Biography of Admiral Philippe Chabot 1492-1543
Around 1492 Admiral Philippe Chabot was born.
Hall's Chronicle 1532. On the Monday being Simon and Jude’s day, there dined with the King of England, the King of Navarre, and the Cardinal of Lorraine, and the great Master, and Admiral of France, on which day the King of England, called a Chapter of the Knights of the Garter, at which Chapter the French King wore the Blue Mantel of the Order, because he was of the same order, and there were elected Anne Montmorency Earl of Beaumont (age 38), great Master of the Frenche King’s house, and Philip de Chabot Earl of Newblanke (age 39), great Admiral of France, which had to them their Collars and Garters delivered, for the which they rendered to the King great thanks.
The Maner of the Triumphe at Caleys and Bulleyn. 11 Oct 1532. I1 will certyfye you of our newes in the partyes of Calais. Fyrst the xj. day of October whiche was Fryday in the mornyng at. v. of the clocke the kynges grace toke his Shyppe called the Swallowe and so came to Caleys by. x. of the clocke. And there he was receyved with processyon and with the mayre and the lorde delite and all the speres [knights] and the sowdyours in araye with a greate peale of gonnes and laye in Caleys tyll the Sondaye seuenyght after. And on the. xvj. day of October my lorde of Norffolke (age 59) accompanyed with my lord of Darby (age 23) and a great nombre of gentilmen besydes mette with the great mayster of Fraunce vj. myles fro Calays at the englysshe pale the sayd great mayster hauynge two greate lordes in his company of theyr ordre and a hondred gentylmen attendynge vpon them. And there my lorde of Norffolke (age 59) and the greate mayster deuysed the place where the two kynges sholde mete whiche was at Sandyngfelde. And that done they wente bothe to Caleys with theyr companyes. And the sayd greate mayster with dyuerse other straungers dyned that daye with ye Kynge. And after dyner my lorde of Norffolke brought them forth on theyr way a myle or two and so departed for that tyme (age 59).
Note 1. In the Second Edition, the text begins with:
The names of the noble men of Fraunce.
Fyrst the frensshe Kynge.
The kynge of Nauerne [Henry d'Albret, King of Navarre (age 29)]
The Dolphyn Duke of Brytayne Frauncys (age 14).
The duke of Orlyaunce Henry (age 13).
The duke of Angoulesme Charles (age 10).
The duke of Vendosme Charles (age 43).
The duke of Guyse (age 35).
The duke of Longouille (age 22).
The cardynall of Burbon.
The cardynall of Lorrayne (age 34)
The Legate and cardynall chaunceler of Fraunce Antony de prayt (age 69).
The cardynal tournon.
The cardynal gramond (age 46).
The marques of Lorayne de pont.
The marques of Rochelyne.
The two sonnes of the duke of Vendosme.
The sone of the duke of Guyse conte damualle. [D'Aumale]
The conte of saynt Poule Frauncys ile Burbon.
The conte of Neuers.
The conute [sic] Loys de Neuers conte danseore.
The lorde marshal! seigneur de Floraynge.
The lorde myrepois marshall de la foy. [A descendant of Guy de Lews, -who -was elected marshall of the Crusaders "who marched against the jilbigenses ; hence his successors -were all called Marec/iaux de la Foi. He received the lands of Afire foix, in Languedoc, in return for hit services. The family became very illustrious, and tve refer readers ivho have the time and patience to study a very curious piece of family history, to tlie turnings of Carrier and Lognac.]
The conte de porsean.
The conte de bresne.
The conte de tonnore. [The Comte de Tonnerre.]
The conte de sensare.
The conte de grant pre.
The conte d'apremont.
The lorde greate mayster Anne de Momerancy (age 39).
The lorde admarald Philyp Schabbot (age 40).
The lorde grand esquyer Galliot.
The prynce of molse.
The conte de tande. [This is undoubtedly Honorat, son of Pillars, Comte de Tende, natural son of Philip, duke of Sairoy. Villars had been killed at Pavia in 1525. Honorat's daughter married the great duke de Mayenne.]
