Henry VIII: July 1541, 21-25

Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII, Volume 16, 1540-1541. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1898.

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'Henry VIII: July 1541, 21-25', in Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII, Volume 16, 1540-1541, (London, 1898) pp. 485-492. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/letters-papers-hen8/vol16/pp485-492 [accessed 17 March 2024]

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July 1541, 21–25

21 July. 1018. The Privy Council.
Nicolas'
P.C.P., vii.
218.
Meeting at Grafton, 21 July. Present: Privy Seal, Gt. Chamb., Gt Admiral, Durham, Treasurer, Comptroller, Mr. of Horse, Vice-Chamb., Wriothesley. Business:—Wm. Lucy, of Chorlecote, appeared and denied ever promising Oldney the farm of Haversham. The Council advised him to reflect that, as the King had written to him in Oldney's favour, it would be well done to let him have the farm and recompense Ylshaw some other way; and to this he agreed (upon conditions detailed).
21 July. 1019. The Council with the King to the Council in London.
R. O.
St. P., i.
657.
Enclose warrant for 4,000l. to be sent to Calais for fortifications at Risbanke and Guisnes, forthwith. As there is here no meet person to convey it, they must appoint some person or persons to do so, whose charges shall be allowed. Send a packet of letters to go with the money. No more shall be sent until a new certificate of the state of the works comes, but the workmen unless paid will work but shrewdly. The King thinks the will of lord Dacre's grandfather should not be so perfect but that his Majesty might take advantage of that whereof he died seised in fee, and yet have the wardship for the rest, and the entail avoid all escheats. He has sent for the chancellor of Augmentations and Mr. Pollarde to attend him in this progress, and defers his resolution till their coming. Send a bill presented on behalf of Mrs. Mantel. The King, being moved with pity, desires them to peruse what makes for her, and, upon their certificate, will take order for her relief. Send the proclamation for holydays, &c., (fn. 1) which the lord Chancellor shall cause to be signified to all ordinaries, and proclaimed in all shires and places accustomed.
Where they ask the King's pleasure touching his style, he thinks that, before altering it by reason of the Act passed in Ireland, the words of the Act should be considered; for, if it be couched, “as though they gave this thing unto his Highness by a common consent of themselves,” it would seem to be at their election and so derogate from the King's just title by inheritance and conquest. Desire the lord Chancellor to send a copy of the Act as sent to England and remitted again to Ireland, so that it may be sent again to Ireland if not conceived as it should be. [The letters out of Flanders be answered as by the tenor of the minute of the same you shall perceive] (fn. 2). By news from Germany, the Emperor takes the King's answer to his ambassador in good part. Matters of religion there remain as before. The King and Queen, and all the train, are merry.
Draft in Wriothesley's hand, pp. 8. Endd.: Minute to the King's Council resident at London, 21 July 1541.
R. O. 2. Copy in a modern hand of the portion of the above relating to the King's style.
P. 1.
21 July. 1020. The Privy Council to Chapuys.
R. O. By bearer, your secretary, we received the letters of the king of the Romans to the King, which we have presented, and also your letters to us of the Council, with the letters of the Emperor and the king of the Romans to you. As they contain matter of importance and the King is now in his journey he commands us to signify that he will consider it with all diligence. Grafton, 21 July 1541.
French, p. 1. Corrected draft, endd.: Minute to th'Emperor's ambassador.
21 July. 1021. Sir Thos. Hennege to Mr. Eaton.
R. O. One Michael Mercator, merchant of Flanders, has sent me a complete harness by bearer, his servant. I beg you to receive the same and give him. 10s. in reward which I will repay at my return. Graftoune, 21 July.
In the handwriting (signature included) of Henneage's servant, Wm. Clerk, p. 1. Add.: To my loving friend Mr. Eaton in Markelane at London.
ii. Mem. below in Ric. Eton's hand.—Paid for my master Sir Thomas Hennege, 10s.
[22 July.] (fn. 3) 1022. Saints' Days.
Wilkins,
iii. 859.
