Ecclesiastical and theological

Ecclesiastical and Theological.

I. 174. Letter from John Hammond (fn. 1) to the Lord Mayor, stating that, during the last summer, he examined certain Priests and Jesuits then sent from beyond the seas, and from Rome, and that a great number of Letters and other written Notes, tending to sedition and disturbance of the State, had been taken; among them two Letters were found addressed to Mr. Eden, one sent from one Shilborne, of the Seminary at Rheims, and the other from Mr. Eden's son, at Paris, whereto was subscribed something by Dr. Nicholson, his son's tutor; that having examined Eden as to his knowledge of Shilborne, he advised him to remove his son from the care of Dr. Nicholson, which he promised to see to, and for himself he professed a good liking of the Christian religion, and a misliking of Papistry.
29th December, 1580.

I. 175. Copies of the Questions and Answers in the case of Mr. Eden.

I. 176. Letter from John Aylmer, Bishop of London, to the Lord Mayor and Aldermen, stating that he had examined Mr. Eden as to his faith, and that he found him (touching his outward obedience) conformable to Her Majesty's proceedings.
15th January, 1580.

I. 177. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Lord Mayor, approving of the course pursued in the discharge of Mr. Eden from his office (of one of the City's Attorneys), and recommending the same steps to be taken against any other officer who might be found disaffected, and that others, well known to be professors of the true religion established in the Realm, should be elected in their room.
19th January, 1580.

I. 178. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Lord Mayor (Sir John Branche), (fn. 2) and Court of Aldermen, stating that, with reference to the discharge of Mr. Eden from his office of Attorney in Guildhall, they had been informed by the Bishop of London that he found him conformable in religion, and that he had entered into bond for the removal of his son, and the Council had not been informed of any misconduct upon his part in the exercise of his office; they therefore prayed that he might be re-admitted.
20th February, 1580.

I. 179. Letter from the Lords Sussex, (fn. 3) Warwick, (fn. 4) and Bedford, (fn. 5) Members of the Council, to the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen, agreeing with the above recommendation of the Council for re-admitting Mr. Eden.
22nd February, 1580.

I. 180. Letter from Thomas Wilson (fn. 6) to Serjeant Fleetwood, Recorder, referring to the recommendation of the Lords of the Council for re-admitting Mr. Eden to his office, and expressing his regret that the City had not carried out the same, and requesting him to use his influence to procure Eden's re-admission, otherwise it would be his duty to inform the Council of the strange dealing of the Lord Mayor in making a man a Papist against his will.
26th February, 1580.

I. 181. The Proceedings of the Lord Mayor and Aldermen in this case.

I. 182. Letter from the Lords Warwick and Bedford to the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen, as to the proceedings taken against Mr. Eden, and stating that they were unaware that he had been removed for matters of religion, but as he had stated to them for malice; understanding that he was removed for Popery, they commended the Lord Mayor for his zeal, and recommended him to continue the searching and weeding out of office all such persons, and to punish them according to their demerits.
8th March, 1580.

I. 183. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen, as to the displacing of John Eden, Attorney of the Guidhall, for matters of religion, and thanking them for the zeal shown, not only in his removal, but also in refusing to re-admit him, although they had been requested to do so, and recommending them not to admit to the office any one suspected.
6th March, 1580.

I. 226. Letter from John Aylmer, Bishop of London, to the Lord Mayor, informing him that Her Majesty had sent more than one person to him to take order for the singing in Christ Church in London, and requesting, as the overseeing of the foundation, the placing and displacing of ministers, the appointing and hiring of Conducts (fn. 7) belonged wholly to the City, that speedy remedy might be taken to fill the offices, and so prevent any further complaint being made to the Queen.
Fulham, 12th July, 1581.

I. 227. Letter from the Lord Mayor to the Lord Bishop of London thereon, informing him that an answer had been given to Dr. Dale, Master of the Court of Requests, to the effect that, the Church being part of the foundation of King Henry the Eighth, and certain Orders touching the service there being ordained to be observed, not only by the Letters Patent of foundation, but also by special covenants in Indentures between the said King and the City, the tenor of which not being kept by the City, they would be chargeable to Her Majesty according to the law, the Governors of the Hospital in West Smithfield, to whom the charge of the Church appertained, had therefore thought good to look into the foundation and covenants, and the state of the Church. They, finding that there ought to be six Priests to assist in the service, and that five of that number were laymen, wholly incapable, and that the sixth, although a Priest, was notorious for drunkenness and disorder, had thought good to remove them, and had appointed such persons as they were warranted.

