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The Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke. Baker was a secular clerk from Swinbroke, now Swinbrook, an Oxfordshire village two miles east of Burford. His Chronicle describes the events of the period 1303-1356: Gaveston, Bannockburn, Boroughbridge, the murder of King Edward II, the Scottish Wars, Sluys, Crécy, the Black Death, Winchelsea and Poitiers. To quote Herbert Bruce 'it possesses a vigorous and characteristic style, and its value for particular events between 1303 and 1356 has been recognised by its editor and by subsequent writers'. The book provides remarkable detail about the events it describes. Baker's text has been augmented with hundreds of notes, including extracts from other contemporary chronicles, such as the Annales Londonienses, Annales Paulini, Murimuth, Lanercost, Avesbury, Guisborough and Froissart to enrich the reader's understanding. The translation takes as its source the 'Chronicon Galfridi le Baker de Swynebroke' published in 1889, edited by Edward Maunde Thompson. Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback.
Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1542 is in Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII.
16th January 1542. Parl. Roll, 33 Henry VIII. R. O. 28. Parliament. Begun and held at Westm., 16 Jan. 33 Henry VIII.
[In the following summary, where an Act is printed in the Statutes at Large, its subject only is noted; where not printed, its effect is described.]
I. Acts entered on the Parliament Roll, viz.:—
1 [cap. 1, o.n.3 1]. Concerning counterfeit letters or privy tokens to receive money or goods in other men's names.
2 [c. 3, o.n. 3]. Folding of cloths in North Wales.
3 [c. 4, o.n. 4]. Pewterers.
4 [c. 6, o.n. 6]. Crossbows and handguns.
5 [c. 7, o.n. 7]. Conveyance of brass, latten, and bell-metal over sea.
6 [c. 9, o.n. 9]. For maintenance of artillery and debarring of unlawful games.
7 [c. 10, o.n. 10]. Execution of certain statutes.—The justices of peace at their general sessions after Easter shall yearly hold inquiry for offenders against the statutes touching vagabonds, retainers, maintenance, embracery, bowstaves and archery, unlawful games, forestallers and regrators, victual, victuallers, and innholders.
8 [c. 11, o.n. 11]. Butchers to sell at their pleasure, by weight or otherwise.
9 [c. 12, o.n. 12]. Murder and malicious bloodshed within the Court.
10 [c. 13, o.n. 13]. Keeping of sheriffs' courts in the county palatine of Chester; and translation of the towns of Hoppe and Assaphe, the parish and lordship of Hawarden and the lordships, towns, and parishes of Molesdale, Mereforde, and Oseley from the county of Denbigh to the county of Flint.
11 [c. 16, o.n. 16]. Worsted yarn in Norfolk.
12 [c. 17, o.n. 17]. Continuance of certain Acts.
13 [c. 18, o.n. 18]. True making of kerseys.
14 [c. 19, o.n. 19]. Shipping of cloths.
15 [c. 20, o.n. 33 of the year 37 Henry VIII.]. For due process to be had in high treason in cases of lunacy or madness.4
16 [c. 22, o.n. 20]. The order of wards and liveries.
17 [c. 23, o.n. 21]. To proceed by commission of oyer and terminer against persons who confess treason, without remanding them to be tried in the shire where the offence was committed.
18 [c. 24, o.n. 22]. That no man be justice of assize in his own country.
19 [c. 27, o.n. 25]. Leases by hospitals, colleges, and other corporations to be valid with the consent of the majority.
20 [c. 36, o.n. 34]. Repairing of Canterbury, Rochester, Stamford, Grimsby, Cambridge, Derby, Guildford, Dunwich, the Cinque Ports, Lewes, and Buckingham.
21 [c. 37, o.n. 35]. The manor of Ampthill to be an honor, and have annexed to it all the King's lands in Ampthill, Milbroke, Fletewike, Malden, Stepingley, Westoninge, Houghton Congest, Wishamstede, Littelington, Husbondcrawley, Rigemond cum Sageno, Aspeley Geys, Cuphill, Caynoo, Shefforde, Cranefeild, Polloxhill, Harlington, Todington, Barton, Shitlington, Chalgrave, Mariston, Wooburne, Evershall, Milton Brian, Warden, Elstowe, Caudewell, Donistable, Salforde, Holcoote, Bedford, Wootton, Kempston, and the manor of Colmeworth, Beds; and in Newport-pannell, Tikforth, Molso, Great Lidforth, Little Lidforth, Stewkley, Little Brickhill, Boobrickhill, Wavendon, North Crauley, and Swanborne, Bucks.
