To my Reverend Mayster, Thomas Danyell, Squier for the Kyngs Body, be thys letter delyverd in haste.
Most reverend mayster, I recomaund me on to yowr graceus maystreschup, ever deseryng to her of yowr wurschupfull ustate, the whyche All myghte God mayntayne hyt, and encrese hyt on to hys plesans: Plesyng yow to know of my wellfare, and of all yowr men, at the makyng of thys letter, we wer in gode hele of body i blessyd be God.
Mo over, mayster, I send yow word, by Rauly Pykeryng, of all maters, the whyche I be seche yow yeve hym credens, as he wyll enforme yow of all; so, sur, I beseche yow, in the reverens of God, that ye wyll enforme owr Soverayn Lord the Kyng of all maters that I send yow in thys letter, lyke as I have send a letter to my Lord Chaunseler and to all my Lordys by the sayd Pykeryng; the whyche letter I beseche yow that ye take and delyver to my Lord and all my Lordys by yowr awne handys, and lete the sayd Pykeryng declare all thyngs as he hath sayn and knoweth.
Furst, I send yow word that when we went to see, we toke ij. schyppys of Brast comyng owte of Flaundrys; and then after, ther ys made a grete armyng in Brytayne to mete with me and my felyschyp, that ys to say, the grete schyp of Brast, the grete schyp of the Morleys, the grete schyp of Vanng, with other viij. schyppis, bargys, and balyngers, to the number of iij. mli men; and so we lay in the see to me[te] with them.
And then we mette with a flotte of a c. grete schyppys of Pruse, Lubycke, Campe, Rastocke, Holond, Selond, and Flandres, betwyte Garnyse [_Guernsey_] and Portland; and then I cam abord the Admirall, and bade them stryke in the Kyngys name of Englond, and they bade me skyte in the Kyngs name of Englond; and then I and my feleschyp sayd, but he wyll streke don the sayle, that I wyld over sayle ham by the grace of God, and God wyll send me wynd and wether; and dey bade me do my wurst, by cause I had so fewe schyppys and so smale, that they scornyd with me. And as God wuld, on Fryday last was, we had a gode wynd, and then we armyd to the number of ij. ml. men in my felyschyp, and made us redy for to over sayle them; and then they lonchyd a bote, and sette up a stondert of truesse, and com and spake with me. And ther they were yolded all the hundret schyppys to go with me in what port that me lust and my felawys; but they faothe with me the day before, and schotte atte us a j. ml. gonnys, and quarell owte of number, and have slayn meny of my felyschyp, and meymyd all soo. Wherfor me thyngkyt that they haye forfett bothe schypps and godys at our Soverayn Lord the Kyngys wyll. Besechyng yow that ye do yowr parte in thys mater, for thys I have wrytyn to my Lord Chaunseler and all my Lordys of the Kyngys Counsell; and so I have brofte them, all the c. shyppys, within Wyght, in spyte of them all.
And ye myght gete leve of owr Soverayn Lord the Kyng to com hydder, hyt schall turne yow to grete wurschup and profett, to helpe make owr a poyntement in the Kyngs name, for ye sawe never suche a syght of schyppys take in to Englond this c. wynter; for we ly armyd nyght and day to kepe them, in to the tyme that we have tydengs of our Soverayn and hys counsell. For truly they have do harme to me, and to my feleschyp, and to yowr schyppys more [than] ij. ml. li. worth harme; and therfor I am avesyd, and all my feleschyp, to droune them and slee them, withoute that we hafe tydyngs from owr Soverayn the Kyng and hys counsell. And therfor, in the reverens of God, come ye yowr self, and ye schall have a grete avayle and wurschup of yowr comyng to see a suche syght, for I der well sey that I have her at this tyme all the cheff schyppys of Duchelond, Holond, Selond, and Flaundrys, and now hyt wer tyme for to trete for a fynell pese as for that partyes.
I writ no more to yow at this tyme, but All myghty Jesus have yow in hys kepyng. I writ in hast, within Wyght, on Soneday at nyght after the Ascencion of owr Lord.
By yowr owne Servant,
ROBT. WENYNGTON.
To my Reverend Mayster, Thomas Danyell, Squier for the Kyngs Body, be thys letter delyverd in haste.
Most reverend mayster, I recomaund me on to yowr graceus maystreschup, ever deseryng to her of yowr wurschupfull ustate, the whyche All myghte God mayntayne hyt, and encrese hyt on to hys plesans: Plesyng yow to know of my wellfare, and of all yowr men, at the makyng of thys letter, we wer in gode hele of body i blessyd be God.
