Text this colour is a link for Members only. Support us by becoming a Member for only £3 a month by joining our 'Buy Me A Coffee page'; Membership gives you access to all content and removes ads.

Text this colour links to Pages. Text this colour links to Family Trees.

Place the mouse over images to see a larger image. If the image is a painting click to see the painter's Biography Page. Move the mouse off the image to close the popup.

Place the mouse over links to see a preview of the Page. Move the mouse off the link to close the popup.



1540 Anne of Cleves

1540 Anne of Cleves is in 16th Century Events.

Anne of Cleves Journey to England

On 13th December 1539 Anne of Cleves (age 24) arrived at Calais [Map]. She was met by George Tailboys 2nd Baron Tailboys 10th Baron Kyme (age 16), Thomas Seymour 1st Baron Seymour (age 31) and William Fitzwilliam 1st Earl of Southampton (age 49).

Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1539. 2nd January 1539. Anne of Cleves (age 23),

"The coming of the lady Anne's Grace from Dissildorf, in the land of Venberghe (von Berg?), to Calise."

Setting forth the stages between Düsseldorf and Antwerp, where she was met by the English merchants four miles outside the town, in 50 velvet coats with chains of gold, and received inside the town, with 80 torches burning in the daylight, and brought to the English lodging, where they kept open household one day for her and her train. Next day, the English merchants brought her on her way to Stekyn (the first stage on the way to Gravelines) and gave her a gift.

