Master Norris, the king's chief butler, Master
Weston who used to lie with the king, Master Brereton gentleman
of the chamber, and the groom of whom I wrote to your majesty
by my man, were all condemned as traitors. Only the groom confessed
that he had been three times with the said whore and concubine.
The others were condemned upon presumption and certain indications,
without valid proof or confession.
The concubine and her brother were condemned for
treason by all the principal lords of England, and the duke of
Norfolk pronounced sentence. I am told the earl of Wiltshire was
quite as ready to assist at the judgement as he had done at the
condemnation of the other four. Neither the whore nor her brother
was brought to Westminster like the other criminals. They were
condemned within the Tower of London, but the thing was not done
secretly, for there were more than 2,000 persons present. What
she was principally charged with was having cohabited with her
brother and other accomplices; that there was a promise between
her and Norris to marry after the king's death, which it thus
appeared they hoped for; and that she had received and given to
Norris certain medals, which might be interpreted to mean that
she had poisoned the late queen, and intrigued to do the same
to the princess. These things she totally denied and gave to each
a plausible answer. Yet she confessed she had given money to Weston,
as she had often done to other young gentlemen. She was also charged,
and her brother likewise, with having laughed at the king and
his dress, and that she showed in various ways she did not love
the king, but was tired of him. Her brother was charged with having
cohabited with her by presumption, because he had once been found
a long time with her, and with certain other little follies. To
all he replied so well that several of those present wagered 10
to 1 that he would be acquitted, especially as no witnesses were
produced against either him or her, as it is usual to do, particularly
when the accused denies the charge.
I must not omit that among other things charged
against him as a crime was, that his sister had told his wife
that the king was impotent. This he was not openly charged with,
but it was shown him in writing, with a warning not to repeat
it. But he immediately declared the matter, in great contempt
of Cromwell and some others, saying he would not in this point
arouse any suspicion which might prejudice the king's issue. He
was also charged with having spread reports which called in question
whether his sister's daughter was the king's child. To which he
made no reply. They were judged separately and did not see each
other. The concubine was condemned first, and having heard the
sentence, which was to be burnt or beheaded at the king's pleasure,
she preserved her composure, saying that she held herself ready
to greet death and that what she regretted most was that the above
persons, who were innocent and loyal to the king, were to die
for her. She only asked a short time for confession. Her brother,
after his condemnation, said that since he must die, he would
no longer maintain his innocence, but confessed that he had deserved
death. He only begged the king that his debts, which he recounted,
might be paid out of his goods.
Although everybody rejoices at the execution of
the whore there are some who murmur at the mode of procedure against
her and the others, and people speak variously of the king; and
it will not pacify the world when it is known what has passed
and is passing between him and Jane Seymour. Already it sounds
ill in the ears of the people, that the king, having received
such ignominy, has shown himself more glad than ever since the
arrest of the whore; for he has been going about banqueting with
ladies, sometimes remaining after midnight, and returning by the
river. Most of the time he was accompanied by various musical
instruments, and, on the other hand, by the singers of his chamber,
which many interpret as showing his delight at getting rid of
a thin, old and wicked fool with hope of change, which is a thing
especially agreeable to this king. He supped lately with several
ladies in the house of the bishop of Carlisle, and showed an extravagant
joy, as the said bishop came to tell me next morning, who reported
moreover that the king had said to him, among other things, that
he had long expected the issue of these affairs, and that thereupon
he had before composed a tragedy, which he carried with him; and
so saying the king drew from his bosom a little book written in
his own hand, but the bishop did not read the contents. It may
have been certain ballads that the king had composed, at which
the whore and her brother laughed as foolish things, which was
objected to them as a great crime.
Three days after the concubine's imprisonment
the princess was removed, and was honourably accompanied both
by the servants of the little bastard and by several gentlemen
who came of their own accord. Many of her old servants and maids
at this news went to her, and although her governess allowed them
to remain, she was warned by me not to accept or retain anyone
but those given her by the king her father. What I most fear as
regards her is, that when the king is asked by parliament to restore
her to her rights, he will refuse his consent unless the princess
first swears to the statutes invalidating the first marriage and
the pope's authority. To this, I think, she will not easily yield,
although I should advise her to acquiesce in everything as far
as she can without prejudice to her conscience.