Henry VIII: September 1543, 21-25 | British History Online

Pages 106-114

Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII, Volume 18 Part 2, August-December 1543. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1902.

Citation:

September 1543, 21-25



21 Sept. Rutland Papers (Hist. MSS. Com.) I. 31.	206. Sir William Paston to the Countess Of Rutland, his Daughter. (fn. 1) Sends on John Calle, and he and his wife will follow as fast as they may. Scribbled in haste this St. Matthew's Day in the morning. P.S. in his omi hand.—Prays her to remember that if she foolishly casts away herself it will both displease God and hinder my lord and her children.
21 Sept. Add. MS. 32,652, f. 122. B. M. Hamilton Papers. II., No. 40.	207. Suffolk to the Council. Has received theirs dated Woodstock, 18 Sept., rehearsing certain points in his last letters to the King. As to his opinion that 8,000 men was too few for the enterprise of Edinburgh, he will gladly follow the King's pleasure and give place to their opinion. As to the army and the costrelles, wrote it because of their letter conveying the King's determination to enter Scotland with 16,000 men. Quotes the passage,—to the effect that, unless the Scots observe the treaties, the King will invade with 16,000 men, by Berwick and by the West Marches, and desires Wharton to be warned that they shall be 24,000 (for he would have it known to none but his Council) and commanded to prepare victual and carriage for 12,000 to pass by Carlisle, even though this purpose take no effect and it is sold again at a loss; and that, as for the things for which Suffolk has written, all haste is made, and more brewers shall be sent if necessary. Afterwards, came the King's letters for the enterprise of Edinburgh, not declaring that the other determination was dissolved; and thereupon Suffolk thought the time meet to invade with an army, both for the exploit of Edinburgh, the destruction of the Marches and Tyvidale and the gaining over of those who are now enemies. Agrees that carriage of victuals in carts is better than in costrelles on horseback, if good carriages could be had here; but, after last years' experience, advised costrelles, and thought the Council held the same opinion when they wrote that all haste was made in the things he wrote for, which where chiefly costrelles. There should have been no lack of carriages to close the camp with, seeing that noblemen and captains would bring strong carriages for their tents and baggage, which could pass better than the weak carriages of this country. Upon the determination for the army to invade, took opinions of what it might do, and about garrisons, and caused Shelley to declare what victuals he could get. Is grieved that, whereas he was appointed to the enterprise of Edinburgh, now they think it not expedient to put him to this sudden travail. Protests that he could do it as well as younger men, and fears that his tarrying would be imputed to want of good will or courage. Wrote that the Governor and Cardinal were afraid to come to Edinburgh, upon authority of Sir George Dowgles's letters which he sent up. Darneton, 21 Sept. Signed. Pp. 6. Add. Endd. : 1543.
22 Sept. Add. MS. 32,652, f. 126. B. M. Hamilton Papers, II., No. 41.	208. Parr to Suffolk. This night, received a letter from Brian Layton declaring that, on Wednesday night, lord Hume sent 80 Scots over the water and laid a bushment of 400 within Scotland. They spoiled Urde and departed. Alex. Hume was in the bushment. Layton thereupon sent 16 men to Hume's town of Slymprin in the Marse and lay himself in a bushment with 120; but the Scots drove back his 16 men, so that he had repair to them. He left 4 or 5 Scots in peril of death, took 10 prisoners and 24 horses and burnt a "strong bastell." Has also received from Sir Ralph Eure a letter (herewith) declaring the report of one Trumbull, lately taken prisoner, touching proceedings of the lords of Scotland. If it be true that Lennox is coming to the Borders with a garrison, the English garrison lately appointed should be increased. On Wednesday night certain of Tindale took Sir Robert Scot's towns of Appiltre and Chauerbenton, 10 miles within Scotland, and brought away spoil (detailed). Warkwourthe, 22 Sept., in the morning. Signed. P.S.—Here have been Sir Robt. Ellercar, Robt. Collingwod and John Horseley to confer of the laying of the 200 soldiers. They say that other places besides those appointed need garrisons; and they will make their certificate of victuals for the army in five days. Pp. 2. Add. Endd. : 1543.
