Biography of Anne of Cleves Queen Consort England 1515-1557

On 11th June 1509, one month after the death of his father, [her future husband] Henry VIII (age 17) and Catherine of Aragon (age 23) were married at the Church of the Observant Friars, Greenwich [Map]. She had, eight years before, married his older brother Prince Arthur Tudor - see Marriage of Arthur Tudor and Catherine of Aragon. She the daughter of Ferdinand II King Aragon (age 57) and Isabella Queen Castile. He the son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland and Elizabeth York Queen Consort England. They were half third cousin once removed. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

On 22nd September 1515 Anne of Cleves was born to John La Marck III Duke Cleves (age 24) and Maria Jülich Berg Duchess Cleves at Dusseldorf.

On 25th January 1533 [her future husband] Henry VIII (age 41) and Queen Anne Boleyn of England (age 32) were married by Rowland Leigh Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield (age 46) at Whitehall Palace [Map]. Anne Savage Baroness Berkeley (age 37), Thomas Heneage (age 53) and Henry Norreys (age 51) witnessed. She the daughter of Thomas Boleyn 1st Earl Wiltshire and Ormonde (age 56) and Elizabeth Howard Countess of Wiltshire and Ormonde (age 53). He the son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland and Elizabeth York Queen Consort England. They were fifth cousin once removed.

Sometime after the marriage Eleanor Paston Countess Rutland (age 38) was appointed Lady in Waiting to Queen Anne Boleyn of England. She would go to serve Henry's next three wives.

On 30th May 1536 [her future husband] Henry VIII (age 44) and Jane Seymour (age 27) were married at Whitehall Palace [Map] by Stephen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester (age 53). She by marriage Queen Consort England. He the son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland and Elizabeth York Queen Consort England. They were half fourth cousin once removed.

Eleanor Paston Countess Rutland (age 41) and Margaret Dymoke aka Mistress Coffin (age 36) were appointed Lady in Waiting to Queen Jane Seymour.

On 6th February 1538 [her father] John La Marck III Duke Cleves (age 47) died. His son [her brother] William (age 21) succeeded Duke Cleves. Maria Habsburg Spain Duchess Cleves (age 6) by marriage Duchess Cleves.

In 1539 Catherine Howard (age 16) was appointed Lady in Waiting to Anne of Cleves Queen Consort England (age 23).

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).

On 3rd January 1540 Anne of Cleves (age 24) arrived at Blackheath, Greenwich [Map]. Henry Grey 1st Duke of Suffolk (age 23) carried the Sword of State. William Holles (age 69), Charles Brandon 1st Duke of Suffolk (age 56), Robert Radclyffe 1st Earl of Sussex (age 57), John de Vere 15th Earl of Oxford (age 69), John de Vere 16th Earl of Oxford (age 24), Bishop Robert Parfew aka Warton and Catherine Willoughby Duchess Suffolk (age 20) were present.

                    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.

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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, ...

Hall's Chronicle. September 1539. In the ende of September the xvi. day of that moneth came to London Duke Frederyke of Bavyre Countye Palantyne or Palsgrave of the Ryne, and the xviii. daie came to London, the Marshal of duke Jhon Fredericke Prince Elector of Saxony, and the Chauncellor of William duke of Cleve, Gulycke, Gelder, and Berry. The Palsgrave was received and conducted to Wynsore by the duke of Suffolk: and thother were accompanied with other nobles, and the xxiii. day of the same moneth thei al came to Wynsore, where viii. daies they continually were feasted and hunted, with al pleasure that might be shewed unto them: and the Palsgrave shortly departed and was honorably rewarded: and that season was concluded the mariage betwene the kyng and the lady Anne (age 23), syster to [her brother] duke Willyam of Cleve (age 23), and great preparacion was made for the receivyng of her.

In 1540 William Goring of Burton in Sussex (age 39) was appointed Lord Chamberlain of the Household to Anne of Cleves Queen Consort England (age 24) which office he held until 1546.