The City further signified that Her Majesty's laws, touching the form of service and order of the book, should be observed, and referred the correction of such as should be found disobedient, to his Lordship and the order of the law. A person had been appointed for the Mayor and Aldermen, one for the Hospital, and Mr. Fanshawe, Her Majesty's Officer, for the Parish, to attend upon his Lordship, which had been delayed owing to Mr. Fanshawe's absence.
13th July, 1581.

I. 237. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Lord Bishop of London and the Lord Mayor, stating that they had been informed that sundry persons had lately repaired to the City and Liberties, out of divers parts of the Realm, who refused to go to Church, and conform themselves in matters of religion in the country where they dwelt, thinking, by withdrawing themselves into the City, they might escape, and directing the Lord Mayor, within his jurisdiction, to cause the Aldermen or their Deputies, in every Ward, to make searches and inquiries what persons had come out of the country from their ancient dwelling houses, to reside within the Liberties, as dwellers or sojourners, and to certify their names distinctly. In the Liberties adjoining the City, the Lord Bishop had required the Justices of the Peace, or other officers, to make inquiries, so that, upon an examination of both these searches and certificates, there might be some perfect and true book made by him of all such persons as, for the cause named, repaired to the City, or refused to conform themselves in matters of religion, who should be proceeded against according to the said Statute. (fn. 8) The search should be continued once a month. Prisoners under confinement for their obstinacy in such causes, should be requested by the keepers of the prisons, in the presence of some honest person, once in every month, to go to Church, and to conform according to the law, their liberty being offered them upon their so doing. Upon their refusing, a certificate should be forwarded by the keeper, to be presented at the next Sessions of the Peace, in order that the prisoners might not escape punishment.
28th May, 1581.

I. 244. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Sheriffs, reciting that Her Majesty had agreed that such Recusants as had been committed to prison for not conforming to the laws established for matters of religion, should, upon entering into bonds and securities, with certain conditions, be released, to the end that, having their liberty, they might, by some instruction, either resort to the Church, or if they continued obstinate, be proceeded against. Many had been set at liberty, and limited to remain within certain houses and places in Sundry Countries of the Realm, and some within the City of London, whose names, and the places where they were bound to continue, were contained in a Schedule, signed by one of the Clerks of the Council; some of them might try to excuse their attendance from Church, or otherwise evade the Statute, to prevent which, Her Majesty had commanded that diligent inquiries should be made in the places where the said persons had been assigned to remain, whether they repaired to the Church, and how they kept the conditions of their bond. If it appeared they did not observe them, then they should be indicted at the next Quarter Sessions, and proceeded against, and the steps taken communicated to the Council.
31st August, 1581.

I. 246. Copy of the Bond and Schedule mentioned in No. 244, the latter containing the following names:—

James Ansley, of London, Yeoman, in St. Dunstan's Parish.

John Gifford, of Longton, in the County of York, Gent., at the house of Thomas Brakenbury, in the Old Bailey.

Marie Oxenbridge, wife of D. Oxenbridge, (fn. 9) at the house of Edward Waterson, in Jury Lane.

William Carter, of the Parish of St. Olave's, in Hart Street, in London, at his house in Hart Street.

Andrew Barker, of Barking Parish, by Tower Hill, Gent., at his house in Seething Lane.

John Byfleete, of London, Gent., at his dwelling-house in London.

Anthony Throgmorton, (fn. 10) of London, Mercer, at his house in Canning Street.

I. 302. Letter from John Aylmer, Lord Bishop of London, to the Lord Mayor, Sir James Harvey, complaining of his unbecoming treatment of himself, the Clergy, and the late Bishop Horne, (fn. 11) and stating that, if he did not treat them with becoming reverence and respect, it would be his duty to admonish him from his chair, which was the pulpit, at Paul's Cross, where the Lord Mayor must sit, not as a judge to control, but as a scholar to learn and the writer, not as John Aylmer to be thwarted, but as John London to teach him and all London.
1st March, 1581.

[This is a very curious and Characteristic letter.]

I. 314. Letter from John (Aylmer), Lord Bishop of London, to the Lord Mayor with reference to the collection directed to be made for the relief of Lucas Argentens, and requesting him, for the carrying out of the same, and for other purposes, to direct the preachers, when they came up, to repair to him for his instructions, and to appoint some grave citizens to make the collections in every place, and thus satisfy the desire of Her Majesty and the Council.
6th April, 1582.

