Henry VIII: December 1515, 21-25 | British History Online

Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII, Volume 2, 1515-1518. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1864.

Citation:

'Henry VIII: December 1515, 21-25', in Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII, Volume 2, 1515-1518, ed. J S Brewer( London, 1864), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/letters-papers-hen8/vol2/pp350-361 [accessed 29 November 2024].

December 1515



21 Dec. Vit. B. II. 84. B. M.	1312. CONVOCATION.
	Leo X. to [Warham].
	Desires him to use his influence to support the King in his intention of sending relief to Dalmatia and the city of Jaicca besieged by the Turks. This is especially necessary in this war with Aliduli, who has been slain. Hears from the Bp. of Worcester that he has done this already in the council. Worcester will write more fully. Rome, 18 Aug. 1515, 3 pont.
	Lat., Copy, p. 1.
	ii. Bp. of Worcester to Warham.
	The Pope is very urgent. He wished the King would ask the clergy for a tenth, but will be satisfied with a twentieth. Will be glad if the King will advance the money, as he will see by the letter Worcester now sends to Andreas Ammonius. Rome, 7 Sept. 1515.
	Copy, Lat., pp. 2.
	iii. Speech of Taylor to the Bishops.
	Refuses the money; stating that the convocation was called for other purposes, and that more tenths had been paid by the clergy in one sitting than to any other King in the whole of their lives. Hopes he will imitate the example of Henry VII., who remitted the tenths when the cause for giving them ceased. They will not open a window to so perilous an example as the Pope requires, lest when they wish it they be not able to shut the door. They have paid already six tenths to defend the patrimony of St. Peter. Lat., pp.2.
	iv. The Prolocutor and Clergy in the Lower House of Convocation to Leo X.
	William Abp. of Canterbury has exhibited to them a brief dated 18 Aug. desiring aid against the Turks, and a letter from Worcester to himself. Regret they cannot comply. Call to his mind the efforts they made in the time of Julius II. The victories of Henry over the French have removed all dangers from the Holy See. St. Paul's, London, 25 Nov. 1515.
	v. "Quando decimæ papales sunt concedendæ ex decreto Sacri Consilii Constantiensis."
	vi. Colophon in Taylor's hand. "Dissoluta fuit hæc convocatio xxi. Decembris, 1515, Johanne Tayler juris pontifieii doctore prolocutore, et eodem tempore clerico parliamentorum domini Regis. In hac convocatione et parliamento periculosissimæ seditiones exortæ sunt inter clerum et sæcularem potestatem super libertatibus ecclesiasticis, quodam fratre Minore nomine Standisch omnium malorum ministro ac stimulatore, 1515."
Keilwey's Re ports, 180.	1313. DR. STANDISH and the CONVOCATION.
	During the time of the parliament 7 Hen. VIII. the Abbot of Winchcombe, in a sermon at Paul's Cross, declared that the act 4 Hen. VIII., by which murderers, robbers of churches, and housebreakers, were deprived of their clergy unless they were in holy orders, was against the law of God and the liberties of the Church; that all the Lords who were parties to that act had incurred the censures of the Church, and that all clerks who had received any manner of orders were exempt from temporal punishment, and he put forward a decretal (un lieur dun decree) in maintenance of his opinion. Hereupon the King, at the request of the temporal lords, took counsel of divers divines at Blackfriars, on a day thereto assigned. Dr. Henry Standish, warden of the Mendicant Friars of London, maintained that the act was not against the liberty of the Church, as it was for the weal of the whole realm. Dr. _ maintained, on the contrary, that there was a decree expressly against it, which all Christians were bound to obey. Standish reminded him that there was also a decree that all Bishops should be resident at their cathedrals at every feast, and yet the greater number of English bishop disregarded it, and that the decree for the exemption of clerks had never been acknowledged in England. It was replied that such exemption was commanded by Christ in the words, Nolite tangere Christos meos. Standish said that these were the words of David, a thousand years before the time of our Saviour, and were never uttered by Christ, but were spoken because the greater number of people in that day were heathens (miscreants), whom David forbad to molest those of the true faith, whom he called Christos. To this the Doctor made no reply. The Lords, who had heard both sides, desired certain Bishops to cause the Abbot to make open renunciation of what he had said at St. Paul's. But the Bishops refused, saying they were bound by the law of the Church to maintain the Abbot's opinion; and so the matter rested until Michaelmas term. At this time Dr. Horsey, chancellor of the Bishop of London, had caused one John Hunne of London, merchant, to be arrested for heresy, and committed him to the custody of one Joseph to the Lollard's tower at St. Paul's. There had been previously some ill feeling between Horsey and Hunne on account of a præmunire then pending against the Doctor at the suit of Hunne. One morning Hunne was found hanging dead in the said Tower; on which the said Doctor and Joseph gave out that he had hung himself with his silk girdle. Nevertheless, Joseph, finding that he and the Doctor were suspected of Hunne's murder, took sanctuary at Westminster, and the Doctor and he were indicted as principals. The Bishops, finding the coroner's jury inclined to indict them, spoke strongly in their favor.