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. 29th June 1540. The morrow after Midsomer day, the king caused the Queen (age 24) to remove to Richmond, purposing it to be more for her health, open air and pleasure: but the sixth day of July, certain Lordes came down into the neither house, which expressly declared causes, that the marriage was not lawful, and in conclusion, the matter was by the Convocation clearly determined, that the king might lawfully marry where he would, and so might she: and so were they clearly divorced and separated, and by the Parliament enacted and concluded, that she should be taken no more as Queen, but called the Lady Anne of Cleve.

Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1540. 30th June 1540. Hatfield MS. Burnet, iv., 424. 823. Cromwell (age 55) to Henry VIII.¹

Was charged by the lord Chancellor, the duke of Norfolk, and the lord Admiral, whom the King sent to examine him, to declare upon the damnation of his soul what he knew of the marriage between Henry and the Queen [Anne of Cleves Queen Consort England (age 24)]. Gave particulars as well as he could remember, which they commanded him to write to the King, as follows:— When the King heard of the lady Anne's arrival at Dover and that her journeys were appointed to Greenwich, and that she should be at Rochester at New Year's Eve at night, he told Cromwell he would visit her there on New Year's Day, adding "to nourish love," which he accordingly did. Next day, Friday, the King returned to Greenwich, and on Cromwell asking how he liked the lady Anne, answered, as Cromwell thought, heavily, "Nothing so well as she was spoken of"; adding that if he had known before as much as he then knew, she should never have come within the realm. He asked in lamentation, "What remedy?" Cromwell said he knew of none, and was very sorry. Next day, after the lady's entrance to Greenwich, after the King had brought her to her chamber, he said to Cromwell, "My lord, is it not as I told you? Say what they will, she is nothing so fair as she hath been reported. Howbeit, she is well and seemly." Cromwell agreed, though he said she had a queenly manner. The King bade him call together the Council, viz., the abp. of Canterbury, Norfolk, Suffolk, my lord Admiral, my lord of Durham, and himself, to know what commission the agents of Cleves had brought for the performance of the covenants sent from hence to Dr. Wotton to be concluded in Cleves, and also touching the declaration how matters stood for the covenants of marriage between the duke of Lorraine's son and the said lady Anne. On this Osleger and Hogeston were called, and, being much abashed, desired that they might make answer next morning, Sunday, when they met early with the Council and answered, as men much perplexed, that as to the commission they had none such, and as to the contract and covenants of marriage they could only say a revocation was made, and they were but spousals. Finally, they offered to be prisoners until they should have procured from Cleves the first articles ratified under the Duke their master's sign and seal, and the copy of the revocation. Cromwell was sent with this answer to the King, who was much displeased, and said, "I am not well handled." Saw the King was fully determined not to have gone through with the marriage at that time; for he said, if it were not that she had come so far, and the great preparations that had been made for her, and for fear of making a ruffle in the world, i.e., of driving her brother into the hands of the Emperor and the French king, who were now together, that he would "never have ne marry her." After dinner the King sent for all his Councillors, and repeated his complaint, and suggested that she should make a protestation before them and notaries that she was free from all contracts; which she did. On this, he said to Cromwell, "Is there none other remedy but that I must needs, against my will, put my neck in the yoke?" Cromwell left him pensive, yet he determined next morning to go through. That morning (Monday), while the King was preparing for the ceremonies, there was a question who should lead her to the church. It was arranged that the earl of Essex, deceased, and an earl² that came with her should do so. As Essex had not come, Cromwell was ordered to lead her, but, shortly after he got to her chamber, Essex arrived, and Cromwell went back to inform the King, who then said to him, "My lord, if it were not to satisfy the world and my realm, I would not do that I must do this day for none earthly thing." And therewith, being informed that she was coming, the King repaired into the gallery towards the closet, where he waited for her. He afterwards went through the ceremonies, "travelled the day, as appertained, and the night, after the custom." On Tuesday morning Cromwell repaired to his privy chamber, and finding him not so pleasant as he hoped, asked how he liked the queen? He "soberly" answered "that I was not all men. Surely, my Lord, as ye know, I liked her before not well, but now. I like her much worse"; for he had felt her belly and breasts, and thought she was no maid; that he was struck to the heart, and left her as good a maid as he found her. Also, after Candlemas and before Shrovetide, he once or twice said that he had never known her carnally, although he had lain nightly or every second night by her. The King also showed him last Lent when he had some conversation with her of the lady Mary that she began to wax stubborn and wilful, and after Easter and in Whitsun week he lamented his fate that he should never have any more children if he so continued, declaring that before God he thought she was not his lawful wife. Since Whitsuntide he has said he had done as much to move the consent of his heart and mind as ever man did, but the obstacle would not out of his mind.

