arms of the Burrough of Banbury, with central radiant sun excised 
BANBURY  DEUS EST NOBIS SOL ET SCUTUM  
To our well-beloved friends, to whom this present Writing shall come. We the Mayor, justices, Minister, Aldermen, and Burgesses of the Borough o● Banbury in the County of Oxon. wish all welfare and happiness.  
Our grievous loss, we presume, hath sufficiently been witnessed by too true report, which imboldneth us to seek to you, as feeling members, for relief. The King's mercy in granting Letters Patents, hath been so many ways abused, that in the general (we know) it hath much dulled the edge of men's liberality, especially to places remote: Might we have been permitted therefore, our Letters only should have made relation of our lamentable condition, and petitioned your supplies; but seeing the road way is the safest and most usual in these evil events, we make bold to send both together. A fearful fire of late furiously raging amongst us, hath consumed so much, that, unless to spectators, it may seem incredible: but if our honest credits may be a sufficient testimony, we assure you, all the particulars in his Highness' Letters Patents mentioned, and in the Briefs thereof, are true; and the losses (though therein rated at Twenty thousand pounds) are rather farreunder, than one whit overvalued. The number of our poor was great before, but is now increased, and the substance of those that did relieve them, by this accident is much diminished. We doubt not therefore, but in this extremity you will extend your charity, promising our Prayers, to entreat him that can give and take at his pleasure, to bless you with such continual safety and prosperity, that you may be always so happy, as to give, rather than receive. And thus presenting the sighs, groans, and tears of all these miserable afflicted Christians, (now left harbourless and succourless) to your charitable considerations. We humbly take leave, with such respects as every of your places and qualities require. Resting,  
From our distressed Town of Banbury, julij. 1628. Your loving friends and wellwishers, 

Epiphan Hill, Maior.  
William Whately, Minister.  
William Knight, justice of the Peace.  
justices of the Peace, and Aldermen. 

john Gill.  
Thomas Whately.  
john Nichols.    
Thomas Webb. 

Robert Russell.  
Thomas Halhed.  
Richard Vivers.  
Edward Wisdom.  
John Austen.  
Henry Halhed.  
George Robbins.    
Capital Burgesses. 

Edward Man.  
Edmund Smalbone.  
Matthew Alsop.  
William Allen.  
Francis Andrew.  
john Turton.      
To all Ministers, and other our loving friends and wellwillers.  
●ee the neighbour bordering Ministers of Banbu●y, whose names are subscribed, having seen and viewed the lamentable ruins thereof; and being ●erily persuaded of the truth of this Certificate, ●n each particular, earnestly desire your Christian forwardness and furtherance, towards the relief ●f these poor distressed Inhabitants.  


●ohn Dod.  
Robert Clea●er.  
William Wood  
James Walbancke.  
Roger Matthew.  
Thomas Lodge.  
Ralph Taylor.    
This is Printed by a Letter, to which they have subscribed their own hands.