Elizabeth: February 1567

468. Mary to Cecil. Elizabeth. [Feb. 8. 1566–67.]

Your earnest good will to the amity between us and our dearest sister is so well known to us, we cannot omit "at leist" our thanks. And though some bruit passed of your "affectioun to tend otherwys," yet we never believed it, and ever esteemed you as a good servant to your mistress and no hinderer of amity, as we understood more clearly at the return of our servant Robert Melville. Remitting further declaration of our mind to the bearer our servant. Edinburgh. Signed: Your gud frind Marie R.

1 p. Written by Hay. Indorsed (by Cecil's clerk). Small wafer signet (Scotland).

469. Maitland to Cecil. [Feb. 8.]

I wrote to you at "greate lenth" at my lord of Bedford's return, and since then have heard nothing from you. I was "preassed" by the Queen to make a voyage thither, but being so lately married, it was "not reasonable to mak a divorsement from my wyfe so soone," or I would have gone were it only to have conferred with you on all affairs. I will not trouble you, for the sufficiency of the messenger shall excuse my shortness. He is honest, and I dare undertake, prefers you to all others. Edinburgh. Signed: W. Maitland.

1 p. Holograph, also address. Indorsed (by Cecil's clerk): ". . . By M^r R. Melvill."

470. Plan of the Kirk of Field. [Feb. 9.]

Coloured drawing or plan of the Kirk of Field and surrounding neighbourhood, showing the position of the bodies of Darnley and his servant nearly naked etc.

Sheet 20 inches by 15. Very curious—showing the explosion, hurry of the people, details etc., in compartments.

471. Depositions on the King's murder. [Feb. 11.] Add. MSS. 33, 531, fol. 37.

In presence of the Earls of Huntly, Cassillis, Caithness, Sutherland, Bishops of Galloway, Ros, Comptroller, Justice clerk etc.

Barbara Mertine, sworn etc., depones that before the "crak rais," she passed to the window of her house in the "Freir wynd, fornentis" the Master of Maxwell's lodging, and heard 13 men come forth at the "Freir [yett]" and pass to the Cowgait and up the Freir wynd. Then the "crak rais" and 11 men came forth, 2 of whom had "cleir thingis" on them, and passed down the passage that "cummis fra the Freirs" and so to the town. She cried on them as they passed, called them traitors, and said they had been at some "evill turn."

May Crokat, spouse of John Stirling, servant to the bishop of Sa[ntandros], dwelling under the Master of Maxwell's lodging, depones she was lying in her house betwixt "hir twa twynnis" when the "crak [rais]" . . (fn. 1) thought it was the house above, "and come rynnand to [the door in her] (fn. 1) sark allane," and even as she come furth . . . (fn. 1) there came out at the "Freir yett" 11 men, and she "clekit" one by his . . . (fn. 1) which was of silk, and asked where the crak was? But they made no answer, and 4 went up the wynd. and other 7 down to the Cowgate port etc.

John Petcarne, "chirurgeane," dwelling in said wynd . . . (fn. 1) "archiers of the gard," depones: that he neither heard nor knew anything till about "four houris" . . [till a servant?]. (fn. 1) "of Senyeour Frances quha is a little lene fallow," came and cried on the deponent to come to his maister, which he did and remained with him till about "sex houris."

1 p. In the handwriting of Alexander Hay. Damaged at right side.

472. Royal Warrant by Elizabeth. [Feb. 13.] Harl. MSS. 289, fol. 95.

Granting licence to Alexander Clerke servant to the Earl of Murray, to convey 6 dozen "bowes of ewe," 8 "sheefes" of arrows, 12 grosse of bowstrings, and "tynne vessell of dyverse sortes, to the weight of fyve hundredth in thole," from the port of London or elsewhere to Scotland for the earl's use. Under her signet. Westminster 9^th of reign. Sign manual at head.

Broadsheet. Indorsed: Passed in the Unicorn of Leith, 4½ doz. "ewen" bows—12 gross of strings, 4 quivers with 8 "sheffe arrows" 17 Feb. 1566: in the Lion of Leith, 18 "ewen" bows for the Earl of Murrey 26 Feb. 1567. Wafer signet: (England).

