CHAPTER XV

THE WORK OF THOMAS CROMWELL

It is inevitable that there should be the widest divergence of opinion

concerning every great figure in Reformation history, and it is idle to

attempt to form an estimate of the character and work of Thomas Cromwell

that will satisfy those who take different views of the great struggle

during which his life was lived. But Catholics and Protestants must

agree on the fundamental and permanent nature of the changes which he

wrought: whether his work was good or bad, no one can deny his success

in fulfilling his life’s aim as declared to Cavendish on the All Hallows

Day when he rode forth to London ‘to make or to marre.’ He was the first

chief minister that England had ever had, who was base-born and yet not

a cleric. He stood completely outside the great religious movement of

his time, and only made use of it to further his own political ends. He

came at a time when things were in an unsettled state and ready for a

change: his personality, emotionless, practical, stern, impressed itself

on every phase of the national life. It was not alone in Parliament,

Convocation, or Privy Council that he reigned supreme; on every

department of the government service the stamp of his individual genius

remains indelibly fixed. The permanence of his work was largely due to

the way in which he clinched every reform which he introduced. He

followed up the separation from Rome by attacking in turn the bishops,

clergy, and friars, and by suppressing the monasteries. He obtained the

support of the King in almost every measure which he invented, and then

forced Parliament formally to legalize it. His action was in no case

ineffective; the immediate result of it was almost always the attainment

of the goal at which he aimed.

To the student of the present day, however, who is enabled to survey the

decade of Cromwell’s rule after a lapse of more than three and a half

centuries, the immediate effects of his measures fade into the

background and lose their importance, in the face of later and far

greater developments. The latter were not always the results Cromwell

wished to attain; in many cases they were ends which, if he could have

foreseen, Cromwell would have been the last person to promote. They came

years later, indirectly, as it were, and were rendered possible only by

the lapse of time, the influence of other statesmen, and the growth and

progress of civil and religious liberty, but none the less were they due

to the impulse of Thomas Cromwell. By following out the effect of a few

of the more important steps of his policy, it will not be difficult to

see what some of these later developments were.

Let us take in the first place his action in rejecting the authority of

the See of Rome. Cromwell advised the King to shake off his allegiance

to the Pope, solely because he saw that a divorce from Katherine of

Aragon could never be obtained from Clement VII., as long as the latter

was in the power of Charles V. His aim was to please the King by

enabling him to divorce Katherine, so that he might marry Anne Boleyn;

he realized that his desire could not be accomplished while the country

remained true to the Old Faith; he cut the bonds that held England to

Rome, and gained what Henry wished. The direct result, the only thing he

cared about, was accomplished; but far more important than that, it was

by Cromwell’s means that Protestantism gained a footing in England,

which even the Six Articles and the terrible persecution under Mary

could not shake. To guard against the return of the Papal power, and the

annulling of the divorce, Cromwell attacked and subdued the clergy, and

negotiated with the Protestants on the Continent. His immediate object

was solely political safety; the ultimate result was the loosening of

some of the strongest bonds of Romanism, and the opening of the road for

the incoming of the new religion. Thus out of moves first made to attain

and ensure a questionable end, grew consequences so great and so

far-reaching that it is only with difficulty that one can trace their

origin.

The same remark will be found to hold true of the results of the

suppression of the monasteries[745]. The main object of the King’s

Vicegerent in destroying them was undoubtedly to fill the royal treasury

with the spoils of the Church, and to clinch the advantages gained by

the separation from Rome. But the later result of his measures was

actually to undo much of the work which they were first intended to

perform. For though they had weakened religious opposition to the Crown,

they strengthened the secular element in its later struggle against the

royal autocracy which Cromwell had laboured to establish. We have seen

that the lands of the suppressed houses had been either given away, or

else sold at exceedingly low prices to the impoverished nobles by

Cromwell’s advice, in order to ward off the opposition aroused by their

destruction. This measure certainly attained its immediate purpose, but

it also laid the foundation for the growth of an extremely powerful

territorial aristocracy, that later on was to use its influence to

oppose the royal prerogative and pave the way for modern

constitutionalism. While Cromwell, in his attacks on the older nobility,

thought that he was removing the last impediments to absolute monarchy,

he really, by enriching and strengthening this new aristocracy, was

rearing an infinitely more potent enemy to the kingship for which he had

sacrificed everything. It is well known that such families as the

Russells, Seymours, and Cavendishes, who later figured most prominently

in opposition to the Crown, owed their power to gifts out of the

revenues of the suppressed monasteries. The smaller gentry also claimed

a share in the general advancement to wealth and prosperity among the

landed proprietors, and a sudden burst of political activity in the

Lords and Commons bore witness to the fact that the Houses had once more

asserted their right to govern.

This brings us to Cromwell’s relations with Parliament. It is here that

we find the most striking instance of the contradiction between the

immediate and the permanent effects of the changes he wrought. We have

seen how his attitude towards Parliament differed from that of his

predecessor. We have seen how Wolsey had looked upon the national

assembly as a great force which continually hampered his schemes, so

that his dislike of it led him to summon it as infrequently as possible,

and only when it was absolutely necessary. We have seen how Cromwell was

destined to go one step further, and how by packed elections, fraud, and

violence, he succeeded in converting it into an utterly subservient

instrument of the royal will. It was now no longer a power to be feared,

but one to be relied on; a firm ally that consistently obeyed the

slightest hint of the wishes of the Crown. Consequently instead of

rarely assembling as under Wolsey, it was being constantly summoned, as

a necessary means to accomplish the designs of Henry and his minister.

While the latter lived, everything worked exactly as he had intended,

and the Parliament remained ‘tractable.’ But when after his death the

idea of autocracy had passed away, and England had begun to recover from

the terror Cromwell’s ministry had inspired, Parliament suddenly

realized that it had a power of its own. Its frequent assemblings which

of course had helped the Crown, as long as under Cromwell the Houses had

remained subservient, now began to work just the other way, and aided it

in shaking off the fetters that bound it to the King. It had been

Cromwell’s plan that it should keep up the forms of constitutional

liberty, as a sort of sop to the popular feeling, while in reality all

its legislative vigour was lost. Now that the pressure of his hand was

removed, the animating spirit revived, and finding all the old

traditionary customs still intact began to infuse itself into Lords and

Commons. The earlier independence of the Houses returned and increased,

so that the final result of the work of Cromwell was on the one hand to

thwart all efforts to compass the omnipotence of the Crown, and on the

other to lay the basis for a constitutional government.

Had the English character been one that could permanently suffer any

form of tyranny or absolute monarchy; had the ends the great minister

aimed at been such that when the temporary madness and terror inspired

by his own personality had passed by, they could have aroused one spark

of enthusiasm in the English heart, Cromwell’s would have been the

grandest figure in his country’s history. But it was not destined to be

so. The national drift was throughout bitterly opposed to him and to the

ideas for which he stood, so that much of his policy was reversed in the

years that followed his death. There can be, it seems to me, no doubt

that Cromwell was perfectly sincere in his attempt to establish an

all-powerful kingship under the forms of ostensible constitutionalism.

He did it not from selfish motives, but because he believed it to be the

only sure road to national greatness. The crimes that marred his career

cannot be excused, but may be palliated by this consideration, and by

his dauntless courage in resolutely destroying the Curial control of the

English courts and English Church; on this side of his work he was the

true successor of Wyclif, the true predecessor of his own great kinsman.

Cromwell lived in an age when a wave of monarchical enthusiasm swept

over the entire west of Europe: a belief in the absolute power of kings

was the most salient characteristic of the political atmosphere of his

day. He was essentially a man of his time in his faults and in his

virtues, and could scarcely have anticipated modern constitutionalism.

Thus his policy perished with him, but his work remained and was

permitted by change and reaction finally to attain results far more

glorious and lasting than he had hoped for. The despotism of the Tudors

fell with their dynasty, the liberties of the nation survived.

LETTERS OF THOMAS CROMWELL

PREFATORY NOTE

Here follow a complete collection of the letters of Thomas Cromwell

arranged as nearly as possible in chronological order, an itinerary, and

a list of his minor preferments. The letters have been copied from the

original manuscripts, save in a few cases duly noted, when transcripts

have been made from the official copies at the Public Record Office,

from Strype and Ribier, or from the collections of Sir Henry Ellis. The

spelling follows the original, all contractions are extended but

italicized: the original punctuation, paragraphing, and use of capitals

are preserved.

But (1) I have disregarded ‘unintelligent’ or faulty marks of

contraction, occurring in words in which no letter is omitted. (2) I

have not italicized uncontracted letters inserted above the line. For

example: the name ‘Thomas’ is almost always written ‘Thom^{a}s’ in the

original: I have transcribed it ‘Thomas’ and not ‘Thom_a_s.’ On the

other hand, the word ‘your’ is usually written ‘yo^r’ in the manuscript:

in this case I have taken the superior ‘r’ as a contracted form of ‘ur,’

and so have transcribed it ‘yo_ur_.’ (3) In the originals the same

script form is used for ‘I’ and ‘J’; I have followed the modern use. (4)

The bracket [ ] signifies that the words or letters enclosed would have

been in the manuscript had it not been injured. The bracket ‹ ›

signifies that the word or words enclosed have been inserted by me to

complete the sense. The parenthesis ( ) signifies that the enclosure is

bracketed in the original. (5) Sentences and words crossed out or

underlined in the manuscript have been set below, except when evident

mistakes of the writer. The letters ‘_c.o._’ signify that the passage

against which they are written was crossed out or underlined in the

original.

In dating letters, I have followed the modern use, and have taken the

first of January and not the twenty-fifth of March as the beginning of

the year. I have used the bracket ‹ › in the headings to indicate that

the name or date enclosed has not been given in the letter itself, but

has been found from external or internal evidence. Letters which bear no

indication of the day and month in which they were written are placed at

the end of the year to which they apparently belong. The abbreviations

‘R.O.’ and ‘B.M.’ refer to the Public Record Office and British Museum

respectively throughout the collection.

LETTERS

1. CROMWELL TO JOHN CREKE.

R.O. Cal. iii. 3249. Aug. 17 ‹1523›.

A letter of friendship, containing an account of the

proceedings of the Parliament of 1523, in which Cromwell

sat. News concerning Creke’s friends in England.

Maister Creke as hertelye as I can I co_m_mende me and in the same wise

thanke yow [for your] gentill and louyng l_ette_res to me at sundrye

tymys Sent and wher as I accordinglye haue not in lyke wise remembrid

and rescribid it hath bene for that I haue not hade anything to wryt of

to yo_ur_ adu_au_ncement. Whom I assure yow yf it were in my lytyll

power I coulde be well contentyd to p_re_ferre as ferre as any on_e_ man

lyuyng. But at this p_re_sent I being at Sum layser entending to

remembre and also remunerate the olde acquayntaunc_es_ and to renew

o_ur_ not forgoten Sundrye co_m_munycacions Supposing ye desyre to know

the new_es_ curraunt in thes p_ar_tyes for it is said that new_es_

refresshith the spy[rit] of lyffe, wherfor ye shall vnderstonde that by

long tyme I amongist other haue Indured a p_ar_lyament which contenwid

by the space of xvij hole wek_es_ wher we co_m_munyd of warre pease

Stryffe contencyon debatte murmure grudge Riches pouerte penurye trowth

falshode Justyce equyte discayte opprescyon Magnanymyte actyuyte force

attempraunce Treason murder Felonye consyli ... and also how a co_m_mune

welth myght be ediffyed and a[lso] contenewid w_i_t_h_in o_ur_ Realme.

Howbeyt in conclusyon we haue d[one] as o_ur_ p_re_d_e_c_e_ssors haue

been wont to doo that ys to say, as well as we myght and lefte wher we

begann. ye shall also vnderstond the Duke of Suthffolke Furnysshyd

w_i_t_h_ a gret armye goyth ou_er_ in all goodlye hast [whit]her I know

not, when I know I shall aduertyse yow. Whe haue in o_ur_ p_ar_lyament

grauntyd vnto the King_es_ highnes a right large Subsydye, the lyke

wherof was neuer grauntyd in this realme. all yo_ur_ frend_es_ to my

knowlage be in good helth and specially thay that ye wott of: ye know

what I meane. I thinke it best to wryt in parables becaus[e] I am In

dowt. Maister Vawhan Fareth well and so doth Maister Munkcaste[r].

Maister Woodall is merye w_i_t_h_owt a wyffe and co_m_mendyth hym to

yow: and so ys also Nych_ol_as longmede which hath payd Will_ia_m

Wilfforde. And thus as well f[are] ye as I woolde do my Self At london

the xvij daye of August by yo_ur_ Frende to all his possible power

THOMAS CRUMWELL.

_Add._ To his [esp]ecial and entyrelye belouyd Frende John Creke be this

youyn Bylbowe in Biscaye.

2. CROMWELL TO ELIZABETH HIS WIFE.

Ellis’ Letters, 2nd Ser. ii. 125; Cal. iv, App. 57. Nov. 29 ‹1525›.

Sends her a doe. Desires that Richard Swift resort to him at

Begham or Tonbridge. Asks for news.

Elyzabeth I commend me unto you and have sente you by this berer a fatt

doo, the one half whereof I pray you may be delyvered unto my gossyp

mastres Smyth, and with the rest to use your pleasure. And further yf

Richard Swifte be cum home or fortune to cum shortly, I will that he

resorte to me at Begham or Tonbridge with all dylygence. Such news as ye

have in those partyes I pray you sende me parte by this berer. At Begham

the xxix^{th} day of November. And farther I pray you sende me word in

wryting who hathe resorted unto you syns my departuer from you to speke

with me.

Per your husbend

THOMAS CRUMWELL.

_Add._ To my well beloved wyf Elyzabeth Crumwell agenst the Freyers

Augustines in London be this given.

3. ‹CROMWELL› TO ----.

R.O. Cal. iv. 955 (3). ‹1524 or 1525.›

Desires that the lands of John Fleming, who has broken

covenant with Cromwell, be put in execution.

