Stowe MS 274

" A LARGE and excellent discourse of the estate of Christiandome, written by an vnknowne author about the yeare of our Lord 1594 . . . conteyning many secret passages and hidden mysteries of the tymes both past and present, with much variety of good matter both historicall and politicall." The address " to the reader " begins, " After that I had lived many yeares in voluntary exile and banishment, and sawe that the most happy and fortunate successe which it hath pleased the Almighty to send my gratious Soveraigne against the malitious and hostile attempts which the Spanish monarch both openly and covertly practised against her sacred person and invincible state and kingdome, I begann to despaire of my long desired retorne into my native country, and to consider with myselfe with what price I might best redeeme my sweete and inestimable libertie." Further on (f. 3) the author states that, with this view, he wrote the work at the suggestion of " an honest and kind English gentleman, whoe was lately come out of Italie, and meant to soiourne a fewe monethes in Fraunce, and then to returne into England"; and the latter (f. 6), among other reasons for his undertaking the task, refers to his " creditt with Cardinall Allen, [his] acquaintance with [Thomas] Morgan, [his] freindshipp with Thomas Throgmorton, [his] conversation with Charles Pagett, and [his] long experience in forraine affaire," etc. The conclusion of the treatise is (f. 552) " that the Spanish monarch may lawfully bee excomunicated and deposed . . . soe long as hee shall continue to bee, as hee is, the common and onely perturber of Christian peace and tranquillity." For another copy, see Harley MS. 3499. Paper; ff. 554. Early xviith cent. Folio.

Political Tracts: Discourse on the state of Christendom, urging the deposition of the King of Spain: circ. 1594.: Copy, early 17th cent.