Letters and Papers: January 1539, 6-10

Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII, Volume 14 Part 1, January-July 1539. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1894.

Citation:

'Letters and Papers: January 1539, 6-10', in Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII, Volume 14 Part 1, January-July 1539, ed. James Gairdner, R H Brodie( London, 1894), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/letters-papers-hen8/vol14/no1/pp11-22 [accessed 16 November 2024].

January 1539



6 Jan. R. O.	24. SOULEMONT to CROMWELL.
	I cannot find the whole device of the alterations and establishments, but such as I have found the bearer shall deliver to your Lordship, with the instructions of the North. If the wardship of Spenser, (fn. 1) whereof I spoke yesterday, be not gone, speak to the King as you shall think expedient. London, 6 Jan.
	Hol., p.1. Add.: Lord Privy Seal. Endd.: Thomas Soulemont.
6 [Jan.] R. O.	25. ANTHOINETTE DE SAVEUSES to LADY LISLE.
	I have received your letter and my box with three Rosinboz in it, which you write you give me of your benevolence. I cannot express my thanks for your continual kindness. I can only remember you in my prayers, which I offer as I have been accustomed to do for Madame de Riou. The good lady has frequently recommended her case to my prayers, and I have taken the aid of several good religieuses, not feeling myself worthy to be heard, but that our Lord has said, Help yourselves and I will help you. For which reason I have heretofore applied to you for counsel and aid to sea if her husband might not be corrected by human fear. I beg to know how you have succeeded in this matter. As to your success in your own matter, I cannot express the great satisfaction I have received from the news, for your prosperity is as dear to me as if I were worthy to be your daughter. I thank God that my lord and you and all your children are well. For myself, I am pretty well. I cannot tell you how much what you last sent has been of use to me, for in the illness I have had I have been compelled to use medicine, and in this town I have no creature to apply to, because it has pleased God to take away my good kinsmen (parents). I thank you for what you have determined to do about some "petites menutey" (?) which I have sent you, and which you have been good enough to take kindly. I have got six dozen coifs made according to your instructions. The messenger is gone. As soon as I can get them, I will send them. Dunkirk, 6th of this month.
	Hol. Fr., p. 1. Add.
6 Jan. R. O.	26. COUNT BUEREN to MICHAEL [MERCATOR].
	M. Miguel, I received your letters by last post. To your other letters I replied by the other post that the ambassadors have asked respite to communicate with the King, and the Queen has done the like. Nothing can be done here without the knowledge of l.m. (the Emperor); and so I heard from the Queen's own mouth. I have come to Grave these holydays to visit my wife and friends, but return to Court in two days, "ainsi que vous m'avez rescript," and will do my best in the King's affairs. The King will have heard everything from his ambassadors, and I think nothing can be concluded till l.m. first consent to it. Recommend me to the King and my lord Privy Seal. Everything goes well here. Grave, 6 Jan.
	"Jay coppie ceste de ma propre mayn de la lettre de Mous. le conte de Bueren."
	Fr., pp. 2. Copy in Mercator's hand. Endd.
6 Jan. R. O. St. P. VIII., 125.	27. FRANCESCO CASALE to CROMWELL.
	Among the six cardinals made this Christmas is the grand chancellor of the king of Scotland, here called the abbot of St. Andrew, to whom the Pope has sent the hat by Latino Juvenale, his old servant, who will go first to the French Court, where, if occasion offers, he will renew the negotiations for the parentado between the Pope and Mons. de Valdom. From thence Latino will go to Flanders where either he will take passage to Scotland, or the grand chancellor will come to meet him; he is sure to have other business with the grand chancellor besides the carrying of the hat. Cardinal Pole also has left in post, and goes, it is said, to the Emperor on behalf of his brothers. M. Latino will also have business in Flanders. The duke of Urbino, unable alone to resist the Pope, has agreed to give up the duchy of Camarino, and shall have 100,000 cr. as dowry of his wife, who was duchess of Camarino. This Christmas has been consummated the marriage between the Emperor's daughter and the Pope's nephew and the 300,000 cr. for the purchase of his estate paid. Rome, 6 Jan. 1539.
	Italian. Hol., pp. 2. Add. Endd.: a^o 30.
