*

ther Hawte was not thrice here since

you went; and the rest I hear nothing of, unless it be when nothing is to be done. I never saw man that had so many friends here, leave so few perfect friends behind him. Quicken them with your letters; and in the mean season as I have been, so shall I be both your friend and your solicitor."

Dr. Nott says, Wyatt went to England early in the spring of 1538, at the request of the Emperor, to communicate his sentiments more fully to Henry, than he could do by writing, and that he returned to Spain before the end of March. This may be true; but as the indorsements of Lord Cromwell's letters prove that he was at Barcelona in January and March, and as no allusion to the circumstance occurs in the correspondence, it is very doubtful.

Sir Thomas continued accredited to the Emperor for some months; and in May, 1538, Bonner, afterwards Bishop of London, and Dr Haynes were joined with him in his mission; but their arrival tended rather to embarrass than promote the King's affairs. The Emperor and the King of France had an interview with the Pope at Nice early in June, 1538, to which place Sir Thomas also proceeded. At the desire of the

*Sir Thomas Wyatt's son married Jane, daughter and coheiress of Sir William Hawte, who was the individual alluded to, it being then common to apply the word "brother" or "sister," to persons whose children had married.

Emperor he set off post for England to obtain Henry's instructions, upon some important point, but being delayed on his arrival, he could not return to Nice within the fifteen days prescribed by the Emperor, whom he followed to Marseilles, and thence to Barcelona, where he was rejoined by his colleagues Bonner and Haynes. As he is styled for the first time "Gentleman of the King's Chamber," in May, 1538, it may be inferred that he was not appointed to the office until about that time. There is so much of personal matter in a letter from him to Lord Cromwell, written at Toledo in January, 1539, that it will be inserted at length:

"PLEASE it your Lordship for this time to accept short letters, remitting the same to the letters of the King more largely written. I thank your Lordship for the giving order for my money which I lent Mr. Bryan.* If the King's honour, more than his credit, had not been before mine eyes, he should have piped in an ivy leaf for aught of me. I report me to Mr. Thirlby, Loveday, and Sherington. I humbly thank you also for your ad

* Lord Cromwell, in a letter dated 28 Nov. 1538, informed him that, " Concerning the two hundred pounds, which ye lent to Sir Francis Brian, whosoever owed them I have disbursed them, and paid to Mr. Bonvixi. Other men make, in manner of their debts mine own; for very oft where they have borrowed I am fained to pay."

vices of news. By our Lord it is a notable grace that the King hath ever had, the discovery of conspiration against him. I cannot tell, but that God claimeth to be principal, whether he cause more to allow his fortune, or his minister's. I would I could persuade these preachers as well to preach his grave proceeding against the Sacramentaries and Anabaptists (as your Lordship writeth) as they do the burning of the Bishop's bones. But of that, nor of other news, on my faith, I have no letters from no man but from you.

"I cannot tell whether it be that men are more scrupulous in writing than negligent to do their friends pleasure. Here are already news of the condemnation of the Marquis of Montagu, of his brother, of Sir Edward Nevill, and of three servants; but of the particularities I hear nothing. I have had it told me by some here of reputation, that peradventure I was had in suspect both with the King and you, as they said it was told them; but like as I take it light, so I ascribe it to such invention as some of my good friends would be glad to have it.

"I shall not let for all that to solicit at your Lordship's hands my coming home, and there let me, reddere rationem. But out of game, I beseech your Lordship humbly to help me. I need no long persuasions. You know what case I am in. I have written this unto you. I am at the

wall; I am not able to endure to march, and the rest shall all be the King's dishonour and my shame; besides the going to nought of all my particular things. Have some consideration between them that feign excuses for such with

and him that endeth frankly his service to his Majesty. I can no more but remit me wholly to your Lordship; and if it be not sufficient that ye know of the strait I am in, inform yourself of Mr. Vane and Mr. Poynings. And thus after my most humble recommendations, our Lord send you good life and long.

"At Toledo the 2d of January, [1538-9.] Don Diego told me [he] had obtained license for two genets for you, and that he would deliver them to me to send them. I trust to bring them myself to see them better ordered."

Towards the end of 1538, Wyatt became earnest in his solicitations to be recalled, being impelled by the state of his finances, as his allowance fell very short of his expenses, and still more, by his apprehension that Bonner, with whom he had not lived on cordial terms, and who had preceded him to England, might poison Henry's mind against him. On the 19th of January, 1539, Cromwell informed him that the King insisted upon his remaining until April, and desired him to state what money he required, as he would assist him; but he accompanied this promise with a reproach which shews

VOL. II.

b

that in pecuniary affairs Wyatt was generous to a fault:

"I advise you to take patiently your abode there until April, and to send me word what money ye shall need to have sent unto you, for I shall help you. Assuring you that I could not see you that went, and hath abided there honestly furnished, to return home, and at the latter end return needy and disfurnished. I do better tender the King's honour, and do esteem you better than so to suffer you to lack. Advising you, nevertheless, that I think your gentle frank heart doth much impoverish you. When you have money, you are content to depart with it and lend it, as you did lately two hundred ducats to Mr. Hobby, the which I think had no need of them; for he had large furnishment of money at his departure hence, and likewise at his return. We accustom

not to send men disprovided so far. Take heed, therefore, how you depart of such portion as ye need. And foresee rather to be provided yourself, than for the promotion of other to leave yourself naked. Politic charity proceedeth not that way. If you shall advertise me what sums ye shall need, I shall take a way that ye shall be furnished."

At the dissolution of the monasteries, he requested a grant of the Friary of Alresford, which Cromwell obtained for him, and in conveying that intelligence, in February, 1539, he added, "I