	In Michaelmas term 7 Hen. VIII. Dr. Standish was summoned to appear before convocation, to answer the following articles: 1. Whether it was lawful for a temporal judge to call clerks before him. 2. Whether first orders are sacred. 3. Whether a constitution by the Pope and clergy binds a country where the usage has been to the contrary. 4. Whether a temporal prince can restrain bishops who refuse to punish, &c. The Archbishop of Can- terbury delivered him a bill of conclusions, and appointed him a day for reply. Standish, perceiving their malice, appealed to the King. The clergy replied that they had not intended anything against him, for what he had said as the King's councillor against the aforesaid sermon, but on account of certain lectures which he had since delivered at St. Paul's and elsewhere, and prayed the King's assistance according to his coronation oath. The temporal lords made a similar request that the King would maintain his temporal jurisdiction according to that oath, and shield Standish from the malice of the clergy. The King called Dr. Vesey, dean of the Chapel, and desired him on his allegiance to state whether the summoning of clerks before temporal judges for criminal causes was against the law of God. Vesey replied that it had always been used in England, and might well stand with the liberties of the Church. Then the justices and councillors of the King, spiritual and temporal, and certain persons of the parliament, by the King's command, assembled at the Black Friars, when the bill against Standish was read, containing six articles, some of which Standish denied, and others he explained. The spiritualty urged that it was just as unjustifiable to cite one's spiritual father before a temporal judge, as it would be to cite one's natural father, which would be against the commandment, "Honour thy father and thy mother." Standish replied that a temporal judge could, without offence, cite either; but, even admitting that the temporal judge could not justify the citation of his spiritual father, he was at liberty to cite any other clerk, and that no commandment was absolute, for the Israelites slew and spoiled the Egyptians without offence to the law. Dr. Vesey used similar arguments, and said that formerly secular priests had wives, but in the time of St. Augustine a decree was made to the contrary, and because that decree was received in England and other countries, secular priests had no wives at this day; but in various other parts that decree was never received, and the priests in the East had wives like secular men.
	Ultimately the judges determined that all the Convocation who had taken part in the proceedings against Dr. Standish were subject to præmunire; that the King could hold a parliament by himself and the temporal lords and commons, without the spiritual lords, who who had no place there, except by reason of their temporal possessions. Then the judges and councillors, spiritual and temporal, assembled before the King at Baynard's castle, when the Archbishop of York, Cardinal, knelt before the King and said, in behalf of the clergy, that none of them had intended to do anything in derogation of the royal prerogative, and that for his part he owed his advancement solely to the King, and would never assent to anything in derogation of his authority: nevertheless that this matter of the convention of clerks before the temporal judge seemed to all the clergy to be against the liberties of the Church, which they were bound by oath to preserve. He therefore prayed the King that the matter might be determined by the Pope and his council at Rome. The King answered, "We think Dr. Standish has sufficiently replied to you in all points." The Bp. of Winchester said, "Sir, I warrant you Dr. Standish will not abide by his opinion, at his peril." Standish replied, "What should one poor friar do alone, against all the bishops and clergy of England?" The Archbishop of Canterbury said, that in former days many holy fathers had resisted the law of the land on this point, and some had suffered martyrdom in the quarrel. Fineux replied that the conventing of clerks had been practised by many holy Kings, and many fathers of the church had agreed to it; and also said, "If a clerk is arrested by the secular authority for murder or felony, and the temporal judge commits him to you, according to your desire, you have no authority by your law to try him." On this the King said, "We are, by the sufferance of God, King of England, and the Kings of England in times past never had any superior but God; know, therefore, that we will maintain the rights of the crown in this matter like our progenitors; and as to your decrees, we are satisfied that even you of the spiritualty act expressly against the words of several of them, as has been well shown you by some of our spiritual council. You interpret your decrees at your pleasure; but as for me, I will never consent to your desire, any more than my progenitors have done."
