LETTERS OF THOMAS CROMWELL (continued 4)
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Your lordshippis assuryd
Thomas Crumwell.
Add. To my veray good lorde my lorde of Winchestre the kinges highnes Ambassador at this tyme with the french king.
Endd. From the Roulles the xixth of Novembre. Mr. Secretary
127. Cromwell to Gardiner and Wallop.
B.M. Add. MSS. 25,114, f. 232; Cal. ix. App. 8. Dec. 7 ‹1535›.
Desires them to discover the real inclination of the French King, and to ascertain whether they have any secret plans on foot. Gives a list of the sums of money due to the King.
Aftre my moost harty commendacions with like thankes for your gentle letteres and aduertisementes of the Occurrantes there, ye shal at this tyme receyve the kinges highnes letteres answering to yours of the xxviiith of Nouembre The contentes wherof as his highnes doubteth not but ye wil duely consider and accomplishe tempering neuertheles the same in suche sorte, as your wisedomes shall think maye best serue to thentertaynement of thamytie betwene his grace and the frenche king, and the conducing of his graces desire to effecte. Soo his highnes specially desireth youe to endeuour yourselfes by all the meanes ye canne possibly deuise and excogitate to explore serche and knowe the veray inclynacion of the frenche king and whither the frenchemen haue any pryvie practises in hande, and of the lightlywod of the successes of the same with suche other occurrantes as shall chaunce to comme to your knowleage to aduertise his highnes, as I shal for my parte desire youe to doo to me the semblable as the tyme and hast of your dispeches wil give you leave. The treatie belli offensiui ratified at Amyans I sende vnto youe herwith, And as concernyng thaccompt of the money due to the kinges highnes First there is due to his grace 1Ml[858] crownes lent to the duke of Bavier for the whiche the frenche king standeth bounde by obligacion. Item 1Ml[858] crownes lent at his request for the assistence of the duke of Wittenberge, for the whiche they haue non acquietance, but were bounde by promyse to repaye it in cace there ensued no good successe of themployment of the same whiche condition and convenaunt is without question determyned.
Item there is due vnto his grace the hole pencion and salt moneye for the last yere ended at Nouembre.
And wheras the kinges highnes in these his letteres nowe sent vnto youe hathe commaunded youe Mr. wallop to presse themperours, Ambassadour for your declaration to the denyal of thouertures, like as I writing by his graces commaundement vsed the same terme, for declaracion of yourself, to thintent ye shal not thinke that anything is further ment therby thenne to haue youe vse that worde to him to extorte what ye canne in that matier, his highnes commaunded me in this sorte to expounde the same vnto youe. And thus moost hartely fare youe well. From Richemont the viith of decembre.
The kinges highnes specially desireth youe to remembre his commandement touching the delyuerance of the shippes
Your assuryd Freend
Thomas Crumwell.
Add. To myn assured frendes My lorde of Winchestre and sir John Wallop knight the kinges Ambassadours in fraunce.
Endd. From Richemonde the viith of decembre. Mr. Secretary.
128. Cromwell to Gardiner.
B.M. Add. MSS. 25,114, f. 234; Cal. ix. App. 9. Dec. 7 ‹1535›.
Has been unable to obtain a copy of the treaty which he promised to send, and thought it better to postpone sending it than to delay the bearer. The King desires him to labour for the delivery of the ships.
Aftre my moost harty commendacions to your lordshippe Thise shalbe to aduertise youe that Albeit in myn other letteres writen ioyntly to youe and Maister Wallop I haue signified that ye shuld by this berer receyve the treaty belli offensiui whiche ye wrote for, yet having here suche busines that I could ‹not› departe to london to cause the same to be copied, I thought it more expedient to differre the sending of it vntil we shal dispeche another currour vnto youe, thenne to demore your seruaunt here tyl I might haue goon to london for that purpose. And wheras your said seruaunt hath declared vnto me your credence concernyng your necessitie of money, I shall not fayle by the next messanger to take suche direction with youe for the satisfaction of your desire in that parte as ye shall haue cause to be contented. The kinges highnes desireth youe to labour effectually ‹for› the delyuerance of the shippes at Burdeulx according to suche instructions as ye haue in that behaulf. And thus moost hartely Fare youe well. From Richemonte the viith daye of Decembre in hast
Your lordshippis assuryd Freend
Thomas Crumwell.
Add. To my veray good lorde my lorde of Wynchestre the kinges Ambassadour in fraunce.
Endd. From Richemonde the viith of decembre. Mr. Secretary.
129. Cromwell to the Mayor, Aldermen and Bailiffs of Cambridge.
Cooper’s Annals, i. 377; Cal. ix. 977. Dec. 15 ‹1535›.
Marvels that they have not complied with his requests that the University be permitted to use the Tolbooth, and desires them to delay no longer. Will see that justice is done in all respects.