22 Sept. Add. MS. 32,652, f. 128. B. M. Hamilton Papers, II., No. 41(1).	209. Sir Thomas Wharton. "A remembrance of exploits done in Scotland," by command of Sir Thos. Wharton, from 18 to 22 Sept. a^o 35 Hen. VIII. Being a note of spoils taken by the Fosters and Armstrongs (leaders named) at lord Flemyng's town of Claide on 19 Sept., and from Bukcleughe's kinsmen at Mydshopp and Thyrlstone, and Bukcleughe himself at Eldynnope upon Yarrow, on 21 Sept. Signed : Thomas Whartton. P. 1. Endd.
22 Sept. R. O. St. P., IX. 512.	210. Wotton to Henry VIII. Everything was prepared here at Brussels to receive the Emperor on Wednesday last, (fn. 2) and the Queen had departed from Andwerpe hitherwards, when the Emperor fell sick of the gout at Diest and she went to him there. The Emperor then commanded the Estates to meet him at Lovain; but, his disease increasing, he has sent for them to Diest. This sickness and this moist weather may hinder his purposes. The duke of Cleves is at Diest. Nimmeghe made difficulty about receiving the men-of-war, but the Prince (fn. 3) insisted and they have suffered it. Amersfort is redelivered to the Emperor. The Frenchmen have taken the town of Lutzenburch, but not the castle, and have besieged Tyonville. Yesterday came letters to the Master of the Posts out of Hungary and Italy, reporting the loss of Albaregalis alias Stulwissenburgh, Guasto's departure from Milan on the 4th inst., with 10,000 footmen and 2,000 horsemen, to succour Nice castle, besieged by Barbarossa and his friends, and Doria's arrival at Genoa on the 6th, with 30 galleys. Bruxelles, 22 Sept. 1543. Hol., pp. 2. Add. Endd.
24 Sept. Add. MS. 28,196, f. 3. B. M.	211. The King's Printer. Warrant of Henry VIII. to Sir Edw. North, treasurer of Augmentations, for payment to Thos. Berthelett, his printer, of 117l. 0s. 6½d. due to him as appears by the book herewith. Wodestooke, 24 Sept. 35 Hen. VIII. Signed at the head. Parchment. Subscribed with note of receipt of the money by Berthelet, 29 Sept. 35 Hen. VIII.
1541. 1542. 1543.	ii. Account, attached to the preceding, of printing work for the King, from 9 Dec. 1541 to 12 June 1543, viz. :— Delivered to the lord Chancellor, 9 Dec. 1541, 33 Hen. VIII., 20 proclamations "for the enlarging of Hatfeld Chace printed in fine vellum at vj d. the piece." To the King, 30 Dec., a New Testament in English and Latin of the largest volume, 2s. To the King, 6 Jan., a Psalter in English and Latin covered with crimson satin, 2s.; a Psalter, the Proverbs of Salomon and other small books bound together, 16d.; also "for a little Psalter taking out of one book and setting in another in the same place and for gorgeous binding of the same book xijd., and to the goldsmith for taking off the clasps and corners and setting on the same again xvjd." To the King, 15 Jan., "a New Testament in Latin and a Psalter, English and Latin, bound back to back in white leather gorgeously gilted on the leather : the books came to ijs., the binding and arabaske drawing in gold on the transfile iiijs." To the King, 18 Jan., a book called Enarrationes Exangeliorum Dominicalium bound in crimson satin, 3s. 4d. To the King, 23 Jan., a Psalter in English and Latin and the Enarrationes gorgeously bound back to back, 5s. To Mr. Hynwische for the King "a paper book of vj quires royal, gorgeously bound in leather," 7s. 6d. To the lord Chancellor, 25 Jan., 600 proclamations concerning the King's style each containing a leaf of bastard paper, 50s.; and, 4 Feb., 600 concerning eating of white meats, each containing one whole leaf of Jene paper 25s. The account is continued in the same minute way throughout, almost all the items described as delivered to the King, as follows :—25 Feb. Ambrosius super Epistolas Saneti Pauli, a Psalter in English and 2 little Psalters. 28 Feb., Summaria [in] Evangelia et Epistolas ut leguntur, 12 copies. 