Henry VIII: March 1541, 1-10 | British History Online

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

'Henry VIII: March 1541, 1-10', in Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII, Volume 16, 1540-1541, (London, 1898) pp. 282-289. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/letters-papers-hen8/vol16/pp282-289 [accessed 19 April 2024]

March 1541, 1–10



1 March.	581. The Privy Council.
Nicolas' P.C.P., vii. 146.	Meeting at Hampton Court, 1 March. Present: Suffolk, Privy Seal, Gt. Chamb., Gt. Admiral, Durham, Treasurer, Comptroller, Mr. of Horse, Vice-Chamb., Wriothesley, Sadler. Business:—Letter sent to Malt, the King's tailor, to make for lord Lisle, now prisoner in the Tower, “a large gown of damask furred with black cony,” and nine other items (described), and send the bill in to the Council. A like letter sent to Scut, the Queen's tailor, to make for the late countess of Sarum, prisoner in the Tower, “a night gown furred, a kirtle of worsted and a petticoat furred,” and four other items (described).
1 March.	582. Queen Margaret of Scotland to Henry VIII.
R. O.	Desiring safeconduct and licence to collect alms for the bearer, Joachim, sometime sacrist of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, and now monk of the abbey of Our Lady of Grace between Jerusalem and Damascus, who has letters patent from the patriarch of Jerusalem authorising him to collect alms for the redemption of the said abbey, of the order of St. Basile, from the Saracens. Edinburgh, 1 March 1540. Signed. Broadsheet, p. 1. Add. Endd.
2 March.	583. The Privy Council.
Nicolas' P.C.P., vii. 147.	Meeting at Hampton Court, 2 March. Present: Privy Seal, Gt. Chamb., Gt. Admiral, Durham, Treasurer, Mr. of Horse, Vice-Chamb., Wriothesley, Sadler. Business:—Letter brought from Mons. Mareillak, the French ambassador, declaring that Jehan Saint Marten, factor to a French merchant, had robbed his master of 600 or 700 crs., but was apprehended in Bristol, and he requested to have the thief brought hither, alleging that four days before the robbery he himself lent the merchant 500 of the said crowns. In consideration of the ambassador's position, a groom of the King's chamber was sent with the merchant to Bristol, with a letter to the officers to send up the thief, and all money, &c., found on him.
2 March.	584. Audeley, Norfolk, and Southampton to lord Cobham.
Harl. MS. 283, f. 144. B. M. Nicolas' P.C.P., vii. 356.	Requiring him to certify them, as assessors of the subsidy granted by the last Parliament, the full yearly value of the lands, &c., which he holds “by reason of wardship, or by execution, or for years, by copy of court roll, or at will, or else after the rate of all your goods, catells, ready money and plate, jewels, debts owing you, and all other your movable substance.” London, 2 March. Signed: T. Audeley, Chauncellour: T. Norfolk: W. Southampton. P. 1. Add.
2 March.	585. Parliament of Scotland.
Acts of the P. of Sc., ii. 366.	Holden at Edinburgh, 2 March 1540, by Archibald earl of Argyle, and eleven others (named). Prorogued to 9 March next.
2 March.	586. Hertford to Henry VIII.
R. O. St. P., viii. 537.	This afternoon, about 4 o'clock, Sir John Wallop sent Robt. ap Reynold and Guisnes pursuivant to me with a letter (enclosed) to him from John Sandes, late deputy of Guisnes. Summoned the lord Deputy, Mr. Treasurer, and Mr. Wallop, and examined Robt. ap Reynoldes and Fras. Hastings upon the matter contained in the letter (examination enclosed). Mr. Wallop said he would rather come home and put himself in your hands than live abroad and be called a traitor, and if he had known himself to have offended “he had many monitions (by meanes) before his departure out of France.” This matter being of such weight I could ill have forborne his apprehension if my instructions had not been to the contrary; which caused me to examine Ap Reynoldes before him and commit him, declaring I was sure it could not be true for if there were any such matter I should be as soon privy to it as my cousin Long. He seems reassured. I marvel how this bruit should arise unless the Porter, who departed hence the last of February, the day of Mr. Wallop's arrival, being sent for, should have mistrust of himself, and, hearing my cousin Long remained at Sittingbourn, “should imagine the same.” This matter will bring to light the occasioners of all the dissensions here. Calais, 2 March. Signed. Pp. 2. Last paragraph in Hertford's own hand. Add. Sealed. Endd.