Mo over, mayster, I send yow word, by Rauly Pykeryng, of all maters, the whyche I be seche yow yeve hym credens, as he wyll enforme yow of all; so, sur, I beseche yow, in the reverens of God, that ye wyll enforme owr Soverayn Lord the Kyng of all maters that I send yow in thys letter, lyke as I have send a letter to my Lord Chaunseler and to all my Lordys by the sayd Pykeryng; the whyche letter I beseche yow that ye take and delyver to my Lord and all my Lordys by yowr awne handys, and lete the sayd Pykeryng declare all thyngs as he hath sayn and knoweth.
Furst, I send yow word that when we went to see, we toke ij. schyppys of Brast comyng owte of Flaundrys; and then after, ther ys made a grete armyng in Brytayne to mete with me and my felyschyp, that ys to say, the grete schyp of Brast, the grete schyp of the Morleys, the grete schyp of Vanng, with other viij. schyppis, bargys, and balyngers, to the number of iij. mli men; and so we lay in the see to me[te] with them.
And then we mette with a flotte of a c. grete schyppys of Pruse, Lubycke, Campe, Rastocke, Holond, Selond, and Flandres, betwyte Garnyse [_Guernsey_] and Portland; and then I cam abord the Admirall, and bade them stryke in the Kyngys name of Englond, and they bade me skyte in the Kyngs name of Englond; and then I and my feleschyp sayd, but he wyll streke don the sayle, that I wyld over sayle ham by the grace of God, and God wyll send me wynd and wether; and dey bade me do my wurst, by cause I had so fewe schyppys and so smale, that they scornyd with me. And as God wuld, on Fryday last was, we had a gode wynd, and then we armyd to the number of ij. ml. men in my felyschyp, and made us redy for to over sayle them; and then they lonchyd a bote, and sette up a stondert of truesse, and com and spake with me. And ther they were yolded all the hundret schyppys to go with me in what port that me lust and my felawys; but they faothe with me the day before, and schotte atte us a j. ml. gonnys, and quarell owte of number, and have slayn meny of my felyschyp, and meymyd all soo. Wherfor me thyngkyt that they haye forfett bothe schypps and godys at our Soverayn Lord the Kyngys wyll. Besechyng yow that ye do yowr parte in thys mater, for thys I have wrytyn to my Lord Chaunseler and all my Lordys of the Kyngys Counsell; and so I have brofte them, all the c. shyppys, within Wyght, in spyte of them all.
And ye myght gete leve of owr Soverayn Lord the Kyng to com hydder, hyt schall turne yow to grete wurschup and profett, to helpe make owr a poyntement in the Kyngs name, for ye sawe never suche a syght of schyppys take in to Englond this c. wynter; for we ly armyd nyght and day to kepe them, in to the tyme that we have tydengs of our Soverayn and hys counsell. For truly they have do harme to me, and to my feleschyp, and to yowr schyppys more [than] ij. ml. li. worth harme; and therfor I am avesyd, and all my feleschyp, to droune them and slee them, withoute that we hafe tydyngs from owr Soverayn the Kyng and hys counsell. And therfor, in the reverens of God, come ye yowr self, and ye schall have a grete avayle and wurschup of yowr comyng to see a suche syght, for I der well sey that I have her at this tyme all the cheff schyppys of Duchelond, Holond, Selond, and Flaundrys, and now hyt wer tyme for to trete for a fynell pese as for that partyes.
I writ no more to yow at this tyme, but All myghty Jesus have yow in hys kepyng. I writ in hast, within Wyght, on Soneday at nyght after the Ascencion of owr Lord.
By yowr owne Servant,
ROBT. WENYNGTON.
To my Reverend Mayster, Thomas Danyell, Squier for the Kyngs Body, be thys letter delyverd in haste.
Most reverend mayster, I recomaund me on to yowr graceus maystreschup, ever deseryng to her of yowr wurschupfull ustate, the whyche All myghte God mayntayne hyt, and encrese hyt on to hys plesans: Plesyng yow to know of my wellfare, and of all yowr men, at the makyng of thys letter, we wer in gode hele of body i blessyd be God.
Mo over, mayster, I send yow word, by Rauly Pykeryng, of all maters, the whyche I be seche yow yeve hym credens, as he wyll enforme yow of all; so, sur, I beseche yow, in the reverens of God, that ye wyll enforme owr Soverayn Lord the Kyng of all maters that I send yow in thys letter, lyke as I have send a letter to my Lord Chaunseler and to all my Lordys by the sayd Pykeryng; the whyche letter I beseche yow that ye take and delyver to my Lord and all my Lordys by yowr awne handys, and lete the sayd Pykeryng declare all thyngs as he hath sayn and knoweth.
Furst, I send yow word that when we went to see, we toke ij. schyppys of Brast comyng owte of Flaundrys; and then after, ther ys made a grete armyng in Brytayne to mete with me and my felyschyp, that ys to say, the grete schyp of Brast, the grete schyp of the Morleys, the grete schyp of Vanng, with other viij. schyppis, bargys, and balyngers, to the number of iij. mli men; and so we lay in the see to me[te] with them.
