Henry VIII: December 1530, 1-14 | British History Online

Pages 3052-3058

Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, Henry VIII, Volume 4, 1524-1530. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1875.

Citation:

December 1530



R. O.	6752. ERNEST DUKE OF LUNENBURG.
	The Duke has understood by yesterday's oration how much the King favors the liberty of Germany. The Duke perceives that the speech was divided into three parts:—1, to induce him and his allies not to accept terms from the Emperor;—2, not to agree to the election of the king of the Romans; (the worship of God is concerned in the first, and the liberty of Germany in the second;)—and, 3, that if they should be harshly treated, they should submit the matter to the arbitration of Henry VIII. and Francis I. Is directed to reply as follows:—1. The prince Elector, the Duke and his other adherents, have sufficiently explained the justice of their cause in their letters to the King, and the Duke remains firm in his resolve to abide by the Confession [of Augsburg] (professio cœptæ veritatis). The corrupt state of the hierarchy, both in life and doctrine, has compelled them to appeal to a General Council. 2. He does not see that he can do anything to hinder the election, nor is it his business; but as his uncle the duke of Saxony, to whom the right of electing this King belongs, has all along opposed the election, and protested its nullity, he will continue to take part with him in not recognising Ferdinand as king of the Romans. 3. As to the arbitration (compromissum), though the Duke has great confidence in the kings of England and France, a matter concerning the common faith of Christians must be determined according to God's Word, and with the cognizance of the whole world; nor can the Protestants withdraw from the profession they have repeatedly made before the whole world, or submit the cause to any other appeal (vel in angustiorem locum causa cogatur); but if even a free Council cannot be obtained, and their adversaries meditate violence, whatever the King thinks best in the interest of God's Word, the tranquillity of Christendom, and the liberty of Germany, the Duke will be ready to accomplish.
	Lat., pp. 3. Headed: Responsio Ernesti ducis Luneburgen. per secretarium.
1 Dec. Analectes Belgiques, I. 379.	6753. JOHN ARCHBISHOP OF PALERMO and DE LALAING COUNT OF HOGHSTRATE to CHARLES V.
	Lady Margaret died tonight, between 12 and 1, after taking the sacrament. Des Barres will give him a letter from her. Have sealed her coffers, and written to Nassau and Berghes, who, with Hoghstrate and others, are her executors, to attend to the performance of her will, and to provide for the Emperor's affairs here. Have written also to Buren, Beures, and Fyennes to come hither. Will send Des Barres with the duplicate of her will, when Nassau and Berghes arrive. Have informed the people on the frontiers of France, England, and Gueldres, that they may be on their guard. Malines, 1 Dec. 1530.
	Fr.
1 Dec. R. O.	6754. VAUGHAN to CROMWELL.
	Since his repair to these parts six days ago, has not learned much about the matters of which Cromwell spoke to him before his departure,—partly because he had occasion immediately to go to Brussels to expedite the affairs of the Merchants Adventurers in the Chancery there, partly because he feared to broach his purpose prematurely, lest his policy should be prevented. My lady Margaret died today. Could not inform Cromwell, before he left England, what goods might be profitably exported to these parts. It would be a good time now to send grain, which is much enhanced in price from the inundations. Will remember the other matter. Antwerp, 1 Dec. 1530.
	Hears nothing of the building of ships in these parts.
	Hol., p. 1. Add.: To the right worshipful Master Thomas Cromwell, besides the Friars Augustines.
	ii. On the back of the preceding:—
	"This is the copy of the letter here inclosed, directed to Mr. Treasurer, which I wrote because I would not in all things seem to be slow in writing." Begs him to deliver it to his mastership. Antwerp, 2 Dec.
	Begs him to remember his money of Clarencieux.
2 Dec. R. O. Camusat. Lettres de François I. 59.	6755. FRANCIS I. and HENRY VIII.
	Treaty for the conversion of the yearly tribute of black salt, agreed to be paid by Francis at Brouage by the treaty of 1527, into a money payment of 30,000 cr. for arrears, by half-yearly instalments of 7,500 cr. in the years 1531 and 1532, and 10,000 cr. a year for the future tribute. To be confirmed by both princes within two months. Hampton Court, 2 Dec. 1530. (fn. 1)
	Lat., pp. 3, modern copy.
R. T. 137. R. O.	2. Another copy from the French archives.
R. O.	6756. SALT.
	A proposition that the king of France shall supply England yearly for forty years with 40,000 weigh of salt, each weigh to contain 40 bushels, paying for each weigh 20d. ster. for custom, unloading, &c. The salt to be sold at 5d. a bushel.