My lord Admiral can show what Cromwell said to him after the King came from Rochester, even after his marriage. Doubts not that since Whitsuntide many of the Council have perceived that the King was not satisfied with his marriage. Prays for the King and Prince.

Written at the Tower, this Wednesday, the last of June, with the heavy heart and trembling hand of your Highness' most heavy and most miserable prisoner and poor slave,

Thomas Crumwell.

Most gracious prince, I cry for mercy, mercy, mercy!"

Pp. 8.

Note 1. Burnet professes to print this letter from "an original" in the Cottonian MS. Otho C. x., one of the volumes which were seriously injured by the fire; and it has been supposed that the original letter, which he printed, was entirely consumed. This may be so, for it would seem that Cromwell wrote the same things over more than once; but the MS. in the Hatfield library is certainly "an original" in Cromwell's own hand, and the variations from the printed text are such as might have been due merely to careless editing. There are, however, two notarial copies of this letter in contemporary handwritings (MSS. Harl. 1061 and Addit. 10,451, B.M.), in the former of which a few of Burnet's variations are justified, while the other generally agrees with the Hatfield MS. The following is a list of all the variations, &c.:—Page 424, 1. 14 (of text), "they" after "heard" seems to be written "theym" (them). But if this be not an error of Cromwell's own, the word "which" at the beginning of the sentence must stand for "who," the construction being:—"Which, when they had heard them, in your Majesty's name," &c. The Harl. and Add., however, both read "they."Page 425, l. 8, for "unto" read "in to."" l. 14, for "and said" Hatf. reads "saying"; but A. agrees with Burnet." l. 15, after "that" supply "yet."" l. 21, for "commissions" read "commission."" l. 27, for "Olesleger" read "Osleger."" ib., for "proposed" read "purposed," and so in ll. 32 and 37." l. 30, dele "the" before "Sunday"" l. 31, "together"; om. in Hatf. and Add., but Harl. has it.Page 426, l. 1, for "sponsals" read "spousals" (in MS. "spowsaylles")." l. 8, before "council" Hatf. and A. insert "said."" ib., instead of "their answer" Hatf. and A. read "what answer they had made."" l. 9, for "you" Hatf. and A. read "your Highness."" l. 10, for "unto" read "to."" l. 15, for "unto" read "into."" l. 17, after "making" insert "of."" l. 18, "that is to mean." The text is quite right, except as to punctuation.Page 426, l. 20, for "married" read "marry."" l. 22, after "yet" insert "content."" ib., for "proceedings" Hatf. and Harl. read "proceeding."" l. 24, for "in" read "and in," striking out the comma which follows, and inserting one on the line before, after "counsellors."" l. 26, substitute comma for full stop after "son," and a small i for the capital in "It."" l. 36, after "so" insert "I."" l. 40, for "ceremonies" read "ceremony."" ib., after "lead" read "her."Page 427, l. 4, for "to" read "unto."" ib., after "not" insert "yet."" l. 6, for "into" Hatf. and Harl. read "unto."" l. 7, for "her" read "the."" l. 18, dele "for."" l. 21, for "afterwards" Hatf. reads "afterward"; but Harl. and A., "afterwards."" 1 27, after "surely," insert "my Lord."" l. 31, for "strook" read "strake."" l. 35, for "made me" read "I was."" l. 36, for "Showstie" read "Shrovetide." The spelling in the Hatf. MS. is "Shorofftyde."" l. 40, the reading should be:—"to lie with her nightly or every second night."Page 428, l. 3, after "shewed" dele "to."" l. 7, for "never had" read "had never."" l. 15, for "utmost" read "uttermost."" l. 18, after "Whitsuntide" insert "declared the like to me."" l. 19, for "to do" read "done."" l. 27, for "uttermost" Hatf. reads "utterest"; but Harl. and A. "utter most."" l. 29, after "no man" insert "living." The words "as I think" are in the Hatf. MS. an interlineation badly inserted just after "I am sure"; and this order of the words is followed by A., but Harl. agrees with Burnet." l. 30, for "excepted" Hatf. reads "except."" l. 33, after "and" insert "also."Page 429, ll. 1, 2, Hatf. and A. read "who ever in all your causes hath"; Harl. agrees with Burnet." l. 3, for "will now" Hatf. and A. read "now will"; Harl. agrees with Burnet." l. 5, for "with" read "wealth," with comma after." l. 15, after "I" Hatf. and A. insert "am"; but Harl., like B., omits the word.

