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The Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke. Baker was a secular clerk from Swinbroke, now Swinbrook, an Oxfordshire village two miles east of Burford. His Chronicle describes the events of the period 1303-1356: Gaveston, Bannockburn, Boroughbridge, the murder of King Edward II, the Scottish Wars, Sluys, Crécy, the Black Death, Winchelsea and Poitiers. To quote Herbert Bruce 'it possesses a vigorous and characteristic style, and its value for particular events between 1303 and 1356 has been recognised by its editor and by subsequent writers'. The book provides remarkable detail about the events it describes. Baker's text has been augmented with hundreds of notes, including extracts from other contemporary chronicles, such as the Annales Londonienses, Annales Paulini, Murimuth, Lanercost, Avesbury, Guisborough and Froissart to enrich the reader's understanding. The translation takes as its source the 'Chronicon Galfridi le Baker de Swynebroke' published in 1889, edited by Edward Maunde Thompson. Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback.
In 1492 Jean du Bellay was born.
Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1528. 18th June 1528. Le Grand, III. 129. 4391. DU BELLAY (age 36) to MONTMORENCY.
Has waited till now to send the treaty of the truce, because it was necessary to make the oath in ceremony, and arrange with Wolsey and the others about the form of the ratification. Yesterday the oath was made "en belle eglise," where the Emperor's ambassador was present, and we shook hands; so that our old quarrels are extinct, for he has repented and made amends like an honest man. Advises feux de joie to be made, as it is no small matter that such potentates have come to agreement. The Flemings wanted to dissemble the truce,—both for the reasons I mentioned, and because, as they knew of the contribution, they expected that the truce would take place, and partly acknowledged it. As to the article about restitution of their goods to those of the opposite party, they are either the most subtle dissemblers in the world, or they have extended their commission a little at their own risk. But Wolsey made such protestations in answer to me (à l'encontre de moy), in their presence, to make me pass the affair of M. de Gueldres, giving me a pledge, "soubz son sein," that he would discharge me towards you; and, having thus got my consent, held out to them such menaces that they were compelled to complete the business (passer la carriere).
Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1528. 30th June 1528. Le Grand, III. 143. 4440. Du Bellay (age 36) to Montmorency.
Such conversations as he has had with Wolsey (age 55) he has pretty well foreseen. Will not presume to say things are going wrong, but if they go on, you will not gain much. I protest, if I have not my recall, I will go without it; and whoever would whip me, not being my master, shall find I fear less 100 deaths than one dishonor. Job would have lost patience in my place. Whatever you have done, I hear from Richard d'Albene that he has not a crown, and I am sure if my man had one, he has given it him. He would have spent 1,000 crowns in nine months in that stupid way;-a good thing to resolve me, seeing I had assigned all my property to bankers and bull-brokers before my departure.
Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1528. 21st July 1528. Le Grand, III. 150. 4542. Du Bellay (age 36) To Montmorency.
Has informed Wolsey, by long letters directed to Vannes, of the contents of Francis's letters of the 9th and 13th. He is very glad of the news from Naples, and from Italy generally. The point of all my letters, Sir, is the contribution. The first time I sent to him he determined that it should commence in the middle of June. I applied to him again, and I think if I can speak to him tomorrow I shall gain my purpose, for he has consented that I shall go to the village of Hampton Court, when he will consider whether I shall speak by trumpet or by myself. I will do what I can about the advance of money, for I have not had a word yet in answer; but you must know the Angelots are worth here 69 sous, and I think they will deliver them to you for the weight, for they have no other money except these escus à la couronne, which are still worse. Let me know how to remit, or send a man to receive them. If you desire it I will try and get Wolsey to send the money to Calais free of cost.
The danger in this country begins to diminish hereabouts, and to increase elsewhere. In Kent it is very great. Mademoiselle de Boulan (age 27) and her father (age 51) have sweated, but have got over it. The day I sweated at my lord of Canterbury's there died 18 persons in four hours, and hardly anybody escaped but myself, who am not yet quite strong again. The King has gone further off than he was, uses great precautions, confesses himself every day, and receives Our Lord at every Feast. So also the Queen (age 42), who is with him, and Wolsey for his part. The notaries have had a fine time of it. I think 100,000 wills have been made off-hand, for those who were dying became quite foolish the moment they fell ill. The astrologers say this will not turn into a plague, but I think they dream. Has no doubt the King and Wolsey will be gratified with Francis's condolences on this visitation.
