A RELATION OF THE KING OF SPAINES RECEIVING IN Valliodolid, and in the english College of the same town, in August last past of this year. 1592.  
Wryten by an english Priest of the same College, to a Gentleman and his wyf in flanders, lately fled out of Ingland, for profession of the catholic Religion.  
Anno, M.D.XCII.   

A RELATION OF THE KING OF SPAINES receiving in Valliodolid,& in the English College of the same hewn.  
worshipful good Sir, before I received any lettres from yourself of your being in flanders, I was advertised thereof from diuers others in those partes, how both you,& the good gentlewoman your wife were come over upon the sudden,& enforced to fly or native country, for such a fact as being in itself both just and pious,& before God meritorious, was wont also in England to be accounted of Christian men, religious& honourable: I mean, to receive and harbour in your house a catholic priest; which thing though in our daies for particular respects, and by peculiar national laws, it be made for the time both heinous and treasonable; yet remaineth it still in itself& before God, as it was before,& according to that reckoning shall you receive at his hands your reward, and praise also and honour, in the sight and iudgement of all them that truly love and serve him.  
And yf I did think that you had need of Comfort in this case, and that almighty God the father of all mercies and Consolations, did not according to his custom, deal with you most sweetly, and furnish you abundantly with heavenly food,& ioy in this journey of yours. I could allege unto you many things that comme into my mind at this time,& do greatly rejoice my hart and spirits on your behalfs. And among other poyntes, first,& especially, that which S. paul in like occasion said unto his dearest children the Philippians. 
Phil. 1.  To you it is given for Christ his sake, not only to beleeue in him, but also to suffer for him. I remember also the flight out of Rome and italy which Aquila,& Priscilla his wife were fain to make under Claudius the Emperour as S. 
Acts. 18.  Luke recoumpteth in the acts of the Apostles, which flight of theirs, proved afterwards so much to their good, as may be gathered by the often and honourable memory, which the glorious Apostle S. paul maketh of them in diuers of his epistles, 
1. Cor. 16. & in one especially, 
2. Tim. 4.  where he not only calleth them his coadjutors in Christ Iesus. 
Rom. 16.  But also affirmeth that they were to be honoured and thanked by the universal body of the converted Gentiles. I remember in like manner( and that the rather being in this house dedicated to his name) the most renowned example of glorious S. Alban our first Martyr of England, under Diocletian the Emperour, who suffered martyrdom, as S. 
E●d. l. 1. c. 6.& 7. de ●est. Angl.  Beede& others do writ, for receiving a catholic priest in his house, as you do now banishment for the like fact, and had don death also yf you had been taken.  
These I say and other things do come to my memory concerning your case, though I do assure myself that you haue no need of these examples and encouragements at mens hands, but rather do receive them immediately of the giver himself, who incited you to do the fact for his love,& will not defraud you of your pay, neither in this life, nor in the next; With whom besides all other helps, you haue the potent intercession of that holy priest and martyr discovered in your house, 
Mr. gauge.  as also the prayers of that worthy gentleman and his wife that for the same crime haue ben adiudged of late to death, and of all others that since the late bloody Proclamation of november or before haue suffered murder, torments, imprisonments, or losses for the same cause, who cannot be few, according to the late account that is comme hither of only the earl of Huntingtons proceedings in yorkshire who is written to haue apprehended for his parte, 
cruelty of the earl of huntingdon.  well nere four score gentlewomen of account, besides all other persons of different sex& quality, vexed& afflicted by him for their conscience. And the like( or little less) is advertised of Lancashire, so as yf the like proportion be held in other shires also of England, you haue many parteners in your troubles,& you are partaker with them of many benedictions, and the more, the better for them that suffer, and for such others as haue participation with them, though most lamentable& grievous for the public face of our desolate realm, which hereby runneth to extreme peril of destruction. 
The cause of this narration.   
But of this I will say no more, but will come to ausweare the effect of your letter, wherein you desire to know the estate of this new English seminarie, here in Valliodolid, how, and when it began, and in what terms it remaineth at this present, of which you say that you haue heard of late, much and different speech in England, especially since the last proclamation, before name, wherein particular mention is made of this College, yea the whole proclamation thought principally to haue proceeded of the fresh advises of this new erection in spain.  
To all which I shall ausweare most willingly, and as particularly as I haue been able to learn the estate of this house in the few months I haue ben here, and glad I am that you call for this relation at this time, when by the late being here of this most pious King, and of his noble Children the Princes, to visit& honor this house and company, I haue much more worthy and delectable matter to writ of, then otherwise I should haue had.  
To the first then, 
The occasion of this College in spain.  touching the beginning of this Seminarie in Valliodolid, though in your said late english proclamation, among many other falsehoods these also be avouched most malitiouslie by the scribe thereof that the king of spain for furthering of other his intentions against Ingland, had dealt with Cardinal Allen and sather Persons( whom, he calleth two seditious heads of our english nation) to gather together with great labours upon his charges a multitude of dissolute youth to begin this Seminarie of Valliodolid and others in spain. Yet all men here do know it to be contrary, and can convince the impudency of this assertion, for that neither his majesty of spain, nor the Cardinal or Father before mentioned, nor any man else began this Seminarie upon any precedent deliberation, nor thought of any such matter at the beginning thereof, but only God himself, in such special and particular manner began the same, and increased it, as he is wont to set on foot such great and important works of his service and glory, which are contemptible oftentimes in mans eyes,& little esteemed or thought on until after by the effects the author thereof,& his intentions are discovered.  
You remember I am sure, 
moil byways of Gods works.  how God began the great work he had designed by joseph in Egypt, by sending him thether captive in poor, miserable and contemptible sort to mans eyes; you can not forget also how the same Lord of hostes, having determined, a far greater enterprise by S. paul the Apostle, 
Act. 9.& 27.  sent him first blind and afflicted into Damasco, and afterward bound and prisoner unto Rome. And yf we consider the greatest works that ever God did for converting the whole world, from darkness unto the light and obedience of his truth and Gospel, we shall finde that he did it not only by simplo& dearly men, in respect of worldly pomp, but also by strange and extraordinary means, 
Ion. 1.& 2.  as when he sent jonas by a tempest against his will to convert and save the whole state of the ninivites, 
4. Reg. 14 Mat. 2.  When himself fled to Egypt for fear of Herod, to leave there the first beginnings of his benedictions, where most of all they wear given to idolatry, when he dispersed his disciples from jerusalem, upon the persecution and death of his first martyr S. 
Act. 8.  Stephen, and by that means wrought infinite benefits to dyvers countries, kingdoms, and nations, and namely among other the conversion of that potent Ethiopian eunuch by means of S. philip, who returning to his country converted his queen Candaces, and her whole kingdom of Ethiopia.  
The like might be pondered of the coming of mary Magdalen, Martha, and Lazarus in a broken ship, without sail or mast, to Marsilia in France, as all antiquity doth testify, whereunto they wear enforced by the persecution of there enemies in jury, but the intention of him that governeth all, was to convert that parte of France, by that journey of theirs. The like journey against his will made into britain soon after the ascension of Christ, that noble man joseph of Aramathia, which butted our saviour, enforced there unto by fury of persecution at home, as also by tempest of seas abroad, when he least intended that matter, as all or english records do testefie, whose coming yet was ordained by God for the first spark of light, that was to be imparted unto our realm.  
The very like and no otherwise was the beginning of this work here in spain, which the queens proclamation feigneth or feareth to haue been instituted upon great treaty, counsel& deliberation, which indeed was never thought of by any here, until God himself had put it in execution, for thus in real verity passed the whole matter.  
In the month of Iulie about three yeares past, 
Inglishe catholics imprisoned, in Valleodolid and Burgos.  to wit the year 1589. when the english army to their cost, came to assault the frontiers of Galitia, and Portugal, four or five english preestes and schollers meeting by chance in this town of Valliodolid, from diuers places, where for their consciences they had lived in banishment, some of them with intention to go in their missions towards Ingland, and some to study, for that they wear not yet sufficiently learned to take that enterprise in hand, were by reason of the suspicious times, and just hatred conceived by this people against the english name( as well for their heresies, as other out rages lately committed, and as then in doing) apprehended, and laid in Irons, as wear also three other scholars of the same nation at the very same time apprehended and imprisoned in the city of Burgos, as they came out of France, by reason of the wars newly there begun, which was a peculiar providence of almighty God, to make these men and their cause known in this country, no less then when he had appeared to S. Paul and Silas in in Troas and willed them to go and preach in Macedonia, he provided for their welcome thither,& for the better publishing of their being there,& of the work they had in hand, that in the first town of Macedonia whereunto they came, name Philippi, they should be apprehended, 
Act. 6.  imprisoned and publicly whipped. even so in the cause of these men it fell out, which by their imprisonment became much more known and favoured by the principal of this nation, then ever otherwise it would haue been, and above all, notice was given thereof unto the king himself by father Persons before mentioned, who at that time by good chance, or rather by Gods particular providence, was in the court, being lately before sent by his superiors this way to-wardes flanders in business of his order: And having given information of the whole case& circumstances thereof unto his majesty, he according to his exceeding great piety, and peculiar love to all catholics of the english nation, taking great compassion that men of such quality,& vocation should suffer in his most catholic country, ordained presently by his royal letters, that the said preestes, and scholars should not onely be set at liberty,& protected, but also most tenderly cherished& favoured, as their vocation and holy purpose, in offering themselves to so many travails and dangers for Gods cause did deserve.  
And to the end, that this might be effectuated with more efficacy and consolation of the persons themselves, he appointed that the said father, should presently go down to Valliodolid,& gather to gether such English as wear there,& provide for them until the weather,& time,& other opportunities did serve for them to follow their intended iorny, into Ingland, which being don,& the father arrived at Valliodolid, I haue heard him say, that he found many evident& palpable arguments of Gods special care& providence in this affair: for as on the one side there arose daily many difficultes about the same, so wear they removed, and remedied again by Gods assistance very extraordinarily. And when the Seminarie was once begun( which was never thought of but upon this occasion) albeit as in all such works of Gods special service it is wont to fall out, there wanted not some contradictions, yet as I haue said, by the particular help of almighty God,& great piety of his majesty,& of such as are nere about his person, who are people of great virtue& singularly inclined to favour& further all charitable works, but especially this,& by the real& peculiar Christian disposition of this nation in general, who at marueillous forward in advancing any thing that appertaineth to the furtherance& increase of the catholic religion, when once they ar well informed of the matter. By these means and motives I say, this work hath grown so fast here in spain, as with in these three yeres it hath increased from six or seven persons that began the same, unto above seuentie, which now are in this house, besides some twelve or thirteen that the year past wear sent in missions into Ingland,& eight or nine that dyed here, of the common diseases, which the summer past very extraordinarily brought with it,& very likely they are to grow daily here, as far as I see, for that every week almost, I see them come hither, neither can we make them up chambers so fast( wherein praesentlie I haue some charge& exercise in this place to over look the builders) but that they come faster out of Ingland then their rooms can be made ready, though greare diligence be used also in this by the superiors of this house, and quickly wee shall haue God willing habitation for more then a hundred persons, and after that as God shall further dispose. For being called from thence with that special vocation of almighty God, as it appeareth, there is no doubt but he will provide them maintenaance, seing that he which giveth, the greater, will give also the less, and the superiors here being animated with this high providence of God will not refuse to recea●e them that are so sent, and so fit in all respects, and of so good ability and towardlines in learning, as commonly they are that God sendeth for this work.  
