Madam, after due commendacions, wheras amonges other thing declard here oon your behalf by Sir John Guldford, knight, your Graces chamberlain, the same hath required an estate to be made unto you of the use of the kings Majesties house at Penshurst, the game and wood within the parke, in like mannour and forme as ye have presently at Blechinglegh, likeas we consydre that the commoditie of the sayd house of Penshurst shallbe mete for your purpose in respect of the nerenes of the same to Heyvour, and that forbearing nowe the commoditie of the house, game and woodes at Bleachinglegh aforsayd, the rest of your revenues there shall stande you in no other stede and pleasor but for the certeyn rent of the same; we have thought good, in respect of the determinacion which we know to have been in the kings majestie, our late sovereign lorde decessed, to plante Sir Thomas Cawarden, knight, Gentleman of his Hieghnes Pryvie Chambre, in those parties when your Grace shuld receive other recompence, by theis to require your Grace to be content to make surrender unto him of all your title and interest in Bleachinglegh for the mannour and thappurtenances, paying the yerely rent of xxxiiij (34) poundes xv (15) shillings and twos pennes sterling, with each assuraunce to be made unto him of the same as by the lerned counsaill of your Grace and him shalbe thought convenient, wherein your Grace shall for the tyme have such a tenante as will see your revenue assuredlye and honestly answered…7
Anne did not want to give up Bletchingley nor take on Penshurst. Her brother William sent his ambassador Heresbach over to help her and he had an audience with the king on 11 April and then spent four days with Anne at Hever. We don’t know what help he was as Anne reluctantly made Bletchingley over to Cawarden for a yearly rent but he was rewarded with eighty gold crowns for his assistance.
As well as trouble at home Anne was appalled to hear the current news from Europe. On 24 April 1547 the Battle of Mühlberg ended Charles V’s war against the Schmalkaldic League. Her sister’s husband John Frederick of Saxony who had commanded the league’s troops was arrested and condemned to death. Her sister Sybilla had bravely played her part and organised the defence of Wittenburg but it was a lost cause. However it was reported that the Elector of Saxony took it very calmly:
The Elector, soon after his being taken prisoner, gave a fine instance of that constancy and sweetness of disposition which could not be overcome by the severest reverses. Charles, immediately after the battle, besieged Wittenberg; in which town Sybilla of Cleves, Frederic’s wife, with their children, had hoped to be safe, and which for a while defied the utmost efforts of the imperialists. To terrify the place into a surrender, the Emperor condemned John Frederick to death; trusting that his wife, Sybilla, would purchase his life by the delivery of the town. When informed of the sentence, he had just sat down to his favourite game of chess, and looking up he calmly observed, ‘This blow is levelled not against me, but against Wittenberg and my poor wife. Would that Sybilla could bear such news as well as I can! What is the loss or gain of a few days to a worn-out old man? To me the sentence has no terrors! Come, Ernest,’ said he, then cheerfully turning to the Duke of Brunswick, his antagonist at chess and his fellow-prisoner, ‘come, for all this we shall not lose our game’.?
On 19 May John Frederick signed the Capitulation of Wittenberg to save himself and his wife, ceding his rule to Maurice of Saxony and his death sentence was reduced to life imprisonment. Sybilla rode out to the Imperial camp and entreated Charles V to allow her husband to live quietly with her in Saxony but the emperor refused. Anne petitioned King Edward to seek John Frederick’s release as did her sister. The boy king supported their request by sending an ambassador to speak on the duke’s behalf but John Frederick would remain incarcerated until 1552.
In 1548 Anne lost her favourite palace of Richmond as well as her lands and properties in Ham and Petersham. She personally went to court to complain to the now Lord Protector, Edward Seymour.
