Cotton MS Galba B VIII

Correspondence and other records concerning England and Burgundy, 1514–1525, including letters in the hands of Charles V, King of Spain (1516–1556) and Holy Roman emperor (1519–1556; d. 1558), and Sir Thomas More (1478–1535), lord chancellor, humanist and martyr.

f. 1r: Cottonian title-page.

f. 2r-2v: Letter from Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, to King Henry VIII. Sent by Sir Robert Wingfield, who visited on some particular affairs. Ghent, January 9 [1522]. French.

f. 3r: Letter from Sir Robert Wingfield to Thomas Wolsey. Sending intelligence about Richard de la Pole, and discussing some levies to be made in his favour. Malines, January 12 1522/3.

ff. 4r-5v: Letter from Bryan Tuke to Cuthbert Tunstall, Bishop of London and Lord Privy Seal. Concerning a point in a treaty with Margaret, Archduchess of Savoy, whether she be bound to restore the goods taken by her subjects, the plague being in London at this time. Stepney, [5 June 1528].

ff. 6r-9v: Minutes of some transactions in the council of the Archduchess of Savoy. Malines, February 19 1523/4. French.

ff. 10r-11v: Letter from Thomas Spinelly to Thomas Wolsey. Sending intelligence. Brussels, January 28 1522.

ff. 12r-14v: Two letters from Sir Robert Wingfield to Thomas Wolsey. Sending intelligence, and concerning his own proceedings. Malines, February 24 and 28 1522/3.

ff. 15r-18v: Letter from William Knight to Thomas Wolsey. Discussing the misbehaviour of Du Praet in England, where he was ambassador. Brussels, March 5 [1525].

ff. 19r-27v: Five letters from Sir Robert Wingfield to Thomas Wolsey. Sending intelligence. Malines, March 22, 27, and 31, April 12 and 10, 1523.

f. 28r-28v: Letter from William Knight to Thomas Wolsey. Sending intelligence, and reporting that a spy of Richard de la Pole has been taken. Antwerp, April 13 [1524].

ff. 29r-30v: Letter from Margaret, Archduchess of Savoy, to Thomas Wolsey. Concerning discussions between the Scottish forces and the citizens of Middleburgh. Malines, April 13 1523. French.

ff. 31r-32v: Letter from Margaret, Archduchess of Savoy, to Thomas Wolsey. Concerning a proposal from the Pope for a general pacification. Malines, April 18 1523.

ff. 33r-34v: Letter from Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, to Thomas Wolsey. Representing the necessity of a peace, or a truce. Brussels, April 15 1522. French.

ff. 35r-36v: Letter from William Knight to Thomas Wolsey. Reporting that a secretary of the Duke of Albany has been stopped in Flanders, and making overtures for peace on the part of France. Malines, April 18 1523.

f. 37r: Statement of the charges of wagons and lymoners for the army in Flanders. Originally enclosed in the following letter (ff. 38r-39v).

ff. 38r-39v: Letter from Sir William Fitzwilliam and Sir Robert Wingfield to Thomas Wolsey. Reporting that 30,000 Lutherans intend to attack the Duke of Lorrain, discussing the state of the French frontiers, and relating that Dr Knight is gone. Malines, May 5 [1525].

ff. 40r-41v: Letter from Sir Robert Wingfield, Sir Richard Wingfield, and Thomas Spinelly to Thomas Wolsey. Sending intelligence from Italy, and reporting the defeat of the French at la Bicoque. Ghent, May [7] 1522.

ff. 42r-43v: Two letters from William Knight to Thomas Wolsey. Sending intelligence concerning the secretary of the Duke of Albany, and the fugitive King Christian of Denmark. Malines, June 12 and 4 1523.

ff. 44r-45v: Letter from Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, to Thomas Wolsey. Sending credentials in favour of some ambassadors. Ghent, July 23 [1521]. French.

f. 46r-46v: Letter from Collart de Mahieu and four others to King Henry VIII. Requesting a licence or safe-conduct. [2 August] 1523. French.

ff. 47r-48v: Licence issued by Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor. Giving permission for Collart de Mahieu to trade, and providing a passport by Floris, Count de Buren. Brussels, July 31 and August 2 1523. French.

f. 49r-49v: Letter from Floris, Count de Buren, to King Henry VIII. Sending a credential in favour of de Hesdin. Brussels, August 13 1523. French.

ff. 50r-52v: Two letters from William Knight to Thomas Wolsey. Concerning his audience with Margaret, Archduchess of Savoy, on his return from Basle, the visit of the Duke of Bourbon, and Bartholomew Tate’s requisitions for wagons. Brussels, August 20 and 23 1523.

ff. 53r-54v: Letter from William Knight to Bartholomew Tate. On procuring horses and wagons. Brussels, August 31 1523.

