by Thomas Wyatt
Your loving friend,
THOMAS CROMWELL.
To my very loving friend Master Wyatt,
Kt. Ambassador with the Emperor.
My Lord Privy Seal of the 5th of
April, by Francisco, the 12th of the same at Barcelona, April 2. A°. 2°
LETTER XIII. CROMWELL, LORD PRIVV SEAL, TO SIR THOMAS WYATT.
MASTER WYATT,
AFTER my hearty commendations: because you shall perceive by the instructions made to these bearers, and by their relation the whole discourse of all matters of importance touching the King’s Majesty, I shall not be tedious herein with any repetition of the same; only by these you shall know, that according to my promise I have obtained your warrant for the augmentation of your diet, a mark by the day; so that now you have a daily allowance 54s. 4d.; which odd shilling above four marks is also - - - - - to Mr. Mason. Your agents here, if you have any, be very slack to call upon any man for you. Your brother Hawte was not thrice here since you went; and the rest I hear nothing of, unless it be when nothing is to be done. I never saw man that had so many friends here, leave so few perfect friends behind him. Quicken them with your letters; and in the mean season as I have been, so shall I be both your friend and your solicitor. Thus fare you heartily well. From St. James’s, the 8th of April. [1538.]
Herewith you shall receive a letter from Master Pate to Brauncetour; I pray you mind it, and solicit the answer to the same. If Brauncetour will come home, you may tell him I doubt not but he shall find the King’s Highness his good and generous Lord. And I shall not fail to take such order with his creditors, as he shall be in quiet, and out of all damages.
Your loving assured friend,
THOMAS CROMWELL.
To mine assured friend Sir Thomas
Wyatt, Kt the King’s Ambassador resident with the Emperor.
My Lord Privy Seal of the 5th of
April, by Dr. Haynes and Mr.
Bonner, at night, the 10th of May. A°. 2°.
2 x 2
LETTER XIV. CROMWELL LORD PRIVV SEAL TO SIR THOMAS WYATT.
AFTER my right hearty commendations: by this bearer you shall receive the King’s Highness’ letters signifying an overture made unto his Majesty by the French King, with an instruction how you shall use and behave yourself in the same, which I doubt not you will duly weigh and consider, and so proceed therein (whether it be proposed according to the device or objected unto you) as his Majesty’s honour may be preserved, and his commodity therewith wrought to his Grace’s satisfaction. Much his Majesty doth marvel that you, Master Wyatt, are not more speedy in your advertisements considering the time and importance of affairs now in treaty among Christian Princes. It shall be good that you redubbe that negligence. Thus fare ye heartily well. From St. James’s, beside Westminster, the 4th day of May. [1538]
Your loving assured friend,
THOMAS CROMWELL.
To my assured loving friend, Sir Tho mas Wyatt, Mr. Doctor Haynes, and Mr. Doctor. Bonner, the King’s
Orators with the Emperor. —
LETTER XV. CROMWELL LORD PRIVV SEAL TO SIR THOMAS WYATT.
MR. WYATT,
AFTER my right hearty commendations: by your letters of the 25th of the last month the King’s Majesty is advertised of your discourse had with the Emperor upon the arrival of the dispatches by Francisco; and to be plain with you, the King’s Majesty, and all we of his Majesty’s Council, find such a coldness in it, that we be much sorry to remember you, so many good words should bring forth [such evil] deeds; and besides, his Majesty is advertised from sundry parties, how all this meeting [of] the Council, and all things done for the benefit and glory, of Rome be set forth and advanced by the Emperor, that he doth but to devise to work all the world by practices with fair words for his own purposes. I pray God those news and advertisements, may be by his good deeds shewed false. It were great ruth that a Prince of his honour shall intend so corruptly; whereof I give you knowledge that you may either bring things [to] a better stay, or decipher the truth, that the malice thereof may be the better prevented. Thus fare ye heartily well. From Westminster, the 10th of May. [1598]
LETTER XVI. CROMWELL LORD PRIVV SEAL TO SIR THOMAS WYATT.
