The next entry would seem to indicate some contemplated State interference with the Company’s property, and the answer was probably not in exact accordance with the truth, for on the 28 May, 1576, a precept in the Queen’s name, having been received, calling upon the Master and Wardens to return to the Guildhall an account of the revenue of their lands, and of their goods, “the answere was that the true revenewe of the landes was xx{ti} markes whereof the most pˀte went forthe and is disbursed in peñcons, and that we had no goods.” 1578. A precept was received as follows, [Sidenote: TO THE WARDENS } BY THE MAIOR. OF THE COMPANIE} OF BARBOR } SURGINS. }] THYES shalbe to will and require yo{u} and in her maiesties name streitlie to charge and comaunde yo{u} that w{th} all convenient spede yo{u} appointe and pˀvide the number of twelve hable and sufficient pˀsons being Iournemen appnˀtices or others wc{h} are fremen of this Cittie and inhabitinge w{th}in the same beinge of agilitie and honest of behavio{r} betweene the age of xix yeres and xl{ti} w{ch} are fitt to be trayned for harquebus shott, evˀy one of them havinge a murrion, a sworde and dagger, and a caliver w{th} sufficient furniture for the same, and one half pounde of powder, besides touche powder whereof Three of the same pˀsons to be house holders and free men of yo{r} saide Companie, and that yo{u} certyfie me the saide Maior the names and sir names of all yo{r} saide number where and w{th} whome they dwell, of what Companie they be free, and what Captaynes or other skilfull men that be of yo{r} saide Companie or whome yo{u} knowe inhabitinge w{th}in this Cittie fitt to trayne or leade the same men of there names and dwellinge places. And that they be all in a redines furnished as aforesaide to muster in there hose and dublets onlie, or dublets hose and jerkins w{th}in xiiij{en} daies next ensuinge the date hereof. And for the levyenge of monie for the saide furniture And for the charge of powder yo{u} shall collect suche reasonable somẽs of monie as yo{u} shall finde mete for the saide pˀporc͠on, by waie of reasonable assesment of evˀy sevˀall welthie and hable pˀson of yo{r} Companie. Wherein we require yo{u} in anie wyse to spare the powrer sorte of ffremen although yo{u} somewhat more largelie burden the ritche. YOVEN at the Guildhall of this Cittie of London the xv{th} daie of Marche 1577.[115] [115] _i.e._, 1578. SEBRIGHT. In pursuance of this precept a levy was made upon ninety freemen, who contributed £19 17_s._ 11_d._ (in sums ranging from 1{s} to 6{s} 8{d}) and upon ten “foreins” who paid in all £3. The Expenses of the soldiers, and their arms, powder, etc., are all set out in detail (see Appendix D).