men, leaping, vaulting, or any other such harmless recreation, nor from having of May-games, Whitsun-ales, and morris-dances, and the setting up of May-poles, and other sports therewith used, so as the same be had in due and convenient time without impediment or neglect of divine 5 service and that women shall have leave to carry rushes to church for the decoring of it, according to their old custom. But withal we do here account still as prohibited all unlawful games to be used on Sundays only as bear and bull baitings, interludes, and at all times in the 10 meaner sort of people by law prohibited bowling.

And likewise we bar from the benefit and liberty all such known recusants, either men or women, as will abstain from coming to church or divine service, being therefore unworthy of any lawful recreation after the said 15 service, that will not first come to church and serve God. Prohibiting in like sort the said recreations to any that, though conform in religion, are not present in the church at the service of God, before their going to the said recreations. Our pleasure likewise is, that they, to whom 20 it belongeth in office, shall present and sharply punish all cuch, as in abuse of this our liberty will use their exercises before the end of all divine services for that day. And we likewise straitly command, that every person shall resort to his own parish church to hear divine ser- 25 vice, and each parish by itself to use the said recreations after divine service. Prohibiting likewise any offensive weapons to be carried or used in the said times of recreations. And our pleasure is, that this our declaration shall be published by order from the bishop of the diocese 30 through all the parish churches, and that both our judges of our circuits, and our justices of our peace be informed thereof. Given at our manor of Greenwich the 24th day of May, in the 16th year of our reign of England, France and Ireland, and of Scotland the 51st.

Now out of a like pious care for the service of God,

35

and for suppressing of any humours that oppose truth, and for the ease, comfort, and recreation of our well deserving people, we do ratify and publish this our blessed father's declaration, the rather because of late in some 5 counties of our kingdom we find, that under pretence of taking away abuses there hath been a general forbidding not only of ordinary meetings, but of the feasts of the dedication of the churches, commonly called "Wakes." Now our express will and pleasure is, that the feasts with Io others shall be observed, and that our justices of the peace in their several divisions shall look to it, both that all disorders there may be prevented or punished, and that all neighbourhood and freedom with manlike and lawful exercises be used. And we further command our 15 justices of the assize in their several circuits to see that no man do trouble or molest any of our loyal and dutiful people in or for their lawful recreations, having first done their duty to God, and continuing in obedience to us and our laws. And of this we command all our judges, jus20 tices of the peace, as well within liberties as without, mayors, bailiffs, constables, and other officers to take notice of and see observed, as they tender our displeasure. And we further will that publication of this our command be made by order from the bishops through all the parish 25 churches of their several dioceses respectively. Given at our palace of Westminster the 18th day of October, in the 9th year of our reign.

God save the king.

VOL. II.

The archbishop of Canterbury's letter about sports on the Lord's day. Reg. Laud, fol 192. a.

"SALUTEM in Christo." My very good lord. It hath pleased his majesty to command the reprinting of a declaration published in his royal father's time of blessed memory, and intituled, The king's majesty's declaration to his subjects concerning lawful sports to be 5 used, etc." wherein, as your lordship shall find at the latter end thereof, every bishop is enjoined to see that the books be distributed to the several parishes within his diocese, and there published to the people, to the end they may know his majesty's princely care over them; and to the 10 effectual performance of this I make no doubt but your lordship will use all diligence. And I am commanded to give you notice hereof, because his majesty expects no less from you; and your officers are to send for the books accordingly. So with my love remembered, I leave you 15 to the grace of God, and rest

Your lordship's very loving friend and brother,

Lambeth, October 28.

MDCXXXIII.

W. CANT.

Archiepisc. Cant.

GUIL. LAUD I.

CXLII.

Anno Christi
1634.

Reg. Angliæ
CAROL. I. IO.

King Charles' letter about leases.Reg. Laud, fol. 202. b. MOST reverend father in God, right trusty and right

entirely beloved counsellor, we greet you well. We have of late taken the state of our several archbishoprics and bishoprics into our princely consideration, that we 5 may be the better able to preserve that livelihood, which as yet is left unto them. Upon this deliberation we find, that of later times there hath not risen a greater inconvenience, than by turning leases of one and twenty years into lives; for by that means the present bishop puts a 10 great fine into his own purse to enrich himself, his wife, and children, and leaves his successors, of what desert

King Charles' letter] See Nos. LXXXIII. CXXXVIII. "On the same day on which the new statutes were received at Oxon, he [the archbishop] procured a supplement to be added to the old statutes of 15 cathedral and collegiate churches, touching the letting of their lands. Some informations had been given, that the deans and prebends of those churches had enricht themselves, their wives and children, by taking great fines for turning leases of 21 years into leases for lives, leaving their successors destitute of that growing means, which other20 wise might come in to help them. This was the outside of the business; but the chief motive to it was, that the gentry and yeomanry (and some of the nobility also) holding lands of those churches, might have a greater respect to the church and churchmen, when they must depend upon them from time to time for renewing of their said estates at the 25 end of every ten or twelve years at the most. For though it be alike lawful by the law of the land 13 Eliz. c. 20, to make leases of three lives or one and twenty years, at the pleasure of the dean and chapter, yet the difference is so great between them, that once a tenant to my knowledge, after a lease for three lives had continued 29 years in being, 30 chose rather to give a fine for the change of one life, than to take a new lease of 21 years without paying any thing." Heylin's Laud, p. 319.

soever to us, and the church, destitute of that growing means, which else would come in to help them. By which course, should it continue, scarce any bishop would be able to live and keep house, according to his place and calling. We know the statute makes it alike lawful 5 for a bishop to let his lease for one and twenty years, or three lives; but time and experience have made it apparent, that there is a great deal of difference between them, especially in church leases, where men are commonly in great years before they come to those places. 10 These are therefore to will and command you, upon peril of our utmost displeasure, and what shall follow thereon, that notwithstanding any statute, or any other pretence whatsoever, you presume not to let any lease belonging to your archbishopric into lives, which is not in lives 15 already; and further, that when any fair opportunity is offered you, if any such be, you fail not to reduce such as are in lives, into years. And we do likewise will and require, that these our royal letters may remain upon record, both with your own register, and with the register 20 of the dean and chapter of your cathedral church at Cant., and that by them notice be given to all your successors respectively, whom we will that these letters shall concern as much as yourself, that they presume not to break any of these our commands in the least manner, 25 as both you and they will answer it at your and their uttermost peril. Given under our signet at our manor of Greenwich the two and twentieth day of June, in the tenth year of our reign.

"Sic indorsatur:" To the most reverend father in God, 30 our right trusty and right entirely beloved counsellor, William, lord archbishop of Canterbury, primate and metropolitan of all England.