Complete Works of Sir Thomas Wyatt

by Thomas Wyatt

  Your assured loving friend,

  THOMAS CROMWELL.

  To my very loving friend Sir Thomas

  Wyatt, Knight, one of the Gen

  tlemen of the King’s Chamber, and his

  Grace’s Ambassador with the Emperor.

  From my Lord Privy Seal, by Nicholas,

  the courier to Toledo, the 10th of

  March.

  LETTER XXIII. CROMWELL, LORD PRIVV SEAL, TO SIR THOMAS WYATT.

  MR. WYATT,

  After my most hearty and affectionate commendations to you, I advertise you of the receipt of your letters of the 29th of March last, by your post Nicholas; and also of your other letters by the way of Flanders of sundry dates, as the 16th and 18th of the same month, the which, and your good diligence and office therein ministered, the King’s Majesty taketh very thankfully, and purposeth to remember the same accordingly. His Highness hath dispatched this bearer, Mr. Tate your successor in post, for the causes which he shall declare unto you. I pray you, that for my sake you will help him of such your plate and stuff for his furnishment as ye may spare, for reasonable price, and to shew unto him your favour and gentleness, as I doubt not thereof: he shall declare unto you the diligence of your coming, and why his Grace would have it accelerated. I pray and advise you to order it so diligently as may be to his Grace’s satisfaction, And so because he can declare unto you all manner of news by mouth, without any further recital, fare you heartily well. From London this 12th of April. [1539]

  Your assured loving friend,

  THOMAS CROMWELL.

  To my very loving friend Sir Thomas

  Wyatt, Knight, Gentleman of the

  King’s Chamber, and his Grace’s

  Ambassador with the Emperor.

  From my Lord Privy Seal, by Mr,

  Tate, the 12th of April, to Toledo.

  LETTER XXIV. CROMWELL, LORD PRIVV SEAL, TO SIR THOMAS WYATT.

  Mr. Wyatt, AFTER my right hearty commendations to you. Forasmuch as the King’s Majesty hath much heart to know what is the matter that ye cannot write, but declare only by word of mouth; therefore his Grace willeth, ye shall with all possible diligence return; and in case ye cannot so soon come, the King’s Majesty’s will is that ye shall make the shortest abode there ye can; and in the mean time, because of your better acquaintance ye shall inquire what the Emperor will this year; or go out of Spain, or where, i e against Turkey, or Barbary, and how all stands between France and the Emperor, and news there. Thus because this bearer can inform you of the news, I shall, without longer recital commit you to Almighty God. From London this 16th of April. [1539.]

  Your loving friend,

  THOMAS CROMWELL.

  To my very loving friend Sir Thomas

  Wyatt, Knight, Gentleman of the

  King’s Privy Chamber, and his

  Grace’s Ambassador with the Em peror.

  From my Lord Privy Seal, by Nicholas, the 16th of April, to Toledo.

  LETTER XXV. SIR THOMAS WYATT TO THE KING.

  PLEASE it your Majesty to be advertised I wrote unto my Lord Privy Seal, of the 28th of the last, from Paris, which was but of small importance; but only to let you know where I was, the cause of my little speed by the weather, my judgment then upon the Emperor’s speed hitherward, and a postscript that I had of the courier that left him at Bruges the 22d of that same month, ready the next day to depart hitherward; and further, what I intended with further consultation with my Lord of London.

