CHAPTER XV

THE WORK OF THOMAS CROMWELL

It is inevitable that there should be the widest divergence of opinion concerning every great figure in Reformation history, and it is idle to attempt to form an estimate of the character and work of Thomas Cromwell that will satisfy those who take different views of the great struggle during which his life was lived. But Catholics and Protestants must agree on the fundamental and permanent nature of the changes which he wrought: whether his work was good or bad, no one can deny his success in fulfilling his life’s aim as declared to Cavendish on the All Hallows Day when he rode forth to London ‘to make or to marre.’ He was the first chief minister that England had ever had, who was base-born and yet not a cleric. He stood completely outside the great religious movement of his time, and only made use of it to further his own political ends. He came at a time when things were in an unsettled state and ready for a change: his personality, emotionless, practical, stern, impressed itself on every phase of the national life. It was not alone in Parliament, Convocation, or Privy Council that he reigned supreme; on every department of the government service the stamp of his individual genius remains indelibly fixed. The permanence of his work was largely due to the way in which he clinched every reform which he introduced. He followed up the separation from Rome by attacking in turn the bishops, clergy, and friars, and by suppressing the monasteries. He obtained the support of the King in almost every measure which he invented, and then forced Parliament formally to legalize it. His action was in no case ineffective; the immediate result of it was almost always the attainment of the goal at which he aimed.

To the student of the present day, however, who is enabled to survey the decade of Cromwell’s rule after a lapse of more than three and a half centuries, the immediate effects of his measures fade into the background and lose their importance, in the face of later and far greater developments. The latter were not always the results Cromwell wished to attain; in many cases they were ends which, if he could have foreseen, Cromwell would have been the last person to promote. They came years later, indirectly, as it were, and were rendered possible only by the lapse of time, the influence of other statesmen, and the growth and progress of civil and religious liberty, but none the less were they due to the impulse of Thomas Cromwell. By following out the effect of a few of the more important steps of his policy, it will not be difficult to see what some of these later developments were.

Let us take in the first place his action in rejecting the authority of the See of Rome. Cromwell advised the King to shake off his allegiance to the Pope, solely because he saw that a divorce from Katherine of Aragon could never be obtained from Clement VII., as long as the latter was in the power of Charles V. His aim was to please the King by enabling him to divorce Katherine, so that he might marry Anne Boleyn; he realized that his desire could not be accomplished while the country remained true to the Old Faith; he cut the bonds that held England to Rome, and gained what Henry wished. The direct result, the only thing he cared about, was accomplished; but far more important than that, it was by Cromwell’s means that Protestantism gained a footing in England, which even the Six Articles and the terrible persecution under Mary could not shake. To guard against the return of the Papal power, and the annulling of the divorce, Cromwell attacked and subdued the clergy, and negotiated with the Protestants on the Continent. His immediate object was solely political safety; the ultimate result was the loosening of some of the strongest bonds of Romanism, and the opening of the road for the incoming of the new religion. Thus out of moves first made to attain and ensure a questionable end, grew consequences so great and so far-reaching that it is only with difficulty that one can trace their origin.

The same remark will be found to hold true of the results of the suppression of the monasteries[745]. The main object of the King’s Vicegerent in destroying them was undoubtedly to fill the royal treasury with the spoils of the Church, and to clinch the advantages gained by the separation from Rome. But the later result of his measures was actually to undo much of the work which they were first intended to perform. For though they had weakened religious opposition to the Crown, they strengthened the secular element in its later struggle against the royal autocracy which Cromwell had laboured to establish. We have seen that the lands of the suppressed houses had been either given away, or else sold at exceedingly low prices to the impoverished nobles by Cromwell’s advice, in order to ward off the opposition aroused by their destruction. This measure certainly attained its immediate purpose, but it also laid the foundation for the growth of an extremely powerful territorial aristocracy, that later on was to use its influence to oppose the royal prerogative and pave the way for modern constitutionalism. While Cromwell, in his attacks on the older nobility, thought that he was removing the last impediments to absolute monarchy, he really, by enriching and strengthening this new aristocracy, was rearing an infinitely more potent enemy to the kingship for which he had sacrificed everything. It is well known that such families as the Russells, Seymours, and Cavendishes, who later figured most prominently in opposition to the Crown, owed their power to gifts out of the revenues of the suppressed monasteries. The smaller gentry also claimed a share in the general advancement to wealth and prosperity among the landed proprietors, and a sudden burst of political activity in the Lords and Commons bore witness to the fact that the Houses had once more asserted their right to govern.

This brings us to Cromwell’s relations with Parliament. It is here that we find the most striking instance of the contradiction between the immediate and the permanent effects of the changes he wrought. We have seen how his attitude towards Parliament differed from that of his predecessor. We have seen how Wolsey had looked upon the national assembly as a great force which continually hampered his schemes, so that his dislike of it led him to summon it as infrequently as possible, and only when it was absolutely necessary. We have seen how Cromwell was destined to go one step further, and how by packed elections, fraud, and violence, he succeeded in converting it into an utterly subservient instrument of the royal will. It was now no longer a power to be feared, but one to be relied on; a firm ally that consistently obeyed the slightest hint of the wishes of the Crown. Consequently instead of rarely assembling as under Wolsey, it was being constantly summoned, as a necessary means to accomplish the designs of Henry and his minister. While the latter lived, everything worked exactly as he had intended, and the Parliament remained ‘tractable.’ But when after his death the idea of autocracy had passed away, and England had begun to recover from the terror Cromwell’s ministry had inspired, Parliament suddenly realized that it had a power of its own. Its frequent assemblings which of course had helped the Crown, as long as under Cromwell the Houses had remained subservient, now began to work just the other way, and aided it in shaking off the fetters that bound it to the King. It had been Cromwell’s plan that it should keep up the forms of constitutional liberty, as a sort of sop to the popular feeling, while in reality all its legislative vigour was lost. Now that the pressure of his hand was removed, the animating spirit revived, and finding all the old traditionary customs still intact began to infuse itself into Lords and Commons. The earlier independence of the Houses returned and increased, so that the final result of the work of Cromwell was on the one hand to thwart all efforts to compass the omnipotence of the Crown, and on the other to lay the basis for a constitutional government.

Had the English character been one that could permanently suffer any form of tyranny or absolute monarchy; had the ends the great minister aimed at been such that when the temporary madness and terror inspired by his own personality had passed by, they could have aroused one spark of enthusiasm in the English heart, Cromwell’s would have been the grandest figure in his country’s history. But it was not destined to be so. The national drift was throughout bitterly opposed to him and to the ideas for which he stood, so that much of his policy was reversed in the years that followed his death. There can be, it seems to me, no doubt that Cromwell was perfectly sincere in his attempt to establish an all-powerful kingship under the forms of ostensible constitutionalism. He did it not from selfish motives, but because he believed it to be the only sure road to national greatness. The crimes that marred his career cannot be excused, but may be palliated by this consideration, and by his dauntless courage in resolutely destroying the Curial control of the English courts and English Church; on this side of his work he was the true successor of Wyclif, the true predecessor of his own great kinsman. Cromwell lived in an age when a wave of monarchical enthusiasm swept over the entire west of Europe: a belief in the absolute power of kings was the most salient characteristic of the political atmosphere of his day. He was essentially a man of his time in his faults and in his virtues, and could scarcely have anticipated modern constitutionalism. Thus his policy perished with him, but his work remained and was permitted by change and reaction finally to attain results far more glorious and lasting than he had hoped for. The despotism of the Tudors fell with their dynasty, the liberties of the nation survived.

LETTERS OF THOMAS CROMWELL

PREFATORY NOTE

Here follow a complete collection of the letters of Thomas Cromwell arranged as nearly as possible in chronological order, an itinerary, and a list of his minor preferments. The letters have been copied from the original manuscripts, save in a few cases duly noted, when transcripts have been made from the official copies at the Public Record Office, from Strype and Ribier, or from the collections of Sir Henry Ellis. The spelling follows the original, all contractions are extended but italicized: the original punctuation, paragraphing, and use of capitals are preserved.

But (1) I have disregarded ‘unintelligent’ or faulty marks of contraction, occurring in words in which no letter is omitted. (2) I have not italicized uncontracted letters inserted above the line. For example: the name ‘Thomas’ is almost always written ‘Thom^{a}s’ in the original: I have transcribed it ‘Thomas’ and not ‘Thom_a_s.’ On the other hand, the word ‘your’ is usually written ‘yo^r’ in the manuscript: in this case I have taken the superior ‘r’ as a contracted form of ‘ur,’ and so have transcribed it ‘yo_ur_.’ (3) In the originals the same script form is used for ‘I’ and ‘J’; I have followed the modern use. (4) The bracket [ ] signifies that the words or letters enclosed would have been in the manuscript had it not been injured. The bracket ‹ › signifies that the word or words enclosed have been inserted by me to complete the sense. The parenthesis ( ) signifies that the enclosure is bracketed in the original. (5) Sentences and words crossed out or underlined in the manuscript have been set below, except when evident mistakes of the writer. The letters ‘_c.o._’ signify that the passage against which they are written was crossed out or underlined in the original.

In dating letters, I have followed the modern use, and have taken the first of January and not the twenty-fifth of March as the beginning of the year. I have used the bracket ‹ › in the headings to indicate that the name or date enclosed has not been given in the letter itself, but has been found from external or internal evidence. Letters which bear no indication of the day and month in which they were written are placed at the end of the year to which they apparently belong. The abbreviations ‘R.O.’ and ‘B.M.’ refer to the Public Record Office and British Museum respectively throughout the collection.