Madam de Cleves arrived here a short time ago, the reason of her coming being, as I am informed, to speak to the Protector on certain complaints as to her treatment in money matters, and especially as regards the recompense for the house at Richmond, which has been taken away from her and prepared for the King. I understand that a favourable reply has been given to her.9
It was a huge blow. After being sent to Richmond against her will, she had come to love the palace and spent most of her time there. But in June Anne had no choice but to officially give Richmond back to the crown. Edward was appalled at the state of disrepair the palace had fallen into and had to spend £1000 on immediate repairs. Anne had little money in past years and it was obvious she had not spent anything on its upkeep. Edward granted her the King’s Manor at Dartford in exchange.
In the second year of his reign in consideration of the surrendry of lands in Surrey, granted to the lady Anne of Cleves, the repudiated wife of Henry VIII, sundry premises in Dartford, lately belonging to the Priory, there late in the occupation of Sir Richard Longe, knight, and the amount of £30 ys. yd. reserved as a rent for the same; and also the manor of Dartford with its appurtenances, belonging to the late priory; a certain tenement in Overy, late in the tenure of Thomas Maythin; “his park called Washmede in Dartford,” in tenure of Robert Dove; the site of the late monastery or priory of Dartford, together with the houses, buildings, gardens, and orchards, belonging to the said priory, with all waters, fisheries, wears, courtleet, views of frank pledge, liberties, warren, etc., with other premises therein mentioned to the late priory belonging to him in Dart ford, to hold for the term of her natural life, or so long as she should reside within the realm, at the yearly rent of £18 16s. 1 12d.10
Anne had stayed at Dartford Priory on her first entrance to London back in 1540. Not long after Henry had this building part demolished including ‘breaking uppe of toumes and tomb stones in the church’11 and a manor house constructed in its place. Although it was not a palace it had over a hundred rooms but it too was in disrepair and it would be five years until Anne could use it as a home. Anne spent most of her time between houses. She still owned Hever and often stayed at Bletchingley and Thomas Cawarden’s house in Blackfriars. Her brother continued to worry over her income and treatment and sent his ambassadors to Edward over the coming years to make sure she was looked after. Anne once again considered returning home.
Katherine Parr died on 5 September at Sudeley Castle, six days after giving birth to Seymour’s daughter, Mary. Seymour had always been jealous of his brother’s rise to power and sought advancement for himself but his actions led him to ruin. Not only had he tried to court the Princess Elizabeth but on the night of 16 January 1549, he broke into Hampton Court Palace making for Edward’s apartments with a pistol in his hand. As he made his way to the king’s chamber one of his loyal dogs raised the alarm and was shot by Seymour. It was never made clear what his true intentions were although he protested he was just making sure Edward was safe. He was arrested and accused of thirty-three charges of treason.
When Thomas Seymour was executed on 20 March 1549 Anne wrote to her brother William ‘God knows what will happen next’.12 The reign of the new king was not running smoothly and she was greatly troubled. Her finances were one of her main concerns. She told William ‘everything is so costly here in this country that I do not know how I can run my house’.13 In December 1549 Renard reported that ‘The Duke of Cleves has sent to the King of England Drossart de Montjoye and Dr. Croeser to obtain the payment of arrears of the pension that has here been accorded and granted to his sister [i.e. Anne of Cleves]. The Duke has also sent me a letter asking me to favour them in their mission. It is thought there will be no difficulty’.14 When ambassador Cruser arrived again from Cleves in 1551 it was rumoured that she might return with him but as Renard reported again ‘the councillors came to an agreement, as the ambassador himself told me. According to his account, they have behaved reasonably enough; and it seems the Archbishop of Canterbury shewed the said lady favour’.15 With assurances she would be looked after and Cranmer’s support Anne decided to stay.<
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However her troubles were not over. Edward now required she give up her manor and lands at Bisham, Berkshire and in November 1552 it was noted ‘The Lady Ann of Cleves is dissatisfied’.16 She wrote a letter to the Princess Mary about her situation early in January 1553.
