Hall's Chronicle 1522. 04 Jun 1522. Thursday, they that jousted the other day, appointed themselves to tourney, and as the King was arming him, there came to him one George Luffkin and showed him, that there was one come from his Ambassador in France, the King called for the messenger, and delivered his letters, which the King read, and said to Sir William Compton (age 40), tell the Emperor that I have news, if it pleases him to come hither. Sir William Compton (age 40) went and told this to the Emperor, which without delay came to the King, which showed him the letters from Sir Thomas Cheney (age 37) his Ambassador, wherein was contented the definitive answer made as well to Sir Thomas Cheney (age 37), as to Clarenseaux King of Arms of England, by the French Kinge, to the King’s requests for you shall understand, that the King of England by his Ambassador, had often times demanded, both his tribute and his lawful debt, and also restitution to be made to his subjects grieved, and farther also the league was broken, by making war on the Emperor, so that now by the league the King of England should be enemy, to him that first brake, and did take part with the other, yet he had so much compassion, on shedding of Christen blood, that he would not enter war, but shew himself a mediator and an entreator between them. And upon this Sir Thomas Cheney had often moved the French King, and also moved him to take peace with the Emperor for two years, so that some mediation of peace might be entreated, in the meane season, to all this the French King answered we have well considered your master’s desire, to the which we nothing agree, nor hold us content with his request. Sir said the Ambassador, the King my master shall be advertised of your answer by me, wherefore I beseech your grace of safe-conduct, to return into England. Then said the King, there is an officer of arms come hither out of England, let him come and he shall be heard, and have an answer, to which thing Sir Thomas Cheney answered not, but with reverence departed, and so on the twenty-first day of May, the said officer called Clarenceux King of Armes, came to the French King’s chamber at Lyon, which was accompanied with many noble men and gentlemen, and then Clarenceux put on his coat of arms, and desired license to speak, and liberty according to the law of arms, which was to him granted: then he declared that where the French King was bound by league tripartite, to keep peace with the Emperor, and with the King of England, and whosoever first brake, the other two to be enemies to him, to the which league the French King was sworn, which league he apparently had broken, by making war on the Emperor, by Sir Robert de la Marche, and by himself in person. Wherefore the King by that league must be his enemy, and take part against him.

Also, he declared, that the French King kept away the King’s rents, and debts, due to him. Also, that he detained the dower of the French Queen. Also, that contrary to his promise, he had sent the Duke of Albany into Scotland. Also, that contrary to justice he had imprisoned merchants, having his safe-conduct, where they should have gone in safety seeing there was no war proclaimed, between him and the King his master. All these articles with many more, the King my master is ready to prove. Nay said the French King, I began not the war, nor sent Robert La Marche to make war, but commanded him to the contrary, and or I made war in proper person, his war was open, and he had our town of Tournay strongly besieged, and as touching the Duke of Albany, it hath cost me forty thousand Francs, to keep him out of Scotland, but I could not let him to go into his own country. This the French King excused his untruth. Sir I am farther charged to tell you, said Clarenceux that the King my sovereign lord, holds you for his mortal enemy this day forth, and al your adherents. Well said the French King, I looked for this a great while agone, for sith the Cardinal was at Bridges, I looked for no other, but you have done your message: then the French King rose and departed, and Clarenceux was conveyed to his lodging, and shortly after, Sir Thomas Cheyney and he, by safe-conduct, departed and came to Boulogne, and there Monsieur Fayet captain there, them both stayed until the Ambassador of France, which had lain in England, were clearly delivered out of Calais. The whole circumstance of the demands and defiance, and the French King’s answer, was contained in the letter, which was brought to the King, which showed it to the Emperor (as you have hard) but while the King and the Emperor looked on the letter, a sodden noise rose amongst both their subjects, that it was a letter of defiance, sent to them both by the French King, which was nothing so. Thus, now was the war open of all parties, between England and France, and Spain. When the two princes had of this matter commoned their fill, the Emperor called for a horse, and the King himself was armed, and both the bends that should tourney, mounted on horseback, and the Emperor in rich apparel of tissue and richly trapped brought the King into the field, and took up his horse, that all men had great pleasure to behold him. The men of arms fell to tourney, and broke swords and were severed, and after came together again, and fought very valiantly, and when time was, the heralds cried the disarm, and as one as the King was unarmed the Emperor and he went to supper, and after supper, the King brought the Emperor into the hall where was a cupboard of twelve stages, all set with great mighty plate all of gold, at the upper end hung three clothes of estate, and the hall was full of great lights, set on gilt branches.

Letters and Papers 1528. 30 Jun 1528. R. O. 4442. Sir William Compton (age 46).