In my right harty maner I comende me unto youe. Lating you wit that I cannot a little marvayle to understand that notwithstanding my sundrey lettres hertofor addressed unto youe, tuching the permission of the use of the Tolboth, the furniture of the Universitie leates, the advoyding of newe practises, usages, or imposicions, wherby might insewg debate and contencion betweene you and the said universitie, to your owne disquiet, with the offence of the kings peax, ye have both refused to doo and accomplish those things persuaded and enioined therin unto youe, and for the contynuance and nutryment of discorde and trouble amonge the kings subiectts, devised newe things and meanes to augment and engrece the same. The prysonne first is the kings, and seing his grace by his charters and grauntes hath ioyned the universitie with youe in the use therof, I cannot conceyve what ye meane to denye that whiche his grace hath graunted, and by vertue thereof, they have so long enjoyed, which expressly your baylie Ousburn did bothe to the procurators, and also to the vicechancelors deputie. A sergeant of yours also lately tok a peace of cloth from the stall of a commone minister of the Universities for non apparance in your Leate contrary to the comandment given at the tyme of Sturberige fayr, that ye shuld reyse no newe custome, or gather any newe exaction or imposiccon, uppon any scoler, his servaunt or their comone ministers; ye have also refused alonly this yere, to make a certain othe before the congregacion at Saint Maryes church, for the conservacion of the peax, and the presentement to the vicechauncelor of vagabundes and others, breakers and interrupters of the said peax. Nowe shal I, being only a Counsailor, and otherwise then honestie and justice wil no partie, whiche have not only proffessed to travayl for the quiet of both parties, but will devise and labor also to performe the same, desire youe to permytt them, first to have the free use of the tolboth as they have had: to see the cloth restored, taken violently awaye by your sergeant; To see their leats furnished, and to tak such othe, and use all suche things and custumes as ye have doon, untyl fynal direction may be taken betweene both parties. And yet I must ever saye, whiche ye shall also fynde true, that in cace ye shall doo any wrong, or not fulfill that ye be bound unto, wherby tumult and busines shuld rise amonge the kings people, though I do indede favor your cause, as appertayneth, and will also be gladde to doo therein what I canne for your comoditie, Yet in cace prayer and gentle entreatie cannot pull and allure youe awaye from the doing of wrong and iniury, both to the king and his subjectts, I will not fayle to advaunce, to the uttermost of my power Justice and to see punished with extremytie the interrupters thereof, to the example of other. And therfor eftsones, I most hartily praye youe to conforme yourselfs to quietnes in these pointes, and therein to performe that without contencon whiche the princes grauntes, ever to be reverently obeyed, doo require of youe, Ye shal by this waye and meane, doo your dueties, first toward his grace, to me administer most thankfull pleasure, and with your honesties provyde yourselfs quiet and rest, with a good end in all suche controversies as depende between youe and the said universitie. And thus fare youe hartely well. From Stepnaye, the xvth daye of Decembre.
Your freend,
Thomas Crumwell.
Add. To my loving freendes, the Mayre, Aldermen and bailieffs of the towne of Cambridge.
130. Cromwell to Gardiner.
B.M. Add. MSS. 25,114, f. 112; Cal. ix. 1010. Dec. 24 ‹1535›.
Thanks him for his letters, and promises to attend to Gardiner’s wants. The postscript of Cromwell’s other letter will inform Gardiner of Thwaites’ arrival here, and of the answers made to the letters he brought.
Aftre my moost harty commendacons to your lordshippe with like thankes for your gentle letteres by the post scripta in myn other letteres nowe writen vnto youe by the kinges highnes commaundement ye shal perceyve tharryval here of your seruaunt Thwaytes, with the determynacion for answer to be made to suche letteres as he brought with him. I shall in the meane tyme so satisfie peter lark your seruaunt touching your request for money that ye shall by the next post perceyve ye be not forgotten, but sufficiently and soo furnished as ye shall haue cause to be contented. Your doinges be no lesse thankfully accepted, thenne your wisedom travail and diligence therin do require and for my parte if there be anything elles here that I may doo your pleasure in, vppon your aduertisement I shalbe glad with al my harte to satisfie youe in the same. And thus most hartely fare youe wel, from the Rulles the xxiiijth of Decembre
Your lordshippis assuryd freend
Thomas Crumwell.
Add. To my veray good lord my lord of Winchestre.
Endd. From the roulles the xxiiij of december Mr. Secretary.
131. Cromwell to Gardiner.
B.M. Add. MSS. 25,114, f. 114; Cal. ix. 1039. Dec. 30 ‹1535›.
The King approves of his service, and assures him that he will be glad to welcome him on his return. Reports the illness of Katherine. Has arranged for his money with Peter Lark.
