Elizabeth: April 1578

332. Archbishop of Glasgow to the Bishop of Ross. [April 10.] Cott. Calig., C. V., fol. 130.

The Queen of England having been informed that a certain armed fleet of ships is being made ready in various parts of France, has asked the King to dissolve it on account of the treaty and friendship between them, and he altogether abandon the cause of the Queen of Scotland, asserting that she had attempted some things not only to the prejudice of the State and crown of the said Elizabeth, but also had built plots even for her life. But the King answered with strong and constant mind, and honourably, in favour of the Queen of Scotland, that he could not abandon her cause in so great dangers.

The Duke of Guise hearing himself accused as the author of this preparation, sharply answered the speaker, that he hoped that the Queen of England would iu a short time be compelled to give a reason for her actions, and hoped that she would treat the Queen of Scotland more kindly, if she wished to turn aside the hatred and unfriendliness of many Princes.

²/3 p. Latin. Copy.

333. [ ] To Walsingham. [April.]

I cannot attain, neither dare I directly demand the knowledge of that discoverer, but I gather assuredly, both by himself and his secretary, that he is a Scot, and conversant with the earls. He has with all speed advertised the same into France, requiring with all celerity that a signification thereof may be made into Scotland, intending thereby much the rather to "insinuate" the King and his utterly to become French, and refuse her majesty of England. He hopes that if the King of Scots be not now suddenly overtaken there shall presently be admitted an ambassador for France into Scotland, to and from whom he pretends direct intelligence. He expects other advertisements from the foresaid Scot. He assures me now—and never before—of the entire intention and absolute proceeding of his King against the Protestants, his subjects. He intends speedily, with all aggravation, to advertise Mr. Rogers's going into Germany, with the circumstances. I ever feel by him that the French are very desirous to pick some quarrel to her majesty, and that "he will aggravate the leaste to the moste." He is much discontent with the many hindrances offered him in the obtaining of a horse within the city, wherein it seems to me convenient that your honour somewhat mitigated. I think it necessary that Sir Philip Sidney entertain me, and I follow him, some while before his departure, else it will not seem, after he is gone, that I serve him at all. I expect in all what your honour shall think convenient.

1¼ pp. No address or indorsement. Two seals with motto: "Les blame if sure."

334. [ ] To Walsingham. [April.]

Mr. Blounte departing, most humbly recommended himself, his service, and business depending here to your honour's remembrance. The ambassador understanding of the repair of certain French out of Germany, their secret conference with her majesty and your honour, "and theyr importaunce to bee mony to supplye the rutters for the King of Navar," is desirous to know the certainty; also what Mr. William Knowls has recovered out of Scotland. If your honour wills that I found him for the King his master's determination concerning her majesty's motion of reconciliation with her subjects, whereof I guess he has [received], or shall shortly receive answer, may it please your honour to advertise me. I think it convenient that your honour appointed me a livery, that I might the more conveniently have recourse to you for determination of what shall be requisite.

⅓ p. No address, etc. In the same hand as No. 333.

335. James VI. to The Emperor Rodolph II. [April.] Add. MSS., 33, 531, fol. 167.

Requests him to protect James Adair, his subject who has determined to set our for Vienna for the purpose of collecting certain debts and recovering his goods. Stirling.

½ p. Latin. Copy. Indorsed.

336. Robert Bowes to Burghley. [April 28.] Cott. Calig., C. III., fol. 567.

About 6 o'clock on Saturday morning last (fn. 1) the Earl of Mar accompanied by the abbots of Dryburgh and Cambuskenneth and their servants, ordinarily lodged in Stirling Castle, went to the Castle gate with pretence to go a hunting, and finding there the Master [of Mar] and his servants, the abbots called the Master aside, charging him that he had much abused the Earl of Mar, his nephew, and far overseen himself in withholding the custody of the King and castle. The Master, after reasonable excuse made, found that they pressed to possess the keys and command the piece, and reaching to himself a halberd, his servants came to assist him. Dryburgh and some with him stayed the Master. Cambuskenneth and his complices assaulted the rest, where Buchanan, one of the Master's men, was sore hurt.

After the fray was pacified the Master and the abbots withdrew themselves to the hall to debate the matter, and Argyll, being then in bed, rose speedily and came with a small number to the hall, where, hearing that the Master and the abbots were in quiet communication, he retired to his chamber, and arming himself he assembled his servants, who, with the Master, were able to have overmatched the others. But the master being then fully satisfied, Argyll was likewise soon after appeased, and then yielding possession for the earl they agreed at length to remove thence and draw to concord, specially to satisfy the King, who, as is reported, was in great fear of the tumult and tore his hair, saying the Master was slain, and, as he is informed, his grace by night has been so discouraged by this means that in his sleep he is therewith greatly disquieted.

