Henry VII,the Reign
Timeline 1524
Wolsey Insists Bourbon be on 'this side' of France
January 1524
In January 1524, Wolsey sent new instructions to Sampson and Jerringham at Vitoria. They were to propose to Charles that he should invade Guienne by May at the latest, and that if he did so Henry would again send an army to Calais in June which would march on Paris. Henry would also pay for Bourbon's mercenaries. But Wolsey insisted that Bourbon should invade France from ‘this side’, and not at the head of Charles's armies from Italy or Spain. He suggested that Bourbon should be placed in command of Margaret of Austria’s forces in the Netherlands and that he would be the ideal general to lead the march on Paris in June.
In any case, he argued, Bourbon should be sent to England to discuss future operations with him and Henry.
In January 1524, Wolsey sent new instructions to Sampson and Jerringham at Vitoria. They were to propose to Charles that he should invade Guienne by May at the latest, and that if he did so Henry would again send an army to Calais in June which would march on Paris. Henry would also pay for Bourbon's mercenaries. But Wolsey insisted that Bourbon should invade France from ‘this side’, and not at the head of Charles's armies from Italy or Spain. He suggested that Bourbon should be placed in command of Margaret of Austria’s forces in the Netherlands and that he would be the ideal general to lead the march on Paris in June.
In any case, he argued, Bourbon should be sent to England to discuss future operations with him and Henry.
Otherwise Call a Truce
If Charles would not agree to these proposals it might be better to make a truce with France rather than continue incurring the expense of an unprofitable war.
But Bourbon Stays on 'that side' of France
Charles gave no definite reply to these proposals. Instead he appointed Bourbon commander in chief of his armies in Italy. When Henry and Wolsey invited Bourbon to visit England,Bourbon replied that he would like to come,but could not leave his post as the emperor's general in Italy.
Secret French Approach to Wolsey
John Joachim de Vaulx
February 1524
Francis's mother, Louise de Angouleme, made a secret peace approach to Wolsey. She asked him for safe conduct for a monk, John Joachim de Vaulx, to visit England so that certain proposals could be put to him. Wolsey granted him safe conduct and met the monk.
Wolsey wanted to negotiate with someone of higher authority and sent Joachim back to France, and he duly came back in April.
Francis's mother, Louise de Angouleme, made a secret peace approach to Wolsey. She asked him for safe conduct for a monk, John Joachim de Vaulx, to visit England so that certain proposals could be put to him. Wolsey granted him safe conduct and met the monk.
Wolsey wanted to negotiate with someone of higher authority and sent Joachim back to France, and he duly came back in April.
Joachim Returned with Jean de Brinon
John Joachim de Vaulx returned with John Brinon, Lord of Villaines, who was President of Normandy and Chancellor of Alencon, to resurrect negotiations on behalf of Francis’s mother, Louise of Savoy
Battle of the Sesia River - French Defeated
30 April 1524
French attempts to retake the Duchy of Milan fail and Francis's forces retreat back across the Alps
French attempts to retake the Duchy of Milan fail and Francis's forces retreat back across the Alps
Pace Implores Wolsey to Send Army to Northern France
25 June 1524
Richard Pace, advancing with Bourbon and his army to Provence, wrote to Wolsey telling him that this was the best opportunity that Henry would ever have to regain the crown of France, and urging the king to go at once to Calais with an army; he said that even if Henry did not engage the enemy, his mere presence with an army at Calais would make Francis withdraw his forces from Provence to meet the threat from the north.
Richard Pace, advancing with Bourbon and his army to Provence, wrote to Wolsey telling him that this was the best opportunity that Henry would ever have to regain the crown of France, and urging the king to go at once to Calais with an army; he said that even if Henry did not engage the enemy, his mere presence with an army at Calais would make Francis withdraw his forces from Provence to meet the threat from the north.
Albany All Adrift
20 May 1524
John Stewart, Duke of Albany, set sail for France to arrange a marriage for James V of Scotland to a Frenchwoman. By July, however, the king's mother and Henry VIII’s sister had overthrown Stewart's regency.
John Stewart, Duke of Albany, set sail for France to arrange a marriage for James V of Scotland to a Frenchwoman. By July, however, the king's mother and Henry VIII’s sister had overthrown Stewart's regency.
Henry Sends £20,000 to Bourbon with Russell
Henry and Wolsey sent Russell to Bourbon with £20,000, which he needed for his campaign.
But Pace 'Is surprised that he cannot hear where Russell is.'
The next day, Wolsey's letters dated 18 May arrived, with tidings of the dispatch of Sir J. Russell with 20,000. Pace is surprised that he cannot hear where Russell is . He asks Wolsey to take care that any money sent arrives in time, as the lack of it makes the soldiers murmmur, and hinders enterprise. There is no lack now, as the emperor's money is here, but he must know where the other money is before they cross the mountains, for no conveyance is so sure as having it with them. If it does not come before they cross, he has arranged
with the duke of Milan to send it on to the field.
Imperial Army Invades Southern France
First Days of July
In early July 1524, Charles de Bourbon crossed the Alps to Provence with nearly 11,000 men. The Spanish–Imperial forces captured and sacked most of the smaller towns there, and finally Bourbon entered the provincial capital of Aix-en-Provence on 9 August, taking the title of Count of Provence.
In early July 1524, Charles de Bourbon crossed the Alps to Provence with nearly 11,000 men. The Spanish–Imperial forces captured and sacked most of the smaller towns there, and finally Bourbon entered the provincial capital of Aix-en-Provence on 9 August, taking the title of Count of Provence.
Wolsey's Reply to Pace
Wolsey wrote a long reply to Pace. He told him that the king and the council appreciated his zeal and thanked him for his advice but that after discussing the matter, Henry and he had decided not to take it.
Bourbon Sent Packing from Marseilles
Bourbon's successes in Provence were checked when he besieged Marseilles and was repulsed, suffering a heavy defeat which sent him back to Italy more quickly than he had arrived.
Francis Feels Secure from England
Francis, convinced that there would be no invasion of France from the north that year, pursued Bourbon into Italy, recaptured Milan and struck fear into the hearts of the pope and the Italian dukes.
Francis Lays Siege to Encircled Pavia
The main mass of French troops arrived at Pavia in the last days of October. By 2 November, Anne de Montmorency had crossed the Ticino River and invested the city from the south, completing its encirclement. Inside were about 9,000 men, mainly mercenaries whom Antonio de Leyva was able to pay
only by melting the church plate.
only by melting the church plate.
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