LETTERS

1. CROMWELL TO JOHN CREKE.

R.O. Cal. iii. 3249. Aug. 17 ‹1523›.

A letter of friendship, containing an account of the proceedings of the Parliament of 1523, in which Cromwell sat. News concerning Creke’s friends in England.

Maister Creke as hertelye as I can I co_m_mende me and in the same wise thanke yow [for your] gentill and louyng l_ette_res to me at sundrye tymys Sent and wher as I accordinglye haue not in lyke wise remembrid and rescribid it hath bene for that I haue not hade anything to wryt of to yo_ur_ adu_au_ncement. Whom I assure yow yf it were in my lytyll power I coulde be well contentyd to p_re_ferre as ferre as any on_e_ man lyuyng. But at this p_re_sent I being at Sum layser entending to remembre and also remunerate the olde acquayntaunc_es_ and to renew o_ur_ not forgoten Sundrye co_m_munycacions Supposing ye desyre to know the new_es_ curraunt in thes p_ar_tyes for it is said that new_es_ refresshith the spy[rit] of lyffe, wherfor ye shall vnderstonde that by long tyme I amongist other haue Indured a p_ar_lyament which contenwid by the space of xvij hole wek_es_ wher we co_m_munyd of warre pease Stryffe contencyon debatte murmure grudge Riches pouerte penurye trowth falshode Justyce equyte discayte opprescyon Magnanymyte actyuyte force attempraunce Treason murder Felonye consyli ... and also how a co_m_mune welth myght be ediffyed and a[lso] contenewid w_i_t_h_in o_ur_ Realme. Howbeyt in conclusyon we haue d[one] as o_ur_ p_re_d_e_c_e_ssors haue been wont to doo that ys to say, as well as we myght and lefte wher we begann. ye shall also vnderstond the Duke of Suthffolke Furnysshyd w_i_t_h_ a gret armye goyth ou_er_ in all goodlye hast [whit]her I know not, when I know I shall aduertyse yow. Whe haue in o_ur_ p_ar_lyament grauntyd vnto the King_es_ highnes a right large Subsydye, the lyke wherof was neuer grauntyd in this realme. all yo_ur_ frend_es_ to my knowlage be in good helth and specially thay that ye wott of: ye know what I meane. I thinke it best to wryt in parables becaus[e] I am In dowt. Maister Vawhan Fareth well and so doth Maister Munkcaste[r]. Maister Woodall is merye w_i_t_h_owt a wyffe and co_m_mendyth hym to yow: and so ys also Nych_ol_as longmede which hath payd Will_ia_m Wilfforde. And thus as well f[are] ye as I woolde do my Self At london the xvij daye of August by yo_ur_ Frende to all his possible power

THOMAS CRUMWELL.

_Add._ To his [esp]ecial and entyrelye belouyd Frende John Creke be this youyn Bylbowe in Biscaye.

2. CROMWELL TO ELIZABETH HIS WIFE.

Ellis’ Letters, 2nd Ser. ii. 125; Cal. iv, App. 57. Nov. 29 ‹1525›.

Sends her a doe. Desires that Richard Swift resort to him at Begham or Tonbridge. Asks for news.

Elyzabeth I commend me unto you and have sente you by this berer a fatt doo, the one half whereof I pray you may be delyvered unto my gossyp mastres Smyth, and with the rest to use your pleasure. And further yf Richard Swifte be cum home or fortune to cum shortly, I will that he resorte to me at Begham or Tonbridge with all dylygence. Such news as ye have in those partyes I pray you sende me parte by this berer. At Begham the xxix^{th} day of November. And farther I pray you sende me word in wryting who hathe resorted unto you syns my departuer from you to speke with me.

Per your husbend THOMAS CRUMWELL.

_Add._ To my well beloved wyf Elyzabeth Crumwell agenst the Freyers Augustines in London be this given.

3. ‹CROMWELL› TO ----.

R.O. Cal. iv. 955 (3). ‹1524 or 1525.›

Desires that the lands of John Fleming, who has broken covenant with Cromwell, be put in execution.

Syr in my most herty mann_er_ I co_m_mend me vnto yow aduertesing yow that after knowlege hade of yo_ur_ dep_ar_ture In to the north partyes was veray sorye that my chaunce was not so happye to haue spokyn w_i_t_h_ yow befor wheruppon I was constrayned for the Singuler trust and conffydence which by long co_n_tenuaunce hath Succedyd & ben approuyd In yow toward_es_ yo_ur_ Frend_es_ and louers to wryt vnto yow[746] Syr So hyt is that on_e_ John Flemyng of Crofton in the Countye of Yo_ur_ke in the moneth of may last passid Solde vnto Rob_er_t Bolt Certayn land_es_ Tenementt_es_ & heredytamentt_es_ to the Clere yerlye valew of Nyntene pound_es_ and xvi d. of good and lawffull monaye of Ingland to myn_e_ vse to the S_u_m of ccclxxxj^{li} vj^s viij^d wheroff the sayd John Flemyng resayuyd In p_ar_tye of payment on_e_ hundereth fortye eight pownd_es_ nyne sheling_es_ & Syx pence and the rest of the sayd S_u_m which amountyth vnto ccxxxij^{li} xvij^s ii^d was put in the Saffe custodye and keping of yo_ur_ Frend Maister Butrye ther to remayn vntyll Suche tyme the sayd John Flemyng sholde haue p_er_formyd all his couen_au_ntt_es_ according vnto a payre of Indentures For the which Su_m_mys of Monaye and for the non p_er_form_au_nce of the sayd Couen_au_ntt_es_ the sayd John Flemyng standyth bounden to the sayd Rob_er_t Bolt In a statute of the Staple of Westm_inster_ in on_e_ thousand mark_es_ payable in the Fest of Saynt Bertholomew the appostill last past the date wherof is the xx^{th} daye of Maii in the xv^{th} yere of o_ur_ souerayng lord kyng henrye the viii^{th}, and forasmoche as the said Flemyng hath brokyn Couen_au_ntt w_i_t_h_ me In eu_er_ye poynt I am Compellyd to take the execucyon vppon my statute which by this bringer I haue sent vnto yow desyring and her[tely] praying yow that ye will be so Frendlye vnto me yf it be possyble beffore yo_ur_ retorn hetherward_es_ to make Suche Instaunce vnto the Shereffe of Yorkeshyre that the sayd execucyon may be taken[747] and that all suche land_es_ as the sayd John Flemyng hathe within Yorkshyre maye be put in execucyon and extendyd befor yo_ur_ retorne owte of Yo_ur_kshyre and that the wryt of execucyon may be reto_ur_nyd and what so eu_er_ charge shalbe For the Furnysshyng of the same I promyse yow and bynde me by this my l_ette_re to Satysfye and Ferther to reco_m_pence yo_ur_ paynys in suche wyse I trust that ye shalbe contentyd. Syr I hertelye desyre and praye yow to haue me excusyd that I sholde be so bolde to requere yow to take Suche payn for me howbeit the experyence which I haue in yo_ur_ good and gentyll approuyd humanyte makyth me the more bolde w_i_t_h_ yow hauyng no dowbt but that ye will accept & take vppon yow as moche payne For yo_ur_ Frend as any man lyuyng Ferther Syr ye shall vnderstonde

_On the dorse_

A fragment of a document containing indentures and agreements concerning the manor of Kexby.

The manor of Kexby--

her after shall Inswe the abredgment of certayn Indentures evydence charters ded_es_ esc[riptes] and Mynument_es_ concernyng the manno_ur_ of Kexbye w_i_t_h_ the appertena_n_ces w_i_t_h_in the Countye of Yorke Delyuery[d] ... by Iohn Aleyn Cytizen and Altherman of London to the hand_es_ of Sundrye Right worsshypfful and discret p_er_sons Councello_ur_s vnto the most reue[rent] Father in god Thomas lorde Cardenall legate de latere archbusshop of Yo_ur_ke pry ... and chaunceler of Inglonde to the vse of the sayd most Reuerend Father in god the datt_es_ of the whiche Indentures evydenc_es_ charters ded_es_ escript_es_ & Mynimentt_es_ cons_er_nyng the sayd Manno_ur_ w_i_t_h_ p_ar_te of the effect_es_ conteynyd [in] the same mor playnlye herafter shall appere

4. ‹CROMWELL› TO LADY ‹DORSET›.

R.O. Cal. iv. 3053 (ii). April ‹1527›.

Reports a letter received from ‘my lorde’ and addressed to her ladyship, and encloses the copy of another from ‘my lord George,’

Pleasyth it yo_ur_ good ladyship my specyall dewtes fyrst remembred that as vppon Wensdaye being the xvij^{th} daye of Aprell I resayuyd from my lorde a l_ette_re directyd vnto yo_ur_ good ladyship w_i_t_h_ also all his honourable aduenture In to Scotland[748] theffect wherof yo_ur_ ladyship shall resayue in yo_ur_ l_ette_res Ferther I resayuyd the same daye a l_ette_re from my lord George the teno_ur_ and Copye wherof I haue sent yow herin Inclosyd Madame as ye shall Thinke by yo_ur_ good and vertuese discresyon it may please to adu_er_tyse my good lord which I thinke shalbe well takyn when he shall parsayue that ye doo and shall contenually studye for the aduansment of his honeur.

5. ‹CROMWELL› TO ‹VISCOUNT ROCHFORD›.

R.O. Cal. iv. 3741. ‹December, 1527.›

Legal information and advice concerning a suit in which Cromwell has been retained as counsel by the wife of Sir Robert Clere, the sister of Rochford.

