This was in the first instance referred to Tilney for his observations, and he writes:
All _tha_t I can saye Is, _tha_t _th_er Is a Composition layd vppo_n_ me by Quens ma_ies_te and signed by her self, rated verbatimly by certayn orders sett down by my L_ord_ Treasorer vnder his L_ordshippes_ Hand, whervnto I haue appealed, because _th_e other officers will nott be satisficed w_ith_ ayni reason, whert_o_ I am now teyd & nott vnto there friuilus demandes. Wherefore lett _th_em sett down In writtinge _th_e speciall Causes why they shuld reiect _th_e forsayd orders and _th_e Compositio_n_ gronded theron, Then am I to reply vnto _th_e same as I can, for tell then _th_es petitioners can nott be satisfied.
The document was then referred to Burghley, with the following summary of its contents:
They shewe _tha_t theie are vnpaid theise five yeares last past for wares deliuered and service done in _th_e office of _th_e Revells, throughe _th_e dissencion amongest _th_e officers to _the_ir greate hinderance theise deare yeares beeinge poore men.
Vppon _thei_r_e_ mocion to _th_e m_aste_r of _th_e office, his answere is, _tha_t _th_e faulte is not in him, but he is redy to satisfie _th_em all such allowances as are dew vnto _the_m, either by yo_u_r L_ordshippes_ former order, or in righte theie can challeng, vppon _whi_ch order _th_e m_aste_r doth wholly relie but _th_e other reiect _th_e same.
for _tha_t _the_re is no licklyhood of _thei_re agreem_en_t, whereby _th_e petecioners may be satisfied, Theie Humbly pray yo_u_r L_ordshippe_ to Command som order for _th_e releving _thei_re poore estates.
One of the Awdito_u_rs of the prest w_i_th one of the Barons of _th_e Eschecqr to heare the officers of the Revels, and thes petitioners, and either to ende the questions betwene them, or to certefie theyre opinions.
The document is then further endorsed with the report of Burghley's referees:
Pleaseth it yo_u_r good Lordeship to be advertized that, after longe travaile and paines taken betwene the M_aste_r of the Revells and the Officers thereof, It is agreed by o_u_r entreaty that, out of the xlˡᶦ by yeare allowed for Fees or wage for their attendaunces, the M_aste_r of the Revell_es_ shall yearely allowe and paye the severall Somes of mony vnd_e_r written, viz.