Elizabeth: June 1579

409. Advertisement from Scotland. [June 1.]

There was an Act of Privy Council made that the two houses of Draffin and Hamilton should be demolished, but Morton has stayed the same. The Countess of Argyll is suiting the Earl of Atholl in marriage to her daughter. "What that means you know." Albeit the Lords of Falkirk have lost a man, yet their friendship remains one together. Arthur Hamilton and the company that were taken with him are to be justified this Saturday by the Council. The Parliament is to be holden the 10th of September next in Edinburgh, and it is already concluded in Council, by the King's own advice, that his majesty shall come thither to it; for which cause the workmen are repairing the abbey of Holyrood House with glass and other necessaries. The Earls of Atholl and Montrose are appointed to appear before the Council the 15th instant to hear trial taken concerning the poisoning of their father. For that effect all the mediciners, surgeons, and apothecaries are charged to be there the same day. Proclamation was made in Jedburgh on the 25th of May and in Selkirk on Thursday next after, that no Scotsman should tryst with any Englishman without the licence of the Warden, and that any Englishman entering Scotland without the Warden's leave, or else that he be commended, shall be taken and used as a prisoner. On Saturday last, in Kelso market, divers Englishmen were taken, and their goods taken from them.

¾ p. Indorsed: "Advertisments from Scotland primo Junii 1579."

Cott. Calig., C. V., fol. 157.

Copy of the same.

Cott. Calig., C. V., fol. 159.

Another copy of the same.

410. Intelligence from Scotland. [June 3.] Cott. Calig., C. III., fol. 590.

Of the prisoners taken at Hamilton six were brought to Stirling and examined if they were culpable of the murder of the King's father and two Regents. Arthur Hamilton of Meertoun, captain of Hamilton Castle, both now and when Sir William Drury was there, being found guilty on his own confession, suffered on the 30th of May. The remaining five denying, are committed to several prisons till further trial.

The castles of Hamilton and Draffen are appointed to be rased. Captain Crawford remains at Hamilton, and "is furthwardlie procedit" in that work. The other castle should be demolished by young Sir James Hamilton.

It is uncertain what is become of Arbroath and Claud Hamilton, "but maist apparent that Arbroth lurkis in Galloway or Carrik," and Claud in Lothian. Some report them to be passed into England, and some to France.

The Earl of Arran and his brother David are in the palace of Linlithgow as yet. Some think their "remaning" shall be in Falkland; but the order is not yet directed. The Duchess, his mother, lies at Kynneill, accompanied by her daughter, who was Countess of Eglinton.

No other disposition is made of the Earl of Arran's lands, nor of the abbeys of Arbroath and Paisley, but all left in the Treasurer's hands. The King has suspended the making of grants and promises till after the Parliament to be holden at Edinburgh on the 20th of October. The Estates shall convene here, at Stirling, on the 4th of August, to consult upon the King's convoy and provisions.

The doctors and surgeons who were present at the opening of the Earl of Atholl are written for to be at Stirling on the 15th of June, and likewise sundry of the Council, to be examined on the bruit of the poisoning.

The Earl of Argyll has pressed for the chancellorship; but the disposition of the same is deferred till the Parliament time.

There is no great speech presently for the apprehension of any, but a proclamation that who shall take and present any fugitives for the murders shall have in reward their livings. None are appointed to be "persequuted" but the Hamiltons and their followers.

No process is now "led" against Sir James Balfour, "nor it neidis not," for he stands forfeited for the murder of the King's father. It is credibly reported that he is away, and took ship on Wednesday last.

The ordnance that came forth of Edinburgh Castle is returned to the same again. There are present about the King the Earls of Argyll, Lennox, and Buchan, Lord Ruthven, the Earl of Mar, and his cousins Lords Ochiltree and Cathcart. There is mention presently of the Earl of Angus passing to France; but by his appearance that journey is stayed.

Lord Seton and his sons were appointed to remain in ward at St. Andrews; but upon sureties to be found they are licensed to return to Lothian.

There is no alteration of government about the King; but it is like that they of the surname of Stewart shall have chief place and greatest credit, as specially James Stewart, son to Lord Ochiltree.

2 pp. Indorsed: "Occurrances from Alexander Hay iij Junii 1579."

411. Nicholas Errington to Walsingham. [June 23.] Cott. Calig., C. III., fol. 588.

Received his letter of the 18th of May for the conduction of Mons. Nau, secretary to the Scottish Queen, to the Scottish Court, which accordingly he has done. Notwithstanding their coming to the Scottish King's Court, there was none would take knowledge of his coming, which he [Nau] found very strange, looking rather to have been met by some of quality on the way than so cold a suit. Was glad at his request to make his way to have presence of the King, which he procured with some travail. The Council sent to him two gentlemen to demand his affairs and [the cause of his] coming to Scotland. He answered that he was come from the Scottish Queen to visit her son. It was answered that they knew none such; but if he came to the King with direction from the Queen his mother, they thought he should be welcome. But if he would not acknowledge the King, they were not to deal with him any further. He alleged that he used such terms as his mistress commanded, thinking that there would have been no difficulty between the mother and the son. But he craved his answer; which was promised. The King and Council being advertised of the manner of his direction sent to him the next day, that if he had no other language to speak than yet they perceived, the King's pleasure was that he should presently avoid the country, "and to gyve thankes unto the gentleman that was his conductour, that he wase not maid understand of his fault and presomption to enter the countrye not acknowledgeing a King." He offered, rather than he would depart without having his presence, he would, for his particular, acknowledge him King. But that "wold not tayke place." So that, taking very unquiet rest for that night, and "tayking advice of his pillowe," requested him to solicit his cause to have presence, offering to acknowledge him King in his mistress' name. Which he did, but in nowise would be heard; but willed to content himself with his answer, and so returned discontented, without presence of the King or any of the Council, or delivery of his tokens. Perceives that he had two letters, one in French and the other in Italian; the one directed to her dear and well beloved son in Scotland, the other to her dear and well beloved son the Prince of Scotland. The first he confessed to have, but not that the title of which was Prince. He is returned to Berwick, and this day takes his journey to the Queen of Scots. He seems to think the Queen of England and all other Princes will be offended with their doings in that case.

Confesses that he was careful of his mistress' promise made to the Queen of England for doing or speaking with any during his abode there, as there were few or none who pressed to speak with him, except some poor men, who had been servants of no value, for such wages and pensions as had not been paid by her treasurer.

Sends herewith some occurrents of Scotland. Berwick. Signed: Nicholas Arington.

2¾ pp. Holograph. Addressed. Indorsed.