Trusty and well-beloved, we greet you well. And of late being
informed, to our no little marvel and discontentation, that a great
part of the youth of that our University with contentious factions and
manner, daily combining together, neither regarding their duty to us
their Sovereign Lord, nor yet conforming themselves to the opinions
and orders of the virtuous, wise, sage, and profound learned men of
that University, wilfully to stick upon the opinion to have a great
number of regents and non-regents to be associate unto the doctors,
proctors, and Bachelors of Divinity, for the determination of our
question; which we believe hath not been often seen, that such a
number of right small learning in regard to the other, should be
joined with so famous a sort, or in a manner stay their seniors in so
weighty a cause: which as we think should be no small dishonour to our
University there, but most especially to you the seniors and rulers of
the same, assuring you that this their unnatural and unkind demeanour
is not only right much to our displeasure, but much to be marvelled
of, upon what ground and occasion they being our mere subjects, should
show themselves more unkind and wilful in this matter, than all other
universities both in this and in all other regions do. Finally, we
trusting in the dexterity and wisdom of you and other the said
discreet and substantial learned men of that University, be in perfect
hope, that ye will condemn and frame the said young persons unto good
order and conformity, as it becometh you to do. Wherefore we be
desirous to hear with incontinent diligence, and doubt you not we
shall regard the demeanour of everyone of the University, according to
their merits and deserts. And if the youth of the University will play
masteries, as they begin to do, we doubt not but that they shall well
perceive that _non est bonum irritare crabrones_.
Given under, etc.