Henry VIII: April 1538, 21-25 | British History Online

Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII, Volume 13 Part 1, January-July 1538. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1892.

Citation:

'Henry VIII: April 1538, 21-25', in Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII, Volume 13 Part 1, January-July 1538, ed. James Gairdner( London, 1892), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/letters-papers-hen8/vol13/no1/pp301-311 [accessed 16 November 2024].

April 1538, 21-25



21 April.	817. Montmorency to Castillon.
Kaulek, 39.	[La Côte Saint André] 21 April:—The King leaves next Thursday for Nice. Montmorency and the card, of Lorraine accompany him as far as Aix, and then go forward to meet the Pope. By news received last night, the Emperor should embark the following Monday, and be at Villa Franca, weather permitting, on the Saturday. The Pope is still at Plaisance, and will start after this feast. The packet sent by M. Brian has just arrived. The King makes all provision for his safety. 4,000 lansquenets under count William here ready, and 8,500 who shall be at Langrès on the 15th prox., with those now in Piedmont, are a force sufficient to show a bold face on whatever side the enemy presents himself.
	French abstract.
	*** A modern transcript in R.O.
21 April	818. Don Lope de Soria to Charles V.
Add. MS. 28,590, f. 150. B. M.	Letters from Constantinople of the 12th ult. The Venetians see an opportunity of taking Constantinople and all Greece in the absence of the Turks and with the aid of numerous Christians. Preparations of the Venetians against Barbarossa. They will not be pleased to hear of the Emperor's coming again to Italy. The defensive league. The duke of Urbino has succoured Camarino with victuals, to the great indignation of the Pope. Opinion at Venice. Ambassadors sent by the king of France to the dukes of Urbino and Ferrara and their missions. Serafin de Gozo, of Ragusa, sent by the French king to warn the Turk of the Emperor's intentions against him. The bp. of Ludeva and John Joachim have been at Verona, and talked with Caesar Fregoso. They went on to Placentia and Aste, and intended to try some practice at Genoa. John Joachim, whose house and wife are here, has not returned. Has informed Ant. de Leiva and the ambassador Figuerroa. Explanations by the Signory about the succouring of Camarino by the duke of Urbino. Venice, 21 Ap. 1538.
	Spanish, pp. 9. Modem copy from the archives of Simancas. [See Spanish Calendar V. ii. No. 199.]
[21 April.]	819. A Sermon at Sheen.
Cleop. E. v., 376. B. M.	"A lityll tytilling by your orator, Robert Syngleton, upon a sinistre and ceditiouse sermond prechyd at the Charter hows called the Shen, by on doctor Cottys, secular prest, apon Ester day, Anno 1538."
	When he or other true subjects know any person to write, preach, or speak against the King, they report it to "your good Lordship" (Cromwell). To show the ignorance of Dr. Cottys, gives an instance in which he misquoted St. Anselm, and explains the true quotation. The preacher then spoke against "the readers of English," and said that no man was bound to do the King's commandment if it were against that of God, &c. Discusses the reasoning. To be brief, the sermon seemed to be to blaspheme against the King and you that be of his Council, and to seduce the people from the Son of Man to the abomination standing in the Holy Place. Explains passages in which the preacher perverted the meaning of Scripture. By your faithful orator, Robt. Syngleton, "lying in Branford at the sign of the Crown, till I can prepare myself to be a suitor to your good Lordship."
	Hol., pp. 3. Endd.
	820. Richmond (Yorkshire).
R. O.	"Reparations made of the King's land in Richmond, anno 29, r. r. Henr. VIII.," viz.: On the houses of Edm. Bekke, Thos. Trotter, Allenby's wife, Matth. Mosez, Wm. Hebank, Ric. Tomson, and the King. One of the items is the leading of two wainloads of wood from Whitlif, 2s.
	P. 1."
22 April.	821. Bermondsey Abbey.
R. O.	Pensions granted by the Commissioners to the late abbot and other religious of the late monastery of Barmondsey. 22 April 30 Hen. VIII.
	To Rob. Wherton, bp. of St. Asaph, late abbot. 333l. 6s. 8d. a year; Ric. Giles, late prior, 10l.; Thos. Gaynesborow, prior of Derby, 7l.; Thos. Gale, B.D., 6l.; John Kynder, subprior, 6l.; Peter Luke, late chaunter, 6l.; John Cutbert, 6l.; Thos. Rokeley, Will. Paynter, Thos. Stanbak, and Steph. Felowe, 106s. 8d. each; John Coy, 40s. and John Marshall, 13s. 4d.Signed: Thomas Crumwell.
