Henry VIII: January 1543, 16-20

Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII, Volume 18 Part 1, January-July 1543. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1901.

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'Henry VIII: January 1543, 16-20', in Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII, Volume 18 Part 1, January-July 1543, (London, 1901) pp. 32-41. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/letters-papers-hen8/vol18/no1/pp32-41 [accessed 24 March 2024]

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January 1543, 16-20

16 Jan.
Dasent's A.P.C., 75.
47. The Privy Council.
Meeting at Hampton Court 16 Jan. Present : Canterbury, Privy Seal, Great Chamb., Westminster, St. John, Cheyney, Gage, Browne, Wingfield, Wriothesley. Business :Thos. Cotton, captain of one of the King's ships, having certified the Council that he had taken a Scottish ship, a letter was sent to him to send up six of the best of the prisoners, dismiss the rest upon their truth, and deliver the goods by inventory to Sir John Gerningham and the bailiffs of Yarmouth; to whom a letter was written to receive and keep them.
16 Jan.
R. O.
48. Marillac to The Council.
Has put in writing the particulars they lately sent him by Mr. Masson, to be intimated to the French King. Asked Masson to remind them of their reply touching the ship arrested at Newcastle, coming from Scotland, being sure that my lord of Harrefod, who examined the master and mariners on the spot, will have reported the truth. He cannot justly be prevented from returning into France with the merchandise that belongs to him and has been taken away; and for the rest, belonging to the merchant of Orleans, he is content to leave it on payment of the freight; as appears more fully by his bill enclosed. Detains the courier only for their reply. London, 16 Jan. 1542. Signed.
French, p. 1. Add. Endd. : Ao xxxiiijo.

R. O.
49. to Marillac.
"Monsigneur," as to my affair which you communicated to the Council, who reply that they will not detain the men and the ship, but the merchandise must remain until it is proved to belong to the French (in which answer they seem not to consider that we deposed to the earl of Harreford that we carried wine and salt, belonging to me and my partners of Honnefleur, to Abredin, in Scotland, and in return were bringing merchandise bought there) they should understand that immediately upon our casting anchor our victuals were seized and we ourselves taken by force to houses and there compelled to pay 1 cr. a day for living. Please show them this, that they may deliver my ship, men, and merchandise with recompence for my costs, without delay; for otherwise I must leave all as not worth the expense of long pursuit. Our merchandise of Honnefleur is 10 barrels of salmon, 2 bales of cloth, 12 barrels of "brey," 2 barrels of cod and a piece of white cloth of 27 yards. The rest, which belongs to Frangoys FoJu, merchant of Orleans, they may retain on paying me 82l. 5s. Tournois for freight. Other expenses are 80 cr. for costs at 1 cr. a day and 20 cr. for going and coming hither.
French, pp. 2. Endd. : "Touching the French [ship] th[at came] from Scotland [arrested] at Newcastle, presented to th'erle of Hertford."
16 Jan.
R. O.
50. Wallop to the Council.
Learnt on the 10th inst. that certain Frenchmen chased three Englishmen into the house of Sannyngfeld, and there cruelly killed one and took the other two prisoners to Bullen. Incontinent, despatched bearer, Guisnes, with letters to Mons. de Beez, who kept him two days to have the matter examined, not knowing before but that they were English Burgundians. He was right sorry, saying that his men would not have meddled with them but for an alarm made by a woman, because the Burgundians had the night before taken a booty there, they were thought to be either Burgundians or gettures de chemyn. They fled towards the wood and being overtaken hurt two of the Frenchmen very sore. De Beez said Que veullezvoz dire, cest ung malvenu; and sent to Wallop the two prisoners. Guisnes, the bearer, can declare the whole matter, and also what communication De Beez had with him about the Scots. De Beez is made of late lieutenant of Picardy under Mons. de Vendosme.
