Elizabeth: July 1565

Calendar of State Papers, Scotland: Volume 2, 1563-69. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1900.

This premium content was digitised by double rekeying. All rights reserved.

'Elizabeth: July 1565', in Calendar of State Papers, Scotland: Volume 2, 1563-69, (London, 1900) pp. 179-187. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/scotland/vol2/pp179-187 [accessed 24 March 2024]

Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image

In this section

204. Randolph to Cecil. [July 6.]

Since I wrote last, I hear that the Earl of Argyll has gathered his whole forces against the Earl of Atholl, and intends to invade and lay waste his country. The other makes for defence, but it is thought here will have the worse. I hear Justice Clerk shall be sent to both to desist from arms. As this succeeds with Argyll, we shall soon hear of some attempt by him and others against the Earl of Lennox. Lord Hume was sent for by the Queen, but came not: his excuse I know not, but he sent young "Coudingknows" with 40 or 50 of his servants with jack and spear. Murray is at St Andrews. On the 15th instant the Protestants assemble again at Glascowe, where will be the Duke, the earls, and other of that faction.

Of this bearer I know no more than he says he has to do for the Queen his sovereign with the French ambassador, and some affairs of his own. By her desire I wrote in his favour for post horses. Edinburgh. Signed: Tho. Randolphe.

1 p. Holograph, also address. Indorsed (by Cecil).

205. Randolph to Cecil. [July 7.]

I received the Queen's majesty's and your letters, by Mr John Hay who arrived here yesterday afternoon, "verie evle at ease and melancholye for the evle succes of hys longe yornaye." His answer is as ill taken here by the Queen and those about her, as it was "sorrowefull" for him to report it. I hear say they begin now to find themselves in very hard case: her country broken round about, and herself so left of all her nobility (at least the best) that she knows not which way to turn herself. They mislike in her nothing, but what may be hurtful to my Sovereign, viz. the overthrow of religion, and breach of amity. In Darnley, his usage has been such, his behaviour so strange, his words so full of "bostinges," that they find nothing to content them, but as far as I can perceive, are become his mortal enemies—the issue I know not. It is true, as I wrote by "Meynez" the Scotsman, that Argyll and Atholl have gathered their forces: and it is said that the Queen has warned the gentlemen of Angus and "the Merns" to assist Atholl. Then must the Duke concur with Argyll; so we are like to have cumber enough. To persuade them not to meet, and leave gathering their forces, Lord Ruthen and Lethington are sent to Atholl, and the Justice Clerk and lord St Come to Argyll; so that of her whole council there is none left near her but Lord Erskine. I will not trouble you with other trifles and rumours. but only since this Queen's arrival, I have not come to Court, nor purpose for a few days to desire speech with her, except it chance to come of herself—my reason is "that theie maye thynke the worste the cane imagen, shalbe the leaste that the Quenes majestie wyll do agaynste them." Besides, there are none here that I can communicate with as I would. I trust her majesty with the expense of 4000l. or 5000l. shall have this Queen once again at her own will. I scribble this in haste, that you look not for answer of her majesty's letter for a few days, but as time and commodity serve to work what is agreeable to her as far as in my power—trusting that if things succeed not as I expect, I shall not be "chalenged" of any promise, but only as far as I see good likelihood. Edinburgh. Signed: Tho. Randolphe.

Some advise me that the Master Maxwell should be friendly dealt with; he sees with the rest much mischief that he mislikes—others travail with him to persevere in the religion and amity, to both which he consented. To concur with our wardens to ride on the thieves, is more for Scotland's advantage than ours. I wrote a word hereof in my last. Pray excuse my silence to my lord of Leicester.

2 pp. Holograph, also address. Indorsed (by Cecil's clerk).

206. Randolph to Cecil. [July 9.]

I trust there are but few days since my last arrival but your honour has heard somewhat—yet to write all were impossible. I only commend to your favour my two friends Monsieur Mongommerie and William Gutthrye, to pass to France, where one dwells, and the other has affairs of his own and his friends'—specially Robert Stewarde, whom we have here good experience is an honest man, and how he deserved in times past your honour knows, and I can testify is like to do. He is not come for naught, and I am a suitor to your honour to move her majesty, that this gentleman "for hym" may have licence to buy and export 3 or 4 geldings for his friends, considering his great service past and future. Edinburgh. Signed: Th[o. Randolphe.]

1 p. Holograph. Addressed. Indorsed (by Cecil): ". . . by Montgomery."

