Calendar of State Papers, Scotland: Volume 1, 1547-63. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1898.
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'Elizabeth: December 1559', in Calendar of State Papers, Scotland: Volume 1, 1547-63, (London, 1898) pp. 271-281. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/scotland/vol1/pp271-281 [accessed 16 April 2024]
In this section
590. Commission to the Marquis d'Elbeuf. [Dec. 4.]
Francis and Mary D. G. King and Queen of France, Scotland, England, &c., appoint their uncle Réne of Lorraine Marquis d'Elbeuf, as their lieutenant general in Scotland, during the absence of the Queen Dowager about to return to France for recovery of her health. Blois, 2d Nones of December 1559, 1st year of their reign of France, 2d and 17th of Scotland.
3¼ pp. Latin. Contemporary copy. Indorsed: "Thre copyes . . . The same tooke no place, by the Marquis stay in France for want of meanes to passe by the Q. majesties navy."
(1) Another copy, the day of the month blank.
4 pp. Latin. Injured by damp. (Treaty Book II. 165.)
591. Sadleir and Croft to Cecill. [Dec. 5.]
Whitlaw arrived here yesterday by sea from St Andrews, with letters for you, Lethington and us—some being in an unknown cipher, we send them on. They write for 2000l., the cause why we think will appear in the ciphers. Erskine we hear, though pressed with offers and threats by the Dowager, utterly refuses to yield the Castle without consent of Parliament. The French, not pleased, have made show of siege, and one was slain and some hurt; and Erskine, as Whitlaw tells us, requires aid from the lords at Stirling, which they have promised. Therefore we think good to send them this 2000l. by Whitlaw, who has a boat well appointed here.
The keeping of this castle is of great importance, for if the French got it, they would be masters of Edinburgh and Leith and this side Forth. We have advised the lords by Whitlaw, to look well to it, and not only aid Erskine, but promise him largely to render it, or at least to keep out the French; and what they shall promise him within the limits of reason, we shall see performed. The Queen Dowager still languishes in great sickness, and her physicians have no hope of her recovery. Berwick. Signed: R. Sadleir, Jamys Croft.
Postscript.—We hear Northumberland has let the Earl Marischal's son home on band, which should be in our hands, that we may call him to enter, if cause seen: also Lord Gray's, which we think is with the Earl. As the French must have supplies from France, you might devise to hinder it by sea and advance this affair.
2 pp. Addressed. Indorsed (by Cecill).
Inclosed in the same:—
(1) (Arran and Lord James to Sadleir and Croft.)
We received your letters the 28 November "lait," and see your good mind. We have written at more length to the Court, as the bearer will declare, who will receive such things as we have written for, and we send our acquittance subscribed with our hands. St Andrews, 29 November. Signed: James Hammyltone.
½ p. Written by Whitlaw. Addressed. Indorsed (by Cecill): "Erl of Arran, L. James."
(2) (The same to the same.)
Thanking them for sending powder, and, being compelled by the danger of Edinburgh Castle, earnestly desiring 2000l. by Whitlaw. As Lethington desired, they have not opened this to the lords at Glasgow, for experience has "lerned" them that "passing iij or iiij persons it is no secrecie." St Andrews, last of November. The Erl of Arrayn, the L. James.
1 p. Copy by Sadleir from the original, deciphered.
592. M. D'Oysel to the Queen Dowager of Scots. [Dec. 7.] Add. 33,531, fol. 28, &c.
(1) Refers to his messenger—says that "estant sur le poinct il y a environ dix jours daller a Fontainebleau" [ciphers] "ceci propos Madame, feurent si bien receuz de ce bon et honneste gentilhomme que" [ciphers]. "Voilla Madame, comment le faict est passe entre nous deux. Reste a vous dire que" [ciphers].
4 pp. French. Cipher with a few exceptions.
(2) 1 p. Cipher except some unimportant expressions.
