Henry VIII: October 1544, 21-25 | British History Online

Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII, Volume 19 Part 2, August-December 1544. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1905.

'Henry VIII: October 1544, 21-25', in Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII, Volume 19 Part 2, August-December 1544, (London, 1905) pp. 265-272. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/letters-papers-hen8/vol19/no2/pp265-272 [accessed 19 April 2024]

October 1544, 21-25



21 Oct.	468. The Privy Council to Shrewsbury.
Add. MS. 32,655, f. 241. B.M. Hamilton Papers, ii., No. 340.	The King has seen his letters of the 17th and likes the articles whereto Farnyherst and others have agreed. Any others who will serve in like sort shall be accepted. Where certain Scots of the better sort refuse to be bound otherwise than during their Princess's minority; they may be accepted, so as the articles are the same. The advice of Sir Ralph Evres to prove how they execute their promises is to be followed; and they, forthwith after laying their pledges, appointed to do some exploits on the King's enemies. The King is pleased with the exchange of Mowe with young Colingwoode. Farnyherst himself may go home, leaving John Carre's eldest son hostage for him, and, and upon his good service, the King will take further order for the delivery of John Carre.
	Desire to know what is become of the Scottish navy upon the seas. Enclose a letter from Maxwell to his son Robert to be delivered.
	Draft by Petre, pp. 2. Endd.: M. to th'erle of Shrewsbury, xxj^o Octobris 1544.
21 Oct.	469. The Privy Council at Calais to Henry VIII.
R. O. Nott's Howard. App. xxi.	Have received his gracious letters declaring his clemency, for which on their knees they thank him, and will so endeavour to accomplish his commandments as to purge all suspicion to the contrary. Calais, 21 Oct. Signed by Norfolk, Suffolk, Russell, Winchester, Gage and Ryche.
	In Gardiner's hand, p. 1. Add. Endd.: 1544.
21 Oct.	470. The Privy Council at Calais to Henry VIII.
R. O. St. P., x. 137.	After the closing of our other letter herewith the Cardinal sent desiring us to assemble this day, and that Mons. Darras might be present. Having assembled accordingly, the Cardinal proponed that his master had used honorable means for a peace, that they had declared his final resolution and, being informed by Arras that we had written of our conferences, they would tarry our answer from you (praying that if any of us knew any other mean for peace we should open it); but as there was sickness in this town, and he had not his health, and two of his servants were sick, he would (if we approved) go to Graveling for a day or two. Answered that, for the weal of Christendom, you were as desirous of peace as their master, as appeared by your demands; we looked to hear from you again but had no hope that you would agree to those offers; the delay was more noisome to you than to their master, for, while the peace is in treaty, he assails you with all his forces both by sea and land, whereas if it were ended you and the Emperor would enforce him to come to reason. Used the word "enforce," albeit the Cardinal was a little stirred, because it is in the treaty as the means to obtain your satisfaction, as it has obtained the Emperor's. The Cardinal said that the Emperor was his master's friend, to whose arbitrament he had put himself for the pension and arrearages, and who should perceive no fault in the King his master; for if we broke off now he was content to send commissaries to the Empereor hereafter, and submit the matter to his arbitrage, if you would do the like within this month; for after a month he is discharged from his submission made to the Emperor and, if you defer longer than a month, will think himself discharged of his offers concerning the pension and arrearages. After consulting together, as we had often charged Darras with the treaty, and this proposition of the Cardinal's seemed as strange to him as to us, we answered the Cardinal that what he spoke of was new to us and we could say nothing to it until we advertised you (and Darras afterwards said likewise). As to his going to Graveling, we had rather that they tarried here with us, but he had a safe-conduct and might go and come at his liberty. Thus the Cardinal and President are even now, about 3 p.m., departed to Graveling. Immediately after dinner the Cardinal signified to Norfolk that he had three or four things to open if Norfolk would send "me, the Secretary," to him; and this it was thought well to do, although he had shown himself somewhat precise, to induce him to go over into England. After a solemn protestation how much he loved you and how desirous he was of this peace, he said he thought it meet to tell me hïs mind to be advertised to you and no one else, for if charged with it he must deny that ever he spoke it. He then entered into like purposes as the other day, and I answered as before. The Cardinal's discourse was that the Emperor deceived you and was already labouring a General Council and preparing articles for it, that he would be both Pope and Emperor, and if you neglected the summons to the Council you would be declared contumax, that he had