R. O.	2. Modern and incorrect copy of the above.
	Pp. 2.
6 Jan. Poli Epp. II. 142.	28. CARD. POLE to CARD. CONTARINI.
	In spite of the cold and the deep snow through which they have come they have ridden every day, and the calmness of the weather has helped them; for if it had rained or snowed the passage of the Apennines would have been impossible. This night they arrived at Bologna, where they are hospitably received by "Becadellus noster." Will write more from Placentia, where they will rest a day. Bologna, Feast of Epiphany 1539.
	Latin.
7 Jan. R. O.	29. JOHN HUSEE to LORD LISLE.
	As yet I cannot receive the 50l. of Mr. Pope, who says it cannot be paid but from Christmas forward. To-day Mr. Pollard has promised to be in hand with him for it, and to speak to my lord Privy Seal; for Mr. Pope makes excuse that he will do nothing till he have spoken with my lord Privy Seal. I pray God send me little to do with those of the Augmentations! When young Mr. Lyster comes I will be in hand with him for Soberton. My lord Admiral is sick in his leg and comes not abroad. Sir Thomas Chayne shall now be comptroller of the King's house. Sir Ant. Browne is master of the Horse, and Sir George Carew captain of Ruysbancke, who shall be resident upon his office. Sir John Wallop comes over towards Shrovetide, and shall also be resident at Calais; and so shall my lord Chamberlain. There is now little speaking of the spears, yet some think they shall shortly be established. These holydays I have done little good in your suit for the Friars. Certain vile and lewd persons have bruited slanderous and most heinous words upon your Lordship, howbeit the lords of the Council took the matter as it was, and will see the first "fawtor" so punished that others shall beware of such sayings. You must not take it so earnestly as you have done other things: it has grieved me more than I will write. London, 7 Jan.
	Hol., p. 1. Add.: Deputy of Calais. Endd.: "Geoffrey Harryson, grocer of London, delivered to him a pearl for Don to buy an hundred and fifty pearls for me of that sort."
7 Jan. R. O.	30. [LISLE to CROMWELL.]
	"Pleaseth it your Lordship," I have re[ceived] certain news from an English subject dwelling within the English pale which he heard spoken amongst Frenchmen. I have caused him to sign it and enclose it herein. I have sent throughout the county of Bullynose and into Flanders, and as far as Paris, and will let you know what I shall hear. Calais, 7 Jan.
	P. 1. Very mutilated. Headed: Coppie.
7 Jan. Balcarres MS. IV. 35. Adv. Lib., Edin.	31. MONTMORENCY to the QUEEN OF SCOTLAND.
	The Sieur de Morainville, the bearer, is sent to you by your father, and I cannot let him go without bringing myself to your remembrance. No one is more willing to serve you. Paris, 7 Jan. 1538. Signed.
	Fr., p. 1. Add. Endd.
8 Jan. R. O.	32. SIR GEO. DOWGLES to LADY LISLE.
	Hears this Wednesday, 8 Jan., from a servant of hers who lies here that she sent a servant to London with letters for him. Has not received them, and the man has returned to Calais. Asks her, if she writes again, to send the letter to lord Dacre's place of the North, the very next place to my lord Admiral's place. Enclose half a dozen cramp rings. London, 8 Jan. Signed.
	P. 1. Add.: at Calais.
8 Jan. R. O.	33. SIR CHRISTOPHER MORES to CROMWELL.
	Has visited, 8 Jan., the castle of Fodrynga. There are 4 sakkers mounted, 11 fawkons, 4 fawkonetts, 20 bassys of iron, with 40 chambers, and powder and shot and other ammunition. Caused the pieces which were outside to be set in the Castle. Will in process of his journey inform Cromwell more "of all." Begs for a continuation of favour. Fodrynga, 8 Jan. Signed.
	P. 1. Add.: Lord Privy Seal. Endd.
8 Jan. R. O.	34. THE CITY OF COVENTRY to the PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL IN THE MARCHES OF WALES. (fn. 2)
	It is said your Cathedral Church of Coventry will shortly be suppressed, to the great defacing of the town and inconvenience to the inhabitants in time of plague. The friars' churches being suppressed, there is no place for people infected with plague to resort to but the two parish churches. Beg him to write to the King's Council to procure the continuance of the Cathedral, with such alteration as the King pleases, and also to Dr. London, who will shortly be here about the suppression, to stay defacing it till the King's further pleasure. Coventry, 8 Jan. Signed: "Willm. Coton, meir, and the aldermen."