(3) "Madame" I have written to the comptroller Astier, to collect the . . . from the Sieur Timothee and place it in your hands, being marvellously . . . that I cannot send what I have here for you so surely as I wish, for the constant changes in England; and seeing it is so little, I have been so bold as keep it, trusting to send you as much again.
It has pleased the King to give the Sieur de Courtery the foot company of Captain Lamotte Rouge, praying you Madame to approve it, assuring myself you cannot employ a gentleman who will do better service, whom my lords your brothers find most prudent. I believe Captain Lamotte's lieutenant is pleased to remain in his post—if not M. de Courtery will provide a good man. Paris, 7 Decembr.
Monseigneur and Madame de Guise left Fontainbleau on the 5th of this month for Geynville, and have just received a letter from Monseigneur the Cardinal who is very well.
Also the Queen your daughter is so gentle and beautiful that on my honour the King esteems her incomparable.
I have sent your man express to Geynville to [illegible] from Madame your mother [illegible] where he delays. Signed: H. Cleutin.
2½ pp. French. The postscript holograph. Addressed: "A la Royne Descosse."
593. Sadleir and Croft to Cecill. 1559. [Dec. 9.]
We hear even now that this night past, 300 Frenchmen came to Aymouth, and 500 more will be there to-day to fortify it, which if true, we beg to know the Queen's pleasure. Berwick. Signed: R. Sadleir, Jamys Croft.
¾ p. Holograph of Sadleir. Addressed. Indorsed.
594. Sadleir and Croft to Cecill. [Dec. 10.]
The bruit about Aymouth was not true, and arose thus. On Thursday and Friday last 15 or 16 sail, French and Scots, with but 300 soldiers (the rest victuallers) passed here, and off Coldingham, the captains with 40 or 50 men, landed to Lord John commendator of Coldingham, a base son of the late King of Scots, refreshed there, and went on board again for Leith. We beg to know what we may do in a like case? Berwick. Signed: R. Sadleir, Jamys Croft.
Postscript.—Hearing that the site of Brinkburn monastery is sold to one Warcop, if the woods there, worth we are told, 1000 marks, pass in the bargain, the Queen shall have no other timber for repair of her castle of Harbottel near them, or any other places in these parts: wherefore the purchase may be stayed, or at least these woods reserved to the Queen.
At closing we hear that 6 more ensigns of French are at sea bound for Scotland.
2 pp. Holograph of Sadleir. Addressed. Indorsed (by Cecill).
595. Memorial by Randolph. [Dec. 12.]
Of things to be answered by Mr Secretary touching Scotland, if it please the Queen that Thomas Randolf return there.
[Under 17 heads.—As to hostages, before the Queen assists openly —offer of towns, declined—inducement to Lord Erskine—dealing with Bothwell—retaining Scots in pay, &c. Replies on margin by Cecill to the first 7 or 8. Opposite the enquiry, if Knox to preach on Border? and what to be said to Goodman? a cross is marked.]
Lethington's despatch is ready and waits only the passport. When may I wait upon you? "From your howse in Canon rowe." Not signed.
1½ pp. Holograph. Indorsed (by Cecill).
596. Sadleir and Croft to Cecill. [Dec. 15.]
We send letters from Arran, the Lord James, and from Whitlaw, who arrived safe with the 2000l. he got here, and copy of our letter to said lords with the money, by him. Robert Mailville, despatched from Lethington, arrived here on Wednesday night, and after 3 hours' stay, was sent on to "Whittengeam" as he wished, whence he writes to me Sir James of his arrival, as his enclosed letter shows. We hear that the gentlemen coming with the 2000 men are on their way—but for lack of victuals, they must lodge abroad and pay ready money. Wherefore the Treasurer should be furnished for their wages, lest for lack they complain or return. Berwick. Signed: R. Sadleir, Jamys Croft.
1 p. Addressed. Indorsed (by Cecill). Armorial wafer signet: demi-lion.
