Henri Cleutin
Henri Cleutin, seigneur d'Oisel et de Villeparisis (1515 – 20 June 1566), was the representative of France in Scotland from 1546 to 1560, a Gentleman of the Chamber of the King of France, and a diplomat in Rome 1564–1566 during the French Wars of Religion.
Early life
Henri was one of five children of Pierre Cleutin, or Clutin,
Rough Wooing
Henri Cleutin, who was usually known as Monsieur d'Oysel, or d'Oisel, became ambassador resident in Scotland from 1546 during the war of the
Cleutin arrived in Scotland during an interlude of peace with England resulting from the
The war with England soon recommenced, and after Scotland's defeat at the
When Ferniehirst Castle was recovered from the English in February 1549, d'Oysel was one of the first at the walls and then he settled a heated debate over the army's next step. Nicolas Durand de Villegaignon, advocated making a fortification at Roxburgh before the army moved on, and after the commanders held an inconclusive vote, d'Oysel appealed to the authority of Arran who finally agreed with Villegaignon.[9]
The peace
Cleutin remained in Scotland after the war with England was concluded in 1550. In May, he travelled to the border to meet the brother of Mary of Guise, the Marquis de Mayenne, who had been a hostage for the peace negotiations in England. While waiting for the Marquis, he visited Dunbar Castle, Fast Castle, and Tantallon Castle. Cleutin wrote to Mary of Guise from Dunglass remarking that there was nothing there in the abandoned English fort except the things they had brought themselves. The countryside could hardly provide for their horses.[10] Cleutin, not the Duke of Châtelherault, was left in charge of Scotland when Mary of Guise, the Queen Dowager, visited France in 1550. He visited the Duke's Craignethan Castle in November 1550.[11] He wrote to Mary of Guise asking her to ensure that no impediment was made for food to be shipped to Scotland from France in February 1551 on account of the needs of the town of Edinburgh and the French soldiers because of the pillages and burnings during the war. Cleutin and Regent Arran travelled to Jedburgh with Camillo Marini, an Italian military engineer to plan new fortifications on the border.[12]
At this height of the
Cleutin later wrote of his own embassy to England in peacetime, meaning perhaps February 1552 when his mission concerned the Debatable Lands, when John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland had criticised his role as ambassador of Scotland to his Scottish colleagues;
Don't you know to manage your own affairs without the help of French ambassadors? You're making a big mistake to by putting yourself under their care, and you won't be welcome with us.[17]
Jean Scheyfve recorded Cleutin's visit to England in February 1552, writing that he had 30 or 40 captains and soldiers with him, and had heard a rumour that other French troops had passed through Ireland from the garrisons in Scotland, and that some might pass through England. After visiting France he returned to England en route to Scotland in July, but did not visit the English court.[18]
Paperwork goes astray
The peace concluded with England, France and Scotland after the war of the
There was also a lengthy memoir to Henry II of France concerning how Scotland would be governed after Mary, Queen of Scotland, reached her majority, a subject debated by the French parliament in that year.
