176 



The Hertford Correspondence. 



Amesbury, on the 26th of June, and having well-considered amongst most of 

 us, according to our best discretion, touching the fitness of the time for the 

 most ease of the country (the which we presume your lordship most of all 

 desires :) and we find in many respects — as first, the horse will be at soil, being 

 part of the service ; the corn harvest is thought to be ready before hay harvest 

 will be ended; the King's Majesty is certain to come hither; the assizes and 

 sessions will be about that time ; and many other causes which we think worthy 

 your acceptance for reference, which we could declare unto your lordship but 

 for being too tedious ; that the fittest time for performance of this business is, 

 in our opinions, to be between Bartholomewtide and Michaelmas. And under- 

 standing that your lordship will be at Amesbury very shortly, we purpose to 

 attend your lordship for your further pleasure about this service. In the mean- 

 time we humbly desire your lordship to accept of this our allegiance and excuse. 

 And so we humbly take our leave. Amesbury, this 26th of June, 1609. Your 

 lordship's ever to be commanded, 



THOMAS GORGES. 

 WALTER LONG. 



Brought to Eltham, by Sir Thomas WILLIAM EYRE. 



Gorges' lackey, Harry Cramp. 



LETTER XV. 



John Hungerford of Cadenham to the Earl of Hertford, desiring to 

 be released of the Colonelship charged upon him. 



Right honourable and my very good lord : — Having taken knowledge by your 

 lordship's letter, of your intention to promote me to the office of a colonel within 

 this county, in the place and stead of Sir Henry Baynton, Knight, I hope it 

 shall not be unpleasant unto your lordship to understand from me such unfit- 

 nesses as I can allege for myself: — as first, that the office of a colonel was never 

 placed upon any man, during my remembrance, under the degree of a Knight, 

 which I am not, nor, in mine own opinion, worthy to be : — secondly, that the 

 greatest men of livings within the county have always possessed the colonelships, 

 a limb of which men I can scarce reckon myself, for living : — and thirdly, my 

 different course of life and bringing up, having never given or bent myself to 

 any study or knowledge in military matters: — and lastly, some accidental 

 infirmity and unfitness of body, being lame of a leg broken and shivered not 

 many years since with a horse, which upon change of weather troubleth me 

 much and maketh me very unfit for travail. I could further allege a great 

 charge of nine children lying upon me ; and my small living, which doth and 

 will require my best and utmost means in employing my time and my ability 

 both, in providing for them, and force me to avoid as much as I can all extra- 



