[1] These noble men, to make their conspiracie to séeme excusable,The pretense of ye Persies, as they publi|shed it abroad. besides the articles aboue mentio|ned, sent letters abroad, wherein was conteined, that their gathering of an armie tended to none other end, but onlie for the safegard of their owne persons, and to put some better gouernment in the common|wealth. For whereas taxes and tallages were dailie leuied, vnder pretense to be imploied in defense of the realme, the same were vainlie wasted, and vnpro|fitablie consumed: and where through the slanderous reports of their enimies, the king had taken a gree|uous displeasure with them, they d [...]st not appeare personallie in the kings presence, vntill the prelats and barons of the realme had obteined of the king licence for them to come and purge themselues be|fore him, by lawfull triall of their péeres, whose iudge|ment (as they pretended) they would in no wise re|fuse. Manie that saw and heard these letters, did com|mend their diligence, and highlie praised their assu|red fidelitie and trustinesse towards the common|wealth.