Syr in my most herty mann_er_ I co_m_mend me vnto yow aduertesing yow

that after knowlege hade of yo_ur_ dep_ar_ture In to the north partyes

was veray sorye that my chaunce was not so happye to haue spokyn

w_i_t_h_ yow befor wheruppon I was constrayned for the Singuler trust

and conffydence which by long co_n_tenuaunce hath Succedyd & ben

approuyd In yow toward_es_ yo_ur_ Frend_es_ and louers to wryt vnto

yow[746] Syr So hyt is that on_e_ John Flemyng of Crofton in the Countye

of Yo_ur_ke in the moneth of may last passid Solde vnto Rob_er_t Bolt

Certayn land_es_ Tenementt_es_ & heredytamentt_es_ to the Clere yerlye

valew of Nyntene pound_es_ and xvi d. of good and lawffull monaye of

Ingland to myn_e_ vse to the S_u_m of ccclxxxj^{li} vj^s viij^d wheroff

the sayd John Flemyng resayuyd In p_ar_tye of payment on_e_ hundereth

fortye eight pownd_es_ nyne sheling_es_ & Syx pence and the rest of the

sayd S_u_m which amountyth vnto ccxxxij^{li} xvij^s ii^d was put in the

Saffe custodye and keping of yo_ur_ Frend Maister Butrye ther to remayn

vntyll Suche tyme the sayd John Flemyng sholde haue p_er_formyd all his

couen_au_ntt_es_ according vnto a payre of Indentures For the which

Su_m_mys of Monaye and for the non p_er_form_au_nce of the sayd

Couen_au_ntt_es_ the sayd John Flemyng standyth bounden to the sayd

Rob_er_t Bolt In a statute of the Staple of Westm_inster_ in on_e_

thousand mark_es_ payable in the Fest of Saynt Bertholomew the appostill

last past the date wherof is the xx^{th} daye of Maii in the xv^{th}

yere of o_ur_ souerayng lord kyng henrye the viii^{th}, and forasmoche

as the said Flemyng hath brokyn Couen_au_ntt w_i_t_h_ me In eu_er_ye

poynt I am Compellyd to take the execucyon vppon my statute which by

this bringer I haue sent vnto yow desyring and her[tely] praying yow

that ye will be so Frendlye vnto me yf it be possyble beffore yo_ur_

retorn hetherward_es_ to make Suche Instaunce vnto the Shereffe of

Yorkeshyre that the sayd execucyon may be taken[747] and that all suche

land_es_ as the sayd John Flemyng hathe within Yorkshyre maye be put in

execucyon and extendyd befor yo_ur_ retorne owte of Yo_ur_kshyre and

that the wryt of execucyon may be reto_ur_nyd and what so eu_er_ charge

shalbe For the Furnysshyng of the same I promyse yow and bynde me by

this my l_ette_re to Satysfye and Ferther to reco_m_pence yo_ur_ paynys

in suche wyse I trust that ye shalbe contentyd. Syr I hertelye desyre

and praye yow to haue me excusyd that I sholde be so bolde to requere

yow to take Suche payn for me howbeit the experyence which I haue in

yo_ur_ good and gentyll approuyd humanyte makyth me the more bolde

w_i_t_h_ yow hauyng no dowbt but that ye will accept & take vppon yow as

moche payne For yo_ur_ Frend as any man lyuyng Ferther Syr ye shall

vnderstonde

_On the dorse_

A fragment of a document containing indentures and

agreements concerning the manor of Kexby.

The manor of Kexby--

her after shall Inswe the abredgment of certayn Indentures evydence

charters ded_es_ esc[riptes] and Mynument_es_ concernyng the manno_ur_

of Kexbye w_i_t_h_ the appertena_n_ces w_i_t_h_in the Countye of Yorke

Delyuery[d] ... by Iohn Aleyn Cytizen and Altherman of London to the

hand_es_ of Sundrye Right worsshypfful and discret p_er_sons

Councello_ur_s vnto the most reue[rent] Father in god Thomas lorde

Cardenall legate de latere archbusshop of Yo_ur_ke pry ... and

chaunceler of Inglonde to the vse of the sayd most Reuerend Father in

god the datt_es_ of the whiche Indentures evydenc_es_ charters ded_es_

escript_es_ & Mynimentt_es_ cons_er_nyng the sayd Manno_ur_ w_i_t_h_

p_ar_te of the effect_es_ conteynyd [in] the same mor playnlye herafter

shall appere

4. ‹CROMWELL› TO LADY ‹DORSET›.

R.O. Cal. iv. 3053 (ii). April ‹1527›.

Reports a letter received from ‘my lorde’ and addressed to

her ladyship, and encloses the copy of another from ‘my lord

George,’

Pleasyth it yo_ur_ good ladyship my specyall dewtes fyrst remembred that

as vppon Wensdaye being the xvij^{th} daye of Aprell I resayuyd from my

lorde a l_ette_re directyd vnto yo_ur_ good ladyship w_i_t_h_ also all

his honourable aduenture In to Scotland[748] theffect wherof yo_ur_

ladyship shall resayue in yo_ur_ l_ette_res Ferther I resayuyd the same

daye a l_ette_re from my lord George the teno_ur_ and Copye wherof I

haue sent yow herin Inclosyd Madame as ye shall Thinke by yo_ur_ good

and vertuese discresyon it may please to adu_er_tyse my good lord which

I thinke shalbe well takyn when he shall parsayue that ye doo and shall

contenually studye for the aduansment of his honeur.

5. ‹CROMWELL› TO ‹VISCOUNT ROCHFORD›.

R.O. Cal. iv. 3741. ‹December, 1527.›

Legal information and advice concerning a suit in which

Cromwell has been retained as counsel by the wife of Sir

Robert Clere, the sister of Rochford.

Pleasyth it yo_ur_ good lordship to be adu_er_tysed howe that it hath

pleasyd my ladye yo_ur_ sust_er_ wyff to S_i_r Rob_er_te Clere Knyght to

requyre and desyre me to be of counsayll w_i_t_h_ the sayd S_ir_ Robert

her husbande in a certayn[749] Matyer in varyaunce betwene the lady

Feneux late the wyff of s_ir_ John Feneux Knyght cheffe Justyce[750]

desseasyd of and For the deffence of a wrytt of extent of late passyd

out of the Kyng_es_ hygh courte of the Chauncery dyrected vnto the

Sheryff of Norffolke and Suffolke aswell for the extendyng of the

land_es_ of the sayd s_ir_ Rob_er_te w_i_t_h_in the sayd countyes as

alsoo For the puttyng in execution the bodye of the sayd s_ir_ Robert

Clere for the satysfactyon and payment of Foure hundreth pound_es_

supposyd to be due to the sayd late cheff Justice disceasyd And For

asmoche as by the reporte of my sayd lady yo_ur_ sust_er_ and alsoo by

the syght of certayn Indentures of Couen_au_ntt_es_ & deffauntt_es_ made

aswell bytwene s_ir_ John Paston Knyght disceasyd and the sayd S_ir_

Rob_er_te Clere as alsoo bytwene the sayd late cheff Justice and the

sayd s_ir_ Robert yt maye appere that the sayd Statute of the Staple of

cccc^{li} was made and delyu_er_ed to none other intente but onlye For

the p_er_fformaunce of certayn couen_au_nt_es_ of Maryage For the

assuraunce and onlye aduaunseme_n_t of a Joynter to be made to one

Elyzabeth late the wyff off one Will_ia_m Clere disceasyd so_n_ne and

heyre at that tyme to the sayd s_ir_ Rob_er_te whiche Elyzabeth ys nowe

wydowe and was lately the wyffe of the sayd late lorde Feneux cheff

Justice all whiche couen_au_nt_es_ of Maryage the sayd s_ir_ Robert

Clere hathe always as I am Informyd bene redye and yet ys to p_er_fourme

notw_i_t_h_standyng[751] that the sayd S_ir_ John Paston in hys lyffe

nor s_ir_ Will_ia_m Paston nowe lyuyng so_n_ne and heyre of the sayd

s_ir_ John wolde ne wyll not accordyng to suche couen_au_ntes[752] as

the ‹same› be boundyn vnto paye vnto the sayd s_ir_ Roberte Clere

cc^{li} Resydue of foure hundreth Mark_es_ for the sayd[753] assuraunce

of the sayd Couenauntt_es_ of Maryage[754] yet dewe and vnpayd the none

payment wherof ys A greate matyer and it were gret pytye and also ayenst

bothe reson & Conscyens that the sayd s_ir_ Roberte shulde haue his

land_es_ extendyd and be co_m_pellyd to paye the sayd so_m_me of foure

hundreth pound_es_ consyderyng the sayd bounde was made but for the

p_er_formaunce of the couen_au_ntes of Maryage whiche[755] the sayd Syr

Robert was and ys Redye to performe and good Reason it were that the

Couenauntt_es_ on the p_ar_tie of the sayd S_ir_ John Paston also sholde

be p_er_formyd and the sayd cc^{li} payde. Neuertheles the sayd Syr

Robert Clere ys vtterlye w_i_t_h_out Remedye by course of the co_m_mon

lawe[756] to defende the execucyon of the sayd wrytt_es_ of extent so

that the sayd cccc^{li} shalbe recou_er_yd of hys land_es_ and bodye

onles yt may please yo_ur_ good lordeshyp to moue my lorde hys grace in

Conscyens to graunt a wryt of Iniu_n_ctyon[757] to be dyrectyd ‹to› the

sayd lady Elyzabeth Feneux Commandyng her by the same no ferther to

prosecute thexecuc_io_n of the sayd wrytt_es_ of extent vppon the sayd

statute of cccc^{li}. And alsoo ayenst the sayd S_ir_ Roberte as my

sayde lord_es_ grace may gyue co_m_maundement[758] that no wrytt_es_ of

liberata goo out of the sayd courte of Chauncerye vntyll suche tyme ‹as›

the hole matyer tochyng the p_re_mysses may dulye and accordyng to

conscyence be harde and examyned And yo_ur_ lordshype thus doing shall

do the thing in my poore opynyon which shall ‹stand› w_i_t_h_ reason and

good Conscyens as knowyth the holye Trynyte whom I most hertelye beseche

to p_re_serue yo_ur_ lordshyp in long lyffe good helth and moche

hono_ur_

6. CROMWELL TO WOLSEY.

R.O. Cal. iv. 4135. April 2, 1528.

Reports his proceedings in connexion with the monastery of

Wallingford. Description of the progress of the Cardinal’s

colleges. Desires the benefice of St. Florence for Mr.

Birton.

Please it your grace to be aduertised how that I according to your most

gracyous co_m_maundement haue repayred vnto the late monasterye of

Wallingforde Where I founde aswell all the ornamentt_es_ of the churche

as all other ymplementt_es_ of houseolde clerely conueyed awaye and

nothing remayning. Sauyng only the euydences Which I sorted and conueyed

vnto yo_ur_ colledge at Oxforde And the same delyvered vnto yo_ur_ Dean

there. And afterward_es_ Mr. Croke and I surueyed amended and refourmed

aswell the l_ette_res patent_es_ graunted by the king his highnes vnto

yo_ur_ grace as also yo_ur_ gyftes and g_ra_untt_es_ made vnto yo_ur_

said colledge in suche wise I trust that no defaulte or omyssyon at this

tyme is lefte vnrefourmed.

I haue also founde offyces aswell of the saide late monasterye of

Wallingforde and of all the lond_es_ and tenementt_es_ belonging to the

same w_i_t_h_in the Counties of Oxforde and Berk as also of suche

omyssions as were omytted within the saide counties belonging to

Frediswid_es_ and Lytlemore. And now I do repayre into the Counties of

Buck and Bedforde for offyces to be founde there aswell of suche

lond_es_ as apperteyne to the saide late monasterye of Wallingforde as

also to the late monasterye of Praye besid_es_ saincte Albons.

The buyldinges of yo_ur_ noble colledge most prosperouslye and

magnyfycently dothe arryse in suche wise that to euery mannes iudgement

the lyke thereof was neu_er_ sene ne ymagened hauing consideracyon to

the largeness beautee sumptuous Curyous and most substauncyall buylding

of the same.

Your chapell w_i_t_h_in the saide colledge most deuoutely and vertuously

ordered And the mynistres w_i_t_h_in the same not onely dyligent in the

s_er_uyce of god but also the seruice daylie doon w_i_t_h_in the same so

deuoute solempne and full of Armonye that in myne opynyon it hathe fewe

peres.

There is a benefyce voyde w_i_t_h_in the dyoces of saincte dauyes in

Wales which is of yo_ur_ gracyous gyfte by meane of the chauncelorship

of Englonde. Yf it may please your grace to gyue the same to Mr. Byrton

he shoulde be the more able to do your grace seruyce. The name of the

saide benefyce is called sayncte Florence. I assure yo_ur_ grace the

saide Mr. Byrton is a right honest man And by somme reporte right well

lerned and shall do yo_ur_ grace good seruyce.

My besyness accomplisshed I shall according to my duetie repayre vnto

yo_ur_ grace. Most humblye beseching the holie trynytee contynuallye to

preserue the prosperous astate of the same in long lif and good helth.

At Oxforde the Seconde day of Aprell.

Your most humble s_erua_unt

THOMAS CRUMWELL.

_Add._ To my l...

_Endd._ M^r Cromewel ii^{da} Ap_ri_lis 1528

7. CROMWELL TO THOMAS ARONDELL.

R.O. Cal. iv. 4441. June 30 ‹1528›.

Requests him to send information concerning Wolsey’s wishes

about various matters in connexion with the Colleges at

Ipswich and Oxford.

Right woorshipfull sir in my right hartie maner I commende me vnto youe,

Aduertising the same, that I have receyued my lorde his gracious

l_ette_res, wherin his grace commaundethe to be diligent in

thexpedic_io_n of suche busynes as Do concerne the perfeccion of his

colledge in Gypswiche, whiche I do intende (god willing) to put in

execucion withe all spede, howbeit certeyne thing_es_ arn first to be

knowen of my saide lorde his gracious pleasure, or euer the same can be

perfected accordingly. Wherof one is, that it may please his grace to

name the p_er_son that shalbe his Dean of his saide Colledge, And also

to send to me ayen the Bille assigned of the licence graunted to his

grace by the kyng his highnes to erect the saide colledge in Gipswiche,

so that the signet and pryuye Seale may be made out vpon the same, And

that we maye examyn the boke of erection which nowe must passe by my

lorde his grace with the same bille signed in euery poynt. His gracious

pleasure must also be knowen whether that (the Dean of his saide

saide[759] colledge being Decessed, or by any other mean Depryued or

amoued from the saide Deanrie) his grace then wille that thellection of

a new Dean shalbe emong_es_ them of the colledge or whether his grace

will remytt the same to be ordred by his Statutt_es_ by hym to be made

accordingly. It maye please youe also to moue his grace whether he wille

absolutelie haue a guyfte made to his colledge in Oxforde of the late

Monasterie of Wallyngforde the p_ar_sonage of Rudbye, and suche other

lond_es_ as his grace hathe purchased of s_ir_ Antonye and s_ir_ Roberte

Ughtred in the Counties of Yorke and Lyncoln, or that he will haue the

same Mon_asto_ri and other the premisses geuyn vpon condicion to his

saide Colledge in Oxforde, to thyntent that they shall make a lyke

guyfte of the lond_es_ apperteynyng to the late Mon_astor_is of Snape,

Dodneshe, Wyk_e_ and Horkisley to his saide colledge in Gipswiche,

whiche condicion in myn opynyon shulde well serue for all casualties,

and compelle them of the colledge in Oxforde to make a guyfte of the

same accordingly. One speciall thing ther is that ye must moue his grace

in which is, that he maye not in any wise p_ro_cede to therrection of

his saide colledge in Gipswiche, before the xxj. daye of Julye next

comyng, for asmuche as thoffices in the Chauncerie shall not expire,

vnto the full accomplishment of iij Monethes vntill the saide xxj Daye,

nor his grace cannot haue the Syte and circuyte of the late Mon_asto_ri

of Saynct Peter suppressed, vpon the whiche the saide colledge muste be

erected by thordres of the lawe of thie londe before the saide xxi Daye.

