Henry VIII: August 1542, 1-5 | British History Online

Pages 323-330

Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII, Volume 17, 1542. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1900.

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August 1542, 1-5



1 Aug. Dasent's A.P.C., 19.	557. The Privy Council. Meeting at Windsor, 1 Aug. Present : Southampton, Sussex, Hertford, Russell, Durham, Winchester, Gage, Wingfield, Wriothesley. Business :—Recognisance (cited) of Henry earl of Surrey to do no displeasure to John a Legh. [*** Next entry is 5 Aug.]
1 Aug. R. O.	558. The Privy Council to Edmond Harvel. By his advertisement and by the gentleman (fn. 1) who speaks English and wrote to the King 4 April last, it appears that the said gentleman desires to serve the King as his sovereign lord and master. On sight of this, he is to be desired to repair hither with diligence, where he will be appointed to an honourable condition. Draft, pp. 2. Endd. : Minute to Mr. Haryvel, primo Aug. a^o xxxiiij^o.
1 Aug. Kaulek, 441. (The whole text.)	559. Marillac to Francis I. Since L'Aubespine's departure has arisen a marvellous bruit, which disturbs this people greatly, viz., that M. de Longueval's army has passed so far into Brabant that it may be at the gates of Antwerp, as the couriers, who go and come in 24 hours, report, and that, with the weakness of the walls and want of order for defence, it may be easily forced, and cannot be succoured, because the horse and foot raised in Flanders are all gone to stop Mons. d'Orleans, who was expected to come by the Ardaines to join Longueval, his lieutenant. The taking of that town would be too great prejudice to the English; for there they have their greatest traffic, and have at present 700,000 cr. or 800,000 cr. at least. The people go so far as to say they will recoup themselves upon French subjects here. They have lately presented to the King, by the chief men of London, a petition to send ships to save their merchandise or aid Antwerp. The answer was that they had had warning that war was coming there, and leisure to put their goods in safety; that it was not the King's place to remedy what was done in other countries, and, even if he meant to aid Antwerp, there was no time to send succour. The English are troubled because, at the very instant that it was known that war was cried in France against the Emperor, news came that, on the Borders, the Scots had pillaged and burnt five or six great villages, and taken several prisoners; and, although such excesses are common on both sides, because of the disputed boundaries, still, fearing that this may be the commencement of worse, because of the league (fn. 2) announced to them on Francis's part, they have at once ordered a levy of men in the North to go where there is most need. To the ample memoir (fn. 3) made by L'Aubespine and the writer may be added that commissions are despatched to all the governors of country to review and report how many men they could have to serve at need, and their arms; that about 2,000 men are being raised hereabouts, half to reinforce Calais and Guisnes, 500 pioneers, and 500 to embark on three of the King's great ships (the largest, after the Great Henry, of the 10 or 12 prepared here), which will leave whenever weather permits, for they are laden with artillery great and small and much munition, and the mariners to work them arrested. Musters are made about Antonne of the men who are to embark on the other ships at Porchemeut, whither Marillac has sent a man, whom he expects back hourly, to report the true number of the vessels and men there. The bulwarks which were made in places where enemies could land are being reinforced with artillery; and artillery and munitions continue to be sent over sea, where there is already a great provision accumulated. These things make people think that the English will sooner or later make war on France. Of their wish to do so there can be no doubt, but, as to the execution of it, some say that they will not begin until they see their great advantage; others, that it will be in a month or six weeks; and some of the chief men of London have secretly warned Francis's subjects to order their affairs and withdraw with such goods as they can save; but, while this bruit lasts, they cannot find men to offer anything for their wares. Has arranged with Marshal du Bies that if he is more than eight days without news from Marillac, he may suppose the worst, and that the passage of the sea is closed, which would be the most serious evidence of English ill-will and prompt execution. A courier has just arrived from Antwerp, reporting that Francis's men had taken the important castle of Ostrate, and approached near enough now to batter the town with artillery, and that the Prince of Orange had, with great difficulty, entered the town with the loss of almost the whole company which he brought to strengthen the garrison. Also an ambassador is arrived from the King of Scotland, who has not been able yet to speak to Marillac, but has sent word that he comes to excuse the burning of five villages, by showing that the English had first burnt two, and to ascertain the disposition of those here, whether to maintain peace or to make war. French. Headed : [London], 1 Aug. Marked as sent by Ferrant.
