Queen Mary I's letter to her councillor Sir Henry Bedingfeld, dated July 7, 1554

Source:

The girlhood of Queen Elizabeth, a narrative in letters, Frank Arthur Mumby, 1909

https://archive.org/details/girlhoodofqueene00mumb/page/160/mode/2up

Above: Queen Mary I of England, painted by Hans Eworth.

Above: Sir Henry Bedingfeld, artist unknown.

The letter:

FARNHAM CASTLE, July 7, 1554.

Mary, the Queen.

Trusty and right well-beloved, we greet you well; and where we understand that by our instructions lately given to you, you do continually make your personal abode in that, our house of Woodstock, without removing from thence at any time, which thing might, peradventure, in continuance be both some danger to your health and be occasion also that you shall not be so well able to understand the state of the country thereabouts as otherwise you might, we let you wit that in consideration thereof, we are pleased you may at any time when yourself shall think convenient, make your repair from out of our said house, leaving one of your brethren to look to your charge, and see to the good governance of the house in your absence. So as, nevertheless, you return back again yourself at night, for the better looking to your said charge. And for your better ease and recreation, we are in like manner pleased that you and your brethren may at your liberties hawk for your pastime at the partridge, or hunt the hare, within that our manor of Woodstock, or any of our grounds adjoining the same, from time to time when you shall think most convenient; and that also you may, if you shall so think good, cause your wife to be sent for, and to remain there with you as long as yourself shall think meet.

Note: to wit = to know.

meet = appropriate, suitable.