Elizabeth: October 1577

278. Robert Bowes to Leicester. [Oct. 9.] Cott. Calig., C. V., fol. 110.

Understanding of the repair of this bearer, the Master of the Ordnance, to your lordship, I thought good to accompany him with my letter, which has been hitherto stayed for his coming.

Your lordship, I trust, understands by my letters and Captain Case, whom I moved especially to inform your lordship, all my doings and success in Scotland. Whereas, albeit those matters are for a season wrapped up, yet it is not unlikely that without wise handling, and with sore charge to her majesty, the fire will be readily kindled again. For, although the Regent and the best affected in religion and to the welfare of the King and realm presently embrace the amity with her majesty as a thing most profitable to them, yet many malcontents lie in wait to alter this course, casting in such practices as offer great peril in the same; and their natures so much delight in vanity of government and can with such cunning cover their purposes till good opportunity and ripeness occasion them to show them abroad to their own advantage, that I dare promise small assurance among them. The readiest way, in my opinion, to preserve the realm in quietness, with maintenance of this amity, is to appease and quench all the griefs bewixt the Regent and others of the realm, and by friendly reconcilement and union to make him gracious amongst them. For the which he must receive some apt lessons with gentleness from her majesty. But with the same he must also receive some comfort agreeable to his nature and disposition, as by your lordship's own knowledge and my said letters will sufficiently appear to your lordship.

This negotiation necessarily requires the labour of a very sufficient person; and although therein and in all things myself and my service are and shall be ever ready with most willing heart to obey and do her majesty's pleasure, yet to avoid the prejudice of the weighty cause threatened by my insufficiency, I am compelled to open my weakness to your good lordship, and humbly to require the same, for the benefit of the said cause, to work my deliverance. The lets that I have had in conveyance of some portion of lead that I prepared for your lordship much grieve me. It is ready and shall be conveyed to your lordship with all the speed I can. Berwick. Signed: Robert Bowes.

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