207. Elizabeth to Randolph. [July 10.]

We have seen your letters of the 4th and 6th instant to our Secretary and perceive to our no small grief, appearance of troubles to arise in that realm, if God do not direct the same to better end, "as we hope he will, the rather considering we cannot judge that the lordes there with whom the Quene is moved to be offended, have any intention but to the weale surety and honour of the Quene their soverayne; for otherwise we could not endure to allowe them." If you speak with her, you may say that we hearing by report, and specially by those that came hither in her name to the French ambassador, how troublesome the estate of that realm began to be, did pity it, and would have let her understand our compassion and advice but for two causes—the one, her late proceedings in her marriage without our knowledge and consent—the other, lest she should think us willing to intermeddle in her affairs—and but for these you may assure her we would have demonstrated our sisterly good will. Yet you shall say we wish her to be well advised how to suffer her council and nobility to nourish suspicion one of the other, for thereby no good can come to her realm nor comfort to herself. And if she attempts any innovation whereby her nobles that have truly served her, shall see trouble growing to her state, and peril to themselves, "we lett hir to understand that she is evill counselled and advised therein; whereof notwithstanding the cawses of the offence given us, we can not but give her warning." In like manner when you speak with those nobility with whom she is offended, you shall let them know how we have willed you to advise their Sovereign—and that so long as they intend nothing but to maintain the truth in religion to the honour of God, uphold their Sovereign's estate with good advice, and maintain the amity, we shall allow and esteem them, "as in all just and honorable cawses they shall find us to have regard to their estate and continuance." And as such great matters are meetest remedied in the beginning, before they take root, we wish they cause the Queen to know plainly their sincere intentions, and to be warned against counsel of such as only regard their private estates; also to offer her their best service with one accord; and if they so proceed dutifully and plainly, it is to be hoped God will open her eyes to their sincerity and honour. Yet meanwhile "we wish that the nobility shuld so forbeare to resort in companyes together, that they shuld not be subject to be trapped in any one place by their adversaries." Finally ye shall assure them that if they, doing their duty as becomes loyal and honourable men, by malice and practise are forced to inconvenience, "they shall not find lack in us to regard them in their truthe."

As it seems by your letters that they are determined to keep great forces for private defence, we are of opinion that thereby the Queen most suspects their intentions, and they also are at greater charges than expedient—wherein you may, as you see cause, advise a mean between too great and too little.

3 pp. Draft by Cecil's clerk. Corrected and dated by Cecil. Indorsed (by him).

(2) Fair official copy.

pp. By another clerk. Indorsed.

208. Randolph to Elizabeth. [July 16.]

In a matter whereof I had no great certainty, I wrote to Sir Nicolas Throckmorton, as then informed, to let your majesty know the same. Though then false, I now write it with better assurance. On Monday last the 9th this Queen was secretly married in her own palace to the Lord Darnley, not above 7 persons present; "and wente that daye to their bedde to the Lord Setons howse." This is known by one of the priests present at the mass. If true, your majesty sees how her promise is kept, and may measure the rest of her doings; and I believe unfeignedly your majesty shall find more fair words than good meaning. I will not trouble your majesty with answer of your highness' last letter, but have written to Mr Secretary, and what is desired by those here most at your majesty's devotion. Edinburgh. Signed: Tho. Randolphe.

1 p. In Randolph's Court hand. Address (in same). Indorsed (by Cecil).

209. Mary to some of her subjects. [July 16.]

Signifying her sincere meaning to all her good subjects in the exercise of their religion and conscience, notwithstanding evil bruits spread by seditious persons to the contrary—and desiring [the person addressed] to have no dealings with such. If it happens her to have to do with "our owld enymyes," desiring his answer in writing by the bearer what she may hope for at his hands. Edinburgh, with our hand, Marie R. P.S.—After this written, and she hoped not to summon him so suddenly, now prays him with his kin, friends, etc., to come in "fere of warre," provided for 15 days.

1 ¼ pp. Copy. Indorsed (by Cecil and Randolph).

210. Chatelherault, etc., to Cecil. [July 18.]

"I" trust the present estate your honour left us in be not forgot with you; as yet we are in no better case, but rather worse and worse; wherefore "we" have directed this present gentleman the bearer towards the Queen's majesty fully instructed, who will let your honour understand the heads of his commission. Give this gentleman credit as to ourselves. Stirling. Signed: James Hammylton, Ard Ergyll, James Stewart.

1 p. Addressed. Indorsed (by Cecil): "18 Julij 1565. Dwk of Chastelherault, Erles Argile, Murray, by Levinston."