Inclosed in the same:—
(1) (Arran and Lord James to Sadleir and Croft.)
We thank you most heartily for your answer and credit by Maister Whytlaw, and have taken order therein. The barons are ready to give their substance and lives to expel "thir straingers," and are ready "to lift" on 48 hours' warning. We have ordered the captains "to lyst" 1000 foot and 200 horse and promised them musters on 10th January. When all is ready, we shall "mak you knaw," you doing the same. We have informed the Council in Glasgow, and look for answer. Edinburgh Castle is "at guid poinct" we hear. It is said 800 "Frainches" are ready: if they were "cutt aff" it would greatly further us. We are travailling to have some ships to sea. St Andrews, 11th Dec. Signed: James Hamiltone, James Stewart.
½ p. Addressed. Indorsed (by Cecill).
(2) (Whitlaw to Sadleir and Croft.)
I arrived safe the night after departing, and finding the lords in convention at Cowpere with the barons and gentlemen of Fife, imparted your declarations; whereon they wrote willing the Council at Glasgow to convene and take order with the gentlemen of the west for assembling. Ours are very willing to be in the field, but wait your further advertisement. "The suspended Regent is nothing amended of hir diseas." We look for friendship at the Castle. The Duke, &c. have gone to take Lord Semple's house. The Court sent to stay our ships at Bordeaux and Rochell for wine, and took the masters while on shore, but the mariners and ships got away. We took the Dowager's ship "foull of wyn." The lords go to convene the Angus gentlemen. Castle of St Andrews, 10th December. Signed: Alexr. Whitlaw.
After they got to Dundee, Lord Erskine's answer came here, that he shall do what becomes an honest man, for his country's weal, and not part with the Castle, but by order of parliament who committed it to him; further as desired, he will send a secret man in 4 days, to commune on the directions I received from you, &c. This much on my departure to Dundee after the lords.
2 pp. Holograph. Postscript in fainter ink. Addressed. Indorsed (by Cecill).
(3) (Sadleir and Croft to Arran and Lord James.)
In reply to their letter of 30th November, sending 2000l. by Whitlaw to further the common cause. To keep Edinburgh Castle by all means from the Dowager and the French—to gain Huntly, Marshall and Morton and others not open enemies. Understanding Ruthven's sincerity is suspected, urge them, while not trusting him over much, yet rather to bear with and endeavour to recover him again. 6th December 1559.
2 pp. Copy by Railton, closely written. Headed: "Copy," &c. Indorsed (by Cecill).
(4) (R. Melvyn to Croft.)
Since I came to Scotland, the French in Leith and Edinburgh, use such cruelties, that all Scots absent themselves: and they are like to drive their friends away, for Lord Setowne, seeing his little credit, has withdrawn from Court, and will be content to live "at hame." Lord Bothwell is favourable to the laird of Haltowne whom he "comprehendit," and will not deliver him to the French, who seek him earnestly. Huntly and the northern lords refuse to come to the Queen who sent for them. "Mi lord quham I spak to yow of," has not been with the Queen since she left Leith "bot one tyme." He is presently beyond Forth, and I believe "that fra tyme this gentillman that I am vith have spokin with him, he sall not cum quhair the Quen may be his maister."
I have been so well treated by you and convoyed on my journey by your servants, that I am bound to do you all pleasure, and "man request yow to thank thir gud fallowis for the pains they have tane with me at this tyme."
This gentleman I am with recommends him to you. I assure you ye may credit him "als meikill quhan ye have ado, as ony man in al Scotland: and he is in credit with mony that are newtrall, and may do mekill gud at thair handis." Not signed.
1½ pp. Holograph. Addressed. Indorsed (by Cecill): "x Decemb. 1559. Melvyns lettre to Mr Croftes."
