|
11 June.
R. O. | 854. Sir Fras. Bigode to Cromwell. |
|---|
| I have delivered the King's letters to the archbishop of York the
8th June, and to the bishop of Durham the 9th. They received them with
great humility, and were evidently glad of them. The Bishop sent for his
chaplains to execute them in all haste. He himself tarried to make precepts,
and send to every ecclesiastical person in his diocese. The effect I shall report.
I purpose to be at York on Midsummer Day, and also on St. Peter's Day,
which is there the most solemn day of the year. If the Archbishop preach
sincerely, and set forth the King's title, he will do much good, as that day all
dignitaries must be in the church. If the Archbishop be negligent, my
chaplain, who, as Dr. Crome, Master Latimer, and Barnes can show you, is
well learned, will be ready to say the Word of God truly. I have for him
the archbishop of Canterbury's licence, and the King's likewise; but till I
know your pleasure he shall not preach either at York or elsewhere. I have
drawn an abstract from the statute touching the deposition of the bishop of
Rome and the style of Supreme Head, which I intend to nail on a table in
my parish church, and give a copy of it to all who can read, to instruct their
families at home. I send a copy. Setteryngton, 11 June. |
| Hol. pp. 2. Add.: Secretary. Endd. |
11 June.
Royal MS., 18, B. vi. f. 40 b.
B. M. | 855. [James V. to Montmorency.] |
|---|
| "Magnifico et potenti domino, Galliarum [magno magistro], ami[co]
suo charissimo." |
| Requests him to persist in his endeavours to preserve friendship between
the two kingdoms, both of which he knows are much profited by it. Desires
credence for the bearer. Stirling, 3. Id. Jun. 1535. |
| Lat, copy, p. 1. Mutilated. |
11 June.
R. O. | 856. Fisher and More. |
|---|
| "Answers by confession of Richard Wilson, servant to Mr. John
Fisher, doctor of divinity, late bishop of Rochester," before Sir Edmund
Walsingham, lieutenant of the Tower, and Thomas Legh, D.C.L., and
in presence of Henry Polstede, John Whalley, and John ap Rice, to certain
interrogatories ministered to them 7 June 27 Hen. VIII. in the Tower of
London. |
| 1. (fn. 1) To the first interrogatory, he says that about Midsummer come
12 months he heard his master say to Mr. Wilbere, Mr. Johnson, commissary
of Rochester, and Mr. Robert Fissher his brother, when they would have
persuaded him to take the oath of succession, that he wished himself some
great misfortune if he went to any place for that purpose. |
| 2. To the second, touching the Act of Supreme Head, about Candlemas last
Rob. Fisher came and told him of it in the Tower, when he "toke up his
hands and blessed him, saying, Is it so?" Rob. Fisher also told him of an
Act "by reason whereof men should come to the Tower thick and th ....
For now. said he, speaking is made high treason, which was never heard of
before, that words should be high treason. But there was never such a
sticking at the passing of any Act in the Lower House as was at the passing
of the same, said he; and that they stuck at the last to have one word in the
same, and that was the [word] maliciously, which, when it was put, it was
not worth ..... for they would expound the same statute themselves at
their pleasure." Cannot remember if Dr. Fisher made any answer to this. |
| [3?] On Friday after Ascension Day last, Mr. Secretary, and others of
the Council, came to examine Fisher on the Act of Supreme Head, and this
respondent, standing in the Chamber without the partition, heard some part
of the examination. Mr. Secretary said they were sent for two things, first
touching the Act of Supremacy: the second point respondent did not hear.
Mr. Secretary read the Act, and Fisher replied that he could not consent to
take the King as Supreme Head. The Act was also read to him making it
treason to deny the King to be Supreme Head. After supper respondent
told his master that he thought Mr. Bedyll's reasons weak when he said the
King was head of his people, and the people was the Church, with some
further observations. The bishop asked if he thought he had been too quick
with Mr. Bedyll, and respondent said no. Had no conversation with the
bishop afterwards till he was examined again, but how they looked for the
Council every day to come to them again. Cautioned the bishop to beware
what answer he made as to the supremacy. During the interval Edw. White,
the bishop's brother-in-law, was twice with him. Heard no words between
them but salutations, and touching the Anabaptists, of whom the said
Edward spoke to him. |
| To the third [and fourth] interrogatories, says he never had communication of those matters with his master other than is abovesaid, but had heard
his master say since he was last examined that he had heard one of the
statutes read but not the other. |
| 4. To the fifth and every part of the same he says No, except as above
rehearsed. |
| [5]. To the sixth, seventh, and eighth he also answers No. |
| [6]. Further examined whether he knew any letter, writing, or intelligence
to be between Mr. More or any other man and his master since he came to
the Tower; said that Dr. Adyson brought his master about Michaelmas last
two letters which he found in his master's books, and after he had showed
them to him he took them with him again; but what their contents were he
cannot tell. Notarial signature of John ap Rice. |
| ii. [The answers of John à Wood, servant to Sir Thomas Moore, the day
and place aforesaid]. This heading is crossed out. |
| iii. "What communication has been between my lord and me since the
first cu[ming of the Council.] |
| My answer:— |
| 7. "I remembered unto him ..... this word 'maliciously' to be put in
that statute or some other like, for so heard I my lord's brother, Robert Fisher,
tell my lord." Moved my lord (bishop Fisher) to send for the statute book,
and asked Edw. White to send it. Read the two statutes to my lord, and he
read them himself, and on Friday or Saturday last the book was burned.
Said that a man may answer a question without any malice; but my lord
would not tell him what he would answer. After his last answer before the
Council, my lord said he had stuck to the word "maliciously," and that the
Council suspected he had counsel from Mr. Moore. But he said Nay, but his
brother Robert had told him of the word and bade him so say. |
| "Whether I suspect any note between my lord and Mr. Moor." |
| 8. Heard my lord tell George that there was no peril in the statutes except
it were maliciously done and spoken, and suspects he bade George tell Moore
so about seven or eight days before the last coming of the Council. Heard
from George that Mr. Moore said Mr. Secretary gave him very good words,
but he would say nothing about his answer but that my lord was certified.
Told George he thought my lord would suffer death if he gave no other
answer, and asked him to get the statute book, but he would not. |
| "What I have sent to Mr. Moor or his servant." |
| [9]. Never sent anything concerning the King's matter, either, in word or
writing. Sent to Mr. Moor's servant half a custard on Sunday last, and
long since greensauce. Moor or his servant sent him an image of St. John,
and apples and oranges after the snow that fell in winter. On New Year's
day Moor sent him a paper with writing, 2,000l. in gold, and an image of
the Epiphany. |
| [10]. Has often suspected George of carrying letters between my lord and
Mr. Moor. |
| [11]. Has seen my lord burn papers, and has burnt them at his bidding,
but never was so bold as to look at them, "and for such causes I did
suspect the matter the more." Has also burnt old papers that were written
before he came to the Tower. |
| 12. Gave George a letter to Moor from my lord since the first examination, but read it not. |
| 13. "We" were agreed to deny any letters being sent between them.
Thinks my lord gave many letters to George, and heard him tell George he
might say he never carried any letters on the King's business, but he would
not counsel him to be forsworn for other things. |
| iv. [Further examination of Richard Wilson, servant of bishop Fisher.] |
| Heading mostly illegible * * * * "the viijth day of
June ............................. the person abovenamed, except ......... " |
| 14. First: he says he has put in writing and sent by Mr.........
certain things omitted in his first examination. When the books were here.
