Ffeil Clenennau letters and papers 280 [RESTRICTED ACCESS] - The Privy Council (named), at the Court at Whitehall, to [Ralph Eure], Lord Eure, Lord President of Wales and Lieutenant ...,

The Privy Council (named), at the Court at Whitehall, to [Ralph Eure], Lord Eure, Lord President of Wales and Lieutenant of the Counties of Wales and the Marches. The peace enjoyed since the King came to the crown has bred security and neglect of necessary provisions for war; suspect there has been a great decay in the arms and equipment requisite in a well ordered state for continued peace. The ease of timely provision thereof since it causes less expense and trouble may induce every man to equip himself as necessary to serve the state and prevent the inconveniences which follow neglect. But the times are such both in respect of the recent boldness of the recusants and other causes requiring a ready supply in this behalf, that the King has commanded the Council to order a general muster and survey to be made and certified of the armed forces of the realm and any defects therein to be supplied, which command should be swiftly executed since it is intended not only for the safety of the realm but also to ease each man's trouble which would be much greater if it were left to a sudden necessity. Require Ralph Eure to have a general view made of all the forces, both horse and foot, and to have notice taken and enrolment made of all the numbers, trained and untrained, and especially to see the trained bands made complete, replacing officers or others who are dead, unsuitable or have gone away since previous musters with suitable men such as freeholders, 'ffermors', owners of land or householders. Let him also have defects of armour, weapons and equipment repaired and the numbers of horse, doubtless much deficient, if not increased, at least made as complete as hitherto with arms, equipment and horsemen. If any persons excuse themselves from this duty upon pretence of being servants of the King or any nobleman or peer, or thereby seeks to avoid the charge of providing horses, arms or equipment as charged, let Ralph Eure see that no such persons be exempted except those known to be the King's ordinary servants in court and household servants to noblemen. Others who are only extraordinary or retainers should be charged at the musters and other public services like others of like ability and should send arms and equipment or horses as charged, to be viewed with the rest of the counties. At the general view, it will be expedient for those charged to find arms and others fit to be charged, to be ordered to show them at the musters. Hope the justices of the peace will not be sparing in sending horses, equipment and servants to the musters, but rather do so eagerly for the furtherance of the service and as an example to others so that the musters may be taken with as little trouble to the country as possible. Each division should be mustered apart so that men do not have to travel far for their assembly or continue in the service for longer than necessary. But this abuse has been found hitherto when the musters have been so divided, that some persons, not having provided arms and equipment as charged, have borrowed them from others to serve for their view thereby themselves avoiding the charge. For the prevention thereof the musters in the several divisions should be taken all on one day if possible, otherwise Ralph Eure should take the best order he can for the redress thereof. It was ordered in former directions that in certain places a quantity of powder be kept as a store with match bullets and other provisions for a carriage, always ready for service, which the Council suppose are defective. Require Ralph Eure to have the store supplied and kept serviceable. Let him charge persons of suitable ability in the counties to repair the decay and replace what has been used as necessary, and let him see the store kept in the shire towns or such other towns as he thinks suitable for its safe keeping and not in a dangerous place subject to surprise by ill-disposed persons. Further require him, since the beacons in the counties have been long neglected, to see them quickly repaired and made ready to use if required. Lastly let all directions for the good order of the forces or otherwise concerning the strength of the country be observed; let him have special regard thereof and certify the Council without fail by 1 April of the views and musters, showing the defects, how they were supplied and all other proceedings relating to the service.