22 [c. 38, o.n. 36]. The manor of Grafton to be an honor, and have annexed to it the hundreds of Wymbersley and Alforde howe, the forests of Whittilwood and Sawsey and chace of Yardesley, Ntht, and the chace of Waddon, Bucks; and all the King's lands in Grafton, Hertwell, Asheton, Roode, Cortnall, Alderton, Stoke Brewerne, Shittill Anger, Shoresley, Bliseworthe, Milton Mallesworthe, Tiffild, Pallispery, Tossetour, Eiston, Hulcote, Abthorpe, Foscot, Greynsmorton, Blakesley, Woodend, Colehigham, Grimscott, Gayton, Patsell, Escott, Ascott, Dalescot, Bugbroke, Ruddisthrupp, Collingthright, Hardingston, Wotton, Quynton, Slopton, Densager, Yardeley, Pottersbery, Furthoo, Cosgrove, Castelashby, Wyken, and Delaprey, Ntht.; and in Luffilde, Hanslappe, Castelthorp, Harsham, Sheneley, Lyttle Horewood, Snelsoo, and Little Lidforth, Bucks.
Note 3. The number of the original Act as preserved in the Parliament Office.
Note 4. This was read the first time on 4 Feb., and received the royal assent on the 11th. Lords' Journals.
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II. Acts printed in the Statutes at Large, but not entered on the Parliament Roll, viz.:—
Cap. 2 [o.n. 2]. Buying of fish upon the sea.
C. 5 [o.n. 5]. Great horses.
C. 8 [o.n. 8]. Against conjurations and witchcrafts and sorcery and enchantments.
C. 14 [o.n. 14]. Prophecies upon declaration of names, arms, badges, &c.
C. 15 [o.n. 15]. Sanctuary of Manchester to be abolished, and the sanctuary men transferred to West Chester, which is to be a sanctuary.
C. 21 [o.n. 33 in the year 37 Henry VIII.].5 Attainder of Catharine Howard and others.—Catharine Howard whom the King took to wife is proved to have been not of pure and honest living before her marriage, and the fact that she has since taken to her service one Francis Dereham, the person with whom she "used that vicious life before," and has taken as chamberer a woman who was privy to her naughty life before, is proof of her will to return to her old abominable life. Also she has confederated with Lady Jane Rocheford, widow, late wife of Sir George Boleyn, late Lord Rochford, to "bring her vicious and abominable purpose to pass" with Thomas Culpeper, late one of the King's Privy Chamber, and has met Culpeper in "a secret and vile place," at 11 o'clock at night, and remained there with him until 3 a.m., with only "that bawd, the lady Jane Rocheford." For these treasons, Culpeper and Dereham have been convicted and executed, and the Queen and Lady Rochford stand indicted. The indictments of such as have lately suffered are hereby approved, and the said Queen and Lady Rochford are, by authority of this Parliament, convicted and attainted of high treason, and shall suffer accordingly; and the said Queen, lady Rocheford, Culpeper, and Dereham shall forfeit to the Crown all possessions which they held on 25 Aug. 33 Henry VIII. The Royal assent to this Act shall be given by commission. And where Agnes duchess of Norfolk, widow, and Catharine Countess of Bridgewater, wife of Henry Earl of Bridgewater, are indicted of misprision of treason for concealing the first treasons, and lord William Howard, lady Margaret Howard his wife, Edward Walgrave, Kath. Tylney, Alice Restwold, Joan Bulmer, Anne Howard, Robert Damporte, Malyn Tylney, Marg. Bennet, and William Assheby have been convicted of the said misprision, all of them shall forfeit their goods to the King, and be imprisoned for life, and the King shall take the revenues of their lands from 1 Oct. 33 Henry VIII. for term of their lives. To avoid doubts in future, it is declared that the Royal assent given by commission shall be valid in all cases hereafter, that any lightness of the Queen for the time being may be revealed to the King or his Council, and that an unchaste woman marrying the King shall be guilty of high treason.
