14 May 1534. Vienna Archives. 662. Chapuys to Charles V.

It is over 15 days since the Scotch ambassador came to communicate to me the articles mentioned in my letter of the 22nd ult., of which I send the two principal in a bill joined to this. Among other things he told me that he believed they would conclude the peace with England, both because they were so much stimulated to it by them and also for the necessity the King his master was in in order that the English might not invade him while he was almost destitute of aid, — a thing the French would not be sorry for, but would rather tacitly suggest in order to reduce the King his master to necessity and compel him to take such a wife as Francis and the king of England pleased; and for the King his master to arrive at his object, viz., to obtain the daughter of France in marriage, it was expedient to amuse the English by means of a peace, so that this king might not hinder it, as he had always done hitherto, and this king being assured of the said peace, would have no fear of that marriage. These words I got from him, not without mystery, and he said that whatever peace they made, when an opportunity of war arose they would find only too many lawful grounds for it, and of this he could assure me, and also that they would not treat of anything that could directly or indirectly injure the amity with your majesty's countries or the fraternity caused by the reception of the Toison, and that the English had made several overtures to them of a contrary character, which they had always rejected, saying that they wished your majesty to be comprised in the peace, and that the bishop and he had orders to that effect.

Since then the Scotch ambassadors have been in nearly continual communication with the King and Council, ever since the return of Rochford (age 31) and Fitzwilliam from France, which they seemed to be waiting for to settle matters. After their return, the French ambassador, who had not been present at any of the previous consultations, was summoned, and the English began to speak in a higher tone, demanding certain land which has been adjudged to the Scotch king by innumerable treaties. The English wished that this difference, with others, should be remitted to the French king, but the Scotch refused and proposed the Pope. At this the Duke of Norfolk asked angrily what popo they meant, implying that there were two, one of Rome and one of Canterbury. This gave the bishop an opportunity of speaking of the papal authority and reproving what had been done here against his Holiness. The company were not pleased and the Duke wished he had not spoken.

After much contention, it seems that the English, desirous of peace agreed to what the Scotch wished, and concluded a peace during the lives of the two Kings and four years longer. I have not been able to find out the particulars. Two days ago the ambassador sent to ask when he might come and see me, and though I offered him any time, he has not yet come, having been occupied with the Council in drawing up the treaty. The bishop has also sent to say that he wishes to talk to me for three or four hours, but we have not yet met for fear of suspicion.

Rochford (age 31) and the Treasurer having returned from France, although the day was extraordinary, the King and his mistress dined in public, and after dinner, in presence of all the guests, the King said he was bound to give thanks to God for having so entirely conciliated to him such a good brother and friend as the king of France, who was always ready to share his fortune and conform to his will, which the said Rochford (age 31) and Treasurer confirmed, but certainly this unusual publication makes many people suspect that the king of France begins to halt, especially as he has put off the interviews which the King was hastening for July, and some still think that they will not take place, and that the Bishop of Paris or some other great personage sent by Francis will come here in order among other things to "fere lecture desdites entrevues."

Having several times consulted the Queen how to give effect to the sentence, she wrote to me two days since the letter which I send with this, which besides explaining her advice will serve to excuse her from writing to your majesty. She thought, before that when the sentence was given the King would be converted, but now she knows it will be necessary to proceed by other remedies, which she dare not propose, both for fear her letters should be intercepted, and not to contradict what she has already written; knowing also that your majesty understands much better than anyone else what is necessary to remedy matters here. An immediate remedy is necessary, otherwise the case is irreparable. For besides that the King and others get worse every day, this new sect is increasing and gaining strength, and if it once take root even those who have hitherto held for the Queen will change their opinion, believing that what your majesty would do in the Queen's behalf was not on that account but to maintain the Pope's authority, which they call tyranny, and on this pretext the King hopes to have the support, not only of those of his own kingdom, but of a part of Germany. If your majesty knew the complaints daily made of the delay of this remedy, you would be astonished. They have been more frequent of late, since the merchants have been preparing for the coming fair in Flanders, people saying that if they were permitted henceforth to go to Flanders or Spain, all was over.

The Queen has been removed to a house belonging to the heirs of Sir Richard Wingfield, who died at Toledo. She is better lodged than she was, although the house is small. When she was about to remove, the King sent two doctors to summon her to swear to the two statutes lately made, of which I sent a copy on the 22nd; but instead of complying she intimated to the doctors the sentence lately given in her favor. Nevertheless the doctors compelled all the servants of the house to swear. Some days ago the King asked his mistress's [aunt], who has charge of the Princess, if the latter had abated her obstinacy, and on being answered "No," he said there must be someone about her who encouraged her and conveyed news from the Queen her mother. The said gouvernante (age 58), on consideration, could suspect no one except the maid of whom I lately wrote, who had been compelled to swear, and on this suspicion she drove her out, and she has been for some days without anyone to go to or means to support herself. The Princess has been much grieved at this, for she was the only one in whom she had confidence, and by her means she had letters from me and others. The Queen also is very sorry, but still more because the King has taken from the Princess her confessor, a very good man, and given her another who is a Lutheran and a tool of his own. During the last few days the King, perceiving that neither by force nor menaces could he get his way with the said Princess, or for some other reasons, has shown her more honor than usual, and used more gracious words, begging that she would lay aside her obstinacy and he would promise her before Michaelmas to make such a bargain with her that she should enjoy a royal title and dignity; to which, among 1,000 other wise answers, she replied that God had not so blinded her as to confess for any kingdom on earth that the King her father and the Queen her mother had so long lived in adultery, nor would she contravene the ordinance of the Church and make herself a bastard. She believes firmly that this dissimulation the King uses is only the more easily to attain his end and cover poison, but she says she cares little, having full confidence in God that she will go straight to Paradise and be quit of the tribulations of this world, and her only grief is about the troubles of the Queen her mother. I have been told that within these few days the King has shown himself more cheerful than usual. I know not whether it was owing to the peace with the Scots or to the news of the troubles in Germany, which he will encourage to the utmost of his power, until he is given other things to think about.

