over to allow him such a diet, whereof alone he may maintain his room and office to the King's honour. Wherein I beseech you to persuade the King's Highness in my name, adding thereunto all the help that you may do also. And as for his acquaintance with the King's great cause, I know no man in England can defend it better than he. Nevertheless I pray you send him again to me, that we may confer it together once again, before he depart hence. Thus our Lord have you in his preservation. From my manor at Otteforde the 5th day of January.

Your own assured
Thomas Cantuar.

To mine especial and singular good

friend Master Cromewell.

XC. TO CRUMWELL.

Chapter
House,

Westmin

Right Worshipful Master Crumwell, in my hearty manner I commend me to you. So it is that at my late being ster; Crum- at Forde, it was brought to my notice and knowledge, that respond- the Monk Dering m hath lately compiled and made (sithens ence. Ori- the first time that Mr. Henry Golden came to be examined

well's Cor

ginal.

before me) a certain treaty de Duplice Spiritu, in which mention is made, as well for the defence of the Nun's revelations, as for the soluting of my reasons made unto the said Golde. Whereupon I have diligently examined the said Dering, which hath confessed that he hath made such a book, but he will in no wise be known where it is, saying that he hath burned the same. That notwithstanding, I have caused him to write the whole effect (as he saith it is) of the same book, the copy whereof I have sent unto you sealed, which is a very minute thing, in respect of the same m [See Letters LXXXII-LXXXIV.]

66

n

["Henry Golde took upon him to be interpreter between Eliza"beth Barton, and one of the Pope's orators, named Anthonye Pullyon."..." And the said Henry Gold over this, actually travelled and "made relation thereof to the Lady Katharyne, Princess Dowager, to "animate her to make commotion in this realm against our Sovereign "Lord." Stat. 25 Hen. VIII. cap. 12.]

book which was first made, as it is thought. And therefore I pray you to take the pains to examine the said Golde, and such other of his adherents, as ye shall think most meet to be examined in this matter; whether he or they, or any of them do know of any such book, or have seen or heard of any such or not, and at your convenient leisure to ascertain me of his and their sayings in this behalf, and of all such other comperts as you shall by the same your examination try and search out. For the person, by whom I came to the knowledge hereof, hath informed me, that the book was delivered unto the said Golde, and that he thinketh that Golde hath it still in his custody; wherefore I do think it very expedient that some good and politic mean be made for the trial and search of the verity in the premises betimes, without tract or delay, praying you that it may be so. From Ottforde, the 6th day of January. [1534.]

Your own assured ever
Thomas Cantuar.

To the Right Worshipful and his very
loving friend Mr. Crumwell, of the
King's Grace's most honourable
Council.

XCI. To JOHN BUTLERo.

I commend me to you: willing you that ye shall nothing Harl MSS. do touching my visitation in those parties at Calice, until 6148. fol. ye 18. shall farther know of my mind therein; but such diligent inquisition as shall lie in you to make for the trial and truth of the matrimony between Fraunceis Hastynges and his pretended wife, I will that ye shall use and make; and especially to learn and know, how and for what cause the first matrimony between Davison and the said pretended wife of Hastynges was dissolved, and of the premises to ascertain me, with as good speed as ye may therein conveniently use.

[See Letters LXXXVI. CCXXV.]

This done, ye shall afterwards know farther of my mind
touching the same. Albeit in the mean time, if Davison be
dwelling or commorant within my jurisdiction there, ye shall
call and convent him and the other two personages afore
you; and first examine the former contract: which done,
ye shall much the sooner come to the verity and truth of the
second. But in case the said Davison be in England, or in
any place out of my jurisdiction, I will then, that upon
knowledge had of the certainty where he is, ye shall either
write your letters to the Ordinary there, and to him inti-
mate the very fact and merit of the same matter, (as far as
ye
do know in it,) and to desire him in my name to examine
the said Davison herein, and to transmit unto you the copies
of the same examination for your information and instruc-
tion in that behalf; or else shall advertise and advise the
said Fraunces Hastynges, and his pretended wife, to be con-
tented that the matter may be examined where the said Da-
vison doth dwell. And in this behalf I require you to use
such diligence and industry as shall beseem you to use, as
well for the due trial and truth in the premises, as for your
certificate unto me in the same. From Otforde the xiiith
day of the month of January.

