No. IV

Henry by the Grace of God, King of England and France, Defender of the Faith, and Lord of Ireland, to our Reverend Father in Christ, Dominus F. de Villiers L'Isle Adam, our most dear friend — Greeting:

For a long period of time, Master Peter Vanes, of Luca, has been serving as private secretary; and as we have always found his service loving and faithful, we not only love him from our heart, and hold him dear, but we are also extremely desirous of his interest and advancement As he has declared to us that his most ardent wish is by our influence and favour to be in some way invested with honour in his own country, we have most willingly promised to do for him in this matter whatever lay in our power; and we trust that from the good offices which your most worthy Reverence has always received from us, this our desire with regard to promoting the aforesaid Master Peter will be furthered, and the more readily on this account, because what we beg for may be granted without injury to any one. Since, then, a certain Dominus Livius, concerning whom your Reverend Lordship will be more fully informed by our same Secretary, is in possession of a Priory in the Collegiate Church of SS. John and Riparata in the city of Luca, we most earnestly desire that the said Livius, through your Reverend Lordship's intercession, may resign the said Priory and Collegiate Church to our said Latin Secretary, on this condition, however, that your Reverend Lordship, as a special favour to us, will provide the said Dominus Livius with a Commandery of equal or of greater value. We therefore most earnestly entreat that you will have a care of this matter, so that we may obtain the object of our wishes; and we shall be greatly indebted to your Reverend Lordship, to whom, when occasion offers, we will make a return for the twofold favour, in a matter of like or of greater moment.

May all happiness attend you.

From our palace of Greenwich,

13th day of January, 1526,

Your good friend,

HENRY REX