C. 25 [o.n. 23]. Denization of children of Thomas Poyntz, of London, grocer, William Castelyn, of London, mercer, and John Dymock, late gentleman usher, born beyond sea of wives who were not denizens.
C. 26 [o.n. 24]. Certain crafty conveyances executed by Sir John Shelton, dec., declared null.
C. 28 [o.n. 26]. That the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, the Chancellor of Augmentations, the Chancellor of First Fruits and Tenths, the master of Wards and Liveries, each of the General Surveyors, the treasurer of the Chamber, the treasurer of Augmentations, and the groom of the Stole, may each retain one chaplain holding one benefice with cure of souls and not resident upon it.
C. 29 [o.n. 27]. Religious persons of houses and monasteries which have been translated from their old corporations into new corporations, without being suppressed, to enjoy the benefits of the Act of 31 Henry VIII., enabling religious persons in houses suppressed to sue and be sued, &c.
C. 30 [o.n. 28]. Authority of the dean and chapter of Lichfield in making leases, &c.
C. 31 [o.n. 29]. Bishoprics of Chester and of the Isle of Man transferred from the jurisdiction of Canterbury to that of York.
C. 32 [o.n. 30]. Whitegate made a parish church separate from the parish of Over.
C. 33 [o.n. 31]. Privileges of Kingston-upon-Hull.
C. 34 [o.n. 32]. The two annual fairs granted to King's Lynn by pat.
7 July 29 Henry VIII. taken away, because of the regrating of salt fish practised there, to the detriment of Styrbridge fair, Ely fair, and other fairs in cos. Camb. and Hunts.
C. 35 [o.n. 33]. Water conduits of Gloucester.
C. 39 [o.n. 37]. Establishment of the Court of General Surveyors.
Note. 5. Received the royal assent, 11 February, Lords' Journals.
9 Feb. [1542] Spanish Calendar, VI., I., No. 230. 92. Chapuys (age 52) To Charles V.
Wrote on the 29th ult of the Queen's condemnation and that of the duchess of Norfolk (age 65), her daughter (age 43), and lady Rochford (age 37). Till then the King had never been merry since first hearing of the Queen's misconduct; but he has been so since, especially on the 29th, when he gave a supper and banquet with 26 ladies at his table, besides gentlemen, and 35 at another table close by. The lady for whom he showed the greatest regard was the sister [Elizabeth Brooke (age 39)] of lord Cobham (age 45), whom Wyatt (age 39) sometime ago repudiated for adultery. She is a pretty young creature, with wit enough to do as badly as the others if she were to try. The King is also said to have a fancy for the daughter of Madame Albart1, niece, of the Grand Esquire, Master Anthony Brown, and also for a daughter [Anne Bassett (age 22)] (by her first marriage) of the wife (age 48) of Mons. Lyt (age 77), late deputy of Calais—a surmise which rests partly on the fact that after nearly two years' close confinement in the Tower, her father has been liberated, and the King has ordered his arms, which had been removed from their place in the chapel of the Order [Map], to be replaced2.
Note 1. Probably Lucy Somerset Baroness Latimer Snape (age 18), daughter of Elizabeth Browne Countess of Worcester (age 40), niece of Anthony Browne (age 42). "Albart" probably a corruption of "Herbert" since Lucy's father Henry Somerset (age 46) succeeded his mother as Baron Herbert in 1507.
Note 2. The text of this letter down to this point has been printed by Gachard in his "Analectes Historiques" (Series I.-IV.), 242-3.
13 Feb [1542]. R. O. Kaulek, 388. (Full abstract.) 100. Marillac To Francis I.
The Scottish ambassadors yesterday came to report that they had received this King's answer about the interview; which was in substance what he wrote on the 5th, viz., that this King would willingly grant an interview for two, but not for three. As they are sending the Cardinal of St. Andrews the said answer, which was given them in writing, Marillac could do no less than forward their letters with these; to which there is nothing to add but that Parliament has condemned this Queen (age 19) and the lady of Rochefort (age 37) to death. Her execution was expected this week, for last night she was brought from Syon to the Tower, but as she weeps, cries, and torments herself miserably, without ceasing, it is deferred for three or four days, to give her leisure to recover, and "penser au faict de sa conscience." As to the old duchess of Norfolk, some say she shall die, others that she shall keep perpetual prison, like her son lord William and daughter the countess of Brizchwatre. A few days will show.