	On this the Archbishop of Canterbury begged that the matter might be respited till they had the resolution of the court of Rome at their own cost. The King made no reply. Nevertheless by this motion they found means to keep Dr. Horsey out of the hands of the temporalty, and he remained in the household of the Archbishop of Canterbury under colour of a prisoner, until the cry about Hunne was somewhat abated, and they had made his peace with the King about the said murder; and then he came privately into the King's Bench, was arraigned, and pleaded "Not guilty." The Attorney General, Erneley, admitted the plea, and Horsey was dismissed; and as to Dr. Standish, at the said last assembly at Baynard's Castle, the bishops promised the King he should be dismissed from the court. (fn. 1)
21 Dec. R. O.	1314. CONVOCATION and DR. STANDISH.
	In answer to the charge of having called before them Prior Standish, D.D., "for giving of counsel to the King's grace, as well by words as by writing, in certain causes depending, in variance concerning the laws of God and of his Church:"—
	1. They deny the charge, but say they summoned him for that "long sithens the time of his said counsel given to the King's grace, as well in open lectures as in other open places, he read, taught, affirmed and published divers matters which were thought not to stand with the laws of God and the determination of Holy Church," by which it was thought he had fallen into the suspicion of heresy.
	2. To the charge of having ministered in the Convocation to the said friar certain articles contrary to the King's prerogative, they answer that they neither said nor did nor intended to do any prejudice to the Crown, and they trust the King will not punish them on any such sinister information.
	3. They affirm that no articles were delivered to Standish in writing, although they were conceived in writing.
	4. As to the charge that articles were ministered to him in the Convocation House, specially that clerks should not be convented before lay judges, they never held any such communication with him; "for if it were the thing that needeth any reformation, yet the said prelates well perceive that it could nother be holpen nor hurted by the said friar; and so they should have but lost their time in ministering any such article to him or matter unto him. And they sayeth that they thinketh that the said frere, examined upon his oath, wol not say that there was any such matter moved unto him in the said Convocation House. And if he would so say, yet the said prelates trusteth that the King's grace wol give more and better credence to all their sayings, in verbo sacerdotii, than to the only saying of one frere. And if the said prelates had said in the said Convocation House that the conventing or punition of clerks should not appertain to secular judges (as they said not, nor in any wise intended to treat of that matter), yet they thinketh themselfes, though they had so done, not to have fallen thereby into any penalty of any law, statute, or act; forasmuch as at sundry times divers of the parliament speaketh divers and many things not only against men of the Church and against the laws of the Church, but also sometime against the King's laws, for the which neither the King nor the prelates of the Church have punished them, nor yet desireth any punishment for their so speaking. Wherefore, the said prelates thinketh, that it may be as lawful to them in the Convocation House to common and treat of things concerning both lay men and also the laws of the land (though they so do not) without falling into any penalty of any statute or act, or yet any other punishment in that behalf, as it is for them of the parliament to common and treat of any causes sownyng against the clergy and laws of the Church."
	5. They are bound, on their oaths, to make investigation of heresy, and for that cause alone Standish was summoned before them.