(And see 'Captives,' vol. i., letters 313, 15, 16.)

I. 320. Letter from the Lord Mayor to the Lords of the Council, stating that a complaint had been made to Her Majesty by one Bekwith, a Minor Canon of St. Paul's, against the Governors of Christ's Hospital, alleging that they had broken the King her father's order, and committed divers enormities and innovations at Christ Church, especially in expelling him and the rest of the singing-men; whereupon Her Majesty had committed the hearing of the complaint to the Lord Bishop and Dr. Dale, Master of Requests, before whom the tenor of the foundation was shown, and declaration made that no innovation had been made, but that the service of the Church had been reformed according to the foundation; that Bekwith had been expelled for his notorious lewdness, and the rest because they were Laymen, and that the service had been conducted according to the Book of Common Prayer, and in all points as at St. Paul's, except the use of the organs and prick songs; (fn. 12) the Lord Bishop and Dr. Dale expressed their satisfaction, and so the matter ended. Yet, notwithstanding, Bekwith and other Popishly affected persons still defamed the Governors to Her Majesty, and they had further proceeded to urge the Bishop to restore Bekwith and others without the assent of the Governors. The Governors therefore requested that some grave persons might be appointed by the Council to inquire into the charges, and that Bekwith being a slander to the Church and a spot on religion. the Bishop should be required to examine into the matter, and, if found true, to deprive him of his office.
March, 1581.

I. 352. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Sheriffs and Justices of the Peace in the County of Middlesex, commanding the Sheriffs, at the Quarter Sessions to be held at Midsummer, to call before them all the principal recusants, being gentlemen, gentlewomen, and widows, and to take bonds and securities of them for their personal appearance at the next Assizes to be held in the said County, to be proceeded against according to law, and those not appearing to be outlawed for contempt.
20th June, 1582.

I. 556. Letter from Sir Francis Walsingham, Knight, to the Lord Mayor, directing that Alice Tibutt, whom he had examined, and in whom he found no cause of restraint, should be discharged for her bond. With respect to the two Griffins, he had written to the Bishop of London to deal with them.
24th November, 1583.

I. 655. Letter from the Lord Mayor to the Lord Treasurer, informing him that Robert Church, who had been presented to the Commissioners appointed for the search of Popish Sectaries, having made his escape, had been attached again in the streets by the parties out of whose house he had escaped. Being brought before him, he had ascertained that he served the Duke of Parma in his wars, and upon his return had assumed the name of Cole, going suspiciously about from place to place. As Church had been already brought before some of the Council and dismissed, he begged to acquaint them with his arrest, and to learn their desire thereupon before further proceedings were taken against him.
9th April, 1592.

II. 88. Letter from the Lord Mayor to the Lord Bishop of London, (fn. 13) acknowledging the receipt of a letter from the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury (fn. 14) and the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, as to the placing of certain Priests or Singing Ministers within Christ Church beside Newgate Market, in the place of the present preaching Ministers, assuring him that the complainants were but a few of the inhabitants, and begging him to consider the effect of such an example within the City.
14th March, 1594.

II. 89. Reasons why the Preaching Ministers, allowed by the City in Christ Church Parish, should not be removed, and Singing Ministers supplied in their place.
Sans date.

II. 90. Answer of the Lord Mayor, to the Letter of the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, enclosing a Petition from the inhabitants of the Parish of Christ Church within Newgate, complaining of the alteration in the manner of performing Divine Service in the said Church, and beseeching them to restore the former Service, according to the foundation and the order prescribed in the Communion Book.
17th March, 1594.

II. 361. Letter from the King to the Lord Mayor and Aldermen, soliciting the presentation to the Church of St. Peter in Cornhill, vacant by the death of Mr. Doctor Mylward, (fn. 15) for Theophilus Field, (fn. 16) Chaplain of His Majesty's Household.
1st October, 1609.

III. 66. Letter from the Lord Mayor to the Archbishop of Canterbury (George Abbott), (fn. 17) acquainting him that it was his intention, out of zeal for religion, and for the better safety of the King's person, to put in execution the Statute made in the 3rd year of the King's reign, against Popish Recusants, (fn. 18) Jesuits, Seminaries, and such like, who forbore to repair to some usual Church or Chapel to hear Divine Service; and to that purpose he intended to take measures for procuring a Certificate of such persons sojourning or remaining in the City and Liberties, and to proceed against them; but that he had thought it good, before enterprising in the matter, to acquaint the Archbishop with his determination, lest anything he should do should seem distasteful to him or others, or prejudicial to the State, and requesting to be favoured with his opinion thereon. In the event of his intended action being approved, the Justices of the Peace for Middlesex and Surrey should be required to take a similar course in their several divisions.
24th November, 1612.

