LETTER FROM THOMAS ALCOCK a.d. 



1558. 



Munday earely. But on Saterday at night one of his 



neighbours departed to Tirwill, and there declared to the 



Captaine howe that at such a place there was a Dutch 



man that was come from the Mosco, and woulde ride to 



Danske, saying, for the one, I cannot tell what he is. 



The Captaine incontinent ridde to the King to shewe him 



thereof, so that without any delay there was sent out for 



mee one of the Gentlemen of the Kings house, and one 



of the Mesnickes of the Towne with sixe Officers to take 



mee. They came thither in the night about midnight, 



and there apprehended mee and tooke all that I had from 



me : they left mee nothing but my clothes to put on my 



backe, and so brought mee to Tirwill to the Captaines 



house, where before I dyned, I had a payre of fetters 



clapped on my legges, wherewithall I sate unti.ll it was 



Munday in the Easterweeke. On which day, after long 



and earnest calling to the Captaine as hee ridde by the 



windowe, hee commaunded the Marshall that mine yrons 



shoulde be taken off, but no worde I could heare when 



I should be delivered out of captivitie till it was Saint 



George his day: on which day I was had before the 



Marshall, who declared unto me that the Kings Majestie 



had shewed his mercie and goodnesse towardes mee : for 



his pleasure was that I should be delivered out of prison 



to depart into England, but no way else. So after I had 



given thankes for the Kings Majesties goodnesse shewed 



unto me, I desired him that he woulde be a meane that 



I might have the remaynder of such thinges as were 



taken from me restored unto me againe. Hee made me 



answere, that I might thanke God that I escaped with 



my head, and that if ever there came any more of us 



through the land, they should not so doe. The weeke 



before Easter they delivered mee my Corobia againe with 



all thinges that were therein. They tooke from mee in 



money nine Hungers gylderns in golde, five shillings 



foure pence in Lettoes monev, fourtie Altines in Russe _ 



r , c . . JJ c 1 iir Doctor Stand- 



money, wnereor twentie and more were tor tokens, nalre i 5 htheEmper- 



an angell and a quarter of Master Doctour Standishes, ours Phisition. 



397 