	P. 1.
22 April.	822. The Abbot of Pershore.
R. O.	A paper headed "An information given to my lord Privy Seal the 22nd day of April, anno (fn. n1) 29 H. VIII., by William Harison, groom of the King's Privy Chamber, of such words as the abbot of Pershore did speak at his table upon Our Lady day the Annunciation last past, sounding to treason." (1.) That the abbot in conversation with one Mr. Rauff Sheldon at dinner began speaking of the suppression of the abbey of Lantony or such like matter while Harison was talking with one John Marshall, when Sheldon said "O good Lord, what, a gift hath God given unto the King and his noble Council now to perceive the usurpation of the Church wherewith we have be long deluded and mocked, and in especial in the usurpation of the Church of Rome!" "Ah," said the abbot, "be you come thereto, and i have loved you so well and taken you for so true a man and so substantial a man? Well, well, I will love you no more; but whatsoever you say I wot what you think." "Forsoth," said Sheldon, "my Lord, I think they be even as they prove by their works." Then the abbot, inclining himself over the table, said, "I trust and I pray God that I may dye one of the chynderne of Rome;" and so setting himself up again said further, "I will prove that be is accursed that withstondyth a power," alleging for his proof this text Omnis potestas a Deo est, quia a Deo ordinatoe sunt. On which, Sheldon remarking that he understood no Latin, Harison turned to the abbot and said, "My Lord, I wot what you mean; and under your Lordship's correction I deny your argument, for methinks you have not said well; and that is where you allege by authority that all powers be of God. That may be denied by reason; for ones, God giveth no power but that that is good; ergo, the usurped power of Rome was not given by God, but rather suffered by God and given by the devil, because it was naught. And I can prove by scripture that the supreme powers was given to princes only, and to no other spiritual persons." "Whereunto the abbot made none answer, but scornfully smiled."
	(2.) Afterwards, the abbot changing the conversation, said, "How say you, Master Sheldon, John Marshall saith that there is no death in the North from Dacanster northwards?" "No," said Marshall, "that is truth, my Lord; but to begin at Doncaster and so to come to this town of Pershore, which is fourscore miles in distance, there is neither town nor village where a man may give his house a loff, but the pestilens is there, or else hath be very sore lately." The abbot answered "Yea, John Marshall, you died fast enough in the North the last year; and as for us in this country we be smitten with the plagues of David for David's offences,—God be merciful to us!" Harison, being offended at the abbot's "meane," replied, My Lord, where you say that they died fast enough in the North the last year, I will say that they died not so fast as they were worthy; and, saving that the King showed himself a merciful lord unto them and had compassion upon them, his grace might justly have put forty thousand mo to death than did die. And whereas you say further that we be stricken with the plagues of David, and that for his offences, to this I would say that David died long before Christ as the story telleth, and his plagues were appointed him in his time. My Lord, who is David now? The abbot was mute as before; and shortly afterwards they "fell to other communication, and that was of a mine of coals, whereby there followed a pretty matter to be noted."
	Signed: "per me Will'm Haryson."
	Large paper, p. 1.
22 April.	823. The abbot of Ramsey to Cromwell.
R. O.	Thanks him for his kindness to the monastery. Has received his letters of the 19th desiring to have the presentation of Elswurthe. Gave the advowson to Dr. London the last time he "dide didsolve his visitacion." Dr. London suspected that Trusley could not enjoy the benefice and secured the next presentation accordingly. Ramsey, 22 April. Signed.
	P. 1. Add.: Lord Privy Seal. Endd.
22 April.	824. Bp. Roland Lee to Cromwell.
R. O.	I have received your letters, dated 9 April, by "continue" of which Sir John Bridges answers, that, had he been the only judge or foreman, he would have found as was found, for on the one side were but two women who seemed to speak out of malice, and on the other several honest men. Which clause is so obtuse that I cannot understand it, but, if he say he would have given judgment as the 12 men did, this Council take it he saith not well; but I cannot lay any particular cause either to him or the other two, but only as in my former letters, where I said that if any there were bearers it were those three, to whom all the rule of those parts is committed. I think they should be admonished. This Council think the offence of the two fellows referred to in your last letters, not so heinous as was surmised; we would fine them, towards the re-edification of Montgomery Castle, wherewith now I am in hand. Where your Lordship wrote that the park of Wigmore was given, before my letters in favour of Thes. Crofte, yet I desire that Crofte may have the keeping or it for his money. Shrowisbury, 22 April. Signed.