f. 50r-50v: Letter from William Knight to Thomas Wolsey. On the visit of the Duke of Bourbon, and military preparations. Brussels, August 26 1523.

f. 55r-55v: Letter from de Hesdin to Thomas Wolsey. Concerning military preparations in Flanders, and reporting that King Francis I does not visit Italy. Brussels, September 3 1523. French.

ff. 57r-58v: Letter from William Knight to Thomas Wolsey. Concerning military preparations in the Low Countries, reporting that Monsieur de Buren has gone to Gravelines to meet Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, and that Count Felix is on the borders of Lorrain. Brussels, September 4 1523.

f. 59r-59v: Letter from Sir Thomas More to Thomas Wolsey. Reporting the King’s thanks for measures, and discussing the military affairs in Flanders. Oking, September 5 1523.

ff. 60r-62v: Letter from William Knight to Thomas Wolsey. Reporting on his negotiations with Margaret, Archduchess of Savoy, and on the conduct of the war. Brussels, September 6 1523.

ff. 63r-64v: Two letters from Loys de Praet to Thomas Wolsey. Communicating intelligence from the Low Countries, and offering half a year’s pension. London, September 8 and 11 1523. French.

ff. 65r-66v: Letter from William Knight to Thomas Wolsey. Reporting his application to Margaret, Archduchess of Savoy, for promoting the armaments. Brussels, September 11 1523.

ff. 67r-70v: Two letters from Sir Thomas More to Thomas Wolsey. Containing instructions and intelligence from King Henry VIII, concerning the war in the Low Countries. Reporting that the King is resolved upon the siege of Boulogne. Oking, September 12 and Guilford, September 13 1523.

ff. 71r-76v: Three letters from William Knight to Thomas Wolsey. On the affairs of the Low Countries and Spain. Brussels, September 14, and Malines, November 13, and September 28, 1523.

ff. 77r-82v: Letter from Sir Thomas More to Thomas Wolsey. Reporting the opinions and directions of King Henry VIII concerning the war in the Low Countries. Abingdon, September 20 1523.

f. 83r-83v: Letter from Bartholomew Tate to Thomas Wolsey. Concerning his supply of wagons and lymoniers. Bruges, September 20 1523.

ff. 84r-85v: Letter from Sir Richard Wingfield and Thomas Spinelly to Thomas Wolsey. Sending intelligence about the war in Italy, and reporting that the Swiss forces have granted troops to the Pope and Emperor. Brussels, September 22 [1521].

f. 86r-86v: Letter from Margaret, Archduchess of Savoy, to Thomas Wolsey. Concerning the supplies of the army. Malines, September 30 1523. French.

ff. 87r-88v: Letter from Floris, Count de Buren, to the Emperor’s ambassador in England. Concerning the progress of the allied army on the French frontiers, and further preparations. Camp at Cappy, October 23, 1523. French.

ff. 89r-92v: Two letters from William Knight to Thomas Wolsey. Concerning money to be paid to the Duke of Bourbon for the entertainment of 10,000 Landsknechte led by Count Felix. Malines, October 30 [31] and 19, 1523.

ff. 93r-93v: Statement of arms, armour, and ammunition to be provided for the army. Signed by de Hesdin. 1523. French.

ff. 94r-95v: Letter from Sir Thomas More to Thomas Wolsey. Reporting the satisfaction of King Henry VIII concerning Wolsey’s good administration. Woodstock, October 30 1523.

f. 96r-96v: Letter from de Hesdin to an unnamed English ambassador, possibly William Knight. Requesting he use his interest that he may have a fair opportunity of clearing himself from some aspersions. Liege, November 18 1523. French.

ff. 97r-99v: Memorial of articles to be presented to King Henry VII by de Hesdin, on behalf of Margaret, Archduchess of Savoy. November 30 1523. French.

ff. 100r-102v: Statement of the artillery, arms, and ammunition necessary for the next campaign. By Floris, Count de Buren, and signed by de Hesdin. 1523. Enclosed in the letter below (ff. 141r-147v).

ff. 103r-103v, 106r-106v: Letter from John Hannart to Thomas Wolsey. Concerning a meeting to be held at Nuremberg regarding the affairs of the King of Denmark, and requesting that an English diplomat be sent to attend. Malines, December 22 1523. Latin.

f. 104r-104v: Letter from Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, to King Henry VIII. Recommending a business which was to be stated to him by Wolsey and his (Charles's) ambassadors. [19 November 1521]. French.

f. 105r-105v: Letter from Margaret, Archduchess of Savoy, to Thomas Wolsey. Recommending the Count de Penthievre, who is visiting England on the part of the Duke of Bourbon. Malines, December 9 1523.

