Cotton MS Vitellius B XIII

ff. 1r–240v: Records and papers concerning England and Rome, 1530–1532, including papers concerning the divorce of King Henry VIII of England (1509–1547) from Catherine of Aragon. See Burnet, vol. i. Coll. f. 85. 88. 107. 110-118 vol. iii. Coll. f. 32.]

f. 1r: Title-page.

ff. 2r–5v: An account of expenses on a journey from England to Italy, and during a residence at Venice, Padua, Bologna, etc., with a list of some books purchased. The name of "Petrus de Ghinuciis," [brother of the Bishop of Worcester] is subscribed to this list [15 May 1530]. These are the expenses Richard Croke, formerly tutor to the Duke of Richmond, Henry's natural son, sent into Italy to consult the divines respecting Henry's divorce. Petrus de Ghinucciis (Pietro de' Ghinucci) was Girolamo Ghinucci’s brother and was Henry's agent with some of the minor states. Some of the items are printed in Burnet.

ff. 6r–10v, 12r–14v: The following letters are written by Richard Croke, giving an account of the great difficulties he had on his journey, especially from Savona to Tarensium; an account of the court of Rome, where the Emperor then was, and of certain, chiefly theological, books he met with in different libraries at Venice, Padua, etc.

f. 6r¬: Draft letter in Latin from [Croke to Henry VIII], 27 December 1529.

ff. 6v–7r: Draft letter in Latin from [Croke] to ?, 27 December 1529.

f. 7v: Draft letter in Latin from [Croke to Henry VIII], 24 January 1530, Bologna.

ff. 8r–v: Draft letter in Latin from [Croke to Stokesley], 27 January 1530, Bologna.

ff. 9r–v: Draft letter in Latin from [Croke to Fox], no date.

ff. 10r–v: Two draft letters in Latin from [Croke to the protonotary John Casale, brother of Sir Gregory Casalis], 19 and 20 January 1530.

ff. 11r–v: Original letter in Latin from Henry VIII to Girolamo Ghinucci, the Bishop of Worcester and Sir Gregory Casalis; a credential in favour of Thomas Earl of Wiltshire and Ormond, Dr John Stokesley, and Dr. Edward Lee, sent to the Emperor. 20 January 1530, London.

ff. 12r–v: Draft letter in Latin from [Croke to Henry VIII], 27 December 1529, Bologna.

ff. 13r–14v: Draft letter from [Croke to ?], no date.

ff. 15r–25r: Five letters in cipher, undeciphered, said to be from Ghinucci. The first is certainly, and the others are probably, to Henry VIII. See Arundel MS 151.

ff. 26r–32v: Letters from [Croke] to Ghinucci, reporting the searches he made in the libraries of Venice, chiefly among the works of the Church Fathers. He mentions the assistance he received from Girolamo Aleandro, the Vatican librarian, Francesco Giorgio, the reservedness of John Casalis, and a conference he had with Jacob Mantineus concerning the Levitical law of matrimony. 21, 25 and 29 January, and 2, 3 and 4 February 1530, Venice. See Arundel MS articles 29 (ff. 158r–159v), 46 (ff. 183r–184v) and 51 (ff. 190r–191r).

ff. 33r–37r: Three undeciphered letters in cipher, probably from Ghinucci. See Arundel MS 151.

ff. 38r–42r: Original letter in Latin from Ghinucci to Henry VIII, chiefly concerning the perquisitions made in Italy, respecting the law of matrimony. 7 February 1530, Bologna.

f. 43r: Copy of a letter from [Croke] to ?, about his search, [21 February] 1530.

f. 43v: Copy of a letter in Latin, in Croke’s hand, from Ghinucci to [Girolamo Aleandro], recommending John of Flanders (Croke’s assumed name). 24 January 1530.

f. 44r: Copy of a letter in Latin from Robert to [Croke], exhorting him to persist in his endeavours. 12 January 1530, Bologna.

ff. 44r–45r: Five letters in Latin from Ghinucci to [Croke?] of his perquisitions, and directing him to procure respectable subscriptions. 24 and 31 January, 3 and 1 February 1530, and an undated, Bologna.