My veray good lord aftre my moost harty commendacions Thise shalbe taduertise youe that vndoubtedly the kinges highnes doth in soo thankfull sorte accepte your seruice there doon vnto his maiestie, and in euery condicion soo allowe approve and commende your wise substanciall and discreate proceding, as like as ye haue moche cause to reioyse therin, soo shall the same be certain meane and occasion, that ye shall assuredlye what ende soeuer your busines there shall take, returne to his highnes as hartely welcom and in as greate reputacion as youe could yourself desire, wherof for my parte I am euen for many respectes as gladde as ye canne be yourself. Touchyng his graces affayres I write nothing bicause the same be sufficiently touched in his highnes letteres nowe addressed vnto youe, only for newes ye shal vndrestand that the douagier is in greate daunger whiche his Maiestie also willed me to signifie vnto youe, as by the copye of a lettere sent from themperours Ambassador here touching her syknes ye shal perceyve. And as concernyng your money I haue taken ordre with your servaunt peter lark, soo as ye shall I doubt ‹not› be shortly therin satisfied. And thus beseching god to sende youe a good newe yere, I bid youe as well to fare as I wold myself. From the Rulles the penultime of Decembre
Your lordshippis assuryd freend
Thomas Crumwell.
Add. To my veray good lord, My Lord of Winchestre the Kinges highnes Ambassadour in Fraunce.
Endd. From the Roulles the xxxth of Decembre Mr. Secretary
132. ‹Cromwell› to ‹the Prior of Montacute›.
R.O. Cal. ix. 1127. ‹1535.›
Has received his letters saying that a young person has made suit to obtain the lease after its expiration. The King is assured that he will not recommend any one to him who will not act honourably and for the King’s profit.
In my right hertie maner I commende me vnto you Aduertesing the same that I haue receyued your letteres right well perceyuing the contentes of the same And where as ye write vnto me that a nother person of younger yeres should make sute for thopteyning of the lease after the yeres all redie graunted in the same being expired and determyned the truth is that there is labour made aswell vnto Mr. Norres as other which is not so vehement ne hastie But that it may be right well stayed. Neuertheles the kinges highnes hauing ferme trust in your dexteritie and wisedom must nedes haue regarde and expectacion in your letteres. Doubting not but ye will not preferre any other vnto his highnes but suche as shalbe right mete to do that thing which shalbe most for their own honestie and will haue good regarde and aspect to the Kinges most proffite.
133. ‹Cromwell› to ‹Pole›[859].
B.M. Cleop. E. vi, 371; Cal. viii. 220. ‹1535.›
Desires the recipient to answer the things contained in Starkey’s letter to him, which was written by the King’s express commandment.
Syr after my most harty recommendatyanys thys shalbe in few & short wordys to requyre you accordyng to the callyng that our lord Jhesu Chryst hath callyd & redemyd you that ys to say as wel wyth the gyft of gud letteres and vnderstondyng, as wyth the most excellent gyft of jugement in the same, ye wyl indeuur yourselfe to make answere vnto such thyngys as be contynyd in master starkeys letteres to you wrytyn at thys tyme, by the kyng our masturys & soueraynys expresse cummandement & that the same answer may be such & of such gravyte, as the lyght & truthe therof may be to the honowre of god, & the satysfactyon of hys hyghnes. Wherof I assure you I wold be as glad as any parent or frend ye haue lyuyng not dowtyng in your approuyd wysedome & jugement but that ye wyl extend the gyftys gyuen vnto you in such wyse as leuyng al your respectys or affectyon wole so inserch your conscyence & jugement for the truth as ye wole both dyscharge yourselfe agaynst god & your prynce, in dowyng wherof you shal assurydly dow the thyng much to thencrese of your meryte & fame, wherin as he that ys your assuryd frend to hys lytyl power I requyre you to haue indyfferent consyderatyon & so to ordur yourselfe therin as the expectatyon of your frendys wythe the jugement of al men that knowyth you may be satysfyd in that behalfe & thus our lord send you no worse to fare than I wold ye dyd at london
Add. To my synguler frend Mayster Edmunde Herwel marchant at Venyce
134. ‹Cromwell› to ‹an Abbot›.
R.O. Cal. viii. 1122. ‹1535.›
In consideration of his willing mind, has obtained the King’s licence for him to resort to his manors near his monastery, provided that by so doing he causes no disturbance.
Ye shall vnderstand that I haue resceyved your letteres[860], and touching that ye desire amonges other thinges licence for your selfe and certayn of your bretherne to walke to your manours and other places about your monastery. Ye shall understand that in consideracion of the good and toward mynd that I have found yn you towardes me and my seruauntes diuerse ways I[861] have opteynyd licence of the kinges highnes for your selfe that ye may resorte vnto your maners and other convenyent walkes nygh vnto your monastery, so that no common brute may be reysed therby, not doubtyng but ye will vse your selfe so (as for the good will and mynd I bere toward you) it may be to the good zele of religion and as I may therby resceyve no disworship therby. so that always your bretherne must nedes use and order theymselfes accordyng to the Iniunccions in that case geven unto theym in that behalf.
END OF VOL. I.
Oxford: Printed at the Clarendon Press, by Horace Hart, M.A.