ii. The stages from Antwerp to Gravelines, where she was received by the captain with a shot of guns. Next morning, 11 Dec. 31 Henry VIII., she arrived within the English pale at Calais between 7 and 8 a.m., and was received by the lord Deputy, the lieutenant of the Castle, the Knight Porter, and the marshal of Calais, Sir George Carow, captain of Resbanke, and the captain of the Spears, well appointed with great horses, and with them the men of arms, in velvet coats and gold chains, and all the archers in the King's livery well appointed; "and so brought her towards Calais, a gentleman of arms of the King's and another of hers riding together." Within a mile of Calais she was received by the earl of Southampton, lord Admiral, with the lord Wm. Howard, Sir Fras. Brian, the lord Grey of Wilton, the lord Hastings, lord Clifford, lord Herbert, lord Tailbush, Sir Thos. Seymour, Sir Henry Knyvett, Mr. Gregory Cromwell, with "xxiiij" (qu. four score?) gentlemen in coats of satin damask and velvet, besides the said lords, who wore three collars of cloth of gold and purple velvet and chains of gold, and 200 yeomen, &c., in the King's colours, red and blue cloth. "Then the King's ships of (i.e. off) Newland as she came by them let 200 shots of guns," after which the town of Calais shot 300 pieces of ordnance. When she came to the Lantern Gate she stayed and viewed the King's ships, the Lion and the Sweepstake, decked with 100 banners of silk and gold, wherein were 200 master gunners and mariners and 31 trumpets, "and a double drum that was never seen in England before"; and so her Grace entered into Calais. At her entry, 150 pieces of ordnance let out of the said two ships made such a smoke that one of her train could not see another. "Where stood in order on both sides the streets, like a lane, with 500 soldiers in the King's livery of the retinue of Calais, and the mayor of Calais with his brethren, and the commons of Calais, and the merchants of the Staple, stood in like manner in array, and made a lane wherethrough she passed to her lodging." There the mayor and his brethren came to her and gave her 50 sovereigns of gold, and the mayor of the Staple, 60. Next morning "she had a gun shot, justing and all other royalty that could be devised in the King's garrison;" and kept open household there for the 15 days that she remained. On 27 Dec., St. John's Day, she took ship, and landed at the Downs, between 6 and 7 p.m., where she was met by the duke and duchess of Suffolk, who, with their train, accompanied her to Deal Castle. There she banquetted, and proceeded to Dover, where she tarried till Monday, and then set forth to Canterbury, where she was received by the Archbishop with other bishops and the gentlemen of Kent. On Tuesday she went to Sittingborne, and the "other" day, being New Year's Even, to Rochester, where she was received by the duke of Norfolk, accompanied by lord Dacres of the South, lord Mountjoy, the barons of the Exchequer, Sir Roger Towneshend, Sir Edw. Beningfield, Sir John Jermy, Sir Edm. Knyvett, Sir Edw. Wyndham, Sir Thos. Jermyn, Sir Jas. Bullyn, Sir Wm. Paston, Sir Fras. Lovill, Sir Th. Straunge, Sir John Clere, Sir Wm. Conysby, Mr. Ric. Southwell, Mr. Philip Calthrope, Mr. Robt. Townesend, H. Hubbert, Thos. Gibbon, Thos. Thursby, Erasmus Paston, Edm. Lumner, Thos. Tyndale, and Ralph Symons. There she remained New Year's Day; on which day the King, only with certain of his Privy Council, came and banquetted with her, and departed again to Greenwich. On Friday she removed to Dartford, and on Saturday, 3 Jan., she marched forwards to the Blackheath till she came to Shots hill (a misreading of Shoters hill), at the foot whereof was a very gorgeous tent or pavilion, "and there her Grace entered and shifted her, and tarried a certain space banquetting." Whereof hearing, the King marched through the park to meet her, in this manner:—First the trumpets blowing, then His Grace's chaplains, two and two in order, then the counsellors learned with other his counsel at large, as the Attorney, Solicitor, and Receiver of the Duchy of Lancaster, Dr. Peter, Mr. Peter Van, Sir John Williams, Sir Ric. Weston, Sir Wm. Essex, Sir John Dancy, Sir Brian Tuke, the Treasurer of the Tenths, Mr. Ric. Pollard, the Treasurer, Solicitor, Attorney, and Chancellor of the Augmentations, Mr. Wriothesley, Mr. Amnor (Almoner), and Comptroller of the Household. Then the King's privy chamber, the grooms first, and then Philip Hobby, Maurice Bercley, Th. Paston, Ric. Morison, Rauf Sadler, Ant. Knyvet, Peter Mutus, Ric. Crumwell, John Wellisborne, Thos. Culpeper, Ant. Deny, Sir Ant. Selenger, Sir Ric. Long, and Sir Thos. Henage. Then barons, bishops, earls, and dukes in their degrees, as the mayor of London and my lord Parr, the lords St. John and Hongerford, Mordaunt and Borough, Wentworth and Windsor, Tailbush and Sturton, Clynton and Ferrers, Morley and Delaware, Cliffe (qu. Clifford?) and Nevill, Bulbecke and Maltravers; the bishops of St. Asse and St. David's, Hereford and Lincoln, Durham and Winchester; the earl of Essex, the earls of Arundel and Surrey, of Hertford and Sussex, lord Russel, lord Sands and the earl of Oxford, the lord Crumwell and the lord Chancellor, the earl of Southampton and the duke Philip, the ambassadors of France and of the Emperor. Then the lord marquis Dorset bearing the sword before the King. The King. Next, the Master of the Horse leading the horse of estate, next the children of honour, and then the captain of the Guard, with the Guard following.

Whifflers appointed for order keeping: Sir Giles Stranguish, Sir Wm. Parr, Sir John Horsey, Sir Auth. Hongerford, Sir Wm. Barington, Sir John Brudge, Sir John Gifford, Sir Humph Foster, Sir John Sentlow, Sir John Villers, Sir Nic. Poyniz, Sir John Marcam, Edm. Littleton and Chas. Wingfeld.

Names of esquires and knights, but first, the 50 "gentlemen called Pensioners, which all stood from the park pale upon the heath to the meeting places (sic) after their degrees, &c., the King passing through, &c." Pensioners:—Sir Ric. Page, lieutenant, Sir Humph. Ratclif, Sir Osborn Ychingham, Sir John Nevill, Edw. Hastings, H. Stranguish, John Wingfeld, Edm. Brudges, John Chamborne, W. Long, Th. Morgan, W. Blount, W. Herbert, Ric. Breme, John Banester, Fras. Knollis, Henr. Jeringham, Gawen Carow, John Zowtche, Peter Carow, Edm. Skipwith, Palmer of Gloucester, Ric. Freston, Thos. Mantill, John Candish, Th. Ashley, W. Stafford, John Dramer, Th. Horne, W. Pelham, Giles Pole, Hen. Markeham, And. Flamoke, John Gresham, W. Calawey, T. Sacvile, Ric. Fremingham, Edw. Gruston, W. Skipwith, Edw. Vaughan, Ed. Bellingham, T. Bollis, T. Palmer, Rauf Vane, W. Ellerker, J. Portnare, Chr. Ludcote, Nic. Arnolds, Edm. Harvy, George Zoweche.

