by Thomas Wyatt
Now to touch some of the points of your letters addressed to the King’s Highness. It was found here marvellous strange that it should be said there that the Emperor’s agents here resident could have none audience in six months. The truth is, they never desired audience but they had it; and so themselves have confessed since the arrival of the said letters. Since which time there hath been communication again touching the marriage: but they be so, percase, to have the daughter; whom I assure you the King’s Majesty esteemeth as she is worthy, and to shew no point of friendship for it; I cannot tell what I should say to their fashion of proceeding. If it take not effect the fault shall not be in his Highness, but on that side; for we have desired nothing but that, which as the Emperor may do without breach of his league with the bishop of Rome, so, if he should not do it (in case) without any bond of treaties, only upon his offer, being a good Christian Prince, he hath not that sincerity in him that I judge to be in his Majesty. But I trust all shall be well.
Upon the decease of the Queen, whom God pardon, the Ambassador made an overture for the Daughter of Portugal. It was thankfully taken, and would have been much fetter taken if it had come of new from the Emperor, as they appeared they did it by an old commission. Howsoever the matter should succeed, the overture could not be taken but very kindly, and might work many good effects in other things. The King’s Majesty is much desirous to hear from you touching the matter of Dignely. And thus fare ye most heartily well.
From the Nete the £9th of November.
Your loving friend,
THOMAS CROMWELL.
Post Scripta. Whereas in your said last letters addressed to the King’s Majesty, you do signify in the repetition of your conference with the Emperor, that the same should say unto you upon your overture for the mediation of a peace between him and the French King; “I cannot tell how my friends do solicit me alway to peace; for divers have “meddled in the same; and whensoever my matters go any thing darkly “forwards, I hear no word of mediation of peace; and now when it “seemeth my successes come something handsomely to pass, I am solicited to peace both by the King your master, and others;” The King’s Highness’s pleasure is, that upon the receipt hereof, taking your occasion to enter a new conference and communication with the Emperor, you shall declare unto him that forasmuch as in your late dispatches with his Majesty, which you wrote unto the King’s Highness, it appeared by the words expressed, that he thought be was solicited to the peace when his affairs went prosperously forward, and otherwise heard no mention of it: as the King’s Majesty having no respect to the state of his affairs at that motion of it, but to the good of the thing, upon the zeal that he had to both Princes, and to the general quiet and repose of all Christendom, made that overture like a good Prince and an assured friend to the Emperor; so, being since the arrival of your said letters advertised of the abasement of his affairs in Italy, and of victories of the French King, both in the getting of the passage at Guise, and in the reinforcing and re-victualling of his holds and fortresses in those parts; to declare how much his Grace tendered the benefit of peace, and how little he regarded any affection or cause that might move him to favour either the one or the other part more than became a Prince indifferent; and so indifferent, that knowing them both to be Princes of honour, and his dear friends and allies, he could have been content with his travail, charge, and great expenses to have been the mean to convey them to a quiet; whereby the effusion of Christian blood should have been eschued. Albeit his most noble, virtuous, and princely overture therein was not so lovingly embraced as the [amicable tender] of the same required; yet nevertheless, to express that the same proceeded upon the mind and zeal declared, his Majesty hath commanded you eftsoon to renouvel the said overture of mediation unto him; and to desire him even now, though his things be not so prosperous altogether as they were, to signify his resolution unto you, whether he can be content to commit the decision of his matters to his Grace’s arbiter, if the French King will for his part condescend to do the semblable: and if he will thereunto conform himself, you may then require him for the declaration of his titles, to address unto the King’s Highness such a personage as shall be able sufficiently to instruct his Majesty in the same; the same to bring with him such commission as he may make such overtures for that purpose as may be reasonable and seemly for that Prince to ground himself upon, which indifferently desireth an honest end between them. Whereupon, the French King doing the semblable, if he will agree to the like of this overture, neither of them shall need to doubt but his Majesty will so proceed between them, as neither party shall have cause justly to be grieved.
And with this matter you may also declare unto him, how the information made that his orators here could not have audience for six months was untruly surmised unto him, as they have themselves confessed; which I think they have also signified thither for the manifestation of the truth in that behalf. Thus imparting your words, so as he may take these advertisements and overtures as friendly as they be made unto him; and yet so observing him in the uttering of his answers thereunto, as you may somewhat decipher the bottom of his heart, and affection towards the Kiug’s Majesty, if by any wisdom it may be drawn out of the same.
And thus fare you again most heartily well. From the Nete the last day of November. [1537.]
The King’s pleasure is, that you shall send a speedy answer hereof, and therewith signify such occurrents as have happened in those parties, since the writing of your last letters.
Your loving friend,
THOMAS CROMWELL.
To my very loving friend Sir Thomas
Wyatt, Knight, the King’s Majes ties Ambassador resident with the
Emperor.
My Lord Privy Seal, in December, at
Barcelona, by Peter Rede.
LETTER IX. CROMWELL, LORD PRIVV SEAL, TO SIR THOMAS WYATT.