	6. That the demanding of such a question as this, "An exemptio clericorum sit de jure divino, an non?" affirms neither one nor the other, and cannot therefore be contrary to the King's laws.
	7. In conclusion, they beseech the King, as they have ever been loyal subjects, nor impeached nor intended to impeach his prerogative, not to credit any sinister information against them, but suffer them to keep their Convocation, as his predecessors have done.
	Pp. 7, in Tuke's hand.
Dec. R. O.	1315. PARLIAMENT.
	Petition to the King in Parliament complaining of vexatious suits by ... farmers and parish priests ... "[as w]ell religious as temporal, having no property in any temporal goods, claiming in ... cloth, beast, or other best thing whereof any religious person, man's wife, infant, or [other not come to yea]rs of discretion, had any use or wearing [in his" life]; also of "the great uncharitable e ... priests and deputies that daily refuse to fetch and receive the corse of such de[ceased person] ... but if such best jewel, garment, cloth, or other best thing as is aforesaid" [be given them].
	Prays that in consideration of such uncharitable premisses, and the infection that daily cometh of such corses being unburied, it may be enacted that [no] parish priest refuse to bury in their church ... religious person, man's wife, infant within the age of fourteen, or person not having discretion. That every curate shall administer the sacraments of holy church, when required, to every sick person in his parish, and shall receive into his church or churchyard the corpse of every person dying in his parish, under a penalty of forty pounds. That no curate [shall demand] anything under the name of mortuary of any religious person, man's wife, &c. lacking discretion, or lacking goods within the parish. Half the forfeiture to go to the King, and the other half to the Church.
	Corrected draft, badly mutilated, p. 1, broad sheet.
21 Dec. Galba, B. III. 407. App. XLVII. B. M.	1316. SPINELLY to HENRY VIII.
	[Wrote last on the 18th. As usual, the Chancellor of Brabant and Chievres have daily communication with the French ambassadors. The posts are doubled both to France and Germany. The Prince of Castile has granted the Archduchess 12,000 fl. a year, including the lordship of Mechlin, under the same conditions as the Dowager of England (fn. 2) had. "The secret]ari of the Duc of Albany was [oons depa]rted toward France, and within this ii. days he is returned again, to what intent [as yet 1] can not know it. As I am informed the president of Paris s[ayeth that] the French King his master can make no truce with t[he Emperor] because his said master is bound to a[sk] the Venetians for the recovery of Bres[cia] and all their dominion; but in a peace he put no difficulty. [Wherein appeareth an evident deception in him, and that he wol geve them the streppe entirely, and not make one thing umparf[ai]te. [And considering the proceeding of the Lorde Chievres and Chancellor of Brabant though they have as yet not power from the Emperor to treat the said peace, it is to suppose they be in some hope of it. Wherefore, in case your highness look to have any prejudice thereby, under your most noble correccion, in taking a short resolucion as well with thEmperor as with the Swiss it may be remedied. For all consiste in help and money. But I certifie your grace the diligence of your enemies is such that the matter do not require great delay of sending to and fro.] The Lord Berges [is gone home, and I think he wol not retourne to] the [corte so shortly; he] she[wed me at his departing] that the Lord Chievres and the Chancellor of Brabant sa[yet]h unto him [that the Archduchess and he] contriveth with the am]assador [of Arragon matters] contrary to the Prince's mind. Wherefore your [grace] may perceive in what condition been the [affairs here.] Your highness ambassadors been gone to Meckl[yn ... ] there these alidais (holidays), and I tarry here though [some peradventu]re would I were away.—Written thus far, the Lords Chievres, Ravestein and the [master of] the Prince's horses with the ambassad[or of] France been gone at a plasse of the said [Lord Chievres] called Ewra, and shall return the Cris[mas even; and it is thought they will make a great practice and consultations upon their business."—Albany's secretary has been buying harness, and has made a bargain for 500 halberds. The ambassador of Arragon is displeased with his colleague with the Emperor, for having been absent a month from court, and giving too easy credence to the Emperor's words]. Brussels, St. Thomas' morning.
	Hol., part cipher, undeciphered, pp. 3, much mutilated. Add.