1 Aug. R. O.	560. Deputy and Council Of Calais to the Council. On Tuesday last a hoy ship of Flanders, with wood for Calais and 16 men taken up in Sussex, coming from Arundel, was, open upon Pemsey, attacked by a man-of-war of Diepe, and, after three assaults, overpowered, and the men's purses taken, and themselves put under hatches and carried to Dieppe, where they arrived on Friday and were, before landing, stripped to their shirts and the rest of their money taken, in all 45l. Next day they were examined by the judges of the town why they were sent to Calais, and what prest money they received in England. They said that they went to serve in the King's works, and had received 2s. 6d. The judges objected to them that they went to aid the Emperor against the French king, menaced them with hanging for their rebellion in not obeying at the sight of the French king's banner in the stern of the ship, and so constrained them to sign a release of all their interest in their own goods and cause of action for the robbery. That done, after keeping them in houses apart, they dismissed them with a writing (copy enclosed). (fn. 4) In acquittal, could have stayed a merchant of that town and a ship yet in this haven, but would not do so without advertising the Council. Calais, 1 Aug. 1542. Signed : H. Mawtravers, Rauff Ellerkar, Edward Bray, Edward Wotton, Edward Ryngeley, Frauncys Dawtrey. Pp. 2. Add. Endd.
1 Aug. R. O.	561. Wallop to the Council. Upon the bruit of assemblies in these frontiers, wrote that the enterprise was said to be for Turneham, but he would take it to be for Guisnes. Sent out three espials, two of them to seek where the camp was made, or where most men were. Of these two, one returned yesterday, saying there is no camp, and the men lie in three parts, one at Estaples, another about Mountrell, and the third beside Hesding. Yesterday, Vandosme, De Beez, and others of Picardy assembled at Turwan to consult. Another of his espials returned to-day, saying that beside Muttrell lay 3,000 "of those that were legionaries," who said their enterprise was for Turneham or Guisnes. This day or to-morrow, Vandosme, De Beez, and other noblemen should be at Syrkes, not six miles hence, beside Lisques, where their camp is preparing. This night should come, from Huytmyle beside Bullogne, to Fyennes, 4,000 or 5,000 footmen, Normans or Bretons. For surety, has taken order that Captain Vaughan, with 300 footmen, lies nightly in this castle, into which he has also taken the treasurer and surveyor. Mr. Awdeley has willingly accepted the charge of Purton's bulwark, although it lies somewhat open, as all the brayes do; howbeit, Wallop trusts, in four or five days, to put sufficient water everywhere. Huberdyn willingly undertakes to keep the bulwark beside the Mill, and Browne, Mr. Palmer's petty captain, the Three-Cornered bulwark. These bulwarks and the castle take 500 men, leaving 1,300 to keep the town, "the charge whereof Mr. Pawlmer with his standard-bearer very gladly desired." In two days it shall be hedged and maunded round against any sudden enterprise. Thinks that when the Frenchmen know of the retirement of the Clevoyens from Antwerp they will mollify their furious enterprises, and has taken means to have it divulged among them. Thinks Vandosme knows it already, for yesterday entered Arde the 300 hacbutiers of whom Wallop before wrote, who were ordered not to enter without great necessity, and on Sunday night had been put back into the villages; "so sometimes the Frenchmen giveth fear, and many times are afraid themselves." His third spy is not come home, who went forth four days since. Guisnes, 1 Aug. Signed. Pp. 2. Add. Endd. : a^o xxxiiij.