Sixteen foot of the wall of Arde has fallen into the ditch adjoining the great bulwark towards the south-east. They have set up maunds upon maunds, to hide the breach, and work day and night to shut it with great frames of timber. Touching the Frenchmen of Arde that killed the Englishman coming from St. Omers, has many fair promises of justice, by De Beez's letters sent into England, one to the lord Privy Seal and the rest to Sir Hen. Knevet. Encloses what he now writes and also the double of Wallop's letter to him. Guysnes, 16 Jan. Signed.
Pp. 2. Add. Endd. : ao xxxiiijo.

Calig. E. I. (149). B. M.
51. [Du Biez to Francis I.]
Had despatched this gentleman to him touching the affairs of this town, but was obliged to change his plan of proceedings, as Vendosme is dissatisfied with him, although he has done nothing but followed the King's commands. Sends copy of a letter written to him by Vendosme, the original of which remains at Montreuil and was not delivered to himself. The stores of Ardre which [Francis] wrote to him to take possession of, are going elsewhere by Vendosme's order; who, it is clear, will be dissatisfied with everything he does. Cannot continue in the charge [Francis] gave him at Cognac to superintend matters during Vendosme's absence. Requests to be transferred to some other place, even more dangerous, to do the King service. "A Boulogne, ce (blank) jour . . . ."
Fr. mutilated, pp. 2.
17 Jan.
Dasent's A. P. C, 76.
52. The Privy Council.
Meeting at Hampton Court, 17 Jan. Present : Canterbury, Privy Seal, Gt. Chamb., St. John, Westminster, Cheyney, Gage, Browne, Wingfield and Wriothesley. Business :Letters written to the bp. of London, ambassador in Spain, to assist Thos. Burnynghyll in suits there; to the mayor of London to reform the unreasonable price of fuel; to John Winter, merchant of Bristol, to repair to the King. The keeper of Ludgate, refusing to stand to the Council's order between him and Hans van Fremont, committed to the Fleet. Letters written to Dr. Peter to assist the commissioners appointed to determine the matter between the King and certain merchants strangers suspected to be Jews. Letter written to Sir Thomas Wharton to place Sconcrost as King's carpenter in Carlisle if the information against Vicars prove true.
17 Jan.
Add. MS 29,548, f 1 B. M.
53. The War With Scotland.
Letters missive commanding the person addressed (since the King has been enforced by the Scots to begin war, which, unless the nobles of Scotland conform to reason, he means to prosecute) to make musters within any stewardships he may have of the King's and within his own lands and certify the same to the Duke of Suffolk, lieutenant general in the North. Hampton Court, 17 Jan. 34 Hen. VIII. Signed with the Stamp.
P. 1. Add. to John Hasilwood, esq.
Harl. MS. 283, f. 255 B. M. 2. Another copy, not addressed.
P. 1.
17 Jan. 54. Chapuys to the Queen Of Hungary.
See No. 87.
18 Jan.
Dasent's A. P. C., 76.
55. The Privy Council.
Meeting at Hampton Court, 18 Jan. Present :Privy Seal, Gt. Chamb., St. John, Westminster, Cheyney, Browne, Wingfield, Wriothesley, Riche. Business :Letters written to the Deputy of Calais to declare to Du Bies (who, being refused passage of wine for Arde by the new river at Guisnes, threatened to stay the coming of victuals to Calais) that the King made this river for a fortress and would not permit it to be used otherwise.
*** Next entry is 20 Jan.
18 Jan.
Add. MS. 32,649, f. 80 B. M. Hamilton Papers, No. 282.
56. Arran to Lisle.
Received, at Edinburgh, 16 Jan., his writings dated at Alnwik on the 8th., which were presented by Ray, Englishman, in presence of "our Cardinal" who read them and took great suspicion that the credence sent to Arran "suld be repug [nant] to him and his fallowis estait." To avoid suspicion, suffered the Cardinal to make response as he thought expedient.