Mr. More sent word to "the said" Mr. Fissher by Geo. G[olde], the
Lieutenant's servant, that he heard that his own books should be condemned,
but he does not remember Mr. Fisher's answer. After the said Mr. Fisher's
first examination, said to him that he remembered that Mr. Robt. Fisher
said to his brother that "maliciously" was in the statute, and therefore a
man might answer to the questions not maliciously, and be in no danger; and
the respondent asked George and Mr. White to get the book, which the
latter at length did. |
| 15. Read the book to his master, and said there was nothing to bind him
to answer. |
| 16. And afterwards heard him say to George that he saw no great peril
in the statute, unless it were done or spoken maliciously. The next night
Fisher wrote a letter to More, which was not sealed or closed, and told him,
if George was sober, to give it him to be delivered; which he did. Knows
nothing of the contents. |
| 17. Thinks Fisher told George to show more about the statute. |
| 18. Does not know whether George brought any answer, but heard him
say that Mr. More was merry, and that my Lord was satisfied. Then
within a few days came the Council again to the second examination. |
| 19. At supper, Fisher, in answer to his questions, said he had not made
answer, "but the [Co]uncil was gone even as they came. Then said my
master to this respondent, [You] remember, Sir, that the last day before this
that the Council was here, the Council should ask me two questions or
two points. And this respondent said Yes, for he heard Mr. Secretary say
then and purpose that he had come then principally for two things, [on]e
was touching the Act of Supreme Head, and the other this deponent could
[n]ot hear." Then said his master that the Council bore him in hand that
they purposed to ask him two questions, of which one was whether he would
accept the King as Supreme Head; "and I remember no such thing. Nor I
nother, said this deponent then." But a while after he came to his master
as he was saying evensong, and said Yes, that he had answered that he did
not think the King might be supreme head, but his master denied having said
so. The next day he remarked to his master that he had been a long time
with the Council yesterday. |
| 20. His master said the Council had blamed Mr. Lieutenant sore for
keeping him and Mr. More so negligently, thinking that they had counsel of
each other, and it was not so, but they supposed it, because both stuck
much upon one point. Said that if it was upon the word "maliciously"
the book was worth sending for; but he answered nothing. |
| 21. On Saturday next "the said George" said to Fisher that he heard he
was made a cardinal. "Then, said Mr. Fisher, A cardinal! Then I perceive
it was not for nought that my Lord Chancellor did ask me when I heard
from my master the Pope, and said that there was never man that had
exalted the Pop[e a]s I had." |
| 22. A further conversation between the respondent and Fisher, the former
saying that if the [King] were Head of the Church, he would have power to
[make] the body of Christ, and hear confessions. |
| 23. Between the examinations George brought Fisher certain scrolls of
paper, [written] with lead in some places, and in some other with an agg[let
or] dry point, so that they could not be well read; which George said his
master had bade him cut out of one of the monks' books. In one was
written "Pasce oves meas," &c.; "and I am sure that these words Christ
spake himself, and dare take that quarrel to my death." In another place
he read, "My Lord, ye should not judge me to death this day, for, if ye should,
ye should first condemn yourself and all your predecessors, which were no
simple sheep in this flock, but great bellwethers. And, my lord, if ye would,
in detestation of this opinion, dig up the bones of all our predecessors and
burn them, yet should not that turn me from this Faith." Could not read
any more. Showed them to his master, who said "T[h]ey be gone. God
have mercy on their souls!" And when they were alive, Fisher said, referring
to the said monks under examination, "I pray God that no vanity subvert
them." |
| 24. Thinks that letters have passed between Fisher and More since the
last examination, for he saw George bring his Master a letter, and afterwards
cast it in the fire, last Sunday. |
| v. Depositions of Geo. Golde, [servant u]nto Mr. Lieutenant, 8 June,
before Mr. Ch ....., in the presence of ....., John ap Rice,
and ..... |
| 25. Says that on Sunday last ..... "Mr. Fisher" wrote a letter to
Mr. More, and sent it by him. The next day More sent back an answer,
with Fisher's letter. Burned both at Fisher's order. |
| 26. About 10 days ago, told Fisher he heard that he should be a cardinal;
to which he answered that "he set as much by that as by a rush under his
foot." |
| 27. Heard this from John, some time fa[lconer] to the said Mr. Fisher,
who heard it from one Noddy and one Andrew, servants of Ant. Bonevys[e]. |
| 28. No one else told him of this. About 10 days ago Fisher sent a letter
to More by him, and More caused him to burn it. The next day More
wrote an answer and sent it by him. Fisher told him to burn it. |
| [29]. About six days after the monks of the Charterhouse were executed,
Mr. Lieutenant caused him to carry to the Charterhouse six books which
the monks had left in the prison, out of which books Mr. Lieutenant caused
him to cut six leaves of parchment, "which leaves were as though it were
with lead or like thing." Laid them up in the Lieutenant's parlour under a
cupboard cloth. Two days after gave them to Ric. Wylson, Fisher's
servant, and, on their being returned, burned them. |
| 30. Two days after the execution, Fisher said to him that he saw not so
great peril in the statute, unless it were done or spoken maliciously, and he
marvelled much that the monks were put to execution, [say]ing that they
did nothing maliciously nor obstinately. |
| 31. Delivered a letter from Wylson for the buying of the book of the
statute to the Falconer, but does not know whether it was directed to the
Falconer or to Edw. Whyte, Fisher's brother. Received the book from the
Falconer, and gave it to Wylson. |
| 32. When the Lubecks were lately in London, More caused him to tell
Fisher that he heard say thow … works should be condemned, unto whom
the said Mr. Fisher ...... that so they would condemn his ..... |
| 33. Has conveyed about a dozen letters between More and Fisher, some
being written with ink, and some with coal. |
| 34. It was agreed between Mr. Fisher, his servant, and this deponent,
both times the Council came to the Tower, to deny having carried any letters
between them; but if he were sworn on a book, that he should speak the
truth. |
| 35. More also wrote four letters to his wife and Mrs. Roper [his
dau]ghter. |
| 36. Does not know of Fisher sending letters, except to More. |
| 37. Further examined, 9 June.—About a week ago, went to Wm. Thorneton's house in Themystrete for Mr. Fisher's diet, as he was accustomed, and
asked him if he had heard that Fisher should be made cardinal. Thorneton
replied that he had heard it from a servant of lord Rochford. |
| 38. About five days ago, took a pot of conserve from Fisher to Ant.
Bonvise [but he would not have it, saying that Fisher had more need of it
than he]. (fn. 2) There were no letters in the pot. |
| 39. Bonvise sent to More, two or three times every week, meat and a
bottle of wine, till a quarter of a year ago, since when, he has sent none.
Before the said time he sent Fisher a quart of French wine every day, and
three or four dishes of jelly. |
| 40. Heard of Fisher being made cardinal, on Friday or Saturday last,
from Mrs. Roper, and the same day told Fisher. Mentions Fawconer and
Nody in connection with the report. |
| vi. Depositions of John à Wood, servant to Sir Thos. [More], Knt., taken
by Mr. Thos. Lee, doctor of l[aw], Hen. Polstede, and John ap Rice,
10 [June] 1535. |
| 41. Being examined as to the intercourse between his master and Fisher,
said that about a fortnight after the first being of the Council in the Tower,
George, the Lieutenant's servant, came to More, and asked him, from Fisher.
what answer he had made. More replied that he would not dispute of the
King's title, but give himself to his beads and think on his passage hence;
and this he wrote in a letter to be given to Fisher. Soon after he sent
another letter by George to the effect that he would not counsel Fisher to
make the same answer, lest the Council might think they were agreed, and
that he would meddle with no man's conscience but his own. After the
Coun[cil were at the] Tower, Fisher sent to tell More what answer he had
made. Does not know if More sent an answer. |
| 42. Wm. Thorneton, of London, says that he heard of Fisher's being made
cardinal from George, the Lieutenant's servant, and the Falconer, who serves
Fisher with his meat. |
| 43. Andrewe, servant to [Anthony] Bonvies, about 12 days ago heard
Florence Volusene say at his master's house at dinner. that he heard at the
French ambassador's house that Fisher was made Cardinal. and since heard
others speak of it. |
| 44. Examined, 11 June.—Never carried any letters or other intell[igence],
but bare stewed meat d[ivers times] ..... passed for the which Mrs. Roper
did give ........... buying of the same, when she was ........
Also that John the falconer came to his master. |
| 45. vii. Examination of John Pewnoll, alias Fawconer, [somet]yme servant
to Mr. Dr. Fisher, sometime bp. of Rochester. Last Lent carried a letter
from Fisher, about his disease, to Mr. Bonviese. who consulted Mr. Clement.
and sent back word that Fisher's liver was wasted, and he should [ta]ke
gote's my[lk] and other things. Carried another letter to Dr. Fre …
concerning physic, and others to Mr. Whyte, to desire him to seek relief for
the said Mr. Fisher. |
| 46. Fisher had money from his brother Robert, and, since he is dead, of
Mr..... and Mr. Thorneton. |
| 47. Twice or thrice Mr. Antony Bonvise sent him a dish of stewed meat,
before .... six weeks passed, and a quart of French wine and ....
when Fisher sent for it. |
| 48. Heard that Fisher was made a cardinal first from George, the Lieutenant's servant, who heard it from Andrew .... |
| 49. 11 June.—Geo. White deposes that last Saturday Wm. Thorneton
told him Fisher was made a cardinal, and afterwards John the Fawconer.