MASTER WYATT,
AFTER my right hearty commendations: by this bearer you shall receive the King’s Highness’ letters with a commission, whereby you shall be authorised to treat common, and conclude with these Princes for his Grace’s part, as by the said letters are limitted.
Now, use your wisdom to set forth the contents of the said letters with such a dexterity as the effect desired may ensue of the same. There was never a better inclination in the King’s Majesty both to forget all things passed, to enter a perfect reconciliation, and to do all things that may turn to the Emperor’s honour or commodity, as much as can be reasonably desired of him, than there is at this present, if the Emperor will now shew himself to esteem his Highness as he pretendeth: and especially in following his Grace’s advice in the matter of the Council. All thing, I doubt not, shall so succeed between them, as shall be to God’s glory, to both their honours, and to the great good and quiet of Christendom. We shall desire much to hear from you, and therefore whenever you shall be able to write any certainty either upon the Emperor’s assured promise, or upon any certain conclusion, send with diligence. And thus fare you most heartily well. [1537.]
Your loving friend,
THOMAS CROMWELL.
From London the 26th of December.
To my assured loving friend, Sir Tho mas Wyatt, Knight, the King’s
Ambassador with the Emperor.
My Lord Privy Seal, in January, by
Mr. Mason at Barcelona.
LETTER X. CROMWELL, LORD PRIVV SEAL, TO SIR THOMAS WYATT.
MASTER WYATT,
AFTER my hearty commendations. This shall be to advertise you that this present day, being the last of February, arrived here at the Court the Bishop of Tarbes, being addressed to the King’s Majesty from the French King; who, bringing with him a commission to entreat and conclude upon a confirmation of all amities between them, with an addition of all such things as on either part might be devised further to —— or either of their commodities, made plain and certain overture that whether the King’s Majesty would enter into any such capitulation or no, in case it should be his pleasure to take it up
on him, he should for the French King’s part have whole and entire maintaining of the peace between him and the Emperor: and further, he offered on the French King’s behalf, that he should never take peace with the Emperor but the King’s Majesty should therein be a principal contrahent; and also in the matters of Council, and other things, that the King should find the French King so assured and conformable towards him as he should have cause to accept him for his good brother and most entire friend. To this the King answered, that their words were many times so qualified, that it appeared hard to him to give any great credit, without further proof unto him: nevertheless, for that that part shewed an affection in him, the said French King, the King gave unto him his condign thanks; declaring how much his Highness desired the succeeding of such universal peace as might redound to the quiet of all Christendom, and how earnestly his Grace hath travailed upon that zeal only to obtain the mediation of it; not doubting but in case he would stick to that overture, his good brother the Emperor, who hath shewed therein already good inclination, would right gladly do semblable. And as touching the winning of his Grace as a perpetual contrahent, his Majesty told him that he was assured so to be by the said Emperor’s means, though the French King would say nay unto it. Albeit his overture therein, and in the rest, carrying with it a friendly visage, was such as he would not but take in good part, and give unto him thanks also for it, as thanks be given for friendly words which keep their place, as long as they shall not be denied by contrary effects.
To this they replied, that for the French King’s part, they would affirm, that as his overtures proceeded from a most friendly heart, so his deeds should most certainly approve and confirm the same. But as for the Emperor, they said they could affirm also upon their certain knowledge, that what words soever he had uttered, or any for him, he never minded to join the King as a Prince contrahent, nor would in any wise agree that the King should have in his hand the managing of the peace between them. Whereunto I assure you the King made friendly answer for the Emperor’s honour, truth, and assuredness to the observation of his word, and in the debating of his most hearty love towards the Emperor; so that our Ambassadors from the French King be retired to London without doing of any thing, or they receiving of any other answer. And forasmuch as I do perceive that they will offer wonders to stay the King from the Emperor, albeit I am in most assured hope that they shall therein fail in their purpose, notwithstanding his Grace would, I think, labour to make some good end between them, and therefore, the good of Christendom, and the better chastising of the common enemy of the same; yet I thought good to advertise you therein that you may at your opportunity declare the same to the Emperor and his Council for the good acceleration of his determinate answer to the things put in overture between them; and especially you must travail that, seeing the French King hath offered his mediation of peace to the King, the Emperor seemeth to have less confidence in his Grace than they shew themselves to have. And likewise it shall be well done that you shall most earnestly induce the Emperor to the writing of the letters, wherein he shall affirm his promises both touching the joining of the King as a premier contrahent, and touching the consenting to nothing in the Council, though it should take effect, that to the [King] his Grace, or to his realm, nay be in any wise prejudicial. Touching also that for the stay of his consent to the place whereunto the said Council is indicted, and concerning all the rest of the things whereof mention is made in the letters sent unto you by Rede, his Majesty will use that loving conformity that may bring all matter» now well entered into a just perfection; if any lack should be, [it] must spring on that part: which I, being a poor minister to my Master, and bearing an honest heart towards the communication of him and the Emperor together, would be loth and sorry to see it end. Therefore, Mr. Wyatt, now is the time for him to take his time, and for you to play your part of a good servant. I mistrust neither the loving mind nor the wisdom of the one, nor the honest zeal and desire of the other, that all things may frame to the honour of both Princes, and consequently to the benefit of Christendom. Heartily desiring you to use your dexterity, and to accelerate such certain and resolute answer in all tilings as may be to the King’s satisfaction.