III. 67. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Lord Mayor, acknowledging the receipt of the foregoing, and commending his care and zeal in the matter, and requesting him to proceed, without favour or connivance, according to his religious purpose and resolution; for the better success whereof they had addressed letters to some choice persons of the Justices of the Peace of the Counties of Middlesex and Surrey, to confer with him as to some effectual course to be taken.
27th November, 1612.

III. 74. Letter from the Archbishop of Canterbury to the Lord Mayor, stating that the King was informed that, against the time of the solemnity at hand, very many Papists and Recusants flocked together to London, out of all parts of the kingdom, and that His Majesty had directed him to require the Lord Mayor immediately to call to him such persons as he could trust, and employ them, with the least noise that might be, to find out how many Recusants were lodged within the Liberties of the City, and to certify the same to the Archbishop.
11th February, 1612.

III. 75. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Lord Mayor, referring to their former letters recommending the reparation of the steeple of the Dutch Church, (fn. 19) commending the Lord Mayor's care in staying the intended demolition of the steeple, and expressing their hope that he would endeavour to procure contributions for its repair, which it appeared might easily be done at a small charge, towards which they were informed the Dutch Congregation would willingly contributed 50l.
14th February, 1612.

III. 76. Letter of the Lord Mayor in reply, stating that the steeple had been lately impaired and demolished by one Henry Robinson, who bought it of the Marquis of Winchester, (fn. 20) and, pretending it was so decayed that it could not be repaired, nor stand without danger to the inhabitants (which appeared otherwise to the Lord Mayor, by the view and report of divers very skilful workmen), set men to pull it down. Being commanded by the Lord Mayor to desist, he had proceeded the more speedily, and had denied passage to the officers sent to stay his workmen. He had cut and taken away a great quantity of the lead and timber, and thereby much impaired the steeple. For his contempt, and other unreverent speech and behaviour, the Lord Mayor had committed him to Newgate, where he would remain till he put in sufficient surety to make good what he had abated and pulled down. As he had threatened proceeding at law, the Lord Mayor requested to be informed of the pleasure of the Council in the matter. He hopes the Council would not desire to take the burden from others to whom it properly belonged, and throw it upon the City. The Dutch Congregation were very many in number, and a great part of them very wealthy and able persons, zealous in religion. They could not show more sensible effects of their piety than by maintaining their Church. Nevertheless, he would endeavour to procure some contributions towards the same.
16th February, 1612.

III. 80. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Lord Mayor, with reference to their former communications concerning the steeple of the Dutch Church, and stating that their object was to further any good work that might appertain to the ornament or beauty of the City; and while they proceeded with respect towards the Lord Mayor, they had no desire to prejudice the Marquis of Winchester, whose inheritance it was, and from whom the City might have purchased it at an easier rate than it had been sold for, or, if they would have repaired it, he would willingly have left it to their disposition. But it being sold to a private individual, who bought it to make benefit, it must necessarily come down, if they did not accept a second offer made by Robinson, viz., to repay him within a fortnight the money the steeple and some ground and buildings adjacent cost him, the expenses incurred in pulling down so much of it as had been demolished, and the other expenses he had sustained.
19th February, 1612

III. 86. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Lord Mayor concerning the number of Foreigners in divers parts of the realm, who had been permitted by the State to settle here on account of the persecutions and troubles in the countries adjoining; and intimating that the King had been informed that many of the Foreigners resident in the City were of no Congregation, for which reason amongst others the Lord Mayor was required to call before him the Ministers of the French and Dutch Congregations, and direct them to set down the names and surnames of such strangers as were of their Congregations, and to deliver up the names of as many of their nation as they knew were not of their Congregations.
7th March, 1612.

III. 89. Reply of the Lord Mayor, forwarding the Certificates of the Ministers of the several Congregations; but stating that the Ministers could give no certain account of such as were not of their Congregations, seeing that they did not reside in the City.
20th March, 1612.

