Elizabeth: March 1579

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

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'Elizabeth: March 1579', in Calendar of State Papers, Scotland: Volume 5, 1574-81, (London, 1907) pp. 333-335. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/scotland/vol5/pp333-335 [accessed 24 March 2024]

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In this section

402. Elizabeth to James VI. [March 15.] Cott. Titus. B. II., fol. 190.

Cannot forget that at her request and for her sake he has made Robert Melville taste of his favour, so far forth that thereby he is spared to do him good service when it may please him to make proof; which he will be the better able to perform, if by his favour and liberality he may be restored to means to execute it conformable to his goodwill, by means of his favour, in restoring him to his former living, and to that purpose she right heartily and earnestly prays him, and to bind the poor gentleman to remain all the rest of his life his most bounden dutiful subject, to be mindful of him with speedy effect. Westminster Palace.

p. Broadsheet. Copy. Indorsed. Torn.

403. Agreement Between Lord Scrope and Lord Herries. [March 27. 1579.] Cott. Calig., B. IX., fol. 7, b.

"The agrement betwene the L. Wardens of the Westmerches of England and Scotlande."

Shall meet and keep a day of March at Greatnoekirk on the 28th of April next. On the morrow to repair to the Debateable Land. From thence to repair to Harlowe with horsemen and footmen to pursue fugitives. Attempts and slaughters shall be redressed.

1 p. Copy.

404. Robert Bowes to Burghley. [March 29.] Cott. Calig., C. V., fol. 149.

At the last convention, at Stirling, the King by his minority revoked his former grant of the earldom of Lennox, given to the bishop of Caithness, and in recompense thereof gave to the said late earl, then absent, the earldom of March. Afterwards the King made Monsieur d'Aubigny Earl of Lennox, giving to him that earldom and the custody of the castle of Dumbarton, which d'Aubigny has left in the keeping of the Laird of Drumquhassel. D'Aubigny is also called to be one of the Secret Council, and carries the sway in Court.

By the small assembly at this convention it is adjourned to the 10th of April next, at Stirling; and because it is suspected that the Earl of Morton held sundry noblemen back with himself, therefore the King will write more earnestly for general appearance at the next, and that party at Stirling are bent to solicit all their friends to the same, where it will appear what weather shall follow these "gloming" clouds.

The griefs betwixt the Earls of Morton and Argyll will increase.

The agreement betwixt the Earls of Morton and Angus takes no full effect. The poisoning of Atholl is meant to be brought again into question and trial, and sundry are of opinion that the matter shall be discovered.

The Earl of Morton and many with him earnestly withstand the return of Sir Thomas Carre to Scotland, and it is found strange that d'Aubigny, being so near in blood to the King, should advance the calling home of him who was present at the slaughter of the King's grandfather and his uncle.

pp. Copy. (Printed, Wright, vol. ii., p. 96.)

Cott. Julius, F. VI., fol. 46.

Copy of the same.

405. Instructions for Walsingham's Secretary. [March.] Cott. Calig., C. V., fol. 143.

"Instructions upon which Tomson, Secretary Walsingham's man, should conferre with the Italian at Boloigne."

(1) What Shadell was, and what practices he had.

(2) What Jacomo Boncompanio is, and what the matter was that he and Shadell should have repeated here for him.

(3) Who they were with whom he had most conference, and whom he acquainted with the death of the said Shadell, and expected and received from him their further pleasure.

(4) Who that Gregorie Romaine is, of whom he speaks, and what the letters were he received from him to deliver to some parties of the imprisoned, and who that party imprisoned is.

(5) What other noblemen of France there are with whom he had conference in former matters.

(6) To whom he delivered the packet he brought from Gregorie, and what was contained therein, and with how many and whom he had conference at his being here.

(7) What things he is able to reveal touching her majesty's State.

"Thompson's proceedinge with the Italien at Boloigne."

After delivery of my message to him from her majesty, with usual compliments, and also the view of your honour's letter in his chamber, in part, he uttered to me as great discontentment as at the first, and for the self same cause, seeking some other small pretences of offence out of the letter, as that her majesty should be angry with him, and your honour should account him a mercenary—that he was accounted no better of, etc. The matter he delivered to me was that there was an invasion intended against her majesty, practised by the pope and his adherents; the chief conduct of the enterprise was committed to Jacomo Boncompanio, lieutenant of the church of Rome, and castellan of the castle of St. Angelo; that the matter was ripe and ready to be put in execution when he should say it was time, that he was now presently to return to Rome to report to the pope in what state he finds matters here at the delivery of the packet he brought hither in February last; that, therefore, if her majesty could like to accept of his service, he would deliver the principal conspirator, Jacomo Boncompanio into her hands; that their intention by this interview was not only to deprive her majesty of the crown, but of her life also, in the same sort as the Lady Jane [Grey] went before; that this conspiracy has great favourers in the realm, whom he would likewise particularly note out to her majesty with such manifest proofs that they shall not gainsay it; that if they have not burned them, the pope's letters shall be found about them; that he will discover the party to whom he delivered the Pope's packet of letters, all which were signed with the letter H. intending thereby his Christian name, which is Hugo, and not his pontifical name, which is Gregorie; that in France there are six principal conspirators; which six are not several persons, but several houses, whereof the Duke of Guise and his whole house make but one; that he is now presently gone to the Duke of Guise. He desires that howsoever her majesty pleases to accept of the advertisement or not, it may be kept secret, etc. One great occasion that moves him to discover the practice of the pope and his adherents is their base and abject using of him. He desired me to recommend this petition of his very earnestly to her majesty, to wit, that she would be careful of her own preservation and such others about her as are her best servants.

pp. Copy.