2 Aug. Spanish Calendar, VI. II. No. 37.	562. Chapuys to Mary Of Hungary. Immediately after the departure of the courier with his letter of the 20th, sent to the King for a passport for another courier, with licence to hire horses on the road, to overtake George before his embarcation for Spain; which the King at onoe granted on reading her letter of the 17th ult., which Chapuys showed him both for that and to inform him of her measures respecting the navigation, that he might do the like. The Privy Councillors were almost angry at his man for not having applied sooner for a quick passage for the packet to the Emperor. Chapuys told them (quite truly) that he had engaged one courier who refused to depart, &c. Her letters of the 25th ult. arrived on the 29th, and Chapuys wrote to the Admiral for an audience of the King, telling his man to explain the reasons. The Admiral is the minister through whom the chart was sent (which has now been received back again), and well inclined to us. But he replied that Chapuys had better put off going to Court till he had further news. The King, he said, was greatly pleased at his advice having been taken about the two islands; and also that they had provided for the defence of Antwerp, about which he had been anxious, by sending thither the Duke [of Aarschot] and the Prince [of Orange]. Has endeavoured to find what assistance the King might give to Flanders, which the Duke of Vendôme seemed decided to invade. Suggested to the court-master of the English [governor of the English merchants] that he should go to the King and Privy Council and ask for a couple of ships for the protection of the English there, as Chapuys doubted whether the Queen would let English vessels leave, for fear of being captured. The governor promised to do so. Does not expect aid from this King, except on this pretext, which will prevent the French accusing the English of breaking the peace; for when the vessels are there it can be pretended they were arrested for the Emperor's use. As to Secretary Aubespine, he and the French ambassador went to see the King 25 miles from this city. They arrived 20 July, by appointment, but had no audience till the 24th, when, as he hears, it was very short and meagre, and they had been coldly treated by the Privy Councillors the day before. Even those who favoured them most in former times would hardly look at them. Yet Aubespine has done all he could to persuade people that he has been well treated; which is false, for no sooner had he seen the King than he returned to France, without taking leave of anyone. On his arrival in London, he and the French ambassador resident went to a place 20 miles off to see the naval preparations the King is making there. This time the ambassador accompanied him to the same port where he was to embark, that they might have another look at the fortifications and war ships, the ambassador having told him that he might assure the French king that the English ships would not be ready to put to sea for two months. Knows, however, as a fact, that two of them have already left the port, and that the remaining five or six will be ready to sail in a week hence. The commander of this fleet will be Wyatt, who was ambassador to the Emperor in Spain, and lately in Ghent. The man he sent to Court with Du Roeulx's letter has this moment returned. The letter expresses his desire to be useful to the King in executing the Emperor's orders, and announces Vendôme's invasion of Artois, adding that within a month the French will cast all their venom on that country, and if the King sent a divison of infantry with ordnance, it would not be difficult to undertake some important enterprise against them. The Lord Privy Seal sent Chapuys word that the King was wonderfully pleased at hearing of Du Roeulx's sentiments towards him, but thinks the Imperial forces in Artois so strong that there is nothing to fear from Vendôme. The whole affair, however, depends on the answer which the bp. of Westminster will bring back from Spain shortly; then will be the time to speak about the aid. But if matters become desperate in the Low Countries, Chapuys might demand aid in terms of the Treaty of Cambray. Such was the Lord Privy Seal's message; but neither he nor the Admiral would go into particulars with Chapuys's man, for they were both in conference with an ambassador lately come from Scotland about raids on the Borders and indemnities to the injured parties. Has no doubt that the Councillors suspect this last skirmish on the Borders to have been instigated by the French. Many days before this message was sent by the Lord Privy Seal, Chapuys had thought it desirable for the Emperor's reputation to obtain, at any price, some aid from this King, but has forborne till he receives instructions. There is no longer need to apply for succour for Antwerp, as the French have raised the siege. To-day or to-morrow the revocation of the statute on the lading of foreign vessels will be proclaimed here. Has not pressed the Councillors unusually hard, as nowadays it will be less dangerous for our merchants to lade their goods in English bottoms. Forgot to say that the English are no longer in such fear of the Danish fleet, having learned that the Duke of Holstein has only six or seven ships, not in very good order, which he seemed to keep rather for the defence of his own country than for anything else. This the Queen can verify from the Danish captain now a prisoner in the Low Countries. Has delayed writing, in hope of news from Spain, but none has come. London, 2 Aug. 1542. From the Vienna Archives.
2 Aug. R. O.	563. [Vaux College, near Salisbury.] Headed : "ij^do die Augusti Anno xxxiiij^to H viij^vi." "Pensions appointed to the persons undernamed, to endure so long only and to such time as they shall be preferred to livings of like or more clear yearly value" :— John Bigges, custos, nil, Wm. Mantell 40s., Thos. Gerbert 4l., Robt. Hutchune 66s. 8d., Thos. Halknight 53s. 4d., John Pighther 40s., John Tomson 4l., Walter Pruens 4l., John Fessarde 53s. 4d., Hugh Dale 4l., Edw. Russhe 4l. Wm. Foxall, chanter in Salisbury cathedral, had 66s. 8d. a year. He had a perpetuity in the said chantry and received 66s. 8d. of the college of "Scoller Devaus." Rewards given to scholars :—John Bigges nil, Mantell and the others, with the addition of John Goldyng, 20s. each. Rewards given to servants :—The cook 13s. 4d., butler 10s., praisers and goldsmith, 2s. Charges of the commissioners to take the surrender "of the said house" 100s. Signed : Wyllyam Petre—Rycharde Poulet. Pp. 3.