2 March.	587. Lord William Howard to Henry VIII.
R. O. St. P., viii. 533.	On 21 Feb., having arrived at Orleance towards the Court at Shambourd, Nicholas the courier brought him Henry's letter of the 18th. Sent Norfolk herald next day to the Court to tell the Constable he had letters from the King; but he found neither the Constable nor the King, his master, who was, as usual, ridden out hunting and would not return to Shambourd that night, but would be in one or two days at Bleys. Decided to await the King's coming at Bleys, and meanwhile had the heads of his instructions translated into French by the said Norfolk, intending to show the translation as proof of Henry's commissioners' sincere efforts for an agreement. The King arrived late on the 27th, and immediately Howard sent Norfolk to the Constable, who asked him to dinner next day, promising an audience with the King. Describes his interview with Francis concerning Cowbridge. Francis referred him to the Council, i.e., the Chancellor, the card. of Tournon, the Constable, the card. of Ferrara, and Mons. Anyball, marshal of France, who said they could do nothing until the coming of Mons. de Saveize, master of the requests, who was one of the commissioners, and, having the gout, was coming by small journeys. On his arrival Howard will importune the King for answer. Encloses the sentence upon the Admiral, and describes conversation of Mons. Jarnac, the Admiral's brother, with the King, who said the Admiral should retain his offices; also the Chancellor's interview with Madame d'Estampes, who would give him no comfort, but left him weeping. Francis, at her intercession, will not have the Admiral deprived of the Order of St. Michael. Learnt these things from the ambassador of Ferrara. Went on Sunday afternoon to make acquaintance with the Emperor's ambassador, and showed him that Master Wallop had spoken of his kindness. He said he would do as much for me and more. The ambassador of Venice showed me on Shrove Tuesday, in presence of the ambassadors of Ferrara and Mantua and other gentlemen who were at dinner with him, that the Turk had prepared great armies and had sent word that if the Venetians hindered him at sea he would attack them. The French ambassador with the Turk, M. de Rancon, a Spaniard born, is expected at Court. On Shrove Tuesday young Jarnac, nephew to the Admiral, was married to Madame d'Estampes' sister with great triumph, the King himself leading her to the church. Bleys, 2 Feb. (evidently in error for March). Signed. ii. Conclusion of the sentence upon the French admiral (“ledit Chambot”), depriving him of all his honours and confining him in the castle of the Bois de Vincennes (in French). Add. Endd.: “My 1. Wm. Haward to the King's Majesty 2° Marcii.”
3 March.	588. The Privy Council.
Nicolas' P.C.P., vii. 148.	Meeting at Hampton Court, 3 March. Present: Privy Seal, Gt. Chamb., Gt. Admiral, Durham, Treasurer, Mr. of Horse, Vice-Chamb., Sadler. Business:—Lord Hastings exhibited the deposition of Thos. Dawes, of Eldersley, Derb., taken by Sir John Villers, of traitorous words spoken by Robt. Moore, parson of Brodley, Derb., and concealed by a woman he kept in his house. Letters were written to Villers, desiring him to commit the matter to the earl of Shrewsbury, and to Shrewsbury directing him how to proceed (described), and also to examine — (blank) Knyston as to whether he had handled the matter heretofore so slenderly as is deposed.
