Cotton MS Otho C X

Papers relating to the divorce of Henry VII (1457–1509), king of England and lord of Ireland, from Katherine of Aragon (1485–1536), queen of England and first consort of Henry VIII. Also concerning his marriages to: Anne Boleyn (c. 1500–1536), queen of England and second consort of Henry VIII; Anne of Cleves (1515–1557), queen of England and fourth consort of Henry VIII; Katherine Howard (1518x24–1542), queen of England and Ireland and fifth consort of Henry VIII; and Katherine Parr (1512–1548), queen of England and Ireland and sixth consort of Henry VIII. Including the submission of Lady Mary Tudor, later Mary I (1516–1558), queen of England and Ireland.

f. 1r-1v: Summary of the volume’s contents. Latin.

ff. 2r-157v: Defence of an anonymous book concerning the testimonies of the fathers as well as modern ecclesiastical writers in favour of the divorce between King Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragon. [6 February 1530]. Latin.

ff. 158r-159v: Letter from King Henry VIII to Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury. Licensing him to examine and determine the matrimonial cause between him and Katherine of Aragon. Two copies, not identical. 1532.

f. 160r-160v: Letter from John Stokesley, Bishop of London, to an unnamed lord. For five doctors to be chosen of each opinion, to assist in determining the King’s matrimonial cause. January 8 [1532].

ff. 161r-162v: Letter from Andreas Osiander to Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury. Reporting that the magistrates of Nuremberg have prohibited his book ‘de incestis nuptiis’, relating a victory of the Turkish forces, the sighting of a comet and two blazing stars in the heavens, and discussing the reformation. Nuremberg, January 24 1532. The original letter can be found in Harley MS 6989, f. 80r.

ff. 163v-164v: Two letters from Thomas Bedyll to Thomas Cromwell. Sending intelligence concerning the divorce, and reporting Queen Katherine to be contumacious. Dunstable, May 10 and 17 1532.

f. 165r: Letter from Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, to Thomas Cromwell. Reporting that he has nearly brought the matter of the divorce to an issue. Dunstable, May 17 1532.

ff. 166v-167v: Two letters from Thomas Bedyll to Thomas Cromwell. Concerning the process of the divorce, and the consultations of the Universities. Dunstable, May 23 and September 1 1532.

ff. 168r-170r: Paper containing arguments with which to persuade Katherine of Aragon to forego the title of Queen, and accept that of Dowager. 1533. The beginning wanting.

f. 171r-171v: Letter from Stephen Gardiner, Bishop of Winchester, to Thomas Cromwell. Reporting his introduction of the oath concerning the succession to his diocese. Winchester, May 5 [1534].

ff. 172r-173v: Affidavit of Sir Anthony Browne. That he thought the marriage between the King and the Dowager lawful, and discussing various steps and reports concerning the succession of Mary Tudor. Westminster, June 14 1537 [1536].

ff. 174r-175r: Affidavit of Francis Bryan. The same as the above (ff. 172r-173v). June 14 1537 [1536]. The beginning wanting.

f. 176r-176v: Letter from Katherine of Aragon, possibly to Thomas Cromwell. Requesting to see her daughter. [1 September 1534].

f. 177r-177v: Letter from Sir Thomas Vaux to Thomas Howard, third Duke of Norfolk. Reporting the protestations of Katherine of Aragon against relinquishing the title of Queen. Ampthill, April 18 1533.

f. 178v: Letter from Sir William Fitzwilliam to Thomas Cromwell. Reporting the King’s order that Katherine of Aragon may keep her Maundy privately, or if publically, as Princess Dowager. Richmond, [23 or 24 March[ 1533 [1535].

ff. 179r-181v: Two articles, drawn from scriptures, councils, and fathers. Proving that it is not lawful for a man to marry two sisters, and hence for a woman to marry two brothers. [6 February 1536].

ff. 182r-198r: ‘Eruditi cujusdam responsio pro regis defensione ad libellum Roffensis Episcopi’. [28 June 1529 or 6 February 1530].

ff. 199r-205v: Two reports by Lord Mountjoy and others. Concerning artciles delivered to them declaring the Princess Dowager on the King’s behalf. The words ‘princess dowager’ are blotted out in two places in the first report, by Katherine of Aragon, according to the second report. Ampthill, July […] and 14 1533.

ff. 206r-208v: Copy of the answers given by King Henry VIII and the Privy Council, to messages and requests made by Katherine of Aragon. Delivered to her by Sir Edmund Bedingfield. With her reply. June 12 [1534].

f. 209v: Letter from Edward Baynton to the Treasurer. Declaring that only one person, named Mark, will confess anything against Anne Boleyn. Greenwich, 1536.

ff. 210r-212r: Letter from Robert Radcliffe, Earl of Sussex, and other members of the Privy Council, to King Henry VIII. Reporting an audience with Katherine of Aragon, in which she persists in refusing the title Princess Dowager, and the terms offered her. December 19 [1533].

ff. 214r-215v: Letter from Thomas Bedyll to Thomas Cromwell. Reporting that the servants of Katherine of Aragon persist in calling her Queen, and that she refuses to leave Bugden. Bugden, October 10 [1533].