And truly Sir, 
The number of schollers that come over.  there be so many things to be considered in the coming over of these youths in to this place, in such number, of such quality and condition, and with such wonderful resolutions among so many and manifold labours, and dangers that are annexed thereunto, as to me they seem to make it evident, that this work is most carefully directed by God himself. For as touching the number, I haue told you before that they are very many in so small a time, and amid so many difficulties, of escaping and coming out of the realm. And to here them tel us here at their arrival, the strange events that haue happened unto them in their iornies, the dangers which they haue passed in diuers countries, and the means that God hath ever sent them in their needs, beyond all hope and human probabilities to get a way, is wonderful. And when at some times I haue asked them, how they knew of this seminarie here in spain, and whereby principally they wear moved to come hither, rather then to other places, diuers of them haue answered me, that the late proclamation set out by the queen in november last, against this Seminarie, did first of all give them notice thereof, as also appetite to see the place, so as that which my Lord Treasorers wilynes in Ingland did invent, to terrify and diuerte men from coming hither, that doth Gods goodness,& powerful hand in heaven( far ouerreaching my Lords simplo policies) turn to an incitation for men to repair this way.  
And touching there quality and condition that do come over, 
Ther quality and condition.  the most of them in truth are of such houses and families at home, as they might haue lived with great commodity of temporal estate in Ingland,& diuers also come, that be their fathers heires, or only children, and those of the principal gentry within our land, others brought up and in the way of good praeferment in the two universities of Oxford and Cambrige, leave all, and come hither for zeal of religion, being otherwise of very good ability& towardlines in learning; So as my Lord treasurer had no reason at all, and less shamfastenes in affirming so basely, and falsely of them as he did in the foresaid late proclamation. But above all, their resolution is to be admired, that being but youths, and diuers of them of very tender yeares, yet come they over with that determination, to stand and dy in the catholic cause,& this in such sort as they seem to haue nothing in their minds from the first hour of their vocation and resolution, unto the time they return home again for execution of the same, but the Imprisonments, tortures, and martyrdoms of Ingland, against which they provide and arm themselves, all the time they remain here, and that with such fervour, as by the continual thinking thereof, they so incense their desires towards the same, as they begin quickly to think the time long, which for their studies they haue to staic here before they may return to the same conflict again: And the more advises and letters that do come from Ingland, of rigor and cruelty used there against their fellows, the more, it seemeth, that these men are animated thereby,& more desirous to see themselves quickly in the battle: which spirit of theirs being so contrary to the inclination of flesh and blood, cannot come( in mine opinion) but of God only: And therefore, I assure you, it so moveth me oftentimes, as yf I swear but a sew yeares younger, that I could bear the labours of that mission, I think verily I should adventure to go back once again, with them into Ingland. For truly it moveth me greatly, to see these young youths, whereof many swear scarce born when I came out of Ingland first, to haue this courage, fortitude, and real as to put their hands and bloods to so heroical a work, when we that are old men do begin to repose: Though I know also, that in all good armies some must remain in the camp for guard of the baggage lef behind, whiles other go to the field, and the one is no less necessary for conservation of the whole, then the other, and therefore I will content myself with my degree and station which God hath given me for the present, and will help them in theirs wherein I may.  
And thus having declared unto you briefly the occasion and beginning of this College, 
The kings coming to Valliodolid.  with the present state wherein at this time it standeth,( though some other particularities I may chance to touch afterwards by occasion offered in this narration) I will now comme to recite unto you the great and extraordinary favour which this King with the Princes his children, shewed unto our nation and to this company in particular, by their personal coming hither this last week past, which fell out in manner and form following.  
The majesty of this King for diuers weighty& grave considerations, resolved in the month of may last past, to make a progress this summer unto his kingdom of arragon, partly( as is supposed) the better to appease& remove some little difficulties raised there by the evil humors and practices of some few unquiet persons( which now God bethanked are wholly remedied)& partly or rather principally to receive the oaths of fidelity of that kingdom unto the Prince philip of spain, now his highenes is of age for the purpose, according to the laws and customs of that realm, to wit fourteen yeres full complete and ended, And this determination of his majesty being once denounced& published throughout spain, every kingdom, province, shire, and town, by which his majesty was to pass, made particular preparation to receive him, with all possible demonstration of ioy, according to the exceeding great love and most hearty devotion, which his subiects do worthily bear unto him, and unto his most noble children: who are Princes certeinelie of most amiable aspect, courteous deportment, and rare expectation.  
This court then departed from S. 
beginning of the progress.  laurence of the Escuriall about the end of may last past, and making their iornie by Segouia, Areuole, Medina deal Campo, and other great towns, wear received every where with great preparations, and exceeding great joy and applause of the people, who wear never satisfied to behold their good old King and young Princes whom so long& earnestly before they had defyred to see. But among all the places of this kingdom of Castilla la Vieia, this town of Valliodolid, as the principal both for the royal chancery, Tribunal of Inquisition, honor of university, residence of nobility,& other pre-eminences which it holdeth( though yet it be no city) did show itself most eminent and noble, both in receiving his majesty and interteining him and the Princes, for the space of the is two moneths which they haue remained here.  
And for the entrance and receiving, 
The Kings entrance in Valliodolid.  I do assure you, that albeit I haue seen diuers courts and magnificent shewes in my life, yet never did I see thing that more contented me, either for the substance or order of the matter. For besides al the ranks of nobility, of Dukes, Marqueses, earls, Lords, and diuers orders of Kinghts with their variety of Grosses, habits and military signs: There went out also to meet his majesty and their highenesses all the clergy, as namelic the Lord abbot which is chief prelate of this town, with all the Chanons and other priests. There were also here present that time about other business, the archbishop of S. james,& bishop of Salamanca, that went with their trains. There went forth in like sort, the Lord president of this chancery royal, with all his Iudges, Lawriers, and other officers, which at in great numbers. There went forth the Inquisition, with their standard of the faith born before them: There went forth the university, with all sorts of Doctors and Licentiats with their ensigns: There went forth the governor of the hewn, with al his Councellors, and brethren: And finally all partes and members of Iustice and government( which here are very sollenme and honourable) besides infinite other particular persons went forth of the hewn to receive his majesty, who entered about five or six of the clock at after noon, upon the 25. day of june, his majesty with the Infanta in a coach all open and discovered,& the Prince on horseback, which was a particular favour to the people extreme desirous to see him, for that otherwise commonly his highenes is accustomend to go with his father in coach, albeit truly he becometh so well a horse, even in these young years of his, as it reioyced my very harre to see him one the same, considering what he is, and what he shall be,& what hope and expectation all christendom hath of him, which I persuade myself most assuredly that he will rather exceed, then not fulfil, according to the signs and tokens that now he giveth of the same, being all redy both in person and behaviour much more manlyke thē I could haue supposed. 
The Prince of spain.  For to speak nothing of his piety, which is the principal,& especially respected by the king his father in his education( wherein I could recount you strange things, by the report of his own Master and others of his highenes chamber, as here among us they are  told and believed) his towardlines also in other things is rare, I mean as well for his wonderful comeliness of body and activity joined with the same, as also gifts of mind, which both amaze,& infinitely comfort all such as consider them: and do hope that he is prepared for a pillar to all christianity after his father, that now sustaineth the same: And thus much of their receiving into Valliodolid. 
Entertatnements of the King in Valliolid.  After their entrance they swear entertained diuers daies by the nobility and town, with great diversity of shows, masks, running of bulls, exercises of arms,& other sports both by land and water, having made upon the river diuers gallies and barges for this purpose, albeit his majesty gave order to moderate the multitude of such preparations, which restrained much the desire& fervour of this people, and cut of many of their designments which they had made to recreate their king and Princes, with these kind of exercises. But the king though he went sometimes for recreation sake to these sights, yet his first and principal care was, according to his religious custom, to visit churches and monasteries, and other pious places, whereof he had all the draughts and designments soon brought unto him by such Architects as for this purpose do follow the court, and serve his majesty. And it was a wonderful edification to see and consider, the religious and christian humility of so great a monarch in this behalf: which surely I am not able to recoumpt unto you so much as it was, but certain I am that it made my heart to bleed, to think upon the different education, and deportment of our english Princes in these later daies, touching these religious actions, wherein our old ancient famous kings and queens by record of all antiquity, did yeld to no realm Christian in this kind of piety.  
But to tell you one example among diuers that I saw with mine own eyes, 
Execeding great piety and devotion of the King and Princes.  upon the first day of August last past, which was sunday, his majesty went to here mass at the new church of the jesuits in this town, which is very fair and of very excellent good architecture: and being received at the church door by all the religious of that house with great devotion and solemnity, the priest that in name of all the rest, did the divine office that day, came to the door appareled in his robes, and accompanied with his deacon,& subdeacon,& with the sign of our redemption in his hands, to wit the holy cross, with a little piece of the wood of the true cross whereon Christ himself died, placed in gold and crystal with in the same, which this religious king took and kissed with all reverence& devotion, and put it upon his face and eyes,& the prince following the example of so christian a father, did the very same upon his knee, and the infanta no more nor less, which was a sight of singular edification to all the standards by, and especially to some of us, that had known and seen the proud and contemptible manner of of proceedings of some heretical princes, in this behalf: and no doubt, but that every one such act of true christian humility in so mighty Princes, and that in the sight of so many lookers on, doth merit exceeding great grace at almighty Gods hands, who only is honoured& exalted thereby, and mans unworthiness and baseness acknowledged even in the highest. And truly to see these three great princes, to honour with such hearty affection, the cross& me morie of the death of their saviour, made me to imagine that I saw present our noble Britis he Emperour Constantine the great, with his renowned two catholic children, Constans, and Constantia, nay the Infanta seemed to resemble not only the piety of Constantia, but even the very zeal, wisdom, fortitude,& other virtues of our country woman S. Helena her self, and so by the universal consent of all men here shee doth, and is so generally loved and honoured for the same, as it cannot be expressed.  
One day also his majesty and the Princes went to see the university, where they wear received with exceeding great honor, and rare variety of learned exercises in all kind of sciences, which his majesty& their highenesses heard red, in every school: with many pithy orations,& other delectable inventions.   

