This letter to the king discusses the jewels being prepared for the royal trip to France, as new collars and various other pieces were being made by Cornelis one of the royal jewellers. Cromwell also interrupts himself to mention the case of Edmund Knightley, a man perpetually in trouble with the law. In 1532, Knightley teamed up with his brother Richard and their sister Lady Susan Spencer, whose husband had just died. The three attempted to defraud the king by claiming Sir William Spencer of Althorp (yes, those Spencers) died with nothing, that the lucrative wardship of their eldest son, John Spencer could not go to the king as expected, and that many valuables could not be given to those listed to inherit. Sir Edmund Knightley took the blame for the scam, and was put in Fleet prison, but was released when a judge in the Common Pleas asked Cromwell to let him go. The complaining and attempts to claim various inheritances swirled for years around the Knightleys, to no avail. Edmund Knightley’s attempt to become a judge in the late 1530s went nowhere, because Cromwell remembered this case, and many more disputes his family had caused. The young John Spencer became a ward of the king and grew up to be a lawyer and head of the Althorp estate without any issues.
MASTER CROMWELL TO KING HENRY VIII, 7 September 1532 (LP v. no. 1298)
Please it your highness to be informed that according to your gracious commandment, I have caused patrons (the jewellers) to be drawn after your Grace’s device, albeit I have willed your goldsmith not to proceed to the making of anything in perfection until your gracious pleasure shall be further known. For the which purpose, both he and I shall return to your highness on Saturday night or Sunday morning, and with the intent your Grace may determine your pleasure. I have sent by this bearer the patron of your collar of balasses (red ruby-like spinels) and diamonds drawn according to your Grace’s first plan.
Touching a certain matter in variance between the executors of Sir Thomas William Spencer, deceased, and Mr. Edmund Knightley, (and) my Lady Spencer, information was made to your highness that great spoils of the goods of the said Sir William Spencer was made by the executors, and how that the executors would have put out my lady, late the wife of William from the execution of the testament. The matter has been heard here, before my lord the Keeper of your Great Seal, Sir William Paulet, and me with oath of your Grace’s counsel. And as it appears by the examination of the executors, as by Edmund Knightley and Richard his brother, the whole spoil and belonging of the goods and plate was made only by Edmund Knightley his brother Richard as has been had and made of the said goods and also such offences as have been committed in that behalf have been only done and executed by the said Edmond Knightley his Sister and such other of that part and none otherwise and the said Lady Spencer, their sister, notwithstanding that there was agreement made between the executors, and the Lady Spencer that she should enter into bargain with your highness and also into the execution of the testament with them as an executrix, which undoubtedly she had done if Edmund Knightley had not been.
Edmund Knightley has not only travailed as much as in him is to set a pike between the said lady and the executors, and to defeat your Grace of your title to the heir of Spencer, but also justified the same before the lord Keeper of the Great Seal, where on the other part it was openly proud that your Grace had good title, and all his allegation untrue, yet nevertheless for the reducing of the same his untrue purpose to effect, and to the intent to slander your Grace’s title and others, he has caused to be made certain proclamations in your counties of Warwick, Leicester and Northampton in diverse of your highness’ towns there, to the high contempt of your Grace and your laws. For it has not been seen nor heard that any subject within this realm should presume to make proclamation within your realm, but only in your Grace’s name. Wherefore, for his offences and other contempt against your highness, in that behalf my lord the Keeper of your Great Seal, taking that matter to be a grievous offense against your crown and imperial majesty, has committed Edmund Knightley to your prison of the Fleet where he now remains until your high pleasure shall be further known in that behalf.
As touching the cup of gold and corporas (communion cloth) case, I sent your highness’ word by Thomas Alvard, the truth whereof this bearer Stephen Vaughan can advertise your Grace who has made perfect books as well of the said cup and corporas case, as also of all other your highness’ jewels, now being in the hands of Cornelis, to be ordered according to your Grace’s pleasure. And thus, the holy trinity preserve your most royal estate of your most excellent majesty.
CAROLINE ANGUS 