Is called to the government of this realm during the tender age of his Sovereign Lady, and minds to reform the state of the Kirk here, set forth God's word and profit the common weal; which cannot well be done while war stands betwixt the two realms. Trusts that Lisle's sovereign minds "that God's word accress and prosper in this realm," and therefore he begs Lisle to obtain a safe conduct for certain ambassadors (to contract peace betwixt the realms) and an abstinence for certain months; as his friend George Dowglas will show, for whom he begs credence. Edinburtht, 18 Jan. 1542. Signed : James, Gowernour.
Pp. 2. Add. Endd. : ao xxxiiijo.
19 Jan.
Add. MS. 32, 649, f. 81. B. M. Hamilton Papers, No. 283.
57. The Privy Council to Lisle And Sir Fras. Brian.
The King is surely informed that Mons. de Guise, father to the Queen of Scots, arrived within these three days at Havre de Grace, to pass into Scotland, and, under colour of visiting his daughter, get possession of Dunbar and other holds, and also of the daughter and the whole regiment of Scotland. Four French ships are ready for him at Havre de Grace, one of 200, in which he will himself pass, and three of 120 each. With them are four Scottish ships which lately, in the Trade, took 16 English ships laden with wines for the King's own provision, of which they sold five in. Bretayn and are bringing the rest home in triumph. Three or four other valuable merchant ships go with them, and they think themselves able to go through maugre any opposition. The King takes this apprehension of his ships in the Trade and this passage of Guise into Scotland much to heart, and desires Lisle and Brian to set forth the ten ships already appointed there and as many more as can be furnished in Newcastle and those parts; caring not what charge he is at, but only fearing that they may pass before his fleet is in the Frithe to meet them. Cotton, who is at Yarmouth with the Scottish prize he lately took, is written to to hasten thither, taking the prize and any other ships about Yarmouth with him. The King has also sent for the Trinitie Fitzwilliam, the George Bonadventure and a brig of London, which are now "by west" and well appointed, to repair to the Frithe.
Lisle is to write to Arran that he hears how Guise "is coming thither, by mean of the Cardinal, to get the government, child and holds of Scotland into his hands"; and shall also have this news of Guise's coming bruited abroad and signify it to Anguishe.
Finally, when it comes to fighting, "you, Master Bryan," will have special regard to the French ship in which Guise himself goes, and in any wise take it.
Draft, pp. 5. Endd. : Mynute to the Viscount Lisle and Sir Francis Brian, xixo Januarii ao xxxiiijo.
19 Jan.
Add. MS. 32, 649, f. 85. B. M. Hamilton Papers, No. 284.
58. Lisle to Henry VIII.
Has no word of Henry Raye whom he sent to Arren with his letter, and conjectures that his despatch is put off by Sir George Douglas, who desires to give the first news himself. Has not heard from Sir George, but my lord his brother sent word that 2,000 horse of their friends met him. Apparently they shall be a strong party. Bothwell has him commended to Henry, as his sovereign lordsending that message by Sir John Delavale, one of the pensioners, who conducted him past Hexame and trusts to send good news ere long.
A certain nun and two of her sisters came lately to Berwick, and lodged in a widow's house "scant of good name." Four or five days afterwards, the widow came to Alnwike and sued that the said nun and her sisters might again inhabit their old cloister called Cawldestreme which was burnt in my lord of Hertford's time. Asked how she durst lodge Scottish nuns without the Captain's leave, she answered that the nun was sent for to Edinburgh by Angoise, who promised to put her in her house again, and that she had two letters to Sir Ralph Evers to permit it, viz. from Sir George Duglas and the porter of Berwick; which letters are sent herewith. Has sent to the President, now sitting at Newcastle, five strong thieves of Ridisdale, one of them an outlaw of the Charltons, a great guide to the Scots. Trusts within ten days to have both the Charltons that slew their keeper. (fn. 1) Has tried out an Englishman, one of the Hawles of Ridisdale, who should have guided the Scottish army if they had entered upon the Middle March, and expects to take him. Sends to the Council a book of the musters of the garrisons, with a declaration of the daily charges and what money remains here with the treasurer. Anwike, 19 Jan. at 10 p.m.
Hol. pp. 3. Add. Endd. : ao xxxiiijo.