OF THE kings coming to the english College.  
AFTER his majesty and their highnesses had restend some few daies, it seemed convenient to father Rodrigo de Cauredo Rector of this College, and to father Persons, to present unto his majesty the great desire these students had to be admitted to the sight and speech of his majesty, 
The Kings benignity.  and to kiss his hands in the palace, or where his majesty should appoint, and to give him thanks for the manifold great benefits which he had bestowed upon them, and all other catholics of their nation: which petition being propounded to his majesty by diuers of the chamber, and others of the nobility that highly do favor this College, in this court, his most gracious ausweare was, whither it should not be better to go in person, and see them in their own house: whereunto when it was replied, that their house was thought to be incomodious for such a matter, for that their habitation was not yet great, nor their building finished; his majesty answered the second time, that notwithstanding all this it should be good to think better of the matter, whereby he shewed his exceeding goodwill to the College, and gave these fathers here, hope of his coming hither, which before they never durst to haue expected,& much less to haue requested.  
Some daies after this there came to the College certain principal men about his majesty who always had ben favourers of this work, and by knowledge& consent of the King himself, did not only visit& comfort the students thereof by their presence, but also were content to stay& dine among them,& to hear diuers exercises of learning, both in divinity and philosophy and variety of languages, being all of them learned men themselves, to wit Garsia de Loyasa schoolmaster of the Prince,& high almoner of his majesty, and Don untrodden de Ideaquez of the privy council, and council of estate, and Don Martin de Ideaquez secretary of the privy council, and Doctor Valesius chief physician of his majesty, who having heard the foresaid exercises, were much contented and satisfied with the same, and gave great commendation, to the parties and frendlie relation thereof afterwards unto his majesty and the whole court, as occasion was offered: whereby much desire in them and others was increased, to haue his majesty come and see the house and company in person, as afterward he did.  
Among other things that these men swear inquisitive of that day to know( especially Don untrodden de Ideaquez who for his calling is very well learned, 
Orders of the english College.  and from the beginning had ben a special furtherer of this work, with his majesty) was about the manner of the schollers life,& study, and how they spent the time for preparing and furnishing themselves to that noble action of martyrdom, which they pretend, where upon was declared unto his lordship, not only their end, and ordinary means for the same, but also what peculiar order of study they used, for supplying of diuers poyntes of learning necessary for this enterprise, though not so much used nor yet so precisely needful for the people of other countries, where heresies haue not entered, as for these that go to Ingland, though many particular men also of this nation are to be found that are very skilful in in the same, I mean in matters of controversy,& diligent reading of the text of scriptures, with skill of the Hebrew and greek languages and other the like poyntes, besides the ordinary courses of divinity and philosophy, which most learnedly arread in this university. And for better declaring of this matter, there was shewed unto his Lordship a table that hangeth in the College of the orders of the house, containing the distribution of all the time frōhower, to hour, throughout the whole day, and week,& year, which here with I may prochaunce sand also to you in a paper apart yf I can haue time to copy it out, to the end you may understand, that the life and exercise of these men is conformable to the enterprise they haue proposed to themselves, for gaining of souls to their maker, and that my Lord Treasurer was much carried away with passion, when in his late proclamation he avouched, that their whole life was nothing else but study of treason. This table being read by Don untrodden de Ideaquez, which contained( as I haue said) the whole order of the students life, and conversation, both for prayer, lectures, disputations, corporal refection, recreation, and other exercises from the very time of their rising until the instant wherein they go to bed again, all measured and limited with great wisdom and circumspection: the thing pleased him so well, as he would needs haue a copy written out thereof,& sent him, which was don the next day after, and it is supposed that he imparted the same also to the king: But howsoener this was, certain I am that the superiors of this house, had shortly after assurance that his majesty, and their highenesses would come and visit the College, for which purpose they began presently to make preparation, as well as the time would serve, which by Gods particular providence and assistance, fell out far better in the end, then at the beginning was Imagined, for of a certain quarter of a house, which they had begun to build up for a refectory, and other offices belonging thereunto, being a hundred and ten foot in length, and about two or three and sovereignty in breadth, though the sells were but half superintendency up, yet they made shift to cover it with timber and canuase, and hanged it very decently with green and red taffatie, and so adorned it with aabundance of verses of many languages, emblems, hieroglyphics, and other learned inventions, as was most beautiful and delectable to behold; and in the mids thereof was made a place of estate, mounted somwhat higher then the rest, with three chairs, for the king and the two Princes to sit, and right over against them a pulpit for the exercises of learning to he donne therein. On the right hand of the king sat the Prince, and on his side stood al the schollers in ranks, according to their degrees in studies. On the lest hand sat the infanta, and near to her were placed all hir Ladies and women of honour: and next to them the nobility and courtiers that came with the king, and all had very good and commodious standing, by reason of the largeness of the place as hath been said.  
The exercises that swear appointed for this receiving of his majesty, 
Exercices appoynted for the King in the Ing. College.  were the foresaid verses and compositions in diverse languages,& besides this, certain orations and pithy speeches in the same tongues, upon diverse verses of the 71. psalm which beginneth Deus judicium tuum Regida,& justitiam tuam filio Regis. Which psalm though it were written properly and peculiarly of Christ himself, yet by secondary application,& by some similitude, it may also very aptelie be accommodated to this most christian King,& his son, that are so principal ministers of Christ, and do imitate so manifestly his kingly virtues, which in this psalm are expressed. And for that the superiors of this house considering the good ability of these students, in the variety of languages, which in this banishment of theirs they haue learned, being able to speak and writ very perfectly in nine or ten different tongues( a rare thing, as it seemeth in a College of one only Nation) they thought it best that in every language some schollers should take a verse of the foresaid psalm, and briefly thereupon say somewhat, to the present purpose of the King and his childrens being here, and of the state of our afflicted country.  
This being thus appointed his majesty upon the third of August, 
The Kings coming.  being the day of the invention of the sacred body of S. Stephen the proto martyr of Christs universal Church( a fit day for the relation it had to S. Alban first martyr of Ingland to whom this house is dedicated) caused to be advertised presently after dinner, that he would be with us that very evening, which he fulfilled, and for more show of love and confidence, came with out any gard at all, though he had three royal guards in the town, to wit, one of Almans, the second of Burgondians, and the third of Spaniards: only the Rector of the College sent to the captain of the spanish guard, to request half a dozen of his privy-councillors, to be sent him for keeping the College gates, to the end that so great a press of people as repaired thither, upon the famed of the Kings coming, should not enter and disturb those that were within, or came with his majesty.  
The King and Princes being comme to the College, first of all they made their prayer in the chapel of S. Alban, where briefly by one of the fathers of the society, the reasons wear given to his majesty why this College had taken the advocation of that saint: first because he was the first martyt of Christ in that island, and secondlie for that his cause of martyrdom was the same for which men at this day do suffer death in Ingland, to wit for receiving of a priest into his house as before hath been touched, from this place they went to the great hall or theatre before mentioned, where his majesty and their highenesses being set they first of all viewed more distinctly all the schollers in their ranks, which before they had only seen together at the first entrance at the gate of the College. And here it was  told his majesty first of all, which of the students were divines, which Philosophes, which newly come, and other like circumstances.  
After this presented himself before his majesty a youth of very grateful aspect,& commelie action, which in the name of al the rest made a pithy oration of gratulation& thanks giving to his majesty& their highenesses, for their coming thither, and many other benefits bestoued upon our nation, the somme of the oration was, 
The oration to the King.  that as in one respect he took it for a singular benefit, and privilege to himself, to haue occasion and leave, to utter that day by word of mouth, the exceeding ioy and iubiley of his hart, which the rest of his fellowes, brethren, and fathers there present wear permitted to to testify, by their looks only and alacrity of countenance: so on the other side, it did breed unto him no small difficulty to be commanded by his superiors to be brief, and to haue his time limited of speech in suth an argument& subject, as had no end or limit in itself, which wear the praises and acts praise worthy of his catholic majesty, of which albeit he wear letted to speak, both by the foresaid brevity of time& great modesty his majesty, yet hoped he at least that he might haue spoken some what in that place of our country of Ingland, some thing also of himself and his follows, his majesties children, pupils and guests: many things of spain, that had been to them so loving a nurse, and most of all of the manifold benefits received of his majesty; of all which seing that by the causes recited he was enforced to hold his peace, he said his next comfort was to consider that his majesties wisdom, knowledge and experience of all affairs,& especially ours of England, was so great, that by one only view of those schollers present without hearing them speak, he would conceive more of their estate and desires, and of all these points before mentioned, then he by any length of speech could utter unto him.  
To this sense and substance he began his oration; and for that I remember now, that you understand also the Latin tongue, I will not spare to set down here so much of the beginning of the said oration, as already I haue expressed in english, for thus it went.  
Singulari beneficio contigisse mihi arbitror hodierno die( Potentissime Pijssimeque Rex) quod cum caeteri mei socij Patres fratresque corona hac circumfusi, conceptam animis laetitiam cordiumque gaudium, ex hac maiestatis tuae,& serenissimorum Principum gratissima praesentia plenissimè cumulatum oculis tantum& vultu teslentur, mihi soli inter caeteros sors haec gratissima obtigerit, vt gestientis animi exultationem verbis quoque eloquar. Quod summam sanè mihi iucunditatem parit; non quod ego me lius quam caeteri praestare hoc possim, said quod exuberanti cordis affectui commodious hac ratione satisfaciam, quam reliqui, qui erumpentem mentis ardorem vocis silentio premere coguntur.  
Quanquam ex altera quoque parte summam profecto eloquendi mihi difficultatem facit, cum temporis buius, tum sermonis etiam circumscriptio, qua iubeor esse breuissimus. Quid enim quaeso, immensam illam ingentemque factorum tuorum nobilissimorum syluam ingredienti( gloriosissime monarcha) quid innumerabilia laudum tuarum encomia a●●mo percurrenti magis adversum aut incommodum cogitari potest, quam temporis angustiae& orationis praescripta breuitas? Idque multo magis mihi hoc primo aditu ad maiestatis tuae conspectum, quo vt caetera omnia taceam& silentio inuoluam, aliquid certè de Anglia nostra dicendum mihi fuerat, nonnulla de nobis ipsis, silijs, alumnis,& hospitibus tuis, multa de Hispania dulcissima nutrice nostra, plurima vero de te tuisque maximis& insinitis in nos beneficijs, quae omnia cum vel omittere prorsus. vel in huius tantilli temporis angustias indecorè planè compingere cogar, permolestum merely videbatur. Qanquam vt verum fatear, eo uno interim me solabar plurimum, quod tantam esse sciremmaiestatis tuae prudentiam,& in omni rerum genere( nostrarum maximè) cognitionem, vsum, ac singularem foelicissimamque memoriam, vt quicquid ego dicturus sim, aut dicere his de rebu● possim, id tu ex unico nostrum intuitu, animo praeconciperes,& benignitatis tuae assensu, siue dicentem me, siue gratulantem, siue gratias agentem, vel etiam supplicantem anteuerteres. Nota est enim iādiu maiestati tuae conditio nostra, nota causa, perspectae difficultates, cognitum propositum, audita desyderia, intellectae spes, non ignota studia: quibus omnibus cum tu pro singulari tua pietate ac regia clementia& munificentia tantopere faueas& patrocineris, non ista nobis tam commemorare necesse est, quam gratis animis prosequi, quam memoria sempiterna complecti, quam extensis manibus, oculis, cordibusque( quod certè facimus) ad caelum vsque quotidie transmittere, ubi tantae beneficentiae praemium certissimum,& remuneratio tibi futura est sempiterna.  
This then was the first parte of his speech to the King, and in the continuance and prosecution of the same he touched diuers points that seemed greatly to move the standards by, as among others he alleged that example of rich Abdias in the books of the kings, who said to Elias the prophet. Haue you heard perchance( quoth he) what I did in times past, 
●. Reg. 19.  when jezabel the wicked queen did persecute and slea the Prophets of God almighty how I did save a hundred of their lives together, by hiding fystie in one cave,& systie in an other,& feeding them with bread& water? Which this youth applied to the King of Spaines succouring of english catholics in these daies, under the persecution of queen Elizabeth of Ingland, and that he had saved the lives not of one hundred, but of many hundreds, nor had hidden them in caues as Abdias did, but had received them openly and honorablie, in his towns, cities, and kingdoms, nor had only maintained them with bread and water, but given them liberally and abundantly to live on. All which he uttered with such good grace and hearty affection, and with so effectual words and speech in the Latin tongue, as greatly pleased all men, and made deep impression in the hearers, especially to such as knew the speaker( whereof also his majesty was partly advertised by a father that stood near him) to be the son of a worshipful gentleman of our country, that dyed in prison for his religion, and that the youth himself being then but 14. yeares of age had been twice or thrice imprisoned in Ingland for confession of the catholic faith, with two of his brethren, before they came into these parts, which circumstances gave very great force and energy to that he spake, and so when he had don his majesty said once or twice very heartily that he had don very well. And when he came to kiss his majesties hands on his knee, he would not suffer him, but embraced him tenderly about the head and so dismissed him.  
After him mounted up into the pulpit( that stood before the King and Princes) an other youth of XVI. yeares of age, of no less grace& habilitie in speech thē the former, whose name for just respects of the worshipful and honourable to whom he is of kindred in Ingland, I do omit, his speech was thus word for word in the spanish tongue, by way of preface and preamble to that which was to ensue.  
After we wear advertised( most victorious King and noble Princes) of the exceeding great favour which your majesty and highenesses had determined to show unto us,& to our nation, 
The entrance to the tongues.  by coming to visit in your royal persons this their new College of poor banished Inglishemen; we began to think with ourselves, what we might do on our partes, with the little talent which God hath given us, that might not be ungrateful to your majesties ears, nor unworthy of your presence: And so having received your majesty and highenesses, with those few words of gratulation and thankes giving, which in the name of the whole company haue been uttered, no one thing seemed should be more apt, or acceptable, then as yf people dispersed in diuers countries and nations for comfession of him that is Lord of all, we should utter in diuers languages, as well by speech from this pulpit, as in the variety of verses and compositions which hang on these sells, the great and unspeakable mercies and favours which almighty God by means of your majesty hath shewed unto us, and will do every day more, as wee haue just cause to expect. And for our th●●mes or arguments of these speeches, we haue thought best to take in order the principal verses of the seuentie and one psalm, as very commodious for this purpose; and our beginning shalbe from the Hebrew tongue, as mother and roote of all the rest.  