  And according as I wrote then, so overtook I with my said Lord of London at Orleans; ready to depart on Sunday last. And after I had participated with him my instructions, I rode with him in journey till the next post, and there lay all night. And so for because of the French King’s moving from Schamborow the next day, being Monday the 1st of December, toward Bloys; and the difficulty to have access in following his moving, we did deliberate that I should prevent the said King’s coming to Bloys by the post; and so I did, my said Lord of London making so good speed that he rode four posts the same day in journey. At my coming to Bloys the Cardinal of Lorraine was arrived, and unto him I sent Mr. Mason to advertise him that your Majesty, had sent a servant of yours to the King his Master, both with letters and further credence, which desired him to procure audience. Who, incontinent, bad him tarry, for that he would forthwith advertise the King, and he should know his time at the very hour the King arrived. And the Cardinal returning, appointed to Mr. Mason after supper the same night for our access. By this was our Lord of London arrived, and at after supper we went to the Court, and came to the Cardinal’s chambèr who even then had ended supper, and with gentle recal asked for the good health of your Majesty. And after the report of the same, with your Grace’s recommendations, and my thank for his continual favour to all your Grace’s servants for their address, he sent to advertise the King of our coming; and, after the little hearing his music, accompanied us to the Queen’s outer chamber whereas the King was, and with little abode came forth unto us. My Lord of London, after presenting himself unto him, declared unto him that your Majesty had sent me with letters and further credence unto him. Whereupon I presented your said letters, which he read at a cupboard, the Cardinal of [Lorraine] holding the quarrier unto him. The letters read, he returned into the midst of the chamber unto us, and repeated unto us justly die effect and sum of the same letters, and asked my further credence, returning again to the cupboard. Whereas I declared your Majesty’s hearty recommendations, your congratulations of his recovered health; the intimation that his Ambassador, jointly with him of the Emperor, made unto your Majesty of this interview; how glad news this was unto you to know your two principallest allies and friends to come to such reconciliation, friendship, and confidence, with setting forth of the goodness of peace; and the harm of dissension of two such princes upon whom depend so many people of Christendom, with further request to know of his good successes and news, if it pleased him to participate them with your Majesty, according as your Majesty’s instructions did limit me; He heard me very gently and notingly, and putting again off his bonnet, thanked the King his good Brother for his good visitation, and the friendly office that he doth with him; and for the recovery of his health; Nodoubt,” he said, “it was dangerous, his sickness, and to “the very-death: that it seemed an impossibility to have warranted-him “in so short a space to be in such a point as I saw him; whereof he “greatly thanked God.” Whereunto my Lord of London said, that such was the love and sincere affection of your Majesty towards him, that his sickness was your sickness, and his amendment made ye whole again. Which word he seemed to take pleasantly.

  And whereas I had mentioned of his Ambassadors signifying this interview to your Majesty, so he had, he said, given him a commandment so to do, and that no doubt it could not be but to the great good of Christendom, were it not but for the ceasing of so many mischiefs as have been betwixt him and the Emperor; whereof since they both seemed to be weary, and since they spake together at Aquas-Mortes, he hath found the Emperor so inclinable to reason, and he himself being so also for his part, that he seemeth to have great assurance in the performing of the things that shall be for the common quiet of Christendom: and now since the Emperor for the affairs of importance that he hath of these conditions in his Low Countries, which yet now are appeased, nevertheless that the view of the Prince among his subjects is a great satisfaction unto them, would come thorough his realm; he was very joyful of it, not only for that he might have occasion thereby to make him good chear, but also for that the said Emperor doth him, in that the greatest honour that can be; and sheweth thereby to take him for an honest man. And here, when I reply that the Emperor knew well with whom he dealt, as with the Prince of honour. “O!” quoth he, “we have among us all nothing but our honour;” and so; forth, continued his tale with such small incidents, both of my Lord of London and me, as might minister matter unto him; wherein be contained expressly, that although he conceived as before, good assurance of such things at the Emperors hand
as should be to the confirmation of the quiet of Christendom; yet would he not, passing through his realm, laying his hand on his breast, move one word of any such thing, for that it were not honest; but he would only intend to make him such chear as appertained to the confidence that he came in. But when he came into the Low Countries, then he trusted some good thing should ensue; and that in any thjpg wherein he might gratify the King, his good brother, he trusted that like as he had before time by effect shewn himself ready, to do that that should be to the advancement of his affairs, so would the King, his good brother, by that that was past, assure himself of that that he might in all things to come. And here, I replying, the confidence that your Majesty had in the same, with, the correspondence, assayed, what of his good successes and news he would participate with you. Whereat, he taking again the tale, told us that he had news how that the, Emperor was on thursday last within his realm, and that by the diligence he maketh he should now be at Bourdeaux. And further, he shewed us that he would the next day forth toward to Amboys, and so to Losches, and there tarry him. And that for the present he had none other thing, but that then at my return he should see me again. With that I took my leave; and, my Lord of London, upon your Majesty’s last letters, whereof yet till then had had no audience; trifled forth by the Constable from place to place, declared unto him, how that long ago, both at Compeigne, Paris, and Fontainbleau, he should, if he might have had access as he laboured for, have declared unto him the direction that your Majesty took for the justice to the Bretons, according to his request in his letters; and also touching the apprehending and deliverance of Adrian Cappe’s pretending conspiration against him and his children; declaring also therewith how friendly and brotherly your Majesty had done in the same, intending always so to continue. Whereto, with his bonnet in his hand, he thanked much your Majesty, and that in any like thing that shall touch your Majesty in person, that ye shall be sure on his behalf to be had as dear as the ball of his eye. Thus we departed; and for confirmation of the Emperor’s coming on, I spake with that same courier that left him on Thursday at Bayonne; and it is marvellous much the diligence that the said Emperor maketh, considering the weather and the mountains, and the evil sliding ways.

