LETTERS
1. Cromwell to John Creke.
R.O. Cal. iii. 3249. Aug. 17 ‹1523›.
A letter of friendship, containing an account of the proceedings of the Parliament of 1523, in which Cromwell sat. News concerning Creke’s friends in England.
Maister Creke as hertelye as I can I commende me and in the same wise thanke yow [for your] gentill and louyng letteres to me at sundrye tymys Sent and wher as I accordinglye haue not in lyke wise remembrid and rescribid it hath bene for that I haue not hade anything to wryt of to your aduauncement. Whom I assure yow yf it were in my lytyll power I coulde be well contentyd to preferre as ferre as any one man lyuyng. But at this present I being at Sum layser entending to remembre and also remunerate the olde acquayntaunces and to renew our not forgoten Sundrye communycacions Supposing ye desyre to know the newes curraunt in thes partyes for it is said that newes refresshith the spy[rit] of lyffe, wherfor ye shall vnderstonde that by long tyme I amongist other haue Indured a parlyament which contenwid by the space of xvij hole wekes wher we communyd of warre pease Stryffe contencyon debatte murmure grudge Riches pouerte penurye trowth falshode Justyce equyte discayte opprescyon Magnanymyte actyuyte force attempraunce Treason murder Felonye consyli . . . and also how a commune welth myght be ediffyed and a[lso] contenewid within our Realme. Howbeyt in conclusyon we haue d[one] as our predecessors haue been wont to doo that ys to say, as well as we myght and lefte wher we begann. ye shall also vnderstond the Duke of Suthffolke Furnysshyd with a gret armye goyth ouer in all goodlye hast [whit]her I know not, when I know I shall aduertyse yow. Whe haue in our parlyament grauntyd vnto the Kinges highnes a right large Subsydye, the lyke wherof was neuer grauntyd in this realme. all your frendes to my knowlage be in good helth and specially thay that ye wott of: ye know what I meane. I thinke it best to wryt in parables becaus[e] I am In dowt. Maister Vawhan Fareth well and so doth Maister Munkcaste[r]. Maister Woodall is merye withowt a wyffe and commendyth hym to yow: and so ys also Nycholas longmede which hath payd William Wilfforde. And thus as well f[are] ye as I woolde do my Self At london the xvij daye of August by your Frende to all his possible power
Thomas Crumwell.
Add. To his [esp]ecial and entyrelye belouyd Frende John Creke be this youyn Bylbowe in Biscaye.
2. Cromwell to Elizabeth his Wife.
Ellis’ Letters, 2nd Ser. ii. 125; Cal. iv, App. 57. Nov. 29 ‹1525›.
Sends her a doe. Desires that Richard Swift resort to him at Begham or Tonbridge. Asks for news.
Elyzabeth I commend me unto you and have sente you by this berer a fatt doo, the one half whereof I pray you may be delyvered unto my gossyp mastres Smyth, and with the rest to use your pleasure. And further yf Richard Swifte be cum home or fortune to cum shortly, I will that he resorte to me at Begham or Tonbridge with all dylygence. Such news as ye have in those partyes I pray you sende me parte by this berer. At Begham the xxixth day of November. And farther I pray you sende me word in wryting who hathe resorted unto you syns my departuer from you to speke with me.
Per your husbend
Thomas Crumwell.
Add. To my well beloved wyf Elyzabeth Crumwell agenst the Freyers Augustines in London be this given.
3. ‹Cromwell›to ——.
R.O. Cal. iv. 955 (3). ‹1524 or 1525.›
Desires that the lands of John Fleming, who has broken covenant with Cromwell, be put in execution.
Syr in my most herty manner I commend me vnto yow aduertesing yow that after knowlege hade of your departure In to the north partyes was veray sorye that my chaunce was not so happye to haue spokyn with yow befor wheruppon I was constrayned for the Singuler trust and conffydence which by long contenuaunce hath Succedyd & ben approuyd In yow towardes your Frendes and louers to wryt vnto yow[746] Syr So hyt is that one John Flemyng of Crofton in the Countye of Yourke in the moneth of may last passid Solde vnto Robert Bolt Certayn landes Tenementtes & heredytamenttes to the Clere yerlye valew of Nyntene poundes and xvi d. of good and lawffull monaye of Ingland to myne vse to the Sum of ccclxxxjli vjs viijd wheroff the sayd John Flemyng resayuyd In partye of payment one hundereth fortye eight powndes nyne shelinges & Syx pence and the rest of the sayd Sum which amountyth vnto ccxxxijli xvijs iid was put in the Saffe custodye and keping of your Frend Maister Butrye ther to remayn vntyll Suche tyme the sayd John Flemyng sholde haue performyd all his couenaunttes according vnto a payre of Indentures For the which Summys of Monaye and for the non performaunce of the sayd Couenaunttes the sayd John Flemyng standyth bounden to the sayd Robert Bolt In a statute of the Staple of Westminster in one thousand markes payable in the Fest of Saynt Bertholomew the appostill last past the date wherof is the xxth daye of Maii in the xvth yere of our souerayng lord kyng henrye the viiith, and forasmoche as the said Flemyng hath brokyn Couenauntt with me In euerye poynt I am Compellyd to take the execucyon vppon my statute which by this bringer I haue sent vnto yow desyring and her[tely] praying yow that ye will be so Frendlye vnto me yf it be possyble beffore your retorn hetherwardes to make Suche Instaunce vnto the Shereffe of Yorkeshyre that the sayd execucyon may be taken[747] and that all suche landes as the sayd John Flemyng hathe within Yorkshyre maye be put in execucyon and extendyd befor your retorne owte of Yourkshyre and that the wryt of execucyon may be retournyd and what so euer charge shalbe For the Furnysshyng of the same I promyse yow and bynde me by this my lettere to Satysfye and Ferther to recompence your paynys in suche wyse I trust that ye shalbe contentyd. Syr I hertelye desyre and praye yow to haue me excusyd that I sholde be so bolde to requere yow to take Suche payn for me howbeit the experyence which I haue in your good and gentyll approuyd humanyte makyth me the more bolde with yow hauyng no dowbt but that ye will accept & take vppon yow as moche payne For your Frend as any man lyuyng Ferther Syr ye shall vnderstonde
On the dorse
A fragment of a document containing indentures and agreements concerning the manor of Kexby.
The manor of Kexby—
her after shall Inswe the abredgment of certayn Indentures evydence charters dedes esc[riptes] and Mynumentes concernyng the mannour of Kexbye with the appertenances within the Countye of Yorke Delyuery[d] . . . by Iohn Aleyn Cytizen and Altherman of London to the handes of Sundrye Right worsshypfful and discret persons Councellours vnto the most reue[rent] Father in god Thomas lorde Cardenall legate de latere archbusshop of Yourke pry . . . and chaunceler of Inglonde to the vse of the sayd most Reuerend Father in god the dattes of the whiche Indentures evydences charters dedes escriptes & Mynimenttes consernyng the sayd Mannour with parte of the effectes conteynyd [in] the same mor playnlye herafter shall appere
4. ‹Cromwell› to Lady ‹Dorset›.
R.O. Cal. iv. 3053 (ii). April ‹1527›.
Reports a letter received from ‘my lorde’ and addressed to her ladyship, and encloses the copy of another from ‘my lord George,’
Pleasyth it your good ladyship my specyall dewtes fyrst remembred that as vppon Wensdaye being the xvijth daye of Aprell I resayuyd from my lorde a lettere directyd vnto your good ladyship with also all his honourable aduenture In to Scotland[748] theffect wherof your ladyship shall resayue in your letteres Ferther I resayuyd the same daye a lettere from my lord George the tenour and Copye wherof I haue sent yow herin Inclosyd Madame as ye shall Thinke by your good and vertuese discresyon it may please to aduertyse my good lord which I thinke shalbe well takyn when he shall parsayue that ye doo and shall contenually studye for the aduansment of his honeur.
5. ‹Cromwell› to ‹Viscount Rochford›.
R.O. Cal. iv. 3741. ‹December, 1527.›
Legal information and advice concerning a suit in which Cromwell has been retained as counsel by the wife of Sir Robert Clere, the sister of Rochford.
Pleasyth it your good lordship to be aduertysed howe that it hath pleasyd my ladye your suster wyff to Sir Roberte Clere Knyght to requyre and desyre me to be of counsayll with the sayd Sir Robert her husbande in a certayn[749] Matyer in varyaunce betwene the lady Feneux late the wyff of sir John Feneux Knyght cheffe Justyce[750] desseasyd of and For the deffence of a wrytt of extent of late passyd out of the Kynges hygh courte of the Chauncery dyrected vnto the Sheryff of Norffolke and Suffolke aswell for the extendyng of the landes of the sayd sir Roberte within the sayd countyes as alsoo For the puttyng in execution the bodye of the sayd sir Robert Clere for the satysfactyon and payment of Foure hundreth poundes supposyd to be due to the sayd late cheff Justice disceasyd And For asmoche as by the reporte of my sayd lady your suster and alsoo by the syght of certayn Indentures of Couenaunttes & deffaunttes made aswell bytwene sir John Paston Knyght disceasyd and the sayd Sir Roberte Clere as alsoo bytwene the sayd late cheff Justice and the sayd sir Robert yt maye appere that the sayd Statute of the Staple of ccccli was made and delyuered to none other intente but onlye For the perfformaunce of certayn couenauntes of Maryage For the assuraunce and onlye aduaunsement of a Joynter to be made to one Elyzabeth late the wyff off one William Clere disceasyd sonne and heyre at that tyme to the sayd sir Roberte whiche Elyzabeth ys nowe wydowe and was lately the wyffe of the sayd late lorde Feneux cheff Justice all whiche couenauntes of Maryage the sayd sir Robert Clere hathe always as I am Informyd bene redye and yet ys to perfourme notwithstandyng[751] that the sayd Sir John Paston in hys lyffe nor sir William Paston nowe lyuyng sonne and heyre of the sayd sir John wolde ne wyll not accordyng to suche couenauntes[752] as the ‹same› be boundyn vnto paye vnto the sayd sir Roberte Clere ccli Resydue of foure hundreth Markes for the sayd[753] assuraunce of the sayd Couenaunttes of Maryage[754] yet dewe and vnpayd the none payment wherof ys A greate matyer and it were gret pytye and also ayenst bothe reson & Conscyens that the sayd sir Roberte shulde haue his landes extendyd and be compellyd to paye the sayd somme of foure hundreth poundes consyderyng the sayd bounde was made but for the performaunce of the couenauntes of Maryage whiche[755] the sayd Syr Robert was and ys Redye to performe and good Reason it were that the Couenaunttes on the partie of the sayd Sir John Paston also sholde be performyd and the sayd ccli payde. Neuertheles the sayd Syr Robert Clere ys vtterlye without Remedye by course of the common lawe[756] to defende the execucyon of the sayd wryttes of extent so that the sayd ccccli shalbe recoueryd of hys landes and bodye onles yt may please your good lordeshyp to moue my lorde hys grace in Conscyens to graunt a wryt of Iniunctyon[757] to be dyrectyd ‹to› the sayd lady Elyzabeth Feneux Commandyng her by the same no ferther to prosecute thexecucion of the sayd wryttes of extent vppon the sayd statute of ccccli. And alsoo ayenst the sayd Sir Roberte as my sayde lordes grace may gyue commaundement[758] that no wryttes of liberata goo out of the sayd courte of Chauncerye vntyll suche tyme ‹as› the hole matyer tochyng the premysses may dulye and accordyng to conscyence be harde and examyned And your lordshype thus doing shall do the thing in my poore opynyon which shall ‹stand› with reason and good Conscyens as knowyth the holye Trynyte whom I most hertelye beseche to preserue your lordshyp in long lyffe good helth and moche honour
6. Cromwell to Wolsey.
R.O. Cal. iv. 4135. April 2, 1528.
Reports his proceedings in connexion with the monastery of Wallingford. Description of the progress of the Cardinal’s colleges. Desires the benefice of St. Florence for Mr. Birton.
Please it your grace to be aduertised how that I according to your most gracyous commaundement haue repayred vnto the late monasterye of Wallingforde Where I founde aswell all the ornamenttes of the churche as all other ymplementtes of houseolde clerely conueyed awaye and nothing remayning. Sauyng only the euydences Which I sorted and conueyed vnto your colledge at Oxforde And the same delyvered vnto your Dean there. And afterwardes Mr. Croke and I surueyed amended and refourmed aswell the letteres patentes graunted by the king his highnes vnto your grace as also your gyftes and graunttes made vnto your said colledge in suche wise I trust that no defaulte or omyssyon at this tyme is lefte vnrefourmed.
I haue also founde offyces aswell of the saide late monasterye of Wallingforde and of all the londes and tenementtes belonging to the same within the Counties of Oxforde and Berk as also of suche omyssions as were omytted within the saide counties belonging to Frediswides and Lytlemore. And now I do repayre into the Counties of Buck and Bedforde for offyces to be founde there aswell of suche londes as apperteyne to the saide late monasterye of Wallingforde as also to the late monasterye of Praye besides saincte Albons.
The buyldinges of your noble colledge most prosperouslye and magnyfycently dothe arryse in suche wise that to euery mannes iudgement the lyke thereof was neuer sene ne ymagened hauing consideracyon to the largeness beautee sumptuous Curyous and most substauncyall buylding of the same.
Your chapell within the saide colledge most deuoutely and vertuously ordered And the mynistres within the same not onely dyligent in the seruyce of god but also the seruice daylie doon within the same so deuoute solempne and full of Armonye that in myne opynyon it hathe fewe peres.
There is a benefyce voyde within the dyoces of saincte dauyes in Wales which is of your gracyous gyfte by meane of the chauncelorship of Englonde. Yf it may please your grace to gyue the same to Mr. Byrton he shoulde be the more able to do your grace seruyce. The name of the saide benefyce is called sayncte Florence. I assure your grace the saide Mr. Byrton is a right honest man And by somme reporte right well lerned and shall do your grace good seruyce.
My besyness accomplisshed I shall according to my duetie repayre vnto your grace. Most humblye beseching the holie trynytee contynuallye to preserue the prosperous astate of the same in long lif and good helth. At Oxforde the Seconde day of Aprell.
Your most humble seruaunt
Thomas Crumwell.
Add. To my l. . .
Endd. Mr Cromewel iida Aprilis 1528
7. Cromwell to Thomas Arondell.
R.O. Cal. iv. 4441. June 30 ‹1528›.
Requests him to send information concerning Wolsey’s wishes about various matters in connexion with the Colleges at Ipswich and Oxford.
Right woorshipfull sir in my right hartie maner I commende me vnto youe, Aduertising the same, that I have receyued my lorde his gracious letteres, wherin his grace commaundethe to be diligent in thexpedicion of suche busynes as Do concerne the perfeccion of his colledge in Gypswiche, whiche I do intende (god willing) to put in execucion withe all spede, howbeit certeyne thinges arn first to be knowen of my saide lorde his gracious pleasure, or euer the same can be perfected accordingly. Wherof one is, that it may please his grace to name the person that shalbe his Dean of his saide Colledge, And also to send to me ayen the Bille assigned of the licence graunted to his grace by the kyng his highnes to erect the saide colledge in Gipswiche, so that the signet and pryuye Seale may be made out vpon the same, And that we maye examyn the boke of erection which nowe must passe by my lorde his grace with the same bille signed in euery poynt. His gracious pleasure must also be knowen whether that (the Dean of his saide saide[759] colledge being Decessed, or by any other mean Depryued or amoued from the saide Deanrie) his grace then wille that thellection of a new Dean shalbe emonges them of the colledge or whether his grace will remytt the same to be ordred by his Statuttes by hym to be made accordingly. It maye please youe also to moue his grace whether he wille absolutelie haue a guyfte made to his colledge in Oxforde of the late Monasterie of Wallyngforde the parsonage of Rudbye, and suche other londes as his grace hathe purchased of sir Antonye and sir Roberte Ughtred in the Counties of Yorke and Lyncoln, or that he will haue the same Monastori and other the premisses geuyn vpon condicion to his saide Colledge in Oxforde, to thyntent that they shall make a lyke guyfte of the londes apperteynyng to the late Monastoris of Snape, Dodneshe, Wyke and Horkisley to his saide colledge in Gipswiche, whiche condicion in myn opynyon shulde well serue for all casualties, and compelle them of the colledge in Oxforde to make a guyfte of the same accordingly. One speciall thing ther is that ye must moue his grace in which is, that he maye not in any wise procede to therrection of his saide colledge in Gipswiche, before the xxj. daye of Julye next comyng, for asmuche as thoffices in the Chauncerie shall not expire, vnto the full accomplishment of iij Monethes vntill the saide xxj Daye, nor his grace cannot haue the Syte and circuyte of the late Monastori of Saynct Peter suppressed, vpon the whiche the saide colledge muste be erected by thordres of the lawe of thie londe before the saide xxi Daye. His gracious pleasure knowen in the premisses I trust by thassistence of my lorde chief Baron vnto whome I wille resorte from tyme to tyme for his good counsaile to perfourme fulfille and accomplisshe euery thing according to his said gracious pleasure, in suche wise that he shall therwithe be right well contented. Hartely Desiring youe to moue his grace for the signature of the lettere for the poore man of Arragosco who lyeth here to his great and importunate costes and charges in maner to his vtter vndoyng, And also for the signature of one other lettere in Frenche Directed to the gouernours of the Towne of Depe for the Delyuerie of certeyn Englisshe mennys goodes beyng marchaunttes of London of late taken vpon the See by men of warr of the saide toune of Diepe. It maye also please youe to shew my lorde his grace this lettere and that I maye haue answer of his gracious pleasure withe all spede, whiche shalbe a great furtheraunce to his busynes. The mynute of his erexion is all redye Drawen and shalbe perfected vpon his answer And thus our lorde preserue youe At London the xxx Daye of June.
At your commaundement
Thomas Crumwell.
Add. To the right woorshipfull maister Thomas Arondell be this youen.
Endd. From Mr. Cromwell the xxx day of Junii about the perfectinge of the Cardynalls ij Colleges of Oxford and Ipswich.
8. Cromwell to Wolsey.
R.O. Cal. iv. 4697. ‹Sept. 3, 1528.›
Details concerning the colleges at Oxford and Ipswich, and the revenues from the lands and monasteries appropriated for their use.
Please it your grace to haue in remembraunce your Fynours of Duresme whose contynuaunce here is not onely to their greate cost and losse of tyme but also to the greate hinderaunce of your werkes ther, and also they be veray poore, your gracious pleasure therfore wold be knowen whether they shall resorte to your presence, or howe otherwise your grace will they shalbe ordred
I haue according to your moste gracious commaundement sent herein inclosed the clere yerely valeurs of all suche londes as ye haue purchased in the Counties of Yorke and Buckingham, and also the clere yerely value of the late monasterie of Wallingforde
If it may stonde with your pleasure to appoynte in whose name your grace intendithe to dedicate your colledge in Gipswiche, and by what name the maister and fellowes shalbe called, the lycence of erexion, the letteres patenttes, pryuate Seales and other thinges necessarie for the same myght be put in a redynes so that no tyme shulde be loste
I haue caused suche billes as be allredie signed to passe the pryuy signet and pryuate Seale, and shall nowe put to wryting the letteres patenttes for the brode Seale, so that after the iii monethes expired your grace may geue the londes conteyned within the same according to youre moste gracious pleasure. It shalbe well done that your grace haue in remembraunce thappropriacion of the benefices to your colledge in Oxford, and that an ende maye be takyn withe all ordynaries which I thinke is not yet done
I haue spoken with maister Babington nowe lorde of Kylmayne for the exchaunge to be made bitwene your colledge in Oxforde and his religion for Saundforde, It may therfore please your grace that your pleasure may be knowen whether this vacacion your counsaile shall farther commune withe hym and other whiche haue auctoritie in that behalf, or not, whiche in myn opynyon shulde be well done, and will sett your purpose in a great forwardnes
It may also please your grace that these instruccions herein inclosed may be sent to maister Holgill for thordering of hymself in taking possession lyueraye and season at Rudby, whiche Instruccions were deuysed by the Judges, and it shalbe necessarie that he haue them withe spede.
Your gracious pleasure knowen touching the premisses I shall most humblie indeuoir myself according to my duetie to accomplisshe your most gracious commaundement, As knowithe the holly trynytie vnto whome I shall daily during my lyfe praye for the prosperous conseruacion of your good grace
Your most humble servaunt
Thomas Crumwell.
Add. To my lorde his grace.
Endd. From Mr Cromwell touching rudby
Instruccions for Maister Willyam Holgill for possession lyueraye and season to be taken in the parsonage of Rudby in Clevelonde
First to cause my lorde Conyers to serche his euydence towching thaduowson of the patronage of Rudby, and to se whether it be aduowson appendaunte, that is to saye, apperteyning to a manor or to an Acre of londe, or that it be aduowson in grosse, that is to saye, aduowsonage onely appending to no manor ne yet to none Acre of londe, And to receyue the saide Euydence of the saide lorde Conyers concernyng the said aduowson
Itm to knowe whether the saide aduowson be intailed, and whether it be intailed to theires males, or to theires generall, and to receyue the deades of Intaile, or Fynes if any suche be, of the saide lorde Conyers
Itm that thattourneis named in the deade of Feoffement made to the saide Willyam Holgill and other, do enter into thacre of londe named in the saide deade of Feoffement, and delyuer season by a turfe, to the saide maister Holgill, and also to delyuer possession and season by the ryng of the churche dore
Itm after possession, lyueraye and season taken in the saide Acre of londe, and by the ryng of the churche doore as is aforsaide, that then the saide Attourneis do enter into the saide parsonage and also to delyuer possession lyueraye, and season in the parsonage vnto the saide maister Holgill, and that the deade of Feoffement be redd in all three[760] places, and to take at the leste xxx or xl witnesses, calling therto asmany yonge children as ye may
9. Cromwell to Gardiner.
R.O. Cal. iv. 5186. Jan. 18 ‹1529›.
Has been unable to repair to the Cardinal, on account of the press of work in connexion with his colleges. Description of the damage done by the overflowing of the Thames.
Worshipfull Sir, after most hartie comendacyons it may please you to aduertise my lorde his grace that the cause Why I do not repayre thither at this present ys for that I haue certen bokes to be don and accomplisshed concerning his colledge in Gipswich That is to say a deade of gyfte from his grace to his saide colledge of the late monasteryes of Felixstowe Rumburgh and Bromehill The King his letteres patentes of assent to the Suppression of the same late monasteryes, The King his letteres patentes of assent to the pope his bull of exempcyon of the saide colledge The King his letteres patentes of lycence for thimpropryacion of the benefyces belongyng to the saide late monasteryes A deade of gyft from the Duke of Norff. to my lord his grace of the saide late monasterye of Felixstowe A relesse from the prior and conuent of Rochester of all theyr right tytle and patronage of in or to the same late pryory of Felixstowe A relesse from the abbot and conuent of Saynct Maryes in Yorke of all their right and tytle in or to the late pryory of Rumburgh A relesse from my lorde of Oxforde of all his right and tytle in the late pryory of Bromehill And a relesse from the Frenssh quene and the duke of Suffolk of all theyr right and tytle in the manours of Sayes courte and Byckeling and in the late pryorye of Snape. All which bokes be not yet in a redynes ne parfyted vnto my mynde Intending assone as the same shalbe fynysshed and made parfyte, whiche I trust shalbe to morow at nyght or wenesday by none at the Ferthest to repayre vnto my lorde his grace, vppon his gracyous pleasure knowen for thinsealing of the same accordingly. It may also please you to aduertise my lorde his grace that Sythen his repayree to Rychmond I have ben at Lyesnes Where I saw one of the most pyteous and greuous sightes that ever I saw which to me before the Sight of the same was incredyble concernyng the breche out of the Thamyse into the marsshes of Lyesnes which be all ouerflowen and drowned And that at the last chaunge the tyde was so high that there happened a new breche which hathe fordone asmoche worke there as will cost cccli the new making of the same In so moche that if my being there had not ben to haue incouraged the workemen and labourers I assure you all the labour and money that hathe ben ther spent heretofore had ben clerely lost and cast away. And the workemen and labourers wolde haue departed and left all at chaunce whiche shoulde haue ben the gretest yuell that euer happened to the countrey ther. Nevertheles I with thaduyse of suche wyse men as ben in the countrey there haue set suche dyrectyon in the same that I trust all shalbe well and the workes there ended with good spede god willing. For the furnyture and accomplisshment whereof there is a new assesse made and my lorde his colledge for theyr parte ben assessed at ccxx li which money of necessyte must be had out of hande Prayeng you so to solycyte my lordes grace that the same money may be had incontynent Assuring you that his grace shall do as merytoryous a deade in the delyuering of the saide money for his colledge at this tyme as though he gaue so moche money for goddes sake Considering the grete hurte myschief losses and inconuenyences that is lyke to insue to the countrey there and to the King his streme and also the hurte that may insue to his colledge in the losse of suche grounde and land as they haue there Whereunto for the quantytee thereof ys none lyke to the same in that countrey ne few in any other countrey. Yf the saide breche be not shortly amended and spedely prouyded for I assure you suche inconuenyences may insue that yt were to grete pytee. And to thintent that ye may be the more assured of the trewth in the premysses I haue sent you a lettere here inclosed which I receyued from one of the maisters of the said workes ymedyatly after the wrytyng of this lettre Intending to repayre vnto Lyesnes, with all spede for the redresse and fortheraunce of the premisses asmoche as in me shalbe possible. Hertely beseching you to procure that I may haue answer of my lordes pleasure in euery thing concerning the contentes forsaid by this berer my seruaunte. And thus our lorde preserue your long lyf At London the xviii day of Januarye.
Yours most bounden
Thomas Crumwell.
Add. To the right worshipfull Maister doctour Gardyner be this yeuen with spede.
Endd. Letters from M. Crumwel of the xviij daie of Januarij
10. ‹Cromwell› to ——.
R.O. Cal. iv. 5757 (ii). July ‹1529›.
Has written in favour of the chaplain. Requests the recipient to desire his wife to take the daughter of Cromwell’s sister, and bring her up. Promises to recompense him and his wife.
. . . C . . . ert as hertelye as I can I commende me vnto you and mervayle gretlye that ye haue made no better spede for your chaplayn In whos Fauours I haue wryten vnto Mr. Chaunceler of Wynchester trustyng that he wylbe good maister vnto hym For my sake I wooldbe veray lothe that ye sholde mysse your purpose Syr I praye you be so good vnto me as to lett me send my systers daughter vnto the Jentylwoman your wyff and that ye wyll on my behalf desyre her to take her and to bryng her vpp for the which her goodnes yf she wylbe content so to doo I shold rekyn my self moste bounden both to you and here and besydes the payment For her borde I wyll so content your wyffe as I trust she shalbe woll pleasyd that I may know your answer herin I hertelye praye yow and thus hartelye Fare ye well.
At london the —— daye of July.
11. Cromwell to Mr. Claybrook.
R.O. Cal. iv. 5812. ‹July, 1529.›
Desires him to seek out all registers, and the bulls of the Cardinal’s legation, so that the same may be shown to the King’s attorney.
Maister Cleybroke this to aduertise yow as ever ye intend to doo my lord pleasure or seruyce that ye with all dylygens seke owt the register of Maister Tonneys and also all other registers with also the bullys of my lordes legacye to thentent the same may be shewyd this nyght to the Kynges attorney for suche Causes as I declaryd vnto yow at my last spekyng with yow of answer by thys berer I praye yow that I may haue knowlege and fare ye woll.
Your Frend
Thomas Crumwell.
12. Cromwell to William Brabazon.
R.O. Cal. iv. 6099. Dec. 19 ‹1529›.
Desires him to ride with Mr. Copeland to the north, and assist him with advice in his affairs there.
Willyam Brabazon I comende me vnto you And wolde if ye be at conuenyent leysour that ye do Ryde with Maister Cowplonde this berer into the North partes and to assiste him with your counsaill in suche matiers as he hathe there to do according to suche instruxions as I haue drawen and delyuered to the same Mr. Cowplande Not doubting but he will consider your paynes accordinglye And thus fare ye well. At London the xixth day of December.
Your louyng maister
Thomas Crumwell.
13. Summaries of Cromwell’s Letters.
MSS. Jesus Coll. in Bibl. Bodl. Oxon. c. 74, pp. 262 ff.; Cal. iv. 6076. ‹1530.›
Various items concerning the relations of Cromwell and Wolsey after the latter fell into disgrace. Cf. Letters [18], [19].
‘Crumwell to the Cardinal, July 12, ‹1530›.
‘As touching the processe against your Grace out of the Exchequer and all other matters and suites brought against yow I haue pleaded your pardon, which is allowed in all the King’s Courtes and by the same your Grace discharged of all manner Causes at the Ks suite.
Cromwell tells the Cardl this solliciting his Cause hath bin very chargeable to him and he cannot susteine it any Longer without other Respect then he hath had hertofore. I am 1000 l. worse than I was when your troubles began.
As touching your Colleges, the King is determined to dissolve them, and that new offices shall be found of all the Lands belonging to them newly to intitle his Highnes which be allready drawne for this purpose. But whether his Highnes, after the dissolution of them meane to revive them againe and founde them in his owne name, I know not. Wherefore I entreat your Grace to be content, and let your Prince execute his pleasure.’
‘Cromwell to the Cardinal, May 17, 1530.
‘That the King hath received his Letters and is very sorry that he is in such necessity, yet that for Releefe his Maty hath differed it till he speak with his Counsail. The D. of Norfolk promiseth you his best ayd but he willeth you for the present to be content and not much to molest the King (concerning payment of your Debts etc) for, as he supposeth, the time is not meet for it. His Grace (i. e. the King) shewed me how it is come to his knowlege that your Grace should haue certein words of him and other Noblemen vnto my Ld of Norfolk since the time of your adversityes which words should sound to make sedition betwixt him and my Lord of Norfolk.
Mr. Page received your Letters directed vnto my Lady Anne, and delivered the same. there is yet no answer. she gaue kind words, but will not promise to speake to the K. for you.
Certein Doctors of both the Vniversityes are here for the suppression of the Lutheran opinions. The Kings Hnes hath caused the sayd doctors at divers times to assemble, and hath commoned with them. The fame is that Luther is departed this Life. I would he had never bin borne.’
‘Cromwel writes to Cardl Wolsey, August, ‹1530›.
‘Intreating him to haue patience etc. that there shall be some offices sent into York and Nottinghamsh. to be found of your Lands, belonging to your ArchBishoprick. This will be very displeasant to you, but it is best to suffer it. for if they should not be found you could not howld your Bishoprick quiet, notwithstanding your pardon: for your Restitution made by your Pardon is cleerly Voyd, for that the King did restitute your Grace before He was intitled by matter of Record. When these offices shall be found, your pardon shall be good and stand in parfait effect.
He tells him that his modest behaviour and humility hath gayned him the Love and good report of the Country where he now Lives and allso in the Court, yet his Enemyes depraue all. Sir, some there be that do allege that your Grace doth keep too great a Howse and family and that you are continually a-Building—for the Love of God therefore haue a respect and refraine etc.’
‘Crumwell writes to the Cardinal, Octob‹er, 1530›.
‘I am informed your Grace hath in me some diffidence as if I did dissemble with you or procure anything contrary to your profit and honour I much muse that your Grace should so think or report it secretly considering the paines I haue taken etc. Wherfor I beseech you to speak without faining if you haue such conceit, that I may cleere myself. I reckoned that your Grace would haue written plainly vnto me of such thing, rather than secretly to haue misreported me etc. But I shall beare your Grace no Lesse good will etc. Let God judge between Vs. Trewly your Grace in some things overshooteth your self; there is reg[ard] to be given what things ye vtter and to whom etc.’
‘I find by these Lettres that Cramwel kept certein scholers in Cambrige, for he entreats the Cardl. to preferre them to Benefices which should fall in his ArchBishoprick.’[761]
14. ‹Cromwell› to ‹Wolsey›.
R.O. Cal. iv. 6368. May 5 ‹1530›.
Information concerning the progress of the Cardinal’s affairs at Court. Advises him to comply with the King’s requests.
After my right hartie Commendacions to your grace according to your desire specified in your Letteres of answer to the request made vnto youe by the Kinges maiestie for the Treasourership of York I haue so solicited the matier bothe to his hieghnes and to doctour Leighton that bothe be content that your gift shall stande so as your grace do accomplishe the tenour of his hieghnes Letteres nowe eftsones directed vnto youe, whiche myn advise and counsail is that youe shall in any wise ensue, and that your chauncelour shall do the semblable in another request made by his Maiestie vnto him without staye tract or further stycking. And in any thing elles wherin I maye do vnto your grace stede or pleasure I shalbe as glad to doo thoffice of a frende as you shalbe to require the same of me. Thus moost hartely Fare youe well. From St. James besides Westminster the vth of Maye.
15. Cromwell To Wolsey.
R.O. Cal. iv. 6431. June 3 ‹1530›.
Promises to send a full answer to his letters by Ralph Sadler. Recommends the bearer.
Please it your grace to be aduertised that I haue receyued your letteres by Thomas Rawlyns and haue perceyued the contentes thereof and will make answer to the same particulerly by my seruaunt Rafe Sadleyr, who our lorde willing shalbe with your grace with all spede. Your grace I assure you is moche bounde to the gentilman this berer for his good reporte in euery place who I assure your grace hathe not lefte in euery presence to say of you as by lykelohod ye haue gyuen him cause. I assure your grace he and such other haue don your grace moche good, it shalbe in myn opynion therefore right well don to give him thankes accordingly, for by my faith he is right worthye. And thus the holie trynitee preserue your grace in long lyf good helth and moche honour. At london the iiird daye of June.