473. Report of M. de Clarnault. [Feb. 16.]

The Seigneur de Clarnault says:—That on Sunday the 9^th about 7 p.m. the Queen with the principal nobles at Court visited the King—stayed 2 or 3 hours, and then attended the marriage of one of her gentlemen, as she had promised; or it is thought she would have staid till midnight or 1 a.m., seeing their good agreement for 3 weeks past. She retired soon from the "nopce," to go to bed. And about 2 a.m. a tremendous noise was heard, as if a volley of 25 or 30 cannon, arousing the whole town; and on her sending to know whence it came, they found the king's "logis" totally destroyed [raze], and himself 60 or 80 "pas" from the house in a garden, dead, also his valet de chambre and a young page. One may imagine the distress and agony of this poor princess, such a misfortune chancing when her majesty and the King were on such good terms. It is well seen this unhappy affair proceeded from an underground mine: as yet the author is unknown.

1 p. French. Fair copy. Indorsed (by Cecil's clerk): "16 Feb. 1566. Monsieur Clernaultes report of the K. of Scottes death."

474. Thomas Crawford's Declaration. [Feb. .]

"The wordes betwixt the Quene and me Thomas Crawforde, bye the waye as she came to Glasco to fetche the kinge, when my lorde mye master sent me to shewe her the cause whye he came not to mete her him selfe."

First: I made my lord's humble commendations, and excuse, not to think he staid for "prowdnesse" or not knowing his duty, but for want of health, and he presumed not to come in her presence till he knew her mind, for the sharp words she spoke of him to his servant Robert Cuningham at Stirling. She said, there was no "recept" against fear, and he would not be afraid, if not culpable. I answered, his lordship would the secrets of every creature's heart were written in their face. She asked if I had farther commission? I said no—and she commanded me to hold my peace.

The words that I remember betwixt the King and Queen in Glasco when she took him away to Edinburgh:—

His father being absent and sick, the King called me and gave me these words that had passed betwixt him and the Queen, to report to his father.

When they met, she asked him of his letters complaining of the cruelty of "som." He said not without cause—as she would grant when well advised. He said in reply to her, she was the cause of his sickness, and 'Ye asked me what I ment by the crueltye specified in my lettres? yt procedethe of you onelye that wille not accepte mye offres and repentance. I confesse that I have failed in som thinges, and yet greater faultes have bin made to you sundrye times, which ye have forgiven. I am but yonge, and ye will saye ye have forgiven me diverse tymes. Maye not a man of mye aege for lacke of counselle, of which I am verye destitute, falle twise or thrise, and yet repent and be chastised by experience? Yf I have made anye faile, that ye but thinke a faile, howe so ever it be, I crave your perdone and proteste that I shall never faile againe. I desire no other thinge but that we maye be togeather as husband and wife. And if ye will not consent hereto, I desire never to rise forth of thys bed. Therefore I praye you give me an aunswer hereunto. God knowethe howe I ame punished for makinge my God of you, and for having no other thowght but on you. And if at anie tyme I offend you, ye are the cause, for that when anie offendethe me, if for mye refuge I might open mye minde to you, I woulde speake to no other, but when anie thinge ys spoken to me, and ye and I not beinge as husband and wife owght to be, necessite compellethe me to kepe it in my breste and bringethe me in suche melancolye as ye see me in.' She answered, "that it semed him," she was sorye for hys sickness and would find remedy as soon as she might: and asked him why he would have gone in the English ship? He said he did not mean it—but if he had, there was cause, seeing his usage—he had nothing to sustain himself or his servants, as she knew as well as he.

She asked "of the purpose of Hegate?" He answered that it was told him.

She required how and by whom? He answered that the Laird of Minto told him that a letter was presented to her in Craigmiller "made by her owne divise, and subscribed by certeine others, who desired her to subscribe the same, which she refused to doe." He said he would never think that she "who was hys owne propre fleshe," would do him hurt, and if any other would, "theye shuld bye it dere, unlesse they tooke him slepinge," though he suspected none. So he desired her to bear him company, "for she ever fownde som adoe, to drawe her sellfe from him to her owne lodginge, and woulde never abyde with him paste two houres at once."

She was very "pensiffe," and he found fault; and said he heard she had brought a litter with her. She said it was brought to carry him more softly than on horseback. He said a sick man should not so travel, "in so colde weather." She answered she would take him to Craigmiller to be with him "and not farre from her sonne."