His gracious pleasure knowen in the premisses I trust by thassistence of

my lorde chief Baron vnto whome I wille resorte from tyme to tyme for

his good counsaile to perfo_ur_me fulfille and accomplisshe euery thing

according to his said gracious pleasure, in suche wise that he shall

therwithe be right well contented. Hartely Desiring youe to moue his

grace for the signature of the l_ette_re for the poore man of Arragosco

who lyeth here to his great and importunate cost_es_ and charg_es_ in

maner to his vtter vndoyng, And also for the signature of one other

l_ette_re in Frenche Directed to the gouernours of the Towne of Depe for

the Delyuerie of certeyn Englisshe mennys good_es_ beyng marchauntt_es_

of London of late taken vpon the See by men of warr of the saide toune

of Diepe. It maye also please youe to shew my lorde his grace this

l_ette_re and that I maye haue answer of his gracious pleasure withe all

spede, whiche shalbe a great furtheraunce to his busynes. The mynute of

his erexion is all redye Drawen and shalbe p_er_fected vpon his answer

And thus o_ur_ lorde preserue youe At London the xxx Daye of June.

At your co_m_maundement

THOMAS CRUMWELL.

_Add._ To the right woorshipfull maister Thomas Arondell be this youen.

_Endd._ From Mr. Cromwell the xxx day of Junii about the p_er_fectinge

of the Cardynalls ij Colleg_es_ of Oxford and Ipswich.

8. CROMWELL TO WOLSEY.

R.O. Cal. iv. 4697. ‹Sept. 3, 1528.›

Details concerning the colleges at Oxford and Ipswich, and

the revenues from the lands and monasteries appropriated for

their use.

Please it your grace to haue in remembraunce yo_ur_ Fynours of Duresme

whose contynuaunce here is not onely to their greate cost and losse of

tyme but also to the greate hinderaunce of your werk_es_ ther, and also

they be veray poore, your gracious pleasure therfore wold be knowen

whether they shall resorte to yo_ur_ presence, or howe otherwise yo_ur_

grace will they shalbe ordred

I haue according to your moste gracious co_m_maundement sent herein

inclosed the clere yerely valeurs of all suche lond_es_ as ye haue

purchased in the Counties of Yorke and Buckingham, and also the clere

yerely value of the late monasterie of Wallingforde

If it may stonde with yo_ur_ pleasure to appoynte in whose name yo_ur_

grace intendithe to dedicate your colledge in Gipswiche, and by what

name the maister and fellowes shalbe called, the lycence of erexion, the

l_ette_res patentt_es_, pryuate Seales and other thing_es_ necessarie

for the same myght be put in a redynes so that no tyme shulde be loste

I haue caused suche bill_es_ as be allredie signed to passe the pryuy

signet and pryuate Seale, and shall nowe put to wryting the l_ette_res

patentt_es_ for the brode Seale, so that after the iii monethes expired

yo_ur_ grace may geue the lond_es_ conteyned within the same according

to youre moste gracious pleasure. It shalbe well done that yo_ur_ grace

haue in remembraunce thapp_ro_p_ri_a_ci_on of the benefices to your

colledge in Oxford, and that an ende maye be takyn withe all ordynaries

which I thinke is not yet done

I haue spoken with maister Babington nowe lorde of Kylmayne for the

exchaunge to be made bitwene yo_ur_ colledge in Oxforde and his religion

for Saundforde, It may therfore please your grace that yo_ur_ pleasure

may be knowen whether this vacacion yo_ur_ counsaile shall farther

co_m_mune withe hym and other whiche haue auctoritie in that behalf, or

not, whiche in myn opynyon shulde be well done, and will sett yo_ur_

purpose in a great forwardnes

It may also please yo_ur_ grace that these instruccions herein inclosed

may be sent to maister Holgill for thordering of hymself in taking

possession lyueraye and season at Rudby, whiche Instruccions were

deuysed by the Judges, and it shalbe necessarie that he haue them withe

spede.

Yo_ur_ gracious pleasure knowen touching the pr_e_miss_es_ I shall most

humblie indeuoir myself according to my duetie to accomplisshe yo_ur_

most gracious co_m_maundement, As knowithe the holly trynytie vnto whome

I shall daily during my lyfe praye for the p_ro_sperous conseruacion of

yo_ur_ good grace

Your most humble s_er_v_au_nt

THOMAS CRUMWELL.

_Add._ To my lorde his grace.

_Endd._ From Mr Cromwell touching rudby

Instruccions for Maister Willyam Holgill for posses_si_on

lyueraye and season to be taken in the p_ar_sonage of Rudby

in Clevelonde

First to cause my lorde Conyers to serche his euydence towching

thaduowson of the patronage of Rudby, and to se whether it be aduowson

appendaunte, that is to saye, apperteyning to a manor or to an Acre of

londe, or that it be aduowson in grosse, that is to saye, aduowsonage

onely appending to no manor ne yet to none Acre of londe, And to receyue

the saide Euydence of the saide lorde Conyers concernyng the said

aduowson

Itm to knowe whether the saide aduowson be intailed, and whether it be

intailed to theires males, or to theires generall, and to receyue the

dead_es_ of Intaile, or Fynes if any suche be, of the saide lorde

Conyers

Itm that thattourneis named in the deade of Feoffement made to the saide

Willyam Holgill and other, do enter into thacre of londe named in the

saide deade of Feoffement, and delyuer season by a turfe, to the saide

maister Holgill, and also to delyuer possession and season by the ryng

of the churche dore

Itm after possession, lyueraye and season taken in the saide Acre of

londe, and by the ryng of the churche doore as is aforsaide, that then

the saide Attourneis do enter into the saide p_ar_sonage and also to

delyuer possession lyueraye, and season in the p_ar_sonage vnto the

saide maister Holgill, and that the deade of Feoffement be redd in all

thre_e_[760] places, and to take at the leste xxx or xl witnesses,

calling therto asmany yonge children as ye may

9. CROMWELL TO GARDINER.

R.O. Cal. iv. 5186. Jan. 18 ‹1529›.

Has been unable to repair to the Cardinal, on account of the

press of work in connexion with his colleges. Description of

the damage done by the overflowing of the Thames.

Worshipfull S_ir_, after most hartie comendacyons it may please you to

aduertise my lorde his grace that the cause Why I do not repayre thither

at this present ys for that I haue certen bok_es_ to be don and

accomplisshed concerning his colledge in Gipswich That is to say a deade

of gyfte from his grace to his saide colledge of the late monasteryes of

Felixstowe Rumburgh and Bromehill The King his l_ette_res patent_es_ of

assent to the Suppression of the same late monasteryes, The King his

l_ette_res patent_es_ of assent to the pope his bull of exempcyon of the

saide colledge The King his l_ette_res patent_es_ of lycence for

thimpropryac_i_on of the benefyces belongyng to the saide late

monasteryes A deade of gyft from the Duke of Norff. to my lord his grace

of the saide late monasterye of Felixstowe A relesse from the prior and

conuent of Rochester of all theyr right tytle and patronage of in or to

the same late pryory of Felixstowe A relesse from the abbot and conuent

of Saynct Maryes in Yorke of all their right and tytle in or to the late

pryory of Rumburgh A relesse from my lorde of Oxforde of all his right

and tytle in the late pryory of Bromehill And a relesse from the Frenssh

quene and the duke of Suffolk of all theyr right and tytle in the

manours of Sayes courte and Byckeling and in the late pryorye of Snape.

All which bok_es_ be not yet in a redynes ne parfyted vnto my mynde

Intending assone as the same shalbe fynysshed and made parfyte, whiche I

trust shalbe to morow at nyght or wenesday by none at the Ferthest to

repayre vnto my lorde his grace, vppon his gracyous pleasure knowen for

thinsealing of the same accordingly. It may also please you to aduertise

my lorde his grace that Sythen his repayree to Rychmond I have ben at

Lyesnes Where I saw one of the most pyteous and greuous sight_es_ that

ev_er_ I saw which to me before the Sight of the same was incredyble

concernyng the breche out of the Thamyse into the marsshes of Lyesnes

which be all ouerflowen and drowned And that at the last chaunge the

tyde was so high that there happened a new breche which hathe fordon_e_

asmoche worke there as will cost ccc^{li} the new making of the same In

so moche that if my being there had not ben to haue incouraged the

workemen and labourers I assure you all the labo_ur_ and money that

hathe ben ther spent heretofore had ben clerely lost and cast away. And

the workemen and labourers wolde haue departed and left all at chaunce

whiche shoulde haue ben the gretest yuell that eu_er_ happened to the

countrey ther. Nev_er_theles I w_i_t_h_ thaduyse of suche wyse men as

ben in the countrey there haue set suche dyrectyon in the same that I

trust all shalbe well and the work_es_ there ended w_i_t_h_ good spede

god willing. For the furnyture and accomplisshment whereof there is a

new assesse made and my lorde his colledge for theyr parte ben assessed

at ccxx li which money of necessyte must be had out of hande Prayeng you

so to solycyte my lord_es_ grace that the same money may be had

incontynent Assuring you that his grace shall do as merytoryous a deade

in the delyu_er_ing of the saide money for his colledge at this tyme as

though he gaue so moche money for godd_es_ sake Considering the grete

hurte myschief losses and inconuenyenc_es_ that is lyke to insue to the

countrey there and to the King his streme and also the hurte that may

insue to his colledge in the losse of suche grounde and land as they

haue there Whereunto for the quantytee thereof ys none lyke to the same

in that countrey ne few in any other countrey. Yf the saide breche be

not shortly amended and spedely prouyded for I assure you suche

inconuenyenc_es_ may insue that yt were to grete pytee. And to thintent

that ye may be the more assured of the trewth in the pr_e_mysses I haue

sent you a l_ette_re here inclosed which I receyued from one of the

maisters of the said work_es_ ymedyatly after the wrytyng of this

l_ett_re Intending to repayre vnto Lyesnes, w_i_t_h_ all spede for the

redresse and fortheraunce of the p_re_misses asmoche as in me shalbe

possible. Hertely beseching you to procure that I may haue answer of my

lord_es_ pleasure in eu_er_y thing concerning the content_es_ forsaid by

this berer my seru_au_nte. And thus o_ur_ lorde p_re_serue yo_ur_ long

lyf At London the xviii day of Januarye.

Yours most bounden

THOMAS CRUMWELL.

_Add._ To the right wo_r_shipfull Maister docto_ur_ Gardyner be this

yeuen w_i_t_h_ spede.

_Endd._ Letters from M. Cru_m_wel of the xviij daie of Januarij

10. ‹CROMWELL› TO ----.

R.O. Cal. iv. 5757 (ii). July ‹1529›.

Has written in favour of the chaplain. Requests the

recipient to desire his wife to take the daughter of

Cromwell’s sister, and bring her up. Promises to recompense

him and his wife.

... C ... ert as hertelye as I can I co_m_mende me vnto you and

m_er_vayle gretlye that ye haue made no better spede for yo_ur_ chaplayn

In whos Fauours I haue wryten vnto Mr. Chaunceler of Wynchester trustyng

that he wylbe good maister vnto hym For my sake I wooldbe veray lothe

that ye sholde mysse yo_ur_ purpose Syr I praye you be so good vnto me

as to lett me send my systers daughter vnto the Jentylwoman yo_ur_ wyff

and that ye wyll on my behalf desyre her to take her and to bryng her

vpp for the which her goodnes yf she wylbe content so to doo I shold

rekyn my self moste bounden both to you and her_e_ and besyd_es_ the

payment For her borde I wyll so content your wyff_e_ as I trust she

shalbe woll pleasyd that I may know yo_ur_ answer herin I hertelye praye

yow and thus hartelye Fare ye well.

At london the ---- daye of July.

11. CROMWELL TO MR. CLAYBROOK.

R.O. Cal. iv. 5812. ‹July, 1529.›

Desires him to seek out all registers, and the bulls of the

Cardinal’s legation, so that the same may be shown to the

King’s attorney.

Maister Cleybroke this to adu_er_tise yow as ever ye inte_n_d to doo my

lord pleasure or s_er_uyce that ye w_i_t_h_ all dylygens seke owt the

register of Maister Tonneys and also all other registers w_i_t_h_ also

the bullys of my lord_es_ legacye to thentent the same may be shewyd

this nyght to the Kyng_es_ attorney for suche Causes as I declaryd vnto

yow at my last spekyng w_i_t_h_ yow of answer by thys berer I praye yow

that I may haue knowlege and fare ye woll.

Yo_ur_ Frend

THOMAS CRUMWELL.

12. CROMWELL TO WILLIAM BRABAZON.

R.O. Cal. iv. 6099. Dec. 19 ‹1529›.

Desires him to ride with Mr. Copeland to the north, and

assist him with advice in his affairs there.

Willyam Brabazon I comende me vnto you And wolde if ye be at conuenyent

leysour that ye do Ryde w_i_t_h_ Maister Cowplonde this berer into the

North part_es_ and to assiste him w_i_t_h_ yo_ur_ counsaill in suche

matiers as he hathe there to do according to suche instruxions as I haue

drawen and delyuered to the same Mr. Cowplande Not doubting but he will

consider your paynes accordinglye And thus fare ye well. At London the

xix^{th} day of December.

Your louyng maister

THOMAS CRUMWELL.

13. SUMMARIES OF CROMWELL’S LETTERS.

MSS. Jesus Coll. in Bibl. Bodl. Oxon. c. 74, pp. 262 ff.; Cal. iv. 6076.

‹1530.›

Various items concerning the relations of Cromwell and

Wolsey after the latter fell into disgrace. Cf. Letters 18,

19.

‘Crumwell to the Cardinal, July 12, ‹1530›.

‘As touching the p_ro_cesse ag_ains_t yo_ur_ Grace out of the Exchequer

and all other matters and suites brought ag_ains_t yow I haue pleaded

yo_ur_ pardon, w_hi_ch is allowed in all _th_e King’s Court_es_ and by

the same yo_ur_ Grace discharged of all man_n_er Causes at the K^s

suite.

Cromwell tells the Card^l this solliciting his Cause hath bin very

chargeable to him and he can_n_ot susteine it any Longer without oth_er_

Respect then he hath had hertofore. I am 1000 l. worse than I was when

yo_ur_ troubles began.

As touching yo_ur_ Colleges, the King is determined to dissolve them,

and that new offices shall be found of all _th_e Lands belonging to them

newly to intitle his Highnes w_hi_ch be allready drawn_e_ for this

purpose. But wheth_er_ his Highnes, after the dissolution of them meane

to revive _th_em againe and founde the_m_ in his owne name, I know not.

Wher_e_fore I entreat your Grace to be content, and let yo_ur_ Prince

execute his pleasure.’