Your most humble seruaunt
Thomas Crumwell.
Add. my lorde Cardinall‹s› grace.
16. ‹Cromwell› to ‹Wolsey›.
B.M. Cott. App. L. 7; Cal. iv. 6482. June 30 ‹1530›.
Fragment of a letter, in answer to several minor requests of the Cardinal. Various details.
. . . as to send your grace any quayles it ys not possybyll For ther ys non that will Carye them as For Sedes I wyll Send yow by the next maister Stubbis Sayth he will prouyde baudekyn for your grace I am sorye for hym he ys Swed in a primineri by burges which was ons ellect presydent of Maudlen Colledge I thinke it wyll cost hym money or he get owt,[762] my lord chaunselour hath promysyd that Masteres lacye shall bere the Costes of them that shall bryng vp John lawrans and Robert Turner. I beseche your grace to be so good lorde as to send me A gelding and I trust shortlye after to se your grace by the assistens of our lorde whom I most hertelye beseche to preserue your grace in long lyffe good helth and moche honour at london the last daye of June
17. Cromwell to Wolsey.
R.O. Cal. iv. 6530. July 24 ‹1530›.
In favour of his kinsman Dr. Carbot; requests Wolsey to take him into his household and service.
After my most humble Recommendacions with my dailie seruice and contynuall praier May it pleas your grace to call to your good and most graceous remembraunce how that I being with your grace in your gallerie at the Chartrehouse at Shene most humblie supplied[763] vnto the same for the acceptacion of this berer Mr. doctour Carbot my kynsman vnto your seruice At which tyme it pleased your grace beninglie to graunt me to accept hym promising both vnto him and me that ye wolde be his good and graceous Lorde vpon the which he hath tarried here in these parties Contynuallye to his great cost Supposing that I sholde haue repared with him vnto your grace by meane wherof he thought the better to be esteemed But forasmoch as he now perceyueth that for dyuers causes I maye not he hath desired me to write vnto your grace in his fauours Most humblie and effectuallye beseching your grace to receyue him into your house and seruice Whome I trust your grace shall finde apte mete discrete dilligent and honest And suchon that Willinglie Louinglie and obedientlie shall and wilbe gladde to serue your grace in any thing that your pleaser shalbe to commaunde him Trusting fermlie that bye experience ye shall right well lyke him Eftsones most humblie and effectuallie beseching your grace to be his good and graceous Lorde for my sake and at this my poure and most humble sute and contemplacion to take him withowt reiection And thus the holie trenitie preserue your grace in long lyf and good helth. At Londe‹n› the xxiiiith daye of July.
Your most humble seruaunt and bedysman
Thomas Crumwell.
Add. my lordes grace
18. ‹Cromwell› to Wolsey.
R.O. Cal. iv. 6571. August 18 ‹1530›.
Information concerning the progress of the Cardinal’s affairs at Court and elsewhere. Begs him to cease building for a time, in order that his enemies may have no chance to accuse him of extravagance. News from England and the Continent. Cf. Letter [13].
Please it your grace to be aduertised[764] that after the Receipt of your letteres dated at Southwell on saynt Laurence Day I perceyued how that your grace remayned in som displeasure and anxietie of mynde for that I by my letteres had before certefied you of the fynding certen offices concerning your busshopriche of Yorke The Fynding whereof as I perceyue by your letteres ye do suppose should be moche to your dishonour & detriment For the which intent that your grace may put yourself in repose & quietacion of mynde I haue sent vnto you this berer who shall at length declare vnto you besides the demonstracion of the copies of suche offices as be drawen for that purpose that the Fynding of the said offices savyng onelie that in the preamble of the same there is touched the conuiction of your grace in the premunire which all the wourld alredie knoweth shalbe for your good onelie proffit and availe And yet your pardon and restitucion stand in good & perfite effecte So that your grace shal haue no nede nether to be in fere of losse of any your spirituall or temporall goodes or to be troubeled for the same ne also to be put to any new Sute in the obteyning of any other pardon or restitucion. And if in case your said pardon and restitucion were in any parte insufficient I assure your grace I know that the kinges highnes wold it should be made as good as by any counsaill it could be Devised And doubt ye not but his highnes is your gracyous and benigne Souereigne lorde and wold in no wise that ye should be greued molested or troubeled. Wherfore it may please your grace to quiet yourself and to take the fynding of these offices pacientlie and vppon the retourne of the same there shalbe such orders taken that your grace shall not be interrupted in the receyuing of your reuenues ne otherwise be molested in any maner case for any new sute As touching your colledges the offices shalbe founde houbeit the Deane and suche other as haue sued to the kinges highnes haue had veray good answer wherof I think they haue certefied your grace or this tyme. As touching the ml markes of the reuenues of Wynchester I doubt not but it shalbe obteyned at the audite And concerning Batyrsey it may please your grace that such thinges as ye haue sent me the copies of may be sent hither vnder seale for they woll trust no scrowes and also that Serche may be made for Busshop Bothes will concerning the same. Strangwissh continually cryeth and maketh exclamacion in the courte of you insomoch that the lordes of the counsaill haue determyned to wryte vnto you in that behalf wold to our lorde your grace were rid of that man. As concerning the prebends of Witwang doubt ye not but in that all thing is and shalbe ordered to your good contentacion. Sir I assure your grace that ye be moch bounde to our lorde god that in suche wise hath suffered you so to behaue and order yourself in thes parties to atteyne the good myndes and hertes of the people[765] there the reporte whereof in the courte and elleswhere in these parties is & hathe ben[766] to the aquyryng & augmentyng the good oppynyons of many persons towardes your grace beseching your grace therfore to contynue[767] in the same after Suche a Sorte and Fashyon as ye may daylye increase not onlye in the Fauours of the pepull ther but also here and elleswhere to the pleasure of god & the prynce And notwithstonding your good vertuous and charitable demeaning and vsing yourself[768] in thes parties ys not by your enemies[769] interpretyd after the best Fashyon yet always Folow and perseuer ye attemperatelye in suche thinges as your woorldlye affeccyons Sett apart Shall serue to stand best with the pleasure of god and the kyng Sir som ther be that doth alledge in that your grace doth kepe to grete a house & famylie and that ye are contynually buylding for the loue of god therefore I eftesones as I often tymys haue done most hertelye beseche your grace to haue respecte to euery thing and consyderyng the tyme to refrangne your Self for a Season from all manner byldingges more than mere necessite requireth which I assure your grace[770] shall sease and putto Sylence Som persons that moche spekyth of the same. For the geldinges which your grace Dyd send me I do most humblie & hertelie thank you beseching your grace to gyue Further Credens to this berer, who shall declare vnto your grace other thinges not wryttyn[771] I do Relys your grace right happye that ye be now at libertye to serue god and to lern to experyment how ye shall banyshe and exyle the vayn desyrys of this vnstabyll warld, which vndowtydlye dothe nothing elles but allure euery person therin And specyally such as our lorde hath most endewyd with his gyftes to desyre[772] the affeccyons of theyr mynd to be satysfyed In Finding and Sekyng wherof most persons besyd the gret trauaylles and afflyccyons that men Suffer daylye bene dryuyn to extreme Repentance and Serching for plesure and Felycyte Fynd nothing but So trowbyll Sorow anxyete and aduersyte Wherfor in myn oppynyon your grace being as ye ar I suppose ye woolde not be as ye werre to wyn a hundreth tymys as moche as ye were possessyd off the Busshop of Bayonne ys daylye lokyd For and my lord of Wyltshyre ys cummyn home the Saying here is that the emperoure hathe good obbedyence of his Subiectes in all thing sauyng that they wyll not discent from the lutheran sekt it ys also sayd that emprour doth mak musters for a gret army to be preparyd agenst the turke to passe into Hungarye for the recouerey of that Regyon And that the seconde Son of the emperour ys departyd this present lyffe the news here ys that the Germayns wyll medlye haue a generall Consaylle for the reformacyon of many thinges the Florentynys doth styll contenew and defende the power of the pope and it ys Supposyd that they shall vynce by meane that ther ys a gret pestylence Fallen amongst them being in the Felde of the popis partye ther ys also a gret Carystye in Italye of all manner of grayn in so moche A quarter of whet ys worth generallye Fortye shelyngges. they loke daylye for an ambassadour from the pope who at the Ferthest wilbe here with xiij dayes the kynges highnes is this nyght at amptell and ther wyll Contenew this xiiij dayes. it may please your grace to pardon me that I do not repayre vnto yow at this tyme for vndowtydlye it ys not possyble as this berer shall Ferther Declare vnto your grace our lord knowyth my wyll and mynde. and I trust verelye that your grace doth perffytlye think that I woolde be glade to see yow and vnfaynydlye I woolde haue sene your grace long er this yf I hadde not bene lettyd by Importune busynes wherfor I eftsones most humblye besech your grace of pardon and though I am not with yow in person yet be ye assured I am and duryng my lyff shalbe with your grace in hert spyryt prayer & seruyce to the vttrest of my poore and symple power as knowyth our lorde whom I most hertelye besech to preserue your grace in long lyff good helth with thincreace of your hertys desyre. at london the xviijth daye of August. I beseche your grace to depeche this berer whom I mygh‹t› evyll haue forbern at this tyme but onlye that I persayuyd by your letteres that ye moche desyryd to be put in quyetacyon and that besyd myself I Coulde not send any that Coulde certefye your grace of the effectes of such thinges as ye desyre to be answeryd in But onlye he eftsonys beseching your grace spedlye to send hym home for my busynes ys such that I cannot lake hym.
Endd. my lorde Cardenall.
19. ‹Cromwell› to ‹Wolsey›.
B.M. Cott. App. L. 81; Cal. iv. 6699. Oct. 21 ‹1530›.
Begs the Cardinal’s favour for Doctor Carbot, Nicholas Gifford, and Cromwell’s scholars at Cambridge. News of the Emperor’s movements. Information concerning the Praemunire. Cf. Letter [13].
. . . eyen three monethis in Chaunserye, howbeit your grace shalbe so prouydyd for that ye shalbe owt of all dowttes for all the kynges offycers in the meane Season. I most humblye beseche your grace to be good lorde vnto my poore kynsman Doctour Karbott and let hym haue sum lytyll offyce vnder your grace. I dowt not thoughe he be Sumwhat Symple in Aparence yet he shall discharge hymself yf ye put hym in trust and A lityll auctoryte. I beseche your grace [a]lso to be good lorde vnto your Seruaunt Nycholas Gyfforde . . . when Anything shall happen to Fall which may do ‹him› good to Remembre hym for my sake your grace shall [fin]de hym in myn oppynyon thoughe he be yong and [some]what wylde[773], on disspossyd bothe to trewthe [hone]ste and hardynes, and he ‹is one› that wyll loue yow [with] all his harte. yf any thing Falle I beseche your grace [to re]membre my scolers in Cambryge and bothe they [and I sha]ll pray to our lord Jhesu Crist to preserue [you] in long lyff good helth with Increase of [honour. Th]emperour wyl be at Colayn In the Feaste of . . . withowt Faylle the Parlyment ys prorogyd [vntil the] vi daye of January. The prelattes shalnot appere [in the] premunire. Ther ys Another way deuysyd in [place thereof] as your grace shall Ferther know. the prynces of [Almayne] Can ne wyllnot Agree to emperowr and [I bese]che the holy trynyte preserue your grace . . . [in] quyetnes and Contentacyon I beseche your . . . for this lettere . . . Wrytyn for lake of . . . [in] hast the xxi of octobre
20. Cromwell to Mr. Borough.
R.O. Cal. iv. 6800 (i). ‹Dec. 1530.›
Desires to know if Borough wishes to buy a friend’s horse, which certain Frenchmen are anxious to purchase.
Mr. Borough in my most hartie wise I commende me vnto you And so yt ys that my frende Mr. Sommer may at this tyme sell his horse right well and proffutablye but forasmoche as he before this hath promised you that ye shall refuse him before any other he hathe desyred me to know your mynde So that yf ye will not medell he may do his best. for there be certeyn Frensshe men which moche desyreth to haue the saide horse Wherefore I hartely pray you that I may know your mynde by this berer in wrytyng what ye will do And this[774] hartely fare ye well At London this present Saterdaye.
Assurydlye your frende.
Thomas Crumwell.
Add. To the right worshipfull Mr. Henry Borough be this yeuen.
21. ‹Cromwell› to Stephen Vaughan.
B.M. Galba B. x, 338; Cal. v. 248. ‹May, 1531.›
An account of the reception of William Tyndale’s book, The Answer, by Henry VIII., and of his anger at the opinions it advanced. Cromwell urges Vaughan to cease advocating Tyndale’s cause, and to request Frith to abandon him[775].
Stephen Vaughan I commende me vnto you And haue receyued your letteres dated at Andwerpe the xviiith day of Aprell with also that parte of Tyndalles boke Sewed and inclosed in lether which ye with your letteres directed to the kinges highnes After the recept whereof I dyd repayre vnto the courte and there presented the same vnto his royall maiestee who after the recept thereof made me answer for that tyme that his highnes at oportun leysour wolde vysite ouersee and rede the contentes aswell of you[r] letteres as also the saide boke And at my next repayre thither it pleased his highnes to call for me declaring vnto me aswell the contentes of your letteres as also moche of the matier conteyned in the saide boke of Tyndalles. And albeit that I might well perceyue that his maiestee was right well pleased and right acceptablie considered your diligence and payn[es] taken in the wryting and sending of the saide boke as also in the perswading and exhorting of Tyndall to repayre int[o] this realme in the accomplisshement of his high pleasure and comaundement yet I might coniecture by the ferther declaracyon of his high pleasure Which sayed vnto me that by your wryting it manyfestlie appered how moche {yet his highnes nothyng lyked the sayd boke being fyllyd with Scedycyous Slaunderous lyes and Fantastycall oppynyon‹s› Shewing therin nether lernyng nor trewthe and ferther Communyng with his grace I mygh‹t› well coniect that he though‹t› that ye bare moche} affection and zele ye bere towardes the saide Tyndall whom in his maners modestie and Symplycytee {& knowlage in woordlye thinges} ye vndoubtedlie {in your letteres} do moche more allowe and commende then his {whos} workes being so replete with lyes and most {then the warke of hit Self is able to deserue} {being replete with so} abhomynable Sclaunders {& lyes} Imagened and {onlye} fayned to infecte and intoxicate {as it semythe} the peopull may to indyfferent Judgement declarethe him, for the which your fauours Supposed to be born to the saide Tyndall (who assuredlie sheweth himself in myn opynyon rather to be replete with venymous envye rancour and malice then with any good lerning vertue knowlage or discression) hathe put the kinges highnes in suspectyon of you considering {dothe declare hym bothe to lake grace vertue lernyng discrecyon and all other good qualytes [n]othing [e]lles pretending in all his workes but [to] seduce [and d]yssayve} that ye should {ye} in such wise {by your letteres} lene vnto and fauour the evill doctryne of so peruerse and malycyous a person and so moche prayse him {prayse Setforth and avaunse hym} {bothe to lake lernyng} {to be envyous and to lake lernyng gra[ce]} {vertue and all good discrecyon} who nothing {whiche nothing elles} {pretendyth[776]} goeth about or pretendeth but[776] onelie to Seduce deceyue and disquiet the people and comenwelth of this realme Whose {Repayre thether ys to be estuyd} cummyng into Englonde the kinges highnes can right well forbere and {and sowe sedycyon among the peopull of this realme. The kinges highnes therfor} hathe commaunded me expressely to wryte vnto you {to aduertyse you that is plesure ys} that ye should desiste and leve any ferther to persuade or attempte him thereunto {the sayd tyndalle to Com into this realme} alledging that his maieste so euydentlie {he} perceyuing the malycyous perverse vncharytable {and Indurate} mynde and disposicyon of the saide Tyndall is rather veray glad that he is out of his Realme then,[777] {Joyous to haue his realme destytute} . . . {of the sayd Tyndalle ys in maner withowt hope of reconsylyacyon in hym and ys veray Joyous to haue his Realme destytute of Such a person for hys highnes right prudentlye consyderyth} if he were present by all lykelohod he wold shortelie (which god defende) do as moche as in him were to infecte and corrup[t] the hole realme {which now ys so Indurate} to the grete inquietacyon and hurte of the commenwelth of the same. Wherfore {Stephen} I hertelie pray you that fromhensfourth in all your doinges and procedinges and wryting to the kinges highnes ye do iustely trewlie and vnfaynedlie shew your self to be no Fautour vnto the saide {without dyssymulacyon Shew your self his trew louyng and obedyent Subiect beryng no manner Fauour loue or affeccyon to the sayd} Tyndale ne to his wourkes in any maner of wise but rather vtterlie to contempne and abhorre the same assuring you that {in so} doing the contrary ye shall not oneli[e] cause the kinges highnes royall Maieste whose highnes goodnes at this tyme is so benignelie and gracyouslie mynded towardes you ([778]as by your good dyligence and industrie to b[e] vsed to serue his highnes and extewing and avoyding [to] favour and allow the saide Tyndale his erronyous workes and opynyons) ye are like shortelie to atteyne ([779]So to prouyde for you So to aduise you So to Sett you forwardes as all your louers & frendes shall haue gret consolacyon in you of the same [b]oth welth honestie and promocyon at his gracyous handes to the singuler ioy pleasure and comforte of all your Frendes) and by the contrarie to {doing ye shall} acquire the indignacyon of god and displeasure of your Souereigne lorde and by the same compell {cause} your good Frendes which haue ben euer glad prone and redie to aduaunce {bryng} you vnto the {into his gracyous} favours of your prynce to lamente and sorow that their sute in that behalf should {be frustrate and} not {to} take effecte according to their good intent and purpose, hauing therefore firme trust that for the {Feare ye haue in god obedyens to your souerayn lord} loue ye owe to your self me and other your Frendes ye wilbe will beware from hensfourth {and estew} to enter into any such opynyons {or to the prayse of any such person} whereby any sclaunder dishonestie or daungier {or Susspycyon} might insue towardes you whereof I promyse you I wold be as sorie as your good {natural} father.
As touching Frith mencyoned in your saide letteres the kinges highnes heryng tell of his towardenes in good letteres and lernyng doth Regrete and {moche} lament that he should in such wise as he doth Set fourth Shew and applye his lerning and doctrine in the semynacyon and sowing such euill seedes of dampnable and detestable heresies mayntening bolstring and aduauncyng the venemous and pestyferous wourkes erronyous and sedycyous opynyons of the saide Tyndale and other Wherein his highnes as {lyke} a most vertuous and benigne pr[ince] and gouernour hauing charge commytted vnto him of his people and Subiectes {&} being {veraye} sorie to here tell that any of the same should in suche wise Ronne hedling and digresse from th[e] lawes and preceptes {and holsom doctryns} of almightie god {and holye Fathers} {and most holsom} into suche dampnable {and most holsom doctryne of holye Fathers into suche dampnable} heresies and sedycyous opynyons and being euer inclyned willi[ng] and gretelie desirous to forse and prouyde for the same {& moche desyryng the reconsylyacyon of the sayd Fryth} and also fermelie trusting that the said Frith {he} be not so far as yet inrouted in the evill doctryne of the saide Tind[all] {& oder} but that by the grace of god louyng charitable and frend[lie] exhortacions and aduertisementes of good people he may be revoked and called agayne to the ryght way wylleth {hath therefore} and desireth you {wyllyd} {and Commaundyd} {me to wryte vnto yow that ye} accordyng to his trust and expectacyon {will} with your frendelie persuasions admonycyons and holsome exhortacions to counsaill and aduyse the said Fryth if ye may conuenientlie speke with the same to lev[e] his wilfull opynyons and like a good Christien to retourne vnto our Saueour Christe and also into his natif cuntrey So that by his procedinges as he begynneth there be no m[ore] [se]dycyous infections and heresies sowed amongst the kinges peopull {wher he assurydly shall Fynde the kynges highnes most mercyffull and benygnlye vppon his conversyon disposyd towardes hym to accept hym to his grace & mercye} Wherefore eftesoones I hertelie pray you and {exhort you} for the loue of god do not onelie exhorte you vtterlie to forsake leve and withdraw your affectyon from the saide Tyndale and all his secte but also as moch as ye can poletiquelie and charytablie to allure all {the said Fryth and other} suche persons as ben {being in thes partyes which in any wyse ye shall know or suppose to be} Fautours and assistentes to the same from all their erronyous myndes and opynyons. In which doing ye shall not onelie highlie merite of {in} Almightie god but also deserue high thankes of the kinges royall maiestee who will not forgett your deuoyrs and labours in that behalf So that his maiestee may {evydentlye} perceyue that ye effectuallie {do} intende the same.
And as touching your diligent aduertisement vnto the kinges highnes of the nombre of Shippes arryued with corne and grayn in those parties he hathe commaunded me on his behalf to gyue vnto you condigne thankes for the same And being moche desirous to know and atteyne the trewth of that matier his grace hathe commaunded me to wryte vnto you that by all good dexteritee polycie and meanes ye should indeuoyr yourself to atteyne to the knowlege of the Maisters, seruauntes owners or other that made sale of the saide grayn brought thither to thintent that by thexamynacyon of som his highnes might haue knowlege of the rest and that ye shall with all diligence aduertise h[is] highnes of their names, and in likewise of such other newes concerning themperours affayreses the discending of the turke into Germanye the preparacyons ayenst him the gifte of money in the low countreys to themperour the abyding of themperour in the low parties the agremen[t] bytwen him and the prynces of Germanye as ye sha[ll] here by merchauntes or otherwise most certeynlie to acertey[n] his grace by your letteres with as moch dyligence as ye can. Prayeng you therefore substauncyallie and circumspect[lye] to indeuour yourself to serue the kinges highnes herein effectuallie So that your towardenes good mynde duet[ie] of allegiaunce and seruice towardes his royall maiest[ie] may be apparaunt and notoryous vnto the same. Which I doubt not shalbe to your singuler proffite and aduauncement.
22. ‹Cromwell› to Mr. Strete.
R.O. Cal. v. 277. ‹May, 1531.›
Encloses a commission to survey the lands of the bishopric of Coventry and Lichfield, and to receive the rents for the King, and orders to cease collecting rents in Chester. Cf. Letter [43].
Mr. Strete after most hertie commendacions these shalbe to aduertise you that by the berers hereof ye shall receyue the kinges comission and warraunte yeuyng you auctoryte to Suruey the londes of the bisshopriche of Couentre and Lichfeld and to receyue the rentes and profites of the same to the kinges vse. And also ye shall receyue his gracious letteres directed to the Eschetor of the Countie palentyne of Chester vppon the sight whereof I doubte not but he will not onelie Surcease to medle any Ferther with the receipt of any rentes there but also in case he haue receyued any, will repay the same vnto your handes accordinglie. Not dowbting but ye will diligentlie effectuallie and trewly put in execucion the teanour and effecte of your saide Commyssion in suche wise as shalbe most for your honestie & to the Kinges most profite and aduauntage. And for your paynes and diligence alredy taken and susteyned aboute his affayres there his highnes hathe commaunded me to yeve vnto you his most hertie thankes. And trustith that ye will so indeuour your self in the receipt of the said rentes and reuenues as before the feaste of the Natyuyte of Saynt John Baptist next ye will bryng or send vp the hole half-yeres rent or the most parte of the same and that ye will have good awayte and regarde to his haukes in the Cauke there wherein ye shall do and admynister vnto his highnes right good and acceptable seruyce.
And as touching the Catell at the pryorie of Calliche the kinges gracious pleasure is that ye shall suffer the berers hereof named Fyndern and Curson to haue the preferrement in the byeng of the same vppon suche reasonable prises as they may conuenyently lyve on taking of them som money in hande and such sufficient bonde and suertie for the residue as the king may be trewly answered of the same. And so Fare ye well &c.
Your mastership.
23. Cromwell to ‹Gardiner›.
B.M. Vesp. F. xiii, f. 154; Cal. v. 302. June 18 ‹1531›.
Requests him to examine and correct the enclosed ‘Mynewte’ before presenting it to the King. Excuses himself for not coming in person.
Right honerable after due recommendacions may it please the same to be aduertysed that I haue sent herein Inclosed the Mynewte with your Instruccions Beseching you to Survey the same and if ye shall fynde any erroure to order and correcte hit according to your wysdomme and goodnes or euer ye shall presente the sight thereof vnto the Kinges highnes which ons donne and his highe pleasure knowne I shall with dylygence cause it to be engrossed and sent I wold myself haue commyn therewith if other of the Kinges Busines had not Lettid me, Beseching you to make myne excuse and to depeche this Berar And this the holy trenyte preserue you in Long lief & good helth with thencrease of muche honour at London this xviij day of June.
Yours most bounden
Thomas Crumwell.
24. ‹Cromwell› to ——.
R.O. Cal. v. 458 (i). Oct. 1 ‹1531›.
Requests, on the King’s behalf, the preferment of Thomas Beryer, warden of the Grey Friars of Blois, to be warden of the Grey Friars of Paris.
Right worshypffull after most hertye commendacyons this shalbe to aduertyse you that the kinges plesure ys that ye on his gracyous behalf shall effectuallye move the Frenche kynge for[780] the prefferment of on Frere Thomas Beryer which ys now gardyen of the grey Freers of Bloyse so that he at the contemplacyon of his highnes may be now elect to be gardyen of the grey Freers in parys for assurydlye his highnes desyrethe moche the aduauncement of the sayd Freer and wooll that ye in most effectuous wyse do solycyt the same vnto ‹the› Frenche kinges[781] requyryng the same on the his[782] graces behalf to move the generall of the sayd relygyon now being at parys in the effectuall prefferment of the aboue sayde Freer and that ye Fayle not therof the kynges highnes requirythe yow. His Highnes also woll that ye shall moue the gret maister in that behalf For I assure you his maiestye moche tenderyth the aduauncement & prefferment of this Freer and thus hertelye Fare ye well.
At london the Fyrst daye of octobre.
25. ‹Cromwell› to Mr. Heron.
R.O. Cal. v. 458 (ii). Oct. 3 ‹1531›.
Advises him to permit the bearer, Richard Johnson, to retain the farm granted him by Heron’s parents, as Heron’s interest in it comes from the King.
Maister Heron in my right[783] hertye wyse I commende ‹me› vnto youe and so it is that this berer whos name is Rychard Johnson hathe Supplyed[784] vnto the kynges highnes alledgyng that he being possessyd of a certayn Ferme being parcell of the mannour of Highe Hall[785] of the dymyse and graunte aswell of your Father as also of[786] your mother late disceasyd whose sowlys our lord pardon owt of the which as he affermyth ye wooll expel hym Syr my aduyse shalbe that ye according to Justyce do Suffr the sayd Johnson to occupye his Ferme, consyderyng that your Interest In the same Cummyth of the kynges graunt for assurydlye his grace wyll thinke straunge yf ye sholde expell his seruaunt hauyng a lawfful grante aswell of your Father as mother[787] as he affermyth. Wherffor methinkyth ye shall do well to let hym occupye his Ferme withowt your Interrupcyon, he paying For the same as to right appartaynyth For I woolde ye sholde not be notyd extreme in your proceedinges and specyallye agaynst your Felowes the Kynges seruaunttes and thus hertelye Fare ye well at london the thyrde daye of Octobre
26. ‹Cromwell› to ——.
R.O. Cal. v. 458 (ii). ‹Oct. 1531.›
Advises him not to receive any of the King’s ‘courser men’ in his monastery.
My lord aftr right hertye recommendacyons this shalbe to Certiffye yow of the receipt of your lettere and being veray Sorye of molestacyon doo aduyse yow not to suffr anye of the kynges Courser men to lye with yow. For your monasterye vndowtydlye ys moche to small to Resayue the kinges Coursers.
27. ‹Cromwell› to ‹Sir Ralph Ellercar›.
R.O. Cal. v. 671. ‹1531.›
Thanks him for advice concerning a bargain that Cromwell is about to make for the manor of Belthrop in Yorkshire.
Woorshipfull Sir in my most hertye manner I commend me vnto yow and In the same wise thanke yow for your good and kynd chere made vnto my seruaunt which that of late was with yow[788] my Sayd Seruaunt Informyd yow how that I hadde concludyd a bargayn with John Ardren of and For the Manour of Belthrop and ye then aduysyd my said Seruaunt to Aduertyse me Substancyallye to loke vppon the sayd bargayn which aduertysment hath Sumwhat put me in dowt wherfor Syr I hertelye desyre and also pray yow that yff ye know anye manner dowt ambygwyte or Any acte done by the sayd John Ardren or anye other Wherby I myght Sustayn Any manner displeasure danger or losse concernyng the sayd Mannour or the purchasing of the same that I may be certeffye‹d› by this berer in evere poynt concernyng the same as my specyall trust is in yow and ye so doing shall bynd me
The letter ends abruptly here, the bottom of the sheet being cut off.
On the dorse is the draft of part of a letter from the King concerning an intended invasion from Scotland by the Duke of Albany, aided by the King of France.
28. ‹Cromwell› to ‹Gardiner›.
R.O. Cal. v. 723. ‹Jan. 1532.›
Sends news of the first reading of the Bill of Annates in the Lords. Has asked for money for Gardiner from the King, who grieves at Gardiner’s absence.
My lorde after myn humble and most hertie recommendacions these shalbe to aduertise your lordeship how that I haue receyued your gentill lettere to me delyuered by thandes of Mr. Wrythesley And whereas I do perceyue by my kynnesman this berer that ye moche desire to here newes from hens I assure you that here be non but such as vndoubtedlie by a multytude of your Frendes (which are Farre more secret and nerer the knowlege of the same then I am) be to your lordeship all redie related and knowen but yet to aduertise of som parte that I know, as thys day was Redd in the higher house a bill touching the Annates of busshopriches for what ende or effecte it will succede suerlie I know not. And as yesterday because I knew your lordeship not to be Furnisshed of all thinges necessarie for your being there I moued the Kinges highnes aswell for money to be defrayed in and aboutes the furnyture of your purpose and affayres as also for your Retourne hither sayeng that vppon myn owne coniecture your lordeship was wery of being there whereunto his highness answered me that you were not so wery of your being there but he was as sorie Sayeng by these wordes expresselie. (His absence is the lacke of my right hand for I am now so moche pestred with busynes and haue nobodie to rydde ne depeche the same) So that your lordeship may well know that your absence is not to you so moche paynefull and greuous as your presence here should be pleasaunt and comfortable to the Kinges highnes and all other your poure Frendes beseching therefore your lordeship to Fynde som meanes on your parte as moche as in you is that your Retourne hither may be shortelie which is long loked and wisshed for As our lorde knoweth etc.
Endd. A mynute of my mr.’s lettre.
29. ‹Cromwell› to Henry VIII.
R.O. Cal. v. 1055. ‹May, 1532.›
Has had the news from Ratisbon translated into English. The English ambassadors are going to meet those of the Emperor at Dunkirk.
May hit please your most royall magestye to be aduertysyd that of suche news as hathe Cum from Ratyspone I haue causyd the same to be translatyd owt of Italyon into Inglysshe and according to your high commawndment to me youyn yesterdaye haue Inclosyd them in this my lettere, wherby your highnes shall and may woll persayue of what Importaunce they be of. I haue also resayuyd a lettere from Stephyn Vawhan which ys of no gret weight but that he wrytythe that your gracyous ambasadours do now repayre to the emperours ambassadours to Dunkyrke affermyng them to be Suffycyentlye Furnysshyd to answer all thinges layd by the contrarye parte and nothing dowtyth but that they shall haue veray gud Successe in all your gracyous affayres and thys our lord Jesu Crist preserue and continew the most Royall estate of your most Ryoyall magestye in long lyffe & good helthe
30. ‹Cromwell› to Henry VIII.
R.O. Cal. v. 1092. June 13 ‹1532›.
Sends the book that the Friar Carmelite brought him. Cannot yet inform the King of the conclusion of Ap Howell’s matter. News from Rome that the Turk is to invade Italy with a great army.
Pleasythit your most Royall mageste to be aduertysyd how the Freer carmelyte browght vnto me this mornyng a boke willing me on your gracyous behalf with all spede to send the same vnto your highnes. Which I haue done accordinglye I cannot yet certeffye your grace touching the Conclusyon of Jamys Gyrffyth ap Howelles matyer for asmoche as yet I haue not spokyn with mayster Thesaurer of your most honorable howshold who vndowtydly this daye wilbe at Westm. Strange news haue arryuyd here aswell from Rome as Venyse of the turkes Repayre vnto and towardes Italye with a mervelous puisauntt Armye what shalbe the Successe thereof our lorde knoweth it ys Suppossyd that gret afflyccyon will Insew not onelye to the pope & the See of Rome but also to the emprour and his conffederattes wherfor it may please the holye trynytie in whos Inffinyte goodnes power & wyll Restyth the the[789] order and traunquylyte of all thinges to bryng peax good oppynyon and quyetacyon amongyst Cristen pryncys and euer conserue preserue & kepe your highnes in long lyff good helthe with quyetacyon of your most vertuous most noble and most charytable mynde At london the xiiith of June
31. ‹Cromwell› to the Mayor of Haverford West.
R.O. Cal. v. 1106. June 19, 1532.
Notifies him that Sir William Wolff is discharged of his appearance before the council.
