Elizabeth: November 1560

918. Randolphe to Cecill. [Nov. 15.]

Since the taking of Castle Semple, the Duke and my lord Arran have mostly remained here, where divers lords are assembled, and more daily looked for: all purposing to continue and take order for justice, and waiting answer from France "to autoridge them farther." I trust you are sufficiently assured of their affection to England and desire for amity, by the ambassadors. Besides, I understand it by daily conference with many lately re-entered on their ancient liberty, whereof they have been so long deprived. As the greatest disorder now is on the borders, the lords have promised reformation as the case requires, whereof this bearer servant to my lord Graye, can inform your honour. Other matters like to breed cumber, are well "quayled."

Lord Symple is yet in Dunbar, his eldest son by his last wife, and the Laird of Blanherne, are gone to France. The Master of Symple presently labours to the lords for his father—it is suspected more of policy than good meaning. The Earl of Huntly changes nothing of his good nature. One [ ] Wylson was lately taken in Fife, ready to set foot in the ship with letters into France, of which your honour shall be privy by Lethington. He escaped from his keepers' hands, and is thought to be in Dunbar. It is said that the Earl of Eglinton [Mungummerie] intends to go to France: Lethington can show you the cause,—" wich I wolde to God were impeached by all meanes, for that hys landes be nexte unto the weste seas, in places most to be dowted yf anye attempte shalbe geven by the Ff. [French] on that coste." The Bishop of S^t Andrews makes many "craftie" means to win favour; the bishop of Murray has agreed with Lord Ruthven, and speaks fair. I was late, by advice of Lord James, Pattarrowe and M^r "Balvanes," in hand with the clerk of register, to have the confirmation by parliament of the treaty between England and Scotland, "signed with his hande, as a perpetuall and autentice testimonie of the ratification, daye and tyme." He answered he could give no such at any private man's request, whatever he were; howbeit he would not refuse his advice, as he judged for the best, viz., to tarry till the Council be established or the peace confirmed, and then sue the council to command him to that effect. The contract remains yet in my hands, subscribed and sealed by as many as I have any present hope in, though perhaps at the lords' next meeting, some one other may be "wone" thereto. I inclose the last letter I have from the Earl of Argyll, and the credit thereof "under wrytten." I answered in the fittest words I could find, promising to make your honour privy to his good will to serve her Majesty. I give most humble thanks for your favourable remembrance, as appears in your letter to Sir Francis Leeke, and remit myself wholly to your pleasure. Edinburgh. Signed: Thomas Randolphe.

3 pp. Holograph; also address. Indorsed (by Cecill's clerk): "xix (sic) of Novembre," &c. The date in text has been altered from "xj" to "xv^th" in darker ink.

Inclosed in the same:—

(Argyll to Randolphe.)

I have sent this bearer to "my lord Duke's grace and to my lord of Arran," to show them the cause of my absence from council, "quhilk indeid is weray vechty and laborious to me, that is to put ordour to this my cuntrie beand so lang without ony ordour or ministratioun of justice." Credit my servant who has my mind, and certify me of any "novellis" there. Straquhur, 7^th November 1560. Signed: Your asswrit frind, Ar^d. Ergyll.

(fn. 1) "The credyt."

(1) To declare his good will to serve the Queen.

(2) The cause of his abiding in these parts, is awaiting letters or message from the Lord Deputy of Ireland, which he has done for 6 weeks.

(3) And his marvel at receiving none, as like opportunity may not long serve.

(4) To write to M^r Secretary thereof.

1 p. Addressed.

919. Francis II. to the Estates of Scotland. [Nov. 16.]

After their long delay in sending it, he has heard the message and seen the letters brought by the "Chevalier de S^t Jehan" present bearer—but is greatly displeased by their proceedings, and hopes they will return to the good road from which they have deviated. He will send two good and notable personages as his deputies to assemble parliament legitimately—and see that they come to [resoudre] to their reasonable "debvoir." He for himself is willing to forget past faults, as he has fully declared to the Chevalier de S^t Jehan. Orleans.

1 p. French. Contemporary copy. Indorsed: "Double de la lettre que le Roy escript aux estatz Descosse, 16 Novembre 1560."

920. Chatelherault to Lord Grey of Wilton. [Nov. 17.]

We have your letter of Berwick 14^th instant, and understand your good mind to the peace of the borders. As some things mentioned therein required advice of the council, we have communicated with them and they have answered your lordship. "Oure sone hes bene evill at eys, bot thankes to God he is convalescit, and gif his "absence fra heir may be sparit, sall do gude will that he be at Melros about the day appoyntit for the Justice Court." If "we" or he can do you any pleasure, your lordship shall have experience of it. Edinburgh. Signed: Yowr lordschipis lowffing frind James.

½ p. Addressed: "To . . . the lord Gray of Weltoun wardane of thest marcheis," &c. Indorsed: ". . . the xix^th of November."