Decree by the King for the observance of Saints' days as follows:—The feast of St. Luke and St. Mark, Evangelists, occurring within the terms at Westminster, and the feast of St. Mary Magdalene falling within the time of harvest were, amongst other holydays, abrogated; but as these Saints are many times mentioned in Scripture, their feasts are henceforth to be kept. St. Mark's Day in divers parts of the realm used to be kept as a fasting day, as no other Saint's day is, but henceforth it is not to be so kept. By reason of the variable falling of Easter the feast of the Invention of the Cross, commonly called St. Elyn's Day, sometimes falls within Easter term, and is therefore not kept; it is henceforth abrogated whether it fall within or without the term. Likewise the Exaltation of the Cross in harvest or out of harvest shall not be kept. St. Laurence Day falling within harvest was abrogated, but as no mention was made of the fast upon the eve of St. Laurence, many people feel bound to keep it upon the eve; it is henceforth not to be kept. Childish superstitions are still used in divers places upon St. Nicholas, St. Catharine, St. Clement, Holy Innocents, and the like, children being apparelled to counterfeit priests, bishops and women, and so led, with songs and dances, from house to house, blessing the people and gathering money, and boys singing mass and preaching in the pulpit, rather to the derision than to any true glory of God. Henceforth such superstitions are forbidden.
From Bonner's register.
22 July. 1023. The Privy Council.
Nicolas'
P.C.P., vii.
219.
Meeting at Northampton, 22 July. Present: Privy Seal, Gt. Chamb., Gt. Admiral, Durham, Treasurer, Comptroller, Mr. of Horse, Vice-Chamb., Wriothesley. Business:—Wm. Sheffeld, late of the retinue of Calais, apprehended by lord Mordaunt as a suspicious person, for saying he had letters to Lady Anne of Cleves and the duke of Norfolk, was found to have only letters of friendship from Edw. Poyninges, of Calais, to Mrs. Howard, the old duchess of Norfolk's woman, wife to one of the Howards, and to Mrs. Kath. Bassett and Mrs. Sympson, lady Anne of Cleves' women; and was committed to the Porter's ward for further examination.
22 July. 1024. Anthoinette de Bourbon to James V.
Balcarres MS.
ii. 6.
Adv. Lib.
Edin.
Regrets to learn by the letters of the Queen her daughter that God has taken back to Himself the children He gave them. As James has borne it with resignation, hopes He will soon give them others. If she were good enough to offer Him prayers on this account would do so, but will have it done by others better than herself, especially by “la bonne dame Royne (fn. 4) religieuse et sa saincte compaignie.” Joinville, 22 July. Signed.
Fr., p.
1. Add.
22 July. 1025. Anthoinette de Bourbon to the Queen of Scotland.
Balcarres MS.
ii. 3.
Adv. Lib.
Edin.
You will see by my first letters that I was not aware of the loss you have had of the children God gave you. Your father and I feel it much. Glad the King takes it so virtuously and you mean to follow him. You are both young, which gives good hope of your having more. Will send shortly some one to ascertain about the health of the King and you. Will not therefore write more than to pray God to give her patience, and that she may live to His praise in this world and the next, to which tribulation is the surest way of arriving. Dare scarcely speak of what she wrote to her. “Il set trouve au cors de segnambr … (?) perdu, craindant vous le ramentevoir.” Fears too much nursing has done mischief. Did not like to hear of so many nurses. Wishes she was near her. “Jour de la Magdelaine.”
Hol., Fr., p. 1. Add.
22 July. 1026. Jehan de Rouvray to the Queen of Scotland.
Balcarres MS.
iv. 37.
Adv. Lib.
Edin.
Since François de Fou left the country, has found no one going to Scotland by whom to inform her of her son's affairs. Monseigneur and Madame her mother are not left in repose. The process of April is pursued as fiercely as possible; “et est ja le proces de Mons. de Laval distorbue (?) a Paris es mains de Mons. Meyree (?) dont ilz poursuyvent le jugement sans ce que nous ayens encorez produit ne dresse nostre production, et pensent le faire vuider par ferclusion (?).” Hopes they will not get all they ask. As to the matter of Orange, the Prince has made request to the Emperor to delay it; but Madame has sent to the Emperor to request him to write to the parliament of Malignes to do justice. “Le Roy a casse les greniers de France, que vient mal a propos pour voz affaires et celles de Monsr. vostre filz.” Your son makes good cheer. Joynville, 22 July 1541.
Hol., Fr. pp. 2. Add.: A la Royne d'Escosse. Endd.: Rouvray.
23 July. 1027. The Privy Council.
Nicolas'
P.C.P., vii.
220.
Meeting at Northampton, 23 July. Present: Privy Seal, Gt. Chamb., Gt. Admiral, Durham, Treasurer, Comptroller, Mr. of Horse, Vice-Chamb., Wriothesley. Business:—Licence granted to — Roche, Irishman, one of the squires of the Body, to convey into Ireland yearly, for four years, certain beans, wheat and malt, on condition of his building a fortress on the borders of the wild Irish.
24 July. 1028. The Council in London to the Council with the King.
R. O.
St. P., i. 659.