AFTER my right hearty commendations: after the receipt of your letters by Mr. Mason, upon the signification made to the King’s Majesty by the Queen Regent of the receipt of the Emperor’s commission, and of his good and singular affection to proceed sincerely and conclude all things as their amity requireth; the King’s Highness, after the sending of Mr. Wriothesley and Mr. Vaughan into Flanders, with commission and power to treat and conclude with the said Regent, hath advised earnestly to join with the Emperor, and therefore hath dispatched this bearer his trusty servant, Mr. Hobby, one of the Grooms of his Grace’s Privy Chamber, with letters and instructions. His Grace, thanking you for your great diligence and dexterity heretofore used, requireth you at this time earnestly to proceed to the declaration of his good affection and purpose, which I assure you is as sincere and fervent, earnest and effectual, as could be desired; and also of the whole instructions, which, do proceed of the very bottom of his good heart, and pure stomach. Now is the time that by the same you may much further the matters, and get yourself much praise, and estimation; the which I would be glad, for the desire I have of your furtherance no less than ever I had, might be accomplished and done before March, for at that time, I trust, according to your desire, to get you leave, to come hither again: and that the King’s Majesty shall send some other to supply your room there; wherefore, essay so earnestly to set those things forward as you may increase your estimation thereby.
The King’s Highness had sent Mason unto you instead of this said bearer, were it not the chance that he is evil diseased of a fever, like as by his own letters ye shall perceive.
All occurrents here the said Mr. Hobby may declare unto you at large, and amply. I mistrust not your diligence: wherefore, without, longer exhortation I commend you to the blessed Creator, who send you prosperity and long life.
From London, this 16th of October, the 30th year of his Grace’s most noble reign, [1538.]
Your assured loving friend,
THOMAS CROMWELL.
To mine assured loving friend Sir
Tho mas Wyatt, Kt. Gentleman of the
King’s Chamber, and his Grace’s
Ambassador with the Emperor.
From my Lord Privy Seal the 16th of October.
LETTER XVII. SIR THOMAS WYATT TO CROMWELL, LORD PRIVV SEAL.
PLEASE it your Lordship for this time to accept short letters, remitting the same to the letters of the King more largely written. I thank your Lordship for the giving order for my money which I lent Mr. Bryan. If the King’s honour, more than his credit, had not been before mine eyes, he should have piped in an ivy leaf for ought of me. I report me to Mr. Thirlby, Loveday, and Sherington. I humbly thank you also for your advices of news. By our Lord it is a notable grace that the King hath ever had, the discovery of conspiration against him.. I cannot tell, but that God claimeth to be principal, whether he cause more to allow his fortune, or his minister’s. I would I could persuade these preachers as well to preach his grave proceeding against the Sacramentaries and Anabaptists (as your Lordship writeth) as they do the burning of the Bishop’s bones. But of that, nor of other news, on my faith; I have no letters from no man but from you.
I cannot tell whether it be that men are more scrupulous in writing than negligent to do their friends pleasure. Here are already news of the condemnation of the Marquis, of Montagu, of his brother, of Sir Edward Nevill, and of three servants; but of the particularities I hear nothing.
I have had it told me by some here of reputation, that peradventure I was had in suspect both with the King and you, as they said it was told them; but like as I take it light, so I ascribe it to such invention -as some of my good friends would be glad to have it.
I shall not let for all that to solicit at your Lordship’s hands my coming
home, and there let me, reddere rationem. But out of game, I beseech your Lordship humbly to help me. I need no long persuasions. You know what case I am in. I have written this unto you. I am at the wall; I am not able to endure to march, and the rest shall all be the King’s dishonour and my shame; besides the going to nought of all my particular things. Have some consideration between them that feign excuses for such with — and him that endeth frankly his service to his Majesty. I can no more but remit me wholly to your Lordship; and if it be not sufficient that ye know of the strait I am in, inform yourself of Mr. Vane and Mr. Poynings. And thus after my most humble recommendations, our Lord send you good life and long.
At Toledo the 2d of January [1538.] Don Diego told me [he] had obtained licence for two genets for you, and that he would deliver them to me to send them. I trust to bring them myself to see them better ordered.