  I would spur before the French King, and get access, and insert myself into the Emperor’s band before they meet, and not much before, to the end, for lack of horse, I be not cast far behind.

  Marvel not, your Majesty, if yet ye have no more the particular advice what shall pass, who hath conduced this interview, or the what these Princes after it determine; for yet I have had no conferences, I have come to none acquaintance; nor I think it not easy to be had; but yet doubt riot your Majesty of that which lieth in us to do. For the which it shall not, in my opinion, be unmeet that you send often some matter, if any be, or something that may seem matter, whereby without suspicion we might get often access.

  But further to advertise your Majesty what I think; surely I begin to persuade myself marvellously to that opinion, that you thought the French Ambassador doubted, although my Lord of London be not of that mind; but that finally, notwithstanding the diversity of reports, he feareth they shall make conclusion; and though I have no stedfast ground, but conjecture, yet yesterday Mr. Mason going to speak with the Cardinal, meeting with him that was the Duke of Bourbon’s Almoner, that is both of Mason’s acquaintance and mine, after the first salutations, and inquiry of his coming and knowing of my being here, promising to come to me demanded of him roundly what your Majesty thought of this Emperor’s coming through France? who answered him, that ye could nothing judge but well, since it could be but amity and quiet of both of his your friends. Yea, quoth he, but doth he not know that he cometh to derange us; and with that sware deeply that it was for no other purpose: and thereto added, how he had done with his master, and reported him unto your Majesty; and also how he bad done with him, yea, and with every man he meddleth withal. He said further, how he had plainly counselled Pellow to do as he had done, to seek to return to his natural country, and leave the falsehood and trampery of the Emperor. And that the French King had given him, since his departing from the Emperor, one thousand crowns a year in provisions; whereas the Emperor took from him that which he had. And further, he discoursed on the constraint that the Emperor was in to come to this friendship, to gain free passage into his Low Countries, and there to make him a mockery when he had done; and that also he were undone, and the most miserable man in the world by this dissension, both in the Low Countries and in Almaine; and the little friendship and estimation that he hath by his known craft in all the world, if this were not now. This purpose passed between us there, which I note unto your Majesty for the purpose afore, and for that the man may, besides himself, have heard the like discourse in some good place: for he is of some good estimation, both of wit and judgment, and a round man. Further, that I can learn of the County Gwilliam, whereof your Majesty gave me charge, is, that he, being at great words with the Constable, was commanded to keep his house on pain of his life; and so he did, and now he is departed with leave, but in small favour, and greatly offended; and, as I have before spoken, he hath returned himself to the Duke your brother. For this time we would trouble your Majesty with no longer letters, but only praying our Lord to have the same in his continual protection, and to continue the same in long and prosperous life. Amen. At Blois, the 2d of December. [1539.]

  LETTER XXVI. SIR THOMAS WYATT TO THE KING.

  PLEASE it your Majesty to be advertised; that since my last letters, the 2d of this present from Blois, I departed the next morning; and notwithstanding that there was from the Constable a commandment come to the posts, on pain of their lives that no man should be horsed, unless it were from the Emperor, the French King, the Queen of Hungary, or him, yet what by force, what by means I got before the French King, and with much ado recovered Chatellerault; and being well ascertained that the French King, by the Emperor’s great instance and often requests, by intercourses of his gentlemen to and fro should not pass Loches, and that I already was three posts past that; seeing also that the Emperor kept not the right highway, but following sometime hunting, sometime lodging, as it lay, I judged it better to tarry him there in certainty, than to less commodity of the better time to go seek him I wist not where, which also was almost impossible for fault of horse. And whilst I tarried there, there arrived Mons de Grandvela, that came long before the Emperor out of Madrid with his wife by journey, whom I went to visit upon Saturday the 6th of this present, and after these common salutations and common demands, he asked me what news, and among other common news I told him I heard before my coming forth that the commotions of the Low Countries were, thanked be God, somewhat calmed. Whereunto he answered me, that they had letters that those things were in good way, and that they must know themselves subjects, yea, and other to. I could not have much leisure with him, for that even then he was dispatching Cornelius Skippenus by the post into Flanders. But I note this unto your Majesty, for that shall appear unto the same after in my access to the Emperor.