Mary of Hungary gave
Although there is no further record of Salazar coming to England, these instructions may have seemed genuine, as the
When Mary of Guise complained about the loss of these letters, the Dowager Regent replied that she found her letters to d'Oysel were inappropriate by not showing true and sincere friendship to the
Wyatt's confession
On 29 July 1553, the French ambassador in London,
In February 1554, the Imperial ambassador in England
The French King would attack England from Scotland and mount an assault on the English strongholds at Calais and Guînes during Wyatt's enterprise. While the plot failed and the English conspirators were arrested or fled, Renard said that the Admiral, the Earl of Derby and Earl of Westmorland were on war footing to resist the potential invasion. Renard said that the Princess Elizabeth was implicated by Cleutin's letters.[31]
At the end of March, the English ambassador in France,
Regency and Reformation
When Guise became Regent of Scotland on 12 April 1554, d'Oisel rode with her from
Cleutin continued as a close advisor of the Dowager Queen Regent. In August 1554, he attended a performance of David Lyndsay's A Satire of the Three Estates with Mary of Guise in Edinburgh. The master of work William MacDowall built a special seat for them at the Greenside playfield, recorded as the "Quenis grace' hous".[37]
On 11 January 1554/5 Cleutin wrote a long letter to the Duke of Guise detailing the problems he perceived in Scotland that reduced revenue. The people needed to be ruled with a rod in the hand, desiring neither peace or justice. In frontier regions the heads of many families were no more than bandits, preying on Scots and English alike, of no value in peace or war. The many good islands were in poor estate, and French troops lightly armed in Scottish jacks would help the revenue of the Queen and Dowager. None of the Scottish fortresses would hold out for an hour against invasion, and he lacked men, a military engineer, wood, and lime for repairs.[38] In August 1555, in a letter to Antoine de Noailles, the French ambassador in London, he described the state of the border with England on the west, and a visit by Mary of Guise to the area. The Graham Family were at the centre of troubles in the Debatable Lands. Richard Graham and his son William Graham, two English members of the family occupied lands at Canonbie, and had expelled John Graham, the Scottish owner or tenant. Cleutin commanded a unit of cavalry during the Regent's progresses.[39]
Noailles sent Cleutin extracts from English acts of parliament relevant to border fortifications, and advocated the refortification of
War in 1557
Scotland and England were at war again in August 1557, and d'Oysel's troops re-occupied the fort at
The English border warden heard that at least six pieces of artillery were shipped to Eyemouth to demolish Cornwall Tower, Twizell bridge and Ford bridge. The army would try to take Wark Castle at the end of August. The operation was delayed, while 12 more guns were brought overland from Edinburgh, and the French garrison at Dunbar did not release more cannon until 6 October. The Earl of Shrewsbury thought delays were caused by worsening weather, flooding, and internal dissent. On 17 October, d'Oysel gave orders for the artillery to move forward to assault Wark. Four cannon crossed the swollen Tweed and two men and eight horses drowned.
However the Scottish nobles were reluctant to go further as the weather conditions were now poor. They came to his campaign tent at Maxwellheugh, near Kelso, and, according to John Knox, told him flatly they would not invade England. The Earl of Shrewsbury wrote that d'Oysel, was "in great hevyness, and with high words ... wisshed himself in Fraunce." English spies said the nobles had to restrain the Scottish commander, the Earl of Huntly, for a day.[45]
In this year William Kirkcaldy of Grange fought a duel with Ralph Eure, brother of the governor of Berwick, over the maltreatment of Grange's brother as a prisoner. Pitscottie wrote that Grange went to Berwick with d'Oysel and the garrison of Eyemouth, and it was agreed that none of the French or English soldiers would interfere with the combat.[46]
Reformation crisis
D'Oysel and the French interests in Scotland were now facing a greater threat from increasing support for
The Congregation Lords subsequently occupied Edinburgh, and on 25 July 1559 d'Oysel signed the
Two years later, the English ambassador in Paris,
D'Oysel and