3 Aug. R. O.	564. The Privy Council to Wallop. The King has seen his letters of the 1st inst., and is pleased with his order taken for the surety of Guisnez Castle. Of the last 500 men appointed to Guisnez, 100 are to be sent to Hampnez Castle to be disposed as lord Graye, captain there, thinks fit; and for the reinforcement of Guisnez 500 more shall be sent with all diligence. Without himself leaving Guisnez, Wallop shall let De Reulx know that the King is pleased with his advice, and remind him to have the carriages, ordnance and provisions for the enterprise they communed of ready if required. He shall cause Ant. Rous to provide victuals both for those there and for more if sent. Draft in Wriothesley's hand, pp. 2. With some additions in another hand. Endd. : [Minute to Mr.] Wallop, iij^o Aug. Begins : "Master Wallop, after our most hearty commendations."
3 Aug. R. O.	565. Wallop to the Council. Wrote last that the third espial he sent out had not returned. He is now come home, and says that, on Tuesday, 1 Aug., went out of Abbeville, towards Hesding, 12 pieces of great ordnance and 50 waggon load of powder, shot and other war necessaries, and 50 waggon load of bread. About 10,000 footmen and 400 men of arms lie in villages between Abbeville and Muttrell and towards St. Poll. Bruit was there that the army should go to Arras. The captain of Turwan has driven some 3,000 sheep and cattle from the Burgundians, which shall be restored. Mons. de Varvin has charged two men of Daverne to prepare 200 pieces of wine to go to a village called Aqnarde, 2 leagues on this side Turwan and 1 league from St. Omez. The same day, went out of Bullen, towards Muttrell, 100 great traces to draw ordnance and 50 load of bread and beer; and also 2 load of tents to Arde. On Monday Mons. de Beez sent le Bastarde de Melez (?) to Daverne to muster 500 footmen to keep the town and castle there. Another espial says 2 or 3 carts with tents and pavilions have come to Arde, and 6 carts with powder. Most of the army is betwixt Muttrell and Abbeville, and so towards Turwan, intending to revictual Turwan and then go to Arras or Bettwene. The bruit was that Mr. Poynynges came hither with 500 men, and many more were coming. The same night a fire was made on a bulwark at Arde, and a piece of ordnance shot, to warn the country that war was begun between the Emperor and the French king. Their fear was the greater because so many Englishmen had landed. Englishmen of Ballingham and Anderne who went this day to the market at Arde were straitly examined what they would sell and buy, as if they were mistrusted. Hears that the Great Master of Flanders has 8,000 or 9,000 footmen, besides the garrisons, and 1,500 horse; who yesterday very gently sent Wallop a passport from the Regent for six horses from Bourbroughe. Received, yesternight, theirs of 31 July, by Guisnes. Begs that 1,000 pikes may be sent over for Mr. Poynynges' men and others that shall come; for those that were here are delivered to the labourers and are not meet to be carried in time of war. Guisnes, 3 Aug. Signed. Pp. 2. Add. Endd. : a^o xxxiiij^o.
4 Aug. Royal MS. 18 B., VI. 140b. B. M.	566. James V. to the General Minister of the Trinitarians. Has appointed Walter Moncur, clk., of Dunkeld diocese, aged 18, to the ministry of Scotlandwell, St. Andrew's dioc., of his Order, void by death of Robt. Arnot. Linlithgow, prid. non. Aug. 1542. Lat. Copy. p. 1.
4 Aug. Spanish Calendar, VI. II., No. 38..	567. Chancellor Poyet to Cardinal De Tournon. Implores his compassion, being conducted to prison undeservedly. Vargelay, 4 Aug. 1542.
Ib. No. 39.	2. The Same to the Admiral Of France. His unbearable tribulation compels him to be importunate, and request his intercession with the King that he may be allowed to retire to his own house. From copies in the Vienna Archives.
4 Aug. Venetian Calendar (Brown), V. 113.	568. Charles Howard. Motion passed, 4 Aug. 1542, in the Council of Venice for a licence to Mr. Charles Howard, the duke of Norfolk's nephew, and five of his servants, to wear weapons.
5 Aug.	569. Westminster Cathedral. See GRANTS IN AUGUST, No. 5.
5 Aug. Dasent's A.P.C., 19.	570. The Privy Council. Meeting at Windsor, 5 Aug. Present : Southampton, Sussex, Hertford, Russell, Durham, Winohester, Gage, Wingfield, Wriothesley. Business :—Recognisance (cited) of Wm. Bower, alderman, and Marietto Nerutti to stand, in their contention, to the order of Bart. Compaygne, Ant. Boinson (qu. misreading of Bonvisi or Bonvix?), Sir John Gresham and— (blank). [*** Next entry is 10 Aug.]