597. Arran and Lord James to Cecill. [Dec. 20.]
When Robert Malvile came to St Andrews on the 15th, and we had seen his writings and heard his credit, we sent one to the Duke and Council for a meeting at Stirling on 21st, when we doubt not to satisfy all things required by Lethington in his articles. What moves our writing now, is the daily incoming of the "Frenches," putting the Fife coast towns in great fear, and we hear they await some further force "to cum in on the taill" of their victuallers; and think the Queen's ships to keep the Firth, should be hastened hither. None of the neutral lords now come near the Dowager, but will join us when they see you assist us. The Council at St Andrews has been and taken order with the Fife barons, &c. at Cowper, and Angus Mearns and Stratherne also. Our letters through the country are duly obeyed, and we have put union between gentlemen at variance. We arrested 5 ships with wine, which are at Dundee for the army, and sent north for victuals, also in Fife to furnish the ships lying "foranentis" Leith to resist the French. And as Robert Malvile or other messenger is to come by Carlisle to you, we would you wrote to Lord Dacres to forward them. Kinghorn. Signed: James Hammylton, James Stewart.
Since writing we hear surely from the Council "west" that the Dowager has "dressit" the Earl of Lennox to come home in this country, promising him both his own lands and the Earldom of Angus, to which he has agreed. Desiring you to stop his coming.
1½ pp. Addressed. Indorsed (by Cecill).
598. Arran and Lord James to Sadleir and Croft. [Dec. 20.]
[In precisely similar terms to preceding.] Kinghorn. Signed: James Hammylton, James Stewart.
1½ pp. Addressed. Indorsed (by Cecill).
599. Arran to [Cecill. Dec. 20. 1559.] Cott. Calig. B. x. fol. 187.
This is to let your honour understand how business has passed since my arrival in this country, and to save long discourse to the Queen, I pray you give her Majesty the news. Finding my father here "in his hus of Hammilton," I remained but one day, tarrying for my cousin Argyll and the Prior that were in Dunbar. When they came, we three went to Stirling, where we found "the rest of the Congregation," the principals being the Earl of Monteith, Huntly's brother, the Earl of "Kinkern," (fn. 1) Lords "Riwwen," Ochiltre, Boid, and other lairds and barons, whose names I have not well "in memore." Many matters were proponed, but as none would take on him to be "hedisman," little was done. Seeing this, I called them together, showing them that where the matter touched my father before "for religious caws," now it touched him far nearer, since the proceedings of the French show clearly their design tended "bot to the defrading of us that ar the richt eris to the Crown, and to impayr them of the rewme," praying them all to come to my father's house, when I judged he would join them. They all came, and have been these two days past with him, and he has subscribed all "the bandes," and moreover has written to the Regent that he and all the noblemen find her proceedings were "marvowlus ewill," and if she did not put out the French men, as she promised, and stop fortifying Leith, he is determined with the others to remedy it as far as they can. He has "gart writ" certain articles in his name and the "leiwe" (fn. 2) of the noblemen of the Congregation, of her extortions, "sik as cewngining [coining] of unlafull mwni, and sclachters," &c., to be shown both to her self, and also openly to the people, and that on 15th of next month the whole force of Scotland shall be mustered and "cri down hir autorite." We purpose to take Edinburgh town if possible, for she would be forced to go to Dunbar, as she dare not tarry in Leith. And we hope to gain Lord Erskine captain of Edinburgh, to which effect the Prior "quhilk is his sisters sone" and I, shall meet him on Saturday next in Lochlewin, and my father has written to him of his danger to him and his house if "he neclek himself." He and I have also written to Huntly, and "his grace" says he is as assured of him as any man in Scotland. Now I have told your honour all I know at this time, and pray you to make the Queen's highness "partissipent." Hamilton, this xx day of December. Signed: James Hammyltone.
2 pp. Holograph. Address leaf lost.