3 March, Summaria in Evangelia et Epistolas (one copy gorgeously bound); two books entitled Conciliaciones locorum Althemeri; one Opus Zmaragdi. 5 March, one Novum Testamentum. 9 March, one Novum Testamentum bound with Summaria super Epistolas et Evangelia. 12 March, Authoritas allegabiles (sic) Sacre Scripture bound with the Summaria; Sedulus in Paulwn; Petrus Lumberdus in Epistolas Sancti Pauli; Homelie Ven. Bede in Epistolas Dominicales; Questiones Hugonis super Epistolas Sancti Pauli. 15 March, Thomas de Aquino in Evangelia Dominicalia and Homelie Bede bound together with others; Psalters in Latin and English; Arnobius super Psalmos; Haymo super Psalmos; Jo. de Turre Cremata super Evangelia; Omelia Haymonis super Evangelia. 16 March, Arnobius super Psalterium bound with other books. 18 March, Arnobius super Psalterium and a Psalter in English. 19 March, Homilie Bede Hyemales bound with his homilies on the Epistles; Homilie Bede Aestivales. 23 March, Homilie Bede, Pars Estivalis bound with his homilies on the "Pistols"; Enarraciones Sancti Thome de Aquino super Evangelia bound with Bede's homilies on the Epistles. 25 March, a "Psalter in Latin of Colines (fn. 4) print and one in English bound together"; Arnobius super Psalterium bound with a Psalter in English; St. Thomas de Aquino super Matheum. 26 March, Cathena Aurea Divi Thome de Aquino in Evangelia Dominicalia; Postilla Gulielmi Pariensis. 28 March, Enarraciones Sancti Thome de Aquino bound with Bede's homilies on the Epistles "ut per totum annum leguntur in templis"; a Psalter in Latin bound with Arnobius; Faber super Epistolas Catholicas; Dydimus Alexandrianus "with Beda upon the Epistolas Catholicas"; Catanus super Evangelia. 30 March, Cathena Aurea Divi Thome super Evangelia; Dionysius Caith. (sic) qu. "Carth."?) and Faber Stape, (fn. 5) super Epistolas Catholicas; Dydimus Alexandrinus and Beda super Epistolas Catholicas. 2 April, Thomas de Aquino in Evangelia Dominicalia and Beda super Epistolas bound together; Homilie Johannis Chrysostomi in Matheum; Homilie Jo. Chrysostomi in Johannem, Marcum et Lucam. 11 April, "Dionysium (sic) Carthus. in Evang. in viij bound in ij." 11 and 16 April (to the lord Chancellor); proclamations concerning stealing hawks' eggs and keeping "sowre" hawks. 20 April, (to the lord Chancellor) Acts printed in proclamations as follows :—Counterfeit tokens; buying fish upon the sea; folding cloths in North Wales; pewterers; keeping of great horses; crossbows and handguns; conveyance of brass, &c. over sea; conjurations, witchcrafts, &c.; maintenance of artillery, debarring unlawful games; execution of certain statutes; butchers; murder and malicious bloodshed within the Court; lordships translated from Denbigh to Flint; false prophecies; translation of sanctuary from Manchester to Westchester; worsted yarn in Norfolk; continuance of certain acts; making of kerseys; shipping of cloths. Binding "two primers written and covered with purple velvet and written about with gold," 6s. 6 May, 12 of the statutes made in Parliament holden in 33 Hen. VIII. 11 May, (to Mr. James, Mr. Dene's servant, for the King) a great book of paper imperial bound after the fashion of Venice, and another bound after the Italian fashion. 14 June, (to Mr. Daniell, servant to Mr. Deny, for the King) two books of paper royal bound after the Venetian fashion. 5 Nov. (to Mr. Secretary Wrysley) 3 dozen "books of the declaration of the King's Highness' title to the sovereignty of Scotland." 30 Dec., (to Mr. Jones, servant to Mr. Deny) five Tullius de Officiis bound in paper boards and one gorgeously gilted for the King. Binding and gorgeous gilding of a paper book delivered 14 Jan. to Mr. Turner. 7 Feb. (to Mr. Hynnige) a great book of royal paper bound in Venetian fashion. 9 Feb., (to the lord Chancellor) proclamations for white meats. 