R. O.	2. Decipher of the above by Tuke, from which the mutilations have been supplied.
21 Dec. R. O.	1317. SPINELLY to WOLSEY.
	Wrote his last on the 18th. If the King "will not bring the war on this side the mountains, and against the King my master and the King of Arragon, the Swiss must be kept enemies unto the Frenchmen, and the Emperor from the peace with them. Advises some one to be sent to Sir Rob. Wyngfelde "to incifre and to help hym enquire of the newes here. He is in good favor with the Emperor, but he demandeth no further than is showed unto kym." Has heard nothing more of Richard de la Pole.
	Four marriages are spoken of for the Lady Elianor. The Emperor will give her to the King of Polone, the Lady Margaret rather to the Duc of Savoys, the Lord Chievres to the Duc of Geldres, the Prince of Chymé to the Prince of Hungarye. Bruxelles, 21 Dec. 1515.
	Add.: Rev^do, &c. Thomæ p. d. Cardinali Angliæ, &c.
	Hol., part cipher. P. 1.
R. O.	2. Decipher of the above in Tuke's hand.
21 Dec. Vit. B. XVIII. 230. B. M.	1318. SIR ROB. WINGFIELD to HENRY VIII.
	Wrote to the King from Fiesyn on the 7th, and on the 10th to Wolsey, "answering to such [as he wrote] unto me in your name. And the same day ... the Emperor to pass to Constance, which is little [less than ... ] English mile thence and marvellous ill way." And ... the Cardinal Sedunensis lieth in this town I h ... ever since Sunday at night for betwixt this town [and Constance] is but the breadth of a lake which is called the Cost[ance lake]. As yesterday I passed in the said Cardinal's company ... where the Duke of Barre, Mr. Richard Pace and the S[ignior Viscounte] Gallias met with us, and there was concluded fo ... considerations that the said Signior Viscounte should ta[ke his journey] toward your grace as soon as he may obtain a let[ter of conduct] of the Emperor, which lay the last night passed at a place ... standing in this lake five Dutch mile hence named ... [And] because that the matters wherefore the said Signior Ga[leas [doth make] the said journey concerneth the charge of the said [Mr. Pace] and [I] doubt not but he hath advised your grace of the [same, I shall] in these make no mention of it. Howbeit I esteem ve[rily that it] shall like the said Signior Galeas right well, for he ... ble and wise with such other good parts as belong ... either in peace or war; and over that he seemeth [to have] great devotion not only to see your grace but a[lso] ... all the foresaid partis with all affection in your ...
	"Also the said Cardinal intendeth to send one of his s[ecretaries ... ] which is right an honest man and well ... experience, for he is the same that was th ... Pope Julius and the said Cardinal ... his name is Mel[chior Langus] ... distant from the court and have been these 12 days ... pourveyed of any tidings worthy writing." Yesterday Sion received letters from his [servant at] the Emperor's court stating that Peter de [Navarre] with his Gascons had made a mine hoping to have won Brescia, but the besieged made a counter-mine by which all the Gascons in the said [mine] "were right gentlemanly buried quick," Peter himself being carried off for dead; on which those within made a sally and slew 1,500 Gascons. The Venetians were compelled to remove the siege to the side towards Milan. It is said the Emperor's army has already left Verona, and that 5,000 from the mountains are ready to meet with them.—The Duke of Barre hopes Henry will continue to him the favor he shewed to his unfortunate brother. The said Duke seemeth to be right quick of wit. Thinks the King might provide a marriage for him. Ovyrlynge in Swabe, the x[xi^st day of Dec (fn. 3).] 1515.
	Hol., pp. 3, mutilated. Add.
21. Dec. Otho, C. IX. 27b. B. M.	1319. FABRICIUS DE CARETO to HENRY VIII.
	The Turk will launch in the spring a fleet of 50 galleys. He gives out that he intends to attack the Sultan for assisting his son Anadola to recover his kingdom. Expects it is a mere pretext to attack Rhodes. Rhodes, 21 Dec. 1515.