Asked about letters and communications between Fisher and others, "saith
that he knowe[th] .... but that he hath received himself bills of [the
said Mr. Fisher's] diet, which he hath got to show." Was also asked to
send him a book of the statutes, which he did by Fawconer. |
| 50. Examined who conv]eyed to him any books or letters; says he sent
himself a book of divinity. |
| 51. Illegible. |
| viii. Further examination of John à Wood, 11 June. |
| 52. Says that on the morning after the Council came to the Tower his
master (More) told him that his daughter, Roper's wife, wished to know
what had taken place, and he wrote her three letters. Gives the substance
of them. |
| 53. Ric. Wylson further examined on June 11.—Says that he does not
know of any one encouraging Fisher. About two ...... past he found
the copy of a letter in Fisher's chamber to the effect that his opinion
concerning the matrimony was true, and he should no[t] doubt therein,
i[nsomu]ch as the Pope ha[d] .... asstipulat ..... Whether it was
directed to [Fisher] or not he does not know. |
| 54. ix. Further examination of Wm. Thorneton, 11 June.—Says he first
heard that Fisher was made cardinal of Mr. Thornam, steward to my lord
of Wiltshire, in Poules, eight or nine days ago, in presence of another priest.
The same day, or the next, John Falconer and George both told him. Does
not know whether any letter was sent to Fisher from beyond sea or on this
side. Does not know or suspect any one of counselling or encouraging
Fisher. |
| Mutilated, pp. 21. The leaf containing § iii. is in a different hand from
the rest; apparently that of Wilson, the deponent, himself. |
| 12 June. | 857. Sir Thomas More and Sir John Daunce. |
|---|
| See Grants in June, No. 10. |
12 June.
Cleopatra, E. vi. 169. B. M. Archæol. xxv. 95. Lewis' Fisher, ii. 407. | 858. Bishop Fisher. |
|---|
| The answers made by Mr. John Fisher, D.D., to the interrogatories
ministered to him, 12 June 27 Hen. VIII., at the Tower of London, by
Mr. Thos. Bedyll and Mr. Richard Lay ton, clerks of the Council, in the presence of Sir Edm. Walsingham, lieutenant of the Tower, Hen. Polstede,
John Whalley, and John ap. Rice, notary. |
| 1. His brother, Robert Fisher, told him of the Act in hand in the House
of Commons, by which speaking of words against the King should be made
treason, and said there was much sticking at it, because divers thought that
no man lightly could beware of the penalty of the statute, and he thought
it would not pass unless it were added that the words should be spoken
maliciously. Asked him whether men should be bound to answer upon
oath, to any point, by virtue of the same Act, as by the Act of Succession;
which he said was not the case. Had no other conversation with him about
the Acts. 2. Can say nothing more than his former answer. 3. Does not
remember having any such conversation with his brother. 4. Can say
nothing more than his first answer. 5. About four letters have passed
between him and More concerning the matters mentioned in this question
since they came to the Tower. Does not remember the contents of the
letters written before the Council first visited him. On further consideration,
remembers now that More's first letter was to ask him what answer he had
given to the Council in the matter for which he was committed to the
Tower. Sent a reply to his question. Does not remember the effect of any
other letters before the Council's first visit, but subsequently George,
Mr. Lieutenant's servant, showed him a letter from More to Mrs. Roper, stating
that when the Council had proposed to him the matter about which they
came, he said he would not dispute the King's title, and Mr. Secretary gave
him good words. Sent him a letter by George to know his answer more
precisely, but does not recollect his reply. Wrote also to More about the
words his brother had spoken concerning the Act of Parliament, and the
insertion of the word "maliciously," but did not ask More's advice. More
thought that their answers would be much alike, and that the Council would
suppose that one had "taken light" of the other, and wrote to Fisher to
avoid this suspicion. Being asked whether any other letters passed between
them, replied that after the Council was last at the Tower, and Mr. More's
books were taken from him, George told Fisher that More was in "a pecke
of troubles," and wished to know what answer Fisher had made to the
Council. Wrote a letter, that he had answered according to the statute,
which condemns no one but those who speak maliciously against the King's
title; that the statute compelled no man to answer; that he besought them
not to constrain him to answer more than the statute required, but to allow
him. to enjoy the benefit of the said statute. Does not recollect any more
communications between him and More. 7–17. Has already answered and
can say no more. 18. No. He knoweth where none is. 19. They were
all burnt as soon as he had read them, for he was loth to be reproved of his
promise made to Mr. Lieutenant, not to do anything to cause him to be
blamed. Is sure there was nothing else in the letters except exhortations to
patience, and prayers to God for grace. 20. Received no letters but what
are above mentioned. 21. Received the book from Edward White by the
hands of George. 22. Remembers no communication with Edw. White,
but he had communication with Wilson about the time they read the statutes.
Wilson "threppened upon this respondent" that the Council had proposed to
him two points. Remembered only one, that the Council was sent to know
his opinion touching the statute of Supreme Head. Wilson further said
that he stood behind the door, and heard Fisher's answer and Mr. Bedyl's
reasons. After Wilson had read the statutes once or twice, caused them to be
burnt, thinking that Mr. Lieutenant would have made much business thereupon.
23. Does not remember declaring to Wilson, or any man, what answer he
was disposed to made. 24. Received no such letters but one from Erasmus,
which his brother Robert showed first to Mr. Secretary. 25, 26. George
brought him word since the last sitting of the Council, that he heard from
Mrs. Roper that Fisher was made a cardinal. Said in presence of George
and Wilson, that if the Cardinal's hat were laid at his feet, he would not
stoop to take it up, he did set so little by it. 27. Received no other letters
touching the same business. 28. Received no such letters or message.
29. Wrote letters often concerning his diet, to him who provided it, as to
Robt. Fisher, while he lived, and to Edw. White; one to my lady of Oxford,
for her comfort, and requests to certain friends, that he might pay Mr. Lieutenant for his diet, to whom he was in great debt, and was in great need.
30. Received money from them, and no other answer. |
| Being asked whether there was any compact between himself, his servant
Wilson, and George, concerning sending letters, replies that they were agreed
to keep it as secret as they might. Signed. |
| Pp. 6. With corrections. |
| R. O. | 859. Bishop Fisher. (fn. 3) |
|---|
| In the letters which were written by an unknown hand to the lady
Katharine dowager, and found in the bishop of Rochester's study, it is said:—"which things I showed to your Nobleness in my Prince's name of late by
the reverend father E. R. [and] what things your Nobleness gave unto
me [afterwa]rde by the same father, it needs not [to rehearse] he[re]. (fn. 4)
That thing only I would your Nobleness should believe, that I will be both
so faithful and close in concealing these things that no mortal man shall ever
know them besides them whom it behoveth. Of which thing, to the intent
your Nobleness may the less doubt, know ye that I have sent over sea, now
six days since, one of my servants with that which I received of the bishop
of Rochester." |
| Concerning these letters the bishop of Rochester is to be asked:—1. Who
wrote them? 2. Who was the [lord]e or prince of the writer? 3. If
E. R. means the bishop of Rochester? 4. What the writer showed in his
prince's name to the lady Katharine by the Bishop, and what she gave to the
writer by the said Bishop? 5. If he say they were trifles, why should the
writer promise to keep such taciturnity? 6. Who are they who should
know these things which must be concealed from all other mortal men?
