Henry VIII: August 1515, 1-10

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

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'Henry VIII: August 1515, 1-10', in Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII, Volume 2, 1515-1518, (London, 1864) pp. 205-211. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/letters-papers-hen8/vol2/pp205-211 [accessed 26 April 2024]

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August 1515

1 Aug.
Calig. B. II. 341. B.M.
779. DACRE to [the LORDS OF THE COUNCIL].
Received their letter dated at London the 8th "of this month", by his servant on the 16th, directing him, as of himself, to practise with the Lord Chamberlain and other lords of Scotland to induce the sending of an embassy for peace, to foment quarrels between Albany and Angus, and between Albany and the Chamberlain, so as to drive the Duke out of Scotland. Has begun the breach between the Duke and lords by means of his brother Sir Christopher. At the beginning of the Scotch Parliament, on the 12th of this month "last past," the sword was borne before Albany to and from the parliament by the Earl of Arran, and a coronet set on his head by Angus and Argyll, and he was appointed Protector till the King came to the age of 18 at length.
On Monday the 16th, the Lord Drummond, grandfather of Angus, was sent to Blackness, where he is kept in prison for striking a herald, a year before Albany came to Scotland. The elect of Dunkeld was examined and committed to the sea tower of St. Andrew's, though nothing could be proved against him except that the Queen and Henry had obtained his promotion from the Pope. Officers are appointed by the Parliament to carry out all acts passed before the late King's decease. The Bp. of Glasgow is appointed Chancellor against the Queen's will. The Duke was not pleased with Unicorn's message, but next day rode to the market cross of Edinburgh, and proclaimed peace to endure as long as France kept with England. At the Duke's instance Parliament appointed eight lords to have the rule of the young King, and sent four of them to the Queen desiring her to select three. On hearing of their approach "she took the young King in her hand, and the nurse having the Prince his brother in her arm within the iron gates then being open, and with the Queen being the Earl of Angus her husband, and their servants but a few number; and when as she saw the lords within three yards of the gates," she bade them stand and deliver their message. They replied they were commissioned by Parliament to demand the delivery of the King and his brother. She then caused the portcullis to be dropped, and replied that the castle was her own feoffment given her by the King her husband, who had made her protectrix of her children, and desired respite of six days to give further answer. Angus demanded that the children should be given up, "and thereupon desired to have one instrument raised for fear of losyng his life and lands."
On the 5th day after, she requested that as all her livelihood was in Scotland she might have the keeping of her own children, but if the lords had any suspicion of her she would put them in keeping of three lords, and a knight, viz.: Angus, the Earl Marshal, Lord Home, her son's Chamberlain, and Sir Rob. Lauder, Laird of Bass, reserving liberty to see them when she pleased. The Duke would not allow this, but demanded their delivery according to the decree of Parliament, which is but a color to have them himself. He has mustered the township of Edinburgh, the Lords Borthwick, Revan, and others to lie in Stirling to keep victuals from her and her children, and intends to go there himself. The Earl of Angus has left Stirling and is in the country of Angus. His uncle, Archibald Douglas, who married a rich widow in Edinburgh, keeps Douglas Castle. The Duke commanded the Chamberlain, as provost of Edinburgh, to arrest Geo. Douglas, the Earl's brother there, but was refused, as it was not decreed by Parliament, and was the duty of a herald. Douglas fled that night to Bonkill Castle in the Marsh, within 14 miles of Berwick, a place of his brother's and the Chamberlain to the Newarke. On Friday Parliament "scaled." Albany has commanded Angus on his allegiance to come to Stirling and keep victuals for the King and Queen, and made proclamation for all persons to leave the castle on pain of treason. Understands it can hold out till Henry's pleasure be known. Has appointed a meeting with the Chamberlain on the Middle Marches next Monday. Hopes he is fast to the Queen's party. If the young King and his brother come into the Duke's hands, they will be destroyed. In the comprehension last taken by Henry with France, the King of Scots is comprised but not named as James; so that if Albany usurp the crown, England will be unable to make war on Scotland. Thinks the French King should be written to, to command Albany as his subject to cease molesting the Queen of Scots, and allow her to have the rule of her children or appoint noblemen for the purpose; and meanwhile that the King should write sharply to the Duke on the subject. Kirkoswald, 1 Aug. Signed.
Pp. 5.
1 Aug.
Vit. B. II. 153. B.M.
780. [WOLSEY to the BISHOP OF WORCESTER.]
