The Privy Council (named), Whitehall, to [Ralph Eure, Lord Eure],
- Clenennau letters and papers 283 [RESTRICTED ACCESS]
- Ffeil
- 1612/13, Feb. 28.
Ralph Eure has been previously directed to take from convicted recusants and others known to be recusants and ill-affected in religion in the county, all armour, weapons and warlike equipment found in their houses or belonging to them, and to keep it to be disposed of as the occasion requires. The words 'ill affected Religion', being general and subject to various constructions, have caused uncertainty in various counties as to the King's meaning therein; he, with the Council's advice and the opinion of the country's chief judges, explains it thus. His meaning is to deal not only with convicted recusants but with any who may be suspected of ill-affection in religion, including those who do not attend church frequently to hear divine service without a just cause such as sickness or some other impediment, those who for the last three or four years have not received communion at least once a year and those who have wives, children or servants who are recusants, non-communicants or otherwise known to be popishly affected, or have an extraordinary number of retainers or tenants who are recusants or non-communicants. Those being persons whom the King and state have reason to 'hould in jealousy', the Council, at the King's command, requires Ralph Eure to deal with them as he was directed in former letters to deal with convicted recusants. Refer Ralph Eure to the said letters, assuring themselves that his care and endeavours will equal the King's good opinion of his loyalty and willingness to serve him.