own pleasure or her own pryuat commodite but that which is for the commodite of the whole countrey , the profite of her poore people , and the strength , aide , preseruacion , and the comfort of the whole realme . How the Quene ought to gouerne vs Her grace ought not to gouerne vs if she wil folowe Christe , but to se vs gouerned vprightly in all spirituall maters after gods worde , and in all temporall maters accordinge to the lawes of the realme iustlye , for oure preseruacion

In the .iiii. nexte leaues folowynge ye shall finde the offyce of a kynge , a magistrate , an officer and bishoppe . I shewe you the place because ye shoulde remember it and folowe it in this case . But if the Quenes grace wil not seke to winne heauen , with folowing Christe and keping his order , for the commodite and profet of all her people , then she must without grace , in breakeynge Christs order , and leauing his steps , without any seconde way folow the steps of the deuill , and so seking her owne priuat commodite , her owne wil & her own pleasure , runne straight headlong to hell . Mary if the Quene be the last heire , so that the crown remaine wholly , perfectly and lawfully in her , without any other discente , she may by gods lawe geue it for the commen wealth of her subiects and the realme , where or to whom soeuer pleaseth her , and then if it be for the commen wealth of the realme , as ye se plainly it is not , she mai geue it to her graces husbande the kinge : but if it belong to the heires of the realme , after her death , and if ther be any heires in Englande liuing after her , Mi lords for suche counsell ye shal be more hardly plaged in hel then ye can be in the towre . See what they take vpon them or this . Geue a Spa. one inch , and he wil take a hundreth fote . to whom the crown oughte to come by iuste and lawefull descente , she , and all that geue her such cursed counsell , doe committe deadlye and damnable sinne , in taking , and geuing it , from them wrongfully . Yf ye could restore it againe afterwardes , and so make them recompence , she myghte haue pardon of god : but I am sure the Quenes grace , and all her honorable counsell , haue seene the kinges style where he writeth himselfe kinge of xxviii kingdomes , with Englande , Fraunce , and Yrelande , and there ye perceue , that he leaueth out the quen in all his writinges and deades , whatsoeuer he maketh or confirmth . And in the first leafe and first side of the patten , or rather the Emperours will which he hath made , to establishe the king iointly with him in the Empir , they write that the kinge wonne englande by the Quenes mariage , and vpon the seconde side of the same first leafe they write , that the king at this present hath autorite to make , chaunge , ordeine and constitute , what decres , statutes , ordinaunces or lawes soeuer please him in the same kingdom of England . Seeing the king , hauynge but the name geuen him , doeth take vpon him suche power , and bee●ore he hath the crowne dooeth expulse the Queene from all title of the realme or the crown : She shall be at low estate in short time . ye may be sure that when he hath the crown , he wil take from her all power and honor , sauing only she may haue the name to be his wife with his more beloued harlots : so that she shall neuer be able to restore the crown to the right heires . Beware of this , it were better for your lordships ▪ to lose your heades & die in the trueth , then damne your fols in presumption . I haue sent you the copy of the same will , b●cause ye may know perfectly , that she shall neuer bee able to restore the crown again to the right heires Then seing the Quene , and all your lordships , doe knowe assuredly before hand , that she shal neuer be able to make recompence in restoringe the crowne againe to the right heires , and yet will presume to doe suche wrong , as vnlawfullye to take it from them : ye must nedes graunt and beleue it truely , that not onelye the Quene but also your lordeships , if ye resist not this wickednes , and al other that help her , or geue her such cursed counsell , may be sure for such deuilishe presumpcion to goe to the deuil and be damned withoute mercye . Ye dysceaue the Quene when ye cause her to lose her husbande and her power also . Ye are disceaued

For Christ hath iudged youre doinges before hande , saying : whosoeuer sinneth againste the spirite shall neuer be forgeuen in this world nor in the world to come . Do ye not know my lordes , that ther was neuer traitor against king or Quene , that colde long prosper : & wil your lordships sek the destruction of the quene & the hole realme & think to lyue prosperously afterwards : wil ye be false traitors to the Quene & al your own countrey & think to be put in trust , & made men of great power in straunge contries : There is no man at this present , that thinketh any treason to remaine in ani of the queens most honorable counsel but surely if ye crown king Philippe though ye could doe it by a iust law , Mark this parte of their nature . or if ye receue him in with disceitfulnes , guile , aide , fraude or subtiltie , to destroie the lande : vndoubtedlye all the world will accoumpt you rancke traitors , So wil the great Turke . Poore bakers daughters of brussels . A farmers acte of the kinges maiestie in Antwerpe . and the very Spaniardes themselues durst neuer reste in quietnesse , till it were rewarded accordingli . ●il ye crowne the king to make him liue chast with his wife contrary to his nature : peraduenture his maiestie after he ●ere crowned would be content with one woman , but in this meane time his grace wil euery night , haue v. or vi . to see whiche of them pleaseth him best . If thei wer ladies or gentle wemen , it were more tolerable , but bakers daughters and such other poore whores , is to abominable . In Antwerp before shroftide , ther wer● as there be many at thys present , certeine merchauntes , which had verye faire wiues , whom the king cold not haue priuely . Where the king is so vicious , the people must neds be muche worse . They bragge more of this , then of all the warres that euer their king made . The kings maiestie a meri midwife at midde nighte .

