TO THE
RIGHT HONORABLE AND HIS SINGULAR GOOD LORD,
_SIR WILLIAM CECILL_,
BARON OF BURGHLEYGH, KNIGHT OF THE MOST NOBLE ORDER OF THE GARTER, LORD
HIGH TREASURER OF ENGLAND, MAISTER OF THE COURTS OF WARDS AND LIUERIES,
AND ONE OF THE QUEENES MAIESTIES PRIUIE COUNCELL.
* * * * *
Considering with my selfe, right Honorable and my singular good Lord,
how redie (no doubt) manie will be to accuse me of vaine presumption,
for enterprising to deale in this so weightie a worke, and so far aboue
my reach to accomplish: I haue thought good to aduertise your Honour, by
what occasion I was first induced to vndertake the same, although the
cause that moued me thereto hath (in part) yer this beene signified vnto
your good Lordship.
Whereas therefore, that worthie Citizen Reginald Wolfe late Printer to
the Queenes Maiestie, a man well knowne and beholden to your Honour,
meant in his life time to publish an vniuersall Cosmographie of the
whole world, and therewith also certaine particular histories of euery
knowne nation, amongst other whom he purposed to vse for performance of
his intent in that behalfe, he procured me to take in hand the
collection of those histories, and hauing proceeded so far in the same,
as little wanted to the accomplishment of that long promised worke, it
pleased God to call him to his mercie, after fiue and twentie yeares
trauell spent therein; so that by his vntimelie deceasse, no hope
remained to see that performed, which we had so long trauelled about.
Neuerthelesse those whom he put in trust to dispose his things after
his departure hence, wishing to the benefit of others, that some fruit
might follow of that whereabout he had imployed so long time, willed me
to continue mine indeuour for their furtherance in the same. Which
although I was redie to doo, so far as mine abilitie would reach, and
the rather to answere that trust which the deceassed reposed in me, to
see it brought to some perfection: yet when the volume grew so great as
they that were to defraie the charges for the impression, were not
willing to go through the whole, they resolued first to publish the
histories of England, Scotland, and Ireland, with their descriptions;
which descriptions, bicause they were not in such readinesse, as those
of forren countries, they were inforced to vse the helpe of other better
able to doo it than my selfe.
Moreouer, the Charts, wherein Maister Wolfe spent a great part of his
time, were not found so complet as we wished: and againe, vnderstanding
of the great charges and notable enterprise of that worthie Gentleman
maister Thomas Sackford, in procuring the Charts of the seuerall
prouinces of this realme to be set foorth, we are in hope that in time
he will delineate this whole land so perfectlie, as shall be comparable
or beyond anie delineation heretofore made of anie other region; and
therefore leaue that to his well deserued praise. If any well willer
will imitate him in so praiseworthie a worke for the two other regions,
we will be glad to further his endeuour with all the helpes we may.
The histories I haue gathered according to my skill, and conferred the
greatest part with Maister Wolfe in his life time, to his liking, who
procured me so manie helpes to the furtherance thereof, that I was loth
to omit anie thing that might increase the readers knowledge, which
causeth the booke to grow so great. But receiuing them by parts, and at
seuerall times (as I might get them) it may be, that hauing had more
regard to the matter than the apt penning, I haue not so orderlie
disposed them, as otherwise I ought; choosing rather to want order, than
to defraud the reader of that which for his further vnderstanding might
seeme to satisfie his expectation.
I therefore most humblie beseech your Honour to accept these Chronicles
of England vnder your protection, and according to your wisedome and
accustomed benignitie to beare with my faults; the rather, bicause you
were euer so especiall good Lord to Maister Wolfe, to whom I was
singularlie beholden; and in whose name I humblie present this rude
worke vnto you; beseeching God, that as he hath made you an instrument
to aduance his truth, so it may please him to increase his good gifts in
you, to his glorie, the furtherance of the Queenes Maiesties seruice,
and the comfort of all hir faithfull and louing subiects.
Your Honours most humble to be commanded,