Knights:—Sirs Humph. Forster, John Gadge, Thos. Speyke, Hugh Poullet, Hen. Long, John Sent John, Th. Rotheram, Wm. Wyndisor, Robt. Dormer, Rauf Verney, T. Lonvile, Ant. Lee, John Nores, Th. Arundell, Ed. Willoughbie, T. Poynings, Giles Capell, Wm. Newenham, John Rainsford, T. Darcy, Clement Hurleston, Ed. Tame, John Seneclere, T. Toye, John Mordaunt, John Welsh, John Hurleston, Walter Denys, Hen. Parker, Griffith Doone, Philip Butler, Nich. Sterley, T. Tresham, Walter Stoner, T. Griffith, Robt. Kyrkham, John Byron, John Harcote, George Darcy, Ric. Padge, John Danet, Ric. Shurley, Wm. Ganinge, Arth. Hopton, Humph. Wingfield, Wm. Walgrave, Th. Parmeston, John Willoughbie, George Somerset, John Jernyngham, Thos. Lysle, Wm. Barcley, Peter Philpot, Wm. Gifford, Mich. Lister, Ant. Windisor, Edm. Gorge, Hen. Capell, John Newton, John Fulford, Walter Smith, Humph. Ferreis, John Russell, Edm. Walsingham, Edw. Brey, Percival Hert, Ric. Manering, T. Trenchard, Giles Alington, Robt. Payton, W. Gastoigme (sic), Wm. Fitzwilliam, W. Drewry, Th. Germyn, Th. Eliot, John Brown, John Hampden, John Rogers, W. Weste, Ri. Chameley, Fras. Dawtry, W. Fylding, Geo. Throgmerton, Humph. Browne.

Esquires:—Ant. Kyngston, Geo. Harper, Robt. Tyrwit, Leonard Rede, Robt. Drewry, T. Gifford, Rauf Lane, Edm. Knightley, Geo. Gifford, T. Edgare, Fras. Pigot, Robt. Cheynie, Edm. Fetiplace, T. Essex, W. Hide, Ric. Brudges, Alex. Humpton, Reynold Williams, Ed. Fabian, T. Vachell, Chr. Ashton, J. Yate, John Winchcombe (age 50), Roger Sturton, J. Zowtche, Robt. Coker, Robt. Byngham, George Troublefeld, John Wentwurth, John Tyrell, John Brown, Edw. Grene, Robt. Mordant, J. Christynmas, Ant. Coke, J. Becwit, Fras. Clovil, Edw. Tyrell, Hen. Appleton, W. Ayelif, Humph. Tyrell, Guy Crafford, Ric. Higham, J. Pontis, Nic. Wekis, T. Tame, Robt. Wyttney, T. Whyttyngton, Jas. Clifford, George Baneham, Arth. Porter, Ric. Tracy, Rauf Norwood, John Prout, J. Newdigate, J. Denton, John Haryngton, J. Damester, J. Skynner, J. Morrel, J. Shelley, J. Bracket, J. More, T. Nevill, Robt. Cheseman, Ant. Catesby, Ric. Catisby, Ant. Cope, F. Brudnell, T. Cave, Leonard Chamberlain, T. Carter, T. Waneman, Humph. Ashfeld, Ed. Sapcots, Ant. Colley, Leonard Brown, Chr. More, T. Heron, Oliver Sent John, J. Sacvile, J. Palmer, J Covert, J. Tetcher, J. Parker, J. Harman, John Pollet, J. Kingsmill, J. Spring, J. Sands, Nic. Gainisford, Roger Bellingham, Robt. Oxinbridge, T. Ashbury, T. Darell, Ant. Pelham, Ant. Rouse, Robt. Crane, Lionel Talmach, Robt. Garnesh, Ric. Candish, T. Sands, Nic. Titchborne, Nic. Uppeton, Robt. Puttyngham, Ric. Pexsale, J. Stowell, J. Rodeney, W. Wroughton, T. Yorke, Ed. Montpeson, J. Erneley, Robt. Long, J. Boneham, J. Chabe, T. Aprice, J. Pie, W. Lucye, J. Gascoigne, W. Willington, Fowlke Grevill, J. Grevill, Ed. Conway, Raignold Digby, Robt. Acton, T. Acton, — Chawmond, Young Wigeston, Ant. Sowthwell, H. Wyngfeld, G. Morgan, young Ferres, young Selenger, Robt. Markeham, — Basset, — Johnson, and Robt. Throgmerton.