After all this was ended, the Earls of Argyll and Marr, the master, the two abbots, and Mr. Buchanan advertised the Scottish Council by their letters of this accident, declaring that the parties were well reconciled, and persuaded the Council to proceed forwards in the course determined for the government, as [though] no such matter had happened.

Argyll departed out of the castle, and he is now gone to levy his forces, meaning to return within two days at the farthest.

In this uproar the eldest son of the master was so crushed in the throng that he died the next day. The Master is fallen into vehement disease, with danger of his life.

On the coming of the said letters from Stirling on Saturday, about 9 in the "afternone," the Council assembled, and after some hot humours digested, they despatched Montrose that night to Stirling to learn and certify to them the true state of the matter, to persuade quietness about the King's person, and to continue this present government established till the next parliament. Montrose, after long abode at Lord Livingston's house, came to Stirling the next day, and was received into the castle. He puts the Council in good hope that the matter is well pacified, and that this government shall not by this accident be impeached. Whereupon the most part of this Council, pretending to have the King's letters commanding their repair to him, are departed this day towards Stirling. But what shall ensue hereof is greatly doubted.

Lochleven, being speedily advertised of the doings of the abbots, came the same day to Stirling, and with some difficulty—as outwardly was showed—was let into the castle with one servant, whom presently he returned to Lochleven to the Earl of Morton, and himself remains still in the castle.

The Earl of Morton, upon the first advertisement, came to Lochleven, despatched his servant to the Earl of Angus to put all his friends and forces in readiness on an hour's warning, and many noblemen, being friends to these two earls, have done the like. Nevertheless, they show no force or assembly as yet.

The Lords of the Council have likewise levied all their power, drawing some part with all possible speed towards Stirling, and leaving the residue in readiness upon warning.

Some be of opinion that the Council will be readily received and welcomed to the King and to all the castle without further change, and many think that by the means of the abbots the King shall cause them to retire themselves to their own houses till his pleasure be further known; and in case they disobey the same, then to lay siege and take the castle, that then the King will cause the Earl of Morton and other nobles to levy their power within the realm to raise the siege and rescue his person from their violence.

Whatsoever shall fall out of these swelling seas does not yet appear, but he thinks verily that within two or three days it will burst into some open matter, discovering sufficiently the purposes intended; wherein to his power he will seek to quench all violent rages, and persuade unity and concord amongst them, which, if this sudden chance had not happened, might easily have taken place. Edinburgh. Signed: Robert Bowes.

3¼ pp. Addressed. Indorsed. Torn.

Cott. Calig., C. V., fol. 115.

Copy of the same.

337. Mary to the Bishop of Ross. [April 30.] Cott. Calig., C.V., fol. 130.

From all that you have lately written to me I do not find any argument for adding anything to my former letters that may require more ample treating, especially in the heads of great moment. Namely, in what you write has been attempted by the Pope, and is to be executed by the most potent Catholic Princes for the restitution of the Catholic faith in this isle.

That, indeed, which those six hundred desperate men with Thomas Studæus their leader show to be by no means leaning upon a solid foundation. Nor is that slow and extremely difficult determination of the pontiff to ask for a sum of money for so pious and necessary a cause as for the transportation of my son less proved to me, which could have brought the greatest utility to the whole Christian commonweal, as I wrote to you in my former letters. But I have determined to add this one thing to my former statements, that I may render you secure, that through the opportunity of this new change in Scotland, which I doubt not you have understood, I have so noticed the great love and regard of my son (whom may God preserve in safety) and at the same time the goodwill of all those who are his counsellors or have care of him, that provided sufficient care be taken of him, I shall be able to dispose not only of him but of all the rest according to the judgment of my mind. So that in respect of the grave and imminent danger in which the Prince my son is, and considering the daily plots which are taken in hand by the Queen herself with the aid of most corrupt traitors, that he may at some time come into her hands, or at any rate that they may try to deprive him of life, I have determined that he be transported as quickly as may be into the hands and custody of my relations in Lorraine, where he shall remain, if by any means I can manage this, etc. And because of this matter neither of the most powerful princes will have any just cause of offence, nor will that queen sieze the opportunity of more cruelly persecuting the Catholics or myself! But on the contrary I am entirely persuaded that after my son has been in some more safe place from which he cannot be extracted by her, and where he will be able to be more ready and prepared to approach her according to our will, when time shall have made it possible, then when she sees that she profits nothing and cannot obtain her desires, while she wishes to deprive me of life, she will doubtless begin to show herself more gracious to me and the Catholics. And all these things (kissing his feet most devoutly and humbly in my name) you will signify to the same, and will certainly affirm that nothing is wanting to bring all these things to the desired end save his help and aid, and that this can be done too in a short time and without any difficulty, and since it seems expedient to his holiness that he be brought back with his nuntio (who is delaying at Paris on this matter), I will take care that he has the fullest information on every point.

