BL La 7, 56

BL MSS Lansdowne 7, 56
Wright: Queen Elizabeth and her Times Vol 1, 1838, No. 76 Page 162
Archbishop of Canterbury to Cecil, Bekesbourn, Jan. 20 1563/4

Transcribed by Thomas Wright

Sir, for that the contrye here is in much preplexitie and feare, douting what may followe of the preparation they heare of made by the Frenche, I thought good to write to your Honor privately howe small soever my skyl is in such causes. I trust ye will beare with that in respect of my zeale to my contrye. Indeed the feare ryseth upon consideration that Dover Castel, Walmer, Deale Castel, Wynborowe Castel, be as forsaken and unregarded for any provision, the contrye destitute of the Lord Warden, or of a Lyvetenant, to whom in suche straightes men myght resort, the people but feble and unarmed, and commonly discomforted.
This daye I sent my man into Tenet to Sir Henry Crispe, who standeth in muche doubt: he hath understanding of a Frenche pynneys to have searched as far as the Temmys mouth to knowe how the Queene's shippes be appointed. He thinketh they be like to land in Shepeye, to kepe the Queene's shippes within the Temmys, and not to come forth : wherupon they may be the bolder to arrive, and if the contrye be not comforted, I feare that som folkes of welth will be removing their housholde and substance : upon which example more may do the lyke, but that I repose my wholl trust and confidence, next to God, in the Queene's Majestie's carefulness and your prudent forsight towards this quarter, (I have no great trust in the furnyture of men, munition, or artillery), I wold ellys be carryed with mistrustes of the worste, as other men be most commonly. I also sent another messenger to Dover, to the Lyvetenant. The people in the town, as he reported, be amased, and have their hearts cold to heare of no preparation to ward this feared myschief, though you see fully all maner of procedings and can note the furdest sequel of them, yet in my opynion it wer not amisse through some participation of advyses preceded into these quarters, to sprede them abrode to the staye of the people, for to whom to go, upon whom to staye, they knowe not. We have too fewe justices betwixt Canterbery and Dover nowe. I wold Mr. Edward Boyes were one, whom I take to be a honest stayd gentleman, &c. Some of our justices go to the terme, and a fewe remayn.
I praye your Honor send me some information by this my servant, not for that I can see any abilitie in myself to do service that waye, yet I could cause my neighbours to trust well, and cause my chaplayns to comfort the people in their sorrows in the poore villages, and this is the best we can do in our skyll, beseching God to assist the Queene's Majestie in all your circumspections, ita maturare consilia vestra, that peace and veritie may still reign amongest us in our dayes.
At my house at Bekesborne, the 20th of Januarye. Your Honor's assured,

Matthue Cantuar