In a modern hand, pp. 11.

Click to read complete text ...

Holinshed's Chronicle. 11th December 1539. The eleuenth daie of December at the turne pike on this side Graueling, was the ladie Anne of Cleue (age 24) receiued by the lord deputie (age 75) of the towne of Calis, and with the speares and horssemen belonging to the retinue there. When she came within little more than a mile of the towne of Calis, she was met by the erle of Southampton (age 49) high admerall of England, who had in his companie thirtie gentlemen of the kings houshold, as sir Francis Brian (age 49), sir Thomas Seimer (age 31), and others, beside a great number of gentlemen of his owne retinue clad in blue veluet, and crimsin satin, and his yeomen in damaske of the same colours. The mariners of his ship were apparelled in satin of Bridges, cotes & slops of the same colour. The lord admerall brought hir into Calis by Lanterne gate. There was such a peale of ordinance shot off at hir entrie, as was maruellous to the hearers. The maior presented hir with an hundred markes in gold, the merchants of the staple with an hundred souereignes of gold in a rich purse. She was lodged in the kings place called the Checker, and there she laie fifteene daies for want of prosperous wind.

Hall's Chronicle. 11th December 1539. The xi. day of December at the Turnepyke on thyssyde Gravelyng was the Lady Anne of Cleve (age 24) received by the lorde Lysle Deputie of the toune of Calice and with the Speres and horsemen belongyng to the retinue there, all being fresh and warlike apparelled, and so marching toward Calice a myle and more from the toune met her Grace the Erie of Southampton great Admirall of England, and apparelled in a coate of purple velvet cut on cloth of golde and tyed with great aglettes and treifoiles of golde, to the nomber of iiii. C. and baudrickwise he ware a chayne, at the whiche did hange a whistle of gold set with ryche stones of a greate value. And in his company xxx. gentlemen of the kynges houshold very rychely apparelled with great and massy chaynes, and in especial syr Frauncis Bryan and sir Thomas Seymers chaynes were of greate valure and straunge fassion. Beside this, the Lorde Admirall had a great nomber of gentelmen in blew velvet and crimosyn sattyn and his yomen in damask of the same colours, and the Maryners of his ship in sattyn of Bridges, both coates and sloppes of the same colours, whiche Lorde Admirall with low obeysaunce welcomed her, and so brought her into Calyce by the lanterne gate, where the Shippes laye in the Haven gar ny shed with their banners, pencelles and flagges, plesauntly to beholde. And at her entry was shot suche a peale of gonnes, that all the retinew much marveiled at it. And at her entery into the toune, the Mayer of the toune presented her with an C. marke in golde. And before the Staple hall stode Merchauntes of the Staple wel aparelled, which likewise presented her with an C. sovereynes of golde in a ryche pursse, whiche hertely thanked them, and so she rode to the kynges place called the Checker, and there she lay xv. dayes for lacke of prosperous wynde. Duryng whiche tyme goodly justes and costly bankettes were made to her for her solace and recreacion.

Chronicle of Greyfriars. 27th December 1539. This yere the 27th day of December came in lady Anne of Cleves (age 24) into England, ...