Master Maier I hartely recommende me vnto you And where for Certaine causes ye toke bounde of Sir William Wolff clerke somtyme chapplaine vnto Rice app Griff. Esquier disceased and of other suert[ies] with him by recognisaunce that the saide Sir William shoulde k[epe] his personall apparaunce here in the Sterre chamber before the kinges most honourable counsaiell there for certayne causes to him to be obiecte on the kinges behaulf in this present Terme as in the Condicion of the same Recognisaunce is comprisid. I doo you to vnderstonde that the saide Sir William Wolff is clearly dischargyd of his saide apparaunce byfore the saide counsaill wherefore I praie you to cause the saide Recognisaunce withe the condicion [to be] made frustrate and Void. And thus Jhu kepe you writen the xixth daie of June at London in the xxiiii yere of the Reigne of oure Soueraien Lorde the Kinge Henry the Eight.
Add. To Maister maier of Harfford Weste this be deliuered.
32. ‹Cromwell› to Mr. Rowland.
R.O. Cal. v. 1185 (i). July 19 ‹1532›.
The King desires him to pay the bearer £5, to the use of the dean and canons of his college at Oxford, for the annual portion of his parsonage of Garsington, due to the late suppressed monastery of Wallingford.
Maister Rowland after my herty commendacions this shalbe to aduertyse you that hitt is the kinges graces pleissuire and commaundement that ye shall paye immediately after the sight off theis my letters to the handes off Maister Herry Williams beyrrer heiroff Fyve powndes off good and lawfull money off Englonde to the behoiffe off the deanne and Canons off his graces Colledge in oxford now lately erected. The whiche saide summe off Fyve powndes was deue to haue byn payed by yow att the Feiste off sayntte Michell tharchangell laste paste For thannuall porcion goyng owtt off your parsonage off Garsinton vnto the late suppressed priore off Wallingford. And theis my letters shalbe vnto yow a sufficient warrauntt & acquyttaunce For the payment off the Forsaide Fyve powndes. Faill you nott thys to doo as ye tendre the kinges pleissuire and thus Faire ye well. In haist From london the xixth daye off July.
33. ‹Cromwell› to ——.
R.O. Cal. v. 1184. July 19 ‹1532›.
Recommends Robert Hogan, the King’s chief cook.
Right worshipfull after moost hartie Recommendacions thiese shalbe to aduertise you that my louynge felowe and freende Robert Hogan Maister Coke to our soueraigne Lorde the Kinges grace hathe obteyned lycence of his grace to repaire into your parties for suche his Affaires and busynes as he hath there to do. Whom I hartelie desire you to entreteigne and accepte in makinge and showinge vnto hym suche freendlie and louynge Chere and other pleasures for my sake, as ye wolde to me, yf I were there with you presente And in so doynge ye shall mynystre unto me a right singler good pleasure, not to be forgoten in tyme commynge in suche your Requestes and Affayres as ye shall haue here to do by the grace of god who euer kepe you. Att London the xixth Daie of July.
34. ‹Cromwell› to ——.
R.O. Cal. v. 1185 (ii). July 20 ‹1532›.
Requests him to grant the farm of Myxberye in Oxfordshire to John Welsborne, one of the gentlemen of the King’s privy chamber.
My lorde after most hertye recommendacyons this shalbe to desyre and hertelye praye ‹you› to be so good at my poore Instaunce and request to graunte the Ferme of Myxberye vnto my veraye Frend and Felow Mr. John Welsborne one of the gentylmen of the Kynges preueye chaumbre in doing wherof besydes the good wyll ye shall obteyn of hym ye shalbynde me to ‹do› yow suche poore pleasures as shall lye in my lytyll power as knowyth our lorde who euer preserue your lordship wrytyn at londen the xxth daye of July
35. ‹Cromwell› to the Lord ‹Chief Justice Fitz-James›.
R.O. Cal. v. 1340. Sept. 24 ‹1532›.
The King has directed his letters for the election to the abbacy of Bruton in Somersetshire of that person whom Lord Lisle and Fitz-James have recommended. Fitz-James may postpone the election for the trial of the King’s title if he sees fit.
My lorde after most hertie commendacions these shalbe to aduertise your lordeship how that I haue receyued your letteres and according to the contents of the same moued the Kinges highnes concerning thelection of the Abbote of Bruton And like as I wrote vnto your lordeship in my last letteres that ye should stay the saide election vntill the Kinges title might be tryed So his high pleasure is that ye shall do if ye see good matier to bere it. Neuertheles his highnes at the sute of my lorde Lisle Supposing that he and you do both sue for the aduauncement of one person to be Abbot of Bruton forsaid as my lorde playnlye affermyd to his grace hathe theruppon directed his gracious letteres for that purpose whiche notwithstanding his high pleasure is yf ye se cause that ye shall stay thelection vppon the tryall of his title, as is aforsaide And in case your lordeship will haue that person promoted for whom he hathe written his grace is therewith right well contented So that his highnes may ‹haue› me remembryd Sumwhat, lyke as your lordeshyp wrot vnto me in your last whyche he onelye Remyttythe to your wisedom and discrecyon for his highnes perfectlye trustith that ye will substauncyallie loke thervnto, who woold as Fayne that ye were well neyhboryd as ye woold yourself, my lord in this and all other that shall lye in my Lytill power I shall allwayes do as I haue promysyd and thus most hertelye Fare ye well at london the xxiiiith daye off Septembre
36. ‹Cromwell› to Henry VIII.
R.O. Cal. v. 1298. ‹September, 1532.›
Reports the making of patterns for the King’s collar, and the accounts of the King’s jewels. Edmund Knightley has been committed to the Fleet for contempt of the King and his laws.
Please it your highnes to be aduertised that according to your gracious commaundement I haue caused patrons to be drawen after your graces Deuyse albeit I haue wyllyd your goldsmyth not to procede to the making of any thing In perffeccyon vntill your gracious pleasure shalbe Ferther knowen for the which purpose both he and I shall repayre vnto your highnes on Saterday night or Sondaye in the morning and to the Intent your grace may determyn your pleasure I haue Sent by this berer the patron of your Coller of balasys and Dyamondes drawn according to your graces fyrst deuyse touching a certen matier in varyaunce betwixt thexecutours of Sir[790] William Spencer disceasyd and[791] my ladye spencer whereas informacion was made vnto your highnes that grete Spoyle of the goodes of the saide Sir[790] William Spencer was made by the saide executours and how that the executours wold haue put owt my ladye late the wyff of the sayd William from the execucyon of the testament the matier hath ben harde here before my lorde the keper of your grete seale Sir Willyam Poulet and me[792]. And as it appereth by thexamynacion as well of the executors as by Edmond Knyghtley and Rychard his brother the hole spoyle and eloyning[793] of the sayd goods & plate was made onely by the sayd Edmond Knyghtley his brother Rychard and the sayd ladye spencer thayr suster notwithstanding that ther was Agrement made betwene the executors and the ladye spencer that she sholde entyr into bargayn with your highnes and also into the execucyon of the testament with them as an executrix which vndowtydly she hadde done yf Edmond Knyghtle hadde not bene Which Edmonde Knightley hathe not onelie trauayled asmoche as in him is to sett pyke betwene the sayd ladye and the executors and to defeate your grace of your title to the heire of the saide Spencer but also Justeffyed the same befor my sayd lorde keper of the gret Seale wher on the other partye it was openlye prouyd that your grace hade good tytyll and all his allegacyon vntrew yet neuertheles for the reducing of the same his vntrew purpose to effecte and to the Intent to slaunder your gracys tytill and others he hathe caused to be made certen proclamacions in your Countyes of Warwyke leycester & Northampton in dyuers of your highnes Towns there to the high contempte of your grace and your lawes For it hathe not ben seen nor herd that any Subiecte within this Realme sholde presume to make proclamacion within this your realme but onelie in your graces Name Wherefore for his offences and other contemptes ayenst your highnes in that behalf my lorde the keper of your grete ‹seal› takyng that matyer to be a greuous offens ayenst your Crown & Imperyall magestye hathe commytted the sayd Edmond Knyghtley to your pryson of the Flete where he now remayneth vntyll your high plesure shalbe Ferther knowen in that behalf. As touching the Cup of golde & Corporas Case I sent your highnes woorde by Thomas Alvard the treuthe whereof this berer Stevyn Vawhan can Informe your grace who hathe made perfytte bokes aswell of the sayd Cuppe & Corporas Case as also of all other your highnes Jewelles now being in the handes of Cornelys to be orderyd according to your graces plesure and thys the holye trynyte preserue your most royall estate of your most excellent magestye
37. ‹Cromwell› to the Abbot of St. Edmunds Bury.
R.O. Cal. v. 1573. Nov. 24 ‹1532›.
Desires the farm of Harlowberry, in Essex, near Honysdon. Will do all he can for the monastery.
My lorde after my hartie maner I commende me vnto you. Aduertising you that for dyuerse consideracions I am verray desirouse To haue some house in essex nere vnto Honysdon. And forasmoche as your parsonage of Harlowebery shall shortly be in your Handes and Letting, By Reason that the lease whiche Malery and his Wyff hathe is nowe all moost expired, I shall desire and instantly pray you to lett your said Farme of Harlowebury vnto me by lease for terme of lx yeres for the same stokke Rent and Ferme that haithe byn of Olde tyme accustumyd paid and perceyuyd for the same. In doing whereof ye shall bynde me to do you and that your monastary suche pleasure as may ly in my Lytell power, in tyme to com. And what shalbe your towarde mynde herin I pray you to Aduertise me in wrytyng by this berer my servaunt. And as for the yeres that malery and his wyff haithe yitt to com ye shall vnderstaund that I haue Agred with theym for his lease Thus fare ye hartely well from Eltham, the xxiiii day of Nouembre.
Add. To my Lord Thabbot of Seynt Edmoundes Bury geve this.
38. ‹Cromwell› to ‹the Earl of Northumberland›.
R.O.; not in Cal. ‹Dec. 1532.›
Congratulates him on the success of his last raid against the Scots, and assures him of the King’s favour. Urges him to keep on his guard against a surprise.
After myn humble commendacions please it your lordeship to be aduertised that I haue receyued your letteres the contentes wherof I haue right well perceyued And touching your prosperous fortune and victorie in your last rode agenst your enemyes Shewing therby your valiaunt courage glad hert and mynde to serue the Kinges highnes and annoye his enemyes, I assure your lordeship there is no man lyuyng gladder to here thereof then I am your poure Frende, Wisshing to god that your lordeship did knowe and here as I do how louynglie and acceptablie the Kinges highnes doth Regarde and take the same. which vndoubtedlie wold double the hardynes and courage of any man lyuyng to do his grace seruice. And because it is to be thought that after this rode your enemyes the scottes will invente & studie to be reuenged to your like annoyance or more if they can, my poure aduise shalbe that by all the wayes meanes and polycies ye can, your lordeship do circumspectlie and with vigilant eye make such espialles and watches and so in most poletique and warlyke Facion will forsee studye and prepare as in no wise by your saide enemyes ye be preuented But rather that your lordeship as ye alredy haue begon will so contynue endeuouring your self to greue and annoye your enemyes by doing of such valiant actes and exployttes to thincrease of your high merite and worthie praise So as the Fame renowne and noble victorie which your lordeship hathe now won and obteyned be in no wise hurte blemisshed or defaced by any acte or exployte to be don hereafter for lacke of good forsight or preuencyon Thus I am bolde to gyue your lordeship my poure frendely aduise beseching the same to excuse my boldenes and to thinke I do it onelie for that I bere unto your lordeship my hertie good mynde and will And no man more gladder then I to here tell of any thing which should sounde to your lordeshippes good Fame and honour, the increase and augmentacion whereof I doubt not but your lordeship will contynew to procure with no lesse diligent propence glad hert and mynde to serue the king in his affairees there then as ye haue begon to the vtter grief displeasure and annoyaunce of your enemyes wherein I beseche our lorde to sende you as prosperous fortune and good successe as your noble and valyaunt herte could wisshe or desire At london etc
Endd. mynute of a lettere
39. ‹Cromwell› to the Abbot of Bury.
R.O. Cal. v. 1719. ‹1532.›
Regrets to hear that he has detained several workmen in his district, in spite of the King’s need of them in London. Urges him to send them up at once.
My lorde after all dew recommendacyons this shalbe to aduertise your lordshyp how that I and other hauyng charge aswell of the Kynges Buldinges at his Towre of london as also at Westm. haue bene for lakke of masons Carpenters and other woorkmen compellyd to sende in to all the plases of this Realme For prouysyon of the same by the kinges commyssyon and albeit that the kinges mesenger by the auctoryte of his Commyssyon hathe repayryd into dyuers partyes of Suffolke ther to execute the same and also to Burrye Saynt Edmondes and therabowtt For to haue taken and prestyd masons For the accomplyshment of the kynges sayd woorkes ye lytell Regarding the kynges auctoryte and Commyssyon have stayed dyuers masons and woorkmen abowte yow wherof I do moche mervayle my lorde I woolde be loth and also veraye sorye the the[794] kynges highnes sholde be Informyd of your demeanure in that behalf For I dowt not though peraduenture his highnes woolde esteme yow to be Abbot of his Monasterye of Burye, yet he woolde not forget that he ys your kyng and souerayng lorde, who percase might thinke sum vnkyndenes and also presumpcyon in yow so to handell hym or his auctoryte within his owne Realme Wherffor my lorde I thinke it shalbe well done in aduoyding Further busynes to sende vpp those masons and not to Contend with your prynce ne with his auctoryte I beseche your lordshyp to pardon my playne wrytyng For assurydlye I woolde be veray lothe that the kinges highnes sholde haue Anye occasyon to thinke anye vnkyndnes or disobedyence in yow and thus the holye trynyte preserue your lordshyp in long lyffe and good helthe
40. ‹Cromwell› to ‹the Bishop of Ely›.
R.O. Cal. vi. 312. April 6 ‹1533›.
The King desires his presence at the next session of the Council, if his health will permit. Recommends the bearer Mr. Jones.
My specyall good lord after my most humble recommendacyons ‹it› may please the same to be aduertysyd how that the kynges highnes hathe Commaundyd me to gyue yow knowlage that yf ye may by any possyble meanys your helth and lyffe preseruyd Repayre hether this next terme yt sholde be moche to his gracyous contentacyon and Comfort to haue your presens and Cownsayle in his affayres and his grace dowtyth not but ye wyll yf it be possyble for yow to trauayle accomplyshe all thing that maye be to the Satysfaccyon of his pleasure. I assure your lordshyp his grace hathe not a Few tymes lamentyd in the presens of your frendes not onlye your absens but also your Infyrmyte wherfor his grace hathe bene veraye Sorye. And my lord bycause this berer Maister Jonys dothe now repayre vnto your lordshyp for your Fauours and goodnes to hym so shewyd towardes his prefferment vnto whom yt may please you at my poore Sute & medyacyon to be specyall good lorde Assuryng your lordeship that he ys a perffect honest gentylman and such one as ye shall neuer Repent the thing that ye shall doo For hym as knowyth the holye trynyte who euer preserue your lordshyp in long lyffe and good helthe At londen the vith daye of Aprell.
41. ‹Cromwell› to ‹Lord Scrope›.
R.O. Cal. vi. 383. April 25 ‹1533›.
The King has received his letters, and is glad that he will let him have the manor of Pyssow in Hertfordshire. The King will give him good lands in exchange.
My specyall goode lorde after all dew Recommendacyons this shalbe to aduertyse the same that the kyngys highnes right thankffullye dyd accept your letteres to hym dyrected & delyuered by mr. chasye and his grace ys merveylouslye well contentyd that your lordshyp wooll let his grace haue your manour & parke of Pyssow in exchaunge. Wherfor his Magestie hathe Commaundyd me to Inserche for landes for your Recompens which I shall doo with all conuenyent spede and as to the rede howsys with the other thinges mouyd to me by this berer your seruaunt I wyll vndowtydlye doo my best so that your lordeshyp by the next shalbe certeffyed of the kynges Full and determynate pleasure in all thinges as knowethe our lorde who euer preserue your lordshyp in long lyffe & good helthe at london the xxvth daye of Aprell.
42. ‹Cromwell› to ‹the Duke of Suffolk›.
R.O. Cal. vi. 415. April ‹1533›.
The King is pleased with his willingness to surrender his patent of Earl Marshal, which has been granted to the Duke of Norfolk. Suffolk is to have the Justiceship of the Forests on this side of the Trent for life, in exchange. Advises him to come to Court at once.
After my most humble Recommendacions it maye please your grace to Vnderstande that the Kinges highnes hath been assuredlie aduertised howe that your grace is contente to surrendre your patente of the office of Therle Marshall into his handes Whervpon his Magestie hath graunted the same vnto my lorde of Norffolk his grace Whose Auncestors of longe tyme hadd thesame vntill nowe of late. And his highnes is contente that your grace in the lewe and place therof shall haue his letteres patentes of the Justiceshipp of his Forestes on thisside Trente for terme of your lyfe. Assurynge your grace his highnes doth not onlie repute moche honour in your grace for that ye soo kyndlie will departe with the saide office of marshalshipp vnto my saide lorde of Norffolk but also his magestie supposeth and perfectlie percevith that your grace hath moche more estimacion and zele to Norisshe kyndenes and love bytwene my saide lorde of Norffolk and you then ye haue to thatt or any other office whiche vndubtelie is highlie to his gracious contentacion to see and perceiue so grate and honorhable personages his subiectes so lovynglie and Frendlie the on to love thother. Wherfore as he that always rekonith hymselfe [bou]nden vnto your grace and beyng also ver[ayly] Joyouse to persayve howe pleasauntlie the kinges highnes taketh in gude parte and repute your honorhable and moost gentill demeanours in this and all other your procedynges thought I coulde no lesse doo then to aduertise you therof to thintente that ye knowynge thesame myght and may determyn your self therafter. And amongest other thinges as I can perceyue it shulde not be vnthankfullie taken towardes the kinges highnes and your grace yf it were your ease and pleasure to repayre to the Courte with Resonable spede consyderyng that shortlye my lorde of Norfolke departyth towardes his gret Jorney in Ambassade. Beseching your grace to pardon my bolde & Rude wryting whiche I am movyd vnto For the poore good wyll I b[ear] [your] grace as knowyth the holye trynyte who preserue your grace in longue lyffe good helth with thincrease of moche honour at London the —— daye of Aprell.
43. ‹Cromwell› to Mr. Strete.
R.O. Cal. vi. 645. June 14 ‹1533›.
Recommends various persons to receive the land, cattle, and corn of the late priory of Calwich in Staffordshire. Gives directions for the administration of Strete’s office. Cf. Letter [22].
Maister Strete as hertelye as I Can I commend me vnto yow and wher as by my last letteres I wrott vnto yow in the Fauors of Curson and Fyndern to be prefferryd vnto the Catell and Corn of late belongyng to the pryorye of Colwyche and Sythyn that tyme I wrotte vnto yow on the behalf of Mr. longford for his prefferment vnto the demaynes of the sayd late pryorye so hit ys that now the sayd maister longford by his Father in law Mr. Fyzherbert moche desyryth to haue the Tythys and also suche Corn as at this tyme ys Sown vppon the demaynes of the sayd late pryorye for this yere whych tythe and Corn Sown vppon the demaynes I require yow that he may haffe at suche prysys as ye shall thinke convenyent and in such wyse as the kynges highnes may be Substauncyallye answeryd of the proffyttes growing of the same without any Fauour to be born to anye othre partye and wher as I wrott in myn other letter that Curson and Fyndern shold haue the preffermentt of the Catell and Corn I dyd not wrytt for anye Corne growing on the grownde ne yet for any tythys which in no wyse ye shall Suffer them to haue but to order hyt as ys afforsayd most to the kynges proffytte & aduauntage. I well persayue who grauntyth suchemen an Inche they wyll take an ell. I am Infformyd they avaunte them selfs to haue Commyssyons and graunttes of the kyng which ys vntrew I praye yew aduyse them to vse no suche Facyons. Syr the kynges highnes trustyth that ye with all spede will bryng up the half yeres Ferme and Renttes of the Busshopryche which I praye yow may be here before his gracyous departyng in progresse. and as to the Chanon off Colwyche ye may translate hym vnto Sum good howse of that relygyon being nere vnto yow and to gyue hym sumthing after your discrecyon suche as may stand with the kynges honour and also to his honest Contentacyon and thus trustyng in your approuyd wysdom and experyence Commytt all the premysses vnto your discrecyon trustyng euer that ye wyll haue respect to your dew[tie] and charge and also that I may haue short answer of thes and other my letteres and so Fare ye well at london the xiiiith daye of June
44. Cromwell to Lord Lisle.
R.O. Cal. vi. 706. June 26 ‹1533›.
Desires him to admit Bartholomew Peters as surgeon of Calais. Will do his best to obtain Lisle’s requests for the town.
My lorde after my right hertie recommendacions these shalbe to aduertise [y]our lordeship that where it hathe pleased the kinges highnes to gyve and [g]raunte to Bartholomew Petres the rowme of Surgeon in his grace . . . within the towne of Calays, as by a bill signed for that purpose . . . ye shall receyue of the saide Bartholomew more playnelie shall . . . [a]ppere I shall therefore requyre your lordeship that insuing the teanour purport and effecte of the kinges saide graunte ye do see the saide Bartholomew admytted into the saide rowme when tyme shall requyre accordingly. And concerning suche matiers as ye latelie haue written in for the towne of Calays, I do not ne shall not cesse to do my best to reduce and bryng the same to suche good passe and effecte as shalbe thought most requysite and expedient. I trust to your good contentacion. And so our lorde preserue your lordeship in long lif and good helth with thincrease of honour. At London the xxvi day of June
Your lordshyppis assuryd
Thomas C[rumwell]
I wrytt to your lordeshyp For this berer by the Kinges expresse Commandmentt.
Add. To the right honourable and his singuler good lorde my Lorde Lisle deputie to the Kinges highnes of his town and marches of Calays be this youen.
45. Cromwell to ‹Thomas Beeston›.
R.O. Cal. vi. 776. ‹June-July, 1533.›
Ordering him to repair to the Emperor’s Court and deliver the King’s letters to Dr. Hawkins there, with directions to turn them over to the Emperor. He is to return with the Emperor’s answer.
First the kinges highnes pleasure is that ye hauing receyued your packet of letteres and instructions directed vnto Mr. doctour Hawkyns, shall ymediatelie put yourself in aredynes to departe towardes the parties of beioynde the See, inserching by your polycie the nerest wayes to suche place where it shall happen the Emperour to lye.
Itm when ye shall repayre to themprours Courte ymmediatly to delyuer the saide packet vnto the saide Mr. Hawkyns with hertie gretinges and salutacions from the kinges highnes aduertesing him ferther that the kinges pleasure is that when tyme shall Requyre, he shall not onelie intymate declare and communycate the effectes of suche letteres and instructions conteyned in the saide packet, with themprour, alwayes insuing the teanour purpose and meanyng of the same, But also after his accustomed wisedom dexterite and good polycie shall indeuour himself so to propone handle and set fourth all thinges as he by his good discression shall se tyme place and occasion So as the same may take effecte according to the Kinges high trust and expectacion in that behalf.
Itm that after declaracion of the premisses and communycacion had at length with themperour in the same, the saide Mr. Haukyns shall then if he so thinke good, devise determyne and conclude with you for your depeche and retourne hither with letteres and instructions purporting suche answeres articles and allegacions as by themperour shalbe answered leyed and obiected to those thinges which the saide Mr. Hawkyns shall intymate and declare as is aforsaide on the kynges behalf, which being done and accomplisshed the kynges gracious pleasure is that ye shall make all conuenyent haste spede and diligence to repayre hither to his grace with the same accordingly.
Thomas Crumwell.
Endd. mynute.
46. ‹Cromwell› to ‹the Merchant Tailors›.
R.O. Cal. vi. 698. ‹June, 1533.›
Requests them to continue and increase the annuity granted to Nicholas Glossop, servant of the late Archbishop Warham.
Right wellbeloued Frendes I recomend me hartly vnto yowe And where I am enfourmed that at the request of my late lorde of Caunterbury, whose sowle god pardon, ye graunted to his seruaunt Nicholas Glossop, an olde Auncient of youre Felisship of merchaunt Taillours a certeyn Annuytie of xxvi s. viii d. toward the Sustentacion of his lyvyng for terme of his Naturall life. Wherof by his report, he hath be‹n› well and truly Answered of a long tyme. Howe be it nowe upon the deceas of his said maister, as it ys said, that ye entende to withdrawe From hym youre saide Benyuolence and graunte, which shulde be to his great Discomfort and Hyndraunce. And forasmoche as I bere good Mynde and Favour towardes hym And it were more charitie rather to Augemente his lyving than to dymynysshe it or withdrawe the same, specially nowe in his great Age, whan he hath most nede of help and Socoure. I hertly desire yowe that for my sake ye wille not only contynue the payment of the said Annuytie to hym for terme of his life according to your said graunte, But also of youre larger Benyvolence and charitie to encreas the same xiii s. iiii d. more by yere. Wherby in myne opynyon, ye shall not only do the thyng whiche may be right meritorious to yowe, but also right honorable for youre said Felisship, and to me right great pleasure. and for the same doing He may hereafter do yowe pleasure And I shalbe glad to doo yowe pleasure or any good that I can for your Felowship at alle tymes As knoweth god who preserue yowe. And Further I desire yowe of your good Answere in this behalf the morowe Folowing your next Courte Day by yowe to be holden at your halle
Endd. A lettre for Nicholas glossop.
47. Cromwell to Mr. Thomas Alen.
R.O. Cal. vi. 791. July 9 ‹1533›.
For failing to pay his debts to Cromwell, and to give sureties for the money his brother owes the King, Alen has forfeited 1000 marks to the Crown. Requests an answer by the bearer.
Maister Alen after right hertie commendacions these shalbe to aduertise you that long or this tyme I loked to haue harde from you and trusted not onelie to haue had and receyued from you now at Midsomer last passed my Hundreth poundes which of gentilnes I lent you but also sufficient bondes and suertie for your brother tharchebisshop of Duntlyn concerning the payment of viic[795] markes which he oweth to the kinges highnes according to suche bonde as you and other with you stonde bounde in for the complement of the same. For lacke and defaulte whereof ye haue forfaited to the kinges highnes the Somme of one thousande markes which me thinketh ye ought substaunciallye to loke vppon for the king is no person to be deluded nor mocked with all. And considering that for your sake I so gentillie departed with my money me semeth that reason and good honestie requireth ye should se me payed ayen. prayeng you that I may be aduertised by this berer what ye mean and intende to do in the premisses. And so hertelie Fare ye well. At London the ixth day of Julie.
Your louyng Frend
Thomas Crumwell.
Add. To his louyng Frende Mr. Thomas Alen be this yeuen at Raylegh.
48. Cromwell and Audeley to Hawkins And Randall, Bailiffs of Weymouth.
R.O. Cal. vi. 858. July 18, 1533.
Warrant for the delivery into the nearest prison of six men taken in the ship Trinity, of Hull. The goods and the ship are to be delivered to William Gonson.
Wellbelouyd we grete you well, and Where as William Gonson of london hathe shewed vnto vs an Indenture datyd the viiith daye of June last, made betwene Edward Waters and you specyfyeng the deliuerauns of a Ship namyd the Trinite of Hull and lxiiii Hoggyshedes of gascon wyne with dyuers other thinges therin conteynyd to your Handes. We certefye yow that the Kyng his pleasure is that ye shall incontynent deliuer or cause to be deliuered all thinges conteanyd in the said Indentures to the said William Gonson or his assignes. and as towching the sixe prysoners taken in the said Ship and lykewyse deliueryd into your kepyng that ye deliuer theim into the next pryson to you, ther to be surely kepte till the kinges pleasure be to you Further knowne wheche deliueraunce of Ship and goodes & prysoners shall be vnto you a sufficyent dyscharge at all tymes herafter Wryton at London the xviii daye of July the xxvth yere of the Reigne of our soueraigne lorde kyng Harry the viiith.
Thomas Audeley Kt. chauncelour
Thomas Crumwell.
Add. To our Welbelouyd William Hawkyns and William Randall Baylyffes of the towne of Waymowthe.
49. Cromwell to Sir Anthony Fitzherbert and Walter Luke.
R.O. Cal. vi. 872. July 19 ‹1533›.
Requires him to delay the trial of a case which may be prejudicial to Cromwell, as the jury has been packed, and will be likely to give an unjust verdict.
After my right hertie commendacions Forasmoche as there is a Nisiprius passed out to be tried before you at the next assises to be holden at Lyncoln concerning the tryall of the title of Anthony Stydolffe who is my warde Which Nisiprius is secretlie sued out and passed without my knowlege so as percase the same may be moche preiudiciall vnto me in that thing whereunto I haue good iust and lawfull title as ye shall apperceyue by suche deades and writinges as my Frend this berer shall shew vnto you, I therefore considering your worshippes and good indifferencies, trusting that ye will do me none iniustice in this behalf Do most hertelie require and pray you to staye the tryall of the saide Nisiprius, Vntill ye shall haue Ferther knowlege of the matier, the rather for that I am crediblie infourmed that the enquest is alredie so parciallie impaneled that vndoubtedlie it is thought they will passe directlie ayenst the trowth. Eftesones therefore most hertelie requyring you to provyde and forsee myn indempnyte in this parte, And for the good acquytall of your gentilnes to be shewed vnto me herein if there be any thing wherein my poure powers can extende to do yow pleasure I shall not Faile godd willing to accomplisshe the same to the vtterest of my lytill power. And so most hertelie Fare ye well. At London the xixth day of Julie.
It may please you to gyve firme credence vnto this berer in such thinges as he shall declare vnto you on my behalf
Your assuryd Freend
Thomas Crumwell.
Add. To the right worshipfull Mr. Anthony Fitzherberte knight one of the kinges iustices of his comen benche and to Mr. Walter Luke esquier and to either of them.
50. ‹Cromwell› to Mr. Mustiam.
R.O. Cal. vi. 878 (ii). July 19 ‹1533›.
Desires him to permit the bearer to enjoy a lease of the farm of Brokesley.
Master Mustiam I hartely commende me vnto you. And in the same wise beseching you at this my poure contemplacion and request to be good master and Frende vnto . . . berar hereof, in letting hym to opteyne, and peacably to occupie and enyoye the hole effect of a lease of the ferme or parsonage of Brokesley, in the paroche of Detford in the Countie of Kent to hym demysed by one Mr. Otywell of Westminster diseased without any your further let grief or disturbauns. Vntill suche tyme as ye shall knowe further of my will and pleasure, and inso doyng ye shall mynyster vnto me right singuler pleasure. And this hartely fare ye well At London this xix day of July
51. ‹Cromwell› to Mr. Mustiam.
R.O. Cal. vi. 878 (ii). July 20 ‹1533›.
The bearer complains that Mustiam intends unjustly to take the tithe corn of Brokesley from him. Advises Mustiam not to do this.
Maister Mvstyam I hertelye commende me vnto yow aduertysing the same that the poore man berer herof hathe shewyd me that ye do Intend to do hym wrong in takyng From hym the tythe Corn of Brokleye, other wyse wyse[796] Called west greenwyche whervnto I thinke ye haue no tytyll nor Interest, wherfor I shall aduyse yow to stay to doo any thing in the same vntyll suche tyme as ye shall be hable honestlye to to[797] Clayme therin and thus Fare ye well at london this xxth daye of July
52. Cromwell to Henry VIII.
R.O. Cal. vi. 887. July 23 ‹1533›.
Reports the examination of certain Friars Observants, who have been taken by Cromwell’s spies. Two of them would certainly confess much if examined by torture. Desires instructions how to proceed. Has inquired of Cranmer about the men, as the King desired.
Please it your highnes to be aduertised that vppon myn arryuayle at London I receyued certen letteres out of the North directed vnto your grace from the lorde Dacre. Which I haue sent to your maiestee herein closed with also certen letteres and Newes sent vnto me from my Lorde Deputie of Calays. And touching the Freres obseruantes that were with the prynces dowagier, being subtillie conueyed from thens were first espied at Ware by suche espialles as I leyed for that purpose, and hauyng good awayte leyed vppon them were from thens dogged to London, and there (notwithstonding many wyles and cauteles by them invented to escape) were taken and deteyned till my cummyng home. So as vppon my arryuayle here I called them before me and vppon examynacion of them coulde gather nothing of anye momente or grete importaunce, but entring into ferther communycacion founde the one of them a veray sedycious person, and so commytted them vnto warde where they now do remayne till your gracious pleasure knowen. Ymmedyatelie afterwardes repayred vnto me the warden of the grey Freres of Grenewich who semeth veray desirous to haue the punycyon of the saide two Freres, being named Hugh Payne and Cornelius, and made grete intercession vnto me to haue them delyuered vnto him, Shewing unto me ferther that the mynyster and generall Commyssarie of this prouynce of Englonde had made out certeyne commaundementes vnto the said Freers willing them by vertue of obedience to repayre vnto him to Rychemont to thintent they wold haue the correction of them accordinglie. Which commaundementes being conteyned in certen mynutes of paper I haue sent to your grace herein closed. It semeth assuredlie that the saide mynyster is a right honest and discrete person and Fayne wolde haue prevented and taken the saide Freers if he had coulde by any meanes, Beseching your grace tha[t] I may knowe your gracious pleasure Whether I shall kepe and de[t]eyne them in warde and bring them with me at my repayree to the courte, or Whether your grace will haue them sent ymmedyatelie to any other place or what other direction to be taken therein as shall and may stonde with your high pleasure. It is vndoubted that they haue intended and wolde confesse sum grete matier if they might be examyned as they ought to be that is to sey by paynes, for I perceyue the saide Hugh Payne to be a subtile Felowe and moche gyuen to sedycyon.
