statutes and liberties as well then as now being in the King's hands,) which admittance, as I am informed, is frustrate, if it would so please his Grace to consider the same: therefore gladly would I that my said servant were preferred thereunto before another, considering how it would be to him an apt room, and also a good living therewithal. Wherefore, eftsoons I pray you to show unto him your lawful favour in this behalf, whereby you shall not alonely bind him to be your daily beadman, but also be sure of me to show you any pleasure that I can therefore. And thus fare you well. From my manor of Otteford the xix. day of July.

To my especial friend Master Cromwell.

XXX. TO THE PRIORESS OF ST. SEPULCHRE'S, CAN

TERBURY.

which

6148. fol. 28. b.

Sister Prioress, in my hearty wise I commend me unto Harl. MSS. you. And so likewise will that you do repair unto me to my manor of Otteforde, and bring with you your nun was some time at Courteupstrete, against Wednesday next coming: and that ye fail not herein in any wise. Thus fare you well. From our manor of Otteforde, &c. [1533.] To the Prioress.

XXXI. TO LORD ABERGAVENNY.

In my right hearty wise I commend me unto your lord- Harl. MSS. ship, &c. And where I am informed by divers of my 29.

leges both regal and papal. "Soon after, or about that time, the Burgesses surrendered up their chiefest privileges, (though not all, as from "several complaints is apparent,) together with an obligation, whereby they stood bound to abide the word or decision of the King. After "he had retained them some time in his hands, (the places in the Uni"versity disposal, which fell in that time, being bestowed by him "on those he thought fit, as particularly a Bedell's place,) he at length "(after several articles had been put up against each other in that "time, which for brevity I omit) confirmed all the ancient privileges "and liberties of the University, and commanded all his subjects, par"ticularly the Mayor and Burghers of Oxford, to observe, keep, and in "no wise infringe them."]

X

* [Elizabeth Barton. See Letters LXXXII. LXXXIII. LXXXIV.]

6148. fol.

tenants of Mafeldey, that there be certain ancient franchises and liberties thereunto belonging, which hitherto hath been always quietly maintained by my predecessors; notwithstanding as they do again report, there is one William Smythe hath enterprised to infringe the said liberties, in serving of a Supplicavit to one John Kydder tenant there: in consideration thereof, I heartily desire you, forasmuch as I am myself ignorant of such liberties, that you will execute and provide such condign punishment for the offender herein as law and conscience will suffer you thereunto, so that this poor man may have some redress thereby. Requiring you furthermore henceforward to redress all such offences within my said liberties, upon like informations, according to your discreet and politic wisdom in that behalf, as you shall think most necessary from time to time. And in thus doing you shall not alonely do unto me singular pleasure, but also thereby be sure of me to show at all times that pleasure I may. Thus fare you well. From my manor at Otteforde the xix. day of July.

To my especial friend my Lord of

Burgavenny.

Harl. MSS. 6148. fol. 29.

XXXII. TO THE DEAN OF THE ARCHES.

Mr. Dean, I greet you well. And where I am informed by one James a Bulstrode, that he hath divers witness, which could make manifest depositions concerning the matter of variance in matrimony between him and one Edwardes, whose said witness as yet you have not examined, ne will not, as he reporteth, unless you have some knowledge from me therein I will therefore, in case it be not repugnant or prejudicial to the course of the law, that you take all manner

:

y [Mayfield in Sussex; where was formerly a palace with a park belonging to the see of Canterbury, alienated by exchange in the first year of Edw. VI. Strype, Cranmer, p. 281.]

[Lord Abergavenny appears to have been Steward of the liberties of the Archbishopric. See Letters CCXLIII. CCXLV.]

a [See Letters XXXIII. LXI.]

of depositions, as well for the one part as for the other, to the intent the knowledge of the truth may the more openly appear in this behalf. And thus fare you well. From my manor of Otteford the xxi. day of July.