7. What was it that the writer received from the Bishop and sent over
sea? 8. How many books he has written concerning the King's matrimony and divorce? 9. How many copies have been made of them, and in
whose hands they are? 10. How many books or copies have been sent over
sea? 11. To whom they were sent? 12. Whether he has given any of
the books or copies, to any foreigner, that the contents might be published
openly under a strange style by some one who was not the King's subject
and feared not his indignation, though he wrote what was lewd and slanderous? 13. Whether the book, which was printed and born without
certain author or father, and yet is said to be written either by Agrippa, or
Lewis Vives, or Antony Pullion, was published by Rochester's counsel or
knowledge? 14. Let him be straitly examined who was the author. It is
not credible that he does not know, for all the arguments are taken from
notes found in his study. 15. Whether he gave counsel or consent to Abel's
publishing his book against the King's cause? This is likely, for most of
the book is gathered out of Rochester's books. |
| In the above-mentioned letters it is written as follows:—" But as
conce[rning] these letters which I have ...... (fn. 5) unto the King's highness,
I have decreed not to deliver them, or cause them to be delivered, before I
shall have taken ship; for even then I intend to send one of mine servants
to deliver them; and in the mean season so to order the matter that the King
shall not perceive that those letters were brought by me." |
| 16. Let Rochester be asked if this messenger lurked in his house till he
himself told the lady Katharine what the messenger had from his prince,
and if he brought an answer. It is likely that he kept the said letters so
long, because he feared that if they were delivered before his departure he
should be taken by reason of them, and so plucked out of his lurking-place
into open sight. |
| It follows in the same letter—"If there be anything therefore [that your]
Nobleness will farther commit u[nto me, as] (fn. 6) to go unto other princes of
Ger[man]y (fn. 7) , a[nd to so]licit them or to have anything done by me, &c."
17. Whether he knows what else the lady Katharine committed to this messenger to be moved with his ow[n lord or] other princes of Germany, for he
that carried both the message and the answer could not choose but know.
18. Also he writes, "When I come into Ger[many] I will show, declare,
and defend amongst good men, and that by books written, the cause of your
Nobleness most diligently and honorably, and whatsoever I shall bring to
pass with the princes in this matter, therefore shall I diligently and secretly
ascertain your Nobleness." 19. Whether, saving his faith and allegiance to
the King, he could or ought to aid, counsel, or consent to him who went
about such manner of things with the princes of Germany against the king
of England? 20. By what hope he was moved, or for what [reason] he
concealed so long [time so] great a matter which he knew to be intended
against the king of England? 21. For what cause the letters to the lady
Katharine came to his hand, who sent them, and who brought them to him?
If a true answer to these questions cannot be gotten from the bishop of
Rochester, the King hy[mself can] sh[o]we what prince's servant he w[as
tha]t wr[ote] those letters, if he would call to mind what prince sent unto
him those letters whose sentence is described in a certain schedule here
following, which begins—"Si regia serenitas tua recte valet, &c.," which are
the letters which are mentioned to be delivered after the messenger's departure? Lastly, it is to be noted that he who wrote the letters was crafty
and subtle, and that he promised to write books against the King's cause,
and to defend the contrary cause, and to spend his labour with the princes of
Germany that they should take in hand to defend the lady Katharine's
cause. |
| 22. Let the bishop of Rochester be asked who wrote to him the three letters
without name concerning Luther's business, the King's cause, and the translation of the New Testament into English, with other notable things. At
the end of the second letter is written thus:—"But what I have heard of
Master Lee ye shall know at my coming home." By the first letter it
appears that he is speaking of Lee, who is now archbishop of York, for it
is written that he was not well accepted at Bononye "afore (fn. 8) the bishop of
Coventry and Lichfield was neve[r at] Bononye." From which clause it
may be gathered, as it seems, that Master Lee has uttered the King's secrets
to the writer of these letters that they might be told to Rochester. 23. Let
him be asked if he wrote or sent a message to George Daye, (fn. 9) of Cambridge,
that he was not a little grieved that Daye should seem to faour the King's
cause because he subscribed not the sentence of his friend Bayne. If he
deny this, let Daye's letter be showed him, which contains these words:—"And whereas I hear [that] your Ladyship hath by chance taken [suspic]ion
of me, as though I favoured the King's cause, for so much as I have by no
means clyv[en] or stuck to the sentence of my friend Bean (Bayne in draft),
&c., at such time as I was elected [by the] university faithfully to declare
what [was] my mind in that matter." Daye would not have endeavoured so
greatly to purge himself with so many words and persuasions from the said
suspicion, if he had not perceived that the Bishop took the matter grievously
because [he suspected] him to favour the King's cause. He therefore asked
the Bishop to suspend the sentence until he had made purgation of that
suspicion. 24. Let him be asked whether it did not seem enough to him
that he himself was against the King's cause with as great assaults as he
might, except [he migh]t also be aggrieved if any o[ther person should
come] and defend the sam cause. 25. It is also written in Day's epistle:—"I beseech God that you Lordship may as lightly overcome in that cause
which ye most coveteth, as simple as I do here cleave to nother part, being
overcome either with fear or else w[ith] infirmity of my mind." It is clear
with how much study and affection Rochester desired the victory in this
cause against the King. But all this may be known from Geo. Day, if he
were earnestly convented and spoken to. 26. Let him be asked if he wrote
letters to William [late] archbishop of Canterbury, saying that he knew
certainly that all the universities of the world could never prove that
marriage with a dead brother's wife is against the laws of God and of nature.
That he wrote it is proved by a copy of the letter in his own hand.
27. Whether he wrote this for any other cause than to make the Archbishop
harder a[nd inclined] less [to f]avor the King's cause? 28. Whether
Rochester wrote to the Archbishop that he (the Archbishop) intended to
deceive and betray him to his adversaries, when he asked him to come to
Knoll to see the determinations of the universities, and whether he asked the
Archbishop not to think that h[e would sin] against the Holy Ghost? This
and many other things appear from the said copy? 29. Whether he wrote
any letters to the lady Katharine, the Queen putative, as if she despaired of
the mercy of God, as appears by copies in his own hand? 30. Whether the
cause of this despair was that she committed perjury, and, as some say,
received the Host, that she was never carnally known by prince Arthur?
31. Why he should exhort her not to despair of the mercy of God unless he
knew she despaired thereof? 32. Who brought unto him [the articles] sent
from the said lady Katharine [in] which mention is made that a cer[tain
ch]aplain of the bishop of Bath revela[ted un]to her almoner that the bishop
of Bath, Master Thos. Moore, ch[ancellor, the] bishop of Exeter, and the
bi[shop of Chi]chester would favour the cause [as much as] she could
desire? It is many[fest from] the letters following that R. Griffyn brought
the articles. 33. Whether the bishop of Rochester's book, containing the
reply against the universities and the book of Mr. Wylson and the bishop
of Bath's book [were sent to Pa]rys to a Spaniard, Dr. [of divinity,
a frien]de to the said lady Katharine, by advice of the bishops of Exeter,
Chichester, Bath, and Rochester? 34. Whether he received any letters
from Dr. Peter Ligham containing these words:—" I beseech the Lord Jesus
to give us grace and spiritual strength to show the truth, putting all fear
apart; for, by all conjecture that I see, there be many corrupt solicitors
intending to make division and schism in taking away the Pope's auctority;
but would God they were cut off and separated which trouble the King?"
35. Why he kept close these letters, and did not show them to the King's
Council, as they seem to be w[ritten again]st them that were of the [King's
Council], or those in whom [he trusted] ? To wish that such were [cut off]
is not to be reputed [a light fault]. 36. What were the writings which
Ligham promised he would send by his servant, as appears by his letters?
37. Why he concealed the letters of one Bayne, of Cambridge, in which the
King's cause was diffamed, and said to be handled by authority and conveyance? 38. What "those words of Ric. bishop of Winchester, a good stert
sennys departed [mean], where he prayeth that he and the same Roffensis
might once speak to[geth]er before he died, so that it were not in [Parliament or convocation, from which God deliver us"? 39. Whether he
received two letters from the bishop of Bath, one concerning the curates, and
the other the interpretation of the Levitical law of marriage with a brother's
wife, as if it meant a living brother? 40. Whether he has followed in his
books this interpretation of the bishop of Bath? |
| P. 11. Multilated and defaced. |
| R. O. | 2. Corrected draft of the preceding. |
|---|
| Pp. 8. Very worn, faded, and mutilated. |
| R. O. | 3. Latin translation of the same. |
|---|
| Pp. 7. Mutilated and defaced. |
Cleop. E. vi.