‘Cromwell to the Cardinal, May 17, 1530.

‘That the King hath received his Lett_er_s and is very sorry _th_at he

is in such necessity, yet that for Releefe his Ma^{ty} hath differed it

till he speak w_i_th his Counsail. The D. of Norfolk p_ro_miseth you his

best ayd but he willeth you for the present to be content and not much

to molest the King (concerning payment of yo_ur_ Debts etc) for, as he

supposeth, the time is not meet for it. His Grace (i.e. _th_e King)

shewed me how it is come to his knowlege that yo_ur_ Grace should haue

cert_e_in words of him and other Noblemen vnto my L^d of Norfolk since

the time of yo_ur_ adversityes w_hi_ch words should sound to make

sedition betwixt him and my Lord of Norfolk.

Mr. Page received yo_ur_ Lett_er_s directed vnto my Lady Anne, and

delivered _th_e same. there is yet no answer. she gaue kind words, but

will not p_ro_mise to speake to the K. for you.

Certein Doctors of both the Vniversityes are here for the suppression of

the Lutheran opinions. The Kings H^{nes} hath caused the sayd doctors at

divers times to assemble, and hath com_m_oned w_i_th them. The fame is

that Luther is dep_ar_ted this Life. I would he had never bin borne.’

‘Cromwel writes to Card^l Wolsey, August, ‹1530›.

‘Intreating him to haue patience etc. that there shall be some offices

sent into York and Nottinghamsh. to be found of yo_ur_ Lands, belonging

to yo_ur_ ArchB_isho_prick. This will be very displeasant to you, but it

is best to suffer it. for if they should not be found you could not

howld yo_ur_ B_isho_prick quiet, notw_i_thstanding yo_ur_ p_ar_don: for

yo_ur_ Restitution made by yo_ur_ Pardon is cleerly Voyd, for that the

King did restitute yo_ur_ Grace before He was intitled by matter of

Record. When these offices shall be found, yo_ur_ p_ar_don shall be good

and stand in parfait effect.

He tells him that his modest behavio_ur_ and humility hath gayned him

the Love and good report of the Country where he now Lives and allso in

the Court, yet his Enemyes depraue all. S_ir_, some there be that do

allege that yo_ur_ Grace doth keep too great a Howse and family and that

you are continually a-Building--for the Love of God ther_e_fore haue a

respect and refraine etc.’

‘Crumwell writes to _th_e Cardinal, Octob‹er, 1530›.

‘I am informed yo_ur_ Grace hath in me some diffidence as if I did

dissemble w_i_th you or p_ro_cure anything contrary to yo_ur_ p_ro_fit

and hono_ur_ I much muse that yo_ur_ Grace should so think or report it

secretly considering the paines I haue taken etc. Wherfor I beseech you

to speak w_i_thout faining if you haue such conceit, that I may cleere

myself. I reckoned that yo_ur_ Grace would haue written plainly vnto me

of such thing, rather than secretly to haue misreported me etc. But I

shall beare yo_ur_ Grace no Lesse good will etc. Let God judge between

Vs. Trewly yo_ur_ Grace in some things overshooteth your self; there is

reg[ard] to be given what things ye vtter and to whom etc.’

‘I find by these Lett_re_s that Cramwel kept certein scholers in

Cambrige, for he entreats _th_e Card^{l}. to p_re_ferre the_m_ to

Benefices w_hi_ch should fall in his ArchB_isho_prick.’[761]

14. ‹CROMWELL› TO ‹WOLSEY›.

R.O. Cal. iv. 6368. May 5 ‹1530›.

Information concerning the progress of the Cardinal’s

affairs at Court. Advises him to comply with the King’s

requests.

After my right hartie Co_m_mendac_i_ons to yo_ur_ grace according to

yo_ur_ desire specified in yo_ur_ L_ette_res of answer to the request

made vnto youe by the King_es_ maiestie for the Treasourership of York I

haue so solicited the matier bothe to his hieghnes and to docto_ur_

Leighton that bothe be content that your gift shall stande so as yo_ur_

grace do accomplishe the teno_ur_ of his hieghnes L_ette_res nowe

eftsones directed vnto youe, whiche myn advise and counsail is that youe

shall in any wise ensue, and that yo_ur_ chauncelo_ur_ shall do the

semblable in another request made by his Maiestie vnto him w_i_t_h_out

staye tract or further stycking. And in any thing ell_es_ wherin I maye

do vnto your grace stede or pleasure I shalbe as glad to doo thoffice of

a frend_e_ as you shalbe to require the same of me. Thus moost hartely

Fare youe well. From St. James besid_es_ Westm_inster_ the v^{th} of

Maye.

15. CROMWELL TO WOLSEY.

R.O. Cal. iv. 6431. June 3 ‹1530›.

Promises to send a full answer to his letters by Ralph

Sadler. Recommends the bearer.

Please it your grace to be aduertised that I haue receyued your

l_ette_res by Thomas Rawlyns and haue perceyued the content_es_ thereof

and will make answer to the same p_ar_ticulerly by my seru_a_unt Rafe

Sadleyr, who o_ur_ lorde willing shalbe w_i_t_h_ yo_ur_ grace w_i_t_h_

all spede. Your grace I assure you is moche bounde to the gentilman this

berer for his good reporte in eu_e_ry place who I assure yo_u_r grace

hathe not lefte in eu_e_ry presence to say of you as by lykelohod ye

haue gyuen him cause. I assure yo_ur_ grace he and such other haue don

yo_ur_ grace moche good, it shalbe in myn opynion therefore right well

don to give him thank_es_ accordingly, for by my faith he is right

worthye. And thus the holie trynitee preserue your grace in long lyf

good helth and moche hono_ur_. At london the iii^{rd} daye of June.

Your most humble s_er_u_au_nt

THOMAS CRUMWELL.

_Add._ my lorde Cardinall‹s› grace.

16. ‹CROMWELL› TO ‹WOLSEY›.

B.M. Cott. App. L. 7; Cal. iv. 6482. June 30 ‹1530›.

Fragment of a letter, in answer to several minor requests of

the Cardinal. Various details.

... as to send yo_ur_ grace any quayles it ys not possybyll For ther ys

non that will Carye them as For Sedes I wyll Send yow by the next

maister Stubbis Sayth he will p_ro_uyde baudekyn for yo_ur_ grace I am

sorye for hym he ys Swed in a primineri by burges which was ons ellect

p_re_sydent of Maudlen Colledge I thinke it wyll cost hym money or he

get owt,[762] my lord chaunselo_ur_ hath p_ro_mysyd that Masteres lacye

shall bere the Cost_es_ of them that shall bryng vp John lawrans and

Robert Turner. I beseche yo_ur_ grace to be so good lorde as to send me

A gelding and I trust shortlye after to se yo_ur_ grace by the assistens

of o_ur_ lorde whom I most hertelye beseche to p_re_serue yo_ur_ grace

in long lyffe good helth and moche hono_ur_ at london the last daye of

June

17. CROMWELL TO WOLSEY.

R.O. Cal. iv. 6530. July 24 ‹1530›.

In favour of his kinsman Dr. Carbot; requests Wolsey to take

him into his household and service.

After my most humble Recommenda_ci_ons w_i_t_h_ my dailie s_er_uice and

contynuall praier May it pleas yo_ur_ grace to call to yo_ur_ good and

most graceous remembraunce how that I being w_i_t_h_ yo_ur_ grace in

yo_ur_ gallerie at the Chartrehouse at Shene most humblie supplied[763]

vnto the same for the acceptac_i_on of this berer Mr. doctour Carbot my

kynsman vnto yo_ur_ s_er_uice At which tyme it pleased yo_ur_ grace

beninglie to graunt me to accept hym promising both vnto him and me that

ye wolde be his good and graceous Lorde vpon the which he hath tarried

here in these p_ar_ties Contynuallye to his great cost Supposing that I

sholde haue repared w_i_t_h_ him vnto yo_ur_ grace by meane wherof he

thought the better to be esteemed But forasmoch as he now p_er_ceyueth

that for dyuers causes I maye not he hath desired me to write vnto

yo_ur_ grace in his fauo_ur_s Most humblie and effectuallye beseching

your grace to receyue him into yo_ur_ house and s_er_uice Whome I trust

yo_ur_ grace shall finde apte mete discrete dilligent and honest And

suchon that Willinglie Louinglie and obedientlie shall and wilbe gladde

to s_er_ue yo_ur_ grace in any thing that yo_ur_ pleaser shalbe to

commaunde him Trusting fermlie that bye experience ye shall right well

lyke him Eftsones most humblie and effectuallie beseching yo_ur_ grace

to be his good and graceous Lorde for my sake and at this my poure and

most humble sute and contemplac_i_on to take him w_i_t_h_owt reiection

And thus the holie trenitie p_re_s_er_ue your grace in long lyf and good

helth. At Londe‹n› the xxiiii^{th} daye of July.

Your most humble s_er_u_a_unt and bedysman

THOMAS CRUMWELL.

_Add._ my lordes grace

18. ‹CROMWELL› TO WOLSEY.

R.O. Cal. iv. 6571. August 18 ‹1530›.

Information concerning the progress of the Cardinal’s

affairs at Court and elsewhere. Begs him to cease building

for a time, in order that his enemies may have no chance to

accuse him of extravagance. News from England and the

Continent. Cf. Letter 13.

Please it your grace to be adu_er_tised[764] that after the Receipt of

yo_ur_ l_ette_res dated at Southwell on saynt Laurence Day I p_er_ceyued

how that yo_ur_ grace remayned in som displeasure and anxietie of mynde

for that I by my l_ette_res had before c_er_tefied you of the fynding

certen offic_es_ concerning yo_ur_ busshopriche of Yorke The Fynding

whereof as I p_er_ceyue by yo_ur_ l_ette_res ye do suppose should be

moche to yo_ur_ dishono_ur_ & detriment For the which intent that yo_ur_

grace may put yo_ur_self in repose & quietac_i_on of mynde I haue sent

vnto you this berer who shall at length declare vnto you besid_es_ the

demonstracion of the copies of suche offic_es_ as be drawen for that

purpose that the Fynding of the said offic_es_ savyng onelie that in the

preamble of the same there is touched the conuiction of yo_ur_ grace in

the p_re_munir_e_ which all the wo_ur_ld alredie knoweth shalbe for

yo_ur_ good onelie proffit and availe And yet yo_ur_ pardon and

restitucion stand in good & p_er_fite effecte So that yo_ur_ grace shal

haue no nede nether to be in fere of losse of any your sp_irit_uall or

temporall good_es_ or to be troubeled for the same ne also to be put to

any new Sute in the obteyning of any other pardon or restitucion. And if

in case yo_ur_ said pardon and restitucion were in any parte

insufficient I assure yo_ur_ grace I know that the king_es_ highnes wold

it should be made as good as by any counsaill it could be Devised And

doubt ye not but his highnes is yo_ur_ gracyous and benigne Sou_er_eigne

lorde and wold in no wise that ye should be greued molested or

troubeled. Wherfore it may please yo_ur_ grace to quiet yourself and to

take the fynding of these offic_es_ pacientlie and vppon the reto_ur_ne

of the same there shalbe such orders taken that yo_ur_ grace shall not

be interrupted in the receyuing of yo_ur_ reuenues ne otherwise be

molested in any man_er_ case for any new sute As touching yo_ur_

colledges the offic_es_ shalbe founde houbeit the Deane and suche other

as haue sued to the king_es_ highnes haue had veray good answer wherof I

think they haue certefied yo_ur_ grace or this tyme. As touching the m^l

mark_es_ of the reuenues of Wynchester I doubt not but it shalbe

obteyned at the audite And conc_er_ning Batyrsey it may please yo_ur_

grace that such thing_es_ as ye haue sent me the copies of may be sent

hither vnder seale for they woll trust no scrowes and also that Serche

may be made for Busshop Bothes will concerning the same. Strangwissh

continually cryeth and maketh exclamac_i_on in the courte of you

insomoch that the lord_es_ of the counsaill haue determyned to wryte

vnto you in that behalf wold to o_ur_ lorde your grace were rid of that

man. As concerning the p_re_bends of Witwang doubt ye not but in that

all thing is and shalbe ordered to yo_ur_ good contentac_i_on. Sir I

assure yo_ur_ grace that ye be moch bounde to o_ur_ lorde god that in

suche wise hath suffered you so to behaue and order yo_ur_self in thes

p_ar_ties to atteyne the good myndes and hert_es_ of the people[765]

there the reporte whereof in the courte and ell_es_where in these

p_ar_ties is & hathe ben[766] to the aquyryng & augmentyng the good

oppynyons of many p_er_sons toward_es_ yo_ur_ grace beseching your grace

therfore to contynue[767] in the same after Suche a Sorte and Fashyon as

ye may daylye increase not onlye in the Fauours of the pepull ther but

also here and ell_es_where to the pleasure of god & the prynce And

notwithstonding yo_ur_ good vertuous and charitable demeaning and vsing

yo_ur_self[768] in thes p_ar_ties ys not by your enemies[769]

