Spain: January 1541 | British History Online

Calendar of State Papers, Spain, Volume 6 Part 1, 1538-1542. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1890.

'Spain: January 1541', in Calendar of State Papers, Spain, Volume 6 Part 1, 1538-1542, (London, 1890) pp. 304-308. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/spain/vol6/no1/pp304-308 [accessed 26 April 2024]

January 1541, 1-31



2 Jan.	148. Eustace Chapuys to the Queen Regent.
Vien. Imp. Arch. Rep. P. Fasc. C. 232, ff. 1–6.	On the 23rd ult. I wrote to Your Imperial Majesty, and gave an account of what had passed at Antomcour (Hampton Court), between this king, his council, and myself, with regard to the proclamation (placard) on the lading of vessels and other mercantile matters then under discussion. Since then, that is on the 27th, Your Imperial Majesty's letter of the 16th of December has come to hand, as well as the memorandum of Secretary Bave, respecting the provision made for the bishop of Winchester (Gardiner) when he wished to go to Valenciennes. On hearing which this king was marvellously pleased, and glad to hear, through me, of the bishop's journey thither. (fn. n1)
	All the pirates who captured the caravel described in the memorandum inclosed in Your Majesty's letter, have been seized and imprisoned since the Admiral dined last with me, owing to their having captured another Spanish vessel. They will no doubt be tried and promptly executed, only that no money or property has been found in their hands to indemnify the losers. To obviate in future such evils as this, I will try my utmost to obtain from these people a statute to this effect, that no armed ship or vessel shall be allowed to sail from the ports of England for Brazil or similar countries [in America] without the commanders of such ships giving security not to attack nor offend Your Imperial Majesty's subjects.
	Respecting the ship of the king of Portugal which some time ago was wrecked on this coast, I had already, and before Your Imperial Majesty's letter came to hand, spoken about it to the Admiral, who immediately made enquiries, and imprisoned some of the parties concerned in the robbery. I have since presented in Council Your Majesty's formal request, and the Admiral has sent me his vice-admiral and the Admiralty judge, ordering them to concert with me as to the provision to be made in this case.
	As to the bishop of Winchester, I fancy that whatever be the answer to his overtures and representations, he will follow Your Majesty to Germany for the purpose mentioned in my last despatches; for although the King, his master, is not so afraid of the decisions of the German diets while Your Imperial Majesty is in that country, as he was at one time, yet he still has his misgivings about them. Indeed, he must have heard what the French are proclaiming and affirming everywhere, namely, that they are sure that nothing important will be done or concluded, either at Worms or at Reynsburg (Regensburgh), respecting the Christian religion; for Your Imperial Majesty being in a hurry to return to Spain, Hungary being in great need of Germany's succour and assistance against the Turk, besides Your Majesty's unwillingness to over-irritate the Lutherans at this juncture, will mar any attempt on your part to innovate in such matters, especially if the obstinacy of the Lutherans be taken into consideration, and likewise that Your Majesty will be glad to have the same truce and abstinence from war that was granted to them at the last Frankfort Diet renewed.
	On the third day of Easter the Scotch ambassador—who is going to Your Imperial Majesty for the purpose, as he gives these people, as well as the French ambassador, to understand, of begging Your Majesty that your Spanish and Flemish subjects do not come to fish in Scotch waters—arrived, and was well received and feasted by this king, whose Council, moreover, has been for the last thirty-six hours so busily engaged with the affair in question, that during that time they have positively refused to transact any other business.
	Dame Anne de Clèves has been recalled to Richmond, for which reason, added to the fact that she seems happier and more contented than before, and that the present queen is not yet in the family way, some are of opinion that some sort of reconciliation may still take place between her and the King. I myself see no chance or sign of that, but should there be any, I will seize every opportunity of indirectly thwarting it.—London, 4 Jan. 1541.
	Signed: "Eustace Chapuys."
	French. Original. partly ciphered. pp. 2.
8 Jan.	149. The Same to the Queen of Hungary.
Wien. Arch. Rep. P., Fasc. C. 232, ff. 1–3.	My letter of the 2nd inst. must have apprized Your Majesty of recent events in this country. Since then, on the 3rd, Lady Anne of Clèves sent to the king as a new year's present, two fine and large horses caparisoned in mauve velvet, with trappings and so forth to match, (fn. n2) whilst she herself has made her appearance at Antoncourt (Hampton Court), where she arrived with her own retinue only, and no other courtier about her person except, perhaps, Milord Guillaume, the duke of Norfolk's brother, who, having met her on the road to this city, could not well, for courtesy's sake, refuse to accompany her to the gates of Antoncourt. At the door of the quarters prepared for her, Lady Anne was received by the duchess of Suffolk (Margaret), the countess Darfort, and certain other ladies, (fn. n3) who, after conducting her to the rooms destined for her lodging, took her to the Queen's apartments. There she had to wait a while until the Chancellor (Audeley) and the earl of Succez (Sussex) had fully instructed the Queen as to the manner in which she was to receive and treat her visitor. Having entered the room, Lady Anne approached the Queen with as much reverence and punctilious ceremony as if she herself were the most insignificant damsel about Court, all the time addressing the Queen on her knees, notwithstanding the prayers and entreaties of the latter, who received her most kindly, showing her great favor and courtesy. (fn. n4)