6 March, (to the Council) three "books of the Institution of a Christian Man made by the clergy." 6 April, (to Mr. Hen. Knyvett) a "bridgement of the statutes gorgeously bound." 8 April, (to the Council) 3 little books of the Statutes, 3 books of the Six Articles, 3 of the proclamations against Anabaptists, 3 proclamations of ceremonies, 3 of the injunctions and 3 of holy days. 4 May, (to the lord Chancellor) proclamation concerning price of sugar. Binding "a book written in vellum by Master Turner covered with black velvet." 31 May, (to the Chancellor) proclamation of the following Acts, viz. :—For the advancement of true religion; explanation of the statute of wills; bankrupts; preservation of the river Severn; collectors and receivers; making of coverlets in York; assize of coal and wood; "that persons being no common surgeons may minister outward medicines;" authorising certain of the Council to set prices on wines; making of pins; making of friezes and cottons in Wales; paving streets in London and Westminster; knights and burgesses in Parliament for the county palatine and city of Chester; for certain ordinances in Wales. 1 June, 24 books entitled A Necessary Doctrine for any Christian Man; also 24 more on the 3rd, and again on the 4th June. 12 June (to Mr. Stokeley) proclamations of the Acts for the advancement of true religion, explanation of the Statute of Wills, bankrupts, Severn, collectors and receivers, coverlets, surgeons, pricing of wines, pins, and friezes and cottons. Signed by lord Chancellor Audeley. Book of 22 pages, of which 5 are blank. Endd. : Bartlettes book, the King's printer. Docketed in Sir Ric. Riche's hand : "Paye thys."
24 Sept. Add. MS. 32,652, f. 129. B. M. Hamilton Papers II., No. 42.	212. The Privy Council to Suffolk. To decipher the Governor's determination, the King once purposed to write him a letter as in the mynute enclosed; but, considering that the Governor might use it to his own advantage, now thinks that Suffolk and the Council there should send a personage secretly to him, with a letter of credence, to declare the very tenor of the said mynute and press for answer in writing. This personage, if examined of it by others, is to utter in general terms the first part of it, leaving out that which touches the Cardinal and the enterprise, and denying that he spake it if the Governor "would avouch it unto him." Draft corrected by Wriothesley, pp. 2. Endd. : Mynute to the duke of Suffolk, xxiiij^o Septembris 1543.
lb. f. 131.	2. The mynute. Remembering how things have passed between my King and you, and how you now stand by the circumvention of such as seek their own commodity and your ruin, for the good will I hitherto conceived of you, I remind you of "the extreme danger whereunto you be brought " (as doubtless, by this time, you perceive), how far your late proceedings vary from your former promises to my Sovereign, both by letter and to his ambassador there, and with how gentle a prince you have had to do; who, undoubtedly, minded your great benefit, and by whom, "such is his most benign and gentle nature," if you leave this trade to which you have been led by your secret mortal enemies and let me know, by your letters, that you repent it and eftsoons desire his favour, you may still be received and I will be a suitor for you. If you intend to follow this advice, I desire you to let me know it by letter; and I think you should, forthwith, send for your friends secretly to repair to you, at Edinburgh, in such force as to apprehend the Cardinal and the chief circumventors and take Edinburgh Castle, in which to save yourself until aid come from the King. But if you resolve to "ensue still the aveugling of your enemies," I pray you to keep this motion to yourself, lest I might thereby incur displeasure, and let me know your resolve by bearer. Draft, corrected by Wriothesley, pp. 7.
