Richard's solo Commission of Array (1464)

I know this topic has been discussed before, including a quote of PMK's (perhaps overblown) "take" on it. Reading Caroline Halsted last night I came across some documents that she had copied out of Harl ms 433, from Richard's reign, that gave me a better picture of what being handed such a commission might have entailed.

So my question is, do we have anything similar from the reign of Edward IV? Ideally, there would be documents detailing exactly what the expectations were for Richard's own commission in 1464.

A J

(Caroline A Halsted, 1844; Richard III as Duke of Gloucester and King. Vol. II.

Appendix I I. p 560-561

Letter addressed by King Richard III to the Commissioners of Array for the County of York.

[Harl. MSS. 433. fol. 220.]

By the King.

Trusty &c. And forasmuch as certain information is made unto us that our rebels and traitors associate with our ancient enemies of France, and other strangers intend hastily to invade this our realm and disheriting of all our true subjects. We therefore will and straitly command you that on all haste possible after the receipt hereof, you do put our commission heretofore directed unto you for the mustering and ordering of our subjects in new execution according to our instructions, which we send unto you at this time with these our letters. And that this be done with all diligence as ye tender our surety, the weal of yourself and of all this our realm.

Given at Nottingham the 22nd day of June.

To our trusty and well-beloved Commissioners of Array appointed within our County of York.

Like letters to all other commissioners in every shire in England.

Appendix KK

p 561-562

Instructions sent by King Richard III. to the Commissioners of Array throughout the kingdom.

[Harl MS 433. fol. 220.]

Forasmuch as the king's good grace understandeth by the report of his commissioners and other the faithfull dispositions and readiness that his subjects be of to do him service and pleasure to the uttermost of their powers for the resisting of his rebels, traitors, and enemies, the king's highness therefore will that the said commissioners shall give on his behalf especial thanking unto his said subjects, exhorting them so to continue.

Item, that the said commissioners in all haste possible review the soldiers late mustered before them by force of the king's commission to them late directed, and see that they be able persons well horsed and harnessed to do the king service of war, and if they be not, to put other able men in their places, &c.

Item, that the said commissioners on the king's behalf give straitly in commandment to all knights, esquires, and gentlemen to prepare and array themselves in their proper persons to do the king service upon an hour's warning, when they shall be thereunto commanded by proclamation or otherwise. And that they fail not so to do upon peril of losing of their lives, lands, and goods. And that they be attending and waiting upon such captain or captains as the king's good grace shall appoint to have the rule and leading of them, and upon none other.

Item, that the commissioners make proclamation that all men be ready to do the king service within an hour's warning whenever they be commanded by proclamation or otherwise.

Also to shew to all lords, noblemen, captains, and other, that the king's noble pleasure and commandment is that they truly and honorably all manner quarrels, grudges, rancours, and unkindness, lay apart and every of them to be loving and assisting to other on the king's quarrel and cause, shewing them plainly that whosoever attempt the contrary, the king's grace will so punish him that all other shall take example by him.

Appendix LL

p 562-563

Tenor of the letters directed to all sheriffs throughout England and wales, by command of King Richard III.

[Harl MS 433, fol. 221]

Trusty and well-beloved, we greet you well.And forasmuch as we have commanded our commissioner of array within our counties of Nottingham and Derby to put our commission to them heretofore directed for mustering and ordering our subjects in new execution according to our instructions to them directed. We therefore will and straitly command you that incontinently upon the receipt hereof ye fully dispose you to make your continual abode within the shire town of your office or your deputy for you, to the intent that it may be openly known where you or he shall be surely found for the performing and fulfilling of such things as on our behalf or by our said commissioners ye shall be commanded to do, &c.

Given, &c, at Nottingham the 22nd day of June.