Henry VIII: May 1513, 1-10 | British History Online

Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII, Volume 1, 1509-1514. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1920.

Citation:

'Henry VIII: May 1513, 1-10', in Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII, Volume 1, 1509-1514, ed. J S Brewer( London, 1920), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/letters-papers-hen8/vol1/pp840-847 [accessed 16 November 2024].

May 1513



Calig. D. VI., 343. B.M.	1837. [5781.] NEW FROM FRANCE.
	The lansquenets have passed, as he announced, in four companies, to the number of 6,000 or 7,000, under four French captains, to Challon in Champagne, giving out that they went to Tournay. The said captains left them at Verdun, in Barrois. Finding themselves abandoned and unpaid, they acted like madmen, pillaging two abbeys, hanging men and ravishing women. They even wanted to attack the town of Warenne, telling their provost it were better they should be hanged than return to their country, as the Emperor would cut their heads off. It is said that the Duke of Loraine has [allowed ?] them passage through his country, "par bendes de chinc [cent] au coup. Monsieur, le personnaige que je vou[s] ... lequel sestoit party le lundy de Pasques est [de retour] et dist que le roy de France a envoiiet d[ire a n]ostre maistre que sil voeult tenir l[à trêve que l]es embassadeurs du Roy Catholique [ont fait que] aussy fera il, se che non chacun ... meulx que il porra. Le Sieur de P ... [c]este sepmaine à Therouane à ... à Boullogne comme je croy que ... [D]ieu."
	Fr. Badly mutilited, p. 1
1 May. Stowe MS., 146, f. 119. B.M.	1838. GUISNES.
	Indenture, 1 May 5 Hen. VIII, witnessing receipt by George Boyville (on behalf of Sir Nicholas Vaux, captain of Guisnes) from John Daunce, of the wages (specified) of the garrison for one month from 7 April, 142l. 2s. Signed: George Boyvyle.
	P.1.
2 May. Ib., f. 35. B.M.	1839. SIGISMUND FOYTE.
	Warrant to John Dauncy to pay Sigismond Foyte 99l., for guns (specified) bought for the wars. Greenwich, 26 Jan. 4 Hen. VIII. Signed.
	ii. Foyte's receipt, 28 Jan., subscribed; and his signature witnessed by Somerset herald.
	Parchment. Sealed. Endd.: Ex^r. per Dalison.
Ib., f. 47.	2. The like for 43l. 3s. 4d. Greenwich, 14 March 4 Hen. VIII.
	Parchment. Sealed. Endd.
Ib., f. 56.	3. The like for 287l. 6s. 8d. Greenwich, 2 May 5 Hen. VIII.
	Parchment. Sealed. Endd.
3 May. Sanuto, xvi. Navy Records Soc., x., 144.	1840. ROBERTO ACCIAJUOLI to the SIGNORY OF FLORENCE.
	The English fleet got between Pregianni and the navy at Brest and drove him inshore; but, by landing some of his cannon, he defended himself and killed many English. Suspecting, from the enquiries made, that the English admiral was among the slain, he fished them up and found one with a gold whistle on his neck who seemed either the Admiral or some nobleman.
	Ital.
3 May. Galba B. III., 21. B.M.	1841. [3603.] HOLY LEAGUE.
	Commission to Ponynges, Yonge, Boleyn and Wyngfeld. Westm., 20 Dec. 1512. (See GRANTS IN DECEMBER, 1512. No. 39.)
Ib., 22b.	ii. Emperor's Commission to Margaret of Austria for the same. Cologne, 2 Aug. 1512.
Ib., 23b.	iii. Confirmation clauses of the Emperor and England. Westm., 3 May 1513, r.r. 5 Hen. VIII.
	Copies, pp. 7. Mutilated.
4 May. S.P. Hen. VIII., 229, f. 150. R.O.	1842. NAVAL GUNS.
	Receipt, 4 May 5 Hen. VIII., by Cornelius Johnson, the King's gun-maker, from John Daunce, of 353l. 2s. 6d., for guns for certain ships; previous instalments received 29 Sept. and 21 Dec. 4 Hen. VIII.
	P. 1.
5 May. Stowe MS., 146, f. 57. B.M.	1843. LORD LEONARD GREY.
	Warrant to John Daunce to advance to Lord Leonard Grey, one of the King's spears, his wages for a whole year from 1 May inst., we having "now appointed that the wages of our spears attending upon us shall not be any longer paid, for a season, by the hands of our servant John Heron, treasurer of our Chamber, but only of our war money." Greenwich, 5 May 5 Hen. VIII. Signed.
