.Ch. II. SINCE THE NORMAN CONQUEST. 45 



better sort (who know best what becometh their duetie) have restrained 

 their owne humors, and framed themselves therein to give us contentment : 

 yet falleth it out notwithstanding, that neither the example of them, nor 

 respect of the Lawes, nor duety to us, hath had power to reforme the cor- 

 rupt natures and insolent dispositions of some of the baser sort, and some 

 other of a disordered life ; By divers of which condition (since our offence 

 manifested against those that trespasse in that kinde) and since our last 

 comming forth into this Progresse, in places where wee lately tooke our 

 pleasure in our owne grounds, and neare our owne houses of abode, -there 

 have bene more frequent offences offerred in that kinde, then at any time 

 heretofore, or in the late Queenes dayes were attempted : Neyerthelesse, 

 howsoever in her later dayes (being a Lady whose sexe and yeares were not 

 so apt to that kinde of recreation, having no posteritie, and therefore lesse 

 carefuU of conservation of that kinde of Royaltie, which her progenitors 

 kings of this Realme had maintained) people niight perhaps for those 

 respects presume of more libertie then became them, or the Lawes of the 

 Realme doe permit ; yet in our time, being a Prince that have manifested 

 our affection and delight in that exercise, and having posteritie like to 

 continue in the same disposition, when either their recreation or their 

 exercise shall require it : It seemeth strange that men will now atteinpt to 

 offend with more licentiousnesse, then at any time heretofore, and offer to 

 us in our grounds, that which they will not endure each at others hands 

 jn their owne. We are not ignorant, that there are some passions in mens 

 mindes so strong, as hard it is but they will breake foorth at times beyond 

 the bounds of reason, where commoditie, pleasure or revenge provoketh: 

 JBut this offence being a trespassing against reason which hath no end in it, 

 whereof can redound to the offender neither profit or pleasure, honour 

 or other recompence: we cannot interprete that. the transgressions that 

 are done therein doe proceed, but either out of a barbarous and uncivill 

 disposition, not fit to bee suffered in an ordered Estate, or out of an insolent 

 humor and unrespective to our person, no wayes to be endured.' 