interpretyd after the best Fashyon yet always Folow and p_er_seu_er_ ye

attemperatelye in suche thing_es_ as yo_ur_ woorldlye affeccyons Sett

apart Shall serue to stand best w_i_t_h_ the pleasure of god and the

kyng S_ir_ som ther be that doth alledge in that yo_ur_ grace doth kepe

to grete a house & famylie and that ye are contynually buylding for the

loue of god therefore I eftesones as I often tymys haue done most

hertelye beseche your grace to haue respecte to eu_er_y thing and

consyderyng the tyme to refrangne your Self for a Season from all

mann_er_ byldingg_es_ more than mere necessite requireth which I assure

yo_ur_ grace[770] shall sease and putto Sylence Som p_er_sons that moche

spekyth of the same. For the gelding_es_ which yo_ur_ grace Dyd send me

I do most humblie & hertelie thank you beseching yo_ur_ grace to gyue

Further Credens to this berer, who shall declare vnto your grace other

thing_es_ not wryttyn[771] I do Relys your grace right happye that ye

be now at libertye to s_er_ue god and to lern to experyment how ye shall

banyshe and exyle the vayn desyrys of this vnstabyll warld, which

vndowtydlye dothe nothing ell_es_ but allure eu_er_y person therin And

specyally such as o_ur_ lorde hath most endewyd w_i_t_h_ his gyft_es_ to

desyre[772] the affeccyons of theyr mynd to be satysfyed In Finding and

Sekyng wherof most p_er_sons besyd the gret trauayll_es_ and afflyccyons

that men Suffer daylye bene dryuyn to extreme Repentance and Serching

for plesure and Felycyte Fynd nothing but So trowbyll Sorow anxyete and

adu_er_syte Wherfor in myn oppynyon your grace being as ye ar I suppose

ye woolde not be as ye werre to wyn a hundreth tymys as moche as ye were

possessyd off the Busshop of Bayon_ne_ ys daylye lokyd For and my lord

of Wyltshyre ys cu_m_myn home the Saying here is that the emperoure

hathe good obbedyence of his Subiect_es_ in all thing sauyng that they

wyll not discent from the lutheran sekt it ys also sayd that empro_ur_

doth mak musters for a gret army to be p_re_paryd agenst the turke to

passe into Hungarye for the recou_er_ey of that Regyon And that the

seconde Son of the emperour ys dep_ar_tyd this p_re_se_n_t lyffe the

news here ys that the Germayns wyll medlye haue a gen_er_all Consaylle

for the reformacyon of many thing_es_ the Florentynys doth styll

contenew and defende the power of the pope and it ys Supposyd that they

shall vynce by meane that ther ys a gret pestylence Fallen amongst them

being in the Felde of the popis partye ther ys also a gret Carystye in

Italye of all mann_er_ of grayn in so moche A quarter of whet ys worth

generallye Fortye shelyngg_es_. they loke daylye for an ambassadour from

the pope who at the Ferthest wilbe here w_i_t_h_ xiij dayes the kyng_es_

highnes is this nyght at amptell and ther wyll Contenew this xiiij

dayes. it may please yo_ur_ grace to p_ar_don me that I do not repayre

vnto yow at this tyme for vndowtydlye it ys not possyble as this berer

shall Ferther Declare vnto yo_ur_ grace o_ur_ lord knowyth my wyll and

mynde. and I trust verelye that yo_ur_ grace doth p_er_ffytlye think

that I woolde be glade to see yow and vnfaynydlye I woolde haue sene

yo_ur_ grace long er this yf I hadde not bene lettyd by Importune

busynes wherfor I eftsones most humblye besech yo_ur_ grace of p_ar_don

and though I am not w_i_t_h_ yow in p_er_son yet be ye assured I am and

duryng my lyff shalbe w_i_t_h_ yo_ur_ grace in hert spyryt prayer &

s_er_uyce to the vttrest of my poore and symple power as knowyth o_ur_

lorde whom I most hertelye besech to p_re_serue yo_ur_ grace in long

lyff good helth w_i_t_h_ thincreace of yo_ur_ hertys desyre. at london

the xviij^{th} daye of August. I beseche yo_ur_ grace to depeche this

berer whom I mygh‹t› evyll haue forbern at this tyme but onlye that I

p_er_sayuyd by yo_ur_ l_ette_res that ye moche desyryd to be put in

quyetacyon and that besyd myself I Coulde not send any that Coulde

certefye yo_ur_ grace of the effect_es_ of such thing_es_ as ye desyre

to be answeryd in But onlye he eftsonys beseching yo_ur_ grace spedlye

to send hym home for my busynes ys such that I cannot lake hym.

_Endd._ my lorde Cardenall.

19. ‹CROMWELL› TO ‹WOLSEY›.

B.M. Cott. App. L. 81; Cal. iv. 6699. Oct. 21 ‹1530›.

Begs the Cardinal’s favour for Doctor Carbot, Nicholas

Gifford, and Cromwell’s scholars at Cambridge. News of the

Emperor’s movements. Information concerning the Praemunire.

Cf. Letter 13.

... eyen three monethis in Chaunserye, howbeit yo_ur_ grace shalbe so

prouydyd for that ye shalbe owt of all dowtt_es_ for all the kyng_es_

offycers in the meane Season. I most humblye beseche yo_ur_ grace to be

good lorde vnto my poore kynsman Docto_ur_ Karbott and let hym haue

su_m_ lytyll offyce vnder yo_ur_ grace. I dowt not thoughe he be Sumwhat

Symple in Aparence yet he shall discharge hymself yf ye put hym in trust

and A lityll auctoryte. I beseche yo_ur_ grace [a]lso to be good lorde

vnto yo_ur_ Seru_au_nt Nych_ola_s Gyfforde ... when Anything shall

happen to Fall which may do ‹him› good to Remembre hym for my sake

yo_ur_ grace shall [fin]de hym in myn oppynyon thoughe he be yong and

[some]what wylde[773], on disspossyd bothe to trewthe [hone]ste and

hardynes, and he ‹is one› that wyll loue yow [with] all his harte. yf

any thing Falle I beseche yo_ur_ grace [to re]membre my scolers in

Cambryge and bothe they [and I sha]ll pray to o_ur_ lord Jh_es_u Crist

to preserue [you] in long lyff good helth w_i_t_h_ Increase of [honour.

Th]emperour wyl be at Colayn In the Feaste of ... w_i_t_h_owt Faylle the

P_ar_lyment ys prorogyd [vntil the] vi daye of January. The prelatt_es_

shalnot appere [in the] premunire. Ther ys Another way deuysyd in [place

thereof] as yo_ur_ grace shall Ferther know. the prync_es_ of [Almayne]

Can ne wyllnot Agree to emperowr and [I bese]che the holy trynyte

preserue yo_ur_ grace ... [in] quyetnes and Contentacyon I beseche

yo_ur_ ... for this l_ette_re ... Wrytyn for lake of ... [in] hast the

xxi of octobre

20. CROMWELL TO MR. BOROUGH.

R.O. Cal. iv. 6800 (i). ‹Dec. 1530.›

Desires to know if Borough wishes to buy a friend’s horse,

which certain Frenchmen are anxious to purchase.

Mr. Borough in my most hartie wise I co_m_mende me vnto you And so yt ys

that my frende Mr. So_m_mer may at this tyme sell his horse right well

and proffutablye but forasmoche as he before this hath promised you that

ye shall refuse him before any other he hathe desyred me to know yo_ur_

mynde So that yf ye will not medell he may do his best. for there be

certeyn Frensshe men which moche desyreth to haue the saide horse

Wherefore I hartely pray you that I may know yo_ur_ mynde by this berer

in wrytyng what ye will do And this[774] hartely fare ye well At London

this p_re_sent Saterdaye.

Assurydlye your frende.

THOMAS CRUMWELL.

_Add._ To the right worshipfull Mr. Henry Borough be this yeuen.

21. ‹CROMWELL› TO STEPHEN VAUGHAN.

B.M. Galba B. x, 338; Cal. v. 248. ‹May, 1531.›

An account of the reception of William Tyndale’s book, _The

Answer_, by Henry VIII., and of his anger at the opinions it

advanced. Cromwell urges Vaughan to cease advocating

Tyndale’s cause, and to request Frith to abandon him[775].

Stephen Vaughan I co_m_mende me vnto you And haue receyued your

l_ette_res dated at Andwerpe the xviii^{th} day of Aprell w_i_t_h_ also

that parte of Tyndall_es_ boke _Sewed and_ inclosed in lether which ye

w_i_t_h_ yo_ur_ l_ette_res directed to the king_es_ highnes After the

recept whereof I dyd repayre vnto the courte and there presented the

same vnto his royall maiestee who _after the recept thereof_ made me

answer for that tyme that his highnes at oportun leyso_ur_ wolde vysite

ouersee and rede the content_es_ aswell of you[r] l_ette_res as also the

saide boke And at my next repayre thither it pleased his highnes to

call for me declaring vnto me aswell the content_es_ of yo_ur_

l_ette_res as also moche of the matier conteyned in the saide boke of

Tyndall_es_. And albeit that I might well perceyue that his maiestee was

right well pleased and right acceptablie considered your diligence and

payn[es] taken in the wryting and sending of the saide boke as also in

the p_er_swading and exhorting of Tyndall to repayre int[o] this realme

_in the accomplisshement of his high pleasure and comaundement yet I

might coniecture by the ferther declaracyon of his high pleasure Which

sayed vnto me that by your wryting it manyfestlie appered how moche_

{yet his highnes nothyng lyked the sayd boke being fyllyd w_i_t_h_

Scedycyous Slaunderous lyes and Fantastycall oppynyon‹s› Shewing therin

nether lernyng nor trewthe and ferther Co_m_munyng w_i_t_h_ his grace I

mygh‹t› well coniect that he though‹t› that ye bare moche} affection

_and zele ye bere_ toward_es_ the saide Tyndall whom in his maners

_modestie and Symplycytee_ {& knowlage in woordlye thing_es_} ye

vndoubtedlie {in yo_ur_ l_ette_res} do moche _more_ allowe and

co_m_mende _then his_ {whos} work_es being so replete w_i_t_h _lyes and

most_ {_then the warke of hit Self is able to deserue_} {being replete

w_i_t_h_ so} abhomynable Sclaunders {& lyes} Imagened and {onlye} fayned

to infecte _and intoxicate_ {_as it semythe_} the peopull _may to

indyfferent Judgement declarethe him, for the which your fauours

Supposed to be born to the saide Tyndall (who assuredlie sheweth himself

in myn opynyon rather to be replete w_i_t_h _venymous envye rancour and

malice then w_i_t_h _any good lerning vertue knowlage or discression)

hathe put the kinges highnes in suspectyon of you considering_ {dothe

declare hym bothe to lake grace vertue lernyng discrecyon and all other

good qualytes [n]othing [e]ll_es_ p_re_tending in all his work_es_ but

[to] seduce [and d]yssayve} that _ye should_ {ye} in such wise {by

yo_ur_ l_ette_res} _lene vnto and fau_our _the evill doctryne of so

peruerse and malycyous a person and so moche prayse him_ {prayse

Setforth and avaunse hym} {_bothe to lake lernyng_} {to be envyous and

to lake lernyng gra[ce]} {_vertue and all good discrecyon_} _who

nothing_ {_whiche nothing ell_es} {pretendyth[776]} _goeth about or

pretendeth_ but[776] _onelie to Seduce deceyue and disquiet the people

and comenwelth of this realme Whose_ {_Repayre thether ys to be estuyd_}

_cummyng into Englonde the king_es _highnes can right well forbere and_

{and sowe sedycyon among the peopull of this realme. The king_es_

highnes therfor} hathe co_m_maunded me _exp_re_ssely to wryte vnto you_

{to adu_er_tyse you that is plesure ys} that ye should desiste and leve

any ferther to persuade or attempte _him thereunto_ {the sayd tyndalle

to Com into this realme} alledging that _his maieste so euydentlie_ {he}

p_er_ceyuing the malycyous perverse vncharytable {and Indurate} mynde

_and disposicyon of the saide Tyndall is rather veray glad that he is

out of his Realme then_,[777] {_Joyous to haue his realme destytute_}

... {of the sayd Tyndalle ys in man_er_ w_i_t_h_owt hope of

reconsylyacyon in hym and ys veray Joyous to haue his Realme destytute

of Such a person for hys highnes right prudentlye consyderyth} if he

were present by all lykelohod he wold shortelie (which god defende) do

as moche as in him were to infecte and corrup[t] the hole realme {_which

now ys so Indurate_} to the grete inquietacyon and hurte of the

co_m_menwelth of the same. Wherfore {Stephen} I hertelie pray you _that

fromhensfourth_ in all your doing_es and_ proceding_es_ and wryting to

the king_es_ highnes ye do iustely trewlie and vnfaynedlie _shew yo_ur

_self to be no Fauto_ur _vnto the saide_ {w_i_t_h_out dyssymulacyon Shew

your self his trew louyng and obedyent Subiect beryng no mann_er_

Fauo_ur_ loue or affeccyon to the sayd} Tyndale ne to his wo_ur_k_es_ in

any man_er_ of wise but _rather_ vtterlie to contempne and abhorre the

same assuring you that {in so} doing _the contrary_ ye shall not

oneli[e] cause the king_es highnes_ royall Maieste whose _highnes_

goodnes at this tyme is so benignelie and gracyouslie mynded toward_es_

you ([778]_as by your good dyligence and industrie to b_[_e_] _vsed to

serue his highnes and extewing and avoyding_ [_to_] _favour and allow

the saide Tyndale his erronyous workes and opynyons_) _ye are like

shortelie to atteyne_ ([779]_So to prouyde for you So to aduise you_ So

to Sett you forwardes as all yo_ur_ louers & frend_es_ shall haue gret

consolacyon _in you_ of the same [_b_]_oth welth honestie and promocyon

at his gracyous handes to the singuler ioy pleasure and comforte of all

yo_ur _Frend_es) and by the contrarie _to_ {doing ye shall} acquire the

indignacyon of god _and_ displeasure of yo_ur_ Sou_er_eigne lorde and by

the same _compell_ {cause} yo_ur_ good Frend_es_ which haue ben euer

glad prone and redie to _adu_au_nce_ {bryng} you _vnto the_ {into his

gracyous} favours _of yo_ur _prynce_ to lamente and sorow that their

sute in that behalf should {be frustrate and} not {to} take effecte

according to their good intent and purpose, hauing therefore firme

trust that for the {_Feare ye haue in god obedyens to yo_ur _souerayn

lord_} loue ye owe to yo_ur_ self _me_ and _other_ yo_ur_ Frend_es_ ye

_wilbe_ will beware _from hensfourth_ {and estew} to enter into any

_such_ opynyons {_or to the prayse of any such p_er_son_} whereby any

sclaunder dishonestie _or_ daungier {or Susspycyon} might insue

toward_es_ you whereof I promyse you I wold be as sorie as yo_ur good_

{natural} father.

As touching Frith mencyoned in yo_ur_ saide l_ette_res the king_es_

highnes heryng tell of his towardenes in good l_ette_res and lernyng

doth _Regrete and_ {moche} lament that he should in such wise as he doth

Set fourth Shew and applye his lerning and doctrine in the semynacyon

and sowing such euill seed_es_ of dampnable and detestable heresies

mayntening bolstring and adu_au_ncyng the venemous and pestyferous

wo_ur_kes erronyous and sedycyous opynyons of the saide Tyndale and

other Wherein his highnes _as_ {lyke} a most vertuous and benigne

pr[ince] and gou_er_no_ur_ hauing charge _commytted vnto him_ of his

people and Subiect_es_ {&} being {veraye} sorie to here tell that any of

the same should in suche wise Ronne hedling and digresse from th[e]

lawes _and p_re_cept_es {_and holsom doctryns_} of almightie god {_and

holye Fathers_} {and most holsom} _into suche dampnable_ {and most

holsom doctryne of holye Fathers into suche dampnable} heresies and

sedycyous opynyons _and_ being eu_er_ inclyned willi[ng] and gretelie

desirous to forse and prouyde for the same {& moche desyryng the

reconsylyacyon of the sayd Fryth} _and also_ fermelie trusting that _the

said Frith_ {he} be not so far as yet inrouted in the evill doctryne of

the saide Tind[all] {& oder} but that by the grace of god louyng

charitable and frend[lie] exhortac_i_ons and adu_er_tisement_es_ of good

people he may be _revoked and_ called agayne to the ryght way _wylleth_

{hath therefore} _and desireth you_ {wyllyd} {_and Co_m_maundyd_} {me to

wryte vnto yow that ye} accordyng to his trust and expectacyon {will}

w_i_t_h_ yo_ur_ frendelie persuasions admonycyons and holsome

exhortac_i_ons _to_ counsaill and aduyse the said Fryth if ye may

conuenientlie speke w_i_t_h_ the same to lev[e] his wilfull opynyons and

like a good Christien to reto_ur_ne _vnto o_ur _Saueour Christe and

also_ into his natif cuntrey _So that by his proceding_es _as he

begynneth there be no m_[_ore_] [_se_]_dycyous infections and heresies

sowed amongst the kinges peopull_ {wher he assurydly shall Fynde the

kyng_es_ highnes most m_er_cyffull and benygnlye vppon his conversyon

disposyd _toward_es _hym_ to accept hym to his grace & m_er_cye}

Wherefore eftesoones I _hertelie pray you and_ {exhort you} for the loue

of god _do_ not onelie _exhorte you_ vtterlie to forsake leve and

w_i_t_h_draw yo_ur_ affectyon from the saide Tyndale and all his secte

but also as moch as ye can poletiquelie and charytablie to allure all

{the said Fryth and other} suche p_er_sons _as ben_ {being in thes

p_ar_tyes which in any wyse ye shall know or suppose to be} Fautours and

assistent_es_ to the same from all their erronyous mynd_es_ and

opynyons. In which doing ye shall not onelie highlie merite _of_ {in}

Almightie god but also deserue high thank_es_ of the king_es_ royall

maiestee who will not forgett yo_ur_ deuoyrs and labours in that behalf

So that his maiestee may {evydentlye} p_er_ceyue that ye effectuallie

{do} intende the same.