III. 93. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Lord Mayor, acknowledging receipt of the Certificates, thanking him for his offer to assist them in endeavouring to obtain particular information of the rest dwelling in the suburbs and places adjacent to the City, in the County of Middlesex, and requesting him, with the assistance of two Justices of the Peace for Middlesex, to inform himself of all strangers not contained in the former lists remaining in the Cities of London or Westminster or the parts adjoining, and certify their names to the Council.
15th April, 1613.

III. 99. Letter from the Lord Mayor to the Lords of the Council forwarding Certificate of the names and surnames of all strangers dispersed in the several Wards of the City who were not of the Dutch and French Congregations.
9th June, 1613.

IV. 30. Letter from the King to the Lord Mayor, intimating that, with the advice of the late Archbishop (Abbott) and others of his Council, he had given order for the erecting of a College of Divines at Chelsea, specially to attend the defence of the Christian faith and the confuting of erroneous doctrine, and commending the work to his charity and devotion, and further, requesting him to deal with the Aldermen, and they with the inhabitants of their Wards, to extend their benevolence towards the perfecting of the work. Dr. Sutcliffe, (fn. 21) designed Provost of the College, would attend him, who would from time to time advertis the King of his proceedings.
Thetford, 5th May, 1616.

V. 86. Copy of a Statement, entitled, 'The Desire of the Ministers of London.' The Statement relates to the mode of valuing houses for the assessment of tithes, and in it reference is made to a composition, dated, 14th December, 1457, made by eight citizens who were appointed arbitrators in the matter;—to an Act of Common Council of the 3rd March, 14 Edward IV. (1475), by which the Citizens bound themselves to the payment of 3s. 6d. in the pound for oblations or tithes;—and to another Act of Common Council of the 25th Henry VIII.(1533–4) enacting that 2s. 9d in the pound should be paid
(Circa 1620.)

V. 93. Warrant from the Lord Chancellor (Lord Verulam) to the Lord Mayor, intimating that the Commissioners for the reconciling of a difference between the Citizens and the Ministers and Preachers in the City, touching the increase of maintenance of the latter, had appointed Wednesday next for the hearing of the case, and requiring him, and the rest whom it might concern, to take notice thereof, that they might prepare counsel to attend accordingly.
York House, 3rd December, 1620.

VI. 168. Letter from the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen to the Lord Keeper (Coventry), stating that they had received a Petition from Inhabitants of the Parish of St. Andrew Hubbard, (fn. 22) and Certificates from the Churchwardens and others, that the Church was in great and dangerous decay, and could not be repaired under such a sum of money as by the Petition and Certificates enclosed appeared, in which also was shown their poverty and utter inability to repair it, being mostly of mean trades, as basket-makers and turners. The Court therefore requested him to intercede with the King for the grant of Letters Patent, for a supply, by way of charity to the work, out of such parts of the Kingdom as should be thought fittest.
Dated in Margin, 4th March, 1628.

VI. 192. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Lord Mayor, stating that the King had been informed there were a larger number of Recusants than usual in and near the City, and they, therefore, by His Majesty's express command, required a diligent search to be made and certificate returned of such Recusants, whether householders, inmates, or lodgers, giving their names, qualities, and conditions, distinguishing such as were tradesmen, who were here by occasion of their trades according to the Statute, and such as were not traders, but resorted to the City from other parts of the Kingdom.
Whitehall, 4th December, 1628.

VII. 16. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Lord Mayor and the Sheriffs, reciting that the King, being informed of the bold and frequent repair made by divers of his subjects to the hearing of Mass in sundry places within the City and Liberties, considering the public scandal and dangerous consequences thereof, had, with the advice of the Board, set down a course for the prevention of the evil before it should spread itself too far. The Council had appointed Humphrey Crosse, one of the Messengers of His Majesty's Chamber, for the observing and apprehending of persons repairing to Mass; and they required the Lord Mayor and the Sheriffs to assist him, and those employed by him, with their authority.
Whitehall, 13th March, 1629.

VII. 128. Petition of the Mayor, Aldermen, and Commons of the City of London to the King, reciting that by Act of Common Council they had (so much as in them lay) submitted the difference between the Clergy of London and their Parishioners to His Majesty's judgment and award, and praying—

1. That the Clergy of the City being incorporated, might likewise by common consent submit the difference to His Majesty.

2. That those who hold Parsonages impropriate might have no addition, but the Vicarages of those Parishes might be augmented out of the impropriations.

3. That if any increase were made in Parishes partly in London and partly in Middlesex, the whole burden might not lie in London.

