294 The Fall of the Wiltshire Monasteries. 



If we turn now to the other chief visitor of Wilts, Dr. Legh, we 

 find him writing to Cromwell from Lacock, August 20th, to 

 complain of Layton's conduct, in giving permission to the heads of 

 convents to leave the precincts, which he (Legh) had forbidden : — ^ 



" After my due and moste hartie commendacions, please it your mastership to 

 be advertised, that whereas I have in all the places that I have ben at, according 

 to myne instructions and to the kinges graces pleasure and yours, restrayned as 

 well the heddes and masters of the same places as the brethern from going foorth 

 of the precincte of the said places, which I adsure you greveth the said heddes 

 not a litle, as ye shall well perceive by thinstant sutes that they shall make to the 

 kinges grace and to you. It hathe been reported unto me sens my comyng to 

 theis parties, that Mr. doctour Laitone hathe not doon the same in the places 

 where he hathe ben, but licenced the heddes and masters to goo abrode, which 

 I suppose maketh the brethern to grudge the more, whan they see that they be 

 worse entreated than their master, which hath professed the same rule that they 

 have. Wherefor, to thintent that an uniformitie maye be observed amongest us 

 in all our procedinges, it maye please your mastershipp other to commaunde Mr- 

 doctour Laytone to geve the same injuncions where he goeth and hath ben that 

 I have geven in the places aforesaid, in which case yf ye see reasonable causes 

 wherefor ye shulde release the same injunctions in some places ye maye at all 

 tymes ; or els to advertise me of your pleasure therein, that I may confourme 

 myself to the same, and direct my proceedings after one weye with you. Sir, yf 

 ye go to Oxforde shortly, as ye ones intended, this bringer is a man of good 

 experience and intelligence there and can declare you the state of the TJniversitie 

 very well. Thus knoweth Allmightie God, who have your mastership in his 

 blessed tuicion. From Laycok the xx"" of Auguste. 

 " Yours ever assureyt, 



" Thomas Legh." 



Cromwell had apparently replied by giving Legh leave to let the 

 heads go abroad, at his discretion ; but to exercise this power was 

 very far from Legh's mind, and he specially desired to have no 

 such licence, in order that those who wished to leave the precincts 

 of their monasteries should have to apply to CromweU himself, the 

 application, of course, to be accompanied by a present for the all- 

 powerful minister. Accordingly he writes : — ^ 



" After my dewe commendations to your good maistershipp, please it you to 

 be advertised that I have receyved youre gentill and loving lettres, yn which ye 

 wolde that at my discretion I may licence the heddis for their necessary busynes 

 and affaires to go furth of theire monasteries in suyche discrete maner and 

 fourme as no brute may be made thereof. Sir, it was not myne entent in my 



' Letters and Papers, ix. 138. 

 2 Letters and Papers, ix,, 265. 



