Source:
Original letters illustrative of English history, series 3, volume 3, page 233, edited by Henry Ellis, 1846
The letter:
My moste singular good Lorde, my mooste humble dutie, thies be speciallie to thanke you for that it pleasithe you to dyrecte youre letters for the staie of Doctor London whiche was here, redie to suppresse this poor House, ageinste my will and all my sisters; and had done it in dede if you had not so spedilie sente contrarie commawndente, for the whiche youre goodnes you shall be well assuered, (as I am all redie mooste bownden), of a poor mayden is prayer duringe my lyffe; seinge I have no other riches to recompense you withall. And where it pleasid you to dyrecte youre letters sens that tyme to me and my systers for the preferment of Mayster Doctor Owen to owre demaynes and stocke, thies be to certifie your Lordshipe that we have accomplishede the same with all fauor and gentillnes as I truste he will reporte and give youre Lordeshipe thanks therefore, for no man levinge under the King cowld have had it of hus withe oure good willis, savinge your Lordeshipe. And, therefore, as my verie truste and comforde is in you, I beseche you to contynewe my good Lorde, as I truste you shall never have cause to the contrarie; for youre Lordeshipe shall be well assuered that ther is nother Pope nor Purgatorie, Image nor Pilgrimage, ne prayinge to dede Saintes, usid or regarded amongeste hus; but all supersticious ceremonies set aparte, the verie honor of God and the trewithe of his holie wordes, as farre as the fraile nature of women may ateyne unto, is mooste tenderlie folowid and regarded withe hus. Not dowtinge but this garmente and facōn of liffe dothe nothinge prevaile towarde oure justifyinge before God, by whome, for his swete Sone Jhesus sake, we onlie truste to be justified and saved, who ever preserve yor honor to his pleasure. Amen. At Godstowe, this xxvjth daie of Nouember.
Youre mooste bownden bediswoman,
KATHERINE BULKELEY, Abbesse there.
To the righte honorable and my verie
singular good lorde, my Lorde
Previe Seale.
With modernised spelling:
My most singular good Lord, my most humble duty, this be specially to thank you for that it pleaseth you to direct your letters for the stay of Doctor London, which was here, ready to suppress this poor House, against my will and all my sisters'; and had done it indeed if you had not so speedily sent contrary commandment, for the which your goodness you shall be well assured, (as I am already most bounden), of a poor maiden is prayer during my life; seeing I have no other riches to recompense you withal. And where it pleased you to direct your letters since that time to me and my sisters for the preferment of Master Doctor Owen to our demesnes and stock, this be to certify Your Lordship that we have accomplished the same with all favour and gentleness as I trust he will report and give Your Lordship thanks therefor, for no man living under the King could have had it of us with our good wills, saving Your Lordship. And, therefore, as my very trust and comfort is in you, I beseech you to continue, my good Lord, as I trust you shall never have cause to the contrary; for Your Lordship shall be well assured that there is nother Pope nor Purgatory, Image nor Pilgrimage, ne praying to dead Saints, used or regarded amongst us; but all superstitious ceremonies set apart, the very honour of God and the truth of His holy words, as far as the frail nature of women may attain unto, is most tenderly followed and regarded withe us. Not doubting but this garment and fashion of life doth nothing prevail towarde our justifying before God, by whom, for his sweet Son Jesus' sake, we only trust to be justified and saved, who ever preserve your honour to his pleasure. Amen. At Godstowe, this XXVIth day of November.
Your most bounden beadswoman,
CATHERINE BULKELEY, Abbess there.
To the right-honourable and my very
singular good lord, my Lord
Privy Seal.
Notes: bounden = obliged.
demesnes = domains.
nother = neither.
ne = nor.
nothing = in no way.
beadswoman = female petitioner.
