Today in Tudor History...

8 August 1503 – King James IV of Scotland marries Margaret Tudor, daughter of King Henry VII of England at Holyrood Abbey in Edinburgh, Scotland.

1533- Henry VIII. to Norfolk and Rochford

Had written to him by lord Rochford what arguments he should use to dissuade the French king from meeting the Pope. Suggests further to the same effect that he should urge the inconsistency of the French king's doing so, as he promised that if the Pope took any new steps against his brother he would not meet him. If he denies he made such a promise you shall lament your misfortune in having told us that he had. If he admits it, but thinks this is no innovation, you shall exclaim, "How hard it is that one of my age and place should be invited to your interview with the Pope, and yet 'understand such matter' whereupon neither my master's honor nor my heart will allow me to be present. Occasion will rather be given by my departure to blow abroad the small appearance of friendship between the two Crowns. Irreparable injury will ensue by this meeting, and the opinion of the world, often stronger than truth, will be lost." If he urges that princes must use policy, and pretends that what he is doing is for our benefit, you shall urge that the Pope has treated us with great injustice, that what we have done has been with the French king's advice, and that the Pope has injured us both ; that his citation of us to Rome is a manifest wrong to all princes, in which he still perseveres, notwithstanding the remonstrance of the Cardinals sent by the French king. On consulting him by you lord Rochford how to disclose our marriage, he advised us to knit the nobles of our realm in one accord, and then divulge it ; and as there was no other way so firm to knit them as by Parliament, "all other knots being loose and slippery, this knot of act and statute is by authority thereof permanent and durable, and he ought to be contented now that it is a sure knot, and that we have attempted no innovation of which he was not the substantial author." Therefore, if the Pope persists in proceeding against us, no good can come from his interview with the French king.

To all his attempts to revoke what is done here, we shall say Nay, in such a sort that the world shall hear and the Pope shall feel it. We therefore put our trust in him, and think it would be dishonorable in him to see decay a thing that was of his own foundation, most so to us who have now come to harvest, and trust shortly to see the fruit of our marriage. You shall further say that you know that our determination is fixed, and that we will not allow our marriage, the sentence of the archbishop of Canterbury, the statutes of our realm, or our late proclamation to be touched. Therefore let him make no promise to the Pope in these matters. If he would tell the Pope that unless he make us amends he can have no further amity with him, this will be an honorable course, and induce him and other princes to make our cause their own. If, to remove all suspicion of our amity, he brake off the appointed meeting with the Emperor, there is much greater reason to break off this meeting with the Pope. If you can persuade him to this you are to tarry with him, and consult by what ways and means we can best annoy the Pope. If you cannot, and he urges that it is important for him to have the Duchess in his hands, you shall tell him that you remember he once said he would never conclude that marriage except to do us good, but you cannot prevent him, and therefore only lament the necessity of your returning to England, for you cannot look patiently on your master's enemy. And you shall further signify that we have commissioned Sir Fras. Brian and Sir John Wallop to repair with him to the interview, provided they never present themselves to the Pope. In taking leave of him you shall say that if he will needs meet the Pope he can do nothing so acceptable to you as to persuade the Pope to pronounce the marriage of the lady Katharine null and void.

1535-Katherine of Arragon to Queen Mary of Hungary.

Not to trouble her Highness, has forborne to reply to the letters she lately wrote, but is compelled by the offence given here to God, the danger of her husband's conscience, and the scandal to Christendom, to implore the persons who can help to remedy it. Is informed that there is to be a meeting shortly between her Highness and the queen of France, and, hoping that some good may be done at that time, begs her earnestly for two things; first, to inform the Emperor of the extreme urgency of the matters of this kingdom; and, secondly, when she sees the Queen her sister, to beg of her, with Katharine's recommendations, to use her influence with the King her husband to be a good friend to Henry in getting him to abandon the sin in which he stands. Knows well her Highness is in much trouble seeing his Majesty is in lands so remote. Is troubled at it herself, but restrains herself with the thought that he is engaged in a holy cause in spreading the Christian religion. Hopes, therefore, that God will give him the victory and health to his kingdoms. Thanks Mary for her good offices. Kimbolton

1553 - King Edward VI buried with Protestant rites

1560 – Birth of Elizabeth Báthory, Hungarian murderer 

1576 – The cornerstone for Tycho Brahe's Uraniborg observatory is laid on Ven, Denmark.

1585 – John Davis enters Cumberland Sound in search of the Northwest Passage.

1588 – Anglo-Spanish War: Battle of Gravelines – The naval engagement ends, ending the Spanish Armada's attempt to invade England.

1605 – The city of Oulu, Finland, is founded by Charles IX of Sweden.

1605 – Birth of Cecilius Calvert, 2nd Baron Baltimore, English lawyer and politician

source:http://www.british-history.ac.uk/,wikipedia