5 Aug. Kaulek, 443. (The whole text.)	571. Marillac to Francis I. Yesterday morning, which was Friday, the Privy Council sent a man express to tell Marillac how they marvelled that, during the amity, certain of Francis's subjects, with armed barks, had not only dared to enter this river and take ships of Francis's enemies within their ports, but also to fight with the English and essay to carry them off by force; which they said was done by Thomassin Nordest, of Dieppe, adding that four or five ships of Dieppe were roving about the Isle of Wight, which is beside Hantonne, so that the English dared not traffio there, and had petitioned for remedy, and the King intended to send a ship thither at once; and they prayed Marillac to write to Francis. I promised to do so, and assured him that Francis intended to treat the subjects of his good brother like his own, with other gracious words; so that the personage departed more content than he had come edified, for in truth it seemed at the outset anger and indignation to come to me to make such a declaration; and especially as the man of whom he complained was arrested by them, and is still prisoner at Dover, which, however, he concealed from me. The same day, about 6 p.m., the Privy Council wrote a letter (enclosed) by one of their couriers, signed by seven of the greatest of them and by two secretaries and a master of requests, to the effect that, for affairs of consequence which they wished to communicate to him, Marillac should be on Monday next at Hoinzors (Windsor). The affair must be the more important as they use such ceremony, which makes him think that they will open some troublesome matter (ouvrir propos facheulx), the position of affairs indicating rather ill than well; at all events, that their deliberation is very important, for they have assembled all the lords of their company, including Norfolk, who had gone home, and several others who had been sent to their governments in the country. Those whom Marillac sent towards Suethanthonne and Porchemeut report that, whatever bruit was made of it here, they saw no ship in those quarters equipped for war, nor any levy of men save 300 who embarked for Calais. It is true that, universally, lists are written of how many men each parish could send out, and the houses are visited to see if the inhabitants have bows and arrows according to the King's edict. Had sent other persons to the countries of Norfolk and Closestre (fn. 5), to see what ships could be in the coasts opposite Flanders and Denmark, who report that they saw forty, but not one equipped for war, and that in those districts they were taking tall men in the markets, and pressing them, without giving them leave to go home, and bringing them to this river, where they were embarked straight for Calais, and, as for arms, these were furnished out of the wages due after the first muster, so that already about 1,000 may have crossed; and it will be seen hereafter if more continue to be sent than was said, which was 1,000 men, as Marillac wrote before. The ambassador of Scotland has been since Sunday last until this Saturday without being able to speak to this King, and has been badly received and worse treated; for, besides accusing him of coming to spy, they have put (and kept for two days) in the Tower one of his men, for speaking of the Scots to the disadvantage of the English. While they are detaining this ambassador, they are sending arms towards Scotland with the lord of Douglas and other fugitive rebels of that country, to resent, as they say, the wrongs which the Scots do them, for every day comes news of raids in which the English have commonly been worsted. It is not unlikely that they mean to wait till Marillac is with them in order that, while they keep him occupied, they may despatch the said ambassador and send him off without opportunity to communicate with Marillac. Things here betoken war sooner or later, for, besides the provisions of which Marillac has written, he is informed that the scholars of good English houses who were studying at Paris are called home, and that Italian merchants who have acquaintance with great men secretly warn their French friends to order their affairs and leave as soon as they can. This they are doing, at all cost (au moings mal qu'ilz peuvent), for also there is no question of their getting justice in several great wrongs; whereas hitherto they had fine words, now they are told that there is no leisure to attend to it, which is as much as to say that nothing will be done for them. Has received Francis' letters, of the 27th ult., from Argilly; and as for the bp. of Vaisemester, who went to the Emperor as L'Aubespine's memoir reported, it is impossible to know the cause of his journey, but it is commonly said to be to bring the Emperor this way. The three great ships of war which are ready to sail have not left yet, but may do so at any hour; and the eight others will be able to follow them in 10 or 12 days. French. Headed : [London], 5 Aug. Marked as sent by Jehan de Boulongne.
5 Aug. R. O.	572. Wallop to the Council. This morning, received news that the Frenchmen be about Turwan, to revictual it, as they say. Their enterprise is, however, thought to be for Turneham and Mountory, but they stay somewhat because the Great Master of Flanders lies in those parts. The workmen and labourers here have heretofore lived as quietly as religious folk, but, since the coming of Mr. Poynynges with his company, they say "they take great pains and deserve as much wages as they do, and should be as able and meet to serve the King's Majesty, if any wars should be, as others." Trusts to order them (so that the works shall not be hindered) with fair words, unless it be to some particular lewd fellow (if any such chance to be), who shall have his deserts. Guisnes, 5 Aug. Signed. P. 1. Add. Sealed. Endd. : a^o xxxiiij^o.