174. B. M. Lewis' Life of Fisher, II 403. | 4. [Replies by Bishop Fisher to the preceding questions.] |
|---|
| 1. The time since I received the letters is so great that I can recollect
neither the name of the writer nor the messenger. 2. Cannot recollect the
name of the lord, though I doubt not that he was a German prince, as
he says 3, 4. It is clear the same person is not indicated by the letters
E. R. and by the bishop of Rochester, for afterwards distinct mention is
made of the bishop of Rochester; so that if so learned a man as the writer
seems to be had intended to speak either of the same E. R. or of the same
bishop of Rochester, and when he had taken such pains to conceal the name
of the former, why did he betray it if he mentioned the same person in
either place? Besides, I have never addressed the said lady Katharine in
private since the King commanded me to give her my counsel in her matter.
5. The writer promises that he can do what things he wished, as many do
who make grand promises and perform nothing; but he made those promises
without either my knowledge or countenance. 6. I know not who they
were. 7. It is very probable that there was some token (fn. 10) to be sent to one
of the German princes, but, God help me, I know not now what it was, or
to whom of those princes it was sent, unless it was to Ferdinand king of
Hungary. 8. I am not certain of the number, but I think I have written
seven or eight. The matter was so serious, both on account of the importance of the persons concerned, and on account of the injunction given me by
the King, that I devoted more attention to examining the truth of it than to
anything else in my life. 9. I do not know, nor was I very particular
about the others, but only of the two last written by me, which contained the pith (nervos) of the former ones. One of those the archbishop of
Canterbury now has. 10. I never sent or consented to the sending of any
of these books over sea, nor had the writer or his servant any of them
to my knowledge. 11. To no one, with my knowledge, as is clear from
the last. 12. No such thing was ever in my mind. 13. Not by my
counsel or knowledge. 14. I am quite ignorant of the author, but suspect,
from the style, it was Cornelius Agrippa. 15. I never counselled Abel, or
consented to his publishing the book; neither had he any book of mine to
my knowledge. 16. The messenger was never more than a quarter of an
hour in my house. 17. I know not at all, unless she wished to be vindicated with those princes as to the oath she had formerly sworn that she had
not been known by prince Arthur. 18. I certainly gave no consent that the
writer should attempt anything with the German princes against the King,
neither did these letters come to hand before the messenger had left me.
19, 20. The letters were sent to me by the lady Katharine, to whose
counsels I was sworn by the King's orders; nor did they contain anything,
as it seemed to me, except as to the declaration of the lady Katharine's
virginity. 21. I know no other cause, unless it was to let me see she was
not despised by the princes of other countries; but by whom they came to
my hands I cannot remember, for she sent to me sometimes one person and
sometimes another, although both then and long before I had abstained
from giving her counsel except in some things touching her conscience.
22. I know not who wrote them, unless it be the hand of Dr. Adeson. What
Lee he meant, I do not know for certain. 23. I blamed neither Geo. Day
nor any other man for favoring the King's cause. But I remember having
said, when I heard that he followed neither opinion, that I was not pleased
with him because he studied to obtain the goodwill of both sides. Perhaps
it was this that made him so anxious to purge himself by his letters.
24. I never blamed anyone for defending the King's cause, or advised
anyone to advocate that of Katharine. 25. Geo. Day may have judged of
me what he pleased. I am certain I desired nothing but the victory of the
truth. 26. I acknowledge that I have written and said such things.
27. I did not write so to change his opinion, but that he might desist from
soliciting me to assert anything against my conscience. 28. I wrote so
because he had not deigned to warn me by his letters of the matter about
which he had summoned me, so that I might be the better prepared to
answer those who were then ready. But when I came to Knoll I prayed
his Lordship not to suspect I would sin against the Holy Ghost, either by
impugning a known truth, or by not admitting the truth, if it could be
shown by the writings of the universities or by others. 29. The King
knows very well that the lady Katharine, not for one time only, sent for me
by his consent on account of certain scruples which offended her conscience,
and that long before this affair began. To remove these scruples I used
many words when I was with her, and wrote some letters afterwards.
30. I never heard from her that she despaired of mercy, or had committed
perjury. 31. If I wrote so, I wrote that she might put away all scruples of
conscience, and establish her mind in the hope and trust of the promises
of Christ. 32. Cannot remember who brought the articles, nor should I
have remembered them unless I had read them now. 33. I feel sure that
the book I wrote against the opinion of the universities was not sent to
Paris, for at that time when the lady Katharine asked it of me scarcely half
of it was written, neither was auy of the others sent thither with my
knowledge or assent. 34. I should not have remembered these letters either,
unless I had seen them now. 35. I did not understand anything in these
words to express ill-will against the King. 36. I do not know. 37. I
truly believed Bain did not write them out of ill-will to the King.
38. I do not know what they mean, unless it be that he would not thenceforth willingly mix himself with the business of those two places. 39. Many
learned men and esteemed interpreters of the Old Testament have followed
this interpretation, that the Levitical prohibition applies to a living brother.
40. Although in my writings I cited many who affirm that interpretation,
I do not endeavour to rest my opinion altogether upon them, as my writings
clearly show. |
| Hol., Lat., pp. 6. |
12 June.
R. O. | 860. George Tayllour to Lady Lisle. |
|---|
| Thanks her, on behalf of his uncle Geo. Gaynesford, and thanks her
also for the shirt cloth she sent him by Mr. Hussy. London, 12 June. |
| Hol., p. 1. Add.: At Calais. |
13 June.
R. O. | 861. Roland Lee, Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield, to Cromwell. |
|---|
| As the Castle of Ludlow is in great ruin, and the time is now suitable
for repair, I beg you will have it in remembrance, and also the multitude
of outlaws who are submitting themselves voluntarily without safe-conduct,
which has not been heretofore. I beg also that you will remember the
King's pardons in that behalf left with you by Englefuld, when they shall
come to your hands subscribed by me and him. Gloucester, 13 June.
Signed. |
| P. 1. Add.: Mr. Secretary. Endd. |
13 June.
R. O. | 862. William Fayrfax (fn. 11) to Cromwell. |
|---|
| On receipt of Cromwell's letters informed the justices of the peace,
who thereupon appointed a privy sessions. By the evidence of John Leper
and Brian Banke an indictment was found against Sir Thos. Jakson, priest,
which he sends that he may ascertain whether the justices have authority
to inquire of treason in this case without a special commission. Wishes a
commission to make certificate of certain villages and houses wasted in Yorkshire. Stetom 13 June. Signed. |
| P. 1. Add.: Master Secretary. Endd. |
| R. O. Pocock, ii. 468. | 2. Deposition by John Lepar (fn. 12) and Brian Banke before Wm. Fayrefax,
sheriff, co. York, against Thos. Jackson, chantry priest of Chepax, for
saying,—1. That the King lived in adultery [with Anne Boleyn] before his
marriage, and still lives so. 2. That he kept the mother and afterwards the
daughter, "and now he hath married her whom he kept afore, and her mother
also." |
|---|
| Endd. |
13 June.
R. O. | 863. Sir Richard Tempest to Cromwell. |
|---|
| Reminds him of his suit for the discharge of the Yorkshire abbeys
from certain charges, which Cromwell promised should be considered by the
Council. Heard on coming home that the archbishop of York and the other
commissioners had allowed all the charges. A riot has been committed by
300 or 400 persons in Craven, who have cast down houses, dykes, and
hedges about Gygkylswyke, &c. Bollyng, 13 June. |
| Hopes Cromwell has his two bills in remembrance. Signed. |
| P. 1. Add.: Master Cromwell, secretary to the King. Endd. |
13 June.
R. O. | 864. Sampson Thomas, Mayor of Southampton, and Others, to
Cromwell. |
|---|
| We thank you for the comfort we have received touching certain
arrears hanging over us in the King's Exchequer for a trespass done in the
time of one of the King's progenitors. When his Grace was at Windsor
last summer, and was moved thereupon, he referred us to you. The sum is
700l. Although you made an order that no process should be taken out
against us, divers attachments are awarded out of the Exchequer against
divers of our late sheriffs. |
| We beg your help, and, that done, will repair our sea-walls according to our
promises. For your pains we send you 40l. Southampton, 13 June. Signed:
Sampson Thomas, mayor there—Jamys Bettes—Harry Huttoft—Recharde
Caplyng—and 10 others. |
| Pp. 2. Add.. Mr. Secretary. Endd. |
13 June.
Add. MS. 20,021.
