EDWARD THE FIFTH

Summary

1483.

At the death of Edward IV. the great seal was held by Archbishop Rotherham the Chancellor of the University, but at the council which met on the 27th of May, when Richard Duke of Gloucester was declared Protector of the Realm, the seal was taken from the Archbishop, because he had espoused the cause of the Queen Dowager (then in sanctuary at Westminster), and he was committed to the Tower. It was at this period that the University thus addressed the Protector on behalf of their Chancellor:–

Ryght Hygh and Myghty Prince, in whom synglerly restith the Polityke governance pease & tranquillite of the Realme of Ynglonde. Your Humble Oratoures commende thame to your good Grace. And for alsmyche, as we have felt in tymes passed your bountefull and gracious Charite to us your daly Bedemen, not alonly in sendyng be your true Servant & Chaunsler Master Thomas Barowgle, to his Moder the Universitie a gret and fathfull lover, your large and haboundance Almous; Bot as wele fowndyng certyn Prestys & Fellows, to the grete worship of God, and to the encresse of Cristes faith in the Qwenys College of Cambrigge, we uppon that commfurth, make our writying to your good Grace, for suche thynges concernynge the wele of y^e Universite, besekyng your Noble Grace, to shewe your gracious and mercyfull goodnesse, at this our humble Supplicacion to the Right Reverent Fader in God the Archebisshop of Yorke our Heed & Chawnsiler, & many yers hath bene a grete Benefactour to the Universite & all the Colleges therin, and throught the helpe of God & your gracious favor shall long continue. […]