But hearyng by chaunce of spyes , that some of the same wiues wer vpon a night with their neyghbours wife , to helpe her in her trauel or laboure of childe , the kinge with certaine other wente masking the therin womans apparell : and the kinges maiestie , as all Spaniardes reported for a greate honore , helde the wiues backe , till she had brought forth her childe .

But what was wrought amongest the middwiues afterwardes , lette other men iudge : for I had not knowen this , but that all Spaniards , bragged of it themselues , that we mighte reioyce to haue for our king in England suche a stowte , bolde and myghtye prince , as durst maske among wemen and plaie the midwife , at midnight . I could not for shame write this , but that I thinke the Quenes highnesse , hath heard tel how sharpeli the go●d bishoppe of Castila was checked , The Byshop of Castyll . because he desired the king to kepe him selfe for his wife , and told him it was not lawful for him to liue in such lothsōe lechery . The notable sermon , that this good bishoppe made though he lost his rochet for speaking agaynste lechery and such other vices , is talked of so much throughout al these parties , that I am sure this tale cannot be hidden . I write his name , because the Quenes highnes is bounde to geue him thankes and rewarde him wyth another bishoprick , They esteme the crowne aboue the quen Vnlyke similitudes . Some good Lady shew oure Quene thys trueth , that her grace be not brought into mor miserye . Paget should brought in douch men and ben viceroy if vprors cold ben moued by the wronges that the Quēe attempted last yeare that would put himselfe in such daunger of trouble to cause the king her graces husband to loue her . But know ye their reportes : they saye the good bakers daughter is more worth in her goun then Quene Mary without her croun . God witnesseth with me , that it greueth my hart sore , to heare such vile reportes and so vnlike similitud●s . They say olde wiues muste be cherished for their yong riche giftes . For old wiues , say they , for faire wordes and a litle craftie cuckering wil geue al that they haue : but how they be vsed afterwardes let the Quenes Ladies and gentill wemen discusse . If the king do so much esteme his wife in these dayes , when he seketh to obtaine by her honor and great commodite : after what sorte will he vse her highnesse , when he hath obtained his purpose : doth the Quenes grace think to cause the kynges maiestie still to remaine in Englande , with geuynge him the crown : No I assure you plainly ? and perfectlye the counsell of Spaines purpose is to establyshe other matters : they haue determyned and agreed amonge themselues to a poynte a viceroye with a greate armye of dronken douche men , with diuers other souldiers . And that the lord Paget knoweth by the false flatteryng words , whych I heard the Emperour speake before him , to the king the xv . day of Aprill , biddinge the king , make much of that man , for he was worthy to be cherished , The Quene shal be a Nunne when the king is crowned And euen so shal ye doe if ye write as long as ye lyue . promising to make him the greatest man in England● , to kepe vs in subieccion , as I haue tolde you before , and lette the Quens highnes liue at her bedes , like a good auncient Ladie . Ye se the further I goe , and the more I write , the greater euils I find ▪ but I promes you assuredlye , ●f I shoulde write so muche of their viciousnes , as I know most perfectly , the ladies and gentell wemen woulde be muche ashamed . Woulde to god the honorable ladies of Englande knewe the vile reportes , which Spaniardes haue reported by them : for then I assure you the good Ladies would not loue to kisse so pleasauntlye , and so many times , with straungers , nor to receue and sende into Flaunders so many milke mouthed messengers , and moste vntrewe taletellers , nor receue & send so many tokens , with so louing and humble commendacions to their most louing , or rather most dissemblynge Spaniardes , in whom lyeth all their loue , all their hope , all their trust and confidence . Oh moste abominable whores : for I speake of no good Ladies : were ye borne in Englande , do ye liue in Englande , haue Englishmen kept you all this long tyme , Pockye Spani . Ye wold be offended to be openly named for whores & yet ye loue Spa which name you openly so doe Englishe men put all their trust in youre honesty because ye shoulde be Spaniards whores ▪ and leauing your own naturall husbandes and frendes putte all your trust , all your loue , whiche is very littell to those whom ye ought to loue , al your hope , al your comfort in vile pockie Spaniards : If I beyng an englishe man shoulde haue so lytle honesty , and tell so many of your names openlye , as I haue heard Spaniardes name to bee their whores , many of you would lose your frends , many be banished the courte , many be deuorced from their husbands , & sent to their most trusty and moste louing Spaniardes . I would name diuerse of you , which within these few days haue sent your messengers , whom I could also showe , and tokens to spaniardes in Flaunders , like arrante whores : but I wil fauoure you at thys present & kepe the counsels , Amende good Ladyes or els . which nother Spaniardes nor youre owne messengers wil hide nor keepe close , because I trust ye wil amende and be honest wemen hereafter now ye haue warning of their vilnes . Or els do ye not knowe right honorable Ladies , for now I leaue all whores , The maner of Spanishe wemen . This is greate dishonor for youre husbands , shame for youre selues & a great slaunder for youre countrey that the maner of spayne is , if one man kisse a nother mans wife or daughter it shal bee lawfull for her husbande or father to kil him : or doe ye not knowe that there bee no wemen in Spaine but commen whores , that will kisse any man excepte their husbandes : this hath caused Spain . to reporte in euery place that they may for a smal porcion of golde or a precious stone haue the best mans wife in our realme whiche reporte hath sprede so farre , that the yonkers of Spain do write , as god is witnes that I haue seen their letters to peuish boies , that the princockes be so familierli receiued with Ladies of Englande , that they haue no minde on Spanishe wenches : for the Spaniards say and it is so in dede in their countrey :

