you

service, that we cannot doubt but will take all occasions to express the same; and as we are ready to sell or engage any of our land, so have we melted down our plate for the payment of our army, raised for our defence, and the preservation of our kingdom. And having received several quantities of plate from divers of our loving subjects, we have removed our mint hither to our city of Oxford, for the coining thereof.

And we do hereby desire you, that you will lend unto us all such plate, of what kind soever, which belongs to your college; promising you to see the same justly repaid unto you, after the rate of five shillings the ounce for white, and five-and-sixpence for gilt plate, as soon as God shall enable us. For, assure yourselves, we shall never let persons, of whom we have so great a care, suffer for their affection to us, but shall take special order for the repayment of what you have already lent us, according to our promise, and also of this you now lend in plate, well knowing it to be the goods of your college, that you ought not to alien; though no man will doubt but in such a case you may lawfully lend, to assist your king in such visible necessity.

And we have entrusted our trusty and well-beloved Sir William Parkhurst, knight, and Thomas Bushee, esquire, officers of our mint, or either of them, to receive the said plate from you; who, upon weighing thereof, shall give you a receipt under their, or one of their hands, for the same.

And we assure ourself of your willingness to gratify us herein; since, besides the more public considerations,

letter. Thus much desiring your comfortable answer to

these my sad lines, I rest

Your loving brother,

CHARLES P.

Royston, March 9, 1642.

Charles I. to the Earl of Newcastle.1

Newcastle,

This is to tell you that this rebellion is grown to that height, that I must not look what opinion men are who at the time [are] willing and able to serve me. Therefore, I do not only permit, but command you to make use of all my loving subjects' services, without examining their consciences, (more than their loyalty to me) as you shall find most to conduce to the upholding of my just regal power. So I rest

Your most assured faithful friend,

CHARLES R.

Shrewsbury, 23rd September, 1642.

Charles I. to the Earl of Newcastle; with thanks, and announcing the sending of money to him.2

Newcastle,

Your endeavours are so really faithful and lucky in my service, that though I pretend not to thank you in words, yet I cannot but tell you of (though I can

1 MS. Harl., 6988, art. 69. This note is a striking evidence of the king's extreme anxiety to increase his forces at this critical period. 2 MS. Harl., 6988, art. 71.

partly for my royal mother's and your absence, and partly for the disturbances of this kingdom. I could wish and daily pray that there might be a conjunct and perfect uniting between my father's majesty and his Parliament, that there might be a perfect concordance with them in the subject to the removal of the grievances of the country, and the renewing of our decayed joys. For, during their variance betwixt them, this kingdom must of necessity lie under most palpable danger through fear of foreign or domestic enemies, they having now the lamps of the all-discerning Parliament darkened, through the inconvenience of the many combustions now on foot.

As for the militia of the kingdom, it is not yet determined upon nor settled, which of itself is one of the principal fortitudes wherewith this kingdom is adorned.

Ireland was never in more danger than now of late, there being many towns in the province of Asper taken by the rebels, others endangered. But the last intelligence presented us with better news, wherein we understand of a fatal overthrow given the rebels' party, to their loss of ten thousand men ; wherein O'Neal was supposed to be taken prisoner, Colonel Brunslow, and divers other of their officers likewise following him in his sad misfortune.

Dear sister, we are, as much as we may, merry; and more than we would, sad, in respect we cannot alter the present distempers of these turbulent times.

My father's resolution is now for York, where he intends to reside to see the event or sequel to these bad .inprospitious beginnings; whither you may direct your

letter. Thus much desiring your comfortable answer to

these my sad lines, I rest

Your loving brother,

CHARLES P.

Royston, March 9, 1642.

Charles I. to the Earl of Newcastle.1

Newcastle,

This is to tell you that this rebellion is grown to that height, that I must not look what opinion men are who at the time [are] willing and able to serve me. Therefore, I do not only permit, but command you to make use of all my loving subjects' services, without examining their consciences, (more than their loyalty to me) as you shall find most to conduce to the upholding of my just regal power. So I rest

Your most assured faithful friend,

CHARLES R.

Shrewsbury, 23rd September, 1642.

Charles I. to the Earl of Newcastle; with thanks, and announcing the sending of money to him.2

Newcastle,

Your endeavours are so really faithful and lucky in my service, that though I pretend not to thank you in words, yet I cannot but tell you of (though I can

1 MS. Harl., 6988, art. 69. This note is a striking evidence of the king's extreme anxiety to increase his forces at this critical period. 2 MS. Harl., 6988, art. 71.

not all) the sense I have of them, when, as now, I have time and opportunity for it. This bearer will tell you of the defeat the rebels have gotten, which referring to him, I will tell you of four thousand pounds I have sent you, for which do not too much thank me, for it may be, you should not have had it if I had known how it might have been speedily and safely conveyed hither, yet I think very well employed. That I have designed of you is to make what haste you can to come to join your forces with mine, for I suppose and hope that my wife will be come to you before you can be ready to march. I write this, that ye may be ready when she comes, or if (as it is possible) she should take another course, you might make haste without her; the certainty of which (I mean my wife's journey) you will know within few days or hours after the return of this bearer.

This is all for this time. So I rest

Your most assured, constant friend,

Oxford, November 2, 1642.

CHARLES R.

Charles I. to the Marquis of Hamilton.2

Hamilton,

Though the trust of this bearer needs not a credential letter, yet the civility of a friend cannot but, under his hand as well as by word of mouth, express his kindness and resentment of courtesies, which of late hath been such, that you have given me just cause to give

1 Referring to the battle of Edge-Hill, which had taken place in the previous month.

2 MS. Harl., 841.