BL La 13 22

BL MSS Lansdowne 13 22
Wright: Queen Elizabeth and her Times Vol 1, 1838, No. 202 page 415
Thomas Randolph to the Bishop of Durham, At Lyethe, the 23st of Marche

Transcribed by Thomas Wright

Knowing of this bearer, Roger Pilsson, my olde servant's repaire towards your Lordship, I wolde not leave my duetie undone by my letters, with desyre to be excuse that I sawe not your Lordship at my passing by you, the waye and weather being so evil and myself not well at ease, mynding God wylling, to see your Lordship on my return, whereof I am as yet uncertayne, as we are to what end those matters will take which we have in hande.
After the 25th of this instant, when the whole assemblie of the frends of either partie wil be, we shal be able to give some readie gesse what may become of it, or at the least we mynde not after that daye to make longe abode here.
Those of the castell attende La Crocke, a Frenchman's, coming, thynking to fynde more comforte and assurance at his handes than we can give them, except theie will acknowledge their obedience to the King and Regent, which hytherto theie refuse to do, and we withowte that can do nothing for them. Of their particular doings, and in what sorte eache other deale with other, this bearer can shewe your Lordship.
Oute of London we feare yet no other but that he (1) remayneth yet alive, that is to be wished long synce he had bene dispached.
I feare that the Bishop of Lincoln's words in his sermone before her Majestie will prove true, alleged out of Augustine, that there was misericordia puniens, crudelitas parcens, in consyderation whereof, great evil dyd insue.
God have your Lordship in his keeping. At Lyethe, the 23st of Marche.

(1) The Duke of Norfolk. The Queen's reluctance to order his execution is well known.