To Master Butler, my Commissary
at Calice.

Harl. MSS.

6148.

fol. 42.

XCII. TO THE RECTOR OF PETWORth.

In my right hearty wise I commend me unto you. So it is, as I am informed, that one John Bower P, now farmer of your parsonage of Petewourth, doth therein enjoy a lease of yours, which by reason when it shall happen to be expired, the same much doubteth, lest that at the end and term of the same he be clearly avoided thereof, by some other suit, to his no little both damage and hinderance, being now so

P [In the Valor Ecclesiasticus, 1535, John Bowyar is stated to be Seneschal of the rectory lands of Petworth, and Thomas Maundvyld to be Rector.]

furnished and settled therein: I require you at this my in-
stance, ye
will not alonely renew to him his said lease from
time to time, but also to suffer to continue therein all such
covenants as hath been hitherto observed between you.
And in thus doing I will show unto you like pleasure, when
you shall reasonably require the same. From Lameth the
viiith day of February.

XCIII. To

I commend me unto you. And where it is so, that through Harl. MSS. 6148. fol. a controversy, lately begun between you and divers of your parochinars, for certain tithe which you now challenge of them by the course of the law, and so thereby constrained, they have sued unto me for a more quiet end in that behalf: my pleasure is therefore that you stay your said suit in attempting the law any further against them, until such time that I myself being in those parts, may hear the due examination hereof; which I suppose will not be prejudicial either to you or them, but rather most quiet for all parties at length. From Lameheth, the viii. day of February.

XCIV. TO THE PRIORESS OF STANFELD9.

42.

Sister Prioress, I do right heartily commend me unto Harl. MSS. you. Where it is so that the Vicar of Quadryng is content-6148. fol. ed, for the love and favour he beareth unto this bearer, Master Nicholas Robertes, my old acquaintance, to resign unto the same his vicarage, if so that he might obtain your good will thereunto: these shall be therefore heartily to desire and require you, that he may herein obtain your convenient favour, and that the rather at this instance and request. And if there be any like pleasure that I may do for

[Stanfeld in Lincolnshire, a Benedictine nunnery. The church of Quadring in the same county was appropriated to it in the reign of Richard II. Tanner, Not. Monast.]

you,

I will be always ready to accomplish your requests accordingly. The xiiii. day of February.

Harl. MSS. 6148. fol.

42.

XCV. TO THE PARSON OF CHEVENING'.

I commend me unto you. And where it is so that one Asleyne Durmeryght, wife unto John Durmeryght, of your parish of Chevenyng, hath complained to me of the unjust and uncharitable demeanor of her said husband, for his unreasonable and oft beating and cruel threatening of her, as in that behalf somewhat I perceive like to be true, by reason both parties hath been examined with me: I will therefore that you from henceforward see that there be a reformation had between them: and that when any such breaches hereafter shall happen in this behalf, according to your both duty and discretion, ye set a charitable end between them. And if he or she do refuse to apply unto your such directions, as you shall think convenient at any time, ye then do advertise me thereof accordingly. From Croydon,

&c.

To the Parson of Chevenyng.

Harl. MSS. 6148. fol. 42. b.

XCVI. TO THE BISHOP OF ROCHESTER S.

My Lord, in my right hearty wise I commend me unto you: and so likewise desire the same, that whereas one Master Devenyshe, Master of Art and my kinsman, is very desirous (for his better information and knowledge in divinity) to con

[R. Astall. See Letter LVII.]

This Letter seems to have been written to John Fisher, Bishop of Rochester, and Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, early in 1534, before his imprisonment for refusing to take the oath of succession. He had been Confessor to Margaret, mother of Hen. VII. and is supposed to have suggested to her the foundation of St. John's and Christ's Colleges.]

t

[Perhaps William Devenish, afterwards Prebendary of Canterbury, who was deprived under Queen Mary for being married.]