	Lat., mutilated, p. 1. Add. End. (incorrectly) by Wriothesley.
21 Dec. R. O.	1320. FABRICIUS de CARETO to HENRY VIII.
	The Turk is preparing 50 great galleys, pretending it is against the Soldan for favoring the son of Anadola in the recovery of his kingdom. The knights are busy making preparations. Rhodes, 21 Dec. 1515. Signed.
	Lat., p. 1. Add.
21 Dec. R. O.	1321. WM. PAWNE to [the COUNCIL].
	Sends an abstract of money due 21 Dec. last, amounting to 1,217l. 4s. Has only received 600l. Hopes they will provide a remedy so that the King's works may not be at a standstill. Tournay, 21 Dec.
	Hol., p. 1.
21 Dec. S. B.	1322. For STEPHEN CATANYO, merchant of Genoa.
	Licence to export cloths, lead, tin, leather, salthides, and 200 sacks of wool. Del. Westm., 21 Dec. 7 Hen. VIII.
	Fr. 7 Hen. VIII. m. 26.
21 Dec. S. B.	1323. For ANTH. DE VIVALDIS, merchant of Genoa.
	Licence to export "corsis, girdellis, rybandys and lacis," made in England, notwithstanding the act of parliament, 7 Nov. 1 Hen. VII. Del. Westm., 21 Dec. 7 Hen. VIII.
	Fr. 7 Hen. VIII. m. 26.
21 Dec. S. B.	1324. For BARTH. SALVIATI, merchant of Florence.
	Licence to retain the customs on his merchandize for four years, to the amount of 1,000l, Del. Westm., 21 Dec. 7 Hen. VIII.
	Fr. 7 Hen. VIII. m. 1.
21 Dec.	1325. For Wm. UVEDALE
	To be comptroller of customs in the port of Pole. Westm, 21 Dec.
	Pat. 7 Hen. VIII. p. 3, m. 7.
22 Dec. S. B.	1326. For JOHN JOLYE, page of the King's door.
	To be constable of Brigenorth Castle, Salop, lately held by Richard Houghton. Del. Westm., 22 Dec. 7 Hen. VIII.
	Pat. 7 Hen. VIII. p. 3. m. 14.
22 Dec. Vit. B. XVIII. 231. (fn. 4) B. M.	1327. PACE to WOLSEY.
	In behalf of the bearer Melchior [Langus, Archdea]con of Novara, sent by the Cardinal Sion to England to thank the King and Wolsey for their confidence. He was "chamberlain unto the .. de memory of Pope Juli, and one of them his holiness did trust singularly." Uberlinge, 22 ...
	Hol., p. 1, mutilated.
	Add.: Tho. mi. di. ti. Sti. Ciriaci (sic) presb. Card. Ebor.
R. O.	1328. CARD. SION to PACE.*
	On departing from Memingen met with his friend Parafrancia coming from Zurich with the news enclosed. God prospers their wishes in breaking the truce with France ("cum bona"). The politic dealing (tractabilitas) of the King of England has brought about this result, which could not be effected by the Emperor. It is necessary that money should be sent at once, as they have to fight against gold, of which the Swiss are most greedy. Begs whenever he writes to his majesty he will insinuate as much. Then the French will be conquered, and the expedition set forward for Italy. Sends a packet, with the letters of the Bp. of Veroli enclosed, to the prothonotary his agent, to be communicated to the Emperor. Pace is aware how anxious his Majesty is about this French peace.
	Hol., Lat., p. 1. The lower part of the leaf with the signature cut off.
23 Dec. R. O.	1329. CARDINAL SION to HENRY VIII.
	Has thought it necessary to send the bearer, Melchior Langus, Archdeacon of Novara, whom he had employed for ten years with Pope Julius. Uberlingen, x. kal. Jan. 1515. Signed.
	Lat., p. 1. Add. Endd. by Ammonius: 1515.
23 Dec. R. O.	1330. The SAME to WOLSEY.
	To the same effect. Uberlingen, x. kal. Jan. 1515. Signed.