And as touching yo_ur_ diligent adu_er_tisement vnto the king_es_

highnes of the nombre of Shippes arryued w_i_t_h_ corne and grayn in

those p_ar_ties he hathe co_m_maunded me on his behalf to gyue vnto you

condigne thank_es_ for the same And being moche desirous to know and

atteyne the trewth of that matier his grace hathe co_m_maunded me to

wryte vnto you that by all good dexteritee polycie and meanes ye should

indeuoyr yo_ur_self to atteyne to the knowlege of the Maisters,

s_er_u_au_ntes owners or other that made sale of the saide grayn brought

thither to thintent that by thexamynacyon of som his highnes might haue

knowlege of the rest and that ye shall w_i_t_h_ all diligence aduertise

h[is] highnes of their names, and in likewise of such other newes

concerning themperours affayreses the discending of the turke into

Germanye the preparacyons ayenst him the gifte of money in the low

countreys to themp_er_o_ur_ the abyding of themperour in the low

p_ar_ties the agremen[t] bytwen him and the prynces of Germanye as ye

sha[ll] here by m_er_chaunt_es_ or otherwise most certeynlie to

acertey[n] his grace by yo_ur_ l_ette_res w_i_t_h_ as moch dyligence as

ye can. Prayeng you therefore substauncyallie and circumspect[lye] to

indeuo_ur_ yo_ur_self to serue the king_es_ highnes herein effectuallie

So that yo_ur_ towardenes good mynde duet[ie] of allegiaunce and seruice

toward_es_ his royall maiest[ie] may be apparaunt and notoryous vnto the

same. Which I doubt not shalbe to yo_ur_ singuler proffite and

aduauncement.

22. ‹CROMWELL› TO MR. STRETE.

R.O. Cal. v. 277. ‹May, 1531.›

Encloses a commission to survey the lands of the bishopric

of Coventry and Lichfield, and to receive the rents for the

King, and orders to cease collecting rents in Chester. Cf.

Letter 43.

Mr. Strete after most hertie co_m_mendac_i_ons these shalbe to

adu_er_tise you that by the berers hereof ye shall receyue the king_es_

comission and warraunte yeuyng you auctoryte to S_ur_uey the lond_es_ of

the bisshopriche of Couentre and Lichfeld and to receyue the rent_es_

and p_ro_fites of the same to the king_es_ vse. And also ye shall

receyue his gra_ci_ous l_ette_res directed to the Eschetor of the

Countie palentyne of Chester vppon the sight whereof I doubte not but he

will not onelie Surcease to medle any Ferther w_i_t_h_ the receipt of

any rentes there but also in case he haue receyued any, will repay the

same vnto yo_ur_ hand_es_ accordinglie. Not dowbting but ye will

diligentlie effectuallie and trewly put in execuc_i_on the teano_ur_ and

effecte of yo_ur_ saide Co_m_myssion in suche wise as shalbe most for

your honestie & to the Kinges most p_ro_fite and adu_a_untage. And for

yo_ur_ paynes and diligence alredy taken and susteyned aboute his

affayres there his highnes hathe co_m_m_a_unded me to yeve vnto you his

most hertie thankes. And trustith that ye will so indeuo_ur_ yo_ur_ self

in the receipt of the said rent_es_ and reuenues as before the feaste of

the Natyuyte of Saynt John Baptist next ye will bryng or send vp the

hole half-yeres rent or the most p_ar_te of the same and that ye will

have good awayte and regarde to his hauk_es_ in the Cauke there wherein

ye shall do and admynister vnto his highnes right good and acceptable

s_er_uyce.

And as touching the Catell at the pryorie of Calliche the king_es_

grac_i_ous pleasure is that ye shall suffer the berers hereof named

Fyndern and Curson to haue the p_re_ferrement in the byeng of the same

vppon suche reasonable prises as they may conuenyently lyve on taking of

them som money in hande and such sufficient bonde and suertie for the

residue as the king may be trewly answered of the same. And so Fare ye

well &c.

Your mastership.

23. CROMWELL TO ‹GARDINER›.

B.M. Vesp. F. xiii, f. 154; Cal. v. 302. June 18 ‹1531›.

Requests him to examine and correct the enclosed ‘Mynewte’

before presenting it to the King. Excuses himself for not

coming in person.

Right honerable after due reco_m_mendac_i_ons may it please the same to

be adu_er_tysed that I haue sent herein Inclosed the Mynewte with your

Instruccions Beseching you to Survey the same and if ye shall fynde any

erroure to order and correcte hit according to your wysdo_m_me and

goodnes or eu_er_ ye shall p_re_sente the sight thereof vnto the

King_es_ highnes which ons do_n_ne and his highe pleasure knowne I shall

w_i_t_h_ dylygence cause it to be engrossed and sent I wold myself haue

co_m_myn therew_i_t_h_ if other of the King_es_ Busines had not Lettid

me, Beseching you to make myne excuse and to depeche this Berar And this

the holy trenyte p_re_serue you in Long lief & good helth w_i_t_h_

thencrease of muche hono_ur_ at London this xviij day of June.

Yours most bounden

THOMAS CRUMWELL.

24. ‹CROMWELL› TO ----.

R.O. Cal. v. 458 (i). Oct. 1 ‹1531›.

Requests, on the King’s behalf, the preferment of Thomas

Beryer, warden of the Grey Friars of Blois, to be warden of

the Grey Friars of Paris.

Right worshypffull after most hertye co_m_mendacyons this shalbe to

adu_er_tyse you that the king_es_ plesure ys that ye on his gracyous

behalf shall effectuallye move the Frenche kynge for[780] the

p_re_ff_er_ment of on Frere Thomas Beryer which ys now gardyen of the

grey Freers of Bloyse so that he at the co_n_templacyon of his highnes

may be now elect to be gardyen of the grey Freers in parys for

assurydlye his highnes desyrethe moche the adu_a_uncement of the sayd

Freer and wooll that ye in most effectuous wyse do solycyt the same vnto

‹the› Frenche king_es_[781] requyryng the same on the his[782] graces

behalf to move the gen_e_rall of the sayd relygyon now being at parys in

the effectuall prefferment of the aboue sayde Freer and that ye Fayle

not therof the kynges highnes requirythe yow. His Highnes also woll that

ye shall moue the gret maister in that behalf For I assure you his

maiestye moche tenderyth the adu_a_un_ce_ment & p_re_fferment of this

Freer and thus hertelye Fare ye well.

At london the Fyrst daye of octobre.

25. ‹CROMWELL› TO MR. HERON.

R.O. Cal. v. 458 (ii). Oct. 3 ‹1531›.

Advises him to permit the bearer, Richard Johnson, to retain

the farm granted him by Heron’s parents, as Heron’s interest

in it comes from the King.

Maister Heron in my right[783] hertye wyse I co_m_mende ‹me› vnto youe

and so it is that this berer whos name is Rychard Johnson hathe

Supplyed[784] vnto the kyng_es_ highnes alledgyng that he being

possessyd of a certayn Ferme being p_ar_cell of the manno_u_r of Highe

Hall[785] of the dymyse and graunte aswell of yo_ur_ Father as also

of[786] yo_ur_ mother late disceasyd whose sowlys o_ur_ lord pardon owt

of the which as he affermyth ye wooll expel hym Syr my aduyse shalbe

that ye according to Justyce do Suffr the sayd Johnson to occupye his

Ferme, consyderyng that yo_ur_ Interest In the same C_u_mmyth of the

kyng_es_ graunt for assurydlye his grace wyll thinke straunge yf ye

sholde expell his s_er_u_au_nt hauyng a lawfful grante aswell of yo_ur_

Father as mother[787] as he affermyth. Wherffor methinkyth ye shall do

well to let hym occupye his Ferme w_i_t_h_owt yo_u_r Interrupcyon, he

paying For the same as to right appartaynyth For I woolde ye sholde not

be notyd extreme in your p_ro_ceeding_es_ and specyallye agaynst yo_ur_

Felowes the Kyng_es_ s_er_u_a_unttes and thus hertelye Fare ye well at

london the thyrde daye of Octobre

26. ‹CROMWELL› TO ----.

R.O. Cal. v. 458 (ii). ‹Oct. 1531.›

Advises him not to receive any of the King’s ‘courser men’

in his monastery.

My lord aftr right hertye reco_m_mendacyons this shalbe to C_er_tiffye

yow of the receipt of yo_ur_ l_ette_re and being veray Sorye of

molestacyon doo aduyse yow not to suffr anye of the kyng_es_ Courser men

to lye w_i_t_h_ yow. For yo_ur_ monasterye vndowtydlye ys moche to small

to Resayue the king_es_ Coursers.

27. ‹CROMWELL› TO ‹SIR RALPH ELLERCAR›.

R.O. Cal. v. 671. ‹1531.›

Thanks him for advice concerning a bargain that Cromwell is

about to make for the manor of Belthrop in Yorkshire.

Woorshipfull S_i_r in my most hertye manner I co_m_mend me vnto yow and

In the same wise thanke yow for yo_ur_ good and kynd chere made vnto my

s_er_u_a_unt which that of late was w_i_t_h_ yow[788] my Sayd S_er_uaunt

Informyd yow how that I hadde concludyd a bargayn with John Ardren of

and For the Mano_u_r of Belthrop and ye then aduysyd my said Seru_a_unt

to Adu_er_tyse me Substancyallye to loke vppon the sayd bargayn which

aduertysment hath Sumwhat put me in dowt wherfor Syr I hertelye desyre

and also pray yow that yff ye know anye manner dowt ambygwyte or Any

acte done by the sayd John Ardren or anye other Wherby I myght Sustayn

Any manner displeasure danger or losse conc_er_nyng the sayd Manno_ur_

or the purchasing of the same that I may be certeffye‹d› by this berer

in evere poynt concernyng the same as my specyall trust is in yow and ye

so doing shall bynd me

* * * * *

_The letter ends abruptly here, the bottom of the sheet being cut off._

On the dorse is the draft of part of a letter from the King

concerning an intended invasion from Scotland by the Duke of

Albany, aided by the King of France.

28. ‹CROMWELL› TO ‹GARDINER›.

R.O. Cal. v. 723. ‹Jan. 1532.›

Sends news of the first reading of the Bill of Annates in

the Lords. Has asked for money for Gardiner from the King,

who grieves at Gardiner’s absence.

My lorde after myn humble and most hertie reco_m_mendac_i_ons these

shalbe to adu_er_tise yo_ur_ lordeship how that I haue receyued your

gentill l_ette_re to me dely_ue_red by thandes of Mr. Wrythesley And

whereas I do p_er_ceyue by my kynnesman this berer that ye moche desire

to here newes from hens I assure you that here be non but such as

vndoubtedlie by a multytude of yo_ur_ Frend_es_ (which are Farre more

secret and nerer the knowlege of the same then I am) be to yo_ur_

lordeship all redie related and knowen but yet to adu_er_tise of som

parte that I know, as thys day was Redd in the higher house a bill

touching the Annates of busshopriches fo_r_ what ende or effecte it will

succede suerlie I know not. And as yesterday because I knew yo_ur_

lordeship not to be Furnisshed of all thing_es_ necessarie for yo_ur_

being there I moued the King_es_ highnes aswell for money to be defrayed

in and about_es_ the furnyture of yo_ur_ purpose and affayres as also

for yo_ur_ Reto_ur_ne hither sayeng that vppon myn owne coniecture

yo_ur_ lordeship was wery of being there whereunto his highness

answered me that you were not so wery of yo_ur_ being there but he was

as sorie Sayeng by these word_es_ exp_re_sselie. (His absence is the

lacke of my right hand for I am now so moche pestred w_i_t_h_ busynes

and haue nobodie to rydde ne depeche the same) So that yo_ur_ lordeship

may well know that yo_ur_ absence is not to you so moche paynefull and

greuous as yo_ur_ p_re_sence here should be pleasaunt and comfortable to

the King_es_ highnes and all other yo_ur_ poure Frend_es_ beseching

therefore yo_ur_ lordeship to Fynde som meanes on yo_ur_ p_ar_te as

moche as in you is that yo_ur_ Reto_ur_ne hither may be shortelie which

is long loked and wisshed for As o_ur_ lorde knoweth etc.

_Endd._ A mynute of my mr.’s le_tt_re.

29. ‹CROMWELL› TO HENRY VIII.

R.O. Cal. v. 1055. ‹May, 1532.›

Has had the news from Ratisbon translated into English. The

English ambassadors are going to meet those of the Emperor

at Dunkirk.

May hit please yo_ur_ most r_o_yall magestye to be adu_er_tysyd that of

suche news as hathe Cum from Ratyspone I haue causyd the same to be

translatyd owt of Italyon into Inglysshe and according to yo_ur_ high

co_m_mawndment to me youyn yesterdaye haue Inclosyd them in this my

l_ette_re, wherby yo_ur_ highnes shall and may woll p_er_sayue of what

Importaunce they be of. I haue also resayuyd a l_ette_re from Stephyn

Vawhan which ys of no gret weight but that he wrytythe that yo_ur_

gracyous ambasadours do now repayre to the emperours ambassadours to

Dunkyrke affermyng them to be Suffycyentlye Furnysshyd to answer all

thing_es_ layd by the co_n_trarye parte and nothing dowtyth but that

they shall haue veray gud Successe in all yo_ur_ gracyous affayres and

thys o_ur_ lord Jesu Crist preserue and continew the most Royall estate

of yo_ur_ most Ryoyall magestye in long lyffe & good helthe

30. ‹CROMWELL› TO HENRY VIII.

R.O. Cal. v. 1092. June 13 ‹1532›.

