Rymer's Foedera with Syllabus: Epistle Dedicatory

Epistle Dedicatory

TO THE QUEEN.

Most Excellent Sovereign,

This Book affords not much Variety in the Business and Adventures of War. The Language is changed, and Peace now is become the Word in Fashion.

Our Neighbour, for so many Generations call'd our Adversary of France, now in this Your Twelfth Volume is our most dear Cousin of France, or Lewis of France our most dear Cousin.

Twice indeed Armies are Rais'd, and we find on the Muster Roll Archers on Horse-back, Archers on Foot, Bills, Halbards, Demi-Lances, Spears, and Men of Arms with their Custrells.

These are carried into France: But no Fighting.

They bring home French Gold; so many Hundred Thousand Scutes, which was Money in those Days, decide the Controversy, and make an end of the Qnarrel.

Lewis the Eleventh, that Wise Prince, struck the Bargain with our King Edward IV. And the Bargain was Renewed, the Payments continued, and the Arrearages Accounted for by him during Life, by his Son Charles the Eighth, and by their Successors, with our King Henry VII. Your Majesty's most Noble Progenitor.

But this Reign, beside the old Trade of War, was more especially distinguished on account of Adventures of quite another nature; Now it is that new Schemes of Navigation are devis'd, new Searches made, new Land, new Seas, another World, another Indies are found out, till then not known nor before discovered to Mankind that Inhabit on this side the Globe.

Thus Traffick and Commerce had a new Countenance, and the Northern America successfully cultivated by our Merchants and Planters ever since, down to our Times: But the Mar del Zur was not yet rendred English; The South Sea Navigation, Discoveries and Trade, seem as a particular Blessing by the Divine Providence reserv'd for Your Majesty's most Auspicious Reign, that with the Benefits of Civil Life our true Religion might be Communicated and Carried to the Extremities of the Earth; And the Light of the Holy Gospel shine forth in the most Remote and Darkest Regions.

This Book, Most Gracious Sovereign, ends with a Treaty, of all Treaties the most Memorable and most Important; the Effects of which make the Ornament and Security, the Joy and Felicity of these our Times; for the which, Your Kingdoms and even all Europe at this Day have cause to bless God; I mean the Marriage Treaty of Your most Noble Progenitors, Margaret of England with James the Fourth of Scotland, from which Your most Sacred Person is Descended to the Imperial Seat, and so happily fill the Throne of Great Britain at this Day.

Whereon that God long continue Your most Glorious Reign, is the Prayer of all good People and

Your Majesty's

Most Devoted Servant,

T. Rymer.