19 Jan.
R. O.
59. Lisle and Others to the Council.
Send herewith the book of musters of the garrisons, except the 50 men of George Heron, who, they understand, has his full number; also the treasurer's signed declaration of the charges of the garrison and the money in hand. The lord Warden has ordered the mayor and brethren of Newcastle to put ready four of their best ships, viz., the Elizabeth of Lawson's, 140 [tons], the James of B[r] andlyn's, 100 [tons], the Antonye of Anderson's, 100 [tons], and the John Evangelist 90 [tons]. They are bound by indenture to be ready in six days, furnished, the Elizabeth with 50 mariners and carpenters, 40 soldiers and 20 gunners, and each of the others with 30 mariners and carpenters, 20 soldiers and 10 gunners, and with munitions and ordnance and one month's victuals; for which 200l. is delivered to them in prest.
The lord Warden learns by espial that Sir George Douglas is well received in Scotland. At his coming to Edinburgh, Arren and all the other lords were gone to visit the Queen, who was sore sick; but on their return on Monday, 15th inst., Arren immediately sent James Lyrmonthe for Sir George and they were together until midnight. On the morrow Sir George and the Cardinal met in the abbey church and embraced; and on Tuesday last proclamation was made by Arren's command that Angus and Sir George, with all their friends, "should have their peace, houses, lands and tenements." Alnwik Castle, 19 Jan.
Enclose "a foot of Sir George Lawson's account of the King's provisions left in his charge." Signed : John Lisle : Cuth. Duresme : Rychard Maners : Jo. Vuedale.
Pp. 2. Add. Endd. : ao xxxiiijo.
19 Jan.
R. O. St. P., V. 243.
60. Earl Of Cassillis and Others to Henry VIII.
After departing from him arrived at Derntoun, 10 Jan., where Angus showed them letters from the Council directing them to wait the coming of Earl Boithvell and Sir Ric. Southwell. Remained there devising with them two days as Southwell will have reported, and went to Newcastle, where the lords Wardane and Precedent sent them back over Stainmure as the Council had appointed, which made their travel "in ane part langsum." Came to the earl of Cumberland's place of Brwne on Wednesday, 17 Jan., and to Carlisle, with the Earl and Sir Thos. Wharton, 19 Jan., where their pledges are received. Depart for Scotland on "this" 20th, and will advertise occurrents to Sir Thos. Wharton. Carlisle, 19 Jan. Signed : G. erll of Cassillis : Wylzam erll of Glencarn : M. 1. Chalm'lan : Maxwell.
Pp. 2. Add. Endd. : ao xxxiiijo.
19 Jan.
R. O.
61. The Scottish Prisoners.
List of "pledges of noblemen and gentlemen of Scotland, prisoners," delivered to the earl of Cumberland and Sir Thos. Wharton, at Carlisle, 19 Jan., (See No. 2, which is here called "the sedule") viz. :For Casselles, "Davy and Archbald his brethren (having no brother called Arthure as the sedule is) and the larde of Cove"; Glencarne, Alex. his eldest son and Robert, another son; Flemyng, James his eldest son and John Flemyng called young larde of Boghall ("otherwise called the larde How in the sedule") with a schoolmaster; Somervell, James his eldest son and Roger Matland his brother-in-law; Maxwell, Robert his son and heir; Olivant and Gray, no pledges come, they remain; Robert Harskyn, his brother Alexander; Oliver Synkler and his two brethren, no pledges come, they remain; Craggy, Thos. Rosse his eldest son, "he hath no such brother son as the sedule purports"; Carsy, John Mounteth his uncle's son and heir, "he hath no eldest son as the sedule purports;" Patrick Hebburn, his brother William Hebburn; Monkreth, William his son and heir; Awyncastell, Ric. Matlan his brother; Hayton and John Lesly, no pledges come, they remain; Gradon, lord Flemyng is bound (upon a letter from my lord Privy Seal and Sir Fras. Bryan, of 28 Dec.) that he shall enter on Palm Sunday or upon 20 days' warning; James Pringill, no pledge come, lord Flemyng is bound "for his true remaining;" John Carmyghell, Andrew his brother; Henry Maxwell, no pledge appears in the schedule and lord Maxwell says that the King granted him free, lord Maxwell is bound to enter him at like days as the other prisoners.
