beknave

[drummo]

Relating to Thomas Cromwell,can someone explain the phrase,
" for the King beknaveth him twice a week, and sometimes knocks him well about the pate, "
I know pate is head but what is beknave.

[mike11111]

To call or treat as a knave (scoundrel). Obsolete English.

[drummo]

many thanks mike11111

[mike11111]

Thomas Cromwell. like his mentor Cardinal Wolsey, was a devoted and highly effective Chancellor who was often abused by the King publicly whenever he was in a temper. He was eventually executed for high treason after arranging the disastrous marriage with Anne of Cleves for political advantages which shortly after ceased to be relevant, as he had aroused great enmity amongst the nobility who were looking for an excuse to bring him down. Henry VIII spent the rest of his life regretting the decision to execute him, blaming others for bringing up false charges. However, like most astute politicians, he was no saint and acted with great ruthlessness on occasions.