The conte de villars. [Andre de Brancas, contte de Villars.]
The conte de estampes Johan de la berre. [Jean de Berri, ccmte d'Etampes,]
The conte de chambre. [Chambery?]
The lorde canamples.
The lorde barbeluiez.
The lorde hummeres. [Probably Henry de Cre'vant d'Humieres, ancestor of the celebrated marechal d' Humiercs.]
The lorde roche piot.
The lorde of saynt Andrews.
The lorde montigeu.
The lorde roche guyon.
The lorde piennes.
The lorde pontremy.
Monsieur de longe.
Monsieur de belley. Probably Martin du Bel/ay, prince a" T-vetot.
The archebysshop of Roan.
The archebysshop of Vienne.
The bysshop of Lyseures.
The bysshop of Langres.
The bysshop of Charttres.
The bysshop of Lymoges.
The bysshop of beauuoys.
The bysshop of Auuergne.
The bysshop of Macon.
The bysshop of Castres.
The bysshop of Paris.
The bysshop of Angoulesme.
And as concernynge the nobles and ryall states of this realme it necleth not to expresse by name.
The Maner of the Triumphe at Caleys and Bulleyn. 28 Oct 1532. And vpon monday whiche was the twenty-ninth [a mistake for twenty-eighth?] day of October at Caleys our kyng made the great mayster of Fraunce (age 39) and the admyrall of Fraunce (age 40) knyghtes of the garter. And that daye there was a greate wrastelynge betwene englysshe men and frensshe men before bothe the kynges the frensshe kynge had none but preestes that wrasteled which were bygge men and stronge they were bretherne but they had moost falles1.
Note 1. After "most falls" the Second Edition inserts, "And as concernynge the haboundaunt and lyberal mutytude of gyftes that were so louyngly and cordyally gyuen on bothe partyes (to the greate honour of bothe the kynges) my penne or capacit can not expresse it as well amonge the greate lordes as vnto the lowest yemen that bare ony offyce in eyther kynges hous and specially the kynges gyftes on both partyes alway rewarded the one lyke vnto ye other And all other gyftes was nothynge but ryche plate golde coyne and syluer was of no estymacyon beside raymentes horses geldynges fawcons beres dogges for the game with many other whiche were to moche to write. And upon the xxix. day" &c.
In Oct 1533 Admiral Philippe Chabot (age 41) was appointed 296th Knight of the Garter by King Henry VIII of England and Ireland (age 42).
Letters and Papers 1535. 14 Jan 1535. 48. Nothing is known about news from Ireland, except that about three days ago Cromwell delivered a good sum of money to two Irishmen, and said to some who were present that they had already taken one of the principal of those who had caused trouble there, and that Kildare would be taken and brought hither in a few days. Cromwell also mentioned that the king of France was raising lanceknights about Lorraine and the county of Montbeliard. Kildare has long been threatened, and will take as good care of himself as hitherto. It is true many fear that his men may betray him if he has not money to maintain them. I am told by a good man that about 60 English harquebusiers had entered some tower, but were surprised and driven out by Kildare, leaving their arms behind. I hear the King and Council are much disappointed at hearing nothing from France on the subject of the negotiations between the King and the Admiral (age 43), and they fear some intelligence with your Majesty. The King hopes that at an interview with Francis, which he reckons will be very soon, he will break off all other understandings. And to persuade Francis the better to this assembly, in order that he may not excuse himself, as last year, I am told that the King has come to no determination on any of the matters proposed by the Admiral (age 43), but put off his answer till the meeting. That was the answer given (among other things) as to the marriage of this princess with the duke of Angouleme; which the Admiral (age 43), I am told, took very ill; and still worse what occurred at the feast the King gave him on the eve of his departure, when he, being seated next the Lady (age 34), while they were dancing, she burst into a fit of incontrollable laughter without any occasion. The Admiral (age 43) frowned, and said, "What, madam, do you laugh at me?" On which she excused herself by saying it was because the King had told her he was going to ask for the Admiral's (age 43) secretary to amuse her, and that the King had met on the way a lady who made him forget the matter. I don't know if the excuse was accepted as satisfactory. The King, on the other hand, and the Lady were much disappointed that the Admiral (age 43) showed no pleasure at any attention that was shown to him, even at the Tower of London and the Ordnance.