All her goods are already confiscated, and are of marvellous value, 400,000 or 500,000 cr., for ladies in this country succeed for life to the moveables of their deceased husbands. Norfolk is greatly interested, since the greater part came to her through his late father; yet the times are such that he dare not show that the affair touches him, but approves all that is done.
P.S.—13 Feb.: After writing the above, was informed that to-day, Monday, 13th inst., the condemned ladies should be executed; and, indeed, about nine o'clock in the morning, this Queen first, and afterwards the lady of Rochefort, within the Tower, had their heads cut off with an axe, after the manner of the country. The Queen was so weak that she could hardly speak, but confessed in few words that she had merited a hundred deaths for so offending the King who had so graciously treated her. The lady of Rochefort said as much in a long discourse of several faults which she had committed in her life. It is not yet said who will be Queen; but the common voice is that this King will not be long without a wife, for the great desire he has to have further issue.
French. Modern transcript, pp. 3. Headed: Londres, 11 Fevrier.
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15 Feb [1542]. R. O. 106. Ottwell Johnson To His Brother, John Johnson1.
London, 15 Feb. 1541:—Wrote on Sunday last. Describes purchase of wine and herrings for his mother, and some commercial dealings with Wm. Gifford, Adrian of Dunkirke and Bartram de la Salle. From Calais hears nothing of his brother's suit to lord Gray.
"And for news from hence, know ye, that, even according to my writing on Sunday last, I see the Queen (deceased) and the lady Retcheford (deceased) suffer within the Tower, the day following; whose souls (I doubt not) be with God, for they made the most godly and Christians' end that ever was heard tell of (I think) since the world's creation, uttering their lively faith in the blood of Christ only, with wonderful patience and constancy to the death, and, with goodly words and steadfast countenance, they desired all Christian people to take regard unto their worthy and just punishment with death, for their offences against God heinously from their youth upward, in breaking of all his commandments, and also against the King's royal majesty very dangerously; wherefor they, being justly condemned (as they said), by the laws of the realm and Parliament, to die, required the people (I say) to take example at them for amendment of their ungodly lives, and gladly obey the King in all things, for whose preservation they did heartily pray, and willed all people so to do, commending their souls to God and earnestly calling for mercy upon Him, whom I beseech to give us grace with such faith, hope, and charity, at our departing out of this miserable world, to come to the fruition of his Godhead in joy everlasting. Amen."
Desires that Mr. and Mrs. Cave and his wife may share this news, which is surely "well worth the knowledge."
Large paper, pp. 2. Add.: merchant of the Staple at Calais. At Tykeford.
Note 1. Extracts from this letter are printed in Ellis's Orig. Letters, 1st ser. II. 128.
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25 Feb. [1542]. Spanish Calendar, VI. I. No. 232. 124. Chapuys (age 52) To Charles V.
His efforts to induce Henry to enter a closer alliance. Just after the bp. of London's departure, sent three different messages to the lord Privy Seal and the lord Admiral to ask interviews, under different pretexts, to see if the bp.'s mission had this in view. The Privy Seal said both he and the Admiral were ready to use good offices. Believes the Council are all in favour of it, but as long as there is a chance of war between the Emperor and Francis the King will make difficulties. As he dislikes expense, he raises his terms when sought after. He should be gained over, however, to forestall the French, who, according to Chapuys' usual informant, now almost offer the English carte blanche for an alliance. His informant may be wrong, but the [French] King's letter to his ambassador (of which more hereafter) rather confirms this. Will take care to keep the man at our devotion. Gave him 50 cr. of his pension yesterday. Lately he sent me word that Morvilliers had returned from Scotland and intended to cross to France without calling on this King. He expects to have more news when the ambassador's cousin returns from France.