I haue also eftesones sent vnto my lorde of Caunterbury according to your gracious commaundement touching the dissymuled holynes and supersticious demeanures of the Ipocryte Nunne, And haue declared your gracious pleasure vnto the Staple whom in maner I do Fynde agreable to all thinges according to your graces demaunde sauyng onelie they as yet requyre lenger dayes for the payment of the some of x m[798] pounds by them now graunted, and also fermely requyre that your highnes will graunt them their house for a reasonable somme of money yerelie, which I do stycke with them in. and as to morowe they will gyve me a resolute answer in the hole.
And thus I shall daylie pray vnto almightie god for the prosperous conseruacion of your royall maiestee in long lif and good helth felyciouslie to indure. at London the xxiii day of Julie. Your highnes most humble subiectte and seruaunt
Thomas Crumwell.
Add. To the kinges royall maiestee.
53. ‹Cromwell› to Audeley.
R.O. Cal. vi. 894. July 26 ‹1533›.
Desires him to permit the annuity of £20 which has just been granted to Stephen Vaughan to bear date from a year ago this summer, as there was already £20 due to Vaughan for one year’s service.
Right honourable syr after myne hartie commendacions. So it is that the kinges hieghnes hathe lately graunted Vnto a seruant of his named Stephen Vaughan a certeyne annuytie of xx li by yere to be paide from the faste of the natyuytie of saynt John Baptiste now last passed Vnto the whiche Stephen by cause there is owyng by the kynges hieghnes xx li for one yeres seruyce ended at Mydsomer now laste paste, therefore is it that by cause he hathe no waise to demaunde it of maister Tuke by patent or other sufficient warrant from his hieghnes. he hathe desyred me who vndoubtidly do know that his pleasure is that he shulde be payde the sayde xx li. to Requyre yow that when his annuytie commythe to the greate seale your pleasure maye be to suffer it to bere date from Mydsomer Was a yere and that he maye by force therof be payde the yere now passed. And doubte ye not thus to do. for the kinges pleasure is he shulde be paide the xx li due for the yere passed. And I shall alwayse warrant yow to be sufficiently discharged and to be blameles for so doyng. The saide Stephen had obteyned the kinges warrant for the same, oneles his highnes had now sent hym into Germany for thexpedicion of certeyn his affayres there. And thus the holy trynytie preserue your lordeship in long lyfe goode healthe and much honour. from London the xxvi daye of Julye.
Add. To the right honourable Sir Thomas Audley knyght lord chancellour.
54. ‹Cromwell› to the Abbot of Woburn.
R.O. Cal. vi. 778. ‹July, 1533.›
Requests him not to maltreat the Abbot of Vawdy in Lincolnshire; has heard he intends to depose him. Desires him to cause Davys Edward, the monk of Vawdy, to amend his ways.
My lord after my duetie remembred, soo it is that I am credibly enformed how that ye beryng inwarde grudge & displesure to my welbeloued Frend thAbbot of Vawdy entende studie & goo aboutes by sinistre meanes to depose hyme from his abbacye for the promocion therunto of oon of your awne monkes being the cellerer of your house. My lord I pray you vse your selffe vnto my saide frende as accordeth to your religion, For I knowe certainly that he is a good religious man, And that his house wiche was in gret debt at the tyme of his promocion, is nowe by his good policie reduced to good & welthy state and condicion aswell in catoll as in corne furnisshed with other requisites & necessaries. Wherfor my lord my trust ys that ye wol circumspectly loke therupon baring your good & lawfull fauour unto hyme, like as good charitie requireth. And the rather at my disire & request ascertaynyng you that I haue at this tyme writen my semblable letteres in the fauour of my said frend vnto thabbot of fountayns not doubtyng but that he at my requisicion wol lovingly vse and intreate my said frend in all his busuynes. And wher as ye haue with you a monk of the said house of Vawdy oon Dauys Edward Clerke, wiche ye knowe well haith gretely mysordred hymselff. I trust that ye woll instructe hyme soo fruteffully that he shall not nede to be further reconsiled to amend his lyvynge Wherby ye shall doo averay good & charitable dede as knoeth god who kepe yow
Add. To thabbot of Woborn
Endd. a lettere for the abbot of Woborne
55. Cromwell to Lord Lisle.
R.O. Cal. vi. 1064. Sept. 1 ‹1533›.
The King is displeased at Lisle’s desire for new arrangements for ‘the restraynyng of Corne.’ Lisle should not take every man’s or his own wife’s advice concerning things pertaining to his office.
After my right harty recommendation vnto your good lordship This shalbe to aduertise the same that I have resceyved your letteres wherein ye and the Mayer of Calays do desire to have newe provisions concernyng the restraynyng of Corne otherwise then hathe byn vsyd yn tymes past. I ensure your lordship the kinges highnes is not a litle displeased withe that your desire, but supposith your besynes to be veray small that will in any wise ymportune his highnes withe any soche matiers Sayeng that before this tyme the Towne and marches of Calays hathe ben well maynteynyd and prospered without any soche newe devises. And I assure your lordship as your frynd to my power that I have great mervayll that ye will so sone enclyne to euery mannys devise and . . . specially in matiers of small ympor[t] . . . ye and . . . reportyd . . . nite me on . . . causes as me semythe . . . nothyng . . . ne gentilwymen, for although my lady be right honourable and wise yet yn soche causes as longithe to your auctoritie her advise and discresion can litle prevayle. Wherfore I pray your lordship to consider the same, and to ymportune the kinges highnes with none other matiers then of necessite ye ought to do. And thus the blessed Trynyte preserue you. At london the first day of September.
Your lordshyppis assuryd
Thomas Crumwell.
Add. To my veray good lord my lord Vicount Lisley the kinges deputie at Calays be thus youen.
56. Cromwell to the French Ambassador.
Huth Library; Cal. vi. 1128. Sept. 15 ‹1533›.
Reports the arrival of Danish and Norwegian ambassadors at the Court of the Queen Regent of the Netherlands to conclude an alliance.
Monsieur lambassadeur Le Roy mon maistre a este aduerty par son agent estant en Flandres. Que puisnagueres les ambassadeurs de Danemarche Norwege & Holst au nom du conseil et Royaulme de Danemarche, sont arriuez a la court de la Royne douagiere de hungierye regene deflandres auec le nombre de xxxii personnes ou enuiron et comme son dit agent peult entendre avecques plain et suffisant pouuoir et auctorite A conclure et affermer vne bonne allyance et paix auecques l’empereur et tous ses pais & dominions tant defensiue que offensiue, Aussy autant qu’il peult entendre Ladite Royne & son conseil sont determynez a traiter et conclure auecques lesdits ambassadeurs auecques telle condition que quiconques sera eleu Roy par dela (l’election duquel est encore prolongee & differee pour l’espace dung an) Il Jurera ratifiera & confermera ladite allyance & Traycte de Paix. Desquelles choses le Roy mon dit Maistre ma commande vous aduertir affin que en conuenient diligence vous en vuelles rescripre au Roy Tres chrestien vostre maistre et Ladviser quil seroit bon de penser sur cest affaire et essayer sil Luy semble expedient a estoupper leurs propoz et aultrement y pourveoir ainsi quil Luy semblera conuenable. A tant Monsieur Lambassadeur apres mestre affectueusement Recommande a vous je prie nostre seigneur quil vous ait en sa tressaincte & digne garde. Escript a Stepney le xv jour de Septembre
Vostre entier et parfaict amy
Thomas Crumwell.
Add. a monsieur Lambassadeur du Roy Treschrestien a Londres
Endd. de Mr. Craumeuelle
57. Cromwell to Lord Lisle.
R.O. Cal. vi. 1141. Sept. 21 ‹1533›.
Requests him to permit the executors of Robert Baynham freely to administer his testament, notwithstanding his former letters to the contrary.
Aftre my right harty Commendacions to your lordshipp Whereas heretofore I addressed my letteres vnto your lordshipp at the sute of my seruaunt Bartholomew Bayneham concernyng the steye of such goodes as lately apperteyned to his Father Robert Baynam of Calaish vntil suche tyme as ye harde Further of my mynde in that behaulf. These shalbe most hertely to desyer and praye youe the rather at the contemplacion hereof to suffre thexecutours of his sayd Father Robert Baynam to execute and mynistre according to the meanyng of the Testament and last wyll of his sayd Father in as ample wise as heretofore they haue doon my sayd former letteres notwithstanding. And being enformed of your goodnes and also of my lades of late shewed vnto my sayd seruaunt partely as I take yt for my sake I thanke you most hertely for the same and though my lady for her parte might haue been better before yet I requyre you bothe for my sake ye nowe to contynewe the goodnes which youe doo presently extende Vnto him. Wherein ye shall admynystre Vnto me Veray acceptable pleasur. And thus Fare you hertely well From Stepney the xxith day of Septembre
Your lordshippis assuryd
Thomas Crumwell.
Add. To my Veray good lorde my lorde the Viconte Lisle Deputie of the kinges Towne of Calaysh and Marches of the same.
58. Cromwell to Richard and William Haybourne.
R.O. Cal. vi. 1332. Oct. 24 ‹1533›.
The Lord Chancellor and Cromwell will sit on the dispute between them and Elizabeth Colcoke the Friday after All Hallowday.
I commend me vnto you. Aduertising you that it is fully determynyd betwixt my lord Chaunceler and me that we will sitt vpon the mater in variaunce betwixt Elizabeth Colcoke widowe and you the Friday after Alhallow day. Wherfore I requyre you in any wise to be here the day before that ye may be redy for that purpose and that ye in no wise faill so to do vpon your peryll. And thus fare ye well. At london the xxiiiith day of October.
Your Freend
Thomas Crumwell.
Add. To my fryndes Richard Haybourne and William Haybourne be this youen.
59. ‹Cromwell› to the Abbots of Fountains and Byland.
R.O. Cal. vi. 1408. Nov. 8 ‹1533›.
Is surprised that they have not yet elected a new Abbot of Rievaulx as the King wished. Advises them to delay no longer.
After my full hertie maner I recommende me vnto you. And where as it hathe pleased the kinges highnes to directe his moste gracious letteres vnto you nowe at this presente tyme for the eleccion of a newe Abbote of Ryvaulx wherein his grace hathe bene aduertised ye haue not heretofore indevored youreselfes to thaccomplishemente of the same according to his said letteres and commaundemente (whereof I mervaile not a little) that ye wold incurre his high displeasure for the none executing of the same. therefore I hertely requyre you and neuerthelesse doo advise you in exchewing of further Inconvenyences and displeasures that maye thereby ensue (all affeccions sette aparte) ye doo accomplishe the said eleccion according to the tenour and purporte of his moste gracious letteres directyd vnto you and to the Convente of the same monastary in that behalf. And thereby ye shall not oonly deserue the kinges moste gracious thankes, but alsoo haue me to doo for you in all your good causes the beste I can. As knowethe our Lorde who kepe you. Written at London the viiith daye of Nouembre.
Add. To the right honourable in god my Lorde Abbote of Funtaunce and Bylande and to either of theym.
60. Cromwell to Lord Lisle.
R.O. Cal. vi. 1413. Nov. 11 ‹1533›.
Has heard of the trouble that has arisen owing to the blow the knight porter has given to a ‘lewde Felowe.’ Thinks that there is no cause why the knight porter should be molested for his action.
My lorde after my right hertie commendacions I haue receyued your lordeshippes letteres And haue perceyued by the same what contencion is arrysen there by meanes of a lewde Felowe for a stroke yeven vnto him by Sir Cristofer Garnysshe the knight porter, Which matier hath ben debated here by the kinges counsaile who perceyuing the saide stroke was yeven but onelie for correction and for none entente to breke any law statute or ordenaunce of that towne of Calays, do thinke the same but a veray light matier to make any suche busynes of and no cause why the saide Sir Cristofer should be put to any molestacion for the same. Wherefore your lordeship may let it passe and wey it as it is And so our lorde preserue your lordeship in long lif and helth with moche honour At London the xi day of Nouember.
[I] do also hertelie thanke your lordsship for your grete chere made to my seruaunte [Will]yam Johnson and to this gentilman straungier for whom I do wryte vnto your lordeship at this tyme by myn other letteres. And for all other your lordshippes gentilnes I do most hertelie thanke you trusting if I lyue to requyte the same if I can.
Your lordshyppis assuryd Freend
Thomas Crumwell.
Add. To the right honourable and his singuler good lorde the lorde vicount Lisle deputie to the kinges highnes of his towne and marcheis of Calays.
Endd. M. Cromwell the xith of novembr
61. Cromwell to the Abbot of Netley.
R.O. Cal. vi. 1502. Dec. 6 ‹1533›.
Desires him to grant his friend John Cooke a new lease for sixty years of Roydon farm near Southampton, as it lies by the sea and is convenient for Cooke in his office of the Admiralty there.
In my right hartie maner I commende me vnto your good lordship. And where as my frynd John Cooke the kinges graces seruaunt berer herof hath and holdeth a Ferme of yours callid Roydon by lesse wherof the yeres in the same be almost expyred And forasmoche as your said ferme lieth nygh the see syde necessaryly for my saide frynd to serue the kinges highnes in his office of the admyraltie in those parties I hartely desyre you at the contemplacion of thies my letteres that ye will graunte vnto the saide John Coke a newe lesse of the saide ferme vnder your Conventuall Seale for terme of lx yeres paying vnto you and your Successours the accustumable rent therof. And for your towardnes herin I shalbe glad to requyte the same to your good contentacion And farther I perceyve by the reporte of the same Cooke that ye have shewed vnto hym and other that hathe byn with hym to do the kinges highnes seruice at the See muche Jentylnes and liberalitie, for the whiche ye have deserved the kinges right harty thankes. And therfore I for my parte hartylye thanke you And of your conformable mynde herin I pray you to aduertise me in wrytyng by this berer. And thus fare ye hartylye welle. At london the vith day of December.
Your lordshyppis Freend.
Thomas Crumwell.
Add. To the reuerend father in god the Abbot of letley[799] be this youen.
62. Cromwell to ‹the Officers of the Customs›.
R.O. Cal. vi. 1625 (iii). (1533.)
The King wishes Robert Bonvell, merchant of Paris, to come to England with certain jewels, of which he desires a special account to be kept, for the payment of the duty.
In my Right harty manner I Commend me vnto you Aduertis[ing] the Same that the kinges pleasure is that Robert Bonvell merchaunt of parys sholde Repayre into this Royalme Towardes his highnes with certeyn Juelles wherfore his speciall Commaundment is that ye seing the same Jewelles do make Therof a Specyall note by bylles Indentyd betwyxt you and the Seid merchaunt mensyonyng euery parcell therof and what the Custom therof maye Amounte vnto, not chargyng hym For any Custom or other Charge due vnto his highnes For the same for hys graces pleasure ys that if he do sell any within this Royalm that he shall therfore paye Custom as Reason is and for that he Cannot Sell here to carry A waye with hym A gayne withoute payeng therfore any Custom or other dutes Wherfore I requyre you takyng Surety in case he do make Sale to paye the Custom accordyngly That ye do permytt & Suffer the same merchaunt with the Same Juelles to discharge And vnlade the Same Accordyng to the Effectes hereof
The coppy of Mr. Crumwelles lettere Sygned wi[th] hys hand.
63. Drafts of Portions of Cromwell’s Letters.
R.O. Cal. vi. 1625 (i). ‹1533.›
Thanks the recipient for sending news. Has presented his letters to the Duke of Norfolk as he desired.
After most hertye Salutacyons this shalbe ‹to› thanke yow of your exceding louyng kyndnes shewyd in the dylygent wryting to me of your newse and according to your request I presentyd your letteres vnto my lorde of Norffolkes grace who I assure yow ys singuler good lorde vnto yow and wher ye wryt in your Fyrst letteres . . .
Memorandum concerning the resignation of the chantry of Barking Church, in Essex.
Md that maister Kendall Chauntrye preeste of the Chauntrye Foundyd in Barkyng Churche may optayne my lorde of londons Fauour ‹in› the resignacyon of the sayd Chauntrye vnto Sir William Cowplaunde my friend.
End of a letter, urging care and perseverance in reporting important matters, and promising favour.
. . . thus Fare ye hertelye well trusting that ye will perseuere as ye haue begonn I meane so Freindlye and secretlye as thes thinges that shall passe betwene vs may be proffytable to vs bothe so that your wryting matyers of grauytie & Importaunce wherin maye be persayued good will myxyd with wisdom and trowthe I then[800] may haue Corage as an entyre frende[801] to prosecute For your forderaunce & aduauncement with recuperacyon of that which I am sure ye most desyre which as I shall See opportunyte I will not undowtydlye forget and ons agayn Fare well[802] daylye lokyng For answer
64. ‹Cromwell› to Christopher Mont.
R.O. Cal. vi. 1374. ‹1533.›
Encloses two letters from the King to the Dukes of Bavaria and Landgrave of Hesse, with copies. Urges Mont to discover the state of feeling in the Empire. Sends a bill of exchange for £30.
Felowe Cristofer I commende me vnto you And albeit sythen your departure ye haue not receyued any letteres or instructions from the kinges maiestee concerning the execucion of suche his gracious affayrees as his highnes incommended to you at your departure Yet thinke ye not that your industrie labour travayle and diligence Vsed aswell in the setting fourth of his graces busynes, Whereof ye were sufficiently instructed at your saide departure as also in your diligent wrytyng often and Frequent aduertisementes is put in any oblyuyon or forgotten But for the same his maiestee hathe commaunded me to gyve vnto you his graces right hertie thankes. And in this packet ye shall receyue two Letteres addressed from the kinges maiestee vnto the Dukes of Bauarie and the Landegraue van Hesse, which his highnes willeth you to delyuer accordingly. the copies of whiche letteres (to th’intent ye shalbe the more rype to answer if any thing shalbe obiected to you by the saide prynce) I haue sent you hereinclosed. Not doubting in your dexterytee good polycie and wisedom to propone and set fourth the effectes of the same, as shall apperteyne. And forasmoche as here hathe ben the Secretarye of the duke of Bauarie who is named Mr. Hubertus Thomas by whom the kinges highnes hathe knowen and perceyued moche of the mynde and intent of the same Duke, ye shall not moche nede to travayle or enbusie yourself to procure answer other then of their owne mocyons they shall declare vnto you, But contynuallie indeauour your self with all diligent Circumspection to explore enserche and knowe the state of the hole countrey of Germany and of their myndes intentes and inclynacions towardes the kinges highnes and this realme. And that also ye do by all the good meanes and polycies that ye can explore and enserche to knowe the myndes and intentes of the prynces of Germany and of the Germaynes how they be inclyned aswell towardes themperour as the king of Romaynes. Being contynuallie vigilant and diligent in wryting to the kynges maiestee of all thinges and occurrauntes then according to his gracious trust and expectacion And because I wolde not haue you to lacke money ye shall receyue herewith a bill of exchaunge for the some of xxx li.
Endd. A copy of a lettere to Cristofer Mount.
65. ‹Cromwell› to Henry VIII.
R.O. Cal. vi. 1369. ‹1533.›
Sends news about the Nun, and proposes to apprehend two friars who have come into the realm with mischievous intent. Sends a receipt for 24,000 cr., the residue of the Emperor’s debt, for the King to sign.
Pleasythit your Royall magestye to be aduertysyd how that reparyng homwardes oone of my lorde chauncelers seruaunttes met with me and delyuerid me your warraunttes Signyd with the hande of the prynces dowager which warrauntt I do send to your grace herin Inclosyd what your plesure shalbe to haue done therin being ons known I shall right gladlye accomplyshe I haue also Sythyn my repayre to london spokyn with Freer Lawraunce who hathe Sethens his Repayre to london herde dyuers thinges touching the holye mayde which he wyll declare to your hygnes and to non other and he Shewyth me also that that[803] therbe ijo strange Freers of the order of obseruanttes latelye repayryd into this Realme which ijo Freers haue exploryd here For all suche bokes centencys and determynacyons as hathe passyd touching your hygnes Matrymonye, which they Intend with other pryvey practysys to Convey with them, to Freer Petow who as I am Credyblye Informyd Sent them into this your Realme[804] the sayd ijo Freers as I am acertaynyd haue browght with them pryuy letteres to dyuers and now bene gone to the sayd[805] dowager. in my poore oppynyon it shalbe right well done that thaye might be sent For by Some trustye person howbeit yt were best that theye Fyrste sholde be sufferyd to speke with her and suche other of hers as woolde peraduenture delyuer to them anything wherby theyr Ferther practysys myght be persayuyd and so thayr Cankeryd Intenttes myght be therbye dyscyfferyd. I am also Infformyd that there ys A merchant of london whiche dothe practyse with them in thes premysses I shall goo veray nere to haue knowlage therein yf it be trew he ys worthye to Suffer to make other beware in tyme he ys of good Substaunce. I wooll thys daye goo abowt to know the trowthe, thes thinges woold be met with all in tyme and the sonner the better. I trust your highnes wyll by this berer aduertyse me in wrytyng what shalbe your plesure touching as well the sayd Falls Freers as also towching of the sayd dowager’s warrantes. I haue also Sent to your grace one acquytance to be assigned for the xxiiijti thousande Crowns dew to your highnes for the resedew of the emperowrs dett and also A warrant to your chanceler For the Sealyng of the same which warrantt and acquytaunce it may please your magestye to assigne and to send the same by this berer to the Intent Robert Fowler may be depechyd. The rest of the acquytaunces for your ordynarye pencyon and Sale ben allredye Signed and Sealyd. and this the Hollye trynyte to whom I shall contenewallye praye to preserue your highnes in long lyff and most prosperous helthe and send the same the vyctorye with honour over all your Enemyes.
Endd. ij mynutes of my Masters letters with my lord chancelours.
66. Cromwell to ‹Cranmer›.
B.M. Harl. MSS. 6148, f. 81; Cal. vii. 19. Jan. 5 ‹1534›.
The King desires Cranmer to send to him Mr. Heath, whom his highness wishes to employ as ambassador to the German princes.
By master Crumwell
After my moste humble commendacions yt may please your grace to be aduertised that the kynges highnes hath comanded me to write vnto your grace Requiryng the same with all conveniente celeritie to send vp hither Mr. heth, whome for his Lerning, good gravitie and circumspecton the kynges highnes entendeth to send into the parties of Garmany in Ambassade to treate ther with the princes of Germany, as well in the kynges great cause of Matrymony As in other causes perteynyng to the Welth of this Realme And forasmoche as your grace knoweth the grounde, veray iustnes, and equitie of the kynges said cause, his Highnes requereth you to instructe the said Mr Hethe in the same as he may be Ryppe and perfite in the knowlege of the holle circumstaunces of the same And that for lake of inst[r]uction when tyme shall com to propone the matier it Appere not hym to be vnperfaite and remysse to do suche seruice vnto the kynges Maiestie in that behalf as shalbe to his gracious truste and expectacion which his highnes nothyng at all doubtith. Howbeit your graces aduertisement and good instruction arrected vnto the said Maister Heth shall vndoubtedly make hym more rype and perfite in the premisses to do that thing that may be moche to your honour, his prayse and merite As knoweth our Lorde, who send your grace Long Lyf and good helth at London the v. daye of January.
The kynges highnes also intendeth to practise certeyn thynges in the said parties of Germany, concernyng the Auctoryte of the Bisshop of Rome.
Your gracys Bedisman
Thomas Crumwell.
67. ‹Cromwell› to Henry VIII.
R.O. Cal. vii. 73. January ‹1534›.
Reports the passage in the Commons of the Act forbidding any man to keep more than 2000 sheep, and requiring every farmer to put one-eighth of his land in tillage. If the Bill passes the Lords also it will be the most beneficial thing done ‘sythyn Brewtyse tyme.’
Pleasythyt your most Royall Mageste to be aduertysyd how that according to your most highe pleasure and commaundement I haue made serche for suche patenttes and grauntys as your highnes and also the most Famous kyng your father whos Sowle our lorde pardon haue grauntyd vnto sir Rychard Weston knyght your vndertesawrer of your exchequer and the same haue sent to your highnes herin closyd yt may also please your most Royall Mageste to knowe how that yesterdaye ther passyd your Commons a byll that no person within this your Realme shall herafter kepe and Noryshe aboue the Nombre of twoo thousand shepe and also that the eight parte of euerye mans lande being a Fermour shall for euer herafter be put in tyllage yerlye which byll yf by the gret wysdom vertuew goodnes and zerale[806] that your highnes beryth towardes this your Realme might haue good Successe and take good effect Amongyst your lordes aboue I doo Coniecture and Suppose in my pore Symple and vnworthye Judgement that your highnes shall do the most noble proffyttable and most benefycyall thing that euer was done to the Commone welthe of this your Realme and shall therby Increase suche welthe in the same amongyst the gret Nombre & multytude for your most louyng and obedye[nt] Subiectys as neuer was Seane in this Realme Sythen Brewtyse tyme most humblye prostrate at the Fete of your Magnifycence beseche your highnes to pardon my boldnes ‹in› this wrytyng to your grace which onlye procedythe for the trowthe dewtye allegaunce and loue I doo bere to your mageste and the Common welth of this your Realme as our lorde knowyth vnto whom I shall as I am most bounden Incessantlye praye for the contenewans & prosperous conseruacyon of your most excellent most Royall and Imperyall estate long to Indure
68. ‹Cromwell› to ‹Fisher›.
B.M. Cleop. E. iv, f. 101; Cal. vii. 238. ‹Feb. 1534.›
Reproves him at length for his communications with the Nun of Kent, and replies to seven reasons given by Fisher for not reporting her revelations to the King. Advises him to lay aside excuses, and beg the King’s mercy.
My lorde in my right hertie wise I commende me to your lordship doing you to vnderstand that I haue receyued your letteres dated at Rochester the xviijth of this moneth. In whiche ye declare what craft and cunnyng ye haue to persuade and to set a good countenaunce vpon an yl mater. Drawing som scriptures to your purpose whiche wel weyed acording to the places whereof they be taken. make not so muche for your purpose as ye allege thaim for. And where in the first lefe of your letters ye write that ye doubt nothing neither before god, nor befor the worlde if nede shal that require: so to declare yourself. whatsoeuer hath been said of you. that ye haue not deserued suche hevy wordes or terrible thretes as hath been sent from me vnto you by your brother[807].
How ye can declare your self affore god and the world when nede shal require I can not tell, but I think verely that your declaration made by thes letteres is far insufficient to prove that ye haue deserued no hevy wordes in this behalf and to sey playnly I sent you no hevy wordes but wordes of great comfort wylling your brother to shewe you how benigne and merciful the prince was. And that I thoug[ht] it expedient for you to write vnto his highnes and to recognise your offence and desire his pardon, whiche his grace wold not denye you now in your aige and sikkenes. Whiche my counsel I wold ye had folowed, rather than to haue writen thes letteres to me excusing your self as thoughe there were no maner of defaute in you. But my lord if it were in an other mannys caas than your owne and out of the mater whiche ye fauor I doubt not but that ye wold think him that shuld haue doen as ye have doen non only worthy hevy wordes but also hevy dedys. For where ye labor to excuse your self of your hering believing and conceling of the nunnys fals and faynid reuelations, and of your manyfold sending of your chapley[n] vnto her, by a certeyn intent whiche ye pretende yourself to haue had, to knowe by commonyng with her or by sending your chapellaine to her, whether her reuelations were of god or no. alleging diuerse scriptures. that ye were bound to prove thaim, and not to reiecte thaim affore they were proued My Lord whether ye haue vsed a due meane to trie her and her reuelations, or no. It appereth by the processe of your owne letteres. For where ye write that ye had conceyuid a greate opinion of the holines of the woman for many considerations rehersed in your letteres comprised in vi articles, whereof the first is grownde vpon the brute and fame of her, the secunde vpon her entreng into religion after her traunses and disfiguration, the third vpon rehersall that her gostly father being lerned and religious shuld testifie that she was a maide of greate holines. The fourth vpon the report that diuerse other vertuose prestes men of good lernyng and reputation, shuld so testifie of her, with whiche gostly father and preestes ye never spake as ye confesse in your letters. The fyveth vpon the prayse of my late lord of Canterbury, which shewed you (as ye write) that she had many greate visions the sixt vpon this saing of the prophete Amos, Non faciet dominus deus verbum, nisi reuelauerit secretum suum ad seruos suos prophetas by whiche considerations ye were induced to the desire to know the very certente of this mater, whether the reuelations whiche were pretended to be shewed to her from god were true reuelations or nott? your lordship in al the sengle[808] of your letteres shewe not that ye made no ferther trial vpo[n] the trueth of her and her reuelation, but only in commonyng with her and sending your chapellaine to her, with Idle questions as of the thre mary magdalens. by whiche your commony[ng] and sending, ye tried out nothing of her falshed, nouther (as it is credibly supposed) entended to do, as ye myght haue doen many weyes more easely than with commonyng with her or sending to her; for litel credens was to be gyven to her affirmyng her owne fayned reuelations to be from god.
For if credence shuld be gyven to euery suche lewd person as wold affirme himself to haue reuelations from god what redyer wey were there to subuert al common we[l]thes and good orders in the worlde.
Verily my lord if ye had entended to trie out the trueth of her and of her reuelations ye wold haue taken an other wey with you, first ye wold not haue been contented with the vayne voyces of the peple making brutes of her traunses & disfiguration But like a wise discrete and circumspect prelate ye shuld haue examined (as other haue) suche sad and credible persons as were present att her traunses & disfigurationes, not one or two, but a good number by whoes testimony ye shuld haue proued whether the brutes of her traunces and disfigurations were true or not And likewise ye shuld haue tried by what craft and persuasion she was made a religious woman. And if ye had been so desirous as ye pretende to enquire out the trueth or falshed of this woman and of her reuelations, it is to be supposed ye wold haue spoken with her good religious and wel lerned gostly father (as ye cal him) or this tyme: and also with the vertuose, and wel lerned preestes (as they were estemed) of whoes reaportes ye were informed by thaim whiche herd thaim speke[809] ye wold also haue been mynded to se the booke of her revelations whiche was offerd you. of whiche ye myght haue had more trial of her and of her reuelations, than a hundred communications with her, or of as many sendings of your chapellen vnto her. As for the late lord of Cauntreburys seying vnto you that she had many greate visions, it ought to move you never a deale to gyve credence vnto her or her reuelations, For the said lord knew no more certente of her or of her reuelations than ye dyd by her owne reaport. And as towching the saing of Amos the prophete, I thinke veryly the same moved you but a litell to herkyn vnto her, for sythe the consummation and thende of thold testament and sythens the passion of Christ god hathe doen many greate and notable thinges in the worl[d]e, whereof he shewed no thing to his prophetes that hath commen to the knowlege of men. My lord all thes thinges moved you not to gyve credence vnto her, but only the very mater whereupon she made her fals proficyes to whiche mater ye were so affected (as ye be noted to be on al maters whiche ye enter ons into) that nothing could com amysse that made for that purpose
And here I appelle your conscience and instantly desire you to aunswer. Whether if she had shewed you as many reuelationsf or the confirmation of the kinges graces marriage whiche he now enjoyeth as she did to the contrary, ye wold haue gyven as muche credence to her as ye haue doen, and wold haue let the trial of her and of her reuelations to ouerpasse thes many yeres, where ye dwelt not from her but xx mylys, in the same shire, where her traunses and disfiguringes and prophecyes in her traunses were surmised and countrefeyd. And if percaas ye wol sey (as it ‹is› not vnlike but ye wol sey mynded as ye were wont to be) that the maters be not like, for the Law of god in your opinion standeth with the one and not with thother. Suerly my lord I suppose this had been no greate cause more to reiect the one than thother for ye know by histories of the bible that god may by his reuelation dispense with his owne Law, as with the[810] Israelites spoyling the egiptians and with Jacob to haue iiij wifes, and suche other[811].
Think you my lord that any indifferent man considering the qualite of the mater and your affeccion, and also the negligent passing over of suche lawful trialles as ye myght haue had of the said nunne and her reuelations, is so dull, that can not perceyue and discerne that your commonyng and often sending to the said nun was rather to here and know more of her reuelations, than to trie out the trueth or falshed of thes same And in this behalf I suppose it wol be hard for you to purge yourself bifore god or the worle, but that ye haue been in greate defaut hering beleuyng and conceling suche thinges as tended to the destruction of the prince And that her reuelations were bent and purposed to that ende . it hathe been duely proued, affore as greate assembly and counsel of the lordes of this realme as hath been seen many yeres heretofore out of a parliament. And what the said lordes demed thaim worthy to suffer, whiche had beleued and conceled thees fals reuelations be more terrible than any thretes spoken by me to your brother
And where ye go abought to defende that ye be not to be blamed for conceling her reuelations concernyng the kinges grace, bicause ye thought it not necessary to reherse thaim to his highnes. for vij causes folowing in your letteres affore I shewe you my mynde concernyng thees causes, I suppose that albeit ye percaas thought it not necessary to be shewed to the prince by you. yet that your thinking shal not be your triall, but the Law must diffine whether ye owghted to vtter it or not.
