The Hertford Correspondence. 223 
LETTER I. 
Sir Thomas Thynne of Longleate to the Earl of Hertford, declining 
the Colonelship on the ground of his appointment to the Shrievalty. 
Ricut HonovraBLz, 
Understanding that there is a muster appointed shortly by your lordship, 
whereat the charge of Colonelship given me by your honour requires my personal 
attendance, which by reason of my now office of Sheriffwick, and some other 
important occasions, I cannot so conveniently perform as is fitting, or as willingly 
I desire, had not this office happened unto me ;—and therefore I humbly beseech 
your lordship, as it pleased you out of your love and favour to bestow the place 
on me, so now in respect of my other office, the service whereof I must of 
necessity attend, that you will be likewise pleased to give the same charge unto 
some other. For which, as for other former favours, I shall rest in all dutiful 
office at your lordships service. 
THOMAS THYNNE, 
Brought to Amesbury by a man of 
Sir James Mervin’s, 1st Aug., 1608. 
LETTER II. 
Lord Hertford to the Bishop of Sarum concerning the Clergy’s 
Jinding of arms. 
My Very Goon Lorp, 
Whereas I have received letters from my lords of his Majesty’s Privy 
Council concerning a special view to be taken, as may appear to your lordship 
by the copy herewith sent, wherein, amongst other things, their lordships have 
given directions for taking in such of the clergy as are fit to be charged with 
either horse or foot, to appear at the musters, and to be trained with the trained- 
bands of the country ;—I do suppose that the sufficiency [peculiar ability] of 
such clergymen are best known unto your lordship: I do therefore entreat your 
lordship that, as conveniently as you may, you acquaint me with all such persons 
as have heretofore served in the like service, and what persons are now of ability 
to serve more than heretofore have served, for the better executing of His 
Majesty’s service, which is very shortly to be observed. I thank your lordship 
very heartily for your good pains here at Amesbury, and the good sermon you 
preached at the church. So not doubting your lordship’s assistance in the pre- 
mises, with my loving commendations, I commit you to the heavenly protection. 
From my house at Amesbury the 6th of August, 1608, Your lordship’s loving 
friend. 
HERTFORD, 
Sent by John Barlot, 
the 12th of August, 
1 Henry Cotton. 