Madam, After my most hearty commendations to your grace, being very desirous to hear of your prosperous health, wherein I very much rejoice, it may please you to be advertised that it hath pleased the king’s majesty to have in exchange my manor and lands of Bisham, in the county of Berkshire, granting me in recompense the house of Westropp, in Suffolk, with the two parks and certain manors thereunto adjoining; notwithstanding, if it had been his highness’ pleasure, I was well contented to have continued without exchange. After which grant, for mine own assurance in that behalf, I have travailed, to my great cost and charge, almost this twelve months; it hath passed the king’s majesty’s bill, signed, and the privy seal being now, as I am informed, stayed at the great seal, for that you, madam, be minded to have the same, not knowing, as I suppose, of the said grant. I have also received at this Michaelmas last past part of the rent of the aforesaid manors. Considering the premises, and for the amity which hath always been between us (of which I most heartily desire the continuance), that it may please you therefore to ascertain me by your letters or otherwise, as it shall stand with your pleasure. And thus, good madam, I commit you unto the ever-living God, to have you in merciful keeping… Your assured loving friend to her little power to command, Anna, the dowghter of Cleves.17
She had at least been offered Westhorpe Hall in Suffolk, the previous residence of Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk. It had been a grand house in its day but since its reversion to the crown in 1541 little had been done with it and there is no record that Anne ever stayed there. Anne was raging at yet a further loss to her properties but here would be no approaching the king to discuss the situation.
King Edward VI had been ill for most of the year suffering with his chest. He died on 6 July 1553 probably of tuberculosis. In an act that contravened his father’s wishes, Edward wrote a new Device for the Succession excluding his sisters and instead left the rule of the realm ‘to the Lady Frances’s heirs male, for lack of (if she have any) such issue (before my death) to the Lady Janes heirs males’.18 Frances was the daughter of Mary Tudor, Henry VIII’s younger sister and Charles Brandon but she had no male heirs only daughters. Edward then amended the device from ‘Lady Janes heirs males’ to ‘Lady Jane and her heirs males’. Lady Jane Grey was Frances’ eldest daughter and Edward was determined that the succession of England would stay within the Suffolk line.
Why did Edward rule out Mary and Elizabeth? It seems that with the taint of illegitimacy hanging over his sisters Edward felt that his cousins’ bloodline was purer. Parliament had declared both the princesses illegitimate in 1536 as both of their mother’s marriages to the king were deemed null and void. He wrote
…that the ladie Jane, the ladye Katherine, and the ladie Marye, daughters of our entirely beloved cosen the ladie Fraunces, nowe wife to our lovinge cosene and faithfull counsellor Henry duke of Suffolke, and the ladie Margarete, daughter of our late cosene the ladie Elleonore deceased, sister of the saide ladie Frauncis, and the late wife of our welbeloved cosen Henry earle of Cumberland, being very nigh of our whole bloude, of the parte of our father’s side, and being naturall-borne here within the realme, and have ben also very honorably brought upe and exercised in good and godly learninge, and other noble vertues, so as ther is greate truste and hope to be had in them that they be and shalbe very well inclined to the advancement and settyng forth of our comon welth.19
During his brief reign Edward had a fractious relationship with Mary who refused his orders not to hear Catholic mass and openly flaunted her religious beliefs. The young king was adamant that England would not mend its break with Rome and felt that Mary would return the nation to Catholicism. However there was no real reason to pass over Elizabeth apart from his belief she was only half-blood.
Lady Jane Grey, of ‘small features and a well-made nose, the mouth flexible and the lips red. The eyebrows are arched and darker than her hair, which is nearly red’20 was declared queen on 10 July to a stunned crowd uncertain of what this meant to England’s future. One small boy, Gilbert Potter, found his voice and loudly announced that the Princess Mary had more right to the throne – echoing the sentiment of the crowd – for which he was arrested.