And as to the first of said vii causes. Albeit[812] she told youe that she had shewed her reuelations concernyng the kinges grace to the king herself, yet her seyng or others discharged not you but that ye were bound by your fidelite to shewe to the kinges grace . that thing whiche semed to concerne his grace and his reigne so nyghly . for how knew you that she[813] shewed thes reuelations to the kinges grace but by her owne seyng, to whiche ye shuld haue gyven no suche credence as to forebere the utterance of so greate maters concernyng a kinges welth And why shuld you so sinisterly iudge the prince that if ye had shewed thees same vnto him, he wold haue thought that ye had brought that tale vnto him more for the strenghing and confirmation of your opinion then for any other thing els. Veryly my lord what so euer your iudgement bee . I se dayly suche benignite and excellent humanite in his grace that I doubt not but his highnes . wold haue accepted it in good part if ye had shewed the same reuelations vnto him as ye were bounden to do by your fidelite.
To the secunde cause. Albeit she shewed you not that any prince or other temporal lord shuld put the kinges grace in dainger of his crowne yet there were weyes Inoughe, by whiche her said reuelations myght haue put the kinges grace in dainger, as the foresaid counsel of lordes . haue substancially and duely considered And therefor Albeit she shewed you not the meanes whereby the daynger shuld ensue to the kinges [grace] yet . ye were neverthelesse bounden to shewe him of the dainger.
To the third. Think you my lord, that if any person wold com vnto you and shewe youe that the kinges destruction were conspired against a certen tyme, and wold ferther shewe you, that he were sent from his maister to shewe the same to the king and wol sey ferther vnto [you] that he wold go streyct to the king, were it not yet your duety to certifie the kinges grace of the relation, but also to inquire whether the said person had doen his foresaid messaige or no, yes verely. And so were ye bound, thoughe the nunne shewed youe, it was her messaige from god to be declared by her to the kinges grace.
To the iiiith here ye translate the temporal duety that ye owe to your prince, to the spiritual duety of suche as be bounde to declare the worde of god to the peple, and to shewe vnto them the perill and punisshement of syn in an other worlde, the concelement whereof perteyneth to the iudgement of god, but the concelement of this mater perteyneth to other iudges of this realme.
To the vth ther could no blame be arrested to you if ye had shewed the nunnys reuelations to the kinges grace, albeit they were afterward found fals for no man owght to be blamed doing his duety And if a man wold shewe you secretly that there were a greate mischief entended . against the prince, were ye to be blamed if ye shewed him of it, albeit it were a fayned tale, and the said mischief were never Imagined.
To the sixt . concernyng an Imagination of master Pacy. It was knowen that he was beside himself, and therefore they were not blamed that made no report thereof, but it was not lik in this caas For ye toke not this nunne for a mad woman, for if ye had ye wold not haue gyven vnto her so greate credence as ye dyd.
To the final and viith cause where ye lay[814] vnto the charge of our soueraine, that he hath vnkyndly entreacted you . with grevous wordes and terrible letters for shewing his grace trowthe in his greate mater, whereby ye were discomforted to shewe vnto him the nunnys reuelations. I beleue that I know the kinges goodnes and natural gentilnes so well, that his grace wold not so vnkyndly handle you, as you vnkyndly write of him, onles ye gave him other causes than be expressed in your letters. And what so euer the kinges grace hath sayed or writen vnto you heretofore, yet that notwithstonden, ye were neverthelesse bounden to vtter to him thees pernicious reuelations.
Finally Where ye desire for the passion of christ that ye be no more quykkened in this mater for if ye be put to that straite ye wyl not lose your soule, but ye wyl speke as your conscience ledeth you with many moo wordes of greate curraige. My lord if ye had taken my counsel sent vnto you by your brother and folowed the same, submitting yourself by your letters to the kinges grace for your offenses in this behalf, I wold haue trusted that ye shuld never be quykkened in this mater more. But now where ye take vpon you to defende the hole mater as ye were in no default. I cannot so far promise you[815]. And suerly my lord if the mater com to triall: your owne confession in thes letteres besides the wittnes whiche be against you wolbe sufficient to condemne you Wherefor my lord I wol eftsones aduise you that laying apart al suche excuses as ye haue alleged in your letters whiche in myn opinion be of smal effect as I haue declared ye beseche the kinges grace by your letters to be your graciou lord, and to remitte vnto you your negligence ouersight and offence committed against his his[816] highnes in this behalf And I dare vndertake that his highenes shal benignely accepte you into his gracious fauor, al maters of displeasire past affore this tyme forgoten and forgyven.
[817] As towching the speking of your conscience, it is thought that ye haue writen and haue spoken as muche as ye can . and . many thinges (as som right probably beleaue) against your owne conscience. And men report that at the Last conuocation ye spake many thinges whiche ye could not wel defende. And therefor it is not greatly ferede what ye can sey or write in that mater. howsoeuer ye be quykkened or strayted And if ye had taken etc.
69. ‹Cromwell› to ‹the Sheriff of Yorkshire›.
R.O. Cal. vii. 383. Mar. 28 ‹1534›.
In order to prevent any infringement of the King’s rights in the lands of Sir John Dunham, lately deceased, the council considers it expedient that those persons who dwell near the lands should be impanelled to inquire for the King.
Maister Sheryff I commend me vnto yow and being Infformyd of the dethe of syr Jhon Dunham Knyghte whyche in his lyffe helde of the kinges grace certayne landes and tenementes in the County of Yorke In Capite. And by cause that the kynges righte shall not be hydde ne cloked It is therfor considered by the kynges most honorable counsell that suche persons who hath the most knowlege sufficient of freeholde and dwellys next vnto the Landes of the saied syr John Donham be impanelled to inquyre for the kynges grace the namys of whom herein enclosyd I do send yow who are extemyd and reputed to be men of good worship and conscience as I am credably enformed Aduertysyng yow that vpon a precept to yow dyrected by the kynges exchetour ye do retourne a suffycient Inquest of the same persons to inquyre for the kynges grace of the tenure of the saied landes. And in your so doyng ye shall do the kinges grace a righte acceptable seruyce to his contentatyon And so fare ye well from London the xxviiiti daye of march.
Endd. mynute of a lettere.
70. Cromwell to Gardiner.
B.M. Add. MSS. 25,114, f. 348; Cal. vii. 535. Apr. 24 ‹1534›.
Requests for a friend the advowson of the parsonage of St. John’s of Sherborne, in Hampshire, the yearly value of which is 10 or 11 pounds.
My Lord in my right hertie wise I commende me to you. And as I haue been, and wolbe glad and redy, to do you suche pleasire as I myght or may. so I desire you to graunt vnto me to the behoue of a dere frende of myne. the aduocation of the parsonaige of S. Jhons of [Shire]borne in hampshire being of your gift. whiche is of the yerely value of x or xjli and not aboue (as I am informed) by the gyft whereof ye shal shewe vnto me a right acceptable pleasire . whiche I wol not forgete when I may in recompense thereof . do the thing that may be to your contentation. And of your beniuolent mynd in this behalf, I desire you not only to certifie me by your next writing but also to direct your letters to your vicar generall and to the priour and conuent of your churche . for thexpedition thereof to be made in due forme, and to be deliuered vnto me with suche spede as shall pleace you to commaunde thaim . the xxiiijth day of Aprile.
Your lordshippis assuryd freeind
Thomas Crumwell.
Add. To my verey loving Lord my lord of wynchester.
Edd. the xxiiij of April Mr. Secretary
71. ‹Cromwell› to ‹Cranmer›.
R.O. Cal. vii. 500. ‹Apr. 1534.›
The King considers it expedient that More and Fisher be compelled to swear to the preamble of the Act of Succession as well as to the Act itself: otherwise it might be taken as a confirmation of the authority of the Bishop of Rome.
My Lorde after myne humble commendacions it may please your grace to be aduertesed that I haue receyued your letteres and shewed the same to the kinges highnes who perceyuing your mynde and opynyon is that it were good that the bisshop of Rochester and Mr. More should be sworn to the acte of the kinges succession and not to the preamble of the same, thinketh that if their othe should be so taken it were an occasion to all men to refuse the hole or at the lest the lyke. For in case they be sworn to the succession and not to the preamble it is to be thought that it might be taken not onelie as a confirmacion of the Bisshop of Rome his auctoryte but also as a reprobacion of the kinges second mariage wherefore to thintent that no such thinges should be brought into the heddes of the people by the ensample of the saide Bisshop of Rochester and Mr. More the kinges highnes in no wise willeth but that they shalbe sworn aswell to the preamble as to the acte of Succession[818] in no maner of wyse Wherfore his grace specyallye trustyth that ye wyll in no wyse Suppose attempt or move hym to the Contrarye For as hys grace Suppossyth that that maner of Sweryng yf yt sholde be sufferyd myght be an vtter destruccyon to his hole Cause and Also to the effecte of the law made For the same
Endd. mynute.
72. Cromwell to the Prior and Convent of Wenlock.
R.O. Cal. vii. 593. May 1 ‹1534›.
Desires them to grant to Thomas Lowley the lease of Okinbold farm, in Shropshire, at the rent which his father paid.
In myn harty maner I commende me unto youe And wheras ye haue nowe in your handes and disposicion again, the ferme of Oxinbold belonging to that Monastery. These shalbe to desire and hartely pray youe, for my sake to graunte a sufficient lease therof to my Freende Thomas Lowleye seruaunt to Mr. Norreys vnder your convent seale for the terme of xl yeres yelding and payeng vnto yow suche rent for the same, as his father whiche was fermour therof hertofore paid vnto your monastery at that tyme that he had it in ferme. Desiring you in noo wise to alienate it to any man but only to this tyl ye shal knowe further, in case ye shal not condescende to this my request, and to aduertise me by your Letteres with spede of your proceding in this Behaulf And thus Fare you hartely well From Stepnaye the first daye of Maye
Your Freend Thomas Crumwell.
Add. To my loving freendes the prior and Convent of the Monastery of Wenlok.
73. Cromwell to Dr. Sampson.
R.O. Cal. vii. 655. May 13 ‹1534›.
Requires him to appoint a bishop to ‘execute’ at the Court, as the Bishop of Chester is unable to be present.
Mr. Deane, after my right hertie commendations Forasmoche as my lorde of Chester is not onelie destitute of Myter Crosier and other thinges necessarie but also shall to morowe be enbusied and occupied aboutes other the kinges affaires I shall therefore hertelie requyre you to appoynte som other Bisshop to execute to morowe before the kinges highnes at the Courte, till my saide Lorde of Chester shall be better Furnysshed as appertyneth Wherein ye shall do him moche pleasure. And so Fare ye well. At Stepney the xiii day of Maye.
Your assuryd Freend
Thomas Crumwell.
Add. To the right worshipfull Mr. Doctour Sampson dean of the kinges chappell be this youen.
74. Cromwell to the Senate and Consuls of Lübeck[819].
B.M. Vit. B. xxi, f. 107; Cal. vii. 707.May 24, 1534.
On behalf of William Gilbank, whose ship was captured near Sandwich and taken to Lübeck, with goods worth 53 pounds sterling.
{Henricus Dei gratia Rex Angliae, et Franciae, fidei defensor, ac Dominus Hiber[niae] . . . Consulibus, et} Senator{ibus}es Ciuitatis Lubicensis etc. Amici{s} nostri{s} Carissimi{s} {salutem} plurimam Salutem et Commen . . .
Nuper apud {nos} . . . humiliter conq[uestus est] . . . s, ac fidelis {noster potentissimi nostri Regis} eius subditus Willelmus gylbanke quod quum superioribus mensibus nauis quaedam cui Hugo ship . . . [prae]erat, ex harmywe Zelandiae vico hoc {nostrum} inclytum Regnum uersus nauigatura soluerat, ac varij generis merces ad u[alorem] . . . quinquaginta trium librarum sterlingorum in ea onerasset, commercij gratia huc aduecturus, accidit, ut dicta nauis iam . . . [n]auigationis cursu {et nostrum} in eiusdem serenissimi Domini nostr Regis portum Sandwicensem ferme ingressa, a vestra Classe quae belli praetextu, quod aduersus hollandos . . . bat, per hoc {nostrum} mare excurrebat capta, et una cum dicti {nostri subditi} Willelmi bonis, ac mercibus in ciuitatem istam vestram . . . abducta fuit; erit longe quidem praeter veterem mutuamque {nostram} amicitiam cum Serenissima hac Regia Maiestate, et ingenti {eiusdem subditi nostri Willelmi eius subdi[ti]} prefati sui subditi detrimento, id qod quum inscijs vobis a vestrae classis praefectis {commissum fuerit, voluimus} eadem Regia Maiestas commissum fuisse plane credat, iussit ut suo nomine nostris his litteris hanc causam vobis impresentia commendaremus: Vos igitur quos pro intimis amici habet impense rogat, ut pro vest[ro] erga iustas quasque causas studio, pro mutuaque {nostra} secum coniunctione, vestra authoritate efficere velitis quod praedicta bona sic ablat[a] eidem {nostro subdito} Willelmo uel eius procuratori in integrum restituantur, id quod {ut nobis} ut [e]idem Regie Maiestati maxime gratum, et iustitiae consentane[um] erit, ita {nos} ipsam ad parem beneuolentiam erga subditos vestros, data occasione, exhibendam propensior ardentiorque {efficiem[ur]} reddetur. Et bene valete. Ex Regia nostra Richemondiae Die xxiiij Maij MDXXXIIII.
De nobis vero possunt vestrates omnes in iustis suis hic occurrentibus negocijs apud han[c] Regiam Maiestatem omne humanitatis officium sibi polliceri quod suo loco et tempore cumulate praestabims
Vester bonus amicus
Thomas Crumwell
Add. Magnificis Dominis Consulibus, et Senatoribus Ciuitatis Lubicensis etc. Amicis nostris Carissimis.
75. Cromwell to Mr. Sapcottes.
R.O. Cal. vii. 790. June 4 ‹1534›.
Desires him to repair to London as soon as possible, as he is executor of Edw. Watson, deceased, who was in danger to the King.
Mr. Sapcottes I commende me vnto you. And For as moche as ye were executour and admynistratour of the goodes of Edwarde Watson decessed who was in daungier to the kinges highnes, I shall therefore aduertise and require you that vppon the sight of these my letteres for that matier with other thinges that I haue to sey vnto you ye do put your self in a redynes to repayre vnto me with all conuenient celeryte. And at your commyng ye shall knowe Ferther of the kinges pleasure. So Fare ye well From my house at Canbery the iiiith day of June
Your Freend
Thomas Crumwell.
Add. To his louing frend Mr. Henry Sapcottes be this youen at Lyncoln.
76. Cromwell To the Earl of Shrewsbury.
Ellis Letters, 2nd Ser. ii. 135; Cal. vii. 973. July 13 ‹1534›.
Thanks him for his zeal in apprehending a hermit, who has been examined, and is to be tried by the justices of assize, and punished according to the law.
After my right herty commendacions to your Lordship, I have by this bearer your servaunt, bailly of Chesterfeld, receyved your Lettres and the byll therin enclosed concernyng th’ Ermyte, the whiche being by me examyned, answered that he could not tell whither he spake ever the same trayterouse words or not. I have caused an Inditement to be drawen therupon whiche your Lordeship shal receyve herwith; and also I have thought convenient to retorn the said Hermite unto you agayn, there befor the Justices of Assise to be tryed and to th’exemple of all other to be punyshed according to right and the King’s lawes. I thank evermor your Lordeship for your good zele, diligence, and dexterate in repressing and apprehending suche perniciouse and detestable felons: and therof shal I not faile to make true raport to his Highnes who I am assure shal tak the sam in most thankfull part. Thus I beseche our holy Creator to sende you prosperite and long liffe. From Cheleshith this xiijth of July.
Your lordshippis assuryd
Thomas Crumwell.
Add. To my very good Lord Therle of Shrewesbury Lorde Stuarde to the Kings Matie.
77. ‹Cromwell› to ——.
R.O. Cal. vii. 990. July 20 ‹1534›.
Orders him to arrest four murderers from Yorkshire, who first fled into Scotland, but have now returned to Durham, where they ride about at their pleasure.
In my Right harty maner I commend me vnto you and where as I am enfourmed that one percyvall worme, wylliam Corneforthe John bygott and wylliam dobson lately commytted a detestable mourdour in the Countye of Yorke and beyng Indyttyd therof thei ther vpon flede into Scottlond where as thei ther Remayned as yt ys thought tyll now of late, that thei lyttyll dreadyng god nor the lawes of this Realme arne comme into the byschopryche of Durham wher as thei doo Ryde in all places therof at ther pleasures to the greate boldnes and peryllous example of all other suche [ev]yll dysposed personnes. And therfor my mynd ys that ye with dylygence do attach or cause the said persons to be Attachyd, And them to deteyne in pryson vntyll such tyme as thei schalbe by the order of the lawes acquyted or otherwyse dyscharged as ye wyll aunswere to the kynges highnes at your peryll. Wretyn at my house in london the xxth day of July.
78. ‹Cromwell› to the Abbot of ‹St. Austin’s in Canterbury›.
R.O. Cal. vii. 1007. July 25 ‹1533[820]›.
Requests him to settle his differences with the bearer, whose father could have had many offices of the abbot and his predecessor. As the bearer has his brothers and sisters to support, the abbot ought to do as much for him as he would have done for his father.
My Lorde Abbot I recommende me vnto you etc. and where as George Goldwyn the brynger hereof hathe byn A continuall sutour vnto me A great tyme to haue A Warde made betwene you and hym[821] I shall hertelye desire & praye you vppon the sight hereof to take some reasonable waye with hym so that I be no longer molestyd by hym and his contynuall Sute and whereas his Father myght haue had[822] of your lordshyp & your predecessour dyuers offers who alwayes refused them yet neuertheles me thinkyth your lordshyp now can no lesse doo then to graunte hym so moche in consciens[823] as ye woolde have yovyn his Father For he ys moche[824] chargyd with the dettes of his Father as he affirmyth and also with the Fyndyng of his Brethern and sisterne[825]. Whereffor in myn oppynyon it shalbe well doon that ye take an ende with hym Yow know his Father dyed in pryson at your Sute and thus commyttyng this matyer to god & your Conscyens & thanking yow For my hawke & bydde yow hertelye Fare well at london the xxvti daye of July
Endd. mynute of a lettere.
79. Cromwell to Lord Cobham.
B.M. Harl. MSS. 283, f. 203; Cal. vii. App. 33. July 30 ‹1534›.
Directions about the administration of ‘the farm of the parsonage.’ Promises to attend to the monks of which Cobham speaks, if he will send them up.
I commend me vnto your good lordship yn my right harty maner, Aduertisyng you that I have receyvyd your letteres and the Inventory accordyng to your wrytyng. And touchyng the ferme of the parsonage I desire your lordship to cause the corne and other dutyes to be getherd together, and as for the rent I will order your lordship therin at our metyng. And your Monkes of whome ye write if ye send theym hither I wil be contentyd to common with theym and to do therin as the case shall requyre. I pray your lordshyp to have me commendyd vnto my good lady in my right harty maner and so to geve hir thankes for the foule that she hathe sent vnto me. And thus our lord have you yn his kepyng. At Stepenhey the xxxth day of Julye.
Your lordshippis assuryd
Thomas Crumwell
Add. To my very good lord my lord Cobham this be delyueryd.
80. Cromwell to the Mayors and Officers of Southampton, Portsmouth, and Poole.
R.O. Cal. vii. 1132. Sept. 4 ‹1534›.
Asks assistance for two men who are going into those parts on the King’s business.
I commend me vnto you. ‹and› Advertise you that the kinges highnes at this tyme dothe send George Whelpeley and John Brawne about certayne besynes geven vnto theym in charge to be done in those parties, with soche spede and diligence as they convenyently may requyryng you and euery of you to permytt and suffer the same George and John to execute and do in euery thyng, as the kynges grace hath commaundyd theym without any your ympedymentes let or interupcion in and about the same. And in case any ill disposed persone or persones will disobey or gaynsay the same, I farther requyre you yn the kynges behalf to assiste ayde and counsaill theym in and about thexecucion of their purpose. As ye will advoyde the kinges high displeasure. And thus fare ye well. At london the iiiith day of September.
Your Freend Thomas Crumwell.
Add. To the Mayres Sheriffes and Bayliffes Custumers Comptrollers and Serchours within the townes and portes of Suthampton Portesmouthe and Pole and euery of theym and the Crekes belongyng to theym and euery of theym this be youen.
Endd. My mre. lettere for George Whelpeley
81. Cromwell to Sir Roger Reynolds, Robert Wolf, and John Kytch.
R.O. Cal. vii. 1134. Sept. 6 ‹1534›.
The King desires them to repair to Cromwell to answer to the charges made against them.
I comend me vnto you And these shalbe to aduertise you that the kinges pleasure is that ye ymmediately vppon the sight of these my letteres shall repayre hither to answer vnto suche thinges as then shalbe leyed and obiected to you on the king our saide souereigne lordes behalf. Fayle ye not thus to do as ye will avoyde ferther perill and inconuenyence. So Fare ye well From my house at Canbery the vith day of Septembre.
Thomas Crumwell.
Add. To Sir Roger Reynoldes priest Master of the Hospitall of Saynt Johns in Huntingdon Robert Wolf Baylif there and John Kytche and to euery of them be this youen.
82. Cromwell to Lord Lisle and Lord Edmund Howard.
R.O. Cal. vii. 1179. Sept. 21, 1534.
The King, hearing that the searchers of Calais are remiss, and permit things to be conveyed out of the realm contrary to law, has appointed Nicholas Caldwell and John Gough to aid them.
In my right herty maner I commende me vnto your good Lordshippes. So it is that the Kinges Highenes is certaynly informyd that dyuers and many thinges arne dayly conveyd ouit of this realme into the partyes of beyond the sees contrary to the statutes and provisions in suche casse ordeinyd and provided. and for as muche as the serchours in the towne and Marchys of Calais arne remysse and negligent in thexamynacion of their offices his highenes therfor well considering the same, and also perceyving that his trusty servauntes Nicholas Caldwall and John Gowghe byn men of good circumspiccion meate to make serche and fynde owt the same, hathe ordenyd and constitutyd them Joyntly and severallie to be attendant and vigilant abouit the serching of the same within the saide toune and marchys and the havon Longing to the same for this tyme. Wherfor aduertesing your Lordshippes of the kinges plesur therin I requyre you in the kinges behalff to assist and ayde the same Nicholas & John and eyther of them in execucyon of this the kinges plesur and commaundement as often and as the casse shall requyre as the kinges trust is in you. and thus the blyssed trinitie preserue your good Lordshippes at Candbery the xxi of Septembre
thus subscribyd
Your Lordshippes assuryd Frynd
Thomas Cromwell.
The superscripcion. To the right honourable and my Veray good Lordes my Lord Lyssle depute of Calas and my Lorde Edmonde Howard Comptroller ther and to eyther of them be this yeven
Endd. Copia of Mr. Cromwelles Lettere for the serche to John Gowghe and N. caldewall 22 Septembre. 1534.
83. Cromwell to ‹the Lords of the Privy Council›.
R.O. (Museum) Cal. vii. 1271. Oct. 17 ‹1534›.
Asks them to give audience to the bearer, who can tell them much about the evil-disposed person apprehended on Sunday last. Advises that the said person be not put to death till he has made full confession.
My lordes after my most affectuouse recommendacion, This present berer my lord of Yorkes seruaunt is arryved nowe to me with letteres bothe to me and to the kinges highnes. I haue remitted hym furthwith to deliver his maiestes letteres. And because he can fully Instructe your lordships and enfourme you of many thinges I pray you to heare hym fauourably and to geve hym full audience for ye shal here of hym sundry notable thinges and specially ayenst hym that was apprehended on Sondaye last whom I tak to be an veray evill disposed persone and the which if he be examyned according to the said berers relation ye shal knowe thinges gretely to be marked & noted Therfor I beseche you to have this mater recommended And that the said person so apprehended be not put to deth tyll we may knowe the hoole and profound bothom of his cancred hert. I pray you to sende to me aduertissement howe ye shal fynde hym and knowlege of the veray mater And also of any suche thinges As I can do here, any expedishon for the furtheraunce of any the kinges maters For I shal spaer no diligence. Thus our blessed creatour have you in his tuition & keping From the Rooles this xviith of Octobre.
Your lordshippis assuryd Freend
Thomas Crumwell.
84. Cromwell to Lord Lisle.
R.O. Cal. vii. 1328. Oct. 29, 1534.
Requests him to examine and reform the ‘anoysaunces’ made by Sir Robert Wingfield in the Marches of Calais.
In my right harty maner I commend me vnto your good lordship. And wher as of late the kinges highnes hathe directed his Commyssion vnto your lordship and other for pullyng downe and reformacion of certayne anoysaunces made and done by Sir Robart Wyngfeld within the Marches of Calays, the kinges pleasure is that ye and thother Commyssioners shall circumspectly viewe and ouersee the same. And that that of necessite ought to be refourmyd for the welthe strengthe and commodite of the sayd Towne and marches accordyng as it was thought at my last beyng ther to be amendyng, and the resydue that ‹neither› damagithe ne hurtithe the same Towne to stand still as ye see reasonable cause after your discresion. and as ye shall seme good. And thus the blessed Trenyte preserue your lordship At london the xxix day of October.
Your lordshyppis assuryd Freend
Thomas Crumwell.
Add. To the honourable and my veray good Lorde my lord Vicount Lisle the kynges Depute of Calais be this youen.
Endd. Maister Cromwell the xxixth of Octobre 1534.
85. Cromwell to Audeley.
B.M. Vesp. F. xiii, 105 b; Cal. vii. 1415. Nov. 11 ‹1534›.
Desires him to send back by the bearer a true copy of the proclamation, which is to be printed by Bartlett the printer to-night.
Aftre my right harty commendacions to your lordship Forasmoche as it shalbe very necessary to haue some copies of the proclamacion also printed this night to thintent the same maye be sent into sundry parties with the bokes, of answer, These shalbe to desire and pray your Lordship to sende me by this berer a true copie of the same, and I shal sende for bartelet the printer, and first swere him, and thenne cause him to entende this night to the printing of the copies therof accordingly. And thus most hartely Fare you wel. From the Rulles the xith of Nouembre
I require your lordship to cause the proclamacions to be writen and sealed with suche expedicion as you may take the payne to be here with them tomorowe by tenne of the clock where my lord of Norffolk and I with others wil tary dyner tyl your cummyng.
Your lordshippis assuryd
Thomas Crumwell.
Add. To my very good Lord my Lord Chauncellour delyuer this with spede.
Endd. mr. Lord my mr. to my lord Chauncellour, etc.
86. Cromwell to Lord Lisle.
R.O. Cal. vii. 1438. Nov. 17 ‹1534›.
A letter of gentle reproof for failing to discharge his office, as his duty to the King demands. Points out that his ‘excess of living’ has brought him into contempt.
My very good lorde aftre my right harty commendacions I am now enforced to write my mynde plainly vnto youe as to him the preseruation of whose honour I desire Bothe for the discharge of my dueuty to the kinges highnes, and for the declaration of myn hartye good will whiche I bere vnto you, and therfor I require you my lorde to take it in good parte. First I trust you consider what a charge you haue there vnder the kinges Maiestie and I woold youe should remember Both what besemeth a man to doo being in that place, and that the same conteineth in it no state of inheritaunce, ne terme for lief But vppon the good Behauiour of the personne having it. Nowe if you shuld waye the thing and the nature of it indifferently, Wold you thinke it mete that a man shuld haue that charge, which wold Bring himself to suche necessitie that he shuld be constrayned to put all thinges to sale, that be commytted vppon speciall trust to his discreation, neglecting of thone parte the kinges highnes honour to be preserued in the satisfaction of his graunttes, of thother parte as it were contempnyng all frieendeship in giving place to a litle Lucre. Surely my lorde suche a gouernour as you Be shuld not Bynde himself at any manes request to performe that shall not percase lye in him, ne by any his excesse in living make himself soo nedye, that whenne the present thing shuld happen, he shuld be forced to haue more estimacion of money thenne regarde to the tayle it Bringeth with it. If I were not determyned to contynue your lordships assured Freende I wold not worke this plainly with you, neither thinke that I doo it vppon any affection, for I wold ‹do› that I maywil honestly. oon man I haue often tymes recommended that is the Surveyour whom the Kinges Maieste woold haue serued of foure men according to his graunte and Late commaundement made for the same. But yet I write not this so moche for him alone as for others and chiefly for yourself, and after for the poore man that is berer herof who hathe your Bonde. Whiche your honour shalbe to performe and accomplishe, and Bothe myn aduise and desire shal concurre with the same, lest it might be taken yvel where percase you did it vppon an honest grounde. Finally my lorde I remayne your harty Freende, and desire you to expresse your Freendeship again towardes me in your honourable proceedinges, and the helping of such as the kinges Maieste wold shuld be there preferred, amonges the Whiche the Surveyr is not the last, and yet I wold he shuld haue nothing onles his seruice deserue it. Thus most hartely Fare you wel From the Nete the xviith of Nouembr
Your lordshippis assuryd
Thomas Crumwell.
Add. To my very good Lorde the Viscounte Lisle Deputie ‹of› the kinges towne and the Marches of Calays.
Endd. by Lisle. Tochyng the gyft of romys
87. Cromwell to Lady Lisle.
R.O. Cal. vii. 1448. Nov. 20 ‹1534›.
Denies the report that he is displeased with her. If she continues to act as she has, she will always find him a firm friend.
In my right harty maner I commend me vnto your good ladiship. And wheras I am infourmyd that reaport hathe been made vnto you that I shuld be displeasid with your ladiship . Where of trouthe I knowe no cause wherfore I shuld so be, Wherfore I pray you geve no soche credence ne beleffe to any persone, for your good ladiship vsyng your selfe in all causes none otherwise then I here that ye do, and as I doubte not that ye will here after contynewe, shall fynd me as redy to do you any pleasure, that may lye in me to do as any frynd that ye have. And thus the blessed Trenyte preserue your good ladiship. At london the xxth day of November.
Your louyng Freend
Thomas Crumwell.
Add. To the right honourable and my very good lady my lady lisle be this youen.
88. ‹Cromwell› to ‹Henry VIII›.
R.O. Cal. vii. 1613. ‹1534.›
Reports that Mr. Southwell is content to sell the manor beside East Yafford, in Yorkshire, and will show it to the King’s surveyor.
Pleasythit your highnes to be aduertysyd how that Sythyn my repayre to london I haue[826] spokyn with Mr. Sowthwell to whom I haue declaryd your most gracyous pleasure touching the purchasing of his Mannour besydes est yafford who most humblye Submyttyth hym vnto the plesure of your magestye and ys right well content that your grace appoyntyng[827] Suche persons to vew the sayd mannour as shall ‹stand› with your highe pleasure he wyll gyue his attendaunce to shew vnto them the same to thentent your highnes may be trewlye certeffyed vppon the vew of the Comodytes belongyng to the same. and that ons known, with your most gracyous plesure, Further conclusyon to be takyn & Such as to your highnes shall Seme most mete. Wherfor and it might please your grace that I myght know your plesure who your highnes woolde appoynt to Survey the sayd Manour I woolde then accordyngly[828] cause Instruccyons to be in Redynes For the same[829].
89. ‹Cromwell› to ——.
R.O. Cal. vii. 1614. ‹1534.›
Desires him to give Mr. Alen a lease of the farm of Canewood and Canefield, in Essex, without delay, and trusts he has made no promise which will prevent him from doing this.
My Lorde after my right hertie recommendacions where as I haue wrytten to you in the fauours of my veraye Frend Mr. Alen for his preferrement to the Ferme of Canewod and Canefeldes And hauing receyued your answer thereunto whereby I do perceyve your desire is to haue respite of your consent and graunntes in that behalf till your commyng to London alledging that in the meantyme ye will do your possible to call agayn a former promise by you thereof made to a nother person, My lorde I trust ye haue made no such promise which in case ye haue, yet I doubt not ye will so compase it that my purpose be not Disapoynted by that meane. And therefore my lorde Forasmoche as I do so ernestly meane and intende the satisfaccion of my saide Frend in that parte, I shall eftesones most hertelie requyre you indelayedlie to confourme your self to thaccomplisshment thereof, and all excuses set a parte, to make him out a lease of the said Ferme according to my former request, Which be ye assured in Few wordes I shall intend so to requyte as ye shall haue no cause to thinke the same bestowid vppon an ingrate person
90. ‹Cromwell› to ——.
R.O. Cal. vii. 1615. ‹1534.›
On behalf of Thomas Miller, an English subject, whose goods have been wrongly detained by James Sinclair, governor of the north of Scotland, and who cannot get redress.
After my right hertie commendacions it may lyke you to undrestonde that where A Shyp called the Andrewe aperteynyng to one Thomas Miller beyng a Subiect to my most dreade soueraigne Lorde Kyng and maister by chaunce of tempest or other mysfortune was ronne Aground in the north parties of the Realme of Scotland. And yet neuerthelesse the most parte of alle the goodes and merchandises in the said Shypp amountyng to the value of cclx li. sterling as I am enformed were there and then ‹saved› by the diligens and labours of the seruauntes of the said Thomas they beyng taken owt and by them savely kepte to their saide maisters vse by the space of viii or ix dayes. Vnto suche tyme as one James Seyntcler governer and ruler in the said North parties of Scotland vndre the Kynges grace your maister without any reasonable cause toke awaye the said goodes and merchandises from the Servants of the said Thomas and so the same euer sens hathe kept and deteyned agaynst good equitie and consciens. And for as moche as at your last beyng in Englond ye gentilly promised me that if I wrote vnto you for relief or necessitie of any the Subiectes of Englande in cases or Justice, ye wolde the rather at my pore contemplacion put youre good endevor to accomplysshe my request. At whiche tyme also of your said beyng in England thys case was then by me and other the kyng my Maisters Counsayle mocioned, and declared vnto you, Whereapon ye promised vs that yf the partie damaged repayred to your parties for Justice after your comyng home that then he shold be restored as to reason, right, and conscience shold apperteyne. And thys notwithstondyng albeit the said Thomas Miller by the late maister of the said Shipp hath made humble sutes for Justice and Restitucion of hys said gooddes and merchandises to hys greate costes and charges yet neuerthelesse he hath hitherto had nor can get any redresse. Wherefore at the desyre of the said Thomas I at thys tyme am bold to wryght vnto you, right hartely desiryng you that at the repaire of the said Thomas or eny of hys servants to you with these my letteres that he may by your good favors and meanes so reasonably be ordered in thys case as he shall haue no cause reasonable to compleyn for lak of Justice, by whiche doynges I shall accompt my self bounden to reaquite your gentilnes with semblable pleasures for Any Frend or Neyghbour of yours.