	P. 1. Add. Endd.: a^o 30.
8 Jan. R. O.	35. [EDW]ARD CARNE to CROMWELL.
	Thanks for Cromwell's letter of the 4th inst. and the bill from Mr. Gressham for 50l. to be received of Gressham's factor at Barowgh. Since the departure of Francisco the courier on the 1st inst. we hear of no answer had by the Queen from the Emperor concerning our charge: nevertheless, Mr. Wrythesley resorted to her on the 6th inst. alone for such causes as appear in his letters. They say that the French ambassador that was here has departed towards Cambr[aye], and Dr. Score, "one of the Council here [and] of those that were app[ointed] to treat with us, is sent thither ... up (as it is said here) of such things as be agreed betwixt them here and the French king." I trust of some answer sent by the Emperor to the Queen, for there be letters arrived from Spain, Mr. Wriothesley receiving one from Mr. Wyet yesterday. Bruxelles, 8 Jan. 1538.
	Hol., p. 1. Add. Endd.
8 Jan. Vatican MS.	36. CARD. FARNESE to [ALEANDER] CARD. OF BRINDISI.
	The new and great impieties and heinous offences of the king of England have disgusted the Christian princes, especially the Emperor and French king, so that his Holiness hopes that God will work some good effect for the reduction of that realm, as I wrote before. I add now that the bull has been expedited (copy enclosed, which however is to be kept private or only shown to such as are prudent and trustworthy). In the rest of this business you may be sure his Holiness will do everything possible. Cardinal Pole has been sent to the Emperor, and will go afterwards to the French king to animate them to the punishment of that wicked king and inform them of the affairs of the kingdom, although in truth their said majesties show themselves well disposed and ready to take away not only the commerce from the English in their dominions, but even their secret intelligences and their ambassadors. Pole's departure hence was on the 27th ult. secretly. He goes by ordinary journeys, being unable through weakness of constitution (complessione) to go post. M. Latino Juvenale is sent into France for several purposes: first, to exhort that King to perfect the peace with the Emperor, so that the enterprise may be made "a tempo novo" against the infidels; secondly, for the affairs of the Council; and lastly, for those of England, and to this end he carries the hat to the new cardinal of Scotland. However, I do not think he will carry it as far as Scotland, but will send to the Cardinal to come and receive it at Rouen or Antwerp, this privilege being granted to him which is not to others, to whom only the berrette are sent, while for the hat (cappello) they come to Rome. List of cardinals created 20 December last, one of them being the abbot of Arbroath, a Scot, created for his virtues and at the supplication of the king of Scotland, as a useful act to maintain that kingdom clean from the neighbouring contagion of England. Two are kept in petto at the instance of Venice and France, the latter being designed for the abp. of Milan, when the agreement with Ferrara, for which Francesco da Este is now here, is completed. Rome, 8 Jan. 1539.
	Italian. Add.: Legate in Germany, at the Court of the king of the Romans. From a modern extract in R.O., pp. 2.
9 Jan. Lanz, II. 297.	37. CHAPUYS to CHARLES V. (fn. 3)
	On the 30 Dec. Cromwell sent for the French ambassador in order, as the said ambassador informed me, to request him urgently to write to his master that this King should not be reviled for heresy throughout France; for, as the ambassador knew, there had been no innovation in religion except what concerned the Pope's authority. Besides, the King was informed that he was reproached in France as a tyrant, not merely by the vulgar, but even in the French king's Council, where the cardinal of Paris "s'en estoit bien lavé la bouche" without anyone contradicting him. This was a bad return for Henry's friendship to France; for one who punished traitors by law did not deserve to be called a tyrant. As to the execution of the marquis of Exeter and two accomplices, their treason had been fully proved since their death by certain copies in the hand of the Marchioness of letters between him and card. Pole, of which the originals had been burned; which copies had been found in a little coffer of the Marchioness along with some letters of the late Queen and Princess. Cromwell said, moreover, that it was clear the Marquis had designed to usurp the kingdom by marrying his son to the Princess and destroying the Prince; and that the Marquis and his wife had before this suborned the Princess, putting in her head various opinious and fancies and encouraging her to persist in her obstinacy against her father and refuse to swear to the statutes made here. He further said the Marquis and his accomplices had intelligence with me, and that they must have revealed everything to me, for it had been found several times that your Majesty was informed beforehand of their intentions; and also they must have had intelligence with some other ambassadors or agents of your Majesty and with card. Pole, and it could not but be that their intrigues were known.
