Border Papers volume 1: November 1586

463. Scrope to Walsingham. [Nov. 2.]

"Your lettres of the xxvj^th of the laste, I have receaved, and for your advertisementes thereby (of the proceedinges againste the Scottes Quene, togither with your inclosed reporte of the honorable conflict and happie successes of the Earle of Essex, Sir Phillip Sidney and others against the enemyes forces) I do geve you right hartie thanckes—beinge on the one syde right glad to heare that Sir Phillip Sidney is escaped the danger of the hurte receaved in that conflicte, to whom, for the good affection I beare (do wishe) him well deservinge the same as good and fortunate successe (in those honorable and comendable services) as any frend in England—and on thother parte, from my harte do wishe and praye unto God, that aswell the Scottes Quene as all other contrivers of such cruelties, maye reape the rewarde worthelie deservinge to her and them, practisinge such devillish devises againste her Majestie our soveraigne and realme. Thanckinge the Allmightie for His most mercifull proteccion of thone and thother from the plotted perill, and praye for the preservacion of them both, to his owne glory and the comforte of all good English hartes."

I hear credibly that "the partie knowne to you" is now on the West Border, and in such favour and credit with Maxwell and Herries, as he has never had before in Scotland. "So as his services now in that place with Maxwell maye (as I thinke) be so profitable (if yt shall be thought meete to use the same) as no mans in these partes more, for the discipheringe of Maxwelles devises. All which notwithstandinge, as I have hitherto (agreable to my former lettres), stayed to use his service there with Maxwell or any others in that realme, otherwise then for the learninge oute the names of thInglishmen entred that realme, and of their passages through the Borders, so shall I still forbeare to have any further dealinges with him, untill I shall receave your opynion and direction howe to imploye him, and what in particuler I shall seeke to have discovered by him." And as I expect shortly to send to him, I would be glad to have your opinion with speed. As to Windsor and David Englebie, I hope to give you particulars in my next. Carlisle. Signed: H. Scrope.

1 p. Addressed. Indorsed.

464. Scrope to Davison. [Nov. 6.]

"I can nowe assure you that Davy Inglebye passed by Whitthaw, as I informed, and was at Dunfreis betwixt Holirood daye and Mighellmas, where he spake (as is reported) both with Maxwell and Harris. It is thought that Windsour was there with him at the same tyme." I send you my late advertisements from Scotland. Carlisle. Signed: H. Scrope.

½ p. Addressed to Davison. Indorsed by Davison.

465. Scrope to Walsingham. [Nov. 6.]

"The partie knowne to you is returned by me to his owne howse, and uppon his conference with me I have chosen certaine speciall notes of the moste materiall matters which he delivered me in speech, the particularityes whereof I have thought good to send you here inclosed, trustinge you will consider of and use them accordinge to your wisdome and good discreation, to the best benefitt of her Majesties service, and comforte of the partie, whom I thinke verie fitt to be imployed in those partes for the soundinge of Maxwell, as I informed by my laste." He offers to do everything in his power that you may yourself enjoin him, if he gets some consideration for his charges, which I think he deserves. Carlisle. Signed: H. Scrope.

Postscript.—It is very certain that Ingleby was in Scotland betwixt "Hollerowe daye and Mighellmas" when they spoke with Maxwell and Herries. They passed the way that I have informed.

½ p. Addressed. Indorsed.

Inclosed in the above:—

(Notes referred to.)

"Carliol, v^t Novembris 1586.—Collingwoods intelligenc to the Lord Scrop." The abbot of Newabbaye hath written lately from France to his friends at home, that he will soon be in Scotland. A servant of Holt's has come from France to Scotland, with letters and messages. Holt himself came lately to Paris from "Roome," being very speedily dispatched from the Pope by D^r Allen's means, who is lately made a Cardinal. Letters from England both to the King and Hamilton, accusing the latter of conspiring her Majesty's death, were shown by them to each other in secrecy—which coming to Maxwell's ears, he told a friend that if Hamilton were guilty, then Montrose, Crawford, Huntly, and himself were equally chargeable. Crawfurd lately took leave at court, but suddenly returned, and after "small tarriance, he, conferringe with Montrosse and Fentrie, repaired unto James Steward at the Laird of Aburgaynies (fn. 1) howse.

James Stewarde the only guide of the King and court and it is expected will soon be publicly received there. He is thought to have been the means of Angus's appointment to the lieutenantship, to work his overthrow. Maxwell is advised to seek peace with the King by Arran's mediation—and Arbroath works earnestly "to pacyfie all jarres" betwixt Angus and Maxwell, which last returned from Arbroath to Dumfries within these three days. Captain Haggerston being asked why he left his country and professed religion, and served against the latter, said he would be contented to serve the Queen of England for money, and if not paid, "yt was a goodlie matter to have 1000 men at comaundement." One Graye an Englishman, "tall and welfavored," left Edinburgh about a month past to sail from Leith to the north of Scotland. Ingleby and other Englishmen about Dunfries a little before Michaelmas, and expected there now, but their apprehension much doubted, till the coming of a letter there the 3^d hereof, sent from an Englishman, warning them of the watch set for them "the even before." Some of the Carres dwelling at Hull, favour the Jesuits, and ready to give them passage there. The execution of the late traitors, and charges against the Scottish Queen, were speedily reported to "Roome" by Haye the Jesuit. The Scottish Jesuits keep very close and quiet now. Hamilton has lately advised Angus to forbear extreme dealing against Maxwell. The Secretary is suspected by the King and not consulted in secret affairs. "It is bruted that the Kinge of Spaine is preparinge a mervellous greate armye." Collonell Stewarde is presently with the Kinge of Denmark, who is urging the States to make him satisfaction for injuries and restore his wife's possessions. The King seems not much displeased with Lady Johnston for her false charges against Angus, to whom he has written not to trouble her for these. If any thing is intended by the Scots against England, it is thought Carlisle will be first attacked in respect of its weakness in horse and men, besides "the clannes or alliances and multytudes of feedes in those partes." The "Plott" for the general subversion of religion still holds—and the "masse of money" ready in France is kept untouched for this purpose.

2 pp. Written by Scrope's clerk. Indorsed by Walsingham in pencil: "Colingwood—intelligenc to the Lord Scrop."

466. Woddryngton to Walsingham. [Nov. 7.]

I received the enclosed from the Master of Gray and Roger Ashton this day. I sent off the two last packets (received from you on the 27^th October at 5 P.M.) as you directed,—one to the Master of Gray, the other to Monsieur de Courcelles two days after it. They were 10 days in coming, by the slackness of the posts.

Yesterday there came here 140 soldiers that were shipped by the Master of Gray from Scotland to Flanders, who were taken on that coast by the Dunkirk men, and spoiled, the captain and lieutenant carried away, and 20 of them slain. They cut down their main mast, "bougheld" their ship with great ordnance, and took away their "pomp," leaving them on the main sea without either sail or "anker." They landed about Bambroughe, and having nothing left, I defrayed their charges here and gave them some money to take them home. Berwick. Signed: Henry Woddryngton.

1 p. Addressed. Indorsed.

467. Woddryngton to [Walsingham]. [Nov. 24.]

I received the enclosed this day from the Master of Gray, "with this other great pacquet herewith sent you, and direct to M^r Archbald Douglas." Berwick. Signed: Henry Woddryngton.

½ p. No address. Indorsed.