ff. 107r-108v: Two letters from Baptista de Tassis, post-master, to King Henry VIII and Thomas Wolsey. Concerning the arrears due on account of the post at Calais. Malines, January 1 1524. French.

ff. 109r-110v: Letter from William Knight to Thomas Wolsey. Concerning the conduct of the war, and reporting that the Cardinal of Liege blames Floris, Count de Buren, for having penetrated too far into France. Brussels, January 13 1524.

ff. 111r-113r: Letter from William Knight to Bryan Tuke, Thomas Wolsey, and Margaret, Archduchess of Savoy. Reciprocally charging each other with backwardness in the prosecution of the war, and reporting that ‘the Great Mary of Denmark’ is offered for sale to King Henry VIII. January 1524.

ff. 114r-115v: Two letters from Margaret, Archduchess of Savoy, to Thomas Wolsey. Recommending the claims of some merchants, and sending credentials in favour of de Buren, Laurens, and de la Sauch. Malines, January 20 and February 4 1524. French.

f. 116r-116v: Letter from Margaret, Archduchess of Savoy, to Thomas Wolsey. Defending herself concerning some delays in the affair of a vessel, and complaining of coolness on his part. Brussels, February 12 1524/5. French.

f. 117r-117v: Letter from Margaret, Archduchess of Savoy, to King Henry VIII. Responding to his complaints concerning the conduct of de Praet. Brussels, March 4 1524/5. French.

ff. 118r-120v: Letter from Margaret, Archduchess of Savoy, to an English ambassador, possibly William Knight. Announcing the victory of Pavia. Brussels, March 6 1524/5. French.

f. 121r-121v: Letter from Thomas Spinelly to Thomas Wolsey. Sending intelligence concerning the war in Italy. Brussels, March 18 [1516].

ff. 122r-123v: Two letters from unnamed correspondents concerning the war on the frontiers of France. With a letter from Margaret, Archduchess of Savoy, enclosing the same. Brussels, March 7 1524/5. French.

ff. 124r-126v: Two letters from Margaret, Archduchess of Savoy, to Thomas Wolsey. Concerning the misconduct of de Praet. Brussels, March 26 and April 6 1524/5. French.

f. 127r-127v: Letter from Margaret, Archduchess of Savoy, to King Henry VIII. Requesting that de Praet might be sent over to her. Brussels, April 7 1524/5. French.

ff. 128r-130v: Two letters from William Knight to Thomas Wolsey. Sending intelligence concerning the motions of the French in Italy, and towards the Low Countries, where relief from England is earnestly required. Antwerp, April 16 and 27 [1524].

f. 131r-131v: Letter from Sir Robert Wingfield to Thomas Wolsey. Concerning a spy delivered to him. Calais, April 21 1524.

ff. 132r-133v: Letter from Adolphus de Bourgne, possibly to Thomas Wolsey. Concerning the flight of the King of Denmark into the Low Countries. Antwerp, May 10 [1523].

ff. 134r-135v: Letter from Margaret, Archduchess of Savoy, to King Henry VIII. Sending intelligence, and soliciting the king's support. Antwerp, May 18 1524. French.

ff. 136r-138v: Letter from William Knight to Thomas Wolsey. Concerning his financial negotiations, and articles between Richard Pace and the Duke of Bourbon. Malines, June 1524.

ff. 139r-140v: Letter from Floris, Count de Buren, to King Henry VIII. Concerning preparations for war. Brussels, Sept. 11 1524. French.

ff. 141r-147v: Two letters from William Knight and Sir Richard Jerningham to Thomas Wolsey. Reporting their negotiations, and sending intelligence concerning the expedition of the Duke of Bourbon against Marseilles. Brussels, September 12, and Malines, October 20, 1524.

f. 148r-148v: Letter from Margaret, Archduchess of Savoy, to de Praet. Sending intelligence about the expedition of the Duke of Bourbon, and the movements of the King of France. Malines, October 20 1524.

f. 149r-149v: Letter from William Knight to Thomas Wolsey. Sending intelligence from Italy. Brussels, November 27 1524.

ff. 150r-152v: Letter from Sir Thomas More to Thomas Wolsey. Sending communications from King Henry VIII concerning the affairs of the Emperor. Hertford, November 29 1524.

f. 153r-153v: Letter from Margaret, Archduchess of Savoy, to Thomas Wolsey. On the importation of salt into the Low Countries. Malines, December 30 1524. French.

f. 154r-154v: Instructions given to William Knight. Concerning the apparel of Princess Mary, at her intended marriage with Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor. No date.

ff. 155r-156r: Letter from Sir Robert Wingfield to Thomas Wolsey. Sending intelligence concerning a diet at Augsburg for the reformation of the church, and reporting insurrections at Louvain. Malines, January 1 [1526].

