7.1. Hubert the archbishop of Canturbu|ries oration to the lords spirituall and tem|porall in the presence of the king, &c.

Hubert the archbishop of Canturbu|ries oration to the lords spirituall and tem|porall in the presence of the king, &c.

[1] _MOst honorable lords of the spiri|tualtie, and most graue and poli|tike peeres and barons of the temporaltie, you are come hither this day to choose you a king, and such a one as (if need should require) may be able of himselfe to take such a charge vpon him, and (hauing vndertaken the same) readie to execute that which he shall thinke to be [page 159] expedient for the profit of his subiects: we haue therefore one present heere among vs, vpon whome harts and good willes of high and low, rich and poore, doo generallie depend: a man I doubt not, but that for his owne part will applie his whole inde|uour, studie, and thought vnto that onelie end, which he shall perceiue to be most pro|fitable for the commonwealth, as knowing himselfe to be borne not to serue his owne turne, but for to profit his countrie, and to seeke for the generall benefit of vs that are his subiects.

[1] And albeit I am sure that you doo well know, how all these qualities are most a|bundantlie planted in the person of Iohn duke of Normandie (a person of high prow|esse and no lesse prudence, for the which yee ought to iudge him right worthie of the gouernement) yet beeing in doubt least the common fame should carrie you awaie, or least you should turne your minds to the fa|uour of an other, as in respect of some bet|ter right, by title of a more lawfull descent of inheritance pretended by others than he hath to shew, I require you to giue eare vnto my words: who bearing the state of two manner of persons, ought to be profi|table to my countrie, not onelie by example and exhortation, but also by loialtie and good counsell, which hitherto I haue euer studied to performe, and wherein (God wil|ling) I meane to persist, so long as I shall continue in this mortall and transitorie tabernacle.

[1] Therefore whereas at this present we haue in hand to conclude vpon such a wei|tie matter, which beeing once doone, can not be vndoone, I commend vnto you this Iohn, euen with all my verie heart, and iudge that you ought to accept him for your king, who in all things which he shall ordeine, purpose, or take in hand, shall not faile so to answer your opinions with his well dooing, and so satisfie your good erpec|tations alreadie conceiued of him with his diligent prouidence, that all the whole realme shall not onelie like of and allow your dooing heerin, but also with high com|mendation extoll the same to the verie stars. These things do I promise vnto you, and so farforth as in me may lie, I dare take vpon me all chances and perils that may proceed thereof.