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The Cecil Papers at Hatfield House

CP Volume 154 Folio 132
HMC Volume 1 Page 269 Number 865
Haynes Page 395 Number 397

Transcribed by Samuel Hayne

13 Sept 1562. The Bishops of London and Ely, to the Lords of the Counsell

From the Original.

PLEASE it your Honors to understande, that wheare wee labored the 10th of this Monthe to examine the Sayer and Hearers of the Masse at my Ladie Carewes Howse (wherof we suppose your Honours have harde) meaninge therby to synde Knowlege of moo of that sorte; so it is that we can come to no Knowlege of anye more Matter. The Cawse is onlie this; neyther the Prieste nor anye of his Auditours, nott so moche as the Kitehin Mayde will receive any Othe before us, to answer to Articles, butt stoutlie saye they will nott sweare; and saye also they will neyther accuse themselves nor none other. This is growen nowe lately, as wee fynde by Examinations, to be a Rule to all the Schollers of that Schoole, so that it is like that Papistrie will ende in Anabaptistrie; for refusing to take an Othe in Judicio dothe bothe disalowe that Acte, and in seqwele deniethe the principall Poynte of Obedience dew to Magistrates, before whome juramentum (as St. Pawle sayeth) est finis omnis Controversiœ. Greate Inconveniencs may folowe herof, if some remedie be nott devised. Wee signiffyed thus moche to my Lord Keper, preparinge to ride furthe, who willed us signifie the same to your Honors. Some thinke that if this Prieste haverd might be putt to some kynde of Torment, and so driven to confesse what he knowethe, he might gayne the Quenes Majestie a good Masse of Monye by the Masses that he hath sayd: But this wee referre to your Lordshipps Wisdome, and so committe the same to Almighty God 13 Septembris 1562.
Your bonorable Lordshipps at Comandmente, Edm. London, Richarde Ely.

To the Right Honorable and our verie good Lord the Lords of the Quene's Majesties moste honorable Privie Counsell.