Parole was taken of all the noblemen for the surety of the pledges "to pass to the places where they shall be sent unto," and for those for whom no pledges came to remain in Carlisle. Signed by Cumberland and Wharton.
Pp. 3. Endd.
20 Jan.
R. O. St. P., ix. 263.
62. Paget to Henry VIII.
Henry Brian, merchant of London, lately came from Rowen to declare to Paget the taking of certain English crayers by Scots and Frenchmen within the liberties of Newe Haven, and obtain a command to the officers of Normandy to stay Scottish ships of war until the English merchants in Rowen were passed out. Not knowing where the Council were, by reason of their continual removing, sent his servant, with Brian, with a letter to the Cardinal of Turnon. This King replied, by his Council, that he could let neither Scots nor English to furnish their ships out of his realm, but would write to his officers, and if his subjects had contravened the treaties they should be punished; and that they could stay neither Englishmen nor Scots to come and go at all times. The merchant and Paget's man brought this answer and the King's letter to his officers on Wednesday last; and signified that Tournon would be at Towrs next day. Thinking the matter slenderly answered, sent to appoint an interview with Tournon next day; when, presupposing that they had misunderstood his request, he begged Tournon to have the case justly ordered according to the amity, and explained that a Scottishman who heard that certain English crayers were coming into Newe Haven furnished certain pilot boats with 80 Frenchmen, and so took them within the franchise of the town : if he thought this lawful, would he as well suffer Frenchmen and Scots to take an Englishman in Paris? He answered Nay; his master would observe his treaties both with England and Scotland, and, having lately news of the king of Scots' death, he felt bound in humanity to observe his leagues with the Scots, the child being but an infant, as he would do towards England if Henry were deceased; he had written for information and would minister justice, but both the Scots and his officers said the prize was good and taken without the town liberties. Paget replied that the case was as he stated and they must arrest the Scots until the matter was tried; and prayed "somewhat roundly" to have the leagues kept (of which he thought there were none with the Scots now that their King was dead), and asked whether the Scots or Henry had shown most tokens of amity within the last 30 years. Turnon answered that they could not deny the friendship shown by England and the Scots were also their friends and had old leagues with them, although their Prince was deceased; he thought Paget's request for arrest of the Scots reasonable, but their subjects daily complained of ill handling in England. Further dialogue, in which Paget said the Frenchmen had had more than justice in England; instead of being hanged, certain of them had arrived at Dieppe. Turnon said that if the men offended that was no reason to detain the ships and artillery; he spoke of Artigo. Paget said that was the first he had heard of it, for the matter of which he received a memorial was for three other ships. Turnon said it was spoken of in England, and lately a Fleming had taken a French ship and sold it to Englishmen who put the French prisoners to ransom. Paget said that, as for Artigo, it made much difference whether the matter were demanded by way of gentleness or of ordinary justice; and as for ransoming Frenchmen, no doubt a reasonable answer would be made; he wished both English and French subjects had restitution of their losses since this war began, but the loss of these crayers could only be imputed to the French, who suffered Scots to lie thus in the mouth of their havens. Turnon said that his master intended to defend both English and Scots from entering armed into any of his havens; and that the treaties would bear this, for English ships leave their ordnance behind in entering Bordeaux. Paget said he doubted whether that was lawfully enforced, and it was grounded upon a vain fear because Bordeaux was once English. Turnon said that upon the same ground they might use the custom in Normandy. Paget thought they might innovate nothing, but would do well to use it towards the Scots who lay in the mouth of their havens. Turnon agreed to speak with the King, but thought it could not be despatched till they came to Amboyse, which would be two or three days.