Thanks him for his zeal in his service, as by his authority with the Pope, he "hath granted to create me Cardinal sole." Is very grateful, and the King well pleased. Has prevailed on the King to agree to the league sent with his letter to Ammonius, which the King at his desire, "no man earthly helping thereto," consents to do on the red hat being sent. Has done more to deserve it than ever his predecessor had. Desires that the legateship may be combined with it, which will be agreeable to the King. Has written a letter to the Pope to that effect, which he may keep back till Wolsey is created cardinal, them to urge it as he shall consider most advisable. If he makes any difficulty Worcester is to press him to grant Wolsey a faculty of visiting the exempt monasteries. Thinks the Pope will make no objection if skilfully pressed. Never had Pope a better friend than the King of England, if he comply with his desires. Sends him 1,000 ducats "propter liberalia" by Andreas. Will be liberal to the bringer of the hat. Will consider John Calvecant recommended. Sends the league signed by the King. "Written at Richmond in wondrous haste." Begs to be commended to Cardinal de Medicis.
Draft in Wolsey's hand, pp. 3, mutilated.
1 Aug.
S.B.
781. For SIR RICHARD CHOLMELEY.
Annuity of 20l. out of the customs of Newcastle-on-Tyne, patent 7 May 3 Hen. VIII., being invalidated by the Act of resumption. Del. Canterbury, 1 Aug. 7 Hen. VIII.
Pat. 7 Hen. VIII. p. 2, m. 8.
2 Aug.
Galba, B. III. 261.B.M.
782. TUNSTAL to HENRY VIII.
Received his letters of 18 [July]. Will not fail to accomplish the King's desire. In their letters of 21 July sent by Sir Th. Spinelly, they stated that the Prince's commissioners had been sent for from Bruges to receive his determinate answer. Has received an answer from the King's ambassador at the Prince's court, that it is no use Tunstal's tarrying there any longer, for the Chancellor of Burgundy has expressly told Dr. Knight that the commissioners will not return; at which he marvels, considering their promises to the contrary. Takes his journey tomorrow to the Prince's court to carry out the King's instructions. Bruges, 2 Aug. Signed.
Pp. 2, mutilated. Add.
4 Aug.
R.O.
783. DACRE to the COUNCIL.
Sent his servant to them on the 1st, promising to inform them of "the fastness and demeanor of the Lord Home, chamberlain of Scotland, of the Queen's party." Dacre has made him fast. The Earl of Angus has been charged by the Duke to come to Stirling, "and there lie for keeping of victuals from the Queen and her party." Had arranged with the Earl and the Lord Chamberlain that they should ride to Stirling with 60 horse, and carry off the two Princes. They found there the Earls of Lennox and Cascills, and the Lords Borthuike and Revan, keeping victuals from the Queen. They spake with the Queen, and advised her to keep the castle, and let none abide there except herself, five gentlewomen, and the men; and put in Geo. Douglas. As they tried to steal off, sixteen were slain. A jealousy has accordingly sprung up between the Duke and the Chamberlain.
Hears the Duke will ride to Stirling on the 6th, "and lie in the Freres," to starve the Queen. "At the last departing with the Queen and her husband, it was determined, that in case the Duke or any other lords will make garriable war against the castle, that the Queen shall set the young King upon the walls in the sight of all persons, crowned, and the sceptre in his hand, so that it shall be manifestly known to every person that the war shall be made against the King's own person." Believes the castle cannot be won before Michaelmas. Money must be sent to the Earl, if the King would have the matter followed up. Advises days of truce to be kept, and annoyance done by Scotchmen not by English. Thinks letters should be sent to the French King to write to Albany on behalf of the Queen and her children; and a herald be despatched to Albany from England, who shall pass by Dacre in his way and receive instructions. Hopes to speak with Angus in four or five days. Has none to advise him except his brother Sir Christopher. Nawarde, 4 Aug. Signed.
Pp. 3. Add. and endd.
5 Aug.
Giust. Desp. I. 118.
784. SEB. GIUSTINIAN to the DOGE.
On the 29th went to see the King at Greenwich; he was glad of their visit;—said nothing of the wine duties. Whilst in the hall there came a certain rev. Dom. Baldassar Thoardi (Stewart), a prothonotary, formerly secretary to Pope Julius, who returned from Scotland, having been sent thither by the Pope to settle the terms of peace. Asked him about Albany, what he was doing, how popular he was? Were told that he had great authority, and was on excellent terms with the Queen. Have nothing to fear, unless the presence of Albany create discord with England, or with the Queen and her husband. Had had an audience with the King, and told him all Scotland had sworn fidelity to Albany; which is not correct. Called upon the Duke of Suffolk, who was there present, tanquam intelligentiam assistentem orbi, with authority scarcely less than the King's, and congratulated him on his marriage;—he expressed a wish, when Francis crossed the Alps, that the seignory might be established in the Milanese, and diminish their military expenditure, and was very earnest about this. He said that a gentleman had arrived from Ferrara and Mantua, where he had been despatched, with exchange of presents, requesting Henry to ask Venice to live on good terms with its neighbours. Answered, they were not aware of any ill will existing, but these two states had been their most rancorous enemies; that when the Marquis of Mantua was taken prisoner he was released, but had acted ungratefully. Andrea has been honored with the order of knighthood. London, 5 Aug. 1515.
