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LETTER XXXI.

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LORD SURREY'S SECOND LETTER OF CHALLENGE TO KING
4JAMES THE FOURTH OF SCOTLAND.

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6    Right highe and mightie Prince, so itt is that latelie
7I sent unto you Rougecrosse pursevant at Armes
8and by him advertised yo^r Grace that I and other, my
9Sovereigne Lord's subjects, were come to represse and
10resist your Invasions of this the Kinges my Sovereigne
11Lordes realme. And for that intent I offered to give
12you battell on this half, Friday next coming, which my
13message your Grace tooke pleasure to heare as I am
14enformed. And by your herauld Isley ye made answere
15that you were right joyeous of my desire, and
16would not faile to accomplishe the same and to abide
17me there, where you were at the tyme of my message
18so shewed unto your Grace. And albeit it hathe pleased
19yow to change your said promise and put your self
20into a ground more like a fortresse or Campe then
21upon any indifferent ground for battel to be tryede,
22wherefore considering the day apointed is so nighe

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23approching I desire now of your Grace for the accomplishment
24of your honorable promise yow will despose
25your self for yo^r parte, like as I shall doo for myne, to
26be to morrowe with your host in your side of the plaine
27of Milfeild, in likewise as I shall doo for myne, and
28shalbe with the subjects of my sovereign Lord on my
29side of the playne of the said feild to give yow battell
30betwixt xij. of the clock and iij. in the afternoone, upon
31sufficient warning by yow to be given by viij^th. or ix of
32the Clock in the Morning by the said Pursevant. And
33like as I and other Noblemen my company binde us
34by our writeing subscribed with our hands to keepe
35the same tyme to the intent above said: ift may like
36your Grace by your honorable Letters subscribed with
37your hand to bind yo^r Grace for the accomplishment
38of this desire, trusting that yow will depeach our said
39Pursevant immediatly, for the long delay of so honorable
40a Journey wee think should sound to your dishonor.