Add. MS. 5,498 f. 1. "A memorial [by Cromwell] to my friend Philip Hoby touching such matters as he hath now committed to his charge."

To repair with diligence to where the young duke of Longueville lies, where he shall find the two daughters of Mons. de Guyse, whom he shall salute, declaring that having business in these parts he could not omit to visit the one of them of whom he hath by his late being there some acquaintance. And therewith he shall view well the younger sister, and shall require the Duchess, her mother, or whoever has the government of them, that he may take the physiognomy of her, that he may join her sister and her in a fair table (picture). Which obtained, he shall go to the duke of Lorraine, deliver my letter of credence, and declare that no doubt he has heard of my good will to advance some personage of his house to the marriage of the King my master; and albeit my purpose has not taken the effect I desired, yet my affection remains the same; and learning lately that his Grace has a daughter of excellent quality I directed the said Philip, who has other affairs there, to see her and get her picture. Requiring him to show his inclination and to devise some overture to the King, upon which I may set forth this thing. Philip shall also speak in the same manner to the young lady. As soon as he has gotten her physiognomy and known the Duke's pleasure he shall return with all possible diligence.

Later copy, pp. 2.

Add. MS. 5,498 f. 2. "Instructions given by the L. Cromwell to Philip Hoby sent over by him to the duchess of Lorraine then [to the] duchess of Milan."

To repair to Mr. Hutton and tarry secretly at his lodging until he shall have been with the Regent. Then upon Hutton's advertisement to go to the Duchess, present Cromwell's commendations and say that no doubt she has heard from the Lady Regent and by the relation of the King's ambassador there, the cause of his coming and Cromwell's inclination to the advancement of the same as is declared in the letter. He shall then beg her to take the pain to sit that a servant of the King, who is come thither for that purpose, may take her physiognomy; and shall ask when Mr. Hanns shall come to her to do so. The said Philip shall as of himself express a wish that both for my Lord's reports of her virtues and for his own view of them, it might please the King, being now without a wife, to advance her to the honour of a Queen of England. And he shall well note her answers, her gesture and countenance with her inclination, that he may at his return declare the same to the King's Majesty. Her picture taken, he and Hanns shall return immediately. (The original was here signed by Cromwell)

ii. "The words of the said Philip Hoby to the Duchess."

Given verbatim. The last sentence is:- For the great good reports of my Lord of your virtues and goodly qualities and by mine own view and experience of the same, considering the King's Majesty is widower and without a wife, would to God it would please his Majesty to advance your Grace to the honour of Queen of England, considering your virtuous qualities are a great deal more in deed than ever was notified, and for a great con firmation of amity and love to continue between the Emperor's Majesty and the King's Highness."

Later copy, pp. 2.

23 Mar 1538. Spanish Calendar, V. ii. No. 220. 583. Chapuys (age 48) to the Queen of Hungary (age 32).

She has done well in writing to Cromwell (age 53), who was much gratified by her letter. The French ambassadors have had difficulty in getting an interview with the King (age 46), and were ill received; on which the Bishop of Tarbes said to the Venetian secretary he would do his best to promote a peace between the Emperor and France. Next day the Bishop received a present of 500 cr. and 150 cr. for a gentleman of his suite; but he has not yet got his passports, which the King (age 46) will probably not give till he has heard from Spain. On the same day, the 18th, the painter (age 41) returned with the Duchess' (age 16) likeness, which has pleased the King (age 46) much, and put him in much better humour. He has been masking and visiting the Duchess of Suffolk (age 19), &c. Does not think, however, that he is pleased at the meeting arranged between the Pope, the Emperor, and Francis. London, 23 March 1538.From a MS. at Vienna.