24 Sept. Add. MS. 32,652, f. 135. B. M. Hamilton Papers. II., No. 43. Sadler State Papers, I., 300.	213. Sadler to Henry VIII. Yesterday at 3 p.m. the Queen Dowager, Governor, Cardinal and other lords here, as Murrey, Huntley, Argile, Bothwell, Mountrosse, Flemyng, &c., and the bps. of Glasco, Murrey, Orkeney, &c., sent for him; and the Cardinal declared to him that, whereas a treaty had been passed between Henry and the Governor and other lords here, and also proclaimed, upon assurance of which merchants here sent their ships to sea, the said ships were not only taken in England but incourses, burnings and spoils made in the Borders of Scotland as in open war; and they desired Sadler to tell the cause of the taking of the ships, and help to their restitution. Replied that the Governor knew as much of the stay of the ships as he did, which was because they were laden with victuals into France, contrary to the treaties, and because such as were in the ships spoke slanderously of the Governor; and the disorder on the Borders was first provoked by their Borderers. The Cardinal said these causes were not sufficient for stay of the ships, for they carried no victual, except it were fish, which was their common merchandise, and, by the treaties, the subjects of both realms might use their accustomed traffic with such merchandise as they have been wont to transport; and, as to unseemly words, the punishment of them pertained to the Governor. Sadler answered that, by the treaties, they might not send victuals or any kind of aid to the King's enemies, and fish could not be denied to be victual. The Cardinal, praying him to help to the restitution of the ships and goods, left that matter and said that, whereas the Governor ratified the treaties and delivered them to Sadler, who delivered them again to the laird of Fyf, who carried them into England to obtain the King's ratification of them, the King had not ratified them as required. Sadler replied that the laird of Fyf was sent (as the Governor knew) not only to receive the ratification but to sue for respite of the conditions of the treaties; whereunto the King had answered that, perceiving them to proceed faithfully, he would bear with them for a time, and, "as the hostages were not laid, which was the principal knot of the treaties," he deferred the ratification. The Cardinal then demanded whether, if they conformed to the laying of hostages and accomplishment of the treaties, Sadler could promise that the King would accept it, restore the ships and redress attemptates done on the Borders since the abstinence (as they for their part would do); for otherwise it were vain for them to devise upon the perfection of the treaties. Sadler answered that, considering how the time was past for performance of the conditions and what alterations daily arose here, he could not promise that the King would do all this; but, knowing the King's affection to the weal of this realm and the tranquillity of both realms, he supposed that, if the King saw them proceed to the effectual execution of the treaties, he would accept it and also restore the ships and redress the attemptates. The Cardinal, on behalf of the rest, required him to write for the King's pleasure in this. Replied that he would do so with a good will, and thought they should declare whether, if the King would grant it, they would indeed concur to perform the treaties; so that he might write that too. They answered that "the matters were weighty, and they must needs have time to devise upon the same." Told them that he doubted not they had sufficiently devised thereupon, and had resolved what they would do; but could get no more of them. There was some question of the validity of the treaties, which they alleged to have been passed privately, and Sadler replied to the contrary. On Saturday night, (fn. 6) arrived lord Somervile, the sheriff of Ayr and the lord of Donelanerik with letters of credence from Angus, Cassells, Glencarne, Maxwell and Sir George Douglas, to the effect that, unless the Governor, Cardinal, &c., would concur to perform the treaties, they would come to no convention but stand to the performance of the treaties, as a thing which the Governor and the Three Estates had promised. Yesterday, after many high words used by the Governor and Cardinal and their complices, they answered that, if Angus and his partakers will perform the conditions "and lay the first hostages of themselves and the prisoners," they will concur. So that, as Somervile says, if the King will accept prisoners for the most part, or the half, of the pledges, the treaties will doubtless be performed; and, when Sadler answered that the King would certainly not accept any of the prisoners, Somervile said there was then no way but force and the King must prepare for war. Somervile told him, further, that Angus and the rest had made answer to the King's letters and would send it by the West Borders. As far as he can perceive, they are determined to stand to their promises. When yesterday with the Queen Dowager, Governor and the rest, Sadler demanded delivery of his post and the letters as promised. They answered that the post was a soldier of Berwick and had stolen goods of Patrick Hume, who, therefore, took him for a lawful prisoner. Replied that, though he were one of the garrison of Berwick, he was an ordinary post appointed to serve at this time and, coming with the King's letters, ought not to be intercepted. The letters were sent to Sadler within an hour afterwards. Understands that they kept them here two or three days to prove their cunning in deciphering them, but failed. The packet contained nothing else but a letter from Suffolk and Durham, with a copy of a letter from the King to Angus which he will set forth. Edinburgh, 24 Sept. Signed. Partly in cipher, pp. 8. Add. Endd.