ff. 45r–v: Copy of a letter in Latin from [Francesco Giorgio to ?], about procuring subscriptions, etc., 9 February 1530, Venice. In Croke’s hand.

ff. 46v–47v: Two letters from [Ghinucci to Croke], on his perquisitions, and the subscriptions; authorizing him to offer a reward to Girolamo Aleandro for his signature. 11 and 24 February 1530, Bologna.

ff. 48r–49r: Copy of a letter from [Croke to Henry VIII], concerning some disputations, opinions, and his proceedings in the affair of subscriptions. 18 February 1530, Venice.

ff. 50r–v: Copy of a letter in Latin from [Croke] to Fox, on his perquisitions; his endeavours to procure a copy of St Basil’s letters, etc. 21 February 1530, Venice. In Croke’s hand.

ff. 52r–54v: Original letter from Stephen Gardiner to Henry VIII, reporting his proceedings at Cambridge to obtain a grace in favour of the king in the cause of his divorce, with a list of the votes. February 1530.

f. 55r: Draft letter in Latin from [Croke to Stokesley] on his progress in the perquisition; an account of Franciscus Georgius, etc., 21 February 1530, Venice.

f. 55v: Draft letter in Latin to be sent to by Henry VIII to the Venetians, extolling the merits of several of their learned men; and desiring that they might freely discuss the question proposed to them in his name, 1530.

The following eight letters concern Croke’s progress in the perquisitions:

f. 56r: Letter in Latin from Croke to Stephanus [Gardiner?], no date.

ff. 56v–57r: Two letters in Latin from [Croke] to Ghinucci, 20 and 22 February 1530.

ff. 56v–57r: Draft letter in Latin from [Croke] to Peter [Ghinucci], 22 February 1530

ff. 57v–58r: Draft letter in Latin from [Croke to Ghinucci], 2 March 1530.

ff. 59r–60r: Draft letter in Latin from Croke to Stokesley, 2 March 1530, Venice.

ff. 60v–61r: Draft letter in Latin from [Croke to Henry VIII], 11 March 1530, Venice.

f. 61v: Draft letter in Latin from [Croke to Ghinucci], about money, etc., 11 March 1530, Venice.

ff. 62r–64r: Letter from [Croke] to ? about his proceedings, and complaining about a want of funds. He encloses a copy of a letter in Greek by Diodorus, Bishop of Tarsus, disapproving of a man marrying two sisters, with a memorandum in Latin signed ‘Ricardus Crocus.’ 21 March 1530, Venice.

ff. 65r–66v: Three draft letters in Latin from [Croke to Ghinucci], on his progress, and complaining about a lack of money, 21, 22, and 26 March 1530, Venice.

ff. 67r–v: Draft letter in Latin from [Croke to ?], on his progress, and complaining about a lack of money, 29 March 1530, Venice.

f. 68r: Draft letter in Latin from [Croke to Francis Crucinus], 16 April 1530, Venice.

ff. 68v–69v: Draft letter in Latin from [Croke to Ghinucci] on his proceedings, etc., 7 April 1530, Venice.

ff. 70r–v: Draft letter from [Croke] to [Tuke], concerning the allowance of his post money and allowance. 7 April 1530, Venice.

ff. 71r–72r: Draft letter in Latin from [Croke to Ghinucci], about money, fear of an assassination, Ghinucci’s failure to protect him, etc., 11 April 1530, Venice.

f. 72v: Document in Latin entitled "Tenor literarum Regiarum’, a summary of ways for influencing the Italian doctors. 1530.

ff. 73r–v: Draft letter in Latin from [Croke to Ghinucci] on some causes of disagreement between them, about money, his leaving Venice, etc., 11 April 1530, Venice.

ff. 74r–v: Draft letter from [Croke] to Fox, justifying himself about Ghinucci, on the practices of the Emperor’s friends against Henry VIII’s cause, etc., [11 April] 1530.

ff. 75r–v: Draft letter from [Croke to Henry VIII], on his proceedings, particularly with Father Francis [Francesco Giorgio]. 23 April 1530, Venice.