B. M. | 865. Dunmowe Priory. |
|---|
| Accounts of Geoffrey [Shether (fn. 13) ], prior of Dunmow, beginning at the
week before Palm Sunday [23 Hen. VIII.] and ending the third Sunday
after Trinity 27 Hen. VIII. |
| [23 Hen. VIII.] Easter day, the Sepulchre light, 9d.; Our Lady's light, 1d. Fourth
Sunday after Easter, the convent's wages, 53s. 4d.; the cook's wages, 6s. 8d. Fifth
Sunday, reward to a servant of the King's, 3s. 4d. Sixth Sunday, the lord's rent,
4l. 13s. 5d.; given to a friar for his commencement, 2s. Second Sunday [after Trinity],
lime for the steeple, 6s. 6d. Third Sunday, mowing of Burmede and Covent Mede, 10s.
Fourth Sunday, Law for the parson of Bartun, 18s. 8d.; my costs at London, 13s. 3d.
Eighth Sunday, convent's wages, 53s. 4d. Ninth Sunday, linen cloth for the "nonys,"
16s. 8d. Eleventh Sunday, to a servant of my lord Brode Seell, 10s. Fourteenth Sunday,
for glasses, 6d. Fifteenth Sunday, my costs and the hire of a cart to Stebryche Feyer,
10s. 9d. Seventeenth Sunday, to my lord of Darby's players, 3s. 4d.; to my lord Markes
Exeter's juggler, 8d.; to my lord Fuater's steward, 2s. Eighteenth Sunday, to a
"Bredeall," 12d.; to Toteryche and Balarde, for covering the steeple, 12s. Nineteenth,
to the bailiff of the hundred for his fee. Twentieth, to a tailor, half day's work, 6d.;
alms, 4d. Twenty-first, "my turney in the jecur" (exchequer), (fn. 14) 6s.
8d.; Master Mumfurde, 5s.; (fn. 14) my costs to London, 6s. 10d. Twenty-second, the convent's wages, 53s. 4d.
Twenty-third, allowance to "my farmer of Cloptun Hall," 20s. Twenty-fifth, my costs to
Panfylde, 9d. Third Sunday in Advent, the King's subsidy, 16l. 14s. |
| Christmas 24 Hen. VIII., a bottle of wine, 8d.; reward to the Lord of Mysrulle at
Dunmow, 8d. First Sunday after Christmas, New Year's gifts, 12d.; my servant's costs
to London, 2s. 8d. First Sunday after Epiphany, reward to the under-sheriff and his man,
3s. 8d.; reward to players, 12d.; alms, 3s. First Sunday after the Octave of Epiphany,
my costs to London, 12s. 5½d.; reward to my lord of London's servants, 8d. Sexagesima
Sunday, to a pardoner, 4d.; my costs to London, 7s. 10d. Quinquagesima Sunday, to
Seynt Nycolas jerche (church) in Cales, 20d.; reward to a servant of my lord of Sussex, 4d.
First Sunday, a proxy to the convocation, 6s. 8d.; writing of a presentation, 2s.; my
servant's costs to London, 20d.; two women, for sowing of Lent corn, 2s. 4d. Third
Sunday, to a horse leech for cutting of the spaven, 6d.; reward to the commissary's servant, 4d. Palm Sunday, five store calves, 11s. Easter, "Mawde (Maundy) mony," 11s. 4d.;
to Our Lady's light, 2d. Second Sunday after Easter, my costs to London, 12s. 6d. Sixth
Sunday, sugarcandy, 6d.; to a man of Felsted for making clean of Woldre Hall, 5s.;
to two men for making clean of the "wyer," 22d. Whit Sunday, to a friar for preaching,
12d. Third Sunday after Trinity, to Robt. Coke, for cleaning of "Splente," 4d.; to a bear
ward, 4d.; a "tangcarde," 5d. Fourth Sunday, alms to a Gray Friar, 4d.; to Rodyng
play, 4d. Sixth Sunday, the convent's wages, 3l. 13s. 4d. Eighth Sunday, reward to
master Capel's servants, 4d. Twelfth Sunday, costs to my lord of Sussex, 7d.; alms to a
friar of Clare, 4d. Fourteenth Sunday, hire of a cart, packthread, &c. bought at
Stebryche feyer. Seventeenth Sunday, the frary clerk, 2d. Twenty-second Sunday, the
"comuntyne," 3d. Twenty-third Sunday, John Carter's costs to Yngatstone feyer, 7d.
Third Sunday in Advent, wine bought when my lord of Sussex was here, 15d. |
| Christmas 25 Hen. VIII., a bottle of red wine, 5d.; alms, 5½d.; to my lord of Misrule,
12d. First Sunday after Epiphany, my costs to my lord Fywater, 3s. 10d.; reparations at
Hemham "jauncell," 4s. 4d. Third Sunday, my costs at London, 17s. 3d. Sexagesima
Sunday, reward to two scholars of Cambridge, 2s. 4d. First Sunday in Lent, to Skoryar,
for making of a buttress at the Dorter wall, 16s. 8d. Second Sunday, my costs to London,
10s. 8d. Easter, a reward for oil and cream, 8d.; to the butler, for his offering at
Easter, 4d. Dominica in Albis, reward to three minstrels, 16d.; to the bayley of the
hundred, 3s. 4d.; to the King's players, 20d.; the escheator's fee, 5s.; repairs at Styrstun,
for a "jemny," 20s. Fourth Sunday, convent's wages, 3l. 6s. 8d.; my costs to London,
12s. 5d. Trinity Sunday, Carter's costs to Storfurde fair, 4d. First Sunday, the Nouys
(novices) when they went to orders, 3s. 8d. Second Sunday, repairs at Mangap, 7s. 11d.
Fifth Sunday, costs of my lord of Canterbury's visitation, 4l. 11s. 2½d.; wine, 16d.;
rewards among his servants, 7s. Sixth Sunday, mowing of Covent Mede and Burmede, 6s.
Eleventh Sunday, reward to the excheator['s] man, 4d. Twelfth Sunday, wine I bought
when lord Fywater was here, 20d. Fourteenth Sunday, my costs to Cambridge, 5s. 6d.
Sixteenth Sunday, to a man of law, for seeking of evidence, 3s. 4d.; reward to the King's
pursuivant, 16d. Seventeenth Sunday, lime for the steeple, 3d. Eighteenth Sunday,
Bensun, for making of 9½ feet of the steeple, 11l. 7d. Nineteenth Sunday, to my lady of
Berkyng, for Plesden, 20s. Twentieth Sunday, tithe to the vicar of Dunmow for John
Browne, 16d.; my costs to London, 15s. 7d. Twenty-first Sunday, to the Convocation,
6s. 8d. Twenty-second Sunday, to the prior of Lyys, 2s. Advent, for my lady Gates
deryge, 6s. 8d. |
| Christmas 26 Hen. VIII., rewards in my lord of Sussex's house, 2s. 8d.; my costs to
Wodham, 4s. 8d.; rewards for New Year's gifts, 9d. Septuagesima Sunday, my costs to
London, 6s. 7d. Sexagesima Sunday, reward to players and a minstrel, 2s. 4d.
Quadragesima Sunday, Wm. Wall, for engrossing court rolls of Clopton Hall, 3s. 4d.; a
medicine for rats, 2d. Second Sunday in Lent, "the sercue (qu. sheriff?), for his fee," 3s. 4d.
