Letters. 09 Jan 1513. Thomas Spinelly (age 41) to Lewis Maroton. Has received two letters, dated respectively 28th December and 3d January, expressing the impatience of the Emperor for the conclusion of the matter in treaty, with Madame, between himself and the King of England (age 21), who, he thinks, has cooled. If the Emperor had dealt earnestly, it had been accomplished long ago; and the continual diligence of the King's ambassadors for eight months proves the contrary. Reminds him how, at the outset, the King wrote with his own hand to the Emperor. On the arrival of the ambassadors at her Court, instead of a brief expedition of the business that had been promised, the Emperor, after some discussion, demanded 100,000 escus d'or, saying that the Pope and the King of Aragon (age 60) would give him as much,-a point that had never been mentioned before. And, although the treaty was for the interest of the Emperor and the King of Castile, as well as himself, the King, upon the declaration of Sir Thomas Boleyn (age 36), consented to let the Emperor have the 100,000 crowns. But before the conclusion of the negotiations the Emperor left, promising to send his daughter full powers and return in two months. The powers did not come till three months, and then clogged with new conditions, such as that the Prince and his subjects should remain neutral. Even to this the King assented, on certain conditions. Such conduct demands reciprocity on their part. Spinelly (age 41) cannot believe what he is told, that over and above the sum already stipulated the Emperor will be so unreasonable as to demand more; and for his part he would not dare propose it. Begs him to obtain such a commission for Madame as may suffice to make an end without needing other ambassadors. Can think of no cause why the King has not advertised the Emperor of his wish for troops, unless it be that his ambassador, who is to return to him, will explain; and also he may think that what is said to the daughter is likewise said to the father. Malines, 9 Jan. 1512.

Letters. 12 Jan 1513. Spinelly (age 41) to Henry VIII. Wrote last on the 9th. A messenger has since come from the Emperor, and brought the conclusions of the negotiations made in Germany, of which he sends a Latin translation [See 08 Oct 1512]. My Lady has told him of the honorable treaty which the Emperor has made with the Swiss, of which he sends a copy. Madame is advertised from Savoy that the Swiss are not well disposed to the French, and only negotiate with them to obtain money from them and the castles of Lucam and Luca[rno]. Sir Tho. Boleyn (age 36) tells him the better part of the town of Serizee are French. The two brothers (freres) whom Spinelly (age 41) sent to England were among the best of them. Leaves the truth of his words to time. When the Controller of the Household comes, he will know it from the information of Madame and De Berghes. Serizee, in the late rebellions, took part with De Ravestain. Boleyn (age 36) is dissatisfied, because he was not informed of the resolution taken with the said two brothers. Was at Antwerp at the time. The treasurer general of the Prince of Castile has been at Cologne, waiting for an envoy from Gueldres to arrange for a truce between the two. Gueldres has now notified that he can find no personage to send. A messenger has been taken, sent by the Bastard of Gueldres into France to state that if he was assisted he would pillage all the flat country of Brabant. The Hollanders have agreed to raise 1,200 foot for the Duke of Brunswick, and will have nothing to do with Diselstain. The said Duke has now 3,000 foot and 1,000 horse, and continually harasses the enemy. Heda, maître d'hotel of the Duke of Gueldres, has left the Court of France, bringing money and aid to his master. Watch is laid for him. Philip Galteroty is now at Malines. He has great friendship in Scotland, on account of his managing the ecclesiastical matters at Rome. He tells Spinelly (age 41) that some Scotchmen from the Court of France informed him that Jaques Hogby, the resident there, had powers a month past, and made a new treaty between their master and France, binding their master to make war on England, and the King of France to send to Scotland 200,000 crowns of gold, and a certain quantity of arms and gunpowder, and 20 pieces of artillery. Philip says that four vessels of war have gone thither already with arms, &c., but the money does not go till March. Many of the Scotch are dissatisfied with England, and say they have been plundered, and will have revenge. The Secretary of Scotland has lost his cause at Rome, in the matter of the commandry of St. John's in Scotland, through the influence of the Card. of York, at which he is very angry. The Bishop of Murray and the Secretary are omnipotent with the King of Scotland. The King of France has promised the former a Bishopric. Will send to-morrow to De Berghes to learn Scotch news from his son-in-law of Canferre, where the Scotch lodge. On his asking Madame if he should send the maître d'hotel of the Prince of Chimay to Blois, as he did last year, she replied that she expected satisfactory news from the Emperor in six days, and the Governor of Bressa would be sent in quest of the maitre d'hotel in her name, to make inquiries by means of D'Albret. Gave the Governor 100 fl. for the said maitre d'hotel. Wants money. Upon the King's letters, Madame has given a passport to Richard Fermer, to export, duty free, 36,000 rasieres of wheat or flour. The duty would have amounted to 1,£000 gr. Malines, 12 Jan. 1512. Signed.