And then we mette with a flotte of a c. grete schyppys of Pruse, Lubycke, Campe, Rastocke, Holond, Selond, and Flandres, betwyte Garnyse [_Guernsey_] and Portland; and then I cam abord the Admirall, and bade them stryke in the Kyngys name of Englond, and they bade me skyte in the Kyngs name of Englond; and then I and my feleschyp sayd, but he wyll streke don the sayle, that I wyld over sayle ham by the grace of God, and God wyll send me wynd and wether; and dey bade me do my wurst, by cause I had so fewe schyppys and so smale, that they scornyd with me. And as God wuld, on Fryday last was, we had a gode wynd, and then we armyd to the number of ij. ml. men in my felyschyp, and made us redy for to over sayle them; and then they lonchyd a bote, and sette up a stondert of truesse, and com and spake with me. And ther they were yolded all the hundret schyppys to go with me in what port that me lust and my felawys; but they faothe with me the day before, and schotte atte us a j. ml. gonnys, and quarell owte of number, and have slayn meny of my felyschyp, and meymyd all soo. Wherfor me thyngkyt that they haye forfett bothe schypps and godys at our Soverayn Lord the Kyngys wyll. Besechyng yow that ye do yowr parte in thys mater, for thys I have wrytyn to my Lord Chaunseler and all my Lordys of the Kyngys Counsell; and so I have brofte them, all the c. shyppys, within Wyght, in spyte of them all.
And ye myght gete leve of owr Soverayn Lord the Kyng to com hydder, hyt schall turne yow to grete wurschup and profett, to helpe make owr a poyntement in the Kyngs name, for ye sawe never suche a syght of schyppys take in to Englond this c. wynter; for we ly armyd nyght and day to kepe them, in to the tyme that we have tydengs of our Soverayn and hys counsell. For truly they have do harme to me, and to my feleschyp, and to yowr schyppys more [than] ij. ml. li. worth harme; and therfor I am avesyd, and all my feleschyp, to droune them and slee them, withoute that we hafe tydyngs from owr Soverayn the Kyng and hys counsell. And therfor, in the reverens of God, come ye yowr self, and ye schall have a grete avayle and wurschup of yowr comyng to see a suche syght, for I der well sey that I have her at this tyme all the cheff schyppys of Duchelond, Holond, Selond, and Flaundrys, and now hyt wer tyme for to trete for a fynell pese as for that partyes.
I writ no more to yow at this tyme, but All myghty Jesus have yow in hys kepyng. I writ in hast, within Wyght, on Soneday at nyght after the Ascencion of owr Lord.
By yowr owne Servant,
ROBT. WENYNGTON.
To my Reverend Mayster, Thomas Daniel, Squier for the Kyngs Body, be thys letter delivered in haste.
Most reverend mayster, I recommend me on to your graceus maystreschup, ever deseryng to her of your wurschupfull ustate, the which All myghte God mayntayne hyt, and encrese hyt on to his plesans: Plesyng you to know of my wellfare, and of all your men, at the makyng of thys letter, we wer in good hele of body i blessed be God.
Mo over, mayster, I send you word, by Rauly Pykeryng, of all maters, the which I be such you you've him credens, as he wyll enforme you of all; so, sure, I beseech you, in the reverens of God, that you wyll enforme owr Soverayn Lord the King of all maters that I send you in thys letter, like as I have send a letter to my Lord Chaunseler and to all my Lordys by the sayd Pykeryng; the which letter I beseech you that you take and delyver to my Lord and all my Lordys by your awne handys, and let the sayd Pykeryng declare all thyngs as he has sayn and knoweth.
Furst, I send you word that when we went to see, we toke two. schyppys of Brest coming owte of Flaundrys; and then after, there is made a greet armyng in Brytayne to mete with me and my felyschyp, that is to say, the greet schyp of Brest, the greet schyp of the Morlaix, the greet schyp of Vanng, with other viij. schyppis, bargys, and balyngers, to the number of three. mli men; and so we lay in the see to me[te] with them.
