Privy Council Letter to the Master of the Rolls et al

pp 414–15 (23 June) (Greenwich)

...

A lettre to the master of the Rolles Sir Owen Hopton knight Iohn Barnes and Richard yonge Esquiors whereas her maiestie is informed that certaine Apprentyces and other idle people theire adherentes that were authors and partakers of the late mutynous and foule disorder in Southwarke in moste outrageous and tumultuous sorte haue a further purpose and meaninge on Midsommer eueninge or Midsommer nighte or about that tyme to renewe theire leud assemblye togeather by Cullour of the tyme for some bad and mischeiuous intencion to the disturbance and breache of her maiestes peace and Comyttinge some outrageus. To preuente in tyme theis wicked and mischeuious purposes wee haue giuen straighte order to the maior of London for the Cittye and the liberties therevnto belonginge and to all other places nerre to the same to haue regarde herevnto; And so likewyse wee are in her maiestes name straightlie to Chardge and Comaunde yow presentlye vpon sighte hereof to sende for the Constables & some of the Cheifest and descreetest inhabitantes in Holborne Clerkenwell St Giles in the feildes &c and others places nere thereaboutes, and to chardge and Comaunde them to take ordr | order that there maye be a stronge and substancyall watche kept bothe on Midsommer Eueninge Midsommer night and Sondaye at nighte of housholders and Masters of families to Contynue from the beginninge of the Eueninge vntill the morninge, and that all masters of servauntes and of Apprentyses be straightlie Chardged as they will answere to the Contrarye at theire perilles to keepe theire seruantes in theire houses for those two nightes, so as they maie be within the dores before the Eueninge and not suffered to Come forthe nor to haue anye weapons yf they shoulde be so lewdlie disposed to execute anye euill purpose And yf notwithstandinge this straighte chardge and Comaundment any seruantes apprentyces or other suspected persons shalbe founde in the streetes, to see them presentlie Comytted to prison. Especiallie yow shall take order that theis watches of housholders, may be of that strengthe with theire weapons as they maie be hable yf there be anie vprore Tumult or vnlawfull assemblye to suppresse the same. Moreouer for avoydinge of theis vnlawfull assemblies in those quarters yt is thoughte meete yow shall take order that there be noe playes vsed in anye place nerre thereaboutes as the Theator, Curtayne or other vsuall places there where the same are Comonly vsed nor no other sorte of vnlawfull or forbidden Pastymes that drawe togeather the baser sorte of people from hence forth vntill the feast of St michaell. Herein wee are to require yow yourselues to Call to yow the head Constables and other officers and suche principall men as dwell in those quarters, and to take some extraordynarye paines to see theis orders straightlie obserued, and all other thinges effectually performed that maye tende and be necessarye, for the preseruacion of the Peace auoydinge of Tumult and suppressinge of suche disordr as maie happen or be any waie intended and to ioyne and assyste suche officers of the Cittye as shall keepe Watche nerre vnto yow.

Sixe other letters of the like Tenour to the persons and places followinge./

Surrey

Mr Gardiner Mr Bowier Mr Parker

for ye precincts of

Newington Kentish streete Barmondseystreete Clinck, Paris garden & the banckside.

Lieutenant of ye Tower. Master of St Katins

for ye precincts of

St Catherins Estsmithfeilde

Lord Wentworthe

for yeis precincts

Ratcliffe Shorditch Whitechappell.

Lord Cobham

for ye

Blackfriers.

Sir Thomas Sherley

for the

Whitefriers.

Bailiue of Westminster

Westminster St Martins ye Stronde