lb. f. 140.	2. Decipher of part of the preceding. Pp. 2. Endd.
24 Sept. Add. MS. 32,652, f. 141. B. M. Hamilton Papers, II., No. 44.	214. Sadler to Suffolk and Tunstall. The King's letters herewith show how things stand. Yesterday, at his being with the Queen, Governor, Cardinal and other lords here, they required him to write for the stay of the continual raids on the Borders, and they would likewise write to their wardens to keep good rule. Thinks this should be done, until it appear whether they will perform the treaties— of which there now seems more hope, the only difficulty being that they would, now at the first, lay some of the prisoners for pledges; which Sadler thinks the King will not admit, but would gladly know his determination therein. The post of Berwick who was taken is not delivered; but the letters were sent to Sadler yesternight, viz., theirs of 13 Sept. signifying receipt of his of the 11th inst. to the King, with others, and desiring to know whether he had advanced the 100l. to Angus (which he has not done, as he has already written), and a copy in cipher of the King's letters to Angus; the original whereof is probably detained by the Governor and Cardinal, if the post that was taken carried it to Sir George Douglas at Coldingham, for he was taken before he came to Coldingham, and indeed all the danger of interception is between Berwick and Coldingham. Edinburgh, 24 Sept. Hol., partly in cipher, pp. 2. Add. Endd.; 1543.
Ib. 142.	2. Decipher of part of the preceding, with a note in Tunstall's hand that "Mr. Sadler mistrusteth without cause the interception of my lord of Anguish letter, for his brother Sir George hath written that he had read it and would deliver it, as appeareth by his letter." P. 1.
24 Sept. Venetian Calendar (Brown), V. 119.	215. Venice. Motion made (to gratify the English ambassador) in the Venetian Council, 24 Sept., 1543, to license Mr. William Cobham and Mr. John Schiere with their three English servants (named) to wear weapons. Not passed.
25 Sept. R. O. St. P., IX.513.	216. The Privy Council to Bonner. The King has received all his letters, the last dated 3rd inst. Mons. de Chantonnay brought letters of credence in the Emperor's own hand and declared the victory of the Emperor in Gelders and submission of the Duke, and how, after setting Gelders in order, the Emperor, with an army large enough to make two sufficient armies, intends to invade the enemy; and thereto besought the King to give 150,000 cr., which should "wage his sould for one month," as heretofore the King waged the Emperor Maximilian. It was answered that the King congratulated the Emperor on his victory and would gladly give the money, but could not do so because of his own great charges in aiding the Emperor and king of Romayns (to whom he advanced 10,000l.), maintaining forces beyond sea and in Scotland (where, after consuming much treasure in reducing them, the people are so unstable and so aided out of France, that it is doubtful "whether he shall be fain again to daunt them wholly with force") and preparing his main army to invade France next year; nevertheless, if the Emperor would reinforce our men now there and permit them to repair to Mutrel, Arde, or elsewhere at the King's appointment, he would entertain his men for a month longer than the treaty bound him; and for more ample declaration of these things he would shortly send a personage to the Emperor. This answer Bonner shall repeat to Grandvele; and shall also remind him that, whereas the treaty appointed the navies of both sides to be abroad within a month after the indiction of war, and he has done his part, they have not "done the semblable"; requiring them to take order in this, for hitherto the King has defended all the coasts of the Low Countries. Woodstock, 25 Sept. 1543. Draft, pp. 2. Ending : "Your lordship's assured friends."