The secretary of the Vayvode, whose despatch was put off till the return of Rochford (age 31) and the Treasurer, is still here. I have not been able to learn what he is doing. London, 14 May 1534.Fr., pp. 9. From a modern copy.

11 Jun 1534. R. O. 823. Sir Edward Ryngeley to Lord Lisle (age 70).

The King and Queen are in good health. I came to the Court on Tuesday last about 3 o'clock. I was not there half an hour before his Grace sent for me into a garden which he has just made. He asked me heartily how you did, and whether the town was free from sickness and clean kept, of which I assured him. It would be well for you to speak to master Mayor for the mending of the two gutters from the market to Our Lady Church. If he lack paviours I can send them from London. The King is well conttented that his works go so well forward. I told him in the Treasurer's presence how much more is done in thickness than appears in the book, both in the two towers and the walls. The King is well contented with the pains you have taken about them and the sandhills, and is pleased with the conduct of his retinue, as I think they will see when he comes thither. I advise you to let the drags and ploughs go still upon the sandhills till you can shoot level over them from the mount at Becham Tower. I have not asked the King for wood or anything else, because the letters you promised to send have not come. I wish they were, for I trust to be shortly at Calais. As to my own business, the market was done before I came. We have a new lord Warden of "the Porche," Lord Rochford (age 31). Sir John Dudley is master of the armery, Sir Antony Browne standard-bearer, and master Harper has the "awnage," that is the sealing of the cloth in Kent. Today the King comes to York Place to supper and dines there tomorrow, and to Waltham to bed, and on Saturday to Hunsdon, where he will remain all next week. He will not be at Hampton Court till Saturday week. I have given all your recommendations to your friends except to master Kingston and master Norrys. The former is at Wanstead, and the latter came to the Court late on Tuesday night. A great sum of money has been stolen from him, so that he is not pleasantly disposed to be spoken with. I have no other news, but I hope to know more before I come out of Essex. Recommendations to the Mayor, lord Edmund, master Wynkefeld, Mr. Porter, Mr. Treasurer (age 44), Mr. Undermarshal and Mr. Ruckwode. Hampton Court, 11 June. Signed.

I pray you be contented with my meaning, for my inditing is but reasonable.

Pp. 2. Add.: Deputy of Calais. Endd.

Note 1. His patent was not passed till the 23 June. See Grants in June, No. 16.

13 Oct 1534. Vienna Archives. 1257. Chapuys to Charles V.

The German mentioned in my last is one of the counts of Hoy, brother-in-law, and, as I understand, enemy to the King of Sweden. He has already spoken to Cromwell, but not to the King, and it is not known what he is soliciting. The King, being informed there was some talk of a marriage between the Infanta and the Dauphin, despatched the secretary of the French ambassador, as I have before informed you, to propose, as I understand, the marriage of the Bastard with the duke of Angoulême; and it is said that the admiral of France comes to consult upon this with other matters. The King has already sent a ship well armed and equipped for his passage, and given orders that he shall be well received wherever he goes. I understand also that the despatch of the said secretary was in order, that as the French king would not revoke the edict he had made about the shipping of merchandise between England and France, of which I have already written, he would at least suspend its execution, to appease the cry of this people till next parliament, when the acts of which the French complained would be amended. On this hope the suspension has been obtained.

The honest men among the King's Council believed that when there was a new Pope the King would resume his obedience to the Church, but news having lately arrived of the Pope's illness, when the Duke of Norfolk and the Marquis suggested that, like a Catholic prince, he would make no difficulty in obeying the new Pope, he answered that no one should mock him by advising such a thing, for he would have no greater regard for any Pope in the world that might be chosen than for the meanest priest of his kingdom. Two days ago the news of his Holiness's death came by letters from Gregory de Casal, which has been to the King the greatest pleasure in the world, and Cromwell has been unable to refrain from saying several times in public that this great devil was dead, and it seemed as if he was very sorry he could find no worse name for him than devil.

Of late days lord Rochford's (age 31) wife (age 29) has been banished the Court because she had conspired with the (sa qu. la?) Concubine (age 33) to procure the withdrawal from Court of the young lady whom this king has been accustomed to serve (la demoiselle que ce roy a accoustume de servir), whose influence increases daily, while that of the Concubine diminishes, which has already abated a good deal of her insolence (fierte et gloire). The said young lady has of late sent to the Princess to tell her to be of good cheer, and that her troubles would sooner come to an end than she supposed, and that when the opportunity occurred she would show herself her true and devoted servant.

The prohibition lately issued to speak of news from Ireland was to prevent it being known that Kildare had killed more than 1,500 of the King's men. It is said that Skeffington (age 69) had embarked with all his men, and was on the point of setting sail, and, as I understand, he would be glad if the weather were such that he could not cross, for, as he has several times written to his friends, he considers himself undone if her goes. 13 Oct. 1534.Fr., decipher, pp. 2. From a modern copy.