218 - 15 July To Accepted Frewen, vice-chancellor of Oxford university

Summary

Salutem in Christo

Sir.

Your Letter in answer of the Maiours was read in Counsell, his Majestie being present, upon friday last, according as my last Letters to you signify’d it would bee. His Majestie and the Lords seem’d very well satisfy’d with what you had written. And soe the Busines was like to end without more trouble. Till at last my Lord of Berkshire being steward for Oxford was very desirous the Maiour should bee sent for, to make good his charge. And though hee were told ‘twere better to bee lett dye: yett very earnest hee was to have the Maiour sent for: with an Addition, that it was fitt hee should bee punish’d, if he could not make his Accusations good. In this Case itt was thought necessary that you should come up alsoe. Of which I pray faile not, according to the inclosed Warrant, and bring the Procter, and some other with you. The like Warrant my Lord of Berkshire hath to send to the Maiour and some Aldermen with him. In this Busines I can give you noe Direction, but that you would have all your proofes ready of such things, as are prooveable and are not Evident in fact; And particularly of the Disorderly drunken Canvasse for the Maioralty, the last Election save one.

Toward the ending of this Busines at the Boord my Lord of Berkshire came to mee, and desired that the Constable committed by Proctour Allibond might bee freed out of prison. My Answer was: That the Towne would by that meanes before the Hearing triumph as if they had gotten the better. And therefore would not consent to his freedome; Especially not knowing what the Procter might have farther against him. Yet to speake freely to you, if there bee nothing els against him, but that which the Procters paper alledges, hee hath beene prettily well punisht for itt by his durance. And therefore I leave it to you to consider, whether, to take off clamour of Wife and Children, which is pretended, it bee not better to sett him free then to detayne him longer in prison.