3 March.	589. Marillac to Francis I.
R. O. Kaulek, 273. (Almost the whole text.)	Mentioned in his last that this King talked of visiting his places and castles on the coast towards France, to have the ramparts which had fallen remade, particularly the port of Dover. This was prevented by an illness which happened to him at Hampton Court, in the form of a slight tertian fever, which should rather have profited than hurt him, for he is very stout (bien fort replet), but one of his legs, formerly opened and kept open to maintain his health, suddenly closed, to his great alarm, for, five or six years ago, in like case, he thought to have died. This time prompt remedy was applied, and he is now well and the fever gone. Besides the bodily malady he had a mal d'esprit which is to be considered, viz., that, hearing that his subjects in divers places murmured at the charges which, contrary to their ancient liberties, are imposed upon them, and at their illtreatment for religious opinions, and having conceived a sinister opinion of some of his chief men, in his illness, he said he had an unhappy people to govern whom he would shortly make so poor that they would not have the boldness nor the power to oppose him, and that most of his Privy Council, under pretence of serving him, were only temporising for their own profit, but he knew the good servants from the flatterers, and if God lent him health, he would take care that their projects should not succeed. Upon this impression he spent Shrovetide without recreation, even of music, in which he used to take as much pleasure as any prince in Christendom, and stayed in Hampton Court with so little company that his Court resembled more a private family than a king's train. Strangers who went thither were asked their business and despatched or sent back, as if to hide their mien and the King's indisposition. If God disposed otherwise, no kingdom would be more afflicted with divisions than England. Writes this to show that the English are not prepared to invade others, but only aim at fortifying themselves within this island. While this King was ill there was no talk of anything else, except the finishing of the bulwarks at Calais and Guisnes, for which some pioneers have been sent. Warned M. du Biez of it that he might hasten the work at Ardre. The duke of Norfolk expects to return from the North at Mid-Lent. French. Two modern transcripts, pp. 4 and pp. 5. Headed: London, 3 March 1541.
3 March.	590. Marillac to Montmorency.
R. O. Kaulek, 274. (Abstract.)	Received, two days ago, a packet from the Court, in which were only two little letters from the Chancellor, written at Chambourg (Chambord), 21 and 22 Feb.; the one mentioning that the Commissioners about the bridge of Ardres had taken no resolution, and that word should be sent if the English compelled French subjects to pay the tax on strangers. The writer's previous despatch reported that they were not compelled, but were threatened that they were not exempt; as he now writes to the Chancellor. The other letter (recapitulated) explained Rincon's return from Constantinople. Had heard by letters from Venice of Rincon's escort there, and thinks the Chancellor's letter needs no answer. With regard to his letter to the King, this King's life was really thought to be in danger, not from the fever but from the leg, which often troubles him because he is very stout and marvellously excessive in drinking and eating, so that people worth credit say he is often of a different opinion in the morning than after dinner. Directs attention to the instability of the people and this King's impression of his ministers, whom (besides what Marillac writes to the King) he sometimes even reproaches with Cromwell's death, saying that, upon light pretexts, by false accusations, they made him put to death the most faithful servant he ever had. The ramparts at Dover, Portsmouth, Hampton, and elsewhere are clean fallen down, and the King so annoyed that he will go in person and direct how they are to be rebuilt. Has written before of an edict here that strangers, to enjoy their privilege of paying the same customs upon exports as Englishmen, should lade in English ships if such could be found. In Flanders they were so indignant at this that they made an edict that none should lade in English ships, without any distinction whether others could be had. The English complained, and, through Winchester, tried to get that edict mitigated. Not succeeding, they, eight days ago, proclaimed that none should lade in Flemish ships upon any pretext. Such rigors might end in war; and he thinks well to inform Montmorency of them, as he has done the Chancellor, to show there is not such union between the English and the Flemings as might be thought. Thought to add to the above news the execution that was talked of of certain lords who are in the Tower, but it has not taken place. French. Modern transcript, pp. 4. Headed: London, 3 March, 1541.
3 March.	591. Chapuys to the Queen of Hungary. The letter described as of this date in the Spanish Calendar (VI. i. No. 154) must be of later date. See No. 663.
3 March.	592. Hertford and Maltravers to the Council.
R. O.	According to your letters we demeaned ourselves towards the Porter so as to give no suspicion; but “he seemed, ere his departing, to mistrust somewhat.” Have not been able to send Hervy and Thos. Tye as the winds have not served, since the Porter's departure, for passing along the seas, which we think the most secret means of addressing Hervy to the Tower. Will send Tye to Dover and thence by land. Calais, 3 March 1540. Signed. P.S.—Whereas last night the wind did not serve for crossing to Dover this morning, I, Hertford, was informed by Sir Thos. Poyninges, high marshal here, that Robt. Apreynoldes desired to speak with me or my lord Deputy, to disclose certain recollections. Sent for him, and he made the confession, of which the double is enclosed. Pp. 2. Add. Endd.: The earl of Hertford and the deputy of Calais.