Have received their letter of 21 July, with the packet for Calais and the other writings. Assembled, and considered about the sending of the packet, with the 4,000l. for the fortifications at Calais and Guisnes. As the warrant was not directed, took it to be left to their discretion whether to direct it to the treasurer of the Augmentations, the treasurer of the Tenths or Mr. Tuke; and therefore sent for Mr. North (for Mr. Grostwike was gone to his house in the country and there was no time to send for him, and Alen Hawte said Mr. Tuke could scant furnish a fourth of the sum). Mr. North said all warrants were addressed to him, so that he had but 3,000l. of the King's treasure left; however, with his own money and otherwise, he has made up the 4,000l., and it is delivered to Mr. Marten, a gentleman of the lord Chancellor's, and Wm. Burnel), one of Mr. North's clerks, a right honest person, who are this day despatched with it. If, upon answer from Calais, the King assign more money, it is to be remembered that Mr. North has no money, and Mr. Tuke not past 1,000l. What Mr. Gostwike has they know not.
The lord Chancellor, as their letters require, sends the Act passed in Ireland for the King's style, to be King there, both as it came hither under the seal of Ireland and as it was reformed by the King's learned counsel and remitted thither under the Great Seal, in which form they take it now passed in Ireland. Meanwhile “we shall use his Highness' style accustomed according to his Majesty's commandment to us signified by your lordships.” As the King suspends his pleasure in the matter of lord Dacres until Mr. Chancellor of the Augmentations and Mr. Pollard arrive there (wherein they think his Majesty wise not to be over hasty) will see things kept in good order; but desire to have answer soon. The proclamations sent hither by your lordships touching holydays and fasting days (fn. 5) shall be set forth. Likewise, we will examine Mrs. Mantell's title and cause committed to us by the King. These parts are in good order. Thanks for news out of Germany. London, 24 July. Signed by Cranmer, Audeley, Hertford, Wyndesore, St. John, Sadleyr, and Sowthwell.
Pp.
3, in Sadler's hand. Add. Endd.: 1541.
R. O. 2. Later copy of the preceding.
Pp. 3.
24 July. 1029. Council of Scotland to Sir Cuthbert Radclyff.
Add. MS.,
32,646 f. 210.
B. M.
Hamilton
Papers,
No. 80 (2).
Received his letter to the King, by bearer, and forwarded it unopened, they being commanded to receive, forward, and afterwards answer, complaints touching the Borders; because, the King having officers foreanempst England and Council here, it would be tedious to him to be “impeschit” therewith, being, as he often is, “at his pastime and solace.” The King deferred answering it until his coming hither on Saturday last. He marvels at the delay of redress Radclyff writes of, because he understood that none, or few, complaints remained unredressed. He has sent special writings to his warden of the Middle Marches and lord Maxwell, who has the guiding of Liddisdale, to do justice according to the laws of the Borders. Radclyff's own part, in using his office for the conservation of peace and kindness, is not unknown to him and his whole Council. Edinburgh, 24 July. Subscribed: “Be youre loving frenndis, Chancellar and lordis of oure Soveranis Counsale being in Edinburghe.”
P. 1. Add. Sealed.
25 July. 1030. The Privy Council.
Nicolas'
P.C.P., vii.
220.
Note that at Pipewell, 24 July, the Council did not sit.
Meeting at Pipewell, 25 July. Present: Privy Seal, Gt. Chamb., Gt.
Admiral, Durham, Treasurer, Comptroller, Mr. of Horse, Vice-Chamb., Wriothesley. Business:—Ric. Ylshaw freely surrendered to be cancelled the lease of Haversham lordship which he had of Wm. Lucy.
25 July. 1031. Chapuys to Charles V.
Spanish
Calendar, vi.
Pt. i, No. 175.
In his last of the 16th mentioned the receipt of the Emperor's letters to this King and himself of the last (sic) (fn. 6) of June. Next day, as he was preparing to go to the King, who is hunting here and there, 60 or 80 miles from this capital, felt so unwell that he was obliged to put it off, to his great regret, as he was anxious to obey the Emperor's commands in a matter in which he had made so many remonstrances to the Privy Council, especially some days ago when informed by a letter from Mr. de Rogenndorf at Pesth of the miserable state of affairs in Hungary; which letter he showed to Norfolk and others who offered to forward a copy to the King; moreover, the King, who lays claim to great learning and experience of the time, does not like to receive representations from others, especially “en chose de gratitude et liberalite,” of which he wishes to have all the honour to himself. Sent accordingly one of his men to the Privy Council with the substance of what he would have said to them, and what his secretary could say if questioned on Hungarian affairs. Encloses an answer received from the Councillors. London, 25 July 1541.
