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goods and all moveables; the rigour of the season availed
nothing; frost and snow was not a protection; whole villages
were burned in the depth of Winter, and the inhabitants left
without provision of any kind, but what they could get from
the rivers, (which indeed are numerous and well stored with
fish.) Their reflections must strike any thinking person
with horror; but at the same time, the present state of
ease, plenty, and tranquillity which the borderers enjoy,
make a most striking contrast to shocking scenes.
A proclamation made at Penrith 14th June 1547, by order of
Lord Wharton, for raising the power of the border.
'Forasmuch as the Governour of Scotland, their Queen, and
others Noblemen of that realm repaired to Pebles upon a
Sunday at night last, and also their ordnance coming from
Edinburgh, of intent, with a great army of the whole body of
the said realm of Scotland, to do some enterprize against
the King's Majesty's possessions and subjects upon the West
Marches: Therefore, Thomas Wharton, Knight, Lord Wharton
Lord Warden of the West Marches of England for anempst
Scotland, Captain of the King's Majesty's city of Carlisle,
and one of his Highness's most honourable Council, strictly
chargeth and commandeth, in his Majesty's name, That all his
Highness's subjects, horsemen, and footmen, within the
bounds of the said West Marches, prepare their arrediness,
and come forward with ten days victuals, as hath been
appointed, so as they may be at Carlisle upon Thursday next
at noon; not failing hereof upon pain of death.
'Written at Carlisle this Tuesday the 14th of June 1547. God
Save the King.'
Next day he sent the following Circular Letter, dated 15th
June 1547. at Carlisle.
'After my hearty commendations unto you, when yesterday I
wrote as well proclamations to be made at Penrith, as
otherwise in the parts of Westmorland and Cumberland, for
the beacons to burn, and the subjects to come forward, to be
at Carlisle to-morrow at noon, for the defence and power of
Scotland, and forasmuch as I am credibly informed this
Wednesday, by intelligence from out of Scotland, that the
governour, their Queen, ordnance, and munition, came to
Pebles upon Saturday-night last as I wrote; where, and in
those parts they continue; and as yet the governour hath not
so great an army as he looked to have at this time, and
therefore hath determined with a power to come to the town
of Dumfries upon Saturday next, as is appointed; and to levy
the garrisons in all parts over-against these West Marches,
until they may levy a greater army to do the annoyance they
may against the King's Majesty's realm, and possessions upon
these marches: Trusting, with the leave of God, to put the
borderers in these outward parts of these Marches in such
watch and areadiness, as we shall be able to defend their
sudden enterprizes; and that I would all his Majesty's
subjects under my rule should live in as much quiet and
preservation of themselves, and victuals, until the occasion
shall come by the enemies, (for intelligence whereof I shall
do as well as I can; the weightiness of this, the King's
Majesty's service considered,) I require you to repair home
to your own houses, with hearty thanks for your areadiness
and diligence; and also desire you in his Majesty's name, to
continue at your houses in like areadiness, with watch of
beacons to come forwards, with ten days victuals, upon
warning; and that none of his Majesty's loving subjects fail
hereof, upon pain of death. Be the more earnest for your
areadiness, for that the governour continueth on their
borders, for anempst these Marches. And cause these be read
openly to all the King's Majesty's subjects; every gentleman
and officer, under his several rule, for their better
knowledge of the same. And right heartily fare you well.
'From Carlisle this Wednesday the 15th of June, at four of
the clock afternoon,
'To the Gentlemen West Marchers.
'Your loving Friend,
'THOMAS WHARTON.'
The reason of this hasty countermand, will appear by the
following letter to Lord Eure.
Lord Wharton to Lord Eure, Lord Warden of
the West Marches.
'Right Honourable and mine especial good Lord, after my most
hearty commendations unto your good Lordship, advertising in
the same, that the 13th June I received your letters of the
12th of the same, signifying the news from out of Scotland
of the Governour and Queen's advancing towards Pebles, with
others, as your friendly letters purporteth; for which I
right heartily thank your Lordship; and to advertise you
such news as I have from out of Scotland, I am informed, by
sundry intelligence, that the Governour and Queen came to
Pebles upon Sunday night, &c. (the same account as the
letter to the West Marches,) advertising further your
Lordship, that upon Saturday last afore day, John Maxwell,
(the Lord Maxwell's
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