	Lat., p. 1.
4 Dec. Bradford, 331.	6757. CHAPPUYS to CHARLES V.
	The bishop of Rochester has finished a book in favor of the Queen, now sent. Tuesday, St. Andrew's Eve, Norfolk told the papal Nuncio that the King wished the cardinal's hat for the auditor of the Chamber, and was very angry he had heard nothing about it, and that the Pope had spoken to his ambassador of his banishing the lady from court, &c. The Nuncio apologized, and said he did not wish to communicate the news to the King, as he did not wish to hear any more of the complaints and menaces the King was in the habit of using. The Pope had heard of the King's conduct, and he had written to the Nuncio that he should henceforth make no more excuses, as he had done enough for the King already;—that it was impossible in the face of the world to delay matters any longer, and justice must be done. The Duke thanked him, and begged him not to make any unpleasant report. The Nuncio knows that I have told your Majesty that mildness aggravates these people, and harshness softens them. So long as the Pope acted graciously they upbraided him,—now he has tightened the reins they are more humble. The Nuncio has therefore told the Pope he must maintain his authority, and conclude the Queen's business.
	The cardinal of York died on St. Andrew's Day, at a place where king Richard was killed. They are both buried in the same church, which the people call The Tyrants' Sepulchre. At first the Cardinal refused to take nourishment; afterwards he took or was given something to hasten his end. On Monday the captain of the guard arrived to conduct him hither. Soon afterwards he was taken ill, lingered till Wednesday, and then prepared for his end like a good Christian. On taking the sacrament he protested he had never done anything to the prejudice of his Sovereign. The King still retains his benefices. London, 4 Dec. 1530.
	Fr.
4 Dec. Add. MS. 28,582, f. 113. B. M.	6758. MAI to CHARLES V.
	* * *
	The cause of England is proceeding, and the English ambassador has been to complain to the Pope because they had cited him, as if the suspension of twenty days was to be perpetual. I said to his Holiness he had as little reason in this as in the principal cause. Still they go on threatening to do something new. I will follow the cause by your order. From Spain they have sent a treatise of the marriage of prince Arthur, which comes very opportunely, and contains all that is wanted. They have not sent that about her marriage with the other brother Henry ("lo de quando se casa con el otro hermano," &c.), nor the bull of dispensation. I have written again to the president, who, however, writes that Ortis is coming. I have written already how the duke of Ferrara secreted the seals (desvio los sellos), which the English ambassadors had been seeking for in his lands, and now I am told the duke of Mantua has done the same. Rodrigo Ninyo writes to me that he does not think it advisable to take out a brief which had been agreed upon, to allow the universities of Bologna and Padua to give their opinions, because he fears they will give them against us. And I am of the same opinion, for there is certainly more to lose than to gain, especially as it is known how their opinions were obtained. The money they spend gets them as many opinions as they require. I hear that the English ambassador, searching in the Papal library, has found something to the contrary of his purpose. I shall find out what it is. * * * Conference with the duke of Albany. * * * Rome, 4 Dec. 1530.
	Sp., pp. 21, modern copy from Simancas.
6 Dec. R. O. Burnet, vol. VI. p.41.	6759. HENRY VIII. to CLEMENT VII.
	Although the King finds that his demands, however just and reasonable, are put aside, that the requests of the French king in his behalf are of no avail, that the intercession of his nobles is not only despised but derided, and that nothing whatever is done for the King's relief,—although he sees all these things more clearly than he likes, both by the King's ambassadors at Rome and by the Pope's here,—the result seems so opposed to common sense, and the King's own knowledge of the facts of his case, that sometimes he cannot believe the Pope to have done what he knows he has done. Who could have believed his Holiness would have denied his petition for judges in England? Certainly the King expected otherwise; as did also the French king, who backed his request, and his councillors, who advised him so to do; also the whole nobility and leading men in England. Quotes St. Cyprian and St. Bernard in favor of terminating a dispute where it was begun. The Pope shows by his acts before all the world that he is wholly devoted to the Emperor's will, and that he ordains, prorogues, and alters things to serve the times. The Queen's simple assertion that England is an unsafe place to judge the cause, is credited in opposition to the clearest documents and facts that cannot deceive. When there was any doubt about the matter judges were sent to England by the Pope; but now, when there is none, the Pope believes the very reverse of what has been proved. The King has shown clearly how safely the cause might be judged in England, by allowing to every one perfect liberty of speech; while the Queen only asserts the contrary, and has produced no evidence that it is so.