After Mary of Guise died in June 1560 the siege of Leith continued. According to Holinshed, d'Oisel vowed to defend the poor of the town who were gathering cockles on the shore from the English on 4 July, but the English attacked anyway. (A French journal of the siege places this event in May.) He was still within the town at the end of the siege. When peace was concluded, Sir Francis Leake and Sir Gervase Clifton came to his lodging for a banquet where no meat or fish was served, except one dish of horse.[56] Cleutin left Scotland on 18 July 1560 in the English ship, the Minion with 40 companions.[57] Early commentators lay the blame for the failure of Mary of Guise's policies on the other French advisors, de la Brosse, Martigues, and de Rubay, rather than on d'Oysel.[58]
Mary returns to Scotland
In October 1560 Nicholas Throckmorton heard Cleutin was out of favour in France due to his opposition to the plan to execute the Protestant lords, but was given leave to go home to Villeparis. In September 1561 Cleutin visited Throckmorton in Paris, saying he had been a friend to Mary, Queen of Scots and the House of Guise. Cleutin then travelled to London to obtain a passport and safe-conduct for Mary, Queen of Scots' voyage to Scotland. Cecil thought delay would serve England best. He thought uncertainty would keep her from making a marriage that would be detrimental to English policy.[59]
Elizabeth did not oblige with permission, wishing Mary to ratify the Treaty of Edinburgh which Cleutin had helped draft, and kept him waiting. William Maitland approved of this, but learnt that Mary would sail anyway.[60] On 6 October 1561 Throckmorton went to the Hôtel de Guise and d'Oysel brought him to speak to the Duke himself.[61]
Religious affairs
Cleutin returned to France and continued to serve Mary. He fought at the
Mary and Darnley
Cleutin's correspondence during the discussions on a Papal dispensation for the marriage of Mary and
Epitaph in Rome
On 10 June 1566 Henri Cleutin wrote to Catherine de' Medici asking for permission to travel to Lucca to seek a remedy for his grave illness.[68] He died in Rome later in June 1566 and was buried in the church of San Luigi dei Francesi. Captain Ninian Cockburn, a Scottish agent in Paris sent the news to Cecil.[69] His tomb inscription was composed by Marc Anthoine Muret gives a summary of his career;
HENRICO CLEUTINO GALLO VILLAE PARISIAE D. IN SCOTIA FRANCISCI I LEGATO, ET HENRICI II GALLOS REGG. IBIDEM CVM EXERCITU PRO SCOTIAE REGINA, OB BENE MERITU, HONORARII EQUITIS MUNERE, ET IN GALLIA OB REAS IN PRAELIO AD DRUIDAS CONTRA REG. ET S. R. E. HOSTES COMMISU BENEGESTAS, A CAROLO IX TORQUATOR MILITUM ORDINE, ET CATAPHRACTOR EQUITUM ALAE PRAEFECTUS DECORATO, ROMAE AD PIUS IIII ET V PONTT. MAX. REGIS SUI NOMEN, AC DIGNITATUM ACCERIME TUTATU HONORIFICA LEGATIONE AC VITA FUNCTO.
Henry Cleutin, Sieur of Villeparisis, legate of the French Kings Francis I and Henry II in Scotland, where he served with merit with the army for the Scottish queen, was honoured with knighthood, and with fine deeds battled against the King and Pope's enemies in France, Charles IX made him a Knight of the Order of the Collar and First Master of the Great Horse, he was nominated by the King to go to Rome to Popes Pius IV and Pius V and carried out his duties with great honour.[70]
Family
Henri married Jeanne (or Marie) de Thoüars before 1546, who had been twice married; they had three children in Scotland;[71]
- James
- Henri
- Mary Cleutin, married; (1) Claude III de l'Aubespine, Sieur de Hauterive, Baron de Chateuneuf (2) George, Sieur de Clermont, Marquis de Gallerande.[72]
In 1552 there was some talk of Henri marrying the widowed
References
- Baudouin-Matuszek, Marie-Noëlle, 'Un ambassadeur en Ecosse au XVI e siècle : Henri Clutin d'Oisel', in Revue Historique, vol. 281, no. 1 (569) (January–March 1989), pp. 77–131
- ^ Jean Le Laboureur, Les memoires de Messire Michel de Castelnau, vol. 1 (Brussels, 1731), 430: Marie-Noëlle Baudouin-Matuszek, 'Un ambassadeur en Ecosse au XVIe siècle: Henri Clutin d'Oisel', Revue Historique, 281:1 (569) (January–March 1989), 80–3, 102.
- ^ Marcus Merriman, The Rough Wooings (East Linton, 2000), p. 219.
- ^ Amy Blakeway, Regency in Sixteenth-Century Scotland (Boydell, 2015).
- ^ Calendar State Papers Spain, vol. 8 (London, 1904), 528.
- ^ Calendar State Papers Foreign Elizabeth, 1559–1560 (London, 1865), p. 11.
- ^ Knox, John, History of the Reformation, Book 2, e.g., Lennox, Cuthbert ed., (1905), 103.
- ^ Thomson, Thomas, ed., Acts of the Parliaments of Scotland, vol. 2 (1814), 481.