Pleasyth it yo_ur_ good lordship to be adu_er_tysed howe that it hath pleasyd my ladye yo_ur_ sust_er_ wyff to S_i_r Rob_er_te Clere Knyght to requyre and desyre me to be of counsayll w_i_t_h_ the sayd S_ir_ Robert her husbande in a certayn[749] Matyer in varyaunce betwene the lady Feneux late the wyff of s_ir_ John Feneux Knyght cheffe Justyce[750] desseasyd of and For the deffence of a wrytt of extent of late passyd out of the Kyng_es_ hygh courte of the Chauncery dyrected vnto the Sheryff of Norffolke and Suffolke aswell for the extendyng of the land_es_ of the sayd s_ir_ Rob_er_te w_i_t_h_in the sayd countyes as alsoo For the puttyng in execution the bodye of the sayd s_ir_ Robert Clere for the satysfactyon and payment of Foure hundreth pound_es_ supposyd to be due to the sayd late cheff Justice disceasyd And For asmoche as by the reporte of my sayd lady yo_ur_ sust_er_ and alsoo by the syght of certayn Indentures of Couen_au_ntt_es_ & deffauntt_es_ made aswell bytwene s_ir_ John Paston Knyght disceasyd and the sayd S_ir_ Rob_er_te Clere as alsoo bytwene the sayd late cheff Justice and the sayd s_ir_ Robert yt maye appere that the sayd Statute of the Staple of cccc^{li} was made and delyu_er_ed to none other intente but onlye For the p_er_fformaunce of certayn couen_au_nt_es_ of Maryage For the assuraunce and onlye aduaunseme_n_t of a Joynter to be made to one Elyzabeth late the wyff off one Will_ia_m Clere disceasyd so_n_ne and heyre at that tyme to the sayd s_ir_ Rob_er_te whiche Elyzabeth ys nowe wydowe and was lately the wyffe of the sayd late lorde Feneux cheff Justice all whiche couen_au_nt_es_ of Maryage the sayd s_ir_ Robert Clere hathe always as I am Informyd bene redye and yet ys to p_er_fourme notw_i_t_h_standyng[751] that the sayd S_ir_ John Paston in hys lyffe nor s_ir_ Will_ia_m Paston nowe lyuyng so_n_ne and heyre of the sayd s_ir_ John wolde ne wyll not accordyng to suche couen_au_ntes[752] as the ‹same› be boundyn vnto paye vnto the sayd s_ir_ Roberte Clere cc^{li} Resydue of foure hundreth Mark_es_ for the sayd[753] assuraunce of the sayd Couenauntt_es_ of Maryage[754] yet dewe and vnpayd the none payment wherof ys A greate matyer and it were gret pytye and also ayenst bothe reson & Conscyens that the sayd s_ir_ Roberte shulde haue his land_es_ extendyd and be co_m_pellyd to paye the sayd so_m_me of foure hundreth pound_es_ consyderyng the sayd bounde was made but for the p_er_formaunce of the couen_au_ntes of Maryage whiche[755] the sayd Syr Robert was and ys Redye to performe and good Reason it were that the Couenauntt_es_ on the p_ar_tie of the sayd S_ir_ John Paston also sholde be p_er_formyd and the sayd cc^{li} payde. Neuertheles the sayd Syr Robert Clere ys vtterlye w_i_t_h_out Remedye by course of the co_m_mon lawe[756] to defende the execucyon of the sayd wrytt_es_ of extent so that the sayd cccc^{li} shalbe recou_er_yd of hys land_es_ and bodye onles yt may please yo_ur_ good lordeshyp to moue my lorde hys grace in Conscyens to graunt a wryt of Iniu_n_ctyon[757] to be dyrectyd ‹to› the sayd lady Elyzabeth Feneux Commandyng her by the same no ferther to prosecute thexecuc_io_n of the sayd wrytt_es_ of extent vppon the sayd statute of cccc^{li}. And alsoo ayenst the sayd S_ir_ Roberte as my sayde lord_es_ grace may gyue co_m_maundement[758] that no wrytt_es_ of liberata goo out of the sayd courte of Chauncerye vntyll suche tyme ‹as› the hole matyer tochyng the p_re_mysses may dulye and accordyng to conscyence be harde and examyned And yo_ur_ lordshype thus doing shall do the thing in my poore opynyon which shall ‹stand› w_i_t_h_ reason and good Conscyens as knowyth the holye Trynyte whom I most hertelye beseche to p_re_serue yo_ur_ lordshyp in long lyffe good helth and moche hono_ur_

6. CROMWELL TO WOLSEY.

R.O. Cal. iv. 4135. April 2, 1528.

Reports his proceedings in connexion with the monastery of Wallingford. Description of the progress of the Cardinal’s colleges. Desires the benefice of St. Florence for Mr. Birton.

Please it your grace to be aduertised how that I according to your most gracyous co_m_maundement haue repayred vnto the late monasterye of Wallingforde Where I founde aswell all the ornamentt_es_ of the churche as all other ymplementt_es_ of houseolde clerely conueyed awaye and nothing remayning. Sauyng only the euydences Which I sorted and conueyed vnto yo_ur_ colledge at Oxforde And the same delyvered vnto yo_ur_ Dean there. And afterward_es_ Mr. Croke and I surueyed amended and refourmed aswell the l_ette_res patent_es_ graunted by the king his highnes vnto yo_ur_ grace as also yo_ur_ gyftes and g_ra_untt_es_ made vnto yo_ur_ said colledge in suche wise I trust that no defaulte or omyssyon at this tyme is lefte vnrefourmed.

I haue also founde offyces aswell of the saide late monasterye of Wallingforde and of all the lond_es_ and tenementt_es_ belonging to the same w_i_t_h_in the Counties of Oxforde and Berk as also of suche omyssions as were omytted within the saide counties belonging to Frediswid_es_ and Lytlemore. And now I do repayre into the Counties of Buck and Bedforde for offyces to be founde there aswell of suche lond_es_ as apperteyne to the saide late monasterye of Wallingforde as also to the late monasterye of Praye besid_es_ saincte Albons.

The buyldinges of yo_ur_ noble colledge most prosperouslye and magnyfycently dothe arryse in suche wise that to euery mannes iudgement the lyke thereof was neu_er_ sene ne ymagened hauing consideracyon to the largeness beautee sumptuous Curyous and most substauncyall buylding of the same.

Your chapell w_i_t_h_in the saide colledge most deuoutely and vertuously ordered And the mynistres w_i_t_h_in the same not onely dyligent in the s_er_uyce of god but also the seruice daylie doon w_i_t_h_in the same so deuoute solempne and full of Armonye that in myne opynyon it hathe fewe peres.

There is a benefyce voyde w_i_t_h_in the dyoces of saincte dauyes in Wales which is of yo_ur_ gracyous gyfte by meane of the chauncelorship of Englonde. Yf it may please your grace to gyue the same to Mr. Byrton he shoulde be the more able to do your grace seruyce. The name of the saide benefyce is called sayncte Florence. I assure yo_ur_ grace the saide Mr. Byrton is a right honest man And by somme reporte right well lerned and shall do yo_ur_ grace good seruyce.

My besyness accomplisshed I shall according to my duetie repayre vnto yo_ur_ grace. Most humblye beseching the holie trynytee contynuallye to preserue the prosperous astate of the same in long lif and good helth. At Oxforde the Seconde day of Aprell.

Your most humble s_erua_unt THOMAS CRUMWELL.

_Add._ To my l...

_Endd._ M^r Cromewel ii^{da} Ap_ri_lis 1528

7. CROMWELL TO THOMAS ARONDELL.

R.O. Cal. iv. 4441. June 30 ‹1528›.

Requests him to send information concerning Wolsey’s wishes about various matters in connexion with the Colleges at Ipswich and Oxford.