I. The Hebrew.  
HE that spake in the Hebrew tongue was a person very markable, for being so near of kin as he is to one of the worthiest men that ever perhaps the soil of Ingland bread of his coat, I mean of that noble and worthy knight and Martyr S. Thomas More, whereof the King being advertised at the first appearing of this man in the pulpit, he  told presently the infanta thereof. He took for his theme the first verse of the fore said psalm which in Latin saith thus. Deus judicium tuum Regi da,& justitiam tuam filio Regis.& in english, O Lord give iudgement unto the King, and iustice unto the Kings son. whereupon this man spake in Hebrew, and repeated the same briefly again in Latin when he had don, and so did all the rest that followed and speak in tongues not understood by his majesty,& the Princes, the effect of his speech was, that as iudgement and iustice were two principal pearls, and precious stones which among others did adorn and greatly beautify an Imperial crown, and for that cause were so specially attributed in this verse of the psalm unto the royal government of Christ our saviour. So by the singular goodness& favor of the same our saviour it was brought to pass; that in these most troublesone daies of ours, wherein so many other kingdoms wear driven into disorder, dissolution, 
Iustice and iudgement, in spain.  and licentiousness, by wars, tumults and heresies, Iudgment and Iustice should so much flourish in the crown of spain, as never by any mans memory was recorded the like. Which was the cause also that so many of far countries did repair hither, to shrewd themselves under these two noble shields of all peace, tranquilitie, and security, and so much the more for that they did not, only see iudgement and Iustice established in spain for his majesties daies, but the Princes education and inclination also to be such for maintenance of the same, as they might be hoped to be perpetual, so as the prophets desire was here also fulfilled( saith he) that wished both Iudgement and Iustice to the King, and to the Kings son.   