	Pp. 2. Add.: Lord Crumwell, lord Privy Seal, Endd.
22 April.	825. Tunstall to Cromwell.
R. O.	Our fellow Sir Marmaduke Constable the elder is going up to the King on his affairs. He does substantial service in these parts, and at the time of the commotion fled from his brother Sir Robert as Jacob fled from Esau. He is in high credit for indifferency and wisdom. York, 22 April. Signed.
	P. 1. Add.: Lord Privy Seal. Endd.
22 April.	826. Richard Cholmeley to Cromwell.
R. O.	Within your rule at Whitby one Reynold Beysley of York, intending to keep an admiral's court contrary to the liberty there, I said I would suffer it if he would reserve the profits to your deputies there for the King, but he insisted on having the keeping of them to himself. He has fined Serjeant Conyers, bailey there, 20l. for refusing to return an impanel. Please take order with my lord Admiral in this, and appoint some honest man to keep the courts in the liberty of Whitby Strand. Whitby, 22 April.
	Hol., p. 1. Add.: Privy Seal Endd.
22 April.	827. John Hutton to Cromwell.
R. O.	The duke of Arscot and Sir Lois Stoore arrived on the 8th, and went to make their report three days later. The Council has since been busy, apparently about getting in silver. There is no certainty as to peace or war with the French king, but to satisfy the people it is said peace will be concluded. My wife's brother writes from Mence that he met with Peto in secular apparel, but he would not discover himself till he came to Mence, when he said to him, Mr. Peto, what need you to make the matter so strange? I do know you in this apparel as well as I did in your friar's habit. He said he did not deny his habit, but had left it off by leave of the general, and that he was going to him, who was at Bologna. Believes he is going to Card. Pole. (fn. n2) Barrowe, 22 April.
	Hol., p. 1. Add.: Lord Privy Seal. Endd.
23 April.	828. The Garter.
Add. MS. 6,113, f. 59. B. M.	"The styles of noblemen proclaimed upon St. George's Day."
	Those named are:—Henry VIII., Thos. duke of Norfolk, Chas. duke of Suffolk, Henry marquis of Exeter,——(Christian name omitted) earl of Shrewsbury, Wm. FitzAlan e. of Arundel, Hen. e. of Essex, Ralph e. of Westmoreland, Thos. e. of Wiltshire, Robt. e. of Sussex, John e. of Oxford, Thos. e. of Rutland, Hen. e. of Cumberland, Wm. Fitzwilliam e. of Southampton, Edw. e. of Hertford (uncle of prince Edward), Arthur Plantagenet viscount Lisle, Walt. Devereux lord Ferrers, Wm. lord Sands, Thos. lord Cromwell, Sir Nich. Carow.
	Added in another hand: Sir Thos. Cromwell earl of Essex, Walter Devereux lord Ferrers, Sir Thos. Cheynie, warden of the Five Ports, Sir Wm. Kingston, comptroller.
	Fr., pp. 3. With some later corrections and annotations of doubtful value.
23 April.	829. John Alkok and Will. Nutte to Cromwell.
R.O.	We have received your letter of the 22 March directing us to execute our commissions to examine the matter in variance between Thos. Cadbury and Sir Ric. Knepe, priest, and others. About a year ago the King directed a commission by Privy Seal to Rob. Lewes, then mayor of Canterbury, Will. Nutt, and John Bregges, now dead, with Cadbury's bill of complaint enclosed; which commission and bill with answer and replication thereto had been certified by us to the Council at the day appointed, when, in Nov. last, Master Sulyard, of the King's Council, wrote to me, John Alcok, and to Mr. Draper, register to the abp. of Canterbury, to have the contents of those commissions examined. Canterbury, 23 April. Signed.
	P. 1. Add.: Lord Cromwell, keeper of the King's Privy Seal. Endd.
23 April.	830. Sir John Weddryngton to Cromwell.
R. O.	In behalf of James Hall, the bearer, whom Leonard Myrrys, the King's receiver in Alnwick, tries to turn out of his farmhold which he held under the late earl of Northumberland, and in which he has made buildings and repairs. Weddryngton, 23 April. Signed.