[25th February 1542]. Sees no great appearance of this King taking back the Duke of Cleves's sister. Two or three days before the Queen was lodged in the Tower he sent some of his Privy Councillors to her to get back a ring, "que la dite Royne luy avoit deu envoyager ou en present on pour enseignees"; which ring, according to the Duke's ambassador here, is only worth 3 gold cr. unless the stone, as is said, has some virtue against spasms. The Duke's ambassador has many letters from German princes to the King, to persuade him to take back Anne; which, however, he has been persuaded by the French ambassador not to present unless King Francis approves.
[10th February 1542]. Forgot, when writing on the 10th, of the Queen's [Queen Catherine Howard of England (age 19)] trial and condemnation, to mention that after the condemnation passed against her in Parliament, the King, wishing to proceed with moderation, had sent to her certain Councillors and others of the said Parliament, to offer her to come and defend her own case in the Parliament. This she declined, submitting entirely to the King's mercy and owning that she deserved death. Some days later, on the afternoon of the 10th [Feb 1542], she was, with some resistance, conveyed by river to the Tower. The lord Privy Seal, with a number of Privy Councillors and servants went first in a great barge; then came the Queen with three or four men and as many ladies, in a small covered barge; then the Duke of Suffolk, in a great barge, with a company of his men. On their arrival at the Tower, the lords landed first; then the Queen, in black velvet, and they paid her as much honour as when she was reigning.
On Sunday the 12th [Feb 1542], towards evening, she [Queen Catherine Howard of England (age 19)] was told to prepare for death, for she was to die next day. That evening she asked to have the block brought in to her, that she might know how to place herself; which was done, and she made trial of it.
Next morning [13th February 1542], about 7, those of the Council except Suffolk, who was ill, and Norfolk, were at the Tower, accompanied by various lords and gentlemen, such as Surrey (Norfolk's son and the Queen's cousin), and she [Queen Catherine Howard of England (age 19)] was beheaded in the same spot where Anne Boleyn had been executed. Her body was then covered [with a black cloak]. and her ladies took it away. Then Lady Rochford (age 37) was brought, who had shown symptoms of madness till they told her she must die. Neither she nor the Queen spoke much on the scaffold; they only confessed their guilt and prayed for the King's welfare.
[25th February 1542]. The King has been in better spirits since the execution, and during the last three days before Lent there has been much feasting. Sunday was given up to the lords of his Council and Court; Monday to the men of law, and Tuesday to the ladies, who all slept at the Court. He himself in the morning did nothing but go from room to room to order lodgings to be prepared for these ladies, and he made them great and hearty cheer, without showing particular affection to any one. Indeed, unless Parliament prays him to take another wife, he will not, I think, be in a hurry to marry; besides, few, if any, ladies now at Court would aspire to such an honour, for a law has just been passed that should any King henceforth wish to marry a subject, the lady will be bound, on pain of death, to declare if any charges of misconduct can be brought against her, and all who know or suspect anything of the kind against her are bound to reveal it within 20 days, on pain of confiscation of goods and imprisonment for life. Hears of no other ordinance passed by this Parliament, except the condemnation and prohibition of the Bible which Cromwell got translated into English.
Since writing the above, his man has brought him from the French embassy the enclosed copy of a letter in cipher from Francis to his ambassador here; from which Chapuys infers that the interview was first proposed by Henry, though he assured Chapuys it came from Francis. As to the language held to the said Ambassador, as mentioned in the letter, it could not have been by the King, with whom he has not spoken since Christmas, nor by any other than the Duke of Norfolk, who ventures occasionally "d'enricher les affaires." Learns from the same source that the Ambassador will soon go to France to report on the business in question. Yet his man is to meet Chapuys's servant in two or three days, to communicate such information as he may be able to collect respecting his master's actual negociations with these people. He will see meanwhile if he can lay hold of other letters of the French King or his Ministers, and a copy of the cipher key. He wants money beforehand, which shall be supplied, though Chapuys is in great need and presses for payment of arrears, as the Emperor promised before he left Bruges. London, 25 Feb. 1542.
ii. Decipher of the French King's letter to his Ambassador, 11 Feb. (See No. 97.)
From the Vienna Archives.