	Two [days] before the King had said the very same thing to the ambassador, almost word for word, except as to his being defamed in France, about which he was silent.
	Cromwell also informed the ambassador that he had got printed at Paris a bible in English (fn. 4) which had cost him about 2,000 cr., and when it had been completed and paid for, the University had caused it to be arrested and sequestered. This he thought very strange, and he begged the ambassador to write for its release, assuring him that if Francis would comply he would do him the like service in return. He wished the ambassador to say if there was anything that could be done to promote the friendship of the two kings, and he was sure he could bring his master to it. The ambassador believes that he wished him to suggest the abolition of the pension claimed by the King in France. Cromwell added that he must not be surprised he had not used such language to him before; which was owing to the evil ministers of the King his master, viz., the bp. of Winchester, Brian, and Brun (Browne); and that he expected before a year to speak with the French king, and tell him things as much to his pleasure and profit as he had heard for a long time.
	On the 1st I received letters from your Majesty of the 30 Nov. with the copy therein mentioned addressed to the Queen Regent in Flanders. After deciphering them, I informed Cromwell of their receipt and that the substance was only what had passed there (de dela) on the charge of Philip Hoby (Houbin), of which doubtless the King was better informed than myself, that I thought your Majesty was awaiting the answer of the courier despatched by their ambassador before determining, and that to this moment I saw no coolness on your part. On this, although my man repeatedly told him that I had nothing more to say, Cromwell sent to beg me very earnestly to come to Court as it would gratify everyone who bore goodwill to your affairs. This I agreed to very willingly, being very desirous to speak with the King to find out something of his purpose. Accordingly, on Twelfth-day I went to Court by appointment and was very well received both by the King and others about him.
	On the King going out to mass he addressed me, and, after compliments, said he was much surprised at the long delay about his marriage and the terms they held about it; for on the one hand (fn. 5) you had caused Hoby to be informed that the said Queen had absolute power to conclude everything, and that your Majesty would send her immediately such ample instructions that the said lady should have no occasion to put off longer on the plea of consulting your Majesty; and that he had not deserved to be drawn on all sides (intending and including France) by dissimulation, as it appeared they wanted to do; and that notwithstanding the language held to his said ministers the said Queen denied having such full powers or instructions, and he could not doubt her word considering the inclination she had shown to hear his ambassadors and to advance matters, although he still could not excuse her for declining to reënter communications with his said ambassadors, especially since he had forborne "la poursuyte de Mylan," and even to speak further of the marriage of his daughter with the Infant Don Louys, about which alone any difficulties had occurred, for as to his own there should be none.
	I replied that he ought not to take it ill if your Majesty was not fully determined about everything till you knew his intention on the answer made on your part touching Milan, the recovery of his pension in France, and the dispensation for the affinity between him and the duchess of Milan; and that at the date of the said letters of your Majesty the courier he had last sent had not yet arrived. Still less ought he to take ill that the said Queen had delayed negotiations, which would have been useless till she had your Majesty's answer on the points which she and his ambassadors had agreed to refer to you, and though he had desisted from the claim to Milan she had still to consult you on the other two points, viz., as to the dispensation, which had not been hitherto in consideration, and also to the recovery of the said pension, which article was new and had been less considered than the other as having no connection with the said marriage, although the King said it was an old affair, of which you had several times treated; for the said treaties had been made with conditions long ago expired, and had been authenticated by subsequent treaties. And if there were no other occasion to consult your Majesty, that was a thing absolutely necessary to know, since he would no longer speak of the marriage of the Princess. Moreover, the Queen should understand from your Majesty whether the one might be treated without the other; to which you had not hitherto consented. And further, it might be that the Queen, knowing of the duke Frederic Palatine's going towards your Majesty, wished to put off negotiations till she heard of his arrival, especially to have answer touching the cession of the title of the kingdom of Denmark and other kingdoms; for though he had sent word to the said Queen, as he said, that he cared little for the great dowry and other rights besides, yet your Majesty, and also the said Queen, considering the benefit he would gain by the said cession, and also the children that would come of his marriage with the Duchess, for whose interests your Majesty must necessarily have great regard, especially as he had a prince who would succeed him in the crown of England, would not neglect this article which has always been put forward whenever the said marriage has been talked about. The King made no answer, but walked direct to mass.