Third Sunday, a reward to a servant of my lady Markes, 8d. Dominica in Passione, my
costs to my lord of Sussex, 7d. Palm Sunday, mawndy money given on Scher Thursday,
9s. 1d. Second Sunday after Easter, making a rochet, 6d.; reward to a sumner, 2d. Third
Sunday, the King's subsidy, 15l. Trinity Sunday, costs to my lady Markes, 8d. Fourth
Sunday after Trinity, my costs to London, 10s. 3d. Fifth Sunday, three pair of spectacles,
6d. Eighth Sunday, "a ranell," 3d.; mending a barn of Falyng, 48s. 9d.; to women
for making clean of the hostre, 8d. Ninth Sunday, a fine for Wyattes, 10s.; reward to my
Lord's steward, 2s.; fee to the steward of Kocsall, 10s. Tenth Sunday, convent's wages,
3l. Fourteenth Sunday, for singing bread, 2d. Twentieth Sunday, to my steward, for
keeping my Court at Dunmow, 3s. 4d.; the bayly of the hundred, 3s. 4d. Twenty-first,
my lady of Berkyng, 20s.; my lord of St. John, 20s. Twenty-second Sunday, reward to
my lord of Sussex's cook, 8d.; the convent's wages, 3l. Advent, a clampe of brick,
16l. 13s. 4d.; my costs and rewards to the King's visitation at Coksale, 57s. 8d. Second
Sunday, pype sylver, 6d. Third Sunday, when the "novys" (fn. 15) (novices) went away at the
King's commandment, their apparel was 48s. 10d.; my lady Gates' derege, 3s. 4d. |
| Christmas 27 Hen. VIII., to my lord of Sussex's players, 3s. 4d. Third Sunday after the
Octave of Epiphany, reward to Dr. Petur and his clerk, 15s.; my costs to London and
back, 41s. 1d. Fourth, Sunday, 4 Feb., the convent's wages, 40s.; to John Wornall, for
making clean the river, 3d. Septuagesima Sunday, "for mynymentes to have them
a geen," 20s.; my costs to London, 19s. 8d. First Sunday in Lent, repairs at Hemnall,
7s. 6d. Passion Sunday, to the King, for the tenth, 15l. 4s. Easter, the cook's offering, 4d.;
frankincense, 2½d. Second Sunday after Easter, repairs at Tulsunt, 8s. 3d. Fourth
Sunday, "a potell wyne for the ycrche," 8d. Sixth Sunday, to a scholar of Cambridge
8d.; to three chanuns of Lyys, 12d. Whit Sunday, my costs to London, 12s. First
Sunday after Trinity, alms to a "janun" of Lyys, 4d.; a pair of shoes I bought for my
lady, 7d. |
| Total, 45l. 4s. 7d. |
| Signed: Geffrey, prior of Dunmowe. |
| Pp. 41. Imperfect at the commencement. There are three pp. of memoranda and
scribbling at the end. |
| 14 June. | 866. Suppression of a Nunnery in Ireland. |
|---|
| See Grants in June, No. 12. |
14 June.
R. O. St. P. i. 431. | 867. Bishop Fisher and Sir Thomas More. |
|---|
| "Interrogatories ministered on the King's behalf [unto] John Fisher,
D.D., late bishop [of Rochester]," in the Tower of London, 14 June
27 Hen. VIII., by Mr. Thos. Bedyll, [Dr. Aldridge,] Ric. Layton, and
Ric. [Curwen], of the King's Council, in presence of Harry [Polstede
and John] Whalley, and of John Ap Rice, notary public; with Fisher's
answers. |
| 1. Whether he would obey the King as Supreme Head of the Church of
England? —He stands by the answer he made at his last examination, but
will write with his own hand more at length. |
| 2. Whether he will acknowledge the King's marriage with queen Anne
to be lawful, and that with the lady Katharine to be invalid?—He would
obey and swear to the Act of Succession; but desires to be pardoned
answering this interrogatory absolutely. |
| 3. For what cause he would not answer resolutely to the said interrogatories?—He desires not to be driven to answer, lest he fall in danger of
the statutes. |
| Signed by John ap Rice as notary: J. R. |
| Mutilated. |
| St. P. i. 432. | ii. Interrogatories ministered to Sir Thos. More. |
|---|
| 1. Whether he had any communication with any person since he came to
the Tower touching the Acts of Succession, of Supreme Head, or the Act
wherein speaking certain words by (i.e. of) the King is made treason; and, if
so, when, how often, with whom, and to what effect? |
| 2. Whether he received letters of any man, or wrote to any, touching any
of the said Acts; and, if so, how many, of whom, &c. |
| 3. Whether these letters are forthcoming; and, if not, why they were done
away, and by whose means? |
| 4. Whether any man of this realm or without this realm sent him any
letters or message exhorting him to persist in his opinion; and, if so, how
many, of whom, when, and to what effect? |
| St. P. i. 433. | iii. The answers of Sir Thomas More to interrogatories ministered to him,
14 June 27 Hen. VIII., within the Tower of London, before Mr. Bedle,
Dr. Aldridge, Dr. Layton, Dr. Curwen, in the presence of Polstede,
Whalley and Rice aforesaid. |
|---|
| 1. Never had any communication of such matters since he came to the
Tower. |
| 2. Had written divers scrolls or letters since then to Dr. Fisher, and
received others from him, containing for the most part nothing but comforting words and thanks for meat and drink sent by one to the other. But
about a quarter of a year after his coming to the Tower he wrote to Fisher,
saying he had refused the oath of succession, and never intended to tell the
Council why; and Fisher made him answer, showing how he had not refused
to swear to the Succession. No other letters passed between them touching
the King's affairs till the Council came to examine this deponent upon the
Act of Supreme Head; but after his examination he received a letter of
Fisher, desiring to know his answer. Replied by another letter, stating that
he meant not to meddle, but fix his mind upon the passion of Christ; or that
his answer was to that effect. He afterwards received another letter from
Fisher, stating that he was informed the word maliciously was used in the
statute, and suggesting that, therefore, a man who spoke nothing of malice
did not offend the statute. He replied that he agreed with Fisher, but feared
it would not be so interpreted. Did not report to Fisher his answer to the
Council with the advice to make his own answer different lest the Council
should suspect confederacy between them. After his last examination sent
Fisher word by a letter, that Mr. Solicitor had informed him it was all one
not to answer, and to say against the statute what a man would, as all the
learned men of England would justify. He therefore said he could only
reckon on the uttermost, and desired Fisher to pray for him as he would for
Fisher. |
| Also considering that it would come to the ears of his daughter, Mr. Roper's
wife, how the Council had been with him, and other things might be reported
which would cause her to take sudden flight, and fearing that, being, as he
thought, with child, she might take harm, he sent to her, both after his first
examination and after his last, letters telling her the answers he had given,
and that he could not tell what the end might be, but whatever it were he
prayed her to take it patiently and pray for him. She had written him
before divers letters advising him to accommodate himself to the King's
pleasure, especially urging this in her last. Other letters he neither sent
nor received from any person. George, the lieutenant's servant, carried the
letters to and fro. |
| 3. There is none of these letters forthcoming, where he knoweth. He
would have had George to keep them, and George always said there was no
better keeper than the fire. When he saw this he desired George to let
some trusty friend read them, and if he saw any matter of importance in
them he might report it to the Council and get thanks before any man,
otherwise that he should deliver them. But George said he feared his
master, the lieutenant, who had ordered him not to meddle with such matters,
and so burned them. |
| 4. No. |
| Examined further, why he sent the said letters to Dr. Fisher? Replies that
as they were both in one prison, and for one cause, he was glad to send to
him, and hear from him again. |
| Signed as above: J. R. |
| S.P. i. 436. | iv. Interrogatories ministered to Sir Thos. More, the day, year, and place
above recited, by the Council aforenamed, and in presence of the said witnesses;
with his answers. |
|---|
| 1. Whether he would obey the King as Supreme Head?—He can make
no answer. |
| 2. Whether he will acknowledge the King's marriage with queen Anne
to be lawful, and that with lady Katharine invalid?—Never spoke against it,
"nor thereunto [can] make no answer." |
| 3. Where it was objected to him that by the said statute he, as one of the
King's subjects, is bound to answer the said question, and re[cogni]se the
King as Supreme Head, like all other subjects.—He can make no answer. |
| Notarial signature mutilated. |
| Mutilated. |
| All the above papers are in the same hand, and form one document. |
14 June.
R. O. | 868. Sir Marmaduke Constable. |
|---|
| Draft patent granting to Sir Marmaduke Constable the manor of
Attwyke, [and lands in] Sulcottes, Drypole, Sutton, and Stanferry, &c.,
Yorksh., which came to the King by the attainder of cardinal Wolsey.