f. 76r: Two copies of letters in Latin, from Ghinucci to Croke, about writing to the general of the Friars Minors in aid of Henry VIII’s divorce, and from Ghinucci to Casalis on the same subject, both 13 April 1530, Bologna. In Croke’s hand.

f. 76v: Draft letter in Latin from [Croke to Ghinucci], concerning a list of names to be sent him, etc. 3 May 1530, Venice.

f. 77r: Draft letter in Latin from [Croke to Ghinucci], complaining about Remigius. 9 May 1530, Venice.

f. 77v: Draft letter in Latin from [Croke to Ghinucci], then at Rome; thanks him for kind professions, about money, etc., 4 June 1530, Venice.

ff. 78r–79v: Draft letter from [Croke to Henry VIII], reporting his success in the subscription; desires a commission, further instructions, and money, etc. 26 May 1530, Bologna.

f. 80r: Draft letter from [Croke] to Fox, about the subscriptions, and money, 26 May 1530, Bologna.

f. 80v: Draft letter from [Croke] to Tuke, about the subscriptions, and money, 27 May 1530, Bologna.

f. 81r: Draft letter from [Croke] to Henry VIII, about the subscriptions, and money, 30 May 1530, Padua.

ff. 81v–82r: Draft letter in Latin from [Croke to Stokesley], 2 June 1530, Venice.

f. 82v: Draft letter from [Croke to Henry VIII], complaining about Ghinucci [2 June] 1530.

f. 83r: Copy of a letter in Latin, in Croke’s hand, stating the Pope's licence for the Doctors to pronounce on the legality of the king's marriage, and a form of an opinion to be subscribed by the Doctors who condemn it. [2 June] 1530.

f. 83v: Draft letter from [Croke] to Henry VIII, stating that Mark Raphael, a converted Jew, is in service with the Pope, who plans to make Father Francis [Francesco Giorgio] a cardinal; desires Henry VIII to write to the senate of Venice, and requests money. 31 May 1530, Venice.

f. 84r: Draft letter from [Croke] to Tuke: asking him to pass on a set of subscriptions to Henry VIII. 31 May 1530, Venice.

ff. 84v–86v: Two letters in Latin from [Croke] to Henry VIII on his proceedings, 23 April 1530 [no place] and 15 May 1530, in the Padua boat.

ff. 87r–89v: Two draft letters from [Croke to Stokesley], 9 and 19 June 1530, Venice and in the barge towards Venice from Padua.

f. 89v: Letter in Latin, in Croke’s hand, 2 October 1530, Venice.

ff. 90r–94r: Four letters from [Croke] to Henry VIII on his proceedings. 22 June, 1 and 4 July 1530, Venice, and undated.

ff. 95r–v: Two letters from [Croke] to Tuke, exculpating himself, and about his need for money, 13 and 28 July 1530, Venice.

ff. 96r–100r: Two letters from [Croke to Henry VIII], on the progress of his cause at Venice. 28 July and 5 August 1530, Venice.

ff. 100v–102r: Draft letter from [Croke to Stokesley], reporting a transaction with the Bishop of Verona, concerning the king's cause, etc., 10 and 11 August 1530, Verona.

ff. 102v–103v: Two letters from [Croke] to Benet, on proceedings in the cause, etc. 16 August and 11 September 1530, Venice.

ff. 104r–111v: Three letters from Croke to Henry VIII, reporting the subscriptions he had obtained. 24 and 31 August 1530, Venice, and 7 September 1530, Bologna.

f. 112r: Two draft letters in Latin, from Croke to Ghinucci, concerning documents of the subscriptions, 12 September and 11 October 1530, Venice.

ff. 112v–114r: Two draft letters from [Croke to Henry VIII] on his proceedings with the Governor of Bologna, etc. with a Latin letter subjoined to the first. 16 September 1530, Bologna.

ff. 115r–118v: Three draft letters from [Croke to Stokesley] on his proceedings at Bologna, etc. since the Bishop’s departure. 17 September 1530, Bologna; 28 and 29 September 1530, Ferrara.