	During the mass Cromwell told me, comme en passant, that the Pope, whose Holiness I had so often praised, had now thrown off the mask of hypocrisy and following the good example of almost all his predecessors, sought to kindle a fire in Italy and sow war and discord there, for the pacification and union of which your Majesty had so long and earnestly laboured; that he was well employed if it annoyed you, for your Majesty had always encouraged the tyranny and arrogance of popes, and that if you did not apply a remedy you would not fail to receive injury. I made him a more particular answer than he expected or wished for. He afterwards told me that he had news from Germany that the Estates there, or some of them, would assemble at Cologne. Then, suddenly changing the subject, he said he wondered at your Majesty's coolness about the marriage of the King with the duchess of Milan, and that he saw clearly that you wished to bestow her on the son of Cleves and of Lorraine. I said it would be a fine thing if he could give her to both and make of one daughter two sons-in-law; but, joking apart, he ought to presume your Majesty knew the difference between the said lord (Henry) and the said matches (partys), provided the conditions offered were equal. To this he made no reply, but said it would not be necessary to despatch certain private affairs of Spaniards and Flemings that I had recommended to him, and he left me for the usual reason—to avoid suspicion.
	After dinner the King entered into conversation with me about the war begun by his Holiness, which he had no doubt displeased your Majesty, especially as he had disarmed his galleys to use the men for the enterprise of Camerino. I said it was no harm disarming the galleys in winter, and that his Holiness would not fail to have them ready in spring; that what he did against the duke of Urbino was for no private object, but only for the conservation of the rights and authority of the Holy See, and that he probably made his preparations to bring the Duke to agreement. And whatever evil came of it, at least, "saggureroient les gens" on both sides, and your Majesty would find them already mustered if you wished to go or send to the enterprise of the Levant. There was every hope also that your Majesty would find means to settle this difference.
	On this he began to talk of Barbarossa's late shipwreck, which, he said, had only been of 14 sails, whatever might have been reported; and that the shipwreck of honor made by the fleet (armée) of the Holy League in flying from Barbarossa with loss of several sails was greater than his. And he blamed the chiefs of the said fleet, especially the Venetians, against whom he seems to have an old grudge. But on learning how matters stood he blamed no one any more.
	The King then spoke about the affair of his marriage, repeating part of what he had said before dinner, and adding that he was importuned extremely by his subjects to make a match,—that his age did not admit of very long delay, and that he thought the French who boasted that your Majesty would not treat anything without their consent had caused the delay of his said marriage; but he expected to learn about it within a few days. I do not know how he will be then but at present he seems very much perplexed and troubled, and not the least of his trouble is that he must speak bravely and haughtily "et bergier tout le monde sans uul respect." Everybody says he is much inclined to the duchess of Milan, whom, as I was informed three days ago, by one who knows almost all secrets, he would willingly take, even if she were delivered to him naked without a penny.
	As to the marriage of the said Princess, the French ambassador told me two days ago that he had good authority for saying, though he was sworn not to tell what authority, that this King was treating to marry the Princess to the young duke of Cleves, and thereby to league himself with the king of Denmark, the dukes of Saxony and Prussia and the landgrave of Hesse, offering a great sum of money, if need were, to carry on war against your Majesty. I have no doubt he will seek all means to ally himself against you and to prevent you from having leisure to attempt anything against him; but I cannot easily believe that he will marry the Princess cut of this realm, especially to a powerful neighbour. If it be so we shall see shortly; for the King is going four days hence to visit his son, and will not fail to have some conversation with his daughter. Now, it is easy to believe that, knowing or suspecting that the dukes of Cleves and Lorraine are negociating with your Majesty for the marriage of the said Duchess, he would traverse it by offering the said Princess, knowing well that if he is now baulked of the Duchess, he has little hope of assuring himself of your Majesty. He orders his munitions and apparel of war to be kept ready, and five days ago the master of the artillery (fn. 6) came to take leave of me as he was going to the frontier of Scotland, whither the King has sent him to examine, fortify and provide what is necessary, and it has been thought right to send to Guisnes, Calais, and other parts of this realm those who have charge of it. The King, moreover, has not been without fear of the hulks got ready in Flanders, for again lately he said to me two or three times he did not know to what purpose they loaded those hulks with munitions seeing there ought to be plenty in Spain.