600. Questions to the Lords of Scotland. [Dec.] Eg. 1818, fol. . . .
As to the French purposes—how many of the nobles openly against them? with them? neutrals? next heirs to crown of Scotland? what objection to Lennox's claim? the Duke's power and force? what victuals? ships? cattle, &c. 12 hostages for English aid—the Dowager's power and resources?
1½ pp. Written by Randolph. Indorsed: "Questions serving to the fortherance of the . . . interest aganis Leithe. Decembre 1559."
601. Interrogatories to Lennox's servant. [Dec.]
(1) What was the substance of the Earl his master's message? (2) If in writing or not? (3) To how many did he communicate the cause of his coming hither? (4 and 5) How often and with whom went he to the French ambassador? (6) To whom did he declare it? (7) What letters has he sent to France since coming hither? and (8) What did he and Leche commune on?
1 p. Holograph of Cecill.
602. Deposition by Lennox's servant. [Dec. .]
These be the message and words my lord commanded me and I delivered to the ambassador, 21st of December. [12 paragraphs not numbered.]
(1) My master the Earl of Lennox recommends him to your lordship, and as captain " Bortyk " who came to him 15 days ago recommended by your lordship, showed him you desired my lords " petegry," (fn. 3) he sends it drawn out of Scots into French, lest you do not understand it. He said the Captain and he had talked of it before the latter left London.
(2) I said my lord intends suing his living in Scotland, the time serving well as his brother the Bishop of Caithness says, from the dissension between the Dowager and the Duke, who formerly opposed his suit to the Queen in France and to her mother. Praying you in your next letter to ask the Dowager's favour for my lord's suit which is godly and righteous, and I am sent here for a licence by the Queen to him for suing his own, viz., 2 earldoms, not to be lost—one of them Angus, coming by " my lady's grace " his wife.
(3) He said this was well done, besides the earl's title to the crown of Scotland, failing the Queen and issue of her body, as we were all " mortallis," and he would do him any pleasure he could, ' for we ar of som allyans, for my lord Aubigny (fn. 4) his brother has maryed a nere kynswomen of myne, callyd Madamoisselle de la Quewtle.'
(4) He then asked me if my lord and Aubigny loved as brethren ought to do ? I said yes; but my lord had taken a little offence at his brother's while a prisoner in Flanders, bruiting that he had been unkind to him in his need—whereas my lord did what he could, and sent 2 of his servants to him, one after another, and also caused the Count of Feria [Ferrys] to write to an Antwerp [Handworpe] banker, to give " my lord Obygny " 200 crowns, which he refused to take, as too little. Hereon the ambassador said my lord must bear with his brother," he was a good stowt gentillmen, and not very wys, wyche was great pitie."
(5) He asked my name, how long I had served my lord, and if I knew captain " Bortyk " ? Who he said " was lyke to be a good gentilmen, all geven of talking of the Scriptures."
(6) He asked the number and ages of my lord and my lady's "grace" children ? I told him; then he said 'I perceve ye wold be gone . . . ye wil tary soupar with me.' 'No! I thank your lordship': I promised to see him before going, to bear his commendations to my lord.
(7) I was never with him before or since, or any other French ambassador, or carried or sent any letters to them or other Frenchman here or in France. And my lord and my lady's grace both expressly commanded me to see him " but ones in all," and I went alone.
(8) I told the occasion of my coming, first to your mastership, " my lord Robert," my lady Clynton, and one day, waiting in your chamber, my lord Paget took my hand, asked how my lord and lady's grace did ? and I told him.
(9) Captain Leche came and asked for them and their children, and said he prepared to join my lord if he and my lady's grace approved, having no other refuge, for his wife was dead and he had brought a young child from Germany and sold all his things. He came again to have me to the " Prynce of Swaden " (fn. 5) to dine with a Scotsman the " Dwkis " servant.
(10) " Sir, my lord my master and my lady's grace " know my truth and honesty, and God above knows I have been as true in my doings as any man in the " wordle " to this realm and them.