4 March.	593. The Privy Council.
Nicolas' P.C.P., vii. 149.	Meeting at Hampton Court, 4 March. Present: Privy Seal Gt. Chamb., Gt. Admiral, Durham, Treasurer, Mr. of Horse, Vice-Chamb., Wriothesley, Sadler. No business recorded.
4 March.	594. Henry VIII. to Hertford.
R. O.	Has received his letters, dated Calais, 2nd March, with other letters and depositions touching Wallop and the Porter of Calais. Blames him for letting the abode of Sir Ric. Long at Sittingbourne get abroad by sending him over too soon. As the matter is so far blown abroad and suspected by Wallop, the King will not proceed to his apprehension as he had resolved, but let Long dissemble as if he had made abode for some private business. Long has been written to to welcome Wallop in friendly manner, and suffer him to pass on hither. Instructs him to call Wallop to him, allay his suspicions, and urge him to hasten to the King's presence for his declaration. Has had the Porter of Calais apprehended, and directs that John Sands, late deputy of Guisnes, Robt. ap Reynolds [Francis Hastings], and such others as shall require, may be apprehended and examined. If Long shall have apprehended Wallop before he receive our letters, we have put a clause therein that if so, he shall proceed as in his former instructions. Corrected draft in Sadler's hand, mutilated, pp. 4. Endd.: Minute to the earl of Hertford, 4 March; and also: “John Brende and Edward Wolf, touching Harvy and Sir Thomas Tye.”
4 March.	595. Henry VIII. to Sir Ric. Long.
R. O. St. P., viii. 539.	Of late appointed him for the execution of a certain affair touching Sir John Wallop in form declared by letters and by the earl of Hertford, who, however, has frustrated the matter by sending Long over too soon. Directs him to dismiss most of his train and remain with a few servants about Sittingbourn, where he shall meet Wallop on the highway, welcome him home, and let him pass on hither without suspicion. He shall then come on to Court a day or two after. If he has already spoken with Wallop as in the former instructions, he shall continue and carry out those instructions. Corrected draft in Sadler's hand, mutilated, pp. 3. Endd.: The minute of the letter to Sir Ric. Long, 4 March.
5 March.	596. The Privy Council.
Nicolas' P.C.P., vii. 149.	Meeting at Hampton Court, 5 March. Present: Privy Seal, Gt. Chamb., Gt. Admiral, Durham, Treasurer, Mr. of Horse, Vice-Chamb., Wriothesley, Sadler. Business:—Letter under stamp written to customers, &c., of Southampton to suffer Geo. Ponder, servant to lord Matravers, deputy of Calais, to carry out 200 qr. of wheat to Calais. Letter written to Dr. Peter to join with Robt. Southwell in the examination of Babam.
6 March.	597. Sir Richard Long to Henry VIII.
R. O. St. P., viii. 540.	This Sunday, 6 March, Sir John Wallop early in the morning sent a servant to me from Canterbury to Syttyngborne, to say he had heard, both in France and on this side the sea, that I and divers of your Highness's guard were stationed to arrest him. I marvelled greatly, and bade his servant tell him to go on towards your Majesty, for I had no such commission. The man said his master would come to me to dinner and yield himself prisoner. He accordingly came and dined with me. At his arrival, alighting from his horse in the court, he said openly that he had heard, both in France and on this side, that I tarried for him at Sittingborne, and that he would yield himself prisoner; I answering that I had no such commission, but if I had “that then I would not lett to take him as a prisoner.” He said afterwards in my chamber secretly that had he known himself “fawte” in anything, he might have conveyed himself away; requiring, if your Majesty has conceived anything, to come to his answer before being committed to ward. At dinner he said, weeping, nothing grieved him so much as that your Majesty should think him a false man. After dinner he departed, saying he would stay the night at Gravesend, and be next day at London, where he was minded to lodge with Mr. Robert Semers or Sir Chr. Morrys. Signed. Wormeaten, p. 1. Add. Endd.
9 March.	598. The Privy Council.
Nicolas' P.C.P., vii. 150.	Meetings at Hampton Court, 6 and 7 March, and at Westm., 9 March, with note that on the 8th the Council did not sit, as the King removed to Westminster palace. Present: Privy Seal, Gt. Chamb., Gt. Admiral, Durham, Treasurer, Mr. of Horse, Vice-Chamb., Wriothesley, and Sadler each day; and on the 9th the abp. of Canterbury, Chancellor, Suffolk, and the chanc. of Augm. also. No business recorded.