II. The greek.  
HE that spake in the greek tongue, was a man no less quallifyed then the rest, but rather more in all kinds and variety of learning, and born of a worshipful house in Ingland, as for the most part they wear all which spake to the King this day, and he spake the greek tongue so naturally, as it made them wonder that understood it, in so much as it pleased his majesty to ask the prince whither he understood any parte thereof, for that his highenes besides all other royal qualities& virtues, is said also to be so diligently instructed in both these tongues of latin and greek, as that in the first he both speaketh and receiveth well. This man then took for his theme the second verse of the fore said psalm, which having relation to the words going in the verse before, saith thus, judicare populum tuum in iustitia,& pauperes tuos in judicio. That is, To judge thy people in iustice, and thy poor ones in iudgement. Which words he applied to the same effect almost which the other had done the former verse, though with different conceits& sentences, for he told of the two potent hands whereby God did hold up& govern the whole sprite of the world, as also of the two feet whereby he was said to walk the inscrutable byways of his divine providence, and that as this King present above all other earthelie and temporal christian kings, did most represent the power of almighty God by the greatness of his monarchy, so did he in no one thing more imitate the patetne of his goodness then by protecting Gods people with Iustice and iudgement, and relieving his poor ones, whereof the english present and many others of their nation could give most true and glorious testimony.   

III. The Latin.  
HE that spake in the Latin tongue was somwhat longer then the rest, for that both his majesty and the Prince and diuers other of the court and noble men there present understood him, and so taking for his theme the third verse which followeth in order, in the foresaid psalm, he expounded these words. Suscipiant montes pacem populo& colles justitiam. That is, Let montaines bring peace to the people and little hills Iustice. Which he applied according to the exposition of S. Augustine to the preachers of Gods word, who ar called moumtaines and hills, whereon the city of God, that is his church is set to be seen, and from whom iustice and peace ar principally to be learned, he said that among other infinite benefits which the english nation had received of almighty God, this was to be accounted for one of the most rare, that in a time of so great floods and tempests that ouerwhelmed and drowned all face of piety and religion in their country, God had provided yet some mountaines and hills that swear more eminent then any of the floods, and that durst wade and walk amids the most raging waues thereof, knowing Iustice and peace unto the people whom God had chosen to be favourably of the same, and that these hills and mountaines swear the priests and preachers of catholic religion, sent in by the Colleges and seminaries whom God had reserved in his merciful providence for this fatal flood, to preach in Ingland peace of conscience to all such as against the same haue followed heresy for temporal respects: and iustice of life to such as upon presumption of only faith, haue lest the observation of Gods holy commandments: In which action and heavenly enterprise seing his majesty had so great parte by his liberality towards the seminaries, wherein these mounteines and hills did grow, as all the world knoweth: he said that he did not doubt but that besides the reward eternal which at Gods hands he was to expect, he should receive also comfort in this world, one day, by the peace and Iustice both temporal and spiritual, that he should see restored in Ingland again, when it should please his divine majesty to take mercy of the same, about which point he spake diverse things of much tenderness and compassion.   

IIII. The english.  
AFTER these three learned tongues, there ensued other three vulgar languages, to calicut, the english, the welsh or british, and the Scotish, wherein those that spake as they presumed that few of the court would understand them( though of no nation commonly there want in the same) so swear they the briefer, notwithstanding that by the form of their action and manner of speech they seemed to move diverse that understood them not, nor swear they to his majesty and Princes( as appeared) either werisome or tedious. And he that spake in english was a youth of great piety and zeal in religion though modest and comely in his behaviour,& yf I should tel you his name, you would marvel that any of that name and lineage should be of that quality, for he is a flower of a very principal though heretical family in our country, and diverse of his friends and kindred at not only of credit in the court, but in special charge also abroad in the country, so that here you see that wonder somewhat fulfilled that our saviour speaketh of in the gospel( yf yet the comparison be like) that figs at gathered somerymes of thorns which we see happen very often times in this sense here with us, to wit, that of deceived parentes in Ingland, do come hither children very zealous in Gods service and the catholic religion, so as God giveth his grace to whom he pleaseth only.  
This man took for his theme the fourth verse in order of the psalm, which is: judicabit pauperes populi,& saluos faciet filios pauperum,& humiliabit calumniatorem. He shall give iudgement to the poor of the people, and shall save and deliver the poor mens children, and shall humiliate, or bring down the scalaunderer or calumniator. And for that the other that had spoken before, seemed to haue treated sufficiently of the former two clauses of this verse, he touched principally the third, considering the humiliating and bringing down of this sclaunderer or false calumniator: which he expounded of all others in the world to be principally and most truly understood of the heretic, who calumniateth and sclaundereth both God and all godly persons and actions, for first of all he calumniateth Gods word, by false in terpretations,& expositions of his own head, making that to appear scripture which is none at all, but his own invention: secondlie he calumniateth Gods ordinances and government, in that he rebelleth against the subordination and hierarchy that he in his church hath appointed. thirdly he calumniateth his mother the catholic church, in imputing infinite false errors& lies unto hir, which either his malice hath invented, or his ignorance not understood, or his wilfulnes misconstiued: Fourthelie he calumniateth the holy fathers and doctors of the same church, with like false imputations and calumniations of his own pride, as also he scalaundereth and condemneth lastelie all his own progenitors what soever, for justifying onclie his own fancy and vanity.  
This then said he, is that hateful sclaunderer& wicked calumniator, which the Iustice and iudgement of God( so much repeated in this psalm) will humble and bring down in time, and that principally as we trust by the hands of your majesty, &c.   

V. The Welshe, or British.  
WELL you do remember( as I suppose) that the welshe or british language that was used in Ingland before the entrance of the Saxons, is accounted so ancient among us as many in Ingland do think it can neither be written nor printed, which not only reason but experience also of our daies doth manifestly refute, for that a catholic priest and Doctor in divinity of that nation hath both writen and printed not long ago a grammar and catechism in the same language, on this side the seas, and here be diuers in this College: that do both speak and write the same very well, and do hope to preach therein also one day, to their country men when their lot shall comme to return home, as diuers others of that nation haue don before them, with much zeal& edification, and he that spake in that language here, being a worshipful mans son also of that country, did it so well& sensibly, that he delighted many, and among others as it seemeth the King himself who asked of a father that stood by him, what difference there was between the english and welshe languages.  
He took for his theme the seventh verse of the foresaid psalm, to wit. Orietur in diebus eius Iustitia& abundantia pacis donec auferatur Luna. There shall in his daies spring up Iustice and abundance of peace as long as the moon or element shal endure. Which as it was properly spoken of christ and of his everlasting and ghostelie inward peace, and Iustice, as before hath been nored, yet did this man apply it also very aptelie to the extraordinary peace and Iustice within this Kings daies, after so many wars of Charles the Emperour his glorious father, not only in his own dominions,( which are most ample throughtout the world) but other Kings also and Princes adjoining, by his means haue enjoyed, &c.   