- ^ Marguerite Wood, Balcarres Papers, vol. 1 (Edinburgh: SHS, 1923), pp. 179–180.
- ^ Annie I. Cameron, Scottish Correspondence of Mary of Lorraine (SHS, Edinburgh, 1927), 288: Patrick Abercromby, The History of the Campagnes in Scotland, 1548 and 1549 (1707), pp. 96–97.
- ^ Annie Cameron, Balcarres Papers, 1548–1557 (Edinburgh: SHS, Edinburgh, 1925), pp. x, 63–65.
- ^ Pamela Ritchie, Mary of Guise (East Linton, 2002), pp. 127–9: National Records of Scotland E32/11 Household account of Regent Arran, ff. 26r & 99r.
- ^ Annie Cameron, Balcarres Papers, 1548–1557 (Edinburgh: SHS, 1925), 86–7, 92–3.
- ^ Calendar State Papers Spain, vol. 10 (London, 1914), 339.
- ^ Pamela Ritchie, Mary of Guise, (2002), 128 & 128 n.23.
- ^ Robert Lindsay, History of Scotland, vol. 2 (Edinburgh, 1814), p. 513: George Buchanan, History of Scotland, trans. Aikman (Glasgow, 1827), 382, bk. 16 cap. 1.
- ^ James Maitland, A Narrative of the Minority of Mary Queen of Scots (Ipswich, 1842).
- ^ Marcus Merriman, The Rough Wooings, (East Linton: Tuckwell, 2000), p.383 quoting Alexandre Teulet, Relations Politiques, vol. 1 (Paris, 1862), 293.
- ^ Calendar State Papers Spain, vol. 10 (London, 1914), pp. 468, 549.
- ^ Cosmo Innes, Ledger of Andrew Halyburton (Edinburgh, 1867), pp. lxxxv–lxxxvi quoting a copy of the treaty in Edinburgh city archives.
- ^ Baudouin-Matuszek (1989), 104: Calendar State Papers Spain, vol.10, 596.
- ^ Teulet, Alexandre, ed., Relations Politiques, vol. 1 (Paris, 1862), pp. 274–8.
- ^ Haynes, Samuel, ed., A Collection of State Papers (London, 1740), pp. 130–1, Dr Richard Smith to Nicolas Strelley, 11 November 1552.
- ^ Jordan, W. K., The Chronicles and Political Papers of Edward VI, London (1966), 155.
- ^ HMC Salisbury Hatfield, vol. 1 (1883), 100: Haynes, Samuel, ed., A Collection of State Papers, (London, 1740), 133–5, the copy has "Sieur d'Avoys": Salazar used the name "d'Anoys," his diplomat instructions are published from the French Archives in Correspondence Politique de Odet de Selve (Paris, 1888), pp. xviii, 481–484 no. 528 & footnote.
- ^ CSP Spain, vol. 9 (London, 1912), 334, 31 January 1549: HMC Marquess of Bath at Longleat: Seymour Papers, vol. 4 (1967), p. 107, Cornysshe to Somerset, 25 January 1549: Some older French histories state that French and Scotland benefited from division in England at the trial; e.g., Abbé de Vertot, Ambassades de Messieurs de Noailles en Angleterre, vol. 1 (Leyden, 1763), p. 299, citing Guillaume Paradin, vol.5 p.624.
- ^ Calendar State Papers Spain, vol. 10 (London, 1914), 585–588 footnote translates stolen memorandum in full, pp. 596–604, 608.
- ^ Samuel Haynes, A Collection of State Papers, (London, 1740), pp. 142–4.
- ^ Royall Tyler, Calendar State Papers Spain 1553, 11 (London, 1916), p. 42.
- ^ Abbé de Vertot, Ambassades de Messieurs de Noailles en Angleterre, vol. 2 (Leyden, 1763), pp. 88–92 & footnote p. 90, Noailles to Henry II, 29 July 1553, 102, 104.
