Yes said Lincolne, that it is, and much more. For the Dutchmen bring ouer iron, timber, leather,Lincolne p [...]|secuteth his information [...] gréeuances by specialties. and weinscot readie wrought; also nailes, locks, baskets, cupboords, stooles, tables, chests, girdles, with points, saddles & painted clothes, so that if it were wrought héere, Englishmen might haue some worke and li|uing by it. And besides this, they grow into such a multitude, that it is to be looked vpon: for I saw on a EEBO page image 841 sundaie this Lent, six hundred strangers shooting at the popingaie with crosbowes, and they keepe such as|semblies and fraternities togither, and make such a gathering to their common box, that euerie votcher will hold plée with the citie of London. Well said the doctor, I will doo for a reformation of this matter as much as a préest maie do, and so receiued Lincolns [...]ill, and studied for his purpose. Then Lincolne verie ioious of his enterprise, went from man to man, saieng that shortlie they should heare news, and dai|lie excited yoong people and artificers to beare ma|lice to the strangers. When Easter came, and doctor Bele should preach the tuesdaie in Easter wéeke, he came into the pulpit, and there declared, that to him was brought a pitifull bill, and read it in this wise.
20.1. The tenor of the bill of complaint which doctor Bele read in open audi|ence at the Spitle.
The tenor of the bill of complaint which doctor Bele read in open audi|ence at the Spitle.
_TO all you the worshipfull lords & maisters of this citie, [...] Hall in Hen. 8. fol. 60. that will take compassion ouer the poore people your neighbours, and also of the great importable hurts, losses, and hinderances, whereof proceedeth the ex|treame pouertie to all the kings subiects, that inhabit within this citie and suburbs of the same. For so it is, that the aliens & strangers eat the bread from the father|lesse children, and take the liuing from all the artificers, and the intercourse from all merchants, whereby pouertie is so much increased, that euerie man bewaileth the miserie of other; for craftsmen be brought to beggerie, and merchants to needinesse. Wherfore the premisses considered, the re|dresse must be of the commons, knit and v|nited to one part. And as the hurt and da|mage greeueth all men, so must all men set to their willing power for remedie, & not to suffer the said aliens so highlie in their wealth; & the naturall borne men of this region to come to confusion. ¶ Of this letter was more, but the doctor read no further.
Compare 1577 edition: 1 2 When he had read this letter, or the chiefest part thereof, comprehending (as ye haue heard) much sedi|tious matter,In vndiscret preacher. he began with this sentence, Coelum coeli Domino, terram autem dedit filijs hominum, and vpon this text he intreated, how this land was giuen to Eng|lishmen. And as birds defend their nests, so ought Englishmen to cherish and mainteine themselues, and to hurt and grieue aliens for respect of their com|mon-wealth. And vpon this text Pugna pro patria, he brought in, how by Gods law it was lawfull to fight for their countrie. And thus he subtilie mooued or ra|ther vndiscréetlie prouoked the people to rebell a|gainst strangers. By this foolish sermon, manie a light person tooke courage, and openlie spake against strangers. And as vnhap would, there had béene di|uerse euill parts plaied of late by strangers, in and about the citie of London, which kindled the peoples rancour the more furiouslie against them.