Page:The Elizabethan stage (Volume 4).pdf/306



[1583, Jan. 14. Extract from letter of Lord Mayor to Lord Burghley, printed M. S. C. i. 158, from ''Lansd. MS''. 37, f. 8, and M. S. C. i. 58, from letter-book copy misdated Jan. 18 in Remembrancia, i. 456; also in Wright, ii. 184, and quoted by Collier, i. 243, with inaccurate reference to ''Lansd. MS''. 73.]

It maye please your Lp. to be further advertised (which I thinke you haue alredie hard) of a greate mysshappe at Parise gardeine, where by ruyn of all the scaffoldes at once yesterdaie a greate nombre of people are some presentlie slayne, and some maymed and greavouslie hurte. It giveth greate occasion to acknowledge the hande of god for suche abuse of the sabboth daie, and moveth me in Consciens to beseche your Lp. to give order for redresse of suche contempt of gods service. I haue to that ende treated with some Iustices of peace of that Countie, who signifie them selfes to haue verye good zeale, but alledge want of Comyssion, which we humblie referre to the Consideracion of your honorable wisedome. And so I leve to trowble your Lp. At London the xiiijth of Ianuarye 1582.

Your Lps. humble, Thomas Blank Maior.

To the right honorable my singler good lorde my lorde highe Tresurer of Englande.

lxv.

[1583, Jan. 15. Extract from letter of Lord Burghley to Lord Mayor, printed M. S. C. i. 60, from Remembrancia, i. 458.]

I am also hartely sorry for the mischance, whereof I haue vnderstanding bothe by your Lps. lettres and otherwise at my being now at Westminster, mishappened at Parrise Garden on Sonday last, and althoughe I thinke your learning derely bought by the losse of so many bodies, to haue the Saboth daie so prophaned to see wilde beastes bayted, yet I think it very conuenient to haue both that and other like prophane assemblies prohibited on the Saboth daie, and if it shalbe requisite to haue such like worldly pastimes, I think some other daie within the weke meeter for those purposes, and to that ende I minde to treate with my LLs. of the Counsell, that some good order may be taken for that purpose; wishing neuerthelesse that your Lp. in the meane time, hauing rule of the whole Citie, might thinke it conuenient to make a generall prohibition within euerie warde of that Citie and liberties, that no person vnder your comaundement shold on the Saboth daie resort to any such prophane assemblies or pastimes, which I leaue to your Lps. discretion to be considered by the aduise of the Aldermen your bretheren. From Richmond the xvth of Ianuary 1582.

Your Lps. assured louing frend, William: Burghley.

To my very good Lord the Lord maiour of the Citie of London.