deceived the world and you, and would eftsoons deceive you, and would never enter the war again for your pleasure against his own daughter. (fn. n1) The Cardinal then repeated what he said the other day "of the Bishop of Rome's offer to spend all he had to do your Majesty displeasure"; and set forth his master's forces, who would fetch into these seas all his galleys, and his ships of Bretayn and Normandy, and so be master of the seas and of the haven of Boulogne, and war by land would cost him nothing, having his footmen of Piedmount and his legionaries; and so he came again to the peace, asking if you would not forego Boulloyn, which was the only cause of this business, and for which his master would spend all he had. I said that the matter of the Scots was also somewhat, and he answered that his master would die rather than abandon them. I said little save that I knew his affection and wished he might be but one hour with you. He answered that "he might not go, for he had no charge for it." I then said that there was no hope to have Boulloyn again and, you having entered the war to see the Emperor satisfied as well as yourself, and the Emperor having made a treaty with you which he promises to keep, and which is so plain that a child of seven could interpret it, there is no cause for you to fear either their forces or the bishop of Rome's, and rather than Boulloyn should be redelivered it would cost much money and many lives. He then reminded Paget that he had talked at Boulloyn of a marriage of your younger daughter, and asked if by that way means might be devised, and Paget again suggested that he should go to England. He said he had no commission to do so, but thought that if Henry gave his younger daughter to some prince of France, with Boulloyn, his master might afterwards exchange other lands in France for it. Paget thought it would be a great dowry, besides the cost of winning it. The Cardinal then said that there was Arde, which he would counsel his master to raze, though never to give in exchange for Boulloyn. Paget asked how its razing should profit Henry. He replied that his master would garrison it with 100 men of arms and 500 light horse and so compel Henry to keep as many in Guisnes; and, besides, his master would shortly fortify Deverne, Bell, Celles and Foxelles, so that Henry should "have ill keeping of Boulloyn." And here he began again to tell how his master could continue the war at little charge with his gendarmerie and 40,000 footmen, of whom he has always kept 20,000 in Piedmount during the truce, and, except for his galleys, be at no charge on the sea; and I replied bravely inculking the Emperor's amity. Then, after he had said that I might call him the falsest priest alive if ever the Emperor entered the war again for you, we parted.
	We learn from my lord Admiral that they have taken 8 French horsemen and killed four. We think them of the French army which will be at Boulloyn on Thursday next. They will find it well fortified. Calays, 21 Oct. 1544. Signed by Norfolk, Suffolk, Russell, Hertford, Winchester and Ryche.
	Pp. 7. Add. Endd.
R. O.	2. Draft of the above in Paget's hand.
	Pp. 8. Endd.: My. The Privey Counsayl at Calays to the Kinges Mageste, xxj^o Octobr. 1544.
21 Oct.	471. Wotton to the Council.
R. O.	Granvele requested him to tarry a day or two for answer to his request for 600 or 500 horsemen, as he wrote; but, hearing nothing therein, he went on the 20th to Granvele, who declared how feeble he was, and yet he had moved the matter to the Emperor before he departed hence. The Emperor's answer was that the horsemen who served the King were come home weary, and in no mind to keep any winter war, and those of his own army were wearier, and many of them sick and every man gone home to rest, so that, even for himself, he could not get so many together in a fortnight; as the French were retired from Boloyn the King would not now need them, nor could horses be kept there for lack of forage; and, now that the French ambassadors were at Calais and the Emperor travailing for a peace, if he sent them he would lose influence with the Frenchmen, who would say that while pretending to make peace he sent his men to war against them. Answered that the number was so small that shift might be made for their forage. Granvele replied that the number was great when every man was weary of war and desired to rest, but, as Mons. de Bure was now come and gone after the Emperor, he would speak again with the Emperor (who would return on the 21st). Their lordships may consider what is likely to come of it and order things accordingly.
	The Emperor has sent into Spain the Secretary Ydiaques, his chief man in Spanish affairs. He goes to consult the Estates of Spain about the alternative of the marriages, or, as some say, to convey the Emperor's daughter hither. Part of his errand is to prepare a new army for Argiere, another voyage to which is talked of, in which the Emperor will himself go unless the Turk prepares a very great army for Hungary this year. The Emperor departs towards Germany about St. Andrew's Day, or sooner. The Venetian ambassador has declared that the Turk makes great preparation for war this year. Bruxelles, 21 Oct. 1544.
	Hol., pp. 3. Add. Endd.
