Spain: 1537 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers, Spain: Further Supplement To Volumes 1 and 2, Documents From Archives in Vienna. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1947.

Citation:

'Spain: 1537', in Calendar of State Papers, Spain: Further Supplement To Volumes 1 and 2, Documents From Archives in Vienna, ed. Garrett Mattingly( London, 1947), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/spain/further-supp/vols1-2/pp452-455 [accessed 27 November 2024].

1537



1537. May 27. H. H. u. St. A. England, f. 7.	Eustache Chapuys to Mary Of Hungary. We were not called to court until the 24th of this month, the delay having been caused by an effort to get together as many of the nobility as possible in order to receive us more magnificently, as we suppose you have already been informed by Master Jehan Hutton, (fn. 1) to whom the king sent a courier the same day. On our arrival at court we presented our credentials from the emperor and from the king of Portugal, and declared the substance of our charge to which the king replied graciously that he was very pleased with the purpose of our mission, and would appoint members of the council to discuss it with us. After dinner the king summoned the princess (Mary), who had withdrawn to her chamber, being somewhat indisposed, and told her that the whole purpose of this embassy was to arrange for her marriage, in which he would follow her own wishes. She replied very prudently, deferring to his will, After she had withdrawn the king called us and asked us about the descent of the Turks, and about the marriage of the duchess of Florence to the pope's nephew (fn. 2), which he fears marvellously. He asked us about the emperor's military preparations, and then went on to speak of the very necessary and holy reformation which he has brought about in the church here, and to suggest that his majesty should do the same, both for the service of God and for his own advantage. After some further conversation he said he did not wish us to return to London that night, but to remain several days, so that he could banquet with us and show us the court, and that we should be able to see and speak to the princess, who was somewhat indisposed, and in her nightdress. On leaving Henry, we presented the emperor's letter to this queen [Jane Seymour] who showed great pleasure, and said that she would always do her best to advance his majesty's affairs and those of the princess. She said that that very night at supper she had tried to persuade Henry to abandon his friendship with France and seek that of the emperor. God grant that matters turn out as she and Cromwell seem to wish. We are going to Cromwell's house to dinner on Monday and we shall then begin to talk business. Cromwell sent us word that he had been informed that the imperial army in the Netherlands was marching to occupy Cambrai, the neutrality of which it was feared the French would violate as they had that of Saint-Pol. In that case, he said, Cardinal Pole ought not to be suffered to remain there. We replied that if what he heard was true, the army would not be going to seize Cambrai, but merely to assist the bishop, who was its lord, and that the emperor, who valued the friendship of England, would not fail to observe all his treaties. It is difficult to understand these people, for the other day at court they were asking us to see that Cardinal Pole remained at Cambrai, and now they want him chased out. Just as I was writing this, Cromwell sent to tell me that he had news that Pole had left Cambrai for Liège, and that he had been received in the emperor's territory and was escorted by the duke d'Aerschot, or at least by his people. He said he was sorry to hear this, and thought that if it came to Henry's ears, the king would be so irritated that the whole negotiation would be upset. Cromwell said that he had sent the king word of Pole's departure, but had not himself gone to court so that he would not be obliged to tell Henry the manner of it. He urged us to ask your majesty to write a letter here saying that Pole had been received without your knowledge, and that you were displeased at what had happened. This, he thought, would soothe Henry. Cromwell sent me this word as if it were a great secret, and added that to please this king you ought not only to make these excuses but also to see that the cardinal left Liège ; otherwise, he said, the treaty would be broken, since the cardinal of Liège was a member of the council and highly placed at the emperor's court. I remonstrated with Cromwell, but he only replied that Henry would not be satisfied with excuses and that the king had said that he would be ill advised to conclude anything with the emperor, who never gratified his wishes but tried to displease him in every way, soliciting a General Council, and allying himself with the pope, and that before he (Henry) reached any agreement with the emperor, he wished to see some signs of good-will on the emperor's part. Your majesty will know how to estimate the importance of this advice. London, 27 May, 1537. P.S.—This was written in the name of Diego de Mendoza and myself, but it seemed to him better that I should sign it alone. Signed, Eustache Chapuys. French. pp. 4.
Nov. 9. H. H. u. St. A. England, f. 6.	Charles V to the Ambassadors in England. Lord Dudley, the king's vice-admiral and councillor, (fn. 3) is returning to England, and we hope he will make a good report of our pleasure of the birth of the king's son. He is bringing back congratulatory letters, copies of which are enclosed ; indeed it seems to us that this son should relieve Henry's cares due to the lack of an heir male, and facilitate the marriage of our cousin, about which negotiation you write very wisely. We have talked to Dudley and he seems to be returning well satisfied. For further assurance we are sending the bearer, Jacques du Chastel (Chasteau), to present our congratulations to the king and queen. Dudley appeared to think that we should send a gentleman of our household to offer our congratulations, but because of the lateness of the season, and the uncertainty of the passage by sea, we delayed doing so until the arrival of Chasteau, who has a safeconduct to return through France. He is a trustworthy person, and has often been employed in affairs of importance. The Sieur de Vely has returned with his negotiations concluded, as you may see by the enclosed copy. We have communicated to Dudley in confidence the result of Vely's negotiations, and told him that the beginning of this peace was in consequence of the advice of the king, his master, for whom we have the greatest respect, and that the king will be included in it as is fitting. We shall keep the English ambassador here informed, as you will say, using friendly but general terms. The English ambassadors here have complained that you have no powers to treat of the matter about which you, Don Diego, were sent to England, and they appear to think that we are not sincere. They have been assured that you have the necessary powers, and told that we do not believe you have lost any time in dealing plainly and sincerely in the matter, the satisfactory conclusion of which you know we have so much at heart. We wish to hasten its conclusion, moreover, so that Don Diego may return, as we told them, adding that the delay proceeded rather from their side. We charge you now to omit nothing to secure a favourable conclusion of this match, and we are writing at once to Portugal to ascertain whether the birth of the English prince alters views there. The English ambassadors happening to speak of our alliance with France, and of the king of England's wish to be concluded, we said to them that, if Henry wished it, we would, of our own motion, and without letting it appear that the proposal came in any way from him, undertake to arrange a good and durable peace between him and the pope. Although the ambassadors replied that they had no instructions on this point, and thought that their master was determined never to return to subjection to the pope, and that even if he wished to do so, his subjects would refuse because of their opinion of His Holiness, nevertheless the proposal did not seem altogether distasteful to them, and they have recurred to the matter since in conversation with Granvelle saying that they thought Henry would take any such action of ours in good part. You will show no sign of any knowledge of this unless it is spoken of to you, and allow the matter to be negotiated through the English ambassador resident here. If the English speak of it, you may point out that it would be a great repose of spirit for the king and for his son, and for all his successors, and a safeguard to his kingdom, for although affairs remain in England as Henry has established them during his life, nevertheless the controversy will continue, the see of Rome will not cease to assert its superiority, and all the other kings, princes and potentates will feel that England alone has withdrawn from the Roman authority. Although you, Don Diego, desire to return, you must remain there, now that this negotiation with France is on foot, so that the English will not be offended and lose hope. We shall permit you to return as soon as feasible. Monzon, 9 November, 1537. Copy. French. pp. 4.