Source:
Original letters illustrative of English history, series 3, volume 4, page 46, edited by Henry Ellis, 1846
Above: Queen Elizabeth I of England, painted by unknown artist after George Gower.
The letter:
By the Quene.
We greete you well. Forasmuch as you ar of late departed out of this our realme in a very contemptuous sort, without either our licence, or making us or any of our Counsell priuey therunto, We let you, therfor witt, that our pleasr and express will is, that upon the allegeance and duety you owe unto us, you do furthwith, upon the receipt herof, make yowr repair back again into this our realm, and present your self either unto us or our Privey Counsel to declare the causes that moved you in this straunge sort to withdrawe yourself. Letting you further to understand, that if you shall refuse thus to do, we will not faile to procede against you, according to our lawes in that behalf provided. Geven under our signet, at our Palace of Westmr, the .. day of ... 1583, in the six and twentieth yere of our reign.
With modernised spelling:
By the Queen.
We greet you well. Forasmuch as you are of late departed out of this Our realm in a very contemptuous sort, without either Our licence or making Us or any of Our Council privy thereunto, We let you therefore wit that Our pleasure and express will is that upon the allegiance and duty you owe unto Us, you do forthwith, upon the receipt hereof, make your repair back again into this Our realm, and present yourself either unto Us or Our Privy Council to declare the causes that moved you in this strange sort to withdraw yourself. Letting you further to understand that if you shall refuse thus to do, We will not fail to procede against you, according to our laws in that behalf provided. Given under Our signet, at Our Palace of Westminster, the .. day of ... 1583, in the six and twentieth year of Our reign.
Notes: sort = way, manner.
wit = to know.
receipt = receiving.
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