Letters and Papers 1535. 05 Feb 1535. Castelnau's Memoirs, i. 405. (Edit. Brussels, 1731.) 174. Palamedes Gontier to Admiral Chabot (age 43).
Was detained at Boulogne, as he wrote on Thursday night. Next day embarked at 4 a.m. Had a bad passage. The tide not serving to go up to Gravesend, went by Waterford (Canterbury?), and arrived on Sunday in London.
Passed the Thames near the house of Boidoval (Bridewell?), where he met Morette, who was very glad to see him, not daring to show himself to the King, who had spoken to him very sharply about the delay in Chabot's (age 43) answer. He sent to tell Norfolk and Cromwell of Gontier's arrival, and he was straightway conducted to Westminster to the King. After reading the Admiral's (age 43) letters and asking after his and the King's health, Henry drew him apart, and leaning on the sideboard heard what he had to say. Said that the Admiral (age 43) had not forgotten since his return to declare to Francis what Henry had charged him with, especially his entire good-will to preserve and increase the friendship and alliance between them, at which Francis was much rejoiced. As to the proposed marriage between the Princess (age 1) and Mons. d'Angoulesme (age 13), Francis doubts not that having given her that name, Henry will assure it to her and treat her as his only heiress, so that the Crown of England may come to her on his death. The Admiral (age 43) says that his king thinks some means ought to be found to deprive Lady Mary (age 18) of any occasion or means of claiming the Crown.
Here the King explained to him what had been done by Parliament since the Admiral's (age 43) departure; that the Princess (age 1) had been proclaimed and an oath taken throughout the kingdom; that everyone takes Mary (age 18) for the bastard she is, and he will have no other heir but the Princess, with whom, and in his power (en sa main), now is and will be the said Mary; there is no chance of her becoming queen or claiming any right to the Crown. He went on to say that it was only required for Francis to cause the Pope to annul the invalid dispensation given for the first marriage, and then all doubts would cease. Went on to the other points of his instruction. He is willing to give up the title of France, to take away all occasion of ancient enmities, and declared to Chabot the means to bring it to pass. Spoke about the 50,000 cr. for the pension for life, and 10,000 cr. of salt, saowing him how obliged the King and the kingdom would be if he were to give them up, without mentioning that that would be enough to break off the interview of the two Queens. Henry took this ill, saying that he had done so much for Francis, his children and his kingdom, that it is not fair to ask him to give this up, which he knows is unwillingly paid and odious; it is an honour to his kingdom to have them; it was a strange recompense when he offered the heiress of a kingdom to a younger son; they ought rather to give him something than ask; that it made him think there was a practise going on elsewhere, considering the delay in giving him an answer. Said to him that he ought to take this proposal differently, as it was founded on an overture he had himself made to the Admiral; he would put the French king under the greatest obligation to him, and it would be more to his glory and profit in the future than the payment. As to the perpetual pension, he did not object to what was proposed. He objected to the idea of being included if a treaty were made between Francis and the Emperor; there must be no hope of a treaty. The Emperor had already offered to accept what had been done in England, both the second marriage and other things, and even that the Princess should be heiress and Mary succeed in case of her death. With regard to the article excusing Francis from commencing war against the Emperor, unless he declares himself in aid of Piedmont, Savona or Genoa, on which side he will be very glad to begin the war on account of the quarrels which he has, Henry asked him when he wished to begin. Replied that he had the authority to hasten or delay, as he wished, for Francis would act according to the answer sent back by Gontier. Meanwhile he was not losing a single hour in putting his forces in readiness.