	On the 31st Dec. the Grand Escuyer, master Caro, was taken prisoner to the Tower, and the moment his arrest was ordered commissioners went to seize all his goods in his houses. It is presumed the King will not have forgotten to charge them to take the most beautiful diamonds and pearls and innumerable jewels, which he formerly gave to the said Escuyer's wife, the greater part of which he had taken from the late good Queen. As to the offices the said Caro held, it appears sufficiently that their distribution was arranged before his arrest, and was published next morning. The office of Escuyer has fallen to master Brun, although two days before Cromwell told the French ambassador that, but for the bad service done lately by the said Brun in France, who like a glorieux coquart had mixed his private quarrels and passions about his meagre reception there with the affairs of his commission, the King would have provided him with some honourable office, but he must now content himself with what he had and not look for more. I am told the cause of the Escuyer's arrest was a letter found in the coffer of the Marchioness, by which he informed her of some conversations held in the King's chamber; also that the principal thing that had been required of him since his imprisonment was to testify something against the Marquis;—for since the testimony of young Polo (fn. 7) is not sufficient, these men, à lusage de Carintie, want to form the process after the execution. And I think this is the reason why the King intimated to the ambassador of France, and Cromwell also, that the before mentioned copies had been found in the said coffer; where also, they have given some to understand, some letters of mine were, as Master Dudley has sent twice to tell his wife that he has warned me of it, and no one has mentioned it to me at all. I know not what letters of mine could have been there for I never wrote any to any one in this realm that I would not like published, except to the late good Queen and to the Princess, who would take good care to burn them. And seeing that of late, they wished to blame the said Marquis and others executed because they had found no letters in their possession, saying that they had burnt them lest the wickedness therein contained should be discovered,—as it might easily be suggested that I had several times written to the Princess, to avoid that suspicion I have sent her a dozen letters which she can show if necessary; and for my part I should like if some occasion offered for the King to see and read them.
	To return to the Escuyer; I am told that, in the hope of pardon, he had already revealed several things against both himself and the Marquis; but nothing has been specified to me, except that when he brought news to the Marquis that the late queen Jane was delivered of a son, the Marquis showed himself very melancholy; which I believe was only on account of the love he bears to the Princess, in whose service he would willingly, as he has often sent to tell me, shed his blood. And I think that if any letter of the said Escuyer is found in the possession of the said Marchioness it will be matters concerning the said Princess, of whom the said Escuyer has always shown himself a most devoted servant. It would seem they wish to leave her as few such as possible. For the rest, whatever good present the said Escuyer had of your Majesty in Bologna when he went to swear the peace, he has always inclined to the side of France, for which he has been frequently reproached by good Edward Nevel.
	As to interceding with the King for young Polo, I think your Majesty has done well, for the reasons mentioned in your letter, to avoid writing of it; and for the same reasons, and the execution of his elder brother, to avoid even speaking of it. I am told his life is granted to him, but he must remain in perpetual prison; also that on the 4th day of the feasts he tried to suffocate himself with a cushion.