Note 2. The Earl of Overstein.

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On 9th July 1540 [her husband] 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 [her step-son] King Edward VI of England and Ireland (age 2).

On 28th July 1540 [her husband] Henry VIII (age 49) and Catherine Howard (age 17) were married at Oatlands Palace [Map] by Bishop of London Edmund Bonner (age 40). She by marriage Queen Consort England. The difference in their ages was 31 years. 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 Queen Catherine Howard of England.

On 18th October 1541 [her sister-in-law] Margaret Tudor Queen Scotland (age 51) died at Methven Castle, Methven. She was buried at Carthusian Charterhouse, Perth.

                    On 12th July 1543 [her husband] Henry VIII (age 52) and Catherine Parr (age 30) were married at Hampton Court Palace [Map]. She was crowned Queen Consort England. His sixth and last marriage, her third marriage; her previous husband had died four months before. The difference in their ages was 21 years. He the son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland and Elizabeth York Queen Consort England. They were third cousin once removed. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Edward III of England. 
                
                    Henry's two daughters [her step-daughter] Mary (age 27) and [her step-daughter] Elizabeth (age 9) attended, as did his niece Margaret Douglas Countess Lennox (age 27).
                
                    Catherine's sister Anne (age 28) attended with her husband William Herbert 1st Earl Pembroke (age 42).

In 1547 Maurice Berkeley (age 41) was appointed Gentleman of the Privy Chamber to [her step-son] King Edward VI of England and Ireland (age 9).

On 28th January 1547 [her husband] Henry VIII (age 55) died at Whitehall Palace [Map]. His son [her step-son] Edward (age 9) succeeded VI King of England. Earl Chester merged with the Crown.

Thomas Wendy (age 46) attended the King. He was one of the witnesses to the King's last will and testament, for which he received £100.

On 7th April 1547 Thomas Cawarden of Bletchingly and Nonsuch came into the possession of Bletchingley, Surrey [Map]. Anne of Cleves Queen Consort England (age 31) had formerly owned it.

                    On 1st October 1553 [her former step-daughter] Queen Mary I of England and Ireland (age 37) was crowned I Queen of England and Ireland at Westminster Abbey [Map].
                
                    Edward Courtenay 1st Earl Devon (age 26) carried the Sword of State.
                
                    John Gage (age 73) bore the queen's train. Edward Dymoke (age 45) attended as the Queen's Champion. James Blount 6th Baron Mountjoy (age 20) and Henry Parker 12th Baron Marshal 11th Baron Morley (age 20) were created Knight of the Bath. Thomas Hastings (age 38) and John Leigh (age 51) were knighted. Thomas Howard 3rd Duke of Norfolk (age 80) and Henry Neville 5th Earl of Westmoreland (age 28) attended.
                