	P. 1. Add.: Lord Privy Seal.
23 April.	831. Thos. Fouler to Cromwell.
R. O.	Sends him four couple of heronsewes and 2 doz. dottrells, which he hopes will come sweet, as they were killed this St. George's Day at night. Calais, St. George's Day at night.
	Hol., p. 1. Add.: Lord Privy Seal. Endd.
24 April.	832. Cromwell to Gardiner.
Add. MS. 25,114, f. 291. B. M.	Forbears repetition of the contentious matter that has lately passed between them. Whatever Gardiner has thought of Cromwell, he has been his friend, and has written nothing to him in any matter that the King has not rend before it was sent. Was therefore the more touched at his unkind answers, but will put those matters in oblivion. Stepney, 24 April. Signed.
	P. 1. In Wriothesley's hand. Add.: My lord of Winchester, the King's ambassador in the court of France. Endd.: From Stepney the 24th of April.—30.—The lord Privy Seal.
24 April.	833. Richard Champion (fn. n3) to Cranmer.
R. O.	Has safely come over the sea. Has much business at his benefice, and will come to Cranmer when it is done. Mr. Commissary has written to Cranmer how untrue the report is that there are many heretics in Calais who openly deny Christ. If the heads were as good for their part as the common people, there would be no town in England or anywhere else that he can hear of, comparable to the same, they are so earnestly given to the knowledge of God's Word; amongst whom the bearer of the letter is singularly good and a very honest man. Dover, 24 April.
	Hol., p. 1. Add. Endd.
24 April.	834. Tunstall to Cromwell.
R. O.	Sends by the bearer, my fellow Sir Thomas Tempest, a letter from Sir John Widdrington with the answer made by the Scotch Council, to whom Widdrington's messenger was referred by the King. Cromwell will see that redress is promised for Liddersdale if we do the like. Sir John desired that the King would order Gilbert Carnaby to bring forth all such of Tyndale as were complained of by the Scots at the day of truce. Carnaby, as the letter shows, made a loose answer. Have commanded him to see his master (fn. n4) discharged in his absence. Sends the credence of Widdrington's servant, showing that the Tyndale men, not wishing to obey the warden, seek excuses to absent themselves on the day of truce. If they do, no redress will be had for Liddersdale. The Tyndale men have refused restitution of the third part of the spoil, as we have written and Sir Cuthbert Ratcliff will have informed you. If they will not come to the truce they will obey no law. Wishes instructions by bearer. Have taken a stay between him and Harrison till our next sitting at Durham on Whit Sunday. Harrison is peacefully possessed of the parish clerkship, with which Tempest never meddled. York, 24 April.
	Sends a letter of Sir William Eure's showing such small news as he has out of Scotland. Signed.
	Pp. 2. Add.: Lord Privy Seal. Endd.
24 April.	835. Brabason to Cromwell.
	The letter noticed under this date in the Irish Calendar (VI. No. 47) is of the year 1537. See Vol. XII., Part I., No. 1027.
24 April.	836. Anthoine Brusset to Lord Lisle.
R. O.	Now that the weather is so fine for pilgrimages, asks Lisle to allow his wife to come and make, at Saint Beze, one to "Mons. Saint Gorgorge," with Captain Thovor and his wife and the writer and his wife. After completing the pilgrimage they will conduct lady Lisle to the English Pale. The pilgrimage must be made within nine days (en la neuvayne). Gravelines, 24 April '38, apres Pasques. Signed.
	Fr., p. 1. Add.
25 April.	837. Henry VIII. to James V.
Add. MS. 32,646, f. 112. B.M. Hamilton Papers, No. 46.	Perceives, by his letter dated Holyrood House, 26 March, his zeal for the amity concluded between them, and also his complaint against certain "surnames" in Henry's East Marches, and by that dated Edinburgh, 1 April, that his subject John Litle has made complaint against the captain of Berwick for a ship taken by the captain's servants in 1532 and an arrest made since, to the damage of 160l. Scots. Is pleaded to learn his nephew's friendly inclination and how discreetly he behaves himself in the government of his realm. As to the East Marches, has written to Sir Wm. Evers, his deputy warden there, to see to redress. As to the other matter, has summoned the captain of Berwick before his Council attendant upon his person, who have examined him and taken his answer in writing, copy enclosed. Had the matter appeared in Litle's favour would have caused redress to be made. Greenwich, 25 April 30 Hen. VIII.