To my Lord Cromwell.
LETTER XVIII. CROMWELL, LORD PRIVV SEAL, TO SIR THOMAS WYATT.
AFTER my right hearty commendations: I have received your letters by this bearer, Nicholas, and set forth the matter of your return at March next, and, my suit notwithstanding, it is deferred until April, as you shall perceive by the King’s letters, whose Majesty taketh your diligence and active alacrity there in good part; sending you assuredly of his great pleasure in all things, as by his said letters ye shall perceive.
I doubt not but you shall duly discharge your duty in the putting forth thereof as you have done hitherto. I advise you to take patiently your abode there until April, and to send me word what money ye shall need to have sent unto you, for I shall help you.. Assuring you that I could not see you that went, and hath abided there honestly furnished, to return home, and at the latter end return needy and disfurnished. I do better tender the King’s honour, and do esteem you better than so to suffer you to lack. Advising you, nevertheless, that I think your gentle frank heart doth much impoverish you. When you have money you are content to depart with it and lend it, as you did lately 300 ducats to Mr. Hobby, the which I think had no need 6f them; for he had large furnishment of money at his departure hence, and likewise at his return. We accustom not to send men disprovidéd so far. Take heed therefore how you depart of such portion as ye need. And foresee rather to be provided yourself, than for the promotion of other to leave yourself naked. Politick charity proceedeth not that way. If you shall advertise me what sums ye shall need, I shall take a way that ye shall be furnished. I require you to solicit an answer of the Emperor to tenor of the King’s letters:’ and as shortly as you can, and as often as you may have opportunity to advertise his Majesty amply of all occurrences. Thus fare you heartily well. From London this 19th of January, 1539.
Your assured friend,
THOMAS CROMWELL.
To my very loving friend Sir Thomas
Wyatt, Knight, one of the Gentle men of the King’s Chamber, and his Grace’s Ambassador with the
Emperor.
LETTER XIX. CROMWELL, LORD PRIVV SEAL, TO SIR THOMAS WYATT.
AFTER my hearty commendations: forasmuch as the King’s Highness, after the arrival of Mr. Blage, which was on Sunday last writeth unto you his gracious pleasure more at large, I surcease at this present to declare unto you any thing thereof; but only I advertise you of the receipt of two of your letters sent to me at divers times by the way of France.
I have caused Mr. Tuke to deliver lately unto two of your assignees here the sum of 5001. and odd, as I doubt not but they shall advertise you thereof. Here we have no notable news and occurrences, but do look daily to have some of you, and to be ascertained of the Emperor’s final resolution upon the points contained in his Grace’s letters sent to you by Nicholas. If you have had as yet at the arrival hereof no answer, I pray you to solicit it instantly, and to use all speed in giving advertisement thereof; and also of the Emperor’s answer to his Highness’s letters sent you by this bearer, the which I require you to dispatch hither again with some answer as soon as you may.
Of your coming ye shall perceive the King’s gracious pleasure by his own letters. The personage that shall succeed you is not yet appointed, wherefore I can give you no knowledge thereof. The King’s Majesty hath your diligence and proceedings right acceptable, and using good celerity at this time, and like dexterity, you may be assured of increase of more favour. I have reserved for you the house of the Friars of Aylesford, as ye desired it, and will be glad in all other things to employ myself to further your reasonable desires.
Thus fare ye right heartily well. From London, the 13th of February. [1539]
Your loving assured friend,
THOMAS CROMWELL.
To my loving friend Mr. Wyatt,
Knight, one of the Gentlemen of the King’s
Chamber, and his Grace’s Ambas
sador in Spain.
By Francis at Toledo, the 19th of February
LETTER XX. CROMWELL, LORD PRIVV SEAL, TO SIR THOMAS WYATT.