f. 119r: Draft letter from [Croke] to Cranmer on his proceedings, and those of the Casalis. 29 September 1530.

f. 119v: Draft letter in Latin from [Croke? to a senator of Venice?], concerning the subscriptions of the University of Padua. October 1530.

ff. 120r–121v: Two draft letters from [Croke] to Henry VIII on his proceedings at Ferrara, etc. 29 September and 1 October 1530, Ferrara.

ff. 122r–v: Draft letter from [Croke] to Cranmer, with intelligence and about money matters, books, etc.

f. 123r: Draft letter in Latin from [Croke to Raphael] about the restitution of some papers; and letters to the king. 14 October 1530, [Venice?]

ff. 123v–124r: Draft letter from [Croke] to [Stokesley] about some domestic concerns, justifying himself, and various intelligence. 1530, Venice.

ff. 125r–v: Draft letter from [Croke] to Cranmer about a book printed at Venice, and intelligence concerning the subscriptions. 17 October 1530, Venice.

ff. 126r–130v: Four draft letters from Croke to Henry VIII, with intelligence concerning his cause. 19 October and 3 November 1530, Venice.

ff. 131r–v: Two draft letters from [Croke] to Cranmer, about money matters, his proceedings, intelligence, and desiring to know how his services are accepted. 23 October 1530.

ff. 132r–134v: Four letters from [Croke] to Henry VIII on his proceedings, 23 October and November 1530, Venice; 20 November 1530, Padua, and 30 November 1530, Venice.

ff. 135r–136r: Corrected draft of a letter in Latin from Henry VIII to Clement VII, approving of his calling a general council on the affairs of religion, 1530.

ff. 137r–v: Fragment of a letter in Latin from [Casalis to Cromwell], on behalf of his brother the protonotary of Venice [17 January 1534].

ff. 139r–140v: Original letter in Italian from Stephanus, Bishop of Syrmia to Paul Casalis, senator of Rome; on the Turks and the king of the Romans’s affairs, 27 [September] 1531.

ff. 141r–v: Original letter in Latin from Ghinucci and Casalis to Henry VIII, reporting a communication they had with the Pope, concerning the opinions of the lawyers; also about the unfavourable proceedings of the Venetians on that subject. 4 January 1532, Rome.

ff. 142r–v: Fragment in Latin of a letter from [Agostino degli Agostini to Cromwell], petitioning for some relief. 5 January 1532.

ff. 143r, 145r–v: Original letter in Latin from Henry VIII to Casalis, thanking him for his services in counteracting the practices of the Imperialists with the Pope, and about remittances. 4 January 1532, Greenwich.

ff. 147r–148v: Original letter in Latin from Ghinucci, Benet and Casalis to Henry VIII, concerning the endeavours of the Imperialists against their suit. 8 and 11 February 1532, Rome.

ff. 149r–v: Letter in Latin from Benet; a promise in the king's name of a bishopric for the Cardinal of Ravenna. 7 February 1532, Rome.

ff. 151r–155v: Letter from [Casalis, Benet? and others] to Henry VIII; about the bishoprics of Chester and Ely, and other church preferment promised to the ‘Old Man and Young Man’ (respectively the Cardinals of Ancona and Ravenna). November 1532.

ff. 156r–161v: ‘Responsa ad allationes advocatorum Ser. Reginae, deductas contra tres conclusiones per partem excusatoris Regiae Majestatis propositas.’ 6 March 1532, Rome.

ff. 163r–167v: Original letter in cipher (deciphered) from [Benet and Casalis] to Henry VIII; negotiation with the ‘Old Man’ (Cardinal of Ancona) about the bishopric of Chester, etc. and other proceedings about the admission of the king's excusatories. 23 March 1532, Rome.

ff. 168r–171v: Letter from Henry VIII to Clement VII, concerning his divorce [September 1530].

ff. 172r–173r: Henry VIII to the Bishop of ?, desiring him to prevail upon Francis I to remonstrate with the Pope about his conduct in the matter of the divorce. 20 April [1534], Greenwich.

ff. 174r–v: Letter in Latin from Henry VIII to the Pope, recommending some restitution to be made to Sir Andrew Casalis (the governor of Bologna). April 1532, London. On parchment.

