From a unique manuscript formerly Yelverton N 69, now London, BL Additional MS 48063, ff. 4a–11b. The script is in a fine cursive humanist hand probably of the early sixteenth century. There are two watermarks, one almost obscured by the script, the other a large decorated pot and was a kind of mark widely used in Europe in the later middle ages and early modern period but no exact parallel has been identified. At the top of f. 4a in the left-hand margin the devotional initials ‘IHS. N.R.I.’ occur. A similar inscription is to be found in Oxford, Bodleian Library MS Digby 145, in the copy of the Governance made by Sir Adrian Fortescue in 1532. The tract was translated from Latin into English by Bishop William Stubbs and inserted into the edition by Thomas Fortescue, Lord Clermont, A History of the Fortescue Family in all its Branches, 2 vols (London: 1869) vol. 1, Works, 61*–90*.

Introduction

Whereas, at the instigation of the enemy of the human race, after that in mad rage not a few of the nobles of the realm of England have been extinguished through intestine wars, dissensions and divisions have arisen about the right of the king's majesty to the crown of England, a certain knight of no mean prudence and valour, noble and most experienced in the laws, persevering in his fidelity to the Most Christian King of England, Henry VI, in the manner of one in exile among the Scots, has thought it in the highest degree opportune and necessary that a remedy should be applied to these dissensions.

And whilst by the assistance or advice of his illustrious lords (those especially whom the royal blood so gracefully adorns and ennobles), he dares not discuss the true, just, and undoubted title of the most illustrious and most Christian King Henry aforesaid to the crown of England, or to debate it, or to declare it strongest, or, as he could do, to demonstrate it to be most true and most undoubted, being rightly forbidden to do the same under the heaviest penalty;