	Lat., p. 1. Add.: Cardinali Eboracensi. Endd. by Ammonius: 1516 p^a Januarii.
23 Dec. Er. Ep. VIII. 46.	1331. ERASMUS to AMMONIUS.
	Galeazzo, who is going to England as an ambassador from the Milanese, and takes this letter, will have to return in a month. Erasmus will remain at Basle until the beginning of March. Wolsey had obliged him, bello somnio, with a prebend at Tournay. "Magis dolet ludibrium quam dispendium." The New Testament is nearly finished, and will amount to 80 sheets (codicilli). It will be dedicated to Pope Leo. Pace is here; but has only communicated with him by letters. Basle, 10 kal. Jan. 1517.
23 Dec. Er. Ep. VII. 12.	1332. ERASMUS to PETER CARAFFA, Apostolic Nuncio in England.
	Regrets his error in regard to the Bishop's present. Had asked aid, but meant in learning, not money. The N. Testament is nearly finished. The work amounts to 80 sheets (terniones). Has printed his letter to Leo X. to whom the work is dedicated. Jerom advances, but the work is immense. Basle, 10 kal. Januar. 1514.
23 Dec. S. B. b.	1333. CHASE. EARL OF WORCESTER and WM. LORD MOUNTJOY to the COUNCIL.
	Certificate that Morgan ap Howell, soldier of Tournay, requires the general pardon granted to the garrison of Tournay. Tournay, 23 Dec. 7 Hen. VIII. Signed.
	Add.
23 Dec. S. B.	1334. For TH. TATE and RALPH BROKE, lancers of Calais.
	Annuity of 33l. 6s. 8d. out of the issues of Calais. Del. Westm., 23 Dec. 7 Hen. VIII.
	Pat. 7 Hen. VIII. p. 2, m. 24.
24 Dec. Rym. XIII. 529.	1335. WOLSEY, LORD CHANCELLOR.
	1. Memorandum, that on Saturday, 22 Dec., in a small and lofty chamber near the chamber of Parliament, William Abp. of Canterbury, then being Chancellor of England, delivered into the hands of the King the Great Seal, enclosed in a bag of white leather five times sealed by the Archbishop's signet, in the presence of Cardinal Wolsey, Charles Duke of Suffolk and Wm. Throgmorton, prothonotary;—which bag the King had opened and the Seal produced then replaced in the same bag, sealed with the Cardinal's signet, and delivered to the Cardinal.
	2. Mem., that on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, the said Cardinal in his chapel at Eltham, after vespers, and in the presence of the King, took the oath of office in the form given (in English).
	Claus. 7 Hen. VIII. m. 1d.
24 Dec. Giust. Desp. I. 153.	1336. SEB. GIUSTINIAN to the COUNCIL OF TEN.
	Has heard from a Venetian citizen [Alb. Bavarino] that England had determined to remit the Emperor 100,000 ducats to be delivered in a certain town in Germany. The same is confirmed from various sources. Money here is consequently more than 12 per cent. The object is to raise troops for the succour of Brescia and Verona. The fact of there being two ambassadors with the Emperor, one of whom is Wolsey's secretary [Pace], confirms this suspicion. Couriers constantly pass backwards and forwards. Thinks this has been occasioned by the successes of Francis, and they wish to thwart him in Lombardy for fear he should proceed to Naples. England purposes to attack Scotland next year, where Albany is powerful, having expelled the Queen and kept her two sons. London, 24 Dec. 1515.
24 Dec.	1337. For HUGH DYE, yeoman of the Crown.
	Fee of the Crown, being a day, vice Hen. Hopkyns. Eltham, 24 Dec.
	Pat. 7 Hen. VIII. p. 2, m. 22.
24 Dec.	1338. For TH. VAUGHAN.
	To be serjeant-at-arms, with 12d. a day, vice Wm. Porter, deceased. Eltham, 24 Dec.
	Pat. 7 Hen. VIII. p. 2, m. 22.
Dec. R. O.	1339. [SPINELLY to WOLSEY.]