	Copy.
25 April.	838. Philip Witheryke.
R. O.	Confession of Martin Withryke, of Bylston, Suff., aged 11 years, examined 13 April 29 Hen. VIII.
	That where Philip Witheryke, his late father, was executed for the murder of Ambrose Letyse who is still alive, and the said Martin gave evidence to the jury against his father, he was counselled to do so by Margaret Dec, who gave him 12 new "pounts" and told him to say his father killed Ambrose with a staff and carried him into the bakehouse and burned him, adding and thus thou shalt help thy father out of the way and save thyself and thy mother from beating. Says he told this counsel to one Thrower and the bailey of Bylston, and they told him to maintain it when he came before my lord of Essex; and the former advised him to say his father cast the body into the water at the back of Harry Rycroft's [meadow]. The bailey in the great field at Bery at the assise told him to say that his father had chopped off Ambrose's head upon the lye "trowffe" and burned his body and head, and the said trowfte under his lead; also if his father alleged that the trough still stood in his yard, to say that his father had three troughs. Signed: T. Wentworth.
	Pp.2.
R. O.	2. Confession of John Purtche, before Hen. Doyle, Robt. Rollff, and John Brounsmyth, that he and Thos. Taylor, of Bylston, sifted the ashes at Philip Wetheryek's house by command of the bailey, who told them to take a cloth before their nose for the savour of the ashes and look narrowly for teeth in the ashes. Found bones, but no teeth, and the bailey brought into the sessions before the justices one tooth.
	ii. Confession of Nic. Vyncent, of Bylston, 18 April 20 Hen. VIII, before John Spryng and Hen. Doyle.
	Hearsay from Wm. Thrower.
	iii. Confession of Wm. Thrower, of Bylston.
	At Lynd's houe in Bylston the bailey sent for him on Saturday morning in the Cleansing Days and charged him to fetch Edmund Neve, for the boy said Neve helped his father to bear Ambrose Letyse away after he was dead, and his sister told him so. The boy desired to speak with the bailey and Thrower, and confessed where the body lay. They three then went and searched some meadows and pools in the river, but could not find it. Deponent said to the boy, "A naughty lying boy," and to the bailey, "I pray you forgive the boy if he will show the truth." The boy then said, My father did smite him down with a staff and then plucked him into the bakehouse, and there chopped off his head and threw it under the lead and so chopped him all to pieces and so brent him. [Annotation in the margin in another hand upon the unlikelihood of this story.] Signed by Spring and Doylle.
R. O.	3. Deposition of John Thomson, of Ardeley, Essex, cooper, 22 April 29 Hen. VIII.
	That he was last in Billston on Palm Sunday to certify Mr. Spryng that Ambrose was alive. First heard of the trouble of Whetherick at Bylston about a se'nnight before Christmas, he being at one Baker's at the Crown. Reports his conversation on that occasion with Whetherick's wife, when he suggested that one named Ambrose was missing in Ardeley, but it was not the same, and various other particulars.
	Pp. 3.
R. O.	4. Confession of the boy upon his examination that one of the constables had promised him divers things to say as he bade him, among other things a pennyworth of new red points. Being asked what could have induced the said Thrower and Gawger to entice him so to depose and cause his father to be hanged, says he could not tell, unless it was because his mother had so evil a life with his father, yet on examination he said they agreed well and he never saw his father beat his mother. When Gawger and he were at Dunmowe, Gawger took up some bones from a churchyard and burned them in his kitchen at home, none but the boy being present. The bones in the ashes in his father's house were pig bones.
	P. 1. Annotated in the margin like § 2 iii.
R. O.	5. Deposition of Ambrose Letyse, of Prykellwell, Essex, tailor, as to his previous knowledge of Philip Wetherick and intercourse with him. That he suddenly fled on Tuesday before Christmas last, because he was in Wetherick's debt, to the village of Much Taye, from whence he departed about the first week of Lent to Prykellwell. Never knew any malice between Wetherwick and his wife or any other person in Bylston, but Robt. Downing, a clothier there, bore a grudge against Wetherwick. That upon Friday after Mid-Lent Sunday last, John Thompson, cooper, of Colchester, whom this deponent knew in Bylston, came to Prykellwell and renewed acquaintance without telling deponent anything of the matter, but returned to Suffolk and told the justice that deponent was alive. Next Tuesday he came to fetch this deponent to the justice, but one Harrys, constable of the town, would not suffer him, but retained deponent that he might be brought before the lord Chancellor.