	At this time the King entered the room, and, after making a very low bow to Lady Anne, embraced and kissed her, upon which he and his queen sat down to supper in their usual places, whilst their visitor was made to occupy a seat near the bottom of the table, all the time keeping as good a mien and countenance, and looking as unconcerned as if there had been nothing between them. After supper all three conversed for a while in the most gracious manner, and when the King retired to his own apartments, the Queen and Lady Anne first danced together, and then separately, each with a partner chosen among the King's gentlemen. Next day the three dined together; there was again conversation, amusement, and mirth, and on the King retiring to his apartments, as on the previous night, the Queen and Lady Anne danced together. Whilst thus engaged, the King sent to his queen by one of his confidential chamberlains a present, consisting of a ring and two small dogs, (fn. n5) which present she passed over to Lady Anne—whether in the King's name or in her own I cannot say, though, most likely, as is generally believed, it was in her own, since the King has separately presented Lady Anne with an annual rent of one thousand ducats.
	After dinner on that day Lady Anne retired to her apartments, and two hours afterwards she mounted her horse to return to Richmond.
	The Princess has not yet visited the new queen, though she has on this New Year's day sent her a present, at which the King, her father, has been much pleased, as well as at one he himself has received from her. And as I have been told by the messenger who took both the presents, not only was the King extremely delighted, but he has sent her back by the same bearer two most magnificent new year's gifts, as I am given to understand, both from himself and from his queen.
	A courier has come with despatches from the bishop of Winchester (fn. n6) giving an account of the audience he had from Your Majesty. This king and the members of his Privy Council have since been deliberating two days running upon the contents of that despatch, as well as on the answer to be returned to it, together with the expediency of sending to France, &c. Indeed, within the last three days, they have dispatched to that country two messengers, and have decided also to send as ambassador thither the abovementioned Milord Guillaume, the duke of Norfolk's half-brother (fn. n7) —a good young gentleman, but not at all suited for business—who is to leave in two or three day's time, when Master Valoupt (fn. n8) will come back to take the command and be governor of Guisnes (at least, so he has been told), though I hear that some time ago that office was given to Master Uvignefild (Wingfield), vice-chamberlain and captain of this King's body guard, who is already making preparations to go thither. Many suspect that Master Valoupt has been recalled for fear he himself should withdraw from his embassy in France, as the arch-deacon of Lincoln did before him, and as people suspected; when he returned to that country this King sent various agents to ascertain the truth of the matter, and apply a remedy to the then existing difficulties. (fn. n9)
	I have heard nothing unpleasant yet concerning Your Majesty's answer to the bishop of Winchester; these people seem satisfied with it. The bishop has made his excuses for not having entered Valenchiennes (Valenciennes) and spoken to Your Majesty sooner respecting the above-mentioned archdeacon, whose withdrawal from Court the privy councillors have been trying to keep as secret as possible, forbidding the courier under heavy penalties to say anything about it, and ordering all private letters to be opened at the Post Office to see whether in any of them mention is made of the said withdrawal.
	The French ambassador sent me word yesterday that he was thinking of repairing to Court this very day for the express purpose of presenting this king with three venison pies made of the largest wild boar that was ever killed in France, which the King, his master, has sent to this one by a master pastrycook of his.—London, 4 Jan. 1541.
	Signed: "Eustace Chapuys."
	Indorsed: "Letter to the Queen."
	French. Original. pp. 3.
17 Jan.	150. The Same to the Same.
Vienna Imp. Arch. Rep. P., Fasc. C. 282, f. 4.	Just at this moment, and when the courier bearer of this despatch is about to start, I am told by someone, an eye witness of the whole affair, that a gentleman, who five or six years ago had been this king's gentleman-in-waiting and his ambassador to Scotland—one of the two officials into whose hands Crumuel (Cromwell) a short time before his fall had resigned the office of principal Secretary—has now been confined to the Tower. Also that one hour ago Master Huet (Wyatt) was arrested in his own house, and forthwith lodged in the very same prison, and, what is worse, that the house of the latter has been searched, and the King's seals have been placed on the chest and cupboards. In addition to this, for the last four days couriers have been dispatched to Spain to recall one, Master Mason, secretary of the said Master Huet, once sent as ambassador to that country for the exclusive purpose of forwarding the two points, of which I have had the honor to inform Your Majesty, (fn. n10) namely, that of the release of the horses which this king had purchased in Flanders, and at the same time request the Inquisitors [of Spain] to deal more mildly with this king's subjects. The Secretary's recall has been decided upon on the plea that the horses had already arrived at Harlen (Haarlem), that the bishop of Winchester (Gardiner) had had a satisfactory answer from the Emperor, and that there was no longer need of applying to Spain for the purpose. (fn. n11) I shall not fail to apprize Your Majesty of the end of this affair, and in the meantime, as the courier is about to start, I put an end to this letter.—London, 17 Jan. 1541.
	Signed: "Eustace Chapuys."
	French. Original. p. 1.