f. 216r-216v Letter from Sir Edmund Bedingfield to Thomas Cromwell. Reporting that the Emperor’s ambassador has held conferences with Katherine of Aragon at Kimbolton, and discussing the visit of Mr Willoughby. January 5 1536.

ff. 217r-219v: The will of Katherine of Aragon, in English and French. [7 January] 1536.

ff. 220r-222r: Fragment of a letter from Anne Boleyn to Thomas Wolsey. Sending thanks for a rich present, and congratulations to him and the King on their escape from the sweating sickness. [Autumn 1528].

f. 222v: Letter from Sir Edmund Bedingfield to Thomas Cromwell. On the funeral of Katherine of Aragon, and the securing of her jewels and plate. [7 January] 1536.

f. 223r-223v: Letter from Sir Richard Rich to King Henry VIII. Concerning the administration of Katherine of Aragon’s effects. Kimbolton, January 19 1536.

f. 224r-224v: Letter from Henry Percy, sixth Earl of Northumberland, to Thomas Cromwell. Denying a pre-contract with Anne Boleyn. Newington Green, May 13 1536.

ff. 225r-228v: Four letters from William Kingston to Thomas Cromwell. Reporting the behaviour of Anne Boleyn in prison. [3 May] 1536. See Harley MS 283, f. 134r.

ff. 229r-231v: Letter from Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, to King Henry VIII. Sending condolences, and comforting him concerning the misconduct of Anne Boleyn. [3] May 1536.

ff. 232r-233v: Letter from Anne Boleyn to King Henry VIII. Asserting her innocence. [1536].

f. 234r-234v: Letter from Margaret Bryan to Thomas Cromwell. Requesting clothes for Lady Elizabeth, and asking how she is to be styled. [1536].

f. 235r: Letter from Lady Elizabeth to Katherine Parr. Sending thanks and compliments. June 31 [1544].

f. 236v: Letter from Lady Elizabeth to Katherine Parr. Expressing duty and regard. Windsor, July 31 [1544].

ff. 237r-240v: Order for an enquiry into the marriage of King Henry VIII and Anne of Cleves. 1540.

ff. 241r-244v: Commission of King Henry VIII. To hear and give sentence in the cause of Anne of Cleves. 1540.

f. 245r-245v: Letter from Anne of Cleves to her brother. Requesting him not to differ with King Henry VIII on her account. 1540.

f. 246r-246v: Declaration of King Henry VIII. With questions to be asked of Thomas Cromwell, concerning the King’s marriage with Anne of Cleves. In the hand of King Henry VIII. [1540].

ff. 247r-250v: Letter from Thomas Cromwell to King Henry VIII. On his disgrace, and being sent to the Tower. 1540.

ff. 251r-252r: Questions to be asked of Thomas Cromwell. Copy of part of the above (ff. 242r-245v). 1540.

ff. 253v-255v: Two copies of a letter from the commissioners for the cause of Anne of Cleves, to King Henry VIII. Reporting that she fully acquiesced in his determinations. 1540.

ff. 256-258v: Letter from the Privy Council to William Paget, ambassador at Paris. Concerning the offices of Katherine Howard. Westminster, November 1541.

f. 259r-259v: Paper on a conference between Lady Mary and the ambassadors of the Emperor. Concerning her reconciliation with King Henry VIII. [May 1527].

ff. 260r-262v: Examination of Dame Anne Huse. Concerning her visit to Lady Mary, and styling her Princess after she had been denied that title. [3 August 1536].

f. 263r-264v: Fragment of instructions for proposals to be made to Lady Mary. Concerning her conduct with regard to the King’s supremacy. [June 1536].

f. 265r-265v: Letter from William Fitzwilliam to an unknown correspondent. Concerning Lady Mary, and the searching of her servants. Hatfield [1536].

f. 266r-266v: Letter from Lady Mary to the Privy Seal, possibly Thomas Cromwell. Thanking him for kindnesses. Westminster, [7 May 1537].

f. 267r-267v: Letter from Nicholas Shaxton, Bishop of Salisbury, possibly to Thomas Cromwell. Encouraging him to persevere in promoting the reformation notwithstanding the misconduct of Anne Boleyn. Remesbury, May 23 [1536].

f. 268r-268v: Letter from Lady Mary to King Henry VIII. Requesting forgiveness and reconciliation. Hunsdon, June 10 [1536].

f. 269r-269v: Letter from Lady Mary to Thomas Cromwell. Sent with the letter above (f. 261r-261v). Desiring not to be compelled in her conscience. Hunsdon, June 10 [1536].

f. 270r-270v: Letter from Lady Mary to Thomas Cromwell. Sending thanks for his good offices, and enclosing a letter to the King. [13 June 1536].

ff. 271r-273v: Three letters from Lady Mary to King Henry VIII. Submissive. Hunsdon, June [1536].

f. 274r: Letter from Lady Mary to Thomas Cromwell. Sending thanks for his good offices, and enclosing a present. No date.

ff. 275r-295r: Fragments of letters, damaged by fire. English and Latin.