THE PRUSSIAN AMBASSADORS ad. 



1388. 



most convenient. Howbeit (most gracious prince and 

 lord) we are to sollicite your Highnesse, not onely 

 about the articles to be propounded concerning the 

 losses aforesaide, but more principally, for certain 

 sinister reports and superstitious slanders, wherwith 

 certaine of your subjects, not seeking for peace, have 

 falsly informed your majesty, & your most honorable 

 and discreete Councel : affirming that at the time of ye 

 aforesaid arrest your marchants were barbarously in- 

 treated, that they were cast into lothsom prisons, 

 drenched in myre and water up to ye neck, restrained 

 from al conference and company of men, and also 

 that their meat was thrown unto them, as a bone to a 

 dog, with many other enormities, which they have most 

 slanderously devised concerning the master general 

 aforesaid, and his people, and have published them in 

 these dominions : upon the occasion of which falshoods 

 certain marchants of our parts, and of other regions 

 of Alemain (who, of your special benevolence, were 

 indued with certaine privileges and favours in your 

 citie of London, and in other places) were, as male- 

 factors, apprehended and caried to prison, until such 

 time as the trueth was more apparant. Whereupon, 

 the foresaide master generall propoundeth his humble 

 sute unto your majestie, that such enemies of trueth 

 and concord, your Majesty woulde vouchsafe in such 

 sort to chastise, that they may be an example unto 

 others presuming to doe the like. 



Moreover, (high and mighty Prince and lord) it was 

 reported unto our Master general, that his former 

 Legats required of your majesty safe conduct freely to 

 come into your highnesse Realme. Which when hee 

 heard, he was exceedingly offended therat, sithence un- 

 doubtedly they did not this at his commaundement or 

 direction. We therefore humbly beseech your Grace, 

 as touching this oversight, to holde the Master generall 

 excused, because there is no need of safe conduct, 

 between so speciall friends. 



11 17 B 