R O.	2. Copy of the 21st article (fn. 7) of the treaty of peace between Henry VIII. and Charles V. [of 11 Feb. 1543] followed by a paragraph, headed "Intentio," which sets forth that, seeing the instance which has been made by Henry's ambassadors both to the Emperor and to Queen Mary for the observance of that article, it is surprising that there has been so much delay on their part. Henry's exertions alone have hitherto kept open the passage to Antwerp and prohibited in great measure the French from fishing, whereas if the Emperor's forces had co-operated, the French might have been prohibited from fishing altogether. The Emperor is therefore to be diligently besought to command his ministers to observe the article better hereafter. Latin, pp. 2. Endd. : "Le memorial de l'ambassadeur d'Angleterre touchant les navires sur la mer selon le contenu de xxj article de traicte."
R. O. [Spanish Calendar, VI. II., No. 186A.]	3. Modern transcript of § 2 from a copy at Vienna. Latin, pp. 2.
25 Sept. R. O.	217. Suffolk, Tunstall and Browne to [Parr]. For causes to be declared by Sir Ant. Browne, we require you to repair hither speedily, "with a few with you," bringing Sir Ralph Eure, Robt. Colinwood and John Horseley, for a consultation, "leaving the Borders in as good order as ye may." Darnton, 25 Sept. Signed. P. 1. Flyleaf with address lost.
25 Sept. R. O.	218. Wallop to Henry VIII. On 23 Sept., arrived Don Fernando de Gonzago, captain general of the Emperor's army lately in Cleves, who rested the night in the Duke of Arschecote's tent, and on the 24th, with the Great Master, viewed the town of Landercy and then came to Wallop. He said the Emperor suffered from gout in coming from Venelo, but was amended and would be here in 7 or 8 days; requiring Wallop to remain until his arrival. He also said it was resolved that he with 8,000 Italians and Spaniards, 30 ensigns of Allemen and a great band of horsemen should march straight to Guyse and besiege the castle, wherein were the duke of Vandosme and Mons. de Bees; where, being between the French king and Landercy, they should give much terror to Landercy and provoke the French King to battle, which the Emperor desires. Wallop replied that he had received the King's letters directing him to remain with the Emperor's power, besieging Landercy or invading France, and urged that the army before Landercy should not depart without taking it, seeing that the French king had employed such time and charge upon it that it was in reputation like Turyn in Pyemont. He said this army should still remain and besiege it, reinforced with 6,000 Frysons under Mons. de Bures and 20 great battery pieces. That night Gonzago departed, to conduct his army as devised, and it was decided to besiege Landercy on both sides. The master of the Duke's ordnance asked the aid of the King's master of ordnance and his pioneers, who spent the night making a trench towards an old tower adjoining the town gate, which trench shall be finished with another night's work. The French king is at Cowcy castle, 6 miles from Vandosme's house called Le Faire. His army that was at Tyemvile in Luxembourg is retired; and he has sent for 4,000 Allemen and 400 men of arms to put within Merle, a town of the duke of Vandosme's brother that is now with Barbarossa. Yesterday three lanceknights brought a letter directed to Henry out of Allemen; saying they were commissioned to carry it, but their money had failed. Sends it, to save charge, "knowing them to be very covetous," and has put them in wages here. Has just received a packet from Fernando Gonzago containing a letter to Henry and one to himself. The latter mentions his desire to do Henry service. Sends the other. Camp before Landercye, 25 Sept. Signed. Pp. 4. Add. Endd. : 1543.