4. That the King would appoint a convenient time for the preparation of their cause by counsel, and for their attendance on His Majesty thereon.
(Circa 1633.)

VII. 133. Further Order in Council concerning Tithes; the submission of the Clergy and the City being presented to the Board by instruments in writing, the 18th January next appointed for the hearing of the cause before the Council.
Whitehall, 14th December, 1634.

VIII. 143. Order in Council with respect to differences between the Clergy and their Parishioners concerning Tithes, which the King desired to be left to his arbitration, and upon which the Clergy, the Recorder, and some Aldermen had been summoned; but the latter, pleading that they came not as parties interested, but only in obedience to his Majesty's pleasure, had asked for time to consult the Common Council. The matter was therefore adjourned till the 16th November instant.
5th November, 1634.

VIII. 144. Order of Council touching the matter in dispute concerning Tithes, reciting that the Recorder had stated that in the reign of Henry the Eighth, upon a similar occasion, the question was propounded to the several Wards, and the Common Council, having received their answers thereupon, submitted to the course set down, and had asked that the same course might be taken now, the rather because the authority of the said Common Council was only for matter of government and safety, not meddling with the right or interest of any. The King absolutely declared he would not wait for such a manner of proceeding, but would expect a full answer from the Lord Mayor, and also from the Common Council, which was the representative body, by the 23rd instant.
16th November, 1634.

VIII. 145. Same as No. 133, Vol. VII.
14th December, 1634.

VIII. 149. Order of the King to all Judges, Barons of Exchequer, &c., to stay proceedings against William Stanford, one of the Queen's servants, for recusancy.
9th January, 1634.

VIII. 150. Copy of the instrument, under the City Seal, for submitting to the King's award in the matter in dispute concerning Tithes, referred to in Letter No. 133. Vol. VII.
19th November, 1634.

VIII. 179. Letter from the Lords of the Council to the Lord Mayor and Aldermen, Justices of the Peace of the City, requiring them forthwith to direct the Deputies and Constables of their several Wards, to certify to them the names of all Popish Recusants residing therein, the certificate to be forwarded to the Council before the beginning of Michaelmas term next.
23rd June, 1636.

VIII. 203. Order in Council with respect to the differences concerning the valuation of the Tithes in the several Benefices in the City, and directing meetings to be held in the several Parishes between the Clergy and persons appointed on their behalf, on the one hand, and the Alderman, of the Ward or his Deputy, or persons appointed by them, on the other hand, to inquire and certify (if they could agree thereupon) the clear and independent maintenance of each of the said ministers for the present year, and of all impropriations as well by tithes as by glebe or casual duties; and also a moderate valuation of the houses and other things titheable in each Parish. The certificate to be presented to His Majesty the first Sunday in June next. If the parties could not agree upon a valuation, they should certify separately.
22nd April, 1638.

VIII. 206. Order in Council extending the time allowed for the presentation of the Valuation concerning Tithes, &c., to the first Sunday after Michaelmas.
27th May, 1638.

IX. 50. Letter from Edward Nicholas, by command of the King, to the Lord Mayor and the Justices of the goal delivery of Oyer and Terminer of London and Middlesex, stating that His Majesty had been informed that there were several persons going by the name of Quakers, or other separatists, in the gaols of London and Middlesex for attending unlawful assemblies, who yet professed obedience and allegiance. Whilst desirous that all his subjects should be brought to agree to one uniform worship of God and in conformity with the laws, nevertheless, upon the occasion of public joy for the first coming of the Queen to the Palace of Westminster, His Majesty declared his royal pleasure that all the said persons, who had not been indicated for refusing the Oath of Allegiance, nor had been ringleaders or preachers at their assemblies, should be released.
22nd August, 1662.

IX. 52. Letter from the King to the Lord Mayor and Aldermen, recommending Dr. Bolton (fn. 23) to the Rectory of St. Peter's, Cornhill, in the room of the late Incumbent, removed for non-subscription.
8th September, 1662.

IX. 53. Letter from Sir. William Morrice, by command of the King, to the Lord Mayor and Aldermen, stating he had referred the claims of Dr. Hodges, (fn. 24) Dean of Hereford, and Dr. Bolton to the parsonage of St. Peter's, Cornhill, to the consideration of the Earl of Clarendon, (fn. 25) Lord Chancellor, and Gilbert (Sheldon). (fn. 26) Bishop of London, who had reported that the Mayor and Aldermen, the patrons, had approved of Dr. Hodges for that office, which the King confirmed.
14th October, 1662.