to thende I might take bondes accordinge to a condition hereinclosed
sent to your Ho.; whoe answered that touchinge the first clause
thereof they were well pleased therewith, but for the latter clause
they thought yt a greate inconvenience to their companie, and
therefore required they might be permitted to make theire answeres,
and alledge theire reasons therof before theire honors. Affirmed
alsoe, that the Tablinge howses and Tavernes are greater receyvors
and destroyers of stollen venison than all the rest of the Cittie:
whereupon they craved that eyther they maye be likewise bounden, or
else authoritie may be geven to the Cookes to searche for the same
hereafter. I have therefore taken bondes of the wardens for their
speedy appearance before theire honors to answere the same; and I am
bolde to pray your Ho. to impart the same unto their Ho., and that I
maye with speede receyve theire future direction herein. And soe I
humbly take my leave. London, the xj'th of June, 1585.

"Your honors to commaunde,

"THOMAS PULLYSON, maior."

I dare say that the registers of the Privy Council contain some record
of what was done on the occasion, and would enable us to decide whether
the very reasonable request of the Cooks of London had been complied
with. Whether this be or be not so, the above document establishes
beyond question that in the summer of 1585 cooks'-shops, tabling-houses
(i.e. ordinaries), and taverns, were abundantly supplied with stolen
venison, and that the offence of stealing must have been very common.

J. PAYNE COLLIER