Two hours later Turnon's secretary brought a letter from this King to his lieutenant in Normandy, with a message that the King would not defer until Amboyse lest the Scots might depart before delivery of the letters. Fears they know the Scots are departed already, but incontinently despatched these two cold letters from this King to his viceadmiral in Normandy. Encloses copies of these and of those sent him from Rowen, and of his to the Cardinal, to the merchants at Rowen and to them at Bordeaux at the Council's command.
A gentleman lately arrived from Scotland, from the Cardinal; and thereupon, four or five (fn. 2) days ago, a valet of the Chamber named Bordry, noted wise and sober, was despatched hence. His purpose may perhaps be conjectured from the following. After Paget had talked with Turnon, the captain of the Scottish guard, with whom, as he wrote before, this King talked after the arrival of the French courier out of England, came to dinner; and Paget received him as the French King's servant, although the Scots are Henry's enemies, but desires instructions whether to talk with him or such other again. The captain asked "What news, my lord, have you of England and Scotland?" For every man is a lord in a Scot's mouth. Replied None but the arrival of the Scottish gentlemen at Henry's Court, the death of the king of Scots, and birth of their daughter. Details further dialogue, in which the captain asked if he had not heard that ten or twelve English ships were taken; and Paget replied that Scots and Frenchmen together had taken fire or six within Newe Haven, for which the Frenchmen should be shortly trussed up and the Scots make restitution, as they had already begun to do (naming the Scottish prisoners in England). The captain then began to crack after the Scottish fashion and Paget, knowing that "a Scot will not be outcracked with words," changed the subject and said, the beginners of the war were ill advised. The captain agreed and blamed the bishops ("and indeed he is noted here to be a greater talker than a follower of good religion"). Paget said that now the King was dead it would be seen how the temporal lords acted; and the captain said he did not believe the King was dead, but he had heard "mockel honor" of the King of England and especially his gentleness towards the lords of Scotland, who, he heard, were gone home. Paget supposed that would be for their ransom; but the captain thought not, and that they would be fools to come again, since promises made in prison counted for nothing, and they recked nothing of pledges. Paget said he heard that Mons. d'Aumale was going over to comfort the Queen his sister. "'Nay, by my faith,' quod he, 'but his father should go thither for a time to comfort her, if you and they were at quietness.' 'It were pity,' quod I, 'that he should take so much pain upon the seas, and also it were dangerous for his person, because of the Imperials.' 'Not a whit,' quod he, 'for he should have the four thousand Almains to guide him thither, whom the French king will now put upon the seas because he heareth that the Emperor maketh great preparation upon the sea.' 'Why, Almains be not good upon the sea,' quod I. 'Yes,' quod he, 'but I think they shall not tarry long upon the sea, but be put upon land in Holland or some other quarter thereabouts.' 'It were too great a charge,' quod I, 'to go first from hence unto Scotland and return into Holland and back again into Scotland; for I am sure,' quod I, 'that the Duke shall be guided as well (fn. 3) homeward as he is outward.' 'Yea Mary, I warrant you,' quod he, 'they shall not be discharged until he come home again.' 'Were it not better for him,' quod I, 'to go and come by land!' 'It would ask too much time,' quod he, 'and th'other way he should be there shortly with a good wind. I would to God,' quod he, and brake off our communication, 'that there were a good peace between these three realms.' 'There is a good peace already between two of them.' 'Which two mean you.'' quod he. 'I mean England and France,' quod I. 'By the Mass,' quod he, and laughed aloud, 'there is even as good between France and Scotland. Trow you,' quod he, 'that the French men will leave the Scots?' 'I think they will keep their leagues with everybody,' quod I, 'and yet you know that Scotland is not able to do them the pleasure that England is.' 'No?' quod he, 'Why so? We here think yes'; and began to crack after the Scottish fashion : whereupon I brake off and went to dinner." Yesterday between Tours and Amboise the Cardinal of Lorraine overtook Paget, and asked if he had heard of the king of Scots' death : who answered that he heard it three weeks ago, and also that the Queen, the Cardinal's niece, was brought to bed of a daughter. Further dialogue, in which the Cardinal said the French king was very anxious for a good end between England and Scotland, and for that purpose would shortly send to both countries. The 1,500 Almains are botched to 2,000 and go from Brittayn to Normandy, where is great preparation of ships. De Formes, Marillac's cousin, is a comptroller among them; and the gentleman (fn. 4) that is gone to Scotland went first to the duke of Guise and returned to Court. As to the ships, and whether the Almains go to sea or into Picardy, where the French king intends to begin shortly; it way be soonest known from Rowen and Dieppe. It is much feared here that Henry "will marry my lord Prince to the daughter of Scotland." The Scots here wish it and say "it should be mockel good for both the realms to make them one."