VI. The Scotishe.  
THE language which is commonly used in the court and better parte of Stotland is not much different from the Inglis he as you know, though in the mountain parts and islands of Orchades and Hebrides adjoining thereunto, the natural language is Irish, hereby it cometh to pass that diuers of our nation that are born towards the north partes of Ingland, or haue had recourse in to Scotland, can speak also that language, wherein the theme fell out to be this day, the twelfth verse of the foresaid psalm, which hath these words. Liberabit pauperem à potente& pauperem cvi non erat adiutor. He shall deliver the poor man from the potent, yea the poor man that hath no helper at all. Which he applying to this King, did touch with brevity diuers points of the cruel and intolerable oppressions of the catholics in Ingland, both in goods, lands, life, and famed, whose cause being religion, is made notwithstanding so odious by wicked drawing the same to matter of estate, as no man dare speak for them, no not so far forth as they would speak for a thief or murderer, whereby properly they may be called that kind of poor that haue no helper, for whom almighty God peculiarlie promiseth affistance in this verse, and as we hope( said he) by the help of your majesty, whom he hath in dued with so great wisdom and all sufficiency for this purpose, etc. He made also comparison that yf the people of Israel thought it heavy and grievous to be afflicted by foreign Princes and alliens for their sins when they forsook God, what may the english do too see themselves owtraged, afflicted,& vexed by their own natural country men, and that for the desire to live virtuously and serve God? And yf God plagued those old persecutors also, whom he himself yet had set a work, to chasten the Iewes, after they had served his turn, what will he do to these whom the devil only setteth a work, when the time shall come of restoring to every body according to his merits? &c.   

VII. The french.  
NEXT unto these three tongues that might seem barbarous and peregrine to spanish eats, there followed other three that were presupposed to be understood by all or the most parte of them that were present, to wit, the French, Italian, and Spanish: and for this consyderacion both the speakers in them were permitted to be somewhat the larger, and did not repeat afterward in Latin that which before they had uttered in the vulgar language. The verse that fell to the lot of him that spake in the French tongue was the thirteenth of the forenamed psalm, to wit. Parcet pauperi& inopi,& animas pauperum saluas faciet. He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the lives or souls of those that ar in necessity. Which words as he confessed to be spoken properly of Christ, so also he affirmed they might very aptly and justly be applied as the former swear) to the estate present of poor english afflicted Catholiks, and to his majesties proceedings inwards them, and for that I persuade myself that you are not altogether unacquainted with these three tongues, and to the end you may in parte perceive the good talent of these our youths in these languages( for that it was wholly their own doing, as the rest was also of the others& that upon the sudden) I will here put down some of their words in every of these three tongues, though the good grace& ability where with they pronounced the same can not so well by words be expressed.  
The first then being a youth of very worshipful english parents having recited his theme before mentioned began thus. Ce Psaulme, queen nous avons prins pour dire quelque choose auiourd' hue deuant vostre Maiesté serviceable( Roy trespuissant,& le plus grand monarch du monde) chantoit au temps pass le Roy david a son fills Salomon, comme figure de nostre Sauueur, qui estoit le uray Salomon,& lequel en ses virtues queen icy raconte le prophet il vmbrageoit,& en voy mesme nous representoit, il nous a semblé n'estre horse de propos, dire auiourdhuy, a vostre person serviceable, non pas comme figure de nostre Seigneur a venir, ains comme a son parfaict imitateur, Royal minister,& disciple tresfidele, en qui, comme en vn vif portrait& modelle nous nous voions representer la person de nostre Seigneur,& ce non seulement en ces virtues& faiiz heroiques, less quells on't racontc ceux queen vous avez jusques icy ouyes, mais beaucoup plus en ce qu'a ceste heure m'est escheu pour dire, qui est. Parcet pauperi& inopi,& animas pauperum saluas faciet. Which in english may thus be expressed. This psalm which we haue taken to say somewhat of this day before your majesty, ( most puissant King, and of the world the monarch most potent) was sung in times past by the royal Prophet david to his son Salomon, as to him that bare the figure of Christ or savour, who was indeed, the true Salomon, and whose sovereign virtues the Prophet in this place recounteth. And it hath not seemed to us from the purpose this day to apply the same to your royal person, not as a figure of our savour to come as Salomon was, but rather as to a perfect flower, royal minister,& most faithful disciple of our said saviour now in heaven, whose sovereign person we see most liuelie represented in your majesty, as in a most excellent portrait and modelle, and this not only in this noble virtues and heroical facts which they haue recited that haue gon before me, but more in this particular point which now by order is happened to me to treat of, to wit these words. He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall deliver the souls or lives of such as are in necessity, &c.  
Thus was the beginning and entrance to his speech, which after he applying to the present estate of themselves that were banis head and his majesties royal proceedings towards them he uttered these words among diuers others that he spake, with great affection which moved much the hears to compassion. Nous autres ne pouuons pas viure en nostre pais,& terre native, mais chassez d'icelle estions dispersez viuans comme bannis en terres estrangeres& ce non sans beaucoup d'afflictions,& calamitez, queen chasqu'vn iour,& chasque heur nous souruenoient:& vous comme l'Aigle a ses petits& le poulle a ses poullets nous avez, qui estions deuant esperdus, asteur recueilli sous voz aylles, je veux dire en vostre royalme tresflourissant,& sous vostre sceptre embelli de tout genre de virtue& pieté,& de vostre liberalité, non indign de vostre person nous soustient,& pouruoit de toute choose necessaire, de laquelle nous prive nostre pais proper: Et n'estant point de cecy content avez auiourd' hue voulu avec vostre royal presence, taunt grandement nous conforter,& faire queen cestuy nostre exil ne nous est grief, ains plus tost fort agreeable, &c. Which in english is thus. We that could not be suffered to live in our own country and native soil, but were driven from thence dispersed and banished into foreign lands, not without many afflictions and calamities incident thereunto, which every day and hour is wont to bring with it: your majesty like the eagle that protecteth hir little ones, and as the hen that gathereth together hir young chickens, hath gathered us dispersed men together under your most noble wings, I mean in this your most flourishing kingdom, under the protection of your potent sceptre, adorned with all kind of heroical virtues, and with your princely liberality correspondente to your person, haue sustained and furnished us with all necessaries for our life& studies, whereof the cruelty of our own contrimen hath deprived vs. And not being content with this only, your may sty hath this day also vouchsafed to come and honour us with your most royal presence, by which we remain so extremlie comforted as our banis hement cannot seem grievous unto us hereafter, but rather most pleasant& hono rabble. This& diuers other things he uttered which for brevity I omit to the end I may be able to say some what also of the rest.   

VIII. The Italian.  
HE that spake in Italian had for his theme the fourteenth verse, which saith thus. Ex usuris& iniquitate redimet animas eorum,& honorabile nomen eorum coram illo. He shall redeem their souls or lives from usury and iniquity, and their name in his presence shalbe honourable. The is are effects that Christ himself wrought most gloriously in this world by redeeming our souls from iniquity,& from the oppression of infernal tyrants, and made their name honourable in his presence, which was contemptible before, as also they are benefits, which in a secondary sense may be attributed to the munificence of the king of spain, by whose protection so many of our nation ar delivered from the tyranny of cruel usurers at home, who lend not so much as a little peace or rest to any catholic, but with interest of their souls, by yielding to their heresies and other abominations thereon depending. His beginning was thus.  
Il Real Propheta( potentissimo Re& Principi serenissimi) perseuerando di cantare le misericordie deal nostro pietoso padre& creatore Iddio, ci da speranza con queste parole gia recitate, che risguardara anche vn giorno la nostra pouera gente& che riscatarà da tante misery, kill anime afflictissime dela nostra, non may sufficientemente detta miserrima patria, parole certamente per noi altri piene di grandissima consolatione& contento, &c. which in english is thus in effect. The Royal Prophet King david( most potent K. and gracious Princes) continuing to set down in this psalm the infinite mercies of our heavenly father& creator, giveth us hope by these words here recited in this verse, that he will one day also look upon our poor nation, and deliver the afflicted souls of our most desolate and miserable country, from the intolerable oppressions which they suffer which hope cannot be but of exceeding great comfort and contentment to us all.  
Thus was his beginning, and after this he prosecuted the matter more particularly, and shewed how honourable his majesty had made the name of poor english banished catholics before him& all the world that day, by coming in such fort to visit them, whom their own Prince& people had cast out as unworthy to live among thē, so that it was truclie verified which here the Prophet saith: Et honorabile nomen eorum coram illo, &c.   