Mary herself was seething. She was now thirty-seven and her life had not been a happy one. She had always upheld that her mother had been Henry’s one true wife and she was not about to see a young girl take the throne that she knew to be hers. On the same day as Jane was crowned a letter was delivered to the Privy Council in which Mary asserted her rights.
My lords, we greet you well and have received sure advertisement that our dearest brother the King and late sovereign lord is departed to God. Marry, which news, how they be woeful unto our hearts, He wholly knoweth to whose will and pleasure we must and do humbly submit us and our will.
But in this lamentable case, that is to wit now after his departure and death, concerning the Crown and governance of this Realm of England with the title of France and all things thereunto belonging, what has been provided by act of Parliament and the testament and last will of our death father – beside other circumstances advancing our right – the Realm know and all the world knoweth. The rolls and records appear by authority of the king our said father and the king our said brother and the subjects of this Realm, as we verily trust that there is no good true subject that is or can or will pretend to be ignorant hereof. And of our part, as God shall aid and strengthen us, we have ourselves caused and shall cause our right and title in this behalf to be published and proclaimed accordingly.
And, albeit this manner being so weighty, the manner seemeth strange that our said brother, dying upon Thursday at night last past, we hitherto had no knowledge from you thereof. Yet we considered your wisdoms and prudence to be such that having eftsoon among you debated, pondered, and well weighed this present case with our estate and your estate, the commonwealth, and all your honours, we shall and may conceive great hope and trust and much assurance in your loyalty and service, and that you will like noble men work the best.
Nevertheless, we are not ignorant of your consultations and provisions forcible, there with you assembled and prepared – by whom and to what end God and you know, and nature can but fear some evil. But be it that some consideration politic of some whatsoever reason hath hastily moved you thereto, yet doubt you not, my lords, we can take all these your doings in gracious part, being also right ready to remit and fully pardon the same freely, to eschew blood-shed and vengeance of those that can or will amend. Trusting also assuredly you will take and accept this grace and virtue in such good part as appeareth, and that we shall not be enforced to use the service of other our true subjects and friends which in this our just and rightful cause God, in whom our final affiance is, shall send us.
Wherefore, my lords, we require you and charge you, for that our allegiance which you owe to God and us, that, for your honour and the surety of your persons, you employ your selves and forthwith upon receipt hereof cause our right and title to the Crown and government of this realm to be proclaimed in our City of London and such other places as to your wisdoms shall seem good and as to this case appertaineth, not failing hereof, as our very trust is in you. And this letter signed with our hand shall be your sufficient warrant.21
She was residing at the well-fortified Framlingham Castle and rallying her supporters to her cause. She did not have long to wait. On 19 July Mary was proclaimed Queen of England to resounding cheers. Bonfires were lit and church bells rang out across London. Poor Lady Jane, known as the nine-day queen was moved to the Tower. Her mother desperately sought an audience with Mary to plead for her and other members of their family who had been involved in her assent but Mary was advised to show no leniency and Jane would be charged with t
reason.
In August four Spanish ambassadors sent a missive to Charles V:
Last Sunday a solemn predication was held at St. Paul’s by a doctor who has long been associated with the Bishop of Winchester. Several members of the Queen’s Council were present, and the yeomen of the guard, for the protection of the said preacher, who discoursed pertinently on the holy sacrament. The sermon was well received, without murmurs or interruptions. Mass is sung habitually at Court; not one mass only, but six or seven every day, and the Councillors assist. My Ladies of deves (sic) and Elizabeth have not been present yet.22
Mary’s rule immediately instigated changes in religious worship. After the Protestant focus of Edward’s rule, Mary insisted on a return to the old Catholic ways and she insisted with a vengeance. At Mary’s first parliament she had all religious legislation passed in her brother Edward’s reign repealed and the validity of her mother’s marriage was reinstated – finally making her legitimate once more. As many nobles and gentry realised the danger they would face as Protestants in a changing England they fled across the water to Strasbourg, Basle, Zurich, Frankfurt and Geneva.
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