21 Oct.	472. Griffith Appenrith and John Broke to the Council.
R. O.	On the 20th inst., received a letter from the King's ambassador, with a "missyve" from the Lady Regent to the burghers and council here to compel the mariners to make sail and be content with the remaining of Griffith Appenryth in hostage, according to their former covenant. The burghers and council, nevertheless, thought this unreasonable, with so many French ships of war abroad, and sued to the Lady Regent to the contrary. Whereupon we asked the shipmen whether they would promise to keep their covenant and sail when commanded, and we would promise not to command them until instructed again by your Lordships or else assured that they might sail safely. To this they agreed, always foreseen that Appenrith remain hostage until surety be set (which may be a bond by the governor and English merchants at Andwarpe) and "that their wages may run and grow according to the said missyve, whereof as yet we could not obtain the copy." Considering the great fleet of Frenchmen abroad, they stay the hoys until further commandment. Having paid 70 hoys their half month's wages, now that the ambassador has written that 50 are sufficient, they have recovered the King's money from six of the others, and ask how to act in case they cannot get it from the rest. Middelborowe, 21 Oct.
	Hol., in Broke's hand, pp. 2. Add.: To, etc., the lords of the King's majesty's most honorable Council of England. Endd.: 1544.
R. O.	2. "A declaration to the most noble lords of the King's Majesty's secret Council of the business that Griffith Appenryth and John Broke have had in Zeland in the procuring of certain hoys for to serve the King's Majesty's transportations."
	Coming to Middelborowe we communicated with the most honest mariners, who, declaring their evil treatment when they served last, refused to serve under a cr. the ton by the month, which is 20d. more than before, and also would be assured of two months' service and have surety for their ships. Next day the King's ambassador sent us a commission for the bailey to induce or compel the mariners to serve at a reasonable price, having surety for damages they might sustain. With this the bailey's deputy resorted to the burghers and aldermen, who made a bargain between us and the mariners, viz., that they should have 5s. gr. Fl. the ton (the angel at 10s., the English crown at 6s. 8d. gr. Fl.), be assured of 2 months' service, have wages from 10 Oct. and be content that Griffith Appenryth should remain in hostage until the Lady Regent should write that she had taken better surety for their damages. Thereupon the mariners promised to be ready to sail on the 12th, and if not then ready their wages to begin when they made sail; and we paid 70 of them their half month's wages. On the 12th, however, they refused to sail until they had surety according to the commission; and, as the bailey would not and durst not compel them, we wrote to the ambassador to have a commission without clause of surety. After 5 or 6 days his lordship sent another commission and an usher; but as this commission "expressed that we should set surety for their persons, ships and goods (which was of more extremity than the first commission)" the usher could not compel them. We again advertised the ambassador either to become surety or compel the governor of the English merchants at Andwarpe to be surety, and, as the mariners had swerved from their covenant, asked to have a day prefixed for their wages to begin. His lordship then communicated the covenant to the Lady Regent, and she sent missives to the burghers to compel the mariners to make sail thereupon. The burghers declined to compel them to make sail with so many French ships of war abroad; and so we required the mariners to be bound to sail when we commanded, promising not to command until we had letters from your lordships or were sure that they might safely pass. To this they agreed; but after two days, "suddenly, three or four of them, in the name of the residue, privily went to the said Lady Regent to sue that they should not be compelled to make sail until they had better surety for their persons, ships and goods"; which mariners were not returned when we left Middelborowe. Of the 70 mariners retained six returned their wages and the rest would not, "but intended rather to have attached us for the full of their month's wages; whereupon we departed."
	In Broke's hand, pp. 3. Endd.: "The declaration of Griffith Appenrith and John Brook to the duke of Suff., for the procuring of ships in Zeland, 1544."
22 Oct.	473. Henry VIII. to Lisle.
R. O.	Understanding by his late letters to the Council at Calais how little victual remains at Bulloyn, and thinking it strange that so much should be wasted in so short a time, he having heard that there was sufficient for the whole garrison for six months, reminds him that for the custody of a stronghold nothing is to be more diligently kept than the victuals. Much marvels that any quantity of corn or other victuals should be lost for lack of tiling, as there are among the soldiers and pioneers "men of that occupation who, with the old tile of the houses beaten down and other houses of Base Boloyn, might at the least have conveyed (sic) so much as would have sufficed for the preservation of the victuals." As it appears that some victual is left in Base Boloyn, which place some men there think meet to be fortified, marvels that he writes nothing of any ditches or bulwarks of earth made to defend it. Base Boleyn being no otherwise fortified than Henry left it, the victuals must be in danger if the enemies approach. Of his doings and of the enemies' proceedings (some of whose army are said to remain about Monstrell, which is unlikely), of the progress of the fortifications and the numbers of the enemy's ships, Henry would gladly hear. Westm., 22 Oct. 36 Hen. VIII.