Endd. A Copie of a lettere writen into Scotland in the favour of one Thomas miller of london
91. Cromwell to ——.
R.O. Cal. vii. 1616. ‹1534.›
Desires him to restore the lands which he has wrongfully taken from Reginald Williams in the West Country.
After my right hertie commendacions Forasmoche as I haue bene sued vnto and requyred by my Freendes to adresse thiese my letteres vnto you in the fauour of one Reignolde Williams from whom as I am crediblie infourmed ye do deteyne and witholde certeyne londes in the weste cuntrey contrary to all right and good equitie albeit the saide Reignalde Williams as manifestly appereth by his euydences is nexte heire vnto the same londes I shall therfore hertely desyre you the rather at this my requeste and contemplacion that without any further molestation or truble in the lawe ye will calle togither your Freendes and after communication had in the mattier to conclude a Finall ende therin accordinge to equitie and consciens so that the saide Reignolde receyue no iniurye nor wronge at your hande[830], but also bynde me to shewe you lyke pleasures accordinglie. thus Fare ye well. At my howse of Stepneth
92. ‹Cromwell› to the University of Oxford.
R.O. Cal. vii. 618. ‹1534.›
The King is displeased at hearing of the ill-treatment of the inhabitants of the town by the authorities of the University, and desires that amends be made.
I comend me vnto yow Aduertysing the same that wher the kinges hyghnes is crediblie infourmed of your abusions vsurpacyons & vngentill demeanour vsed towardes the kinges highnes his subiectes & inhabitauntes of that his towne of Oxforthe & subberbes of the same I can not but mervaile that ye being men of Lerning & in whom shoulde remayne both wisedom & discressyon wille in suche wise demeane your self[831] not onelie in making of lawes & ordynaunces Amongst your self to their hindrance hurt and preiudice but also contrary to the kinges lawes whiche aperethe in you to haue proceded of nothing but mere malice Wherfor intending to conduce & Allecte yow to som good conformyte & quyetnes the kinges hyghnes therfore hathe commandyd me to advise yow not onlie to restore all such persons as you haue discomoned permitting them to do & occupie as they did before, without mayntening or suffering any scoler or seruauntes to occupie with in the toune or suburbe of the same as a burgesse there dothe except he or they do agree there fore with the sayd burgesses But also that in no wise ye do vexe trouble or inquyete any of the saide inhabitauntes by suspension excommunycacion discomonning banysshement or otherwise, vsing suche discression that all varyaunces may ceasse & be stayed amongst yow so as all malice and evill will being contempned & expulsed from yow, good amyte peax & quyetnes may take place accordynglie. And duobt ye not or it be long the Kinges Counsaile by his gracious commaundement will & haue determyned to set suche an ende & redresse amongst yow as god willing shall be an establisshing of a perpetuall peax good vnyte & accorde amongst yow for euer fayell ye not this to do as yow wyll answre vnto the kynges highnes & advoyde the daungier of his indingnacion & high displessur And so Fare ye well
Add. To the Chauncelour and comissarie with other the heddes & membres of the vnyversite of Oxforde be this youen
Endd. A copye of a lettere to Oxforth
93. Cromwell to Lord Lisle.
R.O. Cal. viii. 187. Feb. 8 ‹1535›.
The King has written to Lisle to give Ralph Hare the next vacant position at 8d. a day. Advises Lisle to follow the King’s orders.
In my most harty wise I commend me vnto your good lordship. And persayvyng that the kinges highnes hathe not only geven vnto Raufe Hare by sufficient writyng vnder the privey seale, the roume of eight pence sterling by the day whiche shall first and next fall voyde within that the towne of Calays, but hathe also writen vnto you his letteres vnder hys signet confermyng thesame and mencionyng therby his pleasure and expresse commaundment in that behalfe, these shalbe therfore as your lordshippes assured frynde to my power to advise you to folowe the kynges commaundement therin for the satisfaction of his pleasure in that behalfe. Wherby ye shall not only deserue the Kynges right harty and condigne thankes but also admynyster and do vnto me and other of his fryndes whiche dothe write vnto you also in his favour, great pleasure and gratuyte, the whiche god willyng shalbe on my part in semblable wise recompensed. And thus the blessed Trenyte preserue your good lordship. At the Rolles the viiith day of February.
Your lordshippis Freend assuryd
Thomas Crumwell.
Add. To the right honourable and my synguler good lord the vicount lisle the kynges depute at Calays.
Endd. Mr. Secretoryes lettere
Mr. Sekretarye the viiith of Febrewary conserning raff Hare.
94. Cromwell to the Prior of Dudley.
R.O. Cal. viii. 191. Feb. 10 ‹1535›.
The King desires the Prior personally to repair to Cromwell at once.
I Commende me vnto youe. Lating youe wit that for certain causes the particularities wherof ye shal knowe herafter The kinges pleasure and commaundement is ye shal Imediatly vppon the sight herof all delayes and excuses setaparte personally repaire vnto me wheresoeuer it shall chaunce me to be without faylling as ye wil answer to his grace at your extreme perill. From the Rulles the xth of Februarye.
Your Freend Thomas Crumwell
Add. To my Freende the prior of Dudleye yeve this with spede.
95. Cromwell to the Mayor and Aldermen of London.
R.O. Cal. viii. 221. Feb. 15 ‹1535›.
Desires for Robert Baxter, a clerk of the Common Bench, the next vacancy in the clerkships of their court.
In my ryght harty wise I commend me vnto you & to euery of you And albeit I am many wise importune & bold apon you for my selff & my frendes When cause & occasion hath so requyred. This shalbe to aduertise you that Robert Backster one of the Clarkes writers with John Joyner the kynges Preignetory of his graces comen bench at Westminster is very desyrous to be one of the Clarkes of your Courte & hath made instant peticion to me that by myne intercession to be made vnto youe in his fauour he myght the rather & more effectuelly opteyne the same. And were as I am acerteynyd that the Rowmes of your foure Clarkes are now furnyshyd & non of theym voide. Wherefore I hertely desyre & pray you at the contemplacion of these my letters and for my sake wylbe content to graunt vnto the said Robert the next vacacion of one of the iiii Clarkes of that your courte And I dare will undertake for hym that he shall at all tymes (yf he lyue to optayne the same) vse and behaue hymself like an honest officer. And for your goodnes herein to be shewed vnto hym (for my sake) ye shalbe well assured to fynd me as redy semably to requyte you of suche gratuite & pleasure as shall lye in me to shew vnto you. And thus fare ye well from the Rollys the xv day of february.
Add. To my veray good Lorde the Mayour of the Citie of London and to his worshypfull Brethern thaldermen of the same & to euery of theym.
Endd. From Mr. Crumwelle.
96. Cromwell to Henry Burton.
R.O. Cal. viii. 239. Feb. 19 ‹1535›.
The King is informed that Burton has disturbed Lady Carew in her possession of a free chapel and ground, granted her by the King. Desires him to cease troubling her.
In my hartie maner I commende me vnto you, Aduertising the same that Whereas complaint hath nowe lately been made vnto the Kinges Maiestie on the behalf of my Ladye Carewe howe that you haue made a wrongfull and riotouse entree into a certayn free chapell and a litle close grounde abowt the same whiche chapell and grounde his hieghnes hath geven and graunted vnto her by his graces letteres patentes during her lief, the remayndre thereof to Fraunceys Carewe her sonne, and to the heyres masles of his bodye begoten, So that it seameth his maiestie hath the Reversion of the fee simple in him, his heyres and successours. His Hieghnes willed me to signifie vnto you by these my letteres his graces pleasour and commaundement is that you do not onely permitte, and suffre the saied Ladye Carewe to enioye peaxably the possession of the premisses, and to restore suche thinges as you haue wrongfully taken owt of the chapell and grounde aforsaied, but also to cease your suete commenced againste her at the commen lawe vnto such tyme as both your titles maye be further examined and tryed by lerned and indifferent Counsaill, Not failing hereof as you tendere His Hieghnes pleasour, Thus fare you hertely well. From London the xixth daie of Februarye.
Your louyng Freend
Thomas Crumwell.
Add. To my Loving freende Henry Burton.
Endd. In the bahalf of the Ladye Carewe & her sonne Fraunceys.
97. Cromwell to the Earl of Shrewsbury.
Heralds’ Coll. of Arms, Shrewsb. MSS. A, f.57; Cal. viii. 247. Feb. 20 ‹1535›.
Sends him a letter from the King. As for the farm of which the Earl wrote, Cromwell has discovered that his servant is not anxious to leave it, and he is unwilling to urge him.
After my right harty commendacions to your good lordshippe with semblable thankes for your Letteres Lately addressed Vnto me The same shall herewith receyue the Kinges highnes Lettres of answer to suche credence as yow commytted to my Freende Maister Buttes to be declared Vnto him. And albeit his Maiestie hathe not resolutely answered to the particular pointes of your credence aforsaid yet your lordshippe maye be assured at your cummyng vppe to receyve suche answer in euery of the same as shalbe to your contentacion. And vndoubtedly his grace woolbe as gladde to see your lordshippe as any man I suppose in his realme. Suche is his entier love and fauour towardes yowe. Whiche I am as gladde to perceyve and see as your self could desire the same. Touching the ferme wherof your lordshippe wrote vnto me I haue been in hande with my seruaunt and like as I wold be lothe to constrayne him if I might otherwise chuse to forgoo it Soo I perceyve he woll not leave it onles it shalbe for advoyding of my displeasure, and again the man dothe me soo good seruice that with equitie I canne presse him no further therin thenne I haue doon. Neuertheles if your lordshippe woll haue me eftsones to travail in it I shall doo asmoche more therin as your self shall at your cummyng thinke mete for me. And thus moost hartely Fare yow well. From the Rulles the xxth of February
Your lordshippis assuryd
Thomas Crumwell.
Add. To my veray good Lorde Therle of Shrewisbury lord Steward of the Kinges Houshold.
98. Cromwell to Admiral Chabot, Sieur de Brion[832].
Bibl. Nat. de Paris, Fonds Moreau, 737, page 83; Cal. viii. 337. ‹Mar.› 4, 1535.
The report of the Treasurer of Brittany will assure him how desirous the King is to remain in friendship with the King of France. Urges de Brion to do all he can to strengthen and increase the amity.
Monseigneur,
J’ay receu les lettres qu’il vous a pleu m’escrire ensemble entendu vostre response, et charge de Mr. le Trésorier Palamédes, laquelle, selon sa très bonne manière de faire, et au très grand contentement du Roy, mon maistre, il a sceu trèsbien dire et déclarer, et pourtant que par la response qu’il emporte, vous pourrez clairement cognoistre la bonne constance et continuation d’amitié et vnion, en quoy le Roy mon dit maistre entend persister à tout iamais tant luy que sa postérité, sans aucunement varier, ains faire tout ce que avec son honneur et condescentement luy sera possible, au desir du Roy, son bon frère: pourtant aussy, que le dict Trésorier vous sçaura faire ample rapport de toutes choses;
Monseigneur, après vous avoir très affectueusement prié que veuilliés persuader, et si mestier est, inculquer à la maté du Roy Ve Maistre, la grandeur de leur amitié, et bonne intention de la dicte response et qu’il ne veuille presser ne desyrer le Roy de chose pourquoy l’on pense avoir suspicion ou coniecture qu’en l’amitié d’entr’eux y entre aucun respect de lucre ou proffit particulier: car ce n’est pas assez, comme vous sçavez trop mieux, que leur amitié soit cogneue et prinse pour ferme et establie par entr’eux et leurs amys, qui est à leur grand confort et encouragement: Mais aussy est très expédient de l’entretenir et conduire en sorte que leurs Ennemis et malveillans n’ayant cause d’y pouvoir penser, ne suspecter aucune interruption, qui sera à leur très grand esbahissement Confusion et desconfort: et ce faisant, comme bien gist en vous, le bien et plaisir, qui à tout le monde en adviendra, ne se sçavoir assez estimer, sans vous rescrire pour le présent plus au long, m’estre de très bon cœur recommandé à Ve Seigneurie et offert tout ce en quoi vous sçauray faire honneur et plaisir Je supplie nostre benoist Créateur, que, à vous Monseigneur, il veuille donner sa saincte et digne garde.
Signé, Vostre à commandement
Thomas Cramwell.
Escript à Londres,
le iv iour de May[833].
1534.
Add. A Monseigneur
Monseigneur l’Admiral de France.
99. Cromwell to Lord Lisle.
R.O. Cal. viii. 419. Mar. 21 ‹1535›.
The King marvels at his delay in granting Thomas Appowell a position as soldier at Calais. Desires Lisle to give him the next vacant place.
After my right harty commendacions vnto your good lordship, thiese shalbe for asmoche as the kinges highnes before this tyme in consideracion of the good and acceptable seruice done vnto his sayd highnes by his faythefull subgec[t] Thomas Appowell. Hathe geven and graunted vnto hym the roume of a Souldiour of the retynewe at Calays whiche first or next shuld fall and be voyde with the wages of viii d. a da[y] as by the kinges graunt therof made vnder his signet beryng date the second day of May in the xxiiith yere of his reigne and other his speciall letteres sithens directed vnto you for that purpose it dothe more playnly appere. And that notwithstanding, hitherto he hathe not been preferred to any suche roume, as he saythe wherat considering the kinges sayd graunt and letteres seuerally made for that purpose his highnes dothe not a litle marvaill. Wherfore I requyre and pray you for asmoche as thesayd Thomas hathe done good seruice, and is right mete for that roume. And the rather for my sake and at the contemplacion of these my letteres, to graunt vnto hym the next roume that shalbe voyde with thesayd wages, shewing vnto hym your lordshippes favour in that behalf. Wherby besides that ye shall do a very good dede, ye shall admynyster and do vnto me right thankfull pleasu[re] the whiche god willyng I will in semblable wise requite. thus the blessed Trenyte preserue you. At the rolles the xxi day of Marche.
Your lordshippis assuryd
Thomas Crumwell.
Add. To my veray good lord the vicount lisle the Kinges depute at Calays.
100. Cromwell to Sir Gregory da Casale.
R.O. Cal. viii. 523. April 10, 1535.
The King is glad to hear that the Bishop of Rome begins to appreciate the justice of his cause. Urges that every effort be made to prevail upon the Pope to give formal sentence in favour of the divorce.
Magnifice Domine Gregori salutem et commendacionem Complures post vestrum hinc discessum, et uariis temporibus datas a vobis litteras accepi, quarum recensiores sub die xx februarii Romae scriptae sunt, quicquid uero de occurentiis istis publicis, ac priuatis Regiae Maiestatis rebus in dictis litteris unquam significabatur sigillatim, ac diligenter id ipsi semper exposui, gratumque et acceptum habet sedulum istud vestrum scribendi officium, nec ego antea vestris litteris respondi, quod putaui, praeter istorum successuum cognitionem (quae sui nouitate grata semper est) non esse admodum multa, quibus particularius foret respondendum: Nunc autem Regia Maiestas quum vestras tum ad se, tum ad me litteras pressius, accuratiusque perlegisset, illud inter coetera, mente adnotauit, Pontificem vobiscum loqui uoluisse, summamque praesetulisse Regiae Maiestati gratificandi propensionem, et ob eam causam, duos accersisse ex hetruria iureconsultos cum primis eruditos, quorum doctrinae sanoque iudicio potissimum fidat, eorumque sententias, et opiniones pro Regiae Maiestatis causa stare, et eiusmodi esse vestris vos litteris affirmatis ut pontifex ex officio debeat praesens matrimonium, etiam si de ualiditate dispensationis a Iulio factae constaret, approbare, Coeterum causam hanc, ut ueritatis fundamento totam innitentem, et si Regia Maiestas cum Deo satis firmatam habeat, et omni ex parte stabilitam, in hunc tamen sensum litteras vestras interpretatur, Pontificem scilicet de eius rectitudine et aequitate cum sua Regia Maiestate quam optime sentire, Proinde si amicum ac syncerum istud pectus erga Serenissimum Dominum meum Regem (quod vos scribitis) re uera habet, quin potius, ut bonum quenque virum ab omni prorsus odio, et affectu liberum, et immunem in primis decet, si ueritati ex anima fauet, eius certe sunt partes, ut suam hanc erga Inuictissimum Dominum meum Regem in causa omnium iustissima bene affectam uoluntatem, suo etiam publico testimonio, et approbatione vniuersi orbi reddat perquam manifestam, suaque sponte, innataque animi probitate et solius ueritatis propagandae studio, nulla Regiae Maiestatis intercessione expectata, ad id adducatur, ut nullius metu, seu respectu a uero rectoque deflectens de prioris matrimonii inualiditate, praesentisque firmitate, et robore ingenue pronunciet, quem ad modum doctissimis illis viris, quos huius rei causa ab eo accersitos, istic adesse scribitis, maxime probari significatis, efficiet certe Pontifex rem suo munere, et officio dignam, Serenissimo Domino meo Regi, qui suae causae iustitiam tot uigiliis, sumptibus ac laboribus diu quaesitam, et iam pridem cum Deo compertam habet, uehementer gratam, sibique in primis, et pontificatui suo longe utiliorem, quam nunc demonstratione sit opus, Vos autem si hac in re nullo Regiae Maiestatis expectato mandato, nulloque suo iussu (non enim firmiora suae causae quam nunc habet adiumenta aliunde sperat) quicquid profeceritis, ac Pontificem vestra dexteritate ex vobis ad id quod scribitis adduxeritis, eiusdem Regiae Maiestatis expectationi quae non vana, aut victa officia, nec infructuosos rerum euentus de vestris actionibus sibi pollicetur, procul dubio respondebitis, et haec a Pontifice beneuolentia et gratia ex officio proueniens eo nomine gratior, et acceptior erit, quod ueritatis ratio, deique respectus, sanaque conscientia ad hoc eum mortalium nemine procurante, nunc commouerit. Et bene valete. Londini Die x Aprilis m.d. xxxv.
Vester bonus amicus
Thomas Crumwell.
Add. Magnifico Equiti, Domino Gregorio Casalio etc. Amico carissimo.
101. ‹Cromwell› to ‹sir Gregory da Casale›.
R.O. Cal. vii. 268[834]. ‹April 10, 1535.›
Draft in English of the preceding.
After my right ‹hearty› commendacions, Sithen your departure I haue receyued sundry of your letteres whereof the last bere date at Rome the xx day of Februarie. And whatsoeuer ye haue signefied vnto me by your saide letteres aswell of the publique occurrantes there as of the Kinges highnes pryuate affairees I haue aliwayes intymated and declared the same to the kinges maiestie who right thankefully and acceptablie taketh and estemeth your diligence in wryting And now having pervsed and redde both your letteres addressed to his maieste and also to me his highnes hathe speciallie noted in the same amongst other that the bisshop of Rome speking with you shewed himself veray propice and desirous to gratefie his saide highnes And that he had sent for out of Ethrurie twoo Lawyers being singulerly well lerned in whose doctrine and good iudgement he hathe grete trust and confidence Whose sentences and opynyons do stonde hollie with the kinges highnes cause Affirmyng (as ye wryte) that the saide Bisshop of Rome of his duetie and office ought to approbate and confyrme this present matrymonie albeit it depended vppon the validite of the dispensacion made by Julius. So as Notwithstonding that the kinges maiestie having his saide cause sufficientlie diffyned and being himself in that behalf resolutely determyned and grounded as vppon the foundacion of veryte and trowth hathe discharged his conscience therein (like a good vertuous and catholique prynce) afore god and the worlde Yet his maieste dothe in suche sence interpretate your letteres that (as appereth by the same) the saide bisshop of Rome begynneth now somwhat to sauour and fele the iustnes and equyte of the saide cause and partelie to stande with the Kinges maiestie in the same. Wherefore if the saide bisshop of Rome do in dede bere so frendelie and syncere good mynde and will towardes the kinges highnes (as ye do wryte) or rather if he love the trewth as it becommeth euery good man to do setting aparte all hatred and affection it is his parte to shew the same now to the vnyuersall worlde in this most iust and rightcious cause by his owne publique testymonye and approbacion. And of his owne free will and without any sute or intercession of the kinges maiestie onelie adhering to the trewth and neglecting all other respectes to pronounce the invalidite of the first matrimony and the validite of the seconde according to the sentences iudgementes and diffynytions of the saide iio lerned men which as ye wryte the saide bisshop of Rome called and sent for vnto him for that purpose which if the saide Bisshop of Rome will, surely he shall do ‹a› thing wourthie his office and merite of god and the worlde and to the kinges highnes veray thankefull and acceptable pleasure, and also to him self and his see moche more profite and good then now nedeth to expresse. And you for your parte if in this matier as of your self ye can any thing profite or prevaile by your good policie and dexteryte towardes the conducyng of the saide Bisshop of Rome to that conformyte (as ye wryte in your saide letteres) ye shall then vndoubtedlie answer to the kinges highnes expectacion And the same proceding of the beneuolence of the saide Bisshop of Rome and the zele that he hathe to the due execucion of his office and duetie shalbe the more grate and acceptable a grete dell to the Kinges highnes and the hole wourlde, seeing that the mere veryte and the respecte that he hath to god and his owne conscience shall move him thereunto without any mortall mannes procurement
Endd. A Mynute of certeyn letteres responsyve to on at Rome
A mynute of a Lettere to intymate to the Pope the Kinges desyre to haue him condiscend to the dyvorce & to allowe the second maryage.
102. ‹Cromwell› to Mr. Riche.
R.O. Cal. viii. 563. Apr. 20 ‹1535›.
Requests him to use his influence to induce Mr. Sinclair to cease suing Edward Campion, clerk of the peace in Essex.
After my m[ost] hertie maner I commende me vnto you, and evyn so I pray you at this my request and contemplacion to be good Maister and frende vnto Edwarde Campion clerke of the peax within the shere of Essex of and in all suche his busynes towching the same his office and to be ameane for hym in the same unto Mr Sayntclere hym to desire to putt the said campion to no further vexacions and sutes for the said office as he hath heretofore done. In doyng whereof you shall admynister vnto me right singuler pleasure, which god willing . I shall not for get semblable to requyte as shall lye in my litill power. And this hertelye fare ye well. At london this xxth day of Aprill
Add. To my lovyng frende Master Riche.
Endd. Mynute of lettere.
103. Cromwell to the Prior of Trewardreth.
B.M. Add. MSS. 6,416, f. 8; Cal. viii. 743. May 21 ‹1535›.
The King is informed that the town of Fowey is in a bad state, because the Prior, who has the liberties of the town in his hands, administers it so badly. Desires him to amend his ways.
Mr priour as vnaccquanted I haue me commended vnto you, and whereas it is comen vnto the kinges highnes knowledge that the Towne of Fowey is sore decayed and thoccasion therof partlie is that in the saide Towne is no order of Justice bicause the liberties concerninge the same graunted by the kinges highnes and his noble progenitours to your predecessours and by theime vnto the inhabitauntes of the saide Towne remayne in your handes and kepinge So that betwene you no maner good order equitie nor iustice is executed and vsed within the saide Towne. Wherfore I require you to condiscende and agree with the inhabitauntes of the saide Towne so that you hauynge your reasonable approued duties, they may haue theire liberties to be vsed and extended amongeste theime within the saide Towne to thincrease of good order within the same. And as ye shall agre therin to certifie me in writinge by Thomas Treffry berer herof. For his highnes thinketh that the saide porte of Fowey oweth to be his and to be holden of hime so that his grace entendeth from hensforth to haue it as well prouided for with good gouernaunce and of defence for vtter enemyes as other his townes and portes be within those parties. Wherunto ye for your partie before this tyme haue had litle or no regarde neyther to the good order rule and defence therof ne yet to the good rule and gouernaunce of yourself your monasterie and religion as ye be bounde wherfore his highnes thinketh that ye be veray vnworthey to haue rule of any towne that cannot well rule yourself. And that I may haue aunswer as is afforesaide by this berer what ye intend to do I require you to thintente I maye certifie his highnes therof And thus fare ye well. At london the xxith daie of Maie
Your Freend
Thomas Crumwell.
Add. To the priour of trewardreth in Cornewall be this youen.
104. ‹Cromwell› to Dr. London and Mr. Claymond.
R.O. Cal. viii. 790. May ‹1535›.
Desires them to request the fellows of Magdalen to admit Thomas Marshall as president of the college, on the resignation of the present president, who has already signified his willingness to give up his position.
In my right harty maner I commende me vnto you. And where the Presedent of Mawdelyn College, as well by his seuerall letteres as by mouthe (of his mere motion) at sundry tymes, myche commending the qualities of my Lord and frende master Thomas Marshal[l] graunted vnto me, that he wulde be contented to resigne that his Rowme to the same master Marshall, alledging that he was a man very apte & mete for the same, promysing further and nothing doubting, but in that behalf he bothe coulde & wolde fynde the meanes to obteyne the goode willes & myndes of the felowes of the said College. Neuertheles nowe of Late (to me no litle mervaile) the saide presedent when I desired hym to accomplishe his saide promesse, alledged for his excuse that the goode willes of the saide felowes coulde not in that behalf be opteyned. Wherfore I hartely desire and pray you effectually in my name to solicite & entreate the saide felowes as by your wysdomes ye shall thinke most conuenient that they for my sake & at this my desire wilbe contented to conforme theym selves vpon the resignation of the said presedent to the admission of the saide master Marshall, or elles that contrary Wyse att the Leaste I may knowe by your writing in whome the mater sticketh. In doing wherof ye shall not only deserue bothe Laude & prayse in the furderaunce of the saide master Marshall, whose aduauncement I hartely desire, but also I wille not faile to remembre your kyndnes in that I may doo you pleasure. And thus hartely fare ye well, from London the —— daye of May.
Endd. The Copie of alettere Sent to Mr. doctor London & Mr. Claymond.
105. Cromwell to the Earl of Cumberland.
B.M. Add. MSS. 12,097, f. 1; Cal. viii. 893. June 18 ‹1535›.
Requests him to discover and apprehend certain evil-disposed and riotous persons, who have unlawfully assembled in the county where the Earl lives.
After my right harty recommendacion vnto your good lordship, thiese shalbe taduertise the same that the kinges highnes hathe been aduertised that diuerse riotous and ill-disposid persones of the parties wher ye inhabite, or within your offices and roumes (as it is sayd) hathe lately vnlawfully assembled theymselfes together to no litle nombre in riotous maner to somme lewde and vnthriftie intent and purpose. Wherfor his highnes myndyng the quietenes of his subiectes, and good rule and order to be maynteynyd and kepte within this realme Willithe and commaundithe you and other of the Justices of his peax, furthewith after the receyt herof to make inquisicion and serche, who and what nombre of the sayd persones hathe so assembled theymselfe, and for what cause intent and purpose they hathe so done And that ye also enquire who hathe beene the Capitall and cheffe doers in that partye. and further that ye cause theym to be apprehended and taken and sent hither with all convenyent spede together with all that ye shall fynd and knowe concernyng the premysses, and suche other offenders as ye shall not think good to be sent vp that your lordship cause theym to be put vnder sufficient suretyes for their good aberyng accordyng to his lawes, prayeng your lordship to aduertise me of that ye shall do in the premysses by the berer herof with all convenyent spede. And thus the blessid Trenyte preserue you At the rolles the xviiith day of June.
Your lordshyppis Freend
Thomas Crumwell.
Add. To the right honourable and my veray good lord the Erle of Cumberland be this youen.
106. Cromwell and Audley to the Mayor and Commonalty of Cambridge.
Cooper’s Annals of Cambridge, i. 371; Cal. viii. 1036. July 14 ‹1535›.
Desires them to take measures to avoid any trouble with the members of the University at the approaching Stourbridge Fair.
After our hertye commendacions, wher variaunce debate and strif hath long depended betweene the Vycechauncellor of the Universite of Cambridge and the scolers of the same of the one partie, and you and the cominaltye of the towne of Cambridge on the ‹other› party, concernyng both your iurisdiccions and liberties. And albeit we, wyth others of the king’s counsaile by his graces commaundment, entended to have pacyfyed the sayd variaunce or this tyme; yet neverthelesse, for that we have had no convenient leasure for the same, the said variaunce as yet remaynith undetermyned. And forasmuche as Sturbridge fair is nowe nere at hand at whiche tyme it is thought verey like that variaunce and breche of the kings peax may happen betwixt you, bi reason of suche iurisdiccions as ether of you pretende to exercise in the same faire, if remedye were not provided for the same, we therfore, calling to rememberaunce that for the conservacion of the Kings peax an order was takyn the last yere at Lambeheth, before the most Reverend father in god the archebysshop of Canterbury and other the Kings Counsaile, what ether of you shuld exercise in the said faire without interrupcion of other, till the variaunce betweene you were fully determyned, Do nowe therfore advertise you that the Kings pleasure is that as well ye for your parts, as the said Vicechancellour and scolers for their parts, shall firmely for this faire tyme to cume this yere, observe and kepe the same order in every poynt without violacion therof: Signifying unto you that we have written our letteres to the said Vycechauncellour and scolers for the same cause, Putting you out of doubt that by the due keping of the said order, ye shall take no preiudice of eny your lawfull liberties that of right ye ought to have, uppon examynacyon and fynall determynacyon of ether your titles, To the proceeding in the finall order wherof, we will with all diligence (god willing) put our effectuall endevor this next terme, as the kings pleasure is we shuld do, requiring you to take pacyens in the meane season. And thus almyghtye Jhu have you in keping. Wrytten at London the xiiijth daye of July.
Your frends,
Thomas Audeley Knt. Chauncell.
Thoms. Crumwell.
Add. To the Maier and comynaltie of the Towne of Cambridg be this yeven.
107. ‹Cromwell› to the ‹Duke of Norfolk›.
B.M. Titus B. i, 318; Cal. viii. 1042. July 15 ‹1535›.
Sends a royal proclamation against conveying coin out of the realm, and a copy of the statute of 5 Richard II. to the same effect. The council gave its opinion that the King’s proclamation in this case should have the same force as a statute.
May hit please your grace to be Aduertysyd that I haue resayuyd your letteres[835] persayuyng by the Contenttes therof that the Kynges highnes dothe moche merveyle that I haue not aduertysyde your grace what order my lord chauncelor and others of his Counceyll hath[836] takyn Concernyng the conveyaunce of Coyne owt of the realme. Syr according to your gracyous commaundement vppon tewysdaye last Mr. Attorney and I bothe dyd Intymate & declare the Kinges pleasure vnto my lorde Chauncelor who Immedyatlye Sent For My lorde cheffe Justyce of the kynges benche the cheffe Justyce of the Common place the cheffe Barron and Mr. Fytzeherberd Mr. Attorney Mr. Solysytor and I being present and the Case by my sayd lord Chauncelor openyd dyuers oppynyons ther were, but Fynally it was Concludyd that all the statuttes sholde be Inserchyd to See whether ther were anye Statute or lawe able to serue for the purpose and yf ther were it was thought good, that yf it sholde happen any accydent to be wherby ther myght Be any occasyon that the money sholde be conveyed owt of the realme that then proclamacyon sholde be made growndyd vppon the sayd Statute adding therunto poletyklye certayn thinges For the putting the Kynges Subiectes and other in more terroure ande Feare vppon which deuyse serche was made and a goode estatute Founde which was made in the Fyfte yere of Kyng Rychard the seconde the Copye wheroff translatyd[837] into Inglyshe I do sende vnto your grace drawne in manner of A proclamacyon by the aduyse of the Kynges lernyd Counsayle. But Amongyst all other thinges I mouyd vnto my sayd lorde chauncelor my lorde cheffe Justyce and other that yf in Case ther were no law nor statute made alredye for any suche purpose what myght the Kynges hignes by the aduyse of his Counsaylle doo to withstande so greate a daunger lyke as your grace alledgyd at my beyng with you to the which yt was answeryd by my lorde cheffe Justyce that the Kynges hyghnes by the aduyse of his Cownsayll myght make proclamacyons and vse all other polecyes at his pleasure as well in this Case as in Anye other lyke For the avoyding of any suche daungers and that the sayd proclamacyons and polyces so deuysyd by the King & his cownsayll for any such purpose sholde be of as good effect as Any law made by parlyament or otherwyse which oppynyon I assure your grace I was veray gladde to here[838] wheruppon[839] the sayd statute[840] was drawen in to a ‹copy› in forme as ‹a› proclamacyon I do now sende the same to your grace[840] and thus the holye trynyte preserue your grace in long lyff good ‹health› with the Increase of moche honor at london the xvth day of July.
108. Cromwell to Sir John Russell, Roger Wynter, John Pakyngton and John Vampage.
Library of William Berington, Esq., of Little Malvern Court. Not in Cal. July 18 ‹1535›.
Desires them to examine the complaint of Robert Symonds, of Pershore, in Worcestershire, and see that justice is done if possible.