f. 157r-157v: Letter from Margaret, Archduchess of Savoy, to Thomas Wolsey. Recommending the Count d'Ortemburg, the King of Hungary's ambassador to England. Malines, February 1526. French.

ff. 158r-159v: Letter from Margaret, Archduchess of Savoy, to Thomas Wolsey. Concerning a loan of 100,000 crowns for the Emperor, and the expulsion of the Scottish forces from the Emperor's dominions. Brussels, February 5 [1522]. French.

f. 160r-160v: Letter from Ferdinand, Archduke of Austria, to King Henry VIII. Announcing the victory of Pavia. Innsbruck, February 26 1525. Latin.

ff. 161r-170v: Instructions from King Henry VIII to Sir William Fitzwilliam and Sir Robert Wingfield, sent as ambassadors to Margaret, Archduchess of Savoy. April 1525.

ff. 171r-173r: Answers of Margaret, Archduchess of Savoy and her council to the articles concerning armaments proposed by the English ambassadors. May 2 1525. French.

ff. 174r-180v:. Reporting their negotiations. Malines, May 3 1525.

ff. 181r-188v: Three letters from Sir William Fitzwilliam and Sir Robert Wingfield to Thomas Wolsey. Reporting their negotiations and sending intelligence. Malines, May 8, 9, and 20 1525.

ff. 189r-192v: Three letters from Sir Robert Wingfield to Thomas Wolsey. Malines, May 22 and June 3, and 9 1525.

ff. 193r-194v: Letter from Margaret, Archduchess of Savoy, possibly to Floris, Count de Buren. Acknowledging a letter from him concerning a law suit. Malines, June 10 1525. French.

ff. 195r-196r: Letter from Sir Robert Wingfield to Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk. Concerning an agreement by the government of the Low Countries. Malines, June 11 1525.

f. 197r-197v: Letter from Sir Robert Wingfield to Bryan Tuke. Sending intelligence concerning the arrival of a French man at Court, reporting that Archduke Ferdinand is pacifying the Tyrolese, and that the Duke of Lorrain is subduing some insurgents. Malines, June 13 1525.

ff. 198r-202v: Two letters from Sir Robert Wingfield to Thomas Wolsey. Sending intelligence. Malines, June 13, and Howstrate, June 19 1525.

f. 203r-203v: Letter from Margaret, Archduchess of Savoy, to Thomas Wolsey. Claiming the surrender of a murderer detained at Calais. Hoochstrate, June 26 1525. French.

f. 204r-204v: Letter from Margaret, Archduchess of Savoy, to King Henry VIII. Concerning an outrage committed at Hampton on the crew of an imperial ship. Hoochstrate, June 27 1525. French.

ff. 205r-206v: Proclamation concerning the restitution of all effects seized and spoiled during the war. Malines, July 30 [1528]. French.

ff. 207r-210v: Letter from Sir Robert Wingfield to Thomas Wolsey. Breda, July 7 1525.

ff. 211r-212v: Two letters from Margaret, Archduchess of Savoy, to King Henry VIII and Thomas Wolsey. Declining the King's intercession in favour of de Hesdin. Breda, July 10 1525. French.

ff. 213r-223v: Six letters from Sir Robert Wingfield to Thomas Wolsey. Breda, July 12 and 18, Gorcum, August 2, Bois-le-duc, August 5 and 11, and The Hague, August 24, 1525.

f. 224r: Letter from Margaret, Archduchess of Savoy to King Henry VIII. Claiming redress for the seizure of a Spanish ship by some English ships. The Hague, August 30 1525. French.

ff. 225r-228v: Two letters from Sir Robert Wingfield to Thomas Wolsey. The Hague, September 8 and 19 1525.

ff. 229r-229v: Letter from Jean de Berghes to Thomas Wolsey. Recommending some merchants and mentioning with surprise a report of King Henry VIII having made peace with France. Berghes, September 21 1525. French.

f. 230r-230v: Order of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor. For supplying some English artillery with transports and boats. The Hague, September 21 1525. French.

ff. 231r-232v: Letter from Sir Robert Wingfield to Thomas Wolsey. The Hague, September 21 1525.

f. 233r-233v: Letter from Thomas Spinelly to an unnamed correspondent. Defending himself, and the breaking off of the match. Brussels, October 6 [1520].

ff. 234r-250v: Ten letters from Sir Robert Wingfield to Thomas Wolsey. Bois-le-duc, October 6, Antwerp, October 26 and 27, Malines, November 2 and 12, Brussels, November 28, and December 4, 8, 13 and 21, 1525.

f. 251r-251v: Release given by King Henry VIII. For the payment of certain sums due to him by Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, and the King of France. [19 October 1530]. Latin.