211. Chatelherault, etc., to Throckmorton. [July 18.]

Signifying they are compelled to crave his sovereign's accustomed good help in their present case, no less dangerous than was their former, wherein they found his friendship, never to be forgotten. Doubt not but he will further the honourable suits of his "auld affectionett freyndis," not for their merits, but the good deeds "thai haif resavit and na ways gevyn." And that he will further also the suit which they have committed to this gentleman the bearer, whom he will credit as themselves. Stirling. Signed: James Hammylton, Ard Ergyll, James Stewart.

1 p. Addressed. Indorsed (by Throckmorton's clerk). Wafer signet: (Murray's). A shield: 1st and 4th quarters, Scotland with a baton sinister; 2nd and 3rd, Moray, 3 cushions within the tressure.

212. Randolph to Elizabeth. [July 23.]

This bearer is sent to signify to your majesty (or to whom it please you to appoint the hearing) the present state of this country, which is both pitiful and lamentable to hear of, that a queen of such a realm and people, "as here ar maynie notable, good, vertueus and in all thinges pertayninge to their dueties obbedient, sholde fall into suche daynger as theie are lyke to be broughte into."

Their most humble request to your majesty is, that as your highness has ever had chief care to set forth the honour of God and maintain his holy word, that you would have pity on them and others in no small danger of their lives, and support and assist them as the cause requires. Praying it may please you to have intelligence by this bearer, a man worthy of the credit committed to him. Edinburgh. Signed: Tho. Randolphe.

pp. In Randolph's Court hand. No flyleaf or address. Indorsed (by Cecil's clerk).

213. Lady Lennox to the Lord Chamberlain and Cecil. [July 23.]

"With mech adow and parswasyone" the Lieutenant has given me leave to write. I beseech you both to be means to the Queen not to continue "my hevy lady, havying not deservyd yt: in dyd my gretest inpresenmont ys her hyghnes dyplesuer . . . You both ar fathers, conseder thene for Gods cawse what I suffer, besyed as not hyryng from my lord my husbond and sone ther, nor yet from my chyeld beying in Yorkshyer . . . lakyng wharwith to by my neseserys and to pay sum part of the gret dett that I am in by many ocasynes thys yere past, as seldome beyng suferd to be at home, wharby I spent, and got letyll." I pray "God inspyere her hart" I may have the Queen's favour again, beseeching you to be "petycheners" therefor. From the Tower. Signed: Margaret Lennox and Angus.

1 p. Holograph, also address. Indorsed (by Cecil's clerk). Memoranda by Cecil.

214. Randolph to Cecil. [July 24.]

We are in marvellous fear that "yf you stonde not good unto us," that this message sent by Beton, if he intreat (as it is thought his "arrante" is) the Queen's majesty not to take part with the Duke and the rest, may turn them to great displeasure. And this I am required to assure her, that "come what fortune so ever God will sende them" they will never accord to other end than her Majesty shall make between this Queen and them. Three hundred men are levied this day and yesterday under Robert Lawder "of the Garde, that strocke the mynester," a great occasion long since of displeasure between the Queen and Murray; not "Hue Lawder that latly slewe the man at Dombarre for hys pleasure." Companies repair daily, and to-morrow I hear Darnley takes the musters. Edinburgh. Signed: Tho. Randolphe.

1 p. Holograph, also address. Indorsed (by Cecil's clerk).

215. Randolph to Bedford. [July 24.]

"Our myscheves increace dayly more and more." We know neither our friends nor enemies. "Here we intende the utter overthrowe of the poore Earle of Murraye; God I perceave sufferethe hys owne to be afflictede"! He stands in hard case, as you may see by the inclosed, which being delivered to me and directed to no man, "I burste yt up" and found it chiefly concerned your lordship. If any good can be done for this man by you, "God dothe requere yt at your handes, and deutie byndethe you to do yt. He wolde that the borderers had occasion to keape them selves at home, for then sholde she lacke one of her cheif poore healpes." I know this might do much good, chiefly to "werie" all others continually to attend on her, and put her in that case shortly not to know where to turn. So soon as those about her are "scaled," I doubt not the others will give her a new "laramme," and then if you keep the marches occupied, she shall have but a small number with her. I know it behoves you to deal on good assurance, and will not attempt much without knowledge from above. I trust you spoke with the man that went from hence, and know his "arrante." Beton that followed him this day, I fear hath letters to "perswade" against him: but I see not that his departure is yet known. If nothing can be done by you "in deade," yet I would there were some show made of your "owne good wyll." This letter of my lord (fn. 1) sent to court, "myghte perchance move some what ther, to procure your lordship a commission to do farther then yet you maye." I am sorry I cannot speak with you, but the next best is, if it please you to send one well instructed of your mind—easily done, so long as Beton is in England—and that he were one of some appearance, to give the better show there was something in it. I would it were rather Captain Reade than any other—but if any of your own, either Mr Page or Mr Lilgrave.

