the making of the said statute, yet for a year and more after the making of the statute, they did not contribute at all, and after yeilded to give weekly but 8sh. 4d., which amounted not to above 6d. a college.

Ans. The colleges of the University have always been forward to relieve the poor of the town of Cambridge, although they do not take themselves any wayes bound thereunto by law, but only on meer benevolence. And since the last statute for the relief of the poore, an. Eliz. 39, the University hath had a speciall care of the said poore, and for that purpose have joyned in mutuall consent with the town for contribution to the poorer parishes there, as it will appear testifyd under their hands and seals; notwithstanding which consent, the townsmen have withdrawn and detained their weekly contributions from the poorest parishes almost for the space of one year last passt, the University still continuing their benevolence as aforesaid.

The scholers of the University, being in taverns, alehouses, and diverse publick places, do grievously and very disorderly misuse in generall all free burgesses, and in particular the magistrates of the town. And also in the plays in colleges and publick sermons, whereby great occasion of grudge is offered.

Ans. Whereas it is alledged that the scholers in the playes and sermons misuse the burgesses and magistrates of the town, they affirm the same to be most untrue, malitious, and slanderous; neither do they know any abuse offered, except, on the 23rd of April, certain young gentlemen and scholers, being in a tavern, did misbehave themselves in speeches towards the maior and his brethren passing by the said tavern; for which offence they were punished and censured by the vice-chancellor and Mr. Dr. Nevill, dean of Canterbury.

The vice-chancellor and his deputy, and other officers of the University, do send many to prison in the tolbooth,

in Cambridge, upon executions and other causes, without mittimus or warrant in writing. So that, at the goal delivery, the causes of their imprisonment do not appear, and the goaler is oftentimes threatned and sometimes sued for false imprisonment.

Ans. The vice-chancellor of the University, or his deputy, do, according to the ancient customs (time out of memory of man used), and according to their charters, send prisoners to the tolbooth, or castle, without warrant in writing, their bedell only declaring by word to the goaler the cause of the imprisonment; upon which word the goaler is bound to take and keep such prisoner so sent, by especiall charter.

REFORMATION IN THE UNIVERSITY.

SIR ROBERT CECIL TO THE HEADS.

[From MS. Sloan. no. 3562, fol. 36 vo.]

To my very lovinge ffriendes, Mr. vice-chancellor and others the heades of colledges in the University of Cambridge.

AFTER my harty comendations: although that neyther my owne disposition is easily inclinable to become reprehensory or censorious, nor my particular affection to that your body of the University can yeeld to be any way distasted thereof thorough light information agaynst you, yet in regard of my duty (by the place which I hold with you) to promote the good of the University, beinge troubled to heare often complayntes of the misgovernement of that place, and that from those of whose greate love and care of that body my self am not a little but your selfes are much more experienced, I could not but admonish you of that duty, which to you in your places belongeth, and that the rather for that I havinge (about the begininge of Michelmas terme

last) written to you to this effect, with articles by you to be considered of and presently to be putt in execution, for reformation of disorders in your body, I have not synce that tyme eyther heard the least complayntes, or received from you any information of your endeavours to effect that I then required to be done. I now therfore thought good to renue that my admonition to you, together with the articles I then sent, and have therwith inclosed certayne the like articles (offered by my lordes grace of Canterbury to my lord threasurer and my self) for reformation of such disorders as he noteth in both the Universityes. Wherof I desire you to have due consideration, both to conferr of them amongest your selfes (the heades of colledges), resolvinge of some good course for the execution of them, and after to publishe them (both the articles and the orders agreed on by you) to the body of the University, in a congregation at some convenient tyme for that purpose assembled, that every man in his place may doe his endeavour for reformation, and that I may receive some information from you (betweene this and the commencement) to what good event the same hath sorted: my self beinge ever desirous to have cause to be confident in justifyeinge the good governement of that place, as well by the religious observation of statutes, as allso by carefull keepinge of decorum in every respect and degree of that body, and no lesse willinge to prevent all other courses for reformation (yf this shall not prevayle) which may become lesse pleasinge to your selfes. In the mean tyme, expectinge some good answere herein, I leave you to Godes protection. From the court at Greenwich, this 19th of May, 1602.

Your very lovinge friende,

Vice-chancellor and heades of colledges

in the University of Cambridge.

RO. CECYLL.

KING JAMES'S FIRST INTERVIEW WITH

THE HEADS.

[From Fuller's History of the University of Cambridge, p. 296.] APRIL 27. King James removed, by many small journeys and great feastings, from Scotland to London. Always the last place he lodged in seemed so complete for entertainment, that nothing could be added thereunto. And yet commonly the next stage exceeded it in some stately accession; until at last his majesty came to Hinchinbrook, nigh Huntingdon, the house of master Oliver Cromwell, where such his reception, that, in a manner, it made all former entertainments forgotten, and all future to despair to do the like. All the pipes about the house expressed themselves in no other language than the several sorts of the choicest wines. The entertainer being so rich a subject, and the entertained so renowned a sovereign, altered the nature of what here was expended (otherwise justly censurable for prodigality) to be deservedly commended for true magnificence.

But it was the banquet which made the feast so complete. Hither came the heads of the University of Cambridge, in their scarlet gowns and corner caps, where Mr. Robert Naunton, the orator, made a learned Latin oration, wherewith his majesty was highly affected. The very variety of Latin was welcome to his ears: formerly almost surfeited with so many long English speeches made to him as he passed every corporation. The heads in general requested a confirmation of their privileges (otherwise uncourtlike at this present to petition for particulars), which his highness most willingly granted. Here one might have seen the king (passing over all other doctors for his seniors) apply himself much in discourse to Dr. Montague, master of Sidney College. This was much observed by the courtiers

(who can see the beams of royal favour shining in at a small cranny), interpreting it a token of his great and speedy preferment, as indeed it came to pass.

GRACES OF THE SENATE.

Mai. 3, 1603. Commemoration of queen Elizabeth. FORASMUCH as it hath pleased almighty God to call to his mercy the high and mighty princess queen Elizabeth, our late sovereign, from whom the body of this University hath received innumerable and unspeakable benefits, which neither can nor ought to be forgotten; may it please you, that yearly for ever hereafter the preacher of the University, or his assignee, in his sermon ad clerum, whereunto he is tyed by the statutes of this University, may give God thanks, as well for her faithfull departure out of this life, as also for her inestimable favours bestowed upon us. Wherein we shall not only perform our dutys, but also give occasion to her successors, for our mindfulness of her majesty, to esteem the better of us.

Jun. 9o, 1603. De oppugnatoribus ecclesiæ Anglicanæ.

Placet vobis, ut quicunque doctrinam vel disciplinam ecclesiæ Anglicanæ, vel ejus partem aliquam, legibus publicis stabilitam, scriptis vel dictis vel quocunque modo in academia Cantebrigiensi publice oppugnaverit, ab omni gradu suscipiendo excludatur, et a suscepto suspendatur ipso facto.