Oscula qui sumpsit si non et cetera sumpsit , hec quoque , que data sunt , per dere dignus erat : he , whiche hath obtained kisses , say they , if he winne nothinge els , is worthy to loose that which was geuen him . But take hede with this warning , or els ye wil shortly be named and shamed . For in Spain he that canne gette a kisse shall haue all other thinges : ye wotte what I meane : and they think the same trew in England also . Peraduenture some will be offended because I speake so plaine . GOD is my witnesse I cannot for very shame name such , as I cold & haue heard Spaniards name with shame enough , nor showe you halfe the vile reportes whiche they according to their nature haue made of you I write not this , because I think they haue obteined so much of the noble Ladies of Englande with kisses , as they maye doe of Spanishe whores , nor beecause I thinke their reportes trewe : for vndoubtedly I know their woordes to bee a thousande partes worsse then their dedes : but because the good and honorable Ladyes of Englande knowinge their vile reportes may vse themselues more straungely towardes Spaniardes at theyr next returne .

So that they maye knowe perfectlye , that all noble mens wiues and daughters with other Ladyes , & gentill wemen , that by the curtesi of Englande wil receiue their frende with a kisse , be not commen whores for euery pockye Spaniarde . And surelye I would wishe you to leaue that curtesye , specially among Spaniardes . I geue you this counsell because I desire your honors and your husbands also , ye maye take my woordes as it please you . London The noble Citie of London hath wonne more honor for punishing whores than for any other seuerall acte : and yet Spaniardes saye that all their diligent watches not withstanding ther be more mongrels borne within this ii . yeres in London then Englishmens children . Mongrels I speake not this because I think it so in dede : for I tolde you their woordes were worsse then their doinges , but beecause that moste noble Citie maye continew in their most verteouse punishing of vice , It is the chefest vertue to punish vice . remembringe what vilenes they woulde haue reported if they myghte haue had liberte . I woulde wryte many other thinges that appertayne to theyr nature , how swinishe they vse themselues at their table , tearing their meate lyke dogges , drinking like horses , hanging their heades ouer their disshes that one parte beeinge ●lauored in their mouthes may fall into the commen dish afterwardes , smacking like hogges , howe vilie they vse themselues in their chambers &c. but beecause the time is shorte and many Englyshmen knowe these things , I will here make an ende , moste humblye besechinge your honorable lordeshippes to pardon my doinges , if I haue withoute knowledge written any thyng contrary to your expectacion because I may doe it of ignoraunce : but be you assured my whole desier is , to seeke the maintenaunce of youre honore , and in declaring suche thinges , as be pretended againste oure countrey , Mi desier in writing this letter to seeke the preseruacion of the whole realme . I shall therfore desier al noble men , worshipful men , yomen of the Quenes garde and all other officers of her highnes most honorable court that they and euery one of them wyl exhort the people in euery coast and part of the realme to liue in tranquillite , peace and concorde by this familiar example of Esopes husbande man . Who hauinge many sonnes , that despicing their fathers admonicions liued continually in debate and strif , studied to plante amongeste them loue , vnite , concorde & peace . Hys sonnes vpon a tyme beeing at home in his own house , he commaunded his seruaunt to bring before hym a burthen of roddes , such as husbandes vse for their plowes and other busynes , & commaunded his sonnes , the bundell being fast bounde together , to breake the same roddes wholly togethers .