Letters and Papers 1535. 05 Feb 1535. 174. On the Monday following at 8 a.m. declared his charge to Cromwell; the Admiral's hope that he would help to bring matters to a good issue, and Francis' satisfaction on hearing that such a virtuous and wise person had the ear of the King. To this Cromwell replied with thanks and expressions of affection that I cannot write. He alone has more influence with his master than any other; the late Cardinal of York had not more. He spoke much of his master's prosperity and authority and the quiet of the kingdom. He has increased his revenue by 500,000 cr., for since the Admiral's departure Parliament has given him the ordinary tenths, besides which he will take this year the annates of bishopries, abbeys, and other benefices, of which the possessors are bound to take from the King new bulls and provisions, and give up those from the Pope as null, and to swear to hold their benefices of the King. He showed me a copy of the oath sworn by the bishops. He says that by a little writing, from himself alone, he can be obeyed and summon all princes and lords for his master's service.
Cromwell then took him to Westminster, where he presented his letters to Norfolk (age 62). He asked much about the Admiral, as did "Messieurs de Suffolck (age 51) et Fischer" (Fitzwilliam?). After dinner, was taken by Cromwell to the King in the matted gallery, where the Admiral (age 43) spoke with the King the first time. He asked a copy in writing of what Gontier had said to him, and put it in his sleeve without looking at it. He then began to walk about, and talked for three hours.
He complained of the practises on the side of Spain for the marriage of the Emperor's daughter with the Dauphin, and not long ago the Imperial ambassador had been for a long time shut up with the French queen; that three despatches had been made towards Spain since the Admiral's return, and he saw now that the delay in Gontier's coming was to wait for a reply. He said they wished to accomplish (joindre) the marriage of the Dauphin and also at the same time that of his daughter the Princess, so as to be supported on both sides. Unless these practises are broken he must be careful of speaking, showing that he has great suspicions, for this was not the language that Francis used both by mouth and in writing. He remembered also one day Francis saying to his children that they must never forget the inhuman treatment of the Emperor to him and to them, and if they did not avenge it after his death, if he could not himself, as he hoped, he gave them his curse. He accused the Emperor of deceit and breaches of faith, and of trying to disturb by false offers the friendship between them, repeating what he had said the previous evening, that he had made him offers, and he could be on good terms with him if he liked, but any reconciliation on this side would be too dangerous. He had kept his promise, and never been engaged in any practises, and he complained of what had been done at Marseilles, of which he had no knowledge nor participation till afterwards. He said the French Council governed as if their only object was to lose good friends, and he wished Francis would take the management of his affairs more into his own hands. In consequence of having supported France he had lost the Emperor's friendship, who called him son bon pere, and had often written and promised that he would do nothing contrary to what he ought as a son. France would find herself deceived, whatever promises he had made; even the surrender of Milan would not be accomplished when the time came. His only intention was to show to England and others that there was no reliance upon Francis' friendship. He would find himself cut out in Italy if he did not advance soon, for the Emperor would be there first, speaking also of the league agreed to by all the potentates and signories of Italy. As to the Pope, Francis ought to act quite differently, and get out of him what he had.
Letters and Papers 1535. 25 Feb 1535. 263. The King complained wonderfully of the king of France, in presence of lord Montague and several others, saying "qui luy estoit bas devant1," and that if a pope had done such injury to the king of France as had been done to him, he would not be content with throwing off obedience to the Church. but would have gone and burnt Rome, Pope and Cardinals; and he comforted himself by one thing,—that he had shown the true way of salvation to his subjects, and he expected, will-he nill-he, that the French king would come to it in the end. I am told the King unburdened his stomach (s'est desgorgé) still more bravely to the French ambassador the other day, when those of the Council dined with Cromwell; there was not a man among them but bestowed some epithet (blason) on the French. Cromwell dwelt strongly upon the ingratitude of the Grand Master, Admiral (age 43) and Monpesan, to whom he had given great presents, and who had scarcely said thank-you; but he hoped some day to revenge it. He is particularly displeased with the Admiral (age 43), whom he has covertly jeered at to me in a very emphatic way.
Note 1. who was low in front of him
Letters and Papers 1535. 22 Jun 1535. Add. MS. 8,715, f. 76 b. B. M. 909. Bishop of Faenza to M. Ambrogio.