- ^ Michael Pearce, The Dolls of Mary Queen of Scots: Edinburgh Castle Research Reports (Edinburgh, Historic Environment Scotland, 2018), p. 20
- ^ Patrick Fraser Tytler, England under the reigns Edward VI and Mary, vol. 2 (London, 1839), pp. 306–313, Renard to Charles V, 24 February 1554: E. Harris Harbison, Rival Ambassadors at the Court of Queen Mary (Princeton, 1940), pp. 119–122.
- ^ Patrick Fraser Tytler, England under the reigns Edward VI and Mary, vol. 2 (London, 1839), pp. 352–364, Wotton to Queen Mary, 31 March 1554.
- ^ Vertot, Ambassades, vol. 3 (Leyden, 1763), p. 161.
- ^ Calendar of State Papers Foreign, Mary: 1553–1558, vol (London, 1861), no. 199.
- ^ Lindsay, Robert, History of Scotland, vol. 2 Edinburgh (1814), p. 514.
- ^ Rosalind K. Marshall, Scottish Queens: 1034–1714 (John Donald: Edinburgh, 2007), p. 120.
- ^ Robert Adam, Edinburgh Records: The Burgh Accounts, vol. 1 (Edinburgh, 1899), 110: Accounts of the Treasurer of Scotland, vol. 10 (1913), 232.
- ^ Michaud & Poujoulat, ed., Nouvelle collection des mémoires pour servir à l'histoire de France, vol. 6 (Paris, 1839), 222-3
- ^ Pamela E. Ritchie, Mary of Guise (Tuckwell: East Linton, 2002), pp. 153–56: Vertot, Ambassades de Noailles, 5 (Leiden, 1763), pp. 90–97.
- ^ Vertot, Ambassades de Noailles, 5 (Leiden, 1763), p. 210: E. Harris Harbison, Rival Ambassadors at the Court of Queen Mary (Princeton, 1940), p. 241.
- ^ Records of the Parliaments of Scotland to 1707: CSP Scotland, vol. 1 (London, 1898): Pamela E. Ritchie, Mary of Guise, (East Linton: Tuckwell, 2002), 196–7. 109–110, 136–8.
- ^ Calendar State Papers Spain, vol. 13 (London, 1954), no. 345: CSP Scotland, vol. 1 (Edinburgh, 1898), notes date of a Berwick raid as the feast of Saint Remy, 1 October 1557.
- ^ CSP Spain, vol. 13 (London, 1954), no. 345: Acts of the Privy Council, vol. 6 (London, 1893), pp. 139, 173: John Strype, Ecclesiastical Memorials, vol. 3 part 2 (Oxford, 1822), pp. 86–7.
- ^ George Ridpath, Border History of England and Scotland (Mercat (reprint), 1979), 401–5: David Laing, Works of John Knox, vol. 1 (Edinburgh, 1846), 255: Pamela E. Ritchie, Mary of Guise (East Linton, 2002), pp. 180–188, quoting a letter from the Earl of Shrewsbury, Lambeth Palace Library, Talbot MS 3195 fol.253: Edmund Lodge, Illustrations of English History (London, 1791), pp. 206, 263–4, 266, 270, 283, 284, 288.
- ^ Lindsay of Pitscottie, History of Scotland (Edinburgh, 1778), p. 314.
- ^ Lindsay of Pitscottie, History of Scotland (Edinburgh, 1814), pp. 536–545.
- ^ David Laing, The Works of John Knox (Edinburgh, 1846), pp. 352–354, the signature there reproduced which troubled the editor is simply a facsimile of a poor copy of "Cleutin".
- ^ Pamela Ritchie, Mary of Guise (East Linton, 2002), pp. 236–7.
- ^ CSP Foreign Elizabeth, vol. 3 (London, 1865), no. 619.
- ^ CSP Foreign Elizabeth, vol. 2 (London, 1865), no.572 note, translating Teulet, vol.1, p. 404: Calendar of State Papers Scotland, vol. 1 (Edinburgh, 1898), pp. 280–2: Works of John Knox: History of the Reformation in Scotland, vol. 2 (Edinburgh, 1848), pp. 5–7.