The Emperor minds shortly to pass into Italy. At Genes, the duke of Savoy and Marquis of Guasto have been with Granvela, who, leaving a son in service with the Bishop of Rome, passes into Almain, with little stay at Trent (as we say here) because none of the Lutherans come to the Council, to prepare men against the Emperor's coming shortly to Flanders. We are encouraged by a letter, intercepted in Lorraine, from the Queen of Hungary to the Emperor showing her (fn. 5) great necessity; but some think the letter "but a stalle made by the said Queen." Polino has sent word that the Emperor lately sent gentlemen of estimation to treat with the Turk, who refused to speak with them and caused them to be beheaded, and that the Turk will not fail this year to send 80 galleys into Provence to our aid. This is confirmed by a courier from Venice, with the addition that the Turk demands Candie and 20 per cent. for traffic of merchandise. The Duke of Cleves, as his ambassador says, does much better now than at the beginning and trusts to triumph shortly. He accuses De Longevale and La Planche of robbing him in wages and booty. La Planche is arrested here at Court and committed to Loches castle, and, it is said, Longevale is also apprehended. Blanchefosse is gone to Switzerland to bring men in haste through Lorraine. On the 10th inst., Mons. de Langey died at St. Saphorins beyond Lyons. He seemed always well affected towards Henry, as he had good cause to be. Count Danguillara has taken a carrack with Spaniards and Almains coming from Spain to Italy; and is commanded to release the Almains and set the Spaniards to the galleys. The Bishop of Rome is altogether Imperial. The Duke of Savoy's town at which so many Frenchmen were slain is not Racunys (as Paget wrote) but Cuny, beyond Turin, towards Nice. This Queen has been sick. Morveilly, who was appointed to have come to England, is like to die. To-day arrived, from Scotland, a French gentleman of the Scottish Queen's with, apparently, no matter of importance. Sends a testimonial received from Mons. Bayard, of which a copy was lately sent to this King from Mons. de Chasteaubriant, purporting to be a declaration by Englishmen in Brittany of their good entertainment. Thinks by the wording that it is rather a counterfeit written by a Scot; and can hear of no Englishman in Brittany so named.
Before closing this, learnt from the Ambassador of Ferrare that the French king believes the Emperor, instead of going to Italy, will pass by the ocean seas into Flanders, or into England to conclude the marriage so long treated; and also despairs of any new amity with England. Believes this, for the ambassador could tell a great piece of Paget's discourse with the Cardinal of Tournon.
Sends the answer from Bordeaux, which he likes not. Prays that Henry's ships may meet with the Scots ere they come home. Amboyse, 20 Jan. Signed.
Pp. 21, partly in cipher. Add. Endd. : ao xxxiiijo.
Caius College MS. 597, p. 229. 2. Letter book copy of the preceding, in the hand of Paget's clerk, with the cipher portion deciphered.
Pp. 11. One leaf lost, and its place supplied by a modern transcript from 1.
R. O. 3. Contemporary decipher of the cipher portion of 1, the first half in Wriothesley's hand.
Pp. 14.

Footnotes

  • 1. Roger Fenwick, keeper of Tynedale and Reedsdale, who was murdered in March, 1537.
  • 2. In 2, "three."
  • 3. The missing leaf of 2 begins here.
  • 4. Bordry, mentioned above.
  • 5. The missing leaf of 2 ends here.