5 Aug.
S.B.
785. For GILES MUSGRAFE.
Grant of lands, &c. called Gryndon, in Tendale, which Sander Kelle late had. Del. Canterbury, 5 Aug. 7 Hen. VIII.
Pat. 7 Hen. VIII. p. 2, m.8.
6 Aug.
Vit. B. XVIII. 169.B.M.
786. SIR ROB. WINGFIELD to [HENRY VIII.]
"Please your grace to undyr[stand] ... last month I wrote my last letter ... from this city, in which amongst other [things] ... to esteem that before my arrival of I ... [I could] not have commodity to write unto you or ... of your letters, if any should fortune to co[me] ... considering that I have abiden here hitherto ... wenynge. I shall now use the commodity of the f ... [to inform] your grace of such news as hath come to my [ears since] the writing of the said letters.—The Kings and Queens that departed hence the ... arrived not that night at the town of Neweste[dt, but came] thither the next day to dinner and tarried the [whole] day, and the next day after till they had ... the second day of this month. The Emperor which r ... of that town the night before, met with all thr[ee Kings] on the way toward Hungary, and there bade the ... and after met with the twain Queens, which w ... company in the way towards this town, and ba[de them] farewell, and after took his way to a castle ... lodged that night toward Innsbruck, and the third [day of the] month the King [of] Poole, and also the twain Q[ueens came] to this city; for the said King's way towar[d the chief] city of his realm, called Cracovia, was to ... river of the Dwno, but there hath fallen so mu[ch rain this] present moon that the fierce course of the [river has] broken not only the bridges of this b ... that stood upon the same in such wise ... day and night upon the bridge here in it ... other was fallen, yet it was this day or it could be sure for the said King and his carriage to pass. For this day, at eight in the morning, he departed hence, and the Cardinal of Gource, with all other princes and noblemen, purveyed him a mile out of this city."
Has no fresh news but what was in his former letters. The league is proclaimed through all Italy. Some of the horsemen of the Pope's army have joined the Emperor against the Venetians. Of the Spanish horsemen, part has joined the Pope's army, part of which is still at the siege of Cremone, and the rest has joined the Swiss. The Emperor gave audience to the French ambassador, Peter Cordonyn, at Newestate, but Wingfield does not know the result. Has heard that the Emperor said, after the audience, that he was a good preacher, "but other fruit he felt none but fair words." Does not know whether the Emperor made him a resolute answer or not, and will not hear before this letter goes. Has orders from the Emperor to depart to-morrow toward Lynce. Vienna, 6 Aug. 1515.
Hol., pp. 2, mutilated.
6 Aug.
R.O.
787. [LORD HOME] to DACRE.
Has received his letter this Monday, begging him never to be "entreated to the Duke's ways" without his advice. Begs to be excused for not writing to the King at this time, as he had neither clerk nor leisure. His places have been taken before this day, "and I am at the point, as ye ken," and as the bearer will show. Will never take any way with the Duke or the Council except with the King's consent. Signature torn off.
P.1. Add.: To my Lord Dacre, in haste.
7 Aug.
Calig. B. II. 369.B.M.
788. DACRE to the COUNCIL.
In his last letter from Naward, of the 3rd of August, gave them intelligence that Albany would go to Stirling in person on the 6th, which he did on Saturday the 4th, accompanied by most of the temporal lords, to the number of 7,000 persons. Geo. Douglas, Angus' brother, and the others in the castle, fled for their lives, fearing the Duke's proclamation, and hearing that Mons and other great guns were brought near the castle left the Queen desolate, who caused her son to give up the keys to the Duke, desiring him to show favor to the King and his brother, and her husband Angus. He answered he would to the King, his brother, and her, but "would not daye with no traitors." He has put in the castle the Earl Marshal, Lords Fleming and Borthwick, and seven score persons, to keep the Queen there. Angus is kept in Teviotdale with the Chamberlain. Dacres meant to have spoken with him, but changed his purpose when he heard "of the departing with this h ... and the childhood that he uses being young and few wise men of [his] counsel." Is sure Lord Home will never obey the Duke without Henry's assent, if he regards his promises. He victuals Fast Castle, meaning to do the Duke all the annoyance he can, and take refuge in England if compelled. His wife and the Earl Bothwell, "hir v[ncle]," are in the castle. Desires to know how he shall conduct himself towards Home, as he induced him to take part with the Queen and Angus.
