The National Archives Civil War
Close window Download and print PDF version

Why did people go to war in 1642?

Case study 1: 1637-39 - Source 7

Simplified transcript

Report to Archbishop Laud from informers, 31 May 1639

(Catalogue ref: SP 16/422/113)

… James Machison of Burnsham in the County of Buckinghamshire, gentleman, without being provoked, said of your Grace: "I care not for my Lord of Canterbury for he has been the cause of this conflict between the Scots and us, and I care not if he heard me." As these words were critical of your Grace, we thought we should tell you of them.