                    Anne of Cleves Queen Consort England (age 38) took part in the procession.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 30th September 1553. The xxx day of September the [her former step-daughter] Qwuyen('s) (age 37) grace cam from the Towre thrugh London, rydyng in a charett gorgusly be-sene unto Westmynster; by the way at Fanche-chyrche a goodly pagant, with iiij grett gyants, and with goodly speches, the geneways mad yt; at Grache-chyrche a-nodur goodly pajant of esterlyngs makyng; and at Ledyne-hall was nodur pagant hangyd with cloth of gold, and the goodlyst playng with all maner of musyssoners, and ther was on blohyng of a trumpet all the day longe; at the conduyt in Cornhyll a-nodur of the sete; and (at) the grett condutt a-nodur goodly on, and the standard pentyd and gyldyd, and the crosse pentyd; and (at) the lytyll conduyt a goodly pagant; in Powlles chyrche-yerde ij pagants; and ij scaffolds on Powlles stepull with stremars; andt Ludgat pentyd; at the conduyd in Flett-stret a goodly pajant and pentyd .... holy] water-stokes and sensers and copes ... Westmynster chyrche, and ther her grace hard masse, and was crounyd a-pon a he stage, and after [she was] a-nontyd Qwene, the forst day of October. [When all] was don, her grace cam to Westmynster hall .... yt was iiij of the cloke or she whent to dener [or pa]st; and ther the duke of Norffoke rod up and done the hall, my lord the yerle of Darbe (age 44) he constabull, the yerle of Arundell (age 41) he boteler, and my lord of Borgane cheyff larderer, master Dymmoke (age 45) the qwyen('s) champyon; and ther was [great me]lode; and the erle of Devonshyre (age 26) bare the sword, and the yerle of Westmorland (age 28) bare the cape of mantenans, and the erle of Shrowsbery (age 53) bare the crowne, and the duke of Norffoke (age 80) [was earl] marshall, and the yerle of Arundell lord stuard, and the erle of Surray (age 17) was doer under the duke ys grandshyr, and the erle of Woseter (age 27) was her grace('s) carver that day at dener, my lord Wyndsore (age 54) was (blank); and at the end of the tabull dynyd my [her former step-daughter] lade Elisabeth (age 20) and my lade Anne of Cleyff (age 38); and so yt was candyll-lyght or her grace or she had dynyd, and so [anon] her grace toke barge.

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On 16th July 1557 Anne of Cleves Queen Consort England (age 41) died at Chelsea Manor [Map]. She was buried at Westminster Abbey [Map] on 3rd August 1557. She was the last of Henry VIII's six wives to die having outlived him by ten years. Hever Castle, Kent [Map] appears to have been appropriated by Edward Waldegrave (age 40), one of the Commissioners for the sale of Crown land, who assigned himself the Castle and estate of Hever.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 16th July 1557. [The xvi day of July died the lady Anna of Cleves (age 41), at Chelsea, sometime wife and queen to king Henry the] viijth, but she was never crounyd, butt [remained in England,] and she was seyryd [cered ie inclosed in waxed cloths.] the nyght folohyng.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 29th July 1557. The sam day began the herse at Westmynster for my lade Anne of Cleyff (deceased), with carpynters worke of vij prensepalles, as goodly a hers as ....