Sends the book that the Friar Carmelite brought him. Cannot

yet inform the King of the conclusion of Ap Howell’s matter.

News from Rome that the Turk is to invade Italy with a great

army.

Pleasythit yo_ur_ most Royall mageste to be adu_er_tysyd how the Freer

carmelyte browght vnto me this mornyng a boke willing me on yo_ur_

gracyous behalf w_i_t_h_ all spede to send the same vnto yo_ur_ highnes.

Which I haue done accordinglye I cannot yet certeffye yo_u_r grace

touching the Conclusyon of Jamys Gyrffyth ap Howell_es_ matyer for

asmoche as yet I haue not spokyn w_i_t_h_ mayster Thesaurer of yo_u_r

most honorable howshold who vndowtydly this daye wilbe at Westm. Strange

news haue arryuyd here aswell from Rome as Venyse of the turk_es_

Repayre vnto and toward_es_ Italye w_i_t_h_ a m_er_velous puisauntt

Armye what shalbe the Successe thereof o_ur_ lorde knoweth it ys

Suppossyd that gret afflyccyon will Insew not onelye to the pope & the

See of Rome but also to the emprour and his conffederatt_es_ wherfor it

may please the holye trynytie in whos Inffinyte goodnes power & wyll

Restyth the the[789] order and traunquylyte of all thing_es_ to bryng

peax good oppynyon and quyetacyo_n_ amongyst Cristen pryncys and eu_e_r

conserue preserue & kepe yo_ur_ highnes in long lyff good helthe

w_i_t_h_ quyetacyon of yo_ur_ most vertuous most noble and most

charytable mynde At london the xiii^{th} of June

31. ‹CROMWELL› TO THE MAYOR OF HAVERFORD WEST.

R.O. Cal. v. 1106. June 19, 1532.

Notifies him that Sir William Wolff is discharged of his

appearance before the council.

Master Maier I hartely recommende me vnto you And where for Certaine

causes ye toke bounde of Sir Will_ia_m Wolff clerke somtyme chapplaine

vnto Rice app Griff. Esquier disceased and of other suert[ies] with him

by recognisaunce that the saide S_ir_ Will_ia_m shoulde k[epe] his

personall apparaunce here in the Sterre chamber before the king_es_ most

hono_ur_able counsaiell there for certayne causes to him to be obiecte

on the king_es_ behaulf in this p_re_sent Terme as in the Condicion of

the same Recognisaunce is comprisid. I doo you to vnderstonde that the

saide S_ir_ Will_ia_m Wolff is clearly dischargyd of his saide

apparaunce byfore the saide counsaill wherefore I praie you to cause the

saide Recognisaunce withe the condicion [to be] made frustrate and Void.

And thus Jhu kepe you writen the xix^{th} daie of June at London in the

xxiiii yere of the Reigne of oure Sou_e_raien Lorde the Kinge Henry the

Eight.

_Add._ To Maister maier of Harfford Weste this be deliu_er_ed.

32. ‹CROMWELL› TO MR. ROWLAND.

R.O. Cal. v. 1185 (i). July 19 ‹1532›.

The King desires him to pay the bearer £5, to the use of the

dean and canons of his college at Oxford, for the annual

portion of his parsonage of Garsington, due to the late

suppressed monastery of Wallingford.

Maister Rowland after my herty co_m_mendac_i_ons this shalbe to

adu_er_tyse you that hitt is the king_es_ grac_es_ pleissuire and

co_m_maundeme_n_t that ye shall paye i_m_mediately after the sight off

theis my letters to the hand_es_ off Maister Herry Williams beyrrer

heiroff Fyve pownd_es_ off good and lawfull money off Englonde to the

behoiffe off the deanne and Canons off his grac_es_ Colledge in oxford

now lately erected. The whiche saide su_m_me off Fyve pownd_es_ was deue

to haue byn payed by yow att the Feiste off sayntte Michell tharchangell

laste paste For thannuall porcio_n_ goyng owtt off yo_u_r p_ar_sonage

off Garsinto_n_ vnto the late suppressed priore off Wallingford. And

theis my letters shalbe vnto yow a suffici_en_t warrauntt & acquyttaunce

For the paym_en_t off the Forsaide Fyve pownd_es_. Faill you nott thys

to doo as ye tendre the king_es_ pleissuire and thus Faire ye well. In

haist From london the xix^{th} daye off July.

33. ‹CROMWELL› TO ----.

R.O. Cal. v. 1184. July 19 ‹1532›.

Recommends Robert Hogan, the King’s chief cook.

Right worshipfull after moost hartie Reco_m_mendacions thiese shalbe to

aduertise you that my louynge felowe and freende Robert Hogan Maister

Coke to our sou_er_aigne Lorde the King_es_ grace hathe obteyned lycence

of his grace to repaire into your p_ar_ties for suche his Affaires and

busynes as he hath there to do. Whom I hartelie desire you to

entreteigne and accepte in makinge and showinge vnto hym suche freendlie

and louynge Chere and other pleasures for my sake, as ye wolde to me, yf

I were there with you presente And in so doynge ye shall mynystre unto

me a right singler good pleasure, not to be forgoten in tyme co_m_mynge

in suche your Requestes and Affayres as ye shall haue here to do by the

grace of god who euer kepe you. Att London the xix^{th} Daie of July.

34. ‹CROMWELL› TO ----.

R.O. Cal. v. 1185 (ii). July 20 ‹1532›.

Requests him to grant the farm of Myxberye in Oxfordshire to

John Welsborne, one of the gentlemen of the King’s privy

chamber.

My lorde after most hertye reco_m_mendacyons this shalbe to desyre and

hertelye praye ‹you› to be so good at my poore Instaunce and request to

graunte the Ferme of Myxberye vnto my veraye Frend and Felow Mr. John

Welsborne on_e_ of the gentylmen of the Kynges preueye chaumbre in doing

wherof besyd_es_ the good wyll ye shall obteyn of hym ye shalbynde me to

‹do› yow suche poore pleasures as shall lye in my lytyll power as

knowyth o_ur_ lorde who eu_er_ p_re_serue yo_ur_ lordship wrytyn at

londen the xx^{th} daye of July

35. ‹CROMWELL› TO THE LORD ‹CHIEF JUSTICE FITZ-JAMES›.

R.O. Cal. v. 1340. Sept. 24 ‹1532›.

The King has directed his letters for the election to the

abbacy of Bruton in Somersetshire of that person whom Lord

Lisle and Fitz-James have recommended. Fitz-James may

postpone the election for the trial of the King’s title if

he sees fit.

My lorde after most hertie co_m_menda_ci_ons these shalbe to adu_er_tise

yo_ur_ lordeship how that I haue receyued yo_ur_ l_ette_res and

according to the contents of the same moued the King_es_ highnes

concerning thelection of the Abbote of Bruton And like as I wrote vnto

yo_ur_ lordeship in my last l_ette_res that ye should stay the saide

election vntill the King_es_ title might be tryed So his high pleasure

is that ye shall do if ye see good matier to bere it. Neu_er_theles his

highnes at the sute of my lorde Lisle Supposing that he and you do both

sue for the adu_a_uncement of one p_er_son to be Abbot of Bruton forsaid

as my lorde playnlye affermyd to his grace hathe theruppon directed his

grac_i_ous l_ette_res for that purpose whiche notw_i_t_h_standing his

high pleasure is yf ye se cause that ye shall stay thelection vppon the

tryall of his title, as is aforsaide And in case yo_u_r lordeship will

haue that p_er_son p_ro_moted for whom he hathe written his grace is

therew_i_t_h_ right well contented So that his highnes may ‹haue› me

remembryd Sumwhat, lyke as yo_u_r lor_de_shyp wrot vnto me in yo_u_r

last whyche he onelye Remyttythe to yo_ur_ wisedom and discrecyon for

his highnes p_er_fectlye trustith that ye will substauncyallie loke

thervnto, who woold as Fayne that ye were well neyhboryd as ye woold

yo_ur_self, my lord in this and all other that shall lye in my Lytill

power I shall allway_es_ do as I haue p_ro_mysyd and thus most hertelye

Fare ye well at london the xxiiii^{th} daye off Septembre

36. ‹CROMWELL› TO HENRY VIII.

R.O. Cal. v. 1298. ‹September, 1532.›

Reports the making of patterns for the King’s collar, and

the accounts of the King’s jewels. Edmund Knightley has been

committed to the Fleet for contempt of the King and his

laws.

Please it yo_ur_ highnes to be adu_er_tised that according to yo_ur_

grac_i_ous co_m_maundement I haue caused patrons to be drawen after

yo_ur_ grac_es_ Deuyse albeit I haue wyllyd yo_ur_ goldsmyth not to

p_ro_cede to the making of any thing In p_er_ffeccyon vntill yo_ur_

grac_i_ous pleasure shalbe Ferther knowen for the which purpose both he

and I shall repayre vnto yo_ur_ highnes on Saterday night or Sondaye in

the morning and to the Intent yo_ur_ grace may determyn yo_ur_ pleasure

I haue Sent by this berer the patron of yo_ur_ Coller of balasys and

Dyamond_es_ drawn according to yo_ur_ graces fyrst deuyse touching a

certen matier in varyaunce betwixt thexecutours of Sir[790] Will_ia_m

Spencer disceasyd and[791] my ladye spencer whereas informacion was made

vnto yo_ur_ highnes that grete Spoyle of the good_es_ of the saide

_Sir_[790] Will_ia_m Spencer was made by the saide executours and how

that the executo_ur_s wold haue put owt my ladye late the wyff of the

sayd Will_ia_m from the execucyon of the testament the matier hath ben

harde here before my lorde the kep_er_ of yo_ur_ grete seale S_ir_

Willya_m_ Poulet and me[792]. And as it appereth by thexamynacion as

well of the executors as by Edmond Knyghtley and Rychard his brother the

hole spoyle and eloyning[793] of the sayd goods & plate was made onely

by the sayd Edmond Knyghtley his brother Rychard and the sayd ladye

spencer thayr suster notw_i_t_h_stand_ing_ that ther was Agrement made

betwene the executors and the ladye spencer that she sholde entyr into

bargayn w_i_t_h_ yo_ur_ highnes and also into the execucyon of the

testament w_i_t_h_ them as an executrix which vndowtydly she hadde done

yf Edmond Knyghtle hadde not bene Which Edmonde Knightley hathe not

onelie trauayled asmoche as in him is to sett pyke betwene the sayd

ladye and the executors and to defeate yo_ur_ grace of yo_ur_ title to

the heire of the saide Spencer but also Justeffyed the same befor my

sayd lorde kep_er_ of _th_e gret Seale wher on the other partye it was

openlye p_ro_uyd that yo_ur_ grace hade good tytyll and all his

allegacyon vntrew yet neuertheles for the reducing of the same his

vntrew p_ur_pose to effecte and to the Intent to slaunder yo_ur_ gracys

tytill and others he hathe caused to be made certen proclamacions in

yo_ur_ Countyes of Warwyke leycest_er_ & Northampton in dyu_er_s of

yo_ur_ highnes Towns there to the high contempte of yo_ur_ grace and

yo_ur_ lawes For it hathe not ben seen nor herd that any Subiecte

w_i_t_h_in this Realme sholde presume to make p_ro_clamacion w_i_t_h_in

this yo_ur_ realme but onelie in yo_ur_ grac_es_ Name Wherefore for his

offenc_es_ and other contempt_es_ ayenst yo_ur_ highnes in that behalf

my lorde the kep_er_ of yo_ur_ grete ‹seal› takyng that matyer to be a

greuous offens ayenst yo_ur_ Crown & Imperyall magestye hathe

co_m_mytted the sayd Edmond Knyghtley to yo_ur_ pryson of the Flete

where he now remayneth vntyll yo_ur_ high plesure shalbe Ferther knowen

in that behalf. As touching the Cup of golde & Corporas Case I sent

yo_ur_ highnes woorde by Thomas Alvard the treuthe whereof this berer

Stevyn Vawhan can Informe yo_ur_ grace who hathe made p_er_fytte bokes

aswell of the sayd Cuppe & Corporas Case as also of all other yo_ur_

highnes Jewell_es_ now being in the hand_es_ of Cornelys to be orderyd

according to yo_ur_ grac_es_ plesure and thys the holye trynyte

p_re_serue yo_ur_ most royall estate of yo_ur_ most excellent magestye

37. ‹CROMWELL› TO THE ABBOT OF ST. EDMUNDS BURY.

R.O. Cal. v. 1573. Nov. 24 ‹1532›.

Desires the farm of Harlowberry, in Essex, near Honysdon.

Will do all he can for the monastery.

My lorde after my hartie man_er_ I com_m_ende me vnto you. Adu_er_tising

you that for dyu_er_se considerac_i_ons I am verray desirouse To haue

some house in essex nere vnto Honysdon. And forasmoche as yo_ur_

p_ar_sonage of Harlowebery shall shortly be in yo_ur_ Handes and

Letting, By Reason that the lease whiche Malery and his Wyff hathe is

nowe all moost expired, I shall desire and instantly pray you to lett

yo_ur_ said Farme of Harlowebury vnto me by lease for terme of lx yeres

for the same stokke Rent and Ferme that haithe byn of Olde tyme

accustumyd paid and p_er_ceyuyd for the same. In doing whereof ye shall

bynde me to do you and that yo_ur_ monastary suche pleasure as may ly in

my Lytell power, in tyme to com. And what shalbe your towarde mynde

herin I pray you to Adu_er_tise me in wrytyng by this berer my

serv_a_unt. And as for the yeres that malery and his wyff haithe yitt to

com ye shall vnderstaund that I haue Agred w_i_t_h_ theym for his lease

Thus fare ye hartely well from Elth_a_m, the xxiiii day of Nouembre.

_Add._ To my Lord Thabbot of Seynt Edmound_es_ Bury geve this.

38. ‹CROMWELL› TO ‹THE EARL OF NORTHUMBERLAND›.

R.O.; not in Cal. ‹Dec. 1532.›

Congratulates him on the success of his last raid against

the Scots, and assures him of the King’s favour. Urges him

to keep on his guard against a surprise.