Right woorshipfull sir in my right hartie maner I commende me vnto youe, Aduertising the same, that I have receyued my lorde his gracious l_ette_res, wherin his grace commaundethe to be diligent in thexpedic_io_n of suche busynes as Do concerne the perfeccion of his colledge in Gypswiche, whiche I do intende (god willing) to put in execucion withe all spede, howbeit certeyne thing_es_ arn first to be knowen of my saide lorde his gracious pleasure, or euer the same can be perfected accordingly. Wherof one is, that it may please his grace to name the p_er_son that shalbe his Dean of his saide Colledge, And also to send to me ayen the Bille assigned of the licence graunted to his grace by the kyng his highnes to erect the saide colledge in Gipswiche, so that the signet and pryuye Seale may be made out vpon the same, And that we maye examyn the boke of erection which nowe must passe by my lorde his grace with the same bille signed in euery poynt. His gracious pleasure must also be knowen whether that (the Dean of his saide saide[759] colledge being Decessed, or by any other mean Depryued or amoued from the saide Deanrie) his grace then wille that thellection of a new Dean shalbe emong_es_ them of the colledge or whether his grace will remytt the same to be ordred by his Statutt_es_ by hym to be made accordingly. It maye please youe also to moue his grace whether he wille absolutelie haue a guyfte made to his colledge in Oxforde of the late Monasterie of Wallyngforde the p_ar_sonage of Rudbye, and suche other lond_es_ as his grace hathe purchased of s_ir_ Antonye and s_ir_ Roberte Ughtred in the Counties of Yorke and Lyncoln, or that he will haue the same Mon_asto_ri and other the premisses geuyn vpon condicion to his saide Colledge in Oxforde, to thyntent that they shall make a lyke guyfte of the lond_es_ apperteynyng to the late Mon_astor_is of Snape, Dodneshe, Wyk_e_ and Horkisley to his saide colledge in Gipswiche, whiche condicion in myn opynyon shulde well serue for all casualties, and compelle them of the colledge in Oxforde to make a guyfte of the same accordingly. One speciall thing ther is that ye must moue his grace in which is, that he maye not in any wise p_ro_cede to therrection of his saide colledge in Gipswiche, before the xxj. daye of Julye next comyng, for asmuche as thoffices in the Chauncerie shall not expire, vnto the full accomplishment of iij Monethes vntill the saide xxj Daye, nor his grace cannot haue the Syte and circuyte of the late Mon_asto_ri of Saynct Peter suppressed, vpon the whiche the saide colledge muste be erected by thordres of the lawe of thie londe before the saide xxi Daye. His gracious pleasure knowen in the premisses I trust by thassistence of my lorde chief Baron vnto whome I wille resorte from tyme to tyme for his good counsaile to perfo_ur_me fulfille and accomplisshe euery thing according to his said gracious pleasure, in suche wise that he shall therwithe be right well contented. Hartely Desiring youe to moue his grace for the signature of the l_ette_re for the poore man of Arragosco who lyeth here to his great and importunate cost_es_ and charg_es_ in maner to his vtter vndoyng, And also for the signature of one other l_ette_re in Frenche Directed to the gouernours of the Towne of Depe for the Delyuerie of certeyn Englisshe mennys good_es_ beyng marchauntt_es_ of London of late taken vpon the See by men of warr of the saide toune of Diepe. It maye also please youe to shew my lorde his grace this l_ette_re and that I maye haue answer of his gracious pleasure withe all spede, whiche shalbe a great furtheraunce to his busynes. The mynute of his erexion is all redye Drawen and shalbe p_er_fected vpon his answer And thus o_ur_ lorde preserue youe At London the xxx Daye of June.

At your co_m_maundement THOMAS CRUMWELL.

_Add._ To the right woorshipfull maister Thomas Arondell be this youen.

_Endd._ From Mr. Cromwell the xxx day of Junii about the p_er_fectinge of the Cardynalls ij Colleg_es_ of Oxford and Ipswich.

8. CROMWELL TO WOLSEY.

R.O. Cal. iv. 4697. ‹Sept. 3, 1528.›

Details concerning the colleges at Oxford and Ipswich, and the revenues from the lands and monasteries appropriated for their use.

Please it your grace to haue in remembraunce yo_ur_ Fynours of Duresme whose contynuaunce here is not onely to their greate cost and losse of tyme but also to the greate hinderaunce of your werk_es_ ther, and also they be veray poore, your gracious pleasure therfore wold be knowen whether they shall resorte to yo_ur_ presence, or howe otherwise yo_ur_ grace will they shalbe ordred

I haue according to your moste gracious co_m_maundement sent herein inclosed the clere yerely valeurs of all suche lond_es_ as ye haue purchased in the Counties of Yorke and Buckingham, and also the clere yerely value of the late monasterie of Wallingforde

If it may stonde with yo_ur_ pleasure to appoynte in whose name yo_ur_ grace intendithe to dedicate your colledge in Gipswiche, and by what name the maister and fellowes shalbe called, the lycence of erexion, the l_ette_res patentt_es_, pryuate Seales and other thing_es_ necessarie for the same myght be put in a redynes so that no tyme shulde be loste

I haue caused suche bill_es_ as be allredie signed to passe the pryuy signet and pryuate Seale, and shall nowe put to wryting the l_ette_res patentt_es_ for the brode Seale, so that after the iii monethes expired yo_ur_ grace may geue the lond_es_ conteyned within the same according to youre moste gracious pleasure. It shalbe well done that yo_ur_ grace haue in remembraunce thapp_ro_p_ri_a_ci_on of the benefices to your colledge in Oxford, and that an ende maye be takyn withe all ordynaries which I thinke is not yet done

I haue spoken with maister Babington nowe lorde of Kylmayne for the exchaunge to be made bitwene yo_ur_ colledge in Oxforde and his religion for Saundforde, It may therfore please your grace that yo_ur_ pleasure may be knowen whether this vacacion yo_ur_ counsaile shall farther co_m_mune withe hym and other whiche haue auctoritie in that behalf, or not, whiche in myn opynyon shulde be well done, and will sett yo_ur_ purpose in a great forwardnes

It may also please yo_ur_ grace that these instruccions herein inclosed may be sent to maister Holgill for thordering of hymself in taking possession lyueraye and season at Rudby, whiche Instruccions were deuysed by the Judges, and it shalbe necessarie that he haue them withe spede.

Yo_ur_ gracious pleasure knowen touching the pr_e_miss_es_ I shall most humblie indeuoir myself according to my duetie to accomplisshe yo_ur_ most gracious co_m_maundement, As knowithe the holly trynytie vnto whome I shall daily during my lyfe praye for the p_ro_sperous conseruacion of yo_ur_ good grace

Your most humble s_er_v_au_nt THOMAS CRUMWELL.

_Add._ To my lorde his grace.

_Endd._ From Mr Cromwell touching rudby

Instruccions for Maister Willyam Holgill for posses_si_on lyueraye and season to be taken in the p_ar_sonage of Rudby in Clevelonde

First to cause my lorde Conyers to serche his euydence towching thaduowson of the patronage of Rudby, and to se whether it be aduowson appendaunte, that is to saye, apperteyning to a manor or to an Acre of londe, or that it be aduowson in grosse, that is to saye, aduowsonage onely appending to no manor ne yet to none Acre of londe, And to receyue the saide Euydence of the saide lorde Conyers concernyng the said aduowson

Itm to knowe whether the saide aduowson be intailed, and whether it be intailed to theires males, or to theires generall, and to receyue the dead_es_ of Intaile, or Fynes if any suche be, of the saide lorde Conyers

Itm that thattourneis named in the deade of Feoffement made to the saide Willyam Holgill and other, do enter into thacre of londe named in the saide deade of Feoffement, and delyuer season by a turfe, to the saide maister Holgill, and also to delyuer possession and season by the ryng of the churche dore

Itm after possession, lyueraye and season taken in the saide Acre of londe, and by the ryng of the churche doore as is aforsaide, that then the saide Attourneis do enter into the saide p_ar_sonage and also to delyuer possession lyueraye, and season in the p_ar_sonage vnto the saide maister Holgill, and that the deade of Feoffement be redd in all thre_e_[760] places, and to take at the leste xxx or xl witnesses, calling therto asmany yonge children as ye may

9. CROMWELL TO GARDINER.

R.O. Cal. iv. 5186. Jan. 18 ‹1529›.

Has been unable to repair to the Cardinal, on account of the press of work in connexion with his colleges. Description of the damage done by the overflowing of the Thames.

Worshipfull S_ir_, after most hartie comendacyons it may please you to aduertise my lorde his grace that the cause Why I do not repayre thither at this present ys for that I haue certen bok_es_ to be don and accomplisshed concerning his colledge in Gipswich That is to say a deade of gyfte from his grace to his saide colledge of the late monasteryes of Felixstowe Rumburgh and Bromehill The King his l_ette_res patent_es_ of assent to the Suppression of the same late monasteryes, The King his l_ette_res patent_es_ of assent to the pope his bull of exempcyon of the saide colledge The King his l_ette_res patent_es_ of lycence for thimpropryac_i_on of the benefyces belongyng to the saide late monasteryes A deade of gyft from the Duke of Norff. to my lord his grace of the saide late monasterye of Felixstowe A relesse from the prior and conuent of Rochester of all theyr right tytle and patronage of in or to the same late pryory of Felixstowe A relesse from the abbot and conuent of Saynct Maryes in Yorke of all their right and tytle in or to the late pryory of Rumburgh A relesse from my lorde of Oxforde of all his right and tytle in the late pryory of Bromehill And a relesse from the Frenssh quene and the duke of Suffolk of all theyr right and tytle in the manours of Sayes courte and Byckeling and in the late pryorye of Snape. All which bok_es_ be not yet in a redynes ne parfyted vnto my mynde Intending assone as the same shalbe fynysshed and made parfyte, whiche I trust shalbe to morow at nyght or wenesday by none at the Ferthest to repayre vnto my lorde his grace, vppon his gracyous pleasure knowen for thinsealing of the same accordingly. It may also please you to aduertise my lorde his grace that Sythen his repayree to Rychmond I have ben at Lyesnes Where I saw one of the most pyteous and greuous sight_es_ that ev_er_ I saw which to me before the Sight of the same was incredyble concernyng the breche out of the Thamyse into the marsshes of Lyesnes which be all ouerflowen and drowned And that at the last chaunge the tyde was so high that there happened a new breche which hathe fordon_e_ asmoche worke there as will cost ccc^{li} the new making of the same In so moche that if my being there had not ben to haue incouraged the workemen and labourers I assure you all the labo_ur_ and money that hathe ben ther spent heretofore had ben clerely lost and cast away. And the workemen and labourers wolde haue departed and left all at chaunce whiche shoulde haue ben the gretest yuell that eu_er_ happened to the countrey ther. Nev_er_theles I w_i_t_h_ thaduyse of suche wyse men as ben in the countrey there haue set suche dyrectyon in the same that I trust all shalbe well and the work_es_ there ended w_i_t_h_ good spede god willing. For the furnyture and accomplisshment whereof there is a new assesse made and my lorde his colledge for theyr parte ben assessed at ccxx li which money of necessyte must be had out of hande Prayeng you so to solycyte my lord_es_ grace that the same money may be had incontynent Assuring you that his grace shall do as merytoryous a deade in the delyu_er_ing of the saide money for his colledge at this tyme as though he gaue so moche money for godd_es_ sake Considering the grete hurte myschief losses and inconuenyenc_es_ that is lyke to insue to the countrey there and to the King his streme and also the hurte that may insue to his colledge in the losse of suche grounde and land as they haue there Whereunto for the quantytee thereof ys none lyke to the same in that countrey ne few in any other countrey. Yf the saide breche be not shortly amended and spedely prouyded for I assure you suche inconuenyenc_es_ may insue that yt were to grete pytee. And to thintent that ye may be the more assured of the trewth in the pr_e_mysses I haue sent you a l_ette_re here inclosed which I receyued from one of the maisters of the said work_es_ ymedyatly after the wrytyng of this l_ett_re Intending to repayre vnto Lyesnes, w_i_t_h_ all spede for the redresse and fortheraunce of the p_re_misses asmoche as in me shalbe possible. Hertely beseching you to procure that I may haue answer of my lord_es_ pleasure in eu_er_y thing concerning the content_es_ forsaid by this berer my seru_au_nte. And thus o_ur_ lorde p_re_serue yo_ur_ long lyf At London the xviii day of Januarye.