	As to writing to the abp. of Lunden I shall conform myself to your Majesty's commands. At this moment the secretary of the French ambassador has come to tell me on his master's behalf that Cromwell returning late from Court visited him and told him that within two hours the King had received letters from his ambassador in France stating that the French king had imprisoned two Cordeliers who had defamed the King in their sermons, and it was said they would be severely punished; and that Francis had on the first day of the year given the English ambassador a good reception and ordered that what was already printed of the Bible in English should be delivered to his ministers; at which the King had showed himself wonderfully pleased and felt himself greatly bound to Francis, and also to the said Ambassador, who did not cease to do everything to preserve the amity. The Ambassador informs me that all that was done in France was merely an artifice to abuse those here, not to put them in mistrust, and that he had advised it by his letters; nevertheless those which he wrote about the defamation of the King and the sequestration of the Bible could scarcely have yet arrived at the French Court. The said Ambassador has also sent to ask if it be true that this King had sent to present to the duchess of Milan a diamond worth 16,000 ducats as he was told. To which I replied that I had never heard it, as in deed I had not. London, 9 Jan. (fn. 8) 1538.
	French.
9 Jan. Calig. B. III. 98. B. M.	38. THE COUNCIL of the NORTH to CROMWELL.
	Received lately his letter objecting that the King should be charged for payments of the diets of Tynedale. They consider taking of pledges to be useless, but have not ventured to change the order given to the bp. of Durham late president there, of 20d. weekly for every pledge. Think it advisable that the goods of persons lately attainted of treason at York be sold to defray these charges; and that there be two strong houses well fortified and manned to enforce order. Send up their commission to be reformed. Have received the examinations taken by the earl of Westmoreland, Sir Thos. Tempest, and Richard Bellicis for breach of prison at Hexham. Have committed Lewis Ogle and Shawe to the castle of Newcastle and commanded Nicholas Garsdale of Wulsingham to Durham gaol. York, 9 Jan. Signed: "Robt. Landaffe: T. Magnus: Robert Bowis: Will'm Babthorpe: Robt. Chaloner: Jo. Uvedale."
	Pp. 2. Add.: "To the right honorable and our most singler good lorde my lorde Priveseall." Endd.: "The Council in the North parties." Below in a later hand: "30 Hen. VIII."
Calig. B. v. 36. B. M.	2. Paper headed "The examination of Hexham men." Exculpating the 24 watchmen appointed by Lewis Ogle, under bailiff, to keep the prison tower "which standeth without the town," when it was broken open by the thieves. Cannot discover the number of the thieves or who they were. Complain of the state of the prison, and the insufficient means for securing the prisoners. Prisoners could come to the outer door and speak with their friends when they would. Sir Raynold Carnaby is bailiff and is accused of negligence. Gerard Cherltoun, otherwise called Gerard Toppyng, was often at large in the church or in the town, with persons to keep him. Find that John Shawe is implicated in their escape, and send him up prisoner with the bearer, Lewis Ogle. Signed: "Rauff Westmorland: Thomas Tempest: Richard Belassez."
	Pp. 3. Add.: "To," &c., "my lord President of the Kinge's honorable Council in these North parties."
9 Jan. R. O. Rymer, XIV. 624.	39. NEWCASTLE, AUSTIN FRIARS.
	Surrender of the house and all its possessions in England, and the marches thereof, or elsewhere. 9 Jan., 30 Hen. VIII. Signed by And. Kel, prior, eight priests, and three novices. [See Deputy Keeper's Eighth Report, App. II. 32].
	Seal almost gone.
	Enrolled [Close Roll, p. 5, No. 71] without mem. of acknowledgment.
9 Jan. R. O. Rymer, XIV. 631.	40. NEWCASTLE, GREY FRIARS.
	Surrender (by John Crayforth, prior or warden, and the convent) of the house and all its possessions, as well in England and the marches thereof as elsewhere. 9 Jan., 30 Hen. VIII. Signed by John Craforht, warden; eight priests, among whom is Wm. Mawer, sub-warden; and two novices. [See Deputy Keeper's Eighth Report, App. II. 32.]
	Seal much injured.
	Enrolled [Close Roll, p. 5, No. 79] without mem. of acknowledgment.
10 Jan. R. O.	41. DR. JOHN LONDON to CROMWELL.
	The Black Friar of Northampton who was committed before All Hallows for certain words, is still in ward. The words laid to him were "that there should be but one priest in every church." This he denies, but confesses saying that he thought hereafter priests should be more diligently examined of their learning, and so there would not be found enough learned to have for every cure one. Divers honest men report the man is learned and used to preach the Gospel, "refusing old fantasies and frairs' tales." Please cause some order to be taken with him by commission, for he is in much misery this cold winter. Northampton, 10^o Januarij.