But when their strength fayled , the good man bade hys seruaunt vntie the said burthen , and the roddes beeing losed , he commaunded euerie one of his sonnes to break one wand : which thing when they had don with ease , the good olde father sayed , after this sorte shall it be amongst you my children : if ye perseuer together in one louing minde perfectly , Note your enemies shal neuer ouercome you . But if ye will disseuer youre selues one from another , this your deuilishe discorde and variaunce shal make you an apte praye for your enemies : euen so I say vnto you most deare beloued brethren , that like as a castel builded in the middes of a stronge rocke can neuer bee wonne til discorde fall among the captaynes and souldyers , so that one parte treaterouslye suffer their enmies to enter in at the gats : so likewise Englande is strongly compassed with strong rockes , which no artilery can pearse , and so long as englyshe men lyke good faithfull souldiers wil louingly and faythfully agre together , Kepe this order and ye shal saue your countrey and euery man from the highest degree to the lowest seke to maintaine the weale publike of hys natiue country and the state of the realme , al the worlde can neuer ouer cum vs : but if the noble men or one part of the commens wil aide & like false traitors receaue in our enemies , Be sure to flye these mischiefes or els ye worke your own destruction . All you haue ben disceaued by the flattering of Spa. take hede with this warning Yet thoughe your lordship wer not perfect beefore take hede at the last . I desire your safe garde . Thys should been done if the Quene coulde haue moued sedicion by her quarels last yeare to the gentel men . or if sedicion , treason , rebellion , insurrections and such like mischiefes fall amongst vs and be wrought within our selues , our enemyes shall come in reioycing at our most deuilishe dyscorde , and destroye the realme , and bring all Englyshe men to such perpetuall bondage and slauerye as I haue here before declared . Yea those that be their greatest frendes & first bringers into the lande are appointed to dye the moste shamefull death so farre as I perceiue : there is pryuye treason working against you at this present , whiche will be brought to passe spedely , take wise counsel , man all your hauens strongly , least youre enemyes come vpon you sodenlye . I am sory that I gaue the lorde Page●e warning what treason is pretended against him : for I think ambicion so much blindeth his eies , that he hath no better grace but to goe about as many fleminges reporte , to conduct a great nomber of high Almaines priuely into Englande amongest you to destroie your corne and destroye the realme or els to take the Lord graie , the lord Depute of callis & the hold with all , whiche we haue here seene . Sodenlye suffer not youre enemyes to enter into the lande , as ye did the Danes in times past , in hope to driue them out after suche like sort . For I assure you the Spaniardes can & wil prouide more politike wayes to suppresse the countrey and kepe vs in subiection , then euer the Danes dyd in times past . I shal therefore exhort you , and in the name of our sauioure Christe require you , to flie all maner thinges that may be like to make discord , debate , stryfe , sedicion , commocions , treasons , rebellions or such like mischiefes amongeste you

And speciallye leaue those moste deuilishe names of Papystes , heretikes , Lutherans , protestauntes and suche like , accordyng to the Quenes moste gracyous proclamacion . Ioyne youre selues to gether wyth loue & amite , reioysinge to take vpon you the moste blessed name of oure sauioure Iesus CHRISTE , the GOD of equitee , peace , loue and tranquillite , and to bee called Christians : knit your selues together in perfect charite , loue together lyke Christen brethren , remembryng we haue al one father whyche is in heauen , We haue al one father , which is in heauen , then we ought to loue together like brethren . & that we bee all redemed wyth one raunsome , euen the shedynge of the moste precyous bloud of oure sauyoure Iesus CHRISTE : whose commaundementes if we wyll endeuore oure selues to keepe for the vttermoste of oure power , and if we will take vpon vs hys moste myghtye name , he wyll vndoubtedlye defende vs wyth hys moste myghtye arme , so that we shal be able to withstand our enemies & liue in our countrei quietly in peace , loue and tranquillite , like as the children of god and louing brethren in our sauiour Iesus christ : to whom with the father and the holye goste iii. persons and one liuing god , which was without beginning , beall honore and glorye worlde withoute ende . Amen .

Your lordships obedient , trew and faithfull seruaunte Iohannes bradfordus .

Once agayne beware of had I wiste .