Your Highness's, &c. _Our Consultation, made the 27th December, 1557._ +GUISNES.+ _First._ Having no supplement of men other than is presently there, we think it meetest, if the enemy should give the attempt, to abandon the Town (which could not be, without very great danger of the Castle); and defend the Turnpike, which is of the more importance, because that way only, in necessity, the relief to the Castle is to be looked for. _Item._ There is great want of wheat, butter, cheese, and other victuals. _Item._ It is requisite to have some men of estimation and service to be there [_i.e., at Guisnes_], that might be able to take the charge in hand; if either sickness or other accident should fortune to me the Lord GREY: which I, the said Lord GREY the rather require, by reason of Sir HENRY PALMER's hurt; being of any other person at this present utterly unfurnished. +HAMPNES CASTLE.+ _Item._ We think the same sufficiently furnished of men for the sudden; albeit this hard and frosty weather, if it continue, will give the enemy great advantage: yet we put in as much water as is possible. Of victuals, that place is utterly unprovided; except the Captain's store. That we also thought meet to have there some man of estimation and service, for the respects contained in the article of Guisnes: which also the Lord DUDLEY requires. +NEWNAM BRIDGE.+ _Item._ We think it meet, upon the occasion, to withdraw the bands [_companies of soldiers_] from the Causeway thither; and then are of opinion, the same to be sufficient to defend that piece for a season; unless the enemy shall get between this town and the bridge. It is clean without victuals, other than the Captain's own provision. +RYSBANK.+ Because that place standeth upon the sea, and by the shore side, may the enemy come in a night to it: we think it meet to appoint hither a band [_company_] of the low country [_the open district round Calais, within the English pale_] under the leading of Captain DODD. It is altogether unfurnished of victuals, other than for the Captain's own store. +CALAIS.+