	Hol., p. 1. Add.: Privy Seal. Endd.: A^o xxx^o.
10 Jan. R. O.	42. DR. JOHN LONDON to CROMWELL.
	I see, in Northampton, notable decay, first, of the houses, whereof part belonged to the religious houses there lately suppressed, which were evil repairers of their lands, and part to gentlemen of the country, who extort as much rent as they can and leave all repairs to the tenants, who now let their housing fall in ruin, to the great deformity of the town. The fee farm is very big, so that the bailiffs, though they make great exactions, are themselves put to much charge. They have to maintain the town hall, prison, walls, highways, and bridges; yet at every entrance there is a several franchise or liberty, and the tollings and pollings make men loth to resort thither. It is pity such franchises should incommode so great a town for the benefit of one private person. Inclosures likewise in this shire have laid down houses and villages which used to repair to the markets and fairs here. There used to be much clothing here, but now is very little, and many are out of work; the artificers decrease, and the tipplers and ale houses increase daily, as they do in most other great towns of this realm. The worshipful inhabitants beg your succour to have the candle rents, which pertained to the abbeys now in the King's hands. These candle rents are in much ruin, but if the town had them they would see them kept in repair. By your help these men would set up clothmaking, spinning, weaving, fulling, and dyeing. In the Friars' are rooms meet for clothiers: it were pity strangers should get them if any of the worshipful of the town should offer for them, as I perceive some intend. Northampton, decimo Januarii. Signed.
	Pp. 3. Add.: Privy Seal. Endd.
10 Jan. R.O. Rymer, XIV. 615.	43. NEWCASTLE, BLACK FRIARS.
	Surrender of the house and all its possessions in England and the marches thereof or elsewhere. 10 Jan., 30 Hen. VIII. Signed by Rol. Hardyng, prior; nine priests; and three undescribed. [See Deputy Keeper's Eighth Report, App. II. 32.]
	Seal mutilated.
	Enrolled [Close Roll, p. 5, No. 56] without mem. of acknowledgment.
10 Jan. R.O. Rymer, XIV. 624.	44. NEWCASTLE, WALKNOLL, TRINITARIAN FRIARS.
	Surrender (by Thos. Wayde, master or warden of the cell or house of Walle knolle in Newcastle-upon-Tyne), of the house or cell and all its possessions in England and the marches thereof or elsewhere. 10 Jan., 30 Hen. VIII. Signed by Thos. Wayde. [See Deputy Keeper's Eighth Report, App. II. 33.]
	Seal broken.
	Enrolled [Close Roll, p. 5, No. 72] without mem. of acknowledgment.
10 Jan. R.O. Rymer, XIV. 631.	45. NEWCASTLE, WHITE FRIARS.
	Surrender of the house and all its possessions as well in England and the marches thereof as elsewhere. 10 Jan., 30 Hen. VIII. Signed by Gerald Spor, prior; seven priests; and two novices. [See Deputy Keeper's Eighth Report, App. II. 33.]
	Seal broken.
	Enrolled [Close Roll, p. 5, No. 76] without mem. of acknowledgment.
10 Jan. Poli Epp. II. 143.	46. CARD. POLE to CARD. CONTARINI.
	On arriving here the Card. Legate delivered him Contarini's letters, which came with those the Pope wrote in his own hand to each of the princes; which were very welcome, as they seemed opportune for the business in hand, both public and private, the more so as Contarini writes that they are accurately written. Was glad, although he knew it already, to hear of the Pope's love for him (Pole) and good will for the public utility. Wrote from Bologna about their journey and the cold in the mountains, which though they expect it will be not less severe in the Alps, is here in the plain of Italy much mitigated. Has staid here a whole day to recruit, and the more willingly as he found here the bp. of Verona waiting to condole with him upon the heavy fate of his [family] and to learn the method of his journey. Felt the consolation of having a dear friend near him the more because his grief was renewed by letters announcing that his elder brother was condemned to death. Found the Card. Legate no less prompt to assist him, and has written of his (the Legate's) liberality to Card. Farnese, on whose account, and the Pope's, it was no doubt the greater. Commends himself also to the master of the Sacred Palace. Placentia, 10 Jan. 1539.
	Lat.