LETTER VIII.

_The Earl of Northumberland to Cromwell, denying any contract or promise of marriage between Anne Bullen and himself._

[ORIGINAL, COTT. LIB. OTHO C. 10.]

M^R SECRETARY, This shall be to signifie unto you that I perceive by Sir Raynold Carnaby, that there is supposed a precontract between the queen and me; wherupon I was not only heretofore examined upon my oath before the Archbishopps of Canterbury and York, but also received the blessed sacrament upon the same before the Duke of Norfolk, and other the king's highnes' council learned in the spiritual law; assuring you M^r Secretary, by the said oath, and blessed body which affore I received, and hereafter intend to receive, that the same may be to my damnation, if ever there were any contracte or promise of marriage between her and me. At Newington Green, the xiijth day of Maye, in the 28^{th} year of the reigne of our soveraigne lord King Henry the VIII^{th}.

Your assured,

NORTHUMBERLAND.