Letters. 26 Jan 1513. Spinelly (age 41) to Henry VIII. Wrote last on the 21st. On the evening of the 23d received his letters [directed] to himself, William Gunson and William Copland. Sent them forthwith to Copland at Berghes, with a letter (copy enclosed). If they do not avail themselves of the ships of Zerisee they must use those of Spain, of which there are a good number at Zealand. As already reported, Richard Fermer obtained licence to export 36,000 rasiers of wheat or flour. The ambassadors write of the affair of the "cracque". As soon as the outcry is over, Madame will satisfy the King. All the harm has been done by the delay of the letter sent from England through Frescobald. They do not believe that the owner had offered to sell it to the French. Wishes the King would write to the Admiral and the Sieur de Beures in justification of the matter. There are constant complaints against the King's captains in Zealand for pillaging provisions. The ambassadors have written about it to Gunson. A despatch has come from the Cardinal of York at Rome; with a letter to the Emperor, of the state of the negotiations between him and the Venetians. The nephew of the Master of the Posts, resident at Verona, remarks, in a letter of the 14th, that the greater part of the King Catholic's army had arrived near Verona, and the Venetian troops that were on this side the Adige have crossed and gone to Soana,-that there is no open war between the Emperor and the Venetians, but, as the country about Verona is entirely wasted, the Spaniards will be constrained to pass upon the Venetian territory and will do all the harm they can. There is no news of the Duke of Milan. Expects the controller of the King's Household [will be this] night at Bruges. Madame and [De Berghes] have informed the ambassadors that the Emperor's pleasure will be communicated to them when he arrives, concerning the points declared to Spinelly (age 41) by Berghes, the Governor of Bresse and Secretary Marnix. Thanks the King for £100 received from his master of the posts. Sends his account. Madame has taken charge of the King's letters to the Emperor, and has sent to Baptista de Taxis those for the Doge of Venice. Learns that the French are fortifying in all directions about Honfleur, Harfleur, Caen and Rouen. Orders have been given here that all provisions of the flat countries be taken into strong towns. Captains are assigned to garrison these places with men of the country. His informant saw no great vessels; they are all at Brest; heard there were 10 or 12 at Honfleur, Harfleur, and Dieppe; two vessels of Scotland had brought fish. A fleet of 150 sail carrying 25,000 men will sail from Brest. Those of Dieppe have furnished two barques to plunder the English coast. Strong garrisons have been posted on the Somme. All complain of the heaviness of the French taxes. At Compiennes they have stopped two gates; the French seem to reckon that no towns on the Somme can be defended except Abbeville, St. Quentin, Peronne and Amiens. It cannot be long before some of his agents, and also the personage sent to Blois, return. Sends a letter from him who went to publish the bull, by which it will be seen that the Liegeois made no resistance. Sends a letter [received from] Mr. Gunson. Malines, 26 Jan. 15[12]. Signed.