Yours most bounden THOMAS CRUMWELL.

_Add._ To the right wo_r_shipfull Maister docto_ur_ Gardyner be this yeuen w_i_t_h_ spede.

_Endd._ Letters from M. Cru_m_wel of the xviij daie of Januarij

10. ‹CROMWELL› TO ----.

R.O. Cal. iv. 5757 (ii). July ‹1529›.

Has written in favour of the chaplain. Requests the recipient to desire his wife to take the daughter of Cromwell’s sister, and bring her up. Promises to recompense him and his wife.

... C ... ert as hertelye as I can I co_m_mende me vnto you and m_er_vayle gretlye that ye haue made no better spede for yo_ur_ chaplayn In whos Fauours I haue wryten vnto Mr. Chaunceler of Wynchester trustyng that he wylbe good maister vnto hym For my sake I wooldbe veray lothe that ye sholde mysse yo_ur_ purpose Syr I praye you be so good vnto me as to lett me send my systers daughter vnto the Jentylwoman yo_ur_ wyff and that ye wyll on my behalf desyre her to take her and to bryng her vpp for the which her goodnes yf she wylbe content so to doo I shold rekyn my self moste bounden both to you and her_e_ and besyd_es_ the payment For her borde I wyll so content your wyff_e_ as I trust she shalbe woll pleasyd that I may know yo_ur_ answer herin I hertelye praye yow and thus hartelye Fare ye well.

At london the ---- daye of July.

11. CROMWELL TO MR. CLAYBROOK.

R.O. Cal. iv. 5812. ‹July, 1529.›

Desires him to seek out all registers, and the bulls of the Cardinal’s legation, so that the same may be shown to the King’s attorney.

Maister Cleybroke this to adu_er_tise yow as ever ye inte_n_d to doo my lord pleasure or s_er_uyce that ye w_i_t_h_ all dylygens seke owt the register of Maister Tonneys and also all other registers w_i_t_h_ also the bullys of my lord_es_ legacye to thentent the same may be shewyd this nyght to the Kyng_es_ attorney for suche Causes as I declaryd vnto yow at my last spekyng w_i_t_h_ yow of answer by thys berer I praye yow that I may haue knowlege and fare ye woll.

Yo_ur_ Frend THOMAS CRUMWELL.

12. CROMWELL TO WILLIAM BRABAZON.

R.O. Cal. iv. 6099. Dec. 19 ‹1529›.

Desires him to ride with Mr. Copeland to the north, and assist him with advice in his affairs there.

Willyam Brabazon I comende me vnto you And wolde if ye be at conuenyent leysour that ye do Ryde w_i_t_h_ Maister Cowplonde this berer into the North part_es_ and to assiste him w_i_t_h_ yo_ur_ counsaill in suche matiers as he hathe there to do according to suche instruxions as I haue drawen and delyuered to the same Mr. Cowplande Not doubting but he will consider your paynes accordinglye And thus fare ye well. At London the xix^{th} day of December.

Your louyng maister THOMAS CRUMWELL.

13. SUMMARIES OF CROMWELL’S LETTERS.

MSS. Jesus Coll. in Bibl. Bodl. Oxon. c. 74, pp. 262 ff.; Cal. iv. 6076. ‹1530.›

Various items concerning the relations of Cromwell and Wolsey after the latter fell into disgrace. Cf. Letters 18, 19.

‘Crumwell to the Cardinal, July 12, ‹1530›.

‘As touching the p_ro_cesse ag_ains_t yo_ur_ Grace out of the Exchequer and all other matters and suites brought ag_ains_t yow I haue pleaded yo_ur_ pardon, w_hi_ch is allowed in all _th_e King’s Court_es_ and by the same yo_ur_ Grace discharged of all man_n_er Causes at the K^s suite.

Cromwell tells the Card^l this solliciting his Cause hath bin very chargeable to him and he can_n_ot susteine it any Longer without oth_er_ Respect then he hath had hertofore. I am 1000 l. worse than I was when yo_ur_ troubles began.

As touching yo_ur_ Colleges, the King is determined to dissolve them, and that new offices shall be found of all _th_e Lands belonging to them newly to intitle his Highnes w_hi_ch be allready drawn_e_ for this purpose. But wheth_er_ his Highnes, after the dissolution of them meane to revive _th_em againe and founde the_m_ in his owne name, I know not. Wher_e_fore I entreat your Grace to be content, and let yo_ur_ Prince execute his pleasure.’

‘Cromwell to the Cardinal, May 17, 1530.

‘That the King hath received his Lett_er_s and is very sorry _th_at he is in such necessity, yet that for Releefe his Ma^{ty} hath differed it till he speak w_i_th his Counsail. The D. of Norfolk p_ro_miseth you his best ayd but he willeth you for the present to be content and not much to molest the King (concerning payment of yo_ur_ Debts etc) for, as he supposeth, the time is not meet for it. His Grace (i.e. _th_e King) shewed me how it is come to his knowlege that yo_ur_ Grace should haue cert_e_in words of him and other Noblemen vnto my L^d of Norfolk since the time of yo_ur_ adversityes w_hi_ch words should sound to make sedition betwixt him and my Lord of Norfolk.

Mr. Page received yo_ur_ Lett_er_s directed vnto my Lady Anne, and delivered _th_e same. there is yet no answer. she gaue kind words, but will not p_ro_mise to speake to the K. for you.

Certein Doctors of both the Vniversityes are here for the suppression of the Lutheran opinions. The Kings H^{nes} hath caused the sayd doctors at divers times to assemble, and hath com_m_oned w_i_th them. The fame is that Luther is dep_ar_ted this Life. I would he had never bin borne.’

‘Cromwel writes to Card^l Wolsey, August, ‹1530›.

‘Intreating him to haue patience etc. that there shall be some offices sent into York and Nottinghamsh. to be found of yo_ur_ Lands, belonging to yo_ur_ ArchB_isho_prick. This will be very displeasant to you, but it is best to suffer it. for if they should not be found you could not howld yo_ur_ B_isho_prick quiet, notw_i_thstanding yo_ur_ p_ar_don: for yo_ur_ Restitution made by yo_ur_ Pardon is cleerly Voyd, for that the King did restitute yo_ur_ Grace before He was intitled by matter of Record. When these offices shall be found, yo_ur_ p_ar_don shall be good and stand in parfait effect.

He tells him that his modest behavio_ur_ and humility hath gayned him the Love and good report of the Country where he now Lives and allso in the Court, yet his Enemyes depraue all. S_ir_, some there be that do allege that yo_ur_ Grace doth keep too great a Howse and family and that you are continually a-Building--for the Love of God ther_e_fore haue a respect and refraine etc.’

‘Crumwell writes to _th_e Cardinal, Octob‹er, 1530›.

‘I am informed yo_ur_ Grace hath in me some diffidence as if I did dissemble w_i_th you or p_ro_cure anything contrary to yo_ur_ p_ro_fit and hono_ur_ I much muse that yo_ur_ Grace should so think or report it secretly considering the paines I haue taken etc. Wherfor I beseech you to speak w_i_thout faining if you haue such conceit, that I may cleere myself. I reckoned that yo_ur_ Grace would haue written plainly vnto me of such thing, rather than secretly to haue misreported me etc. But I shall beare yo_ur_ Grace no Lesse good will etc. Let God judge between Vs. Trewly yo_ur_ Grace in some things overshooteth your self; there is reg[ard] to be given what things ye vtter and to whom etc.’

‘I find by these Lett_re_s that Cramwel kept certein scholers in Cambrige, for he entreats _th_e Card^{l}. to p_re_ferre the_m_ to Benefices w_hi_ch should fall in his ArchB_isho_prick.’[761]

14. ‹CROMWELL› TO ‹WOLSEY›.

R.O. Cal. iv. 6368. May 5 ‹1530›.

Information concerning the progress of the Cardinal’s affairs at Court. Advises him to comply with the King’s requests.