	Pp. 4.
R. O.	6. Margery Wetherick, widow, says that Ambrose Letyse dwelt with her husband about Michaelmas till Tuesday before Christmas last, when he suddenly departed, and on her asking whither, said he would go to work with one Elmen, carpenter, of the same town, for two or three hours and be back by noon. Supposes he fled for debt. Never knew malice between him and her husband, who made search for him after he was gone. On St. Stephen's Day following Nic. Vyncent and Wm. Thrower took her husband to Mr. Spring, justice, before whom he found sureties. About a fortnight after Wm. Gawger, bailey of Bilston, called and warned her that her husband was in considerable danger by what he had reported about the matter, and told her that if he were found guilty she should have her raiment and a third part of his goods. Reports further proceedings of Gawger, who on Ash Wednesday carried her husband to the earl of Essex and would not let her accompany him. She then resorted for advice to Mr. Spryng, telling him that the abbot of St. Osith was uncle to her said husband, and by her advice she went to the abbot and got a letter to the Earl in his favour. She remained with the abbot a se'nnight, during which time Gawger had seized all her goods and took her son with him, examined him, and made him accuse his father. Afterwards the said Gawger, Vyncent, and Thrower came and threatened to carry her to the earl of Essex, insisting that she should confess the truth as her son had done. At last they locked her in a chamber in Thrower's house and promised her much favour if she would confess; which, when she would not do, on the second Sunday in Lent, being the vigil of the Annunciation of Our Lady, Gawger told her she must go to sessions, whither she was brought next day and questioned. On denying her husband's guilt, Gawger brought in her sod, who confessed in her presence that his father was guilty of the murder. The justice then urged her to confess, but she refused. Then Mr. Colt took her aside, warning her to confess as the evidence was so clear. She said "Alas, what shall I do? I would fain save myself but for the peril of my soul." (In margin. This presupposeth that she was put in fear of her life before.) At last she said "Then let it be as the boy hath said for me."
	Pp. 7.
R. O.	7. Wm. Thrower of Biston (sic), constable, examined 25 April 30 Henry VIII., says he knew Philip Whetherick and thought him worth about 20l. Knew of no malice between him and Ambrose, and does not know why Ambrose went away. Suspicion arose because he left his gear behind him. Consulted with Nic. Vyncent, the other constable in Bilston, and went with him to Mr. John Spring for counsel, who advised that if Ambrose did not return by Christmas to wear his best gear, deponent should bring Philip Wetherick before him; which he and Vyncent accordingly did on St. Stephen's Day, and Mr. Spring took two sureties of him. On Ash Wednesday deponent with Gawger the bailey and Wetherick rode to the earl of Essex. The last went with goodwill. Bore no malice to Wetherick, but Wetherick and his wife often fell out. Relates how he was advised by the bailey to fetch a little girl at Wetherick's, called Mate Wetherick, Martin's sister, who, as the latter said, had told him that Mr. Neve helped his father to bear Ambrose away; how on examination she denied it and was sent home again, while Martin remained with the bailey in Lyne's house. While sitting by the fire they commoned of this matter and the boy desired the bailey and this deponent to go into the yard with him, and being in a backhouse there he stated that his father had killed Ambrose, and John Wylson had helped to bear him away. The boy reported where Ambrose should lie, and went with the bailey to the river, and at one Pate's house deponent got a crome with which they sought in deep holes but could find nothing. Deponent then told the bailey the boy was a liar, and the boy said his father hurled Ambrose into the well, but they both said that could not be because the woman "occupied" (used) the water. The boy afterwards said his father had smitten Ambrose on the head and killed him because he refused him money, and afterwards cut off his head upon "a lie trow," and chopped him in small pieces and burned him under the lead, "trow" and all, and that his mother with hot water washed away the blood. With that deponent went home. Went on Wednesday with the bailey to Wetherick's to see what corn was there, where Robt. Baker and others joined them. In the kitchen they spied a heap of ashes and remarked, Bailey, ye said ye could find no ashes, which the other admitted. On stirring the ashes he found certain bones, and the bailey sent him with John Osmond and Thos. Salter to Mr. Spring to show him the matter. A day or two afterwards the bailey took Martin with him and some of the bones to the earl of Essex, and a se'nnight after returned to Bilston bringing Philip Wetherick with him like a prisoner, and Martin the boy also. Wetherick's wife was kept in deponent's house, was sore sick and received her Maker there. He and others had conversations with her, advising her to speak the truth, but she denied all knowledge of it very earnestly. Afterwards saw her at Bury at the sessions, when he again advised her to tell the truth, when she said, Alas, Thrower, how shall I do if this matter be proved contrary another day that I have said?