	Parchment, p. 1.
Ib., f. 58.	2. Gray's receipt for the above wages, 60l. 16s. 8d. Signed.
	Small paper, p. 1.
5 May. Calig. D. VI., f. 107. B.M. Navy Records Soc., x., 145.	1844. [4005.] EDWARD ECHYNGHAM to [WOLSEY].
	"The news of these parts be so dolorous that unneth I can write them for sorrow. How be it I have found you so good master unto me that [it] hath pleased you to cause the King's most noble grace to write unto me." On Friday, 22 April, 6 galleys and 4 foysts came through part of the King's navy, sank the ship that was master Compton's, and strake through one (fn. 1) of the King's new barks, of which Sir Stephen Bull is captain, in seven places, so that she was with difficulty kept above water. Then the ship boats took one of the foystes and the residue of the galleys, went into Whitsand Bay beside Conkett, and there lay all Saturday. On Sunday my Lord Admiral appointed 6,000 men to land between Whitsand Bay and Conkett, and so come upon the rear of the galleys; but in landing espied Sabyn coming under sail, on which he abandoned the project, and sent Mr. Fythwilliam to tell all the captains of great ships to return into the Treade before the haven of Brest, to prevent the French fleet getting out, while the small ships ... upon the galleys. And the small ships and the great lay 4 miles [asunder].
	On St. Mark's day, 25 April, the Admiral appointed four captains and himself to board the [galleys]. The Admiral himself, with 160 men, went in [the one galley] and in the other [my lord F]erris; and in one of two small crayers [went Thomas Cheyne and Wa]lop and in the other went Sir Henry [Shirborne] and [Sir] William Sidnaye. These enterprised to win the French galleys with the help of boats, the water being too shallow for ships. The galleys were protected on both sides by bulwarks planted so thick with guns and crossbows that the quarrels and the gonstons came together as thick as hailstones. For all this the Admiral boarded the galley that Preyer John w[as] in, and Charran the Spaniard with him, and 16 others. By advice of the Admiral and Charran they had cast anchor into ... of the French galley, and fastened the cable to the captain, that if any of the galleys had been on fire they might have veered the cable and fallen off; but the French hewed asunder the cable, or some of our mariners let it slip. And so they left this [noble Admiral in the] hands of his enemies. There was a mariner, wounded in eighteen places, who by adventure recovered unto the buoy of the galley, so that the galley's boat took him up. He said he saw my lord Admiral thrast against the rails of the galley with morris pikes. Charran's boy tells a like tale, for when his master and the Admiral had entered, Charran sent him for his hand gun, which before he could deliver, the one galley was gone off from the other, and he saw my lord Admiral waving his hands, and crying to the galleys, "Come aboard again! Come aboard again!" which when my lord saw they could not, he took his whistle from about his neck, wrapped it together and threw it into the sea. To ascertain whether he was alive or dead, they sent a boat to the shore, with a standard of peace, in which went Thomas Cheyne, Richard Cornewaile, and Wallop. On their landing they were challenged; and, after hostages of France had been taken into the boat, Cheyne and his company landed, there met Preter John on horseback, and inquired about his prisoners, who answered: "Sirs, I ensure you I have no prisoners English within [my] galley but one, and he is a mariner, but there was one that lept into my galley with a gilt target on his arm, the which I [saw] cast overboard with morris pikes; and the mariner that I have prisoner told me that that same man was your Admiral." Lord Ferrers shot away all his ordnance. The lesser row-barge followed and had her master slain. Then came Thomas Cheyne and Wallop in their crayer, and then Sir Henry Shirborne and Sir William Sidnaye, who rushed into Pryer John's galley and broke part of his oars, but being left alone, and thinking the Admiral safe, returned. All were full of sorrow at the Admiral's death, "for there was never noble man so ill lost as he was, that was of so great courage, and had so many virtues, and that ruled so great an army so well as he did, and kept so great order and true justice." Need for a new admiral. Frere Barnardyn at Burdews. The writer and Harper commanded to go to Hampton. Many sick and wounded; many dead of the measles. Saturday, the last day of April, the whole navy came to Plymouth, and on Sunday he himself saw a boat of sick men sent out of a ship of the army; and two of these men so soon as they felt ... of the earth fell down dead.
	At leaving England, on Wednesday, [13] April, chased a ship, off Bechif, which proved to be a Frieslander; and on Thursday spied 15 sails which, on approach, were found to be Spaniards.
