Lieutenant Holyfen:

Those well-affected to Parliament have discovered a plot by the Papists to land arms from Holland; twelve trunks of same, with their guard of malignants, were seized at Skegness creek. Gather your troop; leave three to watch the roads and bridge near Holyfen, and with the rest ride to the Bishop's palace at Downham; search, and secure what you find; if Wren is there, take him a prisoner, and join me in Cambridge immediately.

Oliver Cromwell

Dear Edmund:

I have secret but sure hints Drs Beale, Martin, and Sterne, following our conversation yesterday, have let it be known to the Scholars that it’s the first part of a Christian’s duty to gird himself with sword for his King, and the University would smile on service undertaken to this end.

I propose, then, we pay call on the Castle at Cambridge, and secure its store of arms and powder against any malignant undertaking. Please ride with all haste and join us at King’s.