Letter Twelfth To Anne Boleyn

Since your last letters, mine own darling, Walter Welshe, Master Browne,

Thos. Care, Grion of Brearton, and John Coke, the apothecary, be fallen of

the sweat in this house, and, thanked be God, all well recovered, so that

as yet the plague is not fully ceased here, but I trust shortly it shall.

By the mercy of God, the rest of us yet be well, and I trust shall pass

it, either not to have it, or, at the least, as easily as the rest ave

done.



As touching the matter of Wilton, my lord cardinal hath had the nuns

before him, and examined them, Mr. Bell being present; which hath

certified me that, for a truth, she had confessed herself (which we would

have had abbess) to have had two children by two sundry priests; and,

further, since hath been kept by a servant of the Lord Broke that was, and

that not long ago. Wherefore I would not, for all the gold in the world,

clog your conscience nor mine to make her ruler of a house which is of so

ungodly demeanour; nor, I trust, you would not that neither for brother

nor sister, I should so destain mine honour or conscience. And, as

touching the prioress, or Dame Eleanor's eldest sister, though there is

not any evident case proved against them, and that the prioress is so old

that for many years she could not be as she was named; yet

notwithstanding, to do you pleasure, I have done that neither of them

shall have it, but that some other good and well-disposed woman shall have

it, whereby the house shall be the better reformed (whereof I ensure you

it had much need), and God much the better served.



As touching your abode at Hever, do therein as best shall like you, for

you best know what air doth best with you; but I would it were come

thereto (if it pleased God), that neither of us need care for that, for I

ensure you I think it long. Suche is fallen sick of the sweat, and

therefore I send you this bearer, because I think you long to hear

tidings from us, as we do likewise from you.



Written with the hand de votre seul,



H. R.