	On Friday spied 3 French men of war, "that made unto usward; and then I comforted my folk, and made them to harness; and because I had no rails upon my deck I coiled a cable round a[bout the] deck, breast high, and likewise in the waist, and so hanged upon the cable, [mat]rasses, dagswayns, and such bedding as I had within board, and setting out my [marr]is pykes and my fighting sails all ready to encounter these 3 French barks [with] such poor ordnance as I had; and then they saw that I made unto them with so good a will, and would not shrink from them, then they put themselves to flight, and then I chased them till they came to the abbey of Feckam, [which li]eth hard by the sea side; and so they gat them under the walls of the haven, and we followed them until they shot their ordnance into us." Finding "no remedy to come to them," departed. The 16th April the wind was S.S.W. At 10 o'clock on the 19th spied the French galleys among the rocks whilst he was chasing a Breton. Shortly after, espied 22 sail, which he reckoned to be French. "Sir, ye never saw men so feared as the Spaniards were, for they said, 'Now is the day comyn that we shall be fain to go to the hospital.' Then they in the tops spied another company of ships then lying in the [Treade ?]. And so we made about unto them, sailing through the Broad S[ound] 10 miles out of our course, and came into the Treade the same day, t[o the] Kyng's most royal army being in Brest water with the vytlers, in m[y] company; and then I came aboard to my lord admiral. And then I trow there was never knight more welcome to his sovereign lady [than] I was to my lord Admiral and unto all the whole army, for by [cause that] I brought the vytlers with me. For of 10 days before there was no [man] in all the army that had but one meal a day and once drink. [So making th]us an end of this simple letter, and I praying God to send [to you] honorable fortune. Written at Hampton, the 5 day of M[ay]." Signed.
5 May. S.P. Hen. VIII., 3, f. 197. R.O.	1845. [4007.] JOHN DAWTREY to [FOX] BP. OF WINCHESTER.
	Sends him his letter and a copy of the King's. Has three ships from the West country ready with victuals, and looks daily for the return of those that went to the Trade. Six crayers and certain Spanish ships have just brought victuals from London. The 26 sail of victuallers that lay at the Cowe are now with the army; for Echyngham arrived yesterday, who met Gunson and the victuallers past Portland. Will write to-morrow. Ascension Day.
	Hol., p. 1. Add.
5 May. Sanuto, XVI., 223.	1846. VENICE.
	[Note of letters received 9 May 1513.]
	From the Ambassador at Rome, 5 May.—The Court had letters from England of 8, 11 and 18 April, of preparations against France, departure of the fleet and the King's intention to cross in person; and how he has made a league and gives the Emperor 100,000 cr. to attack France on the other side. Great news,—yet the Pope continues neutral.
	Italian. See Venetian Calendar, II, No. 240.
Ib., 225.	ii. From Vetor Lippomano, Rome, 5 May.—* The King of England, by letters of 11 April, congratulated the Pope upon his promotion and added that, as for peace with France, he had made his preparations to invade France in person and sent his army, so that he could do no less [than proceed]. It is thought that these letters have been made in Rome. *
	Italian.
6 May.	1847. ST. FRIDESWIDE'S PRIORY, OXFORD.
	Election. See GRANTS IN MAY, No. 22.
6 May. Galba B. III., 77. B.M.	1848. [4008.] [HENRY VIII. to PONYNGES and SIR RICHARD WINGFIELD.]
	Has declared to them his pleasure on previous occasions, and, on the last, that the musters should be taken at Gravelyn. Now thinks Dunkirk preferable, or some town nearer Bruges, as the men of war can be better victualled there until the King's army is over. Has authorised for this purpose Sir Nicholas Vaux, Sir Rich. Wingfield, Sir Rich. Carew, and Sir Hugh Conway. Albeit they are to take wages on the 15th, the musters must be made on the 20th May; and notice must be given to that effect. The men of war are to join the van and rear guards when the King's army sets forth from Calais. The Earl of Shrewsbury, captain of the vanguard, shall give them notice where to join him; who begins shipment to Calais, wind and weather permitting, on the 16th. The Lord Herbert, the Chamberlain, shall immediately follow with the rear guard; then the King "with the middle-ward." Arrangements for the members to join the van and rear guard. After the arrangements "ye Sir Edward Ponynges" may at your liberty return; "ye Sir Richard Wyngfeld" after the musters are taken. Lancaster to remain to give notice from time to time of proceedings.
