Abbess Catherine Bulkeley of Godstow's letter to Lord Thomas Cromwell, dated March 12, 1536

Source:

Original letters illustrative of English history, series 3, volume 3, page 232, edited by Henry Ellis, 1846

https://archive.org/details/originalletters16elligoog/page/n256/mode/2up

The letter:

My moste especiall good Lorde. After my moste humble dewtie and immortal thanks for your infynyte goodnes towarde me, thies be to aduertise your Honor that where as the laste weke I was enformyd by the Deane of th'Arches lettres that you ar so good Lorde unto me as to accepte this lyttle office of the Stewardeship of this Monasterie, I am so boulde as to sende unto your Honor herewith the Patente thereof under our Convent Seale for terme of your liffe, beseching your Honor to accepte the same, thoughe it be but smalle; ffor if it were a M. tymes better you shuld have it with all my harte and praiers, as knowes our Savior Cryste, who ever preserve you in honor duely to increace to his pleasure. Amen. At Godistowe, the xijth daie of Marche.

Yor moste bownden bedswooman,

KATHERINE BULKELEY, Abbes there.

With modernised spelling:

My most especial good Lord. After my most humble duty and immortal thanks for your infinite goodness toward me, this be to advertise Your Honour that whereas the last week I was informed by the Dean of the Arch's letters that you are so good Lord unto me as to accept this little office of the stewardship of this Monastery, I am so bold as to send unto Your Honour herewith the patent thereof under our convent seal for term of your life, beseeching Your Honour to accept the same, though it be but small; for if it were a thousand times better you should have it with all my heart and prayers, as knows our Saviour Christ, who ever preserve you in honour duly to increase to His pleasure. Amen. At Godstow, the 12th day of March.

Your most bounden beadswoman,

CATHERINE BULKELEY, Abbess there.

Notes: advertise = to warn.

beadswoman = female petitioner.

Lady Margaret Douglas's letter to Lord Thomas Cromwell, year 1536

Source:

Original letters illustrative of English history, series 3, volume 3, page 136, edited by Henry Ellis, 1846

https://archive.org/details/originalletters16elligoog/page/n160/mode/2up

Letters of royal and illustrious ladies of Great Britain, volume 5, page 292, Mary Anne Everett-Green, 1846

https://books.google.com/books?id=Wv-zTOv2vvUC&dq=margaret+vernon+prioress&source=gbs_navlinks_s

The letter:

MY LORD,

What cawse hawe I to gyve you thanks, and how moche bownd am I vnto you, that be your menys hath gotten me, as I trust, the Kyngs Grace ys ffaver agene, and besydes that that yt plesyt you to wryt, and to gyve me knowleg wherin I myght have hes Graceys desplesuer agen, wych I pray owr Lord sooner to send me deth then that; and I assure you, my Lord, I wyll never do that thyng wyllyngly that shuld offend hes Grace. And my Lord, wher as yt ys informyd you that I do charge the howse with agreter nomber then ys conuenyent, I assuer you I have but ij. mo then I had in the Court, wych in ded wer my Lord Thomas sarvands: and the cavse that I tok them for, was ffor the poverty that I saw them in, and ffor no cause els. Bvt seyng, my Lord, that yt ys your plesuer that I shall kepe non that ded be long vnto my Lord Thomas, I wyll put them fro me. And I be seche you not to thynk that eny fancy doth remayn in me towchyng hym; but that all my study and car ys how to plese the Kyngs Grace and to contynv in hys ffaver. And my Lord, wher yt ys your plesuer that I shall kepe but a ffew here with me, I trust ye wyll think that I can hawe no fewer than I hawe: ffor I hawe but a gentyllman and a grom that keps my aparell, and a nother that keps my chamber, and a chaplean that was with me always in the Court. Now my Lord, I be seche you that I may know your plesur yff you wold that I shuld kep any ffewer. Howbed, my Lord, my sarvents hath put the howse to small charg, for they hawe nothyng but the reverssyon of my bowrd; nor do I call ffor nothyng but that that ys gyven me; howbed I am very well intreted. And my Lord, as for resort, I promes you I hawe non, except yt be gentylwemen that comes to se me, nor never had sens I cam hether; ffor yff eny resort of men had com yt shold nother abecum̃ me to a sen them, nor yet to haue kept them company, beyng a mayd as I am. Now my Lord, I besech you to be so good as to get my power ssarvends ther wagys; and thys I pray owr Lord to preserve you both solle and body.

by her that has her trust in you,

MARGRET DOWGLAS.