I commende me vnto you in my right hertie maner And by the tenure [of these letters] whiche I sende vnto you herin closid ye may perceue the complaynt of Robert Symondes of pershor in the countie of worcester wherfor I hartely desire and pray you groundly to consider and pounder the contentes of the same and callyng the parties before you ye be soche waies and meanes as ye can best devise examyne the hole circumstaunce therof and sett a fynall ende therin if ye can And if through the obstinacie of either of the said parties ye cannot convenyently so do then my further desire is that ye wryte vnto me the truthe and playnes of the mater with the circumstaunces therof to thintent I may therin cause some meanes to be founde as the [case] rightfully shall require wherby ye shall do a very good and meritorious dede. And thus fare ye hartely well at London the xviijth day of July
Your Frende
Thomas Crumwell.
Add. To my louyng frendes Sir John Russell Knyght Roger Wynter John Pakyngton and John Vampage Esquyres or to thre or two of them.
109. Cromwell ‹and Audeley› to Sir John Russell, John Packington, and John Russell, Esquire.
Library of William Berington, Esq., of Little Malvern Court. Not in Cal. July 20 ‹1535›.
Desires them to survey the possessions of the clergy in the Shire of Worcester according to the King’s commission, and to send an account of their value to London.
After our right hartye commendacyons where the Kynges Commyssion was dyrectyd vnto you & other for the surveyng and taxacion of the clere yerely values of all the possessions of the clergie in the Shire of Worceter accordyng to a boke of Instruccyons assigned with the hand of the Kynges highnes annexed vnto the said Commissyon we signyfie vnto you that the Kynges pleasure ys that ye callyng your fellowes Joyned with you in Commyssion shall with all possible dylygens accomplysshe theffectes therof And to sende to vs to london all the bokes taken by you of the vieu & value of the said possessions by one or two suche of your fellowes whiche were Audytours of the same before the xijth day of Septembre next commyng. Not faylyng this to do at your perill. And as ye entende to advaunce the Kynges pleasure in this behalf. And thus fare you well. At london the xxth day of Julye
Thomas Audeley K. Chauncellour
Thomas Crumwell.
Add. To their loving freendes Sir John Russell the yonger Knight John pakington Esquier and John Russell Esquier and to euery of theym be this yoven.
Endd. Wigorn.
110. Cromwell to Bonner.
Library of Lord Calthorpe. Not in Cal. July 23 ‹1535›.
Begs him to make speed in his journey. Bonner’s commission is ready, and Mr. Gostwick will deliver to him the Duke of Holstein’s letter.
Mr. Boner I commende me vnto you. Signefieng vnto the same that the Kynges pleasure is ye with your college shall with all spede and possible haste set your selffes forward towardes thaccomplisshement of your iourney, and cause your Ship also to be rigged and made redy so as ye haue no cause of Delaye. Your commission I vnderstonde ye haue alredy made and sealed, and touching the Duke of Holstes lettere if ye haue not yet receyued it Mr. gostwike shall delyuer it you or to Cauendish accordinglie. Prayeng you ones agayne to make all thacceleracion and hast forwardes that ye can possiblie as ye intende to please the Kinges highnes. And so Fare ye well. At Wynchcombe the xxiii day of Julie
Your Freend Thomas
Crumwell.
Maister Boner the Kinges highnes nothing dowtyth in your wysedom polyce and discrecyon But that ye wooll Vse your Self according to his trust and expectacyon.
Add. To his louing frende Doctour Boner be this youen with spede.
111. Cromwell to Mr. Riche.
R.O. Cal. viii. 1130. July 29 ‹1535›.
Desires him to express to the Duke of Suffolk the King’s displeasure at the ‘decay’ of certain places, which the Duke affirms he has repaired. Urges him to request the Duke to part with certain reversions which are desired by the King.
After my right hertie commendacions these shalbe to aduertise you that the kinges highnes hauyng receyued your letteres hathe youen me in commaundement to make you answer as here insueth. First touching suche leases as it is supposed shoulde be made by the Duke of Suffolke, the kinges highnes seyeth that he knoweth not that the saide Duke or his officers haue made any lease syns the communycacion had betwixt them of this bargayn, but his highnes is certenly infourmed that the saide Duke or his officers haue offered to make fourth certen leases syns the tyme of the saide communycacion had. Whereof his maieste can not but mervaile and for the same conceyueth som ingratitude and vnkyndenes in the said Duke if it can so be proved. Secondely touching the Decay of Ewelme and Donyngton the kinges highnes answered that what soeuer the saide Duke hathe spent vppon them, it may well appere in what decay they stonde, and who soeuer shall view them shall facilly perceyue that grete somes of money will not sufficientlie repaire them as his highnes himself with his eye hath vewed the saide Ewelme at his graces late being there. And for Donyngton the house is not onelie in decay but also the keper of the same Mr. Fetyplace hath both consumed and distroyed the Dere and game there and also wasted the woodes in such wise as it is thought he hathe not onelie forfaited his patent but also right ill deserued to haue eyther fee or thanke for any good service he hathe don there. And semblablie the kinges highnes hauing ben at Hokenorton whiche his grace lyketh veray well can not perceyue ne also his Surueyours sent thither can not see how that xve li should be employed there as it is affirmed by the saide Duke, so as it is not vnlike but that the saide Duke hathe ben deceyued by his officers. And whatsoeuer hath ben spent there, yet will it requyre no small sommes of money to repare and buylde it after the kinges mynde and pleasure whiche wilbe chargeable to his highnes. And touching the game of the red Dere at Hokenorton aforsaide, his maiestie Doubtith not but that the saide Duke will iustefie his couuenaunte and agrement with the keper for the keping of lxxx red dere there accordinglie. Thirdely concerning the reuersions of the lady Gordon and John Verney the kinges highnes perceyuing the conformyte of the saide Duke in that behalf and also your travaile and diligence in the same gyueth vnto him and you both therefore his graces hertie and condigne thankes. Trusting that like as his highnes hathe heretofore mynystered grete benefites and commodytees vnto the saide Duke, who hathe atteyned this degree honour and astate that he now is in by the meanes and onely aduauncement of the kinges saide highnes. So the saide Duke wilbe contented to departe with the saide reuersions frankely and frely to his highnes of his mere lyberalite to extende towardes him, and to permytte his maiestee to haue the saide reuersions within his bargayn alredy made as his grace thought he had had, onely trusting to his graces bountie and goodnes for the recompence of the same. Wherein the kinges pleasure is ye shalbe playne with the saide Duke, vttering and declaring vnto him the good opynyon which the kinges highnes hathe conceyved in his conformyte towardes all his gracious requestes and affairees, and how he of all men is thereunto bounde if he do well consider the manyfold benefites that he hath receyued at the kinges hande. Wherefore ye may counsaile him not to gyue any cause or occasion in this behalf to the kynges highnes to conceyve any Jalousie or mistrust in him but that rather he will shew herein his frankenes and liberall herte towardes his maiestie without stycking with his grace in so small a matier. And so doing let him be assured that like as the kinges highnes heretofore for lesse cause youen on the saide Dukes parte, hathe aduaunced him to this honour and astate that he now is at, So shall his maiestee the rather now be Dryven to consider the frankenes and gentill liberalite of the saide Duke in this behalf if he frankely do com forwardes with the same. And Fynally I pray you on my behalf to say somwhat to the saide Duke in this matier alledging vnto him that as I am, alwayes haue been, and euer wilbe his graces poure frende so I requere him not to stycke with the kinges highnes in this matier, and pray his grace not to doubte but that the kinges highnes wilbe as good lorde to him in recompence of the saide reuersions as if his highnes Did now parte and couuenaunte with him for the same aforehand. Wherein eftesones I pray you shew him on my behalf that my poure and frendelie aduise is that his grace shall liberally wryte to the kinges highnes in this matier so as his highnes may thereby perceyue the saide Dukes gentill herte and naturall zele towardes his maieste aswell in this as in all other thinges. Which be ye assured in myn opynyon shalbe more beneficyall vnto the saide Duke then x tymes so moche lande as the saide reuersions Do amount vnto. Requering you so to shew his grace fro me as from him that wold be as glad of his graces welth and prosperyte as any one of his poure frendes. So knoweth our lorde who send you well to fare. From the Monastery of Tewkesbury the xxixti Day of Julie.
Your Freend
Thomas Crumwell.
Add. To his louyng Frende Mr. Ryche Solycytour to the kinges highnes be this youen.
112. Cromwell to the Earl of Rutland.
Belvoir Castle MSS. Not in Cal. Aug. 9 ‹1535›.
Desires him to examine a certain warden and his friars, and report the result of his investigation to the King. Requests him to apprehend Friar John Colsell, and detain him till further notice.
My lorde after my right hertie commendacions these shalbe to aduertise your lordship that having receyued your letteres and declared the effectes of the same to the kinges highnes, who for your dyligent aduertisement of suche thinges as do touche his maiestie and for your good will shewed towardes the correction of suche transgressones gyueth vnto you his graces hertie and condigne thankes, Forasmoche as the kinges highnes is aduertesed that the warden of those Freres which haue spoken those sedicious wordes, is a right honest person and that it may be that he is accused by such light persons as percase can not iustefie the same, the kinges highnes therefore requyreth your lordeship to call before you the saide warden and all other his Freers and to take som payne thoroughlie and exactely to here Debate and examyne the matier with them and their accusers, so as the trewth and the hole circumstaunces of the matier may trewlie and substauncyallie appere in suche wise as euery man may haue his merites and desertes according to good iustice. And of your lordeshippes procedinges in that behalf and what matier ye shall Fynde vppon the saide examynacion it may please your lordeship to signefie the same with the circumstaunces to the kinges highnes or his counsaile, vppon the which aduertisement your lordship shall knowe ferther of the kinges pleasure. Touching the other Frere named Frere John Colsell vsing the decitful arte of magike and astronomye, the kinges pleasure is that ye shall cause him to be taken and apprehended and deteyn him in warde vntill ye shall haue other knowlege and aduertisement of the kinges pleasure in that behalf, and thus the holie trynytie preserue your lordeship in long lif and helth with thincrease of honour At Barklay hoornes the ixth day of August.
Your lordeshyppes assuryd
Thomas Crumwell.
Add. To the right honourable my lorde the Erle of Rutlande be this yeuen.
113. ‹Cromwell› to ‹Wallop›.
R.O.[841] Cal. ix. 157. August 23 ‹1535›.
Instructs him to justify to Francis the King’s doings, especially the executions of More and Fisher, and to request Francis to support Henry in all his actions against the Pope. The King is desirous that Melancthon should come to England.
Sir after my most hertie recommendacions these shalbe to aduertise you that the xviith Day of this Moneth I receyued from you a packet of letteres which indelayedlie I delyuered vnto the kinges highnes and conferred with his grace theffectes both of your letteres and all others within the saide packet being directed aswell to his highnes as to me. And after his highnes had with me pervsed the hole contentes thoroughlie of your saide letteres, perceyuing not onelie the lykelyhod of the not repairee into Fraunce of Philip Melanchton, but also your communicacions had with the frensh king vppon your Demaunde made of the kinges highnes pencions with also your Discrete answers and replicacions made in that behalf, for the which his maiestee gyueth vnto you his hertie and condigne thankes, Ye shall vnderstonde that his highnes commaundid me to make you answer in this wise folowing First as touching the kynges money his highnes dowtith not but seeing bothe the Frensh king and also the grete Maister haue promised you it shalbe depechid ye will as the case shall requyre not cease to call vppon them till it be Depeched And ferther considering that the saide frensh king vppon your saide Demaunde of the saide pensions so sodaynelye fell into communycacion with you aswell of his frendeship and humanyte shewed to the kynges highnes, alledging that he at all tymes hathe answered for the kynges highnes specyally being last at Marcelles with Pope Clement with other thinges as in your saide letteres appereth, as also concernyng the execucions lately done here within this realme, The kinges highnes not a litle mervaileth thereat, and thinketh it good that as of yourself ye take som occasion at conuenyent tyme and oportunyte to renovate the saide communycacyon both with the Frensh kyng or at the least with the grete Maister, sayeng vnto them, that where the saide Frensh kyng alledgeth that he hath at all tymes answered for the kynges highnes in his cause and specyally to the saide Pope Clement at Marcelles affirmyng his procedynges to be iust and vpright concernyng the Matrymony as ye do wryte, in that albeit the kynges highnes procedinges in all his affairees within this realme being of such equyte and iustnes of themself as they be, nedeth not any defence or assistence ayenst Pope Clement or any other foreyn power, having goddes worde and lawes onelie sufficient to defende him Yet in that that[842] the said frensh kyng hathe as he sayeth answered at all tymes on the kinges parte, he hathe done nothing but the parte of a brother in iustefieng and verefyeng the trewth, and so contynuyng shall Do as aperteyneth to a prynce of honour which the kinges highnes doubtith not he hath and will do onely in respecte to the veryte and trewth besides the amyte betwixt them both iustlye requyring the same. And concerning thexecucions Done within this realme ye shall sey to the saide Frensh Kyng that the same were not so mervelous extreme as he alledgeth, for touching Mr. More and the Bisshop of Rochester with suche others as were executed here, their treasons conspiracies and practises secretely practised aswell within the realme without to move and styrre discension and to sowe sedycyon within the realme, intending thereby not onelye the distruction of the kyng but also the hole subuersion of his highnes realme being explaned and declared and so manyfestly proved afore them that they could not avoyde nor Denye it and they thereof openly detected and lawfully convicted adiudged and condempned of high treason by the Due order of the lawes of this realme, it shall and may well appere to all the worlde that they having such malice roted in their hertes ayenst their prynce and Souereigne and the totall Distruction of the commen weale of this realme, were well worthie if they had had a thousande lyves to haue suffered x tymes a more terrible Deth and execucion then any of them Did suffer. And touching suche wordes as the saide frensh kyng spake vnto you concernyng how Mr. More dyed and what he saied to his doughter going to his iudgement and also what exhortacions he shoulde gyue vnto the kynges subiectes to be trew and obedient to his grace (assuring you that there was no such thing) whereof the gret Master promysed you a Double at length. In that the kinges pleasure is that ye shall not onelie procure the saide double and sende it hither but also sey vnto the saide frensh king that the kynges highnes can not otherwise take it but veraye vnkyndely that the saide frensh king or any of his counsaile at whose handes he hathe so moche meryted and to whom he hathe mynystered so many grete benefites pleasures and commodytees shoulde so lightly gyue eare faith and credence to any such vayne brutes and fleeng tales Not hauyng first knowlege or aduertisement from the kinges highnes here and his counsaile of the veryte and trewth, Affirming it to be the office of a frende hering any suche tales of so noble a prynce rather to haue compressed the bruters thereof to sylence or at the leest not permytted them to haue dyvulged the same vntill such tyme as the kinges maiestee being so dere a frende had ben aduertesed thereof and the trewth knowen before he shoulde so lightly beleve or allege any suche reporte which ingrate and vnkynde Demeanure of the saide frensh king vsed in this behalf argueth playneleye not to remayn in his brest such integryte of herte and syncere amyte towardes the kinges highnes and his procedinges as his highnes alwayes heretofore hathe expected and loked for. Which thing Ye may propone and alledge vnto the saide frensh king and the grete Maister or to one of them with suche modestie and sobrenes as ye thinke they maye perceyue that the kinges highnes hathe good and iust cause in this parte somwhat to take their light credence vnkyndelye. And where as the saide frensh king sayeth that touching such lawes as the kinges highnes hathe made he will not medle withall alledging it not to be mete that one prynce should desire a nother to chaunge his lawes sayeng that his be to olde to be chaunged, to that ye shall sey that such lawes as the kinges highnes hathe made here be not made without substauncyall groundes by grete and mature aduise counsaile and deliberacion of the hole polycie of this realme and are indede no new lawes but of grete antiquyte and many yeres passed were made and executed within this realme as now they be renovate and renewed onlye in respecte to the comen weale of the same. And it is not a litle to his highnes mervaile that the saide frensh kyng euer wolde counsaile or aduyse him if in case hereafter any suche like offenders should happen to be in this realme that he should rather banyssh them then in suche wise execute them And specyallie considering that the saide frensh king himself in commonyng with you at that tyme not onely confessed thextreme execucyons and grete Bruyllie of late don in his realme But also that he now intendeth to withdraw the same and to revoke and to call home agayn such as be out of his realme the kinges highnes therefore the more straungely taketh his saide aduise and counsaile Supposing it to be neyther thoffice of a frende nor of a brother that he wold Determyn himself to call home into his realme agayn his subiectes being out of the same for speking ayenst the Bisshop of Romes vsurped auctoryte, and counsaile the kynges highnes to banysshe his traytours into straunge partes where they myght haue good occasion tyme place and oportunyte to worke their feates of treason and conspiracie the better agaynst the kinges highnes and this his realme. In which parte ye shall somwhat engreve the matier after such sorte as it may well appere to the saide frensh king that not onelie the kinges highnes might take those his counsailes and communycacions both straungely and vnkyndely thinking the same not to procede of mere amyte and frendship, but also vsing such polycie and austeryte in proponyng the same with the saide frensh king and the grete Maister taking such tyme and oportunyte as may best serue for the same, as they may well perceyue the kinges highnes precedinges here within this realme both concerning the saide execucyons and all other thinges to be onely groundid vppon iustice and the equyte of his lawes which be no new lawes but auncyent lawes made and establisshed of many yeres passed within this realme and now renovate and renewed as is aforesaide for the better order weale and suretie of the same. And ye may ferther say that if the frensh king and his counsaile well consyder as they ought to do that it were moch better to aduaunce the punysshment of traitours and rebelles for their offences then to ponysshe such as do speke ayenst the vsurped auctoryte of the bisshop of Rome who Daylie goth about to suppresse and subdue kynges and prynces and their auctorytee gyuen to them by goddes worde. All which matiers the kynges pleasure is that ye shall take tyme and occasion as ye talkyng agayn with the frensh king or the grete Maister may declare your mynde as before is prescribed vnto you. Adding thereunto such matier with such reasons after your accustomed dexteryte & discression as ye shall thinke most expedyent and to serve best for the kinges purpose, Defence of his procedinges and the profe of the frensh kinges ingratitude shewed in this behalf. Not Doubting in your wisedom good industrie and discrete circumspection for thordering and well handeling of the same accordinglye.
And touching Melanchton[843] considering there is no lykelihod of his repayree into Fraunce as I haue well perceyued by your letteres, the kynges highnes therfore hath appoyntid Cristofer Mount indelaiedlie to take his iourney where Melanchton is and if he come to prevente Mounsieur de Langie in suche wise as the saide Melancton his repayre into Fraunce may be stayed and dyuertid into Englond Not doubting but the same shall take effect accordynglie. And as to Mr. Heynes the kynges pleasure is that he shall go to Parys there to[844] lerne and dissiphre the opynyons of the lernid men and their inclynacions and affections aswell towardes the kynges highnes procedinges as to the bisshop of Rome his vsurped power and auctoryte, after such sorte as the kinges saide highnes hathe now wrytten to him by his gracious letteres addressed both to him and the saide Cristofer Mount[845]. Dyrecting them what they shall do in all thinges comytted to their charge at this tyme As I doubt not they will put thereunto their devoires for the accomplisshment of the kinges pleasure as aperteyneth. And thus makyng an ende prayeng you to vse your discression in the proponing of the premisses to the Frensh king and the grete Master or the one or both of them vsing the same as a Medecyn and after suche sorte that as nere as ye can it be not moch displeasauntly taken Aduertesing the kinges highnes from tyme to tyme of the successes thereof and of all other occurauntes as the case shall requyre, I shall for this tyme bid you most hertelie Fare well &c. Thornebery the xxiij day of August.
Endd. Fraunce
114. ‹Cromwell› to Nicholas Oldisworthy.
R.O. Cal. ix. 241 (i). Sept. 1 ‹1535›.
Desires him to give up all the possessions of the bishopric of Hereford to such persons as the Bishop-elect shall appoint.
In my harty wise I commend me vnto you. Aduertising thesame that for certayne causes the kinges highnes specially movyng, his graces pleasure is that ye shall surcease any farther to yntermedle with the possessions and landes belongyng to the Busshopriche of Hereford but that ye suffer suche as the Busshop elect shall appoynt to haue the doyng of the same. And that ye farther suffer the officers appoynted by thesayd Busshop to resceyve aswell the next rent due at the Fest of thannunciacion of our lady last past as all other rentes due sithe that tyme. And that ye fayll not thus to do as the kinges trust is in you . thus fare ye well. At Bromham the first day of September.
for Nicholas Oldisworthye.
115. ‹Cromwell› to ‹the Abbess of Wilton›.
R.O. Cal. ix. 271. Sept. 4 ‹1535›.
Desires her to act kindly towards his friend William Nevill in the matter of the lands belonging to her monastery. Nevill does not wish to sue her though he has good cause so to do.
Madame, after my right harty recommendations vnto you, thiese shalbe like as here tofore I have writen vnto you, to desire you to be good lady and frynd to my lovyng frynd william Nevell about the Ferme of Chalke and do such reparacions as belongithe vnto the same according to your graunt therof made and that ye will suffer hym to have and enioy such copy holdes as he of right shuld have and holde of your Manour of Semley belongyng to that your Monastery, as by sufficient writyng and copies therof it dothe more at large appere, in suche wise as he may have no cause farther to complayne ouer you therfore. I cannot persayve any reason iust cause or meanes wherby[846] ye may or shuld deny hym thesame. he hathe been, and yet is all wayes redy to paye his rent and do that which ought or shuld[847] apperteyne vnto hym to do in that behalf according to his wrytyng therefore. Which ye refuse and will not suffer hym to do[848]. I persayve the honestie of the man to be suche, that he is veray lothe to vexe or sewe you by the order of the common lawe or otherwise[849], although he hathe good cause even so to do, whiche if he wold he may do right well to your inquietacion for thadvoydyng [wher]of I desire you the rather at the contemplacion of thiese my letteres and for[850] your owne quietenes and ease to graunt hym his right yn the premysses[851]. Wherby besides that ye shall shewe and declare your self to be one that will do no persone wronge, and kepe yourselfe in quyetenes and rest, ye shall admynester and do vnto me therby right thankfull pleasure. The whiche I will not forgete semblably to requyte. And thus fare ye hartely well. At Wolfall the fourthe day of September.
116. Cromwell to the Mayor and Commonalty of Cambridge.
Cooper’s Annals, i. 372; Cal. ix. 278. Sept. 5 ‹1535›.
As Chancellor of the University desires that all differences between the town and the scholars may cease. Requests the Mayor to permit the University to continue in the enjoyment of its privileges.
After my moost harty commendacions, Understanding that the body of that the Universitie of Cambridge hath elected and chosen me to be their hed and Chauncelor, and that there is question at this tyme betwene you touching the exposition and qualifieng of the Decre made the last yeer by the kings counsail, for an order to be had without contencion betwene youe and the Universitee in Sturberige fayr, whiche decre ye have already commaundement for this yere to observe and kepe, contending on your part nothing to be comprehended under the name of Vitaill, but that whiche shuld be presently spent in the said faiier, and calling Salmon in barrel, musterde sede, fishe, and suche other, with an exempcon from the terme of vitaill by the name of merchandise, denyeing in like maner the said Universitie to appoint two of their body to ioyne with two of youe in the serche of merchandises there, sayeing ther shal non other serche this yere for their parte, but those that being of their congregacion the last yere were thenne appointed for that purpose, whiche be nowe departed from them and ioyned to youe in the libertie and freedom of the towne. Bicause ye knowe that I have been ever desirous to establish a quiet order betwene youe, and that with as moche favour towards your parte as I might with indifferency and justice, And that I doubt not but that ye will at my contemplacon remembre the preservacion of the Kings peax, and use suche a temperaunce in your procedings, as with the saufgards thereof I may have cause to rest in your love and kindness towards me, Being again for myn owne parte, moche desirous nowe at the entree to the said Chauncelorship (which office with the kings contentacion and pleasure I accepted not so moch upon any respecte as to be the rather a meane to set a quietnes betwene youe) to have al contencions and controversies ceasse on eyther side, tyl direction and final order may be taken therein, In the whiche I assure youe I shal with such celeritee and indifferency travyll, as ye shall not perceyve me a partie, but a personage holly bent without al respects to the advancement of the common weal; I have thought good to addresse my letteres unto youe and by the same to desire and praye youe, al vayne and frivolous qualificacons set aparte, to permyt and suffer the said Universitie for this yere, according to the mynde and entent of the said decre, to use and exersise their privileages in the things specified, and also to use at their libertie the comen prison of the Tolbothe as they have doon and as by their charters they clayme to doo, soo as their procede on your part no cause of breache of the peax, wherin ye shal serve the king as appertayneth, and administer unto me suche thankfull pleasure as I shall be gladde to deserve and requite towards youe, in like maner most hartely desiring and eftsones prayeing youe, touching their Civile courte to be kept in the fayr or any other thing that may com in to question, so to use yourself as I may perceyve you remembre your dueties towards the king in the keping of his peax, and shewe yourselves gladde to doo unto me gratitude and pleasure. And thus fare youe hartely wel. From Whofall the fifte day of September.
Your lovying freend,
Thoms Crumwell.
Add. To my loving Frends the Mayre and his Brethern of the towne of Cambridge, and to every of them.
117. Cromwell to Chapuys[852].
Vienna Archives; Cal. ix. 326. Sept. 10 ‹1535›.
Reports the joy of the King at hearing of the success of the Emperor in storming Tunis. Hopes on his return to give Chapuys satisfaction in his request to visit the Princess Mary. Cf. Letter [121].
Magnifice atque observande Domine orator plurimam salutem et commendationem. Quem admodum D. vestra, felices et christiano cuique principi speratos cesaree matis successus non grauatur crebris suis litteris Serenissimo domino meo regi significare ita sepe antea ab eius regia mate conceptam toto pectore letitiam, suis nunc recentioribus litteris eadem vestra D. ingeminauit et quam pulcherrime adauxit. Ex lectione namque tum cesaree matis tum domini de granuell litterarum, que toti christiano orbi saluberrimam diuinitusque concessam Tunisii expugnationem describebant tam solido gaudio inuictissimus dominus meus rex affectus est, ut si sue ipsi mati gloriosa hec obuenisset victoria, maiori neutiquam affici potuisset nec alium vllum quam qui a deo nunc concessus est, tam sancte a cesare suscepte expeditionis euentu sibi vnquam pollicebatur. Hanc igitur victoriam omni quidem dignam laude, cesaree mati iterum atque iterum gratulatur salutaremque rei publice christiane precatur, cui sic ex corde fauet, vt si vlla vnquam occasione, vllane sua opera, quicquam addi poterit, experietur cesarea matas me nihil de Serenissimi domini mea regis in se affectu, amicoque animo meis antea litteris vestre D. frustra, aut parum sincere totiens affirmasse. Ad id vero quod in suarum litterarum calce vestra D. addidit, vt scilicet, quantum intelligo, bona regia Matis venia, sibi liceat illic Dominam mariam inuisere iuxta regia pollicita impense rogo D. vestram, vt istud suum desiderium velit in meum reditum defferre, tuncque futurum spero quod tum hac in re, tum aliis omnibus presenti meo sermone vestre dois expectationi plurimum satisfiet siue feliciter valeat. Ex aula regia apud Wolfal die x. septembris.
v. D.
Ex animo amicissimus
Thomas Crumuell.
Add. Magnifico atque observando domino Eustachio Chapuysio Cesare matis oratori.
118. ‹Cromwell› to ——.
R.O. Cal. ix. 470. Sept. 29 ‹1535›.
The King desires him to pay half the last year’s rent of the bishopric of Worcester to the Bishop, and the remainder to M. Gostwick for the King.
[853]I commend me vnto you. Aduertisyng thesame, that the kynges pleasure and commaundement is, that ye with convenyent spede after the receyt herof, shall content and pay vnto my lorde the Busshop of Wissetour the halfe yeres rent of the hole Busshopriche due this last yere, and the rest to retayne yn your owne handes to the kynges vse Wherfore I require you furthewith so to do without any delay, as the kynges trust and expectacion is yn you. Thus fare ye hartely well. At Wynchester the xxix day of September.
Postscript.
I Commend me vnto yow aduertysing the same that the kynges highnes pleasure is that of the holle yeres Rent dew to his highnes and levyable at this Fest of Saynt Mychell of the yssews reuenews and proffecttes of the Busshoprych of Worcester ye shall Content and paye or Cause to be Contentyd ‹and› payde vnto my lorde the Busshop of Woorcester the hole half yeres proffyttes evynlye to be deuydyd and the residew For the Fyrst hallffe yere to be payd to the handes of Maister gostwyke to the kynges vse and this ys expresslye the kynges plesure and so Fare ye well at Wynchester
119. Cromwell to the Countess of Oxford.
R.O. Cal. ix. 485 (i). Sept. 30 ‹1535›.
Desires her to restore Mr. Tirrell to the possessions from which she has wrongfully expelled him. The King wishes to have justice done in that cause.
In my most harty maner I commend me vnto your good ladishippe. And wher as ther hathe of long tyme depended betwene you and this berer Maister Tirrell certayne contrauersies, aswell concernyng his clayme to the parke and Bailliswike of Camps, as a certayne copie Holde Whiche he bought in the same Towne, from all the whiche ye haue expulsed hym, I shall most hartely desire and pray you at the especiall contemplacion herof, to restore hym agayne to thesame. Whiche request I make not only vnto you bycause I thinke ye haue vpon displeasures conceyved agaynst hym, parcase in some part by the mysvsyng of hymselfe towardes you, done vnto hym, in his expulsion from the same park Bailliwike and copie hold and your detynewe therof all togither wronge and Iniurye, but because it should be dishonourable to you, to haue the same in open Court of Audience tried agaynst you, and likewise displeasaunt to be, that way disapoynted of your will and pleasure, whiche as I nowe frendly and frankly write vnto you, bicause that I wold be glad, ye shuld without constraynt do as shall apperteyne to your honour, and iustice. So I am enforced to aduertise you, as your poore frende, that the kinges highnes like a prynce of honour is mynded to haue iustice procede without respect in that cause, Eftesones therfore requyryng your good ladiship the rather for my sake without any extremyte to be good lady vnto hym, who I dare affirme wilbe glad to do vnto you during his liffe that seruice and pleasure that shall lye in his litle power. As knoweth god who send your good ladiship long liffe and well to fare. From Wynchester the last day of September.
Your ladyshyppis assuryd
Thomas Crumwell.
Add. To the right honourable and my good lady my Lady Anne Countes of Oxford by this youen.
Endd. A lettere directed from my master to the Lady Anne Countes of Oxford.
120. Cromwell to ‹Davye Morgan Kemys›.
R.O. Cal. ix. 486. Sept. 30 ‹1535›.
Requests him to allow John Crede to retain possession of certain lands in Cromwell’s manor of Rumney in Monmouth to which he has a deed, until reasonable cause can be shown for his ejection.
Datum per Copiam
I Commend me to yow. And for Asmoche As I haue seene the Deed made ‹to› John Crede for certeyn Landes in my mannour of Rompney called the Splottes And other Londes there. Which I take to be a goode Deade. And that Notwithstanding the said Crede Saithe that ye entend to putt hym From the Same. Wherefore I Requyre you to permytt And Suffre hym to holde And kepe the possession thereof According to the tennour of his Deade Vntill Suche tyme as Apon youre Aduertisement thereof I maie knowe A Reasonable Cause . Whie he shuld be putt from the same. Att Wynchester the Laste daie of September.
Your Loving maister
Thomas Crumwell.
121. Cromwell to Chapuys[854].
Vienna Archives; Cal. ix. 484. Sept. 30, 1535.
Reports the King’s joy at the news of the Emperor’s success at Tunis. Desires Chapuys to postpone a little longer his visit to the Princess Mary. Cf. Letter [117].
Magnifice et observande domine orator plurimam salutem et commendationem. Litteras quas vestra D. antea ad me dedit grato hilarique semper animo accepi, non mediocremque animi letitiam ob id presertim semper attulerunt, quod cesaree matis successus vt sperandum et christiano reipublice salutiferos, vberrime nunciabant; recentiores vero iste eo nomine gratiores acceptioresque extitere quod succinte atque distincte totius expeditionis rerum, temporum atque locorum seriem et euentum ab ipso initio in hunc vsque diem sic describunt et ob ipsos oculos ponunt vt eas legendo rebus gestis prope modum mihi videar interfuisse, tantaque Serenissimus dominus meus rex animi attentione de hiis me referentem audiebat vt fraternum eius erga cesaream matem affectum et propensum quoddam erga publicam quietem Studium quam facile fuerit agnovisse. Ad id porro quod per ministrum suum vestra dominatio mecum agit et de quo statuendo iniectis comperendinationibus se protrahi suspicatur, non possum pro mutue nostre coniunctionis sinceriorisque amicitie vinculo, eam non summopere rogare, et pro innata sua prudentia et animi equitate, boni consulere velit, quicquid in hoc Dominationis vestre desiderio deffertur quum nihil interim omittatur quod ex Serenissimi domini mei regis honore et dignitate, simulque illustrissime domine marie securiori salubriorique educatione esse posse videatur, quum maiori cure nemini sit quam ipsi Serenissimo patri, qui regie sue humanitatis nimis esset oblitus nisi carissimam filiam paterno complecteretur affectu et aliorum vigilantia sibi in mentem redigi expectaret, quod salubritati, atque solatio filie esse posset. Itaque quam possum ex animo dominationem vestram obsecro, vt suum istud illustrissimam dominam mariam inuisendi desiderium ab amico pectore potius quam vlla necessitate profectum in aliud commodius tempus defferre non grauetur, et enim vt fieri facile potest de huius illustrissime domine neglecta valetudine falso aliquid ad vos deferri, ita a dominatione vestra peto, vt affirmanti mihi velit certam habere fidem nihil scilicet cure studii, atque diligentie omitti quod ad illustrissime domine Marie conseruationem expedire posse videatur. Pestis deinde sic londini, locisque vicinioribus seuit, vt inofficiosus videri posset, quicunque illinc veniens dominam mariam in aere alique temperie agentem, quam saluberrima, officii gratia nunc temporis vellet inuisere. Non grauetur itaque dominatio vestra hoc meum responsum benigne amiceque, vt solet interpretari nilque a me prospiciet pretermissum, quod ex huius regie matis dignitate, Cesaris honore et domine marie conseruatione esse potuerit. Sed de hiis in proximum congressum colloquemur vberius, et felix valeat vestra dominatio cui ex animi sententia, optima queque euenire precor. wintonie die vltimo septembris 1535.