IX. The Spanish.  
TO the spanish language fell the eighteen verse, which containeth the conclusion as it were of all that goeth before in these words. Benedictus Dominus Deus Israel qui facit mirabilia solus. Blessed be our Lord God of Israel that only doth wonderful works. upon which words he that spake began thus. En los versos passados ha visto vuestra Magestad la grande bondady marauillosa misericordia de Christo nuestro Sen̄or para con los pobres y affligidos, a cuyo consuelo y liberacion, parece queria queen siruiesse toda su grandez ay potencia. Se ha visto tan biē como todo esto se verifica parimente en las obras de vuestra Magestad queen con nosotros perseguidos y desterrados ha vsado; De surety queen a mi aora, no me ha quedado otro, si no, las alabanças deal Seūor pox estas grandes misericordias suyas, y esto es lo queen dizen las palabras ya al legadas deal verso: Benedictus Dominus Deus Israel qui facit mirabilia solus. Sea Sen̄r Dios, y eterna Magestad tu nombre benedicto y glorificado para siempre iamas, pox aver nos dado tantos bienes deal cielo pox mano vuestra y tan sin merecimiento nuestro, y pox aver nos dado tantos aliuios sober la tierra pox mano de tan poderoso y Catolico Rey, para queen fuesse suaue consuelo, y seguro puerto y amparo de los abatidos con las ondas y olas tempestuosas de la mar, y rigorosos vientos de afflicion y angustia, y affligidos con tyranias y crueldades, con desterramientos y carceles, y todo genero de tormentos y martyrios. Alabente pues Sennor tus angels, y bendigante todas tus criaturas pox tales marauillas, porq̄ cierto lo son, y muy grandes, y sola obra deal altissimo Dios, &c. In english thus: Your majesty hath seen in the verses before recited, the exceeding great goodness and wonderful mercies of our saviour Christ towards poor, needy, and afflicted men, for whose only comfort and deliverance it seemeth that all his power and greatness was to serve, according as the Prophet describeth the same. It hath bē seen in like manner, how all this prophesied of Christ our saviour, may also in good sense and reason be verified in the acts of your royal majesty, towards us persecuted and banis head english catholics, so as now unto me there resteth nothing but only the praises of almighty God, for these his great benefits and mercies which the verse fallen to my lot expresseth in these words. Blessed be our Lord God of Israel which only doth wonders. Blessed be thy eternal majesty o Lord God, and blessed be thy name and glorified for ever, for that thou hast given us so many heavenly gifts for our souls with thy own hands, and without all desert on our be half, and so many comforts and other benefits upon earth by the hands of so potent& catholic a King, and hast prepared him to be so sweet a comfort and sure defence to men wearied and beaten with the tempestuous waves and surges of the sea of persecution, and with the fierce winds of affliction and tribulation, oppressed with tyranny and cruelty, with banishment and prisons, with torments and martyrdoms. Let all thy angels praise thee o Lord for this, and let all thy creatures bless thee for these maruaillous works, seing in truth they are great wonders in them selnes, and only the works of thy powerful hand.  
This and diuers things else he uttered to this effect,& for that the speaker seemed nuch moved himself, and spake it very distincttly and affectuouslie, and in a tongue that all the hears understood, if seemed to work great motion in the hartes of all that were present at the speech.   

X. The Flemish.  
THe last of all was the Flemish tongue, wherein the speaker was the self same youth that had made the Preface& entrance in spanish to the tongues at the beginning. His theme was the nyneteenth verse containing the very last words of the said psalm,& a parte of the conclusion& prayer mentioned in the verse immediately before, in the is words. Et benedictum nomen maiestatis eius in aeternum,& replebitur maiestate eius omnis terra fiat, fiat. And blessed be the name of his majesty for ever, and all the whole earth shall be replenis head with his majesty, so be it, so be it; upon which words after the speaker had showed how much he& his fellows above all other people in the worlde( perhaps) swear bound to repeat often and earnestly these words of blessing the name of Gods eternal majesty, for his infinite benefits received, and to wish the dilatation of his holy name, and service throughout all nations, and especially in their native country of Ingland, he applied the same also to the majesty of the king present, whose name and memory he said they were also bound to bless next after God, for ever, for his special goodness towards them, and for the universal good of Christs catholic church, and general comfort of all virtuous people in these troublesone& most daungerous times of heresies and rebellions: and therefore albeit heretics and seditious persons did repined at the same, yet their voice with the prophet shalbe still fiat, fiat; which words he repeated often with so good grace, as seemed to give great contentment to the hearers.   

The thanksgeuing.  
AFter he had ended his discourse and speech he made a little pause, and after that uttered in Spanish for thanks giving these words following. The favour is so great and royal, which your catholic majesty hath showed this day unto us poor english banished men, that yf these sells swear of understanding or able to speak, they would all be come tongues to aid& help us for to aclowledge& give thankes for so rare a courtesy and benefit as we haue received at this present, by your majesties presence, especially for that you haue vouch saffed to bring also with you for our more complete joy and comfort, these two most noble Princes which we here behold, as most favourably children of your most excellent Maestie. But seing that neither these sells haue tongues, nor we with those we haue, or with any thing we can say, can reach to equal the least parte of so rare an obligation, we shall hold our peace, and our harts remaining with burning desire to utter their affection of gratitude, shal turn themselves unto almighty God, who without words can understand their meaning, and shal beseech perpetually his divine majesty, to reward with everlasting payment so extraordinary clememcie and benignity, as your majesty and highenesses unto us haue used. And yf it shall bee hereafter his divine majesties pleasure to make worthy any one of us here present, or all of us, to shed our blood one day in Ingland, for defence of his catholic faith, and religion( as so many of our company by his especial favour haue don before us) with that blood it shalbe written in the market places and streets where it shall be  shed, the singular obligation that Gods catholic cause, and our country, and the parties themselves shall haue unto your majesty, seing it is blood engendered in the veins of them that yeld it up to God, by the royal maintenance which your majesty hath given them: For which respect also, it may justly cry to heaven for due reward unto so singular a benefactor, and leave obligation to all the english catholic nation for ever( what so ever shall become of that unfortunate realm) to recognize everlastingly so important benefits, in such a time as this is, at your most catholic majesties hands received.  
With these words it is marvelous how exceeding great motion was made in the hartes of all the standards by, whereof it was thought there were few who did not  shed tears more or less, and that diuers persons of importance did  shed the same abundantly, it was easily seen& by themselves after confessed, it seemed also that his majesty,& the Princes were much contented with that which they had heard and seen,& so the King himself by words testified, affirming diuers times that they had donne very well, and rising up from his chair on foot, he stood still,& suffered all the schollers to comme to kiss his hands, which yet he would not give them, but embraced them each one about the neck,& when the number to some seemed great for his majesty to receive on foot( especially so soon after his gowte, which he had had the day before,& now went with a staff for the same cause) he answeared that it was no matter, and that he would haue them comme all, which they did, and his majesty departed so late as torches were necessary for to light him out,& all the superintendency out he never left asking particular questions of the house and scholars, which extraordinary tokens of love, in so great& wise a Prince, all men did both mark& not a little wonder at.  
At the Kings departure the Marques of Velada governor of the Princes person gave order in the Princes name, that all the verses, emblems, and other compositions that were on the walls should be reserved& sent to Garcia de Loyasa the Princes school master for his highenes to view the day following, which was don, but yet with somme choice for that the whole multitude was so great, 
The multitude of verses and compositions.  as it was thought would haue ben tedious, for the number of the sheets of paper were esteemed above two hundred in all, wherein besides all kind of verses, in all the foresaid ten sorts of languages, there were many other ingenious devises( as I haue said, namely of emblems,& hieroglyphics, among which I shall set down three or four here, only for example sake, by which you may make conjecture of the rest.  
In one faire table there were painted three fierce& cruel lions tearing men in pieces, 
The first hieroglyphike. & a fourth lion more goodly then the rest, fighting against the other three, and taking men from their iawes, and bearing them inwards a faire and strong castle puttred in the same table for their defence,& over this one lions head was written these words in latin. Eripio non rapio, that is, I take awaie to deliver and not to devour, and for that the one lion and the castle are arms of spain, and three lions of Ingland, it was easily to be understood what was meant thereby, yet for more explication these Latin verses were written in fair letters under.  

clear philip tuum fert vnum ensign leonem  
Anglorum triplici stemma leone nitet.  
Hi patriam natis crudelibus vnguibus orbant,  
Defendit natos vnguibus ille pijs.  
Eripit ille tribus lacerandaque corpora servat  
Vnicus ergo manet fortior ille tribus.   
❧ Which one turned into english thus.  

King Phillip doth in shield a lion bear,  
The english arms of Lions three depend,  
Whose countries children they with paws do tear,  
The other doth them with his paws defend.  
One lion doth them from the other free,  
One lion then more stronger is then three.   
In an other table there was painted a goodly, 
The 2. Hieroglyphike.  faire and strong castle,( which is also a piece of this Kings arms, and peculiar to Castilla, wherein this town of Valliodolid is situated) and out of the castle did hang at the windows all kind of variety of weapons, armor, and other furniture of war,& round about it were painted many ladders,& many youths going up on the same, with great hast& alacrity to arm themselves therewith,& others coming down throughly furnished for the field, and under were written these verses in spanish.  

