Elizabeth: July 1575

Calendar of State Papers, Scotland: Volume 5, 1574-81. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1907.

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'Elizabeth: July 1575', in Calendar of State Papers, Scotland: Volume 5, 1574-81, (London, 1907) pp. 167-170. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/scotland/vol5/pp167-170 [accessed 24 March 2024]

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In this section

173. Walsingham to the Regent Morton. [July 13.] Add. MSS., 33,531, fol. 153.

Received his letters dated the 9th instant, and also certain [letters] directed to the Queen of England and the Council, by which it appears that he is greatly miscontented with the disorder that has lately happened, and is also desirous that such order may be taken that all things may be appeased and the amity continued. Whereof, as he never doubted, so he dares assure him that the like affection reigns in her majesty and the Privy Council. Considering the good disposition of either party, in his opinion, the true way to bring this to pass is first to choose apt and fit ministers who may without partiality examine how the disorder grew, and who are the offenders, to the end that there may be due punishment executed on such as shall be found culpable as well of the one side as of the other. For, surely, without severity used in this behalf it will be a hard matter to quench the quarrels that otherwise are like to follow; which unquenched may breed a war of that danger that both the realms shall rue. As he doubts nothing of his grace's wise handling of the matter with that severity and integrity that are requisite, so he hopes he shall have no cause to complain of the course that the Queen of England will take in that behalf. Kenilworth. Signed: Fra. Walsyingham.

2/3 p. Addressed. Indorsed.

174. Henry Killigrew to Walsingham. [July 16.]

In his honour's letter of the 11th he exhorted him to search out the bottom of this matter chanced at the day of "trew" between the Lord Warden and Carmichael, but is sure he has received other letters since that from the Regent, and the Lord Warden's reports, which will satisfy him in some points. Yet, because the matter chiefly consists upon the Lord Warden's own declaration, the Deputy Warden of this March thought good to send Captain Ethrington to the Regent, upon receipt of his last letters from Dalkeith, which were of the 14th, and sent up to him [Walsingham], to understand a more full report from his lordship's own mouth than they think he dare write thence since he has been in their hands. Has received his other letters of the 12th with instructions from the Council concerning his proceeding forward if he did not see cause to the contrary; but till Mr. Ethrington return and that he shall hear from him [Walsingham] of the receipt of the Regent's packet which he sent him, and also the Lord Warden's own letters, he does not think meet in anywise to go. Notwithstanding, in the meanwhile he will prepare his way thitherwards àfter the return of Captain Ethrington, by whom they shall know more; and by that time he looks also to hear from the Council what they resolve touching the three points he mentioned in his letter of the 8th. Whether it shall be thought convenient to say yea or nay to these things, or nothing at all, he stands indifferent, but they be all contained in his instructions, etc. Imputes some fault to the posts for so small haste made with his packets. Perceives that unless a man paints a gallows and writes many lives upon the packets—which he cannot do—they will use their discretion. Thinks the note of the delivery should suffice at such an hour to put them in mind of their duties, and not to cause so much wondering by the way, "as the gallows and for lives commonly doth without fruit."

The cattle which the Laird of Cesford, warden of the Middle March of Scotland, confessed to have in his keeping, are delivered and received by the owners again, not without the offence of their landlord, Mr. Graye, for that they were content to take their own without "double and sauffe," as they term it.

This inclosed is the copy of a letter sent him from Gaynsford, for whom the Lords of the Council wrote to the Regent; whereof he has this good answer. Berwick. Signed: H. Kyllygrew.

12/3 pp. Part holograph, also address. Indorsed by Walsingham.

175. Henry Killigrew to Walsingham. [July 17.]

Before making up the inclosed Mr. Ethrington was returned from the Lord Warden, and brought him this inclosed from his lordship. What further report he brought he refers to Mr. Selby's letters. This other from the Regent he received by a kinsman of his, who told him by mouth that the Regent had little more to write of the circumstances touching the late accident, and that the Lord Warden and he did not much differ, saving where the Lord Warden says that he had stayed the party of England at what time Carmichael returned, that is denied by his grace, and affirmed that after the first ruffle, wherein the Scots say two of their men, by name Robson and Symonton were first slain, and Carmichael himself shot through the breast of his doublet, being unarmed, as they were all for the most part on both the sides, saving those that were at deadly feud." The Lord Warden, on the contrary, says that one Mr. Phenik [Fenwick] and one Mr. Robert Shafton, a man of the Earl of Northumberland's, were first slain of his side. Thus they differ, and will still till it comes to examination of both parts. The best he now finds in this matter is that the Regent seems willing for his part, if the Queen shall like thereof, to agree to some good remedy whereby the like inconvenience may be prevented from henceforth—a thing in his simple opinion very necessary fer preservation of the peace, and without which it will be hard to keep the peace any long time. Whereas the stay of their Warden is a rare example, yet they allege a Warden of theirs to have been slain by one of the Herons at a like meeting, for which offence he was delivered into Scotland, and there remained seven years in prison. Refers him to Mr. Selby's letters. Berwick. Signed: H. Kyllygrew.