	Pp 6.
	ii. Nic. Vyncent of Bilston, constable, examined 25 April 30 Henry VIII.
	Says he has meddled very little in this matter. Thinks Whetherick was worth about 20 mks., and knows of no malice between him and any other person; but it was reported that his wife led an evil life with him, and on the sudden departure of Ambrose there was great rumour in the town, whereupon deponent and Thrower brought Whetherick before Mr. Spryng. Gives an account of his further conduct in the matter in which he represents himself mainly to have followed Thrower's lead.
	Pp. 2.
25 April.	839. Edward Earl of Derby to Cromwell.
Vesp. F. xiii. 89. B. M.	A matter in variance between the King's tenants of Sutton and Wyncle, Chesh., and the Earl's tenants of Bosley is now before the King's Council. The matter is procured by Edm. Savage, who has ever been enemy of the Earl and his ancestors, and because he has the rule of the King's tenants he has procured them to put up a bill of complaint against those of the Earl. Desires favour that this matter may be indifferently heard. Lathom, 25 April. Signed.
	P. 1. Add.: Lord Privy Seal. Endd.
25 April.	840. Thos. Thirleby to Cromwell.
R. O.	Barnabe arrived here on Easter Day about midnight, and on Monday gave to Thirleby, Haynes, and Bonar Cromwell's letters dated 15 April, with certain epistles corrected by the King since they left England. Perceives thereby that the King wishes all the letters newly imprinted before the old protestation, and received by them at Barthelett's, to be suppressed.
	Have burned them all except one, which he gave to Mr. Bekensall, an English student in Paris, and for which he has written. Gave another to the bp. of Winchester, which has also been burned. Refers for news to their letters to the King. Lyons, 25 April.
	Hol., p. 1. Add.: Privy Seal. Endd.
25 April.	841. Thos. Thirleby to Wriothesley.
R. O.	Has passed his journey very well, and heard by Barnaby that his folks arrived at Paris before Easter. Here is great preparation toward the meeting of these princes. Horses are so taken up to carry artillery to the French king, that we have much ado to get jades to ride to the Court. It is bruited that there will be such a company at this meeting as has not been seen. Lyons, 25 April.
	Hol., p. 1. Not add., but "Mr. Wriseley's" name occurs in the letter.Endd.
25 April.	842. [Sir Francis Brian] to [Cromwell].
Calig. D. x. 389 B. M.	"[Pleas]e it your Lordship to be [advertised]. . . . . . . . whowe upon Saturday . . . . . . . . . y letters to the Constable to la Coote . . . [where the] French king kept his Easter, to know [when and where] I might repair to have audience, by [whom I was] after advertised that the King would be . . . . . . . . I intended in the way between both to ha[ve] . . . . . . . day come other word to me that he would [be] . . . . . [and] after at Avynyon. So that with no less sp[eed] . . .I pretended, I purpose, God willing, to put m[e] . . . . . ward to be there before him, and if anything [happen] whereby it may be thought I have [not] followed his causes, as it may be thought I ha[ve not, I] pray you be no less my good lord in answeri[ng for me that] with my heart I have always and do desire to accom[plish them]. Though I be in earnest will speedily to proceed [yet] may I not do otherwise than the governors of . . . will suffer. Wherefore my special affiance and [trust is in] your Lordship that you will do no less than lieth [in you for] the blame to be put to them that deserveth it . . . . . I be sure therein to find you as much my good lord as you [have) been to me in all other my suits; of my part none ot[her means have I] to recompense them than with my heart, which you [shall have] assuredly during my natural life."
	Added in the writer's own hand: I could wryt many newys unto yow, but I [might percase] wryt more lyes than trewght, for w . . . [among the] multytud there ys muche spekyng and [where there is] muche spekyng must nedes be summe [falsehood] . . . . . . be my next letters I shall synnyfy u[nto your Lordship] the affayers here at lenght, thy. . . . . . . . . . . . [lon]g lyffe as would yowr selffe.
	"[From Li]ons, the 25th off Apryll."
	P. 1.