{MN} Sigismundus Bathori, by the Grace of God, Duke of _Transilvania,_ _Wallachia,_ and _Moldavia,_ Earl of _Anchard, Salford_ and _Growenda;_ to whom this Writing may come or appear. Know that We have given Leave and Licence to _John Smith_ an _English Gentleman,_ Captain of 250 Soldiers, under the most Generous and Honourable _Henry Volda,_ Earl of _Meldritch, Salmaria,_ and _Peldoia,_ Colonel of a thousand Horse, and fifteen hundred Foot, in the Wars of _Hungary,_ and in the Provinces aforesaid under our Authority; whose Service doth deserve all praise, and perpetual Memory towards us, as a Man that did for God and his Country overcome his Enemies; Wherefore out of our Love and Favour, according to the Law of Arms, We have ordained, and given him in his Shield of Arms, the Figure and Description of three Turks Heads, which with his Sword before the Town of _Regal,_ in single Combat he did overcome, kill, and cut off, in the Province of _Transilvania._ But Fortune, as she is very variable, so it chanced and happened to him in the Province of _Wallatchia,_ in the year of Our Lord 1602. the 18th day of _November,_ with many others, as well Noble Men as also divers other Soldiers, were taken Prisoners by the Lord _Bashaw_ of _Cambia,_ a Country of _Tartaria;_ whose cruelty brought him such good Fortune, by the Help and Power of Almighty God, that he delivered himself, and returned again to his Company and fellow Soldiers, of whom We do discharge him, and this he hath in Witness thereof, being much more worthy of a better Reward; and now intends to return to his own sweet Country. We desire therefore all Our loving and kind Kinsmen, Dukes, Princes, Earls, Barons, Governours of Towns, Cities or Ships, in this Kingdom, or any other Provinces he shall come in, that you freely let pass this the aforesaid Captain, without any hindrance or molestation, and this doing, with all kindness, we are always ready to do the like for you. Sealed at _Lipswick_ in _Misenland,_ the ninth of _December,_ in the year of our Lord, 1603. * * * * * {MN} _The same in_ English. _With the proper privilege of his Majesty._ SIGISMUNDUS BATHORI To all and singular, in what Place, State, Degree, Order, or Condition whatsoever, to whom this present Writing shall come: I _William Segar,_ Knight, otherwise Garter, and principal King of Arms of _England,_ wish health. Know, that I the aforesaid Garter, do witness and approve, that this aforesaid Patent, I have seen, Signed, and Sealed, under the proper Hand and Seal Manuel of the said Duke of _Transilvania,_ and a true Copy of the same, as a thing for perpetual memory, I have Subscribed and Recorded in the Register, and Office of the Heralds of Arms. Dated at _London,_ the nineteenth day of _August,_ in the year of Our Lord, 1625, and in the first year of our Sovereign Lord _Charles,_ by the Grace of God, King of great _Britain, France,_ and _Ireland,_ Defender of the Faith, &c.