The Admiral (age 43), who was 22 days at Calais, returned on the 17th, though it was said everywhere that he would go on to England. Mons. de Ricciafort (age 32) (Rochford), the brother of the new Queen (age 34), came here for eight days, but, as far as could be seen, did nothing. It is only from his relation to the Queen that he is employed, for the King has very few to trust in. All business passes through the hands of people who depend on the new Queen, and must therefore be settled according to her purpose. This was the case in the negociations with the Admiral (age 43), which were broken off on account of his refusal to allow the duke of Angoulême to go to England until the girl was old enough to be married, and because he would not declare in any way against the Church, or in favour of the King's second wife (age 34) (ne voler difendere in alcun modo contro la chiesa o declaratione del concilio la causa della seconda moglie1). Every one knows that the alliance (parentado) has not been concluded, as both sides confidently affirmed it would be, but that the ambassadors separated very ill satisfied, and the English are guarding Calais more carefully than they have done, even when the French were there in greater numbers. However, both sides affirm the friendship to be firmer than ever. The French king and Council say that their respect to the Holy See and the Pope has been the principal cause of their not coming to some other understanding (ad altro ristretto) with the king of England, who is a most bitter enemy of the Church, and so firm in his opinion that he intends to die in it, and tries to have this kingdom for company. The Duke of Norfolk (age 62), according to the Admiral (age 43), affirms that he would sooner die than see any change as regards the King or the new Queen; which is not unlike what the writer has heard in other ways of Norfolk, viz., that this breaking off might reasonably have been expected, matters depending very much on his dexterity, and the affairs of England being commonly managed more than barbarously. For he, being one of the greatest men in the kingdom, and having sons, and the Duke of Richmond (age 16) for his son-in-law, might hope one day to have that daughter for one of his sons, or, if disorders ensued, to get the rule into his own hands. The French lords are not too well contented with the English, who, since Norfolk's return, have despatched a courier, and show themselves displeased that nothing was concluded at Calais. The Admiral (age 43), though he takes Fisher's (age 65) case much to heart, has great fears for his life, especially as the Pope says in the brief that the created him a cardinal to make use of him in the Council. He says also that the English pretended that he could not live much more than a month, being a valetudinarian of 90; which shows what they mean to do with him, reckoning him 25 years older than he is, although they declare there is no hope in any case of his coming out of prison. These are truly the most monstrous things seen in our time. The French make great account with the Pope of not listening to anything proposed to them by the English which might turn to the damage of the Holy See.
Ital., pp. 9, modern copy. Headed: In Amoien, al Sig. M. Ambrogio, alli 12 (sic) ut supra.
2. An extract copy from the original is in the Vatican transcripts, dated Amiens, 22 June 1535. Pp. 3.
Note 1. nor want to defend the cause of the second wife in any way against the church or declaration of the council
Letters and Papers 1535. 22 Jun 1535. Add. MS. 8,715, f. 80 b. B. M. 910. Bishop of Faenza to M. di Fossumbrone, Papal Nuncio with the Emperor.
The Admiral (age 43), who was at Calais with the Duke of Norfolk (age 62), returned six days ago without having concluded the marriage of the duke of Angoulême with the last daughter (age 1) of the King, which was spoken of as certain on both sides, or anything else that one can hear of; but the capitulation and the old friendship remain. The cause was the exorbitant demand of the English that the French king should bind himself to maintain Henry's marriage against the Pope and any determination of the Council; and finally they wished him to act in Church matters as had been done in England. They are very anxious about Fisher (age 65). The English who were at Calais say that he will not come out of prison; that he is 90 years of age, and very ill, giving him 25 years more than he has; and that he cannot live more than a month; so that it is easily seen that in this their actions correspond with the others. The cardinal of Paris set out four days ago for Rome. * * *
Ital., pp. 2, modern copy. Headed: A Mons. di Fossumbrone, Nuntio di Sua Santita all a Maesta Casarea. D'Amien, alli 22 di Giugno 1535.
On 01 Jun 1543 Admiral Philippe Chabot (age 51) died.
