To the Right Reverend Father in God William Archbishop of Canterbury.
The humble Petition and Information of some of the Inhabitants of Earle Soham in Suffolke, and divers other neighbours adjoyning.
THat whereas your Grace hath given dispensation to Thomas Fowkes of Earle Soham aforesaid, Clerke, after he was convicted by Law for felony and man-slaughter, your Grace alledging you did it upon good ground, having a Certificate from Iudges and Iustices: We therefore, being advised by Councell, doe offer your Grace these reasons to the contrary, to be no ground, nor safe for your Lordship.
1. First, for that by lawfull tryall at an Assizes he stands convict of the fact, which is enough, if no more were said.
2. Secondly, that no Certificate from either Iudge or Iustice ought to be by your Lordship admitted, whereby you should doe any thing against any Iudgement or Confiction by Law.
3. That if it were allowable that any Certificate either from Lords or any great personages whatsoever, should set a man right after con∣viction by Law, no man would ever want a Certificate by one friends meanes or other, which would bee even the overthrow of the Com∣mon Lawes of the Kingdome, and they that allow so doe no lesse.
4. Fourthly, if the King himselfe should bee perswaded, or rather