Henry VIII,the Reign
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Henry VIII, the Reign - 1538
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Timeline


Henry VIII, the Reign
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Timeline 1538
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Henry Agrees to Discussions with Germans

2 January 1538
Henry replies to the Germans and agrees to a continuation of their discussions and that he will send an embassy; he requests a return embassy of learned men 'with sufficient power or authority' to conclude an alliance without delay.

Reginald Pole on the Council

7 January 1538
Reginald Pole appointed to the commission of cardinals preparing a general council.

Dead Foxe

8 May 1538 
Leading English reformer Bishop Edward Foxe is dead, aged forty-two.

German Ambassadors Arrive without Melanchthon

27 May 1538
Ambassadors Georg von Boineburg, from Hesse, Franx Burchard, Friedrich Mykoniusand and Bernhard Mila from Saxony (but not Melachthon) arrive in London.

Melanchthon Pledge

The ambassadors replied that if Henry was willing to accept the League’s religious principles and defend them at a (general) council, Melanchthon would be sent with the next embassy.

Burchard Met Cromwell

1 June 1538
Burchard met with Cromwell at Westminster then Cranmer at Lambeth. They both give him encouragement about the forthcoming meeting with Henry.


Nice Peace
 
Charles & Francis Peace Deal

June 1538
Peace in Nice.
Arranged by Pope Paul III, Francis I and Charles V agreed a ten-year truce. (The pope shuttled from room to room because Francis and Charles refused to sit in sight of each other.) Reginald Pole also in Nice.

No Melanchthon

2 June 1538
German ambassadors met Henry with his councillors, including Cranmer, Thomas Howard, Charles Brandon, Thomas Audley and Cromwell. They listened to the ambassador’s long instructions, which Henry wanted put in writing. The king then complained that considering the importance of the negotiations Melanchthon should have come himself and that he is upset that Melanchthon has not arrived in England.

Search for New Wife

Summer and autumn 1538 
A new wife is sought for Henry, who is courting, lurching to and fro between the French and imperial sides. The sixteen-year-old Duchess of Milan (daughter of the deposed King of Denmark) was for a time his favourite. Holbien made busy abroad painting portraits of the candidates.

Negotiation Team

The king invited the ambassadors to stay on for detailed theological discussions. Henry picked a mixed team of conservatives and evangelists, including the recently arrested conservative Bishop John Stokesley.

Tunstall Called South

Summer Progress 13 July until 24 September 1538
Spent mainly inspecting southern ports. Bishop (conservative) of Durham Cuthbert Tunstall called south by the king to 'remain about his person' as a theological adviser; later in the year, Tunstall took Bishop Foxe's place on the Privy Council.
Macculloch Cranmer, p 219

Henry Returned from Progress

24 September 1538 

Conservative Gardiner Returned from France

26 September 1538
Bishop Stephen Gardiner returns from France after three years there as ambassador.
During his absence, Catherine of Aragon had died, Princess Mary had acknowledged the royal supremacy, Anne Boleyn had been executed and Jane Seymour had become queen, given birth to Edward VI and died. The dissolution of the monasteries had begun and was almost complete, the only formidable insurrection that had occurred during the reign had been crushed, the ten articles had been passed by the convocation, marking the first doctrinal gain, though a slight one by the reformers, and a royal proclamation called for an English Bible in every parish church. The Institution of a Christian Man or The Bishop's Book, incorporating the teaching of the Ten Articles had been published, the destruction of images had begun and the shrine of Thomas a Beckett had been dismantled.

German Discussions Came to Nothing

During September 
Henry was still on progress and discussions with German ambassadors 'petered away to nothing'. 

Poles Arrested - Reginald's Family Imprisoned

November 1538
Henry Pole, Lord Montagu, Henry Courtney, Marquis of Exeter, and Margaret Pole, Lady Salisbury, were all
arrested.

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Henry VIII, the Reign.
Henry VIII, the Reign.
  • Henry VIII A Summary
  • Pages Guide
  • Henry VIII Timeline
  • Mark Holinshed's Articles
  • Henry VIII, the Reign A New Look
  • Quick Facts
  • About
  • Members of Parliament 1529
  • VIDEO CHANNEL GUIDE
  • The Man Who was Henry VIII An Introduction Video