I know they are in great fear of our mistress, and she must remedy the whole, or all will come to naught. Edinburgh. Signed: Tho. Randolphe.

"I praye your lordship to sende awaye thys lettre to my l[ordes] g[race] by the fyrste post, as also the same to Mr Secretarie."

2 pp. Holograph, also address. Indorsed (by Cecil's clerk): " . . . with a lettre from the Erle of Murrey."

216. Randolph to Bedford. [July 28.]

This night very near 9 o'clock, my lord Darnley was proclaimed king of Scotland by common consent of all the lords present in this town: I know not what this haste means. I have your letter by Corbet this night, for my advice touching the Laird of Ricarton, "whome" I am glad is fallen into your hands. Keep him and his company till you advertise her majesty. He is Bothwell's chief friend and has the Queen's letter to fetch him home. She intended to beguile you, for she knew well enough I knew the man. Tomorrow I will return Corbet with more news: this bearer is my own boy, and if he make not good speed, "no pennye for his rewarde." I send him because he may better escape than a horseman through the watch of the town. Captain Brickewell was here this day by 10 o'clock. [Edinburgh.] As you see in haste, at 10 o'clock. Signed: Tho. Randolphe.

1 p. Holograph, also address. Indorsed (by Cecil's clerk).

217. Mary to the General Assembly. Elizabeth. [July 29. 1565.]

Answer to the Articles presented to her highnesss by certain in the name of the whole last Assembly of the Church.

(1.) That she cannot leave the religion wherein she has been nourished and brought up, against her own conscience, but leaves them to worship God as they please, leaving her to do the same. That religion cannot be established by her consent alone, but by the three Estates in parliament—which done, she will confirm it.

(2.) That it is not reasonable her majesty defraud herself of so great a part of the patrimony of her crown as to put benefices out of her own hands, yet is pleased that for the reasonable sustentation of the ministers, a special assignment be made to them.

(3.) To this she will do as the Estates in parliament agree.

(4.) Her majesty's liberality to the poor shall always be extended as far as reasonable.

(5.) Her majesty refers this article as well as (6.) to Parliament.

3 pp. Fair copy. Indorsed (by Cecil): "29 Julij 1565. Answer to the Protestantes in Scotland by the Quene of Scottes."

218. Elizabeth to Mary. [July 30.]

We have received your letter by your servant Beton, wherein we cannot deny there are many good and friendly offers: but considering certain your late actions towards us not allowable in the way of friendship, we cannot, till we see some proofs of this your last writing, answer otherwise than we have commanded a servant of ours to declare, who was ready to have departed, at Beton's arrival.

½ p. Draft by Cecil. Indorsed: ". . . by Mr Thomworth."

219. Elizabeth to Bedford. [July 30.]

Accrediting to him John Tomworth of her privy chamber, sent in message to the Queen of Scots, who will show his Instructions and take his advice.

(2) Similar to Randolph.

1 p. Both drafts by Cecil. Indorsed (by his clerk).

220. Elizabeth to Thomworth. [July 30.]

"Instruction for Jhon Thomworth on of hir Majestes prive chambre sent to the Quene of Scottes in messadg."

First: you shall obtain access with Randolph, deliver our letters to the Queen of Scots, and shall use these words "or such lyke"—That we have sent you to impart things of importance which we require her well to consider and weigh, coming from one that has more regard for her well doing than some would have her think. After these words, permitting her to read our letters, you shall say, we have found her proceedings of late very strange, not only towards us but also her own subjects, in these points—first, "wher we take God to witness that our offer made to hir of a mariadg in our realme, being therto required by hir, was by us syncerly, serioossly, and lovingly ment and intended for hir weale, and to avance hir desyre in hir very gretest matter, we here saye she is induced by sinister advise, and as we thynk contrary to hir own naturall disposition, to report that we did therin meane nothyng but to abuse hir: wherwith, our conscience gyving us witness to the contrary, we can not content ourselves, but doo directly affirm that all such as advise hir so to report of us, doo gyve hir fals counsell, and therin doo untruly for their owne privat respect, devise and contryve such fayned and forged matters."