	Wishes the Pope would declare in writing the reason he persists in denying Henry's suit. Thinks it will be best in such a grave matter that they should communicate their views to each other by formal demands and replies. Demands, therefore, once more of the Pope that he will allow the cause to be decided in England by the judges named by his ambassadors (fn. 2) as indifferent. Understands the Pope made no difficulty about them, but only about the place, which has been already settled by the decrees of Councils (quem sacra Consilia jam diffiniverunt), and the authority of St. Cyprian and St. Bernard. It will certainly be difficult to maintain the Queen's objection, and the infamy it ascribes to the King is intolerable; even in a mean man it would be a scandalous sin, which the Pope ought not to impute to Henry without a witness.
	Does not wish to judge the Pope's conduct rashly; but if he approves, or does not openly reprove, what has been done by his ambassadors, these things are very serious charges against him, For the Pope first endeavored to prevent any one freely declaring his opinion of the King's cause; then, when after repeated solicitations he by published letters allowed every one to write and say what they thought of it, his functionaries (magistratus vestri), even in the Pope's name, threatened many persons at Bologna and elsewhere, if they should write against his power. Moreover, the Imperial ambassadors everywhere in Italy, especially in the Pope's dominions, use threats in contempt of the Papal edict, to make those who have written in the King's cause recant; and by some conspiracy the King's letters are not allowed to pass freely. The French king also has informed Henry that the Papal ambassador in France has pronounced, and in the name of his Holiness, a strong opinion upon Henry's cause, not fearing impudently to lie (fn. 3) to such a Prince in saying that the King had no right on his side, whereas the Pope has acknowledged that he has a most righteous case.
	If, then, the Pope desire his own rights to be respected, let him not interfere with those of Henry. Let him not receive appeals to Rome in the King's cause, but remit them into England; and if he has passed these inhibitions, let him revoke them. Let him not suppose that either the King or his nobles will allow the fixed laws of his kingdom to be set aside.
	Finally, let the Pope regard his demands on their own merits, if not out of respect for Henry. He only seeks to preserve that which is his own. He seeks what is in accordance with the laws of the Church, the authority of Councils, and the opinion of St. Cyprian and St. Bernard. He seeks it because the laws of England will not suffer the contrary, and he himself abhors contention. But he will not brook denial.
	Lat., copy. Endd. by Tunstal.
	2. The letter as actually sent is printed in Theiner, p. 594. Dated Hampton Court, 6 Dec. 1530.
6 Dec. R. O. St. P. VII. 269.	6760. HENRY VIII. to BENET and CARNE.
	Dr. Kerne has written to the King's secretary, that the learned men hired on the King's counsel at Rome have concluded that Rome is not a safe place; which will be a good ground to stay process. The King's council here is of the same opinion; but the King declines to use a plan which would acknowledge the Pope's jurisdiction, and prefers that they should propose other exceptions, according to a form enclosed; which, however, they may modify at discretion, as he doubts not they would rather be taken for good Englishmen than Englishmen papisticate. Hampton Court, 6 Dec. Signed at top.
	Add.
6 Dec. Add. MS. 28,582, f. 141. B. M.	6761. The EMPEROR to the ARCHBISHOP OF TOLEDO.
	"Thanks him for his letter of the 15th of August. Affairs of Spain: Is glad to hear that he takes so much interest in the cause of the queen of England.
	"No date. Endd.: Despatch sent to Castile from Spire, 6 Dec. 1530.
	"Sp., draft, written by the Secretary of State, Idiaquez; pp. 3."
	Modern abstract from Simancas.
10 Dec. R. O.	6762. THOMAS SOTEHILL.
	"Money laid out by my Lord," (fn. 4) from 21 Sep. 21 Hen. VIII. to 10 Dec. 22 Hen. VIII. for Thomas Sotehill.
	P. 1. Endd.
11 Dec. R. O.	6763. DR. DE AUGUSTINIS.
	A recognisance of "Mr. Doctor De Augustinis, Venetian, in the sum of 100l., to be paid to the use of our sovereign lord the King at Christmas next;" on condition that if he keep secret all such matter as is mentioned in a book written with his own hand concerning the late cardinal of York (Wolsey), and presented by him to my lord of Norfolk, president of the Council, this recognisance shall be void; otherwise it is to stand in full force. Hampton Court, 11 Dec. 22 Hen. VIII.