ff. 176r–180v: Two original letters from Benet, Carne and Bonner to Henry VIII, reporting the disputations held at Rome about the king's divorce. 23 March and 29 April 1532, Rome.

ff. 181r–184v: Original letter in cipher (deciphered) from Benet and Casalis to Henry VIII, about their negotiations with the ‘Old Man’ concerning the bishopric of Chester, and the matter of the divorce. 29 April 1532, Rome. See ff. 156r–161v.

ff. 185r–v: Letter in Latin from Henry VIII to the College of Cardinals, recommending that Ghinucci is made a cardinal. 22 May 1532, Greenwich.

ff. 186r–v: Imperfect key to Casalis's cipher.

ff. 187r–189v: Original letter in cipher (deciphered) from Benet and Casalis to Henry VIII; negotiation with the ‘Old Man’ (the Cardinal of Ancona) who will build upon no more promises of benefices, etc. [7 February] 1532.

f. 190r: Original letter in Latin from Fr. Dionisius, Procurator General of the Servites, to [Henry VIII], professing his desire to do him service. 6 June 1532, Rome.

ff. 191r–192v: Original letter in Latin from Ghinucci and Benet to Henry VIII, about the matter excusatory, the preparations against the Turks, the bulls concerning six bishoprics, etc. 15 June 1532, Rome. The letter starts on f. 191v.

ff. 193r–196r: ‘Informatio brevis super admissione excusatoris Regis Angliae’, [21 June?] 1532.

ff. 198r–199v: Original letter from Carne and Bonner to Henry VIII, reporting some hearings of the Pope in the matter of the divorce. 27 June 1532, Rome.

ff. 200r–203v: Original letter in Latin from Ghinucci, Benet and Casalis to Henry VIII, concerning the excusator, an expedition against the Turks, etc., 27 June 1532, Rome.

ff. 204r–208v: Original letter from Carne and Bonner to Henry VIII, reporting on the proceedings in the consistory at Rome, about the divorce, etc. 15 July 1532, Rome.

ff. 209r–210v: Original letter in Latin from Ghinucci, Benet, and Casalis to Henry VIII, on the above subject. 13 July 1532, Rome. ff. 211r–v: Original letter in Latin from Ber. Boerius, apostolic protonotary, to Cromwell, 30 June 1532, Genoa.

ff. 212r–214v, 215v: Original letter in cipher (deciphered) from Benet and Casalis; a report of the proceedings in the consistory at Rome. 15 July 1532, Rome.

ff. 216r–v: Minutes of letters in Latin concerning an expedition against the Turks [23, 25 and 26 September 1532].

ff. 217r–219v: Two letters of intelligence in Latin [Agostino degli Agostini to Cromwell], 12 and 14 October 1532, Bologna.

f. 220r: Letter in Latin from Henry VIII, promising to translate Cardinal B. d'Accolti from Coventry and Lichfield to Ely, whenever the latter bishopric shall become vacant. 2 November 1532, Calais.

f. 221r: Original letter in Latin from Paulus Parmensis to Henry VIII, informing him that he has named John de la Haey Commissioner General of the order of England, at Henry VIII’s recommendation. 26 October 1532, Paris.

ff. 223r–225r, 226v: Original letter in Latin from Casalis to Henry VIII, with various intelligence about the proceedings of the Pope, the armaments of the Emperor, etc., 16 November 1532, Compiègne.

ff. 227r–230r: Two original letters in Latin from Agostino degli Agostini to Cromwell, with various intelligence. 24 and 27 December 1532, Bologna.

ff. 231r–236r: Henry VIII’s instructions to Sir Thomas Elyot, sent to the Pope, concerning the divorce; at the end a fragment of a letter in Latin from [Casalis to the Duke of Norfolk, 17 January 1534.]

ff. 237r–238v: Henry VIII and the Germans [September 1535].

ff. 239r–240v: Original letter in Italian from Matthew [King?] to Cromwell; tender of service, and intelligence about the Turks, etc. [5 October 1532, Venice].