1½ pp. French. Copy.

338. Mary to the Duke of Bavaria. [April 30.] C.P., vol. XI.

Most serene lord. From the letters of the bishop of Ross, our agent at Rome, I have often learnt of the benevolence of your highness. I thought it undoubtedly my part to show your highness that I recognise your goodness and that I owe you very much on that account. For although many other things intervene when the laws of relationship and even the bond of affinity has come very near, yet there is nothing which more binds me to you than your benefit and zeal towards those who suffer exile on account of their religion. Wherefore I tender you the greatest thanks, because in the business of the Scottish monasteries you wished to favour them and to relieve their want and need. Since, indeed, the monastery of Ratisbon, which is under the rule of your highness, has been legitimately provided for by the chief priest Ninian Winzet, doctor of theology, my confessor, him I commend strongly to your highness as especially dear to me. Ninian himself will recognise your patronage, and will always obey you in affairs of any sort, and will serve the will of your highness.

⅓ p. Latin. Copy.

339. Mary to the Archbishop of Mayence. [April 30.] C.P., vol. XI.

Most illustrious prince. Whereas I had complete confidence that your highness would in no place have failed the cause of my Scots, when once you had determined upon the justice of the matter, owing to the constant and most honourable fame of your name, yet I thought that I ought to take care to set forth and command the whole matter to you in my letter also. There are in Germany very ancient Scottish monasteries, and Scotsmen are wont and ought to rule them and be educated in them, according to the will and prescript of the founders. These were possessed by the Scots for a very long space of time, but then were held by others, contrary to all equity. For if neither the inviolable will of the founders nor long possession can keep them, Christan piety ought certainly to keep them, which demands that the Scottish Catholics, who for the church of God and for faith towards me are exiles from their country, be helped and relieved. This I earnestly entreat of your highness, that when the cause is known, which shall be set forth to you at greater length, you will be pleased to favour this notice, which deserves very well, and to protect it with some authority. Some of these monasteries are at present vacant under the rule of your highness, and there are not wanting among the Scots many good and worthy men, worthy of such a gift—it will be very pleasing to me that your highness should have them delivered to the Scots. I shall be very much indebted to your highness on that account, and meantime I will ask God that I may be able at some time to show some sign of my will towards you, as you will learn more often from the Bishop of Ross, who is in charge of this business there.

²/3 p. Latin. Copy.

340. Mary to the Emperor of Germany. [April 30.] C. P., vol. XI.

When the news reached me of the death of Ferdinand of most blessed memory, father of your sacred majesty, I grieved deeply for him, as I ought, but still more for the fate of the Christian commonweal which had been deprived at so unlucky a time of such a Prince as he who, freed from the fetters of the body, has soared to heaven and joined himself with those divine minds. The general consolation soothed my grief and caused me the greatest joy that your majesty should succeed your father, who would not only tread in your father's footsteps, but would also emulate the glory of your ancestors. If my affairs had so permitted, I would at once have sent to your majesty both letters and messengers as witnesses of these my feelings. But now since an opportunity is given me of making a request of your majesty, I will set it forth in a few words. There are certain monasteries in Germany, founded in favour of the Scots on the law and condition that in them Scotsmen should be educated, and that Scots should be set at the head of the same places: that right was retained by the men of our race in very long possession, then taken by others on account of the absence of Scots. I earnestly entreat of your sacred majesty that you will preserve this right for the Scots, and command that those who are suffering exile and other extreme evils for the Catholic religion and for their faith to me be received into the monasteries which have been empty under your rule and sway. And especially I commend to you Ninian Winzet, doctor of theology, my confessor, by whom the monastery of Ratisbon was not so long since provided for.

½ p. Latin. Copy.