Letters and Papers 1534. 13 Oct 1534. Vienna Archives. 1257. Chapuys to Charles V.

The German mentioned in my last is one of the counts of Hoy, brother-in-law, and, as I understand, enemy to the King of Sweden. He has already spoken to Cromwell, but not to the King, and it is not known what he is soliciting. The King, being informed there was some talk of a marriage between the Infanta and the Dauphin, despatched the secretary of the French ambassador, as I have before informed you, to propose, as I understand, the marriage of the Bastard with the duke of Angoulême; and it is said that the admiral of France comes to consult upon this with other matters. The King has already sent a ship well armed and equipped for his passage, and given orders that he shall be well received wherever he goes. I understand also that the despatch of the said secretary was in order, that as the French king would not revoke the edict he had made about the shipping of merchandise between England and France, of which I have already written, he would at least suspend its execution, to appease the cry of this people till next parliament, when the acts of which the French complained would be amended. On this hope the suspension has been obtained.

The honest men among the King's Council believed that when there was a new Pope the King would resume his obedience to the Church, but news having lately arrived of the Pope's illness, when the Duke of Norfolk and the Marquis suggested that, like a Catholic prince, he would make no difficulty in obeying the new Pope, he answered that no one should mock him by advising such a thing, for he would have no greater regard for any Pope in the world that might be chosen than for the meanest priest of his kingdom. Two days ago the news of his Holiness's death came by letters from Gregory de Casal, which has been to the King the greatest pleasure in the world, and Cromwell has been unable to refrain from saying several times in public that this great devil was dead, and it seemed as if he was very sorry he could find no worse name for him than devil.

Of late days lord Rochford's (age 31) wife (age 29) has been banished the Court because she had conspired with the (sa qu. la?) Concubine (age 33) to procure the withdrawal from Court of the young lady whom this king has been accustomed to serve (la demoiselle que ce roy a accoustume de servir), whose influence increases daily, while that of the Concubine diminishes, which has already abated a good deal of her insolence (fierte et gloire). The said young lady has of late sent to the Princess to tell her to be of good cheer, and that her troubles would sooner come to an end than she supposed, and that when the opportunity occurred she would show herself her true and devoted servant.

The prohibition lately issued to speak of news from Ireland was to prevent it being known that Kildare had killed more than 1,500 of the King's men. It is said that Skeffington (age 69) had embarked with all his men, and was on the point of setting sail, and, as I understand, he would be glad if the weather were such that he could not cross, for, as he has several times written to his friends, he considers himself undone if her goes. 13 Oct. 1534.Fr., decipher, pp. 2. From a modern copy.