Original at Vienna.
25 July. 1032. John Bp. of Salisbury and Charles Bulkeley to the Council.
R. O. On 24 July last came to Sarum two Spaniards who landed at Dartmouth and have been in this town a day or two. The officers of the city, having command from us to search for suspect persons, brought them before us. Asked them why they came here, and one of them, Petrus Latronencis, answered very arrogantly in Latin that he was sent by God and that the heads of this region were blinded, and he would gladly argue with them for their reformation. Like a traitorous wretch he argued against the King's supremacy and the dissolving of monasteries. Put certain interrogatories to him in Latin, which he has answered with his own hand, as appears by the two papers filed herewith. We send the Spaniards to your Lordships, and have sent to Southampton, Poole, and other ports to know if any other such have landed there. The other Spaniard, named Joannes Abbad de Sanroman, seems to have come to accompany the said Peter, and says they have a friend, Franciscus de Guebera, a Spaniard dwelling in or about London. Sarum, 25 July. Signed.
P.
1. Add.: To, &c., the archbishop of Canterbury, lord Audeley of Walden, lord Chan[cellor of England], the noble earl of Hertford, and others of the [King's most] honorable resident Council at London. Endd.
R. O. 2. Interrogatories: 1. Why he left Spain and came to us. 2. Specimen of the doctrine he wishes to introduce. (Answer: In my opinion you dissent from the communion of the faithful because you do not accept the head, because the Roman pontiff is the vicar of Christ.) 3. What testimonies of Scripture prove the Pope to be head of the Church? (Ans. “Oportet communionem fidelium sub uno esse capite; hoc est, habente vices apostolicas, qui Romanus est pontifex.”) 4. What power princes have over clergy and laity respectively? (Ans. “Scriptum est Nunquid gloriabitur securis contra eum qui secat in ea aut exaltabitur serra contra eum qui trahit eam: unde princeps secularis non habet postestatem super spirituales viros.”) 5. What Scripture is violated by pulling down monasteries from which the monks have departed? 6. How he proves that religion is injured where there is neither monk nor hermit. 7. Whether he has any diploma to recommend him here. (Ans. “Credo me a Domino nostro Jesu Christo huc missum.”) Signed: Petrus Latronensis de Sanrroman, servus servorum Dei.
Latin, p. 1. Answers in examinate's hand to numbers 2, 3, 4, and 7. On the back are notes of the following speech.
R. O. 3. Speech beginning “Reverendissime Pater,” in which the writer says it is no wonder if, following the example of almost all the Saints, he had obeyed the call Exi de patria tua, &c. Had pondered these words for two years, and since beginning his voyage thought he could find some port in England from which to cross to another country. Landed at Artamut (Dartmouth), and finding that he consumed his companion's money, determined to go to London, where he hoped a friend would give them necessaries for their voyage. Does not condemn countries where there are no monks, but cannot praise those which expel them. The house of God should not be profaned and converted into a stable. Blushes to show his opinion when brought defenceless before so many learned divines, but appeals to the text Tu es Petrus and various others in proof of spiritual authority being independent of temporal. Has heard here that the King has sent ambassadors on this subject, and promised to submit to the determination of a sacred synod. Begs therefore to be dismissed in safety.
Lat., pp. 2. In the hand of Petrus Latronensis.
25 July. 1033. Henry VIII. to James V.
Add. MS.
32, 646, f. 201.
B. M.
Hamilton
Papers, Nos.
77 and 78.
By bearer, Mr. Thos. Bellenden, received his letters credential of the 9th inst., and has heard his credence and made him an answer, which doubtless he will faithfully relate. 25 July 33 Hen. VIII.
ii. A fuller draft to the same effect.
Drafts corrected by Wriothesley, p. 1 and pp. 3. Endd.: Minute to the king of Scots, the xxvth of July 1541.
1034. The Scottish Ambassador's Bill.
Add. MS.
32,646, f. 183.
B. M.
Hamilton
Papers,
No. 74.
“The complaint given in by me, Lord Maxwell, to the King's Grace's Council of Scotland.”
On 29 May 1541 fifty of the Grahams (11 named) and others made a foray at Kirkpatrick parish and slew three sons of Davy Armstrong. The following Tuesday they came with Sir Thos. Wharton to Tollart Cryk, and Maxwell asked deliverance of them, but got no answer. On 12 June last, four of the Johnstones (named), Scottish fugitives resett with the Grahams, murdered a man (named) in Louchmaben parish. The Scottish fugitives in England guide the English thieves, and thereby have laid whole countries waste, and when I ask redress of the warden “he askis at me deliverance of certane Gray Freres, uther doctouris and religious men, quhilkis he allegis his soverane lordis rebellis and ressett wythin the reaulme of Scotland; and that I am constrenyt to tak for ane ansuer fynale.” Can give names and resetters of fugitives if the King will write to his dearest uncle the king of England.
ii. “The complaint of Thomas Davison.”