	Corrected draft, pp. 3, mutilated. In Ruthal's hand.
6 May. Stowe MS., 141, f. 16. B.M.	1849. W. LORD MOUNTJOY to SIR WILLIAM SAY.
	His servant William Uvedale and Jane Dansey, one of his wife's gentlewomen, shall be married on Monday next at London, and he and his wife intend to be there. Hints that if possible some venison, pigeons (from Base or Bedwell) and rabbits would be acceptable Greenwich, 6 May.
	P.S.—Begs him to certify soon how many and what personages the writer shall have out of Hertfordshire, how many of them bows and how many bills.
	Hol., p. 1. Add.: To, &c., his good father Sir William Say.
7 May.	1850. GENERAL SURVEYORS.
	Commission of Southwell and Westby. See GRANTS IN MAY. No. 31.
7 May. Calig. D. VI., 104. B.M. Navy Records Soc., X., 154.	1851. [4020.] THOMAS LORD HOWARD to HENRY VIII.
	Arrived yesternight at Dertmouth, and to-day, at 1, came hither weary of riding, when he assembled, in the Mary Rose, the Lord Ferrers and other captains, to whom he rehearsed the King's commandment, and inquired why they came from Britanny without orders. They all replied, for default of victuals, not having 3 days' allowance, notwithstanding that Sab[yan] brought with him nine crayers full. The victuallers who had been despatched came from London hither, and to Dertmouth, and remained till the return of the army. Besides, if a calm had come, the enemy's galleys with their ordnance ("which ordnance, if it be such as they report, is a thing marvellous") might have sunk any of their ships without the slightest annoyance from them. One of the enemy's galleys in a calm would have distressed two of theirs, "and drowned with their oars as many boats as came within reach of them." And also all the masters say that if the wind had blown streynably at S.W. or W.S.W., or W. by S., "there had been no remedy, [and of] force they must have run into Croydon bay, where they should have ly[en] near the shores of both sides, being already sore bulwarked; that without [they] had been able to have beaten the Frenchmen from the land, the said French[men with] their ordnance might have destroyed all your fleet lying there.
	And as to the actual feats of all such noblemen and gentlemen as were pr[esent when] my brother, the Admiral, was drowned (whom Jesu pardon), I assure your [highness so] far forth as I can by anywise understand they handled themself as [manly as ever] men did to obtain their master's pleasure and favour." There were but 175 men, "of whom were left on life but 56, and of those b. ... my Lord Ferrers' men 25 slain and 20 hurt and may[med] ... galye had not fallen on grounde beyng nere the shore then the od[er] ... wyse borded as the oder dyd and of lyklyhode fewe had escaped." [Sir Henry] Shernburne and Sir William Sydney boarded a galley in a small [boat], and had but 3 slain and 7 hurt. Cheney and Wallop in a little crayer did the like, and had none slain or hurt. "William Tolley and his brother Sir Robert b ... of all men and had 12 slain and above 20 hurt." Wiseman boarded not, but he had all his men slain or hurt. Sir Wistan Bro[wne] had 3 slain, and other boats many slain and wounded. As far as the writer can understand by report, it was the most dangerful enterprise he ever heard of, and the most manly handled. He had forgot two men who did as well as possible, "Gurney in the Jenet Purwyn, and good Lewes with the one ... in the Elizabeth of Newcastell, as well appeared by the slaughter and bowgyng of their ships."
	All the captains and masters think it unadvisable to return to the Trade. He had not written the premises "but that the noble men and captains of ... signed with their hands a copy of the same," and he begs to be instructed how to act by Wednesday at night, before which he cannot depart for want of victuals. Great part of the army is "sparkylled" abroad on the land and slain,—" I am sure not so few as 500." If he have no word from the King by Wednesday, the wind serving, he will see the Trade, and, if it be the King's pleasure, seek the coast of Britanny beyond it, doing what injury he can to the enemy. The fleet lying at Brest dare not come out to the west parts of this realm, or the wind would serve him equally well to intercept them. Refers the King to a letter which he sends to Master Almoner. Dated in the Mary Rose in Plymouth Haven, 7 May, at 11 o'clock at night. Signature burnt off.
	Mutilated, pp. 3. Endd.: My Lorde Admyralle. Add.: To the King's grace. Delivered the post at midnight.