3¼ pp. Contemporaryhand. Indorsed (by Cecill): "Nesbitt xbre1559."
603. Maitland to Cecill. 1559. [Dec. 26.]
I have your letters and thank you heartily " off your gentilnes." I consider by inspection of the writings, that this matter is " a crafty fetche " of the Queen Dowager to stir up division, seeing the French are become so odious to the people. I think it has been " in working lang " before he (fn. 6) advertised you, and it will prove that divers messages have already passed between him (fn. 6) and Scotland: as I conjecture by the date of the Bishop of Caithness' " bill," 23d October, received (as the Earl's letter bears) 10th December. I doubt not you can meet their policy. He writes to you he can do the Queen better service " nor ony man els in Scotland ": whereof I see no appearance, for if he had been an equal " mache" to the Duke, why did he give his enemy " sik" place, and let himself be driven out of his native country ? I know few will favour his cause, and fewer still, for he and my lady are known enemies to " the Religion." The danger (though I fear it not much) may be, that the facility of some of his friends now favourers of the Congregation, may be abused by hope of his preferment— and this cause only moves the Queen Dowager in the matter. I saw her very busy with Gaston (fn. 7) (who is messenger herein) just before she entered Leith. Your honour sees more deeply than I, but I think I would " drive tyme" and give him no direct answer, lest on a plain refusal of his demand, he take another resolution. Upon colour to confer with him as to service, he might be sent for; and order given that he leave not the realm, thus avoiding all dangers.
As to the " Information" of his right and title to be second personage, I see in it many " bare allegeances, and cannot be verifyit, and the haill is sufficiently to be answerit by the sentence of divorce and actes off parliament, quharoff I deliverit yow the copyes." If it please you, I would gladly advertise the Duke and the Prior of St Andrews of this " propos," that they may retain the friendship of such as will favour Lennox, and let Morton understand the Queen Dowager's mind to him and his house anent the earldom of Angus; but this only if you give me leave. And " siclyke " I will write to send some to Berwick to confer with my lord Gray and others there, as also to the princes of Germany, and will send you the pacquet when ready to be sent to Sir James Croft. " Frome MrWadis house on StStephenis day." Signed: W. Maitland.
1½ pp. Holograph, also address. Indorsed (by Cecill): "1559, 26 December. Mr Matland. Erl Lennox."
604. The French designs on Scotland. Elizabeth. [1559. Dec. 28.]
Argument at a conference in MrTreasurer's chamber before him, the Secretary, MrCave and MrSackvile.
I cannot think otherwise than that the Queen must prevent the French conquest of Scotland. If with a force of Almayns they should gain a battle in the north, we must prepare and offer another; for the realm having no fortresses there, must be in danger to be lost. And considering the loss of captains and good men of war in the first, the lack of people by " the late deth these iij or iiij yeares," the discomfiture of "your" common people at a battle won by such an enemy, and the hollow and discontented hearts in sundry parts of this realm, and divers other reasons, lead me to think it is the truest counsel for the Queen to prevent the danger and impeach their conquest of Scotland.
1 p. Holograph of Cecill. Indorsed. (Damaged by damp)
605. Sadleir and Croft to Cecill. [Dec. 31.]
We send you letters received from Arran and Lord James to us, with one from Knox, and others to you and the Laird of Lethington. In our last of 28th we said the French had gone towards Sterling, and now hear, though not certainly, they are past Lithquo, the Protestants mustering to resist them, and they have left not more than 3 or 4 "enseignes" in Leith and Edinburgh.
We have written to Arran and Lord James, that Norfolk and Gray are on the way hither, our ships are at sea these 8 or 10 days bound for the Frith, as wind, &c., will serve and the Marquis d'Elbeuf [du Boeuf] is yet in France as you told us. Berwick. Signed: R. Sadleir, Jamys Croft.
Postscript.— Our spy reports that Captain Sarre le bois lies in Stirling with 1200 French, and D'Oysell with 1400 in Lythquo, and the Protestants are assembled against them.