With modernised spelling (with aid from source 2):

MY LORD,

What cause have I to give you thanks, and how much bound am I unto you, that by your means hath gotten me, as I trust, the King's Grace's favour again, and besides that, that it pleaseth you to write and to give me knowledge wherein I might have His Grace's displeasure again, which I pray our Lord sooner to send me death than that; and I assure you, my Lord, I will never do that thing willingly that should offend His Grace. And, my Lord, whereas it is informed you that I do charge the house with a greater number than is convenient, I assure you I have but two more than I had in the court, which, indeed, were my lord Thomas' servants; and the cause that I took them for was for the poverty that I saw them in, and for no cause else. But seeing, my Lord, that it is your pleasure that I shall keep none that did belong unto my lord Thomas, I will put them from me. And I beseech you not to think that any fancy doth remain in me touching him, but that all my study and care is how to please the King's Grace and to continue in his favour. And, my Lord, wher it is your pleasure that I shall keep but a few here with me, I trust ye will think that I can have no fewer than I have, for I have but a gentleman and a groom that keeps my apparel, and another that keeps my chamber, and a chaplain that was with me always in the court. Now, my Lord, I beseech you that I may know your pleasure if you would that I should keep any fewer; howbeit, my Lord, my servants hath put the house to small charge, for they have nothing but the reversion of my board, nor do I call for nothing but that that is given me, howbeit I am very well entreated. And, my Lord, as for resort, I promise you I have none, except it be gentlewomen that comes to see me, nor never had since I came hither; for if any resort of men had come, it should neither have become me to have seen them, nor yet to have kept them company, being a maid as I am. Now, my Lord, I beseech you to be so good as to get my poor servants ther wages; and thus I pray our Lord to preserve you both soul and body.

by her that has her trust in you,

MARGARET DOUGLAS.

Notes: howbeit = although.

resort = company.

Margaret Tewkesbury, Abbess of Godstow's letter to Secretary Thomas Cromwell, year circa 1535

Source:

Original letters illustrative of English history, series 3, volume 3, page 116, edited by Henry Ellis, 1846

https://archive.org/details/originalletters16elligoog/page/n140/mode/2up

The letter:

Pleasith it your Mastership, with my dayly prayers, to accepte your litle poor fee by this berer, and for Goddes sake to continue your towarde mynde in my sueitt to you, and for the furtherauns therof to peruse a letter wiche I have devysed to the Kings Highnes, and to delyuer the same to his Grace as you thincke best if it be made as it ought to be, and if not to sende me wourde howe I shall order my self, and I shall be gladde to folowe your advise and counceill. And I pray you gyve credñce to this berer, Doctour Gwent, and what so ever he doth saye to you I shall abide by it, with the grace of God, who kepe you my especiall good Master, in wourship ever to encreas to his pleasure. Amen. At Godstowe, this Mighelmas eve. Your bounden daly beades woman,

MARGARET TEWKESBURY,

Abbes of Godstowe.

To the right honorable and my moost

especiall good master, Mr. Crumwell, Secretary to the Kings Grace.

With modernised spelling:

Pleaseth it Your Mastership, with my daily prayers, to accept your little poor fee by this bearer, and for God's sake to continue your toward mind in my suit to you, and for the furtherance thereof to peruse a letter which I have devised to the King's Highness, and to deliver the same to His Grace as you think best if it be made as it ought to be, and if not, to send me word how I shall order myself, and I shall be glad to follow your advice and counsel. And I pray you give credence to this bearer, Doctor Gwent, and whatsoever he doth say to you, I shall abide by it, with the grace of God, who keep you, my especial good Master, in worship ever to increase to His pleasure. Amen. At Godstow, this Michaelmas Eve. Your bounden daily beadswoman,

MARGARET TEWKESBURY,

Abbess of Godstow.

To the right honourable and my most

especial good master, Mr. Cromwell, Secretary to the King's Grace.

Note: beadswoman = female petitioner.

Joyce, former Prioress of Catesby's letter to Secretary Thomas Cromwell, year circa 1535

Source:

Original letters illustrative of English history, series 3, volume 3, page 50, edited by Henry Ellis, 1846

https://archive.org/details/originalletters16elligoog/page/n74/mode/2up

Letters of royal and illustrious ladies of Great Britain, volume 5, page 185, Mary Anne Everett-Green, 1846

https://books.google.com/books?id=Wv-zTOv2vvUC&dq=margaret+vernon+prioress&source=gbs_navlinks_s

The letter:

Pleaseth hit your Mastership to call to yor remembrance that Doctor Gwent enformed you yesternyght, that the Quenes Grace hath moved the Kynges Majeste for me, and hath offered his Highnes too thousand marks in recompence of that Howse of Catisby, and hath as yet no perfet answere. Yff hit mey lyke you nowe in my grett sorowe and pensyvenes to be so good Master to me as to opteyne that the Kynges Grace do graunte that the Howse may stonde and geyte me yeres of payment for the ij Mił. marks, you shall have a C.mks of me to by you a geldyng; and my prayers duryng mye lyff, and all my systers duryng their lyves. I trust you have not forgoten the report that the Com̃yssioners dyd sende vnto you of me and my systers. Master Only saith that he hath a graunt of the Howse. But my very trust is in God, and you to help forward that the Quenes Grace mey opteyne her request that hit may stonde. And this I beseche All myghty God sende you ever such comforth at your nede, as it was to my hart yester nyght when Doctor Gwent ded send me worde that you wold move the Kyngs Grace for me this mornyng ayen.

