Not many letters between Thomas Cromwell and Eustace Chapuys survive, so sadly their relationship can feel rather one-sided, despite all the information we can gather from Chapuys’ catalogued correspondence. This letter was written to share King Henry’s congratulation to Chapuys’ master Emperor Charles and Chancellor Granvelle, on their defeat of the Ottomans at the battle of Tunis (Tunisia), Charles had overseen an army of 60,000 men from Spain, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Malta, and the Low Countries, and saw 30,000 Ottomans killed, 10,000 Muslims enslaved, though another 20,000 Christians were released. This was considered a huge victory for Christianity over ‘Infidels’, though like most wars, it was largely useless, as the area was plunged into multiple bloody wars every century until the early 1800s.

The first half of the letter reads like a copied propaganda pamphlet, but then Cromwell deviated to talking about Princess Mary, who was usually at the centre of all correspondence between the men, with Cromwell eager to tell Chapuys he would soon get the king’s permission to visit Mary, who was primarily moving between Hatfield and Hunsdon in 1535. Chapuys was able to get a servant to Mary about once a week, but he wanted to visit her personally. 

The letter was written in Latin, this is my own translation featured in my Cromwell book of letters. At the time of writing, Cromwell was famously visiting Wolf Hall with the king.

SECRETARY CROMWELL TO AMBASSADOR EUSTACE CHAPUYS, 10 September 1535 

Magnifico atque observando domino Eustachio Chapuysio Cesare matis oratori.

My magnificent lord and ambassador, I send hearty greetings, respect, and commendations. In the same manner, your, happy, and may show celebration, repeated by every Christian, for Emperor Charles’ success. As he had so often done before, my lord the king’s highness wishes to signify the happy news more recent than the most beautiful one adorned with the letters of the same. From the reading, that Charles planned well with Lord Granvelle and writes to the whole Christian world, of the most wholesome defeat of the Tunis. The assault portrayed is a well solid joy, and your lord the Emperor had a glorious victory, and is by no means affected by being unable to get help from anyone, and has been spared by God now, as Charles took on the issue of the best campaign that has ever been offered. It is, therefore, the victory of the whole of existence worthy of praise, and once again congratulations on the salvation of the public with Christian prayers, to whom they prayed from their hearts above others, so that if any sense on the occasion, through their own efforts, will be able to experience.

I have heard nothing from the most gracious lord the king’s highness after the last letter about Mary has previously been in vain, despite when you write sincerely so often and declared most positively. The king’s highness added, however, that the letters are now in his own hands, and to represent this, namely that there many, so far as I understand, with the goods of the king’s Majesty’s forgiveness. It is lawful from him, that you shall receive the promises to visit the Lady Mary. I begged the king’s highness, travelling in his dominions, that upon our return, the king’s highness shall grant your satisfaction in this request in this regard, as well with all my present your arguments to satisfy the expectations of most successfully. The court in the Wolf Hall, 10 September.

Ex animo amicissimus

THOMAS CRUMUELL