To my lovinge freinds/ mr Robert Binge Esquire/ and mr william Clarke/
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[second page]
for the viewe/ of furnaces &/ ordennances/
After my harty comendacons unto you. Wheras I receaved Le[tte]rs from my Lords, of her ma[jes]ties most honorable/ prevye Counsell/ dated the third of this month of August that there were bands/ taken of such as make Iron Ordinance w[i]thin this Countye/ that they should sell none to any that should transport the/ same nor them selves cause any to be transported beyond/ the Seas, and like wise certefie monthlye. For that my/ Lords ar informed of the smale regarde the Owners of ther/ Furnises, and the makers of thos peeces have of their bands/ and have yt importeth the Estate, that her ma[jes]ties Enemies/ should be furnished owt of the Land w[i]th ordinances to anoye/ us and the Realme should remayne unfurnished: I am ther/ =fore to praye you to repayer forthw[i]th, to the placies wher ther/ Furnises be, their to take a trewe Inventorye of such/ quantityes as already ar made and to give straght order/ in her ma[jes]ties name (accordinge to their former bands) that/ noe Iron peeces hearafter be made, w[i]thout speciall lycence/ from my Lords of her highnes most honorable prevy Counsell/ uppon such cawses as shall seme fitt to them, to allowe/ such quantitis to be made, as may serve for the speciall/ service as may be used w[i]thin this Relme only. Thus/ recomendinge unto you the care of this her ma[jes]ties service/ To bid you right hartily far well. From Cobham this=/ sixt of August 1589/
Your Lovinge freinde
Cobham
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(with permission of South Staffordshire County Council)
D593/S/4/28/5
Robert Bynge
William Clarke