7 May. S.P. Hen. VIII., 3, f. 200. R.O. Ellis, 3 S. I., 154.	1852. [4019.] THOMAS LORD HOWARD to WOLSEY.
	Will not write again what he has written to the King. Found the army very badly ordered; more than half on land, and a great number, he fears, stolen away. Heard of their leaving at his coming to Exeter, and has sent to bring them in again. All are in great fear of the galleys, and had as lief go to Purgatory as to the Trade. Trusts to be there by Friday. The captains are greatly discouraged by the King's letters. The galleys might have been burnt, but his brother would "suffer no man to cast in wild fire." The shores were well bulwarked, but the galleys did little hurt. Begs that some favourable letter may be sent the captains. Intends to punish two men who behaved badly at the late engagement, Coke the Queen's servant, and Freman his brother's servant. Cannot understand the reason of the men's unwillingness to go again to the Trade. Cannot leave before Thursday. The Anne Galaunt is not seaworthy. In the Rose Mary, at Plymouth, 7 May.
	Hol., pp. 2. Add.: To Mr. Almoner, with the King's grace.
7 May. S.P. Hen. VIII., 3, f. 202. R.O.	1853. [4021.] SIR GILBERT TALBOT to WOLSEY.
	Has received his letter ordering him to pay the 100 men now with his son; to continue there till the coming of the Lord Steward with the vanguard, and then Sir Gilbert is to retain them to serve the King "in this royal vogage." Has served the King's grandsire and his father. "And I have minded so sore and purposed to have served the King's grace now in this journey, that I almost forgat God, and set my mind on none other thing but only how I might best serve his grace at this time. Wherefore, Sir, I think God hath sent me this little punishment that I have, for I am in that case that I have kept my bed these 15 days." His son, however, shall go with them. Has this day paid Sir Nich. Vaux for 200 men under him at Guisnes. Calais, 7 May. Signed.
	P. 1. Add.: The Right Honorable Master Amner with the King's grace. Sealed.
8 May. Sanuto, XVI., 242.	1854. VENICE.
	[Note of letters received 12 May 1513.]
	From the Ambassador at Rome, 8 May.—By letters of 26 April, from Blois, the Cardinal of Nantes writes of the departure of Trimouille with the army to join Trivulzi in the enterprise of Italy; and how the King was sending three ambassadors to Spain to conclude peace, because the King of Spain wished it and had revoked his ships from the English fleet. That fleet had landed in Britanny, and made some burning, but was repulsed. Yesterday the Spanish ambassador had letters from his King, of 7 April, from Medina dil Campo; with one to the Pope announcing the truce with France, for one year, as made because Pope Julius showed hostility by making a treaty with the Emperor excluding the Venetians.
	Italian. See Venetian Calendar, II, No. 242.
9 May. S.P. Hen. VIII., 4, f. 3. R.O.	1855. [5754.] INTENDED EXPEDITION TO BRITANNY.
	Appointment, by Thomas lord Howard, of William Symons as clerk controller of "this royal army," for the "oversight and distributing of our victual," with 18d. a day. 9 May 5 Hen. VIII. Signed.
	P. 1.
10 May. Lettres de Louis XII., iv., 115. Le Glay, Corresp. de Max. et de Marg., II., 140.	1856. MAXIMILIAN to MARGARET OF SAVOY.
	Learns by hers of 29 April her communications with the Seigneur de Janly, whom the King of France has sent to her. Lately wrote that the King of Aragon had notified him of a truce (between the Emperor, Aragon and England on the one part and France, Scotland and Gueldres on the other), and he did not know if the King of England would accept it; desiring her advice therein. All his affairs are in delay awaiting her answer. Kaufbueren, 10 May 1513.
	French.
10 May. Vitell. B. II., 40. B.M. Fiddes' Wol., C., 4.	1857. [4039.] SILVESTER BP. OF WORCESTER to [WOLSEY].
	Received his letter dated the 13th ult. Has presented the King's letter to the Pope. The exemption of the six chaplains is a difficult matter in regard to the jurisdiction of the ordinaries. The Pope will remit the fees due to himself, but if a bull sub plumbo is required the ordinary expenses must be paid. Has spoken with the Pope and the Datary of Wolsey's wish for a dispensation to hold three benefices of the value of 2,000l., or at least 2,000 marks, even though there should be more than three parish churches. They are unwilling to grant it, as quite unusual. Has strongly pressed it. He will learn the news by the letters of Card. Bainbridge, who has been ill, but is now almost recovered. Rome, 10 May 1513. Signed.
	Lat., p. 1. Address copied in a modern hand: "Thomæ Vlsey regio elemosinario, jamque fratri honorar."