After my right hartie Co_m_mendac_i_ons to yo_ur_ grace according to yo_ur_ desire specified in yo_ur_ L_ette_res of answer to the request made vnto youe by the King_es_ maiestie for the Treasourership of York I haue so solicited the matier bothe to his hieghnes and to docto_ur_ Leighton that bothe be content that your gift shall stande so as yo_ur_ grace do accomplishe the teno_ur_ of his hieghnes L_ette_res nowe eftsones directed vnto youe, whiche myn advise and counsail is that youe shall in any wise ensue, and that yo_ur_ chauncelo_ur_ shall do the semblable in another request made by his Maiestie vnto him w_i_t_h_out staye tract or further stycking. And in any thing ell_es_ wherin I maye do vnto your grace stede or pleasure I shalbe as glad to doo thoffice of a frend_e_ as you shalbe to require the same of me. Thus moost hartely Fare youe well. From St. James besid_es_ Westm_inster_ the v^{th} of Maye.

15. CROMWELL TO WOLSEY.

R.O. Cal. iv. 6431. June 3 ‹1530›.

Promises to send a full answer to his letters by Ralph Sadler. Recommends the bearer.

Please it your grace to be aduertised that I haue receyued your l_ette_res by Thomas Rawlyns and haue perceyued the content_es_ thereof and will make answer to the same p_ar_ticulerly by my seru_a_unt Rafe Sadleyr, who o_ur_ lorde willing shalbe w_i_t_h_ yo_ur_ grace w_i_t_h_ all spede. Your grace I assure you is moche bounde to the gentilman this berer for his good reporte in eu_e_ry place who I assure yo_u_r grace hathe not lefte in eu_e_ry presence to say of you as by lykelohod ye haue gyuen him cause. I assure yo_ur_ grace he and such other haue don yo_ur_ grace moche good, it shalbe in myn opynion therefore right well don to give him thank_es_ accordingly, for by my faith he is right worthye. And thus the holie trynitee preserue your grace in long lyf good helth and moche hono_ur_. At london the iii^{rd} daye of June.

Your most humble s_er_u_au_nt THOMAS CRUMWELL.

_Add._ my lorde Cardinall‹s› grace.

16. ‹CROMWELL› TO ‹WOLSEY›.

B.M. Cott. App. L. 7; Cal. iv. 6482. June 30 ‹1530›.

Fragment of a letter, in answer to several minor requests of the Cardinal. Various details.

... as to send yo_ur_ grace any quayles it ys not possybyll For ther ys non that will Carye them as For Sedes I wyll Send yow by the next maister Stubbis Sayth he will p_ro_uyde baudekyn for yo_ur_ grace I am sorye for hym he ys Swed in a primineri by burges which was ons ellect p_re_sydent of Maudlen Colledge I thinke it wyll cost hym money or he get owt,[762] my lord chaunselo_ur_ hath p_ro_mysyd that Masteres lacye shall bere the Cost_es_ of them that shall bryng vp John lawrans and Robert Turner. I beseche yo_ur_ grace to be so good lorde as to send me A gelding and I trust shortlye after to se yo_ur_ grace by the assistens of o_ur_ lorde whom I most hertelye beseche to p_re_serue yo_ur_ grace in long lyffe good helth and moche hono_ur_ at london the last daye of June

17. CROMWELL TO WOLSEY.

R.O. Cal. iv. 6530. July 24 ‹1530›.

In favour of his kinsman Dr. Carbot; requests Wolsey to take him into his household and service.

After my most humble Recommenda_ci_ons w_i_t_h_ my dailie s_er_uice and contynuall praier May it pleas yo_ur_ grace to call to yo_ur_ good and most graceous remembraunce how that I being w_i_t_h_ yo_ur_ grace in yo_ur_ gallerie at the Chartrehouse at Shene most humblie supplied[763] vnto the same for the acceptac_i_on of this berer Mr. doctour Carbot my kynsman vnto yo_ur_ s_er_uice At which tyme it pleased yo_ur_ grace beninglie to graunt me to accept hym promising both vnto him and me that ye wolde be his good and graceous Lorde vpon the which he hath tarried here in these p_ar_ties Contynuallye to his great cost Supposing that I sholde haue repared w_i_t_h_ him vnto yo_ur_ grace by meane wherof he thought the better to be esteemed But forasmoch as he now p_er_ceyueth that for dyuers causes I maye not he hath desired me to write vnto yo_ur_ grace in his fauo_ur_s Most humblie and effectuallye beseching your grace to receyue him into yo_ur_ house and s_er_uice Whome I trust yo_ur_ grace shall finde apte mete discrete dilligent and honest And suchon that Willinglie Louinglie and obedientlie shall and wilbe gladde to s_er_ue yo_ur_ grace in any thing that yo_ur_ pleaser shalbe to commaunde him Trusting fermlie that bye experience ye shall right well lyke him Eftsones most humblie and effectuallie beseching yo_ur_ grace to be his good and graceous Lorde for my sake and at this my poure and most humble sute and contemplac_i_on to take him w_i_t_h_owt reiection And thus the holie trenitie p_re_s_er_ue your grace in long lyf and good helth. At Londe‹n› the xxiiii^{th} daye of July.

Your most humble s_er_u_a_unt and bedysman THOMAS CRUMWELL.

_Add._ my lordes grace

18. ‹CROMWELL› TO WOLSEY.

R.O. Cal. iv. 6571. August 18 ‹1530›.

Information concerning the progress of the Cardinal’s affairs at Court and elsewhere. Begs him to cease building for a time, in order that his enemies may have no chance to accuse him of extravagance. News from England and the Continent. Cf. Letter 13.

Please it your grace to be adu_er_tised[764] that after the Receipt of yo_ur_ l_ette_res dated at Southwell on saynt Laurence Day I p_er_ceyued how that yo_ur_ grace remayned in som displeasure and anxietie of mynde for that I by my l_ette_res had before c_er_tefied you of the fynding certen offic_es_ concerning yo_ur_ busshopriche of Yorke The Fynding whereof as I p_er_ceyue by yo_ur_ l_ette_res ye do suppose should be moche to yo_ur_ dishono_ur_ & detriment For the which intent that yo_ur_ grace may put yo_ur_self in repose & quietac_i_on of mynde I haue sent vnto you this berer who shall at length declare vnto you besid_es_ the demonstracion of the copies of suche offic_es_ as be drawen for that purpose that the Fynding of the said offic_es_ savyng onelie that in the preamble of the same there is touched the conuiction of yo_ur_ grace in the p_re_munir_e_ which all the wo_ur_ld alredie knoweth shalbe for yo_ur_ good onelie proffit and availe And yet yo_ur_ pardon and restitucion stand in good & p_er_fite effecte So that yo_ur_ grace shal haue no nede nether to be in fere of losse of any your sp_irit_uall or temporall good_es_ or to be troubeled for the same ne also to be put to any new Sute in the obteyning of any other pardon or restitucion. And if in case yo_ur_ said pardon and restitucion were in any parte insufficient I assure yo_ur_ grace I know that the king_es_ highnes wold it should be made as good as by any counsaill it could be Devised And doubt ye not but his highnes is yo_ur_ gracyous and benigne Sou_er_eigne lorde and wold in no wise that ye should be greued molested or troubeled. Wherfore it may please yo_ur_ grace to quiet yourself and to take the fynding of these offic_es_ pacientlie and vppon the reto_ur_ne of the same there shalbe such orders taken that yo_ur_ grace shall not be interrupted in the receyuing of yo_ur_ reuenues ne otherwise be molested in any man_er_ case for any new sute As touching yo_ur_ colledges the offic_es_ shalbe founde houbeit the Deane and suche other as haue sued to the king_es_ highnes haue had veray good answer wherof I think they haue certefied yo_ur_ grace or this tyme. As touching the m^l mark_es_ of the reuenues of Wynchester I doubt not but it shalbe obteyned at the audite And conc_er_ning Batyrsey it may please yo_ur_ grace that such thing_es_ as ye haue sent me the copies of may be sent hither vnder seale for they woll trust no scrowes and also that Serche may be made for Busshop Bothes will concerning the same. Strangwissh continually cryeth and maketh exclamac_i_on in the courte of you insomoch that the lord_es_ of the counsaill haue determyned to wryte vnto you in that behalf wold to o_ur_ lorde your grace were rid of that man. As concerning the p_re_bends of Witwang doubt ye not but in that all thing is and shalbe ordered to yo_ur_ good contentac_i_on. Sir I assure yo_ur_ grace that ye be moch bounde to o_ur_ lorde god that in suche wise hath suffered you so to behaue and order yo_ur_self in thes p_ar_ties to atteyne the good myndes and hert_es_ of the people[765] there the reporte whereof in the courte and ell_es_where in these p_ar_ties is & hathe ben[766] to the aquyryng & augmentyng the good oppynyons of many p_er_sons toward_es_ yo_ur_ grace beseching your grace therfore to contynue[767] in the same after Suche a Sorte and Fashyon as ye may daylye increase not onlye in the Fauours of the pepull ther but also here and ell_es_where to the pleasure of god & the prynce And notwithstonding yo_ur_ good vertuous and charitable demeaning and vsing yo_ur_self[768] in thes p_ar_ties ys not by your enemies[769] interpretyd after the best Fashyon yet always Folow and p_er_seu_er_ ye attemperatelye in suche thing_es_ as yo_ur_ woorldlye affeccyons Sett apart Shall serue to stand best w_i_t_h_ the pleasure of god and the kyng S_ir_ som ther be that doth alledge in that yo_ur_ grace doth kepe to grete a house & famylie and that ye are contynually buylding for the loue of god therefore I eftesones as I often tymys haue done most hertelye beseche your grace to haue respecte to eu_er_y thing and consyderyng the tyme to refrangne your Self for a Season from all mann_er_ byldingg_es_ more than mere necessite requireth which I assure yo_ur_ grace[770] shall sease and putto Sylence Som p_er_sons that moche spekyth of the same. For the gelding_es_ which yo_ur_ grace Dyd send me I do most humblie & hertelie thank you beseching yo_ur_ grace to gyue Further Credens to this berer, who shall declare vnto your grace other thing_es_ not wryttyn[771] I do Relys your grace right happye that ye be now at libertye to s_er_ue god and to lern to experyment how ye shall banyshe and exyle the vayn desyrys of this vnstabyll warld, which vndowtydlye dothe nothing ell_es_ but allure eu_er_y person therin And specyally such as o_ur_ lorde hath most endewyd w_i_t_h_ his gyft_es_ to desyre[772] the affeccyons of theyr mynd to be satysfyed In Finding and Sekyng wherof most p_er_sons besyd the gret trauayll_es_ and afflyccyons that men Suffer daylye bene dryuyn to extreme Repentance and Serching for plesure and Felycyte Fynd nothing but So trowbyll Sorow anxyete and adu_er_syte Wherfor in myn oppynyon your grace being as ye ar I suppose ye woolde not be as ye werre to wyn a hundreth tymys as moche as ye were possessyd off the Busshop of Bayon_ne_ ys daylye lokyd For and my lord of Wyltshyre ys cu_m_myn home the Saying here is that the emperoure hathe good obbedyence of his Subiect_es_ in all thing sauyng that they wyll not discent from the lutheran sekt it ys also sayd that empro_ur_ doth mak musters for a gret army to be p_re_paryd agenst the turke to passe into Hungarye for the recou_er_ey of that Regyon And that the seconde Son of the emperour ys dep_ar_tyd this p_re_se_n_t lyffe the news here ys that the Germayns wyll medlye haue a gen_er_all Consaylle for the reformacyon of many thing_es_ the Florentynys doth styll contenew and defende the power of the pope and it ys Supposyd that they shall vynce by meane that ther ys a gret pestylence Fallen amongst them being in the Felde of the popis partye ther ys also a gret Carystye in Italye of all mann_er_ of grayn in so moche A quarter of whet ys worth generallye Fortye shelyngg_es_. they loke daylye for an ambassadour from the pope who at the Ferthest wilbe here w_i_t_h_ xiij dayes the kyng_es_ highnes is this nyght at amptell and ther wyll Contenew this xiiij dayes. it may please yo_ur_ grace to p_ar_don me that I do not repayre vnto yow at this tyme for vndowtydlye it ys not possyble as this berer shall Ferther Declare vnto yo_ur_ grace o_ur_ lord knowyth my wyll and mynde. and I trust verelye that yo_ur_ grace doth p_er_ffytlye think that I woolde be glade to see yow and vnfaynydlye I woolde haue sene yo_ur_ grace long er this yf I hadde not bene lettyd by Importune busynes wherfor I eftsones most humblye besech yo_ur_ grace of p_ar_don and though I am not w_i_t_h_ yow in p_er_son yet be ye assured I am and duryng my lyff shalbe w_i_t_h_ yo_ur_ grace in hert spyryt prayer & s_er_uyce to the vttrest of my poore and symple power as knowyth o_ur_ lorde whom I most hertelye besech to p_re_serue yo_ur_ grace in long lyff good helth w_i_t_h_ thincreace of yo_ur_ hertys desyre. at london the xviij^{th} daye of August. I beseche yo_ur_ grace to depeche this berer whom I mygh‹t› evyll haue forbern at this tyme but onlye that I p_er_sayuyd by yo_ur_ l_ette_res that ye moche desyryd to be put in quyetacyon and that besyd myself I Coulde not send any that Coulde certefye yo_ur_ grace of the effect_es_ of such thing_es_ as ye desyre to be answeryd in But onlye he eftsonys beseching yo_ur_ grace spedlye to send hym home for my busynes ys such that I cannot lake hym.

