Queen Elizabeth I's letter of licence for transporting 1,000 pounds' weight of bullion into Russia, dated May 20, 1582

Source:

Original letters illustrative of English history, series 3, volume 4, page 45, edited by Henry Ellis, 1846

https://archive.org/details/originallettersn3s04elliuoft/page/44/mode/2up

Above: Queen Elizabeth I of England, artist unknown.

The letter:

By the Queene

ELIZABETH R.

Wheras our Merchaunts Adventurers trading into the countrees of Moscovia, have, at this present, almoost in a redines eight good shippes, fraighted with clothes and other Englishe commodities, to make saile from our port of London toward Sainct Nicholas and other portes of Russia, We lett you witt that for certen consideracōns us speciallye moving, We have licenced, and by these presents doe licence the bearers hereof in the name of the sayd marchaunts to cary and transport with them out of this our realme towards the said Sainct Nicholas, and other ports of Russia, the quantetye of one thowsand pound waight in bullion. Wherefore we will and commaund you to suffer the said bearer of theis our lettres quietlie to passe by you with the sayd one thousand pound waight of bullion for the purpos aforesayd without any your staie, lett, or molestacōn, as ye tender our pleasure and will aunswere for the contrarye at your perils. And theas our lettres shalbe your sufficient warraunt and discharge in this behalfe. Given under our signet, at our manour of Grenewich, the twentieth daie of May, 1582, in the fower and twentieth year of our raigne.

To all Maiours, Sherifs, Bailiffs, Constables, Customers, Comptrollers, Searchers, and all other our Officers, Ministers, and Subjects to whom it shall appertayne in this case and to everye of them.

With modernised spelling:

By the Queen

ELIZABETH R.

Whereas Our merchants adventurers trading into the countries of Moscovia have, at this present, almost in a readiness eight good ships, freighted with clothes and other English commodities, to make sail from Our port of London toward St. Nicholas and other ports of Russia, We let you wit that for certain considerations Us specially moving, We have licenced, and by these presents do licence, the bearers hereof in the name of the said marchants to carry and transport with them out of this Our realm towards the said St. Nicholas, and other ports of Russia, the quantity of one thousand pound weight in bullion. Wherefore We will and command you to suffer the said bearer of these Our letters quietly to pass by you with the said one thousand pound weight of bullion for the purpose aforesaid without any your stay, let, or molestation, as ye tender our pleasure and will answer for the contrary at your perils. And these Our letters shall be your sufficient warrant and discharge in this behalf. Given under Our signet, at our manor of Greenwich, the twentieth day of May, 1582, in the four and twentieth year of Our reign.

To all Mayors, Sheriffs, Bailiffs, Constables, Customers, Comptrollers, Searchers, and all other our Officers, Ministers, and Subjects to whom it shall appertain in this case and to every of them.

Notes: wit = to know.

suffer = to allow.