Mr. Wyatt, now handle this matter in such earnest sort with the Emperor, as the King (who by your fair words hath conceived as certain to find assured friendship therein) be not deceived. The Frenchmen affirm so constantly and boldly that nothing spoken by the Emperor either touching the principal contrahent, the Council, or further alliance hath in the same any manner of good faith, but such fraud and deceit, that [though] the King had gathered a certain confidence in the Emperor’s honour and trust upon your letters and the relation of Mr. Dudley, I assure you on my faith, it would make any man to suspect his proceeding. They say, and deeply swear, that the peace resteth in their hand and arbitrament; and, therefore, if the Emperor should in any wise conclude with them before he should go through with his matters here, yea though [he] might have them to take peace with such conditions as he himself would appoint unto after he would offer as much or more to the King than he hath done, or is now desired of him. I think certainly it could not be with all that which would now be engendered by such agreement. But I neither fear his honour in his promise, nor his wisdom for his bargain that may now be made, if he will now follow it, and firmly wyne himself with this marriage party. And if there should be any difficulty upon the point of the mediation by reason of the shortness of the time of the truce, you may declare how the Frenchmen show themselves so earnest to put all in the King’s hand, that they offer, upon any signification that the Emperor will make, though it were but to his Ambassador there to condescend to the same, they will straight resolve and agree upon the protraction of the truce for so long time as the King shall think meet, and will determine. Wherefore, if that point be desired upon advertisement of the Emperor’s mind thereon, either it shall be obtained, or else the Frenchmen shall start from that which so absolutely they have offered even to the King’s own person.
Labour, Mr. Wyatt, to cause the Emperor, if it be possible, to write it. The French King, if he is content to commit this mediation to the King’s hand, [is] to offer therefore a longer truce: for the Frenchmen say they will make the King see the Emperor’s crafty dealing, and disclose him, and by this mean their own craft, if it be false that they say, as I think surely it is, shall be turned unto their own necks. Thus fare you heartily well. At Hampton Court, the 1st of March. [1538.]
By your loving friend,
THOMAS CROMWELL.
To my assured loving friend, Sir Tho mas Wyatt, Kt the King’s Am bassador in Spain.
My Lord Privy Seal, of the 1st of
March, received the 11th of the same, by my Lord of Winchester’s servant in Barcelona. Anno primo.
LETTER XI. SIR THOMAS WYATT TO THE EARL OF HERTFORD.
In my most hearty manner I recommend me unto your Lordship: and whereas this bearer, for certain business of his city hath been here in the Emperor’s Court, with whom I have had acquaintance and familiarity; now that he returneth unto his country, he hath desired my letters unto your Lordship, whereby he might have acquaintance with the same. It may please you therefore to have him for recommended; whom ye shall find a right honest man, and that understandeth right well the things of his country. Besides this, I beseech your Lordship, all such letters as shall come from him to your hands for me from time to time, to see them safely conveyed; for they shall be of importance for the King’s service. Of other news that be now here he shall inform you better by mouth than I by my letters. And by the way of the post I suppose ye shall have other my letters, before these come to your hands. Therefore, for this present, I shall bid your Lordship farewell. And our Lord have you in his keeping. At Toledo, the 3d of March. [1538.]
To my Lord of Hertford, the 3d of
March, by Hulrick the Almain from Toledo.
LETTER XII. CROMWELL, LORD PRIVV SEAL, TO SIR THOMAS WYATT.
MASTER WTATT,
; AFTER my right hearty commendations: by this bearer you shall receive the King’s Highness’s letters; by the contents whereof you shall perceive so largely what hath been done here, that I shall not need to make any repetition of the same, only I thought meet to signify unto you, that if these men here would have come to any peace of reason, they might perchance have done themselves more good than they have done. There were appointed as Commissioners to approach to them, my Lord of Canterbury, my Lord Chancellor, my Lord of Suffolk, myself, my Lord Admiral, the Bishops of Hereford and Chichester, and Master Russell, now Comptroller. All these persons had conferences with them at every meeting. And in the commission was also my Lord of Norfolk and the Bishop of Dureslme; but they were absent. By this you may see they were not slenderly esteemed; and sure I am, and dare boldly affirm it, I never heard so many gay words, and saw so little effect ensue of the same since I was born, before this time. But hy this I may well see there is Scarce any good faith in the world. The King’s Majesty doth much marvel that you send your letters open to my Lord of Winchester. For albeit his Grace doth not mistrust him, yet he noteth some folly in you to do it, without his express commandment; and willeth me to advertise you that you shall in no wise use it hereafter. If he would break them he may do it at his peril; but now the fault is in you; which nevertheless, for that which is past is pardoned. By the next messengers, Doctor Haynes, Dean of Exeter, and Doctor Bonner, Archdeacon of Leicester, you shall hear of the signature of your bill of augmentation of diet. Thus in the mean season fare you heartily well. From St. James’s, the 5th of April. [1538.]