which was given to the English herald at his dispatch. *)
May 4
To all and every king, prince, prince, ecclesiastical and secular, to our and other prelates, counts, free lords, knights, servants, stewards, captains, officials, viziers, stewards, bailiffs, bailiffs, burgomasters, judges, city councilors and otherwise to all other of our subjects and relatives, to whom this letter of ours comes before, we, Frederick, Archmarshall and Elector of the Holy Roman Empire, and John, brothers, Dukes of Saxony, Landgraves of Thuringia and Margraves of Meissen, by the grace of God, offer our willing, friendly services, with the best of our love and good, gracious greetings, favorable salutations, grace and all good things, beforehand.
Most illustrious, venerable, reverend in God, worthy, well-born, noble, strict, firm, honorable, wise, especially dear lords, friends, grandfathers, brothers-in-law, special and faithful. We inform your royal dignities, dear ones and you friendly opinion, that the most illustrious prince, Mr. Henry, King of England and our especially dear Lord Oheim and friend of his K. W. Herold, Raphael Jork, 1) in his K. W. business, sent to us, and because the same his dispatch at
1) Probably York.
He has humbly requested that we give him a common open passport letter in view of his current runs. Which we did not want to refuse him, K. W. of England, for honor and friendship, nor for his own sake. And therefore it is our friendly request, gracious intention and desire to Your Royal Highness, dear ones, and to You, when the Highly Considered Royal Highness of England Herald will come to Your Royal Highness and dear Kingdom, Your, also our Principality Lands, Territories, Authority, Court and Territories and will request Your Royal Highness, dear ones, and You, also ours, to grant him, Your Royal Highness, dear ones, and You, also ours, a passport to the Kingdom of England, Your beloved ones and you, want to have him together with his servants, horses, goods and chattels for our sake in gracious, favorable, friendly and good order, and also provide him at his request with living and written escort and security for the future, so that he may come through and over everywhere the safer, more carefree and more honorable and may find ours enjoyable. In this E. K. W., Ew. Liebden and you others, show us friendly and good favor, which we are also kindly inclined to deserve towards your loved ones and you others, and to recognize towards you with grace. Thus do the rest of us our opinion. In witness whereof we have hereunto set our seal, and have hereunto set our seal at Altenburg Castle, this fourth day of May, Anno 1523.