	Wrote his last on the 21st. The Archduchess sent for him in the evening to show him the letters she had received from the Emperor, dated Immys, the 14th, stating that he had sent her powers to conclude a league, cum potestate substituendi, &c., between England, the King Catholic and Queen of Castile, and would shortly send instructions; "remitting always unto her and the ambassador of Arragon being here to order the said instructions and articles as unto them should be thought best." Bannisius wrote on the 15th to tell her that instructions should be sent within four days, and that Sir Rob. Wingfield had gone to Constance to meet Cardinal Sion; that the citizens of Brescia had blown up a mine of Peter of Navarre; that the imperial army in Verona numbered, on the 15th, 14,000; and that he knew nothing of the French King's going to the Pope. The Lady Margaret begged the writer to say "that though many alterations have been since she spake with your grace, she is the Lady Margaret that she ever was, and determined to die in the good common quarrel," fearing that, as the Emperor and King of Arragon are both old, if either die the French will obtain the monarchy of Christendom.
	The ambassador of Arragon is ready to go to Calais to confirm the confederacy. Sends a notice he and Tunstal have received of Ric. de la Pole, dated Mechlin, 24 Dec., not subscribed by reason of the cipher.
	On the 23rd Dec. 1515, Alamire having returned from Barowe, showed Tunstall and Spinelly his communication with John van Rek, Derick's brother, living with De la Pole. He says that the French King has agreed to put De la Pole in England, and he will not lack friends there; that Alamire has an order from John van Ret to make a book of Our Lady's matins, as a pretext for more perfect communication with him. Alamire is to go to Metz, in Lorraine, and Van Ret will write to his brother to obtain a confidential post for Alamire in De la Pole's service. Says he spoke with a poor man at Antwerp engaged in the Scotch business, who says that De la Pole has friends both in England and Scotland; that Albany will shortly send ambassadors to France, Denmark and the King Catholic; that he understood from Hans Nagel, at his return from Brussels, that a gentleman of the Duke of Albany departing towards De la Pole with a messenger of the Prince, De la Pole's servant went with the gentleman, and the messenger tarried at home. He has also sent a horse to Hans Nagel, who intends to go to him with Alamire the next month of January. Proposes Alamire should have 30l. or 40l. He will return to Barowe in ten or twelve days to speak with Claes Baker. Thinks the gentleman above referred to was Albany's secretary.
	Cipher, deciphered by Tuke, pp. 3.
25 Dec. Vit. B. XIX. 2*. B. M.	1340. [CARDINAL SION] to WOLSEY.
	Does not know if the letters of congratulation which he sent some time since have reached the Cardinal. Wolsey's elevation has filled himself and the whole College with the greatest joy. For what could he more desire than that Wolsey should be decorated with the hat by which he himself hopes to be raised form misery, being protected by its shadow? Ravesburgh, viii. kal. Jan. 1516.
	Lat., p. 1, mutilated. Add.: Rev. in Christo Patri, &c., Sancti Ciriaci Presbytero Cardinali Eboracensi, &c.
25 Dec. R.O.	1341. ENNIUS BP. OF VEROLI to CARDINAL SION.
	Had explained to the burgomaster Roest and others the contents of his letter, written yesterday, of the imperial provision, affairs of Brescia and Verona, the meeting of the Pope and Francis, and the arrival of the English ambassador at Constance. Roest told him the Emperor could have the whole power of the Swiss without any needless pressing; that England should not quarrel with the answer made to it at the Diet of Lucerne. Nothing is needed but money. Is satisfied with the arrangement made by the Emperor with the Fuckars till money come from England. Till then the three cantons will not cease to urge the French proposals. No money has yet been brought from France to Cevennes or Lausanne. The Zurichers have thwarted all ill designs. Told them Francis has gone to Bologna to meet the Pope, and of the death of the magnifico Julian. They said they never trusted him, and would support the Church. By the letters of dominus Anselmus learns that Schweitz, Uri, Glarus, and Unterwald are favorable; as also the lords of Zurich. Zurich, 25 Dec. 1515. Signed.
	P.S.—Commends himself to the English ambassadors.
	Lat., pp. 2. Add.