Yor most bounden of all creatures

JOYCE, late Priores of Catesby.

To the ryght honorable and my most

especiall good mastr, Mr Secretary.

With modernised spelling (aided by source 2):

Pleaseth it Your Mastership to call to your remembrance that Doctor Gwent informed you yesternight that the Queen's Grace hath moved the King's Majesty for me, and hath offered His Highness two thousand marks in recompense of that house of Catesby, and hath as yet no perfect answer. If it may like you now in my great sorrow and pensiveness to be so good Master to me as to obtain that the King's Grace do grant that the house may stand, and get me years of payment for the two thousand marks, you shall have a hundred marks of me to buy you a gelding; and my prayers during my life, and all my sisters during their lives. I trust you have not forgotten the report that the Commissioners did send unto you of me and my sisters. Master Onely saith that he hath a grant of the house; but my very trust is in God, and you, to help forward that the Queen's Grace may obtain her request that it may stand. And this I beseech Almighty God send you ever such comfort at your need, as it was to my heart yesternight when Doctor Gwent did send me word that you would move the King's Grace for me this morning again.

Your most bounden of all creatures

JOYCE, late Prioress of Catesby.

To the right honourable and my most

especial good master, Mr. Secretary.

Note: yesternight = last night.

Margaret Vernon, former Prioress of Little Marlow's letter to Secretary Thomas Cromwell, year circa 1535

Source:

Original letters illustrative of English history, series 3, volume 3, page 10, edited by Henry Ellis, 1846

https://archive.org/details/originalletters16elligoog/page/n34/mode/2up

Letters of royal and illustrious ladies of Great Britain, volume 5, page 183, Mary Anne Everett-Green, 1846

https://books.google.com/books?id=Wv-zTOv2vvUC&dq=margaret+vernon+prioress&source=gbs_navlinks_s

The letter:

After most humble com̃endations, &c. Pleaseth it your goodnes to be advertised that I have dyvers tymes ben at the Rolles to have spoken with your Mastership, but by the reason of the great multitude of suters, and also for lacke of frendship within your Mastership his Howse, I am kepte backe, so that I can not come to your presens to sollicite my cause. Wherfore, I most humblye besech you to lycens me to write my mynde at large. And that it maye stande with your pleasor to com̃ande one within your Howse to put you in remembrance for any answare of your determination and pleasor. Syr, my request ys to desire you to call to remembrance your good and comfortable promises made both unto me and unto my frendes, whereunto I have ever hitherto trusted: besechinge your goodnes to open unto me some parte of your determinacõn what thing ye mynde that I shall have: or els to helpe me to some reasonable lyvinge, so that I maye not contynue this longe sute. For I have but senglye provyded for my self to maynteyne it with all, be cause your Mastership com̃anded me that I shuld nothing imbecill or take away, but leave the Howse as wealthie as I cowld, which com̃andement I folowed. I hope all shalbe for the best. I praye oure Lorde put in your hearte to make provision for me accordinge to his holy will and pleasor, and wholye to rule your Mastership by his spirite. Amen. Written from Stepney, the days after S. Paull.

Your assured and most humble beydewoman,

MARGRET VERNON.

late Priores of litle Marlow.

To the right worshipfull Master Crumwell,

the Kynge his Chief Secretary.

With modernised spelling (aided by source 2):

After most humble commendations, &c., pleaseth it your goodness to be advertised that I have diverse times been at the Rolls to have spoken with Your Mastership, but by the reason of the great multitude of suitors, and also for lack of friendship within Your Mastership's house, I am kept back, so that I cannot come to your presence to sollicite my cause. Wherefore I most humbly beseech you to license me to write my mind at large, and that it may stand with your pleasure to command one within your house to put you in remembrance for any answer of your determination and pleasure. Sir, my request is to desire you to call to remembrance your good and comfortable promises made both unto me and unto my friends, whereunto I have ever hitherto trusted, beseeching your goodness to open unto me some part of your determination what thing ye mind that I shall have, or else to help me to some reasonable living, so that I may not continue this long suit; for I have but singly provided for myself to maintain it withal, because Your Mastership commanded me that I should nothing embezzle or take away, but leave the house as wealthy as I could, which commandement I followed. I hope all shall be for the best. I pray our Lord put [it] in your heart to make provision for me according to His holy will and pleasure, and wholly to rule Your Mastership by His Spirit. Amen. Written from Stepney, the days after St. Paul.

Your assured and most humble beadwoman,

MARGARET VERNON.

late Prioress of Little Marlow.

To the right worshipful Master Cromwell,

the King's Chief Secretary.

Note: advertised = warned.