	Copy., pp. 2. Headed: The copie of the Kinges Ma^tes l're to the lord Admirall, xxij^o Octobris 1544. Endd.
22 Oct.	474. The Privy Council to the Privy Council at Calais.
R. O.	Learning by their last letters that a great force of the enemies remains about Mounstrell, the King will have them send some wise trumpet or herald, upon pretence to enquire for Sir Ric. Wingfylde or other prisoners, to report the state of things. That and other knowledge of the enemies' affairs the King desires much to hear. As the Emperor's ambassadors spoke very coldly in last conference with the French ambassadors, you shall take occasion to tell them as of yourselves, that you marvel that they do not press the Frenchmen more earnestly to an agreement or that they can abide to see the Frenchmen require Bulleyn again, "being the wars begun upon such as they know," and thus grope as much as you may the determination of the French ambassadors. You shall shortly hear that the ways are more open for conveyance of necessaries to you. Westm., 22 Oct. 1544. Signed by Wriothesley, Essex, Westminster, Browne, Wyngfeld and Petre.
	P. 1. Add. Endd.
R. O.	2. Draft of the above in Petre's hand.
	Pp. 2. Endd.: M. to the lordes of the Privey Counsell at Callys, xxij^o Octobris 1544.
22 Oct.	475. The Privy Council at Calais to Lisle and Others.
R. O.	We have seen a letter (copy herewith) to the bp. of Winchester from Ant. Brykes and Leigh, the King's servants in charge of the victuals there, and are sorry for the great waste that has happened by the King's own soldiers, who at such a time of distress should rather have laboured for the preservation of his goods. We trusted, at our departure, that every man would have been a labourer in that extremity, "as you, the lord Admiral, showed unto us ye would." Considering that the victual in High Boleyn must furnish the town, our advice is to make search for and measure its spending, as the stretching out of the victuals is a great matter, now that the Frenchmen keep the sea and have an army ready to besiege you by land, so that we cannot send you victuals. Recompense or punishment of such as have made the spoil we remit to you. The King will think it strange that his soldiers should not in a matter of victuals labour as much for his commodity as their own.
	Draft in Gardiner's hand, pp. 2. Endd.: The Privey Counsayl at Calays to the lord Admyral, etc., xxij^o Octobr. 1544.
22 Oct.	476. Sir Anthony Knyvet to Henry VIII.
R. O. St. P., i. 771.	The King's surveyor (fn. n2) at Portsmouth has been sick for 2 months and is still unable to leave his chamber. Knyvet, with the help of John Chaderton, has meanwhile been overseer of the King's works there, which have not been hindered. Begs licence to come to the King to show the state of the fortress; which may be called a castle for size, strength and beauty, and is praised of all who see it. Begs he may come for three days. Has at the King's command, by a letter from the Council, placed John Chaderton chief captain of the said new fortress, with 12 gunners, 8 soldiers and a porter; which is of the fewest, considering the greatness of the place. Has also given over to Chaderton the ordnance he received from the master of the King's ordnance, which is too little for half the place. Portsmouth, 22 Oct. Signed.
	Pp. 2. Add. Endd.: 1544.
23 Oct.	477. Jaque Dittre to Norfolk.
R. O.	A Spaniard named Jan de Castanieda has been long prisoner in Callais charged by those of the town with some misdeed ("messer," qu. for "mesfaire"?) of which he is not guilty. Begs him to order them to release the man and send him to the writer, under whose charge he has always been and who has found him a gentle and gallant person. Graveleygne, 23 Oct.
	French. Hol., p. 1. Add.: A Monseigneur, Monsr. le dene de Noerfock.
24 Oct.	478. Shrewsbury and Others to the Council.
Add. MS. 32,655, f. 243. B.M. Hamilton Papers, ii., No. 341.	Perceive by theirs of the 21st the King's pleasure touching the articles whereto Farnyherst and other Scottishmen agreed. Of the Scottish navy they have not heard for a long while. Enclose letters from Wharton, to be declared to the King. Sadler and Uvedale have not past 600l. towards next pay, which begins 3 Nov. Beg them to remember the supply thereof before that day; also that the poor garrison men and others of Berwick cry for their wages so long behind, 400l. and more. Darneton, 24 Oct. Signed by Shrewsbury, Tunstall and Sadler.