Dissolution of the Monasteries

On 4th September 1536 Flaxby Abbey [Map] was dissolved as part of the Dissolution of the Monasteries.

In 1542 Llanthony Priory [Map] was given to Arthur Porter (age 37) during the Dissolution of the Monasteries.

Marriage of Henry VIII and Anne of Cleves

On 6th January 1540 Henry VIII (age 48) and Anne of Cleves (age 24) were married by Archbishop Thomas Cranmer (age 50) at the Palace of Placentia, Greenwich [Map]. Anne of Cleves was crowned Queen Consort England. The difference in their ages was 24 years. She the daughter of John La Marck III Duke Cleves and Maria Jülich Berg Duchess Cleves. He the son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland and Elizabeth York Queen Consort England. They were fifth cousin once removed.

Catherine Carey (age 16) and Eleanor Paston Countess Rutland (age 45) were appointed Lady in Waiting to Anne of Cleves Queen Consort England.

Hall's Chronicle. This the noble lady remained unmaried untill the tuesday folowing beyng the daie of the Epiphany [6th January 1540]: on whiche daie about viii. of the clocke in the mornyng, his grace beyng appareled in a gowne of clothe of gold, raised with great flowers of sylver, furred with blacke Jenettes, his cote Crimosyn sattyn all to cutte and enbraudered and tied with great Diamondes, and a ryche coller about his necke, came solemply with his Nobilitie into the galery next the closettes, and there paused.

Coronation of Mary of Guise Queen Consort Scotland

On 22nd February 1540 Mary of Guise Queen Consort Scotland (age 24) was crowned Queen Consort Scotland at Holyrood House, Holyrood.

The Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland Volume 7 1538-1541 records payments associated with a gun salute and fireworks that are likely to be for the Queen Coronation ...

Item, the vi and vij dayis of Februar, gevin to Johnne Gogar, carter, and his collegis for xvij draucht of munitioun fra Leith to the castell agane the Quenis coronatioun, price of the draucht ij S. v. jdd.; summa xlij S. v.jd.

Item, gevin to the sledderis for xvij draucht of gun chalmeris fra Leith to the castell, price of the draucht vj d.; summa . • - - viij S. v.j d.

Item, gevin to twa pynouris for dountaking of xxx chalmeris of the heid of Davidis towris, and carting of the samin, witht uthir chalmeris and munitioun eftir the coronatioun to be had agane to Leith, X S.

Item, gevin to the carteris for dountaking of the samin to Leith, extending to viij draucht, price of the draucht ij S. v.jd.; summa . - - . XX Š.

Item, gevin to the pynouris of Leith the xvij and xviij dayis of Februar for the cariage of the munitioun quhilk Johne Bog brocht hame fra the sandis begond the bulwerk to the Kingis werk, and housing thairof in the samin, ilk man havand in the day Xviij d.; Sulin IIla, .

Item, gevin to Andro Michelsoun, Archibald Roule, and Walter Byning, payntouris, for paynting and ourlaying of the samin artalgery, to the noumer of xlix pece, witht reid leid, price of the pece ourlaying, witht thair chalmeris, slottis, and bandis v S.; summa xij li. v Š.

Item, gevin for tarring of the towis that bindis on the samin artalgery upoun the stokkis, xxxiij S. viijd.

Item, gevin for ourlaying 1 bass withf reid leid, price of the pece ourlaying iſ S. v.j d.; summa vili v Š.

Item, the xx day of Februar, gevin to four pynouris for uphaving of certane bullettis to the loft in Leith, quhar the small munitionis lyis, and for changeing of the samin munitionis and bullettis within the hous, wirkand thairon fra morn to evin, ilk man havand xviij d.; summa . - - vj Š.

Item, gevin to Hannis Cochrane for expens debursit be him for the making of ij pece of artalgery in complete payment of his comptis, vj ti. ij Ś. x d

Item, gevin to him to pay vij werkmennis waigis wirk and witht him be the said space, takand oulklie xlij Ś.; summa . - - - . viij li. viij Š.

The Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland Volume 7 1538-1541 also record payments for clothing ...

