The jealousy of foreigners, especially of Spaniards, caused trouble in
the City throughout this reign. There were rumours that thousands of
Spaniards were coming over; the old jealousy of the Hanseatic League
was renewed: the Mayor gave orders that work should not be given to
foreigners; they were forbidden to open shops in the City; they were
not allowed to keep school; their shutters were forcibly closed. One
feels that the situation of the foreigner in the City was anything but
pleasant, especially if he were a Spaniard.
The submission of Juries to the Judges was expected in matters of
treason, if not in other things. The case of Nicholas Throgmorton,
charged with high treason and complicity in the Rebellion of Wyatt,
proves this. Doubtless it was in opposition to the Judge’s charge
that the Jury brought in a verdict of Not Guilty. For this they were
summoned before the Star Chamber, where four of the twelve made
submission; the remaining eight were sent to prison, where they
remained for six months. They were then brought before the Star Chamber
again, where they defended their finding as being in accordance with
their own consciences. As if Juries in matters of treason could have
consciences! So they were sent back to prison, and only got out by
paying a fine—some of £44, some of £60 apiece.
In 1556 the City gave Mary a loan of £6000.
War with France was declared in June 1557. The City was instructed
to put its munitions of war on a sound and serviceable footing.
It complied, and raised a force of 500 men, which joined the army
commanded by Lord Pembroke. In less than a month the Queen sent a
letter to the Mayor informing him of the departure of Philip and
commanding him to raise another force of 1000 men. After a good deal
of protest and grumbling, and after vain appeals to the liberties and
franchises of the City respecting the sending of men on active service,
submission was made and the men were got together. This was early in
August. But it does not seem that they were sent. On 27th August the
French were defeated at St. Quentin. Towards the end of the year it was
known that Calais was in a dangerous position. On 2nd January a message
arrived from the Queen, ordering the despatch of 500 men at once. They
were wanted for the relief of Calais. But Calais fell on the 7th. Then
the City was called upon to furnish another 2000 men. On the 13th the
Queen wrote to say that a violent storm had crippled her fleet—the men
were to be kept back, but in readiness. Then it was heard that Philip’s
forces were on their way to Flanders, under the Duke of Savoy, and that
the Channel was kept open by a Spanish fleet. A regiment of 500 was
therefore sent off to Dover in order to be shipped for Dunkirk.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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