I have determined to send off this despatch, not to keep you in suspense till I have seen the Legate; but till next voyage I do not mean to put hand to pen (n'ay voulu mectre la main à la plume), that I may not cause suspicion to any one; for this is not a regular pestilence (n'est que belle peste), and the moment a man is dead "il en devient tout couvert sur le corps1."
Thanks for remittances, &c. I am quite content to stay here, or even in Turkey, if the interests of Francis require it, and to spend all my goods if need be. All I have is but 4,000 livres of rent, and the expence being here so great, you will have to provide for the excess after I and my friends have done what we can. If I were as rich as some other bishops, or were I at a place of small expence like Venice, you should hear no complaint from me. London, 21 July.
Fr. Add.
Note 1. he becomes all covered on his body.
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Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1529. 18th September 1529. Le Grand, III. 354. 5945. Du Bellay (age 37) To Montmorency.
I write to prevent your being anxious, because I mentioned in my last that the Legate had desired me to come and see him. I did so next day, and found him and Campeggio determined to go to the King, for the despatch of the latter, who expects to leave within 10 or 12 days. I think they would like to treat him at his departure rather more graciously than they had intended to do, hoping that there may be some change at Rome, if the Emperor treat the Pope as badly as they expect he will; so that Campeggio might still be of use to them, or at least not do them injury, as he would if ill treated at his departure. Wolsey's object in sending for me was to have another conversation with me about the divorce, urging me most strongly, both on his own part and his master's, to help them to consult with the French divines. He begged I would find an opportunity to cross the sea on some other pretext, and consult with those who can help them, with the permission of Francis and Madame, using the same terms about it to me as he did to my brother. I said that, knowing their wishes, I had already asked leave to go and see my father, who was very ill, and wished my presence to make a division of his goods. He approved of this pretext, and begged I would petition for my congé, and arrange for some one to take my place, in whom I should have confidence. Incidentally, during two days that I was with him, he spoke of the practices of this court, not showing himself so much vexed with them as I am sure he is. I have less hope than before of his influence, from the conversation I have had with him, for I see he trusts in some of his own protégés (aulcuns faits de sa main), who, I am sure, have betrayed him (luy ont tourné la robe). I should never have believed that they would have been so wicked; and the worst is that he does not understand it.
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Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1533. 26th February 1533. Camusat, 123 b. 184. Wm. Du Bellay (age 41) [Lord Of Langey], Beauvoys, and Dinteville to Francis I.
Yesterday the king of England sent for Dinteville to show him certain news from Italy; and Langey, who had news to communicate to him from France, and Beauvais, who had just returned from Scotland, accompanied him. He was pleased with Langey's charge, and agreed with Francis, even about the interview, to which he will send some one whom he trusts, either the duke of Norfolk (age 60) or the Earl of Wiltshire (age 56). He desired them to write and say that he wished Francis would desire the cardinals Tournon and Grammont to cause the Pope to do nothing in his affair meanwhile. Langey told him that it would be to their common advantage if he would compose his differences with the Scotch king. He replied, as he had done previously to Montpesat and Dinteville, that any means the King could find would be good for him. Beauvais then told him what he had done in Scotland. He was greatly pleased therewith, especially when he heard that Francis hoped to arrange an interview between him and his nephew. Will not write more, as Langey and Beauvais leave in three or four days, and there is danger of letters being intercepted at sea. London, 26 Feb. Fr.
Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1535. 6th June 1535. 837. The Admiral is still at Calais. Does not think that anything will be done of much importance. Nothing more is said about the interview. * * *
Two days ago the King was very angry with the English ambassador (age 32). Spoke to the Grand Master, who said that the English wished the King to do things that touched his conscience; but they must not think the French would do anything against the Church, but rather defend it against oppressors. In fact, the king of England is enraged and desperate because the French will not imitate him, and he sees himself alone in his opinions. The King told him, and the Imperial ambassador showed him a letter to the same effect, that the King of England went disguised to the Charterhouse, of which they have treated some members so badly, and urged them with many reasons to take him for Head of the Church, and not the Pope. To which they replied unanimously that he might do with their persons what he would, but they would never consent to what they considered unjust. There is no news of anything being done against them yet. Du Bellay (age 43) thinks the marriage with England will take place. Is of opinion that, whatever Francis may do so as not to be alone, he is so impressed with the instability, madness, and impiety of the King that at some time he expects, without fail, to have him as an enemy according to the custom of the country. * *
The English ambassador, having spoken to the King, who in public was vexed and angry with him, went to Calais, perhaps sent there by his master on the business there, about which, until now, 29 June (sic), in the morning, nothing has been heard of moment, but it is clear that difficulties will not lack.
Ital., pp. 11. Modern copy. Headed: Al Sig. Monsig. Ambrogio, ut supra (i.e. 6 June.)
All About History Books
The Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke. Baker was a secular clerk from Swinbroke, now Swinbrook, an Oxfordshire village two miles east of Burford. His Chronicle describes the events of the period 1303-1356: Gaveston, Bannockburn, Boroughbridge, the murder of King Edward II, the Scottish Wars, Sluys, Crécy, the Black Death, Winchelsea and Poitiers. To quote Herbert Bruce 'it possesses a vigorous and characteristic style, and its value for particular events between 1303 and 1356 has been recognised by its editor and by subsequent writers'. The book provides remarkable detail about the events it describes. Baker's text has been augmented with hundreds of notes, including extracts from other contemporary chronicles, such as the Annales Londonienses, Annales Paulini, Murimuth, Lanercost, Avesbury, Guisborough and Froissart to enrich the reader's understanding. The translation takes as its source the 'Chronicon Galfridi le Baker de Swynebroke' published in 1889, edited by Edward Maunde Thompson. Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback.
Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1535. 17th June 1535. Vatican Archives. 891. Bishop of Faenza to M. Ambrogio.
Two hours ago the Admiral arrived. Thinks the negociation with England is broken off because the French refuse to allow the duke of Angoulême to go to England, or to defend against the Church or a declaration of Council the cause of the King's second wife (age 34). These, he understands, are the principal points, though the French are as silent as they can, and pretend that it has not affected their friendship. Will write again more fully about it. Nothing is yet known of what has become of Fisher since the news of his promotion. Those who have recently been to Calais are sure that evil has happened to him. Du Bellay (age 43) proposes to leave in six days, though his hat has not yet arrived.
Ital., modern copy, from a decipher, p. 1. Headed: "Decifrato del Vescovo di Faenza de li xvij di Giugnio da Amiens." Another copy is in the B. M., Add. MS. 8715 f. 76.
Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1535. 4th July 1535. 985. Francis has spoken of it like a Christian and a virtuous prince, expressing his great grief, and that he knows that the King is given up to perdition, and no good can be expected of him, so that he sees clearly he cannot have friendship with him, since he sets himself in this way against the honor of God and the Church. He is not ashamed to ask him to consider as null the sentence given against him, to hinder the Council with all his power, and to consider as bad or null any new sentence of the Holy See against him. Francis sees from this that he fears the Council wonderfully, and that his errors and his determination to remain in them have made him so timid and he has gone so far that similar results may be expected every day. He says he did all that was possible for Fisher's safety; which the Bishop knows to be true. The like was done by Du Bellay (age 43) and the Admiral, who said, in Italian, that the King's conduct to Fisher was the most cowardly, infamous, and grievous thing that had ever been done in the world. The other lords of the Court have spoken in the same strain, without restraint. They appear to care little for the friendship of England, seeing it is so alienated from the Holy See, for the preservation of which Francis says he will spend his life if necessary. Thanked him for his good will, congratulating him that God had not permitted him to come to an understanding at Calais. Hoped that his Holiness would be able to direct the wished-for expedition against the Turk, and avenge himself on the king of England. He complained also of the English sympathy with the Lutherans. The Admiral, when at Calais, replied to Englishmen, who commiserated their treatment in France, that in France they made confessors, but in England they made many martyrs. The king of England has tried to prevent the Lutherans from recognising the Pope as the Head of the Church, which they had determined to do through the medium of France.
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On 16th February 1560 Jean du Bellay (age 68) died.