After myn humble co_m_mendacions please it yo_ur_ lordeship to be

adu_er_tised that I haue receyued yo_ur_ l_ette_res the content_es_

wherof I haue right well p_er_ceyued And touching yo_ur_ prosperous

fortune and victorie in yo_ur_ last rode agenst your enemyes Shewing

therby yo_ur_ valiaunt courage glad hert and mynde to serue the King_es_

highnes and annoye his enemyes, I assure yo_ur_ lordeship there is no

man lyuyng gladder to here thereof then I am yo_ur_ poure Frende,

Wisshing to god that yo_ur_ lordeship did knowe and here as I do how

louynglie and acceptablie the King_es_ highnes doth Regarde and take the

same. which vndoubtedlie wold double the hardynes and courage of any man

lyuyng to do his grace s_er_uice. And because it is to be thought that

after this rode yo_ur_ enemyes the scottes will invente & studie to be

reuenged to yo_ur_ like annoyance or more if they can, my poure aduise

shalbe that by all the wayes meanes and polycies ye can, yo_ur_

lordeship do circumspectlie and w_i_t_h_ vigilant eye make such

espialles and watches and so in most poletique and warlyke Facion will

forsee studye and p_re_pare as in no wise by yo_ur_ saide enemyes ye be

preuented But rather that yo_ur_ lordeship as ye alredy haue begon will

so contynue endeuouring yo_ur_ self to greue and annoye yo_ur_ enemyes

by doing of such valiant act_es_ and exploytt_es_ to thincrease of

yo_ur_ high merite and worthie praise So as the Fame renowne and noble

victorie which yo_ur_ lordeship hathe now won and obteyned be in no wise

hurte blemisshed or defaced by any acte or exployte to be don hereafter

for lacke of good forsight or p_re_uencyon Thus I am bolde to gyue your

lordeship my poure frendely aduise beseching the same to excuse my

boldenes and to thinke I do it onelie for that I bere unto yo_ur_

lordeship my hertie good mynde and will And no man more gladder then I

to here tell of any thing which should sounde to yo_ur_ lordeshippes

good Fame and hono_ur_, the increase and augmentacion whereof I doubt

not but yo_ur_ lordeship will contynew to p_ro_cure w_i_t_h_ no lesse

diligent propence glad hert and mynde to serue the king in his affairees

there then as ye haue begon to the vtter grief displeasure and

annoyaunce of yo_ur_ enemyes wherein I beseche o_ur_ lorde to sende you

as p_ro_sperous fortune and good successe as yo_ur_ noble and valyaunt

herte could wisshe or desire At london etc

_Endd._ mynute of a l_ette_re

39. ‹CROMWELL› TO THE ABBOT OF BURY.

R.O. Cal. v. 1719. ‹1532.›

Regrets to hear that he has detained several workmen in his

district, in spite of the King’s need of them in London.

Urges him to send them up at once.

My lorde after all dew reco_m_mendacyons this shalbe to adu_er_tise

yo_ur_ lordshyp how that I and other hauyng charge aswell of the

Kyng_es_ Bulding_es_ at his Towre of london as also at Westm. haue bene

for lakke of masons Carpenters and other woorkmen compellyd to sende in

to all the plases of this Realme For p_ro_uysyon of the same by the

king_es_ co_m_myssyon and albeit that the king_es_ mesenger by the

auctoryte of his Co_m_myssyon hathe repayryd into dyuers p_ar_tyes of

Suffolke ther to execute the same and also to Burrye Saynt Edmond_es_

and therabowtt For to haue taken and prestyd masons For the

accomplyshment of the kyng_es_ sayd woork_es_ ye lytell Regarding the

kyng_es_ auctoryte and Co_m_myssyon have stayed dyuers masons and

woorkmen abowte yow wherof I do moche m_er_vayle my lorde I woolde be

loth and also veraye sorye the the[794] kyng_es_ highnes sholde be

Informyd of yo_ur_ demeanure in that behalf For I dowt not though

p_er_aduenture his highnes woolde esteme yow to be Abbot of his

Monasterye of Burye, yet he woolde not forget that he ys yo_ur_ kyng and

sou_er_ayng lorde, who p_er_case might thinke sum vnkyndenes and also

p_re_sumpcyon in yow so to handell hym or his auctoryte w_i_t_h_in his

owne Realme Wherffor my lorde I thinke it shalbe well done in aduoyding

Further busynes to sende vpp those masons and not to Contend w_i_t_h_

yo_ur_ prynce ne w_i_t_h_ his auctoryte I beseche yo_ur_ lordshyp to

p_ar_don my playne wrytyng For assurydlye I woolde be veray lothe that

the king_es_ highnes sholde haue Anye occasyon to thinke anye vnkyndnes

or disobedyence in yow and thus the holye trynyte p_re_serue yo_ur_

lordshyp in long lyffe and good helthe

40. ‹CROMWELL› TO ‹THE BISHOP OF ELY›.

R.O. Cal. vi. 312. April 6 ‹1533›.

The King desires his presence at the next session of the

Council, if his health will permit. Recommends the bearer

Mr. Jones.

My specyall good lord after my most humble reco_m_mendacyons ‹it› may

please the same to be adu_er_tysyd how that the kyng_es_ highnes hathe

Co_m_maundyd me to gyue yow knowlage that yf ye may by any possyble

meanys yo_ur_ helth and lyffe preseruyd Repayre hether this next terme

yt sholde be moche to his gracyous contentacyon and Comfort to haue

yo_ur_ presens and Cow_n_sayle in his affayres and his grace dowtyth not

but ye wyll yf it be possyble for yow to trauayle accomplyshe all thing

that maye be to the Satysfaccyon of his pleasure. I assure yo_ur_

lordshyp his grace hathe not a Few tymes lamentyd in the presens of

yo_ur_ frend_es_ not onlye yo_ur_ absens but also yo_u_r Infyrmyte

wherfor his grace hathe bene veraye Sorye. And my lord bycause this

berer Maister Jonys dothe now repayre vnto your lordshyp for yo_u_r

Fauours and goodnes to hym so shewyd toward_es_ his p_re_fferment vnto

whom yt may please you at my poore Sute & medyacyon to be specyall good

lorde Assuryng yo_ur_ lordeship that he ys a p_er_ffect honest gentylman

and such on_e_ as ye shall neu_er_ Repent the thing that ye shall doo

For hym as knowyth the holye trynyte who euer p_re_serue yo_ur_ lordshyp

in long lyffe and good helthe At londen the vi^{th} daye of Aprell.

41. ‹CROMWELL› TO ‹LORD SCROPE›.

R.O. Cal. vi. 383. April 25 ‹1533›.

The King has received his letters, and is glad that he will

let him have the manor of Pyssow in Hertfordshire. The King

will give him good lands in exchange.

My specyall goode lorde after all dew Reco_m_mendacyons this shalbe to

adu_er_tyse the same that the kyngys highnes right thankffullye dyd

accept yo_ur_ l_ette_res to hym dyrected & delyuered by mr. chasye and

his grace ys m_er_veylouslye well contentyd that yo_ur_ lordshyp wooll

let his grace haue yo_ur_ mano_ur_ & p_ar_ke of Pyssow in exchaunge.

Wherfor his Magestie hathe Co_m_maundyd me to Inserche for land_es_ for

yo_u_r Recompens which I shall doo w_i_t_h_ all conuenyent spede and as

to the rede howsys with the other thing_es_ mouyd to me by this berer

yo_ur_ s_er_u_a_unt I wyll vndowtydlye doo my best so that yo_u_r

lordeshyp by the next shalbe certeffyed of the kyng_es_ Full and

determynate pleasure in all thing_es_ as knowethe o_ur_ lorde who eu_er_

p_re_serue yo_ur_ lordshyp in long lyffe & good helthe at london the

xxv^{th} daye of Aprell.

42. ‹CROMWELL› TO ‹THE DUKE OF SUFFOLK›.

R.O. Cal. vi. 415. April ‹1533›.

The King is pleased with his willingness to surrender his

patent of Earl Marshal, which has been granted to the Duke

of Norfolk. Suffolk is to have the Justiceship of the

Forests on this side of the Trent for life, in exchange.

Advises him to come to Court at once.

After my most humble Reco_m_mendacions it maye please yo_ur_ grace to

Vnderstande that the King_es_ highnes hath been assuredlie aduertised

howe that yo_ur_ grace is contente to surrendre yo_ur_ patente of the

office of Therle Marshall into his hand_es_ Whervpon his Magestie hath

graunted the same vnto my lorde of Norff_olk_ his grace Whose Auncestors

of longe tyme hadd thesame vntill nowe of late. And his highnes is

contente that yo_ur_ grace in the lewe and place therof shall haue his

l_ette_res patent_es_ of the Justiceshipp of his Forest_es_ on thisside

Trente for terme of yo_u_r lyfe. Assurynge yo_u_r grace his highnes doth

not onlie repute moche hono_ur_ in yo_u_r grace for that ye soo kyndlie

will dep_ar_te w_i_t_h_ the saide office of marshalshipp vnto my saide

lorde of Norff_olk_ but also his magestie supposeth and p_er_fectlie

p_er_cevith that yo_ur_ grace hath moche more estimacion and zele to

Norisshe kyndenes and love bytwene my saide lorde of Norff_olk_ and you

then ye haue to thatt or any other office whiche vndubtelie is highlie

to his gracious contentacion to see and p_er_ce_i_ue so grate and

honorhable p_er_sonages his subiect_es_ so lovynglie and Frendlie the on

to love thother. Wherfore as he that always rekonith hymselfe [bou]nden

vnto yo_u_r grace and beyng also ver[ayly] Joyouse to p_er_sayve howe

pleasauntlie the king_es_ highnes taketh in gude parte and repute yo_u_r

honorhable and moost gentill demeano_ur_s in this and all other yo_u_r

procedyng_es_ thought I coulde no lesse doo then to adu_er_tise you

therof to thintente that ye knowynge thesame myght and may determyn

yo_ur_ self therafter. And amongest other thing_es_ as I can p_er_ceyue

it shulde not be vnthankfullie taken toward_es_ the king_es_ highnes and

yo_ur_ grace yf it were yo_u_r ease and pleasure to repayre to the

Courte w_i_t_h_ Resonable spede consyderyng that shortlye my lorde of

Norfolke dep_ar_tyth toward_es_ his gret Jorney in Ambassade. Beseching

yo_ur_ grace to p_ar_don my bolde & Rude wryting whiche I am movyd vnto

For the poore good wyll I b[ear] [yo_u_r] grace as knowyth the holye

trynyte who preserue yo_ur_ grace in longue lyffe good helth w_i_t_h_

thincrease of moche hono_ur_ at London the ---- daye of Aprell.

43. ‹CROMWELL› TO MR. STRETE.

R.O. Cal. vi. 645. June 14 ‹1533›.

Recommends various persons to receive the land, cattle, and

corn of the late priory of Calwich in Staffordshire. Gives

directions for the administration of Strete’s office. Cf.

Letter 22.

Maister Strete as hertelye as I Can I co_m_mend me vnto yow and wher as

by my last l_ette_res I wrott vnto yow in the Fauors of Curson and

Fyndern to be p_re_fferryd vnto the Catell and Corn of late belongyng to

the pryorye of Colwyche and Sythyn that tyme I wrotte vnto yow on the

behalf of Mr. longford for his p_re_fferment vnto the demaynes of the

sayd late pryorye so hit ys that now the sayd maister longford by his

Father in law Mr. Fyzherbert moche desyryth to haue the Tythys and also

suche Corn as at this tyme ys Sown vppon the demaynes of the sayd late

pryorye for this yere whych tythe and Corn Sown vppon the demaynes I

require yow that he may haffe at suche prysys as ye shall thinke

convenyent and in such wyse as the kyng_es_ highnes may be

Substauncyallye answeryd of the p_ro_ffytt_es_ growing of the same

w_i_t_h_out any Fauo_ur_ to be born to anye othre p_ar_tye and wher as I

wrott in myn other letter that Curson and Fyndern shold haue the

p_re_ffermentt of the Catell and Corn I dyd not wrytt for anye Corne

growing on the grownde ne yet for any tythys which in no wyse ye shall

Suffer them to haue but to order hyt as ys afforsayd most to the

kyng_es_ p_ro_ffytte & adua_u_ntage. I well p_er_sayue who grauntyth

suchemen an Inche they wyll take an ell. I am Infformyd they avaunte

them selfs to haue Co_m_myssyons and grauntt_es_ of the kyng which ys

vntrew I praye yew aduyse them to vse no suche Facyons. Syr the kyng_es_

highnes trustyth that ye w_i_t_h_ all spede will bryng up the half yeres

Ferme and Rentt_es_ of the Busshopryche which I praye yow may be here

before his gracyous dep_ar_tyng in p_ro_gresse. and as to the Chanon off

Colwyche ye may translate hym vnto Sum good howse of that relygyon being

nere vnto yow and to gyue hym sumthing after yo_ur_ discrecyo_n_ suche

as may stand w_i_t_h_ the kynges hono_ur_ and also to his honest

Contentacyon and thus trustyng in yo_ur_ approuyd wysdom and experyence

Co_m_mytt all the p_re_mysses vnto yo_ur_ discrecyon trustyng eu_er_

that ye wyll haue respect to yo_ur_ dew[tie] and charge and also that I

may haue short answer of thes and other my l_ette_res and so Fare ye

well at london the xiiii^{th} daye of June

44. CROMWELL TO LORD LISLE.

R.O. Cal. vi. 706. June 26 ‹1533›.

Desires him to admit Bartholomew Peters as surgeon of

Calais. Will do his best to obtain Lisle’s requests for the

town.

My lorde after my right hertie reco_m_mendacions these shalbe to

adu_er_tise [y]o_ur_ lordeship that where it hathe pleased the king_es_

highnes to gyve and [g]raunte to Bartholomew Petres the rowme of Surgeon

in his grace ... w_i_t_h_in the towne of Calays, as by a bill signed for

that purpose ... ye shall receyue of the saide Bartholomew more

playnelie shall ... [a]ppere I shall therefore requyre yo_ur_ lordeship

that insuing the teano_ur_ p_ur_port and effecte of the king_es_ saide

g_ra_unte ye do see the saide Bartholomew admytted into the saide rowme

when tyme shall requyre accordingly. And concerning suche matiers as ye

latelie haue written in for the towne of Calays, I do not ne shall not

cesse to do my best to reduce and bryng the same to suche good passe and

effecte as shalbe thought most requysite and expedient. I trust to

yo_ur_ good contentacion. And so o_ur_ lorde p_re_serue yo_ur_ lordeship

in long lif and good helth w_i_t_h_ thincrease of hono_ur_. At London

the xxvi day of June

Yo_ur_ lordshyppis assuryd

THOMAS C[RUMWELL]

I wrytt to yo_ur_ lordeshyp For this berer by the King_es_ expresse

Co_m_mandmentt.

_Add._ To the right hono_ur_able and his singuler good lorde my Lorde

Lisle deputie to the King_es_ highnes of his town and m_ar_ches of

Calays be this youen.

45. CROMWELL TO ‹THOMAS BEESTON›.

R.O. Cal. vi. 776. ‹June-July, 1533.›

Ordering him to repair to the Emperor’s Court and deliver

the King’s letters to Dr. Hawkins there, with directions to

turn them over to the Emperor. He is to return with the

Emperor’s answer.

First the king_es_ highnes pleasure is that ye hauing receyued yo_ur_

packet of l_ette_res and instructions directed vnto Mr. docto_ur_

Hawkyns, shall ymediatelie put yo_ur_self in aredynes to dep_ar_te

toward_es_ the p_ar_ties of beioynde the See, inserching by yo_ur_

polycie the nerest wayes to suche place where it shall happen the

Emperour to lye.