9 March.	599. Hertford to Henry VIII.
R. O.	On receipt of the King's letters of 4 March, sent for John Sandes, late deputy of Guisnes, and with the Deputy, Treasurer and Sir Edw. Carne, examined him. He said he acted by advice of Mr. Comptroller, as appears by the “double” sent herewith. Sent Sir Thos. Poyninges, high marshal, to Guisnes, revoking Sir Edw. Ryngeley, the Comptroller, who arrived last night, and this day was examined in presence of the said John Sandes. He very repentantly acknowledged his oversight, but protested he had trusted that Mr. Wallop, being one of the Council here, would upon sight thereof disclose it to Hertford or the Deputy. As, by the King's said letters, not only Robt. ap Reynoldes, Fras. Hastinges, and John Sandes were to be committed to ward, but also all other occasioners of the same bruit, Hertford commanded the Comptroller to stay within his own house. Thinks he committed this folly through negligence; for he has always been ready and diligent to serve the King and is very repentant. Recollecting that Wallop upon his arrival said he had heard the same bruit before he arrived at the English Pale, and learning that Midleton and Jennynges, his servants, had ridden to Marguison to meet him, Hertford this day examined Jenyngs, who confessed he made no such report, but that Midleton, who is now in England with Wallop, might have done so. Cannot learn but that the Porter was the originator of the report. Continued in his own hand. Excuses his fault in sending Long to Sittingbourne too soon. Had Wallop come by post and left Paris on the 12th Feb. as Tade the courier said he would, Long's going would have been late enough. Gives other reasons, showing that what he did was not by oversight, but because he thought it best. Calais, 9 March. Signed. Pp. 4. Add. Endd.
R. O.	2. “The sayings of John Sandes concerning the letter he sent to Sir John Wallop.” Upon the way betwixt Sanungfelde and Calais with Sir John Wallop, Robt. ap Reynolds showed me of commendations sent by Mr. Porter to Wallop as beneath specified. Took leave of Wallop and returned with speed to Guisnes, where I showed Mr. Comptroller that, after supper, I would open to him certain recommendations that were sent by a man-at-arms of Calais from Mr. Knight Porter to Sir John Wallop “the which the said Robert durst not do.” I declared them, i.e., “That Mr. Porter had him recommended to Mr. Wallop, and that he prayed God that all things went well on his part, for he mistrusted that all things went not well with him, by reason of Mr. Long's sudden departure from Calais, and that his long tarrying at Sittingbourne was for the said Mr. Wallop or Mr. Porter.” Mr. Comptroller “took up his hand and blessed him,” saying he durst swear Mr. Wallop was as true as any man living. Next day, sitting with Mr. Comptroller outside the turnpike of the castle gates, Sands asked his advice; and he thought it best to send Guisnes Pursuivant, or some other wise fellow to tell Mr. Wallop of it. Sandes answered that “he would gladly send Guisnes, because he was skilful in choosing of wines,” to buy a tun or two and deliver a letter to Mr. Wallop; which he did. In Sandes' hand and signed, pp. 8.
9 March.	600. Parliament of Scotland.
Acts of the P. of Sc., ii. 367.	Holden at Edinburgh, 9 March 1540 by David, cardinal, abp. of St. Andrew's, and twenty others (named). Prorogued to 14 March next.
9 March.	601. James V. to Paul III.
Royal MS. 18 B. vi. 108b. B. M.	Desires him to give the abbey of Fern, Ross dioc., void by the death of Donald, the abbot, in commendam, to Robert bp. of Rosse. Edinburgh, 9 March 1540. Lat. Copy, p. 1.
9 March.	602. James V. to Cardinal Ghinucci.
Royal MS. 18 B. vi. 108b. B. M.	Writes to the Pope to give the abbey of Fern, now void by the death of Donald, to Robt. bp. of Ross in commendam. Begs him to further the matter. Edinburgh, 9 March 1540. Lat. Copy, p. 1.