- ^ Laing, David, ed., 'John Knox's 'History of the Reformation', Book 3,' The Works of John Knox, vol. 2, (Bannatyne Club, Edinburgh, 1848), 14
- ^ Calendar State Papers Scotland, vol. 1 (Edinburgh, 1898), p. 313.
- ^ Calendar State Papers Scotland, vol. 1 (Edinburgh, 1898), p. 322.
- ^ Gladys Dickinson, Two Missions, (SHS, Edinburgh, 1942), pp. 65, 85–6, 99.
- ^ Holinshed, Raphael, Chronicles (London, 1577): but see also Two Missions of De La Brosse (SHS: Edinburgh, 1942).
- ^ CSP Scotland, vol. 1 (1898), 426, 449, 455.
- ^ Maxwell, John, Historical Memoirs of Mary Queen of Scots (Abbotsford Club, 1836), p. 50.
- ^ Philip Yorke, Miscellaneous State Papers, vol. 1 (London, 1778), pp. 172–4.
- ^ Calendar State Papers Scotland, vol. 1 (Edinburgh, 1898), pp. 413, 538–40, 444.
- ^ CSP Foreign Elizabeth, vol. 4 (London, 1866), nos. 494, 592.
- ^ CSP Foreign Elizabeth, vol. 5 (London, 1867), no. 576.
- ^ CSP Vatican, vol. 1 (London, 1916), no. 291.
- ^ CSP Foreign Elizabeth, vol. 7 (London, 1870), no. 75.
- ^ Jean Le Laboureur, Les memoires de Messire Michel de Castelnau, vol. 1 (Brussels, 1731), 432–8
- ^ Calendar State Papers Scotland, vol. 2 (Edinburgh, 1900), 130.
- ^ John Hungerford Pollen, Papal Negotiations with Mary of Scots (Edinburgh: Scottish History Society, 1901), pp. 195, 452-3.
- ^ John Hungerford Pollen, Papal Negotiations with Mary of Scots (Edinburgh: Scottish History Society, 1901), 454.
- ^ CSP Foreign Elizabeth, vol. 8 (London, 1871), no. 562, Cockburn (as Beaumont) to Cecil, 7 July 1566.
- ^ Forcella, Vicenzo,Iscrizioni delle chiese e d'altri edificii di Roma dal secolo 11 fino ai giorni nostri, (Rome, 1869), 20
- ^ Bonner, Elizabeth, 'French Naturalization of the Scots in the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Centuries', The Historical Journal, vol.40 no.4 (Dec. 1997), p.1097, 1113–5: Baudouin-Matuszek (1989), 90: Manuscript of copy formulae BNF fr.4588, item 15, 49r-50r
- ^ Labourier, vol. 1 (1731) p.315.
- ^ Calendar State Papers Spain, vol.10 (1914), 588 footnote, Mary of Guise to Charles, Cardinal of Lorraine, Falkland, 3 October 1552.
- ^ "Villeparisise Histoire".
- ^ Baudouin-Matuszek (1989), 107
- ^ Du Chesne, André, Histoire genealogique de la maison des Chasteigners (Paris, 1634), 257–259 prints Cleutin's epitaph.
External links and sources
- Letter from Cleutin with news of the departure of Mary Queen of Scots and the Siege of Haddington, 17 June 1548, with other letters from the Bibliothèque Nationale de France
- Armel Dubois-Nayt and Valérie Nachef, 'Developing the Art of Secret Writing across Borders: The Journey of Marie de Guise’s Ciphers', Études Epistémè, 37 (2020)
- Shopping for Mary, Queen of Scots, in 1548 with Henri Cleutin
- "Plan of Ayemouth fortified by Henri Clutin 1557, British Library".
- Scanned manuscript volume containing letters from Henri Clutin in Rome, 1564, from the Bibliothèque Nationale de France
- Holinshed, Raphael, Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland,, vol. 4 (London, 1808)
- Laing, David, ed., The Works of John Knox, vol. 1 (Wodrow Society, 1846).
- Robert Lindsay of Pitscottie, History of Scotland: from 21 February, 1436 to March, 1565 (1728) pp. 204–7 for Coupar Muir, 1559.