Next, when she sent her secretary Lethington, for our opinion and good will in her marriage, "makyng mention of hir disposition of favor towardes the Lord Darly, if we wold so therof allow:" we finding cause to advise her to forbear, and sending Sir Nicolas Throckmorton to impart our mind, found that before his coming, or "any answer receaved from us," she had entered so far with Darnley, that she was not in case to receive any advice, and so we were "playnely abused." Yet she promised to forbear from marriage for 3 months, the end whereof should be about 15th August next: whereon we accounted and so "by our occasion," did some princes our neighbours, who we know "uppon the first brute of hir love that wey," thought it as strange as ourselves. And now contrary to her promise, we hearing that "she shuld cause the bannes of matrymony to be asked the xxijth of this month of July, to be celebrated on the xxixth of the same, without any cause to us notefyed," cannot but note the manner somewhat strange. As for detaining our subjects the Earl of Lennox "and the Lord Darnly, (for so shall you name hym and not otherwise)" we have by Randolph signified what we think, and now send you to renew it, and to make us answer, as it is contrary to treaty. There is also some innovation on our East Marches by her subjects, lately destroying certain "loghes" of fishing in Tweed belonging to our subjects by ancient right, whereon some good answer must be made to us.

Secondly: for her strange proceedings in her own realm, we cannot forbear friendly and neighbourly to admonish her, that she is much abused if so counselled: and if she do it of herself, she forgets herself marvellously to raise up such factions as is understood among her nobility, and we earnestly require her not to be too hasty to imagine evil against those that have showed themselves ready to spend their lives and all they have for her and her estate.

And if advised otherwise, as there is great appearance she is, that by prosecuting those with whom she is offended, "she shall suppress and extirp out of hir realme the manner of the religion alredy receaved by hir subjectes with order of law in hir realm, and consequently, to imagyn som what els to content hir phansy in this our realme, as vayne men will some tyme devise": you shall earnestly charge our sister to take good heed to such counsels or vain imaginations, "for what shall insew in that realme by intendyng to alter the Relligion by force, we will not speke," but wish her not to believe fair speeches therein. For any devices she may be fed with, that concern us and our realm, "we can by God's grace well assure hir, she shall fynd all deseynes, consultations, intelligencees, and advisees, from whence so ever they come to hir, farr or neare, vayne and deceptful: yea! we dout not but to convert them to the perill and dammage of them which shall creditt them." This you shall say is the sum of what we think very necessary to say, and how so ever she takes it we shall think ourselves discharged in honour and friendship.

After uttering these things, and hearing what she will say, you shall say as a message divided from the other, that because we hear that she has conceived great displeasure against her brother the Earl of Murray, on what cause we know not, we wish her not to show her nature so subject to change, as to think evil of him who has so well served her. And as by the malice of some about her, it is commonly said to have been determined to slay him when sent for to Court, we would she gave indifferent ear to both parties, and not call him before his mortal enemies—for there are many cases, you may say, where for lack of indifferency, noblemen have been constrained to save their lives, by means they would not otherwise have sought.

Ye shall so use yourself in these matters as to procure her to reconcile to her favour the Earl of Murray and his party, and so establish, or at least permit, the use of religion to her subjects as of late they had: and the principal scope of your service shall be to procure continuance of peace and amity, that she be not provoked to renew the old league with France.

If Lennox or his son desire to speak with you, you shall as the time moves you, make it somewhat strange, but in the end not refuse to hear them, saying nothing as from us—but as of yourself, advise them to use themselves otherwise than as reported they do, to our great offence as their sovereign; and to move them more, "you may remember to them the hard case of the Lady Margarett now in the Tower, whose well doing must depend uppon ther behavior ther." (fn. 2) If the Queen moves you to speak to the Earl or his son, or requires you to speak to Darnley "as to hir husband," you shall refuse so to do.

In the end you shall say, that after we had sent you, a gentleman of hers named Beton, came with a private letter of her own hand, wherewith we were much moved in our old affection, "to dout whyther we shuld discharge our stomak as we intended." But considering all matters, we could not change our former intention, but affirm that if the contents of her last are expressed in deeds, she shall find us as ready "to answer dedes for dedes." Ye shall also say that on perusing her letter brought by Beton "we fynd a sentence somewhat obscure which we require hir to interprett unto us in what sence she meaneth the same? The sentence is this—Je nestymeray jamays que cela viene de vous—et sans en fayre autre vangence, aures recours a tous les princes mes allies pour avceques moi vous remonstre ce que je vous suis par parantage."

8 pp. Draft in Cecil's hand, carefully corrected by him. Indorsed: (by him): "30 July 1565. Instructions . . . for Mr Thomworth sent into Scotland."

Footnotes

  • 1. Murray.
  • 2. A charge to him, written on margin, to ask Mary's permission to speak to Darnley in her presence, and rebuke him, is cancelled.