_Endd._ my lorde Cardenall.

19. ‹CROMWELL› TO ‹WOLSEY›.

B.M. Cott. App. L. 81; Cal. iv. 6699. Oct. 21 ‹1530›.

Begs the Cardinal’s favour for Doctor Carbot, Nicholas Gifford, and Cromwell’s scholars at Cambridge. News of the Emperor’s movements. Information concerning the Praemunire. Cf. Letter 13.

... eyen three monethis in Chaunserye, howbeit yo_ur_ grace shalbe so prouydyd for that ye shalbe owt of all dowtt_es_ for all the kyng_es_ offycers in the meane Season. I most humblye beseche yo_ur_ grace to be good lorde vnto my poore kynsman Docto_ur_ Karbott and let hym haue su_m_ lytyll offyce vnder yo_ur_ grace. I dowt not thoughe he be Sumwhat Symple in Aparence yet he shall discharge hymself yf ye put hym in trust and A lityll auctoryte. I beseche yo_ur_ grace [a]lso to be good lorde vnto yo_ur_ Seru_au_nt Nych_ola_s Gyfforde ... when Anything shall happen to Fall which may do ‹him› good to Remembre hym for my sake yo_ur_ grace shall [fin]de hym in myn oppynyon thoughe he be yong and [some]what wylde[773], on disspossyd bothe to trewthe [hone]ste and hardynes, and he ‹is one› that wyll loue yow [with] all his harte. yf any thing Falle I beseche yo_ur_ grace [to re]membre my scolers in Cambryge and bothe they [and I sha]ll pray to o_ur_ lord Jh_es_u Crist to preserue [you] in long lyff good helth w_i_t_h_ Increase of [honour. Th]emperour wyl be at Colayn In the Feaste of ... w_i_t_h_owt Faylle the P_ar_lyment ys prorogyd [vntil the] vi daye of January. The prelatt_es_ shalnot appere [in the] premunire. Ther ys Another way deuysyd in [place thereof] as yo_ur_ grace shall Ferther know. the prync_es_ of [Almayne] Can ne wyllnot Agree to emperowr and [I bese]che the holy trynyte preserue yo_ur_ grace ... [in] quyetnes and Contentacyon I beseche yo_ur_ ... for this l_ette_re ... Wrytyn for lake of ... [in] hast the xxi of octobre

20. CROMWELL TO MR. BOROUGH.

R.O. Cal. iv. 6800 (i). ‹Dec. 1530.›

Desires to know if Borough wishes to buy a friend’s horse, which certain Frenchmen are anxious to purchase.

Mr. Borough in my most hartie wise I co_m_mende me vnto you And so yt ys that my frende Mr. So_m_mer may at this tyme sell his horse right well and proffutablye but forasmoche as he before this hath promised you that ye shall refuse him before any other he hathe desyred me to know yo_ur_ mynde So that yf ye will not medell he may do his best. for there be certeyn Frensshe men which moche desyreth to haue the saide horse Wherefore I hartely pray you that I may know yo_ur_ mynde by this berer in wrytyng what ye will do And this[774] hartely fare ye well At London this p_re_sent Saterdaye.

Assurydlye your frende. THOMAS CRUMWELL.

_Add._ To the right worshipfull Mr. Henry Borough be this yeuen.

21. ‹CROMWELL› TO STEPHEN VAUGHAN.

B.M. Galba B. x, 338; Cal. v. 248. ‹May, 1531.›

An account of the reception of William Tyndale’s book, _The Answer_, by Henry VIII., and of his anger at the opinions it advanced. Cromwell urges Vaughan to cease advocating Tyndale’s cause, and to request Frith to abandon him[775].

