A.D. THE ENGLISH VOYAGES 



1582. 



archbishops, bishops, Dukes, Marqueses, Barons, Capteines, 

 Vicelords, Maiors, Castellanes, Admirals, and whatsoever 

 patrons of Gallies, or other greater shippes, and governors 

 of cities, potentates and magistrates, and other officers and 

 [II. i. 156.] persons whatsoever, of what dignitie, degree, state and 

 condition soever they be, dwelling in all places and landes, 

 greeting. 



We make it knowne, and in the word of truth do 

 witnesse, that in the moneth of May last past, our gallies 

 came on the voyage from Barbaric, where having 

 commandement to succour a little ship of the Christians 

 which was driven over into that part, being arrived upon 

 this Hand on the West part they found one English ship 

 under the charge of the worshipfull John Keele, and 

 David Fillie master : and our men willing to know what 

 ship it was, they seemed to put themselves in order for 

 their defence, doubting that the said our gallies were of 

 the enemies, & therefore one mariner attempted contrary 

 to the will of the worshipfull John Keele, and David 

 Fillie maister, and had shot off a piece of artillerie against 

 one of the said gallies, and because she would not strike 

 amaine her sayle, according to the will of the saide 

 worshipfull John Keele, and David Fillie master, the said 

 ship was brought backe again unto the present port of 

 Malta, according to the order of the reverend generall of 

 the said gallies : and in being there, maister Inquisitor 

 staid it by authoritie of the holy office, and in that behalfe 

 by the holinesse of our Lord pope Gregorie the thirteenth, 

 in the end was licenced to depart on her voyage. They 

 therefore the said worshipfull John Keele and David 

 Fillie, in the name and behalfe of the worshipfull master 

 Edward Osborne Alderman, and Richard Staper, English 

 marchants of the noble citie of London, have humbly 

 besought together with Thomas Wilkinson the purser, 

 pilots, master and mariners, that we would give our 

 letters patents, and safe conducts, that they might goe 

 and returne, when they shall see opportunitie, with their 

 goods and merchandizes at their pleasure : whereupon the 



218 