Postscript.—The Lord Warden and his company be so feasted at Dalkeith that he thinks the Regent would glady be rid of them, but that he has the wolf by the ears.

pp. Postscript holograph. Addressed. Indorsed.

176. Henry Killigrew to Walsingham. [July 19.]

Has received his letters of the 13th, 14th, and 15th this morning, and her majesty's from Mr. Secretary Smith. Whereupon he sent forward to give knowledge—as the manner is—that he meant to be in Edinburgh to-morrow night, and so shall use all fidelity and diligence to accomplish her majesty's commandments. Whereas he writes that it was looked for at his hands that he should have stayed the Lord Warden from going further into Scotland, he knew nothing thereof but as the Lord Warden wrote; which was so late that he could not in time do the same, yet as soon as he could find means upon any reasonable ground to send in, he forgot not to send his grace word to that effect by Captain Arington, who brought his grace's answer, and, he thought, had signified the same with the report of the rest. He [Arington] now does this himself. Of that message it is fallen out that all the gentlemen who were there with the Lord Warden be come home since, saving only the Lord Warden and Sir Francis Russell, who, he trusts, shall also be sent home upon his going thither. Trusts the Earl of Huntingdon will make some good end of this unhappy meeting, if God be not disposed to punish both the realms for their unthankfulness towards His majesty. Will use all the best means he can to persuade the Regent to meet with the Lord President himself, and if it be a thing that he may do, he will not mistrust but he will. In case not, he doubts not but he will appoint the best in Scotland, whom he takes to be the Lord Chancellor for one, and some such others of the best sort of nobility. This he writes privily for himself. Wishes a good physician to cure the grief fallen to his legs. Berwick. Signed: H. Kyllygrew.

Postscript.—Until he shall hear further from the Queen or any of the Council can deal nothing at all in his first instructions.

The gentleman porter having been abroad this day tells him even now that John of the Stone House, a man dear to the Lord Warden, and has been a great helper to this trouble, is not only slain at home by his kinsman, but also another of his blood, for grazing of a nag. This man was delivered by Sir George Heron to Carmichael at their former meeting, and came home into England contrary to his promise. Yet, as he is informed, he was the busiest man at this last trouble, as he was cause of many another. Trusts it will appease part of God's wrath, for his crimes, by report, were "enormable."

pp. Holograph. Addressed. Indorsed by Walsingham.

177. Nicholas Erington to Walsingham. [July 20.]

Being sent of late into Scotland, upon his letters to Mr. porter, (fn. 1) to understand the ground and particularities of this late accident, the report of which, as far as he could learn, was sent to him by the gentleman porter from hence on the 17th instant, and although Mr. Killigrew, her majesty's ambassador, did not write by him at that time to the Regent, yet he gave him in charge to communicate some speech of his to his grace touching the accident. Amongst other things, he willed him to signify to the Regent that the Queen of England and the Lords of the Council, he doubted, would take in evil part the detaining of Sir John Foster with the rest of the gentlemen as prisoners, and especially the carrying of them from the frontiers so far as Dalkeith, considering the good amity and peace betwixt both realms; and the disorder not growing upon any pretended cause, but known, they marvelled not a little that the frontiersmen of the Middle March, having lost their dear friends, did not presently fall to revenging and spoiling—considering the warden of that March and the chief gentlemen who should have been the only stay of rude and wilful minds—being at that present altogether without government. Whereupon the Regent answered that the "sudden" was such, and so rare a matter, that he could not of himself well determine what was best to be done therein, the noblemen and Council not being present with him, and fearing if they had been presently sent home it would have bred some further troubles in seeking revenges, considering the great affinity and kindred betwixt them and the men slain, and therefore thought it most convenient to stay them in his own house, not as prisoners, but with such liberty and treatment as his grace could devise, until such time as her majesty's pleasure was known, which he daily expected. Notwithstanding, it seemed that the Regent considered the speeches passed with the advice of the Council there—or loth to incur her majesty's displeasure—the next day, not receiving any further resolution from hence, sent all the gentlemen who were detained into England, except Sir John Foster and Sir Francis Russell, who yet remain at Dalkeith, and it is supposed that they will not be long kept there. To his simple judgment the Regent seems not only to lament the "chance" and harms committed, but is also very careful to do all good offices to the contentation of her majesty and the good quietness of both the realms, with such punishment as shall be thought meet for such offenders. Berwick. Signed: Nicholas Arington.

2 pp. Holograph, also address. Indorsed by Walsingham.

Cott. Calig., C. V., fol. 36, b.

Copy of the same.

Footnotes

  • 1. The gentleman porter of Berwick.