He said he would go, if they might be at bed and board as husband and wife, and she to leave him no more: and if she promised this on her word, he would go where she pleased—without this, he would not go. She said if she had not been so minded, she would not have come so far, and gave him her hand and faith of her body, that she would love and use him as her husband. But before they could come together, "he must be purged and clensed of hys sicknesse . . . for she minded to give him the bathe at Craigmiller." In answer to her question, he said he hated no man and loved all alike. She asked how he liked Lady Reresse, and if he was angry with her? He said he had little mind of such as she, and wished of God she might serve her to her honour.

Then she desired him to keep to himself the promise betwixt him and her: lest the lords thought not well of their sudden agreement, considering "he and theye were at some wordes before." He said he knew no cause why they should mislike it, and desired her not to move any against him, as he would "stirre" none against her, and that they would work in one mind, or it would turn to inconvenience to both. She answered— "She never sowght anye waie bye (fn. 2) him, he was in faulte him sellfe." He said his faults were published: but there were that made greater faults than ever he made, that he believed were unknown.

He then asked me what I thought of his voyage? I said I liked it not, for if she had desired his company, instead of to Craigmiller, she would have taken him to his own house in Edinburgh, rather than a gentleman's house 2 miles out of town—therefore my opinion was she took him more like a prisoner than her husband. He answered he thought little less himself: save the confidence he had in her promise only. Yet he would put himself in her hands, "thowghe she showlde cutte hys throate: and besowghte God to be judge unto them bothe."

6 pp. Official fair copy. Indorsed (by Cecil): "Thomas Crawfordes deposition."

475. Maitland to Cecil. [Feb. 23.]

The bearer my servant having to pass "thyther" for the occasions you will hear of himself, I would not forget to remember me in your good grace, and I would write more were he making his journey with diligence. But as he will be long on the way, I will only desire you to make account of me as of one who as long as I live, will honour you as my father: and pray your favour to the bearer in his suits, for my cause. Seton. Signed: W. Maitland.

½ p. Holograph, also address. Indorsed (by Cecil's clerk): ". . . By Arch. Greham."

476. Robert Melvill to Cecil. Elizabeth. [Feb. 23. 1566–67.]

Understanding from the French ambassador that he has desired his master to send a gentleman to Scotland to comfort my Sovereign. I would you moved the Queen's majesty to do the like, which would be well taken of my mistress; and also to write when she has convenient "layser." And I pray you to be "kayrfull" that the mouths of evil disposed persons may be stopped. If it please you, I would know what time "the morne I maye speak her Hynes." Signed: Robert Melvill.

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

477. Elizabeth to Mary. [Feb. 24.]

"Madame." My ears have been so astounded [etourdies] and my heart so frightened to hear of the horrible and abominable murder of your "feu mary et mon tue (?) cousin," that I have scarcely spirit to write: yet I cannot conceal that I grieve more for you than him. I should not do the office of a faithful cousin and friend, if I did not urge you to preserve your honour, rather than look through your fingers at revenge on those who have done you "tel plaisir," as most people say. I counsel you so to take this matter to heart, that you may show the world what a noble princess and loyal woman you are. I write thus vehemently not that I doubt, but for affection. As for the three matters communicated by Melvin, I understand your wish to please me, and that you will grant the request by Lord Bedford in my name to ratify the treaty made 6 or 7 years past. On other things I will not trouble you at length, referring you to the report of this gentleman. Westminster.

1 p. French. Contemporary copy. Indorsed (by Cecil's clerk) "24 Februarij 1566. Copia literarum Regiæ Majestatis ad Reginam Scotiæ."

478. Robert Melvill to Cecil. [Feb. 26.]

The Queen's treasurer is come, and Bastiane one of the valets of her chamber with him, who has a letter to your Sovereign. The treasurer desires to kiss her Majesty's hand, and I request your honour he may have that favour. Bastiane will deliver the letter to you this day "efter dyner." I have no letter from my Sovereign: my brother has written to me that her grace went to Setoun "to repois here, and tak sum purgations." Murray is sent for, and "is lukit to be at kourt presentlie." Atholl, and the controller with him, "is partit," but sent for to come again under pain of rebellion. Lennox "wes at Lythquow and went abak till Glaskow, quhaire he is presentlie." All the lords are sent for. "The parsouns that committit this last fact not revelit." A parliament is proclaimed for 14^th April. The prince is in the abbey of Holyrood house. "This Vodnisday." Signed: Robert Melvill.

You will please make a passport for the Treasurer and train of 8 horse, and that he may understand your "kurtesie" is for my "caus." For the Controller: let it not be known to come by me.

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

For a pasport for Mons^r Dolu the Quene of Scottes tresorar in France."