Christopher Goodman to John(?) Aldersey
DATE: 1554 September 30
LOCATION OF ORIGIN: Strasbourg
DESTINATION: Unknown
SOURCE: Denbighshire Record Office, Plas Power MSS, DD/PP/839 p. 34
A letter from Mr Goodman to Mr Aldersay.1
The recipient is probably John Aldersey. Goodman was related to the Aldersey family, merchants who operated in his native Chester and in London. It is probable that Aldersey was on the Continent for business rather than a religious exile.
The 30 day of September Anno D(omi)ni 1554.
Your letter & byll of exchange (well beloved Mr Aldersay) came to my hands the 26o of this month with two other letters from my aquaintance in London whereby I was certefied as well of the forther money which you send me before this. (I thanke you) as of this & 2 or 3 letters which was sent with the first mony which hitherto have not comen to my hands, wherein then I should have been satisfied for that time of things requisite to have bene hard concerning me, for som of them were sent from with wome(sic) I had leffte that litle stuffe which I have in Oxford.2Goodman was using his family's merchant network and his London friends to send money from England. Not all the installments got through and Goodman was also looking for his possessions from Oxford. The financing of the exiles is a complex subject shrouded in secrecy. But if they lyght or fall in honest mens handelinge so that no trouble chance therby to the writers for my part I passe the lesse, whiche may hereafter know that which I loonged for.
Concerning Mr Chambers3Richard Chambers, the well-known merchant and religious exile. ODNB. you shall understand, that of late by Mr Horne4Robert Horne, ODNB. He had travelled from Zurich through Strassburg where Goodman was staying in Peter Martyr Vermigli's house on his way to Frankfurt. (as he came by us to Frankford) he wolde nedes have me to goo to Surich(sic), and occupy on of the 2 places which than were void.5It is not clear precisely which positions were vacant and being offered to Goodman but the English in Zurich were focussed upon their studies and might have sought the teaching of the former Lady Margaret Professor of Theology from Oxford. But shewing him how (whan I was oute of hope to be there, and not knowing of eny other assurans) I had written urgent letters to som of my frends for help which uther ways I wolde not so boldly have assayed, & what there answare will be I colde not tell. Wherefore I desired so moche respite tyll I hard from them, for yf I had wherof barely to lyve otherways, I colde not with good consciens nor wolde not burthen theme. But he not satisfied therin wolde nedes have me to put me name in his booke, sayinge that if eny such thing chanched I myghte be at libertie, which thing to satisfie his mind I did. Now in the meane tyme I thank you came thes letters, where I was putt in hope that my frends wolde do for me, & also have had so much money as you know for my books, which seinge I sholde there lyve upon hit, & whatsoever ells sholde be sent me, putting it in the comen box6The exiles operated a 'common box' where they pooled their money. I thoght not to be in bowndage for my one monie, nor yet to travell so farr to no purpose, for if I had sufficient, or sholde have, than most as met hit is strayghtwayes leave the howse7Probably a reference to Peter Martyr's house but possibly a 'common house' for the English exiles. againe, & what a business were this, seinge I am now ferr better placed, than I sholde be there. Wherefore thanking tham for ther good wills I have made them answer to the contrary. I mistrust nothinge but god will provide to content me, which hitherto hath never failed me, God give me grace to be thankfull therefor.8No salutation because this was probably copied from Goodman's own draft.
1 The recipient is probably John Aldersey. Goodman was related to the Aldersey family, merchants who operated in his native Chester and in London. It is probable that Aldersey was on the Continent for business rather than a religious exile.
2 Goodman was using his family's merchant network and his London friends to send money from England. Not all the installments got through and Goodman was also looking for his possessions from Oxford. The financing of the exiles is a complex subject shrouded in secrecy.
3 Richard Chambers, the well-known merchant and religious exile.
4 Robert Horne had travelled from Zürich through Strasbourg, where Goodman was staying in Peter Martyr Vermigli's house on his way to Frankfurt.
5 It is not clear precisely which positions were vacant and being offered to Goodman but the English in Zürich were focussed upon their studies and might have sought the teaching of the former Lady Margaret Professor of Theology from Oxford.
6 The exiles operated a 'common box' where they pooled any extra money.
7 Probably a reference to Peter Martyr's house but possibly a 'common house' for the English exiles.
8 No valediction because this was probably copied from Goodman's own draft.