Will of Sir William Compton, made on 8 March 1522, 14 Henry VIII. Desires to be buried at Compton Wynyates [Map] in Warwickshire, beside his ancestors: That is if his [his wife] wife (age 28) die before he return home from his journey, she be afterwards brought to Compton and buried there. Bequeaths to his wife (age 28) movables at Bettyschorne, and at the great park of Windsor, and the plate which belonged to Francis Cheyny, "my predecessor." If his wife be delivered of a son, bequeaths to him all his household stuff at Compton, with the plate which was given him by the French king in a schedule. His wife to have the control of it till the child be of age. If he have a son, bequeaths to each of his daughters 1,000 marks for their marriages, and 100 marks in plate. Wills that 40 pair of vestments be made of one suit, to be distributed to the parish churches in the counties of Warwick and Worcester, adjoining to Compton. All his apparel to be used in making vestments and other works of charity. Bequeaths to the abbey of Winchcomb his wedding gown of tynsen satin, to make a vestment that they may pray for the souls of his ancestors. Wills his executors to release to the monastery of Denny all the debts they owe him, and bequeaths to them £10 for an obit. Bequeaths goods to the value of 200 marks to be distributed to poor householders, and to the marriages of poor maids in the counties of Warwick and Worcester. Wills that a tomb of alabaster be prepared for his [his father] father, with his arms graven upon it. Bequeaths to the King (age 37) his little chest of ivory with gilt lock, "and a chest bourde under the same, and a pair of tables upon it," with all the jewels and treasure enclosed, now in his wife's custody; also "certain specialties to the sum of 1,000 marks, which I have of Sir Thomas Bullen (age 51), knight," for money lent to him. Wills that his children have their plate on coming to their full ages; i.e., on the males coming to the age of twenty-one, and the females to the age of eighteen.

Bequests to his sister [Elizabeth] Rudney, and his cousin John Rudney, her son. Wills that his mother's body be taken up and buried at Compton Wynyates [Map]. Bequest to the daughter of his aunt Appulby. £20 to be put in a box at the abbey of Winchecombe, to make defence for all such actions as may be wrongfully taken against his wife or his executors. Two chantries to be founded in his name at Compton Wynyates [Map], to do daily service for the souls of the King, the Queen, my Lady Anne Hastings (age 45), himself, his wife and ancestors. The priests to be appointed by the Abbot of Winchecombe, or, failing him, the Abbot of Evesham. 5 marks a year to be paid to the parson of Compton to keep a free grammar school. £100 a year to be paid to his wife during her life, for her jointure, besides her inheritance in Barkeley's lands. Bequests to the monasteries of Evesham, Hayles, Winchecombe, Worcester, Croxton, the charterhouses of Henton and Coventry, for obits; to Sir William Tyler, Sir Thomas Lynne, Thomas Baskett and George Lynde; to his servants who happen to be with him this journey; to John Draper, his servant, and Robert Bencare, his solicitor; to Griffin Gynne, now with Humphrey Brown, serjeant-at-law, for his learning; and to Lady Anne Hastings (age 45). Executors appointed: [his wife] Dame Warburgh my wife (age 31), the bishop of Exeter (age 66), Sir Henry Marney, Lord Privy Seal, Sir Henry Guildford (age 39), Sir Richard Broke, Sir John Dantsy, Dr. Chomber, Humphrey Brown, serjeant-at-law, Thomas Leson, clk., James Clarell and Thomas Unton. Appoints my Lord Bishop of  Canterbury (age 78) supervisor of his will. Gifts to the executors.

3. Bargain and sale by Sir Henry Guildford (age 39), Humphrey Brown, Thomas Hunton and Thomas Leeson, as executors of Sir William Compton, to Sir Thomas Arundell, of certain tenements in St Swithin's Lane [Map], [London,] lately in the possession of Lewis... and Humphrey... as executors of Sir Richard Wingfield.

4. Inventory of the goods of Sir William Compton in his house in London.

Ready money, gold and silver, 1,£338 7s. 0½d. Jewels of gold and silver, £898 6s. 2d. Gilt plate, £85 5s. 3d. Parcel gilt plate, £31 12s. 2d. White plate, £90 0s. 3½d. Silks, £210 13s. 6d.=2,£654 4s. 5d.

5. Names of the officers upon the lands late Sir William Compton's.

[Note. Lots of names of Steward and Bailiffs and values.].

6. Inquisition taken in Middlesex on the death of Sir William Compton, 20 Henry VIII.

Found that Richard Broke, serjeant-at-law, [Walter Rodney] [Names in brackets crossed out], William Dyngley and John Dyngley, now surviving, with [Sir Rob. Throgmerton and William Tracy,]* deceased, were seized of the manors of Totenham, Pembrokes, Bruses, Daubeneys and Mokkyngs, with lands in Tottenham, Edelmeton and Enfeld, to Compton's use; and that George Earl of Shrewsbury (age 60), Henry Earl of Essex, John Bourchier Lord Bernes (age 61), [Sir Rob. Ratclyf,]* Rob. Brudenell (age 67), justice of the King's Bench, Richard Sacheverell (age 61) [and Thomas Brokesby],* now surviving, with [Sir Ralph Shyrley,]* deceased, were seized of the manor of Fyncheley and lands in Fyncheley and Hendon to his use. His son, [his son] Peter Compton (age 5), is his heir, and is six years old and over.

7. Citation by Wolsey (age 55), as legate, of Sir William Compton, for having lived in adultery with the wife (age 45) of Lord Hastings (age 41), while his own wife, dame Anne Stafford Countess Huntingdon (age 45), was alive, and for having taken the sacrament to disprove it.

4443. Sir William Compton.

Inventory of the goods of Sir William Compton at his places in London, Compton, Bittisthorne, the Great Park of Windsor, Sir Walter Stoner's place. Total of moveables, 4,£485 2s. 3½d. "Sperat dettes," estimated at 3,£511 13s. 4d. "Chatell Royall," £666 13s. 4d.

Wards.-One ward that cost £466 13s. 4d.; another of 500 marks land; the third, "Sir George Salynger's son and his heir." There is at Windsor Great Park plate embezzled to the value of £579 2s. 6d., as appears by a bill found in Sir William's place at London. Desperate debts estimated at 1,£908 6s. 8d. Debts owing by him estimated at £1,000