XXXIII. TO THE DEAN OF THE ARCHES.

Mr. Dean, I greet you well. And where as well the mat- Harl. MSS. 6148. fol. ter in controversy between Thomas Perryb and one Ben- 29. bowe, as also the matter between James Bulstrodec and one Edwardes, stand undetermined, the parties with importune suit always calling unto me thereupon, and the term almost now at an end i[n] consideration thereof, and forasmuch as I am not assured what day is most convenient to appoint the said parties to be here before me, having your assistance therewithal; I will therefore, that ye appoint both day and time in that behalf, willing you further to warn Dr. Townsende to be here with you, so that he may still continue with me in the vacation time. And further, that you appoint either party to bring with them their learned counsel, to the intent we make the more speed therein. Over this I advertise you, that where you desired to know my mind, whether you shall make privy Mr. Chancellor and Pottkyns in the matter which you wrote to me of, my mind is in that behalf, that you shall show nothing to them thereof, but keep the same to yourself until your next resort unto me, when you shall know further of my mind therein. And thus fare you well. From my manor of Otteforde the xxii. day of July.

XXXIV. TO DR. BELL.

I heartily commend me unto you: and forasmuch as ye Harl. MSS. heretofore promised me that I should have a determinate 6148. fol. answer of you, as touching the taking to farm of your be

33.

b [See Letters XXII. XXVIII.]

C

[See Letter XXXII.]

nefice beside Southwell called Normanton for a kinsman of mine, and that the time which ye appointed to give the same is now past I desire you therefore, that ye without any further delay will send me now by my servant this bearer a final answer in this behalf. And where ye before made a stop herein, because of your promise which ye made to Master Basset, I assure you, he hath assigned and remitted unto me his interest and title in the same, like as I shall plainly show you by his letters, what time soever ye require to see them. Thus fare ye well. From my manor of Ottford the xxiiti day of July.

To Master Dr. Bell be this delivered.

shall

Harl. MSS.

6148.

fol. 33.

XXXV. TO DR. BELL.

In my right hearty wise I commend me unto you. And even so thank you for your benevolent kindness, which for my sake ye have showed unto this bearer my kinsman, requiring you hereunto, as ye have begun so to proceed with the same, in all such his matters and affairs as he shall have hereafter to do with you. And forasmuch as ye be so good to grant unto him a lease of your benefice, I require you as in that behalf to let him enjoy it as shortly as you may conveniently, trusting also that you will thereunto extend and enlarge your conscience, for granting sufficient years therein. And look what pleasure or commodity on my behalf I can do for you, ye may be sure of me to accomplish the same from time to time, &c.

Harl. MSS.

6148.

fol. 33.

To the same.

XXXVI. TO DR. CLAYBROKE AND DR. BASSETT.

I heartily commend me unto you: likewise thanking you for this bearer my kinsman, to whom as I understand you be especial friend, in such matters and causes as he hath to do with you, requiring you also in my name and behalf to give condign thanks unto the vicars chorals at Southwell

for the same.

And if I may do unto you or them any pleasure, ye shall always have me ready to that lieth in me the best I can, &c.

To Doctor Claybroke and Doctor Bassett.

XXXVII. TO THE DUCHESS OF NORFOLK d.

6148.

Madam, in my most hearty wise I commend me unto Harl. MSS. your ladyship: and so certify you, that I have received your fol. 30. letter concerning the permutation of the benefice of Cheveing unto your chaplain Mr. Molinex, wherein I was ever minded to satisfy your desire so much as in me was; but for so much as the said Mr. Baschirche changed his mind, and that he hath resigned the said benefice unto another manf, your ladyship's further request now is, to have the next grant of the said benefice of Cheving, when it shall be by any manner way void, promising therefore the resignation of a benefice of the King's patronage, named Curremalet in Somersetshire, to whomsoever I shall name the same. Truly I am right well contented to apply unto your mind therein, although this said benefice of Cheveing is well worth forty marks, which is much more than the eighteen pounds. And where you wrote, that after so many times sent to know my mind herein, as yet you have no word thereof: surely I commanded my servant Creke to inform you after what condition the said benefice was resigned; as knoweth Almighty Jesus, who I beseech to preserve your good ladyship. From my manor of Otteforde, the xxiii. day of July. [1533.]

To the right Honourable and my very good

Lady the Duchess of Northfolk.

d [Probably the Duchess Dowager, who was afterwards attainted of misprision of treason for concealing the misconduct of her grandaughter Catharine Howard.]

e [See Letter CLXV.]

f [Viz. Richard Astall, who was collated to Chevening the 15th of Oct. 1533. Cranmer's Register. See Letters XLIX. LVIII.]