Westm., 14 June 27 Hen. VIII. |
| Large paper, pp. 2. |
14 June.
Cleop. E. vi. 236. Burnet, vi. 111. Ellis, 3 Ser. ii. 324. | 869. Archbishop Lee to [Henry VIII.] |
|---|
| On the 8th June I received your letter by Sir Fras. Bygott, stating
that you are informed that whereas you have been declared, as well by
convocation as by Parliament, Supreme Head, I, notwithstanding my
subscription, have not done my duty in teaching the same throughout my
diocese. You also command me to preach in my own person, and instruct
others in your name, declaring every Sunday the rightfulness of this your
jurisdiction; also to erase out of all mass books the name of the bishop
of Rome, and to order all schoolmasters to instil the foresaid truth into the
hearts of their pupils. I beg to remind you that about this time last year,
when I returned from you, the lord of Canterbury sent me a book with an
order for preaching and a from of bidding prayer, wherein your are mentioned
as Supreme Head. You command in the said books that every preacher
should, before Easter last, declare the usurped Jurisdiction of the bishop of
Rome, and justify your repudiation of the Princess Dowager and your marriage
with queen Anne. In the same also an order is given for the suppression of
the general sentence. On receiving of the book, the next Sunday being
the second after Trinity, I went from Cawood to York, and preached as you
desired. I also sent to York that I would be there on the Sunday, and
I caused the churches to make an end of their service that every man might
be at the sermon, especially the mayor. Mr. Magnus, and Sir Geo. Lawson.
There was a great multitude, and I took for my text Uxorem duxi, ideo non
possum venire, explaining the injuries done to you by the bishop of Rome.
On your title of Supreme Head I did not touch, as no order was given for
it. Since my coming to my diocese for more speed of time and utterance
of matter, I have no prayers made in the sermon, but proceed forward
without stop, rehearsing nothing in Latin but in English. I had copies
made of the said book, and sent to every preacher in my diocese; and all,
as far as I know, have done their duty. I have sent the same to every
house of friars, and given advice to all to follow the book when they have
consulted me upon it. |
| On Good Friday last I charged the treasurer of York to leave out the
collect pro Papa, and that the deacon in the hymn Exultet angelica should
omit the Pope. You know me to have been always open and plain with
you, and that I never deceived you. On receipt of your letters by Sir Fras.
Bygott I sent to my lords of Durham and Carlisle and all archdeacons strictly
to follow your commands with the last addition; and on Sunday last I made
them known to my audience when the abbots of St. Mary's and others were
present. "The time is now such that some men think they do high sacrifice
when they may bring into your displeasure such a poor priest as I am," but
I trust you will continue gracious to us. Bishopsthorpe, 14 June 1535.
Signed. |
| Pp. 6. |
14 June.
R. O. | 870. Archbishop Lee to Cromwell. |
|---|
| Has received the King's letters, and answered them. All things, save
his soul, he owes to the King. Sends this by his chaplain, by whom he asks
Cromwell to signify his mind in all things. Bisshops Thorpe, 14 June
1535. Signed. |
| P. 1. Add.: "Secretary." Endd. |
14 June.
R. O. | 871. William Lord Sandys to Lord Lisle. |
|---|
| As the King has given the bearer a bill signed of 8d. a day, of which
as yet he has but 6d. a day, I beg that when any room of 8d. falls he may
have it. London, 14 June. Signed. |
| P. 1. Add.: Deputy of Calais. |
15 June.
R. O. | 872. Sir W. Courtenay to Cromwell. |
|---|
| On the 10th June, John Arundle with others came to the house of
Hartland, and sent for Sir Harry King, a canon there, to bring a due account
of everything there received during the vacancy, and bring him the key of
the buttery. As soon as he came there he was in jeopardy of his life
by part of the canons, John Arundle and the servants of Sir Thomas
Arundle, who brought home the old abbot and took the keys from King.
Will tell him of the words used by Arundle's servant. Powderham, 15 June.
Signed. |
| P. 1. Add.: Secretary. Endd. |
15 June.
R. O. | 873. John Smyth to Cromwell. |
|---|
| Thank you for your many kindnesses. I beg you will have me in
remembrance for my lord Edmund Howard's obligations. Since my last
being in London, I and my wife have been very sore sick. Let me know
when I or my wife shall attend upon you according to our duties. 15 June
1535. |
| Hol., pp. 2. Add. Endd. |
15 June.
Nero, B. vii. 93.
B. M. | 874. Edmond Harvel to Thos. Starkey. |
|---|
| Has received his letters the 20th and 21st ult. Is glad that Mr.
Secretary and Mr. Russell favor him. Desires Starkey to thank the latter
for showing himself his friend in his matter with Mr. Secretary. Is greatly
satisfied to hear from Starkey's letter, with what hope, surety, and condition
he may go to England; which he will do when he has compounded his
business. Does not write to Mr. Secretary, as it is divulged here that he
"should be" at this parliament with the French nobility. Will write hereafter, and has written already, but is not certain whether the letter has
arrived. Did not mean to accuse Starkey of negligence or arrogance. but
wished to inflame him to more frequent writing, being very desirous of his
letters. Suffer not Everton to delude us after this manner, which grieves me
more than the value of the money. By Pole's own letters you will know his
mind concerning all things. Doubt not that he will at length so satisfy the
King, that his Grace and all his other friends will take great pleasure and
consolation, for his mind is well disposed without any doubleness. His
prudence and virtue you have cause to know better than I, having been his
"domestical" for many years. He is willing to treat of the arguments required
of him, but cannot do it substantially without convenient leisure. He will
show his opinion in it, liberrime atque etiam ingenue. |
| You wished to know the judgment here of the death of the monks in
England. It was considered to be extreme cruelty, and all Venice was in
great murmuration to hear it. They spoke long time of the business, to my
great displeasure, for the infaming of our nation, with the vehementest words
they could use. They are persuaded of the dead men's honesty and virtue,
and that their opinion conformed to that of the rest of Christendom. They
consider their execution as against all honest laws of God and men, and as
novum atque inauditum. I never saw Italians break out so vehemently at
anything; it seemed so strange, and so much against their stomach. |
| Letters from Surye state that the Turk's and Sofi's hosts were not far apart,
and battle was probable. Have been certified of the Emperor's leaving Spain
on the 30th. At Sardinia he will deliberate about his going to Africa in
person. The matters between the Pope and the duke of Urbino are referred
to the Emperor, to be decided in six months. The Vaivoda's ambassadors
were at Vienna with Ferdinand. The ambassador Cassal is prisoner in
Vienna, and not fled as was reported. Barbarossa has determined to remain
in Africa, and has fortified himself in Tunis. Many of his slaves and rowers
are dead, and he was unable to repair his galleys. |
| It is thought he will not be able to resist the Imperial power, and if he be
subdued, men reckon quod actum esset de Othomano. |
| The Emperor will leave Spain with 300 sail; the marquis of Guasto has
150 in Sicily. The army numbers 30,000 foot and 2,000 horse, besides
many gentlemen and nobles with their family, and the soldiers belonging
to the ships. A more puissant navy by long memory came not abroad, as is
this Imperial. Will go shortly to Ancona. Venice, 15 June 1535. |
| Hol., pp. 3. Add.: Mr. Thos. Starkey, in London. |
15 June.
Nero, B. vii. 95.
B. M. | 875. Bernardin Sandro to Thomas Starkey. |
|---|
| Has received his letter dated 20 May. All are well; but the eye of
"Signor" (Pole) has troubled him again; John Baptist, of Pavia, is attending
him, and it is hoped he will be cured. Asked M. Cortino whether he or the
cousin of Jaques had any news of him, but he said he had not for a long time.
Jonys has not yet come from Mantua; when he does, I will impart to him
your letters. |
| I suppose you have heard in England of the creation of these cardinals
without money. They are the bishop of Paris, the Auditor of the Chamber,
Simoneta, Gaspar Contarini, and the bishops of Rochester and Capua.
The Doge and Senate have done great honor to M. Gasparo, whose character
the writer extols. Il Filetto, one of the greatest lawyers here, who made
3,000 cr. a year, and had hopes of being chancellor, has given up his profession to follow M. Gaspar. |
| The Emperor is expected in Sardinia; some say, on his way to Africa,
others to Naples; the latter is more probable. The Signory is sending out a
large galleon. Padua, 15 June 1535. |
| Hol., Ital., p. 1. Add.: D. Thomæ Starkeio utriusque juris doctori
ornatiss.° Londini in Aula Regis. |