The expensis debursit upoun the King and Quenis cariage the said moneth.

Item, gevin to the sacristane of the Kingis chapell for cariage of the chapell gair fra Striveling to Linlythqw at 3ule, and fra Linlithgw to Edinburgh at the Quenis coronatioun, as his byll of compt beris, v fi vj S. viij d. [And other items relating to the carriage of the wardrope, etc., amounting to £6 1S.].

The expensis debursit be speciall preceptis, and at the Kingis command, the said moneth.

Gifts of clothing were made to the following persons:-Lord Robert's minstrel, Bad man, David Kirkcaldy, groom in the kitchen; Gilzem in the King's chamber, Bessie Lundy; Wedell, footman; Christian Baxter, Lady Jane's nurse; Alexander Whitelaw; Robert Stewart, brother to the Earl of Lennox.

Item, gevin to Hanis Andersoun in Leith in part of payment of his comptis for mending of the Mare Willibe, . - - - - ... xl li.

Item, gevin to Williame Purves for dog chengeis, rache cuppelis, and mending of the knok, as his compt bers, vijfi. xiiij S.

Item, gevin to Lady Jane's servand to by him clathis, v ii.

Item, gevin to ane servand of the secretaris that he haid debursit, at the Kingis command, - ... x fi.

Item, gevin to Johnne Dowglas of Authornden for certane treis tane fra him to the Kingis schippis furtht of his wod, . - - - . xx li.

Item, gevin to the maister cuke, . - - x fi,

Item, gevin to Thomas Schort, armorar, for iiij chafferonis tane fra him to the grete hors, at the Kingis com mand, . - - - - - viij fi.

Item, gevin to Ormond, pursewant, and Alexander Hutoun, messinger, for passing with clos writtingis to the lordis and ladyis to come to the Quenis coronatioun the xxv day of Januar, .. iiij li. viij Š.

Item, gevin to Williame Hardy, messinger, for passing witht siclyke lettres to the Erle of Huntlie and his lady, the Erle Marschell and his lady, in the North land, . - - - - - . xxijS.

Item, gevin to Maister David Balfour and Archibald Heriot, messinger, for thair expensis passing to Dun bertane to resave sourteis and mak compositioun witht the men that wer put in the castell the tyme of the air, - - - - iij li.

Item, gevin to twa officiaris of armes that passit in Angus, the Westland, Northland, and uther partis to warne the dammes to cum to the coronatioun, iijli vj S.

Item, the vi day of Februar, gevin to Johnne Mosman to gilt the Quenis septur, iiij rois nobillis; summa x fi, xijs.

Item, deliverit to him to be the samin septur, xxx; unces half unce of silver, price of the unce xv Š. x d.; Sunnina . - - - xxiiijti. xviij Š. ix d.

Item, for the fassoun of the samyn septur, ilk unce v Š.; summa - - - vijli. xv Š.

Item, the xiiij day of Februar, gevin to him for ane tabulat of gold to the Kingis grace, weyand thre crounis of the Sone, . - - - iij li. x Š.

Become a Member via our 'Buy Me a Coffee' page to read complete text.

18 Apr 1540 Thomas Cromwell created Earl of Essex and Great Chamberlain

On 18th April 1540 Thomas Cromwell (age 55) was created 1st Earl Essex and appointed Lord Great Chamberlain.

Hall's Chronicle. 18th April 1540. The xviii. daie of April, at Westminster was Thomas lorde Cromewell (age 55), created Erle of Essex, and made greate Chamberlain of England, whiche ever the Erles of Oxenford had, whiche promocions he enjoyed short tyme, as after in the next yere maie appere.