	Copy in Wriothesley's hand, p. 1.
12 Dec. P. S.	6764. The MONASTERY OF GORYNG, Linc. dioc.
	Assent to the election of Margaret Woddall as prioress, vice Alice Colsell, resigned. Westm., 12 Dec.
	Pat. 22 Hen. VIII. p. 2, m. 11.
	ii. Petition for the above, 23 Nov. 1530.
14 Dec. Add. 28,582, f. 150. B. M.	6765. MAI to CHARLES V.
	The duke of Albany. * * *
	The cause of England is prosecuted, "y no se pierde un termino." They want the original documents (los auctos mas sustanciales) from Spain. I write tonight by a courier to the Empress and to the President. I have asked of the Pope the breves of new inhibitions and of the separation. He promised to give me them, provided the Queen's advocate (?) would speak about it in Consistory (pero que el relator de la causa hiziesse palabra en Consistorio). I spoke to the Queen's advocate (relator), and he came to Consistory, but as the cardinals of Osma and Ancona did not come he went away (alargose). * * * I learned lately of the arrival of letters from the king of England, requesting cardinals' hats for the Auditor of the Chamber and Casal. The matter was talked of in Consistory, but put off. On hearing of it I went to the Pope, who promised me he would not do it; but as a cardinal afterwards gave me a different account of what was said in Consistory from his Holiness, I had interviews all night with the cardinals favorable to us (de la devocion), for I durst not visit them by day, and they promise to use their influence against it. * * *
	Sp., pp. 10, modern copy from Simancas.
14 Dec. Add. MS. 28,582, f. 158. B. M. Heine, Briefe an Karl V.	6766. FRAY GARCIA LAOYSA, CARDINAL OF OSMA, to CHARLES V.
	"What has happened since his last letter is not of great importance. and yet it is worth knowing. The king of England has very instantly begged the Pope to make the Auditor de la Camera, and the brother of Casale, who has been his ambassador in Rome, cardinals. He has written not only to the Pope, but to all the members of the Sacred College, asking them to grant his desire. His Holiness proposed them on Friday last, and recommended them warmly. He seemed really to wish that the Auditor should have the cardinal's hat. Was not present. Was much scandalized when he heard of this affair. Thinks the Auditor is a very bad man, and behaves as an enemy of the Emperor in the divorce case of the queen of England. Begged the ambassador and Musetula to speak with the Pope, and to tell him that it would reflect dishonor on the cause of God and the Apostolic See if `that man' were honored and elevated to so high rank, and that the Emperor would have good reason to be astonished. If the king of England had asked to make one of his subjects a cardinal, a man of good conduct, and a scholar, his Holiness would be right in doing his will; but as the demand is made in favor of an Italian, the king of England has no reason to be offended if it is not granted.
	"Made the same observations to Sanga, and asked him to repeat them to the Pope. The Pope answered the ambassador and Musetula, that what they said was perfectly just, and that he did not propose the candidates of the king of England with the intention to make them really cardinals. Such intention, he protested, he had never had, nor would ever have.
	"Begged the ambassador to speak with some of the elder cardinals, and to request them to vote against the candidates of the king of England in the Consistory which will assemble the next day. All these manœuvres are necessary to prevent the creation of these cardinals; for the Pope is, in small things, the most reserved man he has seen, and his thoughts are as difficult to read as though they were written in cipher. Has often been on the point to ask the Emperor to send him (the writer) to Naples, because it pains him to see `the secresy, the malice, the fear, and the cowardice' of the Pope. Has, however, not done so, because he thinks that the Pope is, in great affairs of state, such a reliable friend and father of the Emperor. That reconciles him.
	"Suspects that the Pope has been pleased with the demand of the king of England, as, if he rejects the prayer of the king of England, he has a good reason also to refuse his (the Emperor's) requests. The excuse of the Pope for not doing what the king of England has asked him is that the General Council being so near at hand, it would be inopportune to create new cardinals. This excuse holds as good against the Emperor as against the king of England, but other reasons will be found to keep off the king (of England) and the Auditor.
	"The day of the date of this letter the English ambassador came to visit him, and told him that his King had the creation of the Auditor much at heart, but would waive the claims of the other, Casale.
	"Ferdinand de Gonzaga. Quartering of the army, &c. Rome, 14 Dec.
	"Sp., hol., pp. 3."
	Modern abstract from Simancas.