quidem illicite assemblacionis populi magne affraie insultus tumultus et quasi insurrexiones et diuersa alia malefacta et enormia per quamplures maledispositas personas tunc et ibidem facta et perpetrata fuere in magnam perturbacionem pacis Domine Regine ac subuersionem bonorum ordinis et regiminis ac ad periculum vitarum diuersorum bonorum subditorum dicte Domine Regine ibidem existencium ac contra pacem ipsius Domine Regine necnon contra formam statuti inde editi et prouisi &c.
xliii.
[1580, April 12. Sir Nicholas Woodrofe, Lord Mayor, to Sir Thomas
Bromley, Lord Chancellor, printed in M. S. C. i. 46, from Remembrancia,
. 9.]
My dutie humblie done to your Lp. Where it happened on Sundaie
last that some great disorder was committed at the Theatre, I sent
for the vnder shireue of Middlesex to vnderstand the cercumstances,
to the intent that by my self or by him I might haue caused such
redresse to be had as in dutie and discretion I might, and therefore
did also send for the plaiers to haue apered afore me, and the rather
because those playes doe make assembles of Cittizens and their familes
of whome I haue charge. But forasmuchas I vnderstand that your
Lp with other of hir Maiesties most honorable Counsell haue entered
into examination of that matter, I haue surceassed to procede further,
and do humbly refer the whole to your wisdomes and graue considerations.
Howbeit I haue further thought it my dutie to informe
your Lp, and therewith also to beseche to haue in your honorable
remembrance, that the players of playes, which are vsed at the
Theatre, and other such places, and tumbleres and such like are
a very superfluous sort of men, and of suche facultie as the lawes
haue disalowed, and their exersise of those playes is a great hinderaunce
of the seruice of God, who hath with his mighty hand so lately
admonished vs of oure earnest repentance. It is also great corruption
of youthe with vnchast and wicked matters, occasion of muche incontinence,
practises of many ffrayes, querrells, and other disorders and
inconueniences, bisid that the assemble of terme and parliament being
at hand, against which time the most honorable Lordes haue given
vs earnest charge to haue care to auoide vncleanenesse and pestering
of the Citty, the said playes are matter of great daunger. Therefore
I humble beseche your Lp, for those and other graue considerations
that your Lp can better call to mind, it will please you that some
order be taken by commaundement from your Lp and the rest of
the most honorable Lordes that the said playes and toumbelers be
wholy stayed and forbidden as vngodlye and perilous, as well at those
places nere our liberties as within the iurisdiction of this Cittie. And
so I leaue to troble your Lp. At London this 12 of Aprill 1580.
Your Lps humble,
N: W: M.
To the right honorable my singuler good Lord the Lord Chaunceller of England.