And then we mette with a flotte of a 100 greet schyppys of Pruse, Lubycke, Campe, Rastocke, Holond, Selond, and Flandres, betwyte Garnyse [_Guernsey_] and Portland; and then I cam abord the Admirall, and bade them stryke in the Kyngys name of Englond, and they bade me skyte in the Kyngs name of Englond; and then I and my feleschyp sayd, unless he wyll streke done the sayle, that I wyld over sayle ham by the grace of God, and God wyll send me wynd and wether; and dey bade me do my wurst, by cause I had so fewe schyppys and so smale, that they scornyd with me. And as God wuld, on Fryday last was, we had a good wynd, and then we armyd to the number of two. ml. men in my felyschyp, and made us ready for to over sayle them; and then they lonchyd a bote, and sette up a stondert of truesse, and come and spake with me. And there they were yolded all the hundret schyppys to go with me in what port that me lust and my felawys; but they faothe with me the day before, and schotte at us a 1,000. gonnys, and quarell owte of number, and have [killed/slain] meny of my felyschyp, and meymyd all soo. Wherfor me thyngkyt that they haye forfett both schypps and godys at our Soverayn Lord the Kyngys wyll. Asking you that you do your parte in thys matter, for thys I have wrytyn to my Lord Chaunseler and all my Lordys of the Kyngys Counsell; and so I have brofte them, all the 100 shyppys, within Wyght, in spyte of them all.
And you might gete leve of owr Soverayn Lord the King to come hydder, hyt schall turne you to greet wurschup and profett, to helpe make owr a poyntement in the Kyngs name, for you sawe never suche a syght of schyppys take in to Englond this 100 wynter; for we ly armyd night and day to keep them, in to the time that we have tydengs of our Soverayn and his counsell. For truly they have do harme to me, and to my feleschyp, and to your schyppys more [than] two. ml. li. worth harme; and therefore I am avesyd, and all my feleschyp, to droune them and slee them, withoute that we have tidings from owr Soverayn the King and his counsell. And therefore, in the reverens of God, come you your self, and you schall have a greet avayle and wurschup of your coming to see a suche syght, for I der well sey that I have her at this time all the cheff schyppys of Duchelond, Holond, Selond, and Flaundrys, and now hyt wer time for to trete for a fynell pese as for that partyes.
I writ no more to you at this time, but All myghty Jesus have you in his keeping. I writ in haste, within Wyght, on Sunday at night after the Ascension of owr Lord.
By your owne Servant,
ROBT. WENYNGTON.
To my honoured master Thomas Danyell, Personal Squire to the King, urgently.
Most honoured master, I am devoted to your gracious mastership, always wanting to know how you are. May Almighty God look after you, and increase your good health and prosperity at his pleasure. I am pleased to let you know that I and all your men, at the time of writing, are in good health, thanks be to God.
Moreover, master, I am letting you know through Rauly Pickering of all that is happening, trusting that you will believe him, as he will inform you of everything; so I request that you inform our Sovereign Lord the King about everything in this letter; I have also sent a letter to the Lord Chancellor, and to all my Lords through the said Pickering. I ask that you will deliver the letter directly yourself to my Lord, and all the lords, and let the said Pickering also tell you everything he has seen and heard.
When we went to sea, we captured two ships of Brest coming from Flanders, after which they armed themselves in Brittany to confront me and my colleagues – that is to say, the Great Ship of Brest, the Great Ship of Morliax, the Great Ship of Vannes, with eight more ships, barges and sloops carrying about 3,000 men, and so we stayed at sea to confront them.
We then met a great fleet of a hundred ships of Prussia, Lubeck, Campe, Rostock, Holland, Zealand and Flanders between Guernsey and Portland. I boarded and spoke to the Admiral and commanded them to lower sails in the King of England's name; they told me to to go shit in the name of the King of England. I and my comrades said we would strike down their sailing ships and overcome them by the grace of God, and God would send me wind and weather. They told me to do my worst and scorned me, because I had so few ships, and small ones at that.
And as God would have it last Friday we had a good wind, and 2,000 men of my company took up arms and made ready to overcome them. Then they launched a boat with a flag of truce and came to speak with me and said they would surrender all hundred of their ships to go with me into whatever port we wished. But before that they had fought with me through the day and shot 1,000 guns and numerous crossbow bolts at us, killing or injuring many of my company.
As a result I consider that they have forfeited both ships and goods to our sovereign Lord the King.
I ask you to do your part in this matter, as I have written to my Lord Chamberlain and the lords of the King's Council. I have brought all the hundred ships to the Isle of Wight, despite their actions.
If you can get permission from our King to come here, it will be to your great benefit and profit to help make our position clear in the King's name, for you haven't seen such a sight of captured ships for a hundred winters. We are armed to guard them night and day until we have news from our Sovereign and his Council; for truly they have done harm to me and to my company and to your ships – more than £2,000 worth of damage.
My company and I are inclined to drown them and kill them, unless we have have instructions from our Sovereign the King and his Council. So in God's name come yourself, and you will have great benefit and profit in coming to see such a sight, for I dare say I have here at this time all the chief ships of Dutchland, Holland, Zealand and Flanders; so now it is time to press for a final peace treaty with all of them.
I write no more for the moment, but Almighty Jesus have you in his keeping. I write in haste from the Isle of Wight, on the Sunday night after Ascension Day.
By your own servant,
Robert Wenyngton