	In Sadler's hand, p. 1. Add. Endd.: 1544.
24 Oct.	479. The Privy Council at Calais to Henry VIII.
R. O.	Yesternight received his letters of the 20th, showing that, if the French commissioners remained as on the 18th, Hertford and Winchester should repair to the Emperor. As, upon a second conference the Frenchmen are nothing relented, as he will have seen by the letters of the 21st (which, they understand, arrived late by reason of the tempest, whereby the messenger was in danger) the said earl and bishop, speaking yesternight with Darras and Chapuys, as commanded, are this morning gone in post to the Emperor.
	To choose the 2,000 of our best men for the fortification of Base Boulloin we have appointed musters to-morrow; and, with certain scourers of horsemen, will send them next day or on Monday, by land, to Boulloin, sending for them by sea 12 or 14 days' victuals of such as came lately from Dover. Beg him to order a further furniture both for them and the garrison, and consider the victualling of the places here, which will the sooner lack by reason of this now sent to Boulloyn. Have also written into Zeland to Brooke to return to the rest of the army by sea, with advice for his passage, trusting that, by this, he is come towards London or Colney. At his departure hence towards Boulloin Henry appointed Mr. Brereton to be a captain of his crews in Guisnez, who, being old and subject to sickness, desires them to obtain his return. Enclose a docket of names of men on this side meet for the room. Have this night received letters of the 22nd from his Council there requiring them to explore the position and intention of the enemies' army. Already learn that, for the considerations expressed in his last letters, they are daily driven to slip off some of their numbers, so that they are now 10,000 or 12,000 footmen and 1,500 light horse. Wrote on the 21st that they had sent to have certain ships of the Emperor. The schedule from the Council of the force to be sent to the seas now shows that the King will not need the Emperor's ships; but he will at least experiment what he might have had from his friend at need. As to the horsemen Mr. Wootton's letter herewith will show the Emperor's answer. Calays, 24 Oct. 1544. Signed by Norfolk, Suffolk, Russell, Gage, Paget and Ryche.
R. O.	Pp. 3. Add. Endd.
	2. Draft of the above in Paget's hand.
	Pp. 4. Endd.: Mynute. The Privey Counsail at Calais to the K^s Ma^to, xxiiij^o Octobr. 1544.
	480. Arras, De Courrieres and Chapuys to Charles V.
R. O. [Spanish Calendar, vii. 239.]	We know not how the Cardinal de Belay will take the departure abovesaid, (fn. n3) and, being quick, he might venture to attempt his return without staying longer, supposing that the sending as above was only determined after the King of England heard his charge, to which he has received no answer. On our asking the said earl and bishop what ought to be written or told to the said Cardinal, so as to make him stay until the resolute answer [came], they answered, jestingly (en gaudissant), that the Cardinal had gone to sport a little further on, and very soon all would be together again; and, joking apart, added that when it came (venant icelle, i.e. the "resolue responce") the two dukes and others of the Council would inform him of it. (Signed.)
	Fr. Modern transcript of an original at Vienna, p. 1. Apparently a P.S.
25 Oct.	481. Anthony Bochier to Thomas Mildemaie.
R. O.	I have been in Cornewal and returned to Barkley, 24 Oct., having performed your business for taking all reckonings and accounts in that circuit; and have received your "cheker fees," together with 7l. 6s. 8d. to be allowed for Syonlandes in Mr. Ridgewaies account. You shall receive a perfect reckoning at my coming to London, which shall be with haste. 25 Oct. 36 Henry VIII.
	Hol., p. 1. Add.: one of the King's Highness' auditors of his Grace's Court of th'Augmentacions.
25 Oct.	482. Sir Hugh Poulet to Anthony Rowsse.
R. O.	Has received his letter of the 24th and intends to use his friendly offer, hoping (by means of the assistance about to repair hither for the succour of Basebulloyn, with the help of the King's navy) that their friends may use free passage to the haven of Bulloyn. "If you had seen what shift was made for the despatch of victuals into the town before the late skirmish, you would think that men would suffer nothing necessary to remain out of the town, albeit that they had no horses nor other carriages to help them; nevertheless some supplement of horses for such purposes, with relief for them and those that we have already, shalbe requisite to be received in time." Bulloyn, 25 Oct.
	Hol., p. 1. Add.: To, &c., Anthony Rowsse, esquier, at Calays.