CP 138, 33a

CP Volume 138 Folio 33(a)

HMC Volume 1 Page 218 Number 695

Haynes Page 303 Number 299

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

5 May 1560 From my Lord his Grace to Mr. Secretarye [HMC says May 6]

From the Duke of Norfolk's Book of Entities.

AND if I had not continually sent you my Lord Graie's own Lettres, but had wryten myn own Opynyon unto you of them, without his, you might well have thought the Chaungeablenes, and Inconstancye in Advertisements to have proceeded of my self; but when you shall perceive his own Lettres, you shall fynd grete Alterations. And I had ben as they ther, either I wold have gonn throughe with all, or els have lyen in the Dytches, seyng that they have sett their Hands to sundry Lettres, that they made no doubte of the wynnynge thereof. The service is my Mistress's, and therfore I may not be silente, wherby the Faulte maye be hereafter laid in my Necke. Out of double Mr. Secretarie, my Lord Graie's Service doth consiste but upon a Courage, without ony Conduct: Every Man that cann leade a Bande of Horsemen, is not for so greate an Enterprise; and to abate his forwardnes, there be, that be as backwarde. I praye you conferr Valentine Brown's Lettre with this of my Lord Graie's, for the Nomber of the Scotts; and then judge you, whether Mr. Browne woll deceave the Quene's Majestie of the Paie of so many hundrethes, or no. Thus praying to Godd to send you more Quyetnes with theyr Lettres ther, then I have here, I bydd you most hartelye farewell.

Tho. Norffolk. From Berwick, &c.