Hierarchy and Diplomatic Letter Writing in Early and Modern letters: The Case of an Unpublished Letter from Thomas Cromwell to Mary of Hungary

The correspondence of Thomas Cromwell (1485?–1540) is a particularly precious tool for Henrician studies, as it contains valuable information and is easily available to researchers, having been entirely transcribed in 1902. However, some manuscripts have evaded this initial transcription, like manuscript Bruxelles Audience 1537, fo. 106-1v-2r. This manuscript is a letter written by Thomas Cromwell to Mary of Hungary, Regent of the Netherlands, to settle a judicial matter related to an English merchant whose goods were confiscated through what the English deem to be an abusive process. This unpublished letter therefore gives illuminating insights into Cromwell's posture and power, creating the possibility of discussing hierarchy and diplomatic relations between England and the Empire.