E. v. D.
Ex corde amicus
Thomas Crumuell.
Add. Magnifico Domino Eustachio Chapuysio Cesaree matis oratori plurimum observando.
122. Cromwell to Sir Gregory da Casale.
R.O. Cal. ix. 240. Sept. 1535.
Explains, for the Pope’s benefit, the reasons for the executions of More and Fisher, and describes them as men proved guilty of high treason. Wonders at the Pope’s indignation at their just sentence.
Magnifice Domine Gregori plurimam salutem et commendacionem. Quae tum ex ferraria tum ex bononia vestris letteris nuper ad me scripsistis, sigillatim omnia (ut mei est officii) Serenissimae Regiae Maiestati significaui, in quibus, ut multa erant, publicarum rerum cognitionis gratia lectu non iniucunda, et vestri cum Domino Parisiensi habiti sermones ipsi probantur, ita non satis demirari potuit, Episcopi Roffensis et Thomae Mori mortem, pontificis, illiusque curiae animum adeo grauiter offendisse, ut ex hac re conceptam indignationem haud facile possint concoquere, licetque Inuictissimae Regiae Maiestati mortalium nemini, praeterque Deo (cum quo actiones, consiliaque sua habet quam maxime coniuncta) ulla sit factorum suorum reddenda ratio, ne tamen maleuolorum calumniis, ac ueritatis obscuratione, Regium suum nomen istic traducatur, quid ea in re actum fuerit succincte ad vos perscribam: Postquam igitur Regia Maiestas bene fauente, ac promouente Deo, causam suam publicam eruditissimorum, probatissimorumque totius christianitatis virorum, qui nullis passionibus, seu affectibus essent obnoxii, consensu, et authoritate tandem terminasset, et ad ipsam ueritatem omni ex parte firmasset, coeperunt isti boni viri, quibus res praeter expectationem ceciderat, et spes moliendi noua (ut iam animo agitarant) praecisa fuerat, in alias cogitationes, syncere parum, animum intendere, quumque optimus Rex ex uigilantissimi principis officio (quod a Deo acceptum sustinet in terris) sui Regni quieti, et commodo prospicere, hominumque mores multa iam parte collapsos in melius corrigere conaretur, istud etiam publicum bonum, quoad fieri per eos potuit, simulatae integritatis praetextu adnissi[855] sunt, sed nullo cum fructu impedire, atque praeuertere, huius eorum sceleris indicia Rex habebat perquam manifesta, sed ut vana semper floccifecit, et nihili habuit, sperans aliquando futurum quod hac sua indulgentia, hos viros (quos ut non penitus cognitos nonnunquam antea in precio habuisset) ad aliquam frugem, ac mentis sanitatem reuocaret, At ipsi, quibus genuina ambitio, sui ipsius amor et sapientia quaedam singularis diuersum persuaserat, optimi principis benignitate, ac mansuetudine pertinaciter sunt abusi, et ubi publicum Regni concilium (quod parliamentum uocant) pro Regni quiete stabilienda, ut ad certa tempora haberetur, indictum foret, ceperunt undecunque sollicita cum sedulitate clanculum exquirere, qua de re tractari, quidque in hoc parliamento, ut expediens rei publicae agi oporteret, quicquid uero aliorum delatu ex re praeterita rerum usu, uel coniectura usque collegissent id statim communibus consiliis trutinabant, omnia secus interpretantes, que Regni quies ac utilitas exposcebat, eo quidem argumentorum et rationum apparatu, ut rudi plebeculae non multo cum labore potuisset imponi, quumque ex conscientia parum sana, Regis animum sibi offensum suspicarentur, ueriti ne parum commode, audacterque, quod tacite animo moliebantur, tractare possent, ex hiis nonnullos delegerunt, quos audaculos aut linguae uelocitate promptiores, aut sui studiosos existimarunt cum his antiquioris amicitiae occasione agebant familiaribusque colloquiis excipiebant, ac si quos morbo animi laborantes suae opinionis reperissent, in horum sinum iam antea conceptum pectore uenenum euomebant, suae erga claementissimum Regem fidei, et obseruantiae, atque in ipsam patriam charitatis prorsus obliti, Haec dum in uulgus haberentur passimque sparsa promiscue essent, haud somnulenter solertissimus princeps perscrutari coepit, quibus fundamentis tam impia coniuratio niteretur, quibusque enutriretur authoribus, luce clarius perspexit, ab hiis integerrimis iuris tantam iniquitatem deriuari, quam redarguebant non obscuri testes, ultro, citroque missa chyrographa, ipsorumque oris confessio, haec et alia que multa iustissimum principem adegerunt, ut hos rebelles, ac degeneres subditos, in patriam ingratos, communi bono aduersos, publicae pacis turbatores, tumultuosos, impios, seditiososque viros in uincula carceresque coniecerit, nec id praetermittere poterat, nisi patefacta iniquitate, sui officii consulto immemor permittere uoluisset, huius sceleris contagionem publica cum pernicie in quam multos transferri. Carceribus autem mancipati tractabantur humanius, atque mitius quam par fuisset, pro eorum demeritis, per Regem illis licebat proximorum colloquio, et consuetudine frui, ij fuerant illis appositi, praescriptique ministri, quos a uinclis immunes antea fidos charosque habebant, id cibi genus eaque condimenta, et uestitus ei concedebantur, quae eorum habitudini, ac tuendae sanitati, ipsi consanguinei, nepotes atque affines, et amici iudicabant esse magis accommoda, Coeterum tanta Regis mansuetudine, fides, obseruantia, ueritas, amorque recti apud rebelles istos, proditoresque homines usque adeo exoleuit, ut constanter iniqui esse maluerint, quam sui sceleris poenitentia Regis bonitatem atque claementiam experiri, et enim postquam certae leges, statuta, atque decreta, re prius multa deliberatione in omnem partem discussa, publica parliamenti authoritate, assensu atque consensu condita praescriptaque fuere, et ab omnibus nullo discrimine, repugnante nullo, ut sancta necessaria toti Regno utilia, et cum uera christi religione potissimum consentientia admissa, atque recepta sunt, soli isti repugnabant, suae impietatis praesidium semper aliquod fortuitum sibi ex tempore pollicentes, nonnunquam omissa rerum humanarum cogitatione se totos diuinarum contemplationi egregie simulabant addictos, interim studia, uigilias, cogitatusque, suos omnes utcunque carceribus obnoxii eo intendebant, ut quibuscunque possent fallaciis, praestigiosisque argumentis tam sanctas Regni leges, tantaque authoritate firmitas ac rectissime stabilitas, soli ipsi perniciosissimae seditionis principes in commune malum eluderent, refellerent, atque turbarent, huius autem tam impiae, perfidae ac iniquae affectae uoluntatis extant manifestissima indicia extant chyrographa ipsa eorum manu carbonibus, et creta (si quando deerat atramentum) depicta, ultro, citroque clam ab ipsis destinata, neque ipsi ibant inficias complures mutuo acceptas missasque litteras, fuisse in ignem coniectas ut tacitum, tutumque suae iniquitatis seruatorem, aliud nihil hiis litteris conscriptum erat, quam quod ad publicam seditionem potissimum spectaret, sustinere diutius non potuit mitissimus Rex istorum culpam tam atrocem, legumque examini publico foro et aperto iudicio illos commisit, Laesae Maiestatis, ac rebellionis rei reperti sunt, atque damnati, supplicium de eis sumptum est longe quidem mitius quam leges, ac iudicia praescribebant aut eorum culpa exegisset, ex quorum exemplo ad sanitatem, ad fidem quam multi rediere: Quicunque sano defecatoque est iudicio non obscure huic perspicere potest quod praecipitanter pontifex, et curia Romana ullam ex hac re animi offensionem conceperit, per Regiam Maiestatem non stat, quominus pontifex in suos Cardinales Episcopos eosque omnes, in quos ius ullum sibi uendicat, iure suo utatur, non eorum causam suam aestimat, nec offenditur, si pontifex, aut quiuis alius christianus princeps ullum de male mentis subditis aut rebellibus supplicium exigat: Iterum igitur, atque iterum miratur, pontificem ex hac re tantum indignationis animo concepisse, sed hanc indignationem, quam tantopere exacerbare uidetur curia, tunc depositam iri putat, quum desierint maleuoli suggerere quae falsa sunt, quumque mentiendi uia fuerit illis praeclusa, quibus quum nil aeque graue, atque molestum sit, quam quod suorum consiliorum tam strenua fundamenta deiecta fuerint, id operae precium non exiguum esse ducunt, ut hoc uelamine suas technas callide contegant priuatamque offensionem, si quae sit, pontificis causam faciant. Non grauetur itaque pontifex, si Regia Maiestas suo Regnique sui iure, si quando expedit, uicissim utatur: Haec itaque omnia tum pontifici, tum coeteris omnibus, qui ex horum rebellium suscepto supplicio quicquid offensionis concoeperint sedulo enarrabitis, ut quam ex falsa auditione animi molestiam imbiberunt, hanc uera audiendo, multa mentis tranquillitate quandoque deponant, nihilque omittetis, in eorum qua superius commemoraui enarratione, etenim Regiae Maiestati gratissimum erit, ne ipsa ueritas, ut se habet, maleuolorum calumniis obscuretur, quia si tantum increbuerit mendax paucorum delatio, ut nullus hac in re amplius apud illos sit locus ueritati relictus, falsas eorum calumnias quantum cum Deo poterit Regia Maiestas sustinebit, quae sic Regni sui statum, resque omnes undequaque firmitas, stabilitasque habet, sic suorum fidem, pectora, et obseruantiam compertam tenet, ut iniuriam omnem, si qua alicunde inferatur, queat non multo cum labore deo bene iuuante, refellere et propulsare. Et bene valete. Ex Aula Regia apud Brumham Die Septembris MDXXXV.
Vester bonus amicus
Thomas Crumwell.
Add. Magnifico Equiti, Domino Gregorio Casalio etc.
123. ‹Cromwell› to ——.
R.O. Cal. ix. 241 (ii). ‹Sept. 1535.›
The King thanks the recipient for his letter, and for the articles of the charge he has given to the inquests, and desires him to act further according to his discretion.
After right harty commendacion, ye shall vnderstand that I have resceyved your lettere of the xxvith day of August with the articles of the charge that ye haue geven to thenquestes ther the whiche lettere and articles I have at large shewed and declared vnto the kinges highnes who[856] consideryng your payne and travaill takyn therin right well allowithe and acceptithe your good procedynges and doynges in that behalfe, yevyng vnto you therfore right harty thankes, requyryng[857] the same farther like as ye have alredy begonne So to procede therin withe suche acceleracion and spede as ye convenyently may do, accordyng to thexpectacion and trust that his highnes hathe in you. And touchyng the enquestes that ye have charged for that purpose all though they be the kinges seruauntes and sworne for that purpose, yet for asmoche as many of theym in some poyntes perchaunce may be offendours will therfore conceyll and not fynd the truthe in euery poynt. Wherfore the kinges pleasure is that ye well consideryng the same may order and devise euery thyng after your discresion, and as ye shall se cause besides theffect of the verdictes of thesame enquestes.
124. Cromwell to the Mayor, Bailiffs, and Burgesses of Cambridge.
Cooper’s Annals, i. 373; Cal. ix. 615. Oct. 15 ‹1535›.
As the King has approved his election as Chancellor of the University, he desires them to appear at the two yearly leets held by the University, and not to deny to the University the use of the King’s prison called the Tolbooth.
In my right harty maner I commende me unto youe. And whereas it hath pleased the kings highnes, uppon an election passed by the universitie of Cambridge wherin they chose me to be their hedde and Chaunceler, to condescende that I shuld accepte and take the same, to the intent that all matiers depending betweene you and them, in contencon and variaunce, might be rather by my meane and mediacon be finished, and soo determyned, as eyther parte myght enjoye such privileages as shuld be thought conveniente for them, with the advauncement of justice, the quiet and tranquillitie of the common weale, Wherin I purpose with suche dexteritie to travayl, as you shall have good cause to think that all respects and affecttions laide aparte, I only mynd that which appertayneth to the office of a faithfull counsailor. Ye shall understande, that forasmoche as I am credibly advertised, that notwithstanding the said universitie hath hertefor had not only the serche of vitail and the correccon of waightes and measures there, and may by the kings Charters (as they doo and of long tyme have doon) kepe two letes in the yere, to be furnyshed with the townesmen, for the punishment and amerciament of suche as shuld be founde offenders in that behaulf, but also the use of the kings prisonne there called the Tolbothe, for the punyshment of all such other offences, as they may by their said Charters correct and punish, the rather of perverse mynd than otherwise, doo from tyme to tyme, when the said letes be summoned, as wel make slender appearance in the same, ne being theer charged, present and amerce the offenders, as by virtue of your othe you be bounde, wherby the good order to be observed therin is utterly confounded, to the great detryment of the publique weale of the hole towne, with the inquietacon of the kings subgiectts abiding within the same, As utterly deny them the use of the said prisonne; I have thought good, by these my lettres, to desire and praye youe, and nevertheles on the kings behaulf for the better preservacion of his graces peax, to commaunde youe, not only to mak your due appearance in the said letes, and their to enquire, present, and amerce the offenders, as hath been accustomed, but also bothe to permytt and suffer them to have the correction of waightes and measures, and the use of the said prisonne at their liberties, as they have had, without your denyal or interrupcon to the contrary, untyl suche tyme as the kings highnes shal take finall order and direction in all things depending in variaunce or question betweene youe, whiche his Majestie wil not fayle to do with al speede and celeritie. And thus fare youe hartely well. From Stepnay, the 15th daye of Octobre.
Your lovyng freend,
Thomas Crumwell.
Add. To my hartely beloved Freendes the Mayre, Bailieffs, and Burgesses, of the towne of Cambridge, and to every of them.
125. ‹Cromwell› to John Gostwick.
B.M. Titus B. iv, ff. 114–115; Cal. ix. 647. Oct. 20, 1535.
Finds that Gostwick is charged with the sum of £16,032 16s. 8d. due to the King from divers persons, for conveying corn out of the realm. Desires him to collect as much of it as he can.
Mr Gostwyck. Where ye stande Charged in the Bookes of Specialties Betwene you & me made at your furst entrie into your Office subscribed with our handes for the Receipt of Sixtene Thousande thirty & two poundes sixtene shillinges and eight pence, due vnto the Kinges Maiestie by diuerse & sundry personnes, for the Conveyaunce of Corne & other thinges out of this Realme contrary to the Kinges Lawes, as appereth by the condicions of their obligacions, remaynyng in your Custodye, And forasmuche as I do vnderstande and perfitely knowe that a grete parte of the said summe of xviml xxxii li xvi s viii d ys vnlevyable, desperat & cannot be had nor recouered by reason that certain of the saide personnes haue certificaths, somme other fallen in vtter decay, by occasion of the grete losses & hynderaunces that they haue susteyned as well by See, as Lande, And somme of theim dedde, & not knowing of whome to be aunswered Whereby I haue Considered the same to be mattier of Conscience, not intending nor mynding to charge you further than shall stande with the same, nor with nomore sume or summes than hath or herafter shall comme vnto your handes Have therfore thought it good, aswell for your Discharge, and myne, As also for the spedy Recoueryng and Receipt of the Rest of the Money due by the saide specialties, this to devise & wryte, By the same in the Kinges Maiesties name Auctorizing you, to call all the said parties before you, with all seleritie & spede, And by your discrescion, so to vse them, That the kinges highnes may be aunswered of the money, that by your saide discrescion shalbe thought of verey right & Conscience sufficient. Further in the kinges name Auctorizing you by vertue herof, to take newe composicions of suche as hath not their money in arredynesse. And also by the same to deliuer all suche specialties vnto the parties or ther deputies, as shalbe proved of right either to haue Certificate or other sufficient Discharge. And this Subscribed with my hande shalbe vnto you your heires executours & deputies sufficient Discharge at all tymes hereafter, for your so doing. Wrytten the xxti day of Octobre the xxviiti yere of the Reigne of our Soueraigne Lorde king Henry the eight.
Endd. A minute of a lettre to Mr Gostwyke, towching a newe ordre and composicion to be taken with certayn persons standing chardged in grete sommes of monaye vnto the kinges Maiestie whiche be vnleviable and desperate by reason the parties by casualtes be brought to greate pouertie
126. Cromwell to Gardiner.
B.M. Add. MSS. 25,114, f. 110; Cal. ix. 848. Nov. 19 ‹1535›.
Urges him to work diligently in France for the delivery of the ships at Bordeaux. Sends a dozen of Gardiner’s orations and a dozen of those of the Dean of the Chapel Royal also, for him to distribute according to his discretion.
My veray good lorde aftre my moost harty commendacions by maister brian whom the kinges highnes at this tyme sendeth vnto his good brother the frenche king sufficiently instructed to certain purposes, as by his instructions wherunto ye shalbe participant and make him again the semblable to yours, ye shal perceyve, ye shal receyve his highnes letteres, touching matiers of importaunce, whiche as his grace doubteth not but ye wil setfurth with suche dexteritie as shal best conduce his desire to effecte Soo his pleasure is ye shal with suche stomak and courage travail with the frenche king and his counsail in that pointe touching the delyueraye of the shippes as ye maye not onely obteyne the same but also declare and shewe therwith howe ingrately his highnes is handeled therin specially being at this tyme soo secrete and freendly treatie betwene him and his good brother as there is for matiers of soo high consequence, amonges whiche thinges also his grace desireth youe to remembre the declaracion of the french king of tharticles sent by Melancton, luthers epistle in the same, with thother circumstances conteyned in the copies lately sent vnto you. Ye shall also receyve herwith a dosen of your orations and another dosen of the deanes, whiche the kinges pleasure is ye shall by thaduise of Mr. brian and Maister Wallop destribute to suche persounes there as amonges youe ye shal think convenient. In whiche treatie to be had concernyng the shippes ye may not forget to inculce what Joye the subgiettes here conceyved for his recouerye in the procession, and howe they bee again sithens stayed vppon this staye of the shippes whiche hath indede soo contrary a countenaunce to our doinges as it is no mervayl thoughe they be abasshed at it. And this matier the kinges highnes woll haue you chiefly prosecute, leving to Sir John Wallop only the sute for the moneye, bicause the promyse therof was made vnto him. And thus I pray god sende your lordshipp well to fare. From the Rulles the xixth daye of Nouembre
Your lordshippis assuryd
Thomas Crumwell.
Add. To my veray good lorde my lorde of Winchestre the kinges highnes Ambassador at this tyme with the french king.
Endd. From the Roulles the xixth of Novembre. Mr. Secretary
127. Cromwell to Gardiner and Wallop.
B.M. Add. MSS. 25,114, f. 232; Cal. ix. App. 8. Dec. 7 ‹1535›.
Desires them to discover the real inclination of the French King, and to ascertain whether they have any secret plans on foot. Gives a list of the sums of money due to the King.
Aftre my moost harty commendacions with like thankes for your gentle letteres and aduertisementes of the Occurrantes there, ye shal at this tyme receyve the kinges highnes letteres answering to yours of the xxviiith of Nouembre The contentes wherof as his highnes doubteth not but ye wil duely consider and accomplishe tempering neuertheles the same in suche sorte, as your wisedomes shall think maye best serue to thentertaynement of thamytie betwene his grace and the frenche king, and the conducing of his graces desire to effecte. Soo his highnes specially desireth youe to endeuour yourselfes by all the meanes ye canne possibly deuise and excogitate to explore serche and knowe the veray inclynacion of the frenche king and whither the frenchemen haue any pryvie practises in hande, and of the lightlywod of the successes of the same with suche other occurrantes as shall chaunce to comme to your knowleage to aduertise his highnes, as I shal for my parte desire youe to doo to me the semblable as the tyme and hast of your dispeches wil give you leave. The treatie belli offensiui ratified at Amyans I sende vnto youe herwith, And as concernyng thaccompt of the money due to the kinges highnes First there is due to his grace 1Ml[858] crownes lent to the duke of Bavier for the whiche the frenche king standeth bounde by obligacion. Item 1Ml[858] crownes lent at his request for the assistence of the duke of Wittenberge, for the whiche they haue non acquietance, but were bounde by promyse to repaye it in cace there ensued no good successe of themployment of the same whiche condition and convenaunt is without question determyned.
Item there is due vnto his grace the hole pencion and salt moneye for the last yere ended at Nouembre.
And wheras the kinges highnes in these his letteres nowe sent vnto youe hathe commaunded youe Mr. wallop to presse themperours, Ambassadour for your declaration to the denyal of thouertures, like as I writing by his graces commaundement vsed the same terme, for declaracion of yourself, to thintent ye shal not thinke that anything is further ment therby thenne to haue youe vse that worde to him to extorte what ye canne in that matier, his highnes commaunded me in this sorte to expounde the same vnto youe. And thus moost hartely fare youe well. From Richemont the viith of decembre.
The kinges highnes specially desireth youe to remembre his commandement touching the delyuerance of the shippes
Your assuryd Freend
Thomas Crumwell.
Add. To myn assured frendes My lorde of Winchestre and sir John Wallop knight the kinges Ambassadours in fraunce.
Endd. From Richemonde the viith of decembre. Mr. Secretary.
128. Cromwell to Gardiner.
B.M. Add. MSS. 25,114, f. 234; Cal. ix. App. 9. Dec. 7 ‹1535›.
Has been unable to obtain a copy of the treaty which he promised to send, and thought it better to postpone sending it than to delay the bearer. The King desires him to labour for the delivery of the ships.
Aftre my moost harty commendacions to your lordshippe Thise shalbe to aduertise youe that Albeit in myn other letteres writen ioyntly to youe and Maister Wallop I haue signified that ye shuld by this berer receyve the treaty belli offensiui whiche ye wrote for, yet having here suche busines that I could ‹not› departe to london to cause the same to be copied, I thought it more expedient to differre the sending of it vntil we shal dispeche another currour vnto youe, thenne to demore your seruaunt here tyl I might haue goon to london for that purpose. And wheras your said seruaunt hath declared vnto me your credence concernyng your necessitie of money, I shall not fayle by the next messanger to take suche direction with youe for the satisfaction of your desire in that parte as ye shall haue cause to be contented. The kinges highnes desireth youe to labour effectually ‹for› the delyuerance of the shippes at Burdeulx according to suche instructions as ye haue in that behaulf. And thus moost hartely Fare youe well. From Richemonte the viith daye of Decembre in hast
Your lordshippis assuryd Freend
Thomas Crumwell.
Add. To my veray good lorde my lorde of Wynchestre the kinges Ambassadour in fraunce.
Endd. From Richemonde the viith of decembre. Mr. Secretary.
129. Cromwell to the Mayor, Aldermen and Bailiffs of Cambridge.
Cooper’s Annals, i. 377; Cal. ix. 977. Dec. 15 ‹1535›.
Marvels that they have not complied with his requests that the University be permitted to use the Tolbooth, and desires them to delay no longer. Will see that justice is done in all respects.
In my right harty maner I comende me unto youe. Lating you wit that I cannot a little marvayle to understand that notwithstanding my sundrey lettres hertofor addressed unto youe, tuching the permission of the use of the Tolboth, the furniture of the Universitie leates, the advoyding of newe practises, usages, or imposicions, wherby might insewg debate and contencion betweene you and the said universitie, to your owne disquiet, with the offence of the kings peax, ye have both refused to doo and accomplish those things persuaded and enioined therin unto youe, and for the contynuance and nutryment of discorde and trouble amonge the kings subiectts, devised newe things and meanes to augment and engrece the same. The prysonne first is the kings, and seing his grace by his charters and grauntes hath ioyned the universitie with youe in the use therof, I cannot conceyve what ye meane to denye that whiche his grace hath graunted, and by vertue thereof, they have so long enjoyed, which expressly your baylie Ousburn did bothe to the procurators, and also to the vicechancelors deputie. A sergeant of yours also lately tok a peace of cloth from the stall of a commone minister of the Universities for non apparance in your Leate contrary to the comandment given at the tyme of Sturberige fayr, that ye shuld reyse no newe custome, or gather any newe exaction or imposiccon, uppon any scoler, his servaunt or their comone ministers; ye have also refused alonly this yere, to make a certain othe before the congregacion at Saint Maryes church, for the conservacion of the peax, and the presentement to the vicechauncelor of vagabundes and others, breakers and interrupters of the said peax. Nowe shal I, being only a Counsailor, and otherwise then honestie and justice wil no partie, whiche have not only proffessed to travayl for the quiet of both parties, but will devise and labor also to performe the same, desire youe to permytt them, first to have the free use of the tolboth as they have had: to see the cloth restored, taken violently awaye by your sergeant; To see their leats furnished, and to tak such othe, and use all suche things and custumes as ye have doon, untyl fynal direction may be taken betweene both parties. And yet I must ever saye, whiche ye shall also fynde true, that in cace ye shall doo any wrong, or not fulfill that ye be bound unto, wherby tumult and busines shuld rise amonge the kings people, though I do indede favor your cause, as appertayneth, and will also be gladde to doo therein what I canne for your comoditie, Yet in cace prayer and gentle entreatie cannot pull and allure youe awaye from the doing of wrong and iniury, both to the king and his subjectts, I will not fayle to advaunce, to the uttermost of my power Justice and to see punished with extremytie the interrupters thereof, to the example of other. And therfor eftsones, I most hartily praye youe to conforme yourselfs to quietnes in these pointes, and therein to performe that without contencon whiche the princes grauntes, ever to be reverently obeyed, doo require of youe, Ye shal by this waye and meane, doo your dueties, first toward his grace, to me administer most thankfull pleasure, and with your honesties provyde yourselfs quiet and rest, with a good end in all suche controversies as depende between youe and the said universitie. And thus fare youe hartely well. From Stepnaye, the xvth daye of Decembre.
Your freend,
Thomas Crumwell.
Add. To my loving freendes, the Mayre, Aldermen and bailieffs of the towne of Cambridge.
130. Cromwell to Gardiner.
B.M. Add. MSS. 25,114, f. 112; Cal. ix. 1010. Dec. 24 ‹1535›.
Thanks him for his letters, and promises to attend to Gardiner’s wants. The postscript of Cromwell’s other letter will inform Gardiner of Thwaites’ arrival here, and of the answers made to the letters he brought.
Aftre my moost harty commendacons to your lordshippe with like thankes for your gentle letteres by the post scripta in myn other letteres nowe writen vnto youe by the kinges highnes commaundement ye shal perceyve tharryval here of your seruaunt Thwaytes, with the determynacion for answer to be made to suche letteres as he brought with him. I shall in the meane tyme so satisfie peter lark your seruaunt touching your request for money that ye shall by the next post perceyve ye be not forgotten, but sufficiently and soo furnished as ye shall haue cause to be contented. Your doinges be no lesse thankfully accepted, thenne your wisedom travail and diligence therin do require and for my parte if there be anything elles here that I may doo your pleasure in, vppon your aduertisement I shalbe glad with al my harte to satisfie youe in the same. And thus most hartely fare youe wel, from the Rulles the xxiiijth of Decembre
Your lordshippis assuryd freend
Thomas Crumwell.
Add. To my veray good lord my lord of Winchestre.
Endd. From the roulles the xxiiij of december Mr. Secretary.
131. Cromwell to Gardiner.
B.M. Add. MSS. 25,114, f. 114; Cal. ix. 1039. Dec. 30 ‹1535›.
The King approves of his service, and assures him that he will be glad to welcome him on his return. Reports the illness of Katherine. Has arranged for his money with Peter Lark.
My veray good lord aftre my moost harty commendacions Thise shalbe taduertise youe that vndoubtedly the kinges highnes doth in soo thankfull sorte accepte your seruice there doon vnto his maiestie, and in euery condicion soo allowe approve and commende your wise substanciall and discreate proceding, as like as ye haue moche cause to reioyse therin, soo shall the same be certain meane and occasion, that ye shall assuredlye what ende soeuer your busines there shall take, returne to his highnes as hartely welcom and in as greate reputacion as youe could yourself desire, wherof for my parte I am euen for many respectes as gladde as ye canne be yourself. Touchyng his graces affayres I write nothing bicause the same be sufficiently touched in his highnes letteres nowe addressed vnto youe, only for newes ye shal vndrestand that the douagier is in greate daunger whiche his Maiestie also willed me to signifie vnto youe, as by the copye of a lettere sent from themperours Ambassador here touching her syknes ye shal perceyve. And as concernyng your money I haue taken ordre with your servaunt peter lark, soo as ye shall I doubt ‹not› be shortly therin satisfied. And thus beseching god to sende youe a good newe yere, I bid youe as well to fare as I wold myself. From the Rulles the penultime of Decembre
Your lordshippis assuryd freend
Thomas Crumwell.
Add. To my veray good lord, My Lord of Winchestre the Kinges highnes Ambassadour in Fraunce.
Endd. From the Roulles the xxxth of Decembre Mr. Secretary
132. ‹Cromwell› to ‹the Prior of Montacute›.
R.O. Cal. ix. 1127. ‹1535.›
Has received his letters saying that a young person has made suit to obtain the lease after its expiration. The King is assured that he will not recommend any one to him who will not act honourably and for the King’s profit.
In my right hertie maner I commende me vnto you Aduertesing the same that I haue receyued your letteres right well perceyuing the contentes of the same And where as ye write vnto me that a nother person of younger yeres should make sute for thopteyning of the lease after the yeres all redie graunted in the same being expired and determyned the truth is that there is labour made aswell vnto Mr. Norres as other which is not so vehement ne hastie But that it may be right well stayed. Neuertheles the kinges highnes hauing ferme trust in your dexteritie and wisedom must nedes haue regarde and expectacion in your letteres. Doubting not but ye will not preferre any other vnto his highnes but suche as shalbe right mete to do that thing which shalbe most for their own honestie and will haue good regarde and aspect to the Kinges most proffite.
133. ‹Cromwell› to ‹Pole›[859].
B.M. Cleop. E. vi, 371; Cal. viii. 220. ‹1535.›
Desires the recipient to answer the things contained in Starkey’s letter to him, which was written by the King’s express commandment.
Syr after my most harty recommendatyanys thys shalbe in few & short wordys to requyre you accordyng to the callyng that our lord Jhesu Chryst hath callyd & redemyd you that ys to say as wel wyth the gyft of gud letteres and vnderstondyng, as wyth the most excellent gyft of jugement in the same, ye wyl indeuur yourselfe to make answere vnto such thyngys as be contynyd in master starkeys letteres to you wrytyn at thys tyme, by the kyng our masturys & soueraynys expresse cummandement & that the same answer may be such & of such gravyte, as the lyght & truthe therof may be to the honowre of god, & the satysfactyon of hys hyghnes. Wherof I assure you I wold be as glad as any parent or frend ye haue lyuyng not dowtyng in your approuyd wysedome & jugement but that ye wyl extend the gyftys gyuen vnto you in such wyse as leuyng al your respectys or affectyon wole so inserch your conscyence & jugement for the truth as ye wole both dyscharge yourselfe agaynst god & your prynce, in dowyng wherof you shal assurydly dow the thyng much to thencrese of your meryte & fame, wherin as he that ys your assuryd frend to hys lytyl power I requyre you to haue indyfferent consyderatyon & so to ordur yourselfe therin as the expectatyon of your frendys wythe the jugement of al men that knowyth you may be satysfyd in that behalfe & thus our lord send you no worse to fare than I wold ye dyd at london
Add. To my synguler frend Mayster Edmunde Herwel marchant at Venyce
134. ‹Cromwell› to ‹an Abbot›.
R.O. Cal. viii. 1122. ‹1535.›
In consideration of his willing mind, has obtained the King’s licence for him to resort to his manors near his monastery, provided that by so doing he causes no disturbance.
Ye shall vnderstand that I haue resceyved your letteres[860], and touching that ye desire amonges other thinges licence for your selfe and certayn of your bretherne to walke to your manours and other places about your monastery. Ye shall understand that in consideracion of the good and toward mynd that I have found yn you towardes me and my seruauntes diuerse ways I[861] have opteynyd licence of the kinges highnes for your selfe that ye may resorte vnto your maners and other convenyent walkes nygh vnto your monastery, so that no common brute may be reysed therby, not doubtyng but ye will vse your selfe so (as for the good will and mynd I bere toward you) it may be to the good zele of religion and as I may therby resceyve no disworship therby. so that always your bretherne must nedes use and order theymselfes accordyng to the Iniunccions in that case geven unto theym in that behalf.
END OF VOL. I.
Oxford: Printed at the Clarendon Press, by Horace Hart, M.A.