130 - 15 July To the dean and chapter of Canterbury

Summary

Salutem in Christo.

After my hearty commendations etc.

These are not onely to lett you know that I have received your Letters, but to thanke you for them. And I am heartily glad to read in them, that some of your differences were composed before my Letters came; and that the rest are so well setled since the receipt of them. I hope you will all hereafter be so kind one to another, and so carefull of the Common Good, as that you will in wisdome prevent the rising of any the like differences amongst you. It will be a great honour to the Church, and as great a safety to your selves in the midst of them (if any such be) which maligne the prosperity of both.

For the decree concerning the new addition to the maintenance of the Quire, I like it very well, and thanke you all for your voluntary concurrence in it, and hereby give you my approbation, and require that it be registred. Onely, one thing I thinke will be necessary to be added. For I do not find any day or time expressed therein, in or from which it shall take effect, which I pray you to add to the decree. And for my part I will clearly expresse to you what I thinke: If you shall deferr it to the beginning of another yeare, and so of another Receivers time, both the Quire will stay too long for the addicon of their meanes, and he that is next Receiver (that Office I perceive being to come among the junior Prebends) may perhaps thinke it the harder it should begin upon him. Therefore I suppose it may be thought fitt to begin presently from the day of the date of the decree, as such acts are usually interpreted to do when no day is exprest. And yet because Dr Jeffries the now Receiver is a man that hath a charge, and none of the wealthiest amongst you, and that he hath so conscionably and willingly yielded to this decree against his present profitt, it may be fitt to take no more from him for this halfe yeare remaining then 20 marks, if you shall so thinke requisite.