As the project failed for the apprehension of the King and his brother, there are but two ways; either that he, as of himself, should propose the sending up of ambassadors for peace, or the Lord Home as warden may keep out Albany, and means be found by policy for him to invade England with 300 persons or more, so as to make void the comprehension. Master Patrick Paniter, secretary to the King of Scots, was arrested by command of the Duke, and for the favor he bears to the Chamberlain imprisoned "in the New Tower, builded in the last days of the late King upon a rocke in the sea, foranempst the Queen's ferry, four miles above Edinburgh." The Duke's servants spoiled the lodgings of Lord Home and Wm. Home in Edinburgh, and took all their horses and goods. Met Lord Home at Coklawe yesterday and made redress. They meet again on Thursday at Coldstream. On Sunday last, Lion king-of-arms, for fear of Home, entered by the West March. Saw Dacre here to-day, and showed him a letter of Albany's in French, which he translated to Dacre for his information. Encloses copies of the letter. Lyon's translation, and Dacre's answer. Harbottle, 7 Aug. Signed.
Pp. 2. Add.: To my Lords of the King's most honourable Council.
7 Aug. 789. COMMISSION OF THE PEACE.
Linc. (Kesteven.)—Th. Abp. of York, Th. Earl of Surrey, Wm. Lord Willoughby, Rob. Brudenell, Humph. Conyngesby, Guy Palmes. Sir John Huse, John Meres, Geoff. Paynell, Th. Robertson, Fras. Browne, John Robynson, Th. Holand, John Lytelbury and Ric. Godyng. Maidstone, 7 Aug.
Pat. 7 Hen. VIII. p. 1, m. 3d.
8 Aug.
R.O.
790. ALBANY to DACRE.
Lately sent Lyon king-of-arms to Dacre instructed for the rule of the Borders. Believes he has not yet reached Dacre, and is informed the day of meeting is on Thursday, 9 Aug., which he did not know till this day, and is not advertised what is to be done. Will send commissioners at the end of this month, till which time he requests Dacre to maintain good rule. Edinburgh, 8 Aug. Signed, "Votre bon cousin Jehan."
P.1. Add.
ii. Memorandum by Dacre, that on Thursday the 9th, at the march in Caldstreme, he answered David Purves, massar of Scotland, that he would continue the "redress-making of slaughters" until the end of the month.
8 Aug. 791. For ELIZABETH CHAMBYR.
Annuity of 20l. out of the issues of cos. Somerset and Dorset, for services to Elizabeth the King's mother, and Mary Queen of the French. Otford, 8 Aug.
Pat. 7 Hen. VIII. p.2, m.8.
8 Aug. 792. For MARTIN DUPYNE.
Licence to import 1,200 tuns of Gascon wine or woad. Otford, 8 Aug.
Fr. 7 Hen. VIII. m. 6.
8 Aug. 793. For WM. DERNIES.
Licence to import 100 tuns of Gascon wine. Otford, 8 Aug.
Fr. 7 Hen. VIII. m. 6.
9 Aug.
R. O.
794. SPINELLY to WOLSEY.
According to his letter delivered by Brian Tuke to Heron, had applied for his half year's payment of 50l. As the warrant was not sufficient to cover what was due to him besides, will have to repay 50l., unless he receives another from Wolsey before Saturday night, according to a bond signed by John Cavalcant. Begs him to favor his brother in the matter of Cotyngham. Intends to leave this day. London, 9 Aug. 1515. Signed.
P. 1. Add.: My lord of York. Endd.
10 Aug.
R. O.
795. ALBANY to DACRE.
Has received his letters by Lyon king-of-arms to "my lord the King." Is glad of his good intentions for keeping the peace. Has ordained the Lord Maxwell to rule the West, and the Laird of Cesford the Middle Borders, and inquire into the cases of Hen. Mylne, Oliver Jackson and Raff Stroder. Sends him a copy of the comprehension. As to his recommendation of Lord Hume, never took greater labor to treat any one well; and hoped for his oath in parliament, and for himself and his loyalty to the King, that the Lord Hume would have been inclined to good service. Was advertised of his foul and damnable enterprize against the King and his brother, at ten at night, and to take them into England. They are now in safe keeping, according to the decrees of parliament. The Queen is satisfied; and in approbation thereof has come to Edinburgh. Will do her all the service he can. Denies he has usurped the King's authority. Has done nothing but by order of the estates of the realm. Will not fail to do what he can to maintain the peace between the two realms. Edinburgh, 10 Aug. Signed.
Pp. 3. Add.
10 Aug.
R. O.
796. ALBANY to DACRE.
Credence for Dean Th. Fasintoun, his chaplain. Requests nothing be done on the Marches likely to break the peace. Edinburgh, 10 Aug. Signed.
P. 1. Add.
10 Aug. 797. For STEPHEN TOSSO, one of the King's footmen.
To be one of the King's footmen, with 8d. a day. Otford, 10 Aug.
Pat. 7 Hen. VIII. p. 2, m. 9.