921. Randolphe to Cecill. [Nov. 26.]

On the 22^d there arrived here a gentleman from the King of Denmark, with letters to the Duke and Council, whereof I send the copy. The answer thereto will be to like effect as given in times past, viz. "that a free releace and quyetance hathe byne made of the hole, by hys predycessors for them and their heires for ever."

Affairs here are in "self same state" as when I last wrote. Arran, Lord James, and others of the Council repair shortly to put order through the borders, intending on 10^th of next month to kepe their session at Gedworthe. Divers are glad of Lord Grey coming to Berwick, hoping for his maintenance of justice. Edinburgh. Signed: Thomas Randolphe.

1 p. Holograph; also address. Indorsed (by Cecill): ". . . M^r Randall . . . with a copye of the King of Denmarkes lettre for the Orchades."

Inclosed in the same:—

(Frederic II. to the Scottish Council.)

We rejoice to hear of the peace between France and Scotland. But though unwilling to commove you, we must remind you of the isles of Orkney, which our predecessor Christiern I., when he married his only daughter Margaret to James then King of Scots, gave in pledge for part of her dower of 50,000 "Florenorum Rbenensium (?)" till paid; which done, the right of redemption was reserved for ever to the Kings of Norway. It now concerning us much to regain these islands, we affectionately beg that on payment of the sum as we now offer, you will see to their restoration, as is just. We await your reply by this our man sent for that reason to your highnesses. "E venatione nostra Cymbrica" 23^d October 1560. Fredericus Rex: Addressed at foot: To . . . James Duke of Hamilton, &c. and the other governors of Scotland.

3 pp. Copy by Randolphe.

922. Lennox to Elizabeth. [Nov. 30.]

When I was a humble petitioner to your Majesty for licence to travail in my wife's and in my own rights and livings in Scotland— leaving it to your pleasure whether I should sue to the French Queen or to the Scottish Council: your Majesty signified I should first know the advice of my friends there, and then I should have yours. I have now had their full minds by their writings and credit sent by the bearer my friend the Laird of Gaston, whom I also send with the same to your highness according to my duty, as has always been my "trade" in your most noble progenitors' time, with any news from Scotland. They advise me to sue for pardon and living to the French Queen—always with your Majestys' advice—and impute great negligence and slothfulness in me by their letters and credit. Yet I intend still to follow your Majesty's pleasure as in time past before that of my friends, trusting to have comfortable answer, so that I may know to whom I shall sue, the time serving well for my purpose. I perceive by this bearer that a good many more of the nobility and gentlemen of Scotland who have not written to me, are as much my assured friends as those that have. My house at Settrington. Signed: Mathew Levinax.

1¼ pp. Addressed. Indorsed (by Cecill's clerk).

923. Lennox to Cecill. [Nov. 30.]

I send you, by this bearer the laird of Gaston, my letter to her Majesty, with letters and credit sent from my friends in Scotland, all which I pray you deliver to her highness, praying you to be a mean for her answer so soon as convenient.

As my countrymen the earls of Morton and Glencairn are "there att this present, "who are partial in my wife's and my affairs—the one (fn. 2) being chief keeper of my wife's inheritance unjustly from her, contrary to all law and right—the other having most "ingratlye" deceived King Henry VIII., and me his confederate in the said King's service, at my last journey to Dunbarton, as Sir Peter Mewtas can partly declare—which earls I suppose will sooner advance my enemies cause than mine—I desire you to keep these my affairs secret. And I hope in God that if my wife and I prosper in our matters, it shall redound more to the Queen's commodity and her realm, than anything "they goo abowte."

Pardon my writing thus plainly, but I was informed that immediately on the receipt of my "petigree" and letters which I sent to you from this house last year, copies were sent to my enemies in Scotland—and those that saw them, and were made privy to them by "Hamelton," (fn. 3) have advertised me of it. With my wife's hearty commendations to you and my lady your wife. From my house at Setrington. Signed: Mathew Levinax.

1 p. Addressed. Indorsed. Armorial wafer signet (indistinct).

924. The Scottish nobility. [Nov. .]

Headed. (fn. 4) —The Earls of Atholl, Sutherland, Erroll; the lords Gray, Innermayth; the Earl of Crawfurd. [Short pedigrees follow of the intermarriages, &c., of the chief nobility—the Lady Fleming is styled "soror notha Jac. 5^ti" (which she certainly was). At the end, Maitland's own lineage is noted.]

2 pp. In Cecill's writing. Indorsed (by him): "Marriages of the Lordes of Scotland." Very curious.

925. The Queen to the Privy Council of Scotland. [Nov. .]

Addressing them as right trusty and right "entyerly" beloved cousin, "right reverend father in God," right trusty and "right welbeloved" cousin, &c. &c., she acknowledges their letters "dated the," in name of the three Estates, commissioning the Earls of Morton and Glencairn, with William "Makland the young lard of Ledyngton" to declare certain things to her, with credit for them.

½ p. Draft by Cecill, unfinished, on back of preceding paper.