  Wednesday the 10th day of this same date at night, came the Emperor into Chatellerault from hunting, the Dauphin on his right hand, the Duke of Orleans on the left. That same night a gentleman came unto me to know how I was lodged, and what I lacked; with gentle offer of any thing I would command. I caused the Emperor to be advertised that same night of my being there; and the next morning about nine of the clock I had access unto him, where he received me, the Constable being in the chamber, very genteelly, with his hat in his hand, asking heartily for your Majesty. And after your Majesty’s hearty commendations, with delivery and reading your letters, he drew towards me again, and rehearsed unto me the effect of the same touching the revocation of Mr. Tate, and my returning to his place, telling me that I was welcome, and further, that my letters were credential. Whereupon I shewed him that your Majesty having determined to employ Mr. Tate otherways, and to return me unto him, had had advice by his Ambassador, jointly with him of France residing
in your court, of his passage through France, by which occasion you willed me to make more diligence than else I should, to the end I might do both offices, under, one; that is to say, to go toward my former determined journey, and also to congratulate this reconciliation, this confitlence, this amity, between your Majesty’s two chiefest friends and allies. And here, according to your Majesty’s instructions, enlarged the discommodities of dissension and war with the lauds of peace, and your great allowance and rejoicing of this goodly amity. Whereunto he answered me, that he trusted it should be to the great commodity of all Christendom; and that incontinent that he had determined the voyage, he caused your Majesty to be thereof advertised, and that now going through, he thought to make good chear with the French King, and afterwards the treaties should follow. With this came into the chamber the Dauphin and the Duke of Orleans, to whom he went toward, and put off his hat, bidding them good morrow, and again calling me toward him, told me smilingly that we should see oftener together; and as it seemed would so have dismissed me; but I began again, and told him further, that your Majesty had given me in commandment to declare and certify unto him, that where his Ambassador had also shewed your Majesty that so he intended to keep stable and firm all his capitulations and treaties already passed with you; ye most heartily thanked him, assuring him that he should always find the correspondence on your behalf. And for further declaration thereof, that your Majesty assured him that in this alliance that ye had now made, that ye had nothing passed in prejudice or derogation of your treaties passed with him; for the which he heartily thanked your Majesty, saying, that also he thought it not reasonable that any man should meddle between his subjects and him, and saying roundly, that he trusted your Majesty would rather counsel Mons. De Juliers, rather than aid him against his Sovereign, by example of your own subjects, saying further; “What hath Mous. De Julias “to do with Guilders? I assure you, Mons. L’Ambassador, I shall shew “him that he hath played but the young man.” Sir, quoth I, I know not the right that he pretendeth, nor I have no commission of this purpose, but only as I have shewed unto you: and I doubt not but Mons. De Cleves will put himself to all reason with your Majesty. “Yea, Mons l’Ambassadeur, quoth he, he shall so.” Sir, quoth I, as for the King my master, I dare well assure you, that like as he would be loth [not] to shew himself a good and loving brother to Mons de Cleves, so would he be as loth but to shew to your Majesty all fashions of friendliness. But as I have already shewed your Majesty, I have no commission on this point. “Well, quoth he, Mons l’Ambassador, this, is but “as incident; I doubt not but the King your master would give him “good and wise advice how to order him to his Sovereign; for I assure “you Monsieur De Juliers shall do nie reason; and I shall do but well “so to do. I say he shall; he shall, laying his hand on his breast; and “he hath of one a Sovereign, a neighbour, and a cousin; and other ways “he shall lose all three.” Again he bade me welcome, and that we should see oftener; and thus he went to mass, and forthwith to horse. He went that same night within four leagues of Loches, and I, with much ado, upon plough horse, in the deep and foul way got before that night late to Loches. I marked much earnest fashion in the talking of the things of Guilders; and conferring it in my mind with that before of Grandvela, it confirmeth me in the opinion that I have had alway, that is, that surely he mindeth more Guilders in his heart, than he doth Milan and all Italy. And in my conscience, his coming out of Spain in this haste hath been upon the news of your Majesty’s alliance with Mons. De Cleves, to prevent things that might succeed. And if that be so, the danger of his person, the hardness of the winter, and the length of the journey, declareth therein his desire. And furthermore, his large speaking therein, in manner distending his courage in the matter (that of his custom and nature is want in his enterpriser to work nimbly and closely) maketh me suspect some further assurance with France, than either of them both declareth; because they both agree in a tale of deferring the treaties till after this voyage of passing France. I wot not, by our Lord! what I may write to your Majesty of any certainty, for I see little appearance which way I may come to knowledge: all that I may do is conjecture. Here is coming few or none of my familiars; his train is the Duke of Alva, Don Hénrico de Toledo, the Marquis de Aurise, Don Picho de la Cueva, the Master of his horse, Monsieur de Gemound Palaux, that was with Bourbon Lashaw, Monsieur de Rye, two valets of the chamber, two secretaries, one physician, and the master of the posts: the most of these hath not more than’ two servants, and few so many.