Stephen Vaughan I co_m_mende me vnto you And haue receyued your l_ette_res dated at Andwerpe the xviii^{th} day of Aprell w_i_t_h_ also that parte of Tyndall_es_ boke _Sewed and_ inclosed in lether which ye w_i_t_h_ yo_ur_ l_ette_res directed to the king_es_ highnes After the recept whereof I dyd repayre vnto the courte and there presented the same vnto his royall maiestee who _after the recept thereof_ made me answer for that tyme that his highnes at oportun leyso_ur_ wolde vysite ouersee and rede the content_es_ aswell of you[r] l_ette_res as also the saide boke And at my next repayre thither it pleased his highnes to call for me declaring vnto me aswell the content_es_ of yo_ur_ l_ette_res as also moche of the matier conteyned in the saide boke of Tyndall_es_. And albeit that I might well perceyue that his maiestee was right well pleased and right acceptablie considered your diligence and payn[es] taken in the wryting and sending of the saide boke as also in the p_er_swading and exhorting of Tyndall to repayre int[o] this realme _in the accomplisshement of his high pleasure and comaundement yet I might coniecture by the ferther declaracyon of his high pleasure Which sayed vnto me that by your wryting it manyfestlie appered how moche_ {yet his highnes nothyng lyked the sayd boke being fyllyd w_i_t_h_ Scedycyous Slaunderous lyes and Fantastycall oppynyon‹s› Shewing therin nether lernyng nor trewthe and ferther Co_m_munyng w_i_t_h_ his grace I mygh‹t› well coniect that he though‹t› that ye bare moche} affection _and zele ye bere_ toward_es_ the saide Tyndall whom in his maners _modestie and Symplycytee_ {& knowlage in woordlye thing_es_} ye vndoubtedlie {in yo_ur_ l_ette_res} do moche _more_ allowe and co_m_mende _then his_ {whos} work_es being so replete w_i_t_h _lyes and most_ {_then the warke of hit Self is able to deserue_} {being replete w_i_t_h_ so} abhomynable Sclaunders {& lyes} Imagened and {onlye} fayned to infecte _and intoxicate_ {_as it semythe_} the peopull _may to indyfferent Judgement declarethe him, for the which your fauours Supposed to be born to the saide Tyndall (who assuredlie sheweth himself in myn opynyon rather to be replete w_i_t_h _venymous envye rancour and malice then w_i_t_h _any good lerning vertue knowlage or discression) hathe put the kinges highnes in suspectyon of you considering_ {dothe declare hym bothe to lake grace vertue lernyng discrecyon and all other good qualytes [n]othing [e]ll_es_ p_re_tending in all his work_es_ but [to] seduce [and d]yssayve} that _ye should_ {ye} in such wise {by yo_ur_ l_ette_res} _lene vnto and fau_our _the evill doctryne of so peruerse and malycyous a person and so moche prayse him_ {prayse Setforth and avaunse hym} {_bothe to lake lernyng_} {to be envyous and to lake lernyng gra[ce]} {_vertue and all good discrecyon_} _who nothing_ {_whiche nothing ell_es} {pretendyth[776]} _goeth about or pretendeth_ but[776] _onelie to Seduce deceyue and disquiet the people and comenwelth of this realme Whose_ {_Repayre thether ys to be estuyd_} _cummyng into Englonde the king_es _highnes can right well forbere and_ {and sowe sedycyon among the peopull of this realme. The king_es_ highnes therfor} hathe co_m_maunded me _exp_re_ssely to wryte vnto you_ {to adu_er_tyse you that is plesure ys} that ye should desiste and leve any ferther to persuade or attempte _him thereunto_ {the sayd tyndalle to Com into this realme} alledging that _his maieste so euydentlie_ {he} p_er_ceyuing the malycyous perverse vncharytable {and Indurate} mynde _and disposicyon of the saide Tyndall is rather veray glad that he is out of his Realme then_,[777] {_Joyous to haue his realme destytute_} ... {of the sayd Tyndalle ys in man_er_ w_i_t_h_owt hope of reconsylyacyon in hym and ys veray Joyous to haue his Realme destytute of Such a person for hys highnes right prudentlye consyderyth} if he were present by all lykelohod he wold shortelie (which god defende) do as moche as in him were to infecte and corrup[t] the hole realme {_which now ys so Indurate_} to the grete inquietacyon and hurte of the co_m_menwelth of the same. Wherfore {Stephen} I hertelie pray you _that fromhensfourth_ in all your doing_es and_ proceding_es_ and wryting to the king_es_ highnes ye do iustely trewlie and vnfaynedlie _shew yo_ur _self to be no Fauto_ur _vnto the saide_ {w_i_t_h_out dyssymulacyon Shew your self his trew louyng and obedyent Subiect beryng no mann_er_ Fauo_ur_ loue or affeccyon to the sayd} Tyndale ne to his wo_ur_k_es_ in any man_er_ of wise but _rather_ vtterlie to contempne and abhorre the same assuring you that {in so} doing _the contrary_ ye shall not oneli[e] cause the king_es highnes_ royall Maieste whose _highnes_ goodnes at this tyme is so benignelie and gracyouslie mynded toward_es_ you ([778]_as by your good dyligence and industrie to b_[_e_] _vsed to serue his highnes and extewing and avoyding_ [_to_] _favour and allow the saide Tyndale his erronyous workes and opynyons_) _ye are like shortelie to atteyne_ ([779]_So to prouyde for you So to aduise you_ So to Sett you forwardes as all yo_ur_ louers & frend_es_ shall haue gret consolacyon _in you_ of the same [_b_]_oth welth honestie and promocyon at his gracyous handes to the singuler ioy pleasure and comforte of all yo_ur _Frend_es) and by the contrarie _to_ {doing ye shall} acquire the indignacyon of god _and_ displeasure of yo_ur_ Sou_er_eigne lorde and by the same _compell_ {cause} yo_ur_ good Frend_es_ which haue ben euer glad prone and redie to _adu_au_nce_ {bryng} you _vnto the_ {into his gracyous} favours _of yo_ur _prynce_ to lamente and sorow that their sute in that behalf should {be frustrate and} not {to} take effecte according to their good intent and purpose, hauing therefore firme trust that for the {_Feare ye haue in god obedyens to yo_ur _souerayn lord_} loue ye owe to yo_ur_ self _me_ and _other_ yo_ur_ Frend_es_ ye _wilbe_ will beware _from hensfourth_ {and estew} to enter into any _such_ opynyons {_or to the prayse of any such p_er_son_} whereby any sclaunder dishonestie _or_ daungier {or Susspycyon} might insue toward_es_ you whereof I promyse you I wold be as sorie as yo_ur good_ {natural} father.

As touching Frith mencyoned in yo_ur_ saide l_ette_res the king_es_ highnes heryng tell of his towardenes in good l_ette_res and lernyng doth _Regrete and_ {moche} lament that he should in such wise as he doth Set fourth Shew and applye his lerning and doctrine in the semynacyon and sowing such euill seed_es_ of dampnable and detestable heresies mayntening bolstring and adu_au_ncyng the venemous and pestyferous wo_ur_kes erronyous and sedycyous opynyons of the saide Tyndale and other Wherein his highnes _as_ {lyke} a most vertuous and benigne pr[ince] and gou_er_no_ur_ hauing charge _commytted vnto him_ of his people and Subiect_es_ {&} being {veraye} sorie to here tell that any of the same should in suche wise Ronne hedling and digresse from th[e] lawes _and p_re_cept_es {_and holsom doctryns_} of almightie god {_and holye Fathers_} {and most holsom} _into suche dampnable_ {and most holsom doctryne of holye Fathers into suche dampnable} heresies and sedycyous opynyons _and_ being eu_er_ inclyned willi[ng] and gretelie desirous to forse and prouyde for the same {& moche desyryng the reconsylyacyon of the sayd Fryth} _and also_ fermelie trusting that _the said Frith_ {he} be not so far as yet inrouted in the evill doctryne of the saide Tind[all] {& oder} but that by the grace of god louyng charitable and frend[lie] exhortac_i_ons and adu_er_tisement_es_ of good people he may be _revoked and_ called agayne to the ryght way _wylleth_ {hath therefore} _and desireth you_ {wyllyd} {_and Co_m_maundyd_} {me to wryte vnto yow that ye} accordyng to his trust and expectacyon {will} w_i_t_h_ yo_ur_ frendelie persuasions admonycyons and holsome exhortac_i_ons _to_ counsaill and aduyse the said Fryth if ye may conuenientlie speke w_i_t_h_ the same to lev[e] his wilfull opynyons and like a good Christien to reto_ur_ne _vnto o_ur _Saueour Christe and also_ into his natif cuntrey _So that by his proceding_es _as he begynneth there be no m_[_ore_] [_se_]_dycyous infections and heresies sowed amongst the kinges peopull_ {wher he assurydly shall Fynde the kyng_es_ highnes most m_er_cyffull and benygnlye vppon his conversyon disposyd _toward_es _hym_ to accept hym to his grace & m_er_cye} Wherefore eftesoones I _hertelie pray you and_ {exhort you} for the loue of god _do_ not onelie _exhorte you_ vtterlie to forsake leve and w_i_t_h_draw yo_ur_ affectyon from the saide Tyndale and all his secte but also as moch as ye can poletiquelie and charytablie to allure all {the said Fryth and other} suche p_er_sons _as ben_ {being in thes p_ar_tyes which in any wyse ye shall know or suppose to be} Fautours and assistent_es_ to the same from all their erronyous mynd_es_ and opynyons. In which doing ye shall not onelie highlie merite _of_ {in} Almightie god but also deserue high thank_es_ of the king_es_ royall maiestee who will not forgett yo_ur_ deuoyrs and labours in that behalf So that his maiestee may {evydentlye} p_er_ceyue that ye effectuallie {do} intende the same.

And as touching yo_ur_ diligent adu_er_tisement vnto the king_es_ highnes of the nombre of Shippes arryued w_i_t_h_ corne and grayn in those p_ar_ties he hathe co_m_maunded me on his behalf to gyue vnto you condigne thank_es_ for the same And being moche desirous to know and atteyne the trewth of that matier his grace hathe co_m_maunded me to wryte vnto you that by all good dexteritee polycie and meanes ye should indeuoyr yo_ur_self to atteyne to the knowlege of the Maisters, s_er_u_au_ntes owners or other that made sale of the saide grayn brought thither to thintent that by thexamynacyon of som his highnes might haue knowlege of the rest and that ye shall w_i_t_h_ all diligence aduertise h[is] highnes of their names, and in likewise of such other newes concerning themperours affayreses the discending of the turke into Germanye the preparacyons ayenst him the gifte of money in the low countreys to themp_er_o_ur_ the abyding of themperour in the low p_ar_ties the agremen[t] bytwen him and the prynces of Germanye as ye sha[ll] here by m_er_chaunt_es_ or otherwise most certeynlie to acertey[n] his grace by yo_ur_ l_ette_res w_i_t_h_ as moch dyligence as ye can. Prayeng you therefore substauncyallie and circumspect[lye] to indeuo_ur_ yo_ur_self to serue the king_es_ highnes herein effectuallie So that yo_ur_ towardenes good mynde duet[ie] of allegiaunce and seruice toward_es_ his royall maiest[ie] may be apparaunt and notoryous vnto the same. Which I doubt not shalbe to yo_ur_ singuler proffite and aduauncement.

22. ‹CROMWELL› TO MR. STRETE.

R.O. Cal. v. 277. ‹May, 1531.›

Encloses a commission to survey the lands of the bishopric of Coventry and Lichfield, and to receive the rents for the King, and orders to cease collecting rents in Chester. Cf.