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LETTER CXXVIII.

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THOMAS BEDYLL TO LORD CROMWELL, RESPECTING THE
4MONKS OF THE CHARTER HOUSE AT LONDON. A. D. 1537.

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6    My very good Lord, after my moost hertie
7commendations it shall please yo^r Lordship to understand
8that the monks of the Charterhouse here at London,
9whiche wer committed to Newgate for thair traitorus
10behavor long tyme continued against the Kings Grace,
11be almoost dispeched by th'and of God; as it may apper
12to you by this byll inclosed. Wherof considering

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13thair behavor and the hole mater, I am not sory, but
14wold that al suche as love not the Kings Highnes and
15his wordly honor wer in like caas. My Lord (as ye
16may) I desir you in the wey of charite, and none other
17wise, to be good lord to the Prior of the said Charterhouse,
18which is as honest a man as ever was in that
19habite (or els I am much deceyved), and is one whiche
20never offended the Kings grace by disobedience of
21his Lawes, but hath labored very sore continually
22for the reformation of his brethern, and now at the
23last, at myn exhortation and instigation, constantly
24moved and finally persuaded his brethern to surrender
25thair house, lands, and goods, into the Kings hands,
26and to trust only to his mercy and grace. I beseche
27you, my Lord that the said Prior may be so entreated
28by your help, that he be not sory, and repent that
29he hath fered and folowed your sore words and my
30gentil exhortation made unto him to surrender his
31said house; and think that he myght have kept the
32same, if yo^r Lordshyp and I had not led him to the
33said surrender. But suerly (I beleve) that I knowe
34the man so well that how soever he be order he wolbe
35contented without grudge. He is a man of suche
36charite as I have not seen the like. As towching the
37house of the Charterhouse I pray Good if it shall
38please the King to alter it, that it may be turned into
39a better use (seing it is in the face of the world) and

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40muche communication wol run thereof throughout this
41realme; for London is the common countrey of al England,
42from which is derived to al parts of this realme
43al good and yll occurrent here. From London the
44xiiij^th. day of Juny.
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