1 p. Holograph of Sadleir, also address. Indorsed (by Cecill).
Inclosed in the same:—
(1) (Arran and Lord James to Sadleir and Croft.)
Received their letter of 21st on the 26th. Wrote their opinions on Robert Melwin's desires, or ever the Council assembled, "and prays to God" they are not deceived therein, for it has taken effect as they wrote, albeit the storm of weather has stopped it. When they left Stirling, the French came with their whole force, they think "to cutt the brige "and stop their meeting; but the English fleet once in the Frith, this shall little advantage them. The French propose "langis this cost syd of Fyiff," to stop which, " we ar presently lying heyr " to cut their way. Urge the coming of the fleet which shall "want na furniteur of viveris." Send the double of the Council's commission, which after reading send to Lethingtoun. Melwin is gone straight to Court with the principal. They hear that Randel is safe arrived with the Duke in Glasgow. Kynghorn, 28th "of this instant." Signed: James Hammylton, James Stewart.
1 p. Addressed. Indorsed (by Cecill).
(2) (Knox to Croft.)
The bruit is the French are on some great enterprise, they have shipped much ordnance, and are not very "sollist" to reinforce the daily decays of Leith. If they take as is feared, Stirling or St Andrews, it will be hard to remove them. The Lords sent me from Stirling to urge the English ships to show on these coasts. Time was never more fit, for the weather has driven the most part of the French northwards, and Marquis d'Elbeuf is in their company. If waited for in the Frith, they could not escape. There last arrived 900 men, the rest bruited at 15 ensigns, are looked for. The messenger last from above who comes by the West border will instruct you in all things. St Andrews, 26 December. Signed: John Knox.
1¼. Holograph, also address. Indorsed (by Cecill): ". . . Knox." Begins abruptly, perhaps part lost.
606. Randolph to Sadleir and Croft. [Dec. 31.]
Since arriving here, my "greeffes" have been such I could do no service. On the 24th, 13 ensigns of French left Leith for Stirling: their true intentions, whether on the lords, the castle and town, or to spoil Fife and return, cannot be known either by spial or prisoners taken "schatteringe" by the way betwixt "Lethcowe" and Stirling. Some think they purpose Glasgow, where the Duke is. Monsieur Doysell himself, when as far as Lithquho, was suddenly recalled to Edinburgh, the cause unknown, whether the arrival of more French at Leith, sight of our fleet, or his little hope of taking Stirling Castle; for Lord Erskyn has said whenever they attack it he will shoot [sute] at the Queen in Holyrood house. At Stirling there are 5 ensigns under Sharlebois, 8 in Lithcowe, 4000 at Leith and Edinburgh, unless more have arrived. Arran and Lord James are at Dunfermline, Burnt island, and thereabouts in Fife, to resist the French. The Lords "here" will be ready with their force against 10th January, to meet our force on 8 days' warning from you, at Colbornespathe or elsewhere more convenient. They think best you land cannon and artillery at Aberladie, rather than draw them by land from Berwick. They mistrust no lack of cattle and provision for the army. Twelve hostages are at last granted, 6 to be brought into Berwick before the English enter, and 6 after. They have 30 days' provision, after which expired, the Lords, with their own friends servants &c., will remain, 1000 foot and 200 "intertayned" soldiers, so long as the English camp is here. This bearer, the Duke's kinsman, is sent by him to know your advice on the Humes, Fernehirst, Cesford, &c., and to travail accordingly. Lord Maxwell can best report his readiness. I can testify his favour to this cause, for he convoyed me half way from his house to this town. Credit the bearer in these matters, who also desires to buy a handsome gelding to serve upon, wherein I am a suitor for him. Glasgow. Signed: Tho. Barnabye.
2¼ pp. Holograph, also address. Indorsed (by Cecill): ". . . Mr Randall."