KING HENRY IV.'S LETTERS a.d, 



1404. 



beseech you in consideration of our owne selves, that you 

 would have our marchants and liege subjects especially 

 recommended unto you, safely protecting them (if need 

 shall require) under the shadow of your defence : even as 

 you would have us to deale in the like case with your 

 own subjects. Moreover, whatsoever you shall thinke 

 good to put in practise in this behalfe, may it please you 

 of your friendship, by our faythfull subject John Browne 

 the bearer hereof to give us to understand. In the 

 sonne of the glorious virgine fare ye well, with continuall 

 prosperity and felicity according to your owne hearts desire. 

 Given under our privie seale, at our palace of Westmin- 

 ster, the fift day of June, and in the fift yere of our reigne. 



Postscriptum. 



Right reverend and our most deare friend : albeit our 

 welbeloved Arnold de Dassele the procurator of 

 your foresaid messengers, being desirous at this time to 

 make his final returne unto your parts, by reason of the 

 affayres, for which he hath remained in our realme of 

 England, cannot as yet obtaine his wished expedition : 

 notwithstanding you of your sincere affection ought not 

 to marvel or any whit to be grieved thereat : because 

 troubles of wars arising, which in some sort concerned our 

 selves, and especially in regard of the continuall assaults 

 of the French men & Britons against us and our king- 

 dome, for the offence of whom, and our owne defence, 

 our liege subjects (especially they, of whom your subjects 

 damnified have made their complaints) have armed 

 themselves to combate upon the sea : we could not grant 

 unto the foresayd Arnold such and so speedy an ex- 

 pedition, as he earnestly desired to have. Unto the 

 which Arnold your procurator we have offered in as short 

 time as may be, to administer complete justice with 

 favour, to ye end that for this cause he might dispose 

 himselfe to remaine in our realme of England : & yet 

 notwithstanding wee would do the very same even in the 

 absence of the sayd procurator. Given as above. 



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