Castilla de la Yberia celebrado  
pox tus armas en todo el ancho suelo,  
queen a mill barbaras gentes hang domado,  
Leuantando tu nombre al alto cielo;   

Otras mas fuertes armas has labrado  
De litras, de piedad, de santo zelo,  
queen sube a armarse dellas con tal gana  
La Iuuentud catholica Anglicana.   
❧ In english thus.  

Castillia which renowned is of spain,  
And feats of arms extoleth far by famed,  
That savage people thowsandes didst restrain,  
And to the heauens advanced hast thy name,   

Far stronger forces now thow hast prefard,  
Of learning, virtue, and of sacred zeal:  
And english youths that therewith are prepared,  
seek to advance thereby our Christian weal.   
In an other table were painted the arms of Valliodolid, 
The 3. Hieroglyphike.  which are certain flames of fyar, and nigh to this, were painted two ships, one coming, and the other going to an island in the sea, that represented Ingland, and both ships full of schollers, the one coming with torches out, to light them at the said flames, and the other sort returning home, with their torches lighted and burning, and under the picture were wryten these spanish verses.  

De lexas tierras a encender venimot  
Las hachas en las llamas celestiales,  
Para boluer despues donde salimos,  
Y consumir los fuegos infernales.   

Esta firm esperança concebimos  
En llegando de Espaūa a los vmbrales  
Pues insignias de llamas las primeras  
Hallamos( Pintia illustre) en tus vanderas.   
❧ In english thus.  

From countries far to kindle we are come,  
Our darckned light, in clear celestial flamme,  
And then again with courage to return,  
The fire of hell to vanquish with the same.   

This constant hope conceived, we retire,  
To obscure places, when we parte from spain,  
Whereas we first beheild the flames of fire,  
Valliodolid in ensign to retain.   
Not far from this was there painted a goodly royal eagle, 
The 4. Hieroglyphike.  which belongeth also to the arms of spain( by the house of Austria) sitting and defending a great heap of faire wheate, that was painted under the eagle, and diuers white pigeons came,& took of the said wheate by licence of the eagle,& carried the same into an other country,& sowed it where it sprung up& prospered wonderfullie, notwithstanding that many crowes and kites, drawen also in the same table, did beate and kill diuers of these pigeons for the same, and followed them towards the said heap of corn so far as they durst for fear of the Eagle that defended and protected them, and under the picture were set these eight verses in the castilian tongue.  

El Aquila Real as da licencia  
Palumbas blancas queen en su Iberio estado,  
Cojais el trigo de virtud y ciencia,  
queen tiene como en hera limpio ● echado.   

Lleuad lo a Vuestra patria y con paciencia  
Sembrad lo donde quede bien sembrado.  
queen aunque muchos no admiten la semilla,  
Ha de hallar tierra el trigo de Castilla.   
❧ In english thus.  

The royal eagle freely doth admit,  
You Pigeons white, in his Iberiaen bounds,  
The seed of learning and of skill to get,  
The which is sowed in the purest goundes.   

bear this with patience to your native land,  
And sow the same where well you may it sow,  
And although many shall the same withstand,  
This wheat of spain in Ingland yet will grow.   
In an other place( and with this will I end) was there painted a great& goodly heard of sheep with a huge multitude of ravening wolues among them, 
The 5. Hierogryphike.  which did tear and rent them, and sucked their blood, and Christ our saviour in form of a careful shepherd, was painted also on one side sitting and beholding their afflictions, and one speaking to him in these verses following.  

Soberano Pastor, miras el ganado  
En mano y dientes de animales fieros?  
Si miro; y rato ha ya queen estoy parado  
Escuchando balar a mis corderos.  
Pues como assi los dexas en el prado  
queen los maten los lobos carniceros?  
Si; porque assi muriendo cobran vida  
Y la dan a su Patria destruyda.   
❧ In english thus.  

O sovereign pastor do thy flock regard,  
In teeth and claws of cruel beasts destrest  
Yea so I do, and eftsoons haue I hard,  
My sheep lament, that are else where oprest.  
Why let you them thus in the field remain  
Where greedy wolves do suck their guiltless blood?  
Because in dying they get life again,  
That give their lives for their poor countries good.   
Other compositions to diuers effects and purposes both in Hebrew, greek, Latin, French, Italian, and other languages before mentioned I do omit, for avoiding of prolixity, albeit by such as read the same,& under stood the languages, they were much commended, both for their invention& arte, and diuers things the Prince liked of exceedingly well when he viewed thē more at leisure the day following, as his master, and other learned young gentlemen of his chamber reported. And many copies of the same were demanded which will enforce( as I supposed) the superiors of this College to put the whole in print or at least wise the chief points thereof, with a larger and more particular narration of all in the Spanish tongue then this is, which no doubt will be very grateful unto this nation, for that thereby they shall not only see, what passed in this act of the Kings coming hither, but also further understand many things of the present state of Ingland, which they desire to do, as hath appeared by their greedy acceptance of diuers books published in this language of late yeares, touching the affairs and present persecution of Ingland, especially the translation of Doctor Sanders book, de Schismate Anglicano, and of the late book of Andreas Philopater in answer to the proclamation of november last against this King by name, and catholic english Preestes,& a third book written in Spanish of the particular martyrdoms of the Priestes and other catholics put to death these later yeares and months, haue greatly informed this nation, and put them in extreme wonder of our affairs, and made our catholic cause more famous throughout the world then ever it was since the primitive church, yf then it wear equal to that it is now.  
After the King himself with his children had ben here, 
The visitation of the court.  you will easily imagine how many of the court and nobility would come afterward, to visit this place, and yet I think you could hardly imagine them to be so many as they were, fo● I suppose there was scarce any one officier, nobleman, knight, captain, or other man of account that came not hither to see the youths, and order of the house,& departed greatly edified& moved with the sight, and diuers of them took such affection to the work, as they would needs haue some one scholar assigned to pray for them in particular, and they to pay his whole maintenance every year during his abode here,& so they did. As for the chief personages about the king, they were not content to haue visited this house once or twice before, but would also at the Kings departure needs come again, and take their leave in particular of this college, and of every scholar in the same,& to use their own phrase, would kiss the gown& habit of every one of these seruants of God, that suffer so gloriously for his name and cause: And surely to see with what love, hearty affection and reverence they did the same, was a confusion unto us all, considering how great& how grave persons they be, but by this you may see how diversly wisdom and piety is esteemed of in our country& in other places, seeing these youths that are so hated& contemned in Ingland, are so honoured and reverenced here, and in other countries: God sand all to be of one sense and iudgement again in these matters, as in times past we were; But in the mean space, I see the wonderful providence of almighty God for continuance of the catholic faith in our country, seing this how supply of spain was sent when noman thought thereof, as at the beginning I haue touched, and as oftentimes I hay heard F. Persons say that in all the cogitations, speeches or conferences between the cardinal and him, or others with them both, for the beginning helping or furthering of this cause, it never came in talk or deliberation or in any mans mind to begin Seminarie or college in spain, though now by experience it hath fallen out of all other kingdoms in the world to be the fittest for this purpose, both for the commodity of passage to and fro, as also for the great ability& inclination of this Prince, clergy, nobility, and people to help such godly and spiritual works, so that we may apply to this holy providence of God that which the marriage master said at the marriage in Cana of Galiley, 
joan. 7.  that the best wine was kept for the last, for surely yf we may speak of the time to comme upon probability of that which we haue seen in times past, these seminaries begun in spain are like to grow more in one year, then they did before in many, in other places, not only this of Valliodolid but the other also in Siuil, which diuers men, in respect of the pietye, wealth,& worthiness of the place, do think will quickly be greater then this, besides the english house and Church of S. George in S. lucre, which lately hath ben passed over also to the preestes of the Seminaries to dwell therein, as it may be you haue heard, and is like to be repaired& brought in very good estate again shortly, so that you see my Lord treasurer is like to haue work enough for his daies& for his son and nephues also after him, yf they were like as well to succeed him in the same authority and prosperity, 
My L. Tresurers generation.  as perhaps they may in will and hatred of Gods people, but you know what Iobe hath prophesied of them. 
job. 27.  Haec est pars hoins impij apud Deum& haereditas violentorum, si multiplicati fuerint filii eius, in gladio erunt,& nepotes eius non Saturabuntur pane,& qui reliqui fuerint ex es sepelientur in interitu. Which is as much to say as. The wicked and violent persecutors inheritance shal be to haue his children slain,& his nephnes beg their bread, as also the rest of his generation for his sake brought to destruction. God turn his heart, and therewith all his hand yf it please him, and make him see his own, his Princes, and his common wealthes danger, whereunto by error and ambition, he hath cast all three: and give yond patience in these adversities that you suffer for his cause, and sand us once to meet again joyfully either in heaven or in this world, or in both, even as he shall see to bee most for his everlasting glory fireship all our actions and desires I hope are referred from Valliodolid this 20. of August 1592.