	603. James V. to Cardinal Carpi.
Ib., 109.	To the same effect. Edinburgh, 9 March 1540. Lat. Copy, p. 1.
10 March.	604. Great Yarmouth. See Grants in March, No. 10.
10 March.	605. The Privy Council.
Nicolas' P.C.P., vii. 151.	Meeting at Westm., 10 March. Present: Abp. of Cant., Chancellor, Suffolk, Privy Seal, Gt. Chamb., Gt. Admiral, Durham, Treasurer, Mr. of Horse, Vice-Chamb., Wriothesley, Sadler, Chanc. of Augm. Business:—Letter written to Hertford at Calais to repair home, bringing with him the surveyors with the platts they had made of the fortifications.
10 March.	606. Marillac to Francis I.
R. O. Kaulek, 275. (Full abstract.)	Can discover no likelihood that this King is treating an alliance with the Emperor by the marriage of lady Mary. True it is that after the death of the Empress there was some rumour of it, but that has now quite ceased. The Emperor's ambassador does not seem to be negociating anything here at present, nor to intend doing so soon; for, to amend his maladies, he seeks lodging far from this town, where it will be difficult to intrigue, and, besides, he is disliked both by King and ministers, as the writer knows both from the King and the duke of Norfolk. Moreover, there is the dispute with Flanders about navigation, in which both sides have recently forbidden lading in each other's ships. But the main difficulty is to believe that the English would permit the lady to be placed so high that strangers might claim the Crown, on the pretext that she is heiress and the young Prince incapable of succeeding because born when the English were interdict from the communion of the Church, and his mother not crowned, which is already a scruple with the people. After the death of the Empress, speaking of the rumour in Spain that the Emperor wished to marry his daughter, this King told Marillac he might say he had lost his senses when that happened, and that he could not trust the Emperor, who had failed him once and practised only to make quarrels between his neighbours to serve his own ambition, which was such that if he were monarch of the Christians he would scarcely be content. The Emperor, for the sake of his own dignity and the honour of his blood, could not take her as illegitimate; whereas to declare her legitimate would lead to great perplexity, as it would have to be done by Parliament, and would involve recognition of the Pope's dispensation to queen Katharine, and consequently require a return to the obedience of the Holy See, restoration of Church goods spoiled, reparation for shrines profaned and blood shed, and great shame to the people of England. Thinks it a contrivance of the Imperialists, who are accustomed to deal in such false suggestions, as they may have been doing last year when they gave out here that they could have a truce with the Grand Seigneur when they would, and as they now do (magnifying their own forces to discourage the allies of France) by sowing that Rincon was coming from Constantinople because the Grand Seigneur would have no further intelligence with Francis. To confirm what he wrote by his last, of this King's indignation against some of his ministers, poor Master Walop, who yesterday arrived here from the French Court, was this morning lodged in the Tower, accused of treason, and with him the Master Porter of Calais, so that it is presumed to be for the same cause for which the deputy, Lord Lisle, was arrested. This is confirmed to Marillac by a personage of authority, who says it is for an old fault which is now discovered. There was a bruit that he had fled to Rome when Cromwell was alive, and he would have been put in hold then if he had been in England. The matter dropped when Cromwell died, who was reckoned the sole deviser of the death of so many people, but it appears since that he was not altogether author of that piteous tragedy, but rather played his part as it was rehearsed to him. French. Two modern transcripts, pp. 5 and pp. 6. Headed: London, 10 March 1541.
10 March.	607. Marillac to Montmorency.
R. O. Kaulek, 276. (Abstract.)	Makes this despatch promptly, so as not to leave the King in doubt about the reported marriage of the Emperor and this King's eldest daughter, of which there is not the smallest likelihood; as will be seen by his letters to the King, the substance of which he has written to Montmorency before. The English continue to reinforce Calais with artillery and munitions of war, and Norfolk does the like where he is, and also views, by towns, castles and parishes, how many men could be had at need, without, however, making musters. Nothing has been said about the difference of the bridge of Ardres, the commissioners for which returned without concluding; and, if the English broach the subject, Marillac will be guided by Montmorency's letters of 28 Feb. from Bloys. The King is here with all his Court, and is well, and there is now no talk of his going to Dover and other coast places. French. Modern transcript, pp. 2. Headed: London, 10 March 1541.