Thomas Davesoun complains that his ship is arrested (and a large sum of money abstracted) at Tymmownt since 10 April, although he had the King's safe conduct. On 12 March, James Crane, captain of the blockhouse next Gravesend, took Calicut cloth out of a ship called the Johne Arthur and also money from the poor mariners, and on Good Friday last the searcher of Boston took money from the mariners of John Wilson's crayer, although the ship and crayer were under the King of England's safeconduct.
Pp. 3. Endd.: “The writing exhibited by Mr. Thomas Bellenden sent from the king of Scots.”
Add. MS.
32,646, f. 186.
B. M.
2. Answer (fn. 7) to things declared and delivered in writing by Mr. Thomas Bellenden, director of the Chancery of Scotland, who, being sent in embassy from the king of Scots, arrived at Northampton, 20 July 33 Hen. VIII.
Hamilton
Papers,
No. 75.
Bellenden, after “a good narration” of his Sovereign's affection for the King, his uncle, declared that certain safe conducts granted to Scottish subjects had lately been stayed or expounded to the damage of the parties, desiring that henceforth holders of such safeconducts might enjoy them. It was answered that the King bears no less good will to his nephew than a kind and natural uncle should, and no less desires the continuance of peace than his nephew does, as his proceedings shall ever show, “unless he shall be forced to the contrary.” As to the safeconducts generally spoken of, one Martin Balkesky, burgess of Edinburgh, who lately brought letters from the king of Scots for bows and a great quantity of grain and leather, when the grain was refused because of scarcity, altered the year from 31 to 32 in an old safeconduct and presented it at York (which treason he alleges to have been done by a Frenchman who is fled) and now lies there in ward awaiting trial. As to the suggestion of Thomas Davyson and others mentioned in Bellenden's writing, the safeconduct makes Scotch subjects as free as English; but it has long been law that no one may carry out more than 40s. in money and must certify it to the officers of the place where they take shipping. Bellenden exhibited a bill showing that lord Maxwell has demanded of Sir Thos. Wharton Englishmen who have committed heinous murders and spoils, and also Scotch rebels and fugitives, and has been denied unless he would deliver again “certain Grey Friars, a doctor, and other religious men,” being the King's traitors; whereupon Bellenden inferred that there was a great difference between the offenders desired by Scotland and those of England, who were only traitors by a law made against the bishop of Rome since the making of the treaties. It was answered “that neither the act of the Bishop of Rome was made sithence the treaty,” nor were the rebels demanded by Wharton offenders only for that matter, but some misdoers on the Borders and others offenders in the highest kind of treason. In proof that the Statute was made before the treaty, Bellenden was reminded that some of the commissioners who were here for the making of the treaty were at the execution of certain monks and others who suffered under that law, as the dates of the Statute and treaty will testify, though their presence at the execution be forgotten. (fn. 8) The great number of the English traitors were principal captains of the late insurrection. Therefore Bellenden was required (since the King, upon the advertisement of Sir John Cambell, sought his realm for the persons desired by the king of Scots and was ready to deliver them if he might have received the semblable), to relate the truth of these things, that no such lewd folks should be permitted to remain on either party, and that the King will proceed with his good nephew (if he may find correspondence) as their amity, &c., require.
Draft corrected by Wriothesley, pp. 14. Endd.

Footnotes

  • 1. See No. 1022.
  • 2. Cancelled.
  • 3. This proclamation, according to Fabyan (Ellis' ed., p. 702), was issued on the 22nd July. See Nos. 978, 1019, 1028.
  • 4. Philippine de Gueldres, widow of Rene II. duke of Lorraine.
  • 5. See No. 1022.
  • 6. See No. 1005.
  • 7. It appears by No. 1105 that this answer was made at Pipwell, where the Court was from 24 to 28 July. On 28 July the Council wrote to Newcastle for the release of the ship of Thos. Davyson mentioned here, but not the money. See No. 1043.
  • 8. The treaty was dated 11 May 1534, see Vol. VII., No. 647. The execution of the Nun of Kent and certain monks and friars took place on 20 April 1534, when the bp. of Aberdeen and Sir Adam Otterburn, the commissioners who concluded the treaty, were in London.