Holinshed's Chronicle. The eighteenth of Aprill [1540] at Westminster was Thomas lord Cromwell (age 55) created earle of Essex, and ordeined great chamberleine of England, which office the earles of Oxford were woont euer to enioie; also Gregorie his sonne was made lord Cromwell. The foure and twentith of Aprill, Thomas lord Audleie, & chancellor of England, with sir Anthonie Browne, maister of the kings horsses, were made knights of the night honourable order of the garter. On Maie daie, was a great triumph of iusting at Westminster, which iusts had beene proclaimed in France, Flanders, Scotland, and Spaine, for all commers that would, against the challengers of England; which were, sir Iohn Dudleie, sir Thomas Seimer, sir Thomas Poinings, sir George Carew knights, Anthonie Kingston, and Richard Cromwell esquiers, which said challengers came into the lists that daie richlie apparelled, and their horsses trapped all in white veluet, with certeine knights and gentlemen riding afore them, apparelled all in white veluet, and white sarsenet, and all their seruants in white dublets, and hozen cut after the Burgonion fashion: and there came to iust against them the said daie, of defendants fortie six, the earle of Surrie being the formost, lord William Howard, lord Clinton, and lord Cromwell, sonne and heire to Thomas Cromwell earle of Essex, and chamberleine of England, with other, which were richlie apparelled.

Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1540. Harl. MS. 158, f. 112. B. M. 2. Note that on Sunday, 18 April 31 Hen. VIII [1540], at Westminster Palace, lord Thos. Cromwell (age 55), lord Privy Seal and Vice-gerent, was created earl of Essex, and at the same time admitted High Chamberlain of England and the staff of the said office delivered to him by the King. P. 1.

Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1540. 18 April [1540]. 540. Cromwell (age 55). Appointed Great Chamberlain. See Grants in April 31 Hen. VIII., No. 38.

Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1540. 18 April [1540]. 541. Cromwell, Earl of Essex (age 55). Hart. MS. 6,074, f. 57b. B. M. Account of the creation of Thos. lord Cromwell, as earl of Essex, at Westminster, 18 April 31 Hen. VIII., the patent of creation being read by Secretary Wriothesley. Immediately afterwards a patent sealed with yellow wax was presented by lord Sandes (age 70), Chamberlain, and read by Secretary Sadler (age 33), by which he was created High Chamberlain of England. The King then went to the Queen's chamber to dinner, and the dukes and earls to the Council chamber to dinner, when Mr. Garter proclaimed his style, viz., earl of Essex, Vice-gerent and High Chamberlain of England, Keeper of the Privy Seal, Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Justice of the Forests beyond Trent.

The officers of arms had of the King 5 mks. and of the said Earl 10l., and his gown, &c., to Garter. At the same time the two secretaries, Wriothesley and Sadler, were made knights; and paid their fees, 20s. apiece.

Parchment, pp. 2.

Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1540. 17th June 15401. 535. Cromwell, Earl of Essex (age 55). See Grants in April, 31 Hen. VIII., No. 37.

Note 1. The text reads '7 April' but is no doubt associated with Cromwell's elevation to Earl of Essex on the 18th of April, and falls between entires of the 16th and 18th of April.

1540 Creation of Garter Knights

On 24th April 1540 Thomas Audley 1st Baron Audley Walden (age 52) was appointed 304th Knight of the Garter by King Henry VIII of England and Ireland (age 48).

In 1540 Anthony Browne (age 40) was appointed 305th Knight of the Garter by King Henry VIII of England and Ireland.

May Day Jousting

On 1st May 1540 a tournament was held at Westminster [Map]. Gregory Cromwell 1st Baron Cromwell Oakham (age 20), Thomas Poynings 1st Baron Poynings (age 28), Thomas Seymour 1st Baron Seymour (age 32), John Dudley 1st Duke Northumberland (age 36), Richard Cromwell aka Williams (age 45) and George Carew (age 36) were challengers.

Anne of Cleves Annulment

On 9th July 1540 Henry VIII's (age 49) marriage to Anne of Cleves (age 24) was annulled. He gave her a generous settlement including Richmond Palace [Map] and Hever Castle, Kent [Map], at an annual rent of £9-13s-3½d.. Bishop Robert Parfew aka Warton signed the delcaration. She was given precedence above all other women other than the King's wife future wives and daughters, referring to her thereafter as The King's Sister. She lived seventeen more years outliving Henry's two next wives Queen Catherine Howard of England (age 17) and Catherine Parr Queen Consort England (age 27), and King Edward VI of England and Ireland (age 2).