Henry Machyn's Diary. 3rd August 1557. The iij day of August my lade Anne of Cleyff (deceased), sumtyme wyff unto kyng Henry the viijth cam from Chelsey to be [buried] unto Westmynster, with all the chylderyn of Westmynster and [many] prest and clarkes, and then the gray ames of Powlles and iij crosses, and the monkes of Westmynster, and my lord bysshope of Lo[ndon] (age 57) and my lord abbott of Westmynster (age 42) rod together next the monkes, and then the ij sekturs [executors] ser Edmond Peckham (age 62) and ser (Robert) Freston (age 57), cofferer to the quen of England; and then my lord admerall (age 47), my (lord) Darce of Essex (age 60), and mony knyghts and gentyllmen; and a-for her servandes, and after her baner of armes; and then her gentyllmen and here hed offesers; and then here charett with viij baners of armes of dyvers armes, and iiij baners of emages of whytt taffata, wroght with fyne gold and her armes; and so by sant James, and so to Charyingcrosse [Map], with a C. torchys bornyng, her servandes beyrying them, and the xij bed-men of Westmynster had new blake gownes; and they had xij torchys bornyng, and iiij whyt branchys with armes; and then ladies and gentyll-women all in blake, and horsses; and a viij haroldes of armes in blake, and ther horses; and armes sad a-bowt the herse behynd and be-for; and iiij haroldes barying the iiij whyt baners; and at (the) chyrche dore all dyd a-lyght and ther dyd reseyvyd the good lade my lord of London and my lord abbott in ther myteres and copes, sensyng her, and ther men dyd bere her with a canepe of blake welvett, with iiij blake stayffes, and so browth in-to the herse and ther tared durge, and so ther all nyght with lyght bornyng.

Note. Ibid. Funeral of the lady Anne of Cleves. A very particular narrative of this solemnity, from MSS. in the College of Arms, will be found in the Excerpta Historica, 1831, together with the Will of the deceased. The body of the queen was buried, as Stowe says, "at the head of king Sebert," where "she lyeth in a tomb not yet finished." Engravings of what was erected of this tomb will be found in the Vetusta Monumenta, vol. ii. pl. 35, as well as in Dart and the other histories of Westminster Abbey. In p. 145, for sir Robert Freston read Richard; and in p. 146, for William duke of Cleves read John.

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Henry Machyn's Diary. 4th August 1557. The iiij day of August was the masse of requiem for my lade prenses of Cleyff (deceased), and dowther to [William] duke of Cleyff [Note. Anne of Cleves was daughter to [her father] John La Marck III Duke Cleves]; and ther my lord abbott of Westmynster (age 42) mad a godly sermon as ever was mad, and [then] ... the byshope of London (age 57) song masse in ys myter; [and after] masse my lord byshope and my lord abbott mytered dyd [cense] the corsse; and afterward she was caried to her tomb, [where] she leys with a herse-cloth of gold, the wyche lyys [over her]; and ther alle her hed offesers brake ther stayffes, [and all] her hussears [ushers] brake ther rodes, and all they cast them in-to her tombe; the wyche was covered her co[rps] with blake, and all the lordes and lades and knyghtes and gentyllmen and gentell-women dyd offer, and after masse agrett [dinner] at my lord (abbat's); and my lade of Wynchester was the cheyff [mourner,] and my lord admeroll (age 47) and my lord Darce (age 60) whent of ether syde of my lade of Wynchester, and so they whent in order to dinner.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 22nd August 1557. The xxij day of August was the herse [of my lade Anne of Cleves (deceased)] taken downe at Westmynster, the wyche the monkes [by night had spoiled of] all welvett cloth, armes, baners, penselles, of all the [majesty and] valans, the wyche was never sene a-fore so done.

/_PHOTOS/20221031-Vetusta_Monumenta/20221031-Plate_2_35.jpg

Vesta Monumenta. 1780. Plate 2.35. Monument to Anne of Cleves Queen Consort England at Westminster Abbey [Map].

[her father] John La Marck III Duke Cleves and [her mother] Maria Jülich Berg Duchess Cleves were married. She by marriage Duchess Cleves. He the son of [her grandfather] John "Babymaker" La Marck II Duke Cleves and [her grandmother] Mathilde Hesse Duchess Cleves.

Biography of Anne of Cleves Queen Consort England 1515-1557

Royal Ancestors of Anne of Cleves Queen Consort England 1515-1557

Ancestors of Anne of Cleves Queen Consort England 1515-1557