AFTER my right hearty commendations: forasmuch as by the letters which the King’s Majesty sendeth unto you at this time, ye shall both perceive the receipt of such your letters as be hitherto arrived here, and his Grace’s answer thereunto, with the whole discourse of the news and affairs here: albeit I doubt not but ye will use such good diligence in fulfilling his Highness’s pleasure in the same as ye have accustomed; yet I have thought to desire and pray you at this time no less diligently to employ your earnest dexterity, but rather, as much as in you shall lie, to set forth and so conduce the affairs, as thereby may follow his Majesty’s good purpose: marking and noting in such wise the discourses, proceedings, and communications to be had there, their countenance, fashion, and vehemence, with the very words and answers, as by the same the certainty of things to ensue may be conjectured and known. And as ye have right well done heretofore, much to his Grace’s contentment and satisfaction; so ye shall, according to his good expectation by your letters, with all possible celerity advertise his Highness of your whole proceedings and conferences there, and of the circumstances thereof, together with all the occurrences; assuring yourself, that his Majesty taketh your good service in thankful acceptation and perfect remembrance thereof, to your no little comfort. And as concerning the advancement of your diets, I shall travail for the new signature of your warrant for the same as soon as an opportunity shall occur for the same. This bearer is paid both for his journey hither, and for his return again, which I trust shall be with diligence. And thus fare ye heartily well. From St. James’s, beside Westminster, the 22d day of February [1538]. I pray. you truly to answer my last letters.
Your assured friend,
THOMAS CROMWELL.
To my assured loving friend Sir Thomas
Wyatt, Kt the King’s Ambassador, resident in the Emperor’s court.
My Lord Privy Seal, of the 22d of Fe bruary, received by Rede the 3d of
March, in Barcelona.
LETTER XXI. SIR THOMAS WYATT TO THE EARL OF HERTFORD.
MY Lorn, TAKE this in haste. Know ye that Pole the Cardinal cometh after this courier to the French King to solicit against the King our master. I suppose it shall be your office to make preparatives with the French King to demand of him according to the treaty. The whilst — after advertisement from the King. Further believe this bearer and I recommend me to your Lordship. At Toledo, the 23d of February [1539].
THOMAS WYATT.
I pray you see this packet safely delivered, for so I have promised.
To the right honourable my Lord of
Hertford, Ambassador for the King’s
Majesty in the Court of France.
Received 7th of March, by a servant of
Mr. Archdeacon Carver, about 4 of the clock afternoon, delivered by a servant of Mr. Wyatt’s called Rud ston, at Paris.
LETTER XXII. CROMWELL, LORD PRIVV SEAL, TO SIR THOMAS WYATT.
AFTER my right affectionate commendation: I have received, not only your letters by Nicholas the courier and by your servant Rudston, but also all other contained
in your catalogue at the latter end of my letters sent by the same Nicholas. Ye may perceive by the King’s letters to you addressed at this time, how thankfully his Grace accepteth your good diligence, and doings there; and also the occurrents and bruits which have been spread abroad. Marvellous strange the suspicion and conjectures of those ships which be sent out of Flanders to Spain, for what cause no man can well tell here; and the arrest of ships in Flanders. Albeit since the King’s letters signed, I have received advertisement from Mr. Wriothesley, that as Wednesday last the Queen Regent, and the Council there, sent him my warrants for the delivery of the same ships. But as yet they be not arrived. We cannot satisfy our minds whereof did proceed all those unkind parts and such strangeness as suddenly, and upon no manner of ground, hath been since Lent used to the said Mr. Wriothesley. He had good chere and entertainment a little before that two couriers should arrive thither from Spain. Whether the Emperor wrote any such things to be done, we cannot tell; but it is like he did. Therefore I require you well and diligently, by all manner of means to you possible, to seek and search to know the bottom of their hearts there, what they do intend and practise; what intelligence they have with the Frenchmen, and Bishop of Rome; and if you can perceive any notable knowledge, to give [information] thereof, with the answer that ye shall have to the effect of the King’s letters now unto you. I shall help to dispatch Mr. Tate, and to send him thitherward as soon and with as good diligence as I can, to the intent you may return hither according to your desire. I trust to be so earnest to set forth ybur good service, that after your return, within a short space, ye shall be no more needy, nor have cause to think yourself hindered. Thus fare ye right heartily well. From London, this 10th of March. [1339.]