Page:Notes and Queries - Series 11 - Volume 10.djvu/508

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NOTES AND QUERIES. [11 s. x. DEC. 26,

and St. Ives in the days of old. Though the manor-house of St. Ives is gone, the fairs continue. Their best history, however, is in the past.

The Cloth Hall of Ypres was lately stand- ing, although the telegrams passing through the St. Ives post office tell us this famous old building is now in flames. It is a curious coincidence that the news about it. should arrive at, and be spread from, almost the actual spot where the men from Ypres over 600 years ago used to assemble. I learn to-day that the Rev. Father Bondewijn, a refugee from Ypres, the centre of the most terrific struggle in the world, is staying near St. Ives. HERBERT E. NORRIS.

Cirencestei.

PROPOSALS FOR BUILDING AN AMPHITHEATRE IN LONDON, 1620.

(See ante, p. 481.)

II.

PAGE 58. [The King gives his approval.]

AT the head of this paper is scribbled in a later hand : " This is the Coppye of the Kings Direction Included in the Kings [? letter]."

First That the Peticione at theire owne chardg purchase a peece of ground in such a convenient Place, as shall be alowed by our com'issione for Buyldings as perticularly that it fall not in such a Place as may hinder the intended Walkes in Lincolnes Inne Feilds ; or some such other publique Worke ; and that [sic] assure the In- heritance of the same vnto us by firme Deede in Lawe.

Wee are then pleased to giue them License to set thereon vpon a rew Foundac'on, such an Amphitheater as is by them desired, namely to hould Twelve thousand Spectato at the least, Provided it be buylt all of Bricke and Stone, the Walls to be of such thickness, as shalbe of neces- sitie for the continuance of such a Woorke, and for the safetie of so many People, w h shall be approued allso by our Commissione for buyld- ings, and that they shall not employ this, nor any parte thereof to dwelling houses, stables, or other- wise whatsoeuer, but only to receiue the People in ; at Tymes of Showes or Spectacles except one convenient Place of Dwelling in it for the Man w h shall keepe yt, w h shall be set out by our Com'issione for buylding. Neither that they erect any other house, Shedd, or Buylding what- soeuer, there being enough to be hired of all vses, and the motive to p'mitt this vpon a new foun- dac'on being that none such can be found readie buylte.

Wee are likewise pleaced, according to theire humble Suite to graunt them a Lease thereof for Thirtie Yeares w th License (at all lawfull Tymes)

to shew to theire best advantadge all kinde of Bayteing or Fighting of Beasts, Fencing w th all Weapons, Wrestling in any Sorte, Tumbling, Dauncing on Ropes, All kindes of Musick, all kinde of Playes, in what Languadge soeuer, the Prohibition w ch they desire but one day in euery month to be enlardged to one day in euery Weeke, w th all kinde of Shewes w c " they can deuise, pleasant or delectable to the People. Excepting Tilte, (w ch no Subiect can set vpp w th out our License) Torney, Course at the Feild, Barriers and such like reserued for Solempnities and Triumphs of Princes, and not to be vilified dayly in the Eyes of the Vulgar or money offered.

That they practise all these thinges only for Spectacle to the People, not pretending to make yt an Academy to instruct, or Teach the Nobilitie or Gentrie of this Kingdome a worke onely possible and fitt for Princes to Vndertake, and not to be mixed with Mercenary or Mechanick Endes ; much less to have a worke w* h is so Noble, and hath been so long in our Princely resoluc'on to be blasted, by being made the colo[ur] to delude wholy the good effects of our Proclamations and bringe in all kinde of Sordide houses vpon new Foundations wherew th the Cittye allready abounds.

Februarie 10 th 1620 : Geo: Calvert His Ma ts Attourney Generall is to prepare a Graunt readie for his Ma ts Royall Signature, giuing License vnto John Cotton, John Williams and Thomas Dixon Seriants at Armes to his Ma tie to buyld an Amphi- theater according to the directions and reser- vac'ons aboue written.

PEMBROKE ARUNDELL

J. DEGBYE GEO CALVERTE.

III.

PAGE 55. [The King changes his mind.}

To our Right trustie and Right Wellbeloued Cousens and Councello William Earle of Pem- broke Chamberlayne of our Househould, and Thomas Earle of Arundell, To our trusty and welbeloued Councello 1 John Lo: Dygbye Vice- Chamberlaine of our houshold, And to our Right trustie and Welbeloued Councello S r Robert Nanton Knight, one of our Principall Secretaries of State, S r Georg Caluert Knight one other of our Principall secretaries of State, and S r Foulke Greuill Knight Chauncellor and Vndertrea'r of our Exchequer or to any foure of them.

Right Trustie and Right Welbeloued Cousen and Councello re and Right trusty and beloued Councello Wee greete you well. Whereas at the humble Suite of our Seruants John Cotton, John. Williams and Thomas Dixon, and in recompence of their seruices, Wee haue been pleased to Lycense them to buylde an Amphitheater which hath passed our Signet and is stayed at our Priuie Scale, And findeing therein conteyned some such Wordes, and clauses as may in some Constructions, seeme to giue them greater Libertie both in pointe of Buylding, and using of Exercises then is any wayes to be P'mitted, or was euer by vs intended

Wee haue thought yt fitt to Commaund and giue Authority vnto you, or any foure of you, to cause that allreadie passed to be Cancelled, and to giue order to our Solicitor Generall for the drawing vp of a New Warrant for our Signature to the same p'ties according to such directions,.