[1] [2] [3] [4] The next daie he came to Dartford with his bands, and laie there that night, whither came to him sir Edward Hastings maister of the quéenes horsse, and sir Thomas Cornwallis knights, both being of the quéenes priuie councell, and now sent from hir vn|to sir Thomas Wiat, to vnderstand the cause of his commotion. When he vnderstood they were come, he tooke with him certeine of his band to the west end of the towne, where he had lodged his ordinance. And at the lighting downe of sir Edward Hastings and his associat, sir Thomas Wiat hauing a parti|san in his hand, aduancing himselfe somewhat afore such gentlemen as were with him, traced neere them: [page 1096] to whome the maister of the horsse spake in substance as followeth.

The quéenes maiestie requireth to vn|derstand the verie cause wherefore you haue thus ga|thered togither in armes hir liege people, which is the part of a traitor, and yet in your proclamations and persuasions, you call your selfe a true subiect, which can not stand togither I am no traitor quoth Wi|at, and the cause wherefore I haue gathered the peo|ple, is to defend the realme from danger of being ouerrun with strangers, which must follow, this ma|riage taking place.