[226] Calendar of State Papers, xiv. 1, 37. [227] State Papers, Record Office, viii. 139. [228] State Papers, Record Office, viii. 140-148. [229] Calendar of State Papers, xiv. 1, 93, 121. [230] _Ibid._, xiv. 1, 14; Calendar of Spanish State Papers, vi. 1, 97. [231] _Ibid._, xiv. 1, 26. [232] Calendar of State Papers, xiv. 1, 16-19. [233] _Ibid._, xiv. 1, 52; Lanz, ii. 297-306. [234] Nott, ii. 306. [235] Calendar of Spanish State Papers, vi. 1, 145. [236] Kaulek, 84. [237] Calendar of State Papers, xiv. 1, 125, 126 [238] State Papers, Record Office, viii. 155. [239] State Papers, Record Office, viii. 166, 175. [240] Nott, "Life of Wyatt," II. 511. [241] Calendar of State Papers, xiv. 1, 189, 191. [242] "Archæologia Cambrensis," xxiii. 139-141. BOOK VII CLEVES, ORANGE, AND LORRAINE 1539-1541 I. The negotiations for the King of England's marriage with the Duchess of Milan were broken off. But there was no lack of suitors for Christina's hand. During the winter and spring of 1539 the Emperor's niece received offers of marriage from three princely bridegrooms. The first of these was Antoine, Duke of Vendôme, whose courtship of the Duchess on the journey to Compiègne had aroused King Henry's jealousy. The second was William of Cleves, who since the old Duke Charles's death had taken possession of Guelders, and was now seeking to obtain the investiture of the duchy, together with Christina's hand. The third was Francis, the Marquis of Pont-à-Mousson, and heir of Lorraine. From the day that this Prince first met the Duchess at Compiègne, he sought her for his bride with a constancy and steadfastness that were eventually to be crowned with success. But for the moment the Duke of Cleves seemed to have the best chance of winning the coveted prize. From the first Mary of Hungary had regarded this alliance with favour, and when, in January, 1539, she consulted her Councillors on the Duchess's marriage, it was this union which met with their highest approval. "Duke William," wrote the Queen in her reply to the Emperor, "has greatly offended Your Majesty, both as a private individual and sovereign lord, by taking possession of Guelders. Still, as he renews his suit and professes to be your loyal friend and servant, it would be well to treat with him and offer him the Duchess's hand, on condition that he will give up Guelderland."[243] The alternative proposal, she proceeded to say, deserved consideration, seeing the great anxiety which the Duke of Lorraine's son showed for the marriage. No doubt the Emperor's niece, with her large dowry, would be a very honourable match for him, and well worth the surrender of his rights on Guelders; but, since it was most desirable to recover this duchy without delay, it might be well to secure the help of Lorraine by this means.